For Love of Paper

Stamping Off Technique

Last week I challenged everyone to make a card using one color and one neutral. Here is a wonderful card created by my mom, Belinda. I love it when readers take the challenge and email me their creations. It's always fun to see how YOU interpret the challenge and I love sharing your results with everyone.

In this card she used Soft Suede and Whisper White. To get a little variation in color she said she "stamped off" before stamping the tree tops. Stamping off is a great technique to use when you want a slightly lighter version of any color. Just ink your stamp as you normally would, then lightly stamp it on scrap paper and then stamp it on your project.

I would love to have more people participate in the challenges I lay out to you from time to time. You can submit a challenge project any time. It doesn't have to be right away. 

Thanks for participating mom!

Sale-a-bration Extravaganza was a blast!

I belong to a local group of demonstrators known as the Lone Star Stampers. Yesterday we held our second Sale-a-bration Extravaganza. Over forty people attended and had a great time. Here are some photos from yesterday.

Brenda on the right demonstrating My Digital Studio and Kathleen sewing on the left.

Yes, I did say Kathleen was sewing. See the way cute black and white purse? That was made using the Stampin' Up! Scallop Square Sizzix Die (#115950). You can also see the Fabric Flower Pin I made for everyone, to show off, on her shirt. Yes the tutorial for these flowers is coming!

I just fell in love with these little name tags Kathleen created. Not until I was looking at the picture today did I realize the base of the name tag was made with the Two Tags Sizzix Die. How clever!

This year for Sale-a-bration Extravaganza we decided to have a $10 mini class. Each participant made the matchbox and coordinating card pictured below and got to take home half a package of the Sweet Pea Stitched Felt Flowers. What a deal!

Matchbox and coordinating card perfect for an Easter or Mother's Day gift. (Just add jewelry!)

I apologize for the coloring in the photo but I really wanted to share this with you because I thought it was so cute. (Plastic tables do not make a good backdrop.) This was made by Carol, the coordinator of Lone Star Stampers. All I need to say about Carol is that she's awesome! She and her husband have nine children, she home schools and still has time to wrangle all of us crazy stampers. This little bag of jelly beans has rub-ons from the Eggscellent Eggs Kit on it. Never thought to put rub-ons on the clear bags. The topper is made from the Sizzix Top Note Die and embellished with ribbon, a flower from the kit and an epoxy brad. I didn't realize until I saw the kit yesterday that it included bling! Hmm, maybe it will be in the new catalog in July? Keep your fingers crossed.

Each customer that RSVP'd by the deadline received this little gift. The container was made using one of the Sweet Treat Cups and was filled with an assortment of Corduroy Buttons.

Even better there was a slider so you could remove the buttons and keep the container.

So if you didn't make it yesterday I hope you enjoyed your virtual tour and be sure to check my calendar often so you don't miss anymore awesome events.

Click here to see the calendar and register early.

Make Over Monday: Simple Circle Circus

For today's Make Over Monday Challenge I was inspired by this card created by SCS User mspfd. She actually CASED the card from SCS User kmahany.

Some days I feel like card inspiration is just another way of playing the six degrees of seperation from Kevin Bacon game, lol.

I'm always please dwhen I can make a card with Whisper White and one other color. This concept is especially nice for new stampers. Less overwhelming and easier on the pocket book.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Circle Circus and Thank You Kindly

Inks: Rich Razzleberry and Basic Black Classic Ink

Paper: Whisper White and Rich Razzleberry

Other: Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Scallop Circle Punch and 1 1/4" Circle Punch

So here is your challenge - Make a card using one neutral and one color. Email me your results and I'll share it with everyone.

Whatever Wednesday: Inspiration

I received an email last week from one of my reader's with this card attached. She said she was inspired by the Make Over Monday Card for the layout and then used the color combo from the card I had posted on Tuesday. Here's a look at her inspiration.

She had just received the Beautiful Wings Embosslit and knew she wanted to use it on her card. This is a great example of how to get inspiration from someone else's work and make it your own using the tools and supplies you have on hand.

So who is this mysterious reader? It's my mom, Belinda! Now you all know where I get my creative abilities. Mom had me crafting at the age of 3 and I haven't stopped since.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to take inspiration from someone else and create!

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Vintage Vogue and Whimsical Words

Inks: Soft Suede and Basic Black

Paper: Vellum Cardstock, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink and Soft Suede

Other: Half Pearls from the Pretties Kit, Sizzix Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Scallop Trim Border Punch and Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon

 

Make Over Monday: Distressed Circle Scrapbook Layout

First I apologize for being MIA for a few days. First I had a sinus and ear infection, okay I can work with that. Then I came down with the flu. The flu won and I had to lay low for a couple days.

I have to say I am totally happy with how this layout came out! Here is where I began. I spotted this layout in the January 2008 issue of Scrapbook Trends Magazine by Angela Maggard. Her layout was done digitally. When I saw the circles my mind immediately went to the Circle Circus stamp set and that is what I planned to use. Then when I actually sat down to make the page I looked over and saw the circle paper from the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper pack and the light bulb popped on. This paper was absolutely perfect. I just cut out sections of circles.

As you can see I turned my layout into a two page spread using nine photos. I really wanted the photo of my son falling asleep on the rug to be the last one so I also had to change up the layout to have the hanging photo on the right instead of the left.

I created the background paper by stamping the Sanded stamp onto 12x12 Whisper White several times using Sahara Sand Classic Ink, then inked the edges with a stamping sponge. Have I mentioned the Sanded stamps is one of my all time favorites! It is awesome for adding texture and also great for more masculine looks.

I really liked the look of orange journaling on the original so I kep that on my layout as well. Using a color for you journaling is a great way to add just a little more pop to your project and something I totally had forgotten about.

Another thing I had forgotten about was stamping on patterned paper. The small strip of DSP just below the photos begins as a diagonal strip. Then I rolled Sweet Swirl with Basic Black Classic Ink over it to give it a whole new look.

Here's a closer look at each page.

Supplies Used

Stamps: Sanded and Sweet Swirl Wheel (rolled on the DSP strip below the photos)

Inks: Basic Black and Sahara Sand Classic Ink

Paper: Whisper White and Sweet Pea DSP

Other: Sizzix Big Shot with Button's #5 Sizzlit, Hemp Twine, 1/4" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon and a sponge

Remember looking at other's work is a great place to learn new tricks or jog your memory for tricks you'd forgotten. If you're looking for inspiration or a few memory joggers be sure to stay tuned. Later this week I'll be introducing a new product that will get you going.

Make Over Monday: Petal Pizzaz

Today's Make Over Monday is going to be short and sweet (I'm a little under the weather.) People often ask me how I come up with my color combination's? This is such an easy answer. I just look through the catalog at all of the awesome Designer Series Papers. Under each package of DSP there is a list of the coordinating cardstock colors. There are you colors right there! Choose a couple or use them all, you can't go wrong. The Stampin' Up! designers have already done the tough work for you.

This card is a perfect example. The Sweet Pea DSP on page 33 of the Occasions Mini Catalog features eight colors. Here I have pulled out the So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive.

The card I chose as my inspiration for today's Make Over Monday, by Keri Michaud, did the same thing. She used another patterned paper and pulled her colors from there.

I have to say I really wished I owned a wider Pumpkin Pie Ribbon and I discovered I need more Happy Birthday stamps, but Make Over Monday is all about using what you have on hand.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Petal Pizzaz and Fresh Cuts

Inks: Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip and Old Olive 

Paper: Whisper White, Bashful Blue and Sweet Pea DSP

Other: 1/4" Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Shebet Designer Series Buttons, Stampin' Dimensionals and Mini Glue Dots

Two different looks, one great card

Yesterday I promised I would show an example of how changing just the colors of a project can give it an entirely different look and feel. We all know different colors evoke different feelings and emotions.

As an example of this I took yesterdays Make Over Monday card and changed it from Basic Black, Whisper White and Melon Mambo to Soft Suede, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White (one of my favorite new color combos).

Supply List:

Stamps: none

Inks: none

Paper: Whisper White (100730), Soft Suede (115318) and Pretty in Pink (100459)

Other: Sizzix Big Shot (113439), Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335), Heart of Hearts Embosslit (117332), Full Heart Punch (113693), Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402 ask me how you can get this for FREE), Soft Suede Polka Dot Ribbon (115612) and Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive (110755)

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Tip: When trying to adhere anything with a texture, like the hearts and background of this card with the polka dot texture, try using the Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive instead of SNAIL (tape runner). Sometimes the regular adhesives have trouble getting hold of the dots but there isn't anything the Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive won't stick to. It's also great for papers with glitter on them. Check it out on page 192 of the current Idea Book & Catalog.

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The next time you make a card you really like, give it another go around with different colors. This is a great way to stretch your creativity. If you've spent the time to create a card your really happy with use it again with different colors.

Make Over Monday: Melon Mambo Hearts

What is Make Over Monday?

Each Monday I begin with an inspiration project. From there I recreate the project using only tools and supplies I have on hand.

With Valentine's less than a week away I thought hearts would be a good focus for Make Over Monday. This card features one of this years terrific In Colors, Melon Mambo and three great new products, the Heart of Hearts Embosslit, Vintage Vogue Stamp Set and the Scallop Trim Border Punch, which you can earn for FREE! Contact me to find out how.

What attracted me to this card by Raquel were the colors. Combining black and white with any other vibrant color can't be beat. What makes the combination so great is the contrast between the colors. It results in a very crisp, modern look.

Other good colors to try with Basic Black and Whisper White:

• Real Red
• Crushed Curry
• Bermuda Bay
• Tempting Turquoise
• Orchid Opulence

Supply List:

Stamps: Vintage Vogue

Inks: Basic Black

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White and Melon Mambo

Other: Sizzix Big Shot with Heart of Hearts Embosslit and Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Sherbet Designer Series Buttons, 5/8" Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon and white crochet thread (non-SU!)

Be sure to stop back tomorrow and I'll show you how changing only the colors of a project can create a totally different look and feel.

Cute Valentine CASE

At times we all find ourselves in a creative rut. When I first got the new Sweetheart stamp set (used in the card above) I was having trouble coming up with a design that I liked and still able to reach the area that needed to be punched out. Hmm, did that make any sense? You get my drift anyway, I was stuck.

I came to the conclusion I didn't need to reinvent the wheel so I CASED (copy and share everything) this cute little Valentine from Melissa Stout. The only thing I changed was the paper.

I tell you this because I want you to know it is MORE than okay to copy projects. Or start with someone else's project and make a few changes to give it your personal touch. You don't have to start from scratch.

I challenge you to take any project you can find on my blog and CASE it outright or make a few changes. If you take my challenge please email me a photo of your project. I'd love to see it!

chris@forloveofpaper.com

Whatever Wednesday: Catalog Inspiration

In the current Idea Book & Catalog on page 172 there is a Simply Sent Card Kit called Simply Sent Card Elements & More. The simplicity and color of the cards featured in this kit have always appealed to me. When I first saw this kit over a year ago I thought to myself I need to use this for inspiration. Though it has taken quite a while I am very happy with how this card turned out.

Here are the cards shown in the catalog. There are three main elements in this card I chose to copy.

1. The design begins at the top left and ends toward the bottom right. 
2. The Whisper White Card with Old Olive Ink.
3. The punched border at the bottom with the sentiment below.

You've heard me say it before and I'll say it again.

Simple is great and the catalog is full of inspiration.

A few notes about making this card.

• The ribbon does go all the way around the card because it is only one layer.
• When I first made the butterflies I had trouble getting the smallest ones out of the die after I sent it through my Big Shot. If you have this problem also run it through the Big Shot with NO tabs on the Multipurpose Platform.

Supply List

Stamps: Vintage Vogue

Inks: Old Olive and Basic Black

Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry and Orchid Opulence

Other: Sizzix Big Shot with Beautiful Wings Embosslist,Scallop Trim Border Punch, 5/8" Olive Satin Ribbon, 2-Way Glue Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals and the Stamp-a-ma-jig

If you'd like to pick up the supplies to make this card be sure to take advantage of the Super Bowl Sunday Freebies.

Click here for details.