stamping with Maggie

A Defining Star Book

I used the nestabilites die cuts - long rectangles on my Sissix Big Shot machine. I used the longest die for the Close to Cocoa cardstock. And used  the next smaller die for the pink print, and the next smaller die for the white print.

I used Stampin' Up's defining moments stamp set on each page, choosing those that would make a great album gift for Valentine's Day, birthday, support, or friendship.

I folded each die cut in half and glued the backs together. I used red sticky tape to make sure it would hold up to the movement of opening and closing.

There must be something I can do with these scrap leftovers from die cutting the book pages.

Thank you notes etiquette

It's that time of year when, if you have been very good, you will receive a thoughtful gift-giving gesture from a friend, or loved one. It can be very tricky to negotiate the etiquette jungle surrounding the thank you card or reply.

I often have very good intentions of sending a quick thank you after I have received a gift, but fail to get around to it. I was quick to insist that my children send cards to their benefactors, but not so quick with my own.

" As a rule of thumb, I keep my cards all in one place. My address book and stamps stay together too. Writing out a heartfelt note and then leaving it on the counter for two weeks, letting it become a sponge for spills, means nothing if you have to toss it in the trash can, and yes, I speak from experience. I have two toddlers. Almost every surface in my house is sticky. Keep those stamps and addresses handy so you can complete your card, start to finish, without getting out of your seat."  suggested Just Being Notesy.  I have a great idea for a card keeper that I will share.

tutorial on split coast stampers

card folio here, here

cute idea

stationary gift box set here

and here

cute tin

Sometimes the gift is thoughtful enough that you want to add something a bit more. It doesn't have to be elaborate or complicated. I love the idea of the cocoa packets that I posted yesterday. I will have a Christmas one tomorrow. I would suggest that you make several in convenient colors , red ( Christmas, Valentine's Day, birthday) green (Christmas, birthday), pink ( friend, baby, Easter), a summer color, orange ( Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, birthday), etc. Make a goal to make six of them, it won't take much more time to cut and score six than one, and save them back for quick giftie ideas and thank yous.

I would really love to see what you get done! Please send me a link, and I can post them here.....and - Thank you!

stamps: Inspired By Nature Stamp Set Thank You Kindly Stamp Set Sanded Stamp Set	Paper: Card Stock Whisper White 8 1/2X11 Card Stock Old Olive 8 1/2X11 Designer Series Paper Bella Rose
Inks: Classic Stampin Pad Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin Pad Creamy Caramel Stampin Write Marker Old Olive Stampin Write Marker Lovely Lilac Stampin Write Marker Lavender Lace	Accessories: Ribbon Grosgrain Old Olive 5/8 Inch Hodgepodge Hardware Styled Silver Cutter Kit Paper Cutter Stamping Sponges Snail Adhesive Permanent
Created by: Sherrie Thomas

  

Party Hearty Birthday Card

CarrollAnn's Corner.I just bought this stamp set during the birthday celebration, so I was looking for inspiration. I found this card and loved the colors and textures. I'm pretty sure I own these cuttlebug folders, and I know they will work great on my Sizzix Big Shot machine.

I found CarrollAnn's card on Splitcoast stampers

I would love to see what you have done with this stamp set. If you would like to send photos, I will include them on my post with a gifty for you!

Thankful - A Thoughtful Card

This is a really easy, thoughtful addition to your Thanksgiving table. The card is just 3x3 inches and includes a spot for a gift card, list of blessings, or an appropriate sentiment.

I used Stampin" Up's stamp set Thoroughly Thankful and designer series Paper. I used  Old Olive, and pumpkin pie cardstock and markers. And just for fun, I used Crystal Effects on the flowers. I used the 1 1/4 in., 1 1/2 in, and scallop circle punches too. I love Stampin' Up's punches.

I have a PDF version of the template you can download. It will print 2 on an 8 1/2 x11 sheet of paper. But the card is just a 3x9 1/4 inch strip of paper, scored at 3 inches and 6 inches, with the last panel cut on the diagonal.

Download tea_bag_template_to_print_on_card_stock.pdf

I have included this on the There's no place like home blog for their Thanksgiving celebration. Be sure and check out the other great Thanksgiving ideas.

Another Stairstep Card- Elegant

I really enjoyed making this fold of card. I feel like I am painting a scene with paper. I wanted a more elegant look for this card, and I wanted to try the corner punch in a circle technique I found on Becca Feeken's blog. She has a tutorial which is great!

All supplies from Stampin' Up

Stamps: Baroque Motif, Sincere Salutations, Heard from the heart

Paper: Very Vanilla, Mellow Moss

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Embossing buddy, Gold embossing powder, ribbon, string of beads corner punch, gold brads

Directions for stairstep fold: Splitcoast Stampers

Stair Step Card - Going Wild

I am on a Stampin' Up demonstrator list that issues weekly challenges. The time slips by me without an entry. But I had also looked at Splitcoast stampers challenges and decided to try the Stair step fold this week anyway, What luck! now I can participate in both challenges.

This was great fun! I wanted to use my Zoofari stamp set again for a baby card. And before the holidys take over and all we see is Christmas cards, I wanted to try something new. I left The animals on a stick unstuck so that a child could play with them after they opened the card.

So.... Wild about you.. on a stick.

Stamps: Zoofari

Paper: Gable Green, Whisper White, bordering blue, more mustard,garden green, real red
Ink: Stazon black

Accessories: 2 oval  punches, 1/4 in circle punch, scallop circle punch, 1 1/2 circle punch, word     window punch, 2 smallest square punches, spiral punch, red gingham ribbon, markers

Directions for cutting and folding Stairstep card: Splitcoast Stampers 

City of David

We did this card for our Christmas card club that meets monthly. This stamp set, City of David, is retired, but I still love it and use it. Some of us take a little longer to let go, I guess. I used wintergreen paper, also retired, but the new designer series paper, Urban garden, uses the same colors, which is a fabulous uptown color combo for Christmas. 

I have 2 of these card kits left. Order this pack of paper online here, and I will make sure you get them. Leave a comment and let me know you have ordered. 

Lovely - a Christmas Card

I cased this card from Catherine Harwood. I loved the idea of red and blue for Christmas. It is super simple. I added glitter, just for fun. This is a card for my Christmas card club that meets monthly. Please feel free to join us. It is never too late.

Stamps: Stampin' Up lovely as a tree, warm wishes

Paper: Night of Navy, Whisper White, Real Red

Ink: Night of Navy, real red

Accesories: Circle scallop Punch, 1 1/2 circle punch, Big shot machine and top notch die, ribbon, glitter, sponge

Every time I use the Big Shot machine, I love it more. I cut 5 of the white background papers at one time. This was so convenient for Christmas cards.

My Bigshot and nestabilities

I was very excited when Stampin' Up started selling the Sizzix Big shot machine. I have had sizzix for 10 years and even though, I have over time, added Quickutz and a Cricut machine to my tool chest, I couldn't part with the simplicity of my sizzix machine. I grab a die, piece of paper, pull the lever, and presto, instant gratification. There are no fancy computer programs to learn,no electricity,and no blades,sticky mats to use. And the Bigshot will do all of my dies , and more of them at a time.
But I was especially thrilled to learn I could add nestabilities to my collection. I have been very interested in the cards and scrapbooks, I have seen done with them. I bought the concentric ovals and circles. Talk about easy! Cutting and embossing with the same die. I love them.

When using the nestabilities, use the complete multipurpose platform that comes with the Bigshot machine.

I cut my paper 3 1/2 inches wide for the next to last circle and 4 1/2 inches wide for the last circle. Lay the acrylic mat on top of the platform. lay the nestbility, with the cutting edge face up, on the acrylic mat. Lay the paper on top of the nestability. Finish the stack with the last acrylic mat .

Once the cut is made, you can emboss the oval by stacking everything as before. One Exception, before adding the last acrylic sheet, add a silicone embossing mat, and then the acrylic mat.

I used the Bigshot and Nestability to create the card at the bottom. I used loads of love stamp set and the accessories, and the new pocket silhouettes stamp set. I used craft, chocolate chip, and very vanilla cardstock for the card. I used markers,ink and watercolor crayons to give it an outdoorsy,distressed look for fall. This card is for my Greentown library card class this month.

 

Celebrate -More Birthday cards

These cards are also made by Stampin' Up Artisan award winner, Michelle Fischer

Stamps

• Party Hearty

Paper

• Pixie Pink card stock
• Whisper White card stock
• Tangerine Tango textured card stock
• Sweet Always Designer Series paper

Ink

• Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad
• Pixie Pink Classic Stampin' Pad
• Tangerine Tango Classic Stampin' Pad

Accessories

• Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
• Stampin' Dimensionals
• Crystal Effects
• Scallop Edge punch
• 1/2" Circle punch

Pink You Take the Cake Card

Stamps

• Little Flowers
• Party Hearty

Paper

• Pixie Pink card stock
• Pretty in Pink card stock
• Whisper White card stock
• Pink Pirouette textured card stock
• Tangerine Tango textured card stock
• Sweet Always Designer Series paper

Ink

• Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad
• Pixie Pink Classic Stampin' Pad
• Pretty in Pink Classic Stampin' Pad
• Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad
• VersaMark pad

Accessories

• Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter
• Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
• Stampin' Dimensionals
• Heat & Stick Powder
• Scallop Edge punch
• 1/2" Circle punch