JUNE STAMP CLASS PROJECTS

Tonight was monthly stamp class at my home. Here are the projects my guests made. Most are cased from other stampers, and noted in each recipe under the photos.
RECIPE
Stamps: Celebrate Everything
Paper: Real Red Prints DP, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Real Red, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Blue Bayou and Real Red Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: Real Red and Silver Brad
Tools: Spiral Punch, Round Tab Punch, Stapler (non-SU), Star and Large Star Punches, Crimper, Punches Plus Classy Brass Template
Supplies: Stampin’ Dimensionals/Mini Glue Dots
Designed by: skdeleeuw on SCS ... see her original card HERE.

POST-IT NOTE HOLDER (outside)... inside ...
RECIPE
Stamps: Office Accoutrement
Paper: Cutie Pie DP, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Basic Black and Purely Pomegranate Classic
Embellishments: Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Pewter Build-A-Brad
Tools: ½” Circle Punch, Round Tab Punch, Scissors
Supplies: Stampin’ Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dot, Sticky Strip, Post-It Notes, Gel Mini Pens from Staples
Tutorial by: Dawn Griffith, Dawn’s Stamping Thoughts. Click HERE to view Dawn's tutorial, dimensions, etc.

I've already posted the Soft Sky version of this Sympathy card here on my blog HERE. Tonight, my guests could choose to create this card in the Soft Sky or So Saffron color scheme.

RECIPE
Stamps: Close As A Memory
Paper: Soft Sky or So Saffron Prints DP, Soft Sky/So Saffron and Whisper White CS
Ink: Soft Sky/So Saffron and Basic Gray Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Dew Drops (non-SU)
Supplies: Mini Glue Dots

I had to jump on the popsicle card bandwagon! This card has been done in many different versions, but I cased mine from Lorri Heiling, Confessions of Stamping Addict HERE.

RECIPE
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, It’s Your Birthday
Paper: Only Orange, Summer Sun, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Only Orange Classic Ink Pad, Summer Sun Marker for ribbon
Embellishments: Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (with one white stripe colored with the Summer Sun Marker)
Tools: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 ¼” and 1 3/8” Circle Punches, Corner Rounder, Horizontal Slot Punch
Supplies: Stampin’ Dimensionals

RECIPE
Stamps: Embrace Life
Paper: Basic Black, Going Gray, Pretty In Pink and Whisper White CS
Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Going Gray and Pretty In Pink Classic
Embellishments: Purely Pomegranate Satin Ribbon
Tools: 1 3/8” Circle Punch, Aqua Painter
Supplies: Stampin’ Dimensionals
Designed by: beccabatgirl on SCS, Becky Carafa. Becky's original card HERE. Becky's blog: The Lakeshore Stamper.

REALLY COOL RAKS FROM TAMMY AND MAUNA

I am long overdue in sharing this first RAK with you. My dear friend and neighbor, Tammy Mendoza, gave me these decorative scissors to hang in my studio. They are HUGE ... approximately 30" long! I've hung them on the wall above my bookshelves that hold my stamp sets. They are by far my most favorite thing in my studio!!!! I don't know exactly where you can get these ... all I know is Tammy had someone pick them up for her at an older Cost Plus Imports store. This FABULOUS card is from my new friend and Stampin' Up! Downline, Mauna Kirkham. Mauna created this unique design using the Stampin' Up! Photo Corner Punch! I love the quilt pattern design she achieved with the punch! You can visit Mauna's blog, Ink~Paper~Scissors, HERE.
I'll be away from blogging for a few days as I prepare for my upcoming stamp class ... SEE YOU NEXT WEEK !!!

weSTAMP JUNE MEETING & SWAP

Last night, our weSTAMP Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Group met at the home of Lorri Heiling for our monthly meeting and swap. What an awesome group of talented women!

Here is the Make 'n Take project we made, provided by Lorri Heiling. It cases Jen Balcer's Gift Card Holder with tutorial on SCS found HERE. We used the Rock 'n Roll technique on the butterfly.

The gift card is meant to be placed inside the small white paper bag. Our swap theme this month was Pocket Cards. Here are the swapped projects ...
by Lorri Heiling ... by Mauna Kirkham ... by Terri Guymon ... by Diana Knight ...
by Adriana Gray ... by Ginny Schembri ...
by Pam Wood ... by me with recipe under photo ...
RECIPE
Stamps: Think Happy Thoughts
Paper: Cutie Pie DP, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Purely Pomegranate, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Purely Pomegranate Classic Ink Pad
Embellishments: Pewter Jumbo Eyelet, Pewter Build-A-Brad, Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Paper Piercing Tool & Mat Pack, Scallop Circle Punch, Crop-A-Dile, ½“, ¾”, 1”, 1 ¼”, and 1 3/8” Circle Punches, Scissors
Supplies: Stampin’ Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Dinner Plate for creating the top curve

At one point in our meeting, we played a game that tested our knowledge of names of Stampin' Around Wheels in preparation for next month's swap theme ... using Wheels or Background Stamps. Lorri Heiling provided the prize for the winner, Ginny Schembri who is the only one that STUDIED (she got all of them correct except TWO ... out of 57!!!!). WAY TO GO, Ginny !!!!

Lorri's prize couldn't have been more adorable ... a Tart & Tangy Lemon themed gift complete with a card that looks like a glass of lemonade (vellum for the frosted glass look!), lemonade mix with tag, and Lemon Heads candies with stamped bag topper. CUTE, CUTE, CUTE !!!!! You can see more details about Lorri's projects from this evening on her blog HERE.
Every month, we draw for a door prize. The person that won the door prize last month, creates the door prize for this month. Lorri Heiling created this amazing project ... a stationary gift. Pam Wood was the lucky winner ... AGAIN !!!! Pam is the lucky one in our group, winning the door prize three times!

A TAG AND AN AWARD

My blogging friend Debbie Corbari, Debbie's Doodles, tagged me. I've done a couple of these tags over the past year listing random facts about myself (HERE, and HERE) so it was difficult coming up with seven new facts (I'm just not that interesting, people!) ...

1. I salt watermelon ... the ONLY way to eat it!

2. I can't STAND having my feet touched. I about fly through the roof when I get pedicures!

3. I scrapbooked before discovering the world of stamping, and have done very little scrapbooking since. My oldest, Allie, will be a senior in high school this year ... since she was very little, I've always wanted her scrapbooks to be up-to-date when she graduated. I'm about five years behind and need to get caught up this year. I'm finding this task incredibly overwhelming! Trying to decide whether to use all the outdated scrapbooking products I already own (taking up tons of room), or to go digital. I would have fun learning how to do digital scrapbooking, but hate to lose the 3-D aspect in my scrapbooks.

4. I gave birth to both of my children naturally ... (no epidurals) ... not because I'm brave, but because there wasn't enough time for epidurals! Both came very quickly ... 40 minutes and 20 minutes!

5. I am freaking out over the fact that Allie is going to be a Senior this coming school year! How could time go that fast? I tear up every time I think about it!

6. I am completely overwhelmed with the task of helping Allie apply to colleges, scholarships, and financial aid. So much paperwork!

7. I'm not much of a collector, but I do collect a Christmas china pattern by Mikasa called Ribbon Holly. John and other family members have added to the collection over the years. I love setting my dining room table with it during the holidays! When my mom downsized to apartment living, she gave me her Christmas dishes which are a little less formal ... Waechtersbach W. Germany. If you're familiar with this line, they are the red dishes with the green Christmas tree. I could say that Christmas dishes are some of my favorite things!

My turn to tag seven other bloggers ....

1. Fran, Franticstampers
2. Becky, Inking Idaho
3. Mauna, Ink~Paper~Scissors
4. Jen, JenTapler Designs
5. Jennifer, Jennifer's Sweet Designs
6. Jean, Bear Hugs and Inky Paws
7. Pam, Creative Inking

I received this Kreativ Blogger award several weeks ago from two of my favorite blogging friends who inspire me every single day ...

Jackie Pedro, The Scalloped Edge and
Nancy Morgan, Paper Smiles


If you've never visited Jackie and Nancy's blogs, you are totally missing out! Not only are they both incredibly talented, they're about the sweetest people you could meet!!!


Now, I must tag some bloggers that inspire me! That would be every single blog on my sidebar! ... but must only select a few ....
Dawn, Treasure Oiler Designz
Pam, The Stamping Addict
Lorri, Confessions of a Stamping Addict
Wendy, It's All About Stamping
Carol, Stamp Like Crazy
Kriss, Stamp With Kriss
Cindy, The Creative Closet

APPLES TO APPLES

My card today cases THIS CARD by Lost in the 60's (Diane), SCS Featured Stamper #72. When I saw Diane's card, I knew it was another chance to use my Tart & Tangy stamp set before the end of the Occasions Mini Collection ... June 30. I have used this stamp set more often than any other stamp set I own! I felt the same way about Merry & Bright in the Holiday Mini. I sure hope Stampin' Up! continues this style of stamp set in the new catalog! I pretty much changed everything from Diane's card except the layout and Swiss Dots dry embossed background.

My card was also majorly inspired by THIS CARD by dpeterson on SCS. I fell in love with her card when she posted it yesterday, and found her card and Diane's to be a great combination!

Last night while blog surfing, I came across THIS CARD by Angie Tieman. While leaving a comment on her beautiful card, I congratulated her for using a Stampin' Up! Library Clip ... I bought these when they first came out and have YET to use ONE of them! It's not that I don't like them ... I think they are ADORABLE! ... I just never really knew what to do with them. Anyway, I received an e-mail from Angie this morning CHALLENGING me to use a Library Clip! ... and I DID IT !!!!

RECIPE
Stamps: Tart & Tangy, sentiment from Big Birthday Candle
Paper: Summer Picnic DP, Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black, and Old Olive CS
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, and Old Olive
Embellishments: Black Library Clip, Metal Edge Tag, Red Gingham Ribbon
Tools: 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder & Cuttlebug
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

ANOTHER BOX IN A BAG

I couldn't resist making another Box In A Bag (see previous post).

Edited To Add: Dawn asked about the dimensionals of the finished Box In A Bag. It measures approximately 5 1/2" tall x 5" wide at the top and 2 1/2" wide at the bottom x 2 1/2" deep.

RECIPE
Paper: Brilliant Blue Prints DP, Real Red CS
Embellishments: Silver Brads, Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Slit Punch, Star Punch, Round Tab Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch
Supplies: Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals
Tutorial: by Diana Gibbs, click HERE

SUMMER PICNIC BOX IN A BAG

This morning when I saw THIS super cute tote on Cindy Lawrence's blog, The Creative Closet, I KNEW I had to try one! Cindy's tote was a gift from Diana Gibbs, Stampin' With Di. See Diana's fantastic, easy-to-follow Box In A Bag Tutorial HERE. This was so-o-o easy to make, the possibilities are endless, and the finished product very satisfying! Fun, fun, fun! RECIPE
Paper: Summer Picnic DP, Bashful Blue and Pumpkin Pie CS
Embellishments: Flower Fusion, Light Blue Ice Circle Rhinestone Brads, Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Round Tab Punch, 1/4" Circle Punch, Slit Punch
Supplies: Sticky Strip, Pop Up Glue Dots

INDEPENDENCE DAY

When the current Stampin' Up! catalog was first introduced last summer, one of the stamp sets that was an instant favorite of mine was Independence Day. The 4th of July is probably my favorite holiday ... when celebrated in the Midwest (Iowa/Nebraska to be specific)! When we're in Arizona for the 4th (which is usually the case), it is one lame celebration! It's usually 110+ degrees, fireworks are illegal, and just too darn hot to do anything! Btw, we've been above 110 degrees the last few days ... ughhh!!!!!!!! It's so-o-o hot!

I used Jen del Muro's Sketch For You To Try (SFYTT) for this card. Everything on this card is pretty self-explanatory, but wanted to point out that the Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon is threaded through a hole created by the Horizontal Slot Punch, and the Real Red CS circle behind the "happy 4th!" sentiment was pierced using the Punches Plus Classy Brass Template. RECIPE
Stamps: Independence Day
Paper: Whisper White, Brilliant Blue, and Real Red CS, Real Red and Brilliant Blue Prints DP
Ink: Red Red and Brilliant Blue Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: Brilliant Blue Brad, Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Punches Plus Classy Brass Template, Horizontal Slot Punch, Paper Piercing Tool & Mat Pack
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

STAMPIN' UP! RETIRED STAMP SET LIST ANNOUNCED TODAY

Stampin' Up! posted the Retired Stamp Set List today. The following stamp sets from the Spring-Summer Collection 2008 are retiring, and are only available through August 10, 2008. Don't be sad! ... Stampin' Up! ALWAYS comes out with new stamp sets that are just as fabulous!

Retired List (Alphabetical)

Retired List (Numerical)

CLOSE AS A MEMORY

This first card combines Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #52 and Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration Challenge #11 of Rose Red, Old Olive, So Saffron, Going Gray, and Whisper White. Beate's sketch is FANTASTIC, and I'm sure it will be one I'll use over and over again! Kristina's color challenge was just THAT ... challenging! I think I tried every variation of this card that I could until achieving a satisfactory final product. I think the Going Gray threw me off, but am pleased with the results! RECIPE
Stamps: Close As A Memory, Rough Texture Jumbo Wheel
Paper: So Saffron and Rose Red Prints DP, Going Gray, Old Olive, Rose Red, and Whisper White CS
Ink: Rose Red, So Saffron, and Old Olive Markers, Going Gray Classic Ink Pad, Versamark
Embellishments: Silver Brads, Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Jumbo Wheel Handle
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

This next card was inspired by THIS CARD by kmurray. I loved her unique use of the stamp set, Close As A Memory. I actually designed this card before the card above ... just decided to use the stamp set I already had out on my workstation.
RECIPE
Stamps: Close As A Memory
Paper: Soft Sky Prints DP, Soft Sky and Whisper White CS
Ink: Soft Sky and Basic Gray Classic Ink Pads
Embellishments: Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Dew Drops (non-SU)
Supplies: Mini Glue Dots

WILD ABOUT WASABI

I have the house to myself today! I can't believe it ... it feels so weird (but nice!). John is on a business trip, Allie is at leadership camp all day, and Drew is at the local waterpark with his buddies. I plan to get some stamping time in between loads of laundry!

I stamped these cards last night. The first one is a case of THIS CARD by Vickie Waugh, the Featured Stamper #06 on the Great Swaps Girls blog. Vickie is known as VickieKy on SCS, and you can view her SCS gallery HERE, and her blog, Stamping Ever After, HERE. Anyone can play along with the Great Swaps Girls challenges, so hop on over and check 'em out!

With the retired Stampin' Up! stamp set list to be posted on Sunday, June 15 and the new catalog coming out in August, I'm motivated to use as much of my soon-to-be retired products as possible. As much as I THINK I'll continue to use them, I KNOW I won't! ... because Stampin' Up! always comes out with NEW fabulous colors and products! Remember last year's In Colors of Cranberry Crisp, True Thyme, Cool Caribbean, Marigold Morning, Vintage Violet, and Buckaroo Blue? I thought for sure that I wouldn't be able to live without them, so I stocked up on the cardstock, ribbon, etc. Do you think I've touched them since they retired? Not a chance! It's no surprise that the current six In Colors of Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Soft Sky, Groovy Guava, Soft Sky, and Purely Pomegranate will also be retiring with the introduction of the new catalog. The rest of the cards in this post use the soon-to-be-retired Wild Wasabi CS, Wild Wasabi Prints DP, Wild Wasabi Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, and the Wild Wasabi Build-A-Flower Accents & Elements. ... just goofing around with the supplies that were out on my work station.
4 1/4" x 4 1/4" Square Card ...
3" x 3" Note cards ...
RECIPE for all cards in this post...
Stamps: Much Appreciated
Paper: Wild Wasabi and Whisper White CS, Wild Wasabi Prints DP
Embellishments: Love & Happiness Rub-Ons, Build-A-Flower Accents & Elements, Wild Wasabi Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Paper Piercing Tool & Mat Pack
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

TWO CARDS FOR YOU

This first card combines SCS Sketch Challenge SC180 and SCS Color Challenge CC170. I really like this color combination of Real Red, Regal Rose, and So Saffron. For some reason, the combination reminds me of a candy store in downtown Disney! (don't ask me why!???)

I took these photos at night so it's hard to tell, but there is a Yellow Fire Circle Rhinestone Brad in the center of the flower and paper piercing on the corners of the diamond-shaped Real Red panel. The small flower image from Office Accoutrement is stamped off with So Saffron Classic Ink on the center Whisper White panel.

RECIPE
Stamps: Office Accoutrement, Hugs & Wishes
Paper: So Saffron Prints DP, Whisper White, Regal Rose, and Real Red CS
Ink: So Saffron, Real Red, and Regal Rose Classic Ink
Embellishments: Regal Rose 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Yellow Fire Circle Rhinestone Brad
Tools: Paper Piercing Tool & Mat Pack
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals, Pop-Up Glue Dot

This next card is a total case of THIS CARD by justcrazy on SCS. I thought justcrazy's use of this Fall Flowers DP with this stamp set, Spring Solitude was brilliant, and I was inspired to copy it! The only changes I made include adding a sentiment in the lower right hand corner, and adding paper piercing on the Old Olive diamond shaped panel.
RECIPE
Stamps: Spring Solitude
Paper: Fall Flowers DP, Whisper White, Old Olive, and Chocolate Chip CS
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, and Old Olive Markers
Embellishments: Real Red Brads, Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools: Paper Piercing Tool & Mat Pack
Supplies: Stampin' Dimensionals

EVOLUTION OF A FATHER'S DAY CARD

I found this quite fascinating and thought I would share it here with you. This is a wonderful example showing how much stamping artists are inspired by one another!

Remember the card on the left? It's a card I designed, case-ing ...

Michelle, sf9erfan FS63 on SCS, who cased ...
Silke Ledlow, Sparklegirl FS63, who cased ...
Faith Hofrichter, markie's mom, the ORIGINAL artist

The first photo below shows a card my dear friend Wendy Bond (joelysmom on SCS) made case-ing me! I love the whole new look this card took by using the bright colors from Spring Break DP!

by Wendy Bond ...

This next photo is my friend, Lorri Heiling's 4th of July version of the card! I had the pleasure of seeing this card IRL last week when Lorri and I met for brunch at Paradise Bakery!
by Lorri Heiling ... One more! Scroll to the bottom of THIS POST to see Roxy's (Corinne Somerville) case.

That's SEVEN versions of ONE card! Cool, huh?!