RemARKable Stamp of the Month Blog Tour - Ciao, Baby!

Welcome to the RemARKable Stamp of the Month Blog Tour.  This month some of our most talented RemARKable teammates are showing you many different ways to use the Ciao, Baby! stamp set from the Stampin' Up! Spring Catalog. 

Here's my first creation:

It's been a while since I sent my husband a card at work.  This one will go in the mail tomorrow.

I paired the Ciao, Baby! stamp set with Fabulous Phrases to create this card.  I ran the Pool Party Core'dinations paper through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, then sanded it.  I punched the stamped image using the new Sale-a-Bration Petite Curly Label punch, then backed it with a cut layer of Island Indigo.   I stamped the "forever" using the Fabulous Phrases stamp set, then punched it out with the Curly Label punch.  I've entered this card in the Freshly Made Sketches challenge.

Here's my second creation:

This is the first completed card that I made with the Dress Up framelits. They are too cute!!!  The bottom layer of the dress is made from a Floral District designer series paper, then I added a hem of Primrose Petals followed by a Paper Doily layer.   I completed the ensemble with a string of pearls.

...Next up on the RemARKable Blog Tour is Tamra Davis.  Click on the image below to get to her blog or copy and paste her blog address into your browser (www.thecardladies.com):

Stamps: Ciao, Baby!, Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Whisper White, Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, Pool Party Core'dinations paper, Sycamore Street designer series paper (Sale-a-Bration item!), Baja Breeze, Primrose Petals, Crumb Cake, Floral District designer series paper
Ink: Island Indigo, Baja Breeze, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Big Shot, Dress Up framelits dies, Ovals Collection framelits, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Fancy Fan embossing folder, Finishing Touches edgelits, Petite Curly Label punch (Sale-a-Bration item!), Curly Label punch, Paper Doilies, Basic Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals


Happy Stamping!

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Nacho Average Challenge #20

I was in need of some Thank-You cards, so I decided to take the Nacho Average Challenge #20. 

Here's what I came up with:

The designer paper in the background is from Comfort Cafe.

Here's a peek of the inside.

I got this stamp set for free from Stampin' Up! and this is the first time I used it.  Hope you like the card.

Stamps: Flowering Flourishes, Fabulous Phrases (a little alliteration there!)
Paper: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Summer Starfruit, Twitterpated designer series paper
Ink: Midnight Muse, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Big Shot, Window Frames Collection Framelits, Small Oval punch, Basic Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stamping!

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October Hoppers' Blog Hop - Christmas Tags

Welcome to the Hoppers' Blog Hop.  This month our talented team has created some holiday tags.  The product that I am featuring is the Holiday Collection Framelits.

Here's my first tag:

I used the Two Tags die, the Northern Flurry embossing folder, Champagne shimmer paint

, and some white craft ink.

Here's the next tag:

I used the Scentsational Seasons stamp set, Two Tags die, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Paper Doily Sizzlits, and Champagne shimmer paint.

And finally, the last one:

This tag features the Snow Festival Designer Printed Tags, Champagne shimmer paint, and the Snowflake Soiree, Fabulous Phrases and Scentsational Season stamp sets.

Take a peek at what the others have created:




My October Christmas Card Stamp Camp will be held on Thursday at 10 am at my house.  Please let me know if you're interested in attending.  I think I can make room for a few more people. If not, I'll be having another Christmas Stamp Camp on Thursday, November 8th.
Happy Stamping!

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Thank You - Day 5 - Elements of Style

I made it to Salt Lake City! Linda and I had to be up at 4 AM to catch our flight. Our hotel room isn't quite ready yet. So we're hanging about with other really a tired demonstrators waiting. It's been a "Hurry up and wait kind of day. Still trying to figure out how to attach photos via Linda's IPad. ... I made several of these cards to go in my "Thank You" card stash.  It was a re-do of this card.

Personally, I prefer the original version, but this one is still really pretty.  The photo doesn't do it justice.


Stamps:  Elements of Style, Four Frames, Fabulous Phrases
Paper:  Naturals Ivory, Baja Breeze
Ink:  Baja Breeze, Soft Suede
Accessories: Big Shot, Fancy Fan embossing folder, Very Vanilla satin ribbon (retired), Stampin' Dimensional

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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Two Fall Challenges

Today's project combines two challenges, the Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge to IMPRESS (embossing folder, heat embossing, letterpress plate) and the SUO Challenge  to use fall colors.  As part of my Fall Stamp Camp, I had participants make a candle.  This one uses different colors than in my camp and is also a taller pillar.  This way, I can show off more fall colors!

I stamped the leaves onto white tissue paper (waxy side up - don't know why - someone recommended it) then cut them out leaving about 1/8" tissue paper on the perimeter.  You don't have to be precise about your cutting. 

I used a More Mustard ink pad and Cajun Craze and Early Espresso markers for the maple leaves.
I used the Pear Pizzazz ink and Always Artichoke and Soft Suede markers for the oak leaves.
I used More Mustard and Early Espresso for the aspen leaves.

Be careful to clean the stamp after you stamp each leaf, so you don't contaminate your ink pads.

I used a small bit of adhesive on the center of each leaf (waxy side facing candle) to hold the leaves in place.  Then I wrapped a piece of waxed paper around the entire candle. (The width of a piece fits nicely around the candle to give you a "handle.")  Next, using a heat tool, heat the candle until the image gets glossy and the tissue paper melts into the candle.  Be careful not to overheat the candle or the wax will start dripping.  I heated one leaf at a time.  Reposition the waxed paper as needed to get each leaf to adhere to the candle. Watch Dawn Griffith's video to see the process in action.  Then I embellished the candle with fabric, ribbon and a tag. Note to self: These candles would make great gifts for teachers!

Stamps: Gently Falling, Fabulous Phrases
Paper: white tissue paper, Very Vanilla
Ink: More Mustard and Pear Pizzazz ink, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, Soft Suede and Early Espresso markers
Accessories: heat tool, waxed paper, Spice Cake designer fabric, Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon, hemp twine, Tag punch

We've got a busy week for the Carlson family.  Fall swim lessons start today.  It's only twice a week for five weeks.  It's right after school.  So I've got to start cooking supper at lunch time if we're going to eat on time.  Good thing is that Bradley's cross country practice is over at the same time that swimming ends.  Kim's workshop is tomorrow morning and I'm ready for it.

On a sad note, my Aunt Carm passed away over the weekend.  She's one of my dad's nine siblings, and the first to pass away.  She had cancer.  She's finally reunited with her husband who passed away in 1992.  I know she's not suffering anymore.  Please say a prayer for her nine brothers and sisters, six children and 14 grandchildren that she left behind.

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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Delicate Doilies Display Take One

Well, we're finally getting a little reprieve from the heat and humidity here in northwestern PA.  I think we set some heat records a few days ago.  It's a bad thing when it's too hot to go to the local pool!

Delicate Doilies of the first new stamp sets that I bought from the Stampin' Up! 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog.  There are so many things you can do with this versatile set.  Here's a photo of the first sample I made to display at my Open House:

This stamp set uses three new "In Colors." Don't they look great together!?!



Stamps: Delicate Doilies, Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Pool Party, Island Indigo, Whisper White
Ink: Pool Party, Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade
Accessories:  Word Window punch, Modern Label Punch

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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Sophie's First Holy Communion

Annika's friend Sophie celebrated her First Holy Communion yesterday and this is the card I made for her:

I got the idea after watching France Martin's video.  Perfect timing for a card like this!  I stamped an image of a cross on the inside and the envelope from the Crosses of Hope stamp set.  (Sorry, I don't have photos of them.)  This card is so simple to create -- yet, it makes a powerful impact.  Awesome!

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases, Crosses of Hope
Paper: Springtime Vintage dsp, Very Vanilla, Rose Red
Ink: Rose Red
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border punch, Oval punch, Small Oval punch

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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This "Thank You!" is For All of My Readers

For a few years now I've been reading various stamping blogs.  Sometimes I wondered, "How do these
people find the time to blog?"  It seemed obvious that some bloggers don't carry the same family responsibilities that I do.  We're all at different stages in our lives.  I can barely get the laundry done and dinner on the table every night!  How would I find time to blog???  Still, I felt the need to challenge myself.  So about six months ago, I took the plunge.  For me, blogging is manly an online record of the projects I've made.  No more hoarding those pretty cards!

After I started I thought, "What did I get myself into?"  It's just a blog.  No one is judging me.  I can contribute as much or as little as I want.  I kinda compare it to the story "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" which lately Clarice wants to hear every night before bed. 

Some bloggers post every day.  That's not for me. 
Some only post once a month or less.  That's not enough for me. 
Some post once a week or so.  That's just right for me.

This card is a "Thank You" to all of my readers.  I sincerely appreciate all the comments you've left me over the last several months.  They mean a lot to me.  And they keep me motivated to continue blogging : )

This is the card that I did for the make-n-take at Kim's workshop last week.  I got the idea from Debra Burgin .  The card is almost identical to the one that she created.  Thank you, Debra!  The card features the Four Frames stamp set available this month as a "Sneak Peak" from the new catalog that will be released in July.  I love how this frame image coordinates perfectly with the roses in the Elements of Style stamp set.

Stamps: Elements of Style. Four Frames, Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy
Ink: Night of Navy
Accessories: White Organza ribbon, Decorative Label punch, dimensionals

It's not quite noon yet, but I'd better stop blogging and think about what to make for dinner, LOL!

Happy stamping!

Susan

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I should always have extra cards made -- just in case!

Yesterday at about 3:30 pm my dear husband Randy called me from work and said that he needed a card for his co-worker Gary.  Randy informed me that Gary's last day on the job is today.  Now, my dear Randy knew this information two weeks ago, but neglected to tell me until the day before he needed it. 

So after I cooked dinner, broke up some disagreements between the kids, cleaned up the leftovers, washed dishes, put a load of laundry in the washer, got the kids ready for bed, looked for an already finished card that I might be able to use (and didn't find!), and broke up some more disagreements, I took time to make Gary's card.  The only request that Randy made was that it say, "Best Wishes."

Without further adieu:

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Fabulous Phrases
Card Stock: Soft Suede, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Soft Suede
Accessories:  word window punch modern label punch, sponge

It's not a complicated card at all.  I own the Fabulous Phrases stamp set in the clear mount variety, so I mounted the two words next to each other and stamped them at once.  Then I punched out the words with the word window punch.  After that, I adhered the words to a piece of soft suede card stock, then I punched it out using the modern label punch.  It's much easier to do it that way so you don't have to fuss about getting the top layer centered on such a small area. 

I was a bit disappointed that I didn't already have a card made - even one that I could switch out sentiments.  Honestly, Randy rarely asks me for cards.  And I don't often send masculine cards.  So I will have to make some man-cards to add to my stash.  I also do not have any sympathy cards on hand either.  (Those are not fun to make, so I usually wait till I actually need one.  That way, I can also pray while I'm creating.)

Even though I seem like I'm whining a bit with having to make this card at the last minute, I really didn't mind.  Randy appreciated that I made the card for him.  He knows that I am a multi-taleted wife and mom and never let him down : )

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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