Rubber Stamping & Card Making with Yapha

I saw these cute, fun, summery colors over at the Create with Connie and Mary blog, and I knew I had to give them a whirl!

I had the idea for this card in my head for a while, but I hadn’t been able to decide what colors I wanted to use or how to do the background. Once I saw these colors, everything clicked and the card just come together! I think we’ll be making it at Michelle’s workshop at the end of the month.

Stamps: Pennant Parade, Look Who’s Turning
Ink: Pacific Point, So Saffron, Tangerine Tango
Paper: Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Subtles Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack
Other: Pennant Punch, Medium Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Gold Brads, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I love that Happy Birthday sentiment. The font makes it one of my favorites to use. It’s from the set Look Who’s Turning, which has an adorable hippo to boot!

Oh yes, it’s getting close to that time of year! Not just the new school year, but Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. When I saw today’s Pals Paper Arts sketch, I knew it was time to make the first Rosh Hashanah card of the season.

I really love this sketch. It is so clean and simple. I remembered this Rosh Hashanah card I made last year, and decided to update it with this sketch. I used a small paint brush to put a little frost white shimmer paint on the bees’ wings.

Stamps: Every Little Bit, Season of Hugs, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black, Brights Pattern Paper Stack
Other: Snow White Shimmer Paint

I may have to make a few more cards with this sketch. I really like it!

The polished stone technique is another one that I waited a really long time to try, thinking it would be harder than it was. I’m happy to report that is another fun and easy way to add the Wow factor to your paper crafting!

Supplies needed:

• Cotton balls
• Rubbing alcohol
• Classic reinkers (2 or 3)
• Glossy white card stock

First, wet your cotton ball thoroughly with the alcohol. Then add two or three drops of each of the colors to the reinker directly on to the cotton ball. Here I used Rose Red and Pretty in Pink.

Begin dabbing your cotton ball around the glossy white card stock. Try not to dab in the same place, as you do not want the colors to look too muddy or blend too much.

When your card stock is completely covered, let it dry for a few minutes.

Now you are ready to finish your card!

There are variations on this technique which include either a metallic reinker or shimmer paint. You can add drops of these to the glossy white card stock before you start dabbing with the inked up cotton ball. If you use one of these, you may need to heat set your project, or use an acrylic sealer.

Have fun with this technique, and let me know what you create!

Great new downloads from Stampin’ Up today! Cute letter punches (love these since you can fill them with patterned paper!) and some great fall stamp sets. These downloads work with My Digital Studio and any other digital scrapbooking program that allows you to import PNG and JPG files.

127425 Smitten Alphabet Punch $7.95

You’ll be smitten with this digital-exclusive 26-piece alphabet punch; fill the playful letters with your favorite card stock, Designer Series Paper, or photos! Like all My Digital Studio punches, these are vector files, which allows them to be scaled up or down without losing image resolution. Download also includes a one-page 8″ x 8″ designer template.

127404 Bright Blessings Stamp Brush Set $5.95

This 12-piece set is perfect for your fall projects—or for expressing appreciation any time of year. It’s based on the Bright Blessings Jumbo Stampin’ Around Wheel, with images and artwork separated for ultimate digital versatility.

127403 Falling Leaves Stamp Brush Set $5.95

Crunch, crunch, crunch . . . don’t you love the sound of those fallen leaves under your feet? These digital leaves won’t crunch, but they will help you celebrate the harvest season in style. This 10-piece stamp brush set download also includes a 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ greeting card designer template.

127424 Established Elegance Stamp Brush Set $5.95

Our 10-piece Established Elegance Stamp Brush Set is perfect for adding a vintage flair to your designs in the form of focal images or subtle elements. Download also includes a 5″ x 7″ greeting card designer template.

127416 Under the Stars Stamp Brush Set $5.95

You can purchase these or any other digital downloads through my online store. They great news is that they are available for immediate use, with no shipping charges! Just click on Digital Crafting, then Digital Downloads, then Newest Downloads to see all of the recent additions! If you registered your copy of My Digital Studio, you may also receive end-of-the month emails from Stampin’ Up featuring that month’s digital releases.

There is a My Digital Studio tab to the top right hand corner of this blog. It is a handy reference to a variety of My Digital Studio resources, including a list of all of the downloads and a break down of the printing costs. There is also a new Resources pageon MyDigitalStudio.net that includes an MDS Catalog. It shows all of the MDS software artwork (contained in the boxed-version) and downloads from the October 2009 launch through July 1, 2011! The catalog gives a snapshot of the entire product line with artwork thumbnails followed by product details, which includes the colors of the designer papers! Because MDS is regularly coming out with new artwork, the catalog will be updated every month.

This week’s Paper Players challenge is a monochromatic challenge, featuring three great shades of pink!

I was working on an entirely different card, for a Holiday Wow! swap over at Stampin’ Addicts, and using the the Polished Stone technique. This was the first time I had tried it, and I was amazed at how fun and easy it was! I realized it would be perfect for this challenge too! (Not sure how to do this technique? I’ll have a photo tutorial posted later this week.) It almost makes a camouflage style background. Sorry for the glare on the picture — it’s the glossy white card stock.

Stamps: Word Play
Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink
Paper: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Basic Black, Glossy White
Other: Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Basic Black 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon, Top Note Bigz Die, Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Cotton Ball, Rubbing Alcohol

Shockingly, I do not have any Regal Rose reinker! It was neat to see that where Rose Red and Pretty in Pink blended, they made a close approximation of Regal Rose!

Clean& Simple Stamping teamed up with CAS-ual Fridays this week for a great sketch!

One of my downline, Melissa, promoted to Senior Associate at the end of July, and I’ve been meaning to make her a congratulatory card. After a quick text to find out her favorite colors, I decided that this sketch would work perfectly! I did have to emboss the background, because Eve said it looked too plain.

Stamps: Sweets for the Sweet, Delightful Dozen
Ink: Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Crumb Cake
Paper: Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Other: Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

I left the image somewhat ambiguous. It could be a beach umbrella or a tropical drink. I know either one would suit Melissa just fine!

Since I had a few free hours this afternoon, I decided to do a few card challenges. This one combines Paula’s sketch challenge with Rhonda’s accessory challenge over at Stampin’ Addicts this week. Here’s the sketch:

I think it also qualifies for this week’s Pals Paper Arts challenge, which is to use one sentiment, one punch, and one designer series paper. But it also uses a Big Shot die, so I’m not 100% sure. Here’s what I came up with.

Stamps: Sweets for the Sweet
Ink: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight
Paper: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Big Top Birthday Designer Series Paper
Other: Perfect Pennants Bigz Die, Big Shot, 1 3/4″ Circle Punch, 1/4″ Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon

Don’t forget — the Designer Series Paper is Buy 3 Get 1 Free this month!

I had totally forgotten about the adorable school bus in the Every Little Bit stamp set until I saw this fantastic ensemble over at Inking Idaho. It inspired me to make my own creation with the bus. I liked it so much I had to make two cards — one regular size (5 1/2″ x 4 1/4″) and the other 3″ x 3″. Wouldn’t these be so fun to tuck in a lunch box or give to the bus driver on the first day of school? Especially for a new bus rider!

Stamps: Every Little Bit, Elementary Alphabet Builder Wheel, For Teacher Builder Wheel, School Colors Builder Wheel
Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Daffodil Delight, Poppy Parade, Basic Gray
Paper: Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Whisper White
Other: Poppy Parade Poly Ribbon, 1 1/4″ Circle Punch, 1 3/8″ Circle Punch, 1 3/4″ Scallop Circle Punch, Perfect Polka Dot Textured Impressions Folder, Big Shot

I still have a few spots left in my Ribbon Shares, so let me know if you are interested!

Raise your hand if you have birthday pictures to put in the scrapbooks. Yep, just what I thought!  Me, too. Luckily, Stampin’ Up has some great new digital downloads this week to help you out. These downloads work with My Digital Studio and any other digital scrapbooking program that allows you to import PNG and JPG files.

127431 Tickets & Tags Kit $9.95

With trendy colors and designs, our Tickets & Tags Kit comes complete with an exclusive digital-only 13-piece stamp brush set, four Designer Series Paper patterns, and 49 embellishments. These digital images coordinate with our Tickets & Tags Simply Scrappin’ Kit. Download also includes a one-page 8-1/2″ x 11″ designer template. Coordinating colors include: Baja Breeze, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, and Poppy Parade.

127407 Awning Stamp Brush $0.95

Create an adorable awning with our one-piece, 12″-wide border Awning Stamp Brush. Just like dressing up a doorway, this awning will dress up your projects!

127408 Happy Bday Stamp Brush $0.95

Wishing someone a happy birthday? Say it with our one-piece 7″-wide Happy Bday Stamp Brush. The stately letters make it a great option for masculine projects.

127409 Pennant Stamp Brush $0.95

The party is on with our Pennant Stamp Brush! Use the 12″ border image to create a confetti-filled mini banner to add a festive accent, border, or background to your projects.

127430 Patterned Party Stamp Brush Set $7.95

With banners, presents, balloons, and cake, this 23-piece stamp brush set is a party in a box! Create birthday invitations, cards, or photobook pages — or give it as a unique birthday gift! Unlike our coordinating traditional stamp set, this digital version separates the numbers and party images for ultimate versatility.

127419 Raining Flowers Stamp Brush Set $7.95

You can purchase these or any other digital downloads through my online store. They great news is that they are available for immediate use, with no shipping charges! Just click on Digital Crafting, then Digital Downloads, then Newest Downloads to see all of the recent additions! If you registered your copy of My Digital Studio, you may also receive end-of-the month emails from Stampin’ Up featuring that month’s digital releases.

There is a My Digital Studio tab to the top right hand corner of this blog. It is a handy reference to a variety of My Digital Studio resources, including a list of all of the downloads and a break down of the printing costs. There is also a new Resources pageon MyDigitalStudio.net that includes an MDS Catalog. It shows all of the MDS software artwork (contained in the boxed-version) and downloads from the October 2009 launch through July 1, 2011! The catalog gives a snapshot of the entire product line with artwork thumbnails followed by product details, which includes the colors of the designer papers! Because MDS is regularly coming out with new artwork, the catalog will be updated every month.

Now that summer is winding down, thoughts are turning back to school. I thought it would be fun to use the A+ stamp from the It’s A Wrap Occasions stamp set and make some cute chocolate purses to give Eve’s teachers on the first day back to school! This also fits right in with the Paper Players School Daze challenge.

You may be looking at these and thinking to yourself, “Hey! we don’t have Poppy Parade 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon!” Well, you’re right. I dyed these pieces very easily by pressing white ribbon into the Poppy Parade ink pad. It was super quick and easy! This time, I used a little piece of Velcro on the purse flap, so that these purses could actually open. Here’s what the inside looks like:

Stamps: It’s A Wrap Occasions
Ink: Poppy Parade
Paper: Peach Parfait, Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper
Other: Whisper White 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon, Bitty Punch Pack, Basic Rhinestones, Mailing Labels, Velcro Dots

We’ll be making these super cute purses at my workshops this month, so let me know when you want to schedule yours!

Just so you know, if you choose to use Hershey’s candy, they have some very strict legal policies on covering their candy. Please see here for the complete policy.