Stamp Your Heart Out

Yesterday was absolutely wonderful. Evan and I went about our morning routine, I stamped, he played, we found things to do together. Colin came home and we had lunch, read books and followed our afternoon routine. Then the dishwasher broke! I heard an odd noise in the kitchen, smelled burning plastic and noticed it isn’t draining again. Now we are in the market for a new dishwasher. That’s okay, I can still stamp if I have dirty dishes in the sink, right? Actually I’ll do those first so that I can relax and stamp.

Did you know that Julee has a new blog just for her Monday Mojo Sketch Challenges? The first one was just put up yesterday, and this card is based on her Mojo68 Sketch Challenge.  You can find the new blog here.  I also added it to my sidebar under Need a Challenge?. 

I think I’ve mentioned I love sketch challenges.  I especially like them when the idea flows right onto the page.  I made this card using the A Happy Heart stamp set.  It’s only available until January 18th, so make sure you don’t miss out.  I bought it just for the dandelion image, but I can say I’ve used every image in the set.  On the main image panel I stamped the dandelion image repeatedly in Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirouette ink.  I layered in on Chocolate Chip and Pink Pirouette Cardstock.  The base is also Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette and Candy Lane designer series paper. 

So what do you think?  So far it’s my favorite card of the week. 

Jenn

All Supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased on my Demonstrator Website: http://igotstamps.stampinup.net

All I can say is WOW! You are going to have to check this sale out and make sure you get your order in soon. You definitely don’t want to miss out on this one!

Click HERE for the Inventory Blowout Flyer

Click HERE to see products that aren’t in the Fall-Winter 2008 catalog.

And this is what we have all been waiting for, the Retired Accessory List.  When the items are sold out they are gone for good!  Don’t wait to place your order!  Order Online HERE.

*This item is discounted and included on the Inventory Blowout.

This morning marks the first day of school after Christmas vacation! My house is so quiet as Evan I go about our normal daily routine. Colin is happy to be back with his friends, so all is good here. I started the morning by playing with Kazan’s Sketch over at 2Sketches4You. I love Petal Pizzazz and I can’t stop layering these flowers. I am going to have to play with this set a lot more because I don’t think people would be happy with me next month if I made them cut a few dozen of these out at my class.

I started with a Kiwi Kiss base and then added the Rose Red and Raspberry Tart designer series paper. I then added my scalloped Whisper White layer and added on some more Raspberry Tart dsp. I played around with my mat pack and white gel pen and added some faux stitching. I asked for the Janome Sew Mini for my birthday so hopefully in a few short weeks I’ll be adding real stitching to my card.  From there I added the ribbon and bow and the 3D flowers. 

I’m probably the odd one out, but I am not a fan of fresh cut flowers.  I prefer real live plants that can continue to grow year after year.  For Mother’s Day I always get a new plant to add to my planting beds.  Whenever I do get real flowers it’s a challenge to find a place to put them because my cats love to eat them, knock over the vases and make a huge mess.  Some nice paper flowers popped up on a card would be another winner in this house, but since my husband doesn’t touch my crafting supplies that isn’t going to happen unless I make the card for him to give to me. 

I hope you are having a great Monday and are settling back into a normal routine like we are here.

Jenn

All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased on my website at: http://igotstamps.stampinup.net(Petal Pizzazz and Raspberry Tart dsp will be available on January 19th)

Today is my 2009 Class Kick Off Day! I am so excited. I’ll be headed out the door early, my bag has been packed for hours, and I get some time where adult conversations aren’t interrupted by little voices. Colin and Evan are staying at home with Daddy so that Colin can have a playdate with his girlfriend from preschool.

You know I’d feel extremely guilty if I didn’t leave something for you to look at while I was gone. I have an old favorite with a modern twist. I had to stamp before I packed up my supplies so I pulled up the challenge from Our Creative Corner and it was a sketch challenge. You know how I love sketches so I sat down and stamped this card. Like it a Latte was the very first stamp set I ever demonstrated when I became a Demonstrator over 2 years ago. Time has just flown by and I’m still having tons of fun. I don’t think I can ever part with this set. I paired it up with 2 new favorites, A Happy Heart and Love You Much. What do you think?

I started with a Chocolate Chip cardstock base and stamped the coffee beans on it with the same color ink.  I then layered Whisper White cardstock that I punched with my scallop border punch and then the 1/8″ hole punch.  I added a piece of Designer Series paper from the Country Living Holiday Collection kit that I never finished using.  The designer series paper is all I have left from my kit!  I used the entire thing and I am very proud of that fact.  I then stamped the coffee cup and forth 3 times.  Twice on the main image panel and once on a scrap piece of cardstock.  I popped the middle image up and added the candy cane sticks to the 2 cups on the main image layer.  I added 2 Pink Pirouette hearts from the Love You Much bundle, punched out with the Heart to Heart punch. 

The sentiment layer is my favorite part of the entire card.  The sentiment in Like it a Latte says, I like it a latte, but I wanted it to say I like you a latte.  I spied the sentiment in A Happy Heart and this was the result.  I stamped the image in Riding Hood Red ink on Pink Pirouette cardstock and punched the “U” out with the 1/4″ circle punch.  I should have only inked the “u” because you can see a smidgen of the heart circle, but I really don’t think it detracts too much.  I added it on an enlongated  Word Window punch and then on a Close to Cocoa large oval punch.  I added dots with my signo white gel pen and then added the sentiment with dimensionals.  To finish off the card I added 3 half pearls with the pretties kit and mini glue dots. 

I hope you all have a fantastic day!   I’ll make sure the recipe gets posted later.   I’m also getting my Flip back today, so hopefully we’ll have some card videos in store really soon.

Jenn

This Sunday starts the kick off of my classes for 2009. On the first Sunday of each month I teach a class from my parent’s home. We have a great group of ladies who get together each month to stamp. I love this class because it helps me to plan the rest of my classes for the month. We are going to focus on Valentine’s Day cards and the Love You Much bundle. I love that this set does not have to be specifically Valentine’s Day based. As you can see from the class samples there are many variations of cards you can make.

This first card is based off of the Loved Filled Anniversary card I made earlier this month. I loved my envelope full of hearts so I wanted to use it in a class. Plus then I have an excuse to play with the Big Shot and the scallop envelope die.

Stamps: Love You Much, Fundamental Phrases
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla, Candy Lane dsp, Riding Hood Red
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Cotton White Stazon
Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Envelope die, scallop edge punch, mat pack, soft subtles button, mini glue dot, linen thread, dimensionals, Heart to Heart and Word Window punches

This second card is accidentally based on a Control Freaks swap card by Jan Tink.  I was sitting at my stamp table playing and watching the kids.  I had finished stamping my card and realized I should pack my swaps for everyone to see.  I started sorting through them and pulled out Jan’s card.  It must have made an impression on me if it stuck in my head like that.  Thanks Jan for the wonderful swap card!

Stamps: Love You Much
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Candy Lane dsp, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze
Ink: Basic Gray, Riding Hood Red, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Heart to Heart punch, scallop edge punch, silver brads, mat pack, Word Window punch, riding hood red taffeta ribbon, silver cording, dimensionals

A few weeks ago I saw a card on Mary’s blog that used the Hearts as balloons. I thought this would be a perfect way to show that this can be a perfect birthday set as well. Change the sentiment out and the ballons are the perfect birthday image. Thanks for the idea Mary!

Stamps: Love You Much
Paper: Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla, Candy Lane dsp, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Riding hood Red, Baja Breeze
Ink: Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Heart to Heart punch, Pretty in Pink grosgrain ribbon, Chocolate Chip marker, scallop, 1 1/4″ circle punches, mat pack, dimensionals

This last card is based on my favorite Valentine’s card of the season. If you know me you know my favorite colors revolve around shades of blue. I made this card for a Sketch Challenge on SCS and I knew it would make a perfect masculine looking card. I needed some blue in the sea of pinks and reds I have going on.

Stamps: Love You Much
Paper: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Urban Garden dsp, Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiww, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Gray, Not Quite Navy, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Three for You punch, Heart to Heart punch, dimensionals, AquaPainter, silver brad

Remember that if you are in the area and would like to attend a class I’d love to have you. If you aren’t in the area and would like to take this class I am offering it as a January Class by Mail Kit. For $10 you will get the instruction sheets and materials to make all of these cards. You will need to supply the ink, stamps and punches. It will ship via a Flat Rate Priority Envelope for $4.75. Please note that this offer is only valid for US customers.

To purchase the January Love You Much Class by Mail please pay with the button below.

Please note that I will be taking orders for this class until January 31st. Orders placed by January 15th will be shipped to you by the last week of January. Orders placed between January 16th and 31st will ship by February 15th. If you want your kit to be in your hands so you can be prepared by Valentine’s Day I suggest ordering it in the first part of the month. As of now the Candy Lane dsp is back ordered and will hopefully be back in stock and ready to ship these kits out the last week of January. If anything changes I will keep you notified via e-mail.

If you purchase the Love You Much bundle from me (please note you need to call or e-mail me to place an order for the bundle since it is back ordered) you will receive for FREE the instruction sheet to make all 4 of these projects! If you would like the class kit as well you can click the button above to pay for the kit.

If you are a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator and would like just the instructions for this class you can purchase the PDF for just $5. It is a 2 page PDF with a color photograph of each project, cardstock measurements and directions to complete the projects. You are welcome to use this as a class with your customers and to use the instructions as a class handout. My only request is that you leave all watermarks intact on the photos and my information as is as the class creator in place at the bottom. You are free to add your name and contact information to the top of the PDF. Please do not give the PDF out to other Demonstrators. Please direct them to my blog to purchase their own copy. The small $5 fee is to cover my time in putting these PDF’s together. If you have ever put a PDF together it is not always a quick and easy task.

To purchase a PDF of directions, please order below. Once I receive your payment I will e-mail you the PDF.

I hope you have a fantastic weekend! All of this information will remain under the tab Class by Mail at the top of the page. On February 1st I will update with the next kit.

Jenn

This is another card I made for the New Year’s Eve challenges on SCS. I only had a chance to finish two, but I’m glad I got to play along. I even won a prize! They were choosing Random winners and I just happened to have a lucky night. I hope the luck carries over into 2009.

As you can see I used the exact same sketch that I used for my last card. When I complete challenges I pick a few sketches to work with. It’s just easier that way. This one just happened to work out well the first time so why change things and start over.  Plus the challenge was a little more limiting this time.  You could use 1 inch of ribbon, 1 punch, 2 brads or eyelets, 0 embossing, 0 glitter and you had 9 colors of cardstock to choose from.  See the pattern?  It was based on the date 1/1/2009.  Very clever! 

I started with a Kiwi Kiss base and then layered Pink Pirouette and Bella Rose dsp.  I added some paper piercing on the top portion.  My main image uses the new Level III Hostess stamp set that will be available on January 19th.  I stamped the base in Pink Pirouette and the outline in Pixie Pink.  It’s not a combo I’d normally pick, but they were two of the colors so I went with it.  I really like them together now.  I then masked the flower and added the ferns in Kiwi Kiss.  The sentiment is stamped in Pixie Pink ink.  I layered it on Pink Pirouette and a piece or chocolate chip that had the bottom edge scalloped with the scallop edge punch. 

Today is going to be a busy day.  I have to get ready for my 1st class of 2009.  We are having a Valentine’s Day class.  I think I had caught a bit of Evan’s cold so yesterday was spent on the couch and laying low or playing Wii games with Colin and Evan.  I’m excited about getting a Wii Fit.  That is if I can actually track one down.  I love my treadmill, but a change of pace every now and then would be nice. 

Happy Friday!

Jenn

I don’t know about you, but when I was a kid the year 2000 seemed so futuristic. Now I can’t believe it’s 2009! Last night I played along with some of the New Year’s Eve Challenges on SCS and got a few cards made to take me into the New Year. This card was made for the Eastern Influences Challenge. I love how it turned out!

I pulled a stamp set from my collection that hasn’t seen much love over the last few years. It’s actually a set that belongs to my Sister-in-law. She asked me to hold on to a few sets when they moved into their condo in downtown Chicago since storage space is at a minimum.  How could I say no to taking care of stamps?  It sure came in handy last night!

I started with a Kraft base and then layered Pink Pirouette and Bella Rose Designer series paper.  I stamped my main image in Basic Gray on Whisper White cardstock and layered that on Pink Pirouette and Chocolate Chocolate Chip.  I used Taylor’s Sketch as it fit the image perfectly. 

I hope you all have a great start to a great year!

Jenn

So where exactly has 2008 gone? It doesn’t even really seem like New Year’s Eve. Maybe because it is a normal workday for Roger and I am at home alone with the boys. I had a few projects I wanted to wrap up before the end of the year and I think I was successful with that. I had swap cards to finish and I got those in the mail today. I also got all of my Thank you cards for Christmas written and addressed. When I finished those tasks I sat down to stamp. I needed to stamp!

Since Jen’s Sketch was still open on my desk I just went with that.  When I start a sketch the first thing I do is draw it to scale in a grid lined notebook.  That way I have them for future reference but I am also saving on paper and printer ink.  I was planning on making a New Year’s card but I couldn’t find any stamps that fit into the idea in my  head.  I went with the next best thing - Valentine’s Day! 

I started with a Riding Hood Red base and layered it with Chocolate Chip and Sage Shadow.  The Sage Shadow layer is stamped with the background stamp from Rustic Rooster.  I can’t stop using that stamp.  I then added the paper piercing and distressing before moving onto the hearts.  I stamped the heart twice, once in Pink Pirouette and then again in Riding Hood Red on the matching cardstock.  I cut them out and added them to the card with dimensionals.  From there I added the top and bottom embellishments.  They are pretty simple so I’m sure you’ll figure out what I used on your own.  I really like this color combo.  I think it’s very soothing looking. 

Since it’s the eve of a New Year, I thought I’d jot down what my plans are for this year.  That way since you all know them I’ll have to stick with them.  So without further ado, my New Year’s Resolutions:

1. Submit more (I’ve had several cards published but I want to submit on a regular basis).  2.  Enter more Stampin’ Up! contests (I plan to enter at least one category a month, last year I started and stopped when I won in March).  3.  Enter the Artisan Award contest (I did last year and I’m grateful for the experience).  4.  Plan my class projects sooner (sooner than the week before - my dates are booked 6 months at a time so I have no excuse).  5.  Finish one scrapbook project a month. 

So those are my goals!  If you post yours put a comment here.  I’d love to check them out.

Jenn

I was recently having a discussion with friends about what new crafts we might try to learn in 2009.  I’ve tried a lot.  I have a ball of yarn full of knots from my stint at trying to knit.  I have a half done cross stitch project up on my shelf in my closet because needles and young energetic boys aren’t a good pairing.  My Mom can attest to the amount of times she has had to remove zippers from sewing projects because I put them in the wrong way.  I’m not one who has a talent for drawing something from scratch and latch work rugs simply aren’t in style anymore.  As I thought about the possibilities I realized that I’m going to stick with Stamping.  Why you may ask?  My ribbon stays relatively put on the spools and isn’t tangled in knots I can’t remove.  While my paper piercer is sharp and pointy it has a safe place on my table and is one of my favorite tools.  Paper has two sides so if I mess up on one I can turn it over and use the other.  While I can’t draw, I certainly love to color and I think I do it quite well.  While things may go out of style I can find a new way to use my stamps and switching colors and patterns is easy.  But the number one reason I love stamping is that I can sit down and complete a project in as little as 10 minutes from start to finish.  Sure some may take longer, but they are easy to transport and they don’t take up that much room.  I realized that when I signed up to be a Stampin’ Up! Independent Demonstrator in November of 2006, I picked my perfect craft and I am sticking with it. 

As an added benefit I have made a lot of friends, both in real life and online who share my passion for creating.  I have found Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators to be the most giving and kind people who will bend over backwards to help you out and share ideas and projects with you.  There are more benefits and if you’d like to learn more about them please visit my Join My Team! page.  If you are interested in joining my Team, email me for the password.  You can sign up Online on my Demonstrator Website and have instant access to Stampin’ Up! and it’s benefits.  While you are there check out the informational videos right on the website  You will also gain access to my private Team group and Team Log-In page where we share class ideas, projects and more. 

So where will 2009 take you?  Join my Team and be in for a fun and exciting year!

Jenn

Yesterday the Technique Challenge on SCS was to make a Squash Book, but the twist was to make it as a card. The folding was really easy and you can check this thread for the directions.  I used a 8 X 8″ square of Haiku designer series paper.  I pulled my colors right from the papers. 

After I finished the folds I tied a Tangerine Tango striped ribbon around the squash book part to hold it shut. I then took a piece of So Saffron cardstock and cut it into a 4 1/4″ square and used the scallop edge punch on all 4 sides making sure the corners lined up to make uniform scallops on each corner.  The front is pretty simple, but I didn’t want to take away from the unique fold.  I stamped the beehive from Just Buzzin’ By in Basic Gray ink and colored it in with an AquaPainter and Barely Banana and So saffron ink.  The door plaque is Tangerine Tango and the base Close to Cocoa.  I wanted to add a sentiment but the ones in the set were too long for the front and I didn’t want to break it up, so I added a pull out tag behind the main image.  I used the horizontal slot punch to punch both sizes of the main image panel.  I then cut a piece of Whisper White cardstock with the sentiment stamped to 3/8″ wide.  I then used my word window punch to round the edges on each end of the strip.  I added silver cording as a pull and then added the little bee over the end. 

Today I have a few swap cards to finish up and hope to get a few other projects done as well.  Poor Evan is sick again with a deep wet cough and is very congested.  I’m hoping we can get him over this at home, but if he gets any worse a trip to the pediatrician will be in order as well. 

Have a great day!

Jenn

All supplies are Stampin’ Up! and can be purchased on my website at http://igotstamps.stampinup.net .  Just Buzzin’ By is a Preview set and will be available on January 19th.