7.31.2009

Patchwork

This card was so quick and easy to make! Just a few stamped images, a few punches, and volia! A patchwork design:



I used the 1-1/4" square punch to punch out each section. I used one silver brad and pierced some holes on the main square that says "Thank You." I wanted this square to stand out since it had the greeting. I tied a small piece of Whisper White Taffeta ribbon in a knot and added it to the adjacent square, again to draw attention to the greeting.










**************************************************************


Stamp Sets: Holiday Blitz (114982—pictured below)
Paper: Pale Plum (101658), Perfect Plum (101889), Basic Gray (108692), Whisper White (100730)
Ink: Perfect Plum (101437), Basic Gray (109120)
Punches: 1-1/4" Square Punch (104400)
Cool Tools: Mat Pack (105826), Paper Piercing Tool (116631)
The Little Something Extra: Silver Brads (104336), Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon (109070)

7.27.2009

Final July Deal of the Week

This week marks the last of Stampin' Up!'s Deal of the Week promotion.

You're going to LOVE our Heart to Heart punch, especially July 27-31 when it's just $10.99—that's more than 30% off the regular price of $15.95!


Remember that you only have until this Friday, July 31st at 11:50 pm!

Click here to see some samples featuring the Heart to Heart punch and the coordinating stamp set, Love You Much!

You're On My Mind

I really need to start writing down my sources of inspiration when I make the card! After flipping through three full catalogs, I finally found the source for this card :-) Page 55 of the Spring-Summer 2009 catalog (the one that just retired). I have found that my old catalogs provide EXCELLENT sources of inspiration because usually I haven't looked at the projects in those books for a while, so they give me fresh ideas every time!

This card was pretty simple, and using the same layout, I made a second card for my mom's upcoming Stamp Camp (if you're in Topeka, give her a call! The class is this Thursday and I know she'd love to have you there! Plus, she'll have some of her retired stamp sets and scrapbooking supplies on sale! Whoo Hoo!). Here's the card I made for her class:



She LOVES brown & yellow together. I made her a card a few months ago with similar colors (So Saffron, Close to Cocoa & Baja Breeze), and she loved it! I think it's that the colors remind her of sunflowers...which she loves...and I made her get rid of all her 80's sunflower decor, so she needs something that will still remind her of sunflowers :-)

This card uses a half of a Top Note cut out (from the Big Shot & Top Note Die) instead of a circle, and a textured piece of Soft Suede (instead of the DSP). Both these cards were so fun and easy to make! Try one of your own today!










*********************************************************


Stamp Sets: Petal Pizzaz (113417—pictured below), Upsy Daisy (111710—pictured below)
Paper: Old Olive (100702), Certainly Celery (105125), Whisper White (100730)
Ink: Old Olive (102277), Certainly Celery (105217), Tempting Turquoise (100814)
Punches: Wide Oval (112082), Scallop Oval (114889)
Cool Tools: Circle Scissor Plus (112530)
The Little Something Extra: Silver Brads (104336), Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon (109054)



7.26.2009

A Note of Thanks



This card features a fun color combo: Bermuda Bay, Dusty Durango, Certainly Celery, and Chocolate Chip. I can't remember where I got the inspiration for this combo, but rest assured, I didn't invent it myself! :-)

This card was pretty simple and came together really quick. I just stamped several images from Circle Circus in Versamark ink on the front side of the card. Still using versamark, I stamped one image on Certainly Celery card stock, a different image on Dusty Durango, and a third image on Chocolate Chip. After punching/cutting out the images, I adhered them to the card, and added some ribbon and a sentiment. I finished off the card with the Scallop Edge punch and a small strip of Dusty Durango to make the scallops more visible. Fun!









********************************************************



Stamp Sets: Circle Circus (115778--pictured below), Thank You Kindly (111700--pictured below)
Paper: Bermuda Bay (115317), Chocolate Chip (102128), Certainly Celery (105125), Dusty Durango (115321)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908), VersaMark (102283)
Punches: Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Scallop Circle (109043), 1-3/8" Circle (104401), 1-1/4" Circle (104403), 1" Circle (109046)
Cool Tools: Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack (105826)
The Little Something Extra: Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon (109065), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)



7.25.2009

Croppin' Time

Last week I got to spend some time with my mom working on our scrapbooks! We had such a fun time, and although I only slept 2 hours one night, I still only completed 8 double page layouts...maybe I need to learn to work a little faster? :-)

Here are a few pages I completed. Unfortunately, when I scrapbook I almost always just do it for myself, so I try to use up all my retired and non-Stampin' Up! products. I don't usually post creations made with retired and non-Stampin' Up! products here on my blog, hence the reason you haven't seen many of my scrapbook pages!

This first page was completed using only a Stampin' Up! Simply Scrappin' Kit (the kit is retired, but all of our kits contain similar self-adhesive die cuts, patterned paper, and textured 12 x 12 coordinating card stock). I LOVE using kits because they are so quick and easy to complete. Everything you need is in the kit, so you don't have to spend tons of time looking for coordinating pieces...of course this is true with ALL Stampin' Up! supplies because they all coordinate, and you never have a lack of matching accessories to use :-)



For this second page, I did not use a kit, but instead used the current Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper with some coordinating Pumpkin Pie 12 x 12 Textured card stock. To cut out the circles, I used Stampin' Up!'s circle scissor plus. It worked so nicely to cut out these various sized circles! I would highly recommend this cutter! The flowers are from Petal Pizzaz, and I used some Filigree Brads on the centers of a few of the flowers.


I really enjoy scrapbooking, and it's so much fun to do it with other people! If you have some pictures you'd like to scrapbook, I'd recommend starting with some of SU!'s Simply Scrappin' Kits. You don't have to make 12x12 scrapbook pages. The kits are easily adapted to make 8-1/2 x 11 pages or even 6 x 6 pages. Try one today!

7.23.2009

A Little Taste of Fall



I just love the new In Colors, Dusty Durango & Soft Suede. These two make a nice fall-ish color combo when combined with Always Artichoke (a color I confess I have never used!). This card was super easy to make, and I love the look of the Texturz plate dry embossing!

  • First I stamped the leaf image from Holiday Blitz on Naturals Ivory card stock three times in Always Artichoke ink and once in Dusty Durango ink. Using a blender pen, I colored in the Dusty Durango leaf with more Dusty Durango ink.
  • Then I stamped the "A Note of Thanks" sentiment from the Thank You Kindly stamp set below the leaves in Soft Suede ink.
  • I inserted a silver brad next to the sentiment and looped a piece of linen thread around the brad. I secured the ends of the thread on the back of the card stock with 2 glue dots.
  • To make the dry embossing from the Texturz plate stand out, I lightly spritzed the Always Artichoke card stock with water before I ran it through the Big Shot. I just love how it turned out!
  • I adhered everything together and tied a piece of Soft Suede Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon around the card. Voila!
I hope you enjoy this little taste of fall in the middle of July!









****************************************************


Stamp Sets: Thank You Kindly (111700--pictured below), Holiday Blitz (114982--pictured below)
Paper: Dusty Durango (115321), Always Artichoke (105119), Naturals Ivory (101849)
Ink: Always Artichoke (105219), Dusty Durango (115654), Soft Suede (115657)
Cool Tools: Blender Pens (102845), Big Shot (113439), Texture Plates Kit #4 Texturz Plates (114531)
The Little Something Extra: Silver Brads (104336), Linen Thread (104199), Soft Suede Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115612)



7.21.2009

Fabulous Friend

I've recently become a follower of Mary Fish's Stampin' Pretty blog. She always has really cute ideas! A few weeks ago, she posted a scallop note card made with the Big Shot and using the new Circle Circus stamp set. I copied her design and hopped over to Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration blog for a little color challenge. Here's the result:



The color combo was not the most comfortable for me (Basic Gray, More Mustard, and Dusty Durango), but sometimes you just have to step outside your comfort zone and do it!

Click here for a tutorial on making a Big Shot Scallop Circle note (complements of Mary Fish), or click here to see more samples using the Big Shot!

Enjoy!











***********************************************



Stamp Sets: Circle Circus (115778--pictured below), Oval All (113790--pictured below)
Paper: Basic Gray (108692), More Mustard (100946), Dusty Durango (115321)
Ink: Basic Gray (109120)
Punches: Scallop Oval (114889), Large Oval (107305), Scallop Circle (109043), 1-3/8" Circle (104401), 1-1/4" Circle (104403), 1" Circle (109046), 3/4" Circle (107217)
Cool Tools: Big Shot (113439), Scallop Circle Die (113468), Circle Scissor Plus (112530)
The Little Something Extra: Circle Fire Rhinestone Brads (109110), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)



7.20.2009

Deal of the Week #4

Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware adds class to any project!

This week, July 20-26, receive the Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware for only $18.99--that's over 30% off the original price of $29.95! No purchase necessary, and no limitations!

July Weekly Deal Announcements:
  • Deal #1: Wednesday, July 1 at noon to Monday, July 6 at 9:50 AM
  • Deal #2: Monday, July 6 at 10:00 AM to Monday, July 13 at 9:50 AM
  • Deal #3: Monday, July 13 at 10:00 AM to Monday, July 20 at 9:50 AM
  • Deal #4: Monday, July 20 at 10:00 AM to Monday, July 27 at 9:50 AM
  • Deal #5: Monday, July 27 at 10:00 AM to Friday, July 31 at 11:50 PM
These deals will automatically be announced on my Stampin' Up! website, and I will do my best to announce them here as soon as I can.

7.17.2009

Bright Tart & Tangy

...yes, so bright I am nearly blinded! :-)



The design for this card was found in the new catalog (p.126). Once again, I absolutely LOVE the new In Colors! Melon Mambo (the bright pink color) is wonderful! I decided to pair it with Green Galore (a bold bright! Yay!) along with Chocolate Chip/Kraft to tone it down a little. I really like how it turned out. There's just something about super-bright pink and green that just takes me back to elementary school (my double layer scrunch-down socks...alternating the color on top for each foot) and happy times :-)

The card is pretty self-explanatory. The orange slice image I stamped twice for each circle (so I stamped 12 images total). I cut out one image with the 1" circle punch and the other image with the 3/4" circle punch. I layered the smaller punch on top with a Stampin' Dimensional--super easy, but a really nice technique!










****************************************************



Stamp Sets: Tart & Tangy (111514--pictured below)
Paper: Green Galore (101768), Melon Mambo (115320), Kraft (102125), Chocolate Chip (102128)
Ink: Green Galore (102122), Melon Mambo (115656), Chocolate Chip (100908)
Punches: 1" Circle Punch (109046), 3/4" Circle Punch (107217)
The Little Something Extra: Melon Mambo Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115611), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Chit Chat Rub-Ons (111804)

7.14.2009

Mojo Monday #95

Yesterday was the kickoff for the new Recruiting Specials going on now through August 31. Click here to learn all about these specials! I'd love to have you join me and the Stampin' Up! family! Email me with questions!

This week's Mojo Monday sketch was a bit of a stretch for me...it required that things be crooked! *gasp*

After I got over the initial shock of crooked pieces on a card, I decided to just go with the challenge :-) Here's the card I made:


To begin with, I wasn't sold on the color combo I had picked out. I've been dying to use the new Bermuda Bay In Color, but I hadn't found a color combo that I could use it with. I decided to just be bold and try pairing it with Old Olive and Chocolate Chip. I used the sentiment to bring it all together, using all three colors. I used my markers to color in each part of the stamp:

The Bermuda Bay piece on the right side of the card may look blank in the earlier picture, but it was actually dry-embossed using my Big Shot Texturz Plates. Here is a closer look:

Although the card was definitely out of my comfort zone (on all levels--color and design!), I ended up really liking the final product. I hope you do too!












Stamp Sets: A Beautiful Thing (110797--pictured below)
Paper: Whisper White (100730), Old Olive (100702), Bermuda Bay (115317), Chocolate Chip (102128), Old Olive Prints Designer Series Paper (112160)
Ink: Old Olive (102277), Bermuda Bay (115655), Chocolate Chip (100908)
Cool Tools: Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack (105826), Big Shot (113439), Stampin' Up! Backgrounds I Texturz Plates (114512)
The Little Something Extra: Bermuda Bay Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115610), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)


Monochromatic Friend

I LOVE the new In Colors! I've heard several demonstrators say that they're having a hard time with the colors because they are so bright, but that's exactly why I love them! They're so bright and summery and happy! Here's a fun card I made with three new In Colors: Crushed Curry (yellow), Rich Razzleberry (purple), and Melon Mambo (pink).



The card design was inspired by a card I saw in the Spring-Summer 2009 Idea Book & Catalog (p. 32). The part I liked the most about that card was the monochromatic sentiment (i.e. "Friend" letters being cut from same card stock that it is mounted on):



I used my Big Shot and the Naturally Serif Sizzlit Decorative Strip Die for the "Friend" letters. The middle of each flower sports a Fire Circle Rhinestone Brad...adds a little something extra, don't you think? :-)

I've got a wonderful friend who moved to Arkansas about the same time Ben & I moved to Chicago. She is one of my happiest and brightest friends, so it is only fitting that I send her this bright happy card!












Stamp Sets: Petal Pizzaz (113417--pictured below)
Paper: Rich Razzleberry (115316), Melon Mambo (115320), Crushed Curry (115319), Pumpkin Pie (105117)
Ink: Rich Razzleberry (115658), Melon Mambo (115656), Pumpkin Pie (105216)
Cool Tools: Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Big Shot (113439), Naturally Serif Sizzlit Decorative Strip Die (113453)
The Little Something Extra: Circle Fire Rhinestone Brads (109110), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Melon Mambo Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115611)

7.13.2009

Deal of the Week #3

Add some HEAT and SPARKLE to your projects with Square Fire Rhinestone Brads!

This week, July 13-19, receive a package of Square Fire Rhinestone Brads for only $6.99--that's over 30% off the original price of $10.95! No purchase necessary, and no limitations! Each package contains approximately 80 pieces, an assortment of 3 sizes each of four colors: red, yellow, orange, and pink.

July Weekly Deal Announcements:
  • Deal #1: Wednesday, July 1 at noon to Monday, July 6 at 9:50 AM
  • Deal #2: Monday, July 6 at 10:00 AM to Monday, July 13 at 9:50 AM
  • Deal #3: Monday, July 13 at 10:00 AM to Monday, July 20 at 9:50 AM
  • Deal #4: Monday, July 20 at 10:00 AM to Monday, July 27 at 9:50 AM
  • Deal #5: Monday, July 27 at 10:00 AM to Friday, July 31 at 11:50 PM
These deals will automatically be announced on my Stampin' Up! website, and I will do my best to announce them here as soon as I can.

7.12.2009

Happy Birthday, Dad!

I meant to post this yesterday since my dad's birthday was yesterday, but somehow the day just got away from me!

While making this card, I ran out of white thread, but I didn't want to have to go somewhere to buy thread, so I "made" my own thread! Read on for a little tutorial on "making" thread for stitching on your paper crafting projects!




I made a card with the a similar design last winter, and just had to copy the design again! I got the idea for the color combo and argyle pattern from the current catalog (pg. 145). Although I love how this card turned out, it literally took me 2 hours to make this card! Good thing I really love my dad :-)

  1. I made the card base from Kraft card stock, but instead of cutting the card stock 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" (like a normal card), I cut the card stock 6-1/2" x 5-1/2" and still scored at 4-1/4" so that the back base of the card was normal (5-1/2" x 4-1/4"), but the front was smaller (5-1/2" x 2"). This way, I could cut the diagonal on the Old Olive card stock front and be able to see straight through to the back.
  2. I then cut a piece of Old Olive card stock to a regular card front size (5-1/2" x 4-1/4").
  3. Using my Circle Scissors Plus, I cut a 3-1/2" half circle on the bottom of the card. This way, I could layer the scallop circle underneath. I used temporary adhesive to keep my card stock from slipping while using the cutter. I started the circle about 2" into the card and cut around to the bottom.
  4. Using my paper cutter, I cut a straight line from the top of the half circle to the top right corner of the Old Olive card stock, thus making the diagonal
  5. Using the Big Shot and the Scallop Circle Die, I cut a scallop circle from Soft Suede card stock. I adhered the scallop circle behind the Old Olive card stock.
  6. Using the paper cutter again, I cut off the extra scallop circle from the bottom of the card stock.
  7. I cut 2 diamonds from More Mustard card stock. I started with two squares of More Mustard, each 1-3/4" square. I turned each square so that it looked like a square diamond. Then using a ruler I lined the top of the ruler up with two opposite corners of the square. I measured 1/2" in from each point and marked an "X" there. Using the paper cutter, I cut from the top point to the X on all 4 sides, making a slimmer diamond.
  8. I adhered the 2 diamonds to the card. Then using my Paper Piercing Tool and my Mat Pack, I pierced an "X" through the center of each diamond.
  9. Using white thread and a needle, I stitched each X. A quicker method is Faux Stitching: using a white gel pen and drawing little lines between each hole. See below for a tutorial on "making" white thread.
  10. I then cut a piece of Soft Suede card stock 3" x 3/4" and stamped the sentiment from Best Wishes and More (pictured below) in Soft Suede classic ink.
  11. I adhered the Soft Suede sentiment to the card and pierced a straight line along the edge of the sentiment and stitched with white thread.
  12. I stamped the circle image from Circle Circus (pictured below) in Soft Suede ink on Kraft card stock and punched it out with the 1" circle punch.
  13. I threaded a clear button with Linen Thread, securing the thread on the back with a glue dot and adhering to the Circle Circus image.
  14. After I was completely done with the card front, I adhered the whole thing to the Kraft card base.
  15. Be careful when writing in a card like this--I used a light pencil outline to make sure I wasn't writing in the space that can be seen when the card is closed, erasing the line when I was done.
Whew! I told you it took me 2 hours to make this card! :-) Now, when I was halfway done with the stitching the first X, I realized that I was about to run out of white thread. Instead of going out to buy more, I got creative! Read on...

White Thread Tutorial

So I have a bunch of In Color double striped ribbon left over that is no longer current, so I used some Kiwi Kiss ribbon. However, any grosgrain ribbon that is white or has white thread in it will work.

Step 1: You know how your grosgrain ribbon begins to unravel on its own sometimes...and it's really annoying when you're trying to use the ribbon on your project? Well, here it comes in handy! If your ribbon isn't doing this already, just cut it straight across and run your fingers along the edge until it does.


Step 2: Grab onto that stray thread and gently pull it so your ribbon starts to unravel.


Step 3: Keep pulling until your ribbon is completely unraveled. It takes a little patience because that thread will break easily if it gets caught and you pull too hard. I used about a 6" piece of ribbon because I was getting about 10 pieces of white thread from each piece of ribbon. Plus, I didn't need super long pieces of thread for my project. As you can see, I ended up with plenty of white thread. If I had used Whisper White grosgrain ribbon, that original stray thread would have worked on its own, and I probably would have only had to cut about 2 inches of ribbon!


So there you have it...making your own thread! I was quite proud of myself for being so useful with my resources :-)












*******************************************************

Stamp Sets: Best Wishes and More (111602--pictured below), Circle Circus (115778--pictured below)
Paper: Old Olive (100702), Soft Suede (115318), More Mustard (100946), Kraft (102125)
Ink: Soft Suede (115657)
Punches: 1" circle punch (109046)
Cool Tools:
Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack (105826), Circle Scissor Plus (112530), Big Shot (113439), Scallop Circle Die (113468)
The Little Something Extra: Clear Buttons (105447), Mini Glue Dots (103683), Needle, White Thread