Quick peek at my Scrapbook class!

Super quick post... it's Sunday night and I want to go watch Desparate Housewives and then hit the hay :) This is one of the layouts we are going to be doing in my Scrapbook classes starting February 17th!

Jen

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February Card Group - Sneak Peeks

Here are some sneak peeks of the cards I designed for my February card group "Fun Folds". Once the girls have "done" the cards, I'll post the full pictures.

Card 1 -

Card 2 -

Card 3 -

Take some time to do something scrappy today!

Jen

Just had to make it...

It is my bedtime and I was going up to bed when my eye landed on my new SAB set "Vintage Labels". All of the sudden a card was born in my head and I thought "I better do a quick sketch of this so I can do it tomorrow". Then I was impatient with the sketch and raced downstairs to just DO the card. No idea why, and a colour combo I am fairly sure I've never done before! I used the circle stamp in Crushed Curry (first time I even used that ink pad, I like it!) and punched it out with the scallop circle punch. Then I used a 1" punch on the middle. The stamped image was raised up on the card with dimensionals and the sentiment is actually inside the card. (as you can see just down below). I also used the "Tiny Tags" set for that pretty vine about and below the sentiment.

The paper is from the SAB 6x6 paper pad and that is the new Satin ribbon in Chocolate Chip, isn't it almost edible??

So, take some time (that you were going to be sleeping) and do something scrappy tonight :) haha

Jen

Surprise Fridays #2 - 3D Technique

I am LOVING this and seriously, once I wrapped my little scrappy brain around this, this is a 10 minute card for me! But I thought I'd use this for my Friday surprise post instead.

Isn't this just fabulous? I mean, really, this is fabulous. And the Upsy Daisy set is truly one of my all time favourites. I reach for it all the time and have to stop myself. It is a very easy technique that makes your Stamp-a-ma-jig your friend. Even with the Clear Mount stamps, I still think I'd use the Stamp-a-ma-jib as you are trying to just be slightly off.


Instructions:

1. Pick a cardstock colour and pull the same colour ink, white and versamark (versamark is optional but really I think it makes it).
2. Stamp your image on the cardstock in white ink. Clean stamp and ink up with the same colour stamp.
3. Using your Stamp-a-ma-jig, position your image just slightly off (down the left or up to right, I did down to the left). Stamp with the same colour ink. Clean stamp and ink up with Versamark.
4. Using your Stamp-a-ma-jig, again, position your image just slightly off again (off the same colour ink) and stamp your image.
5. NOW, your image looks like it is popping off the page, 3D!

Let me know if you'd like images, and I can take pictures of the process step-by-step. (leave me a comment, I love to see them!)

Take some time to do something scrappy today!

Jen

Figuring out how to customize. It's this cool that I can do this? I used the digital version of the new Sweet Pea DSP from the Occasions Mini!! So excited!! And rocking my latest colour fav, orange and teal. Hope you like.

10 minute card Wednesday - #2!!

If this is not a go-to card when you really need to knock one out... I seriously don't know what is! I did this card in about 6 minutes flat (now if your scraproom isn't as meticulously organized as mine, you might take longer looking for stuff. ROTFL, seriously I can't even type that without laughing... ) Really, as long as you don't have to hunt for your punches for 20 minutes, this card is done in a snap. A go-to masculine card, I am in HEAVEN. (kudos to www.lindastamps.com - this design from her Stamping School videos)


And an added bonus today, here's the supplies needed to punch. The only thing missing is my mat pack, I'd put it away but you can easily do without it. AND, I used the Welcome Neighbour 6x6 paper pad from the SAB catalogue. I LLOOVVEE the colours. My new colour obsession, Bermuda Bay, Tangerine Tango and white... ooohhh la la!!


Contact me if you'd like some simple instructions ------> look in the top right corner, there's my email :)

Take some time to do something scrappy today!! Happy HUMP day, hope this card makes it a bit brighter.

52 Week Challenge - Week 3!!

My layouts for Janna Wilson's 52 week challenge. Her layout is quite obviously the last one in the post. I found these 3 pictures of each boy in my digital picture library. Seriously, I have no idea why their dad took exactly three pictures of each and how each picture was so different yet similar to the other brother. It was like they knew I would need 3 pictures each... do do do, do do do do... twilight zone :)

Each layout can stand on it's own but when beside each other (like they will be in my 2009 album, they also mean more. (ie Silly works for my older son and Faces works for my younger son but when side by side, Silly Faces makes sense too.... And the "OH' and the "BOY" on the bottom corners). Take some time to do something scrappy today!

Jen

Layout Monday

So I was at a crop last night and was super smart enough to do some prep first :) (Prep I find kind of annoying cause if I'm prepping, I'd rather just be DOING!, another story for another time).

I thought I'd share the two birthday layouts I did. Star Wars is my 7 year old's party from August of this year and Tranformer Party is my 5 year old's party from July. For both, I downloaded the font for free from the internet, installed on my computer, typed out in Word, printed in colour on photo paper and then I just cut it out. (seriously, that was super simple but I need to reinstall my Silhouette and I wouldn't even have to do the cutting!) Both of these layouts are from Got Sketch Doubles class that was held in the fall.

Tomorrow I'll post my 52 week challenge "inspired" layouts - yes, layouts, I did two as I found pictures of both my boys and so did them as a "single" layout that looks good side by side (wow, that doesn't make much sense, pictures will help).

AND, watch for the 2nd week in a row of 10 minute card Wednesday!! Got a super cute and FAST one for you!

Take some time and do something scrappy today!
Jen

PS Pictures coming for the unmounting process!

Unmounting Your Wood Mount Sets

Okay, who else would LOVE more room in their scrap room?? Who else loves how crisp rubber stamps are but hate the bulk of the wood mount... raise your hands? Anyone other than me got their hands up out there?



Well, I am in the process of unmounting and boy, did I find the BEST TIP EVER yesterday online. If the set is unmounted or mounted this still works....



Unmounted: Take the sticker that is meant for the back of the wood block and place it on the foam side of your stamp (remove backing first so it's sticky!). Trim off excess. Put a VERY small amount of Tombow liquid adhesive (SU sells) and using a foam brush, spread a thin coat over entire back surface. Leave to dry. The Tombow remains tacky and VOILA, the stamp is now a clear mount cling...



Mounted: Gently peel your stamp off the block, leaving the foam in place. If you are having trouble, put in the microwave for like 10 seconds and this softens it up and allows you to remove. Gently peel label off wood block and just as with the unmounted instructions, put on sticky side of foam. If it needs some help, use a bit of snail to keep it down. Trim off excess, do the fabulous Tombow trick and VOILA!!



I will post some pictures of the "process" tomorrow. I got so excited tonight, I just went for it and didn't take pictures along the way.



**Remember** Stampin' Up sells the Clear Mount Stamp Cases in bulk at 4 cases for $6.95. I will be posting a template for those cases so you can see the set along the spine and on the front, just like in the sets you buy as Clear Mount, fabulous!



Bulk Clear Mount Stamp Cases
119105
$6.95
4 cases per package

Cases are approximately the same size as a DVD case.



Take some time to do something scrappy today!

Jen

Friday - Surprise!!

Here's a surprise layout for Friday! I did this after being inspired by a layout in CK magazine that I just got in my mailbox. I sat down and hammered it out. These pictures are from 2004 when my youngest was only a month old. I had that piece of pp I wanted to use so just scanned through my digital picture library until I found some that I liked with it.

I did some close ups of the star to show you I used a jumbo grommet between to large and small stars (SU punches).

I did a close up of the title to show you how I outlined the alpha stickers. I felt they didn't contrast quite enough so use a white gel pen. Also, I stamped some circle accents in Very Vanilla craft ink on my cardstock to just add a slight bit of interest up there and to match the circle pattern in the pp!
Take some time and do something scrappy today! Jen

Haitian Relief - Stampin Up doing their part!

From now until February 28, 2010, Stampin' Up! will donate $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set purchased to the Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

I {Heart} Hearts – clear-mount 118571 $18.95
I {Heart} Hearts – wood-mount 117010 $26.95

My Friday post (a layout with some close ups for inspiration) will be up later today. I have run into some issues with uploading pictures but I think it was a blogger issue and likely resolved now. Once I'm home from work, up it will go.

Take some time to do something scrappy today!

Jen

Ever thought of becoming a hobby demonstrator? NOW is the time!!!!

The Starter Kits are now 15% off (WOW since they already give you over $400 in product for only $269) so that means they are now only $225!!! AND... you get a free stamp set on top of all the product worth up to $56.95!! As a hobby demonstrator, you receive a discount each and everytime you order and if down the road you want to do workshops or a card group, you are all set!

So in my mind (cause I love getting lots of stuff), you are getting all that stuff for over $200 off! (my calculations make it $240.95). And the BEST part (other than the absolute fun of receiving that humongous box, you can choose what stamp sets and what colour ink and cardstock you would like).

Here's a list of what is included in the Starter kit:

5 stamp sets
A Stampin' Around wheel, handle, and ink cartridge
Stampin' Pastels
2 packages of Card stock
A Décor Elements and applicator tool
5 Classic Stampin' Pads
VersaMark Pad
Stampin' Scrub and Mist
Blender pens

Scissors

Snail

Glue pen

PLUS your free stamp set!

Contact me if you have questions and take some time to do something scrappy today! Jen

Wednesday - 10 Minute Cards!

Wow, I did it. And I already have my Friday all lined up. Who's impressed? Feel free to leave me a comment if you like my new idea of 10 minute cards! I am going to try for every Wednesday so stay tuned!!

I was shamefully inspired from Linda over at http://www.lindastamps.com/! I subscribe to her Stamping School videos and they are the best. I changed up her card a bit (for reasons like I didn't have that DSP and I wanted to try to add in a colour). SIMPLE, SIMPLE, SIMPLE!! I did both of these cards in 10 minutes. Small strip of Old Olive right at the top and a 2" strip of DSP. The dangly is from the Scallop Circle punch, the trio flower punch, a jumbo grommet (that white between the circle and the flowers) and a cordoruy button brad. I used Kiwi Kiss (In Color from last year) and Tangerine Tango (again IC last year) for some contrast and stamped a quick sentiment. 10 minutes, both cards, I kid you not!!

Take some time to do something scrappy today! Jen

Layout Mondays

That makes it sound like I'm going to be organized to do layouts every Monday, eh? Well, I'm going to start trying. I was thinking of something everyday but... maybe every other day? Like a layout on Mondays, a card on Wednesdays and a surprise thing on Fridays?? Anyone gonna hold me to it?? This is a double page layout I did using a Got Sketch sketch from their Doubles class. We went to the Aquarium in August and got tons of great pictures but it is pretty hard to scrap them all and I refuse to do more than a double layout now for each event. Unless it is a weekly long thing that is. (like Hawaii... sigh, Hawaii... I am definately in the middle of winter up here and dreaming of some sun) The layout let me fit in 12 pictures effortlessly!

Enjoy! Take some time and do something scrappy today!

Jen

January Card Group - The Cards!!

I had posted sneak peeks of these cards 2 weeks ago and now that my ladies have had their chance to make them, here is the real deal. The first card allowed me to use one of my fav stamps in the 2009/2010 Idea Book - DASHER!! I am going to miss him alot and hope they bring him back next year (but I own him so I can keep using him no matter what!). This card is completely inspired by Linda at Stamping School: here's her blog. I subscribe to her Stamping School videos and this was one of her projects. As I was mass producing it, we used Dazzling Diamonds instead of the Chunky Glitter which I suspect would work a lot better. But... with 15 cards to prep and not being able to buy white Chunky Glitter on it's own... we did the Dazzling Diamonds :) Here is my Surprise Pop-up card. It uses the new Sweet Pea DSP in a colour combo I can't say I've rocked too much but love. Teal and orange! The image on the front is from the new Happy Moments set in the SAB catalogue. Four great line images to colour in. We'll be using again!!

And lastly my "Make a Wish" pop-up card, this time we used the Sizzlets Cupcake dies that were on sale in December. Super, super cute!! I used So Saffron with my Taken with Teal this time and the same DSP... I like to be efficient with my scraps but this paper pad is HUGE... I've barely used any of it! A VERY, VERY good deal on paper! I hope the new idea book has more paper pads in it. LOVE it! And it isn't a girlie, girlie or flowery, flowery patterned paper either so AWESOME for scrapbooking... watch for a layout with it very soon.

This card also makes use of the Big Bold Birthday's set for the balloons and sentiment!

Hope you enjoyed and take some time to do something scrappy today! Coming super soon, the sneak peeks for my February class!

PS I am excited to say I am planning my first ever scrapbook class series and hope to expand to two card groups a month!!

Inspired Layout #2

So here's my layout inspired by Janna Wilson's 52 week Challenge over at her blog (her layout is below). I went with a different orientation for my 4x6 but otherwise mine is very, very close. I used stars rather than circles at the bottom to mimic the stars in the one paper and used a punched out piece of DSP (that star in a circle in the top left) rather than a stamp. This is an old Stampin' Up DSP from years ago called Outlaw that I never used. (And sorry for the nasty flashback on one of the pictures, I did this layout in 20 minute and wanted to picture and post right away!! So I think it took me longer to pick my pictures and resize/print than it did to make it!)

Vintage Vogue card

A pretty card I put together quickly today as I just really wanted to play with the flowers from the Vintage Vogue stamp set. I used an oval cut-out to sponge Creamy Caramel onto the card front and then stamps the flowers in Elegant Eggplant and Creamy Caramel. Some Old Olive leaves and the vine from the same set were used underneath the cut out flowers. The Happy Birthday is from the Well-Scripted set which is one of my favourites of all time. I love the scripty font. A VERY similar card is up on the new Stampin' Connection site that is available for demonstrators. I can't link you up to that but a shout out to that demo (Christyne Richardson). If I can find a blog for her, I'll update this.

Another layout

A double layout to share with you. I was taking the pictures super quick as this has been done for days and I didn't get it up. This double layout was inspired by a sketch from Got Sketch Doubles class!! Fun bright colours.

Take some time and do something scrappy today! Jen

An inspired layout

On Sunday I did my first layout since November and it was SO wonderful. I saw THIS challenge over at Janna Wilson's blog and I really wanted to try to play along. Here's my layout and below is Janna's for inspiration. A huge thanks to Janna for giving my mojo a big kick in the... :)

Take some time and do something scrappy today!! Jen

Baby Album

More posts of Xmas presents I made in December but didn't get pictures of. This is the album I made for my son's teacher. Her baby turned 1 in December and she was his teacher last year too before her mat leave. We really love her and she is such a perfect teacher for him in his early years of school so I wanted to do something extra special to say Thank You. The pictures aren't great as I snapped them on a table really quick at the school yesterday (she was nice enough to let me do that as I didn't get pictures BEFORE I gave it to her). Enjoy!

That last picture is the back of the album for her to do a bit of writing and add a smaller pic maybe from his first birthday or with her. I gave it to her with a small stand so she could put on her desk at work if she wanted.

Take time to do something scrappy today! Have a great weekend everyone. Jen

AND... not so good...

You know how some nights you do good and some nights... not so good... last night was a not so good but I decided to post a picture for you anyways. I am going to do a "re-try" on this project tonight as I am very unhappy with the results. The box itself is just fine - it is a 3x3 box covered with DSP and I used the new scallop edge and corner punches. I just really mismatched my stamps and papers and I just feel it is YUCK. Chalk this one up to experience and hopefully I can post another version for you!

I think, I was just too tired after my workout and should have just said "not a creative night" and gone to bed :)

Take some time today to do something scrappy! Jen

*NEW* Heart Treat Cups

Just in time for Valentine's Day! Stampin' Up!'s introduces the new Heart Treat Cups and Sweetheart stamp set. They coordinate with each other and also with the Full Heart Punch (113693 - in 2009/2010 catalogue).
Download your insert today HERE

Take a little time to be creative and get scrappin'. Jen

Sneak Peeks

Sneak peeks of my cards for my January card group on the 13th. I'll post the full pictures after my girls have had their chance to make them :)

LOTS to share... let's start with Xmas...

So I truly did do lots of stuff in December but didn't get around to pictures and posting. So I am sharing some now. I have two mini albums I gave that I don't have pictures for as I finished them in a hurry but am working on that (nothing like giving a gift and then saying, can I have it back so I take take pictures of it??)

Haha... I'll start with my Xmas tags. I used the Christmas Punch Hostess Set (level 2) and did colouring, embossing, punching and some creative cutting to make them all.

The holders below used a 9" x 3" piece of paper scored at about 3" and just slight more than 6". I stapled the inside fold for a spot to put a yummy Ghiardelli chocolate square and then used the slot punch to attach the tags in a mini cello bag with ribbon. I then used the scallop oval and oval punches for the tag on the outside. For my husband's bosses and managers, we used these with extra ribbon in the neck of a wine bottle as Xmas gifts. It looks really, really nice if I do say so myself.


This card organizer I made for my mom and aunt (and just finished two days ago!!) I couldn't decide on a front cover until I got the Kind and Caring Thoughts set (Hostess Level 3).... scroll down....

Isn't that flower just gorgeous!!

Next are my ornaments. My tradition has been to do one a year with the boys picture on it. So we can see each year how they've grown and changed. I do three - one for me, one for my mom and one for my dh's mom. This snowflake is my design for this year (two pieces of pp with thin cardstock sandwiched inside - I used Tombow to glue together - thru the Big Shot with the Snowflake die and I Versamarked the entire thing and used the Iridencent Ice powder to sparkle it up without the mess of glitter) The boys picture is covered with a piece of medium window sheet punched to the same size and held together with Crystal Effects. I was really happy with it.

This next one is my 2008 design. The frames were "LOST" in my scrap room but I found them during the redesign and finished them up. I love that picture of the boys... so cute.