MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A repost of my Christmas card for you from last year - I'm still pretty impressed with it. :D We're at SIXTY-SIX days until Christmas, folks!!! :D


Here is my Christmas card for you this year, dear friend. Please be sure to read the inscription on the inside! :D (Just click on it to get it bigger!)

Here's the outside....

And here's the inside!
:D OK, you don't have to stamp today. If your family traditions are like mine, you're not gonna have time! :D MERRY CHRISTMAS!

OOPS! I could have SWORN...!

I'm so sorry! I thought I had posted yesterday!! I got the picture all ready. Hmmmmmmm....

Oh, well. :D On with the show!

Isn't this a FUN card? Today is my friend AMY'S birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, dear friend! This card SOOOOOOOOO reminds me of YOU. :D

Card stock: Whisper White, Melon Mambo

Inks; White craft (inside), Melon Mambo

Stamp set: Simple Friendship

Accessories: regular hole punch, Melon Mambo polka-dot ribbon (LOVE this stuff!!!), THIS SITE- right-click on the picture, and print it.

It's just such a fun, summery card!!!!!!!! :) You can switch it up, glam it up, rough it up - you name it. :) If you do this card in a different way, please send me a scan so I can see it!!! :)

OK, off to work. Have a GREAT day, and PLEASE! Take the time to stamp SOMEthing!!! :D

Later and later, I know....

I'm sorry my postings have been later in the day all week. We've been sleeping in a bit, and by the time my brain wakes up, it's mid-afternoon. :D

SO. Keep voting for your favorite card in the THIRD ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CARD CONTEST - it's a hot race this year!!!

And on with the show!!

Card stocks: YoYo Yellow, Whisper White, Green Galore, Only Orange

Inks: YoYo Yellow, Only Orange

Stamp Set: Heartfelt Thanks - RETIRING NEXT WEEK!

Accessories: Assorted Stampin' Write markers

Simple, but summery! :)








Card stocks: Kraft, Very Vanilla

Inks: Real Red, Creamy Caramel (in cartridge)

Stamp set: Holidays & Wishes - RETIRING NEXT WEEK!

Accessories: Gingerbread wheel, retired at least two years ago; standard handle, ticket corner punch, paper snips, dimensionals, Real Red and Creamy Caramel Stampin' Write Markers

This was one of my favorite wheels EVER. It was so much fun to decorate bags, etc., for gift giving at Christmas time!

OK. Tomorrow will be another two retired or retiring stamp sets, then you've got the weekend, and only TWO MORE DAYS of retiring stamps before the NEW IB&C BOOK GOES LIVE!!!!!!!!!! Be SURE and look at your current Idea Book & Catalog or the one online; make SURE nothing is going away that you'll kick yourself for not purchasing. Remember: you can shop online 24/7 HERE, by clicking the SHOP NOW button at the top - or email me, and we'll get you all set!

Have a WONDERFUL day! And be sure to take the time to STAMP SOMETHING!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Cindy!

QUICK post - I have just a few moments before I'm supposed to be somewhere else! :D - but it's Cindy's birthday. I wanted to show you the card I gave her Sunday, both as a hostess gift and as her birthday card.

Our new pop-up dies are so fun to work with! I've been so busy with other toys - er, ummm, TOOLS! - I haven't shown it to you yet. Plus, it's hard to photograph! :D But here's the outside of the card:



Pale Plum card stock, 5/8" Whisper White satin ribbon, flower in Pale Plum is from HEARTFELT THANKS. Now, for the inside....





Isn't it fun??? :) The background is Perfect Plum; both sayings, embossed in white, are from A LITTLE BIRTHDAY CHEER. The cake is cut from Pale Plum card stock, and the DSP is from Candy Lane.

It's SUPER SIMPLE to put together! I have a harder time deciding which colors to use. LOL!

Here's one more picture of the cake:

If you'd like to learn more about the pop-up dies, please click on the link on the right-hand side of the page that says POP-UP DIES! :D

If you'd like to order yours, CLICK HERE, then click the SHOP NOW button at the top!

You have three more days to get your birthday cards in for the THIRD ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CARD CONTEST!!! Hurry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Now, I've got to run. Have a wonderful evening, and PLEASE! Take the time to STAMP something - you'll have a great time! :D

LateNightStampers Challenge!

Good morning! I hope you had a fantastic evening, and are ready for a beautiful day! :)



I'm on a group that was recently opened to non-demonstrators; there's LOTS of artwork shared, as well as ideas, encouragement, and fun contests. Here's the link if you're interested in joining us!



Join our FREE Group for card makers and scrapbookers!



Anyway. This week's challenge is to use the following colors: Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, and Chocolate Chip. Here's my entry for last night, anyway. :) It uses the new OVAL ALL set from the Occasions Mini, and the scallop oval punch from it too! It's a 3"x3" card!

It's an AWESOME color combo - try it out, and send me a scan of what you did! I'D LOVE TO SEE YOUR ART!!!

HAPPY WORLD CARDMAKING DAY!

I hope you're taking the time today to make some cards to send to your friends and family - be a blessing!!!!! :) I wanted to show you what Barbara and I did this morning - she's the only one who showed up for the celebration. :)

This first one is done with INSPIRED BY NATURE.

Colors are Pretty in Pink, Pink Passion, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, and Garden Green. We colored the image with Stampin' Write markers, using the darker ones along the edges of the stamp. We stamped it onto glossy white cardstock, and stamped the saying with Chocolate Chip ink. We let it dry for a few moments - VERY important with glossy!!! - and then used my favorite ticket corner punch on the corners of the glossy and the Pink Passion. Simple, elegant card!

I'm kind of proud of this one. :D It's a PAY IT FORWARD card. The color of the base cardstock is Basic Gray; we used some of the Designer Series Paper from the Level 1 hostess print pack - this is Real Red - to cut out the scallop envelope - an exclusive die from Stampin' Up! & Sizzix. Actually, we did TWO. More on that in a moment. :)

The "heartfelt" is from HEARTFELT THANKS, and is embossed with white craft ink and white embossing powder. The enclosure card has the stamp that says "wonderful you" from WONDERFUL YOU. :D

On the inside, there's a white piece of computer paper that reads:

Pay it forward!

I wanted to let you know I appreciate you, and I hope you'll take this opportunity to tell someone else!

Just take the card that I wrote to you out of the front envelope, then take a blank one out of this envelope and write your own message on it, put it in the front envelope, and send it on. If the envelope is empty, feel free to fill it up again!

Thank you! I'm so glad you're in my life!

Then there's a SECOND scalloped envelope attached to the bottom of the paper; inside of it, there are three or four more of the white enclosure cards that are stamped with "wonderful you". I'm hoping that it will be a real blessing to LOTS of people - feel free to use the idea!!! :)

OK, I need to run - we have a wedding to shoot this afternoon. A woman's work is never done. :D Have a WONDERFUL weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Onesie Card Tutorial

As promised, here it is! :D EDITED: I was told by a friend tonight - THANK YOU, Lisa! - that this had been done as a tutorial by someone else. HERE is the link to the original tutorial by Lauren.

What you will need:



Card stock, your choice of color (I use Apricot Appeal), 4 1/4" x 11"; Extra card stock (I use Sage Shadow) in a contrasting color; 1-3/8" Circle Punch; Scallop Circle Punch; assorted stamps and inks, Paper Snips, Crop-A-Dile, three eyelets


Fold your card stock in half, folding at 5-1/2". Use a bone folder for a crisp fold! :)

Next, stamp your card stock with whatever stamp(s) you've chosen. For this example, I'm using Boho Backgrounds. (It's a great set, because it can be used for a boy OR a girl!) I'm also using Apricot Appeal ink, to coordinate with my card stock.




After you've stamped the whole card front, grab your 1-3/8" circle punch.

If you want, you can measure the exact center of the top of your card. I guesstimate. :D Punch out a HALF-CIRCLE, centering the fold in the middle.








Now, turn your card. You're going to do the same thing approximately 1 inch down from the top on both sides - you're making the arm holes. :)



Now, go to the bottom corners and punch out about a 3/4 circle - see the picture here? You just want to take the leg holes out.





When you're done with the circle punch, your card should look like this:










(PLEASE, feel free to practice your punching on scraps or even copy paper! :) It's not difficult, unless you really care about being even. I find that the next few steps really make mistakes disappear, but it's completely up to you!)














Now, using the same punch, punch a hole into your coordinating card stock. :D Be sure to leave enough space around it for the next step!










Pick up your scallop circle punch. Center that hole in the scallop circle, and punch out your shape.

It should look something like this!









Now, using your adhesive - a 2 way glue pen works GREAT for this! - attach part of it around the neck hole you punched.










See? It's easy! Just some steps to follow - and we're almost there now! :D








Using your paper snips, cut off the part of the scallop that's not attached to the card. Now, repeat on all the openings you punched. Please note! You MAY need to use your paper snips to trim a bit of the leg punch area. Don't be afraid to do so! :) Paper snips are your FRIENDS. :D




Your card should look something like this now. :)










Now, grab those paper snips again; your baby needs a waist! :D




Just angle up to about 1/4 inch below the arm holes, and cut straight in from the side about 1/2 inch. Like this, see?


Now, your card should be looking like this!







Cute, huh? :)











All that's left is to stamp any greeting you want on the inside, and set three eyelets into the bottom of the onesie.







And THIS is what your final card will look like!!!

Isn't that fun? And an EASY card!!!! If you have any questions, want to see a SCAN rather than a pic - it was a late night, can you tell? :D - please email me at poohisstampin@aol.com. I want to hear from you!

If you need any of these supplies, email me. I can't wait to hear from you!

ANNUAL BIRTHDAY CHALLENGE!

That's right, everyone! It's my birthday month - AGAIN! (Didn't we just DO this?!?!? AUGH!!!!!!!!!)

Anyway. ;) It's your chance to win free stuff from me, and I'm going to give you TWO WEEKS to get the design JUST right and send it to me. :) This is last year's winner; I put up a gallery, and let people vote for their favorite.

I think that, this year, I'll ALSO give a prize to MY favorite. And to be brutally honest, that's gonna be difficult for YOU. :D I want to be WOWed, and the more STAMPIN' UP! products you use to do it, the better! :D

We only had SEVEN entries last year, so your chances are pretty darn good!

Email me at poohisstampin@aol.com for my snail mail address. This year, it has to be in my hot little hands to be in the contest. :) I will accept cards until JUNE 18, then will put them up on a gallery to allow voting. I will announce BOTH winners on THURSDAY, JUNE 26!!!!!!!!!!!!

They MUST be birthday cards, everyone! :D

LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm playing with my new set! :)

I just got BOHO BACKGROUND last week, and with the show's craziness, this is the first I've really got to play. :) My nads aren't cooperating much, so I won't be doing much else, but I thought this was a fun card. Very easy, only one set - but lots of card stock. :D

Card stock is So Saffron and Whisper White. I used So Saffron ink to stamp the flowers as a background; the Night of Navy is a Stampin' Write Marker. I used the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to get the words where I wanted them, and the small oval punch to punch them out. Everything except the main card is edged with the marker. I used dimensionals to pop the designer label punch.

I like the clean lines of this card! What do you think?

Are you taking the time to STAMP something?? Who are you blessing with your creation? :) ENJOY your stampin', everyone! Have a WONDERFUL day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Good morning! Top o' the mornin' to ya! :D (Hey, I'm part Irish, I'm allowed to say that!!!!)

Here's my card to you, my readers - although anyone who was at a party this month got to MAKE this one. :)

We used Glorious Green, Summer Sun, and Whisper White card stocks, Glorious Green Classic Ink, and Summer Sun and More Mustard Stampin' Write Markers with the Pinch o' Luck stamp set. Isn't it cute? He's a lot of fun!

OUR TOWN opens THIS THURSDAY, so this week is FULL of stress. It looks like I'm going to have to stage manage it, too - unless someone volunteers to step up and help out!!! Anyone?!?!?!?

Ok, dear friend, I have to run. Lots to do before tonight's LONG rehearsal. I hope you'll take the time to STAMP something!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another watercoloring class card

Good afternoon, everyone! I wanted to show another card that I showed the girls how to do. It's REALLY subtle, and may be difficult to see in the scan - I think you can see it better if you click on it, kinda :D - but all I did was stamp the image - from SUMMER BY THE SEA, which is now retired :(.

Then, taking my aqua painter, I pulled in the green ink from the stamped image to color in her dress, and a bit on the grass. It makes a beautiful monochromatic card, don't you think?

I've gotten the suggestion that I should do a tutorial on watercoloring. That's quite possible - once this month is over. :D My sister and five of the six kids have been here for a week, and with the show opening two weeks from Thursday - besides stampin', of course! - well, life is a bit BUSY. :D I will do another tutorial soon, I promise.

So, what are YOU stamping? Have you tried anything you've seen on this blog lately? I've been trying to keep it simple, with lots of color suggestions - most of these are super-simple things you can do, too! :)

BLESS someone with what you stamp - and please, for your sanity :D, take the time to STAMP something!!!

I've got ONE suggestion for a new tutorial...

and it's to use metal on a card. Cathy, can you tell me what TYPE of metal you're talking about? Real metal, metallic stuff, you tell me! :D Just need a little clarification!

I've already got an idea for you, ALL my own design, copied from something I found IRL. My mom laughed when I told her what I was going to do with this "something"; she said, "You're always thinking about what you can do with stuff, aren't you?" I told her the day I stop finding fun, innovative things to do, my business dies - and I LOVE what I do too much to let that happen! :D

Monday is going to be a FUN day with Melissa and Amy, so I won't have time to do anything tomorrow - hopefully, I can shoot the tutorial on Tuesday, but I am NOT promising anything! :D

For now, be content with this example of faux silk. It was a card from the Advanced Techniques class last month; I really love this simple, easy technique - and, if I'd had the chance to go into the back yard, I would have used a twig or two under the saying to add to the feel of this. All my class guests loved the color combinations. :)

OK, I'm off. I've got to get up and be READY in the morning! :D I'll report back on how much fun we had. Just so you can be jealous! :D

Have a WONDERFUL day!!! Be sure to take the time to STAMP something - I sure am! :D

Time for a card :)

Hi, everyone! This is a card from my Advanced Techniques class Tuesday night. It's called brayered sky, and you can combine just about any colors you'd like. This one uses bashful blue, brocade blue, and bordering blue. I really like this card! It's so simple! That's probably why I enjoy it so much; it makes a huge impact without a lot of work. :)

I hope you'll email me at poohisstampin@aol.com, and sign up for my enewsletter. I put my class schedule in there, and I'd love to teach you some new techniques! I have already started planning for February's class! :)

Have a WONDERFUL day - and please, take the time to STAMP something! You'll feel better! :D

I'm still here, honestly!

It's been a ROUGH week, though. Through it all, I managed to do two parties, a read-thru for my new cast of OUR TOWN, and plan and teach a scrapbooking class. PHEW. Kenn's sick again, so prayers would be great. I'm starting to feel better, finally, and would really LOVE to get better and STAY better! :D

ANYWAY. Enough about boring ol' me. I want to share the projects we did at the parties over the weekend! Super-simple and easy!

This is a REALLY easy get-well card. The Designer Series Paper is Bali Breeze; the other card stock is Taken With Teal and Whisper White. Ink is Taken With Teal; stamp set is SINCERE SALUTATIONS. How much quicker could a card get?!?!??!

This one's just as simple, just a little more detail added. We rolled the So Saffron card stock with the So Swirly Jumbo Wheel in VersaMark, and embossed it with clear embossing powder to give it a special look. The "celebrate" is from the new set, CELEBRATE EVERYTHING. The rest of the wording is from EVERYDAY FLEXIBLE PHRASES; Saturday's hostess wanted a "new grandbaby" card. :) My hostesses get what they want! The color is a little funky on this scan. The ink and dark card stock are Perfect Plum, and the brads are simple gold ones. We used the ticket corner punch to notch just the Whisper White corners, then mounted the saying piece with dimensionals.

And finally, our 3D project - I choose more difficult projects for my hostess club parties, as a way of thanking them for always following through on their purchasing requirements, etc. :) This one's not HARD, just a process. I'll try and put together a tutorial of how to do it in the next week or so.

SO. What are YOU stamping these days? Have you blessed someone with your talent lately???? I'd LOVE to hear your story!

A thank-you card for Melissa

Hi, everyone!!!! Boy, it's going to take us a LONG time to get up to the next BLOG CANDY level - I've decided at 10,000 hits - but it's CREEPING along. Pass on my blog to everyone you know, so we can get this show on the road! :)

ANYWAY. Here's a thank-you card I did for my downline, Melissa. She gave me a great Christmas gift, which you saw on the blog in December. She does AWESOME cards, so I wanted to do something a little out of my comfort zone for her. So I COLORED. :D

This is the Level Three Hostess Set, TIME WELL SPENT. I colored everything with Stampin' Write markers, and did the center with a 1/2" circle punch. I coated it with VersaMark, and embossed it with Irridescent Ice EP. It's on the center of the flower with a dimensional. The card stock colors are Whisper White (sponged with Tempting Turquoise), Purely Pomegranate, and Certainly Celery. The ribbon is Purely Pomegranate double-stitched ribbon.

So, what do you think? What are YOU stamping these days???? Show me! :D And if you haven't been, TAKE THE TIME TO STAMP SOMETHING!!!!

Another card from the Easy Card Class!

I really like this card. It's SO simple, but elegant.

That's LOVELY AS A TREE, one of my favorite all-time stamp sets. I'll be SAD when it retires!!!!

We stamped the inside with one of the verses from CLOSE AS A MEMORY, so it's a sympathy card without being so in-your-face.

Colors are So Saffron, Handsome Hunter, and Very Vanilla. We sponged around the Very Vanilla with Handsome Hunter. Nice, huh? :)

If you'd like to see a few more projects, get the measurements, etc., for them, you can check out my new Stampin' Up! website! I'm still working to get more information up there, but you can check it out whenever you'd like.

Go look at it, get inspired, and GO STAMP SOMETHING! :) Have a wonderful day!

Easy Card Class was last night!

Good morning! We had a great time last night at class; you'll be seeing the cards a little at a time this week. :)

Here's the first one! The card base is Pink Passion, and it's rolled with the Watercolor Joy Standard Stampin' Around Wheel. The strip and mat card stock are Pretty In Pink. We stamped the "Happy Valentine's Day" from HOLIDAYS & WISHES in Pink Passion on the strip, then used the double rectangle punch to do the bowless tie with Pretty in Pink ribbon.

The matted stamp is from TIME WELL SPENT, a level 3 hostess-only stamp set. We colored it in with Pink Passion and Pretty in Pink Stampin' Write markers, then used a 2-Way Glue Pen to put Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the flower. :) We notched the corners of both layers with the ticket corner punch, and voila! A pretty, simple Valentine's Day card!

What are YOU stamping???? And when are you going to show ME?? :D Have a WONDERFUL day!!!!

Floating card

Hi, everyone! Didn't want to just leave you with an advertisement today, so here's an unusual card! :)

This is a floating card, and one we did at my Advanced Techniques class on Tuesday. It's made on acetate, and that'sTHE SNOWFLAKE SPOT stamp set; the white is Shimmering White, the blue is Bashful Blue, and the gold cord and the stamp set, HOLY TRIPTYCH, are in the Holiday Mini, which runs out THIS MONTH! I love this cord, because it's stretchy. We colored the angel's wing with gold metallic ink and a blender pen.

Have a wonderful day!! Take the time to STAMP something - I am!!!!!!!! :)

Challenge still going on! :D

Read on later for a reminder of what the challenge actually WAS.... :D

I'm sorry I've been So absent lately - life has completely taken over here. If teaching classes was the ONLY thing I had to do in real life, I'd be a happy camper.... :D Oh, well. Get on with it and get over it is one of my many mottos. :D

This is one of the cards from October's Advanced Techniques Class; it's called Rainbow Double, and is a technique I learned from Pat Huntoon at Technique Junkies. She's an incredibly talented stamper, and has some great designers working with her to keep our stamping techniques exciting and updated. be sure and let her know I sent you! :)

I'm not going to tell you how to do this card - that's why we pay her for our susbscriptions, and why you pay to come to my classes. :) This card is simply stunning in real life, and I think everyone felt that way. The next Advanced Techniques is coming up on November 20, and will be the last one for this year! Sign up NOW!

OK. The challenge that I mentioned before? It's from about two or three weeks ago, and I've only received ONE entry - from Becky P. All you have to do is design a card that uses the Split Negative technique - and this is the card that inspired the challenge:

Now, then, you have until November 30 to get me either a scan or a HARD COPY of your creation. We'll put them all up on a website, and then my READERS will get a chance to vote on whose card they love the most. :) EASY challenge, kids!!!

We're not too far from 6000 hits on my blog! There will be some BLOG CANDY when that happens, because y'all just rolled on past 5000 when it turned! LOL!!!!

Now, then. Go take the time to STAMP something! :) Have a WONDERFUL day!!!

Last night was Advanced Technique Night!

We had a good turnout last night - six, which is just about all I can handle at one class where we walk through the projects together.

This is the easiest one we did, Modern Grid, which I learned from Pat Huntoon at Technique Junkies. She ABSOLUTELY rocks, is SO talented - as is all her design team - and is one of the nicest people I've "met" online.

The colors of ink are Close to Cocoa and Pumpkin Pie; card stock is Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, and Kraft - oh, and a little Very Vanilla thrown in. :)

The next class is Thursday, a 10/10/10 - all Christmas! The design work is done, and all I have left to do is the cutting. There are some beautiful, simple cards - I can't wait to show you after the class!

Well, it's time to get busy some more. :) Don't forget to take the time to STAMP something - then bless someone with it!!!!