Papers & Plums

Inspired to Stamp

About a week ago I read this post over on Becky Oehlers blog. Very refreshing to remember that you don't always have to come up with something totally original when you stamp. It's OK to be inspired by others and make something similar or, even CASE it. In fact, I know a lot of us stampers hope to do just that - inspire others to be creative with our work.

Right now I am having a hard time planning more than one dinner ahead of time, let alone come up with new and exciting card ideas. I blame it on being so very pregnant! =) That's why Becky's post was so timely.

This card was inspired by this post by on Nichole Heady's blog. She made these really simple and colorful cards for the "sign language" countdown in August. I was able to put this together in less than an hour last night. So much fun, and a great feeling of accomplishment after a bit of a dry spell on the stamping front. By imitating her layout I was able to get creative quickly, rather than sit there and just look at my stamps and bits of card stock. Yay!!

Supplies: {Stamps}: PTI Polka Dot Basics, Mixed Messages, Butterfly Kisses (Swirl) and SU! Bitty Basics (retired Hostess Set). {Paper}: PTI Stampers Select White and Ocean Tides. {Ink}: SU! Basic Black, Cameo Coral, Ruby Red, Basic Grey (the last three were used to watercolor the image). {Other}: Dimensionals, Corner Rounder.

Thanks for stopping by

Sara

My Own Card Sketchbook

I know I can always trust one of my favorite bloggers, Kristina Werner, to inspire me to create something new. Last weeks MACM was no different. The project for this video was a little card sketch book - what a great idea. Since I became a blogger myself, and an avid  blurfer ("blog surfer") I have seen how other paper crafters use sketches as a part of their creative process. It's sort of what a recipe is to cooking, it makes things a little bit quicker and easier when you feel like you can't come up with something totally original.

However, I never had a good way to keep track of card ideas or sketches that I liked. I doodled on whatever was closest to me at the time of inspiration, on little pieces of paper that were never to be found again...=(

But no more, check this out! My very own sketchbook.

I used the PDF that Kristina so graciously shared on her blog for the interior pages. Then I made a simple cover for the book using SU! Pink Flamingo DSP. The frame (inkadinkado) was stamped on a piece of Tempting Turqoise using Versa Mark ink and SU! White Embossing powder. I love how the frame looks.

My handwriting messed it all up a bit though. However, sometimes it's good to not be too picky about how things turn out. This book is supposed to be used, so it doesn't really matter if the staples are slightly messy (yes, I messed those up too. Blaming my old stapler on that one), or the handwriting is not as beautiful as you wanted it to be. I am still thrilled to have my own little sketch book. A place to jot down inspiration when it strikes me.

Thank you for stopping by,

Sara

A Gift For a Great Friend

I recently had a good friend over for a visit. She is one of those people that are easy to talk to and just so encouraging and generous in everything she says and does. She simply cannot be outdone. And sure enough, when she arrived she came with her hands full of gifts from her garden; a beautiful flower bouquet, a basket full of fruit and vegetables, mint, basil, some homemade jam and a fresh loaf of zucchini bread!! WOW! How do you say thank you for such a gift?

Though hardly comparable, I decided to make her a set of cards in return. It took me a week to complete the project, and yet another week before I found the time to photograph it and put it all together. But tonight I am finally getting around to posting it.

   

I used one of Lauren Meader's Timeless Templates from PTI to create the holder. Love it! There is no way I would have been able to put this together on my own. Then, for the inside I made 6 different cards for a variety of occasions. For the first three I used the SU! set Leaf Lines. I really like this set. I colored them using my prismacolor pencils.

   

The last three cards were made using the SU! set pocket Silhouettes. Another favorite of mine. (Sorry about the quality of the photo of the last card. I'm not sure what I did...)

   

Very simple cards, but classy IMHO. =)

I sincerely hope that she'll enjoy my gift and recognizes my gratefulness for her friendship behind it.

Ingredients: {Stamps}: SU! Leaf Lines, Pocket Silhouettes, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Cute and Curly (retired), Best Yet (Retired), PTI Mixed Messages. {Paper}: SU! Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Urban Garden DP (retired). {Ink}: SU! Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive {Other}: SU! Chocolate Chip grossgrain ribbon, Curly Label Punch, Dimensionals, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, Marvy oval and Scalloped punches, My Timeless Template "All Boxed Up".

Thank you for stopping by,

Sara

Closing Shop Beacause of New Stampin' Up! IDA

I recently became a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, so I find it a bit disappointing that the new Independent Demonstrator Agreement (IDA) will adversely affect the plans I had for my new business.

I've enjoyed using SU! products for many years, but never thought to become a demonstrator until recently. I learned that Stampin Up! would be providing their demonstrators with the ability to allow customers to purchase stamps and supplies online while still retaining the commission from such sales. In my opinion this was about time. I felt there were many opportunities to grow a business using online social networking, blogging and Web 2.0. I was curious to find out if SU's typical sales model could be transplanted to the internet, becoming a virtual platform for electronic commerce. My curiosity was peaked and I decided to give this a try. 

With so many demonstrators, I realized the importance of differentiating myself from the competition. Using the typical SU! sales model, each demonstrator has a corner on their local market that they are physically located in. However, using the internet demonstrators compete with each other on a national level. Three ways of differentiation in this new paradigm are branding, technology and sales models.

My thought was to make Papers and Plums a personal, friendly, digital persona of myself. By sharing my craft and a bit of my personal side I had hoped to attract new friends in the same way I've been attracted to so many other friendly, open, creative people on various social networks. Through these new connections, which are analogous to new acquaintances made by holding workshops, I would differentiate my business by using an alternative sales model and technology.

That was my vision, and everything was going according to plan until the new IDA was announced on September 1. The statement effectively forbids me from using  "e-mail, personal blog, web site, Twitter, Facebook, other social media and the like" in a way in which I could realize my vision. The reason this new agreement is causing me to close shop is because the only persona that I'm able to project that abides by this contract IMO is that of a pushy car salesman. It also restricts my ability to generate leads via interconnected linking from non-compliant sites. This limitation would prevent me from differentiating myself and successfully creating a strong brand.

If I was an employee of Stampin Up! this contract would be expected. But as an independent contractor, I pay my own taxes, operating expenses and capital investments. Therefore I see this as too restrictive of an agreement to continue being a demonstrator. My global online presence has more facets to it than just Stampin Up!

In my view, Stampin Up! won't survive if they continue to fight the internet.

Thank you for stopping by today. Please come back soon and check out my next project. A special gift for a special friend. =)

Sara

Fun Birthday Card for little Boys

Finding the time to blog more frequently is turning out to be a challenge at times. I mean, where are the little house elves that do the dishes, vacuum, do laundry and pick up all the endless clutter around the house?? If they just did their part, I could do crafts all evening long...but as it is, I guess I have to get around to some of those things too. =)

But I did get this card made this week, using the new SU! set Lots of Bots.

I think this is such great set to use for little boys birthday cards. And I totally love the "code" stamp with 0 and 1's. I colored this image with my prisma color pencils and OMS. This was my second attempt and I like how it turned out. But, I can see that there is lots to learn when it comes to coloring. Here's a close up of the image itself.

 

Card Supplies:

{Stamps}: Lots of Bots {Paper}: Basic Grey, Whisper White, PTI Pure Poppy {Ink}: Basic Black {Other}: Dimensionals, Silver String

I'm off to enjoy the day now with my little boy Caleb. He chatters all day long now, but I don't have a clue what he's saying!! So much fun.

Thanks for stopping by;

Sara

Visit my Stampin Up! Store now.

Coloring with Prisma Pencils - Fun!

I finally found the time to try out the prisma color pencils and Odoless Mineral Spirits technique (also referred to as "Gamsol Magic"). So much fun! I have always enjoyed coloring, though I am still quite the novice at it. Thankfully there is a lot of inspiration to be found on the subject. Personally, my favorite place is Paula's blog. Her coloring technique just blows me away and I dare say her cards are solely responsible for my purchase of a set of pencils!! =) Something I do not regret after finally playing around with them.

This card was made using one of the images I colored over the weekend.

 

The stamp is from the new SU! set "Leaf Lines". The card itself is another 5" x 5" square card. I've really enjoyed making cards in this size lately. This one ended up taking a loooooong time to finish. I just couldn't make up my mind on where to place the sentiment, how to do the background and so forth. I must have moved things around a gazillion times. For example, I made two different backgrounds before deciding on the one with the leaves. Here are the two options I chose from:

The grid background was made using PTI's "Background Basics: Retro" set. Which one do you like the best? Sometimes its just plain hard to make up your mind, isn't it. =)

I love leaf images and stamps that makes me think of fall. It's a season that always makes me feel so grateful. The beautiful, bright colors of the leaves as the tree turns, the crisp air as the weather gets colder...aaah, I just love it. And I do have so many things to be grateful for. So though it took me a while to complete the card, the process was really enjoyable.

Card Ingredients:
{Stamps}: SU! Leaf Lines, Small Script (Retired)
{Paper}: SU! Whisper White, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip
{Ink}: SU! Chocolate Chip, Basic Black
{Other}: Prisma Color Pencils, OMS, Modern Label Punch, Brads

Thank you for stopping by,

Sara

Visit my Stampin Up! Store now.

A Half Hour Card

Today I was able to squeeze in a bit of stamping time during my sons nap and because I already had an idea in my head I was able to finish it in half an hour!! And, this time, the card really looks like I envisioned it. I made no changes whatsoever! Impressive huh!

 

I started out with a 5" x 5" square Whisper White card base. Then I added a layer of Rich Razzleberry, stamped with the new Medallion background stamp. Isn't it beautiful? I love the look of it and will soon make a card using it as the focal point by itself. For this one though, I finally was able to use my new set Friends 24-7. Love that bird image. The sentiment is from the very handy set Teeny Tiny Wishes.

For some reason, I often shy away from using purple as I can never quite figure out how to use it, but this time I am really pleased with the result.

That's all I have for today. Thanks for stopping by,

Sara

Visit my Stampin Up! Store now.

I never know for sure what I'll end up with

Perhaps you're the same way. You start out with an idea of how your card is going to look. You pick your colors, inks and your stamp sets and you cut your paper and get to work.
That's what I did last night. But this card look nothing like I originally planned it! It doesn't even use the stamp set I had planned to use! Funny how that works. But that is all part of the creative process.

Instead of using a stamped image as my focal point for this card, I let the patterned paper (SU! Pink Flamingo) take its place. Originally I was going to use the other side of the DP panel, which is Summer Sun yellow in color and full of tiny little flowers. Really pretty. But when I turned it over and saw these gorgeous red ones I thought to myself...hmmmm...that would look good on its own. Let's try it. And so I did. I only added a bit of Stickles to some of the large flowers and then I stamped my sentiment from "Teeny Tiny Wishes" onto Whisper White card stock. I punched it out using my brand spankin' new "Modern Label Punch". So cute!!

I hope you'll have some time today to be creative. Post a link in the comments section to let me know what you came up with! I would love to see it.

Sara

Visit my Stampin Up! Store now.

Field of Daisies

Phew, the heat is finally subsiding here in Pdx. What a week its been!

Last Monday I got an entire box full of new Stampin' Up! goodies, but had absolutely zero energy due to the heat to play with any of it. Torture, I tell you! At least I got my stamps mounted. So easy now that they come die cut and ready to assemble. Along with cooler temperatures, I am forecasting new cards and projects for this week. Yay!!

I do have one last card to share with you from before the heat wave. After this one I am out of blog fodder!

 

I had hoped to make this card really pop, by embossing the daisies with white embossing powder. However, all I had on hand was clear, so I used that over Whisper White Craft ink. It looks OK, but it  did not give me the desired result...so I am going to try this again. You see, that box I mentioned...it had a little bottle of white embossing powder in it too. So keep an eye out.

What else did I use on this card, you say?

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, For all you do
Paper: Basic Grey, Melon Mambo
Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink, Basic Gray
Other: Curly Label Punch, Scalloped Edge Punch, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch

Thanks for stopping by,

Sara

Visit my Stampin' Up! Store Now

{Friend to Friend} Mini Card

We have stifling hot weather (99F-102F) here in Portland, OR this week. Not something this pregnant lady enjoys very much! That means seeking out air conditioned places to hang out all day with my little toddler. So, the cards you've been seeing lately were made last week as it is difficult to get anything done that requires movement!! =) However, I am hopeful this shall pass quickly!!

I made this little guy (3.5" x 3.5" Square) at the same time as this card. I think it would make a nice little gift tag.  I stamped the butterfly on Melon Mambo card stock with versa mark ink and then I carefully cut it out. Then, for additional interest I stamped the little polka dots on top of it, using Whisper White Craft ink. I thought it still looked a bit bland so I took my 2-way glue pen and brushed a thin layer over the entire butterfly (after the craft ink was dry of course). Then I poured a bit of glitter on top. It's quite sparkly in person. The brackets, along with the butterfly and the polka dots are all from the set "For all you do". I told you there were many uses for this set. =) The sentiment is from "Pocket Silhouettes".

It's really hard to see in this picture, but I did add two score lines to the bottom of the card as well. It adds a bit of elegance to an otherwise very simple card.

Stay cool and enjoy the Summer while its here. I will try to do the same.

Sara

Visit my Stampin Up! Store now