Masculine Birthday Card

Making masculine cards is tough for me.  You'd think given that I have no sisters or daughters, I'd be really good at them.  Boy cards, I can handle.  But manly man cards are not my strong suite.  I only own one current stamp set that works well for a masculine card (although I have others that would work for general birthdays for anyone - including a man). So why did I sign up to make a masculine card for my own swap?  This is what I came up with:

Colors: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Naturals Vanilla.  Stamps: The Open Seas, Happiest Birthday Wishes.  Accessories: Well Worn Designer Series Paper, brads and Early Espresso 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.

The Open Seas was in last year's Summer Mini Catalog.  It is not featured in any current catalog, but it is still available to order.  It is perfect for masculine cards so I hope they never take it away.  And this Well Worn Designer Series paper is also perfect for manly cards.

Did you notice that I didn't use a single punch or the Big Shot on this card at all?  That almost NEVER happens.  I'm surprised the earth didn't stop turning.

This card is also this week's Sketch Challenge at Stampin' Addicts. Come check it out and play along!

Happy Dirtday!

When I saw I Dig You in the catalog last summer, I knew, as the mother of boys, this set was for me.   You just can't go wrong with tractors and dump trucks when you have young boys.

This is a card I made with that set for the Birthday Card Swap I hosted this month.  I struggle to use Daffodil Delight sometimes, but it is perfect for this card:

Colors: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight and Whisper White.  Stamps: I Dig You and Wonderfully Worn Background.  Punches: Word Window, 3/4" & 1/2" circles.  Accessories: Dimensionals, Brads.

It's very unusual for me to NOT use the Big Shot on a card, but this one didn't.  But I did break out the background stamp, Wonderfully Worn, to add some dimension to the Daffodil Delight card base.  I ended up stamping it twice to give it even more "splotches".  It is a very simple card.  But isn't that what boys will like?

This is another card that will be offered at my Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet on March 9-10. I will have the class up on my blog in the next week so check back.

Stampin' Addicts Sketch Challenge 123

In all the craziness of last week, I had four swaps and a sketch challenge to still do.  So what's a stamper to do?  Kill two birds with one stone, of course. (I hope you all know that's just a saying right.  I wouldn't really kill one bird, let alone two and I doubt I'd be able to hit one with a stone anyway because I throw like a girl).

Here is the card I made for the swap that turned into Stampin' Addicts Sketch Challenge 123:

Colors: Whisper White, Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade.  Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes and Create A Cupcake.  Big Shot: Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Punches: Petite Pennants, 2-1/2" and 1" circle.  Accessories: Markers, In Color Designer Printed Brads and 5/16" Jumbo Brads.

This card will also be offered at my Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet next month.  These swaps were due at my house on Friday so I didn't want to post this swap card for the challenge.  So I made a second card with the same sketch to post:

Color: Early Espresso, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Coral Calypso.  Stamps: Just Believe.  Big Shot: Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die. Punches: 2-1/2" and 1-1/4" circle, 1" square.  Accessory: Brad

Obviously, I'm very hooked on these In Colors right now.  I just can't stop using them.  I'm to the point I won't even really miss the 2010-2011 colors when they retire at the end of May, but I'm already dreading losing Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party and Island Indigo.

Anyone is welcome to play along on the Stampin' Addict Sketch Challenge. Come check it, or any of the other challenges out and get inspired.

Decor Elements

At Stampin' Up's recent leadership conference, the company announced a new catalog strategy that includes a slightly smaller main catalog and two larger seasonal catalogs instead of the usual three mini catalogs.  I'll share more on this as we get closer to the end of this catalog in May.

In order to make the main catalog a little smaller, Stampin' Up! announced it would discontinue two products lines: Simply Adorned Jewelry and Decor Elements vinyl.  I am a little sad about it because I have personally enjoyed both of these lines.  But I understand that most people purchase stamps, ink and paper from us anyway.

Before they go away forever, I wanted to share with you some of the things I've done with Decor Elements in my home. 

This is the shower in my master bathroom.  I have two smaller version of the same stems on either side of the vanity.  Stampin' Up! doesn't sell this design any more, but I wanted to give you an idea of where to put them.  There are a couple of others that are available that would work well for a glass shower door.

Decor Elements: Life Milestones and Tree, Thoughts and Prayers

This one is my favorite, so you get two shots of it.  The first picture was taken before I put the quote up, but it gives you some perspective.  Our great room has this big tall ceiling in it and it was really hard for me to wrap my mind around how to decorate those walls.  But this big tree  was perfect.  There is still a lot of wall above it, but it isn't so noticeable with the tree there.  The quote that I put to the side says, "Life isn't a matter of milestones but of moments."

Decor Elements: Create Definition

The last one is of my craft room wall.  Sorry it isn't a bit tidier, but really, this is as good as it gets for my creative space. The vinyl defines the word create as "To produce through artistic or imaginative effort.  Create and inspire. To make your own."  Perfect for any kind of creative space.  There is also another one that defines inspire.

There are many, many more uses for these including decorating jars, frames and other things that are less permanent than your walls.  And there are many more designs to choose from.  Visit my online store or contact me today for more information.

What else I've been working on this week: Valentines

It's been a few years since we did homemade Valentines for my sons' classes.  But this year, I decided to undertake this task.  They were based on this sucker holder I did for my Valentines class last month:

Colors: Pink Pirouette, Real Red, Whisper White.  Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts.  Big Shot: Scalloped Heart Embosslit.  Punch: Heart.  Accessories: Ribbon and Bright Patterns Designer Paper Pack.

Since I needed to make 46 of them, I simplified them just a bit and did not use that cute scalloped heart behind the stamped heart.  And I made some of them in pink and some of them in red so I didn't use up all of one color.  These are the ones for my older son's class (Sorry the picture isn't better, we worked on them upstairs and my good lights are downstairs):

And I did something I said I would never do this past weekend too.  My youngest son was suppose to make his valentine's box at home this year.  And guess who did a majority of the work.

Colors: Read Red, Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White.  Big Shot: Scallop Oval Frame, Hearts Collection Framelits.  Punches: 2-1/2" and 1-3/4" circles and Pennant.  Accessories: Big Top Birthday Designer Series Paper and Red Glitter Paper.

Originally, I was going to use a shoe box, but in a fortunate turn of events, we emptied a box that had garbage sacks in it on Saturday morning and it was the perfect shape for a monster.  Spencer did help me glue the teeth, eyes and heart on to the box.

I spent all day yesterday and will spend all day today working on swaps.  So I will have a return to regular projects soon. And thanks for all the kind words over the past couple of days too.

Pirate Party and the Powells

February is almost as crazy as December at my house.  Between both my sons' birthdays and Valentines, I spend a lot of time in my craft room but not working on stuff for my business.  Which is why I don't schedule any classes at my house in February.

My youngest son's birthday is next weekend.  I don't generally share retired product on my blog, but I am today because it's whats been keeping me busy this past week: (click on the picture to get a better view)

Colors: Naturals Vanilla, Riding Hood Red, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Close to Cocoa (retired), Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip.  Stamps: Ahoy, Matey and matching wheel (both retired).  Accessories: Markers, Blender Pen, Aqua Painter. 

My boys only get birthday parties every other year.  But for the past three times I've done parties, the boys have picked a pirate theme.  I'm just glad that I kept this set for just this purpose.  I saw some invitations like these on Splitcoaststampers four years ago when I did my first pirate party.  It's been so long, I don't even know who to give credit to anymore (after all, they didn't have Pinterest in those days.)  The invitations where delivered on Saturday and they were well received.  One mom told me at church yesterday that her daughter slept with it.

I don't generally get extremely personal here on my blog, but with all the good and busy things happening here, we also have some very heavy hearts.  It's been all over the news about the unspeakable thing Josh Powell did to his sons yesterday in Washington state.  The Powells were neighbors of ours in West Valley and we attended the same church.  It would be disingenuous to say that Susan and I were close friends but to know Susan was to know her well. We served together in the Relief Society presidency and both sang in the church choir.  Her oldest and my youngest were just weeks apart in age and I can't help thinking if things were different, if Susan had never disappeared and we hadn't moved, one of these invitations would have been for Charlie.

This entire thing has been like a bad made-for-TV movie that was too outrageous to be believable. Yet it happened and is happening to real people that are more than just names and faces to me. Yesterday, I spent a lot of time being angry at Josh for being so spiteful and so controlling, right up to the end.  Today, I'm trying to leave the anger behind and send lots of healing prayers to Susan's family and close friends who are left to deal with aftermath.   I hope this is not where the story ends.  Her family deserves to know exactly what happened to Susan but I don't know that they ever will. In the mean time, I find comfort in knowing that those two cute boys are in a better place with their mother who loved them more than anything.

Free Trial of My Digital Studio!

I'm a little late with my post this morning, but I have exciting news to share.  Stampin' Up! is now offering a free 30-day trial of My Digital Studio Express!  Express contains the full functionality of the software with fewer digital punches, stamps, patterned papers and embellishments than the full version of the software. Perfect for trying out all the great features of this amazing digital crafting solution.

I know I've sung the praises of My Digital Studio several times here on my blog.  I love how easy it is to use and how it incorporates all my favorite Designer Series Papers, Stamps and Embellishments that have been offered over the past several years.  The sheer number of downloads that are available for the software is many times larger than the number of products we offer in the catalogs and some of the designs have never been offered as traditional products before either.

In the past, I've shown you scrapbook pages and cards made with My Digital Studio, but today I want to share with you a project that takes My Digital Studio to the next level:

Created using My Digital Studio: Crochet Trim Ribbon Pack, Antique Brad Pack, Deck the Halls Photo Card Digital Kit, Artistic Etchings Stamp Brush Set, Baroque Motifs Stamp Brush Set, and Grosgrain Ribbon Back.  Other: Photo Block.  Photos by Karina Orgill.

I've had several of these photo block in my stash for a while.  About a year ago, I was frantically trying to decorate my house in time for a party when I had an "A-HA" moment.  If I designed each section in My Digital studio, I could incorporate the photo and all the elements together and keep them flat but still embellished.  It's a great way to show off a collection family photos.

You might be wondering how I accomplished this since it's a custom page size.  Easy, peasy.  I measured the size of the block and then created six photo boxed on two 12x12 page that were the exact size that I needed it to be.  That way, I could easily fill it with all the elements I wanted on each side and know exactly where the boarders are for that side of the block.  Once I received it back from the print service, I just cut it into squares and adhered it to the block. 

If you are ready to give My Digital Studio a try and have the chance to fall in love with it before you buy it, head on over to my business website, paula.stampinup.net and click "shop now."  You will see the trial offer near the top of the shopping page.  And don't forget, all the images that are available to purchase as kits are there too.  Click here for the complete catalog of available images and kits.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Everyday Enchantment Canvas

I promised a closer look at my canvas project from the blog hop and I aim to please.  I called this a "mixed-media" project because it uses different mediums together: canvas, paper, metal brads, lace, ink, etc.  A lot of mixed-media projects also use paints and I didn't on this one. Here's another look at the whole project:

I wish I had taken step-by-step photos as I was putting it together, but of course I didn't think of that until it was done. I started with an 11"x14" art canvas.  You can buy these at any big box craft or art store.  The first and probably most important step in a project like this is to figure out what you want your project to look like at the end, before you start putting the pieces together.  Because once you start adhering them to the canvas, it is difficult to move them around.

Once I had my basic layout figured out, I put a moderate layer of Mod Podge on the canvas. Mod Podge is a decoupage medium that can also be purchased at the big box craft and hobby stores.  The trick to working with Mod Podge is to get just the right amount on your project.  Too much and it starts to bubble up.  Not enough and the layer you put on top doesn't stick well enough.  And you have to work quickly because it dries quickly too. 

After you have your layer of Mod Podge on the canvas, place your first layer of paper right on top of it, smoothing it out as you go to keep it from bubbling.  After that layer dries, you can add another layer of Mod Podge over the top and start adding the rest of your layers.  I have found that giving the project a little time to dry in between decreases the amount of bubbles that appear on your project too.

For the flower, I wanted some dimension to it and didn't want it decoupaged to the canvas.  I put a layer of Mod Podge on each part of the flower one so that it would have the same "texture" as the rest of the project.  Mod Podge dries clear but does leave a dull coat over the project. I used dimensionals between the layers of the flower to really make it 3-D.  Here's a close up picture of the flower:

(A keep observer probably noticed the flower moved from the picture above.  I had a hard time deciding just where it belonged and took this picture before I figured that part out.)

I also did not decoupage the photo on to the project.  I wanted to be able to change out the photo later when this one becomes out dated.  I adhered it to the project with dimensionals too.  And just who is that handsome group of people?  It is my parents and all their children last summer at our family reunion.  Can you pick me out of the group?  I'll give you a hint, I'm the only daughter.

I did find out a thing or two by trial and error.  Before I started, I tried using the Tea Stain Stampin' Spot from the Distressing Kit to "age" the canvas.  Once I started putting the Mod Podge on it, the water-based ink pretty much washed off.  So you will probably want to save yourself some time and effort and skip that part.

The other lesson learned is to stick with Mod Podge and not mix adhesives.  For the title, I was in a hurry and didn't want to mess with the Mod Podge to adhere the letters to the base piece so I used regular Mono Multi Glue.  I added a layer of Mod Podge to the top to give it the same texture and the letters aren't sealed down as well as the rest of the project is. 


I made another canvas project at the same time I made this but I submitted it to Stampin' Up! for a contest.  If it doesn't win, I'll post pictures of it in a few weeks.

SUPPLIES:

Colors: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Very Vanilla, and Poppy Parade
Big Shot: Timeless Type Alphabet, Fun Flower, Island Flowers, Tasteful Trim and Labels Collection Framelits.
Punch: Fancy Flower, 1" and 3/4" Circles.
Accessories: Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper, Antique Brads, Crochet Trim, Distressing Kit
Other: Mod Podge, Canvas

Everyday Enchantment Mini Album

Wasn't the blog hop wonderful?  So many fun projects and all made with items you can get free! If you missed the hop, all the stops should be deep linked together so you can follow it today as well.  Just start here.

I promised a closer look at the mini album today.  I wanted to make this album for the hop because it could easily feature every print in the package.  But I was limited on the number of photos I could show you on the hop, so today you get to see the rest.  And you can also find out how to get a kit to make your very own at the end of this post.

Originally, I was going to make an album out of boring square chipboard coasters. (Let's not talk about how many of those I have stashed away under the stairs in my storage room.)  But then I started looking at different shapes I could use and decided the Label Collection Framelits would be perfect.

The only tricky thing: the framelits are designed to cut thinner material and not the chipboard I generally use from the Decor Elements or Specialty Designer Paper packaging.  Thankfully, I had some thinner chipboard that a friend had given me and it worked well.  It's a titch heavier than the white sheets that come with the Designer Series Paper packs.  It was a little tight going through the Big Shot, but it did work.  As always, you can click on the picture to get a better look.

This, of course, is the cover for the album.  I love the look of textured Very Vanilla card stock with this paper like on the memories title.  For a more "vintage" feel, I inked the edges of everything using either Crumb Cake or the matching color.  And the Crochet Trim and Vintage Brads also goes so nicely with this paper.

One of the things I love about this Label shape is how well other basic shapes fit inside of it.  I love the circles and the oval with it.  To make the piece that is behind the oval, I used the smaller framelit so that the lines matched up with the base piece.

This paper coordinates with several of the current In Colors.  I don't pull out the Peach Parfait very often, but it coordinates beautifully with this paper, along with Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Lucky Limeade.  And of course, the Fresh Vintage Stamp set and Everyday Enchantment Brad and Ribbon bundle from the Sale-A-Bration Catalog also coordinate.  That just might be my favorite thing about Stampin' Up -- they take the guess work out of matching.

I've mentioned before how much I love the Loving Thoughts set from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  The sentiments in it are perfect for a mini album so I knew I wanted to use it for this.  And you'll see I also used the Lace Ribbon Punch too here.

 

Soft Suede also coordinates with this paper and adds a nice neutral contrast to the other colors.  Don't you just love the way the six different sizes from the Labels Collection Framelits work so well together?

When I had all the pages put together, I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch a hole through each of the piece in the corner and used a binder ring to put it together.  I used a bunch of coordinating ribbon and other trims to tie to the ring.

SUPPLY LIST:
Colors: Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Peach Parfait, Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade, Very Vanilla, and Soft Suede
Stamps: Fresh Vintage (Sale-A-Bration) and Loving Thoughts (Occasions)
Big Shot: Labels Collection Framelits, Clear Circle, 3-1/2" Circle, Oval Scallop Frame, 3" Circle.
Punches: Modern Label, Postage Stamp, Word Window, Lace Ribbon, and 1/2", 1-1/4", 1-3/8",& 2-1/2" and Scallop Circles.
Accessories: Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim, Pool Party Seam Binding, Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta, 1/4" Vanilla Grosgrain, Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Pack, Antique Brads, Mini Silver brads, Silver Brads
Other: Binder Ring

I do have a limited number of these kits available for purchase for $25 plus $5 for shipping.  The kit includes all the pages precut and ready to ink and assemble as well as the embellishments.  It does not include any of the stamped accents including page titles, but it does include the paper to make your own. Directions and pictures will be emailed to you.  Email me at paulastamps@gmail.com and I will send you an invoice through paypal to pay for it.

Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop!

 

Welcome to stop #3 on the Stampin' Addict's Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop!  If you are hopping through in order than you've landed here from Holly's Rubber Redneck blog.  Didn't you just love what she did with the Fresh Vintage Stamp set?  If this is your first stop, all the blogs are linked together in a circle so you won't miss a thing. If you get lost along the way or just want to chat about what you've seen, head on over to Stampin' Addicts.

I didn't think it was possible for Stampin' Up! to come up with a Designer Series Paper I would love more than Spice Cake from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  But of course, they've done it again!  And I'm so excited to get to share with you the fabulous Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper.  I've already used the paper a lot and I'm going to end up spending a lot of money to get more free packs of this gorgeous stuff during Sale-A-Bration.  And remember, this is just one of the several items you can get free with any $50 purchase between now and March 31.

The first project is a mini album that features this beautiful paper and the Labels Collection Framelits from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  The top picture is the cover and the bottom picture is the back. I don't even know where to begin to tell you about this album but I love the way it turned out.  If you come back on Monday, I will share all the details including pictures of the rest of the pages.

The second project is a card that features the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Pack and the Elementary Elegance Stamp Set also from the Sale-A-Bration.  This is also my version of the Stampin' Addict Sketch Challenge #121 inspired by Stacy McCain.  Isn't a fun sketch?  When you're over at Stampin' Addicts, be sure to check out all the fun challenges we have and play along.

And last, but not least, my mixed media project.  I decoupaged the paper to an 11"x14" canvas to make a home decor project.  I haven't attempted one of these for a long time but was inspired by a recent article in Stampin' Success, an exclusive publication for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators.  There are so many details to share on this one so come back on Wednesday for a closer look at how I put it together and some of the things I learned a long the way. 

I hope you enjoyed this look at the Everyday Enchantment Paper and that you love it as much as I do.  Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come back next week for a closer look at the projects. Next stop on the hop is Tanya's Tinkerin' In Ink and her look at the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Pack (which coordinates beautifully with this paper so you're going to need to place a couple of orders during Sale-A-Bration to get both).  Happy Hopping!