My new Blog design is almost done!!

Oh, I saw Michelle Laycock's draft of my new blog design, I am super stoked!!! I cant wait for you all to see it!!!!!

Today's Featured Project

Scrapbook Embellishments made easy

Here is a little video about using odds and ends in your scrapbooking. It really makes your scrapbooks one of a kind and also helps the environment by recycling and creating a smaller carbon footprint. Watch as Stephanie Ovak talks about using items from your junk drawer in your scrapbook pages

Home design trend focuses on what women want: Scrapbook rooms

Its official!!! Now even home builders are considering our need for a scrapbook room when designing new homes!!!! We are getting closer and closer to taking over the world ladies!!

Home builders have long realized women were their target customers. Even so, they rarely asked women what they really wanted.

By: Tammy Swift, INFORUM

1. Home builders have long realized women were their target customers. Even so, they rarely asked women what they really wanted.

And so, for decades, homes were built with tiny closets, cramped foyers and small, isolated kitchens.

But all that’s changing. One local builder, Heritage Homes, has adopted a patented design concept known as “Woman-Centric Design,” which offers floor plans and marketing techniques based on five years of women-oriented market research and focus groups.

“It taught us a whole new perspective in building and selling homes,” says Tyrone Leslie, president and CEO of Heritage Homes. “It’s our duty as a builder to understand our customers. And shame on us for not doing that sooner.”

Woman-Centric Design is the brainchild of a Nebraska-based company, Design Basics Inc., which is – fittingly enough – headed by a woman.

Design Basics’ female-centered marketing is based on one key statistic: that women directly purchase or control influence in the purchase of 91 percent of all homes, Leslie says.

An example of Heritage’s Woman-Centric design can be seen at this fall’s Parade of Homes. It’s located at 1924 7th St. E., Charleswood, West Fargo.

This home stands in sharp contrast to many older homes and old-school design approaches. Not so long ago, builders expected women and their families to adapt themselves to a limited choice of floor plans, rather than letting women determine how the house could fit their needs, Leslie says.

But Terry Becker says women have always been a vital part of the home-building process. As president-elect of the Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead and a custom builder, Becker says women influenced home design throughout his 30-plus years in the business; they just have many more design options today than they did a few decades ago.

Becker says certain building trends – increased storage, more luxurious master bedrooms and expanded foyers/mudrooms – have all been influenced by the female customer. While male customers may have strong input on specific aspects of the house, such as the theater room or the shower, the majority of design decisions are made by women, he says.

Design considers storage, flexibility

Heritage Home’s Woman-Centric design is a 4,296-square-foot rambler with gourmet kitchen, maple cabinetry, granite countertops, five bedrooms and three baths. It’s listed in the $524,900 price range.

But it’s also built to follow four key concepts of Woman-Centric design:

Entertaining: There are 10 different Woman-Centric floor plans, which shift according to a buyer’s entertaining needs. So someone who does a lot of casual entertaining might prefer an informal open living space that flows into a large kitchen, where guests always tend to gravitate.

Storing: These designs emphasize efficient storage with generous kitchen pantries, oversized bedroom closets and a rear foyer storage known as the “drop zone.” The drop zone consists of lockers, cubbies and counter space for everything from laptops to kids’ hockey gear.

De-stressing: Woman-Centric designs tend to offer amenities such as privately located master suites, walk-in showers or master bedroom “retreats.” “When women get home from work, they often start their second job,” Leslie says. “Our job is to take away that stress.”

Flexible living includes areas that can be adapted to each family’s unique needs. That may mean turning a third bedroom into a scrapbooking room or planning rooms that serve as both an office and guest bedroom.

These perks sound tempting, but they also beg the question: During tougher economic times, will people pay a little more for extras?

Leslie believes they will. “They’re willing to pay if they understand it and know they’re going to use it.”

And how do men think about all this female-centered marketing? Do they feel marginalized?

“At the end of the day, what they really care is that their wife is happy,” Leslie says.

Rubber Stamping Techniques

RUBBER STAMPING TECHNIQUES

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Ever wonder where some of these stamping techniques come from? Ever wonder how someone did that great technique? Here are a few resources to help you find new techniques.... I hope you find atleast one source or technique that is new to you!

Art Glitter: outlines techniques and information on AIG Glitter and Transparencies

Stamp Mall: instructions for Aluminum Foil Stamping

The Stampin Place: using a rubber brayer to attain creative background results

The Stamping Studio: tutorial and instructions to make stamped and beaded pens

Stampin Addicts: how to create textured and dimensional stamped backgrounds

Rubber Road Adventures: over-stamped bleached background technique

Stampin Buds: tips for using blending pens

Michael Shannon: offers a tutorial on simple and creative book making

Brass-Stencils: embossing tips and information on using brass stencils

Scrapbookie: how to make a scrapbook using brown paper bags

Clearly Rubber Stamping: using rubber stamps and colored ink on candles

After Midnight Stamps: CD Pin instructions and tutorial

Craftbits: simple tutorial on making CD Sun Catchers

Altered Book: how to make a mini coin envelope tag book

Deb’s Stampin Spot: tips and techniques for using Crystal Lacquer

Swirlydoos: using Alcohol Inks to customize your stamped projects

DIY Network: Tutorial for making your own button and cork stamps

Scrapbook Advice: discusses types, uses, and applications of decorative pens

The Enchanted Gallery: creative Domino Art ideas and techniques

Stampin Up: illustration of Dry Embossing technique

Moments of Your Heart: using embossing powder to achieve color

Tale of Hare: embossing powder tips, tricks and recipes

Instructables: complete instructions for making Envelope Books

By Donovan: instructions and templates to make your own envelopes

Expression Art: how to artfully stamp on faux tiles

Joggles: easy tutorial outlining fabric stamping technique

Blockhead Stamps: instructions for glass marbling with Micro Marbles

US Artquest: instructions for making glass ornaments with stamps and pigments

Cloud 9 Tips & Techniques: tips and techniques for using Glaze Pens

Eureka Stamps: using stamps to embellish with gold leaf flakes

Scottish Border Stamping: explains the use of the Grid Technique to create stamping patterns

Art Without Anxiety: explains the different types of ink and inkpads used for various stamping techniques

Iris Folding: lesson plan and project tutorial on the art of Iris Folding

D.Harm Trading: general information and application ideas for Lumiere Paints

Learn 2 Stamp: the basics of the Medallion stamping technique used to create dimension

Atlas Quest: provides direction on mounting your own stamps

Michaels: instructions for making an acrylic stamped notepad holder

Fun Science: illustrates how to make your own paper at home using recycled paper products

Ecstasy Crafts: explains the general technique of Paper Trapunto design

Fabric and Art: tips and techniques for using Pearl Ex Powdered Pigments

Sara Jane Studio: illustration of the use of the Polished Stone Technique for making textured backgrounds

Makers Gallery: simple illustrated instructions on how to make Pop Up Cards

Craft Town Hobby Land: details the use of Rainbow Sponges and provides project ideas

Scratchboard: tutorial on Scratch Board basics

Scrapbook.com: Provides thousands of themed and inspirational scrapbook layouts

Split Coast Stampers: using the Shaving Cream Technique to create dimensional backgrounds

Creative Mode: illustration of the Slide Stamping technique

Close to My Heart: how to use a candle to create the Soot Stamping effect

Sparkle N Sprinkle: general techniques for spotlight stamping for highlighting effects

House of Stir Fry: provides templates to create your own stamped playing cards

Soap Impressions: instructions for stamping on soap

Coxes Art & Stamping: provides a comprehensive glossary of stamping terms, including abbreviations and techniques

Trystan Craft: instructions for stamping on velvet

Nut N Honey: provides solutions for stamp storage and display

Trish Bee: mixing and stamping techniques for Walnut Ink

Stampington & Company: watercolor techniques for stamped images

Digital Scrapbooking Video Tutorial

I stumbled across this great video tonight. If you are new to digital scrapbooking, this is a great little video to check out. If you want to use Stampin Up's new My digital studio elements without purchasing the entire software package, you can use software you already own, like photoshop.



MDS- My digital studio will be available to customers on 1 October... If you have $400 workshop during the month, you can get MDS at half price! That is an awesome deal!!! October dates are filling up fast, so hurry and get your workshop booked today!

Today's Featured Project

For recipe or purchase information, just click on the project!

Christmas Punch Give Away

I am really surprised at the turnout on day one of my blog candy and the lack of response on day 2....... Interesting how many people turn out for blog candy advertisements and dont actually come back after subscribing....... So, you should increase your odds, by checking out all the days of the giveaway and leaving comments... Today is Day 4 of the giveaway............ Be sure to go back to see the other days!


Day One
Day Two
Day Three



In the meantime here are a few more samples of cards made with the Christmas Punch set that I am giving away next weekend.....

This first card was inspired by SCS: Vera, I used Christmas Punch of course, Real Red, Whisper White and Garden Green. I also used a 1 1/4" square punch, the Curly label punch and the scalloped square....

Another card inspired by SCS; This one uses Christmas Cocoa DSP, the Scalloped Oval sizzix die the boho blossoms punch fits perfectly on the snow flakes.... Old Olive and Real Red colors make this card complete..

I used the salted background technique on this one, another good one inspired by SCS: Krischie... this is the first time I played with this technique and I loved it, I am going to have to play with it some more. Anyway, I used Bashful Blue, Night of Navy and Barely Blue on glossy white paper backed by Night of Navy.. I am so loving the white Taffeta Ribbon and I dangled the snow man using some Blue grosgrain.

Finally, I used some Garden Green and Real red with some Sleigh Bells Ribbon and Christmas Punch. This one, also inspired by another stamper: BKeenan


Today's task is simple, just comment on any of my posts this week, you get one entry for each individual post commented on.... only one per post.

Free SVG: Flourish

Wanda has really out done herself with this intricate design, isnt it just lovely?

How To Condition Your Stamps

The Operators at one of my favorite sites, Stamping 411, came up with this fabulous tutorial to show you how to condition your stamps. The reason you want to condition your stamp is to get rid of that Hazy look they have when they come from the factory.

This is noticeable when you ink your stamp for the first time. When you’ve transferred the image to cardstock you get an image that looks something like the one on the left of this picture:

Yep! It’s especially noticeable with SOLID image stamps like this one where there are no lines to color in after stamping. But sometimes even your LINE ART images and GREETINGS need conditioning as well to make sure you are getting the best image transfer possible. We here at Stamping 411 know that you always want your images to look great from the first time you stamp them – us too! And the image on the right of the above picture shows you what a well conditioned, well inked stamp on cardstock looks like.

Now, there are several ways to Condition your stamps. The one I use almost exclusively is to lightly sand the stamp surface with my Sanding Block. I hold the stamp in one hand like this:

Then, I rub my Sanding Block back and forth a few times in one direction:

And then I turn the stamp a half turn and sand back and forth a few times in the opposite direction.


Once this is done, I spray some Stampin’ Mist on my Stampin’ Scrub and clean the stamp like this:

making it ready to use. It’s really that easy folks!

Two other methods that stampers use are equally easy.

One is to use your Staz-On Cleaner and simply clean off the stamp, clearing away the residue. Here is an example:

You can also use a pencil eraser and rub it lightly across the stamp surface, like this example:

Whatever method you choose is really up to your personal preference, but the main thing is to “Just Do It!”

Be sure to clean your stamp before use with Stampin' Mist and the Stampin' Scrub when using either of these examples as well.

One other thing to consider when stamping with a conditioned SOLID image stamp is to make sure it has plenty of ink on it.

The way I do this is to use the “Twist and Tap” method. I first twist the stamp on the surface of the ink pad – dye or Classic inks only for this, Craft or pigment inks are different – about 3 to four times. Then I tap it a couple of times on the ink pad to evenly distribute the ink across the stamp surface. This results in a crisp, clean image almost every time.

Happy Birthday Operation Write Home!!

Operation Write Home, formerly know as Cards for Heroes is a fabulous organization that makes handmade cards for Military members to send home to their loved ones....

As of today 194,206 cards have been sent to deployed heroes! The response from the troops is great, they love sending these hand-crafted cards home.

Operation Write Home is a group of crafters from across America (and beyond!) who have a heart for our nation's armed service members. We make handmade cards and send them to deployed warriors so they can keep in touch with their loved ones at home! We serve all branches of the military in all deployed locations, including those stationed aboard ships.

The project began in 2007 with just a few cards sent by friends on a message board; eventually cardsforheroes.org started, and in September 2009, we became Operation Write Home - to better focus on what we're all about: helping heroes keep in touch with home!

Our crafters range in age, location, and level of skill - but all have a desire to help those who serve us. Cards are made by individuals, groups, schools, scouts, and sent to our volunteer shippers in quantities both small and large! Shipping donations of any size are appreciated - from $1 to any amount - and can be included with card donations to any shipper, or mailed separately, or via Paypal.

If you are interested in contributing, here are some dates to keep in mind.

CARD DEADLINES

Postmark by these dates:

Halloween: Sept 20

Thanksgiving:Oct 5

Christmas:Nov 1

Hannukkah:Nov 1

All other cards: anytime

Free school SVGs

Aren't these files terrific? These would be great for decorating those elementary school binders or maybe even getting started on some Holiday Gifts for Teacher....

Sam and Hailey create so many wonderful files for purchase, be sure to stop by their store and see what they have come up with!!!

Christmas Punch Blog Candy - Task 3

In this post, I wanted to show you just how versatile this stamp set is, look at all these fantastic projects I found, using this hostess set. Arent these projects inspirational? Today, to enter, just tell me which project you like best......... and what would you do with this set, if you win it?

If you missed the first two ways to enter, you can find them here:

Day One
Day Two





I found all the above samples on the internet, they are from fellow demos and SU customers.

Introducing Holiday Kits