SCHOOL BUS

Here in Michigan the kids don't start back to school until after Labor Day.  I made this card for a friend so her son could give it to his bus driver.  I did case others that I saw, but thought it turned out cute.

Well, soon the kids will be back in school and summer will be over.  Enjoy what days we have left.

STAMP CAMP PROJECT FOR AUGUST

I know it's only August and I'm featuring a Christmas item.  BUT this is a 4 month planner, journal, keepsake item and I wanted it available so you could start using it in September.  It was so much fun putting this together and the pages are all done for you.  So it's a matter of decorating the front cover, putting on some tabs and personalizing the inside.

If you missed this class, contact me and we can determine a make up day.  Cost is $30 and includes everything to make this keepsake journal.

September's Stamp Camp is on Sunday, September 22 and it will feature a BOO Halloween banner and framed home decor.  Cost is $30 and includes everything to make these 2 items.  Sign up by September 6.

REMARKABLE BLOG TOUR - BEST OF SHELLI

Every month I get excited to see what Stampin' Up! will come out with for the Best of 25 Years.  July's stamp set was Best of Shelli.  This stamp set has a collection of stamps that range from birthday to vintage.  All of them are past stamps except one which is a never-before-seen image.  The stamp set also includes a proof of purchase sticker and after 6 of them, you can redeem them for a FREE $14.95 stamp set of your choice.  All the "Best of" stamp sets are available for purchase until March 31, 2014. 

Here are my samples.  This first one I created for my Movement Card Class later this month.  Shelli showed us this at Convention, but of course I didn't get all the dimensions or "how to" directions and it took some trial and error to get it to work.  It uses the Peekaboo Frames Bigz L Die.  I like the old fashioned typewriter as I learned to type on something similar (now I'm aging myself), so of course I had to come up with a card.

 Here it is slid open slightly.  I used Basic Black, Very Vanilla and Real Red cs and ink.  The DSP is Modern Medley and a piece of 1/8" Real Red Taffeta Ribbon.  If you want directions, please email me at jbottomley@charter.net and I'll tell you how I figured it out.

 This card was a sample from my 135 Card Class (1 hour, 3 cards, $5).  Cute, simple and quick.  Summer Starfruit and Very Vanilla cs and Birthday Basics DSP.  Bermuda Bay, Gumball Green and Raspberry Ripple ink.  Other stamp set was Yippee-Skippee.

 This was a free for all card.  Again designed for my 135 class, but everyone could do it however they wanted.  It used Whisper White cs and Gingham Garden Designer Washi Tape.  I used the Gorgeous Grunge and Yippee Skippee stamp sets along with the Best of Shelli.  Ink colors were, Soft Suede, Pear Pizzazz, Island Indigo and Melon Mambo (to coordinate with the washi tape).  Single layer, quick and easy card.

Now it time to hop over to Susan Carlson's blog to see what she created with the Best of Shelli stamp set.  I'm sure you will love her creations.  If you get lost, there is a complete listing of participants on this blog tour below.  Click on any of the links or click on the box below.  Happy blog hopping.  Thanks for stopping and your comments.

Nancy Amato          http://stampinallnight.blogspot.com
Melissa Bolinger      http://www.stampinup.net/blog/2089191
Jackie Bottomley     http://www.jackiebottomley.blogspot.com
Susan Carlson         http://www.stampinmomoffour.blogspot.com
Tamra Davis             http://www.thecardladies.com
Sherri Eddleblute      http://www.sweetestdesigns.blogspot.com
Lynn Embrey            http://www.possibilitiestamperstudio.com
Kathy Hamrick          http://www.countryroads.typepad.com
Crystal Kondo           http://www.card-ed.com
Deb Lehigh               http://thestampinhut.typepad.com
Anne Matasci            http://www.MauiStamper.wordpress.com
Robin Merriman        http://www.trinitydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Andi Potler                 http://www.absolutekreations.com
Michele Reynolds      http://www.inspirationink.typepad.com
Sharon Tisdale          http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/coveredbridgesstamper/blog
Janet Wakeland        http://www.remarkablycreated.com 

REMARKABLE STAMP OF THE MONTH BLOG TOUR

This month's stamp set is Tag It.  This is Stampin' Up!s Ronald McDonald House Charities stamp set.  For everyone purchased, Stampin' Up! donates $3 to RMHC.  This year at Convention, Stampin' Up! announced they are a global sponsor.  Wow - what a great company and I'm happy to feature this stamp set this month.  This stamp set is available in English, Spanish, French and German.

My 3 samples are quite simple and are great for a stamp a stack or quick card class. 

 I made this card for my niece's birthday.  It used the new incolor - Coastal Cabana cs and stretch ribbon.  Love that new 3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim.  The ink was Calypso Coral and Coastal Cabana markers.  I used the Chevron Embossing Folder to add some dimension to the cs.  I also used the new White Stampin' Chalk Marker from the new Holiday catalog.

 This next card used Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green and Whisper White cs.  I used markers to color the stamp so it allowed me to color Santa.  Some of the pieces in this stamp set coordinate with the Chalk Talk Framelits.  I used one of the framelits to cut out a piece of the Season of Style DSP Stack and then another one to cut out the Santa piece.  Added a little more with the Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine.

I think DSP makes for a quick card and allows you to tie colors together.  Here I used a piece of Eastern Elegance DSP featuring the Crushed Curry and Smoky Slate.  Again I used one of the Chalk Talk framelits to cut out the stamped piece and the Basic Black matt.  The ribbon is 1/8" Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon and I used the Top Note die.  Simple and quick.

The next stop of the tour is Susan Carlson.  I'm sure Susan will wow you with her creatiions.  Thanks for stopping by.

If you get lost, click on any of the links below to get back into the tour.  You can also click on the box below the list and go directly to Susan's blog.

Nancy Amato           http://stampinallnight.blogspot.com
Melissa Bolinger      http://www.stampinup.net/blog/2089191
Jackie Bottomley     http://www.jackiebottomley.blogspot.com
Susan Carlson         http://stampinmomoffour.blogspot.com
Tamra Davis            http://www.thecardladies.com
Connie Deibler         http://www.conniestamps.com
Danielle Denhardt    http://www.purrfectlycreative.com
Sherri Eddleblute      http://www.sweetestdesigns.blogspot.com
Crystal Kondo           http://www.card-ed.com
Deb Lehigh               http://thestampinhut.typepad.com
Anne Matasci            http://www.MauiStamper.wordpress.com
Robin Merriman        http://www.trinitydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Audra Monk              http://thecraftyyogi.blogspot.com
Maria Pane               http://www.stampinandscrappinwithriri.blogspot.com
Andi Potler                http://www.absolutekreations.com
Michele Reynolds     http://www.inspirationink.typepad.com
Vicki Soni                  http://www.paperinkle.com
Pam Staples             http://www.sunnygirlscraps.com
Jeri St. John             https://jerrisgemtastics.blogspot.com
Jeannette Swain       http://www.stampsnwhatnot.com
Janet Wakeland        http://www.remarkablycreated.com

BRAYER CLASS

Brayer class is a new technique class I'm offering for the next few months.  Last month we started with basic brayer.  This month we stepped it up and did landscapes/seascapes.  Each month we will try something new but still use the basic brayer steps.  I go step by step with the class.  Practice makes perfect on this technique.  So after a class, keep trying it at home.  It's important that you have your own brayer as it goes faster and everyone has their own brayer to try it at home.  Here are the 3 cards we did this week.