A Classy & Masculine Birthday Card

Imagine yourself knee-deep in cards with a theme ... perhaps Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas or all of the above.  Now imagine yourself gazing at the calendar and realizing that you need a birthday card pronto. And not just any birthday card, but one for a young man. And you happen to be a tad low (read: none, nada, zilch!) on masculine birthday cards. Yikes! This was my dilemma yesterday and I didn't have a lot of time. I needed something quick, easy, and classy. Problem solved with this card and I couldn't be happier with the result. In fact, I really think it's a great all-purpose birthday card that will work well for just about anyone, male or female.  What do YOU think? Let me know in the comments: male, female or anyone.

STAR POWER:

• Texture is king when it comes to creating a good masculine card. The Square Lattice embossing folder comes to the rescue once again.  It's amazing how well this embossed design goes with literally everything.
• The Newsprint Designer Series Paper makes the perfect backdrop here. It adds interest, but doesn't try to steal the show.
• The striped grosgrain ribbon, loosely knotted rather than tied, is a classy touch and doesn't look too frilly for a guy.

TIP: Since I was using Stampin' Write Markers to ink my sentiment anyway, I could have chosen to only ink up a few lines and then center it nicely inside my Decorative Label punch. Instead, I opted to ink the entire stamp and then carefully chose which area I wanted to punch. The sponging around the edge gives it a finished look and helps the overall affect.

My 12 Weeks of Christmas project series will be starting soon - for e-mail subscribers only. Don't miss out ... sign up now! It's quick, easy and doesn't cost a thing. Already a subscriber?  No need to sign up again - you'll automatically receive these holiday projects.

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Stamps: Everything Nice (113818)
Ink: Basic Black (101179), Baja Breeze Stampin' Write Marker (120965), Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker (100082)
Paper: Very Vanilla (101650), Basic Black (121045), Baja Breeze (111352), Newsprint Designer Series Paper (117166)
Tools: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Top Note Die (113463), Square Lattice Textured Impressions embossing folder (119976)
That Special Touch: Decorative Label XL punch (120907), Basic Black 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (115615), Sponge Daubers (102892), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Announcing ... My 12 Weeks of Christmas Project Series

Believe it or not, we are coming up on the twelve week countdown to Christmas. I know, I know, it isn't even October yet, right? However, if you are thinking about going "handmade for the holidays", you'll need to start gathering ideas now and planning your projects.

I'd like to help! Introducing my . . .

12 Weeks of Christmas Project Series

Beginning Sunday (October 3) and continuing for the next twelve weeks, I will be sending out a special edition of my email newsletter. Each special edition will feature a "project of the week" and will include cards, gifts, bags, tags and wraps.  These special projects have been designed exclusively for my newsletter subscribers for this event and will not be offered at a workshop, class or even featured here on Stampingville. Oh! Did I mention the 12 Weeks of Christmas project series is absolutely free? That's right ... every week, a new (and exclusive) Christmas project, with step-by-step instructions, delivered right to YOUR inbox.

Don't miss out on this creative and fun project series. Click here to sign up now.

Already a subscriber? You don't need to sign up again - just check your inbox every week!

To order your Stampin' Up! products online, click here.

Grateful For Blessings

I recently found a new blog that caught my attention: SUO Challenges.  The challenges are pretty general so far, which makes it super easy to play along. The only requirement is to use ONLY Stampin' Up! products. No problem! This time the challenge is to create something using the Big Shot. It can be a card, scrapbook page, a 3-D item, or even something using fabric. As long as the Big Shot was used it qualifies. Fun! I hadn't created a card for Mojo Monday yet and I really liked this week's sketch, so I thought why not combine both? Stop in and say hi over at SUO Challenges and tell 'em Stampingville sent you!

STAR POWER:

• The color combo of More Mustard, Cajun Craze, and Night of Navy comes right out of the new Color Coach and I love it!
• Rather than a stamp set, I used sections from the Bright Blessings jumbo wheel. Several of the jumbo wheels work very well for this technique.
• Looking for the Big Shot requirement? Check out my faux buttons. With the Buttons #5 Sizzlet, I have four sizes of "buttons" to choose from in any color I want. Talk about convenient!

 Do you have lots of items on your Stampin' Up! wish list? If so, you might want to consider one of our Starter Kits. Our Standard and Digital+ Starter Kits are valued at more than $310, yet the cost is just $175. You can customize your kit with the stamp sets and colors you want and for a limited time, Stampin' Up! will even throw in a gorgeous Greenhouse Gala Craft Tote FREE (a $39.95 value). Even better yet ... all this and NO shipping and handling charges apply. Contact me today for more information on this fabulous offer.

Click here to order your Stampin' Up! products online 24/7.

STAMPS: Bright Blessings Jumbo Wheel (115626)
INK: Cajun Craze (119671), More Mustard (103162), Night of Navy (102977)
PAPER: Very Vanilla (101650), Crumb Cake (120953), Night of Navy (100867), More Mustard (100946), Cajun Craze (119684)
TOOLS: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Buttons #5 sizzlet die (113440), Stampin' Around Jumbo Handle (103661), Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch (119275), 3/16" Corner punch
THAT SPECIAL TOUCH: Linen thread (104199), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

To Have & To Hold

There's been a whirlwind of activity around Stampingville lately; most it behind the scenes for now, but coming to you soon! Stay tuned. I'm playing a bit of catch-up today with this card from last week's Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge. I really liked the sketch a lot.

Tip: To spread out my sentiment a bit, I used a Stampin' Write Marker to ink just half the stamp at a time, cleaning and drying off the stamp in between stamping. This allowed me to space my stamping exactly where I wanted it. For precise stamp alignment every time, try the Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049). This stamp positioner is a must-have tool for any discriminating stamper.

STAR POWER:

• I love, love, love the Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper. The designs are fabulous and that color combo? Right up my alley: Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla and Basic Gray.
• I'm still loving the Jewels-Basic Pearls. So easy to use and they add instant glam to any project!
• And my newest love is the Crochet Trim. Oh my! I just got it and had to use it right away. It is so lovely on this sweet card.

Speaking of Crochet Trim ... did you know this gorgeous trim can be dyed with our classic ink to coordinate with any of our colors? It can! The easiest way (and probably the least messy) is to mix up a solution of water and a few drops from one of our Classic ink refills in a small container. (Vary the intensity of color by adding more drops.) Soak the Crochet Trim, then remove it to a paper towel, blot any excess solution and let air dry. The Crochet Trim is 100% cotton, so I probably wouldn't recommend using the heat tool to speed drying time.

I love to read your comments ... don't be shy! Questions are welcome too.

Click here to order your Stampin' Up! products online 24/7.

Stamps: Everything Nice (113818)
Ink: Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker (120973)
Paper: Crumb Cake (120953), Baja Breeze (111352), Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper (117163)
Tools: Scallop Trim Border punch (118402), Eyelet Border punch (119853), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
That Special Touch: Jewels - Basic Pearls (119247), Chantilly 1/2" Crochet Trim (118480)

A House of Haunts With Mojo

Wow ... what an interesting sketch this week for the Mojo Monday Challenge (Mojo 155). So many possibilities! The three background panels provide a great way to use up left over scraps of patterned paper, whether all one pattern or several coordinating patterns.  I decided to head down a different path instead and (eek!) ended up in BOOville.

STAR POWER:

• Ordering the spooky new Spider Web Embossing Folder (Holiday Mini Catalog) was pretty much a given in my book. How fun is that?!
• Another given was that gorgeous black lace. It's going to be perfect from Halloween right on through to Valentine's Day. Ooh La La!
• My panels were created by sponging on layers of background color first, then embossing the images in black. For this technique I started with the lightest color first and added layers of color over the previous layer and used a swirling and dragging motion with my sponger daubers.
• The moon from the spooky house image is omitted by removing the VersaMark ink with my blender pen.
• The Tiny Tags stamp set paired with the Jewelry Tag punch is the perfect little combo for the tag feature.

A TOTE-ALLY CRAFTY DEAL! Join Stampin' Up! by October 18 and receive a free Greenhouse Gala Craft Tote (A $39.95 value). These totes made their debut at the Stampin' Up! Convention and flew off the shelves. In addition to gorgeous, they are roomy enough to hold lots of your paper crafting supplies, including 12x12 paper, craft keepers and a paper trimmer. Are you a crafter or scrapbooker on the go? This tote will get you to those crops in organized style. Caution: May cause extreme envy among fellow croppers! Click here for more details on this tote-ally awesome offer.

Click here to order your Stampin' Up! products online 24/7.

Stamps: House of Haunts (111574), Tiny Tags (W-118091, C-118592)
Ink: River Rock (109010),  Pumpkin Pie (105216), Tangerine Tango (111834), Cajun Craze (119671), Basic Black (101179),  Versamark )102283)
Paper: Cajun Craze (119684),  Very Vanilla (101650), River Rock (108640), Basic Black (121045)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Scallop Circle #2 die (113469), Spider Web embossing folder (120889), Black embossing powder (109133), Heat Tool (100005), Sponge Daubers (102892), Embossing Buddy (103083), Circle Scissor Plus (112530), Glass Mat (112531), Blender Pens (102845), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
That Special Touch: Raven 1/2" Lace Trim (120988), Jewelry Tag Punch (117190), Linen Thread (104199)