Stacy's Stamping Blog

Somehow, I got roped into doing all 27 Valentines cards for my son today.
It got me thinking about other things you can do with this stamp set, Love You Much.
A photo layout on the wall with my boys hugging each other?
A scrapbook page with all of his collected valentines?
I've decided to devote a little time this week to capturing photographs and laying them out. You'll see the finished products when I'm done :) Be patient!

 
 

Rubber Stamp Sale

Tomorrow is my rubber stamp sale, from 2-4pm. All stamp sets are $20, or 6 for $100. Here's a list of what's for sale- email me promptly if you can't make it out and you want something!

Best Blossoms

Big Blossom

Birthday Whimsy

Central Park

Classic Stripes (Background)

Doodle This

Ephemera (Background)

Friendly Notes

Garden Greetings

Heartfelt Thanks

Holy Triptych

Live Like You Mean It

Lots of Thoughts

Merci

Monogram S

Office Accoutrement

Polka Dots and Paisley

Roses in Winter

Rough Edges Alphabet

Snow Burst

So Cool

So Many Scallops

Springtime Stems

Stitched (Background)

Stitched Exotics

Sweet Dreams

Sweet Little Sentiments

What Could Be Better Than

Wishing You Cheer

Teacher Gifts

What do you give the teachers in your life when classes are over? Whether they are your children's teachers, your teachers, your dog trainers, etc. how do you say thank you?

Comment on this post to receive a draw ticket into a free Christmas card class! Check back often to get ideas and share more as you have them!

My teacher gift will be posted as soon as I take a picture of it :)

Retired Lists

As you probably know, Stampin' Up! puts out its' retirement list this time every year. There are so many stamps, accessories, and decor elements items up for retirement this year!

Check out the lists and remember not to put off ordering your favorites- they won't last long!

Retired Lists

Scrapbooking Memories

I've finally started my paper and ink version of my new son's scrapbook. It's so nice to be doing it! I realized though after a friend mentioned her friend had a housefire and lost all her scrapbooks that I need to keep a digital version. So at the same time that I'm building a paper and ink scrapbook I'm also working on a digital version.

At our club last weekend I was able to show how you can make a hybrid scrapbook page using traditional scrapbooking products along with the My Digital Studio software.

My Digital Studio allows me to do this :) And because my scrapbook uses a set I don't own I can print out the images, customized to my chosen colours, and add them to the book as well.

Here's a copy of MDS version. Enjoy!

Black Glossy Stamping

The club meeting this past week had us working with Fifth Avenue Floral and black glossy cardstock. Enjoy!

 

Fort Saskatchewan Trade Show, 2010

WOW! I've been so busy and swept up in the trade show this weekend. My feet are dying, but it was a busy event, and I'm excited I got to participate there.

We (my colleague Jo and I) enjoyed the event. We spent the weekend in the soccer field side of the trade show. For those of you who attended and remember me, thanks for coming :)

Here's a couple of booth pictures:

My Digital Studio new use :)

Well, new to me. And I crowed to myself, GENIUS! What do you think about this idea?

In case you can't guess, I took a blank 8.5x11 scrapbook template and filled it up with greetings and words from stamp sets I don't have. Now it's just a simple matter of cutting or punching out to get my greeting. Another word for this type of use in card making or even scrapbooking is "Hybrid". The Easter card I made for my mom used the word Celebrate along with my new stamp set, Awash With Flowers. I plan on uploading a picture of the card once I find my camera. Honestly, my house is so disorganized and cluttered, it makes me crazy.

Happy Easter everyone!

  

Colleague Gift Idea

My December newsletter has a few ideas for colleagues. The supplies are listed in the newsletter. I've got instructions for a small 2-4-6-8 box here.

 

-Pull your paper cutter arm open so that it's pulled out straight from your cutter and on the table to your right.
-Put your paper down horizontally on the bottom of it, to the left of the cutting guide.
-Make sure your black scoring blade is on, not your orange cutting blade.
-Move your paper to the right to the 2" mark on the ruler and pull down your scoring blade. Continue moving your paper to the right and when the edge is at the 4" mark score again.
-Move your paper to the right and when the edge is at the 6" mark score again. Then score one last time when your paper edge is at the 8" mark.
-Now, turn your paper vertically so that it again is to the left of your cutting guide. Move your paper to the right until it is on the 2" mark on the ruler and score down your cardstock.
-Take your scissors and cut along the 2,4,6,8 scored lines until you reach the scored line you just finished. This will be the bottom of your box.
-Fold your box together along the score lines so you can see where everything should be stuck down.
-Apply sticky strip to the thin edge (alongside the 8" scored line). This will be the edge of your box and should be tucked under, not on top.
-Fold the bottom of your box in and sticky strip the outermost panels so they are stuck to the innermost ones.
-Fill your box with candy, tealights, tea bags, small samplers of coffee, or whatever you think of. Pinch the top closed (it sort of resembles a milk carton before they are opened)- punch your hole and attach the brad.
I have an old tutorial using a bigger piece of designer series paper here:

http://stacywestman.typepad.com/stacys_stamping_blog/2006/12/2468_box_tutori.html

It looks complicated but it's really not. If I get better this week I'll make one according to these directions in this eamil and post it on this website by Saturday.

4x4 Little Scrapbooks

My December newsletter will contain supplies needed to create cute little scrapbooks for the special people in your life. Here are the instructions.

-If using coasters, use adhesive to layer on 4x4 cardstock or Designer Series Paper.
-Layout your pictures, deciding how you want the pages to look. Work on your pages 2 at a time, except for the front and back covers, to help your book keep the "flow" going.
-Apply your stamps, punches, or simply scrappin' bits first.
-Mat your photographs, if desired. Adhere them to the pages. Keep in mind where your book will be bound; keep away from the very edges of your pages.
-Journal, if desired (I highly recommend it- it helps keep memories down the road)
-Punch holes in your pages, and add your binder rings or coil rings.
-Don't forget to date it! And then step back and admire your work.

If you keep your scrapbook pages simple, it's a lot more likely that you can finish before the sun rises:) Have fun with it! Something like this will mean a lot more to your kids when they are adults and have children of their own, so part of the reason for doing this is to pass on their story to their own children.

If you're interested in scrapbooking, but are a little hesitant to get started, here's an article I wrote a few years ago that might help answer some questions. And remember, I'm always here to help you get started!

http://stacywestman.typepad.com/stacys_stamping_blog/2007/04/scrapbooking_do.html
http://stacywestman.typepad.com/stacys_stamping_blog/2007/04/donts_of_scrapb.html