Teacher gift/Vintage Notebook

I love my girls teachers. They have always been such amazing people. This year my youngest is entering third grade and she was fortunate enough to be put into the same class as her sister was the year before. My soon to be 4th grader had this same teacher for both 2nd and 3rd grade. She is a great friend. We have a little chuckle every time someone calls me her or she gets called me. She had no idea what I was talking about, until I started working at the school last year.

This is a combination of my favorite retired products and current products on it. For the current products I used the Tea Lace Doilies (129399), Linen thread (104199) Very Vintage designer buttons (129327), En Francais Background stamp 128562 (w) 127790 (c), Honeycomb embossing folder (129378) Victoria crochet trim (118481). The stamps come from both A Round Array and Delicate Doilies

The bottle cap, striped grosgrain, key and findings and silver rectangle Hodge Podge hardware and alphabet stamp on this project are retired. I will admit I am a hoarder at times. I loved these products so much and I use them on occasion when I want to give a special gift away. I think it mixes the best of both worlds into one project. I like to challenge myself to use up what I have held onto because at least if I am using it then I know someone else will also be able to enjoy it as well.

Why not challenge yourself today to use some of your supplies that you've been hoarding and you haven't used in a while. I'm sure you'll bring a little bit of sunshine to someone else's life if you create something using something(s) you loved with them.

I start back to working at the school again tomorrow. I am looking forward to seeing all of the great little kiddos at our school and finding out how their summer went. I am hoping to be able to keep up with my creating, expanding my business and sharing all the great things that I've been working on with you.

Stop on by again and come and visit me for my next project share. Until then, Happy Stamping and Creating to you.

Undefined - Design the perfect stamp for you

During convention a new product line was announced and shared with us and went live the day it was unveiled. Undefined is the newest product and though it's a little strange at first, the process gets easier as you go. I didn't have a lot of time to make my stamp the way I wanted to. My original drawing was much too big so I had to redo it while I was there standing at the carving station. I think it still came out cute but I know it could have been better.

Hawaiian sea turtles, known as honu, are my favorite. I have them all over my home in the form of metal sculptures, wooden baskets, and jewelry pieces. I found this little clip holder when I was home on O‘ahu, visiting my family, in June. This reminds me more of what a petroglyph would look like if one had been drawn on the rocks or in caves in Hawai‘i. For being drawn and cut in under 15 minutes this wasn't bad at all.

Check out Undefined and get started with a starter kit for $19.95.  Refill kits are just $9.95. 

How likely are you to purchase this new Undefined carving kit? Do you know anyone who would do a great job of designing their own stamps? These would make a great gift for someone who loves to carve or enjoys art in general.

Hope you come by tomorrow. Until then Happy Stamping and Creating!

Mixing the old with the new

While I was at convention my husband notified me that his friends dad had passed away. I told him I would make him a card when I got home since we'll be seeing him on Sunday. My husband has a group of friends who he's known for over 15 years and every other Sunday we get together for game night and play a variety of different board games. So of course to say his friend is like a part of our family is a mild understatement. 

Here is the card I designed. 

 

I used the pheasant from the retired stamp set Autumn Days. I incorporated the greeting from So Sorry and also used the larger splatter patterned stamp from Gorgeous Grunge 1300514(w) 130517(c) stamp set that we received at convention. I also used a retired neutrals button I love the newly designed buttons but I loved our old ones a lot so I had an extra container hanging around when these were retired. I also used some of the twine we carried a few years back in our spring catalog. I split the twine up into thirds for this card. I used the Woodgrain (127821) background embossing folder for this card as well. I can't stress enough how much a little bit of embossing can add dimension to a card or any project. 

Come back tomorrow I have more to share with you. Until then Happy Stamping and Creating!

Update: We gave this card to our friend yesterday and my husband told me today that his friend had contacted him today and thanked him for the card and said it had a real personal touch that you don't get anymore. 

"Love Notes" I just love them

Ever want to just create a quick little card to say Hello, Thank You, or you need a gift card? I do all the time. I love the small space it challenges me to design something great but in much less space than I would have to design a standard card.

Here are two swaps that I designed for the groups I was placed in for an organized convention swap. I love that I only needed to create 15 of each design and now I have 14 new designs from each group, in addition to my design. So now I can share 30 different unique designs with people, the best part is that down the road, when products on the card retire, I'll be able to take these and give them away because they are full sized cards.

This first card I was inspired by the Modern Medley Paper, I know I shared it with you yesterday, but I can't help myself. Isn't it just gorgeous paper? The previous card was actually inspired by this one since this was the first swap I finished. Many elements are the same. As you'll notice I also used the Silver Glitter paper here and also the Fancy Fan embossing folder. The only notable differences are that I used Blushing Bride for the greeting to give just a hint of added color. I stamped the greeting in Versarmark (102283)  and embossed with black embossing powder (109133) and heated it with our 2 heat setting heat tool (129053). I also used the Boho Blossom punch but used a different flower from it and instead of using a pearl in the center of this one, I used a rhinestone (119246) instead. I love that I can add just a little bit of bling to any project for about 3 cents a piece. Don't forget the dimensionals (104430). It's amazing how one simple little thing helps you add that extra pop to any project by giving your project that dimension and depth. At just a little over a penny a piece they really are something you want to keep on hand. 

This is the second swap card for the last group I was in. I have a hard time with bright colors on things so this card was made to challenge me. I had a ton of Daffodil Delight cardstock on hand that I have barely touched in the past few years since this color was first introduced and decided I'd create this card using it. This card was also designed before the bee card that I shared with you earlier this week. I can't believe I actually created 2 swaps built around that one color. 

Since I accidentally ordered 2 packages of the Polka Dot Parade DSP (126902) I decided to use it on this project before I decided to use it on the bee card of course. I love these little dots. They are just so cute. This is the Marina Mist Polka dotted paper. 

The backside of this DSP is just as pretty, don't you think? I also used the soda pop bottle stamp from Cycle Celebration 130270(w) 130273(c) This is such a cute stamp set. I received quite a few swaps that contained the candle on it. I also have another card that I will be sharing with you that has the Celebrate a Sweet Birthday greeting from the set as well so don't forget to come back to check it out. :D I stamped in Old Olive and used the second smallest oval from the ovals collection framelits (129381) Framelits have made my life as a stamper and crafter so much easier. 

Hope you are enjoying your weekend. Stop by on Monday I have another card share for you. It's not from convention but rather a card I had to design when I got home from convention. It's a mixed old and current product card. I'm trying to get rid of products we no longer carry and so I am making a ton of cards and incorporating old product in them so that I am not "hoarding" products. How many of you hoard products? Until tomorrow, Happy Stamping and Creating!

Stampin' by the Sea organized group swap

Happy Friday. I am proud to be a part of a fabulous group of ladies. My upline Kimberly Van Diepen is an awesome stamper, great friend and a great motivator. At every organized Stampin' Up event she organizes a group swap and dinner for us to get together and catch up as well as swap cards and ideas with each other. This year was no different. Since our group consists of a team scattered across the US it is always a treat for us to get to see each other. I am hoping to be able to upload a team photo here soon. I know one was taken I am just not sure if it has been posted yet. Once I see it I will share it here just so you can see all the fabulous ladies, whom of which, I am proud to call my "Stamp Sisters." 

Here's my swap, another simple yet elegant card. I love this stamp set, don't you? 

I also love this Modern Medley DSP 

Before I forget you still have time to get in on the buy 3 get one 1 DSP special offer until July 31st. I loved this special so much I couldn't help but snatch up 2 more of these packs of paper along with 2 other new found favorites. Thanks to convention I was able to discover 2 additional must have paper packs, that I didn't already have. This graphic doesn't do this pack any justice, but take my word for it, the paper is beautiful. 

To make this card come together quickly I used the Big Shot and a few punches. I'm in love with our embossing folders. They add texture without adding additional weight to any project. This is the Fancy Fan folder 127751. Also the trim along the bottom under the Silver Glimmer paper (124005) is from the set of Finishing Touches Edgelits (127010) In addition to that the three punches used on this card are from Boho Blossoms (119858), Artisan Label (130920) and Decorative label (120907). 

Believe it or not I still have more to share so come back tomorrow and see what more I swapped. Enjoy the rest of your Friday and have a safe and hopefully creative weekend. Until next time Happy Stamping! 

So Sorry - Convention 2013 Swap card

I wanted to create at least one simple card this year to swap at convention. I came up with this creation.

I just love this background stamp. Pleasant Poppies 132061(w) 129499(c) You can either color it in or you can just stamp it and leave it be. I chose the latter for this card and decided to do just a two color card. 

Very Vanilla and Midnight Muse are a great combination of colors. The greeting on this card comes from So Sorry 132585(w) 126527(c) I love this set for it's versatility and variety of greetings. 

I was recently reminded that beautifully stamped projects don't need to be loaded with a lot of extras. A simple greeting like this and a stamped background are enough to set the mood and make a statement. Stop on by tomorrow and see what else I created for convention. Until next time Happy Stamping!  

My Family MDS

It's been awhile since we've taken a professional family photo. Just before we went on vacation to visit my family in Hawaii, we took some. Here is a quick and easy page that I designed in using MDS. 

The last time we took family photos like these my girls were all still very young. My oldest just turned 16 in June but she was just 8 the last time. My now 9 year old was 28 months old and my 8 year old was just 15 months old. We did have them take photos when they were 9, 3 and 2, but they took their photos by themselves so it wasn't a family portrait. 

Have you tried My Digital Studio yet? If you haven't you really should try it out. Go ahead and download your free 30 day trial here. If you enjoy the program you'll want to make sure you purchase the full version before those 30 days are up so that you don't lose any of the projects you've created. It's now just $20 and you receive over $500 of the most popular downloads when you purchase the program. There are so many great things you can do with this program. The possibilities are endless. 

If you're on Facebook you'll want to check out this great group for people who are wanting to learn how to use MDS and also want to create to share with others. FB group You can also learn through the  MDS website. There are videos through both of these websites. Through the FB website you'll get a lot of great designing videos. They will show you how to do a certain technique using MDS and then they will post a challenge to you to see if you can take what they teach you and come up with a design of your own. 

If you are using MDS let me know what you think of it and what you enjoy most about using it. 

I will be posting convention swaps again beginning tomorrow. I hope you find your way back here then. Until then Happy Stamping and Happy Creating. 

Awesome My Paper Pumpkin Deal

If you haven't yet tried My Paper Pumpkin here is a great deal for you. 

You're getting 2 months for the price of one. Also the next person who goes to register for My Paper Pumpkin and signs up under me, Samantha Malchow, will receive an additional My Paper Pumpkin kit, that I received at convention, for free*. I am notified via email as soon as someone registers so don't wait, join today and see the amazing and cute projects that come in each months kit. Don't stamp or craft yourself but know someone else who does? No problem, you can sign them up for monthly gift memberships as well. 

July's kit has already been shipped but don't fret, you have until August 10th to sign up and register for the August kit, which usually arrives after the 15th of every month. 

*This offer is only available to new customers and those who live in the US or have an APO or FPO address. 

Amazing 25th Anniversary Celebration

Convention last year was exciting. Convention this year was awesome. Sure it was a little crowded, there were almost 6000 people there. The overall excitement was definitely felt. The energy was definitely there. The display boards were full of amazing displays and all the new and wonderful products that were revealed there are awesome. I can't wait to get my hands on some of the new and wonderful things that will be coming our way in the coming months.

One of my new favorite things being offered is our new Undefined product line. If you've ever wanted to design that perfect stamp, now you can. Create your own personal logo in a stamp. How awesome would that be to get your design onto a stamp that you could use to stamp on your own letterhead or envelopes. Imagine the money you'd save by not having to pay someone else to print it all out for you. :D

When I finally get around to unpacking my bags I'll post a sample of the quick little stamp I designed and cut on my own. Until then, here is one of my favorite swap cards that I designed for convention this year. I love this little guy a lot.

He was actually my most popular card. A lot of people weren't sure they wanted this set, but after seeing my card they did. 

I originally had cut the daffodil polka dots pattern to use on an ATC swap I had been designing, If I haven't already shared this with you I tend to design on the go and in my head I create sketches that I allow to take shape on their own. Unfortunately when I was finished with the stamped part the polka dots no longer fit the design so I put it off to the side and figured I would come back to use it later. 

I haven't been a huge fan of the Daffodil Delight paper. I don't know if it's because it's too bright to me or if it's because it's yellow. Probably a combination of the two. Originally the design was going to include the Pucker Up greeting from this same set. As you can see below it's cute but I wanted to add in an additional color and yellow on yellow would just sort of drown itself out. 

I thought this stamp set was different and it was a play on words and visuals. Wasn't sure how much I would like it but I bought it because I like to be challenged. When I was visualizing the design I didn't have the set by me but then I thought I remembered seeing the bee and I had myself a little "A-ha" moment and decided on the bee. From there the design actually came together rather quickly. I decided I'd add in some black and use the honeycomb embossing folder on the black. I also wanted to use the new Chalk Talk Framelits

One thing I will recommend, since I didn't think about it ahead of time, is that if you are going to layer your frames like I did just cut them out without the holes and then after you adhere them together, then you can go ahead and use one of the pieces to put the hole in. I cut in phases so I had cut out both layers of labels separately instead of together. I learned a valuable and time saving lesson, after the fact. LOL  I'm posting my original design below. At the time I thought it was cute just like this and didn't even color his stripes but I ran out of my daffodil seam binding and couldn't find the additional roll that I knew I had. 

Thank you for stopping by. Please feel free to like my blog and share it with others and if you have any questions about anything you see here don't hesitate to contact me. 

Until next time "Happy Stamping."