Stamps, Paper, and Ink

Serene Winter Post

One of my favorite things to do at this time of year is to pull out all the loved Christmas sets I've collected in the past 5 years that I've been with Stampin' Up! ( there's lots of them!) and design some special Christmas cards. Last night I pulled out the Winter Post set which I used and used some more last year. Lo and behold, it's a thrill to get it out this year again and do something entirely different with it. I LOVE stamping!

The challenge was to use neutrals and a pop of color but here's the twist - the pop of color had to be with a stamped image or embellishment, NOT with card stock. Here's what I did~

 

The soft monochromatic colors add to the serenity of this scene. The very vanilla panel is embossed with the Petals A Plenty embossing folder. Believe me, I will be using this all year, not just for Christmas!

• I added a bit of depth by sponging around the oval
• grounded my skaters with a line of pastel in close to cocoa
• RED mistletoe berries are totally for artistic effect - I needed a POP of color, you see! I stamped the mistletoe branches on white card stock - purposefully adding one more neutral to the mix.
• A puffed layer of crystal effects covers the berries. This image is from the set, A Cardinal Christmas

I wrapped several layers of the ribbon and tied it up with a bow of gold cord. This wraps up my post for today! Thanks for coming by, hope you've been inspired to pull out your own long-time favorite today and stamp!

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted *
Stamps: Winter Post, A Cardinal Christmas, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: very vanilla, kraft
and Ink: real red, close to cocoa, certainly celery

Accessories: markers, crystal effects, Petals A Plenty embossing folder,  Mistletoe ribbon, Modern Label punch, rhinestone brads ( square), gold metallic cord, Nestabilities*

Order from me online anytime HERE or e-mail me HERE with any questions you have!

Circle Circus

Black, white and red always look good. With the Circle Circus set, it is sure to be a winning combination. I used the bold, large circles and repeated them down the right length of the card.

• My Stamp A ma Jig was the key to getting the images stamped in an evenly spaced line-up. Don't overlook the usefulness of this great tool!
• The flower on the button is a rub on, and has a 3/8" circle punched with the Crop-A- Dile on top.
• The 1" Polka-dotted grosgrain wraps it all up and is tied up with a bit of cotton thread.
• Die cutting letters with the Many Thanks Sizzlet made using text as the focal image easy!

Sometimes clean and simple is NOT simple! I went through a bunch of combinations until I found the bold look I wanted for this card. It was one of those days when there was smeared ink, torn letters, lots of interruptions, a couple phone calls, and pieces of botched card stock in the trash. Ever have stamping times like that?  < smile> The mess is still on the craft table, the card is on the piano. I'm pleased.

I made this for the Color Combos challenge to use neutrals plus a 'pop' of another color; and the Clean and Simple challenge which was this great sketch.

Happy stamping!

 

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Circle Circus
Paper: whisper white, black, real red textured
and Ink: basic black

Accessories: 1" Polka Dot ribbon, Big Shot, Many Thanks Sizzlet, slot punch, button and rub on (retired)

Need supplies to make this card?  E-mail me HERE with any questions you have, I'd be happy to place an order for you.

You Pick

OK, another challenge (SCS sketch challenge), and a new card made just this morning!

Now YOU get to pick - yesterday's card was the whimsical one and today's is classic Christmas. Which do you like better?

HeHe, some of you may be wondering which one I like better! LOL I don't want to tell you which one is my favorite until I hear from you, but you can make a guess about that if you want to!I'll be back tomorrow to tell you,so check back.

Here's what I can tell you about~

• The red panels are textured card stock embossed with the Petals A Plenty folder. I could use this folder on everything, I like it so well!
• The Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper is flocked, so this card is elegantly touchable.
• For the image,I used a window sheet and the Ornament punch to make a stencil, sponging inside with sahara sand ink. Then I stamped over it.
• Notice the wonderful shading effect you can get with the stencil technique.

I guess you can notice that my Pretties Kit is still something I love to use too. (Those of you who have visited me for a long while know how fond I am of the pretties, and look how long they have lasted! ) I like my Pretties Kit so well that it's got it's own category on my sidebar.

Thanks for commenting to tell me what you think - I think you're the best!

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Holiday Best, Christmas Cardinal (retired)
Paper: Christmas Cocoa Specialty Designer Paper, whisper white, always artichoke, sahara sand, real red textured
and Ink: always artichoke, sahara sand

Accessories: satin ribbon, Pretties Kit, marker, Petals A Plenty embossing folder, slot and ornament punches, window sheet, sponges.

If you'd like more information about how to make this beautiful card, or any other on my blog, feel free to contact me.

More is more with Moss

Here's one of the cards I got to make this week! This one is my favorite.

I set out to do last week's color challenge but realized that I used the wrong colors! The challenge was to use mellow moss, kraft and white. Mine turned out to be very vanilla instead of white, but I'm still pleased with this card. I kept adding textures and layers, thus the  title. Maybe I'll have to try another  with kraft, moss and white!

Cindy's INKlings:

• Experiment with a variety of textures until you find the best to use for each card. After trying two things I didn't like, I added texture and interest to the Top Note by stamping the French Filigree Background stamp with versamark for a watermark effect.
• Embossing a silhouette image really makes it stand out. I used Vanilla embossing powder to emboss the flower.
• Try using the Photo Corner Punch next time you make a banner for your sentiment. It's fun and so easy!  Line it up to snip perfect right angles.

Order from me online anytime HERE or contact me with any questions you have!

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up! except the vanilla embossing powder
Stamps: Of the Earth ( hostess set)
Paper: mellow moss, very vanilla, kraft, Bella Bleu DSP
and Ink: versa mark, mellow moss

Accessories: vanilla embossing powder, mellow moss taffeta ribbon, linen thread, ticket corner and photo corner punches, kraft corduroy buttons, Button Latte Designer Buttons

 

White Christmas

Happy, happy Monday to you! We're having a rainy day here and it's cozy because I can settle in - don't have to go anywhere today! I had been on such a good roll of posting several days a week for a little while - hope to start posting more often again this week.

I've been working on some cards for my class tomorrow and playing with My Digital Studio. I'll be posting here to share with you! Just wanted you to know what I've been up to.

My White Christmas card features the Finial Press embossing folder with a twist. If you look closely, you'll see that there is a rectangular area inside that is NOT embossed. This idea is not original with me, but I tweaked it and used a chipboard rectangle and cut out a smaller rectangle with my hobby blade.

I had trouble getting a photo that shows how elegant this card really is IRL. You'll just have to trust me!

The texture of the Finial Press embossing folder makes this card so touchable! The sentiment was done using the Holiday Best hostess set and Stampin' Write markers.

I also made a shimmer mist with Frost White Shimmer Paint and added it to the embossed white panel. I have to say Shimmer Paint is one of my favorite new products - there's so much that you can do with it! Here's a glimpse of the detail for you. If you click to enlarge the photo, you'll see that shimmer!

Hope you're glad that you hopped by - I  sure am! See you tomorrow -

 

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Delightful Decorations, Holiday Best
Paper: whisper white, real red
and Ink: real red

Accessories: Stampin' Write markers, silver elastic cord, Finial Press embossing folder, Square rhinestone brads 

To order any supplies click HERE  to begin shopping.

Berry Pumpkin

Sorry to be so late in posting today, but I had a great time doing a challenge and posting it in the same day.This was done for the sketch challenge at SCS, and I love this layout. I needed a big dose of stamping therapy today, so I got pretty involved in layers and details and enjoyed every minute! Hope you like it too!

Here are a few details for you ~

• Creativity + Versatility = using a Christmas wreath for a fall card! The wreath image is from the Berry Christmas set in the holiday mini, and is popped up on dimensionals.
• No hoarding here LOL - I used patterns from 3 different series of designer paper: Pawsitively Prints, Autumn Traditions, and Thoroughly Modern. It was easy to combine them because I decided on my colors first, and then went looking for paper to match.
• The wreath and bow did not quite fit, so I used the 'out of the box' technique by cutting the bow outside of my white square. I LOVE this technique!
• I was determined to use a bit of the rick rack ribbon from my Orchard Originals pack. I aligned it with the striped paper to get the proper balance.
• The bird was textured (this is hard to see) and die cut using Merry details Sizzlet from the Holiday mini.

I took the a leftover scrap or two and decorated the inside, here's a glimpse for you!

As always, I'd love to hear from you, whether you have a comment or question. Thanks!

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Berry Christmas, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Autumn Traditions, Thoroughly Modern, Pawsitively Prints, whisper white, elegant eggplant, old olive
and Ink: elegant eggplant, pumpkin pie

Accessories: Orchard Ribbon Originals, corduroy button, Pumpkin Pie striped grosgrain, Textured Plates kit #4, Merry Details

Order from me online anytime HERE or e-mail me HERE with any questions you have!

Dazzling Christmas

I can't get enough of making cards ahead for Christmas, can you? By the time December comes, I usually have 15 or more cards ready to mail. Every one of them a different design! Then I mass produce the rest. Special people get the one-of-a-kind cards. They are usually the ones who let me know how much they appreciate the beauty of a unique hand-made greeting. Like today's card. It is very  unique, especially in the colors department, and I {{heart}} this combo!

I tried the Black Magic technique for the first time using the Lovely As A Tree set.

• I stamped the tree using white craft ink on the basic black card stock and let it dry. Then I colored the tree using my Metallic Colored pencils (retired) in shades of green, and brown. Regular watercolor pencils work every bit as well.
• Highlights were added with the Uni-ball signo gel pen, accenting the curves of the branches.
• Using the Two-Way glue pen, I drew in faint lines under the pen marks, and sprinkled on Olive Fine Supernova Stampin' Glitter. This almost looks gold IRL, but has a rich sparkle.
• The beauty of this technique is the dimension that it adds to the focal image which is beautifully set off by the black card stock, kinda like jewels shimmering on lush black velvet.

I hope you'll give this technique a try! Need supplies? Contact me and I'd be happy to help you.

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Lovely As A Tree (115026)
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, whisper white, basic black
 and Ink: white craft

Accessories:Pretties Kit, Fine Supernova Stampin' Glitter, Organza Ribbon, Silver Elastic cord, Scallop Edge and corner rounder punches, Metallic Colored pencils, uni-ball Signo Gel pen, Finial Press Embossing Folders, Big Shot

Charming

You all know that I am a pretty clean stamper - I don't usually do much sponging or vintage style. The first time I created a card with the Charming set, I went for a very crisp and clean look - you can see that card if you missed it - HERE.  Thank goodness for mood changes and variety because today's card is a different look! I wanted layers, texture, distressing - earthiness. Just a few observations:

• variety of texture comes from the combination of card stock, distressed card stock, embossed, card stock, felt, thread,twill and hardware. No hoarding here!
• the Petals-A-Plenty die (from the Holiday mini) doesn't have to be just for Christmas!
• I used a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to stamp the words in the background twice with versamark, so the kraft panel is square instead of a rectangle.
• I got a rugged distressed edge using a tool I just happened to grab. Did you know that the ridges of the Aqua painter top really do the trick!
• This layout comes from Jen Del Muro's Sketch for You toTry. 

I like creating a few cards for my stash that do not have a sentiment. Makes it easy to adapt when the need arises to get something in the mail ASAP.

Happy creating to you today! Here's the list of stamp, paper, and ink....

Supplies~ all supplies are by Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Charming
Paper: not quite navy, kraft, ruby red, Bella Bleu
Ink: versamark, not quite navy

Accessories: Petals-A-Plenty die, scallop border and slot punch, linen thread,twill, buttons, flower fusion, Stampin' Write markers, vintage brads

Order from me at my online store anytime HERE or e-mail with any questions you have!

Special Bearthday Wraps

 

This gift bag is for the child in your life, or maybe the child in you!
I was staunchly unimpressed with the thought of bear stamps or dies - until I saw them! When I saw the sweet projects made with the Build a bear line at convention I knew I had to try some ideas of my own. Who doesn't need an adorable gift bag?

Just a few things about the project:

• the bag is a tall bag, made from one sheet of 12 x12 designer paper. I added a scalloped edge all the way around the bag, then folded the top of the bag and anchored it with ribbon.
• I punched a 1-1/4" circle in chocolate chip and placed it behind the head for the eyes, nose and mouth. Much easier than gluing the tiny pieces on.
• Pawsitively Prints DSP has great mini patterns to use for clothing.
•  I added a color made with the scallop circle punch.
• the Beary Nice Wishes set supplied the  sentiment
• these bring back such memories of paper dolls! FUN for (you, ME!) and some little one!

All these supplies are available in the Holiday Mini. If you don't have a copy and would like one FREE, just e-mail me with your US address and I'd be happy to send you one.

Have a great day!

Get a scoopful of punch art...

Well, the long weekend is over, and I hope you had a relaxing time. Did anyone have a picnic? Complete with ice cream? I've got a scoop or two for you today!

 Even though I think it is so amazing to see what many creative people have come up with for punch art projects, I haven't really wanted to give it a try for myself until I saw the adorable bowl of ice cream in the Stampin' Success magazine that Stampin' Up! mails to demonstrators. Doesn't the DSP look Pawsitively perfect with the sundae? I hope you'll have fun giving this a try!

For this card, I used Beate's fabulous Weekend sketch. 

Hope your day is the sweetest ever!

Supplies~

Stamps:Crazy for Cupcakes
Paper: whisper white, old olive, so saffron, pretty in pink,close to cocoa,real red, Pawsitively Prints DSP
Ink: basic black

Accessories: scallop circle, 3/4"circle, 1-3/4" circle and large oval punches; Lots of Tags Sizzlet die, Designer buttons: Sherbet and Playground, filigree brads, 5/8" grosgrain ribbon

Order from me at my online store anytime HERE or e-mail with any questions you have!