My Weblog

Project: Scrapbooking - 6x6

Last May I challenged my readers to create scrapbook pages using a sketch/map that I had provided.  Since it was also the end of the school year everyone was too busy.  I wanted to share something with you, my readers, so I approached my upline and downline to see if any of them would like to take me up on my challenge.  Here are the two pages that I received from my upline (Sandra) and my downline (Colleen).  They both use DSP that has since retired, but I'm sharing them anyway because they demonstrate how different the color and shape choices you make can alter the appearance of a page.  I hope they inspire you to try the two sketches for yourself.  You can find them here... and here.

Stamp Set:

Inks:  Basic Black

Card Stock:  Riding Hood Red, Whisper White

Accessories:  Candy Lane DSP, Hodgepodge Hardware (pg.178), Brads (pg.179), Heart to Heart Punch (pg.186-187)

Card Stock: Pink Piroutte, Riding Hood Red, Old Olive

Accessories:  Raspberry Tart DSP, Eyelet Edge Punch (pg.186-187), 5-Petal Flower Punch (pg.186-187)

Thank you Sandra and Colleen!

Now let's see what the rest of you can do!

By the way, if you haven't voted in my poll for your favorite card from my Open House Card Challenge, then you still have time!  You can find the poll in the upper left side column.

Happy Stamping~
Mia

Open House Card Challenge!

It's voting time!  I gave those attending my Open House some phrases from Teeny Tiny Wishes (pg.145) that were punched out using the Modern Label punch (186-187).  I challenged them to create a card using all current Stampin' Up! materials... and to send them to me so that my readers could vote for their favorite.  Here they are for your viewing and voting pleasure.

 

 



 

So... have you decided on a favorite?  Go to my poll in the left sidebar and vote for your favorite now!  The one with the most votes will be receiving an assortment of retired product as a prize.

Happy Stamping~
Mia

Another Muumuu!

When I made my Island Wear cards on Tuesday, I had no idea how addictive it was going to be!  I just can't stop creating these muumuu style dresses!  I can only begin to imagine how addicted I will become to a new product that will be unveiled in the upcoming mini catalog!  (Tease!  Tease!)  Anyway, here is my latest version.  This is the style I wore when I was much younger.... complete with puff sleeves.

To duplicate this card you will need the following:

Stamp Set:  Razzle Dazzle (pg.94)

Inks:  Only Orange, Summer Sun, Real Red, Positively Pink

Card Stock:  Whisper White, So Saffron, Handsome Hunter

Accessories:  Big Shot Scallop Circle Die (pg.199), Tea Party DSP (pg.162), Flower Designer Series Brads (pg.179), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (pg.186-187) - optional

Note:  The puff at the top of each sleeve and the hem line are scallops from the Scallop Circle Die.  The rest is cut by hand.  I rough cut the neckline, but the 1 1/4" circle punch can be used as well.  If you decide to use the circle punch then be sure to save the "3-petal tulip" shape for another project! (*Template available on request!)

Tomorrow I plan to feature cards by some of those who attended my Open House.  I gave each of them a clear bag with several sayings from Teeny Weeny Wishes (pg.145) that I had stamped on Whisper White and punched with the new Modern Label Punch (pg.186-187).  I challenged them to create a card and send it to me via email so that you... my readers... can vote for your favorite one.  I am hopeful that there will be a couple more cards emailed to me tonight.

This weekend I will finally be sharing the rest of the scrapbook pages that I created in May during National Scrapbooking Month.... and the two pages that I received as a result of Sketch Challenge during the same month.

Meanwhile...
Keep Stamping and Scrapbooking!
Mia

Project: Island Wear Cards!

Today we celebrated Guam Liberation Day!  The people of Guam built floats for the annual parade, watched the parade, barbecued fiesta style and had lots of fun while honoring the memory of those who fought 65 years ago... many giving their lives... so that we could have the freedoms that we have today.  I don't have any of the new patriotic stamp sets (pg.67) yet, so I decided to pay homage to the local culture... as best as I could without a specifically tropical themed stamp set.  Below are my stamped interpretations of Island Wear... with bright colors.

This first card was made using Humor in High Heels (pg.55).  (Since I would like this posting to go live before the end of the day, I will wait until tomorrow to add in all the other supplies I used.)

I am a plus size and would not fit in these Island dresses for at least a year... probably longer.... so I knew that I needed to create another card to inspire those who are more my size.  If you have done any surfing of the Internet then you have seen the many cards where the Big Shot Scallop Circle die is used to create a dress.  Below is my Muumuu version of this idea.

(Again, I will add in more specifics tomorrow.)

On a somber note, today is also the 1 year anniversary of the crash of the B-52 bomber and it's crew of six who were scheduled to do a flyover of last year's parade.  There was a memorial for them unveiled yesterday during which there was a flyover where one of the planes broke formation.  This was followed soon after with the flyover of a single B-52.  Today's parade also included a flyover.  (If you would like to read more about the memorial and other activities then go here.)

I ask those of you who are so inclined to take a minute and remember those who have fought for our country, many of whom gave their lives.  While you are honoring them, please remember their families as well.  Without them we wouldn't have the freedoms that we have today!

Happy Guam Liberation Day... and thank you to all those who have sacrificed and/or continue to sacrifice so that we can have such a wonderful place to live!

Happy Stamping~
Mia

Event: Pizza Box Class & Stamp'N'Stack!

Would you like to learn how to make this cute little Pizza Box with four 3x3 cards and envelopes?  Then you don't want to miss my Pizza Box Class!

                    When: July 25, 2009
                    Time:  2:00-4:00 pm
                    Where:  Yigo, Guam
                    Class Fee:  $25.00

Those in attendance will make the sample shown above and one additional Pizza Box with four matching cards.  The focus will be on the new In Colors.  Call, email or use the PayPal button (below) by noon on Thursday, July 23, 2009 to reserve your space in my Pizza Box Class.

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Additionally, those of you who attended my Open House asked about a Stamp'N'Stack using the cards I had on display... so I have added the class to my calendar.                

                    When:  August 1, 2009
                    Time:  2:00-5:00 pm
                    Where:  Yigo, Guam
                    Class Fee:  $25.00

Those attending will make 12 cards... 3 each of 4 different designs... featuring Animal Stories and the new In Colors.  Call, email or use the PayPal button (below) by noon on Thursday, July 30, 2009 to reserve your space in my Animal Stories Stamp'N'Stack.

Sign up for both classes by noon on Thursday, July 23, 2009 and/or bring a "new to me" friend to either class and receive a free gift!

Space in both classes is limited so register now!

Class Fees

Pizza Box Class $25.00 Animal Stories Stamp'N' Stack $25.00

I look forward to seeing you there!
Happy Stamping~
Mia

Tutorial: Card on Page 190... Part 2!

This is the card I made today using the tutorial I posted yesterday.  I used a 3 1/2" square of Soft Suede card stock, drew the inner circle at 2 1/2" and cut the outer circle at 3 inches... as stated in my note at the end of the tutorial.  I decided to punch the 1/2" circles by lining the edge of the punch along the drawn circle - centering the line in the opening - instead of centering the intersection in the opening.  When done this way the openings are further in from the edge and closer together.  (Be aware that you can't use the 3/4" punch if you punch the circles this way, but you may be able to use it if you center the intersections in the opening.  I haven't tested it yet so I'm not sure.)

Supplies needed are:

Stamp Set:  Simply Said (pg.51)

Inks:  Jet Black StazOn, Soft Suede (In Color!)

Card Stock:  Whisper White, Melon Mambo (In Color!), Soft Suede (In Color!)

Accessories:  Circle Scissors Plus (pg.191), Razzleberry Lemonade DSP (pg.162), 1/2" Melon Mambo Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (pg.182), 1/2" Circle Punch, Stampin' Up! Big Shot Exclusive Birds & Blooms Sizzlet 4-Pack Die (pg.197), In Color Stampin' Write Markers (pg.155),  Designer Brads Flower Assortment (pg.179), Stampin' Glitter Dazzling Diamonds (pg.180)

Now that I have made the card, I have some additional information/tips to share....

1.  The Melon Mambo card stock circle used to mat the Soft Suede Circle is actually a ring.  I cut the inner circle at 2 3/4" and the outer circle at 3 1/2".  (Be sure to cut the inside circle first and then the outer one.)  This is partly to conserve card stock, but also so that it doesn't need to be punched with the smaller circle punch and then lined up with the openings on the Soft Suede circle.

2.  You will also need to cut a Whisper White circle that is 3"or 3 1/4" in diameter to stamp your images on.  Assemble the punched and the Whisper White circle before stamping... and use a Stamp-a-ma-jig if needed for ideal placement.

3.  The piece of Razzleberry Lemonade DSP is 5 1/2" x 2".

4.  I found I got a smoother circle if I drew and cut in a counter-clockwise direction instead of clockwise.  For some reason the lock on the drawing handle would loosen when I drew my circle clockwise.

Ironically, once I punched and assembled all the parts for the punched circle accent I realized that I didn't own very many (current) stamp sets that had images small enough to stamp inside the 1/2" circle.  I found only two in my collection.  I used this small flower from the Simply Said set and love the way it turned out.

I hope that my tutorial and this card have inspired you to make some of these punched circle cards yourself.  When you do, you will not only see what a wonderful product the Circle Scissors Plus (pg.191) is, but you will also see that it is quick to make and assemble the card.

I'd love to see what you create.  You can share your cards with me by emailing your pictures or scans to me at maria@stampingwithmia.com.  I look forward to seeing how you put the tutorial to use.  If I receive enough of your creations then I will post them and hold a vote on which one is the favorite... and offer up a prize to the winner.  So I challenge you to get out your Circle Scissors Plus, circle punches, card stock, inks and stamps and let us see what you can do!

Happy Stamping~
Mia

Tutorial: Circle Scissors and Card on pg.190!

How do math and stamping relate?!?  Well my most interesting example follows....

A customer's question (not one of my customers) about how to make the circle card on page 190 started a discussion among demonstrators.  Being fond of geometry and having the Circle Scissors - but not having used it yet(!) - I couldn't stop thinking about the engineering of how to create a circle with the 6 evenly spaced punched circles like the one pictured below.

Here is what I came up with....

Supplies Needed:

4" Square of Card Stock in color of your choice (I used Bermuda Bay!)
Glass Mat (pg. 191)
Circle Scissors Plus (pg. 191)
3/4" Circle Punch (pg.186/187)
Pencil
Protractor
Ruler

Step 1:  Cut a 4 inch square of the desired card stock.  Center on the Glass Mat (pg.191) as shown below in Figure 1.  (See the note at the end of the tutorial.)

Step 2:  Put the drawing handle in the opening on the base of the Circle Scissors and turn the dial so that the handle is positioned at the 2 3/4" ruler mark (along the opening).  Place the Circle Scissors on top of the card stock square using the intersecting lines on the Circle Scissors and the grid on the Glass Mat to center it on the card stock as shown below in Figure 2. Insert a pencil in the drawing handle and lock in place.  Draw the circle.

 

Step 3:  Remove the drawing handle.  Place the cutting handle in the base and adjust the setting to the 3 7/8" ruler mark.  If the paper or Circle Scissors has shifted then re-center them on Glass Mat.  Cut the circle.  Your card stock circle will look like the one in figure 3... minus the protractor.

Step 4:  Use a straight edge to draw a line across the center of the card stock circle.  Make sure to keep the card stock circle centered on the Glass Mat and use the lines on the Glass Mat as your guide for the ruler placement.  (See figure 3, above.)  I used one of my children's well used protractors because it is needed in the next step.

Step 5:  Position the protractor on the pencil line matching the center of the protractor to the center of the card stock as shown below.  Make a pencil mark at the 60 degree markings on both the left and the right side... as well as the center as shown by the pointing fingers in the picture below (Figure 4).

 

Step 6:  Use a straight edge and pencil to draw lines from each of the marks you made in Step 5 through the center of the circle.  Your circle will now look like Figure 5.

Step 7:  Position the circle punch where one of the straight lines intersects with the drawn circle... as shown in the figure 6... and punch the circle  (If you need to mark the bottom of the punch to help you center the lines then use a Sharpie to do so.)

Step 8:  Repeat Step 7 at each of the intersections until you have punched all six circles.  The back will look like the one pictured below and....

Your circle of evenly punched circles is now complete!

You can use the same template for the 1/2" and 1" circle punches by lining the edge of the desired punch with the bottom of the already punched circle (as shown in the picture below), but a larger circle of card stock is needed for the larger circle punches.

Added Note:  This tutorial produces a circle larger than the one that was used on the card on page 109 yet small enough that it fits on the front of a standard size card.  If you want to make a smaller version like the one in the catalog then start with a 3 1/4 inch square of card stock, draw the inner circle at 2 1/2 inches, cut the outer circle at 3 inches.... and use the 1/2 inch Circle Punch.  The rest of the instructions remain the same.

Also... I recommend laminating the template so that you don't have to go to the trouble of making a new template each time and so that it will last longer. 

My math teachers would be so proud and happy to see that 35 years later I am still using what I learned in their classes!  Colleen (one of my downline) will be happy to see that I finally put my Circle Scissors to use!

Come back tomorrow to see my version of the completed card!

Happy Stamping~
Mia

Event: Yesterday's Open House!

Yesterday was my new catalog Open House.  As usual I forgot to take pictures to share with all of you so I can't show you how much fun everyone had, but they did!  Everyone left with at least one raffle prize... my way of thanking those who came and made it a fun time for us all!

Here are the projects everyone made..... using the new In Colors, of course!

Stamp Set:  Razzle Dazzle (pg.94)

Ink:  Melon Mambo

Card Stock:  Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Whisper White

Accessories:  Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper (pg.162), Scallop Circle Punch (pg.186/187), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (pg.186/187), 1" Circle Punch (pg.186/187), Soft Subtle Brads (pg.179), Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.192), 1/2" Polka Dot Melon Mambo Ribbon (pg.182)

Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Orchid Opulence

Accessories:  Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, Eyelet Edge Punch (pg.186/187), Stampin' Up! Exclusive Big Shot Sweetest Stem Embosslit Die (pg.195), Stampin' Up! Big Shot Cherry Blossom Embosslit Die (pg.195), Orchid Fine Cosmos Stampin' Glitter (pg.180)

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I will be sharing some of the samples that I created for my display during this coming week... along with information about upcoming classes... so be sure to check back again soon.

Happy Stamping~
Mia

Project: Second with New In Colors!

I mentioned in my last post that I absolutely love the new In Colors!  I finally had the time to pull them out of the box and do some playing around with them.  I'm not sharing the first project I created (yet!)... because it is for someone who is a continuous inspiration to me and I would like for them to be surprised... but here is the second project I made.  The card is screaming out for our 5/8 inch Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, but since I don't have any in stock I have used the Whisper White Organza ribbon until I order some.  The rest of the supplies are listed below... with the new items in bold print.

Stamp Sets: Animal Stories (pg.88), Teeny Tiny Wishes (pg.145)

Ink:  Dusty Durango (pg.155), Whisper White Craft Ink (pg.155)

Card Stock:  Dusty Durango, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip

Accessories:  Tall Tales Designer Series Paper (pg.161), Modern Label (pg.186-187), Whisper White Organza Ribbon (pg.183), Earth Elements Brads (pg.179), Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.192)

Be watching for a few more samples using new products throughout this week, but even more next week after my Open House.  (View the details of my Open House here!  You will need to scroll down a bit.)

I hope to see you there!

Happy Stamping~
Mia

It's Here! 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog!

The new 2009-9010 Idea Book & Catalog is here... and I am so excited about all the new In Colors (shown above)... along with the many other new products that have been included... like In Color Stampin' Write Markers(shown above).  Don't have a copy in your hands yet?  Click on the image in the upper right corner to download the catalog so that you can see for yourself.

You are also invited to attend my new catalog Open House at my home in Yigo, Guam on Saturday, July 11, 2009 from 1:00-5:00 pm.  Come when you can and leave when you need to.  There will be free Make & Takes, light refreshments and lots of give-aways.  Raffle tickets will be provided to those who attend.  All in attendance will automatically get one ticket.  To earn additional tickets:

1 ticket - Call or email me to let my know you will be attending.
2 tickets - Bring a new-to-me friend
3 tickets - Place an order of $50
7 tickets - Place an order of $100 or more

Come and get inspired... and in the meantime be sure to check back here regularly for additional samples and projects to get - and keep - your creative juices flowing!

As always, call or email (maria@stampingwithmia.com) me if you have any questions... or simply post a comment below.

Happy Stamping~
Mia