DSP Flower Pen

My upline, Kim Peck, had a pizza party and stamp night for her first level last month to celebrate our $1 million milestone (that's $1 million as a whole between all her first level demonstrators). It was so fun to visit with my sidelines and get to stamp projects that I didn't have to prepare myself! All of the projects were top notch. The first one was this DSP Flower Pen.

I was too busy stamping to write down all the measurements, sorry! Basically, we took three strips of different Designer Series Paper and made cuts from one end down to about 1/2" from the other end. We used a long piece of Sticky Strip to adhere it to the top of the pen (as shown in the image to the right). We started with the shortest piece at the top and then started the next piece a little lower and the next a little lower on the tip of the pen.

The vase is a glass candle holder prettied up with a piece of DSP and ribbon. There were chocolate kisses inside, but well, they didn't last long! They would nicely hold the pen up if they were still in there. Actually, I think I did leave just a few so that the pen would stamp up.

Supplies: Raspberry Tart DSP, Old Olive Patterns DSP, 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Melon Mambo Polka Dot Ribbon

Friday Freebie #3 & Rubber Rummage Sale Update

Happy Friday! I really like starting the weekend by giving something away! This is so fun! And I am especially enjoying all the great comments you are leaving me throughout the week!

For those of you new to my Friday Freebies -- each Friday I will choose one person to win my freebie (which may range from a stamped project to free product). I will choose the winner from all of the comments left on other posts during the previous week (Saturday-Thursday).

Today, I took pictures of all my retired stamp sets this afternoon and updated my "Virtual Rubber Rummage Sale". Check out these clearance-priced Stampin' Up! stamp sets at
http://picasaweb.google.com/julienne.davison/GarageSale#

For this week's Friday Freebie, I am giving away a $5 or under stamp sets (winner's choice) from my Rubber Rummage Sale -- OR-- $5 off a larger Rubber Rummage Sale purchase.

And the winner is...

Carrie Gaskin, who commented on my Poppin' Pastels Peacock card:

Lovely, that peacock was made for pastels!

July 27, 2009 9:04 AM

Carrie, please email me your selection. (My email address is in the blog header at the top of this page.) Note: If there are not any $5 stamp sets left by the time you see this, I'll give you a couple other options from my stash.

Get Whale Soon Gel Card

I've been wanting to make a gel card with the whale from the new Animal Stories stamp set and Stacey's new Curtain Call Color Challenge was the perfect opportunity! I used her monochromatic color combo to keep this card looking clean and simple.

I used a pocket of hair gel to create the illusion of water over the whale. Click here for more information about the water/gel technique.

I used two different circle punches to create the waves at the top of the card and punched the greeting from Pun Fun with the Word Window Punch.

Supplies: Animal Stories, Pun Fun, Night of Navy ink & cardstock, Not Quite Navy ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, 2-Way Glue, Dazzling Diamonds, Hair Gel, Small Ziploc Baggie, Stampin' Dimensionals

Friends 24-7 Project Duo

I resisted this stamp set for a long time, and I'm so long I finally broke down and got it. I LOVE it! It's so easy to get that "vintage" look by combining the elements for this stamp set. Here's a project duo I created for one of my downline's make and take kits. I did the box first and ended up using no embellishments on it, that I made a quick 3x3 card to go with it.

The box is my favorite...I stamped the background in Versamark and then the flowers over it in Chocolate Chip and watercolored it with a blender pen and the Ruby Red and Mellow Moss ink pads. It's the Box #2 die for the Big Shot. I just love that die!

Supplies: Friends 24-7, Ruby Red ink & cardstock, Chocolate Chip ink & cardstock, Mellow Moss ink, Versamark ink, Kraft cardstock, Blender Pen, 2-Way Glue, Dazzling Diamonds, Gold Brads, Mat Pack/Paper Piercer, Box #2 die for the Big Shot

Order this stamp set and other Stampin' Up! products online at http://juliedavison.stampinup.net

Stampin' Up! Seminar in Cincinnati Open to Guests

Anyone in the Cincinnati area -- or the Springfield or Champaign areas that would like to hitch a ride with me...Stampin' Up!'s one-day seminar in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 12th just opened up for guest registration!

The $75 guest registration fee covers a boxed lunch, a brand new stamp set from the Holiday Mini catalog, 6 make and takes with that stamp set, stamping technique and product presentations, door prizes, and the opportunity to learn more about the demonstrator experience. (Guests do not have to be a demonstrator, nor is there any obligation to sign up.)

Stampin' Up! hold seminars like this throughout the country every year. They do not always have room for guests, but this time they do!

Please send me an email if you are interested in attending with me. (My email address is in my blog banner at the top of this page.)

The seminar is on Saturday, September 12th from 8am - 4pm. We will be driving over Friday evening from Champaign and will stay in a hotel. We will drive back Saturday evening. I hope you can join us!

Poppin' Pastels Peacock

We made this matchbook-style card in Stamp Club this month. Poppin' Pastels is a classic technique, and a very easy way to produce a multi-color image with minimal effort.

Supplies: Very Thankful stamp set,Versmark Ink Pad, 4-1/4” x 11” Bermuda Bay cardstock, scored at 5” & 10-1/4”, 2” x 2-1/2” Whisper White cardstock, 2-1/4” x 2-3/4” Crushed Curry cardstock, 1-1/2” x 4” Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, Bermuda Bay scrap cardstock, Photo Corner Punch, Mini Glue Dots, Stapler

Instructions:

1. Fold the bottom ¾” of the Bermuda Bay cardstock and add a staple in the middle near the bottom to create a matchbook style card.
2. Stamp the peacock in Versamark ink on Whisper White cardstock. Use the q-tips to spread Stampin’ Pastels chalk over the Versamark ink to create a multi-colored peacock. Adhere this piece to the Crushed Curry cardstock.
3. Punch a Photo Corner from the Bermuda Bay scrap cardstock. Adhere it to the corner of the peacock embellishment using Mini Glue Dots. (Note: SNAIL is not strong enough to hold it, make sure to use Mini Glue Dots.)
4. Adhere Razzleberry Lemonade DSP to the front of the card. Adhere the peacock over the DSP using Stampin’ Dimensionals.
   

Word Window Pocket Treat Tutorial

This is a classic little treat package that I brought back out of the archives for my Stamp Club this month. We used the Word Window punch to create a little pocket to put a treat -- in this case a little Hershey bar.

Click here for step-by-step instructions and measurements for making this project.

Who can resist this little turtle!?! Isn't he the cutest?

You'll love this Very Thankful set of four and when you purchase it, Stampin' Up! will donate $2 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Go to my website to place your online order for this and other Stampin' Up! supplies: http://juliedavison.stampinup.net (Just click "Shop Now").Supplies: Very Thankful stamp set, Family Phrases, Real Red marker & cardstock, Certainly Celery marker & cardstock, Old Olive marker & cardstock, Jet Black Staz-On Ink, Whisper White cardstock, Scallop Edge Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, So Tweet Chipboard, Sticky Strip

Friday Freebie #2

I decided I like giving away freebies and prizes so much that I'm going to start doing it EVERY week! Every Friday, I will choose 1 winner to receive a prize -- the prize will change every week and will likely be a hand-stamped project, but may occasionally be product or a card kit.

How can you win? Each Friday, I will choose a random winner from the comments posted on my blog posts from earlier in the week. So, to get entered in next week's drawing, leave me a comment on your favorite project over the course of the next week. Comments posted between Saturday and Thursday of the previous week are eligible for each Friday Freebie drawing.

This week's freebie is a trio of projects using the new RMHC Stamp Set Very Thankful. The first project is the Catalog CASE card I posted last Saturday. The second project is this thankful turtle treat.

I intended to post the instructions for this project tonight, but when I sat down to work on it, I found that all the photos I took are blurry (including the one above, sorry!). So I have to wait for daylight to retake the photos. Watch for the tutorial tomorrow...

The third project in this freebie trio is another card and will be posted on Sunday, so watch for more "Very Thankful" fun coming soon. (You can order this great stamp set and other Stampin' Up! supplies on my website at http://juliedavison.stampinup.net.)

In the meantime, can I get a drumroll, please? The winner of this Friday's Freebie is:

Caryl P, who commented on my Record Low Temperatures card said...

What a fab xmas in July card! I love the glittered snow you added to the snowmen. Can't wait to get that set....

July 21, 2009 7:46 AM

Caryl, send me an email with your mailing address and I will mail out your goodies early next week. (My email address is in my blog banner.)

Good Dreams Mini Album

I know this may seem kind of silly to some of you, but I know there are others out there like me who are always checking numbers and ranking and hits. Now, I'm certainly not OBSESSED with these things, but I do keep tabs on them...

When I started my blog, I registered with StampingTop50.com. I know that not every website or blog is registered with this site, so it's not completely accurate and to be honest, I'm not really sure I understand all the details of how they determine rankings...but I dreamed of being in the Top 100. When I started, it was in the 900's and I watched it slowly climb up in ranking. Every now in then it would make a big jump and occasionally, it would go back down. I've been going up and down between 106 and 101 for the last several weeks or so and was happily surprised when I checked this morning and found the magic number: 100! Woo hoo!

Here's a project for all of you with dreams and aspirations -- "It's Good to Dream"!

This little Mini Album is made up of two strips of cardstock: 3" x 9" and 3" x 10", each scored every 3". The extra 1" tab adhered behind one strip to make one long album. The panels are decorated with pieces from the Razzleberry Lemonade DSP and I used the Razzle Dazzle stamp set to further decorate it.

The sentiment on the front is punched with the new Modern Label Punch. I was going to add brads on the side, but it was too overwhelmed. I like the way the simple holes mimic the look for a brad.

Supplies: Razzle Dazzle, Rich Razzleberry ink & cardstock, Crushed Curry ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, Modern Label Punch, 1/16" Hole Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip

Record Low Temperatures

We had a little cold snap over the weekend with near-record low temperatures for July. It wasn't cold enough for snowmen, but I just can't wait until winter to post this cute snowman card! I used two hostess sets: Level 3 The More the Merrier (the snowmen) and the Level 2 Christmas Punch (snowflakes). I didn't catch this at first, but my upline pointed out that the snowflake stamp will fit perfectly in the Boho Blossoms punch to punch out the snowflakes!! WahoO! I love coordinating punches!

Supplies: The More the Merrier, Christmas Punch, Whisper White cardstock, Basic Black ink, In Color Markers, Bermuda Bay cardstock, Melon Mambo cardstock, Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon, Linen Thread, Corner Rounder, 2-way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Stampin' Dimensionals

On a Pedestal Treats

I've been stamping up a storm this weekend, designing make and take kit projects for my downline and stamp club projects for next week. What fun! Can't wait to share all these new projects, but you'll have to wait until after Thursday so it can be a surprise to my club stampers.

Here are some projects I made using the new On the Pedestal stamp set and the new In Colors Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry.

The first one is a tent treat like the Happy Heart Day one I did last year. Click here for the instructions. The measurements on this one are a tad different, but the concept is all the same.

The second box has made using Jackie Topa's Matchbox Lid Box pattern, which uses the Matchbox die (the bottom of the matchbox) to make a lid for a larger box. I love, love, love multiple uses for dies, so I was thrilled to see what Jackie created! Here's my version with On a Pedestal:

Supplies: On a Pedestal, Polka Dot Background, Melon Mambo marker/ink & cardstock, Crushed Curry marker/ink & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, Matchbox die for the Big Shot, Paper Crimper, Silver Brads, 1/16" Hole Punch, Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon

Catalog CASE

Each time a new catalog comes out, I challenge my downline to "CASE the Catalog" -- in other words -- copy a sample from Idea Book & Catalog and change the stamp set and/or the colors, but use the same layout. After all, half the fun of a new catalog is the brand new samples to inspire our creative minds! Well, I'm a little late in participating, but I made this card last night for Stacey's Jewelry Color Inspiration #45.

I CASEd a card on page 44 of the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog. My finished card is 3-1/2" x 5-1/2".

Supplies: Very Thankful, Rich Razzleberry marker & cardstock, Lavender Lace marker, Ruby R ed marker & cardstock, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Linen Thread, 1/8" Hole Punch, Mini Glue Dots
This stamp is in the Very Thankful stamp set, the Ronald McDonald House Charities set. To order this stamp set or other supplies, visit my online store at http://juliedavison.stampinup.net (Click "Shop Now").

Friday Freebie #1

I decided I like giving away freebies and prizes so much that I'm going to start doing it EVERY week! Every Friday, I will choose 1 winner to receive a prize -- the prize will change every week and will likely be a hand-stamped project, but may occasionally be product or a card kit.

How can you win? Each Friday, I will choose a random winner from the comments posted on my blog posts from earlier in the week. So, to get entered in next week's drawing, leave me a comment on your favorite project over the course of the next week. Comments posted between Saturday and Thursday of the previous week are eligible for each Friday Freebie drawing.

I cleaned out my closet earlier this week and found some fun, older projects, including this Mini Envelope Album that I made in June 2007. You can find the instructions to make this album here.

And the Friday Freebie goes to...

Christyne (aka Apple Blossom), who commented on Quick Cupcakes Cards...

Cute, cute, CUTE!!!

July 15, 2009 6:38 AM

Please send me an email with your mailing address and I will mail the album to you!

Birthday Bonaza

While Jim was stamping my birthday card last night, I worked on Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge #56. I suggested that Jim also try her color challenge, but when he saw how many colors there were, he decided to leave the challenges to me! I was a little overwhelmed by the number of colors (six!) too, but when I sat down to use them, it came together so naturally that I actually made TWO cards!

Card #1:
Supplies: Love Bug (Level 1 Hostess Set), Teeny Tiny Wishes, Jet Black Staz-On ink pad, So Saffron marker, Real Red marker & cardstock, Pumpkin Pie marker, Certainly Celery marker, Ballet Blue marker & cardstock, Scallop Edge Punch, Sherbet Designer Buttons, Tall Tales DSP, Mini Glue Dots

Card #2:
Supplies: Birthday Wish, Ruby Red Craft Ink, So Saffron cardstock, Ballet Blue cardstock, Clear Embossing Powder, Certainly Celery Patterns DSP, Flower Fusion (felt flowers), Button Bouquet, 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, Top Note die for the Big Shot

Happy Birthday to Me!

Sorry for the quiet time yesterday and today...I meant to post last night, but then my husband asked to stamp with me and well...how could I say no to that?? Today is my birthday and he wanted to make me a card. I don't ask for much for my birthday. It used to be that I only asked for him to make me a cake (which he also did last night), but the last several years I've also asked for a hand-stamped card. And it figured out last year that he gets brownie points for stamping WITH me! (Check out last year's birthday card here.)

Here is the card that Jim made last night.


He was inspired by my last post, the cupcake card (he found it when he looked through my sample bucket). He liked the idea of a piece of DSP and then a circle embellishment. He asked questions (like where is Color Coach or how can I put glitter on it), but otherwise he did it all himself! He picked the colors to make it looks like strawberry cake with chocolate frosting. And he liked that piece of Storybook DSP because it looked like roses. He used the 1-3/4" Circle Punch to punch the cake and then glued it to the Ruby Red and hand-cut the border.

The finished card is 3-1/2" x 5-1/2".

Supplies: Fun & Fast Notes, Ruby Red marker & cardstock, Chocolate Chip marker & cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, Summer Sun marker, Basic Black ink, Storybook DSP, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 1-3/4" Circle Punch

Quick Cupcake Cards

Here are some more cards I made up at Mom's house over the 4th. I used the level 3 Hostess set called "The More the Merrier" and colored just one of the cupcakes from the row for each card, then I colored it in with the new In Color markers. I couldn't decide where to stamp the greeting. I think I like it better on the right side, under the cupcake.

The finished cards are 3-1/2" x 5-1/2".

Supplies: The More the Merrier, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Rich Razzleberry marker & cardstock, Crushed Curry marker, Melon Mambo marker, Basic Black marker, Whisper White Craft ink & cardstock, 1-1/4 & 1-3/8" Circle Punches, Scallop Circle Punch, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Very Thankful Turtle

Through the Making a Difference program, Stampin' Up! partnered with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). Each year, the company donates $100,000 to the organization. In addition, they design an exclusive stamp set to promote the partnership with RMHC, and donate a portion of the proceeds from the each sale of that set. To date, more than $95,000 has been donated from RMHC stamp set sales.

This year's stamp set, called Very Thankful, is featured on the inside back cover of the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog. This versatile set of four features different style stamps that all say "thank you". It was one of the first stamp sets on my list from the new catalog.


The finished card is 3-1/2" x 5-1/2".

Supplies: Very Thankful, Certainly Celery marker & cardstock, Old Olive marker & cardstock, Jet Black Staz-On Ink, Ruby Red Craft ink & marker, Whisper White cardstock, Sahara Sand marker, 2-way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Scallop Edge Punch, So Tweet Chipboard

To place an order for these supplies or other Stampin' Up! products, visit my website at http://juliedavison.stampinup.net/ and "Shop Now"

Razzleberry Butterfly Card

I debated whether or not to get the new Butterfly Punch, but ended up choosing it as part of my free hostess merchandise on a recent order. I just love free stuff! This punch coordinates perfectly with the Flight of the Butterfly stamp set.

Supplies: Flight of the Butterfly, Orchid Opulence ink & cardstock, Rich Razzleberry ink & cardstock, 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, Butterfly Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

To order these and other Stampin' Up! products, go to my website and "Shop Now" http://juliedavison.stampinup.net

Feeling Fallish

Stacey's Jewelry Color Inspiration Challenge #44 has me feeling sort of fall-ish! I used the new Level 1 Hostess set Holiday Best with the Cast-a-Spell DSP to create two cards for fall holidays.

Give Thanks is a 4" x 4" card. It was my second creation, but I think I like it better than the first. The design is very clean and simple.

Here's the other card, it's 3-1/2" x 5-1/2". I was having lots of issue with the ribbon and it didn't turn out quite the way I had planned.

Supplies: Holiday Best, Baroque Motifs, More Mustard ink/marker & cardstock, Perfect Plum marker, Really Rust marker & cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Cast-a-Spell DSP, 5/8" Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Earth Elements Brads, Wide Oval Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals