My Weblog

Finding Inspiration... through Challenges!

There are times that all of us run into dry spells in our creative thinking.... Yes, even me!  One thing that always inspires me is a card challenge that I find on the Internet, in a magazine or even one that I give myself.  This card was inspired by a challenge that I found on Sudsol... a group that is for Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  (If you are a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and not already a member of Sudsol, then you can find more information here.)

In this challenge we were provided with the layout for the card.  It was up to us to change the card in some way to make it ours.  I chose to change the colors, papers, and stamp set.  To duplicate the card you will need:

Stamp Sets:  Vintage Vogue (Occasions Mini Catalog, pg.26)

Inks:  Rich Razzelberry, Old Olive

Card Stock:  Old Olive, Rich Razzelberry, Orchid Opulence, Very Vanilla

Accessories:  Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper (pg.160), Earth Elements Brads (pg.179), Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.192), Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker (pg.156)

How about taking the time to see what can come up with using this same layout?  If you want to CASE (Copy And Steal Everything) this card but don't have all the supplies you need to make it, then click here and then on "Shop Now"!

Remember, this is the last month of Sale-a-bration, so place your $50 order now and earn FREE product... before it is too late!!!

Happy Stamping~

Mia

Project: Easter Mini Basket!

Holidays have become so commercial!  Thanksgiving and Christmas merchandise is out before Halloween has even passed.  Valentine's Day is over... St. Patrick's Day isn't... yet even here on Guam the Easter candies and baskets are out.  I hate that we are pushed into buying everything so soon!  So why am I sharing an Easter project with you today?!?

Well, living on Guam one quickly learns that it doesn't take 10 days to receive supplies we order from "the mainland."  It is more like 2-3 weeks...sometimes longer!  I want to inspire you and encourage you to order the supplies to recreate this mini basket now... allowing you enough time to create your own for Easter.

You will need:

Stamp Sets:  A Good Egg (pg.46)

Inks:  Jet Black StazOn (pg.190)

Card Stock:  Certainly Celery, Scraps of Summer Sun, Always Artichoke and Whisper White (pg.156-157)

Accessories: Scrap of Designer Series Paper - I used Tea Party (pg.160-163), Apricot Appeal and Certainly Celery 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (pg.183), Modern Label Punch (pg.186-187), Word Punch (pg.186-187), Scallop Edge Punch (pg.186-187), Big Shot (pg.194), Scallop Circle Die (pg.199), Stampin' Up Exclusive Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder (Occasions Mini Catalog, pg.35), Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.192), Small Flat Cello Bags (pg.159)

To create the basket:

Step 1:  Cut your scallop circle using the Big Shot and the Scallop Circle Die.

Step 2:  Score two parallel lines separated by four scallops as shown in the photo on the left. (There will be eleven scallops above and below the two score lines.)

Step 3:  Score additional lines as shown in the second photo on the  left.

Step 4:  Score from the intersection of the score lines to the outside of the scallop circle as shown in the third photo on the left.

Step 5:  Fold the scallop circle to form the basket.

Step 6:  Unfold the scallop circle and place in the Perfect Polka Dot Impressions Folder and run through the Big Shot... using the Multipurpose Platform.

Step 7:  Form into a basket by gluing the corner wedges  to the inside of the 4-scallop sides.

To make the handle:  Cut a piece of card stock 1 1/4" x 9".  Punch both long edges  using the Scallop Edge Punch.  (Be sure to save the long narrow scrap for another card!)  Glue the handle to the inside of the 4-scallop sides... covering the corner wedges.

Decorate your basket as desired!

I used A Good Egg, various punches, ribbons and scraps of papers as listed above.

Contact me today to place your order so that you can have as much fun creating these mini baskets as I am!  And remember... they don't just have to be for Easter.  They are a great for all occasions!

Happy Stamping~

Mia

Hearts 'N' Scraps, Part 2!

I played with my I {Heart} Hearts stamp set and my scrap stash again today to come  up with more creations using hearts in "un-Valentine" ways. 

 

 Here are two different  cards using the same elements.   It always amazes me how much changing just one or two things can change the whole look of a project!

The first card is a standard A2 (4 1/4" x 5 1/2" - half of an 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of card stock) greeting card.  The second card is 3" x 6" (a 6" square that is folded in half.)  I haven't made one with these dimensions in awhile, and decided it was about time that I did.

What do you think of my Heart Flowers?  I love the depth the shading gives them.  Yes, the Heart  Flowers were created from scraps of Whisper White and... No, although the Garden Green stems and sepals are from scraps... they weren't that small to begin with.  They were punched and trimmed from larger scraps.

Other than the dimensions of the cards themselves, there are three other differences  between the cards.  The first card has a Basic Black card stock layer, Sahara Sand sponging around the vase,  and Rich Razzelberry 1/2" polka dot grosgrain ribbon. The second card has a scrap of Razzelberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper behind the vase.

Some of the other supplies needed are:

Stamp Set:  I {Heart} Hearts

Card Stock:  Rick Razzelberry, Whisper White, Garden Green

Accessories:  Pretties Kit, Stampin' Write Markers, Razzelberry Lemonade DSP, Stampin' Dimensionals, Wide Oval Punch, Heart to Heart punch

These are just two of the cards you can make in my upcoming:

Un-Valentine Class

Saturday, March 13,2010

2:00 - 4:00 PM

    Reserve your spot now by clicking on the Pay Now link below!

Happy Stamping!

Mia

Hearts 'N' Scraps!

I am constantly having people say that they love sets like the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set in the current Occasions Mini Catalog, but that they don't think the investment is worth it for the one day holiday... Valentine's Day.  Well, there is no need to put those hearts away!  Hearts in all colors are always welcome in country decor... especially if they aren't pink or red.  I decided that this was a wonderful time to share some heart themed projects that can be used any time of the year.  Since I am a "Scrap Packrat"... who saves even the smallest pieces of paper, ribbon, etc... I decided to also give you some ideas on how to incorporate scraps into your projects.

I think this is the perfect thing to have on hand for when you need something special for someone!  Everything but the Rich Razzelberry card stock was a scrap from my scrap stash.

Supplies Needed:

Stamp Sets:  I {Heart} Hearts, Whimsical Words (FREE with a $50 order!)

Inks:  Rich Razzelberry, Melon Mambo

Card Stock:  Rich Razzelberry, Scraps of Whisper White

Accessories:  Scraps of Razzelberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper, Scrap of Apricot Appeal 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals.

I love the look of Amish quilts and couldn't resist doing a paper version to share with you.  It is definitely a one of a kind... at least until you make one of your own.  Use the "You are One of a Kind" saying from the One of a Kind stamp set (pg.130) on the inside and it becomes the perfect greeting card for a birthday, anniversary, or just because! 

Supplies Needed:

Card Stock:  Soft Suede, Basic Black and scraps of Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango and Bermuda Bay

Accessories:  Scraps of Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper, 1 1/4" Square Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Scraps of Apricot Appeal 1/4" grosgrain ribbon

For more ideas on how to use your scraps creatively read these postings as well:

Inspiration:  Scrap Quilt Technique

More Quilt Inspiration

As always, to order the products necessary for these projects click on the "Online Ordering"  button in the upper right corner and then click on "Shop Now"

Happy Stamping~

Mia

Scalloped Heart of Hearts Love Notes!

Several postings ago I mentioned having a favorite Love Note from among those I had made the day before.  I had promised you that I would share it with you. Here it is... or at least the project it inspired!

I have created a tutorial for the boxed set.  The tutorial includes the supply list, step by step instructions for the cards and box... as well as the template for the box.  It includes pictures where necessary. 

The set shown above was designed with Valentine's Day in mind, but since it is already Valentine's Day here on Guam the tutorial includes pictures showing two other color combinations... along with the other phrases I used from the Chat Room Rub-Ons and how I cut each of them apart for the cards.  It's like getting three tutorials in one!

You may order the tutorial** by clicking on the PayPal button below.  The cost is $5.00.  Specify if you need the tutorial in pdf. format or as a Word document... and I will email it to you as soon as I have received your payment.

Let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Happy Stamping~

Mia

** Note to fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrators:  This is not as detailed as a class planner.

I {Heart} Heart Boxes!

I've been wanting the Stampin' Up! Exclusive Big Shot Itty Bitty Box and Envelope Die (pg.201 of the IB&C) for a long time now... and when I saw the Stampin Up!  Exclusive Milk Carton Die in the Occasions Mini Catalog (pg.23) I just knew I had to have it as well.  They both arrived in the order I received last week.  I love them!  Since I am also loving the I {Heart} Hearts set from the Occasions Mini Catalog (pg.14) - which is the fundraiser set for Haiti relief - I couldn't help using it to enhance my first projects using the two dies.  I've also used the Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper (pg.13), and the Pinking Hearts Border Punch (pg.11) from the Occasions Mini Catalog.

The Milk Carton sample shown also uses Pretty In Pink and Real Red card stock (pgs.156-157), Linen Thread (pg.183) and the 1/16" Circle Punch (pg.186).  It's smaller than it looks in the picture - 1 1/2" x 1 5/8 x 2" below the Real Red band - but can hold 6 Hershey Nuggets... custom wrapped or not.

The Itty Bitty Box also uses the Full Heart Punch (pgs.186-187), 1/2" Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (pg.182), Linen Thread, Stampin' Up Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder (Occassions Mini Catalog - pg.35), Pretties Kit (pg.178), and Pretty In Pink, Real Red and White Card Stocks.

Both projects also use Pretty In Pink and/or Real Red ink or markers.

Call or email me to find out how you can learn to make these projects yourself!

Happy Stamping to you all~

Mia

I {Heart} Hearts Love Notes

With Valentine's Day approaching and the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set featured for the  Haiti fundraising, I decided to focus on the set.  Today's share is four Love Note cards (3x3).   They are quick and easy to make.

(I actually made one other one, but like it so much that I have decided to do a complete set... including a gift box to put them in!  Be watching for it later this week!)

You will need:

Stamp Set:  I {Heart} Hearts - Occasions Mini Catalog (pg. 14)

Card Stock:  Whisper White and Real Red

Inks:  Real Red

Accessories:  Sending Love Specialty Designer Paper (Occasions Mini Catalog - pg.13), 1/4" Red Gingham Ribbon (pg. 183), Stampin' Dimensionals (pg. 192), Chat Room Rub-Ons (Occasions Mini Catalog - pg.37)

If you would like to order the supplies to make these cards then you can go here.

As always, if you have any questions please feel free to call,   email or post a comment below.

Happy Stamping~

Mia

Projects: In Color and Thanksgiving!

If you have been following my blog on a regular basis, then you know that family situations have kept me away for quite awhile. Traveling has made it even harder.  Finding a few minutes here and there has been easy, but finding enough time to post has been difficult.  That said... months ago I mentioned not being able to share my first project using items new to the current Stampin' Up! catalog because it was a blog candy for one of my readers.  Well, that project is/was the altered pad... shown below.  I visited Saipan (another island in the Mariana Island chain) last month and was able to hand deliver it to my good friend and fellow Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Jill during her weekly stamping session at one of the local cafes.  She earned it by correctly guessing that the containers I altered during the Christmas season had been from Crystal Light.

I don't have my catalog with me right now, so I can't provide you with all the supplies used, but some of the supplies are Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper... and In Colors! 

The gift envelope shown above was also gifted to Jill.  I used this year's In Colors for this project as well.  I will try to add a list of other supplies when I get computer time and have my catalog with me.

This last project is the card I started while with Jill and her ladies/girls on Saipan.  Unlike most projects I had a difficult time getting this card just right... but I am finally happy with my end results.

I hope to share the Christmas Shaker Card that Jill's stamping session inspired me to create with you in the next day or two, but it will all depend on my access to computers... and time.  Be watching for it!

As always, I hope these projects have inspired you to create something yourself!

Happy Stamping!

Mia

In Memory Of.....

I'm back.... after a long absence.... and decided that this "first" posting should be in honor of my mother-in-law - Dolores I. Pobre - who passed away on August 31, 2009.  It is comforting to know that "Mama" is finally at peace.

Thank you to all who have shown me/us so much support.  I/We received a lot of sympathy cards from family and friends who kept us in their thoughts and prayers the past two months.  The card below was made by Nancy Tan, my good friend and Stampin' Up! demonstrator upline.

She used:

Stamp Sets:  Asian Artistry (Level 2 Hostess Set - pg 15), Close As a Memory (pg 52)

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Garden Green

Card Stock:  Apricot Appeal, Garden Green, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Stampin' Write Markers

Technique:  Watercolor

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mama loved lavenders and purples.  I used those colors for most of the cards that were made to show our thanks and appreciation to those who visited her in her final days and/or provided support during the difficult time.  This is one example of the many cards.  Simple, but nice!

To create this card you will need:

Stamp Set:  Taffy Alphabet (pg 149)

Inks:  Rich Razzleberry (In Color)

Card Stock:  Whisper White

Accessories:  Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper (pg 162), Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Write Marker (from the set of In Color markers on pg 155)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Check back regularly for additional stamping ideas and inspiration.  I will be traveling for 6 weeks, but plan to continue to post regularly during that time.  If you have any questions about a technique or project I have shared on my blog, ordering supplies, or even joining the Stampin' Up! family then please feel free to email me at maria@stampingwithmia.com while I am gone.  I will have daily access to the internet... and will respond asap.

Again, thanks to all for the support the past couple of months and....

Happy Stamping~

Mia

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