Wednesday, December 29, 2010

December 29, 2010

A birthday card that, I think, would be perfect for a teenaged girl. I made this for the SUO challenge this week (a new site for me) to use "bling." I saw a card with this layout on Splitcoast and, since I'm looking for any birthday card ideas, I was excited to find a card I could CASE.
Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Birthday Whimsy, A Little Birthday Cheer
Ink: Melon Mambo, Taken with Teal, Basic Black, VersaMarker
Paper: Basic Black, Taken with Teal, Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Tools: Black embossing powder, heat tool, dimensionals
Embellishments: Basic Rhinestones, stretchy silver cord.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

December 23, 2010

And... yet another birthday card. Get used to it! :) But remember that "Happy birthday" can always be changed to a different phrase. I share my posts with the intent to provide inspiration for someone else's project. I love that about stamping people - we share, copy, improve, etc. - on purpose. Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, right?!

Anyway, back to the card. This is a fabulous color combo (in my opinion) that has produced a card I feel could be used for a guy. This layout comes from the Just Add Ink challenge (which is in its second and final week and I've finally gotten around to it).

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: A Little Birthday Cheer, Circle Circus
Ink: Soft Suede, Old Olive
Paper: Soft Suede, Crushed Curry (I miss that dirty yellow!), Very Vanilla, Basic Gray textured
Tools: Word Window punch (inserted just the ends of the "happy birthday" strip into the punch one at a time), 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" Circle punches, Large Oval punch
Embellishments: Silver Brads, dimensionals, 3/8" Old Olive Taffeta ribbon

Thanks for clicking over to my blog today!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

December 22, 2010

Now that I've completed projects that were due to be finished before Christmas, I'm on to my January commitments. Two more orders of 20 greeting cards from coworkers for which there was just no time before now! Birthday cards are, of course, the most desired. So I try to make half of them birthday. Yesterday, I used Google to find color inspiration images (printed off a two page list of combinations!) to help. Today, Stampin' Royalty helps with a sketch challenge!

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Party Hearty, Birthday Whimsy
Ink: Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Old Olive, So Saffron
Paper: So Saffron, Sweet Pea DSP, Soft Suede, Whisper White
Tools: 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, dimensional (cupcake)

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Tuesday, December 21, 2010

December 21, 2010

I wanted to give my grandma a pack of greeting cards for Christmas. I took some from my stash and made a few more. This is one that I made. I wanted some inspiration, so I typed in "color challenge" to see what Google would find. This combination was an old challenge from KWerner Design Blog. I do kinda miss Taken with Teal.

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Garden Silhouettes, Because I Care
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal
Paper: Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip textured, Sweet Pea DSP, Very Vanilla
Tools: Large Oval punch, Scalloped Oval punch
Embellishments: 1 1/2" Chocolate Chip wide striped grosgrain ribbon, 1/4" Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon

Thanks for clicking over to my blog today!

Friday, December 10, 2010

December 10, 2010

Gotta get more birthday cards made! Inspiration for this card came from Just Add Ink's color challenge and Mojo Monday's sketch challenge.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Look Who's Turning
Ink: Basic Gray, Tempting Turquoise
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Basic Gray textured, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder
Embellishments: Tempting Turquoise brads, 3/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta ribbon

Thanks for clicking over to my blog today!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

December 8, 2010

Christmas is the theme challenge this week over at Stampin' Royalty this week. I made these for a friend at church. She chose kids from the Angel Tree at church who asked for gift cards. She wanted a cute way to present the gift cards and saw a picture of a gift card holder I did about a month ago. :) This was a good way to use up some retired ribbon!

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Sparkly & Bright
Ink: Real Red, Old Olive, Garden Green, Daffodil Delight, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Real Red, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Whisper White
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Northern Flurries EF (I emboss after scoring/cutting), corner rounder
Embellishments: Real Red Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbon, other SU! ribbon from a previous Holiday Mini :)


Here is a downloadable instruction sheet/template. It's small, but you can zoom in on it. Please feel free to "Save Image."
Thanks for clicking over to my blog today.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

December 2, 2010 Part B

I'm working away at my order for 20 greeting cards! I need one more "just because" card after this one. I made this using the color challenge from Stamping 411 this week. I used Blushing Bride instead of Pretty in Pink.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Kind & Caring Thoughts
Ink: Old Olive
Paper: Blushing Bride, Perfect Plum, Whisper White, Old Olive DSP (retired)
Tools: 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Boho Blossoms punch, 5 Petal Flower punch (trimmed down a couple petals for the leaves), Stamp-A-Ma-Jig
Embellishments: 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain ribbon, Basic Pearls

Thanks for clicking over to my blog!

December 2, 2010

Last night I made 2 more birthday cards. The first one uses colors from last weeks Color Throwdown Challenge, the second uses the colors from Stacey's Stamping Stage (although I had to use Elegant Eggplant instead of Concord Crush AND instead of white, I used Vanilla).


Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Apple Blossoms, A Word For You
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive
Paper: So Saffron, Sweet Pea DSP, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Whisper White
Tools: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch
Embellishments: Dress Up Ribbon Originals (retired), Brights Designer Buttons Old Olive, Basic Rhinestones

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Supplies:
Stamp Set: Watercolor Trio
Ink: Basic Gray (stamped off), VersaMark, Elegant Eggplant
Paper: Crumb Cake, Elegant Eggplant, Basic Gray textured, Very Vanilla
Tools: Big Shot, Top Note die, Square Lattice embossing folder, Black embossing powder, heat tool, Scalloped Oval punch, Large Oval punch
Embellishments: Antique Brad, Victoria Crochet Trim

Thanks for clicking over to my blog today!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

December 1, 2010

I am putting together another order of 20 assorted greeting cards for a coworker. She wanted several birthday cards, so 10 of them will be birthday. I went to the challenge sites for inspiration! And I got it in the form of Color Challenges. These 2 cards are the products of the challenges.

First for the Stampin' Royalty site:

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Party Hearty
Ink: Early Espresso, River Rock, Marina Mist (markers)
Paper: Early Espresso, River Rock, Marina Mist, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, Circle Scissor Plus, 3/4" Circle punch
Embellishments: 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta ribbon, Brights Button Rich Razzleberry, crochet thread

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Next, a somewhat masculine card. This for the Color Throwdown color challenge (my first time participating at this site):

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Party Hearty, Birthday Whimsy
Ink: Early Espresso, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue (candles only)
Paper: Bashful Blue, Sweet Pea DSP, Chocolate Chip textured, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla
Tools: 1/16" hold punch for brad placement, Tearing Edge
Embellishments: Silver Brads

Thanks for clicking over to my blog today!

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

November 30, 2010

Well, I bid farewell to November and say hello to December with a few Christmas cards I made last week but didn't have time to post. These cards will be for sale at a "Handmade" Open House this Friday!

This first one uses a retired set, it was a Hostess Set in last year's mini catalog (I'm pretty sure). This was very easy, but looks SO pretty with the Iridescent Ice!

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Printed Pines
Ink: VersaMark, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake
Tools: Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Big Shot, Top Note die, Petals-A-Plenty Embossing Folder
Embellishments: 3/8" Old Olive Taffeta ribbon, Basic Pearls

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This card is copied from a sample I received in a card swap. She had used Bravo Burgundy card stock for the card base, Very Vanilla for the Top Note; then stamped the block stamp in Bravo Burgundy ink and hand cut the tree stamped in Bravo Burgundy ink on Bravo Burgundy card stock. Nice, if you want monochromatic. I, however, wanted a little more interest. I spiced it up with more color and added rhinestones!

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Season of Joy
Ink: Old Olive, Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Tools: Big Shot, Top Note die, 3/4" Circle punch
Embellishments: Basic Rhinestones, 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain ribbon

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And, lastly, I had to try the Paper Tree technique. I first saw this on Connie Babbert's blog. Follow the link, she had a PDF with a template to download. It takes a bit of trial and error (at least it did for me!) and I think I will do a smaller circle next time. But it is certainly fun and looks great!

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Come to Bethlehem
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive (sponged)
Paper: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, retired Old Olive DSP
Tools: Circle Scissor Plus, Big Shot, Petals-A-Plenty Embossing Folder, label from Matchbox die
Embellishments: Basic Rhinestones

Thanks for clicking over to my blog today!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

November 25, 2010

Make & Take for my next workshop:

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Come to Bethlehem
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake
Tools: Big Shot, Petal-A-Plenty Embossing Folder, Label from the Matchbox die, tearing edge, distressor tool
Embellishments: Basic Rhinestone

Thanks for clicking over to my blog. Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

November 18, 2010

This color combination found me, so to speak, and I love it! I was pulling out some Baja Breeze yesterday and happend to pull some Cajun Craze out as well. I thought those two colors looked good together! I pulled out my ring of "swatches" and found one more color to put with them: Early Espresso. Love it! Perfect for a guy card.

I put the Baja Breeze strip through the Big Shot on the Texturz Plate then I swiped it with the Cajun Craze pad several times. It's harder to see, but I sponged Baja Breeze on the Very Vanilla piece.
Supplies:
Stamp Set: Afterthoughts
Ink: Early Espresso, Baja Breeze, Cajun Craze
Paper: Baja Breeze, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Tools: Big Shot, Texturz Plates Backgrounds 1
Embellishments: Silver Brads, Hemp Twine

Thanks for clicking over to my blog today!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

November 13, 2010

A customer at the workshop I did last night thought this dog was just so cute! But she didn't feel like she would actually use the set. I made this to send to her; I'll write on a PostIt and stick it in (instead of on the card) so she can use it.

I inked the Texturz plate by swiping/sliding the ink pad all over it. I made sure the whole plate was covered by a scratch paper so as not to get ink on my silicone pad.


I just wasn't feeling the sentiment on the front; couldn't get it in the right spot, I guess. So, I put it on the inside. Usually when one sends a Get-Well card, the note is brief - it's mostly to represent that the ill is being thought of and there is a desire to brighten their day. So, I felt it was okay to not have much writing room.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Wellness Wishes
Ink: StazOn black, Basic Gray, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Crumb Cake
Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight
Tools: Blender Pens, Big Shot, Top Note die, Backgrounds 1 Texturz plates, 2 1/2" Circle punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/4" Circle punch, Circle Scissor Plus, Modern Label punch, Word Window Punch
Embellishments: 3/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta ribbon, Basic Rhinestones

Thanks for clicking over to my blog today!

Friday, November 12, 2010

November 12, 2010

**Just Add Ink challenge card is second in this post**

Well, I was going to make a mitten Christmas card, but none of my Christmas-y sentiments seemed to compliment this set (and I'm not so fond of "have a cute Christmas" which is the sentiment contained in the set). It then turned into just a winter card. :) The card features the paper buttons and also the spotlighting technique. (Stamp the image on a separate paper, punch out a portion and pop that up on the main image. I also like to add a second, colored circle underneath, as you can see.) I love these colors together!

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: A Cute Christmas, Apple Blossoms
Ink: StazOn black, Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette, Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze
Paper: Crumb Cake, Candy Cane Christmas, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette
Tools: Big Shot, Top Note die, Modern Label punch, Word Window punch, 3/4" Circle punch, 1" Circle punch, 1/2" Circle punch, Crystal Effects, 1/16" hole punch, dimensionals, Blender Pens

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Next, I have another Candy Cane Christmas card... literally! :) I made it for the Just Add Ink Christmas Card challenge. This candy cane die is a Sizzix die I bought via eBay 2 years ago and haven't used much since completing the project for which it was purchased. But the striped sheet in the Candy Cane Christmas DSP pack just called for it to be pulled out of the drawer! I used the "have a" and "Christmas" parts of the "have a cute Christmas" phrase, but then used the "sweet" from Sweet Scoops. I thought it appropriate for the candy canes!

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: A Cute Christmas, Sweet Scoops
Ink: Real Red
Paper: Real Red, Candy Cane Christmas DSP, Blushing Bride, Whisper White
Tools: 1" Circle punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, Big Shot, Sizzix candy cane die, Embellishments: 1/8" Real Red Taffeta ribbon, Jumbo 5/16" Neutrals Brads Silver, Real Red brads, glue dots, dimensional

Thanks for clicking over to my blog today!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

November 11, 2010

I've been playing with the set A Cute Christmas. I'm doing a workshop tomorrow. The Make & Take will be a gift tage, maybe 2! This set will be a gift for the hostess (still gotta make a cute cellophane package for them). I folded a length of paper in half at 2", then punched with my circle to get the flap tags.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: A Cute Christmas
Ink: Real Red, Garden Green, Baja Breeze
Paper: Candy Cane Christmas, Real Red, Blushing Bride, Garden Green, Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Tools: 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, 1 3/4" Circle punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, 1 1/4" Circle punch, 1" Circle punch
Embellishments: Brads Silver, Jumbo Brads Neutrals, 1/8" Real Red Taffeta ribbon

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Here I have a scrapbook page with A Cute Christmas. These picture turned out perfect when I antiqued them and faded the color a bit. The browns and pink are about perfect to match Soft Suede and Blushing Bride!

Supplies:
Stamp Set: A Cute Christmas
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, Soft Suede, VersaMark
Paper: Candy Cane Christmas, white thin card stock for the snow hills, Blushing Bride, Wild Wasabi, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Whisper White (snowflakes)
Tools: Big Shot, Snowflake die, Snowflake punch, Double Scallop Ribbon Border punch, White Embossing Powder, heat tool
Embellishments: Brads silver

Thanks for clicking over to my blog today!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

November 10, 2010

I just received the Cute Christmas set yesterday. I'm going to use it for my next 2 workshops. I love the images in the set (although, I'm not too keen on the "have a cute Christmas" phrase...). This card is what we'll be making at a workshop next Thursday. It is totally CAS, clean and simple. I don't often make a card without using White or Vanilla and without using a sentiment on the front. I did put "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" from Occasional Quotes on the inside, though.

The button is actually a paper button. I punched four 1/2" circles, glued them into a stack, punched two holes (which you can't see), sanded the edges a bit, then topped it with Crystal Effects to give it a glossy sheen. I simply tied a little knot of the ribbon and glued it on top of the button, as my holes were too small to put the ribbon through!


Supplies:
Stamp Set: Cute Christmas
Ink: Real Red
Paper: Sahara Sand, Certainly Celery
Tools: 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Dimensionals, 2 Way Glue Pen
Embellishments: Crystal Effects, 1/8" Certainly Celery Taffeta ribbon

Thanks for clicking over to my blog today!

My First Mojo!

Mojo Monday is one of those sites I see mentioned all over SplitCoast and blogs, but I had never participated in a challenge from them. Until this week, that is! Their sketches are a little more involved than I usually get with my cards. We'll see if I do some more with them in the future... :)

This weeks challenge led me to make a Christmas card.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Season of Joy
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Marin Mist, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Sweet Pea DSP, Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla
Tools: paper piercer and guide, Large Oval punch
Embellishments: 3/8" Old Olive Taffeta ribbon

Thanks for clicking over to my blog today!

Sunday, November 7, 2010

November 7, 2010

Ended up having unexpected free time this evening so, of course, I used it wisely. :) I made this card for the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge this week. I finally found a use for these Pumpkin and Olive Flower Fusion Daisies that have been in my stash for a year!



Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Upsy Daisy, For All You Do
Ink: So Saffron, Chocolate Chip
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Pea DSP, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron
Tools: Curly Label punch
Embellishments: Flower Fusion, 1/4" Always Artichoke Grosgrain ribbon, Brads

Thanks for clicking over to my blog!

Friday, November 5, 2010

November 5, 2010

I snuck in one more card before bed last night, totaling 4 cards made yesterday. Then I made 4 another cards today at my still-new-to-me desk!!! They are super cute! BUT I decided to just pick 2 to show you. Tough choice... I'll probably end up coming back another time to post the others. :)

First is a rainbow of butterflies! I envisioned them in a straight line across the card, but this butterfly is too big for that. And I felt the other butterflies in the Beautiful Wings embosslit were too small. But I might go back and try it with the next size down sometime.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Apple Blossoms
Ink: Early Espresso, Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango
Paper: Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Pacific Point, Concord Crush
Tools: Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, dimensionals
Embellishments: Basic Rhinestones

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Next, I used a favorite color combo of mine: Cameo Coral, Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy. This is one of the main reasons why it is unfortunate that Cameo Coral was retired! But I still have nearly a whole pack of Cameo Coral card stock to wean me off of this combo. LOL :)

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Well Scripted
Ink: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy
Paper: Sahara Sand, Cameo Coral, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots EF, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch, Boho Blossoms punchs, dimensionals
Embellishments: Pewter Brads

Thanks for clicking over to my blog today!


Thursday, November 4, 2010

My New Stamping Station!


Woo.Hoo!!!! I finally upgraded my work station. I was simply working from multiple Rubbermaid containers atop a card table and a 6ft folding table. THEN, Monday morning I saw a friend post a picture of this desk, offering it for sale. They are moving to CO [:( makes me sad] to help in planting Harvest Bible Chapel Denver [:) makes me happy!]. And they sold about 90% of their furniture and even their very large screen TV (which my husband probably really wanted to buy from them!). Anyway, $50 and a-lot-of-work-to-get-it-in-our-basement later.... I have an organized Stamping Station and am so excited about it! My things are much more accessible and in their own place. Yay!! Now, I just need to find a paper rack that will fit in that unit down on the lower left. Then I'll really be in business! It's a far cry from some of the stamping rooms out there, but it's a start!

November 4, 2010 Challenge 3

And one more challenge response card for the day. This is the Sketch Challenge from Just Add Ink this week. I will be making another with this sketch, but I'm pretty happy with this one. I make so few masculine cards that I get pretty excited when I turn out a good one! :) In fact, I like it so much that I made two, although they differ slightly. Oh, and the Navy looks better in real life than it does on screen/in picture!


Supplies:
Stamp Set: Afterthoughts [except without the afterthought LOL! I admit I only chose that set because I can ink only the phrase I want with markers and leave off the "afterthoughts" that give the set it's name!! :)]
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Paper: Crumb Cake, Elegant Soiree DSP, Not Quite Navy textured, Bashful Blue
Tools: my hands for wrinkling up the Bashful Blue!, Sticky Strip - under the strips of hemp twine
Embellishments: hemp twine, Antique Brad (my last one!! must get more)/Pewter Brads

Thanks, again, for clicking over to my blog!

November 4, 2010 Challenge 2

My second card of the day AND the second card made at my new stamping station! This was made for the color challenge at Stampin' Royalty this week. Again, I do not have Pear Pizzazz ink, so the flower stems are inked with Old Olive. I used the cracked glass technique (2-3 layers of Glassy Glaze on VersaMark ink, heated with the heat tool, of course; then stuck in the freezer for a few minutes and cracked upon retrieval from the freezer).

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Close as a Memory, Watercolor Trio
Ink: Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Marina Mist, VersaMark
Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Marina Mist, Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze
Tools: 1/2" Circle punch, Large Oval punch, Scalloped Oval punch, Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Glassy Glaze Embossing Powder, heat tool
Embellishments: So Saffron Ribbon (from Dress Up Ribbon Originals, I believe), Vintage Brads

Thanks for clicking over to my blog today!

November 4, 2010 Challenge 1

I have a new and improved "stamping station"!! I'll post a picture later... But I had to break it in today! I went to my usual challenge sites where I found 2 color challenges and a sketch challenge. So, I got to work.

This is the first card I made. This is the color challenge from Stamping 411 this week. I added the black, but it's a neutral which usually doesn't really count. :) The picture that provided the source of the color combo includes black, as well as a light purple color, so I figured I was safe adding it in. I pretty much just took my inspiration straight from that picture. A "teen" bedspread with a circle pattern. This card, obviously, has a circle pattern and it's fitting for a teenaged girl. I had to make one modification to the color challenge: I don't have Pear Pizzazz ink, so I substituted with Certainly Celery.

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Perfect Punches, Circle Circus, Simple Shapes
Ink: Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Basic Black
Paper: Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Whisper White, Melon Mambo
Tools: Double Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Wide Oval punch
Embellishments: 1/4" Certainly Celery Grosgrain ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, Designer Buttons Brights Tempting Turquoise

Thanks for clicking over to my blog!!

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Framed Paper Art

I've done a couple of projects recently for putting in frames and using as decor. One as a house-warming gift for my aunt who recently moved and the other for a coworker who asked me to put my creativity to work for her to use a Christmas gift. :)

This is the project for a coworker whose sister is having a baby. She plans to insert a sonogram picture in the blank spot framed with the brown rick rack. Here is a picture in the frame.


The scallop flowers were made with the scallop punches. The small one uses 2 of them, the large one 2 1/2! Scored straight across between all scallops, snipped (between two scallops) to the center. Then folded accordion-style and adhered to the next piece on either end. I adhered the buttons with Dimensionals and used small pieces of dimensionals as well as the 2 Way Glue Stick to adhere the flower to the sheet.

Here is a picture out of the frame, much easier to take and get accurate coloring (the flash just doesn't work with the glass)!
Supplies:
Paper: Elegant Soiree DSP, Soft Suede textured, Early Espresso textured, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla
Tools: 2 3/8" and 1 3/4" Circle punches, Big Shot, Scallop Circle die, Circle Scissor Plus
Embellishments: 1/8" Very Vanilla Taffeta ribbon, crochet thread, Rick Rack from Hobby Lobby, Buttons from a Tube of Buttons from Hobby Lobby :)

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Here is the housewarming gift. Her living room is Americana themed. I took my Sahara Sand ink pad and swiped it on Whisper White textured card stock for the strips. I used smooth card stock, wrinkled it up, smoothed it out, swiped with Sahara Sand so it inked primarily the wrinkles, then punched the stars out. The "Under God" is in a great font called Bleeding Cowboy! I simply printed it out then tore it from the sheet with the Tearing Edge.


Supplies:
Ink: Sahara Sand
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White textured and smooth, Not Quite Navy textured
Tools: Scallop Border punch, Small Star punch (retired)
Embellishment: Antique Brad

Thanks for clicking over to my blog today!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Day of Gratitude

Seeing as how Thanksgiving is coming our way so quickly, I thought I'd play with the Thanksgiving set Day of Gratitude featured in the Holiday Mini Catalog!

The set is perfect for fall and Thanksgiving, but the "medallion" stamp in the set can be versatile. As you can see in this first picture, the "medallion" can be simply elegant. I have used it for a scrapbook page here along with the Butterfly Prints set.

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Day of Gratitude, Butterfly Prints
Ink: Basic Black, VersaMark
Paper: Basic Black textured for the page and smooth for the punched pieces; Whisper White textured for the double scallop line and smooth for the other punched pieces
Tools: 2 3/8" and 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punches, Modern Label punch, 2" x 1 3/8" Oval punch, Butterfly punch, Double Scallop Ribbon Border punch, White Embossing Powder, Black EP, heat tool
Embellishments: Basic Rhinestones, Antique Brad

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Next, I wanted to redo a little gobbler I made 2 years ago! I had used colors that retired and also a retired stamp. I also added embellishments, which I didn't have on the other one! Here he is not on a card, but on a "stand." I cut a length of Early Espresso, 4 1/4" x 11". Scored at 4 1/4" (this is the back), 8 1/2" (front), and 10" (bottom), the extra is the flap where I put a length of Sticky Strip then adhered it to the inside of the back. The "feathers" are made with the scallop circle: counted off 5 scallops and scored a straight line (I will fold up these 5 after all the scoring); counted 2 up and 3 down (2+3=5) from the scored line, scoring these 5 scallops as well; and the same on the other side. Now I folded up the straight line that we first scored and then folded on the other two lines to go on the opposite side. This can give you a very dimensional effect or you can snip off the piece from the back which will make for easier adhering of the body. (Clear as mud, right? Punch out a scallop and try to do it step by step, I think it will make sense as you do it! I hope.)

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Day of Gratitude
Ink: Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, Old Olive, Basic Black for his eyes (hand drawn)
Paper: Early Espresso (textured for the turkeys body), More Mustard textured, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede textured, Whisper White
Tools: Double Scallop Ribbon border punch, 2" x 1 3/8" Oval punch, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punch, 3/4" and 1 3/8" Circle punches, Boho Blossoms punch -- 2 of the smallest flower make the turkeys feet, and I clipped a "petal" of the medium sized flower for his beak
Embellishments: 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta ribbon, Antique Brad

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I also thought this set would make nice place cards for a Thanksgiving meal. My family is not that formal! But I know other people utilize place cards, so this is yet another way to use this set.

Supplies:
Stamps Set: Day of Gratitude
Ink: More Mustard, Cajun Craze; Markers: Early Espresso, Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie, River Rock, Soft Suede for the acorn (Early Espresso for the tops)
Paper: Very Vanilla, Old Olive
Tools: Hobby Blade to start the cutting out of the medallion, then paper snips to go all the way around (I simply scored on either side of the "medallion" and folded it down after I cut)

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One last non-card use for this set. I got this candle decorating idea from the mini catalog; but they used a different set and actually cut leaves and tied them in a bunch then took the tie around the candle. I wanted a simpler, less time-consuming way to decorate it. I also wanted to use the technique of VersaMark and the Stampin' Pastels. I stamped the "medallion" in VersaMark ink. Then took my sponge dauber, dabbed it onto one of the Pastel chalks, then dabbed it onto the image. Repeated in multiple colors; on this one I used Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, More Mustard and Chocolate Chip. I also did 3 leaves around the side and back. This also has a piece of Old Olive, distressed on both edges, for the lower layer.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Day of Gratitude
Ink: VersaMark, Chocolate Chip (for "Thanksgiving")
Paper: Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Tools: Stampin' Pastels, Modern Label punch, Sticky Strip
Embellishments: 1/8" Very Vanilla Taffeta ribbon, Designer Buttons Brights Old Olive


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Finally, I made a card. I was stretching myself to make things other than cards. Particularly, because I am doing a workshop next week and the hostess isn't so much into card-making. I, however, am! :) So, I had to make a few cards, but this one was my favorite.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Day of Gratitude
Ink: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, River Rock
Paper: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Tools: Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder (just covered the lower half of the card front with the EF), Word Window punch
Embellishments: 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain ribbon, Designer Buttons Brights Old Olive, crochet thread


Thanks so much for clicking over to my blog. Hope you found some helpful ideas and inspiration and a desire for this stamp set! LOL

October 28, 2010

I went over to Just Add Ink for the challenge. It's BIRTHDAY this week! Having just taught myself how to make this cute gift card holder (see yesterday's post for a tutorial on how to make it), I decided to make a birthday-themed one.


Supplies:
Stamp Set: Party Hearty
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Regal Rose, Daffodil Delight
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Regal Rose, Whisper White
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Corner Rounder punch, Scallop Circle punch, 1" and 3/4" Circle punch, dimensional,
Embellishment: 3/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta ribbon

Thanks for clicking over to my blog today!


Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Gift Card Holder



Here we go. I've got a tutorial on how to make a gift card holder. I've done the trial and error for you! :) Just read, look over the pics, jot down measurements and you'll be turnin' out gift card holders like crazy!

In this first picture you can see one finished holder with a card in it! You can also see that I started with a 5x5" square piece of card stock.


Then I scored one side at 1 3/4" (I use my stylus to score right on my paper cutter, after rubbing a piece of wax paper on my card stock for smooth scoring!)


Then I turned it so the scored line is toward the bottom of my cutter.


My paper cutter also has measurements up 3/4" on the other side of the blade. Conveniently, I am using 3/4" as my next measurement. I scored from the bottom up to the line I already scored. Then I cut from the top down to my scored line.


I flip it and do the other side (scoring from top down, cutting from bottom up now that it's flipped).
So, I now have this:

I cut at an angle between the scored lines at each corner, like so:

And also cut the corner at the bottom so you have tabs. You end up with this:

At this point I put mine in the Big Shot with the Northern Flurries Embossing folder. I cut a piece of Whisper White card stock 3"x3 1/4". You can stamp whatever you'd like on this piece. The one pictured at the top has "Just For You" and a snowflake. The one at the bottom is embellished with a ribbon and has no words on it. I rounded my corners then adhered this white piece to the almost-square part of the scored, tabbed piece. (I forgot to take a picture of this, so I pulled it back apart, hence the tears on the tabs! Oops)


Next, I folded the tabs in and put adhesive on the tabs as shown in the next picture.


Then with the tabs folded in, you fold up on the other, longer scored line, press, and voila! a gift card holder.

This is SUPER quick and easy. After having nailed down the measurements, I can make one in about 2 minutes! A gift card is an "easy" gift and this is an easy presentation for it, but they'll never know that because it's so cute!

Thanks for clicking over to my blog today! Please let me know if anything is unclear for if you have further questions!

(PS - sorry about the 2 pictures that won't enlarge. You can pretty much see what you need to in the small version.)