Weekly Wednesday

Black Ice Techniques

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to my weekly Wednesday post. It's great to share projects from my weekly class. This week we focused on the Black Ice technique. This is a great technique to make wow projects. 

I wanted to celebrate our Annual Catalog as well as the Holiday Catalog for my projects. Let's take a closer look at each card. 

To do the Black Ice technique, you use Silver Foil paper, a Stazon Pad, Versamark, and Clear Stampin' Emboss. This was our first project. I was keeping it simple so everyone could get the hang of the technique. We used the Sailing Home stamp set.

For this technique, you begin by lightly dragging the Stazon pad along the edge and front of the Silver Foil paper. Then you cover the complete area with Versamark, pour clear embossing folder over it and heat emboss. The look is beautiful. 

I absolutely loved this card I created. It is so vintage looking, and if you know me, you know how much I love antiques. The burnished background was created by, first embossing using the Layered Leaves embossing folder and then dragging the Stazon pad lightly over the leaves. I then took Silver Delicata and did the same thing. This really gives the card a WOW!

Once the floral image of the Flourishing Phrases stamp set was stamped using Stazon, the flowers and leaves were colored with the Stampin' Write Markers. Don't use Stampin' Blends to color. That will pull all the Stazon off your image. 

This last project isn't a Black Ice card because I used Copper Foil instead. This would be called Tarnished Metal. Either way, it is stunning! I embossed the Copper Foil with the Pinewood Planks 3-D embossing folder. Then doing the same technique as the card above, I dragged the Stazon across the foil so it would look burnished. I also

One of the leaves from the Gathering Leaves dies also got the same treatment as the embossed background. The Gather Together stamp set and dies are fantastic! You can find lots of other Black Ice projects by searching them out on Pinterest or YouTube. We really had fun at class with these projects.

Well I guess you can tell that I really liked the projects and this technique. I am ready to create some more too. Maybe you will try your own project using the Black Ice technique. Be sure to share if you do. I'd love to see what you come up with. 

Have you taken a look at my recent post for a card challenge with a prize patrol? Be sure to check it out. I can't wait to reward someone with a free package of Designer Elements. 

Be sure to check out the current specials being offered. There are great deals on the Clearance Rack and more. If you are in need of any products you can place an order online. I appreciate you choosing me as your demonstrator. Be sure to use the current hostess code#9P9XV94B when placing your order. If this is your first order placed with me, I will send you a special gift just for placing an order with me.

  If you need a holiday catalog, I'm happy to send one to you. Just let me know. 

If you place a $150 order, don't use the hostess code. You qualify for your own hostess benefits. Please do not mark "No Contact" when you order. I won't be able to contact you to award you with Loyalty Bucks or prizes.

Remember that when you order on-line, you can earn "Loyalty Bucks". For every $25.00 you order, you receive 1 loyalty buck. Collect 20 loyalty bucks and you receive $30.00 free merchandise. Be sure to comment and share this blog. I'd love to hear from you. 

Mary Blocher

The Power Huff Stamper

Feeling Grateful Friday +

Prize Patrol

Hi Everyone,

I am thrilled that you have joined me today. It's perfect timing because I have a challenge for you with a chance to win a prize. You all know I love sketch challenges. Today, I have one for you.

My challenge is for you to create a card that uses non-traditional fall colors. It's so hard to visualize when we have traditional marketing all around us. Who would ever think to have a blue pumpkin. This display by Thomas Story sure does. I hope you enjoy my projects today and will be inspired to participate in this sketch challenge for the month.

For Wednesday's stamp class, my theme was from "Simple to Stunning". I was inspired by creative cave demonstrator and loved the colors that were being used. All of the projects I'm sharing today use Pretty Peacock, Pool Party, and Early Espresso. This first project is the "Simple" one. It's beautiful! All of the projects today feature the Come to Gather Suite from the Holiday Catalog by Stampin' Up!

This next project is a step-up from the first one. I changed the base color and added a Pool Party strip and smaller leaf. This one is beautiful too.

This third project begins to add more stamping, accessories and dimension. I love the trim of Pretty Peacock Scalloped Linen Ribbon. I spritzed the front of the card with Wink of Stella as well for some added interest. This is very beautiful.

I have to say that I think I really like this card the best of the ones I created. I think it has to do with the Focal Pool Party and the bold leaves stamped in Pretty Peacock ink. The strip of the plaid DSP is great too! 

Do you see that wonderful little element in the bottom corner? That is the fantastic Designer Elements. This is where you come in. Ready to create your own project for a chance to win? Just read on.

Contest Rules:

• Design a fall themed card with non-traditional colors
• Submit your card to me via mail, in person, online
• Your submission must be received no later than November 1st (midnight PST)
• Be sure that your contact information, like email, is available. If you win, I won't be able to contact you to reward you of your prize. 
• One winner will be announced on Monday, November 4th

 What's the prize you ask? Well the winner for this challenge will win a package of the Designer Elements from the Annual Stampin' Up! Catalog. 

These elements are fabulous! They are perfect for this fall and Christmas season. Gold, silver, and copper elements are beautiful. A package can be yours free, but you can't win if you don't try, so get stamping today.

Thanks so much for stopping in today. I hope I have inspired you to create some beautiful projects in non-traditional colors. Remember to submit your projects no later than November 1st to have a chance to win. 

Be sure to check out the current specials being offered. There are great deals on the Clearance Rack and more. If you are in need of any products you can place an order online. I appreciate you choosing me as your demonstrator. Be sure to use the current hostess code#9P9XV94B when placing your order. If this is your first order placed with me, I will send you a special gift just for placing an order with me.

  If you need a holiday catalog, I'm happy to send one to you. Just let me know. 

If you place a $150 order, don't use the hostess code. You qualify for your own hostess benefits. Please do not mark "No Contact" when you order. I won't be able to contact you to award you with Loyalty Bucks or prizes.

Remember that when you order on-line, you can earn "Loyalty Bucks". For every $25.00 you order, you receive 1 loyalty buck. Collect 20 loyalty bucks and you receive $30.00 free merchandise. Be sure to comment and share this blog. I'd love to hear from you. 

Mary Blocher

The Power Huff Stamper

Weekly Wednesday

Hello Harvest

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to my post for Wednesday, October 9th. I can't believe how quickly time is going. I seem to be rushing to get my Halloween and Thanksgiving projects completed and ready to mail. Today I wanted to share about the Harvest Hello Stamp set. I used it today with the wonderful punch. Of course I love the Come to Gather Designer Series Paper. 

What's great about this stamp set is that it has two image options. You can create apples and pumpkins with one punch. There are so many wonderful things you can do. If you can see it, I used the new Shimmery Crystal Effects on the pumpkin lines. The Leaf Punch makes a great stem. 

The Gather Together Stamp set coordinates perfectly with the Hello Harvest set. I think Stampin' Up! planned that. They are so good at helping you coordinate your projects perfectly. I used the greetings from the Gather Together Stamp set for my project. 

Here are more ideas with the Harvest Hellos Stamp set. It is so great! I really like the decorated box with the many layered apple. 

 Thanks so much for stopping in today. I really hope you liked my project today and this image sparks your creativity. Be sure to check out specials happening with Stampin' Up!

If fun holiday papercrafting is on your Christmas to-do list, Paper Pumpkin has the perfect picks for you with our October and November Winter Wonders duo. Packaged in specially-designed boxes, these kits will help you simplify the season while delivering great style. With cards in one kit and tags in the other, you’ll have everything you need for a handmade, heartfelt Christmas. It’s Christmas prep made easy with Paper Pumpkin. Be sure to subscribe by the 10th of the month to receive that month's kit. 

Shop for Stampin’ Up products at a discount. Clearance Rack deals are only while supplies last.

Be sure to check out the current specials being offered. There are great deals on the Clearance Rack and more. If you are in need of any products you can place an order online. I appreciate you choosing me as your demonstrator. Be sure to use the current hostess code#9Y9FS33A when placing your order. If this is your first order placed with me, I will send you a special gift just for placing an order with me.

  If you need a holiday catalog, I'm happy to send one to you. Just let me know. 

If you place a $150 order, don't use the hostess code. You qualify for your own hostess benefits. Please do not mark "No Contact" when you order. I won't be able to contact you to award you with Loyalty Bucks or prizes.

Remember that when you order on-line, you can earn "Loyalty Bucks". For every $25.00 you order, you receive 1 loyalty buck. Collect 20 loyalty bucks and you receive $30.00 free merchandise. Be sure to comment and share this blog. I'd love to hear from you. 

Mary Blocher

The Power Huff Stamper

Wicked Good Time

with Freshly Made Sketches

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the beginning of the work week. I'm glad you took a little time to stop in for my post today. It's been a little while since I did a sketch challenge. If you have followed me, you know I really like to do them. What I really liked about the Freshly Made Sketches #405 this week was the fun layout. The stamp set I chose today is perfect. 

The challenge is to follow the FMS 405 sketch while keeping your project clean-lined and fresh. Sometimes I find it very difficult to keep things clean. I love my designer series papers, but lately I have really been liking things clean and crisp.

Okay, how wickedly cute are these Halloween critters? These came from a really fun set called Wonderfully Wicked. There is a coordinating die and can be purchased as a bundle with a 10% discount. 

There's the spider's web. I love to stamp the insides of my cards to add more fun. I just realized that I went from the sketch challenge to creating my card in less than 5 minutes. The minute I saw the FMS 405 challenge, I thought of using the Wonderfully Wicked Stamp set. I happened to have a piece of Pumpkin Pie cardstock and other scraps, so it went really quick. That's what I love about using a sketch challenge. It takes the hardest part of creating away and you get to focus on the stamping. 

Thanks so much for stopping in today. Be sure to check out some of the other entries for the clean and simple challenge. 

If fun holiday papercrafting is on your Christmas to-do list, Paper Pumpkin has the perfect picks for you with our October and November Winter Wonders duo. Packaged in specially-designed boxes, these kits will help you simplify the season while delivering great style. With cards in one kit and tags in the other, you’ll have everything you need for a handmade, heartfelt Christmas. It’s Christmas prep made easy with Paper Pumpkin. Be sure to subscribe by the 10th of the month to receive that month's kit. 

Shop for Stampin’ Up products at a discount. Clearance Rack deals are only while supplies last.

Be sure to check out the current specials being offered. There are great deals on the Clearance Rack and more. If you are in need of any products you can place an order online. I appreciate you choosing me as your demonstrator. Be sure to use the current hostess code#9Y9FS33A when placing your order. If this is your first order placed with me, I will send you a special gift just for placing an order with me.

  If you need a holiday catalog, I'm happy to send one to you. Just let me know. 

If you place a $150 order, don't use the hostess code. You qualify for your own hostess benefits. Please do not mark "No Contact" when you order. I won't be able to contact you to award you with Loyalty Bucks or prizes.

Remember that when you order on-line, you can earn "Loyalty Bucks". For every $25.00 you order, you receive 1 loyalty buck. Collect 20 loyalty bucks and you receive $30.00 free merchandise. Be sure to comment and share this blog. I'd love to hear from you. 

Mary Blocher

The Power Huff Stamper

And the Winner is...

Prize Patrol

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to my post today. It's an exciting day. I recently shared a post featuring the Birds of a Feather Stamp set and offered a prize patrol to one lucky person to win the stamp set. Well I have a winner chosen. Everyone who took part in the prize patrol will also receive a package of the Jingle Bells Embellishment by Stampin' Up!. 

It's the perfect time for the Halloween duck. Isn't he cute? There are wonderful products in the Holiday Catalog for creating spooky Halloween projects. The Monster Bash DSP is awesome! 

I love the Birds of a a Feather Stamp set! It is such a great set to have to take you through all of the major holidays. Just think about how quick and easy you can take a project and duplicate it for each holiday. 

I love each of the characters, but I think I have a special place for the Christmas birdie. I really like owls and birds, so it would seem to fit. This project has lots of shine with the Gold Foil Sheet. I also love the Wrapped in Plaid DSP. 

Okay, now here's the fun part. I get to tell you who won the Birds of a Feather Stamp set. It's my stamping friend Lois M. She was so excited when I let her know. She said it made her day. When you look at the cute set, you know why.

Well I hope you have enjoyed these couple of projects and follow my blog, so you don't miss out on other chances to win.

If fun holiday paper crafting is on your Christmas to-do list, Paper Pumpkin has the perfect picks for you with our October and November Winter Wonders duo. Packaged in specially-designed boxes, these kits will help you simplify the season while delivering great style. With cards in one kit and tags in the other, you’ll have everything you need for a handmade, heartfelt Christmas. It’s Christmas prep made easy with Paper Pumpkin. Be sure to subscribe by the 10th of the month to reserve your holiday kits. 

Be sure to check out the current specials being offered. There are great deals on the Clearance Rack and more. If you are in need of any products you can place an order online. I appreciate you choosing me as your demonstrator. Be sure to use the current hostess code#9Y9FS33A when placing your order. If this is your first order placed with me, I will send you a special gift just for placing an order with me.

  If you need a holiday catalog, I'm happy to send one to you. Just let me know. 

If you place a $150 order, don't use the hostess code. You qualify for your own hostess benefits. Please do not mark "No Contact" when you order. I won't be able to contact you to award you with Loyalty Bucks or prizes.

Remember that when you order on-line, you can earn "Loyalty Bucks". For every $25.00 you order, you receive 1 loyalty buck. Collect 20 loyalty bucks and you receive $30.00 free merchandise. Be sure to comment and share this blog. I'd love to hear from you. 

Mary Blocher

The Power Huff Stamper