Grateful to local firefighters and police

Today's post is dedicated to the brave firefighters and service personnel who served during 9/11.  It is also a thank you to our local firefighters and police force who have been watching over our homes here in Houston as forest fires  rage through our area because of the long drought we have experienced this summer.

Not only am I grateful for the human lives and homes that were saved by our local firefighters, I also wish there were a way to invite all the displaced animals to share the forest behind our home, which, up until now, has been untouched by the devastation of the fires.

For the past few days I've been fortunate to peacefully sit and watch the wildlife behind out home as I work on projects in my Craft Loft.  Click photos for larger view.

If you have some time today to remember, here is a link to the 102 Minutes that changed America with an interactive map of eye witness accounts of 8/11 on History.com.  Feel free to share this with your Facebook friends and family.  Look for the Share link in the left hand side on my web site.

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Register for classes:  http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

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Holloween Favor Baskets

• Spooky Bingo Bits Treat Baskets
• Pick Your Poison Quick Accents

Although it is still 95 degrees during the day in Texas, the evenings are beginning to cool down and I'm really getting into the mood for fall projects.

Here are two Halloween treat baskets using Spooky Bingo Bits stamp set.  The treat baskets were cut using the Fancy Favor Bigz XL Die in the Big Shot, The handle was punched using the Ribbon punch.  Click photo for a larger image.

Visit my Online Store to buy the supplies to make this project

 

Recipe:

 

• Stamps: Spooky Bingo Bits (123944 w, 123946 c), Delicate Doilies (122590-w; 122592-c) 
• Paper:  Calypso Coral Texture cardstock, Wisteria Wonder Textured cardstock, Whisper White, Basic Black
• Ink:  VersaMark, Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder 
• Accessories: Lace Ribbon Border Punch (122362),Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die (123126), Scallop Square Punch (119884) 1-3/4" Circle Punch(119850), 1" Square punch(124094), Black Embossing Powder (109133), Powder Pal (102197),  Big Shot Die Cut machine (113439), Heat Tool (100005)

Earlier this week I showed you samples of Halloween accent bottles using the Pick Your Poison Quick accents.  Great for Halloween decorating!  Look how well they coordinate with these little treat baskets.  Wouldn't they make great favors baskets for a Halloween party, for trick-or-treaters, or to fill with treats for your co-workers?  The Pick Your Poison self-adhesive Quick Accent labels apply quickly to bottles and jars turning them into great accents for the setting up a Halloween theme.  Click the photo for a closer look.

 

The Pick Your Poison Halloween Quick Accents are also available as a digital Download (125614) for use with My Digital Studio software , which means you can easily make multiples of the same label if you want to use them on your baskets, rather than a stamped image.  I love that Stampin' Up! makes it so easy to switch up how we use the wonderful design elements created by the Stampin' Up! artists.  I've said it before, but I believe the images get better every year!

 

If you're in the Houston, TX area, check out my upcoming class using these products from the Holiday Mini Catalog.

 

Let me know if you have any questions about any of these cards.

 

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Register for classes:  http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

SU Demonstrator Web Site: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/

 

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Always Thankful and Spice Cake Designer Series Paper

• The perfect stamp set for fall - Always Thankful
• Instant gratification using Spice Cake digital download

Several weeks ago I saw a fall card from Vicki Burdick that I knew I had to case.  The layout, color selection, and textures worked perfectly with the Always Thankful stamp set and the Spice Cake Designer Series Papers.  I didn't have any of the Spice Cake Designer Series papers on hand, but I didn't want to wait until my order arrived. So I quickly downloaded the Spice Cake DSP Digital Download and used My Digital Studio software to printed out the patterned papers I wanted to use on my home printer!  Instant gratification!

I used the layout in Vicki's original format, and then I flipped the format to better suit another image from the Always Thankful stamp set.   Here's the results.  Click for larger image.

Here's a close up of the vertical format.  I used Stampin' Write Markers to color directly onto the rubber, which was a fast way to produce multiple images in color. 

Here's the horizontal format of this card layout.  For this card, instead of using Stampin' Write Markers alone, I decided to also use my poor neglected Watercolor Wonder Crayons to add and blend colors on the smaller items like the pumpkins, leaves, corn and gourds after the basic image was stamped.   I used Stampin' Write Markers to color the image, using Basic Gray and Soft Suede Stampin' Write Markers.  Huff to reactivate the ink before you stamp.  Once the image was stamped, I used Watercolor Crayons to highlight area and then used a Blender Pen to slightly blend the colors in the Watercolor Crayons  for a more natural look.  I love how it turned out!  Click for larger image.

Visit my Online Store to buy the Supplies to make this project

 

Recipe:

• Stamps: Always Thankful (123787-w; 123789-c), Day of Gratitude (sentiment), 120835-w, 121148-c
• Paper:  Spice Cake Designer Series Paper Digital Download (125610), Soft Suede, Very Vanilla 
• Ink:  Soft Suede, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Basic Gray
• Accessories:  Big Shot Die Cut machine (113439), Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976), Mini Library Clips (109857), Early Espresso Brads (119736), Scallop Oval Punch (119856), Large Oval punch (119855), Decorative Label Punch (120907), Corner Rounder Punch, Stampin' Write Markers, Watercolor Wonder Crayons (119804, 119803)  Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack (105826),

Reminder:  If you're in the Houston, TX area, check out my upcoming class using these products from the Holiday Mini Catalog.

 

Let me know if you have any questions about any of these cards.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Register for classes:  http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

SU Demonstrator Web Site: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/

 

Current Promotions

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24/7 Shopping at my Stampin' Up! Website

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More Frightful Sights ...for Halloween

• Frightful Sight Product Suite
• Peekaboo Frames Bigz L Die

I love the way Stampin' Up! catalog groups stamps, dies, ribbons, and designer papers together into coordinated families to make it easier for newer stamps to see at a glance what works together.  I'm working with the Frightful Sight Collection this week, creating projects for my class this week end.  I want to show you the fun I'm having with the Frightful Sight product suite and the new Peekabook Frames Bigz L Die from the Holiday Mini catalog.

Take a look at this fun card.  I used the Peekaboo Frames with my Big shot to create little windows and frames that let me highlight images from the Spooky Bingo Bits stamp set.  This shows all of the Peekaboo Frames closed.  Click for a larger image.

This show the same card with the two lower frames open and the top Peekaboo frame is still closed.  This die also works perfectly for creating your own personalized advent calendar and works with the 25 & Counting stamp set on pp. 37 of the Holiday Mini catalog. 

This shows all three of the Peekaboo frames open.  With 24 images included in the Spooky Bingo Bits stamp set, you can use this basic card design and create themes from two or three of the images.

Visit my Online Store to buy the Supplies to make this project

• Recipe:
• Stamps: Spooky Bingo Bits (123944 -w; 123946-c)
• Paper:  Frightful Sight Designer Series Paper (122351), Cajun Craze, Whisper White, Basic Black,  Old Olive
• Ink:  Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Black Staz-On.
• Accessories:  Big Shot Die Cut machine (113439), Peekabook Frames Bigz L Die (124587), Dimensionals, 1", 1-1/4 & 1-1/2 Circle Punches (119868, 119861), 1" & 1-1/4" Square Punch (124094 & 119865), Postage Stamp punch (122344), Spider Web Textured Impression Embossing Folder (120889)

Reminder:  If you're in the Houston, TX area, check out my upcoming class using products form the Holiday Mini Catalog.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Register for classes:  http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

SU Demonstrator Web Site: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/

Current Promotions

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24/7 Shopping at my Stampin' Up! Website

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs - including the Summer mini catalog

Frightful Sight Decor Elements

• Halloween Frightful Sight Vinyl Decor Elements
• Pick your Poison Halloween Quick Accents

What a great 3-day week end!  I was able to spend the majority of the past 3 days relaxing in my craft room.  I had some focused time to play with many items in the new Holiday Mini catalog that have been gathering dust since my early demonstrator order arrived  in early August.  I'll be showcasing many of these projects over the next week.

This first set of projects are wonderful 3-dimensional projects.  The first project uses the Frightful Sight vinyl decor elements (123007-Black; 124192-Pumpkin Pie).  I applied these to pumpkins that I'll use to decorate my Craft Loft over the next couple of months.  Here's what the finished pumpkins looked like.  Aren't they fun!  I used elements from both a package of Black and from the Pumpkin Pie Frightful Sight vinyl elements.  Other than the vinyl Decor Elements, the only tool you'll need is the Decor Elements Applicator, (114285)

The next project was so much fun!  I love unusual bottles -- especially at Halloween. Ever since I saw this display at the Convention in July, I couldn't wait to gives these labels a try.

This is my version of the Pick Your Poison Quick Accents used to decorate these bottles.  These Quick accents include two 12 X 12" sheets.  One sheet includes these self-adhesive labels.  The second sheet includes  self-adhesive borders.  Once I assembled the bottles, it took less than 5 minutes to apply the labels to finish this project.

Sooooo cute!  And... just look how cute these are with the Cellophane Bag treat bags (124134) that I highlighted in an earlier post. 

In addition, there is a Pick Your Poison Digital Download (125614) for use with My Digital Studio software.  What a great value!  The digital download makes it possible to make cards and treat boxes or treat bags that all match!

On another note:  If you’re in the Houston, TX area, check out my upcoming classes using products from the Holiday Mini Catalog.

What fun elements to work with!

Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Register for classes:  http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

SU Demonstrator Web Site: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/

 

Current Promotions

Start You Own Business

Host a workshop

24/7 Shopping at my Stampin' Up! Website

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs - including the Summer mini catalog

Stampin' Up! Holiday mini....is here!

• Holiday Mini Catalog available - download here
• Simply Scored Scoring Tool now available

It's here!...the Holiday Mini Catalog is now available.  Download your copy today.

I'm excited, today to introduce you to Simply Scored!

Take the chore out of scoring.  Simply Scored features two easy- to-read rulers, with 1/8" increments, along the top and side.  Also one zero center ruler.  Nonskid feet secure it to your work area.

• Comes with a high-quality stylus instead of a plastic bone folder.
• Stylus is ergonomically shaped and features a comfort grip.
• The high-quality metal tips on each end of the stylus--they come in two sizes--glide smoothly over your paper...and improve with time
• Features a unique set of place markers that let you mark your score lines when creating multiple projects with the same score lines.
• Includes three place markers.
• Additional place markers can be purchased for flawless scoring.
• Includes a hidden storage compartment in the back of the base to hold your scoring tools.
• Accommodates card stock up to 12" x 12".
• Demonstrators have been able to preorder and you can see some of the wonderful projects I've made, here.

Visit my Stampin' Up Store to purchase one today!


Item # 122334


Enjoy!

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Register for classes:  http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

SU Demonstrator Web Site: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/

Current Promotions

Start You Own Business

Host a workshop

24/7 Shopping at my Stampin' Up! Website

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs - including the Holiday Mini Catalog 

The Open Sea Digital Hybrid Birthday Card

• Final days to order from the Summer Mini Catalog
• Buy 3, Get 1 Free Designer Series Paper Special ends Aug 31
• My Digital Studio downloads are a great way to to buy if you are storage challenged

I was playing with My Digital Studio digital software a few days ago and printed out a few of the papers from Nautical Expedition and images from The Open Sea Stamp Brush set.  Both are from the Summer Mini Catalog, which ends Aug 31. (Edit:  Great news!  Stampin' Up! just announced that this popular set, The Open Sea , will be available until July 2012!  You can order the wood mount under item # 123030 or the clear mount under item # 123032) End Edit)  I didn't have any plans for the items I printed until I realized I needed a birthday card for my brother in Minnesota this week.  It took me less than an hour to design this hybrid card using both digital images and traditional embellishments. Complete. Stamped. And in the mail.

Recipe:

• Stamps:  Digital Download:  The Open Sea Stamp Brush Set (124112)
• Ink:  None.  I used digital downloads for the sentiment as well
• Paper:  Almost Navy, Whisper White. Crumb Cake,  Digital Download:  Nautical Expedition Designer Series Paper (124111)
• Accessories:  Cherry Cobbler/White Baker's Twine (123125), Stampin' Dimensionals, Spiral Boarder Punch (retired), Paper Snips

Here's the inside of the card.  Again, I choose a design from the Nautical Expedition Designer Series Paper digital download, printed it on white paper, selected a few more digital downloaded images from The Open Sea Stamp Brush Set and printed them on Crumb Cake cardstock.  I matted and mounted each and I was done with a fast, easy card.

I think this makes a great masculine card.  I love the new digital downloads that Stampin 'Up! releases each Tuesday for My Digital Studio.  It is a great way to "have it all" from each new catalog release without taking up walls of storage space.  I now order some traditional stamps and papers, and some digital downloads from each new catalog.  I love using them both!  For more ideas on using digital downloads, be sure to visit and register on the My Digital Studio Site.  You can see the entire catalog of digital downloads (see the Resources button at the top of the My Digital Studio home page), plus find answers to your My Digital Studio software questions.  Be sure to register on my blog to receive notification by email when the link to the new Holiday Mini catalog is released Sept 1.  You'll find great holiday digital downloads that will pique your imagination as we move into the fall Holiday months.

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Register for classes:  http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

SU Demonstrator Web Site: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/

Current Promotions

Start You Own Business

Host a workshop

24/7 Shopping at my Stampin' Up! Website

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs - including the Summer mini catalog

  

*Buy 3, Get 1 Free promotion ends Aug 31.  Mix and Match the Designer Series Papers Packs you want.

Spooky Bingo Bits make great Cello Bag Toppers

• Order Tangerine Tango Stampin' Embossing Powder for Halloween projects, now!
• Frightful Sight Halloween Designer Paper special: buy 3, get one free*

The best Holiday Mini Catalog I've ever seen from Stampin' Up! will be released in just a few days -- Sept 1.  I've been playing with more of the sets and products available early to Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  Click to enlarge images.

These are the new 1" X 8" narrow cellophane bags available beginning Sept 1.  Aren't they perfect for filling with rows of treats like gum balls, mints, chocolates, red hot cinnamon discs, Boston Baked Beans, Hot Tamales, Red Licorice Twists, Jujubes, colored pencils, marbles, or anything long and narrow.  The toppers I made use the Spooky Bingo Bits Stamp set from the main catalog along with the new 1" punch offered Sept 1 in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  Love these new holiday products!!  While I'm now ordering most of my stamp sets in clear mount, for sets like this, I prefer wood mount.  Yes, it takes up more room, but I think it saves time when you are stamping several pages of images at one time, like I did with this set (see photo below)

To order any of these Stampin' Up products on-line at my store, shipped direct to you address, click here.

• Recipe:
• Stamps:  Spooky Bingo Bits (123944 w, 123946 c)
• Paper:  Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Basic Black
• Ink:  VersaMark
• Accessories:  1" square punch (124094- avail Sept 1), Narrow cellophane bags (124134 - avail. Sept 1),  Scallop Square Punch (119884), 1-1/8 square punch (non-Stampin' Up!),  Black Embossing Powder (109133), Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder (123106), Heat Tool (10005), Embossing Buddy (103083), Powder Pal tray(102197), Red Sticky Strip tape (104294)

I stamped and matted two images so that both the front and back side of these bag toppers were finished off. Here is a close up of some of the addition images I matted, ready to use as bag toppers or on cards.  And there are many more images in the set that I can't wait to use on other projects.

  I like stamping and embossing these smaller images.  I believe they retain their sharpness better when embossed.  Which makes it especially nice that Stampin' Up! offers Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder!  I completely missed this new embossing color in my first new catalog order.  Then I realized I already owned it since I had ordered it out of the Summer mini catalog!  Yeah!!  Click to enlarge photo, and take a look at the images on the left embossed with Tangerine Tango embossing powder.



Another new embossing color I'm anxious to break open is the new Cherry Cobbler Embossing Powder.  Paired with the Frightful Sight Designer Series Halloween Designer Series Paper, it will make sophisticated Halloween cards in non-traditional colors.  But for now, I'm going to work on a card to go with these toppers.  Check back soon!

Hope you have as much fun working with these new products as I did.  Be sure to sign up for my to have my web site updates automatically sent to your email address, so that you'll receive the link to download the Stampin' Up! Holiday mini catalog as soon as it is released Sept 1.  Look for the "Subscribe via email" link in the right hand column of my web site.


Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Donna Ross

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator

Register for classes:  http://cardmaking.meetup.com/71/

SU Demonstrator Web Site: http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/donnaross/

Current Promotions

Start You Own Business

Host a workshop

24/7 Shopping at my Stampin' Up! Website

Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs - including the Summer mini catalog

*Buy 3, Get 1 Free promotion ends Aug 31.  Mix and Match the Designer Series Papers Packs you want.