Stamp with Annette

Monogram Notecard Class

I am planning a class for Tuesday, July 21. I haven't set a time yet, so if you are interested, let me know what time works for you! It will be a set of eight embossed monogram notecards with a plastic box to put them in. This makes a very professional looking package! I have given two sets this summer as wedding gifts. The brides were thrilled to receive something related to their new names. I gave them gift card as well, but the notecards made it a much more personal gift. This is what they look like:

I had a hard time getting a good picture. I think my camera didn't like all that white! I loved the rhinestone accent on the ribbon. I case'd (case = copy and steal everything!) this idea from demo Debbie M. Mine is slightly different, but not much.

I would love for you to join me for this class! Just zip me an email or give me a call to sign-up.

Happy stamping!
Annette

More New Stamps and Colors

Here are the other two projects I did with my stampin' friends in Topeka last month:

This uses the new Animal Stories and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Night of Navy and Whisper White card stocks, Soft Suede and Night of Navy Classic pads, Crushed Curry and Dusty Durango markers (Yay! We have markers in the In Colors!), Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain, 1" and 1 1/4" circles punches and the scallop edge punch.

This card uses the Razzle Dazzle stamp set, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie, and Soft Suede card stocks, Crushed Curry and Pumpkin Pie Classic pads, Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain (it's just turned backward - love that you get two looks with one ribbon!), and the Eyelet Border punch.

Happy stamping, everyone!
Annette

New Stamps, New Colors

We made a quick trip to Kansas a couple of weeks ago to go to a wedding. Anytime I get to make the trip, I try to get together with my downline. Jessica (who isn't even in my downline!) is always gracious to let us use her stamp studio. She would tell you that it's nothing fancy, but it has everything a stamper could need! Here are some of the girls busy stampin':

Here we have Sharon, Cheryl and Jessica.

And in this photo you see Karen, Michaela, Barb and Kelli.

We had a great time! It's always fun to get together, share ideas, and inspire each other. The projects I had for us to do used new stamps and the new In Colors.

This card uses the Circle Circus and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets, Basic Black, Whisper White and Rich Razzleberry card stocks, Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, and Melon Mambo inks, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain, the Word Window and Modern Label punches, the Big Shot and the Small Dots Texturz Plate. Here is a look at the inside:

Do you decorate the inside of your cards? I often don't think about it, but since this card is black, I added a Whisper White layer inside to write on.

Simple cards are sometimes my favorite. This one is truly simple! It is a Rich Razzleberry card with two strips of Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper (1 1/4 X 3), a Filigree brad and two silver brads. You could add a greeting if you wanted, but I left mine plain. The Filigree brad adds just the right touch. I saw this card sketch somewhere, but I'm so sorry, I don't remember where it was! I poke around online far too much and can rarely remember where I found things. I really need to start writing things down. Or figure out one of those bookmark sites.

Well, I'm off to work on projects for Thursday. I'm having a chocolate party! If you're in north Texas, come on over! We get to check out the new catalog, make a couple of projects (that use chocolate) and nibble on some chocolate goodies. I will also have a table of retired stamp sets for sale. Just zip me an email for details!
Happy stamping!
Annette

A Card & A Page

Jeff and I celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary last month. That is so hard to believe! It sure doesn't seem like it has been that long. I had been thinking about making him a card, but hadn't come up with a good idea. Then on the actual day, this silly song came into my head, and I decided to run with it. My husband has been a fan of the comedian Heywood Banks for a long time. One of the songs that he sings is called "The One I Love." (click to hear it on YouTube) So I ordered the CD and made this card:

If you listen to the song, the card will make more sense. :-) But he loved it - especially since he knew he had a CD coming. The card came together with lots of punches: heart to heart, my way, word window, scallop circle, round tab, 1" circle 1/2" circle, and the Coluzzle.

We went to dinner the Saturday after our anniversary with two other couples with the same anniversary. Here is the page I did with pics from that night:

 

It's a very simple layout, but I was pleased with the result. I used Basic Black and Real Red because those were the colors in the restaurant's logo. I printed the online menu on photo paper and cut out the logo for the accent on the bottom left. I used a journaling marker to write the numbers on the silver jumbo brads and embossed with clear powder. The brads show how long each couple has been married. When you pull on the ribbon, you see the journaling with a little explanation and our names. I titled it "Club 28" as all of our anniversaries are on May 28. Oh, and I created the title and journaling on my computer. This gives you an idea what the journaling looks like:

 

Off to finish preparing for stamp club!

Happy stamping, everyone!

Annette

May Stamp Club

Hello, stampers! At club this past Monday we made two cards. The first was a flower pot card. I have been seeing them floating all over the net. Here is my version:

These were so fun! The flowers were made with the Build a Flower die for the Big Shot and Bella Rose Designer Series Paper. (Did you know that this month all of the Designer Papers are buy 3, get 1 Free?!) Hint: be sure your flowers don't hang over the edge of your pot! I thought I was being careful but had to do a little trimming when I went to send these.

For our second card, I gave the gals a choice of the following:

These four cards all use the Sweet Always Designer Series Paper and the Say It with Scallops stamp set (this year's Ronald McDonald House set). The colors are Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette, and Pumpkin Pie. Yummy! I had some card stock already cut for these cards as they were left over from a class I did last week. At the class, we made all four cards and put them in this box:

I love the way this box turned out! And no stamping! The layers are all done with a Texturz Plate and the Big Shot. The box flap tucks behind the flowers (made with the Build a Flower die).

Feel free to contact me if you have questions!
Happy stamping, everyone!
Annette

Baby Buggies

There are several blogs that I check regularly for stampin' inspiration. When I saw this idea by demo Jill H., I knew I needed to make one. This last week, I needed a card for a baby shower, so it was the perfect opportunity.

Is this not the cutest thing?! It truly was perfect as several of us went together to purchase a stroller. Supplies I used: Big Shot, Scallop Circle Die, Swirls Scribbles Sizzlet Die, Eyelet Border Punch, 1 1/4" & 1" Circle Punches, Jumbo Brads, Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Bella Rose Designer Series Paper, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White card stocks. I used the retired font CD to create the greeting I put inside.

I intended to take pictures before I signed the card. As you can see, I forgot! My signature looks kind of funny up there at the top, all by itself, but by the time everyone signed it, the little card was full.

Hope I've inspired you to get out some of your "toys" and play!

Annette

April Club Projects

Thought you might enjoy seeing what we did at stamp club this month.

This card is a C.A.S.E. (copy and steal/share everything!) from demo Patty Bennett. Such a quick, elegant card! The card stock vellum was embossed using the Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Die with the Big Shot. To attach the vellum to the card front, we placed adhesive behind the Whisper White Organza ribbon. The card stock is Pink Pirouette, and the ink is Basic Gray.

I was very pleased with the way this card turned out. It's such a good feeling when your own design comes together! :-) We used the Very Versatile set from the Occasions Mini, Riding Hood Red and Close to Cocoa inks and card stocks, Very Vanilla card stock, Candy Lane Designer Series Paper, 5/8" Chocolate Chip grosgrain, Riding Hood Red taffeta, Mini Library Clips,Top Note & Scallop Circle Bigz Dies, Stampin' Up! Backgrounds Texturz Plates, and the Big Shot.

We would love to have you join us for stamp club next month! We meet the second Monday of each month. Contact me for details.

Oooh, and don't forget about the Get Connected promotion! When you purchase $40 in Occasions Mini Catalog merchandise, you can choose one item from pg. 208 in the Spring - Summer Idea Book & Catalog for free. Your choices are valued from $5.95 to $9.95. Yeah! I love free stuff!

Happy stamping, everyone!

Annette

Fifth Avenue Floral

The more I see done with this set, the more I like it. Of course, that's usually the case with just about any stamp set! I wanted a birthday card for a friend. I thought I could just whip one out and get it in the mail Saturday. I don't know why I thought that. When I create a card from scratch, it is usually a long process for me. This one was no different, but I do like the end result:

And the inside:

I used: Fifth Avenue Floral and Very Versatile stamp sets, Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip, and Naturals White card stocks, Basic Brown and Chocolate Chip inks, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Rhinestone Ice brads, Chocolate taffeta, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, and Stampin' Up! Backgrounds Texturz Plates with the Big Shot.

I stamped and watercolored the flower three times, cut out different parts and layered them. The card stock was slightly curled from being wet, so I attached the layers with glue dots. I ended up with a wonderful dimensional effect. And as always, it looks so much better in real life!

The Very Versatile set has wonderful verses in it! You will find it in the Occasions Mini Catalog. And this month, if you purchase $40 in mini catalog products, you get to choose an "Under $10" item (page 208 in the catalog) for free! Let me know if I can help you!

Happy stamping!
Annette

Bonus Project

Hello, everyone! I wanted to share a fun project with you today. I included this in my last Stamps in the Mail as an extra project. Yes, I said last Stamps in the Mail. I have decided to change things up a bit and will not be doing Stamps in the Mail as I have in the past. I have loved doing this! Thanks so much to everyone who has participated these last two years. Stay tuned for details on what I will be doing instead. For now, here is the project:

 

 

I had a terrible time getting a decent photo of this book mark, but hopefully you can get the idea from these. I used two frames from the Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware. The Designer Label punch coordinates with this hardware - love that! The punched card stock has some wiggle room in the frame. When applying it to card stock, I usually just adhere the punched shape to the card stock and then place the frame over it. That doesn't work for this bookmark. For this project, I punched through Baja Breeze card stock five times and through Very Vanilla card stock twice. I adhered all of the punched pieces together with Snail to create a thick punched shape that filled the space between the two frames.

Before adding the last Very Vanilla piece to your stack, you will want to add your stamped image. I used an image from the Pocket Silhouettes set. I inked the image in Baja Breeze, then colored over the stem - right over the Baja Breeze ink - with the brush tip of my Chocolate Chip marker.

Place your hardware frames back to back and place a brad in the top hole. You may need to bend the prongs at a bit of an angle so they won't be seen from the front. Slip your layered punched pieces into the frame. Thread your ribbon (I used about 15 inches) between the two frames and out the bottom of the front. Use the paper piercing tool (or some other sharp tool) to poke a hole through your ribbon. Place the second brad through the hole. Trim your ribbon ends. Tada! You're done!

Supplies: Pocket Silhouettes stamp set, Very Vanilla and Baja Breeze card stocks, Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, Designer Label punch, Valet Ribbon Originals, Baja Breeze stamp pad, Chocolate Chip marker.

Happy stamping, everyone!

Annette

Fun with Rub-Ons

Jeff, Will and I all got new phones last month. We got the free ones. So they all look alike. I decided I needed to do something to differentiate my phone. Here is what I came up with:

Hidden Garden Rub-Ons! I'm not sure how long they will stay on as that section of my phone is kind of rubbery. When it's time to do new ones, I think I will place them differently, but for now, I can tell at a glance if the phone laying on the counter belongs to me or not. Yeah!

Wishing you a Monday full of stamping!
Annette