Pearl Love & Hearts

Okay - so I learned something new while making this design. While browsing the Creative Play Stamps site, I came across the Ranger Embossing Pearls powders. Huh, I wonder what these are like? so I ordered a couple to try out. You saw the Pale Gold in the previous post, such a lovely gold! "Well," I thought to myself, "St. Valentine's Day is coming up, I think I'll try the Embossing Pearls in Red." I receive my order and the container of "Red" Embossing Pearls powder is pearl white. Huh! (Anyone laughing at me yet, oops, I mean "with" me!) :) So I try it out on Basic Black first. As you can see - it comes out a lovely shade of purple, actually it pretty much matches the SU! Orchid Opulence perfectly!

So I try it on Whisper White next - still looking for a red color! (yah, takes me awhile sometimes! heehee) Wow - the pearl is sure pretty, but where's my RED? As I move the card stock I catch a glint of the lightest reddish sheen I've ever seen - it all depends on the card stock and the way the light hits the embossed design! LOL - and here I was expecting RED with a pearl-like sheen. So now I'm playing with this powder on other colors to see what happens - you may see future designs with this, not sure yet.

BUT - I am thrilled to be using a SU! color that I rarely use, which is Orchid Opulence. This design is quite pretty in person, though neither my camera nor my scanner did a great job at picking up the true Orchid Opulence color. For this design, I used both of the CPS Valentine sets - isn't the arrow cute? The "You" is part of an "I Love You" - just inked up only that word. I like the Cuttlebug Heart Block A2 Embossing Folder. for this design, it adds a nice, simple background while letting the Embossing Pearl powder be the draw to the focal point sentiment and image. A little SU! Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon & paper piercing with the SU! Crafters Tool Kit and VOILA - Pearl Love & Hearts!

Stamps: Valentine and Valentine Circle (CreativePlayStamps)
Card Stock: SU! Orchid Opulence & Basic Black
Ink: Versamark and Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Ranger Embossing Pearls - Red, Cuttlebug & Heart Block A2 Embossng Folder; SU! Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Heat Tool, Crafters Tool Kit & Stampin' Dimensionals.
ENJOY!

Velvet Flower Valentine

Here's a classic black and white color combo - with a splash of St. Valentine's Day color. I also used some Ranger Embossing Pearl Powder in Pale Gold for the "Love" image. The fact that the word love is spelled out in tiny, solid hearts is so fun! (Have I told you that already?? lol) This image is from the Valentine stamp set from Creative Play Stamps.

And the splash of color? 7 Gypsies Velvet flowers - the Ruby Red assortment. As you can see, it comes with white too. The color is so pretty, and I love the soft texture of the velvet finish on these flowers.

Below is a close-up so you can see the Cuttlebug A2 Embossing Folder called Heart Block, that I used on the SU! Whisper White card stock. It makes a nice, simple background that adds nicely to the Love sentiment.



Stamps: Valentine
Card Stock: SU! Basic Black & Whisper White
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Ranger Embossing Pearls - Pale Gold; 7 Gypsies Velvet Flowers - Ruby Red; Cuttlebug and Heart Block A2 Embossing Folder; SU! Corner Rounder Punch (retired version); SU! Black Brads, Mini Glue Dots and Heat Tool.
ENJOY!

Be My Valentine

Never trust your computer! lol I thought this project posted earlier today - only to find out it did not! I got the layout idea for this design from a GinaK Designs January Release Party Challenge last week. It was originally a scrapbook layout, but I saw a card design instead.

Not your traditional St. Valentine's Day colors though, eh? What do you think of this color combination? I am still using the GORGEOUS Prima Belle Fleur Vintage Ruby Flowers I got from Creative Play Stamps - so that's where the Bravo Burgundy & Always Artichoke come from. I added the More Mustard and Very Vanilla (all SU! colors, btw) to tie in with the self-adhesive(love this feature of any embellishment!) Prima Pebble from the Definitions assortment.

The Valentine Circle Stamp Set gives a wonderful focal point, while the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots A2 Embossing Folder adds some texture interest.

Stamps: Valentine Circle (CreativePlayStamps)
Card Stock: SU! Bravo burgundy, Always Artichoke, More Mustard & Very Vanilla
Ink: Bravo Burgundy
Accessories: Cuttlebug & Swiss Dots A2 Embossing Folder, Prima Belle Fleur Vintage Ruby Flowers, Prima Pebbles - Definitions, SU! Scallop Edge Punch & Stampin' Dimensionals.
ENJOY!

Just Buzzin' By...

This was one of the sets we demonstrators could pre-order while we finished out the old catalog and waited for the new one. These bees are just too darn cute! When I saw the dripping honey on the honey pot image, Crystal Effects immediately came to mind! The second pic shows a close-up of the dimension and shine the Crystal Effects provides.

Technique Tip:I also used the Crystal Effects and More Mustard Re-inker to make my own 'Rain Dot'-like embellishments. Just place a drop of Crystal effects where you want it on your project, stick a toothpick in the nozzle of your re-inker, and gently swirl the ink into the drop of Crystal Effects in a circular motion (to help keep the round shape). Play first on a piece of waxed paper to get the hang of how much ink, etc. You can even make these ahead on the waxed paper, then just peel off and adhere (with adhesive) to your project later! I heard you can can make some fun effects by mixing ink colors too. How fun is this?!

Design inspired by Ilse Vargas.

Stamps: Just Buzzin' By
Card Stock: More Mustard, Kiwi Kiss, Confetti White, Bella Rose
Ink: Basic Brown, More Mustard (Classic Ink Pad & Re-inker), Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Aquapainter, Water Color Wonder Crayons, Kiwi Kiss Satin Double-Sided Ribbon; Crystal Effects, Mini glue Dots and Dimensionals
ENJOY!

St. Valentine's Day Top Note Treat

Need a sweet treat idea for your kids or your sweetie? St. Valentine's Day party at school? How about for your paper-crafting buddies and/or co-workers? Grab the Love You Much Bundle and the Bigz Top Note Die and get started!

Note: Did you know you can use the Bigz Dies not only with the Big Shot, but with the Cuttlebug and other similar machines? If you don't have any of these fun tools yet, I suggest the Big Shot (instant Hostess credit when you purchase the Starter Kit!) However, do you have one of these tools, but have been holding off on purchasing these fun dies - wait no more!


Stamps: Love You Much
Card Stock: Riding Hood Red, Creamy Caramel, Candy Lane DSP
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Accessories: Bigz Top Note Die, Heart to Heart & Scallop Circle Punches, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, small Cello Bags
ENJOY!

Be My Valentine Card

I created this card with a layout from one of the challenges from GinaK Designs January Release Party
It was originally a scrapbook page layout, but a card came to mind so I did that instead. I think I actually missed the submission deadline - lol, gotta love to hate dial-up!

This is another design using the wonderful stamps and paper crafting supplies over at Creative Play Stamps.
Supplies like their Valentine Circle Stamp Set and embellishments and tools like the Prima Belle Fleur Vintage Ruby Flowers, Prima Pebbles- Definitions (self-adhesive!) [find Prima supplies HERE) and Cuttlebug A2 Swiss Dots Folder [ find HERE].

What do you think of my non-traditional St. Valentine's Day colors? :) The Prima Definition Pebble I chose comes from a package of 8 and says "Adore - to regard with loving admiration and..."

Stamps: Valentine Circle
Card Stock: SU! Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke, More Mustard & Very Vanilla
Ink: Bravo Burgundy
Accessories: SU! Scallop Edge Punch, Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots A2 Embossing Folder, Prima Belle Fleur Vintage Ruby Flowers, Prima Pebbles - Definitions, SU! Stampin' Dimensionals and Paper Snips.
ENJOY!

CreativePlayStamps - Felt Valentine

When I first came across this Prima Voila Die Cut Art Strip while browsing the Embellishments category over at Creative Play Stamps I didn't know what it was! lol Do you know? Let me tell you anyways... self-adhesive die cut felt strips. Self-Adhesive!!! Yeah Baby - that's what I'm talking about!! heehee I think these were made specifically for me - lol. I really wanted to show the beautiful design of the felt, so I made a long Valentine card.

Since the felt design itself is so decorative and lovely, a simple sentiment was called for and the 'Valentine' from the stamp set of the same name is the perfect font style to go with the felt strip. I added the duo color rosebud image from the Valentine Circle set at the end of the sentiment for an added touch of elegance. Combined with fancy corners via the SU! Ticket Corner Punch - and the result is a simple focal piece that stands out while also letting the beautiful felt strip hold it's own. Let's see - I think this took all of 10 minutes - maybe. Voila is an appropriate name for these Prima Felt Strips! :)

Stamps: Valentine & Valentine Circle (CPS)
Card Stock: SU! Riding Hood Red & Whisper White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Stampin' Writes in Real Red & Garden Green
Accessories: Prima Voila Die Cut Art Strip, SU! Ticket Corner Punch
ENJOY!

CreativePlayStamps Love You

Are you ready for some "Creative Play"? How about with Valentine stamps that are currently ON SALE?! Wahoooooo!

This design uses both of the Valentine sets + the Thank You sentiment set from Creative Play Stamps - the 'Love' image (can you see that it is made with tiny little hearts!) from the Valentine set, the lightly stamped off rosebud image from the Valentine Circle set - and the "You" in the bottom, right corner of the card, from the Thank You sentiment set.

I also used the Nestabilities Classic Ovals Set (also ON SALE right now!), and how about that luscious flower? I thought the online pic looked good (so hard to tell sometimes). When my order arrived - these Prima Belle Fleur Vintage Ruby flowers caught my eye instantly! They are shiny, double layered flower with the coordinating brad already attached! Talk about easy peasy to use. Oh, and guess what - THEY'RE ON SALE too right now!

You've plenty of time to order your Valentine supplies from Creative Play Stamps - and there's a SALE waiting for you there! :) Please tell them StampinJewels sent you!

Stamps: Valentine, Valentine Circle, Thank You
Card Stock: SU! Ruby Red, Barely Banana & Whisper White
Ink: SU! Ruby Red
Accessories: Nestabilities Classic Ovals, Prima Belle Fleur Vintage Ruby flower
ENJOY!

A Happy Heart Valentine

Traditional St. Valentine's Day colors, with a twist of Taken with Teal. Isn't this tic-tac-toe of love sweet? Circle Punches help embellish the tic-tac-toe board, along with an Antique Brass Build-a-Brad. A little Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, and some do-it-yourself 'Rain Dot"- like hearts anchored on Word window accents finish off the design.

Design inspired by Connie Babbert.

Stamps: A Happy Heart
Card Stock: Taken with Teal, Pirouette Pink Textured, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette & Stampin' Write in Taken with Teal
Accessories: Punches: Word Window, Circles - 1/2" and 3/4", Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots
ENJOY!

Love You Much Bundle

Planning your cards for St. Valentine's Day yet? The Love You Much Bundle is perfect! It includes a beautiful NEW stamp set called Love You Much, a fun NEW Punch - Heart to Heart - with three small and different size hearts to be used alone or with one of the stamps in the Love you Much stamp set, and lovely NEW Designer Series Paper called Candy Lane. All three items are available in the NEW Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalog separately, however until Jan. 31st you can get the Bundle for a reduced price.

I used a piece of very vanilla patterned Candy Lane DSP to stamp off the three heart image in Bravo Burgundy, as well as to line the inside of the card. The Bravo Burgundy piece is crimped. The 'Love' image is watercolored with a Blender Pen from the Bravo Burgundy Classic Ink pad. Do you see how I colored the vase to look two-toned, both light and dark? I'm also hoping you can see the Iridescent Ice Glitter I two-way glued to the vase. The Heart to Heart and Trio Flower Punches add sweet embellishment, along with the Vanilla Hodgpodge Hardware Kit and the beauitful Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon to go with the Basic Gray card base. Finish with a little Sponge Daubering around the focal image.

Design inspired by Amy Celona.

Stamps: Love You Much
Card Stock: Basic Gray, Bravo Burgundy, Very Vanilla, Candy Lane DSP
Ink: Basic Gray, Bravo Burgundy
Accessories: Heart to Heart and Trio Flower Punches, Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware Kit, Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Iridescent Ice Glitter, Crimper, Sponge Dauber, Dimensionals, Two Way Glue
ENJOY!

Chat & Challenge 153

I hosted a Chat & Challenge over at Sudsol (demo only site) yesterday. Of course, I haven't been able to host AND stamp for quite awhile - I'm too chatty! lol (Maybe this should be one of my paper-crafting resolutions for 2010? heehee) I got the sketch from one of my favorite blogs to get sketches from - Taylored Expressions. This one was her TECC49 - Fun!

The idea to make Scallop Edge Punch medallions with Scallop Square Punches sprouted fairly quickly, but it took awhile longer for the rest of the "picture" to develop. I also knew I wanted to use some DSP (designer series paper) and the Dreams du Jour Stamp Set. And of course - GLITTER! :)

Here's a couple of close-ups to show the pretty Iridescent Ice Glitter (adhered with Two Way Glue.) The butterfly image was inked in Pirouette Pink, then outlined directly on the stamp with the Basic Black Stampin' Write. The sharp points on the Paper Snips are perfect for the precision cutting needed for this delicate butterfly image. The 'Love You' floral image is water-colored with the Blender Pen and Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss ink pads. The flower is Pirouette Pink with Riding Hood Red shading in the middle that is also glittered.

This close-up shows the Love You Much three heart image stamped tone-on-tone in Pirouette Pink, glittered, then punched with the Heart to Heart Punch. All the medallions have a Scallop Square Punch of the beautiful Bella Rose DSP.

Stamps: Dreams du Jour, Love You Much
Card Stock: Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Pirouette Pink , Whisper White, Bella Rose DSP
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Stampin' Write in Basic Black
Accessories: Scallop Edge, Heart to Heart & Scallop Square Punches, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Iridescent Ice Glitter, Two Way Glue Pen, Paper Snips, Mini Glue Dots.
ENJOY!

Have You Seen It Yet?

Why - the NEW Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog of course! :) It is Bea - u - ti - ful! Oh, and lots of great new stamps, embellishments and tools too! heehee These baskets were all done with the NEW Raspberry Tart DSP (Designer Series Paper) - isn't it yummy? The paper I mean, not the chocolates inside the basket. ;) I used the Big Shot and the Bigx XL Baskets and Blooms Die to make these.

Let me tell you - that Big Shot "works like butter". With this die, the basket pieces are cut, along with the tag I used and several different flower which I am hoping to have show up on near future designs. I used Mini Glue Dots to adhere the bottom piece to the two side pieces - easy peasy and quick too. Stamped and sponged a Curly Label punch to layer on the die cut tag, and attach with a bow of Rose Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon.

Just imagine the possibilities of this fabulous die..... St. Valentine's Day treats, shower and party favors, May Baskets, Secret Santa, Girls Shopping Day Out, Just Because...... What would you use these adorable little purse baskets for?





Stamps: Love You Much
Cardstock: Raspberry Tart DSP, Whisper White
Ink: Regal Rose and Riding Hood Red
Accessories: Big Shot, Bigz XL Baskets & Blooms Die, Rose Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Curly Label Punch, Mini Glue Dots & Sponge Dauber. ENJOY!

Crazy for Cupcakes AND ....

... MY NEW WATERMARK! I am soooooo excited because I just (literally in the last few minutes!) figured out, all by my lonesome, how to insert my beautiful new watermark onto my project pics in GIMP. GIMP is free software that can do A TON of things I have no clue about - lol, but I use it for photo editing, and NOW for watermark inserting!! Can we say HAPPY DANCE, Happy Dance, happy dance...

Okay - so the card (heehee). I love the look of cupcakes, well, really anything small like that - babies are my favorite! :) I ordered the Crazy for Cupcakes set when it was on sale last year and am finally getting around to using it. Part of my 2009 Papercrafting Resolutions don't ya know?
I also used the SU! Bigz Top Note Die for the first time - very cool! Did you know that a lot of the Sizzix dies, including many of the Stampin' Up! exclusives are not only able to be used in the Big Shot, but the Big Kick, the Cuttlebug and other machines too? How cool is that? don't have any of these fun tools yet? contact me to order your Big Shot Starter Kit today, or check it out online via the Shop Now button on my SU! site.

Here's a second design with the same layout but changed up positioning and colors. For both cards, I water-colored with the Blender Pen and Classic Ink Pads on the cupcake papers, the stand and the candle. The edges of the Top Note and Curly Label Punch ( they are so cute together!) are both sponged with Classic Ink. I used a Quickie Glue Pen to outline the cupcake frosting and Top Note, to fill in the candle flame and to make polka dots on the balloons to hold the Iridescent Ice Glitter. I used a mask on the tone-on-tone balloons, then a Stampin' Dimensional to pop up the center balloon. Add a coordinating 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon bow on a Mini Glue Dot and VOILA - two pretty cards! I lined the inside of each card with a layer of the same color as the outside, then stamped the large cupcake image in the Crazy for Cupcakes set tone-on-tone with the wording from the set in the darker color used.

Tip: Isn't the 'half' a punch cute? Stamp close to the edge of your card stock, then flip your punch over and line up the stamped image/wording where you want it, then punch it out. This is usually much easier than trying to stamp in alignment on a very small, already punched piece.

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes
Cardstock: Confetti White, Rose Red, Barely Banana, Tempting Turquoise & Gable Green
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, rose Red, Barely Banaa, So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise, Gable Green & YoYo Yellow
Accessories: Bigz Top Note Die, Curly Label Punch, Iridescent Ice Glitter, Rose Red & Tempting Turquoise 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots & Stampin' Sponge
ENJOY!

YOU Did It! - Punched Penguins Card

I received this VERY FUN card from Beth H. at Christmas. Too darn cute Beth! Thanks!!

Beth used Basic Black, Whisper White, Only Orange, Kraft and Soft Sky(retired) card stock. Punches used: 3/4" Circle, Small & Large Oval and the Spring Bouquet (retired) Punches.

This is a wonderful example of the versatility of the SU! punches - thanks again Beth.

YOU Did It!

This lovely card was designed by Marcia R. and was one of my birthday cards this past November. 9I had meant to post this and the previous scrapbook page pic while we were on vacation, but I ran out time waiting for Blogger to remove the post verification - it's removed now though! woohoo!)

Marcia used the beautiful SU! set Upsy Daisy, as well as the Scallop Circle Punch. I love her added "bling" with the blue gems and the Stickles on the daisies. Great job Marcia!

YOU Did It! - Scrapbook Layout

Family friend, Joan T. created this scrapbook page layout for my b-i-l's pre-wedding activities. Joan used to babysit for Alex! :)

I wanted to share her creativity here - look closely at the scrapbook page. Joan used the "Save the Date" postcard Alex & Julie sent out, and the shower invitation I sent out (with the inserts pulled out and incorporated into the page), as well as the shower favor. In order to create the layers under the postcard, she disassembled a second shower invitation (nice recycling idea!) She added some coordinating flower and swirl images for a subtle background and VOILA! a lovely scrapbook page memorializing the pre-wedding activities. Great job Joan!

Introducing...StampinJewels' New Face!

I just loved the blog skin I found for the Christmas season - remember the Wisemen and the Star? But there's nothing like a mini-makeover! I have been so very excited to release the NEW StampinJewels Blog Banner! My birthday treat to myself was this FABULOUS new blog banner, plus a new signature image AND a couple of new Watermarks for my projects (you'll have to wait to see the watermarks.)

I worked with the very talented Michelle Laycock, who is also a Sudsol stamping sister. What a fun and different creative process creating the blog banner was! Michelle asked me a bunch of questions, and I did my best to answer then honestly. Are you sitting down? Of course you are, you're on the computer - LOL - get ready to giggle! I actually used these words in my communications with Michelle - Are you sure you're ready?! ;)

"Kind of an angelic, ethereal with understated definition."

What a HOOT! Did *I* just think/type/say that?! Okay - those who know me, please pick yourself up off the floor now or your stomach will hurt even more from this fit of giggles! :)

It really is a beautiful blog banner - IMHO. THANK YOU so much Michelle, for patiently helping me draw out my own imagination and creativity in a different way - and then giving it a physical image for me.

Since Thanksgiving I have felt so busy and it has really taken a toll on my stamping Mojo. My plan is to change all that, as stated in the previous post, so hopefully you'll be seeing my new watermarks soon!

SOOOO, head on over to Michelle's site and get yourself started on a wonderful creative journey that ends in your very own, personalized blog banner, siggy and watermark. Please, tell Michelle StampinJewels sent you! And remember to leave a link to your blog here once your new Laycock banner is up. For now - I'd love to hear your comments on these new StampinJewels blog features :) ENJOY!

What's Your 2009 Stamping Resolution?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Every year many of us aim at coming up with resolutions for change - either adding something or subtracting something to our lives. Regular exercisers cringe at this time of you as the YMCA and opther health clubs get "really" busy for 4-6 weeks, before the crowds begin to taper off again. I'll leave those kinds of resolutions alone - but lets focus on what we all love to do - PAPERCRAFTING!

What resolution(s) do you have for your stamping, scrapbooking, etc.?

For me, I am carrying over a 2008 resolution regarding a certain SU! perpetual Birthday Calendar - i.e. getting it stamped and embellished, names written in the appropriate months, and cards done ahead of time so they are ready to mail out. (Please don't remind me I'm already behind again on this project!)

I'm also re-resolving to start my scrapbooking adventure in 2009. The desire to scrapbook has been growing and growing - and I have YEARS of pictures I would like to scrapbook, so no lack there.

So what's the plan?
Now that I have some resolutions or goals - how exactly am I going to make them happen? Good question - by scheduling time in each week to work on them. Sounds silly to have to "schedule in" stamping for the sheer pleasure of it time, doesn't it? But I know most of you understand completely! :)

So what's your plan(s)? How will you go about making them happen in 2009?

Please share your comments here so we may all draw inspiration and strength from each other. And please share the invitation to set papercrafting goals with your papercrafting family & friends! ENJOY!