Host Set Note Card for Challenges!

I'm back! April was a fantastically busy month for my family with lots of lovely things happening, but I have just stolen a little time in the Studio! I only got one project completed so far, but here's what we've got for today.

I'm entering this project in the Mojo Monday MOJO395 and Colour Me Card CMCC69 Challenges.

I used the retiring Hello, There host set and 2013-15 In Color, Coastal Cabana, along with Real Red and Cherry cobbler.  The Burlap Ribbon and Cotton Ribbon add a bit of texture to the project. The Baker's Twine was just what I needed to finish the flag.

Since the 2014-15 Annual Catalog is in its final month (and things are selling out!), I'll be highlighting retiring items throughout the month.  Click {HERE} to read more about the retiring catalog, 

and 

click {HERE} to shop!

Say, are you on my mailing list? Drop me a line and I'll make sure you are! Are you a Studio Select Customer? If so, I'll be sending you a new 2015-16 Annual Catalog for free!

Spring Hummingbird Note Cards for a Colour Me, Stampin' Royalty and Mojo Challenge

Welcome, Spring! It's been a gorgeous spring in the PNW (Pacific Northwest) so far and I've seen a lot of our sweet resident hummingbirds.  We've got one sweet fellow (a year-round Anna's Hummingbird I've written about before {HERE}) who dips at feeders both here and at my neighbor's house and is always fun to watch.  He came RIGHT. UP. TO. ME. the other day when I was working on the deck and had (next to me) my water bottle with the bright pink lid.  He thought it was a flower! I don't know who was more surprised that it wasn't...

This card was created for the Colour Me Card Challenge (#64).  We were to use Coastal Cabana (my base), Cherry Cobbler (circular frame), Early Espresso, Real Red (strips on right) and Bermuda Bay (ink color of sentiment).

The layout was also entered in and inspired by the Mojo Monday MOJO390 sketch. So fun to make!

You're not seeing double; I had almost the same colors with which to work for the Stampin' Royalty Challenge (#272), so I created the same card, but with fewer colors than the Colour Me entry. We were to use Coastal Cabana, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso and Crumb Cake.

Fun Fact:  This challenge is hosted by another Stampin' Up! demonstrator whom I met at my very first Stampin' Up! convention.  I went all by myself and she took me under her wing, introducing me to her friends and making me feel like we'd been old friends.  Super kind!

The only other notable difference between these two cards was the way in which I colored in the hummer.  In the first card, I used my Blender Pen with my ink pads (aforementioned colors) and in the second one, I used my Aqua Painter (which I prefer). Both images were first inked in Memento Ink to insure colorfastness.

Burlap Ribbon tied with Linen Thread finish out the layout. Burlap is on-trend and makes for an easy way to add real texture to your project!

This sweet hummer (available in the set, A Happy Thing,) is only available through tomorrow, as I received him for *FREE* with a $50 merchandise order during Sale-a-Bration.  Click {HERE} and {HERE} to read more.

Click {HERE} to shop!

So nice to see you here!

Captivating Snowflake is the Winner! {12 Weeks of Christmas}

 

I couldn't be more tickled that my entry in the Colour Me Card Challenge #45 won the "Captivator" prize this week!  

I've enjoyed this challenge for months and my creativity is always stretched by their cool color combinations.  As I said yesterday in {THIS POST}, I am often vexed by color, so this challenge helps me work out some new combinations.  I *LOVE* the cards the Design Team come up with -- their work is truly inspiring.  Check them out {HERE}!  You'll thank me!

This card was super-easy to make.  I used my new Snowflake Card Thinlits die (found in the Holiday Catalog on page 22 or {HERE} online).  

Stampin' Up! has a video for you -- there's a great trick for making a snowflake to contrast with the body of the card... My card has a belly band, too, only in mine, I used ribbon!

I ran it through my Big Shot once with a piece of Real Red card stock and again with a snippet of white to give me the contrasting bit behind the moving snowflake.

This Thinlit is worth it for the snowflakes and sentiments alone! I ran some Silver Glimmer Paper through my Big Shot (*twice, sometimes*) to make both the sparkly snowflake and "Brrr" sentiment.  I've used these same elements to dress up gift boxes and other cards.  Wait and see -- I've got more details about those in upcoming {12 Weeks of Christmas} posts!

Don't forget to check out the Colour Me Card Challenge for a new weekly challenge!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  None, on this project!

Papers:  Real Red (102482) and Whisper White (100730) card stocks, and Silver Glimmer (135314) paper

Inks:  None, on this project!

Artist's Flair:  Snowflake Card Thinlits die (135855), Big Shot (113439), White Organza Ribbon (114319), Scallop Circle Punch (127811), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Thanks again to the Colour Me Card design team for making my day!

Starburst and a Sale-A-Bration Sunshine for a Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge

I made this card for the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge #211.  I love those sketches and sometimes my schedule is just right to allow me to participate and enter.  

I've been looking forward to making a sun shape with my Starburst Sayings (OC, page 34, W133182, C133185) and Framelits (#132967) and my Banner Punch (SAB, page 13, #133519). The Banner Punch is a 2014 Sale-A-Bration freebie that I earned with a $50 merchandise purchase.  

Studio Suggestions:

• I used my Color Coach (AC, page 139, #130118, with 2012-14 In Color Cards #130120) for guidance in my color scheme;  Real Red, Summer Starfruit and Marina Mist are crisp and clean together. 

• I love the Candy Dots (AC, page 143, #130931), too, which I placed on the right. Glue Dots (AC, page 174, #103683) are hidden beneath, adhering the Vellum card stock down (AC, page 156, #101856).  I used a Stampin' Dimensional (AC, page 175, #104430) on the left, hidden beneath the smaller Marina Mist starburst.

Sale-a-Bration runs through March 31.  Click {HERE} to check out the fun freebies!

A Valentine with Seasonal Sayings and Hearts A Flutter from Stampin' Up!

Today's project was created for a few challenges (which I promptly forgot to enter).  Ugh...

The first challenge was the Freshly Made Sketches #122:

Another challenge I was planning to enter this card in was The Shabby Tea Room, #204, "All that Glitters in Love" challenge:

Finally, I successfully (!) entered this card in the Cute Card Thursday Challenge, #307, which was "Lots of Love."  Nothing like getting totally sidetracked and missing challenge deadlines!

I am loving the Glimmer Paper and I've got a couple of fun new ideas to share in the coming weeks.  It's such a simple product to use with my Stampin' Trimmer (#126889) or my Big Shot (#113439).  Below, I used my Hearts A Flutter framelits for the banner (#130159).  My 7/8-inch Scallop Circle (#129404) punched three times gives me the bloom and I finished it off with a Basic Rhinestone brad (they're retired, but you could easily use a Large Rhinestone Basic Jewel (#129324).

"Love you" is inked in Strawberry Slush and stamped on Whisper White from the Seasonal Sayings set (W131937, C128009) and the heart comes from the Hearts A Flutter set (a match made in Heaven with the coordinating framelits! W131922, C129252).  

The Whisper White piece has opposing corners rounded using the 3/16-inch Corner Punch (#119871) and is popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430).

Finally, I used my Simply Scored tool (#122334) to make the raised bevel around the outline of the card base for dimension.

Remember that for each $50 spent in any Stampin' Up! merchandise (including downloads!), you can choose from the fun Sale-a-Bration freebies!  Click {HERE} to shop!

{12 Weeks of Christmas 2013}: Mosaic Madness Card

I'm seeing a lot of fun potential for holiday stamping in the Mosaic Madness loveliness.  Here's my first card using the Mosaic Madness set (W130246, C130249) and coordinating Modern Mosaic TIEF (129984).  What I didn't use in this project is the coordinating Mosaic Punch, which can be purchased with the set as a bundle with additional savings (W132734, C132733).  Saving that for the next project!

I used the Bird Builder (117191) punch to make the petals for my poinsettia and the a few Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246) to jazz up the card.  

Petite Pairs (W128706, C122497) offers the sentiment, which I inked in Classic Real Red and sponged with Old Olive.  The other color I'm using here (in card stock and seam binding ribbon) is Crumb Cake.  I also used it to sponge around the petals of the poinsettia.  Do you see the little jewel in the "C" of Christmas?

Have you checked out the Holiday Sale?  Click {HERE} to see what's up for grabs!

{12 Weeks of Christmas 2013: Week Two}: Same Card, Five Ways

This post starts with a simple Christmas card.  Real Red Classic Ink is used with Brushed Silver, Whisper White, and Real Red card stocks.  The Chalk Talk Framelits make a quick and easy project of cutting out the Christmas stamp and my Scallop Circle punch takes care of the Brushed Silver piece.  A snip of Whisper White Stitched Grosgrain finishes the simple look.  Overall, I am happy with this quick and sweet Christmas greeting.

But what if I wanted to step it up a notch (or five)?  Here are some variations on the same card.

First, I used Pool Party Classic Ink to add an unexpected contrast of color to the card.  Not your "typical" Christmas color, but that's part of why I think it is so effective.

In addition, I inked the Santa image in Real Red and snipped him out using my Paper Snips and mounted this piece with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Quick and easy way to add contrast to the stamped image (Stampin' Write Markers would work here, too).

How about a little piercing?  Here's a quick and inexpensive way to add texture and interest to your project.  I used the Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack (126199) (as an added bonus, until October 14 at 11:59 PM, this pack is available as one of the Weekly Deals and is 25% off!).

This next project uses the negative space created by the Chalk Talk Framelit.  I used the Framelit on the Real Red piece and snipped closely around the stamped Whisper White piece.  The Real Red piece is bumped up with Stampin' Dimensionals and the piece of grosgrain is fed through the negative opening.

This tweak didn't cost a thing, but added another twist to this project...

Here's another way in which to utilize your Big Shot.  I love the Textured Impressions Embossing Folders.  Here I used the Perfect Polka Dots to pick up on the dots in the Pool Party portion of the image.  Quick and highly effective for a bit of texture...

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

"Hello!" and a Birthday with a Bit of Bling and Sparkle

How 'bout a little bling on this fine Wednesday?  I created two of these cards this weekend...  One was a birthday card for my dear sister-in-law and then I made another with the "hello" sentiment from Tiny Teacup because I knew I could use another card of this design in the future.  The birthday card used the sweet sentiment from the Hostess set, Happiest Birthday Wishes that says "happy birthday dear you!"  I love that...

Anyhoo, I was enjoying my Color Coach this weekend and it helped me select the palette for these bright cards.  Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, and Pacific Point.  Bright and fun!

The background on the Real Red piece was achieved with the Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and my Big Shot (as was the polka-dotted piece in the lower left corner).  I punched out the Pacific Point piece using my Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch (soon to be retired, by the by) and then ran it through my Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  The Pumpkin Pie piece layered over it is also from the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch.  I'll be sad to see that one go...

The sentiment, "hello" is inked in Pumpkin Pie and then punched with the Modern Label Punch.  I used a Stamping Sponge and my Pacific Point Classic ink to make it stand out a bit more.  White Organza Ribbon adds a touch more class.  Finally, for the bling, I added the Basic Rhinestones.

*HERE* is another look at Tiny Teacup and THIS ONE, as well.  Oh, and THIS POST, too!

Do you still need the {2012-2013 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog}?  Here's how to earn one for FREE...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Tiny Teacup (W118086)

Paper:  Pacific Point (111350), Real Red (102482), Pumpkin Pie (105117) and Whisper White (100730) card stocks

Ink:  Pacific Point (111837), Real Red (103133), and Pumpkin Pie (105216) Classics

Accessories:  Elegant Lines Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (119277), Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (117335), Modern Label Punch (119849), Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch (122464), White Organza Ribbon (114319), Basic Rhinestones (119246), Stamping Sponges (101610)

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Big on Christmas

Merry Christmas! I hope this finds you well! We'll be busy baking at my house today, which is one of my favorite ways to celebrate the season... Thought I'd share two of my favorite quick and easy cards using Big on Christmas... Enjoy!

In both designs, I used my Blender Pen to pick up a bit of color to fill in the image with a bit of watercolor. In the Noel card, I used my Real Red Stampin' Write Marker to fill in the letters...
The scalloped edge is easily achieved using my Scallop Edge Border Punch... I used the scoring blade on my paper trimmer to make the scores on the Noel card and textured Real Red card stock gives it an added flair.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Big on Christmas

Papers: Woodland Walk Designer Series Paper, Garden Green, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue and Whisper White smooth card stocks, Real Red textured card stock

Inks: Staz-On Jet Black, Real Red, Bashful Blue, Garden Green, and Early Espresso Classics and Real Red Stampin' Write Marker

Accessories: Scallop Edge Border Punch, Scoring Blade, Paper Trimmer, Whisper White narrow grosgrain ribbon, paper snips

I wish you the very best this Christmas and for many blessings in 2011. Thank you for your visit today!

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Home for Christmas: Day 2

Welcome to Day 2 of the Home for Christmas {Stamp Set Spotlight}! If you missed Day 1, click here.

Here's another example of how I didn't watercolor the ENTIRE image. I just highlighted a few parts...I love this simple treatment with the sentiment. Layering punches is such a quick way to add contrast between colors, texture and dimension. For this treatment, I used the Designer Label and Modern Label Punches.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Home for Christmas

Paper: Old Olive, Real Red, Early Espresso and Whisper White card stocks

Inks: Jet Black Staz-On, Real Red, Early Espresso and Old Olive Classics

Accessories: Blender Pen, Early Espresso wide grosgrain, Designer Label and Modern Label Punches, Stampin' Dimensionals,

Thanks for your visit! As I said in Day 1, I hope you find yourself "Home for Christmas", whatever that means to you, this season...

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Home for Christmas: Day 1

This is one of my favorite sets, namely for this image. I love the intricacy of the design; it can be completely watercolored or you can do what I did, and highlight just a few elements of the illustration.



I inked this image in Jet Black Staz-On ink because it is permanent ink and won't bleed when I apply color with the Blender Pen, Stampin' Write Marker or Aquapainter. I can be a little heavy-handed with those sometimes! I opt for Staz-On over embossing for this particular image because the finer elements of this image can get lost in embossing (the wispiness of the garland, for example).



Stampin' Up! Supplies:



Stamps: Home for Christmas, Teeny Tiny Wishes



Paper: Old Olive, Real Red, Basic Black and Whisper White card stock

Ink: Jet Black Staz-On, Basic Black and Old Olive Classics

Accessories: Real Red Stampin' Write Marker, Decorative Label, Modern Label, 1/2-inch Circle and Word Window Punches, Real Red and Basic Black Wide Grosgrain ribbons, Mini Glue Dots


Thanks for your visit! I hope this season, you find yourself "Home for Christmas," no matter where you are...

{Stamp Set Spotlight} Snow Swirled: Day 3

What drew me first to this set was the snowflakes... I love the detail!

This quick and simple card allowed me to haul out some punches, use my Big Shot and use up some scraps. First, let's talk punches. I see five punches that were used; the Scallop Edge Border, 1-3/4" Circle, 1-1/4" Circle, Boho Blossoms, and Scallop Oval Punches.

For my color palette, I consulted my Color Coach and used Marina Mist, Old Olive, Real Red and Bashful Blue.

I also used the Top Note Bigz Die and the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder for the Bashful Blue piece at the top. Finally, a knot tied in Marina Mist grosgrain (adhered with a Mini Glue Dot) finishes it off!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Snow Swirled !

Inks: Real Red and Old Olive Classics

Papers: Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Old Olive, and Whisper White card stocks

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Bigz Die, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Marina Mist grosgrain, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, Scallop Edge Border, 1-3/4" Circle, 1-1/4" Circle, Boho Blossoms, and Scallop Oval Punches

Thanks for your visit! Hope your day's a great one!

Button, button, I've Got a Button!

Recently, while clearing out my stampin' stash, I discovered a slew (and I mean a SLEW) of samey buttons. Thought I'd combine some with a few fun buttons (Real Red, Chocolate Chip and Tempting Turquoise). They're all retired buttons, but there's a whole collection of new colors available on page 186 of the Idea Book and Catalog.

--To add some pop to the card, I thought I'd use my scoring blade on my paper trimmer and score borderlines for each button. Simple to do, and adds a fun and inexpensive detail to the card (you've already got a trimmer, right?!).

--To add further "punch," I used the Word Window Punch on a piece of Real Red (stamped first with Teeny Tiny Wishes, because that's so much easier than lining up the stamp on the punched image, remember!).

--I also used my Big Shot and the Perfect Details Texturz Plate to mimic the scoring of the Pumpkin Pie piece. I lined up my Early Espresso piece just so on the plate so that only the front half of the card body caught the texture, leaving me a smooth surface on which to write.

--Speaking of Early Espresso, I used little slivers as "thread" and gently tied knots in my buttons. With a gentle touch, this is an easy, fun and inexpensive way to add to your project. Linen Thread is what I used to tie off the other buttons. All of them are easily adhered with Mini Glue Dots.

--Finally, this color scheme is brought to you by the fabulous Color Coach! Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso, Real Red (and I added Tempting Turquoise)... Thank heavens for a little help!

Thank you for your visit today!