Stampin' IS my job!! Barb Mullikin Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Big Shot Pennant Die

I finally had a chance to play with my new Pennant Die and it was fun.  I created this banner for my Big Shot Open House.

 

I was already playing with the fabulous designer paper that comes in the Holiday Happenings Bundle so I decided to make my banner with the snowflake print paper.  I also used the On Board Lots of Letters Chipboard Pack that I covered with White Craft Ink and embossed with White EP.  The scallops behind the letters are also on the Pennant die.  I finished it off with some jumbo eyelets and our new Baja Breeze Striped grosgrain Ribbon.  Looking for a sampling of this ribbon, click HERE to purchase it.

Here is a close up of one of the pennants.

I will have pictures of my Open House tomorrow, see you then. :-)

My tickets are here!!!

I received my travel documents for my trip to St George, Utah next month.  I am so excited to go, I can hardly stand it!!!  This is how Stampin' Up! sends travel documents

All wrapped up in a neat travel wallet.  Look at that lucious 1 1/4 Pink Pirouette Ribbon, wouldn't a package look fabulous tied with it. :-)

Here are the goodies inside

I am not sure if I can bring myself to use those gorgeous luggage tags.

Well, I had better get busy making those 145 swaps I need for the Pajama Party!!!

Big Shot, felt and a canvas bag

Here is the bag I told you about.  I used the Baskets & Blossoms,Top Note, Buttons and the Birds & Blooms dies. 

Here is a close up shot:

I added a piece of Linen Thread to the center of the button for added detail.

Thanks for looking!!

Tomorrow is my FREE Big Shot Open House, stop by, crank through a few things and place your pre-order to get that FREE die!!!

Big Shot - Scallop Envelope and Buttons Die!

Here are couple of samples using the NEW Stampin' UP! exclusive die called Scallop Envelope with our NEW Designer Series Papers.  See THIS POST to purchase a 6x6 sampling of all these NEW papers.

This die makes a super cute small envelope and it is perfect for the front of a card.  Here are two photos of it, one showing it as it will be mailed and one showing the cute little note card inside the envelope.  This card is a 4x4

The base is Rose Red and is stamped with the Tres Chic background stamp in Rose Red.  The NEW Junior Varsity Designer paper is used for the envelope.  I ran some coordinating card stock scraps through my Big Shot using the Birds & Blooms Sizzlits set that is also exclusive to Stampin' Up!   I added a small "button" to the center with the Buttons die and threaded it with a small strip of card stock that I cut with my AWESOME Tabletop Paper Cutter!! 

The notecard is done with the Say it With Scallops set, I stamped it twice so I could punch out the "hi" with my 1/2" circle punch and layer it onto the Bashful Blue image, the corners are done with the Ticket Corner Punch.  The finishing touch is our wonderfully smooth So Saffron Poly Twill Ribbon.

Here is a full sized card done with the NEW Maine Blueberry Designer Paper.

There is 1" Bashful Blue Double Stitched Ribbon and 1/4 "White Grosgrain across the middle and 1/4" Grosgrain in Old Olive wrapped around the envelope.  Both the envelope and little note card use the Big Shot Buttons die and here are some close-ups.  Notice all the detail in these paper buttons!!

 

Monday is the last day to pre-order your Big Shot from me and receive a FREE die valued up to $19.95.  Click HERE for all the details!!

Big Shot and a shirt

This shirt is part of my daughter's back-to-school wardrobe.  I really wanted to use my Big Shot and fabric so I thought this would be the perfect shirt to test it on. :-) 

I had some felt squares and found some Wonder Under (Thanks Sandy!!) and ran them through my Big Shot with the Baskets and Blossoms Die.  It went through easily!  Then I simply ironed the flower onto the shirt pocket SO EASY and I was literally done in a few minutes.  Nothing fancy but my daughter LOVES IT!!! 

 

I can see doing this for birthday parties, family reunions, on baby onesies, baseball caps, placemats (hint, hint, check back later this week for this one)! and lots of other stuff!  Have I mentioned that I LOVE MY BIG SHOT!!!!

Here is a close up of the pocket, see how finished the edges are on the flower, the Big Shot cuts so cleanly, it amazes me everytime I use it. :-)

There are just a few days left to take advantage of my FREE die special so click HERE for the details.

See you tomorrow with a bag that I did, again a huge THANK YOU SANDY!!!!!

Another card using the die cut remnants

Here is another card I created using the rubber piece surrounding the die cut stamps.  See THIS POST for a tutorial on how to do this.

I placed the rubber over the stamped flowers image and used a sponge dauber to add the Pink Pirouette all around it.  I also used the rubber piece to mask the greeting and sponged over it with the Pink Pirouette.

I layered the Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon over the 1 1/4" Pink Pirouette Grosgrain and wrapped them around the middle of the Riding Hood Red layer.  The main card base is Pink Pirouette.

Save the Backing on your Die Cut Stamps!!!

I just received the Pocket Silhouettes set (it is on sale right now!!!) and had to do something with it. :-)

I save the paper backing and or the rubber sheet from my die cut stamps so I can use them for masking.  I did a tutorial on this using the Snowburst stamp set and you can find it HERE or by clicking on the tutorial link in the right side bar.

Here is my completed card with a mini tutorial on how to do it.

Here are the steps

Stamp your image, I used the new Kiwi Kiss

Then place your paper backing sheet over the image, I did use a little Dotto to help hold the paper backing in place.

Using a lighter color, I used Certainly Celery, sponge within the mask using a Dauber.  You will be getting ink on the backing paper so take care not to transfer that ink to your project.  I swipe it off with a paper towel after I use it.

Remove the paper backing and you have a perfect shadow around the image

I used our new Wide Oval to punch out my image and then used my Coluzzle Oval Template to cut both of the layering mats, I used the 3rd and 4th ovals from the middle or on my templates, it would be the yellow and orange ovals. 

Here are my Coluzzle Templates, I used Sharpie Markers to draw the outlines on each oval and circle and this makes these templates so much easier to use.

Here is the card again and then a close up of the masked image.

I used Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point and Baja Breeze ink and card stock and the matching Pacific Point 5/8 Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.  I did stamp the Twill background stamp on the Kiwi Kiss Oval Mat but it is hard to see in the photo.

Save those backing papers!!!!

Have you signed up yet!!

You haven't, what are you waiting for!!!  The $99 starter kit offered by Stampin' Up! is an awesome deal.  In addition to the discount that Stampin' Up! is offering, I am also offering a sampling of the new embellishments and swatches of all the new designer papers to anyone who signs up by August 31st.

To sign up, go to my Stampin' Up! website, click the Join Now button and enter my password of barbstamps.  When I receive the notification that you have joned, I will get your goodie package ready for you!!!

Why sign up with me:

I am really nice!!!!  LOL

I offer meetings and if you are long distance, I will stamp and mail the projects to you with any instruction sheets we use.

I have been a demo for over 5 years and was awarded the number 42 spot in the Top 100 demos in the nation this year as well as a spot in the Top 40 for sales so I can help you run a successful business.

For more info on becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, CLICK HERE to see my FAQ page.

If you are looking for more product than comes in the $99 kit, you can sign up with the full kit for $199 and add an any price stamp set to your kit!!!

This is the perfect time to join my team!!!

What a FANTASTIC frame!!

My friend and customer Kristen made this adorable frame.  She used the Sticky Cuts Letters and the Fine cosmo Glitter, it is so sparkly, her friend will certainly love it.

Customer and Downline challenge - create projects with all Stampin' Up! supplies, email me a picture of it (or stop by with it and I will photograph it for you) and I will post them to my blog!!

Baskets & Blooms Big Shot Die

Here is a little basket that I had on display at my open house this past weekend. I used the Baskets & Blooms Bigz Die with my Big Shot, this is an exclusive die only available through Stampin' Up!  I used a Fire Circle Rhinestone Brad for the middle of the flower.

I filled a small cello bag with red licorice pieces and tied it with a piece of Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon.  It was a big hit with the gals, they loved it!!

You can pre-order your Big Shot with me through August 31st and receive a FREE die, see THIS POST for details.

We had a blast at my Open House!!

I love this event.  I hold it every summer.  There are M&T projects, FREE card fronts, display items, retired stamp sets and accessories for sale,  and of course refreshments.  This year, I made some yummy caramel corn and my zingy pretzels.  I had a number of you want the caramel corn recipe so I will post it here for you, scroll down a little.

Here are the two projects that attendees made for FREE!!

It uses Pacific Point, Bashful Blue, & Kiwi Kiss.  The layer is made with the Top Note die that came with my Big Shot Starter Kit.  If you want to pre-order a Big Shot Starter Kit and get a FREE die, see THIS POST

This is the second project:

 

This cute little envelope was done using the Big Shot as well.  Each guest got to run some of my retired papers through my Big Shot to make one of these little darlings.

Here is a list of the door prize winners:

Mary Jo - 1/2 raffle $71.00 gift certificate

Brenda C - 1/2 raffle $71.00 gift certificate

Mary W - Scavenger Hunt - roll of ribbon in her choice

Kathy G - NEW catalog

Virginia - Happy Me Simply Scrappin' Kit

Angela R, Jacqui M, E'Lyn M and Denise F - assortment of goodies cut with my Big Shot

Donna M - Big Blossom stamp

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Caramel Corn recipe:

2 bags of microwave popcorn (I use the light)

*2 C Brown Sugar

*1 C real butter

*1/2 C Karo Syrup

#1 t Salt

#1/2 t Baking Soda

#1 t Vanilla

Bring the * ingredients to a boil.  Boil for 5 minutes - stirring constantly

Add # ingredients (already mixed up) and pour over the popped corn

STIR

Divide the caramel corn onto two cookie sheets and bake in a 250 oven for 1 hour - stirring every 15 minutes rotating the sheets between the top and bottom racks.

Lay on butcher paper to cool.

Retired sets for sale

I have just listed all my retired sets on the page in the right hand side bar.  You can access them by clicking HERE.

Email me for a total after you figure out which sets you MUST have!!

Using Stampin' Up! Designer Paper and Chipboard with your Big Shot!!!

There was a little talk on SUDSOL today about chipboard, designer series papers and the Big Shot.  I thought it might be kind of fun to try this and I was thrilled with how it turned out.  I have created a step by step tutorial for you on how to do this so let's get started.

Here is my card, notice the very cool 3-D chipboard flower

I started with a sheet of our On Board Book Basics Chipboard.  I cut it into squares with my Tabletop Paper Cutter.

 

Next, I used a Stampin' Up! glue stick to adhere a piece of our NEW Georgia Peach Designer Series Paper (I love, love, love this paper!!) to the chipboard square.  I put the glue on the chipbaord piece.

Place the piece of chipboard onto the designer series paper, taking care to place it on the WRONG side and rub over it to be sure that it adheres well.

Then I trimmed the paper to size and laid it PAPER SIDE DOWN on top of the detailed flower on the Baskets and Blooms Bigz XL Die which is exclusive to Stampin' Up!!!! 

*You will notice that the die cut pieces in the rest of this tutorial have the square pattern shown in the photo above.  I originally wanted the other side of the paper on the flower but when I tried running it through my Big Shot paper side up I was not happy with the results to I tried it again and decided to have the squares on the flowers.  This time I placed the chipboard piece paper side down and it worked beautifully!!

  

Crank it through and it looks like this

Flip the pieces over and here is what you get!!

Here is a side by side comparison of the two flowers, the one on the left was placed on the die paper side down and the one on the right was placed paper side up.  I much prefer the finished look of the one on the left. 

Notice how the one on the left has soft rounded edges and the one on the right doesn't?  Also, notice the little torn spot on the one on the right?  Turst me, lay it paper side down. :-)

 

To add the embellishments to the center, I used my Paper Snips to mark where I wanted the hole, I just poked a little spot in the center.

Then I used the 1/8" hole on my Crop-A-Dile to punch, I can see the mark left by my scissors so I know where the middle is.

 

I also added a small scallop and two small leaves from the Birds & Blooms Sizzlits Die 4-Pack behind my flower.  This set of four small dies is included with your purchase of the Big Shot Starter Kit.  Here is a close up of my finished flower.  I added a flower from the Filigree collection and attached it with an Old Olive Brad.

Here is a close up of the 3-D detail on this flower.  Notice how smooth the edges are, this is the finished look I was wanting and laying the chipboard paper side down on the die before running it through my Big Shot was definitely the way to go.

I punched a wide oval out of Old Olive and added 1/8" holes on both sides to add my Regal Rose wide Grosgrain ribbon.  The Scallop Edge Punch on a strip of Regal Rose looks great with the stripes pattern from the Georgia Peach Papers.    Did I mention that I love, love, love these papers!!

 

Thanks for looking!!!  You definitely NEED a Big Shot!!

I love my NEW Big Shot!!!

I was playing around with my NEW Big Shot this morning and this is what I came up with.

 

I made the flower using my On Board Book Basics, the Georgia Peach Designer Paper and my NEW Big Shot!!!

You can order the Big Shot Starter Kit from me starting September 2nd but if you place a pre-order for one of the Starter Kits by August 31st, you will get a FREE die from me (value up to $19.95).  If you are in a club and you pre-order your Big Shot, you will also receive 10% off all dies you purchase from me through June 2009.

I am working on a step-by-step tutorial and will post it tomorrow.

Happy Stampin'!!

New Try It Product Club - Designer Papers

To see my ribbon and embellishment clubs, click HERE

Do you love all the NEW Double Sided Designer Series Papers shown on pages 168-171 and the new ribbons and embellishments shown on pages 184, 186-187 in the Fall-Winter 2008 Catalog?  If so, then these try-it clubs are for you.  I am currently taking sign-ups for my Paper and Product clubs.  Five people are needed to fill a club.  When you click on the pink sign up buttons to make your payment, I will email you and tell you what number you are.

I am sorry but I can only offer my clubs to residents of the US.  See below for the details.

PAPER CLUBS

Designer Series Paper Club - pages 168-171 - includes 120 6X6 pieces, six double sided patterns from each of the 20 packages $28.75 Please add $4.75 if you need the papers mailed to you.

 

Patterns Designer Series Paper Club - page 171 right hand column.  Includes 84 6x6 pieces, six double sided patterns from each of the 14 colors. $20.00  Please add $4.75 if you need the papers mailed to you.