Stamping with Karen

NEW DEAL OF THE WEEK: SQUARE FIRE RHINESTONE BRADS $6.99

It's Monday so here is the new Deal of the Week from Stampin' Up!

 

Want to put some Square Fire Rhinestone Brads on your order??

Kind Thoughts Brocade Stencil Photo Frame

Last week I saw this project on Kimberly Van Diepen's blog  and I loved it so much I ran right out to Hobby Lobby to find the same frame!  In case you do the same, I'll save you a few steps and tell you it is back in the Crafts section, not in with the picture frames or home decor.  I didn't realize she had made hers with the light colored frame so I bought a dark frame.  Next time (and I can't wait to go back and get another one or two!) I'll choose the light colored one, I think you get a better contrast.  But it's neat either way, I think!

So let's back up.....I bought the metal frame, called "Craft Photo Frame" "Time to Decorate!" 4x6 inch.  I had already purchased the Stampin' Up! "Kind Thoughts Brocade Stencil" in the Decor Elements line.  Mine is the "Small" size but I think it worked just fine.  I already had some "Dreamweaver Stencil Embossing Paste" (you can see it in the corner of the photo) from my pre-Stampin' Up! days and a palette knife.  I placed the stencil where I wanted it on the frame, taped down two sides, and slathered on the embossing paste with the palette knife....just like frosting.  Then I turned the palette knife on its side to scrape off the excess paste.  Just lift the stencil up and you have your design on your project.  Now be very sure not to let the paste dry on your stencil, so be ready to wash it off right away.

 

 

I let mine dry overnight since it was late anyway, but a couple hours should do it.  This morning  I used a foam brush to apply the "DecoArt Elegant Finish Metallic Glaze".  Mine is the Renaissance Brown color.  This step was SOOO easy.  Just brush the glaze on rather lightly.  You can go over it a little bit if you get too much on or not enough.  You could probably even do a little wiping with a soft cloth if you want, but I wouldn't rub on the embossing too much.

  

 

 

That's all there is to it!  Now you can see stencils aren't just for walls!!  If you want to see the Decor Elements Catalog so you can order your stencil, click HERE.  Contact me if you have any questions or want your own copy of the catalog.

Flower Frame Project with Spencer Willis

I came across this video this morning of Spencer Willis of Stampin' Up! doing a project on a TV show.  It is essentially a scrapbook page but put in a photo frame.  I've seen Spencer demonstrate at Stampin' Up! conventions, and he is great! (a good singer, too, although unfortunately he doesn't break out in song after this demo!).  The project is done with a retired set, Big Blossoms, so you will have to change the flowers a little bit.  Enjoy!

Idea from Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog

I was looking through the new Stampin' Up! 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog  the other day (well, almost everyday!) and just saw lots of things I wanted to make.  This card was inspired by the scrapbook page on page 16 of the catalog.  That particular day I just liked the colors shown on that page and decided to make a card with the hostess set, "Kind and Caring Thoughts".

 

The colors are Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, So Saffron and Ruby Red.  I seldom use Ruby Red unless maybe in the fall, but I love it with these colors!

This hostess set is great.....the flowers and leaves are nice and lots of great sentiments.  If you'd like to possibly earn this set for free having a private stamping class with your friends, just contact me!

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4th of July Fireworks Scrapbook Page

 

Just made this 6x6 scrapbook page....very quick and easy!  You wouldn't think you could use a flower stamp to make fireworks, but I did!  I stamped the top of the flower from the stamp set "Kind and Caring Thoughts", a Level 3 Hostess Set from the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog.  I just used Versamark ink for both the watermarked (bluish) fireworks and also to emboss with the gold embossing powder.  That provided the background.  Then I wanted to use the Sizzlit Die "Sparkle" with my Big Shot to make the 3-D fireworks!  The center needed something, so I punched some of the flowers from the Boho Blossoms Punch and inserted a large rhinestone brad in each.  Now if only I had taken pictures!!

The fireworks were great, as they are every year!  We go to the display put on by Stafford, TX which is always quite good, especially considering they are a small community in the Houston area.  We like the smaller crowds and enjoy meeting our friends there in "our spot" every year.  Traffic usually isn't too bad getting out....and we can even spot fireworks from other areas like Sugarland too!  Hope you had a happy 4th!

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Deal of the Week: Big Shot Doctor's Bag!!

Last week Stampin' Up! announced they would have a new Deal of the Week every Monday during the month of July!  Well, it is Monday and here is the deal!

 Big Shot Doctor's Bag    Sale Price $49.99

July 6, 10 AM (MT) through
July 13, 9:50 AM (MT)

 Item #113474   Page 194    Reg. Price $69.95

You won't want to miss this deal!  This Big Shot Doctor's Bag is made for the Big Shot, but it is such fine quality, that even if you don't own a Big Shot you might like the bag just for a piece of luggage!  I have used mine for a classy overnight bag!  It is really very nice, quite roomy, and fantastic to have a pricey item on sale!  But you have to act fast to buy it during the special time period.  After the deadline, it reverts back to regular price.  And I know you'd rather have that extra $20 for more stamps!

Just contact me at KSFontinelle@gmail.com or order at my website HERE and click the Shop Now button.

 

 

   

Photographing Fireworks on the 4th of July

Here's an article about photographing fireworks that might be helpful to you photographers out there!  Hope you make some great scrapbook pages!

This is from PCWorld by Dave Johnson.

How to Photograph Fireworks




For the photographer, winter certainly has its share of iconic subjects, such as Christmas trees, snowmen, and icicles hanging from a roof. But there's nothing quite like the excitement of shooting summertime fireworks. Done right, fireworks photos are dynamic and colorful, and they convey a sense of action better than almost any other kind of still image. Read on to learn how to capture some exciting fireworks photos of your own this summer.
(Photo by foxypar4.)

(Almost) Any Camera Will Do...
Though photos of fireworks look impressive, you don't need specialized gear to get good results. You can use almost any digital camera to capture fireworks, as long as it offers either some degree of manual exposure control (so that you can dial in the right ISO, aperture, and shutter speed settings) or a fireworks scene mode designed to do the work for you.

Even compact digital cameras can meet the challenge. The Fujifilm Finepix F200 EXR shown here, for example, hits the sweet spot for portability and simplicity--it's a superb compact point-and-shoot that, when set to fireworks mode and stabilized to minimize image shake, can take some excellent fireworks shots.

...But a Digital SLR Is Best

Compact cameras eschew features for portability, however. If you like to tinker with your exposure settings, consider an advanced point-and-shoot like the Canon PowerShot SX10 IS. It has a convenient swiveling LCD for shooting unusual angles, such as over the top of a crowd or low down on the ground. A wealth of exposure options let you dial in the one-touch fireworks mode or take more control with shutter priority, aperture priority, and manual exposure settings.

If you have a choice, though, I recommend enlisting a true digital SLR. Digital SLRs tend to generate less noise in the lengthy exposures you'll need to capture fireworks, and they have advanced features such as manual exposure control and external shutter release to minimize shake when you're taking the photo. The Nikon D90 (pictured here), for example, is a favorite not just because it was the first digital SLR to incorporate high-definition video recording, but also because it provides excellent image quality, Live View mode, and face detection for those times when you’re not shooting fireworks.

Stabilize Your Camera

The most important rule for shooting fireworks: Use a slow shutter speed so that you can record those dramatic, colorful light trails as they explode through the sky. But no matter whether you're using a point-and-shoot or a high-end digital SLR, you'll need some sort of support to capture a sharp image, free from the blur that results when you hold a camera in your hands.

A simple, inexpensive, and lightweight tripod is all you need. Keep the tripod head loose so that you can quickly move it around to frame the exploding fireworks, while the tripod legs prevent jiggling.

If you don't want to haul even a compact tripod around, consider using a monopod--since it has just one leg instead of three, it won't be as steady as a tripod, but it can be a reasonable compromise. You could also prop your camera on a solid surface. Some photographers like gadgets such as The Pod (essentially a bean bag with a tripod mount in the top) for steadying the camera on rocks, fences, and other platforms.

Hands Off

You should also avoid touching the camera when the exposure starts, so you don't jiggle it and blur the photo. You could try to use the camera's self-timer to trigger the exposure, but you would have to trigger your exposure in advance to anticipate the best fireworks moment. A better solution is to invest in a wireless remote or a shutter release cable, both of which let you take the photo without touching the camera.

Go Automatic




If your compact camera or advanced point-and-shoot has a fireworks mode, enable it. This mode automatically adjusts the camera's settings for a nighttime exposure. Want to know what's going on behind the scenes? On most cameras, the fireworks mode will turn the flash off, set focus to infinity, disable exposure compensation, and lower the ISO. For the most part, I find that a preset fireworks mode achieves good results for simple shots.

No Fireworks Mode? No Problem



Some point-and-shoots that lack a fireworks mode may still permit you to adjust the settings. Here are some good settings to try, if your camera allows.
Low ISO: Set the camera to its lowest ISO setting to minimize digital noise.
Focus on infinity: Turn off automatic focus and set the camera's focus to infinity so that it doesn't search helplessly for a subject in the dark. Don't have a manual focus control? Use the camera's landscape mode, which also sets the focus to infinity; the low light will encourage the camera to shoot at a slow shutter speed and capture the light trails.
Set the aperture: Dial in an f/stop somewhere between f/8 and f/16. That will help prevent overexposing the scene and avoid light "blooms" coming from the explosions in the sky.
Slow down the shutter: Pick a value between 1 second and 16 seconds for your shutter speed. The longer the exposure, the more fireworks you'll capture in the same frame, and the longer your light trails will be. For really long exposures try covering the lens with your hand or the lens cap between bursts to avoid overexposing the picture.
(Photo by Howard Meyer.)

Shooting With a Digital SLR

If you have a digital SLR, you'll have an easier time--and more options--when setting up your camera for fireworks.

In a nutshell, you'll want to dial in the lowest ISO, throw the camera into full manual mode, choose a small aperture opening (try starting at f/8), and pick a slow shutter speed with an exposure time of between 1 and 4 seconds. After you take your first few pictures, review them to see if you're getting realistic color. If the bright blue, orange, and red fireworks all look kind of white, you should use the same exposure time but close the aperture a bit and try again. That means changing your f/8 setting to f/11 or perhaps f/16. If the fireworks are too dim, open the aperture to f/5.6 or f/4.

Most SLRs have a bulb mode that leaves the shutter open for as long as you hold down the shutter release, giving you total control over the exposure. When the fireworks launch, press the shutter release to start the exposure. Hold the button down until after the fireworks have bloomed, several seconds later. If you go for superlong exposures, you should cover the lens between fireworks.

Get a Wide Angle on the Scene


While you might be tempted to zoom in to get close-ups of the action, I recommend that you use the wider end of your lens's range--or, if you're using a digital SLR, switch to your wide-angle lens. You'll be able to capture more fireworks in a shot and even frame the action against a skyline or other recognizable objects in the foreground.

Of course, you can experiment by changing your zoom range throughout the evening. Just remember that if you zoom in too tightly, you'll have trouble knowing exactly when and where the fireworks are going to do their thing, and you'll end up missing the action.
(Photo by stage88.)

Experimentation Is Key

As you prepare for summer fireworks, remember that capturing the action is often more art than science. Experiment with a range of shutter speeds and aperture settings over the course of the event. If the weather is uncooperative, take advantage by incorporating umbrella-covered spectators into the scene. And don't forget that your photo editing program's cropping tool can sometimes bring a distant fireworks blast front and center, turning a mediocre shot into a keeper.

Celebrate with a Cute Big Shot Box

Today already "feels" like the 4th of July since a lot of people are off work.  I'm going to put my flag out soon since that will make it feel even more like the July 4th holiday.  Here is an easy little box I just made with my beloved Big Shot, Box #2 die.  I have used this so much and I think you would too!

 

I used Whisper White card stock for the box and stamped red and blue stars from Nursery Necessities (a baby stamp set!) all over it.  The little "Celebrate" tag is from "Matchbox Messages".  I punched the word "Celebrate" with the Word Window Punch and the Real Red card stock behind it is punched with the brand new Modern Label Punch (page 187) #116630   $15.95   I inserted a couple of little brads on the sides and tied the box with the Real Red 1/2" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.  Honestly, I planned to stick punched out stars all over the box and even embossed a gold one from "Fun & Fast Notes".  But it wasn't looking right and once I played with the ribbon, especially tying it around the top of the box, I felt like I had my design!  Sometimes you have to know when to stop!

                                              Happy 4th of July!

New Month, New Catalog, New Stampin' Up! Year!

Yes, the day finally arrived!  July 1st, a day of great significance to Stampin' Up! fans....customers and demos alike!  The day the new Stampin' Up! 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog goes live!!  Just a short time ago Stampin' Up! switched to the new catalog and new merchandise and now ordering is underway!  Demos were lucky enough to be able to preorder certain new goodies a month ago AND get a copy of the catalog!  YOU should really be in on this excitement next time around...and what a great deal!  Besides the new catalog today, Stampin' Up! also announced a new promotion, "Have Fun Doing What You Love" for becoming a demo for only $85.  And the Summer Fun continues with a Weekly Special, the "Deal of the Week" during July!  Right now you can purchase the Scallop Edge Punch for 30% off from July 1 - July 5.

 

Contact me at KSFontinelle@gmail.com right away to get your own copy of the beautiful new catalog and see all the new In Colors!

Look online NOW to see the catalog and all the new goodies!  You can order 24/7 from my website or contact me any time!

*Note:  Demand for the In Colors may be high and there may be temporary backorders.  The Bermuda Bay ink pad and refill are not available at this time due to quality issues.

Stamping Fun with the Girl Scout Hobby Badge

On Saturday I had the pleasure of working with a group of thirteen Girl Scouts from a troop in Sugarland, TX to earn their "Doing Hobbies" badge.  It was a fun day, and all of the girls did an excellent job on their projects!  It's a great testament to how easy stamping is, even for beginners.  In no time, these girls were putting their own touches on their projects.

***If you are in the Houston/Sugarland area and need help doing your Hobby Badge for Scouts, please contact me at KSFontinelle@gmail.com .  I can personalize projects for your group and ages!

We started with an easy little gift for someone....Peppermint Patties decorated with stamping and the Scallop Circle punch.

 

Next we tried a technique of coloring directly on the stamp with markers to get multi-colors on one stamp.  This was a fun and easy card to make and most girls immediately started writing a note inside to send to someone.  They really had fun decorating the envelope!

 

The mother hosting the event presented an interesting history of the hobby of scrapbooking.  Did you know Mark Twain was a scrapbooker?!  Here is the scrapbook page the girls made:

 

As part of the badge requirements, we talked about how stamping and scrapbooking could fit into a person's life.

And for one last project, all the girls decorated this composition notebook.

 

It was a fun day and I hope the girls enjoyed learning a new hobby!