Stamping With Lois

Border and Corner Punches

Stampin' Up! has come out with a new style of punches that are really nice and compact.  Please watch this video to see some tips and tricks you can use with your new punches.

 

 

Caroling Reindeer

While browsing the internet, I came across some pictures of the display boards at Stampin’ Up!s 2009 Convention.  When I saw a Christmas card of a caroling reindeer, I just had to duplicate it.  I have no idea who the original artist is, so if you do, please let me know so that I can give them credit.  Punch art is one of my favorite things to play around with so here is my finished interpretation of the photo I saw:

 

 

Stamp Sets:

  116509 Berry Christmas (for the sentiment)

  115366 Christmas Punch (for the snowflakes)

Ink:

  103133 Real Red to sponge the edges of all of the Real Red pieces

  103139 Close to Cocoa to sponge the edges of all of the Creamy Caramel pieces

  100908 Chocolate Chip to sponge the edges of all the Close to Cocoa pieces

  102977 Night of Navy to stamp the sentiment

  101731 Craft Whisper White to stamp the snowflakes before embossing them

  105209 Bashful Blue to sponge the edges of the torn Whisper White pieces and to brayer the

              Glossy White piece after embossing the snowflakes                         

Card Stock:

  100867 Night of Navy: 5-1/2” x 8-1/2”

  102599 Glossy White: 4” x 5-1/4”

  100730 Whisper White: 2” strip to tear

  102482 Real Red: 1-1/2” x 2-1/2” for hymnal, scrap to punch out ½” circle nose

  102514 Creamy Caramel: scrap to punch out a wide oval for center of belly

  101341 Close to Cocoa: scrap to punch out a 1-3/4” circle for belly, a wide oval for head, a

              Small oval for hooves (use snips to create the look of hooves)

  102128 Chocolate Chip: to run through the Big Shot to cut out antlers

  102851 Basic Black: scrap to punch out a small oval for the mouth

Accessories:

  113439 Big Shot die-Cut machine

  113441 Scribbles, Swirls sizzlits die

  105021 Signo White Gel Pen

  103579 Paper Snips

  100425 Two-Way Glue Pen

  102359 Brayer

  102023 Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

  101610 Stampin’ Sponges

  110714 ½” Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

  103683 Mini Glue Dots

  101049 Stamp-a-ma-jig

  100005 Heat Tool

  109132 White Embossing Powder

  102197 Powder Pals

  103083 Embossing Buddy

  104390 1/2” Circle Punch: 1 from Real Red for nose

  112004 1-3/4” Circle Punch: 1 from Close to Cocoa for belly

  112082 Wide Oval Punch: 1 from Creamy Caramel for belly, 1 from Close to Cocoa for head

  107304 Small Oval Punch: 1 from Basic Black for mouth, 1 from Close to Cocoa for hooves

Directions:

1.    Punch and cut out all pieces.  Sponge the edges of all pieces as designated in the ‘ink section.’

2.    Use Whisper White Craft ink to stamp the snowflake images on the Glossy White cardstock, then emboss them with White Embossing Powder and the Heat Tool.

3.    Use Bashful Blue ink to brayer over the snowflakes to create the soft blue sky.

4.    Layer the Glossy White piece on the card front and assemble the reindeer beginning with the head and working your way down.

5.    After placing the two torn & sponged (with Bashful Blue ink) Whisper White pieces on the card front, use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the sentiment with Night of Navy ink.

6.    Next, run the Two-Way Glue pen across the torn edges and apply Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  Shake off excess.

To place your order for any or all of the supplies to create this project, contact me:  mailbag@fuse.net or CLICK HERE to place your order online, then just click the shop now button in the upper right corner.

 

 

From The Crypt

I am having a workshop this week and thought I’d share one of the projects I have planned.  I was thrilled that the hostess requested we make a Halloween item.  It meant I got to use the stamp set that grabbed my attention the first time I went through this year's Idea Book & Catalog.  The set is called From the Crypt and it reminds me of really cool tattoo art.

 

Stamp Sets:

  115460 From The Crypt

  111574 House of Haunts

Ink Pads:

  101179 Basic Black

  102283 VersaMark

Paper:

  102851 Basic Black: 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", 3" x3-1/2", 3/8" x 4"

  105117 Pumpkin Pie: 4" x 5-1/4", 2-3/4" x 3-1/4"

  100730 Whisper White: 2-1/2" x 3"

  115677 Cast A Spell Designer Series Paper: 2" x 4"

Accessories:

  107214 Ticket Corner Punch

  101049 Stamp-a-ma-jig

  102300 Bone Folder

     Optional:

       100008 Heat Tool

       102197 Powder Pal

       103083 Embossing Buddy

       109133 Black Embossing Powder

Instructions:

1.  Use VersaMark ink to randomly stamp spider image on the lower two-thirds of the largest Pumpkin Pie piece of card stock.

2.  Adhere Cast A Spell designer series paper to the top of the stamped Pumpkin Pie piece, aligning both upper edges.

3.  Adhere the thin strip of Basic Black directly below the designer series paper.

4.  Use the Bone Folder to fold largest Basic Black piece in half, creating the card base.

5.  Adhere completed Pumpkin Pie piece to card front.

6.  Use Basic Black ink to stamp skull image on Whisper White piece.

7.  Use Ticket Corner Punch on all four corners of: Whisper White piece, Pumpkin Pie piece and Basic Black piece.

8.  Adhere Whisper White piece to Pumpkin Pie piece, then adhere that to Basic Black piece.

9.  Adhere completed piece to card front so that it is approximately 3/4" from the top, right and left sides of the card.

10.  Use Basic Black ink and the Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the sentiment in the lower right corner of the card front.

My Digital Studio

I now have my copy of Stampin' Up!s new software called "My Digital Studio."  It is a wonderful tool for any papercrafter, photographer, scrapbooker, or cardmaker.  You can plan out your projects without wasting any cardstock!  The digital projects can be printed, emailed or saved to disc.

 I have been attending each of the webinars that Stampin' Up! has given and can't believe all that this can do.  Take a look at the commercial video and see for yourself:

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE COMMERCIAL VIDEO

This software will be available on October 1st, but you can pre-order it now if you can't wait!  It is $79.95 plus $8.00 shipping and $5.72 (if your tax rate is 6.50) for a grand total of $93.97.  Contact me today to pre-order yours!

 

 

 

 

 

For The Birds

I apologize for my lack of posts recently, but I hope to more than make up for it with today’s post.  I have made a card that is inspired by an extremely talented stamper named Linda Heller.

 

 

Stamp Set

113204 Cheap Talk

Ink Pads/Markers:

100072 Close To Cocoa Marker

105115 Pumpkin Pie Marker

100066 Ballet Blue Marker

100079 Old Olive Marker

100908 Chocolate Chip Classic Ink Pad

Paper:

100613 Ballet Blue Card Stock:  5-1/2” x 8-1/2”

100730 Whisper White Card Stock:  2” x 8-1/2”

105117 Pumpkin Pie Card Stock:  1” x 5-1/2”

100702 Old Olive Card Stock:  ½” x 5-1/2”

112152 So Saffron Patterns Designer Series Paper:  2-1/4” x 5-1/2”

Accessories:

116802 Sweet Treat Cups (2009-2010 Holiday Mini Catalog Item)

112091 Scallop Edge Punch

103683 Mini Glue Dots

112004 1-3/4” Circle Punch

101049 Stamp-a-ma-jig

103579 Paper Snips

104332 Snail Adhesive

104430 Stampin’ Dimensionals

114323 Medium Window Sheets:  2-3/4” x 2-3/4”

Bird Seed (a little less than 1 teaspoon)

Instructions:

1.    On the strip of Whisper White card stock, use the markers to color directly on the stamps, breathe on the colored images and stamp the two birds and the branch.  Use Pumpkin Pie for the beak, legs and feet; Ballet Blue for the bodies of the birds; Old Olive for the leaves; and Close to Cocoa for the branch and limbs.  Color in the birds’ eyes with the Close to Cocoa marker.

2.    Use Paper Snips to cut out the small bird and the branch.  Cut off the limb that has two leaves.  Set aside all cut pieces for later use.

3.    Use the 1-3/4’ Circle punch to cut out the larger bird making sure to position the bird in the upper portion of the circle.  Set aside for later use.

4.    Use Scallop Edge Punch to scallop one edge of Pumpkin Pie strip.

5.    Apply Snail adhesive to the lower edge of the back side of the striped Designer Series Paper and adhere to Pumpkin Pie scalloped strip.

6.    Apply Snail adhesive to the upper edge of the back side of the striped Designer Series Paper and adhere to Old Olive strip.

7.    Use the 1-3/4” punch to cut a hole on the right side of the finished strip.

8.    Temporarily position the finished strip on the card front.

9.    Apply Snail to the back of the 1-3/4” circle with the bird image in it and place it in the 1-3/4” opening on the finished strip.

10. While the finished strip is still in place, use Chocolate Chip ink and the Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the sentiment so that it looks like it is coming out of the bird’s mouth.

11. Remove finished strip from card front.

12. Spray a little Static Guard on a paper towel and wipe the inside of the Sweet Treat Cup so that the seeds don’t stick to the cup.  Add a little less than 1 teaspoon of bird seeds to the cup.  Adhere the window sheet over the cup opening.

13. Apply Mini Glue dots to the back of the window sheet edges and position the completed cup over bird image on the card front.

14. Adhere branch to finished strip, trim end.  Position small limb so that it is sprouting down from the branch about 1” from the limb with one leaf.

15. Apply Snail liberally around the Sweet Treat Cup as well as to the finished strip  and adhere finished strip  to card front.

16. Adhere small bird to branch using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

17. Admire your finished “Shaker Card.”

 

 

New Blog Banner

I have been playing around with the new My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up! and came up with this banner for my blog.  Do you like it?  I am thinking I want to change it to utilize more of the elements & embellishments available in the software to showcase the many features of what it can do.  You won't believe all of the options in this software-it is amazing!  My Digital Studio will be available for purchase on October 1st.  Stay tuned...I hope to have another banner up and running by the middle of next week. 

Facebook Page Kick-Off

 

You can now visit me on Facebook! I have created a Facebook fan page which will feature exclusive content, event listings, specials and contests. CLICK HERE to check it out and become a fan today!

 

Sweet Treat Cups with Sweet Centers

I finally found some time to go downstairs to my stamp room and play work with my pre-order stuff from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  The new items will be available to order on September 1st.

I think these Sweet Treat Cups are the cutest idea I have ever seen!

Today's post features the Hot Air Balloon stamp, stay tuned...there are four more stamps in this set that all allow for incorporating the Sweet Treat Cups:  a Halloween themed stamp, a Christmas themed stamp, a Valentine themed stamp and a floral stamp.

  Stamp Set: #116521 Sweet Centers

  Ink Pads/Markers:  #102283 VersaMark, #115656 Melon Mambo, #105209 Bashful Blue, #105217 Certainly Celery, #102277 Old Olive

  Paper: #106564 Pretty In Pink: 6" x 6", #115320 Melon Mambo: 2-3/4" x 5-3/4", #101650 Whisper White: 2-1/2" x 5-1/2" plus scrap to cut out a 2-1/4" circle

  Accessories:  #112004 1-3/4" Circle Punch, #116802 Sweet Treat Cups, #115611 Melon Mambo 1/2" Polka-Dot grosgrain ribbon, #109043 Scallop Circle Punch, #101610 Stampin' Sponges, #100005 Heat Tool, #109130 Clear Embossing Powder, #112530 Circle Scissor Plus, #112531 Glass Mat

  Instructions:  1.  Ink up Hot Air Balloon image with VersaMark and then Melon Mambo Classic ink.  Stamp onto Whisper White (portrait position) piece about 1-1/4" above lower edge.  Cover with Clear Embossing Powder and emboss using Heat Tool.
2.  Create a mask and mask off the Hot Air Balloon using a light-weight paper or vellum. Temporarily adhere over image.
3.  Tear two pieces of light-weight paper or vellum to use as a mask.  Temporarily adhere them (with the torn edges facing the upper portion of the piece) at opposite angles about 1-1/4" from the lower edge.  
4.  Punch a scallop circle out of a light-weight paper or vellum to use as a mask.  Cut it in half.  Temporarily adhere both masks to the upper portion of card and sponge around with Bashful Blue ink.  Re-position the "cloud" masks and repeat until you have the desired look, working your way down to the lower masks.
5.  Remove lower masks, flip them up-side down and temporarily adhere them to the "sky."  Sponge Certainly Celery "hillsides."  Sponge a little Old Olive at the torn edge to accent the top of each "hillside."  Move masks lower and repeat until you achieve the desired look.
6.  Fill Sweet Treat Cup with Pink candies (Jelly Belly jelly beans or M&Ms work well).  Cut out a 2-1/4" circle using the Circle Scissor Plus.  Peel off the circle from the Sweet Treat Cup and adhere the 2-1/4" circle to the cup to close it.
7.  Position the 1-3/4" Punch just above the stamped image to punch the hole for the Sweet Treat Cup.  Insert Sweet Treat Cup. 
8.  Adhere ribbon at an angle to the upper right corner to finish off the white piece.
9.  Adhere finished piece to Melon Mambo mat.
10. Adhere completed piece to Pretty In Pink card front.

If you would like to place an order, please CLICK HERE and press the "shop online now" shopping cart.

As always, if you have any questions or problems, please do not hesitate to contact me! 

Pirate and Princess Party Kits

Stampin' Up! has new party kits!  CLICK HERE to check out this video to see how easy it is to host a pirate or princess themed party for the special child in your life!  With the Princess and Pirate Party Kits, it’s never been easier to plan a party! Complete with invitations, decorations, food toppers, and take-home treasures, these kits take the guess work out of party planning and free you up for the “guest” work instead.

Assembly required; adhesive not included.

 

Special for August

August Specials:

Have Fun Doing What You Love

You can still join the Stampin' Up! family by becoming a member of my "Mailbag's Cards" team for as little as $85 with the Mini Starter Kit available through August 31st.  Or buy the standard $199 Starter Kit and receive all six of the new In Color Classic Stampin' Pads and one pack of In Color Assorted Cardstock (8-1/2" x 11") ... a $43 value!  Have fun helping friends and family create exciting projects, while earning free products and even a little extra cash!  Here are the details:

Starting your own Stampin' Up! business means free and discounted product, plus a little extra cash ... and who couldn't use that?  Plus, from July 15th through August 31st, you can become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for only $85.  This special, limited-time Mini Starter Kit contains many of the items you need to get started in your new business, including ...

• For All You Do Stamp Set
• In Color Classic Stampin' Pads (6)
• Whisper White Cardstock (8-1/2" x 11")
• In Color Assorted Cardstock (8-1/2" x 11")
• Business Forms and Tools

Or if you want to buy the standard $199 Starter Kit, in addition to the supplies listed below, you'll get all six of the new In Color Classic Stampin' Pads and one pack of In Color Assorted Cardstock (8-1/2" x 11") ... a $43 value!  The standard Starter Kit includes ...

• Five Stamp Sets
• A Stampin' Around Wheel, Handle, and Ink Cartridge
• Stampin' Pastels
• Cardstock
• Eastern Blooms Decor Elements and Applicator Tool
• Five Classic Stampin' Pads
• VersaMark Pad
• Stampin' Scrub and Mist
• Blender Pens
• SNAIL
• Business Forms and Tools

These special offers ... the Mini Starter Kit and the FREE In Color add-on to the standard Starter Kit ... are only available for a limited time, so you must act fast!

Here are a few of the benefits of becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator:

• Product discount:  Demonstrators get a 20% discount on all Stampin' Up! products, including stamp sets, paper, and accessories.  It's a great way to support your love of stamping and paper crafting.
• Extra income:  You'll earn extra income based on your sales and recruiting ... how much extra income is up to you.  Maybe you just want enough income to pay the electric bill every month, or maybe your goal is bigger, like the monthly payment for your new car ... it's your decision!
• Flexible schedule:  This is your business, so you can put in as much (or as little) time as you'd like.
• Support from Stampin' Up!:  Stampin' Up! loves its demonstrators and it shows through their demonstrator support materials, including a monthly magazine, workshop ideas, and audio and video trainings on all kinds of topics available on their Demonstrator Web Site.

Whether you just love to stamp, or you want to grow a successful, thriving business, the Stampin' Up! opportunity is the right fit for you. So what are you waiting for?  Contact me today at mailbag@fuse.net and I'll guide you on your way to becoming the Stampin' Up! demonstrator YOU want to be!

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Country Living Summer Cookout Kit - 40% Off! 

Spending time with family and friends can make the splendid, lazy days of summer ones you'll always remember.  With the simple and speedy projects in the Country Living Summer Cookout Kit* (item 118070), every occasion to gather becomes a reason to celebrate!

For just $24.95, you'll have what you need to throw a smashing summer barbecue:  creative invitations, fun food wrappers, customizable coasters, and more! ...

The kit offers a great value ... each item can be used in many ways.  The tags and thread can be used to create a napkin ring or goblet tag.  The food wrappers can wrap cookies, burgers, ice cream cones, or even can become pinwheels.  And the coasters can be made into a banner.

The projects are quick and easy to put together while being cute and coordinated.  Your barbecue will come together quickly and allow you to enjoy quality time creating lasting memories with family and friends.

Order yours today at my my online store or e-mail me at mailbag@fuse.net for personal assistance.

*The kit does not include tablecloths, plates, or flatware.

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Just for Kids ... and the Kid In You!

Now through August 31st, get a FREE package of Designer buttons ... a $7.95 value ... when you spend $35 on stamp sets in the Growing Up section of the catalog or my online store.

 

They Grow Up So Fast

Track your children's growth with the limited-time Decor Elements Growth Chart, now on sale for just $24.95.  But hurry ... it's only available through September 30th!  Visit my my online store to "SHOP NOW."

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Contact me today to schedule your August workshop in order to take advantage of these Super August Specials!