Think About Color Thursday - Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, and Old Olive

My color combination this week is a bright trio:

Daffodil Delight   
Pacific Point  
Old Olive

Instead of pastel colors for this new baby card, I decided to work with a bright palette.

 

NOTES:

Stamps:  Pleasing Polka Dots Building Wheel (Occasions Mini Catalog), Punch Bunch (SAB 2011), A to Z Background Stamp

cs:  Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Old Olive, Whisper White

inks:  Pacific Point

dies:  Tasteful Trims Bigz Die

punches:  Small and Large Tag, Scallop Trim Border

other:  SAB 2011 Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - White Wicker Chair

Today's card was inspired by a picture on the House Beautiful blog.  The white wicker chair and flowers is only a daydream today, since snow is in the forecast, but I like how the card turned out!

Notes

• card:  Whisper White cs
• other cs:  Crumbcake, Old Olive
• stamps:  Thoughts & Prayers (flowers), Have a Seat, Afterthoughts Level One IB&C Hostess Stamp Set (message)
• inks:  Stampin' Write Markers - Old Olive & Rose Red (markers direct to rubber technique), Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad, Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad
• punches:  Eyelet Border 
• other:  Embossing Buddy, White Stampin' Emboss Powder, Stampin' Sponge (edges of Crumbcake sponged with white craft ink), Heat Tool, Stampin' Dimensionals
• 2nd and 3rd generation stamping of flowers & leaves along the bottom edge of Crumbcake cs
• chair is heat embossed

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Belly Band

Sometimes it is fun to create a card with an unconventional shape or fold.  Today's card is folded as a gate-fold card and is cut to have the two flaps overlap, with a "belly band" that slides over the card to hold it closed.

In most cases, all you need to create a belly band for a card is roughly an inch-wide strip of cs.  Just wrap the thin strip around the card, bending at the sides, then secure with adhesive.  To get a cleaner look, score the side folds.

The scallop border punch creates the scalloped outer flap and the decorative trim on the belly band.

And, have you ever used a Spritzer Tool?  You can get a speckled or splattered appearance on card stock when you apply Stampin' Write marker ink onto card stock with a Spritzer Tool.  For splattering a dark cs, another technique is to use a stiff paint brush and white ink - simply separate the stiff bristles to splatter the ink onto the paper.  The card stock will have the same look as the dark cs on today's card.

Card Interior

This card pairs both Night of Navy and Bashful Blue for a handsome masculine birthday card.  The birthday cake stamp image is from A Slice of Life, a Level One Hostess Stamp Set from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  This stamp set is available until the end of April FOR FREE with a $150 Stampin' Up workshop or product order.  The cake is watercolored with Watercolor Wonder Crayons and a blender pen.

Here is the interior of my card.  Since the card interior is a dark color, I opted to adhere white cs to the inside.

Happy Tuesday!

Linda

    

Map It Monday - Swirl on the Green

The map layout featured this week is a great lay out for a square stamp image such as this "On the Green" stamp.  The "So Many Thanks" stamp would also be a nice alternative. 

The swirl embellishment is part of a die cut made from the Tulipe Bigz Big Shot Die.  It is cut from Night of Navy Designer Series Patterns Paper. 

The Scallop Square Duo Bigz Die is also used here on Night of navy cs. 

I stamped the image twice, once in Night of Navy Classic ink and a second time in Old Olive Classic ink.  The "on the green" part of the Old Olive stamped image is hand cut out and layered over the Night of Navy stamped square image.

Yes, Father's Day is a few months away, but this card would be a terrific masculine birthday card as well!

Linda

Fast Friday - A Splash of Red

The background for this Fast Friday card is stamped all in Early Espresso classic ink.  It creates a very neutral Very Vanilla backdrop for a punch of color - a red tag and button, and a subtle colored message.

Notes

• Wellness Wishes Stamp Set's "Praying For You During Your Illness"
• Level One Hostess Stamp Set from IB&C - Because I Care - I used both the large hydrangea stamp and the tiny little flower stamp
• Early Espresso Classic Inkpad
• non-Stampin' Up button
• card is Very Vanilla cs; tag behind message is Riding Hood Red cs
• distressing and sponging techniques

Have a great weekend!

Linda

Think About Color Thursday - Marina Mist, Melon Mambo, Old Olive

Today's card is similar to a card some awesome ladies stamped at a workshop last week.  I am lovin' this SAB Ice Cream Parlour dsp - especially this polka dot pattern!   What's great about this polka dot patterned paper is that it incorporates so many bright colors and can coordinate with quite a few Stampin' Up core colors.

Notes

• card is Marina Mist cs; scallop circle is Melon mambo cs
• Sale-a-Bration Punch Bunch stamp set - owl
• So Happy For You little flower stamp
• My owl is stamped in Marina Mist classic ink onto Whisper White cs, then dressed up in her Sunday finest pink floral dsp, a pattern also from the SAB Ice Cream Parlour dsp
• SAB grosgrain ribbon from Ice Cream Parlour Ribbon and Button Pack

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Pink Girl and Blue Boy Owls

I cannot believe that Sale-a-Bration is almost over!   The Punch Bunch owls have become one of everybody's favorite stamps!  Soooooo cute!  That owl punch that coordinates with the owl stamp sure makes everything easy too!

I also stamped for the first time with the "true friend" circle stamp from the same Punch Bunch stamp set!  That little circle stamp gets a little lost next to the owl in this stamp set, since that owl stands out, but this "true friend" stamp can be used in several different ways.  Since there are several circles within circles on this image, layering of different circles atop each other with coordinating colors is a great technique for this stamp!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Pom Pom Trim

Tuesday Tips

Did you notice the Pom Pom Trim in the Occasions Mini Catty?  What retro style!  This fluffy puffy ribbon is available in Daffodil Delight (pictured here on today's post), Melon Mambo, and Tangerine Tango.

I'm thinking it could become a trim on a dress, like in the stamp set called Greeting Card Kids!  Wouldn't those little girls' dresses look adorable with a row of pom poms at the hem, or even on the end of a scarf?!?!

Did you see how the pom pom trim is used as a cake layer in the Occasions Mini catty?  My wheels are a-turnin' - what about decorating a Christmas tree stamp with pom pom trim as garland?!?  This is such a fun embellishment!

Remember that the Pom Pom Trim is only available thru the end of April.

Linda

Map It Monday - Awash with Turquoise Inspiration

Today's Inspiration Source

I was inspired by one of the "preppy fabric ideas" patterns on the House Beautiful website today.  It reminds me of the Awash with Flowers stamp set.  Today I post a card that I created from this inspiration.

Notes

{Awash With Flowers Stamp Set
{Message from Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set
{Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive and Whisper White cs
{Tempting Turquoise and Old Olive Classic Inkpads
{Scallop Square, Scallop Trim Border, and Large Oval Punches
{Die - Top Note
{1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon in both Old Olive and Tempting Turquoise
{Ribbon Slide Hardware
{Stampin' Dimensionals for message piece only (both layers)

Linda

Fast Friday - Blissful Blue

Today I am featuring the SAB Bliss Stamp Set.  I cannot seem to get enough of this set! 

NOTES

• Baja Blue card
• Sale-a-Bration Bliss stamp set
• Classic Inkpads - Baja Blue, Early Espresso
• Decorative Label Punch and 3/16" Small Corner Punch
• 3/8" Taffeta Early Espresso ribbbon
• Flourish image is stamped in second generation randomly across card
• Decorative Label punch used after front of card is stamped
• sponging with Early Espresso ink around edges of card and around Decorative Label punched opening
• This card can be made in five minutes or less!

Happy Weekend!

Linda

Think About Color Thursday - NQN, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake

What a fantastic color trio!

Not Quite Navy, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake

Notes

• Crumbcake card
• Pear Pizazz and Whisper White cs
• Patterns Designer Series Paper in Night of Navy
• 3 stamp sets - Valentine Defined (isn't this stamp set versatile?  Valentine isn't something must for February anymore!, Awash with Flowers, Teeny Tiny Wishes (is there a holiday or occasion that ISN'T included in this set?!?!)
• inks used:  Night of Navy and Pear Pizazz
• Large Oval punch and Horizontal Slot Punch (this is a retired punch)
• Sponged card edges and Pear Pizazz cs
• 1 1/4" Night of Navy Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

I really like this combo!  How about you?

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Circle Crazy

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Shades of purple, green, and yellow....         think S P R I N G!  Don't you just adore Daffodil Delight, one of Stampin' Up's new colors this year?!  I hadn't used much of it until recently, but lately it has been jumping out of my paper drawer, begging to be played with!


I went a little circle crazy today.  I just HAD to share it with you!

Tuesday Tips - Newsprint Designer Series Paper

Have you seen the First Edition Designer Series Paper from the current Occasions Mini Catalog?  This gorgeous paper is so versatile.  It can work for a masculine card, for a nature look, vintage styled cards, and more!  That's my tip for this week:  Experiment with newsprint-styled paper, such as the First Edition dsp! 

Today's card features this First Edition dsp.  It also features our current Sale-a-Bration FREE stamp set called Bliss.  One of my favorite Stampin' Up products is the line of paper punches.  The "happy birthday" message on this card is one of six rubber stamps that comprise the Perfect Punches stamp set.  Why is it called Perfect Punches?  Because every stamp coordinates with a Stampin' Up paper punch!  Fun!

Notes

• Designer Series Paper - First Edition (Occasions Mini Catalog)
• Stamp Sets - Perfect Punches (IB&C), Bliss (Sale-a-Bration brochure - available until March 30)
• Inkpads - Baja Breeze, Early Espresso
• cs - Baja Breeze, Early Espresso
• punches - wide oval, 1 3/4" circle, scallop edge border
• Stampin' Dimensionals used on Early Espresso cs wide "awning"
• sponging

I hope you enjoyed today's creation!

Linda

Map It Monday - Last Week's Bliss

I thought I'd share with you today this card that we stamped at last week's Stamp Camp.  If you missed out, why not register for an upcoming camp?  If you are not on my email list and would like to receive my monthly Stampin' News and occasional specials emails, please email me to let me know!

NOTES

• Color combination:  Concord Crush, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
• Stamp Set:  Bliss (Sale-a-Bration FREE Stamp Set - available for 2 more weeks!)
• 1/2" Stitched Poly Ribbon - Concord Crush
• Punches used - 1 3/4" Scallop Circle, 1 3/4" Circle, 1 3/4" x 7/8" Large Oval, 5 petal flower
• brad - non Stampin' Up (you could also use Stampin' Up's pearl jewels!)
• Stampin' Dimensionals
• generous sponging all over this card!

This card is truly a thing of beauty!  I just had to share it with you!


Linda

Fast Friday - Monogram Square

I've been in need of extra inspiration lately - maybe it's the winter doldrums or the lack of sunshine.  So, I occasionally turn to finding inspiration online at websites and blogs that show beauty in design, creativity, and great style.  The inspiration for today's card came from pillows at Pottery Barn Teen.  I thought it would be a quick and easy card idea that is perfect for Fast Friday!

inspiration from Pottery Barn Teen

Notes

• Whisper White card
• Inkpad:  Peach Parfait Classic Inkpad
• Level One Hostess Product - Designer Series Paper-In Color (Peach Parfait pattern) 
• Lovely Letters Alphabet Stamp Set

Wouldn't making a set of these monogrammed note cards be a fun way to get ready for a special somebody's birthday?  What a fantastic birthday present!  Or, a hostess gift!

Linda

Think About Color Thursday - Blushing Bride, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake

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This week's color combination is a soft, muted trio:

Blushing Bride, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake


The Blushing Bride dsp is currently available as a hostess gift from the Idea Book & Catalog (Level One Hostess), and the Baja Breeze dsp circles are punched from a retired dsp called Urban Garden.  I know some of my customers had purchased the Urban Garden dsp last year, so if you have some of it left over, you can make this card as shown here!  As an alternative to the Urban Garden dsp, equally beautiful dsp choices from current Stampin' Up's dsp patterns could be:  Greenhouse Gala (either of the two Baja Breeze patterned papers!), Woodland Walk (Crumbcake dsp), Elegant Soiree, or Baja Breeze paper patterns from the Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack!

NOTES

• Blushing Bride dsp from Designer Series Paper Pack - Hostess Level One (you can choose this product for FREE with a $150 workshop or order!)
• Punches used - Curly Label and 1 3/4" Circle
• Card - Crumbcake
• Stamps - Perfect Punches, All Holidays
• dsp circles - Urban Garden
• ink color - I actually do not remember what color ink I used, but it is something darker than Blushing Bride.  The ink color is not an exact match to the card, but it still seems to work.  Odd, but true.
• Stampin' Dimensionals

Have a fantastic stampin' day!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Pocket Slider Pink Pirouette

I love to create pocket slider cards like this one - I've made fun child's birthday greeting cards, invitations, and today's elegant get well wishes card.  You will need two sizes of envelopes for this card style, unless it will be hand delivered, because the embossed pocket card is slipped into a mailing envelope.  The Big Shot embossing machine and an embossing folder of your choice is all you need to create a lovely textured pattern on the envelope pocket.

Notes:

• Vintage Vogue stamp set's single flower
• Flowers stamped with Pink Pirouette Classic Ink
• Dry embossing on the envelope pocket
• Pink Pirouette striped ribbon
• Flower center on the card is punched with circle punch so reveal dark background beneath

Have a terrific day and make some time to stamp today!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Creative Background Stamps

For my weekly Tuesday Tip, I want to talk about some alternatives to backgrounds in your cards and scrapbook pages.  Stampin' Up provides an opportunity to purchase beautiful  background stamps.  There are large surface stamps big enough to cover a standard A2 card front and smaller background images that can be repeated on a project or stamped onto project elements, such as a tag or border.  Artwork and style vary to meet just about any look.

You can also get creative in thinking about how to create backgrounds.  Try repeat stamping of tiny background image stamps such as Confetti.  Think outside the box and choose an image to suit your occasion and simply repeat stamp the image onto your card or scrapbook paper.  Itty Bitty Bits, Hello Again, or Every Little Bit are just a few stamp sets that would be absolutely fantastic background building blocks.  You could also choose a word or phrase to repeat, such as the Family Phrases stamp set's "happy new baby" for a baby congratulations card or "i like you" for a birthday or thinking of you card.

Today's card features a retired mini background stamp set similar to the Confetti stamp set.  The Level One Hostess Stamp Set called Punch Potpourri is also featured here - the alphabet butterfly is a very cute little stamp that I hadn't used before!  Also featured today is the Hodgepodge Happiness stamp set "In My Thoughts 24-7" image - this stamp set is an option for you to get FOR FREE during Sale-a-Bration!

Speaking of SAB, you still have  a few weeks to place orders during this huge sale - for every $50 or merchandise ordered, I am happy to give you a SAB brochure stamp set or product FREE - you choose!  Contact me for details or to place your order!

Linda

Map It Monday - Slice of Life Flowers

It's layout map day again!  Watercoloring is such fun and can be a few minutes worth of relaxation and creativity in a day filled with deadlines, chores, and routine.  This was my bit of heaven in my busy day.  The map layout is straight forward, uncomplicated, and easy, with the addition of coloring......

Notes:

Watercolor Paper
Stampin' Write Markers to add a dab of color into the left petals of each flower and Blender Pen to blend color onto remaining flower petals
Aqua Painter for Vase
Peach Parfait cs is stamped with Peach Parfait ink
Sweet Summer stamp set for Peach Parfait cs images
A Slice of Life stamp set (Occasions Mini Catalog Level One Hostess Set) for watercolor paper image {you have a few more weeks to get this stamp set FOR FREE with a $150 workshop order - call me if you are interested!}
Paper piercing across the card and in the upper left corner with mat pack and paper piercing tool

Spring is almost here!  Soon we will find flowers like these growing outdoors!!!

Linda

Fast Friday - Happy Decorator Chicks

Here's a quick card for the week.

I have stamped with Early Espresso Classic ink onto a Pretty in Pink card.  The stamp set is called Happy Together.  Aren't these little chickies cute?


After punching on the card front with the Decorator Label Punch, I pierced a hole beside the negative space on the card front with the paper piercing tool and mat pack.  With the card closed, I stamped the largest chickie through the Decorator Label negative space so the image is actually stamped on the card interior.

Stamping the "happy together" message at the bottom and wrapping Early Espresso Satin 5/8" Ribbon around the card front finishes it off.  Oh, I almost forgot.....I also slipped the ribbon through a Hodgepodge Hardware silver ribbon slide.

This card was rather quick to put together.  The only thing that took me awhile to do was to slip the ribbon through the ribbon slide hardware......after several minutes, I remembered to cut the ribbon ends on a slant so it feeds through the slot more easily!

Linda

Think About Color Thursday - Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White

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This week's color combination 

Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White

The current Sale-a-Bration free products have been fun for me to play with - the colors are bright and cheerful, the designer series paper really "pops" on cards and scrapbook pages, and the ribbon is unique!  I also like the way I can merge some of the products from Sale-a-Bration with products from the Occasions Mini Catalog!  Today I am sharing with you a card that is loaded with Sale-a-Bration style!

Notes

Stamp Sets - A Slice of Life Occasions Mini Catalog Level One Hostess Stamp Set,

Bring on the Cake Stamp Set from Occasions Mini Catalog

cs - Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie

Designer Series Paper - Sale-a-Bration Ice Cream Parlor 

Inks - Black Stazon Inkpad, Daffodil Delight Classic Inkpad, Stampin' Write Markers: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Basic Black

Ribbon - Sale-a-Bration Ice Cream Parlor

Buttons - Occasions Mini Catalog Springtime Vintage Big Designer Buttons and Stitches Big Designer Buttons

Punches - Modern Label,  1 1/4" circle

Have a happy day!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Spotlighting Technique

Today's card spotlights "Spotlighting".  That's right.  The Valentine Defined Stamp Set from the current Occasions Mini Catalog (available thru April 30, 2011) is the stamp set used here, and the colors are Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive.

I have stamped with a Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad and an Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pad and used the Full Heart Punch and two circle punches.

Directions for Spotlighting Technique :

 
1) Stamp desired image on two pieces of card stock. Set one aside to serve as background for spotlighted image.

2) On the other piece of card stock, color the area you wish to highlight, if needed.  (I didn’t need to color mine today, but this example would probably need some coloring)

3) Punch out the part of the image you wish to highlight.  I used a circle punch.  Layer spotlighted circle over a contrasting color of cs punched slightly larger.  This helps accentuate the spotlight.

4) Line up punched, colored piece with the separate stamped image and adhere.

Let me know if you try this technique out!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - CD Folder Scrapbook

Have you seen any of these CD folder scrapbooks?  I absolutely love, love, love this scrapbook!  I think it is one of the most adorable scrapbooks ever!

There's an interesting technique to making these books, yet it is an uncomplicated and relatively quick project.  I would say that it is a "WOW, so THAT'S how it goes together!" moment when you create it!

You can make a similar scrapbook at my March scrapbooking night on March 23, 2011 at 7pm!  This particular one today is created with a Simply Scrappin' Kit called Primary Colors.

If you'd like to make a CD Folder Scrapbook, email me to say you will join me on my next scrapbooking night on March 23!

Linda