The Stamper

Holiday Projects

The Holidays are quickly approaching and we actual have had a few cool days that feel like fall or winter.  It is the Eid Holiday here in Arabia which is their New Year so Ted has been home and we have been doing some fun things around home.  I will write about Sand rose digging and our trip to Baharain but today I wanted to share our "cold" weather experience last night. 

We had some friends invite us to a movie on the soccer fields that turned out to be on the cricket field instead.  It was great fun, they attached a sheet to an end post and projected the movie up onto the sheet.  We all brought chairs and popcorn and last night we had blankets, long sleeves, hats, socks and shoes and we still went home cold. 

Now I know for you in other parts of the world what we expeienced last night would not be cold but when you are used to over 100* weather 60 and 70 feels cold.  The crispness reminded me of the holidays and my upcoming Holiday class.  We will be making 2 cards and a 3-d sock.  The sock and card I copied from projects shown at convention this summer.  They both have a lot of glitter on them and I added glitter to my Holiday card.  When Ted saw the projects he said, are you teaching a glitter class?  I guess I am. 

I do like the glitter paper in both red and white, the best part is you don't get glitter anywhere because it stays on the paper.   The sock is created with the Big Shot and the new Holiday Stocking Die you can find in the Holiday mini catalog.   To order go to my Stampin' Web site:  http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net  and create your own cold weather projects.

My Digital Studio 2012 Calendar

My daughter Tysha asked me to create a calendar for her for this next year.  My Digital Studio seemed like the best choice of products to use.  I would be able to add photos without having to develop any, i would be able to ship it directly to her without having to use international shipping companies and Stampin' Up! has developed new calendar options that make it easier than ever to create a personal calendar. 

I used the December desk calendar that was already desgined for me from the  Frosty Day II 10x5 calendar kit.  I then changed the colors and images and created the other 12 months for the 2012 year.  It was fun to add the photos and know that my daughter will enjoy remember good times each month of this next year. 

I used Stampin' Up! digital stamp sets Calendar Basic Kit,  Year in Review and Torn Edges for most of my images.  For the rest I looked through the digital images on my Stampin' Web site and downloaded the ones I wanted to use.  The greatest thing about purchasing downloads are no delivery time, you can get them right away and start using them.  Yea!

To purchase My Digital Studio software and downloads you can go to my Stampin' Site:  http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net    You can purchased the downloadable MDS or order the disc that will be shipped to you, either option is great it just depends on you and how fast you want to start creating.  Order today and you can create a photo calendar for your loves one for this next year!

 

Stamped Velvet Ornaments

 Like all good ideas you use them over and over and then they get filed into the "been there, done that" file.  The quilt house was looking for a fun project for their meeting this week and I volunteered to come up with something.  That is when I remembered this lost pattern for velvet ornaments. 

You can make these holiday ornaments using any size square, this one is 5 1/2' square.  It is best to use real velvet (that is not something easy to find here in Arabia so we had to make due).  To stamp on velvet you mist the right side of fabric with water and they lay right side to stamp image that is sitting rubber side up on an ironing board.  Cover stamp with fabric and then press with iron for about a count of 10.  Lift and repeat with until velvet is stamped as much as you like. 

The German Bell shape is cardstock fold, in half both horizonal and vertical and diangle. The tricky fold is the airplane fold.  This is done by folding edges toward the center creating a point at the corner and repeating this for every corner.    The full pattern can be printed from this link.

The velvet is glued with Stampin' glue stick to the cardstock and folded into shape. I used cording to attach bead from the bottom up through ornament stitching the top closed and then adding more beads and making a loop to hang it by. 

Sometimes pulling out been there done those things can be worth doing again.  To order supplies check out my stampin' site:  http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net

Shelli's bat and a couple cards

This past week I had a little get together with some friends and we made Shelli Gardner's (owner of Stampin' Up!) bat she created for her grandchildren.  We also made a couple of cards. 

The bat is created with the Petal Cone Bigz L Die. I love this die it is fun to work with and I loved how Shelli added pennants that one side was punched with circle punches for wings.  Stampin' Up! carries a new die called Perfect Pennants and it has several sizes of pennants, one for whatever project you are working on.  I used an old star punch for the fangs and 1/2" circle punch for the eyes.  Add a couple green brads and a tag and you have a treat holder anyone would enjoy getting.

One of the card was created with Stampin' Up! Hello Doily stamp and white embossing powder.  The other card is Pennant Parade stamp set and the Petite Pennants Builder Punch.  It was a bright birthday card that could be used for any age. 

To order supplies to create these items, check out the order now section of my Stampin' Up! web site: http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net

 

 

Mother's Day File Folder Scrap book

I thought I would share how to make a Mother's Day scrapbook out of Stampin'' Up!'s Play Date File Folders.  These folders coordinate with the Play Date Designer Series paper and I used this paper for the accents.  We made this File Folder scrapbook at my last Hands On class and everyone seemed to love it.  Each person got to choose their folder from the Play Date package.  At least one person chose each folder so I know they all turn out great.

To start, select your Play Date folder.  Open and cut the from file folder flap at 4 1/2 inches.  Close the folder and measure the width, score at the half way point.  This should be 5 3/4 to 5 7/8".  Before folding the file folder in half cut away the right side flap.  Then use a bone folder to create good fold lines.

If you want to fold down the flap of your left side pocket score it now.  I then used sticky strip to create left inside pocket and cut a So Saffron piece of cardstock for journaling or to hold extra photos.  I stamped on an accent piece with Stampin' Up! stamp set Word Play.  There are several sayings in this stamp set that will jump start your journaling for this book. 

To create the flip folders, Cut Old Olive cardstock, 5x 4 1/5, 5x 5 1/2, 5x 6 1/2 and 5 x 7 1/2.  Score across the top edge of each sheet at 1/2".  I then used Prong Fasters from a office supply store, size: 2 3/4 in base 1 in capacity.  I centered these pages on the right size of the file folder and cut through all layers.  Add the prong fastener from the back of file folder scrapbook through all layers of the flip pages.  This attaches them into the book.  Decorate the pages and folder as desired with the Play Date Desginer Paper.

For the book closer I cut a 1/2 x 3/4 inch So Saffron cardstock piece.  I glued it to the back of the file folder with liquid glue then fold it around the front.  Punch a Modern Label punch and using liquid glue attach it over the flap just on the ends making sure to not get glue on the strip or it won't open and close.

Decorate the front however you want.  I punched flower and circle punches from the Play Date Designer paper and layered them into flower images and added them to the front, inside and flip pages for accents.  I then added Stampin' Up! Jewels the basic Rhinestones for the final touch.

I would love to have you join me for next month's hands on class that will be held May  28th here in Dhahran Saudi Arabia or you can purchase the supplies to make this project from my Stampin' Up! site: wendythestamper.stampinup.net

Saudi Hands On Class

This coming Saturday, April 23, is my Saudi Arabia Hands On Class.  We meet at 12:30pm and repeat the class at 5:30pm at my home.  I am excited to show everyone how to create this fun spinner card.  The spinner stamp set and accessories are in the Occasion Mini catalog by Stampin' Up!.  This catalog is good until the end of April so if you have not got all the things you love from it don't wait because after the end of April many of those items will not longer be available.  

At Hands On class we create 3 projects.  This week we are doing the Spinner card, a Mother's Day scrapbook made from the file folders in Stampin' Up!'s catalog and a sunset-shadow card. 

You can sign up for my class until Wednesday, April 19th. You can email me at Wendy@thestamper.com Hope to see you there. 

Gift card holder anyone?

Gift cards have become a big part of the gift giving world.  With You Tube and Ipods and downloads it seems my girls are sometimes more excited about the gift cards than the gifts I carefully pick out for them.  Well, even though I find myself giving gift cards they can look even more special when you create a fun gift card holder for them to fit into.

This gift card holder was created by Vicki and she used Stampin' Up! designer paper pack called Greenhouse Gala.  The cardstock was scored twice so you have three sections.  The inside piece is punched with a word window, this creates the perfect place to slip your gift card into.  You will note that the inside paper shows when the outside fold comes down. 

She created a belly band to hold the gift card closed.  This is simply a one inch piece of cardstock that wraps around the card and you add an accent.  This one is punched from the scallop circle punch and the 1 3/8" circle punch and the 1 1/4" circle punches.  Remember to stamp the circle image them punch it out. 

Enjoy.  If you want to purchase any of our designer Series coordinating paper packs you can go to my stampin' web site: http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net or email me at wendy@thestamper.com  and I would love to take your order

Make your own Party Hats!

   Make my own party hats was just what I wanted to do for a Relief Society Birthday party social I was in charge of.  I looked around on the web and just could not find the look I was going for, so I sat down and created the size and designs and look that was in my head.  I loved how they turned out and all the ladies at the social was surprised that they were handmade. 

It is hard to get great supplies for birthday parties and one lady said, "Can I hire you to make my son's next birthday hats!" I was so glad that they loved them as much as I loved making them.  I looked around and found a small pattern on Stampin' Up! demonstrator pattern site and so I had a general idea on the shape.  These are made using a 12x12 piece of cardstock and basically cutting one corner off and I punched a circle from the top so I could add the fluff poking out of the top of the hats.  

I then added sticky strip to the rim of the hat and then pleated ribbon to the edge.  For some of the other hats I ran pieces of cardstock through the paper crimper several times until it was flexible and then I pleated it like I did the ribbon.  I would suggest that you use your sewing machine and stitch the ribbon or paper ribbon to the bottom of the hat because it tends to pull away over time.  Unless you are only going to use them for a couple of hours then that step is not necessary. 

  Most of the hats I used for table decorations so I did not add the ribbon stings to tie the hat onto your head with but one was to be worn.  I wanted the hat to be stable so I put jumbo eyelets on each side to tie the ribbon to.  

To finish the main hat I die cut a flower using the Big Shot machine and the Flower die and the Scallop Circle #2 die.  I dampened the paper with water then crunched it into a ball, carefully opening it.  I added a large button center.  I was making this for a friend, Donna, to wear and she is a party girl. So full of life and laughter and so I wanted her hat to sparkle like her personality so I add jewels to the hat which is just the right finishing touch.

While the hat is still flat add the curled ribbon or straight pieces of cardstock and designer paper that poke out the top.  I used liquid glue to stick these in and to glue the hat closed.  It just seemed to work better, but remember when using this glue you want to use as little as possible so it dries quicker and does not squish out the seam and get all over your fingers. 

To curl the ribbon I used a bone folder and pulled strips of paper and cardstock like you would ribbon on a present.  Then I twirled them around my finger to create a tighter look. 

Each hat is different and I loved making them all.  If you want to create hats like mine you can order the supplies at my Stampin' Web site: http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net 

I used: Big Shot item# 113439 (if you have ever thought of purchasing a Big Shot, the month of March is a great time because you will qualify for Sale-a-bration free merchandise)  Dies #114934 Flower & 113469 Scallop circle #2, Designer Series paper #117164 Celebrations (love this paper), Sticky Strip #104294 and Liquid Glue #110755, Ribbon #115618 Old Oliver 1 1/4" striped Grosgrain ribbon and #119256 Old Olive 1/8" Taffeta ribbon. 

 

Stampin' Up! Designer Brads

The Occasion mini catalog by Stampin' Up! has lots of new products for us to create with and the Fabric Designer Brads are one of them. 

They are playful fabric covered brads that can add texture and details to any project you might have laying out on your desk. 

I like how my friend Amanda used these with the large button and the new Big Shot Fun Flowers die.  I think this would be a fun accent for a card or scrapbook page. 

To order the fabric brads or Bigz Fun Flower die you can go to the order now section of my stampin' web site: http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net or email me at wendy@thestamper.com and I can order it for you.  Remember Sale-a-bration has just a couple more weeks to go.  That with each $50.00 order you get to choose a Sale-a-bration project for free. 

 

Big Shot Top Note Calendar

I love calendars and one of my downline Laree makes my husband a cute calendar each year for his desk, which I always love and have a hard time not taking from him.  This year was no different.  She made this standing calendar using the Big Shot and Stampin' Up!'s die Top Note.  Cut a Top Note die from a Base Color and a Designer Series print and trim at the perforated marks on the Designer Paper and glue together.  Tie a ribbon around Top Note and tie it at the top with Linen Thread through a button. 

To create the standing base, cut 4 1/4" x 11" piece of cardstock in coordinating color, score 1", 2", 5 1/2", 9", and 10 inches.  Fold  in half and at the 2 and 9 inch marks.  Layer the 1" and 10 inches together and staple the base together.  The fold in the middle allows you to fold this calendar flat for mailing purposes.  Attach Top Note piece to base by adding calendar to the front and adhering it with colored brads that go through to the base. 

Check your calendars and join me, March 19th, for my next Hands On class where we will make cute projects like this calendar.

Oh, so much chocolate!

I only know a few people who do not enjoy chocoate so this cute gift bag filled with chocolate can be a great little gift for almost anyone you know.  This gift bag was created for me by my roomie at leadership.  It was made using Designer paper and cardstock.  The cardstock bottom gives firmness to the bag and allows it to stand.

The tag was punched from chipboard using the Big Shot and then covered with cardstock and desginer paper and for the fun accent my initial was die cut and added. The tag is hung with a ring and a jumbo brad was attached to the bag for the ring to hand from.

Stampin' Up! designed a very cute stamp set called Eat Chocolate and this stamp set was used along with punched to create wonderful accents to complement the treats inside. 

The part I am enjoying now I am back in Saudi is the American Chocolate bars that were inside this wonderful little package.  I must admit that the chocolate we can get here is really good, we often say better than American chocolate but there is nothing like biting into a litte taste of home now and then.  I love how each candy bar was covered with designer paper and little accents were added to make them extra special.  

Check out the mini catalog products at my stampin' web site:  http://www.wendythestamper.stampinup.net

Elegant Pink Valentine

I thought I would finish the week off with another creative use of the Petal cone die.  To create this Elegant pink Valentine card you cut 2 cone pieces using the die and then run one of them through the Big Shot again using the Vintage Wallpaper impressions embossing folder.  Glue the two together (see hint and photo below).  Add the Embosslits Scallop Heart of Hearts accents cut from white and Regal Rose.  The banner piece is cut from the Petal Cone die and was cut from Whisper White cardstock and glued to only one side so the card can open. 

Amanda, one of my stamping buddies, made this card for me at Leadership and I think it is so elegant. 

Hint: This image shows you the inside of the card so you get the idea on how to glue it  together.  The flap on the main piece is glued to half of the other die that you embossed.  The other half with the tab is glued to the opposite side of the main piece. 

This card is a perfect Valentine but could also be used as a wedding or anniversary card. 

To order the cone die or any Big Shot and it's accessories go to my stampin' web site: http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net

Cone Die Valentine

The new cone die in Stampin' Up!'s Occasions Mini catalog is quickly becoming one of my favorite dies.  I love making the cone and Chaylee made one to give to her teacher as a gift that was warmly received but even more than the cone it was designed to create there are many more creative ideas I have seen using this die.

This cone die Valentine was created by Janet Baker and I got this one at Stampin' Up!'s leadership.  Stampin' Up!'s cone die makes a perfect pocket to tuck in a sweet for your sweet.  The cone was cut from Whisper White cardstock and the accent piece from both Real Red and Love Impressions Specialty Designer Series paper.  The Whisper White cardstock was wheeled using the I (love) love roller and real red ink.  Add a greeting using Stampin' Up!'s XOXO stamp set and a couple punched hearts and you have a great valentine for your child to take to school or for you to give anyone you care about. 

To order the supplies show here check out my Stampin' Web site: http://www.wendythestamper.stampinup.net and don't forget it is Sale-a-bration time and for every $50.00 you order you get to choose free product from the Sale-a-bration brochure.  Make something today to tell those you love how much you care.

Feeling Special!

Each year at Stampin' Up!'s leadership conference Stampin' Up! tries to make each of us feel special and appreciated for all our work to make Stampin' Up! a success. This year was no different, we got a darling bag, stamp sets, paper packs and some wonderful stamping projects to make.  I will share more of these soon. 

I also felt special this year at Stampin' Up!'s advisory board reunion breakfast they have for those of us who serve on their advisory board currently and in the past.  It is always very early in the morning after having no sleep the night before but it is worth attending.  This year we were greeted with beautiful flowers on the tables and a sweet package handstamped for each of us.  (There was a stamp set inside)  I loved the package.  Note how they created stripes from ribbon and paper with a few folds and a sewing machine and the little details just finish it off. 

You can find a variation of this gift package on page 192 of the main Stampin' Up! catalog where they use this concept as a card. Take a moment and try adding ribbon to a card you create today. If you need ribbon check out my Stampin' Web site for some great high quality ribbon for the best price around.

 

Leadership gifts

I am in Nashville at Stampin' Up! leadership and I like to exchange gift idea with a few of my stamping friends and we do this at events.  This year I decided to bring them a little of Saudi with me, my favorite chocolate here, I think it is better than the states but I must admit we all enjoyed US chocolate at Christmas. 

I created this little package using the new Bigz L Die Petal Cone found in the new Occasions Catalog by Stampin' Up!.  I cut one piece of 5 1/2x 8 1/2 piece of the Pink Pirouette cardstock, after cutting it out I added more score lines by placing the tip of the cone on the center track of my cutter and the cone's score line on the 1/2" mark on my cutter. Score lines on both sides of the cone's score line.  It is helpful to fold down the front piece before scoring but keep the back piece tall so the score lines are correct. 

I cut the scallop and ribbon pieces out of Chocolate chip cardstock using the cone die.  I stamp with Chocolate chip ink on the front flap using Stampin' Up!'s new stamp set Clearly for You found in the Occasion mini catalog.  (This stamp set is designed to go with the Beveled Windowpanes but works great for lots of other projects)

I stamped the butterfly from the Clearly For You stamp set on a scrap of Pink Pirouette cardstock and punch it with the new 3/4 x 15/16 oval punch.  Glue the flap to the side keeping the package flat and fold ribbon piece in half, using the paper piercing tool poke hole for brad and insert it while the package is flat, add a little liquid glue under ribbon piece.  Then fold in edges to form package.  I added brads on the side for just that last little touch. 

Note: you might find it helpful to score flap from the same way as you did the sides so the flap does not get in the way when you fold up your sides. 

To order from the new mini catalog or any Stampin' Supplies check out my web site: http://www.wendythestamper.stampinup.net

Paper Tree Ornaments

I had a moral group progressive dinner the other night and we read the story of the three trees.  I had made these paper tree ornaments for each person to take home with them. 

This pattern came about because of my daughter Brynli.  I was making the paper heart ornaments from strips of double sided designer paper and she came to my desk and said, why did you make the trees red?  She was looking at them upside down and sure enough when I looked at them her way this patterned looked like trees, so I added the truck by folding a small strip and gluing it betweenn the bottom folds.  I punched a hole for the ribbon on the top of the tree where the paper strips meet towards the back of the strip a little and added a slit and a punched star.  I used liquid glue to hold the star and trunk in place. 

Stampin' Up!'s designer paper called Woodland Walk is perfect for these becuase it has several papers with greenery and wood grains in it.  The paper pack is item #117389 and you get 12 sheets, 2 each of 6 double sided desgins for $9.95.  You can order anytime at my Stampin' web site.  Wendythestamper.stampinup.net. 

 

Thankful for you!

Each year as Thanksgiving comes around I like to think about the many things I am thankful for.  And among the many things I am thankful for is you; my customers, friends and fellow stamping buddies. 

Since moving to Arabia I have felt even more a gratefulness for the times we have spent together; stamping, scrapbooking and sharing each other joys and pains. 

I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and a joyful Holiday with friends and family.  Love, Wendy

This shadow box was created using Stampin' Up!'s Home Decor elements Season of Thanks.  Check out this weeks special to get the medium size on sale.

Stampin' Up!'s Come to Bethlehem

People here in Arabia like anything to do with camels.  They are very unique creatures.  At the craft show a couple weeks ago I sold these camel cookie cutters with the bag topper and they were the first thing to go. 

I used Stampin' Up!'s Come to Bethlehem stamp set.  Soft Suede and Cherry Cobbler cardstock.  I stamped with Soft Suede ink. 

They are in the large flat cello bag.  I stapled the topper onto the bag behind the images.  I added the Merry Christmas greeting that had been punched using the Modern Label punch and some dimensionals. 

I thought this would be a great teacher or neighborhood gift for Christmas and the simple packaging really makes it an extra special gift. 

Stamped Wood Ornaments

I love these wood ornaments especially because they remind me of driving in Georgia and suddenly yelling for Ted to stop the car because I thought I saw the perfect dead tree branch.  Ted would stop, break off a limb or two, take them home, cut them into disks and then drill a hole for me so I could stamp and create something unique for our tree.

I brought some of these Georgia disks with me and stamped them with Stampin' Up!'s  Jolliest Time of the year stamp set.  You can color them with color pencils, watercolor crayon or just plain crayons.  Get your kids to help.  I added cording and a bow to finish them.

I also created some using Stampin' Up!'s mini catalog stamp set Bells and Boughs.  These were colored with metalic pencils and I added crystal effects to help make the berries pop.  The ribbon is the seam binding you can find in the Holiday mini catalog.  I love how light weight and easy it is to create beautiful bows with. 

Holiday Happenings

 I love Christmas and all the red, green and gold and this year I am making ornaments for a Saudi Christmas because we did not bring any Christmas decorations with us.  I also sold these in the craft fair this past week and thought I would share them here. 

I found some leather /vinyl  here in Arabia and die cut it with the Big Shot scallop square.  This worked great and I was able to stamp on the leather with Black Stazon.  The Santa is done with punches.  The small tag punch is the hat and beard, face is 1 3/8 circle, nose and top of hat are  1/2" circle, word window is the hats trim, 1/4" circle for eyes, slot punches for eyebrows and the 5 petal flower punch trimed for the mustache.  I added white gel pen to the eyes to make them pop and watercolor his cheeks a little.   I also outlined him with a black writer.  These always make me smile.