Tuesday, June 30, 2009

June Blog Candy (Staying at the top)

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED!

**Scroll down for SU Sneak Peeks & 0ther posts all month long!!**



Use It Tuesday #13


Every Tuesday, I am digging into my stash and using something I have been hoarding. I have a room full of stuff and I am going to try to USE IT!! I hope you will join me and start using your own stuff more.

Today, I decided to show you a project using my curly label punch. This is one of the punches I have that I hardly ever think to use, but it is so cute! I really need to use it more. I am sure you have some punches that have been neglected as well.

This card has TWO sneak peeks on it!

  • The sentiment is from the new SNEAK PEEK Stampin' UP stamp set called Christmas Punch. This is one of the brand new hostess level 2 stamp sets that will be available in the catalog coming out TOMORROW!
  • The sentiment was stamped and then punched out using the Stampin' UP Curly Label Punch.
  • TIP: Stamp first and then punch out the shape. You can line it up easier when you punch out after you stamp.
  • And the cute little snowmen are from the SNEAK PEEK Stampin' UP Stamp set called The More the Merrier. This is one of my favorite stamp sets from the new catalog. It is so versatile and comes with sentiments and shapes in the same set (I love when there are sentiments mixed with shapes in the same set)
  • I colored in the Snowmen with Sakura glitter gel pens and Martha Stewart markers that I used when I was at my dear friend Karen's house.
  • Cardstock used is Stampin' UP Old Olive cardstock
  • Snowflake paper is from the Hobby Lobby christmas paper pack 2008.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Colors & Toots

Today I would like to share some extra special news with you along with a cute little sneak peek from the Stampin' UP 09-10 catalog!

My, my how SP Color Combos has grown in 3 short weeks!! This week there were 31 entries!!!!! I am stunned and super happy that everyone is having some fun :O) If you haven't yet checked it out, come on over! As always, we've got an amazing sponsor this week!

Here is this weeks challenge:

Here is my project for this week:
  • I have soooo many photos of my sweet little doggies and some of them are very random, so I decided to stick some of the random ones together on one LO.
  • Paper is all DCWV brand from various stacks (I am a DCWV stack addict for sure!)
  • Flower is made with a button and the Stampin' UP Scallop Circle Punch
  • Title was made with Doodlebug alphas
  • The bird border was made using the SNEAK PEEK Stampin' UP stamp set called The More the Merrier! This stamp set is sooooo adorable! It has the most adorable halloween border stamp in this set too.
  • TIP: stamp the same image repeatedly to create a continuous border!
  • I colored the birds and hearts in with my Stampin' UP markers to match the color combo challenge as well.
  • On the pink polka dot patterned paper, I used the Stampin' UP scallop edge punch.
Now for some Toots! I have two of them. . .First, I have been contacted by Elmer's, and they want to send me some goodies!! You know Elmer's glue you used in school? Well they have a whole craft line of glue, and other crafty products, and they are working to make some new crafting products. I am so excited to get to test out and review some of their products!!! I have heard of really good scrappy bloggers getting goodies from great companies to review, but this is the first time it has ever happened to me so I am stoked! I didn't know I was in the category with the "really good scrappy bloggers"!!! I should be getting some new goodies soon, so get ready to learn about some cool new items. :O)

And secondly, this:
I received this beautiful prize pack from Wendi, one of the fab DT members at Serendipity Scrapbooks! I won a challenge over there at an online crop with my ABC's of Scrapping LO a while ago! Serendipity Scrapbooks is one of the nicest places to hang out and they always have great crops too.

Have a happy Monday, and come back tomorrow to see a new project for USE IT Tuesday.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Sketch Challenge #21

Here is sketch #21:
If you use the sketch please let me know!

I made this LO using the sketch above and I included a great little SNEAK PEEK from the upcoming Stampin' UP Catalog (comes out July 1st, Wednesday!!). It is a LO of my fiance being goofy with his birthday cake last year.
  • Patterned paper, alphas, library card, journaling sticker, and deep orange cardstock are all from the June Vintage Plum Kit called Alphabet Soup.
  • The alphas are raw chipboard covered with Stickles glitter glue
  • The cupcakes are from the brand new hostess set coming out in the new catalog. This stamp set is called The More the Merrier. It is a hostess level 3 stamp set.
  • TIP: This cupcake is one of many cupcakes all lined up on the same stamp to make a border, but I wanted to use just one. To use only part of an image on a stamp, pull out those markers! Go over the part of the image you want using a marker, breathe onto the stamp (to moisten the ink), and then stamp!
  • Cupcakes were colored in with Stampin' UP In Color markers and then punched out with a Stampin' UP circle punch. Then I layered them onto Scallop Circle punch outs made with the deep orange cardstock that came with the VP Kit.


Saturday, June 27, 2009

Stamptivity #16

For this week's Stamptivity Challenge, make a scene on your card.

I had someone ask me the other day, "What is Stamptivity?" so I thought I would address this in case others were wondering. Stamptivity is a clear stamp company based in the UK. They sell amazing stamps that are of the best quality.

I will be honest, I don't usually care for clear stamps because they don't ink well, they don't stamp crisp, and they don't last as well. . . BUT Stamptivity stamps totally break the mold for clear stamps! Their clear stamps are rubber quality. They ink up perfectly and stamp perfectly. They also look as new as the day I got them. Oh yeah, and they stick perfectly to a clear block and then peel off when needed.

I highly recommend their stamps, and I wouldn't design for them if I didn't wholeheartedly believe in them. I have a link to them under my DT section in my sidebar.

Here is my card for this week:
This card features all Stamptivity stamps from the Stamptivity Merry Christmas Silhouettes set. I used a white gel pen around the stars to make them stand out a bit more. I wanted it to look like Santa and his reindeer were flying through the night sky.



Friday, June 26, 2009

IBCC #22

IBCC stands for Idea Book & Catalog Challenge. The IBC challenges are intended to get everyone thinking about the Stampin' UP catalog as an idea book and not only a catalog (since it is intended to be BOTH). The Idea Book & Catalogs are all filled with great sample projects which you can use as inspiration for many different types of projects.

The LO below is from the current Idea Book and catalog. Use it as your inspiration for your project. Be sure to let me know if you make a project with the IBCC. I just may showcase you on my blog.

This beautiful LO features the Stampin' UP Big Flowers stamp set. The full stamp set is shown below.So much could be done with this stamp set and I hope to get it one day. It would be perfect for scrapbooking!

I am gong to get my LO made over the weekend. Today, I will be getting BRAND NEW Catalogs ready to mail out!!!!!! If you need one, please contact me ASAP to ensure you get one!



Thursday, June 25, 2009

I'm giving away a Big Shot!!


OK REALLY! The title says it all!

Scrapmaster's Paradise (AKA ME!!) is going to give away a Big Shot during the month of July -at least one!

Since July is the first month of the brand spankin' new Stampin' UP Idea Book and Catalog, I thought I would kick of the new catalog celebration right!

In order to be eligible at a chance to win a Big Shot, simply place a $100 order through my Stampin' UP Website http://stampinwithsami.stampinup.net (click on Shop Now) or via email scrapmastersparadise@yahoo.com between July 1st and July 29th. For every $100 you spend up to $500, you will get another chance at winning.

Don't want to have to wait and take your chance? If you place a $500 order by yourself, I will GIVE YOU a Big Shot for free so you don't even have to take your chances in the drawing.

Already own a big shot? Then I will give you $100 in FREE Big Shot Dies/Texture Plates/Accessories of your choice!

So start saving those pennies!!

Here are the details:
  • The Big Shot(s) will be Stampin' UP and brand new in a sealed box.
  • In order to place the random drawing, I must have a minimum of 5 participants in the $100 rally (this does not include the $500 orders, who get their own FREE Big Shot)
  • Workshop orders are ineligible UNLESS you do the work of gathering your friends orders and payments and placing them as a SINGLE order to me (meaning, I don't want to have to track down 10 people and get payments from them).
  • This offer cannot be combined with any other offer through me.
  • During the month of July, the 25-25-25 board and the Frequent Stamper Club will be suspended except for hostess club orders.
  • Depending on the number of entries OVER 5 entries, I may give away ADDITIONAL Big Shots.
  • The $100 and $500 is before shipping and tax so it must be the merchandise total.
  • Big Shot(s) will be ordered by me after July 29th but before the end of the month.
Need a catalog?? You can order one from me at my online store: http://samiville.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=11&products_id=7 for $7 including shipping or place an order before then end of June and get one FREE!


Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Cricut Purse Box



**I  am on a ProvoCraft/Cricut Boycott! They won't get another dime from me!  Got a Cricut? Well use it! Don't have one yet? Consider a different  machine!! Click here for more details about my boycott and how I got here!! You can join the boycott too!**


Happy Cricut Wednesday everyone!

Last Wednesday, I mentioned that I intend to show you projects featuring my Cricut cartridge. As promised, here is your next installment of Cricut Wednesday. . .

BUT first, I want to tell you that a BIG announcement is happening here at SP TOMORROW! You won't want to miss this!

I made this cute little goody bag for a friend of mine:

  • This little purse box was made using the Cricut Tags, Bags, Boxes & More cartridge. I will admit, I have hardly even touched this cartridge since I got it because. . . I found it intimidating and I only had the Cricut Machine (cuts up to 5.5inches) so I didn't really think the boxes would work well on it. Now that I have the Cricut Expression, I am going to test it out more!
  • The paper used for the outside of the box is from my June Vintage Plum kit called Alphabet Soup. This is one of the Vintage Plum brand papers (isn't that awesome!? They design their own papers just for each monthly kit!).
  • I sprayed the outside of the bag with Glimmer Mist to give it a shimmery look.
  • Then I used the brand new Stampin' UP In Color09-10, Soft Suede, to stamp a design over the patterned paper. The stamp is from the Stampin' UP Friends 24-7 stamp set.
  • The alphas is a raw chipboard! To decorate the chipboard, I sprayed it with green Glimmer Mist and then stamped using a flower from the same stamp set as the one I used in the background (Friends 24-7). Then I just colored in the image to match the purse.
  • I mounted the finished alpha on a torn piece of Stampin' UP Chocolate Chip cardstock. I crinkled up the edges to make it look more worn.
  • ribbon is Stampin' UP 1/4inch Old Olive grosgrain ribbon.
I took a close up with my new camera and you can see the shimmer in the photo above! It just sparkles!

Then, I just filled it with candy and gave it to my friend :O)



Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Friendly Rose Card


Welcome to your 12th installment of USE IT Tuesday!

Every Tuesday, I am digging into my stash and using something I have been hoarding. I have a room full of stuff and I am going to try to USE IT!! I hope you will join me and start using your own stuff more.

Today, I pulled out my beautiful Manhattan Flower embossing folder. Anyone with a SIzzix or a Cuttlebug knows that dry embossing is such a nice way to jazz up a project. My poor embossing folders have been soooo neglected so I pulled this one out!
This is one of my fave cards I have ever made! It was so easy to make too, once I got the sponging figured out. AND there is a SNEAK PEEK on this card!

  • Friend to Friend stamp is from the upcoming Stampin' UP Catalog (July 1st). This is one of the many great sentiments from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set. I really like this stamp set! It is honestly the first and only sentiment stamp set that I have purchased.
  • The sentiment was punched out with the Stampin' UP Large Oval Punch and then layered with the Stampin' UP Scallop Oval Punch.
  • TIP: Stamp your sentiment before using a punch. When punching, look through the bottom of the punch and line up your sentiment how you want it. Stampin' UP Punches have a comfort grip so you can flip them over and still punch out easily.
  • The whisper white cardstock was embossed with the Stampin' UP Manhattan Flower texture impressions folder.
  • Sponging was done using a makeup sponge ($1.70 a pack at Target!!) and the ink colors Riding Hood Red (retiring this month!) and Old Olive.
  • Background paper is Old Olive cardstock.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Spark of Happy LO

Come play along this week at SPCC http://spcolorcombos.blogspot.com!



  • This is the LO I made for SP Color Combo #3 for this week. I really like the colors for this week and they came together better than I expected on my LO.
  • Cardstock is Stampin' UP Lovely Lilac (for the background) and Garden Green (for the photo mat)
  • Pattern paper is DCWV and K & Company
  • I distressed the edges of the paper strips with an Edge Distresser tool
  • The circles on the bacground paper are from the SNEAK PEEK stamp set called Circle Circus. I stamped them in Lovely Lilac ink so they would be subtle.
  • TIP: Use the same color ink and cardstock for a tone on tone effect. You can create accents and stamped backgrounds doing so.
  • Alphas are Thickers (glitter ones and felt ones)
  • TIP: GO with the FLOW! Let me explain. . . I had a major accident on this LO, but you would never know it (well, if I wasn't about to explain it to you, LOL) I wanted the title to be "SPARKLE" as I was putting down the letters, I knew the alphas weren't going to fit. I couldn't rearrange them because there wasn't room for them and I wanted to use the green glitter letters so I thought of a new title. It ended up working for me! SO what I mean by Go with the Flow is when something doesn't "fit" or "work" for you, change it up!




Sunday, June 21, 2009

Sketch Challenge #20

Whoa! I can't believe we are on 20 already! Well, here it is:
If you use the sketch, please let me know!! I would love to see your creations!

Here is my take on the LO:
Sorry my LO is so late! I have had really bad migraines this past week so I am lagging behind this week.

  • To see a larger photo, click on the photo!
  • This page was made for my precious fiance. This is one of the creepiest faces I have ever seen him make but it was soooo hilarious!! He was goofing around and I had to snap some photos!
  • The background cardstock is Stampin' UP Not Quite Navy. This is one of my favorite Stampin' UP Colors.
  • The tiny circles around the larger circles is a SNEAK PEEK stamp!! This stamp is from the Stampin' UP Circle Circus stamp set. I stamped them in Soft Suede, the new In Color for 09-10!!
  • The patterned papers are from DCWV (blue), Basic Grey (dark brown), and K&Company (light brown).
  • TIP: To cut out great circles, use the Stampin' UP Circle Cutter or the Martha Stewart Circle Cutter. They are easy to use, compact, and cut circles up to 5.5inches in diameter.
  • The journaling circle is from my June kit from Vintage Plum. You need this kit!!
  • The title was made with Thickers and Pink Paislee alphas. The small green alphas are the Pink Paislee ones.
  • TIP: Try mix and matching letters if you run out. Notice the "teeth" alphas are different shades of green? I actually ran out of glitter letters, so I used other thickers and then covered them in green Stickles glitter glue. It isn't perfect, but it is close enough!
  • TIP: To make letters stand out against similar colored paper, go around the edges with a black pen/marker. For the light green letters, I used my Stampin' UP Basic Black marker.
Next week, I am going to try to get on top of things a little better. I haven't been pre-scheduling posts like I used to and I was doing a good job keeping up until the migraines hit again. They really take a lot out of a person!

Tomorrow, I have some SNEAK PEEKS to share with ya along with a brand new color combo from SPCC!

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Stamptivity #15

For this week's Stamptivity Challenge, use paper glaze (Glossy accents is the same thing) on your Stamptivity card or project.

My sample is still drying so I will try to get it up tomorrow.

If you do the challenge, please send me a note so I can take a peek!




And the $25 gift certificate goes to. . . .

The 25-25-25 board is full!!!!!!!

SO it is time for me to reveal the name of the random winner of the $25 gift certificate!

The winner is. . . . .


Janice C!!!!!!!!!


Janice also has a lovely $5 gift certificate to spend because she filled up her Frequent Stamper Card!!

To find out more about how you can get your name on the 25-25-25 board and the Frequent Stamper Card, click on them in my Stampin' UP Corner in the sidebar!


How to Make Cricut Cutting Mats Resticky



**I  am on a ProvoCraft/Cricut Boycott! They won't get another dime from me!  Got a Cricut? Well use it! Don't have one yet? Consider a different  machine!! Click here for more details about my boycott and how I got here!! You can join the boycott too!**


Originally posted this on June 18th, 2008, but I wanted to bring this back up to the top for all my cricut friends!

Along with many Cricut users, I am fed up with the Cricut cutting mats / pads. They don't stay sticky for any decent amount of time. I think that this is rediculous because we pay HUNDREDS (Some of us even spend THOUSANDS) of dollars to their company so they should at least figure out a better way! Buying cutting mats all the time adds up!

So to counter this problem, many scrappers have come up with different methods of making the mats last longer or making them sticky again.
These are the ways I have read about so far:
*Using a lint roller -roll the lint roller back and forth over the cutting pad to get all the paper pieces and paper fuzzies off the mat. I didn't notice a difference with this method.
*Rotating cutting pads -use 2 or 3 cutting pads at a time, rotating which one you cut on. This does help some, but eventually they still lose the sticky.
*Spray the mat with adhesive -this is what we are going to concentrate on!
After many attempts, I have learned a lot of what not to do and I found a way that works!
I attempted to wash mine with soap and water, which helped a little bit but the mats were definitely NOT as sticky as the original mats.
The lint roller helps to get the little paper lint off, but didn't make the mat any more sticky.
I ALWAYS rotate cutting mats! I don't really see a difference if I am only cutting out a couple of pieces, but I definitely notice the difference when I am working on a big project. I rotate with six mats. I alternate two at a time and then switch to another two after a little while. I find that this extends them for a lot longer.


And finally, the number one best method I have found is adhesive spray!!! Here are a few tips and tricks to get the best out of it.


1. Use Krylon Easy-Tack Repositionable Spray #7020. I tried a few other sprays with no luck. They either didn't stick enough or stuck too much and messed up the paper. The Krylon spray makes the mats stick the same as when they are new! This stuff is AMAZING!!! This comes in the bottle shown below:




This spray needs to be sprayed outside where you have ventilation and away from children and pets. In my local scrapbooking store, this spray was in the isle with the wood glues and NOT with the scrapbooking glues so ask someone if you cant find it. At the store here, it costs $5.99 and lasts a long time. One bottle should last many, many months.

2. Tape off the edges of your mat. This is critical because the glue will get on the roller thing in your machine. I found taping of the mats to be tedious so I made a mat template out of cardboard and I lay it on top of my mat, align it with the mat and spray.

3. Spray lightly. I found that if you put on too much spray, it takes forever to dry.

4. Wait a couple minutes. If you spray and then stick the paper on immediately, it wont stick! The adhesive actually has to dry before it becomes sticky.

******Note: I recommend only using the spray method AFTER your warranty is up because doing this can void your warranty. Good luck saving your mats and your money! 







Friday, June 19, 2009

Teeny Circle Cupcakes

I decided to make cupcakes for our work potluck. I made these super cute cupcake decorations using some SNEAK PEEK items from the upcoming Stampin' UP Catalog (you can order from it starting July 1st). I really love how they turned out!! These would be great for a picnic, birthday party, or any kind of special get together. I hope you like them!

  • For these cupcake decorations, I used bamboo skewers and cut them into shorter lengths. You could use toothpicks, but I found them to be too small.
  • The front of the tags were stamped with a stamp from the Circle Circus stamp set using Bermuda Bay ink.
  • Then I stamped them with the "sweet treats" sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set.
  • I used a Stampin' UP Circle punch on the Whisper White cardstock and the Stampin' UP Scallop Circle punch on the In Color 09-10 cardstocks.
  • The back was made using the "just for you" sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set.
  • For the scallop punchouts, I used Stampin' UP's new In Colors: Bermuda Bay and Melon Mambo.
  • TIP: To make the scallops fit on the skewers, I made a punch out for the front and the back and then used adhesive to attach them with the skewer in the middle.

Here are some photos of the backs:



Thursday, June 18, 2009

We Will Miss You. . .

God's Beauty stamp set!!
This is a LO I made using the Stampin' UP stamp set called God's Beauty, which is a retiring hostess set! To get this set, you have to place an order of $150 or more (workshop or your own order).
  • butterfly is from the God's Beauty stamp set. I stamped one in Baja Breeze ink (This ink is retiring so get it NOW) and then cut it out. Then I attached it to the LO with Stampin' Dimensionals. The other butterflies are stamped in Soft Suede, one of the new In Colors for 09-10.
  • TIP: Stamp in Stampin' UP Whisper White cardstock to make a perfectly crisp image. I have tried other white cardstock and it is just not the same!
  • Background cardstock, green cardstock, and larger green patterned paper are from the June kit at Vintage Plum. Check them out, you will love them!
  • The smaller pieces are K & Company patterned paper. I inked the edges with Soft Suede ink.
  • TIP: to make your layers POP, ink the edges of the paper slightly! This is one of my favorite little tricks to use.
  • Flowers are Primas. I accented them with brads.
  • The swirl coming off of the blue butterfly is a stamp from the Stampin' UP Flight of the Butterfly stamp set.
  • On the green cardstock, I used the Stampin' UP Eyelet Border Punch.
Tomorrow, I will show you a super cute way to use some of the new Sneak Peek stamp sets!! I can't wait to see what you think!




Wednesday, June 17, 2009

New Cricut Wednesday!

**I am on a ProvoCraft/Cricut Boycott! They won't get another dime from me! Got a Cricut? Well use it! Don't have one yet? Consider a different machine!! Click here for more details about my boycott and how I got here!! You can join the boycott too!**

I am going to try to make Wednesday's a special day around here: Cricut Wednesday!!! I really need to and want to use more Cricut die cuts on my LO's and cards so I am challenging myself to use 'em more!

This is also a SNEAK PEEK LO too!!

Today's LO is of my fiance when he was little. Isn't he cute?! LOL Now here are the deets on this LO:
  • This week, I used the Cricut Life's a Beach cartridge to make these cute little fish!
  • LO was made for a summer camp challenge over at Coordinates Collections, but I think I am too late to enter it! (I had it done in time, but I didn't get it posted in time!!)
  • I used a sketch from 52sketches for the design.
  • Bermuda Bay cardstock was used for the fish die cuts and the mat around the photo.
  • TIP: Color on your die cuts!! I outlined they eyes with my Basic Black Stampin' UP Marker and I colored the fins with my Pacific Point In Color Marker I made with a VersaMarker.
  • Alphas, borders, patterned paper, and journaling sticker were all from a Coordinates Collections kit.
  • Tangerine Tango Cardstock was used for the circle mats.
  • DCVW Citrus Stack was used for the patterned paper circles.
  • TIP: For perfect circles, use a circle cutter! Stampin' UP and Martha Stewart both make awesome ones! They are pretty small and easy to use tools.
  • On the photo, I used the Stampin' UP Ticket Corner Punch.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Sneak Peek Cupcakes Card


  • This card was made using a SNEAK PEEK Stampin' UP set called The More the Merrier. This set is a level 3 hostess set. It is very versatile because it comes with a bunch of holiday related shapes.
  • The cupcakes were colored in with an aqua painter and In Color inks: Melon Mambo, Soft Suede, and Bermuda Bay.
  • TIP: When using Stampin' UP ink with an aqua painter, close the ink, press on the top and bottom of the inkpad, and then you can use excess ink of the lid of the ink pad! Just brush the tip of the painter across the excess ink and paint away.
  • TIP: To make darker shaded parts, go over the part twice. I always do a fairly light uniform color across the whole part and then go back and add a little extra where I want darker parts.
  • To write "you're the" I used the Soft Suede In Color marker.
  • The rest of the sentiment is from the Stampin' UP The More the Merrier stamp set.
  • The patterned paper is also a SNEAK PEEK item. This paper is part of the Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Paper pack.
  • Card measures 4.25X5.5inches
  • Background paper is Bermuda Bay Cardstock, the new In Color.
  • The lace edge was made with Close to Cocoa cardstock and the Stampin' UP Eyelet Border Punch.
This is one of my favorite sets from the Sneak Peek pre-order!! Let me take this chance to say it is so great to be a demonstrator for Stampin' UP. One of my favorite things ever is being able to order hostess sets before each catalog comes out! It is one of the many many perks of being a demonstrator. If you want to be a demonstrator too, I would love to have you join my team. We are the Inkalicious Divas! If you want to be an Inkalicious Diva, send me an email or click on Join Now on my Demo website at http://stampinwithsami.stampinup.net. The pre-order is only until June 30th so now is a great time to take the plunge. I am so happy I did it!

Now for something fun! My dear friend Deb these awesome blinkies for my team!!! I am soooooo excited I can't even begin to tell you how much I love these blinkies. I am just now getting into digital things so there is no way I could have made anything close to this awesome. Thank you so much, Deb!!!

Inkalicious Diva2

Inkalicious Diva




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