Winter Wonderland

Winter Wonderland -- Isn't that one of the first things you think of when you see this card? I love this colour combo and the MojoMonday sketch.

Stamping with Rach Tips & Tricks

• Use the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder on the cherry cobbler strip and the white card base to give the card dimension.
• Add dimensionals behind the scallop snowflake image and the bird.
• I don't necessarily always like to have everything perfectly lined up. In this case, the black circle/grey circle/red button are top aligned instead of centered. Cute!

Must-have's to create this card: 

Stamp Set: Four Seasons (hostess set) (Clear: 126832, Wood: 126830)

Paper:  Whisper White (100730), Basic Black (121045), Basic Gray (121044), Cherry Cobbler (119685)

Ink:  Basic Black (126980), Basic Gray (126981), Cherry Cobbler marker (119681), Chocolate Chip marker (102128)

Tools: Dimensionals (104430), 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch (118874), Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335), 1" Circle Punch (119868), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (119861)

Accessories: Regals Designer Buttons (119744)

Shop now to get the supplies you need!

Butterfly Wishes

I was looking forward to using the Papillon Potpourri stamp set because I absolutely adore butterflies! Did you know that the Elegant Butterfly punch coordinates with this set? I am a sucker for stamp sets and punches that coordinate with one another... ;)

Stamping with Rach Tips & Tricks

• On the smaller piece of white card stock, sponge the edges (a little thicker than usual). This gives it the illusion of a layer of Island Indigo beneath it.
• I used the Rock and Roll technique on the middle butterfly so there was some variation between the butterflies.
• Place 1" and 1 1/4" punched out circles underneath the butterflies to draw attention to them.
• Pierce around the edge of the smaller whisper white cardstock.

Must-have's to create this card: 

Stamp Set: Papillon Potpouri (Clear: 123759, Wood: 123757), Bring on the Cake (Clear: 121958), Wood: 121899)

Paper:  Whisper White (100730), Island Indigo (122923), Daffodil Delight (119683), Summer Smooches 125409)

Ink:  Island Indigo (126986), Daffodil Delight (126944)

Tools: Dimensionals (104430), Elegant Butterfly Punch (127526), 3/16" Corner Punch (119871), 1" Circle Punch (119868), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (119861), Stampin' Pierce Mat (1262199), Paper-Piercing Tool (126189), Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack (126187), Stampin' Sponges (101610)

Why don't you give it a try? Shop now to get the supplies you need!

Welcome Baby!

Many of you have asked for sample cards that have a baby theme. Here you have it! This is based off this week's MojoMonday sketch.

I like how the Cherry Cobbler really stands out against the Baja Breeze and Early Espresso. Ignore the crooked lamp...this cards was made late at night :)

Stamping with Rach Tips & Tricks

• The finished size of this card is 5.5"L x 4.25"W
• Stamp and cut out the crib so it gives the card some depth
• Stamp and cut out the teddy bear so it stands out nicely against the crib 
• Layer the white circle over the early espresso circle to balance the card
• To give the card a fun look, pierce the border of the smaller white card stock

Must-have's to create this card: 

Stamp Set: Little Additions (Clear: 121991, Wood: 121921)

Paper:  Whisper White(100730), Early Espresso (119686), Twitterpated Designer Series Paper (125406)

Ink:  Early Espresso (126974), Cherry Cobbler marker 119681), Baja Breeze 126960), Basic Gray (126981)

Accessories: Neutrals buttons (119743), 5/8" Organza ribbon (114319)

Tools: Scallop Edge Border Punch (119882), 2 1/2" Circle Punch (120906), Paper Snips (103579), Paper-Piercing Tool (126189), Stampin' Pierce Mat (126199)

Don't you think the red hearts are a nice addition? A very delicate touch :)

Why don't you give it a try? Shop now to get the supplies you need!

*** CREATE TO BLESS ***

Happy I Do Day!

I loooove black and white cards! I added a splash of Cherry Cobbler to this since it is a "lovey dovey" card :) This card is based off this week's MojoMonday sketch.

I HIGHLY recommend MojoMonday if you have a hard time creating a card from scratch...like me. MojoMonday give you a template as a starting point which is great to get your creative juices flowing.

So -- how did I make this card, you ask? Read on...

Stamping with Rach Tips & Tricks

• The finished size of this card is 5.5"L x 4.25"W -- a nice elegant size for an elegant card ;)
• Since it's a wedding card, I added Vanilla Shimmer Smooch to the Whisper White layer which gives it a nice subtle shimmer (it's hard to see in the pic)
• To give the card some depth, I ran the large heart and the black strip through the Big Shot using the Elegant Lines texured impressions embossing folder
• to add more bling, put a rhinestone above the "o" in "do"

Must-have's to create this card: 

Stamp Set: Word Play (Clear: 120651, Wood: 120308)

Paper:  Whisper White(100730), Basic Black (121045), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Silver Glimmer (124005)

Ink:  Basic Black (100082)

Accessories: Rhinestone Basic Jewel (119246), Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119277), Dimensionals (104430), Vanilla Shimmer Smooch (118772)

Tools: Big Shot (113349), Full Heart punch (119883), Small Heart punch (117193)

This card literally took me 10 minutes to make -- from thinking about what stamp set to use to the finished product. Give it a try! Shop now to get the supplies you need to create this card!

*** CREATE TO BLESS ***

Birthday Flowers

CASE'd from Jen Sannes at www.simpleandsincere.com

I wish I could take credit for this card .... but I can't. I was searching for ideas how to incorporate the Fun Flowers die and I came across this beautiful card. And what blew my socks off was that the flower was made out COFFEE FILTERS! I know it doesn't take much to blow me away but I thought the coffee filter idea was ingenious! I used 3 layers of coffee filters and I was able to put them through the Big Shot at one time.

Want to know how you can easily make this card? Read on....

Stamping with Rach Tips & Tricks

• The finished size of this card is 5.5"L x 4.25"W -- a nice size to showcase the flower
• Put all 3 coffee filter layers through the Big Shot together --- it will save you lots of time!
• Put adhesive in the middle of the back of each flower. This will allow you to turn the petals up a bit for a 3D look
• to add a bit of bling, use a rhinestone on the dot of the "i" in "Birthday"

Must-have's to create this card: 

Stamp Set: Happiest Birthday Wishes (2011/2012 hostess set)

Paper:  Whisper White (100730), Rich Razzleberry (115316), Basic Black (121045), Bold Brights Designer Series Paper Pack (117155)

Ink:  Basic Black (100082)

Accessories: Fun Flowers Bigz L (121812), Neutrals Designer Buttons (119743), Rhinestone Basic Jewel (119246)

Tools: Big Shot (113349), Glue Dots (103683), Rich Razzleberry Ribbon (retired)

Don't you just love it!??! To get the supplies you need to make this pretty card, shop now!

***Create to Bless***

Here's the November Make n Take line-up! RSVP today to reserve your spot! 

You should have received a newsletter from me letting you know about this event. If not, sign up for my newsletter today -- you can find the sign up form on the right hand side of this blog.

*** Create to Bless ***

It's a Polar Party!

Here's the latest Christmas card I created this morning before headin' off to church :) It's based off of the MojoMonday sketch.

Isn't it adorable? I love the Polar Party stamp set. It allows my inner child to come out and colour :)

Stamping with Rach Tips & Tricks

• Use markers to colour in the polar bear, penguin, and stocking! The beauty is that you can use any colours you want!
• Use twine to give it a more rustic feel.
• Texture emboss the cherry cobbler base to give it a snowy look and feel.

Must-have's to create this card:

Stamp Set: Polar Party (Clear-Mount 122677, Wood-mount 122675)

Paper:  Very Vanilla (101650), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Old Olive (100702), Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper (126901)

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler marker (119681), Basic Black marker (100082), Old Olive marker (100079), Marina Mist marker (119679), Night of Navy marker (100069), Melon Mambo marker, Daffodil Delight marker (119677), Rich Razzleberry marker (120970)

Tools: Dimensionals (104430), Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder (117335), Scallop Border Punch (119882), 1" Circle Punch (119868), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (119861), Twine

What a fun card, eh? This just might in the line-up for the November Make n Take...! Happy creating!

Visit my online shop!

Save 15% on most stamps TODAY ONLY!

Today's the day that almost all our stamps are 15% off!  You can go to my online store to place your order and have it delivered directly to your house! Or if you are local and want to pick your order up from my house, I am placing my order at 10:00 tonight, so you can email me your order :)  Now's a great time to shop for Christmas presents for that special friend who loves all things Stampin' Up!

If you like to do digital scrapbooking, check out some FREE digital downloads HERE!

Happy Shopping!!

***Create to Bless***

It's MojoMonday time!

Yes -- I'm late...very late with this design since the sketch came out almost a week ago!! Actually, I am waaay behind on my blog entries as a whole! Life with 3 kids doesn't give me much time to dedicate to my blog... Hope you've been keeping up to date with my Facebook "Stamping With Rachel" page or you've been getting my "Newsflashes". If not, sign up for both now!

Soooo, I wanted to show you the latest Christmas card I created. It's based off the MojoMonday 264 sketch.

I also based my design off the card Mary Fish did -- I absolutely adore her work. This card is part of the Christmas Stamp-a-Stack repertoire - RSVP for this event quick as the spaces are going fast!

Ok - back to the Christmas card....


Stamping with Rach Tips & Tricks

Use dimensionals on the back of the bird to make it pop off the card.

Use the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder on the Cherry Cobbler card stock to give it a snowflake effect.

To get the cut-out at the bottom of the striped 'bookmark, use the square punch.

Must-have's to create this card:

Stamp Set: Four Season (Hostess Set, Clear-Mount 126832, Wood-Mount 126830), Teeny Tiny Wishes (Clear-Mount 127802, Wood-mount 115370)

Paper:  Whisper White (100730), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Old Olive (100702), Early Espresso (119686), Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Series Paper (126901)

Ink:  Early Espresso (126974), Old Olive marker (100079), Real Red marker (100052)

Tools: Dimensionals (104430), Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder (117335), Eyelet Border Punch (retired but an excellent substitute is the Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402), 1" Circle Punch (119868), 2 1/2" Circle Punch (120906), 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch (118874), Square punch 

Let me know what you think! I love to receive comments!

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Birthday Stamp-a-Stack

A small, but lovely group of ladies, including my very eager almost-7-year-old, spent a few hours this morning making 12 birthday cards! Take a look at our fun!

  How can you say no to a face like this!

      Of course I let her join the fun :)

Coffee and card-making...

The only thing missing -- chocolate!

      Excuse the potty seat in the background...

Need to have one at the ready when you have a

        potty-training 2-year old in the house :)

Hard at work!

The line-up! CASE'd from the following:

Stampin Pretty

Rachel Stelzer

Dawn Griffith

My Stamp Lady

Stay tuned for the next Birthday Stamp-a-Stack!

Class Schedule

Here is my class schedule for the rest of the year. I can't wait to see you all! 

Remember to send me payment at least 2 weeks prior to the event to reserve your spot.

Register now!

Another Mojo Monday

I loved this week's Mojo Monday sketch. It is very simplistic but allows enough design elements so you can make that perfect card :)


I am finding a new love for the Create a Cupcake stamp set. It's so versatile - meaning, you can use this set for a child's birthday or an adult's! Here's my rendition from this week's sketch:

Stamping with Rach Tips:

• Use dimensionals on the back of the cupcake top to make it pop off the card
• To give it a delicate touch, I used the Eyelet  Border Punch (so pretty!)
• Use Sticky Strip on the back of the Argyle Textured Impressions embossing folder to ensure it in fact sticks to the card base. I find with embossed card stock, regular adhesive doesn't do the trick

Must-have's to create this card:

Stamp Set: Create a Cupcake (Clear-Mount 121982)

Paper:  Very Vanilla (101650), Certainly Celery (105125), Pretty in Pink (100459), Subtles Designer Series Paper (117152), Early Espresso (119686)

Ink:  Pretty in Pink (126955), Early Espresso (126974)

Tools: Dimensionals (104430), Argyle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (127750), Eyelet Border Punch (retired but an excellent substitute is the Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402), 1 3/4" Circle Punch (119850), 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch (118874)

Easy peasy, right? What do you think? Leave me a comment!

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Mojo Monday Time!

Chock-Full of Cheer

This week's Mojo Monday sketch was so cute I had to use the new stamp set "Chock Full of Cheer" from the new catalogue. Aren't these mittens the cutest?

Stamping with Rach Tips:

• I used the In Colour NEW! Gumball Green card stock.
• Cut out the mittens and use dimensionals to have them pop off the page.
• To add a gentle touch, I used Very Vanilla Seam Binding ribbon for the bow.
• Sponge the edges of the mittens' frame so it blends nicely with the base layer.

Must-have's to create this card:

Stamp Set: Chock-Full of Cheer (Wood-Mount 126715, Clear-Mount 126717)

Paper:  Gumball Green (126840, Cherry Cobbler (119685), Be of Good Cheer DSP (126896), Very Vanilla (101650)

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler (126966)

Tools: Sponge (101610), Dimensionals (104430)

It's a VERY easy card to put together. Give it a try and let me know what you think. You know I love comments :) 

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It's Mojo Monday Time!

I really liked the sketch this week (Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge (MOJO244) and decided to create a card in between feedings, changing diapers, cleaning the house, playing "tickle" with the kids... :) I really like how the green pops right off the card and I, of course, had to add some bling :)


Would love to hear what you think - please leave me a comment!

Stamping with Rach Tips:

• I used the new NEW! Raspberry Ripple card stock (doesn't that sound delicious!!) from the new In Colours. Love it!
• Usually I am a matchy-matchy type girl - everything needs to match. But this time I used Old Olive card stock with Lucky Limeade ribbon. A nice compliment I thought.
• To add some sparkle, I incorporated some jewels. What girl doesn't like bling??

Must-have's to create this card:

Stamp Set:  Bring on The Cake (Wood-Mount 121899, Clear-Mount 121958)

Paper:  Subtles Paper Stacks Designer Series Paper (117152), Raspeberry Ripple (126842),

Old Olive (100702), Whisper White (100730)

Ink:  Raspberry Ripple (126859), Raspberry Ripple/Gumball Green/Midnight Muse Markers 

(126856 - comes in a pack with Primrose Petals and Summer Starfruit too)

Tools: Scallop Edge Border punch (119882), 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punch (119854), 1 3/8" 

Circle punch (119860)

Accessories: 1/8" Lucky Limeade Ribbon (126060), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246), 

Bitty Buttons (118761), Glue Dots (103683), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

It's an easy-peasy card. Try it for yourself! 

Visit my online shop!

So long...!

It's time to say "so long!!' to a bunch of Stampin' Up stamp sets, Definitely Decorative pieces, and accessories! This is the last opportunity to order these products. All retiring stamp set orders placed by May 31 will be fulfilled.

Keep in mind that with the start of the new catalog on June 1 (a MONTH early - whoo hoo!), French-language sets will only be available in clear-mount. If you're interested in French-language sets, this will be your last chance to get wood-mount French sets.

The PDF list of retired products can be found here.

Get comfy, grab a hot beverage, and maybe a snack or two and check out what will be retiring. Orders can be placed until May 31. Let me know if you have any questions!

Happy Shopping!

55 new items on the Clearance Rack!!

Who likes a good deal? If you do (which I bet every single one of you do...), check out what's on the Clearance Rack; items such as a number of punches, dies, and accessories. You save up to 60% off!

For example, who doesn't love buttons? The Springtime Vintage Big Designer Buttons (shown to the left) are only $4.39! That's less than a penny each??? What a deal!

Don't delay as stock will deplete verrrry quickly! Click here to shop now!

Join the Stampers 10 Club!

Hello my crafty ladies!

Hurry! There are only a couple of spots left in the Stampers 10 Club so sign up today to confirm your spot!

Stampers 10 Club is an excellent way to slowly and affordably build your inventory of card-making and/or scrapbooking supplies. Here are all the details:

• $20/month
• one month you'll be the hostess which means you have $35 hostess dollars to spend
• receive $5 off my classes & events
• receive a card sample every month to keep or give away
• 10 month commitment
• don't leave the comfort of your own home!

I look forward to having you Join the Club! Just leave me a note here or email me at rachel.pickford@gmail.com.

Happy Stamping!

Join the Club!

I am starting 2 clubs in March and guess what? To participate, you don't need to leave the comfort of your own home!

After the baby is born, I don't think I'll have much time for a few months to have classes, workshops, etc., but I really want to continue to share what I love with all of you. Soooo, read on for all the crafty details!

How can you resist? With either Club, you're going to increase your inventory with product YOU want and need!

Click here to sign up for the Club you want to join! Or contact me with any of your questions.