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!

Make Over Monday: Simple Birthday Scrapbook

I love themed scrapbooks for different occasions. "Why?" you ask. I really enjoy pulling them out for everyone to see at each occasion. I have good intentions of making one for all of the major holidays but the only one I've started is my sons birthday book.

I saw this 8" x 8" birthday album in a scrapbooking magazine quite some time ago. It was created by Melanie Louette. The idea fit so well with the Happy B-Day Simply Scrappin' Kit. All I added to the kit was a little cardstock and used my Sizzix Big Shot with the Stampin' Up! Alphabet Simple Numbers to create the number for each year.

Here is a look at three more years of birthdays.

Using a formula or similar layout and a kit with coordinating papers and embeliishments makes the album go together so quickly. You could easily create a birthday book from 1-18 in one day.

My son just turned five last week and I loved having this album to show everyone at his brithday party.

I love this idea so much I plan to offer this album as a class, probably in May.

Stay tuned for more details.

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.

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)

___________________________________________________________________________

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.

___________________________________________________________________________

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.

Make Over Monday: Masculine Masking

The card I chose to make over this week was created by staffers over at Hero Arts. The used a large background stamp and added the rust leaf over top.

I don't have a background stamp like this so I made my own. Rather I figured out how to get the same look but instead of stamping it I created the look with masking.

Masking is one of the best secrets in any stampers bag of tricks. I started with four strips of notebook paper, each about 2" by the width of the paper. Then I used a Grid Sheet and my Tearing Edge Ruler to give one side of each strip a deckled edge. Then I taped the four strips together to form an open rectangle, which was my mask. Next I adhered the mask onto my card with temporary adhesive. Last I sponged Sahara Sand Classic Ink inside the mask (Tip: work from the outside in so your ink doesn't get under the mask) and stamped the feather from Nature's Nest in Dusty Durango.

I thought about adding a definition from the Define Your Life stamp set but decided the simplicity of the card really made a statement on its own. You could add any sentiment to the inside and you've got a great masculine card or tie a set of these up with some twine or raffia and you've got yourself a terrific little gift.

If you'd like to learn masking be sure to sign up for the March Technique Club Class on Saturday, March 6th from 9 am to Noon. Not only will you learn masking but three different types of masking while creating three cards; all for only $15. (For more information visit my calendar page by clicking the link on the right and scroll down to March 6th.)

Seating is very limited.

Click the link below to sign up today.

Makeover Monday: Butterfly Scrapbook Page

I snapped this shot of my sister-in-law Stephanie and niece Megan last Thanksgiving as I was walking by them. With their blue eyes and red hair this picture works great with the new Sweet Pea DSP. Though I'm not a "butterfly person," for some reason I have fallen in love with both the Beautiful Butterflies Die and the Beautiful Wings Embosslit and you can layer them.

This is the original page I made over.

Create by Jackie Stringham and featured in the September 2009 Issue of Creating Keepsakes Magazine I liked the layout, especially the butterfly, but wasn't crazy about the background paper.

• For my layout I started with a 12x12 piece of Whisper White and then added Taken with Teal Circle Dot background paper from the Sweet Pea DSP.
• The photo is a 5x7 layered onto Chocoalte Chip CS and then onto one of the Pumpkin pages of Sweet Pea DSP.
• Next I stamped the letters to spell out Love using the Wild West Alphabet with Chocolate Chip CRAFT Ink and Clear Embossing Powder. 
• To give you an idea of size the striped piece of SP DSP is 2 x 5 3/8.
• The three larger butterflies were created with the Stampin' Up! exclusive Beautiful Butterflies Die and the smaller Pumpkin one at the top was made with the Beautiful Wings Embosslit.
• I added Stampin' Dimensionals under one side of each butterfly pair to give them some dimension.

I have to say I haven't been doing as much scrapbooking as I'd like to and was worried I wouldn't be able to get back in the swing of things very easily. Seems I worried for nothing because it is all coming back to me. I think it's because I'm so excited to start teachning scrapbooking again.

Be on the lookout for details on my new six class series Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Scrapbooking. It's sure to get you back in the mood to scrapbook too.

 

Makeover Monday: Valentine's Treat Bag Cover

Today's makeover project was originally created by Kristie Lee. Her little Valentine bag cover is quite cute so I decided to make it over using only the Stampin' Up! products I had on hand.

I began with Pretty in Pink CS and added strips of Whisper White punched with the new Scallop Trim Border Punch, (only available in the Sale-a-bration Mini Catalog through March 31st.) Then for the heart I used the Heart of Hearts Embosslit with Melon Mambo Cardstock and then added one of the flowers and leaves from the new Sweet Pea Stitched Felt Flowers. I am so in love with the Sweet Pea Stitched Felt Flowers. Check them out on page 32 of the Occasions Mini Catalog. I've found the Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive works best with any of the felt pieces. Being that it is a liquid glue you do have to set your project aside to let it dry, but once it's dry it's there to stay. Once I added the felt leaves to the back of the heart I then adhered it to the bag cover using Pop Up Glue Dots. These make the bottom even/level with the felt. Then finished it off with the Polka Dot Melon Mambo Grosgrain Ribbon. Inside are the candy hearts that come in the little box. I poured them into a medium cello bag, stapled it closed and then adhered the bag below the ribbon holes using a little Sticky Strip.

 

Original

Perhaps when you see my version or the original a totally different idea pops into your head.

Give Makeover Monday a try and see what you can come up with.