Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Loving Giggles - a Sweet Essential

Do you love to giggle?  Laugh?  Guffaw?  The Giggle Greetings (#131062 - Wood, #131065 - clear) is a stamp set that really gets folks smiling and maybe even will get you a giggle or two.
On the outside, this card looks so sweet, especially with that Sweet Essentials (#126457 - clear) sentiment stamp set stamped in Chocolate Chip (#127080) ink.  The outside card stock is Naturals White (#102316), followed by a layer of Chocolate Chip card stock (#102128).

See the zig zags on there?  That's the Naturals White (#102316) card stock embossed with the Chevron (#127749) Embossing Folder using the Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (#113439) - love that thing!


The dreamy ribbon is the 3/4" Chevron Ribbon in Chocolate Chip (#130014) and was the inspiration for this card - believe it or not!

The patterned paper on the bottom of the card happens to be the Etcetera Designer Series Paper (#130129).  So pretty . . . 




The big surprise and fun giggle is this image that's inside the card!
What a cute doggie!  He's chasing his tail, too!  I double-stamped the image and layered them on top of each other after coloring using the Crumb Cake ink (#126975), the Calypso Coral (#126983) ink and the blender pens (#102845).  
See how I made the doggie move-able?  I punched out a 1" circle and spiral cut it, attaching it to the card and the cut out dog with mini glue dots.  He's got a little "spring" under him!
As you can see there, peeking out from the inside of the card on the bottom corner, we've got ourselves a Talking Tag (#129723).  Those talking tags are just about the coolest things around.  So much fun to record a message for someone in a card.  What will they think up next?

This is the first one I did where I put the dog on the outside of the card and the congrats on the inside.  It's fun to make try different things, you know?

So - hope you get out there and make something that gets you giggling today.

hang out with me on facebook
stay inspired with my newsletter
save time and money at my online store. 
As always, thanks for stopping by today ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Monday, July 29, 2013

Mystery Hostess

With the Hostess Code, we can now "pool" Online Orders together (place them individually, orders
will ship directly to you - within the US only, but use the same hostess code). When smaller
orders are put in together, the larger order qualifies for HOSTESS BENEFITS.

That means FREE STAMPS (or other products) I can SHARE with YOU!

So let's get started with the July/August Online Mystery Hostess Workshop!

How do you get to be a part of the Mystery Hostess Workshop?

Simply use the Hostess Code below and place an order in my online store by 11:00 p.m. on Friday,
August 2, 2013.

Important:  To be part of the Online Mystery Hostess Workshop, once you add your first item to
your shopping bag, the hostess code must be entered just below the Special Offers section and
it should say Julia Sager as the Hostess.

Once all the orders are placed, on Saturday morning, August 3, 2013, I will draw ONE name to
get hostess benefits on the entire order!  I will e-mail the winner to get your choices.

Your Hostess Code is:  GZ7AYBK4

Ready - Set - GO!!  Start Placing your orders now!
. . . Remember, the deadline for this event is 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2013.
Please do not put the hostess code in if your merchandice order is $150 or more.  You would lose
your hostess benefits that you would have coming already.

Thanks for stopping by ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'

Friday, July 26, 2013

For More than Cards, Scrapbooks

What else can you do with card stock and craft supplies?  Do you know you can do more than make cards and scrapbook pages with those things?  Sure you do!

Recently, our 4-H club created our County Fair Booth using lots of Basic Black and Whisper White card stock, as well as loads of Silver Glimmer Paper.
We also used the 12x12 card stocks of the In-Colors pack so there are Summer Starfruit Seahorses.  Using 12x12 pieces of Cherry Cobbler, we created crabs, too!  Center shot.
The members and their parents worked hard to create the booth.  Here's the left side (as you're looking at it)
And then here's the right side (as you're looking at it).
This member is putting on Silver Glimmer "bubbles" using Stamping Dimensionals.  So creative!
These young members were put in charge of creating the "bubbles" with member pictures on them.  They used the Big Shot, Circle Sizzix Framelits, and did a fantastic job!  I love how anyone can use the Big Shot - no electricity needed, either.
There ended up being two distinct "shifts" of members and their parents who worked on the booth, as well as a group coming to my house in between to cut things out.  This is a picture of the evening shift, so to speak.  

The booth won the top prize - Best of Show!  So proud of this 4-H Club and all their hard work.

Thinking outside the box - and into the booth for this one!!  
You can shop for these and other great craft supplies at my online store
Signing up for my newsletter to get great ideas that you can truly use is easy and right here.
Thanks for stopping by ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Stumped for Ideas? Three Things To Do

  Do these three things and you'll be out of your creative rut in no time!  You know how it goes - Feeling dumbstruck?  Muddled?  Perplexed perhaps?  Need some new ideas for your cards/scrapbook pages? Well, here goes . . . 

1.  Search the internet for layout ideas.  They are everywhere and can help so much.  Just taking the thinking out of how you will lay out your card/scrapbook page can be a fun challenge, too.  It may be in a way that you never thought of before.  

This was from Robin Messenheimer.  Look, it has measurements and everything.  How cool.  I changed mine up a bit, but began with this because it was easy to do.
2.     Check out a wheel or guide for a color combination.  I use Stampin' Up!'s Color Coach all the time and it helps me every time.  I don't know what I'd do without it.  Take this color combo, for example.  It's the Wild Wasabi for the base, followed by a layer of Soft Sky with accents of Crumb Cake (where I used the Natural Composition Specialty Paper) and Chocolate Chip.  The Naturals White was used as the neutral here.  This mix of colors was taken directly from the Color Coach.  The ribbon is the 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Early Espresso.


3.    Google (or whatever search engine you prefer) the name of the stamp set you are interested in using, then click "images" to see what other people have done.  This is a fantastic source of ideas.  You can CASE (Copy And Share Everything) that someone else has done or maybe those images will be enough to get your creative juices flowing again and you won't feel so stifled anymore.  

That's how I came up with the idea to do this card.  I saw one that was using a wheel with musical notes behind another stamp from this Timeless Talk stamp set, but I wanted to use the phone - so here you go!  Don't feel like you have to do the card you find on the internet exactly the same - change it up!  Change is good.  It's the spice of life . . . and all that kinda good stuff.


Now get out there and help yourself to some new ideas!


You can shop for Stampin' Up goodies at my online store
For other great tips and ideas and videos, too, you just sign up for my free newsletter right here.
As always, thanks for stopping by today ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Washi Tape It Video

WhooHoo!  It's Wednesday . . . video time.  We're using the Tape It stamp set (#130712)

See what a hot item the Washi Tape is?  There are even stamp sets that look like Washi Tape.  So cool.  What a great idea!



Here's another great idea . . .

JULY/AUG MYSTERY HOSTESS EVENT
Mystery Hostess With the Hostess Code, we can now "pool" Online Orders together (place them individually, and the order will ship directly to you - within the US only, but use the same hostess code).

When smaller orders are put in together, the larger order qualifies for HOSTESS BENEFITS. That means FREE STAMPS (or other products) I can SHARE with YOU! So let's get started with the July/August Online Mystery Hostess Workshop! How do you get to be a part of the Mystery Hostess Workshop?

Simply use the Hostess Code below and place an order in my online store by 11:00 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2013. Important: To be part of the Online Mystery Hostess Workshop, once you add your first item to your shopping bag, the hostess code must be entered just below the Special Offers section and it should say Julia Sager as the Hostess.

Once all the orders are placed, on Saturday morning, August 3, 2013, I will draw ONE name to get hostess benefits on the entire order! I will e-mail the winner to get your choices.

Your Hostess Code is: GZ7AYBK4

Ready - Set - GO!! Start Placing your orders now! . . .  it's easy at my online store.   Remember, the deadline for this event is 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 2, 2013.

Please do not put the hostess code in if your merchandise order is $150 or more. You would lose your hostess benefits that you would have coming already.

You can shop for these and other Stampin Up! supplies at my online store
Signing up for my newsletter is easy and right here.
Thanks for stopping by ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

How To Create Beautiful Clouds - Step by step

Do you know how to create clouds with your stamping?  It's easy.
Here's a step-by-step on how to create these cool and beautiful clouds . . .

1.  Stamp the image you're using with your sky onto your card stock (I used Whisper White - #100730) to give yourself reference as to how far your sky should go on the card - I used Raspberry Ripple ink (#126859) and the Timeless Talk stamp set (#126605 - wood, #126607 - clear).

2.  Using the 2-3/8" Circle Scallop Punch (#118874), punch out two circle scallops.


3.  And then tape them together, slightly overlapping, as shown below, to create your cloud "template".

4.  Using a Stamping Sponge (101610) cut into wedges, use one wedge that is "tapped" into the Tempting Turquoise ink - or another color you think is good for a sky.  My personal favorite is Tempting Turquoise (#126952).

5.  Tap the sponge into your color and then get rid of a bit using a circular motion onto your scrap/grid paper.  This helps get rid of "rough" edges of color on your sky,

6.  Then place your cloud template where you want to begin for your sky.  Using a circular motion, adhere some color above your template and onto your "sky".

7.  Move the template a bit and continue the process.

8.  Continue moving your template down your card and add the sky color in a circular motion, taking care to place your template at different angles so the look is inconsistent and doesn't have a pattern of any sort.


9.  The image you stamped on earlier will help you know when to stop.

10.  And then I put some ground under my wheels (Pear Pizzazz - #131180).  You use whatever works with the image you stamped.

11.  I like to finish off with sponging all around the edges of the card.  I think it gives a polished look to your art.

That's it!

I used some Raspberry Ripple 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon (#126845) as an embellishment and did 25 of these cards for our Vacation Bible School's thank you notes to leaders of the event.

Those are a lot of cards!
And each one is unique!

Just like you!  Show me your cards - I'd love to see what you did.

You can shop for Stampin' Up goodies at my online store

You can sign up for my free newsletter right here.
As always, thanks for stopping by today ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!





Monday, July 22, 2013

Everyone Loves National Ice Cream Day

Happy National Ice Cream Day!  Did you have your ice cream to celebrate?  It was July 21 - yesterday!
Maybe you had something that looked like this?
Or maybe like this . . . .
Ha! or this?
Yum!
     My sister's favorite is this because it has fewer calories:
. . . and I tend to be a plain Jane when it comes to the frosty stuff --
     Really - just give me something cold and tasty and I'm good.  Truly.
How about Creamsicles?  I haven't had one in ages.  And I haven't made one in ages either.
     I had to hold it up 'cuz the stick will cause it to topple - LOL.  The Pumpkin Pie card stock was a great orange color for this tasty treat.

     And someone has taken a big bite out of this tasty ice cream treat!  I used the 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch for that!
     Then inside - on the creamy Very  Vanilla card stock . . .
     The Timeless Talk (#126607 - clear) has a great font for the sentiment.  This is a fun, whimsical card that anyone would love to get from you.

      So - hope you enjoyed yourself a tasty treat for National Ice Cream Day.  I know I did!

That being said, you can always shop for any Stampin Up! supply you need at my online store
Signing up for my newsletter is free right here.  There are lots of tips and challenges just for you.
As always, thanks for stopping by ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Friday, July 19, 2013

Washi Tape Technique - Modern Stuff

Here's a great Washi tape technique for you today . . . 
Just some simple layering with the Epic Day This and That Designer Washi tape.  I can't believe I got the number one upside down, can you?  In fact, I didn't even realize it had numbers on it until I was taking this picture and then it was like, "Duh"!  Ha!!  Oh, well.  Too late now!
This Remembering Your Birthday (#131347 - wood; 131350 -clear) sentiment stamp set is fabulous.  I just love all the sayings for outside and inside the card.  Calypso Coral and the Naturals White card stocks are the other colors on here, along with the Basic Black ink.

Easy.  Colorful.  Modern.  Fun.

When you're stamping on the Washi tape, you may have "gaps" where the tape overlaps.  All you do to fill it in is to take a marker that is the color of the ink you used and fill it in with a fine tip.  That will take care of the gaps you may have.
Hope your day doesn't have any gaps!!  May it be a fantastic Friday!
You can shop for Stampin' Up goodies at my online store
You can sign up for my free newsletter right here.
As always, thanks for stopping by today ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Feel Goods Make You Feel Good

Don't you just love things that make you feel good?

There's a stamp set with happy and kinda philosophical sentiments that . . . well . . . make you feel good!
See?  Doesn't that sentiment just make you feel good?

Ha!  Anyway . . .
I kept with the Washi tape over the last week and wanted to have some more ways to use it for a class I'm teaching that's coming up.  I liked the banner technique of the last card I did right here, and then wanted to step it up with a few more.  I like the fact that the Washi tape is opaque.  Kinda cool to layer it.
A Pool Party base and the Naturals White card stocks are all that are used here.  The Basic Black ink was used for the Sentiment taken from, as I said before, the Feel Goods stamp set (#131916 - wood; 129684 - clear).
The Washi tape is from the Epic Day This and That Designer Washi tape collection (#131269).  This stuff is turning out to be very versatile.
You can always shop for these and other Stampin Up! supplies at my online store
Signing up for my newsletter is easy and right here.
Thanks so much for stopping by ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Video Tutorial - Making a Paper Bag

Oh, yessss!!!  Finally - it's a Wednesday.  That must mean it's time to share a video with you . . .

How cute!  Great to get new ideas that are so do-able, don't you agree?
What a great "bag" to make for a friend.
Hope you enjoyed and let me know if you have questions or comments or if there's any way I can help you with your papercrafting needs.
That being said, you can always shop for any Stampin Up! supply you need at my online store
Signing up for my newsletter is free right here.
As always, thanks for stopping by ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!



Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Easiest Washi Technique

Here's another take on the Washi Tape trend for ya . . .
Isn't that a great clean and simple card?
The Lots of Thanks stamp set was used for the sentiment and stamped in the Island Indigo.  Early Espresso card stock was used for the base with that yummy Baked Brown Sugar as the framing color for the Whisper White center.

All you have to do to make this card is:

  • pull off some Washi tape and 
  • then snip the end to make it a banner and 
  • then get the length you want and snip the other end into a banner shape. 0
  •  Adhere it to your card stock and stamp your sentiment.  
  • Then you finish building your card.
What could be easier?  I "tied" the entire thing together with a bit of Early Espresso Baker's Twine as an embellishment on this easy card.

Don't have Washi tape?  No problem.  Just used some designer paper instead of the Washi tape.  


You can shop for these and other Stampin Up! supplies at my online store
Signing up for my newsletter is easy and right here.
Thanks for stopping by ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Walk In the Park

My hubby and I went for a walk in the park the other day.  It was beautiful out and had finally stopped raining for a little bit.
This was along our walk.  Isn't it beautiful?  Just like a green tunnel to walk through.  The birds were singing like crazy, too - and the butterflies . . . just flitting here and there.  Gorgeous.

We had to take some selfies while were were at it.
I got to laughing pretty hard because half the time, he can't figure out how to work the camera on his phone . . . or most cameras for that matter.  But that's my guy.  He's good at some things and not as great at others.
Hope you get to enjoy the beauty around you and stop to have a few laughs while you're at it.

Happy stampin' and Scrappin'!


Friday, July 12, 2013

Washi Tape Fake

I love the new Washi tape trend . . . ok, ok.  It's probably not really new, but it is to me.  Maybe it's new to you, too!
Anyway, I just got a new online class being offered by Stampin' Up! about Washi Tape, but I hardly have any.  And anyway, the colors of Washi tape I had on hand just weren't what I was feeling when I set about making some cards the other day.  So I faked it.
I cut strips of the Garden Gingham Designer Series Paper and used them instead of Washi tape on this card.  What do you think?
And my theory is, if you're going to make one, you may as well make two!
I used the Whisper White card stock as a backing, and then layered the "Washi Tape" strips onto it as a guide for the size I wanted.  I stamped the sentiment in the middle (one is the Lots of Thanks stamp set) and then kept layering the strips until my card stock was filled.  I trimmed off any excess with my paper trimmer.

After that, all that was needed was some layering with coordinating card stocks - and there was an easy-peasy card!  Love it when things come together this easy, don't you?

You can easily shop at my online store
Signing up for my newsletter is free and right here.
Thanks for stopping by ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Love The Smashbook Trend

I created a little smashbook for my nephew and his wife.
They just moved into their first house together.  She had an album on Facebook with pics she had taken of their new digs, and that's where I got the pictures.
I covered a little smashbook I had gotten in the May Paper Pumpkin delivery with the Tag a Bag Gift Bags (there are 10 of these adorable bags in a pack (#131370).  They are so cute!  I finished off the inside of the front and back covers with some Very Vanilla card stock.
And then I used some Early Espresso Baker's Twine to "fancy up" the cover.  The buttons and the jump rings were part of the Paper Pumpkin, too.
The stickers were all part of the package and are very similar to the ones in the Epic Day This and That Designer Stickers (#131271).
I had a blast puttin' this little baby together for them as a house warming present.
Their staircase is beautiful, don't you think?
And then, of course, there is their beyond-adorable little Wheaton Terrier.  He's the cutest little guy - and he knows it!  I'm in love.
The clips (from the Hung Up Cute Clips (#129389) were also included in the Paper Pumpkin mailing.  There was a Basic Black ink pad and two stamps that I put into the package I'm mailing to my nephew and his wife.  I also included all the leftover stickers so they can have fun decorating all the blank pages I left in the book for them.
And here's the back - the end!!  LOL.
Hope you enjoyed it.  Hope they do, too!

You can shop for Stampin Up! supplies at my online store
Signing up for my newsletter is easy and right here.
Thanks for stopping by ~~ Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!