Stamps, Paper, and Ink

Up in the Air is So Sweet

 I love seeing butterflies. Today we had temps in the 70's and tomorrow it will be high 70's so spring is on its way for sure! Pairing butterflies with daisies in the Up in the Air set is so sweet!

My color combo of Tangerine Tango, Marina Mist and Early Espresso allowed me to combine patterns from Paisley Petals DSP and Mocha Morning DSP. I embossed the white panel with the Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder, and added a pretty DSP border using the Adorning Accents Edgelits. 

I'm up in the air over a decision I need to make any day now. My ASUS laptop has seriously cracked at the hinge and is separating from the screen so it's time for a new purchase. Should I get a MacBook Air or stay with Windows 7? Feel free to give me input but I have to tell you that I don't grasp techy stuff too quickly!

 I'm playing along with this lovely sketch from Stampin 411.

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Up in the Air

Paper:  Paisley Petals DSP, Mocha Morning DSP, Whisper White, Early Espresso, Marina Mist

Ink:  Early Expresso

Accessories:  Stampin' Write markers, Boho Blossoms and Itty Bitty flower punches, Framelits Labels Die, Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon, Adorning Accents Edgelts, Basic Jewels - Rhinestones

Love Note

 I've seen the cutest cards with the You're My Type stamp set. Isn't that the way it happens with the set you DIDN'T include in your order? Well, now that I decided I need this set, I'm having fun getting to play with it! I love the versatility of the old typewriter image and combined it with the Outlined Occasions stamp set to come up with this cute Valentine.

I used the Outlined Occasions stamp set for the sentiments. Stamping "Love" in Basic Brown ink enables me to maintain browns as my neutral and marker in the color without it bleeding.

Speaking of what I need, I've almost used up my pack of Attic Boutique DSP. I love the vintage stlye and bright patterns paired with Soft Suede. This card fits the Color Combo Challenge at SCS to use Poppy Parade, Soft Suede, and Daffodil Delight. My inspiration began with this great sketch from Mojo Monday.

I hope you get in some crafting time today. Thanks for taking time to stop by and read about my little love note...

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Outlined Occasions, You're My Type

Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Whisper WHite, Soft Suede, Attic Boutique DSP

Ink:  Soft Suede, Basic Brown (retired)

Accessories:  Triple Heart and 2-3/4"circle punches , Baker's Twine, Poppy Parade Twill Ribbon, Stampin' Write markers

MOJO or Tea?

 

My morning cup is filled to the brim with tea, so it's a given that the Tea Shoppe set suits my tastes as well. Today's card is my take on the MOJO sketch for this week.

I LOVE the crisp teacup images in this set, and the sweet sentiment quote from Louisa May Alcott. The Attic Boutique DSP makes me think of a tea party, so it seems the perfect choice. Punching a lacy border and adding a sheer ribbon bow complete the dainty look.

There's a lovely sentiment for the inside of the card: "A Cup of Thanks." I think the thoughts are lovely. I'm glad you "stay" by my blog, dear friends, and hope your day is charming. I think the first day of a new month deserves a tea party!

 

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Tea Shoppe

Paper:  Attic Boutique DSP, Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Pool Party

Ink:  Poppy Parade, Early Espresso

Accessories:  Lace Ribbon Border and Curly Label punches, Ribbon and Brad Pack, white ribbon

Twitterpated and Freshly Made

I'm exhausted after the wedding! It was a fabulous celebration!

After all the excitement and travel, I'm twitterpated to even think of making a card today. But that's what I did and now I'm under the wire to post it in time to be shared on this week's Freshly Made Sketches challenge. Wondering all the while if I wouldn't have been better off taking a nap. Hope you like it!

I used the Bordering on Romance set, keeping the hues monochromatic for an elegant look that's really easy. I embossed the image in Cherry Cobbler, and used markers to highlight in Blushing Bride. I love the sweet patterns and colors of the Twitterpated Designer Series Paper and dressed it up with other product in that collection (you can never go wrong with pleated ribbon!) The Adorning Accents Edgelits provide a feminine border.

 

Stamps: Bordering on Romance, Upsy Daisy

Paper: Twitterpated DSP, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler

Ink: Versamark, Basic Gray

Accessories: Blushing Bride, Adorning Accents Edgelits, Vintage Brads, Cherry Cobbler EP, markers, buttons, Basic Rhinestones

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.

Apothecary Art

Dear blog friends,

It's the time of year when we hear this often but I'm wondering where all the month of December has gone!

I had some time to stamp last week and LOVED trying out some of the new products coming in the Occasions Mini (available for sale on Jan.4). The Apothecary Art set is full of old-fashioned loveliness and I was so inspired to use this set with the new Labels Collection Framelits Dies.

I was also inspired by this month's muse at CASE Study Challenge, the wonderfully talented Amy Sheffer. I have admired her fabulous work for a long time and humbly jumped at the opportunity to play along in the challenge this week.I learn so much from studying and playing in challenges! What I love about stamping is that there is always some new twist, new thing to learn, or ... new products!

Here's Amy's gorgeous card:

I especially liked her bold use of neutrals with just a splash of another color, her beautiful flourish patterns, and her gorgeous ribbon treatment.

I began by stamping the image on Crumb Cake card stock using Basic Brown ink. I chose this because it stays colorfast when you color over it. I used the white gel pen, adding highlights with my markers, and shading the leaves in Pear Pizzazz.

I stamped the sentiment inside the banner from the Take it to Heart set, and cut it out. The DSP is from the beautiful Attic Boutique Product Suite. I cut the Crumb Cake layer with my snips and die cut the Pear Pizazz card stock with the next size Labels Collection Framelits Die. I added a mat of Early Espresso card stock and tied a bow in satin ribbon.

Hope you've enjoyed the array of sneak peek goodies!

 

Boutique Birthday - sneak peek!

 Hi there!

I did get a chance to break into my new Occasions Mini supplies a few days ago and I decided to just PLAY! I'm happy to give you a sneak peek of what's fresh, new and coming soon!

Instead of beginning with a sketch or specific theme, I began with a fun product in a new color - Smooch Spritz spray in Blushing Bride. I got it right out and spritzed away on Very Vanilla card stock. I liked the soft spattered background so much that it became the basis for my whole card. What looks like pink card stock in this close up is actually the Very Vanilla cs with sparkly Smooch Spritz sheen!

The sentiment and flourish image (stamped in Riding Hood Red) are from a darling new stamp set called Elementary Elegance which will be available during Sale-A-Bration. Then I used the Framelits Labels metal die to cut the panel. The sentiment on Very Vanilla was punched with the Curly Label Punch and pairs perfectly with the image.

I LOVE the new Attic Boutique DSP!!! It is so gorgeous I had to use it as soon as I opened the pack. Each pattern is beautiful but this one is my favorite. A few pearls and Riding Hood Red Pleated Ribbon wrap this up in classy style.

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Elementary Elegance

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Attic Boutique DSP, Soft Suede, Blushing Bride

Ink:  Soft Suede, Riding Hood Red

Accessories:  Smooch Spritz (Blushing Bride), Labels Framelits, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Curly Label Punch, Basic Pearls

Baby Fresh for Spring

I was so inspired by the fresh springy colors used in the sewing kit on page 35 of the Occasions Mini that I just had to put together a card with my own take on it.

Knowing my color scheme of Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, and Daffodil Delight narrowed the choice to two patterns of the Sweet Stitches Designer Series Paper. I knew I wanted to use the Buttons, Buttons set and make a square card, but I was stumped for a little while about the images, until I pulled out my dear old Forest Friends to use again. I love that set and especially this deer image which is cut out and popped up.

Embellishments were easy. What else goes with the baby theme but rick rack from the Tasteful Trim die, a big satin bow, and a safety pin! I also die cut the white label using the Big Shot and the Scallop Rectangle Clearlit. The 'baby' is from the Tiny Tags set.

I love the Sew Suite collection, the accessories are fun and fresh. I hope you're realizing that it's not just for sewing!

The layout for this card is from the sketch at the weekly Stamping 411 Challenge. Trust me that my layers are centered, it's the perspective of the camera shot from the side.  :->

Thanks for taking a look!

   

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

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