Something a Little Different

A lot of times, people can get intimidated with doing a scrapbook. They look at a 12" x 12" page and get overwhelmed with all the "white space". And an 8" x 8" doesn't fare any better. That's when you sometimes have to go outside your box a little. Say for instance, you wanted to create a little book for someone, not a lot of journallling, a few stamped images and just pictures. But you want it to be creative and from the heart. Here's a suggestion as to what you could do.

Now, I'm not going to take credit for this idea. This idea has been around for a while - making a scrapbook out of envelopes - any size, any dimension.

I took three medium size Stampin' Up envelopes and glued them back to back. I cut half circles at the sides to make little pockets and just measured three pieces of cardstock (Concord Crush a definite favourite of mine since I love that rich purple colour)some bits of ribbon to put on the top of each piece so I could easily slide them out and used a stamp set that I personally loved from the Occasions Mini called "Nature Walk". I really like how it turned out although it didn't fold the way I wanted to but hey, nobody knows that but me! And well yeah, I smudged a little of the stamps on the third page - doing this at 10 p.m. at night is never a good idea. But I think it is still creative, simple, and I think a nice keepsake for my mom.

Sometimes you just have to colour outside of the lines to see what you're made of. Come play!

Happy Sunday!

I want to introduce you to an awesome kit that in the 2010-2011 Stampin' Up Idea Book and Catalogue. It's called "Hodgepodge Hardware" that contains 200 pieces of hardware to play around with either in Styled Silver or in Styled White (which is what I have).

Now I'm going to be 100% honest with you. I've had this kit for a while and never used it. This is because I always opened the case and thought "this is too nice to use". Now I'm thinking, "this is too good NOT to use".

Stampin' Up this year released a new stamp set to coordinate with this kit so you can find new ways to use the Hodgepodge Hardware. I've made some samples of what I came up with but I'm sure you can come up with so much more. I basically stuck to the same Concord Crush cardstock, Barely Banana cardstock and some Design Series Paper and a bit of ribbon. I made two cards, a tag, and a Artist Trading Card - all using bits from the kit.

Hodgepodge Hardware:
Styled Silver #111325 - 37.95
Styled Vanilla #112454 - $37.95

Hodgepodge Happiness #117141 for woodmount $16.95
Hodgepodge Happiness #120570 for clearmount $13.95

Thanks for checking in!

The Retired List

I know, I should be posting something more substantial like a scrapbook layout since it's really Scrapbook Saturday. But time is running away from me. I promise to make it all up to you...just stick with me! There is so much going on in the Stampin' Up family too. They are gearing up for the new release of the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalogue which is released to the public in July but as Demonstrators, we get a sneak peek June 1st which is so awesome. This book is like the equivalent of the Sears Christmas catalogue every winter - just so much eye candy! I find that Stampin' Up really gets better every year with their products. I know I enjoyed this year's catalogue immensely.

Also starting June 1st, please make sure you go to www.stampinup.ca to see the retired list of stamp sets that will be only be available for a limited time. That means once they are retired, they will be discontinued and you cannot get them again. So if there is something on the list that you have been eyeing to get, make sure you get it! They do this to make room for the new product coming in.

It's a busy time but it's an exciting time. I'm here every step of the way on this creative journey with you!!

Haven't Forgotten

Dear friends, I know that it has been a few days since my last blog. I've missed "Versatile Wednesday" and "Try it Thursday" as well as today. That's not to say that I haven't been thinking of my next project. I hope to write more soon.

The Summer Mini catalogue is out now and if anyone is interested in seeing a copy of all the goodies, drop me a line and I'll send it out to you in the mail first thing. It should keep us going until the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalogue comes out in July which is always exciting.

Keep stamping and keep scrapping!

Ta Da! Tuesday

Stamp wheels are very underestimated in my opinion. I think a lot of us use them to make pretty borders on scrapbook pages or to decorate envelopes. But upon closer reflection, these inexpensive little tools can actually make an impact.

I created two cards - one using a jumbo stamp wheel (Very Vintage $10.50) and a standard stamp wheel (Take a Number $7.95, but is retired). With the black and white card, the stamp wheel just seems to add an elegance but without being too much. For the pink and white card, it adds something playful and definitely an "awwww.." factor.

With Stampin' Up, they have a variety of stamp wheels (ink cartridges and handles sold separately) that will fit any occasion and mood. It's just a matter of thinking outside the box and seeing what you can come up with. It's a small Ta Da! but one that is sure to impress the recipient.

By the way, the two stamp sets that I used for both cards are:
Vintage Vogue $29.95 for wood mount & $21.95 for clear mount
Curvy Verses $29.95 for wood mount only
Drop me a line if you're interested in ordering any of the above supplies!

And Now for Something Completely Different....

Artist Trading Cards or ATCs as they are known are little pieces of art that you can create out of scraps. There's only two rules: they have to be the size of a playing card (2 1/2" by 3 1/2") and they are not for sale. They are strictly for trade. If you go on websites like www.flickr.com and punch in artist trading cards, you will see how beautiful and well known they are. And it's just the thing to get started when you're playing with paper. Instead of having this huge canvas to fill, you have this small space to play and experiment. Once in a while when I get into a creative rut, I usually turn to doing these ATCs to get myself going. I hope you like them.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday Layout - Pictures

Here are the pictures that were supposed to go with the last post...

Scrapbook Friday, Saturday and Sunday

I know, I know, I know it's Sunday. But I have spent a lot of time on a scrapbook layout since Friday (which never happens because I'm always short on time). I just finished up at 2 a.m. this morning. Why?

Because I scrapbooked something personal.

I think why I love scrapbooking so much is that it captures a moment in your life that is beyond the anniversaries, graduations, first day at school, etc. I used to keep journals but I never have the discipline or motivation to keep up with the writing in it every day. I had a story that I desperately wanted to tell this week. It was about my daughter Jaida and how her developmental skills were being tested and assessed. As any mother, I was a wreck. And the experience and feelings stayed with me long after we left the office. I had talked to a few people about how I felt but I still didn't feel comforted. So I sat down and created this two page spread.

I took pictures (which will follow in another post since I'm having problems right now) of gathering my supplies that I thought I would use (I ended up using way more) then I took another picture of laying out all my elements and then the final product which I am extremely proud of. I let my feelings put this layout together and the only person who is going to judge this is: me. Because at the end of the day, it's my story, from my perspective. Maybe one day my kids will look back on these albums and read them but for the most part, it's all for me. And that's okay.

Have a great long weekend!

Try It! Thursday

The latest trend in scrapbooking and cardmaking is having the sewn look. Whether that bring back memories of Julie Andrews making clothes from drapes in the "Sound of Music" or wanting to jump on the trend bandwagon, it definitely has a look all its own.

Now, I own a sewing machine. Notice I used the word "own", that doesn't translate in being able to sew anything on it. But to get that "look" without hauling out the ol' Singer, you can do one of two things:

1. "the Cheat" - this is where you take a white gel pen and draw your own stitches. This can be pulled off and one would be the wiser unless they decide to put their face right up to the project and announce you're a fraud.

2. Hand Stitch - this for the novice (me). You can do this by taking a paper piercer and using a template to make sure that you're poking the holes the right distance apart so you can sew even stitches. I guarantee that you will love the finished results and feel like Laura Ingalls Wilder making quilts and tending to the farm.

Trends come and go but sometimes, just to get out of a creative rut, it's nice to be able to try new things and see where our imagination takes us. Try it!

Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen #105021 $5.25
Paper Piercing Tool #116631 $4.50
Mat Pack #105826 $12.95
Sew Suite Stamp set from the Occasions Mini catalogue (clear mounted) $22.95
Sweet Stitches Designer Series Paper $12.50 for 12 double-sided paper
Basic Black Stamp #118822 $8.50 for 12 sheets
So Saffron Cardstock #119947 $12.25 for 12 sheets

Versatility Wednesday

Well, I know it's not Wednesday but I'm going to post like it is. I hate being a day behind but life catches up with you sometimes and before you know it, there's not enough time.

There's a paper punch that Stampin' Up features called the Ornament Extra Large. Traditionally, this punch is used during the holidays because well, it looks like a Christmas ornament. Yet if you play around with it, I think you're going to see how versatile this punch can be.

Because after all, it's all about getting the most bang for your buck and yet keeping things simple.

Ta Da! Tuesday

Hi everyone...or whoever is out there in cyber land LOL. Today being what I call Ta Da! Tuesday, I decided to pick a new product that came out in the new Summer Mini catalogue. Stampin' Up carries their own brand of embossing powders that come in an array of colors: black, white, gold, silver, clear and Iridescent Ice. Now they have released three new colors: Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango and Wild Wasabi. Today, I made a card using the Melon Mambo embossing powder and I'm happy with the results. Just like any embossing powder, you're going to stamp the image using a VersaMark pad, sprinkle on the powder, tap out the excess and then heat with a heating gun. Simple. Elegant. Took less than 5 minutes - Ta Da!

My Story

I love what I do with Stampin Up. I know I've said that over and over again. I'm not trying to ram it down your throat or give you a roll-the-eye moment. But when I'm working with different ones, I always get "I'm not talented like you" or "I'm not creative" or "I can't do that". I used to feel that way too about two years ago. And then, I met someone who changed my mind on the spot. She didn't give me a spiel or a sales pitch.

We were at a Scrapbooking event together. Anne Granger had a booth there, demonstrating different stamping techniques and I was there spending a glorious weekend scrapbooking the whole weekend at a hotel (let me tell you, everyone should do something like that). Anyways, I walked by that booth all weekend long - I had stopped to look at her cards that she made and the creativity behind it. I also said "that's really nice but I can't do it". And then I simply asked "how do you do that?"

Anne sat me down with a piece of paper, a stamp and some ink with a blender pen (a pen that is filled with water so you can watercolor with ink)and the image above is what you see. You may look at it and say "big deal, it's not really that good." But it is to ME. I DID IT. And I had fun doing it. And so began my journey into the Stampin' Up family.

I haven't lost that feeling of accomplishment. When I sit down with with paper, stamps, ink and embellishments, it fuels my passion for creating, for getting people interested in this great hobby and even if it's for 15 minutes, to feel that you can look at something and be proud of. That's how I started....how will you?

New Classes Introduced

I just want to thank my friends and family for their words of encouragement and support on my new blog. I love what I do with Stampin’ Up and I hope that it shows. I have been working on some classes that I want to offer for those who want to learn new techniques or just get together to create. This is what I have so far:

Mommy & Me Class
Come with your little ones on this afternoon class to learn how to do the latest cardmaking techniques. Starts: Tuesday, June 7, 2011 @ 1:00 p.m.
Cost: $25.00 (includes cost of materials)

Technique Class:
Learn a different technique each week with a stamp set you purchase in advance. Starts: Wednesday, June 8, 2011 @ 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $25.00 (includes cost of materials)

Scrapbook a Memory
Learn how to put together a basic scrapbook layout and how you can translate these tools into making a mini album. Starts: Saturday, June 11, 2011 @ 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $25.00 (includes cost of materials)

Girls Night In:
Grab a few girlfriends and have an evening IN for a change as we make cards, inspire each other all over yummy dessert...c’mon on over! Starts: Friday, June 10, 2011 @ 7:00 p.m.
Cost: $30 (includes cost of materials)

I also offer one on one classes for individuals who might feel a little intimidated in a group setting. Give me a call and we’ll arrange a time that is convenient for you. Whether it’s scrapbooking or cardmaking , we can walk our way through together.

Talk to you later! Enjoy the process!

Scrapbook Saturday

When I started scrapbooking almost 7 years ago, I fell in love with it right away because it combined writing with photography. It's a way of telling your story, your way. With this layout, I left it simple. I let the pictures tell the story and kept my journalling at a minimum. I embossed the pink cardstock with gold embossing powder just to make it pop. With the title, I once again used the Big Shot die cutting machine and instead of using cardstock, I used a page from an old map to add a little something new to the traditional layout. What I like to tell people who are starting to scrapbook is this: there is no right or wrong way to scrapbook. It's YOUR STORY. How you do it is all up to you.

Pay it Forward

Do you love getting mail? I know I do. There's a certain excitement and anticipation you get when you seen an envelope with your name HANDWRITTEN on it. Getting any type of mail whether it's a letter or a card is a lost art due to e-mails and Facebook. The only thing we seem to get in the mail is junk mail and bills.

But what if we could change that? Say we send one card to one person every two weeks or once a month? Then they get to feel the same anticipation and joy of finding something handwritten and homemade in their mail box. And say they join this cycle of good and get inspired by your card and they send one back to YOU. Awesome, right?

Well, we can't start the process overnight. It's going to take more than one card to one person to generate that kind of response. But I'll tell you something, it makes the other person feel a little bit better about themselves and make their day a little bit bearable. And all you did was play with a little bit of paper, some stamps and ink and sent it through the mail.

Pay it forward - send a card to someone to show that they have been on your mind. Somewhere in that circle of kindness, someone will show you that you were in their thoughts and wanted to make your day a little brighter.

Happy Friday!

Try It Thursday (well, a day late)

I know that I'm a day behind in posting this but I couldn't get online to post (technical difficulties NOT on my part. So bear with me...

I love retro. Anyone who knows me knows that I love anything vintage or 80's inspired. So when I make a card for someone special, I try to incorporate those kind of themes into what I create. Hopefully, when that person gets my card, they will see a little piece of me reflected in it.

This week, I decided to incorporate a little Archie and his friends from the comics in my latest endeavor. The colors I used were Concord Crush and Basic Black on the first card. The small envelope on the front was made by a die-cutting machine called the Big Shot which is the greatest thing I have ever used. There are other die-cut machines on the market and they are all great too, but I find that the accessories and dies for them are pricey. If you're going to use an expensive system like that, it will be quite an investment each and every time you need to purchase something new. With the Big Shot, you can do so much even with the competitors' dies. It really pays for itself.

But I digress...

The second card that I did, I used Riding Hood Red and Basic Black Cardstock. And again, I used the Big Shot for the unique frame and for the shape of the Archie comic. Simple and Nostalgic. A little piece of me. Try it for yourself!

Versatility Wednesday

"Creativity is contagious. Pass it on" - Albert Einstein

Every Wednesday, I'm going to try to come up with a product/stamp set that is versatile enough for you to get more bang for your buck. When choosing any product from Stampin' Up,you want to be able to get as many uses out of it as possible for any occasion and not feel limited by its uses. In thinking of this theme, I thought about the paper punches that I highlighted yesterday. You can definitely get more if you just think of using every scrap of paper as a stepping stone to the next card.

So I used the doily paper punch and improvised on a card that I saw on my good friend's blog (Anne Granger who is my mentor and friend) and decided to make it my own. I finished the card but noticed that I had little scraps left over from the paper punch. What to do?

So as the above pictures show, I used a paper punch with the same design on two cards. And then used the same design to make something a little different with a seven piece stamp set from the Occasions Mini that was released at the beginning of the year. I loved it at first sight - it's called "Nature Walk" and I can easily see how it will lend itself to many projects in the future.

I had fun working on three different cards yet the same design. And it didn't take me all day to do it. Now I have three cards to send out to friends this week! What a time saver. Talk to you soon!

Ta Da! Tuesday

Every Tuesday, I will introduce a cool (aren't they all??) Stampin' Up product that I hope will inspire you to try something new. Stampin' Up has amazing punches in every possible shape and size to make scrapbooking and cardmaking more creative. They have introduced two new punches and they are awesome and economical too.

Each punch gives you 3 coordinated images just with one punch. The images look great layered or on their own. All you have to do is move the easy to use front lever to choose the desired image. Just another way that Stampin' Up has kept up with the trends while creating something innovative.

The Doily Triple Layered Punch #122465 $31.95
Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch #122464 $31.95
www.stampinup.ca

Talk to you soon!

May is National Scrapbook Month

Stampin' Up is starting the month of May with a great promotion. Since someone, somewhere has declared May as National Scrapbook month, they are offering 30% off select stamps - wood mounted or clear. I had to go to the website to have a look at myself! It's a great time to be stamping and scrapbooking!

I have just joined the blogging universe so my site will always be a work in progress. I welcome any comments and suggestions to make this site inspiring and educational. I'm not here to sell or to promote myself as an artist because I'm not. Far from it! I just want to encourage creativity and if you come away with a cool idea, then hey, it's all worth it.

I'm in the midst of planning some stamping and scrapbooking classes so stay tuned!

In the meantime, I want to show you a card that I did for a girlfriend who just celebrated an anniversary. Enjoy!