Christmas in May?

Last December Heather Summers posted a picture of a 3D Advent Calendar she had received from a friend.  I located a supplier for the actual calendar - Karen Foster 3D Countdown Calendar - and ordered some.  Unfortunately, due to unforseen circumstances I only received them a few weeks ago.  Although Judy and I will be making them together - I couldn't help myself and have made one of mine already.  I had ordered 3.  I want to give one to my mother and keep one for myself so I ordered 2 for me and 1 for Judy.

I love how it turned out and am so looking forward to making the second one.  I am thinking they would make a great gift so I may order some more.

Here it is - I used the same Stampin' Up! Simply Scrappin' Kit as Heather's friend.  I also used a few little bits from the I Wish Simply Scrappin' Kit.  The numbers are stickers that were included with the calendar.  Each of the little drawers will hold a little treat - I tried it and I know they will hold a Lindor Truffle!

Supplies (all SU exept 3D Countdown Calendar)

Card Stock - Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit, I Wish Simply Scrappin' Kit

Other - Karen Foster 3D Countdown Calendar, Read Red Brads, Circle Fire Brads, Filigree Brads, Silver Brads, Read Red and Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Real Red Double stitched ribbon, Real Red Epoxy Brad, Real Red Corduroy Buttons, Playground Designer Buttons

Awash with Flowers

I really can't get enough of this stamp set.  It is so very versatile!  I saw THIS card and knew that I would have to CASE it.  I also knew that it's clean and simple style would be easily adaptable to many occasions and that it would be a perfect project for Judy and I to do together.

I am pleased with how my cards turned out - I will however place the two brads a little closer together when I make more - and I will make more!  I will also be making some without the brads.  I plan to make several of the image panels and emboss the card bases but not finish them until needed.  I'll add the sentiment and then finish the assembly of the card.  The image panel is adhered to the card with dimensionals.

I made a Get Well Card - the base card is embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  The sentiment is stamped with one of the sentiments from Curvy Verses.

I also made a Sympathy card - I am so pleased with it.  Clean and Simple.  The base card was embossed with Stampin' Up!'s new Square Lattice embossing folder from the Summer Mini catalogue that came into effect on May 1.  The sentiment is from Close as a Memory.

Supplies
Stamp Set - Awash with Flowers, Curvy Verses, Close as a Memory
Card Stock - Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink - Basic Black, Summer Sun and Certainly Celery Markers
Other - SU Embossing Folders - Perfect Polka Dots, Square Lattice, Basic Black brads, dimensionals

Makeover Monday - Awash with Flowers - Almost Amethyst (version 2)

I have said it before and I will say it again - I love this stamp set!  I had previously posted a card I had made using Almost Amethyst card stock and the Awash with Flowers stamp set.  I was happy with the card, but kept thinking there was something missing.  You can see that card HERE.

I decided to remake it a little bit.  In this version I added a black layer behind the image panel and left off the ribbon.  I am so pleased with it!  I think it showcases the images without the distraction of the ribbon.

Supplies
Stamp Set - Awash with Flowers, Heard from the Heart
Card Stock - Almost Amethyst, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink - Basic Black, Apricot Appeal, Pretty in Pink, Almost Amethyst, Certainly Celery

Happy Mother's Day!

This is one of the cards I made for Mother's Day - I decided this one would be for my mother-in-law.  She really likes birds and has her garden planted to attract butterflies so I thought it would be great for her.

Supplies

Stamp Set - Well Scripted

Card Stock - Rose Red, Whisper White, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, Sweet Pea DSP

Ink - Rose Red

Other - Circle Scissors, 2 Step Bird Punch, Pretty in Pink 5/8" satin ribbon

This is the card I have decided to give to my mother.  When I added the crystal effects to the letters the Chocolate Chip ink ran a little, but I like the look of it.  The Fleurette I used looked like it had two layers - I used my Pretty in Pink marker to add a little colour to the inside "layer" and used one of the pink epoxy brads in the centre. 

Supplies

Stamp Set - Messages for Mom

Card Stock - Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Sending Love Specialty Designer Paper

Ink - Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink Marker

Other - Scallop Trim Border Punch, Full Heart Punch, Scalloped Heart of Heart Embosslit, Fleurette, Pretty in Pink Epoxy Brad, Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon

Video - Faux Suede

Note Pad Portfolio

Last summer Patty Bennett posted a tutorial on her blog showing how to convert Stampin' Up!'s Thoroughly Modern File Folders into portfolios to hold 5" x 8" mini legal pads.  You can see Patty's tutorial HERE.  Judy and I had both ordered the file folders but neither of us had done anything with them.  We decided that the portfolios would be one of our projects for this week.

The only change we made was to use craft magnets for the closure rather than the velcro that Patty used.

This is the portfolio closed

Here is a view of the inside

Supplies
Thoroughly Modern File Folders
5 x 8 Mini Legal Note Pad (we got ours at Staples); Craft Magnet or Velcro; Sticky Strip; SNAIL
Tools - Paper Cutter, Scoring Tool

We also made two cards this week - both of which I had previously posted.  You can them  HERE and HERE.

Watch the video to see Stampin' Up!'s Carrie and Shannon talk about some of the exciting new products in the summer mini catalogue.

Video - Shimmer Paint

Makeover Monday

Andrea Walford recently introduced her Makeover Monday.  She will take a card she has seen in a magazine or on the internet and then make it over using Stampin' Up! products.  I decided to give it a try when I saw THIS CARD on Nicole Heady's blog.

Here is my card -

Supplies:

Stamp Sets - God's Beauty, Sweet Little Sentiments

Card Stock - Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Thoroughly Modern DSP

Other - Veryy Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Ovals die for the Big Shot, Dimensionals.

Fundraiser - Parkinson's (Final Card)

This is the last of the six cards from the fundraiser for the Parkinson's Foundation hosted by Marlayne Hardy in April.  You can visit Marlayne's blog by clicking HERE.

The tulips are made with the wing from the 2 Step Bird punch.  The 'vase' is made from the Ornnament punch.
Stamp Set - En Francais, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Card Stock - Almost Amethyst, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink - Old Olive
Other - XL 2 Step Bird Punch, Ornament Punch, Small Oval Punch, Scallop Square Die for the Big Shot, Perfect Polka embossing folder, sponge daubers

Heather Summers' Simply Sunday Sketch Challenge #11

You can see the details of Heather Summers' Simply Sunday Sketch Challenge by clicking  HERE.  It is quite a fun sketch with a lot of possibilities for interpretation.  Here is the sketch

This is my take on the sketch. 

I knew I wanted to use some of the Sending Love DSP, but most of it got covered by the Top Note die. Overall though I am very pleased with the card and now have a baby girl card ready when I need it in July. I think I may make one using Bashful Blue so that I have a baby boy card on hand - I think perhaps I will do it as a square card so more of the DSP shows.

Supplies

Stamp Set - Something Sweet, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Card Stock - Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Sending Love DSP

Ink - Pretty in Pink

Others - Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Sweet Treats cups, Pretty in Pink Brads, Top Note Die, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Dimensionals, Designer Buttons - Sherbet and Button Latte

Fundraiser - Parkinson's

This is the fifth of the cards I made from the kit I received from Marlayne Hardy.

Stamp Sets - Oval All, Butterfly Accent (no longer available)
Card Stock - Barely Banana, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla
Ink - Barely Banana, Certainly Celery
Other - Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Barely Banana Brads, Eyelet border punch, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, dimensionals

Fundraiser - Parkinson's

This is the fourth of the six cards from Marlayne Hardy's fundraiser.

Stamp Set - Butterfly Accent (retired), Whimsical Words (SAB), Dot, Dot (Retired)

Card Stock - Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Ink - Melon Mambo (should have been Regal Rose), Chocolate Chip

Other - Beautiful Wings Embosslit

Fundraiser - Parkinson's

Another card from Marlayne Hardy's fundraiser in support of the Parkinson's Foundation.  I had to make a few changes because I did not have the Pretty Petals background stamp.  The colours used here are the ones that inspired me for my colour choices last Sunday for Heather's sketch challenge.

I inked up the Very Vintage wheel with Rich Razzleberry and rolled it onto the strip of Rich Razzleberry card stock before adhering it to the Crushed Curry base card.  I also ran the wheel (inked with Rich Razzleberry) over a piece of Crushed Curry CS before putting it through the Big Shot with the Beautiful Wings embosslit.  The kit I received included the scallop circle already cut out.  I ran it through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  I then sponged the edges with Crushed Curry and then a bit of Rich Razzleberry.

Stamp Set - Sincere Salutations, Butterfly Accent (today is the last day this one is available), Very Vintage Jumbo wheel (last day for this one as well)
Ink - Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry
Card Stock - Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla
Other - Scallop Circle #2 die for the Big Shot, Sponge Daubers, Beautiful Wings embosslit, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

Fundraiser - Parkinson's

This is the second of the six cards from Marlayne Hardy's fundraiser for the Parkinson's fundraiser.

Stamp Set - Awash With Flowers, Oval All

Card Stock - Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip

Ink - Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive

Other - Dimensionals, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch

Fundraiser - Parkinson's

I recently participated in a fundraiser for the Parkinson's Foundation hosted by a local Stampin' Up! demonstrator - Marlayne Hardy.  The event was held on Saturday, April 17.  For more information you can see Marlayne's blog post HERE.  Although I did not attend the event, Marlayne graciously prepared a "Kit to Go" and mailed it to me.  She provided all of the card stock (cut to size) and envelopes.  She also sent me a pdf with photos of all of the cards - 6 in all - that included the supplies, stamp sets and directions for each of the cards.  The kit also included the Butterfly Accent stamp from the Occasions mini catalogue.

In some cases I didn`t have the stamp sets Marlayne used, but I feel my substitutions worked out very well. 

So here is the first of the 6 cards I made.

You rarely (if ever) see Melon Mambo or Bermuda Bay on my cards.  Well here they are together - with a bit of Crushed Curry!  Talk about wandering way outside your comfort zone!

Marlayne`s sample card used the stamp set Garden Whimsy which I don`t own.  I do however have Terrific Tulips (retired) and I find it worked out very well.  For the butterfly I used Flight of the Butterfly and the coordinating punch.  I used the `Kissing" technique on the butterfly.

Supplies

Stamp Sets - Flight of the Butterfly, Terrific Tulips (retired)

Card Stock - Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White

Ink - Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Basic Black

Other - Dimensionals, Butterfly Punch

Sweet Pea Stitched Felt and Designer Series Paper Stack

Stampin' Up! has announced that both the Sweet Pea Stitched Felt and Designer Series Paper Stack are sold out.  The OnBoard Heart Book is also no longer available.

Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper

It's too bad the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Stack retires on April 30.  There are lots of choices and it coordinates with so many of the Stampin' Up! colours.  Unfortunately some of those are colours that will be retiring with the current catalogue so we know for sure that Sweet Pea will be gone forever.

Although there are lots of designs to choose from, there are some that I don't think I would choose if they were sold separately.  However, I have been setting myself a challenge to use colours and patterns that are outside my comfort zone.  I did just that for these two cards.  I ending up liking them so well that I decided they would be the project for Judy and I to make this week.  

Supplies

Stamp Set – Birthday Bliss
Designer Series Paper – Sweet Pea
Card Stock – Rose Red, Whisper White
Ink – Chocolate Chip
Markers – Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun
Punches – 1 ½” and 1 ¾” circle punches (could use scallop circle punch in place of 1 ¾”)
Ribbon – Rose Red ¼” grosgrain
Other – Dimensionals, , Blender Pen, Stardust pen (nonSU)

I used ribbon and a knot on this card - but it would look great with no knot and perhaps a couple of brads or jumbo eyelets. 

Supplies
Stamp Set – Birthday Bliss
Designer Series Paper – Sweet Pea
Card Stock – Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink – Chocolate Chip
Markers – Taken with Teal, Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun
Punches – 1 ½” and 1 ¾” circle punches (could use scallop circle punch in place of 1 ¾”)
Ribbon – Chocolate Chip 5/8” grosgrain
Other – Dimensionals, Blender Pen, Stardust pen (nonSU)

Two Step Bird Punch

In the soon to expire Occasions Mini Catalogue (April 30 is the last day) there is a new punch - the Two Step Bird - that initially I did not order. I did however give in (no one had to twist my arm) and bought it. It sat on my table in it's bag for a long time before I pulled it out. One of the reasons I bought it was because I had seen several stampers using it - not for the bird - but to use the wing to make tulips. They are so cute. I haven't tried that yet, but it is on my ever increasing list of things to make.  Good news is that this punch, along with the other punches in the Occasions Mini will carryover to the new catalogue that will be in effect on July 1.

The punch consists of the bird's body, a wing and a branch. While visiting some of my favourite blogs recently I came across THIS CARD and decided to give it a try. I did try it with a different colour combination, but didn't like it so went back to the original. I made several of the cards - on some I used the white satin ribbon and the others the blue. I love them both.

All supplies used are Stampin' Up. The Sweet Pea designer series paper (wing) are only available until April 30.  The Polka Dot embossing folder is also in the Occasions Mini so it will not be available after the end of this month (but like the bird punch it will be in the new catalogue). 

Stamp Set - Heard from the Heart
Card Stock - Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Sweet Pea DSP
Ink - Bashful Blue
Other - Extra Large Two Step Bird Punch, Top Note Die for the Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots textured impressions folder, Dimensionals, two way glue pen, Whisper White satin ribbon, Bashful Blue satin ribbon

Heather Summers' Simply Sunday Sketch Challenge #10

It is Sunday and Heather has posted her weekly Sketch Challenge - week 10!  Where does the time go.  You can click HERE to go to Heather`s blog to check out the details.  Here is a picture of this week`s sketch.

My card follows the sketch fairly closely - I rotated the card and used one less layer.  Again this week I used a colour combination I am not completely comfortable with.  Although I have used Crushed Curry - it is usually only as an accent on cards so I decided to use it for my base card.  I inked up my Very Vintage jumbo wheel (in the Occasions Mini, so only available until April 30) with Crushed Curry ink and rolled it onto the front of the card.  I used the Ticket Corner punch on two corners of the Rich Razzleberry layer.  Punched a hole in that with the Crop-a-dile and attached a jumbo grommet.   At first I was going to attach the crushed curry ribbon with a glue dot, but didn't want to take the chance that it would fall off.  I threaded both ends of the ribbon through the jumbo eyelet and then before tugging it all the way through, I inserted a toothpick in the loop at the back to secure it.  I knew I was going to raise the panel up with dimensionals so I wasn`t worried about the thickness of it.  It turned out great!

I hadn`t yet put the Upsy Daisy stamp set away, so I decided to use that.  I stamped the image once in Crushed Curry and once in Rich Razzleberry.  When doing the sentiment, I decided I would use the card for a good friend who is retiring this week.  The colours remind me of pansies and she loves pansies.  I had hoped to make some of the pansies using the butterfly punch, but have not yet been very successful with that.  I am quite happy with the card and I am sure she will be too!

Supplies:

Stamp Set - Upsy Daisy, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel

Card Stock - Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla

Ink - Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry

Other - Jumbo Eyelet - antique brass, Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch

Video - Kissing Technique (not what you're thinking!)

Upsy Daisy

I haven't had this stamp set out for quite a while which is a shame.  It is quite a versatile set.  It can be used on cards for very happy occasions, but the image would still be appropriate on a sympathy or get well card.

There were many cards very similar to this posted on Stampin' Connection.  I don't have a link to show the original, but thank you so much to Laura Barto and Glenda Travelstead. 

This is the card that Judy and I made this week (with the matching envelope)

Stamp Set - Upsy Daisy

Card Stock - Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Whisper White

Ink - Perfect Plum

Other - Scallop Trim Border Punch, Whisper White Organza Ribbon

Awash With Flowers - Almost Amethyst

I can't seem to get enough of this stamp set.  When I first saw it I didn't really like it very much, but the more I looked at it the more I knew I had to have it.

I saw a card posted on Stampin' Connection - a resource just for Stampin' Up! demonstrators to display their work and to discuss technique, opinions, concerns, etc. with other demonstrators.  I had seen several samples using Awash With Flowers, but this one really appealed to me.  You can see the original by linking HERE.  The only thing I changed was the ribbon - I chose to use Whisper White organza rather than the black and white gingham in the original.

Hope you like it

Stamp Set - Awash With Flowers, Well Scripted
Card Stock - Almost Amethyst, Whisper White
Ink - Pretty in Pink, Almost Amethyst, Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery, Basic Black
Other - Whisper White Organza Ribbon

Build a Bear

I am really enjoying the Build a Bear die for the Big Shot.  One of the Stampin' Up! retiring colours is Close to Cocoa - the perfect colour for a bear so I am going to have to stock up on that.

I had made one of these cards for one my grand nephews who turned 3 in January.  Another of my grand nephews turned 3 this month so I made another one - I just changed the colours of the 'clothes'.  I think they are just perfect for the little guys.  Hope you like them.

Stamp Sets - Birthday Whimsy (retired), Starring You

Ink - Basic Black, Crushed Curry, Close to Cocoa (for sponging edges)

Card Stock - Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Always Artichoke, Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Manchester DSP (retired), Kraft

Other - Dimensionals, Linen Thread

Stamp Sets - Birthday Whimsy (retired), Starring You
Ink - Basic Black, Crushed Curry, Whisper White craft (for sponging edges)
Card Stock - Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, not Quite Navy, Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Welcome Neighbour DSP (SAB)
Other - Build a Bear die, Beary Essentials die, Beary Boy sizzlit die, Big Shot, Dimensionals, Linen Thread, 1 1/2" Circle Punch

Beautiful Wings

I wanted to make a birthday for my grand niece - she will be four in June - and I knew that I wanted to have butterflies on it.  I had been struggling making her card using Flight of the Butterfly and the coordinating punch.  It was just not working for me.

I saw THIS card and knew it was just what I wanted.  I put the other card, stamp set and punch to the side and started over.

This is my card.  I still have not put a greeting - I may just leave that for the inside of the card.  I quite like it just the way it is.  I plan to put some of the smaller butterflies that I cut cut on the inside of the card so that when she opens it they will flutter out.

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

Welcome Neighbour DSP pad (SAB)

Other - Melon Mambo Polka Dot ribbon, Clear Rhinestone Circle brads, Flower brad, dimensionals, mini glue dots

Tools - Beautiful Wings Embosslit (I hope this makes it to the new catalogue), Perfect Polka Dots testured Impressions Folder

Cheers to You

We have had a number of family birthdays recently so I have been making a lot of cards.  This is the one I made for one of my nephews.  As usual it is not my own design.   I saw THIS CARD and really liked it.  I knew I had the Jackpot DSP and had used very little of it so this was an opportunity to use more of it. 

Stamp Set - Cheers to You
Card Stock - Real Red, So Saffron, More Mustard, Jackpot DSP
Ink - Real Red, Jet Black StazOn, More Mustard marker
Other - Crystal Effects, Liquid Appliqué (nonSU), Real Red ribbon, Mini Library Clip, Vintage Brads, Dimensionals

Video - Creating Texture with the Big Shot

Heather's Sunday Sketch #9 - Card 2!

Can you believe it?  I made a second card loosely following Heather's challenge today and again I used colours I am not totally comfortable with.  I had seen a card HERE quite some time ago and although I liked the layout, I wasn't sure about the colours.  I had all of the card stock, DSP and ribbon but never did get around to making the card.  Heather's layout for today's challenge reminded me of that card, so I figured I might as well give it a try.  I already had the Only Orange and Chocolate Chip card stock out.  I pulled out the Sweet Always DSP (retired) as well as  Regal Rose and Pink Pirouette card stock. 

The challenges are helping me stock up on cards - I have been making a lot of birthday cards.   There are a lot of family birthdays over the coming months so it's great to get them done.

Stamp Sets - Crazy for Cupcakes, Teeny Tiny Wishes, So Many Scallops (retired)
Card Stock - Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, Only Orange, Sweet Always DSP (retired)
Ink - Basic Black, Chocolate Chip
Markers - Real Red, Close to Cocoa, Regal Rose
Other - Regal Rose ribbon, dimensionals, Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Border punch

Heather Summers' Simply Sunday Sketch Challenge #9

This week when Heather posted her Simply Sunday Sketch Challenge she combined it with a colour challenge AND a challenge to use a punch to make a border.

The colour challenge was just that for me - a challenge.  Two of the colours are ones I am sure I have never used.  At first I decided that I would only do the sketch challenge but then I realized that I needed to get out of my comfort zone so I pulled out those colours and started working.

Here is Heather's sketch - you can see how she has used the Curly Label punch to create a border.

This is the colour challenge - use Chocolate Chip, Only Orange and Tempting Turquoise.

I had been making another card using Cheers to You and decided to use it while it was still out.  I went through my paper stash and found the retired Bali Breeze DSP which I thought would go will with the tropical look of the stamps I decided to use.  The colours suggested to coordinate with it include Taken with Teal and Pumpkin Pie - close to the challenge colours but not the same.  I decided to use it anyway.  The print I chose to use is pretty small so I think it worked out pretty well.

I think I met the challenge(s) - what do you think?  I changed the orientation and the placement of the ribbon but I think I stayed pretty close to the layout.  It was a lot of fun and it is great to be challenged to use colours I would not normally reach for.   I used the Round Tab punch to make my scalloped border.

Stamp Set - Cheers to You
Card Stock - Tempting Turquoise, Only Orange, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White,
Bali Breeze DSP (retired)
Ink - Tempting Turquoise, Jet Black StazOn,
Markers - Only Orange, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Old Olive, Blush Blossom
Other - Crystal Effects, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/2" circle punch, Round Tab punch, dimensionals,
Chocolate Chip Polytwill ribbon (retired), Library Clip (1/2")

Awash with Flowers

One of the last projects Heather Summers presented for the Simply Stamping online class demonstrated a different technique for tying a bow to embellish the front of a card.  I loved the whole card, but I didn't have the stamp set (Chic Boutique) nor did I have the bead duo she used.

I wanted to try the bow and the Awash with Flowers stamp set was still on my table so that is what I used for this card.  I used some of the chunky glitter on the flowers.  I haven't put a greeting on it yet - I don't think there is enough room on the front.

I also tried the "Rock and Roll" technique for the first time.  Not too bad!  I only inked the stamp up once but stamped it three times.

So here it is.

Stamp Set - Awash with Flowers

Ink - Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Certainly Celery

Card Stock - Whisper White, Melon Mambo

Other - Melon Mambo Polka Dot ribbon, chunky glitter, dimensionals, scallop corner punch

Cards for Breast Cancer Fundraiser

Two of my sisters will be participating in the Run for the Cure this fall.  They have been doing some fundraising and one of their events will be a Pampered Chef party.  They are putting together some door prizes for the participants and asked if I could make a set of cards to use.  Of course I said yes and then pondered over what I should do.  I wanted something elegant and simple.  I did not want lots of layers, bows and embellishments because I did not want the winner of the prize to incur extra postage when sending the cards. 

I was so happy with my CASE of the make and take Shelli presented at Dawn Griffith's Workshop of a Lifetime I decided to use that but use Pretty in Pink.  I made a set of 8 cards - all with the same flower image but with different greetings.  On the back of each card I stamped the Ribbon of Hope.  I also stamped the flower image (without the stem) on the front of each envelope and stamped the Ribbon of Hope on the back of the envelope.  I think they turned out very well and I am sure whoever wins them will be very pleased (patting myself of the back).

I am not posting all 8 of the cards.  The greetings I used are from Whimsical Words and Well Scripted.

Front of card and envelope.

Back of card and envelope

Stamp Set - Awash with Flowers, Whimsical Words, Well Scripted, Ribbon of Hope

Ink - Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, Going Grey, Certainly Celery

Card Stock - Whisper White, Pretty in Pink

Other - Eyelet Border Punch

Awash with Flowers

Stampin' Up! is giving a sneak peek of one of the new stamp sets that will be in the catalogue beginning July 1.  I took advantage of the opportunity to preorder it and am beginning to think it may be my new favourite stamp set.  It is a two step set and there are a total of 18 stamps.  Nine of them are line images - you stamp that onto the card stock.  The other nine are the corresponding solid image stamps so you can ink them up with the colour of your choice and then stamp over the line images.  So easy with the clear mount stamps sets. 

I had visited Dawn Griffith's blog to read about her Workshop of a Lifetime and saw a photo of the make and take project Shelli Gardner presented.  I loved it - it is so beautiful in it's simplicity.  You can see that photo if you click HERE.   Shelli also posted it on her blog HERE.

Judy and I each stamped several of these yesterday - we didn't use the strip of DSP on the inside of the card (on Shelli's sample you can see that the inside of the card was decorated).  On this one I trimmed the front of the card a little bit too much, but I am still very happy with the result.  On some of the cards we used the Eyelet border punch.

Stamp Set - Awash with Flowers, Whimsical Words
Card Stock - Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink - Basic Black, Crushed Curry, Always Artichoke 

Heather Summers' Simply Sunday Sketch Challenge 8

When I saw Heather's sketch for this week, I decided that I would use the same colours and stamp set as the card I posted earlier today.
This is Heather's sketch

For the most part I followed the sketch fairly closely - and here is my card.   

Stamp Set - Extreme Skateboard, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Card Stock - Going Gray, Basic Black, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry

Ink - Basic Black

Other - Top Note Die for the Big Shot, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Large Star Punch, Black Brad

Extreme Skateboard

During Sale a Bration I took advantage of the opportunity to get some stamps that I probably would'nt have bought - Extreme Skateboard, Extreme Snowboard, Extreme Surfer and Extreme Dirt Bike.  Now that I have them I realize that they are stamps that I need - I have several nephews and grand nephews and these stamps will be perfect for making cards for them.

There are a couple of birthdays coming up soon so I made them each one of these cards.  Not my design - a direct CASE from HERE.  The card was perfect, so why change anything?

I don't have the Extreme Elements stamps set so I used MDS to create my own background paper using Going Grey "ink" in the program and then printing onto Going Grey card stock.  Worked out very well.  I cut a piece the size I wanted and then stamped the skateboarder using Basic Black ink (maybe should have used Versamark and Black embossing powder).

Stamp Set - Extreme Skateboarder,  Teeny Tiny Wishes
Card Stock - Basic Black, Going Gray, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry
Ink - Basic Black
Other -  Large Star punch, Top Note die for the Big shot, My Digital Studio, Basic Black Brad

Thoughts and Prayers

Unfortunately this week I needed a sympathy card and did not have one on hand.  I am sure that I did not come up with this layout on my own, but cannot remember where I did see it.  I love the look of stamping directly on the DSP.   I inked the stamp using markers so I could use different colours  for the stems and flowers.

The stamp set Thoughts and Prayers lends itself to beautiful cards - I am so glad that I purchased it.  So here is my card.

Stamp Set - Thoughts & Prayers
Card Stock - Pretty in Pink; Going Gray; Basic Gray; Whisper White; Bella Rose DSP (retired)
Ink - Going Gray and Pretty in Pink Markers
Other - Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon; Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon; Scallop Trim border punch; wide oval punch; tiny half pearls (nonSU)

Just a note to say that although I am looking forward to the Colour Renovation, I am very sad that Going Gray is one of the colours that will be retired.

Simply Stamping - Project 17

Heather Summers' online Simply Stamping class has come to an end.  It is not too late to sign up though - Heather leaves the class up for months and it is a class that you do at your own pace so you should check it out.  Just go to Heather's blog entry HERE for more information.

I don't have the stamp sets Heather suggested for Project 17, but I had been planning to CASE the card she featured in her March 29 blog entry so I combined the two and am happy with the results.  There are four cards in Project 17, all slightly different but the layers are all the same size for each of the cards. 

Supplies (all Stampin' Up!)
Card Stock - Naturals White, Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Sweet Pea DSP
Stamp Set - I {Heart} Hearts, Happy Moments, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink - Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive
Other -  Certainly Celery and Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Sending Love Epoxy Brads, Jumbo Grommets, Certainly Celery and Pretty in Pink Brads, Dimensionals, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch

Here are my cards.  Hope you like them

Stampin Up Pastels (Chalks)

When I signed on with Stampin' Up! as a demonstrator part of the startup kit was the case of pastels (chalks).  All of the 48 core colours are represented.  I have not used them often, but one of the projects in the Simply Stamping online course offered by Heather Summers uses them.  It also uses the Inspired by Nature stamp set that I really love but do not use often enough.

Although I could have done better with my shading, I am very pleased with the result and will be trying other colour combinations in the future.

The floral image was stamped using Versamark and then the pastels (chalks) were 'pounced' on using sponge daubers.  This project also uses the masking technique - the flowers were masked and the grass image was stamped over top and then the mask was removed.

Stamp Set - Inspired by Nature
Ink - Old Olive; Versamark; SU Pastels - Old Olive, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Elegant eggplant, So Saffron, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip,
Card Stock - Very Vanilla, More Mustard, Elegant Eggplant
Other - Wide Oval Punch, Modern Label Punch, More Mustard Brads
Technique - Popping Pastels, Masking

Stampin' Up! Colour Renovation

Stampin’ Up announced today that they will be doing a “colour renovation” in the upcoming catalogue (due for release in July)!

There are going to be 4 Collections - renamed from colour families. The collections are: Brights, Neutrals, Regals and Subtles.  Each collection will be comprised of 10 colours (instead of the current 12) for a total of 40 core colours.   There will be  five brand new colours introduced - Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Marina Mist, Cajun Craze, and Cherry Cobbler. In addition, 10 In Colours will be returning as core colours - Melon Mambo, Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, River Rock, Soft Suede, Riding Hood Red, Rich Razzleberry, Wild Wasabi, Pink Pirouette, and Baja Breeze.  Also, Kraft has been renamed to Crumb Cake, and will be a core colour in the Neutrals collection. Unfortunately 29 of the current core colours are going to be retired.  I will say that most of the retiring colours are ones I do not use, however there are a few that I plan to stock up on. 

The following will still be available:  Brushed Gold, Brushed Silver, Confetti Cream, Confetti White, Glossy White, Naturals Ivory, Naturals White, Shimmery White, and White vellum card stock, as well as White vellum paper
 

An exciting part of the announcement was that each year when the new catalogue is released there will be 5 new InColours introduced and they will be around for two years.  In effect, except for the 2010-2011 catalogue there will be 10 InColours to choose from!

Sweet Pea Stitched Felt

I am hoping that these cute little stitched flowers and leaves make it into the new catalogue.  They are so cute and versatile.

I recently saw THIS card on Carrie Gaskin's blog (Artistic Avenger) and knew I was going to have to CASE it.  It is a cute little 3 x 6 card and features items from the Occasions Mini Catalogue which expires at the end of this month.  She used the Sweet Pea Stitched Felt and the Hugs love notes from the mini.  She also used the Whimsical Words stamps from the Sale a Bration catalogue (expired at the end of March).

I did not have the little notes (2 1/4 x 4) so I used a piece of whisper white card stock and made a scalloped border all around with the Scallop Trim corner punch (in the mini, but it will be in the new catalogue) and the Scallop Trim border punch from the Sale a Bration catalogue.  This punch will also be available when the new catalogue is released in the summer.  I followed the directions every generously shared by Gretchen Barron on her blog HERE.

Judy and I made the card a couple of weeks ago.

Stamp Set - Whimsical Words

Card Stock - Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White, Sending Love Specialty DSP

Ink - Chocolate Chip

Other - Sweet Pea Stitched Felt, Scallop Trim Border and Corner Punches

Heather Summer's Simply Sunday Sketch Challenge 7

When I first saw Heather's sketch for this week I couldn't decide which stamp set to use.  I love Heather's sample using Upsy Daisy.  I finally decided to use Razzle Dazzle and am really happy with the way my card looks.

Here is the sketch.  You can find Heather's blog post HERE.

This is my take on the sketch.  Instead of doing my card in the portrait orientation, I turned it so that it is landscape.  I think it fits my choice of stamps much better.

Recipe:
Stamp Set - Razzle Dazzle, Charming, Vintage Vogue
Card Stock - Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Sending Love Specialty DSP
Ink - Pretty in Pink Classic ink pad, Melon Mambo and Old Olive markers
Other - Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Sending Love Epoxy Brads, dimensionals, Scallop Trim Border Punch

Video - Stampin' Up! Clear Mount Stamps