Passion 4 Stampin with Shellie

Susan's November Card

My second guest artist is my dear friend Susan Powers.  She shared with me Caleb, her new born sons', announcement card.  This is the perfect example of how to use a simple design for a lot of handmade cards.  She used the Print Pattern for the background and added detail to it by adding the dots with the Chocolate Chip marker.

Susan is a former Stampin Up Demonstrator who recently moved to the Birmingham area and lives with her husband and 2 sons.  We have been stamping together for almost 2 years and she is always an inspiration! 

If you love what you see, let Susan know.  BTW, I had a sneak peak at some cards she made recently, can you say F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S?

6 Weeks 'Till Christmas

A family picture is a great present to give to Moms, Grandma's, Aunts and other close family members.

I've taken my family's picture from Thanksgiving 2006 and matted it with Chocolate Chip and Basic Black Cardstock.  I then added it to a layer of Brocade Background which compliments the gold embossed image from Baroque Motifs.  All of this is of course done on Stampin UP's 9x9 On Board Clipboard.  To make this into a picture to hang on the wall I used the jumbo eyelets with the Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon which is only available until November 30. 

Here is the recipe:

Card stock:  Neutrals asst. package ($7.95)
 Chipboard: On Board Clipboard ($7.95)
Scrapbook Paper: Brocade Background ($9.95)
 
Extras: Crop-a-dile ($29.95), Jumbo Eyelets ($9.95), Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon ($9.95), Baroque Motifs Stamp Set ($25.95), VersaMark Stamp Pad ($7.50), Gold Embossing Powder ($4.75), Heat Gun ($26.95)

When you purchase the Cardstock, Clipboard and Scrapbook Paper I will add a Nameplate and Brads for the Hodgepodge Hardware Set from free.

Thanks for looking and don't forget the November Stampin UP Special, buy 3 packages of scrapbook paper and get the 4th for free!

Have a great week and Happy Stampin!

Tracy's November Card

I am so excited to start a weekly special of guest Artist who will feature their own version of handmade cards, scrapbook layouts and other specialty items.  My first Guest Artist is Tracy D'Alessandro who currently lives in the Birmingham area, is a full-time student at UAB and works part-time at Scrap Etc.  I met Tracy shortly after I became a Stampin Up Demonstrator and she has become a great friend and someone who always (and I mean always) knows the latest Scrapbooking trends including what is hot and what is not.  She is great at adding different elements to her cards and scrapbook layouts and I love how she used the Spiral Punch to accent the "Happy" in "Happy Birthday".  Feel free to leave a comment to let  her know what an awesome job she has done.  Thanks Tracy!

7 Weeks till Christmas

Monogramming gifts are a big trend this Christmas and you can that with this stationary set for all of your friends. 

When you purchase the supplies to make this Stationary Set I will include 2 DVD Tins and an instruction sheet for free while supplies last.

 

Here is the recipe:
 Card stock: Assorted Rich Regals ($7.95)
Craft Ink: Brocade Blue, Certainly Celery ($7.95ea)
Chipboard: On Board Simon Upper ($12.95)
Scrapbook Paper: Cutie Pie ($9.95)
Accessories: Certainly Celery 5/8" Ribbon($7.95), Sticky Strip ($6.95), Corner Rounder Punch ($6.95)
Extras: Crop-a-dile ($29.95)

When you purchase the Kit I will provide the instructions and 2 DVD Tins for free while supplies last!  This special is good from Monday, November 5-Sunday November 11.

Stampin' Up copyright 1990-2007

Words to Live By when you are making Handmade Christmas Cards

I am apart of a yahoo group called SUDSOL which is a great source of information for Stampin Up Demonstrators.  Well while I was catching up on my email I came across this post from a fellow Stampin Up Demo, Samantha Parisi, who easily put a time line and suggestions for making handmade Christmas Cards.  I hope ya'll enjoy her advice and I know I will be following from  A to Z.

Things to Consider:
• Crafter know thyself!  This should be a stress reducing not a stress inducing activity!  If making holiday cards is going to drive you to start popping bourbon balls, then just don’t do it!
• Keep it simple! The more cards you make the easier they should be. Adding one extra step when you’re making 5 cards is no biggie…but when you’re making 50, it adds hours to the process! Try to keep each card to less then 7 steps.
• Don’t fret that your cards are too simple…get the basic design done and leave a minor embellishment to add if time permits….try not to sweat the small stuff!
• Work assembly-line style, do all the cutting, then all the punching, all the coloring, then all the gluing, etc. This not only speeds the process but breaks it into smaller, more manageable chunks.
• Delegate! Even Santa has helpers…have the kids stamp envelopes and ask your husband to print out address labels…everyone can pitch in!
• Don’t wait for huge chunks of free time to work on this project (it may never come along!) Simply gather all the supplies in one area or in one container (to avoid search & rescue missions) and be ready to go on a moments notice. You can accomplish quite a bit in the 15 minutes it takes for water to boil or while your on hold with the insurance company! Watching T.V. is another ideal time to sit and work on a portion of your cards….little by little you can get them done!
• Finally, remember that every card doesn’t have to be identical. Just as each of your friends is unique, so should their card be….a unique reflection of your heartfelt feelings for them.

6-8 Weeks Prior to the Event:
• Make a card list (or two! Some crafters make cards only for family members or close friends to cut down on the work load)
• Decide on a basic design (including size, color, and sentiment…I’m always happy to help with this stage, check out my website for class times or call to set-up a one-on-one session)
• Compare your supplies on hand to your list of supplies needed
• Make a list of supplies to purchase and contact your friendly Stampin’ Up!® Demonstrator. Don’t forget extra adhesive…now is not the time to run out!

4-5 Weeks Prior:
• Purchase supplies including envelopes, address labels and postage
• Arrange supplies in one area or container so everything can be accessed quickly and easily as time permits
• Start creating your cards, working assembly-line style
• Address and stamp envelopes (you can save time here by using the computer)

2-3 Weeks Prior:
• Finish creating cards (now is the time to add those additional embellishments to certain cards to personalize them)
• Double check these against your original list as you slip your cards into the envelopes
• Mail your cards

Now sit back and relax with a steaming cup of cocoa and just enjoy the holiday season…you deserve it!

8 Weeks Till Christmas

8 Weeks Until Christmas is a great time to start on those gifts for teachers, co-workers and neighbors.  I've made a quick and easy cone-shaped candy holder out of Textured card stock, ribbon, punches and of course stamps. 

Here is the recipe:
Stamp Set: Punch Pals ($31.95)
Card stock: Textured Wild Wasabi and Purely Pomegranate  ($11.95) and Whisper White ($5.50)
Classic Ink: Soft Sky, Purely Pomegranate ($5.25ea)
Punch: Scallop ($15.95)
Extras: Purely Pomegranate Double Stitched Ribbon ($8.95), Jumbo Eyelets ($9.95) White Gel Pen ($3.95) and Sticky Strip ($6.95), Crop-a-dile ($29.95), 1 3/8" Circle ($15.95) and 1" Circle ($10.95)

When you purchase the Kit I will provide the instructions and Sticky Strip for free!  This special is good from Monday, October 29-Sunday November 4.

Stampin' Up copyright 1990-2007

How easy is that?

It looks like a lot of cutting for the tree doesn't it?  Guess what, it's done with the photo corner punch.  Who would of thought?   My upline, Catherine (hi Catherine!), sent us a picture of this card from  the Stampin UP! Regionals in Orlando Fl. and I thought I had to duplicate this in my workshops, and everyone loves it. 

I'd like to go ahead a apologize to April and Lara for not sharing this with them sooner but alas, I only found saw the picture a couple of weeks ago.  Sorry girls, but I know your Christmas cards will turn out awesome!

I also love the paper I used and if you haven't heard yet, the November Stampin UP! promotion is buy 3 packs of Designer Series Paper and get the 4th free.  You could do a Christmas tree in a rainbow of colors.

Stampin’ Up!© 1990-2007

9 Weeks Until Christmas

Check out how cute this card is.  This will the last card I post for my 12-weeks 'till Christmas special and I just adore it.  You can't get anymore festive then a penguin carrying his Christmas presents on his Christmas tree. Here is the recipe:

Stamp Set: Punch Pals ($31.95)
Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranate, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White ($22.00)
Inks:Markers - Garden Green, Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun ($13.00)
Accessories: Window Word Punch ($15.95), Wild Wasabi Double-Stitched Ribbon ($8.95),

Total of card kit: $91.80 (plus shipping and tax)

Optional Buys: Classic Basic Black ($5.25), Blender Pens ($9.95)

Card Stock Measurements: Wild Wasabi (8 1/2" x 4 1/4" folded in half), Purely Pomegranate (5 1/2" x 3"), Tempting Turquoise (4 1/4" x 2 1/2"), Whisper White (4"x 2 1/4")

When you purchase the Card Kit I will provide the envelopes, for free!  This special is good from Monday,  October 22-Sunday October 28 and remember this will be my last special for cards.

Stampin' Up copyright 1990-2007

Wanna Swap?

The swap is officially closed.  Thanks to all of the ladies who signed up.  If you missed it this time, check back with my blog for the next Card Swap.

With the weather getting cooler it seems like I'm spending more time indoors playing with my fun card-making toys so what a great time to sit down and make a few extra cards for my first Customer Card Swap. 
What's a swap?  A swap is when you make a set amount of cards, send them to the hostess (me) by the deadline and then the same # of cards in return from different people.  You then have a stash of cards ready to keep to get new ideas and inspiration or send out at moments notice.  I've participated in several swaps creating the cards then sharing them.  I hope you join, just leave your name and email address in the comment section of the post, I will then contact you to give the final number.  Deadline to sign up is November 2.

Copyright Stampin Up! 1991-2007

Here are the details:

• Your card must be hand stamped with a stamp from Stampin UP!.  You can use other scrapbook companies products such as paper and embellishments but your card should contain a stamp image using a stamp from Stampin UP!.
• Your card measurements should be 4 1/4 x 5 1/2.  You can easily get size by taking an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper cutting it in half then folding it over.  This is a standard size card. We will be swapping full cards only, not just card fronts.
• Your card should have 2 layers.  If you look at the sample above you will see the base of the card, white that I have stamped with using the Canvas Background stamp, then layered it with Purely Pomegranate scallops, Blue Bayou then the Snowflake embellishment.
• You can choose whatever theme you like, ie. Birthday, Christmas etc.
• You do not have to make the cards all the same. 
• You do not have to include envelopes.
• If you would like  your cards mailed back to you, please include a Postage Paid Self Addressed Envelope.
• Please have them postmarked or delivered to me by November 30.