A Whole Lotta Punches "For the Birds" Cute Card Thursday

One of my new goodies from the 2012-2013 Annual Catalog is the set, For the Birds.  I love this sweet set and its simple line illustrations (I'm a sucker for feathered friends).

I used my Owl Builder punch to punch out this little heart in Summer Starfruit (a heart is part of the "thought bubble").  My Blender Pen and a bit of Summer Starfruit Classic ink fill in the bird with a bit of color...  The sweet heart DSP is from the Patio Party Designer Series Paper, whose color scheme is seen throughout this card.

My sentiment is inked with a Midnight Muse Stampin' Write Marker and then punched from the Whisper White using the Word Window punch.  I've mounted it on Primrose Petals cut with the Modern Label punch (one of my *FAVE* sentiment combos) and added a couple of Boho Blossoms in Summer Starfruit with a Midnight Muse center (from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack).  Whew!  Stampin' Dimensionals pop it up a bit.

I entered this sweet card in last week's 365 Cards Color Scheme Challenge and the Cute Card Thursday Challenge (following 

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  For the Birds (W126405, C 126407)

Papers:  Patio Party Designer Series Paper (126916), and Baja Breeze (111352), Midnight Muse (126843), Summer Starfruit (126839), Primrose Petals (126841) and Whisper White (100730) Card Stocks

Inks:  Midnight Muse Stampin' Write Marker (Set of 2012 In Colors:  126856), Midnight Muse (126860) and Summer Starfruit (126991) Classics

Accessories:  Modern Label (119849), Word Window (119857), 2-3/8" Scallop Circle (118874) and 1-3/4" Scallop Circle (119854) and 1-3/4" Circle (119850), Boho Blossoms (119858),Itty Bitty Shapes (118309) and Owl Builder (118074) Punches, Blender Pen (102845) and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Not Quite {50} Shades of Blue -- Build a Blossom

Please forgive the title...  When I saw the 365 Cards Challenge, "A Little Shady," I was immediately reminded of that title.  No Grey here -- just shades of Pacific Point.  Since I stuck with just Crumb Cake and Pacific Point (Whisper White doesn't "count," in this case), I entered this card in last week's Dynamic Duos challenge, too.

This card is one of my favorites that I made last weekend.  I used the Build a Blossom set and the Blossom Petals Builder punch.  To make the different shades of the leaves, I simply "stamped off" (AKA stamped on scratch paper first) and then stamped on the Whisper White card stock.  Double (and even triple) your supplies!  The Pacific Point card stock (punched with the Blossom Petals Builder) gives another dimension of color).

The Pacific Point piece behind the blossom was run through my Big Shot using the Elegant Lines Textured Impressions embossing folder.

One of my *favorite* sets is the Petite Pairs sentiment set, which includes sentiments broken into two messages (many can be used separately, tho), so that one can add a second thought to the inside of the card.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Build a Blossom (W121923, C121994), Petite Pairs (W122495, C122497)

Papers:  Crumb Cake (120953), Pacific Point (111350) and Whisper White card stocks

Inks:  Pacific Point Classic (126951)

Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Elegant Lines folder (119277), Modern Label punch (119849), Word Window (119857), Blossom Petals Builder punch (121808), Large Pearl Basic Jewels (125577), Linen Thread (104199), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Misc. button

Happy Birthday, USA!

Wishing everyone a happy, fun and safe July 4th.  Here's a card made for last week's Super Sketchy Sunday Challenge at 365 Cards and Cute Card Thursday's Challenge (Patriotic 223).

These were technically made for my daughter's All-Star softball coaches.  Her colors are red, white and blue...  Goooooo, Knock-Out!

I used a scrap of Night of Navy, trimmed at the top with my Paper Trimmer, which I'd been holding on to (the polka dots are from retired Backgrounds I Texturz Plates).  I ran the red, white and blue strips through my Big Shot, too, using a different embossing folder for each.

The super-cute Stitched Grosgrain finishes off the top and the punch at the tip is from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack.

The sentiment is from the new set, Itty Bitty Banners ( inked in Pacific Point) and I used my Bitty Banners Framelits to cut it out.  The "Thank You" piece is adhered to the Modern Label punch. 

Stampin' up! Supplies: 

Stamps:  Itty Bitty Banners (W126255, C126257)

Papers:  Crumb Cake (120953), Night of Navy (100867), Real Red (102482), Pacific Point (111350) and Whisper White (100730) card stocks

Inks:  Pacific Point Classic (126951)

Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Stripes folder (123128), Perfect Polka Dots folder (117335), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), Whisper White Stitched Grosgrain ribbon (126877), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), Modern Label Punch (119849), Paper Trimmer

Paris: Artistic Etchings {à la français}

 Here's a French twist on a Mojo Monday entry...  I also entered it in the 365 Cards Color Combo challenge last week (Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler and Not Quite Navy).

The Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon is so simple to work with; it's very compliant ribbon! 

The 1-3/4" Circle and 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punches work well together...   

I *love* my Modern Label Punch...  I simply punched a scrap of Chocolate Chip with it and adhered it behind the stamped Sahara Sand.  Attaching the two just left of the edge of Not Quite Navy makes the tag stand out a bit more.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Artistic Etchings (W118517, C120573), Fabulous Phrases (W117002, C120501)

Papers:  Sahara Sand (121043), Chocolate Chip (102128), Cherry Cobbler (119685), Not Quite Navy (101722)

Inks:  Chocolate Chip (102128), Cherry Cobbler (126966), Not Quite Navy (126971)

Accessories:  2-3/8" Scallop Circle (118874), 1-3/4" Circle (119850), Modern Label (119849) and Scallop Edge Border (119882) Punches, Cherry Cobbler 1/2-inch Seam Binding Ribbon (120992), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430) and Paper Snips (103579)

{Resource Thursday}: Color Coach from Stampin' Up!

I'd like to start a new feature, which I will reserve for Thursdays.  I'll call it {Resource Thursday} and my intent is to offer projects which share a variety of resources available to inspire and/or assist.

Today's project was aided by the Color Coach.

As you can see by this picture, each of Stampin' Up!'s colors (including In Colors) is given its own card.  The card shows a "Dynamic Duo," which is typically a lighter or darker version of that color.  Those two colors alone make a lovely combination.  The best part, though, is the combinations offered in two sets of three colors. 

Using my Color Coach, I combined Cajun Craze, Tangerine Tango, Perfect Plum and Always Artichoke.   

While my use of the taffeta bow on the Modern Label Punch lends a feminine feel to the project, this color scheme would be great for masculine cards.  Perhaps I'll recreate this card with natural hemp twine or linen thread in the taffeta's place for the men in my life...

We have more retirees in today's project:  Crazy for Cupcakes and the Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die for the Big Shot.  The stamps are available until May 31.  The Bigz die is considered an accessory and available while supplies last or until May 31 (whichever happens first).

Stampin' Up! Supplies:


Stamps:  Crazy for Cupcakes (W111618)

Paper:  Always Artichoke (102584), Cajun Craze (119684), Perfect Plum (101889), Tangerine Tango (111349), and Whisper White (100730) card stocks

Ink:  Basic Black (101179), Always Artichoke (105219), Cajun Craze (119671), Perfect Plum (101437), and Tangerine Tango (111834) Classics

Accessories:  Color Coach (120148), Color Coach 2010-12 In Color cards (121048), Color Coach 2011-13 In Color cards (124886), Big Shot (113439), Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (117335), Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die (113468), Modern Label Punch (119849), 2-1/2" Circle Punch (120906), Whisper White 3/8-inch Taffeta (109070), Blender Pens (102845) and Paper Snips (103579)

Got the new 2012-2013 Annual Stampin' Up! Catalog yet?!  Earn it for *FREE* or purchase it for only  $5, including Priority Shipping...

A Spot of Tea for a Friend's Birthday

Hello, Studio Sara Visitor!  Welcome back...  For today's project, I started with a card for a good friend for her birthday (she is my BFF I made through stamping).   

Once the 365 Cards challenges were published last week, I realized that with a little tweaking, I could enter my friend's birthday card.  The challenge was "The 3 Cs" and we were asked to make it colorful, classy and add coffee.  

My friend once told me how much she liked how (on my Christmas card) I had threaded the Cherry Cobbler seam binding through the circle (cut with my Perfect Pennants Bigz L die).  I wanted to replicate that for her here.  

The teacup is from the A la Carte stamp, Tiny Teacup, which retires at the end of May.  It includes "hello" underneath, but I just inked the teacup.  

Since I was going to use my Cherry Cobbler again, I needed to find colors that would coordinate, but still *POP*.  I used my Color Coach and came up with the palette of Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede and Chocolate Chip.  Colorful without being glaring...

Finally, I used the Scallop Edge Border punch and a sliver of card stock to make the border along the opening of the card.  Simple, but I think it finishes the card while drawing your eye back to the main elements.  

That sweet sentiment?  From the retiring hostess set, Happiest Birthday Wishes.  Place a merchandise order of $150 and you can choose this set with your shopping spree $$!  It'll also earn you the new Stampin' Up! 2012-2013 Annual Catalog!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:


Stamps:  Happiest Birthday Wishes (W122615, C122617), Tiny Teacup (W118086)

Papers:  Baja Breeze (111352), Chocolate Chip (102128), Soft Suede (115318) and Whisper White (100730) card stocks

Inks:  Baja Breeze (111833) and Cherry Cobbler (119669) Classics

Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (117335), Perfect Pennants Bigz L die (123126), Scallop Edge Border (119882), 1-3/8" Circle (119860) and Modern Label (119849) punches, and Cherry Cobbler 1/2-inch Seam Binding Ribbon (120992)

Happy Birthday, Mom with Stampin' Up! Occasions Tea Shoppe

First of all, I want to wish my sweet mom a "Happy, happy birthday!"  Sending you hugs!!

This is the card I made for her birthday.  Mom and I love tea and all things British, so I knew this was the set for her!

I also entered this card a couple of weeks ago in a 365 Cards Challenge for stamping one's background.  You can see that I did that with the flower image from Tea Shoppe in both Regal Rose and Not Quite Navy.  That blossom is also stamped on the envelope (No Naked Envelopes!).

This sweet bow is made with the taffeta ribbon (I used my Paper Snips to trim around the tea cup and then I tied the ribbon around the handle).  You'll notice that I also ran the large piece of Not Quite Navy through the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  It adds such a sophisticated texture to the project!  The big scalloped circle is Scallop Circle #2, a die that I used with my Big Shot, as well.

The sentiment was inked on Very Vanilla, using my Regal Rose and Not Quite Navy Stampin' Write Markers and punched using the Scallop Oval.

Finally, I used the Modern Label punch and added a crinkled blossom to make the sentiment...  They're popped up using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Tea Shoppe, found in the Occasions Mini Catalog, available until April 30, 2012 (W125545, C125547) 

Papers:  Regal Rose (105130), Not Quite Navy (101722) and Very Vanilla (101650) card stocks

Inks:  Regal Rose (105211) and Not Quite Navy (103008) Classic Ink Pads and Regal Rose (105108), Not Quite Navy (100059) Stampin' Write Markers

Accessories:  Taffeta Ribbon (Very Vanilla is retired in this width, but it's available in 1/8-inch (119960), Big Shot (113439), Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (120175), Scallop Circle #2 die (113469), Scallop Oval Punch (119856), Modern Label Punch (119849), Paper Snips (103579), and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

A Little Peace, Love, and Happiness (and a 365 Cards Challenge Winner)!

Things have been busy around here with Easter and our dear daughter's birthday on Tuesday.  She is a big fan of peace signs and while I don't have one of those, she helped to inspire this card, which was made for a 365 Cards Challenge a couple of weeks back (we were to show "peace, love and happiness" on our cards).

I used the word "peace" from the Christmas set, "Snow Swirled."  It's inked in Pacific Point and then punched from the Whisper White with a 1-inch Circle.  The circle was drug across my Rich Razzleberry pad to give it a little oomph before it was popped up with a Stampin' Dimensional.  I tied a little bow through the Daffodil Delight Lace Ribbon Border punch using the Whisper White 5/8-inch Organza ribbon.

The heart and sun images come from the "Every Little Bit" set.  I punched the solid image from the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch in Rich Razzleberry to make that Daffodil Delight Lace Ribbon Border piece stand out more.

I wanted to make the "peace, love and happiness" a wish or sentiment, not just a theme for my card, so I inked "wishing you" in Rich Razzleberry, punched it with the Word Window and mounted it on a snipped piece of Daffodil Daffodil that was punched using the Modern Label punch.  The flower comes from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (I used a circle punched using my Crop-A-Dile for the inside of the flower).  As you'll notice, I fed the card body through my Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Super easy and I love what it adds to the project!

I wanted to add a little surprise to the inside of the card, so I punched the same "flower" from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack from the Whisper White insert so that the Pacific Point showed behind.  I also used a scrap of cardboard punched with the Lace Ribbon Border punch as a stencil with the Pacific Point ink on the envelope.  I love adding a little extra to the envelope and inside of a card; I'll be posting about that idea soon...

So the happy news about *THIS* card is that I won Spotlight Designer at 365 Cards with it!  :)  Thanks, guys!  So many great cards get entered in their challenges, it's an honor to be selected!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:


Stamps:  Snow Swirled (111690), Every Little Bit (W117096, C120558)

Papers:  Pacific Point (111350), Daffodil Delight (119683), Rich Razzleberry (115316) and Whisper White (100730) card stocks

Inks:  Pacific Point (111837), Daffodil Delight (119667) and Rich Razzleberry (115658) Classic Inks

Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folders (117335), Word Window (119857), Modern Label (119849), Lace Ribbon Border (122362), Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer (122464), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309) punches, Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

{12 Weeks of Christmas}: Week 9 -- Belly Band Gift Idea

O, the Belly Band!  How I love thee!  There are so many fun ways to use a Belly Band. In today's {12 Weeks of Christmas} post, I wanted to share a gift idea with you...

This funky origami project is actually a gift card holder!  It's so very simple, uses supplies which are readily on-hand and quick to make with a great WOW factor.

Start with a 4-1/4 by 10-3/4" piece of Always Artichoke card stock.  I scored it (using my FABULOUS Simply Scored tool) at 2-1/4, 3, 3-3/4, and 7-1/4 inches.  I made a careful slit in the 3-inch cut, being sure not to cut all the way across the piece (you're making a slit for the gift card here--note in the picture below that a scant 1/2-inch is left on either side, uncut).  You can easily use your paper trimmer to make this slit.  Add adhesive to the "inside" of the gift card holder part at those uncut places so that it stands up when opened.

Once folded closed, I added a 3-1/4 by 4-inch piece of So Saffron card stock, which I'd run through my Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  I made the sentiment tag using a scrap of Whisper White card stock and the Modern Label punch (do you see how much I love to lop off a side of that punch?  I use it all of the time). 

Finally, the Belly Band...  I created it starting with a piece of Always Artichoke card stock (measuring 9-1/2 by 1-1/2 inches), run through the Big Shot with my new Snow Burst (Holiday Mini) Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Oh, how I love those snowflakes!  I scored it at 2-3/4 inches and 7-1/2 inches and adhered the flaps to make the band.  

It is adorned with an image from Sweet Season, which I colored with my Always Artichoke and Cajun Craze Stampin' Write Markers.  It's punched with the 1-3/4-inch Scallop Circle and popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals on a piece of Cajun Craze, which I punched with the larger, 2-3/4-inch Scallop Circle.  This piece is adhered to the Belly Band in an off-set manner to give visual interest.  A strand of white Baker's Twine completes the look.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:


Stamps:  Sweet Season (#116471) and Short and Sweet (#115060)

Paper:  Always Artichoke (105119), Cajun Craze (119684), So Saffron (#105118) and Whisper White (#100730) card stocks

Ink:  Always Artichoke Classic (#105219) and Stampin' Write Marker (#105113), and Cajun Craze Classic (#119671) and Stampin' Write Marker (#119678)

Accessories:  Big Shot (#113439), Snow Burst (#124096) and Perfect Polka Dots (#117335) Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, Simply Scored Scoring Tool (#122334), 1-3/4" (#119854) and 2-3/8" (#118874) Scallop Circle and Modern Label (#119849) Punches, Baker's Twine (#124262), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430) and Stamping Sponges (#101610)

We're closing in on Christmas -- I hope you're able to find time to slow down and enjoy the festive spirit.  Stay tuned for a corresponding video and more {12 Weeks of Christmas} posts!

Happy November!

STUDIO SARA has a new look for fall!  I used My Digital Studio to create the banner and buttons.  I chose Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze and More Mustard (partly because they're fall colors, but also because they're found in the card I've spotlighted).

Here's the card that I included in my banner, up-close and personal...

It's simple to make (an easy one if you're in the market for a good number of "Thank You" notes, for example).  The card body is a half-sheet of Night of Navy, cut lengthwise and folded in half.  The Naturals Ivory card stock makes up the piece with the stamped leaves.  I used my corner-rounded to soften it.

The stamp set I used is French Foliage, which gives us this fun "button" in the lower left corner.  I inked it in Night of Navy Classic Ink and stamped it on Cajun Craze card stock.  Then I used my 3/4-inch Circle Punch...  Remember to stamp first then punch to make sure you've lined it up right!

So Saffron Taffeta Ribbon finishes the bottom edge...

Finally, here's the sentiment... I inked only the "thank you" part of this stamp from the With All My Heart set, stamped it on So Saffron and punched it with the Modern Label.  It's mounted on an oval punched from More Mustard and "popped up" with a Stampin' Dimensional.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  French Foliage, With All My Heart

Papers:  Night of Navy, Naturals Ivory, So Saffron, More Mustard and Cajun Craze card stocks

Inks:  Cajun Craze, More Mustard and Night of Navy Classics

Accessories:  3/4-inch Circle, Modern Label, Large Oval, and 3/16-inch Corner Punches, So Saffron Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips (makes cutting the ribbon so easy!)

Thanks for your visit!  I'm working on more {12 Week of Christmas} posts, so stay tuned!

On the Grow!

Boy, this title says it all... It's been a summer "on the grow" for sure. As I've mentioned in previous posts, I've been busy finishing my teaching coursework and now we're knee-deep in summer camps and travel. In the midst of all of this personal fun, the new Idea Book and Catalog came out and I've gotten to see the Holiday Mini Catalog, which goes into effect on September 1. So many fun things! I can't wait to show you what I've made!



I made this card for a paper piecing challenge. I *LOVE* hydrangea blooms and I'm lucky to have a garden full of them (lace leaf and PGs), which mean a lot of pruning. :)


This layout is a versatile one that can be easily changed up for various occasions and themes.

Studio Suggestions: I used my distressing tool to rough up the edges of my punched circle and my paper snips to get the super-close cuts for the hydrangea blooms.


Stampin' Up! Supplies:




Stamps: On the Grow (Summer Mini Catalog, available until August 31)



Papers: Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand, Pink Pirouette and Early Espresso smooth card stocks



Inks: Early Espresso Classic



Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, paper snips, distressing tool, Modern Label Punch, Very Vanilla 1/4-inch grosgrain ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals



Thanks for your visit! I look forward to sharing my next project with you! Please drop me a line or leave me a comment if you've got a question...