Just Hanging Around

It's getting to be that time of year.....you know the one I'm talking about. That dreadful time when the retiring list comes out and you hear a mournful wail from the general direction of East Tennessee. That would be me, lamenting my precious stamps and In Colors that are leaving forever. *sniff*

I know of a couple things that are carrying over, but some things that certainly are NOT are the 2016-2018 In Colors. I'm sure you don't need me to remind you that they sell out fast; well before the end of their time. I'm going to be especially sorry to see Dapper Denim and Sweet Sugarplum go. I loved them all, but those were my favorites.

So, be sure to check back next Monday. I'll be back from OnStage then, and I'll probably have a few tidbits that I can share. Meanwhile, here is a fun card that uses the Hanging Garden stamp set (which might be carrying over), along with a greeting from the March Paper Pumpkin.

I had fun coloring the hanging baskets with Stampin' Blends and even mixed some colors to get the different greens. Stampin' Up are you listening? We need more greens, please! I guess I'll find out if we're getting them when I get my hot little hands on the new catty this weekend, won't I?

Product List

Hanging Garden Clear-Mount Stamp Set

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Wood Textures Designer Series Paper Stack

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

Old Olive Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

Pool Party Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

Rich Razzleberry Light Stampin' Blends Marker

Bronze Stampin' Blends Marker

Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad

Big Shot

Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies

Linen Thread

Oh So Succulent Birthday Tutorial

As promised yesterday, here is the other card using the other side of the DSP used yesterday. Same general look, yet totally different!

Using Stampin' Dimensionals under some of the succulents really gives it a 3D look! Even with a double layer of dimensionals, it's still within the 1/4" limit for regular mail.

Here's the "How To"
 Succulents: Whisper White 4-1/4" x 5-1/2"
 Oval: Sweet Sugarplum 2-1/4" x 3-1/4"
 DSP: Succulent Garden (2X) 4" x 5-1/4" (coordinating designs)
 Strip: Sweet Sugarplum 3/8" x 5-1/2"
 Card base: Sweet Sugarplum 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" scored & folded at 4-1/4"

1. Stack both sheets of DSP and place them in your Stampin' Trimmer as shown, with the lower left corner on the 2" line and the upper left corner on the 1-1/4" line. Make the cut firmly and quickly, holding paper with your free hand so it doesn't shift.
   


2. Apply a line of adhesive down the back of the Sweet Sugarplum strip. Adhere DSP, butting edges together as shown. Make sure the DSP is face-down on the strip!
   
   


3. Turn over and trim ends of strip even with edges of DSP. Adhere ribbon, wrapping ends to back. Note: I use 1/8" Scor-Tape along the entire length of narrow ribbons. It helps them stay straight!
   
   


4. Stamp greeting in Basic Black and adhere DSP to card base. Note: When using photopolymer stamps, using a Stampin' Pierce Mat underneath helps ensure a good image. A mouse pad can also be used.
   


5. Stamp succulents using colors in the DSP (Old Olive, Pear Pizzazz, Mint Macaron, and Sweet Sugarplum used here). I stamp the outline first, then ink the filler image and stamp off once to lighten the color a bit.
   


6. Die cut the remaining Sweet Sugarplum cardstock using the second largest oval in the Stitched Shapes Framelits. Die cut succulents.
   


7. Adhere oval to card base with dimensionals. Adhere background succulents with liquid glue and top succulents with dimensionals. Tie a bow and adhere with a glue dot. Add rhinestones at top of oval.
   

Product List

Oh So Succulent Photopolymer Bundle

[145184]

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[100730]

Sweet Sugarplum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[141418]

Succulent Garden Designer Series Paper

[142778]

Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad

[140931]

Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad

[126953]

Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin' Pad

[131180]

Sweet Sugarplum Classic Stampin' Pad

[141395]

Mint Macaron Classic Stampin' Pad

[138326]

Stampin' Trimmer

[126889]

Big Shot

[143263]

Big Shot Magnetic Platform

[130658]

Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies

[145372]

Silver 1/8" Ribbon

[132137]

Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments

[119246]

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

Glue Dots

[103683]

Liquid Multipurpose Glue

[110755]

Oh So Succulent Birthday

My mom LOVES succulents, so I can't wait to make her Mother's Day card using the Oh So Succulent bundle! Meanwhile, I'm getting in some practice with this birthday card. I had such a hard time deciding which sides of the Succulent Garden DSP to use, that I ended up using the opposite sides on another card. I went with the Old Olive and Tip Top Taupe sides for today's card. Tomorrow's card will show the other side of the paper used, as well as a step-by-step photo tutorial, so stay tuned!

Here is what the two sides look like:

When the succulents were stamped, the outline was stamped first, then the center was inked up and stamped off once to lighten the color. After die-cutting, the larger one was stamped again, and the center was fussy-cut and popped up to add some depth.

It's really subtle in the photo, but the Gold Metallic Thread adds a light, airy feel. It's so pretty in real life!

Mom is coming this weekend for a two week visit. I kind of want to hide the Oh So Succulent suite from her, so it won't spoil the surprise come Mother's Day!

Product List

Oh So Succulent Photopolymer Bundle

[145184]

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[100730]

Tip Top Taupe 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[138336]

Succulent Garden Designer Series Paper

[142778]

Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad

[126953]

Tip Top Taupe Classic Stampin' Pad

[138325]

Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad

[140931]

Big Shot

[143263]

Big Shot Magnetic Platform

[130658]

Gold 1/8" Ribbon

[134583]

Gold Metallic Thread

[138401]

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]