I'm ba-ack!!!!!

Our visit 'home' to Australia was wonderful. But after nearly 3 weeks it already feels like a distant memory!

I (mistakenly) thought that I would get some stamping done while I was away!!!! Hmmmm - I know that you are not at all surprised that it just didn't happen! But I have managed to get some done since we have returned. Wanna see?

How gorgeous is this? I made it for my good friend Kimmy - and I hope she likes it! And also that she doesn't look too closely! I'll let you in on a little secret - I placed the tag on upside down!!!!! The En Francais Script is now upside down too! I am just loving how 'bunching' up the ribbon like this (and why - yes - that IS the technical term!!!) gives such a vintage, girly feel. Just pretty - like my Kimmy!!!

This color combination is way off what I would have chosen - I am just delghed with all of the new color combos that the Color Coach is giving. It gives some of the most imaginative selections ever!

SO you want to make a card as gorgeous as this? Here's what you will need... and remember that you can order all of the supplies right from my Stampin' Up! website!

Recipe
Stamps: En Francais Background stamp (#109521, $17.95), Artistic Etchings (#118517 wood $18.95, #120573 clear $14.95) Teeny Tiny Wishes (#115370 wood, $36.95)
Cardstock: Rose Red, Perfect Plum, Very Vanila
Ink: Perfect Plum
Accessories: Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch,  Decorative Label Punch (from the holiday mini), Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Victoria Lace Trim

Go and get creative and a bit 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!s new Two Step Owl punch

It's here! The cutest punch to come out of SU! HQ since the 2 step bird. I LOVE these little guys!

You can make them into so many different looks - it's hard to stop myself!

The other new aspect on this card is the daffodil yellow cardstock. I was so sure that I would miss yoyo yellow - but this new color is AMAZING! I don't miss yoyo at all!

The punch cuts out all of the pieces that you need all in one punch. So all you have to do is to punch out the owl in 2 different colors (or 3 or 4!) and put him together. Now, I'm not going to lie to you - some of those little, itty, bitty circles can get lost pretty easy - so I would suggest punching them out on a white piece of cardstock (or black if you are using white). That will help you to find all the teeney pieces without having to punch ot more (although, that is often the easiest option!!!)

The woodgrain background stamp grounds this whole card, and if you don't have any background stamps you need to get some right now!

Book a workshop now and we'll play with this little cutie - and you could earn him FREE with your extra Hostess Benefits. Email me now and book a date before the special ends at the end of August.

Recipe:

Stamps: Many thanks (retired), Woodgrain Background

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper: Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Greenhouse Gala DSP

Accessories: 2 Step Owl punch, wide oval punch. 2 step bird punch (leaf), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch pack (flower)

Have a great day and go and get inky!

Hugs

Megan

Stampin' Up! Sweet Treat Baby Rattle

How cute is this?

This is one of the cards that we made a while back. It's such a fun card. I don't think that you can tell from the photo, but the cup is filled with seed beads and 'rattles' when you handle it.

These sweet treat cups fit perfectly in the 1 3/4" circle punch and so they make putting them together in a card so, so easy!

There are 3 sets that now co-ordinate with the Treat Cups, including the heart shaped cups. And at only $2.95 for 12 of them, they are a super budget friendly way to make your cards stand out!

Wouldn't your friends love to make a card like this at a girls night out?Book a workshop with me and they all could be going home with something this fun!

Here's the deets:
Stamps: Something Sweet
Paper: Whisper White, Mellow Moss (retired)
Ink: Mellow Moss (retired)
Accessories: Sweet Treat Cup, 1 3/4" circle punch, Eyelet border punch, White taffeta ribbon, beads (retired)

So - let m know when you want to book a fun girls night out and we'll make something fun with the Treat Cups!

Hugs
Megan

Vintage Vogue Easel Card

I really wasn't joking when I said that I got in a shabby mood yesterday! Here is the other card that I made with the same stamps - Very Vintage wheel and Vintage Vogue set. Love love love them!!!!

These easel cards area little addictive, and so very easy. Hmmm - the photo doesn't show it very well, but the card front is 'sitting up' like an easel. It folds flat so that you can still post it,but it is hinged so that it will display itself. Very cool!

I used the FREE scallop edge punch (you still have time to place a $50 order and get this one FREE!) on the inside of the card to hold the front in place. So - that bottom scallop edge is actually on the inside of the card!

Another cool-i-oh idea on this card is the flowers. Notice them didja???? I stole the idea form the very talented Julie Buhler, and adapted the colors for this card. They are made by punching out stamped tissue paper with the 5 petal flower punch and then layering them on another green flower for the petals. Pretty, aren't they? I just sponged some of the Lavender Lace over the top to make them match a bit better. The centers are some of the rhinestone brads, they just add enough bling to this card to make it pop!

I love this card - I think we might make it on the next Fabulous Friday night session!

Onto the deets!!!!

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Very Vintage (wheel), En Francais (background stamp),Well Scripted

Card stock: Bordering Blue, Lavender Lace,Very Vanilla, Old Olive (for petals on the flower)

Ink:Lavender Lace, Basic Brown

Accessories: 5 petal flower punch, Fire Rhinestone brads,Scallop Trim Border Punch,

It's a very easy card to duplicate! Did you run to order the vintage stamps yet? Vintage Vogue is item #118598(clear mounted), #117690 (wood mounted) $17.95, and $23.95. Very Vintage wheel is #117693 $8.50. What a bargain - and if you throw in some papers and a older for the wheel and some inks - you have a nice little $50 order which will earn you the punch FREE!!! And trust me, you NEED this punch (as well as the stamps!!!)

Enjoy your day people, now go and get creative!!!

Hugs

Megan

Shabby Chic Vintage Vogue

Got into a bit of a shabby mood this afternoon! Do you like it? I think you either love this look, or you could live without it! I love the way that my fingers are so messy afterwards - I look like I've been creative!

I am also in love with these new 'Vintage' stamps from the mini catalog. There is a fabulous stamp set (in wither wood mounted or clear mounted) called Vintage Vogue and a matching jumbo roller called Very Vintage. If you like this look, you need these stamps!

So how did I do it you ask? The card base is Rich Razzleberry (an In Color that finished soon, get it while you can), the right hand side of the base is wheeled with Very Vintage. Then there is a layer of Close to Cocoa that I stamped with the En Francais background stamp in Basic Brown ink. I used the floral ivy image form Vintage Vogue to stamp in Rich Razzleberry over the top of that.It as then wheeled as well- it has a lot going on!

The top layer is Creamy Caramel with En Francais in Basic Brown, with more of the images form Vogue over the top of that. All of the edges were really distressed, this one was crumpled a fair bit,and then I just put the ink direct to paper (basic brown). I sponges up all of the edges and then added the flower and the sentiment.

The flower is fabulous, isn't it? I copied the idea from one I saw on YouTube today (I think form Patti Benett?). It's a 12"x 1" slice of Razzleberry edges with the new pinking Hearts border punch and then pleated around a circle. Easy peasy and oh, so cute! Give it a try and let me know how you went!

Get on line now at my site and order the Very Vintage wheel and the Vintage Vogue stamp set -then you are well on your way to the $50 you need to get some FREE stuff because it is STILL SALE-a-bration!

have a great night

Hugs

Megan

12 weeks of Christmas - week 1

Can you believe that it's only 12 weeks until Christmas?

Stop freaking out now and get ready with me! For the next 12 weeks, I'll be posting a special Christmas project so that we can get ready together!

This is our first project - a sparkly card using our fantastic glitter. It uses the Medallion background stamp again, stamped on with Versamark and then had Stamp and Stick Powder sprinkled over it (the same way that you would use embossing powder)

When you use the Heat and Stick powder it becomes VERY sticky and then you can sprinkle the glitter over it. Heat the image again and the glitter settles into the glue and it stays put! No glitter trail wherever the card goes!!!

It's hard to see in this photo - but the glitter matches the Old Olive card stock perfectly!

Let me know if there is anything that I can help you with as we get ready for Christmas this year!

Hugs
Megan

Recipe:
Card stock: Old Olive, Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black
Stamps: Medallion Background stamp, Punch Pals, Elegant Cheer
Ink: Versamark,Basic Black, Real Red
Accessories: Olive fine cosmos glitter,scalloped circle punch, 3/4" circle punch, Heat and Stick Powder

Last chance for a deal of the week

You have just got until Friday to get in on this deal! This is such a fun punch to have in your arsenal of paper crafting supplies. It has 3 different sizes of hearts in the one punch, and it co-ordinates with some of the great stamp sets that Stampin' Up! sells.

Go online and order it here, or give me a call on 303 805 2344.

Hugs
Megan

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

Background smoosh technique

This is such a fun, fun, fun technique! You need to start with the Glossy White paper with a clear embossed image (this top one uses the new Medallion background stamp - LOVE IT!!) inked with Versamark and then clear embossing powder. Now the fun begins!

Cut open a plastic bag or a sheet protector, and 'smoosh' one of your ink pads on one side. Take another color that matches, or complements, or contrasts (lots of choices there!) and smoosh it onto the other side.

Now you need to take a little care. Put the 'smooshed' sides of the plastic together, and gently 'smoosh' them together, but only to gently mix the colors. You don't want to blend them (mostly you'll just end up with a cacky brown - ugh!) but just mix them and then separate the plastic apart again. Place the 2 sheets of the glossy paper back sides together and place one of them image side down on the plastic and gently put the other plastic over it.

Now you get to 'smoosh' a little again to cover over the glossy cardstock. Be careful again so that the colors don't get mixed too much and turn brown. Take them out of the plastic and then gently wipe off the ink from the embossing and viola - you've got a sensational background! Enjoy!!

Here's another card I made with another lot of 'smooshed' background. This one didn't come out as well, I think that you need to use a more detailed background stamp like the Medallion instead of this one from the Baroque Motifs.

Try it and let me know what you think...

If you need a great background stamp, you cam go online and order one right here on my website.

Let me know what you think!

Hugs

Megan

Recipe: Medallion (Pink/purple)

Stamps: Medallion Background stamp, Oval All

Paper: Melon Mambo, Glossy White cardstock

Ink: Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Large Ovel Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Melon Mambo ribbon, White Gel Pen

(Pink/Orange)

Stamps: Baroque Motifs, Heard From The Heart

Paper: Pink Passion, Only Orange, Glossy White

Ink: Only Orange, Pink Passion, Black Stazon

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder

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

Razzleberry Retirement!

I'm still playing with the sneak peak stuff - I just can't seem to keep my hands off it no matter how hard I try to love on my older stamps!!

This card uses a set called "Circle Circus" and it is a bunch of circles with different designs in them. Love it - it's such an easy set to use. I know that it will be used much over the next few months!

This card I clear embossed one of the circles on the Night of Navy cardstock and tied some ribbon onto it. (To heat emboss a stamp you stamp the image in Versamark, and then pour the embossing powder over it. Tap off the excess and then use a heat tool to melt the powder till it shines. You can see my post about the wonders of Versamark here.) Then I simply added a sentiment, and stamped the same circle on Whisper White and punched it out with a circle punch and them overlayed it on one of the embossed circles. Very simple and easy - try it for yourself!

If you haven't already let me know that you want one of the new Idea Books and Catalogs, let me know. They arrive today- YAY!!! Send me an email here and put New Catalog in the Subject and I'll make sure you get it!

Recipe:
Stamps: Circle Circus, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Rich Razzleberry,Night of Navy, Whisper White
Ink: Versamark, Night of Navy
Accessories: Rich Razzleberry Ribbon, word window punch, 1 1/4 circle punch, clear embossing powder

Enjoy your day

Hugs
Megan

Sponging Tutorial

Remember this card from yesterday? Well, here is a simple, simple tutorial that shows you how I created that background.

This is the finished card that I made for this tutorial - and we'll get into some of the mistakes in it in a moment!

First - here are the supplies that you will need:

You'll need the scallop circle punch, some scrap paper, your cardstock for your card base, and some more if you choose to embellish it (the oval on mine), and some light neutral cardstock for the front. (Hint: A card front layer is 4"x 5 1/4")
Now onto the clouds! I cut off a bit of sponge for every new project that I make (it makes clean up easier and makes the sponge go a bit further!) Oh, I also have one that is about an eighth of the sponge that is purely for Basic Brown - the color that I most often sponge with!
Now, after you have punched out the scalloped circle, place it just down from the top of your paper. Put some ink on the sponge and wipe it down from the scrap paper. Move it to another area, overlapping the scallops a bit and repeat. Keep doing that along the top of the paper until you are happy with the look. Then make sure that you sponge the edges as well where the clouds are to fill them in a bit.

Now onto the grass! Just rip a bit of scrap paper so that it has a little bit of a curve, and place that above where you want the grass to be. In the same way that you did the clouds, sponge down from the paper. If you do this wrong, the hills will look wrong (and yes, I DO know that from personal experience!!!!!)

Oh - just a quick hint: If you do stuff up one side, remember that Stampin' Up! papers are two sided and so you can just flip it over and start again on the other side!

This is what your finished background will look like - except that of course, yours will be in focus!!!!!!

Now you just have to put in any other images you want and embellish it!

Now some more hints - if you have a look at the oval image on mine - I used the Old Olive marker to just ink up that tiny bit of the stamp, but I caught some of the hill for the next set of trees. BIG HINT: when you do this technique, use a blender pen to wipe off the excess to get a clean image.

Next thing - use the stamp-a-ma-jig when you need to get word on! Mine are really crooked - but that's what you get when you are totally impatient!!!!!

So there you have it! Now go ahead and create your own sponged background!

You can place an online order here to get your own products to create a masterpiece like this!

Or book your won workshop and we can make a card like this for all of your friends! Email me to book a date.

Recipe:

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Brilliant Blue (card base), Bordering Blue, Naturals Ivory
Ink: Old Olive, Bordering Blue, Basic Brown

Accessories:Sponges, Scallop Circle punch

Hugs

Megan

Soon to be a collector's item!

This is one of the sets that I will be really sad to see go... "Doodle This". It's such a fun set - you need to order it before the end of the month if you want it; after that it is gone, gone, gone!
I am so excited about the new products that are coming July 1st and I can't wait to show them to you. But you'll just have to wait! In the mean time, I am going to use some of my favorites that are soon to be collector's items for the last time!
Sorry about the photo - for some reason this card just would not stay upright! And because of that you can't see how cool the flower is - it is 'curled'. I rubbed my bone folder along the back of the petals so that they curled, ad then turned it the right way round and pushed the button into it. It looks very cool IRL (in real life).
The other cool thing on this card is the ribbon - it's actually whisper white that I sponged with Ruby Red to match the card. I showed you that in this post as well. It's definitely something worth remembering - and if you have whisper white taffeta ribbon on hand, you'll always have a co-ordinating accessory!
So - if you love this set, or you need to order some taffeta ribbon to have handy, give me a call and place your order today! 303 805 2344

Recipe:
Paper: Ruby Red, Old Olive, Whisper White
Stamps: Doodle this, One of a Kind ("for you")
Ink: Old Olive, Versamark, Ruby Red
Accessories: Scalloped oval punch, large oval punch, Whisper White taffeta ribbon, Fresh Favorites II buttons

Hugs

Megan

All mine - punch page

Here is the page that I created with the border from yesterday. Aren't my kids just gorgeous?

Here you can see just how wide these borders are, and I would not recommend any this wide (2") on one 12" page usually, but I really wanted to focus in on the photos of my sweet babes. If you wanted to make a border this wide, think about making it a 2 page spread and putting the borders along either side - that way you will have plenty of room for more photos.

I chose the colors too based on the photos. This will really help the layout come together and not stress out anybody's eyes! (we find it hard when colors seem to be totally random!) If you have photos that don't mesh well color-wise, try printing them in black and white, and you'll never have a problem matching the layout again!

The journalling on this page is also a little hinky. Now, if you are really invested, and you WANT to read it, you need to put in some effort! Some of my more personal journalling I tend to do this way... and because I write so big (I also like to use my hideous handwriting because I think people in uears to come may be interested!)I needed to turn it to get the lines long enough.

I'd love to show you some more ideas on how to create fun and easy pages for your photos. Ring me today to book in a funshop for you and your Friends, or book into my Scrapbooking class on Saturday June 27th. 303 805 2344

Recipe:

Paper: Tempting Turquoise textured, Night of Navy, Really Rust

Stamps: Contempo Alphabet

Accessories: 1 3/8", 1 1/4 ", 1", 3/4" circle punches

Ink: Basic Black, night of navy stampin' write marker

Hugs

Megan

Bordering Saturday!

Today's is a really quick border that I created using punches ( I told you I would!!)

I used the colors on my babies' clothes (aren't they just gorgeous??!!) to create a sense of cohesiveness to the page. (But you have to wait until tomorrow to see the finished page!!!!)

This border is 2" wide - usually waaaay too wide to put on a one page layout - but it works well for what I wanted to do.

The circles are 1 3/8", 1 1/4", 1" and 3/4" punches. They make it really easy and fun - and the letters of the Contempo Alphabet fit into them just perfectly!

This same idea can be replicated using squares just as easily - try it!

IF you need punches to create a fun and easy border like this, give me a call and I'll put in an order for you! 303 805 2344

Recipe:

Punches: 1 3/8", 1 1/4", 1", 3/4" circles

Stamps: Contempo Alphabet

Paper: Tempting Turquoise textured, Night of Navy, Really rust

Ink: Basic Black

Hugs

Megan

Thursday Tools - Punches!

It's no secret that I LOVE punches! One of the saddest days was the day i realised I would have to leave all of my punches back in Australia because they were so darn heavy! (I know that Alicia is having a ball with them!!!!)

So, how happy was I when i saw the fabulous selection that Stampin' Up! has. And, beautiful quality too. If you haven't taken a look at them in a while, give me a call (303 805 2344) or send me an email ( megan@verhoevenfamily.us ) to get your copy of our catalogue so you can see for yourself!

This card showcases some of my new favorites - the scallop edge border and the scallop oval. The other fantastic thing about our punches, is that they have co-ordinating stamps, making it easy-peasy to create fabulous cards or scrapbook pages in a snap!

Watch for Saturday's border to see even more of our punches in action!

Stampin' Up! has just released a fabulous promotion for June - extra Hostess benefits! Yay SU!

So if you haven't hosted a 'funshop' with me lately, or ever!!, book in now for June so that you can get your hands on these fabulous punches for FREE!!

Call me or email me today to book yours! 303 805 2344 megan@verhoevenfamily.us

Recipe:

• Stamps: Oval all, Friends 24-7
• Paper: Kraft (card base), Baja Breeze, whisper white, very vanilla, Bella Bleu DSP
• Punches: Scallop edge, scallop oval, large oval
• Ink: Chocolate chip, Baja Breeze

Hugs

Megan