HSS Mother's Day Theme Challenge #65, with a touch of MDS...

Good Morning Stampers!! I am thrilled to share this weeks project with you.  It is not only for our HSS Mother's Day Theme Challenge BUT it is also a GREAT Mother's Day or just a great gift for any FRIEND. :)  As many of you may know I live in south Texas and it is summer here basically YEAR round... but around Mother's Day is when the pool water is actually warm enough for the grown ups :)  My kids have been swimming for weeks now, but I am a little more picky about the temperature of the water- it may just be me but swimming in ice cube cold water isn't refreshing to me. :)

So having explained all that this is what I have done the last few years for some of my neighbors for Mother's Day, we have been going to the pool together for years and I thought this was a cute idea and have been sharing it with them ever since.  I give them a fully stocked beach/pool bag.  I decorate the front of the bag and then I stock it with flip flops, pool towels, sun glasses, sun screen, some pool toys for the kids, and of course some treats- but those don't usually stay in the bag long.

This weeks project of for the Challenge over at HSS, pop on over and share with us your project for Mother's Day.  It can be anything- a card, gift, candy, you create it and share it and we would love to see it!! 

I think these canvas bags are easy to make and inexpensive so if the kids happen to ruin them its not such a biggie...  Let me share with you what you need to do to create this.  It is SUPER easy and the best part is that I used My Digital Studio to help me make these!!!

Here's a up close shot for you before I share the steps to make it.  I have to admit that I got this idea from my friend Bailey, check out her blog HERE.  She had us make onesies with this technique at her baby shower, what a smart idea, I thought.  We all made onesies and she got to keep them for her new little man.  SO SMART!!! I thought I can do this on my pool bags just as easy.

First step is to find a design, this is where my MDS came into play.  I found some fun images from there and blew them up.  This is the one I used on the featured bag, there is another image below that I used on another bag.  I print them out and tape them to the window, then tape a sheet of FREEZER PAPER over top.  You can find freezer paper in the isle with aluminum foil, it says freezer paper on the package- wax or parchment paper are NOT the same thing.  Trace your image onto the freezer paper... BE SURE TO TRACE THE IMAGE ONTO THE MATTE SIDE NOT THE WAXY SIDE.

Then cut out your image, wither with a hobby blade or you can use scissors.  I find that the blade kept me from ruining my stencil.  But you choose.

Then place the waxy side down on the surface of your fabric, you then iron on the paper to the fabric.  The waxy side adheres to the fabric and creates this awesome iron on but removable stencil for your image.  Be sure to iron it on well and leave no gaps in the stencil.

Then take your fabric paint and a sponge brush and apply your fabric paint.  This is a surfer that I did on another bag, when I added the waves at the end it was SO cool!

The last step is to remove your stencil.  Once the paint is thoroughly dry- you just peel the freezer paper off the fabric and you have a perfect image!  If you have some blemishes you can always outline the image like I did on my teal pool bag.  That will hide anything.  I hope you enjoyed this weeks project and I can't wait to see what you create!  Share it with us over at HSS (Hand Stamped Sentiments), we look forward to the inspiration that you all will share.  Have a great week and until next time~ TTFN

UPDATE- I was asked to post a completed pic of the surfer and since I had a few min- here he is in all his glory.  I thought he turned out well. :)

Have a great day, thanks for looking!!!



HSS Graduation Theme Challenge #63

Good Morning Stampers!!! I am super excited to share this weeks project with you, and it came to me as I was making my millions of Easter Baskets earlier this week... Man am I glad that those are done :)

So this week our theme at HSS (Hand Stamped Sentiments) is Graduation, anything you want to create and share with us with a graduation theme to it- we would LOVE to see it :)

Here is the project I made and I thought that this set would be a great gift or perfect for a graduation dinner, can you see these adorable hats at every one's plate... HOW cute would that be, it's a shame I don't have anyone throwing a party or graduating for that matter :)  These hats would be great to hold candy, money, jewelry, car keys... I can think of a dozen presents that you could throw in this adorable holster!

Ok, so I thought this adorable 3x3 card was cute, I started with my impressions plate to create that Harlequin design and then I took my SMOOCH spray and twisted off the top, since my sprayer doesn't seem to work, and with a paint brush I colored in the recessed areas.  Then I took my Crystal Effects and outlined the cross-hatch pattern to give some dimension and shine to the card, it took a bit for it all to dry but I think it turned out great.  

I used the Sale-A-Bration set SO Happy For You for my sentiment.  I used VersaMark ink and my black embossing powder to create this layer.  I used my oval punch and my scallop oval punch to finish off the sentiment.  I thought that a GOOD LUCK wish was appropriate for the new graduates for this year... I guess my sarcasm isn't so good for the current employment rate, huh?  I mean it is kind-of a joke, but more reality than joke :|

I made these cute grad-caps with my petal cone die, it is basically the Easter basket but flipped over and with a larger piece of card stock attached and then of course the tassel.  I will be adding the tutorial for my Easter baskets/graduation caps a little later this week. :)

Ok, so to create the tassel you simple tie a knot in your ribbon (this prevents the fray from going higher than you want).  Then carefully cut off the edge of the ribbon and then separate the threads to give you this look, easy as 1, 2, 3.  It works even better if your ribbon is thicker it will allow you to have a larger tassel.  I attached the ribbon to the top of my cap using a black brad, then attached the large CS piece to the cap base.

I hope that you enjoyed this weeks project.  I had so much fun making this project this week and can't wait to see what you all make to share with us over at HSS.  I am always so inspired by every ones creations.  I hope you all have time to come back to visit later this week... I know I have been saying that I am going to share with you some new MDS creations, and I am but this last week was crazy for me and I finally got ahead of my to-do list, so be on the look out for my additions :) Until next time~ TTFN

HSS Easter Theme Challenge #63

Good Morning Stampers!!!  I am super excited to share this weeks project for the Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge- it's an EASTER THEME!!!! Yeah- I have been waiting for weeks to do this project, and I broke some tools trying to finish them... that's when you know you are a serious crafter, right?!  Pop on over to HSS and play along, I am dying to see all the different things you all create with this theme in mind. :)

So I made these adorable Easter Baskets... I know you may have seen them all over the Internet- but I couldn't wait to make them.  I am making a TON too.  I didn't have time today to show you what my studio looks like, but those pics are coming.  I thought these were so cute and I am making a SLEW of them!

I did a gift set with an adorable 3 x 3 card included with the basket, full of treats mind you.  What I like best about these is that they are just big/small enough to hold the right amount of candy.  They are not SO deep that I brake the bank filling them with treats but large enough to hold 4-5 pieces of candy.

I used my Ice Cream parlour DSP and pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo, and Regal Rose card stock.  I also used my cone die that I JUST got for the baskets.  I am in the process of making a tutorial for these as well.  You will see that in the next few days :)



Here you can see the adorable chick I used form my "Good Egg" set, I stamped it twice, once on Daffodil card stock and once on DSP to give the appearance of a decorated egg.  Some chick that would be huh, popping out of a hard boiled egg?? I have a feeling it wouldn't look like this one, hehe.

I think the best thing about this die is that it not only makes quick work of the entire process but it cuts out those adorable scalloped circle embellishments and the flags all in one run through.  I love how fast and easy it is!  I just used staples to adhere my DSP handles to my Easter baskets and easy peasy!

Ok, so I am making a little over 50 of these.... several for my teachers in Primary, at school, my instructors at the gym, the ladies I visit teach, and my wonderful neighbors.  I am also making them for all the sweet ladies in the front office at the school that I always tend to forget.  I thought these were easy enough to crank out plenty for everyone and I hate that I always forget them.  I will add more pics this week of all the mess and creativity going on in my studio- you will love all the colors I have slotted for the rest of these. :)  Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you create with us this week at HSS, but until next time~ TTFN

Falling in LOVE with My Digital Studio!!!

Good Morning Stampers!!! So, I have been super busy getting together samples and projects for my upcoming MDS (My Digital Studio) class I have planned in May.  I am SO glad that I decided to plan this class because it has forced me to take the time to really play with MDS for some time now.  I am SO amazed at all the cool things you can do with this software. NOT TO MENTION you can see all kinds of samples and ideas not only from me but from other MDS users- check out this AWESOME webiste that is a forum style site for MDS users- CLICK HERE to see!  Opt to join as one of my friends on my landing page- I would love to be able to see your creations as well, and you can upload your creations to this site as well and create your own landing page- invite me to join your group!!!

Let me show you a few of my things...

Here is the first scrapbook page I created casing the layout from my Stampin' Success Magazine.  I copied the colors and layouts from the magazine inspiration, I love how fast and easy these layouts are to make.

Here is the actual inspiration page from the SS Magazine.

Here is another page I created based on another idea from my Stampin' Success.  I whipped this one together in less than 20 min.  It isn't elaborate but it is sweet and adorable, but that could just be my kids :)  This is a good possibility of becoming a hybrid project for the class... 

Here is the inspiration page from Stampin' Success, I love how the journaling is off set and scattered and I thought I would add that to my original page along with some buttons to give it some depth and move it into that hybrid status. 

Here is a different page I created, this one is from a designer template that comes with your software.  You insert the pattern paper, pictures and drop shadows that are desired and possibly a few more or change embellishments that are suggested and you have personalized it.  I love having all these spaces for different photos and I plan on having these printed and framing them in shadow box frames and display them in my kids play room.

Here are some non-traditional things I have also done with my MDS- I created a page full of different styles of business cards.  I am so ADD that I really like having the option of having all different kinds of business cards.  With MDS you can create a full 8.5 x 11 page of cards and have them printed and cut them down and BAM, you have custom designed business cards that not only inform your customers but also gives them a taste of one of Stampin' Ups! product lines...

I also created these catalog labels, again- I have options of having different colors.  I did work these so they fit in the Avery address labels which took some time to get the sizes and spacing just right, but now that I have the template already done, I can change the colors or typed info in it and reuse it over and over.  I can make them true address labels as well for my mailers, have I mentioned that I LOVE My Digital Studio!!!

I also made this flyer, designed to be cut in half so you get 2 per page- great on the budget.  I stapled these inside the front cover of my mini's and use those as my hand outs for my personal promotion.  I can better explain the kind of classes I teach and the product I sell when I have the mini's and this informational flyer already inside.  I have 10-20 on me at all times... I have a zip lock bag of the mini's/flyers in my purse, gym bag, and car.  I am ready at all times!

I have some other projects created too, but haven't taken photos yet of them- SO you will have to keep you eyes peeled this week to see them.  I am super thrilled with all the options and the flexibility and expandability that this software gives you.  I just takes your paper crafting addiction to a whole new level- CRAZY!!!!  Want to take a look at what is available in the MDS, click HERE- There are some amazing MDS specials around the corner as well- are you on the edge of your seat yet... :) I can't let the cat out of the bag yet BUT you will love it!!!  Thanks for stopping by to see my MDS projects, stop by again for sure on Tuesday to see my latest HSS inspired project, it is a cute one if I do say so myself :).  Until then ~TTFN 



HSS Pink-A-Licious Color Splash Challenge #62

Good Morning Stampers!!! I am so loving this weeks challenge from Hand Stamped Sentiments blog, it is all about the PINK!!!  I use pink in almost EVERY card I think, unless I am asked not to... even my masculine cards have a little pink (usually)- real men do pink well :-)  So lets see what I made to share this week...

 I used my most favorite colors of pink: Melon Mambo, Regal Rose, and Pretty in Pink- oh and the ribbon is Rose Red.  So I did a technique that I call "VersaMark Resist", now I will say I know there is a more official name for this technique but I honestly can't remember or find what it is called- SO I will explain it to you, the best I can :-)

The first step of the technique is to chose a nice solid image, for my card I used Baroque Motifs.

Then using VersaMark Ink stamp your image onto Glossy White Card Stock.

Use your brayer (inked up with a medium darkness ink) and roll the inked brayer over your Glossy CS stamped with the image.  You will probably have to brayer a few layers of ink, as you apply your layers of ink you will see your VersaMark images start to pop. (If you use a lighter color the images are not as vivid and if you use a color too dark the images don't show through.)

If you apply too many layers of color it will eventually cover your images so just be careful to watch the number of layers you apply. (if you look close my darker pink "cherish" I applied TOO many layers, you can barley see my images...)

But that's it it is as easy as that, seriously I LOVE me some simple techniques!!

I also used the retired Sweet Pea Felt Flowers that I earned for free- I still have a lot of these left so you might see these on more upcoming projects, spoiler alert~~ 

Here you can see the resist technique, I used Pretty In Pink so it isn't that dark or vivid... next time I would probably go with regal rose.

You can see that the image is visible if you look closely on the sentiment but you really have to focus- so basically my husband can't see it...

I hope you enjoyed this weeks HSS project, show us YOUR Pink-A-Licious inspired projects.  I can't wait to see what everyone creates, remember you don't have to make a card it can be ANY kind of project (3-d, gift, scrap page, or anything else you can think of).  Keep an eye out this week and next as well because I have some kind cool projects to share- AND I have been playing long and hard with my MDS and I have a lot of new things to share with you as well.  Thanks for stopping by today and I can't wait to see you again in a few days, but until then~~ TTFN



Stampin' Up! Grab Bag DEALS!!

There are new items on the Clearance Rack including sets of Markers and even ink refills! Do you have some retired colors of ink pads that will eventually need re-inking? You'd better check these out as they may never be available again. And there are tons of patterned paper and card stock plus ribbons, embellishments, chipboard and Stampin' Around ink cartridges too.

These grab bags will come in three sizes: the $5, the $10, and the $15 grab bag. Each bag will contain a variety of discontinued products that could include a combination of any of the following: ribbons, Accents & Elements, chipboard, Designer Series Papers, and Simply Sent kit components. Grab bags will not contain stamp sets or tools.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE GRAB BAGS AND ALL CLEARENCE RACK ITEMS

•There is no minimum purchase required to participate in the grab bag special offer.

•There is no limit to the number of grab bags a customer may purchase; however, grab bag items are only available while supplies last.

•All grab bag sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges.

•Not all grab bags will be unique.

•You should use the following item numbers when ordering grab bags:

Item # and Description

125873~~$5 Grab Bag (containing at least $20 worth of products!)

125874~~$10 Grab Bag (containing at least $40 worth of products!)

125875~~$15 Grab Bag (containing at least $60 worth of products!)