German Language Video

I spend a lot of time in Germany. I crack up every time I see this video so I thought I would share it with you.

Meet Stampin’ Up!’s CEO Shelli Garner and her Story

Get to know Shelli Gardner, cofounder and CEO of Stampin’ Up!, as she shares her story with KSL Studio 5 hosts Brooke Walker and Darin Adams.

Stampin’ Memories Products

Stampin’ Memories Products

    Product Highlight

For lasting scrapbooks it’s important to consider the archival quality of the materials you use.  All of the card stock, Designer Series Papers, Simply Scrappin’ Kits, albums, and page protectors offered by Stampin’ Up! are safe for scrapbooks.  The papers are acid and lignin free and buffered.  Page protectors are PVC-free Polypropylene.  While most products in the Stampin’ Up! catalog are safe for your scrapbooks, look for the “sm” symbol to help identify products that are specifically designed for scrapbooking.  

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Family Tree Frame

 

 

 

Stamps

• Schoolbook Serif Alphabet stamp set

Paper

• Chocolate Chip textured card stock

• Real Red textured card stock

• Whisper White textured card stock

• Old Olive Patterns Designer Series paper

Ink

• Old Olive Classic Stampin’ Pad®

• Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write® marker

Stampin’ Up! Accessories

• Real Red 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon

• Linen thread

• Rich Regals brads

• Small Chocolate Tree, Thoughts & Prayer Décor Elements™

• Stampin’ Dimensionals®

• 1/16″ Circle punch

• 1-3/4″ Circle punch

• Trio Flower punch

• 14″ x 18″ frame

Shelli’s Collection

Chalkboard technique

What about this sample.  Yummy x2. I used the Chalkboard technique.
For this technique. Use Craft Whisper White ink to wheel across the 2” x 5 ½” Night of Navy card stock. While ink is wet dab Chocolate Chip, More Mustard and Mellow Moss pastels in sections using Sponge Daubers. Use a Stamping Sponge to wipe off excess pastel powder.

Purchase any product from me this month and you will receive this Friend Words Inspiration Club Class delivered to your inbox. See my Online Classes for more details.

Can’t stop using this wheel!

This project I used White Craft Ink and Chalk.

Stampin’ Pastels (#105542) are a popular favorite and a great value! Fifty one chalk colors designed in the exclusive Stampin’ Up! colors. Pastels are artist quality, oil free and include six applications and an eraser. Pastels can also be applied with Stamping Sponges, Sponge Daubers, Blender Pens or Stipple Brush. Pastels are used for many popular and fun techniques like Poppin’ Pastels, Chalkboard

I forgot how fun this type of project is. You’ll have to give it a try. It’s like magic. Pastels just make me feel like some famous artist…without actually having to be an artist.  Poppin’ Pastels is one of my favorite techniques, I get so excited each time the colors and designs just appear like magic on my project!

Let me show you another project tomorrow using Chalk.

So Saffron is Yummy

Images Stampin' Up! © 2009

So Saffon is my current favorite color to use.  It is included in the Rich Regals Family. It’s sophisticated but still fun.  It’s neutral but has personality.  Here I have paired it with Almost Amethyst.

This wheel (Friendly Words #114696) incredible to use.  This is just one of 11 techniques I show you in my class.   Wheels are perfect for creating texture, backgrounds and accents on cards, scrapbook pages, décor, wrapping paper and gift bags.  Wheels work with ink pads or with ink cartridges available in the Stampin’ Up! colors.  Two sizes, standard and jumbo offer a variety of patterns, styles and sizes to choose from. This one is a jumbo. 

Here’s the stamp set and Simply Scrappin’ Kit that matches this wheel:

Friends 24-7 Regular Price: $28.83 Preferred Price: $25.95

Sweet Nothings Simply Scrappin’ Regular Price: $22.17 Preferred Price: $19.95

Get in the Picture

Pioneer Woman has photography advice I think everyone should hear and take note of. She says it so much better than I could so just go read it now please!

Make sure you have kleenex handy!

http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/2009/05/snap-out-of-it/

she’s on Twitter as well @thepioneerwoman

Designing Scrapbook Pages

Q: I’m pretty new to scrapbooking, how do I create a great scrapbook page?

A: There are many types of albums — ranging from formal albums to archive old family photos to trendy mini albums.  While there are no set rules, most scrapbook pages incorporate titles, photographs, accents, and journaling. Generally each album, or layout within a larger album, tells the story of a special memory, occasion, or event.  Read on for more information about incorporating titles, photographs, accents, and journaling into your scrapbooks.

Titles

Adding titles to your scrapbook or layout sets the stage for the story you are going to tell.  Titles can be stamped, handwritten, or created with die cuts.  Many scrapbookers prefer stamped titles because they stand out from the other writing on the page and are versatile enough to customize the colors and style to that of the layout. Alphabet stamp sets are available in many styles and sizes and Stampin’ Up! also offers great alphabet dies (Serif Essentials Bigz Alphabet Die Set (#113464) & Billboard Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die (#114510) to use with the Big Shot! 

Photographs

Most scrapbooks are created using copies of photos, not the only existing original. That way there is less stress when cutting or cropping photos and you can change the color of the photos to black and white. The size and number of photos on a page can vary.  A single 8″ x 10″ photo on a page or many 2″ x 2″ cropped photos, it all depends on the style and theme of the layout and as well as the photos available. 

Journaling

One of the most important, and often overlooked, parts of a scrapbook is the journaling that helps tell the story.  Journaling can be handwritten or typed and printed.  Many scrapbookers encourage handwritten journaling as it adds a more personal touch.  Wouldn’t you enjoy having a note or message written by a grandmother or great-grandmother in her own writing?  “What to journal?” is often the big question.  The basics of Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How are a good place to start. You can journal about a feeling, a memory, a thought, a story, or even a single phrase.  Quotations and poems that fit the story can also be included.  A scrapbook about a trip to Washington D.C. could include the beginning of the Constitution or the Pledge of Allegiance, while a baby scrapbook could include first words, a description of a typical day, or some funny things the child did or said. There are many possibilities.  At the very least, be sure you are including names and dates. You and the people you share your scrapbooks with, now and in the future, will appreciate it!

Accents

Like titles accents can be stamped, die cut, or even drawn.  Many scrapbookers like stamped accents that coordinate with the colors of the page or photographs. Ribbons and punched card stock are always a great choice. Don’t leave out our Accents & Elements line: Flower Fusion (#110720) and Canvas Cuts (#113979) with coordinating rub-ons.

Send Me Your Questions

One Wheel – Friendly Words

I did this entire card set using one wheel, inks and paper.  This is from my class this month, instead I used

Stampin’ Around Wheels are a great complement to many stamp sets and projects.  I love how quickly I can create coordinating backgrounds for cards and scrapbook pages! The Stampin’ Around Wheel Guide is one of those must-have tools.  The clear guide is easy to use with the Stampin’ Around wheels and keeps me on the straight and narrow!

Scrapbooking In & Out of the Box Class

 

Don’t forget about this fabulous class for National Scrapbooking Month.  It’s a scrapbook, it’s a page.  It’s BOTH!

You will be amazed at how simple it is to create this beautiful set with just half of a Simply Scrappin’® Kit and a few other supplies! When this Scrapbook in a Box is opened a beautiful scrapbook page appears like magic. It will bring joy to anyone who receives it. A perfect gift for Mother’s day or any day! 

In this class, you will make: 

• One Scrapbook in a Box
• One coordinating 12” x 12” Scrapbook Page
• One coordinating Gift Note

All the inspiration you need to make a beautiful, heartfelt gift. Recreate the set using other Simply Scrappin’ Kits for Father’s Day, birthdays, wedding gifts, graduations, bridal and baby showers!   Find out how to download and make this project at my Classes Page.

Scrap Maps

 

    Scrapbook Page Layouts

 

Scrap maps are nothing more than templates you can follow to create beautiful scrapbook pages. The real beauty of scrap maps, however, is that they can be tailored to every level of scrapbooker, from beginner to master.

A scrap map is helpful to use when laying out a page.. “Where do I start?” is the question asked most frequently by beginning scrappers. A scrap map answers that question. With its detailed sketch of exactly where to place photos, journaling, and accents, a scrap map takes the mystery out of layout.

But don’t let the simplicity of a scrap map fool you — they’re not just for beginners. The same easy-to-follow sketch can spark a wealth of creativity giving new insights and ideas for placement and product uses.

• In the February Page, the layout has been closely followed with the exception of the photo being larger and the added vertical paper strips.
• In the Love Page the layout was reversed, moving the title to the left and the accent to the right of the photo.
• In the Girlz Page the title has been moved under the photo.

Introduce scrap maps into your next scrapbooking project and see how much confidence and creativity they can inspire.  

Contact me if you would like more scrap map resources.  For supply lists, visit my store and enter the project name in the search box with quotes.

Contact Me for More Scrap Maps

Crafters Choose Stampin’ Up!

2008 was another great year for Stampin’ Up! in the annual Creating Keepsakes Readers’ Choice awards. As a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator I’m proud to announce that for the tenth year in a row, the crafting community voted our rubber stamps among the products it likes best. Our Write Me a Memory Font CD and our Idea Book & Catalog won their categories as well. Creating Keepsakes also recognized several of our other accessories, including our Watercolor Pencils, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Stampin’ Write markers, and punches, as finalists. More Details

Crafters also choose Sizzix as a number one in the “Die-Cut & Laser-Cut Shapes & Equipment and Embossing Stencils Category. As a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, I offer products from the two leaders in the crafting industry.

10 Reasons to Scrapbook

Let’s scrapbook! It’s National Scrapbook Month! It is time to gather up your supplies or acquire new ones and get creative with your memories. Here are 10 great reasons to get out those pictures this month and get scrapbooking!

One – With time memories fade. Pictures are a way to remember those precious moments in time. Let’s face it, many times we forget where pictures were taken or who they are of. Was that cousin Maude or Jane? Scrapbooking gives us the memories in pictures and in journaling. Years from now you and those you love will see the picture, read the words and experience the memory all over again without having to wonder.

Two – Preserving Family History. There are events in our history we want to preserve forever. Weddings and births, graduations and baptisms, family reunions and anniversaries, these are all things we want to preserve along with the little everyday events that happen. We all have those boxes of photos stashed away, each photos and memory fading more with each passing year. Scrapbooking helps us make a record of and save all the important events in ours and our family’s lives. We create scrapbooks which will be passed down from generation to generation.

Three – Sharing Stories and Thoughts. Scrapbooking brings out our journalist sides. It helps us to tell stories. We can share stories of an event in pictures alone or with our written words. We can share how we felt at that very moment. Looking at a picture is only part of the story. Hearing the emotions and thoughts behind the events adds depth.

Four - Creative Outlet. Creating scrapbook pages is creating art. We like to be able to express ourselves in various ways. You can give two people the same pictures and supplies and you will end up with two different pages. Scrapbooking is a creative outlet. It helps the person express themselves and their individuality.

Five – Social Interaction. There is nothing like sitting around with friends and sharing a good cup of coffee or tea and chatting about memories or ideas. Take it just a step further and you have a group of friends sitting around with pictures and scrapbook supplies, sharing memories and ideas for preserving the moment and building new memories. You can even join a scrapbook club and make new friends with similar interests. Scrapbooking is about social interaction and sharing. Even after your scrapbook is complete you share it with others.

Six – Stress Relief. Many of us are stressed. Day to day life can leave us stressed and anxious. We all need to find outlets for stress. Scrapbooking can be a stress relief in many different ways. Scrapbooking helps us look back at happy times with friends and family. Creating art is a very good method of stress relief. Knowing our memories are now organized for future generations gives us joy and peace of mind. They are no longer stuffed in a photo box hidden out of sight, but graciously displayed giving us a sense of accomplishment.

Seven – Great Gifts. It is often said the best gifts are handmade. What better handmade gift than one with a memory of a wonderful moment attached? Scrapbooking talents can transform precious memories and ho-hum pictures into beautiful displays of artwork. Scrapbook gifts are truly gifts from the heart which become keepsakes of future generations.

Eight – Connecting. Like they say, no one is an island. Scrapbooking gives us the connection to family and friends. Sometimes, all our children have are pictures of relatives. Help your children connect with long-distance relations. Make a family scrapbook and have everyone contribute photos and memories. Bringing out your scrapbook and sharing it with others makes the connection even sweeter. It’s a wonderful tradition.

Nine – Challenging. Scrapbooking is an ever evolving art form. As you learn new methods and skills you will see yourself grow as a scrapbook artist. You can take my classes or join in on crops.

Ten – Organization. Many of us long to be more organized. Organizing our photos and memories can be part of organization. We all have those boxes of photos stashed away-somewhere. Do you even know where they are? Scrapbooking can help you organize those boxes. Scrapbooking will help you create an organization method of collecting and presenting all your precious memories.

Scrapbooking is a craft form which has really come into its own in the past decade. We now have great supplies which will help us preserve our family photos and memories. Gone are the days of yellowed pages and sticky albums. We now offer our Stampin’ Memories’ products that help you create quick and easy pages which are appealing and safely preserve your photos.

These are only 10 reasons you may want to scrapbook. Take a look at your photos. With each memory you will find more reasons to scrapbook, sons, daughters, moms, dads, sisters and brothers, the list of reasons go on.

Friendly Words Wheel Class

This is my latest class offering – Friendly Words Wheel Class

Stampin’ Around Wheels are an inexpensive and fast way to add texture and charm to any project. They are a great complement to many stamp sets and projects. Let me show you how you can create 11 different techniques using our Stampin’ Around Wheel.

In this class we will make one gift bag with tag to hold four coordinating cards with envelopes. These beautiful vintage themed cards feature the Friendly Words Jumbo Stampin’ Around Wheel. Enjoy learning some great wheel techniques while creating this set of beautiful heartfelt cards to share with friends and family.

This class will be sent to you soon after purchase via email in Adobe Acrobat format (PDF). No supplies are included unless ordered. When you order $20 of supplies you get the class for free. 20-Page Tutorial only $7.00.

Please note these classes are not available to Stampin’ Up! demonstrators. If you are a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator please contact me for more information.

Price: $7.00

Inspiration Club Discount $2.00

Friendly Words Jumbo Wheel 114696

Start your Own Business for $75

May Color Combination

To The Nines Designer Series Specialty Paper

This heavier weight Designer Series paper features the exclusive Stampin’ Up! colors and artwork. Each package includes 12 sheets of 12” x 12”, double-sided, cover-weight paper in two sheets of each of six designs. To the Nines, Sweet Slumber and Parisian Breeze papers are printed on textured, cover-weight paper. Rockabilly Specialty paper has a gloss printing on some designs.

To The Nines Specialty Designer Series Paper 114038 Stampin' Up! © 2009

The Designer Series Specialty Papers that Stampin’ Up! offers are amazing. Seeing the designs in the catalog is great but when you feel the texture and the heavy weight you will be thrilled with these new papers! The heavier weight and texture makes these papers perfect for 3-D projects like boxes. There is nothing wimpy about the style or weight of these papers!

To The Nines Specialty Designer Series Paper 114038 Stampin’ Up! © 2009

 

To The Nines Specialty Designer Series Paper

My Favorite Paper (today)

My intent was to create a blog post  today about my favorite paper collection to celebrate National Scrapbooking Day and the Paper Sale.  But can I really decide on one pack?  NO!  So, for today….., this is my favorite paper pak. 

 

Stampin’ Up! © 2009 Jackpot Designer Series Paper -#113995

Jackpot Designer Series Paper 113995   Preferred Price: $9.95 Our Designer Series papers are absolutely beautiful and use our palette of colors and original images. Designer Series paper makes it easy to create a card or scrapbook page with coordinating background paper, card stock, and stamped images. It also covers On Board chipboard beautifully.■ 12″ x 12″, 100-lb text ■ 12 sheets per package (2 each of 6 designs) ■ Exclusive designs and colors, with patterns based on Stampin’ Up! art ■ Coordinate with Stampin’ Up!’s exclusive colors: Basic Black, Real Red, So Saffron, and Very Vanilla