Tour de Freaks June Swoon

Welcome to this month's Control Freaks Stampers "Tour de Freaks". Our theme this month is new catalog goodness, and I just had to call it June Swoon, because that's what I did when I saw the new catalog! I love bling, and this catalog is FULL of bling-y goodness! There are twelve of us on the tour, and if you started at the beginning, you just landed here from Patty Bennett's blog. I seriously love the Gold Vellum she used!!! If you started here on my blog, just click the link at the bottom of the page on each stop, and you'll make the full circle!

Like I said, I lurve glittery, shiny things (being part magpie, of course), and the new Glimmer Papers immediately caught my eye. All of my projects today feature one of the new Glimmer Papers!

Up first is a patriotic card using the Work of Art and Pictogram Punches stamp sets, along with the Stars Framelits Dies and the itty bitty star from the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack.This is the new Silver Glimmer, which is amazingly sparkly in real life!

STAMPS: Work of Art, Pictogram Punches   CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Silver Glimmer, Red Glimmer   INK: Real Red, Night of Navy   ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Stars Framelits Dies, Zig Zag TIEF, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Stampin' Dimensionals

For my next project, I used the positively spectacular Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper. It really does dazzle like diamonds! Lots of punches used on this one, along with the Flower Shop and Itty Bitty Banners stamp sets.

STAMPS: Flower Shop, Itty Bitty Banners   CARDSTOCK: Whisper White, Real Red, Mossy Meadow, Basic Black, Back to Black DSP, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper   INK: Real Red   ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Bitty Banners Framelits, Lovely Lace TIEF, Pansy Punch, Project Life Corner Punch, Bird Builder Punch, Real Red 1/4" Cotton Ribbon, Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

My last project is a 3D treat using the Fry Box Bigz XL Die. It's so stinkin' CA-YOOT, and so stinkin' EASY to use! The box was cut first with Kraft Paper, to make a sturdy base, and then cut again with Lullaby Designer Series Paper. I found that cutting off the bottom of the DSP made it easier to apply the front and back panels.  Since the Almond Roca is wrapped in gold foil, I used the new Gold Glimmer Paper and Gold 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon to bling it up.

STAMPS: Flower Patch   CARDSTOCK: Kraft, Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Wild Wasabi, Lullaby DSP, Gold Glimmer Paper  INK: Bermuda Bay, Versamark   ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Fry Box Bigz XL Die, Flower Fair Framelits, Coastal Cabana Baker's Twine, Bermuda Bay 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Gold 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, 1/8" Mini Brads (colored with Daffodil Delight Blendabilities Marker), Crushed Curry Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, 4" x 6" Cellophane Bags, Clothspins

That's all for me today! Your next stop is Debbie Henderson's blog. She's got more new catalog yumminess to share!

I Was "Spied"! ISSC33

Kim Teasdale, the admin for iSpy Sketches contacted me about a month ago and asked if I minded if she used one of my convention swap cards for a sketch challenge today. Um, let me think about that for a nanosecond......heck, NO, I don't mind - what an honor! This was the swap card that caught her eye, so today I decided to make another using that sketch, and stick with the holiday theme.

It's amazing what a completely different "feel" this card has, compared to the original. Cute versus elegant, I guess (kinda like me, haha).

I just had to add that strip of Champagne Glimmer - seems I've been on a Glimmer binge lately.  Can't help it! Adding a bit of bling just takes a card to a whole new level, don't you agree?

I hope you'll play along with the sketch challenge this week at iSpy Sketches. I can't wait to see all the various interpretations of the sketch from other crafty folks!

Thanks, Kim, for choosing my card for your inspiration sketch this week (and inspiring the card for my next Christmas Club)!

Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, More Merry Messages
Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White, Shimmery White, Gumball Green DSP, Champagne Glimmer
Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Real Red, Gumball Green, Baja Breeze, and Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pads, plus Blush Blossom and Pink Pirouette Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories: Big Shot, Fancy Fan folder, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 1" Square Punch (banner ends), Gold Lame Smooch Accent Ink (retired), Blender Pens, Stampin' Dimensionals

Christmas in August

This is what we made for this month's Christmas Club. You should have been here! We had Christmas music playing on Pandora to get us in the holiday mood (despite the heat and humidity outside), cookies and cold spiced cider (because hot spiced cider didn't sound like such a terrific idea, lol).

This is a fun-fold card, inspired by a swap I got from Cris McCarthy at Convention. It is so cool, and it was quick and easy to do, too! (Measurements given below.) The belly band slides off to reveal an accordion folded card. There are all kinds of possibilities for finishing the inside, with lots of room to write a personal note, as well.

The Christmas Club meets the second Monday of the month at 2:00 PM and again at 7:00 PM for the people who have daytime jobs. The card du jour is emailed out in advance (ideally) so people can decide how many they want to make before they get here. Here's the other two options:

There's always room for more, so let me know if you want to be added to the class email list. Time's a-wasting to get those cards made; the holidays will be here before you know it!


Stamps: Ornament Keepsakes, Petite Pairs
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Pacific Point DSP, Candlelight Christmas Specialty DSP, Red Glimmer Paper, Silver Glimmer Paper, Champagne Glimmer Paper
Ink: Lucky Limeade, Real Red, Early Espresso, Midnight Muse
Accessories: Big Shot, Holiday Ornaments Framelits Dies, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, 1" Square Punch (banner ends), Merry Minis Punch Pack, Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Whisper White 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (retired), Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Here are the measurements for the basic card, just decorate as desired! 
     Card base: 5½ x 12, scored at 2,4,7, and 9
     Belly band: 1¼ x 8½, scored at 2¼ and 6 ⅜
     DSP: 2¾ x 5¼ (x2) and 1¼ x 5¼ (x1) for card base
     DSP: 1 x 3 ⅞ for belly band

Swap Card

Last Saturday was the monthly stamp club with my upline. It's the end of the swapping year, and I won't be continuing next year, so this is my last swap card for the club.  I liked the pink Christmas card layout, and wanted to see how it looked in green. Turned out pretty cute, I think! Since I didn't have any green Scallop Dots ribbon, a button was substituted for the rosette. The addition of a sliver of silver Glimmer Paper added just the right amount of bling.


Stamp: Short & Sweet
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Garden Green, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Garden Green Classic 
Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Stocking Accents Die, Perfect Polka-Dots Embossing Folder, Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Certainly Celery Twill Ribbon, Certainly Celery Button, Silver Elastic Cord, Basic Jewels Rhinestones, Stampin' Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

Snowflakes!

I love the snow. I love snowflakes, and snowmen, and glistening white landscapes.  Of course, I don't have to live with the white stuff, so it's easy for me to love it. Several times per winter, our local mountains (about an hour's drive away) will get blanketed and it looks so pretty from down here. If I want to experience cold, frozen toes the beauty up close, all I have to do is hop in my car and go! Today I am feeling blessed to live in Paradise, where I can pick tomatoes from my garden all winter, and usually don't need more than a light sweater on really "cold" days (which means the temperature got all the way down to the 50s).

I found this Fancy Fold Star on a Norwegian blog, and adapted the size down to fit in a 6" x 6" envelope. The measurements needed tweaking to get the card to close properly. And yes, it is a card! Here is the inside:

Since I do live in Paradise, I went with the tropical/beachy colors of Baja Breeze and Island Indigo. They pair beautifully with the Silver Glimmer snowflake!

This would make a beautiful Star of David for a Hanukkah card, too, I think. Although, I think traditionally, a Menorah or dreidel is more common. (Yapha, can you help me out here?)

Edited to add: You can find my tutorial for the folded star/snowflake HERE!

Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Four for Christmas
Cardstock: Whisper White, plus Island Indigo and Baja Breeze DSP, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Not Quite Navy Classic
Accessories: Snowflake #2 Originals Die, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Subtles Glimmer Brads, Brights Glimmer Brads

10 For 10

Or, Ten 4 Ten....or 10-4-10. Any way you look at it, it's a great deal! This Saturday, October 22nd, at 10:00 a.m. is the 10 for 10 Christmas Card Class. Come and make ten cards for the low price of only $10.00! Everything you need to complete the cards is included, except the adhesive. (Stampin' Up! Snail Adhesive or something similar is recommended.)

Call or email to reserve a spot, so I know how many kits to prepare!

Christmas Lodge

Last Wednesday was our monthly Christmas card class, and this was the card that we made. This is a combination of lpratt's and Melany Watson's cards on Splitcoast Stampers, with my own twists thrown in. :-)  That Silver Glimmer Paper is the perfect icy accent to the snow and is sooo brilliant IRL! The photo just doesn't do it justice. (Edited to add: Instructions for making card are below supply list.)

The Early Espresso ink on the Crumb Cake cardstock really gives an aged, vintage feel. And I absolutely love this image of a country house! I adore the wrap-around porch... can't you just picture yourself sitting there in a rocking chair or glider, looking out over the land, enjoying the sunsets, watching the garden grow, and fruit ripening in the orchard?

It reminds my of my great-grandmother's house which, unfortunately, was torn down recently by the present owners to build a new house. Didn't they realize the history there? The memories of me hiding under the lounge in the living room, pretending that I was Sandy-cat, batting at people's ankles? That I used to play "house" under the branches of the weeping willow tree, which formed a perfect room around the trunk?  Eating Concord grapes off the Ruple's vine until I thought I'd burst? The smell of Gram's irises, which grew under the bay window of the dining room? Rubbing two dried ears of corn together to get the kernels off to feed the chickens?  Burying coffee grounds and crushed egg shells in the vegetable garden to enrich the soil? *sigh*

Today is a day of remembrance, in so many ways.

Stamps: Christmas Lodge (Holiday Mini), Lovely as a Tree
Cardstock: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Basic Rhinestone Jewels, Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, While Gel Pen

1. Stamp the lodge image in Early Espresso ink on Crumb Cake cardstock.
   
2. Ink up one half of the Lovely as a Tree stamp and stamp to the side of the lodge, then do the reverse for the other side.
   
3. Color the snowy areas (roof, railings, ground around lodge, trees, etc.) with a white gel pen.
   
4. Tear white cardstock to imitate snow on the ground just below the lodge. Trim excess at bottom.
5. Layer Silver Glimmer Paper (have to use scissors on this - it won't tear!) a bit below the snow layer. Trim excess at bottom.
6. Tear another layer of white cardstock to lay over the Glimmer Paper, leaving some exposed. Trim excess at bottom.
   
7. Stamp the greeting in Early Espresso ink on the last layer and embellish card as desired.
   

Painting Silver Glimmer

After discovering how well the Stampin' Write Markers work for tinting the Silver Glimmer Paper (hang in there, you can order it September 1st!), I thought about trying it with an Aqua Painter and Classic Ink Refills.  The Glimmer Paper is quite sturdy, almost like it has a plastic or waxed paper base, so it was a fairly certain bet that it could withstand getting wet.

Here is what I observed.......start with a color much darker than you want to end up with. The Heat Tool was used to speed drying time, and as the paper dried, it got remarkably lighter, as shown below. The first image shows the left side already dried, and how dark the right side is before drying. The second image shows both sides dried.

Materials used: Silver Glimmer Paper, Pool Party Classic Ink Refill, Aqua Painter, Heat Tool

I LOVE Stampin' Write Markers! (Plus SUO Challenge 25)

Why, you ask? Well, besides the fact that I can color on stamps, and dye ribbon with them, I figured out that the new Silver Glimmer Paper (coming in the Holiday Mini) can be colored* as well!  Waaaa-hoootie! Now I can make GOLD Glimmer Paper, or Island Indigo Glimmer Paper, or Early Espresso Glimmer Paper!!!  On the card below, the snowflake was colored with More Mustard to give it a warm glow and tone it down to match the card.  Isn't it gorgeous?

This stamp set is called Pines & Poinsettias, and is also in the Holiday Mini, as is that wonderful new Snow Burst embossing folder.  Oh, there are so many wonderful things coming September 1st!

The challenge this week at SU-Only Challenges is to make a card using a favorite new stamp set, and this certainly qualifies as one of my favorites. Good thing I don't have to choose just one favorite - that would be impossible!

My experimentation with the markers - soooo yummy!

* Note: I used the SIDE of the brush tip of the marker, rubbing gently on the Glimmer Paper. 

Stamps: Pines & Poinsettias, Four the Holidays
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Crumb Cake and Cherry Cobbler Classic pads, plus Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, and More Mustard Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories: Crumb Cake 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Snowflake Punch, Snow Burst embossing folder, Big Shot Die-Cut Machiine, Stampin' Dimensionals

Love is in the Air!

This was the other sample shown to the crafty ladies at Heather's Party, and was inspired by this card on SCS. Not a direct CASE - there were a few minor changes. ;-)

Stamps: Valentine Defined
Cardstock: Real Red, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Red Glimmer Paper, Pretty in Pink DSP pack
Ink: Real Red Classic, Pretty in Pink Classic, Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Marker
Accessories: Big Shot, Framed Tulips embossing folder, Heart to Heart punch, Small Oval punch, Basic Rhinestones, Real Red 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Linen Thread, heart charm (non-SU)