Stamping With Blue Moon Creations

Chipboard Hearts

With the new Occasions Mini Catalog, Stampin' Up! is offering fun On Board Chipboard books available in the following shapes:

 

Each shape includes 8 die-cut natural chipboard pages with one key ball chain to hold them all together.  And they are very affordable at $4.95 each!

One of the cool things is that they can be used individually.  And that's what we did for the Saturday Stamp Clubs!  Each member was given a chipboard heart, a sheet of glittery Sending Love Designer Series paper, a Sending Love Epoxy brad, and some Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon.  They were able to cut a monogram letter out of a red, pink or white piece of decor element vinyl sheet using the Big Shot and Serif Essentials Alphabet set.  I also had heart punches and Scalloped Heart of Hearts and Flower Burst embosslits dies on hand that could be used with scraps of the DSP or vinyl sheets to decorate the front and back of the hearts.

It was fun to see how each Club member decorated their heart with someone special in mind.

Here is a sampling of hearts:

 
We covered the front and backs of the chipboard hearts with Stampin' Up!'s Anywhere Glue Sticks (works great on chipboard!), attached the designer series paper, then trimmed off the excess using detail cutting scissors.  We punched a hole through the chipboard and ribbon using a Crop-a-dile and then attached the brad and ribbon. A very simple, yet WOW project!

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Supplies Used:

On Board Heart Book # 117236, Sending Love Designer Series Paper #117153, Sending Love Real Red 1/2" Epoxy Brads #117270, Pretty in Pink 5/8" Satin Ribbon #117289, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die #117332, Flower Burst Embosslits Die #114515, Big Shot #113439, Serif Essentials Alphabet #113464, Full Heart punch #113693, Heart to Heart punch #113694, Anywhere Glue Stick #104045, Crop-A-Dile #108362, Decor Elements vinyl sheets in Pretty in Pink #118800, Real Red #118802 and White #114335
 

Sending Love Designer Series Paper-It sparkles!

Have you seen the Sending Love Designer Series Paper found in the new Occasions Mini Catalog from Stampin' Up!?  The packet comes with 12 sheets, 2 ea of 6 double-sided designs just like all the collections of Designer Paper from Stampin' Up!  But with this series, each sheet sparkles with a glittery design on one side!  

Up close sparkles!  This paper is so much fun!

 

Bring on the sparkles in your own projects! Order online today.

Sending Love Designer Series Paper #117153

 
Price: $11.95

Give your projects a special shimmer with the designs in this specialty paper.  Each sheet shines with glittery designs on one side.  The exclusive designs and high-quality card stock will add a touch of elegance to your valentine projects, but it's also suited for year-round use.

-12 sheets total, 2 each of 6 double-sided designs

-12" x 12"

-Coordinates with Stampin' Up!'s exclusive colors: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Real Red and Very Vanilla

 Supplies used for Love You Much card:

Stamp Set: Love You Much #113756

Ink: Chocolate Chip #100071, Real Red #100052, Green Galore #100048, Regal Rose  #105108 markers

Paper: Pretty in Pink #100459, Chocolate Chip #102128, Sending Love Designer Series Paper #117153

Accessories: Bold Brights brad #106957 and 1/16" circle punch #101227

 

 

Altered Dictionary Page-"Scrunchy" flower video tutorial

Here's another project I created using pages from my old dictionary. 

Check below for a video tutorial on how to create the "scrunchy" flower using the Extra Large Fancy Flower punch  found the Occasions Mini Catalog.

I also used an old seed catalog I've had in my stash for part of this card.  The pages of the catalog are black and white with great illustrations (why I've kept it over the years), but it's cover is in full color! I thought the oranges and yellows of the marigold was a great match for the orange in the corduroy button and Designer Series paper.

Please watch my video tutorial below:

 

 

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Supplies used:

Stamp set: Bella's Bloom #111600

Ink: Basic Black #101179

Paper: Basic Black #102192, Pumpkin Pie #105117, retired DSP I had on hand (?), dictionary page

Accessories: Extra Large Fancy Flower punch #118073, Pumpkin Pie corduroy button #114342, paper piercing tool #116631 and mat #105826, brad #109109, Dimensionals ##104430

 
 

Altered Dictionary pages

 I recently took on the major project of cleaning out my craft room in preparation for our move to Colo later this spring.  While cleaning out a large cabinet, I came across the old dictionary that my Great Grandmother had given to me when I was about 10.  It has come apart at the spine into 2 pieces.  I used this dictionary as a kid, and now I use it in my crafting. The pages of the dictionary have aged to a nice Soft Suede color so I don't have to do any extra aging on the paper!  It is perfect for the vintage look.

You've heard me talk about this dictionary before as I posted these projects:

Papier-mache cup posted on August 15, 2008.

For more information and instructions, please click on this posting:

 How to make papier-mache bowls

 

 

and this one from August 6, 2009. 

Here's my latest creation:

I picked the dictionary page that had the word "flower" and stamped Purple Cone Flowers using my stamp set Inspired by Nature.  I added a light distressed look using my Sanded background stamp (retired) and Close to Cocoa ink.  I added a few Elegant Eggplant speckles using Itty Bitty Backgrounds.  The dictionary page has aged to a nice, soft brown color, so it didn't need much distressing.  I then added a couple of Summer Sun corduroy buttons and an eyelet punched border. Wouldn't this look pretty framed?  mmmm....

Supplies used:

Stamp Sets: Inspired by Nature, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Defining Alphabet, Sanded (retired)

Ink: Lovely Lilac, Green Galore, Summer Sun markers, Elegant Eggplant, Close to Cocoa

Accessories: old dictionary page, Summer Sun corduroy buttons, black hemp twine, eyelet border punch
 

 

Fabric Pins

I had scraps of this fun fabric and thought I'd make pins to wear on my new bright red micro suede jacket that I received as a Christmas gift!  Again, I used my Big Shot and Flowers Layers #3 die to cut out the fabric.  I used Crystal Effects to attach the flowers together, the pin back on the back side as well as the button.  No sewing!!  Love it! 

The buttons came from a collection that my mother had given me years ago.  She gave me a small wooden box filled with various buttons that she had removed from pieces of clothing she had worn in her teens and early 20's.  I enjoyed sorting through them and really like that I have found a special use for them.

I wore this pin on my new jacket for a night on the town with my husband as we celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary.  We went to see the moving Avatar and had a delicious dinner at a new restaurant.  I had a lot of compliments on the pin!

 

 

 

Purple Hearts-using the Big Shot to cut fabric

Here are two more gift cards I created using my Big Shot, hearts die and scrap fabric.  Very quick and easy and so much fun!  These make me smile, but then I'm a sucker for purple!

 

 

 

Shades of Purple-Fabric circles and flowers cut using the Big Shot

I have said many, many times that I love working with fabric.  But, I don't like to sew.  One of many reasons why I love my Big Shot is that it cuts through fabric (up to 8 layers) with ease allowing me to craft with all the fabulous colors and textures of fabric without the sewing part.

I made these cards using scraps of purple fabric and buttons I had in my stash.  Purple is my favorite color, so that seems to be the most prevalent color in my collection! 

Just a little history of the fabric: The flowered purple and blue fabric is left over from when I made the valances that hang in my craft studio.  The satin fabric is left over from when I was making lavender-filled sachets and the two tone purple fabrics are left over from one of the many fabric ornaments I made for Christmas.

I experimented adding starch to the cut pieces before assembly.  I think the starch gives you a much crisper fabric piece.  I also used fabric glue to attach the fabric to the card stock.  Regular Snail or Mono adhesive does not work.

For the larger card, I attached all the circles together using a rhinestone in the center of the smallest circle.  I used my paper piercing tool to pierce a hole first.

For one of the smaller cards I sewed the button to the fabric.  On the other, I used Crystal Effects to attach it after cutting off the shank so it would lay flat.

Supplies Used:

Big Shot, Circles #2 and Flower Layers #3 dies 

Big Shot Quilted Purses!

My fabulous Upline Tammy Fite, made this quilted purse for me using her Big Shot and Scallop Square die!  The Big Shot reduces much of the prep time for fabric projects by cutting through 8 layers of fabric at a time with ease!  Isn't that so cool?  Quilting and other sewing projects has just gotten easier for seamstresses and non seamstresses alike!

Here is the inside of Tammy's creation:

For a very detailed how to video tutorial, please visit Angie Kennedy Juda's blog site

I'm headed to the fabric store!  Thank you Tammy for giving me this beautiful gift! 

Punched Bear-Inspired by real life bear

My project today was inspired by the real life bear that was visiting our mountain property in southern Colorado last summer. 

This was what we saw coming out of the forest as we sat on our front porch one afternoon last July! This is actually one of the three bears we saw over the course of the summer.  This one by far was the largest.

And here is my card.  Definitely cuter and more lovable!

Supplies used:

Stamp Set: Beary Nice Wishes

Ink: Chocolate Chip ink and marker

Paper: Sage Shadow, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, Close to Cocoa and To the Nines Specialty paper

Accessories: 1 3/4", 1", 3/4", 1/8" circle punches, small oval punch, Heart to Heart punch

Clear Mount Stamps and New Punch Styles from Stampin' Up!

 -Clear Mount Stamps!

This is exciting news! Over the past few years, there has been enormous demand from demonstrators and customers alike for a line of repositionable clear-mount stamps. Well, you asked for it, and now you have it! Starting with stamps in the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog and the 2010 Sale-A-Bration Brochure, Stampin′ Up! now offers our exclusive stamp art in both traditional wood-mount, and the new clear-mount option. 

Our new clear-mount stamps are the result of extensive research with the intent to maintain the very best image quality in the stamping industry, while at the same time offering the ease-of-use and storability inherent in repositionable clear-mount stamps.

Clear-Mount Features

• Nine different sizes of clear blocks available individually or as a discounted bundle.
• Blocks have ergonomic grooves on all four sides for easy grip and traditional wood-mount feel.
• Stamps and blocks are durable and easy to clean with your Stampin’ Scrub and Stampin' Mist.
• Optional image labels on stamp backs let you decide if you want to see the image through the block or not.
• Tight die-cutting for easy image positioning.
• Large clear blocks can be used to create collages or spell words with alphabet sets.
• Stamps store easily in standard, DVD-type cases with artwork on front and spine, making organization easy.

 

A new punch style!

Starting with the new 2010 Occasions Mini Catalogand continuing with all new punch designs going forward, Stampin' Up! has adopted a new body style for our punches!

A few features of the new punch style:

• Low-profile, rectangular punch body allows for easier stacking and storing
• Punches lock shut for easier storage and transport
• Dual labels on top and end allow for easy identification and selection when stored
• Available in three sizes: small, medium, and extra-large
• New punches allow for larger punched images and more intricate designs while providing greater ease of use.
  • Extra -large punch images also allow for two-step designs like the Two-Step Bird punch in the Occasions Mini Catalog
• Corner punches allow you to punch a corner design along the inside edges of a page, not just corners
• larger, whole-hand handle design provides better leverage for easier use
• Available in an exclusive Stampin' Up! color

 

 

Introducing my new blog banner!

 

I am so excited about my new blog banner that was designed by Julie Semones of Senomes Designs

I gave her an idea of what I wanted, and I think she captured my vision perfectly. And she is very quick too!  I contacted her on Dec 30, and she had the design ready on Jan 1!  I was able to upload it to my site just in time to celebrate the last Blue Moon of the decade!

I love to hear what you think, so please leave a comment below.

 

Calendar Kit, Delightful Dates

Here's a quick and easy Christmas present we gave this year. 

I used the calendar kit called Delightful Dates and wrapped it in a magnetic gift box.  Both can be purchased from the Holiday Mini Catalog from Stampin' Up! through January 4, 2010. I painted the chipboard stand using an acrylic paint called "Straw".  (thanks to Nichole for helping me decide on this color!) I then picked a variety of stamp sets to use on the front side,left hand side of each calendar piece.

October is my favorite.  I love the wheat image found in the stamp set Autumn Days.  I also used  my word processing program to create a "taking notes" piece for the back side of each calendar piece.  I just printed them out on computer paper and cut to fit.  This way, my recipient can make any notes on the back of each piece as needed.

The calendar and stand fit nicely in the magnetic box.  I even found some hand made paper in my stash that coordinated nicely with the colors and images I stamped on the calendar pages.

Tie a bow and add a tag to the box, and the gift is ready to go!  So easy!