Whatever Wednesday - Slider Card Turns Rain into Sunshine

I made this cute little slider card the other day.  I hope to make another slider card in the near future & post the instructions, so be on the lookout.  There is a hidden message under the "get well".  Here is what hides underneath it:

This card would definitely be a pick-me-up for someone that is ill.  Pull the ribbon & there's a little surprise message.  Can't get any cuter!

Here's a picture of the sliding part at the half-way point.  You can see how it just slides over & covers up one message or another.

If you might like to make this card at a stamp camp, please let me know in an email & I can make it happen!

Have a great day!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Retirement Banned

Have you used rubons lately?  I purchased a package of "Summer Love" rub-ons from Stampin' Up last year and haven't used them in awhile.  What fun - I have so much stampin' stuff that I find supplies and embellishments occasionally in my studio that I have forgotten about - it feels like I just bought something new for myself!  Well, with Spring in the air, I just had to do some Spring and Summer themed stamping!

The card is Not Quite Navy cs, along with some retired designer series paper.  Stampin' Up may retire "In-Color" each year, but I've outsmarted the system!  I purchase at the very least an inkpad, reinker bottle, cs, and some dsp in each "In Color".  Then, I make it last for years!  Retirement for my In Colors is a slow process.  When I pull out a retired In Color, it makes me smile.  My In Colors are my little treasures! :)  So, my tip for this week:  Get an inkpad, reinker bottle, and cs (and maybe even some dsp to match) in every In Color.  Don't forget to stock up before the new catalog and new In-Colors are introduced in July!

The grasses stamp from the old standby stamp set called "Inspired By Nature" are stamped in Sage Shadow and heat embossed.  After that, I did not stamp anything else - only rub-ons are used.  From the butterfly to the flowers to the "inspire" cameo, I was armed with only a popsicle stick and my set of rub-ons.  Have you seen the current rub-ons on pages 176-177 of the current IB&C?  I especially like the set called "So Cool".  It would be a nice set to keep on hand for a last minute child's birthday card.

Linda
 

THEY REAPPEARED!!!

My missing blog posts pics have magically reappeared.  I have no idea what happened but they're back!

Linda :)

TECHNOLOGY ISSUES

Technology - I love it, then I hate it.

It appears to me that many or almost all of my blogs pics from prior posts have completely disappeared.  Let me assure you that I have not done this purposefully to annoy you. lol

I am going to hope and cross my fingers that they will reappear soon.  If not, I suppose I must re-upload all my pics ---- if I can find them all.

Maybe it's time to start a new blog site?  Hmmmm.  Let me ink about it. Stay tuned....

Linda

Map It Monday - Little Butterflies for You

This week's card map is a nice one for a large message or verse.  I chose butterflies as the focal point, but any stamped images, punch shapes, or a combination of images and ribbon bows or metal hardware would work nicely.

The butterflies here are diecut from the lovely Beautiful Wings embosslit.  It cuts and embosses various sizes of butterflies!  I have used dsp for these butterflies - hopefully you can see the intricate embossed designs on each butterfly.

If it's rainy or cloudy outdoors, visit my blog & you'll see butterflies & cheerfulness!

Linda

Fast Friday - A Charmed Heart

This week's quick card is made in 3 easy steps!

1.  Punch the edge of the card with the scallop edge punch.

2.  Apply a rub-on.  This heart rubon is from a retired rub-on set, but there are plenty in the catalog to choose from.

3.  Punch a horizontal slot with the horizontal slot punch & feed some ribbon through the slot & a scallop beside it.  Slide the ribbon through a metal charm before double knotting it in a bow.

The charm says "thank you", though the picture isn't too clear.


Have a great weekend!

Linda

Think About Color Thursday - Kraft, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise

Today's card is earthy with its Kraft cs and Chocolate Chip additions, yet the Tempting Turquoise sky and old Olive grass and background perk it up.

The grass from Inspired By Nature is stamped in Old Olive, then heat embossed.  The background is then sponged in Old Olive and Tempting Turquoise to represent grass and sky.  That sponging is what truly makes this card so beautiful!

The message on this card is from the Whimsical Words stamp set, which is one of the FREE Sale-a-Bration products.  You have ten days left to get Sale-a-Bration products, so please email me if there is anything you need.

The best element of this card is the cattail scene!  Remember a post from my blog a few weeks ago about uses for the horizontal slot punch?  Well, this is a card that shows how fun my favorite horizontal punch use really is!  Just punch little horizontal slots from Close to Cocoa cs & add dots of adhesive with the Two-Way Glue Stick and press the cattails onto your card!   This finished card reminds me of a beach in the Outer Banks - serene & refreshing!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Page Corner Bookmark

Have you seen these little bookmarks that just slip over a page corner?  So darn cute.

After I made it, I decided to stamp "r-e-a-d" onto it as well.  I pulled out a cheap mini alphabet set that was not a Stampin' Up stamp set & now I am not very pleased with the quality of the stamps, so this bookmark looks like it'll be a keeper instead of a gift for a friend.  Lesson learned.  Stick with Stampin' Up!

Here's how you can make a page corner bookmark:

Begin with a piece of cs that is at least 4" square.  Actually, 5" square may even be better.

Score the cs in half in both directions.

Fold and crease on both score lines with a bone folder.

Cut away a quarter of the cs (an entire section).

Apply "sticky strip" adhesive onto onto one of the end squares, fold down the two "wings" & press together so it is flat.  A bone folder will help get a nice crease.

Decorate the bookmark with some stamping!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Scissors and Scraps Only

Too many scraps.  I've been trying to use some of my cazillion scraps (yes, new word invented).  Here's a card that began with a tree I found in my stamped scraps.  I added miscellaneous scraps of Close to Cocoa, Mellow Moss and Real Red for a splash of color.  Nothing was cut except with scissors on the spot.  This is when I feel most creative!

If you don't make as many cards and projects as I do, you might not have as many scraps.  Light bulb moment.

I think I will add a message - "thinking of you" - to finish the card.  Better get to work.......play!

Linda :)

Map It Monday -- True Razzleberry

This map puts a little bow smack dab in the center of the card!

supplies:
Stamps:  Dot, Dot, Dot; True Friend Stamp Set
Inks:  Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad
cs:  Rich Razleberry, Whisper White
dsp:  Cottage Wall
punches:  XL Fancy Flower, 1" circle, horizontal slot
other:  dimensional, polka dot Rich Razzleberry grosgrain ribbon


I just love how Stampin' Up's product lines match each other.  Half of the work is done for me before I even begin thinking.

First, I stamped the Dot, Dot, Dot stamp with Rich Razzleberry ink onto the left side of the Rich Razzleberry card.   You could also use coordinating designer series paper there instead.


Then, I stamped the True Friend stamp set's biggest flower on Whisper White cs & then centered that flower with the new XL Fancy Flower punch.  The design is actually on the XL flower!  How cool!  I then added a Rich Razzleberry 1" circle center & popped the flower with dimensionals onto the card.

The ribbon is inserted through a hole punched into the dsp with the horizontal slot punch & tied around the edge of only the dsp - iit doesn't go through the card.

The "thank you" from the True Friend stamp set is stamped in Rich Razzleberry directly onto the dsp.

Linda

Scrapbook Saturday - Duplo Darling

I found this picture the other day & I have moved it from one counter or table to another.  Rather than put it in my photo boxes, I decided to make it into a quick scrapbook page.  Consequently, here's my Scrapbook Saturday post, which doesn't happen very frequently anymore!

I think I achieved my goal for this page:  whimsical, fun, childlike.  I went with a hand-created title/journal element to give it that kiddie look.  A square punch carried the square block theme throughout. 

If you have an extra special photo that you can't seem to file away, why not just "scrap it" today?!   I am glad that I didn't wait for that perfect layout & spend an hour making it just right.  Sometimes five minutes & a lot of love gets it done!

Linda

Fast Friday - Practice Makes Perfect

Have you been experimenting with the new Stampin' Up corner punches?

 

 

I sure have!  If you have been practicing the technique, you might have at least a few squares and rectangles with a scallop edge border, just like I have.  Most of my practice papers have been punched on all 4 sides!

YIKES!   Could I be obsessed with this punch?

You can set your practice pieces aside to use on projects in the future.  Or,


What about making a fancy mini card to include with a little gift or some baked goods for a neighbor or friend?  This card would be perfect for that occasion!  All you need to do is to fold the square or rectangle cs in half after it has been decoratively punched with our new corner and edge punches.

I adhered a small scrap verse cut from non S U scrapbook paper, as well as a layered paper flower and brad.  It's a snap to make these quick cards when you have the punched cs ready & waiting!

Linda

Think About Color Thursday - Cameo Coral, Old Olive, Apricot Appeal, Chocolate Chip

My color combination this week is earthy and bright:

Old Olive
Cameo Coral
Apricot Appeal
Chocolate Chip

This Old Olive card has a decorative little border across the top.  I didn't have my scallop edge punch handy, so I decided to "go retro" & punch a scallop edge using the corner rounder punch, instead of the "scallop edge" punch.  Punches sure have come a long way in a short amount of time!  It takes just a minute to punch that corner rounder across the cs over and over again, but it sure takes longer than the "scallop edge punch".   It makes me truly appreciate every single punch tool that I have purchased!  I also punched a tiny hole in each scallop across the Chocolate Chip cs.  What a fun little decorative trim!

The flower and "true friend" message is from the True Friend stamp set.  It is such a beautiful stamp set that I sort of forgot that I had.  Welcome back, True Friend!

The flower is inked with Stampin' Write markers direct to rubber. 

I also markered the word "friend" onto a Cameo Coral punched tab and tucked it under the cs with the flower.

Have a terrific day!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Buggy Card

Here is a new baby card for a baby girl that we will be making at my April 14 Stamp Camp (on a Wednesday).  Have you registered yet?  Ask a friend to join you!

I will show you how to make it!  Isn't it absolutely stinkin' cute!?!  I have four buggy wheels on it, so it actually stands up! 

It would also be a great card for a "best wishes on your pregnancy" (ok, well, if the mother-to-be knows she is having a girl).  Or, why not make this card in boy colors?

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Circles Can Be More Than Circles

This week's tip:


Circles can be more than just circles.


This card uses circles and scallop circles as background pieces.  Circles don't have to take center stage.  Tuck them behind elements on your card!  You don't even need to see the entire circle.  So many possibilities!

Linda

Map It Monday - Tall Tales Under the Weather

The Tall Tales dsp is a design that I thought I wouldn't use too much.  I guess I focused on the animal print designs.  But, take a good look at the other designs in the package!  There's polka dots, stripes, flowers, even trees, clouds, and cute bird designs.   And, of course, those little whales and animal print papers! Now, I absolutely love this paper package!  I think I will be ordering another package for myself! 

Here is a card that I created using one of the scenery papers in the Tall Tales dsp package.  I first cut the paper with the Top Note die and cut that in half.  Suddenly, my card has scenery!  I created raindrops with the Dot, Dot, Dot stamp.  Inking up the stamp first with Versamark, I heat embossed the card with clear embossing powder.  The ground is created by adhering "dirt", aka Chocolate Chip cs.

I thought about the "you're under the weather" stamp from the A Little Birdie Told Me" stamp set (retired) after I stamped the "raindrops".  I stamped it in Chocolate Chip ink and punched it out with the small oval punch.

Of course, I just had to also use the "Tiny Tags" stamp set from the current Occasions Mini Catalog!  "Friends" fits nicely in another small oval punched white cs.  I offset and matted the "friends" on another pattern dsp in the Tall Tales dsp package - with dimensionals.

This was a fun card to create!

Linda

Fast Friday - Mini Cards

Time for Fast Friday again!  Quick cards!

Here's some more cards I made during that weekend snowstorm a couple of weeks ago!  I used the color palette of Taken with Teal, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, and Pumpkin Pie.

I stamped some colorful hearts using the "I Heart Hearts" stamp set.  They turned into cute little mini cards.  It's so quick & easy!   Use small pieces of cs - no matter what the size - you can hand deliver the cards & won't need envelopes!

Add little strips of matching dsp & punch edges with a border punch!  Add a tiny message such as the mini little words from "Tiny Tags" stamp set or any little word stamps.  Just keep the color scheme going & make sure everything on each card is one of several colors that you choose.

Linda

Think About Color Thursday - Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery

This week's color combo:

Gable Green
Rich Razzleberry
Melon Mambo
Pretty in Pink

I found this little mouse stamp that was one of the first stamps I ever purchased.  Isn't she cute?  I sure have come a long way in the past few years since I have been a Stampin' Up Demonstrator!  Maybe you have been in my studio attending a class or camp & have seen my stamp library!  What can I say?  I NEEEED them. lol

So, today I paired two of the current In Colors, Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry, and used Gable Green as the background.  It turned out cute, don't you think?


The "u" is an On Board chi[pboard alphabet letter that I traced onto Pretty in Pink cs.  The "r" is a larger On Board chipboard that I also traced.

I looked through my stamp library for words to stamp ("u r".........).  I found "a wonderful" and "friend", both in different stamp sets.  If you don't have the exact word you need, find it on a phrase stamp!  The mixture of fonts/lettering styles adds interest to the card!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Heart Medallion Duo

I stamped during a snowstorm last weekend & look at some of the cards I made!  The "I Heart Hearts" stamp set was fun to use in several different colors.  Try stamping different hearts in a combination of colors that you like & then use them together on a pretty card layout!

The Medallion stamp is my background here for both cards, and the little heart design in the Note to Self Stamp Set is the stamped background on the Taken with Teal cs. 

Be daring & mix up the stamp sets you try on a card!  It all works!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Stamped & Crumpled Flower

Have you seen these cute little realistic (well, relatively realistic) flowers?

You can make one of these flowers!  It will give charm to any card or project!

First, choose a word stamp.  I have used a definition stamp from the "Define Your Life" stamp set.   Repeatedly stamp the word stamp onto white cs, very close in proximity to each other.  You want to see what is stamped on the flower, so you need to cover a lot of ground with that stamp.

Punch two scallop circles.  Crumple them up just as if you will be throwing them away.  Then, open the flowers up again.  One will be the bottom layer.  For the top layer, cut small slits in between the scallops so you have petals that are separated.  Insert a brad.

It's that easy!  Make sure to fluff up the flower to make it look realistic.  I like to curl the petals upward somewhat as well.

There you have it  -  a stamped & crumpled flower!  It can be a fantastic embellishment for 3-D projects too!

Linda

Map It Monday - Point to the Birdy

The Sweet Pea Designer Paper tablet from the Occasions Mini Catalog works well with the "happy BIRD day" stamp in the Picture This stamp set.  All I needed was a little snippet of a bird from one of those cute scrapbook papers.    You can use the arrow punch to point to anything - the only rule is that it must be something cute!

If you have this stamp set, I hope you also own the arrow punch, because it is a perfect fit!

Linda

Fast Friday - Lotsa White

My Fast Friday card this week is a very white card with simple, stylish, black words, with a little surprise of flowers in the center of the card!


All you do for this card is use Basic Black ink to stamp "happy birthday" from the Well Scripted stamp set (in the Occasions Mini Catalog & available thru the end of March 2010) repeatedly on the card front.

Stamp the flower bouquet from the Happy Moments stamp set (available FOR FREE!!!!! in the Sale-a-Bration stamp set with a $50 purchase before the end of March).  Punch the flowers out using the 1 3/4" circle punch.

Lastly, color the flowers using shades of pink and red Stampin' Write Markers, and a Green Galore Stampin' Write Marker for the foliage.  Adhere the circle with dimensionals.

This card is a classic one, yet so undeniably quick & easy!

Linda

Think About Color Thursday - Lovely Lilac, Old Olive, Sahara Sand

This week's color combination is:

Lovely Lilac

Old Olive

Sahara Sand

 

A piece of Sahara Sand patterns dsp from a designer series paper package several years ago soften this Lovely Lilac card.  Before adhering it to the card, I pierced the top and bottom edges using the mat pack, though it is slightly hard to see in this image.

I also pierced the Old Olive cs across the top and bottom, added a skinny strip of dsp to the bottom edge and a Lovely Lilac piece along the left edge.

The Vintage Labels stamp and the message are both inked with Old Olive ink.  The message is from the Tiny Tags stamp set on page 28 of the Occasions Mini Catalog.

If you liked this color combo, try it on your next card!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Side Step You

Have you seen a side-step card?  We made this style of card at a recent camp in my studio.  Today's side-step card is a Chocolate Chip base.  

Once you have the basic card construction, you can decorate it any way that you wish, bearing in mind that the folded dimensions must be able to fit into your choice of envelope.

Email me if you would like the instructions for a side-step card.

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Chalk a Dry Embossed Image

 

A garden-full of pink roses is what this card reminds me of.   Chocolate Chip to represent the earth, the Wasabi Green for the grass and leaves, and pink for the pink roses.  Spring is just around the corner!

My Tuesday Tip:  Use Stampin' Pastels on dry embossed words or images to make them "pop".

The "feel better" really stands out on this card after being chalked.  You may want to spray the chalked area with a fixative to prevent smearing of chalk.

The flowers are stamped with the "2-step stamping technique".  You can find other 2-step stampin' sets in our IB&C - look for the little circle with "2" in it next to any stamp sets that can be used with the 2-step technique.  In case you may not be familiar with two-step stamping, it consists of stamping a line image (outie) and a solid image (innie) on top of each other in order to show an outline and a "colored in" part of the image.  The 2 steps usually are done in two shades of the same color & is very effective at giving a very soft, feathery image, as in flower petals and leaves.   

I also have adhered three of the "latte" designer buttons.  Have you used any of the designer buttons?  Here is a link to another project that you can make using the designer buttons in a different color grouping called "playground".

These designer buttons add such charm to a project - the various colors coordinate with Stampin' Up's regular card stock and inks!  Look for them on page 181 of the IB&C!

Linda

Map It Monday - Tilted

 

 

It sure is fun to heat emboss this "Upsy Daisy" image.  There are so many styles and looks that can be achieved!  Here I have heat embossed the daisies & sponged around the daisies.

The tilt of the main image on this card really gives this card some style.  

I also stamped the tiny butterfly in the background (Charming stamp set), and I used that absolutely gorgeous 1 1/4" Chocolate Chip Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.  You only need a small piece of that ribbon to fold & tuck under something on a card!  Beautiful!  Take a look at the ribbon on page 182 of the IB&C!  

Give this layout a try!

Linda