Summer Spider ...

My new 'Batty for You' set arrived last week so of course I had to try it out. Plus, seemed like a good opportunity to test out the "Color on Dark Cardstock" marker technique. Here's a lil' Halloween card ...



This 3x3 card uses textured black cardstock and SU's new 'Creepy Crawly' designer paper. I also used a chipboard flower from the On Board Blossoms & Basics package.

To color the chipboard, I sponged Pumpkin Pie craft (aka pigment) ink on to the chipboard using a sponge dauber. A marker works great for getting into the tight little spaces between the petals so that no chipboard shows.

To color the spider from the 'Batty for You' set, I tried a variation on the 'dark cardstock' marker technique ... instead of simply stamping the image in white craft ink and heat setting to create a base for the color, I stamped the image in Versamark and embossed with white embossing powder. The embossed image has a shiny surface that doesn't take color very well - so I lightly sanded the image before coloring the spider with an Old Olive marker. This also helps age the spider a bit ...

Final touch was distressing the edge of the 1 3/8" punched image to add a lil' more texture before adhering to the chipboard with a dimensional.

Wrappin' Up: Day 4 ...

Mmm, eggs benedict this morning - a good way to build some energy for the last day of SU! convention. The general session got started with a couple game show rounds testing SU! employees from the home office about their stamping knowledge. Of course, it was all aimed at driving up the $$$ that the participating demonstrators received for a stamping shopping spree (a la the "5th Grader" gameshow on TV now).

Afternoon was full of some more classes including a session on new ways to use products ya' might already have ... get your markers ready ...

20 Ways to Use Your Markers

I'll be posting samples of each of these techniques ... have you tried all of these techniques yet? Think about what else you can do with a marker ...

1. Coloring Book ... color your stamped outline images. Tip: use watercolor paper to avoid lines when coloring (the paper absorbs the color more quickly for a smooth look)


2. Coloring on Dark Cardstock ... stamp an image in Whisper White craft ink and heat set then color the image with markers for a striking look.


3. Color on B&W photos ... light colors work best for adding a bit of color to your pictures


4. Watercoloring ... create a palette for watercoloring


5. Shading ... pick up a slightly darker shade of ink thanks to a re-inker on the tip of your marker.


6. Omitting ... color just the part of the image you want to stamp.


7. Embossing ... stamp your image in Versamark, color with your markers & emboss with clear embossing powder.


8. Marker to Stamp/Shading ... similar to the earlier shading but this time using 3 marker colors.


9. Water Misting ... aka the faux-water color technique


10. Color Spritzer on Backgrounds ... add a spritz of color to your backgrounds


11. Color Spritzer on Stamps: The Sequel ... spritz on your inked rubber image for a bit more splash


12. Thumping ... Ink your stamp in a neutral color and then "thump" the marker on the stamp to create some color


13. Backgrounds with Kaleidescope Color ... markers, plastic sheets & water to create a background swirl


14. Dying Ribbon ... have white grosgrain ribbon & markers and create any color ribbon you choose!


15. Dying Pretties Flowers ... spritz a bit of water and start coloring.


16. Dying Pretties Pearls ... color the pearl & emboss to seal in the color.


17. Dying Your Hair ... really. If you have light hair, give yourself a festive color streak for Halloween or other special event.


18. Color in the Classy Brass Template ... with the template as your guide, create all sorts of cool images.


19. Color Splash on Wheels ... ink up your wheel and add an extra pop of color by removing ink (with a pastel applicator) and adding a new color from your markers.
20. Doodle & Journal ... of course! write & doodle with your marker.

Like I said, I need to start playing with these techniques ... any questions, just ask!

More Stamping on Day 3 ...

Ok, that does it, I have to start playing more with the designer papers. This morning, Shelli demonstrated some amazing home decor projects using designer paper, custom mixes of embossing powder, chipboard ... garlands, hat boxes, ornaments, paper lanterns even! Of course I was excited to see Shelli working with the new Batty for You set and Creep Crawly designer paper (both of which arrived at my house just before I left for Denver - Thanks, Patty).

Later this morning, we saw some great projects for party favors, decorations, packaging and other treats - all with designer paper. Yes, I'll definitely be using more designer paper in my projects.

Adding Some Color ...

This afternoon, Marie & I attended a session focused on some new coloring techniques. The first project featured the new Pretties kit ... amazing what you can do with a plain white silk flower and the coloring medium of your choice (pastels, ink, watercolor crayons, painters ...)



The next project featured pearls & crystals also from the Pretties kit. And, it features the 'Define Your Life' set (I love definition sets)



Next up: Watercoloring. We used the new 'Fun & Fast Notes' stamp set.

1) Stamp image in Stazon ink.



2) Add a wash of water with a large, flat watercolor brush and flood in a tiny bit of color from the edges of the wet area (we used Soft Sky - a brush dipped into a bit of ink in the top of the lid)



3) Add more color ... again, we used a brush dipped into ink collected in the top of the stamp pad lid. Colors: Ruby Red, Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi, Not Quite Navy. Be careful not to let your wet colors touch - they'll bleed together.



Here's another image from the same 'Fun & Fast Notes' set:



4) Last Step: Mount on a card with dimensionals for a bit more depth (this is a 3x3 card)



Oooh ... time to go out in the Summer storm (lightening, thunder & rain) to find some food ...

Embossed 'Brads' ...

Thought it might be helpful to post a more detailed picture of the cardstock embossed with the Crop-A-Dile ... check out the small 'brad-like' circles in the Really Rust cardstock above the Chocolate Chip ribbon.



Definitely going to have to play with this technique some more ...

Stampfest Day 2 ...

Today was the first full day of the SU Convention - kicking off at 8:30 this morning with opening remarks from Shelli at the General Session. Great projects were demo'd including some cool ways to use punches (mmm, punches). Plus, learned a lil' factoid - 55 of the sets in the new SU catalog work with the Word Window punch - 55!

After seeing today's demo's, I've added the "Pretties" Kit and several more stamp sets to my wish list ...

Off to an art museum & dinner with friends tonight ...

Let the stamp craziness begin ...

Arrived in Denver today for the SU Convention ... first things first - the hotel - The Curtis is fantastic!




Tonight was a massive stampfest where close to a gazillion (the scientific number) stampers gathered to power through 7 make-n-take projects.



The make-n-take projects used the new 'Wanted' set and 'Happiness' background stamp. I think my favorite new technique is using the Crop-A-Dile to emboss ther paper to simulate brads(technique used on the first card)







Good stuff - tho' after 7 projects we were ready to hunt down food & drink!

Bowie Says ...

I made this card a while ago and rediscovered it while cleaning the studio. It's been a crazy-busy week and the message seemed fitting ...



I sponged Stazon ink in red and yellow on high-clay-content white cardstock to create the background. I the 'stitched' frame is by Stampers Anonymous ... will update this post when I remember where the other stamps are from.

Time to go finish packing ...

Take A Memo ...

Whew! I did it. Managed to create cards each week of the 3-week Sketch This Card challenge. Here's my sketch for week #3 ...


For this card, I used the new SU Basic Gray and textured Purely Pomegranate cardstock (plus black, of course).

The images are from several SU stamp sets: Office Accoutrement(memo), Wonderful Words (celebrate), It's Your Birthday (Happy Birthday) and Polka Dots & Petals (dots). I made good use of my Stamp-a-ma-jig (stamp positioner) on this one!

Accents are On Board Chipboard covered in Petals & Paisley's designer paper. For a little extra pop, I colored over the paper with a Versamarker and embossed with clear embossing powder.

Oops ... running behind for evening events ... gotta run ...

7/23 Note: Looking at this again, not sure if the colors are working. Thoughts?

Rockin' Nomination!

What a super cool surprise! Heather nominated me as a 'Rockin' Girl Blogger.' (Heather, love your blog title - I can relate) I guess I better do some stamping today to make sure I deserve the nomination :)

Now, it's my turn - I get to nominate 5 more bloggers. It's difficult with so many good blogs and so many already Rockin' Girls ... but here goes ...

Drum roll please ...

The nominees are ...

• Sandy - The Paper Gypsy



• Patty - Patty's Stamping Spot



• Jen - Pixels N' Paper



• Marie - Stamp Lounge



• Michelle - Stamping Therapy

Thanks Again, Heather! Wahoo ... time to go rock n' stamp ...

Quick Creation ...

Evening #1 of the new catalog open house complete! We made In Color color charts and a make-n-take card ... then it was "free for all" stamping time. One of my friends brought her niece, an aspiring young stamper. I do believe a good time was had by all.

After everyone left, felt the need to stamp a lil' something before catching some ZZZs ...



This 3x3 card uses the new textured Purely Pomegranate cardstock plus a little touch of Summer Sun.

I stamped the 'create' definition from SU's 'Define Your Life' set with Versamark and embossed with black embossing powder. The pattern on the Purely Pomegranate is created from a bunch of Cs stamped in gold (Letterpress and Rough Edges alphabets).

A nice reminder to keep creating ...

Make-n-Take ...

Getting ready for some stamping time at the Stamp Garage ... still need to buy snacks and get everything ready for making "In Color" charts ... but I have a make-n-take card ready!


I used the new Baroque Motifs set from Stampin' Up! plus some of the new In Colors: Purely Pomegranate and Groovy Guava. The accent frame is in Taken with Teal. The saying is punched with a large oval punch. For the final touch, little accents in the center of the flowers with the Signo White Gel Pen (the best white gel pen ever - only one I've found that doesn't skip or thin out - it holds up great on dark cardstock).

This is a quick card to create (which is nice when you've worked all day and only have a little bit of stamping time before bed)

I'm loving the vine image from this set ...

Pick A Petal ...

After spending quite a bit of time cleaning a space to stamp (seems there'd been a small explosion of paper & supplies in the Stamp Garage that left every flat space covered), I started creating for week #2 of the 3-week running Sketch This Card contest.

It was tough to get a decent photograph of this card ... but here 'tis:



The card is 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches. I used Pink Passion, Only Orange and Basic Black cardstock. The background petals are from the 'Pick A Petal' set by Stampin' Up! stamped in White craft ink.

The chipboard flower is from On Board Blossoms & Basics and I used the SU's new 5-petal flower to help create the center. I colored the chipboard flower and center pieces using craft ink direct-to-paper (DTP) and then embossed with clear embossing poweder. On the chipboard flower I used Only Orange (center) and Pink Passion (petal edges) ... it's a bit difficult to see in the photo.

I stamped a small greeting - Wonderful - from SU's 'Warm Words' set in Black craft ink & embossed with clear powder. The edges of all card panels are rounded with SU's new 3/16 corer rounder punch.

Finally, topped it all off with 'Fire' rhinestone brad in the center of the flower. (Did I mention how easily the Crop-A-Dile punches through chipboard? It's great!)

A Touch of the '60s ...

It's been a while since I've made a card with a retro flair - so when I found the Daring Cardmaker's Swinging Sixties challenge, I had to give it a shot!



This card uses the 'On the Spot' background stamp, 'Seeing Spots,' 'Snow Flurries' and 'Much Appreciated' all by Stampin' Up! The woman is by Paper Candy - I've had this stamp for years - love the silhouette. Colors are Pumpkin Pie, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery and Pink Passion ... and a little touch of Dazzling Diamonds glitter for fun.

Guess what showed up today ...

Goodies from the Fall/Winter catalog! Now I have some new toys to play with this weekend ...



And true to what I'd heard, the Crop-A-Dile punches through chipboard with ease!

Still thinking of Ella ...

I've had Ella Fitzgerald singing in my head since seeing "Ella" at the SJ Rep last night (not a bad voice to have rattling around inside) ... guess that's why I chose blues & music images for this card sketch by Di Hickman


I love the new "In Color" series from Stampin' Up! For this card, I used Blue Bayou and Soft Sky. I also used some images by JudiKins and Art Impressions that I've had for awhile (time to start incorporating more of my stamps into my projects!) The 'sparkle' greeting is from 'Warm Words' and the accent is from 'Little Pieces' both by Stampin' Up!

The Community of Stampers ...

What a nice surprise! Alison at 'Stampin' When I Can' linked to my site today. What a fun way to find out about more stampers ... Thanks, Alison!

A lil' card before bedtime ...

Went to see "Ella" at the San Jose Rep tonight ... fantastic show! Came home thinking of Miss Ella, music, the blues, jazz ... felt the urge to create a lil' something before hitting the hay.



This is a 3x3 card using the frame is from "Double-Line Doodles" and "Imagine" from "Everyday Flexible Phrases" (both Stampin' Up!). The designer paper is in Stampin' Up!'s Almost Amethyst. I stamped the frame in Lovely Lilac ink and added a touch of Dazzling Diamonds to accent it. "Imagine" is embossed in white.

Blog Tag, I'm It!

Joining a lil' game of Blog Tag thanks to Marie at The Stamp Lounge who tagged me. So, the rules say I have to share 7 things about myself and tag 7 other bloggers.

Here goes ... in no particular order ...

1. I was born in Berkeley, CA ... yes, an actual California Native.
2. I lived in Montreal from '88-'89.
3. I made lots of crafty things as a kid including an embroidered bit that said "Frampton" with a guitar and a ceramic dish that read "Space Ace."
4. One of my favorite movies is "Harold and Maude."
5. I once interviewed the lady who petitioned to get Elvis' picture on a postage stamp.
6. I was a DJ at KCPR.
7. I knit.

So, now I get to tag 7 more folks (and attempting not to duplicate any tagging!) ...

• Caryn @ Queen of the May
• Karolee @ Stampin-Queen
• Jen @ Pixels N' Paper
• Melissa @ Stamping Therapy
• Dana @ Will Blog for Stamps
• Cheryl @ Mum On the Run
• Nicola @ Inf@nt Girl (ok, she's probably too young to stamp, but dang she's cute!)

Playin' in the Stamp Garage ...

I'm sure there were 'practical' things I was supposed to be accomplishing today. Instead I spent much of the day creating which is much more therapeutic anyway.

One of my creations is for this week's Sketch This Card contest. I modified the layout a 'bit while still trying to keep things close to the original sketch.



I used Chocolate Chip cardstock to make the card. Framing colors are Summer Sun, Taken with Teal and Pumpkin Pie.

The 'pattern lady' is from the 'A Pattern of Friendship' set and '100% Original' is from the 'Genuine Articles' set both by Stampin' Up! 'Rosie' (as I like to think of her) is from Mother Rubber.

Sort of reminds me of some of the ladies in my family ...

A Day Off ...

Ah, a full day away from the office! To celebrate, I spent some time in the Stamp Garage and made a card for this week's Sketch This challenge.


I used Kraft card stock to make this 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 card. The star is traced from Stampin' Up!'s On Board Accents and cut out with an exacto knife.

Behind the star, I adhered a piece of Whisper White cardstock "painted" with a babywipe colored with drops from reinkers: Pumpkin Pie, Pixie Pink, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise ... In fact, this piece was left over from graduation cards I made last month (always nice to reuse/recycle).

The text is from the Genuine Articles stamp set. I used an Old Olive marker to ink the words separately so that I could change the layout of the saying.

The shells are from the Stippled Shells stamp set. I stamped off with Pumpkin Pie to create the lighter shells (masking in order to layer the shells). The larger shell is full-strength stamped in full-strength Pumpkin Pie with a bit of sponging to add some more color & depth.

Hope you all enjoyed your 4th!

Makin' A Wish List ...

It's the 4th of July ... it's hot out ... no work today. Perfect day to kick back with the new catalog and highlight the goodies I alreayd have (always a nice reminder) and make a list of "I Wants" ... I bet I'll find more goodies to add to the wish list each time I look at the catalog.

The big question is what goes on my first order from the new catalog? Punches ... must get more punches :)

Let's start with a list of stamp sets ...


Oooh, great new type & definition sets ... plus we're starting to get into accessories ...


Paper, chipboard and, my fave, punches ...


Ribbon and items to help organize ... perfect.

Mmmm ... New Stamps & Accessories ...

The new Stampin' Up! catalog is here! Lots of new goodies being introduced in the Fall/Winter 2007 Idea Book & Catalog.

Now to figure out my wish list o' favorites ... I know I'll be ordering the 'Art by Design' set (pg. 153) so I can decorate all sorts of crafty items (I like making "Hand Made" hang tags for my hand-knitted items n' such.)

Save Your Bottlecaps!

Want to make magnets, pins and other embellishments with images & bottle caps? Use a 1" circle punch to pop a perfectly-sized image into the center of the top from your favorite beverage!

Here I used the 'Wild About You' stamp set to show the sizing example. I'll be playing with bottle caps more ... more detailed examples posted soon ...

Card Swap ...

Participated in a card swap this weekend ... made 20 identical card fronts and then swapped with other stampers in order to come home with 20 new card ideas. This swap was for '5-minute cards' - in other words - quick & easy!

I used the Stampin' Up! hostess set, 'In the Spotlight' from the new Fall/Winter 07 catalog as well as some of the new 2007 "In Colors" (Groovy Guava, Soft Sky, Blue Bayou). The main image is stamped with bleach on Chocolate Chip cardstock.