Friday, May 24, 2013

Scrapping Friday- The Eyes Have It

This page features my beautiful granddaughter Brielle. Check out those eyelashes!  

I snapped this photo on Easter Sunday, I gave her the flower headband as part of her Easter gift.  

For this page I used crumb cake cardstock and crumb cake ink with the Secret Garden stampset and stamped assorted images all over the back.  Then I used soft suede ink and the Papillon Potpourii stamp set to stamp the butterflies. 

The colored flower images in the bottom corner were stamped with versamark on colored cardstock and heat embossed with white embossing powder. 



Thursday, May 23, 2013

Tool Talk Thursday- Dimensionals

You might be wondering what in the heck is that?  Well it is an almost used sheet of dimensionals.  

Once you  use up all the dimensionals you are left with a border around the outside.  STOP!  don't throw these away- they can be used- simply snip the size you need and use it as you would a regular dimensional. 

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Quickie Wednesday- this little piggie is retiring May 31

This little piggie is retiring on May 31....he is part of the button buddies stamp set.  Get it while you still can.....


Technique Tuesday- Paper Piercing Tutorial

Below is an AWESOME paper piercing tutorial from Melody, a concept artist at Stampin' Up! home office. Check it out!

 

Piercing Pattern

Are you a fan of our paper-piercing tools? I know I am. I love that the templates are a quick and accurate way to add a bit of pattern and texture, and that they are designed to coordinate with so many of our punches and Framelits Dies.
The Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack has all of the basics. I used the template with the straight lines and the scallops to make my project, but I didn’t want just straight lines or scallops. I wanted the background of my card to be circles.


I could have used the template with the circles on it, but that would have been tedious and a bit more difficult getting the same circle lined up over and over again. Instead, I used the biggest scallop to make my circles.
Here’s how I did it:


  1. Draw a line down the center of your cardstock with a pencil, then line up the holes at the tips of the scallop along the line and pierce the scallop.


 2. Rotate your paper 180 degrees and line up the scallop on the template with the pierced scallop on your paper. Pierce the scallop to complete the circles.



 3. Line up the pierced holes with the template as shown above and pierce the scallop to start the next row of circles. Rotate your paper 180 degrees again and line up the template as shown in step 2. Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you’ve filled the entire piece of cardstock with pierced circles.



4. Your cardstock should look like this when you’re done. Erase your pencil line and attach it to a card base; embellish your project as desired.
Have you created any other patterns with the piercing templates? Share a link to your projects. I’d love to see what you’ve been creating!
Melody H.
Concept Art

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Saturday Showcase

Here are a couple of cards I  made a while back.  These were cards I made for my card class  that did not make the cut.  I just did not have quite enough creative mojo on these two.   It happens- alot- *smile* 



Friday, May 17, 2013

Scrappin Friday- Graphic 45

Here is our Graphic 45 page we made for May's scrapbooking class. 

 I love the lilacs and had to continue with the purple theme with the butterflies using the Papillon Potpourri stamp set. 

Just waiting for my Mother In Laws birthday so I can snap her photo for this page.  



Thursday, May 16, 2013

Thursday Tool Talk- repair ink pads that have separated

I know that your ink pad separating can happen very easily.  It has happened to me quite a few times.  I came across this YouTube video by Laura Mulligan that shows exactly how easy it is to repair your ink pad in seconds.  Check out her video: 


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Quickie Wednesday

Hey everyone... I am back....took a couple of days off ....needed some me time. 

Today I wanted to share with you a couple of super fun cards that I made a while back using the holiday stocking die: 


Sunday, May 12, 2013

Sunday Share- Mothers Day Cards

Here are a couple of cards that I made for the Mom's:  


This beauty was featured in my April card class, and made for my Mom in pink ( I forgot to take a photo) and Mike's mom in blue.  It features the Manhattan Flower embossing folder and is full of glittery goodness.  The greeting is from the Wonderful Mother stamp set


And this card was made for Mike's step Mom ( who attends my card class so she had to have a special card made that she had not seen)  This features distressing and beautiful designer series paper. The tiny vellum butterfly was colored with ink.  The greeting is from the Wonderful Mother stamp set. 

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Saturday Showcase- Freestanding Box Card

Here is a card we made in April's Card Class.  It is a freestanding box card, yet it folds flat and fits a standard card envelope. 

I embossed the front with the Cloudy Day embossing folder and used a Window Framelit die to cut the opening.  

The greeting and the images are all from the Up Up and Away stamp set.
 

Friday, May 10, 2013

Scrappin' Friday


The first page was made in our May scrapbooking class.  It started as a white piece of cardstock.  I masked and spritzed with silver spritz.  Then I grabbed a sponge and some turquoise ink and sponges the area for the photo.  Next I attached the photo. Then I just grabbed some assorted stamps and inks and kept stamping until I was happy.  The title was done with my label maker. 


 This second page I made to coordinate with the first page that we made in class.  I chose a turquoise bacground to coordinate with the sponging on the first page and chose red mats to coordinate with items on the first page.  I journalled all around the page and told my story. I duplicated some of the stamping from the first page to tie them together.


Thursday, May 9, 2013

Thursday Tool Talk- Window Framelits & New Product Sneek Peek

Framelit dies are a wonderful tool for any paper crafter.  

Today I wanted to feature the window framelit dies.  They are found on page 36 of the spring catalog item #129021 $32.95.  

There are 6 dies in the set which make them perfect for layering as I have done in my card.



This card features three new items from the new annual catalog that is coming on May 30th- two of the new in colors and a new stamp set...  

Come to my New Catalog Release Party on May 30 so you can see all the great new items in the catalog! 

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Quickie Wednesday- Four Frames Birthday


Hi Stampers!  

Today's card is a really quick and easy card.  



The card base is gumball green and the mat is elegant eggplant.  It was embossed with the petals a plenty embossing folder.  The ribbon is the gumball green stitched ribbon.  The focal image is from the four frames stamp set that was stamped in black stazon ink and colored with a blender pen and ink pad.

Cute-quick- easy!

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Tip Tuesday- Vellum and a mini tutorial

Today I have another card share for you that I taught in my April card class.

It is a vellum card with a really cool embossing technique.

This card features the Swallowtail background stamp found on page 18 of the spring mini.  Item #129216 $16.95. LOVE LOVE LOVE this stampset.

I stamped the image with Black Stazon ink and let it dry for a minute.

Then I grabbed my Stampin Pierce Mat page 7 annual catalog item#126199 $5.50 and the Simply Scored Stylus page 181 annual catalog item#125624 $5.95.  I turned the image over to the backside and "colored" areas gently with the stylus.  If you push too hard you will break the vellum....if you don't push hard enough it will not emboss and turn white.  It is very easy to do...you just have to go slow and figure out what works best for you.

I then mounted the vellum to a basic gray card base with tiny silver brads.  The greeting is from the Loving Thoughtts stamp set found on page 133 of the annual catalog item#125845 $28.95

Here is a link to another post I did using vellum:
http://shelscreativecorner.blogspot.ca/2013/05/thursday-tool-talk-dry-embossing-on.html

Monday, May 6, 2013

Masculine Monday- and a new technique

Happy Monday everyone!  How could we not be happy with an expected high of 22 degrees ....let us not forget we had snow just last week! 

Today I wanted to share with you a cute card I made for a little boy, that has a zip lock bag full of hairgel that makes it look like the whale is swimming in water...it is really cool but is a very heavy card.  I would not put this card in the mail....I would hand deliver it. 

Supplies Needed:  

Standard card base 8.5 x 5.5
Mat 4 x 5.25
DSP 3.75 x 5
Oval Framelits
Modern Label Punch
Word Window Punch
Tasteful Trim Die
Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set
Oh Whale Clearlit Die
3 x 4 ziplock bag
Hair gel or hand sanitizer gel
Dimensionals

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Saturday Showcase- This little piggie.....

Here is a quick and easy card that I recently made for a SUDSOL challenge: 


This card is 4" x4" base in pacific point cardstock.  The mat layer is real red,  The image is from the soon to retire Button Buddies stamp set and he was stampin in pumpkin pie ink.  His nose is a red button.  The greeting is from the Around Array stamp set. 

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Thursday Tool Talk- Dry Embossing on Vellum

I wanted to take a minute to share with you a great tip for embossing vellum.  
This great sample is by Andrea Walford

Here is another sample I found on Google Images- no creator found. 

Our cardstock vellum is found on page 160 item #101856 $7.95 Quantity of 20 sheets 8 1/2" x11"

The beautiful translucent nature of this cardstock makes a beautiful addition to any card or scrapbook page.   I personally love embossed butterflies made of vellum. 

Sometimes, when embossing vellum with an embossing folder, you may find that the pressure is too much for the delicate vellum and it cuts the vellum.  

Here is my solution:  

Multipurpose platform with 2 tabs open
cutting plate
embossing folder with vellum and a piece of paper towel inside
cutting plate

I have heard that a piece of copy paper can replace the paper towel, but I have not tried it yet. 

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Quickie Wednesday- something different to start out a new month....


Here is a quick card I made using a new Vintage Card Kit from Archivers, that I received in the mail.  

It contains a set of five Tim Holtz Blueprint stamps, a pack of Bo Bunny Mamarazzi 6"x6" paper and  Bazzill cardstock for the bases.  

Here is my first card using the telephone stamp: 



I love the simple graphics and the male themed, distressed  papers.  Something totally different for me....but every once in a while, I need to change things up a bit.  Hope you like it. 

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Tip Tuesday- Storage- Part Four of Four- Reinkers

Reorganizing Ink Refills

MESSY MONDAY – REORGANIZING INK REFILLS

For a long time I stored my Classic Stampin’ Ink Refills on the top of my Color Caddy. Makes sense—the bottle colors were supposed to be in the container above the row of corresponding ink pad colors. However, when I needed one I would end up looking through many (if not all the bottles in that section)—twice—to find the one I wanted to use. Sometimes I wouldn’t find it at all because I didn’t return it to the proper location the last time it was used. (It seems like a silly thing to be frustrated over, but there you go!)
 So, a while back I decided that it was time to reorganize my refills! My thought process . . . will I organize them by spectrum? Where will I put them? How can they be easily accessed?
Here was my solution!


Each color family is in its own placon box—and to my surprise, they all fit together . . . nice and snug! They don’t slide around, turn upside down, or end up out of order (heaven forbid)! And— because the cute factor IS important—I added labels to the boxes with theLabels Collection Framelits Dies and my favorite cardstock color from each color family. (Tip: To protect the label from getting dirty, die cut a label Window Sheet piece to attach over the top.) 
Of course, with the new storage boxes coming out, and new colors, I knew it was already time for an update. And, wouldn’t you know—MDS is here to help me, too! There is a new download called “Label This Craft Room.” It is a great tool for organizing your craft room/space supplies. This time, I made the font my favorite color and printed on Whisper White Cardstock


See the Label Your Craft Room download here.
I hope this little tidbit has helped—and that when you can buy the new storage boxes on May 31, you’ll be just as excited to organize. I have certainly wanted to use my refills more often now that I can find the one I need in a jiff!
Angie B.
Sr. Concept Artist

Monday, April 29, 2013

Masculine Monday- for the little guy- Guest Stamper Carole A

Today I wanted to share a great card with you by guest stamper Carole A.  

Carole made this card for her Great Grandson Wyatt's third birthday.  

It features the stamp set Little Friends on page 52 #122667 $21.95 and one of our new Photopolymer stamp sets called Designer Type #132956 $16.95.

I love how she totally customized this card by using the banners to put his name on the card, as well as making it a learning tool so he can count the 1's to add up to three.  Love It!  

Thanks so much for sharing your work and inspiring others!  

Sunday, April 28, 2013

SCRAPBOOKING TIPS FROM STAMPIN' UP

Today I wanted to take a minute to share with you a great article for scrapbookers that was recently featured on the Stampin' Up! blog.  
It gives great tips and tricks for journalling, something we all struggle with from time to time. 
Hope you enjoy it! 
Documenting April + a few tips and tricks

DOCUMENTING APRIL + A FEW TIPS AND TRICKS



It’s April! Things are starting to green up and bloom, we are spending more time outside playing . . . or at least we did last year. This year our April has been cold and snowy and I am still waiting for my tulips and the trees in my yard to bloom. Oh well. I so loved working on my pages for April. I say that every month, but it’s true. I love it! There is so much satisfaction in documenting these memories so I will never forget.  


I am getting a little more adventurous with my journaling. I really don’t like my handwriting but I decided to suppress my perfectionist instincts this month and just go for it. I am happy to say that it wasn’t as painful as I had feared. I actually like having some handwriting on my pages.  
This month I have put together some ideas and tricks to help get you started documenting your life.


  1. Fill a card with journaling. If there is a design on the card . . . just journal around it. Don’t want to fill up the whole card? Draw a frame around the card with a Stampin’ Write Marker.


2. Journal around an object. Here I used the uni-ball Signo Gel Pen to journal around the frame on this Happy Easter card. I love the white handwriting on the black card!


3. Don’t be afraid to add journaling to a card . . . even if it doesn’t look like it was made for journaling.



4. Add fun bold type over your photo using My Digital Studio. The font I used here is Abadi MT for “play” and Arial for the ampersand.



5. 
Add a frame of journaling around a photo.


6. Use the pattern on the Designer Series Paper for journaling.



7. 
Make the page protector work for you. Here I cut out the long horizontal photo strip on the page protector and just sewed the pieces I wanted to use back together.


8. 
Make a fun envelope to hold the journaling on subjects that are close to your heart.



9. 
Color on your washi tape. I love, love, love, washi tape. To add a different look to the gray-striped Epic Day This and That Designer Washi Tape, I colored it with Melon Mambo and Lucky Limeade Stampin’ Write Markers.



10. 
Add a journaling card in an unexpected way. Originally this journaling card was 3" x 4" with lines on it for journaling. I love the hello sunshine sunburst, so I just cut off the bottom part and added the top part to my card. (I can use the bottom part later.)



11. 
Add a little dimension and flair. I made this little flair button by running the large Soda Pop Tops through the Big Shot. It is then the perfect size for a little saying punched out with the 1" Circle Punch.
I hope this helps to get you inspired to dive in and start recording the moments in your life.
Arika B.
Concept Artist

Saturday, April 27, 2013

National Scrapbook Day- Saturday May 4th- Special Event

Hi Everyone! 

It is almost that time again....are you ready?  

National Scrapbooking Day is Saturday May 4th!  

What will you be doing to celebrate?  

Well I am hosting my monthly POTLUCK FREE CROP from 10 am to 4 pm....this is usually only open to girls who attend my classes....but this month, in celebration of National Scrapbook Day.....I am going to open it to EVERYONE.

I say the more, the merrier.  Now if you are not a scrapbooker, but a cardmaker, you can still join us. 

I look at this as a fun day of creating and friendship. 

Now seating is limited....so you must contact me to reserve your seat.

You bring your own projects and supplies and something to contribute to the potluck lunch. Suggestions are sandwiches, cheese and pickles, chips and dip, veggies and dip, or a dessert.  

Tea coffee and water are supplied all day long. 

Hope you can join us!

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Tutorial Thursday- Pom Poms - three kinds!

Stampin' Up! have done it again!  

They have shared with us three great ways to make Pom Poms!  

This great trend was hot in the 60's and are recently making a comeback in the crafting world! 

Be sure to share with me the ways you have used these pom pom's in your crafts!

Just follow the easy steps pictured below.


If you would like to create a garland, just thread a needle with a length of Baker’s Twine and run it through the pom poms.
*****
After I finished making the Baker’s Twine pom poms, I began to wonder what would happen if I wound 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon around a fork instead of Baker’s Twine. To my surprise, the result looked very much like a marigold!
Then I thought: How can I create a bigger pom pom flower? The old-fashioned way: using cardboard donut shapes made with super-thin white cardboard, a 2-1/2" Circle Punch, a 1/2" Circle Punch, and our Daffodil Delight 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon. When I finished winding, cutting, and tying, out popped a daffodil . . . just the thing for embellishing a Mother’s Day gift! (Believe me . . . I don’t usually get this lucky!)




I could have kept going with flower-making . . . but then I saw a paper pom pom garland on Pinterest. I HAD to try that, too. The result: today’s Tricky Tip features three ways to make small pom pom projects—using Baker’s Twine, 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, and Designer Series Paper. They are all so easy and fun!

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Retired List Contest Winner

Here are my guesses for the 12 retiring stamp sets;

1) stylin snowfolk pg 16
2)christmas blessings pg19
3)day of gratitude pg27
4)topsy turvey celebration pg 41
5)every little bit pg 53
6)dress up pg 67
7) word play pg135
8) clock works pg 105
9)gently falling pg 86
10) papaya collage pg 75
11)build a blossom pg 95
12) silver setting pg 109 Dorothy 

That is 8/12 for Dorothy! Great Job! 

Well here is my list ?!?

Open Sleigh
Animal Talk
Fabulous You
Topsy Turvey Celebration
Hand Knit
Button, Button
Daring Adventure
Postage due
Hoop La La
Nature's Pace
Established Elegance
One In a Million

These are my guesses based entirely on my likes/dislikes!  See what Happens!  Carole

That is 8/12 for Carole!  Another Great Job! 

Geez I hate when this happens.  You both did so well.  

As per my contest guidelines, I am going to use random generator to choose a winner. To be fair I will give you each numbers as you entered the contest. 

Carole entered first so her number is one, and Dorothy entered second, so her number is two. (I had other entries, but they did not have as many correct as these girls did, or they were late entries and did not qualify)

Ok, drumroll please....and the winner of the ribbon cutter is: 

True Random Number Generator  1Powered by RANDOM.
Congratulations Carole!

Quickie Wednesday




For this edition of Quickie Wednesday, I wanted to share this super easy card with you:

  
I ran the white cardstock through an embossing folder and then grabbed a sponge and some ink and touched the raised areas. I used a decorative corner punch to jazz up the corners a bit.  The butterfly was embossed and pearls added. The decorative label punch for the greeting was layered.  If you want to know how this layering is done....just email me for the directions-Shel@shelscreativecorner.com

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Tip Tuesday- Storage Part Three of Four


Here is part three of four in our Storage Series from Stampin' Up!



As much as I love my surroundings to be clean and organized, I am a hopelessly messy crafter. The busier I am, the bigger the messes I make. I’m always on the hunt for cute storage items that I can use to help keep me organized.
There are certain things that I love to keep close at hand—Paper Snips, a Bone Folder, SNAIL Adhesive, coloring & splattering tools, and the new Remember This and That Rotary Stamp.
In the dollar section of the local discount store, I found these darling metal buckets. They’re a great height for Stampin’ Write Markers and other tools. Using Basic Black Cardstock, the uni-ball Signo Gel Pen, the Big Shot, and Window Frames Collection Framelits, I created little chalkboard labels.

Now I can keep my essential supplies close at hand, while also attempting to be less messy. Feel free to share your thoughts on how you keep your space organized. (I need all the help I can get!)

Here’s to a Tidy Tuesday, a Well-Kept Wednesday, and a Flawless Friday!