World Card Making Day - October 4, 2014 - Tags

In addition to the cards I posted yesterday Judy and I made some Christmas Tags.

The first tag was pretty quick to make but did involve a bit of drying time for the Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details accents.  We stamped the snowflakes using Whisper White Craft Ink .  The to/from was stamped with Cherry Cobbler ink and the tree with Garden Green.  The back of the tag is stamped with the Merry Christmas from Sassy Salutations using Cherry Cobbler ink.  We then used the Scalloped Tag Topper and a corner rounder and Dazzling Details to finish it.

Stampin' Supplies - Tag 1
Stamps - Serene Snowflakes (retired); Warmth and Wonder (retired Hostess set); Fabulous Phrases (retired); Sassy Salutations.
Ink - Cherry Cobbler; Garden Green; Whisper White Craft
Other - Silver Baker's Twine; Scalloped Tag Topper Punch; Corner Rounder; Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details

The second tag was a little more work.  We used the Windows Collection Framelits to cut out the layers of the card.  We then cut the tree from the crumb cake layer using the Holiday Collection Framelits (retired) and then embossed it using the Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder (retired).  We laid down strips of Gumball Green Stitched Ribbon (retired) and then a small piece of Chocolate Chip Scalloped Dots ribbon (retired) to the back of the crumb cake panel.  This was layered onto the Garden Green die cut with dimensionals.  The greeting was stamped onto a narrow strip of Very Vanilla card stock and then we snipped the ends be make the banner.  The Windows collection framelits were used to cut a panel for the back of the tag (the same size as the crumb cake layer on the front) and we stamped that using the To & From stamp set in the Holiday Catalogue.  We decorated the tree with Rhinestones.

Stampin' Supplies - Tag 2
Stamps - Christmas Greetings (retired); To & From
Ink - Cherry Cobbler
Other - Gold Baker's Twine; Windows Collection Framelits; Stampin' Dimensionals; Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack (star); Rhinestones; Gumball Green Stitched Ribbon (retired); Chocolate Chip Dots Scalloped Ribbon (retired); Petals a Plenty Embossing Folder (retired)

World Cardmaking Day - October 4, 2014

On Saturday for World Cardmaking Day I went over to Judy's and we spent the afternoon together having lunch, chatting and making some Christmas cards and tags.  It was a great afternoon and we made two cards and two tags.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

The photo on the right is the card we made.  At the time I made the sample the Holiday Catalogue had not yet been available so I used the Tulips Embossing Folder (retired).  In addition, for mailing we felt that we should use the Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon rather than the Sweater Trim (retired).

Stampin' Supplies

Stamp Sets - Daydream Medallions; Petite Pairs

Ink - Garden Green; Cherry Cobbler

Card Stock - Wild Wasabi; Whisper White; Cherry Cobbler

Other - Floral Frames Framelits; Circles Collection Framelits; Stampin' Dimensionals; Rhinestones (coloured with Cherry Cobbler Blendabilities - darkest shade).  Tulips Embossing Folder (retired) or Filigree Frame Embossing Folder (Holiday Catalogue page 15); Cherry Cobbler Sweater Trim (retired) or Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon (page 207 annual catalogue)

Our second card used the November 2013 Paper Pumpkin Kit.  I had purchased one of the refill kits during the summer to get the striped background piece and the strings of stars.

Stampin' Supplies

Stamps - November 2013 Paper Pumpkin Kit

Ink - Real Red

Card Stock - Very Vanilla; Real Red; November 2013 Paper Pumpkin Kit

Other - Small Star from Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack; stitched stars from November 2013 Paper Pumpkin Kit; Stampin' Dimensionals; Rhinestone; Glue Dot

Inky Divas Challenge - Week of August 11

The challenge posted this week was to make a "Vintage Chic" card.  I don't do a lot of cards with this style so it was a struggle.  I finally came up with this card that I think meets the challenge.  Lots of sponging, distressing and muted colours are what I think of when I hear vintage chic.

Supplies

Stamp - Another Thank You

Card Stock - Crumb Cake; Newsprint Designer Series Paper (retired)

Ink - Whisper White Craft Ink; Crumb Cake Classic Ink; Early Espresso Classic Ink

Other - Ribbon Roses (retired); Canvas Heart and Twine (from a Sale a Bration 2014 banner kit - retired); Paper Doily; Burlap Ribbon; Gold Sequins; Large Scallop Edgelit; Honeycomb Embossing Folder

Mixed Media

I have a lot of catching up to do - I have been stamping pretty much every day and even taking photos of my projects.  I just haven't sat myself down to post to this blog.

This is a project I made today.  A mixed media project.  Compared to a lot of these projects this one is pretty simple but I am really happy with it.  I was able to use a lot of the toys tools in my craft room all in one project.

I was so anxious to get a photo that I didn't let the mod podge dry completely - you can still some of the white around the pumpkins.

Supplies

My Digital Studio - Witches Brew Designer Series Paper; Spooky Bingo Bits Stamp Brush Set (ghost); Spook Central Designer Ensemble (tree)

Inks - Pumpkin Pie; Crushed Curry; Jet Black StazOn

Stamps - Gorgeous Grunge

Punches/Framelits - various oval punches; 1" square punch; Circle Framelits; Bird Punch (leaves)

Paper - Crushed Curry; Basic Black; Pumpkin Pie; Old Olive; Soft Suede

Other - Silhouette Cameo eCutter; Mod Podge; Artist Canvas - 8 x 10; Google Eyes; Washi Tape (on edges); sponge daubers; foam paint brush

Inky Divas Weekly Challenge - Week of May 26

With wedding and graduation "season" upon us, the challenge was to create a card using congratulations as the theme.

I had seen a card while browsing through multiple blogs one day and thought I would recreate it.  I didn't make a note of where I had seen it so can't direct you to the original.

Stamp Sets - Sassy Salutations, Hearts a Flutter (retiring)

Ink - Encore Gold

Card Stock - Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold

Other - Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Watercolour Wonder Washi Tape, Stampin' Dimensionals

Inky Divas Challenge - Week of May 19

The challenge posted for the week of May 19 was to make a card using the Faux Tile Technique.

It's hard to see in my photo but I used my Simply Scored scoring board to create a grid on the Whisper White card stock.  I then stamped the flourish, sponged a little ink around the score lines and added the stamped and punched flowers.  I'll definitely try this technique again, but use a little more pressure when scoring the lines.

Stamps - Flowering Flourishes, Four You, Petite Petals

Ink - Garden Green, Crisp Cantaloupe

Card Stock - Whisper White, Crisp Cantaloupe, Basic Black

Other - Crisp Cantaloupe Ruffle Stretch Trim, Retired White Ribbon, Daffodil Delight Candy Dots, Petite Petals Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Inky Divas Challenge - Week of May 12

The challenge for the week of May 12 was to use products from the 2013-2014 Stampin' Up! Catalogue that will be in the soon to be released 2014-2015 Catalogue.

Stamp Sets - Flower Shop, Wetlands

Ink - Crisp Cantaloupe, Encore Gold

Card Stock - Whisper White, Crisp Cantaloupe

Other - Apothecary Accents Framelits, Pansy Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Embossing Folder, Gold Stampin' Dazzle Marker, Extra Large Pearls

Except for the extra large pearls, all of the products used are in the 2014-2015 catalogue.

Inky Divas Challenge - Week of May 5

I have a lot of catching up to do - it has been a while since I posted photos of the cards I have made for the Inky Divas Weekly Creative Challenges.

The challenge posted for the week of May 5 was to make a Mother's Day card.  I decided I would make a card in a box.  I had done one at Christmas and quite liked it.  I thought it would be really pretty using flowers and a few butterflies.

I used my Silhouette Cameo ecutter for the leaves

Stampin' Supplies
Stamps - Petite Petals, Flower Shop, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Label Love, Well Scripted (retired)
Ink - Elegant Eggplant, Rose Red, Gumball Green
Card Stock - Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Gumball Green, Daffodil Delight,Quatrefancy Specialty DSP
Other - Basic Pearls, Modern Label Punch, Pansy Punch, Petite Petals Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Extra Large Oval Punch, Word Window Punch, Sticky Strip, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Artisan Label Punch, Beautiful Wings Embosslit

Inky Divas Challenge - Week of April 28

This week's challenge was to make a card using mostly products from the Stampin' Up! 2014 Occasions Catalogue.  While looking through samples on the SU Demonstrator site Stampin' Connection I saw a card posted by Monika Davis.  Her card is posted on her blog HERE.  I stayed very close to Monika's sample but used a different stamp from the Perfect Pennants set.  Monika stamped and cut the hearts but I used the heart from the Hearts a Flutter set.

Stampin' Supplies

Stamp Sets - Perfect Pennants

Ink - Baked Brown Sugar

Card Stock - Coastal Cabana, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper

Other - Banners Framelits, Circles Framelits, Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Gold Bakers's Twine, Retro Fresh Washi Tape, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

Inky Divas Challenge - Week of April 21

The challenge for this week is to use products from the newly released retired list.  I saw THIS card posted by Kimberley Van Diepen and came up with my card for the challenge.

I don't have the stamp sets Kimberley used, but I did want to put ink to the Off the Grid stamp that I had bought last fall and never used.

Supplies

Stamp Sets - Off the Grid (retiring); Simply Stars (retiring); Perfect Pennants (2014 Occasions Catalogue); Gorgeous Grunge

Ink - Daffodil Delight; Jet Black StazOn; Tangerine Tango

Card Stock - Whisper White; Crumb Cake; Basic Black

Other - 7/16" Natural Trim Ribbon (retiring); Gingham Garden Washi Tape (retiring); Vintage Trinkets (retiring); Linen Thread; Stampin' Dimensionals; Banners Framelits (2014 Occasions Catalogue); Retired Star punches

Inky Divas Challenge - Week of April 7

It's been a long time since I posted but I am going to try to be better at sharing.  As part of the Inky Divas Stampin' Up! group I am hoping to participate in each week's challenge and post my entry on my blog.  I joined the MDS (My Digital Studio) Adventure Club hosted by Heather Summers and Kimberly VanDiepen and participate in the MDS Weekly Challenges - also hosted by Heather and Kimberly.  My goal is to post my completed pages/projects here as well.

For today I am sharing the card I made for the Inky Divas challenge for the week of April 7.  The challenge was to make a card with a background created by inking up an acrylic block.  I decided that rather than inking the block with an ink pad I would use my markers to scribble the colour onto the block.  The look I achieved is similar to the results from the painter's tape technique.  Check out this tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers.

I'm really pleased with how it turned out.  I have the overall look without the inky fingers!

Stampin' Supplies

Stamps - Wetlands; Four You

Ink - Early Espresso Classic Ink Pad; Crumb Cake, Pool Party and So Saffron Markers

Card Stock - Whisper White; Pool Party

Other - Gold Baker's Twine; Acrylic Block E; Stampin' Dimensionals

Inky Divas Weekly Challenge - Week of December 9

The challenge this week was to follow a sketch.  The sample posted was a Christmas Card but all of my Christmas cards for this year are done and mailed so I decided to make a card that I could use as a birthday or even thank you card.

Stampin Supplies
Card Stock - Night of Navy, Very Vanilla, Etcetera DSP
Other - 1/8" Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Dress up Framelits, Delicate Designs Textured Embossing Folder

Inky Divas Weekly Challenge - Week of December 2 - Gift Card Holder

The challenge for the week of December 2 was to make a gift card holder.  I had seen 3 very cute gift card holders posted on the Create with Connie and Mary website and knew I wanted to make at least one of them.  I decided on the very cute Christmas Tree holder for the challenge.  You can see the originals and download the instructions HERE.

I made a few minor changes but it is pretty much a direct copy of the original.

I imported the snowman, hat, scarf, heart, arms and nose into my Silhouette Cameo e-cutter from My Digital Studio so was able to avoid "fussy cutting".  I used the print and cut feature for the snowman.  I coloured him in the design studio, sent it to my printer and then loaded the printed page to the e-cutter.

The tree trunk holds a gift card.

Stampin' Supplies
Stamps - Perfect Pairs
Ink - Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green
My Digital Studio - Snow Day Stamp Brush Set (exported to Silhouette Cameo)
Card Stock - Whisper White, Gumball Green, Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie, Season of Style DSP, Champagne Glimmer Paper
Other - Small Star Punch (retired), Woodgrain Textured Impressions Folder, Merry Minis punch set, Rhinestones, Tasteful Trim Bigz Die, Label Card Thinlit (for banner piece), Silhouette Cameo e-cutter

Inky Diva's Weekly Challenge - Week of November 25

The challenge for the week was to create a card using the colours Smoky Slate, Coastal Cabana and Whisper White.  I wasn't sure I was going to participate - I had used blues in the last challenge and blue is not exactly my first pick for a Christmas card.

I pulled out my card stock and then did a search on Stampin' Connection (a demonstrator only website) for Coastal Cabana and then for Smoky Slate.  I saw a few cards that I liked using these colours and combined a few of them to come up with my entry for the challenge.

I remembered that I had a container of Dazzling Diamonds glitter stuck away at the back of the shelf so I decided to add a little bling to Santa's hat and coat.  I almost never use glitter but this card just called out for it.

Stampin' Supplies
Stamps - Santa's List
Ink - Smoky Slate
Card Stock - Coastal Cabana, Smoky Slate, Whisper White, Winter Frost Designer Series Paper
Other - Stylish Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Glimmer Brads, Dazzling Diamonds, 2-Way Glue pen, Stampin' Dimensionals

Inky Diva's Weekly Challenge - Week of November 18

I can't believe it has been two months since I last posted!  I have been busy making my Christmas cards and this is one that I will probably keep for myself.

The Challenge posted for the Inky Divas last week was to create a sparkly, shiny card using all current Stampin' Up! products.  I do like some sparkle and bling on my cards but I used a lot of it on this card.
I used glitter paper, pewter embossing powder, sparkly embellishments and even the patterned paper has some shine (the striped pattern has a shiny stripe).

Stampin" Supplies

Stamps - Festive Flurry, More Merry Messages

Ink - Versamark

Card Stock - Pool Party, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer, Winter Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper

Other - Festive Flurry Framelits, Frosted Finish Embellishment, Pewter Embossing Powder, Stampin' Dimensionals

Inky Divas Weekly Creative Challenge - Week of September 24

This week's challenge was a sketch posted by Julie Olivier

Here is my card - 

Stampin' Supplies
Stamp - Tag It (this year's Ronald McDonald stamp set; a donation is made to Ronald McDonald House charities for each stamp set sold)
Ink - Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green
Card Stock - Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Other - Season of Style Washi Tape, Rhinesones, 2 1/2" Circle punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, My Digital Studio (for the HO HO HO), Chalk Talk Framelits, Score Board and Diagonal Score Plate

Inky Divas Challenge - Week of September 17

This week the challenge was to create an Easel card using an InColour and a retired Christmas or Halloween stamp set.

I had seen a card on Stampin' Connection a while ago and had bookmarked it so I could give it a try at some point in time.  Well that time has come.  I pulled out my Baked Brown Sugar card stock and the retired Frostwood Lodge stamp set.

Here is the link to the original (you will have to scroll down a bit, she has several samples)

When making my card the only thing I changed is the stamp set used for the greeting.   I decided to use one of the stamps from the Joy to the World stamp set from the current Holiday catalogue.

Front:

Side:

Stampin' Supplies
Stamps - Frostwood Lodge (retired), Joy to the World
Ink - Always Artichoke
Card Stock - Baked Brown Sugar, Very Vanilla, Gold Glimmer Paper, Card Stock Vellum
Other - Deco Labels Framelits, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals, Merry Minis Punch Pack, Battery Operated Tea Light

Inky Divas Weekly Challenge - week of September 9

The challenge was to use the colors Island Indigo, Pool Party and Smoky Slate.

I couldn't decide what I wanted to do but finally settled on making a Christmas card.

My Envelope Punch Board arrived so I made an envelope from Smoky Slate cardstock.

Stampin' Supplies
Stamps - Snowflake Soiree, Joy to the World
Ink - Island Indigo, Pool Party, Smoky Slate, Whisper White
Card stock - Island Indigo, Whisper White, Smoky Slate
Other - Rhinestones, Envelope Punch Board

Another Card for Operation Write Home

This is another of the cards that I'll be including in my next contribution to Operation Write Home Canada.  I really liked this card and thought it would be a fun one to include in the box.

I followed the original very closely and am so happy with it.  I don't have the fun stamp set that was used for the greeting however I did have the digital download for MDS so I used that.  I coloured the image with Bermuda Bay ink and then used the colouring tool in MDS to colour the little heart Cherry Cobbler.  After it was printed I used the fine tip of the Pear Pizzazz marker to colour in the word Love and added a few Crumb Cake "splats" before punching it out with the Decorative Label punch.  After it was punched out I sponged the edges.

Stampin' Supplies
My Digital Studio - Yippee Skippee Stamp Brush set
Stamps - Gorgeous Grunge
Ink - Bermuda Bay, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake
Card Stock - Bermuda Bay, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White, Crumb Cake
Other - Hung Up Cute Clips, 7/16" Trim, Button (retired), White Baker's Twine, Stampin' Dimensionals, Decorative Label Punch, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Circle Framelits (nonSU), Epic Day This and That Washi Tape

More Washi and Christmas

I am not tired of the Season of Style Washi tape yet and hope you aren't either.

I saw THIS card posted by Anne Granger's and knew I wanted to make it but didn't have the stamp sets Anne used so I pulled out a couple of other sets I had that I thought would work.

Stampin' Supplies
Stamps - Button Buddies (retired), More Merry Messages
Ink - Cherry Cobbler, Jet Black StazOn
Card Stock - Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Whisper White
Other - Season of Style Washi Tape, Rhinesones, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Oval Framelits, Large Oval Punch, Itty Bitty Punch pack

Season of Style Washi Tape

I am loving the Season of Style Washi Tape and I'm sure most of the Christmas cards I send out this year will feature it.

I saw a card posted a while ago that I really liked.  I didn't have the Season of Style DSP used on the original so I adapted it to what I had on hand and am really happy with the result.  I can't find the original but as soon as I do I will add the link.

Here's my card

Stampin' Supplies
Stamps - More Merry Messages, Delightful Decorations (retired)
Ink - Cherry Cobbler
Card Stock - Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Other - Season of Style Washi Tape, Ornament Punch (retired), Rhineston, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat, Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals

Operation Write Home Canada

One of the members of the demonstrator group I belong has started collecting hand made cards (blank) to be provided to our troops who are posted far and wide around the world and away from their families.  This program provides a selection of cards for the men and women to choose from to send greetings back home.

I have already sent one box off to the organizer (Janie Boisvert) that included Birthday, Christmas, Thinking of You and Thank You cards.  I have now started on some Valentine cards.  These are the first two designs I have made (12 of each) to include in the next box that has to get to Janie by December 19.

Both cards feature lots of retired SU supplies and were inspired by cards I had seen on Stampin' Connection a website just for Stampin' Up! demonstrators.

Snowflake Soiree Take 2

I made a second card based on the snowflake card Heather Summers had posted here.

For this card I decided to use Island Indigo as my card base and add a layer of the new Silver Foil paper from the 2013 Holiday Catalogue.  I also used Silver Encore Ink and Pewter Embossing Powder.  In addition I stamped a few snowflakes in the upper right corner of the card using the Illuminate Glimmer Watermark Pad

Stampin' Supplies

Stamps - Snowflake Soiree, Christmas Messages

Ink - Coastal Cabana, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Illuminate Glimmer Watermark

Card Stock - Whisper White, Island Indigo, Silver Foil

Other - Rhinestones, Pewter Embossing Powder

Inky Divas Creative Challenge - Week of September 2

This week's challenge was to create a masculine card using all current Stampin' Up! products.  That really is a challenge for me.  I don't own many masculine sets that are still current.  My "go to" set is The Open Sea but I had used that for last week's entry so so I didn't want to use it again this week.  I thought about turning to My Digital Studio - I have some downloads there that are for stamp sets that are in the current catalogue but then I remembered that I had bought the Wetlands stamp set in August and hadn't yet inked it up.

I have seen a lot of samples using that set but chose to copy the one I had seen posted by Patty Bennett last week.  You can see Patty's card HERE.

The only thing I changed was the greeting.

Stampin' Supplies

Stamps - Wetlands, Four You

Ink - Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana

Card Stock - Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White

Other - Square Die (nonSU), Stampin' Sponges

Snowflake Soiree

There is a new snowflake stamp set in the Stampin' Up! 2013 Holiday catalogue that I have my eye on.  I can't decide if I should get it because I have quite a few snowflake sets - some retired and some still current.

Heather Summers posted a card using the new set (Festive Flurries) and I have recreated it using one of my sets that is still current (it is not listed in the catalogue but is still available) - Snowflake Soiree.

I kept to Heather's colour scheme - Island Indigo, Coastal Cabana and Pool Party

Stampin' Supplies
Stamps - Snowflake Soiree, Christmas Messages
Ink - Coastal Cabana, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Encore Gold
Card Stock - Whisper White, Pool Party
Other - Gold Embossing Powder, Rhinestones

Get Well Shelli

On Thursday Shelli Gardner, co-founder and CEO of Stampin' Up! had an accident while horseback riding and suffered several breaks to her pelvis, wrist and clavicle.  She will definitely be laid up for many weeks to come followed by months of physical therapy.

Josee Smuck of the Inky Divas Community suggested that we send get well cards to Shelli to cheer her up over the next while.  This is the card I have made to send off to her.

The card is CASEd from this one

Stampin' Supplies
Stamps - Gorgeous Grunge, Tag It
Ink - Bermuda Bay, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake
Markers - Cherry Cobbler, Bermuda Bay, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Gray
Card Stock - Bermuda Bay, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Other - Epic Day This and That Washi Tape, Candy Dot, Rhinestone, Hung Up Cute Clip, 7/16" Trim, 1/2" Circle punch, Apothecary Accents Framelit, Circle Framelits (nonSU), Decorative Label punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Deck the Halls

I love making my own cards and usually CASE (copy and share everything) cards I have seen on the various blogs and internet sites I visit.  A constant source for me is Heather Summers.  I saw THIS card on Heather's blog and I knew I was going to have to get both the Circle Card Thinlits and the Christmas Messages stamp sets.  I put the order in and couldn't wait for the supplies to arrive at my door.  I kept going to the UPS site to track the package.  UPS usually delivers to my house around 3 in the afternoon so day the package was to arrive I ran a few errands in the morning.  To my dismay they came while I was gone and didn't leave the box between the doors like they usually do AND I was going to have to go to the UPS store the next day.  Well finally I got my package and headed to my stamp room.

This is my first attempt at Heather's card.  I do like it but I also think I need to do a little more - the gold "doodling" should have been white.  Heather created her own holly leaves with punches but I used a retired die for the Big Shot for mine.

Hope you like it.

Stampin' Supplies
Stamps - Christmas Messages
Ink - Cherry Cobbler
Card Stock - Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Old Olive
Other - Season of Style Washi Tape, Circle Card Thinlits, 2 1/2" circle punch, Circle Framelits (nonSU), Glimmer Brad, Stocking Accents die (retired), Gold Marker (retired), Stampin' Dimensionals, Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder

Halloween Card Inspired by Heather Summers and Martha Inchley

I don't often make Halloween cards and pretty much never buy Halloween themed stamp sets.  A few days ago Heather Summers posted a Halloween card that I really wanted to make.  Heather's card was inspired by one that Martha Inchley had made.

When I don't have stamp sets and/or Designer Series Paper I turn to My Digital Studio.   I printed some of the Witches Brew DSP and found some stamp brushes that would work for the tag.  I ended up using a piece of DSP from the now retired neutrals DSP pack because the black one with white text from Witches Brew did not print well on my home printer.  I also created the hexagon shapes in MDS and cut them out (can't wait to get the Hexagon Punch).

Supplies
My Digital Studio - Witches Brew DSP, Hexagon Punch, Halloween Bash, Spooky Bats, Anchored
Stamps - Gorgeous Grunge
Ink - Whisper White Craft Ink, Crumb Cake
Card Stock - Basic Black, Matte Photo Paper, Neutrals DSP (retired)
Other - Chalk Talk Framelits, Witches Brew Designer Washi Tape, Button (retired), Linen thread, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Inky Divas Creative Challenge - Week of August 26

This week's challenge was a sketch challenge that kind of fit in with a card I had been thinking about making using the new Circle Card Thinlits die.

Here is the sketch we were to use as inspiration.

Although not laid out exactly as the sketch I think I have included all of the elements.  We had been encouraged to use current Stampin' Up! products but I just had to use some retired Designer Series Paper to fit in with the card.  I realized after finishing the card that the birthday greeting is from a retired set.

Stampin' Supplies

Stamps - The Open Sea, Happiest Birthday Wishes (retired)

Ink - Crumb Cake, Early Espresso

Card Stock - Midnight Muse, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Nautical Expedition DSP (retired)

Other - Circle Card Thinlits die, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Naturals Designer Buttons, White Signo Gel Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals

August Paper Pumpkin

This month's Paper Pumpkin kit has everything to make 4 cards and includes the envelopes.  It comes with the cute bicycle and thank you stamps as well as Bermuda Bay and Baked Brown Sugar Stampin' spots.

The card bases are white but have tiny Bermuda Bay polka dots covering them.  The kit also included the die cuts for the banners as well as the Crushed Curry tape.  I added a couple of candy dots - I thought I had used crushed curry, but I think they are daffodil delight.

I stamped the bicycle on the envelope and made a little flag from some of the extra tape.

Stampin' Supplies
August Paper Pumpkin Kit
Candy Dots

Initially when Paper Pumpkin was introduced I hesitated about signing up but after seeing samples posted on some of my favourite blogs I decided to take the plunge and am so glad I did.  Every month a bright box shows up in my mail box with all the supplies to make cute and quick projects.

Right now Stampin' Up! is offering a great deal on Paper Pumpkin - get your first two months at half price - so you will pay $12.50 (plus tax) for the first two months of your subscription and then $24.95 (plus tax) each month after that.  No extra shipping to pay - it is all included.  The deal ends on August 31 and you have to use the code PUMPKINDEAL in the promo box when you subscribe.  Visit mypaperpumpkin.com to sign up.  Make sure you give your demonstrator's name.  Your first kit will be the Welcome Kit

Have a great Sunday.

Inky Divas Weekly Challenge - Week of August 19

This week's theme was back to school.  In addition our card was to include the chalkboard technique, the colour Real Red and a current or retired stamp set.  Initially I thought I would not participate because I don't really have any "school" stamp sets.

I remembered that I had seen a card a few years ago on Stampin' Connection that kind of fit in with the Back to School theme.

Here's my card

I loved the little owl sitting on top of the stack of books.  I haven't used the owl punch in a while.  I ended up using My Digital Studio for the apple - I know I still have the Tart & Tangy stamp set but I must have packed it away.

I used a white pencil crayon - how I wish I had the new White Chalk Marker from the Holiday Catalogue (another item for the Wish List!).

Supplies
My Digital Studio - All Time Fave Digital Download - Apple
Stamps - Itty Bitty Banners
Ink - Real Red
Card Stock - Real Red, Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Whisper White, Summer Starfruit, Marina Mist, Pistachio Pudding, Tangerine Tango, Baked Brown Sugar, Pumpkin Pie, Retired DSP
Other - Itty Bitty Banners Framelits, Whisper White Craft Ink, Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, Word Window punch, Owl Builder punch, White Pencil Crayon

Another Masculine Card

Once again My Digital Studio has been my choice to create a masculine card.  I think I may need to buy the Clockworks stamp set.

I created the card front in My Digital Studio and printed it out onto white photo paper (matte).  My printer is starting to run low on ink so the colours are not quite true, but they are very close.  I then pulled out my colour spritzer (retired) and basic gray maker to create the splatters on the card.  I punched out the clock face and adhered it to the clock using dimensionals (after taking the photo I applied a candy dot in the centre).  

Stampin' Supplies

Stamps - Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink - Basic Gray

Card Stock - Basic Gray, Whisper White

Other - Epic Day This & That Washi Tape, White Baker's Twine, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Painter's Tape Technique

A popular trend in paper crafting lately is to use Painter's Tape to create a background.  I finally gave it a try a few days ago for a fairly simple thank you card.

I took strips of painter's tape a little wider than the card stock, placed them on an ink pad and gently rubbed the tape to lift some of the ink.  I then lightly placed it onto the card stock and again gently rubbed the tape so the ink was applied to the card.

Stampin' Supplies

Stamp - Thoughts and Prayers, Thank You Kindly (retired)

Ink - Jet Black StazOn, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride

Card Stock - Pool Party, Whisper White

Other - Rhinestones, Painter's Tape

Inky Divas Weekly Creative Challenge - Week of August 12

The challenge this week is to use three colours - Rich Razzleberry, Smoky Slate and Basic Black; Current Designer Series Paper and some form of embossing.

I had bought the All Dressed Up Framelits and coordinating stamp set quite some time ago and had not yet used them so I thought I would start with them.  I used the framelits to cut out the dress and stand.  Once that was done I decided I wanted a "mirror".  I cut one oval from Basic Black card stock and the smaller one from Smoky Slate.  I coated that one with Versamark ink and then coated it with clear embossing powder.  Once that was heat embossed the card stock appeared much darker.  The Whisper White panel was embossed with the Elegant Lines embossing folder (retired).  Finally the greeting was stamped with Rich Razzleberry ink and a stamp from the Itty Bitty Banners stamps sets.  It was cut out using the coordinating Framelits.

Supplies
Stamps - Itty Bitty Banners
Ink - Rich Razzleberry, Versamark
Card Stock - Smoky Slate, Basic Black, Whisper White, Polka Dot Parade DSP
Other - All Dressed Up Framelits, Ovals Framelits, Itty Bitty Banners Framelits, Elegant Lines embossing folder (retired), Whisper White 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (retired), Clear Embossing powder, Stampin' Dimensionals

Gorgeous Grunge - Again!

When I first saw the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set in the catalogue I was pretty sure this was a stamp that I would never use.  How wrong can one person be.  As soon as I saw samples posted by other Stampin' Up demonstrators I knew I had to have it!  I am loving this set.

This card is a CASE of many I have seen posted recently.  It is one of the Make and Takes from the recent Stampin' Up! convention.  I don't have the stamp set used on all of the samples I saw (they used Hello, Lovely) so I decided to use the Wish Big stamp from the retired Word Play set. The card I have seen have been "no layer" cards but I decided to use a coordinating card base.

I ran a piece of white baker's twine through my coastal cabana ink pad to dye it.

Stampin' Supplies
Stamps - Gorgeous Grunge, Word Play (retired)
Ink - Calypso Coral, Summer Starfruit, Coastal Cabana, Smoky Slate
Card Stock - Coastal Cabana, Whisper White, Crisp Cantaloupe, Silver Glimmer
Other - Epic Day This and That Washi Tape, 1 3/4" circle punch, rhinestone, Baker's Twine, Very Vintage Designer button

Happy Birthday Dan!

Today is my son's birthday - don't tell anyone but he is now 38 years old!  This crept up on me when I wasn't lookoing - how on earth can I have a son who is approaching 40!

I saw this card displayed on Patty Bennett's blog.  It was one of the cards her team members sent for her husband's birthday.

Stampin' Supplies
Stamps - Banner Greetings, Gorgeous Grunge
Ink - Old Olive, Bermuda Bay
Card Stock - Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Bermuda Bay, Woodsheets (retired)
Other - Stampin' Dimensionals, Apothecary Accents Framelits, 2 1/2" circle punch, Decorative Label punch, Essentials Hardware Clips, Linen Thread, Epic Day This & That Washi Tape

Inky Divas Weekly Creative Challenge - Week of August 5

This week's challenge was to use a retired stamp, a bleach technique, current Designer Series Paper and current colours.

I have never done the bleach technique before so I checked Splitcoaststampers.com and did a google search.  I found a video HERE and decided to give it a try.  Check out the video for the instructions.

I just noticed that the greeting is off kilter.  I should have added a little more colour but overall I am really pleased with the result.

Stampin' Supplies

Stamps - French Foliage (retired), Sweet Essentials

Ink - Old Olive, Early Espresso

Card Stock - Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Venetian Romance DSP

Other - Stampin' Pastels (retired), Old Olive Satin Ribbon (retired), Scallop Border punch, Bleach

Happy Anniversary Mum and Dad

Today my parents celebrate their 62nd wedding anniversary - how awesome is that?  My card today is their anniversary card and I have been waiting months to create and post it.

I had originally seen THIS card posted by Heather Summers in January.  I ordered the stamp set and bundle specifically to CASE Heather's card to make an anniversary card for my parents.  I followed Heather's sample pretty closely but there were a few elements I didn't have - the Pool Party button and the More Amore Designer Series Paper.  The paper wasn't a problem - I have the More Amore digital download for My Digital Studio so I just printed some onto matte photo paper.  I decided to use a retired red button and Pool Party Baker's twine.

Stampin' Supplies
Stamps - Hearts a Flutter, Sweet Essentials
Ink - Real Red
Card Stock - Whisper White, Pool Party, Real Red
My Digital Studio - More Amore Digital Download
Other - Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Chevron Embossing Folder, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Adorning Accents Embossing Folder, Rhinestone, Baker's Twine (Pool Party - retired), Button (retired), Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by.

Marjorie

Christmas Washi

A couple of days ago I was sitting staring at the Christmas themed Washi Tape I had bought wondering what I was going to do with it when I came across THIS card created by Anne Granger.

I decided to use one of the Apothecary Accents framelits behind the greeting - I trimmed a little off both long sides.

Stampin' Supplies
Stamp - More Merry Messages
Ink - Cherry Cobbler
Card Stock - Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Other - Season of Style Designer Washi Tape, Rhinestones, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Birthday Tom!

I can't believe it - my "baby" turns 30 today.  I don't know were the time has gone, it seems like only yesterday that he was born!

I used the Big Shot and the Bigz Typeset Alphabet dies to cut out the numbers from the retired Woodsheets.  I used Real Red craft ink (retired) to colour the numbers, sprinkled on clear embossing powder and heat set it.

The layered look of the tag was achieved by cutting it out twice (Bermuda Bay and Whisper White).  I cut the Bermuda Bay tag in half and adhered it to the back of the white one.

Stampin' Supplies
Stamps - Gorgeous Grunge
Ink - Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Real Red (Classic and Craft), Smoky Slate
Card Stock - Smoky Slate, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White
Other - Chalk Talk Framelits, White Baker's Twine, Bermuda Bay ribbon (retired), Bigz Typeset Alphadet dies, clear embossing powder, Stampin' Dimensionals

New Product from Stampin' Up! - Thinlits Card Dies

Two Challenges - One Card

The Inky Divas Weekly Creative Challenge for the week of July 29 was to create a card using Marina Mist, Early Espresso and Crumb Cake.  I decided to remake a card I had done a while ago - see it HERE.

I used this card for another challenge group I belong to - Simply My Digital Studio Challenges - hosted by Heather Summers and Kimberly Vandiepen.  The challenge this week was a technique called Text on a Path using the freeform tool within the MDS program.  On my card the phrase Time to Celebrate was created using a circle line and a text box.  Once the text was sized and coloured and the circle line was the size I wanted I attached the text to the shape and voila my text was now curved.

Supplies

My Digital Studio - 

Clockworks Stamp Brush Set

Colours - Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist. Basic Black

Card Stock - Crumb Cake, Early Espresso

Other - White Photo Paper (matte), Candy Dot (neutral), Stampin' Dimensionals

Christmas in July!!!

A couple of days ago I visited Jackie Topa's blog (Addicted to Stamping) and saw her card with a punch art gingerbread man.  She is so clever - she used the Pansy punch to create him.  See Jackie's creation HERE.

I really liked the card and although I do have the punch, I decided to pull out my Holiday Collection Framelits (now retired) and use the gingerbread man for my card.  Jackie's card features all current Stampin' Up! product, but there are quite a few retired items on mine.

Stampin' Supplies
Stamp - More Merry Messages
Ink - Cherry Cobbler
Card Stock - Baked Brown Sugar, Whisper White, Garden Green, Be of Good Cheer DSP (retired)
Other - Red Glimmer Paper, Rhinestones (coloured with a Sharpie marker), Real Red Grosgrain 1/4" ribbon (retired), Signo White Gel Pen, Holiday Framelits

Inky Divas Weekly Challenge - Week of July 22

This week's challenge was to create a birthday card using the chalkboard technique.  In addition the "rules" of the challenge were to use a current birthday stamp set as well as a framelit or punch.  So here is my attempt:

It's pretty plain, but I didn't want to add too many extras -  I think I'm happy with it.

Stampin' Supplies
Stamps - Hearts a Flutter, Chalk Talk
Ink - Whisper White (craft), Strawberry Slush
Card Stock - Basic Black, Strawberry Slush, Whisper White
Other - Chalk Talk Framelit, White Watercolour Pencil, Sponge, Rhinestone, Stampin' Dimensionals