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
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 HolidaysInk: Chocolate Chip Craft InkPaper: Kraft (Crumb Cake), Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Very VanillaAccessories: 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!
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 SweetInk: Real Red, Basic BlackPaper: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper WhiteAccessories: 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
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 ZInk: Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Soft Suede, Old Olive markerPaper: Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Soft Suede, Bashful Blue DSP, Confetti WhiteAccessories: 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
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 HeartInk: Versamark, Close to Cocoa markerPaper: Close to Cocoa, Rose Red, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Very VanillaAccessories: 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 HeartInk: Platinum Shimmer Paint, Night of Navy markerPaper: Bashful Blue, Night of NavyAccessories: Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch, Filigree Designer Brad, Circle Ice Rhinestone Brad, dimensionals
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 TreesInk: Versamark, Sage Shadow, Barely Banana, Close to Cocoa, Pixie PinkPaper: Sage Shadow, Barely Banana, Close to Cocoa, Pixie Pink, Whisper White, Craft, Blush Blossom, Cameo CoralAccessories: Whisper White grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Clear EP, dimensionals
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. 
