This Simply Succulent or That Simply Succulent

Happy Monday everybody!  For this Blog Hop I decided to give you a look at something from my latest class.  My class each month most often includes three cards, however sometimes I'll share a 3D project.  I did something a bit out of the ordinary with one of the three projects from my Simply Succulents Bundle Focus Class.  For one of the projects in this class I included the supplies to make either a card or a faux dream catcher.

I all started with a 3" vintage wooden embroidery hoop.  I had stacks of them and wanted to see them be used in a clever way.  I had visions of making some sort of dream catcher with the succulents, but wasn't sure how it was going to all come together.  When I used the Potted Succulents large background die in lieu of tying a web with thread I instantly fell in love with the look.  I even patted myself on the back ;0)

Since this was a class to feature the Simply Succulents Bundle and I do all the die cutting for my kits I couldn't get too carried away with an intricate array of stamped and die cut pieces.  Once I had it all designed I decided to offer the option to take these exact pieces and supplies to make a card for those who didn't want to make the dream catcher.  All I added to each kit was a half sheet of Crumb Cake Cardstock.

After teaching each of my classes I ended up with several of these dream catchers.  My plan is to package a bottle of pink lemonade in a tall cellophane bag and tie a dream catcher as a decorative "bow."  I know just the friends these pretty little thinking of you presents to.

Here's a look at the same supplies arranged on a card.  Those that chose to make the card had a few leftover pieces of ribbon.

Products Included

Stamps:  Simply Succulents Stamp Set

Dies:  Potted Succulents Dies

Ink:  Versamark Ink

Other:  White Embossing Powder

Papers:  Misty Moonlight, Magenta Madness, Just, Crumb Cake, and Basic White Cardstocks

Embellishments:  Mossy Meadow Braided Linen Trim, Just Jade, Misty Moonlight, and Magenta Madness 2020-2022 In Color Ribbon, 3/8" Fine Art Ribbon, and Opal Rounds

Thanks for stopping by for our Monday Montage Blog Hop.  Next along the hop is the most awesome Stamp Doc.  That' right Melissa Stout is going to share some more stampinpiration.

to Melissa

to Cheryl

TGIF is Goin' Slimline This Week

This is the challenge for you if you are big into slimline cards.  Over at #TGIF311 we are creating slim line cards.  Join us for the fun!  Slimline cards can be any dimensions that you choose, as long as they are "long and skinny."  There are a couple of common sizes that we have found and they are, when folded, a traditional slimline @ 3 1/2" x 8 1/2" which fits a standard business envelope and the mini slimline size  @ 3" x 6".

I worked with the same supplies for both of these slimline, 3 1/2" x 6 1/2", cards.  I inked up a brand new stamp set called Etched in Nature which will be available in the upcoming Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog coming this May.  I used Misty Moonlight, Cinnamon Cider, Night of Navy, and Early Esspresso Inks, matching cardstocks, Basic White cardstock, Printed Labels Dies, and the new upcoming prints of the In Color 6" x 6" DSP.

A few other supplies I used were the Gold Gilded Gems, Forever Gold Specialty Paper (retiring), and Linen Thread which I thinned out.

Sweetest Baby Bunny for Hand Stamped Sentiments

Our latest challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments is a spring themed inspiration board.  From these photos in the board my eye gravitated to the bunny and bright small flowers.

I began with a half sheet of Petal Pink Cardstock scored to make a top fold.  Next, I stamped a panel of more Petal Pink Cardstock with the bunny image from the Wildly Happy Stamp Set with Petal Pink Ink.  I edged the left side of the panel with scraps of Playing With Patterns DSP.  For the focal point I layered a couple die cut pieces cut from the Painted Labels Set and the Well Written Dies.  I stamped the bunny image again with Night of Navy Ink on Basic White Cardstock.  I colored the ears and noses with Petal Pink Stampin' Blends and then added Wink of Stella to both.  To finish I included tiny flowers and a soft white floppy bow.

Sweet Treat Packages for Creation Station

Happy Easter Sunday to all who stop by for today's Creation Station Blog Hop.  For this April's theme we were to design a Sweet Treat Package.  With all the fantastic products offered by Stampin' Up! this was an easy and fun challenge.

I had great plans to make a delicious little treat that would feature the Sweet Strawberry Bundle.  I could see bright red shining strawberries in a mini drink tote style goodie holder BUT then one of my Stampin' Besties sent me the cutest chick package for Easter I was then inspired to make a change to my plan.

I had to put my spin on a hand stamped paper crafted Easter chick.  I grabbed some Daffodil Delight cardstock and Mango Melody ink to make an adorable chick using the Sweet Strawberry Stamp Set, Strawberry Builder Punch, and the Snowman Builder Punch.

Here's a close up look at the chick tag.  The body is the strawberry stamped upside down.  The little wing was stamped with a portion of the stem image and so was the beak.  For the eyes I used the tip of a stylus and the feet are the stick arms from the Snowman Builder Punch.  

I love the stitching details that frame the two tags.  By the way these were cut with the Potted Succulents Dies.  For the Happy Easter detail I used the Word Wishes Dies.  The words were cut the yellowy end of the ombre Rainbow Glimmer Paper.

So, here is a top view.  You can really see the shape of the box from this angle.

And, here is a side view.

Are you interested in learning to make this little tote?  I've taught the easy measurements, cuts, and folds to make this mini drink style caddy treat box.  You can create along with me; just gather the following items:  one sheet of cardstock, one 6"x6" piece of DSP to match, a trimmer/scorer, and some adhesive.  Click this link and watch the video.

Coming up next in today's Creation Station Blog Hop is the powerstamper, amazing paper crafter, the one and only Yvonne Spikmans-Van Bruggen!!!  Pop over to the Creative Teacup and see what Sweet Treat Yvonne has designed to inspire us all.

Here's to You: A Paper Pumpkin Thing

Well hello and let me say "it's fabulous to have you here visiting today."  This hop is all about March's Here's to You Paper Pumpkin Kit.  Each of us in this hop are sharing alternative projects, which I call Up!STYLED, using this fantastic nature themed card kit.

This month's kit contained everything to make eight cards, envelopes, and liners.  Here's a look at everything that came in the kit.  However, what is not shown is the extra gift found in this month's kit.  SU! gave us a set of four stencils and a sponge that thematically fit the kit.

My first alternative is a super easy.  It's one of those quick cards to get your feet wet and to get a feel for the pieces in the kit.  All I did was to trim the full size card down to a 4 1/4" square card.  I saved the top piece that was cut away for a later project.

This next card was all about dimension.  With the scenic panel I fussy cut it all apart and then reassembled the pieces with layers of Stampin' Dimensionals.  To add a bit of color and interest I included a partial Calypso Coral stitched frame.

Here's a closer look and the dimension and the partial frame.  I should point out that I love how the Artistry Blooms Sequins finish the line of the bottom of the frame; two large on the right and one small on the left.

This last card features a double z fold to show off the pattern paper envelope liners and one of the kit's stencils.   I did add a sheet of Pretty Peacock and Basic White to the items in the kit for this card.  The piece of Petal Pink behind the "here's to you" greeting came from the first card I shared.  

The Here's to You is a great kit filled with supplies and tools to make all kinds of looks and styles.  To see lots and lots more alternative ideas be sure to hop over to all the blogs.

#TGIF309 Stamp Your Own DSP

Do you ever stamp your own background paper?  Well, you have the chance to do just that AND check out what we have stamped over at #TGIF#309.  Our latest  challenge is to use stamps to create our own custom pattern paper.  I used the Pattern Play Stamp Set to make a quirky monochrome spotted paper.

I used the row of half circles image to stamp a series of spots in shades of green.  My ink pad colors include Soft Seafoam, Granny Apple Green, Pear Pizzazz, and Old Olive.  I am lovin' the way the background paper juxtaposes with the Free As a Bird image.

The birds were watercolored with Smokey Slate, Misty Moonlight, and Rococo Rose.  I do have to say I enjoy fussy cutting and so I did just that so that my background paper would peek through.

Subtle Spring Toned Succulents

So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, and Highland Heather make up our latest color challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  I enjoy these soft subtle tones and decided I would create a succulent themed card.  Look close and you may see that I mixed a bit of Smokey Slate into the color blending to give an aged-antique appearance to the succulents.

This adorable "sending you a paper hug" greeting image is part of the Comfort and Hope Stamp Set.  It looks great with the Simply Succulents Stamps.

Monday Montage 186: You've Been on My Mind

I can't believe how much I love the Simply Succulents Bundle!  The images are fantastic and the Potted Dies are the perfect mix of brilliant, cool, and functional.  I love this thinking of you themed card and I find the "you've been on my mind" greeting a bit less common.

I colored all the succulents with a range of Stampin' Blends and I backed the potted image with a bit of texture, by partially embossing the Brick and Mortar Embossing Folder.  To give the entire card a bit of visual relief I speckled by flicking the tips of a couple different Stampin' Blend Markers.  While the Blends were out I colored some "thinned" out Linen Thread for a custom Cinnamon Cider bow.

to Julie

to Cheryl