A New Ink on Life

Enjoy the Little Things

  

This is a project I did with my stamp club for May. With Mother's Day (which I think should be everyday!) being over we move on to the next holiday- Father's Day. I don't know about you but I find masculine cards can sometimes be challenging. I absolutely adore the Urban Oasis Designer Series and especially love that the patterns are so diverse. From dots to flowers this paper is perfect for any project masculine or feminine. For the card I wanted to keep it clean and simple, something I also have a hard time doing. I will not tell a lie- I am an accessories junkie! From brads to buttons to ribbons to rhinestones, anything to pretty up a project. Imagine my excitement when Stampin' Up! brought out their Corduroy Brads and Buttons. Doing a little happy dance because they are definitely are an accessory that add a nice touch to these Father's Day projects.

Next to the card is a Clear Envelope Mini Album. You can find a great tutorial HERE on Split Coast Stampers. That siteis such a great resource for anything paper crafting related. I used the stamp set Enjoy Every Moment, which is a great set for lots of different sayings, and one thing I have certainly learned over these last few days with my husband being back in town is you truly do need to enjoy and cherish the little things in life.  On that note I must go and "break up" a "fight" between the two oldest kids as I can hear them yelling in the front yard over the water hose! Ahhhh yes the little things how very precious they are. (And for those you that may only know me through this blog, that last stament wasdripping with sarcasm LOL!)

Paper: Urban Oasis, Basic Gray, Kraft, Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze

Stamps: All Holidays, Enjoy Every Moment,

Ink: Close to Cocoa, Basic Gray

Accessories: Basic Gray and Kraft Corduroy Brads and Buttons, Linen Thread, Clear Envelopes

Progressive

 

    This is a super fun but easy scrapbook page that can easily be put together in under a half an hour. It is what we call progressive scrapbooking. This is a great way for some people to start scrapping as it let you build you page sizes. I first started off with a 6x6 simple page, having the picture cropped to 4x4. Then took the Sweet Slumber DSP and cut it to 8 1/2x11. By adding my first page, two more pictures and some embelishments I now have an 8 1/2 x11 page. Next I took a 12x12 piece of textured cardstock and a stamped title, another picture  and voila a 12x12 page!

 Hope everyone has a wonderful day and I will try my best to keep my postings up over the weekend but I'm not make any promises. You see my husband just came home yesturday after being away for work the last 12 weeks! I know you're thinking "aaaaaahhhhhh, she wants to spend time with her hubby" Ummm yeah that too, but I'm most looking forward to sleeping in on Saturday! The children have already been instructed to go to "daddy's side of the bed" LOL!

Paper: Textured Riding Hood Red, Sweet Slumber DSP, Kraft, Barely Banana, Baja Breeze textured, Whisper White

Ink: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Riding Hood Red,

Accessories: Kraft cord buttons, Circle punches 1',1 1/4", 1 3/8', Baja Breeze

And The Winner is............

PENNY HANUSZK. Penny name was randomly drawn from the 55 comments left and she wins A FREE PASS to USTAMP!!! Congratulations Penny, please email me your information so I can make sure you receive your free pass in July.

I apologize not posting this sooner but I have unfortunately been under the weather today and after this post I will be off to bed with my friend ADVIL cold and sinus LOL.

Oh and did you think I had forgotten that I had posted WINNERSyesterday? Not a chance, I thought it would be fun to give away some goodies to  those of you that left some of my favourite comments!

Kim said..."I would pick Oscar as well....mostly because I was so intrigued by all the things he had in his can.  Like, how does an elephant, swimming pool and all the other stuff fit in there?  I also loved Barclay the big orange dog...how did he disappear behind those trees like that????  I always thought his name was Broccoli.

Thanks for making me remember all that!!!  Seems like yesterday....." So laughed out loud when I read this! So kim could you please email me you info so I can get something in the mail for you.

I can totally picture this colour name from Mikesgal..."Wow! This one takes some thinking.....my new Stampin' Up color would be called Sunset Sienna...."Sounds Like a Stampin' Up! colour to me! Mikesgirl could you please also send me your info and I will send you some goodies in the mail as well.

I just wanted to thank all of you how came and visited my blog over the last week. It has been so much fun reading everyone's comments and I hope at least some of you will join us for USTAMP.

I will be back bright and early tomorrow with another project to share with you!

Are You Ready For The Big News?

  

What is UStamp, you ask? UStamp is a fun and exciting on line event that will have a team of demonstrators representing each of the countries that Stampin' Up! is open for business in. That means from the United States, Australia,New Zealand,Germany,France,United Kingdom and CANADA! So if you haven't guessed already my BIG NEWS is I have been asked to be the Creative Crew Girl Member from Canada!  (Insert me screaming and skipping up and down here!!!!) 

We will be sharing our passion for Stampin' Up! through creative Stampining, Scrapping and Home Decor projects in this on line class. There will be on line chats, gallery shares and PRIZES. This opportunity is perfect for both the Stampin' Up! customer and the Stampin' Up! demonstrator.

If you join UStamp and are a Stampin' Up! customer you get to enjoy a variety of different projects with all the written and step by step photos so you can work at your own pace. I know this is just perfect for those of you that are telling me you would love to come to classes but the timing doesn't always work. You will still get to learn new techniques and get great ideas for all types of projects.

If you join UStamp and are a Stampin' Up! demonstrator looking for fun and unique projects for classes and workshops, this is a great way to get projects ideas and instructions. All you have to do is just prep the supplies. Besides what could be more fun and exciting than "meeting" people from around the world that share the same passion for paper crafting and Stampin' Up! as you do!?

I have been a customer of UStamp for the last 4 sessions and I have to say that the projects have been amazing! So when Dawn Rapsas asked me if I would like to be a part of the Crew this time I was blown away! And trust me when you find out more about the people who will be contributing to this round you will be BLOWN AWAY too! Let's just say there are some (in my humble opinon) Stampin' Up! royalty among them.

So be sure to check out all the info about UStamp by clicking on the UStamp Blinkie in the upper right hand coner of my blog. I sure hope you will join us, trust me this will be an event you will not want to miss!

Here is an example of a project that I created for the last round of UStamp

 

I will be back later today to announce the WINNERS of the MYSTERY BLOG CANDY! One person will win a FREE pass to UStamp and I have a few other GOODIES to give away! I love FREE stuff don't you?

 

B is for..........

 

BIG BIRD!  So after my pretty post yesterday I figured it was some time for a fun (or should I say funny) post again. I'm sure most of you will recognize this goofy bird. To bad I couldn't figure out how to make him Radar as well.(who you ask? You know that homely little Teddy Bear that a 8 foot yellow bird could not sleep with out?!)

So on to how I created this Fluffy guy. Yes I said guy, he is a boy right? I was having this discussion with another grown woman the other day (yes she too has nothing better to than dream up how to make muppets out of paper!) and she thought HE was a girl. She was actually the clever one who suggested that I use the sizzlets little leaves as BB tuffs of feathers (you can view her blog HERE) . I know how smart right? So I used my Big Shot again and the scallop die to cut out two pieces of Yo-yo Yellow, lots punches (making the beak was the hardest part, right Natasha?)  and asembled him on a circular card base that I made with my circle scissors plus. That circle cutter is such a cool tool as you can also cut out rings with it!  And I thought putting this bright and happy character on a non-trational shaped card would be just the right fit.

Ink: Whiper White Craft to sponge around the top of BB's head

Paper: Yo-Yo Yellow, Pixie Pink, Blilliant Blue, Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black

Punches: Circle punches1/2',1 1/4',1 3/4", Wide Oval, Large Oval

Accessories: Big Shot, sizzlet little leaves, Scallop circle die, Circle Scissors Plus

So do you know what today is? It is the last day for my no shipping special and the LAST question for my MYSTER BLOG CANDY give away!

Today's question is...

What cool new tool or accessory would you like to see in the new Stampin' Up! Catalogue when it comes out in July?

(I would like to see the Scor-Pal, I know wishful thinking, but a girl can dream!) Also I am in loooove with the corduroy buttons and brads so I hope there are lots more in tons of colors!

Remember to post your answers in the comments and tomorrow ALL will be revealed!!!!!!!!! Including the Blog candy winner. And thanks to everyone who has been playing a long so far.

 

Simple Elegance

 

This is a project where I wanted the beautiful Bella Bleu Designer Paper to do most of the "talking" so to speak. My good friend MR. Brown (for those of you who don't know who he is, aka the UPS man) came to visit today and I too had to take advantage of the great paper promotion that is going on now until the end of this month. So as soon as the kiddies were in bed tonight I broke out my NEW paper. (Who am I kidding, I ignored them for a little while and ripped open the box to drool over new stuff!). But of course like a good mother I quickly sorted out the orders for my customers and then put it a side to tend to the children LOL!. You see in my house we have a saying- "Everything is great after 8." So once the kids are in bed mom can play and dad, well dad can do whatever as long as mom gets to stamp!

Okay back to the project. This is a very easy box to make that will hold 4 3x6 cards and matching envelopes. I used the textured cardstock in Very Vanilla to construct the box. This would make a great gift for a good friend or I love this paper for  wedding projects. The nice thing about this style of box and cards is that the possibilities are endless as to colours, papers, stamps that can be used and it can easily be completed in 35 minutes. The finished size of the box is 4x7.

Stamps: All Holidays, Heard From The Heart

Paper: Very Vanilla Textured, Kraft, Bordering Blue, Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper

Ink: Not quite Navy, Chocolate Chip, SU! Markers Creamy Caramel, Close To Cocoa, Brocade Blue

Accessories: Brocade Blue 5/8 grosgrain ribbon, 1/4 Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon, Kraft taffeta ribbon, Double Rectangle punch, Pretties kit half back pearls

Okay so if you have been following my BLOG for the last few days you know it is now time for the MYSTERY BLOG CANDY ( every time I type MYSTERY BLOG CANDY I here a booming male announcer's voice in my head!) question.

What is your favourite Designer Series Paper from Stampin' Up? It can be current or from past catalogues.

Hmmmm mine would have to be Sweet Slumber Specialty paper, I love the colours and that it has the weight of cardsock, so there are so many options with it.

Remember to leave your answers in the comments section of this post. And I must say I have really been enjoying reading your comments and even laughing out loud at some of them! So thank you for commenting and I promise the give away is worth reading through my ramblings!

Only 2 more days until my BIG NEWS announcement. And if you would like to place an order remember you only have today and tomorrow to take advantage of my FREE shipping promotion.

"Sunny Days..........."

 

 

Gee, I can still hear that Sesame Street theme song in my head like it was yesterday, when I would sit and watch my favourite characters... WAIT it was yesterday LOL! That is what life is like with a two year old. I'm sure many of you can still hear that song too, whether it be from your childhood or from your children's. Everybody loves Sesame Street right?! Well I sure hope so because ever since I made the Elmo and Cookie Monster cards that I posted on May 19th ( sorry haven't figured out how to link previous posts yet-promise I'll get better!) my daughter and well I admit myself too, have been obsessed with recreating the whole gang. So here is BERT in all his glory! Of course I brought out my trusty Big Shot and used the Scallop Oval Frame die, using the oval part for his egg shaped head. Can't you just hear that annoying but cute laugh and see that obnoxious striped shirt when looking at his face? Then there were all of Stampin' Up's great punches involved. Try looking at your punches in a new way you'll be surprised what you can create with different shapes. All in all the whole production was not to hard to create. Now Big Bird was another story, but you will have to wait to see that one!!!!!

Stamps: On Your Birthday

Ink: Many marvelous markers Real Red and Brilliant Blue

CardStock: Kiwi Kiss Textured, Real Red Textured, Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, Basic Black, Whisper White, Cameo Coral, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie.

Punches: 1/2' ,1' and 1 3/4' Circles, Large Oval, Scalloped Oval, Five Petal, Word Window.

SO Remember I am still offering you the chance to win my MYSTERY BLOG CANDY! Just 3 more days until my BIG announcement, you can hardly wait -RIGHT?!!!!!! So here is the QUESTION of the day:

"Who is/was YOUR favourite Sesame Street Character?"

(I know not stamping related but I'm giddy from finally finishing BIG BIRD!)

Mine was Oscar. I know I was a strange kid, but I remember feeling sorry for him for being so grouchy and thought he could use a friend!

Can't wait to read yours, remember to leave your answer in the comments section of this post. The more questions you answer the better your chances are for SOMETHING FREE! If you haven't already answered the other questions they start with my post on May 23.

Thinking Outside the Box

 

So this weekend was my Scrapbooking in and Out of The Box classes.  I had a great deal of fun  crafting with friends. This class project was in celebration of National Scrapbooking month and participants got to choose their "Theme" for the class with a choice of Simply Scrappin' kit. If you have never tried these kits before they are a must have! Not only do you get everything you need for making beautiful pages these kits are also great for making cards and other projects, it's truly amazing just how much you can make with one kit. These pictures above showcase the Petal Party kit along with the matching stamp set Best Wishes and More. We made two 12x12 scrapbook pages and matching note card. One of the pages folds up neatly into a box-how fun is that?! For my class sample I scrapped pictures of my daughter's 9th Birthday Party from last Fall. They had a fabulous time crafting and making their own hair clips,treat and little bag.

Simply Scrappin' Kit: Petal Party

Stamp Set:Best Wishes and More

Ink: Old Olive

So are you ready for another question? Remember the more questions you answer the greater your chances are for the MYSTERY BLOG CANDY!!!!!

If you could make up and name a Stampin' Up! colour what would it be?

Now remember all the SU! Colours have alliteration in the names. My colour would be MANGO MADNESS! So makes sure you leave your colour choice in the COMMENTS SECTION of this post. Can't wait to read all your creative answers!

Something Big Is Coming!!!!!!!!!!

So I want to start off this post with a little teaser of a really exciting event that I have had the privilegege to be asked to participate in! Believe me you don't want to miss out on this. So to get you just as excited as I am, I have a special sale going on from Saturday May 23- Wednesday May 27

   

* I Will pay the cost of shipping!!!!!!!*

  Please contact me by emailing your order to me or give me a call. If you prefer to shop on line through my website I will send you a credit for the cost of shipping that you can use towards your next purchase through me! Sorry Canadian Orders Only

 

 

 

 

But that's not all- I will also be offering MYSTERY BLOG CANDY (FREE STUFF)! So all you have to do to enter is to check my blog every day for the NEXT 5 DAYS and answer the question I have posted by leaving your answer in the comments section. On the 6th DAY I will randomly draw a name from the comments submitted and will announce not only the WINNER but also my BIG NEWS!

Okay, Ready Set GO!  What is your favourite Stampin' Up Colour? Don't worry for those of you who may not know all the colours or are new to Stampin' Up! just click on the link to my website on the side bar and you can view them in the Catalogue On-Line!

Can't wait to read all the responses. Oh I guess you would like to know mine right? Okay I would have to say Chocolate Chip, I know Brown but it just goes with everything! So Saffron and Chocolate together is such a YUMMY combination. And remember to check back from now until Thursday to answer the questions and get a Chance to WIN FREE STUFF!

Not Just for Scrapbooking

 

I wanted to share with you a very quick and easy project that seriously only took me 10 minutes to put together. And with the Paper Promotion that I mentioned in a previous post I also wanted to open up your eyes to all the possibilities our beautiful papers can be used for. This is a 12x12 frame that I had picked up at Micheals.  I took a full sheet from the Urban Oasis Designer Series Paper pack attached a double Butterfly die cut from the same pack of paper with the Big Shot (this die is exclusive to SU!) and placed it in the frame. On the outside glass I used 3 of the 4 words that come in the Decor Elements Inspiration set. If you haven't used or heard of Stampin' Up's home decor line make sure you visit my website and check them out! They are so easy to use and a great way to spruce up any room with images and phrases to suite any taste. So this is my easy project that takes little time but makes a beautiful gift or addition to any space.

Papers: Urban Oasis Designer Series Paper

Acessories: Jumbo Brads, Big Shot, SU! Beautiful Butterflies Die, Decor Elements Medium Inspiration