Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Lighting the Way for CHOICES!


Did you notice that there are five stamp sets in the Jan-Apr mini catalog that are available in both photopolymer AND rubber (cling)? I was thrilled to see that those are options for some stamps. With Two-Step stamp sets, the only obvious choice is photopolymer, otherwise how would you line up the filler stamps with the outline stamps? 


But with some others, like this Lighting the Way set, you don't need photopolymer unless you prefer that type of stamp, and many stampers do! I used a Blending Brush to add Starry Sky to white cardstock, making it darker at the top and lightening it as it went lower, like the sky as night is falling. Stars were added with a white gel pen and Sparkle & Shine sequins.

Behind the lantern some Daffodil Delight was added lightly for the lantern glow. To make the glowing globe of the lantern, some more D.D. was blended on a scrap of white, concentrating more color in the center. I cut just the center part of the lantern from this and replaced the copper foil "glass" pieces to make the light shine. The greeting is from the Happy Labels stamp set, which is also available in photopolymer or cling!

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Monday, January 30, 2023

Stamp Review Crew - Sale-A-Bration Part 1


Welcome to the Stamp Review Crew's Sale-A-Bration edition! This will be the first of two during this year's SAB. The "Crew" is a group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators from around the world who pick a stamp set or bundle to highlight on the first and third Mondays of each month, with a bonus hop if there is a fifth Monday. If you landed here from Mike's blog, Stampin-Style, welcome! There are seven of us today, and if you get lost somewhere along the hop, click the banner at the top of the blog for a list (with links) of the participating crew.

Scenic Garden
Sending Support

In the Country

Today I am using three of the six available Sale-A-Bration stamp sets. The first card uses the Host set called Scenic Garden, and it is paired with the Sending Support stamp set. I thought the garden bench and sentiment were just made for each other.


After stamping the image in Basic Gray on Smoky Slate cardstock, I colored it with Watercolor Pencils (Assortments 1 and 2). It was die cut with Stitched Rectangles and matted on Silver Foil Specialty paper.


The hollyhocks were stamped in Basic Gray on Basic White and colored with the same Garden Green and Melon Mambo pencils, then fussy cut and popped up on dimensionals. The Dragonfly Trinket helps balance the card.

The second card also uses an image from Scenic Garden, but this time it's paired with In the Country. I did a little watercoloring on this one. The images were stamped in Saddle Brown StazOn ink on Fluid 100 watercolor paper. 


I used the small Water Brush with Cajun Craze, Melon Mambo, Polished Pink, Old Olive, and Gorgeous Grape on the tiered planter, and Gray Granite for the shadow beneath and the walls of the stone building.


The background was a bit boring, so I added some color to the planters on the building. There's no sentiment on this one. I think it doesn't need one, but I can add one later if I want to.


That's all I have to share for today, so click "Next" to see what my friend Heidi created, or "Previous" to visit Mike again. Thanks for stopping by!





Saturday, January 28, 2023

CCM Saturday Blog Hop - Fave New Mini Paper


Today's Create With Connie & Mary Saturday Blog Hop theme is our favorite DSP from the Jan-Apr mini catalog. Oh, geez, that's like asking me to pick my favorite child! I think my top three (equal) favorites are the two in the Country Floral Lane Suite and the Regency Regency Park DSP. Since I've recently shown the former some love, I chose the latter. This designer paper really makes my heart happy, not only because of the beautiful floral prints, but because of the blue and yellow combinations - always a fresh, pretty pairing.


I actually made three cards because I couldn't make up my mind which print I wanted to use, lol. Ultimately, I decided to use this one because it shows three of the designs, and they set off the sentiment perfectly. The floral background meant I didn't have to stamp/color/cut anything else. This made for a quick, easy card!


I love the Charming Sentiments bundle! Every sentiment has a matching die, so there is no need to fussy cut any of the seventeen messages! AND it's the perfect set to use when you want to let the DSP do all the work. *grin*

Measurements:

  • Card base: Mango Melody 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" scored & folded at 4 1/4"
  • Dotted navy background: 4" x 5 1/4"
  • Mat: Mango Melody 3" x 4 1/4"
  • Floral print: 2 3/4" x 4"
  • Banner: 1 1/4" x 3 1/4"


That's all for today - see you next Saturday! Up next is Libby Fens at Libby Stamps. Or click the "back" button to go back to Lori at Loritamarie Crafts.

 
Stampin' Up! products used:
  • Stamps: Charming Sentiments Bundle
  • Paper: Basic White and Mango Melody Cardstock, Regency Park 6" x 6" DSP
  • Ink: Night of Navy
  • Accessories: Enamel Dot Essentials, Night of Navy 3/8" Bordered Ribbon




Saturday, January 21, 2023

CCM Saturday Blog Hop - Fave New Jan-Apr Mini Stamp Set

Today's Create With Connie & Mary Saturday Blog Hop theme is our favorite new stamp set from the J-A mini. Once again, a tough choice! I narrowed it down to the sets that I liked that had a suite, and the sweetest suite (in my humble opinion) is the one with Country Bouquet. Love the TWO designer paper packs, love the stamp set, and the embellishments. Which is ironic, because I didn't use any embellishments on the card. 😄


I used the Stack, Cut, and Shuffle method with this card, which makes four cards, so I have three more to decorate. I love that this technique uses so much DSP, because heaven knows I have a LOT of it to use!


That's all for today - see you next Saturday! Up next is Libby Fens at Libby Stamps. Or click the "back" button to go back to Lori at Loritamarie Crafts.

 
Stampin' Up! products used:
  • Stamps: Country Bouquet Bundle
  • Paper: Basic White and Mossy Meadow Cardstock, Fine Shimmer Paper (gold), Country Gingham DSP, Country Floral Lane DSP
  • Ink: Sweet Sorbet, Mossy Meadow
  • Accessories: Stylish Shapes Dies, Stitched Rectangles Dies,2022-2024 In Color Baker's Twine Pack




Thursday, January 19, 2023

Control Freaks Fun & Fancy Folds


The Freaky theme this month is FUN & FANCY FOLDS.  If you landed here from Debbie's blog, Debbie Henderson Designs, welcome. There are six of us this time, so I'm excited to see what fun folds the Freaks have in store - love me a good interactive card!


This Hidden Pop-Up Flap Fold is based on a design I saw done by Rachel Tessman a couple years ago. I had Pinned it and never got around to actually making it...until now.


It really is brilliant, and could be adapted to so many occasions! Just search on YouTube and you'll find lots of how-tos. 


I chose The Cottage Rose bundle for the images and die cuts on this card, and Something Fancy for the greeting and inside sentiment.


Abigail Rose DSP is so pretty. Lots of great designs, and the Smoky Slate patterns really enhance the Petal Pink rose (stamped first in Soft Suede).


So, to expose the pop-up, you pull the little tab at the bottom and VOILA! Out comes the sentiment and the pop-up die cuts. Isn't that the cutest thing?!


Up next is Bree, at Craft-somnia Momma. She's sure to have something fun up her sleeve!

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