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2012 in review

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Genevieve Valdes

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for my blog.  Thank you to all of my followers and visitors.  I love creating and posting and it’s because of you that it makes it all worth while.

Here are my crunchy numbers:

19,000 people fit into the new Barclays Center to see Jay-Z perform. This blog was viewed about 84,000 times in 2012. If it were a concert at the Barclays Center, it would take about 4 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

In 2012, there were 66 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 291 posts. There were 259 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 174 MB. That’s about 5 pictures per week.

The busiest day of the year was January 25th with 1,161 views. The most popular post that day was Sea of Love Valentine Card.  I hope I can beat this number in the coming year!

Attractions in 2012

These are the posts that got the most views in 2012.

How did my visitors find me?

Some visitors came searching, mostly for stampin up wedding card ideas, valentine cards, corset template, stampin up christmas treats, and stampin up blogs.

Thank you to my top referring sites in 2012 were:

  1. splitcoaststampers.com
  2. paperpunchaddiction.com
  3. demosites.blogspot.com
  4. handstampedsentiments.blogspot.com
  5. pinterest.com

Where did my visitors come from?

They came from 144 countries!
Most visitors came from The United States. Canada & Australia were not far behind.

Who were they?

My most commented post in 2012 was Sea of Love Valentine Card

These were your 5 most active commenters:

Thank you!

See you in 2013

I look forward to your visits!

Filed under: 2012 Blog Summary | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Swallowtail butterfly card Sneak Peek

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Genevieve Valdes

This week I am excited to share with you a sneak peek of a beautiful stamp from the upcoming Stampin’ Up! 2013 Spring Catalog.  This stamp is so detailed and the size is fabulous!  It measures approximately 5.50″ wide x 4.25″ high.  The challenge this week on Hand Stamped Sentiments is the -baby wipe technique.  This technique allows you to add many different ink colors to an image.  You can find a tutorial here on SCS.

I used Rich Razzleberry, Pumpkin Pie and Melon Mambo ink.  I cut out the butterfly with paper snips then sprayed it with Vanilla Smooch Spritz.   The Rich Razzleberry layer was textured with Backgrounds 1 Stampin’ Up! Texturz Plates polka dots.  I also embellished with basic rhinestones.

The sentiment is embossed with Iridescent Embossing Powder over the Melon Mambo.

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Please join us at Hand Stamped Sentiments this week.  We would love to see your project.

hss 149

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.

Swallowtail Friend card

Size:  6.00″ H x 6.00″ W

Stamp Sets:  Swallowtail stamp, Affection Collection

Paper:  Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry

Ink:  Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry

Embellishments:  Big Shot, Backgrounds 1 Stampin’ Up! Texturz Plates, Modern Label punch, 5/8″ Organza ribbon, basic rhinestones, Vanilla Smooch Spritz

Filed under: Baby Wipe Technique, Friendship, Hand Stamped Sentiments Creative Challenge, Swallowtail | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Technical Difficulties and Snowflakes

Posted on November 18, 2012 by Genevieve Valdes

This past week my internet was down and was unable to post.  After a week of no internet we finally figured it was time to replace our router.  Although I was not able to post my project in time I still wanted you to see my project.  It’s a hybrid tag created on MDS2.  My project was for Hand Stamped Sentiments snowflake challenge.  I created a tag in MDS2 and die cut the snowflake using the snow flurry die and the paper is Stampin’ Up’s! champagne glitter paper.  I embellished the center of the snowflake with a large pearl.  MDS2 is so easy to use.

Hybrid MDS2 snowflake tag

click to enlarge

There’s still time to join Hand Stamped Sentiments for their snowflake 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.

Hybrid Snowflake Card

Size:  6.00″ H x 3.00″ W

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Champagne Glitter Paper

Digital Paper:  Beau Chateau #3 paper

Embellishments:  Big Shot, Snow flurry die, Pool Party 1/2″ Seam binding ribbon, Dimensionals

Filed under: Big Shot, Christmas, Hand Stamped Sentiments Creative Challenge, Theme Challenge | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Wonderfall Leaves

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Genevieve Valdes

This week I created a card for Hands Stamped Sentiments color challenge of More Mustard, Old Olive, Early Espresso and Elegant Eggplant.  I used the same technique for the leaves as in my fall easel card.  This card was easy and fast.  The Wonderfall leaves stamp set and die make it super easy to create leaves.  I used the Fancy Fan Textured Impressions folder for the background.  I love the pattern it’s so vintage!  I used the Scallop border punch for the More Mustard layer and I used one of the Finishing Touches Edgelits Dies for the Elegant Eggplant cut-out border.  For some sparkle, I die cut one of the leaves from the Champagne Glitter paper.  I love this paper.  Just a little goes a long way.  The sentiment is from the Day of Gratitude stamp set and embossed with clear embossing powder.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Join us this week at Hand Stamped Sentiments and show us your color splash.  We’d love to see it!

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.

Wonderfall Leaves Card

Size:  4.25″ H x 5.50″ W

Stamp sets:  Day of Gratitude, Wonderfall

Ink:  Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Old Olive

Paper:  Very Vanilla, More Mustard, Elegant Eggplant, Champagne Glitter Paper

Embellishments:  Decorative Label Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Big Shot, Autumn Accents Bigz Die, Finishing Touches Edgelits Dies, Fancy Fan Textured Impressions folder, Basic Rhinestones, Linen Thread, Naturals Designer buttons

Filed under: Color Splash Challenges, Day of Gratitude, Fall projects, Feminine Thank you cards, Hand Stamped Sentiments Creative Challenge, Masculine Thank you cards, Stamp Sets, Thank you cards, Thanksgiving, Wonderfall | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Herringbone Halloween Card

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Genevieve Valdes

I recently purchased the MDS2 upgrade and I LOVE IT!  It’s so much easier to work with and so many new features.  I was so excited about it that I created this week’s Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge project using MDS2 to create the Herringbone technique.  I used the Houndstooth & Scaringbone digital DSP to create the background.  It was so easy to create digitally.  For a tutorial on how to create this technique go to SCS.  So easy!!

My digital Studio Halloween card

click image to enlarge

Visit Hand Stamped Sentiments to see all the wonderful projects from our very talented design team.  I hope you’re inspired to give this technique a try.  It’s so much fun!

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.

My Digital Studio 2 Halloween Herringbone Card

Approx. Size:  4.25″ W x 5.50″ H

Digital Stamp sets:  Spooky Things, Splatters/Ink 4

Digital Paper: Card Stock:    Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Textured Tangerine Tango

Digital Embellishments:  Basic Rhinestones large, Satin Basic Gray bow ribbon

Filed under: Halloween, Hand Stamped Sentiments Creative Challenge, Herringbone, My Digital Studio | Tagged: , , , , , | 6 Comments »

Fashionable In-color owls

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Genevieve Valdes

This week at Hand Stamped Sentiments we have a color challenge.  Create any project with the new Stampin’ Up! colors of Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit, Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple.  These colors are so cheerful together so what better way to show off these colors than on very smartly dressed owls!  I used all the colors to dress up my owls and completed the look with some bling.

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Go to Hand Stamped Sentiments and see all the wonderful projects from our talented design team.  Get inspired and join us!

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.

Fashionable In-Color Owls

Approx. Size:  4.25″ W x 5.50″ H

Stamp sets:  Mixed Bunch

Paper: Card Stock:    Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit, Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple; DSP:  Patio Party

Ink:   Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green

Accessories:  Big Shot, Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing folder, Owl Builder punch, Bird Builder punch, 1-3/8″ circle punch, Basic Rhinestones

Filed under: Color Splash Challenges, Hand Stamped Sentiments Creative Challenge, Owl cards | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Inspired again by Stampin’ Up’s Idea Book & Catalog – A Frames Framelit Pouch

Posted on July 3, 2012 by Genevieve Valdes

This week’s challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments is a color challenge of – Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight and Baja Breeze.  Gorgeous summer colors!  As I was looking through Stampin’ Up’s new Idea Book & Catalog I saw a treat pouch created with the Label Framelits.

I first cut two framelits using the second to largest framelit.  I then stamped the flourish flower from Mixed Bunch with Versamark and heat embossed it in clear.  Score where shown.

Cut 2 framelits using the second to largest.  Click image to enlarge

Punch both sides of a 1-1/4″ x 3-3/4″ Calypso Coral strip of cardstock with the Scallop Trim Border punch.  Trim the strips and adhere them to the bottom of the pouch.

click image to enlarge

Punch 4 flowers using the Boho Blossom punch and adhere the layers with mini glue dots

click image to enlarge

Adhere the bottoms of the pouch with sticky tape.

Stamp the flower with Daffodil Delight and punch using the Blossoms punch.  Stamp the center on Baja Breeze card stock with Versamark then clear heat emboss.  Use dimensionals to adhere the Baja Breeze center to the flower.

Stamp the sentiment then die cut using the Bitty Banners Framelits.  Adhere the banner behind the center with a mini glue dot.

Embellish Scallop Border Trim edge with pearls.

Punch a hole through both sides of the pouch with a regular hole punch.  Use an 8″ piece of Daffodil Delight seam binding to tie together both sides.

click image to enlarge – Frames Framelit Pouch

I hope you’re inspired to join us this week at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  Also take a look at the amazing projects 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.

Inspire Treat Pouch

Size:  3.00″ W x 4.00″ H

Stamp sets:  Bitty Banners, Mixed Bunch, Loving Thoughts

Paper: Calypso Coral, Baja Breeze, Whisper White

Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, Versamark

Accessories:  Frames Framelits, Bitty Banners framelits, Blossoms punch, Scallop Trim border punch, 1″ circle punch, Daffodil Delight seam binding ribbon, Basic Pearls, Clear embossing powder, Heat Tool, non-Stampin’ Up hole punch

Filed under: 3D projects, Bitty Banners, Color Splash Challenges, Hand Stamped Sentiments Creative Challenge, Loving Thoughts, Mixed Bunch, Stamp Sets, Treat Pouch | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Quilt inspired Thank You card

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Genevieve Valdes

Summer is here and what better way to cool off than with a pinwheel.  My card this week is inspired by Hand Stamped Sentiments Quilt Inspired Challenge.  When I saw this challenge I immediately thought pinwheels.  The Patio Party cupcake dsp was perfect for my project.  I cut a scallop circle from the dsp and pieced it together then made a 2.5″ x 2.5″ pinwheel for the center and used an Antique brad for the center.   I also die cut a doily for the layer behind the scallop circle.  The Midnight Muse layer is embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots folder.  This was any easy card to make.

Stampin Up doily pinwheel thank you card

click image to enlarge

I hope you’re inspired to join us this week at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  Also take a look at the amazing projects from our talented design team.

stampin up quilt inspired 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.

Quilt Inspired Thank You Card

Size:  5.00″ W x 5.00″ H

Stamp sets:  Itty Bitty Banners

Paper: Patio Party DSP; Card Stock:  Primrose Petals, Whisper White, Midnight Muse, Baja Breeze

Ink:  Midnight Muse

Accessories:  Sizzlit Doily die, Scallop Circle #2 die, Bitty Banners framelits, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Antique Brad,

Filed under: Bitty Banners, Feminine Thank you cards, Hand Stamped Sentiments Creative Challenge, Inspiration Challenge, Thank you cards | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Happy Birthday Patio Party Bird Card

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Genevieve Valdes

Hello!  This week at Hand Stamped Sentiments we have a challenge to create a project with a bird/peacock.  Great challenge!  My mind just soared with so many ideas!  I’m so excited to share this card because it contains many of the new products found in the new Stampin’ Up! catalog.  So many beautiful stamp sets and products!  I’m going broke if I order everything on my wish list.  The beautiful DSP paper, Patio Party,  features the new In-Colors and I also used card stock from this same collection.  My card also features a new sentiment from the Bitty Banners set that I die cut using the new Bitty Banners Framelits.  No more trying to cut my own banners by hand.  LOVE IT!!  Another new product is the 1/4″ stitched grosgrain ribbon.  This ribbon comes in many colors and the stitching adds so much.

The flower stamped images are from the set Mixed Bunch and die cut with the Blossom punch.  The bird is die cut using the Bird Builder punch.  This punch is a must have because it die cuts a wing, bird and stem with leaves.  So versatile!  The Patio Party DSP layer is the Top Note shape cut narrow.  Cool shape!

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I hope you’re inspired to join our challenge.  Hop on over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and see all the wonderful projects created by our talented design team.

stampin up challenge blog

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 Patio Party Bird Card

Size:  5.50″ W x 4.25 H

Stamp sets:  Mixed Bunch, Bitty Banners

Paper: Textured Soft Suede CS; Patio Party DSP; Raspberry Ripple CS; Summer Starfruit CS; Whisper White CS

Ink:  Raspberry Ripple, Baja Breeze

Accessories:  Top Note Die, Bitty Banners Framelits, Blossom punch, 1″ circle punch, Bird Builder punch, Square Scallop punch, 1/4 Stitched Grosgrain ribbon, Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Basic Rhinestones

Filed under: Birthday, Feminine Birthday, Hand Stamped Sentiments Creative Challenge, Mixed Bunch, Stamp Sets, Theme Challenge | Tagged: , , , , , , | 5 Comments »

Graduation Owl Card

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Genevieve Valdes

It’s that time of year and I’ve been inspired to create graduation projects.  I used the Perfect Pennants die to create the focal point of my card.  I have tons of silver card stock from an invitation project.  I used it as my card base and die cut a pennant from Basic Black cardstock.  I embossed the pennant with the Stripes embossing folder and added a silver glitter top.  I cut both medallions from the Perfect Pennants die and used my Owl builder punch for my graduation owl.  Doesn’t he look smart?  He’s such a cutie too!

I printed the black and white Houndstooth check from the digital Night and Day Designer Series Papers for his little vest.  You get ten beautiful black and white background papers for $4.95.   I love creating hybrid projects with My Digital Studio.

I used the graduation cap from the digital stamp set Go Graduate Plus stamp brush set.  I printed it out and used it as a template.  The wings are 1/4 of the 1-3/4 Scallop Circle.

This card can be given to any graduate and they would love it.  Especially if there’s a gift card or check inside.  This card can be created with any high school colors.  I think I’ll send this card to my nephew.  His school colors are cardinal, black and white.

Stampin' Up! Graduation Owl card

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.

Graduation Owl Card

Size:  4.25″ W x 5.50″ H

Stamp sets:  Delightful Dozen, Go Graduate Plus stamp brush set

Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Silver glitter paper, non Stampin’ Up! silver card stock, digitally printed First Edition and Night & Day DSP

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler

Accessories:  Antique brad, Perfect Pennants die, Big Shot, Owl builder punch, Modern Label punch, Scallop Trim Border punch, Embossing Folders; Stripes and Houndstooth, retired Basic Black satin ribbon, basic rhinestones

Filed under: Delightful Dozen, Graduation, Owl cards | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

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