Monthly Archives: January 2009

Making a Picture Mug

 I had fun yesterday working on these Picture Mugs I picked up at Aaron Brothers Art and Framing.  I'm sure you can buy them other places as well.  They are designed to stick photos inside, which is great, too, but I thought of stamping something.  I decided to work with the new stamp set "Petal Pizzazz" on page 90 of the new Idea Book & Catalog.

PictureMug11 

To begin, just unscrew the bottom of the mug and pull out the insert that is in between the outside of the mug and the inner container.  There is a piece of clear plastic over the paper insert.  You can use this piece of plastic as your template to make your cardstock base. 

PictureMug5  PictureMug6 

  

 

 

 

 

 

I used Whisper White card stock, sponged with some Baja Breeze ink for sky.  Then I stamped a few stems and flowers on this cardstock.

PictureMug 

I wanted to use some green designer paper for the grass so I chose this pattern from Bella Rose, and since I wanted to play with my new Eyelet Border Punch I used that across the top of the grass!  A little odd but fun!

PictureMug2 

PictureMug3 

Next I stamped assorted flowers in different colors, thinking I would use of course the whole flowers but also thinking I could punch the centers to use on other flowers.

PictureMug4 

PictureMug7 

I just laid out the flowers on my stamped piece, playing around with placement and colors and what centers would go on which flowers.  When I was happy with the design, I glued everything down with Tombow Multi Purpose Adhesive.  If you get any of that where you don't want it, let it dry and then use the fantastic Adhesive Remover.

PictureMug8 

Yes, I had to cut out most of the flowers and leaves by hand, but as long as you have the Paper Snips, it is not too bad of a job!  You can use the Scallop Punch on the one flower design, which leaves a little white margin on the edges but that is fine.

Here is a second one I did, instead using the Kiwi Kiss textured cardstock for the grass and a few different flowers and colors.

PictureMug10 

You can see on this one, as I was using the Scallop Punch to do the yellow flower center on the gigantic red flower in the lower left corner, I turned the punch a bit, instead of trying to line up the scallops and it made like a little ruffle around the edge of the flower that I really liked!  You should be able to click on any of these pictures and make them larger.

Place the plastic template over your work and roll it up so you can reinsert it into the mug.  It was a little tricky to keep the plastic lined up with the paper on the edges, but I finally did it!

PictureMug13

 

 

New Baby Girl Card

I needed a baby card so I used the brand-new Hostess set "Goody-Goody Gumdrops".  It's a very cute stamp set if you are fortunate enough to have a big workshop and earn it for free.  Lots of creativity potential with this set!

GumdropsBaby 

  1. Use Whisper White card stock for your card base.
  2. Stamp Pink Pirouette layer with the little heart in Goody-Goody Gumdrops using Versamark or Pink Pirouette ink and punch with the Scallop Edge punch.
  3. Stamp three ducks using Black Stazon ink and color in with method of your choice (I used Stampin' Write Markers).
  4. Do paper piercing along edges of Barely Banana.
  5. Draw a line for "string" connecting the duck toys with a marker.
  6. Tie pink taffeta ribbon around pink layer before adhering.
  7. Tie a little pink button onto end of linen thread (this one has retired).
  8. Poke a hole into the front of the duck toy and insert linen thread to short length to create a little pull for the toy.
  9. Use Signo gel pen to make some extra white dots on scallop edge.
  10. Stamp "Sweet little one" with Pink Pirouette from set "Holidays and Wishes".

 

Even Flat Stanley Is Excited!

Even Flat Stanley is excited about the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog!!

FlatStanleySU 

Flat Stanley from California came to Houston, Texas for a visit!  He showed up just when the new Stampin' Up! catalog had come out.  What a lucky guy!  He was visiting my friend and her family and got to go around to lots of places.  We were all surprised when he showed up at our little stamping group!

FlatStanleystamp 

Here he is admiring some cards and ready to stamp!

We were so happy to have Flat Stanley visiting us!

Sad News for Scrapbookers

Today someone shared online this announcement that the magazine "Simple Scrapbooks" would be publishing its last one with the May/June 2009 issue.  Apparently it is a difficult market and economy for the magazine at this time.  However, it will continue to be a part of "Creating Keepsakes" magazine, starting with the July 2009 issue.  You can read the official announcement here. 

I have several years of both magazines filling up my bookshelves; you would think I would have a lot of pages scrapped as well!  But I don't!  But I did enjoy the simpler, uncluttered look of pages shown in the Simple Scrapbooks magazine and felt like that style was one I could do…if I would make some scrapbook pages!  And any minute now I'm going to start on some!  🙂

If you have a subscription to this magazine you might want to read the Official Announcement and get the details of how your subscription will be fulfilled.

Need an Easy Gift Bag?

Not to go back to Christmas so soon, but here is an example of how easy stamping can make your life!  When you need a gift bag, grab a lunch sack that you probably have in your pantry or can buy a whole package at a discount or grocery store.  Stamp it, trim the very top off to look a little neater and straighter (I used the Scallop Edge Punch on mine), and fold it over.  Punch two holes in the top and put a beautiful ribbon through (this one is the lovely Riding Hood Red/Very Vanilla on page 23 in the Holiday Mini)….tie in a knot or a bow, hang a tag from it if you want.  Done! 

If you want to jazz it up a little, add some eyelets, or for a nicer outside, adhere designer paper or cardstock to the bag.  Sometimes just the plain brown paper bag is the most decorative, though!

Christmasbag

A Love You Much Scrapbook Page

It didn’t take too much work to figure this one out, I just copied the page from the Love You Much Bundle flyer, except that I used Bella Rose Designer Paper instead of the Candy Lane (would hate to use too much of the new paper, you know!).  I used a 6×6 piece of Riding Hood Red In Color cardstock and stamped the hearts from Love You Much on the background in Riding Hood Red Ink.  I also could have used Versamark for the same subtle effect.  Then I adhered two strips of the Bella Rose paper to the bottom third.  You can do whatever size strips you like, mine were about 1 3/4  x 6 and 1×6 with the bottom one overlapping the top one about 1/4″.  You wouldn’t have to overlap since the ribbon goes across the two pieces anyway.  I used my white gel pen to free-hand some dots across the top of the paper border.  Then it was a chance to use one of my metal-edge tags for a change.  This is the largest one. (If you don’t have the metal-edge tags, you can get the same effect with gray or silver cardstock for the bottom layer and your stamped layer on top).  I stamped on a scrap piece of Whisper White paper rather than the tag itself, just in case of a mistake!  The new large circle punch….1 3/4″…. fits that tag perfectly.  In order to get that little red heart above the birds, I kind of stamped the top part of the stamp with Riding Hood Red and the rest in black, punched that out with the big circle punch and adhered it to the tag, right over the white part that is already there!  Then I stamped the birds again with Stazon black….now either you can do this on Whisper White and color in your birds whatever color you wish, stamp them on colored cardstock, or stamp them on Designer Paper….then cut out carefully (without the legs!) and adhere them to the tag, right over the stamped birds with Dimensionals.  I also used Dimensionals to adhere the tag to the scrapbook page.

LoveYouMuchSBpage   

Now if 6×6 isn’t your size, either enlarge the page to start with, or make this 6×6 piece and add it to your larger page.

If you ever thought you wanted to be a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator but weren’t “creative” enough, this shows you that you can copy, copy, copy!  Stampin’ Up! is even getting better and better at providing ideas for us demos and even to you customers, so don’t let creativity stop you!  Read all about becoming a Demonstrator here.  You can even sign up online now, just contact me for my special password!  You’ll have your Demo number in moments!

I Love “Love You Much”!

I first saw this set on display at the San Antonio Regional and I loved it.  Now I am finally getting some time to stamp some things with it.  Here are little 3×3 notecards I made.  Such an easy and fun set.  Of course if you order the "bundle" (click here) you get the stamp set "Love You Much", the Heart to Heart punch and the Candy Lane Designer Paper, all for 20% off retail price during January. (See THIS post)  The paper had been so popular it was backordered for awhile but I think it is going to be available this coming week.  If you ever try to order online and have difficulty, contact me because if something is backordered, the online ordering will not take the order.  I would still be able to put it in for you on the regular system.

LoveYouMuchHeartnotecard 

LoveYouMuchHugsNotecard 

LoveYouMuchHugsNotecard2

A Valentine Mailbox

Whenever I see these mailboxes, I think about the excitement they caused a couple years ago when they appeared in the Target dollar spots!  As soon as they were found and stampers began altering them and posting pictures online, other stampers just went wild all over the country for these little mailboxes!  Target probably wondered what in the world was going on as their dollar spots were stalked, phone calls made to the stores checking on inventory and deliveries, and shopping carts filled up with how ever many mailboxes could be found!  It was Target Mailbox-Mania…..and I'm not sure it is over yet!  Apparently this year's mailboxes are starting to show up in Target dollar spots and are silver!  However, I still have plenty of white and red ones in my closet so I don't need silver ones (unless, of course, someone posts something with a silver one that is so darn cute I can't resist!).  They ARE nice for gifts…..you can stamp notecards to put inside or fill with candy or a little gift.  Actually, years ago my friend Chris sent me a red Christmas mailbox, personalized, that I always put out on my table with the lid open and candy canes laying inside.

Here is my most recent Valentine mailbox using the oh-so-cute Love You Much stamp set!

TargetMailbox09 

TargetMailbox09front 

TargetMailbox09side 

I used the Bella Rose Designer Paper on this mailbox.

Retiring Accessories & Inventory Blowout!

All morning we demos have been waiting for Stampin' Up! to release the retiring accessories list, but they surprised us with an Inventory Blowout Sale, too!  The Inventory Blowout is a selection of retired, retiring and current SU products ON SALE!!

To see ALL the specials and things going on, click here.

Inventory Blowout  (Click on link for photos)

Retiring Accessories  

Item #  Product Description  Availability 
111377  ACCENTS & ELEMENTS ROOF GARDEN   
112012  ACCENTS & ELEMENTS SEASON TO SHARE   
112088  ACCENTS & ELEMENTS TRUE ELEGANCE   
102782 ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 12X12 Not Available 
104188 ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 6X6   
105384  ALBUM LINEN POST MELLOW MOSS 6X6*   
104516  ALBUM LINEN POST NAVY 6X6   
105381  ALBUM LINEN POST REAL RED 6X6*  Not Available
103977  BUTTONS BOLD BRIGHTS*   
103978  BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS   
103981  BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS & NEUTRALS   
105446 BUTTONS RICH REGALS   
105445  BUTTONS SOFT SUBTLES   
103604  DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 12X12   
102174  DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 8 1/2X11   
112465  DESIGNER SERIES PAPER BANBURY  Not Available
112462  DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GEORGIA PEACH   
112463  DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GHOSTLY GREETINGS   
112040  DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GREEN TEA   
112470 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HAIKU   
112460  DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HAWAII PAPAYA   
112469  DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HOLIDAY TREASURES   
112458  DESIGNER SERIES PAPER JUNIOR VARSITY   
112459  DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MAINE BLUEBERRY   
112466  DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MUIRFIELD   
112149  DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PARISIAN SUMMER   
112467  DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PRESTWICK   
111355  DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SUMMER PICNIC   
112039  DESIGNER SERIES PAPER WINDSOR KNOT   
112963  ELEMENTOS PARA TARJETAS DIAS FESTIVOS HECHOS A MANO SIMPLY SENT   
106523  ENVELOPE TEMPLATE FIVE-IN-ONE CARD COVER   
104104  ENVELOPE TEMPLATE MINI   
107298  ENVELOPES CONFETTI WHITE MEDIUM   
110695  ENVELOPES OPEN END KRAFT SMALL   
109115  ENVELOPES OPEN END VERY VANILLA SMALL   
103372  METAL EDGE TAGS ALUMINUM WHITE SQUARE   
107925  ON BOARD BITTY BOOK*   
109190  ON BOARD CLIPBOARD 9X9*   
109180  ON BOARD SIMON UPPER   
112086  ON BOARD SOMETHING SEASONAL   
107923  PAGE PROTECTORS RING 3.25 X 3.25   
104942  PUNCH 1/4 INCH CIRCLE   Not Available
104943  PUNCH 1/4 INCH SQUARE   
107273  PUNCH 3/4 INCH SQUARE   
104389  PUNCH DOUBLE CIRCLE*   
100391 PUNCH HANDHELD 1/8 INCH CIRCLE Not Available 
104830  RIBBON GINGHAM CARAMEL   
104829  RIBBON GINGHAM LIGHT BLUE   
104828  RIBBON GINGHAM LIGHT PINK   
104831  RIBBON GINGHAM MOSS   
109037 RIBBON GROSGRAIN MORE MUSTARD 1/4 INCH   
110282  RUB ON ANCHORED   
111806  RUB ON CHILLS & THRILLS   
111805  RUB ON SCHOOL DAYS   
111417  RUB ON WORD FLURRIES   
110283  RUB ONS TAKE NOTE   
112193  SIMPLY SCRAPPIN I WISH   
112186  SIMPLY SCRAPPIN PINA COLADA   
112068  SIMPLY SCRAPPIN SUMMER HOME   Not Available
112043  SIMPLY SCRAPPIN U R SWEET   
112061  SIMPLY SCRAPPIN WINTER RETREAT   Not Available
112016  SIMPLY SENT CARD ELEMENTS HANDMADE HOLIDAY   Not Available
109868  SIMPLY SENT CARD KIT LIFELONG NOTES   
103647  STAMPIN STORE MINI   
105813  WRITE ME A MEMORY FONT CD VOL II   

Wheels

107212  MATEYS MAP   
106749  BRIGHT BULBS   
109672  BRONCO   Not Available
104100  MAKING TRACKS   
108978  SANDY SHELLS   
110332  SNOW   
101233 SNOWFLAKE   
109694 SWEET STARS   
111249  TAKE A NUMBER   

*This item is discounted and included on the Inventory Blowout.

       
 

*************************************************

Inventory Blowout

Dates: January 5-18, 2009

Promotion details:

Get retired, retiring, and current products up to 50 percent off regular price!

Items retiring from the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog:

 Item Page  Description  Regular Price  Discount Price 
  109190    180 

On Board 9" x 9" clipboard 

$7.95  $5.99
 107925  181

On Board Bitty Book 

$9.95 $6.99
 105384  183

Mellow Moss 6" x 6" Linen Post album 

$19.95 $14.99
 105381  183

Real Red 6" x 6" Linen Post album 

$19.95 $14.99
 103977  187

Bold Bright buttons 

$6.95 $4.99
 104389  188

Double Circle punch 

$5.95  $4.49 
 114447  n/a

Country Living Holiday Collection Stampin' Kit

 $49.95  $24.98 

*Items available while supplies last; page numbers refer to the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog

Retired items from the Spring-Summer 2008 Idea Book & Catalog:

Item  Page Description  Regular Price  Discount Price 
  109013   163

Blue Bayou Classic Stampin' Pad

 $5.25 $3.99 
 109012  163

Groovy Guava Classic Stampin' Pad 

 $5.25 $3.99 
 109011  163

Purely Pomegranate Classic Stampin' Pad 

 $5.25 $3.99
 109010  163

River Rock Classic Stampin' Pad 

 $5.25 $3.99
 109009  163

Soft Sky Classic Stampin' Pad 

 $5.25 $3.99
 109014  163

Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad 

 $5.25 $3.99
 109179  178

On Board Ginormous Pieces 

 $14.95 $10.99
 109189  190

Beachfront Ribbon Originals 

 $12.95 $7.99
 109187  190

District Ribbon Originals 

 $12.95 $7.99
 109188  190

Fairy Tale Ribbon Originals 

 $12.95 $8.49
 109185  190

Jersey Ribbon Originals 

 $12.95 $8.99
 109184  190

Sherbet Ribbon Originals 

 $12.95 $8.99
 109186  190

Theater Ribbon Originals 

 $12.95 $8.49
 109062  191

River Rock double-stitched ribbon 

 $8.95 $6.49
 110716   191 

Wild Wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon 

 $7.95 $5.49

*Items available while supplies last; page numbers refer to the Spring-Summer 2008 Idea Book & Catalog

Current products appearing in the upcoming Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog:

 Item Page Description  Regular Price  Discount Price 
  111349    162 

Tangerine Tango 8-1/2" x 11" card stock 

 $5.50   $4.49
  111345   162

In Color (2008-2009) 12" x 12" textured card stock 

 $11.95   $8.99
 109110  185

Fire Circle Rhinestone brads 

 $10.95   $7.99
 109112  185

Fire Square Rhinestone brads 

 $10.95   $7.99
 109113  185

Ice Square Rhinestone brads 

 $10.95   $7.99
 111325  185

Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware 

 $29.95  $22.49
 112454  185

Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware 

 $29.95  $22.49
 113451   n/a 

20th Anniversary Embosslits die 

 $11.95     $9.49 

*Quantities at reduced price are limited; page numbers refer to the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog

  • Items and special pricing are limited supply.
  • Retired/previously retired items will be sold until quantities run out.
  • Current items may revert to their retail price if inventory levels become acceptable.

  • Do You Just Love Valentine’s Day?

    You won't want to miss Stampin' Up!'s Love You Much Bundle (Item 115405)! You get the Love You Much stamp set, new Candy Lane Designer Series Paper and the new Heart to Heart Punch, all for $41.48.  This special Bundle price is good now through Jan. 31, 2009 and is 20% off the retail price of the items individually.

    Description  Retail Value 

    Love You Much stamp set 

    $25.95 

    Candy Lane Designer Series paper 

      $9.95 

    Heart to Heart punch

    $15.95 

    Bundle Retail Value 

    $51.85
       

    Love You Much Bundle
    (20% off retail value; item 115405) 

     $41.48

                           Valentine_landingpageE9F30

     

    Happy New Year 2009!!

    NewYear2009   

    I was actually making this card at the stroke of midnight to wish you all a Happy New Year!!  Thought I would start out the New Year right…..stamping!!  I hope you all had better champagne than we did….ours was terrible….so I made pink champagne on this card, thinking it would taste better!  Love the cute "Cheers to You" stamp set and the "Holidays and Wishes" for the greeting.  A little gold embossing and a wheel with "Sweet Stars".  The gold elastic cord in our Holiday Mini would have looked great but I was in a pink taffeta mood tonight!

    If you are reading my blog and want this card, be the first to leave a comment and email me your snail mail address (USA only).  Happy New Year!!