StampsNWhatnot

A Tag to Die For - A Bloggers Challenge

Here's a tag I made for my customers.  I was vendoring at a crop and wanted to play with my Big Shot.  This is what I came up with.

Whatcha think?

Here's what I used to make it.  All supplies are from Stampin Up.

Stamp Set:  Taking Care of Business #115090, $25.95, pg. 147

Ink:  Night of Navy Classic Stampin pad

Cardstock:  Sage Shadow, Night of Navy, Brocade Blue, More Mustard, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Handsome Hunter, So Saffron

Accessories: 3 Flower Punch, Boho Flower Punch, Tab Punch, Big Shot, Scallop Circle Die, Bird w. Leaves and Flower, Texture Plate - Stampin Up Backgrounds 1

Tip:  To get the texture to show up even more, lightly sponge the design by wiping your inked sponge across it.

WOW! Have You Seen This Great Growth Chart by Stampin' Up?

When I saw this for the first time, all I could do was smile.  This limited edition growth chart by Stampin Up is way too cute!  This is an exculsive Decor Elements vinyl image that you put on your wall.  For those of you who are wondering how this works, think rub on's for your wall.  You can see how to apply these great images here.  They will stay on your wall until you want to remove them, then you just rub them off using the same applicator tool that you put them on with.  Easy!

For those of you who move often (ex. military families) a great suggestion is to put this on a board or door and take it with you when you move.  Fun, eh?  To order one of these for your family, just go to my Stampin' Up! website and click the "Shop Now" button on the top right hand corner of the screen.  The Growth Chart is item #117519 and is $24.95.

Just Ask Jeannette

I'm starting a new feature. It's called "Just Ask Jeannette". 

I've gotten some questions about stamping, scrapbooking and the Definately Decorative line so I decided to answer them for you here. 

 

 

This week's Question:

When I ink up a stamp and stamp it, the image comes out blotchy.  Why does this happen and what can I do to prevent it from happening?

 ACK! Just look at that blotched image!

Answer: 

This happens when you are using a solid image stamp.  That's where a lot of the image is going to be inked.  It usually happens when you are using a relatively new stamp or one that hasn't been conditioned.

To condition your stamp, basically what you want to do is give the rubber some tooth or a surface that will grip the ink when applied.  To do this, take your sanding block or superfine sandpaper and gently sand the surface of the stamp.  Sand it in different directions.  This will remove the shiny smooth surface.

 

Make sure to blow off the rubber dust and clean your stamp with your Stampin Mist and Scrub, then ink up your stamp.  Remember to tap your stamp in the ink like you're knocking on a door.  Tap, tap, tap.  This will give you the best coverage.  No need to push the stamp hard into the ink pad.

 

Now stamp your image.  Much better than before!  Click on the photos to get a closer look.

  

As you can see, the conditioned stamp makes a much better image.  Clean and perfect!

Do you have a question you need answered?  Send it to me at StampsNWhatnot@aol.com.  I'll do my best to get you your answer.

Comic Relief - Mambo Italiano

As those of you who know me know, I'm a lover of the music of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, et all.  I love the crooners!  A friend of mine sent me a link to view Dean singing "Mambo Italiano" and I came across this.  The gentleman singing is the french singer and actor Gerard Darmon and this is just fabulous.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

A Birthday Card with "Greenhouse Garden" by Stampin Up - A Blogger's Challenge

I know, I know, it's been forever since I played along in the Blogger's Challenge.  I've missed my creative time but sometimes, life just gets in the way.  I'm glad I've gotten to stamp a couple of times this week.  I've been busy designing classes and camps for you all!  Make sure to check out my upcoming events to see what's in store.

For this challenge, it was an easy one.  The theme was Birthday which is the most popular occasion to send a card according to my poll on the right hand side of this blog.  I chose one of my new stamp sets for this card called "Greenhouse Garden" by Stampin Up.  It's so very pretty and this stamp set really pops because it's a 2 step stampin set.  That means that you stamp one image, then stamp another image on top of it, giving more definition and dimension to the total image.

All product used is Stampin' Up!

Stamp Sets:  Greenhouse Garden #113824, $25.95, pg. 94; Oval All #113790, $16.95, pg. 125; On Your Birthday #111664, $33.95, pg. 139

Inks:  Rich Razzleberry, Ruby Red, Summer Sun, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust

Cardstock: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Crush Curry

Accessories: Large Oval, Scalloped Oval, Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals.

Hope you like my card.  I'd love to hear your thoughts so feel free to leave a comment!