Stamping with Noel

Featuring Nature's Pace Grapes & the Big Shot

As I continue to highlight my favorite sets from the retiring stamp list, I realized that I had never used the grapes from the Nature's Pace stamp set!  In all honesty, I purchased the set for the bee stamp.  And I knew that I could use the thistle stamp for scrapbooking my Edinburg Scotland trip, but the lovely grapes have just sat there unnoticed ... until now!

Technique Tips:

Stamps like this one scream to be colored with the Stampin' Write markers!  I don't think the image would be near as successful if stamped in a single color - and you try lining your green and purple ink pads up just where you want them (although it can be done if you are careful and use the corner of the pad). Also, the marker technique allows you to add a little shading, as I've done in the leaves using two separate green markers. 

Just remember to huff on your stamp after coloring and before stamping.  The hot moist air will revive any ink that has started to dry on your stamps.

To shop the retiring stamp collection - click here!

Colorful Scrapbook Page for a Day to Day Childhood Memory

Today I want to share a colorful childhood scrapbook page with you that highlights a moment in childhood that could easily go unappreciated.  With three children, I'm quickly learning that the early years, that seem so long when you are first experiencing them, truly are very brief moments in time.  And, when they are over, all of those little behaviors and personality quirks that you "knew" you would remember are easily forgotten!

So today, I highlight my youngest - a 4 1/2 year old with linguistic skills to rival her siblings.  A 4 1/2 year old who regulary uses phrases like "actually I would prefer...", "you inspired me to...", and "unfortunately, I lost my...".  But, a 4 1/2 year old all the same, with her own speech difficulties:

This is a simple, but colorful layout, in which I simply took my color scheme and the 'rainbow' pattern from my daughter's dress.  My title letters are made with the Big Shot and the Typeset Alphabet Bigz dies, while my journaling was done with my computer and printer.  But, even a simple layout deserves a little extra detail, and this one is no exception.  I added that 'little something' with a little DMC thread, beads and a spoon charm from my stash:

TOOL TIP:  

My spoon was originally gold in color and didn't work with my layout - so I simply heat embossed it with Melon Mambo Stampin' Emboss powder to match!  Don't forget to hold your charm with pliers while heating so you don't get burned.

If you are a scrapbooker, the Big Shot and the Typeset Alphabet Bigz dies can be powerful tools in your arsenal - allowing you to cut title strips from a variety of materials to perfectly compliment your layout. For instance, you could use cork sheets for a school layout, actual soda can for a layout on a cola addiction, fabric covered chipboard for a layout of an outfit sewn by grandma ... the options are unlimited!

Check out the Big Shot and our full collection of dies here!

Garden Art Journal Title Page

Ok, are you seeing the relaxed look of a This and That journal page?  Not quite yet ... I know. There is still a lot of control on this page, but every little step is a step in the right direction!

This page has a long list of supplies:

• Stampin' Up! Stamps:  Nature Walk, Summer Silhouettes, and a splatter stamp from the retired Itty Bitty Backgrounds (actually, it is a splatter I've stored with Itty Bitty Backgrounds, but I believe it comes from yet another retired set ... hmmm.)
• Unmounted Stamps from my stash:  a grass type line stamp and the "Refresh, Renew, Rejuvenate, Revive" greeting stamp
• Classic Inks:  Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, and Pacific Point
• Big Shot and Headline Alphabet Set
• Chipboard from packaging material
• Some blue crepe tape from my stash (but you'll be seeing some of the Designer Washi Tape from the This and That kit soon!)
• Scrap of Whisper White Card Stock

And I guess that leads right into my first thought with this type of journaling ... throw it all at the page!  

Artistic Endeavor: CASE of a Store Bought Card

 

It's time to get your fingers dirty with another Artistic Endeavor - this time around with crystal effects and glitter!

Before I tell you how I created this card, I wanted to share the store bought card I CASE'd to create this look.  My hubby is always so happy to receive my handmade cards, that he no longer feels comfortable buying me a basic printed card.  Instead he seeks out cards that "look like you made them".  I think that is pretty sweet.  And, better yet, I often take creative inspiration from them too!

Here is the comparison of the card he gave me for our anniversary a couple years ago and my card:

Store Bought Card

My CASEd Copy

Some notes on my creation:

• Textured Frame:
  
  I love how the textured frame of the original focal piece sets it apart from the same colored card base.  I decided to use the Big Shot both to create my frame (with Ovals Collection Framelits) and to create my texture (Textured Impressions Embossing Folder). And, while I was at it, I decided my card base needed a little texture too - a great way to pull in the dots from the original frame!
  
  I decided I wanted a bit more differentiation from my background, and added a layer of Crystal Effects to create a laquered effect.  Simply run a line of Crystal Effects over your frame and use your finger to smooth it into a thin layer to coat.  You could use 'finger gloves' or a piece of saran wrap if you don't like to get dirty, but you know that I don't!
  
  
• Ribbon Rose Buds and Leaves:
  
  While I could have created ribbon rose buds, the original buds immediately reminded me of our new 5/8" Flower Trim.  Why not use something that is already preformed?
  
  Oh, and when creating, I like multiples of 3 or 5 better than a pair!
  
  For my leaves, I used a retired organdy ribbon for a subtle look, but you could use any green ribbon.  Just twist the ends together and glue with Mini Glue Dots.
  
  
• Sparkly Pink Patterned Background:
  
  This is the time to dig through your Designer Series Paper scraps!  If you need new paper, check out our collection here!  My paper choice comes from a Sale-a-bration paper (I think) from several years ago.  I stuck with the pink floral motif, but chose a smaller scale. I think it gets a little lost under my glitter, so you might want to try bolder! 
  
  TOOL TIP:  If you cut your frame using ovals that are two sizes apart, you can cut an oval with the framelit that fits between the two you have used for your art piece.  This will keep the edges from showing when you mount your pieces on your card!
  
  The sparkle comes by adding a layer of Dazzling Diamonds Glitter over a layer of Heat & Stick Powder. 

So, if you receive a card you appreciate, why not take some creative inspiration from it and make it your own?  I think you'll enjoy the process! 

Handmade Gifts With the Big Shot: Upcycled Fleece Hand Warmers

 

This upcycled fleece hand warmer started life as a toddler sleeper!  Actually, I was able to create 5 hand warmers from a single sleeper. 

With a single pass through the Big Shot with the Bigz Scallop Circle Die, I had two layers of patterned fleece fabric cut to shape which were quickly stitched together and stuffed with pearl barley.  Now the hand warmer can be heated in the microwave whenever a little extra warmth is needed. 

What can you do with your Big Shot? 

Click on the Big Shot Projects category in my side bar, or search for handmade gifts, and see if you find some inspiration!

Mad Hatter Style Tea Shoppe Thank You Card & Bidding for Good

In honor of my children's school's auction this weekend - "The Mad Hatter's Ball" - I want to share with you this Mad Tea Party Thank You Card:

Because we are celebrating with a more Tim Burton-esque Alice in Wonderland theme, I felt like my card required a bit of greenery!  This was done with the Big Shot and my favorite Little Leaves Sizzlit.  Remember, these leaves can be easily snipped into smaller sections as your project demands.

While I thought of creating my stacked tea cups with the masking technique (which can be done easily if you 'vandalize' your stamps as I've done here), I chose instead to cut out my tea cups and to add dimension by mounting them with pop dots.  The glossy sheen is added to my cups with a thin layer of crystal effects, which adds sheen creating additional depth to the card. 

NOTE/TOOL TIP:  My Stamping With Noel Newsletter this month included an article on the various craft scissors sold by Stampin' Up! and their best uses.  I have to say that I was very grateful for my Paper Snips when I went to cut out each of my individually stamped tea cups from the Tea Shoppe Stamp Set!  The tiny points, sharp edges and overall diminutive size made getting into the little nooks and crannies pretty simple.

Have you heard about Bidding for Good? 

This is an online auction site for non-profit organizations such as my children's school!  If you are interested in supporting us and picking up some fun items on the way, check out our auction site here:

Mad Hatter's Ball Benefit Auction  
(You'll even find a set of wine charms I made in the home/garden section!)

While my out of state customers and readers are probably tired of hearing about Santa Barbara weather and my local classes, this is something you can all get in on!  This auction site allows you to shop for great deals while supporting the causes you care about no matter where you live.

The auction ends March 18th, so bid soon!

Masculine Valentine from Upcycled Treasure!

A couple years ago I was gifted with the perfect recycleable products for masculine cards ... these leather upholstery samples!  Fabric Sample books of all kinds work beautifully with the Big Shot and your craft projects.

They were buried in my bedroom closet, far from my craft room, but yesterday they were uncovered - just in time to make this masculine valentine!

I didn't think the framelits (Hearts a Flutter in this case) would cut through the leather sample, and I was correct.  But because the thick leather was actually a thin layer on top of a thicker felted fabric, the framelit did cut through the leather and I was able to peel it off the fabric backing (see below).  

The standard and bigz dies, on the other hand, worked beautifully on thicker materials like these samples.  The Top Note Bigz Die has long been my favorite for cutting leather, but any regular sized die works well - as seen by the Circles #2 Die sample also used on this card.  I suggest using our multipurpose liquid adhesive when adhering the leather pieces to your card.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

Noel

Big Shot Fortune Cookie Valentines and Paper Doily Gift Bag

Tomorrow is my quarterly Focus on the Big Shot Class and one of our three projects is this lovely little Valentine with homemade felt fortune cookies (cut with the Circles #2 Bigz Die).  

I love doing this class!  While my Big Shot is used during almost every single one of my crafting sessions, and is often highlighted during my classes, I often feel like I highlight it too much.  Some of my attendees still have no intention of entering the world of die cuts (shocking, I know!), and I want everyone to leave my classes feeling like they've learned something that they can use again.  When I do one of these classes I can throw as many Big Shot tips and ideas at my attendees as I like, and they happily soak it all in!   

One of my favorite packaging ideas for little handmade gifts and favors is to use our Cellophane Bags (available in 3 fun sizes!) with a Top Note Bigz Die topper.  Today I've dressed my topper up with a Tea Lace Paper Doily from our Spring Catalog and a punched scallop circle.  

Does this look like fun?

Want to learn to use your Big Shot to the fullest?  To use your dies in new fun ways?  

Maybe you don't own a Big Shot, but would like to see what it is all about?

Why not take a class with me?  Or schedule your own private class for you and your friends?  

E-mail Me and we can discuss the opportunities!

Beautiful Cloud Backgrounds Made Easy with an Embossing Folder

I love the look of clouds on cards.  In the past, I have taught my techniques club how to create clouds with ink, stampin' sponges and punched scalloped circles (as seen on this 'hot air balloon' card).  Today I want to share these embossed clouds with you:

This new embossing folder, Cloudy Day Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, is one of the many new products (including several other embossing folders!) found in the 2013 Spring Catalog which went live January 3rd.  I think it is a must have in a crafters collection!

Some notes on this card:

1. Stamp first, then emboss!
   
   Why you ask?  If you smudge your stamping, you can start over with a clean piece of card stock and only emboss once.
   
   Also, once you stamp your greeting, you will be able to better determine at what height you want your clouds to begin.
   
   
2. Simple can be pretty!
   
   The flowers on these cards are simply made with six punched circles and a Gold Brad.  I used three circles punched with the 3/4" Circle Punch and an additional three circles punched with the 1" Circle Punch. Make your tools work hard for you!
   
   The leaves are die cut with my long time favorite Sizzlit, Little Leaves Sizzlit, but I could also have used the branch from the Bird Builder Punch.
   
   
3. Learn from Everyone Around You!
   
   I love when I teach classes, because everyone who attends has her own style - and inevitably someone in the class makes a change.  It might be intentional or accidental. It might be a large change or small. They might change the orientation of part or all of the card, move things around, omit something ... but there will be a small change making their card their own.  And often, the change makes my sample better!
   
   Now, when I'm crafting multiple copies of the same card, I try to repeat this process - make at least one small change and see if I like it better.  And again, often I do!

I hope you've had a chance to check out the new spring catalog!  If not, contact me, or download a copy here.

Popular Projects on My Blog This Year? Coffee Craft!

At the end of the year, it is fun to look back at the blog posts which brought the most visitors to my site.  This year, one of your favorites was this simple handmade gift for a coffee lover!

Now it could be because this post was originally shared in April 2011, so it has been available for viewing for a much longer time - or some such other factor - but it is fun to see what inspires you.

And for those of you crafting for a younger crowd, these chapstick butterflies (also made with the Big Shot) were a big hit!

Something else caught your eye? 

I'd love to hear what was your favorite!  Please leave a comment below.

Holiday Decorations from Upcycled Materials Inspired by Signals Catalog

It's December, time for my house to shine with the lights of the Christmas tree and to be filled with handmade holiday decor.  Making this poinsettia 'wind chime' was a bit time consuming, but with my Big Shot and punches it was so easy!  And, best of all, all supplies were on hand in my craft room or garage. 

What did I use?

• 1 piece of scrap base board from the garage - spray painted red with glossy indoor/outdoor paint
• 29 die cut milk carton circles cut with the Big Shot and the Circles #2 Die
• 87 paper flowers  punched with the retired 5 Petal Punch from Real Red and Garden Green Card Stock ... but I really think I should look at my flower dies more closely next time around.  That was a lot of punching!
• shimmer paint from my stash painted onto one layer of the red flowers per poinsettia
• Crystal Effects which was painted onto both sides of each punched flowers for gloss and longevity
• 29 brass office brads (the centers of my flowers) used to attach the flowers to the milk carton
• 16 gold jingle bells
• about 160 gold split rings used to attach the milk carton disks and the jingle bells to each other (ok, I cheated here ... I only had 140 on hand, and needed to purchase more to finish my project)
• 5 screw eyes to attach my chimes to the base board.

This decoration was inspired by some snowflake bell chimes I had seen in the Signals catalog. I almost purchased them, but I always hesitate to have too much 'snow art' while living in Santa Barbara.  It always feels forced!  But my poinsettia plants do quite well here - in fact I have a plant that was bought for a talbe display a couple years ago that is now 3-4 foot tall in a pot in my driveway - so it was the perfect accent for my chimes.

As you can see, my Big Shot and my punches are all getting a good workout this holiday season.  If you don't own a Big Shot yet, have you put in your wish list for Santa?  Or maybe you need to earmark some Christmas money to make your purchase in January?  You won't believe you ever lived without it!

Another Scrap Rubber Stamp: Coffee Bean for You and Me!

Here is a customized masculine Christmas card I made for my hubby this year using a hand cut coffee bean stamp ... for indeed, our Christmas morning can not begin without a cup of Joe and a personalized card includes personalized messages and images!

While Stampin' Up! offers a wide variety of rubber stamp images, it is always nice to add that little detail that is all yours!  When you cut your own stamps from the leftover rubber from a new stamp set, you add a little of your own personality to your art for no extra cost.  That is green/recycled/upcycled crafting at its best! 

My Coffee Bean stamp is just one example of this.  I cut the general shape from the scrap rubber from a recently purchased clear mount stamp set.  The line down the middle was then cut out with an exacto knife - I only cut through the top of the rubber, not the foam mount!

The background text is done simply in Word, and adds that personalized message that makes this card extra special!  I lined up where I 'thought' the text should go and printed it on scratch paper cut to the size of my project.  Then I tweaked where necessary until I had everything printing where I wanted.  It may not be noticeable, but the text is printed with the appropriate RGB codes for Chocolate Chip (104 73 71) and Early Espresso Ink (80 57 49)! 

So think of the message that you want to convey and then get creative!  And don't throw out that left over rubber too quickly when mounting your stamps ... you never know what image you might need to create!

Supplies:  Crumb Cake and Early Espresso Card Stock, Scentsational Season Clear Mount Bundle (Includes Scentsational Season Stamp Set and Holiday Collection Framelits Dies at a 15% discount!), Basic Pearls Jewel Accents, Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Multipurpose Liquid Adhesive, Red Sharpie (to color the pearls)

Masculine Woodsy Birthday Card with the Big Shot

 

I created this Masculine Woodsy Birthday Card for my father who lives on 18 acres of wooded land in Northern California.  Last year, when my family went to visit, my dad took us for a long walk and helped my then 9 year old daughter learn to recognize all of the different varieties of oak and other species on the property.  So what better theme for his birthday card?  Especially since I've been wanting to break in my Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder!

Supplies: Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Little Leaves Sizzlits, Big Shot, Whisper White and Crumb Cake Card Stock, Jet Black StazOn Ink, Twine, Gold Brads, Perfectly Penned Stamp Set and Multipurpose Liquid Glue.

For some masculine inspiration, here are my favorite Stampin' Up! supplies for masculine cards: 

1. For the generic Masculine Card:
   Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
   
   
2. For the 'woodsman':
   Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
   
   
3. For the 'sailor':
   The Open Sea Stamp Set
   
4. For the 'horseman':
   Horse Frontier Stamp Set
   
   
5. For the 'little boy':
   You're Amazing Stamp Set
   
   
6. For the 'teen':
   Simple Circle and Square Punches

What are your go to masculine stamp supplies?  If you have been looking for something, check out the ideas above ... and if you have a great idea for teen boys, please share it with me!  This is definitely a weakness of mine.  Grin.

 

There's Snow in Santa Barbara Thanks To My Big Shot Garland!

Here is my most recent craft project for my home,a snowflake and jingle bell garland made with the Big Shot!  I have to apologize in advance that the die I used is retired ... but I'm too happy with the finished product not to share!  And, we have a new snowflake die in our Holiday Catalog that you could also use (and the new die has three snowflakes on the same die!) - see supplies at the bottom of this post.

 

In my house, the weekend after Thanksgiving is time to start gearing up for Christmas!  Holly (our "Elf Upon the Shelf") arrived before we even returned from our Thanksgiving travels, and she is now making her way around the house.  The outdoor lights are going up and the seasonal decorations are beginning to surface.  Each year the seasonal decorations include both old and new projects.  This is my first new project this year.

The garland is made with snowflakes cut from milk carton (yep, milk carton again) and the Snowflakes #2 die with the Big Shot.  If you do not own this retired die, you could use the Snow Flurry Bigz Die currently available in our Holiday Catalog.  In addition, there are red beads from my daughters' stash, silver jingle bells from my stash and Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine. 

I hope you find time to create some seasonal decorations for your home.  If you do, I hope you find the same psychic satisfaction that I do.  Let me know if I can help you work through any of your ideas or find just the right supplies to accomplish whatever you have planned!

20% OFF the Big Shot - Today Only

The Online Extravaganza is here! 

And with it, for one day only, you can purchase a Big Shot at 20% off ... have you been fence sitting on this one?  Take a peek at a variety of Big Shot projects over the past years:

Simple Hair Clips

     

Floral Bookmarks

  

Candle Pin

    

Ornaments

Embossed Party Napkins

    

Personalized Book/Tote Bag

If you've been sitting the fence, this is a great time to pick up a Big Shot.  And, if you have someone crafty on your holiday shopping list, a Big Shot could make for a happy Christmas morning!  Don't miss out -

Shop the Online Extravaganza today!