Tech Tues Sneak Peek

Hello again! I wanted to mention a quick reminder about my upcoming Technique Tuesday class to be held on June 30th at 7pm in my home. In addition to other projects, we will be making this gorgeous rose that's shown on the card above - you won't believe how EASY this is to create! Really... you'll be amazed!! Additional details about the class are located HERE, and the cost for this class is $12. If you are in the Phoenix area and would like to attend, I'd love for you to join us for a fun evening! Please RSVP by June 23rd through my contact page HERE, or you can send an email to june@mycreativecorner.com and I'll be contacting you shortly.

Have a wonderful day!

So Tweet Layout

Hello... hope the start of the week is going well for you... I've been feeling a bit under the weather the last two days, so I took it easy and worked on this whimsical 12x12 scrapbook page of my daughters throughout the day. Remember, you can click the photos and a bigger version will refresh on your screen... when you're done, just hit the back button to get back to the main page...

I used the leftover patterned paper from the altered clock project & lightweight chipboard to create my "so tweet" letters that were die cut with the BigShot & Serif Essentials alphabet die set. After gluing all of the patterned paper to the various chipboard pieces with SU's "anywhere glue stick" (love this product by the way!), I lightly sponged the edges with Melon Mambo ink, and used the new Melon Mambo marker to add some penworks on the letters. The bird's tail & wing, and the little flower were covered with Melon Mambo cardstock, trimmed out and stamped with the swirl stamp from the Wings of Friendship Hostess level 2 stamp set in Melon Mambo ink. The bird's eye and legs were sponged with Soft Suede ink. The branch was sponged with Old Olive ink. The beak was covered with the same paper as the background, and lightly sponged with Crushed Curry ink. The photo was matted several times, with one of the layers punched with the eyelet punch. I added a little sub-title with the new Modern Label punch in the upper right corner. Swirls and little notes were added last.

I love to scrapbook, and I should devote more time to it as I'm terribly behind with all the family photos. It was fun to focus on chipboard today with this layout, and I hope you enjoy my page. Have a great evening... I'm off to eat some soup and lay down under a blankie... Ta ta for now, and said with my best Arnold impersonation... "I'll be back...." :)

Stamps: Wings of Friendship (swirl stamp on bird wing/tail/flower)

Paper: Pixie Pink, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP

Inks: Old Olive, Soft Suede, Melon Mambo (inkpad and marker)

Accessories: Big Shot, Swirly Sizzlet Decorative Strip, Billboard Alphabet Strip, Serif Essentials Alphabet dies, So Tweet On-Board Chipboard, Eyelet border punch, modern label punch, Family Treasures music note punch, 1/4" circle punch, sanding block, sponge/daubers, anywhere glue stick

Tick Tock... Altered Clock

Hello again!!! Today's project features an altered clock that I worked on yesterday at a monthly crop that I coordinate for a bunch of die-hard crafters. It started out as a plain white plastic clock that I picked up at Target for less than $5 dollars... the face is about 8 inches in diameter and fills a need that I had for my craft room. I have a little desk clock in there, but it always get buried beneath whatever project I happen to be working on at the time. Besides, I wanted to showcase a couple of new In-Colors, and a lovely patterned paper design from the new and upcoming "Razzleberry Lemonade" paper collection that will be available for purchase from the new catalog starting July 1st. I really adore this paper collection!!! Be prepared because I will be using lots, and lots, and lots of it!!! :)

It wasn't difficult to remove the front clear plastic cover that protected the clock hands, so if you would like to try this and purchase this same clock at Target, just go slow and press in the two little tabs on the back of the clock for removal. After the cover was removed, I gently pulled off the clock hands and carefully peeled off the paper with the clock's numbers. I used this paper as a template for the patterned paper and just used small scissors to cut around it. I did lightly sponge the patterned paper circle around the outer edge and hole for the clock's spindle with Crushed Curry ink.

The outside plastic was painted with acrylic paint and distressed with a sponge and brown ink. I chose a purple that very closely matched Rich Razzleberry and golden yellow that resembled Crushed Curry. Once distressed with the brown ink, the colors turned out looking aged and "antiquey" (is that a word? LOL!!). Once the paint job was the way that I wanted it, I put a coat of ModgePodge over the whole thing. NOTE - If and when I do this again (as it would make a GREAT gift!), I am going to use masking-tape to protect the clock spindle and spray paint a primer coat all over the plastic before painting. The acrylic paint can be easily scratched off otherwise.... that's why I ended up using ModgePodge to (hopefully) protect the paint job. However, since it's a clock and will only be handled when I change the battery, I think this will be OK and last a long time.

The numbers on the clock were made with corduroy buttons (non-SU) and altered/sanded chipboard diamonds from the Blossoms & Basics chipboard collection (retired). I used the BigShot and Little Leaves Sizzlet die to make an arrangement of leaves on the clock face. The butterflies were stamped with Rich Razzleberry ink using the butterfly stamp from the Great Friend stamp set, then cut out and glued onto the clock face with the wing tips slightly curled upward (HINT - make sure nothing is too tall to impede the movement of the clock's hands!). I assembled my clock back together, inserted a battery, and Voila... it's finished and ready for display!!

I hope you enjoyed taking a look at my altered clock... and I hope it inspired you to try this project out for yourself! It wasn't hard to do at all, but it did take me all day to do it (of course, I spent ALOT of time talking, listening, laughing, going out for a dinner run, then talking, laughing... HEY, you get the gist.... a roomful of crafters are too much fun! Tee hee! Have a great week ahead, and come back soon! Till next time... :)

Stamps: Great Friend
Paper: Old Olive, Whisper White, Razzleberry Lemonade designer series paper collection
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, brown staz-on, acrylic paints
Accessories: small paintbrushes, sponges, BigShot, Little Leaves sizzlet, mono-multi glue, corduroy buttons, chipboard, sanding block, ModgePodge, clock!

Upsy Daisy Wishes

Happy Saturday! This card was one of the different techniques we covered during my last Technique Tuesday class in May where we got to try out the Baby Wipe Technique. There are several different versions, and we used the version where we swiped the ink across the Whisper White panel. We finished off by heat embossing black powder using Versamark and the flower silhouette from Upsy Daisy. Everyone did a super job with this technique! I'll be posting one sample for the next Technique Tuesday class that meets on June 30th in a couple of days - check back soon!

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Oval All

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Black, Whisper White

Inks: Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, So Saffron, Black, Versamark

Accessories: key tag punch, baby wipes, sponge, black embossing powder, heatgun

New Friendship

Hello again... Here's a card that was made with new In Color supplies and a new Level 2 Hostess stamp set for the upcoming catalog release called Wings of Friendship. I used the new In-Color marker set to color in portions of the bird and sentiment stamps from this set. The ribbon has a couple brads inserted, and the sentiment was popped up with dimensional popdots. The background is stamped in Versamark from another stamp from the set... I really think this set is beautiful!!! If you'd like to find out how you can earn this Hostess stamp set for free... please let me know by filling in my contact page HERE.

Have a great day.... I'm taking my kids to Big Surf Waterpark this afternoon, and they are hovering around me to GET GOIN'!!! (tee hee!!!)

Stamps: Wings of Friendship

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, White

Inks: Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Versamark

Accessories: Old Olive ribbon, brads, glue dots, dimensional popdots, Punches - large oval and scallop oval

In Place of a Bow

Hello everyone... just a quick post for today. This wrapped package contains a gift for my SIL, and I wanted the bow to be alittle different, so I stamped it! I used Playful Petals and stamped the large flower image 3 times on white cardstock. It is colored with a few new In-Color markers - yep, you saw that right! Stampin' Up has heard our wishes and is providing markers for all of the new In-Colors with the release of the new catalog on July 1st. I used Rich Razzleberry (a pretty purple), Melon Mambo (pinkish red), Crushed Curry (golden yellow), and Mellow Moss for the green (not sure that I like this color choice, but what's done is done...). The flowers were cut out and mounted in layers with dimensional popdots. The colored leaves were added last under the flower bow. The "happy birthday" greeting comes from the set "Teeny Tiny Wishes" and was hand cut and molded to look like a banner. The ribbon is Old Olive.

Here's a close up of my "bow". Sorry about my post being so short today - I have a "to-do" list a mile long and am feeling motivated to get some things accomplished - so I better hop to it! Have a great day and come back soon!

Hello Baby!

I've loved this little "Bambi" stamp since the first moment that I saw it, and of course, this set called Forest Friends was purchased right away. I've combined several stamp sets for this Baby card today. The sentiment is from a new release called Teeny Tiny Wishes and will be available for purchase on July 1st. This stamp set contains 24 (yes, 24!) different small sentiments for just about every occasion that can occur throughout the year. It is perfectly sized for many Stampin Up punches to make little labels like I've done above on this card. The little faces of the bunny and fawn were stamped again on some scrap cardstock, cut out, and popped up with dimensional popdots. The background panel was sponged after running it through the BigShot and adding the dotted texture to it. The entire tree from Thoughts & Prayers was inked up with Green Galore, then the trunk and branches were colored in with Chocolate Chip. Hint - You can do this as long as your 2nd color is darker than your first, so it doesn't mess up your marker/ink colors. The main panel's sky and grass were sponged in after stamping the tree and animals to create my scene. The grass sprouts were hand drawn with the pen side of the Green Galore marker.

Have an awesome day.... see you next time.... :)

Stamps - Teeny Tiny Wishes, Forest Friends, Thoughts & Prayers

Paper - Green Galore, Chocolate Chip, Pacific Point, white

Inks - Green Galore, Close to Cocoa, Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Creamy Caramel, Markers: Chocolate Chip, Green Galore

Accessories - Brads, sponge, dimensional popdots, BigShot, SU dotted texturz plate, round tab punch

"Fore" Father's Day

I love alittle play on words! Here's a Father's Day card that went a bit heavy with tools and gadgets, but I love the results. The golf balls were made with the dotted SU texturz plate/BigShot and punched out with a 1 inch circle punch. The top golfball is popped up with dimensionals. The Top Note Sahara Sand background was ran through the crimper, and the peaks were touched with an inked up brayer with Sahara Sand ink. I sponged the edges with Pacific Point ink to define it alittle better. The large rectangle background is sponged with Sahara Sand and Pacific Point, then dotted with a Brocade Blue marker. The golfer is from the "And Many Mower" mini catalog stamp set - he's darling, don't you think? He was colored in with Stampin'Up chalks and blender pen. I lightly sponged Baja Breeze ink around him for the sky. The edges were sponged and dotted as well. The sentiment's label is from the Cute & Curly stamp set which is punched out with the Curly Label punch. I stamped the golf ball on it's tee again, cut it out and glued it onto the sentiment label. I would have just stamped it there using a StampaMaJig, but I forgot about this little addition until after I placed my dimensional popdots (oops!). Brads were inserted and everything mounted on my Pacific Point cardbase.

(A small product plug here... In case you didn't know, the Cute & Curly stamp set has 4 stamps that coordinate with the Curly Label punch, and the stamps will be discontinued after this month. If you are considering it, it's part of a bundle that includes the Curly Label punch. The item # is 112966, and is $33.95.)

I hope you enjoy today's card, and that it gives you an idea or two for your Father's Day card. Till next time!

Stamps - And Many Mower, Cute & Curly

Cardstock - White, Sahara Sand, Pacific Point

Ink - black, Sahara Sand, Pacific Point, Brocade Blue marker

Accessories - dimensionals, chalks, blender pen, crimper, brayer, sponge, brads, BigShot & impression accessories, Top Note die, SU texturz plate, Punches: corner rounder, 1 inch circle, Curly Label

Graduation Shutter Card

Ggggoooo Cougars! (tee hee hee!) Hello everyone... it sure has been a busy last couple of weeks... last minute school projects & kids getting out of school, 2 of my kids with birthdays and some with their friends w/birthdays, graduations, dad having surgery (he's recovering nicely, thank goodness)... not to mention WORK thrown in there, too! I'm glad that things seem to be slowing down (and I hope it stays that way!)...

OK, now let's talk about this card. I made this graduation card for my nephew who completed his high school last Thursday! WTG, Blaine!!! This style of card is called "Tri-Shutter", and it was a Splitcoast Technique challenge several weeks ago, although specific directions can be found here on Bonnie's blog. The various individual stamps come from a large variety of retired stamp sets - it's really hard for me to let any go because they come in handy sooner or later... OK, truth be told, I love being surrounded by all my stuff in my craft room! (wails... I can't help it!)

As you might guess, Blaine's high school colors are purple, teal and white. I made my card base with a "basic gray" speckled paper, and went from there. I used a computer/printer for the school name, class year and Thoreau quote, and the cougar image was a photo found on the internet that was cropped and printed black and white. All these things were measured out to fit the individual sections of the card and matted in the school colors. See the section where "congratulations" was heat embossed with white embossing powder? That area was large enough to easily fit my VISA giftcard, and was attached there with temporary 2-sided tape. I loved that it fit! (Yes, I am easily amused by the little things in life!)

Before I forget, you can click the picture and it'll refresh with a larger version so that you can see the details alittle better - as you can imagine, this one was alittle tricky to photograph for you, being the amateur photographer that I am! :)

Here's the card closed, and it fit into a standard A2 envelope. The mortarboard for the graduation cap was stamped again, cut out and popped with a dimensional. The "hip hip hooray" was punched with a 1/2 inch punch and popped up too. The card was alittle bulky due to the thick buttons, hardware with ribbons, and many brads that I added, so it did take extra postage to mail.

I'm glad to be posting again! Stampin' Up demonstrators were able to do some pre-ordering of selected items in preparation for the new catalog to be released July 1st. I'm looking forward to receiving my shipment later in the week - new goodies are always inspirational, and I can't wait to share! If you'd like to pre-order a catalog for just $5, let me know by filling out the form HERE. Have a great day!

Stamps - Carte Postale, Circle of Friendship, Greeting for All Reasons, Mini Messages, Sketch an Event (all retired stamp sets)

Cardstock - white, taken with teal, elegant eggplant, "basic gray" type cardstock for base (I think it comes from "cottage collection" by Keeping Memories Alive)

Inks - Versamark, Elegant Eggplant, Taken with Teal, Basic Gray

Accessories - craft knife, ruler, cutting mat, stylus, various circle punches, sponge dauber, silver brads, heatgun, white embossing powder, hodgepodge hardware, matpack and paper piercer, dimensional popdots, non-SU 1/8th inch ribbon in white, blue, purple

Last Chance Summer Fun Promotions

Today kicks off some awesome promotions with Stampin' Up that lasts throughout the month of June. First of all, the Last Chance Lists were posted today, and this will be the last time these stamp sets and Decor Elements will be available (click on each link to see the PDF documents). I'm sure you might have one or two of these items that's been sitting at the top of your wishlist - now's the time to get 'em! Along with the retiring stamp sets, we have a large variety of accessories that will be retiring too - and many of these are being offered at a discount of up to 50%! Remember though, the accessories are only available while supplies last, so your best bet to get these would be to shop now through my demonstrator website and pick them up today. I will try and keep this list updated for you daily, but some items have sold out already, so your best bet is to get those accessories now while you can!!!

Secondly, Stampin' Up! is having a Fantastic Hostess Bonus promotion! With just a $250 workshop, the hostess will get an additional $20 in Free products - with a $400 or more workshop, the hostess receives an additional $40 in Free products!!! How cool is that!?! I mean, think about it - with a $400 workshop, you can get $85 in Free goodies...... this is a great promotion!!!

Lastly, Stampin' Up! has a really cute offering that's perfect for summertime get-togethers. It's called the Country Living Summer Cookout Kit and it really makes me want to go fire up the BBQ!!!

If you have any questions about these wonderful promotions, let me know by email at june@mycreativecorner.com. Have a great day!!