Happy Memorial Day! I hope that everyone has the chance to spend time remembering those they love. Today I have another card to show you using the stamp set Elements of Style. This is a card I made for a swap with my downline, and we also made this as part of our Stampers Clubs this month. And, a last minute reminder, today is the last day for the May Promotion. When you purchase select sets (including this one) you earn a free package of Designer Brads! For this card, I started by stamping my main image with Close to Cocoa craft ink. While that dried, I randomly stamped that same image on the card base. I also used my Color Spritzer with a Chocolate Chip marker to add texture to the base. The Blush Blossom layer is spritzed with the new Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz from the Summer Mini Catalog--giving it a very nice shimmer. Note: Both Close to Cocoa and Blush Blossom are being discontinued. I colored the main image using my Aqua Painter and Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, and Blush Blossom. I added Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds to the center of the flowers. To add the ribbon I used my Hobby Blade and cut a slit to pull the ribbon through. The cute ribbon slide is from the Hodgepodge Hardware collection. Stamps: Elements of StyleInk: Close to Cocoa Craft Ink, Certainly Celery, Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa (for sponging), Chocolate Chip markerPaper: Close to Cocoa, Blush Blossom, Chocolate Chip, Confetti WhiteAccessories: Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz, Color Spritzer, Dazzling Diamonds, Crystal Effects, Aqua Painter, Cutter Kit, sponge, Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon, Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, dimensionals
It's another Stampin' Celebration challenge! This week's inspiration piece is all about celebrating Memorial Day weekend--and picnics! 
As I looked through my stamps, the only food-related stamp set I own is Tart & Tangy. Fortunately, I thought it was perfect for this challenge. ;-) I stamped the apple images, and then used my Boho Blossoms Punch (the smallest flower) to create the bites out of the apple. The sentiment is from the Thoughtful Friend builder wheel (found in the Summer Mini Catalog)--I just used my markers to color the part of the wheel that I wanted. Finished card size is 3" by 5 1/2". The apples and the Chocolate Chip layer are up on dimensionals. Thanks so much for stopping by! Make sure to check out THIS post to see what the other Design Team members have created this week. And then, please play along with us! We would love to see what you create using this same inspiration piece. :-) Stamps: Tart & Tangy, Thoughtful Friend builder wheelInk: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, and Real Red markersPaper: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Whisper WhiteAccessories: Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, Boho Blossoms punch, dimensionals
Elements of Style is such a pretty set--the more I work with it the more I just love it! And remember that for one more week when you purchase this set, you can choose a set of designer brads for free! See the flyer HERE. This first card uses the colors Rose Red and Creamy Caramel (being discontinued). I used my markers in those two colors to ink the stamp directly, and then stamp on Very Vanilla card stock. This layer is spritzed with both Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz and my Color Spritzer Tool (using my Creamy Caramel marker). I used Chocolate Chip ink for the sentiment (from the set Oval All) and to run around the edges of the Very Vanilla card stock. I also sponged the edges of the paper with Creamy Caramel. The Very Vanilla card stock has 3 holes punched in it--the Scallop Oval punch, and two small holes (with the Crop-A-Dile) where the Chocolate Chip Satin ribbon ties through. The entire Very Vanilla layer is up on dimensionals, as is the Rose Red layer. 
This next card uses a different image from the same stamp set. I got the idea for this card from an old one-layer swap card from Michelle Williams. I cut an oval from a piece of typing paper, took the negative image and placed it over the card. I sponged inside the oval with Almost Amethyst (another color being discontinued!) and then stamped the image (typing paper sill in place) with Elegant Eggplant. This technique is often called reverse masking. After I removed the typing paper, I added the sentiment, paper piercing, and then last I added Crystal Effects to all of the flowers and leaves. Stamps: Elements of Style, Oval AllInk: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Elegant Eggplant, Almost Amethyst, Creamy Caramel and Rose Red markersPaper: Creamy Caramel, Very Vanilla, Almost AmethystAccessories: Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon, Crop-A-Dile, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, sponge, dimensionals, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Crystal Effects
It's Thursday, which means another Stampin' Celebration Challenge! I just love the inspiration piece this week. Of course anything with purple is a sure win for me. :-) If you missed last week's challenge, you can see it HERE, along with the top 3 picks, HERE. So, here is what I designed for this week:
The first thing I thought of when I saw this inspiration piece is the little flower that is part of the new Island Floral Bigz Die that is found in the Summer Mini Catalog. So, all of my projects today feature that same little flower. The colors I picked were Elegant Eggplant and So Saffron. And I seem to be stuck in 'clean and simple' mode lately, so I went with that theme. 
To create the vase, I used the Wide Oval punch and trimmed off the two ends. Then I added a little bit of ric rac from the Orchard Ribbon Originals. The stem and leaf are actually the branch and wing from the Extra Large Two Step Bird Punch. :-) The flowers are of course from the Island Floral Die, and the button is from the Fresh Favoties II buttons. 
For this card I used my Big Shot to cut out the Lattice die, and then mounted it on a 3x3 piece of paper. I trimmed the excess and then matted it with So Saffron. I wrapped hemp twine around that layer and added the flower. To create the center of the flower, I used the circle punch from the new Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack found in the Summer Mini and then added Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds glitter. The So Saffron layer and the flower are up on dimensionals. The finished card size is 4" by 4". 
I made the tag using my Medium Jewelry Tag Punch and the stamp set Tiny Tags. The flower, the 'frame', and the Elegant Eggplant layer are up on dimensionals. Finished card size is 4 1/4" by 4 1/4". 
And last but not least, I have these cute little hair clips. I used the same Island Floral Die and ran it through my Big Shot with some felt. I was easily able to cut four layers of felt at once! To create the leaves, I just used two petals from a green flower. Some Whisper White grosgrain ribbon and a half-back pearl from the Pretties Kit finished them off nicely. Now my 2 year old daughter is not usually a fan of keeping anything in her hair, but I'm hoping that these clips may just be 'pretty' enough for her to want to keep that hair out of her face. :-) Thanks so much for stopping by! Make sure that you head over to Stampin' Celebration to see what the other members of the Design Team have created using this same inspiration piece! And then play along with us--we'd love to see what you are inspired to create! Stamps: Tiny TagsInk: Elegant EggplantPaper: So Saffron, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper WhiteAccessories: Lattice and Island Floral Die, Big Shot, Wide Oval Punch punch, Extra Large Two-step Bird Punch, Medium Jewelry Tag punch, Fresh Favorites II buttons, Pretties Kit, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Orchard Ribbon Originals, Whisper White grosgrain ribbon, hemp twine, linen thread, dimensionals
Today I have two cards to share that both use the stamp set Circle Circus. Not only is this a set I love, it is also a set that happens to be a part of the May Stampin' Up promotion! When you purchase this set during May, you can choose a package of Designer Brads for FREE! See the flyer with all of the details HERE. I found the inspiration for this card HERE. I loved Ruth's card, and so I didn't make too many changes. I like the way that the front layer of the card is shorter than the back, so that the circles hang off the edge. I used the colors Mellow Moss, Really Rust (both retiring) and Chocolate Chip. 
One detail that I added was the Circle Designer Brad to the center of one of the circles. I carefully dipped the brad in my Chocolate Chip Craft pad, then dipped it in Clear Embossing Powder, and then embossed. Hint: The brad gets VERY hot while embossing. I used tweezers to hold the brad so that I didn't burn myself. To see a slightly different version of how to color your Designer Brads, see THIS tutorial (scroll to the bottom). You'll learn how to get the color into only the depressed part of the brad. 
The second card I have to share was inspired by Lauri's card that you can see HERE. My version is a 3x3 card. I used Crystal Effects in the center of the stamped image to add a little dimension and shine. The Kraft layer (square) is up on dimensionals. Stamps: Circle Circus, Thank You Kindly, Teeny Tiny WishesInk: Mellow Moss, Really Rust, Chocolate ChipPaper: Mellow Moss, Chocolate Chip, Kraft (Crumb Cake), Whisper WhiteAccessories: Circle Designer Brad, various circle punches, Scallop Circle Punch, Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon, Cutter Kit, dimensionals
It's another Stampin' Celebration Challenge and another great inspiration piece! If you haven't already seen them, go stop by THIS post to see the top 3 picks for last week's challenge.
I had fun this week working on the 'little boy' birthday party theme. The colors I picked were Only Orange, Tempting Turquoise, and Yo Yo Yellow. (Both Only Orange and Yo Yo Yellow are being discontinued.) And of course given the inspiration piece I had to use the set Lots of Bots. ;-) 
Here is the birthday card that I designed for the challenge. I thought this could also be a cute gift card holder or invitation. The finished card size is 5 1/2" by 3 1/2". To color the robot's accessories, I used my Only Orange, Tempting Turquoise, and Yo Yo Yellow markers. To color the robot itself, I used an aqua painter and Basic Gray ink.
Here's the picture with the tag pulled out. 
And a picture to show some of the detail work. You'll notice that since I didn't have any Yo Yo Yellow ribbon, I improvised with paper. I cut a thin (about 1/8") strip of paper. I pulled the paper along the edge of the table--both ways--to soften the fibers a bit. Then I tied a single knot and attached it with a mini glue dot. Also, I used the new Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder from the Summer Mini Catalog. The 1 3/8" circle behind the robot and the diagonal edge both feature the this cute texture. Along the edge I carefully cut following the pattern. My Stampin Up Paper Snips were invaluable while doing the detail cutting for this card! 
The second item I created for this challenge is a tag for a goodie bag (or party favor bag). I filled a Medium Flat Cello Bag with Starburst candies. I thought the square candy was perfect--it coordinated with both the colors and the Square Latice Embossing Folder. Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you've enjoyed my take on this week's Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Piece. Make sure to stop by Stampin Celebration to see what the other members of the Design Team have created! And then, please join us--we'd love to see what you create! ETA: Heather let me know that this card also perfectly fits the masculine theme challenge over at The Treehouse Blog. Thanks Heather! Stamps: Lots of Bots, All HolidaysInk: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Only Orange, and Yo Yo Yellow, Only Orange, and Tempting Turquoise markersPaper: Yo Yo Yellow, Only Orange, Tempting Turquoise, and Whisper White Accessories: Aqua Painter, Tempting Turquoise brads, Wide Oval Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Slit Punch, Square Lattice Textured EF, Medium Cello Bag, Tempting Turquoise grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals
Today I have a very simple, one layer card to share. The flower stamp is from the stamp set Itty Bitty Bits, a set from the Summer Mini Catalog. The sentiment is from the stamp set Thank You Kindly--one of my well-loved sets from the main catalog. I used the colors Only Orange and Melon Mambo. The centers of the flowers have a tiny drop of Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds glitter. Hint: to get the flowers lined up, I used my Wheel Guide (p 189). I stacked the two halves of the wheel guide on top of each other and then lined them up with the bottom edge of my card. When I stamped I put the bottom edge of my stamp against the edge of the wheel guide--kind of like using a stamp-a-ma-jig. It worked perfectly! Stamps: Itty Bitty Bits, Thank You KindlyInk: Melon Mambo, Only OrangePaper: Whisper WhiteAccessories: Only Orange grosgrain ribbon, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Stampin' Around Wheel Guide
Welcome to the very first Stampin ' Celebration Inspiration Challenge! Aren't these great colors? I'll admit that when I first saw them I was worried that they were a little outside of my comfort zone, but once I started working with them, I had to make a few projects. And isn't what these Inspiration Challenges are for anyway? To get you out of your comfort zone a bit and challenge you to create something new? ;-) 
So, here's what I came up with. . . . a Mother's Day Ensemble. The colors I picked were Melon Mambo, Only Orange, and Real Red. 
First up is the card. I ran with the Daisy theme and used my Flower, Daises #2 Big Shot die to create all the flowers. I used my mat pack and paper piercing tool to add the detail around the edges of the Scallop Square (another Big Shot die). All of the flowers have Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds in the center. I punched the leaves with the Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch. 
What would Mother's Day be without chocolate? :-) I needed a pretty way to wrap up some Godiva chocolates, and since I already had the Scallop Square Die out. . . . this is what I came up with. Such a simple little project. I added the daisy tag and paper piercing to keep with the theme. To keep the chocolates in place, I adhered them with just a little bit of Snail Adhesive. 
And last but not least, Mother's Day is all about relaxing. So here's a little box just the perfect size to hold two of the small Bath & Body Works bottles. This is actually the Fancy Favor Die altered just a bit. Too cute huh? I believe Janet Wakeland may have been the first to come up with this idea. Check out her post HERE to see more. Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope that you've enjoyed my Design Team debut for Stampin' Celebrations! Make sure you visit Stampin' Celebrations HERE to see the fabulous creations the other members of the Design Team have created for this challenge. Trust me, you won't want to miss it! Then, it's your turn to be creative! We hope you'll play along with us as we hope to inspire you to use your creativity to celebrate all of life's special moments. Stamps: All HolidaysInk: Melon Mambo markerPaper: Melon Mambo, Real Red, Only Orange, Whisper WhiteAccessories: Flower Daises, #2, Fancy Favor, and Scallop Square Big Shot Dies, Extra Large Two-step Bird Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Paper Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Melon Mambo Polka Dot ribbon, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Whisper White Satin Ribbon, dimensionals, shredded paper
Happy Memorial Day! I hope that everyone has the chance to spend time remembering those they love. Today I have another card to show you using the stamp set Elements of Style. This is a card I made for a swap with my downline, and we also made this as part of our Stampers Clubs this month. 
