Hi paper crafters!!!
Did you think I had disappeared?  No!!!!  Remember this was my first week back to work so, of course, I am shifting my schedule from being a night bird to being a day bird...exhausting!
On my schedule I have listed the four different versions of my holiday stamp a stack classes (which all require pre-registration and pre-payment to guarantee your seat at the table).  I already have 6 names for the Sept 15 class..only two seats left. 
I also have a class planned for 9-29 where we will make Halloween (or Raven's) wreaths.  I wanted to post a picture of the wreath so you would have an idea of what the project looks like:

You must pre-register for this class by 9-12 in order for me to have time to prepare the materials for the class.
The format for this project will be used in future classes (soon to be posted) for Fall, Christmas, and Winter.
Look forward to see you at class!
Peggy

Paper clay roses

Hi Stampers!
I am preparing this post ahead of time because the day you see it will be my first day back to work!  Can't imagine how that will go as I am told that the building is still a mess from the workmen who are putting air conditioning in the building!  Could end up to be a frustrating and dirty day!   But we do getto start the day with a nice breakfast, at least!
This card is so special because it uses the rosette die and the new paper clay and molds.  Fun!

Some folks find the medallions a bit frustrating to make, but when you use a glue gun (I usually avoid glue guns) it works very well.  I did not use the rosette die for this (shocking, right?).  Instead, we simply used a stylus and a straight edge to score from point to point on the Happy Day image. We also used a small circle punch to cut the scooped edges around the outside.  The rose in the center is the paper clay which was dyed to color using a reinker.  Do you like the fake ribbon on the left side?  I saw that idea on Brandyscards blog.  You stamp the image multiple times and it gives a really cool effect...and uses up those scraps of white cardstock we all end up with.  Isn't it a sweet quick card?
Peggy

Silly me!!!

Hi stampers!!
While we were at the Stampin' Up! convention this summer, we were given a sample of the new material Stampin' Up! is selling so you can make your own stamp!  When I was in college, part of the training for occupational therapists had to do with crafts - block printing was one of the crafts we did.  I can tell you that carving away that linoleum block was real work - this product that Stampin' Up! is carrying is soo much easier to manage!!  As soon as I got mine I knew what I wanted to make.  Did you guess a Winnie the Pooh- no!!  I have tons of Pooh stamps!  Nope!  I wanted a Despicable Me minion!!  Take a look...

What do you think?  Not bad for a first try! How did I do it?  I got a coloring book and copied one of the pictures and then shrunk it until it was the size I wanted.  Then I scribbled all over the back of the picture with a #2 pencil.  I laid the paper on the rubber and traced over the lines of the image.  The graphite (from the pencil) on the back of the picture was transferred onto the rubber so I would know what parts to leave untouched.  Then I took my tools and carved away the rest (lucky me, I still have the tools I used back in the '70's!!!).  I love my little minion...hope my students will too!
Peggy

retired cardstock for sale

I have the following recently retired for sale in the US. Buyer pays S&H. I take paypal and money order. Choose 6 items to purchase and the least expensive one is free.

Designer Décor kit Candy Countdown 120926 19.95

Retired Cardstock: 8 ½ x 11 unopened packs $6 each
2 Baja Breeze 111352
3 Bashful Blue 105120
2 Bravo Burgundy 105123
1 Certainly Celery 105125
1 Lucky Limeade 122926
2 More mustard
2 Not Quite Navy
2 Pretty in Pink 100459
2 Regal rose
3 Riding hood Red 111348
2 River rock 108640

Peggy

Holiday SAS #1 project 5

Hi Stampers!
Today I have another fun "moving" card for you!- a fancy fold, if you will.  It is an easel card!
Does anything say Christmas card more than a tree?

This card is also heat embossed.  I had the ladies stamp the tree in versamark ink and then apply green embossing powder to the tree immediately followed by copper embossing powder under the tree,  The trick to doing that is to hold the card with the tree upside down. You pour the green EP on at the bottom branches and let is spill down the length of the tree, then you turn the tree right side up and pour the copper EP from the trunk downward.  Finally, you heat set both.   It is not necessary to heat set in two steps in this instance because you can so easily see where the two colors meet.  After the EP was set the tree was die cut in the Big Shot.
But I told it you was an Easel Card...see....The trick here is to mount the greeting on dimensionals so the bottom edge of the cover catches on the greeting.   The front cover of the card is folded at the midpoint to support the tree layer.
Fun!  Do you love it?
Peggy

Holiday SAS, pt 1 project 4

Hi stampers
Are you catching the pre-holiday spirit yet?  Today I have a fun card for you that uses one of the new  Stampin Up! Thinlits and the Big Shot.   Such a quick, fun die cut card!!!

All the images on this card are heat embossed with white embossing powder.  When you open the card, here is what you see...

Did you notice how the center greeting flips over so the longer message is on the inside?
Isn't this fun????  And the card still fits in a standard A2 envelope.   At a future holiday stamp a stack session I will show you how to make this card even more fun!!
Peggy

Holiday SAS, Pt 1, project 3

Hi Stampers!!
Time for another fun Holiday card!!  This card was really fun for me. I had an idea that percolated in my brain and this is where I ended up!! 

 I wanted to honor our local area (Chesapeake Bay and Ocean City) where we love our beach and crabs and drinks.  I reworked this card several times to try to make it easy for my gals.   There are many small parts, but again, like the tree card, punching makes it easy peasy.  This card uses the Settin' Sail photopolymer stamp set - the greeting says "Life is more fun at the beach".  But to make it a holiday card, I layered the word "Christmas" above the words and blocked out the "Life" with the eyelets. The gals got a mix of gingerbread eyelets and Christmas trees.  The background of the card is polka dotted with the TIEF and my Big Shot!!!!!!!!
Lucky for me, the gals said they surely do have family and friends who will appreciate this somewhat off beat Christmas card.  At least I can say it is a bit out of the box.
Peggy

Holiday SAS pt 1 project 2

Hi all
My project for you today is one of those that you can do in stages.  First, you need to punch out shapes - I used trees and ornaments and two different papers.  I punched out the items for my gals while I watched the ball game.  The punching takes some time but is mindless so you could easily do it while sitting in the car waiting for the kids to come out from football, swimming lessons, or whatever.  The punches themselves are small so they are easily carried around with you. 

This card was inspired by one made by Peggy Wilson but she used different papers and a different greeting.   I wanted a smaller greeting that would be more reminiscent of a tree trunk.  Anyway, the trick to assemble this card is to stamp the greeting first and then use a centering ruler.  Are you familiar with those?  The center of the ruler has a "0" and then the inches (and smaller lengths) are marked outward to either side.  When you want to center an image, you look to see if the same length is at either end of the card stock, and when the two ends match you know the center is where the zero is - no measuring!! 
I had the gals place the centering ruler above the greeting and tack it down with temporary adhesive.  Once they attached the bottom 5 trees with dimensionals, they were able to complete the rest of the trees and ornaments by eyeballing them.  Easy Peasy.  This card is similar to one we made last year using hearts.  Remember, reworking an old layout is a great way to create a fresh new look.  Would your friends like to make this card?  contact me to book your workshop, class or party.
Peggy

Holiday SaS #1 project one

Hi all
Today I have my first holiday stamp a stack project of the 2013 season.  This card looks tedious, but once you know how it is assembled, the process is fast.

Yes, the petals and leaves of the poinsettia are made using the mosaic stamps and punch.  You stamp the solid mosaic ten times and then punch them out.   They are attached to a chip board circle, then the second layer is added.  The artichoke petals are attached to the bottom of the chipboard circle.  The small scallop circle punch is placed in the center and then a button is added.  OF COURSE, I used my Big Shot...don't I always!...for the background.  The ribbons are retired but worked really well on this card.  Wouldn't you want to make a few of these.  Thanks, Debbie Henderson for the inspiration.   This class is being repeated on Sunday, August 18th - you could be there!!!!  Leave me a comment and make my day!!!!
Peggy

Sand Dollar

Hi stampers
Enjoyed the company of some long time stampers on Sunday as they made 20 Holiday cards - five designs, four of each card.  Unfortunately, one of our ladies got knocked down by a summer cold and since she was feeling icky, with more than her fair share of germs, she decided to stay home.   Feel better soon, Sharon!  I will be repeating the class this coming Sunday if any of you travelers are back home and want to join us.   Please contact me by Tuesday to register.
The pictures of those projects are not ready to post yet so I will share a picture from a previous class today.   Hope to get some of those holiday card pictures posted tomorrow.
This is one of the cards I took to convention.   Actually, I have done several variations of this card cuz I really like it!!

The sand dollar is on the inside of the card and is stamped in brown and then covered with Dazzling Diamonds glitter glue.  Of course I used my Big Shot to die cut the medallion around the sand dollar.
Peggy

reminder act now!

GOOD REASONS TO TRY PAPER PUMPKIN MONTHLY KITS NOW!

1.  New to paper crafting?  Paper Pumpkin is a simple way to build your skills and enjoy a monthly escape to paper, stamps, ink and fun!  Each project takes about 30 minutes to complete.
2.  Old hand at paper crafting but have so little time to play...answer: My Paper Pumpkin!  I come to your door precut and ready to assemble!  All you need to add is scissors and adhesive.

3.  Looking for the perfect gift?  Introduce your passion for paper to someone new to the craft with a Paper Pumpkin subscription.

4. TRY THE SUBSCRIPTION FOR JUST $10.  Ends August 31:  Pay only $10 a month* for your first two months. BUT if you want to receive your first box in August you must sing up today Aug 10th.  If you wait til tomorrow, your first box will come in September.
Remember ...go to mypaperpumpkin.com to register,  list me as your demo, and use the promo code PUMPKINDEAL . Then let me know you signed up so I can add you to the list of folks to receive additional project ideas to make with the kit.

easel birthday

Hi Stampers
Before I show you another of my recent projects, I want to encourage you to take advantage of the amazing special offer from Stampin' Up! for two months of My Paper Pumpkin for half price - only $10 each for the first two months. This is a complete project kit that comes directly to your door.   I'm urging you to sign up right away because the close date for each month's order is the 10th of the month...if you sign up by the 10th, you will get your first kit in August - around the 15th.  The first kit is the starter kit which includes a clear acrylic block which you can use with future kits.   If you receive the kits and then decide you do not want to continue, all you have to do is go into the mypaperpumpkin.com and cancel your subscription.  But I think you will find it a treat to have a special box arrive each month just for you.  Each project is projected to take about 30 minutes to assemble.  After the first two months the kit price is 19.95.  You have until the end of august to take advantage of this offer but, as I mentioned if you want to receive a box this month you must sign up by the 10th.  Be sure to list me as your demo and use the special promo code  PUMPKINDEAL.
Now to my project  ...a variation of one by Sue Reynolds.

This is an easel card ...once it is set up. 
Here is how it looks when you pull it out of the envelope.

This card is easier to assemble than you might think! Of course, I used my Big Shot and the Framelits to make the various layers.  Had to run two layers through a textured impressions embossing folder to get some TEXTURE!  The coloring of the flowers and the greeting was accomplished by applying bleach to the areas after they were heat embossed.  So pretty!
Peggy

banners and flags

Hi Stampers!
Hope you are enjoying these last few weeks of summer...in spite of the rain. 
Flags and banners are very popular elements in cards these days and this card that I have for you attempts to include them.  It is inspired by a card I saw on Barb stamps blog... with a few tweaks.  The most challenging part is the hole in the card front.  Can you tell that the zig zag DSP is actually on the inside of the card, not on the cover?  I used an Apothecary Accents Framelit but I cut a hole

that did not go all the way up to the top of the card front. I wanted some stability across the top so the hole couldn't go to the top.   How do I do that?  It's tricky, but actually fairly simple.  When I ran the card through the Big Shot to cut the hole, I made sure that the base plate was not under all of the card front but instead was slid downwards a bit.  By sliding the plate downward, the framelit did not cut where there was no plate and left me the header card stock I wanted.  Nifty, huh?  Feel free to contact me if this is not a clear enough explanation.
The valence at the top (made from another Apothecary Accent Framelit) covers up the butt end of the hole.  I was happy with the end product.
Are you one of those folks who wishes you could enjoy the benefits of being a Stampin' Up! demo? .. the discount,.... the early access to new products, ..... ready access to the "demo only" aspects of the Stampin' Up! website...convention.....webinars.... fellowship....fun....income?  During the month of August, we are offering additional perks to new recruits.   If you are ready to give us a try, contact me and we can have a chat about what this opportunity can do for you.  Obviously, after 16 years with Stampin' Up! I believe in this company and this opportunity.   Would love to have you join me!  Don't let fear or hesitation keep you from giving it a try.  You could have a blast!
Peggy

Hi Stampers
Well, it seems that the countdown to "Back to School" has begun! Only two more weeks of summer vacation for staff.  The kids get three more weeks of fun!  but hey!  when I have my stamps ready, any day is fun!
My project share today was inspired by Jeanne Harris.  It is fairly simple to do but uses a special technique.

First, I inked up a square stamp made from scrap rubber - the edges were cut using the old deckle scissors.  Have you been a stamper long enough to remember when special scissors were one of the only tools we had? We've come a long way, baby!  Those days are over!!
I used our new "In Colors" inks - the color on the top left is Pistachio Pudding and the bottom right color is Cantaloupe Crisp.  After stamping the block on the Natruals White cardstock, we used daubers to spread the ink around within the space borders.  The greeting (from Simply Sketched) was stamped in Baked Brown Sugar In Color Ink.  Then the splatter effect was made using Baked Brown Sugar Ink and the stamp from Gorgeous Grunge set.  We used Black Stazon Ink to stamp the tulip from the Backyard Basics set onto whisper white cardstock and cut it out using the Backyard Basics Framelits set and the Big Shot.  It is popped up on dimensionals.  The tulip had been colored using markers.  The base of the card is Crisp Cantaloupe Cardstock.  This is one of those cards that could easily have a variety of greetings - birthday, thank you, get well, etc.
Peggy

Mosaic and flowers

Hi Stampers
I hope you can enjoy today's card...I don't think it photographed very well but it is a great card in person. 

 The base layer is smoky slate cardstock, with a folded layer of whisper white next and another layer of smoky slate cardstock on top.   That top layer had been run through the Big Shot in the Modern Mosaic Textured Impression Embossing Folder (TIEF).  The greeting was stamped in Black Stazon ink on whisper white cardstock and the flowers were stamped in Perfect Plum ink.  The highlights of the larger flower were colored in using a Perfect Plum marker.  The larger flower is attached directly to the card front and the smaller flower is on dimensionals.  Each flower has dazzling diamonds in the center.   Thanks to Jamilac for this card idea.
Hope you have contacted me about attending my next class so you can get started on your holiday cards. 
Peggy

Hexagon hexagon hexagon!

Hi Stampers
Today I have a lovely card for you featuring our hexagon stamp and punch.  Hexagons are hot right now but punches have always been hot with busy stampers!!  I love my punches almost as much as I love my Big Shot ...which I also used to make this card!

The base of the card is Smoky Slate cardstock with a layer of Island Indigo on to top of that ....but the Island Indigo cardstock was first run though the Big Shot in the Honeycomb Textured Impressions Embossing Folders (TIEF).  Like you, I like to be thrifty, so I used half a doily up against the left edge to add a bit of frilly to the card.  The three hexagons (Six-sided Sampler set) were stamped in Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, and Island Indigo inks and they were punched out and then popped up on dimensionals.  The words are from the Loving Thoughts stamp set in the same three blue inks on whisper white c/s and punched out using the word window punch (love my punches!).  The ribbon is the ruffle ribbon and there is a bit of bling in the rhinestones(can you see the three of them at the start of the three words?).  Thanks to Beverly M for this idea I tweaked.
Reminder that I need to hear from you by Sunday, August 4th if you plan to attend the August Christmas Stamp a Stack class to be held on August 11th.  Materials fee is $25 (due in advance) and you need to bring your scissors, bone folder, and adhesives.  We will make 20 cards: five different designs, four of each designs.
Peggy

fabulous offer!!

Hi Stampers
I know some of you love to stamp but just can't seem to find the time to hostess a workshop, come to my classes, or pull out your materials, dream up a project, cut it out, and then assemble it.  But you feel you are missing the fun and excitement of completing a wonderful project. 
Well... now I have a special offer just for you.  
If you sign up to begin receiving the monthly My Paper Pumpkin kit, you get your first two months for only $10 each (half price!).  You will receive a wonderful project in a special box each month around the 15th.  Projects are expected to take only 30 minutes to complete and contain everything you need to assemble the project, except adhesive and scissors.  The first kit includes a clear block to mount the stamps (that has a value of $8.95 itself!!).  After these two special offer months, the monthly cost of the kit is 19.95 but continues to contain all the goodies (except adhesive and scissors) you need to complete the projects. 
So far, each of the kits has included "spots" - small 1 x 1" ink pads which are a great way to collect the various SU colors but take up very little storage room....they are especially fabulous to take when traveling.  And, like our regular sized pads, they can be reinked easily.   And each kit has included one or more stamps (the last kit had three stamps!) and some embellishments such as baker's twine, die cuts, or doo dads. 
I encourage you to sign up for My Paper Pumpkin at mypaperpumpkin.com and please remember to choose me as your demonstrator (Peggy Outen).  I have been sending my pumpkineers additional ideas of things to do with the contents of each kit.  Don't throw anything in the kit away!!   Even the cloud shaped logo sticker on the kit can be used as a template to make a cloud for your own creative project (like a baby mobile).  The colored tissue paper is also useful ...I use it to make paper flowers.  Pretty!
You say you want to get together with friends to stamp?  I would be happy to hostess you and your friends to complete the kit project at no extra cost.   Or for a small fee, I can also have you make other projects using the reusables in the kit.  Let's chat.  Contact your friends and see if they would like to hold a monthly klatch to assemble the kit projects - a play date for mom!!!!
Here are  a couple of the projects we have already done...

This is another kool project from My Paper Pumpkin....a brag book.

As you can see the projects are not always cards...we had a brag book and in July we made a banner to put on top of a cake (or a scrapbook page) complete with bamboo sticks to hold up the ends of the banner (sorry I don't have a picture of that).
Have Questions call me.   Like always...this two month at half price offer is not a deadly commitment.   If you try the first two reduced price kits and find you are not able to continue, you can easily skip a month or withdraw completely...no penalty.   Don't you deserve at least $10 a month of fun for two months?
Remember you sign up for this deal at  mypaperpumpkin.com and be sure to put my name as your demo so you get the additional ideas.
Peggy