For this card, I used Julee Tilman's Mojo Monday Sketch #48.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
FLOWER POWER MOJO
JUST BECAUSE
RECIPE
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Define Your Life
Paper: Summer Picnic DP, Basic Black, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, and Old Olive
Embellishments: Black Mini Library Clip, Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
BAROQUE MOTIFS GRID TECHNIQUE
Besides the obvious ...
* I scored the Whisper White CS every 1/2" before stamping the Baroque Motifs images so the faux grout lines stay white.
* The flower image on the Sahara Sand background piece was stamped in Versamark.
* There are two Groovy Guava small ovals staggered behind the Whisper White oval with the sentiment stamped in Groovy Guava.
* Overall card size is 5 1/4" x 5 1/4".RECIPE
Stamps: Baroque Motifs
Paper: Groovy Guava Prints DP, Groovy Guava, Whisper White, and Sahara Sand CS
Ink: Sahara Sand, Groovy Guava, and Versamark
Embellishments: Groovy Guava Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Self Adhesive Half Pearls (non-SU)
Tools: Small Oval Punch, Scor-Pal (non-SU)
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
RAKS from CAROL AND LISA
from Carol Frerichs ...from Lisa Henke ...
Sunday, July 27, 2008
DOIN' THE HAPPY DANCE!!!
TWO-WAY OPEN CARDS
Click HERE for a tutorial on how to make these. The tutorial does not include the belly band which measures 11" x 1", and is scored at 3 3/8" and 8", overlapped and adhered in the back. Finished size is 4 1/2" x 4 1/2".
RECIPE
Stamps: Tart & Tangy
Paper: Crew Kids Girl Simply Scrappin' Kit w/ Wild Wasabi, Rose Red, and Pretty In Pink CS and Summer Picnic DP with Old Olive, Bashful Blue, and Pumpkin Pie CS
Ink: Basic Black and Old Olive
Embellishments: Pink and Bashful Blue Brads, Metal Edge Tag
Tools: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Word Window Punch, Paper Piercing Tool & Mat Pack
POOR ME AND AN AWARD
I am really poor at keeping up with these awards and tags, and have had to do some back tracking. If you've tagged me, and I haven't listed you, please bring it to my attention and I'll be sure to link you!
I received this Brillante Weblog award 4 times over! ... by Carol Frerichs (Stamp Like Crazy), Diane Gilbert (My Little Stampin' Spot), Lorri Heiling (Confessions of a Stamping Addict), and Charmaine Ikach (Oodabug Alley). Thanks, girls!
I'll tag seven of my favorite blogs ...
Jen, JenTapler Designs
Mauna, Ink~Paper~Scissors
Toni, I'll Be Stamped!
Pam, Creative Inking
Wendy, It's All About Stamping!
Lisa, My Little Creative Escape
LeAnne, Wee Inklings
Saturday, July 26, 2008
FALL FLOWERS for SWEET BABY COURTNEY and DIRTY SKETCH
The first is Jen del Muro's Dare to Get Dirty Saturday Sketch Challenge on SCS. Every day this week, the Dirty Girls are offering a variety of challenges for Fan Club Members.
The second challenge is Libby Hickson's From Courtney's Closet Challenge. See this sweet precious baby girl? This is Courtney, Libby's baby daughter. Each week, Libby chooses an outfit or dress from Courtney's closet, creates a card inspired by the outfit/dress, and challenges her readers to do the same. It's GOT to be the cutest idea I've ever seen for a stamping challenge! I also enjoy seeing the super cute pictures Libby takes of Courtney modeling the inspiration piece each week! Isn't she a doll?!
Courtney's dress immediately made me think of the paper you see in the squares which is from Fall Flowers DP. The Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon and the polka dots around the main flower image brings in the color and pattern of the trim. This card measures 5" x 5". RECIPE
Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment
Paper: Fall Flowers DP, Sahara Sand, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky and Whisper White CS
Ink: Chocolate Chip and Old Olive Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Antique Brass Build-A-Brad
Tools: 1/2" and 3/4" Circle Punches, Photo Corner Punch
Supplies: Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals
Friday, July 25, 2008
BIRTHDAY, FRIENDSHIP, AND THANK YOU RAKS
by Diane Gilbert ...
by Nancy Morgan ...
by Silke Ledlow ...
by Karen Laub ...
by Charmaine Ikach ...
I never knew how to add wording to the photos of RAKs without a true watermark. Thinking it was a high tech process, I put off asking my DH (my computer genius) about it. I finally took the time to ask yesterday ... it took him one minute to show me how to do it in Photoshop and it is incredibly easy! Glad I asked!
I've started reading my favorite blogs through Google Reader, thinking it might be a more efficient way of reading them. So far, I think it's going to work out well for me, but I'm wondering if anyone else has the same problem I'm having ... when Google Reader is open it dramatically slows down my computer. If I decide to continue with Google Reader, I'll be unsubscribing to many blogs so don't worry, I'm just reading through a different method. My e-mail inbox is gonna love me for this!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
PRETTY AMAZING
Stamps: Pretty Amazing
Paper: Regal Rose, Whisper White, Sage Shadow, and Rose Red CS, Bali Breeze DP
Ink: Sage Shadow and Basic Black
Embellishments: Flower Fusion, Gold Brads, Real Rose 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Scallop Edge Punch, Swiss Dots Dry Embossing Folder and Cuttlebug Machine (non-SU)
Supplies: Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
JULY weSTAMP MEETING AND SWAP
This month's meeting was extra special because Pam's incredibly talented, out-of-state upline (from Virginia), Wendy Janson, was able to attend and even swap with us! Most of us knew Wendy through blogland but had never met her personally. You would have thought we had a movie star coming to our meeting ... we were so nervous and excited, and so badly wanted to make a good impression. Let me tell you ... Wendy is just as sweet and personable as can be ... we could have visited with her all night! As I was going to bed last night, I realized that I had forgotten to take photos of Wendy with the group .. ughh!!
The famous Box In A Bag was our Make 'n Take for the evening. Great way to use up that retiring designer paper! You can find a tutorial for the Box In A Bag HERE on Stampin' With Di.
Our swap theme this month was to use a background stamp or a Stampin' Around Wheel on a card. Here's our swaps ...
by Wendy Janson ...
by Pam Wood ...
by Terri Guymon ...
by Diana Knight ...
by Ginny Schembri ...
by Lorri Heiling ...
by Adriana Gray ...
by ME ...
RECIPE
Stamps: Take A Number Wheel, It's Your Birthday
Paper: Pumpkin Pie Prints DP, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie and Pink Passion CS
Ink: Only Orange and Pink Passion Classic Ink Pads, Versamarker
Embellishments: Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Brad, 1 ¼” Metal Rim Tag (non-SU)
Tools: 1” Circle Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Stampin’ Around Handle, Trio Flower Punch
Supplies: Stampin’ Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dot
Inspired by: Carol Frerich's card HERE.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
THANK YOU!
Our weSTAMP demonstrator group meeting is at my home tonight so I'm doing some setting up and cleaning. I'll be sharing our swap cards and my birthday RAKs with you over the next couple of days.
Thanks for checking in!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
SCS FEATURED STAMPER CHALLENGE FS76 SUSIESTAMPALOT
Besides the obvious ...
* The Doodle This flower was stamped twice in Chocolate Chip Classic Ink onto Bella Rose DP, and cut out. The petals were curled around a pencil, staggered and adhered together. A 1/2" punched Bella Rose DP circle with a Pink Rhinestone Brad adorns the center of the flower.
* The leaves of the flower were cut out from one of the patterns of the Bella Rose DP.
* The scallop edge was created using the new Scallop Edge Punch from Stampin' Up!.
* The Pink Piroutte background piece is from the Bella Rose DP and dry embossed with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug embossing folder.RECIPE
Stamps: Doodle This
Paper: Bella Rose DP, Riding Hood Red CS
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic
Embellishments: Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Pink Rhinestone Brad, Button Bouquet
Tools: Scallop Edge Punch, Photo Corner Punch, Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Embossing Folder (non-SU)
Supplies: Pop-Up Glue Dot
Saturday, July 19, 2008
A DAY TO REMEMBER ....
In addition to all the fun activities and great conversation, Lorri made this incredible stationary box for me with the Stampin' Up! Home Again Simply Scrappin' Kit! Click HERE to see more photos of this kit and one she made with the new Stampin' Up! Bella Rose DP!
I don't think I've EVER been that spoiled for my birthday !!!! A fun, relaxing, memorable day from my generous, thoughtful friend. Thank you, Lorri !!!!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
FUNKY RETRO UPTOWN
This card combines SCS Color Challenge 175 of Almost Amethyst, Wild Wasabi and So Saffron and Lynda Benden's Sketch Challenge Tuesday from 7/08/08.
I was thrilled with this week's color challenge ... I immediately thought of the retired Uptown designer papers. I have alot of it left and barely used any when it was in the last catalog. The dp panel with circles have other circles from another piece of the same dp that have been punched out with various sizes of circle punches and popped up on stampin' dimensionals.
Lynda's sketch really caught my eye, as I'm a sucker for a sketch with several interesting layers ... perfect with Stampin' Up Designer Papers! RECIPE
Stamps: Think Happy Thoughts
Paper: Uptown DP (retired), Almost Amethyst, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Wild Wasabi and Versamark
Embellishments: Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, So Saffron Brad, Dew Drops (non-SU)
Tools: Various Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Tombow Adhesive
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
FOR SALE REMINDER
I have many Retired Stampin' Up! items listed on ebay right now, and most of the auctions are ending within the next couple of days. I can't directly link the auctions due to Stampin' Up! policy but you can find them at www.ebay.com under my seller name, stampinat6213.
Retired items for sale include 2007 In Color lots of paper/ink/ink refills/ribbon, stamp sets, designer paper packs, and more.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Q & A, PART TWO
Q. Are you attending the Stampin' Up! Convention at the end of the month in Salt Lake?
A. Unfortunately, no ... I won't be attending this year's convention ... just couldn't swing it, financially. Hopefully, I'll make it to convention next year! I will be there in spirit through many of my stamping/blogging friends, and can't WAIT to see all their blog entries with convention highlights!
Q. What you are hoping to see in the new Catalog & Idea Book coming out in August?
A. The release of a new Stampin' Up! catalog is always an exciting time! As far as stamp sets go, I'm never really sold or excited about a stamp set until I see it in action. I would love to see more "useful" sentiments appropriate for the inside of cards, especially with birthday themes. I'd also love to see more stamp sets similar to Merry & Bright and Tart & Tangy ... versatile, useful, and affordable.
I can't WAIT to see the new Designer Papers ... I'd love to see a dp package with a Black & White color scheme! I hope to see more Simply Scrappin' Kits similar to Crew Kids Girl and Winter Bright, and more embellishments like Flower Fusion. It would be so cool if Stampin' Up! came out with something similar to Nestabilities too! WHITE brads would be nice too!
Demonstrators were informed recently that all the NEW stamp sets appearing in the new catalog will be die cut. Stampin' Up! is also coming out with a new scallop punch for scallop borders, among other sneak peek products!
Q. How in the world were you able to get 200,000 visitors to your blog in less than one year?
A. That number boggles my mind too! I don't have any "formula", but here's a few things I do that I think contribute to my blog's success, and may be helpful to others thinking about starting a blog ...
1) I do ALOT of linking! If there's a tutorial out there for something I'm showing, I link it. If my card was inspired by or cased from someone, I link their original. If I'm showing a card created from a challenge, I link it. What goes around, comes around!
2) When I post my artwork on splitcoaststampers.com, I always give a brief description, and say something like "For more details, see my blog, iSTAMP"... and link to the POST (not the blog). If someone looks at your card on SCS months down the road and wants to go to your blog for more details, you don't want to make them search your blog for that card. By linking directly to the POST, you're making it more convenient for the reader.
3) Leave frequent comments for others on their blogs and on SCS. For me, comments are incredibly motivating, and a fantastic way to start a rapport with readers and other bloggers. Again, what goes around, comes around!
4) Try not to ramble on about non-stamping related things. I will occasionally throw in some family related/personal things, but don't ramble on and on about my boring day.
5) Provide a recipe for stamped projects/cards with a consistent format, and describe supplies accurately and detailed (a great way to learn the names of supplies!). When I first started my blog, I would have to pull my catalog out every time for the correct name of a stamp set or product. Now, I rarely have to open the catalog for that purpose! Listing a detailed recipe is a great way to learn SU products!
6) Provide a subscription service like Feedblitz to make it easy for readers to return.
7) Creating an extensive blog roll with links to related blogs is a great way to build a resource for readers. Most bloggers will link you in return.
8) Participating in challenges from splitcoaststampers.com and other blogs also brings in new traffic. Here are some of my favorite blogs for challenges ...
Great Swaps Girls, Poetic Artistry, i{heart}2stamp, KWernerDesignBlog, Taylored Expressions, Our Creative Corner
Q. How did you get the courage to start your blog, and how did you pick your blog name?
A. I don't know if I'd call it "courage", but was completely inspired by other bloggers ... it looked like so much fun! It was a huge learning curve, but through alot of trial and error I think I finally got it down.
The name, iSTAMP, just came to me one day while pondering the thought of starting a blog. I think there were new iPODS being purchased in our family around that time ... shows where my mind was! To me, it made sense because that's what I do ... I stamp!
One piece of advise for new bloggers ... use the name of your blog in the address for your blog ... something I wish I would have done from the start.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
ELEGANT EGGPLANT, TAKEN WITH TEAL, OLD OLIVE
Besides the obvious, here are the details of my card ...
* I used Taylor VaBruggen's Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #24 ... and FLIPPED it.
* I also used the stamp set, TRUE FRIEND, and the "FRIEND" sentiment from FUNDAMENTAL PHRASES.
* The flowers were inked using Stampin' Write Markers ...stems in Old Olive, flowers in Taken With Teal, and the edges of the flowers in Elegant Eggplant.
* The small circle medallion image from the True Friend stamp set was stamped in Versamark onto the Elegant Eggplant CS background.
* The three dots scattered between the flowers are paper pierced holes. Long ago, when I scrapbooked regularly, I would make three dots randomly between stickers, die cuts, etc. Those three little dots, randomly placed, pulled the floating images together for a more flowing look.
* There is also a double paper piercing line on the horizontal Taken With Teal CS strip.
* The circle medallion was stamped twice (once in Taken With Teal, and once in Eggplant Envy) with an Old Olive background piece and Old Olive brad. The top circle is raised on stampin' dimensionals.
RECIPE
Stamps: True Friend, Fundamental Phrases
Paper: Whisper White, Eggplant Envy, Taken With Teal, and Old Olive CS
Ink: Old Olive, Eggplant Envy, and Taken With Teal, Versamark
Embellishments: Old Olive Brad
Tools: Paper Piercing Tool & Mat Pack, Word Window Punch, 1", 1 14/" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals
Friday, July 11, 2008
COLOR INSPIRATION, A SKETCH, AND BUD BASICS (again!)
I almost didn't post this card, as it did not turn out like I had planned ... some days you got it, some days you don't! I think everything is pretty self-explanatory on this card, but wanted to point out that those are non-SU Dew Drops in the flower centers.
RECIPE
Stamps: Bud Basics, All Holidays
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close To Cocoa, Really Rust, and Certainly Celery
Embellishments: Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Dew Drops (non-SU)
Tools: Paper Piercing Tool & Mat Pack
Supplies: Mini Glue Dots