One of my favourite sets from the new Summer Mini is called I (Heart) Hearts.  For a long time, I’ve been hoping for some cute heart stamps to match our Heart punches and my wish has come true!  This stamp set has MANY hearts in different shapes and sizes, including one heart to fit the Full Heart Punch, and this stamp to fit the Heart to Heart Punch.  You all know how much I love my punches!

Project Recipe:

Papers: Pink Pirouette, Pink Passion, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White

Stamps: I (heart) hearts, Basic Phrases

Ink: Pink Passion, bleach (for hearts)

Accessories: Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Dimensionals

Here’s another look at a new stamp set coming in the Summer Mini Catalogue which debuts on December 1st.  This stamp set is called Animal Stories and it matches the Tall Tales DSP.

Project Recipe:

Papers: So Saffron, Brilliant Blue, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Stamps: Animal Stories, Autumn Flair (hostess), Short & Sweet

Ink: Brilliant Blue, Old Olive, Rose Red, Bleach (for leaf background)

Accessories: Dimensionals, Paper Snips

This set  ”Something Sweet” SCREAMED out to me as soon as I saw it.  I love these little Sweet Treat cups and can see so many uses for them.  Who wouldn’t love to get a card with some built in CANDY????  The new 1 3/4″ Circle punch is a perfect fit for the Sweet Treat Cups, and you can even get padded envelopes so you can send them in the post!

I was only going to show you one project for each day, but I couldn’t stop making things with these, so today you get an impromptu Trio.

First up is a Christmas Card, a lovely Poinsettia Flower with M & M’s inside:

In Hindsight, I should have filled the Sweet Treat Cup with only the Brown Candies, but I was too busy eating them as I created….WARNING, these Sweet Treat Cups can be dangerous if you are dieting!!!

Project Recipe:

Papers: Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Always Artichoke

Stamps: Something Sweet, Many Merry Messages

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke

Accessories: 1 3/4″ Circle Punch, Striped Ribbon (from Spring Mini), Dimensionals, Sweet Treat Cups

 

Project #2 is a Sweet Thank You card in some colours that I don’t use often (but should use them more!):

Project Recipe:

Papers: Tangerine Tango, Brilliant Blue, Whisper White

Stamps: Something Sweet

Ink: Real Red, Brilliant Blue, Tangerine Tango

Accessories: 1 3/4″ Circle Punch, Tangerine Tango striped ribbon, Sweet Treat Cups, Jelly Belly Jellybeans (again, a “few” were taste-tested)

 

Last, but not least, an adorable Baby rattle…this one was hard to photograph as it kept falling forward.  That’s why you can’t see the sentiment completely.  It says “Sweet Little Baby”

Project Recipe:

Papers: Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Kaleidoscope DSP

Stamps: Something Sweet, Life Definitions

Ink: Regal Rose

Accessories: Mat pack & piercer, rhinestone brads, 1 3/4″ circle punch, dimensionals, sweet treat cups, Jelly Belly Jelly Beans (YUM!)

I got this card in the mail earlier in the month from Angela Sargeant.  I love the bright colours in the new Kaleidoscope DSP papers!

This new stamp set is perfectly fit to go in the new Butterfly Punch too!  While I haven’t purchased this set (Butterfly Prints) yet, the punch also coordinates with the existing Flight of the Butterfly set in the regular catalogue.  See how versatile this punch is already!  You know you want one.  Contact me today to get yours, I have an order going in on December 1st!

Project Recipe:

Papers: Pixie Pink, Summer Sun, Kaleidoscope DSP, Whisper White

Stamps: Butterfly Prints, Really Retro

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun, Gable Green, Pink Passion

Accessories: Butterfly Punch, Paper Snips, Dimensionals, Hodgepodge Hardware

I got my new Summer Mini Catalogue stuff on November 9th.  I’ve been enjoying my playtime with it, but have been waiting to give you all a few sneak peeks!  So, now that I’m done my Christmas overload, I’ll start doing a daily sneak peek of what’s in the Summer Mini that is coming out on December 1st.

 

First up, these white crocheted flowers are called Fleurettes.  White…how boring right?  NO WAY!!!  They are white so you can make then any colour you choose!  To dye these cute little blossoms, I put some water and a few drops of reinker in a little container and soaked the flowers for about 5 minutes each, so the ink saturated through all the threads.  I left them to dry on a paper towel overnight and VOILA, beautiful coloured flowers.  I finished off the centres with Rhinestone Brads and half back pearls from the Pretties Kit, and they are adhered to the clips with Crystal effects.  Too easy!  Now, what better way to highlight these than to put them on some hair clips for my daughter Emma…..she loved tham, as you can well imagine!

Project Recipe:

Fleurettes, Pin Passion Reinker, Summer Sun Reinker, Tempting Turquoise Reinker, Pretties Kit, Hair Clips

This will be my last Tuesday Trio.  I have completed an entire year of these, and while I think it’s a great way to show the versatility of the cards, I’m feeling the pressure more and more to get the cards done on time.  I want to stamp what I feel like stamping, and not be worried about what stamp sets I HAVE to show everyone.  Next week marks the beginning of a new Mini Catalogue, so I thought it was a good place to stop.  One year of Trios are behind me, and now I look forward to stamping more for me.  I’d like to come up with another kind of regular post, but have yet to be inspired as to what to do with that thought, so I’ll let you know once I’ve decided.  For now, enjoy my last Trio, and keep coming back for more inspiration!!!

First up, a typical “tree” card.  I was inspired by Leonie Schroeder’s card for this one.  Her post was from Sept 26th

Papers: Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Whisper White

Stamps:Trendy Trees, One of a Kind

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Mellow Moss

Accessories: 1 3/4″ circle punch, Stampamajig, Scallop Oval Punch, Sponge Daubers

Secondly, a Christmas card, using silver ink and the leafy treetop image.

Project Recipe:

Papers: Brushed Silver, Real Red, Whisper White

Stamps: Basic Phrases, Trendy Trees

Ink: Encore Silver, Real Red, Real Red marker

Accessories: Glue Dots, Real Red grosgrain ribbon

Lastly, a Peek A Boo Card in girly colours.  I found the tutorial for this one on Youtube.

Project Recipe:

Papers: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Whisper White, Certainly Celery

Stamps: Polka Dot, Trendy Trees

Ink: Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose

Accessories: 1 1/4″ circle punch, 1 3/8″ circle punch, scallop circle punch, sticky strip, certainly celery poly-twill ribbon (September promotion)

I just had to hop on here and share some pictures of what I’ve been doing for the past week.  While it has not been stamping, I have been very busy setting up new furniture in my craft room/office.  We have been wanting to get some new furniture for awhile, and last weekend we went to Ikea and made some decisions.  We did not buy anything at that time as we had to come home and measure everything.  I went back to Ikea (1.5 hours drive each way!) on Tuesday with my list in hand and loaded up my station wagon with flat packs.  From Tuesday night through to Sunday night, I was assembling furniture and organizing thins in this office.  I can now say that it’s 90% complete.  I have to go back to Ikea to get a few more little things, and I have to organize the built-in shelving on the opposite side of the room, but at least now it is functional.  I’m happy to share these pictures with you to give you some inspiration for your craft room organization.  Enjoy!

The room as a whole.  Not the Sliding Glass doors next to my desk, give me gorgeous natural light to create with during the day.

My stamping Table, with a set of filing drawers under the end.  Basket on top of the file drawers are for home office stuff.  (to be filed, and projects to be completed)

My Stamping Table, it never looks this clean, and I’m going to mess it up as soon as I get this posted! It’s a kitchen table that expands on both ends.  I have only one end extended for now given the space limitations of the room.  I do make use of every corner while I’m creating!

The view from my chair.  My Colour Caddy with all my ink pads, my self-sharpening paper cutter on my left, and my current catalogue and mini catalogue never far from reach.  Note paper for making lists and my every present Stampin Scrub!

A closer view of the Filing Drawer, holds all the current household files (or it will when I get back to Ikea and get some more matching hanging files).  For now, half are in here and half are in the garage in the old cabinet.  tee-hee!

The new Computer Desk.  It’s a GALANT table with a MIKAEL rolling cart underneath to store office supplies in.  Loving the keyboard drawer, gives me room to use the desk surface for important stuff like paying bills, or eating my lunch while I play on Facebook.  ha-ha!

My New Stamp Cupboard.  It’s an EFFEKTIV untit with double doors.  On top I have some Ikea drawers that I’ve had for years.  The small drawers hold small office supplies like paper clips, rubber bands, staples, etc.  The larger drawers hold my laptop computer when not in use, notepads and stamping stuff that is on the go.

My stamp cupboard open…yes, I have a few….LOL!

My second EFFEKTIV cabinet.  The top section has a rolling door to hide my “stuff”.  The bottom two drawers are files drawers with all my cardstock in them.  The pink box at the front has my cards in it.  The pink patterned box has my swaps from other demonstrators.  My Cricut is hiding in the back.

The top section with the roller door open.  This area hold my Ribbon Keepers (on the left side), my Embellishment turny thing, my drawers with Embossing supplies, glitters, sponges, and watercolouring supplies, liquids, colouring pencils, extra markers and my box of photos to be scrapbooked is at the back.

Cardstock Drawer Number One.  Each file has a tab with the colour of paper for that file.  The colours are grouped by family.

Cardstock Drawer Number Two.  Yes, even my 12×12 papers fit in here.  They stick out over the top of the folders but the drawer still closes!  When I get more hanging files, I’ll put all my 12×12 DSP in here as well.

My Favourite purchase, the ALEX drawers.  I had to leave the castors off to make it fit under my table.

Top Drawer holds most used tools and adhesives, and my box of business cards.

Next Drawer holds colouring things and boxed embellishments…markers, pastels, watercolour pencils, watercolour crayons, Pretties Kit, Hodgepodge Hardware, Stampamajig, Cutter Kit, Mat Pack, oh…and did you see those Jellybeans?

Drawer Number Three: Punches! (and Rub ons at the back

Drawer Number 4, MORE punches!

Drawer Number 5, big tools.  Circle Scissor, Wheel Handles, Brayer, Heat Tool, Small Cutter, Extra Cutting Mats.

Bottom Drawer: Label Maker, Snail Refills, Powder Pal Trays, Cello Bags for the cards, Padded Envelopes and extra bits and pieces.

This is directly Opposite my desk on the built in shelving.  My 12×12 paper, simply scrapbooking kits and in the yellow basket in envelopes of different sizes.  In these ikea drawers are charging cables for various cameras, ipods, and other electronics.

Well, there you have it, my new office.  I’d love to hear your comments, what do you think?  So far I love it, but I’ll probably move some stuff once I live in it for awhile.

I’m off to mess it up now.

Happy Stamping!

I have another Christmas project to share with you all this morning.  This is one of the Christmas gifts that I’m going to give to the kids teachers.  I have 3 teachers to make for this year as my daughter has two, in a split class and my son is in school now so he has one too….but better than the 7 gifts I had to make for his Kindy farewell!  I had originally intended this to be a set of 5 cards in a box, but once the box was completed and I put the cards in, it was half empty, so I filled it with the second set of five I had made.  I think 10 cards is a nicer gift than 5 anyways.  I’m going to be making a set of 1 cards for each teacher, in different colours and themes.  Emma has already chosen this to go to one of her teachers, based on their favourite colours.

 

I tried a new “technique” to try and mimic the Shimmer Paint they have overseas.  I mixed half of my versamark reinker with Dazzling Diamonds and a few drops of reinker to make a Pale Plum “shimmer paint”.  I painted it all over the stamped images and left to dry for about 30 minutes.  Later, when I went to assemble the cards, alot of the glitter rubbed off on my fingers, my desk, my cutter, and tools.  I likely won’t try this again as the effect doesn’t stick.  I does look nice in some places, but it’s not my favourite thing.  Next time I’ll paint glue on it, then sprinkle the glitter over top…then it will be sure to stick.  It was worth a try though!

 

This card set was inspired by a project in Heather Summer’s “Simply Holidays” class.

 

 

 

Project Recipe for all cards:

Papers: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Stamps: Snow Swirled, Basic Phrases, Many Merry Messages. Best Yet, Baroque Motifs

Ink: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Bashful Blue, Versamark Reinker

Accessories: 1 3/8 circle punch, scallop circle punch, scallop square punch, 1 1/4″ square punch, metal edges tags, dimensionals, very vanilla taffeta ribbon, silver brads, scallop edge punch, whisper white grosgrain ribbon, bashful blue grosgrain ribbon, mat pack and piercer, hodgepodge hardware, large oval punch, wide oval punch.

Sharlene Meyer MADE me buy this set because of all the gorgeous stuff she made with hers.  I must admit, I’ve barely used it since I got it a few weeks ago.  I thought I’d pull out the old crimper for this one too and dust it off.  my Emma loves this set because of these skaters, so as predicted, she gushed over this card.  I’m loving the blues at the moment and have used them in lots of combinations……

 

Project Recipe:

Papers: Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Very Vanilla

Stamps: Winter Post, Baroque Border Wheel

Ink: Night of Navy

Accessories: Crimper, Rhinestone Brads, dimensionals

 

 

 

AHA!  Did anyone notice the change in the title?  That’s because I have a Christmas project to show you, but it’s not a card!  This is the third project I’m demonstrating at today’s workshop, a cute little ornament make with the pretties kit and punches!  This idea is dierectly from Sharlene Meyer’s site here.

Project Recipe:

Papers: Ski Slope DSP (are you tired of me using this stuff yet?  LOL!)

Stamps: NONE!

Ink: NONE, though I should have inked the edges of the punched out shapes I think…..

Accessories: Designer Label Punch, Pretties kit, Elastic Cord (retired)