Ideas for Stamping and Embellishing Your Layout

I did this layout a while ago, but wanted to share some ideas of how to combine a photo and stamping creatively on a layout.  Since I wanted the colors of the stamped flowers to stand out, I printed out my image in b&w {me on our 20th Anniv. trip to Aruba} so the two didn't compete for attention. I stamped these flowers from Inque Boutique’s Tropical Lagoon set directly onto my light patterned paper. Using markers and blend pens, I added the colors to the flowers. Next, I carefully cut along the outer edge of the flowers where I wanted to slide my photo under {kinda like one big giant photo corner}. I set the photo aside while attaching the Queen & Co. scrolled felt ribbon. I then attached the photo, did more stamping for the journaling box. To make the colored flowers pop, I inserted brads into pastel colored Prima flowers and attached them to the scroll. The wave border and title were both done using embossing powders to add texture & interest. Most of these papers {and cardstock stickers, too!} are from the Cabana Collection from Inque Boutique.

A "Go Green" project to try!

Who would guess that this weekly planner started as a cereal box? Inspired my friend, Susan Stringfellow's blog challenge to use items you would normally throw away in a project, I decided to figure out something cool to make from a cereal box. With school starting and schedules crazier than ever, I needed a weekly planner that I could grab and go that would tell me what time Kylie’s dance classes began and ended as well as what nights Ashley had volleyball games...to name just a few weekly scheduled activities (and it fits on my desk)!

This desktop, portable planner, created as a project for Glue Arts’ design team, has a removeable stamped calendar made using Stampin’ Up!®’s Mark the Date and Full Calendar sets. I designed the weekly planner portion in Adobe Illustrator and saved as a pdf file. I will update you on when these project instructions will be available online. Between now and then, I challenge you to think before you throw something in the trash...it may become your next, best project! Think greener.

SU August Workshop highlights

O.K., so the kids are all now back in school, despite the 

interruption of Tropical Storm Fay and the threat of 

Hurricane Gustav. I was sure that all you stampin’ moms 

would have some first day photos to show off or send to 

the family, so I designed this make-n-take project with 

that in mind. It also shows off some of the wonderful, 

new Stampin’ Up. In Colors from the new catalog along

with the new scallop border punch, the tab punch, the Full 

Calendar and Tart and Tangy stamp sets,

plus the Nursery Letters wheel, which is a must have 

supply for school themed projects, (in my opinion).

I also did a 12 x 12 layout that I hope to photograph 

and post on the blog later this week. Hopefully,

we won't be threatened by anymore hurricanes.

Stay away, Josephine!!!

With fall just around the corner, I wanted to demo 

the cracked glass technique using the new Stampin’ Up 

Level 3 hostess set, Happiness always. I also showed 

how to use your stamp positioner for mounting the set.

This technique uses the Versamark pad and layers of 

Glassy Glaze (a thick, clear embossing powder) which was 

used on the project, heat set, put in the fridge, then cracked.

To accentuate the cracks, ink was rubbed on top.

Needing a cute note card in a hurry? Try combining

the Fresh Cuts stamp set and note cards. Here, I used

Pumpkin Pie ink with Pacific Point. I sponged ink around the

die cut flowers using a scrap sheet to protect the inside.

To make it a true note card, I added the layer of solid

cardstock behind the die cut so the note would not show

through the die cuts. I used Baja Breeze CS for the center

flower along with an ice blue rhinestone. A matching 

envelope was done using the leafy stem and Pacific 

Point ink stamped on the envelope’s flap.