Friday, June 29, 2012

One small change...

I have a comparison card to show you today. This is another card we made at our Chalk-a-holics meeting.

They are both made with Crumb Cake card stock for the base and Midnight Muse cardstock for the next layer.   The Midnight Muse card stock was embossed with the Framed Tulips Embossing Folder.

The main images are stamped with the Layered Labels stamp set in Midnight Muse ink and cut out with the Apothecary Accents Framelits then the edges are sponged.  They are both embellished with some Basic Pearls.  So what's the difference you might ask?

 Smiley from millan.net

The first one has the image(s) stamped onto Crumb Card card stock.

The second one has the main image(s) stamped onto Very Vanilla cardstock.

Can you believe such a simple change can make such a big difference?  Next time you are making a card, try changing up the card stock that you stamp your main image onto - maybe instead of Whisper White, you might try Very Vanilla, or Crumb Cake, or one of the Naturals card stocks.  You may be pleasantly surprised with the way it looks!

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

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Hello stampers! Can you tell that it's summer?  These are the days that we really enjoy our pool because it's been hot!
  Smiley from millan.net 
But just being hot won't keep me from stamping (mostly because we have the air conditioning on)!  Ha!  Today I have the cards that we made at our last Chalk-a-holics meeting.  Our group is getting larger and we are having a lot of fun stamping together.  We'd love to have you join us!

This first card was one that I saw posted on a demonstrator website.  The original card was made by Mickey Roberts.  I especially loved it because it showcases all of the new 2012-2014 In Colors.  They are (from left to right) Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple, and Primrose Petals.  The "For You" is from the new Layered Labels stamp set.  After it was stamped in the Gumball Green, it was cut out using the Apothecary Accents Framelits.  I had already stamped the "For You" in Midnight Muse and punched them out with the Large Oval punch.
Doesn't the card remind you of those toys with the wooden mallet and metal keys that you "played"?  My mom never let us have one of those toys, I wonder why...

The left-over pieces from the front were attached to the inside of the card and the image on the front of the card was also stamped on the back flap of the envelope.  Kind of a "sneak peek" to what's inside.

This is another card we made using the Lattice Bigz die.  The flower is punched from Raspberry Ripple card stock with the Blossom Punch and then run through the Big Shot with the Petals-a-Plenty TIEF.  In the very center of the flower you can see one of the new In Color Dahlias - aren't they cute??

Stamping with friends is always so much fun - and of course, we always include food - chocolate if possible!  (Of course, that is implied in our group name - Chalk-a-holics!)
 Smiley from millan.net

It sounds like it's going to be hot around here for the next few days!  So I will probably be lounging by the pool (sort of like this):
 Smiley from millan.net

But if it's too hot, I'll just stay inside and stamp!  Until next time...

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

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Upscale Swap Cards - Group #2

As promised, I'm back with the rest of the cards from the Upscale Swap Group.
Smiley from millan.net

 Judi Cayton - Friendly Phrases and Summer Smooches DSP

 Laura Barto - Creative Elements

 Lisa Gray - Everything Eleanor

 Lisa Horton - Just Believe and Perfect Punches

Yvonne Newborn - Bright Blossoms and Summer Smooches DSP
(Notice how different this card looks from Judi C's card - just by using another pattern from the Summer Smooches DSP!)

That's about it.  No clever repartee tonight.  I feel wiped out.
 Smiley from millan.net

I'll be back again soon - until next time...


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

Friday, June 22, 2012

Upscale Swap Cards - Group #1

How about another card sample shower from the Upscale Swap Group?  I know I've told you before, but I'll say it again - I LOVE participating in through-the-mail swaps.  It's a wonderful way to get samples and ideas from other talented stampers!  And let's face it, it's still WAY more fun to get a package in the mail than just an e-mail!
Smiley from millan.net

 Candy Leggett - Bright Blossoms

 Carla Schultz - Word Play stamp set and Summer Smooches DSP

 Carmen Ramirez - Best Dad Ever

Danelle Henry - Field Flowers 
This card was made with a cool technique using a napkin!  Isn't it gorgeous?

 Deb Currier - Kindness Matters

 Debra Daam - Everything Eleanor and Netting background stamp

So are you inspired?  I have another batch that I will be posting in the next day or so.  Why don't you join a group swap - or start one of your own?  It's lots of fun and you'll get lots of great ideas.

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

Monday, June 18, 2012

Field Flowers

Two-step stamping is such a great way to get an almost three-dimensional look to your stamped images - and it's so easy with Stampin' Up!s two-step stamps.

I love flower stamps (if you haven't noticed already), and the Field Flowers stamp set is such a pretty set.  Here are two cards made with this stamp set from a recent Upscale Swap.

 Jayne Stenstrom - Perfect Plum and Elegant Eggplant

Judy DiScipio - Regal Rose and Melon Mambo

Do you see what I mean?  Don't they look like they are almost going to jump off the page at you?  Sort of like going to a movie in 3-D, except you don't have to wear those strange glasses.
Smiley from millan.net

By the way, you DO know that the new 2012-2013 Stampin Up! catalog is available, right?  If you're a regular customer of mine, or if you don't have a demonstrator and would like one, just send me an e-mail and we can arrange to get a copy of the new catalog to you.  It's filled with so many great new stamp sets, accessories, and great samples!  I know you're going to love it!


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

Friday, June 15, 2012

Lattice Bigz Die Quilt Card

Ever thought about trying to quilt with cardstock?  It's easier than you think - especially with the Lattice Bigz die!  (And you don't have to worry about dropping a stitch!)
 Smiley from millan.net

I saw this card on another blog, Stamping to Share, and have wanted to make it for awhile.  Earlier this month this was one of the projects we did at our Chalk-a-holics meeting.  I love how it turned out!


All cardstock was cut using the Lattice Bigz die - so I cut Early Espresso, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, and Bashful Blue cardstock with the die, and then just took the pieces out of the centers and glued different colors back in place.  The final touch was running it through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.  The "buttons" were cut with the same colors using the Buttons #5 Sizzlits die.  You could also leave the buttons off the bottom and stamp a sentiment there.

So, are you ready to try your hand at quilting with cardstock?  Send me a picture if you do!  I'd love to see it.  Until next time...

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

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Make a Cake

Mmm... the smell of a chocolate cake baking in the oven is mesmerizing, don't you think?  I don't have a chocolate cake for you today, but I do have some samples made with the new Make a Cake stamp set.

 Smiley from millan.net

This card was one we made at a recent meeting.  It also uses the Itty Bitty Banners stamp set and coordinating Bitty Banners Framelits.  What is it about little things that makes me want to squeal with delight?  There is also a coordinating Designer Series Paper package for this stamp set - Patio Party DSP.

This card was made by Diane Kipp.  It uses many of the same elements as the first card but looks quite different.

So if you know someone who is having a birthday, this is a great set to whip up some cards.  If you can't bake them a real cake, then sending a stamped one in the mail is probably the next best thing!  (Although doing both would be even better!)
Smiley from millan.net

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

Friday, June 8, 2012

The Belated Blogger

Sorry I've been MIA lately. I told myself that I WOULD get something posted today. So it's late and we've just finished with our Chalk-a-holics meeting for June, but I have a card to share.

This is made with the new Betsy's Blossoms stamp set and a couple of the new 2012-2013 In-Colors - Primrose Petals and Gumball Green.
And the new In-Colors ribbon --- it's sooooo nice!  It's 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon and feels so luxurious.  You have to check it out!

Well that's it.  Quick share today, but hopefully I'll be able to get back on a more regular schedule.  (I hope)  Anyway, until next time...

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