Carrie Stamps

Dress it down day

Welcome Stampin' Friends! 

Wednesday means Stampin' Royalty Challenge Day!!!

Of all the challenges I have done with Stampin' Royalty, this was the most challenging!  

This week's challenge was to DRESS DOWN (NO EMBELLISHMENTS)!

WHAT?!?  How do you do that?  Ribbon?, NO, Buttons?, NO, GLITTER?, NO, Brads?, NO.  MERCY!  

So, I gave it my best shot and I have to say I am not in love with this card, I really want to redo it, please can I try again, I know I can do better!  But, I feel I must share my creation, so when you have a time that you make something that you do not love, you will know, it happens to us all!  What have I learned from this experience, I CAN NOT LIVE WITH OUT EMBELLISHMENTS!  I think just the mere thought of it cramped my creativity! So, with out any further whinning, here is my embellishment free card...

If you are able to look at my card with out cringing, please let me know, it would really help my ego today!

If you want to see how my fellow designers faired with this challenge (all better than me) click over to Stampin' Royalty, plus you could play along and show me how to make a card with out embellishments.  I am sure it can be done, just, not by me.

 

 

2 tutorials 2 end February!

Welcome Stampin' Friends!

Once again it has been a thrill to be a part of Craft Project Central for the month of Febraury!  What talent these ladies present!  Today, I have the final 2 projects for February's subscription to show you.  

The first project is so SWEET! This ensemble was designed by Regina Andari.  

Here's what Regina tells us about her project: Using Stampin’ Up!’s Sweet Shop Designer Series Paper and Designer Stickers, create this set of sweet note cards and a box designed to look like a Sweet Shop, complete with a striped awning, to hold them.  This ensemble will look nice on a desk and the handy note cards will be ready to include with a special gift!

How about a little something fun for St. Patrick's Day!!! This adorable leprechan was created by non other than Kim Score!  Her punch creations never fail to WOW!!! 

Here is what Kim tells us about her creation: St. Patrick’s Day is less than a month away and this happy little leprechaun wants to share his pot of gold!  This cute project with a punch art card is perfectly paired with a little Pot O’ Gold!  Fill it with foil wrapped chocolates for a special st. Patty’s Day gift! Celebrate the holiday or give as a good luck treat!

I know I said 2 tutorials, but it just so happens, each month at Craft Project Central there is a BONUS Project!  

This month's Bonus Project was designed by Julie Beltramo, it's one I am going to try!!!

Tell us about your creation Julie...Do you love and want to craft with fabric, but you don’t sew?  Well then, this is the project for you!  You can make this Tea Towel with LOVE for your mom, or change up the colors and the words and give someone a special springtime gift.  How about LUCK for a St. Patrick’s Day gift or SPRING for an Easter gift?  If you’ve got an iron, you can make up a bunch of these as they are quick and inexpensive!

To get the tutorials for these and 8 other fabulous projects, including my Meal Planner, susbscribe to February at Craft Project Central! 

And now to annouce the winner of a free subscription to February's tutorials! 

My winner for this month is Cheryl Pierce!!!

Congrats Cheryl, be on the look out for an email from me!

Stampin' Royalty Challenge #112

Welcome Stampin' Friends! 

This week's challenge at Stampin' Royalty is a color challenge! 

Some fun and bright colors!  The blog moderator is my friend and downline and she told me she picked these colors after seeing something that was elegant and victorian. Well, before that I was going a completely different way with my project.  But it got me to thinking that it would look great with the Apothecary Art stamp set (#125527), which I seem to have fallen in love with!  I had not yet used it with my favorite embossing folder, Vintage Wallpaper and thought this was the time to do it!  There is another reason for my obsession with all thing vintage and pretty... Downton Abbey!!!  Have you seen it?  It is the best television I have watched since Anne of Green Gables appeared on PBS.  You really must watch it if you have not!  So, without wasting any more of you precious time... here is my card...

To give this card a very vintage feel, I rubbed my embossed vintage wall paper (#120175) card front with my Whisper White stamp pad. Then I spritzed it using my Color Spritzer(#107066) and Daffodil Delight marker (#119677). 

Be sure to check out the lovely creations made by my fellow Stampin' Goddessess over at Stampin' Royalty.

 

My Meal Planner!

Welcome Stampin' Friends!

I am so excited to show you the project that I created this month for Craft Project Central.  It is something I had been wanting to make for a long time and I now use it everyday! 

It is a Meal Planner set. 

The black framed piece is the menu.  It is labeled, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner across the top, with the days of the week going down the side.  It is under glass, so you can easily write on it with a dry erase marker, which I velcro-ed to the frame.  

The second piece is for taking notes.  Each rectangle is labeled with the name of a store I shop frequently and through out the week when I realize I need something I jot it down here.  I got it laminated so it is also easy to write on with the dry erase marker. 

Lastly, I created a shopping list.  I took it to a office supply store and had it made into a tablet, so when I am ready to go to the store, I simply tear one off.  I created this shopping list so that it is broken down into categories and put them in the order in which I shop, according to the layout at the grocery store.  This makes my shopping trip much more efficient! 

All of these pieces were created using My Digital Studio.  If you would like the tutorial, click over to Craft Project Central now.  Subscribe to February and you will get this tutorial along with 9 others, as well as a Bonus Project! It is a great deal at just $10! 

Here is another one of the tutorials you will get this month. The Everyday Enchanted Purse and Cards by Glenda Calkins.

You’re going to love this purse and four matching cards with envelopes made with the new Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper and the Fresh Vintage stamp set.  The new Adorning Accents embossing folders and the Adorning Accents Edgelits dies give this project an elegant look especially when used with the Labels Collection Framelits die.
 

This is the time when I get to give away one free subscription to February's tutorials at Craft Project Central!!!  All you need to do to win is leave me a comment here.  I will draw out a winner on Monday, the 27th! 

Sketch Challenge #111

Welcome Stampin' Friends!

It is Stampin' Royalty Day! This week's challenge is a sketch challenge, one of my faves! 

I thought this was a really fun one! I decided to pull out my fun Sale-A-Bration stamps, paper and ribbon! 

I used the Fresh Vintage Stamp set (#125117), the Everyday Enchantment Designer Paper (#126154) and the 1/8" Organdy Ribbon in Calypso Coral (#127279).  All of these fabulous items you can get for free with a Sale-A-Bration order! 

Now click over to Stampin' Royalty and see what my fellow Stampin' Royalty Goddessess have done with this sketch.  Their creations never cease to inspire me! 

My homemade valentines

Welcome Stampin' Friends and Happy Valentines Day!!! 

I have a bunch of fun Valentine's Day craftin' to share with you today!!!  

If you have ever read my blog before you might know that I am can not go very long with out making a flowered headband!!!  This one is very simple...

1.  Tear a length of Twitterpated Designer Fabric (#125412) fabric, 27" or longer if desired.  

2.  On the cut edge, do a running stitch. 

3.  You will not need to pull the thread very tight at all, only slightly. 

4.  Hot glue the fabric to a felt circle, staring on the outside of the circle working your way to the middle, going round and round till you get the end of the fabric and the center of the felt circle.

5.  Add a felt heart and button with hot glue as well. 

My girls love these and have worn them several times, when you have girls, you can wear a pink head band almost everyday! 

I spent some quality time in my stamp room, I needed some serious stampin' therapy, and made some valentine cards for my girls!!!  Here is the card I made for Hannah.  She is my youngest and has a thing for owls (see her Owl Birthday Party HERE and the Stuffed Owls that started it all). 

It just came to me, to make a owl sitting in a tree and the saying would be "Owl always love you".  The tree is hand drawn, stamped with the Woodgrain Background stamp (#117100 ) and sponged. 

I dressed up my owl (#118074) with theDotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (#119275).  I printed my saying on theCurly Label Punch (#119851). 

My second valentine card I made for my seven year old daughter, Samantha.  When ever she makes me a card, she wants to put a little of everything on her card, so I took that as my inspiration.  I wanted it to be very girly, frilly and pretty. 

It's so pretty, I love it.  Felt, buttons, scrunchie flowers, baker's twine, rhinestones, pearls, crocheted flowers, designer paper, ruffled ribbon and a heart!  MERCY! 

And we can not forget my hubby!!! 

Crumb Cake and Real Red, perfect Valentines color combo!  And it works great for a masculine Valentine card.    I was able to cut some light weight chipboard I saved with my Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Sizzlits Dies (#115951).  I had a fun time playing with my new Heart Framelits (#125599), Edgelits (#125595) and Adorning Accentes Embossing Folders (#125601)!!! 

This next card was inspired by a Pinterest find and is a card that I demonstrated at the Stampadelicious group meeting last month. I love the ribbon behind the heart, which I die cut using the Hearts Collection Framelits (#125599). 

Last but not least is a simple felt banner, again inspired by a Pinterest find. 

The letters were die cut with the Serif Essentials Alphabet die.  I then stitched the letters to the heart right down the middle and then stitched the next heart, creating a chain. I call it my "heartfelt banner".

Thanks for sharing a bit of my Valentines Day with me!!!  And, just in case you missed my FREE VALENTINES GIFT for my blog readers, check it out before today is over!

 

3 Tutorials!

Welcome Stampin' Friends!

I have a sneak peek at three of this month's tutorials at Craft Project Central!  Check out these FUN ideas!

These cute Cork Coasters and matching card where created by Laurie Zoellmer. 

Here is what Laurie has to say about her tutorial for these coordinating projects: "This project makes a fun and useful housewarming or hostess gift.  Pair it up with the coordinating note card and you’re set!  With all of the gorgeous Designer Series Papers from Stampin’ Up!, the possibilities are endless!!"

Next up is this beautiful vintage Faux Card Book designed by Monika Davis.

This pretty-vintage greeting card has a Faux Book look that will wow the recipient whether they’re a book lover or not!  The compartment inside is deep enough for a gift card (how about a Borders gift card), or any other small treat!

Third up is Amanda Corbet who designed this Year of Cards Gift Box set, amazing! 

Amanda tells us more about this project..."Do you have too many birthdays and occasions to remember?  Or, do you know someone who would love to receive a years worth of occasion cards?  This beautiful and sturdy gift box contains six portfolios with a pocket for each month of the year.  On each month’s pocket there is a tag where you can write names, dates, and occasions for that month to help you remember all of those special dates and occasions!  Each pocket in the portfolio will hold five to six A2 size cards and envelopes depending on how bulky the cards are.  That means that this beautiful gift box can hold 60 – 72 cards and envelopes!"

If you would like the tutorials to make these three truely awesome projects, visit Craft Project Central and subscribe to February's tutorials.  You will get 10 tutorials for just $10, plus an additional BONUS tutorial!  

Valentine Tutorials!

Welcome Stampin' Friends!

I have a peak of two awesome Valentine Tutorials to show you. You can get the full tutorials for both of these at Craft Project Central.  Just subscribe to February and you can make these in time for the 14th! 

First up is Chris Galbraith's project, A Valentine Gift Box with Earrings and matching Card. 

Chris tells us about her creation, "This pretty heart box has a special pair of earrings hidden inside. You can create them with Stampin’ Up! brads in just s few minutes! Not only is this a great gift for Valentine’s Day, but it would be wonderful for Mother’s Day, birthdays, and so much more! It would makes a great class or club project too!"

Next up is  Holley Sullivan who created this Valentine Mailbox & Cards, another Lovely idea for a special Valentine.  This is Holley's first month with the Craft Project Central design team, didn't she do a great job!

This Valentine Ensemble would be a great gift for a teacher or any sweet Valentine on your list!  This cute little paper Mailbox can hold these darling 3" x3" Note Cards or chocolate treats for the kids!  The Do Not Disturb door hanger has a pocket to hold mints or any other small treat!  Once you have the templates you can easily recreate this project for any theme or occasion.  Makes a great WOW project for workshops, classes and Stamp Camps!

There are more tutorials to come for February at Craft Project Central, 11 in all!!! You can have all of them with your subscription to Febraury for just $10!  Click here to get started! 

Hanging Heart Treat Box and Card

Welcome Stampin' Friends!  

I am lucky enough to be apart of the design team again for February at Craft Project Central.  Each month Craft Project Central brings you 10 projects that each have a full color tutorial, plus one bonus project!!!  You can subscribe to only the months you want at a GREAT price.  One month is only $10, that's less than a dollar per tutorial!  

So, this month I will be sharing with you a sneek peak at each of the tutorials!  First up is Heidi King, who designed this Hanging Heart Treat Box and coordinating Valentines Card.  

Heidi tells us a little about her project: "Here’s a great Valentine Heart Treat Holder filled with decorated Hershey’s Kisses and a pretty coordinating card.  You only have two weeks to get your Valentines projects done and this is a fun one to try!  It’s also a great class or club project!"

Visit Craft Project Central to subscribe to February, you will get this tutorial now and each week a few more of this month's tutorials will be posted, you will get access to them all!!!  

GET YOUR FREE TRAIL OF MY DIGITAL STUDIO NOW!

Valentine Subway Art

Welcome Stampin' Friends!

The challenge this week at Stampin' Royalty is ...

VALENTINE'S DAY - It's all about LOVE!

There was one thing I wanted to share when I got this theme for this week!  And that is the Valentine Subway Art I made using My Digital Studio(#118108 - click here to find out more about a free trail)!  My first try with making subway art using My Digital Studio was on my 2012 calendar, I made a little piece on my July page.  I loved it!!!  So, I thought I would take it a step further and make a piece I could print and frame!  

It is really easy to make, it just takes some time.  I used a combination of Stamp Brush sets and text with fun fonts I downloaded for free from the internet.  If you have never done this, just google "free fonts" and you will be busy for hours!  The colors I used are; Melon Mambo, Pink Passion, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink and Chocolate Chip.  I had a blast making it and plan to make several more for different holidays and family birthdays!  Here's an upclose look...

Would you like to have your own Valentines Subway Art?  Just click the link below and it is yours FOR FREE!  My valentine gift to all my blog followers! 

 

Click here to download your FREE Valentine Subway Art!

AND!!! Click here to download your FREE Trial of My Digital Studio!!!

There is more Valentine/Love fun to be seen, click over to Stampin' Royalty and see what the other Stampin' Goddessess have created for this challenge.  And why don't you play along with us!  You can get all the details at Stampin' Royalty.