Stamps, Paper, and Ink

Occasions to stamp!

I'm settling down after all the holidays, how about you? The days show hopeful signs of settling into some routine again. That means time to take walks with Josie, try to get the house back in order, and stamp! The Occasions Mini catalog goes live today with wonderful new products and I can't wait to show them to you. So settle back, I've got some cards in the lineup for the next couple of days.

  My favorite new product is the Attic Boutique DSP! I love the vintage patterns and color combos. My Valentine began wtih the sentiment from the Loving Thoughts stamp set, and I scored the panel for extra detail. That pretty little border underneath is made with the Adorning Accents Edgelits Die.

The heart images are from the Take It to Heart set. I stamped and cut the two larger hearts by hand. The little one was die cut with the new Fashionable Hearts Embosslit. I added pearls and a few spritzes of ink, just to make me happy!

This card is my entry for the contest this month at  Mojo Monday - it's a gorgeous sketch, don't you think?

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Loving Thoughts, Take It to Heart

Paper:  Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Attic Boutique DSP, Pretty in Pink

Ink:  Early Espresso, Pretty in Pink

Accessories:  Fashionable Hearts Embosslits Die, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Color Spritzer Tool, Basic Pearls, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies, marker

Flower Flourish

Hi and Happy New Year!

I was about to post my card for this week's Case Study when I found out a very pleasant surprise!  THIS card that I entered in the last challenge was a Top 3 Winner! That certainly brought a smile to my face this morning and makes it very enticing to play again!

The challenge featured this lovely sample from one of my favorite artists, Amy Sheffer.

I loved her beautiful color choices and the rich textures including the pleats and a doily as part of her collage accent.

Here's my take on it -

The flower was stamped with the Mixed Bunch stamp set which is available starting Wednesday in the Occasions Mini. I used the basic Resist technique, stamping with Versamark ink onto Glossy Paper, then heat setting it to dry. I sponged Poppy Parade ink over the flourish and got this pretty textured look. Here's a close-up for you.

This technique is so simple to do. Just be sure to use glossy paper. A darker ink is best. The ink does show up a shade lighter and the wonderful sheen of the paper shows through.

I cut it out with the coordinating Blossom Punch. Don't you love using supplies that are MADE for each other?

The paper pleating wasn't hard and I promise to show you how I did that soon. The DSP is coming for Sale A Bration and is called Everyday Enchantment. I need Thank You cards at this time of year, so this one is going out in the mail soon.

If you need any details of other supplies used, please don't hesitate to ask! I'm away from my desk right now (standing in the kitchen in my jammies) and whenever I add supplies without looking up the exact names - well you know, I give them new names all my own - right off the top of my head.

I'd so love to hear from you! Your comments always inspire me.