A Passion for Stamps

LAST DAY TO GET FIFTH AVENUE FLORAL FOR MOTHER'S DAY-AT 20% OFF!

Today is the LAST DAY to take advantage of the two-step into Spring special offered by Stampin' Up ONLY through April 30th!  This means great sets like Greenhouse Garden, Fifth Avenue Floral, Flower Fancy and Trendy Trees are only available at 20% off TODAY only...

I just showed you a card we're making with the Watercolor Trio set that will be available in the new 2010-2011 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog coming out in July...(and we're making it tonight at our April Stamp-A-Stack Card Camp!)

Here is another terrific card I created, that we're making at this camp which you can still purchase today at 20% off-it's called Fifth Avenue Floral:

 

Isn't this a beautiful card for a mom? It features the Fifth Avenue stamp set (on sale for 20% off-today only!),  the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder and Well Scripted stamp set (available in the Occasions Mini catalog, which ALSO expires after today), and various punches including the Eyelet Border, Oval Scallop and Wide Oval.

The rose has been watercolored with a really simple technique using ink refills-doesn't it look REAL??? It looks like it has just been plucked from the garden! The leaves have been made by slightly altering the Sizzlit Little Leaves Die...

The red Satin ribbon just finishes the card off beautifully, and the sentiment can be altered so this card can also be used for an anniversary, birthday or "thinking of you" card...

Lucky attendees at today's Stamp-A-Stack Card Camp will be making three of this card, along with three each of 3 other cards made with Two-Step sets that are all 20% off through April 30! (twelve cards in all!)

YOU CAN STILL PURCHASE THESE STAMP SETS AT 20% OFF by visiting my stamp store HERE

So-what do YOU think of this card? Please leave me a comment and let me know!  Doesn't it make you want to sign up for NEXT month's classes?  You don't want to miss these...we always make terrific stuff! My goal is to tap into the creativity within YOU! YES-YOU CAN make beautiful cards like these...just sign up for classes I offer and LEARN HOW!  Be sure to come back soon and check out the Calendar on the right side bar for upcoming classes!

Have a GREAT stampin' day!

Got away on Saturday with other stamping downline!

I'm so lucky to have been able to meet up with one of my downline and her sister, with a group of Split Coast Stampers in Poughkeepsie NY this past Saturday for a shoe box swap! We had a great day stamping, swapping, and learning new things! A shoebox swap is when we each make a card and then prepare pre-cut supplies and products for everyone else to make our project-then at the event, we all make everyone elses projects! So much fun!  I came home with over twenty projects, several make and takes, and a pretty swirled punch I received in a gift swap! What a great day of stamping!

Here is my shoe box project I shared with everyone:

I used the Tea Party Designer Series paper with the new Scallop Trim Border Punch (one of the FREE Sale-A-Bration products you can get with any $50 order-but only for one more day! This special is good through March 31 only!)

The Leaves & Stem is from the Sweetheart Set (#120780) (both the Sweetheart Set and the Heart Treat Cups ( (#120435)) are both available for order through July and will also be in the new Idea Book & Catalog when it comes out). I used Always Artichoke ink and Green Galore Card Stock (#105219) on (#101768).

The greeting is from Sincere Salutations set (#115068).

The floral embellishment is three deep-Melon Mambo (#115320), Barely BananaPumpkin Pie (#102701) and (#105117) Card Stock, all punched with the Scallop punch, then I cut each flower section on all three parts using the Paper Snips (#103579).I used Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430) to pop the flower up off the card..

Here is a close-up view of the flower from a different angle:

I alternately layered the three different colored scalloped flowers and slightly bent them upward before punching a hole with the 1/16" Circle punch and inserting a pink Corduroy brad (#117681) from the Occasion Mini Catalog (good through April 30) in the center.

If you would like to purchase any of the products to make this card, visit my online store then click on the SHOP NOW button under my contact information!  If you have any questions, please email me.

Isn't this the sweetest spring card? It would certainly lift someone's spirits...and you can make it in no time! What do you think of it? Do you think you would make this card for someone who isn't feeling well?

Thanks for stopping by!  Come back and visit again tomorrow!

Lions, punches and BUNNIES-OH MY!

Well, I'm gearing up for my punches class this weekend...just returned from a great weekend on Long Island with my dad, followed by some fun with Jan and other demonstrators on my S.O.S. Team in Connecticut. We had a great time-stamping, sharing, eating, laughing and just plain old fun with the girl's at Jan's Rubber Room! This was the first time I got to see her new stamp room, which is just amazing!

Jan and I both had projects planned for everyone to make. Mine was a Stand-up Bunny Card inspired by Jackie Topa that is just so cute, and Jan's was a Bunny Top Note Treat Box filled with grass and jelly beans-made with the Top Note die! If you come to Punch Art Card Class you will make them, but TODAY is the last day to sign up, which you can do by clicking on the CALENDAR on the  right sidebar. Here they are:

      

Heather decided to make her bunny into a WALRUS!:                                                   Isn't this creative?

Another Punch Art Card Class project is this adorable LION M&M                                  card made with the Heart Treat Cups:

(and you don't have to rip the card open to get the candy out!)

Aren't they all adorable? At class you will learn how to make                                      these cuties and a few more other punch cards! Remember                                           to register for Punch Art Card Class today!

Have a great stampin' day!

Sign up for PUNCH ART Card Class! & Heart Treat Cups offer is extended!

I'm so happy to let you know that Stampin' Up! is making the Heart Treat Cups AND the Sweetheart stamp set available THROUGH JULY and BOTH will be offered in the new Idea Book & Catalog! The catch is, the Heart Treat Cups will continue to be available now, ONLY while supplies last  through July, so if you need a bunch before then for a spring or early summer occasion, better order them now, before they run out! 

If you haven't purchased the Heart Treat Cups, you don't know what you are missing!  Go HERE to see what they are.

The Heart Treat Cups were so popular and it's no wonder why- they were wonderful additions to cards and projects for Valentine's Day, but their usefulness certainly does not end there!

Think of the possibilities! These heart shaped plastic cups can be filled almost anything imaginable (that is small of course) for ANY occasion! Have an anniversary coming up? What a great way to say "you'll always be in my heart" and fill it will red hots, heart shaped candies etc. It's great for gifts too...not just cards-for occasions such as weddings, engagements, birthdays for children, and more! You will also need to order the Large Heart Punch too to make your projects. Remember, until March 31, any orders you place that are $50 or more qualify you for a FREE choice of any product or stamp set in the 2010 Sale-A-Bration Catalog...a bonus you will ONLY receive until March 31, 2010!

One of the cards we will be making at our Punch Art Card Classes coming up IN A WEEK in Sussex County NJ  is made with the Heart Treat Cup-and it's just adorable...it's a LION! When you send these cards, they will MAKE A STATEMENT! and will be remembered for a long time to come!

Please join us at our Punch Art Card Classes being offered on 2/26 7-9 and 2/27 10-12 for only $18! We will be making a bunch of cards which will utilize punches to make clever cards that are VERY popular!  You will absolutely LOVE the cards you will go home with...for more details and to pay right now, just click on the Calendar on the right side bar! But HURRY! Last day to register is FEBRUARY 23!

Hope to see you there!

Stampingly yours,

What we stamped at January Jamboree!

I just LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the new products in the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog and the Sale-A-Bration brochure, don't you?

The Last weekend of January I held my first annual January Jamboree class....didn't come? Here's what we made:

  ...a Love You card, sympathy card, Friend Mini Milk Carton

and a Birthday all-in-one treat box!

I created this floral sympathy card using the Faux Silk Technique(the bumpy white textured cardstock) -one of my favorite techniques:

Notice the new Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402)? This is one of the FREE products you can get right now during our Sale-A-Bration event with an order of at least $50! There is also a matching corner punch too! (available for purchase in Occasion Mini Catalog) Don't you just love the silk ribbons? and now they come in different colors!

Here is the same card showing the scallop punch used on the top and on the side. Which do you prefer?

This card also utilized the Big Shot die cut machine, and Polka Dot background (hard to see), the new Extra Large Fancy Flower punch, Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Papers! Isn't this so bright and cheerful? I could have used hearts, but just had to try the new floral punch!

 

The new Mini Milk Carton Die used with the Big Shot Machine is SO adorable! Here it is featured with the NEW Vintage Vogue stamp set, Sending Love Specialty DS papers and a rhinestone brad and grosgrain ribbon to finish it off! So many great NEW products!

The last project was this pretty Birthday box showing both sides of the designer papers, and using different bow designs and button colors. Can't really tell from the photo, but the Specialty paper is glittered! Oh, so chic!

 

Here the box is opened-the lid is attached-VERY cool! Fill it with Hersey's kisses or whatever you like, and it's the perfect gift for a Birthday--or Valentine's Day!

So--don't you wish you came to January Jamboree?

I'd love to hear what you think of these projects...and all the wonderful new products Stampin' Up! came out with!

Be sure to check out my future classes and events on the Calendar to the right....

or, visit my website to view events and to shop for any of these products 24-7!

Come back and see me tomorrow,

Thanksgiving Stamped Hostess Gift

Thanksgiving is approaching and it's one of my favorite times of the year! It's a day when our family members are all home together to share in the holiday feast. It conjures up scents of turkey & stuffing roasting in the oven, and the house is filled with the aroma of baked pies and other goodies...I can feel the warmth of the kitchen with candles lit just thinking about it! It happens to be my son's favorite day too....all the food, relatives, followed by football game. (This year, my birthday also happens to fall on Thanksgiving-November 27th!)

It may be the last Thanksgiving we can all be together--as our son is seriously considering joining the Coast Guard, so he can follow up on his education in the Law Enforcement field, as well as obtain knowledge and experience while serving his country. He is currently in college but this will probably be his last semester, as he will most likely be going to Boot Camp next year. Thanksgiving is my son's favorite holiday-so this one will be very special for us all, as we may not be able to all be together for the next one.

This time of year also brings to mind the many blessings we have to be thankful for. As I work on projects for craft fairs this fall, I make sure I also have a few for Thanksgiving. I love the concept of a Thanksgiving Blessing Mix which makes an excellent little gift to bring to the hostess when you visit family on Thanksgiving Day! Two years ago, Stampin' Up! partnered with Country Living magazine which featured a spread in their magazine for Thanksgiving decorating. I loved the stamp set that was featured that year, and even used one of the sayings in this year's blessing mix that I put together for Thanksgiving. Last time I made the blessing mix with everything in a cello bag and topper. This time I wanted to do something a little different, so I found this cute little jar to decorate and fill:

If you follow my blog, you know I am sucker for punch art, so I knew I wanted to use punches to make my turkey. I got the idea for the turkey design from a card I saw (made by Cynthia Stember) mentioned here on Patty Bennett's blog and just expanded on it. The feathers were made with half a scallop punch on various colored cardstocks, then sponged around the edges. I used dimensionals between every layer so the turkey really pops out and attached the whole thing with Pop Up Glue Dots. (the dimension is hard to see in this photo-but the turkey really stands out nicely!)  I made the pumpkin with three small punched ovals and pumpkin pie cardstock and attached with dimensionals...

I hand drew the cornucopia on cocoa cardstock that I first stamped with Aida Cloth (a retired SU background stamp) and added a 1 3/4" chocolate chip circle behind the turkey for dimension. The bow was added with a glue dot to the top of the cornucopia.

I used the Coluzzle to make the large circle behind it all with More Mustard cardstock.

I cut a strip of Autumn Vine Designer Series paper and attached that to the jar.
This paper is so pretty and is double-sided, so it shows on the inside of the jar, too!

I printed the Thanksgiving Blessing Mix from my computer onto mustard cardstock, then used the slot punch to attach it to the back of the jar with (retired) SU ribbon.

This is the Thanksgiving Blessing Mix-I added all these ingredients to cello bags which were then sealed and placed inside the jar.

I cut a circle for the top of the jar, again using the Coluzzle, and added the saying. and sponged the edges.

I finished off with a ribbon around the top.

Here is the same designer series paper used in the above jar, but in reverse.  It was fun to change the papers and accessories for a different look.

These jars were a good seller at the Misteltoe Market Craft Event at the First Presbyterian Church of Franklin NJ that I just participated in this past weekend. (I've been busy for awhile getting ready for this fair-that's why I haven't been posting to the blog lately). I had some half-finished jars that I didn't bring with me, that I wished I had completed!  I am offering those I have left for sale to my local customers or to anyone who is willing to pick them up. Contact me at 973-827-2893 if you are interested in purchasing this lovely Thanksgiving hostess gift. The jars make a great home decor item that can be refilled every year! Offer good only while supplies last....

This year, Country living is partnering with Stampin' Up! once again-not for Thanksgiving projects, but for Christmas ones! I'll save that for my next post!

TURKEY POOP

Another project I offered at the Mistletoe Market Craft Fair this year was Turkey Poop-very similar to what I did last year, but simplified:

Do you really want to put a smile on a loved one's face? I highly recommend this humorous alternative to the more serious hostess gift above-it really makes a great gag gift! These are quick and easy to throw together and would be adorable at the place setting of your guests this Thanksgiving...

At the craft fair, two elderly ladies stopped by my table; this item caught their eye-and as they read it they suddenly burst out laughing and just kept looking at each other, laughed some more until tears were running down their faces!

Sometimes the simplest things bring the most pleasure....let me know if you would like to purchase any!

CUSTOM MESSAGE TILES

I wished I had made more of this cook serving up the turkey...but all the tiles my daughter and I have made so far, are "one of a kind".  I knew this one would be snatched up...and I was right! (there was a glare when I took the picture)

I will not be making more of this design this year, but next fall I plan to make a bunch of these.

I will be selling Message Tiles all year long in my online store...soon! My daughter Kelley helps me make these and has come up with some adorable ones! Each set includes the frame and Dry Erase Marker which is conveniently attached to the top of the tile for easy accessibility.

I have a few of these that we use around the house. When I first put one in the foyer, my nineteen year old son left me a note on it that said: "Mom-this is stupid". Well for something so stupid, need I tell you who now uses these more than any other family member to leave us messages? You guessed it! I have one in the foyer and one in the kitchen-they really come in handy...and it's easy to use-just erase with a tissue!

If you have any particular themes you are interested in, please let me know and I will try to accomodate your personal interests. I also make these up as wedding gifts. If you are in the Hardyston NJ area, come and visit me at the Wallkill Valley High School annual Booster Club Holiday Craft Fair on December 6 if you would like to purchase these as Christmas gifts, as I will have some there for sale.

Thanks for visiting!

Decor Elements-My Halloween Goodies Jar

Another fairly new product of Stampin' Up! that I am enjoying is Decor Elements. I found this taller jar at one of the craft stores and decided to use SPOOKY SPIDER (only available for purchase until October 31, 2008) on the front. These vinyl designs are available in three sizes and two colors-I chose to use the smallest size in black. I added some older SU! ribbon I have leftover and some bows to decorate the jar further. I created the baby spider tag at the top of the jar by using several circle punches-and cut the legs freehand, added them to punched cardstock and voila! Here is my goodies treat jar filled with Twizzlers all ready for the Trick or Treaters on Halloween....

Do you LIKE IT? Spooky Spider is available only thru October 31, 2008-but you can buy it now and get a big jump on your decorating for NEXT year! For all the details, just click on the following link:

Spooky Spider ordering information

or check out the:

Spooky Spider Flyer

but don't wait...Spooky Spider isn't hangin' around after October 31, 2008!

These Decor Elements are SOOOOO easy and fun to use! And they aren't just for wall decorating either, as you can see! I can't wait to try more of the designs which are now available in different COLORS since Phase II of Decor Elements has been unveiled....

Don't know what Decor Elements is all about? Maybe this link will help:

What is Decor Elements?

To see everything currently being offered in this product line, click on this link:

Decor Elements Brochure

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

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

Scallop Edged Dahlia Flower

I didn't have enough time to go into detail about the flower I posted with the Free Shipping Special on Friday, but I have a few minutes now, before I have to start preparations for our barbecue picnic today.. we had a slight change in plans-originally our picnic was planned for tomorrow on Memorial Day, but my mom who is 84 requested that we have it today. She is 50 minutes away and would rather not travel home later on Memorial Day when the roads are more crowded. What a gorgeous day it looks like it will be-such a blue sky, a calm breeze and temps are expected to be in the 70's!

By now you've probably surmised that I am totally infatuated with the Dahlia Fold Flower...I think it's so pretty and it's impressive to others who think it's got to be very difficult to make-but it isn't! Just a bit time-consuming if you decide to make 10 or more at the same time, like I did!

I had wanted to make this flower using the scallop punch but kept forgetting to-and ended up making it quite by accident. Instead of grabbing my 1 3/8" circle punch to make the 8 circles for the Dahlia Fold Flower, I absentmindedly picked up my scallop punch! I didn't realize it until after I punched out 8 circles when I started to fold the first one...then it dawned on me that I've seen the flowers made from the scallop punch and they are beautiful! So I was glad I picked up the scallop punch instead!  I wondered how the flower would look if it had a patriotic theme so I went to my Stampin' U! Designer Series papers and selected the polka dots and striped pattern in Rose Red and Brilliant Blue! I think the two patterns in two alternating colors look pretty dramatic together. What do you think?

It was a bit challenging to fold because the scallops don't match up evenly, but I eventually figured it out and they look ok when all the circles are together. I would have liked the edges to come together more closely when I assembled the flower, but I used SNAIL to adhere the pieces and couldn't take it apart and try again. ( I forgot to use my Dotto which is more forgiving than the SNAIL if you have to move things around!)

I love the look of the Pretties Kit flowers as an embellishment for the the center of the Dahlia Flower. I  squeezed a few drops of Rose Red ink refill in the center of a medium sized floral, then used the Aqua Painter to pull the color out to the tips of each petal. After this dried, I inserted the larger Rhinestone Brad in the center, then attached it to a bigger white flower for contrast. I poked a hole in the center of the Dahlia Flower with the paper piercer from the Crafter's Tool Kit and attached the embellishment.

So here is the flower again-now what shall I do with it?

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

Well, I do need a thank you card for my daughter's Confirmation Class leader for all her hard work this year with the Confirmands...Confirmation is next Sunday and I guess it comes as no surprise that I offered to make the card. This will make a lovely card for Diana!

I decided to use the same Rose Red polka Dot patterned paper as a background and cut it to 4" x 5 1/4". I'll be attaching this to a folded white card that will be 5 1/2" x 4 1/4"  (but am not attaching it to the main cardstock just yet); I cut the paper to 4" x 5 1/4". To add a contract to the Dahlia Flower and make it really stand out, I used the Coluzzle to make a circle with Whisper White cardstock, then layered the Dahlia Flower on that, and then again onto the polka dot background. I used the large Oval Punch and centered this under the Dahlia Flower. Then I attached this to the white folded cardstock.

I chose a simple "thank you" from believe it or not, the All Holidays stamp set! It's nice for this card because it fits perfectly on white cardstock punched with the small Oval Punch! I then used the large Oval Punch with brilliant blue cardstock to layer the saying onto, then attached this slightly to the right over the white oval punched area of the polka dot paper. This sets the saying off and really makes it stand out!  This is what the final card looks like:

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

I hope Diana likes it! I will use the polka dot paper to line the envelope as I have in other posts...

I really need to start getting the food ready for the party...thanks for looking! Have a great day!

Passionstamper

Chipboard Jumbo Clips!

Here is another project I did last year using the round chipboard discs from On Board Accents to make these fun jumbo clips:

I sandwiched the jumbo clip between two of the chipboard circle disks and used Crystal Effects to bond them together! There were a variety of punches used to make these clips. Punch art is so much fun! Another day I'll post a bunch of samples I made last year at one of my upline's meetings in Sparta NJ...

Do you have punch art you would like to share? If you send me your favorite, I'd be happy to feature you here on my blog with your creation! Leave me a comment or e-mail me your creation.

Have a great stampin' day!

Passionstamper

SCALLOP PUNCH POSY EMBELLISHMENT!

Do you enjoy making embellishments as much as I do?

I love learning how to make new embellishments that can be added to scrapbook pages, cards, and 3-d items...on this year's SU cruise, Pam Morgan of Stampin' Up! demonstrated a pretty flower embellishment that I used on the card below:

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

I learned about this from  Catherine Harwood, a demonstrator who featured the embellishment with a May Day Basket she made. I decided to give it a try and just LOVE it! This technique is so easy-you won't believe it! Yet the result looks like it was complicated to make, doesn't it?

This was my swap card for my downline meeting in April. I used the following Stampin' Up! products to make the card:

Stamps: Stem Sayings, Circle of Friendship, Polka Dots
Ink: Versamark, Garden Green, Rose Red
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Celery, Rose Red & Flowers for You designer paper
Accessories: Scallop Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Crafter's Tool Kit, Pretties Kit, Mini Glue Dots, Brad, White Tafetta Ribbon, SNAIL, White EP, Heat Tool, 1" & 1/2" punches, Flower Fusion

Did you notice I used Circle of Friendship again? I just realized that I use it quite a bit so it must have become a favorite sayings set of mine!

I used one of the green flowers in Flower Fusion, and just cut some of the flower petals, to make the leaves. I stamped the curvy saying onto cardstock, then trimmed it to look like the stem. The background is made with the Polka Dots set and embossed (love that look!).

Now to make the flower:

1. Using the scallop punch, punch 3 scallops from the Flowers for You Designer Series paper (I have also used this paper alot in projects lately!) and one punch from white cardstock.  I will really miss this designer paper if it retires from the Spring/Summer catalog (but I know there will a replacement I'll probably fall in love with too)
2. Each scallop will be cut differently, as instructed below:
   • Cut a slit between two petals of one scallop just to the center. This will become the bottom petal.
   • Cut out one section (or petal) of another scallop (like a pie or triangle shape) only to the center. This will become the middle petal.
   • For the last scallop, cut out three petals (or pie shapes), This will be the top petal.
3. The white scallop does not get cut-as the flower "sits" on this piece on the card.
4. Fold up each scallop so the two sections next to the cuts overlap-you can use SNAIL, mini glue dots or Tombow adhesive to assemble each piece.
5. Next, Catherine thought of a clever way to attach whatever you decide to use in the center. For my card, I used the Tafetta ribbon, and a flower and 1/2 pearl for the center. The "trick" is to use a brad and paper piercer from the Crafters Tool Kit. Here is how Catherine explains it: "First, slightly flatten the bottom center of each petal -- just put your thumb or finger inside the pointed part of the assembled scallop "petal" and push down a little to flatten. Use paper piercer from Crafter’s Tool Kit to pierce a hole in center of each layer. Push a small brad through the center of a 4” piece of Taffeta Ribbon -- THEN --thread the brad legs below the untied ribbon through the petals, starting with top one, then center one, then bottom one. Spread the brad legs to secure the flower and shape as desired." Isn't that clever? Love it, Catherine! I topped mine with the 1/2 pearl and a mini glue dot!

I attached my flower to the white scallop at the top of the stem and voila! There you have it! Thanks Catherine, for the inspiration and sharing the steps to this adorable embellishment that Pam created!

So-what do you think?  I will be teaching this as part of a class in June, so if you are in Northwest NJ, you just may want to sign up to learn this and many other exciting techniques! I'll be updating my class schedule soon, so check back again!

Mother's Day Card-Dahlia Fold!

I really love the Dahlia Fold so much that I decided to make my mother's day card for my mom using this flower...I have leftover Petal and Paisley Designer Series Paper and wanted to do something with it. (This paper is now retired from Stampin' Up!'s line).

I made a square card that would fit into a 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" envelope. When opened, the card looks like a book, with 3 eyelets holding it together. I forgot to take a photo of this...and the card is off in the mail to my mom...sorry! I'll describe what I did-hopefully this makes sense! Basically I cut a piece of Whisper White and Soft Sky Cardstocks (the back side of the card is made with Soft Sky) 5 7/8" x 5 3/8", and scored at 1/2" from the longer side of both pieces. This makes two little flaps that go on the inside of the card. The eyelets on the inside flaps hold the card together.

Here is a photo of the card and matching envelope:

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

and one of just the card:

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

This paper is double sided, so I created a matching envelope using the pink floral design you see here on the card. I think it gives a card such a polished look and makes it more elegant to line the inside of the envelope with these papers! Here is the envelope:

I lined the inside of the card with this pink floral paper too, and stamped the saying from Morning Soft which says:

'It is not how much you do, but how much love you put into the doing that matters.'

-Mother Teresa

I know my mom will appreciate this card-and she won't believe I made that flower myself! I posted this once before, but in case you missed it, I did another post about the Dahlia fold and also provide a website with great photo instructions of how to do the Dahlia fold. Here is the post with that information:

http://www.debbiestamps.com/passion_for_stamps/2008/03/dahlia-fold-get.html

These are the supplies I used to make the card:

Stamps: All Holidays (page 146), Morning Soft (page 99) for inside saying

Ink: Blue Bayou IN color (page163)

Paper: Petals & Paisley D.S. Paper (retired), Whisper White, Blue Bayou, Sky Blue (IN color)

Accessories: Large Aqua Rhinestone Brad (Ice circle), Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Corner Rounder, Bone folder, Pretty in Pink eyelets (3) on inside, slot punch

I'd love to hear what you think about this Dahlia Fold and what you've made with it...please leave me a comment with a link to your creations! I may pick YOUR creation and feature it on my blog! Come back soon and I'll have my Father's Day card up...

If you are a mom, I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day with your families!

Passionstamper

Have you tried the DAHLIA FOLD yet?

Are you wondering where I have been? I got caught up in various things and some personal matters which I needed to devote some time to-it's hard to believe I didn't post to my blog in two &  a half months! I've actually missed it...I'm going to make an effort to get back to it regularly once again, as I do enjoy it and it keeps me regularly stamping and scrapbooking, as well!

I joined a Lenten Prayer group at my church and as part of our program, we needed to send a Thank You card and a Get Well card to people from our congregation who are in need. We had two Lenten prayer groups that met at different times. Since I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and make cards for a living, it seemed very appropriate that I would offer to make these cards, rather than the groups purchasing them...so I offered to make the cards for both groups.

I chose to use a full sheet of cardstock, scored and folded in half for each card, so there would be plenty of room for everyone's signatures and comments on the inside.

This card went to someone in our church who just had surgery. Here is the Get Well Card I made along with a matching envelope:

 This first card uses an origami fold that has become my favorite-the Dahlia Fold! I found a site with great photo directions HERE to make the fold. I decided to use Stampin' Up!'s two-sided designer series paper for a lovely contrast and chose Flowers for You D.S. paper. To make the Dahlia  design, you basically need 8 punched circles for each flower so I used Stampin' Up!'s 1 3/8" Circle Punch. Depending on which side you use, you can get two different looks with these papers. I chose to have my center flower be mainly the floral design, and the middle section is more solid.I found that if I attached all the small flower pieces to one punched circle, it was easier to make my flower and keep it from shifting as I assembled it.The section that lays against the background is floral as well, so I needed a contrasting color to layer the flower onto. I used the polka dot paper from Lovely Lilac Prints  Designer Series Paper, then attached the White Taffeta Ribbon, made a bow and layered it all onto Whisper White cardstock. Both pieces were corner rounded.

The center of the flower is made with those VERY COOL new Build-A-Brad kits from Stampin' Up! These are so easy and fun to use! Basically, you punch out a circle (use the 1/2" circle punch) stamp an image and color-then use a mini glue dot to attach to brad base. Next you pop off the "bubble" from the sheet and attach on top of your stamped image-then press. Voila! Instant center brad for your Dahlia flower!

I used one of the Boho Background stamps for the background image on Certainly Celery cardstock.

The saying is from Elegant Inspirations and is stamped with Eggplant Ink on white cardstock. I then stamped the Boho background on top in celery ink. I layered the saying onto eggplant cardstock with Dimensionals to give it a slightly elevated appearance, then layered this onto Lavendar Lace cardstock.

Inside, I stamped the little flower I used in the center of the brad, randomly after tapping off once, all over with eggplant ink. The inside saying "If Wishes could make you well...you'd be better already" (from Curvy Verses) is stamped with eggplant ink on Whisper White cardstock.

I love the end result-this card will put a smile on someone's face who is sick..each and every time! It's colorful, cheerful and I love the 3-D look of that Dahlia flower!!! It sure would perk up my day....but this could easily make a great Birthday, Thinking of You, Friendship, Congrats etc. card as well! Simply change the Bible verse and the inside greeting to suit your need...

Here is another project I recently made for a WOW swap when I attended my upline's Winter Event in northern NJ. This is a Pocket Card, great for adding many little items! Under the ribbon tucked underneath the Dahlia flower, is a hidden post-it note pad in pink! I added a Hershey's Mint Milk Chocolate Stick and this fashionable feather-topped pencil in the pouch...and voila! A cute project, also made with the same Flowers For You Designer Series papers! (just LOVE these....)

Here is a close-up of the finished flower...

So-what do you think of this fold-isn't it awesome? Please leave me your comments...Give the Dahlia fold a try and see if you don't get addicted to this lovely Origami fold! I'd love to see your creations, so please link me to them!

If you would like more information or to purchase any of the  supplies used in these projects, please email me!

I will be back later with the second card I made for the Lenten Prayer groups-a Thinking of You card with a nautical touch....so come back again soon!

Debbie a/k/a passionstamper

2007 Mistletoe Market Craft & Home Consultant Show

I took a break from posting while I prepared for this first annual craft fair at the First Presbyterian Church of Franklin, NJ 07416 this past Saturday....

I haven't done a craft fair in awhile,so this year I decided to give it a try! The day started out with SNOW! The first snowflakes of the season came down on Friday night into Saturday morning-how appropriate for the holiday show!

There were about 40 vendors there with quite a variety of crafts,gifts and  products...Of course I was there with my Stampin' Up! table-here is a photo of half of my table (I must have been interrupted and never took a picture of the rest of the table!)

Here are some of the items that were great sellers:

Christmas Fudge-These were made with beautiful new Stampin' Up! Designer Wrapping papers found in our Holiday Mini Collection-so easy to make! The tags were made using both the Mini Tag & the Tag Punches and some of the `1/4" ribbons and also the new Purely Pomegranate Double-Stitched Ribbon which I just love! The poem is perfect for those last-minute procrastinators...these were very popular and I almost sold out of them! We will be making these at my December Stocking Stuffers & Last-Minute Gifts class-they make great stocking stuffers, too...if you are in the Hardyston NJ area, you may want to check this class out-but hurry..sign-ups for this weekend's classes end this Wednesday. There are later classes in the month in case you can't make it to this one.

Apple Spice Nugget Box-Closed

Nugget Box-opened

This was another hit-these were intended as nice little hostess gifts to give at Thanksgiving...I will definitely need to make some holiday themed nugget boxes for my upcoming craft fair at the Wallkill Valley High School Holiday Craft & Gift Show on December 1 in Hardyston NJ! This is also another featured item at my December Stocking Stuffers & Last-Minute Gifts Class!

Clear Magnets in a Tin-closed

Tins-opened; inside are four clear fridge magnets-a cute way to hold papers and artwork on your fridge! These were actually designed by my 14-year old daughter who decided to help out! These papers are retired from last year...but I like them so much-I was glad to have some leftover to use for this project. We will be making these at our November Holiday Gifts & Home Decor Classes using Stampin Up! current Designer Series papers

Tomorrow, I'll show you some other items I made for the Mistletoe Market Craft Fair.

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of these projects..I love feedback-it lets me know there are actually folks out there READING this blog!

I will tell you more about the Mistletoe Market later and will provide you with a link to the First Presbyterian Church and next year's craft fair dates etc. so if you are a crafter or a Home Consultant in the Northern New Jersey area, you can sign-up to participate in our event too!

My October Hostess Gift! Acetate Treat Box...

Isn't this a neat idea? I originally learned about this adorable box from Susie McCormick who used it for Halloween Treats...I thought it was such a cute idea I decided to tweek it by adding the name of my hostess, and filled it with candy corn and seasonal Hershey's kisses-my October hostesses received this as one of their gifts for hosting an in-home party! (Hostesses can also opt to have their Stampin' Up! parties at my home Stamp Studio). I used a retired Stampin' Up! Designer Series paper from last season called Halloween Night for this particular acetate treat box because it had a really cute candy corn design, but you can easily subsitute any of the papers in the current Creepy Crawly DS Paper package or Pumpkin Pie Prints DS paper too and it would be just as adorable!

I also used the cute stamps from the Batty for You stamp set and Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain ribbon, several circle and square punches and Short Order Alphabet letters..I basically used Sticky Strip as the main adhesive so it would hold together well.

Click HERE to learn how to make one of these. You can also come and make a thanksgiving themed box at my Harvest Time Thanksgiving Class in November! To learn more about this and other classes, visit my Events Calendar which is updated periodically.  To order any of the above products, simply email me

CARTE POSTALE & FRENCH FLAIR doing double duty!

It has been a few days since I posted here-because I've been busy...after being a lurker for years, I just uploaded my first cards to the SCS Gallery and created my own Gallery...not being familiar with how to do this, I ended up with the same card in my Member Gallery twice! Then I discovered info in the Forum that says to only upload to the main Gallery, and copies will automatically be sent to the Member Gallery! Oh well, I guess I'm "Like No Utter"...check out My SCS gallery and you'll find out what I'm referring to...

I recently participated in two Winter Mini Catalog Swaps and quite by accident, discovered how to make two sets of swaps simultaneously if you are using the tearing technique! I tore the cardstock on the vertical diagonal for my first card and didn't want to waste the other piece, so I created a similar card IN REVERSE using the other torn piece-ending up with a Valentine and a Birthday card! The same products are used in both cards with the exception of a saying set-I used All Year Cheer III for the Valentine card and Elegant Greetings for the Birthday card...so now I have 2 cards for 2 friends-for two separate occasions!

All images Copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2007

Here is how to make both cards:

SUPPLIES:

Stamp Sets:Carte Postale, French Flair & saying (as stated above)

Cardstock: Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose

Ink Pads: Rose Red, Versamark

Accessories: Silver Brad, Silver Cord, Light Pink EP, Heat Tool, Stamping Sponge, Large Oval Punch, 1 1/16" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, SNAIL Adhesive, Dimensionals

INSTRUCTIONS:

First I stamped the French Flair background with Versamark ink on the Rose Red and embossed with Pink EP. I then tore that on the diagonal, sponged the edges and attached to the Regal Rose foldover cardstock. I stamped the main cardstock with the floral stamp, then embossed the birthday/valentine saying.

Next, I stamped the square design with Regal ink on Rose cardstock and used square punch. Do the same with the circle design but EMBOSS with lt pink ep. Use the 1/16" punch in the center and insert the brad. Punch the top of the square punch out and insert the silver cord BEFORE attaching the circle to the square with dimensionals.

I made the B-day card first, so I punched straight up from the bottom corner for my oval opening and the used the punched out oval on the Valentine card. On the birthday card,the cord is wrapped around the rose cardstock and adhered to the back, then I made tied a separate piece around it for the bow, before attaching to the main card, and stamping the Mon Amie saying.

For the Valentine card, I stamped Mon Amie on the oval cardstock, then made a hole using the 1/16" punch before pulling the cord thru and attaching. The oval is raised and attached with Dimensionals.

It sounds much more complicated than it is! This is a terrific way to use those extra torn pieces of cardstock and saves you time if you create both cards at the same time! Happy Stampin'!

Bunches of Punches!

I'm having a class next week called Bunches of Punches-this is one of the ATC's I did for a swap..I'll post the 28 other ATC samples in the Photo Album when I receive it back. Meanwhile, can you name and guess how many punches I used to make this? Respond by posting a comment...

I really like the cardstock color combinations of Bashful Blue, Tempting Turquoise and Cool Caribbean...

A very dear friend of mine who LOVES turquoise, has has been going thru a  tough time for quite awhile and of late has some serious medical issues and hard decisions to make. I wanted to cheer her up, and remind her that God is in control-and everything will be ok if she remembers her faith so I used this ATC as a base and made it into a card. (That's what's so great about ATC's-you can build them into cards or put them into scrapbook pages later!). Here is how the card turned out...

I thought the French Flair background stamp from the Winter Mini Catalog and Organdy Ribbon would add elegance to the otherwise whimsical ATC and switched to the Small Oval Punch for the saying and changed from Bold Brights Brads instead of silver. A simple adaptation converted this cutesy ATC into a lovely card!

Inside I used a saying from Elegant Inspirations which says: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" Romans 12:12.

My friend LOVED it! More importantly, it lifted her spirits and she said she will refer to it over and over again whenever she feels the stress taking over...that's just what I wanted to hear!

NEW PHOTO ALBUMS ADDED!

I finally had a chance to update my photo albums with new card samples! Check out Winter MIni and Hostess Set albums.... I've been playing alot with Stampin' Up!'s designer papers...here is another card I made for a Hostess Set swap with my SOS Team demos using a Level 3 Hostess set, Basket Full of Fun:

Stamps: Basket Full of Fun, Wonderful Words

Cardstock: In Color-Buckaroo Blue, Barely Banana, Watercolor Paper, Sarah Designer Paper

Ink Pads: Basic Brown, Buckaroo Blue

Accessories: 1/16" Circle Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Corner Rounder Punch; Snail Adhesive, Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware, Green Gingham Ribbon, Cream Grosgrain Ribbon, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Aqua Painter, Sticky Strip

I used the Large Corner Rounder to create the Scallped edge on the right-how fun! The "pocket" was created simply by running only 1/2 width of the Stricky Strip down one side of the cardstock, cutting off the other half and using it on the other piece of cardstock. I also applied it to the bottom-voila! A pocket! I watercolored the basket and flowers using one of my favorite watercoloring techniques-the Aqua Painter and Watercolor Wonder Crayons! These are truly wonderful to color with...Both background papers are Sarah Designer paper.

The tag is stamped with a saying from the stamp set-just attach the hardware, some Gingham ribbon in a slip knot, and it's done.

Check out other Hostess set samples made by some of our demonstrator team in the photo album! All stamps and supplies Copyright SU 1988-2007

GIFT FROM SHELLI & Chipboard Coaster Box

Stampin' Up! demonstrators received a lovely and unexpected SURPRISE for Christmas from the Co-founder and CEO of Stampin' Up!-Shelli Gardner!  She sent us all one of the stamp sets from the upcoming Spring Mini Catalog-Polka Dots & Paisley! I have been waiting for an opportunity to play with this very cute set, so here is my first project: A Chipboard Coaster Box:

                         

This is a sample of a upcoming class project! It was also a project I did with my S.O.S. Team group at a demo camp. The box features Sarah Designer Series Paper & Spring Bouquet Flower Punch from Stampin' Up!  This makes a great note paper holder, pen holder and even works great when filled with tissue paper or a gift in a cello bag! 

I think this set will be very popular-I know it already is with me! I'll be working on more projects with this set and can't wait to place my order for the Spring Mini Sets-they are AWESOME, and you are going to LOVE them! Did I mention that you can order from the Spring Mini Catalog starting March 1 thru JUNE? That's right! In my next post I'll update you on some other changes Stampin' Up! is implementing!   If you would like to receive a hard copy of the Spring Mini Catalog, contact me and I'd be happy to send one along to you. Otherwise, you will be able to view it online which can be accessed from the link found under my Stampin' Up! Links... starting March 1!                                                                                             

I'M AN AUNT AGAIN!

My brother Raymond and his wife Ann (pictured here) just had their first child (a girl) in October, and the baptism was this past Saturday. My family and I drove in to NYC in rain, but the weather cleared beautifully by the time we arrived at my brother's condo. It turned into a beautiful, warm day-in the upper 60's!!!! These temps are unheard of in the northeast for early January! Patricia Ann is a beautiful baby....and she was so good-even at the restaurant!

Here she is..There are more photos taken at at St. Monica's Church and Quatorze Restaurant...in the Photo Gallery to the right.

                               

Welcome Patricia Ann!

I stamped matching images on the card and the wrapping paper for the gift. Here is the card I made using Buggies & Booties stamp set and Flannel Plaid background stamp:

                              

                          I used the Word Window Punch and Amazing to Zany for the words, which are attached to the main card with gold cord.  The baby carriage is watercolored with Watercolor Wonder Crayons and Aqua Painter on Watercolor paper. The sentiment is continued inside the card. I used black StazOn ink so I could watercolor without the ink smudging. (All products Stampin' Up!) I stamped the gift wrap randomly with images from the Buggies & Booties set and colored them in. The result is nostalgic... Very simple and quick to do. 

I plan to put together a scrapbook for Raymond and Ann using the photos I took. I'll post it when I finish it. Maybe this will inspire me to get going on the scrapbooks for my own children!  I really want to get a scrapbook done for my son Mike, by June as a surprise for his high school graduation. I'll post that as well when it is completed.