The Stamp Workshop

Holiday Place Settings by Shelli Gardner, CEO Stampin' Up!

Shelli Gardner, Stampin' Up!'s CEO, appears on Studio 5 and shows us how to make some wonderful Holiday Place Settings.  Take a look at this video to learn how!

Here are the supplies needed to complete this project:

Stamp Sets:Cute & Curly Punch Label bundle , Everyday Flexible Phrases , Holiday Blitz , Simple Serif Mini Alphabet & Numbers, Wild West Alphabet

Stampin' Pads: Baja Breeze Classic, Chocolate Chip Classic, Old Olive Classic, Real Red Classic

Card Stock/Paper : Ski Slope Designer Series paper, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Naturals White, Old Olive, Real Red

Accessories

• Dies: Big Shot die cutting machine , Pillow Box die, Scallop Circle #2 die, Top Note Bigz die
• Accents: Pretties Kit , Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware
• Adhesives: Anywhere Glue Stick , Stampin' Dimensionals, Two-Way Glue Pen
• Punches: 1/16" Circle punch , 3/4" Circle punch , Horizontal Slot punch
• Ribbon/Cord/Thread: Alpine Ribbon Originals, Baja Breeze 5/8" striped grosgrain ribbon, Linen thread, Silver elastic cord
• Miscellaneous: Acetate (from office supply store; thick), Bone folder, Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter

Instructions

Napkin ring
Make card stock note using Top Note Bigz die. Adhere Designer Series paper on card stock, stamp (on New Year's napkin ring), fold, and smooth folds using bone folder. Stamp label image, punch out and/or cut, and adhere to napkin ring. Punch out slots and tie together with ribbon (Note: New Year's napkin ring is tied together with Silver elastic cord). Accent as seen on video.

Name plate
Make card stock note using Top Note Bigz die; stamp (on New Year's name plate), fold in half, and smooth fold with bone folder. Adhere Designer Series paper on card stock (Note: layer paper on Old Olive card stock first for Christmas name plate). Accent as seen on video.

Favor
Make favor box using Pillow Box die, and fill with treats. Create belly band out of Designer Series paper (Note: layer paper for New Year's favor), and adhere to favor. Stamp label image, and punch out. Accent as seen on video.

Confetti
Make several large and small scallop circles out of Designer Series paper. Stamp and cut out/punch smaller images (acorns for Thanksgiving, trees for Christmas, and snowflakes for New Year's) as seen on video. Glue glitter on snowflakes.

Video and written instructions courtesy of Studio 5.

If you have any questions about this project or would like to order the products needed to make the Holiday Place Settings, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com.

Enjoy!

Okay, So I Do Have Something to Post

Well, I joined a mini album swap.  I decided to do something that I called a pocket tag album, but I have seen it called a flip flop album and a table top album.  Anyway, here it is.  It measures 4" X 4".

I used the new Bella Rose paper.  In case you were wondering, the coordinating colors for the Bella Rose Designer Series Paper are Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss.  The paper is just gorgeous!

It doesn't look like much from just the front cover, but when you open it up, you are in for a treat!

Each page has a space where you can add a picture or add another layer and add journaling.  There is a pocket to hold a little 3" X 3" insert.  This insert can be used for a picture or journaling also.  It makes a great little brag book.

I think it would also make a great gift for a teacher, neighbor, friend.  When the album is in the open position, you can tie the ribbon to hold it open.  The "floor" of the album folds flat and then it can be used on a table to display pictures.

Would you like directions on how to make this album?  Well, you're in luck!  I just so happen to have typed them out! 

Within the directions, you can see a top view picture and you can see the detail of each page. I also included a cutting guide and listed the materials I used.

Here's a thought!  Take a look at the directions.  Make one of these cute albums and then leave me a comment with a link to your picture.  It can be uploaded to your blog or in your gallery on SCS.  From all the entries, I will randomly pick one.  The winner will receive the upcoming Fall Winter 08 Catalog and a little something (a keychain, charm or something) that I'll pick up from the Memento Mall at Convention.  If you load to the SCS gallery, used the keyword SWFFA (Stamp Workshop Flip Flop Album).

I will pick a winner the Wednesday get back from Convention (August 6th).  That gives you a week and a half to create your album.

Here are the directions for this album: Flip Flop Album (283.2K PDF File)

Feel free to tweak and embellish this album however you want - size, shape, whatever. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

Go create!

Meet This Week's Featured Stamper - Nicole!

If you are a Stampin' Up Demo, you can find this week's featured stamper on Splitcoast hosting the Friday Demo Challenge - Demonstratable 3-D projects.  As a former host of the Demo Challenges, I was able to work behind the scenes with our featured stamper.  Her talent as a hostess and as a stamper is amazing.

Please join me in welcoming this week's featured stamper:

Nicole Cooke

Nicole Cooke aka Stampin' Library Girl is a Stampin' Up! Demo and like last week's featured stamper, contributes to a couple of design teams.  Check out her blog - The Stampin' Librarian

Read on for more about Nicole...

My name is Nicole Cooke, otherwise known as Stampin' Library Girl / The Stampin' Librarian.  I am indeed a librarian (I have had many ask me, "Are you a really a librarian?")  :D   I am a Jersey girl, and I currently work in an academic library in northern New Jersey, not too far from New York City.  And soon, I will also be a full time Ph.D. student.  Hopefully, that won't cut into my stamping / crafting / therapy time too much!

I love to make cards, and I have recently gotten into digital scrap booking, but my passion really lies with altering projects, making 3D items and stamping on non-traditional surfaces (i.e., fabric, tile, glass, etc.).  I am a hobby demo for Stampin' Up! and have taught some classes at my local stamp store.  I am also a design team member for Kitchen Sink Stamps and Scrapmagasinet Stamps. 

I'm constantly taking stamping and project classes - I love getting new ideas and learning new techniques.  I'm looking forward to this year's Stampin' Up! convention (my third).  There's nothing like a live SU! event!  :D

Michelle: When were you first introduced to Stampin' Up!?

Nicole: I've always been into crafts (jewelry and needle crafts), since I was a little kid.  I didn't get into stamping until 2003 when I bought some used SU! sets off eBay (I know, gasp! : ) because I wanted to make a wedding card, and I dabbled off and on until 2005 when I became a demo - that's when the obsession set in, LOL!  In late 2006, I decided to become serious about my art.  When I made that conscious decision, I started my blog and I really started growing in my work, working outside of my comfort zone, and thinking "outside of the box" when it comes to stamping and artwork.

Michelle: What's your favorite all time SU stamp set?

Nicole: Ask a hard question, why don't you?  :D  I can never have to many floral or sentiment sets.  But I'd have to say that my all time favorite SU! set is Bodacious Bouquet.

Michelle: What's your favorite SU color?

Nicole: I love all things, pink!  Pink Passion is my favorite SU! color.

Michelle: What's your favorite SU embellishment?

Nicole: My favorite accessory is ribbon, hands down!  The more ribbon, the better  :D  I especially love the wider ribbons, and some of the striped and patterned ribbons we've seen in some of the mini catalogs.

I hope you enjoyed Nicole's interview. Now take a look at some of her Stampin' Up! artwork!

Take a minute and leave a comment for Nicole!  She is a wonderful artist, and I thank her for letting me feature her on my blog!

Don't forget to check out her blog - The Stampin' Librarian

Thanks for reading!!

Stampin' Up Ideas & Techniques

Today's feature is a great resource for some fabulous Stampin' Up! Projects: Click here

Each month Stampin' Up! posts three wonderful paper craft projects.  Each project includes a picture, a listing materials and step-by-step instructions on how to complete the projects.

The projects pictured here are from January 2008.

Check out each month for some great inspiration!

If you see a project you like, but need help recreating it, just contact me!  I'll be happy to help out.

You can order all the materials listed in the projects directly from me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com.

I've been Elfed!

I received this neat clipboard yesterday as part of an "Elf" package.  On the message board (splitcoaststampers.com) that I frequent, there was a thread that encouraged readers to "Elf" someone.  Readers sent all kinds of goodies to other members.

I received a package from Vera.  She is a lovely lady that posts frequently and is a great member of the forum.  She wanted to thank me for all the moderator work and the for the challenges that I help to host on splitcoast.

She made me this clipboard and beaded pen.  Both personalized!  I love when someone sends me something personalized.  It shows how much they care!

Along with these, she also sent a beautiful card stamped with an image of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse that is located at the Cabrillo National Monument.  I've been there several times as it is in San Diego.  The card was beautifully watercolored.  I also received a box of Trader Joe chocolates, a Christmas tree stamp and some pink puffy stickers what will go perfectly with the flowers from the Pretties Kit!

As far as I can tell, here is the recipe for this clipboard and the beaded pen:

Clipboard recipe:

• Stamps: Well-Worn Alphabet
• Ink: Sage Shadow
• Accessories: 4 1/2" X 9" On Board Clipboard, Soft Sky Double Stitched Ribbon,Wintergreen Designer Series Paper

Beaded Pen Recipe:

• Stamps: Rough Edges Mini Alphabets
• Ink: White Craft Ink
• Accessories: Wintergreen Designer Series Paper, Sticky Tape, Micro Beads

Thanks Vera!  It was a wonderful package!

Blog Kickoff!

To kick off my new business blog, I thought I'd offer up some blog candy!

This is Stamp Workshop's first offering of blog candy, and it's a good one!  The winner will receive enough goodies to make 12 gift card holders - just in time for the holidays!  You will win 4 Old Olive Gift Notes, 4 So Saffron Gift Notes, and 4 Sahara Sand Gift Notes.  There are 12 Confetti White envelopes to match.  You will also get approx 3 yards of 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain and 12 Build-A-Brads - 6 each of Antique Brass and Pewter.

So what do you have to do to win?  Well, there are two things!  Think of a tip (for Tools & Tips Tuesday), ask me a question (for Wonder Wednesday) OR suggest a technique (for Technique Thursday).

Then, on the left hand side of this blog, find the "Get my Newsletter" section under my picture.  Sign up for my newsletter to get the latest SU news.  When you sign up, you will find a notes section, in this section, leave me your tip, question or technique(as described above).

Please note that by signing up for my newsletter, you will receive, via email, the latest SU news and specials.  In the newsletter, you will also get special promotions and information provided directly through me.

So, to win this fabulous blog candy:

1) Think of a tip, question or technique

2) Sign up for my newsletter and let me know what you came up with for #1.

I will pick a winner at random on Wednesday, November 28.  Thanks for playing!

Holy Triptych

I love this set! I think it is so beautiful. When I saw the new Holiday Mini Catalog, this was the first set on my list. I got my preorder and I immediately started this card!

The coloring was a bit tricky and I ended up using 15 different colors (I think!).  I looked at different images on the web to try to the coloring just right.  I colored Mary the same way I had seen her all my life.  I think most Catholic renderings have her in these colors.  The Magi I wanted to make look royal - the Three Kings.  I used colors that were more vibrant, but I didn't want to detract the Holy Family as the focal point.  So, I raised Their panel higher than the rest.

The images are stamped in Jet Black StazOn on watercolor paper.  I used a small paint brush dipped in water to lift ink off the inside cover of my inkpads.  I tried so many different combos, but I think these are the ones I used.

The Magi  - They are all holding containers that is Really Rust for the bottoms and Barely Banana for the lids.  The tallest Magi is done in all Always Artichoke.  His head piece is just done with less water.  His skin tone is Creamy Caramel.  The middle Magi is done in Perfect Plum and Pale Plum.  His skin tone is Close to Cocoa.  The bottom Magi is done in Ballet Blue for his headpiece and Bashful Blue for his tunic.  His skin tone is Blush Blossom.

The Holy Family -  The halos and the star (why doesn't Joseph have a halo???) are done in Summer Sun.  I wanted this yellow to be bright.  Joseph is done in Creamy Caramel for his shawl and Mellow Moss for his head piece and tunic.  His staff is Close to Cocoa.  Mary is has a Regal Rose tunic and a Tempting Turquoise shawl.  Her headpiece is River Rock and her hair is Creamy Caramel.  Her skin tone is Blush Blossom.  Jesus' skin tone is Blush Blossom.  I did not color his swaddling clothes.  I wanted him to appear Pure.

The angel has skin tone is Blush Blossom.  Her hair is Creamy Caramel and her wings are Barely Banana. Each panel is raised on pop dots and each panel is mounted on Creamy Caramel cardstock.  I mounted those onto a Chocolate Chip Triptych.  Added square ice rhinestone brads and a bit of velvet ribbon from the Theater collection. I hope you enjoy it!

If you click on the picture, it will open up as a bigger size.

Start off by making the panels.

Cut one 2" X 6" piece and two 2" X 5" piece.

Cut as seen in directions.

Cut the base piece.  It is 6 1/2" X 6 1/2".

Place panels 1/8" apart from the left and right edge and each other.  They should be lined up 1/8" from the bottom as well.

After you adhere your panels, fold between each panel equally.

Using a ruler, mark each panel with a 1/8" layer. Cut the layer as indicated.  Then finish off the card as needed.

Email me if you need further clarification.