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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.

So Charming!

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Genevieve Valdes

This week at Hand Stamped Sentiments it’s all about being charmed.  So I decided to create a stamped insert for my Simply Adorned charm.  I also created a matching gift card.  Wouldn’t this set be perfect for gift! I used the Charming stamp set to create the insert and the gift card.  For the Simply Adorned charm I stamped the medallion in Poppy Parade then embossed with Iridescent Ice.  The butterfly is die cut from the Beautiful Wings Sizzlit then also heat embossed with Iridescent Ice.

For the matching gift card I stamped the script in Silver Encore then stamped the medallion in Poppy Parade.  The flower swag is stamped in Silver Encore then heat embossed with Iridescent Ice.  The charm hanging from the ribbon is stamped with the medallion in Silver Encore then also heat embossed with Iridescent Ice then die cut with the 3/4″ circle punch.  I used silver cording to attach to the ribbon.  So easy!

click image to enlarge

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

All products are Stampin’ Up! unless noted.

Simply Adorned Charm insert and gift card

Size: charm insert 1″ x 1-1/4″

Stamps:  Charming

Paper: Card Stock:  Whisper White, Night of Navy

Ink:  Poppy Parade, Silver Encore, Versamark

Accessories:  Simply Adorned silver chain, Simply adorned charm 1″ x1-1/4″, Basic Rhinestone, Beautiful Wings Sizzlit die, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder

Technique: Die cutting, stamping, heat embossing

Charm Gift Card

Size: 3″ x 3″

Stamps:  Charming

Paper: Card Stock:  Whisper White, Silver

Ink:  Poppy Parade, Silver Encore

Accessories:  3/16″ Corner punch, 3/4″ circle punch, 1/16″ Circle punch, Basic Rhinestone, retired Silver cording, non-SU silver ribbon

Technique: Die cutting, stamping, heat embossing

Filed under: 3D projects, Charming, Gift Sets, Hand Stamped Sentiments Creative Challenge, Simply Adorned, Theme Challenge | Tagged: , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Clean and Simple

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Genevieve Valdes

Clean and simple is not easy.  It’s difficult to create a card where you have just enough and not too much.  My card is mostly white except for the butterfly and sentiment.  Dimension is created with layers and texture.  It came together very quickly once I decided to use the Floral Fest stamp set.  I stamped the flower image two times with Whisper White Craft ink and embossed with Iridescent Ice embossing powder.  The outer layer is punched with the Large Scallop punch and the next flower layer is hand cut with paper snips.  LOVE the Iridescent Ice embossing powder.  It adds so much without being too glitzy.  Click the image to enlarge and see the Iridescent Ice sparkle.  Here’s a sneak peak of one of the new In Colors Island Indigo.  The butterfly and sentiment are stamped in this new In Color.  The punch used for the sentiment is the Decorative Label punch.  Click here to see how to punch.

click image to enlarge

I created this card for The Paper Players’ challenge.

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

All products are Stampin’ Up! unless noted.

Clean and Simple Card

Size: 5.50″ h x 3.50″ w

Stamps:  Floral Fest, Short & Sweet

Paper: Whisper White Card Stock, Vellum

Ink:  Whisper White Craft Ink, Versamark

Accessories:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, Iridescent Ice Stampin Embossing Powder, Basic Rhinestones, 2-3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch, Butterfly Punch, Decorative Label Punch, dimensionals

Technique: Die cutting, stamping, heat and dry emboss

Filed under: Big Shot, Feminine Thank you cards, Flower Fest, Heat Embossing, Sketch Challenge, Stamp Sets, The Paper Players | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

Happy Birthday America!

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Genevieve Valdes
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Happy Birthday America!

Explosion Box

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This week at Hand Stamped Sentiments we’re celebrating America’s birthday so I created another explosion box with a cake inside.  I used My Digital Studio to print the inside panels.  I used the instructions from Glitter Adventure to make the box.  The cake was made with the Sizzix Cake, Three Tier 3D (Pop-Up) die.  This die is retiring and now 40% off.  See Accessories under the Last Chance List button on the right.  With this die the cake is so easy to make!  Create a project to celebrate America’s birthday and hop on over to HSS and show us your red, white and blue.

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

All products are Stampin’ Up! unless noted.

Happy Birthday America! Explosion Box

Size: 3.50″ h x 3.00″ w x 3.00” D

Stamps:  July Fourth Stamp Brush Set – Digital Download, Red, White, And Blue Digital Kit – Digital Download, Land Of The Free Stamp Brush Set – Digital Download

Paper: Cherry Cobbler CS, Night of Navy CS, Red Glitter Paper, White Photo Paper

Ink:  Inkjet Printer

Accessories:  Big Shot, , Sizzix Cake, Three Tier 3D (Pop-Up) die, Punch Pack, Scallop Border Punch, Stars #2 Originals Die, Clear rhinestone brad, non-Stampin’ Up! ribbon

Technique: Die cutting, Digital papercrafting

Filed under: 3D projects, Big Shot, Explosion Box, Fourth of July, Hand Stamped Sentiments Creative Challenge, My Digital Studio, Theme Challenge | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Stylish Blogger Award

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Genevieve Valdes

I am so excited to announce I received the Stylish blogger Award from Robbie Rubala of Inkedx2.

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I have see this award around some of the blogs I visit and I am happy to announce that it was passed  to me.  Since starting my blog the fall of 2009 I have had the pleasure of visiting and meeting other talented bloggers.  I am happy to have started my blog because now I can say I’m a member of the blogosphere and loving it!  It’s a wonderful way for me to share my projects and meet new people.

When you are awarded the Stylish Blogger Award, you are required to share 7 things about yourself to your readers.

#1:  I LOVE TO COOK

My close friends know I love to cook and entertain.  I love getting friends together for a casual evening of wine and dinner.  It’s a wonderful way to relax and enjoy good friends, food and wine. 

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#2  I HAVE THREE FUR CHILDREN

Our fur family started with me acquiring Chula, a beautiful fawn colored Chihuahua.  She was given to us by a family that was too busy with real children.  I’ve never been sorry to have her.  She has such a sweet personality and is very loving.  And like her mother she loves to eat.  Here she is in her robe drying after a bath.  This and her winter coat are her only clothes.  My husband won’t allow for other clothing.  I’m working on getting her a rain coat.

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Our other two fur children were acquired because my husband felt there was too much estrogen in our home.  So Rocco and Franco were added to our family.  They are two Bengal cats.  He wanted these cats because they are very athletic, loyal and known to follow their owners around like dogs.  They spend part of the day outside and are brought in around 3 pm.  When my husband is outside working in the garden they do follow him around.  Too bad they don’t help.

Click on photos to enlarge.

Here’s Franco, aka Chummy (because he’s very friendly)

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…and Chummy relaxing

Here’s Rocco, aka the Roc man

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Rocco also loves to climb trees

#3  I’M FROM A LARGE FAMILY

I am the oldest of seven children.  When I was growing up we never had to invite other children to our birthday parties because there were so many of us.  When my mother passed away we were all so young and my paternal grandmother raised us.  She was a strong intelligent woman that I miss very much. 

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#4 MY CAREER BACKGROUND IS RETAIL

I was in the retail field as a marketing manager for 26 years.  I worked with two Texas women’s chain stores.  I enjoyed my career very much and I am also now consulting for smaller companies under my other business name.  On Point Retail… still working on my website.

On Point logo final 2

#5 I AM A NATIVE SAN ANTONIAN

In this day and age where everyone is from everywhere except the town they live I live and work in my home town San Antonio.  I grew up in SPURS town, attended and graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio and worked in a wonderful career …all in SA! 

#6 I ATTENDED THE 1968 WORLD’S FAIR

When I was young my grandmother took my brother and me to the1968 World’s Fair.  WOW! That was so long ago but I have wonderful memories and I can say I was there.

#7 I NEVER PAY RETAIL

Because I’ve worked in retail as a buyer I never pay retail and always shop for the best price so when I got married in 1994 my wedding dress cost $80.  The top was all beaded with pearls.  I wanted a dress that wasn’t too traditional and one that was appropriate for an outdoor wedding.  This is what I ended up purchasing.  It’s actually a two-piece wedding dress.

German & Gen

And now to award 6 great bloggers.  I hate this because I just can’t pick 6.  but to comply with rules here they are….  Click on the headers below to congratulate and visit these talented bloggers. 

Filed under: Awards | Tagged: , | 2 Comments »

Here comes the bride!

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Genevieve Valdes

This week at Hand Stamped Sentiments we invite you to participate in our wedding theme challenge.  Create an invitation, a place card, a card, thank you cards, favor or table decoration.  My wedding creations are a Vellum petal favor box, Vellum flower decoration, place card and table number card.  The petal favor box is from a template I created and I’m selling it for $1.95.  Go to my Tutorial page to purchase.  The flower was created using the Fun Flowers Bigz L Die.  See below more details.  The place card and table number card were printed using My Digital Studio.

For the table card I printed on Vellum the the table number and flourish from My Digital Studio then attached it to the silver card stock by punching two holes at the top of the Vellum and silver card stock and tying with ribbon.  For a simple embellishment I punched the corner of the silver card stock with the corner Scallop Trim punch.

I love the Strength and Hope rubber and digital stamp set.  It’s so versatile.  The flourish image was perfect for these wedding projects.

I hope you’re inspired to create a project for this challenge.

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Petal box

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Petal box

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Place card

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Table card

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

All products are Stampin’ Up! unless noted.

Flower Table Decoration

Size:  3.50″ h x 3.50″ w

Stamps:  Always

Paper:  Vellum

Ink:  non-SU silver ink

Accessories:  Big Shot, , Fun Flowers Bigz L Die, Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Clear rhinestone brad

Technique: Stamping

Petal Box

Size:  3.00” w x 3.00” L x 2.50” H

Template:  Click here to purchase Petal box template and tutorial.

Stamps:  Strength & Hope flourish

Paper:  Vellum, Silver card stock

Ink:  non-SU silver ink

Accessories:  Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Basic Rhinestones

Technique: Stamping, die cutting

Place Card

Size:  3.00” w x 2.00” H

Digital Stamps:  Strength & Hope flourish

Paper:  Whisper White

Inkjet printer:  name printed in black, flourish 50% black opacity

Font:  Edwardian

Accessories:  non-SU silver frame from craft store

Technique: Digital crafting

Table Card

Size:  2.00” w x 4.00” H

Digital Stamps:  Strength & Hope flourish

Paper:  Silver, Vellum

Inkjet printer:  ‘Table 4’ printed in black, flourish 50% black opacity

Font:  Edwardian

Accessories:  Scallop Trim border punch, Basic Rhinestone, Crop-a-dile, non-SU silver ribbon, non-SU wire holder from craft store

Technique: Digital crafting

Filed under: 3D projects, Boxes, Hand Stamped Sentiments Creative Challenge, Paper Flowers, Stamp Sets, Strength & Hope, Theme Challenge, Wedding | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Sympathy card for a friend

Posted on June 8, 2011 by Genevieve Valdes

Recently my friend’s mother passed away and I needed to make a sympathy card.  She’s a dear friend and I was saddened to hear of the news.  I wanted my card to be elegant and to also let her know I was thinking about her and wished her comfort.   I wanted my card to be mostly neutral with a hint of color.  So Saffron was perfect.  I used a butterfly image because I think when our time here on earth is over our soul or energy, like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, we transform into something else.  The butterfly image I used is retired Stipple Butterfly.

I stamped the butterfly image with Versamark and Basic Black ink then embossed it with Iridescent Ice embossing powder.  I then used a yellow watercolor pencil with a blender pen to color the wings.  The embossing powder adds just a bit of shimmer.  Click on the image below to see the shimmer.   I embossed the background and the envelope flap with the Vintage Wallpaper folder then sponged with So Saffron ink.    See card recipe below for more details.

Sympathy butterfly card

click to enlarge

Sympathy card inside

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

All products are Stampin’ Up! unless noted.

Sympathy card

Size:  5.50″ h x 4.25″ w

Stamps:  retired Stipple Butterfly, Thanks for Caring Digital stamps

Paper:  CS:  Silver, So Saffron, Whisper White, Vellum

Ink:  So Saffron, Basic Black, Versamark, Yellow Watercolor pencil, Blender Pen

Accessories:  My Digital Studio, Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Scallop Oval punch, Corner Rounder punch, Basic Pearls, non-SU edge punch, non- SU ribbon

Technique: Embossing, Watercolor, Die cutting

Filed under: My Digital Studio, Stipple Butterfly, Sympathy, Thanks for Caring | Tagged: , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

For Dad

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Genevieve Valdes

Later this month is father’s day and to celebrate dad or that special guy in your life Hand Stamped Sentiment’s challenge this week is father’s day/masculine cards.

Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge #70

The idea for my Dad card from a picture frame.  I wanted to put each letter in DAD in a frame.  The Curly Label punch fit the bill.  I punched three shapes from the Newsprint DSP and six black ones from Basic Black card stock.  These I used to frame the Newsprint ones.  The next step was to texture the metal sheet with the Perfect Detail Texturz Plate.  The letters are die cut using my Big Shot and the Naturally Serif Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die.  I die cut a Basic Black and Riding Hood Red set.  I used the Basic Black letters as a shadow.  I also used the Buttons #5 Sizzlits to die cut some buttons from the Newprint DSP, Basic Black CS and Riding Hood Red CS  I used Hemp Twine for the buttons.  This card came together very easily.  Hop on over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and upload your manly card.  We’d love to see it!

click to enlarge

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

All products are Stampin’ Up! unless noted.

Dad card

Size:  6″ h x 3″ w

Stamps:  n/a

Paper:  Newsprint DSP; Card Stock:  Basic Black, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla

Ink:  n/a

Accessories:  Curly Label Punch, Buttons #5 Sizzlit, Naturally Serif Decorative Strip Sizzlit, Big Shot, Hemp Twine, Perfect Details Texturz Plate, non-SU metal sheet

Technique: Embossing, Die cutting

Filed under: Big Shot, Father's Day, Hand Stamped Sentiments Creative Challenge, Theme Challenge | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Graduation Explosion Box

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Genevieve Valdes

For our grandson’s graduation gift I made this explosion box.  I obtained the instructions for the box from the Glitter Adventure blog.  For the top I cut the sides so it would look more like graduation cap.  I had a great time making this box making sure not to over embellish since it was for our grandson.  The box was also suppose to hold what every graduate going to college is hoping for…a check.  I made a button from Cherry Cobbler card stock and covered it with Crystal Effect and let it dry overnight.  I then took wire to make the holder for the envelope.  I used a Sharpie marker to wrap the wire around it to make the loops.  All the sentiments were printed from My Digital Studio.  I downloaded pictures from his FB page to include in the pockets of the second layer.  The outer layer has pockets for other momentos or photos.  I decorated each layer before assembling.  Once all the layers were decorated I adhered the box.  I photographed each layer below.

Click on the photos to enlarge.

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

All products are Stampin’ Up! unless noted.

Graduation Explosion Box

Stamps:  Digital Stamps:  Go Graduate Plus, Great Grads Stamp, Word Play

Paper: Card Stock:  Silver, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla

Ink:  inkjet printer to print Cherry Cobbler sentiments

Accessories:  Crystal Effects, Glitter brads, Corner rounder punch, Decorative Label punch, Wide Oval Punch, 1-3/8 circle punch, Stars #2 Originals Die, Buttons #5 Sizzlits, silver brad, non-SU 1/4” satin ribbon, non-SU silver wire, mini-glue dot

Technique: Digital and paper crafting, die cutting

Filed under: Big Shot, Explosion Box, Graduation | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

It’s Time to say Goodbye

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Genevieve Valdes

Dates: June 1-30, 2011 (select items while supplies last)

It’s time to say goodbye! Hundreds of Stampin’ Up! products from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog and Definitely Decorative brochures are retiring, and now is the time for you to get them before they’re gone.   Last chance accessories will only be available while supplies last and sell out quickly.  I’ll  have an inventory list available on my blog .  Be sure to order your favorites now before they’re gone!

Click here to see and order all the items through my on-line store.

Last Chance Stamps List

Last Chance Accessories List ( note the discounted items)

Last Chance Definitely Decorative List

Filed under: Retiring Products | Tagged: , , , | Leave a comment »

A Fitting Thank you

Posted on May 31, 2011 by Genevieve Valdes

This week’s challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments is paper piecing.  This is a fun technique that adds lot of pizzazz to your hand stamp cards, and it’s easy to do!

HSS May Logos-004

All you have to do is stamp your image on paper or cardstock, cut it out and add it to your project.  You can keep it simple,  or use a more detailed stamp, stamp it on different colors and/or patterns of paper and layer your heart out!

For my project I used the Chic Boutique stamp set and the Love Letter DSP to paper piece the dress forms.  I used my Stamp-A-Ma–Jig to position the design on my form then stamped it with Versamark, Classic Black ink then heat embossed it Iridescent Ice Stampin‘ Emboss Powder.  I love this powder because it adds just the right sparkle.  I cut out the dress form images.  I stamped three dress forms on a Very Vanilla Top Note Layer that has been altered to look like a square.  I trimmed the Very Vanilla Top Note square layer by cutting along the perfed edge.  It’ very easy to make this shape.  Click here for  tutorial on creating this fun shape and a circle.  I die cut another shape in Riding Hood Red to layer behind the Very Vanilla.  So easy!  See below for card recipe.

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Click images to enlarge

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

All products are Stampin’ Up! unless noted.

Merci Dress Form Card

Top Note square tutorial:  Click here.

Size: 5.00″ x 5.00″

Stamps:  Chic Boutique

Paper: Card Stock:  Very Vanilla card base, Riding Hood Red; DSP:  Newsprint, Love Letter

Ink:  Riding Hood Red, Basic Black

Accessories:  Blender pen (used to color dress form base), Antique brad,  Basic pearls, iridescent embossing powder, heat tool, sponge dauber, Distressing Tool from Cutter kit, Ticket corner punch, 1-1/4” square punch for banner ends, Top Note die, Big Shot, Basic Black Satin Ribbon, Eyelet border punch, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

Technique: Stamping, Heat embossing, Paper Piecing

Save

Filed under: Chic Boutique, Feminine Thank you cards, Paper Piecing, Thank you cards | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

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