Stamps, Paper, and Ink

Simply a dream!

It's Monday and that means it's time for another Clean and Simple post. My time on the Design Team at Clean and Simple Cards Challenge on Splitcoaststampers has ended today, and it has been a dream! There is nothing like making a certain type of card on a regular basis to hone down or improve those skills. I've had a blast on the team and I've learned to really enjoy simple cards. Hope you have too.

This week the challenge is The Great Outdoors.

I began with a color combo that was a fav of mine for a long time. For my bridal shower gift  my MIL was going to buy us a bedspread and she asked about colors. Mind you, I was young and there was NO SUCH thing as bridal registry when everything is planned out, lol! I said these exact words. "I'd like it to be green for the  trees, blue for the sky, and white for clouds." I admit, that yes, I was naive in my tastes and idealistic but you know what? She found me a bedspread with not only those colors, but those images in a large pattern. I knew then she was an amazing woman. She is.

OK, back to the card - these colors mean outdoors to me. I inked up the tree with markers, stamped and cut it out, and popped it up on patterned paper. The clouds were punched out using the muffin top of the Cupcake Punch. Couldn't be easier.

I will continue to make cards for this challenge, so you can bet you'll see them! As a matter of fact, tomorrow's card will be my other sample for this theme, and my favorite of my CAS designs EVER! You won't want to miss it.

I'm going to get out in the wild outdoors myself today. Hope you have a happy day, thanks for visiting!

   

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Razzle Dazzle (sentiment)
Paper:  Wild Wasabi, Bold Brights Designer Series Pack, Whisper White, Basic Black
and Ink: Basic Black

Accessories:    Stampin' Write markers,Word window, modern label and cupcake punches, Designer Buttons - Neutrals

Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE

Springtime Bouquet

I am so ready for spring, aren't you?  It seems to be teasing us here in NC, getting warm and then cooling off a bit, but the signs of spring are still there! Buds about to open on our Bradford pear trees and grass beginning to turn green. I can't wait!

 
Today's card features a springtime bouquet of flowers cut from the Springtime Vintage Designer Paper. I cut a second red rose - just the center - and popped it up, using the tole technique for added dimension. Then I just couldn't quit so I bedecked the rose's edges with glitter.

The layout is by Mary Fish from MOJO Monday 179. The tiny butterfly is from the Clearly for You set and the sentiment is from the Tiny Tags set. These are the only stamped images. Enjoy!

   

I also played along with the Shabby Tea Room Challenge: Buttons and Bows.

 all supplies by Stampin' Up!

 Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE

Classic Thanks

TWO posts in one day! I'm on a roll!

I made two cards using the Very Vintage wheel (if you missed it, you'll find it HERE.) Thought you'd like to see the other one so I'm posting it too.

 You can't go wrong with the Very Vintage BG and the Top Note die making a simple layout. I dressed it up with the Beveled Windowpane, I loved playing with those! I made another sample using them to show my club ladies tonight, you'll get to see it later this week.

Tip: the Scallop Rectangle Clearlit fits exactly behind the largest size windowpane. It makes a striking frame.

Thanks for visiting, if you are inspired please take time to let me know. I'd love to hear from you!

   

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Occasional Quotes, Very Vintage Wheel
Paper:  Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Baja Breeze
and Ink: Not Quite Navy, Basic Gray

Accessories:   Top Note, Beveled Windowpane, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Basic Pearls, Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Scallop Rectangle Clearlit

Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE

Vintage in Bashful Blue

 Welcome back to my blog, it's Monday and I have a card to share. The Clean and Simple Cards challenge this week is to use any technique to make a background. I got stumped on this one!

I don't know why it seemed so hard to come up with something.Why would a background seem so hard?

Maybe because life is busy, there's been lots going on and I was coming down the wire to get my sample for the Design Team deadline done. Pressure, KWIM?

Once I got started I came up with two cards using the Very Vintage wheel. It may not be the most original idea to use a wheel, but wait until you see what I did with it!

Here's toda'ys card.

  

I did reverse masking with the Fun Flower Die. What I did was cut the large blossom from card stock and tape the empty space where it had been over my card base. Then I sponged inside the mask with Bashful Blue ink, and used the wheel over top of that with Pear Pizazz. It's a very unique background don't you think?

I topped it off with flowers stamped in Peach Parfait, with glittered centers and a leaf from the Bird Punch. Hope you like it!

   

all supplies by Stampin' Up

Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE

Three for you!

I have THREE  cards for you today and three cheers for Sale-A-Bration!  I sat down to play with my free sets from Sale-A-Bration and it was so much fun remembering how easy it is to make a cute and fun card. In light of keeping things quick and simple, my post will do the same.

Enjoy seeing these whimsical cards that are flat and easy to mail to someone you love. I love the bright and happy colors of the Ice Cream Parlor Designer Series Paper & Quick Accents Pack, and it is featured on every card. Here you go!

After I took my photo, I went back and added some color for his nose and popped up another layer for his eyes. The Owl Punch and the branch  and border strip from the Quick Accents made making this card a cinch!

The next card used the same layout but what a difference a change of colors and images makes.

 

TWO new uses for our products here. I hand-cut a triangle for the cone and added texture with the Square Lattice embossing folder and the Big Shot. Square lattice = waffle cone, isn't that fun? The best part is the scoops of ice cream with a cherry on top using the Cupcake Punch! This is not my original idea, just my take on things I've seen on the net.

The next card uses a new technique that has many names, I like "pressed flowers". You may want to click on the photo to see the larger version and details.

The technique involves cutting out an image, flowers or whatever - and adhering it to your card stock. In my case, I adhered it to a patterned paper from the Ice Cream Parlor pack, you can see the subtle pattern of flowers down the left side that is from the paper. Run it through the Square Lattice folder, and your image presses into the paper meshing into one subtle design with fabulous texture.

Beginning by stamping the stem and leaves in Always Artichoke craft ink, I next adhered flowers from the Accent Pack. So easy!  After embossing, I added another flower and border strip from the pack for more definition. This is definitely a fun and easy technique!

Below I've listed just some of the supplies used for all  three cards. If you haven't yet booked your workshop or catalog party, don't wait any longer. You may also earn Hostess Benefits and FREE Sale-A-Bration supplies for an online order of $150. Contact me today!

   

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: So Happy for You, Punch Bunch, Bring on the Cake
Paper:  Ice Cream Parlor Designer Series Paper & Quick Accents Pack

Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE

Crazy for Friends 24-7

 I recently shared my story of why I joined Stampin' Up! and it was so good to remember again how love of this hobby and our products has enhanced my life! If you missed the story, I shared it HERE.

My time to stamp has been so limited and I find that my creative muscles get so flabby from non-use! To spark my own mojo, I sat down to remind myself of some things that I love. I love inspring challenges, great layouts, favorite "old" but-never-used enough stamps, paper, and ink! I gave myself a little time and lo and behold, I have a card to share with you today. :->

 

 This was done for the Color Challenge at The Paper Players, and for Mojo Monday Sketch #178 seen HERE. For the color combo of Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze and Crumb Cake, I kept the images bold and used clean lines. The clean lines meant that I resisted embossing the Crumb Cake layer, lol! At first these seemed like masculine colors, but I think they can work either way.

I stamped the flourish in Cherry Cobbler ink on a Cajun Craze scallop circle.

I love the way the sketch gave me an option to use pearls, an Antique Brad and a fun pleated ribbon treatment.

As always, I find great encouragement from your comments, and I love hearing from you. Have a great day!

   

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Friends 24-7
Paper:  Whisper WHite, Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler
and Ink: Black Staz On, Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze

Accessories:   Aqua Painter, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Basic Pearls, 2-3/8" scallop and 2-1/2" circle punches, Antique Brad

Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE

Breath of Spring

I love Monday's. It has long been my favorite day of the week. I don't know why exactly. Maybe it just feels like a fresh start.

One of the best things about Mondays lately is I have my blog post all set and ready to go with my Clean and Simple Cards Challenge sample for the week. This week it was a sketch challenge.

 

I decided to use the Growing Green set for the first time to make this airy design. What colors to chose? Well, GREEN to start with as in Wild Wasabi. I used the Color Coach and found that So Saffron and Perfect Plum were suggested go-withs. Now, I would NEVER use purple on my own, I'm more of a red and pinks girl. But I decided to give this combo a try and to my surprise - I like it!

I did some reverse masking and sponged inside the square to make a background. Using the Aqua Painter and inks to watercolor enabled me to get just the light shade I wanted for the flower.

Enjoy your Monday! and a lovely Valentine's day too.

   

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Growing Green, You're A Gem
Paper:  Whisper White, So Saffron
and Ink: So Saffron, Perfect Plum, Wild Wasabi

Accessories:   Designer Original Buttons, Basic Pearls, sponges

Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE

 

Romantic Moments

 I can't believe we're a week into February, can you?

Just the right time for The Paper Players "Love is in the Air" Challenge to make a romantic card. I was really happy to play along because last week's challenge was so much fun. In fact, THIS card I made was chosen as one of the weekly Cut Above winners. It was doubly nice that THIS card was also selected. So, of course I was encouraged to play again with these delightful stampers.

A romantic card for me, would have to have certain elements - soft colors and textures, some clean white space, flowers, lace and jewels. 

And roses!

For flowers and roses, my favorite is the Elements of Style set. The Vintage Flower Adornments from Stampin' Up! are darling rose accents that coordinate perfectly with our colors. The colors are Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, and I added Marina Mist for my husband who loves blue. I don't know who will get this card, but the blue works! Do you send a frilly card to your husband?

I like doing my own take on coloring these flowers - I prefer making them different colors even though the reality may be that they all come from the same stem. I also like a watercolor effect that is somewhat translucent in places, I accomplish this using the Aqua Painter and several layers of ink. I stamped them first in Basic Brown, which provides a soft outline, onto white card stock.The flower centers were colored in with markers.

You may not easily see the row of white lace along the top of the white panel and the row of tiny pearls along the bottom. The Pink Pirouette layer is embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots folder. Looking at my supply list, you might agree with me that I pulled out all the stops in using lots of great product for this one card. I love doing that!

I hope you'll pull out your Stamps, Paper, and Ink and make a romantic project of your own. Thanks so much for visiting today! If you have time to leave me a comment, I would love hearing from you.

   

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Elements of Style, Baby Blossoms
Paper:  Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack (Subtles)
and Ink: Basic Brown, for flowers: Bashful Blue, Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Wild Wasabi, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder, Big Shot

Accessories:   Stampin' Write markers, Whisper White taffeta ribbon, Vintage Flower Adornments, Large oval, scalloped oval and Eyelet Border punches, Basic Pearls, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder, Big Shot

Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE

Happy Colors

Dear friends,

The BIG ball game is just over as I write this, I have posted my card at the Clean and Simple Challenge. I can't believe my stint on the Design Team will end this month, it has been fabulous fun!

Soon I will call it a night. I am under the weather with bronchitis and will keep this short and get myself to bed, setting this to post for you in the morning.

The challenge was to use these happy HOT colors: Daffodil Delight, Poppy Parade, and Peach Parfait. In keeping with the happy theme, I love the sentiment!

Here's my card.

One layer cards are so much fun to make! The flowers were cut out and popped up and have black brads in the centers. I love the bold sweet flowers from the Simple Friendship set because they really make a statement.

As always, I value the time you take to let me know what you think of the projects that I share. Thanks so much for you support and input.

Enjoy!

 

   

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: So Happy for You, SImple Friendship
Paper:  Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Sunny Garden Designer Series Paper
and Ink: Basic Black

Accessories:  Brads (neutrals), Tasteful Trim Die 

Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE

Embracing Friday Flashback!

Welcome to Friday Flashback! where I share a stamp set or accessory that deserves to be in the spotlight even though it often gets overlooked or has retired. I began this feature to encourage myself and all of us to dust off those horded supplies and give them a new look!

The Embrace Life set is just what I needed to try out a new technique called Double Embossing (Gina K has done a great video tutorial). You emboss a line stamp in gold , then use a VersaMarker to fill in the inside of the image, and emboss again with clear powder giving a really pretty stained glass effect. I can't wait to experiment with this technique again.

I was inspired to try this combo by the Paper Pals Color Challenge (PPA79) and it was a tough one: Riding Hood Red, Rich Razzleberry, and Certainly Celery. It's hard to de-bunk some of our notions about color, I can hear many of you thinking "red and purple together???" You will either love it or wince slightly, lol!

I decided to boldly embrace the colors (if you'll please excuse the pun) instead of tiptoeing around them! Using the technique and adding a touch of gold in the embossed images and the gold strip gives my card a bit of Asian flair. I was so excited when I realized I had just received my lovely package of ribbon rosettes. It was easy to dye the rose with a bit of Riding Hood Red Ink and an aquapainter.

The butterfly is from the Nature Walk set, and is popped up. The sentiment is from the Occasional Quotes set.

I hope you've enjoyed my card. I know I have been so delighted by your comments and encouraging notes. You all have made me smile today and I can't wait to come back after the weekend with more to share. If you're a fan of Friday Flashback, check back the first Friday of each month.

Have a great weekend.

 

   

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Embrace Life, Nature Walk, Occasional QUotes
Paper:  Whisper White, RIding Hood Red, Rich Razzlebberry, Certainly Clelery, Brushed Gold
and Ink: Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry, VersaMark

Accessories:  Versamarker, Gold Glory Embossing Powder, Ribbon Rosettes, corner rounder punch

Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE