Constantly Stamping

Bloomin' Marvelous Card

Today's card is the alternate version of the card I shared in my last post. Most of the details are the same, but there are a few differences. For this card I started with an Island Indigo card base and layered on a slightly smaller piece of Crumb Cake card stock that I embossed with the Vine Street embossing folder from Sale-a-bration. Just like the other card, there is lots of sponging with Early Espresso Ink. I added Sycamore Street DSP and some Summer Starfruit ribbon before attaching everything to the card base.

For this card I stamped the flowers in Summer Starfruit. I also cut a flower from Summer Starfruit CS using the Blossom Party die and added a button from the Sycamore Street collection threaded with Island Indigo Bakers Twine.

By the way, my next three posts will be Easter-related, so be sure to check back every few days!

Workshop Cards for St. George Event

I have a little confession to make. A few months ago my upline, Jill Olsen, asked me to design some cards for her March large-group event in St. George, Utah. So if you have been wondering why I haven't been blogging much, this is basically the reason.

Creating workshop cards for a big event (over 100 stampers) was challenging, but I think it all turned out well. I ended up designing fifteen projects (some with two versions) that focused primarily on products from Sale-a-bration and the Spring Mini Catalog. I promised Jill that I would keep the projects under-wraps until after the event, so now that it is over, I can begin sharing them will all of you.

SO GLAD CARD

For this card I used a standard Crumb Cake card stock base and Sycamore Street DSP cut into 1" x 5.25" strips. I attached the dsp strips to a 5.25" x 4" Crumb Cake layer and sponged the edges with Early Espresso ink. Next I cut a Scallop Edge Medallion from Pool Party CS using Perfect Pennants Die and sponged the edges with Early Espresso ink. I cut a 2" circle of Whisper White CS using the Circles #2 Die and stamped a greeting from the "Bloomin’ Marvelous" (Sale-a-bration) stamp set using Island Indigo ink.

I sponged the edges with Early Espresso ink and adhered it to the scallop circle base. Next I stamped the flower full strength with Tangerine Tango ink on Whisper White CS. I trimmed the flower by hand and attached it to the tag using a dimensional. I added a rhinestone to the flower center and added a small bow made with Island Indigo Ribbon from the Sycamore Street ribbon & button pack (Sale-a-bration).

Just a side note: Jill may have altered a project in order to streamline the stamping process or better utilize products that she may have already had on-hand. My prototypes may vary slightly or even significantly from the final workshop projects. Also, I think she only used three or four of the cards I designed, so some of these may have only been on display or not used at all.

 

 

 

Sweet Baby Shower Card

Sorry for the little break in posts. I finally have something new to share with you today...Woo Hoo! This card uses the Rain or Shine stamp set (#126777) along with the coordinating Sunshine & Sprinkles DSP (#126922).

This card required a little bit of hand-cutting, but it was so worth it. The dimensionals under the umbrella really have a hugh impact on the look and feel of the card. I also stamped the sentiment from Itty Bitty Banners and due cut it using the coordinating Bitty Banners Framelits. I hope to be able to start sharing on a regular basis later this week, so be sure to check back soon.

Stepped Up Sale-a-bration CASE

I saw this adorable card by Brandi Barnard at the SU home office and I just had to CASE it. I prefer to photograph my cards with natural sunlight, but it's a really dreary day here in Tennessee, so I thought I would try a different approach. I hope it isn't too distracting.

It is already an adorable card, but I thought it would be fun to step-it-up even further. Here is a video that showcases this wonderful card.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIJGgpFEgg4&feature=share&list=UUaytKFValhfW2z3T0jsdemA

The purpose of the video was to showcare the Vine Street embossing folder and other fun products available right now during Sale-a-bration, so there aren't alot of details about card size and such. I did my best to recreate it and here are the details of my card, which I think are close to the orignial artwork.

The finished card size is approximately 4.25" square. She used the Vine Street Embossing Folder (SAB) to emboss a portion of the folder onto the Pool Party card front. Next she cuts two strips of Island Indigo CS in to approximately 1/2 inch wide strips and angled the ends. Then she stamped the small image from the Madison Avenue stamp set with Pool Party ink on Whisper White CS to create a background design. Then she punched it out with the Ticket Duo Builder Punch. She stamped the larger flower from the same set, but this time she stamped off so that the image didn't overpower the sentiment. Next she stamped the greeting from Bloomin' Marvelous (SAB) with Island Indigo ink and punched it out as well. For a pop of color she stamped two butterflys in Calypso Coral from the Bloomin' Marvelous set and punched them out with the Bitty Butterfly punch (#129406).

Here is where I added my own twist to the card...I had a length of Seam Binding ribbon that I had bleached and then dyed with Calypso Coral ink so I wrapped it around the card and fashioned a shabby bow. I added some Pool Party Baker's Twine to a Pool Party "Sycamore Street" Button (SAB) and attached it to the bow.

Don't forget that you can earn free product during Sale-a-bration now through March 22.

Masculine Birthday Card

Our son turns sixteen in a few weeks, so I decided to finish his card ahead of time. Truth be told, this was intended to be his birthday card when he turned fifteen, LOL!

It ended up in "the stack". Some of you know what I mean by "the stack". It's where you put those cards that you start, but for some reason or another don't finish. The other day I noticed that the Well Worn DSP (122359) and the Basic Birthday Decorative Strip Die (119278) were recently added to the Clearance Rack, so I decided to "get-er-done". All it was missing were the numbers. The Typeset Alphabet die set includes numbers, so I had that covered. But even then I needed some "superscript" letters for the "th". I ended up using the Happy Bir"th"day stamp from the "You're Amazing" set....how's that for improvising?

You can only cut one layer of card stock at a time on the "Happy Birthday" die, so I cut several and then glued them in a stack to give it the look of chip board. I have used this technique several times in the past. It is a great way to add depth and dimension to your projects. This card is a little larger than typical. The finished size is about 3" x 8". Good thing this one gets hand delivered, although I think it will fit into a standard business size envelope with some room to spare.

I really love this DSP. It looks wonderful on masucline projects. If you hurry, you might be able to pick some up over on the Clearance Rack before it is all gone.

My Quinceanera Invitation

Last summer I was contacted by a really nice gal from California about creating custom quinceanera invitations for her daughter's event. Life was really crazy at that particular time, so I asked her if she would mind if I used my computer to save some time. It really was the only option if I was to have them ready for her in time. The digital download for this set is an outline image, so I pulled the artwork into a photo editing software program and added the coloring. I printed the layers, trimmed them down, and mounted everything on Basic Black card stock to create the feel of a traditional card. The results were simply gorgeous.

One of my favorite things about this card is the addition of rhinestones for the earrings and to the tiarra. I even completed the inside with the details of the event. I don't know if I would want to do this for a living, because it was a ton of work, but it was very gratifying. If you are interested in purchasing the digital download the item number is #129020. You can visit my website here.

The funny thing about all of this is that I don't speak a word of Spanish. I couldn't roll my r's if my life depended on it. I studied French as my second language in high school and college. Even funnier is that I have been trying to learn a little German so that I can help my son study for his class. He laughs at me because I pronounce all of the German words like they would be pronounced in French with a little bit of a southern accent. LOL!

Happy Hello Card Kit

One of the thing I love about SU card kits is that not only do they look great if you use them straight out of the box, but they also have endless possibilities for creativity. You know me. I like to give my own spin on things and today's post is no different. Here I took the Happy Hello Simply Sent Card Kit available right now for free* during Sale-a-bration and stepped it up a notch (or two, or three) by adding hand-stamped flowers, dsp, and some ribbon.

OK, so here is what I added. I used the basic card as a topper over an A2 card base made with Real Red Core'dinations card stock. It has a textured look to it even without additional embossing, which I really love. I added a strip of Real Red DSP from the Polka Dot Parade collection and gave it a decorative edge with the Scallop Border Punch. Next I added a piece of Very Vanilla 1/8" taffeta ribbon.

This is where all the fun begins. I stamped several flowers from the new Secret Garden stamp set with VersaMark ink on Daffodil Delight and Lucky Limeade CS. Then I heat embossed them with White embossing powder. I used the coordinating die to cut out all of the flowers with my Big Shot...what a time-saver! The flowers were a little lifeless, so I added some shading with some Daffodil Delight ink and a blender pen. Using dimensionals between layers also helped to give the flowers a more realistic look. Finally, I punched two tiny hearts with the Owl Builder punch.

So what are you waiting for? Get your Happy Hello Simply Sent Card Kit today and have fun seeing what awesome projects you can create. (*select merchandise free with each qualifying purchase of $50.)

Related articles

Happy Valentine Heart Stamp

Happy Hearts Valentine

Catalog Inspired Valentine Note Card

Thanks

Valentine Boutique Boxes

I knew from the minute that I saw the Boutique Boxes Designer Kit (#129306) in the spring catalog that I would love them. You can use them exactly as they were intended, or you can do what I did and turn them inside-out and decorate them. They are super easy and fun to make. For this project I used the Hearts a Flutter stamp set and stamped all over the box with Real Red ink. Then I assembled the box and and sponged the edges with Early Espresso ink.

The ticket images in the That's the Ticket stamp set were the perfect addition. I stamped on the leftover section of the box, so I didn't even need any additional card stock. The Ticket Duo Builder Punch is designed to work perfectly with this set. Here's a little tip: I actually tied the top of the box closed. But never fear...I left the bottom of the box open so that I could add treats later. It also makes it easy for the person who receives it to open it without destroying the packaging. I added a Cherry Cobbler button and some hemp jewelery twine (non SU) for the bow. Some of you might be wondering what to do with the remaining pieces of the kit? Well, I will have some ideas on that to share with you soon, so be sure to check back.

 

 

 

Related articles

Hugs & Kisses Valentine Card

Be My Valentine

Happy Hearts Valentine

Happy Valentine Heart Stamp