Create With M.E.

Wildflower Meadow~Nature at it's Best

I am sitting outside this morning while I post this to my blog.  I just told my eldest daughter that I feel so blessed to live here.  I sometimes need to pinch myself.  It's like living in a little piece of heaven.  I get to hear natures music instead of horns and cars everyday. I live in a rural area of Illinois where yes the ground is flat but the grass is green!  I think that is why I love the nature stamps so well.

Here is a new one featuring a Wildflower Meadow which just happens to be it's name!  I like the silhouetted feel to this card.  It's a tone on tone look but highlights the little hummingbird (which I am waiting to see here anyday now)

This card is going to go to a dear friend who is in the hospital this week. I sure hope it brightens her day and as soon as she gets out I hope she will come for a visit to enjoy the real thing in my backyard.

The Stamps and products featured are from the new catalog which will go live on May 31st.  Remember if you want to get your hands on these new products now there is a way.  Visit my post here for more details.

New Product~For M.E. to "play" with.

One of the greatest PERKS of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is getting my crafty hands on new product before anyone else!  I have a month of playing around with new catalog items before they are available to the crafting population.  If you want to know more about the benefits of becoming a demonstrator ask M.E.!  Although doing what I do is the best job in the whole wide world you can just join the "club" just to get your hands on new products early...not to mention at a discount.  Ask M.E. and I'll lay it all out for you.

I had the honor of designing some projects for our last Big group meeting Friday.  Here is the first of three that I made. 

You can maybe pick out some of the new products. 

The Modern Mosaic Textured Impressions Folder for the beautiful background on the Whisper White cardstock which is layered on a new IN Color Strawberry Slush (doesn't that sound delish?).  The Label Love stamp under the Butterfly which is punched out with a matching punch. (LoVE!) Some new Designer Series Paper called Gingham Garden with some matching Gingham Garden Washi tape. I even added a new Hostess Set that can be ordered when you host a workshop with me.  The Happy Birthday banner greeting is from well what else but a set called "Banner Greeting" of course!

I hate to tease this way but it's not too late for you to preorder yours too.  When you join you can even request these new products in your starter kit.  Get $125 in NEW product for only $99  OH WAIT there is more until May 30th!  Get an extra $30 in product in your kit....Yep you heard me right.  $155 in NEW product yet to be released for only $99. (Did I mention FREE shipping?) What are you waiting for you know you are going to order as soon as the new catalog comes out why not have it in your hands before then!)  Comment here with questions, Email M.E. or if you are ready right now or are the independent type and want to investigate on your own do not pass GO...just GO to my website for more details or to sign up on your own.  CLICK HERE

Even if you want to just take a sneak peek of the new products they are all there for you to view.  Take a look now. Why not?

Do you like what you see here on the Create With M.E. blog?  Leave a comment so I know you are reading.  I like to know that you are gaining inspiration from some of the postings here.  Thank you that was hard to say but it's out there now.  So....leave M.E. a comment ok?! :)

Decorate A Daisy~Retiring Stamp List

It's that time of the year where we have to say goodbye to some of our favorite stamps and supplies.  So let's take a look at some of my favorites these next few days.  Here is one using the set that was only in the catalog for a season.  Its called Decorate A Daisy and if you love it as much as I do you can click on the name and order it right now before it's gone at the end of the month.

I searched to find some samples that wowed me and frankly there were a ton of them but most everyone must have loved to use scissors and although I love my scissors this day I only wanted to use them with my ribbon :)  So I came up with this little sample.  If you click on the sample above you can get a closer look at the detail such as the embossing on the background and the little bit of dazzling diamond glitter around the center image. 

Check out the retiring stamps and accessory list here:

Download Check out the sets retiring on the 30th of May

Download Check out the accessories retiring on the 30th of May updated May 8, 2013

 

 

Resist~Putting the Puzzle back in it!

My friend Linda Yearsley showed me this awesome technique quite awhile ago and then she demonstrated it to our demonstrator group a few weeks ago at our Spring into Stamping Event.  I really loved the way this technique looked but never got around to actually making one myself until now.  Wow it's so much fun! What a cool effect you get. It's called the Puzzle Piece Resist Technique.

This was my first attempt.  Now I can't wait to make another one.  It was so much fun and different than my usual stamping.  I love that you can use one "set" of framelets to make this specific card because these framelets have a variety of designs that "nest" together.  They are the Floral Frames Framelits Dies and can be found here #127012. 

The way you cut the base of the card is similar to how I made this card.

The Technique is done by taking a 4.5" x 4.5" piece of Whisper White cardstock and stamp your background stamp in versamark and heat emboss it with white embossing powder.  You can use clear also but it seems the white embossing powder works best.  After you heat emboss the background paper you will cut the background with the Floral Frames Framelits of your choice. This is where the fun begins.  Color!  Start sponging on ink colors of your choice.  So many to choose from I could hardly decide.  I used Tangerine Tango on the outer "ring/petals", Daffodil Delight next then Melon Mambo and finished with Early Espresso for the center of the flower.  After you color them wipe them with a paper towel or swiffer sheet to clear the ink off the white embossing and really make it pop.  Before you reassemble the pieces you may choose to sponge the edges (outer or inner or both) with a darker color to make them more distinct.  I did it in some places and not in others just to see how it looked. 

I found that it was best to take the Tombo liquid adhesive and apply it to my card base and then assemble the pieces this way for the best results. 

So, what do you think?  Are you going to give it a try?  Order your Framelits today by clicking on the link above and then show me your puzzle piece resist by posting in the comment section with a link to your design.

Ecaustic Wax Technique~Stampin' Up! Watercolor Wonder Crayons

 

I don't know if you have heard or not but due to some unforseen problems with Stampin' Up!'s manufacturing of their Watercolor Wonder Crayons they have had to discontinue them.  The colors that they have left are going fast.  So if you love this technique and need to order yours don't delay.  You can get them by clicking here #119805 Neutrals, #119803 Regals. Each set of 10 are $16.95. Since first working on this post the Subtles and Brights are now sold out. So do not wait.

I first saw this idea on youtube from Michelle Wecksler and was fascinated by it. 

You will need a choice of colors.  I used a smattering of blues.  (smattering means an assortment incase I lost you with my wordology :) You also need a hobby blade.  I of course use the Stampin' Up! Hobby Blade which now that I have searched the whole catalog so I could point you in the right direction have not found it. Evidently we do not sell it anymore.  Wow.  I could have removed this comment and you would be none the wiser but hey I'm human too and frankly find it a little funny that I didn't know that. :) Ok so use whatcha got!

Start by scraping your crayons with your straight edge of choice.  I made a nice little pile with an assortment (smattering) of all the blues.  I found that I can control the curls by either doing nice long slow strokes or fast short strokes which gave me just little flakes which would be nice if I needed just a little color.

Here's where I stopped.  Usually I will just use two pieces of Whisper White cardstock but I decided to try folding the paper this time and hey I kinda liked that. It didn't shift when I did the next step which is ironing.

Either I have the biggest hands in the world or the smallest craft iron....Oh come on the iron is small people! doh! oh isn't she cute?! Yes, it's a she it is pink afterall!  Iron this paper/crayon sandwich until the crayon melts.  It doesn't take but a few seconds but I found it doesn't really hurt to keep the iron on there longer either. 

Take a peek to make sure it has melted:

Mine has so I can open it all up...isn't it cool?!  Oooh just like melting crayons between wax paper a project I think we did in grade school and all these years later I still get the giggles when I see the results.  It's always a fun surprise! It's like a Rorschach test.

Now it's time to punch it!

I used the bird punch.

Here are my bluebirds of happiness.  Such a cool effect.  I decided to make them into a wedding card.

I really like the way this card turned out.  Such a fun technique.  Give it a try and share the results by commenting with a link to your blog or other online post.

 

 

 

 

Introducing the Dolled-Up Birthday Kit!~cute but better yet...easy!

 

In February, Stampin' Up! posted three projects on their Facebook page and asked you to vote on your favorite . The winner? The Dolled-Up Birthday Kit created by Chris G. of Ohio! Now you can order the Dolled-Up Birthday Kit and get enough supplies (excluding adhesive) to create six gorgeous birthday cards perfect for the girly girls in your life.

The Dolled-Up Birthday kit includes the following:

• Dolled Up Birthday Photopolymer Stamp (1)
• 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" Crumb Cake Cardstock (6 pieces)
• 2" x 4-1/4" Very Vanilla Cardstock (6 pieces)
• Very Vanilla Medium Envelopes (6)
• Tea Lace Paper Doilies (6)
• Dress Up die-cuts (6)
• Soft Suede Classic Stampin’ Spot (1)
• Vanilla 5/8" Flower Trim (6 pieces)
• Sponge Dauber (1)

That’s everything you need to make six cards for only $15.95 US/ $17.95 CA! Contact your demonstrator to order yours today. Or get it now in my Online Store, where you’ll also find instructions for creating these quick and easy birthday cards.

Wax Paper Resist Technique~Texture or no Texture?

I learned a new fun technique last week and had the opportunity to share it this last weekend with some of my fellow demonstrators at our group meeting.  I guess it's called wax paper resist.  Well, that is what I am going to call it.  I know in the "olden" days we used to wad our wax paper up and then iron it onto glossy cardstock and then brayer over it.  Now we have texture folders to run the wax paper through.  So much texture! 

Here is a sample of one card I made after I had cut out a framelet thinking that was what I wanted to use but I loved the frame so much I made it into a card instead.

 

I left the glare on my picture today so you could see that it is on glossy paper and their is no actual texture just the look of texture.  As much as I love the texture plates with the overall texture what I like about this technique is it looks so shabby chic because some places catch the ink more than others.

So how did I do it? I ran a piece of wax paper through an embossing folder.  Overall textures seems to work the best.  Then sandwich this between two sheets of glossy paper with the glossy sides in.  Iron this sandwich on both sides.  Remove the wax paper and toss it, then brayer the glossy cardstock with the classic ink color of your choice.  Take a paper towel and wipe off any extra ink.  Voila that's it!  Cut it, punch it, big shot it or use it as is!  Here is another sample I made using many different texture folders.

There are 4 different beautiful textures on this card.  I almost forgot to let you know I learned it originally from France Martin. Now remember today at midnight is the last day to get free shipping on your Stampin' Up! order.  Order today to take advantage of this rare opportunity.

 

 

Henry Says~You need these stamps!

I finally got to work with the new photopolymer stamps yesterday.  I have to say I was not sure if I would like them or not.  I have to say I don't like them at all, I LOVE them! Here is the card I designed using not only the new clear stamps but the set Henry says out of the Spring Mini catalog. 

I really loved that I could curve that banner anyway I needed it to go since the stamps are so flexible and when I added the letters to the banner.  OH MY that was when I fell in love.  I could see exactly where I was putting them for perfect placement.  I stamped the greeting from Henry Says and then stamped the word balloon perfectly around them.  I could not have done that had I not had the clear stamp.  Have I mentioned that you get 57 stamps for only $13.95?!  Wow what a deal.  I know that many of the stamps are small but think of the possibilities of placement I can say just about anything on my cards now and not worry if they will be straight or not. Order your set today!

Washi Tape Tutorial~Make your own from Designer Series Paper

I am super excited about the new This and That kit (Click here to see what this and that is all about) that has just come out from Stampin' Up! It has many parts to it or is sold as one bundle at a discount. Here is the pricing.  This is just the beginning there will be more added later.

But while I am waiting for my This and That kit bundle to arrive I wanted to play with Washi Tape so I made my own:

 

I was snowed in today so I worked on a tutorial from an event I just attended Saturday.  Here are the steps.

Gather your supplies; Your Favorite Designer Series Scrapbook Paper.  A sponge, some "scotch" tape or any present wrapping tape.

Cut your paper the width of your tape.  Lay the tape on the side of the paper that you want to show and burnish it with your bone folder.

Now dampen your sponge with a little water and rub this onto the backside of your paper.

Rub this until the paper starts to ball up and rub off.  You will see the paper get transparent.  That is what you are looking for.  Just wipe away all the paper and you will be left with the transparent tape with your design left on it.

I adhered the homemade washi tape onto my cardstock with Tombo multi purpose glue.  When you do this you may have some glue dry around the edges make sure you really pounce your embossing buddy all over your cardstock so when you emboss your image on top of your tape you won't get powder sticking to the adhesive.  After you emboss it you can wipe all the extra embossing buddy residue away.

 

 

Happy Anniversary~to M.E.!

Ten years ago tomorrow (March 14th, 2003) I decided to join a company I appreciated. I appreciated their dedication to quality in Papercrafting supplies.  They were and have continued to be cutting edge in the craft arena.   It's Stampin' Up! of course.  When I joined all those years ago I signed up because I wanted the discount on my papercrafting supplies.  Now I can't even imagine not using those supplies to make top quality cards and projects to share with all of you!

I have met so many great women over the years from all over the world, most I would never have met without this bond of creativity. 

So let's Celebrate!!  Place a $50.00 online order here (You must create an account if you do not have one) then use the Hostess Code: GEAVPERY (not case sensitive but make sure it says the hostesses name is Mary Ellen Stites) and not only will you get to pick a FREE Sale A Bration item  from these products, but I will also send you a great Make-n-Take Packet to create 9 cards with 1 full card to copy (10 cards for 10 years!). (stamp set not included in Make-n-take packet) You can use a stampset in your repetoire to make a similar card or if you want to duplicate them exactly make sure you add #129120 "By the Tide" to your order. The card was featured here. 

This online special will end at noon on Thursday March 21st.  After all orders are in I will randomly choose one name to earn ALL the hostess benefits!  Wow!!  More "FREE Stuff!" You will be contacted via email before the end of that day so get your wishlist ready!

Remember the online 10th Anniversary Party code is: GEAVPERY

I mentioned that I have met many great women in my Stampin' "lifetime".  39 women have signed up directly under me to join me on the Create With M.E. team over the years and numerous more under them!  So I have a special one time offer for that 40th woman to join my team.  Sign up with Stampin' Up! before the 22nd for $99 and pick out $156.50 worth of stamping supplies from any current catalog.  I will also include an additional stamp set of your choice out of any current catalog!  Don't wait! You will want to be the first one! Join by clicking here or email me for more details.