Thursday, September 29, 2011

Holiday Mini Halloween Cards

Halloween was my mom's favorite holiday. She loved to put up Halloween decorations and really got into the spirit of it (so to speak). Smiley from millan.net So in honor of my mom, I have a couple of Halloween cards made with sets from the current Holiday Mini Catalog.

Sara Bolz made today's first card using the Out on a Limb stamp set. This stamp set is more on the cute side than scary. And it has a GREAT cat image that I WANT. Animation from millan.net The DSP she used was from the Frightful Sight paper in the regular IB&C. I have to say that those spiders do creep me out a bit. They're a little too realistic-looking for me. Smiley from millan.net

Michele Pelky created this next card. She used the It's a Wrap Holidays stamp set from the Holiday Mini. These images were designed to fit perfectly around a chocolate nugget, but as you can see, they work well on cards too! She also used the Frightful Sight DSP from the IB&C. The background was made by running Basic Black cardstock through the Big Shot with our Spider Web Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. She then added some white craft ink to the raised images, so it really has a spiderweb-likeness about it.
So if you're a Halloween nut like my mom was, there are lots of products in the Holiday Mini Catalog that you should be sure to check out. You can get your spookiness on and do some creepy creating yourself. Smiley from millan.net

Until next time...


Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com
http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/jaynestamps/

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Gently Falling Easel Card

I promised I would be back to show you the other card we made on Monday night. This is an easel card made with the Gently Falling stamp set. I really do love the leaves in this set - and I love that it's two-step stamping. This is another card idea that I saw on Patty Bennett's blog. She had gotten together with Sharon Armstrong and they made a card very similar to this. This is the view with the card closed. It fits in a standard Stampin' Up! Medium Envelope.
I've seen a lot of cards done with the Gently Falling stamp set and almost all of them use the colors in the Spice Cake Designer Series Paper that coordinates with it. But I wanted to mix it up a little bit, so I used some of the Well Worn DSP that I had. The leaf was inked up with Tangerine Tango and then I used a Sponge Dauber to add some Cajun Craze around the outside edges. The saying comes from Petite Pairs - a great word set to have! Here is the card propped open.
The ribbon is 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon in Chocolate Chip. I think that's the first I've used it, although I've had it for awhile. Now that I've used some and see how nice it is, I'll be using it a lot more! Side view of the card:
This card is the same except that the choice of color in the DSP (still from the Well Worn pack) made it look softer. So I inked up the leaf with River Rock dye ink before sponging the edges with Cajun Craze.So do you like? We were all happy with ours and everyone said they had a great time getting together to stamp. Sometimes the "unplanned" gatherings are the most fun! I don't stress out about them because I haven't had a lot of time to prepare, so I just go with the flow.

Hope you've been inspired to get some friends together and stamp yourselves! Until next time...


Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com
http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/jaynestamps/

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

What to do with a suddenly free night?

Monday night we were supposed to have a meeting at my upline's, but due to unforeseen circumstances, it had to be postponed. So here I had a whole night available with nothing else planned. So what did I do? I called the girls who usually go to the meeting with me and asked them if they wanted to come over and stamp! Everyone thought that was a good idea, so we gathered here and did some creating. Smiley from millan.net

Convention is a great place to get ideas on how to "think outside the box" - literally in this case! This seven-sided box is made from the Mini Milk Carton Bigz L Die! Mine is made with Not Quite Navy cardstock, Well Worn DSP, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die, Autumn Splendor stamp set, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, and Early Espresso cardstock and dye ink pads, 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon, and Stampin' Dimensionals.
Here is a view from the top. Can you tell I'm getting in the mood for fall? Smiley from millan.net
It took us a little while to get the hang of putting the box together, but once we did it, it wasn't that hard at all.

Then we all made a card using a technique that's been around for quite awhile, but one that I haven't done for a few years. It's called "Poppin' Pastels". We took the Sweet Floral stamp and inked it up with VersaMark ink, then stamped it onto Very Vanilla cardstock. We took our Stampin' Pastels and Sponge Daubers and pounced the color on top of the stamped image, using about three colors of pinks to get some of the graduated shading seen, and a couple of shades of green. That makes it look more realistic with variations in the colors. Smiley from millan.net
I then layered the image onto a piece of Certainly Celery cardstock, tied some Chantilly 1/2" Crochet Trim around the bottom, and finished it off by putting it on the front of some Rose Red cardstock. I love how this looks! Everybody's finished product looked a little different depending on how much of which color they used. I want to make another one using shades of purples. Any other color combinations you think would look good? How about shades of yellows? That would have more of a "fall" feel to it. Smiley from millan.net I CASE-d this card from Patty Bennett's blog. She always has such great ideas!

I'll be back soon to show you the other card we made on Monday night. Until then...


Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com
http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/jaynestamps/

Monday, September 26, 2011

Designer Series Papers on cards

Today I have a variety of cards to share. They all use different Designer Series Papers that helped in choosing the color palate of each one. Just changing up the DSP on a card design can make a totally different-looking card!

The first card was made by Danelle Henry. She used this regal lion from the Zoo Review stamp set (pg. 105 in the IB&C). The colors she chose came from the Well Worn DSP - Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Not Quite Navy, and Very Vanilla. Such a great card with lots of layers!

Neida Salazar made this next card. This falls under the "wow-that-card-took-a-lot-of-work" and the "I'm-glad-I-got-one-of-these-because-I-don't-think-I-would-do-that-on-my-own"categories. It's such a bright, beautiful card made with the Season of Friendship stamp set. Neida used the Cheerful Treat DSP (hostess) for her color choices - and I'm pretty sure she cut each one of those flowers out individually! It's a GREAT card and I'm so glad I'm lucky enough to have one!
This card is one I made for a friend's birthday earlier in the month. It is very similar to another card I made with the Beyond the Garden DSP - this one uses Melon Mambo as the card base with Early Espresso as an accent.
Here is the similar card done with Daffodil Delight cardstock and Tangerine Tango.
So break open those packages of Designer Series Papers and get inspired to start creating! And when you do, send me a picture of what you make - I'd love to see your creations!

Until next time...

Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com
http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/jaynestamps/

Friday, September 23, 2011

Holiday Mini Catalog samples

My hubby and I just returned from a quick visit to Kentucky. It was nice to just get away for a bit and have a change of pace. Probably the favorite thing we did was take a dinner cruise on a riverboat. It was very nice and relaxing.

I had scheduled a few postings to automatically upload while I was gone, but that was only through Wednesday. (So I was kind of sneaky - you didn't even know I was gone, did you?) But I'm back and today I have some samples done with items from the current Holiday Mini Catalog.

The first card was made by Debra Currier. She used the Always Thankful stamp set. She colored the rubber with markers before stamping. I love how tranquil this card looks. Deb's style is classic, simple stamping and her cards always look great.

This next card was created by Judy DiScipio. The trees are from Scenic Season, which is in the Idea Book & Catalog (aren't they gorgeous?) but the little girl image is from Gift Givers, which is a new set in the Holiday Mini Catalog. This stamp set is so versatile! It has images for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas/Winter, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and Easter! Judy also added some shimmer with the Silver Glimmer Paper, Dazzling Details glitter glue (new!), and some Basic Rhinestones. I love the colors and bling on this card!

Lisa Gray made this adorable card with the Stitched Stockings set and coordinating Stocking Builder Punch. She also used the Snow Burst textured impressions embossing folder from the Holiday Mini plus various other items from the Idea Book & Catalog. I think this stamp set and punch are definitely two of my favorite items from the Holiday Mini Catalog.
Well it's late (for me) and I'm tired because I've been transcribing ALL day. Millan.net So I'm ready to go put my feet up and take it easy.

Until next time...

HAPPY STAMPING!
Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com
http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/jaynestamps/

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Sparkling Poinsettia

I saw this gorgeous card and just had to replicate it! If you like bling, you'll LOVE this card! Smiley from millan.net

You might want to put your sunglasses on to look at it! Smiley from millan.net The poinsettia is made with the Silver Glimmer Paper in the Holiday Mini Catalog and the Blossom Petals Builder Punch. Twelve of the long flower petals were punched out, then one layer of six was put on the card with Dimensionals and then the second layer was put on top of that.
The leaves were punched from Always Artichoke cardstock and some texture was added with the Snow Burst embossing folder. Some Basic Pearls were added in the center and then Crystal Effects was squeezed over the top to help hold the pearls in place. The saying is from the Delightful Dozen stamp set - don't you just love the font? It's very elegant!

After making the card above, I thought that I should try it with the Red Glimmer Paper. It's pretty and stands out from the white cardstock, but doesn't have quite as much bling as the silver does!

So get your bling on and try some of this paper! You won't be sorry, I'm sure!

Until next time...

Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com
http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/jaynestamps/

Monday, September 19, 2011

Stitched Stockings with Stocking Builder Punch

Here is the other project that the ladies were able to make at my open house. It uses the Stitched Stockings stamp set and the coordinating Stocking Builder Punch from the Holiday Mini Catalog. It also uses some additional products from the Mini Catalog including Frostwood Lodge DSP, Cherry Cobbler 3/8" Quilted Satin Ribbon (so pretty!), the new Snow Burst Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, and Silver Glimmer Paper.
The saying is from the Occasions Alphabet stamp set - new in this year's Idea Book & Catalog. That is such a fantastic set with a saying for each letter of the alphabet. It was punched out with the Large Oval Punch and then layered onto some Cherry Cobbler cardstock punched with the Scallop Oval Punch. The Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die was used to cut out the Marina Mist scallop behind the stocking, then some Early Espresso cardstock was punched out with the 1-3/4" Circle Punch. A little texture was added to that with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing Folder. And for just a little more "bling", a Basic Rhinestone was added in the center of the design on the stocking.

I'm pretty sure I got the idea from a sample that I saw somewhere on line, but I'm sorry that I can't remember who. If it was you, please let me know so I can give you credit for your design!

Here are a few more ideas using the Stitched Stockings and Stocking Builder Punch. You'll see that they're not just for Christmas stockings!

This first card was CASE-d from Jan Tink. I think it has a country feel to it...

How about using them to make baby booties!? Smiley from millan.net This was an idea that they showed us at Convention. This card layout was CASE-d from Jackie Topa (I think).
And in the "I can't believe you thought of that" category - use them to make a hobby horse! (Again a CASE from Jackie Topa. She is quite clever!)
I should have added this picture to yesterday's post. This is Webster during my open house. I guess he decided that the Simply Scored Tool would be a good place to rest. He just cracks me up - and fortunately the ladies who come all seem to enjoy his antics too! At least they seem to...


Now don't you see that you NEED the Stitched Stockings set and the Stocking Builder Punch? They're so versatile - and not just for Christmas/Winter cards! You can order them through my demonstrator website HERE.

Until next time...


Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com
http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/jaynestamps/

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Gently Falling Samples

One of the card projects from my open house on Saturday was this card made with the Gently Falling stamp set. Everyone loved it!
The "medallion" in the center was made using the Spice Cake DSP and the new Simply Scored Tool! I LOVE Stampin' Up!'s scoring tool! They took a lot of time researching and planning before they came out with their scoring tool. You can see it on pages 6 & 7 of the Holiday Mini Catalog. If you want any more information on it, contact me and I'll be happy to help!

The colors from the card came from the Spice Cake DSP - Soft Suede, More Mustard, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, and Very Vanilla. The medallion was placed on a 3" circle cut from More Mustard cardstock with the Bigz Die and then a Spice Cake Designer Button with Hemp Twine tied through the center was added on top. We also used the Curly Cute stamp set and added some additional interest by sponging and using the Color Spritzer Tool with a Soft Suede marker. I encouraged everyone to stamp a little something on the envelope. Sort of like a teaser for what's inside.
One of the ladies who came on Saturday had a birthday party that day for friend and she wanted to use this card for him. We thought that maybe the medallion looked a little feminine, so this is how we tweaked her card to look more masculine. Same basic card - just turned on it's side. All of the edges were sponged with Soft Suede (including the More Mustard circle and the Pool Party around the saying). She was quite pleased with how it turned out!
This is one of those stamp sets that looks good every time it's used. I've seen lots of samples and I love each one! I hope you're inspired to get stamping and create something yourself!

You can order any of these products that you've seen on my blog by going to my demonstrator website at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/jaynestamps/ and clicking on the "Shop Now" button at the upper right hand corner.

Until next time...


Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com
http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/jaynestamps/

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Blog Hop - Scrappin' Stars

Hello and welcome to the next stop on the SU Stars Blog Hop! If you're just joining us, the theme this month is Scrappin' Stars. You've probably come here from Shelly Peck's blog, but if not, you can always go to the home page at SU Stars HERE to start. We have 19 bloggers participating in this hop today! Wow - I believe that's a record!

I have a mini flip album to share with you today. I've been wanting to make one of these for awhile and now I can finally show it to you! The album is 6"x6" square and about 1/2" deep (which can expand as pictures are added). I used the Nursery Nest Designer Series Paper for my book.

Here is the front with the book closed and the ribbon tied to keep it shut. Don't those birds just make you want to squeal with their cuteness?

This is the same view except that the two front flaps have been opened.
Then I opened the panel with the birds on it (6x6) to the left and another one to the right.

Then those panels were opened - and I couldn't get the entire album in one shot. So here is the left side...

And here is the right side...

I was trying to get a shot to show you how many surfaces there are for your pictures, but it's hard to really appreciate how much room there is in this album!
Here is another semi-overhead shot of the album opened.

And one more... do you get the idea on how much room there is in this now? Besides that, it's stinkin' cute!
I hope you've enjoyed seeing this mini album. I'm sure you'll want to go check out the next blog on our hop - it's Janice Heighway's blog at http://www.stampingwithjanice.com/. I know I'm looking forward to seeing what she has to share!


Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com
http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/jaynestamps/