Tag: stamps

Blog, Cards

Create Beautiful Cards for the Special Men in Your Life

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The other day I was texting with a good friend I haven’t seen in a while because, you know – COVID-19. Anyway we were catching up and I asked if she needed to replenish her stash of note cards because I literally have hundreds since I haven’t done any craft fairs this year, because you know – COVID-19.

She sent me a picture of what she was working on – creating cards with Stampin’ Up!’s Lots of Happy Kit which has beautiful floral images. In the course of the conversation she mentioned her son said she needed more masculine cards. I don’t know about you but I struggle trying to come up with cards suitable for guys. So I took the comment to heart and challenged myself to try and create some masculine birthday cards.

Turing to my stash of Stampin’ Up! stamps I selected the beautiful and versatile Mountain Air Bundle. As soon as I saw this set in the catalog I knew I had to have it. I’ve always loved mountains and will pick them over a beach vacation every time.

Mountain Air Bundle, Item #153820, $50.25
https://www.stampinup.com?demoid=2184563

I love that the stamps are reversible, with a detailed side as well as a flat, smooth side giving you so many options for creating beautiful scenes. I featured this set during my weekly Facebook Live and now have the tutorial uploaded to my YouTube Channel. You can watch the video here. Here are the cards I created. I sent the photos to my friend and her son gave them his stamp of approval as birthday cards suitable for guys.

Cards created with the Mountain Air Bundle from Stampin’ Up!

The Rich Razzleberry card on the left was a CASE from the 2020-2021 Annual Catalog. The card base is 8.5″ x 5.5″ scored at 4.35″. The images are stamped on a 4″ x 5.25″ of Rich Razzleberry in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink. I masked the small trees and stamped the moon in Versamark and heat embossed with White Embossing powder. I sponged Night of Navy and Rich Razzleberry to give it more of a twilight/night feel. A Crumb Cake banner .75″ x 2.25″ with the Happy Birthday stamped in Rich Razzleberry and two trees die cut in Basic Black complete the card.

The Pool Party card on the right has a card base of 8.5″ x 5.5″, scored at 4.25″. The images are stamped on a 4″ x 5.25″ of Whisper White. The techniques used include second generation stamping, and stamping off. For the mountains, I inked the stamp with Soft Suede and stamped the image twice without re-inking. For the solid clouds, after inking the stamp on the flat (smooth) side, I first stamped the image on a piece of scrap paper and then stamped it on the Whisper White, creating a softer image. I then reversed the stamp and stamped the lined cloud image with full strength Pool Party Ink. You can watch my YouTube Video for complete details on how to make these cards. And don’t forget to Subscribe to my Channel!

Blog

Can I offer you a yummy cookie?

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This past weekend I had the privilege of attending the first ever Stampin’ Up! Leaders Summit. Despite the fact the original plan to gather in New Orleans had to be scrapped due to COVID 19 (and so grateful to NOT be in New Orleans during a hurricane), the virtual event proved to be educational, insightful, and just downright FUN (the sub titles were hysterical!). One of my favorite parts of the event was networking with other Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators (or as I like to think of us Brand Ambassadors). I met so many intelligent, passionate, and joyful women from around the globe and feel rejuvenated by their enthusiasm.

One woman in particular provided a new way of looking at our direct sales business, which people so often mock or dismiss without even understanding anything about it. She asked us if we would like a cookie. As she looked upon our puzzled faces, she went on to explain – if you walk into a room with a plate of cookies, wouldn’t you offer a cookie to everyone in the room? Of course we all said yes. She then went further to hypothesize – if you walked into the room with a plate of cookies and DIDN’T offer everyone a cookie they would wonder why you didn’t offer them a cookie.

As she went on to explain her analogy, it all made perfect sense; as a member of a direct sales company we have “cookies” to offer. We can offer everyone the chance to host a party or join our teams. Some people may not want a “cookie” and simply say “no thank you”; other may say “I don’t want a cookie right now” while still others may say “YES – Thank you so much – I would love a cookie”. The point is – you never know who will be interested so give the information to everyone so they can decide if they want a “cookie”.

In the spirit of that I am offering you a “cookie”, a chance to join our Crafty Foxes Stampin’ Up! family. Our team is full of dynamic brand ambassadors with a passion for creating and sharing their joy with others while using quality products (and did you know all of Stampin’ Up!’s stamps, ink, and paper are made right here in the good old U.S.A?!!). There’s never been a better time to join our growing team with the new GET AND GO promotion from Stampin’ Up!.

What is this promotion you speak of? I’m glad you asked! The new GET AND GO is a bonus package for joining the Stampin’ Up! from September 1 to September 30. When you join Stampin’ Up! you always get $125 in product for just $99. If you join during this promotion you’ll receive a bonus package of 2 stamp sets, 16 card kits, and a package of Rhinestone Basic Jewels. That’s an additional $50 product value that you can use to jump start your creative journey! All this for just $99 (a total of $175 in product) and the opportunity to join one of the most amazing teams ever (disclaimer – I might be a bit biased). If you would like more information you can email me at craftyklock@gmail.com or message me on Facebook at Stampin with Crafty Klock. We’d love to have you join the Crafty Foxes team. If your ready to sign up, just click here.

The GET AND GO promotion starts on September 1, 2020
Blog, Cards

Introducing the bright and versatile Plaid Tidings DSP

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Every time a new Stampin’ Up! catalog comes out I always have to go through it several times to see all the hidden gems inside. With the new August-December Mini Catalog it wasn’t until I went through it multiple times before I saw the beauty and versatility of the new Plaid Tidings Designer Series Paper (DSP). With 16 coordinating colors (yes 16!) this DSP is a must have for any craft room. The creative possibilities of this DSP are endless. You’ll want to get this DSP for your craft stash. Shop for it here.

Coordinates with Basic Black, Blackberry Bliss, Bumblebee, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Cinnamon Cider, Crumb Cake, Mango Melody, Melon Mambo, Misty Moonlight, Pretty Peacock, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Seaside Spray, Shaded Spruce, and Whisper White

I was so taken with Plaid Tidings that I made it the featured product of my weekly Facebook Live. As usual, I waited until the last minute to prepare for my Facebook Live but once I pulled out this paper, the card designs came together so quickly. The designs allow the DSP to be the star of the show and embellishments are not really needed. Here’s a sample of what I made in just a few hours one afternoon.

With some many options to choose from I had to pick just two to highlight on my Facebook Live. I chose to highlight the card featuring the Way to Goat stamp set as that is such a fun and whimsical set. I did one birthday card suitable for men and a second suitable for women. Check out my YouTube Video Tutorial (and subscribe to my channel) here.

Way to Goat stamp set highlighting Plaid Tidings DSP

The DSP does all the heavy lifting on these designs. For the card bases I used Basic Black and Melon Mambo. Here are the supplies used and dimensions:

  • Card bases – 8.5″ x 5.5″ and scored at 4.25″
  • DSP – 4″ x 5.25″ (I added a piece of Whisper White with the same dimensions to the inside
  • Daffodil Delight 3″ x 1.25″
  • Whisper White 2.75″ x 1″
  • Melon Mambo 2″ x 1.25″
  • Whisper White 1.75″ X 1 “
  • Memento Tuxedo Black Ink
  • Melon Mambo Classic Stampin’ Pad
  • Daffodil Delight Stampin Write Marker
  • Melon Mambo Stampin Write Marker
  • Basic Black Stampin Write Marker

I hope you enjoy the Plaid Tidings DSP as much as I do. If you have a chance to create with it I’d love to see what you make. You can always share your projects on my Stampin with Crafty Klock Facebook page. Have fun and Happy Stampin’

Blog, Cards

Introducing the simply elegant Life is Beautiful

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Every time a new Stampin’ Up! catalog launches, there is always one stamp set that just speaks to my soul. In the new August – December Mini Catalog the stamp set that stole my heart is the simply elegant Life is Beautiful stamp set. I absolutely adore the understated elegance of this set. Just a few images and yet so many options for creating beautiful, one of a kind greeting cards.

Life is Beautiful stamp set.

This is one of those sets that are perfect for all levels of stampers. Whether you are just starting to stamp or have been stamping for longer then you care to admit, the Life is Beautiful is a must have (you can order your own set here). I had fun using this set on my weekly Facebook Live (Stampin with Crafty Klock / Crafty Stampers VIP Group). Check out my YouTube video tutorial here (and subscribe to my channel) to see how to make the cards pictured below.

#simplestamping

This card is perfect for a newbie. It uses a base of Cajun Craze (8.5″ x 5.5″ scored at 4.25″) with a layer of Whisper White (5.25″ x 4″). The tree is stamped in Soft Suede while the leaves are stamped in Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, and Cajun Craze. I added a 1″ x 2.75″ banner stamped in Garden Green. I used the Banners Pick-a-Punch to flag one end but you could just use paper snips to create the same effect. For a little added pop of color I carefully dipped the edges of the banner in the Garden Green ink. What do you think? Can’t you just hear those crisp leaves crunching underfoot? I love it!

Life is Beautiful – Avid Stampers

I stepped it up a bit with this card, added lots of layers and embellishments to create a four seasons card – perfect for letting someone special in your life know you are thinking of them all year round. The card base is Night of Navy (8.5″ x 5.5″ scored at 4.25″) with a layer of Seaside Spray (5.25″ x 4″). I stamped the tree in Soft Suede on Whisper White (5″ x 3.5″) and then cut it into four parts (each 7/8″). For the winter scene I used Seaside Spray. For spring I stamped the circles in Flirty Flamingo and the grass in Garden Green. The summer leaves are stamped in Garden Green and I used Stampin’ Write Markers (Mango Melody and Pool Party) to color the bird house stamp before stamping the image. For fall I once again turned to Pumpkin Pie and Crushed Curry. I added some linen thread around both layers before attaching them to the card base. I punched labels from Night of Navy and Whisper White and stamped the sentiment in Seaside Spray. For a little more bling I added three Rhinestones. I was pretty happy with how it turned out.

I hope you’ll give iLfe is Beautiful a home in your craft room. I promise you won’t regret it. Happy Stampin!

Blog, Cards

You’ll love it when you discover this little secret!

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Actually it’s not a secret at all but I do believe it is the absolute best deal in the whole catalog.  The Stampin’ Up! starter kit is a great value at just $99 (plus tax) for $125 in Stampin’ Up! products.  What is even better is that you get to customize your starter kit to get exactly what you want and need.  You will never get stuck with a stamp set or paper that you do not want or like since you get to choose what is included.

Suggested Starter Kit Items

But the benefits do not stop there.  As a Stampin’ Up! independent demonstrator you will always get at least a 20% discount on all your supplies (no coupon needed thank you very much) with the opportunity to increase that to a 25% discount as long as you stay active as a demonstrator.  Who does not like a good discount?  I know I sure do.  And let’s face it, if you are into crafts you are going to spend money on supplies. Why not support your habit while saving some money AND have a chance to make a little money as well.

As long time Stampin’ Up! customer I loved their color coordination (makes it so easy to be successful) and the quality of their products.  When I finally took the plunge and signed up as a demonstrator I wondered what had taken me so long.  In addition to getting my discount on all my supplies, I get to pre-order new items before they are available to the general public.  It’s always fun to be one of the “cool kids” who gets to play with the new toys first!  I can also participate in various incentive programs offered by Stampin’ Up! as well as attend Stampin’ Up! events (darn you COVID-19 for wreaking havoc this year!), qualify for incentive trips, and bonuses.  But the BEST part of being a demonstrator is all the wonderful new friends I have met through our love of papercrafting.

When I first started this journey I wasn’t sure what to expect.  I thought I would just give it a try for a few months and see where it led.  I never in a million years would have thought it would bring me so much joy – it has truly been a blessing.  My Crafty Foxes team is one of the best teams around – we always have so much fun when we get together.  We are more than friends – we’re like a family – always there for each other to celebrate the happy times and offer support in the hard times. 

As I continue on this journey I would like to invite you to travel the road with me.  If you like to have fun, craft a bit, laugh a lot, and just enjoy life I’d love to have you join the Crafty Foxes team!  We are always up for answering your questions so drop us an email at craftyklock@gmail.com and we’ll get back to you.  If your ready to join right now, click here and welcome to the team.

Members of the Crafty Foxes Team at the 2019 Stampin’ Up! On Stage event