Thursday, September 30, 2010

Christmas Card Club #2


My second Christmas Card Club meeting is this Saturday! You will make 15 Christmas cards, 5 each of 3 different designs (envelopes are included). The class costs $25. If you are unable to attend, you can purchase a card kit, which contains a supply list and directions with color photos. If you need your card kit mailed to you, there is a $5 shipping and handling fee, mailed anywhere in the USA.
Here are two of the cards we will be making. The top card uses the Greeting Card Kids stamp set. The second card uses Tree Trimmings stamp set. Both cards uses Very Vanilla card stock as the card base, but both have very different looks.
Thank you for looking! And to further celebrate Saturday, Oct. 2nd - World Card Making Day, all orders placed with me (either phone, email, or website) I will pay for your shipping! [If you order through my website (www.inkwithsharon.stampinup.net) I will mail you a gift certificate for the amount of your shipping. Any questions, contact me. Thanks!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

12 ATC wells = Photo Tray

There are two fantastic reasons for me to craft: a gift for someone, or a 'gift' for myself. This is for the first reason. I altered a 6 well photo tray for a class this past month. The wells are roughly 4" x 6" each. Thats a large space to alter and work with.
I have found a photo tray that has 12 wells and each well measures close to an ATC. So, it forces you to express your creativity in a smaller space. Sometimes the challenge is liberating.

So, my daughter's favorite holiday is Halloween. Wow, huh? (Mine is St. Valentine's Day.) So, I picked up a few Halloween themed papers. And, collected my stamps and let the creativity flow. I haven't finished the photo tray, but I have completed 9 of the 12 wells. These are my all-time favorites.

1st image: The candelabra stamp is from Stampin' Up! - Dark & Dreary. I heat embossed it onto a scrap piece of vellum card stock and used my SU! markers to 'color' it. The orange 'tag' is actually a french perfume label that has been downsized and printed on cardstock, and then 'aged'. The 'happy halloween' is a Stampin' Up! stamp - Teeny Tiny Wishes. I used both the word window and label punches from Stampin' Up!



2nd image: The bird and oval 'label' are both from Stampin' Up! sets. The bird stamp is from a retired stamp set. The oval is from the Artistic Etchings set. The ribbon is Dusty Durango (retired) Stampin' Up! The 'trick or tweet' is from a retired Stampin' Up! set. Pretty cute, huh?



3rd image: The bird is from the Dark & Dreary stamp set. I stamped it three times and popped it up. The mansion is a pen and ink drawing of a mansion. I used a 'fire' rhinestone brad to wrap around the bow of the raven lace trim. I added black sparkle pearls along the left edge.

I just love creating things for people I love. Thanks for looking

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Emboss Resist with a Stencil

I wanted to try my hand at Emboss Resist Technique, and this is what I came up with. Remind you, that this is not my original card. (Its a process of elimination.) The flower is from a stencil (Elegant Trio Stencil Set), that I sponged with whisper white craft ink and heat embossed with white embossing powder. Then, you can stamp anywhere. If ink gets on the embossed area, just use a paper towel and rub the embossed area, and the ink (from words, or images) will be removed. Pretty neat, huh? I purchased the vintage trinkets and aren't the brads just adorable? They look like tiny metal buttons. I used a plain brown brad to hold the flower together and top it off with a half pearl. I used the Elegant Lines embossing folder for the soft suede piece.
I like it. I have a few customers who aren't fans of pink, so I made a few blue (Marina Mist) ones. But now, I kinda like the blue better. These will be sent out with orders that I received over the weekend. I include a hand-stamped card with every order, its my way of saying 'thank you, for your business'. Then, my customers have a card on hand incase they need one in a jiffy, or use as inspiration!
Which do you like better, Pink or Blue? Post a comment.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Stampede Card Club


Here are the cards that we will be making in my Sunday Card Club: Stampede. The first card, we are stamping on fabric, and making crinkle ribbon. The second card we are making our own brads.
The 1st card: Halloween Wishes. We are using the new Sweet & Sour DSP (#117390). Isn't it just beautiful! We are making 'crinkle' ribbon out of the new Very Vanilla seam binding (#120999) and dying it with Pumpkin Pie classic re-inker (#105229). We are using the Stars #2 die (#113461) to create those shapes and spraying them with a mixture of Frost White Shimmer paint (#116854) and rubbing alcohol. We will be using Basic Black classic ink (#101179) to stamp our image on the fabric. I liked it better than Staz-On.
The 2nd card: Just Because. This card we are using some of my all-time favorite stamps! To create the texture on the Perfect Plum cardstock (#101889) we used the new Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder (#120175) and then sponged some Elegant Eggplant classic ink (#105210) over the raised areas to give the piece some depth. I wrapped a scrap piece of Old Olive Satin ribbon (#117292) around the lower half of that piece to get rid of the open space. To create the flower, we will be using three different colors of cardstock; Elegant Eggplant (#105126), Perfect Plum (#101889), and Old Olive (#100702). We will be making our own brad with some of the new Brights Collection DSP (#117155).
Thank you for looking. Posting a comment always makes my day!

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Happy Sweet 16 Nimika


My super good friend's daughter, Nimika turned 16 earlier this week. But, she saved the celebration for today! I made her cupcakes! 16 Chocolate and 16 White cake. Both have strawberry creme filling. The icing is whipped cream. I packaged each cupcake individually. There are three different blue cake boards, with 3 different blue ribbons. The tags says 'Happy Birthday' with an 'N' monogram. Nimika, is not a pink kind of girl, so I made her card, and decorated her cupcakes in blues.
Thank you for looking! And, I have finished the cards I will be posting tomorrow. So, don't forget to check back and take a look!

Nacho Average Stampers- shoebox swap

Wow! Let me first apologize for being absent. I do not know where the week went. And I had every intention of posting this on Thursday evening.

The Nacho Average Stampers group that I belong to, meets the fourth Friday of each month. And we do shoe box swaps, card challenges, or stamp camps. This month, it was a shoe box swap. The guidelines were simple: create a full card, either Halloween/Fall themed, and everything to create your card fits in a shoebox. So, here is my card. I wanted to create something that didn't require a million $ in product. Use a stamp set, that I am sure almost everyone has. Make it easy enough that a beginner can do, but interesting enough that a seasoned stamper won't be bored. I think that I did that!
If you don't have the greeting stamp set, use what you have and adjust the oval accordingly. The oval was made with the ovals die that can be found in the back of the big catalog. Also, I used the new 'sanded' background stamp. If you do not have a catalog and would like one, just place a $25 minimum order with me (on line, email, or phone) and I will send you a free catalog. On-line, 24 hour shopping @ inkwithsharon.stampinup.net
Recipe:
cardstock: pear pizzazz, very vanilla, and always artichoke
ink: pear pizzazz, always artichoke, soft suede, (for the leaf) peach parfait, cajun craze, and wild wasabi.
misc: early espresso satin ribbon, and vintage trinckets (tiny safety pin).
Thank you for looking, and stay tuned! My Sunday Advanced Card Club meets tomorrow, and I will post their cards this weekend! (Most likely early Sunday morning!) And, you will be glad you came back. Enjoy your weekend, and remember, take time out of your busy schedule to create something wonderful! (paper crafting is always wonderful, but cooking, sewing, gardening, and other hobbies count!)

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Life

When anyone places their Stampin' Up! order with me (email, phone, or on-line) I include a blank hand-stamped card. I love making them, and I think it gives the recipient a little something.
I was using the Greenhouse Gala DSP (#117167) and Friends Never Fade stamp set (#120618) to make a card for my Saturday Technique & Tool Usage class and have fallen in love with this paper and stamp set. So, I figure why not make their 'thank you for your order' card using the same products? It will show them an additional item to make with the same supplies. Pretty thrifty, huh? I love products that have more than one use.

So here is what I came up with. The card is clean and simple. Not a million dollars in supplys and very easy to reproduce. And very easy to dress-up. You can always had some bling to the center of the flowers on the DSP, by adding glitter, clear beads, shimmer paint. You can spritz some shimmer paint or smooch on the card. You can add a button or brad the the knot in the ribbon. Or you can add some of the half-rhinestones to the flourish that I stamped on the card front. This card can easily go from C&S, to dressed-up with little to no effort. Just by making it your own. :)
I hope that they like this card, as much as I do. Thank you for looking.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Stampalisious Card Club


My Technique & Tool Usage Card Club meets this Saturday! (the third Saturday of each month). This month the Techniques we are working with are: Heat Embossing and Dry Embossing. The Tools we are working with are: the Big Shot and the Heat Gun.
The first card, we are using an embossing folder, they are the easiest, but I will also get out my plates so they can have a try at that.
The second care, we are heat embossing the tree. (We will also be using the 'stamp-a-ma-jig' for placement.) I just L o v e the new raven lace trim Stampin' Up! has come out with. It is so delicate and beautiful, without being too 'girl-y'. I had to add a sparkly brad. Come-on it was screaming to be put on. :)
These cards aren't challenging with 50 steps, so my ladies will love them. Sometimes, you just want to make a card in under an hour. Know what I mean?
Thank you for looking! Have a wonderful week, its half over, so its all downhill from here!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Altered Photo Tray Class

This is a photo tray. They are these wonderful wall hangings that are painted wood, and they come in about 4 different variations. They all have the same 'shadow box' depth. I particularly like this size for photos. Each 'well' has a 4" x 6" space. The perfect size for pattern paper, embellishments and photos!
For my Altered Photo Tray class, we will be using the Elegant Soiree DSP (#117163) to create this elegantly vintage wall hanging. The theme is 'friend(s)'. All supplies are provided, just bring your photos and any favorite trinkets to add.
Seating is limited to 6, due to the size of the piece we will be working on. So, call me today to reserve your spot, as the class is filling-up. I only have white photo trays for this class.
Thank you for looking, and enjoy your day!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Wonderful Friend

Have you had a girl friend, who you are just so close to, that you should have been sisters? Well, I am blessed to have a few of those. Two of my 'sister' make their own cards and sell them. Shocking, huh? that we know each other. Anyway, they have started their venture with Stampin' Up! and I wanted to send them a quick & easy card to both congratulate them individually, and have a sample card on hand. Sometimes, your eye just likes clean and simple. You know what I mean? Sometimes, extra stuff, is just too much stuff.
Anyways, this card is made with Chocolate Chip card stock as the base. A 4" x 5 1/4" pattern paper (Greenhouse Gala #117167) was adhered to the front of the card. I stamped the saying on a scrap piece of white card stock, matted it on a scrap piece of Pear Pizzazz, did a 'fancy' scallop edge to one side and added one of the new half pearls. (Oh, I 'colored' the half-pearl with a chocolate chip marker and then heat set it.) To give the piece a little shimmer, I sprayed it with my frost white shimmer paint that I made into a spray. Used some dimensionals to get this piece off the card front. Pretty simple, and pretty quick! :)
Thank you for looking! Please leave a comment, as they always make me smile. And Congrats to B. & S.! You both will do a wonderful job!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Stamping 411 Challenge #168

Please continue to scroll down. This is my 3rd post today. Enjoy your weekend!




Wow! So, can you guess what I have been doing this morning? Here is my third post and second challenge entry today! Ok, I need to get started on my chores today, before it gets dark - :)
This is my entry for the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge #168. I used all Stampin' Up! products. I just LOVE this new embossing folder 'Vintage Wallpaper'. Oh, my gosh, I can't put into words how beautiful it is! I wanted a card without a bunch of color and things going on. Maybe I'm turning into a minimalist, not. My new favorite color is Marina Mist! Oh my, this new color is just so pretty. Its one of those beautiful blues, not too light, not too dark, and so very versatile.
Thank you for looking, and now I must start my chores. Enjoy!

Color Challenge with Paper Piecing

On Embellish Mag. blog, there is a color challenge. Kraft, Yellow, Lt. Green, and Dk. Green. The sponser is My Favorite Things. So, here is my entry.

Most supplies are Stampin' Up! I paper pieced the dress together. I also added crystal effects to her shoes, so they would look like paten leather. Thank you for looking!

Thank You, for your order


I had my first Christmas Card Club yesterday! and I believe everyone who attended had fun! We made 16 cards total. One card was a 'bonus' card. I was lazy and didn't make a party favor, so we made an extra card. (it was yesterday's post). So, for the remaining 15 cards, we made 3 different designs and 5 of each design. That way you have several to give away, and possibly one to keep for future reference.
When ever someone orders Stampin' Up! products from me, I always include a hand-stamped card. They are generally random, usually 'thank you' or 'thinking of you' cards, so my customers always have a card on hand, incase they need one in a jiffy. But, for my Christmas Card Club folks who placed an order yesterday, I thought, why not do something 'christmas-y'. They already made cards, so another card would be over kill. Or at least that's how I looked at it. So, instead of a card, they will receive this cute little box made with the big shot and a Stampin' Up! die: #113466 Pillow Box. I used the vellum card stock (#101856). How cute is that? I used Cherry Cobbler card stock for the snowflake and the snowflake die (#113449). I tied the pillow box with some of the new 1/2" Seam Binding in Always Artichoke (#121000). Inside the pillow box, I made 2 gift tags, one decorative piece, and two stickers. I used some of the stamps out of the Tags til Christmas stamp set (#121169) and I used the coordinating punches; Medium Oval (#120908) and the extra-large Decorative Label (#120907). For the pine cone tag, I used Crystal Effects (#101055) to give the pine cone some dimension. For the snowman tag, I used a glue pen (#100425) and Dazzling Diamonds glitter (#102023) to give the falling snowflakes some sparkle!
We had two door prizes, a SU convention exclusive re-usable tote and a package of some of the new buttons from the Holiday mini.
My next Christmas Card Club (#2) is on Saturday, Oct. 2! World Card Making Day! So, there will sure be some wonderful door prizes along with some cute 'thank you for your order' item. For those 3 cards, we will be using the Greeting Card Kids (#120633) stamp set, the Tree Trimmings (#116722) stamp set, and the Christmas Collage (#121279) background stamp. The bonus card, we will make a single card with the Joyful Season (#120981) letterpress plate. So, sign-up today. Seating is limited. The cost is $25, envelopes are included, and I always make food to feed your stomach. Because, who can stamp on an empty stomach?

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Bonus Card

My first Christmas Card Club event is today! And I thought, instead of doing a 'party favor' why not let my members make an extra card! So, here is what I came up with. I used some of the new material, and an old favorite stamp set. I love how blue and red go together at Christmas time. This card is super easy. I pre-cut everything, so all you have to do is trim your scrap piece of material with pinking shears, apply an adhesive piece, color the stamp with markers, and layer it all together! I do have a special treat for anyone who places an order today at my Christmas Card Club. :) Let's just say its on page 24 in the new holiday mini! Oh, and there are two door prizes today, a reusable tote that was offered at Convention this year, and a sample of the new buttons from the holiday mini! I will have three different stations set-up (one for each card) so you can work at your own pace - fast or slow. And I always have food! Because lets face it, you can't craft on an empty stomach!
My next Christmas Card Club (#2) is offered Oct. 2nd, from 11a-2p. So sign-up today to reserve your spot. There are a limited number of seats. And who knows what goodies I'll have then, on World Card Making Day!
Thanks for looking! And enjoy your weekend!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Happy Birthday Denise


I made this cake for a girl friend, who wanted it for one of our friends, Denise. Denise works in CT and she is a real sweet girl. Anyways, Denise is a 'girly-girl' and her favorite color is pink. The cake is two layers of white cake, and a strawberry filling. To keep the filling from being too sweet, I added some chopped strawberries instead of adding more sugar. The icing is whipped cream. Denise doesn't like the sweetness of butter cream icing. The sides are decorated with rosettes and the top and bottom borders are these swirls. The flowers are real, and yes, there is a sparkle to the cake. It is edible glitter.
Thank you for taking a moment to get a look at what all I do with my free time.
Enjoy your weekend, and as always, create something beautiful!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Valentine's Red

My downline, 'Hoot's Got Stamps' meets tomorrow. Once a quarter, we do a card swap. So, for Sept. 2010, the theme is your favorite holiday. My favorite holiday is St. Valentine's Day! I love everything about it. I think its the best holiday. I know. Christmas is the number 1 holiday, followed by Mother's Day, and then Halloween. I don't image St. Valentine's Day falls in the top 5, but I'm ok with that.
My card has alot of my favorite things: Friends 24-7 stamp set, heart die, Lots of Tags, Music Notes wheel, the new Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, and satin ribbon. One of my all-time favorite colors is red, so that's why I used Real Red card stock and classic ink. I used Early Espresso classic ink. I wanted to use the card stock, but I ran out, and my order doesn't arrive until tomorrow :( So, I used Chocolate Chip card stock.
Thank you for looking, and in the next few days I'll post what the ladies in my downline had created. Enjoy your short week! And don't forget to check back!

Monday, September 6, 2010

Halloween Challenge JUGS#49

I needed to make a card for my downline group to complete at our next meeting, and I saw the sketch challenge #49 on Just Us Girls website.
My downline group, 'Hoot's Got Stamps' meets this upcoming Wednesday. I always do a make-n-take. But, I like to show them how to use a product or show a technique. So, for this month's meeting, I am showing my downline how to use 'Build-a-Brad' (#109128). Also, I want them to use their background stamps, so they can get full potential out of their supplies. I used the background stamps Sanded (#109294) and Bella Toile (#111598) to create texture on the card front, and a 'paper' for accent. The main image and spider are from the 'Dark & Dreary' stamp set (#121151). I created my tiny tags with the 'Tiny Tags' stamp set (#118592). I love how delicate the Raven Lace Trim (#120988) is, and how it gave my card a visual interest.
Thanks for looking, and you can purchase all of these Stampin' Up! supplies on my website @ http://www.inkwithsharon.stampinup.net

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Christmas Card Club #1



These are the Christmas cards you will make at my 1st Christmas Card Club. You will make 5 of each card (3 different designs) and envelopes are included. The cost for any of my three Christmas Card Clubs is $25. However, if you buy a kit for each club, your last club will only cost $10! RSVP by Tuesday!
If you have any questions, please contact me.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Sasha turns 10 months!


This is our little girl, Sasha. Yes, she is the same puppy I have posted photos of earlier this year. She is growing like a weed. On her 9th month birthday, she weighted 102 lbs. We estimate her weight at 115lbs. She is tall enough to pet her back while standing straight up. She is our baby girl, and we love her. I just wanted to share some photos of her. Enjoy your labor day weekend, and remember to take some time to create something beautiful!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Mommy & Me class

Here is a mini photo album that you can make with your favorite little one. It will hold 12 little photos of whatever you want. Print your 2" x 3" photos before you come and complete this cute, fun, little project in a hour. This mini photo album is small enough to fit in their pocket, or backpack, and is super portable! They can show their friends what they did over the summer, keep photos of home close at hand, or treasure pictures of their favorite toy.
This class is offered Sept. 12th. The cost is $5. If you aren't able to attend, you can purchase a kit. There is a $5 shipping and handling fee for mailing.
Thanks for looking!