Stamping On The Bayou

Whimsical Words

This is a cute project you can put together really quickly!

 
This 5 x 7 art project makes a perfect gift for a neighbor, friend, or family member that needs a pick-up! You can insert it into a picture frame or put a self-adhesive magnet on the back to showcase on a refridgerator!

It's not too late to earn the Whimsical Words stamp set and Welcome Neighbor designer series paper pad I used to make this project for FREE! For every $50 purchase you make, you can earn 1 SaleABration set for FREE! SaleABration ends March 31st! Go to my online store to make your purchase today!

SaleABration continues...

 
...but only for one more month!!!! Customers, hostess, and new recruits can earn FREE SaleABration (SAB)product!

* Customers - Earn one free SAB product with every $50 merchandise purchase

* Hostesses - Earn one free SAB product for every $300 in workshop merchandise sales

* New Recruits - Earn any stamp set ($47.95) value when you sign up to become a demonstrator during SAB

It's that easy! Take a look at the Sale A Bration brochure by clicking on the icon under Current Catalogs.

This card was made with the SaleABration set, Vintage Labels. Want to know how I did it? Check back later this week for the next video tutorial "Faux Metal Technique".
 

Love Bandit

I love the new Love Bandit stamp set!!! It is absolutely darling and you can create so many projects with this one set! Plus, all stampers have a choice of either the wood or clear mount option!

 117086 (wood) / 118577 (clear mount)

Here's what I did with my set that I earned for FREE at Leadership in Phoenix!!!

So stinkin' cute!!!!

This love note is using some non-traditional Valentine colors - Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip, and Real Red! A few punches (Pinking Hearts Border - 117649), some ribbon (Real Red 3/4" Polka Dot grosgrain - 115608), and a little Iridescent Ice embossing powder (101930) make a darling Valentine!

Old Olive is another non-traditional Valentine color. Can you imagine receiving a card that says someone likes you more than stamping???!!! This is a 4 1/4" x 2 1/5" card and a perfect size for your sweetie! The front layer is the new Hugs Sending Love Notes (118778). They fit perfectly in the Rectangle Glassine Envelopes (117227).

I fancy you!!!!! Adorable!!! This traditional Valentine highlights the Sending Love Specialty designer series paper (117153), the Full Heart (113693), Small Heart (117193), Modern Label (116630), and Word Window (105090) punches! 

 
 
This elegant Valentine is perfect for your sweetie! Basic Gray, Basic Black, and Real Red are very classy and the Real Red 5/8" Satin Ribbon (117286) steps it up a notch! The "raccoon bandit" image was stamped on the new Kisses Sending Love Notes die cuts (118779) and is a perfect piece to layer. You can even earn the Scallop Trim Border punch (118402) for FREE during SaleABration!

Valentine's Day will be here soon, so don't delay! Purchase your Love Bandit stamp set today! Click here to visit my online store.
 

My Digital Studio & Mardi Gras

I was running short on time before Leadership and I wanted to make sure I got to participate in the swapping frenzy that accompanies a Stampin' Up! event! My Digital Studio helped me create 50 cards in about two hours! I got so many compliments and I enjoyed sharing my creation! The colors I used have a Mardi Gras flair to it. A set of these cards would make a perfect gift, especially if you are the Queen or court member of a krewe! You can even create beautiful invitations for your Mardi Gras festivities!

I printed this directly to my home printer (the colors aren't exact, but they are close enough). This is the MDS version. After I printed them on Whisper White card stock, I matted it onto either Crushed Curry or Bermuda Bay card stock after adding either a yellow or turquoise square rhinestone brad.
 

Saints Valentines

WOOHOO, the Saints are going to the SuperBowl!!!! We are so happy for our New Orleans Saints!!!! As you may be aware, Saints Fever is sweeping the nation! With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I asked my boys (they are 5 year old twins) if they wanted Saints Valentines and they said "COOL!!!" So here is my version of a Saints Valentine -

Black & Gold all the way!!! I had to add a little red for the holiday! The Fleur de Lis image is from a retired stamp set from Stampin' Up! called Carte Postale and I would not give it up for anything! But, the same image (slightly larger) is available as a stencil (item #118262)in the Definitely Decorative brochure.

Connor's Valentine uses the Stampin' Up! Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder (117335) and the Full Heart punch (113693). I sponged some Encore gold ink around the heart cut out and sprayed the paper with a Shimmer Paint mixture. It is more fabulous in person!

For the shimmer, I used an older Stampin' Mist container. Fill with 70% rubbing alcohol and about 1/2 teaspoon of the Champagne Mist Shimmer paint (116806). Be sure to shake it before you spray it and mist your paper! The alcohol evaporates and leaves a beautiful sparkle to the paper! If you are stamping as well, be sure to stamp after you spray and it dries.

I made Jack's a little different, of course! The gold heart is created with brushed gold card stock (102935) and the Stampin' Up! Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslits die (117332) from the Occasions Mini!

I love the edge of this Valentine - it's created with the Pinking Heart Border punch (117649). Other supplies I used for this project are the Small Heart punch (117193), With All My Heart stamp set (118134), Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set (115370), Word Window punch (105090), and Modern Label punch (116630).

GEAUX SAINTS!!!!!!
 
 

Valentine Card Ideas

I took a ton of photos at Leadership and I wanted to share these before it was too late. These are photos from the display boards and swaps that I or my roommates had. The first sample was my creation and my swap for Leadership. I think it came out really cute!

I used the new Something Sweet stamp set in the Clear Mount option. It was really easy to mount the top and bottom of the gumball machine on the same block and stamp once instead of stamp 2 separate times... one of the benefits of the clear mount!!! I can't wait to spell out words with our alphabet sets and mount on one block for easy, peasy stampin'!!! The other new products in this card are the Sending Love Specialty designer series paper and the Well Scripted stamp set. What makes the Sending Love paper so special??? Do you see the sparkle? That's glitter, on the paper!!! It's all ready to shine without any extra effort!

Here is another sample from a swap using the Sending Love specialty dsp and the Love Bandit stamp set. I love that little raccoon!

Here is a swing card using the Scallop square die for the Big Shot. The front swings to either side with a brad to secure it.

I love this one! The Build A Bear dies are totally cute poppin' out of the Top Note die pocket! Again, this card features the Sending Love specialty dsp and the new Real Red corduroy buttons. Plus, the background features the exclusive Perfect Polka Dots textured impressions folder!

Need more ideas? I'll be posting more Valentine treat boxes and cards on Friday. In the meantime, check out Stamping on the Bayou on Facebook. Fans of Stamping on the Bayou can receive special discounts and exclusive product and project information! Become a Fan today by clicking the FaceBook icon link on the right sidebar of this blog.
 
 

Save time with My Digital Studio

Are you pressed for time this Christmas? Save time with My Digital Studio! I used it for my cards this Christmas (I'll post soon, I promise!) and I am VERY pleased! I can't wait to get it back from Stampin' Up!'s professional printing service. This sample shows one of the cards available in the Designer Template section of My Digital Studio. This is the JPEG of the card...

 
  
The real thing...

You can even print text, images, and such on the inside!

It's not too late to find out about this amazing product. Late registration for the My Digital Studio Class (Saturday 1 -3) is available by contacting me by Friday at 6pm {nickole@stampingonthebayou.com}. There are a few spots left. 
 
 

Christmas Postcard

One of my favorite things during Christmas is checking the mailbox. Normally, it is filled with bills and solicitations, but from Thanksgiving to Christmas it is a surprise every day! I've already begun receiving Christmas wishes from friends and family! I finished my family's Christmas card yesterday. I'm using My Digital Studio and I will post it as soon as I can. Anyway, this is a sample of a Christmas postcard that I made for Tish H.'s workshop back in September. I like making postcards because it shows my beautiful children AND my artwork without having to sacrifice one or the other to display. This card was really simple and there is a pull-out for you to write well wishes without taking away from the card!

My new favorite colors for Christmas are Real Red and Soft Suede. It is very old fashioned looking and that is just my style! The horse and sleigh image comes from the Yuletide Christmas stamp set (116855). It is in the Holiday Mini and may not be available after January 4th.

I made a pocket behind the photo with Stampin' Dimensionals so that the pull-out wouldn't fall through the card.

To see more great ideas in person, host a stampin' workshop! Check out the calendar of events to find open dates for your private party!
 
 

Recently, I challenged my Southern Ink team to a sketch challenge. I created a sketch in My Digital Studio and the team was to create a card using the layout! So, here was my submission - it's a great way for our team to share their creativity with each other.

My Digital Studio is such a versatile product. You can create concepts for cards, pages, and other projects without wasting your precious card stock, designer series paper, ribbon, etc. I can't tell you how much card stock and other accessories I have wasted when I wasn't happy with a finished project. My Digital Studio will help reduce my waste!

My submission followed the basic layout of the sketch with a few changes. My embellishment was ribbon instead of brads, and I tore a piece of the Christmas Cocoa designer series paper instead of using the Scallop Edge punch.

If you would like to participate in a challenge like this, leave me a comment and I just may offer a challenge for you next week.
 

Christmas Project for Kids

During the holidays, when kids are out of school, why not have a fun project for them to create? With the Simple Seasonal Thanks stamp set (111548 $17.95), your kids can create their own thank you notes. Stamp the snowman image on Whisper White or Shimmery White card stock and cut out. Color the hat, scarf, and nose with Stampin' Write markers for a vibrant, perfect color match to Stampin' Up! card stock. Adhere the snowman onto 1/4 sheet of card stock. The finished card can be simple like the one shown. Or, to step it up, add designer series paper, brads, ribbon, etc. Over the Thanksgiving holidays, I get to start the first of many family Christmas celebrations of the year! My aunts, uncles, and cousins on my mom's side of the family will celebrate Thanksgiving next Thursday and then our Christmas on the Saturday! So, on the Friday in between, I'll have a project for all 8 kids to make.

If you and your kids like that project, you can also make them for birthdays! Try the Simple Birthday Thanks stamp set (111546 $17.95) from the Idea Book & Catalog (see below).

Ever need a gift in a pinch? Make a set of birthday or Christmas thank you notes to give to family or friends. Click here to purchase either or both of these sets.