Mixing and matching

And now that I've shown you four cards with limited supplies, let me show you how one little stamp can change the use of an old stamp image that you've had for more than ten years!

It's adorable, right?!  I hope you have enjoyed this week of postings.

Never stop exploring...

Already, I'm so proud of myself.  I hope you are enjoying seeing these cards.  Here's the fourth card made with the very basic supplies from Day One.

Blue and brown have always been one of my favorite combinations.  Stampin' Up! makes it easy by combining beautiful shades of color in their Designer Series Papers.  They aren't always the combos I might have chosen but they stretch my artistic ability, and I'm always pleased with the results.

Pom poms make this card fun!

I'm on a roll!  Here's the 3rd card with the same basic supplies from the SAB $50 kit.

Don't you LOVE the pompom trim??  Same car as yesterday but totally different looking card.  That's the beauty of stamping.  Simple cards can still have a "wow" factor.

Enjoy!  And see you tomorrow.

To Live is to Travel...

Two days in a row. . .amazing.  Here's the 2nd card design you can make with the supplies from yesterday's post.

Coastal Cabana is a beautiful color, and looks great with Soft Suede.  This is simple, and cute.  The clear photopolymer stamps are so easy to line up. . .easy to add the trailer to the auto, and to get the saying in the right place within the arrow.  Stamp, stamp, and you are done!

See you tomorrow...

I'm back and full of simple card ideas for newbies

I'm making a new start, and will share more stamping ideas and tricks.  I have realized that since I have oodles of supplies, it may seem overwhelming to newbies on just how to get started.  So, this week we will look at what you can make with a $50 purchase right now.  A new and different card each day!

These are the supplies:
#137157 Project Life Let's Get Away photopolymer stamp set (15 stamps) - $13.95
#117147 Clear mount block - $5.95
#115318 Soft Suede card stock - $6.95
#126978 Soft Suede ink pad - $5.95
#131175 Coastal Cabana ink pad - $5.95
#121297 Coastal Cabana card stock - $6.95
#137898 Calypso Coral pompom trim ribbon - $5.95

Total cost:  $51.65.  Purchase today during Stampin' Up's Sale-A-Bration and receive a free item!  Get the Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper (#138633) so that you can make the cards I will show to you over the next few days.  You can order through me directly, or on line at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/creativedreams/.

This card is simple but definitely not boring!  See?  I *can* make cards without needing my Big Shot! LOL.  Stay tuned for tomorrow...

Adorable baby. . .adorable hat!

I know it's silly to knit on a tropical island, but doesn't Shylah look too cute for words? And she is headed on a vacation with her parents to colder climates so I'm glad she appreciates my hobby, and well that she makes it look so darned ADORABLE!!

June 2010 Stamp Class

Another month passes. School is out for the summer, and many folks are taking long vacations. We just have a short trip to Palau this year so I will continue to offer classes for those who remain on island.

This first bridal card (above) uses the scallop square die cut on my Big Shot machine. It makes for a smaller card but it's lovely. And if you mail the square card in a regular envelope, it won't cost any more than regular postage. Some of the gals in class added glitter instead of the versamark shading and it looked lovely as well!


Rich Razzleberry and Pretty In Pink are a fabulous color combination. The Petal Pizazz stamp set and large silver brads complete the card.


A sand shaker card! Even adults cannot resist the urge to shake this card whenever they hold it. LOL. Remember the trick to putting together a shaker card easily is to add the dimensional dots closely so that no sand can slip through any holes. To add the sand, remove the adhesive's backing on THREE sides only so that you can pour in the sand and then when it's all perfect, remove the backing from the last side and seal the sand inside!


The hydrangea is a NEW HOSTESS SET in the catalog debuting in July. It is lovely and *so* easy to get a great image. Fast, easy and simple! I love it. We ran the stamped layer through the Big Shot on a texture plate *after* stamping to get the diamond embossed background.



And this last card was CASEd from the Stampin' Up! demonstrator's magazine. It uses the new Pear Pizazz and Marina Mist colors (which I totally love.) And of course, more texture with the Big Shot.

Please join me for my next class! I will be doing TWO classes in July. . .one for Christmas cards, and one to debut the new catalog!

Sweet baby Shylah!

I have the most wonderful dentist. Her name is Crystal and she's fabulous. And now she and her husband Ken have had their first child! To celebrate, I knit a cute little baby stocking cap in various yarns and stitches. It was a delight to make, and oh-my-gosh, doesn't she look adorable? Okay, with beautiful parents like Ken and Crystal, this baby was already destined to be perfect, but still, the hat helps, right?!

Birthday Card class

Well, this was one of the MOST popular classes we ever did, and everyone loved ALL of the cards. I'm so happy when that happens!

The chef card uses the new scallop trim punch.

I love the embossing folders that fit through my Big Shot. I can get any design with any color cardstock and don't have to buy them in colors I won't use!

And this card uses the wood sheets from Stampin' Up! I can even run those through the Big Shot either to cut into shapes or in an embossing folder. What a great look.

MOM AND ME - 3D PROJECT CLASS!!

For those of you who procrastinated or forgot, you missed an awesome time! The first project was a personalized sign with chalkboard area, decorative papers and embellishments. Below is the one Amy made for her room. . . of course, in blue and green. It's also made from foamboard so you can use the decorated parts to adhere sticky notes or use push pins to hold messages and reminders.

Then, Ms. Jodie didn't want to have her photo taken, but mom Patty was gracious enough to oblige. Jodie's personalized sign came out beautifully. She chose hardboard instead of foamboard so she can use sticky notes, and of course, her chalk!

Jennifer and Grace were delighted to show off both of their projects, and the last two photos are of the special box made by Jodie. The box project was fairly quick and by making this item, the participants know better how to take an ordinary household object and turn it into a beautiful treasure box or gift package.

Each person used the same set of supplies but all the results were indivudal and personalized. That's the beauty of stamping!

Saipan Southern High School

Sudi Napalan, the librarian at Saipan Southern High School, has been a fan of Stampin' Up! for a while now and attends my events regularly. She asked me to consider doing a stamping demonstration during Teen Week and I was glad to do so. The more I thought about things, the more I wanted to work with these students again.


I agreed to donate supplies and time and expertise to show the students how to make simple cards. Every card will be sent to soldiers from the CNMI who are away from family and friends. The soldiers can use the blank cards to send home, keeping in touch better with the ones that miss them so dearly.

These are some of the wonderful creations the students have made with very little instruction from me! The talent is abundant, and the enthusiasm is very rewarding.


I'm proud to say that we meet every other Wednesday, and the students make 10 to 20 cards per session. They learn more and more each week about the art of stamping! I challenge you to do one small thing in your life that reflects a gift from your heart. . .

Love and kisses?

Okay, maybe I don't scan very straight, but my card is definitely not off kilter like this. I got a fancy scanner/printer from my buddy Janet when she left island and I'm too lazy to read the manual so this is as good as it gets for the moment. There is glitter on the birthday cake and candles. The bottom edge is done with the new scallop edge punch. These new punches are easier to use than the previous style, and I love them!

I felt really good today. I got lots of compliments on my latest creations and will attempt selling them at the retail stores of several Shell service stations on island. Please go in and see them!



The front of this red card shines because the dots are actually printed on a transparent window sheet (attached with glue dots under the ribbon.) This is simple but packs a big "WOW!"

Much thanks to Kerry for letting me use her "love" sayings with my cardstock. I am hooked on the embossing and cutting that can be done with the Big Shot and I totally love how easy it is to make great cards with these pieces!


This card is actually my favorite. The flower was done with the watercolor technique I did at a recent class. . .stamp with white ink on shimmery white cardstock, emboss with white powder, spray with water, and loosely brush the aquapainter dipped in ink from a refill bottle. Easy and fun, and oh, what marvelous results!

Time passes. . .friendships remain!

It was a long time ago when I first arrived on Saipan and met Lecia Eason and Patricia Halsell. They were starting their own law firm and I interviewed with them at Coffee Care when it was down in Garapan (on what is now called the Paseo.) It was a wonderful office, filled with many diverse personalities, and we became family.

Ruth had a way with babies 14 years ago when I had my Amy and she's still "got it!" She settled Susan's new baby Mikaela within mere seconds.

And we finally got to meet Ruth's "Amy"! Definitely doing a lunch together again soon. Hugs to all.

Shakin' It!!

I love shaker cards. Love to hold them and shake them. Just like a kid.

The top card holds small beads. The ghost card has chunky green glitter and micro beads, and the bottom card has only micro beads. Shaker cards are so fun for all ages. . .

Talented friends from across the world

Oh, I totally love the friendships I've made by sharing my passion for stamping. Paige has moved to the states but a part of her heart stays with us. She tried my "To Go" class kit and here's a photo of her metal tin. Isn't it beautiful???!!!

September's Stamp A Stack with Gift Tin!

I found these great tins to embellish! The top one was done in class by Mili, who intends to add a die cut gecko to finish it off. The one below was completed by Jodie, and the third by Daisy. Aren't they too adorable? Use them as gifts or to hold YOUR own stamping embellishments and doo-dads!



The one I made below is for my desk at Delta Management. It certainly brightens up my work hours! And the cards included with this stamp a stack included clear heat embossing, watercoloring, and a new Tri-Shutter Fold.

Enjoy my Stamp-A-Stacks!

The new In Colors are fabulous. This first card uses Soft Suede and Rich Razzelberry with the Always stamp set. A white taffeta ribbon is attached with a glue dot at the top of the stamped heart.

A new watercolor technique! And so easy!! Use Shimmery White cardstock. . .stamp with white craft ink and emboss with white powder. Now spray your cardstock with a fine mist of water, spraying enough to make small puddles on the paper. Use an aquapainter and color with ink refills. Just swish it over the image with no talent at all and let it puddle naturally. You will look like a genious! I love that the new Dusty Durango color has a slight yellow tinge when watercolored this way!

This card also uses the new watercolor technique. . .only using Crushed Curry in the centers and Melon Mambo at the outer edges of the flower. Don't I look talented?!

You will love these new polka dot ribbons that coordinate with the six new In Colors. . .they are so fun and lively!

This last card used markers to color the rubber of the stamped image. Soft Suede and Bermuda Bay. . .new In Colors of course!