Stamping Country

Punch Art Flower Tutorial

 

Let's do a quick and easy Punch Art Flower Tutorial.  Let your flowers float across your card or scrapbook layout.

Add a bit of texture and drama with the Star Burst Embossing Folder (retiring) and the Houndstooth Embossing folder 123134.  Trim it with the Scallop Trim Border Punch 118402.

Today's Creativity Blooms Color Combo soothes and calms.  They are the soft colors of nature.

I love that there are 40 sheets of delicious Designer Paper in 10 beautiful colors in the Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack and that it's the big 12" x 12" Paper.  Big enough to make designer envelopes, add umph to  Scrapbook Layouts and add flair to cards. Plus they come in handy pad form. Today I used the Subtles Collection 117152.

For each flower punch two 5-Petal Flowers 119880 (retiring), a Blossom Bouquet Flower 122464 (retiring) and a Boho Blossom Flower 119858.

Next, crinkle and wrinkle, bend and fold your punched flowers.

Layer Flowers in a pleasing pattern and pierce with paper piercing tool 116631 (retiring) and mat pack 105826 (retiring).  Insert a Subtles Brad 119738 for a flower center.

Add a Sweetly Said sentiment 122860(w) 122862(c) (retiring) and you are good to go.

Did you miss my envelope making video tutorial?  Click Here to view

Retiring Accessories-Available while supplies last or until May 30, 2012. Click Here to view list

Insider Insights

• All Classic Ink Pads are being retired for a new firm foam style.  The colors ARE NOT retiring with the exception of In Colors: Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Concord Crush and Blushing Bride.
• Craft Ink Pads are all retiring.  Stampin' Up! will ONLY carry Black and White Craft Pads in the new Catalog.
• Accessories will be updated daily with what is still available and what is sold out. Order Online for minute by minute availability
• Only select Stampin' Write Markers will be available individually (Color Collections will continue to be available.
• 12" x 12" Textured Card Stock will no longer be offered
• 12" x 12" Smooth Card Stock will only be available in select individual colors and color collections
• All Decor Elements are retiring

Act Quickly Supplies are limited!

Retiring Stamps-Click Here for a list of Retiring Stamps

Note: If you have trouble reading the flyer Click Here for a darker print post of Retiring Stamps

Purchase brand-new coordinating products from the 2012-2013 catalog's Summer Smooches suite months before the catalog debuts!  Click Here for Details

Occasions Mini Catalog Expires April 30, just a few days left. View Online Here

 

Have a fabulous day,

Shop Stampin' Up! Online

Easter Box Paper Craft

Believe it or not a little brown bunny hopped merrily into view of my studio window as I crafted this Easter Box for you.  But he was a wily fellow and didn't care to have his picture taken.

 

 

So I took these spring pictures for you instead.

 

Spring officially arrived yesterday, but it felt more like summer here.  We broke a records in Ohio yesterday.  Can you believe that it got up to 82?  I heard that it was 84 in Columbus!

 

Let's get back to our Easter Box.  First, cut a Daffodil Delight box #2.  Next, cut 1-1/2" Whisper White Belly band and stamp using the Stampin' Up! Heaven Blessed stamp set. 

 

On the flip side, line your box with a 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" piece of Big Top Birthday Designer Paper.  Edge the top with the Eyelet Border Punch.

 

Using the Large Oval Punch, cut a window in your belly band.  Line up to your box and punch a window in your box.

 

Assemble and add a Tempting Turquoise band around bottom and a bow up top.  Fill with enticing  Easter Treats. 

Have a fabulous day,

Shop Stampin' Up! Online

Easter Box Supplies

• Box #2 die 114518
• Big Shot Die-cutting Machine113439
• Extended Cutting Pads 113478
• Eyelet Border Punch 119853
• Large Oval Punch 119855
• Heaven Blessed Stamp Set #125864
• Big Top Birthday Designer Paper 122348
• Daffodil Delight Card Stock 119683
• Whisper White Card Stock 100730
• Sticky Strip 104294
• Daffodil Delight Classic Ink 119667
• Certainly Celery Classic Ink 105217
• Tempting Turquoise Classic Ink 100814
• Pool Party Classic Ink 122938
• Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon 124323

Gently Falling Vintage Style

Do you ever venture out of your creative comfort zone? Today's Vintage Gently Falling card was out of my clean lines comfort zone, but it was worth the risk because the results are lovely.  I wandered from my normal clean lines style at the request of this afternoons hostess, and I'm glad I did.  

Vintage style crinkles and wrinkles, bends and smooshes.  It tears at random and adds layer upon layer for no apparent reason.  What really gets me is the smudges and scuffs.

My Vintage Card Journey

• First, peel back a corner of your card base. No particular reason, just do it. Then randomly stamp an image or two or three.  I used Soft Suede ink on Soft Suede Card Stock with the Gently Falling stamp set.
• Die-cut a Scallop Circle #113468 from the First Editions Designer Paper.  Just for kicks add another leave or two.  Then crinkle and bend and generally mess up your scallop.
• Totally destroy a piece of Rich Razzleberry card stock.  This one is begging for a One Minute Wow Video Tutorial.
• On Naturals Ivory card stock stamp images.   Crinkle and wrinkle your Itty Bitty punched flowers, then add Basic Pearls.
• Sprintz the entire thing with Soft Suede ink and and Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz.
• Make a pretty Pear Pizzazz bow, then wrinkle it up. Go ahead, make it look like it just got out of bed. Add some Victoria Crochet Trim sort of willy nilly, no particular place, for no particular reason.

End result, quite pretty actually. Who knows, I may be "gently falling" for the vintage style?

Vintage Gently Falling Card Supplies

• Stamps:  Thank You Kindly, Gently Falling
• Jet Black Stazon ink #101406, Soft Suede Ink #115657, Crumb Cake Ink #121030, Rich Razzleberry Ink #115658
• First Editions Designer Paper #121878
• Soft Suede #115318, Rich Razzleberry #115316, Naturals Ivory #101849 Card stock, Medium Naturals Ivory Envelopes #107302
• Soft Suede Marker #120973, Color Spritzer Tool #107066, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz #118772
• Basic Pearls #119247, Mini Glue Dots #103683, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack #118309, 2-3/8 Scallop Circle Punch #118874
• Big Shot die-cutting Machine #113439, Scallop Circle Punch #113668
• Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding #122330, Victoria Crochet Trim #118481, Sticky Strip #104294

Online Ordering Blossoms Rewards Program-Find out more here

Stop back tomorrow for a 2-Step Stamping Video tutorial

Stamp with me.  Reserve a date today for your fall Stamping Workshop.

Have a marvelous Monday,

Order from the convenience of your home 24/7 Here

Paint your Own Sunset With Baby Wipes

Create a beautiful sunset with Baby wipes.  That's right with baby wipes, ink refills and glossy white card stock you can create a sunset or sunrise.  This evening's walk inspired me to try to duplicate the setting sun.  The sky was painted with a muted blue, blushing pink and a bit of purple.  It looked like God had been finger painting.

Baby Wipe Technique:

1. Start with Glossy White Card Stock.  It's as smooth as a baby's bottom.
2. Stamp your focal point using Stazon ink.  Stazon ink is made for stamping on non-porous surfaces and glossy white card stock is not porous.
3. Next, apply drops of ink going up one side of a baby wipe that has been folded to approximately the same height as your card stock.  Tonight's sky was painted with Blushing Bride, Perfect Plum, Baja Breeze and Sahara Sand.  Experiment and choose the color that are right for your sky.
4. Rub the inked baby wipe across your Glossy white card stock to paint your sky.  It may take a couple of swipes.  Allow to dry thoroughly.

Ask me how-Is there a technique that you would like to see featured?  Just ask me how in the comments of this post.

Have a fabulous weekend,

Order Stampin' Up! Product Here

 

Sunset Supplies:

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree, Teeny Tiny wishes

Card Stock: Baja Breeze, Sahara sand, Glossy White, Crumb Cake Medium Envelopes

Ink: Jet Black Stazon

Ink Refills: Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, Perfect Plum, Sahara Sand

Tools & Accessories: Big Shot, Silicone Rubber 114615, Impressions Pad 114614, Textured Plates Kit # 4 114531, Top Note die, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Basic Black Striped Ribbon, Baby wipes

Ask a Stupid Question Day

Now is your chance to ask all those Stupid Questions about card making, paper crafting, scrapbooking and rubber stamping that you have been afraid to ask. Today is officially Ask a Stupid Question Day.  So speak up, ask your question.  Ask the question that you thought was too stupid or too dumb to ask.  Ask the question that has been nagging at you for awhile.  C'mon give it a try.

Ask your question in the comments of this post, or call me or email me.  Just ask that question.

Have a fabulous day,

 

Order Stampin' Up! Supplies Here

Stupid Question Card Supplies:

Stamps: Smarty Pants #115070

Designer Paper & Card Stock: Love Letter DSP, Very Vanilla, Medium Very Vanilla Envelope, Basic Black, Riding Hood Red

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Jet Black Stazon

Tools & Accessories: Big Shot, Serif Essentials Alphabet dies, Basic Black Satin Ribbon, Square Lattice embossing folder, Stampin' Dimensionals, Extra Large Decorative Label Punch  

 

One Sheet Wonder

The One Sheet Wonder is a stamping technique that's been around for awhile, but desires to be revisited.  For my Thank You notes this month, I used the one sheet wonder technique. 

One Sheet Wonder Tips:

• On a sheet of card stock randomly stamp the entire sheet of card stock.  Then cut pieces as needed much as you would Designer Paper.
• It's best to stamp the largest image first and work progressively down to the smallest images filling in blank spaces as you go.
• When randomly stamping, be sure to twist and turn your stamp in different directions.
• It's also important to stamp partial images along edges, so that your project doesn't look like a bunch of images are stamped in the center.
• In the sample above the stamped sheet was cut up into multiples of the same project. 
• You could also cut your stamped sheet the same as you would a piece of designer paper and use it for multiple projects that vary in design.
• Or stamp a sheet and use it as a scrapbook page background.

Blog Candy Tomorrow-A Big Thanks to You as I celebrate 5 years as a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator this month.  Stop back tomorrow for a 3rd Blog Candy Give Away in thanks to you.

Video Tutorials coming soon to Stamping Country.

Have a fabulous fall day,

September is Read a Book Month

Fall weather rolled in here in Ohio.  Put on a pot of Chili and curl up with a book for "Read a Book Month".  You'll want to save your place with a French Foliage Bookmark as you take a stroll outdoors or work in yard.

French Foliage Bookmark Tips:

• Using your Two Tags die cut a Crumb Cake tag. Randomly stamp your fall foliage using deep, rich Cajun Craze ink and lively Old Olive ink.
• Express yourself with Early Espresso ink and the Word Play stamp set.
• Early Espresso mat was dry embossed with the Square Lattice die.
• Punch a hole through you tag with your Crop-a-dile and thread a piece of Twill Tape through the hole.  Knot and assemble.
• Curl up with a good book and your French Foliage bookmark

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy your 3 day weekend.

Have a fabulous weekend,

 

To Order Stampin' Up! Product On Line Click Here
 

Imagine the Possibilities Bookmark Supplies:

Stamp sets: French Foliage #121166, Word Play #120651

Card Stock: Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake

Ink: Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Early Espresso

Cool Tools & Sweet Accessories: Big Shot, Two Tags die, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Crop-a-dile, 3/8" Twill Tape

 

 Become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator with the Stamping Country Team now through October 18* and receive the Greenhouse Gala Tote free!  Ask me how.

*Or while supplies last
 
 
 

Making a Tooth Fairy Container

Today is National Tooth Fairy Day!  Hurray!  Now I can use my Tooth Fairy stamp that I just HAD to have even though all my Sons have become fine men, and my Grandsons are too small to need the Tooth Fairy's services.  My oldest grandson, Hunter, just turned 3!  Sorry, I  just had to have a Nana brag moment. Back to the Tooth Fairy container tutorial.

Start with your Tooth Fairy stamp.  Did you know that the a la Carte stamps have been moved to pages 18-20, just past the Hostess sets in the 2010-2011 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog?  When I saw this adorable "Official Visit From the Tooth Fairy stamp", I just knew that I had to have it.  Tooth Fairy containers for upcoming craft fairs?  Sure, that was the reason. 

All my individual stamps are stored at my fingertips on my desk in pink Depression ware bowls.

Next, you'll need a container.  Check your drawer of containers that you just might need someday.  Old brad or button contains work perfectly.

Stamp your image with Whisper White craft ink and heat emboss on a piece of Pink Pirouette card stock.  Punch with your 1-3/4" circle punch.  Punch a Whisper White mat with your 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch.  Apply to lid.

   

Punch another scallop from designer paper to line your container.  Pictured is the Holiday Mini Designer Paper, Candy Cane Christmas.

If you enjoyed this tutorial or would like to see another tutorial, let me know in the comments of this post.  Watch for Video Tutorial coming soon to Stamping Country.

Have a fabulous weekend,

 

To Order Stampin' Up! Product On Line Click Here
  

 

Distressing Essentials

A recent workshop hostess requested distressing, so out came the Distressing Essentials Kit.  We talked about the kit a few weeks ago on another blog project or two.  Today the Charcoal and Tea Stain inks were applied and blended for a Chic Vintage look.

One of these days I'll break down and purchase a flip camera so that you can view video tutorials.  Most creative people are visual to the extreme.  Believe me, I know.

Robin's Distressing Essential Tutorial:

1. Tear a corner from your card stock being careful to pull towards you as you are tearing. Mist your card stock with a mister. An old Stampin' Mist bottle works perfectly.
2. Crumple to your heart's content.  This step will be painful for some, but take the plunge.
3. Next, apply a bit on ink to your smooth stamp from your distressing kit and lightly rub your card stock.  Don't use a heavy hand or your stamping will not show up.  Charcoal was applied first, and then blended with Tea Stain.
4. This next step is important.  Allow your card stock to dry completely.
5. While you're waiting for your card stock to dry, use your sanding block to sand the edges of your Designer paper.  White will begin to peek through.  Your card stock is still drying.  You probably have time to clean your bathroom or put a load of laundry in.
6. Now it's time to stamp.  Using Basic Gray ink stamp your clock. Stamp your clock a second time onto So Saffron Card Stock and punch the smaller circle out  with your 1" circle punch.  Adhere to clock. Use Crumb Cake ink to stamp medallion at center of clock face and also to lightly stamp script over your entire surface.  Color your flower stamp with the brush tip end of your Baja Breeze marker & your Always Artichoke marker. Huff and randomly stamp. Repeat stamping flower 3-4 times.  As a finishing touch stamp a few Baja Breeze butterflies.
7. Add a pearl from your Basic pearls to the center of your clock.  You probably still have about 100 left.  It's the pack that keeps on giving.

If you enjoyed this tutorial, be sure to a comment.  Feel free to ask questions if you need further explanation.  It's always a pleasure to hear from you.

Have a fabulous day,

 

To Order Stampin' Up! Product On Line Click Here
 

 Sense of Time Get Well Supplies:

Stamps: Sense of Time, Charming, Teeny Tiny wishes (Greeting), Word Play (inside verse)

Designer Paper & Card Stock: Neutrals Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack, Very Vanilla, Very Vanilla Medium Envelope, Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Basic Gray

Ink:  Distressing Essentials Kit page 195 (Tea Stain & Charcoal), Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Always Artichoke

 Cool Tools & Sweet Accessories: Distressing Essentials Kit, 1" Circle Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Basic Pearls

Go, Graduate Gift Card Holder

Here's an old tried and true way to make a quick gift card holder or money holder.  It seemed appropriate to use the Go, Graduate! stamp set for graduation season.

• Start with a medium envelope.  I used the Whisper White Medium envelope.
• Fold in half.
• Stamp your image.  Don't you just love the quirky footwear of these graduates?
• Color with your Stampin' Write Markers.
• Tie card closed with ribbon.  I used the Old Olive Striped ribbon.
• We're almost done.

 

• Seal only half of your envelope flap. Snip the other half and leave open to insert your gift.
• Stamp and color.
• Tuck in gift of your choice.

Wasn't that simple?  Need supplies to make your own quick graduation gift card holders? Shop online at Robin's Online Store Open 24 Hours.

Have a fabulous day,

  

 $1500 to go

Go, Graduate! gift Card holder supplies:

Stamps: Go, Graduate!

Card stock: Whisper White Medium Envelope

Ink: Jet Black Stazon Ink, Stampin' Write Markers

Ribbon: Old Olive Striped Ribbon (retiring)