Bloom with Hope and IAM Ruffling Ribbon Tutorial

This card uses Stampin' Up!'s hostess stamp set, Bloom with Hope, and the new alcohol-based Blendability markers.  Bloom with Hope (133952  $17) is one of the most versatile stamp sets in Stampin' Up!'s new 2014 - 2015 catalog.

I decided to make this card to fit two of Splitcoaststampers' weekly challenges.  The first challenge was to try a technique that is new to you.  As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I've used water-based ink to color my images.  This was one of my first tries with Stampin' Up!'s new Blendability markers.  They make it easy to blend and are great fun!

Notice the ruffled or ruched ribbon across the bottom?  The second challenge was to use a rumpled item on the card.

Here is one of my IAM (In A Minute) tutorials on how to easily ruffle ribbon.  This series of videos is designed to share quick tips and techniques that I've taught throughout the years in my classes.  While I've put some tips in my project videos, you have to remember which project included the information you want.  That problem inspired me to make these IAM Tutorials.  Let me know what you think about these IAM Tutorials and what tips you would like me to share in future videos.

Visit my online store to get what you want for your next project.  Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for my Rewards Program.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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Bloom with Hope with IAM Tutorials

This quick and easy Bloom with Hope card features several tips in my IAM (In A Minute) video tutorial series including making a faux bow.  The Bloom with Hope stamp set is one of the new hostess sets in the 2014 - 2015 Stampin' Up! catalog. It's a versatile set as you'll see in more upcoming blog posts.

Here is the IAM (In A Minute) Tutorial that shows an easy faux bow technique that takes less ribbon than the traditional method. Unlike other faux bow techniques, this one doesn't come undone as easily as another technique that I've seen.

While Bloom with Hope is perfect for coloring, it was fun to use it for a Black, White and Pool Party color combination challenge. This Bloom with Hope card also fits another Splitcoast challenge: stamping a sentiment over another design.  The Happy Birthday sentiment is stamped over the swoosh from the Happy Watercolor stamp set in the Occasions mini catalog.

This IAM Tutorial shows how to add labels over ribbon.  Ribbon can make it difficult to adhere a label since many adhesives don't stick well to ribbon.

The third IAM Tutorial demonstrates how I added a little more contrast between the Whisper White and Pool Party cardstock. This technique works well for punched and die cut embellishments too!

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel to see other Sharing Creativity and Company video tutorials.

Stampin' Supplies

Item	Description	Price
133952	Bloom with Hope Hostess Stamp Set	$17.00
133191	Happy Watercolor Stamp Set	$21.95
130622	Label Love Stamp Set	$17.95
130920	Artisan Label Punch	$15.95
125582	Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon	$6.95

Visit my online store to get what you want for your next project.  Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for my Rewards Program.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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Ombre Silhouettes Card with Tutorial

This Ombre Silhouettes card video tutorial shows two different techniques:  Ombre coloring and the masking tape technique.  Ombre refers to moving from light to dark colors.  I have seen many beautiful cards using this technique and wanted to make a card using the color variation.

In making the background, I decided to use the masking tape technique to get a mottled background. After trying several times to get a well-inked background, I realized that the masking tape technique and I were not getting along!  Getting even pressure with the masking tape across the Stampin' Pad was not happening.  That's when I came up with the idea of attaching the masking tape to a clear block. Voila!  I was back in business.  It was quicker and easier to use the masking tape technique now to make my backgrounds.  When I need to use the block again for traditional rubber stamping, I'll clean off any adhesive residue with my StazOn cleaner.  Works like a charm!

Enjoy this technique.  I've shown it in three different colorways.  Here are the colors I used.  The card base is the middle color.

Blue:  Pool Party, Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay
Orange:  Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral, Tangerine Tango
Green:  Pistachio Pudding, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive

Which is your favorite color combination?

Stampin' Supplies

Item	Description	Price
127324	Serene Silhouettes Stamp Set	$17.95
126707	Sassy Salutations Stamp Set	$17.95
118490	Clear Block H	$8.50
126982	Pool Party Stampin' Pad	$5.95
131175	Coastal Cabana Stampin' Pad	$5.95
131171	Bermuda Bay Stampin' Pad	$5.95
131297	Coastal Cabana Cardstock	$6.95

Visit my online store to get what you want for your next project.  Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for my Rewards Program.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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Introducing In A Minute Tutorials: Stampin' Pads and More

Stampin' Up's Catalog Premiere party was fun, a great way to get a sneak peek at the new catalog and we learned several new techniques including how to fix a Stampin' Pad.  I tried to videotape Carrie Cudney as she demonstrated how to reattach the lid of a Stampin' Pad to the base.  The video didn't turn out, so I decided to make this one myself.

Making this video about how to fix a Stampin' Pad inspired me to make some other quick video tutorials.  They each take about a minute so that is how I came up with the name "In A Minute" Tutorials or IAM Tutorials.  It was fun figuring out how to share some of the tips I give to my customers during class.  They have asked me for some time now to share these little tidbits of information.  Who would have thought that a bad video would lead to these IAM Tutorials.

This IAM Tutorials shows you how to label, open and close your Stampin' Pad.

You'll want to watch this video if you have StazOn Ink Pads.  It will only take you a minute to avoid making the mistake that many people make with their new StazOn Ink Pads.  When I worked at an LSS, it happened all the time!

I'll be adding more IAM Tutorials to my YouTube Channel.  Subscribe to my Channel now so you don't miss out on more quick tips and other project tutorials.

Visit my online store to get what you want for your next project.  Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for my Rewards Program.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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Punch Art Graduation Owl - Free Tutorial

This punch art graduation owl can be used on a gift card holder and a card in your loved one's school colors.  Thanks to using punches, these projects are relatively quick and easy. 

Here is the video tutorial for the punch art graduation owl.  The video and pictorial tutorials for the reclosable gift card holder have been popular too! 

You'll find that the punch art owls are almost like paper dolls.  People have come up with so many creative ways to dress up these owls for Halloween, Christmas, Easter and graduation.

Did you know that you can even make a beautiful rose using the Owl Punch?  The Owl Punch is one of the most versatile punches in Stampin' Up!'s catalog.

Be one of the first 3 people to buy the Owl Punch from my online store and you'll get one of these graduation owl gift card holders in the mail from me.

Stampin' Supplies

Item	Description	Price
118074	Owl Builder Punch	$16.95
133375	Triangle Punch	$15.95
119869	1/2" Circle Punch	$5.95
124262	Whisper White Baker's Twine	$2.95

Visit my online store to get your supplies for this project.  Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for my Rewards Program.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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Reclosable Gift Card Envelope - Free Tutorial

This reclosable gift card envelope using Stampin' Up!'s Envelope Punch Board has been so popular that I've had requests to make a Sharing Creativity and Company video tutorial.  With graduations coming up, I decided to decorate this gift card envelope with an owl graduate.  This would be simple to make in school colors for your graduate.

What is nice about this quick and easy gift card envelope is that it takes a 5 x 5 inch piece of paper and can be decorated to fit any occasion.  What makes this gift card envelope slightly different is that I designed it so that the envelope is reclosable.  You can see how the flap tucks into the slot in the back so it can be opened and closed.

Here is the video tutorial since sometimes it's easier to see me actually making the reclosable envelope.  If you prefer a pictorial tutorial, here is my original post.  It seems like half of you like the pictures and the other half prefer the video.  

Stampin' Supplies

Item	Description	Price
133774	Envelope Punch Board	$19.95
126889	Stampin' Trimmer	$29.95
125981	Blue Ribbon Clear-Mount Stamp Set	$20.95
118074	Owl Builder Punch	$16.95
133375	Triangle Punch	$15.95

Enjoy making these gift card holders to fit special occasions for your loved ones.  Here is the tutorial for making the punch art graduation owl.

Visit my online store to get your supplies for this project.  Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for my Rewards Program.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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Rainy Day Card with Free Tutorial and Video

This Rainy Day card featuring Stampin' Up!'s Bootiful Occasions stamp set is easy to make thanks to using the Big Shot and punches.  While I had been wanting to make a card using the rainboots, it took me some time to figure out how to make a quick and easy umbrella.  You can see from the photo tutorial how to use the Ovals Collection Framelits and the Adorning Accents Edgelits to make the canopy part of the umbrella.

Did you know that the Adorning Accents Edgelits is on sale through April 21st when Stampin' Up! is offering free shipping?  

It was the handle, pole and finial parts of the umbrella that stumped me for a few days.  I tried several different things and even ended up tracing and cutting out umbrella parts.  While it was doable, it certainly wasn't quick and easy.  Then it dawned on me how to make the curved handle using the word window punch and the small oval.  The finial was easy using the mosaic punch.

The video shows you the different steps for making the umbrella.  There is also a bonus technique in the video showing you how to cut out the rainboots easily and with clean edges.

Enjoy making this Rainy Day card.

Stampin' Supplies

Item	Description	Price
129381	Ovals Collection Framelits Dies	$26.95
125595	Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies	$9.95
119857	Word Window Punch	$15.95
120908	Small Oval Punch	$12.95
131267	Mosaic Punch	$15.95
126597	Bootiful Occasions Stamp Set	$17.95

Visit my online store to get your supplies for your project.  Remember that when you purchase $25 or more in product, you are eligible for my Rewards Program.

Creatively yours,

Sharon Cheng
Richland Hills, TX

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My Online Store