It is  funny how things work out sometimes.  Friday I posted a tutorial about the mosaic technique and in the mail I received a sample of the mosaic technique from fellow SU demonstrator, Linda Macpherson.  I met Linda on the SU! trip to Hawaii.  We started chatting while on one of the little boats that transported us from one part of the resort to another and we've been chatting ever since.  She lives  in the Baltimore area  ( if you live in the Baltimore area and need a demonstrator let me know,  I know a great one!) so I don't get to see her too often but every so often we surprise each other with an envelope full of cards and this was one of the lovely cards she sent me.

Stamps:  Strength and Hope and Fundamental Phrases
Ink:  Pacific Point, Basic Gray, VersaMark
Paper: Pacific Point, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Beyond the Garden DSP
Punches: Word Window, Modern Label, Eyelet Border
Ribbon:  Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon
Extras: Basic Pearls, Clear Embossing Powder
(items in bold are available in the Summer Mini Catalog 2011)

Isn't it gorgeous?   Thanks again Linda!

Remember, when you purchase the Strength and Hope stamp set or the Strength and Hope digital kit Stampin'Up! will donate $2 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Thanks for checking in with me and remember to check out all the great saving on selected stamp sets and digital downloads Here.

This is a VERY simple share idea.  In fact I am sure I have shared this before but the other day while I was addressing envelopes when it hit me...I NEED to pretty these up.  It was pouring outside so I did not want to stamp them in case they got wet and I also did not want to spend a lot of time.  Hmmm, what is quick and easy to do, makes a big impact and it doesn't involve ink?  You got it... Textured Impressions Embossing folders!  Since I have my Big Shot out at all times,  I pulled out my Flower Garden TIEF and look how gorgeous this looks and it took maybe 5 seconds to do.

Flower Garden Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Isn't it so elegant?  It takes no time at all with the Big Shot and the Flower Garden TIEF (page 24 of the Summer Mini Catalog).   I ran this through my Big Shot on "no tabs".  I can also run these ahead of time since this TIEF  isn't  a full card sized design and so I still have a place to address the envelope. 

Here's one to file away for later.

Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

This is the Northern Flurry TIEF ( 120902) and it was first featured in the Holiday Mini Catalog and is still available for purchase. 

The next time you are in your stamp room and waiting for inspiration to hit, grab your TIEF and some envelopes and start prettying up your envelopes.  This is  part of my stamping aerobics workout so make sure you crank with both arms so you will work out each arm evenly!  HAHA!  Wow, stamping and fitness tips all in one blog!  Have a great one and if you need a Big Shot or more Textured Impressions Embossing folders go to my website and order some, consider them exercise equipment you can really use!

I am excited to share with you the project I designed for Craft Project Central.   

Recognize the baby? Hard to believe he is getting ready to graduate from college!    This is the bonus project for May at Craft Project Central    How do you get access to the bonus project?    You just subscribe to May, and meet one of the other bonus project requirements of, subscribing to two or more months in a row, putting our badge/blinkie on your blog, or referring a friend and letting us know when they subscribe! 

You know what else?  I have  one free gift subscription for the month of  May to Craft Project Central to give away.  Just leave me a comment on this post and I will pick a winner on Tuesday (5/17/)  at 6pm.   I would love to pick you to win so leave me a comment!

Do you have your mosaic stamp made?  Great!  Here is how you do the mosaic technique. 

1. Ink up the stamp you are going to use .  I used Fabulous Florets and inked the stem with an Old Olive marker and did the Rock n Roll technique with the blossom (need a refresher on the Rock n Roll technique go HERE.) I used Cherry Cobbler and rolled with Bravo Burgundy.

2.  Ink up your mosaic stamp with VersaMark ink.   Stamp  over your image.  Be sure you cover the entire image with your mosaic stamp.  Cover with Clear embossing powder and then heat.

3.  Rub a sponge with Basic Gray ink over the entire piece.   The ink will show up in the "grout" lines (the area that was not embossed).

Pretty simple but such a great effect.  Here's the finished card.

   
Have a great weekend!  Hope you will find some time to do something creative!  If you need any stamping supplies you know where to go CLICK HERE

Yes, I am back using Fabulous Florets.  Hope you are not tired of seeing samples using this set.  I just love the images and it  is an easy set to work with.   When I can use the same set and try lots of different techniques with it then I know it is a keeper. 

  
Stamps:  Fabulous Florets and Mosaic stamp (see picture below)
Ink:  Basic Gray, Cherry Cobbler, Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive, VersaMark
Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Love Letter DSP
Big Shot:  Finial Press TIEF
Ribbon: Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding ribbon
Extras:  Clear Embossing Powder, Basic Pearls

Here's my mosaic maker stamp.

A great use for those scrap pieces of rubber.  I used the leftover pieces of rubber from my wood mount stamps.  It is important  that you use the leftover scraps from the same kind of stamp, wood or clear mount.  Why?  They are different heights so they do not work together.  I cut out random sized pieces of rubber using my Craft & Rubber Scissors.  I attached them to a piece of wood and found that the closer the pieces were together the better the mosaic looked.   If you do not have a piece of wood then you can use one our acrylic blocks.  I would use the largest one block F (118483) or block E (118484).

Now you know how to make your own mosaic stamp.  Check back tomorrow and I will have a step by step on how to make your own mosaic card.  If you need more stamp rubber to make your mosaic stamp go to my website and you can order more stamps! 

Are you still on the fence about checking out Craft Project Central?  Well iI have another bee-utiful project to show you that  hopefully "sweetens" the deal for you.

This honey of a project was created by Kim.   She has all the details on how to make this project at Craft Project Central  When you subscirbe you will get 10 and a bonus project that you will have access to for one year!  If you are like me it takes a while to get to all the projects I want to make and at Craft Project Central you will have access to May 2011 projects for a year.    So buzz on by and checkit out!

Did you know that the First Edition DSP is still available?   Yup, it is a carryover item from the Occasions Mini Catalog.   I find myself using this DSP a lot.   You know I like the Black and White/Vanilla look a lot so this DSP is just  perfect.  This DSP is a little different because it is lighter weight than the usual DSP and you get 24 sheets in a pack (4 each of 6 designs!)  I like that the font is small and pretty unobtrusive and yet adds interest. 

Stamps:  Upsy Daisy, Inspired by Nature, Friends 24-7, Happy Greetings
Ink: Black Craft Ink, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Riding Hood Red, Not Quite Navy
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Baisc Black, First Edition DSP
Punches:  Designer Label, 1 3/8" and 1-1/4" circle punch
Ribbon:  Black Stin ribbon, 1/8" Black Taffeta ribbon
Extras:  Black embossing powder and sponges

Pretty dramatic huh?  Love the black embossing with the bold stamp images. I  sponged on the colors and blended as I went along.   Easy and fun what could be better?

Look at this gorgeous Fabuous Florets Wedding Ensemble! 

This project was designed bySonya For Craft Project Central.  When you purchase a subscription to Craft Project Central for May you will receive the directions to make this beautiful project AND it includes templates  for a Save the Date card, Invitation, RSVP card, Directions inserts, and Guest Book pages!  You will  be able to use these ideas for all of  life's celebrations. 

Don't delay and head over to Craft Project Central and sign up for a subscription for May!

Wishing you a wonderful day!

It is another cloudy day here.  We had one glorious day of sunshine and blue skies but we are now back to the gray.  I wanted some bright colors in my day so I pulled out the Sunny Garden DSP, the Bold Blossom stamp set and my Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch.

Here's what the Blossom BouquetTriple Layer punch looks like.

The button above the punch image is what you need to slide to change what you punch.  The position that is shown is what I call punch 3.  The other thing you need to know about these punches is when you are using punch 1 you will feel/hear 1 click, with punch 2 you will hear 2, and with punch 3  you will hear 3.  This is important because if you do not feel the second or third click then the punch has not punched through the layer.  I hope that makes sense.  When you get your punch this will all become clear.

Here are the different punches you get in this one great punch!

 
  Punch 1                          Punch 2                        Punch 3

punch 2 and punch 3

 punch 1 and punch 3

Want to make your own Blossom Bouquet punchy flowers?  All you need to do is go to my SU Website, www.sharonstamps.stampinup.net and you can shop on my online store.  Hope your day is a sunny one!