Friday, June 29, 2012

Didn't Make the Cut


In the process of trying to design my Convention swap cards, there were some cards that didn't quite make it. Either I wasn't happy with the way they turned out, or they were too time-consuming to try to mass produce 50 of them. This is one of them.The Pleasant Poppies background stamp is gorgeous, but I couldn't help hearing the Wicked Witch of the West's voice in my head saying, "POPpies. Poppies will put them to sleep."

I liked this card, but decided to go in a whole different direction with the swap cards. Plus, the thought of coloring 50 images and cutting 150 banners made my eyes cross!  So, this will be a good Thank You card for my cousin, with whom I am staying for two nights before heading to Salt Lake City for the BIG SHOW.
Free Smiley Courtesy of www.millan.net


No need to call FEMA, or the Red Cross for that matter.  This disaster of a stamp room is of my own doing, and I'm going to have to be the one to undo it. Thank you for your concern, though! However, if I don't come out after a couple of days, send in a search party, will ya?  Or at least send in some chocolate and coffee. :-)


Stamps: Pleasant Poppies, Itty Bitty Banners
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Tangerine Tango DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive
Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice Folder, Bitty Banners Framelits, Blender Pens, Stampin' Dimensionals

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

For the Birds, SUOC #48


I love birds. Their cheerful chirping and singing while they flit around the trees and eat the bugs in my garden just fills my heart with happiness. So this week's theme at SUO Challenges also fills my heart with happiness, because it's for the birds. No, really....that's the theme! The new Stampin' Up! annual catalog is filled with stamps, punches and dies that feature birds, so why not create something featuring our feathered friends and show it off for us to see?


Some of my favorite birds are hummingbirds. They're like tiny flying jewels, but with an attitude. They can be very territorial around "their" feeders! The male ruby throated hummingbirds are particularly showy, with their iridescent green backs and wings, and deep red throats, so I tried to capture their loveliness with this card. The image was stamped on Shimmery White cardstock to try to imitate the iridescence, and a tiny drop of Crystal Effects made his eye nice and shiny.



Stamps: Elements of Style, Apothecary Art (greeting)
Cardstock: Shimmery White, Very Vanilla, Raspberry Ripple
Ink: VersaMark, Gumball Green Stampin' Pad, Gumball Green and Raspberry Ripple Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories: Big Shot, Delicate Doilies Sizzlits, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Floral Frames Framelits, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Fancy Fan Folder, Perfect Polka-Dots Folder, Bird Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Pearls Basic Jewels, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals

Monday, June 25, 2012

Christmas in June


Just a quick post to get the cards we made in the Christmas club last week posted. This is the stamp I used for the Father's Day card previously posted.

Still working like a crazy woman on Convention swaps. Those will be posted during Convention week, because I don't want any sneaky peeks from the recipients! :-D


Stamps: Christmas Deer, More Merry Messages
Cardstock: Shimmery White, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla
Ink: VersaMark, Early Espresso, Real Red
Accessories: Big Shot, Fancy Fan embossing folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Modern Label Punch, Embossing Buddy, Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Real Red 5/8" Satin Ribbon (retired)

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Father's Day Christmas?!


Did that title get your attention, lol?  The Christmas part came from using the Christmas Deer stamp. I'm getting smarter in my old age (haha), and have started looking at stamps with an eye toward "Can I use this in more than one way?"  Upon first glance, the Christmas Deer stamp would be "No", but then I thought if I just inked up the deer and left off the ornate antlers, I could use it for a masculine card, too!  Turned out pretty well, I think.


Doing marker-to-stamp works better on smaller areas, but I think the slight lines from the marker makes it look like the deer is standing in a slanting snowfall.  Anyway, I'm sure dad liked it. :-)

Stamps: Christmas Deer, Lovely as a Tree, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Basic Black, Well Worn DSP (retired)
Ink: Early Espresso Stampin' Pad and Stampin' Write Marker
Accessories: Big Shot, Chevron Folder, Bitty Banners Framelits, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Stampin Sponges

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Fancy Fold Pop-Up Birthday



Here is one of the cards we made in the Fancy Folds class last Wednesday. I was inspired by Lisa Young's card and tutorial. Since my grandmother just celebrated her 97th birthday, this is the card she's getting (a little late, sorry Milligram!).


The pop-up inside makes the card a little bulky, so being able to rely on the design of the paper rather than a lot of layers on the card front helped to reduce the bulk.  The Patio Party DSP was just perfect for this, not only for the front, but the different designs made great pop-up "presents" inside!


I am so behind on projects, and don't see catching up in the near future. There are a million bazillion Convention swaps to finish (well okay, really only about 100, but it feels like more), roomie gifts to make, granddaughter's birthday present to make, Mom's birthday card to make early, since I'll be at Convention when I should be working on it, not to mention all the regular daily grind stuff that needs doing (DH wants to eat every darn day, can you imagine?!).

Stamps: Bring on the Cake
Cardstock: Midnight Muse, Whisper White, Patio Party DSP
Ink: Midnight Muse
Accessories: Big Shot, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Paper Cutter, Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Stampin' Sponges, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals


Tuesday, June 12, 2012

SU-Only Challenge #47


Now here is one challenge near and dear to my heart, for sure. The theme for this week's SUO Challenge #47 is Fancy Frills, and anything frilly, girly, or bling-y is right up my alley!

When I saw the new Finishing Touches Edgelits my heart sang, because there was a beautiful replacement for the retired Eyelet Border punch. I used the eyelet die on this card, layered with the new Large Scallop Edgelits.  Aren't they purdy together? They remind me of a little girl's dress!


The birds on the branch are from the Serene Silhouettes stamp set, which was at the top of my stamp wish list, too! Every one of the four images in that set will be put to good use in the coming months.


Stamps: Serene Silhouettes, Itty Bitty Banners
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink DSP
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Large Scallop Edgelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Friday, June 8, 2012

Jolly Bits Christmas



This was the other card we made at the New Catalog Launch party last weekend. While the stamp set isn't new, it is in the new catalog, and the Be of Good Cheer DSP and Gumball Green In Color are definitely new!


Stamps: Jolly Bingo Bits, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler, Be of Good Cheer DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler Classic
Accessories: Big Shot, Bitty Banner Framelits, Top Note Die, Perfect Polka-Dots and Square Lattice embossing folders, 1" Square Punch, Postage Stamp Punch, Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

New Catalog Goodness


By now, I'm sure most of you have seen the new Stampin' Up! annual catalog and have thoroughly pasted the pages with sticky notes. What? I can't be the only person who purrs and pets the new catalog when it comes out!

Last Saturday was my first annual New Catalog Launch and BOGO Party, and it was a smashing success! Not only did my loyal stamping friends get a wonderful price on retired merchandise (ya can't beat FREE!), but they also got to try some new products from the catalog.....like the AWESOME new stamp pads! Ohhh, they are so much nicer to work with!


This is one of the two cards we made, this one using the new Betsy's Blossoms stamp set, and the yummy Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper.

*happy sigh* I lurve the new papers. And the new Edgelits and Framelits. And the embossing folders. Oh, and the Paper Piercing Pack. I want it all. I want it all RIGHT NOW!

Stamps: Betsy's Blossoms, Perfectly Penned
Cardstock: Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla, Comfort Cafe DSP
Ink: Soft Suede, Midnight Muse, Cajun Craze
Accessories: Big Shot, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Night of Navy 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (We used Very Vanilla at the party), Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals, Rhinestones Basic Jewels

Monday, June 4, 2012

Bring On The Cake


I first saw this style of card on Gina K's Stamp TV blog, and thought it would be a great card for a fancy folds class because it is quick and easy to do.


It's a fun gate-fold card with a twist - it has flaps on both sides!


Since I'm always in need of birthday cards, I made several to have on hand.  The patterned paper used was from the (now retired) Domestic Goddess DSP. The masculine version of the card, shown below, was the same sheet of paper, just the reverse side! Notice, no bling - just another strip of ribbon to balance the other side.



Stamps: Bring on the Cake (both the image & greeting)
Cardstock: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Domestic Goddess DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka-Dots embossing folder, Daffodil Delight 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Rhinestones Basic Jewels