The Sounding Joy Easel Card

My first Christmas card design for the coming season! It uses the set "The Sounding Joy", as well as the 3/8" Quilted Satin Ribbon, now available in the Holiday Mini. This is an easel card, made using the Big Shot and the Scallop Circle Die.

The star word image is stamped in Crumb Cake on Very Vanilla, with the Joy image over-stamped in Cherry Cobbler. The top-most Scallop Circle is embossed with the Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder, then spritzed with Gold Smooch. It is finished off with the Quilted Ribbon bow and a Gold Glimmer Brad.

Inside is wording from the "Come to Bethlehem" stamp set, stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Very Vanilla, and punched using the Decorative Label Punch. ENJOY!

Fabulous Fall Florets

This is card 3 of 3 for my October workshop. This design is a CASE from a very talented demonstrator, Mary B. To 'make it my own", I changed up the color combo and the style of ribbon.

The 2011/13 In Color Color Coach gave me this non-traditional Fall color combo: Concord Crush, Daffodil Delight and Tangerine Tango.

Oh Hey - it's the Big Shot AGAIN! hee hee This time with the Lattice Die and the Perfectly Polka Dots Embossing Folder.

Th design is finished off with concord Crush ribbon and an In Color Polka Dot Brad.

ENJOY!

Punched Fall Mums

This is card 2 of 3 for my October workshop. I CASE'D this design from another super talented demonstrator, Mary D. but of course had to 'make it my own' by changing up colors and embellishments.

This design uses a bounty of classic Fall colors: Cherry Cobbler, Peach parfait, Old Olive, More Mustard and Cajun Craze for the 'Mums' which were made using the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch. They are layered on Early Espresso, then the whole piece was run through the Big Shot using the Square Lattice Embossing Folder for the "Inlaid Embossing" technique. The design is finished off with Self-Adhesive Rhinestones and some Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon.
ENJOY!

Fabulous Floating Florets

Here is project 3 of 3 from my Stampin' UP! New Catalog Open House earlier this month. This was the 'detailed' project that took some time to do - but WOW! Look at the results! This design is a "techinque" card that showcases the 'floating re-inkers' technique, along with several NEW products including: New In Colors Island Indigo and Calypso Coral, Designer Frames Embossing Folder, Ruffled Ribbon and the stamp sets "Fabulous Florets" and "Petite Pairs."

The Floating Re-Inkers technique uses Shimmer Paper (though you can't tell in the picture, you CAN tell in person!) with a line image that is heat embossed in black. Then, you spritz the embossed card stock with LOTS of water, and use the re-inker to add a few drops of ink to the image. The ink spread in the water all on it's own, and you can also use an Aquapainter to swish it around and achieve more color consistency. I then used the Paper Snips to cut out the Fabulous Florets, and mount them with Dimensionals on the cut out embossed frame (run through the Big Shot of course!).

I used the Island Indigo stamp pad to create the background for the focal image, by dragging it across the same color card stock. The whole thing came together very well, and is simply GORGEOUS! ENJOY!

Vellum Overlay Cards

Here is project 2 of 3 from my Stampin' Up! New Catalog Open House earlier this month. Another SUPER fast and easy design that gives the added BONUS of using up the slightly larger pieces of Designer Series Papers (DSP) most of us have lying around our craft rooms. Just choose a coordinating solid color of card stock for the base and the ribbon.

Here, I used Old Olive with the NEW DSP Paisley Petals. I used Vellum Card Stock to run through the Big Shot in the Elegant Bouquet Embossing folder. Just use your Snail or Mono-Adhesive to adhere the vellum, because the ribbon covers up the adhesive showing through the vellum. (TIP: In my experience, there is NO adhesive that doesn't show through vellum, not even the specialty vellum adhesives that are available.) The sentiment is from a NEW stamp set called "Blessings from Heaven", and is stamped in StazOn black ink as the surface finish of vellum requires a specialty ink like StazOn.

I went through my DSP scrap drawer and pulled a bunch of retired DSP and made up a stack of cards. TIP: Leave the sentiment off, until you know for sure what occasion you will be using the card for. Then you will have a stash of ready and waiting cards whenever the next occasion arises! ENJOY!

Friend to Friend

I love the colors on this card, as they are bright and cheerful and remind me of several of my friends! I used Stampin' Up!'s Pear Pizzazz for the base layer, as well as to highlight the Finial Press embossing folder. Nestabilities scalloped circle made my focal image pop, along with some sponging around the edges with SU! Pumpkin Pie ink. The Elzy Bells image is colored with Copic Markers. The sentiment uses all SU!: Modern Label Punch and the stamp set "Teeny Tiny Wishes", and a flower brad - all popped up on Dimensionals. ENJOY!

Confirmation Card & Thank You

These are thank you cards I made for a friend's son, for his Confirmation. I used Crumb Cake and Cherry Cobbler, the Big Shot and the reverse cut out of the Top Note die, a retired set called "Refuge & Strength". The first dove image is also from a retired set called "Peace Be Unto You" - I had four of these images already stamped, and on hand. This is the image I originally wanted to use, however, the friend I had previously borrowed the stamp set from, no longer had it. So, on to Plan B!





Instead, I used the Dove from the Big Shot Holiday Windows Movers & Shapers die! A different look, but still a good look.

And for his confirmation card, I used the Top Note cut out and the reverse cut out from the Holiday windows Mover & Shapers Dove die! I love the effect of using the reverse cut outs from the Big Shot dies.

Also used were the Word Window and Designer Label punches.


ENJOY!

Special Technique - Easter Wishes

This is project 3 of 3 from a workshop this past weekend. If you follow my blog, you *know* I {heart} my Big Shot! This awesome technique utilizes the Big Shot - it's called "Inlaid Embossing". First I created the butterflies using the Beautiful Wings Embosslit (an SU exclusive) in Perfect Plum, Pear Pizzazz and Bashful Blue. Then I grabbed the swirl image from "Baroque Motifs", inked it in Peach Parfait and stamped off 3 times before stamping the image on the Very Vanilla. I used Snail Adhesive to adhere the butterflies. Here's where the technique comes in - place the Very Vanilla layer that has the butterflies on it - in the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder and run it through the Big Shot. It look s like the butterflies are part of the layer!

Tip: Try the Inlaid embossing Technique using some of SU's heart or circle punches too - and try different embossing folders too - like Square lattice, Vintage Wallpaper and Finial Press.

The sentiment is from "All Holidays", and was stamped in Perfect Plum, then punched with the Curly Label and attached with Dimensionals. The tiny Perfect Plum butterfly is our touch of 'bling' from the Two Way Glue Pen and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, and is attached with a rolled up Mini Glue Dot. The In Color, Peach Parfait, is the base of the card. ENJOY!

Eat Chocolate...Ice Cream?

Love the "Eat Chocolate" stamp set in the Occasions Mini? Here's an alternative use - scoops of ice cream! I got the initial idea from a fellow demonstrator, then designed this card myself. The Square Lattice Embossing folder in the Big Shot makes perfect sugar cones, don't you think?! I used Soft Suede Textured card stock for the base layer, then Pretty in Pink and Daffodil Delight for the strawberry and vanilla ice cream - and Pretty In Pink and So Saffrom with the Scallop Edge Punch. A Whisper White circle and Grosgrain ribbon bow set-off the focal images. But it';s the Crystal Effects on the "ice cream" that really makes this design so - Yummy! ENJOY!

Three Little Words...

Here's another simple card - though it doesn't appear so at first. I used Three Little Words (available as a Sale-abration FREE choice!) along with I {Heart} Hearts stamp sets. Colors are Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose & Whisper White ink and card stock, along with some Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon. The key is to stamp on the Whisper White first, then run it through the Big Shot in the Square Lattice Embossing Folder Voila! 'textured' stamping. ENJOY!

Glimmer Valentine

The Glimmer Paper in the Occasions Mini is wonderful! It's a nice, thick weight with red glitter already attached so no clean up after using it! For this design, another inspiration from a fellow demonstrator - I used the Big Shot for more Embossing Folder fun with the Perfect POlka Dot and Finial Press folders. The stamp set is the Level One Host set Punch Potpourri and the sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes ( a wonderfully versatile set with so many holidays and special occasion sentiments). Punches: XL Full Heart, Modern Label and Word Window. The Basic Grey Taffeta Ribbon ties together the color combo of Basic Grey, Pirouette Pink, Real Red and Whisper White.

This would make a lovely wedding, anniversary or just because I love you... ENJOY!

Vanilla Valentine

I saw a design similar to this done by a fellow demonstrator and wanted to make one too - it's just so elegant all in Very Vanilla!

I used the Big Shot and the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, along with Very Vanilla Craft Ink and Clear Embossing Powder and my SU Heat Tool. A few Basic Pearls (self-adhesive - woohoo!) and some sleek Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon.

I know it's hard to see in this picture - so TRY it yourself and see just how elegant all Very Vanilla, or even all Whisper White is. ENJOY!

Easel Gift Card Revisited

Here is the same Easel Card as this post but in a different set of colors - Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red and Very Vanilla. I used these for Applebees gift cards for family Christmas gifts yesterday.

I hope you all are having very Merry and Blessed Christmas celebrations! Enjoy these Twelve Days of Christmas!

Easel Gift Card

This is project three of three from my December THO (totally hands on) workshop. Maybe you've been seeing 'easel' cards all over the web like I have? I've been wanting to make one - again, easier than you think just to look at them! But I wanted my easel card to also hold a gift card - so my workshop participants could use this project right away.

The only change I made to the standard easel card directions, is that I cut my base from 12" card stock - so 4 1/4" x 12" - then scored at 5 1/2" and 1". the 1' score becomes your gift card pocket when you fold it up and the edges/corners with Mini Glue Dots folded in half.

This design uses Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White along with several stamp sets: "Christ is Born", "Heard from the Heart" and "All Holidays" - as well as the Scallop Trim Border, Ornament and 2 Step Bird XL Punches; the Big Shot with the Movers and Shapers Holiday Windows. ENJOY!

Top Note Treat Purse

This is project two of three, from my December THO (totally hands on) workshop. Another simple and fun way to dress up a small gift or treat. Using the Big Shot, I die cut the top Notes in Bravo Burgundy, then embossed them with the Vintage Wallpaper folder and finished them off with some Gold Smooch Spritz. They are attached to a simple box pattern with Mini Glue Dots, and then I added a Pear Pizzazz Ribbon for a handle, using Gold Brads.

I chose a sentiment from the "Fundamental Phrases" stamp set that could be used for Christmas or another occasion and layered using four different punches: Decorative Label, Large Oval, Modern Label and Word Window. Punches are so much fun - and layering them makes them SUPER FUN!
ENJOY!

Simple Snowflake Card

This is one of three projects from my December THO (totally hands on) Workshop. It is a simple, quick and lovely card that would make a nice Thank You for Christmas gifts and hospitality - just substitute the 'thank you' sentiment from the "sincere Salutations" stamp set.

This Marina Mist and Whisper White design uses the Snowflake embossing folder in the Big Shot, along with a bit of marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon and some self-adhesive Rhinestones (all current SU products!). Simple and elegant - ENJOY!

Just Believe in Bleach - Again

Here's another bleach technique sample. I mentioned in THIS POST how differently the image can turn out with this technique - now you see what I mean! Whereas the other design the bleached image was More Mustard in color - this one is definitely yellow! I contrast the yellow on the Garden Green with Early Espresso and Soft Suede. Then added the Cherry cobbler as an eye-popping splash of color to tone down - just a tad - the brightness of the yellow of the bleached image.

the Top Note die sets off the image, while a piece of retired antique brass Hodgepodge hardware sets off the sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set. A couple of Cherry Cobbler Brads completes the 'rule of 3' that draws your eye around the card - again, helping to ever-so-slightly dispell the brightness of the yellow. ENJOY!

Sneak Peek - NEW COLORS!

I'm still hosting Chat & challenges over on SUDSOL (the online community for SU demonstrators), and this week, instead of giving a sketch - I gave 8 tasks or steps that asked participants to gather certain supplies. Once all 8 steps were given, they then had 30 minutes to design a project using only what they had just gathered. My inspiration for the steps came from THIS CARD I had done earlier. I actually got time to play along with my own requirements this go around (it's been a loooong time since I could do that!) I wanted to use the "July Fourth" stamp set currently in the Summer Mini, also available as a digital download! The 'stamping off' technique works wonderfully to create a sky full of fireworks - don't you agree? :)

Notice the colors? The blue is the past In Color Pacific Point - it's back as part of SU!'s Color Renovation of our core color families. The red is a BRAND NEW color - Cherry Cobbler - aslo part of the Color Renovation and the new core color families which will be released July 1st with the NEW CATALOG & IDEA BOOK! If you don't already have a demonstrator, and would like a Stampin' Up! 2010/11 Idea Book & Catalog - contact me or order it via my SU website on July 1st. you'll also be able to view it online via my SU website on July 1st. If you're like me - nothing beats a hard copy of an SU catalog though! :)

This design also uses: "Fundamental Phrases" & "I (Heart) Hearts" stamp sets, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Curly Label Punch, Build-a-Brad, Fire Rhinestone Circle Brads, Eyelet Border Punch & Dimensionals.

Oh yes - and here are the 8 Requirements if you'd like to play along... 3 colors of card stock (one can be DSP), 2 stamp sets, 2 coordinating ink colors (can match if you like), 1 punch shape, 1 border (can be a border punch or anything else), 3 embellishments; 1 popped up item & at least 3 layers (can have more, but not less). It was fun to see all the different card layouts that came out of these 8 requirements. GIVE IT A TRY! Then link your creation back here so we can all see what you came up with.

I'll be using this card as a wedding anniversary card for friends who were married in the beginning of July. ENJOY!

It's A Boy! Birth Announcement

I've been waiting to post this - cuz some of you would be on my snail mail list, and I didn't want you to see it before it arrived in your mail; box! :) This is the birth announcement I did for our newest, sweet family addition - Baby Joshua. He is totally sweet, warm, soft, cuddly and just plain YUMMY! :)

I have a little secret too - I came up with the idea for this design using Stampin' Up's My Digital Studio (MDS)! I had just loaded it onto my computer, and decided to play around a bit even though I have never used a program like this before. This general sketch was what I came up with - THE FIRST TIME I USED MY DIGITAL STUDIO! Not kidding - and that is how EASY this digital paper-crafting program is to use! I'm currently going through the training/certification process that SU offers it's demonstrators - so I can be equipped to answer YOUR questions about this awesome product.

I am totally impressed with MDS already - and I have only just begun the training. There is so much you can do with this program - scrapbooks, cards, calendars, flyers, blog headers/banners, signature lines, etc.

This design is all SU except for the Nestabilities I used for the sentiment and wording. My favorite part is the Texturz Plate used to create the 'background' paper in Almost Amethyst. ENJOY!

Cinema Saturday Challenge #74 - "UP!"

I am so excited to *finally* be playing along with the Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge again! We're still waiting on Baby to arrive - and I took a break from birth announcement preparation to play along with the movie "UP!" - with the required challenge element of using balloons in your design. (Who knows when I'll be able to play along again - so I am grateful for the opportunity this time!)

Our whole family loved this movie - "SQUIRREL!"

"Who wants the BALL!" heehee

One of the themes I was most impressed with was the positive light marriage was shown in. The belief in each others dreams, the creation of new dreams together and the sacrifice of one's personal dreams for the better dream of the marriage. I know this wasn't meant as a major theme in this movie - but it jumped out at me right away. So refreshing for a movie to support the value of marriage rather than tear it down.

So I have had this Elzybells image called "Up and away" colored for a couple of months now - just waiting to be created into a card. It is colored with Copic Markers. The sentiment comes from the retired SU! set "Happy Harmony". Also used were my SU! Big Shot, Texturz Folder for the dry embossed polka dot background and Oval regular and petite scallop Nestabilites. A little Glue Pen and SU! Dazzling Diamonds glitter to highlight the border between the SU! Elegant Eggplant & Yo Yo Yellow layers as well as the petite scallop oval - and some Elegant Eggplant 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon to finish it off. ENJOY!