"Sparkle"

Scrapbooking doesn't get any easier than this!!!!!
This is simply a story about what God did with my daughter last night and a group of her friends at the Youth Group Worship event. I love the way God shows up in unexpected ways, and Lauren is just starting to learn about it!
Anyway - this is one of those pages that is all about the words... God told Lauren that He has given her a "sparkle" - and anyone who has met her would have a hard time disagreeing with that!!!
So...this is just paper, a Big Shot and a marker!! Sometimes you just have to let the photo and words so their thing!!!!

So here is my "Sparkle"!
The sparkly paper is the new glimmer paper from the occasions mini that is out right now. It ROCKS!!! You can kind of tell in the photo that it has a nice sparkly quality, but IRL (in real life) ti is really really sparkly and shiny and just gorgeous. So get some! Order #124005
Did you know that SU!'s 12" papers are TRUE 12"x12"? Fabulous news for those of you who are a little sick of cutting off title strips and cutting elements like titles to find that they don't actually fit????  Love, love love that I don't need to worry about that with SU!'s paper!
This was the case with that piece of lined paper that I wrote on. It's one of the sheets from the Beau Chateaux DSP collection. This is some of the most beautiful paper I have ever seen - you need some of that too!!! So while you are buying that, make sure you grab some of the matching card stock to make creating pages a snap!
I'll give you a shopping list - you ca create a whole scrapbook full of gorgeous pages with just a few simple supplies.
But of course you will NEED a Big Shot machine to create the letters, wont you? What was I thinking??? Well - I was thinking that you should get one for FREE!!!! And until the end of this month when you join Stampin' Up! they will give you one! Aren't they amazing??? I just LOVE this company! And I know that you will too!!
So go here - and click on "Join the Fun" button on the right there. Everything in the starter kit is pretty much customizable, so you can get what you need. And THEN you can choose either a Big Shot for FREE (worth $100) OR get $100 in FREE product. The kit has well over $300 and it just costs you $175 +tax - why would you NOT??? I can't wait for you to become part of the Orange-inal Inkers!!!!How fun!!!
Now if you just want to shop - then go here- and hit the shop 24 hours button and put in these codes - you'll get what you need to create this wonderful page - plus some extra to make some other fabulous pages!
Silver glimmer paper - #124005
Beau Chateaux DSP - #122357
Neutrals 12"x12" cardstock - #119711
Black Stampin' Write marker - #100082
Dotto adhesive - #103305 (refill - #100902)
Big Shot - #113439
Serif Essentials Alphabet - #113464

So what are you waiting for? Get on to my site and sign up - or go shopping! Or BOTH!!!!!
But make sure that you get creative today - get inky and have fun!
Hugs
Megan

Faux metal tiles

Doesn't it look like one of those old tin roofs that you see in old houses?

This looks so much better in real life - the silver is shiny! And this is such an easy technique to make. The 'tiles' are actually silver embossed paper run through one of the Big Shot Embossing folders. Easy peasy - I think that we'll make this at my next Fab Friday card class next week!

If you live in the SE Denver area, shoot me an email and I'll send you an invite!

Hope this inspires you to go and get inky,

Hugs

Megan

Notably Ornate

Isn't this pretty?

I couldn't wait to play with Stampin' Up!s new Notably Ornate set from the new catalog. It goes perfectly with the new lace ribbon "Victoria" too. Definitely a set you need to own so that you can make all of those 'girly' girls that you know feel special!

It comes with the great little sentiment "Just because" - and it fits so well with cards that you are sending to make someone you love feel special.... Just because!

I stamped the biggest image with Versamark and then clear embossed it on a Whisper White Top Note die. This is by far my favorite Big Shot die - and it's exclusive to Stampin' Up! It makes it so very easy to make cards quickly and simply - but also beautifully. The ink was 'swirled' over the top note with sponges - Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery. Don't they look fabulous together?

You can see on the base that I used the swirly image form Baroque Basics in the Celery, again on a Whisper White background.

To get the lace trim to sit like this, I just ran a piece of sticky strip along the card front and then 'bunched' up the lace. It is really easy to work with, and it just looks sensational!

Punch out the sentiment with the Modern Label punch, and you have a winner!

I hope that this inspires you to go and get ink, and show someone that you love how much they mean to you!

Recipe:
Stamps: Notably Ornate, Baroque Motifs
Paper: Whisper White, Bashful Blue (base),
Ink: Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Versamark
Accessories: Victoria Lace trim, Top Note Big Shot die, Big Shot, Clear Embossing powder, heat tool, modern label punch, sticky strip, sponges

Now - go get inky!

Hugs
Megan

Stampin' Up! embossing folders

Here is another Thank you card. I just love this color combo! The new Color Coach from Stampin' Up! is amazing - it creates combinations that I would never think of by myself. Do your creative side a favor and put one of these babies on your next order (#121620, $14.95)

I used two different embossing folders for this card - the square lattice embossing folder (exclusive to SU!) #119976, $7.95 is the one for the back layer, and Finial Press embossing

folder, #115963, $7.95 (also exclusive to SU!) is the one in the front panel. These are such a great way to add texture to your card for a bargain! Seriously - my Big Shot is the hardest used tool in my stamping room. WHAT? You haven't got one yet? Book a workshop now so that you can use your BONUS $25 Hostess Benefits towards it.

The only stamping on this card was the heat embossing of the sentiment. It all came together so easily, that this was the second one with the same layout that I made. You can see the other one over here on my Facebook page.

Recipe:

Stamps: Many thanks (retired)

Paper: Red Ridinghood Red, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Gold embossing powder, heat embossing tool, 1/8" taffeta ribbon in Daffodil Delight, Big Shot, EMbossing folders - Square Lattice and Finial press

Hope you are enjoying my week of thanks - come back tomorrow to see the darling new owl punch!

Hugs

Megan

Lattice Elements of Style

Here's one of my favorite cards from the last class. I just LOOOVE the set Elements of Style. (#118611 wood, #120045 clear mounted) It made it into the big catalog from the current mini, and I am so glad it did. We all need to have this set in our bag of tricks!

We used one of the retired colors as the base - Brocade Blue may you rest in peace! I will miss this color a little - until I start playing with the new colors!

The other must have piece of equipment here is the new Square Lattice Embossing folder for the big shot. (#119976) After the card stock has passed through the Big Shot in the embossing folder it almost feels like it is fabric. Amazing! Make sure that this little jewel is on your next order!

The focal flower image was stamped in Stazon on Watercolor paper and then we used the aquapainter to color them in. Using the watercolor paper makes it so easy to get an incredible water colored image. Give it a try if you haven't yet! (SU! sells them pre-cut to fit your regular card in a pack of 20. Item #105019 )

Handy Dandy Hint: to get your background image to look softer, but still match perfectly, use a third generation image! That just means that you stamp off the first image TWICE on your grid paper before stamping it onto your cardstock.

So, go to my webpage and place your order now for these fabulous tools... you wont regret it at all!!

Hugs

Megan

Recipe:

Stamps: Elements of Style

Cardstock: Brocade Blue (retired), Very Vanills, Watercolor Paper

Ink: Black Stazon, Brocade Blue(retired)

Accessories: Very Vanilla Satin ribbon, scalloped oval punch

Sponged Tulipe

Isn't this stunning? I am falling in love with my "En Francais" Background stamp again this week! And I just LOVE how this card turned out.

I stamped the background image in Versamark and then embossed it with white embossing powder. Then after I had cut out the Tulipe design out of scrap paper with the Big Shot, I used the 'leftover' as a mask and sponged Creamy Caramel with a sponge dauber over the background. Big Tip: Use some removable adhesive to keep it in place while you sponge.

The Tulipe design is a Stampin' Up! exclusive - you can only get that one from me folks!!! (well, or another SU! consultant!! But I'm your fave, right?!)

It looks like the writing in the background is stamped over the Tulipe design - cool, huh? The ink wont stick to any of the embossed image and that's how you get such a cool look. I used the same technique here on this card over on my Facebook page, (it's exclusive content for my Facebook fans!)

Hope you enjoyed this - but if you'd like to learn how to do it for yourself, give me a call and I'll book you in for your own personal class with some of your friends!

Hugs
Megan

Recipe:
Stamps: En Francais Background Stamp
Paper: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Tulipe Big Shot Die, Gold Brads, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

New Rubber!

One of the best things about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is the FREE stamps! This week I received this new set called "Thoughts and Prayers". I love it, and I think you will too!

I went pink with my first go round with it! Pretty in Pink to be exact! This card uses the branch image in the set, but this card over on my Facebook page, uses the really cool tree image. (And I used that really fun sponging technique I taught at my Fabulous Friday class on it as well!)

So, if you would like some of your own FREE rubber, why not become a demonstrator? SU! is having a SENSATIONAL deal at the minute, and you can start your won paper crafting business for only $85! Give me a call and we'll have coffee while you fill in the paperwork!

Hugs
Megan

Recipe:
Stamps: Thoughts And Prayers
Paper: Very Vanilla, Pretty In Pink
Ink: Pretty In Pink
Accessories: Big Shot Scallop Oval, Large and Wide Oval Punches, Sponges, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Big Shot Perfect Details Texturz Plate

Double Bug Roses

Here's a really fun technique that I've just learnt, called double bug (nope - I have no idea either!!!!!)

You use and embossing folder, or a Texturz plate (I used the texturz plate with the checkerboard pattern from the kit #4) and you rub lightly with ink so that the raised parts get covered in ink.

Now here is the cool bit. You put that cardstock back into another different folder (Manhattan Flower Folder) and run it through the Big Shot 3 more times. That flattens out the first lot of texture and puts another layer over it. Ink over that one and you get a VERY cool look.

If you don't have a Big Shot yet, you can go online here and order it right off my website. There is barely a day that I don't use mine, and I know that you'll love it as much as I do!

Hugs
Megan

Recipe:
Stamps:Wings Of Friendship (Level 2 Hostess set)
Paper: Pink Passion, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Pink Passion
Accessories: Big Shot Texturz Plates Kit #4, Big Shot Embossing Folder Manhattan Flower, Scallop and Large Oval punches

Scalloped bird

I know - stinking cute!!!

I saw this idea ages ago, and decided to give it a try today. I used the scalloped circle Big Shot die to cut out the cardstock (you need to make sure that you line up the fold with the edge of the scallop) and then you get a great scalloped circle card. You can see on the end that it just missed the littlest bit of the edge of the cardstock. It actually makes the card stand up nicer!

Next I used the now retired circle cutter to cut out the middle of the front. I cut out the next largest circle out of vellum cardstock, and then stamped the image onto that. This is the largest image in the Level 2 Hostess set "Wings of Friendship". Book your workshop now to get yours FREE!

Big Tip: Make sure that the image is DRY before you start working with it. It will smudge a bit if you don't let it dry first. You could give it a quick hit with the heat gun if you are a bit impatient!

The 2 way glue pen on the inside of the pink circle adheres the image onto the cardstock, and there you go! A lot of WOW for not that much effort!

Then I just used the paper piercer to give a little dimension and detail around the circle (I just free-handed it)

If you would like to have me demonstrate this technique at your workshop, give me a call today to book in a date. 303 805 2344 or send me an email here.

I can't wait to create this with other colors and images...

Hugs
Megan

Recipe:
Stamps: Wings Of Friendship (Level 2 Hostess Set)
Paper: Pink Passion, Vellum Cardstock
Ink: Pink Passion
Accessories: Scallop Circle Bigz Die for Big Shot, Circle Cutter, 2 way glue pen, Paper Piercer

Rich Razzleberry Wishes

Today's offering is just a simple card that I made in the coolness of my basement!

I love the look of the textured background, and this sized card makes it even cuter! I used the Big Shot and one of the texture plates (Stampin' Up!'s exclusive Perfect Details) to create the subtle background on this card. It is so elegant, don't you think?

The stamped flower in the focal points in the ovals are from the set called "Simple Stems", and are another one of those very versatile sets that can be used for just about any event!

If you would like to learn how to create simple cards like this one, give me a call to book in a workshop of your own!

hugs
Megan

Recipe:
Stamps: Simple Stems, Heard From The Heart
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Barely Banana, Always Artichoke
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Big Shot Texture Plate "Perfect Details", Scallop Oval, Large and Small Oval punches, Paper Piercer, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Anything but a card

I'm having dinner with two of my favorite people tonight, and so I thought that I'd make them each a little 'treat'!

A friend showed me a little book that someone had made her to write her prayers in, or for Bible verses, and of course I had to try to duplicate it!!!! Using the Big Shot, this was a breeze, and you could use all manner of different embellishments to individualize them. I can see a lot more of these in my future!

I made a little book mark to go in each book, and made a little pocket for them to sit in. Here's a closer look at both of them... try one yourself!

If you'd like to have one of these little beauties waiting to give someone special, give me a call to book in a workshop to make one as your make and take!

Hugs

Megan

Recipe:

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree, Baroque Motifs

Paper: Close to Cocoa,Sage Shadow, Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Parisian Breeze DSP (retired - and very missed!!), Baja Breeze (retired - also missed!)

Ink: Close to Cocoa, Sahara Sand, Baja Breeze (retired),Basic Brown

Accessories: Top Notes Big Shot Die, Butterfly Big Shot die, Fancy Label Punch, Feral Sizzix letter dies, Retired ribbons, binder clips

Some 3-D cuties!

Aren't these the cutest? I was inspired by some of the projects that came through my inbox overe the weekend (but of course I never remember where they came from, sorry)

The drwers are madw ith the Big Shot matchbox die. I think it would be adorable to hold little jewellery items, or on your desk to hold litle stationary thingys!

Want one of your own? Book a workshop with me and it could be your thankyou gift from me to you!

These little boxes are sooooo very easy to make! Using the Big Shot Box #2, you simply cut out 2 and attach them together on the back. Easy peasy. I think I will add in some little notelets and it will make a very lovely little gift for someone! We all know that there are never enough little homemade gifts for those times when just a little something is in order! But it would also be very cute with a gift card tucked into it, or some 'special' chocolates! I just know that this will be a go to pressie for me!

I'd love to show you and your friends how simple this is to make! Book a workshop and I'll demonstrate this for you (AND you get to keep the sample!!!)

To see a closeup of the drawers, head on over to my facebook page here!

Thanks for looking - have a great Monday, and don't forget to book in your workshop with me today!

Hugs

Megan

Recipe:

Drawers:

Big Shot Matchbook Die, Big Shot Top Notes Die, Big Shot Flowers #2 Die, Rhinestone Fire Brads, Retired DSP and Papers

Box:

Big Shot Box #2 Die, retired DSP, Chocolate Chip ribbon and ink, Matchbook Messages Stampset, 1 3/4, 1 3/8, 1 1/4 circle punches, wide oval punches

New Medallion Background Stamp

You are going to just LOVE this new stamp! I think it might end up being one of the most versatile backgrounds I have - so you know that you'll be seeing a lot more of it!!

I was just finishing off prepping for the Friendly Wheels class tonight, and because I am such a messy, there were a lot of scraps lying around! So I decided to use them to play with the Medallion stamp this afternoon.
Oh, and did I mention that I got the new impressions folders too? LOVE THEM!!!
You can see the detail that these impressions folders make in the cardstock - fabulous. And really easy to get ink on them if you want to add even more depth to them!
Big Tip: You really DO need the silicon mat for your Big Shot to get the best out of these folders.
The flowers in the focal element are form the new Level 1 Hostess Set, Country Morning. Another rooster in that set, and you all know how I love me some roosters!!!!
To get your own FREE Country Morning set, all you need to do is host a get together with your friends and have minimum orders of $150, and it's all yours baby! Along with some Stampin' Up! Bucks to spend (now, that's not the actual name of the Hostess Benefits, but it sounded cool!!!) Call me today to get your date in my calendar so you can be stamping with this fabulous set very soon!

Hugs
Megan

Recipe:
Stamps: Country Morning (Level 1 Hostess set), Medallion background stamp, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Kraft (card base), Mellow Moss, Night of Navy
Ink: Mellow Moss, Night of Navy, Stazon Black
Accessories: Finial Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (for the Big Shot), Word Window Punch, Sponges

Visit my Stampin' Up! website here to order these supplies directly from the web!

Distressed Spots

I thought that I'd have a bit of a play with my embossing folders for the Big Sot today. What a lot of fun!
This background was run through the smaller spots embossing folder (Stampin' Up! Background folders 1) and then to give it this great distressed look, and to bring up the white under the printing on the DSP, I used the sanding block over the top. It's kinda hard to tell from the picture, but every one of those cute dots is raised and then sanded - it feels really cool as well as looking great!
Big Hint: Make sure that you sand in all directions, and do it lightly - the paper tears pretty easily if you are too heavy handed!
I also had a go at another fun technique with the embossing folders, and you can see that over on my Facebook fan page here. If you're not a fan yet, become one so that you don't miss all of the great exclusive content that I post there!
The new catalog goes live on Wednesday! It's just so exciting! if you haven't gotten your hands on one yet, give me a call or send an email so I can get one to you quick sticks. this is one of the best that I have seen in a LONG time!

Recipe:
Stamps: Pocket Sillouettes, Trendy Trees (sentiment)
Paper: Perfect Plum (card base), Barely Banana, Sale-a-bration DSP (retired and exclusive for the sale-a-bration promotion- make sure you get the freebies next time it rolls around!)
Ink: Perfect Plum
Accessories: Big Shot embossing folders, Collozzle cutting system, word window punch, new punch, retired yellow ribbon, sanding block

Hugs
Megan

You areone of a kind

Isn't this pretty? I don't know why I have never used lavender lace before, but I really loved using this color! And here is the swirly border again!

I used the One of a kind stamp set to create the background. It is THE easiest way to create a cohesive, one-of-a-kind 'kit' of your own! Just choose two colors of card stock (I cheated a bit and used a bit of 'hard to get' DSP) along with their matching ink pads, a stamp set and off you go! Everything will match and you just have to worry about the layout and not about finding things that will co-ordinate.

How may times have you gone down to create some pages, and then spent most of your time trying to find matching papers and embellishments from your stash? This is my solution! Can I tell you again how much I love that Stampin' Up! has everything that co-ordinates in its four color families? Just choose the family that 'speaks' to you the most, and work towards getting all of the pieces to that family, and you will never have to waste creative time searching ever again!

Call me to get a catalogue and start your collection today! 303 805 2344

Recipe:

Paper: Lavender lace,mellow moss, green tea DSP (retired),naturals ivory (sold in the naturals pack)

Stamps: One of a kind, Define your life

Tools: Swirly Big Shot die; Boho blossoms, 1 1/4" circle & designer label punches

Hugs

Megan

Scrapbook pages basics - or scrapbooking for Dummies!

Here is a really, really simple double page spread that I made last night. It only took about 30 minutes to create both pages, so I meant it when i said it was quick!
One of the most basic elements of a scrapbook page is the photo mat. As you can see from the photo, I used some of the 'background' paper leftover from the border. What an easy way to build a cohesive layout, and not waste paper!

And look at this border - how simply elegant is it?! This was a new die to me in this week's order. It's the 'Swirly' Bid Shot decorative strip die ($19.95, 113456) and I think that I am in love! I dreamt about this die last night and all the possibilities it has! So you know that it's going to show up a fair bit in the not too distant future!

And aren't borders another way easy thing to make your two pages look like they belong? I'll be featuring borders every Saturday for the foreseeable future, so stay tuned!!

This border picks up the color of Lauren's cast, another little trick to make your pages 'make sense".

Another element that your pages need is a border. This layout uses another new die to me - the 'Naturally Serif' Big Shot die ($19.95, 113453). This may be the most value for money for a scrapbooker ever! It's another long decorative strip die, meaning that it is 12" die, but that includes ALL 24 letters, big and small! And they are just the perfect size for a scrapbook page - not too big or too small.

I got a little Gladware container that I placed all of the other letters that I didn't use in, and I'm thinking that it won't take too long before I have a great stash to create all sorts of creative titles with the mismatched letters!

These letters also fit beautifully into our circle or square punches. I didn't have enough room for the 1 1/4" squares punch, so I just used the trimmer and made little 1" squares - easy-peasy!!!!!

So, if you want the great and versatile Naturally serif die, and if you need the Big Shot to go with it, give me a call to place an order! 303 805 2344

Recipe:

Paper: Bashful blue DSP, summer sun, bashful blue

Tools: Naturally Serif & Swirly Big Shot dies, 1"circle & 1 1/4" square punches, paper trimmer

Pen: basic black & bashful blue stampin' write markers

Hugs

Megan

Patchwork Card

This is one of those cute patchwork cards that are popping up all over the place!

We're going to make this next week for my Fabulous Friday cards (on on Thursday too!).

It uses the Sale-a-bration papers cut out to 1 1/4" and then run through the Big Shot with the exclusive Top Notes die. I love that thing!

There's still time to book in if you're interested - just give me a call or send me an email.

Happy Easter everyone!