Baroque Baby

When I first saw the Baroque Motifs set, I didn't think I cared for it because it wasn't my usual style. I'm so glad I gave it a second chance though because I've really enjoyed playing with it. This is my latest card using the swirl stamp as my background. It is stamped in Whisper White craft ink on Pretty in Pink. (I've tried a few others, and I have to say Stampin' Up's white ink is the best that I've tried. I just hate waiting for craft ink to dry!) BABY was stamped with Headline Alphabet in Pretty in Pink, and the small sentiment is from Holidays & Wishes. It's a simple card, but I'm happy with the result.

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Holidays & Wishes, Headline Alphabet
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black
Ink: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black

Double Slider Card

(Card Closed)


I saw a great card today using this technique, so I had to try it out. The technique was fairly straightforward, was a lot of fun to make, and has impressive results (or at least I think so). Check out the tutorial on splitcoaststampers.

This card uses Heartfelt Thanks and the coordinating Watercolor Joy wheel from Stampin' Up. The inside slider was wheeled in Pretty in Pink, and the outside slider was stamped with the open flower, also in Pretty in Pink. The sentiments are from It's Your Birthday.

The sliders are created using the Word Window and 1/2 inch circle punches. I also used the Round Tab punch to create the opening at the top (to make it easier to pull out the slider). The tab was punched on both front and back.

(Card Open)


Card recipe
Stamps: Heartfelt Thanks, Watercolor Joy wheel, It's Your Birthday
Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Basic Black
Markers: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery
Punches: Word Window, 1/2 inch Circle, Round Tab, Ticket Corner
Accessories: Black Gingham Ribbon, Black Brads

Scrapbooking with Stamps

I started out stamping, so it was just natural for me to use stamps on my layouts when I started scrapbooking. I know others who keep the two totally separate, so I thought I'd share just a few ways you can use stamps in your scrapbook and ensure you get the most from your supplies!
(All example sets listed are Stampin' Up! Contact me for ordering information.)



Backgrounds
Create backgrounds with a single stamp or multiple stamps from a set or coordinating sets. Use colored ink on white or light cardstock for a bolder statement or Versamark or the same ink color as the cardstock for a muted background.
Example stamps/sets:
• Seeing Spots
• Sweet Shapes
• All Through the Year
• Polka Dots & Petals
• Big Pieces & Little Pieces
• Big Flowers & Little Flowers
• Any of the Stampin’ Around Wheels

Borders
Use a single stamp or multiple stamps from a set to create a border, either for the entire page or an individual element on the page (such as a photo mat).
Example stamps/set:
• All In a Row
• Happiness (cut out desired section for border)
• Sets listed under Backgrounds

Captions
Use sentiments for page titles, small captions or quotes or use individual images or small words or phrases under the frames in Hodge Podge Hardware to add dimension to the page.
Example sets:
• Happy Everything
• Define Your Life
• Warm Words
• Everyday Flexible Phrases

Letter Replacements
Use an image to replace a letter in a title or caption.
Examples:
• Hearts, stars, snowflakes and flowers to replace O’s
• Flower with a stem to replace I’s or L’s.

Monograms
Use Monogram stamps or a large individual letter to create a monogram for a page. Stamp directly on the page or cut out for added dimension. Stamp a small word on top of the monogram to convey the message of the page (ex: monogram F with friends or family).
Example stamps/sets:
• Monogram Letters
• Big Deal Alphabet
• Jumbo Outline Alphabet

Journaling
Add the who, what, when, and where to your page easily with stamps and a Stampin’ Write Marker or Journaler.
Example stamps/set:
• Stamp of Authenticity
• Office Accoutrement

Embellishments
Stamp single images from a set, cut out and adhere anywhere on your page. Group multiple images or add a brad or button for additional interest and dimension.
Example sets:
• Ginormous Flowers
• Pick a Petal
• Wild About You (substitute the giraffe for the L in WILD)

Theme Pages
Use stamp sets to create a theme for your page, layout or entire scrapbook.
• Ahoy Matey & Matey's Map Wheel
• Wanted, Bronc Buster, Starstruck & Bronco Wheel
• Office Accoutrement & Stamp of Authenticity

Thank You Spotlight

Another card using the In the Spotlight hostess set and Palette O' Prints designer paper from Stampin' Up. This patterned paper is so fun to use - I can't wait to see what other colors will be available in the new catalog.

The background paper was stamped at the same time as the Birthday Spotlight card. The red flower in the middle of the focal image was stamped directly onto the paper and then stamped again and cut out. I punched out the thank you stamp with the 3/4 inch circle punch. The punch isn't quite big enough for the whole stamped image, but it was enough for my purposes. I then adhered it to the flower, covered the flower with Crystal Effects, and added it to the card with a dimensional.

Card Recipe (All supplies Stampin' Up)

Stamps: In the Spotlight (available beginning July 1), Much Appreciated

Cardstock: So Saffron, Whisper White, Basic Black, Certainly Celery Palette O' Prints

Ink: Rose Red, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst, Basic Black

Birthday Spotlight

I signed up to be a demonstrator with Stampin' Up in May, so I received the new In the Spotlight hostess set with my starter kit. (This level 2 set will be available to hostesses beginning July 1.)

I love to make my own stamped backgrounds, so I know this set will be fun to play with. It's too bad it will only be available to hostesses for 6 months, but I'm sure Stampin' Up will have some great hostess sets in January also.

This quick birthday card was created using the colors from the May Palette O' Prints promotion.

Here's the card recipe. (All supplies Stampin' Up)

Stamps: In the Spotlight (available beginning July 1), It's Your Birthday

Cardstock: Rose Red, Whisper White, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Rose Red Palette O' Prints

Ink: Rose Red, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Almost Amethyst

Accesories: Black Gingham Ribbon

Jumping on the Bandwagon!

I decided on a whim to try this blogging thing. I love to read them, so I thought why not. I'm not sure what all I'll include at this point, but I'd love to share my stamping and scrapbooking creations. We'll see where it goes from there.

First off, let me introduce myself and how I decided on my blog name. Hi - my name is Carol, and I love to stamp and scrap! My husband says I'm addicted, and I'd probably have to agree with him! As for my blog name, I guess you could say it has a double meaning. Because I like to stamp so much, I thought stamping like crazy was appropriate. Also, one of my husband's nicknames for me is Crazy, so again, appropriate. (If you're wondering about the nickname, he gave it to me early on in our dating relationship. I learned a good lesson that day - you should always watch what you say to someone who will take it literally. In the course of conversation that day, I said "Call me crazy, but....", and the rest is history.)