DSP Sampler

So one of the demonstrations I did at the downline meeting was showing how to make these great little DSP samplers.  Stampin' Up! has some of the most amazing Designer Series Papers - but what I've learned over the years is that the catalog does not do it justice.  You really need to touch and see the paper in person.  So these are easy to make - the first one is strips of DSP showing all 12 designs on the front (our packages are 12 sheets - 2 of each 2 sided design - for 12 designs total).  I cut these strips 2" and then as follows for this sampler - 7" 6.5" 6" 5.5" 5" 4.5" 4" 3.5" 3" 2.5" 2" and 1.5" the laid them down as shown - stapled together and tape a little topper over to hide the staple. 

The advantage to this style is you can compare all 12 designs together to see what mixes and matches best for your projects.  The disadvantage is you can only get one sampler out of a 2" strip of each DSP.  Here are the backs of the papers - which will be repeats of the other side.

So another way to do it is to cut you strips of each 2" and then as follows - 6", 5", 4", 3", 2" and 1".  The advantage here is that you can get two samplers our of your 2" strip and the disadvantage is that they are only seeing one side of the DSP.....

And will need to flip it over to see the backsides of the papers.  But either way works!

I finished it off with a little label with the name of the DSP, Item #, Description and Price, so if customers want to order the package - the info is right there.

So hoped you like that little tip - I think it is a great demo tool to use at your workshops.  Have fun making them!   ~Maureen

Here are the products used to make this project -

English Garden Designer Series Paper

$11.00

Stampin' Trimmer

$30.00

Hello Honey 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

$7.00

Handheld Stapler

$10.00

Silver Mini Staples

$4.00

Beautiful realistic woodgrain

So at our last downline meeting Kathy B demonstrated how to get an amazing woodgrain look.  It's done by layering several colors, including craft white and each layer moving the woodgrain over just a hair.

Here are some of the steps, and it does not do it justice - up close it looks as if you might get sliver running your finger over it.

Here's a few pictures of her as she goes through the steps with the group of crazy stamping ladies and answers their questions.

 

 

Below are three of the amazing cards she showed that use this technique....

 

 

Great technique for us to all try - I know that I'm gonna.  See you soon - thanks for stopping by.  ~Maureen

Zentangle Demonstration by Diane

At the downline meeting Diane Belcher shared what she learned, and has done with the Zentangling technique.  She brought this great display board and some books to share with the group.

Here she is describing the technique and talking about some of the best pens to use -

A close up of her starting a Zentangled image - part of what she shared is what a relaxing technique this is for her - maybe a good one for all of us to try.

Some of her samples -

Thank you Diane for a great demonstration of a technique I would venture few, if any, of us have tried.  See you all soon!!  ~Maureen

Blendabilities Demonstration

At our Downline meeting Heidi demonstrated our fantastic blendabilities for the group. 

Here she is talking about them - the tips, the caps, the sets, etc.

She then showed how she starts with the darkest in the color group and moves to the lightest, blending as she goes; and then goes back in and adds depth with the dark again, and highlights by lifting some off some of the color with the color lifter.  These markers are amazing.

Here's her finished card - how beautiful is that. 

Thanks Heidi for a great demonstration. ~Maureen

Work of Art demo from Kathy B

At our downline meeting Kathy B offered to demonstrate a fun (out of the box) way to use the amazing new "Work of Art" set.  Here she is demonstrating this quick and easy card - done in about 5 minutes - and a great use of the set.

 

 Just a single layer card, a great set and some beautiful SU colors.

Voila!  There you go - card all done!  Thanks a bunch Kathy!

See you soon! ~Maureen

Coffee - for me!

So here is what Heidi carved for me - a take out coffee cup - I LOVE IT!!!  One of my favorite sets in our catalog is our "Perfect Blend" set.  You can see some of the cards I've made with it here - http://crazystampinglady.blogspot.com/2013/09/more-coffee-cards.html  But I always love to stamp on my envelopes too - so now I have a coordinating stamp to do that with.  I am definitely a COFFEE addict - so very appropriate for me :)   Here is the carved image, and then it is stamped once, and then stamped again  for a lighter version.  Isn't it adorable?!?

Here are a couple other cards she made with her own creations in Undefined.

And she also shared many of the different designs she has created.  To me, they are just amazing!  Now I hope to get brave enough to try one.  If I do - I'll share - good, bad or ugly! (well maybe not if ugly)

Thanks for stopping by!  See you soon.  ~Maureen

Undefined with Heidi

Our second demonstration at our downline meeting was from Heidi - she is the queen of undefined and agreed to do a quick demo for us.  It was an introduction to one of our great products, that several of the ladies hadn't even seen.

She gave a brief overview of the product -

Then actually designed and carved a stamp - for ME!

Stop back tomorrow to see what she came up with - it is adorable and if you know me you can probably guess what she carved!! Then head over to her blog www.stampinking.blogspot.com to see more of her great work.  ~Maureen

Through the Mist technique...

At our quarterly downline meeting my downline, Kathy B. demonstrated a great new technique for our group - her version of a technique "Through the mist"

She did a great job showing us the different steps it takes to get this lovely affect.

Here she is building up the layers of color....

And her picture board showing the different steps.  I love the look of this technique and the beautiful finished project. 

You can see more of Kathy's work at splitcoast stampers - her screen name CAKATH.  Thank you so much Kathy for a wonderful demonstration!  ~Maureen

Downline Demonstration

A Big THANK YOU to Kathy B for demonstrating some fun ideas at last week's Downline meeting.  She stepped in at the last minute to help me out - and it was soooo appreciated.  First she demoed some great punch art for St. Patty's Day.

Here's a close-up of what she used to put her images together, so you can try them too.

Next she demoed color blocking with direct to paper technique.  She used post-it notes to block off parts of the cardstock.

Then using stamp pads she applied ink directly to the card, leaving a beautiful background palet to stamp on.

After completing the colors she wanted she stamped images in black to pop.  Look how pretty!!

Thanks again Kathy for your willingness to share with our group!! ~Maureen

Oval Punch Bow

At my downline meeting this past weekend I demonstrated how to make these cute little paper bows using oval punches.  I want to thank both Jill Olson and Kelly Acheson for their pictures and info on these on their blogs.

 You start by punching out four ovals using your oval punch.  The bow size varies by the size of the oval punch you use.

 

 Take one of your ovals and gently fold in half, keeping the curve of the bow and attaching with glue dots - do this twice.

 Here I attached those two pieces to a scrap piece of cardstock I'd punched for a base.

 Next take your other two ovals and cut a "V" out of one of the ends on each.

 Next attach those ovals with glue dots to the underside of each of the loops.  I then punched a little flower, added a gem and adhered in the middle of the bow to finish it off.  So cute and easy!!! ~Maureen