Take a SIP – Stamps, Ink, Paper!

These three items are the basics of rubber stamping. Today’s video shows you how to re-ink and take care of your ink pads. (If you received this message by e-mail or in a blog reader, you may need to visit my blog to see the link.) Scroll down to watch the video.

Thanks to Margie for suggesting this video topic. If you have a video idea for me, please leave it in the comments below or e-mail me at darlene@dreamingaboutrubberstampscom

Stampin’ Up! currently sells four different types of inks:

Classic

• A waterbased dye ink
• Dries quickly, easy to use
• Basic Black pad is waterproof
• Available as a full sizes pad or as Stampin’ Spots

Craft

• Pigment ink
• Safe for Scrapbooks
• Can be used on wood and fabrics
• Good for heat embossing

StazOn Ink

• Permanent Ink
• Available in Jet Black and White
• Dries quite quickly
• Great for watercoloring
• Acid free

VersaMark Pad

• Watermark pad
• Great for heat embossing and resist techniques
• Also available as a marker

 Don’t think it, ink it!

What a creative way to use a circle punch together with an oval punch to make an adorable punched flower.

I saw this idea at Convention and couldn’t wait to try it myself. To make this flower, I used a 3/4" circle punch with the large oval punch. I also made petals using the small and wide oval punches with different sized circle punches and they all worked.

This card also uses the Sweet & Sour Specialty designer series paper. The colours of this paper are Rose Red and Pumpkin Pie. I used the Sweet & Sour paper for a layering piece on top of the Rose Red card and Whisper White and Pumpkin Pie layers as well as to create three of the six petals.

To cover the center of the punches I used a Pumpkin Pie button and then decided to follow through with more Pumpkin Pie and used the 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.

And, guess what? No stamping required.

Scroll down for more details and instructions. 

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Punch a circle from cardstock.
 

Position the oval punch over the circle you punched previously and punch again.

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Paper: Sweet & Sour Specialty DSP (117390), Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White

Punches: 3/4" Circle (119873), Large Oval (119855)

Other: Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (109030), Brights Designer Buttons (119747) 

Don’t think it, ink it!

Today’s Technique Tuesday video features the Stained Glass technique.

Scroll down to watch the video and to see a second card sample. (If you received this message by e-mail or in a blog reader, you may need to visit my blog to see the link.)

For this first card, I used Baja Breeze and Wild Wasabi reinkers. As the colour in the reinker is so concentrated, it often dries darker than the cardstock colour. So, for this card, I used Marina Mist cardstock instead of Baja Breeze.

If you are finding the reinkers are too intense and the colour is darker than you would like, try diluting the reinker with a little bit of water before applying to the Crystal Efffects.

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products in Canada, Click Here

Stamps: Just Believe

Inks: Black StazOn, Refills: Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi

Paper: Marina Mist, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Basic Black 

Other: Marina Mist 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Crystal Effects, Window Sheets 

This second card also uses the Stained Glass technique but I used more drops of reinker to almost fill the window sheet.

Which is your favourite? Please leave a comment and let me know.   
 

Stamps: Just Believe

Inks: Black StazOn, Refills: Real Red, Regal Rose, Daffodil Delight

Paper: Sunny Garden Designer Series Paper, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Basic Black 

Punches: Word Window, Modern Label

Other: Basic Black 5/8" Satin, Neutrals Brads, Crystal Effects, Window Sheets    

 Don’t think it, ink it!

It’s time to start thinking about Christmas? Really.

The weather here is beautiful and sunny and yet I just placed my demonstrator pre-order from the 2010 Holiday Mini Catalogue.

You will love the new stamp sets and accessories in the Stampin’ Up! Mini catalogue. New punches, glass glitter, fabric, glimmer brads, black lace and rhinestones and more.

Can’t wait to see the Holiday Mini for yourself?

Click here to request your free copy of the Holiday Mini which will begin mailing about August 15th. 

This card uses the new Holiday Mini hostess stamp set Peaceful Season and the new designer series paper Deck the Halls.

The ink is Cherry Cobbler which is featured in many of the Holiday Mini samples. I used Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla cardstock as well as the Victoria Lace crochet trim shown on page 190 of the Idea Book & Catalogue.

Since the Very Vanilla cardstock and Victoria Lace crochet trim seemed really stark on this card, I used the Log Cabin Smooch Spritz on  various elements of the card, including the lace, to tone them done a bit. This also gave the card a vintage look that I really like.

Enjoy!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products in Canada, Click Here

Don’t think it, ink it!

For me, Saturday mornings are all about a cup of coffee and reading the newspaper. 

And this card combines my two favourite activites by using the Morning Cup stamp set with the Newsprint designer series paper.

For this card, I cut two strips of Newsprint dsp – one 1/2" x 5" and another 3/4" x 5". I adhered them to a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock on either side of a length of 5/8" Basic Black grosgrain ribbon that had already been attached.

I glued this piece onto a layer of Very Vanilla cardstock and then onto a Basic Black card.

The image was stamped onto Very Vanilla cardstock with Black StazOn ink and the heart was coloured with a Real Red marker. Then, I punched the cup image out with a 1-3/8" circle punch and adhered it to a 2" x 3" piece of Crumb Cake cardstock where I had already stamped the greeting. This piece was layered again onto a 2-1/4" x 3-1/4" piece of Basic Black cardstock. To finish, I glued the two piece together.

Enjoy your long weekend Saturday!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products in Canada, Click Here

Stamps: Morning Cup

Inks: Black StazOn, Markers – Real Red

Paper: Newsprint DSP, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Basic Black 

Punches: 1-3/8" Circle

Other: Basic Black 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon 

Morning Cup Stamp Set, Set of 11

Clear – $20.95, #120489

Wood – $26.95, #116988

Don’t think it, ink it!

Happy Birthday Nate!

I made this card for my nephew, Nathan who is turning 6 this weekend. He phoned the other day to invite us to his birthday party. When I asked what I could bring, he answered "a present!"  I should have thought of that!

Isn’t this new stamp set fun? It’s called Make A Monster so that’s just what I did. This set would be a great gift for the kids in your life.

I stamped the three monster bodies onto watercolor paper with Black StazOn ink and then added the various mouths and eyes. I didn’t even use all of the facial expression stamps that are included in this set.

Next, I coloured the monsters with an aqua painter and watercolor crayons. I am not a very good watercolourer. It’s kind of a catch 22 – I’m not very good because I don’t watercolor very often and I don’t watercolor very often because I’m not very good. But there is hope because I am getting better. (Can you just picture how bad I used to be? Shiver.)

I paired my monsters with the Play Date designer series paper and added a length of the wide Real Red grosgrain ribbon around the middle to hide the seam.

I hope Nathan likes his card and his present (Star Wars lego, shh, don’t tell him!)

TIP from convention: Scribble your watercolour crayons onto a clear block and then pick up the colour from the block with your aqua painter or blender pen. It works great!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products in Canada, Click Here

Stamps: Make A Monster, Family Phrases

Inks: Black StazOn, Markers – Old Olive, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise

Paper: Play Date DSP, Watercolor, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive

Punches: Modern Label

Other: Watercolor Crayons, Aqua Painter, Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals 

Make A Monster Stamp Set, Set of 15

Clear – $21.95, #120606

Wood – $29.95, #118742

Don’t think it, ink it!

148 days, actually.

That’s lots of time! So I tell myself. And yet every year I don’t get all of my Christmas cards sent. 

Does that sound familiar?  Well, this year I am going to start early. Really!

And the Contempo Christmas stamp set is going to help. I love this set of 4.  It has a great Merry Christmas greeting for the front of the card and a second greeting for inside my cards. And two more images – an ornament that coordinates with the ornament punch and a Christmas tree. Pair it with the Jolly Holiday designer series paper and think of all the cards you can create.

To make this card, I inked up the Christmas tree with Old Olive ink and then coloured directly onto the stamp with the Cherry Cobbler marker. After huffing to remoisten the stamp, I stamped onto a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock 2" x 2-3/4". Next, I layered the Very Vanilla onto a piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock 2-1/4" x 3". To complete this piece, I layered again onto Old Olive cardstock 2-1/2" x 3-1/4" with dimensionals. I added an Old Olive button complete with a Cherry Cobbler cardstock "thread" with a mini glue dot to dress is up a bit. If these buttons are not on your wish list, add them now! It’s amazing what a single button can do for a card.

I stamped "Merry Christmas" onto a 5-1/4" x 4" piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and adhered it to a Cherry Cobbler card.

The Jolly Holiday paper was cut to 5-1/4" x 2" and layered onto a 5-1/4" x 2-1/4" piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock.

To finish the card, I added a knot of 5/8" Old Olive grosgrain ribbon. This card would be great to make "assembly line" style if you need alot of Christmas cards. Try using different combinations of Jolly Holiday papers and Cherry Cobbler/Old Olive cardstock to mix it up a bit.

Ready to start your Christmas cards? Don’t miss my Christmas in August class! We will be making 8 cards – 2 each of 4 designs for $25. These cards will be a step above simple cards (this card will not be included in the class). Pre-payment is required. Click here for more details and to register.

Can’t attend – purchase the class instructions by e-mail for $10. Click here to purchase.
 

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products in Canada, Click Here

Stamps: Christmas Contempo

Inks: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler Marker

Paper: Jolly Holiday DSP, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Very Vanilla

Other: Brights Designer Buttons, Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots 

  Contempo Christmas Stamp Set, Set of 4

Clear – $14.95, #120594

Wood – $19.95, #118734

Don’t think it, ink it!

There are just not enough stamping hours in a day to make all the cards and projects I want to. Housework can only be ignored so long, children left unfed and laundry piled up before it’s time to step away for a bit.

So when I do have time to use my new products, I find myself reaching for my new favourites. Which are, of course, the first products I ordered from the new catalogue!

This card uses two new faves – Elegant Soiree designer series paper and the Curly Cute stamp set.

I really wanted to use lots of layers of the Elegant Soiree designer series paper for this card. The designs in the package are all fabulous and work together well. In fact. it probably took longer to turn over all of the papers, look at both sides and make tentative layers that it did to complete this card once I started

The greeting is from the Curly Cute stamp set which is new to this catalogue. These greetings are simple but the curly ends dress them up a bit. This set is also available in French and Spanish.

Once I cut and adhered the layers and added the stamped greeting this card was pretty much done. But it still needed a little something. Paper Daisies to the rescue. I took two of the smallest flowers in the package and applied them directly to the ink pad to add colour. The top flower is Baja Breeze and the bottom is Soft Suede.

This card was quick to make. I hope the recipient likes it!

Ever wondered how to use a specific product, make a certain project or how a technique works? I am working on filming videos this week and next week so leave a comment below if there is a topic you would like to see on my blog.   Thanks!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products in Canada, Click Here

Stamps: Curly Cute (Clear -$17.95, #120510, Wood – $24.95, #117014, page 149 of the catalogue)

Inks: Soft Suede, Baja Breeze

Paper: Elegant Soiree DSP, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Other: Paper Daisies, Neutrals Brads, Stampin’ Dimensionals 

Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper

12 sheets – 2 each of 6 double-sided designs

$12.50, # 117163, Page 175 of the Idea Book & Catalogue

Don’t think it, ink it!

I am home from Convention – finally!

The plan was to be home by Sunday night but United Airlines had other plans for me and I arrived home Monday afternoon.  And the very first thing I did? I’m embarrassed to say I took a long nap.

Convention was a blast as always. Lots of creative projects, great classes, chatting with other demonstrators, fantastic restaurant meals and really late nights. 

And now I am home and almost caught up on my sleep. And I can’t wait to share all that I learned last week. And I am already pumped up about Convention next year. Sign up today as a demonstrator and you can attend Convention 2011 with me!

If you were previously a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator in my downline or another, you can re-join right now for only $45. Contact me for all the details!

Stay tuned as I will be posting lots of samples and pictures in the next few days.

In speaking with lots of other demonstrators at Convention, I kept hearing that their favourite new In Color was Peach Parfait. I have to say that mine is Pear Pizzazz but I decided to give Peach Parfait a second chance today.

I paired it with my current favourite stamp set, Just Believe. This is one great set!

After creating the card from Peach Parfait cardstock, I made a 5-1/4" x 3" layering piece of Peach Parfait that I ran through the Big Shot using the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. This layering is tone on tone but it adds a little elegance to the card.

I knotted a length of Whisper White satin ribbon around the piece before adhering to the card.

Next I stamped the large floral image from Just Believe in Peach Parfait ink on Whisper White cardstock. I layered this piece onto Peach Parfait and a second piece of Whisper White. After adding a couple of pearls from the Pearls Basic package – don’t these pearls do amazing things to a card? – I added the stamped  image to the card with dimensionals to complete the card.

The verdict – I like this card and I am a bigger fan of Peach Parfait now.  But Pear Pizzazz  is still my favourite new In Color. Maybe I need to try the two together?

Don’t miss the post below for a great new hostess promotion!

Happy Stamping!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products in Canada, Click Here

Stamps: Just Believe

Inks: Peach Parfait

Paper: Peach Parfait, Whisper White

Big Shot: Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder

Other: Basic Pearls, Whisper White 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals 

Just Believe Stamp Set

Set of 9

Clear – $31.95, #120453

Wood – $41.95, #116948

Page 109 of the Idea Book & Catalogue

Don’t think it, ink it!

Extra! Extra! Hostess Dollars

Live in the Edmonton area?  Schedule a workshop with me by August 31 and earn an additional $35 in FREE Stampin’ Up! merchandise starting with a $450 workshop order! 

Long distance? Host a book party or virtual catalog workshop to earn hostess benefits!  E-mail me for more information.

For example, if you host a $450 workshop, you’ll receive:

• A free Level 1 or Level 2 stamp set of your choice. See pages 9-16 of the new catalogue.
• Receive $80 in FREE Stampin’ Up! product ($45 + $35)
• My free workshops include two make and takes, door prizes, a hostess gift and lots of paper crafting tips!

Reserve your in home workshop date or request your virtual workshop package today!