Summer Sun and Inky Fingers

A BIG hello to all my stamping friends! Summer brings a new set of things to do...most of them outside while we continue to keep up with all the things that need to be done inside, too.  This was a great spring for all the flowers except it seemed to me everything bloomed at once. Wasn't the pollen something else?

So the new Summer Mini Catalog is out with so many new stamps and embellishments. I've had a ball playing with all of them and have a few samples to show you today. The next Play Day is Saturday, June 5th at 2 p.m.  in my studio. You are all warmly invited to come and play. I will be sending out e-vites for you to respond to. Be sure and let me know if you're coming so I can have a kit ready for you. I want to restate that there is no charge for your projects at Play Day. It's an opportunity for you to play with the new products and learn some new techniques. Of course, I do hope you'll be inspired by what you see and want to order your own supplies, but there is no pressure to purchase.

Ok, here is the first sample I thought would be nice for Father's Day which is coming up soon. I took some time to antique this card and I didn't think I would, but I love this little motorcycle stamp. It comes all by it's little self and I've seen so many different samples done with it. Who knew one stamp could be so versatile?

Now that we have good old Dad taken care of, let's look at some "girlie" stuff. These flowers are peonies I brought to my house from my mother's yard. I made this vintage tag and a bracelet for my daughter, Kelly, whose birthday is on Mother's Day. I just wanted you to see you can stamp so many things other than cards. The flowers from my mom's garden made the gift special for Kelly.

Like that? Here is a birthday card with a cute twist on the ribbon. You won't believe how fast that comes together. I sent this card to my three year old g'daughter and watched her open it while we were skyping one night. She seemed to really like it. She loves hoot owls so this was right up her alley.

Check out the Watercolor Trio stamp set in the Summer Mini. Did you notice that one? Here's a card using that stamp set and the new "Magic" impressions paper.  Same ribbon technique as the previous card. This was a fast and easy card that looks stunning in person. It would make the perfect all occasion card...birthday, wedding, anniversary, etc.

Here's another card made with the same stamp set. Change the colors, a different paper and you have a whole new look. The combinations are endless.

Remember I mentioned last Play Day that May is national scrapbooking month? I would like to start a monthly scrapbooking class where we could all work on our individual scrapbooks. Don't you have a pile of photos somewhere? I made this little heart scrapbook of our beach week with the little g'kids last month? Sometimes it's just fun to make a little scrapbook of a special event. This project took about four hours and half a pack of designer series paper.

Did you notice the beautiful butterfly single stamp? I know some of you did. I made up a couple of cards using this little stamp. Here I stamped on vellum card stock and colored the back side with watercolor pencils. When you turn it over...gorgeous! I'm sure we'll be making something Play Day with this stamp.

Last sample for today. This uses a stamp set not yet available. It will be in the 2010-2011 catalog. It's called Awash With Flowers and it is a two-step stamp set. They are so much fun to play with and you get a real artsy look with them.

That's all I have for you today. I hope you've enjoyed seeing some of these samples and you'll be inspired to come to Play Day and make your own creations.

Now go get your fingers inky..

B

Do you know what the month of May is? National scrapbooking month. I'd love to have a 6 x 6 scrapbooking class during the month. If you're interested in coming, drop me an email @ brm643@comcast.net and I can give you more information. I promise it will be drop-dead gorgeous.

So Saturday, May 1st,  at 2 p.m. is our Play Day...are you planning on coming? Be sure to reply to the e-vite so I can have all your supplies ready for you. I'm going to show some samples I've made from the stamps in the new Summer Mini Catalog. Did you get yours? I mailed one to everyone I thought would be coming, but if you didn't get a catalog, I'll be glad to mail one to you. Just drop me an email.

There are some great stamp sets in this new "mini" and did you see the Smooch Spritz?  Try saying that five times fast. I'm so glad I got the little box to spray into because my whole studio would have been covered. It's so pretty. Takes a so-so card and makes it beautiful.

Did you notice the little butterfly single stamp? Here's a card using that stamp and the re-newed (is that a word?) Baja Breeze cardstock with Chocolate Chip and Whisper White. This card is so versatile...it could be used for just about any ocassion.

After I finished this card my attention was drawn to the "enjoy the journey" set. I finished the two cards and wanted to make a baby card with the tricycle, but ran out of time. Maybe I'll have that one done before Play Day. It's so stinkin' cute. So I made this wedding card with the two-seater bicycle and a masculine card with the bicycle. You could make the bike pink with glitter, too. Oh, the fun.

Now for my favorite set in the new mini catalog...."Elements of Style". There are so many possibilities with this set. Here's my first sample using the "spotlight" technique.

Wouldn't this make the perfect wedding card. I used the word stamp from the "Journey" stamp set on the inside that reads "Enjoy the journey."

Now for the last sample in today's blog. This card is made with a technique called "black magic". I can't wait to show you this technique. It's really easy and the cards are a knock out. The stamp set used here is Awash with Color. Remember, there are several two-step sets that are on "special" until May 1st. You can check those sets out on my website under promotions at http://www.billiemoan.stampinup.net/ . Here's the card with this technique.

I think the flash dulls the colors somewhat because this is vibrant in person. I hope you're planning to come on May 1st and have some fun with us.

Now go get your fingers inky...

B

Introducing.....

Last Play Day while many of you were hiding Easter eggs, we had two "newbies" attend the class and get their fingers inky. We worked on three different projects and learned three new techniques that they all seemed to like. The cards we made are in the previous post to this one. You can scroll down and see some of the samples.

Both "newbies" are friends from my Pilates and Yoga classes at the Y. Martha (everyone calls here Mots) was nervous but eventually she saw we were all here to relax and have fun. She seemed pretty proud of her cards. Sheree was a natural and very particular about her artwork. I hope they both come back and bring friends with them. It's so much fun watching someone stamp for the first time. It's definitely an AHA moment.

Here is a little card to spark your creative juices today. It tells a little story and could be used for several different occasions.

I want to encourage you to check out my SU! website at http://www.billiemoan.stampinup.net/ for some great special deals from SU! and announcements about color renovations to their products in 2010. There are some exciting changes in the near future. Also, be on the lookout for the new Summer Mini Catalog to arrive in your mailbox next week. There are sooooo many products you are going to want (me too!)

Here's a sneak peek at the cover.

And here's a sneak peek at the new color collections to be announced in June. I will have a list of the retiring colors for you later this week. If one of your favorite colors is on this list, be sure you have the refill for your ink pad, get the paper and accessories because after June 30th, they will not be available.

Did you find the five new colors? And did you notice they brought back some of the former In colors? This is just the beginning of all the new and exciting changes. I'll be keeping you posted and the news is released.

Now go get your fingers inky!

B

April Play Day

Happy Spring! Even though today it snowed...I feel spring in the air. I have some interesting stamping techniques to show you this month. All of them are simple with fantastic results. Let me know if you particularly like any one of these cards and I will try to add it to our projects for the Saturday, April 3rd Play Day at 2 p.m. in my studio. You are all invited.

This first little 4" x 4" card was made for my good friend, Sandy, who just had her first grandchild, Logan Michael. The folding technique is really simple and highlights the little Sweet Pea Baby. A little ribbon, small bit of coloring, a punch or two and you've got it made. We always make a coordinating envelope so our cards make a grand presentation.

This is a hostess stamp set (you can get this set FREE when you host a party). The background in Bashful Blue is textured using the Big Shot. Takes two shakes. The stamp was colored with markers and stamped all at once. Makes a pretty card that could be used for many different occasions. All the 5/8" satin ribbons have been carried over in the new mini catalog coming out May 1st.

Does this card look torn to you? The envelope, too? Actually this is a masking technique that gives your card a W O W impact with very little work. The stamp set is the Vintage Vogue set, which is one of my personal favorites.  This set will not be available after March 31st. If you'd like to order it, you can go to my website at http://www.billiemoan.stampinup.net/ and have it shipped to you.  

This little card is so simple and fast, but it's so stinkin' cute, isn't it? The background polka dots are textured by running through the Big Shot. The little flower is the It's Time to Bloom stamp set in the 2009 Idea Book and Catalog. I've made it a sympathy card, but this could just as well be a b'day, or get well card.

What do you think of this butterfly closed card? The butterflys interlock to close up the card. After I took this photo I added some butterflys to the inside card, too. This would make a pretty thank you note.

This is a stamp set from the 2009 Idea Book & Catalog. I've used watercolor paper, watercolor crayons and a blender pen to get this watercolor effect. It was really fun to do and you will have an original work of art to begs to be signed.

Here's another stamp set from the 2009 Idea Book & Catalog done in the same technique as the previous cards. I hope you like one of these well enough to select it, because it is really fun to do. Are you getting tired of looking at sample yet? Just a couple more....

Here is another simple b'day card made with the textured cardstock and a little bit of coloring. Between the texture and the color combination you can create a gorgeous card. Did you notice the envelope also has the polka dots?

Some of you have this stamp set already. I just wanted to show you how you can use some designer series paper inn part of the stamp image to give you a really different effect from a simple stamp. I made this layered card for my hubby who celebrated his b'day this month. He expects a "special" card after all this time.

This was a challenge card on the demonstrators website and I just had to try it. There are eight layers of paper to the card using only two colors...Bermuda Bay and Certainly Celery. I did use the scallop punch for a little more texture.

This isn't one of our projects, but I wanted you to see you can do many things with your Stampin' Up! products. I made these three headbands for my g'daughter for her birthday. Are there shirts to match? You betcha! She loves to dress up and I can't wait to see her in them.

That's all the samples I have for you today. I hope you have been inspired to play with your stamps. I hope you'll be here the first Saturday in April. Send me any comments to brm643@comcast.net and let me know if you'd like to make a particular project.

I'm merrily stamping...

Billie

 

Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail

Is it possible that Easter is just a little over four weeks away? I've been working (playing) hard in my studio trying out some of the new products and coming up with ideas for our Play Dates. The next Play Date is Saturday, March 6th at 2 p.m.  I'll be sending you an e-vite later this week.

In the meantime, here are some samples of what we may be making. If you see a project you particularly like, let me know and I'll be sure to include that project in our Play Date schedule.

This little love bird card I made for my anniversary (43rd!) card to Joe. We will be celebrating next week in Florida. Yah hoo! Don't you love the polka dot background? I use that all the time. The hearts are from the Big Shot and the full heart punch. The birds from the new flat punches. The color combination is chocolate chip, crushed curry and bermuda bay.

Now these two little critters were made with the Big Shot and the Top Note die cutter - plus the hearts again. They are for my two g'children. I made the little raccoon feminine by adding blush to her cheeks. Both are filled with jelly beans.

This may look like an Easter card (and it could be) but this was made for a baby shower. Inside it reads, "Bundle of Joy". This little bunny is versatile as you'll see if you continue looking at this blog. The large oval was made with the Big Shot and the smaller ovals with punches.  Notice I used the polka dot textured background again.

Now this really is an Easter card. The colors are Old Olive and Dusty Durango. The carrot is really a flower petal, but makes a perfect carrot. No polka dots on this one.

Although this card (polka dots on this one) was made as a sympathy card, it could be many other things, i.e. "Thinking of You", Wishing You Well, etc. I'm a sucker for any tree stamp. The big oval was cut out with the Big Shot and the smaller ones are punches. The ribbon is the new 5/8" satin Old Olive.

Ok, this is my favorite card on this blog. The rose is a stamp from Fifth Avenue. This coloring technique is awesome and really easy with a great result. After the rose is colored, it is cut out and placed on the card with deminsionals to raise it off the polka dot background. This would make a stunning wedding or anniversary card or even birthday.  The ribbon is the 5/8" satin Old Olive.

Here is another Easter card with the bunny. I started to use the circle scallop to chop off his ears like he had been half eaten, but ended up with this one with the egg. I colored in this bunny with carmel marker to change his look. I've also seen him done as a white chocolate bunny (too cute!)

Here's a cute, quick little project made with a giant paper clip and the scallop circle punch. Using designer series two sided paper, punch out seven circles. Punch a hole in the center of all seven layers and secure with a pretty brad or some bling. Scrunch up each layer and then pull back a couple of layers. There is also a flower behind this one on the other side. Makes a cute book marker.

Last one. This card is 4x4. The stamps are from the Vintage Vogue set. The cardstock is kraft. The colors are Ballet Blue and Chocolate Chip.

That's all I've got ready for this blog. I hope you have enjoyed browsing through some of these projects. If you have a favorite, let me know and I'll include it in our projects for Play Day.

Happy Stampin'!

Billie

Love is in the air!

It has been a while since my last post. Time sure does fly by, doesn't it? Now is one of the most exciting times at Stampin' Up! with the unveiling of the new Ocassions Mini Catalog filled with new stamps, punches, embellishments and paper. If that were not enough, you get FREE stamps from the Sale-A-Bration catalog with every $50 you spend.

So I was able to preorder the new products and have been playing with them. I wanted to post some of the samples so you could see what some of these stamps can create for you. I'm also hoping that for some of you who may be on the fence about coming to Play Day on Saturday, Feb. 6th at 2 p.m. will be convinced to come and play with us when you see some of the things we make. What I could not get a good photograph of was the jewelry. I will be wearing mine on Saturday so you can see how pretty they really are. Ok, here's some of the samples. Enjoy! And if you decide to come Saturday, please email me at brm643@aol.net and let me know.

This "little polka dotted dress" card is so fast to make, but ever so cute. The color possibilities are endless.

The garden hat card doesn't show up as well as it looks "in person". This card was also fast to make. We always make an envelope to match our cards and finish the inside with a sentiment.

This butterfly designer series paper is the focal point for this "easel" card. The card will stand up on a table. The sentiment is one of my personal favorites, "The more candles, the bigger the wishes!"

Can you stand it? The "pop up" card folds down to fit in a regular envelope, which is decorated to the "nines" to match. I know it may look complicated, but honestly it goes together so easy you wouldn't believe it. Wouldn't someone you know just love getting this in the mail?

The Vintage Vogue stamp set is so versatile. This black, white and gray card is elegant and could be used for many ocassions. This second card using the very same stamp set, folds down to fit into a regular envelope, but when opened it stands up and is a diorama for whatever you place on the back. I love this little card because it is ultra fast to put together, the color combination and the fact that it can stand on its own.

This "Thinking of You" card is a personal favorite. This card could be used for any ocassion by just changing the sentiment in the small oval. I don't know if it shows up well here, but the background is also spritzed with brown for a textural effect.

The following three photos are of Valentine's. We made several Valentine cards in January, but I couldn't resist showing you these made with some of the Big Shot die cutters. Enjoy!