Baby Shower Onsies

I'm back on the blog - though next week will be the true return to normalcy - whatever that is! LOL I have so many projects to catch up on - and look forward to stamping and posting those next week. Here are the Baby Shower invites I promised last week. Aren't these A-DOR-A-BLE??!! I found this tutorial on Lauren Meader's Blog a few months ago and knew it would be perfect for my niece's shower when it came up. Woohoo - another great-grandchild on the way for my parents!

Stamps: this little ducky is from a SU! incentive stamp set that was only available to demos
CardStock: Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Almost Amethyst, Whisper White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Copics: Y00, Y02, Y21, YR00, YR04, YR18, RV10, RV 23, B21, B63, YG11 & C2
Accessories: SU! Scallop Circle & 1 3/8" Punches; Stickles in Cotton Candy & Baby Blue; Ice Stickles in Grape Ice
ENJOY!

On Vacation....

Hi All! We have been camping and are now heading off to present a Marriage Encounter Weekend in the Milwaukee area - thus the lack of posts on StampinJewels. Will be posting again next week - an adorable baby shower invitation I am working on - until then I suggest looking through the StampinJewels Archives for more inspiration!

I hope you are all enjoying your Summer! See you next week!

Copic Certified - Woohoo!

I had great fun going in for the Copic Certification training this past Wednesday with a couple of friends (Paula, Patti and Amy) and I made a new friend (Priscilla)! After a brief mishap of a train just plain not arriving - we had to drive in to Paula, who then drove us all to Rosemont. And you know - there are NO *easy ways* into convention centers. So after what seemed like a several mile hike (lol) we rushed into the classroom a few minutes late - to find Marianne was still setting up a few tables! Marianne is a great and easy-going teacher - right up my alley! :) It was good to have SO MANY Copic colors to play with, as well as to practice the techniques I had been reading about on Marianne's Blog and Cambria's Blog. I was thrilled to find out that some *techniques* that I had stumbled upon all by myself (no, I didn't think I created them!) were good techniques! Now to keep practicing - and get more colors!

Priscilla's Journal

I received this beautiful, hand-made journal from a new friend I met yesterday when a small group of us went for Copic Marker Certification Training. Priscilla made one of these for each of us in our group - you can find her blog here.

She used CreativePlayStamps Swirl Garden for the main image. I love the pearlized, textured cardstock she used too - that's the green under the butterfly, the pink under the green, and the beige journal covers. Priscilla used StazOn for the letters stamped on the acetate. She paid such attention to detail on this with the punch, the Cuttlebugging and the pink rhinestone bling! Simply Beautiful Priscilla! THANK YOU!
ENJOY!

Art Journal Mini Scrapbook

I'm posting later than usual today because I was at one of my best friend's homes doing a Birthday Party for her sweet daughter Emily. Happy 12th Birthday Emmy! :) Besides the birthday girl, there were six other sweet girls who came to create a mini scrapbook using the SU! 5" x 5" On Board Art Journal. We picked these back in May when they were 25% off, along with the Flowers for You DSP. I made up a book as inspiration for the girls - figuring they were pretty likely to just copy my simple ideas. I couldn't have been "wronger" (Veggie Tales word - lol) I guess it's been along time since my nieces were 12 - these girls went to town with the punches and stamps I brought! They created some awesome covers and pages - hopefully they finish it off at home and add their pics to complete the project. Our colors were taken from the Flowers for You DSP - Regal Rose, Lovely Lilac, Tempting Turquoise and Certianly Celery(cardsotck, ink and Stampin' Writes.) Stamps used: Time Well Spent (soon to retire Host set); Seeing Spots, and It's a Girl Thing (retired). Punches used: Large Star, Star, all the SU! Circle punches, 5-Petal flower, Daisy (retired), Ticket Corner, Spiral and Scallop Circle. I brought glue sticks and lots of scraps of solid color cardstock and left over DSP. I had cut up the DSP and made packets for each girl so they *could* copy if they wanted to. It was fun to watch them create, teach them how to use some of the supplies, and listen to their pre-teen chatter. Afte scrapbooking, they went off to swim and have a simple grilled dinner and cake & ice cream. The inspiration pages I did were very simple - have to be for pages so small - here a few of my favorites...

More Art Journal Pages

StampinJewels Blog Candy WINNER!!

A BIG THANK YOU to all who entered and shared links to your FABULOUS projects! I'll try to leave comments on all the links provided.

Congratulations to the StampinJewels Blog Candy Winner:

CAKVD said...

I love using stickles!!! Here is a layout that I made with them:

http://cakvd2.blogspot.com/2008/07/this-girl-can-snorkel-lo.html

Thanks!
Cheryl

11:47 PM

Using random.org sequence generator - #9 was the first number - and CAKVD was the ninth post here.

CAKVD - please email me with your snail mail address, and I will get your blog candy off in the mail!!

Bridal Shower

Have you seen the Double Pocket card yet? When I first saw it, my first thought was that this would make an excellent Wedding Invitation! Here, I am using it as a Bridal Shower Invitation for a family member. The pic shows the open view so you can see the double pockets - but I placed a closed version on the open flap so you could see the front too. The back pocket holds the invitation wording, the front pocket holds the bridal registry info. A lot of the invitees don't really know the bride-to-be, so I though including the couple's picture would be a good idea. (For a wedding invitation, I would put the main wording (ceremony and reception) on the inside left flap, a pic of the couple where I have one now, respond postcard and map in the back pocket, and registry and hotel info in the front pocket.) All supplies, except black ink, are SU!.

Find an awesome tutorial for the Double Pocket card on my friend, Barb's site here.

Stamps: Sincere Salutations, Wedding Elegance (retired)
Cardstock: Soft Sky Prints DSP, Soft Sky & Basic Black
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark
Accessories: Black Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Slot & Photo Corners Punch; Soft Sky Double Stitched & Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbons, staples. ENJOY!

Taffeta & Eggplant Tulips

More fun with the Tafetta Ultrafine Pearlescent Glitter and the Three Tulips and Three Tulips Relief images from CreativePlayStamps. I used the Essential Glue Pad for the Three Tulips and the Swirl images, then applied the glitter. The white outline around the focal image is a faux layering as the image was stamped on Whisper White and I just cut it down to look as if it was layered. The torn Vellum paper adds a little texture and background interest without taking away from the beauty of the glittered tulips.

Stamps: Three Tulips, Three Tulips Relief, Swirls, Happy Anniversary (sentiment sheet) - CPS

Cardstock: SU! Elegant Eggplant, Lavendar Lace, Whisper White, Vellum
Ink: SU! Elegant Eggplant; Essential Glue Pad
Accessories: Taffeta Ultrafine Pearlescent Glitter
ENJOY!

Three Tulips Color Coached

So I stamped a lot of these Three Tulips images from CreativePlayStamps at once. Thus all the fun designs as I continue to play with the images I've created. (I'm telling you - that stamp day almost a month ago now really hooked me up to a great new idea! lol) I am enjoying the color of this Taffeta Ultrafine Pearlescent Glitter, and it goes so well with SU!'s Elegant Eggplant (this kind of royal purple color has been a personal favorite of mine for most of my life.) I used the Sakura Quickie Glue Pen to outline the tulips with the glitter.

Did you know that CPS carries Marvy Punches? I used the Giga Scallop Oval for this design.

I wanted to play with color today too - so I pulled out my SU! Color Coach - my absolute favorite SU! tool - and found this combination: Elegant Eggplant, Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive and More Mustard. Not something I would have found on my own - but I do like it. The More Mustard is Textured Cardstock, which, along with the Grosgrain Ribbon does give this a nice subtle texture. The Whisper White focal piece seemed to stand out too much to me alone - thus the Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon and Eyelets to tie the white in nicely with all the other richly bright colors.

Stamps: Three Tulips and Thinking of You (CPS)
Cardstock: SU! Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Bravo Burgundy, Textured More Mustard, Whisper White
Ink: SU! Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Taffeta Ultrfine Pearlescent Glitter, Quickie Glue Pen & Marvy Giga Scalloped Oval Punch; SU! White Eyelets, Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon & Dimensionals.
ENJOY!

Plum Tulips

I played with one of my new glitter colors, Taffeta Ultrafine Pearlescent from CreativePlayStamps - along with their Three Tulips and Three Tulips Relief images. I used the Sakura Quickie Glue Pen to outline the tulips and the scallop oval with the glitter. I added the SU! Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon for some subtle texture. I used Black India Ink for the Scripture verse - this ink(and all others) is ON SALE TODAY (7/11) over at CPS.

Stamps: Three Tulips & Three Tulip Relief (CPS); Elegant Inspirations (SU! retired)
Cardstock: SU! Perfect Plum, Basic Black & Barely Banana
Ink: SU! Perfect Plum & Barely Banana; India Ink Black
Accessories: Marvy Giga Scalloped Oval Punch, Taffeta Ultrafine Pearlescent Glitter, and SU! Black Brads, Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots & Dimensionals. ENJOY!

StampinJewels BLOG CANDY Give-Away!

It's time for a Blog Candy Give-Away! WOOHOO!

Blog Candy = 1 Sakura Stardust Glitter Pen
18 " each of SU! Taffeta Ribbon in Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Basic Gray,
Bashful Blue & Pretty in Pink

How do you enter? Leave a comment on this post - sharing your favorite embellishment and a link to a project you made using that embellishment.

I will randomly choose a winner on Mon., July 14th in the morning. THANKS for entering - and PLEASE SHARE THE BLOG CANDY JOY by spreading the word. ENJOY!

Bloomin' Beautiful Copics

I used the Sakura Stardust Clear Glitter Pen to outline the Pretty in Pink layer, the Cuttlebugged Whisper White layer, and the flower image layer.

For this SU! Bloomin' Beautiful flower image, I tried another way of creating depth - outlining in different shades, then blending all over with the lightest shade. I am pleased with the effect these three Copic RV shades make - especially after blending all over with the RV10. For the leaves, I colored in one layer of YG67, then highlighted the edges several more layers to darken and give the effect of depth. You can do this with the Colorless Blender too - but I think the Blender gives a more distressed look - and I just wanted some depth and shading but I don't have any other YG colors close to the YG67 - yet! (Another way to achieve the shading and depth perspectives.)

If you haven't broke down and tried the SU! Tafetta Ribbons yet - is there something wrong with you?! LOL, just kidding - but really you must! Okay - you talked me into it - it's time for some Blog Candy - so you can try this Taffeta Ribbon....post coming after this one... :)

Stamps: SU! Bloomin' Beautiful (retired, so far!)
Cardstock: SU! Basic Black, Pretty in Pink & Whisper White; Papertrey SS White
Copics: RV10, RV17, RV 23, YG67
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: SU! Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Soft Subtle Brads and Dimensionals; Sakura Stardust Clear Glitter Pen; Cuttlebug and Script Texture A2 Embossing Folder; White Brad.
ENJOY!

CreativePlayStamps SALE!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Come One, Come All...It's a 5 Day Sale - the sale items change everyday!

Monday, July 7th - All stamps will be 15% off
http://www.creativeplaystamps.com/stamps-c-1.html

Tuesday, July 8th - Embossing powders, glitter, stickles, liquid pearls, & pearl ex will be 15% off
http://www.creativeplaystamps.com/embossing-powderc24.html
http://www.creativeplaystamps.com/glitter-c-19.html
http://www.creativeplaystamps.com/stickles-glitter-glue-c-71.html
http://www.creativeplaystamps.com/liquid-pearls-c-179.html
http://www.creativeplaystamps.com/pearl-ex-c-108.html

Wednesday, July 9th - Rollagraph wheels and accessories
http://www.creativeplaystamps.com/rollagraph-standard-c-9.html
http://www.creativeplaystamps.com/rollagraph-jumbo-c-15.html

Thursday, July 10th - Spray Inks
http://www.creativeplaystamps.com/glimmer-mist-c-72.html
http://www.creativeplaystamps.com/adirondack-color-wash-c-69.html
http://www.creativeplaystamps.com/memories-mists-bottles-and-kits-c-64.html
http://www.creativeplaystamps.com/walnut-ink-sprays-c-95.html

Friday, July 11th - Inkpads and Re-inkers
http://www.creativeplaystamps.com/ink-c-4.html

ENJOY!

Stylized Hibiscus Flowers - YOU Did it!

The StampinJewels "YOU Did It!" feature showcases artwork that my customers create. Traditionally started for all Stampin' Up! designs only since I am a SU! Demonstrator. Today, I am expanding it to include artwork made using any companies I design for. Currently, that includes CreativePlayStamps.

Today's featured stamper is my m-i-l, Alice S. Isn't her layout and design lovely? Great job, Mom! :) She used the two-step stamping set Stylized Hibiscus Flowers. ENJOY!

Copics & Copper

Sticking with the Basic Black and Copper theme...Here is another image from SU!'s Bloomin' Beautiful set (now retired from the last Mini, but I am still hoping it shows up in the Fall/Winter catty.)

This is another image where I have been playing with layering on a lighter copic color, in this case YR00 to create a darker color. I used YR18 to color along the shadow lines in teh image. Then lots more YR00 to blend everything together. For the stem - I did one layer of YG67 on the stem, then several layers of color on the leaves. With the Colorless Blender 00, I removed a little color just from teh center of the leaves to give them some depth.

My goal for this design was to really have the flower POP and be 95% of what the eye sees. But using just the Basic Black left me cold instead of warm! lol Thus the warm accents of SU! Brushed Copper Metallic cardstock, a little frayed at the ends Copper Cord (SU! retired) and Copper Embossing Powder.

Stamps: Bloomin' Beautiful and Hugs & Wishes (both SU!)

Cardstock: SU! Basic Black & Brushed Copper Metallic; Papertrey SS White

Copics: YR00, YR18, YG67, Colorless Blender 00

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Copper Cord (retired SU!), Copper Embossing Powder (CPS) & Dimensionals (SU!)

ENJOY!

Cracked Glass Hawk - Technique Tutorial

This Red Tail Hawk image from CreativePlayStamps is so regal and impressive looking! I tried out my new Koh-i-noor Woodless Colour Pencils as my color medium on this image - along with the blending stump and odorless mineral spirits. I need to learn more about blending with this, but I am happy with my first attempt using trying it out!

I have been wanting to use the Cracked Glass Technique for a very longtime now - and finally got around to trying it. This beautiful Hawk image brought the technique to mind - and I think it works very well together.

Cracked Glass Technique: After your image is done to your preference, smoosh (this is a technical term! lol) the whole piece on your Versamark pad to coat it completely. Then sprinkle the Glassy Glaze Embossing Powder over it, tap off the excess, and heat with your Heat Tool. Repeat this process several times - I did it 5 times and liked the thickness I got so I stopped there. Place the piece in the freezer for several minutes. As soon as you take it out of the freezer, crack the glaze between your fingers by gently bending the paper back and forth until it looks as you desire it to. then finish creating your card/project. Tip: You can sponge some brown (or other coordinating color) ink into the cracks for a more distressed and aged look if you like.

Stamps: Red Tail Hawk and Thinking of You Sentiment sheet - both CreativePlayStamps

Cardstock: SU! Basic Black & Metallic Brushed Copper; Papertrey Stampers Select Vintage Cream

Ink: Adirondack Espresso Dye Ink, Versamark

Accessories: SU! Glassy Glaze, Heat Tool, Twill Ribbon & Mini Glue Dots; Copper Embossing Powder & Blending Stumps (CPS) ; Koh-i-noor Pencils & Odorless Mineral Spirits (GinaK Designs)

YOU Did It!

One of my StampinJewels, Cathy L., designed this for a Father'sDay card. It is such a versatile design, (it could be used for birthday, thinking of you, etc.) that she made extras and gaveone to everyone who came to our last Stampin' Chat! I really enjoy this Noble Deer set by SU! - if you've been eyeing it - get it now cuz it's on the Retiring List! Cathy used a technique called "film strip" - all you need is the SU! Spiral Punch. Great job Cathy - and thanks for sharing your cards! ENJOY!

Bloomin Beautiful Copics

I hope you got this set from Stampin' Up! when you had the chance! It is so beautiful - Bloomin' Beautiful actually! heehee I am hoping it makes it into the Fall/Winter Idea Book and Catalog - but fo rnow, it's gone!

I colored this image using my Copics. I began by layering on B63 - several layers to achieve a darker color. Then I added B23 to the middles of most of the flowers, as well as along the shadow lines. Then I took the Colorless Blender 00 and went over the whole thing until I achieved the blending I wanted. For the leaves and vase, I only used YG67 and YR00 respectively. Many layers of color on the vase, then many layers on the outline and shadowing lines. For the leaves it was two layers of color on the entire leaf, then many layers of color around the edges of the leaf - then the Colorless Blender overall again until I achieved the desired outcome. I am sure this is not an original idea of mine - lol. It is what I came up with in order to use my limited Copic colors while still achieving the shadowing effects I want.

The Sakura Quickie Glue Pen - OH MY GOSH! I found this on my little shopping trip at CreativePlay last weekend while picking out the Sakura Stardust Glitter Pens. This is a MUST HAVE item! No kidding!! I used it to outline my large oval, as well as dot the centers of the flowers in the vase. Then applied the Blue Boy Ultrafine Transparent Glitter. The card just needed a little something more - so I took a chance and outlined the Almost Amethyst Prints Double-Sided Paper and applied the Blue Boy Glitter again - POP! This little gem of a glue pen is *THE EASIEST* glue applicator I have ever used or seen! RUN, don't walk, over to CreativePlayStamps and get yours today - and be nice and get some for your favorite stamping buddies too!

Stamps: Bloomin Beautiful (SU!), Thinking of You (CPS)

Cardstock: SU! Almost Amethyst, Garden Green & Almost Amethyst Prints DSP; Papertrey Stampers Select White

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Copics: YR00, B63, B23, YG67, Colorless Blender 00

Accessories: Sakura Quickie Glue Pen; Blue Boy Ultrafine Transparent Glitter; SU! Large & Small Oval and Ticket Corner Punches, Dimensionals, Lt. Blue Narrow Organdy Ribbon (retired), White Eyelets, & Crop-a-dile. ENJOY!

CreativePlayStamps Visit!

I just remembered I didn't tell you about my visit to CreativePlayStamps this past Sunday! We had a nice visit between our two families of cousins. Laura and I had fun stamping and coloring images, and talking "shop". I even got to see their product stores - and of course do a little shopping! Art & Laura (CPS owners) have a list of ideas for CreativePlayStamps.com so look for lots of great things to come in the next year. I love their enthusiasm, as well as their unique stamps and selection of paper-crafting products.

So what did I pick up on this visit? More Glitter! Some of which I am hoping to do another Fourth of July design with this week. Also Sakura Stardust pens and a Sakura Glue Pen! Yep - you read it correctly, a glue pen! How cool is that? And how easy will it be to add a dot of glue for littel bits of glitter, and other embellishments? It was VERY dangerous being able to look at all their stock in person - all those colors of Glimmer Mist and Glitter..... I learned a little about Grungeboard too.

Head on over there and see what's ON SALE!

Star-Spangled Jumpsuit Elvis

So I'm blog surfing, and looking at this Elvis design sitting on my computer desk as a reminder to upload it next. That's when I realized that it was past midnight - and since I'm still up, I could upload today's design! Silly, I know - but I am thrilled easily (most of the time!) lol

I am loving the color of this Pewter Ultrafine Opaque Glitter and the Essential Glue Pad - both of which I got from CreativePlayStamps. I was asked if I use a fixative on the glitter. I don't. I tap it off by flicking the back of the cardstock a few times. Otheriwse, I think the Essential Glue Pad does okay keeping it on. Of course, it will come off if you rub on it alot - but *everyone* needs a little glitter in their life! ;)

FUN is the best way to describe the Elvis images from Cornish Heritage Farms. Here, I've used Jumpsuit Silhouette & Elvis Is... (backgrounder - though ths one is harder to see in the scan as it is stamped tone on tone Real Red.) I think the Elvis Is.. should have included "All American" and "Star-Spangled" along with all the other great words it says. :)

I'm hoping to get at least one more design together to celebrate the USA's Independence Day on July 4th - but just in case, I think Elvis has the star power to handle it! I was thinking about using this card as a birthday card and writing inside, "Thought you deserved a big star for you birthday!" :)

Stamps: Jumpsuit Silhouette, Elvis Is... (Cornish Heritage Farms)

Cardstock: SU! Real Red, Brilliant Blue & Whisper White

Ink: SU! Real Red & Essential Glue Pad

Accessories: SU! Star Eyelets (retired) & Pewter Ultrafine Opaque Glitter

ENJOY!

Happy Hoppers Balloons

Have you checked out these Happy Hoppers images over at CreativePlayStamps yet? They are adorable, and fun to color. Coloring - such a stress reducer, and it helps keep me feeling young. And there are *so many* coloring mediums available now, that there is something for everyone. For this cute bunny, I chose my Copic Markers so I could keep practicing shading and blending. All supplies, except image, are SU!

Stamps: Happy Hoppers

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip & Pumpkin Pie

Copics: YR04, YR14, Y15, Y17, B21, B23, RV10, RV23, E25, E31

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black

Accessories: Love & Happiness RubOns (retired), Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Bashful Blue 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon ENJOY!