Constantly Stamping

Global Design Project #GDP115: Theme Challenge

Our theme challenge this week at Global Design Project is Christmas Joy.

 

I have mentioned a few times that I play clarinet in the church orchestra and I also love to sing, so it probably doesn't come as any surprise that I adore the Merry Music Specialty DSP in the 2017 Holiday Catalog. Many of the designs are sheet music from some of my favorite Christmas songs, so I decided to focus on the paper for this week's challenge.

First I made a bag with the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits and a piece of dsp that features the lyrics to "O Come All Ye Faithful". This paper is the perfect weight for the treat bags, but I needed a little reinforcement for the stars. For the largest star I used the dsp that features "We Three Kings". The chorus of the song is "O, star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright, westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light." The smaller star features the song "Cantique do Noel" which is French for "O Holy Night". Hopefully it is clear where I got my inspiration for the star embellishment on this project.

 

I die cut a silver glitter snowflake for the center of the star using the Trim Your Stocking Thinlits Dies. I think it looks like the beams of light radiating from the center of the star. To give the star a vintage look, I sponged everything with Early Espresso ink and clipped it to the bag with a small clothespin. I love that the person receiving this gift can also use the star as a tree decoration as well.

We would love to have you play along with us this week. Be sure to check out what the other talented designers/players have created for this fun challenge at the Global Design Project Challenge Blog.

 

Global Design Project #GDP114: Sketch Challenge

It's time for another great sketch challenge this week at Global Design Project.

Here is my take on the sketch. One of the best parts of being a part of the Global Design Project design team is that we are constantly challenged to try new things. I can say with a fair amount of certainty that I would have never tried a sketch like this without a reason...but I am so glad that I did! It gave me a reason to try out this adorable new stamp set, Bird Banter, that will be available for purchase in January 2018. I won this set last week at OnStage Live. Brian King did a wonderful presentation using this set and I would be willing to bet that he will post them on his blog sometime soon.

I am in love with these adorable parakeets and they were so easy to color with my Stampin' Blends markers. (I used Pool Party, Daffodil Delight, and Old Olive markers.) I stamped the images with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink on Whisper White card stock, fussy cut them, and then added them to the die cut squares with a double layer of mini glue dots. You may notice that I colored some small pearls with the Stampin' Blends as well. It is a great way to customize your embellishments...just be careful not to use too much pressure or you may damage the brush tip of your marker.

I used some Coffee Break designer series paper for the card front and heat embossed the greeting with white embossing powder. There are some really cute sentiments in this set as well!

We would love to have you play along with us this week. Be sure to check out what the other talented designers/players have created for this fun challenge at the Global Design Project Challenge Blog.

I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR

If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, then you can order your supplies in my online store here.

What a Week! OnStage 2017 Highlights!

Hello, stamping friends! My life has been crazy the last several days and I thought it was about time I dropped in and shared. I returned home on Sunday evening after spending many wonderful days at OnStage in Salt Lake City, Utah. OnStage is an opportunity for Stampin' Up! demonstrators to gather together to learn about new products, stamping techniques, business tips, and to be recognized for special achievements and milestones. If you haven't already heard the news, I was selected to be part of the 2018 Artisan Design Team. The ADT is a group of 16 demonstrators from around the globe who have been selected to represent Stampin' Up! throughout the coming year.

One of the highlights of the week was having my dear friend, Cindy Schuster present me with my Artisan Design Team box which contained a custom red rubber stamp and an exclusive Tiffany & Co. engraved bracelet. Cindy is a three-time Artisan and now works as a concept artist at Stampin' Up! We were both crying and hugging...it was amazing!

Normally, I have my best friend Nancy with me, but she had to miss out this year due to some health-related issues. So instead, I was excited to room with my Canadian bestie, Jennifer Picard and spend time with her friends. Jenn and I were Artisans together back in 2011 and have been friends ever since. She is such an amazing stamper and was even on the Studio Calico design team for a few years. Thankfully, she is now back with Stampin' Up! and she is even now part of our Fancy Friday Blog Hop team.

Another fun time was when I had the opportunity to visit Stampin' Up! headquarters with my fellow Artisan buddy, Cathy Caines. Here we are with some of our former Artisan friends. (Left to right: Me, Becky Cowley, Cathy Caines, and Cindy Schuster). Becky and Cindy are now concept artists are Stampin' Up! and Becky is our SU liaison for the coming year.

I think you are going to be impressed with the upcoming team. There are lots of new faces and some familiar ones as well. I am looking forward to a great year!

United States

Lauren Alaird

Charlet Mallett

Connie Collins (returning)

Elizabeth Price (returning)

 

Canada

Cathy Caines (returning)

Kim McGillis

 

United Kingdom

Emma Goddard

Rhoda MacPherson

 

France

Sarah Lancaster

 

Netherlands

Linda van Wely-Zwolle

 

Germany

Sylwia Schreck (returning)

Jenni Pauli

 

Austria

Jessica Winter (returning)

 

New Zealand

Susan Wong (returning)

 

Australia

Jennifer Frost (returning)

Kayla MacAulay

 

 

Global Design Project #GDP113: Color Challenge

The color challenge this week at the Global Design Project challenge blog. I love this color combo...it just screams "make a Christmas card"...LOL!

I don't have much paper in these colors, so I reached for some of the Be Merry DSP from the 2017-2018 Annual Catalog for my card base.  I adhered it to a top-folding card made from the Thick Whisper White card stock for stability.

You may recognize my very favorite stamp from the Watercolor Christmas set in the Holiday Catalog...sorry, but I want to stamp it on just about everything I own! Most of the additional stamps are from the Peace This Christmas set with one exception, the flower is from Blooms & Wishes and the flower center is basically just a pencil eraser.

 

I added a touch of texture and shine to the flower centers and pine cones by heat embossing them with gold embossing powder.

 

But wait, there's more! While I was at it, I made a second card that is basically the same, however, this one is more modern, clean and simple looking. Honestly, I love them both, so I decided to share this one too. Isn't it amazing how just a few small changes can give you a totally different look.

 

This time I omitted the gold embossing and added rhinestones to several of the elements. I finished it off with a beautiful bow. This was the first time I have used the 3/8" Metallic-Edge Ribbon and it is dreamy. It is light weight enough to use on cards, but heavy enough to hold its shape. I love how the silver edge brings brings out the sparkle of the rhinestones.

We would love to have you play along with us this week. Be sure to check out what the other talented designers/players have created for this fun challenge at the Global Design Project Challenge Blog.

 

I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR

If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, then you can order your supplies in my online store here.

Have a blessed day!

 

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Global Design Project #GDP112: CASE Challenge

This week at the Global Design Project challenge blog we are CASEing your truly.  
It is always a little strange when I have to CASE my own card for a challenge. In my original card I watercolored the card front, so that is what I opted to do this time, however, I decided to ditch the pumpkins and replace them with orange flowers instead.

I used the masking technique to stamp clusters of flowers using the Falling Flowers stamp set on watercolor paper. (I prefer Canson XL 140 cold pressed watercolor paper). I used my Stampin' Up! ink refills and an AquaPainter to color my images. The colors I used are: Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Berry Burst, Lemon Lime Twist, Soft Sky, and Crumb Cake. I stamped the images with Archival Basic Black Ink.

I stamped the gorgeous sentiment from the Count My Blessings stamp set with VersaMark ink and heat embossed it with white embossing powder on Basic Black card stock.

We would love to have you play along with us this week. Be sure to check out what the other talented designers/players have created for this fun challenge at the Global Design Project Challenge Blog.

I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR

If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, then you can order your supplies in my online store here.

Have a blessed day!

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