Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Chocolate Holders and Magnetic Calendar

Every other month or so, a couple of my good friends come over to stamp.  (Hi Pam!  Hi Judy!)  Smiley from millan.net 

We were able to get together one night last week and make some fun projects. I'll show you some close-ups of each of the projects first.  First off is this adorable Ghirardelli chocolate "purse" made from Designer Series Paper.  I had seen this adorable project last year and just hadn't taken the time to make one yet.  If you would like the instructions on how to make them, you can go to QBees Quest blog HERE.  The stamp set I used is a retired one - "Eat Chocolate" from one of last year's mini catalogs.  Of course, I had to keep those stamps!  The DSP, ribbon, and Glitter Brads are all in Concord Crush - so pretty in real life!

Our next project was a magnetic calendar.  We took a piece of cardboard and covered it with designers series paper - I used the Beau Chateau paper for mine.  The flower is made by punching out about five Scallop Circle punches from the DSP, sponging the edges, and then crumpling them up.  Then the layers are put back together, adding an Antique Brad to the center, and "fluffing up" the flower.  I added some ribbon and Basic Pearls to dress it up and finished it off by gluing a piece of magnet to the back.

This was my favorite project of the night.  I have seen many Tea Bag Holders that are adorable, but I'm not a huge hot tea drinker.  However, Pam saw it and suggested that it would make a great holder for Ghirardelli chocolates!  Now she had my attention!  The box was covered using the Everyday Enchantment DSP paper (Sale-a-bration).  Love that paper!
This is the medallion I put on top of the box.  It's made with our new Designer Rosette Bigz XL Die.  (This is NOT the full size rosette that the die can make.  We cut it down to a much smaller size.)

Here is a another view that shows a little bit of the side.  Can you see the opening in the bottom of the front panel for the chocolates to come out?  Very handy indeed!
 Smiley from millan.net
 
 Here are all three of my projects.

Pam's creations:

And Judy's creations:

We always have so much fun stamping and creating together.  In fact, we were having such a good time and I was concentrating on my project so hard that I forgot I had made brownies for a snack for us!  Can you imagine?  Smiley from millan.net  Hopefully they'll forgive me. 

I'll be back soon with more ideas to show you.  Until next time...

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

Monday, February 27, 2012

Elegant Bird Bigz Die

There is a new Stampin' Up! Bigz Die in the Occasions Mini Catalog that you might easily overlook.  It's called the Elegant Bird Bigz Die and is at the bottom of page 10 in the mini catalog.  Since there is a large picture with fabric and lots of colors that takes up most of that page, the die can almost get "lost" on the page.  But not now!  When I first saw it, I thought it was cute, but wasn't sure what to do with it.  Then I went to an all-day stamping event put on by Ronda Wade and saw a wonderful display done with the products in the Twitterpated Product Suite.  Today I have some samples with that Elegant Bird die to show you.

Look at all of these gorgeous bird creations made by my new friend Susan Wohlfert!  She used a lot of our Textured Impressions Embossing Folders to embellish the birds making them even more gorgeous!  The tails have some of the White Waffle Paper in the center to add a feathery look to them.  Cute!




 Susan used some of the 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon for a "collar" and accented that with Basic Rhinestones.  And she even used the Paper Doily Large Sizzlits Die on the wing!  (Check out the little crown on the bird's head too!)

Aren't those gorgeous?  My die just came today and I can't wait to start playing with it!  (Thanks for being my "enabler", Susan!)

And here is a "thinking outside of the box" card by Joyce Feraco.  I didn't realize what she used to make this wedding card until my friend Sara clued me in.  The arm and hand are the bird die!  How clever is that!
So now you need to go check out this cool die and get one for yourself!  Until next time...

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

Friday, February 24, 2012

STAMP Banner

 

Recently I was the recipient of a subscription to INKspirations 4U! Online Classes, and I have to tell you that the project ideas that I've gotten from there are amazing!  The tutorials are very well written and have step-by-step pictures to go with the written instructions, making it very easy to follow.  Every project that I've gotten from there has been wonderful.  I would highly recommend that you check it out.  You can go to http://www.inkspirations4uonline.com/ to find out more information about the group.

Today's project is a banner that I made.  Madeline Morcelo designed this original project with the word "LOVE", but I decided to change it up just a little bit.  Here is my finished banner...


And some close-up pictures:


 Isn't it stinkin' cute?  Smiley from millan.net

I was so pleased with how this turned out!  I may have to make some additional banners.  And this looks even much more adorable in real life!  I'm excited for my class attendees tomorrow to see it.  Smiley from millan.net


Don't forget about Sale-a-bration!  Even though this project doesn't use any particular SAB items, the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper would be so cute on a banner like this!  (Hmmm... my mind is turning, thinking about other possibilities. Stay tuned to find out!)   

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

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Sprinkled Expressions samples AND 10 for $20 Stamp Class

 Smiley from millan.net
Are you Sale-a-brating yet?  Don't forget that besides the free items you get with every purchase of $50 in merchandise, you can also purchase the starter kit for an amazing $125 - and choose what you want for pretty much everything in it!  So if you already have a lot of stamping things, you can pick and choose what you would like in the kit.   There's no obligation to do anything else.  Just getting the great deal on the products is worth it!Smiley from millan.net
 

I also wanted to let you know that I'm having a 10 for $20 class this Saturday, February 25 at 1:00 PM at my house.  In this class you will make ten cards (two each of five different designs) that you can customize for whatever occasions you have coming up.  I will be showcasing a lot of the Sale-a-bration items and new items from the mini catalog, so you definitely don't want to miss out on this!  I have a few spaces left, so contact me right away if you want to come.  You can e-mail me at jayne@jaynestamps.com if you're interested.  We always have a great time - come on over and join the fun!
Smiley from millan.net

I do have some samples to show you today using another great stamp set in the Sale-a-bration catalog -- Sprinkled Expressions stamp set.  It's such a cute set and so versatile!  Hmmm... I seem to be using that word "versatile" a lot lately!  I looked up some synonyms for versatile.  Maybe I should start using some of those like able (nah), accomplished, adaptable (possibly), adroit (really?), all-around, all-purpose, ambidextrous (definitely not for a stamp set!), facile (use that in a sentence), functional, many-sided, multifaceted, putty-like (I like that one!), ready, skillful, varied... and those are just a few.  I think I'll stick with good old "versatile" for now.  I mean, you know what I'm talking about when I use it, right?  I don't have to get all highfaluting on you.
Smiley from millan.net

So, on to today's samples.  I have one for each of the three main images in the set.  Each one also has a coordinating saying for a total of six stamps in the set.

 This pretty in purple card was made by Gwen Duckworth.  I like how she tore a strip of the Flirtations Designer Fabric to tie around the center image.  That fabric is also one of the things you can choose for a free Sale-a-bration item.

This heart card was made by Lisa Fast.  Besides the Sprinkled Expressions, she used the Outlined Occasions SAB stamp set.

Did you notice that both Gwen and Lisa used the Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folders on their cards?  That's because that is another item you can choose for your free Sale-a-bration product!  We just keep spreading the love!  Love of stamping, that is!
Smiley from millan.net

Today's final card was made by Sara Bolz (who told me she had CASE-d it from another stamper, who I had CASE-d the same card from a few weeks ago.  Great minds think alike!)

And don't forget about my stamping class this Saturday.  If you can't make it and would REALLY like to attend a class like this, if you get at least six people together I will bring the class TO YOU.  Contact me for more details!

Until next time...

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

Monday, February 20, 2012

Fresh Vintage Samples

Have you ever noticed how versatile Stampin' Up!'s stamp sets are?  You can get so many different looks with one stamp set.  For example, check out these samples I have for you today.  They were all from my through-the-mail swap and all made with the same stamp set - Fresh Vintage.  This stamp set is a Sale-a-bration stamp set* and is ONLY available through March 31, 2012.  With only five stamps in it, this set sure packs a lot of variety, as shown below.  One other thing most of these cards have in common is the use of the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper pack - another Sale-a-bration item.

 Angie van der Leek made this card with the hearts punched from the Everyday Enchantment DSP.

 This pretty card was made by Lou Ann Cruttenden.  I love how she cut the DSP on an angle.  It gives the card a fresh look.

 This card, by Michele Pelky, is the only one made without the Everyday Enchantment DSP (it uses the Newsprint Specialty DSP in the Idea Book & Catalog).

Joyce Feraco's card with strips of the DSP down the center.

Are you impressed with the versatility of this stamp set?  It's amazing the different ideas that people come up with.  Remember that copying someone's card is acceptable and it's a compliment.  Just remember to give credit to the original creator if you post it someplace online.  So when you get the Fresh Vintage stamp set for free*, you already have five ideas to make!

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

 (*Choose one Sale-a-bration item for free for every $50 in merchandise you spend.)

Friday, February 17, 2012

Blog Hop Stamping Spaces

I'm very excited about this month's SU Stars blog hop showcasing Stamping Spaces!  Whether you have an entire room or just a box stuffed under your bed (which would indicate that you're just starting out - I remember when my stamping stuff would fit in just one box!), I'm sure you've already gotten some great ideas from the previous blogs in the hop.  Plus isn't it fun to "sneak a peek" in someone else's house? 
Smiley from millan.net

You should have arrived here from Eileen LeFevre's blog Stampin Fever.  If you are just starting on my blog, you can go all the way around and see everyone's posts from here, or you can always go to the beginning at the SU Rocks home page if you get lost.

Now, on to my stamping space.  I am very blessed to have an entire room that was built and designed just for my stamping.  My hubby has built three houses for us, so he's pretty handy (and when I say "built", I mean he framed the houses, ran all the electrical, did the plumbing, etc., etc.).  So I was able to tell him what I wanted in a stamping room.  It's located in our basement, but I have a large window, so I don't feel like I'm in a dungeon.

Here's a look at what people see when they walk down the stairs.  My stamping room is off to the left and the family room (or stamping class room) is on the right.
I have a welcome sign on my door...
And this is what you see when you walk in the door.
Then going counter-clockwise around the room, this is the next view.
And one more turn.  You can see the door I entered in on the left in this picture.  By the way, that yellow M&M that looks like he's floating in the middle of the ceiling is actually attached to the pull cord for my ceiling fan.  (It gets hot when I'm stamping sometimes!)
Smiley from millan.net
As you can see, everything is nice and neat.  I like having my supplies handy, but mostly out of sight.  Believe it or not, this is usually how my room looks.  I think I was born to organize.  I really enjoy doing it.  In fact, sometimes I re-organize what I've already organized!  You don't think that's weird, do you?
Smiley from millan.net

I do like to have some creative things around me to inspire me and brighten things up, however.  This is right above my stamping "desk".  Most are things that I've made or gifts I've gotten from Convention or incentive trips.  I also keep some stamps and other items from the most recent mini catalog (and Sale-a-bration right now) right above my desk so they are handy to grab.


I purchased this shelf to use in my kitchen, but then I re-purposed it for my stamp room.  It's a great place to display some more recent creations or some of my favorite ones.

Now on to how I store and organize some of my things.  Most of my punches are stored in a couple of drawers.  Most of them are the "old style" punches, so this works well for me.

But this little wire shelf is for some of the new style punches.  I keep the newer punches and unique shaped punches on here.


My Big Shot and Bigz and Original Dies sit out on my counter top.  I use my Big Shot a LOT.  The larger dies like the Bigz XL are stored in the cabinet above.  (Did you notice the M&M lights under my counter top? That's my "mood lighting".  HA!)

I keep my 8-1/2" x 11" paper in hanging file folders in the four-drawer file cabinet to the left of my stamping desk.  Of course they are in their appropriate color families and then filed alphabetically within each color family.
Smiley from millan.net
 
My 12" x 12" paper is kept in this storage unit so it will stay flat.  Since I don't have enough of the storage boxes for each individual color, I have them grouped by "reds", "blues", "greens", etc.  On top is a plastic milk crate where I keep all of my current Designer Series Papers.  I keep each "set" of paper in individual craft keepers.
My ribbon is on this unit that I've had for years.  If I remember correctly, about 10 years ago or so a group of Boy Scouts had built some of these as a fund raiser and my upline had them available at a meeting if we were interested.  I snatched one up right away and have used it faithfully since.  It was even designed so that the bottom dowel has more room between the bottom and the next one up for our larger spools of ribbon!
So that's pretty much how my stamping space looks.  I have actually spilled over from this room into a few closets... you know, things just tend to accumulate - even when you're organized!  So I hope you've enjoyed this little "sneak peek" into my house.  It's been fun showing you around!

Wait - what's that?  You say that I've forgotten to show you the most important storage idea?  

What could that be?

Oh, you want to see where I keep my stamps, do you?  Well, okay, but just because you asked so nicely.  
 Smiley from millan.net

Remember when I showed you the first picture looking into my room?  I didn't show you the closet that is immediately to the right.  That's where I keep my stamps stored.  On their sides.  In alphabetical order.  And I occasionally rearrange the shelves to see if I can get some more room.  Anyway, here's a peek at some of them.  And no, I don't know how many sets I have.  Let's just say a lot.  But they're a business expense!
So now you've seen it all!  Feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions on anything.  If you do want me to get back to you, leave a comment below and please include your e-mail address.  Otherwise I can't get back in touch with you.

Now you'll want to head on over to the next stop in the blog at Charlotte Hollingsworth's Stamping is my Therapy.  Which reminds me, I saw this adorable notepad the other day and just had to get it.  It's so true!
Until next time...

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