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

Washi Tape

A while back while visiting Pinterest I came across a pretty card posted by Kristina Werner - you can see her card HERE.  I really liked it and wanted to recreate it using Stampin' Up! products.

Although the background is looking pale pink in the photo it is really Whisper White.  Kristina's card used a gingham pattern on the bottom.  I did not have any stamps or paper to duplicate that, but I did receive the Gingham Garden Washi Tape I had ordered.  I think it worked out really well.  I used a little bit of Crystal Effects to highlight the cherry on the cupcake.

Stampin' Supplies

Stamps - Banner Greetings (Hostess set); Create a Cupcake

Ink - Pool Party, Melon Mambo, Early Espresso, Real Red

Card Stock - Whisper White, retired Designer Series Paper

Other - Gingham Garden Washi Tape, Create a Cupcake punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Crystal Effects.

Chalk Talk and Gorgeous Grunge

In spite of promising myself that I would not buy everything in the new Stampin' Up! catalogue, I am well on my way.  I could not resist getting the Chalk Talk bundle - it includes the stamp set as well as the coordinating framelits.  I also loved the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set.

I don't go on Pinterest very much, but I did notice a card posted by Amy O'Neill that uses both of these stamp sets.  You can see Amy's card HERE.

At first I was thinking there was too much "splatter" but I love the look of the card!  Amy hand cut the layered heart, I didn't.  I used the small heart punch - it's a little smaller than the stamped image, but I am good with how it turned out.

Supplies

Stamps - Gorgeous Grunge, Chalk Talk

Ink - Summer Starfruit, Coastal Cabana, Smoky Slate, Primrose Petals

Card Stock - Whisper White, Smoky Slate

Other - Chalk Talk Framelits, Primrose Petals Stitched Satin Ribbon, Rhinestone, Baker's Twine, Small Heart Punch