EverBlooming

Sew Dimensional

Hi Guys -

I wanted to share a card I finished today for an upcoming challenge.   

I have always been interested in paper piecing. I come from a long line of quilters and appliquers. This last year I have really been exploring the use of stamps as patterns for paper piecing. I've also been obsessed with dimensions and textures and coloring. This card has it all.

  

1. Paper Piecing:

To make decisions on where I wanted the elements to go, I first stamped the pin cushion and the two spools of thread on to the white cardstock circle, overlapping the stamped images. Then I stamped the spools two times on a separate piece of white cardstock, colored them and cut them out. After they were cut, I took a brown marker to the edge of them so there would be no white showing. I then stamped the pin cushion on three different pieces of pattern paper. I cut one of the stamped pin cushion out in it's entirety and then cut out the different pieces for the cushion from the other patterns.  

     

2. Creating Dimension: 

My favorite way of creating dimension is by using pop-dots. Did you know that pop dots come in different thicknesses? I didn't really realize this until this year. Okay back to our white circle. To create depth in this piece, I first adhered the green spool directly to the cardstock, the thickness of the cardstock creates dimension. Then I used 1/16" thick pop-dots to adhere the coral spool to the piece and 1/8" pop-dots to adhere the pin cushion. Using different thicknesses of pop-dots is a great way to create depth in your piece. Another way is to use embellishments with different thickness and textures, such as the buttons, stickpin, & safety-pin I used on this card.     

I hope you'll try out these techniques on your next project. Please show me what you come up with.

Hope you have a Bloomin' great day-

 

Monday's Bloom #2

Sweat Treat Cups

Hi Guys -

This is the Prototype for Logan's Valentines. I bought these Button pins from Wal-Mart after Valentines last year. I wanted to give the kids something different than candy and I thought they were cute and they were cheep. Ha! This winter when SU introduced the Sweat Treat Cups, I started thinking about how I could incorporate the cups into a Valentines design for Logan's class. They are pretty in expensive and I thought there had to be something cool I could do with them. When I saw the new stamp set that went with them in the *NEW* Mini Occasions Catalog, Something Sweat set, I knew right away I had to have it.    

   

The cups look like this and they work wonderfully with the 1 3/4" circle punch.

 

This Winter SU also introduced the Heart shaped treat cups. These cups work perfectly with the Full Heart Punch. SU created the Sweatheart stamp set to go with the heart shaped cups and there are special envelops that can be purchased to safely mail cards made with both of these cups. (If you are interested in the Sweat Heart stamp set, it has a limited availability, so order it soon.)

Here is another card using the Sweat Treat cups & the Something Sweat stamp set:

 
Can you imagine all the gifts you could make with these Treat cups & all the Holidays they could be used for?

You could:

- Put candy or gum in it for a Birthday card

- Use the heart cup and put a bracelet or necklace in it for Mothers day

- How about vitamins in a get well card.

- Buttons for grandma to use on her quilt

- Make a display case for Babies first tooth lost or haircut.

- Make a shaker box.

- Do a dimensional scene inside.

- Make them into ornaments.

- Paper piece a robot and put gears inside.

- Use it for the glass on a clock.

- Slime...can you tell i have a son. ha!

I have only scratched the surface of what these treat cups could be used for. I would LOVE to hear and see what you can come up with. Post what you've got below.    

Hope you have a great Monday -

 

         

Haitian Disaster Relief

On January 12, 2010 a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, leaving in its wake devastation so overwhelming that the Haitian people and their leaders can only look for help from the outside to cope.

As a Stampin' Up! customer, you can help make a difference in the lives of those who continue to suffer from the effects of this earthquake by purchasing the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set.   

From now until February 28, 2010, $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set sold will be donated to the American Red Cross' Haiti Relif and Dvelopment Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

Product Name	Item #	Price
I {Heart} Hearts - clear-mount  (block D recommended)	118571	$18.95
I {Heart} Hearts - wood-mount	117010	$26.95

In the past, when terrorists attacked the Twin Towers, when a tsunami struck Indonesia, when a hurricane destroyed New Orleans, and when wildfires ravaged Australia, Stampin' Up! has stepped forward and showed their commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. This time is no different. I hope you will find it in your Heart to do the same, whether it be buying this stamp set or donating in some other way  the people of Haitian are in need. You can purchase this set by clicking HERE   

coming soon - JANUARY 30 STAMP CAMP

STAMP CAMP – January 30 – SIGN UP NOW!!!!

 

 JOIN IN ON THE FUN!!! Stamp Camp is a great way to meet new people, get inspired, learn some new techniques and go home with lots of great projects. At Camp you will create 6 to 8 cards/projects. And there will be snacks and beverages to boot. So don’t miss out…sign up now! 

  

 

SIGN UP: all you need to do to sign up is email me with your full name, phone number, home address and email address. Put “STAMP CAMP” in the subject line. As soon as I sign you up I will send you a confirmation email.

COST: $15.00 (due at the time of the camp)

 

PROMOTIONS: If you place a $25.00 or more Stampin’ Up order the night of the camp you will receive 50% off the cost of the camp.

 

SUPPLIES: all supplies will be provided, but if you don’t like to share, you may want to bring your own adhesive and scissors.

 

CAMP KITS: may be purchased at $15.00 each. 

 

I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON –

 Dana Newsom

 

Monday's Blooms #1

To hit one of my New Years resolutions head on, I am bringing you the first of many to come Monday post. I am in hopes that my Monday's Bloom will ward off your Monday Blues.

Last week I was able to play with some of our new products and made some Valentines cards. The first one made was the one above. I am loving this stamp set, "Love You Much". Not sure if you can tell from this picture, but I variegated the coloring of the letters. this is one of my favorite techniques.I colored the bottom 3rd of the letters with a Melon Mambo marker, the 2nd 3rd of the letters with a Pretty in Pink marker, and left the top of the letters uncolored. Then I went over them with Stickles glitter glue. So much fun! Hee-Hee!

The ruffle at the bottom of the page was leftover trim form a a lap shape i just covered.

The papers and Felt flowers are from Stampin' Ups new Occasions Mini Catalog. I am lovin' these felt flowers and you get so many in the package.

You can also see the new scallop edge punch from the Sale-a-bration catalog above the ruffle. This is a really cool punch. It is one of Stampin' Ups new punch styles. They collapse for easier storage. Very excited about these punches. (And with a $50.00 purchase you can get one for FREE) AWESOME!!!   

Here is another card I made using the "Love You Much" stamp set. This time I used one of the Stampin' Up Designer buttons, the new Tag punch and "Tiny Tags" stamp set.

Can you tell I am lovin' the Melon Mambo and Pretty in Pink colors for Valentines.

Here is one more for today:   

 

I used the same stamp set + the new "I {heart} Hearts" set and the "Well Script" set. I pop-doted the hugs and kisses stamped piece up to create the closure and folded the card to make a pocket to hold a gift card or candy inside.

 

the textured heart was made with Stampin’ Up! NEW Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits™ Die. 

I hope these cards put a smile on your face and took you away form the Monday Blues for a while. 

If you are local, don't forget to sign up for the January 30 STAMP CAMP.  

Happy Monday-

 

                 

 

My New Years Resolution

TOP 10 New Years Resolutions:

1. To make this Blog more useful for you. (please send me comments on what you would like to see here & what would be more useful to you)

2. To make a work schedule and stick to it. Working from home is harder than if sounds. No one really seems to understand you actually need to work and I tend to be one of them, ha! I have a hard time saying "NO" and even worse I tend to volunteer to do to much. I just like helping out. ugh! I need a work week/schedule so I can get the things I want/need to do for my Business and what I want to accomplish with it done.

3. To U-Tub. I want to have weekly training/tips for you guys. I am a VERY visual person and learn best when being shown how to do something. So I want to do mini classes and such on U-Tub for those of you who are like me. ; ) 

4. Ultimately to Grow my business- Got any ideas? any help you can give me would be great. : )

5. To Blog at least twice a week.  

6. To Paint the house & landscape the front.

7. Organize the playroom, so that Logan will actually play in it.

8. Finish my sewing projects.

9. Start scrapbooking again and actually finish an album.  

10. To exercise- Isn't this the typical resolution? I need to lose weight (don't we all), but really I want to exercise to be healthier and happier and to be more active with my son.

I guess that is the real motivator right now. My son is 8 and has a bit of a tummy, a couple of kids at school have called my fat and it has hurt his feelings. I was not a fat child, quite the opposite, they called me "Olive Oyl". Though Olive Oyl wasn't very nice, I think being called "Fat" at 8, would be much worse. I am an adult and it isn't going to bother me that much when someone calls me fat...I am fat  and I know I need to loose weight. But when I over hear Logan telling my husband how he felt about himself, my heart just split. I couldn't believe how much that hurt.

My husband was heavier as a child and has always struggled with his weight, so he knew just what to say to him and I was very proud of how he handled it. 

This is going to be hard, but I have to make changes for myself and my family, so Logan doesn't have to go through a lifetime of being called FAT. He is a wonderful child, fun loving, athletic, and bright ... I don't want that to change. 

So I talked a friend into helping me out and I started my exercise program this week. Pray for me : ) 

Recruiting Promotion

Have you ever thought about becoming a Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator? With the new Recruiting Promotion, It is the perfect time to try it out. If you 'd like more information please contact me HERE.  

With the launch of our much anticipated My Digital Studio software, new recruits can purchase an exclusive Starter Kit that includes My Digital Studio, in addition to stamps, inks, and accessories.

Promotion ends March 31st

Starter Kit Price: $185 (over $295 value!)

Digital+ Starter Kit Contents:

• My Digital Studio software
• Party Hearty and Petal Pizzazz stamp sets
• Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
• Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11")
• Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, and Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pads
• Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and Real Red Stampin' Write markers
• Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
• Real Red 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon
• Button Latte Designer buttons
• Stampin' Dimensionals
• Mini Glue Dots
• SNAIL Adhesive
• Business supplies (product catalogs, order forms, training DVD, and other supplies)

New Punch Design

I am sooooooo excited, Stampin Up! has some great new punches. They are so cute and light weight and they collapse for easier storage. here is what they look like. 

Starting with the new 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog and continuing with all new punch designs going forward, Stampin' Up! has adopted a new body style for our punches!

A few features of the new punch style:

• Low-profile, rectangular punch body allows for easier stacking and storing
• Punches lock shut for easier storage and transport
• Dual labels on top and end allow for easy identification and selection when stored
• Available in three sizes: small, medium, and extra-large
• New punches allow for larger punched images and more intricate designs while providing greater ease of use.
• Extra -large punch images also allow for two-step designs like the Two-Step Bird punch in the Occasions Mini Catalog
• Corner punches allow you to punch a corner design along the inside edges of a page, not just corners
• larger, whole-hand handle design provides better leverage for easier use
• Available in an exclusive Stampin' Up! color

PS. don't forget about Sale-a-bration. with every $50.00 spent you can choose a FREE stamp set or item form the Sale-a-bration catalog. Spend $100.00 and get 2 items, $150.00 =3 items. Shop now 

Clear Mount Stamps

Over the past few years, there has been enormous demand from demonstrators and customers alike for a line of repositionable clear-mount rubber stamps. Well, you asked for it, and now you have it! Starting with stamps in the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog and the 2010 Sale-A-Bration Brochure, Stampin' Up! now offers our exclusive stamp art in both traditional wood-mount, and the new clear-mount option.

Our new clear-mount rubber stamps are the result of extensive research with the intent to maintain the very best image quality in the stamping industry, while at the same time offering the ease-of-use and storability inherent in repositionable clear-mount rubber stamps.

Clear-Mount Rubber Stamp Features

• Nine different sizes of clear blocks available individually or as a discounted bundle.
• Blocks have ergonomic grooves on all four sides for easy grip and traditional wood-mount feel.
• Stamps and blocks are durable and easy to clean with your Stampin' Scrub and Stampin' Mist.
• Optional image labels on stamp backs let you decide if you want to see the image through the block or not.
• Tight die-cutting for easy image positioning.
• Large clear blocks can be used to create collages or spell words with alphabet sets.
• Stamps store easily in standard, DVD-type cases with artwork on front and spine, making organization easy.

Heart Treat Cups

Just in time for Valentine's Day, our new Heart Treat Cups coordinate perfectly with the Sweetheart stamp set and the Full Heart punch. Aren't they cute!!! You can download the flier here

Order them soon to make sure they are here in time to make your Valentines. But they are not only good for Valentines cards, they are also perfect for many other occasions including Mother's Day, wedding and bridal shower favors, anniversary cards, or just simple projects that show you care.

 

SALE-A-BRATION

Happy 2010! Things are slowing down & I should be up & Blogging in no time. You should be receiving these new catalogs in the mail any day now & they are GREAT!!!!! I absolutely love everything in them & we have Clear Mount stamps now. They take up less room &  cost less too. I have already received several sets and I love them. Samples to come soon. To be the first to see them, sign up for email updates at the top of this blog. The next STAMP CAMP will be January 30th @ 6pm. We will make 6 to 8 great winter cards. Sign up now by email dnewsom@kc.rr.com      Hope to see you soon! -Dana