Simple Flower

A couple of weeks ago I hosted a stamping class in the compound.  I wanted to see if there was enough interest to start teaching regular classes in the fall.  There seems to be a fair bit of interest, so now the only trick is how to get enough supplies into Saudi.  We're coming back to the US for a visit this summer, so I imagine I'll have a suitcase full of stamping supplies on the way back.  :-)

Anyway, this is the card we made at the class.  Since the majority of the ladies had never stamped before, I wanted to do something pretty simple.  This card basically consists of stamping and then punching (the flower and sentiment) and the using an embossing folder through the Big Shot.  Almost everyone was pleasantly surprised at how easy the card was to make, and they agreed that tying the knot was the hardest part of the card!

Don't forget that today is the last day to enter the drawing for $40 worth of free Stamin' Up! product!  You can see more information and enter the drawing by leaving a comment on THIS post.  There aren't very many comments yet, so your chances are pretty good.  :-)

Stamps:  Flower Shop
Ink:  Raspberry Ripple
Paper:  Raspberry Ripple, Baked Brown Sugar and Whisper White
Accessories:  Pansy Flower Punch, Decorative Label Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Square Lattic Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Whisper White grosgrain ribbon, Pearl Basic Jewels, dimensionals

Stampin' Celebration #70

Hi all!  Sorry for the long absence. . . there's a big move on the horizon for our family, so between that and spending a good part of the summer visiting family I haven't been stamping much.  :-)  I'll post later more about all that, but for now on to this month's Stampin' Celebration challenge!  

This is an exciting month over at Stampin' Celebration since we have some new stampers who have been selected to join our Design Team!  So make sure to head over to the blog to see who's joined us.  There's lots of talent as well as great inspiration this month.  :-)  

It's been a while since I stamped anything, so I thought I'd go simple.  :-)   I loved the bold colors and simple style of these photos.  

I used my Pear Pizzazz and Coastal Cabana markers to ink up the flower image from the Morning Meadow (hostess) set.  (Side note:  I just love the hostess sets in the current catalog!)  Although the picture doesn't really show it, I added Crystal Effects on just the flowers for a little dimension and shine.  The rhinestones add even more bling.  :-)  

To get the little 'notch' in the Basic Gray layer, I used the edge of one of the framelits from the Apothecary Accents set:  

I ran it through the Big Shot twice--once on each end.  The card below uses the colors Calypso Coral and (again) Pear Pizzazz.  I enjoy making sets of cards that I can give as gifts. . . fairly simple and easy to change the colors up.  I'll make a few more of each of these, a couple in Wisteria Wonder, and I'll have a gift ready to go.  :-)  

Now it's your turn to play along with us at Stampin' Celebration. And also remember to take a look at what the other design team members created! 


You have until Sept 25th to play along. And don't forget to check back on the 15th for some more inspiration. :-) 

To follow along on this month's Blog Hop, simply click the links below:

Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroo Designs

Erin Gonzales -Hand Stamped Style

Rochelle Gould - I stamp, I create, I have fun!

Cori Kozak - Creative Chat

Allison Ohran - Sweet Impressions

Nina Dee - Deesigns by Nina Dee

Lauri Ingram - Paperville Crafts

Krista Jensen - Krista's Stamper Room

Anita Krul - My Paper Chronicles

Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge

Stamps:  Morning Meadow (hostess), Sweet Essentials

Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana (and markers)

Paper: Naturals White card stock, Basic Gray

Accessories: Subtles Candy Dots, Distress Tool, Crystal Effects, Apothecary Accents framelits, Big Shot, Rhinestone Jewels, dimensionals

Stampin' Celebration Sketch Challenge

 

Hi all!  There's a new sketch challenge over at Stampin' Celebration . . in case you need a break from thinking about taxes.  :-)  You'll notice I did kind of rotate the middle of the sketch a little, but I loved this sketch.  I also used this same card for one of our club meeting projects, and the ladies were pleasantly surprised at how easy this card was to put together. 

 

 
A few hints. . . . I used my brayer to easily add the Pretty in Pink ink to the Paper Doilie.  To color the flower, (one flower cut from the 5/8" Flower Trim) I dipped it into a mixture of about 5 drops of Rich Razzleberry reinker mixed with a little water.  Then pull it out and let it dry on some paper towels.  The splatter on the large Whisper White layer was made using the Color Spritzer Tool. 

The Secret Garden stamp set and coordinating framelits, flower, doilie, large Rhinestone Jewels are all found in the Spring Catalog. 

 
You still have time to play along with us at Stampin' Celebration. Be sure to link your project over at Stampin' Celebration by April 25 to be in the running for the "Pick of the Party"!  Remember you can use the sketch challenge, the inspiration piece, or a combination of both.   

Stamps:  Secret Garden, Petite Pairs
Ink:  Rich Razzleberry (ink, marker and reinker), and Pretty in Pink
Paper:  Pretty in Pink, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Sycamore Street DSP
Accessories:  Secret Garden framelits, Labels Collection framelits, Big Shot, brayer, large Rhinestone Jewels, 5/8" Flower Trim, Color Spritzer Tool, dimensionals

Stampin' Celebration #65

 
Hi all!  Happy Spring and Happy April 1st.  :-)  It's time for another Stampin' Celebration challenge!  This month  I had fun creating a 3D project.  I starting by using the picnic basket as my inspiration and then incorporated the flowers/basket as I went along. 

This basket started as just a plain white one that was meant to be embellished--it had been sitting on the desk in my craft room for quite a while and was just begging to be used.  I used some typing paper to trace one side of the basket and then used that as a guide to cut out pieces from Gumball Green card stock.  I did each side separately, so I cut out 4 pieces. 

Before I adhered the green pieces to the basket, I created the Early Espresso lattice-looking lines.  I created the lattice by first scoring (at 3/4" increments) in both directions, then folding along each score line.  While one line was folded, I ran the line through a Versamark ink pad. After unfolding, I heat embossed with Early Espresso Stampin' Emboss Powder.

The flowers were created using the Floral Frames framelits and Boho Blossom punch.  I wrapped the plastic handle with Daffodil Delight Seam Binding ribbon and then added the Early Espresso Taffeta ribbon over the top. 
 

To get the grass and flowers to 'stand up' instead of just flopping around, I cut a piece of card stock and then took an exacto knife and cut little, random slits.  Then I just poked the grass through the slits.  The 'platform' that is holding the grass is just set into the basket--it isn't actually attached to anything. 

Anyway, hope you enjoyed this project!  And, I hope you'll be inspired to play along with us at Stampin' Celebration.  And also remember to take a look at what the other design team members created!

 

To follow along on this month's Blog Hop, simply click the links below:

Allison Ohran -Sweet Impressions (you are here)

Cori Kozak - Creative Chat

Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroo Designs

Erin Gonzales -Hand Stamped Style

Rochelle Gould - I stamp, I create, I have fun!

Jenny Peterson - Lakeshore Stamping (taking a break in Grand Cayman this week!)

Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge

You have until April 25th to play along. And don't forget to check back on the 15th for some more inspiration.  :-) 

Ink:  Versamark
Paper:  Gumball Green, Daffodil Delight
Accessories:  Score Tool, Early Espresso Stampin' Emboss Powder, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool, Daffodil Delight Seam Binding ribbon, Early Espresso Taffeta ribbon, Pearl Jewels, Neutral Designer Buttons, Boho Blossom punch, Floral Frames framelits, Big Shot

Stampin' Celebration 64--Sketch

 

 
Here in Houston, this week is spring break!  And it has been an absolutely beautiful spring break with perfect weather, not too hot (yet!) and not too cold.  I think this card is a reflection of that 'spring' feeling.  :-) 
 
I used the Mid-monspiration sketch and created this card using the Secret Garden stamp set and coordinating framelits.  I used Finishing Touches Edgelits to get the border along the edge of the Summer Starfruit layer, and added some of the large rhinestone jewels to the center of the flowers.  I stamped the Primrose Petals card base with Versamark ink and the (discontinued) Sanded background stamp.   
 

 
You still have time to play along with us at Stampin' Celebration. Be sure to link up to the main Stampin' Celebration site here by March 25 to be in the running for the "Pick of the Party"!  Remember you can use the sketch challenge, the inspiration piece, or a combination of both! 

Stampin' Celebration Blog Hop:
Allison Ohran -Sweet Impressions (you are here)

Cori Kozak - Creative Chat

Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroo Designs

Erin Gonzales -Hand Stamped Style

Rochelle Gould - I stamp, I create, I have fun!

Jenny Peterson - Lakeshore Stamping

Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge

Stamps:  Secret Garden, Sanded
Ink:  Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, Versamark
Paper:  Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, Whisper White
Accessories:  Large Rhinestones, Lucky Limeade ribbon (discontinued), Finishing Touches Framelits, Secret Garden Framelits, Big Shot, dimensionals

Stampin' Celebration 64

 
Hi all!  It's time for another Stampin' Celebration challenge.  Look at the fun inspiration piece we have this month: 

I love butterflies, so that picture caught my eye immediately.  :-)  I also like the variety and combination of what I would call 'bold pastel' colors, so I tried to incorporate those as well. 

I used the Elegant Butterfly punch and the new Bitty Butterfly punch (from the Sping Catalog).  Some have a layer of vellum over the top, some have rhinestones, down the middle, and some are covered with Dazzling Diamonds glitter (using Mulitpurpose Adhesive Sheets).  Most are stamped with the Papillon Potpourri stamp (using Versamark) and a couple are pieces of Designer Paper. 

The background was made using the Fancy Fan Folder Embossing Die, and Perfect Plum 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon is tied around. 

We'd love to have you play along with us this month at Stampin' Celebration! You have until March 25th to link your creation (a card, 3D item, digital item, scrapbook layout, etc.) to the Stampin' Celebration blog and be in the running for the "Pick of the Party" at the end of the month.

And remember to check back on the 15th to see what the sketch challenge is for this month!  We can't wait to see what Stampin' Celebration inspires you to create!

To see what the other DT members have created:

Allison Ohran -Sweet Impressions (you are here)

Cori Kozak - Creative Chat

Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroo Designs

Erin Gonzales -Hand Stamped Style

Rochelle Gould - I stamp, I create, I have fun!

Jenny Peterson - Lakeshore Stamping

Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge

Stamps:  Papillion Potpourri
Ink:  Versamark Ink
Paper:  Marina Mist, Perfect Plum, So Saffron, Rose Red, Wild Wasabi, Vellum, random DSP, and Whisper White
Accessories:  Elegant Butterfly punch, Bitty Butterfly punch, linen thread, 3/8" Perfect Plum Taffeta Ribbon, rhinestones, Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Big Shot, dimensionals

Stampin' Celebration 63--Mid-Monthspiration

Wow, this month is flying by!  I've been keeping busy stamping lots of Valentines--for my kids' school classes, cousins, and grandparents, etc.  So, I was ready to take a break from Valentines creations for a bit and create a card using the Stampin' Celebration *sketch* challenge.  Yep, a fun new surprise.  :-)  For the mid-monthspiration, there will now be a sketch.  So you can use just the inspiration piece, OR just the sketch, OR both for more fun!  

I have also been wanting to use my Oh, Hello stamp set which has been neglected since I pre-ordered it all the way back in December.  The color combination was inspired by the colors found in the Sunshine & Sprinkles DSP in the Spring Catalog.  

As I was making this card I liked all of the different elements, but I wasn't so sure once I got them all together if I like the overall card.  One of the elements I thought was fun was the safety pin at the top.  I pierced two holes with my paper-piercing tool and then added the safety pin (from the Vintage Trinkets collection).  The ribbon--Marina Mist and Melon Mambo 3/8" Striped Organdy Ribbon--is also new in the Spring Catalog.  

You still have time to play along with us at Stampin' Celebration.  Be sure to link up to the main Stampin' Celebration site here by February 25 to be in the running for the "Pick of the Party"!

Stampin' Celebration Blog Hop:
Allison Ohran -Sweet Impressions (you are here)

Cori Kozak - Creative Chat

Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroo Designs

Erin Gonzales -Hand Stamped Style

Rochelle Gould - I stamp, I create, I have fun! 

Jenny Peterson - Lakeshore Stamping

Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge

Stamps:  Oh, Hello
Ink:  Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Basic Gray, and Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo, Marina Mist, and Daffodil Delight markers
Paper:  Naturals White, Basic Gray
Accessories:  Marina Mist and Melon Mambo 3/8" Striped Organdy Ribbon, Vintage Trinkets, Ovals Collection Framelits, Big Shot, dimensionals

Fancy Sycamore Favor

 

Today I actually have a non-Valentine's project to share.  :-)  This is a project that we made at my downline meeting this past month.  I got the idea for this project from Heather Klump--a very talented stamper! 

 

It uses several of the Sale-A-Bration items (ie FREE with a $50 purchase): the Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack, the Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper, and the Madison Avenue stamp set.  Note:  these are the 3 items you receive for free (in addition to all the other awesome hostess benefits) when you host a workshop or place a $400 order during Sale-A-Bration.  Yay! 

 



It's quite easy to make this fun little favor box.  I ran Island Indigo through the Big Shot with the Fancy Favor die to create the bottom of the box.  That part is assembled as usual. 

For the top of the box I used a 4" by 12" piece of the Designer Paper (so you can get 3 tops per 1 sheet of DSP) and ran it through the Big Shot again, but lined up so that you don't cut out the part that would become the tabs to make the bottom of the box.  Then adhere along the edges to make a tube, pinch the top together, punch holes, and tie it closed.  Here I used some of the Satiny Pool Party ribbon from the Sale-A-Bration pack. 

For the tag, I stamped with Summer Starfruit onto the same color card stock and then cut out using the smallest flower in the Floral Frames Framelits set.  I cut out a second flower in Pool Party to layer behind.  The sentiment was stamped with the Essentials set and then cut out using the Bitty Banners Framelits.  The Oval that creates the base of the tag was cut out using the Ovals Collection Framelits found in the Spring Catalog. 

I also wanted to remind you that this is a great time to join the Stampin Up family!  If  purchase the starter kit during Sale-A-Bration, you get an extra 25% in Starter Kit products for FREE.  So that means:

You choose $156 of any current Stampin Up products and pay only $99 (plus tax)!  Awesome!  You don't even have to pay shipping, which saves another 10%.  :-) 

By purchasing the starter kit, that means you join the Stampin' Up! family of demonstrators (and my team). From when you purchase the kit until June 30th, 2013 you get all the demonstrator benefits. But that doesn't mean you have any obligation to host parties, purchase anything further, or solicit orders from anyone. You literally can take advantage of this offer and walk away. There is no penalty to drop. However, if you do have $300 in sales or purchases between now and June 30th, then you renew your benefits for another 3 months. 

Intrigued? So what are the benefits of being a demonstrator? 

 

A few of my favorites are:

--an additional 10% off your first order of $150 or more during your first 45 days (on top of your 'normal' 20% discount)

--access to the Stampin' Connection website that has thousands of project ideas, forums, videos, etc.

--Stampin' Success (a bi-monthly magazine) full of ideas and tips

--the ability to attend demo-only events (convention, leadership, regionals) 

 

And of course you can attend my downline meeting (every other month) and make cute projects like this one.  :-)  Or if you live far away, I send you the projects. 

 

If you are curious and have more questions, please don't hesitate to ask me! I have loved my journey with Stampin Up and look forward to sharing it with you. This really is such a great deal that there's really NOT a reason to miss out on it! :-)  Ready to go?  You can learn more and/or sign up HERE. 

 

Stamps:  Madison Avenue, Essentials

Ink:  Summer Starfruit, Island Indigo

Paper:  Island Indigo, Summer Starfruit, Pool Party, Whisper White, Sycamore Street DSP

Accessories:   Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button pack, Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Fancy Favor die, Ovals Collection Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Floral Frames Framelits, Big Shot

Stampin' Celebration #60

November 1st and another Stampin' Celebration challenge!  This is an exciting month since we are also welcoming a new member to the Design Team--Jenny Peterson!  Make sure to stop by her blog and welcome her.  :-)  My card for this month: 

I took my inspiration from the top right photo--wood cabin and colored leaves.  We also made this card at our October Stampers club meeting since it shows off some of the fun new product from the Holiday Catalog. 

I've been loving the new Core'dinations Cardstock and the fun look you can get.  I used the Early Espresso color and ran it through the Big Shot with the Woodgrain Embossing Folder.  I sanded a little bit along the wood grain to bring out the lighter color that is in the middle of the card stock giving it a really neat look.  If you'd like to read a little more about how I did the leaves, you can see this post here. 

We'd love to have you play along with us this month at Stampin' Celebration! You have until November 25th to link your creation (a card, 3D item, digital item, scrapbook layout, etc.) to the Stampin' Celebration blog and be in the running for the "Pick of the Party" at the end of the month. We can't wait to see what Stampin' Celebration inspires you to create!

To see what the other DT members have created:

 

Allison Ohran -Sweet Impressions

Cori Kozak - Creative Chat

Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroo Designs

Erin Gonzales -Hand Stamped Style

Rochelle Gould - I stamp, I create, I have fun!

Jenny Peterson - Lakeshore Stamping

Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge

 

Stamps:  Day of Gratitude

Ink:  Early Espresso, and Old Olive and Cajun Craze for sponging

Paper:  Champagne Glimmer Paper, Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, and Cajun Craze

Accessories:  Brushed Bronze Designer Buttons, Autumn Accents Bigz Die, Bitty Banners framelits, Big Shot, Linen Thread, Stampin' Sanding Block, sponges

 

Stampin' Celebration #58

Well I'm not sure exactly what happened to all of August, :-) but it's good to be back in blog land and a Stampin' Celebration challenge is the perfect way to get going again!  

Please note that the challenge blog has moved to a new location--  http://www.stampincelebrationblog.blogspot.com/  Make sure to check it out and bookmark, subscribe or follow us.  Cori and Rochelle are taking charge and have started some fun new things like sneak peeks of the Design Team projects. 

And here is the inspiration piece for September--isn't it gorgeous?  I took the jar theme as well as the colors from the inspiration piece to create my card.  I also used this card as one of our August Stampers Club projects.  

The stamp set I used in one you can find the Holiday Mini Catalog.  It is called Perfectly Preserved and even has a coordinating framelits set to go with it!  I wasn't initially drawn to this stamp set, but after seeing so many awesome projects and swaps at convention using this set I changed my mind--and I'm glad I did.  

This card is pretty straight forward, but just a note about the 'jar'.  I used the jar framelit to cut out a piece of Window Sheet.  This gives the jar a shiny 'glass' look.  There are two things keeping the window frame piece in place.  First, there is a glue dot between the card stock and window sheet under where I added the linen thread bow (with a second glue dot) and second, the brad also helps keep the 'jar' in place.  

The colors are Tangerine Tango, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, and Going Gray.  The sponging was done with Crumb Cake.  The ribbon is also new from the Holiday Catalog--it is the 7/8" Cotton Ribbon (you can stamp on it too!)

Now it's your turn to be inspired and play along with us this month at Stampin' Celebration! You have until September 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! 

To see what the other DT members have created:  

Allison Ohran - Sweet Impressions

Cori Kozak - Creative Chat

Erica Cerwin - Pink Buckaroo Designs

Erin Gonzales -Hand Stamped Style

Rochelle Gould - I stamp, I create, I have fun!

Stampin' Celebration Inspiration Challenge

Betsy's Nest

This is a card we made at our June stampers club meeting.  When we made this card at club it actually ended up being a little more confusing than I was anticipating.  So, I thought I would show one quick intermediate step.  I started by stamping the bird and leaves on a Whisper White layer that was cut just smaller than the Gumball Green layer.  That way I didn't have to stamp directly on the card base or mask the edges.  After doing this stamping, I adhered this layer directly to the card base and then added everything else (except the nest) on top with dimensionals.  

So, on a separate piece of Whisper White card stock I stamped the nest (half of the largest flower), the two Summer Starfruit flowers, the bird wing, and the sentiment.  I cut out the sentiment using the Big Shot and a Bitty Banners Framelits die.  You can punch the nest out with the 2 1/2" Circle Punch and the flowers with the 1/2" circle punch and the 1 1/4" Circle Punch.  The 'frame' was cut from Gumball Green card stock using the Apothecary Accents Framelits die. 

I'm pretty sure I saw the idea to make the flower into a nest over on Lyssa's Song of My Heart Stampers blog. . . although now I can't seem to find her card that inspired me!  Anyway, head on over anyway as Lyssa is not only a talented stamper, but a sweet person as well.  :-) 

And a view from the side so you can more easily see the effect created by popping some of the parts up with dimensionals:  

Stamps:  Betsy's Blossoms, Fabulous Phrases

Ink:  Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit, Soft Suede

Paper:  Gumball Green, Whisper White

Accessories:  Summer Starfruit Stitched Satin Ribbon, pearls, Apothecary Accents Framelits Die, Bitty Banners Framelits die, Big Shot, 1/2" Circle Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, dimensionals