Decor Elements

Look what I made today:

I made this using Stampin' Up decor elements.  I received this T in my starter kit and have been waiting to use it.  I live in an apartment so I didn't want to put it on my wall.  I have had this idea for a little while but just had not gotten around to it.  It took less than an hour to make, including a trip to Wal-Mart for supplies.  I got this frame, fabric and ribbon from Wal-Mart all for less than $12.  I cut the fabric to cover the back part of the frame.  I just used packing tape to tape it back.  Once I had the fabric situated with no bubbles, I applied to T using the decor elements applicator tool.  It was pretty easy to apply - some parts I had to spend a little more time on - and I think applying it to fabric made it a little more difficult to apply.  They suggest pretty much any smooth, nontextured surface (painted walls, wallpaper, glass, metal, finished wood surfaces).  I just nailed the piece of ribbon to the back of the frame and hung it in our bathroom.  I was very pleased with the final results.

How could you use decor elements in your home?

Shop now and see what all is available.

A Slice of Life

As I mentioned in previous post - I won a door prize at the Shoebox Swap - I chose the stamp set "A Slice of Life".  This set is a hostess set in the Occasions Mini.  After I got home I remembered that I needed some cards for this week - and this set was perfect. 

This set comes with a cake stamp, candles stamp and a heart topper stamp.  Since they are all seperate you can use the cake to make a birthday card OR wedding OR anniversary card.  I like to find stamp sets that I can use for a variety of things. I stamped the cake on a few different pieces of cardstock and Designer Series Paper. Then I cut these apart and put them back together to make the cake multi colored.  After I finished the card I realized that I wish I had run the yellow cardstock through my Perfect Polka dots embossing folder.

I absolutely LOVE this card.  I used a new (to me) fold that I learned at the shoebox swap.  I just love the onsies - I stamped them and then colored the stripes using my inks and blender pen.  After I cut them out I ran them through my Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  Inside the card I stamped the sentiment, "One little baby...many happy hearts!", it is from the Curvy Verses set.

Shoebox Swap

 I am so glad that Christie (my upline) encouraged me to participate in the Shoebox Swap last night.  It was so much fun and I got to make gorgeous cards with different stamp sets and tools I don't have yet. 

I am still new to my stamping group and so I don't know who to give credit to for these cards.

I LOVE this cupcake card.  It uses the Build A Cupcake set and coordinating punch from our Occassions Mini Catalog.  I loved using DSP for the cupcake tops.

 I also LOVE this Valentine's card.  The Be My Valentine stamp is also from the Occassions mini as well as the fun red glitter cardstock.  I also love the bow - I can't explain it without showing - but you use the brad to hold it together instead of a knot.

This is just a sampling to show you some of the fun stuff that is available with Stampin' Up!

 This is a hybrid card - that means it uses elements from traditional stamping AND from My Digital Studio (computer designed elements).  I had never done anything with MDS before.  The panel that says Bliss is printed onto photo paper (reason for the glare) but I added rhinestones to the center of the butterfly and then attached it to a card with DSP and a border punch.





This is a set I WON as a door prize.  I absolutely LOVE it.  It can be used for so many different occasions.  It is called A Slice of Life and is only available as a hostess set in the Occasions Mini catalog (ends April 30th).  I am working on cards from this set right now....hopefully I can show you soon.

Busy, Busy

School is definitely back into full swing, and I haven't been stamping as much.  Here are some pictures of a couple of things I have done over the past week.  The first card is 3x3 I made using rub-ons - they are so versatile and you can even use them on other things such as ribbon.

This is another card using the Build-A-Blossom stamp set and punch.  I also used the Elegant Lines embossing folder for the background.

Hope I to get time to stamp more soon.

Birthday Bakery

This card was CASE'd, I watched Diana Gibbs' tutorial video and made changes based on the supplies I had. It isn't perfect but I thought I did ok for my first try.  I used my blender pen to color in the cakes - the blender pen allows you to use your ink pads to color in images you've stamped.  Since I am still building my stock of inks I combined Pumpkin Pie with Rich Razzleberry to make the brown(ish). 

I really like this stamp set - it is a hostess set that is only available if you host a workshop (with at least $150 in sales) OR place a $150 order.

i LOVE build-a-blossom

A local non-profit asked if I could make some gift tags for them to put on small gifts for their donors.  My new package with my Build-a-blossom stamps and punch came today so I was very eager to play.  I have 3 made and have 17 to go.

I had so much fun using the build-a-blossom stamp set - and then the punch makes it so easy to "cut out" the petals to build great looking flowers.  Build-a-blossom stamp set is available in the clear mount which makes it so easy to do two step stamping.  I also got my personalized stamp tonight....and my Big Shot - I used the polka dots embossing folder on the white piece of cardstock.  I have A LOT of other projects I want to try with my new supplies BUT today I volunteered to coach UIL Maps, Graphs & Charts and I have a meeting tomorrow morning that I need to get ready for.

Supplies:
Old Olive Cardstock
Whisper White Cardstock
Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder
Build-A-Blossom Stamp Set - Occasions Mini - Clear 18.95
Build-A-Blossom Punch - Occasions Mini - $16.95
Melon Mambo Ink
Daffodil Delight Marker
For Everything Stamp Set (Thanks)

Order now on my website.

Wallet for Sale

Here is Joe's latest creation:

Let me know if you are interested in buying it...$10 (negotiable) + shipping if necessary.

Text, e-mail, facebook, or leave a comment if you are interested.

More will be coming.

Demonstrator Meeting

I LOVE going to demonstrator meeting because there are A LOT of very talented ladies that have been with Stampin' Up! for a long time and they are ALL so nice and helpful.  I know there will always be great make and takes and a fun technique to try.    

This card uses colors and accessories from the Springtime Vintage Suite that starts on p. 14 of the Occasions mini catalog:

I LOVE the Valentine's Card we got to make.  It uses the glitter paper (available on p. 7) and some other fun accessories - rhinestones, punches, etc.

This photo shows a technique that you can use with Big Shot dies AND punches.  It is called "A New Twist." In this example you would use the Top Note die - after you run your paper through, take the shape and turn it 90 degrees and center it on the die.  When you run it through again you will get the new shape.

This is another card I made for a Stampin' Up! contest for new demonstrators to make a card using only the supplies we received in our starter kit, I sent it to my best friend.  I was waiting until she got it to post it...but I can't wait any longer (she should have it by now).

Joe makes things too!

Joe makes wallets.  For Christmas we drew names and then had to make something for that person.  He found this idea (to make for his brother) on this blog: http://replayground.blogspot.com/2010/02/shirt-cuff-wallet.html .  Here are some pictures:   This is the second one he made - and now we know that white gets dirty fast - and sharpies bleed.  I wish we took pictures of his first one - it looked really neat.

I've taught him to use my sewing machine and he really enjoys making them....and I get to help with design and layout! 

Sale-a-bration is coming!!!

Sale-a-bration is a promotion that Stampin' Up! has yearly to reward customers with free product!!!  You will get to choose a free Stampin Up! item (choose from over 60 stamp sets valued $14.95 and less or from other accessories) for EVERY $50 you spend.  This is also a great time to host a workshop!!

Here is a card I made (sorry it is blurry):

I really wanted to use this library clip in a card. (On Friday Stampin Up had clips on the clearance rack - 24 clips - $1.99 - shop online now.) I cut Brights DSP (designer series paper) into rectangles 1" x 1.5", I used dimensionals to adhere them to the card (Night of Navy).  That gave me a place to clip on the Thanks. 

I used my paper cutter to make a slit in the fold of the card so that I could run the ribbon through and tie in the front.  Inside the card I attached a piece of Whisper White cardstock so that you can write on the inside of the card - I also added the sentiment from Curvy Verses.  I love the Curvy Verses stamp set - I chose it to come with my Starter Kit and I think those sentiments are perfect for the inside of a card.

I have really enjoyed my Christmas break - it has been very restful and relaxing.  Since Joe is focusing on taking classes right now neither of us were working for these two weeks.  It was wonderful, I think it made it seem longer than it was. Tomorrow is my first day back at school - but there won't be any students - so I get to slowly get back into things.  Here is my favorite picture from the break - we are with our nephew Jacobie:

Getting Started

I (Jessica) recently became a Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator.  I have always been interested in crafts but I would always get frustrated because I would envision something but my lack of artistic ability would make it VERY difficult to make a finished product.  Insert stamping.  I LOVE stamping - it is the perfect solution - to create gorgeous images and words you just have to ink a stamp and then press it onto the paper.  I have played with stamping on and off since college but recently have been stamping A LOT more.

I love to browse blogs to learn techniques and get ideas for new cards.  On this blog I'll be sharing some of the things I have found and learned to make.  I am sure school will come up (I teach 5th grade reading) and the apartments (Joe does an after school program at a local apartment complex).  Joe has also started making wallets -- it is hard to explain but pictures will come soon.

I am new to blogging - so please be patient with me as I learn what I am doing.