At Last...A Sneak Peek

Since tomorrow is the last day to sign up for the Christmas in July Stamp Camp, I thought I better post a little temptation! Yes, you will get to make all 6 projects* during this camp.

• designer series paper gift box with matching tag and gorgeous ribbon
• milk carton caddy, perfect for cocoa mix, candies, etc.
• mini candy jar*
• super adorable nugget purse (2)
• reindeer gift card holder
• designer series paper gift bag, perfect size for specialty bath items
• BONUS, my Mocha Mix recipe which works well in the candy jar or milk cartons

Your paid registration includes all the cardstock, ribbon, and accessories for the projects as shown--colors and patterns may very. Local participants, you can bring your favorite adhesive. Mail kit participants will also need ink, stamps, and some tools to create projects as shown. The templates are yours as well and can be used for many gift-giving opportunities beyond Christmas.

*mail kits will substitute a window gable box for the glass candy jar project

Classes can only hold 10 so there are two sessions.

Friday, July 17, 6:30-9:30pm

Saturday, July 18, 2:00-5:00pm

Stamp Camp by Mail, U.S. only




Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you got a little Christmas fever starting to ebb. See you Monday night for the new catalog Kick-Off Party!! 6;30-8:30pm

Tasha

Planning Ahead?

Though it's hot outside and the middle of summer break, it really pays to take some time and think ahead. Did you scramble last Christmas season with last-minute gifts and Christmas cards? Were you up late getting those teacher gifts ready?

Well, there's 6 months ahead of us, so with a little effort, you can find yourself ahead of the game and enjoying the holiday season when it gets here. Am I going all holiday for the next few months?

Nope, I'm not a Christmas fanatic.

But I will have holiday-themed card, gift, and project ideas about once a week from here on out. Sort of like having your own personal coach. We'll "train" these next few months and you'll be in tiptop shape for the Main Event come December.

Tip #1: Christmas in July Stamp Camp registration ends next Monday, July 6. If you can possibly make it, this is a great way to get in the spirit and get the mojo flowing.

Speaking of mojo...

It's time for the mojomonday sketch #93! And we may as well think Christmas.

• This card idea uses a mix of old and new. Don't you just love the pine branch? That is from the new Autumn Days set available on Wed. It is inked in Always Artichoke and Close to Cocoa. The berry branch, inked with VersaMark, is from that set also.
• The greeting is from an old set called Warmest Regards. It is inked in Riding Hood Red (retiring).
• The pattern paper is from the new Tall Tales pattern. Whisper white, close to cocoa and riding hood red make up the remaining cardstock.
• The cord is from last year's holiday mini-catalog but can be found readily at craft stores. Just make sure you get the stretchy kind as it is much easier to work with.

As always, if you need any supplies you can email me or place your order directly at my business site, 24/7.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! Tasha

A Confession

Have you visited the last 2 days and found no new post? Did you wonder what in the world happened? Well...I have a confession.

I have a problem, sort of an addiction. And while I normally keep it under control, it seems that once during Christmas break and once during the summer I "fall off the wagon".

What could it be you wonder?

It is...reading. I know, sounds harmless enough but once I start a book, I have to read until the end. At the current state in my life I cannot afford to "be absent" for 20 hours. The house falls apart, the blog goes unattended, meals happen but they're nothing to brag about.

This time, though, I thought I was smart and I was only going to read one of my kids' books so that the time involvement would be small. And I did manage to read the first one in 2 hours. And the second, and the third. They're a series--thank goodness we only have the first three!!

But then I made the mistake of reading one of the young Bond books. They're good, but also a slower and longer read so...

Anyway, I am back from my binge just in time for the Unscripted Sketches challenge #12. During one of the times I did pull my nose out of the book and look around I saw that one of my virtual friends is celebrating her wedding anniversary this weekend.

So, Happy Anniversary Rebecca! Of course, I started the card with the sketch for today and the only other stipulation (I made) was that I needed to use Rose Red since we share an affection for that color. The rest just fell into place. I apologize for using a retired set, but the Bluebirds of Happiness were calling to me!

stamps: Feathered Friends, Teeny Tiny Wishes (available on July 1)

cardstock: whisper white, rose red, raspberry tart designer series paper, regal rose

ink: black, ballet blue, ruby red, certainly celery, old olive, regal rose, creamy caramel, more mustard

accessories: chalks, modern label punch (available July 1), clear rhinestone brads

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by! Tasha

Recommended reading for pre-teen/early teen boys (and their moms):

• the 39 clues series
• the Young Bond series

Kind and Caring Sketch

It's time for another sketch from splitcoaststampers! Sketch challenge 234 is an easy, straight-forward one that will work nicely for many types of cards. However, the struggle today was with photoshop! Not sure where my background went? At least the card is still there!

This card is very economical as the base is one layer only. The added boxes are a good way to use up leftover pieces of cardstock and designer series paper.

• To keep the base from looking to plain, I paper-pierced the empty corners. Soft suede is the color.


• The cute trees are from Stampin' Up!s new designer series paper Tall Tales and they are mounted on Dusty Durango one of the new In Colors.


• Kind and Caring Thoughts** is the "must-have" new stamp set. The sentiment is stamped in dusty durango. To keep it clean, I placed a scrap piece of cardstock over the words after stamping and then stamped the ginkgo branch over the top in mellow moss. For the finishing touches I stamped another leaf in each lower corner, and striped the square with barely banana at about 1/8" intervals (hard to see in photo). This square is mounted on so saffron.

**You can earn Kind and Caring Thoughts absolutely free! This wonderful set is available only as a hostess set starting July 1. Email me if you would like to host a workshop and get this set.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! Tasha

Don't forget...today is the last day to sign up for the local Cards of the Month Club for this month, and COTM by mail starts shipping tomorrow.

Shabby Birthday

Today you can see my attempt at shabby chic. Many people do this so wonderfully, though it does not come naturally to me at all. I think it went beyond shabby to grunge! What do you think? Are you able to pull off a pretty, shabby-style card?





Seeing that it's Monday, http://www.mojomonday.blogspot.com/ is the place to get started. Today's sketch looks like this:

Here's how my card came together.

• card is 5-1/2 x 4-1/4 with the base in kraft. The designer series paper Raspberry Tart is cut to leave a 1/4" frame around the edge so together the pieces are 5-1/4"x4". The printed paper is sponged with close to cocoa before mounting on card base.
• the central panel is whisper white that is sponged with close to cocoa, then I ran an Aquapainter over it and then flopped the paper onto the pad directly. The sentiment from Friend to Friend stamp set is stamped in StazOn brown on top along with a few swirls from a retired set.
• the flower image is from Eastern Blooms stamp set (great set) and is stamped in regal rose with a rose red center on whisper white. Of course, it is sponged with close to cocoa.
• I refrained from sponging the twill ribbon though I did fray the ends a bit. On the left I used hemp twine to squeeze the ribbon a bit and tie on the button from the button latte collection.
• because I seemed to get everything a little high up and the bottom seemed so empty I added "just for you" from a set that will be available for order in the new catalog.
  

Still not sure I like the idea of creating a pretty new card and making it look dirty! Guess I need to work on the technique...or maybe I'll just stick with my clean and "uptight" style!!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by! Tasha

Unscripted Party Hearty

It's Saturday, woohoo! Even though it's summer and Saturday is truly no different than any day but Sunday it's ingrained in me to love the day anyway. After scout camp, then Bible school, we have quite a few things that need to be done around here and today's list is quite long. However, the family was saved by the sound of rain upon waking. Looks as though I'll have to get busy with an inside to-do list!


And the first item is to share my inspiration for the day. A quick check over at unscripted sketches got me started. You can grab the sketch there as well by clicking on the link. This card uses another stamp set that is only available through June 30.
Not sure why the glitter looks so globby in the picture?!

• the Party Hearty stamp set is stamped in tempting turquoise, green galore, certainly celery, and apricot appeal. This set is a fun one, the flags are actually a stamp of party hats cut out.


• Rainbow Sherbet designer series paper fits the bill for a party card. Green galore backing helps transition the different patterns. The card base is apricot appeal and the tabs are tempting turquoise and whisper white.


• a sprinkling of dazzling diamonds glitter on the frosting adds some pizzazz

Tip: if you select your color palette before you start, it makes the card assembly go much quicker!

Thanks for stopping by today and have a great weekend!

Tasha

Just in Time for Unscripted

You cannot believe how happy I am to be back to my stamping room and sharing a card idea with you. Scout camp was fun, but the adults would be hard-pressed to go one minute longer than the scheduled three days!

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Of course, I had to check the unscriptedsketches site right away and so you can see what I came up with below.

Ready to try it? Here's the sketch so you can play along as well.

My card uses 4 patterns of Stampin' Up!'s designers series paper Bella Rose. The sentiment, from Full of Life stamp set, is inked in close to cocoa and regal rose. The eyelet border punch adds a romantic touch to the whisper white card stock which is mounted on a pirouette pink and rose red print. Rose red ribbon is used to "hang" the sentiment layer from the leaflet.

I hope you're inspired to give it a try.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! Tasha

Butterflies Again

Have you been thinking about me at camp? Hopefully this year is much better! I have a card to share with you that is practically straight out of the catalog. You may already have this set and can make it up right now as well.

• This card is the long, skinny 3"x6" size. The base is whisper white topped with a piece of designers series paper from the Holiday Treasures pack.
• The front panel is whisper white trimmed on 3 sides with the scallop edge punch. The sentiment is stamped randomly in mellow moss to break up the white.
• The LOVE letters words are stamped in old olive and then trimmed out. A small piece of so saffron card stock helps the letters stand out.
• The butterflies are in so saffron, the mambo in color, old olive, and bashful blue.
• A piece of old olive grosgrain ribbon finishes off the look topped with a button from the latte pack.

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by! Should you need any products you can order directly from my business website OR send me an email and I will be happy to help you tomorrow when I return. Tasha

Off To Camp

By the time you read this I will at summer camp with the Webelos. Thinking about boys, you can see this quick card that would be perfect for adding to a boy's birthday gift. The idea is straight out of the new catalog. Oh Yes!! My new catalog came today and we are going to have so much fun all year long!!

• The enclosure-size card base is night of navy with a 3/4" white strip across the front. A 1/2" strip sits above the white with an even smaller 1/8" night of navy strip on top.
• The helmet and football are from the Just Football set and stamped in riding hood red and close to cocoa respectively.
• "Champ" is stamped in real red and is part of the Sporting stamp set, which, by the way is great to use with all the sports sets.

And here's why I am headed to camp:

Several years back I went the first year with our oldest son. Last summer I went with our younger son since it was only fair. Unfortunately, we had terrible storms (trees down, broken tents, no power for the mess hall, etc) both nights and he didn't really want to go back. So, I get to go again just so he can see how much fun it is!

Hopefully, I will get some great pictures that I can scrapbook later to make it all worthwhile! I do have another card to show you tomorrow, but I won't be around to answer emails until late Saturday.

Thanks for stopping by, Tasha

Isn't It True?

Hi Stampers! I have been busy getting ready for July Cards of the Month Club. The sneak peek is Wed. and sign ups start on Monday, June 15. I also have a card to share with you today.

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I just love the saying on this card, it is so true for me. Since it's Monday, I started with the Mojo Monday sketch #90.

• The designer series paper is all from the Tea Party pack. Those dots, stripes and flowers are all so fun.
• The sentiment is from Full of Life and stamped in garden green and almost amethyst. "Life" is stamped in stazon jet black on pretty in pink then trimmed small and glued on top for added emphasis.
• When I stamped the sentiment on the white panel it was TOO white. So the dotty background comes from Big, Bold Birthday* and is stamped in almost amethyst, certainly celery, and pretty in pink. Tip: I stamped them on a scratch piece of paper first so the print would be light on my card.
• The card base is so saffron and each panel is backed with garden green.

I hope you have some time to stamp today. If you get a chance try out the sketch for yourself. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by! Tasha

*Big, Bold Birthday will be retiring the end of June. Email me or visit my business site to order it while you still can!

Chugging Your Way

Hi Stampers! I have a card idea today for the Choo Choo set from the Stampin Up! mini-catalog. This 5-1/2"x4-1/4" pocket card has a pull-out train with birthday message. The back of the insert could be used for party invitation information as well.

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To make this card, I started with 8-1/2" x 4-1/4" scored at 1-1/2" and 5-1/2". Before assembling, I sponged all the edges with basic black "soot". After stamping and adhering the red piece, I folded down the flap and secured with the ribbon and grommet. Isn't that grommet just perfect for a train card? I love the black metal look. The red insert is 3-3/4 x 5" with the white piece 1/4" smaller. A piece of ribbon folded and secured between the layers forms the pull-out loop. I had enough room to stamp the engine, caboose and 1 car. The ultra-cute set also comes with a coordinating train-track wheel. For this card, however, I used a strip of Going Gray cardstock for the "track". Quick sponging of bashful blue finished off the scene with sky.

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Stamping Up! supplies for this card:

stamps: Choo Choo

cardstock: kraft, riding hood red, whisper white

ink: versa mark, basic black, old olive, gray (Crayola), bashful blue, riding hood red

accessories: old olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, basic jumbo grommet in black

Have a great day! And thanks for stopping by, Tasha

Cheers To You on Monday!

Hi Stampers! My card idea for today started with the mojomonday sketch. With a bright sunny morning here, I am feeling the summer coming and can't wait for the long warm, evenings. It's a little hard to see but those champagne glasses are sparkling with Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

stamps: Cheers To You
cardstock: ballet blue, whisper white, gable green, apricot appeal, rainbow sherbet designer series paper*

ink: staz on black, apricot appeal, tempting turquoise, cameo coral, rose red, regal rose, real red, gable green, barely banana, versa mark

accessories: dazzling diamonds glitter

tools: aqua painter, scallop edge punch

Here's the sketch if you would like to play along.

*Choose any 3 designer series paper packs and get 1 free until the end of May. To take advantage of this special you can order from my business site or email me.

Don't forget, you can enter my blog candy giveaway by posting a comment here.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Tasha

And the winners are...

Hi Stampers! Lot's going on today. First of all I have a sneak peek for the June Cards of the Month. The release is Friday the 15th. This card can be used for Father's Day or switch the sentiment and make it a birthday card.

Now on to the winners from Saturday's open house.

#1--Note Tote Quick Kit goes to Karen Wingfield

#2--Post-It Note Holder goes to Jenise Holland

#3--Create-a-card Quick Kit goes to Sarah Blake

#4--Will be drawn on Saturday, May 16 click here for details to win

#5--(local giveaway) June Cards of the Month goes to Joyce Lancaster

Congratulations to the winners!

I hope you have had a great Mother's Day! Be sure to stop in daily and leave a comment on the blog candy post for a chance to win.

Tasha

Tomorrow's the Big Day

Hi Stampers! Hard to believe I have nearly made it through the week. ;) It's been busy in a good way. I revisited a favorite project of mine this week. Nearly 10 years ago I started making these little folded paper pockets and have used them off and on since. Back then, Stampin' Up!'s designer series paper was printed on only one side so we had to stamp the other side in order for it to look good! Now we are so spoiled with the gorgeous, double-sided paper.

These pockets are just right for a Ghiradelli chocolate or a teabag. Also a small note card could be stamped and slipped in. I have directions for them in this month's newsletter. Sign up on the upper left to get a copy.

Guess what? They are quick and easy to make (kind of my theme).

I also have a Man Card for you today. Sometimes these are harder to think up but this new set-And Many Mower-- from the mini catalog makes it a breeze. This 5-1/2 x 4-1/4" card is perfect for Father's Day or a man's birthday.

And a picture of the inside.

Here are the Stampin' Up! supplies I used:

stamps: And Many Mower

cardstock: kraft, very vanilla, garden green, delicate dots designer series paper

ink: black staz on, close to cocoa (sponging), markers real red, so saffron, certainly celery

accessories: mini library clip

I have some great things to share tomorrow along with those Open House giveaways so be sure to stop in. Have a fabulous Friday! Tasha

The Countdown Ends

1. 1 day to help at the flower shop
2. 1 day until the Open House
3. 2 days until a sneak peek of June's Cards of the Month
4. 11 more days of school
   
   
   

Note Tote Gift Set

Hi Stampers! As I promised yesterday, I have another gift idea to show. I think just about anyone would be tickled to receive this. And this idea came from Becky Roberts in Idaho.


Note the scallop oval punch accents. That is such a neat way to get a little pizzaz. This tote holds 2 pocket card on the front and 2 on the back.











While the inside holds the 4 envelopes on one side and a notepad/pen combo. on the other. The notebook can be attached with velcro for easy removal.





I forgot to show the cards apart but each one is actually a pocket and the white insert with trim at the top pulls out.


I used this retired designer paper because I made this for a teacher. Just think how fun it would be to receive such a clever kit!


Yes, sign up details for this class will be available Saturday and those who receive my newsletter have a jumpstart on the info.!

I will post a tutorial on this later in the month as well.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! Tasha

The Countdown Continues

1. 2 more days till the Open House
2. 2 more days to help at the flower shop
3. 3 more days till June Cards of the Month sneak peek
4. 11 more days of school

The Countdown Begins

Hi Stampers! Hope you're ready to get your groove on. The Mojo Monday team has another sketch today--and a contest. I have been dying to use this flower stamp since I saw it in the mini catalog. But life is about getting sidetracked so I am just now getting around to it.

Here is the sketch. You can head over to http://www.mojomonday.blogspot.com/ and enter as well!

Stampin' Up! supplies I used:
stamps: Wagon Full of Fun, Darling Dots
cardstock: green galore, whisper white, apricto appeal, tempting turquoise, rainbow sherbet designer series paper
ink: staz on black; apricot appeal, barely banana, creamy caramel, pretty in pink, gable green markers
accessories: none!
tools: paper crimper

I am off to help in the flower shop for this Mother's Day week. So my countdown includes:

1. 5 days to work at the flower shop
2. 5 days till my open house
3. 6 days till the first sneak peek of June's Cards of the Month
4. 14 days till school is out

Wishing you a wonderfully crazy week as well! Tasha

It's Time Again!

Hi Stampers! Saturday morning is time for the Unscripted Sketch so...here's my take! This 4-1/4"x5-1/2" card features a message from the Stampin' Up! set Refuge and Strength. Certain colors don't photograph well and rose red is one for me. In person, the colors are much nicer!

If you would like to play along, here's the sketch. I think it would make a great scrapbook page as well. If I have time today, I'll get one posted later. I am busy getting samples ready for next Saturday's Open House. I did complete 2 8x8" scrapbooks to display for the 2-hr. scrapbook class--woohoo things are falling into place.

Stampin' Up! supplies I used:

stamps: Refuge and Strength

cardstock: whisper white, certainly celery, pink pirouette, raspberry tart designer series paper (my new favorite)

ink: certainly celery, regal rose

accessories: rose red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon

tools: eyelet border punch

Needing supplies? You can order 24/7 by clicking my business site or email me at tasha@thestampinglady.com .

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend! Tasha

Picture the Possiblities

Hi Stampers! As promised, I have Stampin' Up!'s May special to show you. With May being National Scrapbooking Month, this special will help you to get your scrappin' groove on!

The highlights are:

• Buy 3 designer series paper packs, get 1 free
• Buy 3 textured cardstock packs, get 1 free
• Order the not-yet-in-the-catalog Jumble alphabet stamp set at 20% off

And the craziest thing:

• Join my team, the Stamping Circle, for only $75! It's true Stampin' Up! has arranged a scrapbook starter kit option that gets you all the business supplies plus some scrapbooking supplies to get started. Contact me if you are interested by email tasha@thestampinglady.com or 620-960-8490.

I think the Jumble alphabet is genius. Casual, whimsical, fun all in one alphabet at a great price!

You can order this starting tomorrow, May 1, by clicking on My Stampin' Up! website. The alphabet is number 115199 and, for a limited time, the price is $35.16.

Have you gotten out your pictures and started to organize? Are you up for a challenge?

I challenge you to create 15 pages this month--with pictures.

What good are the layouts if they don't have pictures? Yes, this is the challenge I have set for myself as well. And busy as May is, it will not be easy but I know that I will be happy to look at them when they are done. So let's get going!

Thanks for stopping by and have a GREAT day! Tasha

Variation on a Design

Hi Stampers! My card tonight will look familiar to you if you did the May Cards of the Month Club. This card idea came from wanting to use my new free stamp and still having 2 die cut birds sitting nearby!

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This bright, cheery card is 4-1/4"x5-1/2" and uses my new Raspberry Tart paper. Not sure why I haven't ordered that paper yet--I love it! This is going out to a couple who is celebrating a May anniversary. The branch is actually 2 of the sizzlet leaflets, I cut one and just used part to extend the branch so there was seating for two!

Here are the Stampin' Up! supplies I used:

stamps: Forever (free with $40 order from the mini-catalog, 1 more day to take advantage of this--it expires April 30 at 11:00pm mtn time.)

cardstock: whisper white, regal rose, rose red, kiwi kiss, raspberry tart and brown (from Christmas mini) designer series paper

ink: rose red

tools: Big Shot with birds and blooms sizzlet and leaflet sizzlet

Thanks for stopping by! Tasha

PS Tomorrow I will announce the May specials! Don't miss out on getting rewarded for ordering your favorite items from the mini-catalog.

Drum Roll, Please....

Hi Stampers! It's time I let you know what I've been cookin' up for your stamping, card-making, and scrapbooking pleasure.

You’re Invited To

The Stamping Lady’s
Spring/Summer Open House

Come see the latest designs for scrapbooking and rubber stamping!

Sat. May 9, 9am-1pm

So much to see and do…
Make and takes
· Gift ideas
· Order specials
· Quick kits
· Home décor ideas
· Cards for sale
· Sign up for summer classes
· Door prizes

All this and more will be happening at:

My Stamping Place
4011 Sherwood Dr.
Hutchinson

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And for those of you who don't live close enough to come in person, I will have some special activities and a blog candy giveaway! So mark your calendars right now--you don't want to miss it!!

Thanks for stopping by! Tasha