Inky Fingered Fun

One Sketch, Two Cards

I love sketches and find them inspiring, especially when your mojo has left the building.  I fell in love with the SUDSOL Design Challenge #40 sketch as soon as I saw it and created two fun cards from it.

For my first card, I used Mardi Gras as the inspiration for my color scheme - purple, gold and green.  Every year when Mardi Gras comes around, it reminds me of my trip to New Orleans many years ago.  I fell in love with the sites, sounds and smells of that city and I am determined to get back there some day.

The main image panel I created by inking my stamps, misting with water, then stamping them on watercolor paper that I had misted with water.  Once that was dry, I stamped the outline images in Black Staz-On ink to define the flowers.  With a little more stamping and embossing, I quickly had a striking card a la Mardi Gras!

Stamps:  Flower Fancy, Many Happy Returns

Paper:  Lovely Lilac, Glorious Green, Whisper White, Brushed Gold, Watercolor Paper

Ink:  Lovely Lilac, Glorious Gold, Versamark, Black Staz-On

Accessories:  Clear Embossing Powder, Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Gold Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals

I always love to see what a different look you can come up with by using the same basic sketch along with different stamps.   

I've started creating my own designer background paper, like I did when I first started stamping.  With all the wonderful designer series papers that are on the market now, I'd gotten away from taking the time to create my own, but I love the way you can create a paper that exactly matches the look and feel of whatever project you are working on.  Try it the next time you are stamping.  You won't be sorry you did.

Stamps:  Pinch Proof, So Swirly Jumbo Wheel

Paper:  Certainly Celery, Handsome Hunter, Brushed Gold

Ink:  Handsome Hunter, Certainly Celery Craft, Encore Gold

Accessories:  Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Gold Embossing Powder (non SU), Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, Key Tag Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stamping!

Leprechauns and Kisses

I hope you remembered to wear your green today so you were pinch proof!  This cute little guy definitely did.   

Stamp:  Pinch Proof, Paisley (retired)

Paper:  Certainly Celery, Garden Green, Whisper White

Ink:  Certainly Celery, Garden Green

Accessories:  Certainly Celery 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Gold Spica Pen, Rhinestones (non SU)

And let's not forget that on St Patty's Day it doesn't matter whether you're truly Irish or not - because today we can ALL qualify for special Irish treatment...

     

I didn't have the sentiment I wanted for the front of this card so I created it on my computer and printed it on Designer Series Paper.  I love how easy it is to solve paper-crafting problems with a little technology!  I also created my glittery brads by dipping the Jumbo Brad in Versamark ink, covering it with Heat & Stick powder and heating just until the powder melted, then dipping the brad in the Celery glitter.  Voila, beautiful glittering brads!

Stamps:  Pinch Proof

Paper:  Certainly Celery, Garden Green, Celery Designer Series Paper (retired pattern)

Ink:  Certainly Celery, Garden Green Classic and Craft, Versamark

Accessories:  non SU chipboard letters, Celery Fine Cosmo Glitter, Heat & Stick Powder, Clear Embossing Powder, Corner Rounder Punch, Jumbo Brads

May your pockets be heavy and your heart be light,
May good luck pursue you each morning and night, 

Happy St Patrick's Day!

 

 

Life's Too Short

On my first time through the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog (which was, of course, accompanied by "oohing", "aahing" and mandatory drooling) this set (Hit the Road) immediately made me smile.  I knew it was one of those sets that I NEEDED to have.  (All of you stamping addicts know that feeling and there is only one way to satisfy it - immediately place the item on a Stampin' Up! order!  So what else could I do?!?  After all, if you've ever experienced this stamping phenomenom, you know you MUST give in.)

For the second round of Jami's swap, the requirement was to choose your favorite spring/summer color combo which could NOT include any In Colors.  I chose to use Pumpkin Pie and Pacific Point (as I was typing this, I just realized I used an In Color - OOPS - sorry ladies!! - I promise to read better next time).  The images were all stamped with Black Staz-On ink and colored with Watercolor Wonder Crayons and a Blender Pen. 

On the inside of the card, I embossed a piece of Creamy Caramel card stock with the Distressed Texturz Plate and sponged it with some Close to Cocoa ink. 

Since the sentiment I chose for the inside of the card was too long to fit inside the freehand "exhaust" I'd cut, I used the  Stamp-A-Ma-Jig and Black Stampin' Write Marker to put the individual words right where I wanted them. 

Leave me a comment to let me know what stamp set in the Spring-Summer 2009 catalog makes YOU smile and you'll be entered into a drawing to receive one of these fun cards!

Happy Stamping!

Wonderful Watercolors en Francais

I love taking part in swaps, especially when hosted by my friend Jami Sibley.  Her swaps always produce high quality cards and her New Catty swap has been no exception!  All the cards I received are GORGEOUS!!!!

For the first round that I took part in, my assignment was to use the Sweet Bella color scheme and Wonderful Watercolors (which happens to be one of my very favorite stamps sets from the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog).  I wanted the card to be soft and feminine so I chose Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss with a tiny touch of So Saffron (for the flower centers).  For the flower outlines, I used Basic Brown ink which had been stamped off for a soft look for the outlining.  I created my own "designer" background paper to match my card, created a Whisper White border strip that was punch with the FABULOUS new Eyelet Border punch, and finished the card off with a Kiwi Kiss button and the glitz of Dazzling Diamonds. 

By popular demand, this card will be featured in my March Technique Class on Saturday, March 21 at my house in Lakewood, California.  There are only a few spaces left, so contact me today to reserve your spot for only $15.

Stay tuned tomorrow for my second card in Jami's swap.

Happy Stamping!

What's Up With That?

If you've been looking through your Spring-Summer 1009 Idea Book & Catalog, you may have noticed something missing - the Stampin' Supplies list.  But don't worry, it's not totally gone!  You can view it here (includes pictures of projects) or here (text only).

Stampin' Up! has several reasons for this change.

• With a separate, printed copy of the Stampin' Supplies, you won't have to constantly flip back and forth between catalog pages.  You'll have your list of Stampin' Supplies right next to you as you look at projects in the catalog.
• In addition to listing the catalog page each project is found on, the online Stampin' Supplies list includes small pictures of each project right next to their supply lists - allowing you to find the list you want more quickly.  (There wasn't space for this improvement in the catalog.)
• Perhaps the best benefit is that by removing the Stampin' Supplies from the catalog, Stampin' Up! was able to include more pages of wonderful, new products and projects!

I really like this change, especially because it allowed for more stamping goodies and project ideas to be placed in the catalog.  For reference, I've printed out a copy of the Stampin' Supplies list and laminated it to protect it from those late night idea sessions. 

Let me know what YOU think about this change.

Happy Stamping!

Want a Free Stamp Set?

Let me tell you how you can get your choice of stamp sets (valued up to $47.95) from the Stampin' Up! Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog absolutely FREE!  You read it right - FREE! 

During Sale-A-Bration, Stampin' Up! is offering a fantastic deal for signing up to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator - 15% off their already great price of $199 for your customizable Starter Kit - over $335 worth of products!  That means for only $169 you can begin a fun and flexible career with Stampin' Up! or simply get some great products at a terrific discount!  Plus you will get your choice of any retail stamp set (valued up to $47.95) ABSOLUTELY FREE!  The starter kit just keeps getting better!  But don't delay, this offer is only valid until March 31st, 2009.  Contact me today for more information on jumpstarting your creativity!

Crazy for Cupcakes Class

 

Make your next birthday celebration an event to remember when you gift your friend or loved one with this mouth-watering cupcake - themed card set!  Two sessions available at my house in Lakewood, California.  Space is limited and payment is due no later than Monday, February 23rd (no refunds - if you are unable to attend, you will receive instructions and all materials you would have received in the class).

When:      Wednesday, March 4th 6:00 pm - 9:30 pm

                    Saturday, March 7th 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Cost:         $25.00 - Class only

                    $38.00 - Class + Crazy for Cupcakes Stamp Set

Can't attend in person, choose the Class to Go Kit.  You'll receive the Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set, all card stock and ribbon and detailed step-by-step instructions (with photos).

Please email me (leann@socalstampers.com) or select one of the Buy Now buttons below to sign up for this class:   .  Be sure to indicate which date you prefer and whether you want just the class, the class + stamp set, or the Class to Go.

Class Only:

Date

Wednesday, March 4th $25.00Saturday, March 7th $25.00

Class + Crazy for Cupcakes Stamp Set:

Date

Wednesday, March 4th $38.00Saturday, March 7th $38.00

Class to Go Kit (inc. all cardstock, ribbon, Crazy for Cupcakes Stamp Set and s&h):

It's Sale-A-Bration Time!!!!

Be sure not to miss one of my favorite times of year with Stampin' Up! - Sale-A-Bration!!  For every $50 spent you'll get to choose one of the exclusive items available only in the Sale-A-Bration brochure.  And remember, there's NO limit - for every $50 you spend, you can choose a free Sale-A-Bration product!

If you've been thinking about hostessing a workshop, this is the perfect time!  When you hostess workshop of at least $300, you'll receive a free Sale-A-Bration product in addition to Stampin' Up!'s generous hostess benefits!  You'll receive a second product when your net workshop sales reach $600 and you will get a third product for workshop sales of $900 or more!  Contact me (leann@socalstampers.com) today to schedule your workshop before March 31, 2009.

Plus, if you've thought about becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and you sign up during Sale-A-Bration, you get to select any set (value up to $47.95) from the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog free!  Contact me (leann@socalstampers.com) for more information on joining my team and you'll soon be on your way to sharing your love for creativity with other!

Happy Stamping!

Uh Oh!

This little bunny might be in for trouble if he doesn't keep those eggs balanced!  Isn't that little bunny too adorable?  He's from the new Springtime set from Hanna Stamps. 

With a little masking, Prismas and gamsol this furry guy has a tall tower of brightly colored eggs to deliver.

Stamps:  Springtime (Hanna Stamps), sentiment from Inky Antics

Paper:  Old Olive, Cameo Coral, Shimmery White, Lovebird (Fancy Pants)

Ink:  Brilliance Graphite Black, Old Olive

Accessories:  Prismas, Gamsol, Corner Rounder punch, Shimmer Brads (Making Memories)

Happy Stamping!

Be Original

I adore this cute little lizard image from the new Hanna Stamps set Route 66.  I colored the images with my handy-dandy Prisma pencils and gamsol with colors that matched the Lily Kate (Basic Grey) patterned paper.  The blue lizard is colored with a Sakura Stardust Gelly Roll pen to add some sparkle.  The sentiment was created on my computer and all the doodling was done with a Black Gelly Roll pen.  Easy peasy!

Stamps: Route 66 (Hanna Stamps)

Paper:  Old Olive textured, Shimmery White, Lily Kate (Basic Grey)

Ink:  Brilliance Graphite Black

Accessories:  Old Olive brads, Sakura Gelly Roll Pens (Clear & Black), Prismas, Gamsol

Happy Stamping!