Monday Inspiration: Thank You Cards

Happy Monday. Hope this Monday Inspiration will inspire you to try the Rubber Stamp Kissing Technique if you haven't already AND to make some Thank You cards too.



On my last blog post, I used the Rubber Stamp Kissing Technique to create the flowers and butterflies. I cut them out with scissors and use dimensionals to attach them to the cards. Both cards used the same base colors (white, melon mambo, and old olive) and the same stamp set (For All You Do, item #115360). Yet, both cards look completely different. Amazing what you can do to change a look by adding in ribbon, using a border punch, or by shadowing the design with another piece of card stock.

Remember, you can order 24/7 from my Stampin' Up! website, by clicking HERE then click on Shop Now.

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

My Digital Studio Video

I've been having so much fun using My Digital Studio, I really think that it is a program you might like too. You can create cards, scrapbooks, flyers, newsletters etc. Such a versatile program. You can make an item 100% digital or do part digital with part actual card stock and embellishments. I have a number of samples of my creations here on my blog. Just click on My Digital Studio on the right hand site of this page.

The floral image above with sentiment was created using My Digital Studio and one of the new downloads called Summertime Splendor DSP, item #121067. Then I backed it with scalloped card stock and attached to a card base. This would be considered a hybrid card.

Stampin' Up! just put a new video on YouTube about MDS, so I wanted to share that with you today. If you are reading this blog entry from an e-mail message, you will need to come to my blog to view the video.



If you would like to purchase a copy of My Digital Studio, it is item #118108 and sells for $79.95. You can purchase it by contacting me directly OR by ordering it on-line thru my Stampin' Up! website by clicking HERE.

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

Rubber Stamp Kissing Technique Tutorial

I had to laugh when I heard the name of this technique. It is called the "Kissing Technique". I promise you all that this is definitely "G" rated and is truly a technique for stamping with rubber stamps.

Stampin' Up! Products Used:

For All You Do Rubber Stamp Set, set of 10, item #115360 (wood mount only)
Melon Mambo Classic Ink, item #115656

Here's what the finished product looks like. These images were stamped with "solid" image stamps. If I had stamped the flower or butterfly directly from the stamp pad to the paper, they would of been a solid image not floral as shown above. That is where the stamp kissing technique comes in.

Let's get started.

Here are the 3 stamps that I am going to work with in this tutorial.


First stamp the design stamp on your stamp pad. Be sure you get good coverage with all parts inked.


Here's how it looks after inking.


You can hold your stamps to do this part, but it was easier to photograph with the stamps set on the work surface. The floral design stamp is facing up and the flower solid stamp is set directly on top of it. Press firmly and lift straight up so that you do not smear your designs.


Look closely, see how the floral designs are now showing on the flower solid stamp.

Press the flower solid stamp firmly on your card stock.

Here's the finished flower. It truly is now one of a kind design.

Always clean your stamps well before using again. You do not want one design to impact the other, so starting with a clean stamp is important.

I used the same floral design stamp with my butterfly solid stamp. Again, you can see the flowers on the wings.


Here's the finished butterfly design.


In the stamp set called For All You Do, you also have polka dots to use as your design stamp. Then the other stamps in the set include 2 sentiments, 2 other flowers, a stem with leaves along with the stamps I showed you above.

This technique can be done with any stamp that has a design to it and then pair it with a solid image stamp. The combinations you can create are without limit. You are going to have so much fun with this.

These can be stamped directly on a card or stamped and cut out with scissors. If you have our Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog for 2009-2010, look on page 118 to see the wonderful shadow box they made with the butterflies.

If you would like to order this stamp set and other Stampin' Up! supplies, remember that you can order 24/7 from my Stampin' Up! Website by clicking HERE then click on Shop Now.


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

Monday Inspiration: Congratulations Graduate

Graduation is just around the corner for so many. I thought it would be fun to show you a graduation card I created using My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up!, item #118108.

Stampin' Up! Digital Downloads:
Summertime Splendor DSP, item #121067
Go Graduate Plus Stampbrush Set, item #121069

I'm so pleased withe the Summertime Splendor DSP download. The colors and the flowers are beautiful. I know that I will be using it a great deal. Below is a sample of what the DSP has in the way of designs/patterns.

You could achieve a similar effect by using your favorite Stampin' Up! DSP (designer series paper) and the Go Graduate Stamp Set, item #118529 (wood mount) or item #120054 (clear mount). This set is on Page 24 of the Summer Mini Catalog.

What a great way to start out the week. Hope you have a very creative week.


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

Gable Box Tutorial

I was so excited the other day to make my very first Gable Box. I was surprised at how easy it was to make and thrilled too that it only took my sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" paper. They are the perfect size for a small gift or party favor. Wouldn't they be beautiful as wedding favors with one at each place setting at a wedding reception or big event.

Stampin' Up! products used:
Card stock of your choice ... 1 piece 8 1/2" x 11"
(I used Bermuda Bay, item #115317)
Paper Snips (scissors), item #103579 (these are the BEST scissors I've ever used)
Sticky Strip, item #104294
Pocket Silhouette Stamp Set, item #111672
Bermuda Bay Classic Ink, item #115655
Crop-A-Dile, item #108362
1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Whisper White, item #109025
Wide Oval Paper Punch, item #112082


I have taken a Stampin' Write marker and drawn in the score lines so that it makes it much easier for you to see them in the photos. You do not need to mark in the lines on your project.

On the 11" side, score at: 1/2", 3 1/2", 5 3/4", and 8 3/4".

On the 8 1/2" side, score at: 3" and 6 1/2"


On the front side of the card stock, stamp in your image(s). I used one of the designs from the Stamp set called Pocket Silhouettes and used Bermuda Bay Classic ink on the Bermuda Bay card stock for a tone on tone image. You would achieve a similar look using versamark with this card stock color.

You will now cut out the two 1/2" wide corner pieces .... see the small xxx on the card stock above ... that is the area you will be cutting off.

Now crisply fold all the score lines using your bone folder.

I took a Stampin' Write Classic Black marker to show the lines you will cut. You only cut up to the crease line. Be sure to only cut the ones shown above in black.

If you look at your card stock, you will notice that there are 4 short and 4 longer rectangles. The shorter ones are for the bottom of the box, the longer ones are for the top.

With the 1/2" piece to your left with the stamped side down ... punch out the wide oveal on the 1st and 3rd longer rectangle as shown above.


Photo shows you the stamped side after the ovals were punched.

Turn your paper over, stamped side down. Use Sticky Strip and place it as shown in the photo above. NOTE: The piece on the 1/2" section actually goes on the stamped side. This is the only section that the sticky strip is placed on the stamped side.

Sticky strip placement on the 1/2" piece.


Removed the protective film from the sticky strip and carefully attach it to create your sides to the Gable Box. Press together. This seam will not be towards the back of the box as you finish the rest of the steps.

This is the bottom of the box. Fold over the two pieces with no sticky strip on them. Then remove the protective film from one of the sides and fold down to attach. Do the same with the remaining side on the bottom. the bottom of the box is now complete.

Here's your box with the bottom complete. You now will remove the protective film on the top piece and fold it over INTO the box to act as a support for the box itself. Do this on both sides with sticky strip on them.

This is a photo of the top piece folded down into the side of the box.


Match up your top pieces/ovals. While holding them together, punch two 3/16" holes above the oval. These holes will act as guides for your 1/4" grosgrain ribbon. Thread your ribbon thru the back of the box, even out the ends as they come forward. Tie the ribbon in a square knot and trim.

Square knot tip:
Right over left and under.
Pull ribbon so that one end is facing up, the other down.
Left (top piece) over right (bottom piece) and pull thru to the sides.
It will make a very nice bow that will lay pretty flat.

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

Responses for you, plus ideas

I want to thank all of you that posted comments on Monday's post and also those that wrote me personally. Thank you so much for your support and for following my blog.


ScrappyHappy: I think my "crayon resist" tutorial may be of help to you. The wax in the crayon resists the dyes in the inks to make some beautiful cards and accent pieces. Here's the link:

Click HERE for Crayon Resist

Susan DeCrafter: I'm so pleased that you are enjoying my blog, and that it has been helpful to you also.

Gail: Sounds like you are busy right now with the graduation cards. What a wonderful milestone in their lives. I had to laugh when you mentioned re-giving your husband last year's Father's Day Card. I think cards for men are difficult for many. It is so much easy to make a card with flowers. I need to focus on the masculine cards too. I will try to add more into my blog.

JoAnn: I love unusual cards too. Here are some you might like too:

Slider card

Never Ending Card

Accordion Fold Card

I haven't done much with shading and Stampin' Up! markers. I will do some research for you and see what I can find.

Thank you all for your comments and ideas.

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

Monday Inspiration: Questions for You

Hi Everyone,

Today, I thought I would post two questions to all of you and hope that you will respond by leaving a comment.

What project are you currently working on?

Are there any tutorials you would like to see on my blog?

I'm open to suggestions, and always looking for new ideas. It is of great interest to me to see what others are making. Look forward to your responses.

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

My First Gable Box

I'm so excited to show you photos of my first ever Gable Box. All it took was one 8 1/2" x 11" piece of card stock. It was so easy to make too. Definitely going to do a tutorial for you on this project. I teach classes on Saturday and Monday, so not exactly sure when I will be able to post. It will be worth the wait, I promise.

I see so many uses for this type of box. You could use it as a bridal shower favor, a wedding favor, a party favor, or even as a box to hold a small gift. If you put candy or cookies in the box and they are unwrapped, I would highly recommend putting them in a plastic goodie bag.


This is the side profile of the gable box.


This is the back profile of the gable box.


This is the gable box sitting up. Box is 3" wide by 6" high. The white accent piece is 2 1/2" wide by 3" high. I watermarked the box card stock using versamark ink.

Stampin' Up! Products Used:
Orchid Opulence Card Stock, item #100969 (this color is retiring)
Orchid Opulence Classic Ink, item #101859 (this color is retiring)
Whisper White Card Stock, item #100730
Pocket Silhouettes Stamp Set, item #111672
Ever After Stamp Set, item #113401
1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Whisper White, item #109025

Over the last year I have used the Pocket Silhouettes Stamp Set a great deal. It is one of my favorites. I used the flowers stamped with versamark ink on the card stock for the box.

Ever After Stamp Set I think is such an elegant stamp set. I love the swirls and the details in the heart. It is the perfect stamp for a wedding card, bridal shower, or anniversary.

If you have any questions, please be sure and ask. Don't forget too that you can order Stampin' Up! products from my Stampin' Up! website 24/7 just by CLICKING HERE.


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

Salt Technique, More Samples

Thought it would be fun to show you a couple more of the Salt Technique cards. I made these last night and will be doing them at my classes this coming week. I love how you can mix and match colors and all the different designs the salt technique creates.

Stampin' Up! Products Used:

Classic Color Refills: Pale Plum (item #101268), Gable Green (item#101735), and Ballet Blue (item #101713)
Ballet Blue Classic Ink, item #100907
Elegant Eggplant Classic Ink, item #105210
Gable Green Card Stock, item #102795
Pale Plum Card Stock, item #101658
Designer Brad, Circle, item #112571
Organza Ribbon, Whisper White, item #114319
Vintage Vogue Stamp Set, item #117690 - wood mount OR item #118598 - clear mount

If you need directions on how to do the salt technique, please CLICK HERE.

If you do not already have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and would like a copy of the Summer Mini Catalog, please e-mail me (link at top of the screen) with your mailing information and I will mail it out to you as soon as possible. Please DO NOT leave this information in the comment section.

If you would like to see the Summer Mini pdf file on-line instead, please CLICK HERE.

Hope you all have a wonderful day. Contact me if you have any questions or would like to place an order. Remember that you can order on-line 24/7 by clicking HERE.

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

Monday Inspiration: Pansy Flower Tutorial

The other night at our team meeting, Judy showed us how to make pansies using the Stampin' Up! Butterfly Punch. Tina Sieben's pansies were a great inspiration too. Aren't these wonderful. I made these tonight. They are quick and easy to do. They are made by watercoloring the butterflies than layering them. One key ingredient to the rich, deep colors is the use of Stampin' Up! Watercolor Paper. It truly makes a BIG difference in how things look after painting them.

Stampin' Up! Items Used:

Butterfly Punch, item #116629
5-Petal Flower Punch, item #109041
Vintage Brads, item #109109
Aqua Painter, item #103954
Stampin' Dimensionals, item #104430
Elegant Eggplant Classic Ink Refill, item #105222
Perfect Plum Classic Ink Refill, item #102107
Summer Sun Classic Ink Refill, item #101231
Watercolor Paper, item #105019
....paper is 3 3/4" x 5" and comes 20 sheets to a package. They are 100% cotton, cold-pressed 140 lb watercolor paper.



Above is the card that Judy made at our team meeting.


Here's one I made last night similar to Judy's. I sponged the edges of the card stock with the Elegant Eggplant Classic Ink. The half pearls are from:

Pretties Kit, item #109114


This card was made using the Big Shot Die Cut Machine, item #113439
Scallop Circle BigZ die, item #113468
Scallop Circle #2 BigZ die, item #113469
Rhinestone Brad, item # 109110 (circle of fire)
Elegant Eggplant 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, item #109039

I layered the pansies with dimensionals to raise them up off of the card. I really like how rich and elegant this card looks.

Because I was using darker cardstock for the base, I glued in a Summer Sun piece of cardstock so that a note could be written and easily read.

Now I have two videos for your viewing that show how to make the pansy flower. Be sure to watch both part 1 and part II. If you are reading this via e-mail, you will need to come to my blog to view the videos.



....



Hope you enjoyed the tutorial and the cards for Monday's Inspiration.

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

Happy Mother's Day

Mothers - Author unknown

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
They don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
Are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
Filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough
Doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know what
The vacuum just sucked up....

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
And get their answer when a little
Voice says, 'Because I love you best..'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth
Is not measured by height or years or grade...
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother.....

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn’t know everything!

14 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother? She wouldn’t have a clue.
.
16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's so five minutes ago.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom...

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair..

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she
Shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!


Happy Mother's Day.

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

Starburst Flower Tutorial

The other night we had a Stampin' Up! Team Meeting here at my home. They are always such fun, and a great opportunity to share ideas with each other. Judy Gielniak who is one of my up-lines showed us how to make a Starburst using the Scallop Circle Punch. I just knew I had to pass this on to you, so created a video to show how to make it.

Then I went a step further and added in my own touches using the following Stampin' Up! paper punches:
Scallop Circle Punch, item #109043
5-Petal Flower Punch, item #109041
Boho Blossoms Punch, item #110711

I'm going to show you how I made my flower first. The video for the Starburst will be at the end of this blog entry. Remember if you are reading this via e-mail, you will only be able to see the video from my blog .. it doesn't show in the e-mail itself.


Here's my completed flower, shown above. I've layered 5 designs and a brad to create it.


The white piece is actually the scallop done with printer paper in my video tutorial. Figured I might as well use it since it was the right shape, color. Here's my paper punches and all of the shapes punched out. Use any color combination you would like. There is no right or wrong choices.


Step 1: Layer the Starburst onto the white scallop circle using SNAIL adhesive.


Step 2: Now layer the 5-Petal Flower on top of that using SNAIL adhesive.

Step 3: Layer the largest of the Boho Blossoms on top of the 5-Petal Flower using SNAIL adhesive.

Step 4: Layer the smallest of the Boho Blossoms on next using SNAIL adhesive.

Step 5: Using the Mat Pack and a Paper Piercer, poke a hole into the middle of the flower. Be sure to go thru to the hard base of the Mat Pack. Keep flowers, together and poke in the brad you want to use to accent the flower.

Here's your flower completed. Think of all of the variations you can do just by changing out the colors on the paper. If you do not want white as your base, punch out a scallop circle in the color of choice.

Take a moment to watch the video too. You are going to love how easy it is to make the Starburst using the Scallop Circle Punch.



If you have any questions or would like to place a Stampin' Up! order, please contact me directly (e-mail link is at top of this page) or go to my Stampin' Up! on-line store by clicking HERE.

Have a wonderful weekend. It will be very special with Mothers' Day on Sunday.

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

One Style - 4 Unique Cards

I decided to use the same template (idea) for a card and show you how we can make four of them uniquely different.

Stampin' Up! Products Used:
Card bases were made using Bermuda Bay and Crushed Curry Card Stock.
Accent card stock is Dusty Durango.
Sentiment was stamped using Bermuda Bay Classic Ink on Whisper White Card Stock.
Versamark Ink was used for watermarking.
Chocolate Chip Classic ink for some of the stamping.
Bermuda Bay Polka Dot Ribbon was an accent on one of the cards.
Sentiments are from Favorite Thoughts Stamp Set, item in the Summer Mini Catalog.

Card base is 4 1/4" x 11". Fold in half.
Attach the Dusty Durango piece ... 2 3/4" x 4 1/4"
Whisper White is 1 3/4" x 2 1/4"
This one is a basic card.

Exact same template on this one except that I used Versamark to stamp "crowns" and tiny flowers to create my own designer cardstock. Crown is from the stamp set called: Princess Time, item #116720. Versamark is clear sticky (when wet) ink that if often used for embossing projects. When used alone it deepens the color of the card stock giving it a watermark effect as it dries. It does not work well with very dark colors tho. The watermark adds a visual interest to the card.

This card was set up the same way, except the Dusty Durango Paper was given an Eyelet Border using the Eyelet Border Paper Punch, item #113692. The compass was stamped using Chocolate Chip Classic Ink. The compass is part of the Sentimental Journey Stamp Set in the Summer Mini Catalog, item #118513 - wood mount OR item #120075 - clear mount.


The final example uses the same style but I've added a bit more accessories to it. I used the Butterfly Punch, item #116629 and punch out 3 butterflies -- designer series paper of your choice. Used the Eyelet Border punch on the card base accenting underneath with dusty durango card stock (1 1/2" x 5 1/2". Also added in a bit of Bermuda Bay 1/2" Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, item #115610. The watermark images were done in Versamark using the Eastern Blooms Stamp Set, item #111626. I also added a bit of glitter glue to make the butterfly bodies.

The stamp set called Favorite Thoughts, item #116968 - Wood Mount or item #120048 - Clear mount is a set of 4 stamps. There are in the Summer Mini Catalog. The quotes in this stamp set are:

There is nothing wrong with the world that a sensible woman could not settle in an afternoon - Jean Giraudoux

Don't treat me any differently than you would a Queen!

WELL-BEHAVED WOMEN SELDOM MAKE HISTORY - LAUREL THATCHER ULRICH

A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water. - Eleanor Roosevelt

Have a great week. Hope you enjoyed the 4 cards.

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