A Big Thank You with Betsy's Blossoms

Today I bring you the first hand stamped card made in my brand new stampin' studio :) The studio is not fully outfitted yet, I'm still missing my punch racks and am still trying to sort out storage. But I'm getting there. And very fittingly the cards I made were 'Thank You' cards for the people who helped us move. I will be ever so grateful to them because let me tell you... that move was NOT a walk in the park ;) Next time, movers! Lol!

The photo isn't the best, I know. I have yet to sort out how and where the lighting will be the best for photographing my cards. But it's better than nothing, right? I've currently got an eBay bid in for a collapsible photo tent, so cross your fingers for better photos soon!

For my card, I used this week's Freshly Made Sketches sketch. A cute and simple sketch :) I also layered two of my favorite patterns from the Patio Party DSP: the gorgeous flowers and sweet little hearts. I hope the folks who receive this card (as well as a little gift) know how much their help meant to us. For the large blossom, I stamped off before stamping my image to make the blossom a bit paler. I did add a little Basic Pearl in the bird's eye for a bit of extra dimension.

I did promise some pics of my studio. Here we go... please keep in mind that I'd still like to do a bit of stenciling on the walls, and a bit of decor. But it's functional and should be good to go soon!

Back wall. Dasher will probably hang on the right. Any tips with SU!'s Decor stencils? What type of sponges would I use?

I know that SU! doesn't do Decor Elements anymore. But I couldn't resist:

Storage unit (IKEA Expedit). Sadly, I need even more storage ;) Already.

*My* gorgeous workspace with the serene trees in the back. :)

My daughter's workspace/Big Shot table:

Ribbon storage. I got the rolling storage unit below it for only $15 at Home Depot!

Thanks for visiting and looking at my new space! If you're in the Ottawa area and would like to come to my New Studio Grand Opening Party, sign up here: http://studiograndopening.eventbrite.com/ . 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity :)

Back with Sunday Stamps

It's been much too long since I last posted. I've been super busy with this new house. Setting everything up has definitely been much more work than I or my husband ever expected! Why didn't anyone warn us??? lol! But it's all good. We're settling in and the kids are loving it. My daughter met some girls on our new street that are her age and she was pretty excited when they asked her to play scooters right away. It was everything I'd hoped for :)

Today I'm back with the Sunday Stamps Challenge. We took a two-week summer break, but now we're back with a gorgeous sketch from Hayley Kew:

I wasn't sure what direction I wanted to take this sketch in. The more I thought about it, the more I thought that the In Color Ruffled Ribbon wold look good layered. So I came up with this:

Tips & Tricks:

*I embossed the Whisper White Background with the Floral Bouquet Embossing Folder. I love how delicate the little flowers look without taking over the card.
*I felt so bad leaving Island Indigo and Pool Party out of this card ~ I had a really hard time deciding which of the five In Colors to use! But I love how this turned out. Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade and Calypso Coral look so fresh together.
*How can you not love the Itty Bitty Banners stamp set and coordinating Framelits? They make creating fun greeting for your card so easy!
*Rhinestones to the rescue again! My blooms from Betsy's Blossoms looked a little plain. Something was missing. So I added some rhinestones and voila! Problem solved ;)

Hope you're still hanging in there with me with my lack of posts. As of today, my studio is functional (see my Facebook Page and don't forget to 'like' it :) ), I should be a bit more productive ;) 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Betsy's Blossoms, Itty Bitty Banners
Paper: Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White
Ink: Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder
Accessories: Calypso Coral/Wisteria Wonder/Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, Adhesive Jewels - Rhinestones, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Big Shot, Floral Bouquet Embossing Folder, Bitty Banners Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals

Welcome Home!

Well folks, we are in our new home! Totally overwhelmed by the sheer volume of boxes and not being able to find anything! My daughter on the other hand has completely unpacked herself and filled her room to the brim. Impressive for a 6-1/2 year old! My son... well... he has his crib and some clothes. But he's perfectly happy playing in his sister's new room ;) In fairness, I was going to unpack some of his things last night. But at 3AM the night before I woke up with the starts of a kidney infection. I tried curing it naturally but by 6PM I knew I had to go to the hospital for antibiotics. It's one of the worst I've had and I'm exhausted... I'd spent the day cleaning the old house yesterday.  Never a dull moment. My lovely husband DID get our new tv up and running last night while I was at emerg. So the kids are happy ;)

On to today's project... I made this digi-card using last week's Freshly Made Sketches Challenge to announce our move to friends/family. I come from Czech heritage so there's some Czech on my announcement and we also have French friends, hence the French. I downloaded MDS2 just before we moved and was excited to try it out! Let me just say, it is Fantastic! Being able to color stamps with a paint brush is priceless. And larger stamp images allowing us to size them the way we want them? Even more priceless. Of course there are 73 more new features to keep me busy! One step at a time though...

I've changed the address, the original announcement did have our new addy on it ;) I also added the Silver Brads on the left side that weren't part of the original sketch. Something was missing on my card and I had to do something about it! The thing I love most about digital card making is that I can try a bunch of different things and easily change them if I don't like the result!

I love the Seam Binding Ribbon in MDS. It looks soooo real! Have you been wanting to get MDS2? Consider Stampin' Up!'s fully customizable Starter Kit! It's $125, tax and shipping included. That's almost the same price as MDS2 with tax & shipping, but you can choose another $55 in products, you'd get the special Hallowe'en Painter's Tray project kit (worth $75) and all your business supplies (but there is no commitment to sell!). As a thank you from me, I'll even give you a Crazy 4 Christmas Class for FREE! Now that is a good way to get MDS2 ;) More info can be found HERE and HERE or by emailing me.

Well, that's it from me for today. Still lots of things to do! 'Til next time (whenever that is... lol!), keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Antiqued Eiffel Tower

This was the last card I made in my current stampin' studio. Then I packed up all my stamps and accessories, getting ready for the move on Saturday. Today I packed up the rest of my things and my hubby took down all my wall-mounted cabinets and Bygel rods. It looks so empty now! I was a little sad but I have to keep reminding myself that bigger and better things are coming. TOMORROW! I can't believe we get the keys to the new house tomorrow. Feels like I've been waiting for this day for 9 months. Oh wait, I have ;)

For this card, I used the color challenge provided by The Paper Players Challenge. We were challenged to use Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy and Cherry Cobbler on our card. And I happily obliged because that is just a most fantastic color combination. This color combination screamed vintage to me, so I decided to go in that direction with my card.

Tips & Tricks:

*Scared of vintage? Don't be! I've used the Artistic Etchings stamp set for both modern AND vintage cards. It's all in the accessories and techniques you use. Paper tearing and sponging with Crumb Cake or Soft Suede is a good start.
*I love using the little medallion stamp as a lighter background for the Eiffel Tower. It's as though the sun is setting behind it.
*Even though I used Not Quite Navy on this card, the Island Indigo Baker's Twine coordinates perfectly, too. Sometimes we 'cheat' a bit with the accessories ;)
*As you can imagine, the Antique Brads were the obvious choice for a little something extra on my card ;)
*Although this card would be a perfect masculine card, I think a woman would enjoy it, too :)

I hope you've enjoyed this card! Next time I'll be back with a little project I made using the NEW version of My Digital Studio ~ MDS2. It's awesome! And then, the project after that will be made in my new studio :)

Wish me luck for the move for Saturday! I think we'll need it. 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Artistic Etchings, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede (for sponging)
Accessories: Word Window Punch, Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Antique Brads, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot, Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder

Build-a-Blossom 'Enjoy'

It's crazy - but I move on Saturday! SATURDAY!!! Can you believe it? I'm so nervous, so excited - I don't know what I am! I have packed up all my stampin' stuff which is a bit sad, but not before I made a few last projects. One of the cards I wanted to make was for the two ladies who purchased our current home. We will buy them a bouquet of flowers so that they have something pretty for their new home. But what is a gift without a thoughtful handstamped card?

This week's color challenge over at the Dynamic Duos Blog was to use Pretty in Pink and Certainly Celery. Perfect for a card to welcome two lovely ladies to their new home.

Tips & Tricks:

*I haven't used the Build-a-Blossom stamp set and coordinating punch in a while. I love how it has different sizes of petals as well as leaves.
*Since my background is Whisper White, I stamped tone-on-tone for both the petals and leaves.
*I love how everything SU! coordinates. The button is so perfectly Certainly Celery, just like the ink and card stock :) I did add a little piece of Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine in the centre of it ~ so I guess I cheated, lol!
*How much do you love the Holiday Frame Embossing Folder? I love it even more because it's not just for the holidays! I love how it looks with any larger image.

I really hope the new homeowners love their card. And thanks again for hanging in there with me while I blog a bit less. Soon I'll be all set up and ready to stamp up a storm! 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Card Recipe
Stamps: Build-a-Blossom, Fabulous Phrases
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Accessories: Build-a-Blossom Punch, Word Window Punch, Basic Jewels - Rhinestones, Big Shot, Holiday Frame Embossing Folder, Designer Buttons - Subtles, Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Water Stamping 'En Francais'

This week on Splitcoast Stampers, the featured technique was Water Stamping. What a fantastic technique. So simple and makes a fantastic background. I'll be demonstrating this technique at my next Stamping Technique Night on Friday August 24th at 7:30PM, along with tie-dye heat embossing. Water Stamping is pretty easy, although I made a few modifications to the technique to make it a smidge easier.

Isn't it awesome? And the En Francais background stamp is perfect for the slightly blurred lines this technique produces. The sketch for this card is from this week's Freshly Made Sketches Challenge. Something was missing on my card so I added the three adhesive Pearls.

Tips & Tricks:

*Wondering why the new Heat Tool has a low and high heat setting? The high setting is great for heat embossing. But if you need to dry ink, or dry card stock from a technique like Water Stamping, the low setting is great. It won't burn your card stock.
*My card base is Cajun Craze. I wanted to sponge some of this color onto my background, but when I stamped it with water, a lot of pink in the Cajun Craze came out. So I sponged it in just Soft Suede and Summer Starfruit. Much better.
*I first sponged the Summer Starfruit in a few spots on the card stock. Then I sponged over and around it with Soft Suede. I love how the En Francais script comes out looking antiqued on those two colors.
*The Comfort Cafe DSP is really turning into one of my favorites. I love how running it through the Square Lattice Embossing Folder gives it a quilted look.
*I'm really loving Framelits. Especially these new Apothecary Accents Framelits. They make such a fantastic background for many different images, punches and greetings.
*I was going for vintage and I love how the Victoria Trim Ribbon gives everything such a great vintage look.

Hope you love this technique and you'll come and find out my little tricks to do it just right on August 24th. 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Card Recipe:

Stamps: En Francais, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Soft Suede, Summer Starfruit
Paper: Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Comfort Cafe DSP
Accessories: Summer Starfruit Satin Stitched Ribbon, Victoria Trim Ribbon, Soft Suede 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Modern Label Punch, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals, Adhesive Jewels - Pearls, Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits

Googly Ghouls Two-Tone Embossing

I'm back with the Googly Ghouls stamp set. Actually, today I wanted to show you one of the projects we will be making at the August Stamping Technique Club. If you haven't done heat embossing and you want to try it out, this is the class for you! You can also sign up for 6 consecutive classes and one of the months you'll enjoy a $40 shopping spree! I also have lots of other perks for club members. You can email me at stampingmonica@gmail.com if you have any questions. This is also the DSP that is featured with the Howl-o-ween Painter's Kit - A Starter Kit Special for August. Nearly $300 in product/materials for only $125 (tax and shipping included!). I hope you'll take a peek and think about being on my team :)

Onto my card. I used this week's Retro Sketches Challenge for my sketch inspiration. It's such a cute sketch and with the various cute images in Googly Ghouls it worked perfectly! I used my Large Oval Punch to punch out the mummy, witch and Frankenstein. Other than trimming a few little details off the sides, they fit well in the shape.

Tips & Tricks:

*Love the Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP as well as the Striped Satin Ribbon? They are part of my September Accessory Test Drive. Try out these as well as some other great accessories before committing to the whole package! Be sure to order yours before September 7th.
*I used both Black as well as Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder to give Frankenstein black pants and an orange shirt. I love this two-toned look! Hope you'll join me to learn it :)
*I wanted to use a different shape for the 'Boo' greeting to make it stand out. The 1-inch Circle Punch framed the first 3 letters of this greeting perfectly.
*What can I say about the Spider Web Embossing Folder. Love. It ;) (I say that a lot, don't I!)

Thanks for stickin' with me while I post a bit less. It is a very busy time for me. We're going a bit nuts trying to get everything ready and the kids are definitely reacting to the stress. Still haven't packed up all my stampin' stuff because I need that release, escape. I did choose my shelving system for my new studio though and I'm super excited. It's the Ikea Expedit system.  I can't wait to get them set up, and the flexibility of the doors, drawers, filing trays :) I'll be getting it in white though. 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Ghostly Ghouls
Ink: VersaMark
Paper: Basic Gray, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla, Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP
Accessories: Large Oval Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot, Spider Web Embossing Folder, Black Embossing Powder, Tangerine Tango Embossing Folder, Striped Satin Ribbon

Vintage Postage

Before I start on today's card, I just wanted to let all my blog readers know that you may see a few less posts from me in the next two weeks or so. Next Friday, we take possession of our new home. This means a lot of packing, including all my stampin' stuff! EEEK! I'm doing it in phases. I've already packed all the things I know I won't use (retired DSP, extra ribbon, some stamps). But my inks, punches, accessories, card stock... they're all accessible. So I can stamp a bit longer. But I'm slowly running out of time and will have to pack soon. So I ask you to be patient with me, I'll be back to posting regularly soon. From my NEW STAMPIN' STUDIO :)

Now, onwards and upwards to today's card. This week, I was very excited to partake in the Friday Mashup Challenge. Their challenge for us this week was to
1) Make a project with a 'stick pin on it';
2) Make a 'vintage' project; or
3) Mash it up and make a 'vintage project with a stick pin on it'.

Vintage? FUN! I love vintage. With a pin? Even more FUN! Mainly because I've never done that before ;) And I do like to sew, so I have lots of pretty pins, perfect for a card.

My card base in this card is Pink Pirouette. But as usual, the color didn't photograph well. So frustrating, but I hope you get the idea. I've tried playing with all the functions in Photoshop and it clearly didn't work. :p

Tips & Tricks:

*Postage Due is such a fantastic vintage stamp set. I love the stamp images and the main image (even though I didn't use it here) as well. So many options with this set!
*The Fan Fair DSP is also great for any vintage project. Best of all it has some very feminine doily patterns, as well as more masculine patterns.

*Doesn't the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder look lovely with the Scallop Trim Punch and Fan Fair DSP? It's almost like they were made for each other!
*What do you think of my pin? It's not SU! because I pulled it out of my sewing kit ;) I just poked two holes in my card stock and threaded it through. It looked a bit plain though so I put a white Designer Button with Linen Thread on top of it.
*I contemplated tearing my card stock for a vintage feel, but I decided to tear it apart instead. I love how SU! card stock is solid right through and thick enough to do this.
*The Victoria Trim Crochet Ribbon is the perfect addition *any* vintage card :)

Hope you've enjoyed this card. I think I'll have to use the pin again! 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Postage Due, Tea Shoppe
Ink: Soft Suede
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Fan Fair DSP
Accessories: Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Postage Stamp Punch, Scallop Trim Punch, Big Shot, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Victoria Trim Crochet Ribbon, Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals, Glue Dots,

Medallions and Banners

Another HOT week-end in Ottawa ON. It was 35C here today, 35C! And that's without the humidex. For my American friends, that's 95F. Which for Ottawa is pretty extraordinary. Especially because it has been so hot all summer. I spent the day at an outdoor festival and then in my in-law's pool, so I'm pretty spent ;) But not too spent to share this bright, summery card with you :)

Sunday is almost upon us and this week at Sunday Stamps we have a color challenge. Our designer Lisa Johansen at Snow Moose Creations came up with the challenge of Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight and Old Olive. This is a color combination I don't think I've used before but I loved it. This is why I love challenges so much, they force me to think outside the box. My little Baja Breeze and Wisteria Wonder box :)

Although I was inspired by a card I'd made at a demo meeting, I did tweak the sketch and made it my own :) I'm so excited to be finally coming up with my own sketches. Especially because I have something up my sleeve for the fall. And I'll need some sketches ;)

Tips & Tricks:

*It took a few tries to get my large floral medallion lined up properly on the Daffodil card stock. But that's because I forgot to use my Grid Paper. I think this heat is getting to me ;)
*I'm seriously loving the Floral Frames Framelits. It is soooo easy to create fantastic die-cut stamped images :) I made three different floral frames and love how easy it is to layer them!
*Isn't the button in the middle the perfect finishing touch? I especially love the Pacific Point paper thread through the middle. Add that little 'pop' of color!
*Although I wanted to include a sentiment on my card, I still wanted the flowers to remain front row and center. So I stamped the 'Happiest Birthday' sentiment tone-on-tone on the Daffodil card stock. I love how it turned out.

I hope this card inspired you to craft something bright and sunny and that you'll join us at Sunday Stamps this week for this fab color challenge. 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Daydream Medallions, Loving Thoughts
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Old Olive
Paper: Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Whisper White
Accessories: Designer Buttons - Brights, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Floral Frames Framelits, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

An Ornament Keepsake Card

I know what you're thinking... another hot day and another Christmas card, lol! It's HOT hot hot, here in Ottawa, with no end in sight, and I've got to stay cool somehow ;) I'm also soooo excited by the 2012 Holiday Mini that I can't help but show off all the fab items in it. Best of all, the Mini is now live so you can shop from it!

I've used the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set on a previous card, but I had yet to use the coordinating Ornament Framelits. Not because I don't like them - I LOVE them! I just hadn't had the chance. Until today :) Best of all, SU! has bundled a bunch of the products in the Mini, so you can get both the stamp set and Framelits at a discounted price! WOOHOO!

And don't you love how the Candlelight Christmas Specialty DSP has the same intricate patterns as the Ornament Keepsakes stamps as well as the Lacy Brocade embossing folder?  Doesn't get much better than that with coordinating products. Admittedly, matchy-matchy can be a bit tacky, but SU! makes it work ;)

Tips & Tricks:

*As much as I love punches and how they coordinate with a lot of SU!'s images, Framelits are even better. I can cut out eight different images with the Ornament Framelits for only $32.95! Love. It.
*I'm still stunned by how fantastic the new Firm Foam Ink Pads are. I know, they're old news, but come on... how gorgeous and crisp is those lines are on the ornaments.
*Somehow 'christmas cheer' (from the Sweet Essentials set) and these vintage ornaments work really well together. :) No punch is big enough to fit the sentiment and I thought the banner looked good. I free-handed the banner with my Paper Snips.
*I absolutely love the Large Pearls but I have a hard time finding images big enough to for them. But this large ornament... perfect!

Hope the thoughts of Christmas cooled down those who are in the midst of this heat wave. 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

 


Card Recipe:

Stamp Set: Ornament Keepsakes, Sweet Essentials
Ink: Real Red, Early Espresso
Paper: Real Red, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Candlelight Christmas Specialty DSP
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border Punch, Big Shot, Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder, Stampin' Dimensionals, Ornament Framelits, Large Pearl, Basic Jewels - Pearls

A Spooktacular Promotion!

Have you been thinking of signing up with Stampin' Up!? From August 1st to August 31st, when you purchase the Starter Kit, you will get the Howl-o-ween Painter's Tray Project Kit absolutely FREE! That's up to $75 in product including:
*The Toxic Treat Stamp Set in either wood or clear mount
*A package of Basic Jewels - Rhinestones
*A package of Baker's Twine
*Ribbon, buttons and other stampin' elements to make the project.

That's in addition to the Starter Kit which is only $125, tax and shipping included. With the starter Kit you get $155 in product of your choice as well as all the business materials you need if you decide to do some demos. But... there are NO STRINGS ATTACHED. You can get your Starter Kit, Howl-o-ween Project Kit and run ;) But you do get a 20% discount on your favorite SU! products as well as a wonderful community to share stampin' fun with. I'm part of a great group of demos - in fact, we're having a demonstrator potluck tomorrow :)

Check out my SU! website for more info: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampingwithmonica/promotions

You can sign up on my website too, or email me if you have any questions :) For all demos who join in the Ottawa area, I'll be welcoming you to my home sometime in September and we can do our projects together! I can't wait, especially since it's going to going to be in my new Stampin' Studio.

'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!