Just Punchy Card

I love Stampin' Up!'s punches. They are so fun to use when making cards, scrapbook pages, and gift projects. I have hosted two Just Punchy stamp camps - where I always feature some "out of the box" ideas for our punches. My customers love these! When I plan a card or item for my Just Punchy stamp camps, they have to meet the 4-punch criteria or they are not used.

I uploaded my Just Punchy stamp camp on my card gallery website last weekend. One of the cards that I showed my guests for inspiration was this card:

This one certainly uses more than 4 punches! I loved the Just Celebrate stamp set from the Spring Mini Catalog - The "whoo! hoo!" actually was on the owl image, but it reminded me of when my boys played trains when they were younger.

If you want to check out my other stamp camp projects including my Just Punchy stamp camps, here is the link -http://www.stampwithjane.com/

Bleach Brushing Technique

I have been neglecting my blog while I have been feverishly updating my card gallery website. In the last few weeks, I have posted about 200-300 cards (including several new stamp set pages) as well as linking my technique classes with example pages. If you haven't checked out my card gallery, it is worth the trip!

http://www.stampwithjane.com/

On the index page, there is a card using the Winds of Grace stamp set.

The technique used for this card is called Bleach Brushing. So many variations happen to cardstock when bleach comes in contact with it. For this technique, all you need to do is use a bristle brush, sweep it in some bleach, brush it over the cardstock, and let it dry. In this card, however, the bleach pooled a bit on the bottom of the Not Quite Navy cardstock. I searched my stamp set inventory for just the right image. The Winds of Grace sailboat, which was embossed on top of the dryed bleach brushing technique, was perfect! In fact, the excess bleach pool left an image of rushing waves hitting the sailboat.

However, best results happen when you are lighter to the touch with the bleach and leave some unbleached areas on the cardstock. Be sure to thoroughly rinse out all materials used when bleaching. Bleach can wreck art supplies, clothing, furniture...you get the picture.

2008 Spring/Summer Designer Paper Colors

The new Designer Series Paper in the 2008 Spring/Summer Catalog is gorgeous! My new favorite has to be Berry Bliss. Here is the color coordination for the Designer Series Paper:

Azure: Brilliant Blue, Very Vanilla
Bali Breeze: Old Olive, Taken with Teal, Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie
Berry Bliss: Purely Pomegranate, Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa
Cutie Pie: Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, So Saffron
East Coast Prep: Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Tempting Turquoise, More Mustard
Flowers for You: Certainly Celery, Lovely Lilac, Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise
Fall Flowers: Old Olive, Really Rust, Soft Sky, Sahara Sand
Ginger Blossom: Ruby Red, River Rock, Cameo Coral, Groovy Guava
Jersey Shore: Wild Wasabi, Pumpkin Pie, Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue
Le Jardin: River Rock, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Bashful Blue
Notebook: Soft Sky, Kraft, Vanilla
Olive Press: Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Porcelain Prints: Blue Bayou, River Rock, Wild Wasabi
Spring Break: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky
Spring Fling: Certainly Celery, Sage Shadow, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron
Spring Silhouettes: Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla
Western Sky: Ruby Red, River Rock, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky

Happy New Year, Happy New Catalog!

What an exciting start to a new year - a new catalog! If you haven't seen it yet, here is the cover!

There are some wonderful new stamps - lots of whimsical phrases and different styles to choose from. One of my favorites is Smarty Pants. I know I will have lots of fun using that set!

If you haven't preordered a catalog, I still have some extras. Give me a call or send me an email!