Stamping With Blue Moon Creations

Happy New Year! Scenic Season

I wish you a very happy, prosperous and peaceful 2010!

 

I originally thought Scenic Season would be the stamp set I used for our Christmas cards this year. But darn Stampin' Up!, they have so many holiday stamp sets that I kept changing my mind and being drawn to other ideas.  Like a kid in a candy store!  Anyway, I  still wanted to use the set and thought it would be perfect for a Happy New Year card.  I really like creating sky backgrounds, but especially like this one because it is so soft.  I thought it represented the promise of a positive new year.

Thank you to LeeAnn Greff for her inspiration and tutorial on her Soft Background Sunrise technique!

Spring Stamp Camp!

Spring Stamp Camp-Let's stamp off those winter blues!

Saturday, January 30, 2010; 9:30 am-12:30 pm

Berean Baptist Church
3800 Eubank Blvd NE, ABQ, NM

Cost is $25.00 (fee must be paid in advance, and is non-refundable-RSVP date is January 16, 2010)
Space is limited, so please sign up early.

The Holidays are over and now it's time to look forward to Spring! Please join us as we celebrate Sale-A-Bration and the new Spring Occasions Mini Catalog from Stampin' Up! This will be a fun morning of friendship and spring time stamping!

You will make 9 full sized cards, envelopes included (3 each of 3 designs: 1 Valentine's/Sweetheart/Friendship, 1 Easter and 1 spring-themed), plus a Happy Birthday milk carton filled with goodies.

We will also have door prizes, and lots of fun!!

Door Prizes
We will hand out door prizes all morning long!! Here is how you earn tickets:
Register and come: 1 ticket
Extra—Register by January 5, 2010: 1 ticket!
Bring a friend new to me: 1 ticket
Bring and use your own SNAIL adhesive (must be Stampin' Up! SNAIL adhesive): 1 ticket
Book a workshop during Sale-A-Bration January 5, 2010 through March 31, 2010: 5 tickets
Sign up as a demonstrator on or before Camp: 10 tickets

Special Offer!!!
Bring a friend that is new to me (is not on my mailing list), and get a $5 gift certificate to spend at stamp camp!
(Limit: 5 friends or $25)

Grand Prize
This will be an awesome assortment of stamping supplies worth at least $40!!! It will be announced at the end of the day—you do not need to be present to win!! Here is how you earn chances:
Earn one chance for each $20 spent
Earn 5 chances for becoming a demonstrator before January 16, 2010!
And please remember Sale-A-Bration will be in full swing-for every $50.00 you spend on Stampin' Up! product, you will earn a FREE stamp set out of the Sale-A-Bration catalog.

******************************************************************************************
Please e mail registration to: Anne Hayward: blumoon@comcast.net

Please send in no later than January 16, 2010.

Name: ____________________________________________

Invited by: ______________________________

Email Address: ______________________________________

Phone #: _______________________________

Embossed cards and purse tote

Christmas is now over, and I can share this project with you.  This was our Christmas gift to my Stepmother, Corlene.  I am not giving away any Christmas secrets by sharing it with you now!

I wanted to create 6 simple, yet elegant cards for Corlene.  There is nothing simpler than using the Big Shot and the various embossing folders by Stampin' Up!  They add such a great texture to any project, and I knew Corlene would like the look and the feel of these cards. I also made it easy on myself by using only the six In Colors card stock, ink and polka dot ribbon: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Bermuda Bay and Soft Suede. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Card 1:Dusty Durango and Petals A Plenty embossing folder

Card 2: Rich Razzleberry and Elegant Bouquet embossing folder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Card 3: Melon Mambo and Finial Press embossing folder

Card 4: Bermuda Bay and Manhattan Flower embossing folder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Card 5: Crushed Curry and Manhattan Flower embossing folder

Card 6: Soft Suede and Petals A Plenty embossing folder

 

Thanks to Patty Bennett at PattyStamps for her great tutorial on the purse tote. The timing was perfect as I was looking for a pattern I could use to hold these 6 cards and envelopes.  Here is the finished purse tote.

It's hard to tell from the photo, but the front and back of the tote are textured also.  I used the Damask Texturz Plate and the Big Shot.

Merry Christmas from me to you!

I want to take a few moments to wish you the very best this holiday season and for the New Year. I also want to let you know how much I appreciate you! Through stamping I have met so many wonderful people and my life has truly been brightened by those relationships. Thank you for being a wonderful part of my life. I am sure that the cards, scrapbooks, and projects you have created and shared have brought joy and happiness to many of your friends and family, too. Thank you and I’m looking forward to even more fun in the coming year!

Anne

Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Real Red marker

Paper: Whisper White and Real Red

Accessories: Big Shot, Petals-A-Plenty embossing folder, Star and Word Window punches

Glitter Ornaments

This project was so much fun!  I wanted to decorate one using each of Stampin' Up's colors.  I have 7 hanging in one of my craft studio windows.  I love the way they sparkle in the sun!  Here's what you  need:

clear glass ornaments    (I bought mine at a local craft store, 12 for $3.99.  I bought two boxes.  I dropped one of the ornaments and broke it at home.  One was broken in the package when I opened it up at home.  So, check the packages carefully before purchasing)

Stampin' Up classic ink reinkers ( remember, there are 48 regular colors, 6 In Colors and 9 neutral colors-the possibilities are endless!) 

Dazzling Diamonds and or different colors of fine glitter (I used a mixture of the DD with gold, copper and silver glitter for different looks)

egg carton or bowl and lots of paper towels

Here's How:

1. Put 3-4 drops of the reinker colors inside the glass ornament.  Turn the ornament this way and that to distribute the color and cover the inside of the ornament.  You may have to add more ink.
2. Place paper towel in an egg carton or bowl.  Once you are satisfied with the color in the ornament, turn it upside down and let the excess ink drain into the paper towel.  Let it drain for 10-15 minutes.  Turn it right side up and dump Dazzling Diamonds, glitter or a combination of the two inside the ornament.  Then, as KC and the Sunshine Band would say:

                                                    "Shake, Shake, Shake,

                                                    Shake, Shake, Shake,

                                                   Shake your booty, Shake your booty!" 

                                                 (Go ahead and turn up those tunes and shake away!)

Most if not all of the glitter will stick to the ink inside the ornament, but if not, dump out any excess.

Couldn't be any easier!  Watch out, these are really addictive!

Holiday Gift Giving Made Easy

It's time to shop for holiday gifts and choosing Stampin' Up! products for everyone on your list (including yourself) has never been easier. 

Holiday Gift-Giving Made Easy Part 1

Gift Certificates are available this holiday season!

Are you looking for the perfect gift to give to the special stamper or scrapbooker on your holiday gift list?  A Stampin' Up! gift certificate makes a great gift. 

Gift certificates are available right up until December 24th!

Contact me today to order the perfect fit! 505-292-2980, blumoon@comcast.net 

 

 

 

Holiday Gift Giving Made Easy Part 2

And do you have a Stampin' Up! Wish List of your own?

Then email me your wish list, along with the names & emails of people that are looking to buy you the perfect gift this holiday, and I'll take it from there!  

Download your Holiday Wish List Here

 

 

Holiday Gift Giving Made Easy Part 3

Holiday Extravaganza

 

 

Shop for all your holiday gift-giving needs.  With our Gift-Giving Guide, you can quickly and easily find gifts for kids, teens, neighbors and more!  Plus, get a FREE Decor Element (up to a $16.95 value) when you spend $50 on products in the guide.

 

 

 

Holiday Gift Giving Made Easy Part 4

12 Days of Holiday Sales

Find great deals on Big Shot dies and select Big Shot supplies December 11-22. Visit my online store to find great deals today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday Gift Giving Made Easy Part 5

Clearance Rack

 

80% off!  Shop here to learn more.

 

 

Holiday Gift Giving Made Easy Part 6

Dormant List Retiring January 4, 2010 

The following stamp sets will be discontinued January 4, 2010. If any of these sets are on your Wish List,  make sure you purchase them before they are gone forever. 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact me at blumoon@comcast.net for more information.

Aluminum Lattice-recycled Sprite can and the Big Shot

Okay, I am totally hooked on using recycled soda cans and my Big Shot in my crafting projects!  If you've missed my previous posts and how to video, please check the postings for 12/09 and 12/12.

I created this card for a swap with my fellow ABQ Stampin' Up! demos-The Nacho Average Stampers.  The theme was "thank you", just in time to send out right after Christmas.  Actually, I was very glad to create something that did not have Christmas colors or a Christmas theme in it.  I like Christmas as much as anybody, but it seems like I've been creating Christmas cards, gifts and various other Christmas projects for months now!  Time to move onto Spring!

Anyway, this card was made using a recycled Sprite can, my Big Shot and Lattice die.

I actually struggled with this card.  Since it was going to be swapped with other Stampin' Up! demonstrators, I thought I needed to go all out with brads, ribbons, different Designer Series Paper etc, etc, etc.  I always feel a little intimidated when I swap cards with the very, very talented ladies in the Nacho Average Stampers group!  I was stressing over the design, and my husband reminded me that the focus should be on the aluminum lattice, not the other stuff.  He is always my touchstone and gives me the best advise.  So, I toned the design down and I really like how it came out.  I especially like how the yellow in the Sprite can matches the In Color Crushed Curry.    I hope the girls like it!

Supplies used:

Stamp Set: Kind and Caring Thoughts (Level 3 Hostess Set) I love the greetings in this set!

Paper: Gable Green Textured Paper, Crushed Curry

Ink: Brilliant Blue

Accessories: recycled Sprite can, Big Shot, Lattice die, SU crafting scissors, paper piercer tool and mat, rhinestone brad

 

Aluminum Snowflakes made using recycled soda cans and the Big Shot

I've been having so much fun making aluminum snowflakes from recycled soda cans and my Big Shot.  Be sure to view my posting dated 12/10 for more details and watch the how to video at the end of this post.

Here's one made using a Sprite can.

And here's one made using a Mountain Dew can.

 

 

 

 

Here is the finished card using the Mountain Dew snowflake.  This is my favorite.  
  
  

 

 

I spritzed on a mixture of rubbing alcohol, Frost White Shimmer paint and a drop of Real Red reinker on the background Whisper White card stock.  I like this close up because you can actually see how the card shimmers.  It is really hard to photograph the shimmer paint!

 

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Four Holidays

Ink: Real Red and Real Red reinker

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red

Accessories: recycled Mountain Dew can, Big Shot, Snowflakes #2 die, spritzer bottle, rubbing alcohol, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Paper Piercer tool and mat, rhinestone brad, SU crafting scissors

 

 Again, thanks to Barb Millikin for her inspiration!

 

 

Cutting a Recycled Soda Can using the Big Shot, creating an Aluminum Snowflake

I am so excited to share this posting with you!  The Big Shot is the coolest tool, and I was thrilled to learn that it will cut through aluminum soda cans!  And this is a great way to recycle and reuse in your crafting projects. For full details, please watch my video tutorial below.

Update 12/10: I've had several inquiries asking if the aluminum is sharp.  Yes!  The can is very sharp as you are cutting the top and bottoms off.  Be careful, as it can draw blood.  But once you run it through the Big Shot, the edges are smoothed out and it is no longer sharp.  Amazing how that works!  Also, I use my rubber and crafting scissors from Stampin' Up! to cut the can.  They cut through the aluminum like butter.

 

 

 Future snowflakes draining in the sink!

 

 

I allow myself one Coca Cola a day. I normally recycle the cans in our City's recycle program.  On Monday, I drank my one Coke and got busy cutting the can and running it through my Big Shot with the Snowflake #2 die.  Well, I was hooked and wanted to make many, many more.  The problem was that it was our garbage day and the coke cans from the previous week were already out on the curb waiting for the recycle truck!  Out I ran to the street with a small plastic bag  in hand with the intent of just quickly opening up the recycle bag and collecting the coke cans.  Well, the recycle truck was coming up the street!  So, I just carried the whole bag back up to the garage and fished out the coke cans.  Sorry Mr. Garbage Man, you'll have to wait until next week to get our recyclables!  And the bag will be a lot less full because I'm keeping the used Coke cans from now on!  Not only can you make snowflakes, but how about butterflies, flowers, letters,stars... How about embossing the can in an embossing folder?   And there are so many types of aluminum cans you can use.  The ideas are limitless so be sure to check back for more samples. 

I better get busy.  I've finally decided what our family Christmas card this year will be!

 

 

For the background paper, I spritzed on some shimmery color using a mixture of Frost White Shimmer Paint, rubbing alcohol and a drop of Real Red reinker. I also added a rhinestone brad in the center for a little added bling and attached the snowflake to the card using a Dimensional.

Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Four the Holidays

Ink: Real Red, Real Red reinker

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red

Accessories: used soda pop can, Craft Scissors from Stampin' Up!, Big Shot, Snowflake #2 die,

Crop-a-dile, rhinestone brad, Frost White Shimmer paint, rubbing alcohol, spritzer bottle, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Dimensional

Thank you to Barb Mullikin for your inspiration!

Snowman Soup, Fabric Top Note Die

I recently held a workshop and made 12 packets of Snowman Soup as gifts for my guests.  What is Snowman Soup you ask?  It is a fun recipe using a packet of hot chocolate, mini marshmallows (they are in the packet of hot chocolate) and a peppermint candy cane as a stir stick.  The recipe is at the end of this post.

One of the best things I like about the Big Shot and coordinating dies is that you can cut fabric.  I've had this pretty circle fabric in my stash for awhile.  I originally purchased this fabric because I saw some of Stampin' Up!'s 48+ colors! (More Mustard, Real Red, Ballet Blue, So Saffron, Old Olive, Basic Black...  Ok, you get the point. Stampin' Up! colors are everywhere!) 

I cut a piece of 5 1/2 x 4 1/4" white card stock and a piece of the circle fabric to match.  I applied Stampin' Up! Anywhere Glue Stick to the card stock, laid the fabric on top, then ran it through my Big Shot using the Top Note die. After filling the cello bag with the packet of hot chocolate, candy cane and recipe, I folded the Top Note in half, put it on top of the bag and tied a ribbon around it.  Very simple.

 

Snowman Soup

I was told you’ve been good this year

I’m always glad to hear it.

With freezing weather drawing near

You’ll need to warm the spirit.

So here’s a little snowman soup

Complete with stirring stick.

Just add hot water, slip it slow

It’s sure to do the trick!

Dryer Sheet-Patterned Pines

Using dryer sheets in my crafting is one of my favorite stampin' techniques.  And it is a great way to re-use and recycle.

I love how this card sparkles.

 
 
Dryer Sheet Technique, what you need:

-used dryer sheet

-Xyron machine or spray adhesive 

-Dazzling Diamonds or fine glitter

1. Stamp your image onto regular white card stock. 

2. Run image through Xyron machine or spray the image with spray adhesive.  I would suggest putting the card stock in a  shallow card board box before spraying.  The spray adhesive will stick to anything and everything including the kitchen sink!  And it is not easy to cleanup up.  The Xyron method is certainly less messy!

3. Attach the dryer sheet to the top of the image.  Trim dryer sheet as needed.

4. Pour Dazzling Diamonds or glitter over dryer sheet and rub in.  Tap off excess glitter.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Patterned Pines

Ink: Real Red, Soft Suede markers

Paper: Real Red, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Christmas Cocoa Specialty paper

Accessories: Soft Suede polka dot ribbon, used dryer sheet, spray adhesive, Dazzling Diamonds

Merry Christmas Circle Scissor Plus card

The swap theme for our Saturday Stamp Club was "Christmas", and the swap theme for our Sunday Stamp Club was "circles", so I decided to combine the two themes into one card!  I used my new Circle Scissor Plus  and Glass Mat to create this card.

By layering the pieces together with the rhinestone in the center, I was able to make it so the top Soft Suede circle rotates, making it a view finder card!

 

Because I was creating several of these cards for the Stamp Club swaps, I made it easier on myself by making a circle template for the 3/4" circles to be punched out of the top Soft Suede piece.  I laid the template on my larger Soft Suede circle and traced where I needed to punch with a pencil.

  

This was the first time I used the Circle Scissor Plus, so I was a little apprehensive at first.  But, I found it is very easy to use.

The most important tip I can pass on is to make sure that the paper you are cutting is fastened securely to the glass mat before you start to cut.  If the paper shifts as you bring the cutting blade around, you will not get a round circle.  The best thing to use is repositionable adhesive like Dotto.  It is easy to clean from the glass mat when you are finished.

Circle Scissor Plus facts:

Making perfect circles has never been simpler! Instead tracing a lid or jar, simply select your circle size and turn the cutting handle to get perfect circles every time—no more squiggly lines! The circles come out perfectly every time, with no jagged edges.

■ Quickly draws or cuts perfect circles
■ Adjusts to make circles from 1" to 6"
■ Easily cuts through paper and card stock
■ Large base with gripper feet ensures that tool doesn’t slip
■ Includes base, cutting handle, and adjustable drawing handle; will adjust to fit standard pen and pencil sizes
■ Blade can be replaced without touching
■ Replacement blades available (sold separately; 3 per package)
■ Works best with Glass Mat

Supplies Used:

Stamp Sets: Delightful Decorations, Baroque Motifs, Circle Circus, Snow Burst (retired), Holiday Wishes (retired)

Ink: Real Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Old Olive, Soft Suede, Christmas Cocoa Specialty paper (my new favorite!)

Accessories: Circle Scissor Plus, Glass Mat, 1 1/4", 1", 3/4", 1/16" circle punches, rhinestone, Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon