Stampin' Up! Demonstrator – Meg Loven – Video Tutorials, Project Ideas, Order Online Any Time

Hand Stamped for Hand Knit Creations Class & “To Go” Kits

No, I’m not going to teach you to knit, although I did once start an informal knitting circle during a Kindermusik class.  We moms have to find something to do while the kids dance and sing, right?

Whether you knit already and want to get stamping, or you stamp already and want to try knitting, you’re going to LOVE the new Hand Knit stamp set from Stampin’ Up!.

Now you can STAMP a custom hand knit creation!  You can either order the stamp set online through my website (Hand Knit: 117012) or you can sign up for my Hand Knit Class or “TO GO” Kit.

Hand Stamped for Hand Knit Creations Class

Attend Sunday, September 26th, 2 to 4 pm

Or order your kit “TO GO” (click here to order/register online)

Location: Klose Knit Yarn Shop, Urbana, IL or your mailbox

Cost: $9 or discounted when you pre-order your Hand Knit stamp set through Meg!  (add $5 for ‘to go’ kits)

• 3 gorgeous “hand knit” gift tags created with high-quality Stampin’ Up! papers, inks and embellishments
• PLUS a set of ‘hand knit’ greeting cards perfect to use yourself or present as a hand-crafted gift

All supplies for the gift tags and greeting cards are included in the $9 class fee.

Want to get your Class Kit at a DISCOUNT? You can!

Add the “Hand Knit” stamp set to your Class Registration and receive a $5 discount on your class!  Plus you’ll receive a discount (FREE shipping/tax) on your Hand Knit stamp set!

Choose from:

• Hand Knit – wood mount (traditional)
• Hand Knit – clear mount (acrylic blocks required, but not included)

Want to get your kit “TO GO”? You can!

• Add $5 to your Class cost and your kit will be mailed to you on September 27th
• “TO GO” kit includes embellishments and pre-punched pre-cut card stock pieces, along with detailed instructions and finished project photos
• You’ll provide your own inks, stamps and adhesive
  
• Add the “Hand Knit” stamp set to your kit with the BONUS PACKAGES above!
  

Registration is due no later than September 17th for stamp set pre-order, or September 23rd for class kit

Kits will ship approx. September 27th

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Subscribe to the comments for this post

Not Your Mama’s Simply Scrappin Kit

Quick question… what’s the most overlooked value in the entire Stampin’ Up! catalog?

That’s an easy one to answer.  It’s definitely the Simply Scrappin’ Kits on pages 178 and 179, and by extension, the Quick Accents on page 176.  Really–think fast, when was the last time YOU used one of the Simply Scrappin Kits? (No fair answering if you were at my Beautiful Birds Class last night!)

Whether you’re a card maker or a scrapbooker, I encourage you to give these kits a try.  Each kit contains coordinating supplies to make your projects go together with ease:

• 6 sheets of double-sided Designer Paper
• 8 sheets of 12×12″ Textured Card Stock
• 6 sheets (6 x 12″ each) of Card Stock-Weight Die Cuts (sticky backed!)

This one is the Love Birds kit, and I used to to create the Flip Album project for my Beautiful Birds Class.  If you’d like a kit, you can still get one “To Go”. (click here for details)

After making my Flip Album, I had quite a few Die Cuts left from the kit.  Not wanting them to go to waste, I decided to make a few cards.

Since the kit contains 12 x 12″ card stock, it’s easy to produce cards this size.  Just cut the card stock into 6×6″ squares and fold each in half.  These fit perfectly in the Small Open-End Envelopes from the Stampin’ Up! catalog.

And if you look carefully, you’ll see that I did have to add a bit of bling to each card.  Gotta love those sticky-backed Rhinestones!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Accessories: Love Birds Simply Scrappin Kit (118707), Small Open-End Envelopes (107286), Jewels Basic Rhinestones (119246)

Subscribe to the comments for this post

Friends Never Fade in Greenhouses

This morning during my workout, I couldn’t help but think about the humidity this summer.  If you’re not in central Illinois, you may or may not have had a crazy-humid summer.  When the wet air kicks in at 6:15 in the morning, you know it’s extreme.

Anyway, thinking about running with friends… fading… humidity… greenhouses… it’s all connected in there somewhere, but not necessary coherently at 6:15 am during an exhausting workout, right?  Right?

I think I mentioned one time that Daffodil Delight is my favorite yellow these days–it goes with everything! Here I put it with Poppy Parade, which is one of the new In Colors.

I’ll let you in on a secret… the Greenhouse Gala paper is actually supposed to match Real Red.  But I am so in love with Poppy Parade that I just pretty much ignore the Real Red and go with Poppy Parade.  It works for me

The other trick for this card is that the background is Poppy Parade, and while a very pretty color, it’s pretty dark for writing your greeting.  SO… to get around that, the main card is actually Whisper White and the Poppy Parade piece is a panel stuck to the back of the white card stock.

It looks the same on the front, but opens differently than a normal card.  If you’ve seen my How To Cut Card Stock Video Tutorial already, then all you need to know is that the Real Red layer for this square card is 4-1/4 x 4-1/4″ and the Whisper White piece is 4 x 8″ and folded in half.

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamps: Flowers Never Fade
Ink: Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Write Markers
Paper: Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Daffodil Delight 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon

Subscribe to the comments for this post

Scallop Circle Scored Flowers: page 123

So strange, but in the past week I’ve had a really high number of questions from people wanting to know how to make those gorgeous Scalloped Flowers that are on page 123 in the Stampin’ Up! catalog that came out on July 1st. (click here to download the pdf version of the catty)

I figured with that many questions, I’d better 1) figure out how to make them, and 2) get a tutorial together!

After some playing around, I was finally able to duplicate the blossoms pictured in the catalog.  I also came up with a fun card sample that features the new Newsprint Designer Series Paper (117166) and the new Antique Brads (117273). We’ll be making this card at Stamp Club with Meg this month–if you’re in central Illinois and want to join us on the evening of August 11th or August 12th, let me know!

Scallop Circle Scored Flower Tutorial: (here goes!)

Step 1: Punch two of the 2 3/8″ Scallop Circles (or another scallop circle, from the Big Shot Scallop Circle Dies or the smaller Scallop Circle Punch).

Step 2: Score both Scallop Circle pieces across the center between every scallop pair.  The finished scoring looks like a big asterisk (*).

Step 3: Use scissors to cut one of the score lines from the edge of the card stock to the center.

Step 4: Beginning at the cut line, fold back and forth on each score line in a zig-zag pattern. Continue all the way around the scallop circle piece.

Step 5: When both scallop circles are cut and folded, arrange them so that the folds on one half end facing up and the other half end facing down, as shown.

Step 6: Add adhesive to one of the last folded ends and hook the two flower halves together.

Step 7: Add an Antique Brad to the center of the flower (or other embellishment).

Then add to a card and decorate as desired!  Thanks to Stampin’ Up! artists for putting this fun flower in the catalog!

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamps: Perfect Punches (117022 wood mount or 120516 clear mount)
Inks: Basic Black
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Newsprint Designer Series Paper (117166)
Accessories: Crochet Victoria Trim (118481), Basic Black Satin Ribbon (117285), Basic Black 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon (119261), Antique Brads (117273), Smooch Accent Ink Moonlight (119969), Big Shot Die Cut Machine (113439), Big Shot Top Note Die (113463), 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch (118874), Scallop Oval Punch (119856), Paper Cutter (104152), Scoring Blade Refill (104154)

Subscribe to the comments for this post

Stamping 101 Video Tutorial: Scallop Circle Tricks

Did you see the Two Step Owl Punch project I posted a few weeks ago?

There was a fun trick that I included, using the Homemade single stamp in the new Stampin’ Up! catalog.  When I ordered that stamp, I wasn’t sure  how I was going to use it, since the center of the stamp says “Homemade & to die for” and I just don’t bake all that often.

But I refused to set it aside, so I came up with a fun trick for getting more out of that sweet single stamp.  I’ll warn you now, you’re going to need to add Homemade to your Wish List, and the new Extra Large Scallop Circle to go along with it!

**TIP** To use the Homemade stamp as a border stamp, try Rocking & Rolling the stamp on your ink pad, rather than normal inking.  Check to be sure you ink the entire scallop and dot ring, plus a small amount of the center image, but don’t ink as far as the “homemade & to die for” sentiment.

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamps: Homemade (116978), Itty Bitty Bits (117056 wood mount or 120060 clear mount), Printed Petals (116679 wood mount or 120444 clear mount)
Ink : Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait
Paper : Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper (117167), Chocolate Chip, Peach Parfait, Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Poppy Parade
Accessories : Two Step Owl Punch (118074), 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch (118874), On Board Books Briefcase (118766), Poppy Parade Poly-Twill Ribbon (119263), Very Vanilla 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon (119960), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), Jewels Basic Rhinestones (119246)

Subscribe to the comments for this post

Petal Card Punch: Candy Favor Ideas

Need a fun idea for a quick party favor?  For a back-to-school lunch treat? For a Teacher Appreciation project?  Here’s a quick one that your kids can help assemble these cute gifts using the Stampin’ Up! Petal Card Punch.

Just follow the directions for assembling the little treat containers (they hold the ‘mini’ size candies, about 1″ square).  Then pair two of the treats and put them in a Small Cello Bag ().

The tag for this little project comes from the Perfect Punches stamp set and was punched out with the matching Curly Label Punch.

**TIP** To make the tag hand correctly on the ribbon, I actually tied the ribbon first, then added the tag to the ribbon end.  This way you can arrange the tag exactly where you want it.

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamps: Perfect Punches (117022 Wood Mount or 120516 Clear Mount), Upsy Daisy (111710)
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Pear Pizazz
Paper: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Petal Card Extra-Large Double Punch (119273), 1/16″ Circle Punch (101227), Curly Label Punch (119851), 1/2″ Circle Small Punch (119869), Pear Pizazz Poly-Twill Ribbon, Brights Brads

Subscribe to the comments for this post

Bold Birthdays: Poppy and Peach

Yum, who wouldn’t want a “Peach Parfait” birthday card?  Hmmm… maybe I shouldn’t type blog entries when I’m hungry!

The colors on this card are from the new In Color Collection–Poppy Parade and Peach Parfait. (click here if you missed my In Color Combo Sweet Sampler) And I accented the candle on the Birthday Block image with a Basic Jewel Rhinestone.

The Designer Series Paper Sunny Garden is the perfect complement for these colors, so I had to pull out my new package and make an extra decorating idea with it.  Have you seen the photo on page 175 in the catalog?  I made my own cute Designer Series Paper flags to match.  (gotta love that catalog inspiration!)

They’re done with the Pennant Bigz XL Die for the Big Shot. Very easy! (click here to see some other Pennant projects)

1. Cut two small triangles for each flag–one from Designer Paper and one from coordinating card stock.
2. Trim the scallops from the Designer Paper flag
3. Mount on a bamboo skewer with Tombow Multiadhesive (I love that stuff)
4. Add a coordinating Brights Button.
5. Stick in a washed out iced coffee bottle, then wrap with 1-1/4″ Old Olive Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!

Stamps: Birthday Block (118084), Printed Petals (116679 Wood Mount or 120444 Clear Mount)
Ink: Peach Parfait (119783), Poppy Parade (119782)
Paper: Sunny Garden Designer Series Paper (119831)
Accessories: 1-1/4″ Old Olive Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (115618), Poppy Parade 1/2″ Stitched Poly Ribbon (119263), Jewels Basic Rhinestones (119246)

Subscribe to the comments for this post

Because I Care: Watercolor Paper Technique

I’ve found myself using this Because I Care stamp set quite a bit lately (see some recent projects). I pulled it out once again to use at my Latest & Greatest Idea Blitz on Saturday, and everyone got to make this card with the new Marina Mist and Pacific Point colors.

For the hydrangea watercolor technique, we used the Stampin’ Up! Watercolor Paper.  The paper has a really nice rag feel that absorbs water and holds onto the colors for a really nice effect.

The two hydrangeas here are two different techniques.

For the one on the right, we spritzed the Watercolor Paper with water 1-2 times.  Then we used the Marina Mist Stampin’ Write Marker to color on the flower part of the stamp and the Wild Wasabi Marker to cover the stem, then stamped on the damp Watercolor Paper.

For the sample on the left, we spritzed the Watercolor Paper 3-4 times to get a really damp paper.  Then we colored and stamped to get a really diffused image without any definition.  After letting the paper dry for a minute or two, we inked the stamp again with the markers and stamped again right over the first image.  This adds the crisp image lines over the top of the soft color wash.

Finally, we added a piece of the Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper, tied a knot with the Basic Black 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon and touched a few places with the Moonlight Smooch Accent Ink.

If you haven’t seen the Smooch Accent Ink in person, you’re going to want to check it out!  Moonlight is a soft vanilla iridescent that’s fairly opaque.  The Top Coat in the catalog is a translucent iridescent that doesn’t cover up any of your color but rather just adds shine.

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Stamps: Because I Care
Ink: Marina Mist, Wild Wasabi, Pacific Point
Paper: Marina Mist, Pacific Point, Watercolor Paper, Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Smooch Accent Ink Moonlight, 1/8″ Black Taffeta Ribbon,

Subscribe to the comments for this post

Who’s Hooting Now? Two Step Owl Punch

Whether you like the whole bird motif or not, I think you’ll find it hard to resist this fabulous new Stampin’ Up! punch!!  Check out the new Two Step Owl Punch — it’s basically 6 punches for the price of one, which is not only a great deal, but also easy to store and super-convenient to use.

I think this is going to take a Video Tutorial to truly show the cool-factor, but for now you’ll have to settle for some pictures and tips.  (check my past Video Tutorials)

First of all, you need to see the actual punch to get an idea of how this works.

See how the little pieces of the Owl all fit together?  To use the punch you can either punch all the pieces in every color paper/card stock, or you can punch just the pieces you need.

For example, on the little Poppy Parade heart (see the sticky Jewels Basic Rhinestone?!), I stuck a little corner of Poppy Parade card stock into my punch and punched just the little heart piece.

Another favorite part of this On Board Briefcase mini album project is the 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle Extra Large punched from Peach Parfait card stock.

Were you wondering how I got that cool stamped design on the scallop punch piece?  Here’s my trick:

**TIP** To use the Homemade stamp as a border stamp, try Rocking & Rolling the stamp on your ink pad, rather than normal inking.  Check to be sure you ink the entire scallop and dot ring, plus a small amount of the center image, but don’t ink as far as the “homemade & to die for” sentiment.

This album is one of my July Stamp Club with Meg projects–we still have one session left in July–it’s Wednesday, July 12th.  Let me know if you’re in central Illinois and you’d like to join us!  You can see some other fun chipboard projects here, including another On Board Briefcase album here.

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Stamps: Homemade (116978), Itty Bitty Bits (117056 wood mount or 120060 clear mount), Printed Petals (116679 wood mount or 120444 clear mount)
Ink: Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait
Paper: Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper (117167), Chocolate Chip, Peach Parfait, Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Poppy Parade
Accessories: Two Step Owl Punch (118074), 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch (118874), On Board Books Briefcase (118766), Poppy Parade Poly-Twill Ribbon (119263), Very Vanilla 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon (119960), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), Jewels Basic Rhinestones (119246)

Subscribe to the comments for this post

Dyed Paper Daisies: Antique Brads meet Crochet Trim

Ready to play “how many new catalog items can you spot”?  Okay, here’s the picture, then cover up the list below to see what you can find!

How did you do?  I counted 4 new colors, plus 6 new products:

1. Colors: Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Pink Pirouette (for the flower…that one’s tricky)
2. Elegant Lines textured impressions Embossing Folder for the Big Shot
3. Victoria 5/8″ Crochet Trim
4. Paper Daisies (dyed with reinkers in Baja Breeze and Pink Pirouette using the directions in the catalog — on page 188, click here to get the pdf)
5. Basic Pearls (LOVE these!! they’re sticky on the backs!)
6. Antique Brads
7. Cute by the Inch stamp set (Hostess-exclusive, Level 2)

This is one of the projects we’re making this month at Stamp Club with Meg.  You can still attend on Wednesday, July 14th if you’re in central Illinois!

**HINT** To make the gathered Crochet Trim border, place a long strip of Sticky Strip on the River Rock card stock piece.  Press the Crochet Trim (I used 6″ of trim for a 4″ piece of cardstock) into the Sticky Strip, creating little ruffles as you go.

To Order Stampin’ Up! Products On-Line 24/7, CLICK HERE!
Stamps: Cute by the Inch (level 2 hostess stamp set)
Ink: Baja Breeze
Paper: Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, River Rock, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Elegant Lines Embossing Folder (119277), Big Shot Die Cut Machine, Paper Daisies (119243), Basic Pearls (119247), Antique Brads (117273)

Subscribe to the comments for this post