Create With M.E.

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 Easter~ from this Chick!

Look at this adorable chick!  He's just as cute as can be and so easy to recreate.  I used the 1 3/4" circle punch for his body I used the wings from the Bird Punch for his wings.  The Boho punch finishes off his little crown and his feet.  So cute. I adorned the box with one of the chicks from the cute clips out of the spring mini catalog.   A couple of adorable greetings from one of my favorites all time sets teeny tiny wishes.  They are perfect when you are doing these little items.

I used a simple folded triangle for his beak and a couple of dots with my basic black marker for his eyes to bring him to life.  I found this cute box idea somewhere.  Ugh I just spent an hour trying to find out where it was so I could send you there and give credit.  I know it was a video and it had a curly label punch with a window sheet front but that's all I can remember.  (if you know please make a comment so I can edit my post.  I have been over every one of my pinterest boards.  I will keep looking and post credit as soon as I am able.  I did have to make some changes to it's size to accomodate this little yummy....

Ok since I can not send you to the website I am going to post a few extra pics so you can put your own together with my measurements. 

You need two pieces of cardstock the box that will hold your treat is 5" by 2 3/4" You will score it on the long side at 1/2", 2 1/4", 2 3/4" and 4 1/2" then turn it and score the short side 1/2" from each side.

You will remove all the 1/2" squares from this piece as shown.  Punch one side with a 1 1/4" punch or whatever size you need to accomodate your treat.  Put sticky strip as shown on the opposite side of the part you punched.  Assemble the box bottom.

The wrap around part is 8 1/2" x 1 3/4" score on the long side at 1/2", 2 7/8", 3 3/8", 5 1/4", 5 5/8", and 8" Put sticky strip as shown

Place the box bottom as shown and fold up the sides and decorate. 

I sure hope that helps you be able to replicate this adorable box.  I have yet to expand into videos but hope it in my future?  Maybe with a little encouragement I can do it. :)

 

 

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. 

 

Vintage Verses~Chalkboard tutorial

Have you fallen in love with the "new" Chalkboard technique but think it's too hard to duplicate or don't even know where to start? Well, let M.E. break it down for you. I love this great look probably because I can be messy and it LOOKS GREAT that way! LOL

Start by throwing your embossing buddy down on your basic black cardstock.  If you do not have an embossing buddy do not stress over it.  Order your's here today or just skip this step.  The reason you use the embossing buddy is because it just takes that stark blackness off of your paper and gives the next step a little bite.

After you wipe this around and blow a little you will take some Whisper White craft ink and a piece of sponge and lightly sponge some white color onto your cardstock.  I concentrate on the edges for the most part.  I always start off my page in a swirling motion and work onto my cardstock.  Then I might swipe here and there.  Do it just like you are cleaning off the blackboard in class. I taught this for a class full of teachers the other day and they told me it's all white boards and smart boards now! Probably why we love this technique it's vintage anything vintage is cool because it reminds us of our childhood...right?

Now it's time to do a little stamping!  Yay!  Here I used one of the greetings from the FREE sale-a-bration set called Vintage Verses.  I love this versatile set.  Each greeting is unique and different and did I mention FREE!  Who doesn't love FREE.  But remember it's only available for another WEEK.  Get more details on how you can earn yours for FREE here

click on the image to go to my store to get more info

No embossing just stamp it in Whisper White craft ink.  Now it's time to just finish this piece off with a little border.  I used the white pencil from the Watercolor pencil set but you can also use the white crayon from the Watercolor crayons I have used both successfully. 

I love using my grid paper as a guide when doing this.  I place my image on the lines and using any straight edge (usually a scrap piece of cardstock on my desk) I draw from corner to corner but in this case I went just a smidge shy of the edge to give it a different look. 

I used the FREE Madison Avenue paper from the Sale A bration catalog folding the corner over to showcase both of these beautiful sides.  Why only show one I say?!  How do I get both of these items free M.E.?  For every $50 your order in Stampin' Up! merchandise (you need an embossing buddy, watercolor crayons, black paper, whisper white craft ink...sponges.  You get the point) you can choose 1 item from the Sale A Bration brochure.  So order $100 and you get 2 free items and so forth!  Don't wait these are not available after the 22nd of March.

 

My Paper Pumpkin~It's a Magical Paper Escape Every Month!

 

It's a Magical Paper Escape Every Month!

Sweep away the mundane-your creativity carriage awaits!

 

I'm Paper Pumpkin . . .

I come to your door each month (a fully decked-out creativity carriage). I'll help you to escape your life with some paper fun.

I come in a sweet box, but you'll really love what you find on the inside:

All the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create pinable projects. Create stuff like cards, journals, décor, and more!

Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up! is a new monthly kit program that anyone (even you) can enjoy!

Get Started

It's so easy to get started. Simply sign up for the program  by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click Get it. Select Mary Ellen Stites Saint Joseph, IL as your demonstrator. Every month a new, surprise project kit arrives at your doorstep. Just think of the anticipation of creating a fun project to pin, showoff, and share with your friends and family-every month!

The very first Paper Pumpkin will arrive on your doorstep starting in March-if you sign up before March 10.

Of course, you'll want to know more. So here's the nitty gritty:

• Each month we send you a unique, surprise kit with a project-cards, journals, décor, and more! (We've even color-coordinated, measured, and cut everything for you!)
• Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper, and accessories-everything but adhesive.
• Each kit gives you a 30-minute creativity escape.
• We will ship your Paper Pumpkin on or around the 15th of the month.  
• You need to sign up for a kit by the 10th of the month to get that month's kit. If you sign up on the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the next month. (Let's say you sign up on May 10th, we'll send your kit around May 15th. If you sign up on May 11th, we'll send your first kit around June 15th.)
• A Paper Pumpkin membership is $19.95 per month (and shipping is included!)  
• There's no commitment, you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at anytime. You can also skip a month if you want.
• Starting in early March, we'll offer a Try-It kit if you'd like to try Paper Pumpkin for one month.

Here's How You Order

Sign up for your monthly Paper Pumpkin by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click Get it. Make sure you specify Mary Ellen Stites Saint Joseph, IL as your demonstrator so I can assist you to my fullest with any questions, helps or creative ideas you might need!

Madison Avenue~Let's Sale-A-Brate!

I like to spend a little time on Pinterest at the end of a long day and saw a simple but clean card by Ruth M over at Flower Sparkle that really jumped out at me because it uses one of my new favorites called "Madison Avenue". One of the reasons it's one of my favorites is because I didn't need to purchase it. 

It was FREE for M.E. and it can be FREE for you too!  It is a Sale-A-Bration set.  Sale-A-Bration is where when you purchase $50 in Stampin' Up! merchandise you get to pick one item from the Sale-A-Bration brochure.  Order $100 pick two and so forth. I guess until you get them ALL!

This is the card I made.  The original can be found on my pinterest papercrafting board here.  Make sure you follow me on Pinterest to see what I've been pinning today.

Go ahead and place your order today and earn this set for FREE! Click here to order.

When you place your $50 order enter one of the numbers below in the picture depending on if you want a clear mount set or a wood mount set. (click on the picture to enlarge and see how great this set is)

Punch art~A little something silly

Ok do you ever need one of those cards as a "pick me up" and you hope your friend has a sense of humor?  This was one of those times for M.E.  My dear friend Meg fell a couple of weeks ago ice skating.  Now this is not someone who doesn't know what they are doing.  She used to be a figure skater.  (Really I've seen pictures! :) and now her beautiful daughter is taking up the art.  Well, Meg took a little (big) tumble on the ice and got her first broken bone ever! 

I finally got around to creating this silly card for her.  She has a fantastic sense of humor but is also one of the most "on the go" active women I know.  She is even doing a little kick boxing right now (well not right now :) so this probably really isn't that funny to her but she knows that laughing is all she can do.  I love her disposition inspite of the inconvenience and pain.

By The Tide~Sold M.E.!

When I first saw the stamp set "By the Tide" it was actually SUPER easy for me to just pass it right by.  'It's not my style' I thought.  I hardly ever get to the beach it's really the opposite of my lifestyle, not that I don't sometimes wish it was but living in the midwest I'm more trees, grass and livestock instead of sand, water and marine life! LOL

Recently I saw a card...somewhere (we will talk about that in a minute) and it sold me on this stamp set and immediately I had to have it but since I knew it wouldn't be a mainstay in my stamping repertoire I wanted it for FREE or at least a discount. 

So when Stampin' Up! said that I got a discount for my birthday I scooped this set up immediately! (Do you want a discount from Stampin' Up! for your birthday? Join my Create With M.E. team today!)  Here is my version of the card I think I saw because I can't find the card I really saw anywhere and I'm starting to think I just dreamed about it.

We are going to duplicate it tonight at my Forget-Me-Not card keeper class in Villa Grove.  Still room to join M.E.! Email M.E. now!

I really do love Pinterest don't you?  I think this time though Pinterest took advantage of me!  LOL  I have spent a lot of time looking on my boards and even other stampers boards to find the card that drew me to this stamp set in the first place. First so I could refresh my memory on the card and secondly to give credit. Darn if I can't find it anywhere. I think my version that was hazy in my head turned out pretty good!

I guess I have to stop taking Pinterest for granted.  Just because I see an idea or recipe somewhere doesn't mean it automatically goes on my boards. (that comes in the future I guess)  Like me on Pinterest to see many ideas I actually did pin! ;-)

Do you love the Beach and have to have this set now or just love this card? Order the By the Tide set today because it's in the spring catalog and will be gone soon! Click on the number below to go to my store to have it shipped right to your door.

#129120 By the Tide (clear mount)

 

Photopolymer Stamps just Announced~Say (SEE) What?

Just announced this morning a new choice for your Stampin' Up! stamps! Photopolymer! Clear on Clear.

What makes them so great?

• They're entirely transparent for perfect placement every time! 
• They are durable. The photopolymer material is designed to last. 
• Can you say sticky? (Don't worry; in a good way.) These stamps stick amazingly well to our clear blocks.
• They're age tested. They won't yellow or cloud up over time. 
• They use FDA, food-safe material. How far can you stretch your stamping creativity? 
• I could go on, but I'll let you try them for yourself.

They are clearly a great choice. 

Fine Print from Stampin' Up!

• Photopolymer stamps will be offered on a trial basis. Based on popularity, we hope to release more photopolymer stamp sets over the coming months. At this time we don't plan on offering a line of photopolymer sets as expansive as our wood-mount and clear-mount lines.
• Available on all order types beginning March 1, 2013. 
• Not available in wood-mount or clear-mount.  
• All photopolymer will be packaged in cello bag w/insert, but don't forget you can store them in our clear cases.

Q & A

Q: Why should I order now?

A: we're trying it out and if it's popular we'll keep the photopolymer sets coming! So if you want to see more, you must buy and tell your stamping friends to buy! And if you like a set you see,  buy it now since there are no guarantees that it will be available tomorrow.

Q: How long will each stamp set released be available?

A: Since this product line is being offered on a trial basis and is not currently included in our catalog, we won't have a standard amount of time that each set is offered. I'll let you know when each set is no longer available as well as when new ones become available.

Here is a fun video about these great new stamps:

 

So you want to see the first set? Of course you do!

Item	Description	Price
132956	Designer Typeset Photopolymer Stamp Set Recommend clear blocks A, B, G, F, and I. Purchase separately. Includes 57 pieces. (Don't faint! This is a good overwhelming feeling.)	$13.95

Order yours today on my website or  call or email me for more information.