Sunday, May 31, 2015

New Catalog Open House This Week

 
NEW CATALOG OPEN HOUSE - THURSDAY, JUNE 4 - 12:00 to 3:00 PM
and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Are you excited get your hands on the new Stampin' Up! 2015-2016 Annual Catalog?  Here's your first opportunity!  This Thursday I will be holding my annual new catalog open house.  Come and be one of the first to get your new catalog.  There will be free Make and Take projects for you - using new items, of course!  I will also have my retired card fronts/full cards out for sale. Come when you can and leave when you're done. Any orders placed on Thursday will be eligible for free shipping!!*

If you think you'll be attending, please let me know.  I like to have enough card stock and other supplies prepared and ready for those who come.  But if you decide at the last minute to come over, don't let that stop you - I can always cut more!

*Free shipping offer applies only to orders that are placed and paid for on June 4, and are not eligible for hostess benefits.
 Smiley from Millan.Net
I haven't had an opportunity to play with my new goodies yet, so I scoured around on Pinterest and found a few cards that feature items from the new catalog.

 This card was made with the new Sprinkles of Life stamp set.  It's this year's Ronald McDonald House Charities stamp set, so a portion of every purchase of this stamp set will be donated to RMCH!

 You're So Sweet is another new stamp set in the catalog.  Didn't the artist do a beautiful job with this card?  I just love the colors and the soft water-coloring she did.

 This card was made with the new You've Got This stamp set.  I have a feeling this is going to be one of this year's favorite stamp sets.

This card was made by one of the Artisan Award stampers.  Allison used the Bohemian Borders stamp set to create this card using a resist technique.
Smiley from Millan.Net
I hope you can make it to my open house!  If you can't come and you don't already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, feel free to contact me to get a copy of the new catalog.  I'll be happy to put one in the mail to you.  Until next time...
HAPPY STAMPING!
Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Bokeh Technique

So what is "Bokeh", you ask?  First off, it's pronounced "BOH-kay".  Go figure.  It's also a photography term.  I found this description on a web search:
  • Bokeh, also known as “Boke” is one of the most popular subjects in photography. The reason why it is so popular, is because Bokeh makes photographs visually appealing, forcing us to focus our attention on a particular area of the image. The word comes from Japanese language, which literally translates as “blur”.
So what does this have to do with stamping?  You can create this effect on cards - making a gorgeous background!  No need for a camera here!
Smiley from Millan.Net
The first two cards were made with ink, sponges, and sponge daubers.  You start with a plain piece of Whisper White card stock, then sponge color all over the background.  To get the Bokeh effect, you use Craft White ink, sponge daubers, and a template of circles (I made my own by cutting circles out of a window sheet.)  When you sponge the white circles, you want to have different sizes and different intensities of the white.  It's also important to let it dry completely before stamping on it.
Colors used on the card above were Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, and Soft Sky.  Image is from Balloon Bash stamped with Memento Black Ink.

The colors used on this card were Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, and Coastal Cabana.  Sentiment is from Perfect Pennants.
Smiley from Millan.Net
 
The Bokeh technique used on these next cards is a little more time-consuming.  You use Watercolor Paper and an Aqua Painter.  You start by getting the Watercolor Paper wet all over.  Then using the Aqua Painter, pick up drops of re-inker and randomly apply them to the paper, letting the ink run and mix together.  In this technique the paper needs to be completely dry after you've added the ink before adding the white circles.  Then that also needs to be dry before stamping a sentiment on top.

 Ink colors used on this card were Melon Mambo and Island Indigo.  Sentiment is from Bravo and stamped with Memento Black Ink.

Ink colors for this one were Daffodil Delight and Island Indigo.  (Notice how they mixed together so you can see some green?  Very cool!)  The sentiment is from Another Thank You

If you want more detailed instructions on how to create Bokeh backgrounds, there are lots of videos available on-line.  Just search for Stampin' Up! Bokeh Technique.  Give it a try - I think you'll fall in love with how cool this technique is!

Until next time...
HAPPY STAMPING!
Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Weekly Deals and Birthday Organizing Book Class

 
New Weekly Deals announced today!  These special prices are good through any orders placed now through May 18.
Smiley from Millan.Net
Have you ever wondered how to keep track of upcoming birthdays and other events?  How about this birthday organizing book?  I am offering a class to make these on Thursday, May 21 at 6:30 PM at my house.
 Smiley from Millan.Net
This useful and cute book helps you keep track of birthdays and other occasions all year long!  You can keep track of dates and addresses in this book and never forget a birthday (or other occasion) again.  We will also make pockets in this book to store cards that you are getting ready to send!  Practical and cute, you're going to love this project!
COST:  $25.00
RSVPs are due by May 19th.  Contact me if you're interested in attending

*For this class you will need sharp scissors, regular adhesive, and a strong adhesive like Sticky Strip in 1/8" width (any wider will make your pockets too small).  I do have some of the proper size adhesive that you can use if you can't find any.
 Smiley from Millan.Net
Until next time...
HAPPY STAMPING!
Jayne Stenstrom 
jayne@jaynestamps.com

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Flower Bouquets for Mother's Day

 
Just a few weeks left to get stamps and accessories that are retiring from the current Stampin' Up! catalog.  You can check which items are retiring by going HERE.  Some of the accessories are already sold out, but stamp sets will be available through the end of the month.
Smiley from Millan.Net
Spring and Mother's Day always make me think of flowers.  Every year for the past 20+ years, my mother-in-law and I have gone to a local greenhouse on Mother's Day weekend to pick out flowers to plant in our yards.  Although I often say that those that come to my house are doomed.  I didn't inherit my mom's green thumb.
Smiley from Millan.Net
These gorgeous flower bouquets were made by a fellow demonstrator, Pat H.  She is always creating over-the-top projects that make you just amazed that they are made from card stock!  Check it out for yourself...
Here are a couple of close-up pictures of some of the detail in this bouquet.
This looks like a "real" flower, doesn't it?
Smiley from Millan.Net Smiley from Millan.Net Smiley from Millan.Net
And Pat didn't make just one bouquet - she made two!


Smiley from Millan.Net Smiley from Millan.Net Smiley from Millan.Net
Amazing, aren't they?  I love how creative people can get with ink and paper!

Until next time...
HAPPY STAMPING! 
Jayne Stenstrom
jayne@jaynestamps.com