A Passion for Stamps

My Holiday Big Shot Class Projects

I held my Holiday Big Shot class the other night and it was alot of fun! I provided attendees with a list of the 50 Materials that can safely be used with the Big Shot die cut machine...pretty impressive stuff! I also provided individual Instruction Sheets for each project, with the Supply list of stamps and acccessories PLUS the Big Shot Sandwich for each, as it can be confusing at first. Also included was a template for the Bigz #2 die showing how to fold, apply adhesive (only in one place-and it holds the box together) and assemble the box.

Here are the projects we made:

This card was made using the Petals-A-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder and the lovely Delightful Ornaments stamp set from the 2009 Holiday Mini Catalog. The Bermuda Bay cardstock is one of this year's new IN Colors-one of my favorites! Another favorite paper of mine is the Specialty Bride Paper found in Stampin' Up!'s main Idea Book & Catalog. The shimmer paint gives dimension to the ornament and compliments the specialty paper as well.

The next project we made was this adorable SNOWFLAKE EMBELLISHMENT...no stamps needed for this! We used the Originals Snowflake #2 Die with On Board Book Basics and FELT-one of the Fifty accepted materials to use with the Big Shot machine. I accented the center with a clear Rhinestone brad and a Filagree Designer brad (love these!)

Next we made a double Handled Gift Box (shared by stamping sister Diana Gibbs). We used Box #2 Die, and Christmas Cocoa Designer Series Paper and Grateful Greetings tag (both from the Holiday Mini Catalog). Can you tell I just adore this new mini catalog? In my opinion, it is the BEST one Stampin' Up! has produced yet!

Of course this box looks kind of empty, so we adorned it with the Snowflake Embellishment previously shown above! Doesn't this just dress up the box and make you want to fill it with goodies?

Using the Movers & Shapers Curly Label Die here, we stamped the poinsettia from Season of Joy and then added Crystal Effects to the petals...this really accentuates the flower! The Stamp-A-Ma-Jig assures exact placement of the flower-critical for this design!

Here is the grand finale: Dasher using Texturz Plate with Foil! Oh my goodness..how absolutely STUNNING it is to pair up foil and the Harlequin Texturz Plate! Just one more of the accepted materials that can be used with the Big Shot machine! 

There you have it...a great class showing various materials and dies with this incredibly versatile die cut machine! To learn more about the Big Shot machine and dies, and see some wonderful samples of projects, click HERE, click on SHOP NOW, then select DIE CUTS from the menu. I hope you can join us at other classes. I am going to be offering the Big Shot class regularly, because there are so many wonderful dies to try, and with up to 50 materials to try them with, we will never run out of projects to make!

Don't forget to check my Events Calendar for other upcoming classes-it will be updated tomorrow with classes for the rest of the year.  The next class will be a Christmas Card Stamp-A-Stack making 20 cards with matching envelopes! I'll post more about that tomorrow, so see you then! Thanks for stopping by,

Sizzix Big Shot-Halloween Basket

With only a few days to spare before Halloween, I can finally share this adorable little halloween basket I made with the Sizzix Big Shot Baskets & Blooms Die!

If you haven't heard, Stampin' Up! has partnered with Sizzix and now has some terrific exclusive dies as well as the Big Shot machine! I can't believe how easy this machine is to use and the cute projects that can be made with this product! This is the basket I made:

I had so much leftover Creepy Crawly Designer Series Papers from last year (I LOVE this paper) that I decided to use some of it for this project. The stamp set-Batty for You,  is a carryover from last year and I just love this little set too...so I was thrilled to be able to continue using it this Halloween for my projects!

I used this as a Hostess Gift during October, but it is a great little basket to fill and give to your favorite Trick or Treaters too, by varying the stamps used...or how about making one for a friend, spouse or co-worker? Just change out the papers and stamps, and this idea can be duplicated for any holiday or occasion during the year. The infinite possibilities.....

If you have any baskets you have made with this die, I'd love to see them!

If you have no clue what the Sizzix is (I didn't really know what it could do until SU! started offering it) you can learn all about it, how to use the Sizzix Big Shot and the 50 different surfaces that are acceptable for use with the Sizzix by clicking HERE. You can even shop online now...from this link! (but that news is for another post!)

It's GREAT to be back to blogging again! I've missed you! I welcome your comments!

Thanks for looking,

Merci (thank you) Card-Using Retired Accessories & Stamps

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008
(click on image for larger view)

Now that the RETIRED ACCESSORIES LIST is out and is being updated daily on this site HERE, many products are going fast....if you want some of the products on the list, you really have to work fast because items are being depleted every day. I used almost all retiring products to make yet ANOTHER THANK YOU CARD including the Carte Postale stamp set, Le Jardin Designer Series (double-sided) paper, Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware, and of course the In Color River Rock cardstock and coordinating ink pad. Unfortunately, the hardware I used for the embellishments is already sold out (all colors)! There are still lots of accessories left (some at 25% off)  so if you haven't checked out the list yet, click on the links here (or on the left sidebar for Retired Stamps list) and contact me asap so I can *place your order!

The only products NOT retiring in this card are the Simon Lower Letters Chipboard and the Taffeta Ribbon! First, I cut a piece of Le Jardin paper, and attached it to the left side of the card with SNAIL Adhesive. Next, I stamped the decorative motif design from Carte Postale stamp set (LOVE this set and will really miss demonstrating with it!) with River Rock ink on RR paper (tapped off ink on scrap paper to get lighter stamped images).

Next, I traced the letter (face down) onto a different Le Jardin paper, cut it out and  attached it to the letter with a Stampin' Up! Anywhere Glue Stick (GREAT product!) and used the Sanding Block to smooth out the edges and get rid of any excess paper on the letter. I Tied the ribbon on the left and attached a brad from the hardware kit in the center. I adhered the elegant hardware pieces to the bottom of the letter with SNAIL, then attached the letter to the card.

Did you know you can stamp on the Taffeta Ribbon? It's easy with StazOn ink-didn't smear, dried quickly and is permanent! Just don't load up the stamp with too much ink or it will smear and look bold-instead of crisp. I measured where I wanted the two connector pieces and made a dot for both with a pencil on the cardstock. Then I attached one of the hardware connectors with the brad, looped the ribbon thru it and adjusted it so the Merci saying would be centered-used SNAIL to attach the ends of the ribbon underneath, then attached my second connector.

This is an elegant card, in every way! I am so glad the Simon Lower letters are not discontinuing! But I will really miss Le Jardin papers and Carte Postale!

Don't forget about Stampin' Up!'s current Discounted Retiring Accessories Promotion   where you will find  products that are 25% off! This is a great deal....while supplies last!

If you still haven't placed your order for retired stamps and/or accessories, time is running out....take a look at the list today...and check the ONLINE CATALOG for those products you can't live without, before they are gone!


*orders can only be taken for US and it's territories
Links are Highlighted

Thanks for visiting!

CARD & BOX USING RETIRING STAMPS

I pulled out a stamp set called All Through the Year which will be retired from Stampin' Up!'s 2008 Spring-Summer Collection after August 10. I really love the Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper which is two sided so I used the cherries from All Through the Year with it and came up with a card and this matching 2-4-6-8 box:

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

I am really going to miss the set and I'm sure the paper will probably be on the Retired Accessories List coming out on July 21....

The "gift package" was made simply by folding over the top of the designer paper to reveal the design on the other side of this two-sided decorative paper! Then I wrapped the ribbon around it, tied it in a bow (can't do bows? See this post HERE for bow tying help!) and attached it to the Real Red cardstock with SNAIL Adhesive.

I think it would be helpful to do a tutorial or two showing how to get that sparkling cherries affect on both the card and box using Heat and Stick powder (makes a great embelllishment), and how to make a 2-4-6-8 box! But it's very late so that will have to wait till another day! Don't forget to check back again soon!

Happy Stampin'!

Boatload of Love Box in the Bag-a downline gift!

I really enjoy making these Box in a Bag projects (and this is what it is called, because there really IS a box in the bottom of the bag-see the photo below as proof!). To learn more about these, read THIS POST.

Here is another one I made as a gift (shhhhhhh!) for Jan (one of my first level downline) who has been an inspiring leader to her team, a supportive downline member, and most importantly-a dear friend for many years. I hope she doesn't see this before she receives it in the mail! Even if she does, what's IN it will still be a surprise (so I'm not telling you what I'm putting in it!) I'd love to hear your suggestions though!

 

                                                    IMAGES © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

I had so much fun making this one! I try to make gifts with nautical themes for my downline, because our team name is S.O.S. Team (for S.aving O.verwhelmed S.tampers)..I use images of lighthouses, beachy ocean, tropical, fish (starfish), and boat type images such as life rings and anchors. Sooooo....having explained that, you'll understand why I had to have the Boatloads of Love stamp set  from Stampin' UP! (love that Boat with the life rings and anchor!). As I was going thru my vast assortment of Designer Series papers, I knew as soon as I saw this Cutie Pie paper that this was THE one I wanted to use and the ideas just flowed from that point on... (Its amazing how different the colors and designs are in this package!) I love it when that happens...

Here is the INSIDE-as you can clearly see, there IS a box on the inside at the bottom which explains the name of this project:

Pretty cool, huh? Ok-on to some of the details up close:

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

The boat is watercolored with Aqua Painters and Classic Ink Pads on Watercolor Paper, then cut out and added above the scalloped edged bottom. The boat, life rings and anchor are all stamped again, tediously cut out and raised with Stampin' Dimensionals and Crystal Effects for a fun 3-D effect.

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

 The clouds are stamped in White Craft ink and embossed. I painted the chipboard letters with white acrylic paint, then used the aqua painter and reinkers to color them blue. The Life rings, anchor and clouds as well as the On Board Lots of Letters Chipboard are all finished off with Crystal Effects to make them "pop".

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

I LOVE embellishments and this time I need something more nautical....so here is what I came up with...
I used Textured Wild Wasabi Cardstock and the Round Tab punch, then added eyelets with the Crop-o-dile and looped (retired) Bella Fancy Fibers loosely thru them, knotting them at the ends.  I decided to made the nautical knot with roping (instead of using ribbon) to add to the seafaring touch! 

I am pleased with how this project it turned out!  So--what do you think?

I truly had so much fun making this..I should have made two! As difficult as it will be to give this one-of-a-kind creation away, it was made with love, for someone I admire who is very deserving of special recognition-in case Jan doesn't realize it, she has been a loyal, caring friend and I just want her to know how much I have appreciated our friendship over the years.

Here are the supplies I used to make this project:

Stamps: Boatload of Love
Ink: Wild Wasabi, White Craft, Ballet Blue, Brocade Blue,Versamark Pad, Black StazOn
Paper: Cutie Pie Designer Series, Bashful Blue, TEXTURED Wild Wasabi, Watercolor
Accessories: Crop-o-Dile, Eyelets, 1/4" Circle Punch, Round Tab punch, Crystal Effects, On Board Lots of Letters, Sanding Block, Ballet Blue Ink Refill, White EP, Heat Tool, Aqua Painter, Slit Punch, 1/8" Circle Punch, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dots, Paper Snips, SNAIL adhesive, (retired) Bella Fancy Fibers

Non-SU: white acrylic paint, roping

To view all Stampin' Up! products used in this project, visit the Stampin' Up! ONLINE CATALOG. Just click on the photo link on the left sidebar. Fortunately for me, the Boatload of Love stamp set is NOT on the retirement list!!!  It's a great set!

I'd love to hear your comments...don't forget my BLOG CANDY posted awhile ago will EXPIRE at midnight on June 29! Follow the instructions in THIS POST to be in the drawing to win this awesome Stampin' Up! candy I'm giving away at 9:00 a.m. EST on JUNE 30!

Happy Stampin'!

Here's my Box in a Bag for a Birthday Gift!

Check out this adorable "box in a bag"! Or...is it a bag in a box? (I saw this posted both ways so I'm not sure which is correct-I'm going with Box in a Bag.) These were created by Paula Goff:

ARTWORK © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

ARTWORK © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

When I saw these, I knew I had to give it a try and make one!

NOTE ADDED NOVEMBER 2 2008: I just learned that the credit for the Box in a Bag creation actually goes to one of my INKredible Impressions (my upline Tina's Stampin' Up! group) friends from Arizona-none other than Diana Gibbs, an awesome stamping gal! Diana won a contest with Stampin' Up! for this creation! She wrote a terrific tutorial which you can find HERE.

Pat, a good friend of mine, had a birthday last week, so I thought this was an adorable way to package up a gift! Paula asked that we share our creations, so I will be sending mine to her. I noticed others have already sent her some and she has posted them on her site here. You can find the tutorial here.

I had just been talking to Pat earlier and she said she loves the colors aqua and apricot together, so can you guess which Stampin' Up paper I used? If you guessed Bali Breeze Designer Series papers, you are correct! To coordinate with the paper, I chose Apricot, Pumpkin and Taken with Teal. I also decided that the colors were perfect to use the Flower Fusion as accents with aqua Rhinestone Brads in the center. It just occurred to me that I used a bunch of punches again (I always seem to use them in most of my projects!)

Do you know which punch was used to make the scalloped base? The Slit punch! It's really very cool!

The photo didn't come out great, even after editing, because the colors just don't seem as pretty as they were in person...and I wished I had taken a photo BEFORE I stuffed the gift inside...but here is my Birthday Box in a Bag:

ARTWORK © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

 

So-what do you think? My friend Pat LOVED it! She couldn't believe I made it...she thinks I have the patience of a saint-but I told her these are SO EASY and quick to put together! Here are the supplies I used:

Stamps: NONE (?!)
Ink: NONE(?!)
Cardstock: Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie, Taken with Teal
Accessories: Bali Breeze Designer Series paper, Flower Fusion, Aqua Rhinestone Brads, Large & Small Tag Punches, Round Tab Punch, 1 16" Circle Punch, Slit punch, grosgrain ribbons, Teal Stampin' Write Marker

All of these products can be found in the 2008 Stampin' Up! Spring-Summer Collection. You can view the ONLINE CATALOG HERE.  Email me  if you are interested in purchasing any of these products...

Now it's YOUR turn! Give it a try! I'd love to see YOUR creations! Send me your photos and I'll showcase yours here! Or leave a link here in the comment section when you make your own!

HAPPY STAMPIN'!

Cutie Pie 6x6 Scrapbook Page

I wanted to use some Designer Series papers I haven't done much with (before it ends up on the retired accessories list!)  Here's a simple page I came up with for a Stampin' Up! workshop, using the Cutie Pie paper. I love embellisments, so this time I combined the Boho Blossoms punch and cardstock, with the Flower Fusion and a brad for the floral embellishment. To make the Rose Red corners where the photo goes, I used the Photo Corners punch and layered these UNDER the top So Saffron piece, instead of on top-for a different look!

Created by Debbie Van Gieson Images © Stampin' Up! 1990-2008

Supplies:

Stamps: God's Blessings, All Holidays
Ink: Rose Red
Cardstock:Whisper White, So Saffron, Rose Red, Bashful Blue; Cutie Pie Designer Series paper  Accessories: Brads, Flower Fusion; Punches: Photo Corners, Boho Blossoms & 1/16" Circle                     

Happy Stampin'!

passionstamper