My daughter's stampy creations

As know, my daughter Michelle celebrated her 3rd birthday a couple of weeks ago.  I've been meaning to make a few thank you cards for the gifts that have been received, but had put them off in favour of... scrapbooking!  Today Michy decided that she wanted to stamp.   I gave her some Pixie Pink and Brilliant Blue ink and off she went.  

While she was stamping I cut some cardstock for her cards.  I also chopped up her finished stamping masterpiece because giving a 3-year old a paper cutter is never a good thing!  After all of the paper was cut, she became a master gluer, and glued everything together.  I went back in with the Thank You stamp from Enjoy Every Moment, and embossed the words in white.  Or, at least I tried to.  Michy kept brushing the powder off of the card!  They didn't emboss as well as they should have, but hey - they are her cards!

Michy's finished product!!!  

For all of you who have kids, let them stamp!  Just don't let them stamp with Brilliant Blue ink, wearing a light pink shirt.  I'm really hoping that magic will take the ink out...

Watch for the return of Mom and Me stamping soon!

Enjoy!

Oooo... spooky...

The other two projects that were completed by my stamp clubs this week were Hallowe'en projects.   I love the spooky season, which is why I caved 2 days ago and decorated my house with lots of orange, black and purple.  I had tried to just put up the fall decor, but it was trapped inside the big orange/black bin, and Michelle wanted it all up.  How could I say no?

I don't know of anyone that sends Hallowe'en cards, so instead of making cards, we played with paper and treats.  I love the first project because the treat bag holds just enough treats (I've put a few in here, but the bags can certainly hold more than this!).   All of the Designer Paper on these two projects is from Ghostly Greetings.  The stamp set is Batty for You, and I've added some Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, and Old Olive cardstock to round things out.  Anyhow, the paper for the top of the bags is a 5"x 5" square, with an oval cut in the centre of the paper.  The bags are the Clear Translucent medium envelopes from page 167 in the Fall/Winter Idea Book and Catalogue.  50 of these envelopes are $5.95, and they can fit cards as well as treats!  You fill the bags, seal them up, and staple on your paper.  I have then added the Bad to the Bone skull for something fun on the top.

This cute little dude is a bookmark that has been wrapped around an orange TicTac box.  Easy to make, easy to give out, and fun for all!  The Pumpkin Pie cardstock is 7 7/8" x 1 1/2" and the Ghostly Greetings paper has been cut at 7 5/8" x 1 1/4".  The length dimensions are important to ensure that your container is wrapped properly.  Glue them together, and let them dry!!!  Once they are completely dry, cut a notch at 1 1/4" from the top, and another at 1/2" from the bottom.  Make sure they are on opposite sides of the bookmark otherwise you won't be able to hook them together!!  Wrap the bookmark around and hook them together.  Add a cute dude to the top, and you're done!

 

Even though it's a bit early... Happy Hallowe'en!

Christmas Planner Class - registration ends soon!!

The dates or my Christmas planner class are fast approaching.  I still have spots for both the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning class, but these are disappearing quickly!

Class times are as follows: Tuesday, October 14th at 7:30pm OR Wednesday, October 15th at 9:15am.   The cost of the class is $15, and it includes your tin, and all necessary papers, ribbon and accessories to complete your planner (don't worry - your calendar won't be purple!).

If you want to come to either class, please e-mail me at littleinklings@rogers.com or call me at 905-655-9347 to reserve your spot.

Registration closes on October 1st, so make sure you register ASAP!

Enjoy!

Did you know...

That Mark Twain was a scrapbooker?  Really!  Read below...

Scrapbooking can frequently be viewed as a woman's hobby.  There are however, many instances throughout the long history of this popular craft where men have played significant roles in developing the art that is loved my millions of hobbyists today.  Unfortunately, the pull for men in scrapbooking was often the money, while there is plenty of evidence that some of them truly did enjoy scrapbooking as a hobby.  Here are some of the finer achievements of men in scrapbooking history.

In the mid 1800's, London based "W.H. Rock" began producing leather albums with pre-printed pages of flowers and birds.  These albums became popular for scrapbooking hobbyists.  

In 1857, the producing of "carte-de-vista" albums, containing photographic pockets, became popular.

Mark Twain, best known for Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, invented "Mark Twain's Adhesive Scrapbook" with pre-pasted pages.  This idea was one of his most loved business adventures, possibly because it earned him over $50,000.  Don't be too easily fooled, however, because Mark Twain enjoyed scrapbooking so much that he devoted his Sunday afternoons to keeping his scrapbooking albums up to date.

Thomas Jefferson was an addicted scrapbooker.  His albums included news clippings, drawings, and dried leaves.  Men in the eighteenth century helped to produce "Dutch Gilt" or "Dutch Flowered Papers" (lithography or stencilling in Holland or Germany) using wood, metal, or blocks.  Originally intended to line cupboards, these patterns quickly became a favourite in the scrapbooks of the day.  

In the 1870s, companies began mass producing embossed paper for use in scrapbooking albums.

While stickers, iron-on letters, buttons, rubber stamps and metal accents are used today in scrapbooking, the Prang Company developed "album cards" for use in scrapbooks of the nineteenth century.  These sets of ten cards were pictures of birds, flowers, or landscapes to be used in scrapbooks.  

Most ninteenth centre scrapbooks have "calling cards" in them.  These decorated cards were left by guests at the host's home.  They eventually made their way into many scrapbooks because of the fond memories of wonderful parties and dances, not just be women, but as you have already guessed, by men.

Credit goes to Linda Plett (www.virtualinking.com) for sharing this information with fellow stampers.

An extremely cute (and easy!) baby card

Today's offering is a card that my stamp club will be creating this week.  I saw the original on Corrine Sommerville's blog, and LOVED it!  So, I thought that it would be a good card for my stamp club to have fun with.  

I have used Pink Pirouette paper for the body of this card (as well as the sentiment), along with Bella Rose paper for inside the scallop.  The sentiment is from Say It with Scallops.  This set is this year's Ronald McDonald House set for 2008-2009.  Stampin' Up! will donate $2 from the sale of each set to Ronald McDonald House Charities.  The sentiment is embossed using White embossing powder, and has been punched using the new square scallop punch.  I have also inked the edges of the square, and added some Stampin' Dimensionals to the back.

The 2" circle at the top was cut out using my CM circle cutters (I know!  They're not SU!  But I've had them for three years now...).  I also punched a small hole on each side of the semi-circle, and fed some Whisper White grosgrain ribbon through.  

What a cute card!!!  And sooooo easy to make.

Just as an FYI... my Monday stamp club for the next group is completely full.  The Thursday group has 5 confirmed members, and 2 "I'm almost sure" members.  So, there's really only one for sure spot left.  If you want it, let me know.  Quickly!  The next round of stamp club begins in late November, but you definitely want to confirm your spot now.

Happy stamping!

Very Spooky...

Stampin' Up! has released an awesome Decor Element - just in time for Halloween!!!  It's a Spooky Spider, and he's hot!  He comes in three sizes and two colours, and he co-ordinates with our Ghostly Greetings DSP and our Chills & Thrills Rub-Ons.  

Check him out here!

Let me know if you'd like to order one.  I will have 2 orders going in this week, so he'll arrive in the first week of October - just in time for Halloween decorating!

Big Shot Scallop Circle Cards

I was trolling through some of my favourite blogs last week and came across Scallop cards in Corrine Somerville's blog.  She had made some scallop style cards using her Big Shot, so I just had to give it a try!  I made 4 of them on Friday evening, of which I've already posted one (Michelle's birthday card).  Here's the second!

I made two of these cards, with slightly different colour combinations for the centre flowers.  Corrine has a great demonstration on her blog on how to cut these cards, but here's the basics.  Take a piece of 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock and cut it in half.  Fold one half in two, and line it up with the scallop die ($23.95) for the Big Shot.  The key is to ensure that 5-6 of the scallops are visible, on the edge with the fold (ie. don't cover the entire scallop die with your cardstock).  You can then run the die through the Big Shot and it easily cuts through both layers.  This card was made using Not Quite Navy cardstock.  

Using my Creative Memories circle cutters, I cut a 3 1/2" circle for the centre of the card using one of the papers in the Maine Blueberry DSP.  Corrine has this on one of her blog cards and I loved the look.  The flowers on my card were cut using the Flower Layers die ($18.95).  I cut the flowers three times, in Old Olive, Not Quite Navy and Bashful Blue, and ended up with three full sets of flowers that I could then layer in a multitude of colour combinations.  A half pearl from the Pretties kit was added to the centre, and I added some Old Olive ribbon to the top.  I haven't added any sentiments to the card because... I'm not sure who's getting it.  When I made this card I was really just playing with my Big Shot, and having fun.  There's lots more that could be added - if I find the time...

The full list of available Sizzix dies will be available in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini catalogue on October 1st.   The dies and Big Shot are available NOW!  If you would like to purchase any of the dies, or the Big Shot itself, give me a call, drop me an e-mail, or try our convenient Online Ordering!!!

Happy stamping!

Michy's birthday card

My darling daughter celebrated her 3rd birthday yesterday.  Here's the card that I made for her last night, using my Big Shot and my large scallop die.  I LOVE Pink Pirouette paper!!!  The floral paper is from the Bella Rose DSP, and I've faintly coloured the Pretties before I added them to the card.  My only disappointment is that the glue from the Tombow Multi-Purpose Adhesive shows through the Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon.  Oh well, live and learn.

Did Michy like her card?  No idea.  She looked at and tossed it aside.  There were presents to unwrap!

 

Enjoy!

The last load o' boxes

Thanks to everyone who came to one of my box classes this week.  I had oodles of fun, and I'm really happy that everyone came away with some fun boxes.

I spent my entire day cleaning my kitchen yesterday, so I didn't do a lick of stamping, or even tidying in my stampy area.  This afternoon I decided to tidy up.  However...  that meant that I had to finish all of the boxes that had been cut but not made.  So, I put together another 10 boxes this afternoon, and filled them with cards and envelopes for my hostesses.  8 of the boxes were like the ones already posted (either the exact same, or different patterns of the same designer paper). 

These two are different in that I completely went away from the colours on the other boxes.

 This purse uses Summer Picnic paper, with a sprinkle of Real Red, and Bashful Blue cardstock.  

I really like how this one turned out.  The base is Not Quite Navy, and the top is made using Maine Blueberry DSP.  The flower, leaves, and swirls came from Stitched Exotics, and the sentiment is from Thank You Kindly.  Ink you ask?  Bashful Blue and Not Quite Navy.

I'm off to pick up kids from school.  This evening I'm hoping to make Michelle's birthday card.  I can't believe that she turns 3 tomorrow!!!

Happy stamping!

So... who are we?

I was fortunate today to receive this photo from Jennifer Tinline, a very successful stamper, and a member of my upline.  She took it during the Mega-Meeting festivities on Saturday (where we had oodles and oodles of fun!).

So, who's who?  From left to right... Sharon Zinner, Wendy Fee, Karen Kane, and Colleen Weddell.  These three ladies are in my immediate downline, and are all awesome stampers!

I'm heading off to dreamland.  My box class this evening was successful, and my dining room is a disaster, but when you have three kids, you need your beauty sleep.  If anyone has tips though on how to get my cat to stop sleeping on my pillow at 2am, I'd love to hear them.

Happy stamping!

W

More Mega-Meeting Cards

I hope you enjoyed the swap cards that I posted yesterday.  Today I am posting photos of the six cards that we all created at the meeting on Saturday.  

First up is a very cute card that uses the birds from Zoofari.  I have made cards before using this card recipe (4 rectangles with a square in the centre) and have found them to be easy and effective.  This card uses Pink Pirouette and Baja Breeze ink and paper.  The birds have been coloured using ink refills and blender pens, and the centre square is actually a small card attached to the front of the larger card.  The feather adds a unique touch.

This card was stamped using the Upsy Daisy set.  The colours used are More Mustard and Really Rust.  The frame was die cut using the Big Shot and the Top Note Bigz Die (one of our exclusive Stampin' Up! dies for the Big Shot).  I'd love to say that I stamped this one but...  I completely forgot to stamp one of my cards and this was the one!  Colleen and Jennifer Tinline kindly put this one together for me.

 

The main image on this card was stamped using the Christmas stamp from a Flower for all Seasons.  This is a great set for those that are just beginning to colour images.  They are all fairly small, and easy to colour. 

I LOVE the simplicity of this card.  I think it's going to be one of my workshop cards for the next couple of months.  The colours are Night of Navy, and Whisper White.  The centre is Silver cardstock, and the images have been embossed using silver detail embossing powder.  Very elegant.

Pink and black are two colours that are outstanding together.  The butterflies are from the new Flight of the Butterfly set, which uses the 2-step stamping method.  It is quite easy to match the outlines to the main butterfly below.  

 

Inspired by Nature is a set that contains 2 large images, and 2 sentiments.  We stamped the grass in Kiwi Kiss, and then overlaid the flowers in Chocolate Chip.  A simply but striking card.

We had a lot of fun stamping and chatting.  If you would like to attend the next mega-meeting, you need to become a demonstrator.  E-mail me at littleinklings@rogers.com or give me a call at 905-655-9347 to chat about it further.  

Happy stamping!

Mega-Meeting swaps

Yesterday was a very busy, but very fun day.  I was at Laura Robinson's Mega-Meeting, along with 90 other Stampin' Up! Demonstrators.  We swapped cards, made cards, watched some awesome WOW presentations, and caught up on the news with other demos in Laura's downline.

I made 40 swap cards, and was able to trade all of them with other demos.  In addition, I picked up 16 cards from Jennifer Tinline's shoebox swap that was held at the end of August.  There were some terrific cards in my basket at the end of the afternoon!

My swap card is based on a card that I created for my holiday Stamp-A-Stack last Christmas.  I've changed the colours and the stamps on the "ornaments" (last year's card was created using Always Artichoke & Red Rose).  The snowflakes are from Season of Joy, and the sentiment is from Wonderful Words.  The colours are Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White.  The silver cord isn't available now... but it will be in October when the elastic cord returns to the Holiday Mini Catalogue.

I have added some of the cards created by members of my downline.  Sharon Zinner created this really cute Christmas card using the Level 2 hostess set Deer Friends, and Heard from the Heart.  I love the chipboard heart that she's added!

This card was created by Colleen Weddell.  It uses Ginormous Flowers, and every colour of ink from our updated In Colour line.  The sentiment is from All Holidays.  An easy card to make with lots of visual impact.

Karen Kane designed this lovely card using Fruit Stand, and Heard from the Heart.  This card is easy to colour, but has a great visual impact.

This adorable Halloween card was made by Dana Aitken, a talented demonstrator under Sharon Zinner.  She used the Batty for You set, along with some Ghostly Greetings Designer Series Paper and Kiwi Kiss Striped Ribbon.  The googly eyes add a great touch!

Finally, a really cute card from demonstrator Karen Green, also part of Sharon's downline. The card features the set Window Dressing, which is a Level 3 hostess set.  Karen did an excellent job watercolouring the card and its background.  I love this card!  I'm sure the fact that I love cats has something to do with it...

Stay tuned for tomorrow's installment of my loony stamping blog.  I'll be posting pics of the cards that we made at the meeting.

Enjoy!

And the Winners Are...

Thanks to everyone who came out to my Retired Stamp Sale on Sunday (and Monday, and Tuesday...).  Everyone who came out walked away with some amazing stamps, and all are anxiously awaiting the delivery of their new goodies!!!  The order has gone in, and hopefully everything will ship in a day or two.

There were 4 door prizes up for grabs, and everyone who came out received at least one entry into the prize draw.

Our winners are:

Carolyn Beam - Lots of Thoughts stamp set

Mawara Lawrence - Birthday Whimsy stamp set

Melissa Skitch - A Little Bit of Happiness stamp set

Kathy Colvin - a big stack of envelopes for all of the cards that you've been making!

Tomorrow I will try to post a photo of the card that I'm swapping at our big Mega-meeting in Burlington.  Here's a hint for you... it's blue and there are snowflakes in it.  I know, it's only September, but the time for planning your Christmas cards is coming up quickly!

Enjoy! 

Online Shopping is here! Shop Stampin' Up! anytime - day or night!

Today is an exciting day!  As of today, you can order Stampin' Up! products online!!  This is wonderful news for those people that do a lot of shopping online (like me!).  The holiday season is fast approaching, and this is an easy way to order any supplies that you need for your cards, tags or gifts.  It's also an easy way to order gifts for the paper crafters or home decorators that are on your list.  

It's also perfect for those occasions where you are working on something, realize that you are missing a key component, and want to place an order while you are thinking about the item that you are missing.  

You can also receive hostess rewards with all qualifying orders.  Click here to see the current hostess benefits table.  

Orders can be placed from anywhere within Canada, and can be shipped to your door.  Follow these easy instructions to get started:

1.  Visit my demonstrator website at www.littleinklings.stampinup.net

2.  Click on SHOP NOW in the top right corner

3.  Click on customer login to set up a personal shipping account

4.  Shop!!!

If you have any questions, please e-mail me at littleinklings@rogers.com

Thanks!!

W

Playin' with my Big Shot!

Okay... first question... what on earth is a Big Shot?

Well, let me tell you.  It's something fun that you can use to create lots of wonderful die-cuts for your cards and scrapbooks.  The Sizzix Big Shot for Stampin' Up! is a sturdy manual die cutting maching used to die cut materials for crafts, home decor projects, and even clothing!

You can use regular Sizzix dies, or one of our Stampin' Up! exclusive dies to create die cuts and stencils with our artwork and designs.  In addition, it works with all competitive dies (you should see how well it cut my QuicKutz dies!), and the steel rule dies can cut through an impressive list of 50 different materials!!!

You probably already guessed that I own a QuicKutz tool (a Squeeze).  I have thought about buying a Cuttlebug, but am glad that I waited.  This tool is a dream to use, and there are some gorgeous dies!!!  I will start using this fabulous tool in my upcoming classes and workshops - keep an eye on the calendar!!

For more info about this awesome product, you can click here to go to the Stampin' Up! site and check it out.  Do you want to see it in action and try it for yourself???  E-mail me at littleinklings@rogers.com and we'll set something up!

Woo!!!

Stamp Sale tomorrow!

Don't forget - I'm having my big stamp sale tomorrow!!!  I have lots of sets, along with some retired accessories up for sale.

Don't forget - for every dollar that you spend on retired items, you get the same value in current product from the catalogue.   2 for 1 on retired items?  Woo!!!

The time is 1-3pm, and the place is my house.  Call if you need directions at 905-655-9347!

See you there!

The Basic Card Box - Priceless style!

The last box that I will be posting is the basic card box.  We will be making this box in my upcoming card box class.  The original class on Tuesday, September 16th is full.  However, I've opened a second class on Monday, September 15th at 9:15am.  Please e-mail or call if you'd like to come.

For those of you that come to this second class, be warned... small children are allowed to come!!!  Why you ask?  My daughter (who turns 3 on September 19) will have someone to play with!

Anyhow, this box was put together using Taken with Teal and Apricot Appeal Cardstock and ink.  The stamps are from Priceless.  It's not the best stamping that I've ever done, but there's a story to go with that...

One day very soon I'll post the templates for all of the boxes that are in my blog.   Once I can figure out how to do that.  Hmmm...

Enjoy!

It's time to plan for Christmas!!

I'm planning out the month of October (yes, I know it's only September 4th), and have just scheduled in October's class of the month.  What we will be making?  Christmas planners!!!  Just in time for the holiday season.

The planner is really functional as it includes spaces to hold different lists and items, as well as a pen and a calendar (not included in the photos, but will be part of the class).  Each participant will be able to personalize their planner, and I have not added any dates so that the planner can be used each year.  

I am offering the classes at 2 different times, to help people schedule around their busy lives.  Classes are as follows:

Tuesday, October 14th at 7:30pm

Wednesday, October 15th at 9:15am

The cost for the class is $15/tin.  If you would like to attend, please e-mail or call by October 1st to reserve your spot.  These classes will likely fill up quickly!! 

Enjoy!

A Calming Cup of Green Tea

Wow!  What a busy week!!!  I'm really hoping that things will start to settle down now that the kids are back in school.  I have a sneaking suspicion though that the opposite will happen!

I have another box to share with you this afternoon.  The base to the box is the same as the Candied Cherry box, however this time I've added a lid.  This is another of the boxes that we will be making in our upcoming box class on September 16th.  The class is currently full, but if I have enough interest, I will hold a second class.  E-mail me if you want to come!

The base has been constructed using Baja Breeze cardstock, and has been stamped using one of the stamps from Embrace Life.  I have stamped it first in Old Olive, and then in Versamark.  As a result, one set of flowers stands out while the rest fade into the background.  

The lid of the box was constructed using Green Tea Designer Series Paper.  I have added a splash of Baja Breeze striped ribbon, and have secured the ribbon to the lid using a jumbo brad.  I found the brad a bit of a challenge to put in because I assembled the lid before I punched the hole.  I think that our upcoming box class will use Build-A-Brads instead.  

Enjoy!!

W