Category Archives: Big Shot

Stampin’ Up! Convention Make & Takes

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We got lots of Make & Take projects at Convention plus the four stamp sets and a wheel to do them with!  I'm sure everyone loved getting so many things to stamp, but it was a little too much to do in the time allotted.  However, I didn't mind because after stamping a couple of things, I opted to just save mine to do at home…..and instead I went to stand in line for Memento Mall to open so I could buy my Stampin' Up! Bear!!  So I had the best of both worlds!  The stamp sets we received were:

  • Hello Again  p. 114
  • Sweet Season  p. 29
  • Things I Love  p. 54 
  • Tree Trimmings  p. 28 
  • Retro Remix Stampin' Around wheel p. 114  

Here are the projects: 

CONVSBpage
A scrapbook page with some Direct to Paper White Craft ink, a grommet on one of the flowers, and notice a little end of the Modern Label punch sticking up above the bow at the top where the photo would go. (sorry, the photo is a little blurry!)

CONVM&T tags
Christmas tags made with the Big Shot Two Tags die.  Very cute!  You could slide a candy cane through the folded one.

CONVtreatbox
The new Treat Boxes, page 159…more like a bag than a box, but very nice.  The ribbon is polka dot on one side and plain on the other.

CONVcellobagnotes
Cute little cello bag of 3×3 note cards and envelopes.  Perfect for a little gift!

CONVnotes
Notes out of the bag.

CONVhellobox
Cute, cute  little box!  Just two scored pieces of cardstock, glue one flap onto the bottom so it opens.

CONVboxopen
The box opened.  The back flap of the top is glued to the bottom left side.

CONVgatecard
Kind of a gate fold card where the two front flaps open and a belly band around.

CONVgatecardopen
The card opened.

CONVhellocard
Cute and easy card and stamped envelope!  New color Crushed Curry.

CONVorncard
Easy Christmas card, although you have to cut out the ornaments by hand!  Love the new ribbon!

How's that for fun?!  Don't forget about the Specials going on now to become a Demo if you want to go to Convention next August!!  Click on that link or the image on the sidebar of my blog…….then go to my website to join…and use the password "karenstamps" (no quotes).  Or contact me with any questions!

The Stampin’ Up! Convention

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Will I ever get tired of talking about the Stampin' Up! Convention??  I don't think so!! There was so much good information, so many IDEAS, so much fun, so much friendship….even extra treats at lunch!…..popcorn, ice cream, candy!!

Shelli Gardner has a fabulous presentation at Convention!  She literally walked out on stage carrying ALL of these boxes in which she had handmade gifts that are so easy to make.  Who wouldn't want to receive (or make!) one of these gifts?!  Think how much easier your holiday shopping would be if you got started now at your kitchen table or desk, enjoyed what you were doing, and wouldn't have to fight the crowds at the mall come holiday time!  A substantial savings in money for you and a gift with more meaning for the recipient!

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Notice how she just used plain boxes and then tied our Stampin' Up! ribbon around.  She even used the wide twill tape and attached Stampin' Up! buttons, apparently like they do at expensive stores.
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An easy little triange box Shelli made:
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A little lip balm holder:
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A tag:
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A coaster stamped with the new Medallion stamp!
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Earrings made with the metal edge tags!
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More earrings:
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More earrings:
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A beautiful brooch to wear, fabric cut with the Big Shot!  Loved it!
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A headband covered with fabric cut with the Big Shot!
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I think this was a card with a bookmark inside or you could put a gift card:
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Shelli made these with her relatives at a family reunion out of sheet metal, covered with Designer Series Paper…..so they can't be too hard!
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A similar magnetic board but enclosed in a picture frame:
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One of the new magnetic boxes you will find in the Holiday Mini:
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One of the new Simply Adorned Charms that is in the upcoming Holiday Mini.  Shelli made a bunch of these for the "Prize Patrol" to give away, signed on the back!  I dare say it was one of the highlights of Convention, for those who won one.  Unfortunately, it was not me!  They called out "Yellow…. (and I had a yellow wristband!)….Swirls!"  Darn!  So close, yet so far!  But I will be ordering one (or more) because they are beautiful and you can change the artwork inside any time you want.
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Another charm:
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Wedding gifts:
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Back to Convention: More Photos!

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Here are some more random photos from Convention!  I think you can click on the photos to get a larger version.


A magnetic board made with the Build-A-Bear die cuts.  Just use magnetic sheets and make your own paper dolls!
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A display board with red, white, and blue!
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A class about using Decor Elements:
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Ways to use Decor Elements besides on the wall:
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So cute for a child's room!  But I think all of us stampers could use this saying in our craft rooms!
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A beautiful sample on display!!

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Some Build-A-Bear samples:

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An album made with "My Digital Studio", one of the new pieces of jewelry, "Simply Adorned Charms" in the Holiday Mini (wait until you see these in person!), and the calendar in the Holiday Mini:
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Another gorgeous project on display.  Love those display boards!!
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What a cute card!!
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All Images © Stampin’ Up! 1990-2009

That's all for today but I have more!!!

One Good Thing About Stamping….

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…….You don't have to have electricity!!  Some storms finally came through our area today, and after they were gone THEN the power went off for over an hour.  Fortunately, I was still able to work on my swaps for Convention!  Unfortunately, the power came on just in time to cook dinner!

SwapLattice

This is the new Lattice Die for the Big Shot, the new Crushed Curry card stock and the new Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper.  I think the Lattice Die has a lot of potential for creativity!

Razzleberry Lemonade Notebook

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NotebookKF 

This is what you can do with a little notebook in the Dollar Bin!  I covered it with the new Stampin' Up! In Colors…..Rich Razzleberry and Melon Mambo, then some Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper.  Of course the Lovely Letters Alphabet is perfect for a monogram.  For the butterfly, I finally tried out my Big Shot Die "Beautiful Butterflies" with a layered butterfly on top punched out of Sticky Pages with the new Butterfly Punch  and covered with Chunky Sprinkles Glitter plus two little half pearls from the Pretties Kit.  I love the new In Colors Polka Dot ribbon and the Organza Ribbon.

Easy Baby Card

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Here's an easy baby card to make with the new stamp set "Animal Stories".  You can change the color combinations easily and make it for either a boy or a girl, a shower card or a card for the birth.  I used Bashful Blue and Gable Green.  Not sure what color combination to pick?  Use Stampin' Up!'s Color Coach wheel!

AnimalStoriesGirf 

To jazz the background up a bit, I used the Stampin' Up! Backgrounds Texturz plate with the dots.  For the sentiment I used the new set "Teeny Tiny Wishes", the Word Window punch and the new Modern Label Punch plus a couple of Bashful Blue brads.

If you need any or all of these supplies to make this card, just go to my online ordering store and place your order this weekend!

Celebrate with a Cute Big Shot Box

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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!

July4thbox 

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!

Watercolor Rose

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This has been a fabulously popular technique for everyone to try after being demonstrated at the Stampin' Up! Seattle Regional. 

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You need the Stampin' Up! Shimmery White cardstock for this technique.  Just stamp the rose from "Fifth Avenue Floral" with Craft White ink and emboss with clear embossing powder.  Now most gals have used a small plastic bottle to mist water over their rose, but not having one handy, I used my Aquapainter (another fabulous must-have tool!), just running the brush over the whole rose to get a fair amount of water within all the embossing.  Put some drops of reinker, whatever colors you want to try for your rose, on top of your plastic stamp case.  Pick up a color of ink with your Aquapainter and deposit it on your rose.  Since you already have a lot of water floating on it, the ink will spread pretty easily.  You can use several different colors for your rose….for example, Regal Rose, Pirouette Pink, Summer Sun…. and just place the ink in each little embossed section of the rose.  You really can play with it quite a bit, moving the color around, filling in, making something darker, tipping your paper to make the ink run down a little, etc!  Don't worry if the color gets outside the lines because you will cut out the rose anyway!  Once you have the color filled it, set it aside to dry for awhile.  You can pick up excess water with your Aquapainter, wiping it off on your paper towel each time.  Once it is dry, just cut out the rose and make your card.  You can stamp some leaves, or in my case, I used the Big Shot to make the "Stampin' Up! Little Leaves".  Be sure to stamp and emboss more than one rose……cuz I bet you can't make just one!!

If you need any of the supplies to make this card, please contact me!  Don't forget about the Designer Paper Buy 3, Get One Free offer for May!  Ends this weekend!

Time for Wedding Cards!

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I tried to do some research on what months are the most popular for weddings, but the answer varies between sources.  One says the most popular has always been June, but now July and August are overtaking that month.  Another lists August as the second most popular, followed by May, July and September.  Yet another lists September in the third spot, followed by October and May.  So who knows?!  All I know is that we all probably need some wedding cards throughout the year!  Here is one I made for my friend recently.

WeddingCardJan 

Stamps:  Fun and Fast Notes

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Pink Pirouette (or Pretty in Pink)

Ink:  Stazon Black

Accessories:  Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Big Shot Stampin' Up! Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plate, Aquapainter and reinkers, Adhesives

Glittered Fifth Avenue Floral

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Today I came across the Valentine card my husband gave me and remembered that I always wanted to use it as inspiration for a stamped card.  Here is the Valentine:

BobValCard 

Everyone lately has been playing with this gorgeous stamp set, Fifth Avenue Floral, and the coordinating Textured Impressions Die for the Big Shot.  Although it isn't how I originally thought I would "copy" the valentine card, this is what I came up with:

FifthAveFloral 

I think it was the "glitteriness" of the sequins on the card that made me think about using the new "Fine Supernova Stampin' Glitter" on page 180 of the Idea Book & Catalog.  I first embossed with the "Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Die" on page 202 (which is pretty enough by itself on any paper!) and then used the "2-Way Glue Pen" to trace all the lines of the embossed flowers (okay, that takes a little patience and you can't do it perfectly, but you can do it!)  I sprinkled on the Pink Supernova Glitter, shook it off, and then went back in to touch up a few missed spots.  This glitter is very fine, so it is a little difficult to get it completely off your paper where you don't want it.  I found a small watercolor brush to work pretty well.  As you can see, there are still some specks of glitter.  But I think after awhile it will probably drop off.  The sentiment is from "Great Friend" in the Occasions Mini.

Here is the inside of the card since the card base is Basic Black:

FifthAveInside 

I just stamped the flower with Pink Passion ink.

The "Manhattan Flower" die was not available until March in the new Idea Book & Catalog, so you may have overlooked it.  You will really want to put it on your next order because it is a beauty!

Get Stamping on Earth Day!

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TrendyTrees

                       Trendy Trees and Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper

Today, April 22, is Earth Day, a day to think about how we take care of the planet.  If you would like to celebrate Earth Day with some paper crafting and stamping, here are some ideas:

  • Recycle a tin can by covering it with Designer Series Paper and using it for a desk accessory. (See page 151 in the Idea Book & Catalog!)

  • Use some soda cans as the cutting material in your Big Shot and see what kinds of projects you can come up with.  Yes, you can cut open Coke cans (use your Craft and Rubber Scissors)  and flatten and run through your Big Shot with the steel rule dies.

  • Cut an empty cereal box into the shape of a magazine holder you would buy at the store and cover with cardstock or Designer Series Paper.
  • Stamp a beautiful nature card and send it to someone.
  • Use plastic containers maybe from a restaurant carryout order  to store your glitter or embossing powder.

    Have fun with this!  You're bound to think of many other ideas.

    • Get Ready for National Scrapbooking Month in May

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    Someone asked me to make a picture frame as a gift for a friend with a new baby.  That idea evolved into making a scrapbook page that could be framed.  There are 12×12 scrapbook page frames available in the stores.  Here is the project; I should have photographed it before attaching the photos, so I just covered them with paper!

    May is National Scrapbooking Month so think about what scrapbooking projects you could work on!

    NateMadisonpage 

    This page uses paper and ribbon from Sale-A-Bration, but you can substitute something current that suits your photo colors or theme.  The chipboard letters are from On Board Timeless Type.  You can find a selection of chipboard on pages 182-3 of the Idea Book & Catalog.  Really fun to work with!  I embossed the little "Baby" tag with silver.  The name "Madison" was spelled out with the die cut letters from the Big Shot die "Naturally Serif".  If you need any of these supplies to make a similar project, just go to my website and click on "Shop Now".

    Birthday Cupcake Card

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    BDCupcakediecut 

    How about just a simple, sweet birthday card?  This was so easy to make with the Big Shot and the Big Bold Cupcake die.  Great way to use up some scraps, also, as you can use any colors you want with the die.  You can even make the cupcake sprinkles and the candles with the die.  This card is very simple, yet you could also jazz it up a little if you wanted to with some glitter or Crystal Effects on the sprinkles or candle flames, or some ribbon and a bow across the top.  I wanted the plain cupcake bottom die cut to look like a cupcake paper so I just took a marker and lightly drew in the lines to resemble the cupcake paper.  So fun to play with!

    BDCupcakediecutinside 

    And for the inside, just a Whisper White cardstock layer against the dark Close to Cocoa card stamped with the "Happy Everything" stamp set.

    If you are looking for information on the Big Shot, just click HERE.

    Easter Boxes Instead of Baskets?

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    Easterboxes 

    How about a little Easter box filled with candy?  This is what I made for my nephews to send for Easter.  Of course when you are mailing things, you are a little limited in size, so I decided to use the new Big Shot BigzXL Box #2 die to make these cute little boxes.  I chose the two In Colors, Tangerine Tango and Pacific Point, plus Kraft for the cardstock for the boxes.  These boxes are so easy with the Big Shot…..all you need is some Sticky Strip or Tombow Multi glue on one tab to make your box….the rest just goes together!  Stamp the little chick from "A Good Egg" and you just about have it!

    Big Shot Basket and Blooms Easter Basket

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    We all know we can use the Basket and Blooms die to make round baskets and very cute ones.  Naturally, some creative demos saw that you can also make rectangular baskets with this Basket and Blooms die!  Here is my project using the basket part attached to some strips of cardstock.  I think you can vary the size to suit your project purpose. 

    Easterbasketpinkfront 

    To decorate the front, I cut another basket shape out of Baja Blue, trimmed the bottom, and then used my new Eyelet Border Punch to punch the bottom border.  The flowers are from "Flower Fusion Too", a fun collection of three colors of felt flowers.  I used the Rhinestone brads to hold the flowers together and glue dots to attach to the basket.

    Pinkbasketback 

    Here is the back side.

    And filled with Easter treats!

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