Monday Inspiration: Lace Background Technique

This weekend I went in search of "paper/foil" lace doilies . I have used them for powdered sugar designs before on top of brownies and cakes. I just knew they would work on cards using a sponge and ink. Above are the cards that I made using the doilies. You can find them in the Wilton section of the Big Box Stores or in Party Stores. Run about $2.50 for a package of 8 doilies.

The key to a good doilies is wider holes to allow the ink to go thru easily. You will see examples below.

I cut the doilies to fit the cards, used repositional (2 way glue) on them too to allow them to stay in place and then easily removed when I was finished with the sponging of color on them.

As you look at the samples below, you will first see the card that I made then see the portion of the doilies that I used. Once dry the doilies can be used again, so don't throw them away if you want to use them again. I stamped the ink using an up and down (pouncing) motion with the sponge. Used Stampin' Up! classic ink ... any color will work. Classic Ink dries extremely fast and worked well with these cards.



Sample 1: This worked extremely well because of the open work of the lace. I used Cherry Cobbler and Almost Navy Ink. The white area is what was covered by the doilies.



Sample 2: Cut a lace circle in half, then placed them facing each other. Sponged with Bashful Blue. Because the holes were smaller, this sample doesn't have as much detail. Pleased with the results tho. Used Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, and Tempting Turquoise for the shadowing around the Eiffel Tower.


Sample 3: This was the largest set of doilies I used. Used Daffodil Delight Ink for the sponging and Cajun Craze for the rest of the stamping.



Sample 4: I remember making snowflakes as a child to hang on our Christmas tree. So I decided to use the same principle using printer paper. It worked great. I cut it into 4 pieces and positioned on my card base, then sponged with Certainly Celery. The flowers and MOM are stamped with Cherry Cobbler and then I colored them in with the Stampin' Up! Pencils (item #108879)

Remember you can order Stampin' Up! products on-line 24/7 thru my Stampin' Up! website. Just CLICK HERE, then click on Shop Now.

Mary
http://marydirector.stampinup.net
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Red Skelton's Pledge of Allegiance

I remember seeing this on TV years ago. It touched my heart then, and touches it now. Hope you will take a few minutes to watch.

Also here is the text version:

"When I was a small boy in Vincennes, Indiana, I heard, I think, one of the most outstanding speeches I ever heard in my life. I think it compares with the Sermon on the Mount, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, and Socrates’ Speech to the Students.

We had just finished reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and he [Mr. Lasswell, the Principal of Vincennes High School] called us all together, and he says, “Uh, boys and girls, I have been listening to you recite the Pledge of Allegiance all semester, and it seems that it has become monotonous to you. Or, could it be, you do not understand the meaning of each word? If I may, I would like to recite the pledge, and give you a definition for each word:

I -- Me; an individual; a committee of one.

Pledge -- Dedicate all of my worldly good to give without self-pity.

Allegiance -- My love and my devotion.

To the Flag -- Our standard. “Old Glory”; a symbol of courage. And wherever she waves, there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts “Freedom is everybody's job.”

of the United -- That means we have all come together.

States -- Individual communities that have united into 48 great states; 48 individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose; all divided by imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common cause, and that’s love of country, of America.

And to the Republic -- A Republic: a sovereign state in which power is invested into the representatives chosen by the people to govern; and the government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.

For which it stands

One Nation -- Meaning "so blessed by God."

Indivisible -- Incapable of being divided.

With Liberty -- Which is freedom; the right of power for one to live his own life without fears, threats, or any sort of retaliation.

And Justice -- The principle and qualities of dealing fairly with others.

For All -- For All. That means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.

Now let me hear you recite the Pledge of Allegiance:

I pledge allegiance
to the Flag of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said, "That is a prayer" -- and that be eliminated from our schools, too?"

Happy 4th of July. May you have a safe holiday weekend.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all of our servicemen who are far away from home and are protecting us to keep us free. Thank you for your service to our country.

Mary
http://marydirector.stampinup.net
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

New Paper Punch Design Video and Review

Stampin' Up! has redesigned their paper punches. All of our punches in the brand new 2010 2011 Idea Book & Catalog are the new trim line punches. They are compact but have a larger working surface than the old style. Lots of new shapes now available too. Wait till you see the new owl and tiny bat we have. AND there is even a paper punch that cuts and embosses fold lines.

Click on photo to watch video that is posted on the main Stampin' Up! website about these wonderful new punches.

Here's more information about the NEW punches in our catalog on pages 200 thru 203.
Two-Step Owl Extra-Large, item #118074
Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, item #119275
Bitty Bat Large, item #119279
2 3/8" Scallop Circle Extra-Large, item #118874
Petal Card Extra-Large Double, item #119273

I just ordered all of the above punches. Did you know that Stampin' Up! now offers 51 paper punches!!!! All different shapes and sizes available. I LOVE paper punches and have almost all of them. Truly a GREAT quality product, that I'm positive you will like too.

Punches are such a fun way to add to your paper crafting projects. Remember 1 sheet of card stock in the punches, never more than that. I have a number of tutorials and photos on my blog for "punch art" projects. CLICK HERE to view them now.

Order today using my on-line Stampin' Up! website by clicking HERE then clicking on SHOP NOW.

Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend.

Mary
http://marydirector.stampinup.net
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Background Whimsy Technique Cards

Here are the cards I promised you using the Background Whimsy Technique that I have shown samples of this week. I took the 3 samples from yesterday and made them into two cards. Two were used as the accent piece and the final one was used for the butterflies. The butterflies I sponged the edges with Rich Razzleberry.

Isn't this a great color combination: Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry, and Melon Mambo.

Sentiments were stamped using Teeny Tiny Wishes, item #115370 (only wood mount). If you were only going to purchase one stamp set of sentiments, this is the one that I would recommend. It basically covers every holiday and special occasion. I like too how it can be used with the Word Window Punch, item #119857 and the Modern Label Punch, item #119849.

Mary
http://marydirector.stampinup.net
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)

Background Whimsy Technique Samples

The other day, I did on overview on a technique called Background Whimsy. I had so much fun with it, that I decided to do more to show you. Here' the LINK for the original post.

As you look at the photos above you will notice that I used the same designs and colors, but that each background looks different from the other. I used my Uni-Ball Signo White Gel pen, item #105021 to highlight something different in each background. I also randomly daubed on color on each piece using Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, and Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink from Stampin' Up!. The design was created by using a Stampin' Wheel called Always in Bloom, item #113834 with Basic Black Classic Ink (which is waterproof) item #101179 on Glossy White Paper item #102599.

I know these backgrounds are going to be a WOW feature of the 3 cards I will make with them. I will post photos once the cards are done, but couldn't wait to show you these. I really hope you will try this technique.

Items from the brand new 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog will be available for order as of noon today (mountain time). You may order directly from my Stampin' Up! website or by contacting me. If you go to my website (click here), then click on Shop Now. I am so excited about the new catalog, so many wonderful new items and great ideas/inspiration too.

Mary
http://marydirector.stampinup.net
Stampin' Up! -- Discover Your Creativity
(On-line ordering now available thru my website)