{Stamp Set Spotlight} Big on Christmas

Merry Christmas! I hope this finds you well! We'll be busy baking at my house today, which is one of my favorite ways to celebrate the season... Thought I'd share two of my favorite quick and easy cards using Big on Christmas... Enjoy!

In both designs, I used my Blender Pen to pick up a bit of color to fill in the image with a bit of watercolor. In the Noel card, I used my Real Red Stampin' Write Marker to fill in the letters...
The scalloped edge is easily achieved using my Scallop Edge Border Punch... I used the scoring blade on my paper trimmer to make the scores on the Noel card and textured Real Red card stock gives it an added flair.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Big on Christmas

Papers: Woodland Walk Designer Series Paper, Garden Green, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue and Whisper White smooth card stocks, Real Red textured card stock

Inks: Staz-On Jet Black, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Garden Green, and Early Espresso Classics and Real Red Stampin' Write Marker

Accessories: Scallop Edge Border Punch, Scoring Blade, Paper Trimmer, Whisper White narrow grosgrain ribbon, paper snips

I wish you the very best this Christmas and for many blessings in 2011. Thank you for your visit today!

{Stamp Set Spotlight} A Cardinal Christmas: Day 2

This card includes another image which was embossed in clear embossing powder for a subtle, yet clear image. The berries were likewise embossed in clear embossing powder (on Cherry Cobbler card stock), snipped out and adhered to the cardinal image.

The cardinal image was fed through the Big Shot, using the Top Note die, which gives it that shape. Quick and easy!

Our sentiment also comes from A Cardinal Christmas and was inked in Cherry Cobbler and then the Crumb Cake piece was punched using the Modern Label punch. Cherry Cobbler was used to sponge some ink along the Very Vanilla tag. Some time soon, I'll post a video showing how I achieved that extra-long tag (using my normal tag punch!). Simple and easy and a great way to sssttttrrrreeeettttttcccchhhh your supplies... I love the homey look of the Victoria Crochet Trim, which I used here with my stand-by, Linen Thread (I must order miles of that every year!). Finally, used my Color Coach to guide me in my color choice. Rose Red is a companion color for Cherry Cobbler. Phew!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: A Cardinal Christmas

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Rose Red and Very Vanilla card stocks

Inks: Cherry Cobbler Classic, VersaMark

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Bigz die, Clear embossing powder, heat tool, Victoria Crochet Trim, Linen Thread, Stampin' Sponge, Modern Label, 1/16-inch circle and Tag punches.

Hope you're able to enjoy some of the magic of this season!

{Stamp Set Spotlight} A Cardinal Christmas: Day 1

This card was made for a vintage-themed challenge a while back in which I was to include a stick pin. Unless I was sending it in a bubble envelope, I'd hand-deliver this baby...

The large image is the background stamp from A Cardinal Christmas, embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. It's layered on a piece of Very Vanilla card stock, as it helps the piece stand out from the stripes of the Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper.

A simple knot is tied through the loop in the top of the stick pin and then beads are added. I used Mini Glue Dots to adhere the whole thing in place (I didn't want the knot to spin).

The sentiment is one of my favorite punch treatments. I've layered the Modern Label over the Designer Label. They're both popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: A Cardinal Christmas

Papers: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla card stocks, Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper

Inks: VersaMark, Cherry Cobbler Classic

Accessories: Pretties Kit, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Modern Label and Designer Label punches, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

Hope you are able to enjoy this fun, anticipation-filled time before Christmas! Thanks for your visit!

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Home for Christmas: Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of the Home for Christmas {Stamp Set Spotlight}! If you missed Day 1, click here.

Here's another example of how I didn't watercolor the ENTIRE image. I just highlighted a few parts...I love this simple treatment with the sentiment. Layering punches is such a quick way to add contrast between colors, texture and dimension. For this treatment, I used the Designer Label and Modern Label Punches.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Home for Christmas

Paper: Old Olive, Real Red, Early Espresso and Whisper White card stocks

Inks: Jet Black Staz-On, Real Red, Early Espresso and Old Olive Classics

Accessories: Blender Pen, Early Espresso wide grosgrain, Designer Label and Modern Label Punches, Stampin' Dimensionals,

Thanks for your visit! As I said in Day 1, I hope you find yourself "Home for Christmas", whatever that means to you, this season...

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Home for Christmas: Day 1

This is one of my favorite sets, namely for this image. I love the intricacy of the design; it can be completely watercolored or you can do what I did, and highlight just a few elements of the illustration.



I inked this image in Jet Black Staz-On ink because it is permanent ink and won't bleed when I apply color with the Blender Pen, Stampin' Write Marker or Aquapainter. I can be a little heavy-handed with those sometimes! I opt for Staz-On over embossing for this particular image because the finer elements of this image can get lost in embossing (the wispiness of the garland, for example).



Stampin' Up! Supplies:



Stamps: Home for Christmas, Teeny Tiny Wishes



Paper: Old Olive, Real Red, Basic Black and Whisper White card stock

Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Basic Black and Old Olive Classics

Accessories: Real Red Stampin' Write Marker, Decorative Label, Modern Label, 1/2-inch Circle and Word Window Punches, Real Red and Basic Black Wide Grosgrain ribbons, Mini Glue Dots


Thanks for your visit! I hope this season, you find yourself "Home for Christmas," no matter where you are...

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Snow Swirled: Day 4

Care for a cuppa? This is one of my all-time favorite projects to make.

I'm a fan of all kinds of tea (except those which are licorice-flavored, but Mom gets those, so we're both happy)! What a fun thing to make several of and to keep on-hand for quick gifts. They're not only appropriate for Christmas time, though... How about one for a sick friend? Nothing beats a cold better than a steamy cup of lemon tea (or mint). Got a friend or family member far away whom you'd love to hug? Send a cup of tea instead! I'm thinking of Mom again (she's in the Rockies and I'm in the Pacific NW)...
Here's the inside, with sleeves for two bags of tea...

I don't have any Old Olive ribbon thin enough to thread this button, so I used a sliver of Old Olive card stock. With a gentle touch, you can sew your button right on (with the help of a Mini Glue Dot, of course)...

A little sponging around the "Merry Christmas" sentiment gives more depth to that piece of Very Vanilla. Stretch those supplies, Stampers!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Snow Swirled, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Papers: Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper ("DSP"), Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla card stocks

Inks: Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler Classics

Accessories: Snowflake, Modern Label, 1 3/4-inch Circle, Scallop Edge and Medium Oval Punches, Button, Very Vanilla narrow grosgrain, Stampin' Sponge, Mini Glue Dot, vanilla embroidery floss

I'll show you step-by-step how to make this beauty in tomorrow's post...

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Snow Swirled: Day 3

What drew me first to this set was the snowflakes... I love the detail!

This quick and simple card allowed me to haul out some punches, use my Big Shot and use up some scraps. First, let's talk punches. I see five punches that were used; the Scallop Edge Border, 1-3/4" Circle, 1-1/4" Circle, Boho Blossoms, and Scallop Oval Punches.

For my color palette, I consulted my Color Coach and used Marina Mist, Old Olive, Real Red and Bashful Blue.

I also used the Top Note Bigz Die and the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder for the Bashful Blue piece at the top. Finally, a knot tied in Marina Mist grosgrain (adhered with a Mini Glue Dot) finishes it off!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Snow Swirled !

Inks: Real Red and Old Olive Classics

Papers: Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Old Olive, and Whisper White card stocks

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Bigz Die, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Marina Mist grosgrain, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, Scallop Edge Border, 1-3/4" Circle, 1-1/4" Circle, Boho Blossoms, and Scallop Oval Punches

Thanks for your visit! Hope your day's a great one!

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Snow Swirled: Day 2

Welcome, Studio Guests, to Day 2 of the Snow Swirled {Stamp Set Spotlight}! If you missed Day 1, please click here.
For this simple card, I inked my tree image in Marina Mist and stamped it on a square piece of Whisper White card stock. Next, I cut the piece into even fourths and adhered it to Cajun Craze. This technique gives the image the illusion of being seen through window panes, but you can also cut an image or scene into vertical thirds or into uneven horizontal pieces. It's one of those quick and simple (and inexpensive) ways to add pizzazz to your project!

Finally, I added a Glimmer Brad to give it an extra sparkle. Using my Paper-Piercing Tool (a very handy tool for only $3.50) and Mat Pack, I created the pierced edges on the corners. Again, a bit of pop for not a lot of money!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Snow Swirled

Papers: Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Cajun Craze and Whisper White card stocks

Inks: Marina Mist and Cajun Craze

Accessories: Glimmer Brads (Subtles), Modern Label Punch, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Paper trimmer, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for dropping by! I look forward to your next visit!

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Snow Swirled: Day 1

This is a simple gift box that was made from one sheet of card stock. It's called a 2-5-7-10 Box and it's super-easy to make! Here are the instructions. The first thing to do is stamp all over your card stock (I used the snowflakes from Snow Swirled in Old Olive for some tone-on-tone detail). Once you're done stamping, just follow the instructions for cutting and folding and you're set! If you're new to the 2-5-7-10 Box, may I suggest that you try it first with a piece of scratch paper, so that you don't wreck something precious...

Some details that I added to this box to give it extra interest include:

• Basic Rhinestones (119246, page 188, $4.95 for 150!)
• Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper (117159, page 174, $9.95 for 12 double-sided sheets)
• Distressed Edge (on the Cherry Cobbler piece), using the Cutter Kit, 106958, page 199, $16.95)
• Scallop Edge Border Punch along top (119882, page 200, $15.95)

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Snow Swirled (111690), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Papers: Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, and Very Vanilla card stocks

Inks: Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler Classics

Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Cutter Kit, Basic Rhinestones, Paper Trimmer (with Scoring Blade), Modern Label Punch, Designer Label Punch, Stampin' Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals, Narrow Vanilla Grosgrain ribbon

Thanks for visiting!

A New Look for December...

I've been having fun with my Tree Trimmings stamps that I purchased to download for My Digital Studio. I also took advantage of a couple of snow days before Thanksgiving to make some gift packaging (for chocolates) for Christmas gifts. The box pictured in my new banner will be featured in a post soon... It provided the inspiration for the colors of the new look here at the virtual Studio Sara. I've used Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler along with the classic lines in Basic Black. On my project, I also used Very Vanilla, but that didn't translate well in my banner, so I stuck with Whisper White.

This week, I've got a lot of different Christmas projects to share, including another Stamp Set Spotlight... Hope to see you back here in the Studio! Thanks for your visit!

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend...

...from my flock to yours!

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Season of Joy: Day 4

"JOY!" is right! I have been meaning to write and publish this post for a few days now, but as luck would have it, I've been busy out with the kids, playing in the *snow*! It's a rare treat for us in the Pacific Northwest to get enough snow to sled and play in... With two snow days from school, this feels like a mini Christmas Vacation!

This card was made for another sketch challenge... I used my Color Coach for the color guidance; not a traditional combination of colors, but I really like it! We've got Elegant Eggplant, Baja Breeze and Rose Red at work here...An easy way to add oomph to a card is with a bit of texture. I used the Perfect Details Texturz Plate with my Big Shot on the Baja Breeze here...To achieve the two-tone stamping here, you can use the masked inking technique that I demonstrated in this post: http://www.studio-sara.com/2010/04/technique-video-masked-inking.html .

The sparkly brad comes from the Holiday Mini Catalog. It and four other colors can be found in the Glimmer Subtles pack.
Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Season of Joy

Papers: Elegant Eggplant, Rose Red, Baja Breeze, and Whisper White card stocks

Inks: Elegant Eggplant, Rose Red and Baja Breeze Classics

Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Details Texturz Plate, Scallop Circle and Scallop Edge punches, Rose Red stitched ribbon (retired), Stampin' Dimensionals

Thank you for visiting!

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Season of Joy: Day 3

Love the swirls in this set and this card shows them off. With a little VersaMark, they add a lot of visual interest and they were a snap to make!

This card was created for a sketch challenge at 365 Cards:

I wanted it to look like we were seeing the Christmas tree through a window... The sentiment is also part of this set. I love the dots beneath the words; there's a lot you can do with rhinestones or paper piercing to add a little more oomph to the sentiment!

The tag is made using the Ticket Corner Punch (on River Rock). I've just tied two knots in the narrow grosgrain and glued them down with Mini Glue Dots.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Season of Joy

Papers: Cajun Craze, So Saffron, River Rock and Whisper White

Inks: Always Artichoke Classic and VersaMark

Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Whisper White Narrow Grosgrain, Mini Glue Dots

Thanks for the visit! Day Four of the Stamp Set Spotlight is coming soon!

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Season of Joy: Day 2

I'm sure that the botanically-minded readers will know that the bloom pictured here is a poinsettia. However, I'm willing to bet that I can use this stamp pretty freely all year long. I used it to make a winter-themed card.


I paired the Regal Rose with the Blushing Bride (which I'd run through the Big Shot, using the Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions folder). It's adhered to a sueded piece of Early Espresso.

The poinsettia is stamped on a tag from the Two Tags Bigz die, which comes with a ready-made slot to keep the "mini card" closed. Narrow Pretty in Pink grosgrain makes for a sweet knot.

I'm going to make a few more of these quick and easy cards for December birthdays and winter "Thank You" notes...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Season of Joy

Papers: Regal Rose, Blushing Bride, Early Espresso and Whisper White card stocks

Inks: Regal Rose Classic (I "stamped off" to give it tonal distinction)

Accessories: Big Shot, Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions folder, Two Tags Bigz die, Pretty in Pink Narrow and Early Espresso Grosgrain Ribbon

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Season of Joy: Day 1

As I plan my cards this year, I have been trying out a couple of different ideas using the set, Season of Joy. I love its versatility; the swirls can be used all year long, as can the "hand stamped" stamp with the star. I love the flower and I'll get use out of the snowflake all winter long. I love the possibilities that abound with the block of sentiments, too (more about that later this week)!

For this card, I'm using a new color combination for me, courtesy of the fabulous (and indispensable) Color Coach. I've used Basic Grey, Baja Breeze and Cajun Craze. Three colors I never would have thought to combine, but I like what I got here!

I love how the Perfect Details Texturz Plate coordinates with the swirls from this set. I fed the Baja Breeze piece that backs the Christmas tree through my Big Shot and voila -- instant texture!

I also added a touch of glitter...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Season of Joy

Papers: Basic Grey, Baja Breeze, Cajun Craze and Whisper White card stocks

Inks: Baja Breeze and Basic Grey Classics, VersaMark

Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Details Texturz Plate, White Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon, Tag Punch, Oval Punch (#119855)

Thanks for the visit! I look forward to sharing more of my Stamp Set Spotlight this week...

Button, button, I've Got a Button!

Recently, while clearing out my stampin' stash, I discovered a slew (and I mean a SLEW) of samey buttons. Thought I'd combine some with a few fun buttons (Real Red, Chocolate Chip and Tempting Turquoise). They're all retired buttons, but there's a whole collection of new colors available on page 186 of the Idea Book and Catalog.

--To add some pop to the card, I thought I'd use my scoring blade on my paper trimmer and score borderlines for each button. Simple to do, and adds a fun and inexpensive detail to the card (you've already got a trimmer, right?!).

--To add further "punch," I used the Word Window Punch on a piece of Real Red (stamped first with Teeny Tiny Wishes, because that's so much easier than lining up the stamp on the punched image, remember!).

--I also used my Big Shot and the Perfect Details Texturz Plate to mimic the scoring of the Pumpkin Pie piece. I lined up my Early Espresso piece just so on the plate so that only the front half of the card body caught the texture, leaving me a smooth surface on which to write.

--Speaking of Early Espresso, I used little slivers as "thread" and gently tied knots in my buttons. With a gentle touch, this is an easy, fun and inexpensive way to add to your project. Linen Thread is what I used to tie off the other buttons. All of them are easily adhered with Mini Glue Dots.

--Finally, this color scheme is brought to you by the fabulous Color Coach! Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso, Real Red (and I added Tempting Turquoise)... Thank heavens for a little help!

Thank you for your visit today!

And the Winner Is...

Exciting news! One of the challenge blogs with which I participate awarded me with a "Spotlight Designer" award last week! The blog is 365 Cards and the challenge for which I won was for a card that was inspired by the 365 Cards blog itself.

Pam, the lovely host at 365 Cards, just updated the blog's look and what struck me most about it was the beautiful colors and how it seemed like a stained glass window. I've been wanting to pop the pieces out of my Lattice Die Cut and make it look like a stained glass window, so this was just the challenge for me!

The 365 Cards blog is also full of these lovely fall colors, so I knew this would be my 2010 Thanksgiving card.

Here's a video with some hints which I hope will streamline your process. My software updated (without my permission) and I'm still learning the new tricks... :)

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: More Mustard, Wild Wasabi, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso and Whisper White card stocks

Ink: Early Espresso Classic

Accessories: Big Shot, Lattice Bigz die, Two-Way Glue, Modern Label and Word Window punches, Early Espresso grosgrain ribbon

A New Look for November!

Ugh, finally! While I love that hummingbird card and the banner and buttons that were here, they were well overdue to be changed. This new card card is one that I'll post about later this week...

With My Digital Studio, I used Wild Wasabi and Early Espresso, which were two colors used to make the card (using the Lattice die cut for the Big Shot). I also used the Torn Edges stamp for the leaf border at the bottom of the banner. The flourish is from Baroque Motifs and I changed the opacity setting to 30 so that it was just barely visible.

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you have a great day!

This Week in the Studio...

Whew! I hope you had a fun and safe Halloween! We had a lovely time celebrating with family (we get to eat a big dinner together first and then head out to Trick-or-Treat). We had a house full of grandparents, aunties, uncles and two especially darling nephews/cousins. Fun, fun, fun!

Here's my crew as they're ready to board the Hogwarts Express. We've got Harry in his Quidditch robes (see the snitch in his right hand?), Hedwig, his owl, and Hermione Granger. Go, Gryffindor!

Here's a sneak peek at the projects I'll be posting this week. I'm starting to plan for my Thanksgiving and Christmas cards -- this is a really fun part of preparing for the holidays.

I realize that in my last post, I said I'd show you my son's birthday invitations; I'll do that, but I'll also share his thank-you notes, as well. We'll take care of that later this week.

Hope your week has gotten off to a good start and I look forward to sharing the whole stories behind these projects, a new blog header and buttons and some videos...

Take care! Thanks for your visit!

October = Soccer, Birthday, and Halloween Fun!

October is a busy month for our family. The Big2 are busy playing soccer (with Dad coaching their teams) and my son, George, celebrates his birthday at the end of the month. Add to that the fun of planning and making Halloween costumes and I'm swamped!

Here are a couple of fall/Halloween-themed projects I've created lately. One will come with a video soon, but I'll post them now... Geo asked for skateboard-themed cards for his friend party and Harry Potter-themed ones for the family gathering, so I'll photograph and post those soon, too.

Take care and enjoy this delicious sunshine! Thanks for visiting!