Stamping On The Bayou

Punch Crazy!!

Hostess clubs got to go "punch crazy" this month! Stampin' Up!'s punches coordinate with many of the stamp sets and accessories! The inspiration for this card came directly from the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog - page 88. The sample shown was a 6x6 scrapbook page, but I made a card with the Animal Stories stamp set instead. You can see a circle theme throughout the sample. The Animal Stories stamp set is included in this month's promotion. Click the promotion link on the right sidebar for more information.

 

Animal Stories and Define Your Life stamp set; Chocolate Chip, Brilliant Blue, Old Olive, Rose Red (textured) and Whisper White cardstock; Chocolate Chip, Brilliant Blue, and Rose Red Classic inks; Chocolate Chip and Rose Red Stampin' Write markers; Tall Tales dsp; Crop-a-Dile; 1 3/4", 1 3/8", 1", and 1/16" Circle punches; Stampin' Sponges; Stampin' Dimensionals; Stapler

Here is a sneak peak at what is coming soon... flocked designer series paper! In a beautiful Christmas collection, Stampin' Up! has outdone themselves again! For this simple, but ever so elegant Christmas card, we used the hostess set Christmas Punch for the sentiment. All the stamps in this set coordinate with one or more Stampin' Up! punches. The Scallop Edge punch adds a pretty border for a soft touch. Make sure you are on my mailing list for the latest updates and mailings (top left sidebar) - the Holiday Mini should be out soon!

 

Christmas Punch stamp set; Kraft and Whisper White cardstock; Real Red Classic ink; Christmas Cocoa Specialty designer series paper (Holiday Mini); Scallop Edge and Wide Oval punches; Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon; Stampin' Dimensionals

Are you ready for Halloween? It's my second favorite holiday! This cute Halloween favor would be perfect to give Trick or Treaters, classmates, or party guests! It shows how Stampin' Up!'s punches coordinate with the Big Shot dies. I love the new Bride, Groom, and Bridesmaid Specialty paper! It is more like cardstock than paper so it is perfect for these type of projects. These foiled cardstock papers come in Whisper White, Basic Black, and Very Vanilla specially designed to create wedding invitations, RSVP cards, place settings, party favors, and MORE! Want to create a darling favor like this at your workshop - book your party before October 1st!

 

From the Crypt and Eat, Drink, and Be Scary stamp sets; Old Olive cardstock; Groom Specialty paper; Cast-a-Spell designer series paper; VersaMark ink; Basic Black embossing powder; Embossing Buddy; Big Shot; Fancy Favor and Movers & Shapers Bigz xl dies; Curly Label, Tag, Small Tag, and 1/16" circle punches; Vintage Brads; Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon; Silver cord (Holiday Mini); Stampin' Dimensionals; Medium Cellophane bags; Dark Hershey Kisses

Luau on the Bayou Mini Convention

I was so sad when I found out I couldn't attend Stampin' Up!'s annual convention August 5-8 in Salt Lake City. Our schools started in South Louisiana on August 7th and I just couldn't leave my children. Several other "sister" demonstrators were in the same predicament so we decided to host our own mini convention and called it Luau on the Bayou! We had a blast at a condo in Houma, LA!

Our mini convention was complete with swapping (Monique & Michele)...

 

(Dale & Catherine)

 

displays (created by all participants!)...

 

Make & Takes (Robin & Ann)...

 

classes (Monique and Tiffany)...

 

Workshop WOW's (More Decor from Michele Martin)...

a message from Shelli Gardner, CEO and Co-founder of Stampin' Up! (web message from the demo site)...

 

 and Awards (me and Michele)!

 

We had so much fun! If you would like to attend a team event like this, contact me now! You can start your own business NOW for only $85!

Back to School

I wanted to share some awesome back to school projects you can make for teachers this year. These projects were made by my upline, Michele Martin. I made the canisters for the first day of school for my kids' teachers. They were a huge hit! Thanks Michele for your inspiration!

 

The All in the Family stamp set used in this sample is included in the Just for Kids special this month. Purchase it and receive a free pack of designer buttons ($7.95 value)!

 

Using Rubons is an easy way to dress up any container!

 

This cute Post It Note holder was made from an acrylic frame. Add a bit a designer paper and ribbon and viola!!

 

Michele found these cute containers at IKEA. What teacher wouldn't like a few extra erasers on her desk? Michele used a few stamps and punches to decorate the top.

(Some of the papers/stamp sets shown in these samples are currently retired. Feel free to substitue with items from the current Idea Book & Catalog.)

What do I do with Stampin' Pastels?

Hostess club members had the chance to find out in July! Club members learned several techniques that made use of their Stampin' Pastels. The sample below is a watercolor technique using Stampin' Pastels and the Aqua Painter. I love this soft watercolor look and since Stampin' Pastels come in Stampin' Up!'s 48 exclusive colors, you have so many choices! The trees in the background were colored using a sponge dauber and 3 shades of green from the Stampin' Pastels.

Loads of Love, Loads of Fun, and Loads of Love Accessories stamp sets; More Mustard, Basic Black, and Whisper White cardstock; Jet Black Staz On and Stampin' Pastels; Sponge Daubers; Aqua Painter; 1/2" Chocolate Chip Library clip; Basic Black 1/4" grosgrain ribbon; 1 3//8" and 1 1/4" Square punch; Stampin' Dimensionals

The next technique is SO cool! It is called Reverse Pastels. It works best using a dark colored cardstock. I've used Chocolate Chip in this sample. Take a sponge dauber to dab and rub Stampin' Pastel color onto complete surface. Ink your stamp in VersaMark ink and stamp over chalked cardstock. The stamped image will remove the chalk revealing the dark cardstock underneath!

 

Animal Stories stamp set; So Saffron and Chocolate Chip cardstock; Tall Tales designer series paper; Stampin' Pastels; VersaMark ink; Scallop Edge punch; Rose Red, Old Olive, and Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon

This is my new favorite stamp set - Medallion! It is a background stamp and so much more! Poppin' Pastels is an old school technique and I love the effect! Ink your image in VersaMark and stamp onto light colored cardstock. Using a sponge dauber, dab (don't rub) your favorite chalk from Stampin' Pastels over the stamped image. You can use as many colors as you want. You'll achieve a soft, beautiful image with a hint of color all around!

 

Medallion and Wings of Friendship stamp sets; Chocolate Chip and Whisper White cardstock; VersaMark, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, and Chocolate Chip Classic inks; Stampin' Pastels; Sponge Daubers; Stampin' Sponges; 1 3/4" and 1/16" Circle and Scallop Oval punches; Chocolate Chip 5/16" Jumbo brads; Crushed Curry 1/2" Polka Dot grosgrain ribbon; Stampin' Dimensionals

If you'd like to learn more techniques like this I encourage you to host a workshop! You pick the technique and I'll highlight it in projects to show your friends and family! Contact me today to book your own party!