CLICK HERE FOR FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES, LINK BUTTONS AND MORE! »

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Whatever Wedesnday - Packed For Twitterpated Baby

Hi Stampers!

Today I'm sharing with you a fun card I made to swap with other Stampin' Up demonstrators at a recent meeting.  Had you noticed the "Packed For Baby" stamp on page 39 of the new Occasions Mini Catalog?

There sure is quite a bit of empty space on the stamp design and it will be a pleasure to color on another day.  Today was not one of those days that I could have the pleasure of coloring at my leisure.  I decided to just lightly color in a few of the images within the larger stamped image.  I chose a primary color combination of blue, red & green - Marina Mist, Riding Hood Red, and Certainly Celery (I couldn't find my Pear Pizzazz inkpad at the time, which was my first idea). 

I also embellished with the Twitterpated designer fabric and in the Occasions Mini catty.  If you make a small snip in the fabric and tear in one direction straight down, you can make fabric ribbons!

If the "heaven blessed" stamp doesn't look familiar, it is because I borrowed a few words from a stamp in the Heaven Blessed Easter stamp set!  I used the Omitting stamping technique and colored onto the rubber stamp with a Marina Mist Stampin' Write marker, being careful to color only the words I wanted to use.  I stamped it onto Bashful Blue cs.


The main image is stamped onto watercolor paper and adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals.  The bling of the adhesive backed Basic Rhinestones finishes the card off.

It just so happens that I have a need to send a new baby card today, so I can cross that task off my list! And, I had fun making it!

Linda

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Tuesday Tips - Crumple!

My tip for cards today is to do paper crumpling on a project.  That's right.....just crumple it up like you are going to throw it away.....but, wait, don't throw it away!  Instead, open it back up and semi-flatten it again. Today's card utilizes a Pear Pizzazz cs that has been crumpled as a mat for the snail image.

Why should you crumple?  Crumpled paper is a method of distressing paper.  The crumpled paper adds texture and dimension to the project.  It also adds a new design element.

If you are aiming for a project with vintage, romantic or masculine style, the crumpled element will exaggerate that style.  As a matter of fact, if you stamp a background stamp in second or third generation before crumpling, you can add another layer of interest and the distressing or aging affect is enhanced.


Other ways to use your crumpled elements:
  • Try stamping on the card stock AFTER you crumple and flatten the paper
  • Crumple a cs strip and adhere with Stampin' Dimensionals down the edge of a card
  • Rub a distressing ink spot on the crinkled paper & you will see those crinkle lines pop!

It's very engaging to play with this technique.  You may even discover additional ways to use this technique on your projects!

NOTES ON TODAY'S CARD:
stamp set:  Easy Events
inks:  Black Stazon; Stampin' Write markers - Marina Mist, Real Red, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede
cs:  Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz
dsp:  Marina Mist Patterns
other paper:  watercolor paper
punches:  Decorative label, scallop trim border
ribbon:  1/4" grosgrain ribbon - Marina Mist, non S U polka dot ribbon
other:  mini library clip, aqua painter


Have a great day!

Linda

Friday, January 20, 2012

Fast Friday - Twitter Elements

Happy Friday!

I bring you a breath of Spring again today.

NOTES:

card:  Very Vanilla

dsp:  Blushing Bride Patterns dsp, Twitterpated dsp
stamps:  Elements of Style
ink:  Riding Hood Red Classic Inkpad
other:  Twitterpated designer fabric, Stampin' Dimensionals

The card is straight forward and simple to create.  Tie a strip of designer fabric in one knot & adhere it with a few Stampin' Dimensionals.  Fun!

Have a great weekend!

Linda

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Think About Color Thursday - Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Basic Black & Very Vanilla

Hi there,

It seems like I have seldom blog posted for the past month, so I will try to do better.  This week I feature the beautiful color combination of Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Basic Black and Very Vanilla.

This card is one of the "Thrilling Three" projects that guests made this evening at my stamping class.  How could a card made with both the Stampin' Up's new Labels Collection Framelits Die and Apothecary Art Stamp Set not be gorgeous?! 

The Very Vanilla card is the backdrop for the stamping the large flower spray from the Elements of Style stamp set.  The Apothecary Art image is made into a beautiful focal point with Stampin' pastels.

The message stamp is from the new Loving Thoughts stamp set in the Occasions 2012 Mini Catty as well.  The striped ribbon is actually a torn strip of the Twitterpated designer fabric from that Mini Catty.

Today's floral-styled card would be a lovely birthday card too!

Linda

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Tuesday Tips - Punch Art Mommy and Baby Polar Bear Valentines


I love the snow.  I just cannot relate when people complain about it.  It deserves a tribute with today's valentine card.  There's no love greater than a momma and a baby, right?

Baby polar bears are the cutest things ever.  I made the bears with circle and oval punches!  The face can either be created with black cs and punches or with a black marker.

Here's the recipe:
Snow:  Cut white cs to the size you want & simply tear it to create a snow bank.


mama bear:
head & body =two 1-3/4" circles
snout=large white oval (cut in half & rounded)
ears=two 3/4" white circles  
nose= 1/4" black circle
eyes=marker

baby bear:
body & head=two 1" circles
snout=small white oval (cut in half & rounded)
ears=two 1/2" white circles
nose=the smallest little punched circle you can find or draw it with a marker!
eyes=marker


Have a nice day.


Linda

Friday, January 13, 2012

Fast Friday - Alternative Easy Apothecary Art

So, have you seen the new Stampin' Up Occasions Mini Catalog?  Click on the link on this blog's sidebar to check it out!  It is absolutely gorgeous and I want many products in it!  One of the things I ordered first is the Apothecary Art stamp set.  The stamp set has new Big Shot dies that coordinate with it!  Awesome!

Today, I am posting a card we stamped at last night's Siimple, Yet Stunning stamp class.  The card offers an easy peasy card front alternative for using this stamp set.  I have simply repeat stamped the beautiful label stamp on a card front in first and second generation stamping.  How easy is that?!

I tried to capture the bling in the photo & perhaps was denied, but I have applied dabs of 2-way glue pen to the flower centers and then sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds glitter on it.  The glitter gives the card a romantic, chic look.

The tag is made with the curly label punch and the large oval punch.  Defined by Life is the stamp set.

Lovin' the snow today!

Linda

Monday, January 9, 2012

Map It Monday - Tangerine Scallop



Happy Monday!

Today I share with you a card that a customer has asked me to bring back.  We stamped this card at a stamping class and it quickly became a favorite. 

NOTES:
stamp set:  Flower Fest, Teeny Tiny Wishes
inks:  Classic Stampin' Pads - Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Basic Black, Tangerine Tango
cs:  Tangergine Tango, Whisper White, Bashful Blue
ribbon:  Tangerine Tango Double Striped Grosgrain, Bashful Blue
other:  Big Shot, Scallop Square Bigz Clear Die, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, non S U tag die


Have a great day!

Linda

Friday, January 6, 2012

Fast Friday - Elegant Striped Thank You

Today's Fast Friday post is a thank you note card that I made recently.  The professional, sleek styling is just right to use as a business thank you note.  It also would be a fine style for both masculine and feminine personal notes.

The Whisper White card is dry embossed in the Big Shot machine using the Stampin' Up Stripes embossing folder.  Only the bottom portion of the card front is embossed.  A simple "Elegant Thank You" stamp image is stamped with Black Stazon ink centered on the front of the card.  Some nice alternatives to the stamp I used here might be the "Just Thank You" A La Carte stamp, one of the stamps in the "Thank You Kindly" stamp set, or even one of the messages in the timeless  "Sincere Salutations" stamp set.  A monogram would be an attractive design, as well.


Linda

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Masculine/Feminine Note Card Duo Gift

Happy New Year!

I have taken some much needed relaxation time but I'm ready to blog again!  I have so many stamping ideas for the new year and I am very excited to share them with you.  My stamping events for the next few months will consist of 3 events each month:  

A stamping class called "Stunning, Yet Simple" - Stamp 6 uncomplicated but stunning cards.

A kicked-up stamping class called "Thrilling Three" - Create 3 exceptional projects and/or cards.  These projects might be a more detailed, lavish card with many layers, techniques and embellishments, or perhaps a gift set of cards in a box or even a decor item for the home.  Stay tuned.  My wheels are turning.

The "Latest" Layout - Every month I will offer a scrapbooking class.  The project will vary, with some layouts being a two page 12x12 spread and some classes making mini "portable" giftworthy scrapbook albums of all sorts.  Some pretty things are on the way!

On to today's project post........I made this gift for the host and hostess of a dinner party we attended recently.  I wanted to stamp monogrammed cards for both of them and then decided to put them in a little handled box.  One side of the box is embellished with the man's initial and the other side is embellished with the lady's initial.  Then, it's fitting to simply slide the feminine cards into the lady's side of the box, and vice versa.  I like how it all turned out.

The dsp I used is the "Night and Day" dsp (retired).  The cards were quick to stamp and I embossed each one in the Big Shot with either the Houndstooth embossing folder or the Manhattan Flower embossing folder.

I definitely think I will make some more of these card gift sets.  I'd love to hear your comments on what you think of it.

Linda