Stampin' Stimulus

Whenever I see great projects and don't have the supplies or they are a little out of my budget, I like to challenge myself to see if I can re-create that stamptastic look on a shoestring budget. It's my own personal stampin' stimulus package! For example, I was cruisin' blogs over the weekend and found this super cute card by Jessica Rone:

http://canyousayaddictedtostamps.blogspot.com/2009/02/dear-friend.html

Isn't it fantastic?? Such striking colors and nice proportions, with sleek, clean lines. Love it! I decided it was definitely one I wanted to case, BUT tragedies of all tragedies, I just didn't have the Valet Ribbon originals and the Kiwi Kiss Corduroy Buttons and brads in this month's budget. No fear!! A stampin' challenge awaits! So, I got to work trying to figure out how to re-create this gorgeous card on an economically stymied budget. Here's what I came up with:

You can substitute 1/2" or 3/4" punched circles of cardstock (free if you have it on hand!) for brads or buttons ($9.95) and pop them up on dimensionals to give them that 3-D look. Instead of using the valet ribbon originals ($12.95 for 3 yds of 3 designs each), I used the 1/4" grosgrain ribbon ($4.95 for 15 yds). That's a total savings of $17.95!! Helpful Hint: Kiwi Kiss and Old Olive have the same color tones, and can be interchanged easily. This card is also quick and easy, so it definitely qualifies for Sanity Saver (cards in 15 minutes or less) status! So, seen any cute cards to case lately?? Just because you don't have the cash doesn't mean you can't case that stinkin' cute card anyway! I'd love to see what you come up with! Happy Stampin'! ~Heather

CLICK HERE to order online!

Stamps: Central Park (113732)

Ink: Kiwi Kiss (111835), Basic Black Craft (102192) Paper: Walk in the Park DSP (115123-Occasions Mini Catalog), Basic Black (102851), Kiwi Kiss (111353), Whisper White (100730) Embellishments: Dimensionals (104430), 1/4" Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon (109027)

Classy and Fabulous!

It's Monday! That means it's Mojo Monday time! And with my new "Classy and Fabulous" stamp set, I am feeling fabulous, too. I modified today's sketch just a bit by rotating the image (I didn't want her to fall out of her chair!):

I used my markers to add lots of color and detail to my images, and kept my backgrounds simple with plain cardstock and minimal embellishments. I couldn't help myself and had to get something with the Big Shot in there (it's just too much fun to play with!) and used the Top Note Bigz die for my cute chocolate chip background frame. Stamps: Classy and Fabulous (113226) Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908) Paper: Whisper White (100730), Regal Rose (105130), Tempting Turquoise (102067), Rose Red (102544) Tools: Markers (105541), Paper Piercing Tool and Foam Mat (available in the crafter's tool kit-104310), Big Shot (113439), Top Note Bigz Die (113463), Note: the Big Shot and Top Note Die are also available in the Big Shot Starter Kit (116314),Scallop Edge Punch (112091), 1" Circle Punch (109046), 1-1/4" Circle Punch (104403) Embellishments: 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon (109051), Silver Brads (104336) To order online CLICK HERE.

Great Friend and great fun!

With all of the fantastic promotions for the occasions mini, I have been going to town with all my new Occasions Mini toys! :) Plus, I am a super huge fan of beautiful butterflies, so Great Friend is now one of my favorite stamp sets. My stampin' heart is all a-flutter! To give my greetings extra depth, I used both Baja Breeze and Basic Gray ink. To combine the two colors on the same stamped image, I first stamped the greetings in Baja Breeze ink, and then whipped out my handy-dandy basic gray marker and colored directly on my rubber stamp in the sections I wanted to add some extra "umph!" to. I stamped a the leaf image in the background using basic gray ink on the basic gray cardstock. This tone-on-tone stamping adds a little extra texture, without being overbearing. Almost everything I used on this card is available in the Occasions Mini catalog, and Stampin' Up! is offering a fantastic promotion for items in the Mini: SALE: Choose any item in the "Under $10" section (p. 208) of the Idea Book & Catalog with a $40 purchase from the Occasions Mini. You can also earn a FREE "Under $10" item when you hostess a workshop totaling $150 (or purchase $150 of products yourself!) in addition to regular hostess benefits. CLICK HERE to find out more about the occasions mini and this promotion. Other Promotions: Don't forget you can earn a FREE idea book and catalog with any online order through April 30th! CLICK HERE to order online 24/7. Stamps: Oval All, Great Friend Ink: Baja Breeze, Basic Gray Paper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Walk in the Park DSP Tools: Eyelet Border punch, Scallop Oval punch, Basic Gray marker Embellishments: Baja Breeze striped grosgrain ribbon, baja breeze corduroy button

Some Mojo this Wednesday

Anyone else ready for a little spring?? I sure am! I am getting my Monday Mojo on a little late (it is Wednesday, after all!!) And, Spring is terribly late getting here this year, so hopefully this card will inspire Mother Nature to send a little sunshine our way! I started out with some sunshine in mind and the sketch from Mojo Monday: This sketch was a little tricky getting all the dimensions and angles just right, but it was definitely a fun one! My color inspiration came from Stampin's Up!'s new Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper, it is featured in the current Occasions Mini (115123), and oh! I love, love love it! Right now, when you order $40 from the Occasions mini, you can pick out an under $10 item (p 208 in the idea book and catalog) for FREE! Click here to find out more about this SALE!Another feature from the occasions mini: the darling Baja Breeze corduroy brads. They add some serious texture and pizzazz to any card! Helpful hint: use your paper piercing tool not only to pierce the paper where you want to place your brads, but also to help get those prongs open. Your fingernails will thank you! :)

Speaking of texture, I used my Big Shot to add depth to my regular Kiwi Kiss cardstock and also to cut out my greeting "Hello Spring". I used Texturz Plates kit #4 (114531) Helpful Hint: You'll also need the rubber silicon pad and the Texturz Impression Pad. I used the Billboard Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die (114510) for my letters. Helpful Hint: You'll also need the extended spacer platform, and extended cutting pads. To adhere the letters, I used my two-way glue pen, which lets you "write" glue right where you want it! With such thin letters, the two-way glue pen made this project a snap.

The "twig"-ish image in the Always stamp set reminded me of buds on trees, so I thought it was the perfect image for spring. To get two colors on my stamped image, I first stamped the image in Baja Breeze ink, and then used the Basic Gray marker to color the stems. You'll also notice some of my stamped images are lighter and darker. Instead of re-inking the image each time, I wanted the middle image to 'stand out' and the side images to fade away into the background. To do that, I just didn't re-ink my stamp between "stampings". FYI: this technique is called "stamping off".

For the perfect touch and professional finish, I added some Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain (111375) and a clear rhinestone brad (113144) in the center of my flower. FYI: Rhinestone brads are also available in the Pretties Kit! (109114).

What I used to make this card:

Stamps: Always (113620)

Paper: Baja Breeze cardstock (111352), Basic Gray cardstock (108692), Whisper White Cardstock (100730), Walk in the Park DSP (115123)

Ink: Baja Breeze(111833), Cameo Coral (103035)

Tools: Big Shot Die-Cut machine (113439), Texturz Plates (114531), Paper piercing tool and mat-in the crafter's tool kit (104310), ribbon scissors (108360)

Embellishments: Clear rhinestone brads (113144), Baja Breeze Corduroy Buttons (114344), Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (111375)

Other project must-haves!: SNAIL (104332), Two-way glue pen (100425), Basic Gray marker-in the Neutrals marker pack (109126), Silicone rubber pad (114615), Texturz Impressions Pad (114614)

CLICK HERE TO ORDER ONLINE 24/7!.

Occasions Mini Catalog Available TODAY!!

I almost forgot to tell you about the new Occasions Mini Catalog. WHAT was I thinking?? *smiles* I have been playing around with my new toys for a couple of weeks now (demonstrators get to pre-order!! yay!), and there are definitely a few things in there you won't want to miss!! I love the new Oval All stamp set ($16.95) and coordinating scallop oval punch ($15.95). Adorable!! Another definite fave: the "Great Friend" Stamp set ($17.95). That butterfly has fluttered straight to my heart. To take a look at the new mini-catalog, click here to download it. AND, as if these sets aren't stamp-i-licious enough already, Stampin' Up! even has a special sale just for Occasions Mini Products: From April 1-30, when you buy $40 in products from the Occasions Mini or host a workshop totaling $150 or more, you'll get one item from the "Under $10" page (p. 208) in the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog--FREE! To order 24/7, CLICK HERE.

Sneak Peak and the Stampin' Studio

I have been neglecting my blog because I have been out of town...and boy am I glad to be back and stampin' away! I have been dying to do some posts about how my Stampin' Studio has been coming along. Here is a little preview of all the fun things I've been up to. Let's just say I predict some polka-dot pizzazz in this blog's future! :) And I'm off to bed for a little beauty sleep...see you tomorrow!