Stamping Ideas

Project Time: Debossed Card

Here's a quick and easy card you can whip up with the Big Shot!

It features to of my favourite new products from the Occasions Mini Catalog – First Edition Designer Series Paper (121878) and the Fun Flower Big Die (121812). The card is based on one spotted in the magazine all Stampin' Up demonstrators get monthly, and it's just one of many great perks demonstrators get.

I'd love to talk to you more about all of the awesome perks of being a demonstrator including a 20% discount on your purchases. The starter kit is on sale now, so it's the perfect time to join!

Stampin' Up Supply List

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Ink: Perfect Plum Classic Ink (101437)
Paper: Soft Suede, Perfect Plum (101889), Certainly Celery (105125), Very Vanilla (101650), Newsprint Designer Series Paper (121878)
Accessories: SNAIL (104332), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Certainly Celery 1/8 Taffeta Ribbon (119255), Soft Subtles Designer Buttons (119745), Mini Glue Dots (103683)
Tools: Big Shot Die Cutting System (113439), Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder (115964), Fun Flowers Big Die (121812), Modern Label Punch (119849), Blossom Petals Punch (121808)

Step by Step Directions

Fold Soft Suede card base in half.
Take card base and run through Big Shot with Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder. Remember you are debossing it so the pattern will be inset, not raised as usual.
Create flower out of Perfect Plum and Newsprint Designer Series Paper by running Fun Flowers die through the Big Shot. Attach the two flowers together using SNAIL and add to card base with Stampin' Dimensionals.
Punch leaf out of Certainly Celery with Blossom Petals punch and layer under flower.
Thread button with ribbon as shown and attach to flower with a Mini Glue Dot.
Stamp greeting in Perfect Plum on Very Vanilla and attach to card base with Stampin' Dimensionals.

If you've ever considered joining Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator…to SAVE money to to MAKE some money…NOW is the time! The kit is 15% off PLUS you get an additional $60 bonus kit for free!

There's TWO kits to choose from:

Click here to download flyer!

If you're ready to join, you can join online here OR give me a call and I'll do it for you!

Need more info? Here it is:

FAQ's
Why sign up with Inky Divas
Many Reasons to be a Demo

You can customize your kit, print off this worksheet to help you pick your products:

Standard Starter Kit
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I'm happy to help…ask me any questions!

March “Quick Order” Project 2

Each month, Stampin' Up! features 2 "Quick Order" projects…by clicking on the card, you'll be brought to the shopping cart where you can quickly order the supplies you need to make it.

Gift Project: Honey of a Day 3D

Make a happy treat like this one to please someone you know who is a busy bee. Boxes are easy to adorn with punched shapes and stamped images to create custom containers for all kinds of tasty treats. Make this project to reward a loved one for all their hard work.

Quick Order Link

March “Quick Order” Project 1

Each month, Stampin' Up! features 2 "Quick Order" projects…by clicking on the card, you'll be brought to the shopping cart where you can quickly order the supplies you need to make it.

Card Project: Thank You Card

A hug from a friend is one of the greatest blessings. Extend one to each of your closest friends with this image from our The Nicest Things set. Charmingly framed in a scallop oval and matted with a polka-dot embossed background, this piece of watercolor art will convey your warmth and sincerity perfectly.

Quick Order Link

Project of the Week: Nature Walk Top Note Card

There are a lot of cool things about being a Stampin' Up demonstrator, but hands down one of my favourites is the magazine called Stampin' Success that we receive in the mail each month. It is packed full of business tips, and great samples. This card is inspired by one from the February issue of Stampin' Success and features the Nature Walk (W121925/C121997) stamp set from the Occasion Mini catalogue.

Did you that the Stampin' Up starter kit is on sale as part of Sale-A-Bration? Right now the kit is 15% off and comes with an extra bundle of free product including the color coach, a simply sent kit, a coordinating simply sent stamp set and the punch of your choice. If you'd like more info about the starter kit special, I'd love to talk to you, so just email or call me.

Stampin' Up Supply List

Stamps: Nature Walk (W121925/C121997)
Ink: Bashful Blue (105209), Soft Suede (115657) Classic Ink
Paper: Bashful Blue (105120), Soft Suede (115318), Very Vanilla (101650)
Accessories: SNAIL (104332), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430),Marina Mist 3/8 Taffeta Ribbon (119965), Antique Brads (117273), Mini Glue Dots (103683)
Tools: Big Shot Die Cutting System (113439), Top Note Die (113463), Stampin Sponges (101610)

Step by Step Directions

Fold Soft Suede card base in half.
Cut Bashful Blue mat to 4 x 5.25
Cut Top Note out of Very Vanilla using the Big Shot.
Stamp bird cage on mat randomly in Bashful Blue.
Stamp images using Bashful Blue and Soft Suede randomly on the Top Note.
Sponge edges of Top Note with Soft Suede.
Using direct to pad with Bashful Blue, run over top of Top Note.
Attach Top Note to Bashful Blue mat using SNAIL. Affix brad through. Attach to card base with SNAIL.
Tie bow out of ribbon and attach to the card with Mini Glue Dots.

Nature Walk is part of the Botanical Suite which features realistic, natural designs and a warm muted color palette. It's understated and perfect for cards or scrapbook pages!

To check out more of this suite contact me to schedule a stamping party in your home!

Technique Time: Watercoloring with Markers

This week's technique features watercoloring with a Blender Pen and Stampin' Write Markers.

Stampin' Up Supply List

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes (111618), A Word for You (W117032/C120528)
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On (101406), Real Red Classic Ink (103133), Real Red (100052), Regal Rose (105108)and Soft Suede (120973) Stampin' Write Markers
Paper: Very Vanilla Cardstock (101650), Pink Pirouette (105118), Soft Suede (115318), Real Red (102482), Watercolor Paper (105019)
Accessories: Pretty in Pink 1 ¼ Striped Grosgrain (119775), SNAIL (104332), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (102023), 2-Way Glue Pen (100425), Blender Pens (102845)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335), Decorative Label Punch (120907), Paper Snips (103579)

Cardstock Dimensions for this Project

Real Red
- 8.5 x 5.5
Very Vanilla
- 4.25 x 5.5 piece for embossed piece
- Scrap for stamped and punched greeting
Pink Pirouette
- 2.5 x 3.5 Mat for image
- Scrap for frame for greeting
Soft Suede
- 2.25 x 3.25 Mat for image
Watercolor Paper
- 2 x 3

Technique Directions

Stamp image with Staz-On and then add "spots" of color as desired on image with markers.
Move ink around on paper using blender pen to shade as desired.

Notes:

Using a marker with a blender pen gives you a more vibrant look than with other watercoloring techniques. It also offers more control with smaller images than using the Aquapainter with the markers to color.
To successfully use markers with blender pens, you must use Staz-On to ensure it is waterproof, and watercolor paper to ensure the paper doesn't pill.

Finishing Touches

Take card base and fold in half.
Run Very Vanilla mat through Big Shot with Polkadot Embossing folder and then attach to card base with SNAIL.
Attach stamped image to Soft Suede and Pink Pirouette pieces with SNAIL.
Fold small piece of ribbon and attach to back of stamped panel using SNAIL. Attach to entire card base with SNAIL.
Stamp greeting in Real Red on Very Vanilla and then punch out with Decorative Label Punch.
Punch a Decorative Label out of Pink Pirouette. Cut in half and trim off points on smaller side and then attach to back of stamped greeting with SNAIL. Attach to card base with Stampin Dimensionals.
Add glitter to cupcakes using 2-way Glue Pen.

Get out your open line art images and give watercoloring with your blender pen and markers a try. There's lots of ways to watercolor and I'd be happy to share them with you and you can learn which ones you like best! Contact me to arrange a private class with your friends this fall.

**To sign up for the 12 Weeks of Christmas emails – exclusive emails with Christmas projects sent right to your inbox- click here…you don't want to miss it!!**

So much to be thankful for…

This year's Thanksgiving was very different than normal. We were so used to having dinner with family every year, I think we took it for granted. Funny, I heard this weekend how when things get too familiar to you….you can easily stop being thankful for it. This can be anything from your relationship, job, family, kids, etc. This concept really hit home for me. I started to think about all the blessings I have and am so thankful for all I've been given in life. I really have everything I need in life…I have to work on not "wanting" so much!

For Thanksgiving, we were invited to have dinner with some of our neighbours. We really have moved onto such a wonderful street with fabulous neighbours. We live on a cul-de-sac in a new development and most of our neighbours have younger family's. There's over 20 kids on our street and such a sense of community. So, our neighbour Amanda invited us to enjoy dinner with her family. We really had a wonderful time and were so thankful to have been asked. Thanks Amanda!

There's so many great stamp sets in this year's Holiday Mini catalogue, but one of the absolutely most versatile sets is Day of Gratitude (W120835/C121148). While it has a fall-like theme, it can easily be used for other projects, particularly the medallion image. Here it's been put to work on a simple thanksgiving card which features rock and roll technique and some embossing.

Step by Step Directions

Cut paper as follows:
1. Early Espresso card base to 5.5 x 8.5
2. Very Vanilla mat for stamped images to 4 x 5.25
3. Extra piece of Very Vanilla for punched greeting and acorn
Fold card base in half and make crisp line with bone folder.
Stamp images using Rock and Roll Technique. The key with this technique is to use two close colors and ink up the stamp with the lighter color and then roll the edges in the darker color. Stamp the medallion in So Saffron and More Mustard, single leaf in Pumpkin Pie and Cajun Craze and branch of leaves in Cherry Cobbler and Riding Hood Red.
Run stamped panel through the Big Shot using the Square Lattice embossing folder. Ink edges with Early Espresso and Cajun Craze.
Attach Cherry Cobbler seam binding to stamped piece using SNAIL and attach to card base using SNAIL.
Stamp greeting in Early Espresso and punch out with 2 1/2 Circle Punch. Affix to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals.
Using markers color the acorn with Early Espresso and Cajun Craze and cut out with paper snips. Attach with half of a Stampin' Dimensional.

Stampin' Up Supply List

Stamps: Day of Gratitude (W120835/C121148), Seasonal Sentiments (W120821/C121130)
Ink: Riding Hood Red (111836), Cherry Cobbler (119669), Pumpkin Pie (105216), Cajun Craze (119671), Early Espresso (119670), So Saffron (105213), More Mustard (103162)Classic , Cajun Craze Stampin Write Marker (119768), Early Espresso Stampin Write Marker (119680)
Paper: Very Vanilla (101650), Early Espresso (119868)
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding (120992), SNAIL (104332), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
Tools: Big Shot Die Cutting System(113439), Square Lattice Embossing Folder (119976), 2 1/2 Circle Punch (120906)