Stamping Challenge #4

Hello stamping friends! How are you doing? It’s time for Stamping Challenge #4! I hope you’ve had some time for stamping. It’s definitely been a stress reliever for me during right now.

Here’s the scoop for this week’s challenge. This week’s challenge is all about using up those scraps! It’s pretty simple. There are no color guidelines, no specific measurements, just whatever your creative mind comes up with! Dig into your scrap bins and start creating.

I can’t wait to see what you come up with this week! Please be sure to share your creation so that I can enter you into the drawing for a stamping goodie! If you’re not sure how to share your card here or on Facebook, see my prior post here.

Happy stamping!
Wendy

Stamping Challenge #3 Reveal

As promised, I am sharing my card that I based my Stamping Challenge #3.

Congrats to Penny H.! She is our Stamping Challenge #3 winner this week. Penny, keep an eye out for some happy mail later this week.

Hope you all had a great week. Come back to visit Monday — there will be a new challenge for you! I can’t wait to see what you create!

Happy stamping!
Wendy

Tuesday Stamping Tip

Hello friends! How is everyone doing with sheltering in place? I don’t know about you, but I’m itching to get out and do “something”! I miss just wandering through the stores, going out to dinner, and especially seeing my stamping friends! Well, are you ready for your Tuesday stamping tip?

This one is quite a simple idea, and I’m sure you all have run into this problem at some point. Have you sat down to write on the inside of your card that you spent lots of time creating and making it all pretty? Here’s my pretty card:

And… you make a mistake? Ugh! I know I have… See the below pic? I started to write in this card and inadvertently spelled my friend Stacie’s name wrong! Grrr…

There’s no need to throw away your card! Grab your paper trimmer and some Whisper White card stock. Cut a piece measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″ and place it inside your card and over your mistake. Easy peasy! Everything is right with the world again.

OR, the other option you have is cutting off the front of your card and making it into a “card front” cutting it down to 4″ x 5-1/4″ and making a new card. However, sometimes that method will not work depending on the style of your card. I think the first method is quick and easy and works just fine!

Hope I was able to share a new and simple stamping tip with you today!

Stay safe and keep on stamping!

Hugs,
Wendy

Stamping Challenge #3

Hello stamping friends! Are you excited? It’s time for Stamping Challenge #3! These challenges are so much fun. I’ve been enjoying your creations that you’re sending in! Plus, I’m enjoying giving away a stamping goodie each week.

Let’s get started! Here’s the scoop for this week’s challenge. You can use any colors that you like. Your card base can be any color card stock that you choose. Add a piece of Whisper White card stock for your card front and add some sort of punch in the upper right corner for extra fun. Pick a piece of your favorite DSP, along with a coordinating color card stock to your card front. I also added a piece of Whisper White card stock to the inside of my card since my card base is a dark color. The rest is up to you! Create away!

I can’t wait to see what you create this week! Please be sure to share your creation so that I can enter you into the drawing for a stamping goodie! If you’re not sure how to share your card here or on Facebook, see my prior post here.

Happy stamping!
Wendy

Stamping Challenge #2 Reveal

As promised, I am sharing my card that I based my Stamping Challenge #2.

I used another one of my favorite stamps sets – Painted Poppies. I LOVE poppies and when I saw them all over the cover of the All Occasion Catalog in January I squealed! I think this card is elegant, but very simple to create!

Hope you all had a great week. Come back to visit Monday — there will be a new challenge for you! I can’t wait to see what you create!

Happy stamping!
Wendy

Tuesday Technology Tip

Hello friends! My Tuesday tip this week is going to help you become a little more “tech savy”! That is if you are a bit technically challenged. I am going to explain how to share your picture of the card that you created for one of my stamping challenges (hint) here on my blog. I’ve had SO MANY people telling me they didn’t know how to “share” their cards! Nobody will have an excuse to “not share” now.

The above picture shows the comment box that is ALWAYS at the bottom of each blog post. Click on “leave a comment” and write a nice little note to me. Next, click on the word “Attachment” under the box where you just left your nice little note. Select the image from your electronic device that you want to share, then click on “Post Comment”. That’s it! 😀

Do you have a Facebook account? I will now explain how you can share your card on my Facebook page. First, you need to get to my page on Facebook. When on Facebook, search “Wendy Makes” or click here. Okay, you made it to my page! Have you ever checked it out? If not, grab your favorite drink and take a look around some time. Scroll down my page until you find the post that shows my stamping challenge. This week’s challenge will look like this.

You will see the Facebook post, following the post will be a place where you can add a comment. Add your comment in the little box (again, a nice little note to me will be good) next, click on the camera icon to the right in the box. When you click on the camera, it will give you the option to add an image. Same thing as above, find the image on your device and add it to the post. Easy peasy, right?

There you have it! Are you feeling a little more technologically smart? Woo hoo! You learned something new today. Of course, if I have thoroughly confused you, send me a nice little note and I will be happy to help you out. Because after all, I want to see the cards you’re creating out there (and include you in the drawing for a stamping goodie).

Stay safe and healthy so that I can see your smiling face in person soon!

Hugs,
Wendy

Stamping Challenge #2

Hello stamping friends! I know you’re still hanging out at home, so here’s Stamping Challenge #2 for you.

The items you will need are pictured above. Make a card this week using ONLY black and white card stock, black ink and then some red for an accent. You could either use Stampin’ Blends, a Stampin’ Write Marker or a Cherry Cobbler watercolor pencil. It’s your choice!

Once you’ve completed your card, either share below in the comments or click here to share over on my Facebook page. Everyone who shares their card will be entered into a drawing for a stamping goodie! It will be lots of fun to see what everyone creates. I will then do my best to remember to share my card with you on Friday.

Happy stamping! I can’t wait to see what you make.

Hugs,
Wendy

Stamping Challenge #1 Reveal

So sorry friends! I promised I would share the card that I based my Stamping Challenge #1 on this past Friday. Time just got away from me last week. It was quite busy!

Anyway…here you go! I used one of my favorite stamps sets – Music from the Heart. We have lots of musical instrument players in my house, so I had to get this set as soon as it came out! If you look at my earlier post you can find all of the dimensions. Also, the embossing folder that I used is the Stone 3D Embossing Folder.

Hope you all had a great week. Come back to visit tomorrow — there will be a new challenge for you! I can’t wait to see what you create!

Happy stamping!
Wendy

Tuesday Stamping Tip

Do you ever get your ink colors mixed up when you have more than one ink pad (of similar colors) open while you’re crafting? Well, this Tuesday stamping tip is going to help you out!

Flip over your ink pad to see the labels on the backside. Did you know they were removable? Remove the first label. That is if you speak English! I love to use my Take your Pick Tool. It has so many uses, including picking up labels on the back of your ink pad. Place this label on the front edge of your ink pad. See the next picture.

My next tip is the million dollar one! See the next picture where I picked up the strip with no writing on it? This is the one we are going to use on the inside of your ink pad!

Place this blank color strip on the inside as pictured below. You can now tell exactly what the ink color is when the ink pad is open.

This has been very helpful with my stampers in my classes. Sometimes it’s a little tricky to distinguish the darker colors.

Hope you’re all staying safe and healthy! Make sure you keep on stamping! It’s definitely been my stress reliever.

Hugs,
Wendy

Stamping Challenge #1

Hello stamping friends! I have a stamping challenge for you this week. I know you’re home a lot these days and I thought I’d give you something to do,

Pictured above is a challenge for you. Make a card this week using the same size pieces of card stock that I have shown above and then share your card with all of us. If you do not have the braided linen trim, no worries! Pick another piece of ribbon or twine.

Once you’ve completed your card, click here to share over on my Facebook page. Everyone who share their card will be entered into a drawing for a stamping goodie! It will be lots of fun to see what everyone creates. I will then share my card with you on Friday.

Happy stamping! I can’t wait to see what you make.

Hugs,
Wendy

50 ways to take a Break

Hi friends and Happy Monday!😊 I thought this graphic was soooo perfect for these crazy times that we’re experiencing right now. So, I am choosing from the list of 52 ways to take a break to engage in a small act of kindness with ALL of you! It’s your lucky day if you’re reading my blog!

As you can imagine, I have a ton of “unfinished” cards from prior classes, etc., and they are taking up precious space in my craft room. It’s time to share the love! If you would like to receive a packet of card kits from me, this is how it will work:

If you’re LOCAL to me:
All I ask is that you pay $5 to compensate me for my time to put together a packet for you. Please send your payment to me via PayPal – the link is here. When sending your payment, please indicate that you’re sending money to “a friend” to avoid any additional fees. After you’ve sent your money, email me at wendymakes@gmail.com with the answers to the two following questions:
1. Let me know you’re a stamper and you have supplies at home to make your cards; and
2. If you are interested in certain types of cards, i.e. birthday, thank you, holiday, etc.

Once I receive your email, I will let you know when the card packet, along with a surprise stamping goodie, is ready for porch pick-up!

If you’re NOT local to me:
All I ask of you is to cover the postage for me to mail a packet to you, plus $5 for my time. The total cost would be $13. Please send your payment to me via PayPal – the link is here. When sending your payment, please indicate that you’re sending money to “a friend” to avoid any additional fees. After you’ve sent your money please email me at wendymakes@gmail.com with the answers to the two following questions:
1. Let me know you’re a stamper and you have supplies at home to make your cards; and
2. If you are interested in certain types of cards, i.e. birthday, thank you, holiday, etc.
Once I receive your email, I will let you know when the card packet, along with a surprise stamping goodie, is being mailed!

Easy peasy! Please consider helping me clean up my craft room (somewhat) and I will help you keep busy while you’re staying home! It’s a win win for both of us!

Please stay safe and keep washing those hands!

Hugs,
Wendy

Easter Promise Watercolor Cards

Hello friends! Today I am sharing my watercolored Easter cards using the Easter Promise stamp set. Making these cards was my stress relief the other night. My days consist of my sitting in my craft room (office during the day). This has sort of put a damper on my desire to go back to this room and sit in the same chair to do any crafting in the evenings. Don’t get me wrong! Yes, I’m happy I have a job and can continue to work from home. But…a change of scenery would be nice. Enough about me! Let’s get onto the cards…

Let’s start with my first card. Have you ever made a background for your card using the watercolor method where you add ink to an acrylic block, then spritz it with water and place the block on your paper? It’s super simple and no two cards turn out exactly the same. Let me show you how…

First step is to tap your acrylic block with your stamp pads. Start with one color, then add the next two. I chose Balmy Blue, Highland Heather and Pool Party for my three colors.

Using your Stampin’ Spritzer, spritz the block about four times to get the ink nice and wet.

Next, place the wet block onto your paper (be sure to use either watercolor paper or the shimmery white) and push down on the block so that the colors “smoosh” around a bit.

Pick up your block and see what beautiful creation you have! Isn’t this fun? I just love how my colors ran together and even make a wavy outline! You never know what you’re going to get!

Make sure that your cardstock is completely dry before you move on to the next step. I stamped the crocus in Memento Black Ink over the center of my watercolor creation. After making sure the black ink was dry, I highlighted the crocus using my Balmy Blue and Highland Heather Stampin’ Blends. Oh, and one other little tidbit – I took my Aqua Painter and dabbed it in some Balmy Blue ink and then tapped it over my card front to add some ink splats to the background.

Sorry, I did not take a picture for you, but on the inside of the card I did stamp the Happy Easter sentiment from the Easter Promise stamp set in Memento Black ink.

This bright sunny card uses the same technique with Daffodil Delight ink. I then stamped two bunches of crocus along the bottom of my card front. Next, I added some extra color using the Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Blends. I also used the Aqua Painter to add some yellow splats of color to the background.

See the indentations on either side of the top of the card front? Using the 1/2 inch circular punch I punched about “half” of the hole on either side, then wrapped the burlap linen trim around for a little added interest.

Hope you enjoyed this technique! Stay safe everyone and craft away while staying at home during these trying times!

Hugs,
Wendy

Happy April!

Happy April! I wish I could say the past month has flown by. However, I do not feel that way one bit. I hope you’re all staying home and doing your part to help flatten the curve in these uncertain times.

I believe this is a BIG sign to all of us that we need to slow down and appreciate our blessings. We are being forced to connect in ways that we’ve not done in a long time and I think it’s a good thing.

PLUS, look at all of the crafting time we are getting! Another positive, right? Anyway, on to the stamping…above is a pic of my April page for the mini 2020 calendar that I put together this year.

Hope you get some extra stamping time and be well friends!

Hugs,
Wendy

Ornate Garden Suite MEGA Tutorial Bundle

I am soooo excited to share this exclusive tutorial bundle with you! Why? Because I am one of the 90 Stampin’ Up! demonstrators from around the world who contributed to this Ornate Garden Suite MEGA Tutorial Bundle!

This Ornate Garden Suite Bundle is an early release from the upcoming 2020-2021 Annual Catalog. All demonstrators had the chance to pre-order this suite and create these awesome projects during March! Each project includes complete instructions, along with color pictures, both imperial and metric measurements, and the product lists. Absolutely everything you need in one tutorial!

How can you get your hands on these exclusive tutorials? One of three ways…

  1. Place a minimum order of $50 with me during the months of April-June by clicking here to access my online shop;
  2. Purchase only the tutorial for $21 by making a payment through PayPal here. Please be sure to include your email when making your payment. Once I receive your payment, I will forward access to the tutorials directly to your email; or
  3. JOIN my team! Sign up to be a demonstrator with Stampin’ Up!

This suite is AMAZING and so are these tutorials! The suite has so many creative possibilities! I was totally blown away by the other demonstrator’s creations and I think you will be too. You’re going to love them!

Please keep in mind this tutorial bundle is exclusive — which means you will not find the tutorials shared publicly online.

Hugs,
Wendy



SALE-A-BRATION ALMOST GONE!

Sale-a-Bration time is almost GONE!  There truly is one of the BEST times of the Stampin’ Up! year and there are only 24 hours left! The last day to earn FREE products is March 31st.

ANYONE can benefit! It is a great time of the year for all of you —
1. to purchase product;
2. to join the Stampin’ Up! Family;
3. And those who are already demonstrators (and those that join during Sale-a-Bration!)

Because you can earn fabulous FREE product!  Who doesn’t like FREE?

1. Purchase products from the Annual Catalog, the Beginner Brochure, the Spring Catalog and/or the online store and get FREE products from the Sale-A-Bration catalog. For every $50 you spend (before tax and shipping) you get a FREE Level 1 Sale-a-Bration item.  For every $100 you spend (before tax and shipping), you get either two FREE Level 1 Sale-a-Bration items or one FREE Level 2 Sale-a-Bration item.

2. This is ALWAYS the BEST time of year to join Stampin’ Up!  During Sale-a-Bration you can join for $99 and choose even more for your Starter Kit.  The Starter Kit is always an excellent value: $99 + tax for $125 worth of product. However, during Sale-a-Bration, the kit is $99 + tax (for $125 worth of product), PLUS a Mini Paper Cutter, PLUS a 6” x 6” Designer Paper Sampler, PLUS choose a stamp set of your choice! You choose the stamp set and what you want to get in your kit AND…you don’t pay any shipping!! You’ll also get free business supplies and a bonus Paper Pumpkin kit at no extra cost.  YES, THIS IS CORRECT!All of these goodies for $99 + tax!  

3. If you’re already a demonstrator, you can earn all of the FREE Sale-a-Bration items too while enjoying your demonstrator discount. 
Enjoy all the extra goodies from Stampin’ Up! between now and March 31st!! Contact me if you have any questions.

This is it friends! Contact me today if you’re interested in joining the Stampin’ Up! Family or making a purchase to earn FREE product.

Hope you’re all staying home and healthy!

Hugs,
Wendy