Hello Everyone! Yes, I know I haven’t blogged for over a month. So I’m making up for it with a ton of photos for you and hopefully you’ll be inspired to stamp a card for someone you love!
I held two “Christmas in September” classes – both groups of gals had a good time and everyone’s projects turned out so well!
Class #1 – going clockwise: Cindy (in blue), Carol Lee, April, Heather, Deb, Beth and Me.
Heather & Deb – two of my favorite people in the world.
There’s something to be said about Mothers and Daughters stamping together – it’s a beautiful thing! *wink*
Everyone LOVED the fact that with their class they received their own “Dasher” stamp! I will be holding more Christmas themed classes and events so be sure to check out my Stampin’ Up! website and Calendar of Events.
Each place setting had a gift that I made for the class members. Using the Baskets & Blooms Big Shot Die and ‘Merry Moments’ DSP (which coordinated with the class projects), I made each lady a basket and filled it with bags of caramel candy corn and Werther’s chocolates.
For the ladies in class #1 I made them each individual mini loaves of Banana Bread which I showed them how to wrap and decorate with more coordinating Merry Moments DSP.
Here’s some cards, using the same layout as the above Dasher samples, but with different DSP (Designer Series Paper) and stamps:
My stamp clubs have been going well and it’s so nice that two of my clubs are up and running again, after a summer break. I’ve missed seeing everyone! Another club still met throughout the summer which was fun. All my clubs are being taught really cool techniques and members are creating their own technique booklets with samples and instructions.
“Stamp Club #3” – Susan, Shallon. Cara and Kim (Miranda is missing from the photo). This photo was taken in my new stamp room, by the way, that my amazing husband made for me. It used to be the garage! Russell partitioned the room with a new wall, added some doors and windows, lights, a sink, you name it. IS HE INCREDIBLE OR WHAT? It is so nice to have a room for stamping, classes, etc. Of course, no boys allowed….
Uh oh! IMPOSTERS! Dwight and Russell snuck in to watch a video about cars! They were promptly doused in Dazzling Diamonds (which took them dayyyyys to wash off their bodies…bahhwaahhhaa!) – did the trick though. They haven’t been back!
Another card I made, using a different Texturz Plate. This is from the “Stampin’ Up! Backgrounds 1” set – my fav!
All my current stamp clubs are full, but if you’d like to start your own stamp club please contact me. The clubs are a ton of fun and great way to build your stamp collection on a budget.
This month the technique was “THUMPING”, using the FABULOUS SU Markers – I. Love. Them. I must say those markers are one of my most favorite and most used accessories from SU (right along the Big Shot – my other FAVORITE item!!).
To do the ‘Thumping’ technique, (as in the above photo) ink up your stamp (I used Lovely as a Tree) with a light color such as Creamy Caramel or Soft Suede. Then you simply take several markers (I used More Mustard, Really Rust, Ruby Red and Old Olive) and using one marker at a time, thump your marker directly on to the stamp – as if you’re playing the drums. Just tap it all over and then move on, using a different colored marker. For something so simple the results are stunning. Of course, adding some Dazzling Diamonds REALLY creates some Bling!
Along with the “Lovely as a Tree” sample, club members also made the following card:
Stamp sets: “Razzle Dazzle” & “Hope Happens”
More Mustard card stock was put through the Big Shot using one of the super fun ‘Texture Plates” that we inked up before hand (also in More Mustard). The Soft Suede cardstock was put through a paper crimper. I recently learned how to make the mega cool circles going down the card from another Demonstrator – it’s so easy and such a WOW! I just had to show the girls how to do it! The expression on this card is from the “Hope Happens” stamp set.
(If you click on the photo, it makes them larger – just don’t make any comments about the hair. It was invisible to the naked eye….hee hee)
Aren’t the colors gorgeous??? I love how they all blend together! Imagine doing this with a Snowflake Stamp in different blues? I am going to HAVE to try that!
These are more cards I made with the Thumping technique, using the “Circle Circus” stamp set – which is awesome!
I love how the Scallop Circle Punch works with the stamps!
I used my SU markers on each word to get this super cool multicolored expression (“All Holidays“)
Here’s a major “WOW!!!” for you: check out the tri-fold card my Mother made! Holey Mackerel! I have never attempted one of these cards but my Mom has totally inspired me to try it. This card is beeeauuutiful! Mom made this card for her friend and neighbor in California.
As some of you know, Mom, Mike and the girls (my neices) have been in California with Mike’s job. Mike’s contract ended so they all hit the road (Big Shot strapped in safely for the trip, stamps and ink in tow – every thing else is in storage) and headed for the next job in Tulsa, Oklahoma. However, on the way they found out they had to first go to Mineral Wells, Texas for training and then they’ll be going on to Tulsa. Quite the adventure! Mom’s leaving a trail of Dazzling Diamonds across the USA!
Mom, Desi and Madeline in San Francisco
Mom made this card using the ‘Round Tab’ Punch. Isn’t it cute? We made something simular in our Stamp Clubs last year but I love how mom changed each purses ‘latch’ with the different shapes – how clever! I also like how she stamped onto to purses too. Love it!
Here’s another ADORABLE card my Mom made that I can’t wait to try. Mom cased the idea from Dawn – a fabulous SU demonstrator in the US (“Dawn’s Stamping Thoughts”).
HOW ADORABLE IS THIS!!!!!!!???!! Can you guess how it’s made?
Scallop Circle punch, Baby! And the dots were made with the end of pencil and black ink, if I’m not mistaken. Mom made this card for the lady at her gym who helped her get started there – and Mom even tucked in a Starbuck’s gift card. Who wouldn’t be thrilled to receive this?
Finally, just for your viewing pleasure (I hope), some more cards I’ve made recently:
“Fun & Fast Notes” – another cool folding technique I’ve recently learned. Using a 4×4 piece of DSP, fold in half, turn 90′ and fold in half again – this will give you the centre point of the square. Open your paper and fold the corners up to the center point – which will result in a smaller square. Simply take the ends from the center and fold down to the outer edge of your DSP. Voila! A 3-D shadow frame! Let me know if you try it – I’d love to see your cards and if you want, I’ll post them on my blog to share with everyone!
I’ve also been using the new ‘Modern Label Punch‘ a lot- it rocks! And I love how the ‘Word Window Punch‘ fits so nicely inside it. I couldn’t live without the ‘Scallop Edge Punch‘ – it just makes me happy! Every time I use it I’m amazed at what a difference it makes to the look of the card. The ‘Thank You” expression is from the ‘Teeny Tiny Wishes‘ set – a real ‘go to’ set for me…I use it all the time.
This was a birthday gift for a dear friend, Beryl, who has been volunteering at the Hospice Shoppe. I adore her and we all ‘adopted’ her as she has no family (except for one cousin) in NB and her DH passed away last year. Beryl collects china tea cups, so I bought this one for her, which had a similar design to that of one of the snowflakes in the ‘Serene Snowflakes‘ set. I truly love these stamps – I suspect my Christmas cards this year will be made the the Serene Snowflakes.
“Nature Silhouettes” – I made this card for Russell’s cousin
I am not happy with this card. But I thought I’d show you some of my ‘FLOPS’ too. Creating sky and landscapes – especially with a brayer – takes practise and I still need to work on this technique. I used the horse from the “Wanted” stamp set and the ‘grass’ is from “Pocket Silhouettes“
Sorry for the blurry photo. I forget the name of this stamp set. One night a bunch of us girls got together at Denise’s house and brought our stamps to share. We all covered sheets of Whisper White cardstock with all the different stamps and now all we have to do is color them and cut them out for our projects. It’s like making your own custom coloring book. It’s also a great way to expand your variety of stamp images!
“Oriental Paintings” – retired. I was asked to make this card for a customer’s daughter. I used my Stampin’ Pastels to color. I also used “Kanji” which is also long since retired – but I still use these two stamp sets all the time.
HAPPY STAMPING!
Oh……..I love my new "Dasher" Stamp……….you can use it with so many things…….I am very happy with the stamp……it is so fun…..Thanks Tina……I can't wait to see what is next !!