Barbara's Stampin' Studio

Genna's Graduation Thanks!

My daughter Genna, graduated college last month, WooHoo!

She earned her Business Degree with a concentration in Human Resources in just four years. I['m so proud of her! She took a full oad at school for 4 years, all the while working full time, some times with 2 jobs, and on top of it all, she got married last summer to boot!

Hmmm, wonder where she gets that?!? LOL!

She called and said she needed some quick Thank You cards to send out and, knowing her taste, here's what I came up with.

I used Rich Razzleberry card stock with my Big Shot and the Elegant Lines Impressions Embossing Folder for the base.

 I stamped "Thanks a Million" from Word Play (perfect words don't ya think?) using Rich Razzleberry ink and punched it out with the Decorative Label punch. 

Of course, just HAD to use Rhinestones for Bling! Didn't I?!?

Speaking of Rhinestones, did you know that you get 150 Rhinestones in each package for only $4.95? And, to make it even better, the ones that I used on these cards are linked together in a row! I didn't have to place one right next to the other. What a time saver!

YES, Genna loved them, and so did those who were lucky enough to receive one!

Blushing with Hope & Strength

Did you know that my purchasing this pretty stamp set you will automatically be doing something for breast cancer research? It's true!

For every sale of this special stamp set, Stampin' Up is donating $2.00 to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

It's such a pretty and versatile set and I've made many cards with it. You can see the others by clicking on the category Specials & Promotions on the left of this screen.

Here is another idea that I made recently using primarily the In Color, Blushing Bride.

To start, I used my Big Shot with the Flower Garden Impressions Embossing folder with Blushing Bride card stock for the background.

I added to it by stamping the word image, also in Blushing Bride, all along the edges of the impressed flower image, on both sides.

I stamped the butterfly image in So Saffron, cut it out and mounted it with Dimensionals. Of course I had to add Bling, so I added Pearls down the center.

I also stamped the wording in So Saffron and punched it out with the Decorative Label punch, and mount it on another punch piece of So Saffron (I cut it in half and added it to the top and bottom for more Oomph)

To finish, I put a piece of Blushing Bride ribbon along the left side.

 

Help Fight Breast Cancer in a Beautiful Way!

This card was made with the pretty Hope & Strength stamp set.

Every time this set is ordered, Stampin' Up donates $2.00 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Please do your part and order this stamp set today so we can go farther in the fight against Breast Cancer. Thanks!

To make this card I used my Beyond the Garden Designer Paper and embossed it with my Big Shot using the Vintage Wallpaper Impressions Folder.

The butterfly is stamped with Perfect Plum ink and I've added a few Ice Circle Rhinestones to add a little Bling!

The ribbon is Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding and I used a Paper Daisy, with another Rhinestone, to finish it off.

Hope you like it!

Doily Triple Punch Idea

The Doily Triple Layer Punches in the Summer Mini are way fun to use!

There are 3 different levels in the punch and they punch out different pieces depending on where you put the tab.

Here I used Pacific Point and Vellum card stock to punch out my Doilies and added a Rhinestone Brad to the centers for a little Bling.

The paper is from the Beyond the Garden pack that's in the Summer Mini and I paired it with Pacific Point and Wild Wasabi card stock.

I trimmed both edges of the Pacific piece that's backing the paper by using my Eyelet Border Punch.

Simple Friendship Blinged out Butterfly

If you know me, you know I like Bling, . . . even before it was "popular".

I can't help it, I just like shiny things, like Rhinestones and Pearls, for instance.

I was stamping a little bit ago and found myself looking at one of my favorite Designer papers, Lap of Luxury, (kinda sounds like something I'd like, don't ya think?) and wanted to create something with one of the sets that are on sale at 30% off this month, (that's only $18.17 for this fabulous 7 piece set!) and decided on the Simple Friendship set.

Hope you like my Blinged out Butterfly!

Here's how I made it~ yep! there are a lot of steps to this one!

To begin my idea, I stamped the butterfly in Concord Crush on a piece of Glossy card stock and cut it out. Then I mounted a piece of Lap of Luxury Designer paper onto Blushing Bride card stock and then onto a Concord Crush base.

I picked up a piece of Vellum and stamped True Friend all over it in Concord and then torn part of it off to let some of the print paper show through. 

I cut a strip of Blushing Bride card stock and used my Scallop Trim Border punch on both sides and mounted a strip of Concord in the center of it. then came the Bling!

I used a strip of Rhinestones along the entire strip and added it to my card.

I stamped "You're a Gem" from OOPS! the Occasions Mini (guess I better put that set away and pray it makes it into the new catalog, huh?) and punched it out with my Large Oval punch. I layered that onto a Blushing Bride Scallop Oval piece and mounted it with Dimensionals onto a Concord Crush Wide Oval Punch piece.

and added more Bling!

Something's missing, I thought, and decided to add the wording piece underneath the vellum, which I sponged to make it pop.

To finish my idea, I Blinged my butterfly and mounted her on the card.

Enjoy!

Always Collage

One of my favorite styles of papercrafting is Collage.

Collage is basically a layering on of different images and textures, some one on top of another and the Always stamp set seems to be made for it.

Here I've used 7 of the 11 pieces from the Always stamp set, along with the Scallop Heart of Hearts Embosslit, Satin ribbon, Flower Brads, Pearls and a couple of punches too.

Oh! and I also used the Wonderfully Worn background stamp!

The colors I chose are Pacific Point, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive and Pretty in Pink.

Go grab your stamps and try it!

 

Beyond the Garden Doilies

Just lovin' the Beyond the Garden Designer paper from the Summer Mini and just had to use the new Doily Triple Layer punch with it.

I punched the Doilies out of Blushing Bride, Rose Red and Vellum card stock, layered them on to each other and added Rhinestone Brads for the centers.

The word image is from the stamp set Happy Greetings and I use my Designer Label punch on the left side of the word piece. A little stampin' and spongin' and you're good to go!

Embedded Butterflies

I love this Embedded Embossing technique and had a class a couple of weeks ago where we made a cute tote and 4 cards.

I'll be posting more in the next few days, but my time is extremely limited lately, but I'll soon get back to "normal" . . . whatever that is!

Most of the Embedded ideas I have seen have been done with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder, but I happen to like using the Vintage Wallpaper Folder.

To make this card, I used the Paisley Petals paper and my Beautiful Butterflies die, cutting out just the 2 single butterflies. I then taped them onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock and ran it through my Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper Impressions Embossing Folder.

I then used the same paper with my Beautiful Wings Embosslit, which is great! It cuts and embosses at the same time! I adhered the little butterflies on the card and of course, just HAD to add Pearls to everyone's bodies, didn't I?

To finish it off, I added a piece of Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, mounted it to a Cherry Cobbler quarter piece and added it to my Pacific Point card base and WhaLa! It's ready to pop in the mail!

Greenhouse Garden In Color and Takin' it to the Top

This is a challenge that I saw late last night on the Stamping 411 blog and decided to go for it when I was making cards this morning for some friends of mine.

I chose the Greenhouse Garden set as I'm feeling Springy today and decided to make the In Colors my starting point.

I used Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz and Concord Crush.

Here is the basic card

It's pretty, but it needs something more . . .

So I adding some stamping to the Peach background piece and tied on some Concord Crush ribbon to add a bit of texture

But it still needs more!

This time I blinged it up with Peach Parfait Glimmer Brads (you'll find them in the Occasions Mini catalog) and a sentiment from my Fabulous Phrases stamp set and 3 of my Oval punches

 

. . . and then I needed another card  and decided to change it up a bit and pulled out the Poppy Parade. Here's what I got

My what a little change it color it makes!

Try steppin' up your next idea and have fun with it!

Beveled Windowpane Tutorial and Idea

I know, I know, I promised a tutorial on the Beveled Windowpanes, but I've just been way too busy with classes, taxes and life that I haven't had a chance to do the photographs, so here's what I'm gonna do.

Since I'm in create mode for my upcoming classes, and some challenges too, I'm going to design with the Beveled Windowpanes in mind and do the tutorial for the 5 different ways to attach them as I go.

It may be a couple of days before they are all here, but here's a start!

I made this card for Create with Connie & Mary's Inspiration Challenge.

The inspiration was a gorgeous cake that was blue, yellow and cream with lots of stripes, bows and swirls. Here's my idea:

 

And here's the Beveled Windowpane Tutorial ~

I have found 5 different methods to using these Beveled Windowpanes

    ~ I call this the Ribbon Hanger ~

First stamp your word and mount as you choose

I used my Small, Large and Scallop Oval Punches

Put ribbons through the ribbon slots on the Beveled Windowpane

Here I chose Very Vanilla Satin, using a 4" length for both, but yours will depend on where your word lays on your project

Second, mount your word piece on your project as shown

Lay your windowpane over the word and put ribbon over top of card

Tape ribbon to back of card ~ I use mono adhesive

Tie the bottom ribbons as shown ~ I chose 1/8" Taffeta in Very Vanilla

Now flip the window off the card, it'll make sense with the next photo

 

Place a Mini Glue Dot on the ribbon to hold in place 

I like to use my Paper Piercing Tool as you see here

 

Now put it over the word, pull ribbons, and push on the glue dot to hold in place and

You're done!

Another tutorial coming soon!

Beveled Windowpane fit for a Queen!

Don't you know someone who deserves to be a Queen?

I created this card using a lot of my favorite things.

Two of my favorite colors, Cherry Cobbler and Soft Suede, two of my favorite sets, You're a Gem and Clearly for You (both from the Occasions Mini), my favorite Big Shot product, Finial Press Impressions Folder and two of my favorite embellishments, Pearls and Beveled Windowpanes.

 

 

Here's what I used:

Stamps ~ You're a Gem, Clearly for You and Bella Toile

Card Stock ~ Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla

Ink ~ Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede and Crumb Cake

Punches ~ Eyelet Border, Ovals, Scallop Oval, 1" Circle, and Ticket Corner

Big Shot with Finial Press Impressions Embossing Folder

Embellishments ~  Pearls, Beveled Windowpane, Vintage Tag, & Cherry Cobbler ribbon

 

Celebrations Cupcakes with Glitter on the Windowpane

Like I've said before, you've just gotta get this Build a Cupcake punch, . . . . that is if you didn't already. It's so fun to use!

Here I've used it with the Celebrations Designer Paper and a Beveled Windowpane.

I kept the White Buttercream frosting and added little candles to each one. Yes, that's part of the punch too. A little tricky to get the flame on the candle, but I used my Tombow glue and tweezers.

For the glittered window, I put Sticky Strip on the edges of the Windowpane, mitering it at the corners, and then pressed the sides into my Baja Breeze Glass Glitter.

I held the Windowpane in place with 1/8" Real Red Taffeta ribbon and added a bit of Marina Mist ribbon just underneath to ground it.

Oh! The tiny words, Make a Wish? They are part of one of the Take a Spin stamp images. I used the words on the square image. You can find this great set on page #10 of the Occasions Mini along with the Spinner Hands too.

Stampin' On Paper Daisies

Here is another idea for coloring flowers that I did for my Technique class last week.

This technique is sooo simple!~ You've just gotta try it!

Just sponge your color of choice onto the Paper Daisy, I prefer to use Sponge Daubers, but Stampin' Sponges work too, they just take longer to get the color onto the Daisy.

And hey! No drying time needed! The ink dries instantly. . . and that's a good thing.

The stamp away with whatever image you choose.

I designed this card using the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set with In Color ink, card stock and paper. The Designer Paper is Blushing Bride and the Ribbon and Glimmer Brads are Concord Crush. The large Daisy is colored with Peach Parfait. I also used the Boho Blossoms punch for the flower centers. This is a quick and easy card from start to finish.

Here's a close up of the flowers for you

Go ahead, Try it!

You can find the Paper Daisies in the Idea Book & Catalog on page #188. You get 40 flowers, 10 of 4 sizes, for only $6.95.

The Glimmer Brads are in the Occasions Mini catalog and come in lots of colors.

Have fun!

Medallion Medley ~ All Blinged Up!

Okay, so have you checked out the Simply Sent Medallion Medley kit in the Occasions Mini?

I bought a pack last month and decided to play with it when  I was preparing for my Beveled Windowpane demonstration and here's what I came up with.

These cards are already preprinted and embossed and are a quick way to send a card, but if you're like me, you just have to add something else to it too!

Here I've added a gazillion rhinestones to the medallions and decided to used the Beveled Windowpane to highlight my greeting, You're a Gem, from the set of the same name.

You can find the Medallion card kit, Decorative Label Punch, Baja Breeze Seam Binding and You're a Gem stamp set in the Occasions Mini catalog and if you get all 4, you'll earning a FREE Sale-a-Bration product!!

Add the Rhinestones for just $4.95 more and you're set to go!

Here's a close up of the Windowpane ~ tutorial coming

Too many Cupcakes is a Good thing!

Can you ever have too many cupcakes?

I think NOT!

I used the fab Create a Cupcake stamp set with the Build a Cupcake punch to make this card.

Both of these are in the Occasions Mini on page #22 and they are so much fun!

I decided to stick with just a few colors, and used Blushing Bride and Concord Crush Designer Paper for the cupcakes and "tablecloth". I punched the edge of my "tablecloth" with the Eyelet Border punch and added some Blushing Bride Twill to tie it all together.

The chocolate frosting & sprinkles are made with Soft Suede and Crumb Cake ink and a few of the cupcakes have strawberry frosting (aka Blushing Bride ink).

I added a few accent flowers with my Itty Bitty Flower punch and just had to add a little bling, so I put some Rhinestones on too!

 

 

Sale-a-Brating with the Baja glass Glitter!

Here's yet another card that we made at my Birthday Card class. For this card I used the Fabulous Sale-a-Bration  set, Punch Bunch, that you an get for FREE until the end of March.

To get the color on the image, I used my Stampin' Write Markers and colored directly onto the stamp using Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze and Concord Crush. I then punched it out with the coordinating Square Scallop punch and layered it onto a Circle punched piece of Concord and again onto a square of Wild Wasabi card stock.

Around the edge of the Wasabi square, I put Sticky Strip and then poured on the Baja Glass Glitter. Okay, so ya just gotta love this stuff! It doesn't stick and there's no "wearing" it when your done.

To finish the card, I put a piece of Concord Crush through my Big Shot using the Polka Dot Impressions Folder and layered a piece of Wild Wasabi Designer paper on the bottom. I punched out the cute edging with the Scallop Border punch first. Add some Baja Breeze Seam Binding and that's it. Pretty easy and you've got a great birthday card!

BTW, the Baja Breeze Glass Glitter and Seam Binding can both be found in the Occasions Mini catalog. There are 7 colors of Seam Binding and you'll find 2 more Glass Glitters, Silver & Champagne too. Check 'em out!

You're a Gem Spinner card

I had fun designing this card for a class recently. I chose the Springtime Vintage Designer paper for the background, added a bit of Marina Mist ribbon along the side and then stamped the spinner image, from the Take a Spin stamp set in two colors.

I stamped it first in Marina Mist and then in Wild Wasabi. I punched out the center word image from the Wasabi piece and mounted it on top of the Marina spinner image. I also sponged the edges of the Marina piece with Wild Wasabi.

To make it a little more exciting, I added a Rhinestone brad to the center of the spinner and one to focus on the word, "You're a Gem", from the stamp set of the same name.

Having Fun with the new Fun Flower die

The Fun Flowers die that came out last month in the Occasions Mini is just that, FUN!

Here is a card that we made at my Sale-a-Bration Occasions class last week using the First Edition Designer paper with Pretty in Pink and Concord Crush card stock.

I used one of my fav sets, "You're a Gem", a Paper Daisy, Subtles Designer paper in Pretty in Pink, Rhinestones and a few punches too. To color the First Edition flower and the Paper Daisy, I simply pressed them into my Pretty in Pink pad.

Any questions? Please let me know, I'd be happy to help!

Sale-a-Bration/Occasions class shares

Here are 3 of the 8 projects we made this week at my Sale-a-Bration/Occasions class. We made 4 cards using Sale-a-Bration stamp sets and another 4 projects using stamps and more from the Occasions Mini. Lots of fun!

Here is one of the Sale-a-Bration cards using the fun Punch Bunch & Thinking of You stamp sets, both of which you can get FREE during Sale-a-Bration.

I used the Owl image and the True Friend image from the Punch Bunch,

the "Thinking of You" from the set of the same name,

I also used some of the Ice Cream Parlor Designer Paper and Quick Accents pack too.

Here is the card that uses my favorite Occasions stamp set, Baby Blossoms.

This time I used Daffodil Delight and overlayed it with Regal Rose for the flowers with Certainly Celery and Always Artichoke for the leaves.

I stamped the frame in Artichoke and cut it out, added a couple of flowers and the word "friend" (that's from my other fav set, You're a Gem, also in the Occasions), then, for a fun effect, I added a Rosette and used a bit of Celery grosgrain for the leaves.

Knot a piece of Certainly Celery striped ribbon, adhere it to the back and your done!

OH! How did I color the Rosette? Simple!

Just push it into your ink pad and twist it a bit until you get the amount of color you are looking for.

Try it! You'll love it!

 

Here's my 3rd card using the Take a Spin and Bring on the Cake stamp sets for the Occasions with the Sale-a-Bration Ice Cream Parlor paper.

This long note card uses 2 of the Ice Cream Parlor prints for the background.

I stamped the Spinner image in Marina Mist and, instead of the brad that comes with the Spinner Hands, I used an In Color Glimmer Brad for a little sparkle. I also used my BoHo Blossoms punch for the flower under the brad.

For the bottom of the card, I used the new set, Bring on the Cake, stamped with Melon Mambo and the "cake" part I colored with Marina Mist.

I then punched it out with my Extra Large Oval punch, layered on a 2 3/8" Scallop Circle piece in Daffodil Delight, stapled some Pumpkin Pie Taffeta ribbon to it and then mounted that onto an Old Olive 2 1/2" Circle piece.

Fun birthday card, don't ya think?

Mini Lunch Sacks make Great Christmas Treat Bags!

I am in love with the Mini Lunch Sacks that are in the Holiday Mini catalog!

I honestly hadn't used them until recently, but the top edge is scalloped and they are thicker than I thought they would be. Here is one that I designed for my team meeting last month.

I made the centerpiece by punching out 5 Scallop circles, folding 4 of them in quarters and using one for the base. The accent is Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding (Love it!), a Crumb Cake Big Button, and 1/2" card stock circle and then, to top it off, a Glimmer Brad.

I added the tag from Tags til Christmas with Linen Thread. Quick and pretty easy too. Especially if you have a ton of them to make in a short amount of time!

For my team meeting, I put out the assortment of Deck the Halls Big Buttons and Glimmer Birghts Brads and here are some of the bags they made.