A Passion for Stamps

Would You Like to Receive My Monthly Stamping & Scrapbooking Newsletter?

 

 
Tree, Thoughts & Prayers Decor Elements (wall vinyl)



Hi stamp enthusiasts!

Are you a rubber stamping or scrapbooking enthusiast?  Do you share my passion for new ideas for making Stampin' Up! cards, scrapbook pages,  gift items?  Would you like to learn new stamping card or scrapbook techniques or tips to using crafting tools?  Would you like to stay on top of the classes I offer?  Maybe you have papercrafting questions you would like some answers to?  

If you answered YES to any of the above, then you will love my monthly A Passion For Stamps Newsletter that I send out to customers on my e-mail list!  The newletter includes everything I've already mentioned plus so much more-all of which are exclusive to my subscribers! 

Here are some of the features of the newsletter that as a subscriber,  you will receive every month:

• a CARD project (or two) 
• a SCRAPBOOK PAGE
• a TECHNIQUE (or two)
• a 3-D, HOME DECOR  OR GIFT project (or two)
  

**THE ABOVE ITEMS ALL INCLUDE A PHOTO, SUPPLY LIST, AND STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS!

• a Tool Tip (or several)
• a Featured Product of the Month
  
• New Product information
  
• Stampin' Up! News & Promotions
• My Upcoming Classes and Events
• Exclusive Specials, Discounts or Coupons
  
• Important Links
• Customer Q&A
  

It's truly a newsletter worth receiving and--it's FREE!  It's a way to keep my customers informed and to offer things I don't offer anywhere else.

If this sounds good to you,  now is the perfect time to subscribe to insure that you will receive my October Newsletter which will be coming out in the next few days!

TO SUBSCRIBE TO A PASSION FOR STAMPS NEWSLETTER:

Just add your e-mail address to the JOIN OUR CUSTOMER MAILING LIST BOX on the left sidebar! Enjoy!  Until next time...

Passionate About Stamping,

 

Challenged to Craft Your Own Cards? -Simply Sent Kits to the rescue!

Are you looking for a creative outlet?  Do you feel like you don't have time for crafting, although you would love to learn?  Or do you think it's hard and you won't be able to do it?  Maybe you are already a stamper, but you are just pressed for time or you just need help combining stamp sets, accessories and colors...

 

Well,  I have the perfect solution for you to get started with crafting your own cards-it's easy, fast and FUN!  How? With Stampin' Up!'s Simply Sent Kits! 

Simply Sent Kits are an excellent choice for someone new to crafting because they include the papers, embellishments, envelopes, PLUS photos and the step-by-step instructions you need to make 8 simple yet elegant cards!  There is a variety of basic themes so you can select a kit for any occasion! All you have to do is customize them and sent them out!  

You will need to purchase stamp sets, ink and adhesives separately, but each kit tells you which stamp set you will need and the colors the kit coordinate with, so you can order whichever inks you like.

Now that you know what Simply Sent Kits are, I have a special to tell you about!  During the month of October, if you buy two Simply Sent Kits, you will get a FREE coordinating stamp set!

Buy any two of the following Simply Sent Kits:

Page	Item	Description	Price
192	122375	Simply Sent Great Day	$12.95
193	122377	Simply Sent Everyday Elegance	$11.95
193	122376	Simply Sent Sweet Moments	$13.95

And get a FREE coordinating stamp set:

Page	Item	Description	Price
192	123682	It's Your Day	$8.95
192	124685	Es tu día (Spanish It's Your day)	$8.95
192	124800	C'est ta fête (French It's Your Day)	$8.95
193	123686	Everyday Wishes	$9.95
193	123684	You're Cherished	$8.95
193	124865	Chérissons les anges (French You're Cherished)	$8.95

Isn't that a great deal?  So-are you ready to give it a try? Remember, this deal is only good through October 31, do hurry!  If you need help you can always email me

If you would like to order online yourself, simply go HERE now.  Until next time,

Passionate about Stamping,

 

 

 

 

Halloween M&M Stix Goodies Double as Fall/Thanksgiving Home Decor item!

I love decorating the home for holidays...starting with Fall-don't you?  Here's a great idea for you!  While making some halloween M&M Stix treats with stamps, punches, inks, papers M&M candies and Stampin' Up!'s NEW 1"x8" Cellophane Bags,  I  decided I needed something to put the candy in!  I decorated a vase using Stampin' Up! fabrics and buttons, then accidentally created a wonderful home decor item for the table in my foyer!  I now have instant home decor that can be switched out for Fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving-lasting for three months!  (I loved the idea so much, I already made one for Christmas too!)  It also makes a terrific hostess gift!  Here's what the end result looks like:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isn't it lovely?  It's really quite easy to make this!  Fall/halloween M&M's weren't out yet when I created this, so I purchased regular M&M candies and separated all the colors out into different dishes.  (The red and green I saved for the Christmas M&M Stix).  The orange, yellow and brown were all used for this treat container and my hubby and I ate the blue ones!  Try making some with the kids-just add some Apple Cider and you already have a snack on hand for them that they will love! (kids love to eat while they create, just like us adults do!)  Here is what you will need:

SUPPLIES (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted)

STAMPS:  Batty for You (116576), Falling Leaves (115386)-greeting & candy topper                              

INKS:  Classic Black Pad (101179)

CARDSTOCK:   Basic Black (121045),  Pumpkin Pie (105117), More Mustard (100946), Old Olive (100702),  Various scraps of Designer Series Papers

ACCESSORIES:  Cellophane Bags (124134) -1" x 8" (50 per pkg),  SNAIL Adhesive (104332),  eck the Halls Designer Fabric (121716), Tangerine Tango 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon (124144),  Designer Buttons (Regals 119744 and Brights 119747), Various Markers, Various sizes of the circle punches and 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punch (119854)

OTHER:  Vase or small jar, M&M's-large bag

To make it quicker and easier to get the M&M's into the cellophane bags: 

 Make a funnel from copy paper, that fits into the top of the cello bag-then drop one M&M in at a time, alternating the colors-just make sure the bottom candy lies flat and the rest will stack up right on top.   It works beautifully and fills up quickly!  It takes about 20-24 M&M's per Stix to fill each cello bag.

The tops of the bags have an adhesive strip closure.   Leave room at top so you can add the topper.  The toppers were made with increasing sizes of  Stampin' Up! circle punches, including the Scallop Circle punch.  layer your cardstock pieces on top of each other then end with a front and back that can be adhered together, with the candy stix in the middle. 

Decorate your vase, add a bunch of M&M Stix and you are ready for all those trick or treaters and Halloween!  When Halloween is over, change out the theme for Fall/Thanksgiving and you can still have a lovely item to grace any room in your house till Christmas!  (make those now too,  then just change your vase ribbon and button colors and you'll be ready with a holiday display till New Year's!)  This could be an ongoing decoration you leave out all year round!  Enjoy!  Don't forget to let me know in a comment here, how yours turn out...or e-mail me a picture of your creation and maybe I will feature it in a future blog post! 

If you would like to order any of the supplies to make this project,  please email me or you can order online here.  To check out our products or view any of our catalogs, click on the rotating catalog images on the right sidebar of this blog.

Until next time.....

Passionate about stamping!

 

 

Mistletoe Market Craft Fair In Franklin NJ was last weekend!

I apologize to my readers for not blogging for a few weeks. It could not be avoided.

This fall has been extremely unpredictable..and very traumatic for our family, due to some unusual and totally unexpected and upsetting happenings.   Things are looking brighter now,  so hopefully I'll be able to keep up with my blogposts.  

If you are a subscriber to my monthly newsletter, you are aware that our family has been through some tough ordeals of late.. and you learned about some of the classes I held and that I was once again participating in some craft fairs this holiday season.  (if you are not a subscriber to my monthly newsletter, you can easily become a subscriber by adding your email address to the link on the upper left sidebar).  As a subscriber, you will also currently receive any remaining weeks of my exclusive Twelve Weeks of  Christmas Projects Events posted every Wednesday.

Thanks so much to my customers and others for your patronage who came out to see me last weekend for our Fourth Annual Mistletoe Market Craft & Consultant Fair Event at my church-First Presbyterian Church of Franklin in Sussex County NJ. 

I did very well there,  and am looking forward to my next craft fair at Wallkill Valley High School in Hamburg on December 4. 

I meant to take to a picture of my table...but totally forgot, or I would include that here on this blog post!  I was busy most of the day with customers, so it went right out of my head..

I love doing this fair at my church, because not only does it help our church, but I really enjoy making projects for Thanksgiving, as well as Christmas. 

 

THANKSGIVING BLESSING MIX JARS for sale!

I created my own version of the Thanksgiving Blessing Mix as a JAR instead of a baggie project (which was what was originally created several years ago)  and it has always been popular at my shows ever since! It makes a terrific Thanksgiving Hostess Gift!  I was inspired by the idea originally shared online on this site and  I change it up a bit each year, based on what Stampin' Up! Designer Series Papers I have on hand.  I've used other ideas from others which I shared in previous years and have modified. This year, I was trying to use up some of last years papers...but also added some from this year-unfortunately I didn't take  a pic of them...so here are some views of those using last years papers with different ribbons:

Front of Jar

Top of Jar

Back of Jar

 

  Contents of Baggie

I've sold out of all these offered at Craft Fairs...but if you ORDER NOW-by November 16th, I can have extras made up and ready to pick up by the 23rd (for those local to Northern New Jersey) or ready to mail out by the 20th. (this fee can be adjusted per your state laws).   Blessing Mix Jar is $6 (plus add priority shipping & handling of $6.50 per jar).

Please email me or call me no later than November 16th and include the state I'm shipping the order to.  Orders limited to the United States only.

Happy Harvest!

 

Stampin' Up! 2010 Holiday Mini Catalog!

Design-a-House Décor Accents

Our brand-new Design-a-House chipboard house is so versatile! From Christmas village, to gingerbread house, haunted mansion, or Build-A-Bear Workshop playhouse, these cute houses will delight you all year round!

Chipboard houses can be decorated to suit any season or style. The included template will help you embellish as much or as little as you like with Designer Series Paper, ribbon, and more! The size of a finished house is approximately 6-1/4" x 6" x 5".

 

Haunted House

Stamps

    * Dark & Dreary

Paper

    * Basic Black Card Stock
    * Cajun Craze Card Stock
    * Old Olive Card Stock
    * Rich Razzleberry Textured Card Stock
    * Wicked Fun Specialty Designer Series Paper
    * White Vellum Paper
    * Waffle Paper Assortment 2

Ink

    * Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad
    * Distressing Essentials
    * Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker
    * VersaMarker
    * Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz

Accessories

    * Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter
    * Black Stampin' Emboss Powder
    * Circle Scissor Plus
    * Color Spritzer Tool
    * Bitty Bat Punch

Have a SPOOKY time!

 

Blue Snowflake Holiday with a Square Lattice Background..

I thought I'd share another card from the Easy-to-Reproduce Holiday Swap...the creator didn't identify herself, so I can't give proper credit for this lovely card (if you are the creator please let me know).

This is an interesting blue and white themed card with simple stamping using the Snow Swirled Stamp set (111690) - a set of six stamps on page 40 of the 2010-2o11 Stampin' Up! catalog:

Cardstock color is Marina Mist, a sliver of Brushed Silver which gets the Eyelet Border Punch treatment, as well as Whisper White cardstock (after it was run through the Big Shot in the Square Lattice Embossing Folder).  Tuck the silver strip under the white lattice designed cardstock, with just a touch of silver peeking out...

I'm a fan of embossing folders! Not only do they have very cool designs that make wonderful backgrounds, accent pieces or borders, but they are incredibly easy and quick to use as well!

It doesn't show up in the photo too well, but each of the larger snowflakes are dotted in the center with one of the NEW Basic Rhinestone  embellishments that come 150 pieces to a package (50 each in 3 sizes) which have adhesive on the back-you simply peel them off and adhere! How easy is that! And, each package contains 3 strips of connected rhinestones or pearls too, which are PERFECT when you want to create a border!  LOVE these...

To finish the card off, the Whisper White satin ribbon is layered over a strip of Marina Mist cardstock cut slightly wider, then the embossed saying is punched out using the Oval Extra Large Punch.

All these products can be found in the Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog! It's easy to check them out or purchase them - just go to my DBWS Store by clicking HERE, then click on the SHOP NOW button-you can shop and purchase right from there! Remember, you can only receive "preferred pricing" when you order from a Demonstrator's Business Web Site (DBWS).  This means you will get the lowest shipping cost, lowest price, and can also earn hostess benefits/Stampin' Rewards for qualifying orders!  So always select a demonstrator when ordering from the online store!  If you don't have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I'd love to be your Creative Coach! 

Also one other note about the Online Store Web Site-Stampin' Up! has been busy enhancing the performance of the web site, so your Online Store Orders will be processed faster now! That's great news, because I know how busy everyone is...

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting--please leave me a comment so I know you were here!

See you tomorrow!

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampwithdeb/

A few Holiday Swap cards using Smooch!

Recently I participated in a great swap with some of my INKredible demo friends, featuring  Easy to Make Holiday Cards.  Here are two cards I pulled out that use Stampin' Up's Smooch Spray along with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter and either Crystal Effects or 2-Way Glue.

This first card by Jane Scates utilizes the Smooch in a subtle way on the cuff of  the coat and hat and scarf of the girl-it may be hard to see in this photo, but Crystal Effects was used here:

Papers used are Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake & Deck the Halls Designer Series paper (for the background). The ribbon is actually the new 1/2" Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding which can be found in the Holiday Mini Catalog. It's a sweet card, isn't it?

The next card by Donna Foster is simple yet peaceful.  She used the Neighborhood Jumbo Wheel for the houses, colored them with markers, 2-way Glue and glitter then cut out a section and layered it on to Night of Navy cardstock that had been sprayed with the Silver Smooch spray first.  The star is made by hand with the glue and glitter.

There you have it-two quick and easy stamped holiday cards!

If you haven't tried the Smooch products yet, you really should give it a try!  There are four color Spritz sprays in gold, silver, vanilla and log cabin and as you can see in this sample, the speckles in the sky are just perfect to add some glimmer and sparkle to this night time sky...

There are four new colors of Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink that you can also use to add some pizzazz to your holiday cards-these look best when brushed over a solid stamped image and are available in Gold, Moonlight and Silver Fox. Use the Illuminate Top Coat over it for beautifully illuminized images!

If you would like to order any of these products,  email me! 

To learn more about these products, be sure to sign up for classes and stamp camps coming up in the next few months featuring these and many other new products! The link on the right sidebar with all my upcoming classes for the rest of the year will be updated within the week, so be sure to come back and check it out!

Thanks for stopping by,

Versamark-CLEARLY the answer!

Have you ever found yourself in a predicament when you started a stamp project such as making a card, then you realize you don't have the right color Ink Pad? You have a picture in your mind of the tone-on-tone look you want for your card (ink that is just a shade or two darker than the cardstock you are using) but without that color Ink Pad, what will you do now?  (Not EVERYONE has all 48 colors of Stampin' Up! inks in their stash!) So...you have a dilemma. Do you start the card over using a different color cardstock, and change things up a bit based on an Ink Pad color you already do have? Now you have to start over, and you really need this card in a hurry!

You don't have to get caught off guard like this again! There is a simple solution to this problem so NEXT time, you aren't stuck without the right Ink Pad color. Yes, you COULD order all the other Classic Stampin' Up! Ink Pads you don't have (or whatever brand of ink you are using) but you'll be happy to learn that you don't have to do that-unless you really want to-I won't stop you!

There IS another solution to this problem...and one pad will always come to your rescue-VersaMark is CLEARLY the answer! Why is this one pad the solution to your problem? Because  VersaMark Ink is a watermark ink...a CLEAR ink, which when stamped on colored cardstock, will give the effect of a darker shade of the same color-(tone-on-tone) like a watermark! So if you purchase this one ink pad, you will be able to have a darker shade of every colored cardstock paper you own!

(yes, mine is WELL used and loved)

But there is something else I want to make perfectly clear-the VersaMark Pad isn't solely a watermark pad, it's an embossing pad too!  There are so many things you can do with a VersaMark pad, that I'm going to teach a class on it!

Be on the lookout for this Trendy Techniques Class coming up in March and be sure you sign up for it! (The Calendar on the right will be updated shortly). You will learn some of the techniques you can do with a VersaMark Ink Pad, such as Clear Embossing, Color Embossing, Tone-on-Tone, Poppin' Pastels, etc.! You will want to have your own VersaMark ink pad for this class, so if you want to order one yourself, you can do so from my online store- www.stampwithdeb.stampinup.com anytime, 24/7-or email [email protected] if you would like me to order it for you-and I'll send you a PayPal invoice.

Ordering Information:

102283 VersaMark Pad  $7.50

Other similar products you may want to purchase:

102193 VersaMark Pad Refill (1/2 oz) $3.95                                                                100901 VersaMarker (for coloring in) $3.25 

Embossing Powders: See page 190 of the Stampin' Up! Catalog 

CLEARLY, this will be one of the best little pad investments you will ever make!

HALLOWEEN Photos-and more stamped treats!

Well Halloween is over! We don't get many kids at all-just about 10 who were mostly our immediate neighborhood kids. We always buy waaaaayyyyy too much candy to give out to the trick-or-treaters (but my family ends up gobbling it all up, of course! LOL)

Here are some photos of our foyer decorated for halloween and a few stamped projects on display:

Cornstalks, mums and pumpkins are a must for the front deck!

My daughter painted the pumpkin face-her first! We usually carve the pumpkins out but this year, we opted to paint them instead.

This is the table in the foyer all decked out and ready for the hoards of trick-or-treaters...ha, ha! (a whopping ten!)

The huge spider is usually hung in a web, but we ran out of time this year and just hung it over the mirror. It was very effective...we had some baby spiders that we would put in the web, so we put them on the lamp instead. Timmy, one of our neighbors youngest, was eyeing them because he LOVES spiders so we ended up giving him the babies...(we can always buy some more next year). At least we know they will be loved...

The pumpkin on the lower shelf is actually a soup turine with a matching ladle I purchased from QVC last year...(don't know where the ladle is-guess I hadn't put it in the bowl yet when this photo was taken). It's beautifully painted and I love to display it from September through Thanksgiving. I actually use it for homemade soups which I intend to make a lot of this year! There's nothing that compares to the warmth of a cup of hot homemade soup on a frosty bone-chilling day, to warm you up from head to toe!

ok...back to halloween....

This is the basket of pixie sticks I jazzed up with punched circles and the scallop punch using stamps from Batty for You-what a great set to make halloween treats with! The next photo will show a close-up of them.

Do you see the BOO boxes in the background? I made these last year with Creepy Crawly Designer Series Papers-and chipboard letters, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter and ribbons. Can you make out the stamped images on the letters? You guessed it-Batty for You stamps....I'm so glad they are still in the catalog and haven't retired!

Here are the Pixie Sticks close-up. They were quick and easy to put together-alot of punching and stamping, then sandwich them together over the top of each pixie stick...I had the leftover treat bags from awhile back so I used them, wrapped some jute around with my blog info tag, and that's it! Simple, quick and easy-that's all I had time for, but it's amazing how kids love these! (even our 15 year-old teenager! She is eating the leftovers I didn't use))

Here is a close-up of the pumpkin tureen I mentioned earlier...isnt' it beautiful?

The message tile next to it is one of the projects I'm making for craft fairs I have coming up-Mistletoe Market at the First Presbyterian Church of Franklin (in northwest NJ) on November 8 and Wallkill Valley High School's annual Booster Club Holiday Craft Fair in Hardyston on December 6. If you are local, come see me! It's a nice day and a great way to get a jump on holiday shopping for some unique and interesting gifts!

This is the Spooky Spider Jar I made with Decor Elements. I can't wait to try some other Decor Elements images! This was perfect because it coordinated with our "spider" theme. (Notice the basket with candy has spiders/webs on it too!) We're not into the gore and graphic halloween stuff...but spiders are ok, even though in reality, I absolutely detest them! We have Cave Crickets in our basement-have you ever seen them? I hadn't-until we noticed them in our basement one day...they really creep us out because they are HUGE, have VERY long thick legs AND--they JUMP!! Imagine finding them in your washing machine and when you look inside-they jump up into your face! HORRORS! (no wonder I have nightmares-who wouldn't!) We keep getting rid of them but there are still some in the basement-hopefully they STAY IN THE BASEMENT..and do not migrate to the rest of the house, or I'll have to move out! I remember I told one of my good friends (she's our neighbor) about them-she had never heard of them, and said how bad could they be? I challenged her to GOOGLE Cave Crickets-and when she saw a picture of what they look like, she couldn't believe it! She said she will never set foot in our basement again....(can't say that I blame her!!!! LOL) Unfortunately, our washing machine is down there so I have no choice!!!!

Let's move on to a much more pleasant topic-fall leaves and pumpkins! This is one of my message tiles up close. What do you think? I am making a bunch of different tiles to sell...I'll post more photos of them at another time.  I like to get creative and really add detailed artwork to these.  Do you see the colored jute bow I added to the pumpkin? We have this one in our front foyer, and another in the kitchen. They come in handy (saves on writing pads!) and I use Dry Erase markers which clean up easy with tissues.  What's nice, is my family actually USES them! This tile will also be displayed through Thanksgiving because the saying is  appropriate for this season of thanks!

That's it for today. I hope you have enjoyed this little peak into our Halloween home decor (and you thought stamps were only for card-making!).  Thanks for stopping by....Have a lovely weekend!

Decor Elements-My Halloween Goodies Jar

Another fairly new product of Stampin' Up! that I am enjoying is Decor Elements. I found this taller jar at one of the craft stores and decided to use SPOOKY SPIDER (only available for purchase until October 31, 2008) on the front. These vinyl designs are available in three sizes and two colors-I chose to use the smallest size in black. I added some older SU! ribbon I have leftover and some bows to decorate the jar further. I created the baby spider tag at the top of the jar by using several circle punches-and cut the legs freehand, added them to punched cardstock and voila! Here is my goodies treat jar filled with Twizzlers all ready for the Trick or Treaters on Halloween....

Do you LIKE IT? Spooky Spider is available only thru October 31, 2008-but you can buy it now and get a big jump on your decorating for NEXT year! For all the details, just click on the following link:

Spooky Spider ordering information

or check out the:

Spooky Spider Flyer

but don't wait...Spooky Spider isn't hangin' around after October 31, 2008!

These Decor Elements are SOOOOO easy and fun to use! And they aren't just for wall decorating either, as you can see! I can't wait to try more of the designs which are now available in different COLORS since Phase II of Decor Elements has been unveiled....

Don't know what Decor Elements is all about? Maybe this link will help:

What is Decor Elements?

To see everything currently being offered in this product line, click on this link:

Decor Elements Brochure

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Merci (thank you) Card-Using Retired Accessories & Stamps

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008
(click on image for larger view)

Now that the RETIRED ACCESSORIES LIST is out and is being updated daily on this site HERE, many products are going fast....if you want some of the products on the list, you really have to work fast because items are being depleted every day. I used almost all retiring products to make yet ANOTHER THANK YOU CARD including the Carte Postale stamp set, Le Jardin Designer Series (double-sided) paper, Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware, and of course the In Color River Rock cardstock and coordinating ink pad. Unfortunately, the hardware I used for the embellishments is already sold out (all colors)! There are still lots of accessories left (some at 25% off)  so if you haven't checked out the list yet, click on the links here (or on the left sidebar for Retired Stamps list) and contact me asap so I can *place your order!

The only products NOT retiring in this card are the Simon Lower Letters Chipboard and the Taffeta Ribbon! First, I cut a piece of Le Jardin paper, and attached it to the left side of the card with SNAIL Adhesive. Next, I stamped the decorative motif design from Carte Postale stamp set (LOVE this set and will really miss demonstrating with it!) with River Rock ink on RR paper (tapped off ink on scrap paper to get lighter stamped images).

Next, I traced the letter (face down) onto a different Le Jardin paper, cut it out and  attached it to the letter with a Stampin' Up! Anywhere Glue Stick (GREAT product!) and used the Sanding Block to smooth out the edges and get rid of any excess paper on the letter. I Tied the ribbon on the left and attached a brad from the hardware kit in the center. I adhered the elegant hardware pieces to the bottom of the letter with SNAIL, then attached the letter to the card.

Did you know you can stamp on the Taffeta Ribbon? It's easy with StazOn ink-didn't smear, dried quickly and is permanent! Just don't load up the stamp with too much ink or it will smear and look bold-instead of crisp. I measured where I wanted the two connector pieces and made a dot for both with a pencil on the cardstock. Then I attached one of the hardware connectors with the brad, looped the ribbon thru it and adjusted it so the Merci saying would be centered-used SNAIL to attach the ends of the ribbon underneath, then attached my second connector.

This is an elegant card, in every way! I am so glad the Simon Lower letters are not discontinuing! But I will really miss Le Jardin papers and Carte Postale!

Don't forget about Stampin' Up!'s current Discounted Retiring Accessories Promotion   where you will find  products that are 25% off! This is a great deal....while supplies last!

If you still haven't placed your order for retired stamps and/or accessories, time is running out....take a look at the list today...and check the ONLINE CATALOG for those products you can't live without, before they are gone!


*orders can only be taken for US and it's territories
Links are Highlighted

Thanks for visiting!

Surfing anyone? Tearing cardstock-freehand or need help?

WOW -two posts in one day! I'm playing 'catch up' after the long holiday weekend!

There are many perks to being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator: discounted purchases, free products and stamps, the Stampin' Up! demonstrator website....including the Stamper's Showcase Gallery-a source of thousands of ideas contributed by Stampin' Up! employees and demonstrators, of stamped cards, boxes, pouches, scrapbook pages, templates, techniques and so on and so on !

I got the idea for my surfer card from Gigi Isaac...a demonstrator who made this card which was showcased in the Gallery:

Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

"Cool" idea-isn't it? (don't you just wish you were there right now?!!!) This card uses Wild About You, It's Your Birthday and Itty Bitty Background. For some reason, cute as it is, I never got the Wild About You stamp set, so I went looking thru my stamps for another animal and decided I love the whole penguin idea for this card  (the bird being from up North vacationing at a wonderful sunny beach resort...)  so I did a C.A.S.E. (copy and share everything) and just expanded on it. Here is the card I made spinning off from  Gigi's:

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

Fun-isn't it? One of the things I found intriguing as a child when we went to the Jersey Shore was the way those banner planes flew over the water at the ocean's edge, capturing the attention of thousands of folks on the beach and in the water, advertising the Coppertone Baby, local seafaring restaurants etc. So, I searched and finally found the right penguin for me-would you believe, in a Christmas set--of all places, called Punch Pals! I especially liked the scarf as an added touch for my polar based friend...

I used the Floral background stamp and large Oval Punch to make the tropical surf board.

The banner is White cardstock cut freehand and stamped...then attached to plane (from retired Fun Frame Borders set) with "white gel pen" strings...

The clouds are also sponged with White Craft ink. The water is cardstock TORN freehand, into pieces, then the torn edges are sponged with White Craft ink. If you are one of those stampers who just can't bring yourself to  tear the paper freehand (to reveal the layered edges) you will be thrilled to learn that believe it or not, Stampin' Up! even has a product called "The Tearing Edge" (page 184 of catalog) which has two different cutting blade edges that will create perfect torn edges every time! To use it, lay the Tearing Edge on card stock, paper or vellum and holding it tightly, slowly tear the paper with your other hand-pulling towards you. If you want a straight torn edge, use Stampin' Up!'s Grid Paper!  Here is what The Tearing Edge tool looks like:

(click on image  to enlarge)

Tearing cardstock is really a fun way to add interest to a card...and your cardstock goes a long way because you can get many tears from a sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 and even more from 12x12 if you have alot of cards to reproduce!

Here are the Supplies used to make my Surfin' Penguin Card:

STAMPS: Punch Pals, Stem Sayings, Fresh Cuts (new set upcoming in 2008Fall-Winter catalog), Fun Frame Borders (retired), Floral (background stamp)

INK: Craft White, Basic Black

CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Taken w/Teal, Not Quite Navy, Tempting Turquoise, Going Gray (retired)

ACCESSORIES: Large Oval Punch, Stampin' Write Markers, Stamping Sponge, Dimensionals, Signo Gel Pen

You can place an order with me from the Stampin' Up! catalog  ANYTIME-just click on the catalog on the left sidebar, to view the catalog. Jot down what you need, and email me to place your order!

And if by chance, you are also curious and want to to learn more about becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please visit my website where you can view 3 FIRST IMPRESSIONS VIDEOS for more information or email me . You can even sign up ONLINE from my website should you decide to join my S.O.S. Team of demonstrators (S.aving O.verwhelmed S.tampers). I'd love to talk with you about it!


Happy Stampin'!