Pearl Love & Hearts

Okay - so I learned something new while making this design. While browsing the Creative Play Stamps site, I came across the Ranger Embossing Pearls powders. Huh, I wonder what these are like? so I ordered a couple to try out. You saw the Pale Gold in the previous post, such a lovely gold! "Well," I thought to myself, "St. Valentine's Day is coming up, I think I'll try the Embossing Pearls in Red." I receive my order and the container of "Red" Embossing Pearls powder is pearl white. Huh! (Anyone laughing at me yet, oops, I mean "with" me!) :) So I try it out on Basic Black first. As you can see - it comes out a lovely shade of purple, actually it pretty much matches the SU! Orchid Opulence perfectly!

So I try it on Whisper White next - still looking for a red color! (yah, takes me awhile sometimes! heehee) Wow - the pearl is sure pretty, but where's my RED? As I move the card stock I catch a glint of the lightest reddish sheen I've ever seen - it all depends on the card stock and the way the light hits the embossed design! LOL - and here I was expecting RED with a pearl-like sheen. So now I'm playing with this powder on other colors to see what happens - you may see future designs with this, not sure yet.

BUT - I am thrilled to be using a SU! color that I rarely use, which is Orchid Opulence. This design is quite pretty in person, though neither my camera nor my scanner did a great job at picking up the true Orchid Opulence color. For this design, I used both of the CPS Valentine sets - isn't the arrow cute? The "You" is part of an "I Love You" - just inked up only that word. I like the Cuttlebug Heart Block A2 Embossing Folder. for this design, it adds a nice, simple background while letting the Embossing Pearl powder be the draw to the focal point sentiment and image. A little SU! Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon & paper piercing with the SU! Crafters Tool Kit and VOILA - Pearl Love & Hearts!

Stamps: Valentine and Valentine Circle (CreativePlayStamps)
Card Stock: SU! Orchid Opulence & Basic Black
Ink: Versamark and Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Ranger Embossing Pearls - Red, Cuttlebug & Heart Block A2 Embossng Folder; SU! Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Heat Tool, Crafters Tool Kit & Stampin' Dimensionals.
ENJOY!

Velvet Flower Valentine

Here's a classic black and white color combo - with a splash of St. Valentine's Day color. I also used some Ranger Embossing Pearl Powder in Pale Gold for the "Love" image. The fact that the word love is spelled out in tiny, solid hearts is so fun! (Have I told you that already?? lol) This image is from the Valentine stamp set from Creative Play Stamps.

And the splash of color? 7 Gypsies Velvet flowers - the Ruby Red assortment. As you can see, it comes with white too. The color is so pretty, and I love the soft texture of the velvet finish on these flowers.

Below is a close-up so you can see the Cuttlebug A2 Embossing Folder called Heart Block, that I used on the SU! Whisper White card stock. It makes a nice, simple background that adds nicely to the Love sentiment.



Stamps: Valentine
Card Stock: SU! Basic Black & Whisper White
Ink: Versamark
Accessories: Ranger Embossing Pearls - Pale Gold; 7 Gypsies Velvet Flowers - Ruby Red; Cuttlebug and Heart Block A2 Embossing Folder; SU! Corner Rounder Punch (retired version); SU! Black Brads, Mini Glue Dots and Heat Tool.
ENJOY!

Be My Valentine

Never trust your computer! lol I thought this project posted earlier today - only to find out it did not! I got the layout idea for this design from a GinaK Designs January Release Party Challenge last week. It was originally a scrapbook layout, but I saw a card design instead.

Not your traditional St. Valentine's Day colors though, eh? What do you think of this color combination? I am still using the GORGEOUS Prima Belle Fleur Vintage Ruby Flowers I got from Creative Play Stamps - so that's where the Bravo Burgundy & Always Artichoke come from. I added the More Mustard and Very Vanilla (all SU! colors, btw) to tie in with the self-adhesive(love this feature of any embellishment!) Prima Pebble from the Definitions assortment.

The Valentine Circle Stamp Set gives a wonderful focal point, while the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots A2 Embossing Folder adds some texture interest.

Stamps: Valentine Circle (CreativePlayStamps)
Card Stock: SU! Bravo burgundy, Always Artichoke, More Mustard & Very Vanilla
Ink: Bravo Burgundy
Accessories: Cuttlebug & Swiss Dots A2 Embossing Folder, Prima Belle Fleur Vintage Ruby Flowers, Prima Pebbles - Definitions, SU! Scallop Edge Punch & Stampin' Dimensionals.
ENJOY!

Just Buzzin' By...

This was one of the sets we demonstrators could pre-order while we finished out the old catalog and waited for the new one. These bees are just too darn cute! When I saw the dripping honey on the honey pot image, Crystal Effects immediately came to mind! The second pic shows a close-up of the dimension and shine the Crystal Effects provides.

Technique Tip:I also used the Crystal Effects and More Mustard Re-inker to make my own 'Rain Dot'-like embellishments. Just place a drop of Crystal effects where you want it on your project, stick a toothpick in the nozzle of your re-inker, and gently swirl the ink into the drop of Crystal Effects in a circular motion (to help keep the round shape). Play first on a piece of waxed paper to get the hang of how much ink, etc. You can even make these ahead on the waxed paper, then just peel off and adhere (with adhesive) to your project later! I heard you can can make some fun effects by mixing ink colors too. How fun is this?!

Design inspired by Ilse Vargas.

Stamps: Just Buzzin' By
Card Stock: More Mustard, Kiwi Kiss, Confetti White, Bella Rose
Ink: Basic Brown, More Mustard (Classic Ink Pad & Re-inker), Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Aquapainter, Water Color Wonder Crayons, Kiwi Kiss Satin Double-Sided Ribbon; Crystal Effects, Mini glue Dots and Dimensionals
ENJOY!

St. Valentine's Day Top Note Treat

Need a sweet treat idea for your kids or your sweetie? St. Valentine's Day party at school? How about for your paper-crafting buddies and/or co-workers? Grab the Love You Much Bundle and the Bigz Top Note Die and get started!

Note: Did you know you can use the Bigz Dies not only with the Big Shot, but with the Cuttlebug and other similar machines? If you don't have any of these fun tools yet, I suggest the Big Shot (instant Hostess credit when you purchase the Starter Kit!) However, do you have one of these tools, but have been holding off on purchasing these fun dies - wait no more!


Stamps: Love You Much
Card Stock: Riding Hood Red, Creamy Caramel, Candy Lane DSP
Ink: Riding Hood Red
Accessories: Bigz Top Note Die, Heart to Heart & Scallop Circle Punches, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, small Cello Bags
ENJOY!

Be My Valentine Card

I created this card with a layout from one of the challenges from GinaK Designs January Release Party
It was originally a scrapbook page layout, but a card came to mind so I did that instead. I think I actually missed the submission deadline - lol, gotta love to hate dial-up!

This is another design using the wonderful stamps and paper crafting supplies over at Creative Play Stamps.
Supplies like their Valentine Circle Stamp Set and embellishments and tools like the Prima Belle Fleur Vintage Ruby Flowers, Prima Pebbles- Definitions (self-adhesive!) [find Prima supplies HERE) and Cuttlebug A2 Swiss Dots Folder [ find HERE].

What do you think of my non-traditional St. Valentine's Day colors? :) The Prima Definition Pebble I chose comes from a package of 8 and says "Adore - to regard with loving admiration and..."

Stamps: Valentine Circle
Card Stock: SU! Bravo Burgundy, Always Artichoke, More Mustard & Very Vanilla
Ink: Bravo Burgundy
Accessories: SU! Scallop Edge Punch, Cuttlebug and Swiss Dots A2 Embossing Folder, Prima Belle Fleur Vintage Ruby Flowers, Prima Pebbles - Definitions, SU! Stampin' Dimensionals and Paper Snips.
ENJOY!

CreativePlayStamps - Felt Valentine

When I first came across this Prima Voila Die Cut Art Strip while browsing the Embellishments category over at Creative Play Stamps I didn't know what it was! lol Do you know? Let me tell you anyways... self-adhesive die cut felt strips. Self-Adhesive!!! Yeah Baby - that's what I'm talking about!! heehee I think these were made specifically for me - lol. I really wanted to show the beautiful design of the felt, so I made a long Valentine card.

Since the felt design itself is so decorative and lovely, a simple sentiment was called for and the 'Valentine' from the stamp set of the same name is the perfect font style to go with the felt strip. I added the duo color rosebud image from the Valentine Circle set at the end of the sentiment for an added touch of elegance. Combined with fancy corners via the SU! Ticket Corner Punch - and the result is a simple focal piece that stands out while also letting the beautiful felt strip hold it's own. Let's see - I think this took all of 10 minutes - maybe. Voila is an appropriate name for these Prima Felt Strips! :)

Stamps: Valentine & Valentine Circle (CPS)
Card Stock: SU! Riding Hood Red & Whisper White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Stampin' Writes in Real Red & Garden Green
Accessories: Prima Voila Die Cut Art Strip, SU! Ticket Corner Punch
ENJOY!