Stamp with Kate

New Card - Late Post

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 03:50:00 +0000

Archiver's has a Make-n-Take weekend through Sunday. Go and make the card and 8x8 page layout. They also offer a cute mini book. This is the card they offered. I'm going to show it on Saturday using SU products.

I used chalk inks on the stamped images, versamark on the swirls on the cover and Black dye ink on the sentiment. the stamped images are punched with a 1.25 inch square punch and the large square window was cut using the new Epix. Some rhinestones added a bit of bling for this cute A2 sized card.

Check tomorrow to see how I changed it to SU style!!

I won!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:27:00 +0000

I found Melany's blog on the recent Royal Blog Tour. She set a personal challenge to post everyday for a week. If we posted a comment 5 of the 7 days, we would be entered in a drawing - my name was pulled and this is what I won - I am so excited!!!! I needed a pick-me-up today!!

Rock Star Simply Sent Kit and the Congratulations stamp set

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I wanted to show how I used a previous card layout to plan the card I created for my daughter. With just a few changes to a layout it can be a different card.

I started with this card on the left and by changing the color combo, matchbox die cut shape and DSP, I came up with the card on the right. Creating a card layout can be challenging but if you can start with a card you've seen or made previously, it can help get your "mojo" going!

No Post today!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:57:00 +0000

My first full day off in over two weeks!! I went out with one of my son's last night, just the two of us, no siblings and we had a blast!! Today's plans include bowling with my high schooler's friends and swimming with my middle schooler's friends.....hopefully a nap for mom. See everyone tomorrow!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:00:00 +0000

I bought some vellum last night to help a friend out with her convention swap and was reminded of this card I did in 2005. While many of the elements have since retired I enjoyed using this layout. I'll see what I can do to update this card when I get home from work tonight. Have a great day!

Here are some great sentiments for Sympathy cards - I found these at this site and hope they make creating these cards a bit easier:

Sharing in your sorrow
Thinking of you and wishing
I could be there
to hold your hand.

You're in our thoughts
Please know how much
you are loved
and how deeply
your loss is felt by all.

Remembering with you...

...the life of someone so dear.

With Sincerest Sympathy

Someone so special...
...can never be forgotten.

Thinking of You with Sympathy

Gentle thoughts during these difficult days

May knowing you're
in the hearts and thoughts of others
help you and yours
through this time of sorrow.

Single Layer Card

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:10:00 +0000

Here is a Single Layer card. My friend created this card for a swap at convention and since everyone is on their way, I can share what we made at her open house. Start with a folded 4.25x8.5 piece of cardstock. Stamp the BG on the upper 2/3 of the front of the card. Stamp the sentiment at the lower right corner. Place the sticky strip at the bottom edge of the stamped BG. Remove the red strip and cover with glitter, shaking the excess off (I use a powder pal to keep the glitter contained). Use a piercing tool to poke three holes for the brads - I use a guide to keep them aligned and evenly spaced. Tadaa! A single layer card. Try it and let me know how it goes!

CS: Whisper White
Ink: Pink Passion
Stamps: Bella Toile
Other: Brads, Gold Fine Glitter, Sticky Strip

Stazon - Have you Tried it??

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 15:56:00 +0000

I hope everyone has fun planned for this weekend - I unfortunately will be working both Friday and Saturday nights and am trying to figure how to squeeze in some stamping time.

This card was created by stamping the tree with white Stazon on glossy cardstock and brayering over the image, creating a subtle background - the Stazon resisted the brayered ink. The card base is Old Olive cardstock, with En Francais Versamarked as the background image. The tree image was layered on Elegant Eggplant before placing on the card base. I used the eyelet border to frame the cardstock base. I listed the supplies below:

Sets: En Francais BG and Branch Out
Ink: Versamark, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Elegant Eggplant
CS: Glossy White, Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant
Other: Eyelet Border

I wanted to share this mini book I created for my daughter's youth group using the Bog Shot Top Note Die. I used the DSP and ribbon from 2009 Sale-a-bration and Stazon inked the journaling block on the pages. I removed the rings from metal tags from the office supply store and used them as the rings for the books, decorating them with the ribbons. I attached a tag on each book for the girls to write their names (to prevent mix-ups). We plan on creating a different book each year to record our memorials of our yearly state meetings - a small token to keep and look back on years later.

Technique - Modern Grid

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Here are the step by step instructions for creating a card using the “Modern Grid Technique”

1) Stamp your image or images randomly over your cardstock. Feel free to use different colors of inks with your images. I masked a few to add some depth.

2) Now take a ruler and marker and draw lines spaced one inch apart both vertically and horizontally. Make sure you stop your line when you get to the stamped image and then start again on the other side of the image. Depending on the images, I will draw the grid diagonally.

3) Add dots or doodles to some of the squares. You can also color in a few of the squares or just add some shadows to the corners.

Email me or leave me a comment when you try this technique, I’d love to see your card/scrapbook page.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I made these little notecard folders for our German exchange students. I was able to use scraps for the notecard designs and the folder only uses one 8.5 x 11 sheet of cardstock. I added some dazzling diamonds to the chipboard initial on the cover.

The notecards measure 4 x 5 1/4 and fit into A2 envelopes.

Royal Blog Tour - Blog Candy Winners

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:52:00 +0000

THANKS FOR TAKING THE TOUR

Thanks to the people who left wonderful comments here on my blog. It was a wonderful ride, and those of us who were behind the scenes are going to take a collective breath and rest a bit before the next tour. And I'm sure you're all wondering who won my blog candy!

A) For Non-Demos, I offered a DSP sampler and the winner is:

Susan G

B) For Stampin' Up! Demonstrators, I offered a 6x6 swatch of the new DSP in the holiday mini and will ship it to you as soon as it arrives!! the winner is:

Michelle

I offered a Bonus drawing if you subscribed or follow my blog - and the winner is:

babyjsmom

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I'll be emailing the winners for their snail mail info. Thanks again to everyone. Tomorrow I will post the directions for the Modern Grid Card. Have a great day!

ROYAL BLOG TOUR

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the Bermuda Bay Path of the Royal Blog Tour.

Ye are currently at Castle Number 11.

It is my pleasure to showcase the Circus Circles Stamp Set from the Award Winning Stampin' Up! Idea book & Catalog 2009-2010. This Stamp Set is sure to be one of your favorites because of its versatile images. The samples below provide a few of the ways this set can be used and I have included recipes.

SAMPLE 1: I like to have a few cards on hand for those "spur of the moment" occasions. I'll make up 10-15 of one design using a few different color combos and then add the appropriate sentiment when I need the card. I clear embossed over the individual squares to add some gloss and versamarked the Medallion as a background for texture.

SET: Circle Circus, Heard from the Heart, Medallion
CS: Melon Mango, Soft Suede, Whisper White
INK: Versamark, Soft Suede, Melon Mango
OTHER: Square Punches (1 1/4", 1 3/8"), grosgrain ribbon, clear embossing powder

SAMPLE 2: I used the Faux Silk technique on this card and layed it over So Saffron. I also added a subtle texture by VersaMarking the En Francais Background stamp on the exposed Melon Mambo cardstock. I dyed my white ribbon to match our new In-Color Soft Suede for a perfect match.

SET: Circle Circus, Heard from the Heart, En Francais BG
CS: So Saffron, Melon Mambo
INK: VersaMark, Melon Mambo, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry
OTHER: White Grosgrain Ribbon, tissue paper, silver brads

SAMPLE 3: I enjoy making cards in different sizes and the 3x6 is one of my favorites! I added a subtle texture by stamping the Medallion Background in Soft Suede, enhancing this scrapbook layout I copied for my card. This card certainly conveys the "Circle Circus" theme with most of the set's stamps and New In-Colors used!!

SET: Circle Circus, Medallion BG
CS: Melon Mambo, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry
INK: VersaMark, Not Quite Navy

SAMPLE 4: I used the Modern Grid Technique on this card. It is very easy to do and I'll post step by step directions next week for those who haven't tried this great technique. I added a pop-dot to one circle to provide another layer. While this card looks time consuming, I could whip up ten of these in thirty minutes.

SET: Circle Circus
CS: Whisper White, Soft Suede
INK: Melon Mambo, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay
OTHER: 1/4 " grosgrain dyed to match Soft Suede, Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry In-Color Markers

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

BLOG CANDY DETAILS: Everybody likes getting a little Blog Candy!! Please be sure to leave a comment on this post to be eligible to win.

A) For Non-Demos, I am offering a DSP sampler. That's correct! You will receive a 3x4 in. sample of all of the Designer Series paper in the current catalog.

B) For Stampin' Up! Demonstrators, I am offering a 6x6 swatch of the new DSP in the holiday mini!!

C) BONUS drawing - 6x6 samples of Bride, Bridsmaid and Groom specialty papers.

There are two simple ways to be entered in the blog candy drawings:

1) Get one entry for leaving a comment on this post! (be sure to leave an e-mail on your comment)

2) Get an entry for a Bonus drawing if you subscribe or follow my blog. Be sure to let me know if you do this or if you are already a subscriber or follower that will count, too!

To be entered into the drawing simply leave a comment including your email address and whether you are a demonstrator or customer.

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the rest of the tour!!

Once this path hath reached its end, thy royal coach will travel back to the Royal Blog Tour - Home Castle where more paths await thee!

Sneak Peek #3

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:15:00 +0000

What a crazy jumble of circles you say??? This is a peek at another of the cards I created for the Blog Tour. It's almost here and I am so excited!!! I hope everyone is gearing up for three days of blog hoppin' fun!!

Here is the last peek of my Blog Tour samples -
It uses a fun technique and the new In-colors. I'll look for you on the tour tomorrow - I know it will be a great time!!

I wanted to show you what I'd be offering for blog candy to the non-demonstrators - of course this was before I cut the 12x12 sheets into pieces. If you leave a comment that includes your name and email and lets me know you are NOT a demonstrator for Stampin' Up, you will be entered in a drawing to win a sampler of the "new" Stampin' Up Designer Series paper, 114 3x4 inch samples for you to use in your craft projects. The drawing will be held on Wednesday and the winner's name will be posted!!!

SU Demonstrators, if you want to win a 6x6 sampler of the DSP from the new mini catalog, leave a comment with your name and tell me you are a demo. Drawing will be held on Wednesday and the winner will be posted then. Good Luck!!!

Sneak Peek #2

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:00:00 +0000

In today's sneak peek, my card uses the "Faux Silk" technique. Stamp your images on a piece of tissue paper, crumple it up and attach to cardstock with SU's fabulous glue stix. Add embellishments and a sentiment to your card and "poof" you'll have a beautiful card anyone would love to receive. I used the tutorial here, it was easy and looks great!!

I will be offering Blog Candy on the Royal Blog tour for Demonstrators and non-Demonstrators alike. Would you like to know what it is??? I'll have some pictures tomorrow, come back to see Sneak Peek #3 and check it out!!

Wacky Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:00:00 +0000

Here is a sneak peek of one of the cards I created for the Royal Blog Tour. I felt bad teasing everyone. I wanted to try and use something other than SU's new In-Colors but they are so great, I couldn't help myself!! I hope you'll join us for the tour. Many of us will be offering blog candy - so make plans to join us for one, two or all four tours. You'll have 3 days to get to all of the blogs, plenty of time. Come back tomorrow to see another sneak peek!

Circle Circus

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:50:00 +0000

Today's Royal Blog Teaser will be to show you what the stamp set looks like. There are endless possibilities with this set and I can't wait to show you what I'm working on - I feel bad taunting you, so beginning tomorrow I will post a peek of one card each day leading up to the Royal Blog Tour!!

I'm always looking for some great sentiments to add to my cards and decided that I should share what I find. Every Tuesday, I'll post some quotes or sentiments for you to use on your cards - I can't take credit for writing them and will give credit when possible. These are humorous birthday quotes:

Age is like underwear...it creeps up on you!

I wouldn't say that you're old...
...you've just been young longer than most of us.

Middle age is when you've met so many people that
every new person you meet reminds you of someone else.

Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that the people who have the most live the longest.

"Life is like a hot bath. It feels good while you're in it, but the longer you stay in, the more wrinkled you get." - Robbert Oustin

"The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age." - Lucille Ball

Monday mornin' again!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:34:00 +0000

It's Monday and a new week begins!! I went to my Friend Janice's Open House yesterday and made some really cute projects! I can't show you what we made because they are her swaps for Stampin' Up's Convention and I don't want to ruin her swaps!!

The Royal Blog Tour starts at the end of the week and I hope you'll join us and ride the four different tours showcasing a total of 80 different blogs and new sets form the catalog! I'll be using Circle Circus for my projects and was lucky enough to use that set at Janice's yesterday so here is a sneak peek!!!

I will be offering some great Blog Candy during the Tour so come back and visit!!

A Thank You designed for Madeline

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:26:00 +0000

Here is a thank you card I made for my daughter to use. The used Versamark and a Wheel to create a background pattern and used the Color Spritzer Tool to add some texture. The card layout is very adaptable to any color or DSP as well as a variety of punches , either hand held or die cut. My daughter loved having her own "designed" notes and loved that they were girly without too much "meringue". I've included the recipe below.

SET: Upsy Daisy and Fast Flowers Wheel
CS: Bashful Blue, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Retired DSP
INK: Not Quite Navy, Basic Brown, Versamark
OTHER: Brown Grosgrain Ribbon, Matchbox Die Cut, Corner Rounder

I'm Back!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:25:00 +0000

I have been working on moving my blog to a hosted website and just came to the realization that it's a BIG job and beyond my technical expertize!! I can't believe it's been so long since I have posted. I am back on track and am hiring someone to help me transition over to my website.

The Blog Tour is coming up and promises to be F A N T A S T I C !!!!!!! Join us and get details by subscribing to our blog!

I will post a card with a technique as soon as I return from work.

DSP SWAP!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:02:00 +0000

Want samples of our beautiful new designer papers in the New Catty? Join us - I've done this for the last 3 catalogs, it's been a great business tool!

Here’s how it works…you sign up for and send me one pack of paper (Customer Direct Order - CDO). I’ll cut all of the papers to 3x3 inches. You’ll receive one piece of each paper (group 1: 18 packs x 6 papers = 108 squares; group 2: 14 packs x 6 papers = 84 squares + 3 packs x 5 designs = 15) secured with a binder ring. Each DSP family will have a divider containing the DSP Name, Order Number and the coordinating CS colors.

I have a group for DSP (Designer Series paper) and a group for the New Specialty Paper/Patterns Designer Series Paper. You can sign-up for more than one group. If you sign up for both groups you will have a sample of each DSP.

Order via CDO (to me) by July 10th so it arrives no later than July 24th. I will ship back to you on July 31st.

About Shipping: Booklets will be mailed back Priority Mail with a confirmation number. If you'd like to combine shipping with friends or your downline, that's no problem at all - just tell me and I can give you the cost.

Leave me a comment if you are interested and I'll email you with more details.

Blog Candy!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 23:12:00 +0000

My friend Nicole Anderson, one of my LNS Blogging Star #2 pals, is advertising Blog Candy. Check her blog out here. Scroll through her blog - her Key Blings are GORGEOUS!!!

Graduation is tomorrow night for Jake and my mom arrives on Friday to help with Jake's party on Saturday. We are in BUSY mode.

I'll post a technique later tonight - I did the "squish-squash" and need to assemble the card. Check back later!!

8x8 Scrapbook Pages

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:22:00 +0000

A bunch of us got together to make an 8x8 scrapbook book for a friend as a SURPRIZE!!!! We were given the following colors to use: Chocolate Chip, TangerineTango, Bashful Blue, and Old Olive. I love the 8x8 size - it isn't as overwhelming to me as a 12x12 and provides ample space compared to a 6x6 for journaling and photos. I have two journaling cards tucked behind other elements and she has room for two wallet and 1 3x5 sized photo. I used Tangerine Tango on my chipboard letters and then added some gold Pearl Ex on the letters in SUN - the scan doesn't show it very well but it looks sparkly.

Hope this kicks off your week with a smile!!

New Name - Same great Group!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Sun, 31 May 2009 16:37:00 +0000

The Latenightstampers group is lost in blog cyberspace!!! No worries!! It just vanished in the middle of the night sooo we have started a new group in the mean time.

Please re-join at the address. Your are invited to join our new group called StampinUpLNStampers - click on the image below to join!!

Graduation Announcements - DONE!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Fri, 29 May 2009 02:37:00 +0000

I have been slaving over my son's graduation announcements. He is a no frills, no fuss kinda guy and was very concerned that I would stamp or use embellishments or glitter (gads!). This is what he approved and I have provided the details below.

Cardstock: Brilliant Blue, Summer Yellow and Gold (non-SU)
Other: Ticket Corner punch
Wordle (http://www.wordle.net)
Photo Collage (Corel Snapfire Plus)

The word collage on the Front was created on Wordle and the inside photos were a collage we created on the computer. My son prefers computers to my stamping so I made some concessions for him. 8o]

Here is a close up of the photo collage. I took the pictures of Jake and our team photographer took the lacrosse pics (she rocks!).

Graduation is next week and our party is next weekend so we'll be busy prepping for my mom's visit. Happy weekend to everyone.

Memorial Day

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Mon, 25 May 2009 16:10:00 +0000

I hope everyone has enjoyed their three day weekend. Please take a moment to remember our Troops serving our country. I have many friends who are stationed around the world and think of them often. I created a card today with them in mind using a red, white and blue color combo. I used the the following supplies:

Cardstock: Whisper White, Brilliant Blue
Ink: Brilliant Blue
1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon and Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper

Stickers sure have changed . . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Fri, 22 May 2009 05:31:00 +0000

I rarely use any products other than SU, but when I find something cool, I gotta try it! The main images on these cards are "STICKERS", can you believe it??? There are 4 different color combos at the little store near our local mall - I snagged 1 sheet of the cranberry and 1 sheet of the blues. Each sheet will create 5-7 cards!!

The total cost of the cards comes out to less than $.90 per card. It would be a great project to use those small scraps or odd-n-ends of embellishments!

Have a great weekend!! We have two award banquets tonight for two of the boys - luckily they are on the same campus, just on different sides. We'll be cleaning house for the next week - my mother is coming for graduation and you know how it is when your mom comes to visit!!! I hope everyone has a three day weekend to enjoy!

"Miss" Swap

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:49:00 +0000

Totally Tuesday escaped me, I ran out of hours and Wacky Wednesday is beginning with a bang!! Last night was Senior awards at the high school and this morning is Sophomore awards!! Crazy week with a 2 week count down for school year's end.

This is the card I submitted for the May "Miss" swap. I showed a draft version a few days ago. I enjoy the 3.25 x 6.5 size for cards, it's different and opens new possibilities for designs.

Cardstock: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Ink: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip

Punches: Oval, Scalloped Oval, Trio Flower

Other: Brad from Pretties Kit, Old Olive wide Grosgrain ribbon, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Techniques: Textures plate (Big Shot) and Paper Piercing

Manic Monday!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kate Cecil) — Tue, 19 May 2009 03:11:00 +0000

I worked inventory last night and didn't get home until nearly 4am - had to get up at 6:30 and get the kids off to school then back to work. I'm beat!! I do have the postings I promised - let me know if you need further clarification.

The first picture shows the measurements for the fold. I marked the Valley and Mountain folds to try and make it easier to understand. I also put a picture of the top of my card for to use when you try it yourself.

These pictures show what we made for our Graduating Senior Girl Scouts. The card we made using the Top Note Die Cut, the matchbox die cut, the oval punch and the 5 petal flower punch. The cardstock is Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun and non-SU gold CS. We attached their pins/recognitions inside with each girl's initials on the front of their card.

The Key box is an altered cigarette tin. I sanded it, painted it, attached paper to the inside and ribbon to the outside rim. I used the matchbox die cut and the scalloped lace punch.
Again the girl's initials were put on box.

The Key symbolizes their journey into Adulthood. When they moved from Brownies to Juniors they received a Bronze Key (antique keys were donated), this time when they moved from Juniors to Cadettes, they received a silver key (common household keys painted silver to remind them that you never know where you'll find the silver lining). When they move from Cadettes to Seniors they will receive a gold key - I have 3 years to come up with a cool key. The keys tie in with the Awards earned during that age level and the ceremony discusses characteristics needed for their next "adventure".

I need to go create my technique card for tomorrow. Have a great evening.