Stamping Tomorrow...

Just wanted to send a quick update... I am sorry there are no new cards for today but I assure you there will plenty of goodies tomorrow! Check back for some fun projects and the latest American Idol cards!!

So Very Hoppy For You!

So Very Hoppy For You!!

I just got my Week 2 assignments for Officer's School.... our stamping task for this week is to create our end of the month cards for our downline. I decided to design a special card for several of my downline members, they had a great month in January. I had 3 of my downline members recently promote to Sr. Associate and wanted to recognize them for their achievements. I designed the card above to send to each of these amazing ladies (ladies if you are reading my blog, sorry to spoil the surprise). They will each receive this card, and a cute little pencil that has matching tag to go with it. I know to some of you, a pencil does not sound like it quite matches the achievements of these girls... but this is not your average pencil.

The Magic Pencil: I wanted to give my demonstrators something special for their achievements that would encourage them to continue what they do best... STAMPING!! This magic pencil is actually your standard Mirado #2 pencil, it does have an adorable matching tag with the little frog and Hoppy For You Sentiment similar to the card (sorry no pic available). What makes this pencil so special? It was used to create their cards. In the card above you will notice a fun polka-dot background, I used the eraser on the pencils to create this background by dipping the eraser in various inks and stamping it randomly over the card. I also used the eraser to create the faux eyelets in the bottom right of the card. I will be sending a small note with the card to explain about the pencil and it's magical qualities to each of the girls with their card and Magic Pencil. I will be mailing these to my downline (yes even the locals, everyone loves to get mail) in a cute matching bubble mailer.

Card Details:

Stamps: So Very, Very Punny

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Only Orange, and Dots and Dashes Designer Paper

Ink: Only Orange, Green Galore, Tempting Turquoise and Basic Black Stampin Write Markers

Other: Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon, 1 1/4" and 1 3/4" circle punches, Word Window Punch

Other Notes: The color scheme for this card comes from the Dots and Dashes Designer Series Paper. I haven't used many of these bright color combinations since my beginnings as a stamper, it was fun to create such a bright project with these bold colors.

Demonstrator Challenge: I am just as passionate about training my downline as I am about stamping. This is probably because I have never really gotten a lot of support or encouragement from my upline through the years and have discovered my road to stamping and creativity with the support of on-line friends and communities. I would like to send out a special challenge to each of you who are demonstrators... stamp a special card for a few of your downline members and recognize them for their achievements or simply to let them know you care.

Be sure to post and let me know if you have accepted and completed this personal challenge... for those of you who take accept and complete this challenge, I will be sure to email you samples of my monthly downline cards throughout the next year. These will not be added to my blog or posted anywhere on the web, these are for you to use in continuing to support and encourage your downline. When posting, be sure to include your email address so I can add you to this special mailing list. Happy Stamping!!

A Lil' Polka Dots and Paisley

Lil' Polka Dots and Paisley

I am participating in Officer's School hosted by Jackie Bolhuis... one of our projects for this week was to create a card using the Polka Dots and Paisley set from the Spring Mini Catalog. Our task was to create a card that was "Demonstratable" hopefully this meets the criteria, this is something I would certainly do for a workshop demonstration or for a class.

Card Details:

Stamps- Polka Dots and Paisley

Cardstock- Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Regal Rose, Very Vanilla and Rebecca Designer Series Paper

Ink: Close to Cocoa and Regal Rose Stampin Write Markers, Very Vanilla Craft

Other: Ivory Organdy Ribbon, Flirty Ribbon Originals, Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon

The Find Joy tags were created using the word window punch, the Happy was created using the large oval punch and I used the 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" punches to create the window and floral image. The background strip was created using the Very Vanilla Craft pad and a variation of the Vanilla Double technique. Card Dimensions are 4.25 x 4.25.

Vanilla Double Variation: to achieve this look, stamp lined image in Very Vanilla craft ink, let it sit for about 45 seconds and then smudge it with a paper towel slightly. Normally you would want to stamp randomly with ink after completing this step but in this card I didn't. The photograph does not show this particular part of the card well, but in person it looks like a faux bleaching technique (very lightly faded). Enjoy~

Watermarks

Does everyone just love the new watermark on my photos? I am absolutely loving it, it is so much nicer than the text I was using before. I wanted to thank Cindy for doing such an amazing job with the watermark. If anyone else is interested in obtaining a watermark for themselves be sure to contact Cindy at http://imagine-dream-create.blogspot.com/ for more details. She is absolutely adorable and great to work with!! Thanks again Cindy!!

Did you catch American Idol?

I have watched the last two nights and have laughed harder and harder each night. There have been some very interesting auditions, and tons of laughs... I think for me last night was the funniest night so far. There were several comments made at our house about the guy who sang the Kelly Clarkson song... you would remember him as the guy who sounded like a woman according to Simon. We kind of thought he would have been passed onto the next round if he had been a woman... Anyone else think he would have made Hollywood?

Who were your favorites? More American Idol cards to come?... without a doubt. I am going to continue with the Because of You stamp and see how many creations I can create from here to the final night of American Idol. I am going to create a new card(s) each week and see how long it takes to run out of ideas with this stamp set. Check back for this week's American Idol Cards.

Wild About You... Little Guy

Wild About Penguins

So far I think the Penguin is my favorite of all the images from this stamp set. The dimensions for this card are 4.25 x 4.25. This card is also very fast to put together. More faux paper piercing with the same partial lines as the previous card, I think I like this look. It adds a very unique balance to these cards.

Card Details:

Stamps: Wild About You
Cardstock: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Cool Caribbean and Whisper White
Other: Black Grosgrain Ribbon

Wild About You... 3 Fun Friends

Card Details:

Stamps: Wild About You

Cardstock: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Cool Caribbean and Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise

Other: Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Basic Black Eyelets

This is project #2 for the Creative Meeting today. The animals were stamped on a crap of white paper using various inks and then punched out with the 1 1/4" hole punch, matted on basic black circles created with the 1 3/8" circle punch and popped up. I have been having a lot of fun with the faux paper piercing but usually tend to be an all way or nothing kind of girl... and yet I find myself liking these partial lines in this card and the next. What do you think?

Wild About You.... Finally Gets Inked!

~Wild About You ~

I purchased the set Wild About You several months ago and haven't taken the time to mount it, let alone stamp anything with it. This set is adorable, I fell in love with it at Convention last year in SLC. They had some great samples using this adorable set.

My downline is meeting today for our Creative Meeting. We hold 2 meetings a month, one is a business meeting (see technique book for more details) and the other the creative meeting. During our creative meetings we focus on the stamped projects. Stamped projects are the foundation of our business so naturally we want to spend some time tweaking these areas as well as the discussing business. If anyone is interested in the notes from this meeting, please post a reply with your email address and I will get them to you (they will probably be sent out on Sunday).

This months Creative Meeting topic is sketches. I sketched 6 different cards and have assembled 3 for them to make. I will hopefully have time to create the other 3 cards before the weekend to share with you as well as possibly the sketches for them. Be sure to check back for those.

Card Details:
Stamps: Wild About You, Delight in Life
Cardstock: Basic Black, Cool Caribbean, Tempting Turquoise, Regal Rose and Whisper White
Other: Black Eyelets, Black Grosgrain Ribbon

This card feels very simple to me and is probably my least favorite of the 3. I will probably revisit this card before the weekend is through. There is a lot of faux paper piercing on this card as well as other fun dots drawn in with a Basic Black Stampin Write marker and the paper piercing template from the crafter's tool kit. The background dots from Delight in Life were used at the top of the card for a light background.

I've Been Tagged!! (This is new to me)

I had to do a little clicking to find out what this tagging thing was all about. I was tagged by Jen70 from Stamping Therapy! So here goes my best attempt at the ABC games, you are sure to get to know more about me by the time we reach the bottom of the list LOL! Then the best part... who should I tag?

A-Available or Taken: Married for 8 wonderful years!
B-Best Friend: My husband
C-Cake or Pie: French Silk Pie
D-Drink of Choice: Pepsi
E-Essential Item You Use Everyday: Without a doubt the computer and Internet... I'd go nuts without them.
F-Favorite Color: Pink
G-Gummy Bears or Worms: Definitely worms!! I even like the sour ones!
H-Hometown: Rock Springs WY
I-Indulgence: Reeses Peanut Butter cups (Jen and I share this passion LOL)
J-January or February: February (love Valentines as you can tell by my gallery, lots of pink)
K-Kids and Names: Keenan and Tayllar
L-Life is Incomplete Without: All my rubber stamps, a Pepsi, fun family and friends
M-Marriage Date: October 19th 1998
N-Number of Siblings: two (I'm the oldest and the only girl)
O-Oranges or Apples: Oranges (as long as someone else will peal them for me)
P-Phobias or Fears: SpIdErS (Creep me out, even the baby ones)
R-Reason to Smile: I have a wonderful, healthy and happy family
S-Season: Fall (love the colors)
T-Tag 3 or 4 people: Hmm lets see... Linda Schmitt Rachel Stelzer Aimee from Relaxin While Stamping This was hard for me, I do not track a lot of blogs and found that most of the bloggers I know have already been tagged. Jen of course had already been tagged and Kendra from Inkin It Up had already been tagged too.
U-Unknown fact about me: I had lunch with Spencer at Convention last summer!! It was very exciting, we reviewed samples from my technique book. (I had a huge 6x6 technique book and card display at the Stampin Share during 2nd session).
V-Vegetable you don't like: Love them All!! (yes spinach)
W-Worst Habit: Fidgeting, I am the wiggle worm queen, can't sit still for 5 seconds lol. My husband would say that my worst habit is that I do not roll up the tooth paste. He likes to keep it all neat and tidy, I am so mean I deliberately squeeze from the middle and slop it on the lid just to let him know how much I love him LOL.
X-Xrays: I have had a few done on one of my knee, hurt it playing softball as a teen but other than that nothing... no broken bones here, ever (knock on wood).
Y-Your fave food: Chocolate Anything
Z-Zodiac: Cancer

Buggies and Booties... Pullin Pastels Technique

Sweet Baby

This is one of the cards that I created for my pastels class. The technique for this card is pullin' pastels. I should tell you ahead of time that this card did not photograph well. The technique is much prettier in person, the photograph in no way does it justice. This is a very fun but basic technique. I am not quite sure if I like the way this card turned out or not... I do not make a lot of baby cards, mostly because I am not really into the soft colors but I am a huge fan of the pink and black combo. Any thoughts?

I started this card with a small scrap of basic black card stock. Using a cotton ball, I smudged the entire surface of card stock with Pretty in Pink Stampin' Pastels. For best results, use a generous amount of chalk and be sure to cover the entire surface. Using the buggy from Buggies and Booties, I inked the stamp in Versamark and then stamped it over the chalked area. This Versamark is a sticky pad, it removes the chalk from the area where it was stamped. Once you have finished stamping, lightly mist with a sealant (for cards, hairspray works great).

I used the 1/4" circle punch for the brad mats, brads are from the Stampin' Up Vintage collection. The pink ribbon across the back is from the Flirty Ribbon Originals, with Black grosgrain ribbon tied over the top. The cardstock colors are Pretty in Pink and Basic Black with a small strip of paper from the Loves Me Designer Paper series (I love this particular piece, it reminds me very much of a babies quilt). The sweet sentiment comes from the So Very Sellabration set, and the baby sentiment is from All Year Cheer II.

Catching Up... Have you recieved the tutorial and demo notes?

I was out of town this weekend for a hockey tournament in Casper WY. I was overwhelmed by the amount of requests I had received for this tutorial, I have received more than 42 requests and wanted to make sure that everyone has received it. As of this morning I have sent emails to everyone who has requested it. If for some reason you were missed, please post your email address on this thread and I will resend the tutorial.

For those of you requesting the demonstrator training notes, they will be coming very soon. I am hoping to add a few photographs to go with them. I am hoping to have these out by the end of the week, I appreciate your patience.

A sneak peak? Not this morning but I did find a few things at Hobby Lobby in Casper that I am excited to share with you. I am also hoping my punches will hurry up and get here soon so I can play. More uploads later on the day and throughout the week.

More about the Bodacious Chalk Board.... Happy Doodle Day!!

I wanted to reply to one of the comments left for the bodacious bouquet card in the blog from yesterday. Here is the original comment from my dear friend Linda Schmidt.

Linda Schmitt said...
I so wish SU! carried that scallop Giga punch - they are so cool! I do like how you improvised using the white gel pen and the Coluzzle. You've been a stamping machine this week, I can't keep up! LOL!

I finally had a chance to order the scallop Giga punches- the oval one was really hard to find as most of the stores carrying these punches are sold out. For the bodacious card I was wishing I had the oval scalloped punch.... improvising was a fun challenge. I used the oval shaped Coluzzle to cut out both sized ovals. I distressed the edges using the cutter kit, and then drew in the lines in white gel pen. Doodling is one of my worst fidgets LOL, I am the girl who colors on anything in front of me when I am on the phone. My phone book is a work of art in every shade. My husband gets after me because I don't just color on the cover, I color on any page that may have been open from looking up the phone number LOL. Some of the pages are so bad you can hardly see some of the listings... lucky for me they have the 1411 option on our phone package. Doodling is just something that you have to do and do often to do it well. My doodling could use a lot of work, sometimes my hands are steadier than others but I have really gotten back into this style. I remember when it was very popular in scrapbooking and it has since made a dramatic comeback in the paper crafting world. If anyone has any great tips to share on doodling, please respond and include them as well as any links for websites etc. We would love to hear where you get your doodling inspirations... does your phone book look like mine??

P.S. Even worse, I have been known to doodle on the utility invoices.... and of course on the portion you submit with your payment. I am sure the phone, gas and electric companies think I am absolutely nuts LOL!!

A Personal Challenge for each of you....Have a fabulous day and..... Doodle something today!! If you get a chance to play be sure to send us a link to your work so we can check out your doodle day projects!!

Bodacious Chalk Board

Bodacious Chalk Board

I created this card to share with my Stampin Up demonstrators. We are meeting tomorrow for our monthly business meeting. We will be talking about Product Bundling.... we will also be making 3 technique ATC cards. One of the ATC cards showcases the Chalk Board technique, the card above was inspired by the ATC card. I am hoping to upload the ATC cards later this evening.

Chalkboard Technique Details:

Materials Needed: Whisper White Craft Ink, Stamps or Wheel, Stampin Pastels

Stamp image in Whisper White Craft ink, this is best when stamped on basic black or darker card stock. Do not allow ink to dry, begin applying chalk using a cotton ball or sponge dauber and a pouncing motion. (On my card, I went back after completing the technique and added some accent lines and dots to fill in the flowers using the white gel pen.

Card Details:

Stamp Sets: Bodacious Bouquet, Blossoms Abound

Cardstock: Vintage Violet, Bashful Blue, Marigold Morning, Whisper White

Other: Narrow White Organdy Ribbon, Apricot Grosgrain Ribbon, White Gel Pen.

The ovals were cut using the Coluzzle. I wish I had the Giga scalloped punches, hopefully I will have them in the next week or two. They seem to be sold out online, I am hoping to find them when I take my first adventure to Hobby Lobby in Casper. I have never been to one of these stores, I have heard some great things about them and hope to find some fun stuff to play with.

Demonstrator Training... If anyone is interested in the notes from demonstrator training about bundling product, please post your email address and I will be happy to send you the information.

Because of You... American Idol Night

Because of You...

I was hoping to post my cards last night but absolutely could not miss a minute of the American Idol premier. I have never laughed so hard... Simon's facial expressions last night were absolutely priceless. I about fell out of my chair in laughter when the Lion from the Wizard of Oz auditioned... I thought Simon was going to lose it all together. Anyone else a fan of the show? If so, be sure to post and mention your favorite singer from last season.

I stamped 2 cards using the Because of You stamp set last night during the commercial breaks. When I think of this stamp set I always think of Kelly Clarkson and then I end up with that song in my head lol.

Card Details- Cardstock: Brocade Blue, Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White, Certainly Celery and Sarah Designer Series Paper.
Ink: Basic Black, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery,Barely Banana, Apricot Appeal
Other: Apricot Grosgrain Ribbon, White Narrow Organdy Ribbon, Silver Cording.


This card has some faux paper piercing along the Apricot strip. The background was stamped from the Because of You set in bashful blue ink, then the centers of the flowers were colored in with a white gel pen. The main flower images were outlined first with Stampin Write markers using the fine tip and then water colored in with an aqua painter using the same color of ink and the puddle method. The centers of the flowers were colored on a scrap piece of paper, cut out and popped up in the centers for a little extra detail. The happier because of you tag was outlined with bashful blue ink. The tag was created using the 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle hole punches from Stampin Up!

Happier Because of You

The second card was created using a similar supply list from above with the addition of the bashful blue brads. These were used on the Apricot Word Window tabs on the side of the card. There is a 1/4" brad mat in certainly celery under each of them. I got this idea from the patterns in the paper used for this card. I drew hash lines around each of the brads just as it is done in the designer paper. This same effect is also done on the right hand side of the main focal image.


There is a half ribbon under the main image (I have never done this before) but it seemed to pull everything together. The images and tag were created just as the first one. This card was inspired using this last week's Card Sketch challenge from SplitCoastStampers. You can find more information about sketch challenge 106 by clicking here.

What do you think? Be sure to post your comments, I take the time to read each and everyone one of them and love hearing from you! Be sure to check back later today, I am hoping to play with the new sketch challenge#107.

Checking In...

It has been a few days since my last post and wanted to let everyone know that I haven't gone far. It has been a busy couple of days and I haven't had much time for stamping. I am hoping to put together a few cards tonight and wrap up a few projects I am currently working on. My group of demonstrators will be meeting on Thursday and I want to put together some fun techniques to share with them... I will be uploading the latest ATC technique cards from our meeting as well as other projects throughout this week.

I wanted to thank everyone who took the time to share some pastel techniques with us... thank you for sharing your creativity, I cannot wait to try some of these techniques. For those of you who have requested the Conversation Hearts Slider Box Tutorial, they are still coming. I have taken care of most of the requests and hope to fill the rest of them tonight when I am uploading. Thank you for your continued patience!! I would love to see your candy sliders when you have a chance to play... I would love to post a few of them on my blog. You can email me (kylamaestas@msn.com) a photo of your project and I will happily upload it to the blog over the weekend. Happy Stamping!!

Eat Cake!!

Cake is without a doubt ..... the best part of Birthdays!!



The card uses the Dots and Dashes designer paper with Eat Cake and Circle of Friends stamp set. The colors for this card were inspired by the designer paper and include Pixie Pink, Pink Passion, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White.


The cake was created using the Heat Embossing with Markers technique. To achieve this look, ink the stamp with Versamark first (nice and juicy for best results), then color over the top with marker. The Versamark keeps in the ink from drying, sprinkle embossing powder and heat set.


The polka dot ribbon is from Wal-Mart.

Petal Prints and Stampin Pastels

Petal Prints and Stampin Pastels

This is one of my favorite floral stamp sets. I love everything about the images and have used them time and time again. This stamp set will be showcasing the 3 step poppin pastels technique at my class this next week.

Technique Tips: I was first introduced to this technique at Convention 06 and instantly fell in love... prior to this technique chalks were not something I used often in my stamping projects. To achieve this look, simply stamp the base image (in this case French Script) in Versamark and apply chalk. Add second layer of stamped images using Versmark (in this case the leaves from Petal Prints) and apply chalk again. Finally add a third layer of images in Versmark (flower from Petal Prints) and apply chalk. Seal Chalk. Both cards feature similar products, however the second card features Sketch Challenge 82 from SCS. You can find more details about this sketch challenge by clicking here.




Card Details:

Stamps: Petal Prints, Circle of Friendship
Cardstock: Basic Black, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Whisper White
Ink: Versamark, Basic Black, Pale Plum
Other: Olive organdy ribbon, silver cording, silver brads, vintage brads, stampin pastels
Techniques: 3 Step Poppin Pastels, Faux Paper Piercing

Springtime Garden....

Farewell Spring Garden

I have had a really hard time with this stamp set. I have had it for a very long time and seldom ever use it. In an attempt to drag out some older stamp sets I have absolutely tortured myself with this one. Great stamp set, it is just not my style despite my best attempts. This stamp set is currently looking for a new home, if anyone is interested in trading for this set you can contact me via email kylamaestas@msn.com



I was playing with the pastels today preparing for my class this next week. This card features heat embossing with Stampin Pastels. To complete this technique you need a really juicy Versmark pad, a cotton ball or sponge dauber and Stampin Pastels. Stamp image in the Versamark, quickly pounce (lightly works best) and apply color to the images. Sprinkle clear embossing powder over the top and heat set. Most images will still have quite a bit of Versamark on the surface even after applying chalk, this allows the embossing powder to stick. Heat set and you have a wonderful look. What I love most about this technique is it allows you to achieve that beautiful watercolor like look and the subtle color of pastels with a heat embossed finish.

Card Details:
Stamps: Spring Garden
Cardstock: Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie, Marigold Morning, Certainly Celery and Old Olive
Ink: Versamark
Other: Stampin Pastels, Gold Cording, Tangerine Grosgrain Ribbon, Ivory Wide Organdy Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder

What's Next?

As you already know I have been doing a lot with Valentine themed cards lately, partly in preparation for the class that was today. Well what's next? A few days ago I posted a little tidbit sharing that I would be venturing into the world of chalks for next week's class. I have had a few stampers share their favorite techniques using the pastels but hoped to get a few more... please stop by and post your favorite technique. I am hoping to compile a list of techniques to share.

Tomorrow I plan to start designing cards for the Pastels class as well as preparing for demonstrator training. Our business meeting is next week, we will be making ATC cards for our technique book... probably 3 -4 new ones. Be sure to check back over the weekend as I create and upload more fun projects.

For those of you who have taken the time to share your comments.... thank you!! I truly appreciate your support, it encourages me to stamp and share even more!

Bringing You Loads of Love!!

Favorite Teddy Bear.... Saved!

As you may have read in a previous post I am doing a stamp inventory and getting rid of stamp sets that have not been used in a while unless they find a safe place on the stamping shelf. I think it is safe to say that this adorable bear has been saved for the time being. I purchased this set 2 years ago for a polyshrink class and haven't used him since then. I am not a fan of coloring and have never wanted to spend the time to do something with him.

In exploring one of my favorite galleries, www.splitcoaststampers.com , the other day I discovered a few cards that have been created using this bear. They were not colored, they had stamped the bear on colored cardstock instead... instantly I thought "now I can handle that". This card is not a case, simply inspired not to be colored.

The card was designed using sketch challenge #41. For more information about this sketch challenge please click here.

Card Details:
Stamps: Favorite Teddy Bear, Loads of Love, Aida Cloth
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Creamy Caramel, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, and Loves Me Designer Series Paper.
Other: Pretty in Pink brads, 1/4" Hole Punch, White Gel Pen

Tips: The pile of hearts in the wagon comes from the Loads of Love stamp set. I stamped one set in whisper white, pretty in pink and regal rose. The pretty in pink set is the base, I cut out several hearts from the white and regal rose and replaced them on the stack for a multicolored look.

Conversation Hearts Slider Project

Created for the Valentine class. The following project was designed for a kid's valentine. If you would like the tutorial documet for this particular project please post your email address as a comment and I will be happy to forward it along.

Project Details:

Stamps: Sweet on You

Cardstock: Whisper White, Regal Rose, Cool Caribbean, Loves Me Deigner Series Paper

Other: Rose Grosgrain Ribbon

Heart Craze

This is the last of the card creations created for the Valentines Class. This card is one of my own sketches, very similar in design to the Thank You hearts card I made the other day, that card was not selected for the final cut for the class. For this particular version of that sketch I wanted to bring in a tag, I haven't used Be Happy much since I got it at Convention last year... this tag is the perfect size to add 3 to the front of the card and I love all the little dots, worked out perfectly.

Card Details:

Stamps: Happy Hearts, Be Happy

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red

Ink: Basic Black, Real Red

Other: Black grosgrain ribbon, black eyelets

Candy Details: These were assembled in the small cello bag from Stampin' Up! Inside are Peanut M&M's. The tag was created using Happy Hearts and the tag from Be Happy set. Black organdy ribbon and silver cord tie it all together.

Ready for Class..

I finally got all my projects completed for the Valentines class tomorrow. I have a few things left to do in the morning to get set up etc. I was hoping to post some images tonight but I am exhausted and need to get some sleep. Check back tomorrow for the final projects and a fun tutorial just in time for Valentines Day!

Thank You from the Heart

I created this card as a fun Valentine thank you. This card was not planned and had interesting. As I was gathering paper to create yet another Valentine card I discovered that I was completely out of Pretty in Pink. I went to the scrap bin looking for paper and pulled out a cardfront... ready to stamp, I discovered it was already stamped on. The greeting "Simply said from the heart.... thank you" was stamped from a previous card I had taken to Convention 06. I thought about it... hearts and Valentines this could be a lot of fun, Valentine themed thank you's could come in handy.

So enough chatter... Card details

Stamps: Happy Hearts, Simply Said, Delight in Life (Background on Regal Rose Strip)

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose

Other: Black Grosgrain Ribbon, White Narrow Organdy Ribbon, and Silver Cording.

The dots are all faux paper piercing done with Basic Black marker and paper piercing template.

Bugs and Kisses!!

I am just getting started with the stamping today. I designed this card for the Valentine class I am hosting on Friday. It has a matching sucker but it wouldn't photograph (I will attempt to photograph it later in the day when my patience comes back lol)

Here are the card details...

Stamp Set: Bugs and Kisses (this is newer set for me and my first card created with this set)

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Whisper White

Other: White Narrow Organdy Ribbon, Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Cording

I used faux paper piercing around the edges of the bug image and along the top and bottom of the regal rose strip. I drew in the circles along the top and bottom of the card using chocolate chip marker and the 1/8" hole from the piercing template. I drew in four faux eyelets using the same 1/8" hole template and a chocolate chip marker and filled in the center with the white gel pen. I used the large oval punch for the greeting, I added some color to the edges by dragging the paper around the tip of the marker.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this card... I am considering submitting it for a contest. Thanks for looking.

What's on the Calendar for Tomorrow???

No new fun images today... I spent most of the day doing all of my cleaning and what not around the house. I know.... totally boring. However, the good news is I will be stamping all day tomorrow. I have a Valentines class coming up on Friday morning and need to finish putting my samples together. I am also going to be working toward completing next week's class samples using Stampin Pastels. I am hoping to share some fabulous techniques with the girls using the pastels... if anyone would like to share a technique I would love to know more. I am planning to upload more fun images tomorrow so be sure to check back!!

SHARE- If you would like to share a pastels technique please post a reply to this message, then we will have them all together so everyone can use them. I will also be awarding a prize for 2 of my top picks for Pastel Techniques so feel free to list as many as you like. If you have a link to show a card or project created witht this technique please include that in your comments. I look forward to hearing from you! Winners to be announced on Friday so be sure to post your techniques before noon!

Coluzzle Fun Valentine!!

I have fallen in love with all the samples on Splitcoaststampers using the Sketch Challenge 105. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to use the Coluzzle, I do not use this tool often enough in fact I haven't used it since the View Master Card Tutorial I did over a year ago.

This card uses several patterns of the Loves Me designer series paper, this paper has been so much fun... you can mix and match pieces and never have enough fun. The faux ribbon paper in this series really inspired the theme for this card... Loves Me.. Loves Me Not. It seemed to go perfectly with the envelope and little hearts from the Festive Four set. I stamped the image on several leftover pieces of paper, and then cut out various pieces and glued them on the white envelope to add a splash of color. For those of you who have known me for a while... you know I hate to color and anything that will get me out of that is a good thing, cutting these babies out not only got me out of the whole coloring thing but I absolutely love this little envy in the designer papers.

Festive Four... this is a stamp set that I earned a long time ago (When it was a hostess only set) and I have never used it until today!! I am sure it will be debuting in my upcoming valentine class after the fun I had creating this card. The ribbons and cardstock are the same as the last card so I won't bore you to death with the same details.... the little love charm was found at Wal-Mart in the bridal section. They have several fun love themed charms that are great for cards.

More Little Love Bugs...

I created this little card last night in the midst of all my stamping fun. As you can tell, I have been on a real pink thing for days and it shows no signs of stopping. I love pink and Valentines is one time you can really over do it and get away with it.

This card uses the Olive You stamp set. The little love bug is holding up a valentine that reminds me of the ones the kids always make at school and bring home... it's handmade! I created this using scraps of Loves Me Designer Series paper. I popped out the little chocolate chip circles using the 1/4" hole punch, and poked the brads (Making Memories Tropical) through for a fun new look. The ribbon includes Flirty Ribbon Originals, white narrow organdy ribbon, rose grosgrain ribbon and silver cording. I used several pieces of the Loves Me designer series paper on this card, I love the XOXO print but it seems so overwhelming with the other piece I had selected so I used sponge dauber and added lots of Regal Rose classic ink to make it blush.

This card was designed from Sketch Challenge 104, you can view details about this sketch by clicking here.

I need to order more supplies, I have used almost ever scrap of chocolate chip and close to cocoa I have left... I am also completely out of flirty ribbon originals. I would love to make a few more for these to send out on Valentines day!!

Little Love Bug....

I have been stamping for the last few hours creating various Valentine cards. I am hoping to put a few of these ideas together for a class and the rest I will be sharing as samples at demonstrator training later this month. I have decided to send a special Valentine to each of my friends and family this year, I usually do not send cards for this holiday but I am having so much fun I just cannot seem to stop LOL. I am hoping to design something special for each one of them, I will be giving this card to my husband.

This card is a cased card... inspired by a fellow SCS member Jen70 (I will see if I can find out her last name) but in the mean time you can see her card by clicking here. I thought this card was absolutely adorable!! I had a few scraps laying on the table from my other cards (these will be posted tomorrow) and thought I would change a few things and use up the scraps and leftover pieces. Her card was created using sketch challenge 102, you can find more information about this challenge by clicking here.

Here are the details for my variation:

Stamp Set: Olive You (I love this stamp set for kid valentines etc)

Paper: Loves Me Designer Paper, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, and Regal Rose

Ink: Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black

Other: White organdy ribbon, rose grosgrain ribbon

I sponged Regal Rose classic ink over the designer paper to mute it just a bit, I am really on a pink kick this week and it seemed to blush perfectly. The 3 hearts were created using the love notes heart from the Olive you set, these seemed to coordinate better than anything else I had. I scribbled in the heart the bug is holding to include SWAK, and added I-love-you in the 3 hearts as well. There is also faux paper piercing along the top and bottom of the card.

Happy Hearts!!

I spent some time today designing cards for my Valentines class next week. I have had the Happy Hearts set for several years and still love it . I am continually finding ways to use it using current trends and styles. I am absolutely crazy about pink, and Valentines seems to be about the only time I can get away with this much pink LOL.

The card uses the Happy Hearts stamp set as well as Tiny Talk. Tiny talk is a great stamp set for quick little sentiments, it seems to have founds its way to the bottom of the pile with all the new flexible phrases sets I have acquired over the last year.

The scalloped edge was created using the slit punch, I just cannot seem to get enough of these adorable borders. The faux stitches were added using the white gel pen.

The main image includes the Canvas background stamp in Pretty in Pink. The hearts were added over the top using Rose Red and Regal Rose classic ink. I stamped several extra hearts to cut out (I know myself too well, I always have to cut something out), these were matted on Rose Red and popped up with dimensionals. The faux brads were drawn in using Rose Red Stampin Write marker and white gel pen, I used the paper piercing template from the Crafters tool kit (this seems to help center them and give them good shape). The ribbon cluster consists of Flirty Ribbon Originals, white narrow organdy, and rose grosgrain ribbons. A little sprinkle of dazzling diamonds finishes off the card.

My next project... I want to include some 3D items with this class and will have to find something to go with this little card. I will hopefully have pictures at the beginning of the week!

Embossed Foreground.... Only Shown on the Blog!!

I wanted to thank all of my subscribers with a special peak at my Embossed Foreground technique class. We will be creating a 6x6 technique page and these two cards. I will not be uploading these images anywhere else... a special treat just for you! These projects were designed in the spring of 06 and I just haven't had a chance to use them yet, my stampers will be doing this class later this month.

The first card features the Love Without End stamp set. The colors for this card are Night of Navy and Whisper White. The background is what makes this technique ... the background consists of several images. Starting first with the Canvas background stamped in brocade blue ink. Then the Bitty Blossoms background stamped in night of navy craft ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. The tabs were created using the word window punch, ribbon is navy grosgrain ribbon and the faux stitching was added using a white gel pen.

The second card features the Petal Prints stamp set and coordinating wheel. The background starts with the By Definition background stamp in chocolate chip ink. The flowers and leaves were stamped with Brocade Blue and Night of Navy craft ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. I used a sponge and applied chocolate chip using the emboss resist technique to add color to the background. Again, word window punch for the tab, and chocolate grosgrain ribbon to finish it off.

Take Three... My first attempt with this stamp set

This is a newer stamp set recently added to my collection before the holidays. This is the very first card I have created with this set and I am already in love. This set coordinates with Perennial Favorites stamp set as well as the Four Seasons designer series paper. This card features all three coordinating pieces. I did some faux paper piercing along the top and bottom of the card as well as in the corners of the center piece and a few on the tabs, to achieve this look simply replace your paper piercing tool with a colored stampin write marker... use the fine tip end and the piercing template from the crafter's tool kit. The three leaf images were colored with Stampin Write Markers in Apricot Appeal, Bravo Burgundy and Creamy Caramel... I love this color combination, completely inspired by the paper. The tabs on the side of the card are punched out from the paper piecing punch and layered with a barely banana brad (sound crazy but it matches well).

I used the Simple Stripes on the creamy caramel card stock for a light background (very similar to the coordinating stripe on the backside of the designer paper) and colored the thank you and stamped along the bottom in creamy caramel too. A little bit of gold cording wrapped around and a tag tied on with burgundy grosgrain ribbon and this baby is done. This card went together fairly quickly (I say this by my time scale LOL, I tend to take a lot of time focusing on details when creating cards and I am pretty fast stamper), I am hoping to create a few more of these cards for my personal stationary.... one of my resolutions for this year is to send out more thank you cards.

Also, not to any surprise but this was also a card challenge from SplitcoastStampers. This card was created using SC5, click link for more details.

Spring Garden.... Keep it or Trade It?

I have been going through creating an inventory of current stamp sets on my shelves and have discovered that I have way too many stamps and there are several that have not been used in years!! Spring Garden happens to be one of those stamp sets, I do not like parting with my stamps because I am a true collector but this stamp set has sat on the shelves for over 2 1/2 years without being used. I have pulled it from the shelves and have attempted several cards using this set for upcoming classes.

This card was created using all the left over pieces from yesterday! It was a fun and fast card and will be used in the Punches class coming in February. The scalloped edges were created using the slit punch (I absolutely love this look), the square pieces were punched using the 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" square punches, the tag was created using the 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" circle punches. The white circles were drawn on the scallops where white brads would have gone if I had any LOL, I used the top of an order sheet to line up the circles (my customers are going to love this, this is not the first or the last time we have used our order forms for stamping LOL).

The card is of course a sketch challenge combined with a color challenge, SC40 and CC95. You can read in depth about these challenges by clicking the links above.

So what do you think? Is there hope for Spring Garden? I would love to hear your thoughts!

And the WINNER is.......

As you know there was a card recently posted (just prior to the holidays) that was featured as blog candy. To read information about the original card please click here. I have drawn out a winner...... Alisa!! Congratulations!! I am sorry for being a little behind in getting this sent out but I will need your full name and mailing address and some idea of how much postage to put on this baby to get it to you!! Please email this information to kylamaestas@msn.com and indicate Polka Dots and Paisley Blog Winner in the subject line.

Thanks to everyone who participated, you have no idea how motivating your posts and comments are... you wonderful stampers keep me in the mood to continue stamping new creations to share with you!! Hopefully we will have more blog candy coming soon!!

Happy Stamping!!

Classy With Black

This card is similar to the card I designed for the Divas Sellabration swap, sorry divas for the spoiler. I used several card challenges from SplitCoastStampers to assemble this card. The colors were selected from Color Challenge #95 (Basic Black, Whisper White and Cool Caribbean), for details about this color challenge click here. The card was also designed with the use of a sketch, Sketch Challenge 104 (details about this challenge can be found here).

The main stamp set used is Delight in Life. Other supplies used to create this card include a Stampin Write Marker in Basic Black (used to add dots connecting the diamonds from Print Pattern background stamp, as well as the black polka dots in the background and doodling), the paper piecing punch was used for wrap around brackets on the main image and greeting (2 different pieces were put together for a layered look) and the diamond shaped brads are from the Vintage collection.

Heat Embossing With Classic Ink: The main flower image was heat embossed using Cool Caribbean Classic ink and Iridescent Ice embossing powder. To do this, ink stamp in Versamark first (make sure it is nice and juicy) then ink stamp with classic ink. Sprinkle embossing powder over it and heat it up. Repeat this process by cleaning the stamp and beginning again with Versamark after several images.

Happy New Year!!

Just wanted to pop in and wish everyone a Happy New Year!! I am looking forward to spending the night with my family, my dh goes back to work tomorrow and the kids go back to school on Wednesday. It is always tricky to get back into the swing of things, especially a normal bed time LOL, but tomorrow I have penciled in some time for stamping. Check back soon for more fun and stamping.

Happy New Year and best wishes for 2007!
Kyla