Babies, Babies, Babies!

It seems that June/July is certainly the time for making baby cards.  Last year this time I had five cards I had to make.  This year five baby cards are needed again.  I'm excited for the many new little ones in my life! 

I'm also excited that I finally had time to make a card and try several new ideas.  I have been researching using colored pencils for some time.  I tried Copic markers and did not have the patience or skill to master it.  I admire my creative friend, Melanie, who always makes such beautiful Copic cards!  However, I am just not graced with the patience to figure it out.  I looked into colored pencils, which is much more economical as a bonus.  I have $30 into colored pencils and blenders.  I used cheap Walmart paint thinner to blend, which my husband had in the garage and couldn't remember when he used it last.  (So, that was FREE! lol)  Check out my board on Pinterest called 'Coloring' for loads of tutorials on Stampin' Up markers and colored pencils.

I used two retired Stampin' Up! Stamps plus the current "Itty Bitty Banner' stamp and framelits.  I hope you enjoy it half as much as I enjoyed creating it!

My Stampin' Up! order came in a day early, so I'm confident the other four cards will wait a day while I explore my new goodies from Stampin' Up! :)

Have a great day!

Operation Write Home Event-Next Event July 20th

Operation Write Home:

“Join us in our mission by handcrafting greeting cards for deployed heroes to write home on!”

 

We had a great turn out yesterday for the monthly Operation Write Home!  We celebrated Robyn's birthday and the kickoff of the new Stampin' Up! catalog as well.  We had ten guests in attendance and contributed over 100 cards to deployed troops!

The themes are pretty laid back in the summer, so our July theme is birthdays, miss you, love you, and thinking of you.

I’m hosting a FREE make-and-take workshop on July 20th to make cards for the troops while featuring Stampin’ Up! Products.  I create six cards to choose from, and we meet to assemble cards for deployed troops.  (A small donation of $1-5 is appreciated for shipping and material; it is not required, but appreciated.)  You can make a card to keep for yourself and as many as we have time to make for the troops.

What do you need to bring?

-Please RSVP for you or any friends so I can ensure I bring enough card kits!

-Yourself and be ready for fun!!

If you have crafting tools, please bring the following:

-scissors

-wet glue-no glue sticks, please

-tape

-glue dots

-3D foam adhesive

-tweezers

-bone folder

It is a “bring your own food/drink” event.  We are usually too busy crafting to stop and eat.

We hope you can join us!  If you have any questions, please let me know!

Thanks!

Missy Jackson, Stampin’ Up! Representative

http://operationwritehome.org/

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/missyjackson/

A Day of Crafting! 6/22/13

“The New Catalog/Idea Book is Here!”
Open House 11:00-2:00
&/or
Cards for Deployed Troops: 2:00-4:00

When: Saturday, June 22nd
Time: Option 1 and/or 2~or make it a crafting day and stay all day!
o New Catalog Kickoff: drop by anytime from 11:00-2:00-make a bag & tag or a card
o Cards for Deployed Troops: 2:00-4:00

Where: Camden County Library

Event Option 1: New Stampin’ Up! Catalog/Idea Book: new stamp sets, samples and accessories!
Prizes, Prizes, Prizes:
1) RSVP & Attend: 1 free item
2) Bring a friend who didn’t receive invitation: 1 free item
3) Schedule a workshop/party:1 free item
4) Place an order: receive a free catalog/idea book
5) Additional Ordering Bonus: free shipping for orders placed at the open house party (stamp camp members are not eligible for free shipping)
6) Join the monthly stamp camp and earn additional discounts! (Ask demonstrator for details)

Event Option 2: Cards for Deployed Troops: 2:00-4:00
Operation Write Home: “Join us in our mission by handcrafting greeting cards for deployed heroes to write home on!”

I’m hosting a FREE make-and-take workshop to make cards for the troops while featuring Stampin’ Up! Products. (A $2 donation is appreciated for shipping and material. If you’re interested in purchasing Stampin’ Up! Products, great, but there is no obligation to do order! I’m combining a good cause, good time, and my Stampin’ Up! tools.)

What do you need to bring?o Please RSVP for you and/or any friends so I can ensure I bring enough materials!
o You’re welcome to ‘make it a crafting day’. Bring your supplies/materials and feel free to use Stampin’ Up! tools to work on your own projects.

Melissa Jackson
Stampin’ Up! Representative
573-216-9664 or misyra@gmail.com
http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/missyjackson/

Creating Banners

Creating Banners: Simple Tips to Creating Even V-Notches in Banners



Banner-Stampin' Up! "Go Confidently"

 

Hearts a Flutter-Stampin' Up!

Banner-Stampin' Up! "Open Sea"



Creating banners has always been hard for me.  I could never figure out how to get them exactly even.  So,even though I love banners, I never used them until recently.  This blog is going to share some 'creating banners' options for you to use to create banners of all lengths and sizes. While I'll share methods that use Stampin' Up! tools, I will also be sharing methods you can use with no special tools as well.

Option 1: This method only requires a ruler, pen, and scissors. 

1. Cut your paper the width and length you desire.
2. Decide how far you want your v-notch to go up.
3. Use a ruler to draw a line across the width where you want the v-notch cut to go.
4. Find the middle of the width.  Using a ruler, draw a line down the length of the middle of the paper.  This should give you a line down the length and width as seen in the picture.
5. Using a steady hand and scissors, cut from the left bottom corner to where the lines intersect.
6. Complete the same step from the right bottom corner to where the lines meet. You should have an even banner. 

Option 2:  This requires a square punch.  (I used Stampin' Up! 1 3/8.)

1. Cut a square from a piece of paper.  (I used my Stampin' Up! Grid paper)
2. Use that square to line up where you want to cut your v-notch.
3. From this point, you can cut it by hand OR tape it lightly with double-sided tape and use the square punch to cut your v-notch.

Use the square or a previously
cut piece as a form to cut.
Apply with double-sided tape.



Insert from the side.



Line up with the edge and punch.

I keep the triangle and write the measurement of the width so I now have one to use each time I use that width measurement.  (Length does not matter with the v-notch measurement.)  I have labled an envelope "banner forms" and put each form I create inside it for future use.

Some people are able to use the square punch without creating a form.  I had problems getting it even with the corner without a measurement to use.  If you can just slide the paper inside the square and line it up.  

Option 3: Hearts a Flutter from Stampin' Up!  (But you're limited with the length of the framelit.)

Option 4: Cricut Cutting: The "Baby Shower Catridge" is full of banners.  I'm sure there are several banner  cartridges. This is especially helpful if you need multiple banners of the same size.

I hope you enjoyed these simple methods that will allow you to make all size banners consistently.

For questions, contact me! misyra@gmail.com

Happy Crafting!  

Cards for Deployed Troops Events

Next Cards for Deployed Troops: May 4th at Camden Count Library 1-4:00 p.m.

April's Cards for Deployed Troops-Sample of 100 cards sent!

Yesterday six of us met to make cards for troops.  Several people brought cards they had already created at home. This is a small sampling of the cards made.  Thank you to everyone who made cards at home and at our Cards to Troops event!  Together with what we made at home and the event, we will be shipping 100 cards to deployed troops. :) 

Due to everyone's obligations, the only week that we can get together for Cards for Troops in May is May 4th at the Camdent County Library 1-4:00pm.  Their next theme is Fourth of July cards due by May 30th. I will create six cards to choose from for the event. (A small donation is appreciated for shipping and material. $1-$5, if you choose to donate; it is not required!) You can make a card for yourself if you attend and as many as we have time to make for the troops.

-Please RSVP for you or any friends so I can ensure I bring enough card kits!

What do you need to bring?
-If you have crafting tools, please bring the following:
·         Scissors
·         Wet Glue--no glue sticks
·         Tape Runner
·         Glue Dots
·         3D Foam Adhesive
·         Tweezers
·         Bone Folder

It is a "bring your own food/drink" event. We are usually so busy crafting we don't eat. :)
http://operationwritehome.org/

Hope to see you there!

Missy

The Open Sea aka my new "Laker Set"

 

Happy April Fool's Day!  Have you fooled anyone today?

Instead of April Foolin', I have been card craftin' instead.  I, excitedly, purchased this new stamp set from Stampin' Up! called, "The Open Sea".  Since our school's theme/mascot is "Lakers", I plan to use this set to create boxed card sets of 4-6 cards to give as gifts.  I also plan on using it to create Father's day cards as well.  As part of a Stampin' Up! Representative Swap, I made my first card today, and I'm anxious to share it.  When I make my first box set, I'll share directions and pictures for how to create it as well.

 

Card Recipe: Made with all Stampin' Up! Materials

 

Ink P. 155:

• Crumb Cake
• Cherry Cobbler
• Midnight Muse

Linen Thread P. 173
Framelits-Oval Collection (Spring Catalog p. 4) 

P. 156 Paper:

• Designer Series Paper Patterns Stack in Color 2012-2014
• Crumb Cake
• Cherry Cobbler
• Midnight Muse

 Stamps:

• The Open Sea p. 104
• Delightful Dozen p. 140

I started by looking at other samples on the board I've created for masculine cards on Pinterest.  I combined some ideas with a pattern I had in mind and an idea.  After deciding what colors I wanted each layer to be, I cut my paper.

 

• Card base: Crumb Cake cut a 8 1/2 X 11 in half at 5 1/2.  Then I scored it at 4 1/4 to make my card.
• First layer: Midnight Muse-two lines before 5 1/2 and two lines before 4 1/4
• Second layer: Crumb Cake-5 1/4 and 4

 

Next I cut three strips for my banners.

 

• Designer Paper-Midnight Muse polka dots 1.5 width-4 length
• Cherry Cobbler 1.5 width-3.5 length
• Designer Paper-Midnight Muse words 1.5 width-5 length

I placed the polka dot banner first at the edge I wanted.  Next, I placed the words banner on the other side where I wanted.  Then I centered the red banner between and on top of the two. On the center banner, I used the compass stamp to add something to the plain red. 

I couldn't decide on my oval for my ship.  I couldn't decide whether to layer it and use the paper piercing.  I also couldn't decide whether to leave the background blank or not.  Here were the choices.   I used a stamped background without the layered oval. 

 

Plan Background



Stamped Background with no oval background



   

  

Oval background stamped

The stamped images behind the ship and on the card base were created by stamping on a paper first and then the card.  This made it appear as a lighter watermark image. I used the 'captain's log' and the globe on the crumb cake top layer as watermarks.

I also inked the edges on the oval with crumb cake.  I cut my anchor by hand, which was easier than it looked.  I punched a small hole in the anchor and oval to tie the anchor to the corner. I placed three strands of linen behind the oval.  I attached the ship and anchor with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Lastly, I used Cherry Cobbler to stamp "Happy Father's Day" in the lower left corner.

If I had to do it again, I would ink the edges of the Crumb Cake layer as well.  Also, I did not cut my banners very even.  I have a great, easy method to cut them, which I did not use because I was playing around and thought I'd recut before I put it together. 

Happy crafting!

Missy Jackson, Stampin' Up Representative

Basic Hand Crafted Cards Notes:
(prices current as of 3/2013)

Paper:

• Wal-Mart: $5.00 for 30 sheets (.16 sheet)
• Brazilla: $0.50-$1.00 a sheet
• JoAnn's by the sheet-Core'dinations: $0.69-$1.15 a sheet
• JoAnn's package-Core’ dinations: $3.50 for 20 sheets (.17 sheet) **Great quality
• Stampin’ Up!: $6.95 for 24 sheets (.28 sheet) **Great quality
• Die Cuts with View: $19.95 (.34 sheet)

Ink: 

• Memento $6-9 (store upside down)
• Wal-Mart/JoAnn’s $1(store upside down)
• Stampin’ Up! $5.95--refills $2.95
• Archival Ink $6-9 (store upside down)
• StazOn Ink $6-9 (store upside down)

Stamping:

• Wood blocks
• Clear - Photopolymer
• Basic technique
• Stamp-ma-jig
• Markers

Cleaning Stamps:

• Wipes
• Spray and clean

Measurement & Layers:

• Measurements:

• A2: 4.25 in. X 5.5 in.
• Cut 8 ½ X 11 in two-cut at 5.5-score at 4.25
• A7: 5 in. X 7 in.
• Cut 10 X 7-score at 5
• Layers:
• Two lines before each measurement
• Example-A2
• 1st layer: two lines before 4.25 and 5.5
• 2nd layer two lines before above measurement

Adhesives:

• Double-sided tape
• Tape guns
• Tape rollers
• Glue
• Gel glue
• Glue sticks
• Foam squares
• Stampin’ Up! Page 177

 Tools:

• Punches
• Cricut
• Big shot
• Corner rounder
• Ruler
• Scissors
• Bone folder
• Tweezers
• Paper trimmer
• Framelits
• Embossing folders
• Dies

Inside of the Card:

• Stamp and write
• Print quote or poem, etc.
• Stamp in corners
• Write your message

 Envelopes:

• Purchase
• Make your own
• Line the inside

 Ribbon:

• Bows by hand
• Bows with a Fork
• Costs
• Knots
• Baker's twine

Embellishments:

• Flowers
• Buttons
• Glitter
• Spray
• Pearls
• Rhinestone
• Edges: round or decorative punches

Embossing:

• Dry: folders
• Wet: embossing powder

Inking:

• Inking edges activity:
• Swiping
• Pouncing
• Sponge dauber
• Marker rub

Idea Resources:

• Pinterest
• http://pinterest.com/missyjackson/
• Facebook: Lake Area Crafters
• Follow patterns

 

Questions & Contact

Missy Jackson: misyra@gmail.com

 

Crafting with a purpose!

Operation Write Home

 

 

Last August 2012, our local crafting group, previously referred to as Crafty Girlz, started participating in an organization called Operation Write Home.

 

Operation Write Home's mission is to provide handcrafted greeting cards for deployed heroes to write home on!

Since then, we have set up a monthly "Cards for Troops" event in Camdenton, Missouri.  OWH has a theme each month, I create six cards to choose from, and we meet to create cards for deployed troops.

 

I host a FREE make-and-take workshop to make cards for the troops while featuring Stampin’ Up! Products.  (A small donation is appreciated for shipping and material. $2-$5, if you can-not required!) You can make a card for yourself if you attend and as many as we have time to make for the troops.  

What do you need to bring?

• Please RSVP for you/your friends so I can ensure I bring enough supplies! misyra@gmail.com
• Bring any food or drink you want.  We've tried providing it in the past, and it rarely gets eaten because we're too busy crafting up a good time!
• Yourself and be ready for fun!!
• If you have crafting tools, please bring the following:
• Scissors
• Wet Glue--no glue sticks
• Tape Runner
• Glue Dots
• 3D Foam Adhesive
• Tweezers
• Bone Folder

Hope to see you at our next event!

Follow Lake Area Crafters on facebook to keep track of our local crafting events.