Stamping With Blue Moon Creations

Top 10 Favorite Stamping Techniques

The swap theme for our January Sunday Stamp Club was "our favorite stamping technique."  I have so many favorites, and I couldn't come up with just one.  So, I made a different swap card for each member using one of my 10 favorite techniques.

For all of the cards, I used the Hugs die-cut Sending Love Note cards and the coordinating Glassine Rectangle Envelopes found on page 19 of the Occasions Mini Catalog.  You can decorate and add a greeting to the scalloped edged "Hug" note card and put it in a glassine envelope as is or add it to the inside of a folded card like I did with my swaps, measuring 3 3/4 x 4 1/2 and scored at 2 1/8.  These make sending little love notes to your favorite Valentine so simple!

So, without further delay, and as Tom Bergeron of Dancing with the Stars would say, "In no particular order", here are the first 3 of my  favorite top ten stamping techniques.

 

Masking

Stamp Sets: Vintage Vogue, With All My Heart, Dot, Dot, Dot

Ink: Pink Passion, Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery

Paper: Whisper White, Pink Passion

Accessories: Hugs Sending Love Notes, Envelope, Soft Subtle button, pink thread, post-it-note, Stamp-a-ma-jig

 

 

 

 

 Floating Watercolors

Stamp Set: Always

Ink: Lovely Lilac, Pretty in Pink, Pink Passion reinkers, Versamark

Paper: Shimmery White, Basic Black

Accessories: Hugs Sending Love Notes, White Embossing Powder, heat tool, Aqua-painter, pink grosgrain ribbon, pearl from Pretties Kit

 

 

Dryer Sheet

Stamp Set: Kind and Caring Thoughts

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Green Galore markers

Paper: Whisper White, Rose Red

Accessories: Hugs Sending Love Notes, dryer sheet, Dazzling Diamonds, spray adhesive

 
  
 
  
   

  

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Please let me know if you have any questions about any of the stamping techniques or any of the products used blumoon@comcast.net

Paper Lace Tutorial-You Hold the Key to my Heart

Recently I was cleaning out our "catch-all" drawer in our kitchen, and I found all these keys.  What do they open?? Who knows!  Of course, you can't throw something like these away.  So, I bagged them up with every intention of using them in my crafting.  I thought the key incorporated into a sentiment would be a perfect addition to a Valentine's Day card.

I also thought the addition of the key lent itself to a vintage look. For the sentiment,I cut out words from a newspaper, distressed them by tearing and adding some gold metallic speckles.  I punched out a heart on the card front using my Heart punch and added another heart punched out of Sending Love Designer Series paper for the inside.

I then added a paper lace border made out of pages from my old dictionary.  This is just the latest of the projects I've created using this treasured resource!

Please see the video tutorial below for directions on how to create paper lace.

 

  
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Supplies Used:

Stamp Set: Itty Bitty Backgrounds #114996

Ink: Encore Gold Metallic #101017

Paper: Basic Black #102851, Sending Love Designer Series Paper #117153

Accessories: Dictionary pages, old key, newspaper, bone folder #102300 or crimper #101618, eyelet border punch #113692,  heart punch #113693,Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon #109034

Clear Mount Stamp Block Templates!

Thanks to Michelle Laycock with Laycock Designs for this great resource.   Click on the image above to open the file for templates for each of the clear-mount block sizes along with the order item number, price and size. You will find these templates very helpful when purchasing clear-mount stamps.

The templates are actual size. You may print the template on vellum or on a transparency sheet to match the stamp image in the catalog to the block. 

Please let me know if you have any questions blumoon@comcast.net

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Chipboard Hearts

With the new Occasions Mini Catalog, Stampin' Up! is offering fun On Board Chipboard books available in the following shapes:

 

Each shape includes 8 die-cut natural chipboard pages with one key ball chain to hold them all together.  And they are very affordable at $4.95 each!

One of the cool things is that they can be used individually.  And that's what we did for the Saturday Stamp Clubs!  Each member was given a chipboard heart, a sheet of glittery Sending Love Designer Series paper, a Sending Love Epoxy brad, and some Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon.  They were able to cut a monogram letter out of a red, pink or white piece of decor element vinyl sheet using the Big Shot and Serif Essentials Alphabet set.  I also had heart punches and Scalloped Heart of Hearts and Flower Burst embosslits dies on hand that could be used with scraps of the DSP or vinyl sheets to decorate the front and back of the hearts.

It was fun to see how each Club member decorated their heart with someone special in mind.

Here is a sampling of hearts:

 
We covered the front and backs of the chipboard hearts with Stampin' Up!'s Anywhere Glue Sticks (works great on chipboard!), attached the designer series paper, then trimmed off the excess using detail cutting scissors.  We punched a hole through the chipboard and ribbon using a Crop-a-dile and then attached the brad and ribbon. A very simple, yet WOW project!

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Supplies Used:

On Board Heart Book # 117236, Sending Love Designer Series Paper #117153, Sending Love Real Red 1/2" Epoxy Brads #117270, Pretty in Pink 5/8" Satin Ribbon #117289, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die #117332, Flower Burst Embosslits Die #114515, Big Shot #113439, Serif Essentials Alphabet #113464, Full Heart punch #113693, Heart to Heart punch #113694, Anywhere Glue Stick #104045, Crop-A-Dile #108362, Decor Elements vinyl sheets in Pretty in Pink #118800, Real Red #118802 and White #114335
 

Sending Love Designer Series Paper-It sparkles!

Have you seen the Sending Love Designer Series Paper found in the new Occasions Mini Catalog from Stampin' Up!?  The packet comes with 12 sheets, 2 ea of 6 double-sided designs just like all the collections of Designer Paper from Stampin' Up!  But with this series, each sheet sparkles with a glittery design on one side!  

Up close sparkles!  This paper is so much fun!

 

Bring on the sparkles in your own projects! Order online today.

Sending Love Designer Series Paper #117153

 
Price: $11.95

Give your projects a special shimmer with the designs in this specialty paper.  Each sheet shines with glittery designs on one side.  The exclusive designs and high-quality card stock will add a touch of elegance to your valentine projects, but it's also suited for year-round use.

-12 sheets total, 2 each of 6 double-sided designs

-12" x 12"

-Coordinates with Stampin' Up!'s exclusive colors: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Real Red and Very Vanilla

 Supplies used for Love You Much card:

Stamp Set: Love You Much #113756

Ink: Chocolate Chip #100071, Real Red #100052, Green Galore #100048, Regal Rose  #105108 markers

Paper: Pretty in Pink #100459, Chocolate Chip #102128, Sending Love Designer Series Paper #117153

Accessories: Bold Brights brad #106957 and 1/16" circle punch #101227

 

Caution: Opening Box May Cause Extreme Excitement!

Ohhh, look what the man in brown delivered to my door!

It's time to Sale-A-Brate, January 5-March 31 2010

Free Stamps! Free Accessory Items! 15% Discount when you sign up to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator! $47.95 FREE stamp set when signing up to be a Demonstrator!

Promotion Dates: January 5-March 31, 2010 (3 full months of FREE product!)

Customers: Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $50 purchase (before tax and shipping)

Visit my website and SHOP ON LINE!

Hostesses: Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $300 in workshop sales*, in addition to our regular hostess benefits. *Note: This benefit only available on qualifying customer, demonstrator, and workshop orders. Online orders do not qualify.

NEW Recruits: Choose any retail stamp set (valued up to $47.95) from the current catalogs when signing up during the promotion. Plus, get 15 percent off your Starter Kit (Standard or Digital+)!

Starter Kit	Regular Price	Sale-A-Bration Price (15% off)
Standard Starter Kit	$199	$169
Digital+ Starter Kit	$185	$157

Have you thought about signing up to be a demonstrator?  Now is a GREAT time!!!  You will receive a 15% DISCOUNT on your Starter Kit AND you can pick a FREE $47.95 stamp set too!

I'd love to have you become part of my Stampin' Up! team.  Contact me today for more details

blumoon@comcast.net

Altered Dictionary Page-"Scrunchy" flower video tutorial

Here's another project I created using pages from my old dictionary. 

Check below for a video tutorial on how to create the "scrunchy" flower using the Extra Large Fancy Flower punch  found the Occasions Mini Catalog.

I also used an old seed catalog I've had in my stash for part of this card.  The pages of the catalog are black and white with great illustrations (why I've kept it over the years), but it's cover is in full color! I thought the oranges and yellows of the marigold was a great match for the orange in the corduroy button and Designer Series paper.

Please watch my video tutorial below:

 

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Supplies used:

Stamp set: Bella's Bloom #111600

Ink: Basic Black #101179

Paper: Basic Black #102192, Pumpkin Pie #105117, retired DSP I had on hand (?), dictionary page

Accessories: Extra Large Fancy Flower punch #118073, Pumpkin Pie corduroy button #114342, paper piercing tool #116631 and mat #105826, brad #109109, Dimensionals ##104430

 
 

Altered Dictionary pages

 I recently took on the major project of cleaning out my craft room in preparation for our move to Colo later this spring.  While cleaning out a large cabinet, I came across the old dictionary that my Great Grandmother had given to me when I was about 10.  It has come apart at the spine into 2 pieces.  I used this dictionary as a kid, and now I use it in my crafting. The pages of the dictionary have aged to a nice Soft Suede color so I don't have to do any extra aging on the paper!  It is perfect for the vintage look.

You've heard me talk about this dictionary before as I posted these projects:

Papier-mache cup posted on August 15, 2008.

For more information and instructions, please click on this posting:

 How to make papier-mache bowls

 

 

and this one from August 6, 2009. 

Here's my latest creation:

I picked the dictionary page that had the word "flower" and stamped Purple Cone Flowers using my stamp set Inspired by Nature.  I added a light distressed look using my Sanded background stamp (retired) and Close to Cocoa ink.  I added a few Elegant Eggplant speckles using Itty Bitty Backgrounds.  The dictionary page has aged to a nice, soft brown color, so it didn't need much distressing.  I then added a couple of Summer Sun corduroy buttons and an eyelet punched border. Wouldn't this look pretty framed?  mmmm....

Supplies used:

Stamp Sets: Inspired by Nature, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Defining Alphabet, Sanded (retired)

Ink: Lovely Lilac, Green Galore, Summer Sun markers, Elegant Eggplant, Close to Cocoa

Accessories: old dictionary page, Summer Sun corduroy buttons, black hemp twine, eyelet border punch
 

 

Fabric Pins

I had scraps of this fun fabric and thought I'd make pins to wear on my new bright red micro suede jacket that I received as a Christmas gift!  Again, I used my Big Shot and Flowers Layers #3 die to cut out the fabric.  I used Crystal Effects to attach the flowers together, the pin back on the back side as well as the button.  No sewing!!  Love it! 

The buttons came from a collection that my mother had given me years ago.  She gave me a small wooden box filled with various buttons that she had removed from pieces of clothing she had worn in her teens and early 20's.  I enjoyed sorting through them and really like that I have found a special use for them.

I wore this pin on my new jacket for a night on the town with my husband as we celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary.  We went to see the moving Avatar and had a delicious dinner at a new restaurant.  I had a lot of compliments on the pin!

 

 

Purple Hearts-using the Big Shot to cut fabric

Here are two more gift cards I created using my Big Shot, hearts die and scrap fabric.  Very quick and easy and so much fun!  These make me smile, but then I'm a sucker for purple!

 

 

Shades of Purple-Fabric circles and flowers cut using the Big Shot

I have said many, many times that I love working with fabric.  But, I don't like to sew.  One of many reasons why I love my Big Shot is that it cuts through fabric (up to 8 layers) with ease allowing me to craft with all the fabulous colors and textures of fabric without the sewing part.

I made these cards using scraps of purple fabric and buttons I had in my stash.  Purple is my favorite color, so that seems to be the most prevalent color in my collection! 

Just a little history of the fabric: The flowered purple and blue fabric is left over from when I made the valances that hang in my craft studio.  The satin fabric is left over from when I was making lavender-filled sachets and the two tone purple fabrics are left over from one of the many fabric ornaments I made for Christmas.

I experimented adding starch to the cut pieces before assembly.  I think the starch gives you a much crisper fabric piece.  I also used fabric glue to attach the fabric to the card stock.  Regular Snail or Mono adhesive does not work.

For the larger card, I attached all the circles together using a rhinestone in the center of the smallest circle.  I used my paper piercing tool to pierce a hole first.

For one of the smaller cards I sewed the button to the fabric.  On the other, I used Crystal Effects to attach it after cutting off the shank so it would lay flat.

Supplies Used:

Big Shot, Circles #2 and Flower Layers #3 dies 

Big Shot Quilted Purses!

My fabulous Upline Tammy Fite, made this quilted purse for me using her Big Shot and Scallop Square die!  The Big Shot reduces much of the prep time for fabric projects by cutting through 8 layers of fabric at a time with ease!  Isn't that so cool?  Quilting and other sewing projects has just gotten easier for seamstresses and non seamstresses alike!

Here is the inside of Tammy's creation:

For a very detailed how to video tutorial, please visit Angie Kennedy Juda's blog site

I'm headed to the fabric store!  Thank you Tammy for giving me this beautiful gift! 

Punched Bear-Inspired by real life bear

My project today was inspired by the real life bear that was visiting our mountain property in southern Colorado last summer. 

This was what we saw coming out of the forest as we sat on our front porch one afternoon last July! This is actually one of the three bears we saw over the course of the summer.  This one by far was the largest.

And here is my card.  Definitely cuter and more lovable!

 

Supplies used:

Stamp Set: Beary Nice Wishes

Ink: Chocolate Chip ink and marker

Paper: Sage Shadow, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, Close to Cocoa and To the Nines Specialty paper

Accessories: 1 3/4", 1", 3/4", 1/8" circle punches, small oval punch, Heart to Heart punch

It's time to Sale-A-Brate!

It's time to Sale-A-Brate, January 5-March 31 2010

Free Stamps! Free Accessory Items! 15% Discount when you sign up to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator! $47.95 FREE stamp set when signing up to be a Demonstrator!

Promotion Dates: January 5-March 31, 2010 (3 full months of FREE product!)

Customers: Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $50 purchase (before tax and shipping)

Visit my website and SHOP ON LINE!

Hostesses: Receive a free Sale-A-Bration product for every $300 in workshop sales*, in addition to our regular hostess benefits. *Note: This benefit only available on qualifying customer, demonstrator, and workshop orders. Online orders do not qualify.

NEW Recruits: Choose any retail stamp set (valued up to $47.95) from the current catalogs when signing up during the promotion. Plus, get 15 percent off your Starter Kit (Standard or Digital+)!

Starter Kit	Regular Price	Sale-A-Bration Price (15% off)
Standard Starter Kit	$199	$169
Digital+ Starter Kit	$185	$157

Have you thought about signing up to be a demonstrator?  Now is a GREAT time!!!  You will receive a 15% DISCOUNT on your Starter Kit AND you can pick a FREE $47.95 stamp set too!

I'd love to have you become part of my Stampin' Up! team.  Contact me today for more details

blumoon@comcast.net

Occasions Mini Catalog is here

Occasions Mini Catalog order period January 5-April 30, 2010

What's new?

-Clear Mount Stamps!

This is exciting news! Over the past few years, there has been enormous demand from demonstrators and customers alike for a line of repositionable clear-mount stamps. Well, you asked for it, and now you have it! Starting with stamps in the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog and the 2010 Sale-A-Bration Brochure, Stampin′ Up! now offers our exclusive stamp art in both traditional wood-mount, and the new clear-mount option. 

Our new clear-mount stamps are the result of extensive research with the intent to maintain the very best image quality in the stamping industry, while at the same time offering the ease-of-use and storability inherent in repositionable clear-mount stamps.

Clear-Mount Features

• Nine different sizes of clear blocks available individually or as a discounted bundle.
• Blocks have ergonomic grooves on all four sides for easy grip and traditional wood-mount feel.
• Stamps and blocks are durable and easy to clean with your Stampin’ Scrub and Stampin' Mist.
• Optional image labels on stamp backs let you decide if you want to see the image through the block or not.
• Tight die-cutting for easy image positioning.
• Large clear blocks can be used to create collages or spell words with alphabet sets.
• Stamps store easily in standard, DVD-type cases with artwork on front and spine, making organization easy.

-A new punch style!

Starting with the new 2010 Occasions Mini Catalogand continuing with all new punch designs going forward, Stampin' Up! has adopted a new body style for our punches!

A few features of the new punch style:

• Low-profile, rectangular punch body allows for easier stacking and storing
• Punches lock shut for easier storage and transport
• Dual labels on top and end allow for easy identification and selection when stored
• Available in three sizes: small, medium, and extra-large
• New punches allow for larger punched images and more intricate designs while providing greater ease of use.
  • Extra -large punch images also allow for two-step designs like the Two-Step Bird punch in the Occasions Mini Catalog
• Corner punches allow you to punch a corner design along the inside edges of a page, not just corners
• larger, whole-hand handle design provides better leverage for easier use
• Available in an exclusive Stampin' Up! color

My favorite from the Occasions Mini Catalog:

-Sending Love Specialty paper (page 13)  Each sheet shines with glittery designs on one side! 12 sheets, 2 each of 2 double-sided designs, 12 x 12. Too cool!

Other favorites:

-Scallop Heart of Hearts Embosslits die (page 15)

-Beautiful Wings Embosslits die (page 24)

-5/8" Satin Ribbon (page 27)

-Sweet Pea Stitched Felt (page 32)

-Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack (page 33)

-On Board Books (page 34)

-Chocolate Bunny stamp (page 43)

Be sure to contact me if you would like to place an order or have any questions: blumoon@comcast.net

or Shop online

Introducing my new blog banner!

 

I am so excited about my new blog banner that was designed by Julie Semones of Senomes Designs

I gave her an idea of what I wanted, and I think she captured my vision perfectly. And she is very quick too!  I contacted her on Dec 30, and she had the design ready on Jan 1!  I was able to upload it to my site just in time to celebrate the last Blue Moon of the decade!

I love to hear what you think, so please leave a comment below.

 

Calendar Kit, Delightful Dates

Here's a quick and easy Christmas present we gave this year. 

I used the calendar kit called Delightful Dates and wrapped it in a magnetic gift box.  Both can be purchased from the Holiday Mini Catalog from Stampin' Up! through January 4, 2010. I painted the chipboard stand using an acrylic paint called "Straw".  (thanks to Nichole for helping me decide on this color!) I then picked a variety of stamp sets to use on the front side,left hand side of each calendar piece.

October is my favorite.  I love the wheat image found in the stamp set Autumn Days.  I also used  my word processing program to create a "taking notes" piece for the back side of each calendar piece.  I just printed them out on computer paper and cut to fit.  This way, my recipient can make any notes on the back of each piece as needed.

The calendar and stand fit nicely in the magnetic box.  I even found some hand made paper in my stash that coordinated nicely with the colors and images I stamped on the calendar pages.

Tie a bow and add a tag to the box, and the gift is ready to go!  So easy!

 
 

Happy New Year! Scenic Season

I wish you a very happy, prosperous and peaceful 2010!

I originally thought Scenic Season would be the stamp set I used for our Christmas cards this year. But darn Stampin' Up!, they have so many holiday stamp sets that I kept changing my mind and being drawn to other ideas.  Like a kid in a candy store!  Anyway, I  still wanted to use the set and thought it would be perfect for a Happy New Year card.  I really like creating sky backgrounds, but especially like this one because it is so soft.  I thought it represented the promise of a positive new year.

Thank you to LeeAnn Greff for her inspiration and tutorial on her Soft Background Sunrise technique!

Spring Stamp Camp!

Spring Stamp Camp-Let's stamp off those winter blues!

Saturday, January 30, 2010; 9:30 am-12:30 pm

Berean Baptist Church
3800 Eubank Blvd NE, ABQ, NM

Cost is $25.00 (fee must be paid in advance, and is non-refundable-RSVP date is January 16, 2010)
Space is limited, so please sign up early.

The Holidays are over and now it's time to look forward to Spring! Please join us as we celebrate Sale-A-Bration and the new Spring Occasions Mini Catalog from Stampin' Up! This will be a fun morning of friendship and spring time stamping!

You will make 9 full sized cards, envelopes included (3 each of 3 designs: 1 Valentine's/Sweetheart/Friendship, 1 Easter and 1 spring-themed), plus a Happy Birthday milk carton filled with goodies.

We will also have door prizes, and lots of fun!!

Door Prizes
We will hand out door prizes all morning long!! Here is how you earn tickets:
Register and come: 1 ticket
Extra—Register by January 5, 2010: 1 ticket!
Bring a friend new to me: 1 ticket
Bring and use your own SNAIL adhesive (must be Stampin' Up! SNAIL adhesive): 1 ticket
Book a workshop during Sale-A-Bration January 5, 2010 through March 31, 2010: 5 tickets
Sign up as a demonstrator on or before Camp: 10 tickets

Special Offer!!!
Bring a friend that is new to me (is not on my mailing list), and get a $5 gift certificate to spend at stamp camp!
(Limit: 5 friends or $25)

Grand Prize
This will be an awesome assortment of stamping supplies worth at least $40!!! It will be announced at the end of the day—you do not need to be present to win!! Here is how you earn chances:
Earn one chance for each $20 spent
Earn 5 chances for becoming a demonstrator before January 16, 2010!
And please remember Sale-A-Bration will be in full swing-for every $50.00 you spend on Stampin' Up! product, you will earn a FREE stamp set out of the Sale-A-Bration catalog.

******************************************************************************************
Please e mail registration to: Anne Hayward: blumoon@comcast.net

Please send in no later than January 16, 2010.

Name: ____________________________________________

Invited by: ______________________________

Email Address: ______________________________________

Phone #: _______________________________

Embossed cards and purse tote

Christmas is now over, and I can share this project with you.  This was our Christmas gift to my Stepmother, Corlene.  I am not giving away any Christmas secrets by sharing it with you now!

I wanted to create 6 simple, yet elegant cards for Corlene.  There is nothing simpler than using the Big Shot and the various embossing folders by Stampin' Up!  They add such a great texture to any project, and I knew Corlene would like the look and the feel of these cards. I also made it easy on myself by using only the six In Colors card stock, ink and polka dot ribbon: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Bermuda Bay and Soft Suede. 

  Card 1:Dusty Durango and Petals A Plenty embossing folder

Card 2: Rich Razzleberry and Elegant Bouquet embossing folder

 

Card 3: Melon Mambo and Finial Press embossing folder

Card 4: Bermuda Bay and Manhattan Flower embossing folder

Card 5: Crushed Curry and Manhattan Flower embossing folder

Card 6: Soft Suede and Petals A Plenty embossing folder

Thanks to Patty Bennett at PattyStamps for her great tutorial on the purse tote. The timing was perfect as I was looking for a pattern I could use to hold these 6 cards and envelopes.  Here is the finished purse tote.

It's hard to tell from the photo, but the front and back of the tote are textured also.  I used the Damask Texturz Plate and the Big Shot.