Taking a Break

I am going to take a little break from my blog for a few days while I work on my submissions for a swap I signed on for.  I am also working on wedding invitations for my niece.

Keep checking in - I'll be back soon.

Marjorie

Aviary 4

This is the last of the cards from Heather Summers' Aviary class.  I don't think I had said in the earlier posts that most of the colours used in this class are from the Brights collection.  This card features a bow made from the fabulous 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon only available in the InColours collection.

Aviary 3

Today's post is the set of 3 x 3 notecards in the little matchbook folder from Heather Summers' Aviary Class.

This first photo shows the matchbook folder on it's own - the little cards are inside.  You don't have to look too closely to see that I slipped up with my punched scallop border.  I guess I will just have to keep it for myself!

Here is a photo of the set.  Hope you like them.

2 Step Owl Punch

I am so happy I let myself buy the 2 Step Owl punch.  It is so fun and cute.  This week Judy and I made Post It note covers and decorated them with owls.  Just too cute!

The scallop circle is adhered with dimensionals and overlaps the flap on the right hand side to keep the package closed.  I thought about doing more decorating, but decided to stop so that the little owl is the centre of attention.

Here it is open

Supplies

Card Stock - Chocolate Chip; Daffodil Delight; Old Olive; More Mustard; Close to Cocoa (retired); Whisper White; Pear Pizzazz DSP (from Hostess Level I paper pack)

Ink - More Mustard; Close to Cocoa (retired)

Other - 2 Step Owl Punch; 2 Step Bird Punch; 2 Way Glue pen; sponge daubers; dimensionals

Aviary - 2

This is the second of three standard size cards in Heather Summers' Aviary class.  This one hold a couple of surprises.  Although a standard size, the card is like a matchbook.  The card is scored and folded at the bottom so that the front of the card slides into and is held by the "tab" created at the bottom.  In addition, the image panel on the front opens up too!  How cute is that!

See the pink striped section at the bottom - the front of the card slides into that!  But there is even more fun - that cute little flower brad is keeping the "mini card" on the front closed!

Take a look

Another Advent Calendar

This is the 4th advent calendar that I have made.  I used retired SU Designer Series Paper and some nonSU embellishments.

Aviary

When I first saw the stamp set Aviary in the 2010 Stampin' Up! catalogue I thought it was cute but didn't even think of putting it on my extensive wish list.  It became obvious in a very short time period that I was going to "need" this stamp set.  I signed up for Heather Summers' Aviary class - she so very kindly does a kit to go as we don't live in the same city.  The class fee included the stamp set!  How fun is that! 

My kit arrived last week and I quickly got the cards done - everything was cut and stamped.  I just had to punch a few pieces.  The kit included all the supplies for 4 projects - three standard size cards and one little card set that included 3 little notecards and a matchbook cover to hold them in.

This is the first of the cards.  I'll post the rest of them over the course of the week.

Dasher in Silver

Last Monday Judy and I made two different cards using our Dasher stamps.  The one I posted yesterday was a little bit rustic but today's card is a little more "glitzy" using silver and red satin.

We used brushed silver card stock and embossed it with the Square Lattice embossing folder.   We added a strip of real red that was scalloped using the Scallop Trim Border punch and then we used my homemade bowmaker (I used pieces from my son's KNex toy) we made lovely red satin bows to tie around it and adhered that panel to the bottom of a plain white card base.  We stamped Dasher onto Whisper White using silver pigment ink and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder.  Layered that onto a piece of brushed silver and then real red.  Adhered that panel to the card with dimensionals.

Supplies

Stamp Set - Dasher

Card Stock - Whisper White, Real Red, Brushed Silver, NonSU 120lb white cardstock (base card)

Ink - Silver pigment ink

Other - Clear embossing powder, 5/8" Real Red Satin Ribbon, dimensionals, Scallop Trim Border punch; Square Lattice Embossing folder

Note - instead of using silver ink pigment with clear embossing powder you could use Versamark with silver embossing powder or silver pigment ink with silver embossing powder

Olive The Other Reindeer

Bad joke I know but I couldn't resist. After I had finished all of my Christmas cards last year I saw a card on Splitcoaststampers that I really liked. I bookmarked it and pulled it up last week. Although it does use retired ribbon and a retired button I liked it and wanted to recreate it. My card is basically the same but I added a layer and a bow. The original card featured shimmer mist but I decided not to use it. You can see the original on Splitcoaststampers by clicking HERE.   I ended up using it as one of the projects for Judy and I to do together at the beginning of the week.

So here is "Olive The Other Reindeer"

Supplies:
Stamp Set - Dasher; Four the Holidays
Card Stock - Old Olive; Real Red; Confetti White
Ink - Old Olive; Real Red and Old Olive markers
Accessories - Linen Thread; Dimensionals; Sleigh Bells Ribbon (retired - 2009 Holiday Mini); Real Red Button (retired)

Just Believe

I just recently received my Just Believe stamp set and now have made my first card using it.  It is pretty much a direct copy of Gretchen Barron's card seen HERE.  CASEing this card was big for me.  I usually hoard my embellishments but on this card I have used a lot of pearls - there are 20 of them!!!. 

Grretchen used a new punch that will be available when the Holiday Mini goes live on September 1.  I didn't include it in my preorder (one of the benefits of being a demonstrator) but I do have the Lots of Tags Sizzlits and there was one that was just perfect.

I coloured the stamp using markers and then stamped it onto the Whisper White cardstock.   I then put it through the Big Shot using the Finial Press Embossing folder.

Supplies
Stamp Set - Just Believe
Card Stock - Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White
Ink - Old Olive and Elegant Eggplant Markers
Accessories - Old Olive 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals
Punches - Scallop Trim Border, Scallop Trim Corner, Wide Oval
Other - Finial Press Embossing Folder, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Lots of Tags Sizzlits

Hope you like it.  Have a great day!

Another Advent Calendar

I have now finished the 3rd of my Christmas Advent Calendars.  This time I used the retired Ski Slope Designer Series Paper.

I just looked closely at the picture and saw that my Simply Adorned Charm is in the picture.  My photo tent is packed away right now and I was using the lamp on my craft table.  I have my charm hanging on the lamp to remind me to make more inserts.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Contempo Christmas 5

This card measures 4 1/4" x 4 1/4".  Again, it is the same layout as one of the cards in the Contempo Christmas class offered by Heather Summers in July.  On this sample I have again substituted Real Red cardstock and Dashing DSP (retired) for the Cherry Cobbler and Jolly Holiday Heather used.  The Real Red layer has been pierced.   I'll be back in a few days to post the cards using the supplies that came with the class to go kit.

Thanks for stopping in.  Have a great day!

Artistic Etchings - Anniversary

My brother-in-law and sister-in-law will be celebrating their 43rd wedding anniversary in a little over a week from now.  I knew I wanted to make a card for them using Artistic Etchings.  A few years ago they travelled to France and spoke often about their tour of the Eiffel Tower.  I wasn't sure of colours, layout or embellishments to use.  I have made a few cards using this set and any of them would suit the occasion perfectly.  One day while browsing through the posts on Stampin' Connection I saw a card that I knew would be perfect.  You can see the original by clicking HERE.  I loved the layout but I also knew that I would not be cutting out the tower.

Here is my card.  I wanted to put an anniversary sentiment on the front but thought it would get too busy so I just used the "Love" sentiment from Tiny Tags and punched it out with the Jewelry Tag Punch.  I also punched out tags in Basic Black and Cherry Cobbler.  The three tags are pinned to the bow using one of the pins in the Vintage Trinkets collection. 

Supplies
Stamp Set - Artistic Etchings; Tiny Tags
Card Stock - Basic Black; Cherry Cobbler; Whisper White
Ink - Basic Black Classic Ink Pad and Marker
Other - Vintage Trinkets; 1 1/4" Basic Black Striped Ribbon; Top Note Die; Oval Nestabilities; Dimensionals; Colour Spritzer Tool; Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder; Signo White Gel Pen

Contempo Christmas 4

This another of the cards from Heather Summers' Contempo Christmas class.   Although I followed the layout, I substituted some of the cardstock and DSP.  Rather than using Cherry Cobbler and Jolly Holiday, I decided to use Real Red and the retired Dashing DSP.

It is hard to see in the photo but the Very Vanilla base card has been dry embossed using the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder.

Elements of Style - Anniversary

My parents recently celebrated their 59th Wedding Anniversary. I had seen many vintage looking cards using the Elements of Style stamp set along with the Beautiful Butterflies die for the Big Shot and although I do like the vintage look, I don't like it to have lots of tears, etc.

I finally put together a card that I was happy with. I ended up not using any distressing other than sponging the edges of the layers. I had thought about colouring in the flowers behind the sentiment, but in the end I preferred to have the colour only on the butterfly.

I almost forgot that I had the Vanilla Hodgepodge. I lightly sponged it with Early Espresso.  I also used some of the new Basic Pearls for the "body" of the butterfly.  I hadn't realized when I ordered them that there were "strings" of pearls so I didn't have to adhere them individually.

Hope you like the card.

Supplies
Stamp Set - Elements of Style; Teeny Tiny Wishes
Card Stock - Early Espresso; Crumb Cake; Very Vanilla; Watercolour Paper
Ink - Jet Black StazOn; Crumb Cake; Early Espresso
Other - Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin Ribbon; Vanilla Hodgepodge; Beautiful Butterflies Die for the Big Shot; Basic Pearls; Dimensionals; Designer Label Punch

Thanks for stopping by and have a great Sunday!

Two Step Owl Punch

When I first saw the Two Step Owl Punch I really thought I would not "need" it.  After just a few short weeks I realized that this punch was going to be a must.  It arrived on Wednesday and surprisingly I did not even unwrap it until yesterday.  I have seen so many cute samples on various blogs, Splitcoast Stampers and Stampin' Connection that I didn't really know where to start.  Many of the samples use either the Woodgrain Background stamp or the woodgrain paper from the Woodland Walk DSP package.  I don't have either of those but I remembered that I had bought some of the thin wood sheets a while ago.  I "stained" the wood by spritzing the sheet with Stampin' Mist and then sponging in Early Espresso ink.  I just knew when I bought those sheets that someday I would need them!

I decided that I would adhere my owl to the inside of the card and have it peaking out through a punched out "knot hole" in the card front.  I then decided to use another idea I had seen with these owls - I put two of them on the inside of the card - one peaking out the hole and when the card is opened she is standing on the second owl.  I was chuckling the whole time I was making the card. 

Hope you like the card - it was so much fun to make!

Close up of the owl peaking out

The inside of the card

Supplies
Stamps - Teeny Tiny Wishes
Card Stock - Pear Pizzazz; Early Espresso; Cherry Cobbler; Very Vanilla; Whisper White; Garden Green; Crumb Cake; Pumpkin Pie; Hostess Level I InColours DSP Pack (Pear Pizzazz)
Ink - Early Espresso
Punches - Two Step Owl; Modern Label, Word Window; 1 1/2" Circle; Scallop Circle
Other - Thin Wood Sheets; Dimensionals; Two Way Glue pen; Little Leaves Sizzlit

Thanks for stopping by!

Because I Care

I was searching around to find inspiration to make a card with the Because I Care stamp set (Level I Hostess set) and found THIS one on Paula Ballard's blog.  Paula is one of Heather Summers' Simply Stars team.  I also wanted to use up some of my retired Designer Series Papers so Paula's card fit my needs.

I also wanted to have some cards on hand that can be used for any occasion.  I felt the sentiment I used from Watercolour Trio could be used for thank you cards, sympathy cards or even an anniversary.   I thought Judy might like it as well so it was one of our projects this week.

The image was coloured in using markers as was the sentiment.  I also dragged the Whisper White sentiment panel against the Rich Razzleberry marker to get a little bit of added depth.

Supplies

Stamp Set - Because I Care (Level I Hostess set); Watercolour Trio (only available until August 31)

Card Stock - Rich Razzleberry; Whisper White; Cottage Wall DSP (retired)

Ink - Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive markers

Other - Old Olive 5/8" Satin Ribbon; Stampin' Dimensionals; Curly Label and Scallop Oval punches

"Vintage" Watercolour Trio

I really like this stamp set - Watercolour Trio.  It is really too bad that it will be retiring at the end of August with the Summer Mini Catalogue. 

I sign into Stampin' Connection, an online resource for SU demonstrators, every day.  There are discussion forums and lots of sharing of information but most of all I love browsing the Stampers Showcase were demonstrators post photos of their cards, scrapbook pages, 3-D items, etc..   The other day while scrolling through the gallery I saw a card using Watercolour Trio and immediately knew that I would have to make one myself.  I didn't even think about changing anything about the card - I loved it just as it was.  Unfortunately the contributor did not post a blog address so I can't link you to the original.

The card has a soft, kind of vintage look to it and could be used for any occasion.  This is another of the projects Judy and I did this week.  I decided to use one of the sentiments from the Watercolour Trio set and will probably use the card as a thank you card.

Supplies

Stamp Set - Watercolour Trio, en Francais

Card Stock - Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Rose Red

Ink - Sahara Sand, Old Olive and Rose Red Markers

Other - Scallop Trim Border, Large Oval and Designer Label punches, Stampin' Dimensionals,

Organza Ribbon, Sponge Daubers

Thinking of Christmas

I have completed a second Christmas advent calendar using the Karen Foster 3D Countdown Calendar.  I had previously posted a photo HERE.  This second one is pretty much identical.

I had originally purchased three of the calendars and liked them so well I decided to get some more.  I had bought them online from a scrapbook store in Elliott Lake, Ontario.  I tried, but just could not find them closer to home.  When I contacted the store they took my order but not very many days later they called me to say that their usual supplier did not have them and they were discontinued.  Checking the Karen Foster website confirmed that there were no longer there.  My supplier researched and she finally found someone who had them in stock.  Unfortunately they were several dollars more.   I really wanted them and my supplier was willing to absorb more than half the difference so I told her to go ahead and order them.  They arrived on Friday so I will be very busy over the coming months decorating then to use as pre-Christmas gifts for my mother and sisters.  If I get enough finished, my nieces may each receive one this year as well.

So here is the second of many

Contempo Christmas - 3

This is one of the standard size cards I made using Heather Summers' Contempo Christmas class to go.  I like the look of it using the current designer series paper Jolly Holiday, but I am going to make some using some of my retired papers as well.  In addition to the DSP this card features the Pear Pizzazz 1/2" Poly ribbon, the SU Ornament Punch and of course the Contempo Christmas stamp set.

Contempo Christmas - 2

Using the same stamp set and layout from Heather Summers' Contempo Christmas class I made another 3 x 3 card.  This time I used some retired DSP (designer series paper).  It is from a few years ago - Dashing.  This is one of the projects Judy and I will be doing this afternoon. 

The size is perfect for a gift tag.  I am thinking that I'll a bunch of them and package them up to use as little hostess or thank you gifts.

Supplies

Stamp Set - Contempo Christmas

Card Stock - Old Olive, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Dashing DSP (retired)

Ink - Old Olive, Real Red and Chocolate Chip Markers

Other - Half Back Pearls (nonSU)

Heather Summers - Simply July Thank You Day 5

On the final day of her July Thank You class Heather used my favourite Christmas stamp - Dasher!   The card design uses some sponging - a technique I really have to practice, but overall I think my card turned out well.  The greeting doesn't show up as well as I would like - I don't have any white embossing powder so used white craft ink and clear embossing powder.  I stamped Dasher with black craft ink and heat embossed him with clear embossing powder as well.

Supplies
Stamp Set - Dasher; Snow Swirled
Card Stock - Night of Navy; Whisper White
Ink - Night of Navy; Bashful Blue; Whisper White (Craft); Basic Black (Craft); Sahara Sand
Other - Clear Embossing Powder; Blender Pen; Sponge Daubers; Dimensionals; Top Note Die
Technique - Masking; Sponging; Heat Emossing

Heather Summers - Simply July Thank You Day 4

The project for day 4 of the Simply July Thank You class was a cute little mini scrapbook made from three Stampin' Up! envelopes adhered together.  I decided to do mine as a little recipe folder.  I had made recipe folders from envelopes in the past but they were a little more involved than this one.   All I had to do was adhere the three envelopes to each other and decorate!

This is the front - I used two epoxy brads and a bit of black hemp twine to make the closure.

This is the back - I just used a piece of basic black cardstock and DSP to coordinate with the inside of the folder.

This shows one of the "pouches" on the inside.  I punched out a little bit so the tab on the recipe card would be visible.

Supplies

Card Stock - Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Sweet Pea DSP (retired)

Other - Red Epoxy Brads (retired), Black Hemp Twine, Naturally Serif Alphabet

Thanks for stopping by.

Heather Summers - Simply July Thank You Day 3

On Day 3 of the July Simply Thank You class Heather featured the new stamp set Morning Cup.  Although I will soon own the set, at the time of the class I didn`t have it so I decided to use A Flower for All Seasons.  The technique for the class was to colour - not watercolour with all the lovely shading that I cannot do properly - just colour on watercolour paper using markers.  It is wonderful - the markers don`t leave any lines like they do when you colour an image on regular cardstock.

I think my card turned out pretty well.  I must say I really love the wide striped ribbon and I love threading the 1/8" taffeta ribbon through the buttons.  Easy way to make a bow!

Here is my card:

Supplies

Stamp Set - A Flower for all Seasons; Solid Stripes

Card Stock - Daffodil Delight; Basic Black; Old Olive; Watercolour Paper

Ink - Jet Black StazOn; Daffodil Delight; Various SU Markers; Signo White Gel Pen

Other - 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain ribbon (Basic Black); 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (Basic Black); Button (So Saffron); Stampin' Dimensionals

Heather Summers - Simply July Thank You Day 2

On the second day of her Simply July Thank You class Heather featured the Funky Four stamp set, Play Date DSP and a fun fold card.  I don't have Funky Four or Play Date but I thought perhaps the Tropical Party stamp set and Island Oasis DSP would make a fun card.

This what I came up with.  I haven't put a sentiment on it yet, but as soon as I find it I plan to use "Let the fun begin".

Supplies

Stamp Set - Tropical Party

Card Stock - Tempting Turquoise; Whisper White; So Saffron; Island Oasis DSP

Ink - Rose Red; Old Olive; Chocolate Chip; Various Markers

Other - Buttons; Rhinestone Circle Fire

Heather Summers - Simply July Thank You Day 1

As her thank you to those who purchased Stampin' Up! supplies or one of her classes during the month of July, Heather Summers has created a 5 day exclusive online class.  I was thrilled to receive an invitation to participate - if you are not familiar with Heather's work you really need to visit her blog HERE.  The 5 day class started on Sunday.  Although I don't have all of the supplies Heather used I am pleased with my card.  Heather used some of the new vintage trinkets and brads as well as the new crochet trim ribbon. 

The technique used for this card is know as One Sheet Wonder.  I randomly stamped a full 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of  Crumb Cake card stock with the various images from the Artistic Etchings stamp set.   That sheet of cardstock was then cut to the required sizes to assemble the card.

Supplies -
Stamp Set - Artistic Etchings
Card Stock - Crumb Cake; Always Artichoke; Elegant Eggplant
Ink - Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke; Elegant Eggplant
Other - Build a Brad; Kraft 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon (retired); Stampin' Dimensionals

Contempo Christmas

This year, before the new Stampin' Up! Catalogue was released I made a promise to myself that I would try not to buy any new Christmas Stamp sets.  I have quite a few - both Stampin' Up! and others - so at the time I felt I should not "invest" in anymore.  Well that was a very shortlived promise - fortunately I had promised to TRY not to buy any more - try being the operative word here.  Heather Summers posted on her blog that she was going to be doing a class in July using the new Contempo Christmas stamp set.  Although I don't live in Heather's city, she was also offering it as a class to go.  An added incentive was that Heather was offering a by invitation only online thank you class for anyone who purchased from her during the month of July.  So, of course,  I signed up for the class to go option.  My package arrived on Friday and I am so happy I got it.  The set includes an ornament stamp that coordinates perfectly with the SU ornament punch.  There is also a stylized christmas tree and two word stamps included in the set.  My kit included the supplies to make six different projects.  Five cards standard size cards one 3" x 3" card.  I plan to make several of these to use as tags on Christmas cards and to include with little gifts I give at the office.  I think I will make packages of the tags and use them as little gifts for my sisters, sisters-in-law, nieces, and friends. 

This is a photo of the 3 x 3 card using the supplies Heather provided with the class kit.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping in.

Marjorie

Happy Moments

I recently saw a card posted on Stampin' Connection (a resource for SU demonstrators) that I quite liked and although it uses some retired items I thought it would be a great project for Judy and I to do this week.  Fortunately the originator also posted her blog address so if you follow THIS LINK you will be able to see her creation. 

As I kept making the card I was constantly thinking how cute it would be using the new Aviary Stamp.  I was not sure whether I should order it or not, but now it is definitely on the ever growing wish list. 

On the original card, the bird was coloured pink and the cage was black - I tried it and was not happy with the way mine looked so I ended up just stamping them the same colour using Basic Gray.  In the background rather than using a flourish, I stamped one of the hearts from the I {Heart} Hearts set.   If I had the Aviary Set I would have been able to stamp the cage and bird separately.  I think I may make several of these without the greeting.  I could then just add a sentiment to suit the occasion.

Supplies
Stamp Set - Happy Moments (SAB 2010), I {Heart} Hearts
Card Stock - Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Wild Wasabi
Ink - Basic Gray, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red
Other - Stampin' Dimensionals, Rhinestone, Modern Label, Curly Label and Word Window Punches, Wild Wasabi stitched ribbon (retired)

Have a great day!

Fifth Avenue Flower

It has been a long time since I have used my Fifth Avenue Flower stamp set and the coordinating embossing folder (Manhattan Flower).  I saw a card Carrie Gaskin (Artistic Avenger) had posted last spring and decided that would be one of the projects for Judy and I to do this week.  Click HERE to see Carrie's card.

The card uses mostly retired products, but it could .easily be adapted to the current colour collections. 

Supplies

Stamp Set - Fifth Avenue Floral, On Your Birthday

Card Stock - Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Barely Banana (retired), Lavender Lace (retired)

Ink - Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana (retired), Lavender Lace (retired)

Other - Certainly Celery 5/8" satin ribbon, Manhattan Flower embossing folder, dimensionals, White Button from Button Latte (retired), embroidery floss