Constantly Stamping

When Life Gives You Lemons...

I have really enjoyed the "A Happy Thing" stamp set and I will be sad to see it go away in just a few days (when Sale-a-Bration ends on March 31, 2015). I wasn't sure if I would ever use it again after the Blendabilities retired, but I decided to go "old school" and revert to the way things were before alcohol markers were such a big part of my existence.

For this card I used the masking and paper piecing techniques. 1. I stamped the image on patterned DSP (Best Year Ever DSP). 2. Next I masked it off and stamped it again. 3. I stamped the image on DSP and trimmed then out. 4. I added the stamped/cut pieces to the card front. (Note: after I finished the card I added one more lemon). Finally, I used a Project Life journaling pen to hand draw a frame around the edges.

I used a few strands of some Hello Honey and Mossy Meadow twine to add interest without bulk and then mounted it all on a Basic Black card base.

Don't forget, Sale-a-bration ends on March 31st, so don't wait any longer to place your order.

Fancy "Masculine" Friday Blog Hop

It's time again for our Fancy Friday Blog Hop. This month we are focusing on masculine cards. I have to be honest and say that I cringed at the idea...it is just a little out of my comfort zone. So, while I am not exactly sure this would be considered a "masculine" card, it is one that I would consider a good all-around card that I would feel comfortable giving to anyone. I resisted the urge to add flowers...so in my book, that qualifies...LOL!

I have recently been taking the "Stretch Your Dies" class over at Online Card Classes. One of the ideas they gave us was cutting word dies with fun foam. I have to admit, it is an easy way to get the thickness of chipboard without the bulk. In the past I would have cut several of the same word and then glued them together in a stack, but with fun foam you can literally cut once and you're done. Because I was using thinlit dies, I made sure to use a thin (2mm) foam and it cut like a dream. The foam flattens out at first and then "poofs" back up. I decided to use the lettering on a monochromatic smoky slate background, so I didn't have to be concerned that my colors matched and that bright blue lettering really stands out.

Now, be sure to head on over to see the "fancy" techniques that Erica Cerwin and the rest of the Fancy Friday team have for you.

INGREDIENTS: Whisper White Cardstock, Neutrals Collection DSP Stack, Banners Framelits, Circles Collecton Framelits, Essentials Paper Piercing Templates, Crazy About You Stamp Set, Whisper White Bakers Twine, Hello You Thinlits Dies, Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad, 2013-15 In Color Sequin Assortment.

Egg-cellent Easter Lip Balm Treats

I have been a little under-the-weather for over a week now, so I thought it would be a good project to post today. This is a treat favor that I made back in January for a few of my Leadership friends and I just never got around to showing it to you. I can hardly believe that Easter is only a little over three weeks away.  This has been the strangest Spring I can remember and it just doesn't seem possible that we are already half-way through March.

One thing that I can appreciate about Stampin' UP! is that they strive to be on-trend with the popular colors on the market. I knew the moment I saw this EOS lip balm on the rack at Target that it would work perfectly with the Best Year Ever DSP that is available at a free Sale-a-bration catty. I removed the lip balm from its packaging and placed it inside of a 4"x6" cellophane bag (#102757). Then I made a topper with one of the Labels Collection Framelits (#125598) from Pool Party cardstock and stamped eggs from the For Peeps' Sake stamp set in the same color of ink for a subtle tone-on-tone effect.

The greeting I used is also from the For Peeps' Sake stamp set. I used coordinating Stampin' Write Markers (Calypso Coral,  Coastal Cabana, and Crushed Curry) to color just one portion of the image and then cut small strips of DSP to the bow made with the Bow Builder Punch (#137414).

 

Farewell to Blendabilities

You have probably already heard by now, but just in case you haven't, Stampin' Up! is no longer carrying the Blendabilities alcohol based markers in their product line. While I totally understand why they made this decision, I have to admit that I feel like I have been kicked in the gut. So in honor of my short-lived relationship with these markers, I wanted to share one last card that I created recently. Ironically, the sentiment reads "hello there" but it would be more appropriate to say farewell.

To create this card, I used the masking technique and stamped several lemons with the "A Happy Thing Stamp Set".  Even though the markers are gone, you can still get this beautiful stamp set as one of your free products with a $50 purchase during the remainder of Sale-a-bration. I colored the images with the Daffodil Delight and Old Olive Blendabilities Collections and the blue background was created with the lightest Soft Sky Blendabilities marker. I distressed the edges of the card with Early Espresso ink and then added a strip of Old Olive Polka Dot DSP from the Brights DSP Collection. Finally I added some Black & White Bakers Twine and then mounted everything on a Whisper White card base.

Farewell Blendabilities...you will be missed!

 

In the Mood for Spring

I don't know about you, but I am ready for some sunshine! Old Man Winter has overstayed his welcome and I am ready to see him pack his bags and hit the road (at least until next year). With that in mind, I thought I would get a start on the first blooms of springtime...even if they are only in my stamp room.

The star of this card is the Watercolor Thank You stamp (#135377) stamped in Night of Navy ink on Whisper White cardstock. I cut the oval with the Ovals Collection framelits and then used the Occasions Paper Piercing template to add a simple border. I love this navy and white striped paper from the Birthday Bash Specialty DSP collection (#137783). I attached it to a piece of scrap cardstock for added strength, then I wrapped some linen thread around it and attached it to a Whisper White card base.

I used three different sizes of Scallop Circle Punches to make the Melon Mambo flowers by snipping between the scallops. The Marina Mist flowers were punched with the flower from the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack and I used a 1 1/4" Circle Punch and Old Olive DSP for the leaves. The large pearl is from the Artisan Embellishment Kit.

Ironically I know that with springtime comes seasonal allergies, but at least this card won't give me the sniffles.

Big Orange THANKS

If you are a Paper Pumpkin subscriber you will recognize these big, orange, felt letters from the February kit. While this kit is simply adorable, some of my less-trendy customers asked me for some alternative projects using the kit. I created a 3" x 6" card using Whisper White cardstock and covered the front with some Flower Pot DSP. To add to the cuteness factor, I punched some small flowers and added some pearl centers.

What even more cuteness? If you are a Paper Pumpkin subscriber you can order refills of this kit in my online store.