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!

It's All About the Chattanooga SU! Regional

The night before the regional meeting I decided to make something for the demonstrators at my table to reflect the time of year and Chattanooga specifically. So I got busy in the kitchen and made Halloween treats out of Moon Pies (they are made here, you know) for each of them and also had a copy of CityScope magazine at each of their places since each person was from out of town. Everyone seemed to enjoy the gifts. Here's the work in progress.

Can you imagine a room chocked full of stamping addicts? I could even define that better by saying Stampin' Up! stamping addicts. The regional was a half day conference held at the Chattanooga Convention Center this past Friday and Saturday. This regional sold out in two days. I hope that shows SU! the enthusiasm in the southeast region. The information businesswise was extremely helpful,  presentations by demonstrators from this region were original and creative, the "make 'n takes" were exceptional, and the door prizes (I won the first one!) were great and abundant.

 But more important than any of these things, were the demonstrators I met. Even another demonstrator named Billie who just moved to Ooltewah from San Antonio, TX. Five of the demonstrators who live fairly close to me have decided to form a group that will meet at regular intervals in each others studios for a shoebox swap. That could mean many new projects for my stamping peeps. Plus these meetings should help all of us keep our creative juices flowing.

Included in this blog are photos from the event. Lots of creative ideas to work from here. Can you pick out my trade card front from this board? Many of you saw me work on it. Email me your answer...you may just win a stamp set if you're the first to identify the card. Enjoy!

Wreath Class

It takes a lot of paper curls to make this wreath, but we were up to the challenge. We all curled and curled and the results were worth all the paper cuts. Here are photos of a couple of the Christmas wreaths, one with Nancy Oldham and one will Kelly (my daughter) and then the Autumn wreath made by Cara Balthrop and her daughter Maddie. I have a couple of people who haven't made their wreaths yet...those paper strips are still waiting for you!

Paper Wreath Class

Wreath Class and Saturday Play Day

I really missed the boat last Tuesday at the Calendar/Photo Tin class. What was I thinking not taking pictures? Won't make that mistake again. We had a great time and everyone seemed to really like their tins and had plans as to who they would give them to. I really couldn't get over how amazing Maddie and Danielle did. They took my direction and then went over and beyond with their projects. I so wish I had a photo of their tins to show you.

This Tuesday, September 29th is the holiday wreath class. There are six people coming and all are making the holiday wreath but one plus me. Cara and I are making the wreath with the Autumn Days designer series paper. I'm looking forward to seeing all of you here. If you have a bone folder, be sure to bring it with you. I have bandaids for all your thumbs. Don't ask.

Saturday, October 3rd, is the next Play Day. All the invitations have gone out and many of you have already responded. If you plan to come, please notify me so I can have your project kit ready for you. This is a free class. It's all about learning new techniques and using our stamps to make many different things. Then if you like what we do and wanted to order, I'm happy to do that for you.

Here are two of the projects we'll be doing this Saturday. The third project will be a surprise (you need a little surprise every once in a while). The 6" square card and envelope idea I found on the internet and substituted some of the color and stamps. You will love this new technique. It's called direct to paper.

This card uses the Thoughts and Prayers stamp set from the Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog and the Charming set (for the jewelry we can't get yet) from the Holiday Mini Catalog. I hope you like it.

Here's our three-D project for this month. Just in time for Halloween! This set is in the Holiday Mini. I hope to have some other things made with this set to show you how versatile it is. But the Sweet Treat Cups make this a cinch to put together. I'd really like to get these made for all my Trick or Treaters.

That's all I have to blog about today. It's raining like crazy so I'm going to get back up to my studio and Play!
Merrily stamping in my studio,
Billie