Technique Tutorial Faux Leather "A Post A Day" November

I thought I'd break up my card posting with this tutorial I posted yesterday on Stampin' Addicts ....Tuesday is the technique challenge on SA, and this week's challenge (Tech33) is Faux Leather. Click here to see the challenge and upload a card to Stampin' Addicts!

Materials: masking tape, sponges, Very Vanilla Craft Ink, Clear Embossing Powder

Method: You may have seen this technique before with the brown lines around the tape. I hope this doesn't sound offensive, but when brown or dark leather cracks, it cracks to a lighter color rather than dark. (It does darken when oils are applied/contact it of course.) My variation of the typical faux leather includes Very Vanilla Craft Ink, and is a little messy.

First, tear your masking tape and adhere it to your cardstock. Use small pieces, and I prefer to not use a lot of the straight edge, but the straight edge could be perfect especially in a small area to create more uniform cracks. Completely cover your cardstock (I used some big pieces first to cover the cardstock.)

Next, sponge over your tape with Very Vanilla craft ink. Go back and forth and really rub the sponge into your tape edges especially.

Then, sprinkle a small amount of Clear Embossing Powder over the entire surface. Rub off most of the embossing powder with your finger. It will clump with the craft ink-don't put this back in your nice clean embossing powder-it has vanilla craft ink in it. (The powder should stay in the crevices.) Heat emboss the entire sheet. (Click on the picture for a larger view.)

Now, dab or pounce your inks onto the taped surface with a sponge. (DO NOT drag and rub from side to side-this will build up brown onto the vanilla edges you just made) I used Soft Suede, Creamy Caramel, Really Rust and Chocolate Chip.

Finally, cover the surface with clear embossing powder and heat emboss (otherwise the ink would likely never dry.) Finish your card.

Like a rhinestone cowboy....(getting cards and letters from people you don't even know!) Sorry I couldn't resist the line.

Dasher 2 "A Post A Day" November

This card was one of the choices at my October Stamp A Stack:

The Old Olive layer was achieved simply by running the Top Note die through the Big Shot twice...the second time you merely turn it at a 90 degree angle. Simple, but dramatic I think.

ABC.....123....Have an EASY Stampin' Up! party!

I will begin a special incentive on Friday, November 13th for those of you who pre-book your Sale-A-Bration Stampin' Up! parties! Sale-A-Bration is the time of year that Stampin' Up!'s typical promotion is a free specially designed Sale-A-Bration stamp set with each $50 (before tax & shipping) purchase!

Check back at noon on Friday for details and to book your ABC/123!

I hope you'll agree that my plan is easy and fun! So what do you need to know?

ABC

A. "A" guest list (I can provide you with a 40 guests in 40 minutes worksheet!)
B. "B"uy a snack and drink
C. "C"hoose a day & time and then, my house or yours?

123

We'll have fun stamping for:

1. One hour
2. Make two cards
3. And it only costs each person $3 (though it is free instead with ANY purchase)

This is a great way to see why I am SO in love with stamping! (I also plan to host an ABC/123 party in January, but hosting your own party is a great way to have a TON of fun with YOUR friends!)

Recipe Monday Week #6 Dasher 1 "A Post A Day" November

This is my last week to post a menu....From now on, I'll just post a favorite recipe. Next week's recipe will be the Italian Tomato Spinach Tortellini Soup....

Monday--Sirloin Beef Tip Roast in the Crock Pot with Wide egg noodles and green peas
Tuesday--Fowl Thing sandwich (with Eskimo Joe's Fowl Thing marinade and pineapple), bakced French Fries, carrots
Wednesday--Puffy Parmesan Chicken, Parmesan Zucchini, Carrots, Curly Fries
Thursday--French Dip (made with Monday's leftovers-frozen on Monday) and French Onion Soup
Friday--Carry Out Pizza
Saturday--Italian Tomato Spinach Soup with Tortellini
Sunday--Braum's Frozen Salisbury Steak with Mashed Potatoes and Peas

Check out Sunday's lunch.....no real cooking....You have to live within a day's drive of Tuttle, Oklahoma to have a Braum's, but they do a great job on their Salisbury Steak...paired with the Ore Ida Microwave and Mash Potatoes....SO fast!

Now for the card:

This card was one of the choices for my technique class in October and was featured on my projects blog previously. My customers chose this card as the one they'd most like to make of the three Shimmer Paint cards I created for them i. e. the Winner. (Dasher was no doubt very proud ;).)

The modern label punch peeking out from under the layers was shown to us at Stampin' Up! convention this past summer.

Patterned Pines Hostess Set "A Post A Day" November

This card was another one of the choices for my technique class in October and was featured on my projects blog for voting. It also did not get the most votes for which card my customers wanted to make, but I like the three different colors of green contrasted with white. The shimmer paint makes it a bit more elegant. (Monday's post will feature the winner.)

Tree Trimmings 2 "A Post A Day" November

If this Tree Trimmings Ornament card looks familiar, you may be one of my customers....:) This card was one of the choices for my technique class in October and was featured on my projects blog for voting. It didn't win, but I thought I'd still show it here.

The eyelet border punch was used on each side and the ornaments were cut out and raised on dimensionals.

Tree Trimmings 1 "A Post A Day" November

This Christmas card in Certainly Celery, Rich Razzleberry and Not Quite Navy was one of the offerings for my recent Stamp A Stack. The ornament hangers were stamped in the Platinum shimmer paint, and the ribbon is just the back side of the polka dot Rich Razzleberry grosgrain.

Inspired by Nature "A Post A Day" November

I still love the Inspired by Nature Set....It is so versatile and easy to use. On this card, I used Rich Razzleberry for the petals...since we have In Color markers this year, I was able to add streaks to the petals that I think looks like veining. I hadn't tried it on the Kraft cardstock, so I had to give it a try. I like the results, especially the mottled look for the seedhead...Sorry for the sad sentiment, but we do need those cards too sometimes.

Cheep Talk "A Post A Day" November

This Belated Birthday card was a lot of fun to make. I started with the Stampin' Addicts Color Challenge #33 and Sketch Challenge #30, and there wasn't much else to consider. I did add the Chocolate Chip though. Stampin' Addicts has six weekly challenges, so click here to check out the challenge forum for ideas and inspiration: http://www.stampinaddicts.com/forums/challenges/

Recipe Monday Week #5 "A Post A Day" November

I'm beginning posting every day but Sunday during the month of November with Recipe Monday. I have really enjoyed having a week's worth of meals planned....and we're still flexible and can choose to go out to eat if we want.

Monday--Ham (freeze ham for Thursday & Saturday) with Sweet Potato Fries and Green Beans
Tuesday--Spaghetti
Wednesday--Rotisserie Chicken (picked up-I can't buy and season and cook one for that price!) with Mashed Potatoes and Peas
Thursday--Loaded Baked Potatoes with leftover ham with Carrots Salad and pears
Friday--Cheeseburgers
Saturday--Hot Ham & Cheese Sandwiches Pizza
Sunday--Ritz Cracker Pork Chops with Boiled Buttery Potatoes, corn

You’re invited!

Card of the Day Polished Stone for the technique challenge on Stampin' Addicts:

My newsletter invitation:


First, you’re invited to check out my blog (the one listed as Latest Creations in my signature at the bottom of the page) during the month of November---I plan to post every day (excluding Sundays) in November for National Blog Posting Month. I’ll still have Recipe Monday as well as a daily project or card, and a “local customers only” BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY.

Second, you’re invited to give me or your friends and family a Stampin’ Up! Christmas Wish List. Orders need to be placed by DECEMBER 10th for Christmas delivery.

Third, you’re invited to consider stamp club for spring! I’d love to have you come to Technique Class for FREE with your Stamp Club commitment order ($25/month for 6 full months), or if you’d rather have a separate workshop and invite your friends, we can do that of course. You’d earn hostess benefits during one of the months for a free level one stamp set plus $15 in free merchandise too. Just email or call if you have questions or are ready to sign-up.

Fourth, you’re invited to my classes of course!

On Wednesday, November 4th AND Thursday, November 5th at 6:30 p.m., I’ve scheduled my Sparkling Christmas Technique Class ($10). These are great cards for some of your most special card recipients!

November 5th is Parent Teacher Conference night for Edmond Public Schools, so I added the Wednesday option. (School is out on Friday for conferences.) (Please confirm by November 2nd)

For $10 Technique classes, $5 of your class fee will be refunded with a $25 order (total before tax and shipping) and the full $10 will be refunded with a $50 order (merchandise total before tax and shipping).

Gold Embossing, Cracked Glass, Emboss Re-Lift and the Marvelous Magical Marquee are great cards for your special friends at Christmas, and you’ll want to use these techniques again! To see all four cards just click to visit my Events Blog here: http://thestampinbunnyprojects.blogspot.com/2009/10/sparkline-christmas-technique-class.html.

On January 7th, 2010, at 6:30 p.m., I will teach Fun Faux Fabric Techniques ($10 for 4 projects)...including Faux Silk and Faux Linen.

Thursday, January 14th at 7:00 p.m. - 1, 2, 3 Stamp!
Are you curious why I love stamping so much? Come and investigate at 1, 2, 3 Stamp Night! Spend one hour and make two cards for $3. (Or FREE with any order) This is the perfect time to bring a friend who is new to stamping and have a great night discovering stamping! (If you'd like a 1, 2, 3 class just for you and you friends before Christmas, please give me a call!)

Thursday, February 4th at 6:30 p.m. - Valentine Technique Class ($10) We'll make some Love Potion (possibly #9 ;) ), a lip balm holder, and a card.

You’re also invited to visit my Stampin’ Up! website 24 hours a day for ordering (direct to you-you may also contact me for ordering of course) or to call and book a workshop or book party!

Recipe Monday Week #4

Hawaiian Bread Dip

8 ounces of Sour Cream
8 ounces of Mayonnaise
1 tsp Beau Monde
1 tsp Dill Weed
1 Tblsp Parsley Flakes
1 Tblsp dried minced onion
1 pkg thin sliced beef (Carl Buddig) minced in food processor

Combine & allow flavors to meld overnight.

Eat with King’s Hawaiian Bread.
If you’d like to serve it IN the hollowed out bread bowl,
you’ll need to double the recipe. It is also yummy with carrots.

My customers enjoyed this at last week's Christmas Project Buffet.

This week's menu:

Monday--Honey Lemon Chicken (I use Homemade Gourmet Lemon Poppyseed Dressing mix and oil...plus I add honey when I serve it.)
Tuesday--Tacos (use 1-1/2 lbs which is too much for one meal for us)
Wednesday--Chicken Bites, Cordon Bleu &/or Coconut Shrimp, fruit, corn on cob
Thursday--Taco Soup (use l/o taco meat)
Friday--Cranberry Catalina Onion Soup Chicken
Saturday--Sandwiches (one cold and one hot)
Sunday--Lasagna

Recipe Monday Week #3

Today's my birthday, but I won't let that deter me from Recipe Monday! :)

This week's menu:

Monday--Paprika Chicken (new recipe >6)
Tuesday--Barbecue Meatballs (in freezer)
Wednesday--Chicken Bites, Cordon Bleu &/or Coconut Shrimp, fruit, corn on cob
Thursday--Mexi Chicken Soup (Full Moon or Chile corn chowder l/o Monday chk)
Friday--Carry Out Pizza
Saturday--Bacon Sandwiches
Sunday--Crock Pot Pork Chops & Rice

Today's Card Recipe is again the Technique challenge on Stampin' Addicts...for full instructions on this easy technique (Faux Linen ) look here: http://www.stampinaddicts.com/forums/tuesday-technique-challenges/3412-technique-challenge-30-10-20-09-faux-linen.html#post189363

Recipe Monday...Week #2

Each Monday for 6 weeks, I will post my meal plan for the week. Then, I will post the remaining meals our family likes but just didn't eat during that time. After that, Monday will be Recipe Monday on my blog with favorite actual recipes and stamping recipes. Hopefully, this will "spice up" the information you can find on my blog.

This week's menu plan:

Monday: Tater Tot Casserole (8X8 pan in freezer)
Tuesday: Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo
Wednesday: Corn Dogs
Thursday: Fall Break-Pulled Pork
Friday: Pizza delivery
Saturday: go to Morris with l/o Pulled Pork

Your Recipe Monday Card Recipe is the Faux Silk Technique. I used the Asian Artistry Hostess Set and tried for a simple color scheme (Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Brocade Blue and Whisper White) and layout to highlight the technique. For my complete instructions on Stampin' Addicts....click here: http://www.stampinaddicts.com/forums/tuesday-technique-challenges/3334-technique-challenge-29-10-13-09-faux-silk.html

Triple M (JanTInk's Marvelous Magical Marquee)

I've had this idea since I saw Janine's tutorial and video on her blog here. I finally completed it and plan to offer it at my November Technique class. Let me know what you think. :) I will also offer it with just a single layer Kraft main layer for those who don't want to fiddle with the intricate layer matching....A choice is always good, right?

I think Sage Shadow and Rose Red are unusual and yet still Christmas-y and the Very Vanilla and Kraft really soften the look.

I also used the fun textured Scalloped Circle Christmas tree Technique created by Michelle Rahal which I saw on Debbie Naylor's blog here:

I used a different texture plate as you can see, made the tree slightly narrower, and didn't include the star.

When you open the card...ta da! Isn't Janine's creation the greatest? What fun someone will have when they open this card!

Recipe Monday....on Wednesday Night

Sorry my Card Recipe is so late... I tried to finish earlier, but I am really slow lately! This week's Card Recipe is a new technique I discovered in my convention swaps.


The first card shown is a very close CASE of this linked card on Stampin Addicts by Mary Beth West/mbstamper. She allowed SA/me to use her technique as the Technique Challenge this week (click here for challenge and instructions), and we named it Emboss Re-LIFT. It is a lot of fun, so I think we will make this Scenic Season stamp set card at November Technique Class. (I frayed the taffeta ribbon ends on purpose...You may choose not to fray.) Thanks for sharing this great technique Mary Beth!

So I mentioned that I enjoyed the technique, right? I also decided to do last week's Color Challenge on SA shown here. It was Old Olive, Kraft, Real Red and Soft Suede. The Emboss Re-Lift technique softened the Real Red, and provided a nice contrast to the paper pierced leaves and shiny berries completed with Crystal Effects. It is a fun change for the cardinal to be the incidental part of the image I think.

OT (Off Topic) This week's menu plan...and Recipe Monday

I am so happy to have created a 6 week menu plan that I thought I'd share about it occasionally on my blog. I have a full 6 weeks worth of plans, but occasionally we do go out to eat even when it isn't scheduled (bad me!), so in my 3rd week, we still haven't followed one of my original weeks exactly. Maybe you already do this, but perhaps seeing my list will remind you of a favorite recipe you haven't had for a while?

What does that have to do with stamping, you ask? Well, in the past I've spent time on the phone with my husband asking what sounds good (oh, you had Mexican for lunch-scratch that), I've had to change gears when I find that I don't have an ingredient I need for dinner, and I've often suggested we go out or have fast food when I just can't think of anything to make. Now, I post the plan and be sure I have every ingredient 2 weeks in advance. All the previously wasted time can now be spent.....Stamping, of course!

Each Monday for the next 6 weeks, I will post my meal plan for the week. Then, I will post the remaining meals our family likes but just didn't eat during that time. After that, Monday will be Recipe Monday on my blog with favorite actual recipes and stamping recipes. Hopefully, this will "spice up" the information you can find on my blog. (For example, a stamping recipe might be a favorite color combination, set, embellishment, technique, sketch/layout, etc.) (This week's Stampin' Recipe will be posted tomorrow.)

Here's this week's menu:

Monday: Chicken Pot Pie (actually dumplings made with Bisquik, but I don't follow a recipe-I use a potato, some sliced baby carrots, onion and pan browned chicken) I made enough for another meal (minus dumplings) and put it in the freezer. (Sara's bowl shown below.)

Tuesday: Homemade Chili (McCormick packet) (frito pie for the girls)
Wednesday: Oven Chicken (ocean bites) for the girls & coconut shrimp baked in the oven for us(Wednesday is slacker night-(dance for one and gymnastics for the other) so it is always something easy)
Thursday: Hot Dogs with l/o chili (coneys-I wouldn't have planned this easy thing right after Wednesday, but there will be leftover chili, so we might as well use it.)
Friday: Grilled Teriyaki steak and veggie kabobs (Zucchini-1-inch chunks, Onion-large pieces, Orange green pepper, pineapple-not in the marinade) I use Soy Vay brand Island Teriyaki bottled marinade and add 1/4 cup or so of Brown Sugar and some pineapple juice and marinate overnight.
Saturday: Eskimo Joe's for lunch-driving to Stillwater
Sat night: carry out pizza
Sunday: Ritz Cracker Chicken-bone in chicken dipped in melted butter substitute (with black pepper) and covered in smashed Ritz Crackers.
Sun night: Leftover pizza

Holy Family Card

I think this may be my favorite of all the Holy Family Stamp Set cards I've made, and since I love this set, I've made several :). It is simple, but I really like this ribbon with it. It is one of four cards available during my "choose your date" Stamp A Stack on the 22nd, 23rd or 24th of October.

Countdown to Christmas!

Another fun project you might like to make at my upcoming Bountiful Buffet. This great coaster countdown calender was invented by Kim Bolzenthal and her calendar may be seen here: http://stitchinnstampinonpaper.blogspot.com/2009/09/over-10000-visitors.html My calendar begins on December 1 and has just 25 days (I guess you could begin at 29 technically.)

Christmas Gift Tag Tin

Today's post is of the assortment of gift tags I'm offering at my Bountiful Christmas Buffet on October 22, 23 and 24. (See my events blog for details.) The tin below has the lovely Christmas Cocoa Designer Series paper and is $3.50.

As you can see a complete set of all the tags I am offering fit in the tin. You could also just store other gift tags you may have in it. (Currently mine are in a zip lock bag, so I really needed one of these.)

Set #1-Merry: Unfortunately the picture turning is still my nemesis on blogger! I received these great swaps at Stampin' Up! convention from fellow Stampin Addict member Cris1467...she's my friend Stacy's mom :). I think they are so classy...go ahead-turn your head and see if you don't agree! :) 5 for $2

Set #2-Sweet: The tags below are a combination of the gift tag make and takes from Convention after a bit of stirring in my mind. They fold up and the "to: from:" is inside. 4 for $1.50

Set #3-Cocoa: I combined Cris's great design with loops and the Christmas Cocoa designer series paper for these cuties. 4 for $2