Card Making and Rubber Stamps

[jenji]

I have been making some simple cards for friends and family lately and am growing my stash of card stock and embellishments.
I am thinking of adding some rubber stamps to my box of tricks for card making. any suggestions with some basics to start with?

recommendations for places to get them, brands etc?
I'd be happy to hear about your experiences and suggestions

[txssenorita]

I love all of MM's foam stamps. Especially some of the new ones. I think sentiment stamps are important. I have several Thank you's, Congratulations, Happy Anniversary. Geometric shapes, outlines and filled. Joanns has them 40% off right now.
http://www.apeekintoyesterday.com/acatalog/MMem-26092.jpg
http://www.apeekintoyesterday.com/acatalog/MMem-26093.jpg
http://www.jordanpaperarts.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/104/paint/floralseta.jpg
http://www.jordanpaperarts.com/Merchant2/graphics/00000001/104/paint/Making-Memories-Foam-Stamps-Florals-Dingbats.jpg

[Happy1]

Oh boy-you'll be out of control before you know it.:p What started out as a small box of stamps turned into 75% of our entertainment room in our house.;)

I would also definitely suggest the wordings and a few phrases like "Hoping this day is bright" or "Thinking of you on this special day". They're pretty interchangeable for anything.

I'm a Stampin' Up girl myself but I tend to get a lot of the sayings from craft stores like Joann Fabric's, Hobby Lobby or Michael's. I have noticed Stampin' Up has been bringing more sayings into their stamp sets though.

The stamps that I really like using are ones I got from The Angel Company. I mounted them on a static backing. Then I got some clear blocks. You can put the stamps on the blocks and take them off repeatedly. The clear blocks make it easier to see exactly where you're stamping. This is obviously not a necessity but something you may want to consider somewhere down the line.

Nikki :D

[camberne]

I'm a Stampin' Up! girl too! I love their stamps and I love that all the inks/papers match perfectly. Makes it SO nice when making my cards. I'll buy stamps and stuff from Michael's or AC Moore if I see something that I like, and punches and stuff (like my embossing heat tool) which is cheaper and just as good as what they sell.

Happy1 - my formal dining room has turned into Stamping Central. I'm trying to get it under control an into a more appropriate spot. :o

[jenji]

ooh thanks for all the great info. I have a friend who had a Stampin' Up party Friday and I wanted to place an order... just trying to figure out what I should start with. SO MANY decisions!

[Happy1]

Glad we could help. Another tip-if you find yourself ordering a lot of stamps from one company, it's so worth it to get their catalogue (most of the companies show pics of sample cards in there as well so even paying $5-$10 is worth it). Then you can highlight the sets you already have, mark the pages of stamps you want and you'll always have a reference tool. They come out with new books every year but it's still worth it to get one.;)

camberne I'm glad I'm not the only one that has issues with room for my stamping stuff.:p And to think that it took me years of my mom trying to get me to at least try it and just 1 Stampin' Up party that my friend had to get me hooked.

Nikki :D

[isign]

Happy1 - my formal dining room has turned into Stamping Central. I'm trying to get it under control an into a more appropriate spot

Me too. We just bought a nice dining room table so our old one went to our bedroom for me to use. I just haven't gotten it organized yet, so guess where I did my latest project? DH wasn't happy went he came home and saw red embossing powder on our black table :)

[camberne]

Originally posted by happy1:
Then you can highlight the sets you already have, mark the pages of stamps you want and you'll always have a reference tool.OMG, I'm not the only neurotic one!! I have the ones I already have highlighted in orange, the ones I need (want) highlighted in yellow. I also have a spreadsheet of which colors I have in which inks and which ones I have refills for.

I have a workshop tonight. :) I can't afford anything this month, so I've limited myself to just some of the new neutral paper. Must.not.use.credit.card.

[it's a bug]

I'm a rubber stamping addict...I can't buy a card from the store...*gasp* That would defeat the purpose of being "crafty"! And to spend upwards of $3 when I can make something at home for so much less... :D

[isign]

Who's making cards for Christmas and what are you going to make?

[Chimichanga]

One tip I've found helpful with my crafts (scraping and stamping) - you don't have to buy everything at once. :)

I recently bought my Christmas stamps and that was it. There were TONS of stuff I really liked, but realistically all I needed were those.

Also - go to parties. Go to get togethers with other stampers and use their stuff! Most of the time people are happy to let you borrow their stuff as long as you return it in a good condition. I have a friend who has just about every cutter imaginable for scrapping. We get together all the time and I use her stuff (and she uses mine). It doubles your supplies without the cash!

[jenji]

Jen - that's a great idea. I only know 2 other people who do stamping/cardmaking/scrapbooking, and they're both moving away soon, but I bet I could find some if I looked hard enough

[Chimichanga]

Stamping is becoming pretty popular. I'm willing to be a local craft store would have a stamping class. Sign up and check out what the instructor and other members have.

I did that for scrapping once. We got to use any machine in the store we wanted - so long as we didn't mess it up. My friend and I used the die cut machine almost the entire time. We made all of these die cuts - and we're still using them 4 years later. ;) We used absolutely every die cut they had and we're using them as guides so we can continue to use them.

[camberne]

Originally posted by isign:
Who's making cards for Christmas and what are you going to make?I've already designed and made my cards for this year. They're what I call "simple, yet elegant". As soon as I can get the picture of it on a hosting site, I'll post it. It's stamped and embossed... I love embossing!!

[isign]

I love embossing. I used it for my brothers grad thank you notes, and decided I need to use it more often :) I think I've figured out what I'm going to do already, I just need the paper and I'm good to go :)

[txssenorita]

I love anything related to scrapping and stamping. I did some embossing for our wedding. I think dry embossing is fun too! I haven't done it in a while, but I think I just might do that for the next card I make.

Here is the card I made for our 3rd anniversary for DH.

http://images.snapfish.com/3445478323232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2326%3D5%3A%3B%3D%3B 97%3DXROQDF%3E23239877575%3B%3Aot1lsi
I also just finished 300 invites/postcard rsvp/reception cards for a friends wedding.

http://images.snapfish.com/3445478323232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2326%3D5%3A%3B%3D%3B 97%3DXROQDF%3E23239877575%3C2ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/3445478323232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2326%3D5%3A%3B%3D%3B97 %3DXROQDF%3E232398775%3A5%3C5ot1lsi
I laserjet printed on bazzil. The scan looks funky, but they turned out nice IRL. She wanted simple and cheap. :D

[Happy1]

txs I love the card you made for your anniversary and the invites you're doing for your friend's wedding.


As for Christmas cards I finally came up with a design last night. I make and send over 100 so it had to be something simple yet cost-effective and elegant looking. I'll post a pic when I can. It's basically a plain, light green background. In the center there is an olive green tiny Christmas tree (used silver glitter glue to make the star shine on the top of the tree). Under the white is a square of maroon just enough to make a thin border for the white square the tree is on. Around the edges of the large, light green square is a sheer burgandy ribbon to give it a little extra something.

Nikki :D

[it's a bug]

Who's making cards for Christmas and what are you going to make?

As much as I love the idea of making one card style...I get kind of bored and start being inventive with my designs. I use different colored cards and the same stamp. Then I go to town making a few different designs. Here's what I did this last year (although most of them didn't get sent out...something about being too busy at work last year...) :o

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce93402c7f65c600000016108BYsWbhuzae

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce93402c9f652600000015108BYsWbhuzae

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d907b3127cce93402ccee44700000016108BYsWbhuzae

See basically the same variation on the theme...I will probably make more of these this year and try to really send them out this time around!

[lelee17]

Originally Posted by isign
Who's making cards for Christmas and what are you going to make?

I haven't decided on a design yet, but I know I will be doing something with the metal snowflakes from MM (I got mine back in February!), along with our Christmas picture and these rub-ons.

https://www.makingmemories.com/images/products/cards/rubon/hapholidays2.gif https://www.makingmemories.com/images/products/cards/rubon/merryxmas2.gif

Here's are some cute ideas with page pebbles...

http://www.makingmemories.com/images/products/details/pebbles/christmas.jpg

And how cute are these?
https://www.makingmemories.com/images/products/details/pebbles/christmas2.jpg

its a bug- Your cards are adorable! Can you share with us how you made them? Is that embossed? <i'm pretty new to stamping myself> ;)

[Happy1]

After much deliberation over 2 different cards I opted to make this one for Christmas this year:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a263/Crazyhappy1/Cards/ChristmasCardtrees.jpg

Nikki :D

[it's a bug]

its a bug- Your cards are adorable! Can you share with us how you made them? Is that embossed? <i'm pretty new to stamping myself> ;)

Thanks for the compliment! I can do that! I do a lot of embossing on my cards. Those are just rubber stamped with pigment ink (it seems to be a little thicker then regular ink) and then I sprinkle on the embossing power (clear if I'm using a colored ink or a colored powder if I use clear embossing ink). Heat it up and then attach it to the card (unless I just stamped it on the card like on the last one). I'm a big fan of embossing - probably because of the texture it adds to the card. The other embellishments are just paper that I stuck on the page. I get most of my ideas from other people/websites/books. I'm a big idea stealer!!

Good call, Nikki! I voted for that one on your poll!

[vjel]

made a couple cards in the last week...nothing all that difficult or fancy really.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d634b3127cce93c1fe91339200000016108AbMWbJu2Zs0

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d634b3127cce93c1ff4173da00000015108AbMWbJu2Zs0

[Happy1]

Those are really cute cards! I love the flower in the 2nd one.

Nikki :D

[klav]

those cards are too cute!!
I love stampin but I don't have the large sayings or words like thanks and what ever ... i need to get some good stamps and recommendations on what would be good?? :)

[it's a bug]

those cards are too cute!!
I love stampin but I don't have the large sayings or words like thanks and what ever ... i need to get some good stamps and recommendations on what would be good?? :)


Definitely get some that say "Happy Birthday" and "Thank You" or "Thanks." Those are the ones I use the most. I have to say that I don't use many other word stamps. I prefer to print out the words or just not use them at all. I don't like how word stamps that have lots of words on them come out when you stamp them...just a personal preference!

[Happy1]

I love the stamps that have meaningful sayings on them. I've never yet had a hard time getting them to turn out right when I stamp them. If it's a larger stamp, turn your stamp over so the rubber is facing up and then press the paper down ontop of it. Comes out so much better.

I've found sayings (most which can be interchangable between different celebrations) at craft stores, Stampin' Up is coming out with more, and I think it's the Angel Company that have some cute ones. I know there's another company but I can't think of it right now. I have a lot that say something about how you wish someone happiness (can be used for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries) and then stocked up on some general religious ones (funerals, baptisms, weddings if the couple is religious, confirmations, first communions, etc.).

Happy hunting!

Nikki :D

[sdianems]

I love the stamps that have meaningful sayings on them. I've never yet had a hard time getting them to turn out right when I stamp them. If it's a larger stamp, turn your stamp over so the rubber is facing up and then press the paper down ontop of it. Comes out so much better.
Nikki :D

That is brilliant! I will absolutely be using this technique in the future...thanks for the tip!

[Happy1]

That is brilliant! I will absolutely be using this technique in the future...thanks for the tip!

I won't say that I only learned this from my mom after I was getting so frustrated that my larger stamps wouldn't turn out. I almost got rid of them all and mom said "Have you thought about turning your stamp over?":p Glad I'm not the only one that hadn't thought about doing that!

Nikki :D

[vjel]

No one else making cards??? :(

I've made these in the last week or so...(who knew soda can pull tabs could come in so handy in cardmaking? :p )

b-day card for my girlfriend
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d729b3127cce9441f8f2799c00000015108AbMWbJu2Zs0

purse card (copied it from someone I saw online)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d729b3127cce9441f8e5f8bb00000016108AbMWbJu2Zs0

not sure what i'm doing w/ Christmas cards yet but I am trying to make use of the eyelet charms I bought last week
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d729b3127cce9441f81c797200000016108AbMWbJu2Zs0

baby shower invites I'm working on for my girlfriend
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d729b3127cce9441f8fe799000000015108AbMWbJu2Zs0

ETA: does anyone make cards to sell? been thinking about dropping some off at the cardshop/postal place in our neighborhood but not sure if it will be worth it??? (other people sell home made stuff there like hair bows and such) wanted to see if anyone had experience with this.

[klav]

vjel
those cards are too cute!! I really love the seasons greatings one and the shower invatation... I made some a few weeks ago but nothing to post about.

[vjel]

thanks klav! pls do post your cards, i'm sure they are great. we need to bring this thread back to life! ;)

also, you had mentioned not having thank you stamps and such. i tend to just type it in Word and just print them out (even tho I do have stamps I could use). I just figure more font options and stuff. You could always do that if you don't want to buy the stamps or need to make a card in a crunch? just a thought.

[klav]

Is that wwhat you did with the birthday card! It looks really cool! :D

[vjel]

yep, did it w/ all the cards I posted actually. my handwriting is decent enough but whenever I try to freehand something, it never looks good. plus when you do it in Word, you can make the fonts as big or small as you need to suit your card.

[BryantRN]

Yeah, this thread came back to life. I have been lurking and just waiting to see if anyone was coming back. I was so inspired by looking at those postings that I went out and bought tons of card making supplies. I am going to try to work on them soon and then I promise I will post. I think that homemade cards are just so much more personal. I love the soda can tab idea, I just might have to steal it. The card purse is adorable!!! Let's keep this thread going!!

~Renee~

[klav]

I actually bought some cheep stamps from Michaels and they seem to be working fine for the thank you .and congat's and a few other things... HAve not made anything too wonderful lately been busy at work and all ;)

[vjel]

thanks BryantRN! Hope to see what you come up with soon, am always looking for new ideas too. :)

Wanted to mention that I was at Target earlier today and they had some stamps in the dollar section (some Halloween ones and others, small alphabet and number sets also).

ETA: I get a lot of ideas (ie. the purse card) from Two Peas in a Bucket (http://www.twopeasinabucket.com) . It's mostly scrapbooking ideas but they also have a card gallery. Go to "Peanut Gallery", then "View by Categories", then "Cards!". I wish I was creative enough to come up w/ my own ideas but unfortunately I need inspiration from other people. :o

[klav]

LOL your not the only one!! :p

[BryantRN]

I will second that!! I have never taken any scrapbook classes because I don't want anyone to know just how much talent that I don't have, but I do buy the mags and get all my ideas and techniques from there. Card making seems kinda like scrapbooking! I made four cards today and had so much fun!! Now all I need is for someone to have a b-day so I can send them out! I also raided the Target dollar bins and bought their packages of cards. 8 cards and 8 envelopes for $1!!! Bargain is my middle name. I did see the stamps there also, but nothing that I thought I could use. Maybe I will have to look again. I bought some of the $1 stamps also from Michaels. I have two pics to post. I had to take them with the digital camera. I don't have time to upload them now, but will try to do it tomorrow. Thanks for inspiring me ladies.

~Renee~

[vjel]

renee, the cards/envelopes you bought from Target, were they blank ones that you could make cards from? I didn't see those, will have to go back tomorrow and look again! ;)

[mrstim]

I've only got a limited amount of supplies here, since I haven't made my run to Michaels or Hobby Lobby lately, but here's my latest creation....

I took vjel's idea above and tweaked it a little bit :) This is a baby shower card for a little girl that the couple is adopting - her name will be Brooke. I made the gift as well - the gift is in my journal if anyone wants to see!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d728b3127cce944f089d21a400000036108AbtGzJk4Ytf

Everyone's ideas are great! Show me more!

[BryantRN]

Vjel~
Yes, they were plain blank cards. I bought four packs, pink, yellow, green, and orange. You should check them out!! I used them today and they worked out just great. I might just have to go back and get some more.

~Renee~

[BryantRN]

Okay so here are my first two attempts. Let me know what you think.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d731b3127cce93af78ef051200000016108AaMmzJo0ctK
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d731b3127cce93af78e3051e00000016108AaMmzJo0ctK

Sorry that the pics didn't come out that great. I don't have a scanner, and am not a pro with the digital camera yet.

~Renee~

[vjel]

great cards mrstim and bryantRN! keep them coming!

btw bryantRN, went to 2 Targets and neither had the blank cards there. :(

[LeslieandPaul]

I've been experimenting with making cards-we know a lot of ppl with b-days in October and November so I'll be handing out lots. I want to buy more stamps, but they're so expensive. I love the can tab ideas-that's so cool!
Some of the cards I made:
For friends future engagements/weddings
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid186/p455e57f0793791dea86f657aa2144115/f250992c.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid186/p7a49ff90b817f11bee8c121600927619/f250991e.jpg
Plain and simple
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid186/p472585d465a461719abc96cb0aedef45/f2509936.jpg
I made a few like this-lots of boys birthdays!
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid186/p4ec000c78a57a2a9c46969cb225cb7ac/f2509945.jpg
For my sister
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid187/pdd3dd856d49cc551c8e2094459324f57/f249e6c6.jpg
For one of our few female friends
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid187/pcc63eb0c55e4b52d60195ad5dc838257/f249e6c5.jpg

[BryantRN]

Vjel~
So sorry that they didn't have the cards! I wonder if they send certain stuff to certain stores. Either that or maybe they all sold out. I was planning on going again this weekend, I wonder if they will even have any more?? Keep checking, maybe they will get in another shipment.

LeslieandPaul~
Cute cards!! I especially liked the one with the flowers! You have given me an idea :). I also have lots of October and November b-days. I will have to get busy making more cards!!

~Renee~

[it's a bug]

LeslieandPaul, I really like the card with the dots! That's fun!

I just finished making cards for my friend's wedding shower this month. I thought I would drop off the sample card I made...

Front of Card
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d736b3127cce944b99e47e3600000016108BYsWbhuzae

Inside of Card
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d736b3127cce944b92d33e9c00000026108BYsWbhuzae

[klav]

it's a bug those are sooo cute!!!
I've gotten an invatation for a wedding from someone that stamps and an invatation to the rehersal dinner also too cute!! will ave to take a pic of them to post

[it's a bug]

it's a bug those are sooo cute!!!
I've gotten an invatation for a wedding from someone that stamps and an invatation to the rehersal dinner also too cute!! will ave to take a pic of them to post

I'd love to see it! My friend designed, stamped, and printed up all of her own wedding stuff (save the date cards, invites, RSVP cards, etc). She even made her own monogram that she used on all of her decorations.

[isign]

I am having a hard time finding paper. Do ya'll cut your own or buy them pre folded?

[vjel]

it's a bug, your invites are SO cute! LOVE them. :)

isign, a lot of times I'll buy the blank card/envelope packs from the craft store and then adhere printed paper to that (that's what I did w/ most of the cards I posted so far). A lot of times I will also just cut my own cardstock down to size depending on what I want to do w/ the card and how I want it to look. I bought a box of 100 envelopes from staples so I'll have envelopes on hand when I want to do this.

[isign]

what kind of glue do you use? I guess it'd be pretty simple to buy scrapbook paper and then cut it down to size. We had a cute scrabook shop here till it the store next to it blew it's walls down.

[it's a bug]

isign - I have always just purchased cardstock and cut it down. If I get the 12x12 sheets, then I can use the scraps for other projects and if I get the 8.5x11, then I just cut it in half and use it all up at once. I generally prefer to keep neutral sheets of cardstock around and add colored paper although if I'm doing a specific set of cards like the invites above, I like to use colored cardstock.

Glue - I don't use glue as I've found that it ultimately dries up and the embellishments fall off. I currently am using an old style Creative Memories tape runner (I was a consultant so I'm trying to use up the old stock I have). It works great and nothing comes off! Previously I used plain old double sided tape. Hope that helps!

I had a card making day yesterday and will be doing more this afternoon...can't wait to get some pics of them to post!

[vjel]

If I use glue, it is in conjunction with some sort of tape. Like I'll use tape on the corners and then glue stick the middle or something like that. I agree that when you use glue alone (at least glue sticks), stuff sometimes will fall off. I use the Creative Memories tape runner also, but you can get similar tape runners at the craft store. I recently discovered Terrifically Tacky Tape (from the girls on the scrapbooking thread) and that stuff is GREAT for ribbon, embellishments, etc. It's really strong!

it's a bug, can't wait to see more of your cards! :)

[BryantRN]

Vjel~
I went to Target again today, and they didn't have any more of those card packs that I found last time. I was so sad. I knew that I should have bought more. Oh well, I have four packs and that should last a little while anyway.

I am planning on making some cards tomorrow. I will try and post them tomorrow. I am definetly hooked. Great pics!! Let's keep this thread going :).

~Renee~

[BryantRN]

Oh, I forgot to post that Michaels has stamps on sale and a 50% coupon in their ad that is good all week. I am going later this week!!

~Renee~

[alliekat75]

Love everyone's cards! Just wanted to pop in and say that I found the blank note cards at my Target Dollar Spot. They had the greatest colors...pink, green and orange.

Keep the pictures coming. This thread is very inspirational.

Allie

[Happy1]

isign I also never use glue (unless it's a nice heavy clear craft glue to hold beads or special ribbon down). I go the cheap route and buy the double sided tape at Wal-Mart or Shopko. You can find it anywhere. It does the trick perfectly and it's not as expensive as some of the stuff you can get. I also just buy regular paper and cut it down. Then keep the scraps because you can use them for simple things like borders or when you just need a tiny piece or something. I have an organizer to hold the full sheets of paper by color and another organizer that holds the scraps by color so I can find what I need very easily.

I buy the plain invitation envelopes at Wal-Mart too (They come in packs of 100) and embellish them by stamping on them. No one ever knows they're just the cheapies.

Nikki :D

[BryantRN]

Scraps are the best!! I was disappointed after working on my scrapbook for so long that I had so many scraps, I thought that they would go to waste. That was until I discovered that making cards is a great way to get use out of them. I also use tacky glue for embelishments. I bought mine at Target, pretty inexpensive. If it is something really heavy then sometimes I will even use the glue gun for just a small dab. The double sided tape is the best!!

Alliekat~
I am so glad to hear that someone else also found those cards. I also picked up yellow ones there. I wish that they had blue. Hopefully they will bring them back. I dug through the racks looking for them, people probably thought that I was crazy.

I am going to try and make more cards today and post them probably tomorrow :). I love this thread!!

~Renee~

[L'il Bit]

I made a couple of Christmas Cards yesterday. Not the best quality, sorry!
I typically use 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock, and for glue I use Mono Adhesive. Sometimes I use double sided tape if it requires a heavier duty stick. Stampin' Up has good adhesives too.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/rhinoshirt/IM000338.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/rhinoshirt/IM000337.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/rhinoshirt/IM000335.jpg

[BryantRN]

Lil Bit~
Your cards are great!! I haven't decided what I want to do for X-mas cards yet. I purchased a stamp already. Now you have me thinking!

~Renee~

[BryantRN]

Okay so I only really had time to make two cards today. Here they are. Nothing really fancy, remember I am still a novice :).

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d738b3127cce94785c64c88d00000016108AaMmzJo0ctK

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d738b3127cce94785c50c8b900000016108AaMmzJo0ctK

I think that it is much harder to make cards when I don't have someone in mind. I found it so much easier to make the last ones because I knew who I was making them for. Does that sound silly?

~Renee~

[L'il Bit]

Those cards are great! I have been in a habit of sitting down and making a bunch of cards with the stamps I have and then stocking them in a photobox for just the right occassion. But you're right, it is a lot easier to make cards with someone in mind!!

[BryantRN]

I went to Michael's on Tuesday and now I have a new fetish, embossing!! I bought some silver embossing powder and the heating tool and went to town on some x-mas cards. Nothing that I really want to post yet, but I am thinking of working on them again today. Why did I never discover embossing before?

~Renee~

[L'il Bit]

The purple card and the blue card that I made has some silver embossing on it. The blue one is embossed on vellum, that's really pretty.

Embossing is definitely fun!!

[Happy1]

I used to be petrified of embossing (never let the heat gun on it long enough and it would all rub off). But now that I have gotten used to it I love it.

There are so many different techniques out there. I'm so torn!

Nikki :D

[BryantRN]

I went to Target yesterday to pick up a b-day gift for a friend at work. I was digging and digging through the dollar bins looking for more cards, when a box of pink cards caught my eye! I was only able to find just the one box, but the pink ones are my fav anyway!!

I have a bit of a rant about Michaels.......................................... ............
This week in the ad they have stamps on sale for 30% off. I was planning on buying maybe one or two. I go to that aisle and all of the stamps are off of the wall and in shopping carts like they are re-organizing or something. HELLO, the stamps are on sale!! Shouldn't you just wait to do that until the sale is over??? How do you expect to people to buy them when they have to dig through them?? I did not feel like digging through full shopping carts for stamps, so I ended up buying the cheap dollar stamps. I found a really cute birthday one so I was happy.

Here are some cards that I made recently. I am having fun with my embossing tool!

This is the b-day card that I made for my friend at work.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d705b3127cce946b31614f0600000016108AaMmzJo0ctK

These are first attempts at x-mas cards. Not that great. I am still working on those!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d705b3127cce946b316cce3b00000016108AaMmzJo0ctK
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d705b3127cce946b31694f0e00000016108AaMmzJo0ctK

The silver embossing is kind of hard to see since it is so shiny, LOL. Not the greatest pics, but they are from the digital camera.

~Renee~

[LeslieandPaul]

I'm going to be making my Christmas cards and bought stamps and paper today. I got a snowflake, a tree and a word stamp. I'll be using blue paper.

[klav]

cool cards!! But I think I'm doing the already made cards this year maybe next year I just have soooo many :rolleyes:

[BryantRN]

Anyone know where I can buy packages of envelopes that I can use for cards made out of cardstock. I looked at Michaels and didn't see them (maybe I am blind). Anywhere but Walmart, I refuse to shop there. Thanks :).

~Renee~

[it's a bug]

Anyone know where I can buy packages of envelopes that I can use for cards made out of cardstock. I looked at Michaels and didn't see them (maybe I am blind). Anywhere but Walmart, I refuse to shop there. Thanks :).

~Renee~


Renee If you go to your local office store - Office Depot, Office Max, etc, you should be able to find a box of "invitation envelopes." They are usually in a box of 100 and they fit 8 1/2 x 11 card stock that it cut in half (so basically 4 1/4 x 5 1/2).

[vjel]

bryantrn, I was going to suggest Walmart b/c I did see some invite envelopes there for almost half the cost of what I paid for them at Staples. But if you don't want to go there, then Staples or Office Depot would be good. 100 envelopes for under 10bucks. the size they sell is 4 3/8 x 5 3/4

[domesticdreamer]

**Subscribing**

Looks like fun- I love to make cards, but haven't done so in awhile! Feeling inspired again :D !!

[BryantRN]

Thanks so much girls :). I don't agree with Walmart's business practices and that is why I refuse to shop there. I have both an Office Depot and Office Max close to me so I will check them out. Wonder if Target carries them??

~Renee~

[vjel]

I understand your issue w/ Walmart. I'm not a fan myself but more b/c of the craziness of the place no matter what time you go.

Our Target doesn't carry that sized envelope. It's not really the "standard" size, but I would doublecheck and see if yours carries it.

[jenji]

I got our wedding invitation envelopes at Office depot. you can also order online or go to a stationary store (which is more expensive).

[BryantRN]

Thanks for the envelope advice. I might just have to make a run to the Office Depot or Office Max this weekend.

~Renee~

[ohsowicked]

Here are the invites I made to my SIL's baby shower next month:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y292/BelleM77/Shower%20ideas/editinvite.jpg

This is a card I made for a recently engaged friend:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y292/BelleM77/Shower%20ideas/IMG_0602.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y292/BelleM77/Shower%20ideas/IMG_0603.jpg

[BryantRN]

Ohsowicked those are beautiful!! How did you make the invites?? I love how you used different patterns in coordinating colors. Too cute!

~Renee~

[ohsowicked]

Thank you! The only reason why I did different patters was because the store I go to didn't have enough paper in one pattern but I guess that worked out for the better. :)

It was just 12x12 Wild Asparagus cardstock that I cut down to 5x12. Then I scored and folded it down to 7" long. I used a 1/16" hole punch to make the holes for the flowers and used brads to secure them. After I did the flowers, I used the 1/16" hole punch again for the brads that hold the card together. The ribbons were also Wild Asparagus, the brads were by Lasting Impressions and I can't remember who made the flowers.

It was actually pretty easy. I started on Thursday night and I finished all 40 of them last night.

[BryantRN]

I am confused though, they are kind of like an open envelope with the card that fits inside.......right? How did you make it so that they would fit inside the envelope part? I am showing how much talent that I don't have right now, ha ha.

~Renee~

[vjel]

ohsowicked, great invites and card! did you draw the bride? I LOVE Wild Asparagus paper b/c it's SO thick and they have cute designs! I made similar shower invites that I posted a few pages back using WA paper too...great minds! :)

bryantrn, the envelope thing you are referring to is like a pocket/sleeve. you just have to cut the insert/card slightly smaller than the pocket part so that you can slide it in. does that make sense?

[mrsk]

I'm also a Stampin Up girl. All of you ladies have such great ideas! I just ordered some stuff to do my Christmas cards. I can't wait to see what everyone has in mind.

[ohsowicked]

ohsowicked, great invites and card! did you draw the bride? I LOVE Wild Asparagus paper b/c it's SO thick and they have cute designs! I made similar shower invites that I posted a few pages back using WA paper too...great minds! :)

bryantrn, the envelope thing you are referring to is like a pocket/sleeve. you just have to cut the insert/card slightly smaller than the pocket part so that you can slide it in. does that make sense?

vjel - I wish I was able to draw that good, I can't even draw a straight line! :p The stamp is actually from Stampin' Up. WA paper is the best, I wish all of the patterned paper I like was that thick.

bryantrn - What she said. I basically just cut the invite shorter than width of the sleeve.

[BryantRN]

I guess that I am just retarded. I will have to mess with one and try it out. I am more of a hands on learner, LOL. I love this thread, so many great ideas!!

~Renee~

[vjel]

some recent cards
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce22b3127cce94d902f6bfa500000016108AbMWbJu2Zs0
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce22b3127cce94d9034aff8100000015108AbMWbJu2Zs0

all my cards are starting to look a like. need to come up w/ different stuff already!!!

[klav]

vjelI love those cards they are great!! will have to do that when I make some new ones!!:D

[Kellijo14]

This is probably a dumb question to all you professional card makers...

I see a lot of you wrap ribbon around the cards. How do you get it to stay in one place? Do you wrap it around the edges of the card or do you cut it when it gets to the edge? If you wrap it around the edges, how do you keep the ends from showing?

I would love to use ribbon to jazz up my cards, as right now they are pretty boring with only having paper on them. I'm going to have to look into the embossing stuff because it looks like a lot of fun! Just what I need - more projects!

[Chris'slady]

OK this may be a dumb question, but if I wanted to get started, adn to try to make these is it kind of like scrapbooking, putting stuff on a card?
I was wondering what kind of stuff i would need to gt started can someone help? i just got married and i think it would be a great idea to do thank you cards, al though I'm sure it will take me forever.
So how do i get started?

[mrsk]

Chris's lady: Making cards/rubber stamping always intimidated me, but once you start its very addicting and not as hard as it looks. For me the hardest part is coming up with an idea, but once you have an idea it flows pretty quickly, and there are lots of places to get ideas and inspiration. The other thing that I find more time consuming than anything else is cutting the paper.

I personally started with a black ink pad, a versa mark pad, a stamp set, pastels (all from Stampin UP), some markers, paper and ribbon (all from various craft stores). You don't really need much to get started, but like I said it is very addicting!

[vjel]

klav, thanks!

kellijo, not a dumb question at all. :p I do both with ribbon actually, depends how I want it to look I guess.

When I do wrap the ribbon, I don't wrap it around the card itself. I think all of the cards I have posted I have adhered decorative paper on top of the card itself (make sense?). When I do this, I wrap the ribbon around the decorative paper, tape down the ends and then adhere that sheet to the card. You don't see the edges of the ribbon at all (that's what I did w/ the "it's your day" card in my previous post)

The pink striped happy bday card, I did cut off the ribbon at the edge. I usually "burn" the edges w/ a lighter so the ends are sealed and they don't unravel. (the flame doesn't even necessarily have to touch the ribbon end, the heat usually melts the ends down. this might take a little practice AND your ribbon can catch on fire!!! :o :eek: )

I use terrifically tacky tape to hold down the ribbon and whatever embellishments I might be using. HTH!

chris's lady, I do liken card making to scrapbooking actually. Same basic concept I think.

To make things easy (and cheaper), you can buy packets of blank cards and envelope sets at Michaels or whatever craft store you have nearby. Most of the time they are white or ivory colored. Some craft stores (AC Moore) sell nicer colored card sets (by Die Cuts w/ a View) but they are more expensive, but they come in different style cards which makes it more fun. Otherwise you can buy colored cardstock that you like and cut them down to whatever size you like to make your card.

Buy stacks of paper in patterns you like. Die Cuts With a View has cute patterns (they have big stacks and mini stacks), Michael's sells some other brand of paper stacks. I think I have even seen some at Target. They can run $10-20 but you can do alot w/ them and that way you have a ton of paper to choose from when you need to make a card. When I say stack of paper, I literally mean a stack. They are pre-packaged sets of hundreds of sheets of paper.

so to get started I think this is what you need:
- cards/envelopes
- paper (cardstock and printed paper)
- paper trimmer
- adhesive (double sided tape type thing, don't use glue stick)
- any kind of embellishments if you want (charms, ribbon, etc)

HTH!

can anyone think of anything else??

[BryantRN]

I think that the best part about making cards is that you can use scraps from anything! When I receive a gift with a pretty ribbon on it I save it to use for a future card. Scraps from scrapbook pages works out perfectly! Michaels also sells some cute stamps in their dollar bins that are great to start out with. Even Big Lots has stuff that you can use. A paper trimmer is a must!!!
A great place to get inspired are the crafting magazines. I can spend hours at Barnes and Noble looking at them to get ideas to use for later.

~Renee~

[Kellijo14]

One more quick question. Some of those embellishments stick out from the paper and make it so the card does not lay flat in the envelope. Do you have to pay extra postage for those? I'm always scared to use them because I never know if I have to pay extra...

[mrsk]

There have been a few times when I was worried about my embellishments making my card too thick, but I've never had anything come back.

[BryantRN]

Mostly I think that it matters if they make the card too heavy.

~Renee~

[txssenorita]

Postage is .37 for 1 oz. I usually put it on my kitchen scale. If your are still worried, take it to the PO and have them weigh.

[BryantRN]

That is good to know.

~Renee~

[vjel]

I'm working on making our Christmas cards now. I tried to keep them fairly simple as I have to make about 50 cards. :eek: :( :rolleyes: I have a long way to go before I'm finished. :( Anyway, this is what they look like (there are 6 different charms)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce33b3127cce94eed2334e4600000016108AbMWbJu2Zs0
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce33b3127cce94eed24f4e3a00000015108AbMWbJu2Zs0

I'm also working on another card design for a Christmas card swap but I haven't quite figured out the finishing touches yet so I'll post a pic when I figure it out.

[mrsk]

Very cute! I love seeing other peoples ideas!

[c j]

Oooo... I love everyone's ideas and tips. I can't wait to start making Christmas cards during my maternity leave.

envelopes I use envelopemall.com (http://www.envelopemall.com). They have a great selection of envelope sizes and colors.

[Kellijo14]

Very cute cards, vjel. I'm starting to get motivated to work on making some christmas cards too. I was actually thinking about making some thanksgiving invitation cards, even though we just invite our family. I just thought it would be something creative and fun to do. Plus, everyone loves getting mail that isn't a bill!!

[jenji]

ooh, so cute! I'm thinking very seriously now about making our Christmas cards this year!!
I'm supposed to go to a Stampin' Up party on Saturday so maybe I'll get even more ideas there!

[vjel]

I was actually thinking about making some thanksgiving invitation cards, even though we just invite our family. I just thought it would be something creative and fun to do.

that's a great idea, go for it! And I totally agree with this!!!
Plus, everyone loves getting mail that isn't a bill!!


I have to say that making 50+ cards (yes, somehow more people were added to our list :rolleyes: ) is A LOT of work! Sometimes I want to shoot myself! lol For those who are still thinking about making your cards, I say do it! Your friends and family will love it and I think you'll have fun doing it.

If you're new to the card making thing, keep it really simple. I thought mine were simple but OMG is it taking A LOT of time!:eek: All the cutting, hole punching, tying the ribbon with a charm just right...seriously, I get a headache just thinking about it. lol I'm more than half way done but I've run out of charms and DON'T want to spend any more money (DH is going to kill me lol)than I have making these cards (I could've bought several boxes of pre-made cards already) so now I have to come up w/ another card idea and use whatever supplies I have to finish.:o

[vjel]

forgot to post the Christmas card I'm making for a swap (only have to make 15 of these). I really love that the cardstock designs are a little different and not so traditional. Both the argyle and paisley cardstock are double-sided (the red you see is what is on the other side) which I also love and makes card making easier for me sometimes. The inside says "Happy Holidays"

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce35b3127cce9497ffc0fce100000016108AbMWbJu2Zs0

[Kellijo14]

vjel- Love the card!

Where are you finding all your cute cardstock? I usually check Michael's but I never see anything that cute! It's just usually all plain colors. I guess I could buy scrapbook paper and put that over the cardstock. But then I question how thick it will be.

We just finished up all our wedding reception thank you cards so I'm finally free to do some creative stuff. I feel some motivation coming on this weekend. We'll see...

[BryantRN]

Cute, cute, cute!! Love the x-mas cards.

~Renee~

[vjel]

kellijo, I buy most of my patterned paper from the 2 scrapbook stores near me...that's where all the cute paper is! :) all the charms and such are from there too. I usually buy solid colored cardstock from the craft stores as a base for cards b/c you can get it for so cheap there.

scrapbooking paper (the ones w/ patterns/designs) are generally pretty thin so you can definitely layer it over cardstock (lots of people do this). double-sided paper is always thicker so you don't have to layer over cardstock (but can if you want). all my cards this year are made of double-sided paper, easier for me as i mentioned before, but also pricier (79-99 cents/sheet)!

[BryantRN]

The websites have pretty good sales also if you check them out. I have ordered paper from a couple of them that I found from scrapbook mags. It is a little harder since you can't see the paper as well as in person.

~Renee~

[Kellijo14]

I'm working on making our Christmas cards now. I tried to keep them fairly simple as I have to make about 50 cards. :eek: :( :rolleyes: I have a long way to go before I'm finished. :( Anyway, this is what they look like (there are 6 different charms)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce33b3127cce94eed2334e4600000016108AbMWbJu2Zs0


vjel, where did you find your cute christmas charms at? I looked for them at Hobby Lobby and JoAnn's today and couldn't find them. Any tips? TIA!

[ohsowicked]

Everyone's Christmas cards are too cute! I can't wait to get started on mine. :)

Today I finished the pins for SIL's baby shower. I'm turning it into a game, the people who find the word "baby" written on the back of their pins gets a centerpiece.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y292/BelleM77/Shower%20ideas/IMG_0619.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y292/BelleM77/Shower%20ideas/IMG_0617.jpg

I loved doing this because you can take almost any stamp and turn it into a pin.

[vjel]

kellijo, i bought the charms on clearance at the scrapbooking store. i haven't seen them in any other stores near me but i have seen them online at various sights. do a google search for "Making Memories Christmas eyelet charms". there's some up on ebay right now and Croppin' Paradise [URL="http://www.croppinparadise.com/charms-making-memories-eyelet-charms-c-31_207.html"] has a bunch on their site. good luck finding them!

ohsowicked, those pins are great! and what a great idea for a game!!!

[BryantRN]

Great idea Ohsowicked!

[bluhimmy]

Suscribing...

I don't know why it took me this long to come by here. After looking at your creations, I've been re-inspired to make cards again. :)

vjel - Your cards are great! Now, why didn't you share them in your journal? I didn't realize you were participating in swaps. I use to host them all the time! ;)

[vjel]

blu, why did it take you so long to get here?!?!:p thanks on the cards...how about you show us some of your stuff, I know its great!!! The Christmas card swap is my first ever. I'm all paranoid that my card will be "that boring ugly one" b/c they wanted us to use different techniques/embellishments, not be too simple and really create something special. I don't know that I've done that but we shall see. I didn't know you hosted swaps...maybe you should pick it up again! ;)

anyway, I have finally finished my Christmas cards. SO over them and ready to either take a break or make other cards!

I had 6 of these happy holiday plaques to use up:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce38b3127cce9488392c237800000015108AbMWbJu2Zs0

and the rest of the cards (prob 10 or so) look like this:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce38b3127cce94883944231000000015108AbMWbJu2Zs0

the circle thing I did in Word, cut out w/ a circle punch and then embossed the tree in the center.

how is everyone else doing w/ Christmas cards?

[Kellijo14]

I bought stuff to try embossing over the weekend. I've played with it a bit. I'm interested in getting some type of ink pen that allows the embossing stuff to stick to it?? I haven't looked much into it, but I thought that would be lots of fun.

Just one quick question about it, after you finish embossing something, it is suppose to be smooth? Mine tends to be a little rough and I'm not sure if it's because I'm not heating it enough or if that's just the way it's suppose to be. None of the powder comes off, but it still is rough.

TIA!

[bluhimmy]

vjel - Don't worry about your cards. They look great. I promise you they won't be "that boring ugly one". Doing swaps are fun. I was addicted to them.

Kellijo14 - Heat embossing should be smooth. By bumpy, do you mean it look grainy? If the powder is not coming off, then I would say you are applying enough heat to melt. But if it's rough and looks grainy, then you need to apply more heat so the powder. But based on what you said, my guess is that:

a) There was not enough of the embossing powder applied. Make sure your embossing ink is "wet" enough so lots of powder sticks to it. Oh you don't need special embossing ink either, any juicy ink will do, as long the powder will stick, it works. They do sell embossing pens, check your craft stores.

b) On a few occassion I have found that some paper just doesn't work for embossing. Don't know why, but it just doesn't. It usually produce oil-looking spots along the image.

[SunnyAB]

Hi Ladies,

Kellijo14's post reminded me of something (I just bought a new embossing pen). When I bought this one, I mentioned that the last one I had seemed to dry out quite quickly - without using it much. We discussed it a bit and one thing they said - that I did not know! - was that they store their pens and markers laying down, or on their side, NOT standing up. Does everyone know this and I just missed that memo?? :rolleyes: or is this just their opinion? Please give me your opinions ladies.. pen/marker storage - laying down or standing up?? :D

[BryantRN]

Okay so here are two designs of cards that I made. I am not really jazzed about them, but this is my first time making x-mas cards.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce05b3127cce94847b7f84f900000016108AaMmzJo0ctK
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce05b3127cce94847b7d84fb00000016108AaMmzJo0ctK

~Renee~

[it's a bug]

Does everyone know this and I just missed that memo?? :rolleyes: or is this just their opinion? Please give me your opinions ladies.. pen/marker storage - laying down or standing up?? :D


I usually store all of my pen on their side...not sure why I know that, but I think it's from my Creative Memories days when they told us to store all pens on their sides....I do store pens that are somewhat metallic head down though...it seems to make them flow better (or at least put them head down before I'm ready to use them.

[LeslieandPaul]

Just wanted to let everyone know that I was at Michael's yesterday and they had some rubber stamps for $1.50!!! They're about 2"X2" and they have a lot of designs.
These are the ones I got:
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid192/p97a0d63b2937b30bb453d65ec0ea4e90/f1bd6832.jpg

[klav]

too cool thanks for the tip!!

[BryantRN]

LeslieandPaul~
I purchased that same flower stamp at Michaels for $1. I am wondering if the price went up recently, or maybe the pricing is different in some areas?? HMMMM. Cute stamps though. I especially like the ones that can be used for b-day cards. I find that those are the ones that I use the most. I will have to post the ones that I bought recently from the dollar bin.

~Renee~

[klav]

WHERE ARE THE DOLLER BINS LOCATED NOT SURE i HAVE EVER SEEN THEM? SOORY ABOUT CAPS LOCK I ALWAYS FORGET i USE IT FOR WORK:o

[kirstyjoanne]

They are $1 at our Michaels, too. I've found them in a round 3-tiered rack near the registers.

[BryantRN]

Here's the stamps that I have purchased from Michaels $1 bin.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce04b3127cce9481a3553d7600000026108AaMmzJo0ctK

I am addicted to that dollar bin. I can dig in there for hours, LOL.

~Renee~

[BryantRN]

At my Michaels I find the dollar bins in the front of the store. Does anyone else have those stamps in their store for $1?? I wonder if the price has gone up since the last time that I was there. Maybe they are so popular that they want to cash in! $1.50 is still cheap though!!

~Renee~

[kirstyjoanne]

I was there last night and picked up a couple. They were still $1 for me...

[LeslieandPaul]

They were $1.50 CDN. I want to go buy more, but the nearest Michael's is a 20 minute drive and I don't want to go all that way for stamps!

[jenji]

I followed suit and made a trip to michaels last night... unfortunately I didn't stop at the dollar bins. I loaded up on $1 stamps and on the $1 cards as well as some other things. I was super excited. I can't wait to get busy makin cards

[BryantRN]

Anybody want to post the pics of their newest stamp purchases?? I love to see what else is out there.

~Renee~

[lelee17]

Renee - one of my good friends just sent me these stamps in the mail. Not sure how much she got them for, but she knows I love rubber stamps and she thought these fit my personality. They are sooo me. ;)

They are by Paper Salon.

http://www.papersalon.com/products/productimages/1425-G.gif

http://www.papersalon.com/products/productimages/1417-F.gif

[BryantRN]

Shamocha~
Those are so cute!! I love them! Very much like me :) I will have to google Paper Salon and see what I can find. Thanks for posting those.

~Renee~

[L'il Bit]

Sadly the selection was totally picked over at Michael's before I could get to anything good. Most of the stuff I order is off Stampin' Up anyway, but it's nice to find a great deal now and again.

Here's a couple of cards that I've made recently:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce10b3127cce94b93351d6c700000015108AcN2TNm1atY
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5ce10b3127cce94b9334e57e800000015108AcN2TNm1atY

I have also started my birth announcements, but since the baby still hasn't arrived, I don't have pictures to go along with them. Soon enough though! I will make sure to post those once they're complete. :)

[BryantRN]

Lilbit~
I love the card with the dress!!! Did you emboss it with shimmery powder on the edges?

~Renee~

[klav]

I seems as if Paper Salon is sorta a posh stationary thing and you can get them online am I worng looked them up and could not find a place to order but a list of place to buy.. none near me...:o

[L'il Bit]

Lilbit~
I love the card with the dress!!! Did you emboss it with shimmery powder on the edges?
Thanks! That's my favorite card right now.
I used Crystal Effects from Stampin' Up. It's basically just a glue that takes 15 minutes to dry... it wasn't quite dry when I took that picture.

Okay, so I went to Michael's today and got some more embossing powder (in a red glitter and turquoise) and some value pack cards and envelopes! I don't usually use just cream or white envelopes, but they were on sale. And then I think they loaded their $1.50 stamp bin up again, I bought 6 of them for $9!! Yippee!! :)

[BryantRN]

I am so jealous!! I just might have to go on Friday because I am off. There wasn't an ad in my last weeks paper, did I miss it? Care to post pics of your new stamps??

If Paper Salon is expensive then I just might have to stick with Michaels. I love a good bargain!!

~Renee~

[L'il Bit]

There is a sale on embossing powder and the value pack of cards and envelopes, plus a 40% off coupon... but that's also in Canada.

These are the stamps I bought from Michael's
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf23b3127cce9554d35a5a6e00000016108AcN2TNm1atY

And these are the ones that I just ordered from Stampin' Up:
http://akimages.crossmediaservices.com/cmswimages/stampinup/library/b_100174.jpg

I can't wait to use them! DD is in daycare all day tomorrow, and pending an arrival of a new little one (I'm due any day now), I will be working on my cards. It is so sad how excited I get about this stuff :rolleyes: .

[klav]

OOO love them!! when are you do L'il Bit?

[BryantRN]

Congrats LilBit!! I love those stamps! I just might have to check out Stampin Up. I had never heard of them before this thread. I think that I will have to make a Michaels trip today and stock up on embossing powder. I can't believe that I missed out on the ad. AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!

~Renee~

[klav]

Ok, went to the $1.00 bins and got about 11 stamps!! those things are dangerous!! i have to check the other Micheals down the road!! LOL I went to the one near work!!

[BryantRN]

I also went to Michaels and dug through the $1 bin. I hate how they have the stamps in the bottom basket at my Michaels. I fell like a dork digging through them. I think I bought about 5. I will post pics, some of the ones that I got are already posted by others. I also purchased some more cards and embossing powder. I made one card today for a friend's b-day!

~Renee~

[klav]

Heehee I know what you mean BryantRN iwent to another micheals this am. and got about 4 more and some ribbon they had in another doller bin. They are so cute but you have to be careful one of the ones I picked up was 5.00 still but someone put it in the bin. I tols the girl I did not want it.
I'm going to do some cards today!!

[Freckles]

Hello Ladies!

I love all of your creative pretty cards, and as someone new to the embossing techinque I need some help. I went to my local craft store, and purchased the clear stamp-pad along with the embossing powder, but I seem to be doing something wrong......
This is my process: stamp paper, sprinkle powder/glitter, and heat with embossing tool. The problem is that I either burn the powder off, or it never liquifies. It seems to raise a bit, but the salesperson told me it would liquify and then harden. For me it either burns, or easily rubs off. I can't seem to heat it quite right, so any tips would be so appreciated.

Thanks so much!:)

[klav]

your not holding it directly on the paper?
you should be sweeping accross the paper, like you were spray painting till it liquifies.

[Freckles]

Thanks klav, but I am sweeping, so I'm not really sure what I'm doing wrong.:confused: It never liquifies----it only stays glittery-like or it eventually burns/dries up.

[klav]

I't might be the embossing powder you said it was glittery? I have some like that and it dose not work as well as the powdered embossing. the glitter powder may need higher heat? I tried that and gave up because it looked like it was burning th paper and not liquifying the powder. So it may be the glitter embossign powder that is the problem try the reg. stuff and see what happens

[BryantRN]

HMMMM, I find that happens to me sometimes too if I don't move the heating gun. If you keep it in one place for a long time and not move it sometimes it will seem to burn where it was placed. I would suggest double checking to make sure you have embossing powder and not the glitter powder like suggested earlier.

~Renee~

[LeslieandPaul]

I bought 8 stamps at Michael's today!!! All $1.50 (canadian), and all Christmas. I got a snowman, stockings, an ornament, "merry christmas", "happy holidays", "joy", a reindeer, and a candy cane. Now I can't wait to use them!

[it's a bug]

This is my process: stamp paper, sprinkle powder/glitter, and heat with embossing tool. The problem is that I either burn the powder off, or it never liquifies. It seems to raise a bit, but the salesperson told me it would liquify and then harden. For me it either burns, or easily rubs off. I can't seem to heat it quite right, so any tips would be so appreciated.


Heather - I would think that you have a glitter embossing powder. Those don't seem to work as well as a plain embossing powder. Also, I've found that if you heat the embossing gun up a little bit (just turn it on and let it run for about 1 minute) then start melting the powder sometimes it does a little better then. Sometimes it's a trial and error process! HTH!

[BryantRN]

I didn't see any x-mas ones in the dollar bins, I just might have to go back this weekend.

~Renee~

[klav]

BryantRN yes!! there were alot of them. If you can find them, I am willing to get some for you.... The binns here were full of them stocking, tress, joy, raindeer... I did not pick any up because I'm not going to do christmas cards.I 'm doing the regular bought ones!

[BryantRN]

OOOOHHHHH so jealous! I am running out of room for all of these stamps, but what the heck I can find room somewhere!! I will have to check them out this weekend. I was wondering when they would finally get them in. Thanks Klav, I will keep that in mind in case I can't find them here. I wish I didn't have to go to work today, I would be at Michaels digging through that damn bin!!!

~Renee~

[BryantRN]

Klav, post a pic of your new stamps I am dying to see what you bought!

~Renee~

[L'il Bit]

when are you do L'il Bit?
Hi everyone... we had our baby on the 3rd... a gorgeous baby boy. :)
As soon as I get a picture of him, I'll make sure that I post his announcements on this thread.
I bought 8 stamps at Michael's today!!! All $1.50 (canadian), and all Christmas. I got a snowman, stockings, an ornament, "merry christmas", "happy holidays", "joy", a reindeer, and a candy cane.
Great, now I have to make another trip to Michael's to check those out. As if I didn't already have a million stamps. :rolleyes: I don't have any room in my closet for clothes anymore. Maybe soon I can bunk the kids together and make a craft room :p :D.

[BryantRN]

LOL Lilbit!! Congrats to you and your family :)

~Renee~

[klav]

Congratulations!! LILBIT that is wonderful!!:D

[vjel]

How is everyone doing w/ Christmas cards? I have not really made any cards since I finished up our Christmas cards, but am getting ready to help my sister make hers.

Anyway, wanted to share the cards that I received from the Christmas card swap I participated in. I was very impressed w/ the cards (a few of the girls do this as a business it looks like) and thought they could inspire some other folks. (if you want better pics of any particular card, just let me know)

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf08b3127cce9596dcaba6f300000016108AbMWbJu2Zs0

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf08b3127cce9596dd33e6f300000016108AbMWbJu2Zs0

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf08b3127cce9596dd3de6fd00000016108AbMWbJu2Zs0

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cf08b3127cce9596dde5e62500000016108AbMWbJu2Zs0

[SunnyAB]

I LOVE that reindeer 'eyes' card! How cute! :D

[L'il Bit]

Those are awesome cards!! Definitely provide some inspiration. I am about half done my Christmas cards right now.

I finally finished my son's birth announcement: (not the best picture)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v506/rhinoshirt/IM000471.jpg
The green piece with his picture on it has all his stats written on the back, and the back of the blue piece that holds the picture just has a quick thank you to those who got us gifts.

[vjel]

li'l bit, i love your announcements, great job! your ds is adorable! :o)

[BryantRN]

Vjel~
I love those cards! I am so jealous!! First because you have all of those cool cards, and second because they have so much talent that I don't have!!

Lilbit~
Your announcements are precious!

I haven't been making any cards since I have been busy with X-mas. I hope to make some soon when I get caught up.

~Renee~

[mrstim]

Those cards and announcements are BEAUTIFUL! I've sadly not been making any cards either - but I found my heat gun so I want to play around with some embossing soon!

;) A

[jenji]

I need to tackle making some cards this weekend. I'm starting to feel very behind

[lelee17]

Vjel - I thought those cards looked familiar then I realized...I have those same cards!

I was in the same card swap as you. :D Mine is the second to the last one at the bottom ("Joy"). Which one did you do? Everyone did a really great job on their cards.

What a coincidence! :D

[klav]

Love the christmas cards!! the little raindeer eyes and the snowflake are my fav! unfortunately I will be sending the manufacture ones tooo lazy to make them this year and not feeling so well these past few weeks due to the Pregnancy.. 9 weeks and I feel so ill. yuck! So I hope I get around to finish shopping and cards. I love you announcement L'il Bit!! hope I'll be able to do the same!!

[vjel]

shamocha, OMG, what a small world!!! :eek: Your card was one of my FAVES! (and seriously, i'm not just saying that it really was!) My card is not pictured in my last post (I did post it a few pages back though) but mine was the argyle print gatefold card w/ paisley "belt", ornament charm and photo anchor to keep the card closed. how did you get to be in this card swap? i got in thru 2peas.

[lelee17]

vjel - too funny! My friend was the one who actually hosted the swap. This is our 3rd one so far. I love it b/c you get to see everyone's styles and get great ideas. And your card...Totally LOVED IT! Definitely one of my faves, too. I'm totally digging argyle right now, too :D I love how you used the photo anchor to close the card...GENIUS!

Where did you get the argyle paper? I like that the fact that its really thick, too.

I hope you do the next swap because you definitely do some great work.

[vjel]

thanks on the card! I got the argyle paper from my local scrapbook store. It's by Collage Press. I think they are pretty new to the business. Their whole Christmas line was mix and match, very funky and fun. Oh and I can't take credit for the photo anchor idea. The sales person at the store helped me w/ that. ;)

hey, did you use Quickutz for the letters on your Christmas card? I have been contemplating getting the hand tool but not sure I can justify the cost. The hand tool is not too bad but add in a set of alphabet letters and a bunch of die cuts and it adds up. any thoughts?

[lelee17]

vjel - Yep....I used Quickutz for my card. (Font: Katie) I normally wait to buy any quickutz items whenever they happen to be on sale at my LSS. It's rare, but sometime they'll have 40% off drawings...that's how I was able to get my handtool. As for the diecuts, I normally either buy them on sale or via Ebay. The newer ones, like Abigail, are still quite expensive, but I find the older versions like Katie or Paige are a little less. I think Ebay is your best bet though.

HTH! :D

[Happy1]

You may have already heard of these but I thought I would post them anyway. Got them in an email today. Enjoy:

Sing Along for Christmas

12 Days of Christmas

On the twelfth day of Christmas
my true love gave to me...
12 rubber stamps, 11 handmade papers,
10 embossing powders, 9 duel tip markers,
8 paper edger's, 7 assorted ink pads,
6 funky stickers, 5 exotic glitters,
4 brass stencils, 3 craft punches,
2 paper crimpers, and a brand new
embossing heat tool.

Merry Christmas!!
.................................................. .................................................. .............
• Rubber Wonderland
(sing to tune of Winter Wonderland)

Rubber calls . are you listening?
Glitter falls . bright and glistening.
We're happy tonight,

Our stamping's so bright . . .
Wading through a Rubber Wonderland.
In the craft room we can stamp a snow card, send it on its way to a friend.

They'll say did you make it?
You'll say "Yeah, man . and you can stamp one too, yesyou can!"
Later on, we'll conspire, as we sit, by the fire, to face unafraid the mess
that we made . wading through our Rubber Wonderland

.................................................. .................................................. .............
• Grandma Got Run Over by a Brown Truck
(Written by: Denise Wenzloff)

Grandma got run over by a brown truck
Going to a stamp camp Christmas Eve
You can't understand why she's addicted
But she buys more darn supplies than you'll believe

She'd been cutting all her paper
all her inkpads were just so
She packed it all inside her caddy
And she left with all her things to earn her dough

When they found her Christmas morning
The brown truck had not come back
There were tire marks on her forehead
And a ups symbol on her back

Grandma got run over by a brown truck
Going to a stamp camp Christmas Eve
You can't understand why she's addicted
But she buys more darn supplies than you'll believe

Now were all so proud of Grandpa
He's got all her things to sell
Little beads and all her punches
Some cutting thing and some stamp says wishing well

All the boxes still come to Grandma
filled with tons of her cardstock
If UPS wont stop those orders
We'll be forced to make those cards around the clock

Grandma got run over by a brown truck
Going to a stamp camp Christmas Eve
You can't understand why she's addicted
But she buys more darn supplies than you'll believe

Now the glitter is on the table
Right beside her big RED hat
I bet she really really needs them
Cause she cant get them where she's at

I've called all her friends and downline
Better watch out for that man
They should never give a license
To a guy who never stamps and drives a van

Grandma got run over by a brown truck
Going to a stamp camp Christmas Eve
You can't understand why she's addicted
But she buys more darn supplies than you'll believe

• Winter Wonderland

Brayers roll....are you listening.
On the card... ink is glistening.
A beautiful sight... we're happy tonight,
Stamping in a winter wonderland.

In the kitchen we can build a snowman.
Then add color to his carrot nose.
You'll say: Are you finished?
I'll say: No ma'am,
I need to add some glitter to the snow.

When we stamp... ain't it thrilling.
Even when... the powders spilling.
We'll create and we'll play...the art stamper way,
Stamping in a winter wonderland.
.................................................. .................................................. .............

• Jingle Bells

Dashing through the snow
To the hostess house we go.
O'er the streets we pass
Anxious to spend cash.
Stamps are everywhere
Making spirits bright.
Oh what fun it is to sing,
The stamping song tonight!

Stampin' Up!, Stampin' Up!,
Stampin' all the way!
Oh, what fun it is to stamp
In the good old fashion way!

Stampin' Up!, Stampin' Up!,
Stampin's here to stay!
Oh, what fun it is to stamp
All the gifts you give today!
.................................................. .................................................. .............

• Let it Snow

Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the inks look so delightful
So while the winter is cold and damp
Let us stamp! Let us stamp! Let us stamp!

It doesn't take much convincing
And I've brought a tool for crimping
Choose some paper, turn up the lamp
Let us stamp! Let us stamp! Let us stamp!

When we carefully press just right
How we smile as the image unfolds
Add some color, so bold, so bright
The result is a sight to behold.
Our projects are quickly drying
And there's new techniques for trying
So until we get finger cramps
Let us stamp! Let us stamp! Let us stamp!
.................................................. .................................................. .............

• Deck the Halls

Deck the halls with foils and glitters,

Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season for us stampers, Fa la la...
Don we now our inks and powders, Fa la la...
Troll the heatguns and embossers, Fa la la...

See the card stock blank before us, Fa la la...
Strike the ink and join the chorus, Fa la la...
Follow me in merry masking, Fa la la...
Join us in some Yuletide stamping, Fa la la...

Faint away with chalks & markers, Fa la la...
Hail the new, ye rubber stampers, Fa la la...
Stamp with joyous all together, Fa la la...
Heedless of the times that's passed us,

Fa la la...

[Lolly]

Thanks Nikki! I passed the carols along to my stamping friends!

[klav]

too cute!:)

[BryantRN]

I love those carols!! I was laughing out loud and DH looked at me like I was crazy!!

~Renee~

[vjel]

happy1, those were cute. TFS!

shamocha, funny I have been checking ebay for a QK hand tool. I finally bought one over the w/e for cheap ($27) but now I'm a little concerned. Of course, after I had already got it, I read that the new hand tools were MUCH easier to use than the old ones (not as hard to press down on I guess). So now I'm worried that the one I got is going to be really hard to use. Do you have a old or newer one? If old, do you have a hard time using it?

[tlew12778]

Hi ladies. I'm wondering if some of you can help me. I'm looking for a stamp that looks something like this:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c142/tlew12778/blackscroll600.gif
only I don't know where to look on the internet. I tried the one and only stamp store where I live and they don't have anything like it (although they can make it for a hefty price).

Any ideas? Thanks!

[vjel]

what about these from Hero Arts?

http://www.heroarts.com/products/global/prodImages/LL016.jpg

not sure if you can order this particular stamp from their website but I did a search for this specific stamp (Hero Arts Fancy Fluorishes) and came up w/ several sites you can buy online from, including ebay.

http://www.quirksofart.com/fancy-flourishes-p-4221.html?=

http://www.stampingonline.com/item.jhtml;$sessionid$FLZLSHYAAA421TZENUFUTIWPERWR JPX0?UCIDs=1004965%7C1319420&PRID=1521635

HTH!:)

[BryantRN]

Good job Vjel, the stamps that you posted look so close to the actual design. WOW!

~Renee~

[vjel]

made these cards for some girlfriends who have bdays coming up this month.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cc24b3127cce95b231a045a600000016108AbMWbJu2Zs0

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cc24b3127cce95b231d9c4ef00000015108AbMWbJu2Zs0

the 2nd one has too much white in it but I didn't have enough cardstock to do what I wanted w/ it. My sister liked different aspects of the first 2 cards so I took what she liked and made card #3 for her.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cc24b3127cce95b23109c43f00000016108AbMWbJu2Zs0

[L'il Bit]

Those are fabulous! Are the words stamped, or is that printed from a computer?

[vjel]

thx li'l bit :) The words are printed from the computer. I believe the font is Riverside. I like printing stuff from the computer better than stamping b/c I have more font choices and I can "coordinate" the font w/ the feel of the card. kwim?

[tlew12778]

Thanks vjel! Unfortunately the Hero Arts stamps are too big for my purposes. I ended up having the stamp store make the stamp :rolleyes:. I could have bought the HA stamp then shrunk down the image and then printed it onto my RSVPs but it would have ended up costing the same anyway. The stamp store only wanted like $10 to make it [shrug].

You're cards are absolutely stunning!

[lelee17]

hey vjel - I actually have the older one and it works just fine. If you get one of these, its much easier to use. I still have to get one, but I've been fine w/o it so far.

KomfyKutz Handtool


http://www.quickutz.com/Public/Products/Media/Images/thumbs/QKHTA-01.gif

Looove those Birthday cards! Is that Chatterbox? I love their paper.

[Freckles]

Vjel ---Love the holiday cards from the exchange, and your birthday cards are beautiful as well!

I am new to this world, but since you all offered your assistance with my embossing issues I thought I should come back to say thanks, and to share some of the final products{I made 40 total}:

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cc38b3127cce9653aeaf3b3200000026108CbuGjhyxbG

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cc32b3127cce95bda2d53e7e00000035108CbuGjhyxbG
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cc32b3127cce95bda2d0bf4b00000055108CbuGjhyxbGh ttp://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cc38b3127cce9653aeaaba0700000035108CbuGjhyxbG

Inside Cards:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cc38b3127cce9653aeab3b3600000046108CbuGjhyxbG

Back of Cards:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5cc38b3127cce9653aea93b3400000046108CbuGjhyxbG

Not as great as you pros, but I had fun! Thanks so much for all your help!

[vjel]

tlew, glad things worked out for you in the end. i was going to tell you i also remembered that i have a font that might've worked for you too. (it's called dizzinz divider if you need for future reference)

shamocha, i'll have to look into that handtool thingy. i really don't know when i'm going to even get to use the QK handtool b/c i still have no dies to use w/ it. lol and yes, i did use Chatterbox for my last cards. it's my first time using it actually but I love it b/c for 2-sided paper its thin. going to send you a PM and pick your brain about card-making (don't want to hijack thread), hope you don't mind.

freckles, GREAT job w/ your cards! hope you will make more to share w/ us. :)

[BryantRN]

Hey everyone, Michaels is having a clearance sale on stamps. I bought some really cute ones for only $1. These are not the usual $1 stamps. I had no idea that they marked down the $1 holiday stamps!! I bought some Christmas ones for $.50 and a Halloween one for only $.01!! I think I just might have to go back and buy some more!!!

~Renee~

[BryantRN]

Anyone making Valentines Day cards??

~Renee~

[L'il Bit]

I still have to hit Michael's, hopefully they're still clearing out some of the good stuff... and hopefully there's some left!

I am not making cards for Valentine's Day that I know of, but I did make some last year. They're a fun fold card too, so if I can find it, I'll definitely post it on here.

[BryantRN]

I am going to make V Day cards. I send them to all my friends in So Cal that I miss dearly. I had so much fun making them last year. I have some ideas, but I am searching some sites for inspiration. Anyone have any sites that they get inspirations from that they would like to share??

~Renee~

[L'il Bit]

I made this card last year, very simple, but cute:
http://akimageswest.shoplocal.com/cmswimages/stampinup/Library/b_28d.jpg
and I used this layout for another Valentine's card, but replaced "Thanks" with "Love"
http://akimageswest.shoplocal.com/cmswimages/stampinup/Library/b_30b.jpg
Have you tried Two Peas in a Bucket (http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=cat_display&gallery=1&category_id=69)? I'm sure that link was posted here before, but they have some great layout ideas.

Still trying to find that fun folds card for you....

[BryantRN]

Thanks Lil Bit!! I am new to this craft so I don't always know where to go to get inspiration. I love your cards. Very cute!! I think that I will start making some cards this weekend.

~Renee~

[lelee17]

Anyone making Valentines Day cards??

I was thinking about it for the kiddies at my son's daycare, but decided not to only because the little ones probably wouldn't appreciate it as much. ;) So...I just plan on making one for my DH and DS. :D

[BryantRN]

I would love to see them :).

~Renee~

[vjel]

BryantRN, there are some cute V-day cards here
http://www.archiversonline.com/ideas/index.asp?cat=holiday_cards

post your cards when you're done! I'm in a lull right now. Not making V-day cards and no occassions coming up. My sister did ask me to make a set of all occassion cards for her so once she tells me what specifically she wants, I'll post when I'm done.

[mermccau]

Hi Ladies....

I am mostly a lurker here on CC.... WC veteran, LJ user :)

Anyway, I am in need of recommendations...

I am looking for a paper punch - one that rounds corners. Nothing fancy, just a corner rounder.

I need one that will punch through a couple of pieces of cardstock. I want make a card and round all four corners. The corners on the open side of card are easy to punch. I just do each page at a time.

However, the folded part of the card is where I have an issue. I cannot seem to find a paper punch that will cut through on that side.

Any ideas?

Thanks much!

[SunnyAB]

I have one from Creative Memories, and I have never had a problem with the double page punching, just as you described. I am very happy with it (but I have never tried punching more than that). :)

[mermccau]

SunnyAB

Thanks for the suggestion! Is this the one your are referring to?

http://creativememories.com/dcVault/WCM005922/4748-1.jpg

[vjel]

i just have one from Michael's (Marvy Uchida brand) and have double punched thicker than normal cardstock w/ it. It takes a couple tries but it works. I imagine that punching regular weight cardstock would be fine?

[mermccau]

vjel

this one?

http://www.dick-blick.com/items/589/02/58902-0025-1ww.jpg

[lelee17]

I have the same Marvy punch. I have also used it for punching more than one piece of cardstock. For a "cleaner" punch, I usually use my Making Memories Hammer and give it one good whack while punching. It makes the punch a lot cleaner looking (for me anyways).

[lelee17]

Hey ladies! It's been a while since someone has posted cards. I was looking through my Shutterfly account and I came across some pics of some cards I made last year for a card swap, so I thought I'd come by and share. For this swap, I made a variety of birthday cards.

Birthday Cards (Matchbook Style)
Supplies used:
Making Memories Doublesided 6x6 cardstock
Bazzill Cardstock
Swirl Clips
Silver Brads
Flower and Circle Punch



http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d820b3127cce9252c067626200000036108AZt2LVk3atp

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d820b3127cce9252c069626c00000036108AZt2LVk3atp

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d820b3127cce9252c052e36700000036108AZt2LVk3atp

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d820b3127cce9252c05b625e00000036108AZt2LVk3atp

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b5d820b3127cce9252c064e35100000036108AZt2LVk3atp

Still haven't made any V-day cards yet, but as soon as I do, I will post.

Have a good weekend! :D

[klav]

shamocha17 WOW those are great Love them!!

[vjel]

mermccau, yep, that's the one.

shamocha, those are awesome...I love them!!! hey if you have any invite stuff uploaded, you should share those too. I'd love to see more of your work!

[SunnyAB]

Yes mermccau! thats the exact one I have! :)

[Smittenk]

Just de lurking to let you know that you are all so talented!! There is some amazing work on this thread. I am trying to gather some inspiration since it is the new year and I need to get my butt moving and start making new cards. I just used my last card that I had in my reserve pile (for emergencies!)

Keep up the great work ladies...I'll post some of mine to share as well.

[Smittenk]

Back to post some pics of my cards!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df00b3127cce969850725dda00000016108AYt2TVq4ZtV

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df00b3127cce9698507e5dd600000015108AYt2TVq4ZtV

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df00b3127cce9698507c5dd400000015108AYt2TVq4ZtV

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df00b3127cce969850645dcc00000016108AYt2TVq4ZtV

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df00b3127cce96985065dcfd00000016108AYt2TVq4ZtV

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df00b3127cce969850665dce00000015108AYt2TVq4ZtV

[Smittenk]

and a few of my christmas ones!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df00b3127cce9698507ddce500000015108AYt2TVq4ZtV

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df00b3127cce969850785dd000000015108AYt2TVq4ZtV

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6df00b3127cce96985079dce100000015108AYt2TVq4ZtV

[BryantRN]

Love, love, love all the cards that were posted!!! I have made some Vday cards, but have no batteries for the camera. I keep forgetting to pick some up when I go to Target. I promise to get some soon and post. Thanks Vjel for the link. SmittenK, I have that same happy birthday stamp! It is nice to see how someone else uses the same materials. Samocha, your cards were beautiful:). We are in the process of moving in two weeks so my stuff is already packed away! I so want to make some cards right now!!

~Renee~

[L'il Bit]

Kay, that freaked me out! The first post I saw was some of the pictures, and I thought, "hey, those are some of my cards!" Two of those cards I've received from SmittenK. She's talented, no?

shamocha, those are great! I'm going to steal the layout idea, if you don't mind!

I'm all inspired again. I just went to a Stampin' Up open house and got to make a candy holder and got some new ideas for cards. Will post them whenever I get around to taking pictures, silly me.

[BryantRN]

Well I finally bought batteries for my camera, but then realized that I had packed the cord that goes to the computer. We are moving in 10 days and have been trying to get everything that can possibly be packed before the last minute. I did take pics of my Valentines cards though, so when we move I will make sure to post.

~Renee~

[emmasart]

Hey ladies!
I love all of your cards! They look fantastic!
I've been making cards for a while, and I just started selling them in a few little gift shops. I'm not trying to spam or anything, I just figure maybe some of you can get some ideas from a few of mine?

Valentines day cards:
http://www.emmasart.com/albums/SoldEmbellishedCards/IMG_1245.sized.jpg
http://www.emmasart.com/albums/SoldEmbellishedCards/IMG_1307.sized.jpg
http://www.emmasart.com/albums/soldBorderedclipart/IMG_1258.sized.jpg

Other fun ones:
http://www.emmasart.com/albums/SoldEmbellishedCards/IMG_1296.sized.jpg
http://www.emmasart.com/albums/album01/IMG_1372.sized.jpg
http://www.emmasart.com/albums/embellishedCards/IMG_1471.sized.jpg

[BryantRN]

I am finally moved in and can post my V-day cards. I know they are late, but at least late is better than never!
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc37b3127cce97137530ab2500000016108AaMmzJo0ctK
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc37b3127cce9713753f2a1a00000016108AaMmzJo0ctK
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc37b3127cce9713753cab2900000016108AaMmzJo0ctK

This is one that I made for a friend for her recent B-day
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc37b3127cce9713753aab2f00000016108AaMmzJo0ctK

~Renee~

[tgray99]

I made this card for DH for Valentine's Day. I was up until about 4am doing it too! Not good when DD wakes up at about 8! Anyway, I wanted something special for him since his Valentine gift isn't that exciting. I scraplifted the idea from www.twopeasinabucket.com

Front:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc33b3127cce973daf7c894700000015108AZs3LFk0bNP

Inside left:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc33b3127cce973daf78894300000015108AZs3LFk0bNP

Inside right:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dc33b3127cce973daf70894b00000015108AZs3LFk0bNP

[westamp]

Better late than never, here's my V-Day card to DH:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/westamp/2006hearts.jpg

[BryantRN]

Nice cards Tgray and Westamp!

~Renee~

[d4est]

Oh you all make really cute cards. I might "borrow" some ideas if you dont mind.
BryantRN- is that a flip flop stamp? Where did you get it? I love it and really anything beachy.

[BryantRN]

Yes, it is a flip flop stamp. I bought it at Michaels in the dollar bin toward the front of the store. I love it!! It is such a fun one to make cards with.

~Renee~

[framboise]

Can someone help me, pretty please?! We are making our wedding invitations & are using a Stampin Up stamp as a portion of the background. We don't actually own the stamp, but my friend's mom does (she is a demonstrator). I have been trying to figure out the exact dimensions of the stamp because the dimensions of the entire invitation is based on that & we're trying to make up a prototype this weekend so that we can calculate how much paper we need to order for the entire project. For some reason, my friend & her mom are not answering this question for me. :confused: I tried to call the Stampin Up headquarters to see if anyone there can tell me the measurements but no luck either. I'm crossing my fingers that someone here has the stamp & can measure it for me.

Here's the stamp:
h