Monday, February 28, 2011

True Friend Owlways

Today's card went together super quick with thanks to the Punch Bunch Sale-a-bration stamp set and a bunch of punches. There are not any special techniques on this card just some good ol' basic inkin' up and stampin'.  I did use two markers for the greeting in order to omit the rest of the stamp image.  So, there's a technique for ya.

I added this card to the SUO Challenge site and if you want to see more cards using SAB stamp sets hop over there/SUO Challenges.  I also played along with the Paper Players Plus Challenge #35 which was "Fun with Fabric."  Check out out cool stuff at their blog.

All Supplies are from Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Punch Bunch
Inks: Melon Mambo Tempting Turquoise Classic Ink Pads and Stampin' Write Markers
Papers: Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, and Very Vanilla Cardstocks
Accessories: Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Sweet Stitches Designer Series Fabric, Bright Flower Brads, Basic Rhinestones
Tools: Owl, Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, 3/4" Circle, and 3/4" Square (to notch/fishtail the greeting banner) Punches

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Sew or Faux

Today is the last Saturday challenge over at the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Edition.  The challenge for today was to include anything with real or faux stitching.  I have to say the hardest thing about sewing for real on paper is getting out the machine.  

For my art book I grabbed scraps of designer series paper and scrunched them all up, layered them, and then stitched around the edges for a quirky added bit of texture.  I cheated and only stitched the papers together then I glued them to the art book.  I was totally happy with the tiny bit of red showing where the papers are more heavily distressed.  
For my notebook cover I used all Stampin' Up! products
Stamps:  Sew Suite & Pattern Pieces
Inks:  Jet Black Staz On, Crumb Cake & Early Espresso Classic Inks, Riding Hood Red Stampin' Write Marker, Blender Pen
Papers:  Love Letter, Newsprint, Springtime Vintage Designer Series Papers, Confetti  & Crumb Cake Cardstocks
Accessories:  On Board Art Journal, Beveled Windowpanes, Black Grosgrain Striped Ribbon, Baja Breeze & Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Basic Pearls, Fina Galaxy Stampin' Glitter, & Naturally Serif Sizzlit Decorative Strip
Other:  Sewing machine and thread

Be sure to pop over to Create with Connie and Mary and see the other challenge projects.

Happy Craftin' 

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Fun with Fabric Flowers

Fabric flowers add such a great texture and dimension to cards. With that said I used a Sweet Stitches fabric flower as the focal point of this "good luck" card.  The tiny tag was stamped with the So Happy for You Sale-a-bration set.  Isn't it cute?  It's a less traditional spin on a St. Patrick's Day card.

Here is what I used,
all supplies are from Stampin' Up!

Stamps: So Happy for You
Inks: Early Espresso and Wild Wasabi Classic Ink
Papers: Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi, and Whisper White Cardstocks
Accessories: Perfect Dots Impressions Folder, Glimmer Brads, 1/8" Early Espresso Tafetta Ribbon, 1", 3/4", and 5/8" Circle Punches, Oval Scallop and Large Oval Punches, Flowers Folds Bigz XL Die, Sweet Stitches Designer Series Fabric

Are you interested in seeing more amazing projects featuring fabric and stitching?  This week's project tutorials over at the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Mini Edition are all being made with the Oh Sew Suite product line! The end is nearing for this edition, but it is NEVER to late to join in the fun.  If you join now you will have access to all of the fabulous projects and tutorials we have shared over the past 5 weeks (that's over 25 projects!!!)  What are you waiting for? Click here to subscribe and get in on all the fun!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Sew Sweet Meets Ice Cream Parlor

I was surfin' around and made a stop at Connie Babbert's blog.  I saw she had a SUPER cute card and she was playing along with Mary Jo's Lunchtime Sketch Challenge TSSC162.  I was inspired to make a sewing card because I thought Connie's was so dang cool.  Here is what I came up with.  It's a mix of the Sew Suite stamp set with the Ice Cream Parlor DSP and Quick Accents.

I also used the Pattern Pieces background stamp along with the Short and Sweet set of stamps.  I did add a touch of Moonlight Accent smooch Paint to the center dress form.  I wanted it to have a chrome effect and I kind of like it.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Colleen G is Sew Suite

I found the sweetest comment from Colleen G on one of my posts.  She has been so nice as to give me a Stylish Blogger award.  I quickly clicked over to her blog and had the best time looking at bunches of her cards she has posted.  Colleen has a flair for the vintage style which I completely love.  Pop over and visit her Create Love Give blog.

With the Stylish Blogger Award I am suppose to nominate eight new found blogs and to give eight tidbits of information about myself, so here it goes:

1.  I have been married for almost 23 years, we have two boys, and one miniature schnauzer.

2.  I joined Stampin' Up! back in 1998 and have loved everything about being a demonstrator, but mostly I love all my friends I have met through SU!

3.  My favorite treat in the whole wide world is an ice cold Coke.  I get bummed out when ordering at a restaurant and they ask if Pepsi is okay--it's not!

4.  I hate it when band-aids get wet.

5.  One of my favorite things to do is to sing in a choir.  (I am a good alto)  Music has always been an important part of my life.  (I hate to admit it but I have watched every year of American Idol)

6.  I have no problem spending my days off in my pajamas.  It is much easier and more comfortable to clean and stamp in pjs.

7.  I could eat Mexican food any day of the week, every day in a row, breakfast lunch and dinner.  When I hear certain music I have an instant craving for chips and salsa.

8.  It bums me out that television is filled with a bunch of reality shows that lack everything.  I do enjoy watching Top Chef, Project Runway, The Office, Thirty Rock, and reruns of Law and Order.

Dedicated to Colleen for being so sweet I have added a cute card made with the fabric from the Oh Sew Suite product line.  The greeting comes from the So Happy For You stamp set.























Now for my eight new found fabulous blogs in no particular order:



Saturday, February 19, 2011

CCMC OM4 Challenge

Today is the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Edition Saturday Challenge and we have a fun sketch to follow.  We invite our subscribers to play along and be entered into a drawing for one of two $75 Stampin' Up! gift certificates OR one of two FREE subscriptions to the SUMMER Edition of Create with Connie and Mary!  They get a chance for each time they submit their entry to our weekly challenges! 

This week we have been showcasing the products from the Botanical Gazette Suite!  I decided I would use the Botanical Gazette Designer Series Paper and the Nature Walk stamp set for my card.
I wish you could see the bird in person.  It is super cool, it's almost holographic.  I stamped it first with Black Staz On ink and then colored it in with a blender pen and a few markers.  Then I added some Moonlight Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink.  Once that was dry I stamped the bird again using Early Espresso Ink.  I lined up the bird exactly on top of the first image with my Stamp-a-ma-jig.  It's the Smooch that makes it so cool looking.  I also added more Smooch Accent Paint and Basic Pearls to the flowers.
All Supplies From Stampin' Up!
Stamps:  Nature Walk, Tiny Tags
Inks:  Black Staz On, Very Vanilla Craft, Early Espresso Classic, Not Quite Navy & Rose Red Stampin' Write Markers, Blender Pen
Paper:  Botanical Gazette DSP, Basic Gray Cardstock
Accessories:  Victoria Crochet Trim, Linen Thread, Neutrals Buttons, Jewelry Tag Punch, Vintage Trinkets, Moonlight Smooch Pearlized Accent Paint, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Peek a Boo

For today I have posted another card featuring the Sweet Summer Sale-a-bration stamp set.  Again I have kept the overall design of the card simple.  For the focal point I punched through the front panel of the card to create some fun dimension.  I used both sizes of the tag punches for some fun layering.
For a bit off added embellishment I tied the front with 1/8" Celery Taffeta ribbon and tucked a strip of Daffodil Delight Pom Pom Ribbon.  If you are looking for the pom pom ribbon you will find it in the Occasions Mini catalog.  It also comes in Melon Mambo and Tangerine Tango--it's totally soft and very dimensional from any other trims that Stampin' Up! sells.
It may not be super clear on the pictures, but I also painted the one flower that peeks through the window with the Illuminate Top Coat.  To accentuate the paint I added the smallest pearls to the image.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Fancy Favor Goes Simple

This favor box came together super quick.  Most of the time I like lots of added details whether they are subtle or really over the top.  And sometimes I like clean and simple and this is one of those in between times.  My focal point and background are stamped with the Sale-a-bration stamp set called Sweet Summer.

Here is a list of supplies:
Stamps: Sweet Summer
Inks: Pumpkin Pie and Pear Pizzazz
Papers: Pumpkin Pie, Pear Pizzazz, Baja Breeze, and Whisper White Cardstocks
Accessories:  Basic Pearls, White Organza Ribbon, 1/8" Celery Taffeta
Tools:  Fancy Favor Bigz XL Die, Decorative Label, Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle, and 1 1/4" Circle Punches

Don't forget to place your Sale-a-bration order.  Shop 24/7

Monday, February 14, 2011

Botanical Gazette Suite

Today I am posting a 3" x 6" card featuring the Nature Walk stamp set.  I stamped the bird on textured Very Vanilla cardstock using Pacific Point Classic Ink.  I love the look of stamping on textured cardstock as it instantly looks dimensional and kind of like needlepoint. Tucked under the focal panel and tiny black strip is a scalloped ruffle I made.  Just punch a strip of paper using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch, fold it in half, scrunch it up a bit, and then glue it under the top layer.
To back the focal panel I layered in a piece of First Edition DSP.  A long flouncy bow of Very Vanilla Seam Binding adds visual weight to the left side of the card.  To the right I included a greeting from the You're a Gem stamp set and three small Basic Pearls to finish the card.

It's not too late!  Over at Create with Connie and Mary, we are just beginning Week 4 of our subscription!  This week we are featuring the Botanical Gazette Suite of products! We still have two weeks left of the subscription AND you will be able to access ALL the weeks projects we've done.  We also leave the site up indefinitely for you to use the ideas in the future!  With a price of $29.95 for over 30 projects, that is less than $1 per project!  We know you won't be disappointed!  Join today at Create with Connie and Mary!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

CCMC Color Challenge

Today is the "week three color challenge" for all the members of Create with Connie and Mary--how FUN.  Members who add their projects to the site will actually have the chance to win prizes! If you are not a member already you should be as you are really missing out.  For today’s color challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary we are combining Baja Breeze, Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz, and Very Vanilla.  What a totally yummy color combination.  I grabbed my Springtime Vintage Designer Series Fabric and Papers to design my card.
I first started with a 6” x 6” piece of Baja Breeze textured cardstock and folded it in half.  Then I added a piece of the fabric which I cut using the cupcake cozy shape from the Perfect Setting Bigz XL Die.  To distress the fabric I sprayed it with starch, wrinkled and crushed it all up, and then opened it up to air dry.  I used Sticky Strip to adhere the piece to my card.


I used a Stamp-a-ma-jig to place three images across the top of the fabric.  The image comes from the Thanks for Caring set.  I used a marker to ink the part of the image that I wanted.  I love omitting sections of stamps as it just opens up the possibilities to what you can do. Do you love the flower?  I stacked four of the Fancy Flower punched pieces to make this cutie.

Now's the time to have some fun and go look at all designers cards for this color challenge they are so awesome!! I know you wont want to miss out. You can check them all out by clicking over to Create with Connie and Mary.

All supplies from Stampin' Up!
Stamps:  Thanks for Caring

Inks:  Baja Breeze Stampin’ Write Marker, Rose Red Classic Ink Pad

Paper:  Baja Breeze Cardstock, Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper

Accessories:  Springtime Vintage Designer Series Fabric, Basic Pearls, Linen Thread, Springtime Vintage Flowers

Tools:  Perfect Setting Bigz XL Die, Fancy Flower Extra Large Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

The Baby Box

 
I think that sometimes it takes just a few things to make a great project.  For this I used one stamp from the Punch Bunch Sale-a-bration stamp set and one small background stamp.  I grabbed Pink Pirouette, Pear Pizzazz, and So Saffron Stampin' Write Markers and stamped the tag image three times.  The flowers are made by layering pieces from the Boho Blossoms punch and Neutrals Brads.  The sweetest part of this favor box is the Daffodil Delight Pom Pom ribbon handle.  The minute I added that it made me think of animal crackers.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Blissful Beauty

 
This card size set up is a departure from my usual style.  This one is a 6" wide by 3" tall top fold.  I used the Bliss stamp set which is my favorite of all the SAB stamp sets.  A couple details that I really like on this card are the three butterflies stamped in just the right place thanks to my Stamp-a-ma-Jig and the scalloped River Rock ruffle tucked behind the folded corner piece.  I made it by punching a piece of cardstock using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, then I folded it in half and then distressed it a bit.

All supplies are from SU! 
Stamps: Bliss
Inks: River Rock, Marina Mist, Soft Suede Markers
Papers: Marina Mist, Very Vanilla, River Rock Cardstocks
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Art Air Gun, Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Boarder Punch, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Champagne Shimmer Paint, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Saturday, February 5, 2011

CCMC OC2 Challenge

It is Saturday which means it's another challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary.  This week's challenge combines a sketch with anything Sale-a-bration! 


For my card I started with an Old Olive base which I then ran through the Big Shot and the new Framed Tulip embossing folder.  I gave the piece a bit of a rub with shimmer paint.  Then fast and easy I whipped up the rest of the card using the Ice Cream Parlor DSP and Quick Accents.  The trick to Quick Accents is to layer them with Stampin' Dimensionals to give them a bit more interest.


Pop over to Create with Connie and Mary to see what the designers have made for this fun sketch using Sale-a-Bration goodies.  By the way did you know that even though the Occasions Mini Subscription Series has already started, you can still see and access all the AMAZING projects and tutorials we have done so far and all the ones to come.  They do NOT take the site down so you can always go back and access the site after the session has ended.  

Supplies
Stamps: Something to Celebrate (level 2 hostess)
Inks: Pacific Point Classic Ink Pad
Papers: Old Olive, Whisper White, & Daffodil Delight CS, Ice Cream Parlor DSP & Quick Accents
Accessories: Ice Cream Parlor Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, 3/8" Daffodil Delight Ribbon, Dimensionals
Tools: Top Note Bigz L Die, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Modern Label Punch

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Wedded Bliss

This is another favor that I made for the display boards at Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference.  I had a hard time putting this in the box to send away because it was/is BEAUTIFUL.  The colors are soft and the ribbon with the pearl details is gorgeous.

To make this box I used the Pillow Box Bigz die.  I folded a piece of cardstock in half an placed it inside the cutting blade on one end.  This then gave me an extra-long box perfect for presenting money as a gift.

If you are looking for how to project idea sheets visit the Create with Connie and Mary site and join the subscription series.  You will get to view exclusive samples each day featuring the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini and Sale-a-bration brochures. There are also challenges, tutorials, techniques and best of all, PRIZES!

Stampin' Up! Supplies:
Bliss stamp set
River Rock cardstock
Soft Suede cardstock
Pillow Box Bigz die
Wide Oval punch
Decorative Label punch
River Rock marker
Soft Suede marker
Marina Mist marker
Silver Glass glitter
Basic Pearls
Whisper White Organza ribbon
Linen Thread

Shop online 24/7

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

I Feel Like I'm on the Feud

Is this not the cutest picture of my family?  From top to bottom let me introduce my super sweet candy lovin' nephew Jared, my tres chic niece Madeline, my hockey lovin' son Logan, and my crazy CRAZY youngest nephew Dylan.  I love the title of this page and the play on words.
If you need to get new and fresh ideas for scrapbooking using the latest Stampin' Up! products just ask me how in a comment below.

I used the Sweet Summer SAB free stamp set to make my flower and bird additions on my page.  To get the blended brown and blue color of the blossoms I stamped with Early Espresso ink and then I colored Baja Breeze scribbled marker picked up with a blender pen.  Because the Espresso ink isn't waterproof, it lightly smeared for a nice natural look.  The dsp on the page is from the Nursery Suite Specialty pack.  I cut the "four ever" letters using the Alphabet Simple Bigz dies and then ran the word "four" through the Big Shot again in the Perfect Polka Dots folder.  I stamped the top portion of the title with the Just Perfect Alphabet stamp set.