A Little Inspiration

Just one more...

 

OK, I promise to take a break from bicycles, but I just have to add one more to the mix.  Although it didn't turnout quite like I had planned in my mind.  I really like the flowers on the back of the bike and the blue border on top.

I created this card for the I Want to Ride My Bicycle Challenge in the Moxie Fab World going on until tomorrow night.  I had a vision of bicycles rolling along the hills and this is the final result.

I started with Whisper White and layered Daffodil Delight, Certainly Celery (textured with Flourishes texture plate) & Bella Bleu DSP.

Then, I stamped the bikes in Early Espresso and colored the bikes in Baja Blue, Pink Pirouette, Daffodil Delight, River Rock, Early Espresso & Crumb Cake.

Then, I punched out flowers with the Trio Flower Punch in Daffodil Delight and used the Pink Pirouette marker for each center.

Next I stamped the border in Baja Breeze on Whisper White and layered that on Baja Breeze card stock.

Next step, carefully cut out the bike (those paper snips sure came in handy).

Finally, I added the butterflies (Beautiful Wings Embosslits) and banner.  But something was missing so I also added flowers from the Country Morning (Hostess Level 1) set.

So, if you are looking for a little inspiration, head on over to the Moxie Fab World and check out the entries.  They are impressive!

Last chance to win!  Be sure to leave a comment here for a chance to win the stamp set, Pedaling Past for yourself. 

Supplies:

Paper: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight, & Bella Bleu DSP

Ink: Early Espresso, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, Crumb Cake, River Rock, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi, & Rich Razzleberry

Stamps: Pedaling Past & Message for Mom

BigShot: Flourishes Texture Plate & Embosslits Beautiful Wings

Punches: Word Window, Modern Label & Flower Trio

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Stamping!

Bicycle Note Cards

I'm on a bicycle kick and just love these super simple note cards using Pedaling Past stamp set for my Etsy Shop update.

I made three 3x3 cards using Early Espresso and Baja Breeze ink the Word Window Punch and a brad.

So simple, so easy.

Because I love them, because it's Friday, because I have reached my first year blogging and because I ordered an extra, I'm giving away a Clear Mount Pedaling Past Stamp Set.

Just leave a comment here (between now and Sunday at 11:59 pm) - any comment is fine, but if you need a topic, how about your favorite summer activity?  I'll pick a winner on Monday.

• I love sipping a cool drink on the deck with my friends & family as the sun goes down and the heat of the day eases off.  How about you?

Bicycle Along (PPA48)

It's Thursday which means it's time for a new Pals Paper Arts Challenge (PPA48).  This week is a sketch challenge (my favorite).  And the MOXIE FAB Challenge  I Want to Ride My Bicycle Challenge in the Moxie Fab World is going on through June 28.  Head on over with your bicycle creations for a chance to win and for some great inspiration.

I tried to go more masculine with my card but couldn't resist adding some balloon hearts - LOL!

• I started with a Whisper White Background and embossed the paper with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder

• Then, I added Marina Mist & Daffodil Delight (rounding the corners on the Marina Mist).

• Next layer, a band of the coordinating stamp in Early Espresso on Whisper White.

• Finally, I stamped the bicycle in Early Espresso and watercolored a little Crumb Cake under the bike and colored the image with markers.

• Last touch, a little linen thread and three Riding Hood Red Hearts trailing along. 

I think it could use a sentiment...might have to see what I have in the cupboard.

Supplies:

Paper: Whisper White, Marina Mist, Early Espresso, & Daffodil Delight

Ink: Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, River Rock & CrumbStamps: Pedaling Past

Other: Square Lattice Embossing Folder, small heart punch & silver eyelets

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy stamping!

Introducing Greenhouse Gala

Finally, a chance to play with my new 'toys'.  With so many nephews, I'm always thrilled to find new boy stamps for all the birthday cards I make every year.  This card features:

• NEW Pedaling Past Stamp Set in the Summer Mini Catalog

• NEW Sizzix Clearlits Scallop Rectangle from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog - Available JULY 1st

• NEW Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper (DSP).  I love that this paper is both feminine and masculine - you'll see more of the feminine side of this paper soon!

• NEW Daffodil Delight

• NEW Tangerine Tango (returning from last year's In-Color to the new Brights Collection)

• NEW Markers - Perfect for coloring images and I have finally added them to my collection of tools.

Supplies:

Paper: Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight & Greenhouse Gala DSP

Stamps: Pedaling Past

Ink: JetBlack StazOn, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Early Espresso & Crumb Cake

Other: Circut & Brads (stash)

Thanks for stopping by - be sure to check out the Summer Mini Catalog for some fun new stamps sets and put your 'wish list' together for the new catalog items available JULY 1st!

Two Thoroughly Modern Birthday Cards

The Demonstrator Sneak Peak of the new Stampin' Up! Catalog starts on June 1.  I can hardly wait!  To keep myself busy in the meantime, I am using up some Designer Series Paper and doing my best to be patient.

The first is a nice & easy masculine card with a matching/coordinating interior.

• I used just a little bit of Rose Red to make the card 'pop' and created a border using the curly label punch.

• The Brads are nice and big (free through the end of the month with qualifying Stampin' Up! purchase) and give a little extra touch without being 'girlie'

The second card is definitely feminine with big flowers from the Island Floral Bigz Die (Summer Mini Catalog).

 

This is one that required a little 'playing around' before I got what I wanted.  The small circle center is 3/4" with slits cut around for a little bit of texture & dimension.

Supplies:

Paper: Thoroughly Modern DSP, Whisper White, Soft Suede, Rose Red & Bermuda Bay

Ink: Bermuda Bay & Rose Red

Stamps: Happy Everything

Other: Curly Label Punch, Brads

Supplies:

Paper: Thoroughly Modern DSP, Whisper White, Rose Red & Bermuda Bay

Ink: Bermuda Bay

Stamps: Messages for Mom (Occasions Mini)

Other: Island Floral Bigz Die, Word Window & Modern Label Punches,  Brad & White Dots (not SU)

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stamping!

Miro Inspired

Ok, maybe this is a far cry from Joan Miro, but looking through some photos, I found this picture

from our visit to the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia.  I've had images of circles in my mind for a couple of days and thought these would be fun cards for kids with bold and bright colors.

 

I combined some returning colors, current colors & new colors in these fun circle cards and I like how the colors combine - old, current & new.

They are quick & easy to make and would be a great project for kids too (just be sure to use glue sticks not liquid glue!).

Supplies:

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry & Summer Sun

Punches: 3/4", 1", 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" circle punches

Hope you are having a lovely day!

Happy stamping!

Tulips & Confessions

(Scroll down for the card.)

I have a confession to make.

I have never liked pink. 

As a little girl, I liked blue and red.  Period.  No pink.  No purple.  And definitely no lavender.

When Pink Pirouette came onto the scene as an "In-Color" last year, I thought it was OK and used the paper on occasion for a 'girlie' card here and there.

This past year, Melon Mambo arrived - bold and bright.  I couldn't quite handle it.  Give me shades of brown, blue, distressed looks, and soft greens.  Just not this "in your face" pink. Yikes!

Well, after a good year of using both Pink Pirouette and Melon Mambo (along with Rose Red I might add).  I am in love with both pinks and am thrilled that they "made the cut" and will continue to be included in the Stampin' Up! collection of colors.  In fact, I must admit, I was hoarding the last of my Pink Pirouette, wondering what I would do when I came to the last piece.   How could I ever replace such a soft pink?

Thankfully, having cut into my last pieces of 8 1/2 x 11 of both colors, I will be able to continue to use two of my new favorite colors: Pink Pirouette & Melon Mambo.  After all, they make great tulips!

Today's card features tulips made with the Island Floral Bigz die released in the Summer Mini Catalog along with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.

I think this would have made a lovely Mother's Day card and could make a lovely Bridal or Baby Shower card - just change the tag/add a different sentiment. 

I also think the tulips would make a great gift box top.

 
Supplies:

Paper: Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Barely Banana, Old Olive & Raspberry Tart DSP (Retired)

Ink: Melon Mambo & Crushed Curry

Stamps: Tiny Tags

Other: 1/2" striped grossgrain ribbon (So Saffron), Jewelry Tag, Scallop Eyelet Border & Corner Punches, Island Floral Bigz Die & Platinum Shimmer Paint

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you're having a great weekend.

PS: Pink Pirouette will be available July 1 and Melon Mambo shall continue in the Brights Collection.

A Little Bug's Birthday

My nephew, Lucas turns one in February and his birthday marks a special anniversary for me - when I started stamping (again) and realized how much the industry has changed in the past 10 years.

(That's us a year ago - I think he was about 9 days old.)

I went to visit my sister, Natalie in Minnesota just after Lucas was born.  There, on her dining room table was a smorgasbord of paper, ink, stamps, tools, and cards.  I had been the lucky recipient of her beautiful cards (before she had two little boys) and couldn't believe how easy it was compared to years ago.

I was hooked - immediately.

I still have so much to  learn but I look back on the past year and marvel at a) how much stuff I have (LOL!) b) how many women out there love to do this too 3) how much fun I have doing this 4) how good it feels to give a handmade card or gift to someone special 5) how much I enjoy sharing this love for creating 6) how being creative has spread into so many areas of my life and home.

Thanks Natalie!  Thanks Lucas!

 Now...on to his card ;-)

• I started with a Bashful Blue card base at 5 1/4 x 5 1/4

• Ran it through the BigShot with the small dots texture plate

• Stamped the bug in Jet Black Stazon Ink & colored it with markers

• A couple of circle punches & scallop circle made the flower

• The leaves are from Cricut (Plantin Schoolbook - Italic)

• Added the Scallop border (love this new punch!)

• The sentiment is from "A Little Birdie" and I added the dots with marker

Supplies:

Ink: StazOn Jet Black Ink, Assorted Markers

Stamps: Love Bug, A Little Birdie

Paper: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, Whisper White

Other: 3/16" 1 1/4", 1 1/2" Circle Punches, Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Trim Border, Cricut (leaves), 1/2" Striped Grossgrain Ribbon, Trio Flower Punch, & Sizzix Small Dots Texture Plate

Have a great day!

Sporty Billy Scores Again

Have you noticed some Etsy Shop updates on the tool bar?  I made this card for my shop the other day and just have to share it with you.

Sporty Billy, by Pink Cat Studios, is all about boys and sports.  With six nephews it sure comes in handy for birthday cards.

I started by stamping the image with Black Staz On ink on a piece of 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" watercolor paper.  I then watercolored the sky with various inks from Stampin' Up! and the aqua painter.  A couple of tricks I learned when working with "Aunt Katy" an artist and art teacher:

First: Mask off the image (what you don't want colored).  For example, before doing the sky & ground, it works best to cover up Billy with tape or removable adhesive.

Second: "Wash" the area you going to color i.e. take your wet brush and run it over the paper (without color) to wet the paper, then go back and add your color.

Third: The Stampin' Up! re-inkers are perfect for this technique.  You can use a clear acrylic block, dab on a teeny-tiny drop of ink and then pick up just a little color (a little goes a long way on a small image).

Fourth: Let an area dry before you go to the next color or it will bleed and smear. 

Finally: You can always add more but it is hard to take the ink away.

Not bad for a novice, huh?

Many more cards to show & tell.  If you'd like to place an order, click here.  Questions?  Leave a comment or send an email.

Kiss Me Fabulous

Do you ever find that you just don't want to see another holiday card?   I'm not a fan of Halloween (although there is some really cute stuff out there) and I found myself jumping straight to Christmas. 

I took a break from holiday cards and 'played' with some great colors and a technique called 'kissing'.  In this case, it's a little more like the 'rock and roll' technique...

I stamped the flower in Orchid Opulence and then lightly touched it to Rich Razzleberry and stamped on Whisper White cardstock.  This gives the image more texture and deepens the color.  A couple of layers, a little bit of glitter and ta da!

On the inside...

And close up.

Supplies:

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Whisper White, Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper

Ink: Orchid Opulence, Rich Razzleberry

Stamps: Looks Like Spring & Fabulous Flowers

Other: Stickles Glitter, Designer Snap (We R Memory Keepers)

Happy Friday!

To place a Stampin' Up! order, click here.