Constantly Stamping

Global Design Project #GDP140: CASE Challenge

This week at the Global Design Project challenge blog we are CASEing this card by Brian King. 

We are trying something new and exciting this week! From this week's challenge, we will choose one designer who will be invited to be a Guest Designer on the Global Design Project for the next six months. Give us your best work and show us why we want to have you as a part of our team! (Here's a little secret...several of the Artisan Design Team members have started out as part of the Global Design Project team...so if you are an aspiring artisan, then this is a great opportunity that you don't want to miss!)

Now on to my card. Here is what I see when I look at Brian's card: a great clean & simple design with pink flowers & green leaves, black accents, floral placement on the lower left, and sentiment placement in the lower right corner.

 

I decided to keep much of Brian's basic design elements, but you know how much I love layers, so that is where I went a different direction. I also added in Crumb Cake cardstock as a neutral to set the stage for all those layers and to help them stand out.

It's Memorial Day weekend here in the United States and I really didn't have a lot of time for fussy cutting my images, so I let Stampin' Up! do it for me. I used the Lots of Happy Card Kit (#146388). It has been really popular and I thought this would also give you some alternate design ideas. It is also returning in the new 2018-2019 catalog. I added in some additional products like the top-folding Crumb Cake card base, a 1/2" strip of Basic Black cardstock, a white die cut circle, some pearls and a linen thread bow.

The great thing about this kit is that the images are already fussy cut so all you have to do is color. I used the watercolor pencils included in the kit and added a Blender Pen to smooth out the coloring. The vellum leaves and the sentiment are also included in the kit.

 

 We would love to have you play along with us this week. Be sure to check out what the other talented designers/players have created for this fun challenge at the Global Design Project Challenge Blog.

I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR

If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, then you can order your supplies in my online store here.

Have a blessed day!

 

Stampin' Up! Blog Post - Share What You Love Suite

Hi Stampers...this is a re-post of my article from the Stampin' Up! Facebook page a few weeks ago.

 

We have a little saying at Stampin’ Up! “To love what we do and share what we love, as we help others enjoy creativity and worthwhile accomplishments . . . in this we make a difference.” Our Statement of the Heart says it all, and this year Stampin’ Up! celebrates 30 years of loving what we do!

 

As part of the celebration, Stampin’ Up! has created a special suite of products called the Share What You Love suite. This gorgeous grouping of products is one of the prettiest suites we’ve ever offered and is sure to make you swoon. Did you know that now through May 31 you can order your choice of three different bundles and receive free products, too? Here is a link to a video that explains this offer in greater detail.

 

I have two cards for you today. Both of them use products from the Share What You Love suite along with a few other supplies.

 

 

For my first card, I started with a top-folding card base made with Thick Whisper White Cardstock (item 140272). Next, I added some Share What You Love Specialty Designer Series Paper (item 146926) and twine from the Share What You Love Embellishment Kit (item 146928). I stamped the sentiment from the Love What You Do Stamp Set (item 148042) using Rich Razzleberry ink (item 147091). I die cut it with a Big Shot (item 143263) and a circle die from the Stitched Shapes Framelits (item 145372)

 

 

I colored the backside of a Pearlized Doily (item 146936) using a Rich Razzleberry Light Stampin’ Blends Marker (item 144584) and adhered it behind the sentiment. Finally, I fussy cut some flowers from Designer Series Paper and added some Artisan Pearls (item 146927) to the flower centers.

I went a little shabby on my second project. For this card I started with some Rich Razzleberry Cardstock from the Share What You Love Cardstock Pack (item 146345). I added some machine stitching to the Designer Series Paper and pleated strip. I also distressed the edges with an Early Espresso ink (item 147114).

I stamped the sentiment with Tuxedo Black Memento ink (item 132708) and colored the back of the doily with an Old Olive Light Stampin’ Blends Marker (item 144574). Finally, I added some fussy cut flowers to the sentiment and added pearls to the flower centers.

Don’t wait! This limited offer ends on May 31. Order your bundle today to receive your free gifts with purchase.

 

I am so honored to be part of the 2018 Artisan Design Team and I look forward to bringing you more ideas throughout the coming year.

 

Sharing What I Love,

Connie Collins

Global Design Project #GDP139: Theme Challenge

Our theme challenge this week at Global Design Project is Just a Note...

One of the most difficult things for me as an Artisan/demonstrator/blogger is that each time a catalog changes I have to put away all the retiring products so that I don't accidentally use them on a project. This is what happens when you miss something...you make a card with mostly retired products without even realizing it. The Sweet Soiree DSP and embellishment kit retired a few weeks ago and it didn't even register until just now as I am writing this blog post. So my humble apologies to those of you who may want to recreate this card and hopefully many of you already have this beautiful suite of products. The good news is that the sentiment from Flourishing Phrases and the banner/coordinating dies from the Birthday Banners stamp set are returning. I did have to pull my Marina Mist pad back out of storage because I had already packed it away and it retires at the end of this month as well.

So here is the story behind this card. A few months ago the ministry assistants at work went on a weekend retreat. One of our projects was to write three prayer requests on a card. We put them in an box and then drew out someone else's card without sharing whose card we received. I cannot tell you what a blessing it is to know that someone is praying specifically for me and my needs. It is also an honor to lift up my dear friend in prayer. I made this card for my secret prayer sister. This week is the big reveal and I wanted to make a very special card for my very special friend. 

This card has quite a few layers, but this is exactly the kind of card my friend will love. I cannot wait to see her face light up when I give it to her.

We would love to have you play along with us this week. Be sure to check out what the other talented designers/players have created for this fun challenge at the Global Design Project Challenge Blog.

 

I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR

If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, then you can order your supplies in my online store here.

Have a blessed day!

Artisan Design Team Blog Hop Featuring Southern Serenade

Welcome to another Artisan Design Team Blog Hop. On this hop, we are focusing on two different stamp sets.  I opted to make a card using Southern Serenade (#145921).

I often hear how much demonstrators and customers love cards that are "stepped up". If you have never heard this term, it means to show a card at three different levels of difficulty. I sometimes forget that not everyone has the same level of experience. I think as Artisans we feel we are expected to show projects aimed at the "avid" stamper, but recently a friend reminded me that it is good to provide projects for every level. So, that is what I have done with today's project.

 

Black ink on Crumb Cake cardstock (#120953) is almost always a winner. I started with a 3"x3" Crumb Cake card base and stamped the flower and greeting with Memento Tuxedo Black ink (132708). This card design is perfect for a new stamper or when you are in a hurry and don't have a lot of time to color and embellish.

 

This card is a step up. I used the background stamp included in this set to add a bit more interest. I inked it with Crumb Cake ink and then stamped-off before stamping on the card. When I made this card, the Stampin' Blends markers were unavailable, so I used regular Stampin' Write markers (Pear Pizzazz/Old Olive, So Saffron/Daffodil Delight) to color the image. I takes a little bit of practice to get the shading, but you can get some pretty good results on Crumb Cake cardstock. I also added some small rhinestones to the flower centers.

 

For the "avid stamper" card I also added some light sponging around the edges of the card with Crumb Cake ink. I also stamped and colored additional flowers, fussy cut them, and added them to the floral arrangement with Stampin' Dimensionals. Finally, I created a notch on one edge with a 1/2" circle punch and finished off the card with a Linen Thread (#104199) bow.

Just remember, you can create great cards regardless of your stamping style or level of experience. The most important thing about card making is to enjoy yourself and do  what YOU love.

Elizabeth Price is next on our blog hop so be sure to head on over and check out what she and the the rest of the Artisan Design Team team have in store by clicking on the button below.

 

2018 Artisan Design Team

Cathy Caines - In The Cat Cave (Canada)
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange (USA)
Connie Collins - Constantly Stamping (USA) <- you are here
Elizabeth Price - Seeing Ink Spots (USA)
Emma Goddard - Coastal Crafter (UK)
Jennifer Frost - Jennifer Frost (Australia)
Jenni Pauli - Paulines Papier (Germany)
Jessica Winter - kunterbuntestempelwelt (Austria)
Kayla Macaulay - Love, Kayla (Australia)
Kim McGillis - Kim McGillis Papercrafting (Canada)
Lauren Alarid - Crafty Little Peach (USA)
Linda van Wely-Zwolle - Stampin with Liz Design (The Netherlands)
Rhoda MacPherson - Pretty Creative (UK)
Sarah Lancaster - Pirouette Papercraft (France)
Susan Wong - Stampin Susan (New Zealand)
Sylwia Schreck - Stempel Einfach (Germany)

The Stampin' Up! Facebook Page is where our Corporate Blog posts are showcased.

 

I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR

If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, then you can order your supplies in my online store here.

 

Global Design Project #GDP137: Color Challenge

I am happy to be back for this week's fabulous Global Design Project color challenge.

I have spent the past several days purging my retiring stamp sets, colored ink, paper, and accessories. I haven't quite made it to the designer series paper yet, so I just had to use this beautiful paper from the Pick a Pattern Designer Series Paper (#144163) before it is gone.

I love, love, love this color combo...especially when it is paired with black and white. The only unfortunate thing is that there aren't any Stampin' Blends markers in the colors I needed, so I had to improvise. I fell back on a favorite technique I call faux alcohol coloring. I use ink refills and a Aqua brush filled with 91% isopropyl alcohol. I like the higher percentage of alcohol because it has less water and dries much faster. I stamped the flower images from Petal Palette (#145788) with Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and die cut them with the coordinating Petals & More Thinlits Dies. (#145655).

 

I stamped the double ribbon from Birthday Banners (#141506) twice in Pool Party ink on matching cardstock and used the coordinating Bunch of Banners Framelits Dies to die cut them. The center ribbon is layered to give it a more realistic look. I also cut the die cut ribbon embellishment in half to make it longer. Then I covered the cut pieces with a sentiment from Colorful Seasons (#143726).

 
I love how the stitching on the ribbon banner mimics the faux stitching on the die cut circle. Isn't it great how our stamps and other products work so well together!

We would love to have you play along with us this week. Be sure to check out what the other talented designers/players have created for this fun challenge at the Global Design Project Challenge Blog.

I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR

If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, then you can order your supplies in my online store here.

Have a blessed day!

Share What You Love Part 2 - Stampin' Up! Artisan Blog Hop

Welcome to part two of very special Artisan Design Team Blog Hop. A few weeks ago we featured the Share What You Love Suite and today we are at it again. Half of the team is sharing projects made with the Just Getting Started Bundle, while the other half of the team is sharing the Gotta Have It All bundle.

 

My projects are made almost entirely with the Gotta Have It All Bundle (with the exception of a few ink pads and adhesive) and are designed with the avid crafter in mind.  This early release bundle is available to customers now thru May 31, 2018. The North American product code for the Gotta Have it All Bundle is #149526 and is $127.50 in the US.

 

This card is made with a Very Vanilla card base. I cut various widths of the Share What You Love Specialty DSP to build a panel and added some twine from the Share What You Love Embellishment Kit. Next, I added some distressing to the card base and panel with Early Espresso ink and popped the panel up with some Dimensionals.

I stamped the greeting from the Love What You Do stamp set in Rich Razzleberry ink and used scissors to create ribbon cuts on the ends. I backed it with a smaller strip of Rich Razzleberry cardstock and notched the ends on those as well. Finally, I fussy cut a flower from the designer series paper and added a small Artisan Pearl to the center.

 

This card began with a Mint Macaron top-folding card base and I added a panel of the designer series paper from the suite. I stamped the sentiment with Tranquil Tide ink on Mint Macaron cardstock and added Artisan pearls to the flower centers. The clip and twine are from the embellishment kit.

For my last card I created a card base with Old Olive cardstock. I embossed some Rich Razzleberry cardstock on each corner with the Lovely Floral Dynamic Embossing Folder.

I covered the embossing overlap with a panel of designer series paper. To create the paper ribbon I used a bone folder on a strip of Rich Razzleberry cardstock until the fibers started to separate. Then I pulled the two layers apart. I pleated one of the strips with the suede-like side facing up. Next, I added some pearlized thread from embellishment kit and also stamped the sentiment onto one of the die cut labels included in the embellishment kit. Finally, I fussy cut some flowers from dsp and added Artisan Pearls to the centers.

 

I can't wait to see what the rest of the team came up with.  My friend Elizabeth Price is next on our blog hop so be sure to head on over and check out what she and the the rest of the Artisan Design Team team have in store by clicking on the button below.

 

 

2018 Artisan Design Team

Cathy Caines - In The Cat Cave (Canada)
Charlet Mallet - Painted Orange (USA)
Connie Collins - Constantly Stamping (USA) <- you are here
Elizabeth Price - Seeing Ink Spots (USA)
Emma Goddard - Coastal Crafter (UK)
Jennifer Frost - Jennifer Frost (Australia)
Jenni Pauli - Paulines Papier (Germany)
Jessica Winter - kunterbuntestempelwelt (Austria)
Kayla Macaulay - Love, Kayla (Australia)
Kim McGillis - Kim McGillis Papercrafting (Canada)
Lauren Alarid - Crafty Little Peach (USA)
Linda van Wely-Zwolle - Stampin with Liz Design (The Netherlands)
Rhoda MacPherson - Pretty Creative (UK)
Sarah Lancaster - Pirouette Papercraft (France)
Susan Wong - Stampin Susan (New Zealand)
Sylwia Schreck - Stempel Einfach (Germany)

The Stampin' Up! Facebook Page is where our Corporate Blog posts are showcased.

 

I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR STAMPIN' UP! DEMONSTRATOR

If you are in the United States and need a demonstrator, then you can order your supplies in my online store here.