A Little Inspiration

Gone Fishin'

Have you seen these vests before?  I've seen them on various sites and wanted to make one for my father.  He finally retired - after 34 years of early mornings, overtime, being called in, and countless hours of troubleshooting. 

I know he plans to do a lot of fishing - although I'm sure my mother's honey-do list is plenty long! So, I designed this card with an inside gift card pocket and lots of little fishing goodies on the outside.

I started with Crumb Cake and scored along the tri-fold lines (2-1/8" from each side), used the square lattice texture plate for the front panels, punched out the pockets using the large and small tag punches.

I sewed the pockets with my sewing machine, sponged the edges and adhered with sticky strip.

Note: The paper is really strong and the bobber pushed the limits of the adhesive.  I noticed the pockets wanting to pop off the card (especially with the texture).

Tip: DO NOT sew over adhesive as it will ruin your needle and possibly damage your machine.

Then I added the eyelets.  I should have doubled up the center eyelets so that the string would cross in the front along the bottom as well.  Lastly, I cut some extra pieces for the collar.  Sponged those edges and clipped a bit from the bottom sides & front.

I made the armholes with the wide oval punch.  I just measured the card, marked a spot, then trimmed with my scissors.  For the neck, I just used a ruler and pencil to mark the distance and cut by hand.

I picked up the lures and bobber from a local fishing supply store.  This is one that definitely needs to be hand delivered or mailed in a box or padded envelope!

Congratulations Dad!  Thanks for all  you do!

Paper: Crumb Cake

Ink: Crumb Cake

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes (inside)

Punches: Large and small tag punches & Crop-a-dile

Other: Eyelets, sewing machine & butcher's string (non-su)

 Happy Stamping!

Forest Friends Birthday (MOJO183)

 
The sketch this week is pretty simple and since I'm always in need of boy cards.  I decided to make a Happy Birthday card fitting for a boy.  The challenge was to find a stamp set that works.  I picked Forest Friends, one of the stamp sets you can recieve for free as part of Sale-a-bration with a $50.00 Stampin' Up! order.

• I started with Whisper White and layered Pear Pizazz (Hostess Level 1 Designer Series In Color Pack). 

• I stamped the images in Early Espresso and Pear Pizazz.

• The bottom band is Early Espresso, embossed with Perfect Polka Dots and cut with the Top Note die. 

• Then, I folded the ribbon in half and adhered the edges together and tied a button from Button Latte (in the Clearance Rack) on the ribbon.

• And, to get an extra circle for the owl, I cut a 1-1/2" circle of Pear Pizazz with the Circle Scissors plus.

• I felt like the card needed something else, so I add a 1/2" cirlce of Poppy Parade behind the Happy Birthday sentiment that I stamped on a leftover piece from the Petal Cone die.

     Paper: Whisper White, Pear Pizazz, Early Espresso, Designer Seris Pack - In Color (Hostess Level1)

Stamps: Forest Friends (123913) Pedaling Past (available in MDS) & Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Ink: Early Espresso & Poppy Pararde

Tools: Circle Scissors Plus (112530), Glass Mat (112531), 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch (119854), 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1-3/8" Circle Punch (119860), 1/2" Circle Punch (119869), Top Note Die (113463), Perfect Polka Dots (117335) & Petal Cone Die (121810)

Embellishments: 1-1/4" Early Espresso Grosgrain Ribbon, (119961), Linen Thread (104199), Button Latte (114333)

Happy Stamping!

Petal Cone Party Hat

Ready for some more Petal Cone fun?

Today, I have a Party Hat for you.  I think this would be a great table decoration, gift, party favor, or place card.  Don't you think?

I have been meaning to work with the Window Sheets from Stampin' Up! and I thought, why not give this a go?  It's even more fun with the Jelly Beans.

• I ran the Window Sheets through the Big Shot using the Petal Cone Die.

• Then, I ran Real Red and some leftover Christmas Jingle DSP through for the scallops and Whisper White for the banner.

• Then I trimmed the scallops to layer and used the leftover pieces to make the pom.  I cut just a little bit off the cone to put the pieces inside (they are held together with a brad).

• The accordion fold is in Marina Mist, scored at every 1/4" inch and adhered with Tombow glue - although I think a couple dabs with the glue gun would be a good idea - the accordion fold pulls pretty hard on the glue and I've had some show stoppers before :-(

• Last, but not least, the banner was stamped in Real Red with Something to Celebrate (Hostess Level 2).

TIP #1: The window sheets will crease but you need to be careful and fold them with your bone folder to get a solid crease.  Put the adhesive along the outside edge of the fold to adhere.  Crystal effects works great.

The best part?  It looks great with this little birthday card I made the other day.

The jelly beans are really heavy so I used a piece of clear tape on the bottom to hold the hat shut.

Tip #2: To make the pom, I adhered two pieces of DSP together with two-way glue (100425) so that only the dotted paper would show.

Supplies:

Paper: Window Sheets Medium (114323), Marina Mist, Real Red, Whisper White, & Christmas Jingle DSP

Ink: Real Red

Stamps: Something to Celebrate (Hostess Level 2)

Embellishments: Striped 5/8" So Saffron grosgrain ribbon (retired), brad

Tools: BigShot, Scoring Tool, Bone Folder, Petal Cone Die, 1/8" Circle Punch, Tombow Glue, Two-Way glue, Crystal Effects

That's it for today!

Happy Stamping!

Clean and Simple Scallops (PPA82)

After the Crazy Petal Cone projects yesterday, I decided to keep it Clean and Simple and take on the Pals Paper Arts Challenge (PPA82) to use Scallops in my project, not to mention clean up my workspace!

One of my nephews has a birthday next week and I think he'll get a kick our of the spinner on this card.

I used a number of Big Shot dies for this one:

• Scallop Square Bigz Clear Die for the background in Marina Mist.  Just fold your paper in half and line it up just below the top edge of the scallops.
• A Whisper White background embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder.
• The large Scallop Square from the Scallop Square Duo Die (from the Holiday Mini Catalog).
• Then, I used the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch to frame the stamped image, Take A Spin from the Mini Occasions Catalog.
• To make the multiple colors, I first stamped the image in Real Red and cut out the shape along the lines. Then I layered that on a piece I stamped in Marina Mist. 
• Finally, I colored the images with Daffodil Delight and added a little bit of ribbon (retired striped grossgrain ribbon).  I hope he doesn't think it's girly :-)

Supplies:

Paper: Marina Mist, Real Red, So Saffron & Whisper White

Stamps: Take A Spin (122015 Occasions Mini Catalog)

Ink: Real Red & Marina Mist

Embellishments: Game Spinner Hands(121893) & Striped So Saffron Grossgrain Ribbon (retired)

BigShot: Scallop Square Clear Die (115950), Scallop Square Duo (120903) & Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335)

Punches: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border (119275)

Happy Stamping!

Authentic All-Star (OCC Get Wordy)

I find that I tend to not make many masculine cards unless a nephew has a birthday or it's Father's Day.  So, when I saw the challenge for Our Creative Corner - Getting Wordy - I thought I'd try out a masculine card today.

The Challenge is to use use a sentiment stamp to create a background or layer on your card by stamping it repeatedly.

I decided to start with My Digital Studio to create the background.  (I just didn't have much in my stash to work with besides sentiments and flowers :-)

* I started with Love Letters DSP (I love that lined paper look) as the background.

* Then using the magic of digital, I colored, rotated & re-sized the Authentic stamp from Certified Stamp Set in Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake & Cherry Cobbler.

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!

Pedal In While You Can (MOJO142) - Preview

I love, love, love, this set and I'm so glad I bought it while I still could. (It's not in the new IBC so order it from the Summer Mini Catalog now, while you still can).  

I put this together for MOJO Monday (MOJO142) Sketch Challenge and the I Want to Ride My Bicycle Challenge in the Moxie Fab World using some of my new goodies - can you spot them?!?!

• I'll give you a hint -
• • the textured background
  • that beautiful cajun craze card stock
  • I love that yellow
  • Don't forget the image behind the button
  • What about that ink?
• I'm absolutely in love with the new catalog and all of the wonderful paper choices soon to be available.
• If you've been thinking about booking a workshop, now is the time!  The hostess sets are gorgeous and the new stamps, papers, & embellishments are incredible.

My nephew is in town so I'll have to be patient a bit longer, but there will be more soon to come!

Supplies:

Paper: Crumb Cake (aka Kraft), Cajun Craze, Baja Breeze & Vanilla

Ink: Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze & Early Espresso

Stamps: Pedaling Past (Summer Mini - available through June 30) & Introducing Artistic Etchings

BigShot: Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder

Punches: Crop-a-dile, 1 3/4" Circle 1" Circle, Scallop Trim Border

Other: Eyelets, Button (stash) & Linen Thread

Dad (MOJO141)

Well, MOJO Monday (MOJO141) is long gone (last week's anyway), but I love the sketch and used it as the basis for today's card.

We had the choice of round or square:

It's so dang cute, I might have to do a round card too.

I went ahead and decorated the inside too, but looking at the picture, I'm thinking a little strip of textured whisper white along the blue strip would look really nice...might have to go back and add that...

I don't have markers so I carefully inked the stamp on the top and bottom and then used my blender pen to ink "Father's".  It looks a little fuzzy here  but good in 'real life'.

Supplies:

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Crumb (aka Kraft), Not Quite Navy & Whisper White

Ink: Riding Hood Red & Not Quite Navy

Stamps: All Holidays, Defining Alphabet & Sweet Little Sentiments (Hostess)

Punches: Tab, Scallop Border, Scallop Square, 1 1/4" square

Other: Striped Real Red Gross Grain Ribbon, Lattice Embossing Folder & Circle Brad

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great weekend.

To place an order, click here.

Dear Father (PPA44)

Father's Day is just around the corner.  It's one of those holidays that seems to sneak up on me.  So, I thought I'd get ahead of the game with the Pals Paper Arts Sketch Challenge (PPA44).

I don't have too many 'masculine' images, so I thought going with some brown, blue, and some simple embellishments might do the trick.

• Whisper White 5.25 x 5.25 base layered with Kraft & Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper.

• The band is Not Quite Navy punched with the Pinking Hearts Border Punch and layered so just the points show.

• The stamp is Watercolor Trio (Summer Mini Catalog) in Not Quite Navy ink

• The sentiment is from Well Scripted (Occasions Mini Catalog)

• Finally a little twine and a Kraft Corduroy button and a little decoration on the inside too.

I might even pick one of the sentiments from Messages for Mom (Occasions Mini Catalog) to finish it off.

Supplies:

Paper: Whisper White, Vanilla, Kraft, Not Quite Navy, & Bella Bleu DSP

Ink: Not Quite Navy

Stamps: Watercolor Trio & Well Scripted

Other: Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Kraft Button & Twine (not SU)

Have a great day & happy stamping!

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!