Stamping with Melony

CREATE MENTAL HEALTH

My friend Stephanie who is a Clinical Psychologist at Front Range Psychological Associates in Colorado hosts a fabulous Blog on mental health!  I love the insights she gives in her blog posts and helpful tips for good mental health in our daily lives. 

This month she hosted a Blog Party where she invited me to be a guest blogger and share a project that relates my craft to creating mental health!  I think that creativity is key to mental health!  I love having a creative outlet!  Good for my mind, body, and soul!  :)  

Last month I helped my friend Faith create a fabulous calendar masterpiece for her dear Father-in-Law whose years are taking a toll on his mental health.  She created the calendar to specifically to help spark his cognitive orientation to date and time.  :)  What a sweet daughter-in-law. 

 
Check out the entire post at www.drstephaniesmith.com by clicking on this link http://www.drstephaniesmith.com/?p=535

You can also check out all of the Guest Blogger's posts at www.drstephaniesmith.com by clicking on the "Create Mental Health" Yellow icon in the sidebar! 

Stamps-in-the-Mail Round #11 Month 1

Check out what the club members are working on this month for the SITM club! 

The first card is from the Medallion Simply Sent Kit.  I love this kit - great texture and dimension.  I dressed it up with some wide Elegant Eggplant Grosgrain.  The club members got 7 bonus cards from this kit this month too! 

The second card uses Sahara Sand, Elegant Eggplant, and Old Olive.  It also uses the Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder for the Big Shot.  The stamp set Build a Blossom from the Occasions Mini Catalog makes the blossom and leaves really pop!

 
To assemble the flower I used dimensionals and a reinforcing extra petal as pictured below:

 

 

 

The third card uses the same Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder for the Big Shot to give texture to the flower petals.  I used Sunny Garden Designer Series Paper (DSP), So Saffron, Poppy Parade, and Pear Pizzazz cardstock.

 
I accented the card with the Scallop Oval and smaller oval punches and a Designer Button.  To thread the button, I cut a tiny sliver of the Sunny Garden DSP to thread through for a threaded look.  I adhered it down on the backside with my glue dot. 

 I cut the So Saffron Cardstock to 2 x 4 1/4 and ran 2 at a time through the embossing folder.  I then punched the petals and pictured below

 

The 4th card is made with Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait, and Pear Pizzazz. 

  
This fabulous card uses the Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Folder for the Big Shot, the Blossoms Petals Punch, and the Build a Blossom Stamp Set from the Occasions Mini Catalog. 

To most easily punch the blossoms, I made a template with my punch and then positioned the stamps into the template and pressed them onto the acrylic block in the perfect orientation that they would punch out perfectly once they were stamped.  See the pictures for a tutorial:

 
 

 

 
 
 

To make curvatures in the petals, use a bone folder and press and pull the cardstock between the bone folder and your thumb to break down the fibers in the cardstock to make an upward or downward curvature depending on which side of the image you press and pull.  See pictures:

 

 I used glue dots and dimensionals to adhere the petals around.  Monoadhesive is not quite strong enough to keep them in place long term.  See pictures:

 

I LOVE Stamps in the Mail!!!!  Have fun  club members!  ;) 

Can't wait for Month 2 and 3 with the NEW Open Seas Stamp Set!  Great masculine cards!!! 

More later.......

Stamps-in-the-Mail Round #10 Month 3

Time flies when you're having fun! 

Check out the cards that the SITM club members created for month 3 cards of SITM Round #10!

Bring on the Cake!  :)  Glimmer Brads and Chunky Glitter provided great BLING!  The Big Shot folders provided fabulous textures!  And punches alwasy add such great elements to cards!   

 
 

Fun Favors!

I had so much fun visiting with my neighbor and friend Faith yesterday!  Faith is a Silpada jewelry representative and is having an open house this weekend at her house on Sunday, March 13th from 3-5pm.  Yesterday,she popped over in the morning and we made these adorable bookmark favors for all of her guests!  We also made these cute little "Thanks" favors that Faith will fill with some chocolate and a special gift certificate  tucked inside.  She'll tie it up with a little Peach Parfait coordinating ribbon and those who decide to book a party with Faith will be able to take one home, enjoy the chocolate and redeem their gift certificate at their own Silpada party!  "Book to Look" :)

 
We used the Scallop Circle Punch, the Five Petal Punch, the Punch Pack, and a Rhinestone Brad to fasten them together.  We used Crystal Effects to adhere them onto the jumbo paperclips as a bookmark.   For the "Thanks" favor, we used the Scallop Envelope Die twice with a little trimmed off the bottom flap.  We used sticky strip to adhere the 2 modified scallop envelopes together.  We used the small oval punch to create the little purse handle look on the top of each of the scallop envelopes.  We then embellished with the FREE Sale-a-Bration Ice Cream Parlor DSP as well as the Thanks Embosslit and an accent Square Punch behind the embosslit.  To achieve the accent color on the Thanks Embosslit, we used a brayer to add a little Melon Mambo color on the raised Thanks image to make it pop!  :)  Since Faith loves BLING...... we had to add a little "Silpada Bling" to the project so we used our fabulous Rhinestone Jewel Accents on each greeting.  Faith will will finish off these little masterpieces with a little Peach Parfait Stitched Ribbon for a closure.  Too cute! 

 
I love the great colors for spring!!!!  Bright and Cheery and all inspired by the FREE Sale-a-Bration Ice Cream Parlor Designer Series Paper and Accent Pack!  Earn your pack for free with a qualifying purchase today!  

Come to Faith's open house tomorrow and you can take home these adorable favors we made!  :)  Faith is unveiling the new spring line of Silpada jewelry!  You can check it out through her website at  www.mysilpada.com/faith.frisch. 

March Crafts!

St. Patrick's Day is coming up!

My BFF Kristen Bryant recently attended the Stampin' Up! Minneapolis Regional Seminar where she saw these great St. Patrick's Day ideas from Michelle Kuhn.  What fun March projects.

She used 2 Top Note Die Cuts to make this cute card.  The Round Tab Extra Large punch was also used.  The patterened paper is from the Regal Designer Series Paper Stack. 

 

Here is a fun way to give a little chocolate. The Two Tags Die was used to make the backing for the chocolate. 

 

The stamp set Got Treats that she used is a great set to have for different seasons.  It comes in Wood or Clear mount.

 

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PREV | NEXT

PREV | NEXT Got Treats - Clear-Mount Stamp What is a holiday or special occasion without treats? Simply not nearly as fun, that’s what! Our Got Treats set has absolutely adorable images and catchy messages that give you the perfect excuse to make a memorable treat for any event. Plus, with phrases that coordinate with our Mini Milk Carton Bigz L die, you won’t be able to resist pulling out this set along with your Big Shot and crafting away. Available both in wood-mount and clear-mount. Also available in French. Set Quantity: 10

Got Treats - Clear-Mount Stamp	120627
Price: $17.95
What is a holiday or special occasion without treats? Simply not nearly as fun, that’s what! Our Got Treats set has absolutely adorable images and catchy messages that give you the perfect excuse to make a memorable treat for any event. Plus, with phrases that coordinate with our Mini Milk Carton Bigz L die, you won’t be able to resist pulling out this set along with your Big Shot and crafting away. Available both in wood-mount and clear-mount. Also available in French. Set Quantity: 10

SHOP NOW for this set and MORE!

 

Tricky Tray Time!

Here in New Jersey, I have experienced "Tricky Tray" events for the first time!  What a blast!  It's really just a big raffle night...... but with a lot more Jersey bling!  :)   Fun food and drinks and 50/50 Raffles and lots of excitement!  A great fundraiser!!!  Here's the Stampin' Up! Basket I'm contributing!

 
Scrapbook Calendar, Hand-Stamped Greeting Cards, Wooden and Clear Mount Stamps, Ink, Ribbon, a Punch, 3 Idea Books, a Decor Element, and a FREE Class for the lucky winner and 5 friends!!!  :)  Fun!  Can't wait to see who wins!  Hope I win something too!  :) 

 
This is the "Family Fun & Games" Basket we put together from Haley's class contributions.  Turned out cute if I do say so myself!  ;)  Can't wait to see all the other baskets and start dropping my tickets in to win! 

Explore Your Creativity with Stampin' Up!

Click Here to Explore Your Creativity!

Stampin' Up! cofounder and CEO Shelli Gardner shares her passion for creativity and discusses the exclusive coordinated products that Stampin' Up! offers to help you explore your own creativity.

We Love Dad Garland

I've had some requests for more specifics on my We Love Dad Garland, so I thought I'd do an entry with some closer shots of it and some product information.  This is definitely one of my favorite projects that I've done.  My friend Janet Winz is who originally planted the seed that started my creative juices flowing towards this finished project.  :)  Thanks Janet! 

 
First, I used my Big Shot to die cut Serif Essential Alphabet letters spelling WE LOVE DAD.  I used both the negative and positive images of the letters for a little variety.  I was taking my friend Stacy's photography class through StacyMaePhotography at the time, so I was pretty psyched to try to get some great B&W shots.  ;)

 
I die cut the scallop circles in Basic Black using the Scallop Circle Die.  I used the Circle Scissors Plus to cut the Whisper White Circles and the B&W photographs. 

 
I layered the circles and scallops together with adhesive and then began to fasten the circles onto the White Satin Ribbon using Jumbo Eyelets with the Crop-o-dile. 

 
The kids and I had a lot of fun with this project.  I loved seeing the different expressions I could get.  This will be a great keepsake for years and years to come.  :) 

Try it for yourself!  I'd love to see your finished products! 

Birthday Wishes

I had a lovely time stamping these great birthday cards this week with 2 different groups of ladies.  Both cards were inspired by swaps that I photographed at the leadership conference in January.  Both cards are so versatile!  You can use them for men, women, or children.  I love versatility! 

 
I love these cards made with the FREE Sale-a-Bration DSP that comes in the Ice Cream Parlor DSP & Quick Accents Pack!   For my Stamp-a-Stack workshop, the ladies were able to create 2 blue and 2 pink cards for maximum versatility for their birthday card needs.  I LOVE this Bring on the Cake Stamp Set.  

 
We also used the Scallop Square Die for the body of the card.  The colors are Peach Parfait, Pacific Point, and Melon Mambo.  I gave a choice of Daffodil Delight Grosgrain or Old Olive Grosgrain, but the FREE Ice Cream Parlor ribbon matches great too!

 

This card uses the FREE Punch Bunch Sale-a-Bration Stamp Set punched out with the Scallop Square Punch and the Celebrations Designer Series Paper (DSP) punched out with the 1 1/4" Square Punch .  The color of the card is Bashful Blue with Pacific Point and Real Red accents to coordinate with the great DSP!  The ribbon is wide Real Red Grosgrain.    Earn this set for free when you purchase the other supplies for the card!  Very versatile products!

Get your FREE today with your qualifying Sale-a-Bration Order!  :) 

Better Late than Never!

2011 is already flying by!  Here it is February and I'm finally sending out my Thank You Cards from Christmas!  My kids got their portion done weeks ago, and as usual, mom has been the delaying factor!  LOL!  I'm finally getting these babies in the mail though!  Better Late than Never!!!!   Check 'em out! 

 
I LOVE the Simple Seasonal Thanks Stamp that I got from a Stampin' Up! mini catalog last year.  It is so quick and easy and perfect for the kids to use!  Check out the Simple Birthday Thanks Stamp on page 142 of the IB&C for a similar design that you can use for Birthday Thank You Cards! 

 
Here's my thank you card made with the Finial Press Embossing Folder with the Big Shot.  I also used the Serene Snowflakes stamp set along with Craft Ink and Dazzling Diamonds to give a little bling to the cards.  Makin' my mama proud by getting my thank you cards out.  :)