Four Ways Friday #5 - Season of Friendship

Today's Four Ways Friday focuses on the tree stamp in the Season of Friendship stamp set!  I turned the stamp around and around in my hand and came up with a few ideas that might surprise you!

This first card uses the tree stamp in a traditional way.  I stamped the tree in Soft Suede and added flowers that I punched using the Trio Flowers punch.  A touch of dazzling diamonds and white gel pen finishes the look.

For this second card, I used my Stampin' Write markers in Sage Shadow, Mellow Moss and Old Olive to color only certain branches of the tree and stamped them repeatedly at the bottom of the Very Vanilla card stock to make them look like grass!  I knew the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set would be a perfect match so I stamped the greeting and the butterfly from that set.  The butterfly was cut out and popped up on a dimensional...and, of course, I added a bit of dazzling diamonds (can you tell I am in love with dazzling diamonds?!).

For the third card, I decided to take advantage of the great geometric styling of the tree and stamped parts of the tree on top of one another to create this modern-looking background paper.  I stamped the tree in Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry.  The greeting comes from the Whimsical Words stamp set and was stamped in Rich Razzleberry.

This card is the surprise! :)  As I turned the stamp around and around in my hand, suddenly I saw fish heads!!!! (I know...my mind works in funny ways :)  I used my Stampin' Write markers to color the portion of the stamp that I wanted and then stamped onto the Very Vanilla card stock.  Add a few googley eyes and ta-da!  Fish heads! :)  I thought this sentiment from the Three Little Words stamp set fit these fish perfectly - they look like they belong together.

How else might you use the tree stamp?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!  If you would like to purchase the Season of Friendship stamp set or any of the other products I featured in this week's Four Ways Friday, feel free to shop HERE now!  Have a great weekend!!!!

Tennis Ball Redux!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Find The Extraordinary In The Ordinary!

Today's creation comes from a little girl named Eliza who lives down the street!  We live close to a tennis court and there are always those great tennis players who hit the balls over the gated courts and leave them for us to gather (the dogs love it!).  Eliza and her friend decided to put the tennis balls to good use!  For a school project they decided to make them into characters.  I received this one as a gift and have named him Dunlop :)  (I have to admit to feeling a bit like Tom Hanks in the movie Cast Away - as you may recall, he named his volleyball Wilson and it became his best friend!).  This tennis ball will sit on my desk as a constant reminder to find the extraordinary in the ordinary!!!!!!  What can you make extraordinary today?

Tissue Paper Boho Blossom

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  You can't be afraid of stepping on toes if you want to go dancing - Lewis Freedman

I found today's quote while reading Kelly Rae Roberts' book Taking Flight (If you like to create, you need to get this book - it's wonderful!).  I wonder what the equivalent quote would be for the craft room?  You can't be afraid of getting inky fingers if you want to go crafting?  You can't be afraid of totally losing track of time if you want to go creating?  There are so many fears we need to be willing to let go of when we walk into the craft room...or if we're not willing to let go, we have to at least be willing to go into the craft room and do that which we fear to do!  As Sequichie Comingdeer, the Cherokee philosopher, so wisely said, The death of fear is in doing what you fear to do!

This card was inspired by the K&Company Forever Yours wedding album that I saw in an ad from Archiver's.  I drew the lines freehand with my Going Gray Stampin' Write marker.  The flowers were punched out of tissue paper using my Boho Blossoms punch (make sure your punch is nice and sharp so you can punch cleanly through the tissue paper - you might want to punch through heavy-duty aluminum foil a few times to sharpen your punch).  I adhered the flowers to the card with a tiny dot of Tombo Mono Multi-Adhesive and then, of course, I had to use my 2-way glue pen to add some Dazzling Diamonds to the center of the flowers!  The modern label punch in brushed silver creates the perfect background for the Teeny Tiny Wishes anniversary greeting which I punched out with my Word Window punch.  I stamped the greeting using Going Gray as well.  I hope you like it!  If you love Going Gray as much as I do, be sure to stock up on the ink/Stampin' Write markers now!  Going Gray will be retiring at the end of June 2010 as part of the color renovation.  Shop HERE to stock up now!

Tissue Paper Flower

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  If I create from the heart, nearly everything works; if from the head, almost nothing. - Marc Chagall

When I saw this quote it really spoke to me...and I hope it speaks to you as well.  I can get so stuck in my head when I create - analyzing this and that.  Instead, when I just lead with my heart and create for the sake of creating, everything seems to come together.  I may not always be pleased with the end result, but I am always happy in my heart with the process I took to get there!  May you follow your heart in all that you do!

For today's card I decided to try making a tissue paper flower (I saw the technique on the SCS website) using my Scallop Circles #2 die for the Big Shot and some tissue paper I had lying around the house.  You can fold your tissue paper over and over and run it through the Big Shot once to get a whole pile of scallop circles!  I used about 8 layers for each of the scallop circles.  Stack the large circles together, punch a hole in the center with your Crop-o-dile, place a brad in the center and then crunch, scrunch, and mush (all technical terms :) until you get the look that you want.  Then use some ink and sponge the flower with colors of your choice.  I separately created the smaller layer and sponged it a darker color and then combined the two with a corduroy button brad.  I used my Very Vintage jumbo roller in Sahara Sand ink for the background.  The greeting is from Whimsical Words.  I hope you like it!  Now go try making a tissue paper flower on your own...but don't blame me if you get addicted ;)  If you can't live without the corduroy button brads or a Very Vintage wheel, feel free to shop HERE!

Scrap-Book!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Boldly Go Where You've Never Gone Before!

You Star Trek fans out there will know where today's lesson comes from :)  And for those of you who aren't Star Trek fans...don't worry...I'll fill you in!  At the beginning of Star Trek episodes, a voice informs us that the spaceship Enterprise will "boldly go where no man has gone before" (excuse the "man" part...that was before political correctness was in style!).  Anyway, today I decided to boldly go where I really hadn't ever gone before - into the galaxy of scrapbooking...or should I say scrap-BOOKing!  I am reading an amazing book called Taking Flight by Kelly Rae Roberts and in the book she provides step-by-step directions for how to make these really fun vintage book photo frames.  So, here's the beginning of my project...now all it needs is to be jazzed up with some Stampin' Up! magic!!!!!  I'll be back later to show you the transformation!  Where can you boldly go where you have never gone before????

It's National Scrapbooking Month!

National Scrapbooking Month Promotion

May is National Scrapbooking Month--so Stampin' Up! is offering a special promotion for the month of May: purchase a qualifying scrapbooking stamp set or the My Digital Studio software and receive a FREE package of Designer brads--choose from four designs!

Qualifying products and Designer brads are listed below.  Click HERE to shop now!
Stamp sets

Page	Description	Wood-Mount Item	Wood-Mount Price	Clear-Mount Item	Clear-Mount Price
81	Extreme Elements	115181	$26.95	---	---
119	Framed with Love**	114389	$27.95	---	---
128	Certified**	113706	$27.95	---	---
129	Circle Circus	115778	$28.95	---	---
12*	Elements of Style	118611	$27.95	120045	$19.95
13*	Mementos	119910	$27.95	120105	$19.95
13*	Elements de style	119900	$27.95	120099	$19.95
14*	Rough Type	118659	$26.95	120072	$18.95
22*	Sentimental Journey	118513	$23.95	120075	$17.95
25*	First Day	118521	$23.95	120051	$17.95
25*	Camino a la Escuela	120152	$23.95	120154	$17.95

*From Summer Mini Catalog
**Last Chance stamp set! My Digital Studio software

Page	Description	Item	Price
32*	My Digital Studio	118108	$79.95

*From Summer Mini Catalog

Designer brads

Page	Description	Item	Retail Price	Price with Qualifying Purchase
179	Flower Designer brads	112579	$5.95	FREE
179	Filigree Designer brads	112577	$5.95	FREE
179	Circle Designer brads	112571	$5.95	FREE
179	Star Designer brads	112572	$5.95	FREE

Four Ways Friday #4 - Hemp Twine

Who knew twine could be so exciting?! :)  I thought I would see if I could come up with 4 different ways to use twine in paper craft projects...Let me know what you think!

For this card I used the twine in a pretty traditional way.  I first embossed a clear button with versamark and white embossing powder.  Don't you love that compass?  And the background images?  That's a little sneak peak at the new Sentimental Journey stamp set in the new summer mini catalog!  I used the hemp twine to "tie" the button and also wrapped and knotted some around the greeting layer on the card.

The texture of hemp twine can add a lot of dimension to your cards.  Here, I took the wrapping idea a step further and wrapped the twine around and around a piece of chipboard.  I used sticky strip on the back of the chipboard to hold the twine in place and popped that element up using dimensionals.

Hmmm, "around and around"...why not just go around and around with your twine to form a great center for a flower?!  I punched out a 1 1/4" circle of Kraft card stock and then covered it with sticky strip and then went around and around with the twine.  This card is a little crazy, I must admit, but it was a lot of fun to make :)

For the final project I decided to use the hemp twine to outline an image.  I stamped this adorable heart from the More The Merrier stamp set.  I used Tombo Mono Multi-Adhesive and drew a thin line of glue around the image and then adhered the hemp twine by following around the glued outline.  Of course, now that I had a contained space I needed to fill it with Crystal Effects!  I added some Dazzling Diamonds over the Crystal Effects to give this clean and simple card some bling!

Can you think of more ways to use hemp twine on your cards and scrapbook pages?  I'd love to hear your ideas!

Embrace Life - Behind and In Front

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  If You're There, Be There Mind And Body.  If Not, Consider Just Not Being There

Today's lesson came from a friend's facebook page and the message really resonated with me.  Life is too short for us to engage in activities with half a heart (or mind, or body).  If we aren't really "present" somewhere, then why are we there at all?  What would your life look like if you allowed yourself to say "no" or to walk away from situations where you are not "all there?"  What if we allowed ourselves to spend our precious moments only on those things that engaged our hearts, minds and bodies?  It can be easy, especially today, to do so much without really being there.  With technology it seems, we have grown to believe that we can talk, drive, eat, put on makeup, listen to music all at the same time with our attention divided all over the place.  By doing so, not only do we suffer, but so does the person we are pretending to listen to, the drivers we are half paying attention to, the artist who created the music to touch us...Today, what can you give your full attention to?  Today, if you can't be there mind and body will you consider just not being there?

Today's card was fun to create - just random stamping of the flower from the Embrace Life stamp set to create the background and focal image.  The greeting is from Kind & Caring Thoughts.  I added just a touch of glitter.  I hope you like it!

Simply Stamping...And A Little Bling :)

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  We Don't Need To Dress Up To Shine!

All the commercials on tv may make us feel otherwise, but we really are beautiful just as we are - no makeup, no fancy shoes, no latest trend.  You shine because you are who you are and you are the only you that there is...and that there ever will be!  There is no one else like you.  No one who can create what lives inside of you.  No one who can touch the world in the way that you can.  You aren't one in a million - you are one in infinity.  A special blend that will make a special mark on the world in your own special way.  You are precious.

Today's card is simply stamping...with just a touch of dazzling diamonds.  It can be so easy to get away from the basics and feel like we have to add layer upon layer or embellishment upon embellishment to make our cards special.  However, our cards, just like us, don't need to dress up to shine!  I hope you like it!

Stars Gone Wild!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  No One Is Useless.  Even The Worst Of Us Can Serve As A Poor Example

I can't remember when I first heard today's lesson, however it has stuck with me my entire life!  I think I first heard it when I was in a very depressed time in my life and wasn't quite sure what my purpose was on the planet...at least this quote gave me a purpose for awhile - sad, I know, but true.  I'm happy to say that I am no longer in that place in my life...however I'm not sure I can say the same thing for this card :(  I try not to judge my cards and rather just go with the flow.  I'm just having a really hard time liking this one.  I figure it must have a purpose though - and maybe part of its purpose is to show me what I don't want to do in the future :)

I used my star punches to create the stars and let some designer series paper serve as the background.  Maybe, somehow, this card will inspire you in a way I never thought possible!  Maybe there's hope!  Enjoy!!!! :)

Vintage Vogue Monogram Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Lie Down And Rest

I have to admit that I am not a big nap person.  As a matter of fact, I usually feel all hazy and weird if I take a nap in the middle of the day.  However, just because I'm not a nap person does not mean that I can't lay down and just rest.  I can close my eyes, or not.  Read a book, or not.  Sometimes it just feels good to slow down and allow yourself some moments of "nothing."

Today's card was designed for the 40th birthday of a friend of mine!  I made a whole set of cards and stamped envelopes for her as a gift.  I really love thinking of a person and what they mean to me and then trying to translate that into a stamped gift :)  I used the Vintage Vogue and Lovely Letters stamp sets.  I embossed the monogram letter and punched it out and then adhered it to a 1 1/4" circle punch and the scallop circle punch.  A bit of Bashful Blue satin ribbon finishes the look.  I hope you like it!

Four Ways Friday #4 - Ornament Punch

This week's Four Ways Friday focuses on the Ornament Punch.  When I first saw the punch in our Holiday Mini Catalog last year, I was concerned it would be a bit limiting.  After all, how many ornament cards was I really going to make?  Well, after pondering the punch for a bit and seeing some people use it for a fish and for a vase, I decided I had to have one! :)  If you decide the same thing, feel free to shop HERE for your punch!  The punch is still available!

This first project was one I posted earlier in the week.  When I saw an ornament punch rose created by Chera Wiest, I knew I had to make one!!!  Thanks Chera!!!!  You can find directions for how to make this great rose on Chera's blog.

For this second card, I punched out almost the entire ornament from Sage Shadow card stock.  I just did not punch a small part at the bottom.  I then used VersaMark and white embossing powder with my heat tool to put the Vintage Vogue stamped image onto the vase.  The flower stems from our new Awash With Flowers sneak peek set were stamped with Always Artichoke onto watercolor paper.  I used my aqua painter to watercolor the leaves with Certainly Celery ink.  The flowers were punched using the Boho Blossoms punch and the Trio Flower punch.  I added a few brads and a greeting from one of my all-time favorite sets, Short & Sweet.

My third card came to me after I punched out an ornament from watercolor paper.  As I turned it around and around in my hand, I decided it looked like an onion! :)  So, an onion it became...and a tomato too :)  I sponged the edges of the onion with More Mustard and created the green part by hand cutting a piece of Old Olive card stock that I had stamped with the Sanded background stamp.  The tomato leaves are a flower from the Boho Blossoms punch :)  The greeting is from the Bella's Blossoms stamp set.  I made the background look like a paper bag by crumpling a piece of Creamy Caramel card stock in my hand and then sponging over the top and the edges with Creamy Caramel ink - I think it looks pretty realistic!  Is it just me, or are you in the mood for a salad right now too?! :)

For the fourth card, I punched a load of ornaments from Summer Sun card stock and ran them all through the crimper.  I then sponged the edges with Summer Sun ink and began attaching them with Tombow Mono Multi-Adhesive to a 1 1/2" circle punch.  I punched and sponged a 1 1/2" circle for the center of the flower from Summer Sun card stock.  I also punched a 1 1/4" circle in Chocolate Chip and ran it through the Dot, Dot, Dot embossing folder to give it a little sunflower-like texture.  I sponged over the Chocolate Chip with Summer Sun ink.  The Bashful Blue background was spritzed with the spritzer tool and Bashful Blue and Chocolate Chip ink.  I also stamped the background panel with a floral image from the Vintage Vogue stamp set.  Finally, the greeting flag was stamped, sponged and attached to the flower.  I hope you like this week's Four Ways Friday!  Check back next week for more ideas for how to use the same stamp or punch in 4 different ways!  Are you feeling like you can't live without an ornament punch now?  Don't worry - I totally understand :)  Feel free to Shop HERE now :)  The item number for the ornament punch is 116794.

Setting Up For My Stamp-A-Stack

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Take A Peek Inside Someone Else's World

I don't know about you, but I love seeing pictures of how other people arrange their spaces for creative pursuits!  One of these days I may let you peek into my craft room...but for now, I wanted to give you a peek of how I set up for a Stamp-a-Stack.  I set up different "stations" for each card.  All of the card stock is pre-cut and pre-scored.  I have completed cards on small magnet boards so that people can look at the inspiration card while they are stamping.  Butcher paper on the table is a must :)  You may notice the candy in the background...stamping and sweets always seem to go together :)  I hope you like this peek into my world!  Do you have special ways you like to arrange your space for creative pursuits?  I'd love to hear what you do!

Ornament Punch Rose!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Learn How To Not Be What You Are

I know today's lesson sounds a little strange, but let me explain.  Sometimes we get so wrapped up in who we are and how we are accustomed to doing things, we don't stop to take notice of what we are missing.  If our identity is wrapped up in our profession and we work 24/7, we can lose site of the fact that life is not a dress rehearsal - that we don't have all the time in the world - that one day, we will no longer be here.  So today, think about how you might learn how not to be what you are and instead spend some time just being :)

When I saw an ornament punch rose created by Chera Wiest, I knew I had to buy the ornament punch!!!  Thanks Chera!!!!  You can find directions for how to make this great rose on Chera's blog.  I love how versatile this ornament punch is...hmmmm, maybe that will have to be my next Four Ways Friday...4 different ways to use the ornament punch :)  So this is just a teaser :)  I do want to dedicate this special rose to my friend Judi!  She is such an inspiration...and her last name is Rose :)

Friends 24-7 - Stamp-a-Stack Card #5

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  The Answer Must Come From Within

Today's lesson comes from Galloway's Book On Running.  He says these words in a section about helping someone else getting started with running.  The words apply in so many situations - not just when you are trying to support someone else to run.  Jeff Galloway goes on to say that it can be so easy to get up on the soap box when we have made a recent and powerful change in our own lives.  However, he reminds us that a person's motivation must come from within.  So how do you help someone tap into their own motivation?  You wait until they ask for your help or advice and then you listen to understand their goals.  Finally, you do what you can to support them and help them to succeed.  After all, the answer for them must come from within.

Today's card is the final card for my All Occasions Stamp-a-Stack.  The idea came from a card that I did for a prior Four Ways Friday using the Friends 24-7 stamp set.  I stamped the image in versamark and then pounced over it with chalks using sponge daubers.  I used the spritzer tool with the Close to Cocoa marker to add some "spritz," and then sponged the edges.  This makes a beautiful congratulations or anniversary card.  I hope you like it!  If you love Close to Cocoa and Cameo Coral, don't let the opportunity to stock up pass you by.  These colors will both be retiring at the end of June.  Shop HERE to stock up now!

Inspired By Nature - Stamp-a-Stack Card #4

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Stop And Listen To The Sounds Of Nature At Night

This may sound bizarre, but I love the sounds of earthworms at night!  Before last year, I never really realized that earthworms make noise at night.  However, after venturing out into the backyard garden after dark last year, I can to love the sound of the movement of the earth at night.  I also saw earthworms mating for the first time!  They twist around one another and disappear in an instant if they hear you coming near.  Pretty hysterical!  Who knew?!

This card is so much fun to make!  I used my markers to color directly on the Inspired By Nature stamp.  Then, I spritzed the stamp a couple of times with water I keep in a small spray bottle.  Then I stamped the image onto watercolor paper.  It really looks like a painting!  The image is so pretty I had a hard time covering it up, so I kept the greeting small.  I stamped the greetings on watercolor paper as well.  I hope you like it!  Some of the colors I used will be retiring at the end of June, so stock up now!  You can shop HERE any time, day or night!

Judi's Blog Candy!

Just wanted to leave a quick post to let you know about my friend Judi's blog candy.  Just hop on over to her site to leave a comment so you can enter to win!  Part of her blog candy is a Stampin' Up! stamp set - so check it out!

Sweet Island Floral Bouquet!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Watch Other People Create

I had a few people over to stamp for my All Occasions Stamp-a-Stack tonight and I can't tell you what a pleasure it was to sit and watch them create!  Watching people stretch their creative muscles and begin to move beyond the boundaries of a "set" project is an amazing thing!  I never get tired of watching other people in their creative process - it's peaceful and invigorating, all at the same time!

I apologize for not bringing Four Ways Friday to you today - I was so focused on preparing for my Stamp-a-Stack and I decided I didn't want to just throw something together for you at the last minute.  So, instead of Four Ways Friday, I thought I would share this bouquet with you :)  These lollipop flowers were made by running felt through the new Island Floral Bigz Die that will be out in the new Summer Mini Catalog!!!!  I am loving it already!  I will post the remaining Stamp-a-Stack cards over the weekend and Four Ways Friday will return next week - thanks for your understanding!  Have a beautiful day!

Animal Stories and Nursery Letters Wheel - Stamp-a-Stack Card #3

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  You Are Not Pavlov's Dog

Ivan Pavlov is famous for his studies with dogs.  The phrase "Pavlov's dog" is often used to describe someone who is merely reacting to a situation rather than thinking about it critically.  I realize that I developed quite a conditioned response to my cell phone ringing.  Phone rings - I answer.  Why do we do that?  It really is ridiculous!  Some people have this conditioned response no matter where they are - at the check-out in the grocery store, in the movies, even...gasp...in the public bathroom (and I have to admit to repeatedly flushing when someone takes a call into the bathroom - is no place sacred?!).  I am learning to recondition myself.  Just because my phone rings does not mean I need to change what I am doing in that moment.  As a matter of fact, it is more important for me to stay focused on my activity and take a break to check messages or return phone calls when I am ready.  Can you retrain yourself?

This is the 3rd card for my upcoming All Occasions Stamp-a-Stack.  I used the Nursery Letters jumbo wheel - if you haven't used a wheel in awhile, you're missing out!  I LOVE my wheels!  They are a great way to put together a quick card that looks fabulous - and they are also so fun to use!  I ran the wheel across my Bashful Blue classic ink pad and then across the card.  The giraffe was stamped with Almost Amethyst (I'm so going to miss this color when it is retired at the end of June...sniffle, sniffle).  I added some dazzling diamonds to his spots for a bit of bling :)  A touch of Bashful Blue satin ribbon and some Certainly Celery and Barely Banana card stock finish the giraffe.  The greeting, from Sincere Salutations, was stamped with Perfect Plum.  I hope you like it!  Don't forget to stock up on your color favorites before they retire at the end of June!  You can shop HERE at any time!

Sense Of Time - Stamp-A-Stack Card #2

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Give Credit Where Credit Is Due!

I try to do my best to let you know when I have been inspired by another artist and today's post is no exception!  Credit for this card goes to Kimberly Van Diepen!  Talk about a talented paper artist!!!  She is particularly amazing when it comes to making vintage-looking paper craft items.  Thank you so much for all of your inspiration Kimberly!!!!!  It can be so easy to overlook crediting people for their work - and such a sad oversight at that.  Why not give someone the credit they deserve?  If you do not give them credit you are putting yourself out there as something you are not.  If you do give them credit, you are letting them and the world know that they have been an inspiration to you and that you appreciate being able to share in the gift of their creativity.  Is there really a choice?  So please, give credit where credit is due.

I switched this card up just a little bit with regard to colors and stamping.  I did use the Sense of Time stamp set (I just got it and I LOVE it!) for the main clock image but I used the gears in the same stamp set for the background.  I pulled out my all time favorite Define Your Life stamp set for the sentiment.  This card would make a great Father's Day or masculine birthday card!  I hope you like it!  If so, let Kimberly know :)