Progressive Card

In her blog post of March 23, Heather Summers demonstrated how to turn a little 3 x 3 card into a standard card size.  She issued a challenge for her readers to do the same.

For my cards I used the same stamp set as Heather but I didn't have the Bella Bleu DSP so had to change the colours to work with the paper I had on hand.

This is my 3 x 3 card

Here is my standard size card:

And now the two cards together.

Stamp Set - Vintage Vogue

Ink - Chocolate Chip

Card Stock - Bordering Blue; Chocolate Chip; Bella Birds DSP (retired)

Other - Eyelet Border Punch; So Saffron grosgrain ribbon (retired); nonSU half back pearls; sponge daubers

Heather Summers - Fundraiser

In February Heather Summers held a class that was also a fundraiser for the FoodBank in her city.  Although I do not live in Heather's city and I was going to be away, I signed up for the event and she mailed me everything I needed including the With All My Heart stamp set featured in the Occasions Mini Catalogue.  The kit included all of the card stock, DSP, ribbon, embellishments, envelopes and instructions needed to complete the four projects. 

To see the "flyer" Heather posted on her blog advertising the event (she used My Digital Studio to prepare it click HERE.  You can see the four projects.  Two cards (including envelopes), a set of four mini milk cartons (the Bigz die is in the Mini catalogue) and a small gift box.

So far I have only completed two of the projects (the cards).  I am going to have to make the time to get the 3D items done.  Here are my cards:

Catching Up

Although I have been doing my papercrafts, I have not been taking photos of my projects and posting them.  I am going to try to catch up on that over the next few posts.

While in Myrtle Beach, Judy and I did do a couple of projects. 

We made these cards, using the exact same layout and stamp set.  We just changed the ink and paper colours.  The image panels are raised up with dimensionals.  Both cards use the Scallop Trim border punch which is featured in the Sale-a-Bration brochure and will be available when the new Idea Book & Catalogue is released this summer. 

Hope you like them.

Stamp Set - Kind and Caring Thoughts (Level III Hostess Set)

Card on Left -

Card Stock - Pale Plum, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White

Ink - Pale Plum, Rich Razzleberry

Ribbon - Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot

Card on Right -

Card Stock - Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Whisper White

Ink - Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo

Ribbon - Melon Mambo Polka Dot

Stampin' Up! Watercolour Wonder Crayons

Myrtle Beach

I spent the month of February in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with Judy and her husband.  We had a beautiful condo and although I knew that it would be cool, we were totally unprepared for the snowstorm that hit just before Valentine's Day.   The snow did not stay for long, but I was able to snap a picture from my balcony.

This very simple MDS page shows the contrast between my view on February 3 and 13th.  Fortunately most of the snow had melted by early afternoon.

The Write Stuff

Before I went on vacation I had to make several birthday cards for family and friends.  I decided to make all of them following Andrea Walford's January class planner for demonstrators featuring Stampin Up's The Write Stuff Specialty Paper pack.  The package includes patterned papers as well as die cuts.  I made 12 cards and still have part of the package left.  I also used the Well Scripted stamp set from the Occasions Mini Catalogue.  I am loving the clear mount stamps.

I did not take photos of the cards I made, but here is a photo Andrea provided with the planner.

Andrea's planners for demonstrators are available HERE.  Individuals can purchase Andrea's classes from her HERE.

Have a great day!

My Sweet Pea and MDS

his is another page using My Digital Studio and elements from the My Sweet Pea download. 

My Sweet Pea DSP

These little cuties are my brother-in-law's other two grandchildren.  This page features the My Sweet Pea  digital download for MDS (My Digital Studio).

Another MDS Page

This page features three of my brother-in-law's grandchildren

My Digital Studio

As I have said in previous posts I am following Heather Summers' online class - Simply My Digital Studio - and am having a great time.

I created this page featuring two of my sister's grandchildren.  I used elements from the My Sweet Pea digital download. 

Pelicans

I have a fascination with pelicans and have some pictures of them that I decided to use while following Heather Summer's online MDS class.  Rather than selecting card stock or DSP from MDS I selected one of the photos for the background image.  I then added photo boxes, matted them, inserted the photos and then changed the photo boxes from squares to circles.  I added text and I was done.  MDS does not come loaded with fonts - it picks all the fonts that are already on your computer.

The previous two pages that I posted were sized at 12 x 12.  This one is 8 1/2 x 11 landscape.  My Digital Studio gives the choice of 5 sizes of pages (12 x 12; 8 1/2 x 11 portrait;  8 1/2 x 11 landscape; 8 x 8 and 5 x 5)

A Happy Heart

On one of the days Judy and I got together we did a little project in addition to talking about our upcoming trip to Myrtle Beach.  I had made several of these using the Eyelet Border punch but as soon as my new Scallop Trim Border punch arrived I knew we would have to give it a try.

Stamp Set - A Happy Heart

Ink - Rose Red

Card Stock - Pretty in Pink, Rose Red and Rose Red DSP

Other - Dimensionals, Scallop Trim Border punch, Filligree Brads (only the flower), Circle Fire Brads (pink), Rose Red 1" Double Stitched Ribbon

"Scrapping" My Projects

I have decided that even though I keep record of my paper crafts with photos and on ths blog, I am going to "scrap" them.  Again following the tips and tricks that Heather Summers provides in her online Simply My Digital Studio class, I have created a scrapbook page of one of my recent projects.  

Gift Card Holder

A third post today - I am in catch up mode.

One of the projects Judy and I did recently was a gift card holder that looks like a cute little beanie hat!  The photos show it closed and open (I forgot to put a gift card in but if fits in between the two half circles). 

Framed Decor Elements

As little Christmas gifts for my sisters I decorated some 5 x 7 shadow boxes that I bought at Michaels.  I used the small real red "Jingle all the Way" decor elements, some silver bells, iridescent basket filler and some quilt batting (not visible).  I was really thrilled the way they turned out.  When the sunshine hits the basket filler it shimmers.

The vinyl decor element is applied directly to outside of the glass; the other elements are contained behind the glass.

I also applied the Dasher decor element to frames and used one as a gift for my dad and another for myself.   I was not able to find a ready made mat that I liked to put behind the image so I ordered them.  The frame is 16 X 20.  The vinyl is applied to the outside of the glass.  Although tempted to add some clear rhinestone to the snowflakes around the antlers - I resisted and am so glad I did.  I love the simplicity just as it is. 

Build a Bear

I finally gave in to what I really wanted to do and ordered the Build a Bear die for the Big Shot.  My nephew's son celebrated his 3rd birthday earlier this month and this is the card I made for him.  I am so pleased with the way it turned out.

A Scrapbook Page!

This is a page I did in My Digital Studio celebrating the birth of my grandniece early in January.  I followed Heather Summer's instructions in her online Simply My Digital Studio class and it came together in minutes.  Just one photo was used.  The four small ones are identical to the focal image but the opacity on each of them has been changed.

My Digital Studio

 still have several projects that I have not shared yet -  I have the camera (and the memory card) but there has been so little sunshine lately that I have not been able to get the photos.  I do however have something to share.  I signed up for Heather Summers' online class Simply My Digital Studio and using her tips and tricks have put together a few projects. 

On the front of this greeting card I used punches, stitching (it is hard to see the white stitching on the pink background), embellishments, stamps and layering all in the My Digital Studio program!  The buttons were chosen from the embellishments available; the little parcels were "stamped".  The hearts are punches which were then filled with DSP.

I also decorated the inside of the card. 

I am still here

No I have not fallen off the face of the earth.  Last week Judy and I made cute little beanie gift card holders - I went to take a picture and can't remember where I put it.  I also have to take photos of a couple of projects I did using Decor Elements.  Hopefully later this week - now I have to find the camera!

Take care

Charming Box of Cards

In recent years it has become increasingly difficult to buy gifts for my mother-in-law.  She is a very healthy 87 year old lady who really does not need or want anything.  I had been buying her gift certificates for her favourite shopping malls only to find out recently that she forgets she has them and they are not being used.  For Christmas this year I have purchased a gift certificate to one of her favourite restaurants and have also made a box of 8 assorted greeting cards with envelopes.  The cards are identical except for the greetings.  All of those are from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set.  I packaged the cards in a clear acetate box and tied it with the wonderful Old Olive wide striped ribbon. 

I stamped the pale plum base card with the En Francais background stamp using pale plum classic ink.  I used the same stamp and ink on the whisper white image panel before stamping the floral image.   I coloured the floral image using my markers - Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry.  I also did a few rows of piercing to add a bit of visual interest.  On some of the cards I left the polka dot side of the ribbon showing and on the others I reversed it so the ribbon shows the solid colour.  I stamped the small butterfly image from the Charming stamp set in the bottom corner of the envelope as well as on the back flap.

This is one of the cards from the box:

The image panel and the greeting are raised up with dimensionals.   I left the inside of the card blank so there is plenty of room to write a personal note.

Recipe:

Stamps Sets - Charming, Teeny Tiny Wishes, French Script

Card Stock - Pale Plum, Old Olive, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Cottage Wall DSP

Ink - Pale Plum, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive

Other - Word Window Punch, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon, Dimensionals, Acetate Card Box

All products used are Stampin' Up! except for the acetate box.

Clock

I made another clock following the directions given by Heather Summers in her Simply Holidays 2009 online class.  This one is for my sister and I can show it now that I have given it to her (she peaks in on my blog so I couldn't post it before now).   She loved it!

Supplies used were posted HERE

Gift Card Holders

Yesterday Judy and I made some cute little gift card holders.  We followed the instructions from week 7 of Andrea Walford's 12 Weeks of Christmas.  Quite quick and easy but oh so cute!   We made one little change - Andrea had stamped the greeting right on the "cuff" of the stocking but we decided to make a little panel so the greeting would stand out a little more.

It is hard to see in the photo, but we used the Perfect Details texturz plate to add some detail to the stocking.

Recipe:
Stamp Set - Four the Holidays
Ink - Chocolate Chip
Card Stock - Real Red, Very Vanilla, Merry Moments DSP
Other - Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Vintage Brads, Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelet

Have a great day!

Monday's Projects

I got distracted and forgot to post the cards Judy and I made on Monday. 

I had posted this card before, but Monday was the first chance we had to make it together. 

Recipe:

Stamps - Snow Buddies (Level II Hostess), Winter Post
Card Stock - Real Red, Soft Suede, Whisper White
Ink - Real Red, Jet Black StazOn
Markers - Only Orange, Real Red, White Signo Gel Pen, Sakura Gelly Roll Pens (Stardust and Metallic Black)
Other - Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Paper Piercer, SU Mat Pack
 
We also did an easel card - similar to the one I had posted before, but I changed up the DSP a bit.  I am liking it a lot more than the previous card I had made.
 

 
Recipe:
Stamp Set - Christmas Punch (Level 2 Hostess); The More the Merrier (Level 3 Hostess)
Card Stock - Real Red; Old Olive; Merry Moments DSP
Ink - Jet Black StazOn; Real Red (craft and classic); various markers
Other - Wide Oval punch; dimensionals; 5/8" Real Red grosgrain ribbon; clear embossing powder; glitter glue

The third card we did was one I had seenn on Sandi McIver's blog.  She had posted THIS CARD and later posted a tutorial which I purchased.  On her card Sandi had "whacked" her Finial Post embossing folder.  I was tempted to do so as well, but finally decided not to.  Instead of embossing the Real Red card stock we gave it a quick spray with a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and Frost White shimmer paint.  A very pretty effect with no scissors involved!  You can't really see the beautiful shimmer on the card stock in the photo, but rest assured it is very pretty in real life.

Recipe:
Stamp Sets - Leaf Lines, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Card Stock - Real Red, Old Olive, Shimmery White
Ink - Real Red, Old Olive, Encore Gold
Other - Gold Embossing Powder, Orament Punch, Mistletoe Ribbon (Holiday Mini), Glitter Glue,  Mini Glue Dots, dimensionals
 
Have a great day! 

Easel Card

I decided to try another easel card - this time with a Christmas theme.   Overall, I am quite pleased with the way it turned out and I plan to make more (it will be one of the projects we do at Judy`s tomorrow).  I am changing some of the DSP though.  A little bit too much green for me on this one.  Maybe I should have used the pine bough paper on the 'platform' of the card instead of repeating the olive green snowflake pattern.   For the ones we do tomorrow, I plan to use the striped paper from the Merry Moments package instead of the pine boughs.  In addition, we will use the striped design on the `platform`. 

Recipe:

Stamp Set - Christmas Punch (Level 2 Hostess); The More the Merrier (Level 3 Hostess)

Card Stock - Real Red; Old Olive; Merry Moments DSP

Ink - Jet Black StazOn; Real Red (craft and classic);  various markers

Other - Wide Oval punch; dimensionals; 5/8" Real Red grosgrain ribbon; clear embossing powder; glitter glue

Thanks for stopping by.

More Christmas Cards - Part 2

The camera battery is charged so I was able to get pictures of the rest of the cards Judy and I made on Monday.   These are the other two cards from Heather Summers' group of three.  All of the stamps, card stock, etc. are the same as posted on Monday.  Hope you like them.

More Christmas Cards

Judy and I got together on Friday as well as yesterday to make some more cards.  On Friday, we only made one card instead of the usual three because I had brought my laptop to give her an overview of My Digital Studio.

On Friday we had intended to do all three of the cards Heather Summers had posted HERE.  I really liked that there were three cards that were basically the same but a little bit different.  The dimensions of each the card stock layers for all three cards is identical.  The same stamp set is used for all three cards.  Different embellishments are used on Heather's samples.  We used nonSU snowflake brads in their place.

Here is the card we did on Friday

                                                           

Recipe:

Stamps - Snow Buddies (Level II Hostess Set - Holidy Mini); Teeny Tiny Wishes

Card Stock - Soft Suede, Bravo Burgundy, Creamy Caramel, Very Vanilla

Ink - Soft Suede, Creamy Caramel, Timber Brown StazOn (non SU)

Markers - Pumpkin Pie, Creamy Caramel, Bravo Burgundy

Other - Snowflake Brad (non SU), Scallop Border Punch, Modern Label Punch, Dimensionals

Yesterday we made the other two cards from Heather's group of three.  I will post pictures later in the week - I have to charge the battery in the camera first.  In the meantime, the third card we did yesterday was one we had seen on Patty Bennett's blog HERE.   I had made a sample on Sunday so did get a picture.

We made one change - instead of using the red gingham ribbon that Patty used, we used 1/4" Whisper White grosgrain.  What a lovely way to showcase the beautiful flocked paper from the Christmas Cocoa Specialty paper pack.

Recipe:

Stamps - Grateful Greetings

Card Stock - Whisper White, Real Red, Soft Suede, Christmas Cocoa Specialty DSP

Ink - Soft Suede

Other - Ornament Punch, Dimensionals

Have a great day!

Using the layout from one of the cards in Heather Summers' fundraiser kit, I made this card.  Just changing the DSP and the stamp set makes the card look quite different.

My friend Debbie does not live near me and she wants to do more stamping but it is difficult to get together.  Hopefully we will be able to arraange something soon.  I prepared a kit for her and am mailing it to her.  She will have all the card stock, ribbon, DSP already cut to size to make two of these cards.  I also stamped and coloured the snowman image.   She will just have to assemble her cards.  I think she will enjoy it and I am pretty sure she has some stamps at home that she could use with this layout.  I haven't told her this will be coming - I think she will be pleasantly surprised.

Recipe:

Stamps - Snow Buddies (Level II Hostess),  Winter Post

Card Stock - Real Red, Soft Suede, Whisper White

Ink - Real Red, Jet Black StazOn

Markers - Only Orange, Real Red, White Signo Gel Pen, Sakura Gelly Roll Pens (Stardust and Metallic Black)

Other - Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Paper Piercer, SU Mat Pack

Fundraiser - Heather Summers - more cards

Here are two more of the projects from Heather's fundraiser.

As I said in a previous post, all of the projecs in the kit featured the Four the Holidays stamp set and the Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper pack.

This first card showcases the metallic snowflake in the Christmas Cocoa papers.  It also uses the Petals a Plenty embossing folder.

Recipe:

Card Stock - Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Christmas Cocoa DSP

Ink - Chocolate Chip

Stamps - Four the Holidays

Other - Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder

This card uses the very popular Dasher Stamp and the flocked paper in the Christmas Cocoa pack.

Recipe:

Card Stock - Real Red, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Christmas Cocoa DSP

Ink - Soft Suede

Stamps - Dasher

Other - 5/8" real red grosgrain ribbon

Swap Cards

I am participating in another swap.  I chose 2 spots.  For one spot the theme was Thinking of  You and the second spot is Thanks.  This time the swap was for full cards with envelopes rather than the usual mountable card fronts.  The idea is to get a selection of cards that could potentially be packaged up for gift giving.

For the first card, I used the one sheet wonder technique.  I stamped the images from Fifth Avenue Floral randomly using Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa and Creamy Caramel classic inks on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of shimmery white cardstock.  I then used my paper trimmer to cut out panels of the desired size.  There is a whisper white panel on the inside of the card and it has also been stamped with some of the floral images.  I think that although it is a very simple card, it is quite pretty.  I hope the other participants in the swap think so too.

Recipe:

Stamps - Thank you Kindly, Fifth Avenue Floral

Card Stock - Shimmery White, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White

Ink - Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel

Other - 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch

The second card uses the Medallion background stamp.  For this card, instead of using Shimmery White card stock I chose to mix some isopropyl alcohol with Frost White shimmer paint to make my own "shimmer mist".  After inking up the stamp with Bermuda Bay I used my sponge dauber to dab Night of Navy on the edges and around the centre circle.  I then stamped the medallion from the Charming stamp set, punched out a 1/2" circle and mounted that on a Build a Brad.  I then placed it in the centre the the stamped medallion.  When assembled, I spritzed the whole card with the "shimmer mist".

Recipe:

Stamps - Medallion, Charming,  Kind and Caring Thoughts
Card Stock - Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Not Quite Navy
Ink - Bermuda Bay, Not Quite Navy
Other - Build a Brad, Frost White Shimmer Paint and Isopropyl Alchohol

Fundraiser - Heather Summers

On October 24, Heather Summers hosted a fundraiser in honour of her father to raise funds for GI Cancer Research.  Although I do not live in her city, I was able to register for the fundraiser and I received all of the supplies needed in the mail.  I have not done all of the projects yet, but here are a few of the ones I have done.  Each kit had the materiels to make 2 each of five projects.  All of the projects featured the Four the Holidays stamp set and Christmas Cocoa Specialty Papers.

This project used the Two Tags Die, Serene Snowflakes and Four the Holidays stamp sets.

This one uses the Sparkly and Bright Stamp set as well as Four the Holidays.

Watercolour Roses

Several months ago Patty Bennett posted some wonderful cards featuring a "watercolour roses" technique.  She also posted a video tutorial that you can find HERE.   I had tried it a couple of times but was not very happy with my results.  Not one to give up, I recently tried the technique again with greater success. 

I decided that I would make a birthday card for my mother-in-law using the roses I made.  I probably should have more white on the card base so the roses would show up more, but overall I am very pleased with the card.  Hope you like it too!

The roses were stamped on Shimmery White Card Stock, the base card and the Whisper White Top note panel were sprayed with a mist made from rubbing alcohol and Frost White Shimmer paint.  The effect IRL is very pretty.  I used my old olive marker to draw in the lines on the leaves.

Recipe:

Stamp Set - Fifth Avenue Floral

Card Stock - Whisper White, Shimmery White, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose

Ink - Rose Red, Summer Sun, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White Craft

Other - White Embossing Powder, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Top Note Die for the Big Shot, Stampin Dimensionals

Easel Card

I have been wanting to try one of the easel cards that have been so popular these last few weeks.  I need a card for a friend's upcoming birthday so decided that now was the time to take on the challenge.  They are really not very hard to make and can be adapted easily to whatever card size you want.  I decided to do a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 card.  All products are Stampin Up except for the ribbon.

Here is my card

Recipe:

Stamp Set - Fresh Cuts, Sincere Salutations

Card Stock - Old Olive, Whisper White,  Rich Razzleberry, Cottage Wall DSP

Ink - Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry

Other - Stampin Dimensionals, Ribbon (nonSU)

Punched Turkey

Although Judy and I did not get together on Monday, I did spend the afternoon in my craft room with my stamps, ink and paper.

One of the cards I made is this one that I have sent to friends in Florida. I had seen a turkey made with punches one day while blog surfing - it was actually decorating a Hershey Nuggett chocolate. The head was attached to one end of the nugget and the tail to the opposite end. I decided to make it into a card. The layout is one I saw on Splitcoast Stampers. I wish I had bookmarked both, but unfortunately I cannot remember to whom I should be giving credit.

Hope you like it!

Recipe:

Card Stock - Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, More Mustard, Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie, Patterns Pack DSP

Ink - Close to Cocoa

Other - 1 inch circle, Scallop circle, Boho Blossoms, Dimensionals, Nestabilities, googly eyes

Lest We Forget

Thank you to all the brave men and women who serve our country - now and in the past.

Tool Time

My Dad's birthday is coming up in December and I wanted to make a card featuring tools. My mother has bought him a power saw and my sisters and I are giving him a "saw table". I don't have the stamp set featuring tools, but I had signed up for Heather Summer's Simply Punches online classes and I remembered that one of the projects featured tools made with punches. So here is my version. I love how the birthday greeting from Teenie Tiny Wishes fits perfectly on the head of the hammer!



Recipe:
Stamp Set - Teenie Tiny Wishes
Card Stock - Real Red, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Creamy Caramel, More Mustard
Ink - Basic Black
Other - Vintage Brads, Punches - Key Tag (retired), Word Window, My Way, 1 3/8 Circle, 3/4 circle, 7/8 square (nonSU)

Have a great day!

Stamp Day with Judy

Yesterday afternoon Judy and I had our weekly get together to chat, catch up with each other and stamp a few cards. I had posted these cards previously - but these ones are a tiny bit different.

I had previously posted a photo of this card (Andrea Walford's 12 Weeks of Christmas). Neither of us has Serene Snowflakes which is what Andrea used, so we substituted the retired Snowflake Spot. We used nonSU embossing powder on both - this one uses Snowflake, the earlier one used Northern Lights.

Recipe:
Stamp Set - Snowflake Spot (retired)
Card Stock - Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Christmas Cocoa Specialty DSP
Ink - Soft Suede, Versamark
Other - Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Embossing Powder

Don't you just love the Medallion Stamp. Yesterday we made this card using Bermuda Bay and Not Quite Navy inks. Although it does not really show in the photo, we also used the homemade 'shimmer spray' to add some sparkle. We don't have the Pretties Kit so used a nonSU half pearl in the centre of the medallion.

Recipe:
Stamp Sets - Medallion, Sincere Salutations
Card Stock - Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Bermuda Bay
Ink - Bermuda Bay, Not Quite Navy
Other - 'shimmer spray' (made with isopropyl alcohol and Frost White shimmer paint), half pearl.


Now another Dasher card. I love that stamp. This photo does not show it, but after inking the stamp with Chocolate Chip we sponged a bit of Champagne Mist shimmer paint on the antlers.
The image panel (including the Baja Breeze layer) is popped up on dimensionals. This card is also from Andrea Walford's 12 weeks of Christmas.


Recipe:
Stamp Set - Dasher, Warm Words
Card Stock - Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Riding Hood Red (retired), Baja Breeze (retired), Holiday Treasures DSP (retired)
Ink - Chocolate Chip
Other - Champagne Mist shimmer paint, dimensionals


Have a great day!