Peek-a-Boo Owl

Singing..."Oh what a night..late December back in '63" (LOL)
Last night was my Holiday Stamp-a-Stack and it was quite a night...thank you all to who came out and 'suffered' through it!! It was pretty crazy~ who knew stampin' could be so stressful??
It was crazy fun...a whole lot of "pass me the scissors, can you hand me the snail...oops I messed up" etc. Here are the goodies for the games and door prize:

Upstairs as everyone arrived, they got started making the 'Holiday Gift Card Holders' posted here.

Then as people finished their stockings, they could head downstairs to my 'Stampin' Studio'...ummm it's really my basement...but calling it a 'studio' sounds better!! (wink)

There were three different stations to create their cards, (2 each of each design).

Thanks to everyone who came out and hopefully I will see you again Oct. for my Breast Cancer Awareness Stamp Camp. BIG hugs!!

 

Now...here is such a clever idea I got from a fellow demonstrator Emma Fewkes . She has an amazing blog and I fell in love with this idea about a year ago~ printed off her PDF instructions and then stashed it away in my 'to-create' pile. Do you have one of those?? So here we are a year or so later, I sat down to give it a try...and love it!! I showed the kids who also loved it and suggested that I do a video tutorial on this...I contacted Emma and asked if she would mind, she gave me her blessing so that is what I will be sharing with you early in the week. Thanks again Emma!!
Here is the card closed:

Here it is open:

I told you it is freaking cute!!!

On the left side I will write something like..."Guess Whooo's" then you see the "Thinking of You" sentiment stamped on the right.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Sassy Salutations (126707 C)
Card Stock: Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Garden Green
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Access: Basic Pearls (119247), Big Shot (113439),Woodgrain embossing folder (127821), Extra-Wide Oval punch (119859), Bird Builder punch (117191), Owl builder punch (118074), 2-way glue pen (100425), sticky strip (104294), Brushed Bronze designer buttons (127833), linen thread (104199), glue dots (103683), Riding Hood Red 3/8" taffeta ribbon (122988), stamping sponges (101610)

Hope you all have a fabulous day!!
Stampin' hugs,
Erin

Shop Online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)
www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com

So Sorry~Serene Silhouettes

A quick post today, I have loads of laundry that need tending to, a house to clean and errands to run. I also have Bunco this evening~ it's a busy day today!! You want to know what all that means?? That I will do a 'few' loads of laundry...wash the dishes (maybe) and stamp the rest of the day till Bunco! 

I LOVE this stamp set:

Me gusta mucho!! Muy bueno...and no I don't speak spanish!

It's called Serene Silhouettes and the gallery over on SCS is AMAZING...for not only this set!! Anyway...I was inspired by this card. I liked hers so much that decided to try it.

I like sponges over using the brayer, I always end up with lines that I can't stand...much smoother look with a sponge (for me anyway!). This card came together pretty quickly and the sentiment was a perfect match to the branches~ 'So Sorry' is another great stamp set...there are a bunch of good ones in there for the inside (I was thoughtless, I forgot, for your loss etc.) Oops...I did it again..(LOL) I spritzed it with some shimmer!!
Here is a close-up: I love the way the shimmer is picked up in the flash...so purdy!

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Serene Silhouettes (127324 C), So Sorry (126527 C)
Card Stock: More Mustard, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Ink: Soft Suede, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight
Access: 3/8" Soft Suede taffeta ribbon (122967), 1 1/4" circle punch (119861), Champagne Mist shimmer paint (mixed with rubbing alcohol)

Have a great day!!
I have a REALLY cute card that I will share with you tomorrow~ it might make you 'freak' your freak out!!

-Erin
Shop Online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)
www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com

Holiday Stocking Gift Card Holder

Feeling a wee bit sluggish today, didn't sleep well. First of all~ I went to bed probably later than I should have. Do you watch the show Parenthood?? I LOVE it...it is probably my favorite show right now...besides Survivor. Parenthood has such a great cast of characters, the stories and events are true to life~ job loss, parents aging, adoption, sending your first child to college.. sounds depressing but really it's not. The families are just real and you feel their emotions (well...I do anyway..call me a sissy!).
Lastnight's episode was very moving and the tears were flowing, Christina's character and her doctor have found a tumor in her breast. A friend of mine lost her sister to this horrible disease.
My son's 5th grade teacher has been a teacher in our community for quite a few years now, and currently undergoing treatment. She will be on a medical leave of absence until at least February. My heart goes out to everyone that has had to deal with this illness, who have fought the battle and for those who have lost.
October as you know is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During that month I will be focusing my attention to raising awareness, making cards/crafts that will be donated and lastly hosting October's Stamp Camp as a fundraiser to benefit NBCAM.

Together..there is HOPE

Now...we really need a 'pick me up' right??
Here's some inspiration for your crafty little mind~

This Friday I am hosting a Holiday Stamp-a-Stack and the guests will be making 4 of these cuties.
This stocking was made using the Holiday Stocking die (124098) click here to watch a video tutorial by a fellow demonstrator Michelle Suit (thanks Michelle)!!
Close-up:

Here is a picture of the inside, it holds a gift card~the perfect gift!

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Tags til Christmas (121169 C)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Candlelight Christmas Specialty DSP (126901)
Ink: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
Access: Big Shot (113439), Lacy Brocade embossing folder (127819), linen thread (104199), Cherry Cobbler 1/2" seam binding ribbon (120992), stamping sponges (101610), 1" square punch (124094), Champagne Mist Shimmer paint (116806), word window punch (119857)

Back to work I go...need to fingure out what games we will play on Friday! Have a great day!
-Stampin' hugs,
Erin

Shop Online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)
www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com

CC394 Color Challenge 'Take-Two'

Ch-ch-ch-chilly!! What a beautiful fall morning!!! Yesterday I noticed the leaves are beginning to change here in Virginia...so pretty!

I should start counting the days that it takes me to turn the heat on in my house! (I believe that this is Day 2). It seems weird that I look forward to heading down into the basement to not only stamp...but to get warm!! I plug in my space heater at my stampin' desk (Shhhhh!).
The blinds/curtains everywhere in the house are pulled open to let the sunshine in...I know it will warm up a bit later, but wowsers...I'm sitting here drinking my coffee...which is making me mad (my cup keeps getting cold!) wearing a big ol' hoodie, sweatpants and big fluffy socks..feeling sexy!

The first thing I did this morning was check my e-mail, went to Facebook...then to www.splitcoaststampers.com to see what this weeks Color Challenge is~

These are so fun, if you have not yet tried one (any challenge) I highly recommend it. It is inspirational..get's the juices flowing. I think the coolest part is seeing what everyone else makes using the same guidelines...they are ALL different!

This week you for the CC394 Color Combination was to use Pacific Point, Not Quite Navy and Sahara Sand. I knew immediatly that I was going to use the Lovely As a Tree stamp set.

This set has been around for awhile and I still love it~

Here is my 1st card:

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Lovely As a Tree (127793 C)
Card Stock: Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Pacific Point and Vellum
Ink: Basic Black, Pacific Point
Access: Big Shot (113439), Adorning Accents Edgelits (125595), Adorning Accents folders (125601), stamping sponges (101610), 2-way glue pen (100425), metallic brads (119741), dazzling diamonds glitter (102023)

To be honest..I hate it~ I had a really tough time with these colors...guess that's why they call it a 'Challenge' . I knew I wanted to use vellum and make a mirror image of th trees..that part I was okay with. Then I started adding the Dazzling Diamonds glitter here and there along the branches and thought "Hmmmm...what about making a more defined pond. I used the Adorning Accents folder and it's really cool to use on vellum because it turns it white. Added some more glitter along that edge and sponged the water with the Pacific Point ink, hard to tell from the photo but I have attached the vellum to Sahara Sand CS and below I have a matching cut piece of Pacific Point...so I did use all the colors..just not happy with how it turned out~ so back to the drawing board.

Wait for it....

I then made this one~

Now...this one is pretty cool and the the kids LOVE it..(smile).
Here is a close-up:

Inside:

This technique is called 'Acetate and Tissue'...click here for a tutorial on SCS. I was sitting at my desk and the acetate sheet was staring at me from making the 'mirror image' on the first card....so I used it...sometimes your scraps are very useful!! The re-inker colors I used were Pacific Point and Not Quite Navy (guess you figured that!). When I flipped it over though..you really couldn't see the 'black' trees anymore so I re-stamped them using a sponge dauber and Platinum Shimmer paint.
Supplies:
Stamp Set: Lovely As a Tree (127793 C), Curly Cute (120510 C)
Card Stock: Whisper White, Sahara Sand and acetate
Ink: Basic Black, Pacific Point re-inker, Not Quite Navy re-inker
Access: tissue paper, platinum shimmer paint (116807), frost white shimmer mist (116854), dazzling diamonds glitter (102023), Big Shot (113439), Apothecary Accents framelits (127003), vintage wallpaper embossing folder (120175), metallic brads (119741)

So all in all it was fun~ thanks to SCS for a great Color Challenge..it was a success! I made a HUGE mess, stained my fingers blue and I am positive there is glitter on my face, hair and who knows where else!! This girl can't wait to do it again next week!!

Stampin' hugs,
Erin

Shop Online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)
www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com

Monday's Christmas Card Week 2

Happy Monday!! This morning was chilly..I didn't want to get out from under the covers!! I almost poured another cup of coffee just to warm my hands!! It's too early to turn the heat on right?? Fall is definitely in the air so I first want to share with you a 'fall' themed project.

I have been picture crazy over the last few months...it all started when I purchased some frames that I liked. Well...that led to painting the walls a fresh coat of paint...then finding the right photos for the frames. I have this one frame in the basement that was given to me over a year ago that has even been hung on the wall...but still has that 'generic' family smiling back at me! I feel like maybe I should name them and officially 'welcome' them to the family!!

But you know when you need to have just the right photo?? Well...I printed a TON to choose from and most have now been filled. This is one I had I left over of my oldest son Tyler. He is now 17 and a senior this year...AAAHHH! (This photos was taken 4 years ago)

Here is what I have created with it:

It started off as a 5x7 with a border, I trimmed it down to fit a 5x7 mat of Night of Navy CS and added it to a 8x8 scrapbook page. Then placed it here:

I found the scrapbook stand at my local craft store, it holds 8x8 pages. Love it!!!

Supplies:
Stamp Set: French Foliage (121166 C)
Card Stock: Night of Navy, Sahara Sand and First Edition Specialty DSP
Ink: Sahara Sand, Eary Espresso, More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Daffodil Delight, Cajun Craze and Soft Suede Marker
Access: Big Shot (113439), Leaves #2 (retired), Woodgrain embossing folder (127821), linen thread (104199), Denim Jean ribbon (125053), color sprizter tool (107066), Naturals Designer buttons (127554), dimensionals (104430) and a stick (lol)

Now~ for 'Week 2 of my Monday Christmas Card's'
Here is what I made:

I took this photo, then realized it's a wee bit blurry...oopsy!
Here is a close-up:

This is a better view, easier to see in this photo that after I applied the postage stamp squares, I embossed the card with the Northern Flurry embossing folder (120902). This is a very simple card, easy to replicate and make LOTS of...Christmas cards anyone??
Inside:

Supplies:
Stamp Set: More Merry Messages (126402 C)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Candlelight Christmas Specialty DSP (126901)
Ink: Early Espresso
Access: linen thread (104199), 5/8" crochet trim (118481), Naturals Designer buttons (127554), Riding Hood Red 3/8" taffeta ribbon (122988), Big Shot (113439), Northern Flurry embossing folder (120902), Postage Stamp punch (122344), Frost White Shimmer paint (spritzed with rubbing alcohol) (116854), sticky strip (104294)

Tomorrow I wil post my Color Challenge from SCS...can't wait!!
Have a great day!
Stampin' hugs,
Erin

Shop Online 24/7 (even in P.J.'s)
www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com

Glass Etching Tutorial

As promised, here is a quick video tutorial on how I made the vase shown here.
Here is the finished product~ the possibilities are endless!!

Love it!!  For the snowflake image I used the new Snow Flurry Bigz Die (127813). Shown on pg. 14 in the Holiday Catalog. 


Here is the lid~

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Petite Pairs (122497 C), Christmas Lodge (123769 C)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Access: Big Shot (113439), Snow Flurry Bigz die (127813), linen thread (104199), Champagne glimmer paper (127885), 3" circle die (122125), scallop #2 die (retired), Designer Natural buttons (127554), Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (116806), Always Artichoke 1/2" seam binding ribbon (121000)
Check out the video and let me know what you think!

Let me know if you have any questions!!

Here is another Christmas card that we will be making at my next Holiday Stamp-a-Stack. If you are in the area and would like to attend~ make sure you RSVP (space is limited!!)

This card was inspired by these gift tags shown on SCS.

It's hard to tell from the photo~ I used the sponge dauber to apply the Frost White Shimmer paint to the 'swirly' image from the Everything Eleanor stamp set. It's so pretty IRL (in real life).
Here is a close-up of the tag~ I just cut off the right side of the framelit.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Snowflake Soiree (127925 C), Everything Eleanor (124164 C)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla
Ink: Island Indigo,Primrose Petals, Pool Party
Access: linen thread (104199), Big Shot (113439), Apothecary Accents framelits (127003), Stampin' dimensionals (104430), vintage faceted buttons (127555), glue dots (103683), sponge daubers (102892), Frost White Shimmer Paint (116854), vanilla shimmer smooch spritz (118772),  silver glass glitter (120995), 2-way glue pen (100425)

Stampin' hugs,
Erin

Shop Online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)
www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com

Happy Fall Y'all~

Today is the officially the first day of Autumn, one of the most beautiful seasons...so here is a pretty picture:

Now...I know I don't need to tell you that canning is HUGE and these mason jars are all over the place from what they are intended to do, to crafts and even made into a stamp set!!


Perfectly Preserved Bundle saves you 15%!!

 

This stamp set called Perfectly Preserved is shown on pg. 29 in the Holiday Catalog and when purchased along with the coordinating framelits you save 15%!! The stamp set is sold in both clear or wood mount. Click here to purchase it in my online store.

Sadly I have not ordered it yet...but I am!! I have seen way too many cute goodies made with it...that it is now not just a 'want' on my wish list...but a 'need'. You understand right?? When it arrives, I will post my creative projects don't worry!!

Now for today's 'Catch of the Day' I have a Christmas card, I know wrong season~ but it's never too early to get a jump-start on your Christmas cards...

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Artistic Etchings (120573 C), Rejoicing with You (126302 C)
Card Stock: Night of Navy, Whisper White, Natural Composition Specialty DSP (126917)
Ink: Crumb Cake, Night of Navy, Versamark, Crumb Cake marker
Access: ultra thick embossing enamel (UTEE), heat tool (129053), color spritzer tool (107066), crumb cake 1/2" seam binding ribbon (122332), vanilla shimmer smooch spritz (118772)

Here is a close-up:

You can see how to create the 'cracked glass' look here.

Inside:

Next Friday I am hosting a Holiday Stamp-a-Stack and this will be one of the cards that we are making. If you live locally~ come say "hello"
Everyone will be able to make a total of 6 cards/envelopes (2 each of 3 designs). They will also make 4 gift card holders,  I will share the other projects early in the week.

Tomorrow I will post a quick video tutorial on 'how-to' etch glass using our dies for the Big Shot.
Take care and happy stampin'!
~Erin
Shop online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)
www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com