My Weblog

Class: Love You Much!

Any time of year is a great time to express your love and appreciation for your family and friends!  In this class you’ll create four love & friendship cards, four 3” x 3” friendship notes and 9 tags that can be used when packaging up special treats for those you love and care about... your kids, siblings, parents, friends, teachers &/or co-workers. The whole collection is packaged in this one-of-a-kind Stationery Purse.

Date:  June 20, 2009
Time:  2:00-5:00 pm
Cost:  $25.00
Location:  Yigo, Guam

Please email me to sign up for this class: maria@stampingwithmia.com

Supplies:
•    Stamps: Love You Much, En Français
•    Ink: VersaMark ink, Basic Brown, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa Classic ink, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, So Saffron classic inks/refills
•    Paper:  Candy Lane DP, Close to Cocoa 12” x 12” CS, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red 8 ½” x 11” CS
•    Adhesive: Sticky Strip, Snail adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, 2-way glue pen
•    Ribbon & Brads: Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Elastic Cord, Silver brads
•    Punches: Scallop Circle punch, Scallop Edge punch, 1/8” handheld circle punch, 1/16" handheld punch, tag corner punch, Designer Label punch, Heart to Heart punch.
•    Other tools & accessories: Personal paper trimmer with scoring blade, bone folder, paper snips, blender pen, Stampin’ Sponge, self-adhesive Velcro, medium Whisper White envelopes, mini square envelopes, medium cello bags

If you have any questions please feel free to call or email me.

Payments must be made by June 13, 2009 in order to reserve your space.  Class size is limited so I recommend that you sign up now by clicking on the link below!

See you then!

Mia

                

Scrapbooking: Bella Rose Designer Series Paper

Although I have been stamping more than 10 years... and a Stampin' Up! demonstrator for at least 6 of those years... I haven't done very much scrapbooking.  My main focus has been in creating greeting cards and gift items.  I have years of photos still in their original envelopes and since my memory is not what it used to be I knew I needed to move out of my own comfort zone and start scrapbooking to get them into albums.  National Scrapbooking Month is just the push that I needed to get started.

Yesterday I promised to share the 12x12 scrapbook spread that I decided to include in my National Scrapbooking Month class this past weekend.  I was so busy with errands and the traffic (Yes, even Guam has traffic problems during "rush hour"!) that I almost didn't get these pictures taken and downloaded in time to share with  you today... but I did!

One of the benefits of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is that they provide us with a monthly magazine full of projects and ideas to help us share our love of stamping and scrapping with the rest of you.  The layout for the first page in this spread was inspired by just such a project, but the look of my page is very different from the original one.

I had already decided that I wanted to feature our Bella Rose Designer Series Paper (pg.159).  As I was working on the spread it occurred to me that it would be perfect for photos from my mother's 80th birthday... which explains the title.  Unfortunately I don't have those photos yet so I am sharing the spread with you minus the photos and will post an updated image once I have them in place.  I found it interesting that about the same time I realized that my mother's birthday would have been the same day I shared my Watercolor Rose (birthday) card sneak peek  for my Floral Card Class.  So even though Mom is no longer with us, she continues to influence my creativity.

The second page in the spread is entirely my own layout.  I designed the rectangle in the upper  right corner so that it can include just a photo or a photo and additional journaling.  The supplies I used in creating this spread are:

Stamp Sets:  Seeing Spots (pg.108), Taffy Alphabet (pg.145)

Card Stock:  Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss, Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Inks:  Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette

Accessories:  Bella Rose DSP (pg.159), Scallop Circle Punch (pg.184/185), 1 3/8" Circle and 1 1/4" Circle Punches (pg.184/185), Eyelet Edge Punch (pg.184/185), 5-Petal Flower Punch (pg.184/185)

I enjoyed creating these two pages so much that I know that even once National Scrapbooking Month is over I will spend at least one day a week scrapping so that I can get my photos out of those aging envelopes.  I challenge you to do the same... and if you have any questions, need additional inspiration, need additional supplies or if I can be of assistance in any other way then please give me a call, send me an email, or simply leave a comment here on my blog.

Happy Stamping~
Mia

Scrapbooking: Love You Much!

I held my National Scrapbooking Month class this past weekend.  We had loads of fun talking about scrapping and creating our scrapbook pages... which I will share with you later this week.

I have a different 6x6 scrapbook page spread to share with you today that I'm sure will inspire you.

The pages were created with:

Stamp Set:  Love You Much (pg.27)

Card Stock:  Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla

Inks:  Jet Black StazOn

Accessories:  Candy Lane DSP (pg.159), Scallop Circle Punch (pg.184/185), Scallop Edge Punch (pg.184/185), Crystal Effects (pg.191),
Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.191), Stampin' Write Markers (pg.152)

I love the simplicity of these two pages and how much the focus will be on the photos... once I select them.

Tomorrow I will be sharing a 12x12 scrapbook spread that features our Bella Rose Designer Series Paper (pg.159) so be sure to come back for even more ideas.

Happy Stamping~

Mia

More Scrapbooking!

In honor of National Scrapbooking Month I have been sharing some of my recent scrapbook pages and sketches.  I also have a Scrapbook Stamp Camp scheduled for tomorrow for those of you who need some ideas or need to be re-inspired to create.

A few days ago I shared a sketch/page map and my resulting page... and I challenged you to create a page using the sketch and email your page to me for the chance to win a surprise gift.  I am still accepting your pages for the challenge!  You can check out the details of the challenge and Scrapbooking Stamp Camp here.

Since I prefer page spreads, I have decided to share the sketch/page map that I designed to go with the one I already shared.  As with the sketch and page shared earlier, my finished sample was made using Rock-a-Baby Boy Simply Scrappin' Kit (pg.165).  I also used Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.191) behind the circle frame for added dimension.  (Tip:  Make sure to leave the release paper on the dimensional for one side so that my a photo can be inserted.)  I hope these pages will inspire you to create some pages of your own... not just during National Scrapbooking Month, but throughout the year!

Time is running out for you to take advantage of the National Scrapbooking  Month promotions from Stampin' Up!  Join me and many others in celebrating scrapbooking!

Happy Stamping~

Mia

Class: Crazy For Cupcakes!

Make your next birthday celebration an event to remember when you gift your friend or loved one with this mouth-watering cupcake - themed card set!

Date:  Saturday, May 30, 2009
Time:  2-4 pm
Cost:  $25.00
Location:  Yigo, Guam

Please email me to sign up for this class...  maria@stampingwithmia.com ... or click on the button below.

Supplies

• Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes, On your Birthday

• Inks: Basic Brown, Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose Classic inks, Optional: Close to Cocoa, Regal Rose WWC.

• Paper: Sweet Always DP, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette, Medium Whisper White envelopes

• Accessories: Sticky strip, Snail adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, 2-way glue pen, Crystal Effects, 1" Double - Stitched Chocolate Chip Grosgrain ribbon, 5/8" Regal Rose ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, silver brads, paper snips, 1/16” handheld circle punch, 1 ¼” circle punch, ticket corner punch, Key Tag punch, crimper (optional), blender pen, Stampin’ Scrub, Stampin’ Mist, paper trimmer & scoring blade, bone folder, Uni-ball Signo gel pen, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Embossing Buddy (optional), Stampin’ Sponges, pencil & ruler, Velcro circles

I will be offering this class as a Class-to-go... which must be pre-ordered.  Due to Stampin' Up! policy the stamped images will not be included in the Class-to-Go option so the purchase of the stamp set would also be necessary in order to complete the projects as shown.  Pricing with and without the stamp set will be available.   The "hands on" class is all that I am making available for now.

The last day to sign up for the Crazy for Cupcakes class is Wednesday, May 27, 2009.  Class size is limited so sign up now! 

Happy Stamping~

Mia

Watercoloring Fun!

Yesterday was Mother's Day so we had a houseful of mothers whom we were honoring ... especially my 86 year old mother-in-law who is the mother of 6!  Only one of our 4 children were here to celebrate with us, but all three of our boys remembered to call.  It made my day! 

Since it was a busy day I wasn't able to get the cards from Saturday's Floral Class ready for posting until today.  The class featured a new to stamping watercoloring technique.  In the world of watercolor painting the technique is known as "Floating Watercolors".  Crystal French, the Stampin' Up! demonstrator who adapted it and applied it to rubber stamping, has named it "Reinker Spread".  The technique was originally done on Shimmery White card stock (pg.156), but can also be done on Watercolor Paper or Glossy White Paper (also on pg.156).  We used Glossy White Paper for our cards.  The cards also feature the flowers from the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set (pg106) and Tea Party Designer Series Paper (pg.161).  Two of the cards were CASEd (the acronym for Copy And Steal Everything!) from other demonstrators... except for the colors.  The choice of greeting was left up to each class participant since Mother's Day, birthday, wedding, anniversary, Get Well, Thinking of You and Friendship are all approriate for the cards.

The pink version of the first card (shown above) was done using Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink and Regal Rose... and the Stampin' Up! Exclusive Big Shot Little Leaves Sizzlet (pg.200).  The purple version  was created with Perfect Plum and Pale Plum... and the Stampin' Up! Exclusive Big Shot Sweet Stem Embosslit (pg.202).  The purple version also uses paper from the Bella Birds Designer Series Paper (pg.160) because it was a better match to the plum colors.

The second card was originally done in pink... and the Stampin' Up! Exclusive Textured Impressions Manhattan Flower Die on vellum.  I substitued yellows (Barely Banana, Apricot Appeal, Summer Sun and So Saffron) for the pinks... and glossy white card stock (pg.156) for the vellum.  The "Get Well" is from Sincere Salutations (pg.135).

The third card was created from the smaller flower images in the Fifth Avenue  Floral set.  I let the class participants select their choice of paper from the Tea Party DSP collection since some of the color combinations were different.  We also used the Scallop Oval Punch (pg. 8 of the Holiday mini), Large Oval Punch (pg.184), Scallop Edge Punch (pg.184/185) and Short & Sweet stamp set (pg.137). 

We had so much fun with the watercolor technique that we decided to create more flowers  instead of doing the fourth card.  All class participants went home with lots of finished flowers so that they could create even more cards.

I challenge everyone to try the technique with other stamp sets... and share them with me!  I look forward to seeing your creations!

Happy Stamping~
Mia

Class: Scrapbooking Stamp Camp!

As I mentioned earlier this month, May is National Scrapbooking Month.  In honor of National Scrapbooking Month I am issuing a challenge to all of you......  Use the sketch included in this post to create a scrapbook page ... preferably with current Stampin' Up! supplies.  Email me a picture of your finished page (with supply information) by May 20, 2009 and you could win a surprise gift from me!  I will upload the pages to my blog and let you... my readers... vote for your favorite... via email.  I've included my version of the page map below.  I used supplies from the Rock-a-Bye Boy Simply Scrappin' Kit (pg.165).

In keeping with National Scrapbooking Month, I am hosting a Scrapbooking Stamp Camp on Saturday, May 16, 2009 from 1-3 pm.  The Class fee is $20.  Class participants will be creating two scrapbook spreads... one with 12x12 pages and one with 6x6 pages.  Page maps similar to the one shown above will be provided.  Participants will choose their card stock and DSP and do the cutting themselves.  This is a Stamp Camp rather than Class because participants who would like to create more pages will be able to pay an additional fee and stay longer to complete the additional pages.  If you have a color preference then please let me know in advance so that I can try to have it available.  Also, if you have a paper cutter then please bring it with you.  I have a surprise special  only for those who attend the class.  Class size is limited so sign up now!

Payment must be made on or before Wednesday, May 20, 2009 in order to reserve your space.

Remember, as part of National Scrapbooking Month Stamping Up! has several promotions.  You can check them out here... and then go to my Stampin' Up! website and place your order.

Happy Stamping~
Mia

Class: Floral Card Class!

This is the feature card for this Saturday's Floral Card Class that incorporates the new watercolor technique that is all the rage right now.  The stamp set used is Fifth Avenue Floral (pg.106), which will be featured on all four of the cards that participants will be making.

The featured Designer Series Paper will be Tea Party (pg.161).  Participants will also have the opportunity to use the Stampin' Up! Exclusive Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Die (pg.202) along with the Big Shot.  I've used a birthday greeting here, but participants will have several different occasions to chose from.

The Floral Card Class will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 2-4pm.  Class fee is $15 and is limited to the first 6 people to sign up.  Reserve your space NOW by clicking on the button below.

I have added several other events to my calendar... and will be posting samples and the details for them tomorrow.

Happy Stamping~
Mia

De-Cluttering my Table!

Yesterday I decided I was finally going to play with a new watercoloring technique that has become all the rage in recent weeks.  My stamping table was so full of stamped images, sayings, scraps of papers that I knew at some point I was going to have to de-clutter in order to have the room to create.  I knew that I didn't want to simply move all these use-able pieces (Remember, I've already mentioned that I am quite the pack rat!) to another location, so I pulled out some of my long retired In Color Love Notes and these gift cards were the end result!  (Of course, current colors can be substituted, but since I had these and they were pre-cut.... Why not?!?)

They all use the retired Love Notes and bits and pieces of Stampin' Up! demonstrator kits that were left over... so I didn't have very much cutting to do before assembling.  As a result, I was able to create quickly and cleared most of the images, etc. off my table.

The images are a combination of current and retired images.  Some of the current images are ones that I stamped while working on my One Sheet Wonder series last week, but ended up not using.  You should recognize the images from Great Friend and Wagon Full of Fun... both from the Occasions mini catalog.  There are also images from Enjoy Every Moment (pg. 115) and One of a Kind (pg.113).  I also used the 5-Petal Flower Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, and most of the Circle Punches (all on pages 184/185)  All but two incorporate Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.191) since I love them for additional texture.  I'll probably use these as a gift for orders placed through me.

The best news is that my stamping table is cleared off enough that I can now create the cards using the watercolored images I stamped and colored yesterday... in preparation for my Floral Greetings Class next weekend.  I'll be posting a sample and the class details tomorrow.  See you then!

Happy Stamping~
Mia

Stamping Guam Style!

In surfing the internet I have come across Hula bears, surfing bears [using Under the Stars (pg.103) and Just Surfing (pg.75)]  I've also seen images of people where the clothing was either paper pieced (using the technique I shared yesterday) or stamped with images to give it a more realistic printed fabric look.  They all inspired me to create the following card.... with a Guam twist!

We don't get very many cruise ships visiting our little island, but we do have quite a tourist industry.  It is too late for Chamorro Month - which is celebrated every March - so in my mind this man has either just returned home from having visited our friendly island... or is ready for Island Wear Friday or one of our many village fiestas.   (You can find out more information about Chamorro Month here.

I used the following to create the above card:

Stamp Set:  Golden Oldies (pg.21 - Occasions mini catalog)

Inks:  Jet Black StazOn, Only Orange

Card Stock:  Handsome Hunter, Certainly Celery, Garden Green, Whisper White

Accessories:  Watercolor Wonder Crayons (pg.152), Watercolor Pencils (pg.152), Stampin' Write Markers (pg.152), Black Gingham Ribbon (pg.179)

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You only have until about noon today (Guam time) to take advantage of Stampin' Up!'s Get Connected promotion and to get a FREE catalog with your Online Order, so be sure to click on the Order Online link in the upper right corner and place your order now!

Happy Stamping~
Mia