2021 Archives - Delight of my Art

Faux Wood-Burning Technique

Posted on September 4, 2021September 4, 2021 by debjoysmeak

Welcome to another Stamping with Friends Blog Hop! We’re featuring techniques on this hop, which is such a FUN topic! I’m trying a new-to-me technique called the Faux Wood-Burning technique. Isn’t it cool?! It is impressive AND easy. My favorite kind of project. 🙂

To do this technique you will need: watercolor paper, one of our water painters (or paintbrush) and Early Espresso ink. Use a line art stamp, such as this wonderful one from Jar of Flowers.

Faux Wood Burning Technique

To do the faux wood-burning you just stamp your image in the Early Espresso ink straight onto dry watercolor paper. Take a wet water painter and drag from the center to the edges to drag the ink across the white parts of the paper. You can go over the entire paper or just around the image. I swiped from the center out to each side, only going left and right. Each time you do this the colors will bleed slightly differently to create a unique look on every piece. Try to just go over each area with one swipe so you don’t muddy your image too much.

When your paper is dry, run it through a wood textured embossing folder. That’s it! I used the Timber 3D embossing folder from the new July-December Mini Catalog. We used to carry Pinewood Planks embossing folder, but I really like that Timber 3D doesn’t have lines through it. Doesn’t it look amazing for hardly any effort?!

Finishing up the card

Then I just added this to a thick Basic White card base with DSP and two Early Espresso mats. I used DSP from the annual catalog, Beauty of the Earth. This paper has some really nice fall, winter and leafy patterns.

For my embellishments, I picked one of the colors used in the DSP: Misty Moonlight. I used Flowers for Every Season Misty Moonlight and Silver Baker’s Twine and some Misty Moonlight enamel dots, which I’m just now realizing are retired. Ha! We do have In Color square gems in Misty Moonlight that would also look good here, or you could color rhinestones or pearls with Misty Moonlight Stampin’ Blends. I love how the Blends help us match our embellishments if we don’t have the right color in our stash. While I’d love to buy every embellishment that’s just not realistic, is it? Hahaha!

I also added a sentiment from Celebrate Sunflowers in white embossing on an Early Espresso strip, popped up with dimensionals. Celebrate Sunflowers is the ultimate complimentary set to use with Jar of Flowers.

I also decorated the inside and the envelope. May as well finish the whole thing when your stamps are out! I also put my cards in clear envelopes so they are protected until I’m ready to mail or sell them. Are you going to try this technique? Leave a comment below.

Thanks for hopping along with us! Keep on hopping along to see what card technique Tina Hewett has in store for you!

Libby Fens
Linda Moore
Donna Schnees
Tricia Butts
Deb Smeak——–You are HERE
Tina Hewett
Karen Egan
Caron Bailey
Sandra Roberts

tams# 63449

Product List

Celebrate Sunflowers Cling Stamp Set (English)

Beauty Of The Earth 12" X 12" (30.5 X 30.5 Cm) Designer Series Paper

Flowers For Every Season Ribbon Combo Pack

Stamping with Friends Blog Hop – July 2021

Posted on July 24, 2021July 24, 2021 by debjoysmeak

The new *July-December Mini Catalog will be live on August 3! As a demonstrator, we are able to order nearly anything we want a whole month early. (I love being a demo!) This blog hop is showcasing NEW items that you can get from this new catalog AND some from the new Sale-a-bration catalog that begins the same date and runs through the end of September.

I chose to feature the adorable CUTEST HALLOWEEN suite of products. This is one of our new full suites and it includes a stamp set, triple punch, DSP, gingham ribbon, adhesive star sequins and these fun Tombstone Treat Boxes. As you can see, the punch can punch out 3 of the cute images from the stamp set and the DSP. The treat boxes are double-sided with a full tombstone on each side, with the backside being slightly smaller so it nests perfectly inside.

I thought it would be a great idea to make a new “back” side for the treat boxes so I could double my treat boxes! Since the fronts and backs nest together and are slightly different sizes, I have two measurements for the boxes to fit. For the bigger box in Basic Gray cardstock:

Bigger base: 5-7/8″ x 4-7/8″, score at 1-3/16″ all the way around, notch tabs

Bigger Box end cap: 3″ x 4″. (This will be glued to the flat surface of the new box to mimic the tomb shape on the front side)

Bigger Box white layer: 2-1/2″ x 3-1/2″

Ornate Frames die as shown.

This box will fit perfectly snug inside the bigger of the Tombstone treat box halves. I stamped the spider on the white layer and drew a straight line with a black Stampin’ Write marker. The smaller box is 1/4″ smaller:

Smaller Box base: 5-5/8″ x 4-5/8″, still score on all sides 1-3/16″

Smaller Box end cap: 2-3/4″ x 3-3/4″

Smaller white layer: 2-1/4″ x 3-1/4″ d

Ornate Frames die cut

Bonus! These two boxes FIT TOGETHER to make their own box as well as fit snugly into each side of the Tombstone Treat boxes, stretching your crafting supplies!

Showing both sizes of the box halves that match with the Tombstone Treat Boxes.

I also added a FREE Sale-a-bration item: Be Dazzling 6″ x 6″ DSP. It’s sooo shiny! It is covered with tiny silver sequins. I wasn’t sure I could stamp on it. The Memento is a little pale, but Stazon ink worked perfectly. I held it there a bit so the ink soaked in. I used the adorable ghost face after punching out the ghost shape with the punch. The paper is super thick, but still punchable. I attached them with a glue dot. Aren’t the ghosts so cute?! You can earn 8 sheets of this specialty paper for free with a $50 order.

The label dies on the front are new as well. They are called Seasonal Labels Dies and have 6 labels plus more to coordinate with another stamp set, featured on the cover of the new catalog.

The skeleton face is the only image not on the punch, but it was really easy to fussy cut.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and sneak peek! Keep hopping along to see more sneak peeks available on August 3. Make sure you request a new catalog from your demonstrator. If you don’t have one, I’d be happy to send you a copy.

Linda Moore
Caron Bailey
Libby Fens
Jo Blackman
Karen Egan
Tricia Butts
Polly Crouch
Sarah Bullen
Tracie St-Louis
Nancy Reynolds
Betty Bickford
Donna Schness
Tina Hewett
Deb Smeak <——-You are HERE
Mary Knabe

*Interesting note: If you noticed, the catalog name is July-December Mini but it doesn’t start until August 3. There were multiple delays on products due to covid. To avoid frustration with so many items on backorder or unavailable status, Stampin’ Up! chose to delay the catalog one month. I think this was a smart decision, but the name of the catalog stayed the same.

Stamping with Friends Blog Hop – April 2021

Posted on March 27, 2021March 27, 2021 by debjoysmeak

Welcome back! April 8 is National Zoo Lovers Day. We have four school-age kids and we love visiting the local zoos. My kids are avid animal lovers. I had to use the Zoo Globe stamp set and coordinating dies: Snow Globe Scenes. Both of these will be retiring May 3, 2021 and the Snow Globe Scenes dies are 60% off right now.

I stamped and colored images and fussy cut so I could move things around to see how I liked them. This will do nicely to invite family to go to the zoo with us!

The globe and base were stamped together before being cut out. Everything is fussy cut or die cut which helped create all the layers. The cardbase is Poppy Parade and the wood paper is the Natural Touch Specialty Paper available in the Butterfly Bouquet release online. I used Stampin’ Blends and Memento ink to add color.

If you look close you can see that I color with the light Blend and then go back and add shadows with the dark Blend. Sometimes I add dots in various shades colors to add shading, such as in the tree. The Blends are by far my favorite coloring tool. I use them ALL the time.

Are you feeling in the mood to visit a zoo now? I will be planning a trip with the kids with this nice spring weather. It was 70 degrees here in mid-Michigan recently and I’m looking forward to more of those days.

Thank you for hopping along. Make sure you click NEXT to visit the next blog celebrating another National Day. Happy stamping!

Linda A Moore – Moore Fun Stamping
Donna Schnees – Cupcakes & Lattes Stampers
Tricia Butts – Tricia’s Stamping Creations
Mickey Moore- 2 Moore Stampers
Deb Smeak – Delight of my Art
Deb Smeak – Delight of my Art – YOU ARE HERE
Adrienne Hughes – The Victoria Paper Shaper
Mickey Moore – 2 Moore Stampers
Linda A Moore – Moore Fun Stamping

tams# 58241

Product List

Zoo Globe Photopolymer Stamp Set

[153303]

Snow Globe Scenes Dies

[150655]

Natural Touch Specialty Paper

[156825]

Basic White 8 1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[159276]

Poppy Parade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[119793]

Basic Black 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[121045]

Basic White Medium Envelopes

[159236]

Paper Snips

[103579]

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

Petal Pink Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154893]

Flirty Flamingo Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154884]

Poppy Parade Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154958]

Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154883]

Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154885]

Old Olive Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154892]

Mossy Meadow Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154890]

Pool Party Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154894]

Balmy Blue Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154830]

Crumb Cake Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154882]

Soft Suede Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154906]

Bronze & Ivory Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154922]

Gray Granite Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154886]

Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Combo Pack

[154904]

A Touch of Ink Birthday Card Set

Posted on February 16, 2021February 16, 2021 by debjoysmeak

I had lots of fun creating this set of birthday cards. First I used A Touch of Ink set to cover a whole 8-1/2″ x 11″ sheet of Basic White cardstock with Memento Black ink. Then I added in the small leaf from the same set. The “fill” is stamped with Pear Pizzazz for the small leaf and Petal Pink for the flowers. Then I came in with a sponge dauber and added some interest in the center of the flowers with Calypso Coral. Finally, I added the splatter stamp in Daffodil Delight. I think it turned out pretty cute!

I cut this sheet down to four sheets of 4-3/4″ x 3-1/2″, saving a number of long 1/2″ strips to decorate the insides. I cut both black and white layers for each card at 4-7/8″ x 3-5/8″, black for the front layer and white for the inside layer. I used 1/2″ x 4-7/8″ strips of Basic Black to stamp the Happy Birthday greeting from Posted for You in Versamark and embossed with white embossing powder. Those strips are on black dimensionals and all the layers adhered together. Then I stamped some mini butterflies from Butterfly Gala with Memento and Daffodil and punched out with the Butterfly Duet punch. I love putting these butterflies on cards using mini glue dots so the wings stick up! Such a nice touch.

Since the card uses 4 colors besides black and white I used all four of those as base colors: Petal Pink, Calypso Coral, Daffodil Delight and Pear Pizzazz. I couldn’t decide which I liked best so I did them all! 🙂

I used the saved 1/2″ strips of the front design on 5/8″ strips of black and glued these to the inside white layer along the top. I also stamped a sentiment from Butterfly Gala along with another mini butterfly on the inside.

Since this was a set of four, I put them in our clear acetate card boxes. It showcases the cards and the matching envelopes perfectly since it’s clear! I added a little slip on the back that shows the inside sentiment.

Thanks for stopping by to check out this fun project! It would make a great gift too. You can purchase any of these items by clicking on them below to take you to my store. A Touch of Ink set is FREE and only available until the end of February 2021, less than two weeks away! For any orders under $150 please use Host Code JTVK4JCJ until the end of February. Happy stamping!

tams# 56703

Product List

A Touch Of Ink Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

155233

152621

148580

148523

144628

159236

159276

121045

146985

122925

119683

131201

132708

147108

147101

147094

147104

102283

109132

129053

133773

152392

Magnetic Gift Card Holder

Posted on February 12, 2021February 12, 2021 by debjoysmeak

I just love magnetic closures. It’s so satisfying hearing the ‘click’ closed. This project uses the Posted for You bundle in the Annual catalog. You can save 10% on this both the stamp set and punch if you get them bundled through May 3, 2021. I love this stamp set and the punch is a MUST HAVE for sentiments. It can pair with so many things and stamp shapes are super cute. Did you know you can make a smaller size punched image by inserting it back into the punch? They keep releasing other stamp sets to coordinate with it as well, like the Festive Post (retired) from the recent holiday catalog and the new Snailed It bundle in the new spring mini so I feel like it is extra versatile.

The measurements for this project:

Base: 11″ x 4-1/4″ (half a piece of cardstock), scored on the long side halfway at 5-1/2″, flipped over and scored from both ends at 3″ – Fold into a W fold.

DSP: 2-7/8″ x 4-1/8″, corners rounded on one long side (Use one for the front and two for the inside, optional for the back)

I used the Classic label punch and 1-1/2″ circle punch to punch the hole for the gift card. You can watch my tutorial on YouTube for a visual on how it goes together. I show an alternate version at the end of the video using the Heartfelt stamp and punches bundle. I also LOVE these layering heart punches. Check out the video to see the Navy and Calypso Coral Valentine’s version. ❤

You can purchase any of these products by clicking the links below to take you to my store. Please use Host Code JTVK4JCJ through the end of February 2021 for any orders under $150.

***Don’t forget you can get FREE Sale-a-bration items for every increment of $50 before tax and shipping that you spend by February 28. To see your free SAB choices click HERE.***

tams# 56498

Product List

154075

152621

152709

141491

138299

154570

154572

154571

154892

132708

146986

150882

146987

159276

152392

149699

110755

153775

Heartfelt Photopolymer Stamp Set (English)

151417

151292

100867

122925

147110

147101

Paper Pumpkin Alternative – Mailbox Treats!

Posted on February 9, 2021February 9, 2021 by debjoysmeak

Mailboxes are especially cute because we send cards. And when we get to make tiny ones and fill them with candy and deliver a mailbox…gah, adorable. We had fun on the Live today making these little treats, even though my camera wouldn’t orient the correct way! We powered through and made it work anyway. You can view the video here on YouTube:

Here are the mailbox measurements:

Patterned paper: 5-1/2″ x 3-1/4″, scored at 1/2″ on each shorter side

Plain coordinating Cardstock: 6″ x 5-1/2″

1. Place the plain cardstock in the trimmer with the 5-1/2″ side up and cut at 3/4″, set aside strip.

2. Rotate to 6″ side up and cut at 3″. You’ll have 2 equal pieces, set one aside.

3. Place one piece on the 4-3/4″ side up and cut at 3-1/4″. Discard cut off.

4. Turn same back to 3″ side up and cut at 1-1/2″ to get two equal pieces at 1-1/2 x 3-1/4″

5. Bring back other 4-3/4″ x 3″ and score on all sides at 3/4″

6. Cut flaps and notch them. Cut them on the long side so they tuck into the sides and not the front of the box.

7. Add adhesive to flaps and assemble box.

8. Bring back 3/4″ strip with 6″ side up. Score at 1/2″, and then move over to almost 1-1/4″ and cut. This is the front pull tab.

9. Cut two more pieces at 1/2″ to create two sides of the flag.

10. Rotate short side up and cut a strip at 1/4″

11. Trim this 1/4″ piece to 2″, this is the flag pole.

12. Assemble according to video. 🙂

I used Poppy Parade as my cardstock color along with the January 2021 Paper Pumpkin Kit – Sending Hearts and the optional add on. Email me at debjoysmeak@delightofmyart.com with any questions, to request a catalog or to be added to the email list. Join me on Facebook or YouTube at Delight of my Art.

Happy stamping!

New ‘Hey Chick’ Bundles Available TODAY!

Posted on February 2, 2021February 2, 2021 by debjoysmeak

In 2017 the stamp set Hey Chick was available as a Sale-a-bration item and it was very popular. These funny chickens were popping up all over the place. I especially love the one with the poofy head popping in from the side, haha! I was thrilled to see the Hey Birthday Chick stamp set in the new spring mini with the same chickens from 2017 in different poses. But wait there’s more! They decided to add dies to complement it AND bring back the 2017 set AND make dies for that one too! Hooray! They will be available starting today, February 2, 2021, until the end of June or while supplies last.

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Chickens are such funny creatures: the noises they make, the hilarious waddle-run because they’re so fluffy and chunky, the excitement (eggcitement?) about treats. ❤ We got chickens for the first time in March of 2020. They are pretty easy to care for and so fun to watch. I love finding eggs in the nesting boxes because it means I get to eat fresh chicken eggs every morning. Should I make them a thank you card? Hahaha!

Here are some more samples using these bundles. Which chicken is your favorite? Leave a comment below.

Fun Swing Fold Card with Berry Blessings

Posted on January 28, 2021January 28, 2021 by debjoysmeak

I am LOVING this free Berry Blessings stamp set and even more so the gorgeous paper that comes free with it in a big fun freebie bundle. I decided to do it justice and create a fun fold card with it. It just so happens to be National Blueberry Pancake Day today, ha! How fun is that? If you’d like these items for free too all you need to do is place an order of $100 or more and choose them as your free gift.

Card base: 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″, scored on the long side at 4-1/4″ and 2-1/8″

DSP layers: 4″ x 5-1/4″ and 1-7/8″ x 5-1/4″

Layering die cuts: 3 large (2 colored and 1 white) and 2 smaller (white) I used the Stitched Rectangle Dies and used the middle two sizes of the 8 layering rectangles. (Not the three largest or the three smallest: the center two!) You can experiment with different shape dies.

I hope you play along with me! I would love to see your swing fold card either with these items or what you have on hand. You can see a video tutorial on YouTube.

If you are interested in the Berry Delightful Bundle I would be so grateful for your business. You can shop by clicking any item below. Please use the host code JTVK4JCJ for the month of January 2021 if your order is less than $150. For a new code or any other questions, please feel free to email me at debjoysmeak@delightofmyart.com and I’d be happy to help. Happy stamping!

tams# 55736

Product List

157613

151820

147110

147098

147095

100867

111350

159276

154579

110755

103683

118491

149653

Freebies for shopping? Yes, please!

Posted on January 5, 2021January 5, 2021 by debjoysmeak

I LOVE January because it’s full of brand new goodies and freebies from Stampin’ Up! Today kicks off our new mini catalog, the release of the new Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine AND my favorite: SALE-a-bration!

For those new to Stampin’ Up!, SALE-a-bration (SAB) is when your crafty purchases add up to even more freebies. Every $50 or $100 increment earns you free gifts out of the SAB brochure. This SAB promotion is only during January and February.

“What? Last year it was three months long. What gives?”

We are getting TWO SALE-a-brations this year! Whoop whoop! So the items available in this SAB brochure are only available for January and February, there are no second release products and we’ll get new choices for freebies later in the year. So exciting!

To check out the available SAB items you can earn for FREE right now click HERE.

We also are launching the new Mini January – June catalog. This has a bunch of spring items, Valentine’s, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, lots of flowers for all occasions as well as great every day items. I’ve just done a detailed catalog walkthrough on Facebook Live if you’ve got your favorite beverage (it’s a long one!). You can view that walkthrough HERE. Let me know what your favorite bundles are! I love the Sweet Strawberry bundle with matching freebies from the SAB brochure, among lots of others, haha! You can see all the NEW products from the January – June mini catalog in my online store HERE.

We also have a replacement for our Whisper White! Starting today you can order our brand new Basic White products in 7 different products. Those are available here. I’m sooo glad that I have a thick white cardstock available

Please let me know if you would like the annual catalog (the big one) or if you need these two new catalogs: the mini and the SAB. I’d be happy to send you complimentary catalogs. Right now with every catalog bundle I send out I’m also including a unique “artist trading card” as a mini preview of something new from the catalogs. I’ll be showing these on my Facebook page throughout the month. When you see the one you received, make sure to take a selfie with it and post it! You’ll get a discount on your first order from me through the end of February. More free stuff, yay!

One more thing! The Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (I’m going to call this the mini boss) is available starting today! Here’s the blurb from the website: Spend your time crafting, not cutting! The Stampin’ Up! Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine makes precise cuts and detailed embossed images every time. Use with dies and embossing folders to easily create accents and elements for cards, scrapbook pages, party invitations, classroom projects, and more.

This mini boss folds up just like the new big boss. Both of these machines can be seen HERE. If you order either one of these from me I will gift you a free embossing folder of your choice. Yes, there are a few choices of embossing folders, even for the mini boss! You can place your order and let me know which folder you want. The next time I order I will order it for you and mail or deliver it to you when it arrives. I use my big boss on nearly every project I make, usually a stitched tag shape. If you are new to either machine I highly recommend the Stitched Shapes dies as you’ll get a great variety: four each of circles, ovals and squares with stitched details. I have used this die set the most out of all my dies. (Tip: If you get the mini boss and these dies, make sure you add another $10 to your order to get more in SAB freebies!!)

Stampin’ Rewards! If your order is over $150 (or you have a party and all orders together are over $150) then you receive rewards based on the total according to this chart. If your order is under $150, please use the January host code JTVK4JCJ and I’ll send you a free card in the mail.

As an additional bonus during SAB there is also a free stamp set at the $300 level. It’s called Punch Party and it’s super cute. It coordinates with quite a few of our current punches (sold separately): Rectangular Postage Stamp, Double Oval Punch, Heart Punch Pack. The best way to earn this is to get together with friends and host a party. You can even do this online! Let me know if you’re interested by emailing me at debjoysmeak@delightofmyart.com.

PUNCH PARTY HOST PHOTOPOLYMER STAMP SET (ENGLISH)

Happy shopping!!