StampAMemory Challenge

The challenge this month at StampAMemory was to create a layout using this photo for inspiration:
Cute eh? This is what I came up with:
I thought I'd also add a photo of the layout with the photo on it as I came across a blog the other and the Demonstrator had done this and I have to say, it was wonderful! A photo can change the look of a layout dramatically. So when possible, I plan to do this myself!
To create the "heart" I die cut 7 flowers from the Blossom Party die, texture-embossed them, sprayed some water on, crunched them up, then rubbed the same colour stamp pad over them. I was planning on just creating a big flower like in the inspiration photo but after a little play, decided a heart was much more appropriate. I sprayed the blue heart with water after stamping to blur the image. For the title, I die cut the letters, applied glue, dazzling diamonds then a coat of crystal effects, they look so pretty in real life!

Stamps: Every Moment, Punch Potpourri, Pony Party, Woodgrain
Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Old Olive, Rose Red, Marina Mist
Ink: Basic Black, Old Olive, Rose Red, Marina Mist, Versamark
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die, Blossom Party Originals Dies, Simple Letters Alphabet Bigz Dies, Heat Gun, White Embossing Powder, Sponge Dauber, Dazzling Diamonds, Crystal Effects

Baby Mini Album

My nephew and his wife had their second baby boy (named Cooper) recently, so of course out came the crafting tools and I set to work on an original gift that they will be able to enjoy for many years to come.

It's got 12 6x6 pages with page protectors inside, with cardstock front and back. On the front I also added a clear binding cover to give it extra protection (especially when little fingers start wandering all over it ; ) ).
I basically went through all my stamp sets and pulled out all the verses/words that were appropriate for a baby (and cleaned each as I went along too). I used black for each one to "ground" it and give it some consistency (hope you know what I mean)!

You'll see that I used a retired DSP as I didn't have one from the current DSP's that I felt was appropriate, but a project like this is great for using up things like that, especially scraps etc. I made it in the same colour-blocking style as this album.

And here's the card to match:
Stamps: Medallion, Broadsheet Alphabet, So Many Sayings, Vintage Labels, Every Moment, Punches Three, Whimsical Words, Picture This, Kind Heart, Fun & Fast Notes, Office Accoutrement, Vintage Vogue, Hello Again, Curvy Verses, Baroque Motifs, Priceless
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Washington Apple DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Bashful Blue, Riding Hood Red, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Scallop Circle Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Lots of Tags Sizzlits Dies, Hearts & Brackets Originals Die, Two-Step Bird Punch, Curly Label Punch, Photo Corner Punch, Scallop Square Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Star Punch, Medium Oval Punch, Word Window Punch, Hodgepodge Hardware, Sponge Dauber, 1/4" White Grosgrain Ribbon, Pumpkin Pie Ribbon, Buttons, Rhinestone Brads, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, Crop-A-Dile, Rhinestone Jewels

Birthday Card Books

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, being able to make quality gifts with my Stampin' Up! supplies is fantastic (both for the giver and the receiver)! Here's two Birthday Card Books that I made as Christmas presents, the one on the left for my Sister-in-Law, and the other for my Mother-in-Law.

They were really easy to make and you can find instructions here if you’d like to make one also. Click here for one I made for myself previously. They each cost around $15 to make, using 1/2 a pack of designer paper plus $5 to get spiral bound. I also put a piece of acetate front and back (it's hard to see in the photos) to give extra protection.

Stamps: Every Moment
Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Sunny Garden Designer Series Paper, Designer Series Paper Pack - In Color (Hostess)
Ink: Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Circle Bigz Die, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Medium Sizzlits Die, Two-Step Bird Extra-Large Punch, Basic Rhinestone Jewels.
Stamps: Broadsheet Alphabet, Priceless
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Basic Grey, Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper
Ink: Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Basic Grey
Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Bigz Die, Boho Blossoms Punch, Paper Daisy, Circle Ice Rhinestone Brad, Sponge Dauber, Spritzer Tool

6x6 Scrapbook Page

I attended the Hamilton Regional Seminar a few weeks back (yes, with a baby in tow!) and I've only just had a chance to complete one of the four "make and takes" from that day. Of course, I chose the scrapbook page to do! (The photo is from my much younger and skinnier days!)
Stamps: Every Moment
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Soft Suede
Ink: Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Soft Suede
Accessories: Whisper White 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Mat Pack, Paper-Piercing Tool, Scallop Edge Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Sponge Daubers

Look What I Managed To Make!

Life certainly is busy with a newborn in the house. I spend most of my time keeping on top of the washing & dishes! I've really missed having "my crafting time" but managed to make a card & matching 6x6 page for my friend who just had a baby girl. It took me most of Saturday to make with all the interruptions! (And now it's taken me until Wednesday to blog!)
My upline Tracee Jones suggested on our team forum that instead of stamping on plain paper to make wrapping paper, she just crimps a piece of cardstock which matches the card then pops the card underneath it. Have I done it right Tracee? I think it's a cool idea being able to see the card!
Stamps: Picture This, Baroque Motifs, Curvy Verses, Every Moment
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence, Old Olive, Whisper White, Cottage Wall DSP
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White Craft
Accessories: Big Shot, Lots of Tags Sizzlits Die, Beautiful Wings Embossilts Die, Top Note Bigz Die, Scallop Border Punch, Crimper, Sponge Dauber, Orchid Opulence 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds