Blog Archives

Hello Bluebird Fishin' Hole

5/30/2019

Hi friends! I'm happy to share another fun box card with you today featuring the Hello Bluebird stamp set "Fishing Hole" and the Sunny Studios "Froggy Friends" stamp set. Both of these stamps sets worked seamlessly together to create this pop-up interactive card. Last week I shared the "shark in a box" card with you and ya'll, I'm completely obsessed with box cards now! As long as you use the Lawn Fawn Scalloped Pop Up Box die, most of the hard work is done for you. Really, that die just makes the box assembly so much easier than scoring and folding and trimming cardstock. The time consuming part is simply in all the stamping of the images, coloring them and die cutting them. In this case, it was a bazillion frogs and lily pads! My fingers are still green from all that ink!

I promise, if you can put a card together, you can put a BOX card together, as long as you have the time and patience.

Here are the two stamps sets that I used to create this card:

We will be making this card (and the shark in a box card) on Saturday, June 15th. Check out my calendar of events HERE.
Email or call me today to reserve your spot!

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal

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2019 Heirloom Productions Rubberstamp Festival

5/28/2019

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This coming Friday and Saturday, May 31st and June 1st, is the 2019 Heirloom Productions Rubberstamp Festival held on the Big E Fairgrounds in West Springfield, Massachusetts. Some say it's the second best holiday after Christmas - though I'd venture to say it's even better! Though equally as costly. . . If you live in the area (or within a few hours drive) it is totally worth spending a day here. My friends and I look forward to this event every year and this year is only slightly different. Instead of being a customer at the festival, I will actually be working the booth at Creative Vision Stamps.
Please stop by and say hi! And, be sure to follow along on my Instastories for all the behind-the-scenes fun!

About Heirloom Productions:

Heirloom Productions entered the world of rubber stamping and papercrafting in 1992, operated by husband and wife team, Pat & Eileen Larson. The California Rubber Stamp Arts & Crafts Festival, as it was known in its first years, debuted in 1993 at the San Mateo County, California, Expo Center, on February 6 & 7.
It was a bold move, in 1993, for 33 rubber stamp artists and businesses to follow a production company unknown in their industry, into such a venture. Though new to the rubber stamp business, we already had over ten years experience in events production. Who would have guessed, back then, that this event would lead to Heirloom becoming the pre-eminent producer of rubber stamp & paper arts festivals throughout the United States?
It has always been our goal to provide a quality event, displaying a wide variety of stamping, cardmaking, scrapbooking, and other paper arts products, in a spacious, festive atmosphere. With hundreds of paper arts shows behind us, we believe we have been successful in achieving our goals. We hope you will agree, and find inspiration and delight at our shows!

On August 24, 2008, Eileen left us and entered the presence of our precious Jesus. She fought breast cancer since being first diagnosed in April of 1999. She remains one of the most courageous, determined, and fearless women I have known! I had the pleasure of sharing life with her for 25 years.
~ Pat Larson

This year's vendors:

Tips for a fun day:

1. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Do not be like me and learn this lesson the hard way!

2. Bring water and snacks! There is a Dunkin' Donuts and cafe on site, but who wants to take the time to stop and eat when there's lots of shopping and creating to do!?

3. Bring a camera. Be sure to heed all signs in each booth to see if they allow photographs or not. And please, please, be respectful of their rules!

4. Prepare a wish list! This helps keep your spending in check, but it also helps prioritize your time at each booth. If foiling is not your thing, you can skip that make-n-take and move on to something else you are more interested in.

5. Bring a friend. Crafting with someone is always so much fun! Plus, it also helps to keep your spending in check. Or not. . . (this usually depends upon your friends!)

6. Leave your rolling cart at home! We all hate them. They run over our toes and take up too much booth space. Please bring a large purse or shoulder bag to put all your PAID purchases into.

7. Mind your manners! Seriously. I've been hip checked, purse whacked, stepped on and mowed into without so much as an apology. A simple "I'm sorry" or "thank you" goes a long way.

8. Be patient. There are a lot of people at these events and sometimes booth space is crowded. Move on to the next booth and return to any that you missed. *BIG TIP: Late afternoons are one of the best times to go because a majority of the crowds have already left!

9. DO NOT STEAL. EVER. I can't believe I have to say this, but it happens. Far. Too. Often. I have witnessed it firsthand while working at these events.

10. Have fun!

There are still a few openings left for classes on Thursday. Be sure to check out the Heirloom Pro website for all the details and more. You can also purchase advance tickets online and save yourself $2.00.

I hope to see you there!

XO, Crystal

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Hero Arts You're A Fungi

5/27/2019

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Hi friends and happy Monday! I hope you are all enjoying an extra day off from work and welcoming in the start of summer with a BBQ or pool party! When they say there is a stamp for everything, there truly is a stamp for e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g! Let's randomly say you just happen to be a mycologist (one who studies mushrooms), well, today's cards will be perfect for you!

This "You're a Fungi" stamp set by Hero Arts is one that somehow caught my eye for no particular reason other than it was very different. I purchased it over a year ago, but hadn't used it yet and was honestly debating getting rid of it, but now that I've inked it up, I think it's unique and would be good to send to a nature loving friend (or mycologist)!

The first two cards I created using this stamp set are quite similar in layout, I just changed up the color patterns as one is more earthy and brown while the other is more bright and springlike in yellows. I thought the background frame was from Papertrey Ink, but I'm having difficulty locating it to share the source with you! Sorry, I'll keep working on it and make an update here if I find the designing company!

Here is the "You're A Fungi" stamp set by Hero Arts that I used to create these cards:

The third card I created using the You're A Fungi stamp set was fun and feminine with pink colors and a pink plaid background. For some odd reason, I feel as though this card has a slightly
Alice in Wonderland type feel to it! Anyone else?!
Oh well, I personally like this pink one best! And how fun is that sentiment, "morel support!"

I hope you have enjoyed today's cards! Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal

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Gerda Steiner Pool Piggies

5/24/2019

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Hello and happy Friday! TGIF and YAY for a 3-day weekend! The un-official start to summer is upon is and I'm sharing three very summery cards to celebrate with you today. It has been a small goal of mine to begin making multiple cards, using the same stamps, to show you the versatility each stamp set has to offer. Plus, we all like different things, so by showing you different color or layout options, perhaps one will appeal to you more than the other. It's also a great way for me to build up my card supply stash, which is getting surprisingly low!

Today's card all use "Pool Piggies" stamp set by Gerda Steiner. This is the first time I have ever inked up this stamp set and boy are these piggies cute! In this first card, I have used multiple alcohol ink backgrounds (both in the sky and water) to set the scene for a pig's day at the beach.

The second card also uses an alcohol ink background, but I have created a shaker card frame around it as though to mimic the look of the pigs floating in a pool.

Here is the "Pool Piggies" stamp set by Gerda Steiner that I used to create these cards:

Here is the last card for today, also using an alcohol ink background, but in vibrant pink hues instead of the more tropical blues and greens in the previous samples.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing multiple ways to use this fun stamp set! Do you have a favorite?

Thanks for visiting and have a great (and hopefully L-O-N-G) weekend!

XO, Crystal

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Shark in a Box

5/23/2019

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In hindsight, I probably should have saved today's card to share in July during "Shark Week," but, it's simply too cool NOT to share now! Last week I mentioned that I was very interested in creating cards with unique folds, outside of a traditional book fold. I shared this easel card recently and there will be more easel cards to come. But, today's card? Holy WOW! This "fold" is called a "box card" and I made it using the Lawn Fawn Scalloped Box Pop Up Lawn Cuts.

Sure, it might look very detailed and impossible, but, if you break it down, one image at a time, it is not difficult to create. Time consuming, yes, but challenging no. Most of the time involved is simply a matter of coloring all the images and die cutting them out. However, the Lawn Fawn Scalloped Box die makes it really easy to create the box card base. Then, it's all just a matter of adding layers and images until you create a desired scene.

Here is the "Hello Chum" stamp set by Avery Elle that I used to create today's card:

Below is the box folded flat. It would fit into a regular A2 sized envelope (if that palm tree weren't quite sticking out!) But, let's face it, I'm not sending this card to anyone after the hours of work it took to complete!

I really hope you enjoy today's "shark in a box" card!
Please join me on Saturday, June 15th and you can make this card too! Can't make this class? For a list of other upcoming events, please click HERE.

XO, Crystal

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The Stamp Maker

5/22/2019

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Along with the switch from my Super Stamp Girl website to today's current site came the need for a few new products to reflect the name, logo and website changes. In all honesty, my old monogram stamp was pretty beat up and needed to be replaced anyway, so the timing was perfect! Also, after years of ordering return address labels, I decided to invest in a personalized embosser that would be effective so long as we never moved! This seemed much more earth friendly than continuing to waste paper labels and printer cartridges.

After some general online searching, I found The Stamp Maker and it felt like a good match for what I needed.

About us:

Rubber Stamps Unlimited, Inc. is located in downtown Plymouth, MI (between Detroit and Ann Arbor). They are a leading manufacturer of custom rubber stamps, embossers, office signage, and related accessories. The Stamp Maker has have been helping our customers save time and money since 1975 (under current ownership since 1993).

Products are made right here, so 98% of products ship in one business day or same day when needed!
Our website is designed to be easy to use, but we back that up with friendly and experienced customer support if you need it at any time!
We guarantee that you will be satisfied with our products or your money back!
We are certified as a woman owned business by the WBENC and NWBOC. (Made in the US and women owned - Bonus!)

Honestly, it took me less than five minutes to create my custom name stamp and envelope embosser through their online ordering process. Within ten minutes everything was ordered and securely paid for. I received an email stating that my order would be shipped THAT SAME DAY and my new stamp arrived within 3 days! I was impressed with that quick turnaround. I've used the stamp on quite a few cards by now and I have found the stamped image is a very clear and precise font. I have been very happy with the quality of product and the speedy delivery service (for a nominal fee of $6.90).

The embossed image is a little harder to see on white envelopes, but it was all I had to use at the time!

I'd highly recommend The Stamp Maker if you are in the market for a new monogram stamp or more!

Thanks for visiting!

XO, Crystal

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Keepin' it Reel

5/20/2019

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I have a really fun card to share with you today! I borrowed this stamp set "Keepin' It Real" from my friend Margaret. It is from the Your Next Stamp company which is a company I'm not very familiar with, but you know I'll be checking it out! This stamp in particular is probably not a stamp set I would have purchased to keep in my own collection, but it was fun enough to borrow to make a great masculine themed card. Here I combined it with Sunny Studios "Froggy Friends" and the Lawn Fawn Bayou Backdrop die. I have been enjoying creating "scenes" with my stamps and I find that you can pair so many different brands together and they work seamlessly.

Card details:

*Full supply list located at the end of this post.

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. Using the Lawn Fawn Bayou Backdrop die I cut the leafy background from Garden green cardstock. I brushed Squeezed Lemonade and Walnut Stain Distress Oxide inks over the white background to create a marshy/sunset background. Using the Lawn Fawn grass border cut, I cut a grass border out of Granny Apple Green cardstock. I cut the pond using the Bayou Backdrop additional pieces and some blue scrap paper. I stamped all images in Tuxedo Memento Black ink and colored them with Spectrum Noir Alcohol Ink markers. I die cut all the images and began placing them as a scene using 3M foam adhesive onto the card. Lastly I added a coat of Clear Wink of Stella to the images for added sparkle.

Here are the two stamp sets I used to create this card:

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal

Supply list:

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Layering Hyacinth by Altenew

5/17/2019

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Happy Friday, friends! I hope you have fun things for the weekend ahead! I am super excited because for the first time in FOUR weeks I will not be painting my house! Instead, I have a stamp camp on Saturday morning and then no plans for the rest of the weekend. I truly look forward to a little bit of downtime.

Today I am sharing another beautiful color layering floral card. This card features the new Build A Flower: Hyacinth from Altenew and I think this one is currently favorite Altenew stamp so far! I am always impressed with the designs Altenew produces, but these layering stamps are beyond!

Card details:

*Full supply list at end of post.

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Kraft cardstock. Using the Gina Marie Stitched Scalloped rectangle dies, I cut the first layer from Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. On the lower right side of this white paper, I stamped the sentiment in Gorgeous Grape ink. I stamped the purple flower furthers to the right directly onto the white cardstock. The other two flowers I stamped on a separate sheet of white cardstock and die cut them before adhering them to the card using 3M foam adhesive for added dimension. I stamped each hyacinth in two colors (a light and a dark shade) for added contrast. The stems/leaves were also stamped in two colors. I added a couple randomly placed rhinestones to the card front and lastly I added a layer of Clear Wink of Stella for added sparkle.

Here is the Build a Flower: Hyacinth from Altenew that I used to create this card:

I hope you have enjoyed today's card! Thank you for visiting and have a wonderfully creative weekend!

XO, Crystal

List of supplies:

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Hero Arts - Color Layering Iris

5/16/2019

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I can't decide if I like today's card so much because of the beautiful Color Layering Iris stamp by Hero Arts or because the peach colors are nearly the exact same color of my new freshly painted guest bedroom! It's called "Apricot Sorbet." Apparently I am going through a "peach phase" right now because I can't get enough of this color. This card, my guest bedroom, a new summer dress I just purchased. . . all peach! But, seriously, these color layering stamps (of ALL the brands) are amazing! The depth and detail they add to the image is simply stunning. Add a coat of Clear Wink of Stella on top and the sparkle factor is WOW! Check out these samples using the Peruvian Lily by Altenew, and tomorrow I'll be sharing another layering flower stamp - the hyacinth from Altenew, so be sure to come back for more!

Card details:

*Full supply list at end of post.

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Grapefruit Grove cardsock. Using the Scalloped Stitched Nesting Rectangle dies from Gina Marie Designs, I cut a piece of Neenah Solar White Smooth cardstock. On this white paper, I stamped the sentiment in the upper right corner in Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I also stamped the two layered leaves in Mint Macaron and Garden Green. On a separate sheet of white cardstock, I stamped the irises in three colors of ink - Peekaboo Peach, Grapefruit Grove and Pumpkin Pie. I die cut the irises and adhered them to the stems using 3M foam adhesive for added depth. I tied a piece of twine around the base of the card and added a few randomly placed rhinestones. Lastly, I added a coat of Clear Wink of Stella to the irises for added sparkle.

Here is the Color Layering Iris stamp set from Hero Arts that I used to create this card:

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!

XO, Crystal

List of supplies:

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Open Book by Gina K Designs

5/14/2019

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Hello readers! I'm excited to share with you my first ever easel card today, and, now that I know how EASY it was to assemble, be ready for lots more easel cards to come! One of my creative goals has always been to design more interactive cards and I've been slowly focusing on one new fold at a time. I think interactive cards really have such an impressive WOW effect and leave the recipient in awe of your paper crafting talents! I was pleasantly surprised by the simplicity of the easel card, yet you could take the design in so many different directions.

Card details:

*Full supply list is located at the end of this post.

The base of this A2 sized card is made from Early Espresso cardstock. I cut a 5 1/4" x 4" sheet of Very Vanilla cardstock to place on the base of the card (where the cat, pen and eyeglasses are). I stamped the book twice in Versamark ink and heat embossed the book with gold embossing powder. I fussy cut the books out and layered them on top of each other with a thin strip of 3M foam tape down the middle binding. I stamped the cat and bookmark in Versamark ink on Early Espresso cardstock and heat embossed them in gold before fussy cutting. The pen was heat embossed in gold on Very Vanilla cardstock. I stamped the single flower and sentiment in Memento Tuxedo black ink.

I found these wonderful easel card measurements on Pinterest and I would like to give Beth McAlexander a shout out for diagramming them - they were super helpful and easy to follow!

Here is the Open Book stamp set by Gina K Designs that I used to create this card:

Come join me on Wednesday, June 5th for my Easel Cards class and you will make this sweet card and three others too!

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderfully creative day!