Tutorial Time!!

A fellow splitcoaststamper came up with a great way to make a crisscross card that only uses a half sheet of cardstock instead of a whole sheet! Her name is Lynn Birus! She doesn't have a blog, so I asked if I could share how to make one here, which she happily agreed to let me! Thanks Lynn! I made a video tutorial this time!! I hope you all enjoy it! It took me several hours of editting to get it just right!! LOL But I think the next time I'll have a better idea what I'm doing! This one is a little choppy, because I was trying to "cut the fat" so to speak. The actual cardmaking time was 15 minutes. Onto the video!! It may take a minute to load.....



As you can see, I made a mistake cutting the card that goes in the pocket, but luckily....well I'm not so sure it was lucky.....I had made a card just like it before I made this video....I thought I had hit record and made the entire thing only to find that I DIDN'T push record!!! So I had to make it all over again! The first time around it was perfect, of course!!! If you have any questions on what I did, leave it in the comments and I will answer you in a new post. I think you should be able to figure it out though!! Y'all are smart!!

Yeah Baby!

I've had an idea for quite a while for a card, my only problem is, I don't have the stamp set I needed to make it!! So, being the resourceful person that I am, I went to Splitcoast and went to the ISO....in search of....forums and put out a plea for someone to stamp some images for me! That plea was answered by a WONDERFUL demonstrator named Tami aka chelrel19 on splitcoast! Thank you so much Tami!!! You can check out her blog here http://www.stampingatcatscorner.com/ she has lots of really great cards and projects!! Anyway, as I was saying, I've had this idea in my head for a while to combine images from All in the Family and one of the sentiments from Time Well Spent....hee hee hee.....ok...just look! But be forewarned, this is a little twisted and it isn't one of the prettiest cards.....I've been dying to get it made, so I just slapped it together so you could see the idea!! Ok...here it is!

HA!!!!!! I just couldn't wait to show this!!! I hope you thought it was as funny as I do!!! Now, I'm off to go post it in my gallery on splitcoast for the people that have no clue I have a blog......I know, perish the thought!! Anyway, I'm going to post it for them to enjoy too!! Have a great day!!

Neopolitan Ice Cream Anyone?

I've finally figured out what I'm making for my swap!! I sorta kinda combined the first two cards I made, changed up the colors and ended up with what I think is a Beautimous card!! I love the look of pink, brown, and vanilla!! I think it is one of my most favorite color combos! I stamped the chocolate chip cardstock with versamark like a one sheet wonder. I used clear embossing powder to emboss the images to give them more depth. I also inked up the flower images with versamark first, then inked them with classic ink, stamped the images, then embossed with clear embossing powder. Embossing powder won't stick to classic ink because it dries too fast, and I don't have all the craft inks yet, so this is an alternative way to emboss with your colored inks. I also stamped the sentiment on the ribbon with versamark then clear embossed it. It gives a nice effect. I sewed the chocolate chip and pretty in pink layers together then roughed up the edges with my fingernail. Instead of a cherry on top, I put a pearl on top! I think it is very pretty!

I hope you like it!! And more importantly, I hope the girls I swap with like it!! Stay tuned for more cardmaking fun!

I like big butts and I cannot lie!

That is my 3 year old's favorite song!! LOL He sings it all the time......Thanks to the movie Shrek!!! In fact, the little stinker sang it as I was cropping the pictures for this post!! Anyway, I bought a stamp about 3 years ago, and I'm embarrassed to say, it had NEVER seen ink until now!! I loved it the moment I saw it and thought it would be GREAT for my sisters and girlfriends!! They will get a kick out of it I'm sure!! I started out with a 8.5x8.5 piece of cardstock. I wanted a tall card. I watercolored using my markers and blender pens. I used one of those pieces of plexiglass or acrylic, you know the ones I got while trash pickin'!!! Anway, I scribbled a spot on it with my marker, then ran my blender pen through it to pick up some color. I bought some aquapainters and plan to try those the next time I watercolor. I've never tried them before, so it should be interesting! If anyone has any tips for me, don't be shy!! Let me know how you use them or if you even like them!!! Anyway, on to the good stuff!! This stamp really cracks me up!

Supplies: Basic gray, rose red, basic black, whisper white cardstock. Basic black, versamark inks. Stampin Write markers, blender pens, black sheer polka-dot ribbon.

Swappity do dah!!!

Ok I have another sample for a swap. Here is my new card. I personally LOVE the black embossing powder on the black cardstock! I love it on the vanilla too. I stamped cherish on the ribbon in versamark and embossed it with black EP as well! Please let me know if you prefer this one or the Plum one in the previous post!! I really can't decide!! I took the picture with a green background so you could see the vanilla. It was hard to see against a white background, as you can tell at the bottom! I was too lazy to change the bottom paper too! LOL

Supplies:

Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Purely Pomegranite Cardstock

Versamark ink

Black embossing powder, Purely Pom satin ribbon, half pearl from the pretties kit

Just a Swappin'

I signed up for a swap on Splitcoaststampers and let me just tell you, I'm a nervous wreck about it!! It has to be demo quality and Stampin Up supplies only. So, I'm posting a picture here for the world to see and judge, if you feel so inclined. I used pale plum, perfect plum, and very vanilla cardstock and I used Pale and perfect plum inks. I also dyed my white ribbon with my pale plum stampin write marker to coordinate. I sewed around the edges of the top layers and roughed up the edges with my fingernail. I finished it off with an off-white pearl from the pretties kit.....Thanks Elisabeth!! Do you see anything I should change? Let me know if you would like to receive this as a swap!!! Be gentle! Oh, and sorry for so many posts in one day!

Hoppy turns Happy!

Here is a new card I made for the Birthday Bash! I was at the store the other day and saw these colors together...Pretty in Pink, Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White. I honestly can't remember what the colors were on, but I do remember that I told myself I couldn't forget the color combination!! I really loved it! And this Chocolate Satin Ribbon is to die for!!! It is so rich looking!! If you will notice, the happy birthday sentiment is actually the hoppy birthday sentiment from the Unfrogettable stamp set. I just used my black Stampin Write marker to add the line to make the "o" an "a". I love that I can get extra use from that stamp!! I wanted to outline the print pattern background with my white gel pen, but the silly thing wouldn't write for me, so instead, I pressed hard and sort of debossed around the pattern. It adds a little more visual interest to the card. I think I will remake the card without the outlines though to help the card making go quicker, because the simpler the better when it comes to making a lot of cards in one sitting! Here is the complete card! I colored the butterfly from Time Well Spent with my Pink and Turquoise markers. I stamped Print Pattern Background with versamark and the sentiment it stamped in Basic Black. It is a really simple card! Thanks for looking!

Giggle, Giggle, Laugh, Laugh

I have a friend that asked me to make a framed sign that said "giggle giggle laugh laugh" for her teenaged step-daughter. That saying is one of the many silly sayings the teenager has and my friend thought it would be fun to give it to her for Christmas. The girl isn't very girly, and they are planning to redo her room in black and white with red accents. That is about as much as I was told and my friend said just go for it because she always likes the things I make. So, I thought about it for about a week, then went shopping for some fun black and white papers. I bought some red ribbon, red rhinestones, and black glitter to give it a little BLING!! I used my cricut to cut the letters and the solid shadows in red. I coated each letter in glue and black glitter and when they were dry I attached the letters to the red solid shadows with dimensionals. I put the red rhinestones in a swirl pattern at the end of the giggle and the beginning of laugh. I wanted the letters to be free form to give it movement, because to me it mimics giggling and laughing! I added some fun red felt flowers and some funky big brads by....I want to say Making Memories, but I may be lying to you!!

When I delivered it, my friend was really surprised! She said she was expecting something small!! LOL I don't do small!! It was better than she imagined it would be.....at least that is what she told me!LOL I love it when that happens!! That is why I love to craft!!

I totally forgot to take pictures before I delivered it, but went over the other night with my camera in tow and took a few pictures! So here is the finished product with a few detail shots as well!! Hope ya like it!

Hope you enjoyed it!! Stay tuned, and maybe I'll get some more birthday cards posted!! See ya soon!

It's a Hoppy Birthday!

I sat down last night to make a birthday card design for my Birthday Card Bash that I will be having next week. This is a class where I will have 12 card designs, 2 each boy, girl, tween girl, tween boy, adult female, adult male. My customers can come and make however many birthday cards they want or need for the next 6 months for only $1 per card! I will have everything already designed and cut all they have to do is stamp and assemble! I looked through Stampin Up's Spring Summer Catalog yesterday looking for some color combinations that would be good for a little boy's birthday! On page 66 is a great color combo!!! I just love brightly colored cards! To me they exude happiness and fun! So I went with these colors for the card I made last night! The colors are Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie...both colors I rarely use...and Rose Red and Old Olive! I love these colors together! The Stampin Up catalog is full of FAB-U-LOUS ideas this year!! If you don't have a copy yet, email me and I can send ya one for $7 plus shipping! It is well worth it!! I also pulled out a couple of my much neglected background stamps! I think it turned out really cute and any little boy would love it!! So here it is............

Supplies: Rose Red, Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Whisper White Cardstock. Black Stazon, Old Olive Stampin Write Marker, Unfrogettable, Canvas Background, Print Pattern Background stamps, Dimensionals, black gingham ribbon!

Let me know what you think and stay tuned! I'm going to post some more birthday card designs to help you get a jump on your birthday cards for the year! If you are in the Beaumont Texas area, you are more than welcome to attend my class. Email me at melanie@stampadoodledoocreations.com for more information!!

I have a new store!!!!

I have a new web store and I'm inviting you all to come take a look around!! I'm so excited to finally have it open!! I had originally planned to have it open by the 1st of January, but I was having a little trouble with the HTML codes....and well, it was a real pain in the patootey!! But now I'm up and running and open for business! Be warned though, it is still under construction, I've still got some things to add, but I will continue to get things listed, so be sure to check back often! I have some fun secret specials that I will be running, so when you place your order you may get a little or BIG surprise!! Go check it out at http://www.stampadoodledoocreations.com/! I can't wait to "see" ya there!!
There is also a link in the right sidebar you can click on!

2 tutorials for the price of 1!!

I said before that I would do a tutorial on faux watercoloring and I decided today would be a great day for that!! I needed ribbon in a rose color and Stampin Up doesn't have 1/4" grosgrain in that color, so that is where you get 2 tutorials for the price of 1! I am going to give you a super quick explanation of how to custom dye your own grosgrain ribbon so you will have whatever color you need when you need it!!

Custom Dying Grosgrain Ribbon

Supplies needed: White Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin Write Markers, Classic Ink Pads, or Classic Ink Reinkers.

In this case I used the markers. All you have to do is lay your ribbon on a piece of grid paper or scrap paper and color it on both sides until the color is consistent. If you want to use your ink pads, you just drag your ribbon across the ink pad. I usually hold a sponge in one spot to put some pressure on the ribbon to help it wick out the ink. You can also use your reinkers by putting some reinker into a little water to help dilute it just a little. Place your ribbon into the mix and let it soak. If you find your color is not as vibrant as you would like, add more reinker and put the ribbon back to soak a little longer.

The reason I did this tutorial first is you need to give your ribbon plenty of time to dry so that the ink doesn't bleed onto your card. If you aren't sure what color you want before you make your card, you can make it after, just be sure to let it dry before adding it to your project!!

Faux Watercoloring

Supplies: Watercolor Crayons, or stampin write markers, or classic ink pads, cardstock, water bottle

Step 1: Use your watercolor crayon to color directly onto your rubber stamp. You can also color with a marker or ink up your stamp with a classic ink pad on this step.

Step 2: Spritz the stamp with water several times until it is fairly wet.

Step 3: Stamp image just like you normally would.

Step 4: Add other stamped images using the faux watercoloring technique. I used 3 colors on the little flowers...summer sun, regal rose, and pixie pink. To achieve multi-colored images you either need to use the crayons or markers. You can get 2 colors using ink pads by using the rock and roll technique. I will do a tutorial on that technique at a later date, so check back for that!!!

Step 5: Finish your card using your custom dyed ribbon!!!

Here is a close up of what the image looks like. You don't get a crisp image like you do when you just ink up your stamp. I love the soft watercolored look you achieve with this technique!! Isn't it awesome????

I love to Recycle!!

My father-in-law loves to, what we affectionately call, go junking!! That means, he goes and gets things that other people don't want anymore, their junk, and then sells it to people that do want it, or he uses it himself. Anyway, he has been cleaning up a piece of property where there is TONS of junk....and I do mean tons!! My husband and I went over there to look around, because, Hey, I like digging for treasures!! You never know what you might find!! While we were out there looking, we came across this HUGE pile of plexiglass strips! SCORE!!!! They are 3 inches wide and various lengths! I KNEW I could do something with them, so we loaded up 2 milk crates...which were also there....double score! Those will come in handy later!! Anyway, we loaded up 2 milkcrates FULL of plexiglass strips!!!! Now, time to show you what FABULOUS things I did with them!!! Oh and guess what stamp set I used.........you got it!! Baroque Motifs!!!! And my new favorite ribbon, Satin Pomegranite!! I used white stazon, which is not my most favorite ink by the way!!! I also used the retired Headline Alphabet. I'm still in denial that it and Letterpress have been retired!! They will never retire at my house!! They will work until the rubber falls right off of them!!!!

Aren't they Lover-ly????? I just love the look of the clear with the white ink!!! I have a TON of these strips in long lengths too!! If you would like to purchase a sign for your home please contact me and we can work out all the deets!! You can contact me at stampadoodledoo@att.net. Y'all come back now, Ya hear??

Stamps for SALE!!

I've GOT to sell some of my retired stuff!! I'm planning a FAB gift for my husband for Valentine's Day and well......I don't work and I want to be able to get it for him without spending money he earned! Although, I guess in the grand scheme of things, all the stamp sets were originally purchased with money he earned, but that's neither here nor there!!! Point is.....I need to get rid of these!!! So, I will post a list and as they are sold, I'll update! I will ship all sets out on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Shipping will be by USPS flat rate priority....so shipping for up to 2 sets will be $4.60....3 or more sets $8.95!! Some sets have some staining on the wood blocks....some more than others, but this doesn't hender the stamps!! Have fun looking!!
I'm sorry, but I am not able to sell to anyone that is not in the US or it's territories or military! Make me an offer if you feel my prices aren't reasonable!!

All Year Cheer II............$15
Bug Builders....................$12
Gently Falling..................$8 mounted...never used
Alphabet Soup.................$5 SOLD!!!
Tags and More................$8
Sketch a Party................$10
Paint Prints.....................$10
In Full Bloom...................$15
Shapes and Shadows......$15
Little Layers Plus...........$8
Painted Posies.................$10 mounted, never used hard to find exclusive hostess set
Sweet Spot......................$10 unmounted
Send a Celebration.........$5
Bitty Boos........................$10 wood is very stained on 6 of 12 blocks
Tag alongs......................$8
Say it simply...................$8 mounted never used hostess set
Island Blossoms..............$30 this one is hard to find!
Woodland Frames..........$18 unmounted
Toile Blossoms................$25 Hurry before I change my mind on this one!
All I have seen...............$8 SOLD!!!!
Best Blossoms................$10 exclusive hostess set, barely used
Elegant Rose..................$10 used once!
Fresh Flowers................$5
Stipple Plaid BG..............$10 unmounted
Quirky Alpha lower........$20 unmounted
Yultide Montage..............$12 hard to find!
Lexicon of Love...............$5
Stipple Celebrations........$15

So there you go!! Help me get something GREAT for my husband for Valentine's day!!

I realized I didn't give you a way to contact me or my preferred method of payment!! Please email me at stampadoodledoo@att.net and I prefer paypal!!

Black and White and whole lot of Gray!

I have a couple more cards I made with baroque motifs!! Did I say last time I posted how much I love this set? Well, just in case you missed it....I LOVE THIS SET!!! It is so pretty and you can't really do anything wrong with it!! I have one other thing I've found that I love! GRID PAPER!! Where has it been all my life!! When I made the second card, I used it to evenly space the polka-dots along the sides!! I will never stamp without it again!!! Alright, I'm not going to bore everyone with my ramblings today!! I just want you to be able to sit and drool uninterrupted!!! LOL






All supplies from Stampin Up unless otherwise noted.......

Cardstock: Pretty in pink, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa, Versamark

Accessories: White 1/4 inch Grosgrain, dyed pink with Pretty in Pink Stamp and write marker, Jeweled brad (making memories), dimensionals


This next card looks so beautiful in real life!! I love the faux watercolor technique! In fact, I think I will make a quick tutorial for everyone so you can see just how easy it is!!!










Cardstock: Basic Gray, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Bashful Blue Watercolor Crayon, Black polka-dot ribbon (Walmart), White Gel pen, White embossing powder, spray bottle for water, dimensionals.



B-YOU-TIF-UL right????? Let me know what you think!! (in other words.....leave me a comment!!) LOL Y'all are going to be sick of seeing this set and basic gray before long!! I think I'm going to have to have a giveaway soon too!! I had over 100 hits in the past day!!! (oops I originally put one too many zeros!!) Woo-hoo!!!! I didn't know I was so popular!! LOL I guess when I hit 10,000 hits, I'll have to have a fun goodie bag!! So, come back often to bump those numbers up!! LOL Stay tuned....Baroque is just getting baroque-en in!!! ROTFL!! I kill myself!!

I got new stamps!!!

Oh yeah baby!! New stamps!! I'm in LOVE with Baroque Motifs! I sat down last night with my new colors of cardstock!! I finally got the in-colors and the new basic gray!! Basic Gray and baroque motifs both have such an elegant quality about them!! Then if it is paired with Purely Pomegranite.......OH MY GOSH!!!!! B--U-TIF-UL!!! Don't believe me???? Then feast your eyes on this!!!!!

Supplies-

Basic Gray, Purely Pomegranite, Basic Black, Whisper White Cardstocks

Rose Red, Versamark, Basic Black Inks

Purely Pomegranite Satin Ribbon

Now do you see why I am so in love????? This next card is a simple one you can make with your kids for Valentine's Day! It is a 3x3 size....also known as a love note. I started with a Pretty in Pink 3x3 card base and put a strip of Purely Pomegranite Cardstock. I used the free set mentioned in yesterday's post.....Time Well Spent. I stamped the little flower in versamark all over the Pretty in Pink and Purely Pomegranite. I stamped the heart in basic black on whisper white and watercolored it using a rose red and pretty in pink (for the flower) watercolor crayons. I stamped the xoxoxo using the retired hostess set...So Many Sayings and then finished it off with a piece of pink gingham ribbon! Isn't it sweet??? I love this size card too!! So fun and easy to make!!

That's all for now! I'll be back soon with some more pictures of my FABULOUS creations! LOL

Oh the Torture!!!

I'm am very IMPATIENTLY waiting on UPS to deliver my order! So, I figured what the heck, I'll stamp something with some of the stamps I already own!!! What a novel idea!! Who would have thought you could use what you already own instead of having to have something new!! So, it took out Time Well Spent. This is a new level 3 hostess set from Stampin Up! They sent it to all their demonstrators as a thank you for all that we do!!! Awwwww! How sweet huh?? Since I've gotten this set, it has barely seen any ink! Why you ask?? Because as cute as the images are, I've had a hard time coming up with a design. So, I sat down today and tried it out again! I have seen others use white embossing powder for line art images then watercoloring them in and I love the effect. I also love when people take the time to stamp a 2nd image of a butterfly and then cut it out and pop up the wings to look like it is about to take flight!! Here is my card with those 2 elements I so love!!

I used Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Basic Black and Whisper White cardstocks. I used versamark ink with white embossing powder for all images. I watercolored the images using watercolor crayons! Ribbon is from Walmart! I love sheer polka-dot ribbon!!!!!

And now, I'm off to go pick up my girls from school! My oldest has a doctor's appointment this afternoon. I'm sure UPS is waiting around the corner anxiously awaiting my departure so they can deliver my package while I'm away!!!

New Rubbah!!!

I'm so excited!! I have an order due to arrive today!!! Of course, it doesn't have any of the NEW catty sets in it. But it has a new to me set in it!!! I FINALLY ordered baroque motifs!! I have loved that set since I first saw it, but I just haven't had a chance until now to get it!! So stay tuned later today!! As soon as I get it, I'm sure I'll make something OUT OF THIS WORLD with it!! LOL Ok, maybe not out of this world, but hopefully something really pretty!

UPDATE.......in case you didn't already figure this out.....I'm an IDIOT!!! My order is due tomorrow NOT today!!! Since when is the 8th tomorrow???? I could have sworn it was today!! So, now I have to go make something FABULOUS just for being so dumb!!!