The Stamper

My Digital Studio Valentine

Since we are living in Saudi Arabia and Tysha is in the states I decided to create her Valentine's Card and gift in Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio program.  I had it printed in Print Services and sent directly to her.  I knew her card would get to her and not lost in the mail this way.  I also create a book for her I will get posted later this week. 

This card is apart of Stampin' Up!'s "you are loved" download.  It is a tri fold card.  I added my own words and pictures.  Downloading templates are the easiest way to create projects because most of the desgining and layers are all ready created for you.  Since I was not able to hand write a greeting in this card, I added a text box to the back and typed in my personal greeting.  This download has the card plus all the stamped images you see on the card and a few more.  I liked having the images so I could add one of them to my greeting on the back of this card. 

Stampin' Up! creates new downloads almost every week so you can check out what is new at my Stampin' Site: http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net  Go to the order now section and then digital designing and then latest downloads and you can be creating before you know it.  If you don't have MDS yet you can download the software on a trial period and see if MDS is for you!

Packed for Everything!

In Stampin' Up!'s Occasion mini catalog they have 4 adorable individual stamps, the "packed for" series.  These little stamps are made up little images that can be used together or individually when cut out.  I love that you can purchase these individually or in a "Packed for Everything Stamp Bundle".  You save 25% when you purchased them all together.  The different stamps are:  Packed for Baby, Packed for Birthday, Packed for Dad, Packed for Mom.  I made the same card using each of the different stamps so you can see each one. 

The stamps are 2 x 2 1/2" and to created the border look I stamped them side by side on a strip of cardstock.  I stamped the image I wanted cut out on a separate piece of cardstock and cut it out and placed it over that image on the border strip with dimensionals.  Added a greeting from different greeting stamps and I have a great bundle of cards that would make a good gift or be used for any occasion. 

To purchased the Packed for Everything Stamp Bundle use item code 127337 on my Stampin' Site:  http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net

Stampin' Up! You're My Type in pink

This typewriter stamp set just makes me smile.  I love the design and that fact that I can stamp different word greeting right on the paper that is rolled into this old fashioned typewriter. 

I created this card using Mellon Mambo cardstock, designer series paper and stamped accents.  I just love pink.  The baker's twine is cherry cobbler but when you use in against the mellon mambo it takes on that shade.  I embossed the typewriter using Versamark and black embossing powder. the little flower accents were stamped with Stampin' Up!'s Itty Bitty Bits stamp set and punched using the Bitty Shapes Punch Pack.  I finished them off with a tiny pearl accent. 

To order go to my Stampin' Site: http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net

Such Sweetness, Baby Prints

I guess it is because my oldest daughter just got married and I realized I am moving into that next phase of life that this sweet stamp set Baby Prints stamp set by Stampin' Up! caught my eye.  Now, I am not announcing anything because my daughter is not pregnant but now she is married that is a possibility in the future and I purchased this stamp set to be prepared for when we do have something to announce. 

I loved that this set could be perfect for announcements, baby showers, scrapbook pages or to make a sweet card for someone who is having a baby.  I stamped the hand prints using the Blushing Bride stamp set and layered that on Blushing Bride DSP.  I added the great new ruffled ribbon. (I do love this ribbon on anything, it is soft yet stays ruffled as you use it)  The teddy bear stamp is cut out from one of the Packed for singles stamps, called Packed for Baby. Don't do what a did and order all four packed for stamps as single stamps because you can save 25% if you purchase these in a bundle pack.  Just use the bundle code 127337 and pay $29.95 instead of $39.80.  I will  post some more pictures using the packed for bundles later this week. 

I think anytime you have a baby in your life you should cherish the moments because they grow up so fast. 

To order items I used here go to my Stampin' Site: http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net . Remember you get to choose free merchandise from the Sale-a-bration catalog for every $50.00 you spend so order today.

Just my type card

I sat down the other day looking at some of the new products on line and was inspired to create this simple Valentines or anytime love card. 

When I saw the typewriter stamp in Stampin' Up!'s new Occasions catalog I thought it was so cute.  Maybe because it reminds me of days gone by when I used to do my homework on an electric typewriter which was a modern thing then and now my children don't even don't how a typewriter works.  I guess I really am getting old. 

The card that inspired me was embossed in black embossing powder and I love the shinny look embossing gives this sweet little card.  The typewriter was embossed on a separate piece of cardstock, cut out and added to the card with dimensionals.  I stamped the words right on the piece of paper and added a few punch hearts. 

Valentine's Day always sneaks up on me, it feels like the year has just begun and then it is Valentine's Day.  Don't let it sneak up on you order this cute stamp set or another of our fabulous stamp set and create a card for your loved ones today. 

To order go to my Stampin' Site: http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net

Day of Gratitude

Today I am grateful for many things; family, friends, faith,  creative outlets, a good job and nice place to live and good people who come into my life. 

It seems each year new experiences bring new people who cross my paths and I learn so much about the world from the people I meet.  Over the years I have been taught to laugh, given confidence, viewed the world differently, learned to see things from another person view because of the people who touch my life. 

And this week I would like to thank all of you who have been apart of my life even if it has been just a moment. 

This card was created with the Day of Gratitude stamp set by Stampin' Up!.  I created a scrapbook page using this set that I can't wait to drop my Thanksgiving photos onto and show all you in the coming weeks. 

Remember there is a online Extravaganza sale going on to check out the details on my Stampin' Site: http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net

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.

Stampin' Up! Christmas Lodge

It is getting to be that time of year when you start to really plan for the Holidays.  Where you will go, who you will see and the gifts and cards you want to give to those you love.  We are excited that Shanae and her new husband Steven plus my parents will be flying to Arabia to spent Christmas with us.  (in Shalla which means if the Visa's all work out right) I know it won't be a large country lodge with snow topped roofs they to come to but to a small house with spring flowers and cooler temperatures for us anyway, warm for them who will be leaving snow behind.  

I guess this card gives me the feel of a roaring fire and family gathered together which is the best part of Christmas for me.  

The designer papers are from Frostwood Lodge paper pack.  I stamped the lodge onto a die cut oval I had cut using the Big Shot.  Sponge the edges and lightly traced the oval image onto my paper.  Then I stamped the accent images you will find in Stampin' Up! Christmas Lodge stamp set.  Then I put the oval back into place using dimensionals to give it a 3-d look.  

The saying at the bottom was stamped and then using the new Simply Scored tool I added a scored box around the greeting.  I think it gave it an elegant look.  

The Frostwood Lodge product suite is found in Stampin' Up! Holiday mini catalog that you can view on my Stampin' site:  http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net    Order yours today and start creating memories of your own.

Easy Events Birthday

A few weeks ago I was making birthday cards and created this one that I thought I would share today.  It is created with Pink Pirouette cardstock that reminds me of the frosting that comes on the top of birthday cupcakes.  This thought pattern is what made me choose the cupcake image from Stampin' Up!'s Easy Events stamp set.

I cut my cardstock then ran it through the Big Shot using the Elegant Lines embossing folder.  (I just love the deep embossed image you get with embossing folders) I then stamped the cupcake using Black Stazon #101406 and painted the image with an aqua painter and the ink from the pink  pirouette stamp pad #111838.    To create the ribbon look to my white cardstock, I used a square punch and just punched half of  it making sure the corner is in the middle of my white cardstock piece.  I added a lace edge by punching from black cardstock using Stampin' Up!'s Scallop Trim border.  I laid it along one punched edge and cut it straight along edge of cardstock which makes it look natural on the point.  Repeat for other punched edge trimming that piece off the edge and in the middle so the designs don't overlap. 

A little piece of Black Scallop Dot ribbon and a couple of pearls finish off this card.  I have this card on my shelf and it makes me smile each time I think of it.  It also makes me want cupcakes. 

To order these items you can go to my Stampin' Web site: http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net

Always Thankful Step Card

This next Saturday I am going to teach a couple cards and pumpkin project and this is one of the cards I designer for this get together. 

It is a side step card.  At first I thought this might be hard to make a step card but this simple design is fun and not too card especially with the new Simple Score board from Stampin' Up!.  The stamp set is Always Thankful from Stampin' Up! and can be found it their Holiday Mini catalog. 

To create this card, I used a 4 1/4 x 11 sheet of Early Espresso cardstock, I laid it long ways on the Simple Scored toll and laid a ruler along the 2 1/4 looking on the left of the scoring tool.  Then score on the 5 1/2 mark from the edge to the ruler.  Turn cardstock around and lay the ruler at the 1 3/4 mark and score from the edge of paper to the ruler at the 1", 2" 6 1/2".  Now start by folding the 5 1/2 fold into a mountain fold, as well as the 1" and 6 1/2" folds.  Fold the 2" mark into a valley fold.  I then layered background paper from the Spice Cake Designer papers.  I stamped the wheat from Stampin' Up!'s Always Thankful set on Very Vanilla cardstock and colored it with Stampin' Pastels. 

To order these products you can visit the shop now part of my Stampin' Web site: http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net    If you live close think about joining me on Saturday for a day of stamping fun. 

Just Believe Birthday

 I thought I would share a couple more Birthday cards that I create for a women's group here in Arabia.  I wanted them to look great but not take forever creating them.  Even though I would enjoy the creative process, with my Black and white classes going on and the fact that they needed some of these cards right away I decided to copy ideas from other things to make the process faster. 

This card was created by copying my scrapbook page from my last scrapbook class shown here.   I just used the concept of the circles and accent image and duplicated in to fit onto a card.  I marker-ed the Just Believe stamp image with Soft Suede, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party and More Mustard.  I did not use any of the Designer papers like I did on the scrapbook page but the colors still blend together well.  I added a bow from the crochet trim and hung a birthday greeting that was punched using the word window punch. 

To order the Just Believe stamp set and/or markers you can go to my Stampin' Up! web site:  http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net

Birthday Cards using Printed Petals

This past week I found myself making a variety of 36 Birthday cards for an organization here in Arabia.  Beautiful Birthday cards are a little hard to find and so sat down and instead of spending hours creating I did what any good demonstrator would do and CASEd (copy and steal everything) a few cards from Stampin' Up! catalog. 

When CASEing something, you can steal the color combination, the layout, the cute way someone added an accent or like I did with this card and copy it almost exact from last year's catalog.  I added the dark green behind the circles and some different ribbon and since I was making Birthday cards I had to add a birthday greeting.  But most of this card was copied from Stampin' Up! Catalog.  I used the flowers from Stampin' Up!'s Printed Petals stamp set and a few pearl accents to add some elegance.

I also decided to CASE myself as well, anything so 36 cards would not take over my life. 

On this card I used the same technique I was showing in my Black and White Album class and just added it to a card.  To create the sanded flower background is chipboard letters that are glued to scrap cardstock and then I laid a piece of Designer Series paper with a dark background and white core over the chipboard letters and sanded over it with a sanding block.  This sands away the solid coloring and lets the white show through.

I added an accent flower from Stampin' Up!'s Printed Petals stamp set.  I did discover when I was putting away all my stamping supplies here that I had an old flower punch from Stampin' Up! and it punches out this flower perfectly, so I cheat and use the punch whenever I use this flower.  I added a rhinestone accent for the center of my flower to add that last bit of bling. 

To order Stampin' Up! supplies you can check out the catalog at my Stampin' web site:  http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net

Build a Blossom Butterfly

You know sometimes you see something that catches your eye because it is well done and unique.  This card by Marcie King that I received at convention this summer did just that to me. 

It caught my eye like butterflies catch you eye in the springtime. What makes this card so fun to me is the butterfly is created using the build a blossom stamp set and punch.  The wings are stamped using Stampin' Up!'s Build a Blossom stamp set then punched using the punch that matches the stamp set called Blossom Petal Builder.  The bottom wings are one of the punched petals cut in half.  The body is also a petal from the punch only punched in black.  She added a few rhinestone accents to the body.  I grass in part of Stampin' Up! stamp set Insprired By Nature.  I think this is one of the best grass stamps I have ever used. 

To see the stamp set and punch you can go to my Stampin' web 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

 

 

Hello, My Friend

My Friend stamp set is new to Stampin' Up! catalog this year and one that many techniques can be used with.  I received this card during Stampin' Up!'s convention and I loved it and thought I would share it with you. Melanie Baker was the creator.

How to do a resist technique: Stamp the hello from the set on Stampin' Up!'s First Edition specialty paper with Black Stazon ink.  Then the flower stamp was stamped with Versamark and embossed with clear powder.  Now with a sponge add the colors around the images blending them together to create a soft look.  Layer the specialty paper paper on colored cardstocks and add the my friend strip using dimensionals. 

How to color ribbon: The ribbon is Very Vanilla that was colored with the sponges used on the card.   Just start with the darkest color and move across the piece of ribbon you want colored.  The ribbon was attached with sticky strip and a clear button was added as the final accent. 

To order the My Friend stamp set, go to my blog: http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net and order now!

My Digital Studio Hybrid projects

Convention was a great time to see my downline and catch up on what is going on in their lives and businesses.  To do that each year I host a meeting the first night of convention.  This year it was even more precious to me because it had been months since I last spend time with any of my girls.  

At the meeting this year Cindy Schuster taught us how to create beautiful cards and scrapbook pages in Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio and then print them on cardstock and cut out the images and use those images on your page to give it a 3-d effect.  Whenever you combine digital imagery with regular cardstock and accents you have created a hybrid project. 

The page above was printed on Very Vanilla cardstock, hint: check out your printer settings and see if you can select edge to edge printing, this is found in the advanced printing section.  We also printed the images of the butterfly, flower and stem on Very Vanilla separately.  We added the 2 colors of cardstock and these cutout images and the antique brads and bow with dimensionals and glue dots. 

Cindy showed us how to create a card using the same technique.  This time we printed the background and stem on Whisper White cardstock and added the ribbon punched Wild Wasabi cardstock and a cut out flower to the card to create the hybrid project.  The printed "postcard" piece was attached to a half of sheet of Melon Mambo cardstock to finish the layered look. 

My Digital Studio is available on my web site: http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net and can be purchased in a physical format or downline format.  There are also hundreds of additional downloads available to meet your scrapbooking or card making needs.  Order today and start creating beautiful hybrid projects for you to give your family and friends.

Stampin' Up! convention exchange

I think the best part of becoming a demonstrator is having the opportunity to attend Stampin' Up!'s convention each year.  Not only do they provide great classes and main stage presentations that help you improve your businesses they have fun make and takes for you to create and bring home and they give us FREE STAMPS as well. 

But the best part of convention for me is connecting with those people you come to know over the years.  I love holding a meeting each year for my downline (those who join my stampin group) and feeling their excitement for this crafty stuff.  I love meeting with friends and catching up on their lives.  I also enjoy exchanging card ideas with fellow demonstrators.  This activity is a little hard to explain without experiencing it.  Imagine 3000 attendees, half of them standing in the isles and hallways presenting their cards and trading with those who wants to trade with them.  The buzz is electrifying and the hugs and the I have not seen you forever" or "that is such a beautiful card" rings throughout the building.  

This butterfly card the favorite from the cards I made to trade.  The stamp set is Kindness Matters from the new catalog and the paper is Well Worn Designer Series Paper pack found on page 187 in Stampin' Up!'s new idea book and catalog. 

If you have ever thought about becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, this month is a great time to join.  You will get the Starter Kit for $99 and with the box bonus you will get close to $210 worth of merchandise.  It is  a great deal but even more join my group and belong to something special, have the opportunity to attend Stampin events and making lasting friends.   To join go to my Stampin' Site:  http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net  and under the join the fun section.  My key word is : newstarz

Join today and start connecting with products you love and people who care about you.

Convention Week!

Can you believe that I have to come to a Stampin' Convention to get a rest.  For those of you who have been to a Stampin' Up! convention you know we go from early in the morning to late at night but at least I am only worrying about one thing instead of 5 or more.   Moving into the new home was crazy, starting from nothing and trying to get it livable but it is as done as it is going to get because I have convention, wedding, mission and Ted's school and then home again.  Busy, fun summer. 

I thought I would share one of the cards I made to exchange here in Salt Lake City.  This stamp set it raining flowers and is one of the free sets we received for attending Stampin' Up!'s convention.  It is a great new two step flower set that makes beautiful cards, gifts and scrap pages.  I am excited to use it more over the next few months. 

When you are a demonstrator for Stampin' Up! they take really good care of you and make you feel special especially at convention.  There are hundreds of ideas, business tips, places for you to give feedback and then parties.  I am heading to the opening night party right now and can't wait to see old friends and make new ones. 

If you want to be apart of all this excitement consider joining Stampin' Up! this month with the special kit.  Ask me how or join on my web site:  http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net  special code: newstarz.

Wedding Thank-you card

 I am proud of my oldest daughter.  This week, I have been busy and she wanted to create her Thanks-you cards for her wedding, so she sat down and went through my card samples, then picked Stampin' Up!'s stamp set Because I Care (this is the flowers and colors she is using for her wedding) and created this beautiful wedding thank you card. 

Because I Care is a hostess set in the 2011 catalog is only available until the end of June.  This is a hostess set and can be selected when your order is over $150.00 if you order from my Stampin' site directly. 

Check out the other last chance items at my Stampin' Site: http://wendythestamper.stampinup.net

The card is 5 1/2x 11 folded in half, then you cut off the bottom 2 inches.  She stamped and water colored her image and back it with the Bashful Blue cardstock, added a 1/4" strip of cardstock and glued the stamp image to the top of the card.  She learned really quick that you can not put glue on the whole image or you glue your card shut.  She added a framed thank you to the inside of the card so it shows when the card is open and closed. 

I know I would love to receive a thank you like this one.... maybe I will.

How to make a money card using Fabulous Florets & a thumping techinque

 This last week, a friend Hadell invited us to a traditional middle eastern meal at her home.  The food was so delicious, and the company was wonderful, we hated to leave.  Hadell is a great cook and I am hoping she will teach me how to cook some of her recipes.  At dinner she was showing me and her other guests the cards she has been making for her son's school teachers and told me her brother saw some of them and now he wants her to create a money card for him to give a friend for his wedding.  I told her I could help her with that so she came over yesterday to make it.   She brought some supplies and we created this beautiful card in just a few minutes. 

The base cardstock was Crumb Cake cut 6 3/4" x 9" scored at 3 and 6".  Hadell brought over  leaf vellum cardstock.  If you don't have printed vellum you could use plain vellum and stamp it with the leaf or flower stem found in Stampin' Up!'s Fabulous Florets stamp set. We cut it the same size as the base cardstock and glued it with Stampin' Up! glue stick all over so it would not show.  We punched a large circle so the money could peek out on the bottom section of the card, this is then folded up to make the pocket.  We glued on the edges of this piece so it was a pocket.  The accent cardstock is Always Artichoke and we stamped the flower image found in Stampin' Up!'s Fabulous Florets stamp set. 

To stamp the flower we inked it with Stampin' Up!'s Pretty in Pink classic ink then using a Regal Rose marker we did a "thumping" technique.  Thumping is when you take your marker and hold it towards the opposite tip you are using and bounce the marker randomly up and down over the already inked image.  Breathe on the stamp to give it moisture and stamp it on whisper white cardstock.  Thumping works great on any bold stamp but also try it on line images as well. We cut it out and added dimensionals to the back to pop it off the card a little. 

To order Fabulous Florets or other summer mini catalog product you can go to my Stampin' Up! web site.  You want to order directly from my site so you get the best prices and shipping available, instead of going to SU! site and choosing me as a demo.  My site: http:/ /wendythestamper.stampinup.net