Stamping with Michelle

Eastern Blooms Card

Since I returned from convention, I've had a lot of fun playing with the new Eastern Blooms stamp set.  It was one that we received free in our convention bag, and I just love how easy it is to create great cards with it.  I've got several in my queue to show you in the next few weeks!

This was one of the cards that we made at my Open House a few weeks ago.  It uses the new Filigree Brads which, I think, are my new favorite accessory.  I absolutely love brads and these new designer brads are just so much fun!  Speaking of which, stay tuned to my blog for some product shares that I plan to announce on Monday or Tuesday.

Materials: Eastern Blooms
Cardstock: Tangerine Tango, Kiwi kiss, and Whisper White
Ink: Tangerine Tanog, Kiwi Kiss and Riding Hood Red
Accessories: Crafter's Tool Kit, Riding Hood Red Ribbon, Filigree Designer Brads, Stampin' Dimensionals

Speaking of the new In Colors, how about that Tangerine Tango!  Yummy!  I'm not normally an orange kind of gal, but there is just something about this color that calls me!  I think it may be one that I use quite a bit this fall!

Don't forget that you can get Eastern Blooms at 15% through September 30.  Also, beginning September 2, you can order our new Big shot machine.  I'll have a lot of news to share next week!

I hope you all have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

Watercoloring Tutorial

Yesterday was my step-father's 60th birthday, and over the weekend we threw him a party.  My step-father is an outdoorsy kind of guy, and as soon as I saw Under the Stars in the new catalog, I knew it would be a fun set to work with for a card for him.  I sat down Saturday morning and I was able to create this card in less then 15 minutes.  I was quite pleased with how it turned out!

Materials: Under the Stars, Owl Together Now, Wow Wishes
Cardstock: Always Artichoke, Basic Black, Baja Breeze and Confetti White
Ink: Basic Grey, Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Antique Brads, Aquapainter and Stampin' Dimensionals

Most of the ink colors I used when watercoloring Mr. Bear.  The trick is to thin down the ink so it is quite watery and to be messy.  If you've been to any of my classes or workshops, then I've taught you when using the Aquapainters to squeeze just enough to get the tip wet or else you end up with a big puddly mess.  Well, when I was at convention, I had the pleasure of watching Brent Steele, our Vice President of Creative Services (he's in charge of the catalog!) watercolor this exact bear.  Brent, I believe, has a degree in art, and it is always nice to see what creative projects he comes up with.  Anyway, Brent used a watercolor brush and he showed us to get the brush nice and wet and thin down the ink so it isn't so dark.  I used the ink off the lids of my stamp pads and I kept squeezing my aquapainter so that the ink was nice and watery like this:

You want the ink to be thin so that it will flow and spread nicely.  When you are actually watercoloring with it, you want to be able to move your brush quickly, without thinking about it too much.

Here I've put the first layer of color on Mr. Bear.  I used More Mustard and you can see I wasn't too particular as to where the color landed.  You always want to start with your lightest colors first and it is a good thing to leave white space.

Next I added a layer of Really Rust.  I mostly covered up the original layer, but not completely.  I also hit some of the areas that may not have gotten color the first time.  Also, see his feet?  Yes, that is ink that is OUTSIDE OF THE LINES!  OH NO! It's OK!  Going outside of the lines adds to the watercolor feel.

Finally, I added a final layer of Chocolate Chip.  I first went over the whole thing in the same manner.  Then I went back, and see how his left side is a bit darker?  Also along the left side of his face and his belly.  To make it a bit more realistic, you need to add shadows.  I usually put the shadows on the left side as if that was the side that the light was shining from.  No particular reason, other then I just like it that way!  To make the shadows, I picked up some of the ink that wasn't quite as watered down so it would be a bit darker.

There!  Now you know a few watercoloring secrets!  Why don't you give it a try and show me what you've come up with!  Also, until September 30, Mr.Bear is on special for 15% off along with several other brand new sets.  Check it out

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

Eastern Blooms Bookmark

I'm sorry!  I've been rather MIA again this week.  It's been a very busy week and with school starting for my children next Wednesday, next week isn't looking any better.  Once things settle down a bit in September, I hope to be a bit better about posting.

For now, I though you might like to see one of my favorite make and takes from convention.  We used the stamp set Eastern Blooms, which we got for free in our convention bag I might add, and we created a bookmark.  Super, super cute!

Materials: Eastern Blooms
Cardstock: Whisper White and Windsor Knot DSP
Ink: Tangerine Tango Classic and Old Olive Craft Ink
Accessories: On Board Something Seasonal, Filigree Designer Brads, Pacific Point Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots and Stampin' Dimensionals

The olive square is a piece of chipboard.  We added color using a sponge dauber and the Old Olive Craft pad.  The filigree brads are a new addition to our catalog as well and I absolutely love them!  The square is attached to the chipboard with mini glue dots once it dries.  You can't see the back, but we attached the ribbon to the back with sticky strip and then we had a square of Pacific Point cardstock that hid it.  The square would hang on the outside of the book and the ribbon would go down through the inside of the book with the filigree piece on the bottom.

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

Tea Bag Holder

I thought you guys might like to see what I've been up to today.  Mainly I've been getting ready for my open house this Saturday.  I'll be selling my retired stamp sets and there will be two make and takes with all new products.  When you purchase retired merchandise, I will give you a voucher for half the value that you can immediately redeem in the new catalog.  I'll also be giving demonstrations on using the Big Shot. I'll be here from 9:00-Noon; if you're local stop on by!

Anyhoo, in addition to that, I worked up these adorable little tea big holders.

And here's the inside:

Materials : Wow Flowers
Cardstock: Pacific Point, Pumpkin Pie, Yoyo Yellow and Whisper White and Rose Red DSP
Ink: Summer Sun
Accessories: Pumpkie Pie ribon, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Crop-a-dile, Paper Cutter w/scoring blade, Sticky Strip

I could tell you how to make them myself, but instead I'll just direct you to the fabulous directions I found here

Enjoy!

Michelle

Introducing.....the Big Shot!

Drum Rollll, please!  Ta da!

Everybody, meet the Big Shot.  Big Shot, everybody.  There now that the introductions are done, let me tell you a little bit about this bad boy.  The Big Shot is a manual die cutting machine for use in any number of crafting projects from scrapbooking to home decor.  The Big Shot uses two different types of dies, steel ruled and chemical etched.  Steel rule dies work similar to a cookie cutter.  They can cut multiple sheets of cardstock at a time and they can cut more than 50 types of materials from paper and chipboard to vinyl and thin aluminum.  Chemical etched dies are thinner and lighter weight, therefore, you cannot cut as many different materials or multiple thicknesses.  However, because of they way they are made, they can be much more intricate designs.  In addition, using the included multipurpose platform, you can accommodate dies and embossing plates from a wide variety of sources.

Here are a couple of samples that I cut out using a couple of my new dies.

The top image is the Scallop Circle #2 die, and the bottom image is the Top Note Bigz Die.  The Top Note is just one of ten exclusive dies that we currently carry, and we will be adding to that selection as time goes on.

Finally, I leave you with a sample that I created with our exclusive Join in the Cheer Decorative Strip Die.  If you like this sample, keep an eye out.  It will likely be one that I pull out later this fall for use in one of my stamp a stacks.

Materials: Bella's Bloom
Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red and Kraft
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Accessories: Join in the Cheer Decorative Strip Die, Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain, natural hemp

The "Joy" is one of three words that you can diecut out of the decorative strip.  I ran the paper through my Big Shot and then just separated the one word from the others.

I will be demonstrating the use of this fabulous machine at my open house this weekend from 9:00am - Noon. RSVP if you plan to attend and you will receive a free gift.  I will have make and takes and I will be selling my retired merchandise.

And, now, I need to go prepare to place my first order from the new catalog!  Whoopee!

Happy Stamping!

Michelle

Goodbye Papa

I know that I promised you that on Wednesday I would share pictures of my new conquest!  I did receive it, but we also experienced a family tragedy.  On top of that I've been unable to log into typepad until tonight.  So....if you will permit me...a personal moment.

On Tuesday night, my grandfather experienced a massive stroke.  Initially, he seemed to be coming out of it, but testing on Wednesday revealed that 80% of his brain had been compromised.  My entire family gathered in the ICU and spent the entire night Wednesday sitting vigil by his bedside, and on Thursday afternoon my grandfather passed away.

My grandmother and my biological grandfather divorced when my mother was not quite a teenager.  Since then, my biological grandfather had been largely absent from our lives.  My papa stepped and filled that role, and, boy, did he ever.  When I was a child, any broken toy would be set aside, because "Papa can fix it!" 

Papa, I love you and you will be greatly missed!

Home from Convention

Well, I'm home from convention, and I've had a chance to catch my breath!  I was hoping to post for you yesterday, but I just couldn't get out of my own way!  With this year's convention, Stampin' Up, kicks off it's 20th anniversary celebration.  I just knew that it would be a convention to remember, and Stampin' Up, didn't disappoint.  We had an absolutely phenomenal time, visiting with old friends, learning new tips and techniques and hearing the latest company news and updates.

By far, the very biggest update was Stampin' Up's announcement that they have partnered with.....are you ready for this.....SIZZIX!!  We will be carrying an exclusive version of the Big Shot along with 35 different dies, ten of which will be exclusive to Stampin' UP.  As time goes on, we will be expanding our line of exclusive dies.  I don't normally, jump on these band wagons, but I called my husband from Salt Lake City and had him place my preorder for me!  My Big Shot will be here tomorrow, and I am super excited!  I'll be sure to post an update tomorrow after I've played with it.

Another highlight of convention, is that we get to be the first to receive our brand new catalog.  Would you like to see a picture of it?

My photography just doesn't do it justice.  Believe me when I say it is fantastic!  Please note, the catalogs will not be coming spiral bound this year.  Stampin' Up does that for those of us who attend convention, just because they love us!

If you would like to see INSIDE this beautiful book, well, you'll just need to book a party or attend my open house on Saturday, August 16 from 9:00 to noon.  I'll have my retired merchandise for sale, and I'll be doing demonstrations of the Big Shot.

OK...I know, you want to see today's sample! Here is a sneak peek at some of the new products.  This is one of our make and takes from convention.

See how many new products you can find!  I'm not going to list the supplies on this one.  I will tell you that the circle hangs free on the card and that is why it is off to the side.

Happy Stamping!

Michelle