Happiness

I have professed my love for the Flower Trim from the Spring Mini many times.  They are just a perfect little embellishment for so many projects.  It's been a few weeks since I shared one that featured them but I am going to today:

Colors: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade.  Stamps: Fabulous Phrases, Four Frames.  Big Shot: Framed Tulip Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Bunch: Decorative Label and Word Window.  Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Blender Pens, Flower Trim, Tea for Two Designer Series Paper, Aqua Painter.

If you read the recipe list carefully, then you already know that I embossed the cute little frame from the Four Frames stamp set.  I love that you can do that in any color with the new ink pads.  I colored the images in with the blender pens and punched it out. 

For the flower, I started out just pressing it into the ink pad, but I wanted it to be colored all the way through.  So I took my aqua painter to it to saturate the color throughout the flower.  Very easy to do on one flower and it makes it match the paper.

Celebrate Today!

A few weeks ago, I was trying to come up with a card to share with my club members that would focus on the blender pens.  I ultimately went a different direction, but I had so many people comment on this card that I am featuring it here today:

Colors: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, So Saffron, and Whisper White. Stamps: Bordering on Romance and Perfectly Penned. Big Shot: Oval Framelits Collection.  Accessories: Rhinestone Jewels, Coral Calypso Ruffled Ribbon, Occasions Paper Piercing Pack, Blender Pens.

I have struggled to use this Bordering on Romance set since it was in last year's Spring Catalog.  Water coloring is not my forte.  But I do like it used here to frame the edges of the card.  To color the flowers, I started with blender pens and picked up the ink from the lid of my ink pads.  To add a darker edge to it, I went back with my Coral Calypso Marker to shade the edges.  This greeting from Perfectly Penned works perfect inside the Oval Framelits so it game me a good excuse to break them out again.  I love how Stampin' Up! has been giving us paper piercing templates to go with our Framelits. Makes it so easy to add a little interest to the card.

This card is on the bubble for my next class.  It requires a lot of time to color which is why I didn't do it with my  clubs.  But after several of my customers commented on it, I am considering it. What do you think?

Celebrate Sale-A-Bration

Today I have another card featuring a Sale-A-Bration exclusive Stamp Set.  This time it's Feeling Sentimental:

Colors: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, and Naturals Ivory .  Stamps: Feeling Sentimental, That's the Ticket, and You're Amazing. Big Shot: Square Lattice Textured Embossing Folder.  Punches: Ticket Duo Builder. Accessories: First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper, Vintage Trinkets, Natural 7/16" Trim Ribbon.

This card was largely CASEd from a card by Nanci Siegrist at Craft Haven Retreats that I found on Pinterest.  I added the Crumb Cake card base since my customers prefer lighter colors for card bases and I added texture to it as well.  (Are you starting to see a reoccurring theme with my cards?  They almost always have some kind of texture on them).  I love how this stamp goes so perfectly with the tickets. I will really miss the Feeling Sentimental Stamp Set when Sale-A-Bration is over.  So don't miss out on the chance to own it for yourself.

This was the first time I used the new Naturals 7/16" Trim Ribbon from the Spring Catalog.  It has a wonderful texture to it and goes perfectly with Crumb Cake and the Naturals Ivory Card Stock.  So fun even when you use it in tiny amounts like on this card.

This is another project we will make at my Birthday class next month.  By the end of next week, I will have all the details posted here on my blog and on my Facebook page so keep your eyes peeled for it.

Sale-A-Brate Birthdays!

Can you believe Sale-A-Bration is almost one month old?  That means we only get one more month to enjoy free products when you place a qualifying order, and bonus products when you host a Stampin' Up! party or join my team.  Did you forget what all the hubbub is about?  Check out this post that tells you all about it: SALE-A-BRATION TIME!

Today's card features three of the products you can get free during Sale-A-Bration:

Colors: Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo, and Summer Starfruit.  Stamps: Patterned Occasions (SAB Exclusive).  Big Shot: Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Punch: XL Oval. Accessories: Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper (SAB Exclusive), Sycamore Street Buttons (SAB Exclusive), Many Marvelous Markers.

This card felt like a stretch for me.  These aren't colors and patterns I would normally put together, but with all the combining of Razzleberry and Tangerine Tango in the Designer Series Paper this year, I am starting to get used to that combo with other bright colors.  Also, I have noticed a trend this year to more "white space" on cards.  IMHO, this card works because the card base is white. The paper, buttons and stamps are exclusive to Sale-A-Bration. So once it ends on March 22, they will no longer be available. 

My next class coming up March 15 and 16 is my annual Birthday Bash Buffet.  Who doesn't need dozens or birthday cards every year?  This is my class devoted only to birthday cards and I only do it once a year so you won't want to miss out.  This will be one of the cards that I will be offering during the that class.  More details coming in the next week or so. 

Chalkboard Thank You

As promised, I have one more Chalkboard card to share. (For now anyway.  I love this technique so I am sure it will make a reappearance again sooner or later.)  I made this card specifically for someone who has been helping our family for the past few months and have already given it away.  If you know me, you know how shocking that it is that I actually made a card for a specific person and actually gave it away.

Colors: Island Indigo, Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Calypso Coral and Daffodil Delight. Stamps: You're Amazing and Itty Bitty Banners.  Big Shot: Bitty Banner Framelits Collection. Punches: Petite Pennant Builder, 1/2" circle punch.  Accessories: World Spectacular Designer Series Paper, Soda Pop Tops, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, White Embossing Powder, Crystal Effects, White Gel Pen.

I knew this image would be perfect for this technique and since I hadn't used it before, it was begging to be inked up.  The only other technique difference is on this card, I used a white gel pen for the doodles instead of a white colored pencil.

I also broke out the Soda Pop Tops for the first time on this card.  To make it flatter, I ran it through my Big Shot machine.  Brilliant, huh? I didn't come up with that on my own, but read it on someone's blog who likely read it on another blog.  I just punched out a piece of Designer Series Paper and put it in the flattened pop top and then filled it with Crystal Effects.

For the Pennants, I punched the Designer Series Paper with the Petite Pennant Punch and then trimmed them down so they would fit better on the card.  I just stacked them up and cut with scissors so they would all be the same size.

If you missed how to do this fun technique, I shared some tips and tricks in this post: CHALKBOARD TECHNIQUE.  If you haven't tried it yet, you really should.

Chalkboard Friend

Thank goodness it's Friday.  If you saw Wednesday's post, I did find my camera charger, but not my card reader.  Thank goodness I have my laptop with a card reader on board and it is cooperating today.

I promised last week that I would have more Chalkboard cards to share and here is one of them:

Colors: Primrose Petal, Pool Party, Very Vanilla, Whisper White, Basic Black.  Stamps: Amazing Family and Hearts A Flutter.  Big Shot: Hearts a Flutter Collection Framelits. Punch: Small Heart. Accessories: More Amore Designer Series Paper, White Embossing Powder, Mini Brads, White Baker's Twine, White Colored Pencil.

This card is based off one I saw on Pinterest by Becky Roberts from Inking Idaho fame.  To make the banner, I cut the various shapes out and then glued them down to the black (after I had finished the chalkboard technique).  Then to make it look more like a banner, I went back and added the mini brads.  Finally, I added the bows at the end to make it look like it was tied to the "chalkboard.". 

If you missed last week's post, I shared a few details about how to do this fun and easy technique here: CHALKBOARD TECHNIQUE.  I still have one more card to share with this technique next week, so be sure to come back for more!

One more Valentines Card

The technology gods were not cooperative this morning while I was trying to get this blog post done.  First, the battery in my good camera died.  Then I couldn't find a card reader for the one picture I took before the battery died.  *Sigh*  Hoping this day turns around quickly.

I needed one more card for one of my clubs last month and wanted it to be a Valentines and to be simple to make, yet cute.  So we made this:

Colors: Pink Pirouette, Primrose Petal, Raspberry Ripple.  Stamps: Wacky Wishes.  Big Shot: Fancy Fan Textured Embossing Folder and Hearts Framelits.  Accessories: Raspberry Ripple and Primrose Petal Stitched Satin Ribbon, Pink Pirouette Taffeta Ribbon and Whisper White Stitched Grosgrain, Rhinestone Jewels.

Seems like I first saw this technique at Convention last summer and it's taken me six months to finally get around to sharing it with my customers and all of you here on my blog.  It is very simple to do, but also gives texture and interest to your card. I just cut the heart out of the card with the Framelit.  Then stamped the card and ran it through the texture folder.  Next, I traced the heart onto the card stock that would be underneath and covered the entire area with adhesive.  Then you simply lay alternate ribbons over the adhesive to give you a fun striped look.  I think my customers liked it and now of course, I have other ideas for it too.

Hopefully by Friday I have found my charger and my card reader.  I've started getting ready for my March Birthday Class and have several new birthday cards to share with you. Wish me luck!

Valentine Treat Purse

A few years ago, when Stampin' Up! first offered the Big Shot Movers and Shapers Die (which they have since retired), my upline gave me a cute little Valentines Purse with a heart window cut into it that used that die.  When I was thinking of a second treat holder to offer at my Valentines Class, I was thinking about that purse and how Framelits would make it even easier.  So that is how I came up with this:

Colors: Primrose Petal, Whisper White.  Stamps: You are Loved.  Big Shot: Striped Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Hearts Collection Framelits and Two Tags Bigz Die.  Punches: Small Heart and Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack. Accessories: Window Sheets, White StazOn Ink, Designer Builder Brads, Delicate Details Lace Tape, Primrose Petal Stitched Satin, Mini Brads.  

Directions:

1) Start with a piece of card stock 6"x 11".  Score the long way at 5" and 6" then turn the other way and scored at 1" and 5".  Cut notches along the middle score lines so the box will fold and assemble properly.

2) Cut the heart-shaped window out of the front of the box using the Hearts Collection Framelits. Just line up the framelit and run it through (It was so much easier than how I remember using the Movers and Shapers die to make windows in boxes before).

3) Use a Textured Impressions Embossing Folder to add texture to your box.  Here I used the Striped folder.  I placed it on the front and ran it through and then turned it over and did the back. (The sides and the bottom are not embossed so you don't have to worry about lining it up exactly).

4) Cut a piece of Window Sheet large enough to cover the window in your box (mine was 3-1/2" x 3-3/4").  I stamped my window with White StazOn Ink.  Use Glue Dots to adhere the Window Sheet to the inside of your box.

5) Fold along all the score lines and assemble the purse using strong adhesive like Sticky Strip along the sides.  For the handle, I used a piece of card stock 3/4" x 8-1/2" and attached it to the purse using silver mini brads.

6) Embellish and fill your box as desired.  Here I used some of the fun Delicate Details Lace and Designer Builder Brad from the Spring Catalog and then filled it with Kisses.  

You could always switch out the heart for any of the other fun Framelit shapes that we have to make you box for any other occasion too.  The possibilities could be endless.

Valentines Two Tags Basket

Today I am sharing the details of the little treat basket I offered at my class last weekend:

Colors: Real Red and Whisper White.  Stamps: Take a Ticket. Big Shot: Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit and Two Tags Bigz Die.  Accessories: Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper, Organza and Real Red Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Basics Designer Buttons.

I just love the way these turned out. I found the idea for these on Pinterest last year.  I chased the idea down and I think the original credit for these goes to Lisa Curcio.  But if you want to make one for yourself, Julie Davison has a tutorial on her blog that is easy to download and follow.  I know I am going to make a few more up to give to some neighbors and my boys' school teachers and then maybe I'll design one for Easter too.

Be My Valentine

I still have a few more Valentines Projects to share.  Today's is the other Valentines Card from my class this past weekend.  It was loosely inspired by the card featured on the back for the Occasions Catalog:

Colors: Very Vanilla, Basic Black and Cherry Cobbler.  Stamps: Delightful Dozen and Hearts A Flutter.  Big Shot: Hearts A Flutter and Hearts Collection Framelits, Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder.  Punches: XL Large Oval Punch.  Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details.

Not much more to say about this one.  It was the final card I designed for the class and I wanted just a traditional Valentines card.

On Friday and Monday, I will be sharing the Valentines Treat boxes I made so you will want to come back and see how those come together.  See you then!

Chalkboard Technique

The latest sensation to be hitting the Stampin' Up! Blogosphere is making your card look like a chalkboard.  It is surprisingly easy and gives you such fun look. Here is the card using the technique we made at my class this last weekend:

Colors: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pool Party and Coral Calypso.  Stamps: Vintage Verse and Creative Elements.  Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Tea Time Lacy Doilies, Designer Builder Brads and Sycamore Street Ribbon and Button Bundle.

If you haven't tried this for yourself, here is how it is done. Start with a piece of Basic Black Card Stock.  Stamp your images in Craft White and heat set with White Embossing Powder. Use a white colored pencil to draw doodles that look like chalk.  To get the added "erase" marks, use the corner of an old towel pick up some White Craft Ink Pad and then daub it and rub it on the black card stock.

The layout of card with the doily on top came from a card I saw on Pinterest of course.  Watch for a couple of more cards made with this technique coming soon.

Wedding Heart

The two places I get the most inspiration for my life in general: the moments between sleep and awake in the morning and the shower.  This one came in the first.  I love the flower trim from the Spring Catalog.  I have posted a few projects using these in the past few weeks.  And I have several customers who have been requesting wedding cards.  So I merged the two together to make this:

Colors: Very Vanilla and Basic Black.  Stamps: Mr & Mrs.  Big Shot: Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Heart Collection Framelits.  Accessories: Flower Trim and Pearl Basic Jewels.

I thought the greeting might be a little too much for it.  So I made this one too:

Colors: Very Vanilla and Basic Black. Stamps: Itty Bitty Banners.  Big Shot: Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and Bitty Banner and Heart Collections Framelits.  Accessories: Flower Trim

Those that come to my class this weekend will have the option of either greetings on the card.  The secret to the perfect heart shape is to cut a heart with the framelits and covered it with adhesive.  Then I cut the flower trim into individual pieces and adhered them to the heart in the shape. Easy Peasy!