August Stamping Project - Label It!

Every so often I need a reminder that stamping is more than just card making or scrapbooking. A friend gifted me a jar of homemade jam and later asked if I had the label stamps to go with a particular punch. I did not, but I could do one better!

For this project you will need:

• Stamps with a small pattern
• Label paper or plain paper or Whisper White cardstock
• Computer and printer
• Tear tape adhesive

These are rather loose guidelines. Sometimes I describe how to make something and other times I describe how to make it yours. Plus, there are lots of labelmaker programs out there.

If you have labels...

• Open Microsoft Word or visit Avery’s website, http://www.avery.com.
• Enter the label code and follow the instructions to create a sheet of labels. You may need to create an Avery account.
• Design a label with your chosen text such as “From me to you” or “From my kitchen to yours”. Make sure to leave some room at the edges to stamp.
• Print labels according to your printer's settings.

If you don’t have labels...

• Open Microsoft Word or visit Avery’s website, http://www.avery.com.
• Choose a label template that matches a punch that you have, such as a tag or a circle.
• Design a label that will fit within the space of the label template and ensure that you have left some space around the text to stamp around the words. For example, if you have a 2" circle punch, a 1-1.25" label design would work well.
• Make a test print on plain paper and see if the design fits the punch. This way, you won’t waste good cardstock. Make adjustments as necessary. When you are satisfied, print on Whisper White, Very Vanilla or plain paper.
• Punch out the labels.

Additionally, if you are handy with CorelDraw, Adobe PhotoShop or Adobe Illustrator, you can make a page of labels in those programs too. However you do it, your goal is to get a page of labels like this:

Punch them out! 

Get stamping! Choose stamps that have small designs and pick a contrasting or complimentary ink.

A current set that works well is Pattern Play and I also used the discontinued set Budding Borders.

Add some tear tape adhesive to the back and you're ready to go. Don’t forget you can add embellishments too like ribbon or string, especially if giving as a gift.

There you have it—a fun project that you can label your gifts with or make a gift for others. Did you know before that you can print on Stampin’s Up’s Whisper White or Very Vanilla cardstock? I have used both an inkjet and a laser printer with great results. See you in September!  

Stampin' Up! August-December Mini Catalogue is Here!

If it seems like nothing is on schedule this year--you're right! Stampin' Up! moved their annual fall catalogue to August from September. I have copies in hand if you would like one. Just contact me or shop with me to see what's new.

July Stamping Project - Welcome Baby Cards

TIme for the big reveal of July's stamping project--welcome baby cards! I never have enough of these on hand and I'll probably make a few more down the road. I picked Mint Macaron cardstock because it's gender neutral. All it wil take is a little extra colour to personalize it if the occasion calls for it. The one with the pink banner was sent off to our friends who welcomed a baby girl recently.

Fable Friends is discontinued but there are all sorts of cute stamps that can be used instead like Wildly Happy.

Sometimes it's easy to make all the cards the same, but I wanted each one to be different and try out some different ideas kicking around the ol' brain. Cinnamon Cider was the logical choice for inking the animals and I liked the contrast with Very Vanilla cardstock. A matching pencil crayon in the stash was perfect for their fur. Usually Crumbcake is my go to brown, but sometimes it can be too subtle. And speaking of subtle, I tried out some Soft Sea Foam for just a hint of colour on the base of two of the cards. 

One of the larger rectangles from the Ornate Layers dies had the vintage look that went with the rabbit and squirrel. Fable Friends always reminds me of Peter Rabbit :-)

Next, I used up some scrap pieces of Very Vanilla for the big hello on two cards. 

The big Hello is from another discontinued set, Hello Friend. Sometimes it's a puzzler as to how one can have SO MANY STAMPS and not have JUST THE RIGHT STAMP. LOL! Hello is perfect, anyhow, since everyone is eager to meet the new little person :-) The ink is Shaded Spruce.

I die cut a bunch of branches from the Birds and More set plus Forever Flourishing from Mint Macaron. Tone on tone can have a very pleasing look and is an effective way to add texture and layers to a card base.

I don't have anything that says Welcome Baby, so I had to handwrite it with a Cinnamon Cider Stampin' Write marker. Fortunately, I did have a congratulations stamp.

All these techniques were simple and fun to try out. I imagine I'll be doing them again for Christmas cards pretty soon! Until next time...

Sunday Sketch - July Stamping Project - Welcome Baby

Since I post my projects at the end of the month, I decided to share the sketch for them at the beginning of the month. Check back in a couple of weeks to see how the sketch becomes reality!

As you might have guessed, this is a new baby card. Surprisingly, I don't have anything in the stash that says welcome or new baby, so I'll have to improvise a bit. The stamps are from a discontinued set, Fable Friends. They're the closest new baby stamps I have.

By the way, it's July! That means it's time for BONUS DAYS!!!. Spend $60 CAD before taxes and shipping and receive a $6 coupon to spend in August. You'll want those coupons because the holiday catalogue is coming out in August instead of September this year. Oooooh!

Summer STAMP CAMP Online 2! July 25

The first time around was so much fun, so here's an encore LIVE presentation of Summer STAMP CAMP Online! Enjoy small group instruction from your own home. FREE to watch...but you can purchase a loot bag with supplies, kits and goodies for $45 (YYC pick up only).

Check out the shopping lists if you want to prep for the big day yourself!

> > > REGISTER NOW! < < <

> > > REGISTER NOW! < < <

Getting ready for the big day!

When I started planning the Summer STAMP CAMP back in January, I couldn't even BEGIN to imagine that it would be hosted online. I had a notebook full of a-m-a-z-i-n-g ideas and plans. I pictured everyone enjoying snacks, making friends and crafting the day away. I truly hope that day will be reality next year!

I'm putting the rest of my energy into finishing up all the details for Saturday. Stay tuned for photos and more. If you aren't able to come, you can still shop the stamp camp from afar!

It's here--the 2020-2021 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue!

Don't wait another minute--click on over to Stamin' Up's website to see the new In Colors and DSP and more! If you live in YYC, contact me for a paper catalogue.