Stamping With Sheryl

Baroque Motif, Well Worn Alpha Mouse Pad

I wanted a new mouse pad for myself and I remembered that I had some of these "scrapbooking mouse pads" left from last year.  Being able to personalize such items is one of the coolest things!

I love the picture of my boys that I used on my Christmas cards.  Since I had a few extras I chose that photo.  Now I have to make a second one for my husband!  (I shouldn't have shown him mine, lol!)

 

This is the insert.  Here's what it looks like inside the mouse pad cover.

 

Here's what I used:

Stamp Sets:  Well Worn Alpha (retiring), Baroque Motifs

Inks:  Basic Black, Ruby Red

Card Stock:  Ruby Red, Basic Black

If you are really particular about getting your letters stamped perfectly, you should use the Stamp-a-ma-Jig to get them placed just right.

Just a reminder...today is the LAST day to order the Country Living Holiday Collection Stampin' Kit.  I know Christmas is over, but you can get started for next year.  The reviews on this kit has been "2 thumbs up" so don't miss out on getting yours.  You can order it on my Online Ordering Website.

You can still take advantage of getting 20% off on stamp sets in the Catalog Sampler with a $20 purchase (this ends January 18).

I hope my new mouse pad inspires you to make something new for YOU!

Thanks for the visit!

Staying Organized

In a recent newsletter that I sent to my customers, I talked a little about staying organized.  I promised that I would keep a list on my side bar of different ways people stay organized.  Here's some of the ideas.  I will add this as a link to my side bar.  If you have any ideas you'd like to share, please leave a comment so I can add them to my list.

1. Scan the sticker sheet before mounting stamps and keep the copy in a binder for easy reference as to the stamps you have.

2. If you see a store is going out of business, often times they will sell their shelving.  Purchasing a shelf that can be mounted to a wall and allows you to display stamp sets so that the front shows also lets you see what you have.

3. Get a file cabinet and staple a ziploc bag to each side of a hanging file folder.  Label each bag (alphabetically or by family group) and store scraps in the bags.  When you need a scrap check here first!

4. Use a lazy susan type container for tools.  The Pampered Chef tool holder is a popular one for many paper crafters.

5. Use ribbon holders for all of your ribbon.  Stampin' Up! has some great ones to use and come in 3 different sizes.  These can stack easily too.

I only have a short list, but I will continue to add as I come across ideas or I hear from you.  With New Year's just a few short days, getting AND staying organized is a common New Year's Resolution.

Speaking of New Year's Resolution...if getting your finances in order (paying off credit cards, adding to savings, etc...) and earning extra money is one of your resolutions, now is the time to seriously think about making a career with Stampin' Up!  Thanks to my customers and downline, I do make the extra money each month to help with our finances!  YOU can too!

I have an Opportunity Night scheduled for Thursday, January 15 at 7pm.  I would love to share more about Stampin' Up! as a BUSINESS with you at that time.  If you can't make it (or live out of the area), I can set a phone appointment to share this information.  Call me at 815-274-2386 to set the appointment. Make 2009 the year YOU have a job you LOVE!

Thanks for the visit!!

Love You Much--Marker Wash

I have another example using the product from the Love You Much Promotion.  I also incorporated a technique from Technique Junkies called Marker Wash. 

 

I inked up the "love" stamp with Versamark and then immediately inked it with Riding Hood Red.  I added Clear Embossing Powder and heated it (you can see a little shine on the flower).  Then I colored the words with Pink Pirouette Reinker/Blender Pen and Certainly Celery Marker. I spritzed my Watercolor Paper with water.  You can see the colors wash and blend.  I went back and colored the letters again using Riding Hood Red/Blender Pen and Certainly Celery.  I also sponged the edges with Pink Pirouette.  I really like the touch of Certainly Celery on this card.

Remember, everyone that purchases the Love You Much Promotion Bundle through me will get 5 project ideas (4 cards and 1 gift item) with photos and directions.  I will NOT post these ideas on my website.  Unfortunately, the bundle cannot be ordered via my Online Ordering Website at the present time.  However, you can email me and I'll gladly put your order through for you.

If you haven't signed up for my newsletter yet, be sure to.  I have a really cool technique to share with you (each month I share a tutorial via my newsletter only).  Signing up is easy--just click on the link in the upper left corner.

Thanks for the visit!

Photo Cube "How To"

Do you remember back in November when I posted my CD Photo Cube here?  I promised a few pictures on how to assemble it.  Well, I'm finally fulfilling my promise (better late than never, right?)!

My cube is blank for this quick "how to".  When you are making yours, you need to add the photos as you go because once it's put together it's very difficult to take apart.

First you need 4 blank clear CD holders.  Take the insert out (but do it carefully and save them because I have another project in mind for those).  Here's what one looks like.

 

Notice I marked the inside--this is where the insert was.  Now you take the two pieces apart at the hinge and flip the side marked "inside".  It should look like this.

   

I didn't change the sticky note so you can see how the piece was flipped.  Now do this to the remaining three CD holders.

To connect them, you match each side to the OPPOSITE side from the next CD holder.   Continue until you have a square.

 

Again, you want to add your scrapbooking inserts BEFORE putting the cube together.  Mine is blank just to show you the construction of the cube.

I finished my cube a little differently than I've seen others, mainly because I wanted a very sturdy bottom to hold things in my cube.  Once you have the four CD cases together (with your scrapbooking inserts), add Sticky Strip to the bottom of each CD case.  Take a piece of 6" x 6" chipboard (I use the chipboard piece that comes in all of Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper packages) and cover both sides as desired.  Adhere that 6" x 6" piece to the bottom of the CD cube.  The Sticky Strip is strong enough to hold it quite well.

Then to add a little more reinforcement, I add Mini Glue Dots to the top edge of each CD case.

 

You can see a white "x" where I add the Mini Glue Dot.  Adding the Mini Glue Dot really makes a difference to the sturdiness of the cube.

I hope this helps you in creating your own CD Photo Cube.  I plan on making another one for myself using photos from Christmas.  I have many photos of the boys sitting on Santa's lap--and now they are too old for that (boo hoo) so I thought a collage of all those photos would be cool.  I'll be sure to post the finished project (but it might take another month, lol!).

If you have any questions on this cube, feel free to email me and I'll do my best to answer your questions. 

Thanks for the visit!

Well Worn Alpha - Baby Card

Happy Friday!  I hope all of you had a very Merry Christmas!  I know a lot of you had Stampin' Up! boxes under your tree!  Hopefully you'll get time to play today!

Being Friday, it's Blogger's Challenge!  Today's theme is "celebrate".  There's no restriction on the type of celebrating so I decided my card was going to do double duty.  One of my friends had a baby boy earlier this month so this is her card.

 

This card is kind of a "preppy" meets "shabby".  The Muirfield Designer Series Paper is preppy and the Well Worn Alpha is shabby.  I think it works.

If you would like to make this card, here's what you need:

Stamp Sets:  Well Worn Alpha (retiring), Celebrate Everything

Ink:  Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss

Card Stock:  Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Very Vanilla, Muirfield DSP

Accessories:  Cutter Tool Kit (to distress edges)

Remember, Retiring Stamp Sets are only available until January 18!

Thanks for the visit!

Merry Christmas!!

I hope everyone has a safe and blessed Merry Christmas!

We are having a "white Christmas".  This is a photo from yesterday morning at my Mom's house.

 

Thanks for the visit!

Santa Bag--Perfect for Last Minute Gift Wrapping!

This is another bag from my Wednesday WOW--Bags and Tags.  If you have the Top Note Die Cut (if not, why not?? lol!) and a few punches, you can whip this out quickly.  Details after the photo.

 

I made Santa similar to my Elf that I posted here.  The base is a Blush Blossom Top Note.  I sponged with Blush Blossom on the sides.

Santa's hat is a Real Red Top Note.  I just free handed the cut.  Start at one side point, go up and then across.  The trim and tassle are the large flower from the Boho Blossom Punch.  You can add glitter if desired.

Santa's beard is a Whisper White Top Note.  I cut it so that it's about 1 1/2".  Then I use the Scallop Edge Punch on the top side.

For the eyebrows, punch one of the small flowers from the Boho Blossom Punch.  Cut it in half and you have instant eyebrows!

Santa's eyes are 1/2" Whisper White circles with 1/4" Basic Black circles for eyeballs.

Next make Santa's beard.  Use one of the large flower from the Boho Blossom punch.  Cut it in half, but angle it just a bit.  (Can I pat myself on the back for this one--I think it's a perfect beard!)

Add a 1/2" Blush Blossom Circle, that's been sponged, for Santa's nose.

Finally, Santa's mouth is a ring made from punching 1/2" Circle punch and then punch 3/4" Circle where the 1/2" Circle was punched.  I used Real Red card stock.

See??  That's not so bad!  I hope you can use this idea--if not this year, then next.

Thanks for the visit!

Last Day on Retiring Special/FREE Shipping!

7:43 PM CST: If you would like to order the bundle with FREE shipping (just a few hours left), you have to call  me (815-274-2386)!  The Candy Lane DSP is on short term backorder so you cannot use my Online Ordering for this bundle.  I apologize for the inconvenience, but I am available to place your order for you!

Today is the LAST day to get 10% off all Retiring Stamp Sets and to get FREE Shipping on orders $70 or more.  Your order must be in by 11:50 pm MST to get the specials.  If your order is $150 or more, you also get hostess benefits.  You can email me or go to my Online Ordering Website.

Today also starts the Love You Much promotion.  Purchase the Love You Much bundle and you save 20%!  You can also take advantage of the FREE shipping, but today only.

 

Remember, if you purchase your Love You Much bundle from me (it's available until January 31), you will get photos/directions for 4 cards and 1 gift item using the bundle--just as a thank you for purchasing from me!  These projects are exclusively for my customers and will not be posted on my website!

Thanks for the visit!

Love You Much Special--Combine it with FREE Shipping and 10% Off Retiring Sets!

Stampin' Up! is getting ready for Valentine's Day and YOU can SAVE money!  Starting tomorrow (December 23) you can purchase the Love You Much bundle and save 20%!

Better yet, if you order tomorrow and have an order of $70 or more, you can take advantage of the FREE Shipping!  Take a look at the Retiring Stamp Sets (they are 10% off only until tomorrow) and get your order in.  You can email me your order or go to my Online Ordering website.

 

Everyone that purchases the Love You Much Bundle from me will get 5 ideas via email on how to use their new bundle.  You'll receive 4 cards and 1 gift item (photos and quick "how to's").  These are only for my customers--they will not appear on my website.

Here's a sneak peek for all to see...

 

You will LOVE this new Designer Series Paper!  The colors are Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red and Very Vanilla.

For all the information on the Love You Much Promotion (December 23-January 31), click here.  Don't miss out on the FREE Shipping--email me if you have any questions.

Thanks for the visit!!

Brassy Templates and the Big Shot!

Did you know you can use Stampin' Up! Brassy Templates with the Big Shot to create embossed card stock?  The "sandwich" you use is the last tab on the Multipurpose Platform, standard cutting pad, Brassy Template, card stock, Crease Pad, then standard cutting pad.

 

This may seem a little thick, but it will go through.  I used the Pick a Petal Brassy Template and here's the result.

 

I realize, you probably wouldn't have much use for the entire template, but you can cut out the images that you need.  I decided to use the scallop border and created this Gift Card Holder.

    

I used Old Olive, Real Red and Baja Breeze card stock, Ski Slope DSP and Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon to complete my card.

My folded card is 6" x 6".  I started with a piece 12" x 6" and scored at 3" from each side.  I used Sticky Strip on the sides to make it strong enough to hold a gift card.  To make my circles, I used the Coluzzle System.

Don't forget, there's just a few days left of 10% off on Retiring Sets and FREE Shipping on $70 or more!  Email me if you have any questions.

Thanks for the visit!!