Think About Color Thursday - Sage Shadow, Kraft & Very Vanilla

Kraft cs looks warm & romantic when paired with the color Sage Shadow. Here is a card that demonstrates this.

I recently purchased the new Note to Self stamp set shown in the current Holiday Mini Catalog! I like two of the stamps for backgrounds. Plus, there is a stamp in the set with 3 lines so I can add journaling anywhere. My favorite stamp in this set is a little stamp with the word "notes". I have been using that stamp on mini notepads, among other projects I am working on for the holidays!

I also incorporated a definition stamp ("lucky") from the Define Your Life stamp set.

Sage Shadow cs is punched on one side with the eyelet border punch. I added some Naturals Ivory cs to lighten up the card & punched those strips also with the eyelet border punch.

Lastly, I rounded corners of this card with a corner rounder punch to soften it further.

Linda

Whatever Wednesday - Tea Time Card

Here's a darling card to give a neighbor or friend that has a pocket for a tea bag! Maybe someone is feeling ill, or you just want to cheer her up. Maybe you want to give her something to say "I'm thinking of you" or "You're a good friend".

It's a little teabag card! Instead of folding the card in half like usual, I scored it just on both sides of the center point, to make a spine like on a book. This way, a bulky tea bag will fit inside & yet the card will fold & close neatly.

I added a triangle of scrap dsp & punched out some decorations for the front. I also found a Christmas stamp that I have from years ago that says "Gingerbread time". I used a Stampin' Write marker to stamp the word "time" on the front of the card. Then I used a Stamp-a-ma-jig and imaging sheet to stamp the letters t, e, & a to form the word "tea".



I made a small pocket by adhering some dsp - only adhere the edges of the sides & bottom, then insert a tea bag. You can write a note on the inside front flap.

Linda

Tuesday Tips - Chalkboard

Have you tried a stamping technique called “Chalkboard”? It is a fun stamping technique that I seldom use, yet it offers a unique look to a card. Can you guess why it’s called “chalkboard”? The “chalkboard” is actually a piece of dark cs – black cs on this particular card. Here’s how you can make this card & try this technique!

Use a Craft Whisper White Stampin’ Pad for the ink. Stamp an image onto dark cs.

Load a chalk applicator (sponge dauber or even a cosmetic applicator) with your color choice of Stampin’ Pastels. Be generous with the chalk – you want a thick coating. Dab the chalk-laden applicator onto your inked image, making sure you do not rub. Rubbing may smear the ink.

Once you have an even coat of chalk, you can remove extra chalk around the image easily with either a dry tissue or a Swiffer dry cloth. Since craft ink does not dry quickly, you can spray your project with a fixative or use a heat tool briefly to prevent smudging or smearing.

Have fun experimenting with this stamping technique! My finished card is designed with Garden Green and Close to Cocoa colors. I added a leaf brad onto small and large ovals punched out of Garden Green cs and Close to Cocoa Designer Series Prints paper. As always, I enjoy seeing what you create – send me a pic in an email or show me what you made if you attend my stamp camp!

Have a great day!

Linda

Map It Monday - French Scallop

The background on this card is stamped with a French script background stamp. It has a great look for a notecard.

Did you ever know that there were sooooo many ways a card can be mapped? This style of card is a great way to use any extra embellishments or card parts that you have laying around from past projects......a strip of cs here, an oval there, maybe run cs through a diecutting machine for yet another layer (Elegant Eggplant is embossed in an embossing folder), then add some matching brads.

Linda

ANNOUNCEMENT: Deal of the Week is Back for the Month of October!

Just a quick post to let you know.......

During the month of October, Stampin' Up! will offer several discounted products as "Deals of the Week." No limits and no minimum purchase required. If you see a "deal of the week" that you would like to order, simply email me & I would be happy to place the order.

All Deals of the Week are current products and featured in the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog - this is different than the "online clearance rack" announced in my October Stamping News.

This week's deals are:

Trio Flower Punch $10.99
5-Petal Flower Punch $10.99
My Way Punch (arrows) $11.99

Check back to the Stampin' Up website weekly for the announcements of the Deals of the Week all month (announcement days are 10/1, 10/12, 10/19, & 10/26).

I just love Stampin' Up during these tough economic times! They sure are making it easier for us to purchase what we love!

I am placing an order tomorrow, in case you know you want one of these great punches ASAP!

Linda

Fast Friday - Lotta You From Me

Have you ever used a message as the main image on a card? This was a stretch for me, yet I am quite happy with how it turned out.


I think the key here is to use very bright colors to give the card interest. Choose a second bright color cs to layer on the front of your card.

Use matching bright color ink stamp the message, alternating black ink & the other color.

Tie some black & white ribbon around the white cs and adhere it with dimensionals. Add a message inside if you want.

Time's up - fast enough?

Linda

Think About Color Thursday - Dusty Durango, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip & Kraft

Think about these colors together:

Dusty Durango
Old Olive
Chocolate Chip
Kraft

Aren't they just SO Autumn?

To make this card, begin with a Kraft card & stamp a background only partially across the card. I have used the polka dot background stamp from the retired Stampin' Up Polka Dots & Paisley stamp set.

Stamp the Dusty Durango, Old Olive, and Chocolate Chip strips separately with any of the leaf stamps from Falling Leaves stamp set. Then adhere the strips to the card.

For an embellishment, I adhered a scallop circle punched piece of Dusty Durango cs that had been stamped with a leaf.

There's also some paper piercing on this card to give it some detail - I think it is not easy to see in the picture.

Linda