Swingin' Monkey and Great News!

First I have a fun card, and then some great news! Ever since I learned the trick of ribbon gathering (from Shelli at Convention a few years ago) I've used it here and there on cards. (See another example of ribbon gathering and a tutorial HERE.) A while back it occurred to me that you don't just have pull the ribbon from the center. It was from that realization that this card originated.

Combine the ribbon gathering with this cute monkey from the stamp set Fox & Friends in the Occasions Mini Catalog, and what could be more fun! It took a little while to gather enough ribbon for all the vines, but I think the effort was worth it in the end. :-)

The monkeys and sentiment were stamped with Chocolate Chip Craft Ink and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. The leaves were punched out using the Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch. And then lots of dimensionals and pop-up glue dots keep everything together!

Stamps: Fox & Friends, All Holidays
Ink: Chocolate Chip Craft Ink
Paper: Kraft (Crumb Cake), Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Always Artichoke grosgrain ribbon, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Clear EP, Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch, pop-up glue dots, dimensionals


And now for the good new! About a week ago, I received an email from Kyrstal (known in the online world as skdeleeuw) asking if I would like to be on a Design Team for a new website called Stampin' Celebration that she and Candace Lawlor were starting. Of course I told her I was honored to be asked! I am so excited for this opportunity to stretch my creativity and to rub shoulders with some very talented stampers.

To see the other members of the Design Team, go visit Stampin' Celebration. And make sure to check back next Thursday, May 6, for the first Inspiration Challenge. You won't want to miss it!

Sweet Gumballs

I have a fun little card to share today. The idea for the card came from a combination of two cards that I received while swapping at Leadership. One of the cards was done by Jane Brotski, and the other was done by Tara Angus. Visit Tara at her blog HERE.

I just loved the layout of Tara's card which I borrowed. I used the stamp set Something Sweet and the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder from the Occasions Mini Catalog. The sentiment is up on dimensionals and keeps the card closed. Here you can see the card starting to open:

And then the inside of the card:


For this card I just used Window Sheet to be the 'glass' of the gumball machine, but you could also easily make this a shaker card, or use the fabulous Treat Cups too.

Here are the dimensions of each layer--from the bottom layer to the top layer.

White (base)--8 1/2" by 4 1/4", scored at 3"
Red--5 1/4" by 4"
Black--8 1/2" by 3 5/8", scored at 3 5/8"
White--3 1/4" by 4 1/2"
Red (textured layer)--4" by 2 3/4"
White (very top)--3 3/8" by 3 3/8"

Lots of layers, but the end result is so fun. :-)

Stamps: Something Sweet
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black
Paper: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White
Accessories: Perfect Polks Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Medium Window Sheet, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, 1 3/4" Circle punch, Real Red grosgrain ribbon, black brad, dimensionals

With All My Heart

Today I have some more sample for you using the stamp set With All My Heart and the the Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch. These were some of the Make and Takes from Leadership this year. This first cards uses the color Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, and Bashful Blue.


This card uses the same colors, but adds Soft Suede too. I just love this bright color combo, and it's one that I would probably never put together by myself. This little milk carton is the new die that can be found in the Occasions Mini Catalog. Too cute!!

Stamps: With All My Heart; Dot, Dot, Dot; A to Z
Ink: Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Soft Suede, Old Olive marker
Paper: Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Soft Suede, Bashful Blue DSP, Confetti White
Accessories: Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Bashful Blue Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Melon Mambo Polka-Dot Ribbon, Clips Assortment, Scallop Square Punch, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, dimensionals, Mini Milk Carton Die, Big Shot

Fancy Flower Punch

When I first looked through the Occasions Mini Catalog, the Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch was one of those items that immediately caught my eye. And I must say, I haven't been disappointed. I LOVE this punch! :-) Both of these projects also use the stamp set With All My Heart--another fun item from the Mini.

For the first card I started by punching out the flower and crumpling it up into a little ball--yes you read that right. :-) Then I opened it up and placed it on top of the coordinating (Rose Red) ink pad. I walked my fingers over the flower so that the raised edges of the flower picked up the ink. It gives you a cool effect that you'll have to try for yourself.


Stamps: With All My Heart
Ink: Versamark, Close to Cocoa marker
Paper: Close to Cocoa, Rose Red, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Fresh Favorites I colored buttons, Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, dimensionals


This next project is a 3x3 card. I started by sponging Platinum Shimmer Paint onto the stamp and then stamping on Night of Navy card stock. It gives you a nice subtle shimmer. (Note: although you won't see Shimmer Paint listed in any catalog, it is still available for order.)

After I punched out the image with my Fancy Flower punch, I added the Filigree Designer Brad and the Ice Rhinestone Brad. I finished with the sentiment and by adding dimensionals under each of the Night of Navy layers.

Stamps: With All My Heart
Ink: Platinum Shimmer Paint, Night of Navy marker
Paper: Bashful Blue, Night of Navy
Accessories: Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch, Filigree Designer Brad, Circle Ice Rhinestone Brad, dimensionals

A Wonderful Friend

Last week my friend Cindy stopped by to drop off these adorable cards. Aren't they both too cute!! I loved both of them so much that I asked her if I could share them with all of you here on my blog. I honestly can't decide which one I like the best!

Both of these cards use stamp sets that are on sale for 20% off during the month of April. Don't miss your opportunity to get these awesome sets at a discount! To see the flyer click HERE.

The card above uses the stamp set Fifth Avenue Floral. All of the flowers are embossed with Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder. The card also shows off two colors--Cameo Coral and Blush Blossom--that will be discontinued as of June 30th.

This next card show off the stamp set Trendy Tress and more colors that will be discontinued as of June 20th--Sage Shadow, Barely Banana, Close to Cocoa, and Pixie Pink.

I also love how Cindy used the Beautiful Wings Embosslit from the Occasions Mini Catalog to add the butterfly. A perfect finishing touch!

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Trendy Trees
Ink: Versamark, Sage Shadow, Barely Banana, Close to Cocoa, Pixie Pink
Paper: Sage Shadow, Barely Banana, Close to Cocoa, Pixie Pink, Whisper White, Craft, Blush Blossom, Cameo Coral
Accessories: Whisper White grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Clear EP, dimensionals

More Vintage

Do you love the stamp set Vintage Vogue yet? If not, here are a few more projects to try to convince you. :-) These are actually make and takes from the Phoenix Regionals in January. I love the clean, simple look of these projects.

The card on the right is also made with Vintage Vogue, and the tag on the left uses the set With All My Heart and Dot, Dot, Dot. Enjoy!

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, With All My Heart, and Dot, Dot, Dot
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Rose Red marker
Paper: Kraft (Crumb Cake), Rich Razzleberry, Bashful Blue, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Rose Red, Old Olive
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Clips Assortment, Playground Designer Buttons, Button Latte Designer buttons, Linen Thread, Crushed Curry Polka Dot ribbon, dimensionals

Vintage Razzleberry

Remember the Color Renovation announcement? I'm so excited about the Color Renovation, partially because we have several In Colors returning! One of these colors is Rich Razzleberry--one of my all-time favorite In Colors. Of course I do love purple, so it's not too surprising. :-) I created this card using the stamp set Vintage Vogue from the Occasions Mini Catalog.

For the background paper, I started by using my Big Shot and my Lattice Die to cut a lattice out of scrap paper. I layered the lattice over my Very Vanilla card stock and sponged. I lifted the lattice off, and then repeatedly stamped the vine image from the stamp set. Next I lightly sponged over the top of everything. After I did all of my stamping and sponging (with Rich Razzleberry), I cut the card stock into 4 pieces and distressed all the edges with my cutter kit.

For the sentiment panel I stamped all the flowers and leaves and then cut them out--not the type of detail work I usually do, but I occasionally make an exception. :-) The centers of the flowers have Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds glitter, and then the flowers are popped up with dimensionals.


Stamps: Vintage Vogue
Ink: Rich Razzleberry (and marker), Old Olive, Summer Sun marker
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Stampin Up Lattice Die, Big Shot, cutter kit, sponge, dimensionals

Fifth Avenue Floral

Today I'd like to show you some samples using one of the stamp sets that is on sale for 20% off this month--Fifth Avenue Floral. To see the flyer for the April promotion click HERE. If you don't already have this set, this is the time to get it!

I started playing with this set a bit back while making samples for my downline swap. I first came up with the card above and then realized I hadn't followed my own rules as it had only one layer. (opps!) So, I took the same concept and colors and 'stepped it up' to make the card below that I ended up using for the swap. The centers of all the flowers have Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds glitter to add a little bling.

Both of these cards use the colors Cameo Coral, Apricot Appeal and Certainly Celery. With the recent Color Renovation announcement from Stampin Up, both Cameo Coral and Apricot Appeal will no longer be available after June 30! These are two of my often used colors that I will miss!


Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Cameo Coral, Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery
Paper: Cameo Coral, Whisper White
Accessories: Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Crystal Effects, Modern Label punch, Word Window Punch, Certainly Celery brad, dimensionals

Color Renovation!

If you haven't heard the news yet, Stampin Up is renovating their color families! How exciting is that! The new Color Collections will be rolled out with the July 2010 Catalog. I can hardly wait!!

We will be receiving 5 NEW colors, 10 returning In Colors, and 25 colors will be carrying over.

The 4 new Color Collections will have 10 colors per collection. To see the large pdf of the new color families, click HERE.

The 5 NEW colors are: Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, and Early Espresso.

The 10 returning In Colors are: Tangerine Tango, River Rock, Riding Hood Red, Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, Pacific Point, Melon Mambo, Soft Suede, and Rich Razzleberry.

The only sad part of this Color Renovation is that we will be losing some colors. . . . As of June 30 we will be losing 30 colors! Make sure to stock up now on any of your favorite colors (ink pads, ink refills, paper, ribbon, etc) before they are gone! To see the pdf of the colors we are saying good-bye to, click HERE.

Oh, and don't worry, we aren't losing Kraft, (huge sigh of relief!) it has just been renamed Crumb Cake. The best part is, come July we will have a matching Crumb Cake stamp pad! You can guess of one the first things I will be ordering. ;-)

Vogue Butterflies

When I first looked through the Occasions Mini Catalog, the stamp set Vintage Vogue didn't immediately catch my eye. But, I received the set for free when I attended the Phoenix Regional in January, so I've had the opportunity to use it. Now I think it is one of my favorite sets from the Mini Catalog!

For this card I started by using the single stamp Butterfly Accent. I stamped with Pretty in Pink on Whisper White and then cut out the butterfly. After I had finished cutting, I had the thought that perhaps the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die (Big Shot) may have a coordinating butterfly. I checked and sure enough--almost an exact match. So, for the vellum layer I went the easy route and used my Big Shot to do all the cutting work. :-)

To dress up the vellum butterflies, I stamped with Versamark ink and embossed with Iridescent Ice Stampin' Emboss Powder. I layered the two butterflies together and then wrapped the Linen Thread around. I also used Iridescent Ice around the edge of the card--I just used my Versamark pad to dab around the edges and then embossed. So lots of sparkle going on in this card! :-) The friend sentiment (also embossed with the Iridescent Ice) is also from the Vintage Vogue set--I just omitted the 's' from the friends stamp.

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Butterfly Accent

Ink: Pretty in Pink craft ink, Versamark

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Vellum Card stock, Whisper White

Accessories: Iridescent Ice EP, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Linen Thread, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Big Shot, dimensionals

Trendy Sale!

During the month of April, Stampin' Up! is offering the Two-Step Into Spring Sale! Until April 30th, you can purchase the sneak peek set Awash with Flowers, or you can earn for FREE when you host a $350 workshop! To see the images included in the Awash with Flowers, click HERE.

But that's just one part of the promotion--you can also purchase a several spring two-step stamping sets at 20% off!! To see the Two-Step into Spring flyer, click HERE.

The card featured today uses one of the stamp sets--Trendy Trees--that is 20% off during the month of April. This is a card that I used for a swap with my downline. I just love my group of talented and wonderful ladies!

This card is pretty straight forward; I added the sentiment (a rub-on from the Chit Chat set) to the twill tape. I tied the bow with the Linen Thread, and then wrapped the Chocolate Chip brad around everything.


Stamps: Trendy Trees
Ink: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Whisper White
Accessories: Chit Chat rub-ons, Twill Tape, Linen Thread, Chocolate Chip Brad, dimensionals