Stamps, Paper, and Ink

My First Video Tutorial

I know I'm a wayward blogger who's been distracted gone for way too long. Enough said.

The good news is - I'm back with the video tutorial I promised you! After two or three consultations with my Apple guy, and an hour long phone session for tech help with my son - I discovered that my old camera was NOT compatible with my new Mac. So I went to great lengths for you, sacrificing *wink* to buy a new camera and figure out how to use it. Please bear in mind that I have BARELY figured out how to use it after much trial and error.

The project I'll be showing you is from the post  A Gift of Love and features a box and matching pouch or gift bag using Box #2 Die. If you have any questions, please let me know in my comments box. I'd love to know what you think of my project and video too! If you'd like to see more videos, I'd love suggestions of what you'd like in the future. Thanks for joining me today!

 

 

Bordering on Romance Birthday

 The Bordering on Romance stamp set is a dream to color and embellish! Yesterday I got some time to play and highlight this set for today's card.

I chose my colors based on the Twitterpated Designer Series Paper and watercolored using an Aqua Painter and inks from my stamp pad lids. A rhinestone gem adds bling to the flower centers.

The fab layout from iSPY Sketches was so versatile and could be left simple or embellished with interesting accents. Check by the site to see gorgeous samples from the Special Agents (DT).

The Adorning Accents Edgelits die created the scalloped border in Baja Breeze which layers so nicely over the pleated ribbon. 

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Bordering on Romance, Create a Cupcake

Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Baja Breeze, Twitterpted DSP, Whisper White

Ink: Black Staz On, Pear Pizzazz, miscellaneous inks for coloring

Accessories: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch, Twitterpated Designer Buttons, Pleated Satin Ribbon, Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies, White Taffeta Ribbon, Aqua Painter, Basic Jewels - Rhinestones

 

I Scream!

Hi everybody! You can take my title any way you want tonight. I scream with delight that I got a new computer and squeal with a sigh to have almost all of my files downloaded. Now I scream for a different reason in that it's quite a learning curve switching to a Mac and took me most of 2 hours to edit, find and edit again my photos. But look forward with me to all the possibilities! So glad to be able to replace my fractured laptop. It may take me a few days to get my photo edits up to snuff, thanks in advance for your patience.

But you came for a card, right? I scream = Ice cream! How about a scoop in Wisteria Wonder that was embossed with Cherry-scented EP and smells yummy?

Isn't that Sweet Shoppe DSP luscious looking? I am delighted to tell you that it's digital! I don't have that paper but did print out the patterns from MDS for this hybrid card. I used white card stock and couldn't believe how easy it was to do.

Pool Party card stock was embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots folder and cut with a Framelits Labels die. I used various markers to ink up the cone image, then embossed clear Cherry EP and cut out the ice cream scoop (it's actually a pattern of the paper with tiny dots) to add shine and texture. The cherry was topped with a dollop of Crystal Effects. 

I'm happy to send you to see the great sketch by Tui Nathan at Freshly Made Sketches and to play along. I actually made another card for this sketch which I'll post soon.

Have a great day! 

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Greeting Card Favorite

Hi, and happy Friday!

Greeting Card Kids is one of my very favorite sets, and the card I'll share today is one of my all-time favorite cards that I've made. Of course, I began with a great sketch (SSSC151) and the gorgeous Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper.

I LOVE this card sketch! I played a long time with the paper patterns and chose these airy floral patterns for a soft look. Watercoloring is an absolute delight to me, one of the most relaxing parts of my crafting. I began with Stampin' Up's Watercolor Paper, stamped the image in Black StazOn, and then ran it through the Big Shot using the Framelits Labels Collection die.

To color I used a Blender Pen and inks from my stamp pads. I also scribbled a bit of marker on a clear block and picked that up with the pen to color her skin. I used the following colors for little Ruby Mae (don't you think she needs a name, lol?): Pool Party, Indigo Island, Calypso Coral, Blush Blossom, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, So Saffron and Melon Mambo.

The sentiment (from the Tiny Tags set) is stamped in Poppy Parade ink and punched with the Tiny Tag punch. All tied up with a bow of Pool Party Seam Binding.

This wraps up nine projects I've posted in the last two weeks, and I can't wait to make some more!

If my projects have inspired you to stamp or craft, I'm glad. If you've gotten ideas or just enjoyed seeing what I've made, I'm glad. If you have time to leave a comment, I'd be delighted to hear from you.

Take it to Heart

Hi there!

Hope your day and new year is perking along well. I've been busy with family birthdays and a stamping "Tea" party last night but I've got a quick share for you today.

You know you are going to see this set again from me a few times in the next month - I LOVE the Take it to Heart stamp set from the Occasions Mini. Paired with the Everyday Enchantment DSP (a peek of what's to come with Sale-A-Bration) this vintage set shows off a cute and fun, classic style!

I started out with an idea to create a seasonal card perfect for a thank you or short note. I love the perky colors - Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Calypso Coral and Poppy Parade.

Adding a topper made with the Adorning Accents Edgelits and coordinating embossing folders really dresses up this easy card. I stamped the sentiment from the Loving Thoughts set tone on tone so the edge treatment details could stand out.

This fits right in with the Love Challenge at The Paper Players.

Thanks for stopping by today! I know there are a zillion blogs out there and I'm honored that you pop in to take a peek at my creations. I'd love to hear from you!

Warmest of Wishes

I played with some fancy folds today!

 

I've experimented with making these origami folded trees and decided to pull out some of last year's (or has it been two years?) beautiful flocked Christmas Cocoa papers to make today's card. I made a row of ruffled paper for the trees to nestle in and added Basic Rhinestones that I colored with a red Sharpie.

Making this little scene was so much fun! Speaking of fun, I'm taking the online Holiday Card Boot Camp Class, and the folded trees are one of the many fun ideas I've learned. The fun and inspiration will continue through next week. It's cool to be in school!

I inked up the Warmest Wishes stamp set for the sentiment, and stamped it in Early Espresso. I love the impact of this bold image. Soft Suede ink was sponged around the edges of the trees.

   All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Presentation is everything!

I am often reminded as I prepare for cards and classes that "Presentation is everything!" My good friend Donna likes to encourage me with those words too. I just came home with make up I bought at the mall, and they package it in a shiny-bold-black-and-white-striped bag with bright red tissue paper. They say the best things come in little packages, but it sure helps if they are also beautifully wrapped.

At convention we learned how to make a darling gift box using two of the Mini Milk Carton Dies. Here's my take on it for Christmas. I made it for the Fancy Folds challenge at Our Creative Corner.

I used silver metallic card stock and embossed it top and bottom with Pewter embossing Powder (I really love that stuff!) and the flourish image from the Creative Elements set. I put a rhinestone border around the top for bling.

To make this little treat box, you need to cut out two of the dies. On each one, cut off the panel on the end without the tab, then just adhere them together with sticky strip. It's important when folding in the bottom flaps, to adhere opposite flaps together overlapping them only about 1/4" to keep the six-sided shape.

You can just push down at the top and it will stay closed, or as I have done, punch holes all around and tie it with twine. Now that I've made this one, I can't wait to make another!

When you give it a try you're for sure going to see how easy it is to put together. But you will need a Big Shot.

I have good news about that!

The FREE Big Shot Offer has been extended until November 11. Check out all the details on THIS post.

If you already have the Big Shot, how about $100 of free merchandise?

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Pines & Poinsettias

Paper:  Metallic Silver, Whisper White

Ink:  VersaMark

Accessories:  Pewter EP, markers, Cherry Cobbler Quilted ribbon, Rhinestones, Mini Milk Carton Die, oval punch, Rhinestone Brad

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!

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!

Spice Cake Thankful Banner

Good morning!

One of the best perks about being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is getting to buy porducts at great discounts! When I received my Spice Cake Bundle of Designer Paper, the Big Buttons, and fabric to match I was determined to design a project that used all three.

I did it with the help of the Perfect Pennant Die. Lookie!

One way to see the details is to come to the class I'm having on this next Monday if you live in the area of Fayetteville, NC.

The letters H, N, and F are decorated with die cut leaves. I did use the fabric on a rolled flower on the U, and tied a strp of fabric into the button on the T.

These are so much fun to make I couldn't stop at just one. Here's a wedding banner!

  

  I made this in about an hour! At each end is a doily from the Flirtatious Specialty paper. The sentiments stamped are "Happy I do day!"  and  "Happiness Always."

If you have this die, I want to encourage you to try a banner or two. If you don't have the Perfect Pennant die, contact me to order yours!

I only wish there was a better way for me to photgraph them. I've been editing and fiddling with re-edits until my eyes are crossed. Hope you can catch the idea. I'd love to hear from you about how you like my projects today.

All supplies by Stampin' Up!