Feeling the Card Challenge Love...

The kind folks at 365 Cards have granted me two honors this week that I thought I'd share.  First, I was selected as a Spotlight Designer for this card, which I entered in the DIY challenge *here*.  Our assignment was to make a card that used a straight pin, safety pin or paper clip accent.

I *LOVE* tying a snippet of ribbon on to a paper clip.  That's one of my favorite embellies!

The second honor I received this week was to be called a Weekly Challenge All-Star, which means I completed all of the week's challenges.  I often strive to achieve this honor, because the challenges are so imaginative, inspiring and fun.  The only times when I don't try to complete all seven challenges for a week are when we're out-of-town (or CrazyBusy with soccer or sports over the weekend).

If you've never participated in one of the 365 Cards challenges, I heartily suggest you do so...  It's a terrific community of designers and participants and I'm always inspired by what I see there (and by what we're asked to create)!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Mixed Medley (W128054, C128057) *From the 2012 Holiday Catalog*

Papers:  Early Espresso (119686), Whisper White (100730), Pretty in Pink (100459), and Rich Razzleberry (115316) card stocks

Inks:  Early Espresso (126974) and Rich Razzleberry (126950) Classics

Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119976), 1-1/4" Circle (119861) and 3/4" Circle (119873) punches, Whisper White Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (126877) and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Stampin' Up! Supplies Basket for Preschool Donation

Tonight's the Spring Sing at my child's preschool and for the silent auction that accompanies this performance, I prepared a basket of card-making supplies.  I've cut, punched, stamped and prepared items that one could use to create a dozen cards.  I've also used My Digital Studio to create some sketches of ideas for possible layouts.

Here's a variety of punched shapes to use as embellishments.  I've also stamped a few sentiments and punched them out...

Finally, here are three "spools" of ribbon, wrapped and ready for use as well as the card bases, envelopes and pieces of cut Designer Series Paper from the Subtles Patterns Stack.

Since I used the Subtles Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack, I wanted to use colors that one could find in those papers.  I've included Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, and Pretty in Pink.  For added interest, I've included Early Espresso (it's not visible -- I ran pieces of that through my Big Shot, using the Vintage Wallpaper and Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folders).

I hope someone has a lot of fun with this!

Stay tuned -- last weekend was my son's First Communion and I've got the invitation and Thank You notes to share with you... 

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Season of Joy: Day 2

I'm sure that the botanically-minded readers will know that the bloom pictured here is a poinsettia. However, I'm willing to bet that I can use this stamp pretty freely all year long. I used it to make a winter-themed card.


I paired the Regal Rose with the Blushing Bride (which I'd run through the Big Shot, using the Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions folder). It's adhered to a sueded piece of Early Espresso.

The poinsettia is stamped on a tag from the Two Tags Bigz die, which comes with a ready-made slot to keep the "mini card" closed. Narrow Pretty in Pink grosgrain makes for a sweet knot.

I'm going to make a few more of these quick and easy cards for December birthdays and winter "Thank You" notes...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Season of Joy

Papers: Regal Rose, Blushing Bride, Early Espresso and Whisper White card stocks

Inks: Regal Rose Classic (I "stamped off" to give it tonal distinction)

Accessories: Big Shot, Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions folder, Two Tags Bigz die, Pretty in Pink Narrow and Early Espresso Grosgrain Ribbon

Because of You and a new punch idea...

The theme from "Welcome Back, Cotter" is playing in my head right now... Thank you for being so patient as we travelled about this summer, went camping, and then got back into the swing of school. While I was able to carve out a wee bit of time for stamping projects, posting about them has fallen by the wayside... Happy to say, as Jack would (but in a much less scary context), "I'm baaaack!" (Interesting side note: Stephen King wrote The Shining about a hotel in my hometown. While the Jack Nicholson/Shelley Duvall movie wasn't filmed there, a TV version was, as was "Dumb and Dumber".)

Anyhoo, on with the show...

This card was created for a 365 Cards challenge for which we were to use our favorite tool for adding color and our favorite technique for adding dimension. One of my favorite tools (as I have a couple) is my Blender Pen. I love to use them for watercoloring, as I did here. They're super easy to use, a tremendous value (not only do you get three for $9.95, but they last for a VERY long time) and they're quite versatile... Perhaps I'll write a future post as "An Ode to the Blender Pen"...

I simply squeezed my ink pad (Classic) with the lid closed to get some ink on the inside of the lid and then picked up that ink with my Blender Pen. To be sure my stamped image didn't run, I inked it in Jet Black StazOn first. I usually don't have trouble, but I wanted to be safe.

The technique I love that adds dimension and texture to every project is one I've used a lot here... It's what I call "Sueded Card Stock." I crumple a dry piece of card stock until the fibers are good and broken down and then I peel apart the two layers. I can then use the soft, "sueded" side of the card stock, or the outside of the card stock, which just shows the wrinkles. I chose the outside this time. I love the effect! Not only is it a "free" way to use what you've already got, but you get twice the mileage out of a piece of card stock. Your pieces can also be punched post-crumple, too! I have a card for which I did that and I'll post that soon...

Finally, I wanted to describe the embellishment in the upper left corner. I simply used the Modern Label Extra-Large Punch on a scrap of Perfect Plum, gently folded it around the corner of my bigger piece (be careful -- that Always Artichoke was pretty malleable), fed a piece of Linen Thread through two small holes (1/16-inch punch) and tied a bow. Voila! So easy and so cute! Love those versatile punches! I'll definitely be using that technique as I scrap -- talk about fun photo corners!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Because I Care (A Hostess Freebie with any $150 merchandise order)

Papers: Sahara Sand, Perfect Plum, Always Artichoke and Whisper White card stocks

Inks: Pretty in Pink, Perfect Plum and Always Artichoke Classic Inks, Jet Black StazOn

Accessories: Modern Label Extra-Large punch, Blender Pen, 1/16-inch handheld punch, Linen Thread

It's so good to be back! Hope you've enjoyed today's project!

{Monday: Mise en Place (Organization)} -- Getting Scrappy

And we're back... After a necessary hiatus from the studio, I'm back! We're finished with school for the year, my daughter's Girl Scout troop is on summer break and I completed my teaching job. Phew! Now it's time to get back on-track!


To start, I thought I'd use up some of my scraps of soon-to-be retired Designer Series Paper (DSP). For this card, I chose to use Kaleidoscope. Doesn't take much DSP to make a "chic" statement, does it? I love this set, Chic Boutique. Most of what I've created lately has used a retiring set, but I'm happy to report that I broke from that trend to make this card. Chic Boutique is in the next catalog!

Speaking of the next catalog, mine arrived last week and woo-wee! What fun! I'm lovin' it!



Now for the deets on this project:

--Get scrappy with your DSP, ribbon and card stock! I used little strips of
DSP, two-inch pieces of ribbon and a morsel of card stock for the flower (under
the pearl). I didn't even have to use a piece large enough for the entire Modern
Label Punch (with "merci!")!

--Retiring items = "graduating". Our "graduates" are: Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper, Pretties Kit (pearls), and Pixie Pink card stock.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Chic Boutique


Paper: Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper (graduating!), Tempting Turquoise, Very Vanilla and Pixie Pink (graduating!) card stock


Ink: Tempting Turquoise Classic


Accessories: Scallop Edge Border, Modern Label, Word Slot and Itty Bitty Shapes Punch, Pretties Kit pearl (graduating!), Certainly Celery and Pretty in Pink 1/4-inch Grosgrain and Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Mini Glue Dot
Graduating Class: Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper, Pixie Pink card stock (ink, and etc), Pretties Kit

"Merci!" for joining me today! It's SO good to be back!

Celebrating Designer Series Papers... Part Trois

With tomorrow being the Occasions Mini Catalog's last day, I thought I'd share some projects using the Sending Love Specialty Designer Series Paper... I'm off to the city today to show my aunt and uncle around (who are visiting from Toronto). Enjoy!

The card above was made for a DIY Challenge in which I was to glitter some flowers. I chose the Sending Love Designer Series Paper, as it's a Specialty Paper, which includes pieces with glittered designs. There's a delicate shimmer on the pink design of this Designer Series Paper and I just used my VersaMark ink and embossed a little Iridescent Ice embossing powder on the edges of the flowers I punched in Real Red card stock using my Trio Flower punch...

Next, this pretty card was made using the Petal Card die and my Big Shot. I adhered it to the Chocolate Chip card stock and used a little Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon to hold it shut. It's a perfect little hiding place for a secret sentiment, photo, or embellishment. You choose! Shhhh... The stamp set I used with it is also an Occasions item: With All My Heart.
Nothin' like a White Space Challenge to force me to KISS (Keep It Simple, Stamper!) I just cut a piece from a scrap, used my With All My Heart set for the sentiment and mounted it all on some coordinating card stock (Real Red, Pretty in Pink and Chocolate Chip). The punches I used are the Scallop Edge, Word Slot and Modern Label. Wanna know how I got just the "thank you" sentiment, even though there's more to that stamp? Check last week's {Technique Video}. Voila! Simple!
Finally, I made use of my Extra Large Fancy Flower punch (which will be available after April 30, even though it's an Occasions item), Scallop Edge, Word Slot and Scallop Oval punches for this card. Tote-ally Tess is the stamp set I used for this little gal. I used the Paper Piecing technique to make her little tote bag and apron; I just stamped the tote and apron on pieces of the Sending Love Designer Series Paper and cut them out. A quick and easy way to add visual interest with a stamp!
Thanks for your visit today! I got my Summer Mini preorder in the mail and will be showcasing some of those items next week along with some Mom-worthy items. Take care!

White Space with Vintage Vogue

Hey, hey and welcome to the Studio!

For today's card, I participated in a white space challenge over at 365 Cards. I've never tried a white space challenge before and found it to be a fun and interesting one. Basically, the rules were that stampers could do whatever they wanted outside of the oval, but that the oval in the middle had to stay, well, white...

I was excited to get to use one of my favorite sets from the new Occasions Mini Catalog. It's Vintage Vogue...

As you'll notice, I used my Backgrounds I Texturz Plate ("Flourish") to add some dimension and visual interest to the white vellum oval in the center.

The "Friends" piece was inked with Elegant Eggplant and stamped on Whisper White card stock. I tore the edges to give a bit of a shabby chic effect...

I love the look of layering punches (stay tuned -- that's going to be a post all its own someday). Anyhoo, this sentiment and flower were too big to do a Word Window/Modern Label combo, so I trimmed the sentiment/flower piece to replicate that effect, using my Paper Snips.

Finally, since Valentine's Day is in the offing, I chose to use Pretty in Pink card stock (with images from Vintage Vogue inked in Classic Elegant Eggplant) and the softness of a satin bow. The Pretty in Pink portion was adhered to the card body using Stampin' Dimensionals. Speaking of the card body, I used an 8 1/2- x 11-inch piece of card stock and cut it in half lengthwise ("hot dog" style, to my former students), or at 4 1/4-inches. Then at the 5 1/2-inch mark, I folded it in half to create the card body.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Vintage Vogue (please refer to the link on the right for the Occasions Mini or contact me for your own hard copy)

Ink: Elegant Eggplant Classic

Papers: Elegant Eggplant, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White card stocks, Vellum paper

Accessories: Big Shot, Stampin' Up! Backgrounds I Texturz Plates, Paper Snips, Modern Label Punch, Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Hope you have a great start to your short week! Thanks so much for joining me here!

Stay tuned for a post about Stampin' Up!'s new clear mount stamps...

A Patch upon the Knee...

I've thoroughly enjoyed a relatively quiet weekend, which has afforded me some time to catch up on some 365 Cards challenges. This challenge was to create a card that included a patch. I need some gift tags for baby gifts, so I opted for some baby overalls with a flower patch on the knee:




Stampin' Up! Supplies:


Stamps: Short and Sweet

Papers: Apricot Appeal, Pretty in Pink, Almost Amethyst and Whisper White card stocks


Inks: Classic Black and white Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen


Accessories: Trio Flower and Scallop Edge Punches

Studio Suggestion: You can't see it from my photo, but I used the Scallop Edge Punch on the left side of the little piece of Almost Amethyst that greets the recipient on the inside of the tag. It ties together with the scalloped edge of the Apricot Appeal as well as with the scallops of the flower punch patch.

So glad you popped by!