103 Days 'Til Christmas

Yup there are 103 days until Christmas!  I have been working full force these past few weeks on stamping for the holidays.  Seems early, but is it when to comes to hand crafting cards, tags, packages, and gifts?

Here's a look at one of the first cards I made for 2021's big holiday.  I used the Season's Blessings Bundle to stamp and die cut the images.  

Here's a run down of details for this card:

• Card base is Gray Granite 11" x 4 1/4" scored at 5 1/2"
• Next layer is Basic White
• Printed paper is from the Bloom Where You're Planted DSP pack
• Images are all stamped on Basic White with Poppy Parade, Gray Granite, and Evening Evergreen
• Greetings are on Gray Granite and cut out with the Potted Succulents Dies
• Stitched ribbon is from the Playful Pets Trim Combo Pack
• Basic Rhinestones 

For the poinsettias and foliage I did a reverse rock and roll around the edges technique.  I inked up with the stamps and then on scratch paper I only stamped off around the edges thus the rock and roll maneuver.  I think this simple little trick gives a bit more interest to each image.

Thanks a whole bunch for hopping with us today.  Your next stop is with Melissa or your back stop will land you at Cheryl's blog.  Enjoy and happing stampin'.

to Melissa

to Cheryl

#TGIF333 Sketch Challenge

I said it many times before, so here it goes again, I am a player of sketch challenges because I totally love them!  This one from #TGIF333 is our current challenge and is open to any stamper or paper crafter.  I enjoy sketches as they take me to a completely different look and layout; they expand my creativity.

For this sketch I wanted to create with the Summer Shadows Dies.  You can't buy these dies, you can only get them free with a purchase during Sale-a-Bration this month.  I am super happy that SU! came out with these dies as they match the Shaded Summer Stamp Set in the Annual Catalog.

Here's the run down of what I used for this card.  First, the card base is Sahara Sand and then I layered a piece of You're a Peach Designer Series Paper.  For the three vertical strips in the sketch I cut pieces of Be Dazzling Paper which I have to say is so SO awesome.  My interpretation of the rectangle panel I made a bouquet of die cut flowers.  The detailed layers were all cut from the Snow White Velvet Paper and the under layers from Basic White.  I added a bit of ink to the Basic White flowers and leaves with Blending Brushes.  My ink colors are Pale Papaya, Pear Pizzazz, and Early Espresso for the greeting.

Paper Pumpkin Post of Pics

This post is all about sharing pictures of my latest Paper Pumpkin Up!STYLED projects featuring August's Hope Box Kit.  No words or text just photos.  For details and a step by step instructions check out my Live Class on Seeinginkspots Facebook Page.

Lush Lovely Autumn Colors

When you combine Merry Merlot, Petal Pink, and Cinnamon Cider you create a lush and lovely autumnal palette of color.  Our latest color challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments includes this rich and warm mix of colors which I'm sure you will enjoy.

To get started for my card I cut a Petal Pink card base.  Next, I used Blending Brushes to add an ombre of color starting with Petal Pink on top, then, Cinnamon Cider, and last Merry Merlot.  Once I had a soft blend of color I used the large multi-leaf die cut from the Beauty of Tomorrow Bundle to emboss, not cut, some texture in the lower right corner of my card base.

I used the Blending Brushes again to customize a die cut Tailored Tag and then stamped it with the large text image from the Beauty of Tomorrow Stamp Set.  Next, I die cut three different leaf dies from the Fern Dies to add layers of Shimmer Vellum leaves.  A pair of birds and a greeting finish up the stampin'.  I added Cinnamon Cider ink to Pale Papaya Sheer Ribbon with a Blending Brush and then cut it up the middle for a narrower and more rustic look.  My last touch was a few scattered gold gems from the Holiday Rhinestone pack.

Creation Station Goes from Simple to Stepped Up

Welcome to our Creation Station Blog Hop.  We are a team stampers who are each a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator from around the globe.  I'm from the United States and I recently moved to the Boise Idaho area to a small town called Star.

For this challenge "From Simple to Artfully Stepped Up" I used the Merriest Moments Bundle which includes an incredible stamp set, dies, and a hybrid style 3D embossing folder.  This bundle is out on my stamp desk as I am designing a stack of projects for an upcoming stamp camp.  Warning: this bundle is addicting and gorgeous.

I went for non-traditional colors for this pair of cards.  The first card is kept simple by using stamps, inks, and cardstock.  My stepped up version goes all out and uses all kinds of fun products aka an avid stampers arsenal of happiness.

My colors of ink for the simple include Soft Succulent, Sahara Sand, Misty Moonlight, and Just Jade. You can see I stamped it all on Basic White.  I did use a Blending Brush to add some soft ink to the right side of the card.

Added to the ink colors for my stepped up card are Sahara Sand Cardstock, Tis the Season DSP, and the Be Dazzling SAB Paper.  All of the stamped elements, except the greeting, were done on a pattern piece of the DSP pack.  The subtle print of the DSP lends to a bit more visual interest of the die cut pieces.  I used some of the navy Holiday Rhinestones which for me brings the florals to life. The glimmer adds spark and beauty.

A big thanks to all of you for hopping with us today.  Denita is up next in our hop.  Let's go see what she has stamped and then stepped up.

A Sketch for Stampin' Fancy Friday

I totally enjoy sketch challenges.  The sketched layouts help me visualize all kinds of possibilities and they take me out of my "go to" types of arrangements.  This sketch, designed by Jenn Frost a co-member of the Stampin' Fancy Friday Team, is a perfect example of me making a card in a completely new way.  I would never have created this on my own.  Now that I've crafted up a card using this layout I see all kinds of new variations.  I highly recommend trying a sketch challenge.

I made a crisp easy breezy late summer style card that features the Season's Blessings Bundle.  I did tell you in a previous post that I think this bundle is GREAT and I'll mention it again it's fantastic. Along with the Season's Blessings and used the Macrame 3D Embossing Folder to add some interest, texture, and visual depth.  For the greeting I reached to the Shaded Summer Stamp Set.  It's stamped with Evening Evergreen and the dark green thread underneath is leftovers from the Expressions in Color Paper Pumpkin Kit.  Each of the flowers have a Genial Gem in the center and the white iridescent sequins are also left over from the Expressions in Color Kit.