Betsy's Leaves

Hi there!  Another card today using the Besty's Blossoms stamp set and the new In Color Gumball Green.  As I've used this new green, I've really come to like it.  It is bright and fresh feeling, but not so much that you can't still use it for leaves and still have it feel 'real' enough to be nature-ish.  If that makes any sense! 

Anyway, I also used a fun, super-simple technique.  To get the 'shadow' look behind the leaves I stamped using my "B" clear mount block.  Just the block itself, no stamp attached.  I was actually surprised how well the block picked up the ink.  I stamped with Certainly Celery, stamped off once onto scratch paper and then onto the card, and still had plenty of ink to get this effect. 

The leaves image actually has a longer stem, but I just inked the part I wanted to stamp.  I initially planned to make this a one-layer card, but messed up :-) so I turned it over, stamped again, and then trimmed it down and added it to a card base.  Ended up the same style as the last card I posted, but I think it turned out ok in the end. 

Stamps: Betsy's Blooms, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Gumball Green and marker
Paper: Whisper White
Accessories:  Linen Thread, Clear Mount Block B, dimensionals

New Blossoms

Happy Monday!  Back today with a look at another one of the new stamp sets from the catalog.  This one is called Betsy's Blossoms.  I saw a similar card in THIS post by Mindy over at Bada-Bing! Paper-Crafting!  I started out to copy her design, and then ended up changing it a little bit as I got going. 

This card uses two of the new 2012-2014 In Colors--Gumball Green and Summer Starfruit.  The ribbon is also new--3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon--in Gumball Green.  I really like this ribbon as it ties very easily. 

I stamped the bird image and then ran it through the Big Shot to cut it out with one of the new Apothecary Accents Framelits dies (the same ones that coordinate with the Layered Labels set).  I stamped the sentiment and then ran it through the Big Shot with one of the new Bitty Banners Framelits dies.  I trimmed off the edge and added a brad.  I'm really loving all of the Framelits Dies!

You may notice the black edge along the Whisper White layers. . . I simply ran the edge of my Basic Black marker along all of the edges--even of the card base.  Sometime I do this technique when I want a little more definition, but not necessarily another layer of card stock.  Makes the layers 'pop' just a little bit.

Happy Stamping! 

Stamps:  Betsy's Blooms 
Ink:  Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, Basic Black marker
Paper: Whisper White
Accessories:  3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon, 3/16" Neutrals Brads, Big Shot, Apothecary Accents Framelits dies, Bitty Banners Framelits dies, dimensionals

Stampin' Celebration #55

What an exciting day!  Not only do we have a new Stampin' Celebration challenge, we have a brand new Stampin Up catalog!  You can see a pdf of the catalog HERE or a flash version of the catalog HERE.  It's always so fun to have new stamp sets, accessories and tools.  :-) 

If you are following the blog hop in order, you just came from Rochelle's blog--I stamp, I create, I have fun! 

  

This month we have a fun extra-girly inspiration piece! I loved the colors, and then of course wanted to try out some of my new items.  The card uses the new stamp set Layered Labels.  This is a cool stamp set since each of the stamps have a coordinating Framelit Die (the Apothecary Accents set).  

I stamped the largest image with Basic Black craft ink onto Whisper White card stock and heat embossed with Clear powder.  The next layer was stamped with Primrose Petals (one of the new In Colors!) and then run through the Big Shot with the coordinating framelits die to cut it out.  

I used another stamp from the same set for the sentiment.  I used a marker to ink just the word and then stamped.  I hand-cut the banner and added two little circles of Primrose Petals to the edges.  I used Crystal Effects to cover the little circles--giving it a faux-brad look.  There are dimensionals under the Basic Black oval. 

Now it's your turn to participate in the Stampin' Celebration challenge!  Simply create a card, 3D item, digital item, scrapbook layout, etc. using the inspiration piece above. Leave a comment on the Stampin' Celebration blog with a link to your blog or online gallery so we can see your project. You have until the 25th of the month to create your project. We will choose the "Pick of the Party" at the end of the month. 

All of the Design Team posts for Challenge #55: 

Allison Ohran -Sweet Impressions (you are here)
Candace Lawlor - not participating this month
Cori Kozak - Creative Chat
Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroo Designs
Erin Gonzales -Hand Stamped Style
Krystal De Leeuw - Krystal's Cards
Marlene Peters - not participating this month
Rochelle Gould - I stamp, I create, I have fun!

Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge

Good-bye Catalog!

The count down is on. . . less than 2 days until we have a new catalog!  Make sure to check back June 1st for a link to the new catalog as well as a Stampin' Celebration challenge using some of the new product!  

Of course with a new catalog comes saying good-bye to some things.  The entire line of Simply Adorned product is being discontinued.  These make great gifts!  The charms come in a few different sizes, and all open so that you can change out what is inside.  You can easily coordinate with any outfit, holiday, etc.  Right now many of the charms and the chains are 40% off! 

The 'front view':  

You'll notice that I have some pearls on the image--the front of the charm has beveled edges and allow a little room inside for 3-D effects.  The stamp set I used here is Charming, and it is also retiring. 

And the back side of the charm:

Stamps:  Charming

Ink:  Rose Red, Old Olive, Sahara Sand

Paper:  Whisper White

Accessories:  Simply Adorned Charm (1 1/2" by 2"), Simply Adorned Chain (24"), Clear Crystal Bauble, Chantilly Crochet Trim Ribbon, pearls

To shop, see my online store by going to http://allison.stampinup.net and click "shop now" in the top right corner. 

Retired Stamp Set List: view the pdf

Retired Accessory List: view the pdf

To view everything in the online store click HERE

Loving the Hearts

Two weeks from today (June 1st) the brand new catalog goes live!  I'm so excited for lots of new products.  But "in with the new" means we have to say goodbye to some of our favorite products.  A reminder that the stamp sets on the retiring list are available until the end of the month, and the retiring accessories are available only while supplies last.  And, some of the accessories are  discounted--up to 70% off!  Both lists are LONG this year, so double check that you aren't missing out on something from your wish list.

Retired Stamp Set List: view the pdf

Retired Accessory List: view the pdf

To view everything in the online store click HERE

This card is one that I made with a group of ladies from my church around Valentine's Day.  I think this card could be used for an anniversary or wedding as well.  It also happens to showcase several of the accessories that are being discontinued: the Heart to Heart punch, Chantilly Crochet Trim Ribbon, and the Cutter Kit.  I'm definitely sad that the Cutter Kit is being discontinued as I use it ALL the time. . . good thing I already have two.  :-) 

After we made up the cards, I used leftover pieces to make some tags that I added to cookies to give as teacher gifts for Valentine's Day.  The tag is from the Two Tags Bigz Die.  On all the big hearts (from the Full Heart Punch) I scrunched the paper to give a little more texture.  Also, sponging, distressing, and even a little Color Spritzer tool on the card adds more texture and variety.  I also used Hemp Twine on the tag--another accessory that is retiring that I will really miss!  It also happens to be 50% off--while supplies last!  I've already stocked up.  :-)  

Have a great weekend!  

Ink:  Chocolate Chip

Paper:  Ridding Hood Red, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, First Edition Specialty DSP

Accessories:  Small Heart Punch, Full Heart Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Hemp Twine, Riding Hood Red ribbon (discontinued), medium cello bag, Two Tags Bigz Die, Big Shot, Color Spritzer Tool, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Chantilly Crochet Trim ribbon, Cutter Kit, dimensionals

Stampin' Celebration #54

This month I missed designing for the May Stampin' Celebration challenge since my wonderful hubby and I were out of the country celebrating out 10th anniversary!  We had an absolutely wonderful trip, although it is good to be back home with the kids. 

Anyway, I still wanted to play along with the challenge this month, so here is my submission.  I used the bright colors from the fun inspiration piece, and several items that will be no longer available after the end of the month.  The layout is simple and could easily be changed up for a variety of different occasions.  I thought this birthday card could easily be used for a child's birthday, teen birthday, or even adult birthday. 

I used a couple strips of the Big Top Birthday Designer Paper (great way to use up those little scraps that are laying around!), some Daffodil Delight and Real Red 1/8" Taffeta ribbon, Whisper White grosgrain ribbon, and silver brads.  The sentiment is from the On Your Birthday stamp set which will be discontinued. 

And just a reminder to play along with us at Stampin' Celebration! You have until May 25th to create a card, 3D item, digital item, scrapbook layout, etc. using the inspiration piece above. Link your creation to the Stampin' Celebration blog so we can see your project. We will choose the "Pick of the Party" at the end of the month. We can't wait to see what Stampin' Celebration inspires you to create!

If you missed the original Blog Hop of the Design Team, you can see it here:

Candace Lawlor - cj lawlor designs

Cori Kozak - Creative Chat

Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroo Designs

Erin Gonzales -Hand Stamped Style

Krystal De Leeuw - Krystal's Cards

Marlene Peters - Hands On

Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge