Archive for the ‘Stamping 101’ Category:
Retiring List Rewind: Make A Monster
Got a little “monster” in your life? Then you NEED this Make A Monster stamp set before it retires! (see it online) I didn’t realize that I’d never shared this card on my blog, but it’s gotten rave reviews from not only kids, but also teen girls and twenty-somethings. Go figure!
First you stamp the monster, then add eyes, a mouth and any number of goofy appendages. Then color with crayons, pencils, watercolor, or whatever you like.
I’ve used this stamp set for so many fun projects — check them on my blog. I think my favorite was shrinky dink charm bracelets!
Have you been watching my Retiring List Rewind? Be sure to check all the project inspiration for stamps and accessories that are about to retire!
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Subscribe to the comments for this postRetiring Set Rewind: Cute & Quick Cards with Button Buddies
It’s time for my Retiring Set Rewind! There are so many fabulous stamp sets about to retire, and I don’t want any stampers to miss out on getting them before they’re gone. Top of the list for today? It’s Button Buddies (see it online), as the cutest stamp set with the most possibilities for quick & easy cards.
Plus the Brights Buttons Assortment is one of the items available at a discount (40% off while supplies last! – 119747) on the Retiring Accessories “Something For Everyone” sale (learn more about that list).
These sweet cards were created with a Note Card & Envelope base (also retiring!! see them online)
To make these clean & simple cards, you’ll need:
- Button Buddies stamp set (122737 - see it online)
- Brights Collection Markers (119702 – see them online)
- Note Cards & Envelopes (set of 20 – 107311 – see them online)
- Mini Glue Dots (103683 – see them online)
- White Baker’s Twine (124262 – see it online)
- Clear Block C (118486 – see it online)
Actually, if you’re thinking about joining my Stampin’ Up! family, this is a great set of supplies to include in your Starter Kit!
Here are the project directions for the Marker to Stamp Technique on these cards:
Take your markers and color directly on the stamps — as many colors as you like.- When you’re ready to stamp, gently breathe over the stamp and your breath with reactivate any ink that may have begun to dry.
- Stamp on your note card and use the Mini Glue Dots to add buttons with Baker’s Twine.
Super simple!! If you are looking for a fun project to try with friends at home over the weekend, Spring Break or Summer vacation, here is a great way to get started!
You can order from my website using the links above. I can’t wait to see the cards you create!
Be sure to check the retiring accessories and stamp set lists for other things you’ll want.
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
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Supplies for 4 projects — ready to stamp, delivered to your front door.
Card Ideas for Guys – Magic with Circle Circus
One of the questions I hear all the time is “Do you have any ideas for cards for men?” Good question! And the answer is yes! Lots of times we have the perfect stamp sets for guy cards already in our stamp collection – we just don’t see them in “guy colors”. So that’s the magic key — start thinking in GUY COLORS!
Here’s another sample of Circle Circus (see the set online – 127784) from my blog a few years ago — I used it to make a scrapbook page to celebrate our Advisory Board picture from the Stampin’ Up! Convention back in 2009. (Where has the time gone??)
For the scrapbook page, I used Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry (back soon as a “new” color!) and accented with Basic Black. The whole page comes across as fairly “girlie”.
But with the guy card above, my color combination came from the Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper (see it online – 126898):
- Cajun Craze
- Midnight Muse
- Pool Party
- Soft Suede
- Summer Starfruit
And the whole feel of the stamp set magically becomes much more masculine.
I gathered with a group of women from my church yesterday to make a big set of these cards to use for Card Ministry. Lots of fun and fellowship, and watch for more posts of the cards we created in the coming weeks!
So two thoughts to leave with you today -
Want to come to Convention? You can!! We have a HUGE family of LovenStampfuls demonstrators attending, and I’d love to have you join us. You can learn more about becoming a demonstrator on my website (plus a bonus $30 to spend on your Starter Kit right now!).
Take a second look at your stamp collection. I bet there are some sets in there that would make terrific guy cards if you change your color selections!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Sign up now for Stamps in the Mail Club!
Supplies for 4 projects — ready to stamp, delivered to your front door.
Swallowtail: Sweet & Simple Note Cards
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!
Oh Whale: How To Fold A Card (and keep the white inside!)
Yes, I realize that if you are reading my blog, you probably already know how to fold a card. But do you ever wish that the inside of your dark layered card was lighter? Do you always search your stamp table for a white gel pen to write? Here’s a simple trick that will make it oh-so-easy to write inside your cards!
Here’s the trick:
Instead of making your card a dark colored card stock, make your CARD Whisper White, and make only the back LAYER the darker color. Here are the dimensions I used:
- Pacific Point background layer: 4 1/4″ x 4 1/4″
- Whisper White card: 4″ x 8″
See how easy it is? You get a layered effect on the inside of your card, you can write easily with a pen (and read it!) and you can decorate or stamp inside til your heart’s content.
So simple. Try it!
For these cards I used the stamps from the Oh Whale stamp set (129132 – see it online) to make two slightly different versions of this card. Each one is punny (pun + funny) but they each showcase a different one of the Cute Clips Elements shaped paperclips (see them online – 129939). Here’s another card idea for the Cute Clips, and here’s another card idea for Oh Whale.
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Stamps: Oh, Whale!; Ink: Basic Gray, Pacific Point, Melon Mambo; Paper: Whisper White, Pacific Point, Sunshine & Sprinkles Designer Series Paper, Melon Mambo; Accessories: Cute Clips “Elements”, Small Heart Punch
Swallowtail: A little embellishment goes a long way
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!
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Bloomin’ Marvelous: Clean & Simple Card Ideas
Sometimes it’s the simplicity of a card that “makes” it, and the Bloomin’ Marvelous stamp set (last day to get it – March 22nd!) is perfect for this style.
Plus the Bitty Butterfly Punch (see it online – 129406) is a perfect match for the butterfly from this stamp set. Stamp first, then punch out a perfect image.
Sale-A-Bration closes today — so if you haven’t ordered for your last free Sale-A-Bration item, be sure to shop now so you won’t miss out!
Be sure to check more Clean & Simple card ideas on my blog.
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Sign up now for Stamps in the Mail Club!
Supplies for 4 projects — ready to stamp, delivered to your front door.
Sale-A-Bration: Tessellation Cards are perfect for guys
Looking for a guy card that doesn’t feature flowers or cutesy images? Try a tessellation-style image, like this one from the Madison Avenue stamp set (available for free only thru the end of this week – 129660).
What’s a tessellation? Good question! A tessellation is a repeating pattern where a symmetrical design element fits together over and over again – kind of like the alhambra element above. Want to learn more about tessellations? Here’s an art site devoted to tessellations.
The little punch pieces that fit perfectly with this stamp set are from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (see it online – 118309).
Don’t forget that Sale-A-Bration ends this Friday, March 22nd!
Be sure to see more Sale-A-Bration ideas and tutorials on my blog!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Sign up now for Stamps in the Mail Club!
Supplies for 4 projects — ready to stamp, delivered to your front door.
Sale-A-Bration Card Idea Tutorials: Madison Avenue
LESS THAN 1 week left of Sale-A-Bration (only until March 22nd!), but the good news is that I have another tutorial for you! This week when you place an order with me, either online in my store or in person, you’ll get the next of Meg’s Final 5 Tutorials – for the Madison Avenue stamp set (see it online – 129660).
Meg’s Final 5 Tutorial: Week 5 – Madison Avenue
For this week’s tutorial, you’ll want the following supplies to be able to make the four projects as shown: (click the product numbers to see the items in my online store, then add them to your shopping cart)
Makes approx. 30 greeting cards with envelopes (4 designs in the tutorial):
- 126835 In Color Card Stock & Pad Kit 2012-2014 (includes 5 pads and 20 sheets assorted Card Stock) $29.95
- 118309 Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack $16.95
- 127556 In Color Dahlias $7.95
Total of bundle before shipping and tax = $54.85
Then add the MADISON AVENUE Stamp Set (w-129657 or c-129660) to your order for free.
Let me know if you have any questions about this fun program – email Meg.
Don’t forget that when you sign up as a demonstrator with me during Sale-A-Bration, you’ll get all 5 tutorials! You can learn more about becoming a demonstrator on my website. Or if you’re ready to do it now, you can sign up directly online 24-7!
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Sign up now for Stamps in the Mail Club!
Supplies for 4 projects — ready to stamp, delivered to your front door.
Paint Chip Technique: Feeling Sentimental
Looking for a fun new technique to add to your stamping repertoire? The Paint Chip Technique is a great companion for bold stamps or those with enough dense detail to be see easily on a busy background. Feeling Sentimental (see it online – 129630 – it’s a free Sale-A-Bration selection!) is a great stamp set choice.
This technique is just fun! You actually do it with masking tape…the kind used for painting walls. Plus it’s a great technique for guy cards, and I get lots of requests for those!
Paint Chip Technique Directions:
- Rip a piece of masking tape wider than your card stock.
- Press it into an ink pad, inking thoroughly.
- Press the inked tape onto the bottom of a Whisper White card stock.
- Lift the tape and press it again to make the next strip. Repeat until the card stock is filled. The color will lighten each time, creating a paint strip effect.
Super simple! And very effective — try it in a variety of colors. These two colors are both from the 2012-2014 In Color Collection: Midnight Muse and Gumball Green.
Want to see more Sale-A-Bration stamp set ideas? I have lots on my blog — only a few days left to order online and get your Sale-A-Bration selection for free.
Happy Stamping!
To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Supplies – Stamps: Feeling Sentimental; Ink: Midnight Muse, Gumball Green; Paper: Crumb Cake, Midnight Muse, Whisper White; Accessories: Big Shot, Argyle Embossing Folder,
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Supplies for 4 projects — ready to stamp, delivered to your front door.
