More Paper Crafting...

Same layout as the previous post except I used different self adhesive die-cuts. The card on the left: actually the round die-cut is a little offset to the left...doesn't look it from the angle I took the photo. The blanks on the card on the right will be filled in when I decide who I will send it to.

Thanks for stopping by...

Paper Crafting...

Greetings Stampers!

I've been so bogged down with other things right now...not too much time to stamp. With the Holidays quickly approaching, I think I may have to take the quick way out this year. Paper crafting! I absolutely love this card...as usual...it is prettier in real life (aka IRL). I used some of the Stampin Up products available at special prices. Click here to see the offer and note... it's for a limited time and only available while supplies last.

Card base: Purely Pomegranate CS
Layer: River Rock CS
Ribbon: Purely Pomegranate Satin...yummy! best part...it's 50% off right now!
Embellishment: From the Hand Selected Accents and Elements: Self Adhesive Die-cut CS with the words "Believe" and "ingredients" pre-printed in coordinating colors.

No stamping on the card front...I will do some stamping on the inside for the greeting and decorate the envie a bit, too. No naked envies for me.

Sleep deprived...

OK, went to bed at 1:00 am...got up at 5:00 am....did a little Black Friday Shopping. Needless to say, I'm beat. I can't figure out how to add a photo here...it only allows me to add this link to the NEWEST Stampin' Up! special...some great values. Contact me if you would like to place an order. Limited quantities available...

http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/US_Wrapping_Flyer_1107.pdf

But Ellen...?

OK, You've asked a very good question about Camp Happiness (scroll down to Nov 13). Several of you have contacted me asking if I used all the stamped images (in the photo that resembles a quilt) to create the cards pictured. Nope, we did not! This photo shows all the "leftover" pieces. Lots of them to use for more cards. ...ignore the baggie at the top of the photo...that's for another project. I hope that makes it a little more clear...I'm off to make some more cards while I'm thinking about it. Thanks for asking and I hope I cleared that up for everyone.

Enjoy your weekend!

Club assignment

At our recent club meeting, we were giving an assignment. Create a 6x6 card with 9 elements on it. This is what I came up with. I had the background paper left over from a Sr. Center Class, so I used it for inspiration. I choose Hung Up on the Holidays set, Real Red, Handsome Hunter and Always Artichoke ink pads. The card base is a color similar to Old Olive but not the same quality. I popped the center square (could it be Paul Lynde...showing my age...heehee) up using Dimensionals and added Dazzling Diamonds glitter to give more emphasis to the ornament.

Stamp and Wack =]

These.....

Become these.....

Thanks to my sideline, Pam...I held a fun class yesterday. Thanks for sharing your idea Pam! Each lady got to make 6 cards (click image in enlarge) and take home the Happiness stamp. We used all 6 In Colors to create the cards...ink pads and coordinating CS, along with the Darling Doodles Designer Series paper. Little pieces of coordinating ribbon finished off the greeting to complete the cards.These stamped images were "Stamped and Wacked" to create the cards. In other words...stamp and cut the image apart. It was a little like doing a puzzle...fun! We stamped each image on the coordinating CS and Ink Pad and then again on Whisper White CS. I have a ton of leftover peices to create more cards with....I'll post and show you on another day....have a good one!

Cracked Glass Technique

This was a raffle prize I won at Pennie's Downline meeting, last month. Isn't it pretty! (Click image to enlarge) Pennie used the Cracked Glass Technique to create the flower image from Artfully Asian stamp set. Basically, you stamp and color your image...then cover it with Versamark "ink". Emboss several layers of Glassy Glaze Enamel, let cool or put into the freezer...now for the fun part...snap and crack the embossed piece. You can sponge ink into the cracks to accentuate them. Another fun thing Pennie did was replace the original cover of the note pad. Simply remove the spiral wire, cut CS to fit, punch the holes in the CS and "re-coil" and embellish...sounds like I need to do a tutorial...lol Thank you Pennie!

Simplicity

I love simplicity. This 3 x 3 Love Note is an example of a simple Make and Take. At a recent Workshop/Party, I had a group of ladies, new to stamping. This card gave them a chance to make a simple card, with just a few supplies. We used Real Red ink and note with the "All About U" stamp set. It's so versatile! The matching envelope is the perfect size to slip these little babies into. FYI...Stampin Up envelopes are yummy! They feel like butter!

The Love Notes are great to:

Give to your "special someone"...tucked in a briefcase or luggage.
Use as a gift enclosure...when you don't want a entire card.
Great for children's Valentines.
Hang from the handles of a gift bag, with a pretty length of ribbon.
The possibilities are endless!

4th card for PM Session

I had 8 ladies for the PM session...this is the last card...promise.

This "buckle" card is for New Year's. Notice the champagne flutes and bubbles...:o) Inside we used a Happy New Year Stamp on punched circles...continuing the "bubble" theme...

Sr. Center PM Session

First Card: Wild Rose stamp set
Second Card: Big on Christmas set
Third Card: Inspired by Janice Lucas...I got a swap card from her at a recent meeting. A neat fold! Thanks Janice!

AM Session part 2

This is the 4th card from the AM session. The light blue layer is textured. It's NOT Stampin' Up's. I bought it in a package that claimed it was "cardstock"...Not! It is very flimsy and not suitable to make a card with, so we used it for layering and attached it to the front of a white card base. I am so glad Stampin Up is carrying textured cardstock in their exclusive colors! IMHO...Stampin Up's textured CS is superior.

I love this little penguin! All stamped images are from the Punch Pals set. We used the Word Window punch and a brad to create the little greeting accent for the card (see close up) I will add glitter to mine ;o)

Sr. Center AM session

I had 14 ladies attend my AM session today! Whew! They made 4 projects...3 are pictured here. One in my next post.
First picture: 3 x 3 Notes and a holder.
Second and Third picture: A gift card (or cash or check) holder.

Sweet card CASE'd from JulieHRR

I saw a similar card on JulieHRR's gallery or blog. Anyway, it was so sweet and simple I had to try it. I punched the flowers with the Spring Bouquet punch on vellum colored with Vintage Violet ink. Next, I drew the stems with the Old Olive marker, using both tips. Added some "bling" to the flower centers with 2-way glue pen and non-su "gems". And finally, tied some Natural Twine "around" a few of the stems. Julie had a small greeting (handwritten) on her card. I have a hard time adding a greeting to my cards. I don't always have someone specific I'm making the card for, so I wait until I'm ready to send to add the greeting.

One Sheet Wonder = OSW

After receiving several questions, asking "what background paper" did I use...I thought I would post the reply here. I created my own! It's simple. Just one stamp set...Season of Joy (from the Holiday Mini), 3 ink pads and a sheet of Whisper White CS are all you need. I chose In Colors: Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi and River Rock. I started with PP for the largest image, then went with WW for med. size images and finally RR for the lightest color images. After you have covered the full sheet of CS with as much stamping as you like, cut the CS into pieces to use for your cards, scrapbook pages and other projects. I adapted this techique, in 2002, after watching an episode of Carol Duvall. The guest was showing how to stamp 16 postcards at one time. She had her post cards spread out on the table, stamping each one individually. I thought it would be much easier to stamp one sheet then cut it into pieces. I show this at every workshop/party with great success.

Don't you just hate it...

...when something is retired?! Both the patterns used on these cards have retired. I wish I had bought a case of the Holiday Thyme paper...it's beautiful. Stampin Up didn't let me down! They gave me an alternative! Wintergreen! It is Yummy! I love the greens in this paper. Will probably use it for my cards this Holiday season. I love the double sided Designer Series Paper from Stampin Up. These 2 cards with matching envies I created (or maybe CASE'd). I used the 5-in-1 Envelope Template to make the envelope...don't they look like they were lined? I added coordinating paper to the cards to stick to the "theme". I love how they turned out.

Isn't it pretty?!!

Pennie (my Upline and friend) made this for me, last Spring. It was too pretty to tear open and eat the chocolate nuggets....yes, hard to resist! Pennie had such a wonderful way to make things look beautiful! She is very talented! These little beauties are Hershey Nuggets. She used Petals & Paisleys Designer Series Paper, cut into strips and wrapped around the nugget. The cello bag topper is unique...small strips of the Petals paper were stapled under the flower medallion...very cute in real life. Thanks for your constant inspiration, Pennie!

Tip of the Week

I've found it interesting...the results of my Poll (so far). Stampers are creating a lot of cards to send this Holiday season.

Don't you hate to lick and seal all those envelopes? I hate the taste of the adhesive...wonder what's in that stuff, anyway. So my tip is this....try using your Aqua Painter to make quick work of sealing all those envies. Not familiar with the Aqua Painter? This is the water filled barrel paint brush. I use mine to watercolor with Ink from pads or markers...and with Watercolor Crayons. Makes me feel like an artist..lol It's great for travel, too. Portable and No mess!

Have a wonderful week!

White Staz-on idea

My Upline stamped this cute idea on a Cello Bag. She used White Staz-on ink for the flowers from Just Like You and Black Staz-on for the greeting from Much Appreciated . I love this idea...can't you see white snowflakes stamped on the Cello Bags, filled with Holiday treats! The possibilities are endless! Thanks for the inspiration Pennie! Now, where did I put that White Staz-on pad?

Fun Survey

1. What time did you get up this morning? 5:50am!
2. Diamonds or Pearls? Diamonds, silly
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Harry Potter a few years ago.
4. What is your favorite TV show? Grey's Anatomy
5. Breakfast? coffee
6. What is your middle name? Can't tell ya, I'd have to shoot ya...
7. What is your favorite Cuisine? Chinese, for now
8. What food do you dislike? Italian, thanks to my hubby
9. Your favorite potato chip? Lay's reg.
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? A mixed CD my children made.
11. What kind of car do you drive? ewww...a Mommy Van, yuck!
12. Favorite SANDWICH? pretty much anything from Dreamers.
14. What are your favorite clothes? denim and a t-shirt
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation where would you go? OBX, NC
16. What color are your eyes? Hazel
17. Favorite brand of clothes? Lands End
18. Where do you want to retire? OBX, of course
19. Favorite time of day? definitely nights
20. Where were you born? PA
21. What is your favorite sport to watch? Anything my kids are playing, esp. Basketball
22. Coke or Pepsi? decaf. Pepsi
25. Cats or Dogs? Dogs
26. Are you a morning person or a night owl? night owl
27. Pedicure or manicure? have never had either
28. Do you prefer funny or mushy cards? probably mushy
29. Any new news you would like to share? nope
30. What did you want to be when you were little? a nurse or a teacher
31. What do you have in your trunk right now? I don't have a trunk
32. What is your best childhood memory? many, but I loved the "Tarzan" swing my Dad hung in the woods behind our house.
33. What are the different jobs you have had in your life? delivered newspapers, Waitress, Legal Patent proofreader, Bank Teller, Secretary in the ER, Stampin Up!!!!
34.Favorite Holiday? Thanksgiving. Thanks to my Mom, I have nothing to do but make dessert and relax with family.
35. What is your favorite dessert? anything chocolate
36. Favorite Summer getaway? OBX, NC
37. Ever been to Africa? No
38. Glasses or Contacts? cheater readers
39. Ever been toilet papering? Nope
40. Been in a car accident? Yes...got the scars to prove it :o(
41. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
42. Favorite restaurant? Cottage Cafe, Bethany Beach
43. Favorite flower? Roses among many...I love flowers.
44. Favorite movies? I don't watch many, but I love comedies.
45. Favorite Pastime? Stampin' ;o)
46. Favorite ice cream? Coffee
47. Favorite fast food restaurant? Arby's
48. How many times did you fail your drivers test? Zero
49. From whom did you get your last email? Deb
50. Sandals or tennis shoes? Sandals only because barefeet wasn't an option.
51. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Tiffany's
52. If the speed limit is 60 what is the fastest you will drive? depends, but probably 65
54. Last person you went to dinner with? my children
55. What are you listening to right now? Shower water running
56. What is your favorite color? Pink
57. How many tattoos do you have? zero for now...lol

Designer Series Paper...gotta love this!

Don’t you just love patterned papers? I do! I've been using a lot of patterned paper (known in the Stampin’ Up! catalog as Designer Series Paper) on my cards, lately. I like how easily they coordinate with Stampin Up's cardstock and ink pads. Take a peek at these TERRIFIC PROJECTS from Stampin Up's website.

For every 3 packages of designer paper you buy, you receive 1 package FREE! And there’s no limit! I ordered some yesterday and will probably order (hoard...lol) more before the promo is over. I love the choices for Holiday cards. Don't be surprised if you see Wintergreen, Dashing, Holiday Harmony or Cerise on my cards this year.

Choose from:
Holiday Harmony(Mini Catalog)
Apple Cider (Mini Catalog)
Outlaw
Brocade Background
Fall Flowers
Linen Prints
Porcelain Prints
Le Jardin
Uptown
Wintergreen
Flowers for You
Petals and Paisleys
Creepy Crawly
Notations No. 2
Charbon
Cerise
Dashing
Cutie Pie
Darling Doodles
Prints Designer Series Paper 16 colors to choose from!

If you’re interested in taking advantage of this promotion, please contact me: stampwithellen@aol.com This special offer runs until the end of November.

Metallic Pencil Rub...

I saw this technique on Kim Wilson's blog. The flower image was stamped using Basic Black ink, onto Shimmery White Cardstock. I love that CS! It adds such a subltle, elegant look to any project. In this case, after stamping the flower, I used the Metallic Art Pencils to add some color. Just a little blue to the outline of the petals...then some green to the center and dots on the petals. Now for the fun part! I used a piece of paper towel to rub over the colored areas. This blended the color, slightly and gave it a soft glow. I layered this panel onto a Basic Black layer. The card base is one of my favorite colors of Stampin Up's CS...Night Quite Navy. The greeting is one of my favorites, too. I would send this to a man or a woman...it's not too frilly.

Before....

I created this card last Spring, for the ladies to make at the Sr. Center...before I knew Stampin Up would be offering Textured Cardstock and the Pretties Kit. I used packages of square, Rose-colored textured cards, I found on clearance, not the best quality. They stamped the large swirl from Stampin Up set Doodle This using Always Artichoke ink on white CS. The giant flower was from a bunch of flowers from the Dollar Store. I Cuttlebugged Summer Sun CS. They used a circle punch to make the center of the flower. Chalk/pastel on a Q-tip was used to highlight the swirls on the CS.