Stampin' & Scrappin' with Donna

ACRYLIC DISTRESS TECHNIQUE

Stampin' Up! featured this technique in their March issue of Stampin' Success, a kewl monthly magazine they send to all their demonstrators.

It's called Acrylic Distress and the only thing you need besides your Stampin' Up! stash of goodies is a bit of acrylic paint (the kind that is sold everywhere in squeeze bottles for a dollar).

Here's a photo (left) of the card we made at our last team meeting when Samantha Forrest demoed this technique - I put the embossing folder backwards onto the painted card stock, so mine is "de-bossed" by mistake & you don't get the same stand-out effect, but ...

... this second photo (right) is from Stampin' Up! - same colours, different design - but you can see the effect better on this card since the embossing was done right side up (grin).

 

I can see all kinds of uses for this technique with all of Stampin' Up!'s embossing folders and with all kinds of different colours of acrylic paint. Click on this link to download a prointable PDF instruction sheet, and give this one a try!:  Acrylic Distress Technique

PS: The DEMONSTRATOR STARTER KITS (both Standard and Digital+) are on sale right now for $150 CAN (regular $215). With this purchase, you recieve a minimum 20% off all purchases, the Stampin' Success magazine, password-access to Stampin' Connection and the Demonstrator Website, a ton of free and discounted Stampin' Up! products, and lots more. I mean, it has to be a good deal or why else would I still be with this company after 10 years, right? For more information, CLICK HERE. Sale price ends March 31, 2012.

I'll be back on Monday with more paper crafting projects to share - have a great weekend!

 

SAVE 50% & 60% ON DESIGNER FABRICS

As part of Stampin' Up!'s current ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA SALE, designer fabrics can be picked up this week for a real bargain! Expand your crafting options with our new Designer Series fabric for a whole new look and range of project possibilities!

All of our fabrics are a perfect medium for creating all kinds of beautiful projects using the Big Shot machine and our large collection of dies.

■ Combines exclusive designs and colors with high quality fabric
■ Coordinates with other Stampin’ Up! products
■ Extra wide fat quarters
■ 100% cotton
■ Each piece measures approx. 28" x 18"
■ 3 coordinated designs

 

 

 

 

 

DECK THE HALLS, # 121716   regular price: $12.50,  SALE PRICE:  $5.00

CANDY CANE CHRISTMAS, # 121715  regular price: $12.50,  SALE PRICE: $5.00    

SPRINGTIME VINTAGE, # 121817  regular price: $12.50  SALE PRICE: $6.25    

SWEET STITCHES, # 121818  regular price: $12.50  SALE PRICE: $6.25

Sale ends Nov 30th ... order these and many other sale items through my online store, or call/email me with your order... happy shopping!

DON'T THROW THAT OUT!

Doesn't excessive packaging just make you burn? It's a pet peeve of mine ... why can't manufacturers keep their product packaging simple so we have less to throw out?

Usually the "GREEN ME" will always choose the product with the least packaging ... but one time I actually bought a package of pens BECAUSE of the package they came in. I knew as soon as I saw this thick plastic base with multi-divided sections - AND wrapped in a clear plastic case - that I wanted to make it into a pretty desk accessory! (I think it was at this point in our shopping expedition that my dear hubby rolled his eyes and walked away)

So, in a photo tutorial - here's what my "inner eye" saw in that store, and how it all turned into a nice little pen holder that I plan to give to my mother. She's having a lot of home support visitors right now, and is always searching for a pen to write down their names and appointments. This one's for you, Ma! (As always, just click on each photo if you want a close-up look)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starting at the far left with a photo of the original product in its packaging ... I took it apart and cut off the top of the clear sleeve - then I decided to slip the pen holder base back inside the clear sleeve so I coudl trace a pen line to cut it exactly the same height.

I reassembled it to see how I did (I slipped an envelope in between the two layers so you can see where I'm heading with this idea, wink)

I knew I wanted to use Stampin' Up!'s new "Springtime Vintage" Designer Papers (#121782, pg 15 Occasions Mini) because I thought of my mom the first time I saw these prints; they're sooo "her"!

Through some measuring, some guessing and a lot of trimming, I finally determined what size to make the four patterened squares so that they could have a 1/4" mat of Rose Red card stock showing from behind.

And on the right - the finished project ... easy peasy! I'm tempted to add some "Chantilly Crochet Trim" (#118480, pg 190 IB&C) and maybe a 'Trinket Key or Trinket Crown (#121891 & #121892, pg 24 Occasions Mini) before I deliver it to mom later this week - don't you think it needs a little bling?

Gee, I wish I had a few more of these packages ... I'd love to make one with the "Sweet Stitches" Designer Papers (#121781, pg 32 Occasions Mini) to keep my sewing tools neat & organized! For that matter, "Botanical Gazette" or "First Edition" Designer Papers would make a great pen holder for my hubby's desk - a daily reminder that he should never doubt my "inner eye" (GRIN!)

cheers 

DAY 8: CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

I'm pretty late posting about today's gift in my team's Countdown to Christmas swap, but it's only 10 pm my time ... so technically it's still December 8th!

This little gem was created by Tania of Guelph. I love it because it's easy and inexpensive to recreate ... I think I'll make one for every place setting on Christmas Day! Tania told us she used duct tape from the hardware store - not the Red Green/man's best friend kind of duct tape, but the real thing that's used to seal heating ducts - it's a really thin silver metallic tape that cuts & embosses in the Big Shot like a hot knife through butter, and it's got adhesive on the back so you just need to peel and stick! Don't you think it's perfect for making detailed little snowflakes?

Oh, and I need to correct something from yesterday's gift. Deb explained that the snowflakes on the ornament were cut from Stampin' Up!'s Sizzix Adhesive Sheets, then she stuck them down and then added glitter - much less mess than trying to stamp on little round ornaments (been there, tried that).

Thanks girls for showing me two more things to make with the "Northern Frost" Sizzix Decorative strip die ... now I REALLY NEED to buy that one too! <grin>

I'll be back tomorrow with Day 9's surprise ... it's so heavy and in a plain box so I have no idea what it can be!

cheers

 

DAY SEVEN: CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

Today's gift has a triple surprise .. a beatiful shimmery hand-stamped box, a glittery hand-stamped ornament inside and  (wait for it) ... CHOCOLATE! What more could a gal want in a gift, I ask you?

Deb from Cambridge did such a pretty job on the red box, stamping snowflakes all over it & then adding shimmer mist, I think. Anyway, the photos won't do it justice; it's sooooo pretty IRL. The belly band is crimped and the medalion is make of no less than THREE different punches!

Inside, I found a beatiful red ornament with stamped & embossed snowflakes all over. It's sooo pretty! And the chocolate .. well it disapeard in a hurry, suffice it to say. <grin>

Thanks Debbie for sharing such a wonderful gift with us - you rock!

BE sure to drop by tomorrow to see December 8th's surprise in the Artful*Inkers' Countdown to Christmas.

cheers

 

DAY SIX: CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

Today is a VERY busy day - after my Cards & Coffee class with the seniors, I'm off to the University for the rest of the day. Yep, it's exam time again - good luck to all the students who had the misfortune of getting their first final on the first day of finals  : (

I'm so glad I got to start off the day by opening yet another little package; this time from team mate Amanda of Guelph - I've been eyeing this package all week, trying to guess what's inside, but not wanting to get it right and ruin the surprise, lol! Simply wrapped in white tissue paper with Cherry Cobbler ribbon ... well that should have given me a clue as to colour at least! I LOVE Cherry Cobbler, and judging by your orders, so do a lot of you out there!

OK, on to the reveal... Amanda: I LOVE what you did with this plain little notebook; it's sooooo me! The edges are all sponged in Cherry Cobbler, the Decorative Label punches and the Snowflake  punch in Old Olive make a striking statement, and youo didn't forget the bling either - LOVE the red glitter brad in the center of the snowflake... stitches around the label (which says Holiday Planner - I'm guessing designed on My Digital Studio) and some Cherry Cobbler ribbon along the spine - it all adds up to a neat little book that's going right into my car so I can keep all my holiday notes with me on trips to the mall (this is the only season I'll go mall hopping - I hate the crowds but I love the decorations and music!)

Amanda, you've already taken some of the stress out of my next shopping trip - luv ya girl! Lets stamp together soon, ok?

Join me tomorrow everyone as I open and share the gift labeled Dec 7!

cheers

DAY FIVE: CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN

Today's little gift may have come in a plain brown paper bag, but it sure was a big surprise to me - inside I found this adorable, almost-good-enough-to-eat cupcake, made out of a pair of fuzzy pink socks!

Dion of Cambridge is responsible for today's treat ... and she really added a lot of detail: the cupcake base was run through the Crimper to make it look just like a paper cupcake liner; the socks were rolled to look like a frosted cupcake on the top, and she even added little brown circles to look like chocolate sprinkles - how clever is that!

And check out the ornament tag - it says "A sweet treat to warm your feet" - I LOVE IT! As well as being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, Dion also decorates and sells REAL cupcakes, cakes and cookies (she made the Canada Day cupcakes I served at my New Catalogue Launch last July 1st and they were yummy!)

Thank you for this adorable gift, Dion ... you are truly the Queen of Cupcakes!!

Come back tomorrow for Dec 6th's surprise in the Artful*Inkers Countdown to Christmas.

cheers,

 

SIZZIX BLOG HOP, Week 5

It's the first day of this week's Triple Play Blog Hop and I'm giddy with excitement! The featured die this week is their BigzXL 3D Pop-Up Gift Card Holder ... not the one that Stampin' Up! carries, but I'm sure hoping some of the ideas will be re-creatable with ours too!

Here's the link:

Sizzix Triple Play Blog Hop - Week 5 - Gift Card Holder

Enjoy!

SIZZIX BLOG HOP: WEEK 4 IS ALMOST OVER

Hi all,

If you are a frequent visitor here @ Stampin' & Scrappin' with Donna, you know that

a) I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my SIZZIX BIG SHOT die cutting/embossing machine!!

and

b) I'm thoroughly enjoying the current SIZZIX Triple Play Blog Hop, which has 50-60 different designers & crafters of all ilk (or is that ilks?) using the same featured die each week - talk about variety!

Even though Stampin' Up! doesn't carry the specific dies that have been featured in this blog hop (so far) - it's still a great way to learn to look at dies differently and to see all the different mediums you can use with the Stampin' Up! Sizzix dies that you DO OWN!!

I forgot to post when week FOUR started last Thursday, so I'm giving the link to you today so you all have the chance to hop through the blogs to see this week's projects BEFORE they change it to a new die on Thursday Dec 2nd! Oh, and while I'm at it, here are the links to weeks 1, 2 & 3 - so grab a cuppa your favourite hot beverage, tuck your feet up under your quilt, keep warm, and ENJOY!

Triple Play Blog Hop:

WEEK FOUR - Frame & Frame Back with Stand Scoreboards Pro Die

WEEK THREE -Beauty Bloom Originals Die

WEEK TWO -Twist Cube BigzXL Pop-Up Die

WEEK ONE - 3D House Scoreboards Pro Die

cheers,

 

A BLOG HOP FOR BIG SHOTS

If you own a Big Shot, want to own a Big Shot, own a different die cutting machine or love any kind of 3D crafting - you WON'T want to miss the TRIPLE PLAY BLOG HOP, hosted by Sizzix!

Running from Nov 4 to Dec 16, each week the host chooses one of the Sizzix dies and each of the 60 artists (yes, I said SIXTY!) post their design using the die of the week. How kewl is that?!!?

The blog hop changes every Thursday, so if you want to see WEEK ONE'S projects (featuring the pop-up house die) just click here - but you'll have to do it before this coming Thursday the 11th, 'cause that's when they'll be putting up a new week's worth of projects.

Just look for the Triple Play symbol on participating blogs, and use the forward and back links to go from one blog to the next. It couldn't be easier - but remember to bookmark your favourite projects because the links will be gone after Thursday!

Now I realize that you're gonna see lots of dies that we don't carry at Stampin' Up! right now, but who knows what we'll get in the next catalogue! In the meantime, touring the blogs of these talented paper crafters and die designers will hopefully inspire you to experiment with the dies we DO carry - maybe you can submit your project to Sizzix for a future blog tour and I'll be able to say "I knew you when", lol!

Enjoy!

MY DIGITAL STUDIO HAS THE ANSWER

What's the question?

How do you create your own beautiful Christmas cards, tags, scrapbook pages and gifts without spending a fortune and too much of your precious time, ending up with bits of paper, glitter and glue spread all over the place?

My Digital Studio (MDS) is easy to learn (you can handle Microsoft Word, right?) and has a ton of ideas already built in.

How about making a calendar of your favourite 2010 photos on the monthly pages - embellished with your favourite Designer Series Papers and stamps from the current catalogues? Grandma would love getting that for Christmas - and afterwards she can slip the pages into a scrapbook to enjoy forever!

Or why not make invitations to your annual Holiday Party ... Christmas cards with your family photo ... holiday recipe cards to tie onto your homebaked goodies ... personalized gift tags ... a CD of this year's  Christmas Concert photos ... your 2010 recap newsletter for far-away family and friends ... heck, I could go on forever!

Design from scratch or use pre-designed templates; it's your choice. Need help getting your project started? I'll be glad to sit down with you and show you the ropes.

The software package (item #118108, $106.95) comes with a ton of paper, stamp, punch and embellishment options ... and Stampin' Up! releases new downloads every month; check out the newest releases here, then give me a call to order your copy of MY DIGITAL STUDIO!

New Digital Downloads for My Digital Studio

Our most recent digital downloads are here, and more are on the way for the month of November! If you would like to view our complete list of My Digital Studio download offerings, go to the customer homepage, click on Store, then Digital Crafting.

 

Item	Description	Image	Price
123949	Tags til Christmas Stamp Brush Set		$7.95
123950	Jolly Jingles Stamp Brush Set		$9.95
123951	Decorative Label Punch		$1.25
123952	Medium Oval Punch		$1.25
123956	Christmas Cheer Digital Kit		$12.50

BUNDLES IN DETAIL

So I've been getting questions about what Stampin' Up!'s 20% off Bundles actually have in them (I know, the flyer info is pretty small & it's such a hassle to click on links) - anyway, I don't have the techie skills to put the photos and text together for you, but luckily my downline Michelle does, so I "lifted" the following info from her blog. (hugs and thanks, Michelle!!)

Here are the bundles you can order during the ABCs of Holidays Sale:

_____________________________________________________________

1) Vintage Christmas Card Bundle:

 

 

• Bells & Boughs Set
• Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper

Clear Mount- 124068 $24.36, Wood Mount- 124067 $29.96

_____________________________________________________________

2) Contempo Christmas Card Bundle:

 

 

• Contempo Christmas Set
• Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper

Clear Mount- 124072 $21.96, Wood Mount- 124071 $25.96
_____________________________________________________________

3) Tags Til Christmas Bundle:

 

 

• Tags til Christmas Set
• Decorative Label Punch

Clear Mount- 124078 $41.52, Wood Mount- 124077 $49.52

_____________________________________________________________

4) Gift Packaging Bundle:

 

 

• Gifted Set
• Mini Lunch Sacks

Clear Mount- 124084 $24.72, Wood Mount- 124083 $31.92

_____________________________________________________________

5) Simply Adorned Gift Bundle:

• Charming Set
• Simply Adorned 1" x 1 1/4" Charm
• Simply Adorned 24" Chain

Wood Mount only- 124076 $52.32

_____________________________________________________________

6) Frame Gift Bundle:

 

 

• Definitely Decorative Chunky Frame
• Small Chocolate Chip Dotted Flourish Decor Elements

124075 $23.12

_____________________________________________________________

Aren't these bundles just GREAT?!! I'm seriously looking at the jewelery bundle for myself (too bad I already have the papers and some of the stamps from the other bundles - I could have saved an additional 20%!)

cheers

 

IT'S LATE, BUT I JUST HAD TO SHARE

The last of the GIRLS NIGHT OUT stampers just left, and before I turn out the studio lights I wanted to share some of the things we were working on tonight ...

Diane made some gift bags for work,

Lynda played with the owl punch,

 

 

 

 

 

Lori experimented with masking and brayering,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And I spent most of the night making this notebook cover, lol.

 

Hope you'll join us for the next GIRLS NIGHT OUT, Friday Oct 29th!

cheers

ALL THAT GLITTERS

I LOVE embellishments ... on my cards, on my scrapbook pages, on the wall, on my water bottle, heck, on anything that will hold still long enough for me to attach some brads or buttons or ribbon or rhinestones or pearls, oh yeah!

Embellishments is the first section I turn to whenever I get my hands on a new catalogue from Stampin' Up! - and my first order reflects my passion, too....

Look what I got in this week's delivery from the brown UPS truck:

   * Half Pearls (150, self-adhesive, in 3 sizes) #119247 $6.50

   * Rhinestones (150, self-adhesive, 3 sizes) #119246 $6.50

   * Vintage Trinkets (48 tiny buttons & safety pins) #118764 $7.50

   * Antique Brads ( 20 brads; 4 ea. of 5 designs) #117272 $7.50

   * Chantilly 1/2" Crochet Trim (5 yd) #118480 $9.50

   * Brights Designer Buttons (72 buttons; 4 ea of 3 designs in 6 colors) #119747 $10.95

   Aren't they just yummy? My heart beats faster just looking at this picture, lol!

   Unfortunately, I don't have time to play with them for the next two weeks ... isn't that sad?

To get your own fabulous new embellishments, check out Stampin' Up!'s 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalogue online through my SHOP NOW feature - you can even place an order while you're browsing! Just be sure my name is at the top of the screen when you are in the store - that way you get the "preferred pricing"!

cheers

BITS AND PIECES

Saturday was a good night in my Stampin' Studio .. hubby was at work, I had the house to myself, & there were no project deadlines bearing down on me - so I rooted around and found some leftover odds and ends ... and I started to play.

Long ago I picked up several three-packs of these white frames on one of my shopping trips in the US and I had used most of them in a class. While cleaning my studio (more of a PURGE, actually) I discovered one last package ...

Frame #1 - I made the silver border using Sticky Strip and Stampin' Up!'s Cosmos Fine silver glitter.

After I attempted to clean up the VERY FINE glitter from everywhere, I found a big chipboard star and four small ones in my stash & embossed them all with silver embossing powder.

Finally, I had a lonely Sticky Shapes star begging to be a part of this project, so I centred it on the larger star (well, I TRIED to centre it), peeled the red covering off, doused it with Dazzling Diamonds glitter, and topped that off with one of the tiny chipboard stars.

It's not rocket science, but I think it turned out pretty cute. And it felt good to be using up some of the bits and pieces that are threatening to take over my studio space. I'll save the other two frames to show you another time.

cheers

NEW BLOGGING FEATURE & MORE STAMPIN' PALOOZA

I have so much to share, so where do I start?  [deep breath] ...

First, before I forget - you now have the option of following these blog posts on my BUSINESS WEBSITE as well as on my original blog. Why is that a good thing? Well,if you (the reader) usually start out on my blog and then use the links to take you to my business site to see my EVENTS CALENDAR, PROMOTIONS, etc ... then nothing has changed; carry on with your routine.

But if you usually start out on my business site checking out calendar or promotions first, you've had to then switch over to my blog to read my new posts ... well, no longer my friends! Every word I post on my blog is now posted to my business site automatically, so you can stay on one site for all the info ... isn't modern technology wonderful? To find the blog on my business site, click on the blog link under the ABOUT ME tab at the top of the home page. Oh, and while you're there, check out the PROJECT IDEAS .. there are some kewl ideas there that don't appear on my original blog.

OK, I've wanted to share with you the projects we made at my friend Caroline's Stampin' Palooza event a couple of weekends ago in Toronto; check 'em out!

All six projects used the same Designer Series paper pack (Sending Love) and the same stamp set (With All My Heart) - both of which were included in our registration fee & we received as we arrived.

These are the three cards that we made - all designed for us, with paper cut to size and everything ... just like I do for you in my classes! It sure was fun being catered to for a day, let me tell you!

I love the idea of making a shaker card with cupcake sprinkles .. I always seem to have leftovers in my baking cupboard; now I know what to do with them!

Gotta love that glittery designer paper too ... have you got yours yet? The Occasions mini ends on April 30th and then this paper is GONE!

This second picture is of the treat box and DVD tin we decorated at 'Palooza.

These papers all mix and match - making the projects go together super fast ... gotta love 'em for that!

The little box is a Sizzix Big Shot die called "Fancy Favour" - very versatile and I love the card stock & ribbon handle that Caroline added, too.

I haven't decided what I'll use my tin for yet, but I was glad to have the chance to personalize it with my initial on the front ... we made that with Serif Essentials alphabet dies, also on the Big Shot.

Now I've only shown you five of the six projects ... because I haven't finished the sixth one yet [hanging my head in shame]. It's a little scrapbook, you see, and I want to print off some special pictures and embellish the pages before I share it with you. I CAN tell you that the pages are made from Stampin' up!'s "On Board Scallop Circle Book" from the Occasions Mini - very sturdy chipboard pages will make for a very durable & fun album! I promise to share as soon as it's done.

cheers

BEAUTIFUL BABY BOY

Today's card was a lot of fun to make ... Julie's colour challenge this week just happens to be my FAVE colour combo, I got to try my hand at colouring white ribbon to get the green I needed, and I even designed my own card template for this week's Cuttlebug Challenge ... my stampin' mojo was in full swing for a change!

CHALLENGES MET:

EBK COLOUR CHALLENGE: Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery, So Saffron & Garden Green

CUTTLEBUG CHALLENGE: shape card

ABC CHALLENGE: B is for Buttons

PILE IT ON CHALLENGE: boy card, + at least one other challenge

*** click on photos for a closer look ***

SUPPLIES USED: (100% Stampin' Up!)

INKS: VersaMark, Tempting Turquoise & Garden Green (to colour the ribbon)
PAPERS: Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery, So Saffron & Garden Green card stock

STAMPS: Animal Stories (pg 88) & Beautiful Baby (on dormant list)
ACCESSORIES: So Saffron grosgrain ribbon, Whisper White Taffeta ribbon, Sherbet Designer Buttons (Aug. special), Scallop Edge, 3/4" Circle & 1" Circle punches, Paper-Piercing Tool & Mat Pack, Hobby Blade, Stampin' Up! Backgrounds #1Texturz Plates, & Big Shot Die Cut machine

TIP FROM THE FRUGAL STAMPER: There's no need to own every colour of ribbon on the market - stock up on white ribbon and colour it yourself to match your projects!

Here's How: Simply hold a piece of ribbon against the ink pad with a dauber, piece of sponge or scrap card stock. (classic inks work well). Next, slowly pull the ribbon through with your free hand, keeping a light pressure on the ribbon with the sponge. Repeat the steps to get a darker shade ... if it gets too dark, just rinse it under the tap, let dry, & try again.

cheers, Donna

RECYCLED GIFT BAG

I'm introducing a new category for my blog subjects today: ALTERED ART, which just happens to be a passion of mine.

(Categories? What's she talking about now? I'll tell you - each time I post to my blog I assign one or more categories to the post. They are listed in small print at the end of each post. Why? Well, if you are interested in a certain category you can click on it and all the related posts will appear, one after the other for you to peruse. It's also helpful if you are trying to find a particular post weeks or even months after it was made - been there; done that; many times!) To see all the categories that I use here, scroll down and look at my CATEGORY CLOUD on the bottom left of the screen - the larger the print, the more posts there are in that particular category. Here's another tip: If you're lost in a sea of past posts & want to return to the most recent post on my blog, just click on the words on the red banner at the top & presto - you are home again!)

OK, back to ALTERED ART ... I was a child of the 70's when environmental recycling and reusing was first in fashion, and I was raised by parents who were kids during the Great Depression and had to just make do with what they had (yes, I'm THAT old!) .. so it's only natural that these habits have such a strong influence on my crafting projects today.

Today's project is fun and simple, AND has the added bonus of making me use up my stash of retired Stampin' Up! designer papers and ribbons. After unpacking some holiday shopping yesterday, I didn't want to throw away the cute bag with string handles - you know the type - so I set out to hide the store name & turn it into a one-of-a-kind gift bag for someone's future birthday.


Here are the before and after shots:

Take up the challenge - next time you have a container or bag that is still perfectly good, grab your stash of stamps, ink & paper (S*I*P) and see what you can come up with! And if you email me a picture of the results, I'll post it here for everyone to see.