School's Out!

My second grader is out for the summer! She is officially a THIRD grader! Where does the time go? To close out the school year, she helped make her teacher's gifts.

Last weekend we did a little shopping for items that Stampin' Up! does not carry.  One craft store had a coupon for 25% off everything - including sale items!! We found this cute yellow polka dotted flowerpot and gerber daisies, as well as a 5" x 7" chalkboard.

First we started with the chalkboard. Celia picked out the red paper from the Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper (#126902, $7.67). She picked out the chalkboard font on my Silhouette e-cutter. After cutting it out, she ran it through my Xyron machine so it would stay in place on the chalkboard. After placing the letters, she coated the sign with two layers of modge podge. After it dried I attached a  ruffled stretch coastal cabana ribbon (which is sold out).

We ran washi tape (Retro Fresh This and That Designer 
Washi Tape, #133001, $4.95 and Gingham Garden Designer Washi Tape, #129314, $3.47) in straight lines down the pencils.

The flowers are actually pens! I cut the flowers down to size and adhered them to the pens with floral tape.  I then used three of the washi tape designs and wrapped those over the floral tape.  A styrofoam block topped with shredded designer series paper was an easy and inexpensive way to put everything in the flower pot!  




We also added a Starbucks gift card and little purse.  The purse was made using Coastal Cabana cardstock (#131297. $6.95) and the Petite Purse Bigz L Die (#125606, $32.95).  I stamped bees on it using the Springtime Hello set (C #133415, $10.95; W #133412, $13.95) in Smoky Slate (#131179, $5.95). And, what would a teacher's gift be without some chocolate? We added four Hersey Milk Chocolate Nuggets to the purse.  It was a perfect fit!

This cute gift is so versatile it can be made for anyone! Who knew?

The prices noted in red are retiring items that have been put on further sale.  You can purchase these Stampin' Up! products online at  my store.  

I'm Still Here - Who Knew?

Wow! I can't believe that the last time I wrote a post was ... JULY! Where have I been? Let's see, getting ready for back to school (as a preschool teacher and mom of a second grader and a college FRESHMAN), chauffeur for after school activities, volunteer head of three positions for our Girl Scout service unit, and a part-time seasonal job for a certain ham store that has turned into permanent part-time.Oh, and I can't forget being a wife! :-)  Apparently, I like to overschedule myself!

Well, it is a new year (okay, so it is February) and I am going to do better and schedule time to write on my blog! 

My last post was about washi tape.  Yes, I now have some.  Actually, two sets from Stampin' Up! - Gingham Garden Designer Washi Tape (#129314) and Retro Fresh This and That Designer Washi Tape (#133001). I admit that I let them sit there for quite a while. They intimidated me. I did some looking around on the web and decided to give it  a try.



My first card is very simple. I CASEd (copy and share everything) a card by fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator Jennifer Timko. I added the flower in place of her butterfly. Washi tape is much easier to use than I thought it might be.  It is easier to reposition than I anticipated. For a change, I used our Crystal Effects to adhere the flowers. I read on another demonstrator's blog that she likes to use it because she likes how permanent it is.

Supplies:

• Whisper White CS (#100730)
• Island Indigo CS (#122923)
• Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper (#129310)
• Gingham Garden Designer Washi Tape (#131296)
• Rhinestone Basic Jewels (#119246) ( I used a yellow permanent marker to color it)
• 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch (#119854)
• 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch (#129404)
• Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430)
• Crystal Effects (#101055)

The second card I tried was based on a card by Carolyn Lindenmayer.  The trick with this card was to place the embossed cardstock at an angle and trim off the excess. I wrapped the end of each piece of washi tape around the mat. I was stumped on what else the card needed. Then, I remembered the vintagey stamp set from the annual catalog!  And upon the umpteenth look at this card, I think I am going to add a pearl to the center of the phone!




 Supplies:     

• Coastal Cabana CS (#131297)
• Whisper White CS (#100730)
• Baked Brown Sugar CS (#131296)
• Retro Fresh This and That Designer Washi Tape (#133001)
• Timeless Talk stamp set (clear - #126607; wood - #126605)
• Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430)

My lesson learned from this long-overdue experiment with washi tape? Don't take so long to try a new product! What's the worst that can happen? I mess up and have to start over.

Washi tape is fun and easy to use! Who knew? 

Washi Tape, Washi Tape, Every Where, Nor Any Piece to Use

This heat and humidity is something else! It reminds me of our trip last summer to Charleston, South Carolina.  It was so hot that Celia's crayons melted! Yesterday we went to Michael's for the kid craft session.  She made a very creative pyramid.  We left and went to JoAnns.  When we came out the pyramid had fallen - thanks to the heat melting the glue.  :-( Oh well, luckily this mom has plenty of glue dots and hot glue sticks! We will repair it!!



I must admit that I am a bit irritable.  The heat is a contributing factor.  We are busily getting ready for Della's high school graduation party (which is Sunday). My craft studio floor is in progress.  It will be finished by Saturday.  But, all my crafting supplies are in boxes and bags.  I can't get to anything.  I ordered some new supplies from the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog - but they won't be here until next Tuesday! Thank heavens for Starbucks and their treat receipt! This is my second visit today! I think the iced chai latte is doing the trick.

On to stamping! So, what is washi tape? I have seen it everywhere - craft stores and our own catalog.  I have yet to use it myself. (I know, I am a little late to the party.  I usually wait a bit to see if something is here for a while or a flash in the pan fad.) Hence, it is in my order that I am patiently (okay, not so patiently) waiting on to arrive. Since I don't have it on hand, I decided to hit the Web to get a description.

Katie Kuvalla at www.sheknows.com tells us that it originally came from Japan and is not to be confused with wasabi (the condiment or the restaurant!). It is normally made from the bark of trees, as well as hemp and bamboo.  It can even be as strong as some duct tape, with the feel of masking tape.  Interesting.  I can't wait to see what ours is like! I am not sure how I will use mine. I guess it is a wait and play experiment. (I am not posting pictures of Stampin' Up! washi tape because I think that might be against some copyright law.) You can look at the catalog online here to view the Stampin' Up! washi offerings.

I will post pictures next week as soon as I get my order.  I am pretty excited.  You receive three coordinating rolls for just $4.95! There are two sets in the Idea Book and Catalog.  There are also a couple of sets in the Holiday 2013 catalog (which you can view starting August 1).

So next week, I will post pictures of cards or other projects using the washi tape.  I will also show you how to make your own washi tape!  But, cleaning is calling my name.  I only have a couple of days left to get rid of my cluttered disaster that surrounds my desk.

So, stay cool! I hear some relief is on the way.

Apparently I am jumping on the washi tape river. And I am looking forward to adding a new element to my papercrafts! Who knew?

My Digital Studio - Give it a Try!

Digitally created cards, scrapbook pages, calendars?  I wasn't sure if this was for me.  I like touching the papers, ribbons, stamps, etc.  In fact, I had created a photo book online through Walgreens a couple of years ago for a Christmas present.  It wasn't much fun.

Fast forward to November 2012.   I attended the Stampin' Up! regional convention in Lansing, Michigan.  One of the on-stage demonstrations was all about My Digital Studio.  What a program! I could create something in MDS and print it at home or submit it online to be professionally printed.  Everything matched all my Stampin' Up! supplies.  I could do a hybrid project - partially printed with some actual 3D embellishments added by me.  With my matching Stampin' Up! supplies!  I could even change the colors of the Designer Series Paper, as well as other embellishments!  Why, this could be fun!

I went home and downloaded the free trial (Click here) .  Not bad.  It was pretty easy.  I had an idea for a Christmas present for my mom.  (It's okay, it was last Christmas as she has her present).  I would digitally create a calendar for her.  A few years back I crafted one for her that she loved.  The beauty - not having to cut paper, etc.  Plus, I could work on it from my laptop while Celia was in dance class.  

A few weeks later my in-laws gave me a check for Christmas.  I promptly deposited it (electronically, thank you very much). The next day I ordered and downloaded MDS! (Stampin' Up! had it on sale - my favorite way to shop, sales!). 

My mom loves her calendar.  The beauty of it was I could even have it shipped directly to her.  So, when I make one for my MIL out in California, I can ship it directly to her!  

I did not have it shipped to my mom directly.  I wanted to see it first.  I could not have been more pleased.  The print was of great quality, as was the paper.  The pictures looked superb!

Since then, I have created cards.  One I had printed by Stampin' Up!.  I printed the others at home.  My home quality printing was great, too.  I needed a quick card, but didn't have one in my stash that fit the occasion. My stamps were already packed away due to the Great Craft Room Make Over.  I had a card in less than five minutes!

Unsure if digital papercrafting is for you?  Try the free download.  Here is what it includes:

• Full access to the software at NO COST for 30 days.
• Full design functionality.
• View content here.
• Opportunity to purchase additional downloads from designer templates to stamp brush sets--and everything in between.
• Access to our professional print services.*

Love it?  Then download the full version! The price of MDS has dropped even lower than the sale price I took advantage of back on Thanksgiving weekend 2012.  You still get all the great content that I paid more for. Bargain for you! Only $19.95!!  Click here to download and purchase the software. Here is what you will receive:

• Full software
• Loaded with digital content to get you started
• View content here.
• Download (item 130646) or Disc* (item 130647)
• Mac and Windows compatible

The full version comes with a lot of content.  You can also purchase more digital embellishments, papers, punches, and brush stamp sets online.  But really, it comes with plenty of digital content to get you started.

If you decide to try MDS, let me know.  I am happy to walk you through anything you might have questions about.  I will also get together with you and play with it! 
Really, though, the program is easy to use.

I am realizing more each time I use My Digital Studio that I love it! Who knew?

Mosaic Madness Stamp Set - I love it!

Hi! I hope everyone had a fun and safe Fourth of July! My girls and I certainly enjoyed the fireworks. Watching them makes me feel like a child - full of awe.

This week I decided to try a stamp set from the new catalog.  I used a friend's (thanks, Beth!) because I wasn't sure I wanted to purchase it.  It was a demonstrator pre-order item; I have seen lots of cards created with it. Now, it was my turn.

Supply list:

Stamps:

• Mosaic Madness (w. 130246, c. 130249, p. 123)
• Banner Greetings (w. 129711, c. 129714, p. 202)
• Positively Chevron (w. 130496, c. 130499, p. 126)

Papers:

• Whisper White cardstock (100730, p. 145)
• Pool Party Core'dinations cardstock (129954, p. 147)  - available as an assorted pack in each color collection

Inks:

• Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad (131178)
• Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad (126986)
• Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad (126944)
• Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad (126982)

Embellishments:

• Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246, p. 171)

Tools:

• Mosaic punch (131267, p. 180)
•  Stampin' Sanding Block(129367, p. 157)
• Modern Mosaic embossing folder (129984, p. 191)
• Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (113439, p. 184)
• Stampin' Trimmer (126889, p. 176)

Step 1:

Ink up the Positively Chevron background stamp with Strawberry Slush ink.  
The easiest way to do this with a large stamp is to lay the stamp on the table, with the rubber side facing up.  Next, dab it with the ink pad until the entire surface is covered with ink.

Place the front of your card on top of the inked background stamp.  Place a piece of scrap paper over this and burnish it with you hand.  It is important that you do so with the edges as this part of the design will show on your card.

 

 

 

 

 

Step 2:

Run the Pool Party Core'dinations through the Big Shot with the Modern Mosaic embossing folder.

Sand this piece after embossing it.  How much you sand it depends on your preference.  The more you sand it, the more white that will appear.






    

Step 3:

Stamp three of the larger mosaic stamps, three times each.  Each stamp should be a different color.  Punch them out with the coordinating mosaic punch.

Step 4:

Now we are ready to make our mosaics go 3D!  

Score each of the nine punched out shapes - right down the center, lengthwise.  Fold along the score line, stamped sides toward each other.

Keep one of each color folded in half.  It will be your center.  Take one of the same color and adhere one fold to the left side of the center punched shapes.  Take the last one of the same color and do the same to the right side.

You will do this with the remaining punched shapes.  These are the three 3D shapes for you card.

 

Step 5:

Stamp (Daffodil Delight) and cut out the mini mosaic strip. Adhere it to your card, with the Daffodil Delight 3D shape anchoring one end. Adhere the remaining two 3D mosaics. Stamp some of the smaller mosaics in a random pattern. 

Step 6: 

Stamp a sentiment and cut it out.  I added a Rhinestone Basic Jewel to it.  Pop up the sentiment with a Stampin' Dimensional.  

What a fun card!
 And I liked the new popular mosaic and chevron images - who knew?
 

I can use my stamps for something other than stamping?

In every preschool teacher themed class I have taken, we are urged to make our own materials.  Last December I came up with an idea while sitting in a literacy class.  It took until two weeks ago while sitting in a math class to actually put my idea into action.  (Better late than never, right?)

I wanted to make my own number bulletin board set. I wanted it to be tactile so that all types of learners could benefit from it.  

Last year Stampin' Up! came out with a stamp set that I fell in love with, Perfectly Preserved.  (It is now retired.)  It contains a stamp of a canning jar.  I had seen a commercially produced number bulletin board set using jars and pictures of bugs.  An idea was born!

Using Stazon black ink and a piece of a plastic transparency sheet, I stamped the jar image. I got out my overhead projector and set it up with the stamped transparency. (Yes, an old school overhead projector.  And yes, I own one.  Well, co-own.  My friend Kristen and I found one on clearance at Staples.  A mere $30!)

Taped a piece of poster board to wall and traced away.  In pencil.  

When I had filled two pieces of poster board, I traced my pencil drawings with a permanent marker.

 Next, I cut them out.  Now that was a job! My hand was definitely sore after cutting out twelve jars. (I wanted to have a couple of extra, just in case I needed them.)

Then came the fun part! Celia (my seven year old daughter) and I found different items, with different tactile experiences, around the house to glue to the jars.  I was careful to make sure each separate jar's "contents" were the same.  The teaching is goal is so that they see two, three, or four of the same objects in one jar.

 These jars have crushed up aluminum foil, gift bows, and felt squares.  

I will hang these on my classroom wall, in reach of the children.  I will add removable numbers to make it interactive.  I will also provide dotted "set cards" so they can work on the one to one principle.

This project got me thinking.  You can enlarge any of our stamps! Trace them on a wall and paint them.  Trace an enlarged version on fabric for a focal point wall hanging or pillow.  The list is endless! 

How will you use this fun technique?

Who knew!

Hello! (About Me)

Hello! My name is Tricia Conner.  I am a Stampin' Up! independent demonstrator, mom of two girls (18 and almost 8), preschool owner and teacher, and a wife.  I love to bake; read (mainly mysteries involving food and crafts); craft; take classes (teaching, crafting, whatever I can find); spend time with my family; hunt out retro and vintage anything; and watch sports, food shows, and  HGTV type shows.  Whew! 

This blog is mainly about my foray into all types of papercrafting.  Of course I make cards and scrapbook, but I also like to make other things out of paper.  Honestly, I have to control myself.  I can be a paper addict.  You should have seen me when I worked at Archivers! I would bring paper home to add to my stash - but only after I was sure my husband was asleep! 

I hope you will come along with me on my journey.  I want to share my love of all things papercrafting with you!