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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

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

Technique: Paper Piecing

While I was playing yesterday I decided to do something a bit different and at the same time introduce you to another technique... Paper Piecing.  Paper Piecing involves cutting the different parts of the stamped image out of colored card stock and/or designer series paper and then assembling them into the completed image.  I wanted to continue my focus on sets from the Occasions mini catalog so I have used the Wagon Full of Fun set from pg.13 of the mini.  Be sure to take the time to look at the second picture for a hidden surprise.

Stamp Sets:  Wagon Full of Fun, Great Friend (pg.6/7 - Occasions mini), Cute & Curly (pg.185)

Inks:  Jet Black StazOn, Close to Cocoa

Card Stock:  Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Only Orange, Red Hood Red, Garden Green, Brocade Blue, Creamy Caramel, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Accessories:  Bella Birds Designer Series Paper (pg.160), Stampin' Dimensionals

And now for the hidden surprise reveal.....

I bet you were wondering where I had used the Cute & Curly stamp set!

I made one more card while I was playing with my Occasions mini catalog stamp sets yesterday.  I gave this one a local touch come back tomorrow to see my Guam twist!

Happy Stamping   
Mia

One Sheet Wonders: Part 7!

Ta Da!  Here are the final three cards in my One Sheet Wonder series!  They all use Oval All from the current Occasions mini catalog as the main focal point.

*** This card uses pieces #7 from the One Sheet Wonder template.

Stamp Set: Oval All (pg.8 Occasions mini catalog)

Inks:  Jet Black StazOn, Pretty In Pink, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss

Card Stock: Cameo Coral, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White

Accessories:  Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper (pg.160), Blender Pen (pg.190), Large Oval Punch (pg.184/185), Scallop Oval Punch (pg.8 - Occasions mini catalog), Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon (pg.179), Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.191)

*** This card uses pieces #8 from the One Sheet Wonder template.

Stamp Sets:  Oval All, Wagon Full of Fun (both from the Occasions mini catalog!)

Inks: Jet Black StazOn, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss

Card Stock: Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White

Accessories:  Raspberry Tart DSP, Watercolor Pencils, Aqua Painter, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Whisper White Taffetta Ribbon (pg.179)

*** This card uses piece #3 (or is it 4.  They are interchangeable!) from the One Sheet Wonder template.

Stamp Sets:  Oval All, Great Friend (both from the Occasions mini catalog!)

Inks:  Jet Black StazOn, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss

Card Stock:  Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red, Whisper White

Accessories:  Raspeberry Tart DSP, Wide Oval Punch (pg.184/185), Scallop Oval Punch, Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

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I've now shared the complete set of 15 cards using the template (You'll need to scroll down to the template itself) from Mae Collins that I adapted.  If you have viewed them all, you will see that I have done a combination of simple/quick cards and cards that take a bit more time.  I chose to mix the stamping level because there is a variety of skill among stampers here on Guam... just as there is world wide.  I hope that in providing such a variety you have found at least one that has sparked your creativity enough that you pulled out stamps, paper and inks and started creating some One Sheet Wonder cards of your own!  Make sure that you google One Sheet Wonder to see what other templates you want to try.

With my One Sheet Wonder series now complete... I have a different project to share with you tomorrow.  It is something most of my customers haven't seen me do very often.  If you want to know what it is... then you will have to be sure to come back tomorrow. (LOL!)

Happy Stamping~
Mia

One Sheet Wonders: Part 6!

Hey all, my intention was to post the final three cards and the link to the One Sheet Wonder template that I used as my reference, but a had a minor accident earlier today.  Something fell on my toe with so much force that I am now dealing with pulsing pain and am not able to sit without my foot elevated.  I'm also not able to focus well enough to post the details.  So... I am going to share the link to the One Sheet Wonder template now, and hopefully tomorrow I will able to post the last three cards in the series.  Remember, this template is before my changes.  Most of my changes were minor, but the one thing that did happen is piece 11 and 13 were so close in size that they are really interchangeable.  So much so that I may have gotten them reversed myself!  All that said, the One Sheet Wonder template was designed by Mae Collins.  It... and the cards she created...can be found here.  While you are there take the time to look at all the other One Sheet Wonder templates that she has designed.

I need to go put my foot up now, but will back tomorrow with the final three cards in the series.

Happy Stamping~
Mia

One Sheet Wonders: Part 5!

Here are the cards for today's One Sheet Wonder card share!  All three of them use the Soft Summer stamp set from page 3 of the Occasions mini catalog.  It is one of Stampin' Up!'s 2-step stamping sets... and I love it!  My favorite way to color these sets is to use Stampin' Write Markers (pg.152) or the Watercolor Wonder Crayons (pg.152) for the solid image and an ink pad for the outline image.  It is fun to see the different looks you can get by misting the colored solid image with water before stamping it on our Watercolor Paper (pg.156).  I didn't mist the images for these cards, but I did use the Stampin' Write Markers to color them.

*** This card uses piece #11 from the One Sheet Wonder template.

Stamp Set:  Soft Summer (pg.3 from the Occasions mini catalog)

Inks:  Rose Red, Jet Black StazOn

Cardstock:  Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White

Accessories:  Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper (pg.160), Stampin' Write Markers (pg.152), Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.191), Black Gingham Ribbon (pg.179)

*** This card uses pieces #12 from the One Sheet Wonder template.

Stamp Set:  Soft Summer

Inks:  Jet Black StazOn

Card Stock:  Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red, Blush Blossom, Whisper White

Accessories:  Raspberry Tart DSP, Stampin' Write Markers, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon (pg.179), Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive (pg.191), Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter (pg.180), Stampin' Dimensionals.

*** This card uses piece #5 from the One Sheet Wonder template.

Stamp Set:  Soft Summer

Inks:  Jet Black StazOn

Card Stock:  Rose Red, Whisper White

Accessories:  Raspberry Tart DSP, Scallop Edge Punch (pg.184/185), Circle Fire Rhinestone Brads (pg.174), Stampin' Dimensionals(*), Tombow Multipurpose Adhesive.

(*) I love how the Stamppin' Dimensionals under each petal give the flowers a much more realistic look.

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There are three more cards to go in my One Sheet Wonder series... so you need to come back tomorrow to see them... and for the link to the template that inspired the adapted template I used for all these creations.  Until then...

Happy Stamping~
Mia

One Sheet Wonders: Part 4!

Well... I almost didn't get the cards made for today's One Sheet Wonder posting.... but I did!  (Actually, by the time I finish posting it will be past midnight - tomorrow - here on Guam, so there will be a second posting in the late afternoon... Guam time).  I hope you enjoy today's card share and that they inspire you to get out your stamps, papers and inks to create something special.  If it does, then please send me a picture of your creation.  I may even upload it to my blog for others to see!  Just email them to me at:  maria@stampingwithmia.com

Today's cards use the Golden Oldies stamp set from page 21 of the Occasions mini catalog.  I couldn't resist the humor... especially as I get closer to looking like the woman in the images!  As I said.... enjoy!

*** This card uses pieces #9 from the One Sheet Wonder template.

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

Inks:  Jet Black StazOn

Card Stock:  Cameo Coral, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White

Accessories:  Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper (pg.160), Watercolor Wonder Crayons (pg.152), Aqua Painter (pg.190), Crystal Effects (pg.191), Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.191)

*** This card uses piece #11 from the One Sheet Wonder template.

Stamp Set:  Golden Oldies, Short & Sweet (pg.137)

Inks:  Kiwi Kiss, Jet Black StazOn

Card Stock:  Kiwi Kiss, Cameo Coral, Rose Red, Whisper White

Accessories:  Raspberry Tart DSP, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Aqua Painter, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds, Black Gingham Ribbon (pg.179), Stampin' Dimensionals

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I better go get some sleep now so that I will be rested for "tomorrow's" card share.

Happy Stamping~
Mia

One Sheet Wonders: Part 3!

Here is the next set of cards from the One Sheet Wonder template.  There are three of them this time!  They all use the Great Friend stamp set from the Occasion mini catalog.  They look much better in person because for some reason my scanner doesn't like Blush Blossom!

*** One Sheet Wonder piece # 14

Stamp Sets:  Great Friend (pg.6 - Occasions mini), God's Blessings (pg.134)

Inks:  Rose Red, Going Gray, Jet Black StazOn

Card Stock:  Rose Red and Blush Blossom

Accessories:  Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper (pg.160), Whisper White Organza Ribbon (pg.179), Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.191)

 
*** One Sheet Wonder piece #3

Stamp Sets:  Great Friend

Inks:  Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red

Card Stock:  Blush Blossom, Rose Red, Cameo Coral, Whisper White

Accessories:  Raspberry Tart DSP, Scallop Circle Punch (pg.184/185), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (pg.184/185), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (pg.184/185), Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

 
*** One Sheet Wonder pieces #10

Stamp Sets:  Great Friend

Inks:  Pretty In Pink, Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black

Card Stock:  Blush Blossom, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White

Accessories:  Pretties Kit (pg.175), Kiwi Kiss 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Crystal Effects (pg.191)

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You may have been wondering why I am focusing on sets from the Occasions mini catalog?!?  One reason is because they are new... I'm loving them... and they are only available until June 30, 2009 so I want to share them with you as much as possible before they retire.  Another reason is that Stampin' Up! has a special promotion....

Buy $40 in products from the Occasions Mini or host a workshop totaling $150 or more, you'll get one item from the "Under $10" page (p. 208) in the Spring/Summer Idea Book & Catalog -- Free!!!

If you haven't received your copy of the Occasions mini catalog then you can view it by clicking on the image in the upper right corner... right below the "Order Online" button.  Also, the Free Spring/Summer catalog promotion is still on-going... but will be over the end of the month so get your orders placed now!

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the next set of cards from the same One Sheet Wonder template!

Happy Stamping~

Mia

One Sheet Wonders: Part 2!

As stated in yesterday's posting... which I updated to include only current stamp sets(!)... this week is being devoted to cards that I made using one of the many One Sheet Wonder templates that are available online.

*** This Lucky Duck card was made using piece #2 of the One Sheet Wonder template I chose.

Stamp Set:  Wagon Full of Fun (pg.13 of the Occasions mini)

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn

Card Stock:  Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Jet Black StazOn ink

Accessories:  Watercolor Wonder Crayons (pg.152), Aqua Painter (pg.190), Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon (pg.179), Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper (pg.160), Stampin' Dimensionals (pg.191)

*** I used piece # 13 of the One Sheet Wonder template to create this Cupcake card.

Stamp Sets:  Wagon Full of Fun (pg.13 of the Occasions mini), Hugs & Wishes (pg.134)

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn

Card Stock:  Blush Blossom, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White

Accessories:  Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Crystal Effects (pg.191), Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (pg.180) and Green Bead Duo (pg.180)

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I love how both cards turned out!  This was my first time using my Bead Duo.  It adds so much dimension to the card!  I will definitely order... and use... more of the Bead Duos!!!

Remember.... I will share the link to the original template at the end of the week.

Meanwhile....

Happy Stamping~
Mia

One Sheet Wonders (OSW)!

Today's cards were made using the "One Sheet Wonder" technique.  What is a "One Sheet Wonder (OSW)" you ask??? 

The OSW technique is when a template is used to cut a single sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 or 12x12 paper into a lot of pieces which are used as the focal point or accent on  cards.  The paper can be stamped card stock, Designer Series Paper or even papers from Stampin' Up!'s wonderful Simply Scrappin' Kits.  Double sided papers offer the most variety since you have two sides to choose from... and Simply Scrappin' Kits  provide coordinating stickers to further embellish the cards.  (I've used Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper - pg. 160 - for this set... and have used just the one side throughout to emphasize the OSW technique.)

The OSW technique is a wonderful way to create a variety of cards in one stamping session.  Even those of us on Guam are finding that we have less time to stamp than we used to and are looking for ways to create projects  quickly and easily.  The OSW templates are part of the solution!  I hold One Sheet Wonder classes at my home in Yigo, Guam... usually with templates I have designed myself... but there are many OSW templates available online.  Do a google search of One Sheet Wonders and an almost endless list will open up.  Some of them will be for standard size card stock, while others will be for 12x12 pages.  All the templates provide a quick and easy way to create lots of cards in a short amount of time.

The template I've used for this week's cards is not one of my own.  I improvised one that I found online.  (The original template dimensions were given in centimeters and my paper cutter's primary unit of measure is inches.... so I adapted it to make it easier to use.)  These cards use pieces #1 and #6 of the template.

All of this week's cards use stamp sets from the new Occasions mini catalog and the Spring Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog, Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper (pg.160), Blush Blossom card stock, Rose Red card stock, Kiwi Kiss card stock and an assortment of Stampin' Up!'s wonderful punches and embellishments.  The main stamp set used on today's cards is Wagon Full of Fun from the Occasions mini catalog.  I also used the "for you" from the Great Friend stamp set... also in the Occasions mini.

Come back tomorrow for two more card ideas.... and, as always, if you have any comments or questions please feel free to ask away!

Happy Stamping~
Mia

P.S.  I will share the link to the original template at the end of the week... when I have finished sharing the rest of the cards that I created from the single sheet of Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper.  Be watching for it... and the rest of the cards.