WHATEVER WEDNESDAY - Build-a-Flower

I found some cool Stampin' Up! "Build-a-Flower" stickers (retired) in my embellishment box. I had forgotten how much fun these are to play with. The next Stampin' Up! catalog will be unveiled in just a couple of weeks. I don't know all of the new products that will be introduced, but be sure to be on the lookout in any & every catalog for new & interesting products that you might not usually consider. Part of the fun of cardmaking is playing with new toys - just like being a kid! I am always happy to give you card ideas for any of the products you purchase - just ask!

Here's an easy card I made with the Build-a-Flower kit. I cut a large white circle with the coluzzle, folded it over the card itself, & trimmed it along the card edges. You can see the circle on the back of the card also. I really like the look of it! I think I'll use this card for a wedding anniversary, so I added the curly "Best Wishes"!

RECIPE:
cs: brilliant blue, whisper white
ink: brilliant blue
stamps: Cute & Curly (Best Wishes)
punches: curly label
other: Build-a-Flower sticker set, coluzzle circle cutter system, dimensionals

Linda :)

TUESDAY TIPS - Direct-to-Rubber Inking

The multi-colored images created on hand-stamped cards are truly a beautiful thing. For instance, a flower image may have a green stem, & an orange center, yet the petals are yellow. Just pressing a stamp onto one inkpad doesn’t do the trick. One way to create a multi-colored image is to use a DIRECT-TO-RUBBER INKING technique with Stampin’ Write markers (water-based dye ink markers). If you attend my camps, I'm sure you've done this technique, maybe without even realizing what it's called.

How is it done? Just color directly onto the rubber surface of the stamp, one color at a time. After you take a few minutes to do this, the ink on your stamp may be a bit dry. Breathing (also known as "huffing") directly onto the rubber surface with the rubber very close to your mouth will remoisten the ink - just like you can do when you breathe onto an eyeglass lens to moisten the lens before you wipe it clean. Immediately after remoistening the ink, press the rubber onto the cs. You should have a beautifully multi-colored image!

After I stamped the image on this get well card, I colored in the water, beak, flippers & feet, & polka dots with the markers to accentuate them. I will post a few more tips for this technique in the near future.

Linda :)

Linda :)

Map It Monday - Pastel Posies

Well, my "few days off" became an entire week! Did you miss me? It's good to be back blogging again. Christmas was great, but it's time for something spring-y! I designed this map with spring colors in mind - sorry about the glare on the photo. I really must learn to take a photograph in the upcoming year! This card might be a perfect pick-me-up for a friend, perhaps a feminine birthday card, or just a note card without a specific message.





RECIPE:
Cs: wild wasabi, whisper white
Dsp: Spring Fling
Stamp sets: Window Dressing (Level 3 hostess set)
Inks: basic black, Stampin’ Write markers – Certainly Celery, Sage Shadow, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Rose Red
Punches: corner rounder, scallop square
Other: coluzzle cutter, scoring blade, dimensionals


The line across the bottom is a scored line - it gives the card a bit more interest. Overlap the circle & square/diamond in whatever way fits - tuck a corner under or don't - it's entirely up to your personal taste. I didn't use any special techniques on the flowers - just colored them with markers.

SCRAPBOOK SATURDAY

Today's Scrapbook Saturday post uses a map I created with circles as a design element and needed to be quick with Christmas right around the corner. Well, it definitely was a quick one. It's a great layout to make if you're pressed for time but want to make some scrapbooking progress! I had some distressed designer paper in my collection that I used along the left side. You could also distress some designer paper yourself using inks & sponges. The large white circle was cut using my Coluzzle. The small B-I-G circles are punched with Stampin' Up circle punches. The two title blocks are actually vellum that is attached with vellum tape. My journaling is alongside each photo. I corner rounded the one pic.

I plan to take a few days off for Christmas preparation and celebration, so my next post will be a day or two after Christmas. I wish you and your family a peaceful, blessed and happy Christmas.

Linda :)

FAST FRIDAY - Diecut Flower

Today's card needed to be REAL fast. Christmas is still on the way & coming quicker every minute! I ran the front of the card thru a Cuttlebug with a texture plate (little Swiss dots), stamped the message on punched-out word windows, and attached one of the windows with a brad. For the flower, I used diecut flowers & punched some bright circles & a scallop circle to multi-layer it. A brad adorns the center. Now, that's an easy card!

Linda

THINK ABOUT COLOR THURSDAY

COLOR COMBO OF THE WEEK:

Old Olive, Real Red, Baja Breeze & Whisper White
(A NICE CHRISTMAS COMBO!)

RECIPE:
cs: Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White
dsp: Ski Slope patterned papers
stamps: Cute & Curly
ink: Baja Breeze
punches: curly label, snowflake, ticket corner
other: mat pack/paper piercing, glitter glue, dimensionals

I cut this card 4 1/4" x 8 1/2", so when it is folded, it becomes a 4 1/4" square card. I pierced a pattern in the top corners, layered coordinated papers in this color combination until I topped it with a "Merry Christmas dear friend". I added dots of glitter glue to the snowflake so the center & tips had a little bling.

Linda

WHATEVER WEDNESDAY - Gift Card Holder

So, you bought a gift card and now you'll have a pretty handmade card with a pocket to put it in! In today's post I will show you the basics of how to make a giftcard pocket card (the green part of this card). Once you have the card itself constructed, choose holiday stamps & inks & have fun decorating it!

What you need:

4” x 12” card (I used Garden Green)

cs, ink & holiday stamps (My card sample happens to be a birthday card using Say It with Scallops & Best Yet stamps)

How you make it:

Scoring

Score the 4” x 12” card at 4” & 8”, then score the middle section on the diagonal (See panels 2A & 2B on Panels diagram), from the top left corner downward to the bottom right corner.

Folding

Crease on all score lines, then flatten out.
Apply adhesive along the top edge of sections 2A & 3.
Fold section 2A over onto section 3 so the two sections are adhered along the top edge.
Fold the diagonally scored line upward so you have something that looks like my FOLDING DIAGRAM.
Now, turn the card ¼ turn counter-clockwise, so the flap is on the left side.



Adhering card together

Now, you don't want that little triangle flapping open on you, so apply some adhesive inside it, along the side & bottom of the triangle. Press the triangle closed & you'll begin to see that the flap on the left side now has become the front of your card, When you open that flap, you’ll see the pocket in which to slip the giftcard! Decorate the card with ink & your choice of stamps on both the front and the interior.

Until tomorrow,

Linda :)

TUESDAY TIPS - NEED A CUTE BABY CARD?

For that next baby shower or if you want to send a card for a new baby, today's post will be exactly what you need!

RECIPE:
cs: pixie pink, lovely lilac, whisper white
ink: Classic Stampin’ Pad – Lovely Lilac, Pretty in Pink
stamps: Punches Three (current Level One Hostess Set)
punches: wide oval, scallop edge, 1 3/8” circle, ½” circle
Other: trimming scissors, dimensionals

Fold the card to open from the top. Punch the neckline with the 1 3/8” circle punch.
Cut the sides away on a slant (like the number seven cut into each side freehand)
Punch the leg holes with a 1 3/8” circle punch.
Use a scallop edge punch on Lovely Lilac cs & trim to desired lengths for arms. For the neck, trim the scalloped strip very narrow, then cut in between each scallop using trimming scissors. Make sure you don’t cut all the way through. Cutting most of the way will enable you to be able to carefully bend the strip into a half circle around the collar curve. Adhere all lilac pieces, including ½” circles to replicate snaps. Alternatively, you can stamp lilac little circles with the end of an eraser.
Stamp 2 images of the little bundle of joy , one with lilac ink & one with pretty in pink ink. Assemble the “little bundle of joy” emblem – cut away the polka dotted oval around the image stamped in lilac. Layer it with dimensionals on top of the pretty in pink image. Adhere the piece to the center of the onesie.

Have fun with the onesie - customize it for a boy or girl, make it lacey or sporty, or whatever strikes you!

Linda

MAP IT MONDAY

Today's post uses the Urban Garden designer series paper (page 168 in the current catalog). In each Stampin' Up designer series paper package, you get two patterned paper designs from each 12 x 12 sheet because they are double-sided! Mix & match papers, patterns & colors from just one package of designer series paper & you are guaranteed to create a beautiful card.

RECIPE:

cs: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze

dsp: Urban Garden

inks: Baja Breeze

punches: designer label, large oval

other: dimensionals

I matted each layer & used the designer label punch and large oval punch for the message. Cut the designer label punched pieces down the middle to create the illusions of several sizes of designer labels. Now......try this layout out yourself!

Linda :)

SCRAPBOOK SATURDAY

Awww! I am digging through pics of my kids when they were just babes in arms. Such great memories! I just love Scrapbook Saturday - it helps me keep my commitment to create 1 scrapbook layout each week so I can give those awesome memories new life. Do you wish you would've scrapbooked more this year? Think about setting aside just an hour or two each week to scrapbook. If you keep the layouts simple and can carve out one or two hours each week to make scrapbooking a priority, you can have a minimum of 52 layouts accomplished by December 31, 2009. That is almost 3 standard scrapbooks done during the upcoming year! If you need advice on streamlining your scrapbook commitments, I would be happy to discuss it with you. I also host a scrapbook group that meets once a month to create two-page layouts. If you want to join us, let me know.

Did you know that you can change a map in minor ways to create countless layouts, each with their own distinctive style? For instance, the map I created today could be turned 90 degrees, or the journaling could be written differently, or maybe a big flower could be substituted for the tag punch in the bottom right corner. Try using today's scrap map for other layouts this year, each with a different look!

Happy Christmas Season!

Linda :)

FAST FRIDAY - Canvas Stars

It's time for a Fast Friday card - take 5 - 10 minutes & you're done!

RECIPE:

cs: Summer Sun, Real Red
ink: Real Red
punches: large star, word window
stamps: Fresh Cuts

Today's card uses the retiring canvas background stamp in a different way instead of as a background. I "canvas stamped" the stars only & left the card background solid. I think this makes the stars much more interesting. It's a good thing to remember that background stamps can be used for more than just backgrounds.

You could make this card with punches other than stars, depending on what punches you have.

Linda :)

THINK ABOUT COLOR THURSDAY

Color Combination: LOVELY LILAC & BARELY BANANA

RECIPE:

cs: Lovely Lilac, Barely Banana, Whisper White

stamps: Perfect Timing, Canvas Background (ONLY AVAILABLE UNTIL JANUARY 18 BECAUSE IT IS A RETIRING STAMP!)

Punches: Scallop Circle, 1" circle, 1 3/8" circle, corner rounder

Other: dimensionals

If bright is what you like, then this 4 1/4" square card is for you! Adding punched shapes of the same color as your card base (I adhered circles here) give a card an updated look. I distressed the edges of the circles slightly so they become more visible. Before adhering that little lilac stripe, I stamped it with the canvas background stamp. Background stamps give cs a coordinated look in the same shade of color, just as the punched circles do!

SAY GOODBYE!!!!!! Stampin' Up will be introducing a new catalog in January. Each time a new catalog is introduced, many stamp sets become "retired", which means that they will NEVER be available again. Fortunately for us, Stampin' Up offers one last opportunity to purchase stamps on the "retiring list". I recommend that you take a look through the retiring stamp sets on the Stampin' Up website soon! Perhaps stamps that have caught your eye may soon be unavailable. The canvas background stamp is one of those stamps that will retire. As stamp sets retire, space is made for new stamp sets!

Linda :)

WHATEVER WEDNESDAY - Gift Box & Cards

How about packaging some of your handmade cards into a beautiful handmade box with a lid?! It makes a lovely hostess gift or an inexpensive Christmas giftwrap. You can make this box in minutes (literally!) with designer paper or cs (the latter makes for a sturdier box, but I like the look of designer paper). This box is made with Stampin' Up's Ski Slope dsp.

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What you need:

BOX BASE: 7 3/4" x 9" cs or dsp

LID: 6 7/8" x 8 1/8" cs or dsp
Other: cutting & scoring blades, adhesive, scissors
Optional for decorating box: addtl cs, ribbon, dimensionals

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What you do:

BOX BASE

1. Score the box base cs (see dimensions above) at 1 1/2" on all 4 sides.
2. On long sides, cut score lines up to the point where they connect with score lines from short side (two sides remain uncut).
3. Prefold all score lines.
4. Apply adhesive at a diagonal to outside surface of 4 tabs, fold in tabs & press to assemble box.

LID - (cs size shown above).

1. Score at 1" on all 4 sides.
2. Just like with the box base, cut score lines of the long side to the point where they connect with the score lines of the short side.
3. You can leave the lid unscalloped if you wish. Or, scallop the edge with a Scallop Edge Punch. Cut the corner tabs down so they don’t show.
4. Prefold score lines. Add adhesive to all 4 corner tabs, & press folded tabs inward to finish the lid.
5. If desired, decorate the box. I stamped “Sweets” from the Sweet Sampler stamp set & punched it out with the Wide Oval punch. That stamp set is a nice set if you give baked goods or sweets as gifts! A ribbon or bow is optional - I think this box looks great without one!

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Can you believe how easy that is? This box can be used to "wrap" any gift, though it is especially suited to enclose your handmade cards (standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" size). Wouldn't it be absolutely remarkable if you used the same designer paper on your cards and your box so it is a matched gift set? Now that is an affordable, yet outstanding, gift idea for you to give during this holiday season! I would love to know how your box turned out! Happy box-making! Linda

TUESDAY TIPS - Make Your Own Toile

I just love toile fabric - the look of ink drawings in a one-color printed schenic design. Did you know that you can replicate that look on cards? It's a snap to do. Plain solid cs sometimes isn't enough, or maybe you don't have designer paper you envisioned for a particular card. So, make your own toile! The traditional dark red scenic design on a creme colored background looks fantastic, but there are some crazy toiles in the fabric stores now, so anything goes. Here are some "faux toile" styles I stamped to give you some ideas.

How do I make "faux toile"?
Choose a solid color cs (depending on the look you are trying to achieve, usually a light color)& one color inkpad.

Ink up one or more stamps & repeat a pattern over & over again on the cs - make sure you turn the rubber stamp in several directions - you don't want all the designs in a straight row!

Now pair your "faux toile" with a solid cs that's the same shade as the ink color to make a card. Here's mine (not sure if I like it, but that's what I came up with today)!
Have fun with it! Well, time to prepare for tonight's stamp camp!

Linda :)

MAP IT MONDAY

Today's map is one I used to make a card with that gorgeous Ski Slope designer series paper. I just cannot use enough of that paper ! Every time I think I have a favorite piece in the package, another one jumps out at me to quickly become my new fave.

RECIPE:

cs: white, Baja Breeze, Old Olive

dsp: Ski Slope

stamps: Say It with Scallops

Ink: Baja Breeze, Old Olive

punch: scallop square

Another easy map! Just adhere 3 designer paper rectangles, stamp an image, layer it, & use dimensionals to add depth. I also wiped the edges of the Baja Breeze square on an Old Olive inkpad so it would stand out against the Baja print paper. You gotta love the scallop square punch - this stamp set called "Say It with Scallops" is specifically designed for use with this punch, but any small image, word, or phrase looks great with scalloped edges! I think the stamp says "I just can't thank you enough!", and I thank you for accepting my photography skill (or lack of it).

Linda :)

SCRAPBOOK SATURDAY

Hello! It's been a busy day & I haven't had a chance to post until midnight on Saturday........here goes!

CS for this layout: Note Quite Navy

Chocolate Chip (base is 12 x 12")

Old Olive (largest piece 4 1/4" x 10 3/4"

Ski Slope DSP (5 1/4" x 9")

Whisper White (largest piece is 5 1/4" x 9")

Choose 3 coordinating colors plus coordinating designer paper & whisper white cs & try your own layout. Just copy what I did! If you want to know the stamps that I used, let me know. The monkey isn't Stampin' Up, but the others were Stampin' Up sets. For the title, I punched with the key tag punch half-way & then cut around it to double mat it. I used the scallop edge punch on the chocolate chip strip.

Linda :)

A COOKIE FOR FAST FRIDAY

I almost forgot to post today. Today's fast & easy card uses a tiny stamp set called One Smart Cookie. Isn't it cute? I think it'll be a great card to send to my daughter in college with a care package of cookies right before finals week! If you want the card to be even quicker, just omit the paper piercing. This set has other cute little sayings like "you take the cake" (with a cake image, of course), "sweeter than apple pie" (self-explanatory image again), "cool as a cucumber (you guessed it), "orange you cute" (you are amazingly smart), and "thanks a bunch" (no, not bananas - the image is a bunch of grapes)!


RECIPE:

cs: chocolate chip, pretty in pink, whisper white
inks: Classic Stampin' Pad - chocolate chip
stamp set: One Smart Cookie
punches: large oval, 1 1/4" circle, scallop circle
other: mat pack, pink polka dotted ribbon, dimensionals


I adhered the pink scallop circle first, then the ribbon. Dimensionals are used to adhere the white circle. Was that fast enough?



Linda

THINK ABOUT COLOR THURSDAY

COLOR COMBINATION: Pink Passion, Taken with Teal, Orchid Opulence

Think About Color Thursday means I will post a color combination that I consider to be fun, unusual, or just plain fantastic! Go for this one! Bright colors pop right out of the envelope!

CARD RECIPE:
cs: Pink Passion, Taken with Teal, Orchid Opulence, Whisper White
Ink: Classic Stampin’ Pad - Pink Passion, Markers – Pink Passion & Gable Green
Stamp sets: Live Like You Mean It
Punches: Ticket Corner, Scallop Edge

I love, love, love this 2-step stamping set! I inked up the stamp direct-to-rubber with Stampin’ Up markers. A Stamp-a-ma-jig can be helpful with 2-step stamping for “spot on” placement. If you don’t know what a Stamp-a-Ma-Jig is or want to know how to use this great tool, let me know & I will post it on a Tuesday Tips! I used a scallop edge punch on the bottom edges of both the card & the white cs.

TTY 2morrow!

Linda

WHATEVER WEDNESDAY - Gift Tag

Whatever Wednesday brings you a gift tag idea for the holiday giving season! The idea is to use your punches to create gift tags - use whatever punches & stamps you own to make a Christmasy gift tag!

what you need:

small scraps of cs (why use a full sheet when you have scraps laying around?)

matching ribbon

Christmas stamps, including a To/From stamp

matching inkpads

punches

eyelet & Crop-o-Dile

what you do:

1. Begin with stamping the To/From & either punch it out or trim it. You will complete the tag by building around that.

2. Cut a tag base (or look for just the right size scrap cs!) Stamp a pattern on it if desired (I used that little poinsettia again from the Season of Joy stamp set).

3. Now, get creative using matching cs scraps & punches. Layer some of the punched cs pieces with dimensionals! My snowflake top layer is adhered with dimensionals.

4. For the ribbon part, I punched a large oval, folded it in half & adhered it to the tag. A Crop-o-Dile added the eyelet & ribbon finished it off!

All supplies for this tag are, as usual, Stampin' Up products! Have fun with making tags - creativity can be very relaxing during this holiday season.

Linda :)

TUESDAY TIPS - Faux Silk Technique

Can you see "wrinkles" around the butterflies? That's "Faux Silk". I think maybe at next week’s stamp camp we will make a card using this Faux Silk technique.

Here’s how it works. Those of you who are attending camp are getting a pre-lesson!

What you need:

cs: white (precut small piece)
white tissue paper (cut slightly larger than the cs) (you can just use tissue from a gift bag)

Glue stick & scissors
Stamp & inkpad

Here’s what to do:
1. Stamp an image on the tissue.

2. Crumple up the tissue into a little wad, like you sometimes do when throwing something away. Instead of throwing it away, uncrumple (is that a word?) it to flatten it enough to be fairly flat, but don’t “iron” out the wrinkles.

3. Rub a glue stick over the entire surface of the cs.

4. Press the tissue down onto the sticky cs. There should be lots of wrinkles on it – smooth the tissue down gently, wrinkles & all. You want the wrinkles there!

5. Trim the edges with a scissors – it trims easier if you wait until it dries.

6. Now finish your card!

Maybe you could use the card map I gave you yesterday for an easy first faux-silk card!

Tomorrow is Whatever Wednesday – hmmmmmm – I’ll surprise you.

Linda :)

MAP IT MONDAY !!!!

Here’s the map I designed for this card & the card itself:




Can you tell it's an easy one?

RECIPE:cs: Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Baja Breeze
DSP: Bella Rose (or you could use Patterns Designer Series Paper in Riding Hood Red)
Stamps: Season of Joy, Cute & Curly
Punches: Curly Punch, Wide Oval
Other: Dimensionals

The “Merry Christmas” is stamped on Whisper White CS with Baja Breeze ink (my photography skills are lacking, however, the stamp says "Merry Christmas Dear Friend"). I layered the “Merry Christmas” with dimensionals to give it depth onto a red wide oval. Now, use your stamps & card stock to make a card using this card map! I would love to see what you create if you want to share!

Happy December! Tomorrow is TUESDAY TIPS!

Linda :)

A NEW LOOK AND A POSTING SCHEDULE FOR YOU

My blog will now be streamlined with a posting schedule. If it’s scrapbooking you are interested in, check the Saturday blog…..If you want color inspiration for your cards or scrapbook pages, visit the Thursday blogs. A particular focus each day!

Here’s the schedule:

MAP IT MONDAY – I’ll show you a specific layout map & what I made using it – you can come up with something on your own using the same map!
TUESDAY TIPS – I’ll focus on something specific & show you how (i.e. stamping techniques OR some kind of papercrafting tip)
WHATEVER WEDNESDAY - no explanation needed!
THINK ABOUT COLOR THURSDAY – a color combination for you to try
FAST FRIDAY – something quick & easy
SCRAPBOOK SATURDAY – I’ll share a scrapbook layout with you

If you email me a pic of something you create based on my blog, I might post it!
If you like my blog, you can subscribe to it (click on this little icon while visiting the blog )

or just go to http://www.lahinks.blogspot.com/ whenever you want to check in & see what's new! If you have technical trouble, please let me know. I will also try to keep you informed of anything new in between my monthly newsletter emails on my blog.

Hope you like it!

Linda :)

CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS

I think it’s time to post some Christmas card ideas. If you plan to make your own Christmas cards, planning time is over! It’s time to create. Here’s an idea for you to use a beautiful holiday stamp set (page 34 of the current catty). It’s a set that was introduced last year, so you may have it ready to go!

CS: Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White
Stamp set: Season of Joy
Inkpad: Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red
Punches: Wide Oval, 5-Petal Flower, ½” circle
Other: Mat Pack, Sponge Dauber

I used the tiny poinsettia stamp to make a plain white cs into a designer paper – I stamped flowers in both Baja Breeze and Riding Hood Red. Then, I sponged the edges of the white cs to soften its look against the card & sponged the "Merry Christmas” oval while I was sponge-happy. I paper pierced the red strip with a Stampin' Up mat pack. If you don't have a mat pack and enjoy stamping, I would highly recommend getting one - for under $10, it can give any card a detailed look. When I adhered the red strip, I left a little of the Baja Breeze card showing in between the white cs & that red strip. I punched the center from the red 5-petal flower so the Baja flower shows through, creating the center of the flower.

This card is fairly quick to make & would be easy enough to make in a large quantity. Maybe I’ll get one in the mail from one of my customers?!

Time to get the Christmas tree out! Our turkey is in the oven & beginning to smell yummy! I just couldn’t have a Thanksgiving weekend without roasting a turkey. It sure was nice to not cook a turkey on Thanksgiving Day, though!

TTY on Monday!
Linda

CRAZY ORANGE CUPCAKE

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. Here comes a nice happy, happy birthday card!

Recipe:
CS: white, brilliant blue, only orange, real red
Inks: Classic Stampin’ Pads - only orange, real red, brilliant blue, basic black, Stampin’ Write Markers – real red, only orange, brilliant blue
Stamp set: Crazy for Cupcakes
Other: dimensionals, real red grosgrain ribbon, mat pack

The base of this card was first stamped in both real red & only orange inks, using the birthday tooter horn stamp. I colored in just a little bit of each tooter. The paper piercing was done & the ribbon was tied around the blue cs before it was attached to the card base. The cupcake has a different piece of cs for each part. The candle was a bit difficult to adhere, but I just cut a tiny piece from a dimensional to give it depth. Frosting was stamped in basic black on white cs, and the sprinkles are colored with markers. The white "frosting" is popped up with dimensionals.

Linda :)

GIVING THANKS FOR SECOND GENERATION STAMPING

GIVING THANKS

A Thanksgiving card, what else? Make it for next year, or substitute another word on the tag & a different image for any time of year (birthday cupcakes, Easter bunnies, whatever).

RECIPE:
CS: really rust, very vanilla
Inks: Classlic Stampin' Pads - old olive, really rust, close to cocoa
Stamps: Fall Flair (Level 2 hostess set)
Punch: small or large oval, Crop-a-dile
Other: Hodgepodge Hardware oval ring clip (yep, each little type of hardware has its own name LOL), natural hemp twine

I did 2-step stamping for two of the leaves on vanilla cs with close to cocoa & really rust inks. The middle leaf was stamped in old olive, as were the “thanks”. The background leaves were stamped in second generation stamping, which means that after inking up my stamp, I stamped once (first generation) on scrap paper, then impressed a second time without re-inking my rubber stamp onto my card (second generation). It gives a more subtle & softer look so the main image on vanilla CS become a stand-out focus. I sponged the "thanks" tag with really rust.

I hope you have a blessed, happy, and peace-filled Thanksgiving. This blog gives me joy, so YOU are one of my blessings!

Linda

SWIRLY FOR YOU

Hello! Baking a pie in the oven - smells really good! This card looks regal, don't you think? It would make a nice card for just about any occasion - anniversary, get well, thinking of you, birthday, even a graduation!

RECIPE:
Cs: Note Quite Navy, Always Artichoke, whisper white
Stamp sets: Say It with Scallops, Baroque Motifs
Ink: always artichoke Classic Stampin’ Pad, VersaMark inkpad
Punches: scallop square, scallop edge
Other: heat tool, embossing buddy, clear EP, coluzzle circle cutter

I scallop edge punched the bottom edge of the card & adhered the artichoke CS strip just above the scallops. I cut only one large Not Quite Navy circle with the coluzzle cutter & then cut it apart. The big swirly motif is stamped in VM & embossed with clear EP. Circle edges are distressed to add dimension. After adding the circles, I adhered the "for you" with dimensionals.

BASHFUL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Good morning!

Today I am giving you a sneak peek at one of the cards we'll make at the December 9th Stamp Camp! Email me to register!

RECIPE:
cs: bashful blue (card), purely pomegranate, wild wasabi, whisper white
stamp sets: Upsy Daisy
ink: Classic Stampin’ Pads - bashful blue, purely pomegranate, wild wasabi, VersaMark inkpad
Punches: large oval, wide oval, designer label, ticket corner, ¼” circle or Cropo-a-dile
Ribbon: ¼” grosgrain – bashful blue
Other: heat tool, sponges, brads, embossing buddy, clear ep, dimensionals

I stamped the main image and verse with VM, then heat embossed with clear EP. The background was sponged (I'll show you how at camp. I adhered the layered image with dimensionals, and I punched a small hole on the card just below the image piece. After attaching the ribbon, I applied dimensionals between the wasabi & pomegranate punched pieces. The very bottom wasabi wide oval was adhered without dimensionals. Tada!

Have a nice day!

Linda :)

TRUE BLUE DENIM FRIEND

The blue on this card reminds me of a comfy pair of blue jeans.

RECIPE:
Cs: white, night of navy
Dsp: wintergreen
Stamp sets: Punches Three (Level 1 hostess set), Say It with Scallops
Ink: certainly celery, night of navy
Punches: scallop square, ticket corner
Other: mat pack, dimensionals

This card is paper pierced & layered. I think Night of Navy inked lightly on white CS gives the appearance of denim. When I paper pierced the "denim", the blue jeans got their stitching!

Have a great day!

Linda

TECHNICAL BLOG GLITCHES FIXED!!!!!!!!

Hi again!


Wow, my friends sure are quick to help! My friend Lisa gave me advice about my blog & I have followed her expertise. I think (HOPE) this will resolve the glitches, so everyone can both view my blog easily AND post a comment easily.


First of all, the original information I emailed/posted is NOT a correct link to my blog. Here is the CORRECT LINK:

http://www.lahinks.blogspot.com/

OK, I think that'll do it! Cross your fingers! If you continue to have problems with my blog, please let me know by emailing lahinks@gmail.com. Thank you for your patience.

Linda :)

TEMPTING BIRTHDAY

Hello!

Are you having any trouble either viewing my blog (in which case you might not even be reading this, would you?), or are you unable to comment on my blog? You are not alone. I'm not sure what the problem is, though I am checking into it. I hope to post the outcome of my mini investigation soon. I do know that my daughter at college has no trouble seeing my blog and has no trouble commenting. She actually uses g-mail and she has subscribed to my blog via google reader, so if you don't want to wait for my sleuthing, you could probably register for some kind of google & then have no trouble.

On to my card for today....

I love the overall look of this heat embossed card. I should have moved the words under the hardware down a little bit, but I'll take it.

RECIPE:
Cs: tempting turquoise, basic black, whisper white
Dsp: Patterns designer print paper – tempting turquoise
Stamp sets: Upsy Daisy, A Little Birdie Told Me
Ink: Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin’ Pad, VersaMark inkpad
Other: embossing buddy, Burgundy EP, Hodgepodge Hardware Small Rectangle holder & 2 matching brads, sponge, template, black grosgrain ribbon

I have some burgundy EP that I used with VersaMark to heat emboss the flower image. You could also use Stampin’ Up Craft Ink in Bravo Burgundy with clear EP. I sponged the sky with tempting turquoise. If you'd like to learn how to make a cloudy sky like this, email me & I will include a similar card at an upcoming stamp camp. I fastened the hardware to the dsp layer before adhering the patterns dsp to my card. I made a loop with ribbon & tucked it underneath.

Happy weekend!

Linda :)

HAPPY PUMPKIN PIE

Make some time today to try out one of my blog cards! This card would look great in any bold color paired with whisper white.

RECIPE:

cs: white

dsp: Patterns dsp - pumpkin pie (in honor of Thanksgiving)

ink: classic stampin' pad - pumpkin pie

stamp set: Birthday Whimsy (from last year's Sale-a-Bration)

Coluzzle Circle cutter

Jumbo eyelets

crop-a-dile

dimensionals

For this card, the ink & patterns dsp should be in the exact same color (here I used pumpkin pie). I first adhered some dsp to the card front, stamped "birthday" directly onto the dsp & stamped "happy" onto some white CS. I cut out & adhered the "happy" at a slight angle.

I added the jumbo eyelets with a crop-a-dile to the layered rectangular piece. Next, I layered the round coluzzle-cut pieces, adhered the right-hand portion of it to the rectangular piece & then adhered the entire thing with dimensionals to the card.

Later alligator!

Linda :)

NOVEMBER PICNIC

Hello,

I can’t believe the amount of snow we have! It almost reminds me of when my youngest child was born 12 years ago on November 9th – we had the blizzard of ’96. School was closed for several days while I was in the hospital! So, it can happen in November!

Today’s post is a quick thank you note using Stampin’ Up colors of real red, pumpkin pie, bashful blue & old olive – a cheery color combination! The Summer Picnic designer paper was from the Occasions ’08 catty (no longer available). If you don’t have that paper, substitute other bright papers.

RECIPE:

cs: real red, white

dsp: summer picnic

stamp set: cute & curly

punch: curly label

ink: real red classic stampin' pad

stapler/staples

I used the new curly label punch. I stamped the Cute & Curly "thank you" stamp, punched it out, then punched 2 curly labels from the pumpkin pie dsp. I cut the pumpkin pie curly labels in half & then adhered a piece underneath each of the four sides of the white curly label. Email or comment if you need more explanation. Don’t you love the stamp from the Cute & Curly stamp set? In this set there is also a plain striped stamp, Best wishes stamp, & a Merry Christmas Dear Friend stamp!

Scrapbook club at my studio this evening…..gotta go!

Linda :)

HAPPY LITTLE BIRD

Recipe:

Cs: white
DSP: wintergreen
Stamp set: Window Dressing
Ink: Certainly Celery Classic Stampin’ Pad, Stampin’ Write Markers – Certainly Celery & Pumpkin Pie
Dimensionals

I cut 3 identical strips of Wintergreen designer series paper (you could use whatever dsp you want & then use ink to match). I colored directly onto the rubber stamp with the markers & added a piece of that dsp to the little piece of cardstock with the bird. Dimensionals gave the bird flight . The “You make me smile” is actually meant to be stamped over an arched window in this stamp set, but I think it looks cute alone too!

Linda :)

SCALLOP FRAME

Good morning!

Well, I decided to have Sundays be my day off from blogging. Today's post is the last one in a group of posts featuring tangerine tango & the Wow Flowers stamp set, but I'm sure you'll see both of them again in the future some day.

RECIPE:

2 ¾” x 2 ¾” cs tangerine tango (for the scallop frame)
3 1/8” x 3 1/8” cs white
addtl cs: white, tangerine tango, kraft brown
punches: 1 ¼” circle, 1 3/8” circle, scallop circle, scallop edge
stamps: Wow Flowers stamp set
ink: tangerine tango Classic Stampin’ Pad
mat pack (page 184 Stampin’ Up catalog) & paper-piercing tool


This card is a square one (4 ¼” x 4 ¼”). I pierced holes on the front & in the corners of the scallop frame itself– piercing is easy when you line up the cs with the guide marks on a mat pack. Paper piercing gives cards such detail – that “wow” factor. But, there are 2 wows on this card – also the Wow Flowers “Happy Birthday” stamp. I popped up the kraft scallop circle with dimensionals.

Isn’t this scallop frame neat? You can make it using the new Stampin’ Up scallop edge punch & a square of card stock that is 2 ¾”. Just center the punch on each side of the square and, with one punch on each of 4 sides, you have your scallop frame! Easy!

Until tomorrow,

Linda :)

WONDERFUL SISTER

Today's post incorporates that awesome color combination of Tangerine Tango & Passion Pink & the Wonderful Favorites words again. The little flower comes from the nostalgic Sock Monkey set (no monkey today, but that monkey has 6 other little props in this stamp set besides the flower - so cute!). For this card & most of my blog cards, stamp whatever interior message you want based on the occasion (or leave it blank for a note card).


HERE'S THE RECIPE:

CS: white, passion pink, old olive
stamp sets: Wonderful Favorites ("wonderful", "sister"), Sock Monkey (little flower)
inks: Pink Passion Classic Stampin' Pad, Tangerine Tango Classic Stampin' Pad, pink passion & old olive stampin' write markers
punches: scallop circle, 3/4" circle, boho blossoms, word window, curly label, ticket corner (wow, that's a lot of punches!)
white brad
blender pen

For this card I used my new curly label punch - I love how it can make an image look framed when you use the negative part of the punched cs! The flower stamp was inked with the "direct-to-rubber" technique, coloring with markers directly onto the rubber stamp, then huffing breath on the stamp to re-moisten it a bit before impressing. I colored the flower center with a blender pen inked with Tangerine Tango to pull that color in. I stamped "wonderful" in both tangerine tango AND passion pink. Add your flower layers & brad right through your pink frame before adhering the frame with dimensionals. This picture doesn't do the card justice, however, the dimensionals give the framed flower depth. I hope you liked it! Post a comment or email if you have any questions, as always! I got my first comment - I was so excited! From my oldest baby! :)

Not sure whether I will post on Sundays or make that my day off......stay tuned!


Linda

SIMPLE YET STRIKING

Happy Friday! If you read my blog, I would love it if you email me at lahinks@gmail.com to let me know what you think of it. I am open to suggestions. Today's post is a really quick & simple thank you card.
I have included a pic of the front AND the inside.

RECIPE:
CS: Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, White
Ink: Tangerine Tango
Stamps: "Thank You" from Wow Flowers stamp set
Punches: Scallop Circle, slit, 1 3/8" circle, corner rounder
Ribbon: 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - Tangerine Tango
Dimensionals

Can you tell I just love this Wow Flowers stamp set? And the Tangerine Tango ink color? I'm posting several cards this week featuring Wow Flowers and Tangerine Tango - it's helpful to see a stamp set or color's versatility. For instance, this set's stamps can be used for a main image or for backgrounds. I folded the card "gate-fold" style so it opens from the middle. I corner-rounded every corner, even in the gate fold itself. The ribbon was fed through a slit punched near the center edge of the card & a partial slit along the right edge of the card. The white circle was popped up with dimensionals. If you aren't familiar with dimensionals, they are double-sided adhesive foam dots that you use to have features of a card stand up a little bit, giving the card dimension (hence the name "dimensionals").



INSIDE OF CARD:













Have a fantastic weekend!

Linda :)

I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW

Good morning!





Today's post is called "I Can See Clearly Now". Why? It's a clear plastic card, aka acetate. I used a clear transparency for this card. The trick with acetate cards is to score your fold well in order for the card to stay closed.


RECIPE:

• CS - white, pink passion, tangerine tango, black
• Inks: Pink Passion Classic Stampin' Pad, Black StazOn Inkpad
• Punches - scallop square, 1 1/4" circle, 1 3/8" circle, scallop edge
• Stamp Sets - Wonderful Favorites & Wow Flowers
• Ribbon - 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Tangerine Tango
• Stampin' Dimensionals

I cut the white CS into 4 base pieces, each 3" x 4 1/4" & adhered them to the front, back, & both inside surfaces of the card. Align them exactly on top of one another, so the adhesive doesn't show. I punched two Passion Pink scallop squares & overlapped them. The "friend" stamp is from the Wonderful Favorites stamp set. I adhered the passion pink starburst/snowflake with dimensionals to give it some dimension - that stamp is in the Wow Flowers stamp set, along with the "birthday wishes". The ribbon was just wrapped around the card front. I plan to design a few other cards using Wow Flowers this week. It's quickly becoming one of my favorites for its bold look. This set is very economically priced at $12.95 (pg. 138 in Stampin' Up's current catalog). The Tangerine Tango ribbon was just wrapped around the card front. Tangerine Tango is one of this year's "in-colors" & it looks great paired with passion pink, don't you think?

If you need to reference any of the supplies in my recipe, you can see them in the Stampin' Up current catalog on the website at www.stampinup.com.

There are some acronyms/shorthand that stampers use frequently. I will be posting a shorthand guide on my blog to make things a little bit easier for beginning stampers.

Have a great day everyone!

Linda :)

PUMPKIN CENTERPIECE

Hello!
Well, this is officially my first post. This blogging thing is new to me, so I'll be learning as I post. I will attempt to post almost daily. What will I post? My creations! Today I am posting a Thanksgiving centerpiece that you can put on your table or on your mantle or just use as a decoration. If you store it away carefully, you can take it out year after year from Halloween to Thanksgiving! It couldn't be easier to make....give it a try & let me know how it turns out! Here goes.....

PUMPKIN CENTERPIECE

Supplies:

1 sheet 12" x 12" Stampin' Up Patterns Designer Series Paper - Pumpkin Pie

1 sheet 12" x 12" Stampin' Up Patterns Designer Series Paper - Old Olive

Always Artichoke Classic Stampin Pad

A leaf stamp (any medium or large-sized leaf stamp)

5" piece Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon 5/8"

Stampin' Up Rope Twine

Crop-a-Dile

2 eyelets (green, metal, or neutral color)

Trimming scissors

1. Cut Pumpkin Pie paper into 1" wide x 12" strips.

2. Stack strips in a pile & punch hole through strips at both ends using Cropo-A-Dile.

3. Knot bottom of 5/8" ribbon & thread unknotted end through a hole in the stack, then through hole at other end of stack. Knot top of ribbon & trim ribbon ends.



BOTTOM OF PUMPKIN

4. Spread out strips of paper to create pumpkin shape.

5. Stamp 4 leaves on old olive paper with Always Artichoke inkpad & cut out.

CLOSEUP OF LEAVES

6. Punch a hole with Crop-a-Dile through 2 overlapping leaves, then set eyelets with Crop-a-Dile. Repeat with remaining 2 leaves.

7. Thread twine through eyelets, knot & wind around pumpkin below 5/8" ribbon knot, allowing leaves to hang freely.

NOTE: I used leftover green rope twine from my scrap box, but the Stampin' Up rope twine from the Holiday Mini Catalog will look even better. If you don't own a Crop-a-Dile, you can use a hole punch & an eyelet setter, or order a Crop-a-Dile from me! If you need any other Stampin' Up products, please mailto:lahinks@gmail.com . Tomorrow I'll be posting a beautiful Thanksgiving card that you can make!

Until tomorrow,

Linda :)