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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.

Wonderfall leaves and Sweater weather go together

Posted on September 24, 2013 by Genevieve Valdes

September 22nd marks the beginning of fall and no more 100 degree days.  Ahhh so nice!  It’s been a wonderful 84 degrees and with the change of the weather it inspired me to create this card for Hand Stamped Sentiments sketch challenge.  I played with the Sweater Weather DSP featured in the Stampin’ Up! holiday catalog.  Such pretty colors – Chocolate Chip, Crushed Curry, Sahara Sand, Soft Sky, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla and Whisper White – make this paper perfect for all your fall projects.

I started with a Very Vanilla card base and die cut the leaves with the Autumn Accents Bigz die.  For the leaves I used cardstock and the Sweater Weather DSP.  I sponged the edges with Early Espresso and used the Houndstooth and Wood Grain embossing folders for texture.  For bling and sparkle I colored basic rhinestones with Sharpies and spritzed my card with Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz.  It’s hard to photograph and show how sparkly the Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Sprintz looks but if you enlarge the photo you should be able to see it.

Stampin' Up! wonderfall leaves and sweater weather dsp

click image to enlarge

Go to Hand Stamped Sentiments to see the other projects created by our very talented design team and be inspired!

Hand Stamped Sentiments Sketch Challenge 169

Wonderfall leaves and Sweater Weather Card

Size:  4.25″ w x 5.50″ h

Stamp Sets:  Tags 4 You

Paper:  Cardstock:  Crushed Curry, Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla; DSP Sweater Weather

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso (for sentiment)

Acessories:  Basic Rhinestones, Houndstooth and Wood Grain Embossing Folders, Decorative Label and Label Bracket Punches, Bigz Autumn Accents Sizzix Die, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz

Filed under: Bells & Boughs, Fall projects, Hand Stamped Sentiments Creative Challenge, Sketch Challenge, Stamp Sets, Tags 4 You | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Something for Everyone – The Retired List is Here!

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Genevieve Valdes

It’s a big day today hundreds of stamps and accessories from the 2012-2013 catalogs are retiring, and you get the chance to get them before they’re gone. Many products are only available while supplies last, so be sure to get your orders in early!  WOW, some items are discounted so don’t wait.  See all the products now by clicking on the links below.

Retiring Stamps – PDF (Available April 24 – June 3, 2013)

Retiring Stamps – Sortable Excel file

Retiring Accessories – PDF (Available April 24 – June 3, 2013 or while supplies last)

Retiring Accessories – Sortable Excel file

Visit my blog to be updated on what’s available.  For the next two weeks, I’ll be sharing a daily (Monday – Friday) update of current inventory (and what’s sold out).

So many items to choose from but order now for best selection!  To place your order from website click here or email me to place your order.

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

Easter Egg Card

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Genevieve Valdes

This week at Hand Stamped Sentiments we have a color challenge with the colors of Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze, Rich Razzleberry and any neutral.  With Easter around the corner I created this Easter egg card.  I used the Ovals Collection Framelits to create the different layers.  The scalloped layer is embossed with the Perfect Polka dots embossing folder.  The images are from the Everybunny stamp set and water colored using an aqua pen and ink pads.  The images are framed with flowers die cut with the  Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack and embellished with rhinestones.

I hope these colors inspire you to join us this week at Hand Stamped Sentiments.

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.

Easter Egg card

Stamp Sets:  Everybunny

Paper:  Cardstock:  Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Baja Breeze; DSP Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper, Watercolor paper

Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Versamark

Acessories:  Big Shot, Ovals Collection Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder, Early Espresso Embossing powder, Clear embossing powder, Aqua pen, 1/2″ Daffodil Delight Seam Binding, Basic Rhinestones,

Filed under: Color Splash Challenges, Easter cards, Everybunny, Hand Stamped Sentiments Creative Challenge, Spring | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

I’ve been awarded the Versatile Blogger award

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Genevieve Valdes

My blog, Stampin’ by Genny, was awarded the VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD by Erin Gonzales, my SU upline and fellow design team member at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  She’s a good friend, always so helpful and super talented.

 There are just a few requirements for the Versatile Blogger Award:
1. Award 15 other blogs with this FUN mention -AND-

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

Fifteen blogs… hmmm.  I thought it would be difficult to come up with fifteen but I go to so many it wasn’t difficult at all.  Here are the 15 I came up with.  Please visit these wonderfully creative blogs and say hi.

1. Crafty Maria’s Stamping World

And now 7 things about me…

1.  I love to cook!  Not bake but cook! I don’t know if I’m lucky but desserts and sweets don’t tempt me.  Not only do I love to cook for my husband and friends but I love to eat.

2.  I have three fur children.  Chula (my beautiful Chihuahua), Chummy (a very communicative Bengal cat) and Rocco ( a sweet and loving Bengal cat).

left to right - Rocco, Chummy, Chula

3.  I live in the country so every day I see lots of deer and wildlife.  The photos below were taken in my yard.

4.  I’ve been married for 17 years to my best friend.  My husband is the best.

5.  I am so lucky to have wonderful friends.  Many I’ve met through paper crafting and work.  I wish we could spend more time together but life happens.

6.  I’ve always been creative and I truly think that my creativity and love of crafting comes from my grandmother.  She was a professional seamstress and during the depression she was able to earn a living because of it.  Not only did she know how to sew but she crocheted, embroidered and smocking.  She also was very crafty and made our piñatas for our birthday parties for me and my siblings.  Below is a picture of me and my brother in outfits she sewed for us.

7.  I love gardens.  When my husband and I go on vacation we always visit botanical gardens.  At home I have a beautiful garden that my husband planted for me.

I hope you liked getting to know me better and be sure to visit all the wonderful blogs mentioned above.

Filed under: Versatile Blogger award | Tagged: , , , | 3 Comments »

It’s not too early for Christmas

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Genevieve Valdes

This week at Hand Stamped Sentiments we have a technique challenge.  You have your choice of making a project with a shaving cream, crayon or pastel technique  I chose to do the poppin’ pastel technique.  This is a very easy technique.  You stamp your image then use a sponge dauber with pastels and color away.  So easy!

For my card this week I chose to do a Christmas card with the Christmas Collage background stamp.  I inked up the stamp with Versamark then used Real Red, Always Artichoke and Chocolate Chip pastels to add color.  I distressed the edges then sponged with Soft Suede.

click image to enlarge

I then stamped again just the 25 with Versamark and heat embossed with gold.  I punched it out with the 1-1/2″ circle punch then glittered the edges with Champagne glass glitter.  I had some leftover scraps of retired Deck the Halls dsp and punched with my Decorative Label punch.  I used the Versamark pen to outline the edges then heat embossed with gold.  I made a lollie from another scrap of 1″ x 12″ scrap of retired Deck the Halls DSP.  I then assembled my 25 then adhered to my card.  To frame the image I used the Eyelet border punch and punched some scraps from retired Deck the halls and heat embossed the edges with gold.  Such a pretty detail.

The sentiment Seasons Greeting is from Snow Swirled and I also heat embossed with gold.

click image to enlarge

Hop on over to HHS and see more inspiration for this challenge from our talented Design Team.

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.

Christmas Collage Card

Size:  6.5o”  H x 5.00” W

Stamp sets: Christmas Collage, Snow Swirled

Paper: Cherry Cobbler Card base, Very Vanilla, retired Deck the Halls DSP

Ink: Versamark pad and pen, Stampin’ Pastels – Real Red, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Basic Pearls, Champagne Glass Glitter, Gold Embossing Powder, Decorative Label Punch, 1-1/2″ inch circle punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Heat tool, Simply Scored

Filed under: Christmas, Christmas Collage, Hand Stamped Sentiments Creative Challenge, Poppin' Pastels, Poppin' Pastels, Snow Swirled, Technique Challenge | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments »

Established Elegance

Posted on October 4, 2011 by Genevieve Valdes

This week at Hand Stamped Sentiments we have a color challenge.  Let’s see what you can create with the colors of Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie and Night of Navy.  I was inspired by the rich colors to use the Established Elegance  stamp set.

Click image to enlarge

I stamped the dress form image on a tag made with Very Vanilla card stock.  The DSP is printed using My Digitial Studio.  I also used the frames embossing folder to frame the bust form.  Hop on over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and see more inspiration from our design team.

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.

Established Elegance Card

Size:  4.25” H x 5.50” W

Stamp sets: Established Elegance

Paper: Very Vanilla, Textured Cherry Cobbler, MDS printed DSP

Ink: Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Designer Frames Embossing folders, Big Shot, Basic Pearls, Heart Punch, 1-3/8″ circle punch

Filed under: Established Elegance, Feminine Thank you cards, Friendship, Thank you cards | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

A Stitched Up Thank You!

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Genevieve Valdes

We’re in stitches over at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  This week’s challenge is to create a project using faux or real stitches.  This challenge was perfect for inspiring me to use my sewing machine.  I needed to create a thank you card for a dear friend so I combined both tasks.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA I used a zig zag stitching all around my card and used the Paisley Prints DSP along with one of my favorite stamp sets Nature Walk.  I hope you’re inspired to join us at Hand Stamped Sentiments.

All Stitched Up

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.

Stitched Up Thank You Card

Size: 4.25” H x 5.50” W

Stamp sets: Nature Walk, Ornate Blossom, Three LIttle Words

Paper: Card base:  Always Artichoke, Card Stock:  Marina Mist, Whisper White; DSP; Paisley Prints and Digital printed  First Edition

Ink: Early Espresso, Marina Mist, Digital DSP printed on ink jet printer

Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Clear Embossing Powder for embossing bird image, VersaMark, Basic Rhinestones colored with Sharpie, 1/4” Whisper White grosgrain ribbon, non-Stampin’ Up! thread

Filed under: Feminine Thank you cards, Nature Walk, Ornate Blossom, Thank you cards, Three Little Words | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

Strength & Hope Class

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Genevieve Valdes

This is a reminder that today, August 15th, is the last day to sign up for the Strength & Hope Class. 

This class will give you the opportunity to make beautiful cards and a 3D item and have the option to take your own stamp set home.  Do this and help the BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION earn money.

For every Strength and Hope stamp set that is sold from now until the end of August $2 will be donated to the BCRF!!! Everyone can help, and you get to go home with awesome projects.  There are a few options you have to choose from-

Click here to see class options.  For your convenience you can pay online!

I hope you’ll join me for this cause.

Filed under: Strength & Hope | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »

BTS so soon!

Posted on August 9, 2011 by Genevieve Valdes

It’s back to school time again! Where did the time go?! This week at Hand Stamped Sentiments the challenge is to create a school themed project. I remembered I had some pictures of my niece’s first day of 2nd grade so I created a matchbook album. This album was so easy to create.

 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Album open with cards inside

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Other cards for the album

 Ariel Matchbook Album

Step 1: Start with card stock 3-7/8″ x 9-1/4″. Score at 4″ and 8-1/2″ and fold both flaps in so that the long flap tucks under the short flap.

Step 2: Create cards for the inside by cutting card stock into 3-5/8″ x 4-3/8″ pieces. You can make as many as you like, but four or five is recommended. More than five and the book will get a little too full.

Step 3: Adhere photos and embellish!

So easy! Check out Hand Stamped Stamped Sentiments for more BTS inspiration and join our 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.

Matchbook Album

Size: 3-7/8″ w x 4-1/2″ h

Digital stamp sets: My Digital Studio School Days, Schoolbook Serif Numbers

Rubber Stamps: Itty Bitty Bits

Paper: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Real Red

Ink: Inkjet printer , white gel pen

Accessories: Stripes Textured Impressions Folder, Big Shot, Naturally Serif Sizzlits Decorative Strip Die, retired Real Red grosgrain ribbon, silver brads, Punch Pack Trio, 1″ cirlce punch, 1-1/4″ circle punch, 2-1/2″ circle punch


Filed under: Matchbook Album, My Digital Studio, School Days, School Projects, Schoolbook Serif Numbers, Scrap book Projects, Theme Challenge | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

NEW Class – Strength and Hope

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Genevieve Valdes

CLASS:  Strength & Hope Card Class – for Breast Cancer Research Foundation

DATE:  August 26

TIME:  6 pm to 8 pm (Central)

LOCATION:  2811 Stokely Hill, 78258

This class will give you the opportunity to make beautiful cards and have the option to take your own stamp set home.  Do this and help the BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION earn money.

For every Strength and Hope stamp set that is sold from now until the end of August $2 will be donated to the BCRF!!! Everyone can help, and you get to go home with awesome projects.  There are a few options you have to choose from-

Option 1 is $20: Class & Projects – this option will allow you the opportunity to make the class projects (4 cards of different designs) and a package of pearls to be used on your projects.  Envelopes are included with this class fee.

Option 1 - $20

Option 2 is $33: Class & Projects & Clear Mount Stamp Set– this option will give you the following.

  • projects (4 cards of different designs includes envelopes)
  •  package of pearls (150, 3 sizes)
  • clear mount Strength & Hope stamp set

With this option you are getting a $5 discount off the basic class option.  PLUS Stampin’ Up! will donate $2 to the BCRF thanks to you!!!

Option 2 - $33

Option 3 is $37: Class & Projects & Wood Mount Stamp Set– this option will give you the following

  • projects (4 cards of different designs includes envelopes)
  • package of pearls (150, 3 sizes)
  • wood mount Strength & Hope stamp set

With this option you are getting a $5 discount on the basic class option, PLUS Stampin’ Up! will donate $2 to the BCRF thanks to you!!!

Option 3 - $37

Space is limited for this class and due to the need of product for this class a PRE-PAID registration is required no later than August 15th.  Be sure to RSVP TODAY for your spot.  You may pay via PAYPAL  or mail a check/money order to me at 419 Misty Water Lane, San Antonio TX 78260.


Filed under: Classes, Strength & Hope | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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