Remember When Anniversary Card

Hello Everyone,

Today is my 9th Wedding Anniversary.  Boy, time does really fly.  I wanted to make my husband an extra special card, but a bit manly, but a little soft too at the same time.  That was a bit hard to do.  Traditionally I am way better at making "girlie" cards, but I tried my best and was happy with the result.

I was happy to use some of my old products to give it a vintage look.  I used the new Vintage brads and the Crochet Trim, Victoria 5/8 ribbon.  When I seen the crochet trim in the catalog I really did not like it.  But in person it is gorgeous on cards.  It gives it an entirely new dimension and look.  What do you think? 

Here is the recipe:

Stamps: Wedding Sweet, Word Play
Ink: Choclate Chip, Cherry Cobbler
Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Expresso, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla CS
Accessories: Vintage brads, Crochet Trim-Victoria 5/8 ribbon, XL fancy label punch, paper piercer
Okay, off to check on my GF cheesecake that I am making for dessert today.

Have a great day!
Mayra

UNDER 5: Elegant Soiree Thank You

Hello Ladies,

This week I had an "AAH-HAA" moment.  I have been trying to cook more  "from scratch" meals so I have  been browsing recipes online.  When I come to a recipe that has two many ingredients I have immediately disregarded it and looked for another.  I realized that people do the same thing with craft projects too.  If the supply/recipe list is too long, people tend to shy away from the project.  SOOOO, I have been experimenting with UNDER 5 card types.  By Under 5 I mean you only need 5 items to make it.  This does not include adhesive, white cardstock, and a paper cutter.  Those are staple products for any crafter (like pans, salt and oil to a cook).  I have realized that there are many cute cards and gift items that you can make with only a few products and still have that handmade, special feel. 

Here is my first UNDER 5 project.  I use a lot of Thank You cards, more than birthday it seems and so this was a perfect project for me.  I realize that the colors on this card are a bit...uneventful, but I have also been trying to do more masculine cards too (another goal for the next few weeks ;).   This DSP pack also has beautiful, more upbeat Baja Breeze prints.  You can use this same idea with any other SU Designer Series Paper (DSP) packs.

These were my supplies:

• Soft Suede Classic Ink pad
• Crumb Cake cardstock
• Elegant Soiree DSP
• Perfect Punches stamp set
• Scallop Oval Punch

5, that is all!!

Here is how I made the card:

1. First I cut my 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock down the middle and scored it (folded it) to make the card.
2. I cut a piece of DSP (4 x 5 1/4) and glued it on the card.
3. I cut a thin strip (about 1/2 " x 5 1/4) of a different pattern of DSP from the same pack and glued it on to the first DSP piece.
4. I then stamped my greeting on a scrap piece of Whisper White cardstock and punched it out with my punch.
5. I added it to my card using dimensionals.

Easy and cute!

Yesterday I posted a card portfolio that I made to go with it.  Scroll down on my blog for more details.

Card Portfolio & Step by Step Tutorial

As promised here is the tutorial to the card portfolio I had posted on an earlier post this month. I have included some instructions. I can email you the step by step instructions (with color photos!) if you contact me. This is a super easy to make gift idea. I have made it several times and people always love it.

Supplies Needed:

• Crumb Cake CS
  


• Elegant Soiree DSP



• Very Vanilla 1/4 grosgrain ribbon



• Perfect Punches stamp set
  


• Scallop Oval Punch



• Soft Suede Classic Stampin' pad



• Sticky Strip
  

Directions:

1. Score your 8 1/2 x 11 piece of CS at 5 1/2 on the long, 11 inch side.



2. Score your CS at 2 1/4 on the short, 8 1/2 side.



3. Fold your CS on the 5 1/2 scored line. Cut a small diagonal piece from the bottom to the 2 1/4 line as shown.



4. Open your CS and put sticky strip on the two areas shown below.




5. Insert your cards and envelopes (four cards on one side and four envelopes on the other side).




6. Close your portfolio and embellish. I glued ribbon around the portfolio and then added a 5 1/4 x 6 1/4 piece of DSP on the portfolio and embellished.

Try it and let me know what you think. Leave me a comment if you want to see more tutorials on my blog.

Mayra

September Elk Grove, CA Stamp a Stack Class

Hello Ladies,

Here is a photo of the projects we created in this month's CSD Stamp a Stack class in Elk Grove, CA. I offer this class mostly every month. We create 10-12 projects and I bring all of the materials prepped and ready to go. It is a lot of fun and there is some power stamping going on in those 3 hours we have together. This class is open to all: never stamped, beginner stamper or very experienced stamper. Every month I feature different projects, techniques and embellishments.

Interested?
Go to www.yourcsd.com/rec/leisure_adult.asp and click on Cardmaking Stamp a Stack for all the details. Or click HERE to go directly to the Cardmaking registration page. The next class is on Friday, Oct. 8 from 6-9.

Hope to see you there!

Welcome to my new blog!

Hello Everyone!

As you noticed, my blog has moved. The last blog website had a really long name and was hard to remember (even for me!). I decided to simplify things by shortening the name. Hope you like it!

I will be posting new projects soon!

Mayra

September Halloween Product Share

Hello Ladies,
It is time for another product share! The theme this month is Wicked Fun Halloween. Here is how it works. You can purchase a "share" of this months products. I cut and seperate all of the shares. You get to have a broader selection of products without the expensive of buying entire packs of all of the items. Does that make sense? I need a minimum of 4 people to participate. In order to purchase the product share you MUST pay via paypal.com or drop by a check or cash on the day that you order.

The Wicked Fun Halloween Product Share is $11.00 local orders (you pick up) or $14.00 for mail orders. This offer expires on 9/16/10.

• 2 6x6 sheets of each design of the Wicked Fun DSP


• 12 Basic Black cards (pick ups can select 6 CS sheets instead)


• 7 feet of Basic Black Lace Trim


• 7 feet of Old Olive 1 1/4 grosgrain striped ribbon
  

Please contact me at mayramt@hotmail.com if you have any questions. You can go to http://www.paypal.com/ and enter my email to pay.

Thanks!

Mayra

Stampin' with Friends...what it is all about

A couple weeks ago I went over my friend Jamie's house for a night of stamping. In just a couple hours we had great conversations, great laughs, and made lots of cute projects. She prepped a few projects for us and I did too. It was such a treat for me to stamp just for fun and to have some of the projects prepped for me. Now I really understand why you love coming to classes! I had a great time and can't wait to do it again.

The above and below picture show the gift she gave me for helping her with a scrapbook show. Isn't it adorable! It is a card kit with 4 cards and envelopes inside. I love the colors she used and the Aviary stamp set she used. I make cards just about every day, but I still LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to get stamped gifts!

Here is one of the projects I prepped. The card below uses a Level 2 stamp set from the Holiday Mini Catalog. If you host a workshop, this is one of the sets you could be eligible for. Let me know if you want to hear more about hosting a workshop.

The next card is a great, non traditional Christmas card. I have got to admit, when I seen this set in the catalog, Greeting Card Kids, it did not grab my attention. Now after using it in this card and seeing all of the amazing samples online I love it!

The above card is a nice Fall card with lots of great fall colors. This card was made with the Paisely Prints stamp set.

Lastly, here is another card and holder we made. This owl was made with the newish SU Owl punch. I was not a big fan of Owls, but of course, now I love them.

That is all for tonight. I can honestly say the best thing about my stamping hobby and business is getting together with friends while making beautiful handmade cards and gifts. That is the best part of being a demo. I never imagined doing stamp classes and clubs, but once I did my first one and had so much fun I was hooked.

Okay, enough with the sentimental stuff. I have to get back to preparing for my Stamp a Stack class tommorrow.

Mayra

Happy I Do Day

When I do Stamp classes I get lots of requests for Thank You and Birthday cards. They are the most commonly used and that is what people like to do the most. However, every now and then I get invited to a wedding or baby shower and think, if only I had a card ready to go for this. So my goal is to branch out in these next few months and in between holiday projects also do some versatile greeting cards.

Today's post is a Wedding card. I am not sure if you can see it clearly, but the "o" on do has a rinestone on it. Isn't that so appropriate for a wedding card! I love embellishments. No, I don't have a wedding to go to, but it is nice to have things on hand just in case, right?!

Here is the recipe to this card. This is another quick and easy one!

Stamps: Word Play
Ink: Baja Breeze
Paper: Basic Gray CS, Very Vanilla CS, Baja Breeze CS, Elegant Soiree DSP
Accessories: Rhinestones, Paper Piercer and mat

Busy, Busy...but always stamping!

Hello Ladies,

I apologize for the lack of posts recently. I have been extremly busy with my classes, clubs and family life. However, even if I am not posting you can bet I am still stamping! I usually make projects nightly or at least 4 times a week. I love it, it relaxes me and gives me a chance to do something just for me;) I promise to post more projects, more cards, and more ideas in the next few weeks.

Today's post features the stamp set Pun Fun. I got it recently and love it. I stamped the greetings on 3x3 mini cards, colored it in with Stampin' Pastels, added a color mat and VOILA! I think these are adorable cards and are UNBELIEVABLY quick and easy to make.

Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Check back with me soon for more ideas and stampin' inspiration!

Mayra

Holiday Mini Catalog is Here

The Holiday Mini Catalog is finally here! I have been waiting for a month to share it with you. I start thinking about Christmas in July. It is my favorite stamping time. This mini features something new to Stampin' Up! -- fabric! I don't sew but I am planning a few no sew or minimal sew projects to make with the new fabric. Imagine fabric on cards! Take a look and let me know what you think.

Mayra