A Little Inspiration

Mr & Mrs (PPA86)

The Pals Paper Arts Challenge for this week is Embossing (PPA86).  I was cutting some flowers for craft fair projects and saw some vellum sitting on the table and thought hmmm....let's see what happens.

• First, I embossed the Very Vanilla card base with the Framed Tulips folder.

• Then, I embossed some vellum to fit behind the flower with Elegant Lines.

• Next, I embossed each flower layer with different folders, Perfect Polka Dots, Elegant Lines & Square Lattice.

• Finally, I made the tags with Tiny Tags and finished the card with an Antique Brad and Organza Ribbon.

I think this will be really fun for summer weddings.

Tip: The Elegant Lines Embossing Folder is really powerful, even with no tabs used, be careful as the vellum and card stock can easily tear.  And, to keep the adhesive from showing, I hid the glue dots and adhesive behind the flower, the embossed lines, and the ribbon.

Paper:  Very Vanilla (101650), Crumb Cake (120953), & Vellum (10183)

Ink: Early Espresso (119670) & Crumb Cake (121030)

Stamps: Tiny Tags (118592)

Tools: Elegant Lines (119277), Square Lattice (119976), Perfect Polka Dots (117335) Framed Tulips (121809), Fun Flowers (121812), & Jewelry Tag ( 117190)

Embellishments: Organza Ribbon (114319) & Antique Brads (117273)

Remember, Sale-a-bration! ends March 31st!  Only a few days left to earn free stamps with every $50.00.

Simple & Elegant Thank You

Sometimes the simplest card says it best.

I have seen so many cute cards using this Sweet Summer stamp set from the Sale-a-bration Catalog.  I finally had a chance to break away from Valentine's Day projects to make this sweet little Thank You card.

I started with Basic Grey cardstock and a piece of 3 1/2 by 4 1/2 inch Whisper White card stock.  Then, I stamped the image in Basic Grey.

Added just a touch of Baja Breeze with a Stampin' Write marker.  The ribbon is also Baja Breeze Taffeta scrunched and frayed and a scallop border.

And with dark card stock, I mirrored the style on the inside.

What do you think?  Wouldn't they be lovely as bridal shower thank you cards?  Or wedding thank you cards?

Supplies:

Stamps: Sweet Summer & Because I Care (Hostess Level 1)

Paper & Ink: Basic Grey & Baja Breeze

Other: Baja Breeze Taffeta Ribbon & Scallop Trim Border Punch

Happy Stamping!

 

"Because I Care" take 3

It's a nice quiet day here at home, so I put this together.

I just love this stamp set.  It's so versatile and easy to use.

I stamped the hydrangea in Early Espresso (a little darker than I originally planned) on vanilla against the new Greenhouse Gala DSP (available July1st).

The border along the top and bottom was stamped with the coordinating stamp from the same set in Crumb Cake.  Wouldn't it make a lovely wedding card?

Supplies:

Paper: Vanilla & Greenhouse Gala

Stamps: Because I Care

Ink: Early Espresso & Crumb Cake

Other: Jersey Ribbon (retired)

Be sure to leave a comment here for your chance to win some Blog Candy.

More "Because I Care"

I may have found a new favorite stamp..."Because I Care".  A new Hostess Level 1 Stamp Set from the upcoming Idea Book & Catalog scheduled to be release July 1st.  Any order of $150.00 or more qualifies to earn this stamp for FREE!

The stamp is perfect for the Pals Paper Arts Challenge - Summer! (PPA47). 

I started with Crumb Cake, then layered Cherry Cobbler and my retiring favorite, Bella Bleu.

Technique Tips:

• To create the image, I first stamped the hydrangea (flower portion only) in Crumb Cake Ink, then I used my Cherry Cobbler marker to color the edges and random places along the stamp.  Finally, I colored the leaf with Wild Wasabi marker and stamped the image.

I also stamped the flower along the bottom of the inside panel to coordinate with the front.  And, I stamped in Cherry Cobbler along the left edge.  Don't know if you can see it in the picture or not.

Supplies:

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Bella Bleu & Very Vanilla

Ink: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler & Wild Wasabi

Stamps: Because I Care (Hostess Level 1)

Other: Flourish Texture Plate, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Small Circle Brad

Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to check out my BLOG Candy giveaway and the great cards over at PPA!

Introducing Artistic Etchings - SSSC73

I just love this new stamp set , Artistic Etchings (available in the new catalog beginning July 1st).  There's something so romantic about the image, especially with the new Greenhouse Gala DSP.

I started with the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge (SSSC73) and my favorite color - Baja Breeze.

Notice another new goodie? 

• NEW 2 3/8" scallop circle punch - it coordinates with the current scallop circle punch and fits wit the stamp beautifully.  (I punched out the little circles around the edge.)

• I also love the NEW Early Espresso Ink.  It's a gorgeous shade of dark brown and looks great on NEW Crumb Cake card stock (formerly known as Kraft).

• The clear stamps make it so easy to add patterns to paper like I did along the left edge.

A couple of stamps inside too for the final touch the NEW Crumb Cake ink is perfect for creating a watermark style background image on the Crumb Cake Paper (aka Kraft).

Supplies:

Paper: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Greenhouse Gala DSP, Whisper White & Early Espresso

Ink: Baja Breeze & Early Espresso

Stamps: Artistic Etchings

Other: Linen Thread, Chocolate Chip Corduroy Button, Oval Punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 1/8" Circle Punch, Dimensionals, Scallop Edge Punch

Thanks for stopping by!  To place an order, click here and be sure to check out my SALE page for some great clearance deals.

Cherry Cobbler Debut (Mojo 140)

What a great way to start the day!  A little creative Mojo before the daily chores begin.  I was up early and when I saw the sketch for today's MOJO Monday Challenge (MOJO140), I was ready to go.

I had stamped the Elements of Style image in JetBlack on vanilla a couple of days ago and then didn't use it.  Well, this was the perfect opportunity.

I really wanted to use Riding Hood Red for the background - it's a much deeper color than Real Red, but I used the last piece months ago. 

However, I do have ONE piece of the upcoming Cherry Cobbler and that worked great!  (Coming July 1st.)  Isn't it pretty?  I love that it is such a deep red.  It's going to be perfect for Valentine's Day, Christmas, and this card!

I used Riding Hood Red re-inker and ink pad (with watercolor pen) for the images as well as Jet Black StazOn ink. 

Of course, I decorated the inside too.

Vanilla (like the front) with a black mat and just pieces of the image in more Black ink.

A sentient would be nice too...maybe a poem?

Supplies:

Paper: Vanilla, Basic Black & Cherry Cobbler

Ink: Riding Hood Red & Old Olive

Stamps: Elements of Style & Tiny Tags

Other: Square Lattice Texture Folder, Brad, Modern Label Punch, Curly Label Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch & Watercolor Pen

Well, off I go to do some chores :) 

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.

Pendant Park Notecards

I have been lucky to have time this week to play with flowers and experiment with the Pendant Park note cards that have been sitting in a drawer for months.  This is what I came up with today.

I used the same basic technique for each card. 

• Versamark for the background using Elements of Style
• Center flower made from the Island Floral Bigz Die (Summer Mini Catalog)

• A little shimmer ink on the Melon Mambo

• 5 Petal Flower for the leaves
• A sentiment in coordinating ink (the bashful blue is a little light---maybe a darker blue would be better)

• Striped grossgrain ribbon

 

• Coordinating style inside

I used the light pastel colors with coordinating ink on the other cards but the Melon Mambo was a little dark.  Instead, I used Whisper White with Pink Pirouette.

Final Touch:  Coordinating envelopes and optional "flower stickers" for the exterior of the envelope - if being mailed with a gift or given in person.

I think it would make a lovely gift...

Supplies:

Paper: Pendant Park Note Cards, Pink Pirouette, Bashful Blue, Melon Mambo, Barely Banana & Whisper White

Ink: Crushed Curry, Bashful Blue, Melon Mambo & Pink Pirouette

Punches/Dies: 5 Petal Punch, Bigz Island Floral Die, Oval Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch

Other: Platinum Shimmer Paint, Striped Grossgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals & Brads

Vintage Lilies

With all of the great submissions at Pals Paper Arts Challenge, I was inspired to make this card using this easy to follow tutorial for the lilies.

I started with a vanilla card base, ran it through the BigShot with the Flourishes background, added a light sponging of Soft Suede and then made the band using Very Vintage jumbo wheel with Soft Suede ink.

The lilies are made of Vanilla and the 5 petal punch, sponged with Soft Suede and twine for the centers.  Another pass through the BigShot for the Little Leaves and a sentiment from Well Scripted punched out and adhered with a brad finished the card.

I think it looks pretty romantic...

Supplies:

Paper: Soft Suede, Vanilla

Ink: Soft Suede

Stamps: Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel, & Well Scripted

Other: 5 petal flower punch, twine, Embosslits "Beautiful Wings", Sizzlits "Little Leaves", brads, twine, Large Oval punch, scalloped oval punch, flourishes texture, & scalloped eyelet edge punch

All supplies SU! except for twine.

Have a great day!

Happiness Always

I love the Embosslits from the Mini Catalog "Beautiful Wings" and was inspired to make this card from the recent Stampin Up! magazine "Success" based on a winning submission from Stampin Up! Demo, Nancy Thompson.

I love the textured background and the simple elegance of the Bella Blue Paper.  The bottom of the card was actually a 'mistake'.  I had the folder too close to the edge of the BigShot and it didn't quite emboss the whole card.  So, punched the edge and added the decorative strip.  The advantage?  It's gives the card a little extra support to stand up and looks good too.

 

The butterfly was also stamped with "Tiny Tags" before using the die.  A little twine to finish it off.

I think it would be a great wedding, birthday, congratulations, or even a good 'friend' card.

Supplies:

Paper: Not Quite Navy, Vanilla, Bella Bleu DSP

Ink: Not Quite NavyStamps: Tiny Tags, Whimsical Words

Other: Scallop Eyelet Punch, Scallop Oval, Twine, Embosslits "Beautiful Wings", Petals-a-Plenty Impressions Folder