StampsNWhatnot

Artistic Etchings by Stampin Up - Ah Paris!

Good day everyone!  I'd like to share a card with you that I created for a recent swap I was in.  It was a fun one to make and I kind of like how it turned out.

What I did for the distressing was take a piece of Always Artichoke cardstock and distressed the edges of it with the distressing tool on the Cutter Kit.  Then I spritzed it with rubbing alcohol to relax the fibers in the paper.  I crumpled it up, uncrumpled it and then did it again.  While it was still damp, I curled the corners, just 'cause I liked the look.

Next, to get the aged coloring on the Very Vanilla cardstocks and DSP, I sponged in So Saffron, then in Chocolate Chip.

Now for the details on product.  All materials and stamps are from Stampin' Up!

Stamp Set:  Artistic Etchings WM #118517, $18.95, CM #120573, $14.95, pg 125

Cardstock:  Basic Black, So Saffron, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Newsprint Designer Series Paper (DSP)

Inks:  Stampin' Up! Classic Ink Pads in Basic Black, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip

Accessories:  Spiral Punch, Stampin Dimensionals, Cutter Kit, Sponge, Spray Bottle, Rubbing Alcohol

 To order online anytime 24/7, simply visit my online store.

Thanks for visiting!

Jeannette Swain

Beautiful Wings & Vintage Vogue Meet the Big Shot

Here is a card I made for one of the recent swaps I participate in.  I've fallen in love with the new Stampin Up Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die and the Vintage Vogue stamp set in the Stampin' Up! Occasions mini catalog.  The Embosslit is a great one to have as it's got 4 butterflies that are embossed and cut out.

Want to know what I used to create it?  Here are the details. 

All products are Stampin' Up!

Stamp Sets:  Vintage Vogue #117690, $23.95, pg. 26

Cardstock:  Kraft, Taken with Teal, Rose Red, Holiday Lounge DSP, Vellum Paper, Vellum Cardstock

Ink:  Sahara Sand, Rose Red, Basic Black

Accessories:  The Big Shot, Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plate, Beautiful Butterflies, Scallop Envelope, Two Tags, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Bone Folder, Snail Adhesive, Two-way Glue Pen, My Way Punch

 

 

 

A Couple of Tips:  I used Snail Adhesive on the Vellum envelope and you could barely see the adhesive.  It worked great!

Also, when using the Texturz plates, I spritzed the cardstock with rubbing alcohol, then put the silicone rubber pad and the Texturz Impressions Pad on top of it, then ran it through the Big Shot.  This gives a very detailed impression.  You can use water as well, however, it takes longer to dry. 

So, whatcha think of this one?  Would love to know.  Feel free to post a comment here on the blog :o)

Thanks for stopping by!

Jeannette
 

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.

Okay, So I Can't Wait to Post this Card - "From the Crypt" by Stampin' Up!

When I got my new catalog and started going thru it, I fell in love with the stamp sets on pages 20 and 21.  I had to laugh out loud because I'm really not a Halloween gal, but these were too cool and very on trend!  Here is a card I recently did for a swap I participated in.  This is also one of the cards I'm going to be featuring in the Spooktacular Halloween Stamp Camp I've got planned for you the first weekend in October.

Whatcha think of my creation!  (Feel free to post a comment below (wink!))

Enjoy!

Jeannette

 All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Stamp Sets:  From the Crypt #115460,  $22.95, pg.21; Baroque Motifs (One of the most versatile stamp sets around!) #113490, $27.95, pg.131; Holiday Best #115364, FREE - Hostess Level 1 set, pg. 13

Ink:  Stampin Up Basic Black

Cardstock:  Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Gray, Whisper White

Accessories:  Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals, Stampin Sponge.

Tip:  Tap your sponge on the black ink and then flick the edges of the Whisper White and Pumpkin Pie cardstock with it.  It distresses the edges a bit and draws the eye to the stamped images.

Stampin' Up! Has Gone YouTube!

Stampin' Up! has joined the ranks of YouTube!  Now you can see many great product tips from some of the wonderful staff there.  So go, watch and enjoy, then come back here to place your order.

I'm off to day 2 of the Viva Vienna Fair.  If you're in the neighborhood, stop on by.  I'm in booth 9.

Happy Memorial Day!

 

 

Blogger's Challenge - The Same But Different with a Stampin' Up! Sneak Peek!

This week, we're to 2 different create cards using either the same stamp set or the same layout.  Well, I kind of did both. 

We did this card at one of my Stamp Clubs this week where I taught them how to do the spotlighting technique.  As most of you know, the Stampin' Up!'s retired lists will be available only thru tomorrow, Jan. 18, 2009 so I pulled out "Riot of Petals".   It's such a great stamp and it can stand alone without the need for anything else. 

All product is Stampin' Up!

Stamp Set:  Riot of Petals #110972, $17.95

Cardstock:  Riding Hood Red, Cameo Coral, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink:  Basic Black, Stazon Black

Accessories:  1 3/4" Circle Punch, Round Tab Punch, Stampin' Write Markers

   I have another card using this stamp on Dec. 31 that the ladies loved at my 10.10.20 in Chantilly, VA this month.  You can see it here.

Now for the card with the same layout.  I did this for one of my swaps at Leadership.  It was inspired by my friend Melanie Schulenberg and uses one of the NEW Hostess sets from the Stampin' Up! Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book and Catalog.  Yep, this is the sneak peek.

All product is Stampin' Up!

Stamp Sets: Bella Toile #111598, $17.95, pg 129; Baroque Motifs #113490, $27.95, pg. 112; A Little Somethin' #113415, Hostess Set Level 2, pg. 20

Cardstock:  Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla

Inks:  Basic Black, Black Stazon, Close to Cocoa

Accessories:  1 3/4" Circle Punch, Round Tab Punch, Stampin' Write Markers.

Tip:  Want to know how to make a circle using the Round Tab Punch? 

Here's how:

     

Thanks for stopping by!

Stampin' Up!'s Snow Swirled Meets Iridescent Ice

Here is another card that folds flat, but when released from it's envelope, it forms into a shadow box.  The wonderful images are from the "Snow Swirled" stamp set by Stampin' Up! 

To make the card, I took 2 pieces of cardstock that were 5.5"x6.25".  I scored each of the sides of cardstock at .5" and 1" on each side and adhered them together using Sticky Strip after putting the focal point in the center of the back of the card.  The focal point of this card is the tree.  After stamping the image, I stamped Versamark all over the image, them embossed with Stampin' Up!'s Iridescent Ice.  It's so sparkly and pretty.  Too bad the photos don't show the true beauty of this card. 

All product is Stampin' Up!

Stamp Sets:  Snow Swirled (#111690, $24.95, pg. 32), To You and Yours (#111706, $18.95, pg.45)

Cardstock:  Night of Navy, Robinhood Red, Sage Shadow, Whisper White

Inks:  Handsome Hunter, Robinhood Red, Craft Whisper White, Versamark

Accessories: Iridescent Ice, White Embossing Powder, Heat gun, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, Coluzzle

Here's a shot from the top so you can see the depth of the card. 

Hope you try one of your own soon.  These are great fun to make!  I'll be featuring these in an upcoming stamp camp so stay tuned!  Mark your calendars for Jan. 3, Feb. 2 for some great stamp camps!  I'll be posting events very soon and sending out an email about them.

As always, if you are interested in any of these or other Stampin' Up! products, click on the "Order Online" button to go to my SU website and begin your shopping spree.  (Gift Certificates are available for the Holidays and anytime!)

Stampin' Up's Season of Simple Grace & Some Blog Candy for You!

Here is another item that I'll be peddling at the Holly & Ivy Christmas Marketplace this weekend.  I just can't stay away from Season of Simple Grace from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I just love it!  I've had the vision for this card for quite a while and I finally had some time to get several of these done.  Now if I can only bear to actually sell them! 

This is a diorama card (tutorial is here) that I turned into a nativity scene.  I wanted to be able to attach a greeting so I did by adding an additional piece of cardstock to the back of the piece.

Now for the blog candy!  Leave a comment on this post and I'll enter you in a drawing to receive one in the mail!  I'll do the drawing on Sunday night.

Here it is with the card in place.

And here it is with the card raised.  

If you're interested in purchasing this wonderful stamp set, just click on the "order online" button or click here to be taken to my Stampin' Up! website.  Click the "Shop Now" button right under my name in the upper right hand corner.  The stamp set is Season of Simple Grace #111778 and is $25.95 for a set of 6.  It's even die cut so no trimming of the rubber is necessary!

Sign Up Now for the Holiday Helper!

 

I have a special treat for you this year. You're invited to join my special 12-Day Holiday Helper. Once you sign-up you will begin to receive 12 days of holiday craft projects, tips to bring more joy into your holidays and great gift ideas. My compliment as a special thank you for your support.

Just what does the Holiday Helper include?  Well, let me tell you!

 12 step-by-step tutorials
 11 complimentary gifts
 10 easy and inexpensive Christmas gifts
 9 handmade gift ideas
 8 projects to decorate your home
 7 tree ornament ideas

 6 creative wrapping ideas
 5 holiday card ideas
 4 ways to involve your children, family and friends in the fun
 3 different scrapbooking projects
 2 planning documents to make your holiday smoother
 2 different scrapbooking themes
 1 creative consultant on standby to assist you (that's me)

 

As your Stampin' Up! demonstrator I am always here to help. I'm just a phone call or email away with ideas, inspiration and convenient home delivery of products. I hope you will take me up on my offer. For most of us, this is the year to simplify. This is the year to cut back. AND this is the year to be organized and create the handmade gifts we've always wanted to give. Join me as I plan and prepare for the month ahead and really accomplish the goals of having a simple and meaningful Christmas.

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