Monday, October 31, 2011

SUDSOL BLOG TOUR

Welcome to the SUDSOL Blog Tour!   I have been a member of SUDSOL for LONG time....almost as long as I've been a demonstrator.  I always recommend this group to my fellow demonstrators, as many of us consider it our unofficial "upline".  You will find tons of samples, tutorials, class ideas, and plenty of ideas for growing your Stampin' Up! business.


SUDSOL - Your 24/7 Upline
One of the greatest thing about SUDSOL is the access to project tutorials.  I will be adding this tutorial to the SUDSOL website along with the video tutorial.  Both of them are available at the end of this post.


Legalpads
I shared these Jr. Legal Pad Covers on my blog last year as part of my series of articles on craft fairs.  With so many beautiful new papers in the Idea Book & Catalog and Holiday Mini, I thought it would be a good idea to freshen up my samples for some upcoming fairs.  I keep the designs very simple, so that these are quick & easy to make.  This project is also perfect for stamp camps and special classes.


Spicecake


 


 


 


Stamp Set:  Gently Falling


Ink:  More Mustard, Soft Suede, Pool Party


Paper:  More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Spice Cake Designer Series Paper


Accessories:  More Mustard 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon, Big Shot, Designer Frames Embossing Folder


*Baby Wipe technique used on leaf image


Elegant


 


 


Paper:  Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Mocha Morning Specialty Designer Series Paper


Accessories:  Cherry Cobbler 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Jumbo Vanilla Brad


 


 


 


 


 


Christmaslodge


Stamp Set:  Christmas Lodge


Ink:  Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler


Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Frostwood Lodge Designer Series Paper


 


Hollyberry



Stamp Set:  Pines & Poinsettias


Ink:  Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip


Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Whisper White, Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Series Paper


Accessories:  Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle, 1-3/4" Circle Punch


 


 


 


DearSanta


 


Stamp Set:  Dear Santa


Ink:  Blushing Bride, Early Espresso


Paper:  Early Espresso, Old Olive, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper, Letters to Santa Designer Series Paper


Accessories:  Blushing Bride 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon, Big Shot, Northern Frost Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die


 


 


 


 











Jr. Legal Pad Cover Paper Measurements



  • Cover:  8" x 11.5", scored at 5.5", 6", and 6.5"

  • Front Cardstock Layer:  4-3/4" x 7-3/4"

  • Front Designer Series Paper Layer:  4-1/2" x 7-1/2"

  • Top of Legal Pad Designer Series Paper:  1" x 5"

  • Designer Series Paper for RSVP pen:  1" x 3-3/8"


Instructions-001


I hope you've enjoyed this project and will try it out for yourself.  To see more great projects like this one, be sure to join SUDSOL or at least check out the 2-week trial membership.


















CONTINUE on the Blog Tour



Louisville Regional Seminar

Over the weekend, I attended the Stampin' Up! regional seminar in Louisville, Kentucky.  A couple of my downline members went with me and I had the pleasure of meeting some of my online friends.  We learned so many new techniques and I really can't wait to try them all!


This is one of my favorite cards that was demonstrated on stage and I thought it would be fitting to share it with you today.


Regionalpic
Now this card is way over the top and probably a lot more work than I would ever do, but it is SO COOL!  It was hard to get a clear picture because of all the glitter.


I've added many of my pics to my FACEBOOK page and have tried to share details about the different techniques.  Be sure to check them out and LIKE my page while you are there.


It's going to be a busy week on the blog....I'll be announcing a new online class on Wednesday, the SUDSOL blog tour is on Thursday, and the opening day for UStamp with Dawn & Friends Knock Out Punches is Friday.  And I'll have even more announcements next week, so stay tuned!


Happy Stampin'


MelissaSignature


 



SUDSOL Blog Tour on Thursday!


SUDSOL Blog Tour - Nov 3rd




Thursday, October 27, 2011

No Tricks, Just Sweet Treats

Halloweentreats




Now I know you've heard me say this before, but I have been super busy.  There has been a whole lotta stampin' going on.....I just can't show you yet.


So, it's times like these when I am so thankful for My Digital Studio.  I'm going out of town for the weekend and I've just ran out of time to create treats for my daughter's preschool class on Monday. 


MY DIGITAL STUDIO to the rescue!!!!


I found this adorable Spooky Treats Digital Download and I knew it could do the trick.....or should I say treats?  This download kit includes a 15-piece stamp brush set, seven Designer Series Paper patterns, four embellishments, one punch, and a three-page 8-1/2" x 11" treat template. Coordinating colors include Basic Black, Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie, and Whisper White.


Spooky


 


 


Spooky Treats Designer Template Digital Download


Item # 127588


Price:  $12.95


 

















 


 


I used 2 of the templates and printed them on my home ink-jet printer---one is a candy bar wrapper and the other template is a set of 12 Candy Collars (for suckers, straws, pixie sticks, etc.).  I printed the candy bar wrappers onto plain typing paper so that they would wrap around the bars nicely.  The candy collars were printed onto Whisper White card stock and cut out with scissors.  I wrapped them around pencils placed in the 1" cello bags, adhering the ends with mini glue dots.


The box was created using a template from the Savor the Season CD (available to hostesses through December 31, 2011).  I simply changed the paper to one from the Spooky Treats Digital Download.  I added just a few punched pieces, tied ribbon around 3 Reese's pumpkins, and voila!


Recently Updated


One of the things I love about using Digital products is the instant gratification.  You simply purchase the downloads in my online store, and then you can download them immediately!  You can create fun treats like these in a matter of minutes.


If you have any questions about My Digital Studio, feel free to contact me or check out www.mydigitalstudio.net  for online training and samples.


Happy Stampin'


MelissaSignature


 



Wednesday, October 12, 2011

It's a GOOD Day.....

Mojo209


What a nice surprise to wake up to winning the sketch challenge on Mojo Monday!  I'm also very flattered to have had this card featured on Tiffany Bauer's My Crafty Picks and Nancy Riley's Ipicks.  If you check out any of these links, you'll see that I am in very good creative company!


Melissastoutneutralscardsetlead


Today is also the day that my project is featured on UStamp with Dawn and Friends Paper Parade.  For this session of UStamp, each designer had to create a project based on one style of Designer Series Paper.  I was a little scared to create projects with the Neutrals Designer Series Paper stack, but I added a small pop of color to keep the cards interesting.


The complete step-by-step instructions for this project are available by joining UStamp.  You'll also find more than 40 other tutorials that are simply amazing! 


Happy Stampin'


MelissaSignature



Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Fall has arrived

I don't know about you, but I absolutely love this time of year!  The leaves are turning, there is a slight chill in the air, and it is just beautiful outside. 


Driving around today, I was inspired to pull out the Gently Falling stamp set and Spice Cake Designer Series Paper.  I originally thought that these colors were an unusual color combination for Fall projects, but it is perfect---the blue actually matches the clear skies we've had this week.


Softfocusmojo
I decided to use the Mojo 209 Sketch as my starting point.  It's been awhile since I've been able to participate in a challenge and I always love the Mojo Monday sketches.  They really stretch my creativity!


MelissaRecipeGraphic
STAMP SETS:  Gently Falling, Thank You Kindly


INK:  Soft Suede


PAPER:  Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Pool Party, More Mustard, Spice Cake Designer Series paper


ACCESSORIES:  Soft Suede 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Antique Brads, Big Shot, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Designer Frame Embossing Folder, Eyelet Border punch, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, Sponges, Dimensionals


 


Thankscu


For the greeting, I stamped "thanks" in the center of the embossed Designer Frame.  The edges of the frame were sponged with Soft Suede ink and Champagne Mist shimmer paint.


Leavescu


Aren't the leaves gorgeous?  I stamped the images onto More Mustard, Pool Party, and Soft Suede cardstock with Soft Suede ink.  Each leaf was carefully cut out, then sprayed with a mixture of Champagne Mist shimmer paint and alcohol.  I keep the shimmer paint mixture in a small mister bottle--it is wonderful for adding a soft shimmer to your special projects.  I need to remember to keep some on hand for the holidays!


FREE Big Shot when you become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator!


MelissaSignature



Sunday, October 2, 2011

Gearing up....

Well, the first craft show of the season is coming up this Saturday and I'm scrambling to make some more goodies.  One of the projects I'll be making is a cute anti-bacterial holder.  You can purchase the sanitizers at Bath & Body Works and the Halloween ones are on sale 8 for $5! 


My fellow demonstrator, Tiffany Cline, is going to be participating with me in this weekend's craft fair.  She's had a bit of a head start on her crafting, so I thought I would show you some of the holders that she has made.


IMG_2660_edited-1


IMG_2663_edited-1   IMG_2664_edited-1


IMG_2661_edited-1  IMG_2662_edited-1


 


Now I know you are going to want to check out the tutorial for making these holders.  They are so easy to make!  My fellow demonstrator and UStamp designer, Erica Cerwin, created an amazing step-by-step tutorial on her blog.  Be sure to leave her some love and comments!


Have a great week!  Happy Stampin'


MelissaSignature


Bigshotpromo
You can sign up by visiting my Stampin' Up! website.  I would love to have you join the Stamp Docs team!