Fast Friday - Teal & Cocoa Flowers

Today's Fast Friday card uses some of my favorite things - scraps!  I added little strips of Close to Cocoa and Taken with Teal cs and dsp that I had saved from other projects.  I also added some little embossed circles across the dsp with a Crop-o-Dile for more texture. 

I added a message and then adhered punched flowers (with matching Close to Cocoa dsp centers) on dimensionals.  If my memory serves me correctly, the flower stamp may be from last year's Sale-a-Bration catty.  If you happen to own that stamp set (retired), remember that the shapes are meant to fit inside Stampin' Up's various punches!  I forget that sometimes!

Happy weekend!  Wow, we sure got a lot of snow within the past twelve hours!  Finally some white stuff to cover up the yucky winter ground.

Linda :)

Think About Color Thursday - Garden Green, Bashful Blue, Barely Banana

Once in a while I find some cute ribbon that I cannot pass up.  This ribbon adds a terrific finishing touch to my elongated gift card shown here.  I wanted to use a long envelope that I had, so I measured the envelope & cut Garden Green cs about 1/4" smaller than the envelope.  Then, I created a mini white pocket card and adhered it onto the Garden Green cs.  Your dimensions may vary, depending on the size of your envelope.  I think my envelope was roughly 7 1/2" x 3 1/2".  Isn't this card cute?

The white cs is cut to 4 1/2" x 7".  With the long edge against the top of a paper trimmer, score at 1 1/2" and 4 1/2".  Fold on score lines with a bone folder.  The smallest panel forms the pocket - fold it upward & adhere the right & left edges with sticky strip.  Sticky Strip is THE best adhesive & is my go-to adhesive for even things like buttons and metal boxes and embellishments.  If you want something to stick & stay stuck, this is it! 

I decorated the front & punched with the horizontal slot punch into the card's left side.  Ribbon is easily tied through that slot.  The horizontal slot punch is ideal for the width of ribbons.

Until Fast Friday,

Linda :)

Whatever Wednesday - Little Triangle Treat

Here's a little treat I made the other day.  What a fantastic little  hostess gift or "cheer up" gift!

You can use any size cs.  Cut it approximately the same width as the treat that you plan to put inside.  You will be scoring the cs in three places to create 4 panels.  I like to use a scrap of paper as a pattern first when i am working on a project with guesswork.  It only takes a moment to make the score lines, so you can create several patterns until the triangle is the size you need. 

One end panel (I'll call it PANEL #1) will be a short little flap onto which you will apply adhesive.  PANEL #2 & 4 should be the same size & the size should be slightly taller than your treat height.  PANEL #3 will be the base (the bottom panel that sits on the table); you guessed it - it should be a little bit larger than your treat size.

When you are done scoring 3 times, you should have 4 panels.  Fold with a bone folder on the score lines.  Apply adhesive to the underside of the smallest panel; fold that panel over the edge of PANEL #4, letting the edge of the cs nest in the fold.  This creates the triangle.

On this particular treat triangle, I bagged some candy bars & adhered the cellophane bag to the inside bottom of the triangle with ds tape.  Alternatively, you can pull the bag through a punched slot in the top of the triangle & tie a ribbon in a bow around the bag on the top of the triangle.  To do that, just punch a large circle or oval through the top fold of the triangle.  I punched a hole in this triangle and fed some pretty ribbon through the slot, then secured the ribbon together with a large fancy brad.

Then, decorate the triangle! 

Until tomorrow,

Linda

Tuesday Tips - A Punched Shape Can Be a Card Closure

It's fun to make a card with a different size, shape, or fold style.  Here I have cut the card front to be considerably shorter than the card back.  I adhered a "top note" diecut on the card front, then cut away the panel of the "top note" that extended beyond the edge of the card front.  Then, I closed the card & lined up that piece of "top note" that I had cut off & adhered it  there onto what is actually the inside of the card.

For the closure, I layered some ovals with dimensionals on the inside of the card where the card front would "catch" underneath the oval.  This closure is a fun change of pace.

The main image is the large floral stamp from Razzle Dazzle.  For another change of pace, Stampin' Write Markers are colored onto the rubber instead of using inkpads.  The "happy birthday" is from that new Well Scripted stamp set from the Occasions Mini Catty, which is available in both wood mount stamps and Stampin' Up's newly introduced clear mount stamps.  I do want to mention here that the clear mount stamps offer the exact same rubber and images, with a cost savings.  That set has messages for just about every occasion and the font just cannot get any fancier!  Remember, for a limited time, if you order $50 in merchandise from the Occasions Mini Catty or the big catalog, you can choose something FREE from the Sale-a-Bration Mini Catalog!  Sale-a-Bration is so exciting - we love our free stuff!!!

I also adhered some Orchid Opulence cs across my card, inside and outside.  A  horizontal slot punch that is punched along the card's fold allows ribbon to slide through and be tied around the card front.

So, give this "punched shape card closure" a try on your next card!

Linda

Map It Monday - Updated Ski Slope

Remember the Ski Slope dsp from last year's Holiday Mini Catalog?  It has some awesome paper patterns.  This card has a few of those patterned papers.

I also cut a square of Chocolate Chip cs & punched it on all four sides with the new Occasions Mini Catalog Scallop Trim Border Punch.  It makes a pretty embellishment, especially with a rhinestone brad in the middle!

You can get this Scallop Trim Border Punch ABSOLUTELY FREE with a $50 product order now! Contact me for details, or check out the Stampin' Up website's Sale-a-Bration information and then email me with your order!

The "thank you" image from the Cute & Curly stamp set is stamped with White Stazon ink.

Have a great week!

Linda

Fast Friday -

My Fast Friday project this week is, surprise, not a card.  If you store little items in glass or plastic jars or bins, why not give them a facelift?  All you need to do is to ahere some pretty scrapbook paper around them.  You can even embellish them with ribbon, hardware, leftover Simply Scrappin' Kit stickers, or stamped images!

Here is a quick version without any embellishment.  It looks cute just as is!

Go ahead this weekend - redecorate your stuff!

Linda :)

Think About Color Thursday - Melon Mambo, Kraft, Basic Black

Pink and black - wow - what a combination.  Melon Mambo, to be exact!  Tone it down a little bit with some kraft cs and we have a bright, lovely card.

I used the "kissing" technique to apply polka dots to my Mambo-inked Butterfly Accent stamp.  Then I heat embossed it with clear EP.  The polka dots from the Dot Dot Dot stamp are stamped with Basic Black Craft ink & embossed with clear EP as well.  I also added some cs stripes.

The curly label image is from the Cute & Curly stamp set, and the "take care" is from the Vases in Vogue set.  The message is also embossed.

I think it'll be awhile until a real butterfly visits my neighborhood - the snow will be around for quite awhile!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Nouveau Friend Comfort

I've been busy - trying to fit in taking Christmas decorations down & finding time to stamp in between life.

I think the Nouveau Chic designer series paper is absolutely gorgeous, but it seems to be out of my comfort zone to use it since the patterns are not the run-of-the-mill scrapbook paper print. I think this card really allows the beauty of this paper and its colors to shine through!   I even stamped flowers onto the dsp for the background of the card.  It's fun to stamp onto designer paper, especially as a background - it seems a bit awkward at first, but amazing looks can be achieved with a little creativity!

I've used the Vintage Vogue stamp set and some Hodgepodge Hardware, as well as two Stampin' Up ribbons (Basic Gray Taffeta & 1/4" grosgrain ribbon in Basic Black).

Have a great day!  Monthly scrapbook camp is tonight!

Linda :) 

Tuesday Tips - Crayon Resist Technique

Here's a fun technique to try. You know those white crayons that the kids have hanging around in the crayon box? They never stay white since they bump around with the other crayons in the crayon box. Well, now I have a use for them! Use a white crayon for this Crayon Resist Technique!

Supplies you'll need for this card:
stamps: Fine Flourish, Vintage Labels
cs: NQN, Old Olive, White, Glossy White
inkpads: Classic Stampin' Pads - Old Olive, NQN, Night of Navy
punches: ticket corner, curly label
other: 1/4" Old Olive Grosgrain ribbon, Hodgepodge hardware, white crayon, sponges, dimensionals, paper towel

1. Stamp the Fine Flourish image onto glossy card stock with a Night of Navy Classic Stampin’ Pad.

2. Color any areas that you want to be white on the finished card with a regular white children’s crayon. Make sure your coloring is with a fairly firm hand.

3. Sponge color onto the inked image. I used Not Quite Navy ink in adjacent quadrants and Old Olive ink in the other adjacent quadrants.

 

4. Gently rub with a small piece of paper towel over the cs and the ink that was sponged over the crayon will be removed.  This is what the image will look like after the paper towel is rubbed over the inked/crayoned image. Notice how the white really shines up?! This technique is really easy!

5.  Then, trim the image piece, layer it onto Whisper White cs & Old Olive cs, and ticket corner punch the olive cs.

6.  I sponged the edges of the white card with Night of Navy ink. Slide the ribbon through the hardware & adhere it to the back of the NQN cs, then ticket corner punch it & adhere it to the card.

7.  Lastly, stamp the Vintage Labels images & punch out with the curly label punch. Adhere it with dimensionals.

I hope you have fun making this card!

Linda :)

Map It Monday - Jack in the Box Birthday

Today's map is a simple one with just a few brads added for texture & interest.  I decided to embellish it a little further & stamped some fun images from the Out of the Box stamp set.

Give this map a try!  I think it would also be a quick masculine birthday card with just the "happy birthday" on the front & no other images.  Picture it in deep, rich tones like Bravo Burgundy, Handsome Hunter & Night of Navy!

Linda :)

Fast Friday - Sassy Purple Lady

Fast Friday again?  This year is already going too fast!  I just realized that I forgot to post to my blog  this week on Monday!  I have been really trying to post every day & occasionally on Saturdays.  Oh well, there's always next week!

Here's a fun card that I made with some big scraps I had in my scrap bin.  I had this sassy lady stamp too that I haven't used in a long time - don't you just love her joie de vivre?  I like her style!  And, of course, there is a Stampin' Up stamp that I used here - the "friend" stamp!

I went with some quick oval punches & a ticket corner punch for this card.  The message is simply cut & matted onto a coordinating paper.

Camp was so fun last night - I hope you can email me soon to register for the Feb, 3rd Valentine Camp & the Feb. 24 "all occasion" cards stamp camp!

Did you notice that on Wednesday's post I said, "have a great weekend"?  How funny.  Either I typo'd or I was  in a time warp to say that on a Wednesday!  This time, I really mean it.....have a great weekend!

Linda

Think About Color Thursday - Bordering Blue, Real Red & Gable Green

Bordering Blue, Real Red, Gable Green

Isn't this the perfect "welcome baby boy" card with a perfect color combo?  It would be a nice color combination for a masculine birthday card, as well as many other occasions - very versatile!

I often forget to use those small tablet packs of Stampin' Up Designer Series Patterns papers.  Because of their size (I store them in a separate place from my 12" x 12" dsp's), I often overlook these awesome paper packs.  These Stampin' Up colors displayed in beautiful patterns are just what some cards (and scrapbook pages) need.  A panel of this style of paper draws more attention than a plain solid cs, and the Stampin' Up color palette always remains true. 

I've recently discovered that I like to add linen thread, or sometimes a heavier hemp twine, to my projects.  It must be a phase I'm going through, 'cuz I seem to have it on my stamping desk all the time lately!  The buttons laced with linen thread provide a hint of "natural/simple/rustic" to a project & I really like it!  What do you think?

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Dot Dot Dots

I guess I made my own designer paper here.  I did some repeat stamping of the large floral design and the message from the Razzle Dazzle stamp set in Crushed Curry ink, then did the same thing with the tiny butterfly from the Charming Stamp set in Melon Mambo ink.  I trimmed the cs & used the ticket corner punch on the corners.

I also punched a few small circles with a Cropo-o-Dile across the bottom of my "handmade designer paper", creating a few peek-a-boo holes to show dot-dot-dots of Melon Mambo.  This white cs is layered onto the Melon Mambo cs & the card is also ticket punched.  You can see the Melon Mambo thru the dot-dot-dots - a little trail to the message.

The scallop oval border behind the "wonderful" message really picks up the pink butterflies!

Have a great weekend!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Heat Embossing

Add depth, dimension and interest to a project with heat embossing.

This Rich Razzleberry card and Naturals Ivory cs contrast beautifully, and heat embossing really draws the center of the medallion out toward  you. 

The medallion image is stamped onto Naturals Ivory cs, cut out & adhered to the card.    The center area of the medallion is actually an image in a Holiday Mini catty stamp set called Charming.  It is stamped in Rich Razzleberry ink onto Rich Razzleberry cs, then heat embossed with clear EP.  A large ivory brad is inserted into the center of the piece, then it is adhered to the medallion image with a double layer of Stampin' Up dimensionals.  The message "happiness" is also heat embossed in the same way.

The finishing touches on this card give it an antique look.  That same image from the center of the medallion is also stamped all around the outer edges of the card, in first, second, and third generation stampings.  The edges of the card, as well as the medallion itself, are sponged lightly with Soft Suede ink to soften it.

Linda

Fast Friday - Embossed Bookmark

Today my 13 year old asked us to pick up a bookmark when we went to the Borders bookstore. I took that as an invitation to make a much better bookmark than a bookstore could provide. He agreed, so I excused myself, saying that I'd be back with his bookmark in 5 or 10 minutes. Lo and behold, within two minutes, that son of mine was in my studio wanting to see what I was making for him. Precious.

I heat embossed the snowboarder image called Extreme Snowboard (he is a snowboarder) with clear EP on white cs. My son appeared just as the heat tool was melting the EP, so I asked him what colors he wanted the bookmark to be. "I dunno". We agreed that his favorite colors of orange and green would be fitting.

The next order of business was to sponge Only Orange on half of the white cs & Old Olive on the other half. After trimming the white cs, the snowboard image was layered onto Only Orange cs, then onto an Old Olive base. I tucked an Old Olive punched circle in between the layers, punched a hole with the Crop-o-Dile, & added some vibrant black & white ribbon.

Cool bookmark! The entire thing took ten minutes at most.

Precious son, precious bookmark, precious moment.

I hope you have a precious moment today too. :)

Linda

Think About Color Thursday - Bermuda Bay, Always Artichoke, Crushed Curry

Do you have the Little Leaves sizzlit yet?  I just discovered yet another use for it!  I ran it through my diecutting machine (Stampin' Up's Big Shot or a Cuttlebug, for instance) to make a mask.  Then, I laid the little leaves mask on some precut white cs & sponged over the top of the mask with Always Artichoke ink.  I kept repositioning the mask in different directions until the entire cs was inked.  The masking creates a beautiful, soft background that serves as the focal point of the card.

Here I go again with that new Stampin' Up scallop punch!  Be sure to look for it as a free item in the Sale-a-bration mini catalog!

This color combination is a winner!    Bermuda Bay, Always Artichoke, Crushed Curry

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - A Touch of Razzleberry

I had a very productive stamping session this week using the Razzleberry Lemonade designer series paper & the colors that comprise the papers.

Here's a card that has a vintage look achieved with layering of stamped images and sponging.

You can try it yourself! Stamp the large floral image in Crushed Curry ink onto a Crushed Curry card, then stamp the script background stamp from the Charming stamp set directly over the floral images. I used Melon Mambo for the script.

Then, I punched the edge of the card with the brand new Scallop Trim Border punch (which, by the way, you can earn FOR FREE! with a $50 Stampin' Up order during Sale-a-Bration!). This punch has such detail work!

The card is finished with several embellishments - little strips of Razzleberry Lemonade dsp, staples, a circle of Melon Mambo with the same large Razzle Dazzle stamp that I used on the card base, and a trimmed down version of a modern label. Any tiny word(s) would work on this trimmed label - maybe Teeny Tiny Wishes on page 145 of the IB&C, or maybe the new Tiny Tags on page 28 of the new Occasions Mini Catty (you may have to wait a day or two until that catty is posted on the Stampin' Up Website to see it). I used dimensionals to elevate the message.

Have a great day!
Linda

Tuesday Tips - Sew a Pocket Card

I’ve seen some very pretty sewn/stitched cards. Though I’d love to make some of them, sewing machines are not my friends, so here I settled for hand sewing with linen thread. It turned out so chic! (the designer series paper is called Nouveau Chic). :)

Supplies needed:
Nouveau Chic dsp: 4 ½” x 9” and scraps
cs: Apricot Appeal, Whisper White, Basic Gray
inks:  Versamark inkpad, Classic Stampin' Pad - Basic Black
punches:  3/4" circle punch, Crop-o-Dile
other:  twill tape ribbon, linen thread, large sewing needle

MAKE THE POCKET:
1.  Lay the long edge of the 4 ½” x 9” Nouveau Chic dsp across the top of your paper trimmer & slide the scoring blade or stylus all the way down the paper at  4 ½”.

2.  Turn paper in the other direction & score at ½”, creating a long, thin panel. Cut away half of that long scored panel so your paper looks like this:

3.   Slide a 1 3/8” circle punch into the top edge of the paper, as shown below, to make a “thumb” grip for sliding the little note in & out of the pocket:

4.  Adhere sticky st rip onto the long skinny panel.  Fold in that skinny side panel & press together to form a pocket.  You will be sewing the other side of the pocket.

5.  Pierce holes down the left side of the pocket using the Stampin’ Up mat pack. Pierce every other hole using the template, and pierce two holes in a row at the top to make the pocket a little more stable & give it additional interest. I began my stitching with the end of the thread double knotted & ended sewing with double knotting & trimming the thread.  Sew with a large crafter's needle & linen thread down the side of the pocket with an overcast stitch.

YOU SHOULD NOW HAVE A 4” X 4 ½” POCKET !

MAKE THE INSERT CARD:

1.  Begin by punching all 4 corners of a 3 1/2" x 5" Basic Gray cs with a corner rounder punch.

2.  Decorate as desired. Punch hole & insert twill tape ribbon. (I tied linen thread around the twill tape in a double knot.) Trim ribbon ends.  The little shiny flower is created by heat embossing with clear embossing powder.  The flower image is from the little flower in the Razzle Dazzle stamp set.  It is punched with a 3/4" circle punch & adhered with a dimensional.

DECORATE THE OUTSIDE OF POCKET:

1.  Adhere 3 tiny flowers punched from the 3-flower punch. Punch 3 itty bitty Apricot Appeal circles for the flower centers. I also stamped “hello” on the pocket and on the insert.

Give this a try!

Linda

Map It Monday - Making a Mistake Not a Mistake

I designed this map quite awhile ago with intentions of making it a bright colored card.  Today, I ran across a little piece of dsp that had a "mistake" on it.  I have lots of those "mistakes" laying around - you know, when you stamp something but then you don't use it on a card & it takes up space until you figure out exactly what to do with it.  Often times I design a card around my mistakes.  There you have it - the truth.  I have admitted it.  lol  So, this Soft Suede designer series paper had an image stamped on it in Basic Gray ink.  I think I inked up my stamp on the wrong inkpad at the time.  Today, that mistake is a thing of beauty!

The "mistake" lays in the upper left corner of the card & the rest of the card is designed around it.  Aren't the little round flowers darling?  They are a brand new product from the new Occasions Mini Catalog called "Sweet Pea" stitched felt.  I am totally in awe of them.  There's little flowers & big flowers & leaves in the package - and lots of them in pretty colors!   Hmmmm, I'm thinking there may be some projects in the near future with these little cuties.

Linda :)

PREMIERE OF TWO NEW ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS MINI CATALOGS!!!!!

two new catalogs

   

Sale-a-Bration catty has free things for you!

view them online at www.stampinup.com 1/4/10!

  1/5/10 – 3/31/10

IN A NUTSHELL: For every $50 you spend on Stampin' Up! products, choose a free Sale-A-Bration catty product (includes clear mount stamps, new Scallop Trim Punch or designer series paper).

What is Sale-a-Bration?

Stampin’ Up’s annual biggest free product offering of the year!

How do I get free products?

For EVERY $50 you order from the new “Occasions” mini catalog or the Big Idea Book & Catalog, you also choose a FREE product! All catalogs should be available on the Stampin’ Up website (www.stampinup.com) as of 1/5/10.

So, if I order $100 in merchandise, I get to choose two items in the Sale-a-Bration mini?

Yes! Yahoo!!!!!! You gotta love this!!!!!! Specifically, this year we can choose from:

- a Sale-a-Bration mini catalog stamp set (4 to choose from)

- 6x6 Designer Series Paper Pad (in the Sale-A-Bration mini catalog)

- New Scallop Trim Border Punch (oooooh, it’s a pretty one, plus there’s a corner punch to match that’s available in the Occasions catty!)

- OR ANY stamp set in the regular big catalog valued at $15.95 or less (THIS OPTION HAS NEVER BEEN AVAILABLE BEFORE!!!!!)

What if I have a $150 order?

That would entitle you to more free stuff than you could carry at one time: 3 Sale-a-Bration items (explained above), AND any time an order is $150, it qualifies as a “workshop”, and since you are the “hostess”, you choose another $15 in free catalog merchandise AND a free hostess stamp set from the hostess section of current catalogs.

When is the sale?

January 5 thru March 31, 2010

How do I place my order?

Call or email me! Or, bring order to my stamp camp. I plan to place orders on the 15th & 28th days of January, February & March.



OCCASIONS MINI CATALOG 1/5 thru 4/30/10

This mini catty will be posted on the Stampin' Up website and ordering will begin on January 5. Ooooh, then you get to choose free products from the Sale-a-Bration catty! This new mini catalog has 43 pages of NEW stamp sets, NEW dsp, NEW ribbon, & lots more, including:

NEW darling epoxy brads

Repositionable Clear-Mount stamps as an optional alternative to wood block stamps. You will notice two prices listed for each stamp set in future catalogs – the lower price is for the clear-mount option.

New Punch Design - Premiere of NEW low-profile, rectangular, better leverage punch body that allows for locking & ease of stacking and storing

new ordering schedule

In order to make things easier on customers and myself, I will place Stampin’ Up orders: On the 15th & 28th days of January, February & March.

As always, I am happy to place more urgent orders for you in between this routine.

pampered stampers

product shares

With the introduction of two new catalogs, I will be introducing some economical ways for you to get your hands on new products. Here’s the first share:

I Heart Hearts Product share $14.95 (all products from Occasions Mini Catty & will compliment the I Heart Hearts stamp set, among others)

You’ll get the following products in your share:

· Sending Love double-sided designer series paper – half sheet (6” x 12”) of 6 different designs (this dsp is soooo pretty & each sheet has a glittery side!)

· Epoxy Brads - 4 Pink, 4 Real Red, 4 Chocolate Chip

· 3.75 yds of 5/8” Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon

· 3.75 yds of 5/8” Real Red Satin Ribbon

Please give me I Heart Hearts Product Share orders by Jan. 14

Delivery to you: End of January


If you need a hard copy of either of the new mini catalogs, let me know!  Have fun shopping!

Linda :)

Scrapbook Saturday - Razzle Dazzle Soccer

Happy New Year!  I am back from a week's rest, and boy did I rest!  Even better news is that my stamping mojo has risen to new levels after that rest, so be sure to check out my blog often in 2010!  You will completely be blown away with the new Stampin' Up! products that I plan to feature from our two new mini catalogs, Occasions and Sale-a-Bration!

Recently we had a terrific evening with friends to follow their son's quest for a national soccer championship.  I just had to capture the pics for eternity on a scrapbook page!  Of course!

You may notice that the dsp sooooo matches my jacket!  No, I didn't plan it that way.  hee hee   The Razzleberry Lemonade designer series paper colors of Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry capture the stand-out colors in these pics.  The Razzleberry Lemonade dsp even surprised me for a soccer layout, but I absolutely love the way it turned out.

I have adhered a curly label with dimensionals for the first letter of the page title.  I embellished the curly label letter with the coordinating Razzle Dazzle stamp set, keeping the focus on the bright letter and going with a lighter colored flower decoration.  I kept with the curvy theme & incorporated the modern label punch, along with the word window punch, for the journaling.  And, of course, I just had to add a blingy brad to go with pink!

Though tomorrow is Sunday (my posting day off generally), be sure to check my post - I will post some great information about the new catties.  I mentioned most of it in my email newsletters, but if you don't receive my emails, be sure to tune in!  If you would like to receive my stamp camp/S U news emails monthly, just end me an email to lahinks@gmail.com!

Linda   :)