How many times have you heard someone utter this saying?  But, how true is it?

I think that the details are the key to great but simple cards.

This is a card that you can dress up or dress down.  If you don’t have Rhinestones, don’t use them… the card will look great without them.  Don’t use a heat gun?  Use white craft ink… or use Elegant Egg plant ink for a tone on tone look.

What speaks volumes with the card is the DELICATE DETAILS Stamp Set.  How gorgeous is that lace?  It’s only available for a limited time and is absolutely FREE with a $50 order.

This stamp set is so versatile.  You can use for any number of occasions:  birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, thank yous, just becauses…

What can you come up with using this set?  I would love to see them.

Oh yeah, this is card 5 of 13 and here is the tutorial 🙂

proj-sheet-delicate-birthday

Until next time… Keep it simple, stampers

🙂  Joanne

 

It is no secret that life consist of many ups and downs.  That is why it is often referred to as a roller coaster. I believe that recently there have been so many more ups than there have been downs.  I hope the same is true for your life.

One way to describe the little disappointments is like biting into a chocolate bunny.  Your chompers are already to use the extra force needed to get through a lump of chocolate.  But, after you take the bite, you wind up with a handful of chocolate pieces.  Why?  Because it was hollow.  How sad are you now?  Of course, this doesn’t stop you from eating it… Just like a little disappointment doesn’t stop you from living.

So, my wish for you for today and everyday is that your chocolate always be solid!  But if it’s not.. it’s still chocolate!!!  Don’t waste it!

With that deep thought in mind, I created this simple card using the Basket Bunch from the new Occasions catalog.  This set is great because it comes with Framelits. And, better yest, during the Occasions catalog, it comes as a bundle!  That saves you 10%

Oh – here is the tutorial.  (I really hope they are understandable.  I am trained in writing lesson plans, so that is the thinking behind all my tutorials. 🙂 )

proj-sheet-chocolate-bunny

And, for the record, this is #4 of 13…

Until next time… keep it simple, Stampers!

🙂  Joanne

Sometimes, they just get it right!  In my eyes anyway.

If you have a Big Shot,I know you love it.  I cannot foresee a life without mine.  It becomes like my right arm when I am upstairs crafting.  The possibilities with framelits and thinlits are never-ending.  But, every once in awhile, the Big Shot is cumbersome and time-consuming.  Sometimes, you need something that can travel.  Sometimes you need something that doesn’t involve cranking…  Come on now… you know what I mean.

This is where punches come in.  Who doesn’t love a good punch.  Sometimes, you just need to punch things… am I right?!?

Two of the best punches that Stampin’ Up has introduced in recent years are the Banner Triple Punch and the Balloon Bouquet Punch.

Let’s start with the Banner Triple Punch (138292).  How many of you want to call it the triple banner punch?  I think either one is okay in the end because we all know what you mean.  But, this guy is the best.  No more snipping notches to create banners!  It has three set widths:  1″, 1-1/2″ and 2″.  But, these are not the sizes you are limited to.   Of course, you can’t do bigger, but you can do smaller and in-between sizes.   Just flip the punch over and look at the slip of paper as you slide it in to the slot.  You can center it and punch the edge, or you can slide it the whole way in and punch off some of the length as well.  I am not sure how much – but this does shorten your strip of paper.

The Balloon Bouquet Punch (140609) is a must have for all your birthday card needs!  Now that this is a staple in the Stampin’ Up line of Punches, they are making more stamp sets that use it.  But, it is just a good without a stamp set.  You can punch Designer Series Paper, foil, cardstock, washi tape-covered cardstock, etc.  Again… making the possibilities endless.  Attach a piece of Baker’s Twine with a glue dot.. adhere with a Dimensional.  Who knows.  These balloons add interest and dimension with ease!

So, what’s better than using each of these punches?  Using them together of course.

This Birthday Balloons card uses both punches along with the new Balloon Adventures Stamp Set (142823) from the 2017 Occasions catalog.  Here is the recipe for making this card…  It was another one of the Baker’s Dozen I made for a recent swap.  If you are counting, this is #3… 10 more to go! 🙂

proj-sheet-birthday-balloons

What’s even better than having the directions at your finger tips… getting the supplies to make your own perfect balloon filled birthday cards!

But wait… there’s more!

If you order the Balloon Bouquet Punch and the Balloon Adventure Stamp Set  PLUS one of the embellishments shown below that coordinate with the Party Animal Product Suite…  You can get a FREE item from the Sale-a-Bration flyer.

Simple as 1-2-3!

What else can you use balloons on?

Until next time, keep it simple, stampers!

🙂  Joanne

 

Have you ever looked at a card or a project and thought it was so beautiful.  It was full of layers and embellishments.  The more you looked at it, the more you wanted to attempt it.

BUT then.. there you were, half-way through the project and so confused you were ready just to through in the towel?

Well, have no fear.  Sometimes beauty is the in simplistic.  That is the theme of my life… Keeping it simple!  I am not into fancy as an every day thing.  If you know me, you know I don’t wear makeup… I wear yoga pants and sweatshirts everyday.  I make simple, clean meals for my family.  I like to life life.. the more layers you add, the more difficult it is to see the small details that make life beautiful

So, there is this card…

Just ignore the minor mistake…  I say I’m like the Amish who believe in purposely putting a mistake in their quilts because they cannot allow them to be perfect.  My halos, rough cuts, inky fingerprints… those are all there “purposely” as I cannot allow myself to be perfect.  Thank you very much for buying that!  I almost typed that with a straight face!  But, little mistakes happen to all of us.  It is part of our heart overspilling.  It’s how you can tell that our items are made by hand.. not a machine.

Anyway…

This card was one of the Baker’s Dozen for a recent swap.  This card used the SO VERY MUCH set from the Sale-A-Bration flyer.  That means it is a FREE stamp set that you can get just for placing a $50 order.

This card is designed to be quick and easy to duplicate and dressed to impress the most finicky of receivers.  Why not try it today?

proj-sheet-simple-thank-you

Until next time, keep it simple, stampers!

🙂  Joanne

So, there I was … sitting there staring at this pile of little squares that I had had left over after I made the Hen House card.  Are they too small to keep?  Do I really need to keep them?  What would I do with them?

Well, if you ever saw my very unorganized stash of scraps, you would know right away that I definitely chose not the toss them.  After all, they were already squares and all the same size.  These would be great for something!

Then it hit me! These are very masculine colors. I need a DUDE card! I had a new masculine stamp set sitting there just dying to be used.  And, so this came to be.

proj-sheet-scrappy-dad

I created this card using the Urban District Stamp Set in the new Occasions Catalog.  If you haven’t see that catalog yet, what are you waiting for?  Click here!

This is one of a Baker’s Dozen cards I made for a recent swap.  It was the last card I needed to design as it was just for an Angel swap spot.

Well, over the next couple weeks, I will post the rest of the cards along with some tutorials!  What do you think about that?

So, what do you do with your scraps?

Until next time…  Keep it simple, Stampers!

🙂  Joanne

I know it’s been awhile since I posted a new blog entry.  I am sure you can all understand through the busy holidays and company and whatnot…  All excuses really, but nonetheless, my blog just did not rank high on my list.

And, to be honest, some of it was because I really just want to sit and stamp all day and play with all the ideas I have running through my head.  But, there really wasn’t time for that.  I don’t know about you, but if I can’t do what I want to do the way I want to do it… I just don’t do it at all. I know – what a terrible thing.  But my craft room was cold and messy and I would only have an hour or so… I just want to play and play and play all day with my stamps and paper.  I really am just a big kid.  Luckily I have a great husband that lets me be me!

I am also a “one project at a time” kinda gal.  There is so much multi-tasking going on in my life, that my craft room can’t also be that way.  So, after I finished a project for a church friend, I had to complete some swaps for my monthly upline meeting.

This card was actually suggested by my direct upline, Carol Payne.  She had asked if I would demonstrate the Halloween card I made for my son.  She thought maybe I could change it for Christmas.  At OnStage in November, we decided it would be better to use something out of the new Occasions catalog.  So, the Hen House was born…

What do you think?

Here is a peak at the Halloween card.

I guess it’s a triple peek-a-boo card.  I combined a couple different techniques and inspirations to create it.  It really takes an “eye” for how things work – spatial reasoning if you want to get technical.  I will try as basic as possible to break down what I did.  I do have a few pictures so you can see what I mean. And, I apologize in advance for the long rambling post!

First, let’s start with the supplies and measurements.  I am one that usually gathers everything I need then cuts everything out.  Then I can stamp and assemble while sitting in my chair binge watching something on Netflix!

Supplies:

• Stamp Sets: Hey, Chick (143328/143331 SAB), Love & Affection (141545), Butterfly Basics (138813/138816/137154), Hardwood (133032/133035)

• Paper: Smoky Slate Cardstock (131202), Whisper White Cardstock (100730), Basic Gray Cardstock (121044), Real Red Cardstock (102482)

• Inks: Smoky Slate Classic Stampin’ Pad (131179), Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad (140931), Garden Green Classic Stampin’ Pad (126973), Delightful Dijon Classic Stampin’ Pad (138327), Real Red Classic Stampin’ Pad (126949), Cajun Craze Classic Stampin’ Pad (126965), Crushed Curry Classic Stampin’ Pad (131173), Soft Suede Classic Stampin’ Pad (126978)

• Embellishments: Linen Thread (104199), Wink of Stella Glitter Brush (141897)

• Adhesives: Dimensionals (104430), SNAIL Adhesive (104332), Glue Dots (103683), Fine-Tip Glue Pen (138309), 2-Way Glue Pen (100425), Tear & Tape (138995)

• Tools: Blender Pens (102845), Layering Squares Framelits (141708), Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (143263), Magnetic Platform (130658), Paper Snips (103579), 1/8” Handheld Circle Punch (134365), ¾” Circle Punch (119873), 1” Circle Punch (119868)

Measurements:  

• Smoky Slate:  6-1/8” x 5-1/2” — scored on 6-1/8” side at 4-1/4”; 5-1/2” x 11” – scored on 11” side at 3-1/2” and 7”

• Whisper White:  2 x 5-1/2”; 2-1/4” x 5-1/2”; 2-1/2” x 5-1/2”

• Basic Gray:  1-3/4” x 10” or 3-1/2” x 5”

So, here is how I put it all together and hopefully this will make some sense!!!

Cut and score per measurements above.  Fold along score lines so pieces fit together as shown in diagram below.  This is how your two pieces of Smoky Slate will fit together.  Slide it together and imagine how the card will work.  On the diagram, the red line at the top actually the back of the card.  The bottom red line and black line will line up together to create the front of the card.  You can see it better in pictures to come…

Top Layer:  At Big Shot… position 1-1/4” square framelit up against the flap of the 6-1/8” top piece of Smoky Slate (this is the smaller one!) as shown in picture – at least ¼” from edge.  Cut.  Re-position framelit at the bottom, at least ¼ from edge.  Cut.  Now, for the middle window, position framelit midway between the other two windows up again the flap and cut.Cuts don’t have to be perfectly spaced up and down, but need to be lined up against that flap.

Card Base: First, place 6-1/8” piece over 11” card base as shown in diagram above.  Align edges.  Use the 6-1/8” piece as a template (the one you just cut out!) and cut the windows in the first section of the base.  Position framelit in the window and carefully cut out each window.  Remove 6-1/8” piece and fold cut flap of base to use as a template and carefully cut squares in the middle section of base. (There will be a total of 9 windows – 6 on the card base and 3 on the layer)

Use the 1-1/2” scalloped square framelit together with the 1-1/4” square framelit to cut six window frames from basic gray piece.

 

Use Smoky Slate ink to stamp Hardwood texture onto front of 6-1/8” piece and the inside of card. (The inside of the card will be the part of the card that you cut the windows in…when closed, the front of base is the outside of the first section and is not stamped on because it is covered by the 6-1/8” piece.) Randomly stamp small foliage from Love & Affection Stamp Set to add interest to bottom of card.  Colors used were Delightful Dijon, Soft Suede, and Garden Green.

Use Smoky Slate ink to stamp chicken wire all over the 2-1/4” x 5” white cardstock. This will later be adhered to back section of card base.

Using Stamping Off technique, randomly stamp chicken wire texture on top and bottom of 2” x 5” white cardstock in Smoky Slate.

• Stamping Off Technique:  Ink stamp as normal.  Stamp off onto scrap paper then stamp onto cardstock.  This technique provides a lighter image of the stamp.

In Real Red, stamp “You’re a good egg” sentiment near top and stamp the “Have a good day” sentiment toward the bottom.  In the middle, stamp the egg in Smoky Slate.  Color the shell with Wink of Stella and the legs with Crushed Curry (using Blender Pen).

• Tip:  Use the widows as a template to position stamps.  This piece will be later adhered to the flap of the top piece.

Use black ink to stamp chickens onto 2-1/2” x 5-1/2” white cardstock.   Use Blender Pens to add color to chickens.  Colors used were Smoky Slate, Crushed Curry, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, and Real Red.  Fussy cut chickens out… you do not need their legs.

In Real Red, stamp “Hey Chick” sentiment onto white scrap in two lines.  Use washi tape to mask off one part of stamp… ink… remove washi… stamp… clean really well.  Use washi to mask of other part of sentiment and repeat process.  Use ¾” Circle punch to cut out circle.  Use 1” Circle punch to punch out background from Real Red scrap.  Align circles and use 1/8” Handheld Circle punch to create hole for thread.  Wind a length of Linen Thread a few times around card as shown.  Slip sentiment and background onto thread and tie off.

Use Fine-tip Glue pen to attach window frames to windows of top piece and middle section of card base as shown in pictures.  Attach chickens to back of windows on top piece as shown using glue pen.

Attach inside sentiment (with egg) to inside of flap of top piece using SNAIL.  Attach chicken wire background to inside of the back of the card using SNAIL.  Be sure to line this up with the windows of the card, but not too close to the fold.

Use SNAIL to adhere the top piece to the front of the card base.  Be sure that windows align.  Place a piece of Tear & Tape next to the chicken wire background on back of card.  Fold flap in.  Peel plastic from tape and fold card closed.  Smoosh down (sorry to get so technical!).

Open the card… the eggy sentiment should slide over the chicken wire background 🙂

There you go…  a simple card in 15 steps!  Actually it may take a few tries to get it right… it does me!  But, here is the whole tutorial in a pdf file for easy printing!

proj-sheet-peek-a-boo-chicks

I did teach a form of this card at the Yes Mams’ meeting in December.  Here is what it looked like…

 

oh… and a bonus tutorial for it…

proj-sheet-peek-a-boo-chicks-2

Oh yeah… that project that my friend asked me to do.  Every year since her first son was born, they have done the Christmas Photo Cards…  She asked me to make an album for each boy identical.  So, here is the finished project!  It uses mostly Stampin’ Up products, but a few papers I have collected over the years from Hobby Lobby.

Each year, I will do a page for the new card for each album…  Until the point I can no longer stamp – which, of course, will be many, many years in the future…

Until next time…  Keep it simple, stampers!  (Yes, I know.. I did not do that this time!)

Joanne 🙂

 

 

Actually, it’s a ONE SHEET WONDER!

Did you know that can make at least 8 cards from one sheet of Stampin’ Up Designer Series Paper?  I know, right!  Who would have thunk it!

What’s that???

Are you saying that you would never cut your pretty paper?  If you do, it will be gone?  Well then silly goose… what did you buy it for?  Here’s a tip… buy more than one pack.  No, really.  Then, you can use one and save one!

#loveitcutit

So, right now, my favorite holiday DSP (that’s shorthand for Designer Series Paper) is Candy Cane Lane.  It’s in the 2016 Holiday Catalog.

Isn’t it pretty.  Well, I am giving a few of my friends a chance to get hands on with this paper and learn the One Sheet Wonder technique at a class tomorrow in my home.  I am a little nervous as this is my first large class!

So, below is a slideshow of the cards we will be making.

If you want to play along, here is the packet of instructions!

Candy Cane Lane One Sheet Wonder Stack

Well, I will cut this short because I still have a lot of cutting to do… 🙂

Until next time,  Keep it Simple, Stampers!

🙂  JOanne

 

When Dell was little, he had a toy bear similar to Teddy Ruxpin but it only read one story.  The Ugly Duckling!  As soon as I saw this new set in the soon-to-be-released 2017 Occasions Catalog, I heard this little bear voice in my head saying…

“I’m not an ugly duckling anymore… I’m a beautiful swan after all!”

That’s exactly what this Swan Lake Stamp Set is!  A Beautiful Swan… and some cute little swanlings…swanlets…  I have no idea what a baby swan is called off the top of my head!  Whatever they are.. they sure are cute.

What I love about this set is that the images are so bold.  They will be great for another new item in the catalog.. Watercolor Pencils!!!  WooHoo!  Can’t wait to get my hands on those.  We were able to play with them at OnStage this past weekend… they are soooo cool!!!

Well, here are a couple cards I made with this set.

Use the link below to contact me to reserve your FREE copy of the 2017 Occasions Catalog!

Email Me!

Can’t wait until the catalog is released on January 4, 2017???  Join my team and get to see that catalog NOW!  And, you’ll preorder your favorite things starting on December 1st.  Just email me to get more details!!!

Not a fan of swans for some strange reason… no fear!  The new catalog if chocked full or other wonderfully appealing stamp sets!  What this space for more samples!!!  Or, follow me on Pinterest!

Keep It Simple Stampers on Pinterst

Until next time… Keep it simple, stampers

🙂  Joanne

These are some tough times we are in.  I’m not talking about the current political issues going on in the United States…  I’m talking about the every day lives that people are living.  Just in the past week, I have had two friends laid off, two friends had parents pass away, four friends have parents or children in the hospital, and a good friend going in for breast cancer surgery today. The thing to remember is that God is in control.  There is nothing more that can be said.

In fact, this week celebrates the 6th anniversary of my fathers massive heart attack.  The one where they were calling code blue when we were sitting in the waiting room.  The one that put into into a medical coma for 3 days while they kept his core temp freezing.  The one that changed our lives forever.  But, the one that he fully recovered from.  The one that God had a plan for. Not sure what the plan is… but He has one!

Dad is thriving and living everyday to the fullest. You never know when might be his last.  We never know when might be our last.  So, why spend all your time hidden in the corner stamping away on cards you are never going to give to anyone?

Yesterday, I whipped out a card that is elegant yet so, so easy.  This one is for my friend going in for surgery today.

Isn’t it great.  And, honestly, it did not take me more than 15 minutes from start to finish.  And it was the first time for the Faux Stained Glass technique.

I used VersaMark ink to stamp the rose and sentiment onto vellum.  I added and heated white embossing powder.  Then, this is when the magic happens.

I flipped the vellum over to the back.  Using Stampin’ Write Markers in So Saffron, Crushed Curry, Pear Pizazz, and Garden Green, I just colored the leafs.  Then, I used a baby wipe to smudge it around.  I did this twice.  There is no messing up with this technique.  I added some of the So Saffron behind the sentiment because it made it pop more.

This Rose Wonder set is perfect for times like these!

I also made a card for my son’s girlfriend.  Her birthday is tomorrow.  Since he is away at Navy Nuke School, I thought I needed to make this day extra special for her. She misses him so much! Anyway, she loves roses…  So I did the same technique with a different color scheme for her.  I did NOT use the baby wipe to smudge this one.  It needed to be crisp!

I think she’ll love it!

Here are the other presents I made for her.  Well, Yankee Candle actually made the one, but I uploaded the prom picture!

My only issue with this, is now, what will I do for her for Christmas???

So, what do you do for friends going through a tough time?

Until next time…Keep it Simple, Stampers

🙂  Joanne

 

 

 

 

I’m sure you’ve been there – multiple times!  No, silly… not Heaven… Pinterest.  There you are, scrolling through the masses when something catches your eye.  But, you went past it too quick and now you can’t find it again.  Or…  you have a bazillion pins of similar things that are all just different enough…

Something in these pins inspires you.  It sits with you until all you can see is the vision you were made to create.  Well, that was me a couple weeks ago.  I think I was inspired by a rash of sunburst cards or the Star of Light collections…  either way, This card flashed into my mind and I haven’t been able to get it out until now.  I even had to order a new stamp set just for the occasion.

The Joyful Nativity set was on my list… I just didn’t own it yet!  But, it works perfect!

So, here is my latest creation.  It really wasn’t that hard with a ruler and some patience.  Turn out first try other than some messing up on the actual stampin’ inside.  But, it’s just a starting point for more cards!

Notice how my watermark above hides the bit of stampin’ where I must have picked up something that was on my foam from when I was “breaking in” my new stamps.

Yes, you usually do need to break in your new photopolymer stamps before you use them.  Some people use a bit of sandpaper or an emery board.  I just stamp multiple times with it and clean it on my absorbent pad.  It helps a bit.  The only thing that really seems to help is just use!!!  Use those stamps, People!!!

And BONUS – I did a tutorial with this one!  Here you go!  Click on the link below to get the pdf file.

proj-sheet-light-of-heaven

 

The measurements weren’t tricky or anything, really. I didn’t mark them, but I started with a 5.5″ x 4.25″ layer and cut from there.  Of course, I will need to find a use for that center section now.  But, here are the measurements that should make it easier.  They are also in the project sheet!

I can’t wait to see what inspires me next!

Oh – funny story about this card.  I told my husband I needed to work in my craft room because I was inspired.  But, I had another project I needed to finish first.  So, he came up a few times before I started working on it.  Then, when I finally did get it done – he was already in bed.  He works very early mornings, so it wasn’t late or anything.  Well, he was still a little bit awake when I went into the room and he asked to see it.  He loved it.  I put it on the kitchen island so I wouldn’t forget it.  He looked at it again and took a picture of it.  He was bragging to his co-workers about it… now I have an order for a dozen more!!!

So, I now have to figure out how to make an envelope it will fit in!

Until next time,  keep it simple, Stampers!

🙂  Joanne