Stampin' Addicts Blog Hop: Thanks for Caring

Welcome to stop #5 on the Stampin' Addicts Occasions Mini Blog Hop!  This Blog Hop features 25 Stampin' Addicts members who are sharing their creativity with us. Each stop will feature products from the Occasions Mini Catalog that goes live January 5, 2011!

If you are following the hop in order, you just came from Cheryl's blog Love to Stamp & Scrap where she showcased gorgeous projects using the set Build a Blossom and the coordinating Blossoms Petal Punch. I just loved Cheryl's projects! 

Today I am showing some ideas using the stamp set Thanks for Caring.  This set first caught my eye as a Sympathy set, although as I worked with it I found it is very versatile. 

The first project is a standard sized card and uses the flower image from the set.  I colored the stamp with markers, stamped, and then colored in the flowers using my Pastels and a Blender Pen.  I also added a layer of Smooch Top Coat Accent Ink over the top to give sparkle. 

Over the image is one of the new (largest size) Beveled Window panes.  It is held in place with Rose Red Seam Binding and Hemp Twine.  The row of stamped images under the ribbon comes from the very top scroll work of the sympathy stamp.  I used a Crumb Cake marker to repeatedly stamp just that part of the image.

The next project is a 3x3" card.  To make the 'frame' I used the new Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  I'll provide a link later to a tutorial.  I stamped the butterfly image with Basic Black ink and again colored with Pastels and a Blender Pen.  The butterfly has a layer of Smooch Top Coat Accent Ink over the top to give sparkle.

And the last project is a basket using the Big Shot and the Baskets & Blooms die.  I sponged the edges, weaved the Crumb Cake paper, and then ran it through the Big Shot.  The tag comes from that same die, and I ran the edge through the Framed Tulips Embossing Folder.  I colored the sentiment with markers and punched out with the 1 3/4" x 7/8" Oval Punch. 


Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you've been inspired by these projects.
 
Next on the Blog Hop is Rhonda over at  The Stampin' Bunny.  She will be showcasing the stamp set Baby Blossoms and the Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper.  Go check out her gorgeous creations, and then continue on in the Hop to see more projects showcasing items sets from the Occasions Mini catalog. 


          <----Previous Blog                    Next Blog---->

Stampin' Celebration #33

I just love all the party/table setting pictures from Stampin' Celebration--makes me want to throw a fancy party.  :-)  Anyway this week I thought of a New Year's party.  And what would a New Year's party be without a fun party hat? 

I used my Big Shot and the Pennant Die to make this hat.  You can see another example in the last picture of THIS post.  I adhered two Basic Black pennants together at the edges, and then added the Real Red edges.  Everything is sprayed with Smooch Spritz to give some sparkle. 

And here's a close up of the top of the hat. For the topper, I used 8 scalloped circles (already scored) that are also part of the Pennant Die.  The tag shows a little sneak peek of the very shinny Red Glimmer Paper that will be in the upcoming Mini Catalog.  I used my Billboard Alphabet die for the 0 and 1s of 2011, and I hand cut the 2--so don't look too close.  :-) 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Take a peek over at Stampin Celebration to see all of the other cool projects this week.  And then play along, we'd love to see what you create!  

Paper:  Red Glimmer Paper, Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White

Accessories:  Big Shot, Pennant Die, Billboard Alphabet Die, Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Linen Thread

Stampin' Celebration #32

It's Thursday and time for another Stampin' Celebration challenge!  This week we are celebrating a traditional Christmas--red, white, stockings, candy canes, and goodies.  :-) 

This tag is one that we made at my tag event earlier this month, and I thought it perfectly fit this challenge.  I've also been making toffee to give to neighbors and my husband's coworkers. . . . So I put the two together for a fun treat.  :-)  

I used a  medium cello bag for the toffee.  For the tag I ran Real Red card stock through the Big Shot with the Two Tags die.  The image and sentiment are from the set Got Treats.  I stamped with Chocolate Chip, and used my Real Red marker to color in the buttons on the gingerbread man.  The Chocolate Chip scallop circle is up on dimensionals.  

Thanks for stopping by!  Make sure to head over to Stampin' Celebration to see the projects from the other members of the Design Team.  And then play along with us!  This time you have two weeks to play since we will be taking a week off to spend time with family and friends. 

Stamps:  Got Treats

Ink:  Chocolate Chip and Real Red markers

Paper:  Real Red, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White

Accessories: Medium Cello Bag, Big Shot, Two Tags die, Whisper White grosgrain ribbon, hemp twine, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, dimensionals

Stampin' Celebration #31

Another fun, non-traditional holiday look for the Challenge over at Stampin' Celebration this week!  Isn't is pretty?  I loved all of the sparkle, and those cookies in the bottom left picture look yummy.  :-)  

So you can see that I took my inspiration from the snowflake cookie, the sparkle, and the colors.  To make the snowflake, I took a scrap of Whisper White card stock and used the Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets to add adhesive to one side.  Then I ran it through the Big Shot with the Northern Frost decorative strip die.  Next I peeled off the other side of the Multipurpose Adhesive sheet backing and poured Dazzling Diamonds glitter over the top.  Now I have a sparkly snowflake--which only shows up a tiny bit in the picture.  

I also used the Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets to add glitter to the edges of the Blushing Bride panel.  I stamped the sentiment (I can't remember which set it is from!) and added the faux ribbon knot with Blushing Bride stitched-poly ribbon.  The snowflake and the Blushing Bride panel are up on dimensionals.  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Make sure to stop by Stampin' Celebration to see the other projects for this week.  And then take some time to play along--we'd love to see what you create, and you may be chosen as one of the Top 3 Picks.  

Stamps:  unknown discontinued set

Ink:  Blushing Bride

Paper:  Blushing Bride, Whisper White

Accessories:  Multipurpose Adhesive Sheet, Dazzling Diamonds, Blushing Bride Poly-Stitched Ribbon, Rhinestone, Northern Frost decorative strip dies, Big Shot, dimensionals

Peaceful Flurries

Here's a simple holiday card. . . . This was a card we made at my Holiday Stamp a Stack, and I'm making up a few more to send out this year too.  

I ran Shimmery White card stock through the Big Shot with the new Northern Flurry Embossing Folder (in the Holiday Mini Catalog).  I mounted that on a Marina Mist base and added a few of the Rhinestones to the center of the snowflakes.  For the sentiment I stamped with Marina Mist on Shimmery White (stamp set is All Holidays) and then punched it out with the Decorative Label punch.  I punched a second Decorative Label piece from Marina Mist card stock, and then cut the piece in half lengthwise.  I adhered the pieces to the back of the white piece so that the Marina Mist shows a bit on the top and bottom to give a nice framed edge.  

I hope that all of your holiday preparations are going well!  This week I'm working on my Christmas cards.  :-) 

Stamps:  All Holidays

Ink:  Marina Mist

Paper:  Shimmery White, Marina Mist

Accessories:  Rhinestones, Decorative Label punch, Marina Mist grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals

Stampin' Celebration #30

Isn't this a pretty inspiration piece this week at Stampin' Celebration?  I'd love to attend a dinner party that looked like this.  :-)  For the challenge this week, I made some little magnets.  

As I've been decorating for Christmas and putting everything out, I had the memory of my Mom always having cute little magnets on the fridge for different holidays throughout the year.  I especially loved the Christmas magnets.  When we go to my parents' house this year, I'll have to check and see if she still puts them up.  :-)  Anyway, so it was from this memory that came the idea to make these little magnets.  

 

I started with a 2" by 2" piece of Magnet Sheet (p 205 of the catalog), peeled off the backing (that side not shown in the picture) and adhered the Perfect Plum card stock.  Then I peeled off one side of the backing of the Multipurpose Adhesive Sheet (p 17 of the Holiday Mini Catalog) and stuck it to the the card stock. 

At that point I ran everything together through the Big Shot with the Scallop Squares Duo die to get the little scallop square.  The I peeled off the remaining Multipurpose Adhesive sheet backing and poured Dazzling Diamonds Glitter over the top.  That gives the awesome sparkle.  :-)  

The snowflakes came from the Northern Frost Decorative Strip (also in the Mini Catalog) and Whisper White card stock run through the Big Shot.  The last thing I added were a few Rhinestones for a little more bling.  

These were a simple project to make. . . . so simple that I think I may make some more with my children--letting them customize a bit.  Maybe we'll even make some for Grandma to add to her collection.  ;-)  These would also make great gifts or stocking stuffers.   

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Make sure to head over to Stampin' Celebration to see what the other members of the Design Team are up to this week!  

Paper:  Perfect Plum, Almost Amethyst DSP (discontinued), Whisper White 

Accessories:  Magnet Sheet, Multipurpose Adhesive Sheet, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Scallop Squares Duo Die, Northern Frost Decorative Strip, Big Shot, Rhinestones

Stampin Celebration #29

This week at Stampin' Celebration we're getting ready for Thanksgiving!  Another great inspiration piece too!  I wanted to make up some little Thanksgiving treats (teacher gifts, etc) so I used this as my starting point.  

 

I pulled out my Candy Wrapper Die and some More Mustard card stock.  After I assembled the candy wrapper I added ribbon (remember to add your candy first!) and a strip (1 3/4" by 6") of Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Series Paper.  The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  I stamped and then punched out with the Word Window punch and layered it onto the Early Espresso that was punched with the Modern Label punch.  Two of the mini Pearls add a little elegance.  

For the leaves, I stamped in Versamark with the Day of Gratitude stamp set.  I stamped only so that I could have a guide to cut out--on the final project, the stamped side of the leaf is facing the box so that you don't see it.  Next I ran the leaves through the Big Shot with the Spider Web Impressions Folder to add the 'veins' to the leaves.  This isn't my original idea, although unfortunately I don't know where to give credit--it's one of those ideas floating around the web.  But either way, don't pack away that Spider Web folder quite yet--it's useful for Thanksgiving and fall too.  :-) 

Thanks for stopping by!  Make sure to head over to Stampin' Celebration to see the other projects for this week.  And then play along with us--we'd love to see what you create!  

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes, Day of Gratitude

Ink:  Early Espresso, Versamark

Paper:  More Mustard, Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Autumn Spice Specialty DSP

Accessories:  Candy Wrapper Die, Spider Web IF, Big Shot, Early Espresso grosgrain ribbon, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, Basic Pearls, dimensionals

Simply Amazing

Have you ever thought about becoming a Stampin Up demonstrator? 

Whether you are looking for a business opportunity, or a discount on your crafting supplies, Stampin Up has a place for you! If you join the Stampin Up family before the end of November, you can purchase the starter kit for $87.50!  That's 50% off the regular price and means that you get over $310 of crafting and business supplies for less than $90! 

Not only is this a wonderful (never before seen) price, it is also a wonderful opportunity.  I have enjoyed every minute of being a demonstrator, and look back amazed at the wonderful opportunities it has provided for friendships, travel, and more.  

Contact me today so we can chat about the wonderful support and opportunities that Stampin Up provides for its demonstrators.  I'd love to have you join my team!  

Visit my website for more info!

Contempo Christmas

I'm back and trying to get back into the swing of blogging again.   :-)  If you haven't heard about it already, there's a great Handmade Holiday promotion going on right now with Stampin' Up!  You can purchase holiday bundles at a 20% discount!  Check out the flyer HERE. 

These cards showcase the Contempo Christmas Card Bundle.  The bundle consists of the Contempo Christmas stamp set (you can choose wood mount or clear mount) and a pack of the Jolly Holiday Designer Series Paper. The idea for this card came from Claudia Perry's card that is posted on Stampin' Connection (a website for Stampin' Up demonstrators). 

Tips:  I used the clear mount stamp set and mounted both the tree and sentiment images onto block E at the same time.  That way I could line up the images once, and ink and stamp multiple cards.  I used markers to ink the images.  

I used the Glimmer Brads on these cards.  And I must say they are prettier in person than how they look in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  :-)  I opened the brad wide, slipped the ribbon between the prongs of the brad, and then used some needle-nose pliers to wrap the prongs of the brad around the ribbon.  Then a glue dot keeps the brad in place on the card. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Contempo Christmas

Ink:  Real Red, Old Olive
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Jolly Holiday DSP

Accessories:  Glimmer Brads (Brights), Old Olive and Real Red Satin Ribbon, Scallop Edge punch, Corner Rounder punch

Stampin' Celebration #27

It's already Thursday again, and what a pretty Stampin' Celebration inspiration piece! I just love all the colors associated with fall!  So here's what I made for this week:  

 

It seems I'm always in need of little note cards.  I like simple ones that I can either make quickly as needed, or that I can easily mass produce and have on hand.  So, this week I took the color scheme of the inspiration piece and went to work.  

I used my new Northern Trim Letterpress Plate from the Holiday Mini Catalog and my set of Brights Craft Spots. I inked up the letterpress plate, positioned the note card, ran it through the Big Shot, added a few Basic Pearls to each card, and that's it!!  Perhaps the fastest cards I've ever made.  :-) 

It's hard to see in the photo, but the letterpress plates give you a debossed, inked impression.  So it's a fun new technique to add to your cards. 

A couple of hints when using the letterpress plates:  The craft inks do work better than the classic inks.  I needed to use a shim with my Big Shot (you may not need to with yours).  Also, a thicker paper gives you a crisper images--Whisper White worked ok, but water color paper, textured paper, or even the Crumb Cake I used here work better.  It took me a couple times to get the hang of using these new plates, but they are really easy and produce professional looking results once you get the hang of it. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Make sure to head over to Stampin' Celebration to see what the Design Team has been up to this week.  And then make sure to play along--we'd love to see what you are inspired to make.  :-)  

Ink:  Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, and Tangerine Tango craft ink spots. 

Paper:  Crumb Cake

Accessories:  Northern Trim Letterpress Plate, Big Shot, Basic Pearls

Stampin' Celebration #26

Yep, I'm finally back.  :-)  I won't go into a lot of excuses, but it has been an interesting week and a half!  Without further ado, here is my project for the Stampin' Celebration challenge this week:  

I really liked the cake in the top left photo, so I used that as my main inspiration.  And somewhere along the way my cake became a stack of presents.  :-)  But I liked that I ended up with a masculine birthday card--usually those are so hard for me that to end up with one without meaning to is quite a treat!  

The center present is Designer Paper from the Play Date pack.  The top present is Tempting Turquoise, and I ran the edges of the present through my Early Espresso pad to add a little definition.  The bottom present is Old Olive, and I stamped with Very Vanilla craft ink and my Dot, Dot, Dot stamp.   

The sentiment is from the set All Holidays, and the presents are tied up with a bit of Early Espresso grosgrain ribbon.  The presents and the So Saffron panel are up on dimensionals.  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Make sure to hope on over to Stampin' Celebration to see what the other Design Team members are up to this week.  :-)  

Stamps:  All Holidays and Dot, Dot, Dot

Ink:  Early Espresso, Very Vanilla craft

Paper:  Play Date DSP, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, So Saffron, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla  

Accessories:  Early Espresso grosgrain ribbon, mini glue dot, dimensionals 

 

Stampin' Celebration #24

It's Thursday and time for another Stampin' Celebration challenge!  I loved all the pumpkins in this picture and especially those cute guys up in the top left with the masks.  Too cute!  I'm going to try to remember them when we are carving pumpkins in a few weeks.  :-)  

I created this fun little 'pumpkin' not only for the challenge this week, but we also made this at my Holiday Stamp A Stack.  This is the Mini Milk Carton die with Pumpkin Pie card stock.  

To create the 'face' I took the idea from Sheila Thibault over on Stampin' Connection (a Stampin' Up website for demonstrators).  I later found Sheila's blog--see HERE.  Lots of cute Halloween ideas in that post!  I started by using the 1 3/4" by 7/8" Oval punch to punch just the edge of my card stock--this creates the top of the mouth.  Then I used my 1 1/4" circle punch to punch the bottom of the mouth.  Next I used the Spiral Border punch to create the teeth.  The eyes come from the tips of the Extra Large Star Punch.  

To finish off my little pumpkin I added some sponging in Basic Black, a Library Clip from the Clips Assortment, some Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, and some curled Old Olive paper.  To curl the paper, just wrap it around a pen, paper piercing tool, etc.  The paper holds its curl surprisingly well!

Thanks for stopping by!  Make sure to hop on over to Stampin' Celebration to see what other fun projects the Design Team has made this week!  

Ink:  Basic Black

Paper:  Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Basic Black

Accessories:  Clips Assortment, Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, 1 3/4" by 7/8" Oval punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Spiral Border punch, Extra Large Star Punch, Mini Milk Carton die, Big Shot

Come to Bethlehem

I'm not always good about planning ahead for holidays, but this year I've already made several different Christmas card designs, so I'm feeling pretty good.  Of course I created the cards (this being one of them) for my Holiday Stamp A Stack last weekend--but we'll just pretend I'm on top of my planning. :-)    

Anyway, this card uses the set Come to Bethlehem.  I inked the stamp with Early Espresso, and then I dabbed Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint on top of the ink--all before I stamped on my Naturals White card stock.  That gives the Wisemen image a nice shimmer.  

For the base of the card I rounded the edges and used the background stamp Sanded--stamped with Versamark.  I also used the new Waffle Paper (found in the Holiday Mini Catalog) to add a little more interest and dimension.  I like that the Waffle Paper is a fun accessory that doesn't add too much bulk to your card.  I ran a line of adhesive and then just folded the Waffle Paper back on itself as I moved across--kind of like ribbon folding. 

Stamps:  Come to Bethlehem, Sanded BG

Ink:  Early Espresso, Versamark
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Naturals White, Early Espresso

Accessories:  Waffle Paper (assortment 2), Linen Thread, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, sponge, Cutter Kit, Corner Rounder punch

Stampin' Celebration #23

Another great inspiration piece this week from Stampin' Celebration!  It's actually been feeling a little more like fall here in Houston--at least it isn't hot anymore. . . . we've had several 'perfect' days where it's been cool in the morning and perfectly warm in the afternoon.  Loving it! 

Anyway, I wanted to create a fall themed project for this challenge, so I pulled out my new set I received at the Fort Worth Regional called Day of Gratitude--found in the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I also used my Scallop Squares Duo Big Shot die--the larger of the two scallop squares measuring 3" by 3".  

The 'cover' uses the Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Series Paper.  This DSP paper is thicker than you'd expect and has a nice texture to it.  After I ran the paper through the Big Shot I took my Early Espresso marker and went around the scallops.  The leaf was stamped with Cajun Craze.  

For the pages of the book, I cut 8 scallop squares from Very Vanilla and add a little stamping here and there.  I put everything together with a binder clip and a little Early Espresso Grosgrain ribbon.  

My idea with this book is that for Thanksgiving this year I want to record what our family is grateful for.  I want each person to have a turn writing (or for the kids telling) what they treasure in life.  Or, I thought that since it is pretty small, this could also be a fun 'on the go' gratitude book to keep in my purse and just occasionally note my blessing, thoughts, great quotes I hear, etc. 

Anyway, hop on over to Stampin' Celebration to see what the other member of the Design Team have been up this week!  And then be inspired to make your own project!  

Stamps:  Day of Gratitude

Ink:  Early Espresso (and marker), Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Old Olive

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Autumn Spice DSP

Accessories:  Scallop Squares Duo die, Big Shot, Pearls, 2" by 1 3/8" Oval punch, Decorative Label punch, binder clip, Early Espresso grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals

WICKEDly Halloween--ish

I'm back to share the last project I created for the October WICKED challenges over at Splitcoaststampers.  If you missed the details of what this is about see HERE. 

This challenge called Halloween-ish is to take one or more of the ‘traditional’ Halloween colors (orange, black, gray, purple, green) and use them on a NON-Halloween project.  So I picked the colors Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive as my 'Halloween' colors.  

The main image, from the set Awash with Flowers, is stamped on the oval that comes from the center of the Frame, Scallop Oval Bigz Die. The line art is stamped with Basic Black craft ink and heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. Then I spritzed the paper with water and stamped the Rich Razzleberry solid image (stamped off twice first). 

After I sponged and distressed the edges, I spritzed with Smooch Spritz to give a subtle shimmer.  The card base is stamped with Versamark and the Sanded Background stamp.  I also used the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch and Old Olive taffeta ribbon.  

I'd love to see your take on this or any of the other challenges!  If you are a demonstrator registered with SCS, check out THIS thread for details and where to upload.  If you're not a demonstrator, send me a picture or leave a link with your project in a comment and I'll come check it out!  

Stamps:  Awash with Flowers, Tiny Tags, Sanded BG

Ink:  Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Baisc Black Craft, Versamark
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Naturals White

Accessories:  Old Olive 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Jewelry Tag Medium punch, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Clear EP, Big Shot, Frame Scallop Oval Bigz die, linen thread, cutter kit, sponge, dimensionals

Dazzle Me--WICKED style

Here's another one of the projects I created for the October WICKED challenges over at Splitcoaststampers.  If you missed the details of what I'm talking about see HERE. 

This challenge was to Dazzle Me!  If you follow my blog or attend my classes you know that I love to add a little bit of sparkle to projects.  There’s just something about it that makes me smile. So the challenge is to add some sparkle to your project—this could be the new Glass Glitter in the Holiday Mini Catalog, Smooch Accent Ink, Smooch Spritz, Shimmer Paint, Chunky Glitter, Fine Glitter, or even the classic Dazzling Diamonds. 

For this card I started by stamping the snowflake images from the set Serene Snowflakes in Night of Navy ink on Whisper White card stock. Then I face-planted my card stock into one of the new Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets from the Holiday Mini Catalog. Next I poured Dazzling Diamonds over the top. The adhesive keeps the glitter in place so now the entire snowflake panel is glittery!

And if that wasn't enough bling, I added a few rhinestones as well. :-) I also added the Night of Navy taffeta ribbon folded a couple times to add a little more interest. 

This is also one of the cards that is in the running to be included in the Holiday Stamp A Stack that I am hosting this weekend.  If you live in Houston (Clear Lake area) and would like more details, send me an email.  I'd love to have you attend!  

Stamps:  Serene Snowflakes

Ink:  Night of Navy

Paper:  Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Accessories:  Night of Navy 3/8" Taffeta ribbon, Rhinestone Jewels, Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets, Dazzling Diamonds, dimensionals

Time to be WICKED

Today I have some more fun news to share. . . . A little bit ago Jana (know as indyemmert on Spiltcoaststampers) contacted me to ask if I would be the October WICKED stamper and challenge hostess!  Of course I said yes.  ;-)  These challenges are specifically meant for Stampin' Up demonstrators, so you will have to be a demo registered with SCS to see the challenges and threads (see HERE), but even if you aren't a demo, you can be inspired and play along with me!  

One of the challenges I picked was Going Soft.  I'm loving the addition of fabric to the Stampin' Up, line, so I wanted to create a project using the fun new Designer Fabric.  Here I used the Deck the Halls Designer Fabric, from the Holiday Mini Catalog but of course despite the name it's not only for Christmas.  :-)  I actually had Valentine's day in mind when I made this card. 

The finished card size is 4 1/4" by 4 1/4". Going from the bottom up, the Very Vanilla layer was distressed around the edges using the Cutter Kit and the Distressing Essentials Kit--the Tea Stain ink.

The Cherry Cobbler (non-card base) layer was crumpled and then flattened to give more texture. I frayed the edges of the fabric a bit and used Snail adhesive to put a layer of Very Vanilla card stock under it. 

For the hearts, I punched them and then layed them on top of a Multipurpose Adhesive Sheet, peeled off, and then poured Dazzling Diamonds over the top. The adhesive keeps the glitter in place so that you have lots of sparkle!

I hope you like this card--it's a little more vintage than I usually make, but it was fun to try to step out of my comfort zone a bit!  Check back later to see what I created for the other two challenges! 

Stamps:  Tiny Tags

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler

Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla

Accessories:  Deck the Halls Designer Fabric, Distressing Essentials Kit, Victoria Crochet Trim ribbon, Antique Brad, Full Heart punch, Heart to Heart punch, Jewelry Tag Medium punch, linen thread, dimensionals

Stampin' Celebration #22

Look at this fun inspiration piece from Stampin' Celebration!  I had fun using it as my inspiration to create this card:

For some reason I wasn't feeling the bee theme, so I went with the bottom left photo as my inspiration.  I used my Flower, Daisies #2 Big Shot die for the flower (two layered on top of each other).  For the center of the flower I started with a 1/2" circle punched from Early Espresso and then daubed it with Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint.  Next I added a layer of Crystal Effects.  I know the picture doesn't capture the amazing shimmer of it, so you'll just have to try it for yourself!  

I sponged just the tips of the daisies, as well as around the Daffodil Delight layer and the Crumb Cake card base with Early Espresso ink.  I added the Hemp Twine around the Daffodil Delight layer to add a little more interest, and then stamped the sentiment (from the set Just Believe) with Versamark and heat embossed with White Stampin' Emboss Powder.  

And there you have it!  Make sure to head over to Stampin' Celebration to see what the other members of the Design Team have been up to this week. 

Stamps:  Just Believe

Ink:  Versamark, Early Espresso

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Whisper White

Accessories:  Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, Crystal Effects, Hemp Twine, Daisies #2 die, Big Shot, 1/2" Circle punch, White Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, dimensionals

Birthday Star

Today I have a masculine card to share.  Is it only me, or is it hard to make cards for guys?  I really wanted to add more to this card (at least some sparkle to the center star) but I tried to leave it simple.  

I used my Big Shot and the Movers & Shapers die to cut the star from the Not Quite Navy layer.  Next I added some Paper Piercing and distressing around the edge of that layer.  I punched a More Mustard star with the Extra Large Star punch and a Cajun Craze star with my (retired) star punch.  The entire Not Quite Navy layer and the More Mustard star are up on dimensionals.  

I stamped the sentiment (ironically from the set Messages for Mom) with Jet Black StazOn ink directly onto the Twill Tape and added the More Mustard brads.  One of my club members had the wonderful idea to add the star (extra from when we used the Movers & Shapers die) as the closure on the envelope.  

Check back tomorrow to see what I created for the this week's Stampin' Celebration challenge!  

Stamps:  Messages for Mom

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn

Paper:  Not Quite Navy, More Mustard, Cajun Craze

Accessories:  3/8" Twill Tape, Regals Brads, Big Shot, Movers & Shapers die, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Extra Large Star Punch, Star Punch, dimensionals 

Owl Birthday

 

Isn't this the cutest little owl?  He debuted in the new catalog in July and although I was able to resist for a few months, (I don't need everything, right?)  I finally bought him after I had seen so many creative ideas using this punch.  The Extra Large Two-Step Owl punch actually punches nice pieces at once.  All of the pieces (body, eyes, vest, heart) came from the one punch. 

The idea for this card (just a few minor adjustments) came from the July 2010 Stampin' Success--a monthly magazine packed with ideas that you receive as a Stampin' Up demonstrator.  I've also seen many other cute ideas from creative demonstrators who have used this punch to create roses (trim the feet and layer a few 'bodies' together) and ghosts (flip the body upside down and trim the legs) among other great ideas.   

The colors are Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Crumb Cake and Early Espresso.  I stamped and then hand cut the sentiment into the little banner that is slightly curled to give some dimension.  I stamped the small Bashful Blue layer with the Dot, Dot, Dot stamp and Versamark.  I tied a bit of Hemp Twine (use a mini glue dot to keep it in place) around the Antique Brass Mini Library Clip.  

Stamps:  Dot, Dot, Dot

Paper:  Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and Whisper White

Ink:  Versamark

Accessories:  Mini Library Clips, Two-Step Owl Punch Extra Large, Scallop Edge Border punch, 1 3/4" by 7/8" Oval Punch, Cutter Kit, Hemp Twine, dimensionals

Gratitude & Appreciation

Isn't this a pretty card?  Even though I didn't make this card, I thought it would be fun to show it.  This is the card that Shelli handed to me as I was walking off stage after my presentation at the Fort Worth Regionals.  It is a thank you note from Mark Jessen thanking me for helping out.  

This card shows off several new items from the Holiday Mini Catalog--the new 2 1/2" Circle punch, the Autumn Spice Specialty Designer Series Paper, and the sentiment is from the set Seasonal Sentiments.  I love how the stamp is actually a Thanksgiving stamp, but the creator of the card just didn't include the "sending Thanksgiving wishes" part of the stamp.  

Finished card size is 3" by 6".  Have a great weekend!

Stamps:  Seasonal Sentiments

Ink:  Basic Black

Paper:  More Mustard textured, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Autumn Spice DSP

Accessories:  Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack, 2 1/2" Circle punch, pearls, 1/8" Old Olive Taffeta Ribbon, cutter kit, dimensionals

Stampin' Celebration #21

It's Thursday, so we have another great inspiration piece from Stampin' Celebration!  I love several of the pictures here, but I was intrigued by the bottom right photo and the ribbon/flower combination.  So you'll see I incorporated that concept into my project: 

I thought this could be a fun party favor for a baby shower, bridal shower, or wedding.  I used a Thick Window Sheet to create the box with my Big Shot and the Pillow Box Die.  I added the ribbon to the box using thin strips of Sticky Strip, and I overlapped the ribbon on the front of the box--where I knew the flower would cover everything.  

The only downside is that I realized (after adding all the ribbon) that this treat holder isn't very practical.  You'd either have to take off all the embellishing or cut the ribbon to actually eat the candy.  Opps!  

Next I wanted to add a ribbon flower.  At convention Carrie Cudney showed us how to make these pretty ribbon flowers.  She is an amazing presenter, and I loved her idea.  She actually cut all the scallops by hand when she made her flower, but now we have the new Tasteful Trim die which does all the work for us.  :-)  

So, I took a 13" piece of Pretty in Pink satin ribbon and ran it through the Big Shot with my Tasteful Trim die.  The next step is to take your Heat Tool and heat the ribbon.  It melts the ribbon just a bit, and 'crinkles' it.  Just be patient as you are doing this step as it takes about a minute of heating before you see any results.  The picture below shows the difference between before and after heating the ribbon.  

Next take a piece of Sticky Page (page 205 of the catalog) and run it through the Big Shot with the Circles #2 die.  For this flower I used the very smallest circle on that die.  I peeled off the backing, and then started adding the ribbon, with little tucks, to the Sticky Page circle.  

I kept doing that until I had reached the center of my circle.  

And now I have a fun embellishment to add to any project!  This was actually very quick--it took me much longer to write up the directions than it did to make the flower.  :-)  Now usually I'm not a fan of adding anything too bulky to my cards, but I wouldn't have a problem adding this to a card.  This little flower is more flat that it initially appears, and it is also lightweight.  

So there you have it!  I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial!  Make sure to head over to Stampin' Celebration to see what the other member of the Design Team have been up to this week.  And then make sure to play along yourself.  We'd love to see what you are inspired to create!  Just upload your project and link it to the Stampin' Celebration website.