The Pampered Stamper

Stampendous Fragments of Fun Hop!

2012-02-11T05:00:00.000-08:00

(Blinkie created by Bryan Hornschu, artwork by Stampendous)

This Saturday the Stampendous team has something extra special planned for you...we have combined our regular monthly challenge with a blog hop showcasing some of the great new products released at CHA last month! Pull up a chair, grab a warm beverage and yummy snack, and get ready to be wowed! Be sure to scroll through my whole post; links to other hoppers, prize pack photos, and details on how to win are included below!

My fragmented creations today feature the new Cling Mermaid, plus her accompanying Cling Spiral Shell, Cling Delicate Conch, and the Cling Heavy Conch. The shells were stamped on a panel of cork. The Mermaid was stamped and embossed in Aged Gold Embossing Enamel on thermo acetate, and layered over a panel covered in the new Frant'age Powder Blue Color Fragments. A sprinkling of dew drops set in Crystal Glitter embedded Glossy Accents, and several Dot Sparkler Class A' Peels add to the "under the sea" feeling. Going one step further, I covered a brass sand dollar charm with Aged Aqua Embossing Enamel and attached with a ribbon.

My treasure box began it's humble life as a small 2 /12" square wood box from Michael's for $1! I loved the glass lid and shadowbox setting. I painted the box with acrylic paint, white washed the lid and sanded a bit. The sides were covered in the new Taupe Color Fragments, and mimics the look of ground sea shells. To apply them, I brushed the sides of the box with Elmer's Glue, spread the fragments over the surface and pressed in slightly. Once dry, I brushed another coating of glue over them. The Mermaid was stamped on the inset piece of wood and colored with pencils. I added a sprinkle of various Fran'tage Essentials...Mica Fragments, Glass Glitters, and Color Fragments inside the shadowbox for a slight shaker effect. I love the way this turned out! So simple and such a sweet gift for that landlubber who secretly longs for the sea...like me!

If you have not checked out this month's great texture challenge, you can read all the details on the Stampendous blog. Now, check out the whole list of fabulousness for today:

Stampendous Impressions

Wendy Price

Cyndi Bundy

Janelle Stollfus

Wendy Jordan

Jennie Lin Black

Taylor Usry

Jennifer Ingle

Suzanne Czosek

Krissy Fossmeyer

Stephanie Lee

Kristine Reynolds

Pam Hornschu (me!)

Melinda Gleissner

Jennifer Dove
Kathryn Krieger

As you hop from blog to blog, being wowed by all the amazing new goodies we are showing off, be sure to leave some love (and your contact email) for the designers, as well as on the Stampendous blog. The more you comment, the better your chances are to win one of these five fantastic prize packs. Each one includes a brand new stamp set and bottle of color fragments from Stampendous:

Winners will be randomly selected from all comments left on blogs, so the more you comment the better your chances are to win one!! You have until Sunday, February 12 th at 8:00 PM EST to leave a comment on each blog; winners will be announced on Monday, February 13th. Due to shipping restrictions, all winners must have a US/APO/FPO mailing address.

And don't forget....We want YOU to play along with us in our monthly challenge! Just add your direct link to your card (make sure you've loaded it up with tons of TEXTURE) to the linky tool below my signature (or on the Stampendous blog) no later than March 1, 2012 at 11:00 PM EST. You do not have to use Stampendous products to play along, but we sure love it when you do! And as an extra incentive for playing, one lucky person (drawn at random from all the entries) will receive the gorgeous Corset Ladies Perfectly Clear Stamp Set.

Dreamweaver Stencils Goes Green for February

2012-02-09T02:00:00.000-08:00

Did you miss me last week? I missed you! As soon as I returned home from CHA last week, I found out that the antenna for our internet had fried, and they couldn't replace it for four days...so frustrating. Amazing how much we rely on the internet now, isn't it?
The Dreamweaver Stencil's Dream Team monthly challenge for February is to feature St. Patrick's Day and/or the color green. My card highlights the Triangle Knot, a Celtic design which I machine embossed into the Core'dinations' cardstock and sanded lightly to emphasize the design. I further highlighted it by doing a variation of

double-glitter technique. Instead of doing all glitter, I used some of the green Stampee foil on the stencil image, as well as flecks of it here and there in the background. The rest of the areas were filled in with Copper and Multi Crystal Glitter. "Celebrate" was paste-embossed on a scrap of copper metallic cardstock and matched the angels of the other portions of the card layout. A few rhinestones were added for a touch of bling.
I sure hope that you will play along with us this month...remember your design does not have to be St. Patrick's day themed, it can just be green (literally and figuratively!), plus you can play along as many times as you'd like! Just link your creation from your blog or online gallery site (Split Coast Stampers, Paper Craft Planet, etc.) to the Mr. Linky on the Dream It Up! blog, or just send us your creation for us to post for you to: Dreamweaver Stencils, 1335 Cindee Lane, Colton, CA 92324. You have until the end of February to play along for a possibility to win one of two sets of these stencils:

Need more inspiration? Visit the rest of the team:

Dream It Up! blog
Pam Hornschu

Cyndi Bundy

Curious as to who won last month's Valentine challenge? Everyone who played along with us! If you are one of them, please contact Lynell at lynell@dreamweaverstencils.com with your snail mail addy. Congrats!

Woodware UK...A Sketch in Time

2012-02-06T16:01:00.000-08:00

Woodware UK's sketch challenge for this week happened to be fairly close in layout to my Cattus Librum card that I created for the Stampendous catalog. Lucky me! Time seems to be fleeting in the extreme lately. Between the fun of CHA last week, and preparing for an exciting trip to the UK next week, I'm a bit low on creative time. This was one of my favorite cards from the October 2011 catalog, and so many items on this card can be purchased through the stores that purchase from Woodware UK. The Cling Cattus Librum was stamped with Onyx Versafine ink on a lightly sanded panel of Core'dinations cardstock. The sanding helps the face of the cat to be highlighted. A panel of dictionary page was adhered to the card front, and various images and sentiments from the Stampendous Perfectly Clear "Time Flies" set were stamped randomly in black ink. I did a little distressing with the sanding block and file, as well as tearing and inking to show off a panel of embossed canvas paper from Canvas Corp. A black leather cord tied with a key attached finishes off the card.
The rest of the Woodware UK team will be inspiring you with their takes on the Sketch Challenge #9, so hop over to the Woodware UK blog for links to all their fabulous posts.

There's Magic in the Air!

2012-02-05T20:27:00.000-08:00

Did you think that I disappeared? Hesto presto, here I am again! I returned from a fabulous six days in Anaheim, CA for CHA, which included a day full of Copic Intermediate classes (now I'm even more certifiable!), a fabulous Dreamweaver Stencils' class taught by Lynell and Louise with help from the Dream Team, hours of walking the show in search of all the latest and greatest in the craft industry...so much inspiration, so many fabulous companies and designers, and so many great friends to meet and greet. Gourmet Rubber Stamps had a tabletop showing in the new exhibitors due to their new company status, which displayed plenty of great samples from the GRS team, as well as new Coveralls designs released. Somehow, I feel that next CHA will be seeing a much larger showing from GRS as they took off in a big way.
Today's post features new images from the Gourmet Rubber Stamps February Diner's Club Set, "Abracadabra". Have you ever seen me do a more CAS card than this one? Nope. I don't think so. More was not necessary in this instance. The top hat and wand simply stamped and layered in black ink, with the stars embossed in Stampendous Silver embossing powder were perfect with the Magical sentiment (don't you love the font?). Such a perfect card to have multiples on hand for that birthday that you almost forgot...presto! There's a card ready to go!

Dreamweaver Stencils' Post...Stay Tuned

2012-02-03T02:00:00.000-08:00

Please excuse my lack of a post for the Dream Team monthly challenge. For info on the February St. Patrick's/Green challenge, please visit the rest of the team listed at right, and the Dream It Up! blog. Please check back for my post. Thanks!

Woodware UK Goes to the Third Dimension

2012-01-31T16:01:00.000-08:00

Come with the Woodware UK team to another dimension...a third dimension. No flat cards here, just opportunity to take your crafting a thicker, more substantial level. Yep. The challenge this week is to go 3D. My project features an unfinished wood frame on which I used the Stampendous Antique Embossing technique:

1) Paint the entire frame with black acrylic paint and let dry.
2) Stamp the Stampendous Cling Jumbo Rose with Versamark, and emboss with Deep Impressions Embossing Powder.
3) Paint two or three other colors of acrylic paint over the surface.
4) While paint is damp, use damp terry toweling and rub away paint from the embossed areas.
5) Apply Metallic Rub-ons for added sheen.

After this part was completed, I took Stampendous Damask Leaf Peel Offs, turned them over and applied Chocolate Latte Fun Flock to the adhesive side before adhering them to the frame. I stamped a sentiment on a banner die, coated it with Versamark, and embossed with the Deep Impressions powder. A beautiful satin rose, crinkled ribbon, and leaves trim, along with a vintage photo finish off this dimensional beauty.
Be sure to visit the Woodware UK blog daily to see what the team has been creating with the latest challenges.

Last Chance to Bling It On With Stampendous!

2012-01-28T05:00:00.000-08:00

The Stampendous design team is finishing off the last week of the January "Bling it On!" challenge. My card is giving you a peek at some more new images being introduced this weekend at CHA in Anaheim, CA. The background Cling Calligraphy Sampler was stamped in London Fog Memento ink, and over-stamped with the Cling Medieval Unicorn. I added some shading and detail to the Unicorn with Copic markers before applying Versamarker to the collar and embossing in Aged Silver Embossing Enamel and adding the requisite bling...bright pink rhinestones. I used the same Calligraphy Sampler on the main card, added a stamped and embossed in Shabby Pink border to the card, over-lapping an EK Edger punched border embossed in Shabby Pink as well. Some layering, distressing, a ribbon and a Class A' Peel Damask Leaf embossed in Shabby Pink, finish off my slightly blinged out card. You know you have to check out what the rest of the team has done to finish off this sparkly month, so here's the list:

Stampendous Impressions Blog

Cyndi Bundy

Wendy Jordan

Taylor Usry

Suzanne Czosek

Kristine Reynolds
Jennifer Dove

Pam Hornschu

Melinda Gleissner

Janelle Stolfus

Remember, by playing along with the challenge by Feb. 1st, and linking your creation(s) to the link below, you have the opportunity to win this fabulous Perfectly Clear Cherub Wishes set:

Final Sneak Peek Before CHA

2012-01-27T02:00:00.000-08:00

Today a few of us from the Dream Team will be helping Lynell and Jennifer set up the Dreamweaver Stencils' booth for CHA. So exciting! I can hardly wait to see what all the attendees think about the new stencil designs, and new products to use with them! I'll try to post pics as the show begins on Sunday. Meanwhile, here's another sneak peek for you, featuring the new Open Butterfly stencil. I machine embossed the design on a panel of black linen cardstock before inking the antennae and thorax of the butterfly with Versamark ink, and embossing in shiny silver embossing powder. I paper-pieced the wings with this subtle gray patterned paper, which I also used in the background of the card. Finally, I paste-embossed in black the Thank You Words stencil. Easy peasy! Now, grab a cup of coffee or tea, and visit the rest of the Dream Team blogs and the Dream It Up! blog for more sneak peeks!

Final Week of January Challenge and Day Four Sneak Peek!

2012-01-26T02:00:00.000-08:00

Dreamweaver Stencils' sneak peek day four, and I'm going with an Asian influence today. I machine embossed the Art Nouveau Flourish on the Bazzill pink card. Then I used Versamark ink through the new Thank You and embossed with Stampendous Vintage Olive Tinsel EP. This EP matches quite well with the Sea Green Glitter background of the new Cherry Blossom Shape stencil which I used with the Double-glitter technique. To accomplish this simple technique, just follow a few easy steps:

1) Apply Double-sided Mounting Adhesive to a cardstock panel.
2) Rub Coconut Soap over the back of the Cherry Blossom Shape stencil. Brush away soap in the crevices. Place stencil on adhesive.
3) Apply green glitter to background, rubbing thoroughly into the adhesive. Brush away ALL excess glitter.
4) Carefully remove stencil (the soap helps with this).
5) Sprinkle pink glitter around edges of design. Pour Multi Crystal glitter to cover all existing adhesive areas, rubbing into the surface. Pour off excess.

Adhere the panel to the card. Embellish with a few rhinestones.

Be sure to check out the posts from the rest of the Dream Team this week:

Dream It Up! blog

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Cherylynn Moser

Jessie Hurley

Don't forget...this is the last week of the January Valentine challenge! Be sure to post and link your creation(s) on the Dream It Up! blog with the Mr. Linky at the bottom of the page by midnight, Feb. 1st. We will select TWO winners of stencil prizes!

Woodware UK Works With Tempting Templates

2012-01-25T18:31:00.000-08:00

Sometimes life hands you a challenge. You can freak out and run away, or you can push up your sleeves and tackle it head on. This week's Woodware UK challenge was like that for me. This week we were to work with Artemio's templates, and one that I was given was for a Mini Scrapbook. I have apparently become lazy in my crafting career, as I am so used to dies that cut every little thing for you, so I felt a bit like I was going back in time to the land of templates. This was not the templates fault...this was mine. In my head I made it much more difficult than it actually was. This template has a few cool aspects to it. First, you have a section to trace, cut out and fold that creates the accordion folded pages for your mini book. Secondly, you have a section that creates a folding cover with a tab and slot closure. Thirdly, you have a wide variety of areas to trace to create windows (like I used), triangles, and multiple-sized squares. All of these can be used for cutouts or for shaped photos to be placed in your mini book. Once I traced, cut out, and folded my cover and one section for accordion folded pages out of the kraft cardstock, I stamped and colored with markers a white cardstock insert with the Stampendous Cling Tree Swing to fit behind the window. I folded that section in three and adhered it to the outside of the cover. The fold gave my window more dimension as well. Now for the insert. I cut two sections of the three-fold pages from denim and plaid papers and adhered them back-to-back. I stamped some fun images from the Stampendous Perfectly Clear Summer Tree Fun set, as well as the Stampendous Cling Instant Vacation with Onyx Versafine ink, and then added some pics of my kid from many moons ago. A little ink distressing around all the edges, a Striped String bow and WW Earth-toned button complete the project. The end result made me realize that templates CAN be tempting. They are less expensive to purchase, there are a huge variety of these Artemio designs to purchase, and they take up very little space in your art studio! Give them a try! To check out what the rest of the Woodware UK team has been up to with these templates, visit the blog HERE.

KEEP ON SCROLLIN'!

2012-01-25T07:37:00.000-08:00

Looking for today's sneak peek from Dreamweaver Stencils? Scroll on down!

Gourmet Rubber Stamps New Diner's Club Release...It's Magical!

2012-01-25T07:36:00.000-08:00

Wow! This has been a serious week of sneak peeks! Today's post features the latest Diner's Club set from Gourmet Rubber Stamps, "Abracadabra". Full of magical and vintage images, with a lucky sprinkle of leprechauns, pots o' gold, and rainbows, this set is a surprising variety of fun and imagination. My imagination took me off to visit Houdini and his magic show. With a little extra distressing...the poster, gentleman, top hat, tickets and sentiments take you back in time...back to a bygone era where there was less scientific data to destroy your illusions...POOF! You're there!
Check the rest of our team "chefs" to see what magic they've come up with. No hocus pocus, you can easily order your own Diner's Club set by clicking HERE!

Day Three Dreamweaver Stencils' Sneak Peeks...Yippee!

2012-01-25T02:00:00.001-08:00

Day three of the sneak peek-a-thon for Dreamweaver Stencils. Today's post features my favorite new stencil to be released at CHA next week...the Retro Cat Sitting (yes, this means that there is also a Retro Cat Standing). I paste-embossed him in black and covered it with Stampendous black glitter before adding glowing rhinestone eyes and a jumpring collar.. The background is the new Waves and Dots stencil, which also has a very retro feel. I machine-embossed it on white cardstock, and while the stencil was still in place, I placed drops of the new Color Solutions alcohol inks in Iceberg Blue and Citron through the stencil. The embossing prevents a small amount of the color from oozing under, but I was happy with the end effect...sort of mod sixties. I used the same stencil to machine emboss my "lamp base" for my retro lamp, added a curved dimensional shade with pom pom trim, a pull chain, and black rhinestones for embellishment.

Wait until you see what the rest of the Dream Team have done with the new Retro Cats! Maybe you'll be lucky and someone else is posting with them today...go check! The team list is at right.

Dreamweaver Stencils' Sneak Peek Day Two

2012-01-24T02:00:00.000-08:00

Today's the second day of the Dreamweaver Stencil's Dream Team sneak peek. My card today features the new Cherry Blossom Shape stencil...so gorgeous! The stencil is the shape of the flower, and the center can be embossed to highlight the beautiful design. I machine embossed it off the edge at the bottom of the red panel, which would be stunning all on its own. But I used the flower once again on the black panel. I used double-sided tape to adhere the stencil temporarily to the black panel. Then I used a palette knife to spread the Translucent Embossing Paste onto the stencil and across the center portion. Afterwards, I took a flat brush to brush the paste away and towards the outside edges of the black panel. Once dry, the brush lines mimic the lines of the center of the flower. Pretty cool, huh? I also paste-embossed in black the Hope symbol stencil, matted the panels and adhered the layers along with a simple black satin ribbon.
Remember, the whole Dream Team are posting their sneak peeks this week, so be sure to check out who is playing each day. You can find the list at right.

Sneak Peeks with the Dream Team!

2012-01-23T02:00:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited! Today is the beginning of a big week! All this week the Dreamweaver Stencils' Dream Team will be posting sneak peeks of the latest designs to be released on Sunday, January 29th, at CHA in Anaheim, CA.

My first posting features the new Festive Thank You and the Big Dots background. The card was created by machine embossing the Big Dots background on the yummy purple cardstock and adhered to the black card. A black and gold layered frame was Nestie die cut, and run through to machine emboss the Big Dots once again. It's subtle, but it's there! The frame was popped up over the top of the Festive Thank You which also was machine embossed. To add the shine, I applied Versamark ink over the embossed areas through the stencil, and embossed it with Stampee Stuck on You bonding powder. I placed a piece of Stampee gold foil face up over the surface, I ran it through my hot laminator to get a perfect covering of the foil over the sentiment. A fluffy bow, a purple embossing powder coated embellishment pin, and the card is complete.

Be sure to check the rest of the team to see what they've been creating with the new designs. Then start attacking your local store owners to purchase these. Trust me...you'll want them all!

Stampendous Sneak Peeks with Bling

2012-01-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

Back again for the third week in the Stampendous January challenge to "Bling it On!" This week's card features another sneak peek of a new Jumbo Cling image, Hollyhock. The image was stamped in black twice...once on this gorgeous American Crafts, "Garden Cafe", and the second on a subtle polka dot print from Pebbles. The designs were colored and shaded with Copic Markers. Flowers were cut from the second image and popped up with foam tape over the first for dimension. The bling portion of this card is the sparkly about to be released Stampendous Fresh Green Crushed Glass Glitter adhered into the centers of the blossoms. A stamped tag with ribbon to match are added for fun. Did you know that you can shrivel the ribbon with a light sweep of a heat tool for more texture? To look for more fun tips and inspiration, check out the rest of our stupendous team:

Stampendous Impressions Blog

Cyndi Bundy

Wendy Price

Wendy Jordan

Taylor Usry

Suzanne Czosek

Kristine Reynolds

Pam Hornschu

Melinda Gleissner

Jennifer Ingle

Steph Lee

Janelle Stolfus

Come play along for an opportunity to win this fabulous Perfectly Clear Cherub Wishes set:

Just post a link to your own blingified (technical term) creation to the Stampendous linky here:

This Week's Recipe Calls for Martinis!

2012-01-20T20:46:00.000-08:00

Almost forgot my post for this week's Gourmet Rubber Stamps' Weekly Recipe #17. You can see the sketch above. My version of it features the Murray's Law image, "Martini", one of the great lines from Gourmet Rubber Stamps. When you need that extra touch of humor, Murray's Law will add the spice to your weekly recipe. This 'ol gal has been stamped, paper pieced, and Copic colored. Best of all her boobs have been given a necessary lift with the help of a few foam dots. Wish that it was that easy for me! Lol. With all those martinis, she needs to make sure she gets plenty of the fruits/vegetables portion of the food pyramid, so her olives are ready for her...toothpicks and all. Play along with the sketch and post your own creation to the Gourmet Rubber Stamps Facebook page. To buy this fun image, and many more, head on over to the GRS site.

Dreamweaver Stencils' Post

2012-01-19T20:37:00.000-08:00

Here for this week's Dreamweaver Stencils' post? Scroll on down...just don't leave drool along the way.

A Little Late But Very Cool

2012-01-19T20:35:00.000-08:00

Oops. This post was supposed to go live four hours ago. Posting for a UK team keeps confusing me. I even mark in on my calendar the actual date that I need to post to match it up with the UK time. Still missed it. Sigh. Well, anyway, my post today for Woodware UK is my answer to this week's challenge...Cool Cool Winter. To see what the rest of the UK team has created with this challenge, check out the Woodware UK blog HERE.

My card features Dreamweaver Stencils' new Ice Skates paste-embossed in silver on cool blue cardstock. The background card is a variation of the Double-Glitter technique. I placed Double-sided Adhesive on a white cardstock panel. Then I wipe the back of the Rolling Hills stencil with Coconut Soap and place it onto the adhesive panel. (The Coconut Soap aids in removing the stencil from the adhesive without bending the stencil.) I poured Stampendous Crystal Glitter over and exposed adhesive areas, rubbing the glitter into the adhesive with my finger was heavy sparkle. After carefully removing the stencil (do this by placing the panel face down and pulling the paper off the stencil), I covered the remaining adhesive with Stampendous Fun Flock in Cotton Ball White. The background was adhered to an icy blue textured card with sparkly ribbon tied around the center of the card. The Ice Skates panel was matted and popped up with Woodware Mini Mounting Squares. For final embellishment, I added a Dreamweaver Stencils' embellishment pin and a metal sentiment.

Week Three of the Dream Team Valentine Challenge

2012-01-19T02:00:00.000-08:00

So, two weeks ago the new Dream Team introduced our followers to our change in challenges. Each month we'll run a different challenge for YOU to play along with. You'll have ALL month long to create and link to the Dream It Up! blog, as many times as you want, with one of two opportunities to win a fabulous stencil design from Dreamweaver Stencils! For the month of January, the challenge is to wow us with a Valentine-themed project. My card for this third week features the Heart Lock stencil (yes, once again), only this time with a different technique from the first week's post. The ink transfer (or letterpress) technique is soooo simple, and sooooo effective! All that is necessary is to apply ink in some form (ink pads, Memories Mists, Color Solutions alcohol inks, etc.) to the surface of the stencil. Place this face up on the bottom platen of whichever embossing/die-cutting machine you may own (my personal fave? The Sizzix Big Shot Pro!). Then spritz the top of the stencil with a little alcohol to rewet the ink, place cardstock panel face down on top of stencil, rubber embossing mat over this, with two clear platens over the top of all. Confused? Yeah, I know that your manual will tell you to sandwich all of this between two clear platens, but we recommend having the two platens on top to protect your stencils. For my card, I spritzed with a small amount of Strawberry Daiquiri Memories Mists on my stencil. The cardstock was a a watercolor paper with a canvas texture. The process highlights the texture while embossing the beautiful Heart Lock stencil image. The sentiment (You & Me) was also machine embossed, but dry this time. With a lacy punched border and a couple flowers, you have yet another fab Valentine card completed for the sweetie in your life. If you haven't visited the rest of our amazing new team, you will definitely want to do so now:

Pam Hornschu

Laura Drahozal

Louise Healy

Wendy Jordan

Terrece Siddoway

Kristi Van Doren

Georgia Sommers

Lee Kellogg

Liz Martin

Cyndi Bundy

Cherylynn Moser

Jessie Hurley

If you've made the rounds already, then get your Valentine mojo on and create something "love-ly" of your own and link it on the Dreamweaver Stencils Dream It Up! blog. You have until February 1st by midnight to be eligible to win.

Kissing Tag with Red Hot Spice!

2012-01-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

It's the 15th of the month, which means that it's Gourmet Rubber Stamps' team challenge again! This month our challenge was "Kissing Tag"...no, not THAT kind of kissing tag, although you can if you want...anyway...the team is creating some Valentine-themed tags with any of the Gourmet Rubber Stamps' images. My tag creation is attached to my hot sauce bottle, and a perfect Valentine gift for the man in your life! My hubs loves to use Frank's Red Hot Sauce on his signature Buffalo Wings, and when he made some for us a couple of weeks ago, I suddenly looked at that bottle in a whole new light! I created a wrap around label for the bottle so that it now says "Red Hot LOVE"! The images were stamped on kraft cardstock and ink distressed, plus the focal image was embossed in white for added pop. The tag attached to the bottle uses more images from the new January Diner's Club set, "Sealed with a Kiss", embossed in white and smoochy red lips as well. The whole project becomes a unique and fun gift for the Red Hot love of your life! To play more "kissing tag", hop around to the rest of the team blogs for more Valentine tag inspiration...and remember, these wonderfully fun images can be purchased on the Gourmet Rubber Stamps' website!

Stampendous Challenge, Week 2...Bling It On!

2012-01-14T08:17:00.000-08:00

Here we are with the second Saturday of the month of January, which means another opportunity for YOU to play along with the Stampendous "Bling it On!" challenge for the new year. Once again, my version is not screaming bling, a little subtlety, please. However, my Fantasy Tiles card is covered in gorgeous new Stampendous Fran•tage Elements Aged Ivory and Aged Bronze Embossing Enamels! You have to see to believe these embossing enamels...a variety of textures, sheens, and sparkle in EACH bottle! You think these are gorgeous? Wait until you see what is being released at CHA in two weeks! Amazing new designs and fabulous new Fran•tage Elements in new varieties. Oops. I guess I slipped a little, as the tile images used on this card are part of the new release...just a teaser for you. These come in a Perfectly Clear set, and all the tiles are one inch...perfect for those "Inchies" that everyone is addicted to. The larger image, Profile Portrait, is a Cling image to be released as well. I kept my color scheme in these french vanilla shades, with the pretty sheen of the embossing enamels, texture of paper roses, and a snippet of old lace, the entire card reads vintage glamour. Now take a look at what these Stampendous team members have created to dazzle you today:

Stampendous Impressions Blog

Cyndi Bundy

Wendy Price

Wendy Jordan

Jennie Lin Black

Taylor Usry

Krissy Fossmeyer

Suzanne Czosek

Kristine Reynolds

Pam Hornschu

Melinda Gleissner
Jennifer Ingle

We want YOU to play along with us! Just add you direct link to your card (make sure you've loaded it up with tons of BLING) to the linky tool below my signature (or on the Stampendous blog) no later than February 2, 2012 at 11:00 PM EST. You don't have to use Stampendous products to play along, but we sure love it when you do! And as an extra incentive for playing, one lucky person (drawn at random from all the entries) will receive this gorgeous Cherub Wishes Perfectly Clear Stamp Set:

Handbags and Valentines? Why Not?

2012-01-12T02:00:00.001-08:00

Some of you will probably think that I'm cheating this week, and some of you will probably think that I just managed to be more organized. To be honest, the first is probably more accurate. As I worked on my project for the Woodware UK challenge (Handbags at Dawn!), I was torn as to how I would complete the challenge. No purse stencils or purse stamps in my repertoire, so I decided to create a purse and decorate it with Dreamweaver Stencils. This thought led me to the next idea...I could use this project for the Dreamweaver Stencils' challenge this month as well!
This yummy Tiffany-Box-Blue-colored cardstock was sitting on my workspace, so that with the black and white would be perfect for the elegant clutch I was going for. Then I decided to make a card portfolio out of it with pockets on the inside to hold a set of thank you cards. The pockets and flaps were created from my new Spellbinders' Mega Dies. The main portion of the "purse" and front flap was stenciled with first Memories Mists Iridescent spray* and then brushed with Metallic F/X Glacier*. The result is a soft, subtle, shimmer with the Damask* image. The same stencil was used to machine emboss the side panels, the pockets, and the blue panels on the cards. The flap of the "handbag" and the cards were then paste-embossed in black with the Tole Heart*, and covered with beautiful Black Pearl Glitter from Stampendous*. I added a Stampendous Class A' Peel sentiment* in black, as well as a ribbon bow and a Velcro closure (hook and loop). It would be easy enough to change the sentiments to create Valentines or wedding cards. For those of you here visiting from the Woodware UK blog, be sure to check out what the rest of the Woodware girls have been creating for their "Handbags at Dawn" challenge. For those of you here from the Dream It Up! blog, the girls have more inspiration for you, and encouragement for YOU to play along with us this month. Remember, you have ALL month to post and link your Valentine creation(s) to the Mr Linky on the Dream It Up! blog, for the opportunity to win one of two stencil designs! Come on...show us what YOU'VE GOT!

Pam Hornschu

Cyndi Bundy

*Woodware UK:
Damask Stencil
Tole Heart
Matte Black Embossing Paste
Metallic F/X Glacier
Stampendous Black Pearl Glitter
Stampendous Class A' Peel Tiny Greetings

*Dreamweaver Stencils US:

Damask Stencil
Tole Heart
Matte Black Embossing Paste
Memories Mists Iridescent Spray
Metallic F/X Glacier

New "Coveralls" Stamps from Gourmet Rubber Stamps

2012-01-09T23:10:00.000-08:00

Gourmet Rubber Stamps has recently introduced a new line of images called "Coveralls"...jumbo sized cling stamps that cover six inches of cardstock goodness. Perfect for backgrounds on cards and tags, but also for scrap pages and decor. For this card, I focused mainly on the pocket portion of the "Back Pocket" image. In remembrance of my favorite floral-embroidered jeans in high school, I added the folk art flower from the Diner's Club December "Let's Celebrate" set, embossed with white EP three times on an extra pocket. This enabled me to tuck inside a little tag with the great "Good Friend" sentiment from the Lizzie Anne Designs line. A few rhinestones and a baker's twine attachment finishes off this card.

A New Stampendous Challenge...BLING It On!

2012-01-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

It's the first Saturday of the year and the first Saturday of the month...clean slate! Let's fling some bling on it! The Stampendous Design Team were challenged to bring on the bling this month. Glitter, Shiny Essentials, Class A' Peel Sparkly stickers...anything with a sparkle and sheen! Normally, I'm not big on bling. I like things a little more subtle and sedate. This is exactly the direction I went with my featured card today. I used the brand new release Cling Pensive Portrait image for my focal point and the new Cling Garden Background for, well...the background. The images were stamped with Rich Cocoa Memento, and only a soft pink chalk was added for color. I added a vintage ribbon bow with a pearl corsage pin and pearl scroll. This is where
I had a little fun. I rubbed Versamark ink over the pearl elements and embossed them with brand new Fran•tage Aged Ivory Embossing Enamel. The result was a gorgeous pearly sheen with hints of gold and an antique finish. Just in case you are wondering if I inked, embossed, and placed each individual pearl from the flourish...no, I did not. I'm too lazy for that. The whole thing was left intact on the carrier sheet while I performed my Fran•tage magic. When cool, I carefully picked the entire flourish off the carrier in one piece and placed it on my card. Yep. I'm pretty happy with it.
Not blingy enough for you? Then check out what the rest of our uber-talented team has blingified (technical term) for the challenge this week:

Stampendous Impressions Blog

Cyndi Bundy

Wendy Price

Janelle Stollfus

Wendy Jordan

Jennie Lin Black

Taylor Usry

Krissy Fossmeyer

Suzanne Czosek

Kristine Reynolds

Steph Lee

Lynn Mercurio

Pam Hornschu

Melinda Gleissner

We want YOU to play along with us! Just add your direct link with your card (make sure you've loaded it up with tons of BLING) to the linky tool below my signature (or on the Stampendous blog) no later than February 2, 2012 at 11:00 PM EST. You don't have to use Stampendous products to play along, but we sure love it when you do! And as an extra incentive for playing, one lucky person (drawn at random from all the entries) will receive this gorgeous Cherub Wishes Perfectly Clear Stamp Set:

The Dream Team 2012 Challenges Begin!

2012-01-05T02:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the first posting of the Dreamweaver Stencils' Dream Team 2012 ! We're changing things up a bit for this year, and YOU can help. The first Thursday of every month will feature our new challenge and will extend through the entire month. This means that YOU have ALL month to play along with the one challenge, as many times as you want. Sometimes it will be a color challenge, sometimes a theme, and sometimes a technique. We are hoping that an entire month will give you plenty of time to be inspired, create, and link to the Dream It Up! blog . Each month we are offering TWO prizes...one for the most creative version of the challenge (does not have to be Dreamweaver Stencils ' product, but we sure are happy when it is!), and the second for the best use of Dreamweaver Stencils ' product in the challenge. This could be stencils (of course), Embossing Pastes , Metallic F/X , the new Color Solutions , etc., anything you find on the Dreamweaver Stencils' web site , or in your local store. Don't know where your local store is? The list can be found on the web site . Not near any of the stores listed? There is also an online site to purchase from, Stencil with Style !

For the month of January, we challenge you to create something for Valentine's Day! You have until January 31st, 11:59 PM EST, to post and link your creation(s) to the Dream It Up! Blog Mr. Linky. The winners will be announced February 2nd, along with the February challenge. Here is my version of this month's challenge:

Dreamweaver Stencils has a gorgeous selection of stencils with hearts in various styles...simple, ornate, Celtic, gothic, and romantic. The Heart Lock is one of my faves, and I used a very simple technique to create this card. The background white panel was stenciled with Memories Mists Strawberry Daiquiri (sounds yum, doesn't it?) through the Damask stencil. The focal piece is a panel of Double-sided Adhesive adhered to a white cardstock panel and covered with Stampendous Multi Crystal Glitter. Then this panel was also stenciled with the same Memories Mists. I chose the MM method mainly because I already had these products out on my workspace as I went on a Valentine binge for this month's challenge. You'll see more from this binge over the next few weeks. When using the Memories Mists, I highly recommend that you tape your stencil down on all four sides with removable tape as usual. Then place the piece in a cardboard box and spray from about 8-10 inches away. The box will help to contain the overspray. To finish off my card, I created the gold foiled key by stenciling on red cardstock with Versamark ink, embossing with Stampee Stuck on You bonding powder, placing a piece of gold Stampee foil face up over the surface, placing between a folded sheet of printer paper, and running through my hot laminator. I also added a little Two Way Glue Marker to one of the Dreamweaver Stencils' 3" Embellishment Pins, and rubbed the leftover foil bits over the surface. This with the ribbon and rhinestone bling, added to the very romantic feel of this Valentine.

Need more inspiration? Please visit the rest of our fabulous team listed here:

Pam Hornschu

Cyndi Bundy

The Best of Both Worlds...a Kitty and a Good Book!

2012-01-04T10:28:00.000-08:00

As I've been sick for the last few days, I've been doing a lot of reading. I love it when I can curl up with my kitties, grasping a hot cup of tea, and read a good book. Of course, this would be more pleasurable without the being sick part. Lol. This card features the Perfectly Clear Time Flies set and the Cling Cattus Librum image from Stampendous. To make the image pop off the dark gray Core'dinations' cardstock, I sanded the center first before stamping the image in black. The card was distressed and torn around the edges to frame the inside embossed Canvas Corp paper. Layers were created on the front from a panel of an old dictionary page (on cats!), images from the Time Flies set, and a cord and key to finish it off.

Need a Good Laugh?

2012-01-02T10:00:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that I didn't get around to posting this card last month! I love this card...it just cracks me up. The image is from Murray's Law, a line from Gourmet Rubber Stamps. The artist's images and outlook on life just defines ROFLMBO (cleaned that up for the goodie-two-shoes among you). I chose these two wild patterned papers to piece this curvaceous lady (who desperately needs a new bra!), colored her with Copic markers, and gave her boobs a little extra "support" with foam tape. To enforce the martini theme of the sentiment, I punched circles from green patterned paper and red to create my gin-soaked olives (okay...not gin soaked, but a girl can dream). Life has been a teeny bit stressful lately which makes me appreciate this sentiment all the more. Which is probably why I've decided to make my New Year's resolution (besides the trying to lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more, blah blah blah) to simplify my life a bit. Maybe attempt to be a little less OCD about being the perfect mom, wife, friend, domestic diva, and papercrafter. Lol. Well, going to give it a try. Anyone want to join me? Meanwhile, until you reach that goal, go buy some Murray's Law images to amuse you and some Gourmet Rubber Stamps to keep you sane. Better yet, sign up for the monthly Diner's Club sets and call it therapy!

Woodware Sketch Goes Wintery

2012-01-01T16:01:00.000-08:00

Both the Woodware USA and Woodware UK teams are celebrating the new year with a sketch challenge as seen at left. Christmas may be over, but it's still winter, so I kept with a winter theme and featured the cute Woodware Polar Magic Clear Set. Stamped in Danube Blue Memento ink, shaded with pale blue markers, and highlighted with Stampendous Multi Crystal Glitter, the simplicity of the sketch was perfect for this sweet set. Visit the team blogs on both sides of the "pond" for more inspiration this week. You can find their links through the Woodware USA site, and the Woodware UK site. Come play along!

Time Flies...in Pink and Brown and Gold and Cream!

2011-12-31T05:00:00.000-08:00

This post finishes off the last of the 2011 Stampendous Challenges, with the December challenge colorway of pink, brown, gold, and/or cream. I sort of went with a New Year's theme...threw in some music and some time, and the reminder that time flies...Tempus Fugit! I used two of my favorites of the October released Perfectly Clear sets, Time Flies and Vintage Piano. The wings were stamped and embossed on acetate with Shabby Pink Embossing Enamel. The pocket watch was stamped, embossed with Aged Gold Embossing Enamel, and cut out to be popped up with the wings. The pink panel features the music notes and vintage piano, with the sentiment embossed with Vintage Mahogany Tinsel...one of my faves as it has this rich, subtle glitter in it with a lovely chocolate color. Along with the chocolate is a gorgeous bow from May Arts ribbon. Remember, you have until January 5th to link your own creations with this color scheme for the opportunity to win the Perfectly Clear Amore Frame set! For more inspiration, visit these team member blogs:

Stampendous Impressions Blog

Wendy Jordan

Kristine Reynolds

Janelle Stolfus

Jennie Black

Wendy Price

Stephanie Lee

Jennifer Ingle

A New Recipe for the New Year

2011-12-30T09:11:00.000-08:00

It's my week to design the Gourmet Rubber Stamps' Weekly Recipe as seen above. For my version, I chose to use the December Diner's Club "Let's Celebrate", embossed the bells and sentiment in silver, popping the violet cardstock against the more subtle gray and black patterned papers. Come play along with us this week and post your own version on the Gourmet Rubber Stamps' Facebook page.

Take advantage of the great sale going on now...

Gearing Up for the New Year!

2011-12-29T05:00:00.000-08:00

Are you ready for 2012 yet? Well, Dreamweaver Stencils has seriously been "gearing" up for it. We just added three new extremely talented members to the Dream Team as was announced last week on the Dream It Up! post. We plan on making a few changes with the challenges and posting that the team does regularly, and we're super excited! Be sure to visit the Dream Team next week for the latest news, and especially, how YOU can win prizes by playing along!
Our challenge this week was to create with a New Year's/Celebrate theme. Since I don't happen to have specific New Year's stencils, I took a different look at what I do have. New Year's Eve is all about midnight celebrations. Midnight is a time. Time is clocks. Clocks have gears. See where my mind went? Scary, isn't it? Lol. I added a mirror silver cardstock panel of embossed Gears to my teal card, plus a black panel embossed and reversed (photo doesn't show this very well...), and then I embossed the Kaleidoscope stencil on the mirror silver to represent the "clock". Recently, my Dream Team Secret Santa, Georgia, gave me some Tim Holtz Sprocket Gears, so I used a couple of these for the center of the clock between the minute and hour hands. To really highlight the midnight theme, I paste-embossed in Matte Black the 12 on the punched circle, covered with black glitter, and popped it higher on the card. The sentiment was also paste-embossed and covered in glitter. I had to add the bling for New Year's!
Now be sure to visit the rest of the Dream Team to see how they are celebrating the end of 2011, and the beginning of a promising 2012!

Getting Romantic at the Diner's Club!

2011-12-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

Done with Christmas? Yep. Me, too. I'm thinking I'll skip directly to Valentine's Day now. Well, maybe not completely, but at least for today. Today is preview day of the January Gourmet Rubber Stamps' Diner's Club set, "Sealed With a Kiss"...obviously aimed at the romantics in the world. My creation features three images from the set...the script background, the carved heart, and one of the great sentiments in the set. This set, like most of the Diner's Club sets in the Lizzie Anne Designs' line, have a mix of the cute, the pretty, and the fun, as you can see at left. Plan on seeing several more creations featuring this set! The project for today's post, is quite CAS. Both the card and box were created from Dotted Swiss Bazzill cardstock...the box with a C-Thru Take Out Box Template. Using this pretty marbled ivory cardstock, I stamped the script background over several strips and adhered them to the box and card. The carved hearts were stamped in the same Rhubarb Stalk Memento ink, with the hearts cut out in order to thread this yummy matching ribbon through into a bow. I created a tag using the sentiment for the top of the box. Visit the Gourmet Rubber Stamps blog as well as treats from the team listed at right for more inspiration.

Thankful for a Wonderful Holiday?

2011-12-26T16:01:00.000-08:00

Did you have a nice Christmas holiday? Unwrap plenty of goodies? Okay...now it's thank you time! The Woodware UK team is providing lots of great ideas for thank yous this week. Since I still had one set of Christmas images from Woodware that I hadn't used, I thought why not create a thank you for a Christmas gift with Christmas themed images? This set is called, "Snowglobe Magic", and has several cute critters and snow-themed items to place inside your snow globe. For mine, I chose the cute penguin (love penguins!), colored quickly with markers, and cut out to fit inside. The snow globe was stamped and embossed in Stampendous white embossing powder on acetate, and adhered over the top of the penguin atop panel of glitter paper. The background of the card was a panel of blue cardstock machine-embossed with the Dreamweaver Stencils' "Snow Splatter", and the white card machine-embossed with the Dreamweaver Stencils' "Snowflakes". The sentiment at the bottom comes from a fantastic Woodware Clear Magic set, "Tiny Phrases". I love this set as it has just about every sentiment for every occasion and the just because kind as well! Great to have on hand. Be sure to visit the rest of the team blogs as we rotate through the week for more thank you suggestions. Each day you can find the links on the Woodware UK blog.

It's Christmas Eve! Are You Feeling Challenged?

2011-12-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

If you actually have time to visit blogs on Christmas Eve, I guess I better provide some real eye candy...one of my favorite projects created for the Stampendous October catalog. Fortunately, it happens to fit in with the December color challenge to use three of these four colors...pink, cream, brown, and gold. On the card, I paper pieced the Cling Rose Corset, embossing with Vintage Mahogany Embossing Tinsel. For the background I adhered and stitched bands of ribbons and trims, some vintage, some May Arts. The sentiment is from the Rose Branch Border Perfectly Clear set. Plenty of frou frou in the form of tulle, ribbon, paper roses, and tiny pearls help to create the perfect card for someone special. Then add a small decorated paper mache box to match. The perfect gift to hold a special treasure, or chocolates...or both! Since I was slightly less chatty today, it leaves you time to check out the other team posts, as well as the Stampendous blog:

Stampendous Impressions

Janelle Stolfus

Taylor Usry

Kristine Reynolds

Pam Hornschu (me)

Don't forget...if you play along with us this month, and link your creation(s) on the Stampendous blog InLinkz, you can have an opportunity to win the fabulous Perfectly Clear Amore Frame...perfect for creating Valentines and wedding cards, or smoochy cards for that special someone...just because.

Wondering who won the blog candy from my post last week? It was:

Jan Garber

Congratulations, Jan! Please send me an email with your address to: phornschu@hotmail.com,

and your Perfectly Clear Happy Messages will be on their way!

To everyone else, hope you have a wonderful Christmas holiday with those you love near!

A Colorway and a Big Announcement!

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

       Okay. I promise. This is my last Christmas card post for the year. I can't help it! I love Dreamweaver Stencils' holiday designs. This Pine Cones stencil is one of my faves, and I hadn't had a chance to make a card with it this year...so this week's colorway challenge was my final opportunity! Burgundy and gold is such an elegant combination for holiday cards. I kept it simple by inking the Pine Cones stencil with Gold ColorBox pigment ink and running my Core'dinations cardstock panel through my Big Shot to transfer the gold ink to the panel and emboss the image at the same time. I covered the transferred ink with Stampendous Pirate Gold embossing powder. I love how this turned out...the embossed pine cones against the textured gold shine...really pretty. The panel was layered over another panel wrapped with gold cord, and adhered to a metallic gold card. I added a Class A' Peel Star Greeting sentiment for the final touch.
     You are welcome to play along with all of us on the team this week, and link your creation to the Dream It Up! blog. You don't have to do a holiday card, just something in burgundy in gold. Need more inspiration? Check out the rest of the team blogs as listed at right.
     Dreamweaver Stencils has an exciting announcement this week...we have invited three super talented ladies to join the team in January...Jessie Hurley from Canada, Cherylynn Moser from Oregon, and Cyndi Bundy from North Carolina. Be sure to give them a warm welcome! There will be a few changes made to the way we do our challenges on the blog, which should make it more inviting to our followers. We really want you to play along with us, so we're making it a little simpler for you to do just that! Stay tuned for more details on January 5th...our first posting with the new team members. If you haven't joined our fans on the Dreamweaver Stencils' Facebook page, go to the link and do so now. We will be offering a great stencil design as a prize to one lucky commenter on our exciting announcement on the Facebook page.

Ready for Even More RED?

2011-12-20T16:03:00.000-08:00

Hmmm...noticing a theme here? Yep. I just posted a card for the Woodware UK with the same color scheme...and mostly the same papers as well! Lol. However, for this Woodware USA card, I featured the Woodware Teardrop Christmas Clear Magic set with a 3D effect. I layered two stamped and embossed in gold ornaments on the front of the card. The nice part is that when mailed, they flatten, and will pop back up when opened. I stamped and embossed one of the great sentiments that comes with this set as well, and added a sheer fluffy bow to finish it off! For more inspiration, visit the Woodware USA site.

Ready for More RED?

2011-12-20T16:01:00.000-08:00

Happy Christmas to all of you! Haven't seen enough red yet this holiday season? Well, today's post should take care of that! The Woodware UK team's challenge this week was to create with the "Richness of Red". My version has a background of dotted swiss Bazzill cardstock in red, with a panel of Paper Pizazz plaid (in red), and the focal point features the Dreamweaver Stencils' "Oval Ornament". I embossed the outline on the Mercart Red aluminum using my embossing machine. Then I cut out the ornament and ran it through the embossing machine again...this time with the Dreamweaver Stencils' Southwest stencil. Because I placed the metal on the stencil color side up, I was able, afterwards, to sand away the color from the design rather than the background. I placed a portion of the Stampendous Jumbo Poinsettia sticker over the ornament, along with the bling of a few rhinestones, added a bow, and the Stampendous Christmas Greetings in Mirror Red. Seen enough red yet? Then hop around to the rest of the team's inspiring blog posts for more of the "Richness of Red"!

Stencils and Shaving Cream?

2011-12-18T23:31:00.000-08:00

Today's post features some super simple cards that I created with a fun technique that I was playing with using Dreamweaver Stencils and the new Color Solutions alcohol inks. These new inks are highly saturated in color which leaves you the opportunity to have your color as in-you-face or subtle as you would like, depending on much you thin it out using the Color Solutions' Thinner/Cleaner. In the case of this technique, I used none of the thinner as the ink diluted slightly with the process. Have you ever done the "Shaving Cream Technique"? This creates a marbled effect on glossy cardstock (actually, any cardstock). I started by piling up shaving cream foam into a shallow pan (use the cheap stuff without moisturizers, and not gel...I usually buy the Barbisol brand). Place a few drops of the Color Solution inks over the foam, and use a chopstick or similar item to gently stir the color slightly, not necessarily blending. You want a pattern of colors in the foam. Now, normally, this is where you would place your cardstock down onto the foam, pull it away, and use a piece of cardboard, or an expired credit card, to scrape the excess off the card, leaving the color behind. This is where I tried something different. I used the foam as I would the Dreamweaver Stencils' embossing paste. I taped the Antler Snowflake* stencil to the cardstock using removable tape all around. Then I spread the foam across the stencil* with a palette knife, removing the excess, and removed the stencil*. I set aside the stenciled card to dry. When dry, I buffed off the film left behind, which left just the stenciled image with the swirls of color. The colors that I used for this process were the Iceberg Blue, Blue Velvet, and Citron. Since I had done some panels of cardstock with the swirl as well, I cut these into strips for borders on my cards, added a punched border, a machine-embossed Antler Snowflake* square, a Class A' Peel sentiment, and a few rhinestones for bling.

*For the set of cards, I also used the Gothic Snowflake, the Crystal Snowflake, and the Southwest Snowflake.

A Long Time Ago in a Hobby Lobby Far Away...

2011-12-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

      As usual, the holiday season is just flying by! Here we are at week three of the Stampendous December Color Challenge...creating with pink, cream, gold, and/or brown. My creation this week is a set of three ornaments that spell J-O-Y (in case you couldn't figure that out by yourself). I bought these thick chipboard base letters at Hobby Lobby in Arizona when Laura Weed (Coordinator of all things Stampendous) and I were there for a Copic "Retreat" taught by our own Jenn Dove. There was nothing "retreat" about it, other than no husbands (except Jenn's cutie-pie hubby), we worked our alcohol ink-stained hands to the bone for that slave-driver...and had a blast at the same time! Anyway...back to the subject...we stopped at HL on our way home as I'd never been to a HL before. That store is HUGE! It's like Michael's on steroids! We bought so much stuff that it's a wonder that we managed to fit it in the back of my Scion tC with the luggage and all of our Copic pens.
     For these ornaments, I coated the outside edge with Versamark ink and embossed in Aged Gold Embossing Enamel. I traced and cut out the letters from soft pink patterned papers from Echo Park, Pebbles, and MME. I stamped the Cling Merry Magical and Cling Jumbo Merry Magical (which is a jumbo version of the Snow Swirl image) with Rich Cocoa Memento ink over the paper letters. I distressed them around the edges and adhered them to their respective chipboard counterparts. Then I really had some fun! I embossed with a mix of Winter Wonderland Embossing Powder and Multi Medium Crystal Glitter at the tops and bottoms of each letter, and added some Class A' Peel Dot Sparklers in pink, of course. Then I stamped the Cling Little Angels (so cute!) in Rich Cocoa, colored with Copic Markers, added Think Pink Fun Flock to their coats and hats, and a sprinkling of the Multi Medium Crystal Glitter on their wings. I carefully cut them out (there is a reason they call that "fussy cutting"!), and adhered them to the "O" along with a few punched snowflakes. Some Hemptique cord hangers were attached on the back to decorate the tree, but could easily be left off to add these cuties to any of your holiday decor.
     Now that I've shared this long story with you, I'll let you off to go visit the rest of the team that are playing along this week:

Stampendous Impressions

Taylor Usry

Pam Hornschu (me!)

Melinda Gleissner

Suzanne Czosek

Kristine Reynolds

Janelle Stollfus

Jennifer Ingle
Wendy Price

Be sure to leave them some love as you go. It makes them so happy. Oh, and me, too! Play along with us and link your creation(s) by January 5th, on the Stampendous Impressions' blog, or any of the team blogs where you see the "Inlinkz" icon. You could have the opportunity to win the Perfectly Clear Amore Frame:

This week I'm once again offering blog candy for a random commenter (US only. Please leave email addy). Rather than another Christmas set, I thought I'd offer this fabulous Perfectly Clear Happy Messages:

Oh, yeah, I almost forgot...I offered blog candy last week, too! Hee hee. Want to know who won the Jumbo Cling Snowflakes set? It was:

MIRIAM PRANTNER!

Congratulations! I'll be contacting you by email for your address. You will have "snow" much fun with this set!

Looking for Something?

2011-12-15T06:07:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for either the Woodware UK post, or the Gourmet Rubber Stamps post, or the Dreamweaver Stencils' post...keep scrolling down. It's been a busy week in blogland!

A YUM-Colored Birthday Challenge

2011-12-15T06:05:00.000-08:00

The pic above was the inspiration for the birthday card the Gourmet Rubber Stamps gals were challenged to create this month. Definitely different colors than those we've been working with for the last couple of months! No holly berries and mistletoe here! The inspiration pic is like a breath of fresh air...a reminder that, yes, spring will return once again, even while we are snuggled under cozy afghans with steaming cups of cocoa in our hands. For my card, I featured the Lizzie Anne Designs' "Vintage Birthday" Cling set. I grabbed papers in the colors suggested, and one of these just happened to have a faint hot air balloon image on it, so off I went with it! I created a patchwork of the various papers and colors, stamped the balloons on one apricot panel, the birthday sentiment on another, and secondary sentiment on the creamy beige cardstock. A little pompom trim and brads in the deep blue-green shade finished if off. A different look than what I tend to go with, but I'm happy with it! Go visit the rest of the team to see what they have created in these yummy colors. Want to play along? Be sure to link your creation on the Gourmet Rubber Stamps Facebook page.

Dreamweaver Stencils' Sketch #13-Vintage Poinsettia

2011-12-15T06:00:00.001-08:00

Here we are at the final Dream Team sketch challenge for the year! This one was my design (as seen at left), so I know that I had plenty of time to think of how I would work this. Apparently not, as it was only a couple of days ago that I finally broke out the stencils, etc. to complete this. Lol. First, I needed to find a stencil that works well when either repeated three times in long thin strips, or can be cut into three sections like a triptych. I went with the latter concept, and chose to use the Poinsettia stencil. Following the technique for the "Double Glitter" Technique, I went with a slightly different approach:

1) Cut panel of cardstock. Cut panel of Double-Sided Adhesive to fit. Remove backing and adhere to panel.
2) Rub back of Poinsettia stencil with coconut soap. Brush away excess. Place stencil on adhesive panel.
3) Here's where I went a little different...instead of filling the stencil design with glitter, I filled it with some new Shabby White Embossing Enamel from Stampendous. I rubbed it into the adhesive thoroughly, brushed away all excess, removed the stencil carefully, and heated the powder to melt.
4) Once the image was cool, I poured Stampendous Copper Jewel Glitter over all the bare areas, rubbing into the adhesive thoroughly. Use a brush to remove all the excess.

The basic technique can be used with a variety of materials...glitter, embossing powder, flock, etc.

Once the panel was completed, I cut it into three strips, matted them, and adhered them to an embossed (with the Damask stencil) card. The sentiment was embossed on a partial Nestability die. Some Pebbles Glitter Candy Dots that happened to match the Mahogany Tinsel Embossing Powder melted on the 3" corsage pin attached to the Creative Impressions crinkle ribbon bow. Since this was my sketch design, I'm really curious to see what the rest of the Dream Team have created with the challenge. Why don't you play along as well? Link it on the Dream It Up! blog while you visit over there for more inspiration. Oh, by the way, get ready for a big announcement coming from Dreamweaver Stencils in the very near future! Lots of exciting new happenings in our future! Come along for the ride!

Woodware UK...Look What I Did With My Tins!

2011-12-14T16:01:00.000-08:00

The challenge for this week at Woodware UK, was to create something fabulous with a tin...and I love a challenge! For my first tin, I covered the lid with a circle of the Mercart Green Aluminum which I embossed with the Petals Background stencil from Dreamweaver Stencils. Normally, you would place the metal on top of the stencil color side down, but in this case I reversed it. This way I was able to sand away the colored background and leave the design in color. The reason that I chose this particular background stencil, is because it matches so well with the Woodware Teardrop Christmas Clear Magic stamps. I stamped the ornament image on Mercart Red Aluminum twice, and embossed them in Stampendous Aged Silver Embossing Enamel. Both were cut out, one was adhered flat on the tin, the other was folded and adhered over the top for added dimension. A fluffy ribbon bow was added, along with a Nestabilities Ribbon Banner die cut with the stamped sentiment. A loop of silver tinsel cording allows this gift tin to hang on the Christmas tree as a nice surprise.

For the second tin, I paste embossed the Petals Background stencil with Glossy Red Paste, and poured Stampendous Red Jewel glitter over the surface. While this was drying, I stamped the Teardrop tree twice on the Mercart Green Aluminum, and embossed with Stampendous Aged Gold Embossing Enamel. These, too, were cut out and layered as before. A fun plaid ribbon bow and sentiment banner completed the tin, along with a gold tinsel cord loop for hanging.

This final picture shows the inside of the tins. They have a velvet covered insert to hold a gift card for the recipient. The candy canes are just for the photo...lol. Hope that you are being truly inspired by the team's tins this week. Haven't seen them yet? The links can be found on the Woodware UK Blog.

3D Challenge Tuesday...Stenciling Elegance for the Holidays

2011-12-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

Looking for some last minute hand-made gift ideas still? How about a fun treat jar, beautifully stenciled? As my first posting as a Paper Craft Planet Supernova, I thought I'd share a fun stenciling technique with definite WOW appeal!

The supplies needed are shown above and include: metal stencils (Dreamweaver Stencils' Swirl Tree and Antler Snowflake), Translucent Embossing Paste (Dreamweaver Stencils), palette knife/spreader, glitter (Stampendous Multi Crystal), removable tape, and a candy jar (with flat sides).

Step 1: Tape stencil onto flat surface on all four sides using removable tape.

Step 2: Spread Translucent Embossing Paste over surface of stencil with palette knife at slight angle.
Step 3: Holding palette knife at 90 degree angle, scrape off excess paste and return to container.
Step 4: Remove tape from three sides of stencil. Using fourth side as hinge, lift and remove the stencil. Clean stencil and palette knife immediately in warm, soapy water with a soft scrub brush. Dry with soft towel.

Step 5: Pour glitter over surface. Pour off excess and return to container. Set aside jar to dry for 20 minutes.
Step 6: Repeat on other three sides.

Step 7: Follow the same steps to stencil the snowflake on the lid as well.

Since you are probably now thinking, "I'd hardly call this a quick and easy project!", that would probably be the case if you were only creating one. However, if you were to follow the same instructions to create several projects at the same time (gift bags, cards, tags, ornaments, etc.), then you can complete quite a few in the same crafting session. While one is drying and waiting for the next step, you can be working on the next...sort of a round robin of creative fun!
For more creative stenciling ideas, please visit the Dream It Up! blog for Dreamweaver Stencils.

Fifty is Nifty for Laura!

2011-12-13T00:15:00.000-08:00

It's the big five-o for one of my bestest friends, Laura Weed! We've been friends for over six years now, ever since I moved away from the Orange County, CA area, and up to the High Desert of CA. Laura was hired to take over my position as the in-house designer, we worked together still at Stampendous, and we've been buds ever since. Over the years we've both celebrated a few birthdays, including my own big five-o three years ago. Of course, she's been rubbing that in my face ever since, that I am older than her. However, since she has been taking on more and more responsibilities at Stampendous (including fearless leader of the design teams), I kind of think that that should have evened things out by now. Lol. Therefore my card that I am posting is a gentle dig at her, featuring the Cling Cupcake image, the Perfectly Clear Simply Safari, and the Perfectly Clear Counting Birthdays set. I went with purple and black as purple is her fave color, and I like the contrast of the Black Embossing Powder against it. For a little additional drama, I added fifty (count them!) candles, and lit them up on the ends with a little Tigerlily and Sunflower glitter. The inside of the card celebrates not only her birthday, but the fact that she has lost over eighty pounds this year! Woo hoo! As I'm not the only one who loves this wild woman, the Stampendous Design Team girls, have all planned a surprise for her by posting lots of birthday wishes just for her on all our blogs. Check them out:

Melinda
Janelle
Taylor
Wendy P
Trudee
Jennie
Pam
Lynn
Krissy
Stephanie
Kristine
Wendy J
Jingle
Jennifer Dove
Rachel
Cyndi

Pining for the Holidays!

2011-12-11T21:09:00.000-08:00

Quickie post here with an oldie by goodie card. This card was created for the Stampendous holiday catalog 2009, but somehow I never posted it. Kind of sad, since it's pretty cute, even if I do say so myself! The background panel is a piece of MME paper randomly stamped and embossed in white with the Ponderosa Pine image. I stamped and embossed the Swirl Tag image, added the Family Season sentiment, and cut it out. Both the tag and panel were matted in red, and a few red buttons add the extra pop that was needed. I love the soft blue gray and bright red combo for a holiday card.

Pretty in Pink...and Cream...and Brown...

2011-12-10T05:00:00.000-08:00

December seems to be flying by as usual. It's already the second Saturday of the month, and the Stampendous Teams are once again posting with the latest challenge...a colorway of pink, cream, gold, and/or brown. So, I cheated a bit...again. This card was created for the Stampendous Holiday 2011 catalog, and features this Cling Postcard Pretty image, along with the Cling Season's Post. I stamped the tag, cut it out, and layered the other images over it, before coloring the focal image with Copic markers. Since I was going for the Fran'tage look, I spritzed some coffee over it, and distressed the edges. I even shriveled the ribbon with a flash of the heat tool. The background has several of the same images, stamped in Rich Cocoa Memento ink, plus the Cling Poinsettia Silhouette in soft Angel Pink Memento, and arranged so that the tag could be placed on the card and appear to fit right in with the other images. The pink card and cream panel was also distressed with a sanding block and ink. The end result has the pink, brown, and cream...with a hint of blue and yellow in my coloring.
How about playing along with us this week with the color challenge, and link your own creation on the Stampendous Impressions blog? You can enter as many times as you like, and this is the stamp set that you'll have the opportunity (US winners only) to win...the Perfectly Clear Amore Frame:

Need a little more inspiration? Okay, you asked for it! Here's the list of players for this week:

Stampendous Impressions
Taylor Usry
Pam Hornschu
WendyJordan
Melinda Gleissner
Jennifer Dove
Suzanne Czosek
Cyndi Bundy
Kristine Reynolds
Janelle Stollfus
Jennifer Ingle
Jennie Black
Wendy Price

This week several of the team members are offering blog candy. This is what I am offering...the Jumbo Cling Snowflakes set:

Just leave me a comment (AND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS!), telling me three things you would love to create with this set of fun images! USA winners only...sorry.

Playing With the Woodware USA Sketch Challenge

2011-12-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

Using the same sketch for the Woodware USA team as was posted for the Woodware UK team (seen at left), I played with these darling Woodware Polar Bears. Such a darling set of clear images, and simple to work with. All I did was stamp the polar two-some with Bahama Blue Memento ink on Mohawk white cardstock, and color with Copic markers...really just a hint of color. Then using a glue pen, I applied a mixture of Stampendous Cotton Ball Fun Flock and Multi Crystal Glitter, for a fluffy winter coat that sparkles! The sentiment was stamped on the DCWV card, a border of punched EK Edgers was adhered along with a cute baker's twine tie, over the fun
Echo Park papers. I highly recommend that you put on your cyber sneakers and race over to purchase these fun images...and while you're there, check out what else the Woodware USA site has in store for you.

Playing With the Woodware UK Sketch Challenge

2011-12-08T16:01:00.000-08:00

This week on the Woodware UK team, we are creating with a sketch challenge, as seen at left. For my version, I machine-embossed the Dreamweaver Stencils' Stripes on the front of my pine green card. Such an easy way to add texture and dimension to your projects. Just spritz the back of your cardstock with rubbing alcohol (do the British call that something different?), place it face down on top of your stencil, which is on top of the bottom platen of your embossing machine (my personal choice is the Sizzix Big Shot Pro), place one rubber embossing mat and two clear platens over this, and run it through to emboss. (An important note: never place warped platens on top of the stencil, or the stencil will become warped as well. Always place stencils with predominant lineage through the machine with the "grain" so to speak. In the case of the Stripes stencil, make sure stripes are vertically going through machine.) Back to the card...I added a panel of Dotted Swiss cardstock over the stripes, with the Stampendous Star Greetings sentiment to the right. The Holly and Swirls stencil was inked with darker green ink, placed on the platen. The green panel was placed face down, and the whole thing run through to emboss just as the Stripes had been. Leaving the stencil in place, I flipped it over and applied some gold ink from the Tsukineko Splendor Antique ink pad, sprinkled around the edges with Stampendous Gold Embossing Powder, and heated to melt. I embellished this panel with some Stampendous Red Dot Sparklers before adhering to the card. A sheer and crinkled ribbon bow was added. The end result is an elegant, traditional card. Come play along with the Woodware UK team and this week's sketch. I'd love to see what YOU do! Meanwhile, prepare to be inspired by the rest of the team as they post each day of this week, one at a time. You can find the links on the Woodware UK blog.

A Mish Mash of Holiday Stenciling

2011-12-08T06:00:00.000-08:00

Since the Dream Team has a free week once again, I thought that I would showcase and handful of similar cards. These cards were all done using Dreamweaver Stencil's new holiday releases this year. They feature the Nativity and the Isaiah scripture background in various techniques. For the first card, I stenciled the scripture background, ran it through the Big Shot with the Cathedral Window stencil for texture, and inked around the edges. This was adhered to the card. The Rejoice stencil was ink-stenciled, curled and inked before adding to the card. The focal piece is the Nativity which I first paste-embossed in black...let dry...Crackle pasted it...let dry...and stenciled antique colors of inks over the top.
The second card features the Nativity distress-foiled (crumple the foil before adhering), plus a collaged background of the Fleur de Lis embossed on metallic cardstock, the Holly Flourish and the Angel stencils inked on the background. The sentiment is the reverse portion of the Peace portion of the Comfort Words stencil foiled.
The third card features the Nativity once again, foiled once again, but a combination of gold and copper foils. The background was once again ink-stenciled and distressed around the edges. The sentiment is the foil piece that created the reverse for the second card.
These cards are a great example of how you can pull out several stencils and products to mix and match...never wasting any of the bits and pieces as you go! Check out what the rest of the team have done with their free week, as well as the Dream It Up! blog...oh, and while you're there, link your own creation!

Santa Gets Snarky

2011-12-07T10:30:00.000-08:00

I love the idea that even that "jolly old elf", Santa himself, can get a little cranky during the holidays. Murray's Law (from Gourmet Rubber Stamps) is full of humorous images, several with Santa in snarky mode. Since the "Santa Pony" image is obviously the focal point of this card, I kept it simple...I colored the image with Copic markers, added some highlights with Copic White, matted the image and adhered it to a Bazzill Maraschino card. I ran a strip of Bazzill Parakeet through my Big Shot Pro with Dreamweaver Stencils Christmas Lights, and finished it off with a ribbon tie. Oh, yeah, and of course I added a pompom on his hat!

Woodware UK Post

2011-12-03T05:05:00.000-08:00

If you are here for the Woodware UK post, please scroll down. Thanks!

A New Stampendous Monthly Challenge!

2011-12-03T05:00:00.000-08:00

It's the first Saturday of the month again, and that means that the Stampendous team is playing along with a NEW monthly challenge! This month we are playing with a color challenge...to use pink, cream, gold, and/or brown in a card or project. The colors can be by way of papers, coloring implements, inks, and/or any of the fabulous Stampendous Essentials. If you've been stuck in a traditional holiday color mode, this is your opportunity to think outside the Christmas crayon box!

My version of the color challenge features the Stampendous Perfectly Clear Reindeer Swirls. I started by layering pieces of the various papers that I chose to go with the color theme. Then I simply stamped the images with Versamark ink and embossed in the new Fran•tage Essentials Aged Gold Embossing Enamel. I love these new embossing enamels...chunky, varied color and texture, just enough shine without going over the bling side! I added a few swirls and the sentiment stamped in Rich Cocoa Memento ink, which was also used to ink around the edges. This card was simple enough to do in multiples...so I did. The unique color scheme will stand out next to all the myriads of red and green cards given during the holidays.

Please join us in our challenge this month, and link your creation(s) to the InLinkz located on the Stampendous Impressions' blog (or any team member's blog post that has the collection at the bottom). You don't have to use Stampendous images and/or products on your designs...but we sure love it when you do! You have until January 5, 2012 at 11:59 PM EST to enter your creation, for the opportunity to be the one lucky random winner to receive this fabulous Stampendous prize, the Amore Frame Perfectly Clear set:

Here's a list of the fabulously talented Stampendous team members playing along today:

Stampendous Impressions

Taylor Usry

Pam Hornschu

Wendy Jordan

Jennifer Ingle

Jenn Dove

Melinda Gleissner

Suzanne Czosek
Cyndi Bundy

Krissy Fossmeyer

Lynn Mercurio

Stephanie Lee

Cyndi Bundy

Kristine Reynolds

Janelle Stollfus

Jennie Black

Add your link below to enter our challenge! (A note about the link tool: you can add your direct link from this post, or any Stampendous team member's post with this collection, as well as directly on the Stampendous blog. All of the collection tools are the same one, and all entries will show up wherever you put them!)

Holiday Tags by the Dozen

2011-12-02T16:01:00.000-08:00

Woodware UK's challenge for the team this week was to create tags for the holidays...in multiples. When making anything in multiples, simplicity is the by-word, but ordinary is not an option! For the first batch of tags, I worked with Stampendous' Perfectly Clear Holiday Home set. There are several images in this set to work with, and a few varied sentiments. I selected two patterned papers, two colors of cardstock, and three inks...sepia, red, and green. Using my Spellbinders' Nestabilities, I die cut several shapes and sizes to create layered tags. Images and sentiments were simply stamped, some ink distressing around the edges to add to the homey feel, a few Stampendous Dot Sparklers for a touch of bling, and ordinary twine ties.

This second batch of tags features Dreamweaver Stencils' Pine Cone and Season's Greetings stencils. Once again, I used my Spellbinders' die to cut dark green and kraft cardstock "labels". The kraft ones were run through my Big Shot embossing/die cutting machine with the Pine Cone stencil. The stencil itself was spritzed with a mixture of rubbing alcohol and Metallic F/X Gold-dust in a spray mist bottle. This breaks down the fibers in the cardstock just enough to create a perfect emboss of the design with a little shimmer to highlight. A little green and sepia ink was sponged around the edges, the sentiment was simply stenciled with a brush and red ink. The pieces were adhere together, and the ordinary twine ties inserted through a punched hole on the corners. This particular set works well with ordinary kraft gift bags or paper mache gift boxes. All of the Woodware UK team are creating fabulous tags for this week's posts, so check the Woodware UK blog for the links to each blog!

Dream Schemes Colorway...Feeling Frosty

2011-12-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Have you finished making all the holiday cards that you need to send this year? Yeah. Me neither. So, that's why for this week's Dreamweaver Stencils' Dream Scheme Colorway Challenge to use turquoise and silver, my thoughts immediately went to snowflakes and finishing some more cards. Since I wanted to do multiples, I kept it pretty simple. The first and third cards in the photo above, were paste-embossed in silver with the Antler Snowflake stencil. On the first one, the sentiment was also paste-embossed. This one was kept CAS...only a few rhinestone embellishments were added. The third card was run through my hot laminator with the Stampee Turquoise Foil over it for the shiny snowflake. I used the leftover carrier from this foiled piece to cover a piece of silver cardstock for the negative image of the snowflake to be foiled. This square was covered in Versamark ink and embossed with Stampee Stuck on You Bonding Powder before running through the laminator. This panel was layered with glitter cardstock and mounted on a glitter card. All the cards were from the DCWV Winter Box of

Cards...great colors, several with glitter. The center card also has the addition of partially punched snowflakes on the edges. Both the second and third cards have the Merry Winter sentiment embossed on silver cardstock, and the rhinestone embellishments as well as the first. See what the other girls have done this week in turquoise and silver, as well as the Dream It Up! blog. By the time you are done, you should be all fired up to finish (or start) your Christmas cards! Link one or more up to the Dream It Up! blog for all of us to see.

Blog Candy Winner and Wisemen Lantern

2011-11-28T19:15:00.000-08:00

Today's post features another one of my lanterns. This one was created for the Stampendous holiday 2011 catalog. I used Thermo Acetate to form the cylinder shape. The Wisemen image was stamped on the front with Black StazOn ink. On the back of the acetate, I played with lots of gooey stuff! I squirted a generous amount of Ranger Glossy Accents over the acetate. Then I added drops of various colors of Ranger Alcohol Inks, swirled a bit with my finger, and sprinkled with the Frantage Elements Mica Flakes. Then I took the thin white tissue that comes with the acetate, crumpled it up, smoothed it slightly, and applied it over the wet goo. The whole thing was set aside to dry. Once dry, the panels were attached at the sides with brad fasteners to form the cylinder shape. Ordinary rope was covered in Versamark ink and embossed with Aged Gold Embossing Enamel and glued around the top and base of the lantern. A vellum cylinder insert was edge punched and inserted for more opacity in the lantern. A few small flameless candles were tucked inside.
For Saturday's post, I promised to give away blog candy to one commenter who had the correct answer to my question, and the winner of the Cling Jumbo Santa Believe set was...

craftymom205

Congrats! I'll be emailing you for your address and sending this off to you via snail mail right away. Have fun creating cards, bags, tags, gifts, etc. with your new set!

To the rest of you, keep checking back each Saturday as the team will be offering more blog candy this month. Have you played along with the November challenge to use chipboard on your projects? Be sure to link them onto the Stampendous Impressions' blog in order to be considered for winning the prize for the month...the new Cling Jumbo Songbird! Saturday, December 3rd, will begin a whole new challenge to play with! See you then!

It's the Holiday Season...FUR Real!

2011-11-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

Blog Candy Alert! However, you need to read through today's post to get the opportunity! There will be a quiz!
The thing about working in the paper-crafting industry, is that you end up thinking about Christmas about nine months out of every year. All the sample designs need to be created months in advance in order for stores and customers to have the time to purchase the latest must-haves for the holiday season. This card is a great example of this. I created this card back in June for the Stampendous Holiday 2011 catalog which was released in July. Fortunately, I love designing for the holidays...especially when I can use my favorite furry feline, Fluffles. Fluffles is known for continually getting into mischief (like most cats), and once again, there he is...in trouble. He and his pal are cohorts in crime as they attempt to steal the goodies out of the Class A' Peel Jumbo Velvet stocking. (By the way, this stocking sticker was applied to a white cardstock panel and both were run through the Big Shot with a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder to add a dotted swiss texture.) Both "cat burglars" were stamped, colored with Copic markers, and cut out, in order to be precariously perched together above the stocking. Another Velvet Class A' Peel design, the Stackable Trees pops off the fun red patterned paper along with the appropriate sentiment, "Just droppin' in to say...Meowy Christmas". As I'm sure you are well aware, the holiday season is officially in full force now, and Stampendous is chock full of wonderfully beautiful and humorous images, products, and ideas for creating the perfect holiday gifts, cards, tags, bags, and boxes. For more inspiration, visit the rest of our Stampendous "elves" listed at right, as well as the Stampendous Impressions blog. The team have been very busy this month creating with chipboard, and we are challenging YOU to play along...create your own, post it, and link it to the Stampendous blog. You can enter as many times as you'd like, and one lucky winner will receive the Cling Jumbo Songbird image seen here:

So, do you think you read my post carefully? Well, if you did, you'll know the answer to the question below. Add your answer (along with your email addy) to the comments below to possibly win this fabulous Cling Jumbo Believe in Santa set:

Here's the question: Who is my favorite furry feline?

Skip the Mall...Shop the GRS Site!

2011-11-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Gourmet Rubber Stamps team are busy cooking up some fun with the latest Diner's Club set due to be released on December 1st, called "Let's Celebrate". As usual, this set is full of a variety of fun images...birthday themed, New Years themed, and just because themed! My card features images from this last category. I instantly fell in love with the little Matroyshka doll. I have always loved these and have a few that I display during the holidays. I love how they nest one inside the other, and are decorated so beautifully with these traditional folk art designs. One of these designs is the cute flower motif which I stamped three times across the border at the top in Danube Blue Memento ink. I paper-pieced my doll in shades of blue and green, used Copics to color her sweet little face, and added white gel pen to the details of her dress and apron. The sentiment is perfectly in tune, as it says, "It's what's inside that matters most", so true! While you are still enjoying your turkey-induced coma from yesterday, I suggest you skip the Black Friday sales, and just head on over to the Gourmet Rubber Stamps website and sign yourself up to receive the Diner's Club set on a monthly basis, or have a wild shopping spree! The first 50 customers on the site today will receive a free stamp with their order! On top of that, many of the images are on sale for 25% off! GRS carries seven different stamp lines, including Lizzie Anne Designs. I guarantee that you'll want them all! For more inspiration, be sure to visit the rest of the team's blogs:

Deb

Taylor

Joslyn

Kendra

Kelli

Rose Ann

Joy

Jeni

Simply Thankful

2011-11-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Today I am very grateful for the piles of crafting supplies that I have that made it easy for me to complete this card quickly. The Dreamweaver Stencils' Team challenge was the theme of Thanksgiving. I had grand plans for this card. The other night I paste-embossed the Fall Borders stencil with Matte Black Paste, and sprinkled three colors of the Metallic F/X over the wet paste...Cocoa, Kimono Red, and Ivy Garden. This is so simple and the effect is so pretty...shimmery pops of color against the black surface, especially since I used copper Star Dream cardstock as the base for this. I set this aside to dry overnight with plans to emboss a background and possibly foil a sentiment to go with. Alas, time was not my friend this week. Tuesday the family went to the Auto Show at the Los Angeles Convention Center, where we spent hours oohing and aahing over all the latest and greatest vehicles. By the time we got home it was quite late and I was exhausted. I got up fairly early yesterday intending to get the house prepared for Thanksgiving and finish my cards...which I did. However, I had to take the easier route for this card. Fortunately, I had some great fall-themed paper, ribbon, and chipboard sentiments that I could throw together in a hurry. I refuse to feel guilty about taking the easy way out! That's what is so great about the creative process...you can go as CAS or involved as you want. That's what all that stuff is there for...and I was really thankful for it this week! Hope your Thanksgiving is simple, relaxing, and full of family and friends. The Dream Team (listed at right) has been busy this week creating more Thanksgiving wishes for you to check out, as well as the Dream It Up! blog, which happens to feature another card of mine. On a bonus note...only six more days to submit your creations for the Dream Team call. Go check out all the info! We'd love to have you!

Ho Ho Ho and a Cup O' Joe!

2011-11-22T06:00:00.000-08:00

Quickie post today featuring the Ho Ho Ho Santa from the Murray's Law line of stamps from Gourmet Rubber Stamps. I love this line as they are full of sarcastic and cynical humor...the best kind. For this card, I created a pocket on the front of the card that will hold a gift card for a local coffee/tea/cocoa place (in my case...Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf). I have several more of cynical Santa, so be expecting to see more of him in future posts! Meanwhile, you can check out the entire line on the GRS website, along with several other lines including Lizzie Anne Designs.

I'll Have a Blue Christmas Without You

2011-11-20T16:01:00.000-08:00

Today is my day on the revolving wheel of Woodware to post for this week's challenge...to Pick a Color and Stick With It! Obviously, I went with blue, and am still in holiday mode as I need a few more cards to complete my card list for this year. This card features the Dreamweaver Stencils' Oval Ornament and Kaleidoscope which layered together to create the ornament shape with the Kaleidoscope pattern. I taped the Kaleidoscope stencil under the Oval Ornament stencil before taping them both down on my textured cardstock with removable tape. With a "sludge mix" of Glossy Blue and Regular White Embossing Pastes, I spread the color over the stencil, removed the excess, and set the panel aside to dry after removing the stencil. Be sure to clean the stencils right away with a little warm water and a nail brush. While the paste was still wet, I poured Stampendous Midnight Blue Glitter from the Holiday Tinsel Glitter Kit over the pasted image. The paste takes around thirty minutes to dry (about half that if you place it on an electric griddle set on low). Meanwhile, the card was formed from medium blue cardstock, with a panel of patterned paper which mimics the Kaleidoscope design rather well. To emphasize this, I stenciled the pattern onto the panel using the deep blue shade from the ColorBox Chalk Ink "Chocolate and Blueberries" set. The pasted panel was adhered to the card, a Stampendous Star Greetings sentiment was added, along with a sheer ribbon bow, and a Dreamweaver Stencils' Embellishment Pin coated with the same deep blue ink inserted through. (Be careful to ensure the pin point is tucked under the layers of paper.) If you haven't been to the Woodware UK blog yet, check it out, and while you are there, follow the links to the rest of the team of Woodware wonders as they complete this challenge in their own unique and colorful way.

The Chipboard Challenge Continues...

2011-11-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

We are into the third week now of the Stampendous November Chipboard Challenge. The team has been showing a variety of ways to highlight Stampendous images and products with chipboard elements. For my cards today, I used the Painting With Powder Technique on my chipboard ovals. The ovals were covered with Versamark ink before pouring Periwinkle Embossing Powder over the sky area, and White Embossing Powder over the area that will include the snow families and their snowy domain. After this first layer has been melted and cooled, talcum powder was rubbed over the surface to prevent EP from the next step from migrating. Then I stamped and embossed in black images from either the Perfectly Clear Winter Warm or Perfectly Clear Snow Place sets, and flakes from either set embossed in white in the sky. Using a glue pen, I applied Shaved Ice Frantage Elements and Apple Red Glitter. Using plain white cards with embossed panels, I adhered my chipboard ovals over another embossed panel and both to the card. The sentiment was simply Class A' Peel Holiday Greetings in Mirror Red. The sentiment from the clear set was stamped on the inside along with a few more flakes. We are challenging YOU to play along with us this month, and link your creation to the Stampendous Impressions' blog by December 1st, for an opportunity to win the new Cling Jumbo Songbird. Need some more inspiration? Here you go:

Taylor Usry

Wendy Jordan

Suzanne Czosek

Pam Hornschu (me)

Stampendous Blog

While you are visiting the Stampendous blog, be sure to check out our latest group of BlogStars! Also, did you know Stampendous is offering FREE shipping on all orders $50 or over (to US/APO/FPO addresses)?! Use the promo code FREESHIP and stock up on some goodies!! And if you are in Southern California, make plans to stop by the new Stampendous Outlet store!

DW Sketch #12-Thinking Upside-Down

2011-11-17T06:00:00.000-08:00

Ever looked at something in a different way? Not quite the normal way? This week as I worked on the Dreamweaver Stencils' Dream Team sketch challenge provided by Wendy, I did just that. Her sketch as seen to the left, was straightforward enough, and I quickly had my elements stenciled, cut out, and ready to be assembled. That's when I looked at the gorgeous new Christmas Tree stencil...upside-down! I've loved this stencil since it was released at CHA in July. Fun borders that mimic Icelandic sweater patterns...so fun that I begged Lynell to come out with an entire background of these patterns. (Maybe next year? Please?) I wanted to add just a little interest in the background on my card ('cuz you know I have a hard time with CAS!), and noticed the little wedge next to the angled panel, and got the idea of stenciling the tree upside-down to fit into the space. I flipped it right-side-up on the right side to balance it out. These were simply stenciled with Splendor Magic ink using the larger brush to cover more surface area with ink in a quicker timer period. The sentiment panel also features a portion of the same tree along with the small Happy Holidays. The stockings were from the Stockings by Fireplace and were paper-pieced with cute papers from WeRMemoryKeepers. With the deeper tones and plaid patterns, this card would work well for the men on your Christmas card list and their families as well. Now it's going to be fun to see what the rest of the team have done with Wendy's sketch. Let's go check them out, along with the Dream It Up! blog as well:

Dream It Up! blog

Kristi

Wendy

Louise

Laura

Liz

Georgia

Lee

Terrece

Want to show us what you've got? Bring it on! Post your creation to the Mr. Linky on the Dream It Up! blog...then keep on going! We have a design team call out right now until November 30th. You can find all the info HERE. This is a great opportunity to take your creativity to another level!

Would You Be Looking for Woodware?

2011-11-15T06:05:00.000-08:00

If you are here for my Woodware UK post, please scroll down, or click HERE!

GRS is Cooking Up Some Fall Challenge Fun!

2011-11-15T06:00:00.000-08:00

Today is our first team challenge post with Gourmet Rubber Stamps. Our challenge for November was to be inspired by the photo above. The card that I created features an image entitled "Fall", from the Marsha McCarthy line from GRS, simply stamped in Rich Cocoa ink on this softly patterned paper from Best Creation. This paper was used as the background as well, and is softly mottled with several of the shades in the challenge palette. A "Fanciful Flourish" from the Lizzie Anne Designs' line was stamped in the upper corner. The "Gratitude" sentiment from LAD "Everyday Sayings" was stamped on a panel from Memory Box. To highlight the fall theme, I punched a border in kraft cardstock with my EK Argyle edger, and layered a Creative Impressions Leaves strip over the top. My favorite touch in the inspiration pic is the hint of aqua on the acorn and leaves, so this became the card and mat color for the card. Be sure to check out what the rest of our team (including our two newest members, Joy and Kelli!) have created for the challenge. I always love to see what a different take others come up with on these challenges. Come play along, we'd love to see what YOU come up with as well!
And, bonus! All the Gourmet Rubber Stamps are on sale 25% off for "Black November"! How fab is that? While you pick up some stocking stuffers, or great sets for creating your holiday cards, tags, etc., sign yourself up for the monthly Newsletter and the Diner's Club. Or, send out a not-so-subtle hint to your loved ones that you would love to have that for a holiday gift this year!

Going Traditional with Woodware UK...Maybe...

2011-11-14T16:01:00.000-08:00

This is a happy day for me. Last week I was invited to be part of the Woodware UK Design Team. If you are not familiar with Woodware, they are a distributor in the UK of craft labels predominantly found in the US. Fortunately for me, they carry a huge selection of both Stampendous and Dreamweaver Stencils' product lines. A couple of months back, the Woodware UK team collaborated with the Dreamweaver team on a blog hop. It was a great learning experience on both sides of the pond! Now I get to play with the WW team some more.
For my post today, the weekly challenge was for traditional Christmas. Now, if you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that I normally do not do really traditional, but this card came close. The focal point of the card is the Holly & Swirls stencil from Dreamweaver Stencils, which I love, love, love! The panel was created at CHA Summer in Rosemont, Illinois, in July, as part of a demonstration I was doing in our booth of the double-glitter technique. Normally, our Dreamweaver Stencils' team sweetheart, Laura Drahozal, demonstrates this as she is the queen of the double-glitter technique, but that day we gave her a short break. The Double Glitter technique normally goes like this:

1) Cut piece of Double-sided Adhesive as desired. Remove carrier from one side and save.
2) Adhere adhesive to panel of cardstock (in this case, white). Remove the other carrier sheet.
3) Using Hawaiian Soap bar, cover back of stencil thoroughly*. Use a soft brush to remove any bits of soap from inside the image area. Place Holly & Swirls Stencil soap side down on your adhesive panel. Use saved carrier sheet (not your fingers) to press stencil into place.
4) Carefully pour the Stampendous Emerald Green Jewel Glitter over the leaf and stem areas** and use your carrier again to press and rub the glitter into the spaces for great coverage. Brush off excess glitter and save.
5) Carefully add Stampendous Red Jewel Glitter where the holly berries would be**, rub in, brush off excess. (Note: Be careful to brush away all excess glitter!)
6) Remove stencil from the adhesive panel (soap will wash off easily with water...because it's...soap!)
7) Pour Stampendous Multi Crystal Glitter to cover background areas. Rub in with carrier sheet, brush away excess and save.

So, you noticed that before the directions I had said that normally this was the process? However, this was one of those cases where the expression, "Mistakes are just opportunities for embellishment", is so true. If I had been more careful, I would have realized when I placed the stencil down, that there was still sticky area uncovered and just waiting for unintended glitter to migrate over there, which is what glitter does best. I should have masked off those areas with the carrier sheets, but I forgot. Now remember, I was demo-ing this process. Have to make it look good...what can I do? What any self-respecting paper crafter would do! I added more colors of glitter in those areas to appear intentional. In the end, I liked it better that way! But if you are a purist, follow all the directions. In my demo, I also showed how you can use the Dreamweaver Stencils' Picasso to mask off areas as you stencil various colors of Tsukineko's Splendor Circus ink pad to add shading and highlights to the glittered panel.
To complete the card, I cut around a couple of the leaves and pulled them up for dimension, before adhering the panel to my layered card. A Stampendous sticker sentiment, some yummy red rhinestones, and pretty sheer ruffled ribbon completes the card.

The Woodware UK Design Team posts six days a week on a revolving schedule, with challenges for each week. So be sure to check out the Woodware UK blog to visit the rest of their super-talented team!

*Soaping the stencil prevents the stencil from sticking permanently without leaving residue that glitter won't stick to.
**A trick for placing glitter where you want it is to cut a drinking straw at a sharp angle, and use this as your "spoon" to apply your glitter.

'Tis the Season to be Encrusted!

2011-11-12T05:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Stampendous "Fran•tage Encrusted Jewel Hop"! All of us on the Stampendous Design Teams are sooo excited about this new technique...an accidental creative process discovered by our own Fran Seiford, Chief Artistic Officer at Stampendous! There is a quote that says, "There are no mistakes, just opportunities for embellishment!" How true is that? Today our super-creative-with-mistakes designers are excited to show you how you can deliberately create with gorgeous sloppiness. For more info on the process of Encrusting with the Fran•tage Essentials, check out the YouTube video HERE. Here's the list of our Encrusted Hoppers for today:

Stampendous Impressions' Blog

Cyndi Bundy

Trudee Sauer

Jennifer Dove

Pam Hornschu (ME!)

Wendy Price

Taylor Usry

Wendy Jordan

Lynn Mercurio

Krissy Fossmeyer

Rachel Sztonyk

Suzanne Czosek

As you hop from blog to blog, oohing and aahing over the Encrusted Jewel fabulousness, be sure to leave some love (and your contact email) for the designers, as well as on the Stampendous blog. Your comments are your insurance that you have an opportunity to win one of four blog candy goody boxes* of Stampendous Fran•tage Essentials for you to create your own Encrusted Jewel goodness:

Aged Black Prize Package

Aged Silver Prize package

Aged Gold Prize Package

Shabby White Prize Package

For my post, I'm featuring this "Precious Gifts" Box, which was created for the Stampendous holiday 2011 catalog. Technically, I think it even works for this month's "Chipboard Challenge" since the box was created from chipboard. Lol. Hey, works for me.

Okay, so it may not be gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but the bottles hold some yummy scented bath products...bath oil, bubble bath, and bath salts. The box started out as paper mache before I started painting it, Fran•taging it, and gilding it. The border around the box was done with the Stampendous Antique Embossing technique. The "brass" name plaque on the front was simply a metallic gold cardstock die cut. "Precious Gifts" was embossed in the Aged Gold Fran•tage Elements before a bit more smudging and aging was added.

The inside lid of the box was also stamped and embossed using the Aged Gold. Love that! Slightly chunky, not too shiny, gorgeous texture. Yummm. The bottles were decorated by covering the tops of the cork lids with Versamark and Aged Gold. The outsides were spritzed with Tsukineko's Goosebumps...a wet and sticky almost gel-like substance that dries leaving bumpy droplets. Before drying you can sprinkle it with any of the Fran•tage Elements...in my case, I used the Gilded Mica Flakes. The tags were also painted and smudged before stamping with the each of the bottles from the Cling Three Gifts image. The bottles can be filled with recipes found on the internet, or pre-purchased items, or even items for the kitchen...flavored oils and vinegars, and fancy sea salts. To be truly creative now, you can't just get inky...you need to get Encrusted!

*US winners only, please.

Dreaming Ornate and Gorgeous!

2011-11-10T06:00:00.000-08:00

We have a Dream Team free week, so I'm taking the opportunity to post one of my favorite cards that I designed for the July Holiday release of Dreamweaver Stencils. The "Christmas Tree" stencil has an almost Icelandic sweater motif design which I love. The stencil was placed on a panel of deep blue cardstock, taped down around the edges, and using the new Paste Spreader, I applied Silver Embossing Paste over the image. Removing the tape and the stencil (be sure to clean right away!), I left the paste to dry. Once dry, I placed a panel of Stampee Holographic Foil over the image face up, and placed this inside a folded piece of printing paper. Then the whole "sandwich" was run through my hot laminator to adhere the foil to the paste. It is hard to tell in the photos, but this left a holographic shimmer over the surface that is unbelievably cool. You'll just need to try it for yourself! I added some lavender rhinestones, adhered the panel to a lavender card which I'd wrapped with yummy ribbon and a bow. Such a gorgeous card. However, if I were to mail it, I think it would have to go in a box, but the shipping cost would be worth it. Imagine the look on the receiver's face when they open this card and compare it against the boxed cards that they received from everyone else. Hmmm? 'Nuff said.
Have you seen the post from Dreamweaver Stencils about the new Design Team call? You can get all the info HERE! This provides you with a great opportunity to play with all the Dreamweaver Stencil products and techniques while showing off your own creative style. Don't forget to check out the rest of the Dream Team's projects this week:

Dream It Up! blog

Kristi

Wendy

Louise

Laura

Liz

Georgia

Lee

Terrece

Positively Angelic!

2011-11-08T21:15:00.000-08:00

I've had kind of a fixation lately with working with the positive and the negative of images, and this new image from Gourmet Rubber Stamps worked perfectly for this process. I stamped the music score from the Lizzie Anne Designs "Good to Be Queen" set with Rich Cocoa Memento ink once over the the one ivory panel, and repeatedly over the second ivory panel. Then after wiping the surface of each with some talcum powder (preventing the EP from adhering other than where I want it), I stamped the angel, from the new GRS "Season's Greetings" Diner's Club set, on the multi-stamped-music panel in Versamark and embossed with Stampee Bonding Powder. I heat this slightly before placing a panel of Stampee Gold Foil over the top, face up. Placing this layered panel between a folded sheet of printer paper, I then ran this through my heat laminator for a perfect cover of foiling on the angel image. When removing the carrier, you could see the angel within. This was used for the second card. For this one, I inked the other ivory panel with the entire Versamark pad just once centered on the panel. This was embossed with the same bonding powder before carefully placing that carrier sheet of foil over the top. This too, was run through the laminator to adhere the reverse portion of the image over the ivory panel. Pretty cool, huh? The remainder of both cards is fairly self-explanatory and simple to reproduce...adding this great sentiment from the GRS (LAD) "Season's Greetings" set and a few rhinestone accents. This technique works the best when you have a fairly solid, recognizable shape, and can even be done with a sentiment if the lines are fairly bold.

CAS143 Peace on Earth

2011-11-07T18:15:00.000-08:00

My friend Taylor was in charge of the CAS (clean and simple) challenge this week at Split Coast Stampers, which gave me even more incentive to play along. My version uses the Dreamweaver Stencils "Peace on Earth", paste-embossed on a medium blue cardstock panel and sprinkled with Stampendous Crystal Glitter. This panel was punched at the edges, adhered over the top of glitter paper, and then on top of the Wassau Crepe cardstock. A couple of rhinestones to accent the snowflakes complete this CAS card for the holidays.

Homey and Sweet

2011-11-06T22:02:00.000-08:00

Quickie post featuring a super simple card created with Gourmet Rubber Stamps Diner's Club set for November, "Season's Greetings". I stamped and embossed the curly tree in white on a kraft panel, matted by a kraft Dotted Swiss panel, on top of a kraft card with just a strip of plaid ribbon. The simple sentiment at the bottom in red, and the one red rhinestone on the tree finish this CAS card off nicely. I kind of wish I'd made an entire batch of this card as I love the simple hominess of this design...maybe I'll just have to do that! Check out the rest of this Diner's Set HERE.

Feeling "Chipper"?

2011-11-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Stampendous November Challenge post! This month our challenge was to use chipboard in some way on our project. This was fun! I have a ton of chipboard shapes that I tend to forget about, so posting for each week of this month will be no issue for me. This week I used these cute ovals. I painted them in white and then covered them in this gorgeous Blizzard Crystal Mix Glitter from Stampendous. The ovals were used to frame these cute little images from the Perfectly Clear Yule Penguins set. The red and pink combination of the Echo Park "Trim the Tree" paper provides a retro and girly feel. I stamped snowflakes from the same clear set in red and pink inks. To add to the "chilly" atmosphere, I added a Martha Stewart edger border from glitter covered paper. Some paper-piecing, baker's twine, and a sparkle pompom finishes off this fun card.To complete the gift set, I created this Chilly Ornament to match the card using most of the same elements and techniques. Then I added some fun beads for sparkle. The rest of the Stampendous Design Teams have been playing with chipboard as well...let's see just what they've been up to:

Cyndi
Taylor

Wendy J.

Lynn

Suzanne (our new team member!)

Krissy

Now it's your chance to go chipboard crazy! Pull out your stash and play along this month. Link your creation(s) to the Stampendous Impressions blog by December 1st, and you have the opportunity to possibly win the Jumbo Cling Songbird set. Be sure to come back next Saturday as we feature Fran's new Encrusted Jewel Technique for a blog hop! While you are visiting the realm of Stampendous fabulousness, be sure to take advantage of this great gift idea for the holidays...and buying two of these will get you free shipping! Wow! What a deal!