StampersPad

Build a Bear ... I've been bitten

I can't believe I've been bitten by the Build-a-Bear bug!  My good friend Trina St. Michael and I had a girl's day out yesterday and after treating ourselves to a manicure and Pedicure we went back to her house to "play" with her build-a-bear Sizzix Bigz dies.  I can't say I've been overly excited by this set but after punching out a couple of magnetic bears I totally got into the designing of outfits.  This process took me right back to the days when I used to play with paper dolls but this is MORE fun!  Selecting designer papers to create outfits was just adicting. 

Here's a peek at the magnetic bear and outfits I "built" with the Big Shot Bear dies!  (Now that's a mouthful eh?)

You may recognize the designer outfits as coming from Sending Love Specialty paper package (117153) and Pawsitively Prints designer paper package (118060).  I can't believe how much fun it is to dress up my little bear.  Now, to make it into a car carry-on toy for my neice.  What a great travel toy but the best part was making it! Ladies, you've got to try this...really!

Have a wonderful day and a fantastic weekend.

Oh, yes ... for those of you who are interested ... a peek at my kitchen in progress.

The BEFORE:

 
Besides the mess of preparation ... a certain flare...n'est pas?  Ha ha!

 
It really is a bit bare without my table but ready for the reno to begin!  This wall will be gone in a day.

See.. gone!

Unter the ceramic tile we found ... "faux brick"... very sticky vinal flooring.

We couldn't open the wall between the dining room and living room as planned due to rather important pipes and duct work.  Ah...the best laid plans oft' go astray.  (or crying in my beer over this hiccup)

Yeah!  Hardwood installation!  I love it!

Cupboards going in... after much sanding , building and removing of wallboard.   

 CURRENT KITCHEN LOOK:

Our island and pantry.  The floors are covered with paper.   If all goes as planned (and who knows) kickboards, hardware etc will be installed.  Missing cupboards should arrive next week.  The counter tops will be measured monday and should arrive in two weeks. 

I can't say that I mind the "camping out" that we're doing in the family room but the process of washing dishes in the laundry tub downstairs is a bit tedious.  On the bright side, hopefully I'll be losing weight climbing up and down those stairs so often.

 

Shoebox Swap cards

More wonderful shoebox-swap cards.   Our team meets monthly and sometimes these meetings are learning from each other and sometimes they are learning about new products but they're always fun! Can you imagine a room full of women passionate about stamping???   The following cards feature stamps and products from our new Occassions Mini catalogue.   Cards designed by fellow demonstrators and stamped by moi.   Enjoy!

Stamp Set: I (Heart) Hearts - wood 117010 - clear mount 118571. Paper: Real Red, whisper white and black, you can hardly get a more romantic colour combination.

Stamp Set:  With All My Heart wood # 118134, clear mount #118623. Paper and Ink: Pretty in Pink, Real Red, and whisper White ... so pretty!  Too bad this photo doesn't show the glitter on the Sending Love  designer paper.  Boy, it provides a real WOW factor.

Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pin, Real Red and Whisper White.  Gorgeous, don't you think?  This card was designed using the Movers and Shapers die and the Big Shot.  Three strips of Sending Love designer paper (#117153) and real red grosgrain add more punch to this clever card.

Stamp sets:  I (Heart) Hearts, Vintage Vogue, Well Scripted and Love You Much.  (The little textured heart peaking out from the bottom is tucked away until you pick up the card. Check below to see why?) Too bad you can't see the glitter on this heart!  It's stamped then sprayed with our shimmer mist which was soooo popular that SU has continued this product.  I'm so glad!!! Ask me to order it for you if you missed out the first time.  It's a must have item.

Inside the above card.

What a clever use of the top note die! I wish I knew who designed this card.  If I've posted your creation please let me know and I'll be sure to give you credit.

Thanks for popping by.  Until next time happy stamping,

Linda
 

  

 

 

 
 

Vintage Vogue - Friday's Featured Stamp Set

I've really fallen for Vintage Vogue.  When you check out the samples below, which I made this past Wednesday at our demonstrator Shoebox Swap, you'll know why.  Sorry I can't remember who designed all these beautiful layouts.  Enjoy!

 
This card was designed by my good friend, Cynthia McKellar.  Isn't it gorgeous?  Cynthia took her colour pallet from the Vintage "Cottage Wall" designer paper.  Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry.

 
Old Olive, Rich Razleberry and Pretty in Pink is such a great combination in this card.  No Designer Paper necessary and you can add any sentiment you like.

 

Soft Chocolate Chip sponging really adds to the vintage look of this set.  Ruby Red and Garden Green are complemented by Choclate Chip satin ribbon and the Confetti White cardstock.  Very Vintage - no?  I love the rounded corners which really continue the soft theme. 

 

Pretty in Pink and Chocolate Chip are such a striking combination.  The Medallion background stamp was inked in chocolate chip for a subtle effect.  The butterflies are punched from "Sending Love Specialty paper" with the Beautiful Wings embosslits Die and the Big Shot. 

Garden Green and Rich Razzleberry make this card just stunning.  The double bloom colour is created by stamping off some of the colour befor stamping this little flower on Whisper White.  The Rich Razzleberry ribbon finishes off this pretty card. 

I'm sure you see why I enjoy this stamp set.  If you'd like this stamp set it's on page 26 of the Mini Occasions Catalogue, # 117690 on wood mount and # 118598 on clear mount.

If you'd like to get this set free, consider hosting a stamping party with your friends and you could select this stamp set as your hostess product.  Call me at 613-726-1776 to book your party or email me anytime.

'till next time, keep stamping!

Linda
 
 

  

Extreme Snowboarding

Glossy cardstock is a staple in my paper cupboard just because it's so versatile.  In this card I used a cotton ball, alcohol rub and re-inkers to create the snow spray from this boarder. 

Simple and effective this stamp is perfect for an avid sports fan or winter teen-birthday.  Right now you can get this stamp set free with any $65.00 purchase from Stampin' Up!.  Check out the Sale-a-bration catalogue for all the stamp sets and products you can get free with every order of $65.00 or multiple of that amount.  Yikes!  I've already put in two orders for myself.  I love this time of year.

If you have a wish list a mile long, phone me to book a ladies night out stampin'.  I'll bring three cards that you and your friends can make for free.  Any orders booked that day help both you and your guests earn free stamp sets!  How cool is that?  Be sure to email me to book your party soon and take advantage of Sale-a-bration!

Until your next visit, happy stamping!

Linda
 

I (Love) Love

This masculine valentine is for my true love.  I like the Chocolate Chip & Real Red combination.  What do you think?

I used the "I (love) Love" wheel from our Occasions Mini catalogue (page 15  #117084) inked in chocolate chip for the main image and then wheeled it again in real red and cut out the heart and popped it up on a dimentional.  Chocolate chip grosgrain and red gingham ribbon are tied around the red mounting paper.  The sweet real red border was created with the new "Scallop Trim border punch" FREE from the Sale-A-Bration catalogue!  Gotta love Sale-a-bation time.  Be sure to book a party with me early during this exciting time of our Stampin' Up year!   Contact me to inquire about hosting a party with your friends click here . 

Until the next time, keep on stamping.

Linda

Love Bandit

Love this Love Bandit set from the Occasions mini catalogue.  This is the swap card I made using the sweet squirrel from the Love Bandit set.  You may even see the two stamps front of this card below because they're clear mounted cling stamps. (Happily they're the same high quality rubber that's in all Stampin' Up!'s wood mounted sets!) In this card I used the tree and the squirrel images and was so happy that the blocks were clear as it helped me position the little fellow on top of the trunk.

oops... I just noticed that I didn't publish this post so please excuse this rather odd order of things.

Thanks...just another hiccup in the demolition that is our life right now.  LOL.

Happy Stamping on this snowy day.

Linda
 

More Love Bandit

I just couldn't put this set down once I started playing with it.  Love Bandit really suits these little 3 by 3 love notes. 

Here's another 4 1/4" x 5 1/2 " card I made for a swap between demonstrators.

Stamps: Love Bandit ,Very Vintage jumbo wheel - Paper: Specialty Designer series paper "Sending Love" - Cardstock: Basic Gray, Pretty in Pink, Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla - INK:Watercolour pencil crayons, Versa Mark (on Gray) and Basic Gray classic ink - Other: Scallop Trim Corner punch.

I'll be back this Friday with more NEW stamps from our Occasions Mini Catalogue.

'till then, enjoy yourself!

Linda

Happy New Year and Sale-A-Bration time again

I know I'm late but hopefully you'll forgive me when you find out what's been happening at my house and see that I have some stamping inspiration for you today.  RENOVATION... Ever been through a kitchen renovation that involves changes in the dining room and living room?  I wish I had thought to ask for advice earlier but will still take any and all advice.  Skip down if you've read enough.

After Christmas we took a trip to see our granson and then came home to put away our tree and household decorations and pack, pack, pack.  Now that we have a temporary kitchen in our family room and are watching the demolition I'm finally free to show you all the exciting Stamping Up toys that Santa brought for me this Christmas.

These new punches and clear mount stamps have been calling my name throughout the packing.  Finally I've had time to play with them and just LOVE how these punches  are so compact, stand up and show the image on the "top" (or end depending on how you store them.)  I will never give up my old whale tail punches but both of these products will certainly take care of my storage issues as they take up so little space.  The clear mount sets come in a thin case that shows all stamp images on the spine.  I can just line them up on my shelf and see exactly what stamp are inside.  Talk about helpful!  Though I have never been a fan of cling stamps before I do love these ones 'cause they are made of the samp high quality rubber as our wood block stamps and give a crisp, clear image that will remain that way over time.  You have got to try them to know what I'm talking about.  Now on to the fun...

These little cards are a bit addictive to create so I kind of got into a sunny groove while playing with my new products.  (maybe because I've been stuck inside for days or maybe because it's been a bit overcast in Ottawa) Anyway I'm creating my own sunshine.  From left to right you see: Crushed Curry, More Mustard and Summer Sun.   The birds were quickly punched out with our Extra Large Two-Step bird punch (117191 page 11 of the occasions mini catalogue), the gingerbread along the roof top was made with the Scallop Trim Border punch (118402 FREE from our Sale-a-Bration catalogue page 9).  Vintage Labels  set made the trim around the bird house entrance (FREE SAB set page 4)  and Vintage Vogue stamp set finishes off the detail at the bottom of the birdhouse.   All stamping and sponging was done in Rich Razzleberry. 

I do have more new stuff to show you and I'm back in the stampin-posting groove until we have to unpack the kitchen, living room and dining room.  Somehow I imagine that process to be a lot more rewarding.   If anyone's interested I'll post pictures of our renovations.