Hand Stamped By Heather, Heather Wright-Porto, Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Blog Candy Winner!

2011-12-12T21:07:00.001-05:00

My Blog Candy winner is PATTI CORRIERE, "What Are You Inking?", http://www.whatareyouinking.blogspot.com/.

After going to her profile, she happens to be here in NY and from the Hudson Valley like me! How cool is that! :D A nice surprise :D

Go to here blog, http://www.whatareyouinking.blogspot.com! She's got the cutest Snowman Gift Card Holder Card on her site! Love it :D

Congratulations Patti!

Please email me your mailing address at blogsbyheather@att.net so I may send out your package this week :D

BLOG CANDY: All items from the recent Online Extravaganza!

Flower Fest Clear Mount Stamp Set
Dots and Spots Wheel
Glimmer Subtles Brads
Glimmer Basics Brads
Glimmer Brights Brads
Cherry Cobbler Dotted Scalloped Ribbon
Chocolate Chip Dotted Scalloped Ribbon
Old Olive Dotted Scalloped Ribbon
Basic Black Dotted Scalloped Ribbon

Check to see if you won

on my team member's blog!

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

DESIGN ARTISTS

RETURNING Team Members:

Lee Conrey - Florida, U.S.A. website

CaroleAnne Sluchinski - Alberta, Canada website

Sandi MacIver - Oregon, U.S.A. website

NEW Team Members:

Shelagh Freemantle - British Columbia, Canada website
Linda Geater - New South Wales - Australia website

Kate Creasey - Washington, U.S.A. website

Heather Wright-Porto - New York, U.S.A. website (ME)

Happy stamping!

Heather Wright-Porto

http://www.blogsbyheather.com/

http://www.handstampedbyheather.com/

Countdown to Christmas Project #10Christmas Lodge Kraft Box

2011-12-09T10:43:00.001-05:00

Good morning stampers!

For this week's project we decorated the Kraft Box featured in the Holiday Mini!

P.S. I just realized after visiting my team member's blog that I was supposed to coordinate this project with last week's card, Christmas Lodge. So guess what.....here's the redo.

Here is the "real" project. LOL. So you have a treat with two boxes today. Here is the box that now coordinates with last week's project, featuring Christmas Lodge, Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Folder and the Holly Berry Bouquet Specialty paper!

Or course there is some more scalloped edges and beautiful ribbon to finish off any project! My tutorial will be now on this project!!!!

Here is the original project post from this morning.....

I didn't use many new supplies, but this week the new product is the Champagne Shimmer Paint. The picture doesn't do it justice and I actually ran out of my paint supply (LOL) as I use it often!

And here's the close-up...you've seen this beautiful cross (created from the large Serene Snowflake) many times....but is is very beautiful.

So I painted the box with the Champagne Shimmer Paint, let it dry, and then stamped with Early Espresso Classsic Ink and Whisper White Craft Ink using the snowflakes from Serene Snowflakes stamp set.

I again used the Scallop Trim Border punch, again a favorite and used throughout my Countdown to Christmas with Sandi & Friends.

Finishe the project with a bow!

I hope you enjoyed this week's project.

TODAY is the LAST DAY for YOUR CHANCE to win!

Be sure to leave a comment on every team member's blog, as well as mine (LOL), to increase your chances of winning some delicious blog candy!

BLOG CANDY: All items from the recent Online Extravaganza!

Flower Fest Clear Mount Stamp Set
Dots and Spots Wheel
Glimmer Subtles Brads
Glimmer Basics Brads
Glimmer Brights Brads
Cherry Cobbler Dotted Scalloped Ribbon
Chocolate Chip Dotted Scalloped Ribbon
Old Olive Dotted Scalloped Ribbon
Basic Black Dotted Scalloped Ribbon

Winner will be posted over the weekend! I have a holiday party with family tomorrow so it's going to be a crazy day...so it will most likely be Sunday okay? Hope you don't mind. Happy Holidays :D :D :D

If you have a moment and want more holiday inspiration,

please visit the design team!

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

DESIGN ARTISTS

RETURNING Team Members:

Lee Conrey - Florida, U.S.A. website

CaroleAnne Sluchinski - Alberta, Canada website

Sandi MacIver - Oregon, U.S.A. website

NEW Team Members:

Shelagh Freemantle - British Columbia, Canada website
Linda Geater - New South Wales - Australia website

Kate Creasey - Washington, U.S.A. website

Heather Wright-Porto - New York, U.S.A. website (ME)

Happy stamping!

Heather Wright-Porto

http://www.blogsbyheather.com/

http://www.handstampedbyheather.com/

Countdown to Christmas Project 9Christmas Lodge Embossed Card

2011-12-02T08:57:00.001-05:00

Good morning stampers!
For this week's project we created a beautiful embossed holiday card! I am featuring a new stamp set and color scheme, more traditional Christmas:

Garden Green
Holly Berry Bouquet Specialty Designer Series Paper
Christmas Lodge stamp set

I also did something a little different....I also stamped on the strips to be embossed! Do I have to tell you which Textured Impressions Folder I used? LOL.

I love the warmth of "chocolate" so I went with the piece of DSP that had some brown added. And I like the elegance of the Scalloped Trim Border.

The bow is Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, but I also used Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding ribbon on the ban as well.
I hope you enjoyed this week's project. Remember to visit everyone on the team and post comments on all the blogs as each of us are giving away BLOG CANDY.

If you have a moment and want more holiday inspiration,

please visit the design team!

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

DESIGN ARTISTS

RETURNING Team Members:

Lee Conrey - Florida, U.S.A. website

CaroleAnne Sluchinski - Alberta, Canada website

Sandi MacIver - Oregon, U.S.A. website

NEW Team Members:

Shelagh Freemantle - British Columbia, Canada website
Linda Geater - New South Wales - Australia website

Kate Creasey - Washington, U.S.A. website

Heather Wright-Porto - New York, U.S.A. website (ME)

Happy stamping!

Heather Wright-Porto

http://www.blogsbyheather.com/

http://www.handstampedbyheather.com/

Countdown to Christmas Project #8Holiday Tags

2011-11-25T07:43:00.001-05:00

Good morning and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

For this week's project we created Holiday Tags! Each design team member had the option of choosing a style. I chose the "Square" tags. I created three different tags using the same style, bringing all my previous projects together and combining the themes :D

All of the cards feature Whisper White cardstock embossed with Northern Flurry Textured Impessions Folder and all have Dazzling Details!!!! Bling...bling...bling....I just love to use glitter for the holidays!

The stamp sets featured are:

Polar Party
Jolliest Time of Year
Serene Snowflakes

The images were stamped on scraps, the colored, then cut-out and adhered to the tag base.

In closing, one of the best things about making Holiday Tags is that you can use up all your scraps!!!!! That's what I did this week. Just cut-up the scraps I had left over from the Countdown to Christmas projects. You can make tons of tags quickly, all in one style or you can mix it up like I did here :D

I hope you enjoyed this week's project. Remember to visit everyone on the team and post comments on all the blogs as each of us are giving away BLOG CANDY.

If you have a moment and want more holiday inspiration,

please visit the design team!

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

DESIGN ARTISTS

RETURNING Team Members:

Lee Conrey - Florida, U.S.A. website

CaroleAnne Sluchinski - Alberta, Canada website

Sandi MacIver - Oregon, U.S.A. website

NEW Team Members:

Shelagh Freemantle - British Columbia, Canada website
Linda Geater - New South Wales - Australia website

Kate Creasey - Washington, U.S.A. website

Heather Wright-Porto - New York, U.S.A. website (ME)

Happy stamping!

Heather Wright-Porto

http://www.blogsbyheather.com/

http://www.handstampedbyheather.com/

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T10:01:00.001-05:00

Hi stampers!

I just wanted to drop a quick note to say "Thank You" for following and supporting me. I truly appreciate that and for taking time to visit my blog and the projects I share.

Thank you so much. Have a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving!

Online Extravaganza from Stampin' Up! Save Up to 60% on Selected Stampin' Up! products!

2011-11-21T19:29:00.001-05:00

Stampin' Up!'s annual sale to kick off the holiday shopping season:

Monday, NOVEMBER 21, 2011, and run through

Wednesday, NOVEMBER 30, 2011.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP ONLINE WITH ME

Monday, November 21, to take advantage of great savings:

FREE digital downloads valued at $40 when you buy My Digital Studio Express,
60 percent off select Designer Fabrics
30 percent off an exclusive ribbon bundle!!!!

TODAY ONLY (November 21st until Midnight tonight)

you can save 20% on our new Cookie Press Stamps
or the new Simply Scoring tool!

http://heatherporto.stampinup.net/promotions
or CLICK HERE to start your holiday shopping!

Stampin' Up!: Online Extravaganza Begins MONDAY, NOVEMBER 21st!

2011-11-19T17:14:00.001-05:00

Stampin' Up!'s annual sale to kick off the holiday shopping season:

Monday, NOVEMBER 21, 2011, and run through

Wednesday, NOVEMBER 30, 2011.

CLICK HERE TO SHOP ONLINE WITH ME

Monday, November 21, to take advantage of great savings:

FREE digital downloads valued at $40 when you buy My Digital Studio Express,
60 percent off select Designer Fabrics
30 percent off an exclusive ribbon bundle!!!!

In addition, there will be two items on sale for 24 HOURS ONLY

(November 21, 12:01 AM - 11:59 PM [MT]) - be sure to check back here for more details on MONDAY or go straight to http://heatherporto.stampinup.net/promotions or CLICK HERE to start shopping (Monday)!

Countdown to Christmas: Project #7Jolliest Time of Year

2011-11-18T09:02:00.001-05:00

Hi stampers!

My post is finally ready. I'm very, truly sorry for my delay today. It's been one of those weeks....I appreciate your patience. Here is your Countdown to Christmas Project #7. It's a cutie if I say so myself - LOL.

And...I changed up the color scheme and stamp set! This time I used purple...Elegant Eggplant...and a snowman!!!! What's the holiday without snowmen?

Here is the inside of the folded card. The sides are embossed instead of being stamped. I think it adds just the perfect touch of snow and the theme for my project.

The center is again embossed and a snow hill cut out, as well as the 3 stamped images being stamped, colored and cut out. Watercolor pencils were used again in this project w/o the Blender or Aqua Pen. I just colored.

Lastly, Dazzling Details was added to the tree ornaments and parts of the snowman.

Since I used Designer Series Paper, for the outside, I chose not to stamp on the triangles (the fold to make up the front). Instead, I created a fancier, scalloped edge ban. I stamped and colored the snowman and added some Dazzling Details as well to the snow balls. It's hard to see in this picture, but the edges of the snowman piece are also embossed with Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Folder to coordinate with the embossing on the inside and over all theme of the card :D

I hope you enjoyed this week's project. Remember to visit everyone on the team and post comments on all the blogs as each of us are giving away BLOG CANDY.

If you have a moment and want more holiday inspiration,

please visit the design team!

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

DESIGN ARTISTS

RETURNING Team Members:

Lee Conrey - Florida, U.S.A. website

CaroleAnne Sluchinski - Alberta, Canada website

Sandi MacIver - Oregon, U.S.A. website

NEW Team Members:

Shelagh Freemantle - British Columbia, Canada website
Linda Geater - New South Wales - Australia website

Kate Creasey - Washington, U.S.A. website

Heather Wright-Porto - New York, U.S.A. website (ME)

Happy stamping!

Heather Wright-Porto

http://www.blogsbyheather.com/

http://www.handstampedbyheather.com/

Countdown to Christmas - Project #6Polar Party Fancy Favor Box

2011-11-11T09:08:00.001-05:00

Good morning and welcome to week 6 of Countdown to Christmas with Sandi & Friends!

This week's project coordinates with last week's Polar Party card with the accent color still being red (nice, birght and fun, traditional holiday color)! But not just any red....GLIMMER red! The Glimmer Paper sparkles like diamonds --- BLING!!!!

And I've also added Dazzling Details again to the cute little penguins and the decorations on the center tree, as well as the snow fall at their feet!

This gift box features the cute penguins from Polar Party and the Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Folder to add a soft, subtle texture to the box top area.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS

This week again I used Watercolor Pencils to color in the artwork. I did not use a Blender Pen this time to blend the coloring. Next, I stamped and CUT OUT the trees and the two penguins. This is so I could layer then on top of one another (this is instead of using the Masking Technique) with Stampin' Dimensionals to add more dimension to the project.

Here is a close-up!

Hope you have a great week! Enjoy :D

Just a mention of Blog Candy to come…..make sure to leave a comment on my blog and those of the other Artists and you will have a chance for lot’s of Blog Candy….start leaving comments today and we’ll be drawing from all the Friday Countdown Comments for some fabulous Blog Candy at the end of the Countdown.

Each of the design team members are offering blog candy…so that is 7 chances to win! Be sure to send in your comments on Countdown to Christmas Fridays :D. Picture to come……

If you have a moment and want more holiday inspiration,

please visit the design team!

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

DESIGN ARTISTS

RETURNING Team Members:

Lee Conrey - Florida, U.S.A. website

CaroleAnne Sluchinski - Alberta, Canada website
Sandi MacIver - Oregon, U.S.A. website

NEW Team Members:

Shelagh Freemantle - British Columbia, Canada website
Linda Geater - New South Wales - Australia website
Kate Creasey - Washington, U.S.A. website
Heather Wright-Porto - New York, U.S.A. website (ME)

Happy stamping!
Heather Wright-Porto
http://www.blogsbyheather.com/

http://www.handstampedbyheather.com/

Countdown to Christmas - Project #5Polar Party NAPR Card

2011-11-04T08:44:00.001-04:00

Good morning and welcome to week 5 of Countdown to Christmas with Sandi & Friends!

You don't have to have many layers to a card to make it special, cute or beautiful! This week's projects is Sandi's NAPR idea (No Added Posted Required). No dimensionals are used in my sample, nothing with added weight (such as Filigree Brads or Clear Brads which you may guess is one of my favorite ways to add "bling" to a project).

Instead, this week, I use the new Dazzling Details to give this otherwise "flat" card some "shine", and also use Nothern Flurry Textured Impressions Folder to add texture.

This card again features the fun Polar Party stamp set and the masking technique was used again to show the little penquins playing in front of the holiday trees :D

You may not be able to tell well from the picture, but the Dazzling Details is added at the bottom of them, the snowy edge, but also to their hats and scarves, as wel as the decorations on the trees. Just love this stuff!

Hope you have a great week! Enjoy :D

Each of the design team members are offering blog candy…so that is 7 chances to win! Be sure to send in your comments on Countdown to Christmas Fridays :D. Picture to come……

OTHER IDEAS

If youwanted to step-up this card, where extra postage may then be required (LOL), you could trim this card and mat just the card front on a piece of Cherry Cobbler paper. Then add dimension by added a few cut out snowflakes or die-cut snowflakes with a rhinestone center!

If you haven't already, sign up for the Countdown to Christmas newsletter in the upper right sidebar to get the free tutorial for this week's project!

If you have a moment and want more holiday inspiration,

please visit the design team!

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

DESIGN ARTISTS

RETURNING Team Members:

Lee Conrey - Florida, U.S.A. website

CaroleAnne Sluchinski - Alberta, Canada website
Sandi MacIver - Oregon, U.S.A. website

NEW Team Members:

Shelagh Freemantle - British Columbia, Canada website
Linda Geater - New South Wales - Australia website
Kate Creasey - Washington, U.S.A. website
Heather Wright-Porto - New York, U.S.A. website (ME)

Happy stamping!
Heather Wright-Porto
http://www.blogsbyheather.com/
http://www.handstampedbyheather.com/

Countdown to Christmas Project #4Polar Party Box Topper Gift Bag

2011-10-28T08:08:00.001-04:00

Good morning and welcome to week 4 of Countdown to Christmas with Sandi & Friends!

During the holidays especially, we love to give gifts in a gift bag...so why not make a handmade one and one with a box topper!!!

Each of the design team members are offering blog candy…so that is 7 chances to win! Be sure to send in your comments on Countdown to Christmas Fridays :D. Picture to come……

This box topper (kinda of like a bag lid - LOL) and decorated gift bag features the Polar Party stamp set as the featured stamp set (center panel) and the Bright Hopes stamp set for the snowflakes you see.

The color scheme this week is Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy and White.

What other color do you see in there?

The techniques used this week are the "Markers" (where you stamp in a base color and then use a Stampin' Write Marker and literally color on the stamp/ink) and "Masking" (where you can hide something behind something else and bring an item(s) to the front, like a Send to Front in MS Word).

For the snowflakes on the box topper trim, notice the base is Cherry Cobbler and the Not Quite Navy accents are on the outer part of the snowflakes and the center (could not be accomplished with last week's Rock-n-Roll technique). Markers also give a rich color.

Look at the center of the front panel and notice the Polar Bear is in front of the trees! That is where the masking technique was used. And then lets not forget watercoloring using the Watercolor Pencils and a Blender Pen.

OTHER IDEAS

I was trying not to "overdo" the gift bag. But here are a few other ideas that you could use but it will add a little more time to do your project!

I was going to add silver or clear brads to the center of the snowflakes in the box topper (there are many!).
You could add any brads or jewels to the trees on the front panel to add sparkle.
You could use Crystal Effects on the tree decorations or the polar bear's hat and scarf for added dimension and shine.
Stamping snowflakes or a background stamp on the actual white gift bag. I thought about this but again I didn't want to overdo it. LOL.
Lastly, you could add ribbon to the project - everything looks nice packaged/sealed with a bow! :D

If you haven't already, sign up for the Countdown to Christmas newsletter in the upper right sidebar to get the free tutorial for this week's Box Topper project!

If you have a moment and want more holiday inspiration,

please visit the design team!

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

DESIGN ARTISTS

RETURNING Team Members:

Lee Conrey - Florida, U.S.A. website

CaroleAnne Sluchinski - Alberta, Canada website
Sandi MacIver - Oregon, U.S.A. website

NEW Team Members:

Shelagh Freemantle - British Columbia, Canada website
Linda Geater - New South Wales - Australia website
Kate Creasey - Washington, U.S.A. website
Heather Wright-Porto - New York, U.S.A. website (ME)

Happy stamping!
Heather Wright-Porto
http://www.blogsbyheather.com/
http://www.handstampedbyheather.com/

Countdown to Christmas - Project 3Bright Hopes Gift Card Holder

2011-10-21T09:05:00.004-04:00

Good morning!

Here is this week's Countdown to Christmas with Sandi & Friends. It is a beautiful gift card holder. I love snowflakes and coffee (Early Espresso, LOL), so I tried to keep with my overall theme, but this time I added some more color, Cherry Cobler Red!

Instead of using Serene Snowflakes this time, I featured one of the new holiday stamp sets in the Holiday Mini Catalog, Bright Hopes. It's very pretty and versitle. Click here to view the set (I have it linked to the main Stampin' Up! website as I know many people, fans, and customers of my fellow demonstrators on the design team will be visiting, and it wouldn't be fair for me to link to my own personal site during this Countdown to Christmas special series).

This picture, featured above is just the front view of the gift card. In the tutorial, to go out tonight at 7 pm EST via my newsletter, you will see the inside and the back, and complete instructions (with pictures) on how to create this project.

This week's project features:

The BIG SHOT and the Top Note die.
Very Vanilla Ribbon.
Cherry Cobler, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand, and Early Espresso Cardstock.
Northern Flurry Textured Embossing Folder.
The Bright Hopes Stamp Set.
Scallop Trim Border Punch.
Clear Brads.
Cherry Cobler and Early Espresso Classic Ink.
The Love Blossoms Wheel (which I think compliments the Bright Hopes stamp set).
Rock-n-Roll Technique.

I think I got it all...if I've forgotten to mention anything it will be in the tutorial :D

If you haven't already, sign up for my mailing list. I sent out the newsletters at 7 pm EST on Fridays. So you still have time to sign up (in the right hand sidebar)!!!!

Here is a snapshot again of my previous two projects:

If you have a moment and want more holiday inspiration,

please visit the design team!

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

DESIGN ARTISTS

RETURNING Team Members:

Lee Conrey - Florida, U.S.A. website

CaroleAnne Sluchinski - Alberta, Canada website
Sandi MacIver - Oregon, U.S.A. website

NEW Team Members:

Shelagh Freemantle - British Columbia, Canada website
Linda Geater - New South Wales - Australia website
Kate Creasey - Washington, U.S.A. website
Heather Wright-Porto - New York, U.S.A. website
Lori Sutton - Louisiana, U.S.A. website

Happy stamping!
Heather Wright-Porto
http://www.blogsbyheather.com/
http://www.handstampedbyheather.com/

Countdown to Christmas - Project #2Serene Snowflakes Gift Box

2011-10-14T11:06:00.002-04:00

Hi there!
I'm soooo sorry my post is late. I just am getting on the computer now for the day and realized my post was not live yet. Shucks!!!

But here ya go...my project #2 in the Countdown to Christmas with Sandi & Friends. It is a beautiful gift box coordinated with Project #1, Diamond Folding Card.

This gift box features the

Serene Snowflakes stamp set,
Scallop Trim Border punch,
Filigree Brad,
Clear Brads,
Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon,
Northern Flurry Textured Embossing Folder, and
Champagne Glass Glitter to add the BLING!!!!!

For a complete supply list and step by step instructions, sign up for my mailing list. I sent out the newsletters at 7 pm EST on Fridays. So you still have time to sign up (in the right hand sidebar)!!!!

Conpleted box view.

This is the focal point below.

And here is the box next to the diamond folding card.

If you have a moment and want more holiday inspiration,

please visit the design team!

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

DESIGN ARTISTS

RETURNING Team Members:

Lee Conrey - Florida, U.S.A. website

CaroleAnne Sluchinski - Alberta, Canada website
Sandi MacIver - Oregon, U.S.A. website

NEW Team Members:

Happy stamping!
Heather Wright-Porto
http://www.blogsbyheather.com/
http://www.handstampedbyheather.com/

Countdown to Christmas - Project 1Serene Snowflakes in a Diamond Fold Card

2011-10-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

Diamond Fold Card - Project 1 in the

Countdown to Christmas series

This card is a funky folding card and created using the Serene Snowflakes stamp set. It is one of my favorite sets!!!! Love it! And for some reason, while looking through my paper and inks, I decided not to go with the traditional holiday colors and to go neutral!

Can you tell me what SU colors are used in this sample?

(without and before reading the PDF! LOL.)

Each week I'll be sharing another holiday sample with you but so will all the Countdown to Christmas team! So be sure to visit their blogs and get even more inspiration and view different samples of this Diamond Fold Card technique.

To learn how to create this card, sign up for my newsletter and join the Countdown to Christmas mailing list. Each week you will receive a PDF tutorial on how to make the card I showcase.

Newsletters will go out every Friday night at 7 pm EST. The posts, like this one, are scheduled for Fridays at 8 am EST.

Remember to visit all the wonderful artists in this year's

Countdown to Christmas!

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS

DESIGN ARTISTS

RETURNING Team Members:

Lee Conrey - Florida, U.S.A. website

CaroleAnne Sluchinski - Alberta, Canada website

Sandi MacIver - Oregon, U.S.A. website

NEW Team Members:

Shelagh Freemantle - British Columbia, Canada website

Linda Geater - New South Wales - Australia website

Kate Creasey - Washington, U.S.A. website

Heather Wright-Porto - New York, U.S.A. website

Lori Sutton - Louisiana, U.S.A. website

Thank you for visiting!
Happy stamping :D

12 Weeks of Christmas Cards - Week 5 - "December 25 Card"

2011-10-06T22:58:00.001-04:00

Week 5 - "December 25 Card"

Combine Circle Treat Cups, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, and a little creativity to make this beautiful December 25 card.

CLICK HERE FOR PROJECT DETAILS

Come back next week for Week 6 of the 12 Weeks of Christmas Cards series!

Countdown to Christmas

2011-10-06T11:52:00.000-04:00

Hi there!

This year I have the pleasure of joining with Sandi MacIver and friends in sharing with you twelve weeks of holiday inspiration!

For the first issue to go out tomorrow, I will send the special Countdown to Christmas - Week 1 issue to all my Hand Stamped By Heather newsletter subscribers and the Holiday Helper group from last year. Then, you can modify your profile to sign up for the Countdown to Christmas mailing.

Simply enter your email address in the right sidebar under SIgn Up For My Newslettter! There you can pick what mailing lists you wish to join, or if you are already part of one of my lists, you can choose to edit your profile (to add or remove lists you belong to…as I have a few in there. LOL).

Happy stamping and hoping you will join me, Sandi & friends! First issue to go out tomorrow and I will be posting again on my blog my first sample to share with you. Newsletter subscribers get the PDF tutorial on how to make the project :D

2011-10-01T23:48:00.003-04:00

Promotion Dates: October 1-31, 2011

Buy two Simply Sent Kits and get a FREE coordinating stamp set! Our Simply Sent Kits are the ideal choice for the beginning crafter. The card kits offer a variety of basic themes, so it's easy to create cards for any occasion.

Order Yours Today!

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS!

Please contact me if you would like to place an order!
914-260-2858 or handstampedbyheather@att.net

Introducing Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps!

2011-10-01T23:38:00.000-04:00

Sales period: October 1, 2011 - January 3, 2012

Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps are a brand-new product that will appeal to crafters and non-crafters, alike--not to mention kids!

The easy-to-use cookie stamp has a solid wood handle with three interchangeable stamp images: a heart, a jack-o-lantern, and a snowflake.

Just make your favorite shortbread cookie dough (or one of the two included recipes) and stamp away! Create beautiful, hand-stamped cookies in a flash. The stamp images are completely food-safe and child-friendly.

Use the Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps while you enjoy adding that personal touch to what you do... and they are SO easy it is to use--no ink required!

Order Yours Today!

Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps
Item 125152

Includes solid wood handle with three interchangeable stamp images, two recipes, and tips for use!
Price: $16.95

Please contact me if you would like to place an order!

914-260-2858 or handstampedbyheather@att.net

12 Weeks of Christmas Cards - Week 4 - "Christmas Spirit Card"

2011-09-29T23:58:00.003-04:00

Week 4 - "Christmas Spirit Card"

This gorgeous card is sprinkled with Clear Stampin’ Emboss Powder and Rhinestone Basic Pearls for a final effect that is sure to spread a little cheer this holiday season!

CLICK HERE FOR PROJECT DETAILS

Please contact me if you would like to place an order!

914-260-2858 or handstampedbyheather@att.net

Come back next week for week 5 of the 12 Weeks of Christmas Cards series!

12 Weeks of Christmas Cards - Week 3 - "Season's Greetings Card"

2011-09-22T12:03:00.000-04:00

Week 3 - "Season's Greetings Card"

Lovers of nature will love this striking card, created with the Scenic Season Set and sponged-on ink. The Dazzling Diamonds Stampin' Glitter and embossing add texture and interest.

CLICK HERE FOR PROJECT DETAILS

Please contact me if you would like to place an order!

914-260-2858 or handstampedbyheather@att.net

Come back next week for Week 4 of the 12 Weeks of Christmas Cards Series!

Have a Great Day!

12 Weeks of Christmas Cards - Week 2 - "Season's Greetings Card"

2011-09-15T12:38:00.000-04:00

Week 2 - "Season's Greetings Card"

Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim adds a simple touch of elegance to this classic holiday card. Tucked under the Top Note Bigz die cut, the trim helps to create a beautifully understated Christmas greeting.

CLICK HERE FOR PROJECT DETAILS

Please contact me if you would like to place an order!

914-260-2858 or handstampedbyheather@att.net

Come back next week for Week 3 of the 12 Weeks of Christmas Cards series!

12 Weeks of Christmas Cards - Week 1 - "Tidings Card"

2011-09-10T23:42:00.000-04:00

Week 1 - "Tidings Card"

Watercoloring is a fun way to add a personal touch to any card or gift, just like this adorable Christmas card!

CLICK HERE FOR PROJECT DETAILS

Please contact me if you would like to place an order!
914-260-2858 or handstampedbyheather@att.net

Come back next week for Week 2 of the 12 Weeks of Christmas Cards series!

A few drawers for Mom (Parisian Breeze Kids Craft)

2011-04-28T13:54:00.000-04:00

These cute little drawers/boxes are decorated with the very beautiful, but retired Stampin' Up! designer series paper, Parisian Breeze.

This the kids craft we are doing Monday, May 2nd at Tuxedo Park Library for the kids, 4 pm. We may stamp and color a few notes to put in the drawers for mom or we may use some non-melting type of candy…we'll see…I have the weekend to think about that.

We use the large silk flower from the Pretties Kit as well as the 1/2 Pearls, and the Filigree Brad with a clear rhinestone at the top (to place the large white silk flower). Some coordinating ribbon is also used and the kids can choose from a variety of colors as well (I used shades of blue in my sample).

The Mother's Day card attached is simply embossed with the Textured Impressions embossing folder and placed on a piece of Parisian Breeze scrap folded; attached to the present piece with ribbon.

I'm sure the kids will have a great time…they always do!

Happy Stamping!

Decorative BirdHouses using Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper

2011-04-18T23:48:00.001-04:00

If you're local to Tuxedo Park, NY, then don't miss this class! It is FREE, this THURSDAY, April 21st at the Tuxedo Park Library. Call to register: (845) 351-2207

These birdhouses are decorated with the new Designer Series Paper from the current SNEAK PEEK promotion. This DSP will be featured in the new 2011-2012 Catalog but you have a chance to earn it FREE this month with a $20 purchase (merchandise).

In this project believe it or not there is no stamping!!!! LOL. I just decorated them with the designer series paper, Paisley Petals, used some Textured Impressions Embossing Folders (Square Lattice), and Beautiful Wings Embosslits (the butterflies). Oh, and let's not forget the scallop punch for the decorative lining of the roof!

They are really cute!

Don't miss this great opportunity to join me!

Thursday, April 21st, 6:30 PM

Tuxedo Park Library

(845) 352-2207 to register!

Class is FREE.

Stamp Out Breast Cancer! Join us for this special event!

2011-04-10T23:21:00.005-04:00

Join us in STAMPING OUT BREAST CANCER

We have all been touched by this disease in some way, have fought it ourselves, have a loved one or friend who has fought it; some have won the fight, some have not.

Let’s celebrate them all and help to find a cure.

So don your favorite pink t-shirt, make a date with your stamping friends and join us on May 14th, for a 4 Nation Event!

On May 14th at 1, p.m.
(Pacific Daylight time) we will all get together to
STAMP OUT BREAST CANCER!

How are we going to accomplish this?

We have set up a website which will go live at that time. It contains the pictures and videos on completing each of the projects – and we want to invite you to stamp with us!

TO PARTICIPATE

You need to register with one of the Demonstrators in your country to order your kit – by May 1st, 2011. (There is a registration form on each site listed below and at the bottom of this page)

Our kit includes:

Stampin Up – Strength and Hope Stamp set (Stampin Up! is donating $2.00 from the sale of each set).
Precut kits for each of the 6 projects – 4 cards and two 3D items. Designed by Sandi MacIver and Lee Conrey.
One package of Basic Pearls.

This will be mailed to you the first week of May – in plenty of time to participate - and is the reason we ask for your phone number and mailing address in order for us to place our orders with Stampin' Up!

We will be sending email newsletters as reminders and to share additional event information with you, such as letting you know when the Stamp Out Breast Cancer site is live for us to stamp together and watch all the wonderful videos! Additionally, the newsletters will include PayPal links so you may pay for the kits quickly and easily.

REGISTRATION

Registration for this event is now closed (May 1st was the last day to register to ensure everyone will receive their kits in time for the event on May 14th). Thank you all who have registered for this event and in making a difference in the fight agains Breast Cancer.

In the U.S.A. - please contact:

Heather Wright-Porto - http://www.HandStampedByHeather.com
Lee Conrey - http://www.stampingleeyours.blogspot.com
Sandi MacIver – http://www.sandimaciver.com

In Canada – please contact:

Carole'Anne Sluchinski - http://www.stampinstressaway.com
Shelagh Freemantle - http://shelaghfreemantle.typepad.com

In Australia – please contact:

Linda Geater - http://www.lindageater.com/

In England – Please contact:

Monica Gale - http://monicas-passions.blogspot.com/

Proceeds from the sale of these kits will also be sent as a donation to:

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
BCRF is dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding clinical and translational research worldwide.
For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org.

60 East 56th Street, 8th floor
New York, NY 10022
Attn: Lori Shapiro

Where have I been….wrapping up 2nd book on blogging :D

2011-02-13T11:52:00.002-05:00

I feel awful that I haven't stamped since Christmas!!!! But it's for a good reason. I am just finishing up my 2nd book on blogging!

Yes, it's me…Heather from Blogs By Heather. I love stamping too, so this is my personal stamping blog :D

I am posting this here as I know many of you are Stampin' Up! Demonstrators or blog owners yourself, so you may be interested. But more so I just wanted to let you know "where did Heather go?"

It will be published next month, mid March 2011! However, it is already available for pre-order!

In short, it is "all about blogging" in many aspects and covers topics from

starting a new blog, thinking of a name, brainstorming about what to write about, good writing tips;
following with blog layout and organization, working with images and video (from getting them from your camera/video recorder to your computer to your blog!);
to creating a blog, changing its design, setting up a custom domain, creating a blog store with PayPal buttons;
to socializing with Facebook and Twitter, as well as how to drive traffic to your blog and monitor visitors (visitor tracking);
and then finishing up with using HTML and CSS code in your blog, and where to find additional help.

It is LOADED and has instruction for Windows and Mac, for Blogger, TypePad, and WordPress users!!!!! I will be having a webinar on this book as well!

So exciting! Much to come and I thank you so much for your patience and your support! Oh, and there will be chance to win a signed copy of this book and special opportunities to win free webinars if you do purchase either of my books! Details to come soon…stay tuned!

By Heather Wright-Porto

ISBN13: 978-1-4302-3428-9

ISBN10: 1-4302-3428-8

350 pp.

Published Mar 2011

Print Book Price: $34.99

eBook Price: $24.49

To purchase print or e-book:

1st Chance to Win Signed Copy
Click here to go to this post in my Blogs By Heather blog. Comment there about with what you think blogging books, in general, are missing? If my books don't have it covered (as it's hard to cover very, very advanced topics and to cover every aspect (although I tried - LOL)), then it gives me something to write more posts about (on my Blogs By Heather blog) so you'll still get the info you want!

Happy stamping and blogging!
Heather Wright-Porto
www.HandStampedByHeather.com

Happy Holidays from the Porto's

2010-12-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

Gerry is taking the picture of us before the "official" picture was taken, and right before Luke starts to cry :(

Here are my beautiful children (above) showing off their personalities :)

Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
Love, The Porto's

Deck The Halls Paper Ornaments (Kids Craft Class, Tuxedo Park Library)

2010-12-27T12:57:00.000-05:00

During the month of December I hosted another Kids Craft Program at the Tuxedo Park Library and we created these two projects - the small tote bag to hold the decorative, paper ornament. The kids loved it (and so did the parents that attended).

The tote is from an old planner I purchased from Andrea Walford where she gave the instructions on how to create such a cute tote bag. I have used it many times over and over again has it is the perfect size for many gifts - a set of 4x4 cards, an ornament in this case, a box of jewelry, a gift card and more!

This adorable ornament was an idea shared by my dear friend, Diane Caro of Lakeside Stamper. I modified it as I wasn't sure exactly how she made it (LOL) and had to make it for the kids to make. So there are really two pieces to this project adhered together by a Pop-Glue Dot in the end. Below you can see images of the two pieces joined together by ribbon, brads, and then the Pop-up Glue dot would be applied to hold the two pieces together.

So, how did I make it?

I started with 13 punched Scallop Circles.
One kept for the base, and another set aside for the "other side" of the ornament (the smaller part of the project), leaving 11 circles to fill the ornament.
For each of the 11 pieces, I used SNAIL adhesive on the bottom 1/2 of each circle, and then folded in the left side, then the right side to make a wedge. In class we called it a pizza slice and that we were making 11 slices to create the whole pizza.
Then each piece was laid on the base (which was completely covered with SNAIL adhesive), to make a pizza (LOL)!
Then a rhinestone brad was placed through a punched small snowflake, and then through a Big Felt Flurries snowflake (brad and snowflakes on Clearance Rack at Stampin' Up!). Then it was pierced thru a pice of Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon. Then the brad was opened as shown above.
Next, the smaller part of this ornament is just a Scallop Circle where another brad was placed through a punched snowflake, through a felt snowflake, through the Scallop Circle and then through the other end of the ribbon (as shown above).
Then both pieces where stuck together using a Pop-up Glue Dot.

For the kids, I had punched all the Scallop Circles for them (each had 13) and I had punched all the snowflakes and ribbon so they could quickly adhere all the pieces together. So each baggie had:

13 Scallop Circles
2 Big Felt Flurries
2 punched snowflakes
2 Fire Round Rhinestones
1 piece of Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon
SNAIL glue

Michaela loved it as well. Hope you and your loved ones had a wonderful holiday and continue to enjoy the holiday season!

Happy Holidays!
Heather Wright-Porto
www.HandStampedByHeather.com

B-E-L-I-E-V-E Chipboard Album Project (Last pages)

2010-12-24T13:12:00.000-05:00

In celebrating the wonderful holiday season I am finishing up showcasing all the beautiful pages of the BELIEVE Chipboard Album I featured on the Royal Blog Tour.

Here is the back of the "V" in BELIEVE and it shows you just how beautiful the Deck The Halls designer series paper is. I accented the berries with Crystal Effects and added Rhinestones to the center of the poinsettias, as well as in the upper, left corner. You can add your picture of the word JOY or a picture stip over the music notes.

This is the front side of the last "E" in BELIEVE and my favorite page of this album. It again shows how beautiful the DSP paper is, the berries are accented with Crystal Effects, the HOPE is also decorated with Crystal Effects.

Then there is a layered photo mat which as a very intrigue bouquet of poinsettias (stamped and cut out), tied with a bow (Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon).

The poinsettias image was stamped in Early Espresso Classic ink.
Colored with Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive Classic Ink (using a Blender Pen), but highlighted with Bravo Burgundy and Always Artichoke Stampin' Write Markers.
Rhinestones added to the center.
Adhered to mat with Mini Glue Dots and Stampin' Dimensionals.

On this back side of the E, you will find the brown patterned DSP with 3 photo mats (one for a larger photo and then the two small squares). Stamped bells accent this page.

These bells were again stamped in Early Espresso.
The bell was colored with Gold ink (using Blender Pen), where a Gold Pen was used to highlight the bell's trim.
The berries were painted with Cherry Cobbler and then Crystal Effects was added. The bow was also colored with Cherry Cobbler (using a Blender Pen).
The leaves were highlighted with the Always Artichoke Stampin' Write Marker and then colored with Old Olive Classic Ink pad and Blender Pen.
Adhered using Stampin' Dimensionals.

This is the last page of the BELIEVE album which feauted 3 or 6 photo areas depending on how you look at it (smiley). The chocolate satin ribbon runs across the page and accented with just 2 clear rhinesones. The holly took the longest on this page to color, cut and then to apply Crystal Effects.

Images stamped in Early Espresso.
Holly colored in Old Olive Classic Ink with Blender Pen, and highlighted with Always Artichoke Stampin' Write Marker.
The berries were colored in Cherry Cobbler and then Crystal Effects was applied. Please be sure to let dry a long time!!!!
Then adhered with Mini Glue Dots.

And you're done!!!

I hope you enjoyed this album. I truly love working with chipboard so keep a look out this year. Coming soon...an entirely new section to my blog on Chipboard projects only. I love it that much!

Happy Holidays!!!

Heather Wright-Porto, www.HandStampedByHeather.com

Need help with your blog? Visit www.BlogsByHeather.com

Simple but Sweet Holiday Card using Snow Swirled

2010-12-13T10:14:00.000-05:00

I wanted to give ya something else to look out as I continue posting pages from the beautiful BELIEVE Chipboard album. So here is a very fun holiday card! Enjoy :D

Snow Swirled

I love this stamp set! It's so versatile and I use it to make quick but fun and cute holiday cards!

To make this card:

Create your standard card using Brushed Silver cardstock.
Then cut a pice of 3-1/4 x 4-1/4 piece of Shimmery White paper.
Then mat that on Bashful Blue cardstock increased dimensions by 1/8".
Using Basic Gray, stamp Snow Swirled tree on the Shimmery White cardstock.
Then adhere different sized Basic Rhinestone Jewels to the tree.
I then scalloped a piece of scrap paper to fit across the width of the center frame, and then wrapped the Silver Tinsel Trim (from the Holiday Mini) across the front (adhere to back).
Then adhered the center frame to the card front using Stampin' Dimensionals.

To see more cards using this set, click here!

I will now continue posting the final pages of the BELIEVE Chipboard album (next post, in a few days).

Happy Monday!

B-E-L-I-E-V-E Chipboard Album (Inside, Facing Pages 4)

2010-12-04T20:24:00.001-05:00

Oh my how the days go by! I got a little behind in posting, but here are a few more pages of the B-E-L-I-E-V-E Chipboard Album. Again, this album is featuring the Bells and Boughs stamp set with the Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper. It is vintage, using watercoloring, as well as the Gold Glow Smooch Spritz and new Basic Rhinestone Jewels!

On this page, the back of the "E", there is no picture mat. There is just the handmade embellishments in the upper left corner area. It consists of one stamped poinsettia image and the bells, both stamped on Sahara Sand cardstock in Early Espresso Classic Ink.

Each colored with Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink using a Blender Pen. The Bravo Burgundy and Always Artichoke Stampin' Write Markers were used to highlight the lines in the leaves and the poinsettia.

The trim of the bell is highlighted with the Gold pen/marker, and the berries covered with Crystal Effects. Rhinestone jewels were also placed in the center of all the poinsettias.

This page begins the "V" in the B-E-L-I-E-V-E album. It has 2 photo mats (of the Deck the Hall DSP), both 3-1/4 x 5. In the center there is a watercolored bell image. Again, all bells are colored with Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink using a Blender Pen, as well as Gold ink. The Always Artichoke Stampin' Write Markers was used to highlight the lines in the leaves. The berries are covered with Crystal Effects and a Gold pen/marker was used on the bell's trim. It was then adhered to the page using Stampin' Dimensionals.

The "V" also has 3 knots/bows on the right side of the "V" using all the new Seam Binding Ribbon in the Holiday Mini (Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, and Always Artichoke).

Upcoming Card Making Class - DECEMBER 17th!

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the upcoming Holiday Card Making Class! DEC. 17th!

Click here to see samples of one of the cards and the candle project, and this full BELIEVE Chipboard Album you can make on December 18th.

Click here to see another card from the upcoming class using the Christmas Postcard stamp with the Designer Series Paper. Lots of warm, vintage, holiday cards!

B-E-L-I-E-V-E Chipboard Album (Inside, Facing Pages 4)

2010-11-27T19:36:00.000-05:00

Here are two more of the beautiful pages of the B-E-L-I-E-V-E Chipboard Album. I hope you are enjoying all the pages of the album featuring the new DECK THE HALLS designer series paper and BELLS AND BOUGHS stamp set....which is one of the HOLIDAY BUNDLES ON SALE NOW!!!! If you purchase them as a Bundle you save 20%!!! Click to shop now!

This page is the back of the "I" and is covered with the script pattern of the DECK THE HALLS designer series paper pack. You also see the knotted ribbon (Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon) shown on the opposite side (previous post).

The picture mats are separated by a piece of Tinsel Ribbon and decorated poinsettias. The poinsettias were stamped in Early Espresso on Sahara Sand scrap. Then colored with Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive Classic Ink pads using a Blender Pen. Then the Bravo Burgundy and Always Artichoke Stampin' Write Markers were used to highlight the lines in each leaf and poinsettia. When finished coloring, Basic Rhinestone Jewels were added to the center of the poinsettias.

The picture mats are 2 x 3-1/2, basically to feature two wallet sized, landscape photos.

The front of the "E" shown here again features the same DSP but this time with a brown mat (piece of 5 x 4 piece of designer series paper). It is accented by two sets of hollies.

Each holly was stamped in Early Espresso on Sahara Sand paper. The the leave were outlined in an Always Artichoke Stampin' Write marker. Then colored with Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink Pads using a Blender Pen. Crystal Effects was then added to all the berries to give it a raised, deep, rich cherry look!

Two more pages to be featured in two more days....enjoy!!!

Happy Stamping!
Heather Wright-Porto
www.HandStampedByHeather.com

B-E-L-I-E-V-E Chipboard Album (Inside, Facing Pages 3)

2010-11-25T08:50:00.000-05:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!

Thank you so much for following me! I appreciate you as a customer, but more so as a friend. Thank you! Thank you for sharing my Stampin' Up! business with me, for coming to my classes or just enjoying the samples posted here to my blog. I hope you have a blessed day, today and always!

Here is the next set of pages in the B-E-L-I-E-V-E Chipboard album, covered with DECK THE HALLS designer series paper and featuring the BELLS AND BOUGHS stamp set. It is also accented with other items from the Holiday Mini catalog, such as the Tinsel Ribbon and the Seam Binding Ribbon.

Here is the back of the "L" covered with a piece of DSP with Bells on it. I stamped additional bells in Early Espresso and the colored with a Blender Pen and Gold, Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive (Classic Ink Pads). I also used the Always Artichoke Stampin' Write Marker on the lines of the leaves. Lastly I covered the berries with Crystal Effects.

Then, simply added a small picture pat (4 x 2.75) using more of the DSP, but with a brown pattern.

In this page, the front of the "I", again another piece of DSP covers the chipboard with holly accents. All berries were covered with Crystal Effects. I really like the look of it and the dimension it adds to this project.

Additionally, a 5 x 4 picture mat is laid where Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon and Tinsel Ribbon were added to the left side to add a little sparkle!

I hope you are enjoying this album. I really did have a lot of fun creating this and I love all Chipboard projects. I normally cover Chipboard with Designer Series Paper but you can also use a Dauber to cover chipboard with ink or you can actually paint it with paint you may have from a craft store.

Have a wonderful day!

Heather Wright-Porto
www.HandStampedByHeather.com

B-E-L-I-E-V-E Chipboard Album (Inside, Facing Pages 2)

2010-11-23T08:59:00.001-05:00

In following the previous post, here are two more pages of the beautiful B-E-L-I-E-V-E Chipboard album project. The pages below are the back of the letter "E" and the front side of the letter "L" decorated with the green, vintage patterned paper from the DECK THE HALLS Designer Series Paper.

This is the back side of the previously shown letter "E" with the Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon tied in a bow. On this side, notice it is decorated with the new Rhinestone Jewels from Stampin' Up! There is also a 3 x 3-3/4 piece of Sahara Sand cardstock, a photo mat.

On this facing page, it is the front side of the "L" and again a photo mat is place (Sahara Sand). It is 3-3/4 x 5 inches. Each corner is then decorated with the holly. The BELLS AND BOUGHS stamp set is use and again featured throughout this project.

The holly was stamped on Sahara Sand paper in Early Espresso. then the leaves outlined using the Always Artichoke Stampin' Write Marker and then colored with Old Olive Classic Ink (with Blender Pen). The berries were colored (using the Blender Pen) with Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink Pad. Then Crystal Effects was placed over each set of berries.

More to come in two days...every two days another set of pages will be featured. Then the main, first post will be updated with links to all the pages.

Happy Stamping!

B-E-L-I-E-V-E Chipboard Album (Pages 1-2)

2010-11-21T20:15:00.006-05:00

As promised I will post details every other day, on each page of this beautiful B-E-L-I-E-V-E Chipboard album featured on the Royal Blog Tour. Below is the front cover ("B") as well as the back of the "B", and then the front of the next page, the "E".

Again, this album is decorated using the Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper and the Bells and Boughs stamp set only (from the Holiday Mini).

Other Stampin' Up! Product Used:

Crystal Effects
Clear Rhinestone Jewels
Gold Glow Smooch Sprtiz
Stampin' Write Markers (Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy)
Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Gold and Early Espresso Classic Ink Pads
Gold Pen
Blender Pen
Vintage Wallpaper Textured Embossing Folder
Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon (from the Holiday Mini)
Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold cardstock
Stampin' Dimensionals
SNAIL Adhesive

As noted previously, all poinsettia's in this album are filled with Jewels as the center, and all the berries are covered with Crystal Effects to add dimension and a cool, beautiful effect.

On the cover, there is Gold Glow Smooch Spritz, as well as Rhinestone Jewels in the center of the poinsettia. then the bells image was stamped in Early Espresso on Sahara Sand paper. Then an Always Artichoke Stampin' Write Marker was used to outline the leaves. Then a Blender Pen and Old Olive Classic Ink were used to color the leaves (blending/watercolor).

The ribbon was watercolored with Cherry Cobbler ink with a Blender Pen, as well as the Gold Ink and Blender Pen on the body of the bells. The berries have Crystal Effects on them to make them stand out and to add dimension. Lastly the Bells were adhered using Stampin' Dimensionals.

The greeting was stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock that was sprayed with Gold Glow Smooch Spritz to give it a vintage look. Then it was mounted on a piece of Brushed Gold cardstock embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Folder. Then that mounted on Early Espresso textured cardstock. The greeting was adhered using SNAIL Adhesive.

On the back side of the "B" there is nothing added but the Gold Glow Smooch Spritz and Crystal Effects on the berries on the actual Deck the Halls DSP paper.

This front page of the letter "E" is first sprayed with Gold Glow Smooch Spritz. then a 3 x 3-1/2 piece of Early Espresso was adhered.

A piece of Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon was wrapped around the "E" and tied in a bow. It is beautiful, soft ribbon with shine!

Last but not least, the poinsettias were stamped in Early Espresso on Sahara Sand cardstock and then colored using Stampin' Write Markers and a Blender Pen. All leaves were outlined in Always Artichoke Stampin' Write marker, and all Poinsettias were outlined with the Bravo Burgundy Stampin' Write Marker. Then the leaves colored with Old Olive Classic Ink and Blender Pen, and the Poinsettias colored with Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink and a Blender Pen. Then the beautiful BLING of the Jewels were added to the center of the poinsettia!

More to come. Remember I'll be posting every other day more on the B-E-L-I-E-V-E Chipboard project!

Happy Stamping!

Heather Wright-Porto, www.HandStampedByHeather.com

Need help with your blog? Visit www.BlogsByHeather.com

Welcome to the Royal Blog Tour - Featuring Bells and Boughs

2010-11-04T21:00:00.078-04:00

Welcome to my Castle on the Royal Blog Tour. I am so happy to share and feature the Bells and Boughs stamp set with you. It's a holiday set featured in the Holiday Mini and included in one of the Holiday Bundles. It's a beauty!!! And you'll see why I love it so much!

The Bells and Boughs Featured Projects Collection

Each tour I try and do something different. So for this tour, I am showing three projects decked out with Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper and of course the Bells and Boughs stamp set: Chipboard Album, Candle, and a Card.

Believe Chipboard Album

Please be sure to bookmark this page or come back and visit my blog as each page of this album will later be detailed in another post, as this project is many pages and yes, it took forever (LOL) due to cutting out all those bells, poinsettias and holly leaves.

But for now, as part of this wonderful tour, I want to share briefly how it was created:

Each page is covered with Deck the Halls Designer Series Paper
All the Bells, Pointsettas, and Holly were stamped on Sahara Sand cardstock, watercolored using a Blender Pen, and then cut out.
Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Always Artichoke are colors used.
Each page and all cut out images were sprayed with the new Gold Glow Smooch Spritz (love this stuff).
All berries are covered wtih Crystal Effects.
All poinsettia have our new Clear Rhinestone Jewels for centers.
Bells and Boughs is the only stamp set used in decorating this chipboard album.

The next featured projects is a candle. This is such a quick and easy project you can do as a teacher's gift, a "thank you" gift or even as a hostess gift.

Decorated Candle

Like the other projects, what takes time is the watercoloring and the use of Crystal Effects. But I just love how the Crystal Effects looks on the berries.

I stamped the greeting in Early Espresso and then hand cut around the greeting. Then used the Distresser Tool to rough the edges. The Gold Glow Smooch Spritz was sprayed on the greeting.
Then matted the greeting to Early Espresso textured cardstock and again manually trimmed around the greeting and then again roughed the edges.
Adhered to a piece of a gold square, cardstock which you can't see.
Then again used one of the bells I stamped, colored, and cut out and adhered to the gold square you can't see (used only for assembling).
Tied the ribbon around the candle in a knot, then Punched a whole in that square/cardstock you don't see, and then adhered the greeting and bells with Stampin' Dimensionals.
Then tied the bow and you're done.

Lastly, I created a coordinating holiday card keeping with the color scheme, techniques, and of course the beautiful Bells and Boughs stamp set. We will be making this card in my holiday card making workshop December 17th.

Joyful Holiday Card

The Brushed Gold cardstock is so thick that any of the embossing/textured impressions folders look great and provide so much detail. Here the Vintage Wallpaper folder was used. Then a piece of the Deck The Halls Designer Series Paper.

The J (on the designer series paper) was covered with Crystal Effects.
The berries on the Holly leaf were covered also with Crystal Effects.
The berries/holly and Bells were again watercolored with a Blender Pen.
The tearing tool was used as well.
Gold Glow Smooch Spritz covers the Designer Series Paper.
I wrote "Joyful" in Gold Pen manually however a rub-on would have looked great as well.
And let's not forget all the BLING!!!! Love our new rhinestone jewels!!!

I really hope you enjoyed these projects and they inspire you to make your own "Handmade Christmas" gifts, cards and decor. Enjoy the tour and all the featured artists!

Deck the Halls and Christmas Postcard

2010-11-04T14:07:00.000-04:00

Yes, I know Halloweeen just passed but it's never too early to start making holiday cards!!! This card features the new Deck the Halls designer series paper from the Holiday Mini, as well as the Christmas Postcard for $9.95!

It also features the Finial Press Textured Impressions Folder on Brushed Gold Cardstock. The technique used is watercoloring with Cherry Cobbler, Gold, Old Olive, Early Espresso with the Blender Pen. On the reddish designer series paper, Gold Glow Smooch Spritz was used for a subtle but beautiful effect and complimented the gold in the project.

This card and stamp coordinates with the Bells and Boughs stamp set that I will be featuring tomorrow and through the weekend as part of the Royal Blog Tour (www.TheRoyalBlogTour.net). Be sure to coming along on the tour with us! It's a lot of fun and you'll see many wonderful projects and talented artists.

Hope to see you soon on December 17th as we will also be making this card during that Holiday Card Making workshop!

Baby Rudolph Holiday Card

2010-10-29T19:20:00.000-04:00

I just love Rudolph (and used the little fawn from the Forest Friends stamp set) and wanted to share this cute and quick holiday card.

It is made with the returning Baja Breeze blue cardstock, Sahara Sand and Whisper White. A felt flurry white snowflake, Filigree Brad and Clear Rhinestone.

I used the tearing tool and the distressing tool to give the center panel a distressed, rough appearance.

And last but not least the new Class Glitter (Champagne) and snowflake textured impressions folder (Northern Flurry) from the Holiday mini.

Autumn Spice

2010-10-22T20:37:00.000-04:00

Here is another Thanksgiving/Autumn card we created during the last card making workshop. The only stamped item is the greeting "Give Thanks" where I used the Marker Technique. I inked the greeting in Early Espresso and then used Ruby Red, More Mustard, and Old Olive Stampin' Markers on each of the 3 leaves. Then stamped the greeting.

Next, I used Riding Hood Red cardstock with the new Square Lattice Textured Embossing Folder, and adhered it onto a piece of the beautiful Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Series Paper.

Then, I punched three holes on the left, bottom corner area for brads; wrapped a piece of Chocolate Chip satin ribbon around the card vertically and tied in a knot.

Next, I cut out a few floral images from the Autumn Spice DSP and adhered to the card with Dimensionals (with the center flower having a brad as well).

Then adhered the entire panel to the card front using SNAIL adhesive and Mini Glue Dots at the bottom near the brads.

More holiday cards to be posted soon from this past workshop. One of them being a sample from the Bells and Boughs stampset from the Holiday Mini! The set I will be soon featuring in the upcoming Royal Blog Tour!

FYI - New items in clearance rack...going fast!!!!

2010-10-06T12:05:00.000-04:00

Lots of wonderful products on sale now!!!

Many retired items like Almost Amethyst, Ballet Blue, Barely Banana, and Bermuda Bay for example.
Ribbons, buttons, eyelets, die cuts, rub-ons and more!!!
Stampin' Spots which are GREAT to use with the new Letterpress Plates.

At 80% OFF you must check them out!

World Card Making Day!!! - Autumn Harvest

2010-10-02T21:02:00.000-04:00

Today is World Card Making Day so I had to make a card! With the fall, the Autumn Harvest stamp set is my favorite to use and is featured here today!

I love the "orange" of fall leaves and just the rusty color of autumn. One of Stampin' Up!'s new In Colors is Cajun Craze and it is perfect for this time of year!

The card is created using a standard size and the front of the card is embossed using the new Square Lattice Textured Embossing Folder.
Next, the Watercolor Paper was trimmed 1 inch on each side, then matted with Early Espresso cardstock.
Masking was used. First I stamped the small pumkin on the Watercolor paper in Early Espresso. Then stamped one on scrap paper and cut it out. Then placed it over the previously stamped image. Then inked and stamped the larger pumpkin in Early Espresso. The result is a pair of pumkins, one appearing to be in front of the other.
Next I stamped the greeting in Cajun Craze.
Then I colored the pumpkins using Daffodil Delight, Cajun Craze and Pumpkin Pie, and a Blender Pen.
The leaves were stamped, colored and cut out on Watercolor paper as well - colored with the same colors, but with the addition of Old Olive.
They were adhered using Stampin' Dimensionals.
Adhere the pumpkin panel to the card front using SNAIL Adhesive.
You're done!

Stampin' Up! now has Letterpress Plates!

2010-10-01T12:46:00.001-04:00

Stampin' Up! continues to bring us new, quality products. Have you seen the new Lettterpress Plates in the new Holiday Mini? Or maybe you have and said "What the heck do I do with these?" Well, here is a Stampin' Up! video on how to use the Letterpress Plates. Very cool!

To view more Stampin' Up! videos, CLICK HERE.

Happy Stamping!

Scrapbooking Layouts - Love Birds - Scrapbook Club

2010-09-23T19:15:00.003-04:00

We made these 4 12x12 pages in our last Scrapbook Club class. I used the Love Birds Simply Scrappin' but you can use the layouts for any kit of your choice. My next post will be the 4 6x6 pages we created.

Okay, so to create this page, I just centered the two 4x6 pages and placed them and then measured chocolate brown squares I used as photo corner accents. Then once laid down, I began to adhere here, layered on top of each other.

Then added the decorative border stickers to the bottom and adhered a series of stickers from the kit at the top.

Next, this page features an 8x10 picture, matted. Notice the brown squares mat the 3 square stickers from the set. Also, more decorative stickers at the bottom.

And lets not forget about the triangle in the bottom right corner and then more stickers adhered to that (using Stampin' Dimensionals for a raised look).

Next, this page was created using a 2 inch strip of designer series paper and again, decorative stickers vertically, to the right of the paper.

Stickers adhered to the left.

Then two 4x6 mats slanted.

Cut out the owls from the stickers and then adhered to the branch sticker from the set, Dimensionals used as well.

Last but not least, is this beautiful page where decorative stickers line the right side.

One 4x6 picture and then two wallet sized photo holders (matted) underneath, and a sticker in the center (raised on Dimensionals and placed in the center so it will not stick to the pictures (to be inserted).

The scrapbook club meets every 3rd Friday. You can still come to class even if you are not in the Club...Click here for more details.

Happy Stampin' and Scrappin'!!!!!

Need Your Vote - Royal Blog Tour Honorary Queen Selection

2010-08-23T16:39:00.002-04:00

These wonderful ladies have great talent and beautiful stamping blogs. Most of all they have been nominated as Honorary Queens for the upcoming Royal Blog Tour.

Elements of Style with Early Espresso and Crumb Cake (Delicious!!!)

2010-08-19T21:18:00.000-04:00

Oh, do I just love this set!!! For many of you, and you can see by my blog banner and background, that I love roses!!!! And like the vintage, earthy type of colors.

Did I mention this new Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder is also now a favorite? Well, it is. I really enjoy Stampin' Up!'s collection of Textured Impressions Folders. They add a beautiful textured background to any card!

Okay, so this card is created using the following Stampin' Up! products:

Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso card stock
Very Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware
Designer Label Punch
Scallop Trim Border Punch
Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder
Elements of Style Stamp Set
Wide Satin Chocolate Chip ribbon
Watercolor Pencils
Blender Pen
Sponge
Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spriz

And here is how you make it:

Cut standard card in Very Vanilla
4 x 5-1/4 inch piece of Early Espresso and use the Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder.
3-3/4 x 3-1-2 Crumb Cake paper (use Scallop Trim on edges as shown).
Stamp with Crumb Cake ink and Floral from Elements of Style.
Focal Panel - Stamp with Crumb Cake and floral stamp, then a few areas with the darker, Early Espresso ink.
Then color the darker outlined images with color pencils or inks using a Blender Pen.
Stamp greeting on scrap Crumb Cake.
Now to assemble....first wrap ribbon around Crumb Cake scalloped paper (use adhesive to hold it in place).
Next, adhere the focal layer on top of that.
Next lay the hardware down and mark where to punch the holes.
Then punch out greeting with Designer Label Punch and adhere label to Crumb Cake piece.
Now punch hole on the left, thru the focal panel. Then adhere what you have so far, to the Square Lattice card front piece. Then punch the 2nd hole, on the right, thru that textured piece.
Then adhere to the Very Vanilla card front.
Lastly, using a sponge, sponge the edges of the Very Vanilla cardstock with Early Espresso and Crumb Cake in other areas.

Sound confusing? It's just a matter or where to punch the holes for the greeting (Designer Label), and that depends on where you want to place the greeting.

Contact me if you get stuck of have questions.

Happy Stamping!

New Tutorials For Sale

2010-08-01T16:42:00.000-04:00

Builder Wheel Set

Watercolor Set

Stampin' Up! now lets you build your own wheels! Meaning, you can use regular wheels alone or stack them (up to 3) to create you own, custom look!

Next, who doesn't love watercoloring! This tutorial teaches you 6 ways to watercolor!!!!

Have fun!
To view all tutorials, click here!

Tropical Party Memory Book

2010-07-25T10:30:00.000-04:00

Tropical Island Party

We created this fun, summer memory book in a teen class last week. I liked it so much I want to offer it as a kit for you to enjoy!

Kit includes:
Cost: $10 plus shipping ($4.95, US Only)

· Precut Island Oasis Designer Series Paper

· Cardboard used for “book” – there are 4 4x6 pieces.

Add-on to purchase (20% off):
**Available until the end of August (while Summer Mini is available)

· **Tropical Party Stamp Set: $13.95 (clear), $17.95 (wood)

· Coordinating Inks (Old Olive, Rose Red, So Saffron): $5.95 ea.

· Extra Cardboard for Additional Pages: $.10 ea.

· **Extra Island Oasis Designer Series Paper; $9.95.

Snapshots of all Pages

This is the front cover. It is composed of

· polka dotted Tempting Turquoise patterned paper (4x6),

· Pumpkin Pie polka dotted paper (3x5), and

· Whisper White (2 ¾ x 4 ¾).

· Then the Pine Tree, Flowers, and Wisps were stamped on scrap paper and cut out (using Old Olive, Rose Red, So Saffron inks), and adhered using Stampin’ Dimensionals and SNAIL Adhesive.

This is the 1^st set of pages inside. Notice the striped paper on the left as the background and then two pieces of Pumpkin Pie polka dotted paper (2 ½ x 3 ½). Then the Oval Scallop Punch and Large Oval Punch were used to create the journaling oval in the middle (using Whisper White and Old Olive patterned paper).

On the right, the background is the Old Olive background paper with the wisps, but then I stamped additional wisps in Old Olive. The center photo mat is 3 x 4 (Whisper White) and 2 ¾ x 3 ¾ (Hawaiian print). The two sets of square were created with square punches. Flowers were stamped on scrap and again cut out (Rose Red and So Saffron inks).

Here is the 2^nd set of inside pages, both with the floral, Pumpkin Pie pattened paper as the background. On the right, two 2 ½ inch square were used and placed diagonally. The center set of squares were again created with square punches. The palm tree was stamped on scrap and cut out, adhered with Stampin’ Dimenionals.

On the right, there is just a 3x5 piece of Tempting Turquoise patterned paper, slanted (with the edges trimmed where it went over the edge of the board). Again the flowers and wisps were stamped on scrap, cut out, and adhered with SNAIL Adhesive and Stampin’ Dimensionals.

The last pair of inside pages, one with the green background, the other with the striped background. On the left, again 2 sets of paper cut at 2 ½ x 3 ½, and then the Scallop Oval and Large Oval punches used in the center.

On the right, 3 ½ x 5 ½ piece of Tempting Turquoise polka dotted paper was used. Again the palm tree was stamped on scrap and then adhered using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

The back is not decorated but feel free to create your own design. Here it is just a piece of Tempting Turquoise polka dotted paper covering the cardboard.

Lastly, I used the Crop-a-Dile to punch one hole on the left of each page. Then tied a piece of ribbon through each hold and tied in a bow to serve as the “binding”.

I really hope you making the project as much as I did!

I'm Published! Learn How To Create a Blogger Blog!

2010-07-21T10:58:00.001-04:00

Over the last 6 - 7 months I have a wonderful time writing this book and wanted to share it with you. Yes, I know it's not "stamping" or about "paper crafting" but many of you are Stampin' Up! demonstrators or maybe other crafters needing a blog. I do have my Blogs By Heather business where I can setup your blog for you, but in addition to that I wrote a book for ya!

What you’ll learn

Create a new blog and publish posts.
Modify blog design, change the page layout, and install gadgets.
Learn how to make money with your blog.
Increase and track visitor traffic.
Incorporate social networking applications.
Use advanced blog design techniques and customization using HTML and CSS.
Set up a custom domain.
Create an online store.

For those interested in winning a FREE copy, be sure to check out Blogs By Heather for more information!

Catalog Helper --- Sign up today!

2010-07-07T10:00:00.000-04:00

Stampin' Up! recently released its 2010-2011 Book & Catalog. It is BEAUTIFUL and loaded with beautiful stamps, papers and exciting new products!

For a limited time, receive 10 newsletters, each featuring a new product. Sign up today!

Sign up for the Catalog Helper Newsletters

For Email Newsletters you can trust

Items Unavailable for July 1 Catalog Launch

2010-07-01T09:03:00.000-04:00

Yeah!!! The new catalog will be available today, but there is a few items in the new 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog that will not be available immediately. The following items will not be available for purchase on July 1:

Watercolor Wonder Crayons: These items are in production, however, and will be coming soon.
- 119802 - Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Subtles
- 119803 - Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Regals
- 119804 - Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Brights
- 119805 - Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Neutrals
- 120949 - Watercolor Wonder Crayons, New Color Kit
Punch Caddies: As noted on page 200 of the catalog, our Punch Caddy storage containers will be coming soon:
- 121053 - Punch Caddy S, M, L
- 121055 - Punch Caddy L
- 121056 - Punch Caddy XL
- 121054 - Punch Caddy Borders & Corners
Stampin' Pastels: Currently in production and will be coming very soon:
- 120962 - Stampin' Pastels
- 120963 - Stampin' Pastels, New In Color
Rub-Ons: Unfortunately these will not be available immediately:
- 119250 - Rub-Ons, Bday Party
- 119249 - Rub-Ons, Holly & Jolly
- 119975 - Rub-Ons, Vintage Type
- 118760 - Rub-Ons, Play Date

I will keep you updated in the coming weeks on the status of these products, and when they will be available for order.

Due to the trends during the demonstrator preorder period, these items may go into backorder status but are available for for today, July 1st:

119254 - 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Daffodil Delight
119261 - 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Basic Black
119959 - 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Early Espresso
119257 - 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Marina Mist
117154 - DSP Patterns Stacks, Regals
117157 - DSP Patterns Stacks, Neutrals

Just wanted to keep you posted!

I will be posting the new catalog soon at the top of my blog when it becomes available...today!!!!!

Technique Club Starting in AUGUST 2010

2010-06-26T17:36:00.003-04:00

Join this club and learn 12 stamping techniques, learn how to use new tools and create a variety of projects!

Join the Technique Club!

Duration:
6 months during the year (every other month). Although we are starting it up again in August, you can JOIN at ANY TIME during the year, but you agree to stay in the club for 6 cycles at least.

Then the schedule will begin with the following (we meet every other month):

AUGUST 2010
OCTOBER 2010
DECEMBER 2010
FEB 2011
APRIL 2011
JUNE 2011

Cost Commitment:
$20 every OTHER month.

Includes:

FREE technique book with instructions for the 12 techniques and printed samples of each.
Each class you will learn 2 techniques, and then create a variety of samples using those 2 techniques.

Mostly card making, but we will occasionally make boxes, bags, new folds, etc.
If you are looking for scrapbooking, join the Scrapbooking Club starting in JULY!

Techniques:

Thumping
Bleach Coloring
Bleach Stamping
Faux Metal
Faux Silk
Faux Leather
Chalkboard
Moonlighting
Glitter Window
Color Spritzing
Rock-n-Roll
Rock with Punches

When to meet:

I think we had good success in the past with the 3rd FRIDAY of the Club Months (listed above).
Come on over after work!

If you can’t make a Technique Club class:

It's OK. No worries.
Your supplies and accessories will be waiting for you at the next class or you can always stop by to pick them or I can send them.
The only thing that may be missing and that you may have to do on your own is household supplies like bleach.

I hope to see you!!!

Sorry I Haven't Posted Recently

2010-06-12T23:21:00.002-04:00

In the last two weeks we had 2 deaths in the family. I don't want to lose you as followers and will be posted new, fun projects this coming week.

This weekend I just had a Scrapbook in a Day workshop as well as a Father's Day/Masculine Card Making workshop. So I have lots of pictures and instructions to share.

Please stay tuned.....

New Tutorial 4 Sale (May 2010)

2010-05-13T19:00:00.001-04:00

This is May 2010's tutorial using Stencils to make cards and beautiful projects!

Click here to go to shop for all tutorials!

Mother's Day Cards using Fifth Avenue Floral and Elements of Style

2010-05-12T16:41:00.000-04:00

This card is simplistic but I just love how it turned out. I used the swirl from Elements of Style from the new Summer Mini catalog (my new favorite "swirl" stamp) and combined it with the rose from the Fifth Avenue Floral set I featured during the Royal Blog Tour.

Again, the roses are layered and were colored using Daubers. The blue is just with Bermuda Bay. The pink is colored with Melon Mambo and Apricot Appeal, so it has a little bit of a peachy/coral look to it.

The pink was for my mom and the blue for my mother-in-law :D

Happy "belated" Mother's Day!

As promised, I mentioned I would be running a special on this set (for this month only), Fifth Avenue Floral! It was on sale for the month of April at 20% off. But due to the tour's timing, it is now May and you will no longer get the discount from Stampin' Up! but I will give you my 20% discount!!!!!

Email me to place your order!

Scrapbook in a Day Class - Sunday, May 23rd

2010-05-10T17:29:00.001-04:00

May is National Scrapbooking Month and every May I have an all day scrapbooking event. Let me know as soon as possible since I have to order your kits!

The class is $60 but it incudes

- 1 Simply Scrappin' Kit of your choice
- 1 Linen 6x6 Album of your choice
- Lunch and Refreshments
- 20 6x6 pages to complete!!!!!!

DATE: TO BE ANNOUNCED (the May 23rd class is being RESCHEDULE)
TIME: 10 AM - 4 PM
FEE: $60.00

I will be using Sunny Day as my kit and as a sample, but you are welcome to use any Simply Scrappin Kit. Please let me know of your choices ASAP so I can order.

Simply Scrappin' Kits (pages 164-167 in the Catalog)
Albums are on page 203.

Click here to view online catalog.

Click image to view all things on sale for this month's promotion!

From past workshops:

Sunshine Garden - click to see all pages.

Rose Garden - click to see all pages (then click on Older Posts).

Whooo hooo! I received a Sunshine Award (Twice)

2010-05-04T23:10:00.001-04:00

Sunshine awards are given to bloggers who help spread Sunshine and a positive, upbeat attitude while sharing what we love and do -- creating handcrafted cards and projects, of course!

Thank you MARIE DAUBERT and GLORIA PLUNKETT who have given me this Sunshine Award.

As you know, there are so many wonderful stampers, but I had to pick only 12. I thank all of these ladies for sharing their fantastic ideas with the world of stampers! I am happy to pass the Sunshine on to them!

In no particular order......

Sandi MacIver (http://www.sandimaciver.com)
Carole'Anne (http://mirrorimage.typepad.com/
Monica Weaver (http://www.addalittledazzle.com)
Angi Kennedy Juda (http://www.mychicnscratch.com)
Amy Celona (http://www.ustamp4fun.com)
Becky Roberts (http://inkingidaho.blogspot.com)
Linda Aarhus (http://www.polkadotsandpaper.net)
Cindy Gratham (http://www.cindyloustampingguru.typepad.com)
Sage Kimble (http://www.stampingmadly.blogspot.com/)
Tiffany Bauer (http://mycraftyworld.blogspot.com)
Jacque Craig (http://stampinwithjacque.com/)
Rachel Brumley (http://www.stampingbyrachel.com/)

So, here are the rules for the Sunshine Award!

Put the Sunshine Award on your blog and/or within your post.
Pass the award to 12 other bloggers.
Link the nominees within your post.
Let them know they received this award by leaving a comment on their blog.
Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award.

Enjoy!

Royal Blog TourFeaturing Fifth Avenue Floral

2010-04-29T21:00:00.002-04:00

I hope you enjoyed the Royal Blog Tour!

I am featured the beautiful Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set and the water-coloring technique.

As promised, I mentioned I would be running a special on this set, Fifth Avenue Floral! It was on sale for the month of April at 20% off. But due to the tour's timing, it is now May and you will no longer get the discount from Stampin' Up! but I will give you my 20% discount!!!!!

Email me to place your order!

Many of you who regularly follow me know that I love roses, so how could I not feature this beautiful set! However, you will also notice I'm going outside my comfort zone using bright colors instead of my typical earthy/subtle/vintage tones (LOL). I am excited to share this "experiment" with you! Please leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Wouldn't you just love a real purse like this? I would!!! I stamped the large rose several times on Whisper White cardstock in Versa Mark, then covered with Black Embossing powder, then apply heat to emboss. Then each rose was colored using a turquoise/aqua pencil from the set of Watercolor pencils. A Blender pen was used to color/paint. Then I kept applying the pencil to edges to create the darker accents you see. Black paper was used for the top of the back using the Big Shot Top Note die. Then a Clear Rhinestone added to finish it off.

The TUTORIAL I got from fellow demonstrator Rhea Anderson:
http://www.nightowlstamper.com/

In my next sample, I wanted to create a fun, bright Mother's Day card. I used orange and red to accomplish this and again with the Watercolor Pencils from Stampin' Up! This card is simple, but I still love it! I stamped the lower and upper flowers in Basic Black first. Then the stems for both. Colored the two. Then, stamped the 3rd flower on scrap Whisper White paper, colored and cut it out. Then temporarily placed on the card and stamped the stem. Then adhered the third flower with Stampin' Dimensionals to give it a raised look. Tied and knotted the Grosgrain Striped Orange ribbon around the panel, centered. Adhere panel to Real Red card. Greeting is stamped using the popular and beautiful Well Scripted stamp set.

In my final card I stamped 3 roses with Versa Mark to emboss in Black (on scrap paper). Then colored all three of them. I used Daubers and Melon Mambo Class Ink to color them! I rubbed the Dauber in the ink and then started in the center (the darkest area) and continue to rub outward in a circular motion (where the edges and outer area is the lightest). Cut them all out in different layers, then sponged each layer's edge in Basic Black. Used Dimensionals to each layer to give dimension (see picture below).

For the main Whisper White panel, I stamped the swirl from the new Elements of Style stamp set (from the Summer Mini to come out in May) in Basic Black. Then I used the Basic Black Classic Ink pad as a "stamp" and stamped it along the edges of the card in different directions. Yes, this is messy! Be sure to have your grid paper down! Then using Melon Mambo ink, did the same thing around the edges. Stamped Greeting in Basic Black. Then matted Whisper White on Basic Black paper, then mounted that on Melon Mambo card.

I hope you enjoyed the tour!

Elements of Style

2010-04-24T21:57:00.005-04:00

Elements of Style

My new favorite stamp set!!!!
Elements of Style from the upcoming Summer Mini Catalog!
The catalog is filled with many great new products including

a new "wheel" look where you can build your own custom wheel (you'll see what I mean),
Smooch Spritz to add a vintage look to any project,
new punches,
new On Board books,
Designer Printed Album and more!!!!

If you haven't gotten your copy, let me know and I will send you one.

Ok, so how did I create this vintage card and what products were used?

Close to Cocoa paper as the 5-1/4 x 5-1/4 card.
Ink the Bella Toile background stamp with Chocolate Chip ink and stamp on card front.
Sponge Crushed Curry ribbon with Chocolate Chip ink.
Wrap both sets of ribbon (the green is retired from Theatre Originals but on the Clearance Rack!!!!) around the card front and color in the front (since it will get covered by the focal panel).
Use a 4-3/4 square of Mellow Moss and 4-1/2 square of Very Vanilla.
Stamp Rose image with Chocolate Chip on Very Vanilla paper.
Color with Watercolored Pencils.
Then stamp with Chocolate Chip using the retired Linen background stamp (several times in several different directions).
Sponge all edges of Very Vanilla paper.
Then with the Very Vanilla, tear the bottom, right edge with Tearing Tool.
Place on the Mellow Moss paper, and then tear that paper as well (see image above for guidance).
Adhere to card front.
Stamp a greeting in Chocolate Chip and then roughen the edges using the Distressor tool. Sponge edges and adhere using Stampin' Dimensionals.
You're done.

NOTE: Keep in mind MELLOW MOSS and CLOSE to COCOA are RETIRING!!!

Happy Stamping!

Beautiful Butterflies

2010-04-20T17:41:00.006-04:00

I love the simplicity and beauty of this card. I remember seeing something like it on one of the Stampin' Up! demonstrator boards, and had to CASE it and give it a try. It features the Vintage Vogue stamp set and Beautiful Wings Embosslit from the Occasions Mini.

Stampin' Up! Product Used

Vintage Vogue Stamp Set
Beautiful Wings Embosslits
Mellow Moss Classic Ink
Perfect Plum Stampin' Write Marker
Pale Plum Cardstock
Stampin' Dimensionals
SNAIL Adhesive
Word Window Punch
Scallop Trim Border Punch

Instructions

Start with a basic card in Whisper White.
Then using the horizontal floral stamp and Mellow Moss ink, stamp the bottom of the card front.
Then using the "vine" stamp, ink with Mellow Mess. Then using the Perfect Plum marker, color the flowers in the vine, then stamp on the lower, right corner. Repeat this process to create the vine up the right side of the card, and then again in the upper, left corner.
Punch the fence using the Word Window Punch (5 pieces).
Lay three of them down (vertically, side by side) and then stamp the floral horizontal stamp across the bottom of them in Mellow Moss.
Three are the fence poles where I used the new Scallop Trim Border Punch to give the fence a decorative top, then adhere two horizontally. So first I adhered the horizontal pieces and placed with Stampin' Dimensionals. Then did the 3 poles and adhered them to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals as well.
Using the Big Shot and Beautiful Wings Embosslits, create the beautiful butterflies with a 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 square of Pale Plum.
Adhere the butterflies where desired using Stampin' Dimensionals.
Stamp your greeting in Perfect Plum.
You're done!

I will definitely be making more with different color combinations and for all occasions! I created some for Valentine's Day - see below.
Anniversary
Valentine's Day
Another Valentine

Happy Stamping!

NEW!!!! Tutorials for Sale!

2010-04-17T22:25:00.003-04:00

My original 5-5-5 Club was drawing a lot of non-US customers (where I could not sell or ship Stampin' Up! merchandise as a US Demonstrator) so I changed it to just a tutorial-based site.

All tutorials are for sale!
So it is no longer a "Club" and
you can purchase as many as you want,
whenever you want!

A new tutorial will be posted each month. This month's tutorial features the new Elements of Style stamp set to be released in the Summer Mini Catalog!

Upcoming Events - April 17th - Card Making

2010-04-09T08:28:00.005-04:00

Just wanted to send a quick reminder that I will be holding a card making class:

DATE: Saturday, April 17th
TIME: 10 am - 2pm
LOCATION: My house, Sloatsburg, NY
RSVP: As soon as possible (handstampedbyheather@att.net)

Water-colored Roses Technique by Sandi MacIver

One of the techniques you'll learn!

We'll be making them for Mother's Day, however you can change the greeting to make it an all occasion card - Birthday, Thinking of You, Get Well Soon, etc.

We'll be using the beautiful Fifth Avenue Floral Set (shown above and ON SALE this month, 20% OFF) as well as Vintage Vogue, Well Scripted, and we'll be learning a few techniques and using the Flower Pot Template as well.

Hope to see you soon!

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T08:00:00.000-04:00

This one is probably my favorite this year. It features the new Chocolate Bunny stamp and the Vintage Vogue stamp set from the Occasions Mini.

I really like this color scheme -- Close to Cocoa, Bashful Blue and Barely Banana!

How to Make this Card and Products Used:

Create a standard card from Close to Cocoa and round two corners as shown above.
Cut a 4 x 5-1/4 piece of Bashful Blue and round the same two corners. Then use the Scallop Trim Corner punch on the other, remaining two corners.
Run the paper through the Big Shot using the Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder.
Wrap the wide Chocolate Chip Satin ribbon around the card and adhere to back.
Stamp 3 small flowers; one in Bashful Blue and the others in Barely Banana. Cut out and then use a Dauber with Chocolate Chip Classic Ink to sponge the edges.
Stamp and cut out one large flower in Bashful Blue and sponge edges the same way.
Pierce all flowers in the middle and place Vintage Brads.
Adhere to card front using Stampin' Dimensionals, Pop-up Dots, Mini Glue Dots or SNAIL.
Stamp and adhere greeting from the Well Scripted stamp set. Mat greeting in the Close to Cocoa paper.
Stamp Chocolate Bunny in Chocolate Chip ink on Whisper White paper and cut it out. Sponge the edges a little bit.
Adhere to card font using SNAIL adhesive.

NOTE: This card is simplistic however takes a little bit of time due to cutting out all the flowers and the bunny.

Wishing you and your family and friends a VERY Happy and Beautiful Easter!

Happy Birthday (Vintage Vogue)

2010-04-02T21:42:00.002-04:00

Today, April 2nd, is my sister Kim's birthday. This is the card I gave her and she really liked it so I thought I would share it with you!

Then next few cards I will be posting will be using a similar color palette:
Bashful Blue, Barely Banana, Close to Cocoa, and Pale Plum.

To Make This Card

Create standard card in Barely Banana.
Cut 4 x 5-1/4 Close to Cocoa and use the Big Shot with the Polka Dotted Textured Impressions Folder.
Use the Corner Rounder Punch on two opposite sides, and the new Scallop Trim Corner punch on the other two.
Wrap Chocolate Chip Ribbon around the front of the card, adhere in the back.
Stamp greeting in Chocolate Chip and mat on Barely Banana paper.
Stamp and cut out 3 small flowers from the Vintage Vogue stamp set with Barely Banana ink.
Stamp and cut out 1 small flower and 1 large flower in Pale Plum using the Vintage Vogue stamp set.
Stamp and color a few leaves in Mellow Moss.
Using a sponge Dauber, rub in Chocolate Chip ink and dab along the edges (like the sponging technique).
Pierce all the flowers and place Vintage Brads through them.
Adhere to flowers to the Close to Cocoa paper using Stampin' Dimensionals or by punching though the Close to Cocoa cardstock.
Adhere greeting with Stampin' Dimensionals on a slant.
Adhere Close to Cocoa panel using SNAIL Adhesive.

Happy Stampin'

Scrapbooking Club Starting in July!

2010-03-21T13:55:00.002-04:00

I think we all miss scrapbooking! I would love to get back into it again and share that with you!!! I was thinking of starting the Club in JULY when the new catalog is released.

Join the Scrapbooking Club!

Duration:

6 months during the year (every other month). Although we are starting it up again in July, you can JOIN at ANY TIME during the year, but you agree to stay in the club for 6 cycles at least.

Then the schedule will begin with the following (we meet every other month):

JULY 2010
SEPTEMBER 2010
NOVEMEBER 2010
JANUARY 2011
MARCH 2011
MAY 2011

Cost Commitment:

$40 every OTHER month (or you can pay $20 if it makes it easier that way).

Includes:

Choosing a Simply Scrappin’ Kit each month ($19.95 value). There are 9 to choose from each catalog and then sometimes in Mini catalogs. So you will be purchasing 6 in total over the year.
With each kit and each time we meet we'll make:

4 12x12 pages
4 6x6 pages

Add-ons I will supply and included:

Page Protectors (2 scrapbook pages per protector).
Brads, ribbons, and accessories used.
Refreshments! Soda, wine, water and light snacks or desert. We can always all chip in for pizza, chinese or sandwiches.

NOTE: Join with a friend and split the cost, share the projects.

So each of you would make 2 12x12 layouts and 2 6x6.

When to meet:

I think we had good success in the past with the LAST FRIDAY of the Club Months (listed above).
Come on over after work!

If you can’t make a Scrapbook Club class:

It's OK. No worries.
Your kit and accessories will be waiting for you at the next class or you can always stop by to pick them or I can send them.
And all the pages will be posted on my blog with basic instructions so you can see them.

I hope to see you!!!

Contact me to join!

Happy Scrappin'

Mark Your Calendars!Royal Blog Tour - April 30th

2010-03-17T08:53:00.003-04:00

I'm on the Royal Blog Tour! It's launching April 30 through May 3. I'm so excited I've been chosen to be a Princess! I hope you'll become a Royal Tourist and ride along in a Royal Coach. Please come and visit my castle during the tour! For more information, please check out these links!

Website: RBT Website

Home Blog: RBT Home Blog

Can't wait. It's always fun with lots of talented demonstrators showcasing different stamp sets from Stampin' Up!

Parisian Breeze Card Kit

2010-02-26T19:00:00.001-05:00

This is a card kit I put together back in April and I still have some of the retired Parisian Breeze paper I'd love to share and use. It is just beautiful!!! I can't believe it's retired!

The kit is only $15 (US only) and contains:

pre-score, pre-cut paper
envelopes
accessories: ribbon, brads, flowers, rhinestones, peals, hardware
PDF with brief instructions on how to assemble each card (instantly available upon payment)

The kit does not include the stamp sets or ink pads used.

Last one like this....for my parent's 40th wedding anniversary!

2010-02-25T12:43:00.005-05:00

In the previous post you saw the card Michaela made for my parents. I was making this card (above) when she asked if she could also make a card for Nanna and Poppy. So here is my last sample using this color palette and technique at least for a while (LOL) :

Ruby Red Stampin' Write Marker
Kiwi Kiss Classic Ink Pad
Dazzling Diamonds
Scallop Trim Border and Corner Punhces
Well Scripted stamp set
Bride/Groom from a retired stamp set.

I will be using the Scallop Trim Border and Corner punch though in more samples to come.

Lastly, don't forget to register for my upcoming class! I would love to see you!

Vintage Vogue Purse
and Cards

(for Easter or Any Occasion)
4 card designs (2 or each so 8 cards in total) and purse

Date: Mar. 13th
Time: 10 am - 2 pm
Location: My Home (Sloatsburg, NY)
Fee: $25
R.S.V.P by March 1st.

Contact me
or

Happy Stampin'

Michaela Made This One (3-1/2 Yrs Old)

2010-02-19T17:14:00.002-05:00

My parents just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and I was busy making my own card (to be posted soon) and Michaela wanted to make one as well. She loves PINK and she did all the stamping on this one (except the two-tone vine -- I colored that one for her and she stamped). Then she told me where to add the ribbon.

I love this card and am so proud of her!!!!

Upcoming Class - March 13th - Easter/All Occasion

2010-02-17T09:08:00.003-05:00

Vintage Vogue Purse and Cards

4 card designs
(2 or each) and purse

Date: Mar. 13th
Time: 10 am - 2 pm
Location: My Home, Sloatsburg, NY

R.S.V.P by March 1st.

Contact me
or

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T21:01:00.003-05:00

This card is CASED from fellow Demonstrator Alicia Ryckman. She used Red and Brown where I am using Pink and Brown - paper from the Love Specialty Paper from the Occasions Mini Catalog.

I LOVE this card and it's so easy to make!!!

Instructions and Stampin' Up! Product Used:

Punch two hearts with the Heart Punch
Cut two squares 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 and run through the Big Shot with the Hearts Embosslits (from the Occasions Mini).
Adhere the punched hearts on top of the embossed, scalloped hearts.
Adhere to card front using SNAIL Adhesive and Stampin' Dimensionals.
Towards the middle of the card, on the right, stamp a greeting. I used the Well Scripted Stampset, from the Occasions Mini.
Lastly cut a thin strip of Chocolate Chip paper and adhere to bottom, front.
Then cut a 2-1/2 x 4-1/4 piece of designer series paper and use the Scallop Trim Border Punch on the bottom (again from the Occasions Mini).
Adhere to card front using SNAIL Adhesive.
Wrap ribbon around and tie in front (Chocolate Chip Wide Satin Ribbon is available in the Clearance Rack)!
You're Done!

Many of you know that Baroque Motifs and this swirl is my Favorite!!!! So I used it here on Whisper White cardstock. Added a rub-on greeting in the bottom right. Then simply added two strips of Love Specialty Paper (but use any you'd like) and then one Chocolate Chip heart using the Hearts Embosslits (adhere with Stampin' Dimensionals). That's it! Easy as 1-2-3!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Vintage Vogue Valentine

2010-02-12T15:01:00.006-05:00

This card was C.A.S.E.D. from a fellow demonstrator who used this technique with a Congratulations card (black and white). I saw it and the "vine" and had to try it with my little "Victorian" touch. I was going through some retired product really liked the Kiwi Kiss and Ruby Red combination.

Instructions and Stampin' Up! Product Used:

Using the Scallop Trim Punch, punch some areas of the side, and then using the Scallop Corner Punch in combination, finish only one corner.
Then, using the vine stamp, stamp in Kiwi Kiss Classic Ink, then flip over the stamp and color the "flowers" in Ruby Red Stampin' Write Marker. Then stamp on Whisper White cardstock. Repeat this step as many times as necessary to get the desired "vine effect."
Then stamp "Love You Much" from the Well Scripted stamp set.
Wrap a piece of Ruby Red ribbon around the bottom 1/3 or the card and tie in a bow.
Lastly, adhere the Whisper White panel to the Kiwi Kiss card front.

Suggestion:
Add Dazzling Diamonds to the flowers!

Happy Stamping!

Another Victorian Valentine

2010-02-01T22:19:00.006-05:00

This card was C.A.S.E.D. from a Fellow Demonstrator. Of course I can't remember for sure who it was although I know it was "Jan". I saw it on one of the online groups I belong to. She did it with black and white and a horizontal layout (Congratulations). It was just unique and stunning, I had to give it a try.

So I used Pink Pirouette and Whisper White cardstock, Ruby Red and Kiwi Kiss Markers, with the new Vintage Vogue set from the Occasions Mini.

The Scalloped Trim Border and Corner Punch were also used, but notice only one corner was "completed".

Another sample to be shown soon - a little different, with ribbon and different coloring.

Thanks for visiting!

Upcoming Events - Mark Your Calendars

2010-01-31T14:25:00.002-05:00

KIDS Crafts at Tuxedo Park Library

* March 29th - Easter Project - 3pm
* May 3rd - Mother's Day Project - 4:15pm
* June 14th - Father's Day Project - 4:15pm

Registration is required! Call (845) 351-2207. Kids classes are one hour in length.

Winter BLOW OUT Sale!!!

I so need to get rid of much retired product!!!! EVERYTHING is priced from $1 ribbon to $15 stamp sets. Nothing more than $15!!!! And for every $5 you spend you get $1 in credit towards one future Stampin' Up! purchase! You can't miss this event!!!

FEBRUARY 6th and FEBRUARY 20th
10 AM - 2 PM
Make-n-Take Projects while you shop!
NOT a regular class.

Regular Class Schedule

Card Making Classes: $25
Scrapbook In a Day: $60

* March 13th, 10 AM - 2 PM - Card Making Class (Easter/All Occasion)
* April 17th, 10 AM - 2 PM - Card Making Class (Mother's Day/All Occasion)
* May 15th, 10 AM - 4 PM - Scrapbook In a Day
* June 19th, 10 AM - 2 PM - Card Making Class (Father's Day/Masculine)

*** Technique Classes TBA depending on participants. Class schedule may change but I will always post the new events in my monthly newsletter and here as the events come closer individually.

Hope to see you soon!

Bella Beautiful Valentine

2010-01-28T20:20:00.003-05:00

Many of you know I love roses and the whole "Victorian" look, so of course I love the retired Bella Rose paper and who doesn't love roses for Valentine's Day (LOL)!!!!!

Instructions

First I used the polka dots textured folder on the Pink Pirouette paper, then used the new scalloped edge and corner punch found in the Occasions Mini and Sale-a-bration.
Next I cut out the roses from the patterned paper from Bella Rose Designer Series Paper and adhered to pink panel using Stampin' Dimensionals.
Ink the Bella Toile background stamp in Kiwi Kiss and stamp on the Kiwi Kiss card front.
Wrap a piece of Soft Suede grosgain polka dot ribbon around the pink panel and adhere in back.
Punch 3 holes (on the polka dots) and then place Silver Brads.
Then adhere pink panel to card front using SNAIL Adhesive.

Other Suggestions

I kept toying with the idea of embossing the Kiwi Kiss on the card front, as well as using small, clear Rhinestone brads instead of silver.

Happy Stamping!

Quick Valentines Using Scraps, Rub-ons and a Little Bit of Glitter

2010-01-17T21:23:00.008-05:00

While waiting for my Sale-a-bration goodies (again you can get a FREE stamp set when you purchase $50 in merchandise) and Occasions Mini products, I had to make some Valentine's quickly.

I normally spend a lot of time on my cards and love to emboss, sponge, watercolor, etc., but I really do like the simplicity of these cards alot. The glitter added just enough "sparkle."

Both made from Shimmery White paper, standard card size, Real Red ribbon or patterned paper, Bella Toile background, Dazzling Diamonds, and rub-ons. the only difference is, one uses Baroque Motifs in Basic Gray and the other the Scallop Edge Punch.

Enjoy!

Happy New Year! Let's Get Our Technique Club Started Again

2010-01-01T00:02:00.002-05:00

Join My Technique Club

With the Sale-a-bration coming in just a few more days, now is a great time to start up our Technique Club again.

Let me know if you are interested in joining the club and then depending on the number of members, it will determine the monthly club order commitment. We want to make sure our combined monthly order totals $150 so the hostess can receive hostess, Level 1 benefits:

Free Level 1 stamp set
$15 in free merchandise

NOTE: Each member will have a turn to be a hostess!

Club Members will enjoy:

Learning new techniques every month by attending a FREE technique class.
Recieving instructions on the new techniques learned.
A FREE gift from me for joining!

You can join from afar as well as a Long Distance Club Member. You will still enjoy the same benefits but instead of attending the class, I will send you the materials and instructions used to make the projects, as well as your free "thanks for participating" gift.

Who knows...maybe this year with my new Flip video recorder I can start creating video tutorials as well! I know it can easily upload the videos to YouTube. So I must start experimenting (LOL).

Lastly, I normally do something a little different due to the Sale-a-bration and to make sure everyone gets a free set! So again, let me know if you're interested so I can start planning.

Happy New Year!!!!

Happy Holidays from My Family To Yours!

2009-12-24T12:09:00.005-05:00

Just wanted to drop a quick note to say HAPPY HOLIDAYS from The Porto's and Hand Stamped By Heather. May you have a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Michaela and Luke with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Daddy with Luke and Michaela while waiting in line to see Santa

Mommy and Michaela outside after seeing Santa. It was cold!

Best Wishes Always!

Kids Craft Program - Gable Holiday Boxes for Homemade Cookies

2009-12-22T20:38:00.007-05:00

During our December Kids Craft Program, we create these cute, fast, and fun Gable boxes. The Christmas Cocoa designer series paper was used, with Baroque Motifs (stamped in Chocoate Chip Craft Ink), Chocolate Chip Wide Satin Ribbon from the Clearance Rack, and Whisper White paper. The pointsetta and gable boxes were purchased from an online store since I needed a large quantity and didn't want the kids to have to "cut out" anything. However, instead of using the poinsetta, many of them stamped a tree, snowman, or Santa. Others used the Felt Snowflakes from the Clearance Rack with rhinestones as well.

This is another sample that Michaela gave to one of her teachers which features the Frosty Day designer series paper and Chocolate Chip Wide Satin Ribbon from the Clearance Rack, the Serene Snowflake stamp set from the Holiday Mini (stamped in Chocolate Chip Craft Ink), and Real Red and Whisper White paper.

Happy Holidays!

Home For Christmas

2009-12-18T20:33:00.005-05:00

This is one of my favorite Christmas sets, Home for Christmas. Here I wanted to use one of the traditional Christmas colors, red. And of course I am using Chocolate Chip since I love that ribbon (now on the Clearance Rack)!

This sample features:

The Crimper
Chocolate Chip Wide Satin Ribbon (on Clearance Rack)
Chocolate Chip, Real Red and Whisper White cardstock.
Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper.
Ticket Corner Punch
Vintage Brads
1/16" Circle Handheld Punch
Sponge
Chocolate Chip Classic Ink and Craft Ink
Clear Embossing Powder
Heat Gun
SNAIL Adhesive
Stampin' Dimensionals
Stampin' Write Markers
Various Ink pads for watercoloring
Blender Pen

Special Instructions:

To run the Real Red piece of paper through the Crimper. Pierce holes for 3 Vintage Brads, wrap around and knot ribbon, then adhere to card front.
Stamp image on the 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 piece of Whisper White (punch corners), then layer on a piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock, then layer ontop of a 3-3/4 x 3-3/4 piece of striped patterned piece from the Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper.
Watercolor image using markers and ink pads. Meaning, open up an Ink Pad you want to use, such as Old Olive, then you can choose various markers as well, and scribble on the open lid, and use a Blender Pen to "blend" and prep to watercolor. So, if you had the markers but not all the Classic Ink Pads, you could still watercolor with any marker.

To view other samples using:

This set (Home for Christmas), click here.
Heat Embossing, click here.
Watercoloring, click here.
Sponging, click here.

Happy Holidays!

Bella Bleu 5x5 Accordian Holiday Album

2009-12-15T14:26:00.013-05:00

We recently did this holiday project at an Adult Craft Worshop at a local library. It features the beautiful Bell Bleu Designer Series Paper, many items from the Clearance Rack (like the felt snowflakes and wide Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon). Rhinestone brads were also used as accents, other ribbons, and one of my favorite stamp sets, Baroque Motifs.

View of the box the accordian album is in. Decorated with Bella Bleu paper, Chocolate Chip wide satin ribbon, a White and Blue felt snowflake and Clear Rhinestone Brad.

Another view of the box.

The album cover. Decorated with patterned paper from the Bella Bleu designer series paper pack, Kraft and Whisper White cardstock, felt snowflakes and rhinestone.

Inside the album. Decorated with Bella Bleu designer series paper, Whisper White and Kraft cardstock, with snowflake, Filigree Brad and Baroque Motifs swirl as accents.

Another view of the insdie, again decorated with Bella Bleu paper and a small bow using Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon.

Last page of the album. Decorate with Bella Bleu and accented with Baroque Motifs' swirl, ribbon and Filigree Brad.

Lastly, the back view of the album decorated with Not Quite Navy cardstock and patterned paper from the Bella Bleu designer series paper pack.

Hope you enjoyed the project!

Links now correct!

2009-12-11T20:07:00.001-05:00

I have updated the previous post for the Holiday Sales to now point to the right US location for the 12 Days of Holiday Sales promotions!

Click here or revisit the previous posts for more info:
http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ItemList.aspx?categoryID=426

Holiday Sales!!!!

2009-12-11T18:43:00.005-05:00

These might be the most exciting 12 days of December with select Big Shot dies and vinyl sheets for the Big Shot on sale! The 12 Days of Holiday Sales begin today and runs through December 22.

Some of the items introduced in this sale are new colors of Décor Elements vinyl sheets. There are 18 new colors to choose from, and they make great projects when you use them with Big Shot dies. Consider pairing the Clear Décor Elements vinyl sheets with the Tulipe Bigz die to create an etched-like design on a vase. Or use the Decorative Accent Bigz dies with the Old Olive Décor Element vinyl sheets to enhance a frame. The combination of Big Shot dies and Décor Elements vinyl sheets is sure to take your creativity to a new level!

Tell your husband!!! Shop now --- sale is only until Dec. 22nd!

Click here to view the Big Shot Specials list!

Happy Holidays!

I'm on Twitter - Come Tweet with Me!

2009-11-29T20:01:00.002-05:00

Finally had a moment to set it all up and am having a blast with it already. Follow me at www.twitter.com/heatherporto or view the recent activity in my right sidebar! I used the beautiful background Michelle Laycock created for my blogs and then added my picture and text to the left column area. The of course, after I added my pic, changed the color scheme and got it looking the way I wanted, I had to start "tweeting".

Hope to have you follow me...enjoy!

Cold & Cuddly Holiday Card

2009-11-28T18:00:00.001-05:00

Couldn't pass up these cuties!!! Love the penquin especially. Wanted to put a little twist using Chocolate chip and non-traditoinal holiday colors. I really like how it came out and the warmth it brings to the "cold" scene (LOL).

Product Used

Soft Suede or Close to Cocoa cardstock
Very Vanilla cardstock
Chocolate Chip Craft Ink
Clear Embossing Powder
Heat Gun
Dazzling Diamonds
SNAIL Adhesive
Stampin' Dimensionals
Cold & Cuddly stampset
Four the Holidays stampet (greeting)
Christmas Cocoa Specialty paper

Instructions

Created a 5-1/4 x 5-1/4 card using Soft Suede or Close to Cocoa
Cut a 5x5 squre of snowflake patterned paper.
Using Very Vanilla hand draw 2 slopes and cut out. Layer over each other at the card bottom. Then line edge with Dazzling Diamonds glitter.
Stamp the pole, seal, penquin, bear and iceberg on scrap Very Vanilla paper using Chocolate Chip craft ink (and then emboss with Clear Embossing Powder and Heat Gun). Cut out all image and adhere to card using Stampin' Dimensionals.
Stamp greeting on a striped pattern piece of paper, emboss, and cut and mat on Very Vanilla piece of paper. Adhere greeting to card front using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Happy Holidays!

Good Cheer Card - Happy Christmas

2009-11-27T15:46:00.005-05:00

This card was again part of my Holiday Card Making workshop and part of the Class Card Kit. I really like creating cards like this. Last year I created one using the Home For Christmas stamp set (click here to take a look).

Includes the following Stampin' Up! product:

Brushed Gold cardstock
Chocolate Chip cardstock
Real Red cardstock
Whisper White cardstock
Good Cheer stampset
VersaMark Pen
Clear Embossing Powder
Heat Gun
Garden Green, Real Red, Chocolate Chip and Creamy Caramel Stampin' Write Markers
Textured Impressions Folder, Petals-a-Plenty

Instructions

Create standard card using Brushed Gold, in landscape form.
Cut a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Chocolate Chip. Emboss the upper, left corner with the "branch-like" stamp from Good Cheer. Stamp in Chocolate Chip Craft Ink, sprinkle with Clear Embossing Powder, shake off excess powder, then heat with heat gun.
On the other side, emboss with Textured Impressions folder (use the Big Shot or Cuttlebug). I placed 3 gold brads in the bottom, right corner. You can wrap ribbon around and knot instead of or in addition to. Adhere piece to card front using SNAIL Adhesive.
Color the Santa/Reindeer image with the above mentioned Stampin' Write Markers or colors of your choice. Then stamp in 3-1/2 x 3-1/4 piece of paper. Mat it on a Chocolate Chip piece of paper 1/8 inch larger on all sides.
With the Real Red paper, crumble in your hand, again and again and again. Keep doing it until you get the desired distressed look. Then adhere Santa completed piece onto the red, off-centered, using Stampin' Dimensionals at least at the bottom, right side.

Enjoy!

My Twist on the Holiday Extavaganza --- You Won't Want to Miss This Opportunity!

2009-11-25T23:18:00.005-05:00

The holidays are here and we know Friday through Monday are BIG shopping days here in the U.S.! So from FRIDAY (11/27/09) to MONDAY (11/30/09), shop online and SAVE BIG!

For every $5 you spend in product when placing an order with me, you will get $1 credit to a future, single Stampin' Up! purchase.

So if you spend $50 in product, get $10 credit to a future single order with me!
Spend $100, get $20 credit.
Spend $150, not only will you get a free Level 1 Hostess set, $15 in free merchandise from Stampin' Up!, you will also get a FREE stampset from me (your choice).

Note: If you already have a demonstrator, I respect their business and would ask that you please continue to place orders with them. Thanks!

Click here to access my online store!

So...what are you waiting for!!! Stampin' Up! has many products up to 50% off (Holiday Extravaganza), retired product up to 80% (Clearance Rack), and a beautiful Holiday Gift Guide.

Big Items -- be sure to check them out!
Stamper's Startup Kit (Part of the Holiday Extravaganza) - this is a wonderful gift for someone special or a gift to yourself! Full of stamps, stampin' spots, paper, and more!
Many "bundles" for Card Makers, Scrapbookers, Accessory-lovers and more!
Big Shot Special (Holiday Gift Guide)

Happy Holiday Shopping!

Delightful Decorations

2009-11-10T09:54:00.007-05:00

I really like the way this card came out and of course had to use one of my favorite stamp set during this holiday season (Baroque Motifs - LOVE that big swirl).

This card will be part of the Holiday Card Kit.

So this card is made up of the following Stampin' Up! product:

Baroque Motifs stamp set
Delightful Decorations stamp set (from the Holiday Mini)
Christmas Cocoa Specialty paper (from the Holiday Mini)
Ornament Punch (from the Holiday Mini)
Chocolate Chip Craft Ink
Clear Embossing Powder
Heat Gun
Gold Cord (retired)
Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware (retired)
Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon
Close to Cocoa Cardstock

It was fairly easy to make...the ribbon tying is the most time consuming part of the project.

Cut a standard card size of Close to Cocoa.
Then cut a 4 x 4 piece of patterned paper (soft suede and white) and a 2-1/2 x 4 piece of patterned paper with the holly. Lay one on top of other, depending on how much of the holly paper you want to show, and then adhere to leave the panel 4 x 5-1/4.
Then stamp Baroque Motifs in Chocolate Chip Ink in the upper left and lower right corners. Cover with Clear Embossing Powder and heat.
Wrap Chocolate Chip Taffeta ribbon and strip og gold cord around the panel threading through the hardware buckle (adhere in back).
Then on piece of red patterned paper from the Specialty pack and stamp 2 ornaments in Chocolat Chip Craft Ink and emboss. Punch out with the ornament punch. Then, tie a bow in gold cord around the top of each. Then cut 2 other pieces to adhere behind the ornsments and then adhere to the back.
Adhere the panel to card front using SNAIL adhesive. Then adhere ornaments to card front using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Happy Stamping!

Holiday Helper 2009 is Here!

2009-11-08T21:52:00.007-05:00

The holidays are here and the Holiday Helper 2009 is coming! It is 12 remarkable newsletters to be delivered 12 days before Christmas (one each day) and filled with beautiful, holiday fun-filled projects and ideas. Truly a blessing and I look forward to it each year. I want to share them with you!

If you signed up for throughout this last year, then you are already on my Holiday Helper mailing list and will begin receiving these beautiful newsletters 12 days before Christmas. If you have not signed up, sign up below and select Holiday Helper from my newsletter sign-up form. Thank you! You're gonna love them!

Happy stamping!

Serene Snowflakes

2009-11-08T21:31:00.004-05:00

I just love this new stamp set from Stampin' Up!, featured in the Holiday Mini Catalog. I found inspiration from the card sample provided in the catalog with Bella Bleu designer series paper, but added my own twist using Chocolate Chip and heat embossing, as well as one of the felt snowflakes (now on the Clearance Rack!!!!).

Instructions

Stampin' Up! product used is bolded.

Cut a 4-1/2 by 11 piece of Kraft paper and then score in half.

Cut a 4 x 5-1/4 piece of the blue patterned paper from Bella Bleu DSP. Rub-on many white snowflakes from the Icicles rub-ons (again featured in the Holiday Mini). Then stamp a few snowflakes in Chocolate Chip Craft in (some overlapping/on top of the white snowflakes), then sprinkle with Clear Embossing Powder and heat.

Cut a 1-1/2 inch piece of kraft patterned paper from Bella Bleu DSP and then run the Sweet Swirls wheel in Chocolate Chip Craft ink a few times, sprinkle with Clear Embossing Powder and then heat. Add a rub-on or stamped greeting as well. I used a holiday greeting from the Chit Chat rub-on collection. Adhere this strip to the blue patterned paper.
Tie a piece of Kraft Taffeta ribbon around the panel, adhere in the back. Attach a felt snowflake with a Styled Silver piece of Hardware (brad). Then adhere the panel to the card front using SNAIL adhesive.

To view more cards using Heat Embossing, click here.

To view more cards using Snowflakes: Snow Swirled, Snow Burst, The Snowflake Spot.

Enjoy and have fun stamping!

Getting Ready for the Holidays

2009-11-01T21:18:00.002-05:00

Stampin' Up! is gearing up for the holidays! Here is a new fun-filled Holiday Guide - something for everyone - from kids to the experienced crafter!

Shop from this guide and get FREE stuff! Purchase $50 worth of product from this wonderful holiday guide and purchase a FREE Decor Element (up to $16.95).

On the last page of the guide there is a Big Shot Gift Pack! Check it out! I am asking for one for Christmas!!!!

Get busy holiday shopping for your favorite stamping buddies. Oh, and don't forget you can use my Gift Registry as well or shop online if you'd like to place an order.

Snow Swirled Snowflakes

2009-11-01T20:46:00.007-05:00

Bashful Blue and Chocolate Chip reminds me of Pottery Barn for some reason (LOL). So I kept this card clean and crisp but I really like the way it came out.

This is another card we'll be making at my Holiday Card Making class (Nov. 6th) and will be part of the Class Kit as well if you cannot make the class (or the rescheduled date).

The following Stampin' Up! product was used:

Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White cardstock
Blue Circle Rhinestone Brads, Ice Collection
Filigree Brads
Bashful Blue and Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Markers
Ticket Corner Punch
Stampin' Dimensionals
SNAIL Adhesive

Instructions

It was quite easy to make. Simply color in the medium sized snowflake from the Snow Swirled stampset first with Bashful Blue. Then use the Chocolate Chip marker on the tips and desired parts of the snowflake. Then stamp on the Whisper White paper. Do this twice.

Then for the center snowflake, stamp on scrap paper and punch with the Circle Scallop Punch. Use Piercing tool to pierce all snowflakes. Since the center snowflake is the focal point, this has the larger Filigree Brad and the blue rhinestone. The other two snowflakes on the card have smaller Filigree Brads and the silver brads that come with the Filigree Brads container.

Add the focal point snowflake, to the 2x2 inch square piece of Bashful Blue paper (where 2 sides have been punched) using SNAIL adhesive. Then this focal point is finally adhered to card front using Stampin' Dimensionals (where the rest of the card is assembled using SNAIL adhesive).

Enjoy!