December Card Swap

This is the card that I created for the monthly swap that I participate in. Our challenge for this month was to use patterned paper and create a card with an alternate fold. Since the swap is due tomorrow, and I am just now working on it, I didn't have time to design a card with a creative fold. Instead, I opted to use SU!'s slit punch. I have done this before and sometimes place a brad in the center of the half circle. This card was actually quite simple to create once I figured out the layout, colors and design. ** If anyone is interested, we are always accepting new people into our swap group. We each make 5 cards, mail them to the Swap Coordinator, and in return receive 5 other cards. The Swap Coordinator does offer monthly challenges as a way to keep everyone engaged. Let me know if you'd like to join our group.

New Email Address

I've changed my email address to mjstampscrap@att.net

I'll be posting some pictures and card samples later this week.

Winter Card Samples

So, I finally had some time this weekend to play with some of the new items I purchased from Stampin' Up! recently. These cards both use the Winter Post stamp set from the Holiday Mini-Catalog. I also used the Ski Slope Designer Series Paper and Felt Flurries (small) from the Holiday Mini. I love the felt flurries. It is incredibly easy to spruce up a card with just a few snowflakes. I also tried out the Chit Chat Rub-On's. I've used rub-on's before in my scrapbooking but never on cards. It's a great way to add words to your cards and sooo easy.

New Blog to Check Out

So, I've been surfing through SplitCoast looking at ideas. One card that really caught my eye directed me to the creator's blog. If you like to create detailed cards, check out this blog: http://jenniferssweettreatdesigns.blogspot.com. She uses supplies from a variety of manufacturers but they turn out absolutely incredible. There is also a link on her blog to the Copic markers website. I don't have these markers yet but they seem to be very popular with a log of the stampers at SplitCoast.

September Weddings

We had two wedding this month. I made cards for both of them using patterned paper from a retired Designer Series paper called Le Jardin. I liked the romatic look of the swirls and doves and the words "Mon Amie". One of the couples had taken a trip to Paris last year so that was another reason I chose this paper. The square card uses beads and a hat pin from the Pretties Kit. The chocolate ribbon is satin and the white ribbon is taffeta. I covered the top portion of the patterned paper with vellum to soften the look. The rectangular card uses build a brads and vanilla and blue organdy ribbon. For some reason the scanner kept cutting off the very bottom portion of the card. The matting does go around the entire card.

World Card Making Day

To celebrate this event, I will be holding my next 10 for $10 on Monday, October 6th at 6:00 p.m. Make 10 cards for $10 and bring your own adhesive. I do have Tombo Monoadhesive for for purchase for $4 and refills for $2.50. Also, check out the link to the left for the 20% off specials that Stampin' Up! is offering for the week of October 4 - 11 to celebrate World Card Making Day. I will have sample Simply Sent kits on hand for anyone interested in looking at them.

Demonstrators Need Practice Too

The winner!
#1 #2 #3

I came up with the idea for this card as a way to use the Moonlighting technique for stamp club this month. I wasn't too happy with the first card, so I kept trying. The card on top is the one I like the best (although, if it wasn't so late, I probably would have had one more try at perfecting it). I started out with #1. I didn't like the way the moonlight reflected off the front of the pumpkin. I couldn't quite figure out how to change that so I made #2 and figured I would highlight the pumpkins rather than try to create the effect of moonlight. I moved on to #3 and added leaves and changed the background ink so that the bottom of the card was sponged with olive and cocoa. I purposely kept the pumpkins out of the moonlight (Thanks Jane for pointing this out to me.) but I still didn't like the leaves sticking out in the moonlight. The final version is the best. I figured out that it looks better if the background isn't too dark. You'll notice that the other three cards have darker backgrounds and this is why the "reflection" sticks out so much. The reflection isn't as noticeable with the lighter background. If I do make another version, I am going to try keeping the background light around the moon but then darkening it as I sponge farther away from the circle. Here is the link to the Moonlighting technique tutorial: http://stampspaperscissors.typepad.com/stamps_paper_scissors/2008/08/im-moonlighting.html

New SU! Products Card Sample

This card was made using a number of new SU! products. The large ribbon is the new 1" double-stitched ribbon in the new In-Color Baja Breeze. The ribbon slides are from the new Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware kit. The pink paper is Bella Rose Designer Series Paper. The flowers on the top are felt from the new Flowers Fusion Too - Accents and Elements kit. The brad in the middle is the new filigree brads. You'll notice I didn't stamp at all on this card. It was very easy to make.

September Stamp Club Samples

These are two of the cards that we made today for stamp club. They both use the Eastern Blooms stamp set. The first one uses the "Emerging Color" technique. I will add the directions to this technique in a post later this week. The second card was quite easy to make. We used the Die Cut Blooms that SU! sells. The red and orange flower in the middle is made using these pre-cut blooms. This card also features some of the new ribbon in the new Idea Book as well as the new Pacific Point In-Color. All the cards and supplies will be posted in my gallery at SplitCoast later this week.

August 10 for $10 Card Samples

These are two of the cards that we made at the 10 for $10 earlier this week. All of the cards are posted in my gallery, along with a list of supplies, at SplitCoast Stampers.

Moonlight Sail

I was tasked to make two retirement cards for two guys I don't know very well. I have this Winds of Grace set and so thought it would be a good set to use. I checked out Splitcoast and looked at other sample cards made with this set and found this idea. I was intrigued with the moonlight on the card so checked out the link for the tutorial. I am pasting the link here in case you are interested: http://stampspaperscissors.typepad.com/stamps_paper_scissors/2008/08/im-moonlighting.html. It is actually quite simple. I think we'll be doing this technique for Stamp Club in September.

Never-Before-Seen Special

Click on the link to the left, under Stampin' Up! Specials and Information, to see Stampin' Up's! latest special called the Never-Before-Seen Special. They are offering 15% off selected stamp sets from the new Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book. These prices are good through September 30th.

I was inspired by watching the Olympics yesterday so decided to pull out the pad of asian-styled paper (called The Far East Stack) that I had bought at a local craft store a few months ago and use it for my August swap. This card was really quite simple to make. The most challenging part was applying the Crystal Effects to the main image.

August 10 for $10

I have scheduled the August 10 for $10 on Monday, August 25th at 6:00 p.m. at my house. Same as always: cost is $10, bring your own adhesive or purchase Tombo Permanent Monoadhesive here for $4 or a refill for $2.50. Please RSVP by Wednesday, August 20th.

Silly Face

Okay, so I decided to post one more of the samples from my July Stamp Club meeting. I just love this silly face!

July Stamp Club Samples

These are a couple of the cards that we made at the July meeting of my Stamp Club. We tried pastel embossing on the flower card. It's really quite simple. You can find the tutorial at the following link: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ee/index.php/resources/tutorials/pastel_embossing/. For the dragonfly card, my goal was to create some cards using the Pick a Petal stamp set, but not make any flower cards. I found some great ideas in the Pick a Petal gallery at Splitcoast. If you haven't been to my gallery at Splitcoast, here's the link (you can also find it on the menus ot the left of this blog entry): http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=10498 or to the Splitcoast website in general, you are definitely missing out! There is a wealth of information, ideas and samples on this site. Check it out at www.splitcoaststampers.com .

Hula Penguin Card

This was the card that I created my July submission for the swap that I participate in. I purchased this stamp and patterned paper at a local craft store with the specific intent of using them for my swap. I took the layout idea from the Aug/Sept 2008 issue of Papercrafts magazines. If you don't subscribe to any crafting magazines, I highly recommend Papercrafts. I perked up the image with clear Stickles and the used Crystal Effects on the background to make the waves "pop".

Altered Version of Flag Card

One of the other stampers in the monthly swap that I participate in, liked the patriotic card I submitted for the June swap. She took my creation and altered it to create her own version of the card. I like how she used white ink for the words. I also like the way she draped the ribbon on the bottom blue card that is shown here. I posted my sample a couple of weeks ago so you can check it out on this blog, just scroll down to "Blog by Topic" and choose "Card Samples".

June 10 for $10 Samples

These are three of the cards that we made at the 10 for $10 a couple of weeks ago. For those of you that have been customers of mine for a while, you might recognize the patriotic card. We made it a couple of years ago. It is one of my favorites and, since everyone that attended in June hadn't made it before, I decided to recreate it. Check out my gallery at SplitCoast for all ten cards as well as the supplies we used.

Card Sample from Swap

This is one of the cards that I got from the card swap that I participate in. It might be difficult to tell in this picture but the maker of this card used glossy white cardstock for the main image and the scalloped circle in the lower left corner. Firstly, I love the huge flower stamp. Second, I had forgotten the way that colors blend on glossy cardstock. I think she might have used the baby wipe technique. The colors look so great together.

Swap Card Sample

I created this card for my June swap submission. I found a card using the flag stamp on Split Coast Stampers and that is what inspired me to make this one. The red ribbon is something I picked up at a stationary store on clearance just after Valentine's Day. I knew it would make a good addition to my stamping supplies.

Iris Twist Tutorial

I have been delayed in posting the Iris Folding tutorial because I haven't been able to scan the pattern. I still plan to have it posted, perhaps by the end of the week. In the meantime, there is a similar tutorial available on Split Coast Stampers, called Iris Twist. It is a lot simpler and less bulky than the Iris Fold technique. Check it out...

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/iristwist.php

Iris Fold Technique - Card Sample

I created this card this morning. I wanted to try the Iris Fold technique that they profiled in a recent publication for SU! demonstrators. The folding turned out very nice, but thick. I don't know if I like the way I blended the different colors. It still needs something but I haven't figured out what, yet. Anyway, I will post a tutorial for this technique tomorrow.

Update on My Postings

I have been posting like mad the last couple of days. I have finally had time to clean house in terms of my stamping supplies. I have posted pictures on many, many used and new retired stamp sets that I am selling.

However, I have also posted a few card samples as well as a tutorial for faux wood. To find specific topics, scroll to the bottom of the menu on the left and choose a topic under the "Browse Blog by Topic" menu heading.

For Sale: Very Punny, The World Over

Very Punny $14 ------------The World Over $14

Stamp Set Condition: All Sets NEW

FOR SALE: Small Script, Around the Block

Small Script $8 (2 available) ---------- Around the Block $10

Stamp Set Condition: All Sets NEW

FOR SALE: Snowflake, Send a Celebration, Alphabet Soup

Snowflake $5 -------------------- Send a Celebration $12 -------------- Alphabet Soup $12

Stamp Set Condition: Snowflak - WELL USED; Send a Celebration - NEW (3 available), Alphabet Soup - NEW (2 available)

FOR SALE - Packages of 8 1/2 x 11 Cardstock

These are the same packages sold by Stampin' Up! so the assortments are by color family. These packs were purchased prior to the 2006 Idea Book in which they changed some of the colors. Some of the colors will be different than what is currently in the catalog.

Earth Elements $7 - 1 package available
Bold Brights $7 - 1 package available

FOR SALE: Tags So Much, Too Terrific Tags, Painted Posies

Tags So Much $7 --- Too Terrific Tags $6 used, $12 new --- Painted Posies $14

Stamp Set Condition: Tags So Much - LIKE NEW; Too Terrific Tags - SLIGHTLY USED (1 available), NEW (2 available); Painted Posies - NEW (2 available)

FOR SALE: Tag Alongs

Tag Alongs $8

Stamp Set Condition: LIKE NEW

Create a Faux Wood Look for your Projects

This was another card that we made at our May Stamp Club meeting. I found this design in another gallery at Split Coast Stampers and decided we had to make it. Thanks to Diana Gibbs for the idea and the tutorial. Diana has some great samples and ideas on her blog. She also includes everyday chit-chat. Just check out the "Categories" in the right column of her blog to be taken directly to card samples, tutorials, etc.

Diana's blog: http://dianagibbs.typepad.com/stampin_with_di/

Faux Wood Tutorial - by Diana Gibbs

"Wood" you like to know... how to add a faux wood finish to your cards or scrapbook pages?
It's pretty easy to do.

You will need a Vanilla and Close to Cocoa Craft Pad, and a piece of More Mustard card stock . You want to make sure the craft pads are juicy and not dry.

Drag your Vanilla inkpad on the piece of More Mustard cardstock so it leaves streaks, next drag the Close to Cocoa Pad, the same way and in the same direction. (it is important to do the Close to Cocoa pad second, if you do it first then your Vanilla pad will be a mess with Close to Cocoa ink in it - ya think I am talking from experience eh?). You will see the More Mustard card stock showing through in areas in between the Vanilla and Close to Cocoa streaks. Let it dry. You can be working on the rest of your card while it dries.

Once it is dry, cut your More Mustard paper into strips about 3/4" wide, you want the grain to be going length ways, just like a wood floor. Glue the strips to a piece of card stock, it does not matter what color because you won't see it anyway, it is just the base for your strips.

Tip: When you are gluing your strips down, don't be skimpy on the adhesive, (MJ's suggestion: Use a heavy duty adhesive instead of your regular adhesive. I used Tombo Mono Adhesive Power Bond. You could also use Sticky Strip.) you want those strips to stay put. Make sure to alternate them so there are seams in different places, and so that you have different pieces next to others. (MJ's suggestion: Place the seams towards the sides of the card, not all in the middle. I started out with most of the the seams in the middle and then realized they were covered up when I added the stamped toolbox image.) For example put a piece that has a darker streak next to a lighter streak, it will look more natural, and emphasize the seams.

Then you want to trim your card stock with all the strips glued on it, to the size you need for the card, this is why gluing the strips really well is important otherwise you will have little pieces of faux wood all over your table once you start to cut the card stock.

I used a Basic Black Stampin' Write marker and added some nail holes. If you did this as a scrapbook page and used larger strips you could actually use brads for the nail holes, but for a card the marker works best.

Stamp and color your image that you want on the card. Here I used the stamp set "For Father", I love it! It goes perfect with the faux wood because of the wooden tool box in the set.

I also used a piece of left over "wood", and made a plank to put the greeting on the card. I just cut the edges with scissors to make it look jagged, I glued it to a piece of Basic Black card stock to emphasize the slices on the end, and glue dotted it to the front of the image.

June 10 for $10

I will be holding the next 10 for $10 on Tuesday, June 17th at 6:00 p.m. As always, we will make 10 cards for a cost of $10. You are responsible for bringing your own adhesive. I do have Tombo Mono adhesive cartridges ($3.75) and refills ($2.25) for purchase. Please RSVP by Wednesday, June 11th.

May Stamp Club Card Samples

These are just two of the cards that we created in Stamp Club this week. The "spring" one was very simple but I love the way it turned out. I used a flower and pearl from SU!'s Pretties Kit for the pink card. It was the first time I had used the kit. It was very easy to dye the flower the color that I wanted. The flowers are very versatile and by dyeing them yourself, you get to decide how dark or light you want it. I'm going to play around with the dyeing aspect a little more, maybe try using two ink colors instead of one or stamping on the flower instead of dyeing it.

FOR SALE - Close to Nature, Gently Falling, Shapes

Close to Nature $4 --Gently Falling $7 used, $12 new -- (No Name) Shapes $5

Stamp Set Condition: Close to Nature - SLIGHTLY USED; Gently Falling - SLIGHTLY USED (1 available), NEW (1 available); (No Name) Shapes - LIKE NEW

FOR SALE - Fun Filled, Fresh Flowers, Smorgasborders, Paint Prints

Fun Filled $7 -------- Fresh Flowers $10 --------Smorgasborders $6 -----Paint Prints $14

Stamp Set Condition: Fun Filled - SLIGHTLY USED; Fresh Flowers - LIKE NEW; Smorgasborders - SLIGHTLY USED; Paint Prints - NEW

FOR SALE: A is for Adorable, A Little Love, Best Blossoms, Mini Messages

A is for Adorable $8 -- A Little Love $6 -- Best Blossoms $7 used, $12 new -- Mini Messages $7

Stamp Set Condition: All are SLIGHTLY USED, except for the NEW sets (1 available) of Best Blossoms