Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #31 August 29, 2008

Here is another friday challenge for you to try.  Check out Taylored Expressions for todays sketch.

This is a really easy card to create.  I actually had it completed in under 30 minutes which is not like me.  I was proud of myself.  Minimum, it usually takes me 3 hours to brainstorm and create a card. 

What a pretty color combination.  And the silhouettes….simple, easy, and beautiful.  This stamp set is called Upsy Daisy and there is a stampin’ up! promo right now…and this set is 15% off till Sept. 30th. 

Check out what the rest of the cupcake crew made today with this sketch:

Ana Wohlfahrt, Jami Sibley, Lynn Mercurio, Monika Davis, Sherrie Siemens, Stephanie Hargis, and Vicki Chrisman.

Todays featured cupcake sampler is Nancy Morgan.

That is it for today.  Enjoy your weekend

ALL SUPPLIES STAMPIN’ UP!

STAMPS:  Upsy Daisy

CARDSTOCK:  Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Gray, and Baha Breeze.

PATTERNED PAPER:  Urban Garden Designer Series Paper.

INKS:  White Craft, Basic Gray

ACCESSORIES:  Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, 3/16″ Corner Rounder Punch, White Stampin’ Emboss Powder, Horizontal Slot Punch.

Grrrreat Time!

Yeah for Fridays!  That means it is time for another one of Beate’s wsc.  My sample for today is a set I instantly fell in love with….Under the Stars.  These bears look like they are about to party hearty lol.

I’m not much of a camper.  Actually, I don’t think I have ever been camping or slept in a tent.  Although these bears are adorable, I’m so afraid of “wildlife”.   I’m even afraid to pitch a tent in the back yard and lounge out there with the kids….we had a black bear running around the neighborhood not too long ago and that got me a little worked up.   I’ll stick to stamping for now:)

Make sure to check out the rest of the team for more samples:

Cambria Turnbow, Charmaine Ikach, Jenn Balcer, Laurie Schmidlin, Lori Craig, and Sharon Harnist.

Will be back shortly with another friday sample.

All supplies Stampin’ Up

STAMPS:  Under the Stars and Many Happy Returns

CARDSTOCK:  Tangerine Tango, More Mustard, Old Olive, and Watercolor Paper.

PATTERNED PAPER:  Haiku Designer Series Paper.

INKS:  Tangerine Tango, More Mustard, Old Olive, So Saffron, Creamy Caramel, Basic Black, Stazon Jet Black.

ACCESSORIES:  Tangerine Tango 5/8″ Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Aqua Painter, Vintage Brads Assortment, Stampin’ Dimensionals, White uni-ball Signo Gel Pen. 

tutorial for free standing pop-up card August 27, 2008

Today, I have a tutorial posted on scs that you can view –> here <–.  If you have any questions, email me and I’ll try to assist you the best I can.

I first fell in love with this pop-up card way back in April of 2007 at the Stampin’ Up! Virginia Beach Regionals.  I came home the next day and had to give it a try.  I also made this Ahoy, Matey one for my convention swaps last year (yep, crazy for making about 60 of them lol).

How cute!  Such a nice surprise on the tag once pulled out.  With this image from Eastern Blooms stamp set, you can add as much detail as your heart desires….or leave it stamped as is.  Either was is simply beautiful.  What I did: stamped the image in Kiwi Kiss on Whisper White CS; stamped image again in Rose Red and So Saffron ink on Whisper White CS; Yes…cut out the tiny flowers; adhere over your Kiwi Kiss stamped base image; apply any details to the centers of the flowers.  For the So Saffron Flowers, I added orange beads from Orange Bead Duo.  For the Rose Red Flowers, I punched rose red cardstock circles with my 1/8″ & 1/16″ Circle Punches, adhered, and added Crystal Effects over them.  I also had to add a flower in the sentiment for coordination.

Here is an upclose pic of the tag

Why I love this card is because it folds flat so it can be mailed.  And it is such a nice surprise to pull the ribbon and reveal a stamped tag….and it is free standing so it sits up for displaying.  How nice would these be if they were personalized and placed at a table as place settings to tell your company where to sit (ie: wedding or a holiday gathering/dinner).  And they get to take the card with them. 

I would love to see what you create with this tutorial.  There is a gallery on scs that I will be browsing.

Also, don’t forget about my World Card Making Day Stamp Camp.  Information –> here <–.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

All Supplies Stampin’ Up!

STAMPS:  Eastern Blooms, Inspired by Nature, and Canvas Background

CARDSTOCK:  Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red, So Saffron, Whisper White

INKS:  Same as cardstock above

ACCESSORIES:  Pumpkin Pie 1/2″ Striped Grosgrain Ribbon; Hemp Twine; Pewter Jumbo Eyelet; Vintage Brads Assortment; Boho Blossoms Punch; 1/16″, 1/8″, 1/4″, 1-1/4″, and 1-3/8″ Circle Punches; 3/16″ Corner Rounder Punch; Crop-A-Dile Tool; Crystal Effects, Orange Beads Duo; Stampin’ Dimensionals; Sticky Strip; Mini Glue Dots.

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #30 August 22, 2008

Back for more!  Now it is time for TECC#30 over at Taylored Expressions.  I haven’t received new cupcake images yet, so this weeks card is without a yummy image…but that is okay — you don’t have to use cupcake images to participate and enter for a change to win goodies or be next weeks featured cupcake sampler:)

I thought I’d give the new SU! Big Shot a try on this sketch:

I created my own kinda sorta background paper using Whisper White cardstock scored to create squares with a stamped image within each square.  I think if I had to make this card over I’d change the piece of Old Olive cardstock to a different color — I think with the brads at the corners it resembles a baseball field lol. There is nothing in the envelope….I placed it on the front as a focal point as if I was sending “birthday wishes” to someone.

Check out what the rest of the cupcake crew has created this week:

Ana Wohlfahrt, Stephanie Hargis, Jami Sibley, Vicki Chrisman, Monika Davis, Lynn Mercurio, and Sherrie Siemens. 

And this weeks featured cupcake sampler is Lynn Put.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend!!!

STAMPS:  Wow Flowers and Canvas Background

CARDSTOCK:  Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Baha Breeze, Tangerine Tango, and Whisper White.

INKS USED:  Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Baha Breeze, and Tangerine Tango.

ACCESSORIES USED:  SU! Big Shot die-cutting machine, Scallop Envelope Bigz Die, Silver Brads, 1/4″ & 1″ Circle Punches, Boho Blossoms Punch, Silver Elastic Cord, Ice Circle Rhinestone Brad (green for center of circle on envelope closure), Stampin’ Sponges, and Stampin’ Dimensionals.

You’re invited & Beate’s wsc#54

First, I’d like to announce an invitation for you to join me for a World Card Making Day Stamp Camp that will take place on October 4th, 2008 here in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  Three very close friends/demos and myself have planned & organized a fun-filled event with ***AWESOME PROJECTS***.   The day will start with a provided Continental Breakfast.  Stamping fun is from 9am-1pm.  The cost to attend is $25.   Want to be my guest and get “stamp pampered”?  Contact me at mjplay613@comcast.net to guarantee your spot.  I will email you an invoice with all the details/directions.  I’d love to spend this day teaching and stamping with family and friends:)

How about a challenge?  Have you missed them?  Drum roll and a big welcome back to Beate’s weekend sketch challenges🙂  Here is what I came up with:

I just love pink coneflowers.  They are scattered throughout my flowerbeds.  When I received this set, I instantly wanted to re-create the flowers around my home.  How I did my petals:  applied Pink Pirouette ink to stamp; applied Riding Hood Red to the tip of my finger; starting at petals edge (furthest away from stem), I pulled my inked finger through the ink on the stamp; stamp on cardstock to get a watercolored realistic image with a unique pattern to the petals.  You can use whatever technique you’d like to achieve this look.  I’m one to use whatever I have to achieve a certain look…and that means walking around with red finger tips for 2 days lol.   See closeup below.

You can see more samples for Beate’s wsc at the sites of these very talented ladies:

Cambria Turnbow, Charmaine Ikach, Jenn Balcer, Laurie Schmidlin, Lori Craig, and Sharon Harnist.

Will be back in a little bit to post more:)

STAMPS:  Inspired by Nature

CARDSTOCK:  Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, and Kiwi Kiss.

PATTERNED PAPER:  Bella Rose Designer Series Paper.

INKS:  Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red, and Pink Pirouette.

ACCESSORIES:  5/8″ Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Crop-a-Dile, Coluzzle, Scallop Edge Punch, 3/16″ Corner Rounder Punch.

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #29 August 15, 2008

Happy Friday!  That means it is time for another one of Taylor’s challenges.  I really like circles, so this sketch was a fun one to play around with.   Remember, you don’t have to use cupcake images to participate in the challenge:)

             

I thought it would be fun to create a 3-D item this week.  Ahhh, but guess what?  It is more than that!  The top of the gift box lid is a card:)  It’s an “all-in-one” package! 

Here are a series of pics to show all the details of this project:

 This would be a sideview front on.  The box base was created with Bella Rose Designer Series Paper.  The lid is Pink Pirouette cardstock with a scalloped border created with a 3/16″ Corner Rounder PUnch.  I did punch a hole in the lid x2 (front and back) with a 1/4″ Circle Punch.  Made a Riding Hood Red cardstock circle for around the punched hole with my 1/4″ & 1/2″ Circle Punches so I could thread the 5/8″ Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon through it to keep the box closed nicely.

This is a birds eye view of the project to show you the card feature of the lid.  It is a 4-3/8″ square card that is attached to a 4-1/2″ lid with Glue Dots.  I just love this idea…..at parties, the card always seems to get separated from the gift, so I thought this was neat.  Picture giving this to a young girl.  She can keep it after her party as a keepsake box.

I just love this stamped flower from Eastern Blooms stamp set.  I simply stamped it twice and cut the larger petals from one of the two images and attached together with a mini glue dot.  Topped off with a Pearl from the Pretties Kit.  Created the rosette behind the sentiment with 5/8″ Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon. 

Check out what the rest of the cupcake crew came up with for Taylors challenge:  Ana Wohlfahrt, Jami Sibley, Lynn Mercurio, Monika Davis, Sherrie Siemens, Stephanie Hargis, and Vicki Chrisman.  And this weeks featured cupcake samper is Noelle McHone.

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for stopping by.

All supplies Stampin’ Up!

STAMPS:  It’s All Good, Eastern Blooms, and Defining Alphabet

CARDSTOCK:  Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, and Whisper White.

PATTERNED PAPER:  Bella Rose Designer Series Paper.

INKS:  Riding Hood Red and Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin’ Pads.

ACCESSORIES:  Pretties Kit; 5/8″ Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon; Sticky Strip; Pop-Up Glue Dots.

TOOLS:  3/16″ Corner Rounder Punch; Crafters’ Tool Kit; 1/4″, 1/2″, 1-1/4″, and 1-3/8″ Circle Punches.

Stamps 4 Sale! August 11, 2008

Out with the old (much loved) and in with the new!  I have to get rid of *some* of my stash.  By all means, don’t think that my Stampin’ Up! days are over.  For me, they are just beginning. 

You will be noticing some changes here on my site…the first thing you’ll probably notice is that I’ve stepped down from all Design Teams.  This was hard for me as I do consider everyone my dear friends and have met each one IRL.  I’m basically taking a year off and doing some creating for challenges with Stampin’ Up!  How fun and such a dream come true.  This opportunity was offered to all of the Artisan Winners this year.  That is all I can share with you at this time, and I can’t answer questions regarding this.

I’m also going to try and focus on the business aspect of the company and share my creativity by holding workshops and having MANY classes.  I am currently enrolled in a “business boot camp” by one of SU!s top demos.  I have been searching for business guidance for some time and had to branch out to demos all over the US and Canada for my information:)  Several hours of communicating that I’m so thankful for.  I love how these girls are so willing to help me grow:)  {{{HUGS}}}

STAMP SALE INFO:  Paypal for payment; $4.80 flatrate shipping (will notify you with a shipping amount if you are ordering more than 1 set); email me @ mjplay613@comcast.net with set(s) you are interested in.  Once there is a line through the set, it is sold.  USA only.

STAMPS 4 SALE:

Timeworn Trim $5

Made from Scratch $5

Around the Block $5

Watercolor Minis $8

Along the Same Lines $8

From the Garden $8

Send a Celebration $8

Lots of Thoughts (um minus 1 image) $10

Very Punny $10

Friendship Blooms $10

Letter Patterns $10

Fun Filled $10

French Script Background $10

Oh, My word $12

Friends Are Like Flowers $12

Big Celebrations $12

Love It $12

Fresh Flowers $12

World Tour $12

Sweet of You $12

Watercolor Garden $12

Some Like it Hot $12

Sketch a Party $12

Favorite Friends $12

It’s About Time (um minus 1 image) $12

Tag Line $14

Tag Time $14

Pure & Simple Alphabet Upper $18

Doodle Alphabet $18

Wild Rose $20

Standard Wheels:

Blossoms & Bugs wheel $2

Star Studded $2

Jumbo Wheels:

Lots of Hearts $3

Leaves Awash $3

Have a wonderful day, and thanks for stopping by.

MFTeasers for release party tonight August 6, 2008

 My Favorite Things is having a New Release Cocktail Party tonight, August 6 from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. This month there are FIVE new sets being released and some great new ribbon added to the store.

*The Girl Who Wants It All special for the The Aug Collection, which is one of each set being released, is $65.

Head over to the MFT forum on splitcoaststampers to find out all the details and to find out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer. We hope to see you there tonight.

This card features sets Totally Witchin’.  How cute.  And the sentiments are even cuter.  PP is old but I held onto it because I just simply like it for the halloween season.  It is Sparkle Cat Circles from Cloud9Design.  The ribbon is just a cheap spool from Michael’s.  The smoke from the kettle is stamped on vellum.  This image reminds me of one of my favorite movies….Hocus Pocus:)

This card features the stamp set Monster Squad.  How cute for a childs halloween party.  I just love the image.  Reminds me of our neighborhood.  We all go trick-or-treating together with our kiddos.

This card features sets Nature Calls and What’s your sign.  A little secret about me….I love moose.  Don’t ask lol.  I think it is their muzzles.  They are just too cute.  I have never seen one that wasn’t mounted to a wall though.  I go into Abercrombie just to look at the cute fella hanging in the store 🙂  I used watercolor paper, Courageous PP from Fancy Pants Designs, and Dew Drops.  Added some faux paper grass to the bottom that I stapled in place. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.  Hope to chat with you tonight over at scs.

artisan award entries 2008 August 5, 2008

I thought I would share with you the projects I submitted for the contest.  One may look very familiar if you’ve been to Shelli’s new blog *wink*. 

Here is my swap card I made for this year.  I only made 36 and it took me about 1 week just to complete them.  I had to give 20 of them to a scs wow swap, 11 of them were distributed during the artisan award dinner…so really, no major swapping here.  I do plan on swapping more in the future.

 

I think this card is great.  It showcases how you can use 4 different sets and make them coordinate with one another.  I wanted to use the boat from Nursery Necessities but didn’t want to create a baby card.  I love all the dimension.  I love the colors.

The next several pictures are my artisan entries.  I was asked if I’d do it again.  How rewarding of an experience.  I have no regrets.  Makes all the sleepless nights to get the projects done so worth it.  I encourage everyone to give it a try.  Start by entering the monthly contests.  Learn what it is SU! is looking for (that can be very challenging).  Study the world and find inspiration all around you:) 

 

I had to submit 10 projects total:  2 3-D items, 3 pages, and 5 cards.

         

I’m a SLOW scrapbook maker…lol  I spent about 2-3 days on each one.  My favorite is the “discover” page.  I like how all the pieces fit together, the colors, and the pics.

 

The above are my 2 3-D  items.  The first is a Linen Ring Album decorated with chipboard elements, chipboard clipboard, and rubons galore.  The second item is wooden blocks in a cute little wooden wagon.  I just pictured a little boy pulling the blocks behind him.  Very hard to part with.

    

And lastly, my cards.  I wanted to create a variety of styles, colors, and themes. 

Thanks for stopping by.  I should be back to stamping and sharing real soon.

MY hot picks for the upcoming catalog release August 4, 2008

I’m back!  It has been a crazy past couple weeks.  As many of you know, I just returned back to the east coast from Salt Lake City, Utah.  I had such fun attending the 20th anniversary Stampin’ Up! Convention.  I got to meet so many wonderful ladies (and men).   Thanks to all who came up to me and shared such sweet words……You don’t know how much that means to me! 

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PRE-ORDER A NEW FALL-WINTER CATALOG FROM ME, CLICK THE “PAYPAL” BUTTON BELOW.  SHIP WITHIN USA ONLY AT FLAT RATE.  I WILL INCLUDE A SPECIAL ONE OF A KIND ARTISAN TRADING CARD IN ALL PACKAGES AS A SPECIAL THANK YOU:)  YOU MAY BE ONE OF THE LUCKY 5 TO RECEIVE A COLOR COMBO CHART THAT I’VE CREATED WITH THE LIST BELOW:)    

 click here to order

Now, I thought I’d share with you some of the cool color combinations in the new catalog that caught my eye.  I always create a list and keep it in my crafting/creating spot.  This cuts down on browsing time and gets you right into creating.  You can even punch out cardstock circles and create your own little chart with your favorite colors. 

Here’s my color combo list:  (tip..you can substitute prints dsp if the color applies)

kiwi kiss, pumpkin pie, rose red, so saffron

kiwi kiss, baja breeze, riding hood red, kraft (option to add chocolate chip)

kiwi kiss, baha breeze, not quite navy (option to add urban garden dsp)

kiwi kiss, very vanilla, more mustard, real red

kiwi kiss, very vanilla, chocolate chip, pink pirouette

kiwi kiss, baha breeze, chocolate chip

kiwi kiss, pink pirouette, old olive, bashful blue, pumpkin pie

kiwi kiss, very vanilla/naturals ivory, regal rose, chocolate chip (option to add bella rose dsp)

baha breeze, riding hood red, old olive, chocolate chip

baha breeze, tangerine tango, old olive, chocolate chip

baha breeze, pink pirouette, certainly celery, kraft

baha breeze, cameo coral, not quite navy, ruby red, old olive

baha breeze, riding hood red, garden green, chocolate chip, more mustard

baha breeze, basic gray, certainly celery, real red, so saffron

baha breeze, pink pirouette, riding hood red, kraft, chocolate chip, old olive

baha breeze, chocolate chip, so saffron, pumpkin pie

baha breeze, certainly celery, old olive, very vanilla

tangerine tango, pacific point, old olive, confetti white

tangerine tango, old olive, chocolate chip, bashful blue

tangerine tango, old olive, so saffron, more mustard

pacific point, bashful blue, old olive, more mustard (option to add real red)

riding hood red, so saffron, old olive, more mustard, night of navy (option to add bordering blue)

kraft, so saffron, chocolate chip, old olive (option to add urban garden dsp)

bashful blue, pumpkin pie (option to add summer picnic dsp)

bashful blue, certainly celery, not quite navy, very vanilla

so saffron, taken with teal, chocolate chip, confetti white

rose red, old olive, perfect plum, more mustard

mellow moss, kraft, ruby red, very vanilla

 

Here is a list of “wow ideas” that I found throughout the new catalog:

pg 8.  gotta love the place setting.  perfect for holiday get-togethers.

pg. 10  Live with Passion card:  top of a not quite navy brad attached to a flower designer brad with a mini glue dot.

pg. 21  French Fry box:  chocolate chip taffeta ribbon and use of the horizontal slot punch. 

pg. 28  Colton Page:  Use of a circular stamped image to create the “o” within his name.  Placing Ghostly Greetings DSP behind the second “o” doesn’t take away from the picture and is just the perfect subtle touch.

pg. 28  I’m Batty for You card:  great combination of stamp sets Batty for You and Owl Together Now sets to create an awesome focal point.

pg. 35  Assortment of holiday-themed gift boxes: who wouldn’t love to receive these?

pg. 37  Merry & Bright card: Look at the different papers/shapes draw you right to the little snowman.  and the sentiment stamped/stapled on a 1-3/4″ circle is so clever.

pg. 40  Noel Pencil Box:  great for a teacher, but how about adding some candy cane sticks and handing out as holiday gifts to neighbors, mailman….or Mister Brown:)

pg. 41  Joy card:  resembles a snow globe

pg. 46  Boxes at top of page:  flower created with scallop punch

pg. 50  NOT CRAZY over the owls, but love how three of them are sitting on the tree branch

pg. 53  Loads of Love card:  just a little linen thread to the tree trunk gives the appearance that it’s secured to the top of the truck.  It’s this little detail that makes the card so great.

pg. 60  You are a real treat pie box:  what can I say.  I just love this.

pg. 64 Simple Birthday Thanks cupcake card:  NO…those are bashful blue brads.  I had to do a triple-take due to thinking they were white.

pg. 78 US book:  super cute and great for a class. 

pg. 82  Football page and candy wrapper:  The page is priceless with the right amount of accessories.  Look at the football candybar wrapper and how the football is in the grass on the bag.

pg. 87  I like you bag:  great use of chipboard.  look close at some dimension to the flowers.  Perfectly watercolored.

pg. 94  On board bitty books:  so many possibilities

pg. 95  beautiful use of chipboard clipboard. 

pg. 116  on board batch of blooms garland:  I picture this hanging in front of a window in a baby girls nursery. 

pg. 126  Grand Soiree invite card:  so elegant with updated colors and wonderful accents

pg. 129  Gotta love the jars….holy buttons!

pg. 137  Watercolor jar and card:  speechless!  I think that jar will be on my desk very soon…will get me using them more often.

pg. 143  Bath salt and soaps:  what an adorable gift idea.  Not that difficult–the soaps are wrapped like little gifts.

pg. 147  Celebrate everything card:  look how well this card is pieced together with the right amount of white.  I love how the “t” fits right into the “e”….perfect!

pg. 150  Life card:  such a well balanced card with just the right amount of texture. . love all the flowers.

pg. 161  accessories intro page with it’s time to bloom frame:  Okay, this is just way too cute!  IT is a great way to showcase lots of accessories & techniques.  

pg. 209 inside of back cover…..last but definitely not least is the flower created with the scallop circle punch.  how clever to use double-sided dsp which gives the flower so much life and dimension.  WOW!!!

Have fun browsing through your new catalogs!  My flight went super fast yesterday while composing my new lists.  Stamps and new accessories can distract and make me forget my fear of flying…lol

Have a wonderful day:)