Whatever Wednesday - Fresh Sprinkles

Hello!


You have another couple of weeks to contact me in order to place a Stampin' Up $50 product order so you can get {FOR FREE!} either the Fresh Vintage stamp set (the little postage-stamp style image on today's card is one of the stamps in this set) or the Sprinkled Expressions stamp set (the "You Make My Whole Face Smile" stamped image above is included in that stamp set)!  Contact me today for more information!


The color scheme for today's card is so cheerful and bright!  Daffodil Delight, Tempting Turquoise, and Rose Red.  If you are attending my March Simple Yet Stunning card camp this evening, you will be stamping this card!


Have a great day!


Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Twitterpated Petite Pocket

At a recent stamp class the gals made this petite pocket project.  The slider on the inside could be simply a message card or it could be a bookmark.

The project is simple to make with the Petite Pocket Big Shot Die!  I've decorated the Petete Pocket with the new Occasions Mini Catalog Twitterpated Designer Series Paper and the recently retired Holiday Mini Catalog's Gift Givers stamp set!

I made a "belly band' to keep the pocket envelope closed.

Enjoy the day!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Christmas Snowman Scrapbook Layout

Oh, it has been quite a while since I posted a scrapbook layout.  If you've been reading my blog for a few years, you may recall that I previously used to post some scrapbook pages on Scrapbook Saturdays.  The glitch in that routine is that often I wouldn't post my favorite layouts because I would save those page designs exclusively for my scrapbooking group classes.

Well, last night I hosted a scrapbooking night and this is the two page layout that the ladies created.  Their finished layouts looked so pretty!

Colors on this layout are Real Red, Old Olive, retired Bermuda Bay, Crumb Cake, and Whisper White.  I drew the snowman freehand and the gals used it as a template.

We also embellished the tree with Stampin' Up's Mica Flakes, which is a product that was featured in the recently retired 2011 Holiday Mini catalog.  Dazzling Details glitter glue drips on the snowman's head give her an icicle appearance.

The Tasteful Trims Big Shot Bigz XL die and the 1/2" circle punch work well together to style the colored strips and attract attention.

I created the snowman nose with the star punch (only one of the points on the star)!  Two kinds of Stampin' Up Real Red and Whisper White ribbon also help to decorate the layout.

Let me know how you like the layout!  Next month on Wednesday, February 22, at my scrapbooking class, we will create a lovely mini vintage styled album.  This album makes a fantastic gift if you are looking for a special present for a special someone too!  You can register now with an email to lahinks@gmail.com.

Linda

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

Whatever Wednesday - Scallop Square Set

Here's a cute little set of note cards that I made and have been wanting to share with you.  The cards are square, scallop square to be exact.  They are die cut using the Stampin' Up Big Shot scallop square die.  The dsp is all from the same collection, Sweet Pea (retired).  You can make a set of cards similar to this using just about any dsp collection, a few punches, and a few stamps.  Circles dies also can be used as I have done here.

Need a last minute Christmas gift to give?  Maybe a sweet note card collection will be just the thing you can do!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Embellished Treat Box

I am featuring one more project that the gals stamped at my recent "Christmas Buffet" stamp camp.  I found these large bakery treat boxes on clearance at a discount store and snatched them up to save for this particular stamp camp.   So many people like to give home baked treats for the holidays as a hostess gift or to neighbors and friends.  You can purchase plain Chinese takeout boxes or bakery boxes and embellish them yourself at a fraction of the cost of what it could cost to purchase giftwrap options at a retail store!

Here I simply adhered strips of dsp on all four sides near the bottom and then trimmed the dsp with paper snips so it would be angled like the box.  The dsp on the top of the box is a large diecut from the Scallop Square Bigz Clear Die.  Just add some ribbon and embellishments and fill with something yummy!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Nugget Box

Four chocolate nugget candies in one box!

First of all, please excuse the poor quality photo.  If I get a few minutes later, I will try to remember to take another pic & repost.  I couldn't pass up the opportunity to show you this absolutely scrumptious treat project!  My friend, Ellie, and I made these the other day and can't wait to give them away!

I may give you an opportunity to make one of these decorated for Valentines Day at my Valentines Day stamp camp in late January or early February! 

Happy Thanksgiving prep!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Simply Soft Espresso

Room design to card design

My inspiration today comes from a beautiful warm bedroom on the I-Village website.
I have transferred the colors, shapes, and lines from the room design to an anniversary card design.

I used the Hostess Stamp Set called Simply Soft for the first time on today's card.....and I SIMPLY love it!  This 2-step stamp set really does give a softened effect to your stamped flower images.  Here I have stamped the line image stamp with Sahara Sand classic ink and stamped the solid image with Peach Parfait classic ink.

Various paper strips of card stock and designer series paper in the color scheme of Early Espresso, Peach Parfait, and Sahara Sand pull everything together.  The message of "love" from the Pennant Parade stamp set is stamped in Early Espresso classic ink onto Peach Parfait Patterns dsp and punched with the small oval punch.

A clear bitty button in the shape of a heart, on a glue dot, embellishes the message.  Stampin' Dimensionals have been used under both the message and the cameo element.

I hope you have a happy day!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Lattice Leaves {yes Lattice, not Lettuce}

An Autumn card is a must today since I looked out the window and was amazed by the beautiful and breathtaking red leaves on a tree in my front yard.  If only I could somehow stamp leaves exactly like the real ones!

I've colored the leaf stamp with Stampin' Write markers and applied Dazzling Details glitter glue for a bit of sparkle.  The lattice diecut is not just a background for the leaves.......the leaves are inserted into the lattice slots.

Another element on today's card that I want to point out is the Hodgepodge Hardware.  The ribbon slide hardware is colored with Tangerine Tango, which is the same color ink that I used for the message, the sponging, and on the leaves.  How did I color it?  I squeezed a dime sized puddle of Crystal Effects into a plastic brad container, then added a drop of Tangerine Tango reinker to the puddle, mixed it with a paint brush, and applied the "tangerine crystal glue" to the tops of the hardware.  Make sure to let the hardware dry on a surface that it won't stick to.

We will be stamping this card at tomorrow evening's stamp camp!  If you haven't registered, let me know if you still want to attend!

linda

Whatever Wednesday - Boxer Shorts

At this evening's stamp camp, this boxer shorts card was one of the great cards we stamped!  Isn't it cute?

The Valentine Defined stamp set's clothesline of hearts stamp is the perfect width for the waistband! To soften the brightness of the waistband strip, I sponged the edges.

The "fly" is made by punching  a large oval and  then cutting it in half lengthwise.  I also sponged the edges of the "fly".  Faux stitching is done with a Stampin' Write marker.

I showed the gals at stamp camp the secret to drawing a straight "faux stitching" line.......rest the pinky side of your hand on the table while you draw short dashes down the paper, as far as is comfortable, which should be only a few inches at most.  At that time, slide the side of your hand downward on the paper & draw another inch or two of dashes.  Pretty soon, you've drawn a long row of stitches!

If you are wondering how the card itself is made, I drew a pattern for the boxers, traced it onto the wrong side of dsp, cut it out & adhered the dsp boxers onto a standard A2 card.  I then used a scissors to cut along the boxer sides & between the legs so the card itself was shaped like boxers!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Bashful and Ornate Retired Blossom

The Ornate Blossom a la carte stamp from last year's IB&C is still proving to be such a versatile rubber stamp.  Here I have stamped the image twice and layered the second image with Stampin' Dimensionals.

The Bashful Blue and oranges are an unlikely duo, and I like it! 

No stamp camp this week, but I'll be ready to go next Wednesday evening, so register now if you haven't done so!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Love That Peekaboo!

I love playing peek-a-boo!  Actually, I love creating cards and projects with my new Big Shot Peek-a-Boo Frames Bigz L Die.  I'm designing some awesome projects!  Here is one of the cards using the die...

The frame dies can be diecut directly onto your card.  Today's card has the diecut adhered over the top of the card, with a small Whisper White square underneath the window.  I stamped there with the "thank u" message stamp from the Pennant Parade Stamp Set.  I also used the Scallop Square Big Shot Bigz Die for the front element on the card.  The card itself is made from Perfect Plum cs.

That Big Shot machine needs a rest tomorrow.....I also ran the Pink Pirouette cs through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder to add texture.

Love that Peekaboo Frames Die!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Rustic Birthday Girl

Remember that wood grained patterned paper in the recently retired Woodland Walk designer series paper?  It serves today as a fence element!  I love how the marvelous Pennant Parade stamp set pink flags give a feminine touch to the woodsy, natural paper.


I saw this sweet picture below on the Love of Family and Home blogspot and knew I had to replicate the rustic yet feminine expression in a greeting card.

NOTES
Stamp sets: Jumble Alphabet, Pennant Parade, Bring On the Cake
cs: Whisper White, textured and smooth
inks:  Classic Stampin' Pads - Melon Mambo & Old Olive; Stampin' Write Markers - Old Olive & Melon Mambo
Designer Series Paper:  Woodland Walk (recently retired from the 2010-11 IB&C, but you can substitute the wood grained designer series paper in the "Well Worn" dsp from Stampin' Up's current 2011-12 IB&C!)
punches:  Petite Pennants Builder, 3/4" circle, Crop-o-dile
other:  Stampin' Dimensionals, eyelets, paper snips
How did I construct the fence?  Just lined up the strips, taped one strip across & then punched holes across with the Crop-o-dile.  Eyelets were set with the Crop-o-dile.
And the message?  I colored on the rubber stamp with Stampin' Write markers, alternating colors on each word.  Then, I stamped the message onto Whisper White cs & used paper snips to rough cut each word.
Where are Stampin' Dimensionals used?  Under the fence, under each circle punched letter.

Happy Wednesday!  Are you registered for my stamp camp this evening?  Can't wait!


Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Lovely Sky

The Stampin' Up stamp set called Lovely as a Tree has been a classic set through the years, however, I only recently purchased this beauty.  Today's blog post is a gatefold card, one of the first cards I stamped with this set.


The stamping is done with the card closely tightly.  It is a good idea to lay a scrap paper inside the card before stamping, just in case the edges don't meet exactly - you can avoid getting ink inside the card where you don't want it.


The sky is created by sponging ink over an oval template with either stamping sponges or sponge daubers.  Make sure you sponge along all the oval edges so the entire oval shape is apparent.  Next, the tree stamp is inked and stamped over the sponged oval on the card front.  I inked the rubber with Stampin' Write markers, using the thumping technique to add several colors of green and brown onto the rubber so the tree looks realistic.

The bow is tied from Stampin' Up's new 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon and adhered with a glue dot.  The message is a stamp from the Petite Pairs stamp set, stamped in Chocolate Chip Classic Ink.  Check out the Petite Pairs stamp set - it has many pairs of messages, small enough to fit inside punched pieces of cs!

Have a great day!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Nothin' But Flowers

I had some fun heat embossing today.  The white "flower fest" inspiration is from Jennifer Rizzo's blog.


The flowers are embossed on today's card, though the leaves and label are simply stamped with Classic ink.


Ink:  Classic Stampin' Pads - Lucky Limeade and Basic Gray; Craft Stampin' Pads - Whisper White
cs:  gray
stamp sets:  Flower Fest, Four Frames, Teeny Tiny Wishes
punches:  Scallop Trim Corner, Decorative Label
other:  Clear Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy, Stampin' Dimensionals


Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Lattice Quilting

A handmade quilt is a thing of beauty.  So is a handmade quilt card.  Tonight at stamp camp the ladies made six cards, one of which was today's card post.

NOTES:

stamp set:  2011/2012 IB&C Faith in Nature Hostess Set (on page 15 of the new big catalog!)
cs:  So Saffron, Always Artichoke, Whisper White
dsp:  retired Le Jardin dsp (retired 2008 IB&C)
other:  Big Shot diecutting machine, Lattice Bigz Die, Textured Impressions Square Lattice Embossing Folder, 2-way glue pen, Stampin' Dimensionals
How did she do that?  First, I die cut a lattice with the Stampin' Up Big Shot Lattice Bigz Die from both So Saffron card stock and Le Jardin double sided designer series paper.  The So Saffron lattice is adhered onto an Always Artichoke cs square.  Then, it's time to insert the tiny quilt pieces of dsp into the So saffron "puzzle base", just as I would put a jigsaw together.  The 2-way glue pen works well for this task - just a dab under each puzzle piece is all it needed.  The last step is to crank the completed quilt "puzzle" through the Big Shot machine inside the Square Lattice embossing folder.  That last step is called "embedded embossing", because the process actually embeds the little pieces into the base.


Wouldn't this card be a fantastic choice to give to a quilter or seamstress, or to a quilt collector?!


Thanks for visiting my blog!


Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Fishy Ornament Punch

My Stampin' Up "wish list" for quite a long time has included the ornament punch.  Finally, I have purchased it and have found that it is fun to use this punch for other projects besides Christmas ornaments!  These little fishes are actually punched with the ornament punch!


Polka dotted patterns dsp in both the new "in color" of "Wisteria Wonder" and "Island Indigo" are the main attraction on today's Wild Wasabi card.  Stampin' Up's new polka dot brad (also in Wisteria Wonder!) coordinates beautifully! 


Once I punched the ornament with the ornament punch, I cut off the top rim of the ornament and turned the ornament sideways.  The Five Petal punch is used for the back fin.  The side fins can be punched and cut from your choice of several different punches, including the Scallop Edge Border Punch, the Scallop Square Punch, the Scallop Circle Punch, the Scallop Oval Punch, or the Petite Pennants Builder Punch.  You can certainly use your creativity with your fish!


Check out the new 3/8" Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon!  The ruffled ribbon is also available in the other new "in colors"!


Can you think of anything else to make with the Stampin' Up ornament punch?!


Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Bashful Vogue

I think it is interesting that a mere corner punch can liven up a plain card.  The Scallop Trim Corner punch adds intricate detail to the card corners, as well as the card stock layer. 

The Vintage Vogue stamp set flower is stamped on white cs to create patterned card stock.

The message piece consists of several layers of oval punched cs.

Coordinating Bashful Blue Taffeta Ribbon is added to the card to finish it off.

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Turquoise Splash

A contemporary white living room with bright Tempting Turquoise accent caught my eye on the home-designing.com website.    I immediately dreamed up today's card full of turquoise on white!

Tempting Turquoise splash inspiration !

I simply did some diecutting and embossing with the Big Shot for this card.  The stamping is done with the Flower Fest stamp set, from the current 2011 Summer Mini Catalog, and the Tiny Tags stamp set (IB&C 2010/2011).  Diecutting with several circle dies sure is fun when you have circle dies up to over 3" - I just bought Stampin' Up's circle dies!

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Candyland Quilt Card

I saw this sweet bedroom ensemble at Pottery Barn Teen that reminds me of the childhood game Candyland.  Remember how the spaces are comprised of a curvy path?  So, today's card has a Candyland-style path too!

candyland card inspiration

NOTES:
stamp set:  Bring On The Cake (Occasions Mini Catalog 2011, retired)
ink:  Classic Stampin' Pad, Certainly Celery
cs:  Whisper White, Pretty in Pink
dsp:  Designer Series Paper Patterns Stacks
punch:  Wide Oval
ribbon:  Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon
other:  Top Note Big Shot  Die, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Stampin' Dimensionals, glue dot (for the ribbon)
How I Created the "Candyland" Top Note:  I cut 1" squares from the dsp and adhered them in a curvy path design onto a separate piece of Whisper White cs.  Next, I dry embossed it in the Square Lattice embossing folder.  Lastly, I die cut a Top Note from the Square Latticed paper with the Top Note Die.
Now I Created the Message Element:  I adhered more of the 1" dsp squares onto white cs and cut around the dsp to make a patchwork-style piece of cs.  That patchwork piece is then adhered with Stampin' Dimensionals onto the card.  An oval punched message is adhered to the patchwork rectangle element.

Linda