Stamps, Paper, and Ink

Kaleidoscope of Color

Weekend before last I was able to travel to NJ to visit my Mom, and I enjoyed so much just spending time with her. She has a real gift of living in the present and enjoying each moment to the fullest with a grateful heart. We were able to take a drive to a nearby park on a beautiful fall day, and I loved the kaleidoscope of color in the foliage. Perfect inspirations for a fall card.

I actually made this card to show off the new colors of embossing powders to my club stampers. My card is a CASE of THIS lovely center step card, but I stepped it up and enhanced the images with heat embossing. Starting with Tangerine Tango card stock for the main panel, I randomly stamped leaves with Versamark and sprinkled them with Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder. I love the tone on tone effect and was surprised that the embossed images are just a tad lighter than the card stock. It gives them an almost opaque effect, so pretty IRL!

For the focal image, I stamped the leaf in More Mustard, then stamped the outline over it with Versamark, and added Pewter Embossing Powder, then heated it. Next I added highlights to the leaf with my versamarker, and heat embossed with Tangerine Tango EP. It's fun seeing the details take shape during the embossing process. Definitely my kind of playing with a WOW! result. 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Gently Falling, Hand-Penned Holidays

Paper:  More Mustard, Soft Suede, Spice Cake DSP, Very Vanilla

Ink:  More Mustard, Soft Suede, VersaMark

Accessories:  Versamarker, Lace trim, Glitter brad, Pewter and Tangerine Tango EP

 

Peekaboo!

I measured those cute framed windows in the Peekaboo Die and had them sitting on my craft table. Watching for the opportunity to use one on a card. Today is the day. Peekaboo!

The die has windows in several shapes and sizes. It was featured as part of the Advent Calendar in the Holiday Mini. I decorated the closed window with a die cut snowflake and a Marina Mist taffeta ribbon bow.

Open the door and you can see this cute snowbuddy friend inside! I used the Snow Much Fun stamp set, Santa's Helper DSP, and Riding Hood Red card stock. The images are on Confetti White, which holds up well for water color. I scribbled marker on my acrylic block and dabbed it on with Blender pens. Rhinestones shine for bling!

This was created for the Freshly Made Sketches challenge.

Keeping this post brief today to get on with other things. No snow is in the forecast but it has gotten chilly and there's lots to do over the weekend. I love being outside in this weather, as a matter of fact I'm posting out back while Josie plays. For this NC girl, it feels great to have to wear long sleeves and maybe even a jacket.

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Fresh stuff

I have loved the fun comments and appreciate hearing from so many of you, I think you're happy to have some Fresh Stuff on my blog this week!

I'll be going grocery shopping this afternoon and bringing home some fresh stuff to eat - I hate it when we are low on healthy munchies.We need some fruits and veggies!

Or maybe my title is referring to fresh Fruits & Flowers, the adorable stamp set that I inked up for today's card, all wrapped up in Berry Blossoms DSP.

Isn't this some eye candy that looks good enough to eat?

I had fun with the cute sketch at The Sweet Sunday Challenge and having to come up with small enough images sent me searching for just the right set. The strawberries were inked with markers, snipped and popped up. In fact, all of the circles are also on dimensionals. The floral designs were punched right out of the DP, and I added an In Color brad for those fun polka dots.

The sentiment is from the Friendly Phrases set.

I want to just take a minute to remind you that the month is soon ending and so is the FREE Big Shot offer. I've had so many really thinking it over, and want to encourage you - don't miss out on this AMAZING deal! It's a great offer and I added a blog page HERE for the Starter Kit so you can have all the information in one place. I'd love to have you Join My Team and be part of the Paper Pretties fun.

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Fruits & Flowers, Friendly Phrases

Paper:  Basic Black, Berry Blossom DSP, Old Olive, Whisper White, Calypso Coral

Ink:  Basic Black

Accessories:  Scallop Border, 1" and 1-1/4" circle punches, grosgrain ribbon

Pocketful of Razzleberry Posies

It's so nice starting the day with craft time and a challenge! They say if you are in a stamping business, it's important to remember why you love stamping. I don't have any trouble with that, although I seem to go in cycles of stamping for business - stamping for fun - and life getting too busy to do either! I am in a FUN mode as you will see with today's card.

Amazingly when I came upstairs my craft space was all tidied up. Oh my, how easy it is to get started when the space is clear, hopefully that knowledge will motivate me at the END of the stamping/blogging session! I was all set with a totally different idea but flipping through my catalog instantly inspired me when I saw the cute projects on page 138 using the Pocketful of Posies product suite. It was a snap making the funky flowers with the 5-petal punch.

Tip: I wanted an interesting mat for the DP, so I cut a rectangle about 2 x 4-3/4". The narrow end fit over the Decorative Label punch so that just the bottom was cut when I punched. I repeated the element for the tag using the Curly Label punch and added details with a DP border and some bling.

This cute layout is from MOJO Monday and the colors are from the SCS Color Combinations Challenge. I wasn't quite sure about the Baja Breeze and Island Indigo but it has a soothing effect and I like the pop of white and Rich Razzleberry to wake it up.

Making this card makes me smile. Hope you're smiling today.

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  You're A Gem

Paper:  Pocketful of Posies DSP, Baja Breeze and Baja Breeze Textured, Island Indigo, Whisper White

Ink:  Island Indigo

Accessories:  Snow Burst Embossing Folder, Basic Rhinestones, Flower Brad; 1/2" circle, 5-Petal Flower, Decorative Label and Curly Label punches, Baker's Twine

 

Vintage Greeting

 Hi everybody!

I had lots of busyness last week, including a trip out of town for the weekend.  One of my favorite things about coming home - besides being welcomed by my family and sleeping in my own bed - is getting to stamp! So today after dusting and vacuuming, unpacking and starting the laundry, planting pansies and walking Josie - I got to make a card in the vintage style that I love with one of my favorite sets.

I needed to jump start my MOJO so I checked out the Featured Stamper challenge at SCS. Who wouldn't love to be inspired by the beautiful work of the very talented Deb Saranen? I chose THIS darling card and decided to use my Greeting Card Kids stamp set for my design.

The frame from the Beau Chateau DSP seemed the perfect place to start, so I fussy cut it and placed a rectangle of watercolor paper inside. The floral spray was snipped out as well to add balance and color. Stamping in Basic Brown, I colored the image with my aqua painter and reinkers. A sprinkle of Mica Flakes, a smattering of pearls and sponged distressing add to the vintage theme.

The mica flakes are clear or white but somehow they appear to be colored in my photo. I guess they are reflecting the Pink Pirouette and Marina Mist hues from the image. I used Mono Multi purpose glue to adhere the mica and found that fewer flakes look best.

ETA: I'm adding this to the fun Fabulous Faces challenge going on at Our Creative Corner.

The finished card is 5" square.

   All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Greeting Card Kids, Bells & Boughs

Paper:  Beau Chateau DSP, Marina Mist, watercolor paper

Ink:  Pink Pirouette, Marina Mist, Old Olive, Soft Suede

Accessories:  Tasteful Trim die, Basic Pearls, Antique brads, Marina Mist taffeta ribbon, Lace Trim, sponges, markers, Mica Flakes

Fanciful and Festive

Hi everyone!

Well, it's happenend again, the days have flown by and here the week is almost over. Just in the nick of time, I have a project to post for you. You may remember that I had stamping club on Monday, and I do get really into preparing for those and enjoying the fun of the evening. It takes me a couple days to get back into stamping.

I had ordered the Letterpress Plates but not done much with them until I made this tag and stocking box as gifts for my hostess.

I didn't have much time but dashed outside before they came to snap pictures in the fading natural light. Unfortunately it doesn't show them at their best.

I love the sophisticated look you can get with just stamps, paper, ink and Letterpress Plates. Applying color and dimension in one step makes it easy to add a vintage look to these projects. The little cello bag that I tucked in the stocking held some Holly Berry Designer Buttons and Baker's Twine.

I must say it was very easy to make the paper Rosette using the Simply Scored tool!

For the tag, I cut the DP to make the floral design and arranged it with a silver glimmer blossom and a big button. Hope you like the projects, won't you take a moment to tell me what you think?

 

All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Pines & Pointsettias, Season of Joy

Paper:  Holly Berry Bouquet Specialty Paper, Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi, Glimmer Paper

Ink:  Real Red Craft, Chocolate Chip

Accessories:  Festive Finishes Pick A Pattern and Fancy Fan Letterpress Plates, Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Buttons, Holiday Stockin Die, Velvet Stitiched Ribbon, Taffeta Ribbon, Baker's Twine, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer and 1/2" circle punches

 

; All supplies by Stampin' Up!</p>

<table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="6" width="90%" align="center">

<tbody id="collapseobj_photoinfo">

<tr>

<td align="left"><strong>Stamps:</strong> <br /></td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td align="left"><strong>Paper:</strong> <br /></td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td align="left"><strong>Ink:</strong> <br /></td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td align="left"><strong>Accessories:</strong> <br /></td>

</tr>

</tbody>

</table>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

 

My Christmas Keepsake Box

Happy Monday!

I've had a busy and fun time getting ready for my stamp club tonight, but I'm popping in with a quick post for you today.

I wanted to share my photos of the Christmas Keepsake Box that I recently completed. I LOVE this vintage look. This box truly is something I am proud to say that I have made. What's NOT to love when there are lots of pearls, lace, ribbon and glitter?

 

The kit from Stampin' Up! includes the box, all the pre-cut papers, and accessories to make the box! It took me about three hours to complete. As you can see there are lots of details and beautiful embellishments including a lace rosette, a scallop paper flower, and a pleated paper rosette. I had decided a couple of weeks ago to show my completed box to you, but now I have even better news. I am happy to tell you that kits are available for you to order from Stampin Up! for $19.95.(Contact me to order yours.) Whether you make this to give as a gift, or to keep and enjoy, it is unique and beautiful.

Hope I've inspired you to want to craft. Have a great day!

 

A little bird-day cheer!

I have just a quick post to share and I'm really tired as I write this late in the evening, so I'll try not to get too punchy. Or make corny jokes. Or chatter away....

It's a nice kind of tired though, I had a lovely day spent with my dear friend. We went out to lunch and shopping - can't beat that unless we're adding in some stamping too!

Today's card was made for her in honor of her birthday. You should see the go-jus card she made for me, and it's not even my birthday!

I thought the Sweetest Sunday Sketch this week was fabulous and so fun I just had to try it. My strips were cut at 1-5/8" wide, but I had to juggle them a bit to make sure they covered the card from top to bottom.

It took me forever to decide which DP to use, and then it took forever to choose the best patterns to work with. But this is a layout I'd love to use again, and I'm very happy with the way the card turned out. 

Hope you like it!

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Best of Everything

Paper:  Just Add Cake DSP, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, Peach Parfait, Soft Suede

Ink:  Peach Parfait, markers, Soft Suede

Accessories:  Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch, Scallop Border punch, Designer Buttons, 1/8" taffeta ribbon, Subtles brads

A Christmas Classic

Happy Monday! I hope you are getting a good start to the new week. We had such beautiful weather this past weekend, and enjoyed being outside. My husband and I were out on errands and on the spur of the moment we stopped in at a local German Bakery for pastries and coffee. It brought back wonderful memories from the time we lived in Germany. Living overseas was a great experience. It was delightful have a little taste of it so close to home.

I'm beginning the week with my first post to the fairly new Freshly Made Sketches challenge requesting cards with clean lines and interesting details. Fun!

This card came together easily with the Welcome Christmas stamp set. I kept the striking effect of the silhouette by stamping in Early Espresso ink, and matted a Scallop Circle #2 die cut. The silver accents include Glimmer paper, Neutral Glitter Brads, and a rhinestone jewel on the treetop.  This happy family scene warrms my heart, especially paired with Frostwood Lodge DSP.

The holly and berries are from a new die with accessories for the Stocking Die.

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

A Second Look

Are you surprised I am posting on Saturday night? Me too! We've had a very lovely fall day here and a fun game of cards with the family tonight. I lost.

Here's the reason for my post: I love taking a layout and making more than one card with it. It seems that once you've figured out the measurements and worked through the layout for ONE card, other ideas come to mind and take shape, often in very different directions. I found myself "living" with the MOJO Monday sketch (in my thoughts!) in just that way this week. In THIS post, I shared my first card. Now I'd like to share my second one and it is VERY different, have a look!

 I chose vibrant colors and bold patterns for my card using the Array Of Sunshine Hostess Set. The sentiment is from the Petite Pairs set and reads inside..... "to make it better." The only thing that would make it better for me is if you could see the colors IRL - the green is much more subtle than what you see here. It is hard to capture the true look of Wild Wasabi, Pool Party, and Melon Mambo.

The layers are popped up nicely.

If you enjoy seeing different cards made from the same layout, check out my Twice is Nice Category in the sidebar. I really did enjoy making this one and I appreciate it so much when you stop by. I'd love to know which card you like better, the one in my previous post, or today's card?  I can't decide, but I am a huge fan of pink and green together.

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Petite Pairs, Array of Sunshine, Tagtastic

Paper:  Just Add Cake DSP, Pool Party, Whisper White

Ink:  Wild Wasabi, Melon Mambo, Pool Party

Accessories:  Eyelet Border and Curly Label punches, Wide Striped Grosgrain, Buttons