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    All content found at Stampin' by Genny is the sole responsibility of Genevieve Valdes, a Stampin’ Up! Independent Demonstrator. Stampin’ Up! does not endorse, edit, or otherwise contribute to this website.

New Creative Challenge blog! – Hand Stamped Sentiments

Looking for something new to do in paper crafting?  There’s a new place to go and play if you love creative challenges – Hand Stamped Sentiments!  Every week the designing team of Erin Gonzales, Shannon Eberhardt and me will post a new challenge for you to conquer.  Although we are dedicated to using Stampin’ Up! products in our creations, we want you to play no matter what your arsenal of supplies may consist of!

Winners will be awarded the Hand Stamped Sentiments (HSS) Top 5 Badge, to wear proudly on their blog.  If you don’t have a blog don’t worry.  You can post you’ve won on your public gallery.

Our first challenge is a color splash challenge.

Color Splash challenge #1

Now on to the projects.

Spring Song bird card

Click image to enlarge

Happiness Always box

Click to enlarge

All SU products for these projects may be purchased on my online website or you may email me to place your order.

You’re too Kind card

I just received the Spring Song stamp set as a Sale-a-bration reward.  I just couldn’t wait to use it.  I love the little bird stamp and had to use the watercolor technique to color him.  I first stamped the image on SU watercolor paper with Stayzon Timber Brown and I used the Dusty Durango Classic ink and blender pen to color his chest then used the SU Basic Gray watercolor pencil and blender pen to color the rest of his body.  I used the Chocolate Chip and More Mustard watercolor pencils and blender pens to color in the branch and his claws.  Using SU’s watercolor pencils and blender pen is so much fun!  I used the SU the tearing edge to tear the edges of the watercolor paper and turquoise background paper then adhered these with SNAIL.  Before adhering the gray CS to the card base I punched two holes with my paper piercer for the SU silver brads then adhered the gray paper to Rich Razzleberry card base.

I used my new SAB Scallop Trim punch on the Dusty Durango CS and adhered this layer to the card then adhered the watercolor paper and turquoise CS layers to the gray CS.

Stamped my sentiment “you’re too Kind” with the Rich Razzleberry then punched it out with the SU Wide Oval punch.  I sponged the edges of the oval with Rich Razzzleberry ink.

Stamp Sets:  Spring Song, Whimsical Words from SAB brochure

Paper: SU card stock:  Rich Razzleberry, Dusty Durango, SU watercolor paper, non-SU grey and turquoise paper,

Ink:  Stayzon Timber Brown, SU Classic Ink pads – Dusty Durango, Rich Razzleberry, Chocolate Chip, SU watercolor pencils – Chocolate Chip, Basic Gray

Accessories:  SU Scallop Trim Punch from the SAB brochure, SU silver brads, SU wide oval punch, non – SU ribbon

Techniques: stamping, paper punching, watercoloring

Happiness Always Box

This little box is perfect for a gift or for yourself to store little treasures that make you happy.

I first made the box with these templates. Box top & Box bottom

I used SU’s My Digital Studio to print the Razzleberry Brocade print on SU Whisper White.  I then printed the box top template on the backside then cut it out.  I also printed the box bottom template on the turquoise paper then cut it out. I used SNAIL to construct the top and the bottom of the box.

The flower is punched out with the SU Scallop Circle punch.  I then sponged the edges with Rich Razzleberry ink then made a cut between every second scallop.  To get the petals to lift I placed the flower on top of my paper piercing mat.  You can also use a piece of foam.  You just need something pliable.  I made little circles all over the back side of my flower with the flat end of my paper piercer, not the sharp end.  There’s a really good video of  making this flower here.

I then stamped the center from the “Enjoy Every Moment” stamp set on the gray CS with Dusty Durango ink and used an SU clear rhinestone brad to attach the center to the Scallop flower.  Instead of ribbon I used a paper sleeve enclosure.  Then decorated the sleeve with the sentiment “Happiness Always” and Scallop flower.

Stamps:  Whimsical Words from SAB brochure, Enjoy Every Moment

Paper: Used my MDS to print out the Razzleberry Brocade print on SU Cardstock: Whisper White, Dusty Durango, non-SU gray and turquoise

Accessories:  SU rhinestone brad, SU Scallop Circle Punch, SU Scallop Trim Punch, ¾” circle punch, SU dimensionals

Techniques: paper punching, sponging, digital crafting

More to {Heart}

So many ideas, so little time.  I have been busy getting creating samples for my event on Saturday and having so much fun with my new stamp sets and punches.  The paper for the heart pouch was obtained from the My Digital Studio.  I selected the background paper in MDS then saved it as a jpg.  I then opened it in Photoshop and imported the heart pouch image then printed it on Whisper White cardstock.  There are so many backgrounds in MDS you can use for hybrid projects.

Here are a few more of my samples.

heart pouch and box top

click to enlarge

All supplies below may be ordered from my website or email me to place your order.

Heart pouch project:

Stamp Sets:  I {Heart} Hearts 117010 or 118571 for clear mount, Hostess level 1 set Holiday Best

Paper: My Digital Studio (118108) polka dot background in Pretty in Pink, SU Cardstock: Whisper White 100730 and Real Red 102482

Ink:  Real Red 103133, Chocolate Chip 100908

Accessories:  SU White Satin ribbon 114616, SU Heart to Heart punch 113694, New SU Extra Large Fancy Flower punch 118073, New SU Small heart punch 117193, New SU Scallop Trim punch from the Sale-a-bration brochure, SU Scallop Circle punch 109043, SU dimensionals 104430 to adhere hearts, SU silver brad 104336 and used a mini glue dot 103683 to adhere the ‘LOVE’ heart to center of flower, SNAIL 104332, Crimper 101618 (I punched the Scallop Trim edge then I ran it through the Crimper and sponged it with Real Red.  I applied SNAIL to the back of the trim then adhered it to the heart.)

Techniques: stamping, paper punching

Template:  Click here for the heart pouch template.

Heart Top box project:

Stamps:  I {Heart} Hearts 117010 or 118571 for clear mount

Paper: SU Cardstock: Whisper White 100730, Real Red 102482

Accessories:  SU Heart to Heart punch 113694, SU Small heart punch 117193 , SU Pinking Hearts Border117649

Techniques: paper punching

Template:  Click here for the box template.

Simple Valentine’s card – Make & Take

I love the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set!  I know I keep saying this but there are so many cute hearts in this set and if you purchase it now Stampin’ Up! will donate $2 from every set sold to the Haitian Relief Fund.  So not only will you get this great stamp set but you’ll be doing your part to make a difference.  Now on to the card…

This is a simple Valentine card I CASED from Kay Kalhoff’s blog.  I love the simplicity of this card.  I didn’t layer as much as she did and I did not have the new Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die  so I used what I had and I think it turned out very cute.  I also stamped the envelope for that extra touch.  I am going to have my group make this card at my next event this weekend.  Thank you for the idea Kay!

click image to enlarge

Project info:  All SU products to create this card may be purchased from my SU website.

Simple Valentine Card

Stamp Sets:  I {Heart} Hearts stamp set (117101 wood, 118571 clear), sentiment from Whimical Words found in the Sale-a-bration brochure

Paper: SU Cardstock: Whisper White (100730), Real Red (102482), Specialty DSP Sending Love (117153)

Ink:  Real Red Classic ink pad (103133)

Accessories:  SU Whispler White organza ribbon (114319), SU Big Shot (113439) with SU small polka dot Texturz Plate from the Backgrounds 1 set (114512), SU full heart punch 113693), SU dimensional to adhere heart (104430) and SU mini glue dots to adhere ribbon to heart (103683), SU SNAIL adhesive (104332)

Techniques: stamping, paper punching

Haitian Disaster Relief

Help make a difference in the lives of those who continue to suffer from the effects of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12.  From now until February 28, 2010, Stampin’ Up! will set aside $2 from the sale of every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set and donate it to the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund.  The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

Product Name Item # Price
I {Heart} Hearts – clear-mount  (block D recommended) 118571 $18.95
I {Heart} Hearts – wood-mount 117010 $26.95
I {Heart} Hearts stamp set

I {Heart} Hearts stamp set

Lend a hand to the people of Haiti.  If you would like to purchase this stamp set you may order online from my website or email me.

I {Heart} Hearts – PPA 26 Anything but a Card

I ‘ve just had time to update my blog because I’ve been busy making projects with all my new stamps and punches from the new mini occasions catalog and Sale-a-bration brochure.  I am having so much fun.  So many ideas!  I will be posting projects made with products from the new mini and the Sale-a-bration brochure.  I will also be featuring the projects at my next workshop.  It will be dedicated to the new SU products and the free items you can earn during Sale-a-bration.  I am so excited!  I live in San Antonio and if you would like to join me on Saturday, January 30 please email me and I will let you know where and when.  I am also entering my two projects below for the PPA 26 Anything But a card challenge.  I am having so much fun creating Valentine and spring projects with my new stash.  I hope to see you at my next workshop and if you can’t attend but would like to place an order please email me me or order online.

The Hugs and Kisses holder can be made any size and it’s super easy.  Just follow the instructions on Monika’s blog (template info below).  I used my new scallop trim punch for the edges then sponged them with Pretty in Pink ink and made a tag by stamping the dot frame heart and ‘for you’ on the patterned paper then cut it out.  I then punched out various hearts withe my punches and adhered them with snail and dimensionals.  Very easy gift idea.

…Just in from now until February 28, 2010, $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set sold will be donated to the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund.  I will post more details about this on my next post.

The 3D heart ornament is also a very easy project.  You can make the heart as full as you want by adding more hearts.  The info and step by step instructions are below.

heart ornaments & basket

click image to enlarge

Project info:

Hugs and Kisses Holder

Stamp Sets:  I {Heart} Hearts, ‘for you’ from the Happy Moments Sale-a-bration stamp set

Paper: SU Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Specialty DSP Sending Love

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink

Accessories:  SU Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon, SU Scallop Trim Punch, SU full heart punch, SU Heart to Heart punch, SU small heart punch, SU sponges, SU dimensionals

Techniques: stamping, paper punching

Template:  I obtained the template for the basket from Monika Davis’ blog, http://monikastamp.wordpress.com/2010/01/07/more-on-the-hugs-kisses-holder/ Thank you Monika!

3D Heart Ornament

Paper: SU Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Specialty DSP Sending Love

Accessories:  SU silver cord, SU full heart punch

Techniques: paper punching

Template:  I obtained the template for the heart ornament from this website http://rubberstamping.about.com/od/projects/ig/3D-Heart-Ornament/ The heart ornament would also be great to use as an embellishment on front of a card.

Sale-a-bration for hobby stampers

Right now during Sale-a-bration the standard starter kit and digital starter kits are an additional 15% off and choose a bonus stamp set valued up to $47.95.  WOW!  That’s a lot of Stampin’ Up! products.   You don’t have to be a career demonstrator to purchase these kits.  If stamping is your hobby and you’re looking for a way to get more value for your money now is the time.  However if you want stamping to be your career then join my Stampin’ Friends Circle.  See below for all the benefits.  Promotion ends March 31, 2010.

  • Sign Up On-line. Get immediate benefits.  Simply email me for my password.
  • Receive 30% off your first order of $150 or more plus qualify for hostess benefits. During Sale-A-Bration you’ll also earn 3 free gifts with a $150 order (one for every $50 in product).
  • Enjoy 20% off every day.
  • Have the opportunity to order select new stamps and products one month in advance of  catalog releases!
  • There’s no obligation to sell or hold workshops and no penalty if you decide to drop.  You keep all your goodies.
  • To remain active, $300 in total retail sales is required per quarter.  This includes your own purchases and customer sales (based on retail prices).
  • Join now!  The end of the first full quarter isn’t until June 30.  You would be guaranteed discounts and benefits until then.
  • If your sales reach $300 by June 30, you remain active through September 30 (third quarter).  Your discounts continue through the release of the new 2010-2011 catalog (July 1) and In Colors.
Starter Kit Regular Price
Sale-A-Bration Price (15% off) + bonus stamp set valued up to $47.95
Standard Starter Kit $199 $169
Digital+ Starter Kit $185 $157

Standard kit contents:

image of standard kit

Standard kit

Rubber Stamp Sets

  • Fun & Fast Notes (p. 56) or your choice up to $33.95
  • On a Pedestal  (p.71) or your choice up to $19.95
  • Eastern Blooms (p. 108) or your choice up to $21.95
  • Elegant Thank-You (p. 144) or your choice up to $8.95
  • Teeny Tiny Wishes (p. 145) or your choice up to $36.95

Stampin’ Around Wheel (Fast Flowers, p. 56) or your choice of a regular sized wheel
Stampin Around Wheel Handle (regular size)
Stampin’ Around Ink Cartridge (Pixie Pink or your color choice/uninked)
Stampin’ Pastels (51 Stampin’ Up! colors, 6 applicators, 1 eraser)
2 Packages Bold Brights Assorted Color Card Stock (8.5 x 11″) or any color family (including In Colors).  Both packs must be identical.
Whisper White Card Stock (8.5 x 11″) or your choice up to $7.50
SNAIL Adhesive
Décor Elements Medium Chocolate Eastern Blooms (or other Decor Elements Choice of the same or lower price)
Décor Elements Applicator Tool
Stampin’ Scrub
Stampin’ Mist
VersaMark Pad
Blender Pens
5 Classic Stampin’ Pads (Basic Black, Real Red, Brilliant Blue, Green Galore, Pixie Pink or your choice of any five Stampin’ Up! Classic ink colors)
8 Catalogs, Business Forms and Tools to Help You Get Started
SHIPPING IS INCLUDED!!! (Sales tax is additional)

Digital Starter Kit contents

Digital starter kit

Digital Starter kit

  • My Digital Studio software
  • Party Hearty ($26.95, p. 69) and Petal Pizzazz ($32.95, p. 113) stamp sets or your choice up to value of stamp set.
  • Whisper White card stock (8-1/2″ x 11″) or your choice of 8.5 x 11 neutral card stock of equal value.
  • Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2″ x 11″) or your choice of assorted card stock pack
  • Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, and Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin’ Pads or your choice of Classic Stampin’ Pad
  • Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and Real Red Stampin’ Write Markers or your choice of Stampin’ Write Markers.
  • Chocolate Chip 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon or your choice  1/4″ grosgrain ribbon color.
  • Real Red 1″ double-stitched grosgrain ribbon or your choice of 1″ double stitched grosgrain ribbon.
  • Button Latte Designer Buttons or your choice of designer buttons.
  • Stampin’ Dimensionals
  • Mini Glue Dots
  • SNAIL Adhesive
  • Business supplies (product catalogs, order forms, training DVD, and other supplies)

OPTIONAL STAMPIN’ MEMORIES SCRAPBOOKING ADD-ON for Standard or Digital kit:  $50 (Valued at $80+)

1 Package Bold Brights or Your Choice Assorted 12 x 12 Colored Card Stock  (p. 156)
Schoolbook Serif (p. 151) or your choice of Alphabet Stamp Set Up to $43.95
Simply Scrappin’  Petal Party (p. 166) or your choice of Kit
Craft Stampin’ Ink Pad.  Whisper White or your choice of Craft Stampin’ Pad
Stampin’ Write Journaler (p. 190).  Basic Black or your choice of color.
SHIPPING IS INCLUDED!!! (Sales tax is additional)

NOTE: Stampin’ Memories Add-On must be ordered in conjunction with the starter kit

Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge #61 – A Knight’s Tale

This week’s challenge was the movie A Knight’s Tale. I love this movie.  A mixture of old in that takes place in medieval times and new because current music was used for the soundtrack.  Very clever.   What I remember best is that no dream is too big and to follow your heart’s passion.  Which is the theme for my card, Follow your Heart it knows the Way! I chose pink for the character Jocelyn (William’s heart’s desire) and brown for William’s ruggedness.  The stamp, punches and patterned paper are from the Occasion’s mini.  The hardware is from the silver Hodgepodge set.   Here’s my card.

Follow your heart card

click for larger image

All Stampin’ Up! items below may be ordered from my website.  The scallop trim square was all done with the Scallop Trim punch from the Sale-a-bration brochure.  I don’t have the Scallop Trim Corner punch so I used the instructions for making a regular scallop square from Heather Summers and used the Scallop Trim punch instead.  Here’s here tutorial video.

Stamp Sets:  Whimsical Words from the Sale-a-bration brochure

Paper: SU Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Regal Rose Kraft Brown and Specialty DSP Sending Love Specialty

Ink:  Chocolate Chip

Accessories:  SU star brad from the silver Hodgepodge Hardware set, SU silver brads, SU Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon, The Big Shot Top Note die, SU Scallop Trim Punch from the Sale-a-bration brochure

Techniques: stamping, paper punching

Adorable Parc for PPA24

I have been meaning to make a card with the stamp set French version of Pendant Park.  It has a beautiful tree and border that I love.  So for this week’s PPA sketch challenge I decided to use these two stamps and the sentiment from the French Pendant Park set.  I combined Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla and Brushed Gold card stock with Really Rust DSP from the Hostess level 1 pack.  I added the metallic swirl and vintage brads to accent the metallic paper.  For another metallic touch I stamped the tree and the border with gold Encore ink and heat set it.  To help me stamp the border straight and extend it I used my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig.  I enjoyed playing along with this challenge.  For more inspiration go to PPA and see all the beautiful cards created by the designers.

Pendant Park Bonjour card

click image to enlarge

All Stampin’ Up! items below may be ordered from my website.

Stamp Sets:  Adorable Parc (French version of Pendant Park) 116843

Paper: SU Chocolate Chip 102128, Brushed gold 102935, Very Vanilla 101650 , Really Rust from DSP Patterns Pack III, Hostess level one 116234

Ink:  Chocolate Chip Classic ink 100908  for sentiment, Encore gold 101017 for tree and border (heat set the gold ink)

Accessories:  SU vintage brads 109109 , SU Stamp-A-Ma-Jig 101049, SU heat tool 100005, non SU metal swirl clip

Techniques: stamping

Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge #60 – The Chronicles of Narnia

I recently discovered the Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge blog and I love the idea of being inspired by movies.  This is the first challenge of the year and Sankari Wegman with Brooke Stockman are the talented designers for this site.  Please visit their blog and play along.  Their cards are fabulous!

Here is the card I created for the The Chronicles of Narnia challenge.  A great movie with so much inspiration – colors, scenes, characters and sentiments.  The most memorable character in the film for me is Aslan.  Maybe it’s because I love big cats.  His courage and strength are what make his character bigger than life not mention he is big and sometimes ferocious.  I decided to create a card about his courage.

Theme: Courage – Courage comes from the Heart

Update: After submitting my card for the challenge  I realized I wasn’t completely happy with my original card.  I felt it needed more on the outside of the wardrobe.  I have added the updated card to show how much I think the card improved.

Courage card

Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge #60 - The Chronicles of Narnia- Courage comes from the Heart

Improved card - Click for larger image

Courage card inside

Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge #60 - The Chronicles of Narnia - Courage comes from the Heart

Updated card inside wardrobe

Updated card - click to enlarge image

Stamp Sets: N/A (updated card Pendant Park border on the wardrobe doors)

Paper: SU Kraft Brown CS, SU Brushed Gold, SU Really Rust, SU Chocolate Chip

Ink: N/A, (updated card – I stamped the Pendant Park border with Versamark then embossed with SU gold embossing powder.)

Accessories: SU paper snips, SU gold elastic cord, SU The Big Shot and Top Note Die , SU Snail, SU gold embossing powder and heat set with SU heat tool, heart gemstones, yellow glitter glue, heart brads

Techniques: digital paper crafting and stamping

Easy “Be Mine Valentine” card

This Valentine card is very easy to create.  I stamped the background and used a Top Note shape then decorated with hearts, ribbon and stamped the Valentine sentiment which is part of the Holiday Best hostess stamp set.  All you need to do to earn this stamp set is have a workshop of $150.  If you’re interested in learning what other stamp sets you can earn please email me.  If you are planning on having a workshop I do all the project planning all you have to do is invite your friends and have fun.

click image for larger view

Stamp Sets: Holiday Best hostess set, retired Antique background stamp (good substitute, French Filigree or Bella Toile)

Paper: SU Very Vanilla, Real Red, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Encore gold ink (heat set)

Accessories: SU Very Vanilla ribbon, Big Shot and Top Note die, non SU heart template and small heart punch

Techniques: stamping, die cutting