Northwest Stamper

Author: Jennifer

  • Stamping with an Embossing Folder for a Scrapbook Sketch

    Happy Monday!  Today over at the Stylin’ Stampin’ INKspiration blog, we are sharing a fun scrapbook sketch idea. 

    I didn’t create the sketch, but let me tell you how much I LOVE designing off of sketches.  It makes the scrapbooking process so much easier for me because I don’t have to think too hard about the set-up of the page (or card!) and instead can focus on things like which color do I want to use and what should I write in my journaling.

     

    Oh, and did I mention that my layouts are typically like my cards…. I start from a sketch or design, pull in key elements, and then totally change everything else up.  But hey!  It’s the inspiration that is important – and the fact that I’m actually getting my photos in an album!

    You may be wondering how I got that honeycomb look on my base paper for my scrapbook…. well, check this out… I used my embossing folder as a stamp!!!

    Seriously, its totally cool!  First I wiped my ink pad across the raised side of the embossing folder to ink it up.

    Then I just flipped over the embossing folder and pressed it down like I would a stamp!  I liked the distressed (didn’t get all the ink down on the paper) look, so I didn’t worry about evenly pressing and getting it all off on the base paper.

    Then for my accents, I created my own layered ribbon banners in the upper corner.  I took some of the Strawberry Slush Ruffle Trim and the Natural Trim ribbons and layered them.  Then snipped the ends at an angle.  Then to soften it even more, I use the Flower Shop bundle to get the simple flower to go on top.

    Finally, I needed a title and ended up actually cutting out my letters using the Typeset Alphabet Bigz dies in the same Wisteria Wonder as the background paper.  But that was a little too tone-on-tone and so I drew around the outside of the letters with my white gel pen to make them pop a bit more. 

    I would say that it worked!  And look at that face… isn’t Sweet a good title too?  Smile  Ok, I really didn’t know what to title these too pictures but I loved them so much that I had to scrap them somehow!

    So, I hope you got some inspiration!  Play along and create your own scrapbook page with this sketch and let me know what you think!

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  • How to Get Started with Stampin’ Up! for FREE!

    imageHave you been thinking about getting the Stampin’ Up! starter kit and getting all the perks of being a demo, but the cost has been keeping you from jumping on the great offers out there?

    We all know the starter kit is a great deal – picking out $125 in your choice of product for only $99 + FREE shipping; plus with the bonus project kit right now, you get an extra $20-$30 worth of goodies free too!  But, if the $99 all at one time is a bit daunting, I wanted to share with you this great math that my fellow demonstrator, Lyssa Zwolanek, came up with that makes it not only FREE to get your starter kit, but you earn extra money too!

    Check out how you can do it too!

     

    1. You host a party with me and all of your friends.  Because, no matter what, a night of stamping with friends is awesome!
    2. Your party hits $400 in sales that night (which typically earns $80 in commission, but wait for it… it gets better!)
    3. We sign you up as a demonstrator that night and you pick out your $125 in product PLUS the free project kit & accessories; and we put the $99 starter kit on your credit card.
    4. You are a demonstrator instantly!!

    ~ But where does the free part come in?  Just watch it all add up! ~

    • Together we enter the orders for your party with you as the demonstrator.
    • Because your first demo order was over $150 you actually get 30% commission – so you get $120 commission right then!
    • And since it was $400 or more, you get volume rebates so you get an extra 5% – so another $20
    • Plus, you are not only the demonstrator but you are also the hostess, so you get the hostess benefits for the party which are at least $65 in free product plus 1 half price item!
    • This order also meets your quarterly minimums, so you are set as an active demonstrator with all the perks until March 2014!  That means preordering the newest stuff, discounts on all your orders, earning commission on all orders you place, demonstrator only forums, being a member of my Fun n’ Crafty group with our monthly meetings and Facebook group, and more!
    • You are also almost half way to promoting to Senior Associate and well on your way to earning free stamps as part of Stampin’ Start!

    That sounds great!  Now what?

    I’m super excited to help everyone take advantage of this fabulous math, and we are going to do it together!

    So, how it works is that before your party, we will get together (or talk over the phone if we need) and plan what projects you want to show.  We’ll talk about what we need to do to make your event a huge success and if you need to borrow stamps or supplies to kick things off – I totally have you covered!

    At your party, we’ll set up together and you can walk everyone through the projects we’ll be making.  I’ll take care of talking through the catalog and specials so you can relax, enjoy, and observe.  If any of your friends is interested in hosting their own party and helping you out as you get started as a demo, we’ll put it on your calendar and get you that jump start!

    Afterwards, I’ll total all the orders up as you relax and hang out with your friends.  Then we can together get you signed up as a demonstrator and put in the orders under your name.  Woo hoo!

    But what happens if my party doesn’t hit $400?

    No worries!  You have a couple options:

    1. We still sign you up as a demonstrator that night and enter the party in your name.  Any difference in commission you earn vs the starter kit you can just make up and tell your family it is an early Christmas gift to you. Smile  You still get all the extra freebies that come along with it, so you are still coming out ahead!
    2. Decide you are just going to be the hostess for the evening.  You get all the hostess benefits and you had a fabulous time stamping with your friends.  Sweet!

    You have nothing to lose!

    So to recap it all –

    You help plan and host a party for you and your friends.

    The party orders is $400 or more

    You get

    • $125 in product with your starter kit
    • $65 in free product as part of hostess benefits
    • 1 half price item of your choice
    • $140 in cash/commissions
      – all for $99 plus tax.

    So, in the end you just got $190 in product and $40 in cash, all in exchange for hosting a fun night of stamping with your friends!

    Sounds awesome, right?  If you want to get started planning your party and join Stampin’ Up! and my team of Fun n’ Crafty demonstrators, give me a call or shoot me an email at jennifer@nwstamper.com and we’ll get you going!  I can’t wait to help you get started.  Smile

     

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  • Fabulous Flower Shop Summer Card (Convention CASE)

    I had to continue my sharing of the great convention with another card that I loved so much that I had to share it in a class last week.  I really wanted to start playing with my goodies from the Holiday catalog but I couldn’t quite let go of summer yet, and so I gravitated to this cute idea.

    Card designed by Sherrie Schintz

    I loved how this card uses all 5 of the 2013-2015 In Colors together and after you emboss them with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, they are pretty cheery wouldn’t you say?

    We added some of the flowers from the Flower Shop bundle (which includes the stamp set and the posy punch) and of course a bit of glitz with a rhinestone in the center of each.

    Now, I loved the card, but I wanted to add a little bit of something, so we all lined an envelope by creating our own matching designer paper.  Now, when playing with the liners recently I noticed that if you use designer paper that has a dark pattern, you can sometimes see it through the front of your envelope.  So this was an example of using Whisper White cardstock and stamping one side with your preferred image (in this case, we stamped the same flower images in a random pattern).

    Then, grab your NEW, AWESOME Envelope Liners!  Sigh, I love these things… Smile

    image

    They come in 3 sizes:

    1.  A2 – to fit 4.25” x 5.5” cards

    2. Notecards – to fit the 3.5” x 5” cards from the Stampin’ Up! notecards & envelope set

    3.  Square envelopes – to fit 3” x 3” cards

    So, we cut our Whisper White paper to 6”x6” (so you can get 4 out of a 12×12 piece and stamped our flowers.  Then cut it out using the largest envelope die.  Because you have white on the back, you don’t see anything through the front of your envelope, but on the inside you have lots of cute flowers!

    Plus, the liner stops just short of the adhesive on the envelope, so you still have the gummy to seal your envelope when you are ready.  Sweet, huh?  So, grab these dies and get creative and I know you’ll love the results!

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  • Very Vintage Butterfly Thank You (Convention CASE)

    Every year that I go to convention, I get caught up in swapping.  The idea of taking a bunch of card fronts with you to convention and then trading them with everyone else so that you can get new ideas to take home and share… or copy… or hang on your wall and drool over!

    Well, I’ve learned from the one year that I showed up with NO SWAPS, and proceeded to spend my first night there trying to make as many swaps as I could from the crafting supplies I happened to bring with me; that I LOVE swapping.  I love seeing an amazing card from across the room and running up and saying,”swapping?”  Its like the thrill of finding an amazing deal at the department store.

    But the problem is, I come home with 50-100 card fronts and proceed to take pictures of them and then they sit in a box forgotten until I’m cleaning my room and find them again.

    Which is very sad….

    So, I decided this year, that I would not only share them on my blog, but I’d also use them for inspiration in my classes as well.  (Which really is one of the main points for swapping anyway!)  So, for class this month, I CASE’d (copy and share everything) two fabulous swap cards and I just had to share this one with you!

    Card case’d from a design by Julie Leblanc

    There are a few reasons why I love this card…

    1.  The color combination (why do I always forget about Perfect Plum?)

    2.  The touch of sparkle with the Silver Glimmer Paper

    3.  The fact that this card uses NO WHITE PAPER at all!

    I know it is silly, but that last point was kind of profound to me.  I’m so used to stamping on Whisper White paper with a colored ink that I didn’t think of stamping on Crumb Cake paper.

    And then there is the really cute butterflies.  I had to change this up from the original because I didn’t have the Papillion Potpourri that she used,  Instead I used the Best of Butterflies stamp set and the Elegant Butterfly punch to make them.  They are stamped with Basic Black ink and then sponged on top with the Perfect Plum ink. Neat effect, huh?

     

    And in class, I had someone emboss a little bit higher up the page than they meant and so they left their first attempt behind and made a second card.  So, I finished out the card with her “boo-boo” and the rest of the supplies only this time I used the Lacy & Lovely stamp set for my sentiment and drew around it with a marker.  I think it turned out just fine! Smile

    So I hope you liked this card as much as I did and I will have another fun card that we case’d tomorrow using the lovely Flower Shop stamp set and punch!  See you tomorrow!

     

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  • Craft Room Organization Tips and Ideas

    I was sharing on my Facebook page last week the utter scariness of my craft room after I decided that I needed to rearrange my furniture…again… and get a new bookcase to hold my stamps.  I did not expect this project to take over my craft room floor so completely!  Yikes!

    See, it all started when I was putting away my new stamps and supplies from convention this year and I started getting frustrated with my stamp storage.  I had been using a bookcase to hold my stamps and trying to put all my clear mount stamps on a shelf that was at eye-level when I was sitting at my desk.  That way, when I turned around, I could easily see what I had.  But I had too many stamps for one shelf (more like 3+) and so for the rest of my stamps, they were pushed to the back of the shelf which meant they were really hard to see a lot of time time.

    So, I decided I wanted a bookcase that was less deep, and I remembered my good friend, Ikea, had just what I needed.  And so off to shop I went.  A week later, I finally had everything back sorted and put together and am really happy with how it turned out!

    Take a Tour of my Crafting Space!

    I often get asked how I store my different crafting supplies, so I thought I would give you a little tour of what my craft room is like today.  If you have any questions, just let me know!  I will say my craft room is almost entirely made up of storage solutions from either Ikea or Stampin’ Up! and I am really happy with how it is working for me!

    Take a walk behind my craft desk

    So the most important thing for me, as I’ve been constantly tweaking my crafting space layout, is to have my most important/most used items very close at hand.  So most things are out on a shelf and within reach while sitting or something I can see clearly when I’m sitting down and then I just have to take a step to grab what I want.
    Click to check out LOTS of pictures and details for my crafting space

  • Quick & Easy Thank You Card for a new Design Team!

    Today is the kick off for a new blog that I’m excited to be a design team member for – Stylin’ Stampin’ Inkspiration!  It is a blog that will have daily posts to help give you new ideas and project challenges to inspire new ideas for you to try at home!  Most of the posts will have a particular theme and have many of the design team members showing you different takes on that theme.  Fun, right?

    So, the theme for today was Quick & Easy Cards and you know that is right up my alley!  I love clean and simple and with 2 small kids, quick is key.  So, here is my take on the idea:

    I will tell you this card was inspired by a card I saw from my friend, Katy Kirwan, and while the finished project doesn’t really look anything like what she created, I still like them both. Smile 

    To create my card, I created my own designer paper by using the Chevron background stamp from Stampin’ Up! and then layered on the punched out sentiment.  It still needed a little something, so I added some of the Pear Pizzazz Chevron ribbon (sshhh, don’t tell anyone I used two different greens on this card!) and while I was worried the fact that the stamped and the ribbon chevrons go in different directions, I still think it totally works!

    Card Supplies Used (all Stampin’ Up unless noted)

    Stamps – Designer Typeset Photopolymer Stamp Set, Chevron Background
    Ink – Pistachio Pudding, Baked Brown Sugar
    Paper – Whisper White, Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding
    Accessories – Petite Curly Label Punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Pear Pizzazz Chevron Ribbon

    So, what do you think?  Quick? Easy?  But totally fun!  I’m actually using this for my Cute & Classic Card Class tonight, so hopefully they have fun with it too! 

    And if you are looking for more quick and easy ideas, hop on over to our Inkspiration blog and check out all the fab ideas for more great projects. 

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    Oh, and before I forget!

    It’s Here! The Stampin’ Trimmer Rotary Attachment is now Available!

    imageOk, I may be the only person on the planet who is excited about this, but I-CANNOT-WAIT to order my rotary trimmer attachment. 

    Why do I care so much?

    I have found that I really LOVE my Stampin’ Trimmer and the little blades that come with it work great.  But when you are cutting grittier material (like glimmer paper) or want to cut more than one sheet of cardstock at a time, the little blades just don’t do as good a job. 

    So I had been periodically missing my rotary cutting board (except not missing the fact that that Fiskars board could not cut a cardbase straight if I had to!).  But now I have the best of both worlds!  This replaces the clear arm and track for the little blades and the rotary attachment is available as of 8/9/2013!  So, I’ll be ordering mine today and will let you know how it goes. Smile 

     

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  • Getting Out of a Crafting Slump w/ a Holiday Catalog Hop!

    I know me, and once I let life overwhelm me and I set my crafting aside because I’m busy trying to deal with the house, family, etc; I find myself getting into a crafting slump.  You know, that time when you look at your craft supplies, get so excited to create something cute (or find yourself needing that last minute birthday card) and you sit down at your table….. and just stare at your supplies.

    That was me.  I saw so many great ideas at convention, had some cool topics for blog posts, but was having the hardest time finding the mojo to get started.

    But – that is why I said YES! when I was invited to join the Stylin’ Stampin’ Squad and their monthly blog hops.  Because I know me and to get me out of my slump, I needed a theme to focus on and a deadline that I had to get it done by. Smile  And it worked for me!  I sat down with a few ideas, started pulling out some paper and by the time I was done with my first card I had ideas for a few more and couldn’t wait to have time to play more!

    August Blog Hop – Holiday Catalog Projects

    Card 1 – A Stenciled Halloween

    When I first checked out the Holiday Catalog, I wasn’t too excited by the Build-a-Banner kits.  But then I saw all the fun projects created with them at convention and I had a major change of heart.  I love the banners and can’t wait to make my first one, but I was even MORE excited by the stencils!  I know, I know, there isn’t anything new about stencils, but –hey- they are new to me! Smile 

    And for my first attempt with them, I figured why not try to do some heat embossing while I’m at it?  I don’t own any current halloween stamps but I loved the fact that I could still do spooky without even needing a stamp at all!

    So to make the “boo” on my cardfront, I tapped and smeared VersaMark ink over the stenciled opening (starting with the “b”) and quickly picked up the stencil, sprinkled white embossing powder, and heated with my heat gun.  Then repeat for each letter as you go through the word.

     how to heat emboss with stencils

    The rest of the card came together quickly as well because I used the new Witches Brew designer paper which had those cool orange spiders in the perfect spacing for me.  Sponge the edge with some White craft ink and layer over a Basic Gray cardbase and you are done! 

    Card 2 – Bow Tie Celebration!

    But one card just wasn’t enough for me.  I told you, when I was done I had more ideas I wanted to play with.  Well, this next card was using the new Gift Bow Bigz Die.  I had seen a card by Ronda Wade that had a more flat looking bow and I wanted to try to create one myself.  Ta-da!

    The neat thing about this bow is that all the pieces for it is cut out of 1-sheet of designer paper from the new Season of Style designer series stack (you know, those paper stacks that are 4.5” x 6.5”?)

    See, check it out

    gift bow cut outs

    Then all you have to do is cut that top die cut shape in half to make your two flat bow “loops”.  I found that if you lined up a flat edge at 2” you will cut straight down the middle too.

    cutting to make a flat bow

     

    I glued my bow together with sticky strip and Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhered it over some of the new Burlap Ribbon.  Finally, I stamped my sentiment from Seasonal Sayings but thought it needed some extra pop so I coated it with Crystal Effects.  Makes it feel more like a celebration to me. Smile 

    And with that, I even created one more card for tomorrow’s blog post and I’m back in the groove!

    So if you are in a mojo slump, here is my challenge to you!

    1. Visit the incredibly talented stampers participating in this month’s blog hop (see the full list below)
    2. Find 30 minutes this week and head to your craft room
    3. Pick an item you were excited to purchase, but haven’t even used it yet! 
    4. Create something, anything, even if you have no idea what to make, start cutting and stamping using the item you picked.  Copy a project you’ve seen on the hop or visit one of the many great challenge blogs and inspiration blogs out there to help get you started if you need it.
    5. Finish and share your project by 8/16! 
      Show it to a friend, post it on Facebook, or come back and leave a comment that you’ve completed the challenge and share it with me!  Feel free to link to your project too so we can see what creative project you’ve created.

    Ready to be inspired?

    Check out all of the great talent in this month’s line up!

    Blog Hop Participants:

    Enjoy and have fun creating!

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  • Quick Thank You Cards with Chalk Talk

    I’ve been learning something about myself this week – when I’m in the middle of a big task, I have a hard time focusing on other things.  So, in this case, when I completely pull apart my craft room,

    Messy Craft Room

    I was having a heck of a time bringing myself to do any new crafting or even work on blog posts.  Instead I have been focused on organizing my stamps, converting my woodmount stamps to the new woodmount cases, and figuring out what items I can bring myself to part with for my craft garage sale August 17th & 18th (the pile is growing for sure!)

    But my room is just about ready to go – and I promise I’ll share pictures of the reorganized space this weekend – so I wanted to stop back over here on the blog to say hello and share a set of cards that my mom, Kathy Thisted, made for me that I thought were so cute!

    I loved these little mini thank you cards and thought they were a fun way to use the new Chalk Talk stamp set.  Since the stamp set coordinates with the Chalk Talk framelits (and gets you a discount when you buy both in a bundle), many of the samples I’ve seen used the framelits with the stamps.  So I loved seeing some quick ideas using the stamps without the dies.

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    Card Supplies Used
    Stamps- Chalk Talk
    Paper- 2013-2015 In Colors, Basic Black
    Ink- Whisper White craft ink
    Accessories- White gel pen, Natural Trim ribbon, White 1/4” grosgrain (retired), striped grosgrain ribbon (retired), White embossing powder, heat gun

    Blog Hop Tomorrow!
    Join me tomorrow as it is the monthly blog hop as well the kick off of a new blog that I am an inaugural design team member for!  Should be lots of fun. Smile   See you tomorrow!

     

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  • Playing a Bit with Stamping on Vellum

    What is that item in your craft room that you completely forget about and then when you find it, you suddenly remember how cool it is?  For me, I always do that with vellum!  I never think to pull it out, but when I do, I have the best time with it.

    Take today’s card for example:

    It is simple card, but the vellum gives you a way to add a little extra pop without worrying about finding the exact right color designer paper.  Its like a frosted window in a way. Smile 

    Plus, don’t you love this message?  I need to make something for my desk with this sentiment reminding me to everyday live the life I want to be living, not doing the same old thing wishing things were different.  I love my life but I know there is always room to grow and make things even better!

    Stampin Up! Supplies Used

    Stamps: Everything Eleanor, Really Good Greetings
    Ink: Coastal Cabana, Basic Black
    Paper: Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Basic Black, Coastal Cabana, White Vellum
    Accessories: Scallop Trim Border punch, Basic Rhinestones, 2-way Glue Pen, Stampin’ Dimensionals

    Have an item in your craft room that you need inspiration or a reminder how to use?

    I want to start up a new feature on the blog where, based on suggestions from readers, I highlight some fun ideas and uses for an often forgotten or unused item in your craft room. 

    So, if you have a great candidate, shoot me an email at jennifer@nwstamper.com or leave a comment and I can feature your favorite soon!

     

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  • Happy Holiday Catalog Day! Lots to Share Today…

    If you can believe it, August is here and that means summer is winding down (and some kids are even gearing up to go back to school!) and everyone is starting to put out their holiday best so you have plenty of time to be prepared this year!

    So, to help you get ready with you teacher gifts, halloween treats, Christmas cards, and more; the Stampin’ Up! holiday catalog is launching today as well as I’m kicking off my Holiday Catalog Product Samplers too.

    2013 Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog

    Stampin Up Holiday Catalog 2013

    Click to view the PDF catalog

    There is seriously so much good stuff in there this year that when I went to do my Convention Roundup event this week and share my new holiday catalog goodies as well, I was amazed to discover my entire kitchen island was filled with Holiday catalog items!  And I’m so excited to play with all of them. Smile 

    Like the new Festive Flurries Snowflake stamp set and Framelits (available in a discounted bundle) and Expression Thinlits

    Festive Flurry samples display

    The new stamp and punch set bundles (yep, at a discount!) Tags 4 You + Bracket Punch, and Christmas Collectables + Ornament Punch.

    holiday catalog bundles display

    Undefined Create your own stamp set kit, Divided 8×8 Album with matching Tags(!), the Bow Maker Die, and a cute set of little treat bags that come together super quick for any event.

    stampin up divided album and bow die display

    The new Banner Kits which I didn’t think much of, but after Convention where I saw them using the stencils on the new Muslin bags, cards, etc.  It became a much more versatile and exciting set.

    stampin up banner kit display

    Simply Sent Christmas Cards are great, but I LOVE the new Envelope Liners Framelits!!!  Everyone who came to my Convention Roundup got to try them out and loved the great finishing effect they had on their cards.

    holiday simply sent kit and envelope liners

    Plus there is the new Simply Created Table Setting Kit which, again I didn’t think much of, but at convention, they showed it used as a mini-scrapbook album which I thought was super clever!

    undefined and simply created table setting kit display

    And of course, my absolute favorite things of all – Paper and Accessories (love those Frosted Finishes snowflake embellishments)!

    frosted finishis and bow clips display

    stampin up holiday catalog designer paper

    Get a Little Bit of Everything with Product Samplers!

    Now, if you are like me, you want to get it all but unless you are winning a lot of it at an event like Convention (Winking smile), it may not be in the budget to actually buy everything.  But that is why I love putting together Product Samplers!  It is a great chance for a lot of people to try out a little bit of everything.

    Here is what you can get:

    Designer Paper Sampler – 37 sheets – $8.75

    • Sweater Weather designer paper (6 – 6×6 sheets, one each of 6 double sided designs)
    • Witches Brew designer paper (6 – 6×6 sheets, one each of 6 double sided designs)
    • Season of Style designer paper (6 – 6×6 sheets, one each of 6 double sided designs)
    • Winter Frost designer paper (5 – 6×6 sheets, one each of 5 double sided designs. 2 – 3×6 sheets, one each of 2 patterns with foil)
    • Season of Style designer paper stack (6 – 4.5 x 6.5 sheets, 3 each of 2 double sided designs)
    • Winter Frost designer paper stack (6 – 4.5 x 6.5 sheets, 3 each of 2 double sided designs)

    Holiday Accessories & Ribbons Sampler – 5 yds + 4 accents – $8.50

    • Burlap Ribbon (1 yd)
    • Cherry Cobbler Stitched Edge Grosgrain (2 yds)
    • Simply Styled Bow Clips (2 clips)
    • Silver 1/8” Taffeta Ribbon (2 yds)
    • Frosted Finishes Embellishments (2 pieces)

    ***Get it all & SAVE – $16.00 for both Samplers***

    Interested?  Fill out the following form and you have it made!

     

    Whew!  That was a lot, but thanks for sticking through it.  Hope to see you back again soon!

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  • Tips for Using Pressed Clay on your Cards

    One of the cool perks of being a demonstrator for Stampin’ Up! is that you get to check out products from the new catalogs before they come out.  Usually I get super excited about what I see, but I remember seeing the pressed clay when it came out and thinking:

    ”Huh.  I’m sure someone will think that is cool, but I can’t see myself ever using that stuff.”

    But then my mom got some clay along with the molds and I decided to try making a flower… which turned into two flowers…. oh and a button, and maybe one more button…

    Next thing I know, I’ve made a ton of clay items and ended up buying my own clay supplies. Smile 

    So, I had to share it with folks at a get together recently with this make & take:

    So, we made a quick and simple white flower and then used the Bitty Butterfly Punch to create the leaves behind it.  Clever, huh?!

    Card Supplies Used
    Stamps:      Oh Hello
    Ink: Bermuda Bay, Smoky Slate
    Paper: Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Bermuda Bay
    Accessories: SU Pressed Clay, Flower & Buttons molds, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Tombow liquid glue

    Now, if you are curious about the Pressed Clay or maybe you have some but are trying to figure out using it, here are some tips I’ve heard and learned along the way:

    Tips for using the Pressed Clay

    • Only use just enough clay to fill out the mold form – so no extra clay running over the edge of the mold.  Otherwise it will want to stick and not pop out easily
    • I find I have an easier time getting the clay to pop out if I have let my clay sit out on my table for a little bit to dry out a little so it won’t be so tacky
    • If you are having a hard time with a bit of clay not popping out of the mold, try using your Embossing Buddy on the inside of the mold or put the mold (with clay pressed inside) in the freezer for about 10 min and then try popping your shape out.
    • Color your clay using one of these methods:
      • Add some drops of reinker to the clay and massage into the clay before pressing
      • Dab your ball of clay onto an ink pad to pick up some ink, then massage into the clay before pressing
      • Use marker to color your item after it has dried.  This is the most vibrant option.
    • To get the button holes, press your clay into the mold and then press extra hard on the areas with the button holes until you can rub or scrape off the extra clay on top of the button hole pieces.
    • After you have created your clay item, let it sit for a while (longer if you are in a humid climate).  They will never become hard like a resin or plastic embellishment but instead have more of the feeling of a harder foam that cannot be scraped or remolded after it dries.
    • Adhere your finished embellishment using either dimensionals or the mono liquid glue.

    And before I go, I just had to share the card that was my inspiration for the make & take project I shared above:

    My mom created this card before her new catalog party and I thought it was just such a cute idea.  Plus I love how she used the 5-petal flower punch to create her leaves!

    So, give clay a try and I’m sure you’ll have fun too!

    spaced shop now sig bar

  • Stampin’ Up! Convention 2013 Recap & Announcements

    If you have been following along with all the news from convention, you probably saw and heard a bunch of product announcements, news, and promotions.  Turns out I took around 1,000 pictures, so while I edit those, I thought I would summarize all the news so you can make sure you didn’t miss a thing.

    New Product Announcements

    One of the really fun things at convention is being the first to hear about new products.  This year was no exception and we had a number of fun announcements for what is on the way!

    • Undefined Product Line –  Create your own one-of-a-kind stamps with this new line of rubber carving tools and the raw rubber and blocks to create your image. And yes, I know it sounds intimidating, but it is easier than you might think!  If I can create this flower, you can make a stamp too! Smile
       

    Available Now!

    • Flip Card Thinlit Dies! – I’m super excited about these new dies, and not just because I won one of them. Smile  These dies (in both circle and label shapes) makes it super easy to create fun flip cards with just a few cranks in your Big Shot (instead of fussing about placement, cutting, scoring… etc).
      imageAvailable August 1st

     

    • Envelope Score Board –Now you have another option for creating custom envelopes in 66 different sizes!  The board has printed on the front, exactly what size to cut your paper for the size envelope you want.  Then you just use the guides to score the 4 quick lines, use the built in notch punch to cut away the parts you don’t need, and a  built in corner rounder to punch the corners of your envelope flaps to make them look even cuter!

     

    image
    Available September 2013

    • In With You Stamp Design Contest Winners – Stampin’ Up! recently launched a new design contest for anyone to help design a new stamp set.  They took entries based on the ideas of Monsters and this is the big winner!  This will be made into a stamp set and available soon:

      image
      The same type of challenge was run in the Stampin’ Up! offices and the following stamp set won and is available to purchase now through January 2nd!
      image
      Available Now!

    • Everyday Occasions Cardmaking Kit – This is a new kit Stampin’ Up! is trying out which gives you everything you need to create 20 cards (except your basic adhesive).  You’ll get a special clear block, exclusive stamp set, ink, envelopes, accessories, and everything you need to create all your cards.  They are still finalizing the details but more information will be coming soon!

      image

      Expected launch date is September 2013.

    • New Product & Sign Up Promotion

      Multiple promotions were announced during convention.  If you attended convention, there were numerous product discounts available just to you; but here are all the discounts available to everyone!

      • Pick a Project Sign Up Bonus –  Join Stampin’ Up! between now and August 31st and receive a free project kit set in addition to your starter kit.  3 of the project kits are items from the Holiday catalog and there are some CUTE projects they shared at convention with them!
        image        I’d love to have you join my Fun n’ Crafty group of stampers!
        If you have questions, contact me at jennifer@nwstamper.com or check out more details online.
      • My Paper Pumpkin Introductory Offer – Do like the idea of having a project kit sent to your door each month?  My Paper Pumpkin may be a great option for you.  Each month you receive a package in your mailbox containing a project kit that could be a set of cards, a mini scrapbook, or a cute project like this month’s mini banner set.
        Join by Aug 31st and receive your first 2 months for only $10!  That is 50% off and includes shipping!

        You can cancel or skip a month at anytime, so it’s a great way to try it out for a great price.

        Check out the details here

      • Buy 3 get 1 free Designer Paper Sale – just wanted to also put out the reminder that through July 31st, you can get 1 pack of designer series paper of your choice when you by 3 packs.  Its like getting 25% off each pack!image
        Shop Designer Series Paper Here

      Whew!  Ok, so I think I got it all!  So, hopefully you see something that is exciting to you… I know I’m really excited about all the new products coming out, including my stamp carving kit that is showing up any day now!  I just need to get home from my trip visiting family to start playing with it.

      It is an awesome time to be a crafter (and a demonstrator too!) so I hope you have lots of fun in the coming months with all these products and deals.

      spaced shop now sig bar