Tuesday Tips - Stamp a Scene

Today's card features a Stampin' Up 2011/2012 "In Color" called Lucky Limeade.  On Friday I posted a card that had just a taste of Lucky Limeade as well.


Notice the "scene" that is stamped on today's card?  The little girl is collecting Easter eggs and looking at the bunny.  Stamping a scene is a nice change of pace and a fun way to create a card, particularly for a holiday!  I designed this layout so the girl, who is looking down, would be looking down at the bunny.  The bunny needed to be placed in the lower left area of the card front to "set the scene".  Give it a try!


This card was another swap card that I created for last weekend's Stampin' Up Regional Convention.  It is a simple card using regular stamping and no coloring.  It can be made in a jif!

NOTES:
cs:  Lucky Limeade, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
dsp:  Lucky Limeade patterns
stamp sets:  Heaven Blessed and Mixed Bunch (both available from the current Occasions Mini Catalog until March 31, 2012!), Teeny Tiny Wishes
inks:  Classic Stampin' Pads - Lucky Limeade, Soft Suede
Punches: Circle – XL Oval, Curly Label, Word Window, Modern Label, Ticket Corner

Enjoy the day!


Linda

Tuesday Tips - Hide the Velum Holiday card

Vellum can look so soft and pretty on a card.  Adhering vellum to a card can be frustrating once in a awhile because we certainly do not like to see adhesive through the vellum, yet adhesive cannot always be hidden under embellishments like buttons and ribbons.  Today I offer you another solution if you are ever in this quandary.

Score vellum 1/4" on both the top and bottom edges, and then apply  "Sticky Strip" onto both the top and bottom edges of the underside of the vellum between the score line and edge along the length of the vellum.  Simply remove the red backing from the Sticky Strip and attach the vellum to your card.  You will notice the top and bottom scored panels, however, it does not appear to be the adhesive showing through because the adhesive is applied along the entire length of the vellum and covers the entire width of the scored panels!

The bottom scored vellum panel is further camoflouged by Stampin' Up's new breathtakingly beautiful Blushing Bride 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon.  This ribbon is, in my opinion, THE MOST GORGEOUS ribbon I have ever held in my hands!  I highly recommend that you purchase some of it while it is available (thru the end of April, 2012).

I also stamped onto the vellum before applying Sticky Strip.  Ink stamped onto vellum tends to smear and smudge if handled before dry, so give it a minute or two to dry before applying the vellum to the card.  A heat tool can help out when you want to speed up the ink drying.  Be careful, though, to not burn the vellum.  Stamps used on today's card are from the current Occasions Mini Catalog, P.S. I Love You stamp set.  I also stamped with the "friend" heart stamp from I Heart Hearts stamp set in the current Idea Book & Catalog.


Hope you enjoy playing with vellum on your next card!


Linda

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

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

Tuesday Tips - Dry Embossing over Stamping

You have stamped and you may have dry embossed, but have you stamped & dry embossed on the same piece of card stock?  Here I have stamped snowflakes onto Whisper White cs and then embossed it in a snowflake embossing folder through the Big Shot die cutting system.  You get more snowflakes per square inch that way! :)

I layered a tag with the three colors in the color combination {Pool Party, Riding Hood Red, and Whisper White}, and then I wrapped up the card with a long piece of the beautiful 1 1/4" striped grosgrain Riding Hood Red ribbon.  The style and the color combo of this card are gorgeous!

If you have your Christmas cards mailed already, why not make this card for a holiday thank you note?!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Matchbox "Double Drawers"

Here's a great way to give jewelry as a Christmas gift!  {Or anything else of similar size!}.....make a darling little two drawer gift box and add a special something in each drawer!  It is so easy to make this gift box if you have the Stampin' Up Bigz Matchbox Die and a Big Shot diecutting machine!  This little box is one of the projects the gals made at my recent "Christmas Buffet" stamp camp!

You will need to die cut two sets of the matchbox and sleeve.  The Riding Hood Red little tag is actually one of three tag shapes that are also cut in the matchbox die!  So that matchbox die is really both a matchbox AND a tag shape die!  I love the curvy shapes of each of the tags on that die!  Here I layered tag shapes and topped it with a round message!  Cute as a button!

Be sure to insert and secure the buttons {mine are pearly brads!} before assembling the matchbox if you want to hide the wings of the brad.  Adhere the two box "sleeves" together, then wrap around a strip of cs.  A wide ribbon secures everything!

Wouldn't it be terrific to hide a pair of earrings in one drawer and a necklace or bracelet in the second drawer and give it as a gift?!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Got Ruffles?

This photo of a ruffled draped fabric on a home-designing blog inspired me to create a few cards with ruffled ribbon.  There are several ways to create the look of ruffled ribbon on your cards.  Today's card ruffle was created using sticky strip and ribbon.

 

Lay a piece of sticky strip across the card on the place where the ribbon will be and remove the red liner from the tape.  Beginning with the end of the ribbon, smooth down about an inch of it onto the end of the sticky strip.  Gather a loop of the ribbon and press down with your finger onto the ribbon once again on the next sticky area in the row of sticky strip - just press about a half inch worth.  Make a second loop and press the ribbon down again, repeating all the way across the sticky strip.  You will have a looped {ruffled} ribbon across your card.  Trim the edges of the ribbon.  I like to insert a very small piece of sticky strip in between the loops so the loops lay down instead of stand up.

Ruffled ribbon and ribbon flowers can also be created by pulling a thread from the ribbon ends and gathering the ribbon all the way down the length of it.

I'd love to see your ruffled card creations!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Wreath Petals

I finally just recently purchased the Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder from Stampin' Up, and I don't know what took me so long!  I am getting creative with using this embossing folder as a background, as embossed paper, and for making wreaths!

Give it a try!  Use a sponge dauber and Stampin' Pastels to dab green chalk directly onto white cs that has been pre-embossed through the Big Shot in the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder.  Dab the chalk into a donut shape, but it doesn't need to be exact.  Once you have a wreath shape the way you like it, blow off the stray chalk powder and/or tap the card stock to remove the powder.  Sometimes a very gentle rub of a tissue can help - just be careful not to smear.

I wanted berries on my wreath, so I added small flecks of Real Red Stampin' Write marker around the wreath.  Dress up the wreath in a pretty ribbon or whatever embellishments you have on hand.  I had some of last year's Polka Dot red brads left, so I added one with the bow.

Thanks for visiting my blog today!  Are you registered for Thursday evening's Christmas card Stamp-a-Stack event?  If not, get in touch with me asap!  Why not send out your own handmade holiday cards this year?  You can make 25 of them on Thursday evening (if you need more than 25, you can let me know in advance & make additional card sets in bundles of 10).  I have such pretty cards lined up to make!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Edge Punching with non-edge punches

fabric inspiration

I saw a beautiful gray and black fabric on the Designers Guild website that inspired today's card.  The Decorative Label punch creates a decorative design on both the card's bottom edge and the main white element on the card front.   To create this look on a card, insert the punch only partially into the cs and press the punch, then simply align the punch across the cs, each time punching while "eyeballing" the spacing so the punch is always lined up with the same spot on your punched cs.  Give it a try on some scrap card stock until you have an appealing border!  It's fun!  If you would like a detailed instruction post, let me know.

The main white element on this card is stamped with the Parlor Prints background stamp in the current Stampin' Up IB&C.  It is a lovely vintage print.  Stamping in Basic Gray and then sponging the white cs with Blushing Bride ink gives it a distressed, vintage appearance.


The message element consists of a stamp from the Petite Pairs stamp set, along with one of the stamps from the Four Frames stamp set.  The "frame" can be stamped once or layered for a jazzed up message piece like I've done here!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Cutting Tools

Hi stampers!

When you have paper punches and cutting dies for the Big Shot diecutting machine, a trio like this one is created with ease.  Isn't the little mummy treat box adorable?  All of these projects are 3 of the 6 projects that the ladies made at last week's "Inspired by Autumn" stamp camp.  The spooky white card has a pop-up window created with the new Stampin' Up Peek-a-boo frame die.
When you open the peek-a-boo window on that spooky card.....

What a hoot!  Love it!

The pumpkin card is made with a Crumb Cake cs base, Pumpkin Pie cs punched with the large oval punch, and a diecut scrap becomes the stem!  The edges of the pumkin are sponged with Soft Suede classic ink to soften it a bit.  The "ribbon" is actually a cut strip of Stampin' Up's Spice Cake Designer Fabric!  The dsp is also from the same Spice Cake suite.

I hope you can join me at my November stamp camp when we will make six more lovely projects!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Pocket Trilogy Card

3 pockets made from A2 envelopes!

Have you begun to think about your Christmas gift list?  If you have college aged or adult children, or even teenagers, it can be a struggle to figure out exactly what the perfect gift would be.  There have been times when there is no "wish list".  Pocket Trilogy Card to the rescue!  A card with three slots for gift cards (or cash and gift cards) might be a fantastic Christmas gift for a college student or teen or "adult child"!  I know my college students absolutely love getting restaurant gift cards!  You can even pick up gift cards while at the grocery store & accumulate the benefits of your frequent shopper cards!  Have fun stamping your card, then stuff three gift cards inside!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE THIS CARD:

stamp set:  Pines & Poinsettias (current 2011 Holiday Mini Catalog!) 

Crumb Cake card: 7 3/4" x  5 1/2", scored along the long edge at 3 1/2"

other cs:  Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

dsp:  Holly Berry Bouquet

punches:  Scallop Circle, Eyelet Border, 1" circle

Stampin' Write markers:  Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi, Real Red

other:  Stampin' Dimensionals, paper snips or trimming scissors, paper trimmer and scoring blade (or Stampin' Up's new Simply Scored platform!), two A2 envelopes (sealed shut), pencil

INSTRUCTIONS:

1.   Mark the halfway point across the top edge of the envelopes with a pencil.

2.   Cut both envelopes in half, cutting where your pencil mark is.  You will have four little pockets.  Set one aside for another project - you will only need 3 of pockets for this project.

3.   Now, you want to trim one-quarter inch from the cut edge of one of the pockets and one-half inch from the cut edge of another pocket.  Your pockets now will each be a different height.

4.   Punch a partial 1" circle in the front along the top edge of each pocket to act as a finger pull area.

5.   Adhere all 3 pockets together with the shortest one on top & the tallest pocket at the bottom (like little stairsteps).

6.   I put adhesive onto the seamed side of each pocket & then the top does not have a seam.

7.   Cut dsp: 1" x 5" and 3 1/4" x 5".

8.   Cut from a coordinating dsp pattern: 1" x 5".

9.   Make a "finger pull" area in the 3 1/4" x 5" dsp - the easiest way to do this is to slide the dsp into the top pocket, lining up the top edges of the dsp & the pocket, then slide the 1" circle punch in & punch.  Both punched finger pull half circle areas will be aligned!

10. Adhere the dsp pieces onto the card.

11. Adhere the back of the pocket trio piece to the card interior, making sure the bottom edge of the pocket is about 1/8" higher than the bottom edge of the card front when the card is shut. Doing that will ensure the white pockets are hanging out from underneath.

12.Now decorate the card front.  I used Pines & Poinsettias, which is a lovely vintage Christmas stamp set from the current Holiday Mini Catalog 2011!

So, when the kids say they don't know what they want for a Christmas or birthday gift, make a Pocket Trilogy Card and fill it with a few gift cards!  Marvelous!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Pieced Puppy

I found some cards the other day that I made within the past year and yet I don't think they had ever been posted on my blog.  So, I will be sharing some of them with you.  Today I'm sharing this punch art puppy.  Isn't she sweet?  We know it's a girl dog because of her bow! :)

This card was made at one of my punch art classes.  Do you recognize the Top Note Big Shot diecut?  The ears and the puppy's head are both created from the Top Note die!

Give it a try!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Big Shot Peekaboo Frames

Have you seen the new Stampin' Up Big Shot Peekaboo Frames?  They are the most amazing dies!  Several shapes are on the die, each with a peekaboo window!  It reminds me of the "lift the flap" books that my kids enjoyed as youngsters on my lap.  Such good memories!  I think I'm on to something........maybe I could make a little child's lift the flap book?!?!

In the meantime, this baby card was fun to create.  The dsp is several years old and has long been retired.  The teddy bear stamp is from the new stamp set called Every Little Bit, and the message stamp duo is from Petite Pairs, that awesome stamp set with perfectly paired messages!


I'm looking forward to trying out every little peekaboo frame on the Peekaboo Frames Big Shot die!


Linda

Tuesday Tips - Middle Message

My inspiration for today's card is from the Pottery Barn Teen website. The floral pattern is similar to the flowers in the Flower Fest stamp set from the Stampin' Up Summer Mini catalog.  After I stamped the card, I thought that it would be equally pretty to stamp with Whisper White Craft Ink onto Basic Black cs.  For today's card, I stamped with Basic Black Classic ink onto a Whisper White card.

NOTES:
stamp sets:  Flower Fest (Summer Mini Catalog), Button, Button (Summer Mini Catalog), Bring on the Cake (IB&C 2011-2012)
cs:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo
inks:  Classic Stampin' Pads - Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black
punch:  3/4" circle
other:  Stampin' Dimensionals

Linda

 

Tuesday Tips - Pop Up Every Other Image AND Long Tag Layering

Hi Stampers!

Tomorrow is stamp camp and we are stamping cards for every age group.  The new baby card we will create is my posting for today.  My tip for the week:  Use a Stampin' Dimensional on every other image when you have a row of images to add interest!


The ducks and teddy bears here are adhered across the card front, however, a Stampin' Dimensional pops up every other image.  Fun!  The message is also layered onto Stampin' Dimensionals.

NOTES:

cs:  Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron
other paper:  Pear Pizzazz Patterns DSP, watercolor paper
ink:  Black Stazon inkpad; Stampin' Write markers - So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, Creamy Caramel (retired), Soft Suede
punches:  1" circle, Decorative Label
other:  Stampin' Dimensionals
How I created the layered tag:  So Saffron cs strip is 1 5/16" wide.  Pear Pizzazz dsp strip is 1 3/8" wide.  I stamped the message onto the So Saffron strip, centered the message & punched one end at a time with the Decorative Label punch.  The trick to punching a longer message with a punch that isn't quite long enough is to insert the paper from the bottom of the punch through the center.  I was using the Modern Label punch today & thought some photos of this technique would be helpful for you.  The Decorative Label punching that I did for today's card followed the same technique as used with the Modern label punch.  After both ends are punched separately, I adhered the message onto the Pear Pizzazz dsp mat & punched both ends again.   Adjust both ends to allow for a thin or thick outer mat style.

Insert paper thru center of punch bottom & punch

One end after using modern label punch

then punch other end in the same way

I guess I've given you two Tuesday tips today!  Why not give both this "long tag layering" AND "adding dimensionals to every other image" a try!

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Woodland Kisses Matchbox

 

The Stampin' Up Big Shot Matchbox Die makes this little candy box a jif to make!  The fun chocolate stamp is from the recently retired Eat Chocolate stamp set (Occasions 2011 Mini catalog).


Chocolate Chip card stock, Wild Wasabi card stock, and Woodland Walk (Stampin' Up's 2010/2011 IB&C, retired) designer series paper work together to create this beautiful 3-D project.  It's a sweet idea for a few chocolate kisses!


Linda

Tuesday Tips - Heat & Stick Powder

Today I welcome two new Stampin' Up "In Colors", Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade.    Aren't they both bright and pretty?!

Have you used Heat & Stick Powder?  The large white flowers on today's card have been blinged with Heat & Stick Powder and Dazzling Diamonds glitter!  It turned out beautiful!  The glitter really jazzes up this card and the bright colors are fantastic next to the white glittery flowers! 

To use this technique, stamp the flower with Versamark or craft ink.  Sprinkle Heat & Stick powder, tap off excess & heat with a heat tool.  While the Heat & Stick Powder is still tacky, sprinkle Dazzling Diamonds glitter onto it.  Tap off excess glitter & heat set once again only briefly.  You will have shiny, glittery stamped images!

My inspiration for this card came from the Miss Mustard Seed blog. 

inspiration from Miss Mustard Seed blog

Linda

TUESDAY TIPS - Create A Thing of Beauty with Stampin' Up's new 2011/2012 "IN COLORS" !

ANNOUNCING..........................  drum roll, please.................

Pretty, aren't they? !  Yippeeee!   Hooray!   Woot, woot!  These five new "In Colors" are featured in Stampin' Up's brand new Idea Book & Catalog that was introduced this week!  Be sure to check out this "must-read book" at my New Catty Open House on Wednesday, July 6 from 4 until 7:30pm and page through the online copy at www.stampinup.com!

I found this adorable little gift box on the Stampin' Up website.  It combines a continuing In Color, Blushing Bride, with two of our new In Colors, Island Indigo and Lucky Limeade.  What a fun, colorful 3-D treat to make!


See these beeeeeeeeauuuuuutiful colors of card stock and inkpads at my New Catalog Open House.  For details, see my June 23rd blog post or contact me via email at lahinks@gmail.com!


Linda

Tuesday Tips - Baby Boy Backpack

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How about a uniquely shaped mini photo album?  Here's a sweet baby mini photo album that makes a fantastic gift for a new mommy to carry in her purse.


I found this non-Stampin' Up scrapbook paper in my bottomless paper bin.  I purchased it long ago & thought it would be ideal for this project!




The back view shows how I set jumbo eyelets in four places and inserted polka dot ribbon to look like the "backpack shoulder straps". 

There is a front flap that opens to expose two mini pockets!  


If you'd like to make one of these baby gifts, please let me know!


Linda

Tuesday Tips - Stamped Overlay

I have stamped on a window sheet overlay today.  The shiny window sheet really catches the eye, especially when the stamping is heat embossed.   To make an overlay on a card, cut a window sheet and a piece of cs to the same size.  Stamping can be done on the cs, as well as the window sheet.  For this particular card, I added color to the white cs using a color spritzer and Stampin' Write Markers.  Then, I stamped the flower and leaf from the Flower Fest stamp set onto the precut window sheet and heat embossed one color at a time with the bright and cheery stampin' emboss powder from the Summer Mini Catalog 2011.

My inspiration for this card is rooted in this beautiful picture from the Love of Family and Home blogspot:

NOTES:
cs:  Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi
other paper:  First Edition dsp, clear window sheet
inks:  Clear VersaMark Stamp Pad; Stampin' Write Markers - Tangerine Tango & Wild Wasabi; Stampin' Emboss Powder - Tangerine Tango & Wild Wasabi
punches:  Crop-o-Dile; Scallop Trim Border Punch; Lace Ribbon Punch (SNEAK PEEK FROM 2011/2012 IDEA BOOK & CATALOG THAT YOU WILL SEE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT MY OPEN HOUSE IN 2 WEEKS!)
other tools & hardware:  Jumbo Eyelets - Antique Brass; Stampin' Up Color Spritzer Tool

Linda