Stampin Royalty Sketch Challenge

I came across another website - Stampin with Royalty - that offers sketches to work off of. As you have likely come to know, I loooove sketches.


Here's the final design:

And here's the sketch I worked off of:

I love sketches because you can either follow them to a tee or you can use them as inspiration and come up with your own fabulous creations!

CARD STOCK: Pacific Point (111350), Melon Mambo (115320), Pumpkin Pie (105117), Whisper White (100730), Brights Patterns DSP   (117155) STAMP SET: Create a Cupcake (121982)   INK: Pacific Point 111837), Melon Mambo (115656), Pumpkin Pie 105216), Basic Black (101179)   ACCESSORIES: Pacific Point Corduroy Buttons (114341 - off Clearance Rack!)    TOOLS: Build a Cupcake Punch (121807), Modern Label Punch119849), Word Window Punch, 119857) Dimensionals (104430), Glue Dots (103683, Scallop Dotted Ribbon Border Punch (119275)

Stamping with Rach Tips & Tricks

• add 2 dimensionals on top of one another behind the cupcake top. This will give the piece an even greater 3-D feel
• sticky strip is excellent to use for adhering ribbon and buttons too. It is extremely sticky and you're sure the buttons will stay
• there's a lot going on on the card, so I kept my sentiment clean and simple

To order supplies, you can 24/7 off my online store! Happy Stamping!

It's Mojo Monday Time!

I love Mondays. Do you know why? Because that's when MojoMonday releases it's sketch of the week! Here is this week's sketch:

I designed 2 completely different cards. Sorry about the quality of the pics...

Happy I Do Day!

Card Stock: Whisper White (100730), Bashful Blue (1051200), Rose Red (102544)
Stamp Set: Word Play (w - 120308, c - 120651)
Ink: Bashful Blue (1052090, Rose Red (101778)
Accessories: Basic Rhinestones (119246), Whisper White 5/8" Organza Ribbon (114319)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (119860), 1 3/4" Circle Punch (119850), Sponge (101610), Elegant Lines Embossing Folder (119277), Rose Red Marker (100063), Bashful Blue Marker (105111), Dimensionals (104430), Scallop Trim Border (118402)







Stamping With Rach Tips & Tricks:
1. To add some bling and elegance to this card, add some rhinestones. What girl doesn't like bling??
2. To blend the oval "Happy I Do Day" with the card, sponge the edge with Rose Red so it doesn't look so stark
3. I felt "I Do" needed to stand out so I coloured it with Rose Red Marker


Some Things....

Card Stock: Wild Wasabi (108641), Whisper White (100730), So Saffron (105118), Subtles Patterns Pack DSP (117152)
Stamp Set: Just Believe (w - 116948, c - 120453)
Ink: Wild Wasabi (109014)
Tools: Perfect Plum Marker, 1 3/8" Circle Punch (119860), 1 3/4" Circle Punch (119850), Dimensionals (104430)






Stamping With Rach Tips & Tricks
1. To create a circle silhouette, use the 1 3/4" circle punch and then use the 1 3/8" circle punch to punch out the circle image
2. Add a brighter colour to the card to give it some lift and life. Here I used So Saffron. It's just a little piece but it is the bright spot of the card


To order supplies 24/7, you can order from my online store. Happy Stamping and thanks for stopping by! 

Tip of the Week - How to get different colours on one stamp EASILY!

Would you like to know how to achieve different colours on one stamp? First, ink the stamp with one colour that you will use on your stamp. Use a blender pen to "wash" the areas where you want different colours. Continue washing and wiping off your blender pen on scrap paper until it wipes off clean. Then, use markers to colour the clean areas whatever colours you like. Easy to do and works great!




(I found this tip (and image) from one of my newest favourite blogs (StampwithSandy.com).

Don't have blender pens but now you have to have them so you can use this very easy yet effective technique? You can order 24/7 on my online store. The item code is 102845.
Happy Stamping!

Pick a Blossom Any Blossom

Hi! Thanks for stopping by!


I thought I would take a bit of time to make a few cards using the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch. I absolutely adore this punch. Check out the different designs!


But first, here's the sketch I worked off for the first card. I found it on http://technostamper.blogspot.com/:

Card Stock: Whisper White (100730), Old Olive (100702), Pacific Point (111350), Melon Mambo (115320), Brights Patterns DSP(117155), Ice Cream Parlour DSP (retired, from Sale-a-bration mini)
Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Ink: Pacific Point (111837)
Accessories: Brights Glimmer Brads (1210006), Word Window Punch (119857), Dimensionals (104430), Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch (122464), 2-way Glue Pen (100425)


Here's some more angles of the card:

PARTY HEARTY!
Love the bright colours of this card. Have you ever wondered how to use the "seeds" that are punched out using the  Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch? I figured I would use them as accents on the sentiment of this card. Can you see them? A subtle addition. I didn't use a sketch but was inspired by this card found on StampwithSandy.com.

Card Stock: Pacific Point (111350), Whisper White (100730), Bashful Blue (105120), Real Red (102482), Old Olive (100702), Celebrations DSP (117164)
Ink: Real Red marker (100052), Pacific Point Marker (120698)
Stamp Set: Party Hearty (111722)
Accessories: Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch (122464), Brights Glimmer Brads (121006), 2 x 1 3/8" Oval Punch (119859), 1 3/4" x 7/8" Oval Punch (119855), 2-Way Glue Pen (100425), Dimensionals (104430), Sponge (101610), Glue Dots (103683)

Stamping with Rachel Tips & Tricks:
1. Sponge the outer edge of the sentiment so it blends well with the card base
2. Use glue dots to adhere the glimmer brads found in the middle of the flower. The brad prongs lift the piece off the card base anyway so no need to use an dimensional.
3. I thought it was striking to have an elongated card. Final dimension is 7" x 4".


Simply Just For You
I absolutely love the simplicity and clean look of this card. And it take just a couple of minutes to create!

Card Stock: Whisper White (100730), Pumpkin Pie (105117), Real Red (102482), Pacific Point  (111350)

Ink: Pacific Point (111837)

Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Accessories: Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch (122464),  Circle Punch from Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), 2-Way Glue Pen (100425)

Stamping with Rachel Tips & Tricks:

1. With thin pieces, like the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch pieces, use a 2-Way Glue Pen. It's a really efficient way to adhere these thin pieces.

To order supplies, you can order 24/7 off my online store. Happy Stamping and thanks for stopping by!

Cute as a Button

I was blog surfing and came across this adorable yet very easy to make card. I found it on "Oops A Daisy Designs" blog. Isn't it so cute??! And I know how some of you loooove using buttons. It adds such a playful touch to this card. Here's the recipe:

CARD STOCK:  Cherry Cobbler (119685), Confetti White (102028), More Mustard (117154), Regals Patterns DSP (117154).
STAMP SET:  Afterthoughts (120121)
INK:  Night of Navy Classic Ink (102977), Night of Navy Marker (100069).
ACCESSORIES:  Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine (123125), Regals Designer Buttons (119744).
TOOLS:  Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Dimensionals (104430), Scallop Trim Border (118402)

Click here to order your Stampin' Up supplies 24/7!

Mojo Monday...well, Thursday :)

I finally got around to making a card based off this week's Mojo Monday sketch! Nothing gets my creative juices flowing than a good sketch! Check out this week's sketch Mojo Monday. Try it out for yourself and see what kind of design you come up with. Would love to see a sample too so feel free to take a pic and send my way. I may just highlight it on this blog!


Here's this week's sketch:

 Here's my final product:

Stamping with Rach TIPS & TRICKS

1. heat emboss the flower for some extra pizazz

2. markers come in handy when you want to use a part of a stamp and not all of it. In the case of this card, I used the Wild Wasabi marker and coloured the "for you" part of the "Afterthoughts" stamp "Just for you"

3. to give the card some extra texture, I embossed the card base using the Square Lattice embossing folder

Here's the recipe:

CARD STOCK: Whisper White (100730), Wild Wasabi (105125), Melon Mambo (115320), Beyond the Garden DSP (122342) 

STAMP SETS: Fabulous Florets (w - 123025, c - 123027), Afterthoughts (Hostess Level 1 - w - 118388, c - 120121)

INK: Wild Wasabi (109014)

ACCESSORIES: Big Shot (113439),Square Lattice Embossing Folder (119976), Heat Tool (100005), Versamark (102283), Melon Mambo Emboss Powder (123223), 2 3/8" Scallop Punch (118874), 1 3/4" Circle Punch (119850), Scallop Edge Border Punch (119882), Modern Label Punch (119849), Dimensionals (104430), Glue Dots (103683), Melon Mambo buttons from the Sale-a-Bration Catalogue (retired)


You

Tip of the Week - Cleaning your clear block

Are you finding that your clear-mount stamps aren't sticking well to your clear blocks? Well, there's a very simple solution. All I do is wash them in warm water with dish soap. Voila - clean! And the stamps stick very well to the clear blocks.


Give it a try!

Surprise Give-a-way WINNER!

Congratulations, Holly! You are the winner of the SURPRISE GIVE-A-WAY: Rhinestones and Paper Daisies!


Holly was entered into the draw when she signed up on my blog to receive automatic post updates to her email. You can still sign up too! Check out the left side bar to sign up.


Thanks everyone who signed up! I look forward to stamping with you!


(Do you too want to own these lovely accessories? You can! Paper Daisies item # is: 119243. Rhinestones item# is: 119246. You can order them at my online store. Happy Shopping!)

MojoMonday sketch & Card Samples

So, in my last post I suggested to check out MojoMonday.blogspot.com.


Each Monday, a new sketch is made available to help inspire us when making cards. They also have contests based on the sketch. So fun!
Here is the sketch for this week:

I went ahead and made 2 cards based off the sketch. One is more fun and child-like and the other is more sophisticated and elegant. I made 2 samples to show you how different a card can be when working off a sketch. I had so much fun making these!


The "Wish Big" card is pretty much a replica of the sample - except I didn't have a circle punch large enough to replicate the half circles you see at the bottom of the strip so I improvised and used my Scallop Trim Border Punch. 


The "Happiness Always" card used some elements of the sample sketch but it isn't an exact replica. And that's the beauty of sketches - they are to inspire you.


Which one do you like best?


HAPPINESS ALWAYS

Paper Stock:
Daffodil Delight
Very Vanilla
Sunny Garden DSP


Stamp Set:
Happy Greetings


Ink:
Poppy Parade (loooove the colour!)


Accessories:
Big Shot
Fun Flowers Bigz Die
Decorative Label Punch
Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch

Scallop Trim Border Punch
Dimensionals
Basic Pearls










WISH BIG!

Paper Stock:
Whisper White
Real Red
Pacific Point
Celebration DSP


Stamp Set:
Word Play


Ink:
Pacific Point
Real Red


Accessories:
2 3/8" Scallop Punch
1 3/4" Circle Punch
Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch

Real Red Ribbon (retired)
Dimensionals










So, which one do you like best? I will upload the one with the most votes to the MojoMonday contest!

FREE Stamp Set of the Month

It's time for June's Give-A-Way! I am actually changing the 'name' of this contest to from "<Month> Give-a-way" to " FREE Stamp Set of the Month"...


So, each month, I will give away a free stamp set. To be eligible for the drawing, all you have to do is place an online order (email orders count too!) that is not part of a club or workshop. You'll get one entry for each order that you place with me between June 1-30 . I'll draw a winner on July 5th.

Punch Pourri Level 1 Hostess

This month's stamp set is Punch Pourri, a Hostess level 1 set. It's a great set for many reasons including that each stamp coordinates with a Stampin' Up punch!


You can also earn other exclusive stamp sets like this one for FREE when you host a qualifying workshop! Call or email me to schedule your next party!


Good luck & happy ordering!

Tip of the Week

I know how hard it is to think of your own designs and sometimes and you just need a bit of inspiration.
Here are a few resources you can check out:

1. www.splitcoaststampers.com
2. www.mojomonday.blogspot.com
3. Or Google a certain stamp set and you will find  hundreds of examples. For instance, if you have "B is for Birthday", Google "Stampin up B is for Birthday" and voila, all sorts of lovely websites will pop up for you to peruse.

Happy Stamping!

June Make 'n Take Cards

Eight lovely ladies came out last night to make some cards. Check them out!

I CASE'd this from www.stampingnut.com

Technique I used was Heat Embossing on the pink flowers. Loooove the look.

Paper Stock:
Basic Gray
Melon Mambo
Whisper White

Stamp Sets:
Fabulous Florets (in Summer Mini)
Thank You Kindly

Ink:
Basic Black
Old Olive

Accessories:
Heat Tool
Versamark
Powder Pals
Melon Mambo emboss powder (used for the pink flowers)
White 5/8" Organza Ribbon

Technique I used was Sponging. I used a sponge dabbed in Pumpkin Pie ink and sponged very lightly on the Very Vanilla card stock.

I also coloured the middle tie using the Pumpkin Pie marker.

Paper Stock:
Basic Gray
Pumpkin Pie
Very Vanilla
Neutrals Designer Series Paper Pack

Ink:
Basic Black

Accessories:
Silver Brads
Mat Pack and Paper Piercing Tool
Sponge
Pumpkin Pie marker

Paper Stock:

Very Vanilla
Daffodil Delight

Ink:
Early Espresso

Stamp Set:
Pretty Postage (found in Summer Mini)

Accessories:
Postage Stamp Punch (found in Summer Mini)
Sunny Garden Designer Series Paper
Dimensionals

Paper Stock:

Very Vanilla
Certainly Celery
Marina Mist
Pawsitively Prints Designer Series Paper

Stamps Sets:
Slice of Life (hostess set)
Word Play

Ink:
Early Espresso

Accessories:
2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch
1 3/4 circle punch
Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch
Scallop Edge Border Punch
Marina Mist Marker
Real Red Marker
Certainly Celery Marker
Pretty in Pink Marker
Dimensionals

MAY GIVE-A-WAY WINNER!

Congratulations to Shannon Cormier who won the May Give-a-way: "So Happy For You" clear-mount stamp set!


June's give-a-way announcement coming soon!

Time to say "Good Bye"

It's that time of year again and the Last Chance Lists are HERE! That means you have until June 30 to order the retiring stamp sets you love. The retiring accessories will be going fast.  They are only available while supplies last.  So if there are some fabulous products you can't live without don't wait.

The best way to order them is to go to http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampingwithrach/ and click on Shop Now.

Check out the lists below!

• The Last Chance Stamp Sets are HERE
• The Last Chance Accessories are HERE
• The Last Chance Definitely Decorative are HERE

Don't forget – Accessories are only available while supplies last! Don't delay!!