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Friday, April 29, 2011

Fast Friday - Full Heart Square

My Fast Friday card this week is created using the Full Heart Punch.  A color combination of Crushed Curry (retired color, sorry :/) and Rich Razzleberry.
 
NOTES:

  • square card 
  • square piece of Patterns dsp 
  • stamp set - All Holidays  
  • ink - Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad 
  • punch - Full Heart Punch 
  • other - paper piercing tool and mat pack used to free-hand pierce around the heart
  •  the heart that was punched out from the Rich Razzleberry dsp is adhered inside the card (no waste here!)


Another shape punch could be substituted for the Full Heart Punch too - perhaps a scallop circle punch or the 5 Petal Flower Punch!


Linda

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Think About Color Thursday - Marina Mist & Crumb Cake

Seeing a ruffly pillow on the Southern Hospitality blog inspired me to layer some Scallop Edge Border punched decorative strips.  I paired Marina Mist and Crumb Cake!

NOTES:
  • card stock - Crumb Cake, Marina Mist
  • punches - Scallop Trim Border, Scallop Edge Border, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle, Boho Blossoms
  • stamps - Apple Blossoms Level 2 Hostess Stamp Set (IB&C)
  • inks - Marina Mist Classic Stampin' Pad
  • other - Paper Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Basic Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals
Linda

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Whatever Wednesday - Sweet Chocolate and Flowers


What do you think?  Pretty, isn't it? 
NOTES:
  • Stamps:  Sanded Background stamp; All Holidays
  • card:  Very Vanilla cs
  • other paper:  Sweet Pea dsp (retired), Chocolate Chip cs, Very Vanilla cs
  • ink:  Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Pad
  • punch:  Boho Blossoms
  • other:  Pink Pirouette brad

I really like the fact that this card can be for just about any occasion.  "For you" could be for a birthday, thank you, thinking of you, or whatever occasion is celebrated.  As a matter of fact, you could make this card for no occasion at all.  It is a nice style for a non-occasion note card if you place 3 flowers across the place where the "for you" is located.

Linda

Friday, April 22, 2011

Fast Friday - Razzleberry Tangerine Punch

Fast Friday is here once again, and this week's card is Tangerine Tango, with a splash of Rich Razzleberry.



NOTES:

  • cs:  Tangerine Tango, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
  • ink:  Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad
  • dsp:  Patterns Designer Series Paper - Rich Razzleberry
  • stamp set:  All Holidays
  • punches:  circle punch (I don't quite remember which size I used, but I suppose it was 1"), Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, 5 Petal Flower
  • other:  Stampin' Dimensional
  • While scoring the card fold, I also scored a few decorative lines near the top of the card.  This is easy to do if you slide the card into a paper cutter fitted with a scoring blade.

Happy Weekend!


Linda

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Think About Color Thursday - Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Bashful Blue

Sun.  Daffodils.  Yellow.  What a happy color!  This week's color combination is:


Daffodil Delight
Whisper White
Bashful Blue


The Bashful Blue color alongside this bright Daffodil Delight yellow softens the card.  Don't you love the crocheted fleurette?  I inserted Bashful Blue 1/4" grosgrain ribbon through the fleurette & double knotted it!  The fleurettes would be a great addition to a vintage styled card as well!

Today's inspiration comes from this sun room on the House Beautiful website.  I switched up the colors a bit, but the feeling I get from the card is the same!



NOTES
  • Stamps - A Slice of Life (Occasions Mini Catalog Level One Hostess Set ~ this set is  only available for another week, at which time the mini catty will retire); Heartfelt Thanks (Hodgepodge Happiness stamp set from IB&C)
  • Fleurettes II (IB&C)
  • cs - Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Bashful Blue
  • inks - Stazon Black Inkpad, Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad; Stampin' Write Markers in Daffodil Delight, Bashful Blue, and Regal Rose
  • Ribbon - Bashful Blue 1/4" grosgrain
  • punches - Decorative Label, Designer Label
  • Stampin' Up Big Shot Die - Scallop Square Duo Bigz Die
  • Other - Stampin' Dimensionals.
Let's hope the sun shines today!


Linda

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Tuesday Tips - Inlaid Embossing


I have another very cool technique for you this week - Inlaid Embossing.  It is soooo easy that I don't need to lay out steps for you.  Take a look at the scallops across the card.  All three sets of scallops are actually designer series paper strips that have been punched with the Scallop Edge Border Punch and then "inlaid" onto card stock!

The technique itself consists of only three steps!  First, punch shapes that you want to be inlaid (circles, squares, in this case scallop strips).  Second, adhere the shapes onto your cs in whatever pattern you choose.  Third, roll the cs through your Big Shot Diecutting Machine inside the Square Lattice Embossing Folder!  Viola!  Done!  Now use your inlaid paper for a project!

NOTES
stamp set - Bring on the Cake (Occasions Mini Catalog, exp. 4/30/11 - order it soon!)
dsp - In Color dsp Patterns Stack You NEED this paper to match your In Color inkpads! :)
colors - Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight
ribbon - 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Daffodil Delight
inks - Poppy Parade Classic Stampin' Pad, Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Marker


I hope you give this technique a try!  I would love to see your inlaid card creations!

Linda

Friday, April 15, 2011

Fast Friday - Boyish Blocks

avant garde design inspiration


A masculine rust-colored leather chair has inspired my Fast Friday post today.  The chair on my card definitely does not look as comfy as the inspiration photo from the avant garde design blog, but I think the card is just as handsome!

The Four Frames Stamp Set and the Hostess Level 2 "Something to Celebrate" Stamp Set are the featured stamp sets.  The Four Frames images coordinate with the Decorative Label punch and is a sneak peek item that you can purchase during April only with any $20 Stampin' Up product purchase.  After April, you can get your hands on this stamp set again in July when the new 2011/2012 Big Idea Book & Catalog premieres.

NOTES:

  • cs: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede & Really Rust (retired cs) - current color alternative is Cajun Craze or Tangerine Tango
  • Really Rust blocks are distressed and sponged with Soft Suede ink
  • Message stamp:  Something to Celebrate Stamp Set (Hostess Level 2 Stamp Set from Occasions Mini Catalog 2011)
  • Frame stamp from Four Frames Stamp Set - currently available in Sneak Peek until April 30
  • Button - "Sweet Stitches" Tangerine Tango Designer Big Button
  • Stampin' Dimensionals

Linda

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Tuesday Tips - Owl Punch Flower




Isn't the flower on this card a stunner?!  Perhaps you read my blog post on 4/6/2011 and remember that I promised to explain this flower technique.

Here's a second flower I made using different patterns from the same designer series paper.  Isn't this Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper exquisite?   You can purchase it as a sneak peek dsp at $9.95 during the month of April only, with a $20 product purchase!  This paper will then be available again in the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog beginning in July.



Stampin' Up's Owl Punch is the tool you need to make this flower.  How fun!  You only punch out the owl body (you won't need the little circle parts and other doo-dads that this punch also punches out).  On the 4/6 card, I punched out and used 6 owl bodies.  For today's card, I used 7 owl bodies, and I think the 7 owls is an improvement.

NOTES

1.  Fold the owls in half lengthwise.  If you are using double sided paper, the pattern that you cannot see when the owl is folded will become the smallest inner petals.  I folded my owls inside out, so I had to flip the pattern that I preferred later before assembling the flower......

2.  Cut off their little toes (ouch - poor little owls).

 3.  Make a cut along the curve of the ear, continuing that cut so it goes all the way through the fold - discard the scrap & you have created the long petals.

4.  Fold back the rounded sides of each owl, like little flaps, beginning at the center fold, and ending approximately where the curve begins to go inward.  Those two flaps are the small inner petals.  Depending on what size your flaps are, you will need to prepare either 6 or 7 owls.
SIDE VIEW OF A PETAL
TOP VIEW OF PETAL

5.  Punch a circle from cs with the 1 3/4" circle punch, then cover it with adhesive.



6.  Begin laying the folded petals around the cs circle, with pointed edges meeting in the center.  You may have to reposition the "wedges" until they fit together well and look symmetrical.


CLOSEUP OF FINISHED FLOWER BEFORE
7.   Curl the long petal tips and sponge edges if desired.  To curl a petal, slide a petal between a bone folder and your fingers to curl the tips of each long petal.  Holding the base of the petal with your other thumb & forefinger while VERY GENTLY curling will prevent ripping.  The process is similar to using a scissors to curve the ends of curling ribbon on a gift package.


FLOWER AFTER CURLING & SPONGING PETALS WITH PEAR PIZZAZZ INK

You can create this flower on an extra special card on Wednesday at 7pm for my April Stamp Camp.  There are a few spots left, so email or phone me quick to register!

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial and have fun with this technique!  Feel free to comment or email if there are questions.

Linda

Monday, April 11, 2011

Map It Monday - Bug Tag


With this eighty degree weather, I noticed bugs outside as I picked up sticks in the yard.  The only bugs I like are the ones in today's post!


Remember this stamp set called "Love Bug"?  It is a retired set with cute little bugs.  For a substitution, I can recommend to you other stamp sets for this card style, like the Hostess Level 2 Stamp set called Long Fellows, Happy Together, Funky Four, or even another critter stamp set such as Bugs & Kisses.

NOTES
This week's card map layout
  • The little hearts at the bottom of the card are rubons from the Love Impressions rubon product in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  It's easy to overlook these rubons in the catalog, but they sure are sweet!
  • All Holidays Stamp Set - "Hugs & kisses"
  • Love Bug Stamp Set
  • Image stamped with Black Stazon Inkpad onto Watercolor Paper
  • Colored with Stampin' Write Markers
  • Two Tags Diecut
  • Colors:  Garden Green, Real Red
  • Stampin' Dimensionals
Linda

Sunday, April 10, 2011

BLOGGING ADJUSTMENT

Hi Stampers!

I have two things to share with you today - the cute card and some news.

The first surprise is for my customer and dear friend, Margi.  She designed the sweet little bunny on today's card at a recent Punch Chic Class in my studio.  Margi altered the "kitty" punch art design with bunny ears!  Brilliant!  It is so stinkin' cute that I just HAD to share it with everyone.  My customers are SOOO creative and talented!  I guess you could say that Margi is my first "Guest Stamper" on this  blog.  If any of my blog readers would like to email me an extra special project or card that you have made or designed, I would be tickled and proud to post it beside your name for the entire blogosphere to see!

The second surprise is to tell you that I will be posting to my blog several times each week instead of every weekday as I have been.  This is not a "cutting back", but rather an enhancement.

Let me explain why.  There is simply not enough time to devote in order to focus on creativity and get the quality designs that I am capable of.  I have realized that sometimes I rush through a blog post in order to "get something posted".  That is not fair to either of us.  Who wants to see a mediocre card?

The plan is to post to my blog three or four times per week instead of five postings. I don't anticipate any pattern to this, so I will post any day of the week, depending on what inspires me.  Fewer postings will allow me to focus on inspiration, creativity, flair, and details, including more frequent illustrated instructions or tutorials, which can be time consuming.  Customer service is a priority for me and I know you'll enjoy each blog post even more!

Keep your comments coming!  I love your emails and in-person comments!  I would love to get comments directly on my blog!  It is a fun way to communicate too!

I hope you continue to look forward to reading my blog posts with curiousity and anticipation.  It is my pleasure to be a bright spot in your day and to have an outlet for sharing my creativity and passion for rubber stamping.

I am still contemplating whether and how I will reorganize the blog, so stay tuned!

Looking forward to flair-filled future designs!

Linda

Friday, April 8, 2011

Fast Friday - Simply and Quickly Adorned



Oh my goodness!  I have just discovered the Simply Adorned product line from Stampin' Up & have fallen in love with it!!!!

The Simply Adorned product line has been in the current 2010/2011 Idea Book & Catalog, 

Simply Adorned as seen in IB&C

Today's Fast Friday post is a necklace that I stamped using Simply Adorned products!  It was sooooo quick & easy & I think it turned out absolutely stunning!  I also added a few Basic Pearls. 

If you have overlooked the Simply Adorned products in our catalog, take a look again!  My necklace is created using a charm and chain, with two baubles added to the chain!  The pretty baubles are a new addition to the Simply Adorned line and are located in the Occasions Mini Catalog.

Here is the reverse side of the charm - slightly different than the front.  So, if my pendant ever flips over, we'll still see a pretty design!  Sweet idea!


Oh, if you want to get your hands on some of these pearl baubles, act fast - the Occasions Mini catty will be replaced with a new mini catalog as of May 1. 


So, I would love to know what you think about my new pendant necklace!

Linda

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Think About Color Thursday - Crumbcake, Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Whisper White

The color combination this week is Crumbcake, Melon Mambo, Basic Black, and Whisper White!

The card is inspired by this living room at the House Beautiful website.  The subdued patterned print furniture and the  "Melon Mambo" pop of color looks so nice in this room - so I knew it would look even better on a greeting card!


NOTES: 
  • Technique:  Spotlighting
  • Do You Want to Make this Card?  Register for my April 13 Stamp Camp!  If you are on my newsletter mailing list, you may recall seeing a sneak peek of this card in my newsletter.  Did you catch it?  We will make this card, along with an Easter card, a "Happy Easter" mini treat, and a few other cards!
  • Cs:  Melon Mambo, Crumbcake, Basic Black, Whisper White
  • Stamp Set:  Elements of Style (don't you LOVE-LOVE-LOVE this set?!)
  • inks:  Stazon Black inkpad; Classic Stampin' Pads - Crumbcake & Melon Mambo; Stampin' Write Markers - Melon Mambo & Pear Pizzazz
  • Punches:  Circle Punches - 1 3/8" and 1 1/2", Modern Label

 Linda

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Whatever Wednesday- Sneak Peak into 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog!

Look at the amazing designer series paper on this card!  I have designed this card around the paper, instead of the other way around!  This dsp will be available in the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog, which launches in July.  But, you needn't wait that long!  Stampin' Up's "Spring is Blossoming" Sneak Peak   offers you the opportunity to purchase this Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper in April only (you won’t see these products again until our new catalog is unveiled in July!).   

And, look how cute this birdie label is!  It is one of four label stamps in a stamp set called Four Frames that is also a feature in the "Spring is Blossoming" Sneak Peek!

So, how do you get these two products?  Simply place a minimum $20 Stampin' Up! product order in April and you are eligible to purchase both the Four Frames Stamp Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper!  Woo-hoo!  Here is a description, price and picture of each of these sneak peek items.


Please contact me if you'd like to participate in this Sneak Peak offer!

In case you are wondering how I made the flower on today's card, I will feature that technique in an upcoming blog post!

Linda




Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Tuesday Tips - Faux Suede Technique


Try the Faux Suede Technique!  It is quite easy.  The Faux Suede technique creates a sueded or felted appearance to cardstock.  This technique looks particularly nice on paper flowers and vintage-styled projects.  On today's card  notice the flower - it looks soft, sueded, and distressed.  The flower is created using Stampin' Up card stock.   You can see the paper fibers on the flower when you look closely, as opposed to seeing a smooth cardstock finish.

I took my inspiration for today's card from this Designers Guild website Spring tablescape.


notes.
Choose a Stampin' Up color to compliment the occasion.  Beautiful current color alternatives might be Marina Mist or Peach Parfair for a subtle card, Poppy Parade or Concord Crush for a vibrant special occasion card, or Night of Navy or Always Artichoke for classic style.
1 1/4" square punch
Choose any flower punches or diecuts to suit the style
A stamp set with various small coordinated images such as Sweet Summer (SAB 2011) are perfect for this collage styled card.
Sponge the edges of the squares to tone the contrast down
Corduroy button
Faux Suede Technique on each flower layer (see notes below)


Faux Suede Technique Notes.
  • Pull a bone folder across cs over and over, and on both sides of the paper, similar to the way you curl a piece of curling ribbon with a scissors. 
  • If you intend to create a specific shape, such as the flower on this particular card,  punch or cut out that shape prior to beginning this technique.  Here I used a flower punch to make a flower shape.  
  • When the paper fibers on the edges are all beginning to separate, gently peel apart the paper layers so you have two separate pieces of paper.  Occasionally additional distressing is needed if the peeling becomes stubborn.  
I hope you give this technique a try! 

Linda