Apr 22 2013

Announcing: New Stamps in the Mail Club – A Round Array

Stamps in the Mail Club: New Round open for enrollment now - join the fun!

It’s that time again! Yup, time to sign up for a new Round of my Stamps in the Mail Club! This Round (#27!) we’ll be featuring the new A ROUND ARRAY stamp set from the Sneak Peek of the upcoming new Catalog. Stamps in the Mail Club is the perfect chance to add this set to your collection, AND receive ideas for using it!

Plus during the May/June/July Round, you’ll receive your FREE copy of the NEW CATALOG with your June Kit.  I saw a Demonstrator Sneak Peek of the whole catalog this weekend, and I know you’re going to love it, too!

So… What is Stamps in the Mail Club?

Delivered right to your doorstep–it’s the stamps, inks and accessories you need to complete these projects. Plus printed directions, exclusive Video Tutorials and pre-cut, pre-embossed card stock, ready-to-stamp! It’s my Stamps in the Mail Club, and you can sign up today! Above  are the 4 projects you’ll make with your supplies and your Month 1 Club Kit.

Dress Up Framelits gift boxLook at what the Stamps in the Mail Club can do for you!

  • Build your stamping supplies: kit includes $30-35 value in Stampin’ Up! product each month for 3 months in a row, and you get to keep all the coordinating stamps, inks, accessories and embellishments to use in other stamping projects
  • Easy to follow: Pre-printed directions for all 4 projects in a color handout with photos and step-by-step instructions will be sent with the kit each month and necessary supplies are listed at the top of each project so you know exactly what to have at your fingertips.
  • Flexible Kit Contents: build on what you own! Select alternate Stampin’ Up! product each month if you already own a Stampin’ Pad color or accessory item
  • No sorting or struggling: materials to create each project arrive pre-packaged separately for each project
  • Stampin’ Up! exclusive materials: the best products on the market including heavy-weight Designer Paper and cardstock, timeless images, and perfectly coordinated color scheme
  • Learn more each month: the 3-month subscription teaches you how to use what you’ve purchased and presents inspiring ideas on how to make the most of your investment in supplies

Here’s a review from a past Stamps in the Mail Club subscriber:

From Jill F: “[Stamps in the Mail Club] is the BEST club I have been involved with. It is so nice to go to my stamp room, pull out the directions and the cello bag and get busy!! Thanks for offering this club.”

You can subscribe to the 3-month Stamps in the Mail Club for just $45 each month! Click here for details on the kit contents for May, as well as details on the Exclusive Video Tutorials for Stamps in the Mail Club Members and free catalogs.

Ready to sign up now?  Need more details?  Click here and use the big “email Meg” button to request your Paypal Invoice!

Still not sure?  I think you’ll love these projects!  If you’d like to see what all kinds of projects we’ve made in the past, I have a few of them shared on my blog — look at the gallery now.

I look forward to stamping with you by mail!

Happy Stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!


Apr 18 2013

Betsy’s Blossoms: super for strong colors

Betsy's Blossoms in Summer Starfruit Card Idea

Sometimes simple is just what you need!  Here’s a card with only 2 colors — Basic Black and Summer Starfruit.  The Betsy’s Blossom stamp set (see it online) is great for bold images and strong colors.

Love the banner and the stamp to match the shaped card stock? Here’s what you’d need to make these shaped banners at home:

Be sure to check out more Betsy’s Blossom card ideas on my blog.

Happy Stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!


Apr 17 2013

Puzzle Piece Resist Technique – free printable tutorial

Swallowtail Puzzle Piece Resist - free printable technique tutorial

What’s more fun than a cool technique?  A free printable technique tutorial!  This Puzzle Piece Resist technique was shared with us by demonstrator Linda Yearsley at our Spring Into Stamping demo training event last weekend, and I loved it so much that I created this card with the Swallowtail stamp for my Stamp Club last week. (see Swallowtail online – 129216)

The steps are simple for Puzzle Piece Resist:

  1. Heat emboss image in white on white
  2. Use framelits to cut layers (all at once)
  3. Sponge layers in contrasting colors
  4. Assemble the puzzle

And the results are striking!  Be sure to download my free printable tutorial for the Puzzle Piece Resist technique.

Supplies: Stamp – Swallowtail, Papillon Potpourri, Amazing Family; Ink: Calypso Coral, So Saffron, Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Versamark; Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party, Calypso Coral; Accessories: Heat Tool, White Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Rhinestone Jewels, Big Shot, Floral Frames Framelits;

Happy Stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!


Apr 05 2013

Hearts A Flutter: Pretty all year long

Hearts A Flutter with Doily - not just for Valentines

Nope, it’s not just for Valentine’s Day!  The Hearts A Flutter Bundle (see it online – 131097) with the Hearts A Flutter stamp set plus the coordinating Framelits is great for birthday cards, girlfriend cards, pretty much anything all year long.

Do you like the effect on the little banner?  I used two layers to make that piece — Whisper White for the bottom (stamped with the heart in Island Indigo) and a piece of Vellum Card Stock for an overlay.

Stamping Trick:

Adhesives show THROUGH the vellum when you stick it down.  I know, big bummer.

Here’s the trick — cover your adhesive spot with something…like a Large Rhinestone!

Happy Stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!


Apr 03 2013

Swallowtail: Sweet & Simple Note Cards

Swallowtail: sweet & simple note card with white space inside (stamping tip)

Yes, I promise that I do have a stamp in my stamp room that *isn’t* Swallowtail.  But somehow this guy keeps making an appearance at all my events!  This is one of the cards that we made on Monday morning at the monthly Card Club that a group of friends attend with me. (see Swallowtail online – 129216)

Did you notice that I used yesterday’s trick for making the card insides white? Actually, yesterday’s Oh Whale card idea was from the same Card Club.  And it’s true, I’m pretty butterfly-centric these days… you can get lots of Swallowtail card ideas on my blog.  For this card, the Pool Party layer is a 1/4 sheet and the Whisper White layer is 5 1/4″ x 8″.

Start Your Own Card Club!

Interested in starting a Card Club with your own friends?  I would love to create for you, too!  Gather 4-8 friends and you can come to my studio, or I can come to you (anywhere within an hour of Champaign-Urbana).

Guests pay a fee to stamp 4 or 8 cards, or they can choose to place an order for Stampin’ Up! product – and stamping is free!

Want to start a Card Club further away?  I can help you with that, too!  I can mail you a package each month with everything you need to have your own Card Club at home.

Either way – drop me an email if you’re interested in learning more or looking at dates!

Happy Stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!


Mar 29 2013

Creative Card Shapes: Oval Accent Die

Alternate card shape - use the Oval Accent Die with Betsy's Blossoms

Oval Accent Die - use it to make a card shapeLooking for an alternate card shape?  Here’s a fun one using your Big Shot dies to cut your card background.  Simply fold your card stock and place on the die so the fold is INSIDE the die cut shape.  When you cut with the die, your fold will remain and your card is ready to decorate!

The die for this card is the Oval Accent Bigz Clear Die (127005 – see it online).

Perfect for spring, this card features the Betsy’s Blossoms stamp set (see more Betsy’s Blossom card ideas on my blog).

Happy Stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamps: Betsy’s Blossoms, Itty Bitty Banners; Inks: Basic Black; Cardstock: Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, Whisper White, Midnight Muse; Accessories: In Color Dahlias (may vary), Midnight Muse Stitched Satin Ribbon, Rhinestone Jewels, Big Shot, Oval Accents Bigz Clear Die, Apothecary Accents Framelits


Mar 28 2013

Pleasant Poppies Gift Bag: I *heart* watercoloring

Pleasant Poppies is another of the gorgeous full-size images currently available from Stampin’ Up! (see it online – 129499). Last week I mentioned a few tips for using large stamps on small projects.  Today I have a couple more technique tips for you: the Spotlighting Technique and a Watercolor Refresher!  Both techniques are wrapped up in this paper lunch sack turned into a Gift Bag.

This project was actually one from my Stamps in the Mail Club during the last round.  If you haven’t ever participated, get ready for the next round.  Signups begin in April for the May Round!

Pleasant Poppies Spotlighting Technique TutorialSpotlighting Technique

Spotlighting is a nice way to highlight a certain part of a larger stamp, like with Pleasant Poppies or Swallowtail.

  1. Stamp your large image on the background.
  2. Stamp again on scrap paper and use a Circle Punch to punch out the piece(s) you’d like to highlight.
  3. Color the circles differently from the background and match them back onto your main image.

Here are a few more Spotlighting Technique card ideas on my blog.

Refresher Technique Focus: Watercolor

Pleasant Poppies Watercolor Background: technique tipsWatercolor Wonder Crayons (WWC) combined with an Aquapainter or paintbrush allow an artist to create realistic watercolor effects.  Here are few pointers to perfecting your technique:

  • Gently wipe the wet tip of the AQP across the end of the WWC, picking up color
  • Begin with the lightest color layer: use a light touch and extra water to thin out your color
  • Add a 2nd color layer, either of the same tone or different.  Be sure to leave some of the lightest layer showing
  • Add a 3rd color layer as the darkest layer, using the most pigment from the crayon and the least amount of water
  • Consider your shadows – which direction does the light in your picture shine? Objects with a shadow around the outer stamped black line look more dimensional and realistic

Paper Lunch Sack = Gift Bag.  How to make your own gift wrapping.Curious about how the gift bag works?  I have a Video Tutorial that shows how to make these Card Topper Gift Bags.

And be sure to check for more Pleasant Poppies ideas on my blog!

Happy Stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Supplies: Stamps: Pleasant Poppies, Curly Cute;  Inks: Jet Black Staz-On Ink; Cardstock: Watercolor Paper, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Pacific Point;   Accessories: Sycamore Street Ribbon (Sale-A-Bration gift), Jumbo Rhinestone, Pacific Point Stitched Ribbon, Watercolor Wonder Crayons – Brights Collection, Aqua Painters, Distressing Tool (optional – Spring Catalog), 1 ¼” Circle Punch, 1 ¾” Circle Punch


Mar 26 2013

Watercolor Wonder Crayons: For The Birds

For The Birds: Watercolor Wonder Crayons

For the Birds (see it online) is a great all-occasions stamp set, plus it’s a perfect one for perfecting your watercolor skills! My absolute favorite tools for watercolor are the Watercolor Wonder Crayons (Brights Collection here - see them online – 119804) and the Aqua Painters (see them online – 103954).

You’ll have the best luck with your watercolor if you use really nice watercolor paper (like from Stampin’ Up!).

For ink, my preference is definitely the Jet Black Staz-On Ink (see it online)

Want to learn more about watercolor crayons? Here’s my Video Tutorial for watercoloring! Or I also have a 3-in-1 Video Tutorial for Watercolor Wonder Crayons.

Happy stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!


Mar 25 2013

Swallowtail: A little embellishment goes a long way

Swallowtail stamp - Clean & Simple note card ideas, simple to embellish

I think in all my years of stamping, I’ve only seen 1-2 stamps EVER that come close to meeting the beauty of the Swallowtail stamp (see it online – 129216).

These easy note cards are created using the Note Cards & Envelopes (see them online).  I absolutely adore using the Note Cards for elegant yet simple projects.

I know the Swallowtail image is huge — nearly bigger than a standard card front (4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″). Don’t let it intimidate you!

 Here are a few of my suggestions for using it:

  • Use only a portion of the butterfly (like in the samples here)
  • Go monochromatic – a single color shows off the beauty in the stamp perfectly
  • Heat emboss the butterfly – be sure to use high end embossing powder (like from Stampin’ Up!) to capture all the detail

Happy Stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!


Mar 05 2013

New Product Feature: Pop-Up Posies Designer Kit

What do we all need?  More time.  Really, who can’t agree with that?

The good news is that you CAN get more time.  I can help you!

Think about the time you spend sitting down to craft.  How much time do you spend:

  • searching for coordinating materials?
  • trying 3-4-5-6 different colors of designer paper to see what matches?
  • deciding what die cut embellishment to add?

What if it was REALLY easy to skip all those steps?  Hello!!  More CRAFTING time to enjoy putting your projects together!

One of my favorite Spring Catalog products for making this easy is the Pop-Up Posies Designer Kit (see it online -131395).  Here’s what you get:

  • 9 embossed paper tags (the cute Crumb Cake ones)
  • 9 fabric cover brads (*TIP* – dye them by pressing into your ink pad!)
  • Precut paper flower pieces (tons and tons and tons of them)
  • 9 pieces of Vanilla butcher’s twine
  • “Just for You” wood-mount stamp (exclusive to this kit)

And the whole kit is only $12.95!  Really, it’s pretty clever to put it all together and make it easy to use.

Love the designer paper in this project?  It’s Summer Starfruit (to match the brad on the flower), and it’s from the Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper (SAB – free item with a $50 order– #127540).

(Or you could always sign up for my Stamps in the Mail Club, which is a whole set of projects ready-to-create, direct to your mailbox.)

Happy Stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Supplies: Stamps: Oh Hello, Inks: Calypso Coral, Cardstock: Whisper White, Summer Starfruit, Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper, Accessories: Pop-Up Posies Designer Kit, Rhinestone Jewels, Decorative Label Punch

Sign up now for Stamps in the Mail Club!

Supplies for 4 projects — ready to stamp, delivered to your front door.

Get details or sign up now