Beware Pirates

Beware Pirates is one of my favorite stamp sets.  I am so sad to see it retire.  I made this scrapbook layout for my son, Logan, who loves to dress up like a pirate.  He calls the Renaissance festival "the pirate place."

I loved the opportunity to use the Designer Series Paper Pack.  I just love that print!
I made the colored background behind the boat by combining the brayering technique with spongeing.  I first brayered More Mustard and then Cajun Craze over the top of the More Mustard layer.  I then sponged Night of Navy on the bottom portion.  I then stamped over it in Staz On Black ink to really help the silhouette to stand out. 

I also used the Beware Pirates sentiment to create a small title for the page.  I love it when I can use so many of the stamps from one stamp set on the same project!

Here is the materials list:
Stamp sets:  Beware Pirates
Inks: Basic Black, Night of Navy, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Chocolate Chip, Staz On Black
Paper: Night of Navy Designer Series Paper, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Night of Navy, Chocolate Chip
Accessories:  Chocolate Chip Marker, Neutrals Brads
Tools:  Brayer

Happy Scrapping!
-Staci

Goodbye Cogs Punch

Here is a Scrapbook Page that I created for my son's second birthday.  I used one of my favorite stamp sets:  Extreme Elements.  This is somewhat an unusual layout for me because I chose to use ONLY one photograph.  It is also a typical layout in that I created a piece of background paper and created an embellishment.

I used a lot of different Stampin' Up! products in this layout.  Everything except the spray pen that I used is Stampin' Up!  I know, I know, [insert shameless self advertising here] right? I started with a 12x12 of Whisper White paper.  I laid it down on that brown packaging paper that comes in the Stampin' Up! boxes.  Double kudos to me for helping the environment!  Then I took a spray mister- this is a small spray bottle created for crafters- that  I bought at the stamp expo but I am sure you can find them at your local craft store or you can buy them from my favorite Close to My Heart consultant, Wendy Taylor.  Fill the spray mister part way with water and add a few drops of Cajun Craze Classic Ink Refill.  The spray comes out heavy so stand back.  I stand over mine- the page is on the floor and I am standing over it.  Set that aside and let it dry.
I then cut the Designer series paper in Cajun Craze and Not Quite Navy- these are both found in the Regals paper stack.  I am very happy that the paper stacks will be exactly the same in the new upcoming catalog.

 
The small piece of paper at the top left is a little tricky.  I started by brayering a whisper white piece of paper with Not Quite Navy ink.  I didn't cover the entire thing with ink.  Then sponge around it and then stamp a few of the Extreme Elements onto it.
For the cork piece, I stamped the fleur onto the cork with NQN and then punched it out with a 1 3/4" circle punch.  I then used the Cogs Punch to punch out a large cog in Cajun Craze and Basic Black.  Don't forget that the Cogs Punch is retiring at the end of this month.

I chose to cut out the individual letters instead of using a Stamp-a-ma-jig to line them up perfectly.  The little cogs are also from the cogs punch.
That was a lot to type!!!!  I hope you enjoyed this page layout.  I better go make dinner for my little indians! 
Happy Stamping,
Staci


Stamps:  Extreme Elements, Jayne's Type Alphabet
Paper:  Cajun Craze and Not Quite Navy Designer Series Paper; Whisper White, Basic Black, Cajun Craze, and Not Quite Navy Cardstock
Ink:  Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Cork Sheets
Tools:  Cogs Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Brayer
Other:  Cajun Craze Ink Refill, Spray Mister

Goodbye Hello Again

Strange title isn't it?  I am sad to say goodbye to the set called Hello Again.  Yep, it's on the retiring list.  So is the retro remix wheel that matches the set. 
I just love making three by three cards.  I made several variations of this card with this wheel and set.  It was such a great pair for whipping up a simple card.  I liked that I could make the look of patterned paper quickly with the stamp set or with the wheel.  On this card I used the wheel in Cajun Craze on So Safron cardstock to create the feel of patterned paper.  The base of the card is Elegant Eggplant.

Stamps:  Hello Again, Retro Remix wheel
Paper:  Elegant Eggplant, Cajun Craze, So Saffron
Ink:  Cajun Craze
Accessories:  Hemp Twine
Tools:  Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Crop-a-dile, Small and Large Tag Punches

I will be back soon with more retiring cards and layouts.  Until then, Happy Stamping!
-Staci

Another Father's Day Card

There is something really satisfying about using stamp sets that have been in your stash for awhile.  So I was really pleased with myself when I used not one but two retired sets on the same card. 

Making a card for my motorcycle loving husband called for use of this retired motorcycle stamp.  I made this card for Father's Day and chose to put the sentiment on the inside of the card. 

Stamps: Print Pattern, Motorcycle
Paper:  Soft Suede, Basic Black, Naturals Ivory
Ink:  Soft Suede, Staz On Black, Cherry Cobbler
Tools:  Blender Pen

I started with Naturals Ivory paper and stamped the motorcycle in Staz On Black ink.  I used a blender pen and Cherry Cobbler ink to color the tank.  I then stamped the diamond pattern in soft suede on the soft suede cardstock.  Distressed the edges and layered together.

Happy Father's Day!
-Staci

Razzleberry Challenge and Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch

Don't you hate when you have too much of cardstock of ONE color?  I had an extra large stash of Rich Razzleberry.  The past tense is because I sold it off shortly after showcasing it on this lovely card.
In any case, my personal challenge was to make a card with Rich Razzleberry.  I also wanted to tryout the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch.  This is the new triple punch featured in the summer mini catalog. 

In the close up, you can see that I embedded the flowers in the card.  They almost look quilted.  This technique is called embedded embossing.  I achieved this by gluing my punched flowers to the card and then embossing it in the big shot.  I used the square lattice embossing folder.  Pretty simple, right?

The last flower was added after the embossing in order to make it stand out.

The little shiny flowers were stamped with the little flower in the Bold Blossom stamp set (also found in the Summer mini) with shimmer paint.  Apply the paint directly to your stamp by using a sponge dauber.

Ingredients

Stamps: Bold Blossom (W 123232, C 122232)

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White

Ink: Frost White Shimmer Paint (116854)

Tools:  Square Lattice Embossing Folder (119976), Big Shot, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch (122464), 3/4" Circle Punch

I hope this has inspired a project of your own!  Happy Stamping!

-Staci

Details for Dream Gardens

So I said I would be back with more detailed instructions and pictures.

Well, I started by Brayering in So Saffron over a good portion of my whisper white cardstock.  (Cardstock piece measures 4" x 5 1/4") Be patient with this layer.  This is a light yellow and it takes a while to build up.
Then I brayered over the So Saffron layer with More Mustard.  I only went about half way as far as I did the first layer.
Then I brayered a smaller portion at the top with Cajun Craze.  Sorry no pics for these first few steps.  But I think you can follow along without them.
The next step is sponging old olive along the bottom in order to make the grass. I also sponged all the way around the piece of cardstock with old olive. 

I then stamped the silhouette stamp in Staz On Black ink.  I used a stamp-a-ma-jig to get the positioning right.  DO NOT stamp on your imaging sheet with Staz On.  I probably didn't need to say that but just in case.  Use Gray or Basic Black, Staz On is permanent.  As a side note watch out when you use Staz On and clear blocks.  I have one block that has a line on it from a Staz On incident.

Next cover the geisha with a sticky note.  Leave just a sliver of the bottom of her showing.

The sponge a black shadow under her.  I used a Q-tip to get it more precisely in the area that I wanted it to be.

All done.  Just mount it to your 1/4 fold card.  I used black just to make it more dynamic.  See yesterday's post for a complete supply list.

Happy stamping!
-Staci

Goodbye Dream Gardens

I am really sad that Dream Gardens is on the retiring list.  I am glad it is in my collection, just sad that I won't be able to make current samples for all of my customers.  Thanks for shedding a tear with me. 
I made this card in February just after I learned the brayering technique for colored backgrounds.  Yes the orange and yellow is completely brayered.  I did use sponges to get the green at the bottom and I used a sponge to add black.  I will try and post more how to instructions and pictures tomorrow.

Stamps:  Dream Gardens
Inks: Staz On Black, Basic Black, Old Olive, So Saffron, More Mustard, Cajun Craze
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black
Accessories: None  Gasp!
Tools: Brayer and Sponges

Thanks for looking!
-Staci

Father's Day Card

As much as I wanted to play and play with all of the sneek peak items that I have.  I have to switch gears and make a few pesky Father's Day cards.  Boo!  LOL!
So here is a very simple card.  I used some old scraps of patterned paper that I had leftover from a scrapbook page.  I knew that saving all those scraps would one day turn out handy!
I used the color spritzer tool and a Basic Black marker to add interest to the Blue panel.  The blue is a retired Stampin' Up! color.  I don't remember what color it is, maybe Buckaroo Blue.  I also used the 1/8" taffeta ribbon which is fast becoming one of my favorite choices of ribbon. 

Enabler's list-
Stamps:  Something to Celebrate (Retired Hostess Set)
Paper: Patterned Scraps, Retired SU cardstock, Basic Black
Inks: Basic Black Marker
Accessories: Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon
Tools: Color Spritzer

I hope this has inspired you.  I'll be back with more soon.  Until then, Happy Stamping!
-Staci

In Color Birthday Wish

Here is my first sneak peek at colors and stamp sets that will be released July 1st.

Stamps:  Happiest Birthday Wishes, Starburst Jumbo Wheel
Paper:  Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Island Indigo
Ink:  Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Island Indigo
Accesories: Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon
Tools:  1", 1 3/8", and 1 3/4" circle punches

That was fun!!  I hope to share more new toys soon!
-Staci

Mojo Monday

I decided to try something new.  I decided to participate in my first sketch challenge.  Here is what I came up with:

I chose Pacific Point and Crumb Cake as my color combination. I used several products that are on the retiring list for Stampin' Up!  I will be sad to see the Cogs Punch go (#118873).  I also used my favorite Designer Series Paper (DSP), Blueberry Crisp (#117392) which will also be retiring this month. 
Here is the original sketch:

I started by using 1" x 4" strips of paper.  2 are from the DSP and the other are plain Sahara Sand that I used Not Quite Navy marker and the color spritzer to splatter.  I also used the Sandy Speckles wheel (#117651) to add more color to the Crumb Cake strips. I punched out a 1 3/4 circle from corrugated cardboard and decorated with a variety of brads I had in my stash.  The ribbon is the 1/8" taffeta ribbon in basic black (#119261).
Happy Stamping!
-Staci