Stampin' Addicts Blog Hop: Nautical Expedition DSP

 Welcome to stop #3 on the Stampin' Addicts Summer Mini Blog Hop!  This Blog Hop features 22 Stampin' Addicts members who are sharing their creativity with us. Each stop will feature products from the Summer Mini Catalog that goes live May 1, 2011!

If you are following the hop in order, you just came from Holly's blog Rubber Redneck where she showcased gorgeous projects using the stamp Hello Blossoms. I just loved Holly's adorable projects! 

Today I am showing some ideas using the Nautical Expedition Designer Series Paper.  I love working with Stampin' Up's DSP, and I was especially drawn to this pack of paper since it lends itself easily to both masculine and travel projects.  

My first projects is a set of cards.  I thought this could make a fun gift for a guy in your life or someone who is leaving for a vacation or moving. I kept the cards pretty simple and let the Designer Series Paper be the star of the show.  I also used the new Postage Stamp Punch that is found in the Summer Mini Catalog.  I almost didn't pre-order the punch, but now of course I'm so happy I did.  :-)  Another new product I used is the Baker's Twine.  If you follow my blog regularly, you know I use a lot of Linen Thread and Hemp Twine--so of course I knew I would love the Baker's Twine! 

The very top right of the above photo shows the folder that holds all of these cards.  When the cards are all tucked away inside this is what it looks like:  

My next project is a scrapbook in a tin.  These tins can be found on the Clearance Rack in the online Stampin' Up Store.  For the outside of the tin, I created a belly band with Not Quite Navy card stock, a strip of Designer Series Paper, some Baker's Twine, and an image from the stamp set The Open Sea (also new in the Summer Mini Catalog). 

When you open the tin, you pull out a little 'paper accordion' with plenty of room to add pictures and journaling.  

I think this would be a fun mini scrapbook for a special vacation or even to give as a Father's Day gift with pictures, love notes, etc. Using the DSP and the coordinating card stock colors made this an easy project that came together quickly.  I also added a few more images from The Open Sea stamp set and some more of the Baker's Twine.  

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you've been inspired by these projects.  I will be back later with more info on these projects and well as a closer look at some of the details.  Note:  you should be able to click on any of the pictures to see an enlarged image.  

Next on the Blog Hop is Carmen over at  Stamping Addiction.  She will be showcasing the stamp set The Open Sea.  Go check out her awesome projects, and then continue on in the Hop to see more projects showcasing products from the Summer Mini catalog.  

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Stampin' Celebration #49

After an Easter break last week, we're back with another Stampin' Celebration challenge! I love the spring colors in this inspiration piece, and isn't the pink and green combo fun?  I started with pink and green and then added the darker pink/purple from the bouquet of flowers seen in the bottom left photo. 

This week I also drew inspiration from the SUO challenge #17--Mother's Day Cards and Challenge #44--a sketch challenge over at The Paper Players.  I did flip the sketch on its side, but otherwise stayed pretty close.  :-) 

The stamp set I used is actually a sneak peek from the Summer Mini Catalog that goes live May 1st.  The set is called Flower Fest, and it immediately caught my eye because almost every image in the set has a coordinating punch.  :-) 

I randomly stamped the images using Pretty in Pink, Rich Razzleberry and Certainly Celery.  For the main flower image, I stamped with Rich Razzleberry craft ink and then heat embossed with Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder.  For the the center of the flower, I used a yellow sharpie marker to color one of the Rhinestone Jewels.

And to finish it off, I ran Pretty in Pink satin ribbon through the Big Shot with the Tasteful Trim die to give the ribbon the scallop edge. A simple wow technique!  To see some more samples using the decorative edge ribbon technique that I presented last fall at the Fort Worth Regional SU conference, click HERE. 

Thanks for stopping by!  Make sure to head to Stampin' Celebration to see who the Party Guest designer is this week AND the projects the members of the Design Team have created using this inspiration piece.  

Stamps:  Flower Fest, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Rich Razzleberry (classic and craft)

Paper:  Sahara Sand, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White

Accessories:  Pretty in Pink satin ribbon, Big Shot, Tasteful Trim die, Decorative Label punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, Heat Tool, Iridescent Ice Stampin' Emboss Powder, Rhinestone Jewel, Yellow Sharpie, dimensionals

Lots of Love Letters

Have you tried the Letterpres Plates yet?  They made their debut in the Holiday Mini last year, and a few more were introduced in the Occasions Mini Catalog--including the Lots of Love letterpress plate which I used here.  

I ran watercolor paper through the Big Shot with the Lots of Love plate.  For this card I didn't ink the plate before we ran it through--although you can do that.  For an example of what that looks like see THIS post. Unfortunately it's hard to have a photo pick up the texture and detail of the card, but you should be able to click on the picture to get a closer look. 

I gathered the 1 1/4" Real Red Striped Grosgrain ribbon and wrapped the prongs of the Antique Brad around to keep it in place.  The tag was made using the stamp set Tiny Tags.  For this card and sentiment I had a wedding card in mind, but I thought the design could also lend itself to an anniversary, wedding shower, or valentine's card.  I punched out the sentiment using the Medium Jewelry Tag punch and layered that on a heart from the Heart to Heart punch. 

A couple of hints when using the letterpress plates:  Although I didn't use any ink on this card with the letterpress plate, if you do want to add color 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 image and a deeper impression--Whisper White works ok, but water color paper or textured paper works better.  

Thanks for stopping by!  Check back tomorrow to see the new Stampin' Celebration challenge!  

Stamps:  Tiny Tags

Ink:  Real Red

Paper:  Watercolor Paper (p 170), Real Red, and Naturals White

Accessories:  1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Antique Brads, Heart to Heart Punch, Medium Jewelry Tag Punch, Lots of Love Letterpress plate, Big Shot, Linen Thread, dimensionals

Manly Plane

Just a reminder that there are only a few days left to order from the Occasions Mini Catalog!  This card features one of the stamp sets, Plane & Simple, that can be found in the Occasions Mini Catalog (page 40).  The idea for this card came from CAutrey over on Splitcoaststampers.  See her card HERE.  

The background is Very Vanilla run through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Textured Embossing Folder and then sponged with Chocolate Chip.  The smaller Chocolate Chip layer was scrunched into a ball and then flattened to give a little texture.  The 'button' on the banner is actually a brad from the Vintage Trinkets collection.  I stamped the plane image with Chocolate Chip and then punched out with the 2 1/2" Circle Punch.  I also sponged and distressed the edges of the circle.  

And as a final touch, I added a thin layer of Crystal Effects over the plane.  

It's always hard to make masculine cards, but I liked the way the way this one turned out.   I'm planning to make up a few extra of these to use as Father's Day cards for this year. 

Thanks for stopping by!  

Stamps:  Plane & Simple

Ink:  Chocolate Chip

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Accessories:  Vintage Trinkets, Crystal Effects, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, cutter kit, sponge, dimensionals

More Fabric--Towels

As promised I'm back with another project featuring some of the Stampin' Up fabric.   A few months back one of my club hostesses requested a fabric project.  I didn't necessarily want to make a project that involved sewing, (not my area of expertise!) so I decided to have everyone make a towel.  It was fun because each person got to choose their own fabric and Big Shot die that they used to make a customized towel.  Some of the dies that are fun for this project are flowers, circles, or alphabets (for monograms). 

For this towel I used the Sweet Stitches Designer Fabric and the Tasteful Trim Big Shot Die.  I cut a strip of fabric as long as the towel and then ironed on some of the Fabric Adhesive (found in the Occasions Mini Catalog on page 39).  At that point I put the fabric on the die folding it a couple times so that it would come out as a continuous piece of fabric.  After running it through the Big Shot, I ironed the fabric onto the towel.  Very easy!  Of course you can also add some machine stitching or use some of the coordinating Big Designer Buttons to further embellishment if desired.  A fun gift idea! 

Accessories:  Sweet Stitches Designer Fabric, Towel, Fabric Adhesive Roll, Tasteful Trim Die, Big Shot

Vintage Stitches Fabric

Hi all! As you probably know, last year Stampin' Up introduced fabric into their line of products. Even though I don't really sew myself, I've really enjoyed having this line of products available!  

These are some 3X3 cards that I made up as thank yous for customer orders. I had fun using both the Springtime Vintage and the Sweet Stitches Designer Fabric.  I like how the fabric gives a soft feel to the card, and it was easy to incorporate since the colors in the fabric coordinate with the other Stampin Up prodcuts--card stock, ink, ribbon, etc.  

Here's a closer look at one of the cards:  

Hint:  After I frayed the edges of the fabric a bit, I used the Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets to adhere the fabric to the card stock.  Works great!  

To add the 'buttons' to the card, I used the Sweet Buttons Embosslit with my Big Shot.  The embosslit has 6 different buttons and can be found on page 36 of the Occasions Mini Catalog.  Unfortunately I don't think my pictures really show how cute these little buttons are!  I love this little embosslit, because it allows you to add buttons (in any color) without the added weight and dimension of  a real button--which is nice if you mail a lot of cards! 

And one more closer look:  

Thanks for stopping by!  Check back soon to see another project using fabric.  

Stamps:  Thank You Kindly, Sock Monkey (sentiments)

Ink:  Always Artichoke, Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip

Paper:  Always Artichoke, Not Quite Navy, Tangerine Tango, Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla, Whisper White

Accessories:  Springtime Vintage and Sweet Stitches Designer Fabric, Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets, Sweet Buttons Embosslit, Big Shot, dimensionals

Stampin' Celebration #48--Easter

This week over at Stampin' Celebration we're celebrating Easter! I had fun making this little treat 'basket' inspired by the photos for this week. 

I loved the colors in the bouquet of flowers, and I have a new flower punch that I wanted to try out.  The punch I used is a sneak peek from the Summer Mini Catalog that goes live May 1st.  This Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch is awesome, because in one punch there are three coordinating punches--you just move the front lever to the image you want, and punch.  Sounds a little weird, but it is a very cool idea!  So the Perfect Plum flower and the Pink Pirouette flower came from the same punch.  :-)  And there are two other flowers that can be made from the same punch that aren't part of this project. 

For the 'basket', I used the Box #2 Big Shot die.  I trimmed off the top parts of the box and then ran it through my Big Shot again with the Square Lattice textured embossing folder.  I carefully distressed the top edge of the basket a bit and put it together.  For the handle I used the Tasteful Trim die and the Square Lattice EF again.  

Here's a side view to see the handle and Rhinestones a little better.  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Make sure to head over to Stampin' Celebration and see the other projects created using this same inspiration photo.  And, this challenge will last for two weeks, so you have plenty of time to join us and create your own project.  :-)

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Certainly Celery

Paper:  Perfect Plum, Pink Pirouette, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Accessories:  Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, 5-Petal flower punch, Box #2 die, Tasteful Trim die, Square Lattice textured embossing folder, Big Shot, crimper (for the card stock inside the basket), Rhinestones, dimensionals

Spring is Blossoming!

During the month of April, Stampin' Up! is giving us a Sneak Peek of two products that will be in the new Idea Book & Catalog coming July 1st!  With a $20 purchase, you can order one or both of the Four Frames stamp set and the Paisley Petals designer series paper.  To see the promotion flyer click HERE. 

It seems like it has been quite awhile since I have done a 'fancy fold' card, so I wanted to make something a little different.  This is called a buckle card, and it is really quite simple.  The base of the card is 5 1/2" by  6 3/4" and then scored at 4 1/4".  The 'buckle' part of the card is 5" by 1 1/2" and scored at 1".  You can cut this piece from the 'leftover' card stock of the card base. 

I thought the designer paper was even prettier in person than it was looking at it online!  The color combinations are gorgeous and easy to work with.  For the sentiment part, I stamped in Cherry Cobbler with the Four Frames stamp set and then punched out with the Decorative Label punch.  The word 'friend' is from the Fabulous Phrases stamp set. 

Have a great day!  

Stamps:  Four Frames, Fabulous Phrases

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler

Paper:  Marina Mist, River Rock, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Paisley Petals DSP

Accessories:  Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Word Window punch, Decorative Label punch, 1 3/8" by 5/8" Oval punch, 1 3/4" by 7/8" Oval punch, dimensionals

Easter Treat

With Easter just around the corner, I wanted to share a fun treat idea.  This is one of the projects we made as part of my Stampers Clubs last month. 

This fun little treat is made using the Petal Cone die that can be found on page 15 in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  To make the cone as I have here, you run two sheets of card stock through the Big Shot with the die and then fold and adhere together along the sides.  The Old Olive scallop half circles and the banner tag are also part of the same die.  

The stamp set I used is A Good Egg.  This is one of those stamp sets I've had for years and still love pulling out every year around Easter.  The chick and egg are colored with markers, and then I used simple masking to add the circles (a stamp in the set) to the egg.  To finish off, I added a bag of Jelly Bellies and tied it off with ribbon and the banner tag.  Simple and cute.  :-)  

Here I used the Petal Cone die as an open box, but it can also be a closed box with the four semi-circles at the top turned in, instead of out like I have here. 

Stamps:  A Good Egg

Ink:  Chocolate Chip,  So Saffron, Old Olive, and So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie, and Bashful Blue markers

Paper:  So Saffron, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Accessories:  Petal Cone die, Big Shot, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punch, small cellophane bag,  Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Hemp Twine, dimensionals

Stampin' Celebration #47

It's Thursday and time for another Stampin' Celebration challenge!  This week I had fun making a baby card for my take on the inspiration piece.  I've had a lot of friends having babies lately, and so my stash of baby cards is dangerously low! 

For more inspiration, I also used Sketch Challenge #327 over at Splitcoaststampers and the SU-Only Challenge #16.  I think that's the most challenges I've ever incorporated into a single card! 

Although I feel like my colors wandered a little bit from the inspiration piece, (and maybe ended up a little dark for a baby card?) I loved the elephants and stripes and went from there.  The stamp I used is another one of the single stamps that I earned for free during Sale-A-Bration--Baby Steps.  I even love the name of the stamp.  :-) 

I stamped the image with Basic Gray and then ran my ink pad along the edges of the Whisper White. I gave that a second to dry and then used my Cutter Kit to distress the edges.  To create the stripes, I used another single stamp--Solid Stripes.  I used my markers to color the stripes and then stamp.  I stamped twice--once at the top and once at the bottom.  The 'seam' is hiding behind the elephants. 

To finish the card I tied around some Baja Breeze Seam Binding and tied in the tag I made using the stamp set Tiny Tags and the Medium Jewelry Tag Punch.  I really like the seam binding found in the Occasions Mini Catalog because it is so easy to tie--I need to use it more often!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Head over to Stampin' Celebration to see what the other Design Team members have created this week.  You'll also want to see who the Party Guest Designer is for this week.  I hope you are inspired to play along with us! 

Stamps:  Baby Steps, Solid Stripes, Tiny Tags

Ink:  Basic Gray ink, Pear Pizzazz, Baja Breeze and Basic Gray markers

Paper:  Baja Breeze, Basic Gray, and Whisper White

Accessories:  Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Linen Thread, Medium Jewelry Tag Punch, dimenesionals