ANNOUNCING THE GRAND REOPENING OF MY CRAFT ROOM!!!

TA DAAAAAA (DRUM ROLL) . . . .

Yes, it's finally happening!  After being closed since June 2016, I'm finally getting ready to reopen the doors of my craft room!!!



Hope to see you at my February 4 Open House to celebrate the grand reopening.  (See my Upcoming Stampin' Events page for details.)

Cathy  ;D

Beautiful You: Encouragement Card

Howdy!  I have another new card for you today.  Again, I'm using the Beautiful You stamp set.

I have a friend whose sister is having surgery this week and she asked me to send an encouragement card to her . . . so this is what I came up with.

Click on image for closer look.

Materials

Stamp Set
* Beautiful You ☼

Paper
* Tip Top Taupe card stock (8-1/2" x 5-1/2")
* Whisper White card stock (5-1/4" x 4"; 5" x 3-3/4")
* Sweet Sugarplum card stock (5-1/8" x 3-7/8")
* Succulent Garden Designer Series Paper (scraps for umbrella and skirt) ☼

Ink
* Sweet Sugarplum Classic Stampin' Pad
* Black Memento Pad

Accessories and Tools
* Watercolor Pencils ☼
* White Perfect Accents
* Blender Pen or Aqua Painter
* Paper Snips
* Adhesives:  SNAIL Adhesive; Tombow Liquid Glue

☼ These items can be found in the 2017 Occasions Mini Catalog


Instructions
(Note:  SNAIL Adhesive used throughout unless otherwise indicated)

1. Score 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" Tip Top Taupe card stock at 4-1/4"; fold away from score line to create card.

2. Adhere 5-1/4" x 4" Whisper White card stock to front of card; adhere Sweet Sugarplum card stock over Whisper White card stock.

3. Use Black Memento Ink to stamp image and sentiment on 5" x 3-3/4" Whisper White card stock.  Use Blender Pen or Aqua Painter with Sweet Sugarplum ink to paint top part of dress.  Use Early Espresso Watercolor Pencil to color hair and then paint over it with Blender Pen or Aqua Painter.  Stamp splash of color over sentiment with Sweet Sugarplum ink.  Adhere the finished piece to front of card over Sweet Sugarplum card stock.

4. Use Black Memento Ink to stamp a second image of woman on Designer Series Paper (DSP).  Use Paper Snips to cut out umbrella and skirt.  Use Tombow Liquid Glue to adhere pieces over image stamped on Whisper White card stock.

5. Attach self-adhesive White Perfect Accents as shown.

The end!  A simple and thoughtful way to send encouragement to a friend who's under the weather or just needs to know you care.

Cathy  ;D

Beautiful You Card with Instructions

This was such a fun card to make -- it also gave me an opportunity to try out my new Stampin' Up! watercolor pencils!  We made this one at my table at both Stamp Camp North on January 14 and Stamp Your Art Out on January 21.  Many thanks to Billie Moan, Rambling Rose Studio (http://ramblingrosestudio.com/beautiful-you/) for the inspiration!



Click on photo for closer look.

Materials

Stamp Set
* Beautiful You 🎶 (see below)

Paper
* Sahara Sand card stock (8-1/2" x 5-1/2)
* Very Vanilla card stock (5-1/4" x 4")
* Blushing Bride card stock (5-1/8" x 3-7/8")
* Falling in Love Designer Series Paper 🎶 (5" x 3-1/2")

Ink
* Tip Top Taupe Classic Stampin' Pad
* Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad
* Black Memento Pad

Accessories and Tools
* Lace Doilies 🎶
* Stampin' Sponge
* Watercolor Pencils 🎶
* Blender Pen or Aqua Painter
* Very Vanilla 1/2" Lace Trim (about 6")
* Linen Thread (about 8")
* Adhesives: SNAIL Adhesive and Glue Dots

🎶 Find these items in the 2017 Occasions Mini Catalog


Step-by-Step
(SNAIL Adhesive was used to assemble this card unless otherwise indicated.)

1. Score 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" Sahara Sand card stock at 4-1/4"; fold away from score line to create card base.

2. Center and adhere Very Vanilla card stock on front of card.  Center and adhere Blushing Bride card stock over Very Vanilla card stock.

3. Place Lace Doily over Designer Series Paper (DSP) and using it as a stencil, lightly sponge Tip Top Taupe over the doily.  If you look closely at the photo, you'll see I did this in a couple of places.  Then randomly sponge more ink over DSP until you're happy with how it looks.

4. Use Memento Ink to stamp image and sentiment on DSP.  Use Watercolor Pencils to color image (I used Calypso Coral very lightly for arms and legs and heavier for dress; Melon Mambo for darker shading on dress; Daffodil Delight for hat; and Early Espresso for shading on hat).

OPTIONAL STEP:  Just coloring in the image looks great, but if you want more of a watercolor look, you can paint over the colors with a Blender Pen or Aqua Painter to smooth out the shading.  One of my demonstrator buddies told me if you use the Aqua Painter (or a small paint brush with water), you can go back with the watercolor pencil to intensify the color if it's not as dark as you want it to be; I have found you also can do this with the Blender Pen, but the colors may not be as deep and rich.  (Blender Pens contain a combination of glycerin, distilled water, and rubbing alcohol, which may not accept additional color quite as well.)

5. Place Lace Trim horizontally near bottom of DSP (about 1/4" from the edge) and adhere ends on back of paper.  Adhere DSP to front of card over Blushing Bride card stock.

7. Cut about 8" of Linen Thread.  Fold or cut the thread in half and use the double-thickness to tie a knot around the Lace Trim, and then cut the tails to the length you want.  Secure to front of card with a Glue Dot behind the knot.

Don't forget about the inside of the card!!!



Click on photo for closer look

If you look closely, you'll see that I added some very faint doily shading on the inside of the card.  To get this faded out result I barely touched the sponge to the paper.  I stamped the sentiment with Memento Ink and highlighted it with a splash of Blushing Bride ink (the stamp for this splash of color is also included in the Beautiful You stamp set).

That's it!  An elegant card for any occasion!

Cathy  ;D

Beautiful You Clear-Mount Stamp Set 143637 Price: $28.00

Beautiful You Wood-Mount Stamp Set 143004 Price: $39.00

Special Reason Card

Here's one of the cards we're making at my table at Stamp Your Art Out in Castle Rock on January 21.

Click on image for closer look.

This card uses the new Special Reason bundle (see details below) and was inspired by Carmen Morris (http://caringforstamps.blogspot.nl/2016/12/spring-summer-catalog-countdown-30.html).  Note that this blog is not in English, but there is a handy little "translate" button near the top right of the page that works great!!!!

This card also has just a touch of Sweet Sugarplum, one of the fun 2016-2018 In Colors.  Watch for a list of materials and instructions soon . . . or come to the stamp camp tomorrow and make your own card!  (See my Upcoming Stampin' Events tab for details.)

Cathy  ;D

The Special Reason bundle is featured in the 2017 Occasions Mini Catalog and comes in both clear mount and wood mount.  Click on one of the images below for details.



Special Reason Clear Mount Bundle




Special Reason Wood Mount Bundle



Masculine Birthday Card

This was my swap card for this month's Front Range Stampers meeting.  The theme was masculine birthday cards.  Since the weather was iffy around here on Monday, the meeting was canceled.  Luckily, the theme for February's meeting is "Anything Goes," so I'll be able to use it for my swap next month.  (Nice to be ahead of the game for a change, right?!)

Click on image for closer look.

This card was inspired by this cute gift bag made by Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Breelin Renwick:  http://craft-somniamomma.blogspot.com/search/label/Nailed%20It.

Materials

Stamp Sets
* Nailed It (2017 Occasions Mini Catalog)
* Confetti Celebration

Paper
* Crumb Cake card stock (8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; 3-3/4" x 3-1/4"; 4-1/4" x 3/4"; 1" x 1/4" (2))
* Whisper White card stock (approximately 7" x 3-1/2")

Ink
* Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad and Stampin' Write Marker
* Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad and Stampin' Write Marker
* Memento Tuxedo Black Pad

Accessories and Tools
* Big Shot Die Cutting Machine
* Build It Framelits Dies (2017 Occasions Mini Catalog)
* Umbrella Weather Framelits Dies
* Tags and Labels Framelits Dies
* Project Life Corner Punch
* 1/8" Handheld Circle Punch
* Stampin' Sponges
* Thick Baker's Twine (Whisper White - 10" or less)
* Watercolor Pencils (2017 Occasions Mini Catalog)
* Blender Pen or Aqua Painter
* Adhesives: SNAIL Adhesive or Tombow Liquid Glue; Stampin' Dimensionals

Instructions

1. Score 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" card stock at 4-1/4"; fold away from score line.

2. Use Stampin' Sponge to apply Early Espresso and Soft Suede ink around edges and randomly across front of card and also on 4-1/4" x 3/4" and 1" x 1/4" card stock pieces.  Use Early Espresso marker to draw vertical dashed lines along each side of card front; on long edges of 4-1/4" x 3/4" card stock, and on short edges of 1" x 1/4" card stock.  Use SNAIL or Tombow to adhere 4-1/4" x 1" card stock horizontally across top of card about 1/8" from top edge.  Adhere two 1" x 1/4" strips of card stock vertically on each side as shown.

3. To create pouch, use punch to round two bottom corners of 3-3/4" x 3-1/4" card stock; use Big Shot and umbrella die to cut notch out of top center of pocket.  Crinkle up card stock and then straighten it back out; use Stampin' Sponge to apply Early Espresso and Soft Suede ink around edge and across front of card stock to accent wrinkles.  Use Early Espresso marker to draw dashed line near the edges of pouch.

4. Stamp Happy Birthday image with Early Espresso ink on Whisper White card stock; use Label die to cut out sentiment.  Lightly sponge Soft Suede ink on front of label; use Stampin' Sponge to apply Early Espresso ink around edges.  Color in letters with Soft Suede marker.  Punch 1/8" circle in corner of label.  Wrap Baker's Twine around pouch from back to front; pull one end through tag and tie knot.  Secure tag to pouch with a Stampin' Dimensional.

5. Stamp tools on Whisper White card stock; color tools with Watercolor Pencils and then wash over them with Aqua Painter or Blender Pen to blend and smooth colors.  Cut out shapes with Big Shot and Build It Framelits Dies.

6. Using pocket as a guide, arrange and glue tools to front of card so they're peeking out over the top of the pouch.  Apply Stampin' Dimensionals to back of pouch and attach to front of card over tools.

That's it!  A perfect birthday card for your favorite Mr. Fix-it!

Cathy  ;D

Stamp Camp North Cards

These are the cards we made at Stamp Camp North yesterday.  Great cards, ladies!  Everyone had a great time making them . . . and munching . . . and chatting . . . and laughing . . . and relaxing!

Above
Cathy Hansen   *   Joline Sanchez
Linda Anderson   *   Terry Kaspari
Bev Derringer   *   Cathleen Garcia

Below
Chris Pereira   *   Patricia Parker
Patricia Parker   *   Space reserved for Juli Whitfield



Cathy  ;D

Beautiful You!

A quick teaser before I stumble off to bed . . . my paper and watercolor pencils arrived this evening, so I was able to finish the card we'll be making at my table at Stamp Camp North on Saturday.  I love these pencils!  The colors blend together so easily!  (I used a blender pen, but you also could use an aqua painter or small round paint brush with a touch of water.)

Thanks to Billie Moan, Rambling Rose Studio, for the inspiration.

The stamp set is Beautiful You and the paper is Falling in Love, both from the 2017 Occasions Mini Catalog.  Watch for instructions in a few days . . . or better yet, come to Stamp Camp North on Saturday, January 14, and make one with me!  Click on the Upcoming Stampin' Events tab above for a flyer with all the details.

Cathy  ;D

Never Ending Book

While I was cleaning in my craft room yesterday I found a scrap of paper where I had written the website that has directions for this sweet little book.  I'm sure one of my friends made these for a craft sale at one time and had given me the URL . . . and I had totally forgotten about it!  But I was totally delighted to find it again.



 

How many of you, like I, have a huge stash of 12" x 12" paper and you just can't figure out what to do with it?!  Today's project is a perfect way to use up some of those sheets!

This fun little book is 3" x 3" and has 5 inside pages, plus a front and back cover.  And it's all made from one 12" x 12" piece of Designer Series Paper!

So many uses for this cute little book!  It would be a perfect place to stash photos of those sweet grandkids . . . or a gift with some mementos or a gift card tucked inside.  Or, perhaps a useful little book to stuff in your pocketbook to jot down notes while you're out shopping.  (Since I'm a sticky-note junkie, it did not go unnoticed by me that a 3" x 3" sticky-note sheet fits perfectly onto the pages of this book . . . why not add a few sheets to each page and then replace them as you use them?!)

Here's the site:  Try It Thursday - Never Ending Book - YouTube

You'll be amazed at how quickly and easily this goes together!  (BTW -- if you think you hear kids yelling outside your window -- no worries; it's the video.  :D)

Cathy  ;D

Stampin' Up! Watercolor Pencils Are Back!!!

The 2017 Stampin' Up! Occasions Catalog features their new Watercolor Pencils.  I'm hearing from my Stampin' Up! demonstrator friends that this time around the colors actually match the Stampin' Up! colors!!!

Click on the link below to see a video with more information about the watercolor pencils, as well as instructions for several different ways to use them. 

Click here ⇒ Watercolor Pencils by Stampin’ Up!

Watercolor Pencils	141709
Price: $16.00
High-quality, smooth color pencils. Perfect for watercoloring stamped images. Use with Aqua Painters, Blender Pens, or alone. * 13 pencils in Stampin’ Up! colors: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Bermuda Bay, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Pacific Point, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White * Acid free * Lignin free

I'm expecting my set to arrive this week and can't wait to play with them!

Cathy  ;D

Brand New Stamp Camp in Castle Rock

For those of you in the southern metro Denver area, a new stamp is starting on Saturday, January 21.  This is currently anticipated to be a quarterly event.  See the Stamp Your Art Out flyer on my Upcoming Stampin' Events tab.

Cathy  ;D

Setting Stamps with Framelits

Have you ever stamped an image with a photopolymer stamp only to discover that it didn't quite match up with the coordinating Framelits die?  Here's a great tip from Crystal Miller (http://shestampsalot.com/setting-stamps-with-framelits/) showing you how to make sure your image is always perfectly matched to the die.



Click on image for larger view.

Cathy  ;D


Upcoming Stampin' Events Tab Has Been Updated

Hi, folks!  Hope you've had a chance to check out my Upcoming Stampin' Events tab.  Lots of upcoming stampin' opportunities in and around the Denver metro area.  I won't be able to participate in all of them, but below the flyers is a schedule showing where I plan to be over the next several months.  Will keep that schedule updated as changes occur.

NOTE:  I'm working really hard to be ready for the grand reopening of my craft room on Saturday, February 4 -- a 2017 Sale-a-Bration and Occasions Catalog open house.  Looking forward to seeing many of you there!!!

Going forward I plan to offer some kind of activity in my craft room at least every few months.  I have something really special planned for Earth Day on Saturday, April 22!  It's more of an "explore your own creativity" activity than a class . . . watch for details!

Today's fun thought is a sign that hangs on the wall in my craft room . . . this fairly accurately sums up my addiction.

Cathy  ;D

Tuxedo Card

It's time for another card.  We made this one at my table at Sassy Chic Stampers Stamp Camp way back on June 4, 2016 (the day my husband fell off the roof and shattered his pelvis).  That's when my world stood still for several months, and as a result this never made it to my blog.  (BTW -- my sweet Bob is now fully recovered and is as ornery as ever -- maybe more so . . . and now that I am retired, I can supervise to make sure he NEVER attempts to climb up on the roof again!)

Click on photo for closer look

This card would be good as a congratulations card for a wedding, graduation, or a new job . . . or as a Happy New Year or birthday card.

I snagged the idea from Tami White (http://stampwithtami.com/blog/2015/12/tuxedo/).  Tami's site also features a video showing how she made the card.  Note:  Tami's card uses the Envelope Punch Board to make the bow tie.  I scaled down the tuxedo portion of my card so I could use the Stampin' Up! Bow Builder Punch instead.

Materials

Stamp Set
* Watercolor Wishes (included in Watercolor Wishes card kit)

Paper
* Basic Gray card stock (8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; 4-3/4" x 3-1/2")
* Whisper White card stock (4-7/8" x 3-5/8"; about 3" x 3" for banner shapes)
* Basic Black card stock (4-1/4" x 3"; about 4" x 1" for bow)

Ink
* Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad

Accessories and Tools
* Big Shot Die Cutting Machine
* Banners Framelits Dies
* Bow Builder Punch
* White Perfect Accents
* Heat Tool
* White Embossing Powder
* Adhesives:  SNAIL Adhesive; Glue Dots or Multipurpose Liquid Glue; Stampin' Dimensionals and/or Foam Adhesive Strips

Instructions
(Unless otherwise indicated, SNAIL Adhesive was used to assemble this card.)

1. Score 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" Basic Gray card stock at 4-1/4"; fold away from score line to create card.

2. Adhere 4-7/8" x 3-5/8" Whisper White card stock to front of card and layer the 4-3/4" x 3-1/2" Basic Gray card stock over it.  Set card aside.

3. Stamp and emboss sentiment near bottom of 4-1/4" x 3" Basic Black card stock.

4. Cut two banners from Whisper White card stock (I used the second and third smallest Banner Framelits dies).  Line up and adhere the larger of the two shapes at the top of the Basic Black card stock; center and adhere second banner over first, also lining it up at the top.

5. Use the Bow Builder Punch to cut two loop pieces and one small rectangle from Basic Black card stock.  Use Glue Dots or Multipurpose Glue to assemble bow (without tails) and adhere near the top of the banners with a Stampin' Dimensional. 

Helpful Hint:  Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LxGJFuYV28 for instructions on how to assemble the bow.

6. Line up and attach self-adhesive White Perfect Accents below bow (I used the smallest of the three sizes).

7. Use Stampin' Dimensionals or Foam Adhesive Strips to adhere the assembled tuxedo to front of card.

Time to Celebrate!  You've finished your card!

Cathy  ;D
 

Stampin' Up! Site Back Up!!! YAY!!!!

After some initial glitches with the Stampin' Up! website this morning, things appear to be back up and running.  You can now view the new 2017 Occasions Mini Catalog and order online (click on the link to the right).

And . . . drum roll . . . the big event of the year has started!!!!  For every $50 order (perhaps some new stuff from the Occasions Mini Catalog?), you get to select a free item from the Sale-a-Bration brochure (view the brochure by clicking on the image to the right)!!!  How fun is that?!

Sale-a-Bration started today and ends March 31, 2017.  The Occasions Mini Catalog runs through May 31, 2017.

Click to Expand

Please contact me with questions.

Cathy  :D
cathyscraftroom@gmail.com

 

Stampin' Up! Site Down?!

I've tried several times this morning to log on to the Stampin' Up! site to place my first order from the new Occasions catalog only to find that the page is not responding!  First day overload?  Glitches in the transition?!  Who knows?!

Ah . . . found the problem when I attempted to visit my Stampin' Up! website:

We are currently performing maintenance on this system.

Please try back later today.

Thank you for your patience!

Singin' the Stampin' Up! blues . . . .



Will continue to check back and will update this page with links to the new catalogs as soon as things are back up and running.

Cath  ;D

2017 Occasions Catalog Teaser . . .

Here's a fun video for you to watch -- featuring some of the new items from the new Stampin' Up! 2017 Occasions Catalog -- going live tomorrow, January 4!!!

Cathy  ;D

Last Day to Order from Holiday Mini . . . .

Today is the last day to order from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini catalog.  Contact me before 5 p.m. (MST) today at cathyscraftroom@gmail.com if you want me to place an order for you, or order online at http://cathyhansen.stampinup.net by 11:50 (MST) tonight.

Watch for info about the exciting new 2017 Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-a-Bration beginning tomorrow, January 4.

Cathy  ;D

Rambling Rose Studio

Today rather than posting one of my own cards, I wanted to introduce you to Billie Moan, of Rambling Rose Studio.  Billie has some great card ideas, as well as calendars, boxes, and just fun stuff!  She has been a great source of inspiration for me over the past several months.

This fun card was posted on Billie's blog today.



You can view all of Billie's wonderful creations at http://ramblingrosestudio.com/

Cathy  ;D

Happy New Year 2017!!!!

It's been a while since I posted, but I'm back now -- with some great news!

As of November 18, 2016, I'm now retired.  It was a busy end-of-year with lots of craft sales and stamp camps and grandson-sitting -- not to mention three holidays, but now I'm back and committed to updating and keeping my blog up-to-date.

To start out the year I've chosen this fun and simple-to-make card.  View Marisa E. Gunn's original card at http://dzinesbymeg.typepad.com/dzines_by_meg/2016/01/tgifc36-color-challenge.html.

Materials:

Paper:
* Shimmery White card stock (8-1/2" x 5-1/2"; 5" x 3-3/4")
* Basic Black card stock (5-1/8" x 3-7/8")
* Gold Foil Sheet (about 6" x 2" for large balloons)
* Silver Glimmer Paper (about 4" x 2" for small balloons)

Markers:
* Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker

Accessories and Tools:
* Metallics Sequin Assortment
* Balloon Bouquet Punch
* Basic Black Solid Baker's Twine
* Fine-Tip Glue Pen
* Glue Dots
* Multipurpose Liquid Glue
* SNAIL Adhesive
* Stampin' Dimensionals

Other:
* Silver Marker**

** Stampin' Up! no longer sells silver markers, but you can find them in any craft store or office supply store.

Instructions:

1. Score 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" card stock at 4-1/4" to make card base.  Set aside.

2. Use SNAIL Adhesive to adhere 5" x 3-3/4" shimmery white card stock to 5-1/8" x 3-7/8" basic black card stock.

3. Use Balloon Bouquet punch to make three large gold foil balloons and two small silver glimmer balloons.  Trim off left side of one gold balloon and right side of another gold balloon; adhere to card stock as shown with Multipurpose Liquid Glue.  Adhere silver balloons with Stampin' Dimensionals.

4. Use Fine-Tip Glue Pen to adhere gold sequin stars as shown.

5. Use silver marker to add dots randomly above balloons.

6. Use Basic Black marker to free-hand strings hanging from balloons.  (I hand-wrote "celebrate" under one of the balloons, but if you're not comfortable doing that, you also could just draw a regular string like the other balloons.)

7. Tie a small bow with the Baker's Twine.  Use a glue dot to adhere to silver shimmer balloon as shown.

8.  Apply Stampin' Dimensionals to back of black card stock and adhere to card front.

That's it!  You're finished!

Hope you have a wonderful 2017!!!  I'm looking forward to sharing lots of new ideas with you over the coming year.

Cathy ;D