Happy Canada Day :)

Tomorrow is a BIG day! BIG BIG day! Yes, the new catalogue becomes live which means we can order from it! But, even more importantly it our great nation's birthday. And to celebrate, I designed a Simply Adorned Charm insert just for this occasion. Actually, I can't tell a fib - I already had this insert designed as I used the same maple leaves on my sister's wedding invitations. But it was perfect for this very holiday.

This is what I just love about the Simply Adorned Charms. You can change out the inserts to match any occasion. It doesn't get much easier or creative than that! I can't wait wear my custom necklace tomorrow!

I hope all my Canadian readers have a fantastic Canada Day and all my US readers have a great 4th of July! Keep letting stamps bring out your creativity.






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How did I make my Charm insert?

Stamp Set: Autumn Harvest
Card stock: Very Vanilla
Ink: VersaMark, Soft Suede, Ruby Red and Soft Suede Stampin' Write Markers
Other Accessories: Stampin' Sponges, Heat Tool, Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder

The End of School is Here!

Well, actually it's been 'here' in our house for about 2 weeks because my daughter's preschool ends 2 weeks earlier than regular schools. But, now it's here for everyone! She's been at this preschool, Merrily We Go, for two years and they were really fantastic! So to say goodbye (as she's going to JK next year) I wanted to make them something personal. Since then I've heard that teacher's appreciate gift cards and don't want 'knick knacks'. I suppose they get a lot of knick knacks... but it kind of bothers me that we've become a society that would prefer a thoughtless gift like a gift card (because who's kidding who, anyone can go and buy a gift card on their way to, well, whatever) but this gift took me some time and effort to make. And it was most certainly made with love! I do think that the two teachers at this preschool would appreciate that. I hope so, anyways.

I made the teachers bookmarks using our Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware. Though this is a pretty easy project it does take some time because of the thicker layer of Crystal Effects on each side. This is to protect the image inside. I also decided to finally break open that package of Shimmery White card stock I've had for a few months (but wasn't using because it's too 'special' :p). I embossed with clear embossing powder so you can *just* see the shimmer through the flowers. Then I sponged overtop with my new fave colour combo, Rich Razzleberry and Baja Breeze. I added some retired felt flowers, some Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon and Styled Vanilla Ribbon Slides. And voila, bookmarks! Do you see the shimmer in the close-up? I love this shimmery card stock!

Since I was making multiple bookmarks I just embossed and sponged a whole strip of cardstock. I made them two-sided so for each book mark I punched out two Designer Label inserts and adhered them together with a few Stampin' Dimensionals. After I made them I had enough card stock to make an insert for my Simply Adorned Charm! Love those charms :)

What would a handmade gift be without a handmade card? Since we're heading into the summer, I thought the Tropical Party stamp set was a perfect choice. I have done similar cards (idea is from Julie Buhler) but I went all out on this one with the sponging. My first attempt was actually pretty good :) I did the blue sponging with Bashful Blue and Tempting Turquoise. The green is just a thin layer of Old Olive. The sand is done with River Rock, Soft Suede and Early Espresso. Love it and hope the teacher's did too! The flowers and palm trees are cut out by hand so if you don't like cutting this card may not be for you ;)

So welcome summer and thank you to the wonderful teachers that so enriched my daughter's life the past two years!

Keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!






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How did I make my projects?

Bookmarks: Tropical Party Stamp Set, Shimmery White Card Stock, Versa Mark ink, Baja Breeze Ink, Rich Razzleberry Ink, Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, Stampin' Dimensionals, Designer Label Punch, Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon.

Beach Card: Tropical Party and Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Sets, Tempting Turquoise, Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White Card Stock, Island Floral Designer Series Paper, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise, Bashful Blue, River Rock, Soft Suede and Early Espresso Ink, Scallop Trim Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, and 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 1/4" Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals.

Another Sneak Peak through a Sketch Challenge

I love sketch challenges. Only because I love doing lots of different layouts and I like trying new ones out with my cards. That's probably one of my favorite parts of paper crafting. I've been following the Pals Paper Arts for a few months now. I always want to participate in their challenges but usually by the time my kids allow me to complete the challenge it's already the next week. :p This week, by some miracle (and simultaneous naps!) I was able to complete the challenge!

The Pals Paper Arts challenges aren't always sketch challenges. Sometimes they are colour challenges, other times they are inspiration from a photo challenges. But as it happens, this week's challenge *was* a sketch challenge (see sketch on the left). Since we're nearing the new cattie debut I thought I'd throw in another Sneak Peak! I used the gorgeous new Greenhouse Gala Designer Paper and the Artistic Etchings stamp set. I also got my Marina Mist 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon today and just *had* to break it out for this card. I thought the #4 element was a perfect spot for the ribbon. You'll notice I rotated the sketch to suit my Eiffel Tower image.


I am LOVING the Marina Mist colour as well as Daffodil Delight - what a gorgeous colour. To all those mourning the loss of Summer Sun, I promise, you'll get over it when you see this yummy new yellow!

Hope this sketch gets your creative juices flowing and this card gets you even more excited about the new cattie (as though that's even possible!). Remember to keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!






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Hostess Appreciation Part 2 & Another Sneak Peak

For my Hostess Appreciation Party last week I wanted to give all my hostesses something special. Getting inspiration from our Stampin' Girls Convention I made all of them one of a kind customized notepads. They were demo'd by a sideline, Jenn Nusbaum, and when I saw them I just knew I'd have to do them for my hostesses. I'll have a tutorial on that coming soon! But better yet, I used our new Level 1 Hostess Set Because I Care (from the 2010/2011 IB&C) to make 6 similar but different cards. I'll be honest, when I first saw this set I wasn't sure. Actually, who am I kidding. I did not like it. At all. But then I saw some samples. And then I CASEd one of my sideline's cards and I made the card in this post. And I fell in love ;)


To make my cards I just pulled out 6 different pre-cut cards I had used in stamp-a-stacks earlier in the year. I didn't want to have to colour the big bloom on all the cards in because, well, I was making 14 cards! So I decided to spot colour them, a technique where you colour just selected parts of the image. And you know what? It turned out so well! Add a little glitter into the middle of the bud and voila - gorgeous cards that are all the same, but just a little different! I'm definitely going to do this again and challenge you to do so as well! Make 2, 4, 6, or more similar but different cards! It's a great way to get those creative juices flowing AND make a bunch of cards ;) And if you leave them without a greeting, you can customize them as occasions come along!


Did you know that to earn this stamp set all you have to do is host a workshop with sales of only $200? It's a Level 1 Hostess Set! You could also simply act as your own hostess, place an order online of $200 or more and earn it! What an easy way to earn a gorgeous stamp set FREE! I'm booking August and September so contact me today to book your stampin' party.


Finally, a party isn't a party without some awesome food! We had champagne to start the evening off. Then we had some Chocolate Peanut Butter Mounds, Deluxe Brownie Tarts, Chocolate Covered Gummi Bears (yuuuummmm!) and some fresh fruit. But the best treat I had for my hostesses were gourmet cupcakes made by a local mompreneur, My Little Cupcakes. All I can say is yum yum yum yum yum! Even though I shouldn't indulge in them (my little guy has a severe milk allergy and I'm nursing him so that means no dairy for me - boooo!) I just couldn't resist! All cupcakes I've had from My Little Cupcakes are delish, but the chocolate icing is just to die for! Don't tell me this picture doesn't make you want to reach through the screen and grab a cupcake (or maybe all of them?) LOL!


I hope that this post has inspired you to try to make several but different cards and keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!






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Hostess Appreciation Part 1 & Sneak Peak

Last night I held my (hopefully) annual Hostess Appreciation Night. Without hostesses I wouldn't have a business and this was my little way of saying 'thank you' to them. The evening started off with some champagne, followed by two WOW 3D make-and-takes, fantastic door prizes and finally we had some yummy treats! We used all new DSP's, a brand new stamp set, a new punch and new 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon. I love that ribbon! Today I'll show you the projects my hostesses made. I'm still trying to figure out how I've lived without Early Espresso all this time so that's what my hostesses stamped with! They were also my first customers to get a sneak peak at the new cattie!

The first project we made was an altered coaster picture frame. We used the brand new Newsprint DSP and Artistic Etchings stamp set. We also used the new adhesive rhinestones - LOVED those rhinestones when they were in the Eggcellent Easter Kits and I'm so glad they are going to be a permanent fixture in the new cattie :) The frame is held together with the Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon. This ribbon is so yummy - I think it's my new favourite!


That gorgeous medallion is part of the Artistic Etchings Stamp Set and it's perfectly punched out with the 1-3/4" circle punch. So how did I get such a big scallop to mat it? With the new 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch!!!


How cool is this Newsprint DSP? Yes, the map and sheet music is part of that awesome DSP! I can't wait to use it on cards and scrapbook pages!

The second project we made was this super cute Milk Carton with DSP carnation. I got my inspiration from a fellow sideline - Janet Sanii. We used the Greenhouse Gala DSP. This DSP has a mod retro feel to it and I LOVE it. Love the colours, the patters, everything! The carnation was made with 6 2-3/8" scallop circles. I'll be back with a tutorial another day - hopefully I won't forget :p They're super easy to make but involve crumpling up DSP which none of my hostesses wanted to do! They said the paper was much too pretty to crinkle up. I can't say I disagree... but the final product is worth it.

Finally, I made all the hostesses cards with the 2010/2011 Level 1 Hostess Set Because I Care as well as a little gift but I'll be back with that in the next post or this one would just get too long! You may be wondering how you could take part of this soiree next year. It's simple - book a stampin' party with me and you've got an automatic invite!

Hope you've enjoyed these sneak peaks and I'll be back with more sneak peaks soon! Keep letting stamps bring out your creativity,

Mini Starter Kit @ only $119 and New Cattie Preview

This month - meaning only 'til June 30th - you can join Stampin' Up! for only $119 with the Mini Starter Kit! In your Mini Starter Kit you get Sneak Peak products, new colour products, AND you'll get a box of the 2010/2011 catalogues in July! Everything to get you started in your new business! It's a value of over $220 for only $119 + PST. These Mini Kits don't come along too often so if you've been thinking about joining, now's the time to do it! There's no commitment after you've joined, no risk. But as a member of my team, Creativity Ink, you'll get support from me my fantastic uplines in taking your business where you want to take it. Whether that's as a hobbyist, a part time demo or a full time demo like me! I'm part of one of the largest demo teams in Canada and having that experience and support to draw upon has been great!

Why join now? Well this upcoming SU! year is so exciting. New colours. New In Colours. And an awesome new catalogue with some of the best stamp sets and accessories I've seen in a long time! With all this excitement it's the the best time to join! And then you can get 20% (or more) off on all your stampin' supplies! The card below highlights on of the great new Level 1 Hostess Sets - Because I Care - and new colours. I'm also lovin' that I can get all the new colours and returing In Colors in markers (can you say YAY for Baja Breeze in a marker?!?!?!). And the embossing on the Cherry Cobbler is using the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder - love it! I have to say that I got my idea for this card from a great sideline - Jo-Ann Pullen!



What's included in the Mini Kit? Everything below. And stamp sets/inks are customizable!

Item	Description	Price
117050	Watercolor Trio stamp set (wood-mount)	$30.95
118571	I {Heart} Hearts stamp set (clear-mount)	$22.95
118486	Clear-Mount Block C	$8.95
116978	Homemade single stamp*	$10.95
100730	Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")	$9.25
119706	Brights Collection assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")*	$8.50
115656	Melon Mambo Classic Stampin' Pad	$7.25
119667	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad*	$7.25
115658	Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad	$7.25
100814	Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pad	$7.25
119261	Basic Black 1/8" taffeta ribbon*	$8.25
121620	Color Coach*	$18.95
104332	SNAIL Adhesive	$9.75
	Retail value of products in kit	$157.50

*Sneak peek items!

The Mini Starter Kit also includes the same business supplies that are in the standard Starter Kit; no alternative selections can be made for business items. Contents are listed below:

• Getting Started DVD
• Getting Started Guide
• Guest Invitation Postcards (100)
• 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalogue (8)
• Summer Mini Catalogue (8)
• To My Hostess Envelopes (10)
• Recruit Folders (5)
• Recruit Brochures (20)
• Hostess Brochure (20)
• Hostess Benefits Form (10)
• Customer Order Form (50)

So contact me (stampingmonica@gmail.com) today to order your own Mini Starter Kit or Join Now using password 'stampingwithmonica'. You won't regret it!

I hope to have you a part of my team and keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!






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How did I make my card?
Stamp Set: Because I Care (2010/2011 Level 1 Hostess Set)
Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Whisper White (100730)
Ink: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist Stampin' Write
Accessories: Modern Label Punch (116630), 1-1/4" Square Punch (104400), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Big Shot (113439), Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder (2010/2011 Sneak Peak)

Simple Saturday - Shadowing

This technique was actually the second technique we did at our May Stamper's Groups. It's a pretty simple technique, but I really like the effect it has. We focused on masculine cards so I used the Extreme Guitar stamp - because what guy hasn't dreamed at some point or another that he was a rockstar! And I'm willing to bet that a few of us know a couple of guys that think they are rockstars ;)

For this technique you want to use a solid image - not line art - because it just won't show up the same and have the same effect. First you stamp the image in Whisper White Craft Ink on a coloured card stock. Let dry. Craft ink can take 10 or more minutes to dry and you want to make sure that it's completely dry before proceeding to the next step. I used my heat tool to dry mine so it was dry quickly. For the next step, you need to use your Stamp-a-ma-jig. Using the imaging sheet, line up your stamp image (so in my case, Mr. Rocker) just slightly off from the original image. I moved mine a little bit to the right. Remove imaging sheet, ink stamp in the colour of your card stock (the one stamped with your image) and stamp your image again. Stamping over the Whisper White ink with ink in the colour of the card stock gives your image a nice shadow!

For my background I used my Textured Lattice Embossing Folder (love the look of this folder - doesn't look too exciting in the Mini but it's one of my faves now!) to emboss my card stock, I punched out 6 squares and adhered with Dimensionals. I love this look and it makes for a fast, easy background :)

Hope this simple card gets your creative juices flowing and keep letting stamps bring out your creativity.






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How did I make my card?

Stamp Sets: Extreme Guitar (115328), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Card Stock: Basic Grey (108692), Night of Navy (100867), Whisper White (100730)
Ink: Basic Grey (109120), Whisper White Craft Ink (101731), Night of Navy (102977)
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-Jig (101049), Modern Label Punch (116630), 1-3/8" Square Punch (103375), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Big Shot (113439), Textured Lattice Embossing Folder (119976)

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge 142

Well, I haven't *completely* lost my mojo. But with two kids running around (well, okay, running and crawling - but I wish my youngest was running...) sometimes I need a mojo boost. So I thought I'd try the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge for this week to get my creative juices flowing. I also finally decided to use my new colour samples. I've hesitated to use them because, well, I only had one sheet of each! But with my preorder coming tomorrow I don't feel the same need to ration it ;) I used my three fave colours from the new core colours - Early Espresso, Marina Mist and Cherry Cobbler. Yum... hmmmm I suddenly feel like having cherry pie with a latte ;) This week's sketch can be seen to the right.

My cards (yeah, I made TWO! But they are just mini cards...) aren't exactly like the sketch, but close enough ;) I used my current go-to set, Sweet Scoops in the Summer Mini, and the Beautiful Wings Embosslit. I did stamp with Chocolate Chip ink because I don't have my new inks yet - tomorrow can't come fast enough, lol! - but I still think tey look pretty good! I just love how these three colours go together. That said I can't wait to use my Rich Razzleberry with Marina Mist and Baja Breeze with Early Espresso! Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow ;)

Well, the kiddies are calling (or more like whining) and I need to finish up the end of year teachers gifts. Wait 'til you see these beauties - Hodgepodge Hardware bookmarks! But for now, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!






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How did I make my projects?

Stamp Set: Sweet Scoops (117078, wood mount, or 120078, clear mount)
Card Stock: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Marina Mist (all coming July 1st!), Whisper White (100730)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908)
Accessories: Chocolate Chip 5/8" Satin Ribbon (117287), Two-way Glue Pen (100425), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (102023), Scallop Trim Border Punch (coming July 1st!), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Big Shot (113439), Beautiful Wings Embosslit

Is This Really NOT Metal?

Faux Metal. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this technique but it's always intimidated me. Why? I'm not entirely sure! After all, I've done Cracked Glass which is very similar but more complicated. Well, atleast I think so. Plus that Glassy Glaze Enamel Embossing Powder sure made a mess in my kitchen ;) But after seeing some fab samples, I bit the bullet and decided that it's the PERFECT technique for my masculine-themed technique clubs in May. I found a great, simple Faux Metal Tutorial on Splitcoast that I followed and after I did my first card (because many other followed ;) ) I wondered what had taken me so long!

Although in the tutorial they cut out their shapes, I thought that the Motorcycle single stamp in the Summer Mini would look really really neat in silver embossing powder. Now this stamp has lots of detail, so it took 6 layers of silver embossing powder and a couple of re-do's to get it just right. But I'm somewhat of a perfectionist ;) A couple of tricks I learned along the way:
1) Work quickly when stamping your image in the hot embossing powder - liquefied powder gets cool quickly making it hard to get a crisp image.
2) Push your stamp in HARD and if it's a more detailed larger stamp apply pressure all around.
3) Make sure you have a well inked VersaMark pad. You can buy reinker from my SU! Online Store if yours is getting a bit dry. You want to get a lot of embossing powder on that card!
4) Find an old wood cutting board to put your card stock on while embossing. It gets hot quickly and having melted embossing powder on your fingers is no fun. Trust me :p
5) When adhering your image to its mat, use Dimensionals or Sticky Strip... It will be a bit curved and SNAIL/Glue Sticks just won't do.

Seems like a lot of tips but don't get scared like I did... It really is easy! And totally worth the effect. On this card I also used the Presto Patterns Designer Series Paper which is REALLY cool! It is glossy white and has a few 'invisible' patterns that are 'magically' revealed when colour is added with sponges/brayer or with Smooch Spritz. So you can make it any colour you want! How cool is that?!?!?! In this case I sponged on some Night of Navy and Bordering Blue. To give it a bit of extra shimmer I misted it with the Vanilla Smooch Spritz from the current Mini Catalog. I think any Dad would love this card for Father's Day :) Interested in learning these more complex techniques and you're in the Ottawa area? Contact me at stampingmonica@gmail.com to learn about joining my Technique Clubs starting in August. I still have a few spots available.

We did another project but I'll save that for another day. This Faux Metal technique has me really excited and this post is long enough ;) Stay tuned...

And keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!






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How did I make my project?

Stamp Set: Motorcycle (117657)
Card stock: Bordering Blue (102630), Basic Black (102851), Basic Grey (108692), Presto Patterns Specialty Designer Series Paper (117175)
Ink: VersaMark (102283), Bordering Blue (102265), Night of Navy (103181)
Accessories: Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (118172), Silver Brads (104336), Stampin' Sponges (101160), Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder (109131), Heat Tool (100005), Paper-Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack (105826), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Retiring Stamp Set and Accessory Lists are Here!

The time has come for some of our favorite stamp sets and accessories to retire and make room for new ones. Stampin' Up! has released the Last Chance stamp set and accessories lists. Be sure to get yours before they are gone forever! Click the following link to see the retiring stamps: Stamp Set Last Chance List. These stamps are available through June 30th.

With the Color Renovation, there are also many fantastic accessories retiring. Some at 50% off! But accessories are while supplies last! So be sure to order your favorites as soon as possible! You can place your order at my Online Store 24/7!

The card to the right uses two of my favorite stamp sets, Warm Words and Animal Crackers. I'll be sad to see them go! So versatile and easy to use :) This card also uses on of my favorite retiring colors, Close to Cocoa. Though line art can be tricky I love this stamp set because you can do 'spot coloring' with it easily. What is spot coloring? It's when you choose specific areas to color on your image, instead of coloring the whole image. In this case I chose the spots ;) on the giraffe.

I'm looking forward to sharing some more of my favorite retiring stamp sets with you in the coming weeks. Keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!






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How did I make my project?
Stamp Sets: Animal Crackers, Warm Words
Card Stock: Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Confetti White
Ink: Close to Cocoa, So Saffron Stampin' Write Marker
Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals