Northwest Stamper

Author: Jennifer

  • Easter Bunny Punch Art Card

    I finally participated in a sketch challenge, only to realize that I totally missed the deadline. :)  Oh, well.  I still LOVE my card I made.  I was so excited to be able to come up with a fun Easter card even though I had pretty much no Easter stamp sets.  What do you think?  Isn’t this bunny adorable?!

    I made this card with my son in mind and had fun pulling papers, stamps, and punches to create an easy yet super fun Easter bunny card.  I had seen different cards out there using the Nursery Suite specialty designer paper for Easter because it has a couple patterns with bunnies on them. Let me tell you, that was one of those smacks to the forehead kind of moments! I was so fixated on this paper being “baby” paper that I didn’t even think about how it is so fabulous for so many other projects.  Just you watch, I’ll be pulling it out a lot more in the future.

    Then I saw this punch art bunny on Jan Tink’s blog and knew I just HAD to make one myself!  So, I combined the paper, this bunny, and the Stamping 411 sketch from last week to make it.  So fun!

    The bunny is made by punching 3 small ovals (one for the feet and two for the ears), one 1-1/4” circle for the body, one 1” circle for the head, and one small flower punch from the Punch Pack for the tail.

    The ribbon is just a piece of Crumb Cake seam binding ribbon (have I told you how much the seam binding ribbon rocks?) that I folded in half and then knotted.

    Make your own Easter bunny!  Get the supplies you need from the online store here, or grab the paper and punches you have and play around!  Have fun!

    Don’t forget!  TODAY is the last day of my Tax-Free weekend! 
    Check it out here.

    Happy Easter Recipe
    Stamps:      Teeny Tiny Wishes, Dot Dot Dot
    Ink:  Crumb Cake classic
    Paper:  Very Vanilla cardstock, Tempting Turquoise cardstock, Early Espresso cardstock, Nursery Suite dsp
    Accessories:  1 1/4” circle punch, 1” circle punch, Small Oval punch, Punch Pack, Crumb Cake seam binding ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals

  • It’s a Tax-Free Weekend & Announcing Customer Rewards!

    Its April 15th…do you know where your tax paperwork is?  Smile 

    Unfortunately, I do, its sitting on my computer waiting to be finished as I race to the deadline to get everything done.  Hopefully you are sitting back and relaxing and maybe even waiting for your refund check.  I know taxes are no fun, which is why I decided to declare this a Tax-Free Weekend!

    Celebrate making it through another year and enjoy those goodies you’ve been eyeing; all while avoiding the taxman in a way that won’t get you in trouble next year!

    From April 15 to April 17th, email or call me with your order and the promo code “Tax-Free” and I’ll cover the taxes for you!  Unfortunately, I don’t have a way of offering this through online orders, so please email or call to make sure you get the deal!

    ——————————————————-

    Announcing my new Customer Rewards program!

    I am so excited to be finally announcing this new program.  I love being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator and I really appreciate my customers.  Not just for their orders, but for the enthusiasm, ideas, and inspiration they provide me.  It makes it all so fun!

    So to say thank you, I’ve started a rewards program just for you. 

    Here is how it works:

    • With any purchase through me (online, workshop, email, over the phone, etc), receive 1 butterfly punch on your card for every increment of $40 in merchandise on any given order.
      (so $41 = 1 punch, $79 = 1 punch, $82 = 2 punches, etc)
    • Collect 10 butterfly punches and then contact me to select your free stamp set.
    • I will verify your punches and get your stamp set sent out to you right away.
    • Choose from ANY stamp set of ANY price from ANY current catalog for your free set.
    • I cover shipping and tax to get the set to you… this really is a free stamp!
    • Punches are valid 1 year from the associated order date.

    This program starts April 1, 2011 (I’m a bit slow in publishing so if you ordered from me earlier this month and it meets the above criteria, you already have a punch!)  So, enjoy your shopping and earning you way to more free goodies as my Thank You to you!

    Click here to get your punch card

    Check back later this weekend as I have some fun new projects I can’t wait to share with you! Smile

    Click here to shop online 24/7 and start earning your rewards!

  • Check Out These Adorable New Digital Downloads!

    So, I don’t always post on my blog when Stampin’ Up! releases new digital content.  That was because I saw that they are constantly add new content and often it is a digital version of some physical stamp, paper, or embellishment available out of the main catalog.  I’ll post when there is something totally new (like when they added Journals and new styles of Calendars) but it wasn’t until last night that I realized that sometimes we get something totally new and completely exclusive to digital content!

    Yesterday, Stampin’ Up! added some new digital stamps, papers, and digital kits.  I was checking them out when I saw the name “Sunset Serenade”.  Huh?  I hadn’t heard of that before.  Well, turns out it is super cute, digital only content!  Here is a sample of the paper in the digital kit that is now available:

    image
    view all of the paper patterns in the online store here

    Plus, there is a matching digital stamp brush set:

    image

    I’m seriously in love with the paper!  I will probably have to download it so I can make projects with it, or just print out my own sheets of the paper to use in my physical projects.  What do you think of these new downloads? 

    To see all the digital items added yesterday, click here for a PDF.

    Want to see the catalog of all digital items? Check out the link in the right sidebar of my blog.  I keep that widget updated each month as they update the catalog with the latest content.

    Let me know what you think of the recent digital downloads and MDS in general.  I’m curious if people are liking using My Digital Studio for your own projects.

    Click here to shop online 24/7

  • Playing with the Petal Cone Big Shot Die

    Every catalog since Stampin’ Up! started offering the Big Shot, they have offered new dies in all kinds of shapes and sizes.  This time around, the Occasion Mini catalog offered the Petal Cone Bigz die.  My mom ended up getting it and so I had to play with it myself.   

    The die itself actually punches out two sides of the cone (with attached half circle flaps), one half-scallop circle, and a banner like strip.  So, I decided to experiment.  I created the cone out of your basic Melon Mambo cardstock and then decided to use the Love Letter designer series paper for the half-scallop circles, which I attached underneath the flaps. 

    Tip – if you are going to use the scallop circles under the flaps, you will want to trim the last scallop or two off each side.  Otherwise your flaps will not lie flat as the scallops get in each others way.

    I wrapped some Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon around the rim of the cone and then added some pearls for an extra fun touch.  Finally, I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do with the banner, so I took two of them and glued them together to make the strap for the cone!  Since I didn’t want a seam to show, I cut out a couple flowers and added them to the strap for a pretty way to finish it off.

    So, this was a start but I’ve seen a lot of other cute projects with this die including baskets (made by folding in the pointed ends of the cone before you glue them together) and carrots for holding Easter candy! 

    Click here to shop online 24/7

  • For All You Do Digital Card

    I ordered My Digital Studio way back when it first came out; see, I was all excited about it after seeing what it could do at Convention and then they went and offered a special promotion for Convention attendees (got to love a deal!).  After I got it home, I found I’ve been using it more for non-traditional purposes like creating my blog header, gift certificates, my watermark for my photos, printing out stamp images for sets I don’t have so I can use them in my paper projects, etc.  Its actually pretty cool the fun things you can do with MDS.

    Anyway, Stampin’ Up! did a design contest a little while back and I managed to miss the deadline by 15 minutes but still submitted anyway.  Of course I didn’t win, but I still really like some of the more traditional items I created for it.  And today I thought I’d share one of them.

    For All You Do Digital Card

    I was playing with opacity of cardstock and drop shadows to try to get the effect of having Vellum in my digital project.  I actually really like how this card turned out and think I may have to CASE it and make it into a physical card as well!

    If you haven’t seen all the cool current and retired products that are now available in digital form, check out this catalog to see the many fun items you can play with in MDS or really any software that can accept an image file.  View the My Digital Studio Catty.

    Have MDS questions?  Shoot me an email and I’ll get them answered!

     

    Click here to shop online 24/7

  • Birthday Card Kit and Organizer

    Can I share with you this project that we are making in my Birthday Card Kit and Organizer class this weekend?  Isn’t it such a fun and cheery birthday collection?

    I had so much fun when I made this sample and I loved all the fun but simple ideas that we use on the different cards.  What you are seeing above is a fun desktop organizer with two storage compartments.  The front compartment is perfect for holding gift tags and 3×3 cards.  The top compartment is exactly right for holding standard sized cards and envelopes.  There is even a special spot for storing a coordinating pen!

    All of the pieces of this project use the fun Create a Cupcake stamp set and the Build a Cupcake punch.  In the class we’ll be making the box, the matching pen, 2 full sized cards (with envelopes), 4 3×3 cards (with envelopes), and 4 gift tags using this punch set, some of the chunky glitter, ribbon, and some extra punches.  I’m so looking forward to it because even though I know it is a lot, I know folks will enjoy and love having so many items ready for last minute birthday gifts and parties.

    If you are in the Bay Area and would like to come join us on Sunday afternoon for this class, let me know and I’d love to add you to the rsvp list!  Email me at jennifer@nwstamper.com.

    But, I know many of you are from all over the country and even around the world and I thought you might like to make one of these projects yourself.  So, I’m creating kits for you as well! These class kits include:

    • All the cardstock and designer paper precut and scored for the cards, pen, and box
    • Punched out pieces to complete all of the projects
    • Ribbon and fibers required for the projects
    • 2 standard sized envelopes and 4 small square envelopes
    • A pen ready for customizing
    • Instruction sheets for all included projects (so you can make them over and over and over again)
    • Shipping is included
    • All for only $25 shipped!  And let me tell you, you will be getting lots of pieces for these fun projects











     

    You just need some adhesive, glitter, and stamps as desired.  Due to Stampin’ Up! policy, I can’t prestamp any images for you but to help you out with that, if you get the kit and contact me to order any of the items not included in the kit, I will give you 10% off those items!  So, for example, you could get the stamp set and/or the chunky glitter at a discount!  I loved working on this project and I hope you do too!

    Click here to shop online 24/7

  • Clean and Simple Scrapbook Layout

    I will admit, I spend most of my crafting time making cards.  They are practical…they are fun…they don’t take too much time if I’m in a rush.  But that said, I have a ton of pictures that I take and keep that I want to scrapbook.  So, I’ve started trying to make an effort to catch up on my scrapbooking backlog.  This is a page I completed recently and I love how it turned out.

    If you can’t tell from the picture, my son is pushing the sand out of the play tube and onto the ground.  Just keeping it clean. 🙂

    So, I used the “vintage-y” paper Love Letter and when I first saw this paper when it came out I thought I would never use it but turns out it works great even for non-Valentines, non-girly pages.  Yay!  I also made the red embellishment on the bottom right by just layering two punchouts using the decorative label punch (layer so that they are perpendicular to each other).  I think it turned out pretty cool and kind of different.

    What do you think, do you think the paper works for a layout like this?

    Click here to shop online 24/7

     

    Keeping It Clean Scrapbook Page:
    Ink:      Chocolate Chip (for sponging of the label)
    Paper:  Love Letter designer paper, Chocolate Chip cardstock, Sahara Sand textured cardstock, Riding Hood Red cardstock
    Accessories:  BigShot die cutting machine, Billboard alphabet die cuts, Chocolate Chip satin ribbon (retired), Decorative Label punch, Large oval punch, Wide oval punch, silver brads

  • Dress Card using Designer Fabrics

    I saw a project someone made at convention last year that created the dress part of this card using cardstock and a paper napkin.  Then, when I was looking for ideas for using the Stampin’ Up! designer fabrics, I ran across some cards that used the dress and put it onto a standard card base.  Cute, right? 

    I originally found instructions from Lorraine Castellon-Rowe’s blog and then started playing with the fabrics and papers I had around.  Because I wanted to use the swirly pattern from the Deck The Halls fabric set, I decided to use my swirly pattern Texturz Plates for my BigShot to emboss the background piece of Very Vanilla cardstock. 

    To make the dress bodice, I used a series of punches:

    Dress Card Punch Art Step 11.  Punch a circle using the 2 1/2” Circle Punch for the base of the bodice
    Dress Card Punch Art Step 2 2. Punch out the waistline of your dress using the 1 3/4” Circle Punch.  If you want to be very precise, you can take the cut out from the first side and trace that curve on the opposite side.  Then use the pencil line as your guide when lining up the punch.
    Dress Card Punch Art Step 33.  Punch the neckline using the 3/4” Circle punch

    Then embellish as you like.  I used the adhesive pearls and added some ribbon to the waistline but you could get creative with gems, buttons, embossing, or whatever sounds fun to you.  The skirt was just run through the BigShot using the Scallop Square die though I think for future cards like this, I would probably use the new Scallop Square Duo die.  And then adhere to the back of your bodice.

    It’s a fun card and one you could make in so many variations to be a perfect match for the recipient of the card. I hope you enjoy this project!

    Click here to shop online 24/7

     

    Just For You Dress Card Recipe:
    Stamps:      Teeny Tiny Wishes
    Ink:  Basic Black
    Paper:  Riding Hood Red cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock
    Accessories:  BigShot, Scallop Square Bigz die, Backgrounds 1 Texturz plates, 2 1/2” Circle punch, 1 3/4” Circle punch, 3/4” Circle punch, Adhesive Pearls, Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Small Oval punch, Deck the Halls designer fabric

  • Spring is Blossoming with Sneak Peeks Available Now!

    If you are on my mailing list, you’ve seen some sneak peek cards I’ve created using the new Paisley Petals designer paper and Four Frames stamp set.  These items are officially launching with the upcoming 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog in July.  BUT for the month of April ONLY, you have the opportunity to get your crafty little hands on these items when you place an order of $20 or more!

    I will tell you that I’ve been talking to other demos who have had the chance to preorder these items and we all agree that the more you play with these stamps and paper, the more you love them!  Check out some of the samples I’ve made so far.

    spring is blossoming promo flyer

    Also, I just saw early this morning that Stampin’ Up! has added a TON of new items to the Clearance Rack! 

    So, swing by and see if any of your old favorites have come back at steep discounts.  And YES!  If you order $20 in clearance rack items you are eligible to order the sneak peek items listed above!

    Whew!  That is a lot of awesome promotion deals!  And so much cute stuff!  Eek!  Plus, if you are a demonstrator or sign up to become a demonstrator in the month of April, you have the opportunity to preorder all kinds of fun new stuff from the upcoming Summer Mini.

    Alright, and now you know the full scoop. 🙂  I’ll be back tomorrow with more fun projects to share with you.  But until then…

    Click here to shop online 24/7!

  • More Ideas with Designer Fabric

    *** Reminder! Today is the LAST day of Sale-a-Bration.  If you haven’t gotten your favorites yet, get shopping!  You have a few hours left to shop online or contact me with your order and get FREE STAMPS or accessories! ***

    Continuing in my sharing of the fabric technique cards we made at a recent class using the Stampin’ Up! designer fabrics, and I thought I would post a couple more today.

    Sure, this is the most basic way to use fabric… but its fun!  And while I grew up with a mom who is a fantastic sewer, I never quite go into it and so didn’t internalize some of the basics.  So, I was excited to be reminded by Bethani about the fact that when you tear a piece of fabric, it will give you a wonderfully straight edge every time.  I’m so used to paper that will has a complete mind of its own when it comes to tearing, so I was thinking I had to use a cutter for every edge.  Sure, the tear gives you a slightly feathered look… but it’s a CUTE feathered look.

    I just LOVE how this turned out!  Most of the card is pretty self-explanatory.  We stamped the flower image on the base cardstock in Versamark, and then did simple sponging and punching for the other elements.  And then we get to the fabric flower…SO FUN!! 

    Ok, to make the flower, we cut out 4 flower shapes – in this case using the Cherry Blossom embosslit.  Once you have those four flower shapes, take a small square cut from a Sticky Pages sheet.  Expose one side of the Sticky Page square and then take one of the fabric flowers and fold it in half.  Place that folded flower on half of your sticky square.  Next, take your 2nd fabric flower, fold it in half, and place it on the sticky square so that it overlaps the the first fabric flower and now forms an “L” shape.  Ok, on to fabric flower 3.  You guessed it!  Fold it in half!  Place it on the sticky square so that it overlaps flower 2 and the folded edge is flush against the folded edge of flower 1.  Finally, grab and fold flower 4.  Place it on the sticky square so that the folded edge is flush with flower 2, its right corner is on top of flower 3 and its left corner is under the right corner of flower 1.  At this point you should have a flower that is stuck to the Sticky Pages square.  I then pierced a hole in the center with the paper piercer and placed an antique brad.  Then remove the remaining backing on the sticky square and place where you want it!  In my card, I layered it on a Rose Red scallop circle that was punched using the 2 3/8” scallop circle.

     

    Shop now and get your FREE Sale-a-Bration goodies

    LAST DAY of Sale-a-Bration!  Did you get your FREE stamps?

    View the Sale-a-Bration catalog here

     

    You Take the Cake Card:
    Stamps:      Party Hearty
    Ink:  Rose Red, Regal Rose, Early Espresso Stampin’ Write Markers
    Paper:  Wild Wasabi cardstock, Baja Breeze cardstock, Whisper White cardstock
    Accessories:  Candy Lane designer fabric

    Lucky You Card:
    Stamps:      Afterthoughts (hostess set)
    Ink:  Versamark, Chocolate Chip
    Paper:  Old Olive cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Rose Red cardstock
    Accessories:  Sticky Sheets, 2 3/8” Scallop Circle punch, Corner Rounder punch, Sponge daubers, Paper Piercer, Antique Brads, Stampin’ Dimensionals

  • How Big Is Your Wish List?

    There are only 2 days left of Sale-a-Bration!  And while this promotion is great for getting all kinds of freebies with every $50 you order, if you are finding your wishlist is a little bit bigger than that or you love the idea of getting a discount on every order you place – its an even better time to see what its like on the other side of the fence as a demonstrator.

    Did you know that the starter kit has over $310 worth of products and supplies for only $175? 

    But through Thursday you can get it for 15% off PLUS bonus product bundle worth $50.  So that means you would get $360 worth of products for $149 and free shipping!  

    And, as a demonstrator you get a number of other benefits and the best part is, you don’t have to be a salesperson to enjoy them!  Its true!  There is no obligation to sell or purchase anything.

    So if you are interested in earning extra money each month or just getting a discount on everything you buy, I’d love to have you join my team of demonstrators.  We are a fun group who share ideas, support, and friendship across the US. 

    Click for details of this Sale-a-Bration Starter Kit Promotion here!

  • Using Ice Cream Parlor Quick Accents for Scrapbooking

    So, here is my story, to which I think a number of you can relate.  Smile 

    Many months ago, I printed out a ton of pictures of my son because I was going to create a baby album for him.  I have a stack of at least 40 pictures from his first month alone, plus baby shower pictures and maternity pictures.  I even went so far as to figure out how to layout about 6 pages of these pictures a while back (though do I have any idea what those layouts were at this point? Nope!) but then the pictures went back into the stack.  And there they still sit…in a stack…on a shelf.

    But I had an epiphany today!  I was avoiding scrapping those pictures because, aside from being busy, I was wanting to make “the just right” layout with the images including the perfect paper, embellishments, etc.  But I realized, its way more important to get the information written down and the pictures in a place they might actually be looked at, then having the perfect layout.  Especially in this world of digital photography, just put some layout together and you can always print the pictures again if you want to make it "perfect” later!

    So, with that in mind, I put together this layout yesterday afternoon during Nicholas’ nap.  I was challenging myself to use the Ice Cream Parlor Designer Paper and Quick Accent die cut stickers in a layout and I actually think they turned out rather well!

    With the exception of some cardstock and the BigShot Alphabet dies, everything comes from the Ice Cream Parlor Designer Paper and Quick Accents bundle from the Sale-a-bration catalog.  Because the quick accents are stickers, it made it really easy to put this page together!  There are still a few days left to earn them with your order or enter my color challenge and you’ll have a chance to win some Quick Accents to play with.

    Now, if only I dare to pull down my wedding pictures from 10 years ago and get started with them too… I guess one step at a time!

     

    Shop now and get your FREE Sale-a-Bration goodies

    Only 4 days left of Sale-a-Bration!  Did you get your FREE stamps?

    View the Sale-a-Bration catalog here

    Going Home Scrapbook Recipe
    Ink:      Early Espresso (to sponge the title letters)
    Paper:  Ice Cream Parlor designer paper (SAB), Early Espresso cardstock, Certainly Celery cardstock, River Rock cardstock
    Accessories:  Ice Cream Parlor Quick Accent stickers, 2 1/2” Circle Punch, Sponge Daubers, Sizzix Simple Letters Alphabet bigz die