* Get started on SPRING early with this awesome CLASS! 

 The  EASY to follow instruction  will leave you in possession of a most beautiful Gift Set -

my GARDENS BLOOM GIFT SET CLASS can have a spot waiting for you!  Early Bird price of $20 from Feb 1 - 26th {my birthday!} 

with the price commencing at the regular rate of $25 afterwards 

till Class Schedule Begins in MARCH!  

I designed this project to give you ABSOLUTE FUN  creating your very own lush floral pattern using the 2-Step Stamping Technique and the GARDEN GREENHOUSE Stamp Set!!! 

This technique - stamp set  is a go-to winner because the options available are so many - all with lovely results - just think of the colour combinations alone!  

Wouldn't the above look just lovely if I had chosen a purple-blue combination such as 

Wisteria Wonder and Bashful Blue - or how about So Saffron / Regal Rose !  

Embossing with White will have to be in another class - that would be darling!!! 

SEE THE CLASS DETAILS IN MY NEXT POST!

CLICK ON PHOTO FOR CLOSE-UP

 * Crafters!  


Here's an idea I'd like to share today - and its for anyone in to scrapbooking or cardmaking or home decor projects - even fabric projects!  Simply apply the techniques to your project adapting them for your particular surface!  OK!!! 

* I have some white and vanilla 12x12 cardstock in my collection as many of us do - and every so often  I like to make a scrapbook page right from scratch - not a purchased "patterned paper' such as Stampin' Up!'s Designer Series Paper but something TOTALLY and UNIQUELY MINE!  

To do this I:  

STAMP my OWN BACKGROUND DESIGN 

onto the 12 inch cardstock. Voila!!!  

You are only limited by your own imagination, you can apply many, many techniques for this using rubberstamps, colouring techniques such as rag-rolling, spritzing or sponging ink, or even resist techniques {try scribbling a wax crayon onto the cardstock then sponging colour overtop}.  Basically the techniques we use to make most of our projects. This is just on a larger scale. 


To to get you thinking today...  
I have chosen TWO TECHNIQUES for this demo - 

1.  using rubberstamps  and 
2.  using a stencil.  

RUBBERSTAMPING A BACKGROUND DESIGN 

- Using a Pencil Grid 

Stamping backgrounds can be relatively easy when you take your largest stamp and stamp in no particular pattern followed by smaller stamps filling in the gaps.  The results are pleasing. 

However, some very refined designs can be created if you take the preliminary step of creating a pencil grid using lightly drawn lines which are easily erased afterwards. 

I created my grid with North-South/East-West and diagonal lines - in equal distances. I am careful to create straight lines and watch to see that the intersections cross properly.

Creating a grid of pencil lines across a 12x12 cardstock page. 

MAKING DECISIONS.

There is preparation but its not long - I did this in a few minutes by looking over my stamp sets and just experimenting! This IS fun remember? 

OK, I chose my stamps ahead of time - thinking about the type of look I am going for - ex) floral or fun characters?  You also need to consider the SIZE of the image.  A small stamped image or a large one?  Should the pattern be everywhere or widely spaced apart? 

 I have decided to create one large GRAPHIC IMAGE by combing several stamps - which share  the same style - but different styles would produce some interesting looks in my opinion. 

Today I decide to create the design using 3 stamps - it only looks like 4 

but I stamped the flower twice[ AND by flipping it's direction]! 

My choices are a leaf - a flower and a heart.

Orientation of the stamps is another decision - here is where the grid is handy: to group my stamped images together. I began by stamping the larger LEAF FLOURISH on a straight North-South pencil line, and then stamped the FLOWER on either side (a East -West direction) and slightly below and finished beneath the flowers with a HEART once again back on center!  

So 1step - 2step -3step - 4! 

Hey we're dancing!!!

CLICK ON PICTURES!

Sorry image is on its side - will fix!  LOL!  See image below!  

Once I have made my mine up as to how I want the 'design' to look - all I have to do is repeat it around the rest of the page!  

HERE IS THE PATTERN EMERGING!  

* STENCILING A BACKGROUND DESIGN

This is important to note - Stampin' Up! Customers!

SU has regrettably decided it will no longer carry our DECOR ACCENTS line of products when the new 2012-2013 catalogue is launched.   So if you are like me, and value having a stencil or two in your arsenal - then please have another look at the fabulous line of stencils we currently carry. 

I will be most pleased to help you - email me. 

To stencil a background there is not much to consider other than the stencil choice and how much of it will you stencil onto your page.  Partial images look nice off to one side - or maybe in each corner like a 'frame'.  I have one stencil here that is large and so I have chosen it to be my background. Its a lovely flourish style.  AND I will be using it for the first time - yah!

I have gone with a deeper blue this time for my ink choice - BUT - {there's always a but}...using a sponge as my weapon of choice to deliver the ink to the paper {rather than say a brayer!}....I realize I maybe stumping my sponge all night!  Its such a large design - but I carry on.  Thankfully, to sponge the ink on in a un-even fashion is more appealling than applying an even coat of ink throughout the stencil.  I decide to apply more ink towards "ends" such as the flower heads, and the tips of leaves and flourishes. 

Just keep the stencil down and stump your sponge in a direct up and down motion.  In a design like this, also be careful not to bend the stencil by accident in areas where the laser-cut design ends or is narrow - you can wash off the ink easily if you use water-soluable ink like our CLASSIC INKS. 

I am using one of our new colours " Island Indigo ".

Isn't it pretty?*

Sponging a Stencil using Stampin' Up!'s Classic Ink in Island Indigo! 

AND THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING - LOOK AT MY FINGERS!!!  :)

COME BACK TO SEE PART 2 TO SEE WHAT MORE I DO TOWARDS THE FINISHED PROJECTS in PART 3 !!!   

Meanwhile GET STARTED ON YOUR PROJECT!  

SEE YA!  

STAMPIN' UP STENCILS 

2 Stencil Products - Many More Designs, Assorted Sizes

MOSTLY VINTAGE STENCIL 118877 $10.85

FLOURISH DECOR STENCIL  117581 $11.95

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN USE THE BIG SHOT TO WORK

 WITH A VARIETY OF MATERIALS?

IT'S SO TRUE!  

Here is a project I made using MASKING TAPE - in black no less! 

I placed strips of black masking tape onto cardstock, side by side and cut the masking tape-cardstock down to size to fit my Big Shot. I used a EMBOSSING FOLDER and ran the masking tape-cardstock through and you can see the resulting pattern in the close-up shot!   Thus I was able to create a photo frame!   How cool!

I used the VINTAGE WALLPAPER Embossing Folder #120175 to create the four sides of the photo frame, and topped it off with a retired Bigz Die " Decor Elements "  to create an interesting hanger. The photo frame is hanging by one pin in the crook of the scroll. 

To make the frame ATTACH to the SCROLL - I double-layered my cardstock when I created the scroll to make two of them and glued the frame between the scrolls - ever so slightly - at the top of the frame and glued the pair of scrolls together for the rest of their shape. This also makes the scroll sturdier to hang the frame from it as you can see the scroll only touch the frame for two tiny areas. Use heavy weight cardstock if you can. 

Tip - use  thin steel sewing pins to attach items to walls {they make very tiny holes} and merely push the pins into the wall at a slight angle, and the deper you push the pin into the wall - the stronger it will be.  If you want to hang a heavier item - push the pins into the wall in pairs very close together.   Once removed, all you will have is a very tiny hole in comparison to other hanging devices. This is great if you are like me and change things up on a regular basis. 

Embossed Masking Tape Photo Frame

Other details - I cut a crown for my prince freehand from scrap cardstock, and made a border using our Scorboard and a Scallop Edge Border Punch.  Inking a deeper shade to the cardstock provides a link between the lighter colours and the darker shade black. Add embellishments! 

TRY EXPERIMENTING WITH DIFFERENT MATERIALS - JUST TO 'PLAY AROUND'!

* Crafternoons everyone!


Tomorrow begins SALE-A-BRATION !!!!   HURRAY!  We're going to get FREE things - la la la !!!!


OK - got that out of my system, lol!




On to today - rainy as it is - I need to send a nice lady a message regarding some business between us so I thought I would send it to her in a notecard which will hopefully brighten her day!   And to top it off, I was just mentioning to someone that I don't do clean 'n'simple often enough - soooo.....I plucked myself up and dug around the stamp box and here's what I found:   the HELLO Stamp!


 I love this stamp since the day I first laid eyes on it!  It's so sweet - LOVE the polka dots!


And my effort to remain simple resulted in this notecard this morning......using a combo of blue and red with some white for crispness!  Try this stamp - it looks excellent as a pot for flower stems!  It looks awesome in a combo of three especially in different colours of the rainbow!  Its short and sweet!  Its also an " A LA CARTE " stamp - meaning you can buy it from Stampin' Up! as a single stamp!  Hello! *

* Hello stamp/ Baja Breeze and Tempting Turquoise blue cardstock/ 

Whisper White cardstock/ Real Red cardstock and Ink/

Scallop Edge Punch *

Boy oh boy - this stamp has been just sitting waiting for the right project - and one finally came along!!!

A Happy Birthday for a boy turning 1 years old - well, you can't beat that - unless it's a girl turning 1 too!

But how adorable is this stamp, ELEBRATION?   Huh or what!  Its one of the A la carte stamps on page 18 of Stampin' Up!'s main Idea Book and Catalogue.  

Elebration

Now here is what was created with the special boy in mind.....

Finished Birthday Card

Close-up of colouring, embellishments

Inside Card

Close-up detail

As handsome as this is in Night of Navy and More Mustard Cardstock - this stamp will be astonishingly CUTE in pinks or soft pastels for a lovely girl!   And its equally fun in bright, cheery colours for any occasion - maybe you know some elephant people out there - a zookeeper perhaps?  [secretly wish I was a zookeeper!] .....anyways, its a great stamp!  

Cheers!

Taylor *

Crafternoons!


I haven't thought much lately, yes my secret is out - I'm on a sort of 'post holiday automatic pilot'  if you will. So thoughts turning to Valentines hasn't 'gelled' in   my head until really recently!  


My birthday is also February - whoo, double fun!   But let's get thinking back to Valentine's!

GREAT MINI VALENTINE PROJECT

For the MOMS out there with children in junior school - or for the CONSIDERATE STAFF PERSON who likes to brighten up the mood at work...for the CLUB LEADERS who tirelessly devote your time ...anyone who has a group to consider at Valentines - THIS IS FOR YOU!!!!


It's EASY - MULTIPLE FUN too!   You could do this while watching TV. OK - HERE IT IS!

*It's a TREAT CUP VALENTINE !   

How Cute is this! 

Gather your candy - and here is the Stampin' Up! products you'll need:

Cardstock - Melon Mambo 

Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack - Brights

Stamp - SWEET CENTERS Item #116521 

Ink - Melon Mambo

Punch - 1-3/4 Circle Punch

Other - Circle Treat Cups

Adhesive

The SWEET CENTER Stamp Set is a cool one to own. 

Designed to work with the TREAT CUPS - the Circle one in particular. 

SWEET CENTERS

It's priced at $36.95 woodmount and its value is in all the holidays it will help you with!  There is BIRTHDAYS, HOLIDAYS, HALLOWEEN, and SUMMER BLOOMS too! 

Tip: use the flower petals and a treat cup to hold some flower seeds for your fav gardener! 

As well, the same idea can be extended to our HEART SHAPE TREAT CUPS if you'd like

with the stamp set " SWEETHEART " [#120415 wood/ or 120780 clear ] or do a set of CARDS like these:

SWEETHEART STAMP SET

Self-Adhesive  TREAT CUPS - shown in HEARTS

There is also a co-ordinating PADDED ENVELOPE!  That I think is good-thinking! 

Hope you get started on your Valentines - especially if you have a large group!  

Get going! CONTACT ME if you'd like some help! 

Better yet - have a VALENTINE'S PARTY and earn some FREE SALE-A-BRATION beautiful products

while you are at it!!!  I'll bring cupcakes, lol!  

Oh, by the way....

 I'd have more to of those Mini VALENTINE Treats to show you but we ate them, lol! *

*...its my AUNT's CARD and she turned 98 on NEW YEARS! 

Yeah Aunty! 

I have to remember that she's a New Year's baby - I wonder if  they made 

a fuss about that those days, it was 1914 and in a very small settlement - so it could of

went either way: no, too practical to be celebrating a New Year baby or yes, they 

would of celebrated the fact a baby came along on a specially-marked occasion! 

But no matter, she was a new baby and that was special for sure!!! 

She is also the last of her generation in the family. Another significant fact. And there is not

much accounting for genes apparently, as her siblings lived to all different ages from mid-60's right 

on up!  Although if you consider lifestyle, that again is confusing as one of the strictest of a cautionary life

amongst them passed on to heaven first. There is hope for me after all, lol! 

A Personal Consideration - Cards for the Very Elderly

This raises a serious question for me now. How best to communicate with a long-distant and 

very elderly relative whose been placed in a nursing home???

  Its one of those 'ahh' moments that requires some reflection.

 I want my Aunt to keep receiving our well-intended expressions of  affection

 so she has a reminder that we love her. But what if she no longer recognizes the reason behind the cards? 

Or will the cards continue to remind her of who we are?  

 I know she knows who I am when we chat, but of course she has those temporary moments when her thought process goes through a loop. In fact, I can tell when its time to stop talking when she starts to repeat the conversation. 

It almost makes me cry, I think at those times how sweet she is. 

But its hard to swallow because its proof you can't deny that your loved one is experiencing a serious loss. Not a devastating one, but its serious none the less. 

As she is now in a nursing home, yes, I do know one thing, she had to go at the age of 97, if you can believe it - she lasted on her own so long, I am so proud of her!  I know I worried about her though, and relatives near to her recognized the time came and we can only hope she is comfortable. She lives in another province - too far away from us, so I can only gauge her feelings on the matter from our telephone conversations. But she seems really fine, talks well and except for the mild memory loss, she appears to be one heck of a strong Prairie Lady!!!! 

SO  concerning the point I am making - do I continue to send her cards?  I've decided to send her card 'care of '  the Administrator and asking that someone present and read it to her and from there I will find out if she is cognizant for understanding the card and then I can determine how to keep on sending her cards - or not!  It may be best to adjust to ' only telephone calls '. 

Also, I know as busy as staff are and personal space is always limited from what my last Aunt told me , so I don't want them to worry about cluttering up her room....but I do so hope she can enjoy a few cards yet!  Fingers crossed! 

The Card Featured Here uses Supplies from Stampin' Up!:

DS Paper, "Everyday Enchantment " {green scalloped border} - NEW {Sale-a-bration}

Scalloped Edge created with EDGELIT DIES - " Adoring Accents " - NEW {Occasions Mini}

Stamps - florals created with stamps from sets ' Fabulous Florets and Fifth Ave ' and leaf / heart from ' Best Friends Forever '  {main catalogue}

chalks, pearls, cardstock ={Peach Parfait/Whisper White}, paper piercer. *

*  It's that time of the year again!!!  Whoot-whoot!!   Stampin' Up!'s Annual SALE-A-BRATION is set to begin next Tuesday, Jan 24th - and I am dyin' waiting here for it!


 I have orders waiting and my pre-order period is over, so I too am in limbo too until the event begins!

* Here is a peek into the Sale-A-Bration catalogue ....cover....

...really gosh-darn-pretty colour combinations.....and co-ordination!!  

So easy to play with and create something gorgeous!

I think the cake topper is something I want to make - I've got a birthday 

coming up, hmmm....

I have been playing with the Designer Series Paper 

called Everyday Enchanted  {see the second page, top} and 

I have some FANTASTIC PROJECTS I am working on - so you'll have to wait for

those, but in my next post will be the 1rst card I have made using this set of lovely papers....

MEANWHILE - GET READY FOR YOUR SALE-A-BRATION !!!

FOR EVERY $60 YOU PLACE IN ORDERS FROM STAMPIN' UP! OCCASION OR REGULAR CATALOGUE - YOU RECEIVE A FREE ITEM FROM THE SALE-A-BRATION CATALOGUE!!!

HAVE A PARTY!  

THIS IS THE TIME TO HOST A PARTY BECAUSE SALES FROM THE PARTY WILL ONLY HELP YOU TO RECEIVE MORE FREE ITEMS - AND - SAME FOR YOUR GUESTS!

SO ITS A PARTY ALL AROUND - WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE ABOUT THAT!!!!

I AM BOOKING PARTIES FOR THE PERIOD OF SALE-A-BRATION......IF YOU'D LOVE TO HAVE SOME FUN , THAT PLEASE CONTACT ME! 

ONE MORE BONUS - HOSTESS HAVE A CHANCE FOR AN 

EXCLUSIVE FREE TOTE!   {its really pretty, beautiful colours!} 

Not even Demonstrators can earn this beauty!  {wha!!}

HAVE A HECK OF A SALE-A-BRATION!!!!

hugs, Taylor 

*

  

OMG! This card will convince you of the beautiful results you'll reap when you apply a little creative thinking!


An apparently talented SU Demonstrator, Ann Schach, transformed a floral stamp set which was only released this Jan - yes, right now -  into a Holiday Greeting card!  
[How was that possible you ask - well, as a SU Demo she would have had the stamp set through a pre-order arrangement, which is how we demos can experiment and show you some examples.] 


The point is - that this opens up my eyes into how myself and customers can buy this ' Labels ' Die Set {nesting dies!!!!} and the beautiful 'Apothecary Art ' Occasions Mini Stamp Set ....and use them to make next years cards for christmas!  A normally spring/summer floral for a christmas card - that's being clever! 


And isn't this so pretty?  

I found this gem on the blog of Stampin' Up! Dianne Sisneros 

Her blog ' For the Love of Stamping ' is showcasing wonderful talent of herself and others! 

Go have a look! 

You can purchase the supplies for this project through our 

OCCASIONS MINI-CATALOGUE  2012

Supplies:

Apothecary Art Stamp Set = 125527 Clear; 125525 Wood Mount

Labels Collection Framelite Dies = 125598 

Just had to share this with you!   He was being so nice sitting in the window with his bow on....he likes to sit in the window so he can watch me craft!

He also puts up with us dressing him up with bows, bells, and the like. What a sweetie! We luv im!


And of course, what pooch doesn't need his own coat hook so his coat and accessories can hang? 

Pep's cheery collars, bows and antlers!  Otherwise he's a tough guy with his skull bling! LOL! 

I got suckered into buying this dog tree ornament!  We never even LOOKED at this stuff before we got him!  Now we are like 'crazy dog people!"  What happens I wonder!

Ok that's all of Pep!  

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL MY FRIENDS, CRAFTERS AND BLOG FOLLOWERS!!!


I HOPE YOU ALL WILL BE BLESSED WITH A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR AHEAD, AND THAT 2012 IS JUST THE BEST YEAR EVER! 

It's special because its for our "special" family friends, the Shillolo's who hail from northern Ontario!  To celebrate their northern home, I thought the CHRISTMAS LODGE STAMP SET was an excellent stamp to use for them!


I was also dying to try stamping with a duo of red ink and clear embossing powder!!!  I'd seen this on a card example and decided it was really a nice technique.


A GATED CARD FOLD as my preferred choice because it allows me to use so many techniques, and I love the fact that they can remove the belly band - open the card and  the tree is revealed!  I really pained myself to add the teeny tiny bells in just the right way here, but I did say this was special, ha ha!


The card will have a micro fold to create depth and will require a bit of fussy packing into the envelope to secure it properly but I knew that going into this project, so I was prepared.


Now I'll just post the pictures to share - enjoy!

The tree in its glory! 

.....the bells strung with Bakers Twine...

...the Christmas Lodge Belly Band

Cardstock is Crumb Cake and Soft Suede plus Very Vanilla....

....the reveal!....

Red embossed tree with clear gem stones!  See how the red makes a lovely tree?  Who knew!  I stamped the tree and cut it out and used pop-dots to elevate it over the embossed background. 

A small amount of patience for such a large amount of friendship to send to friends!  

I am glad to report the card made it just fine! 

More additions to my christmas kitchen....adding a skating tag to my chalkboard and a cookie cutter all decked out with back of designer paper, ribbon and buttons.  Each year the small projects I make as demonstrations for my blog build up and one way for me to enjoy them afterwards is to just hang them around the house very casually for everyone who passes by to see!   It adds 'character' as they say! 

This dollar-store clock was altered with a few of Stampin' Up! punches and Designer Papers and of course, some gems to add some cheery zing to the kitchen!  It's easy to do - all you need is to pop off the back of the clock {usually all you need is a screwdriver} and then its up to you how you want to decorate!!!

I used a lot of circle punches, Ornament and Bird Builder punches. Then a die strip called Northern Frost to make snowflakes [actually every year I make a whole carton of snowflakes so I can grab them when I need 'em!]  I also hot glued a string of cheap christmas pearl trim around the edge {as long as the cover goes back on - throw on the embellishments!}.plus buttons..and topped it all off with a healthy dose of glitter sprinkled everywhere!  

Here it is in the kitchen!  I am not afraid to use it as it didn't cost much to make but what's important is the it brings back good memories every year when I will glance at it :) 

* I love crafting with the 'young' ones - it always is a pleasure as I soak up their enthusiasm with relish!  Here is a young friend who made a tag for her special teacher!  


I find offering them choices is the best way I can share this craft with them and hopefully encourage them to consider this hobby - you never know what 'seeds' are laid through these experiences, you might be responsible for the birth of a new stamper, lol! 


So I will offer up suggestions but keeping them contained to just a few and add a very brief explanation describing the effects or the physical nature of the suggested products - this way the young person can make informed choices.  First I recommend about 3 colours and then ask which one they'd like to choose. 


Then we talk about the type of project: card, or tag {keep it simple!} and depending on the age, I will then decide how elaborate we will decorate the project. In this case, this young person has a lot of creative experience, so we are good to go! 


We embossed, we smooched, we glittered, we punched, glued, pop-dotted our way around this tag!  We even customized it by punching out the letters to spell the teacher's name - how cool is that!  It took us about an hour but I could tell she was never bored :)  In fact, I have sold her mother on one of the punches, which is arriving tomorrow and she will be on her way to making some more very cool projects - sweet! 


Here's her result - awesome Carrie! 

A big beautiful tag for teacher :)

*Here are more of our Holiday Cards for 2011!  They were all a varied set - each made with the recipient in mind. I loved all of our Stamping Up! supplies this year and the only regret I have is that we didn't have as much time as we wished to make projects...time slipped up this year but it happens once in awhile, doesn't it?   And so it made the ones we did make all that more precious....so here we go....


I loved this ribbon from the moment I set my eyes on it - and now I wished  I had purchased more of it!  
However here is the card that features it - a card created for one of my daughter's Grandmothers! 


 It is meant to evoke a romantic look - and we chose to use a toile effect by using  red and vanilla as our main colours!


And to make a card worthy of someone special we resorted to take our time to make thisand  by ....a) to use romantic details such as the soft, rich velvet ribbon {it has tiny edge stitching!} and the delicate scalloped edge....b)  to add interesting details in our techniques - such as how the card is folded and the manner in which the ribbon is attached.  A little labour intensive, but worth every minute!  


We always take out all the stops when we create for the people closest to us right?


Christmas Lodge stamp set was our first choice but other stamp sets provided many other parts to this: the Merry & Type set provided the "Deck the Hall.." expression and the red border is from Vintage Vogue!  However, a retired set, was dusted off to provide the main scene: our sleighers!  This is an old favourite set of mine, and is called Sleigh Bells Ring - my, such a nice way to go to church with beautiful horses pulling you and ring, ring, ringing in the air!  How romantic is that! 


Well here it is, and the only difficulty stage really is the slotting of the ribbon. I do not have the punch that would of made this easier but a craft knife did wonders, lol albeit a bit of time! 

To cut ribbon slots you make tiny measured slots  so the thickness of the ribbon can be threaded through....then make others 1 inch apart and continue the width of your project.  I leave about 1/4 of an inch border on opposite ends of the card, and adhere the ribbon underneath so it 'disappears' , but you could 'wrap' the ends of the ribbon around the card's sides too. 

CLICK ON PICTURES TO SEE CLOSE UP! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

***