FAST FRIDAY CARD - jumbo polka dot petals

RECIPE:

cs: Whisper White, Basic Black
dsp: Baja Breeze
ink: Classic Stampin' Pad - Basic Black, Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie, Taken with Teal
stamp sets: Pick a Petal, Stem Sayings
other: Crop-o-Dile, Jumbo Eyelets - Pewter, Heart to Heart Punch

I stamped the petal outlines in black, then polka dot petals, added the stem verse, and layered the white cs in black cs. Then I added a jumbo eyelet & a little heart in the corner - now I can use this card as a Valentine's Day Card!

SOME STUFF ABOUT STAMPS FEATURED ON MY BLOG
Why do I sometimes post cards that use retired stamps? I sell Stampin’ Up products, so I make sure to post cards featuring current or upcoming stamp sets & products. I do, however, realize that when stamp sets retire, we still like to stamp with them! If you like the look of a card on my blog, yet you don’t own the stamp featured, you can still make a similar card!
How? Just substitute stamps that you own. Ask me if you need substitution suggestions.
What’s the difference between a line image stamp & solid image stamp?
A line image stamp gives you an outline that you can color on the inside. A solid image stamp shows up already “colored´with the ink you used (not just outlines). In today's card, I stamped the petals first with a line image in black, then stamped a solid image over them (the polka dot solid image stamp). Sometimes a specific technique may lend itself to a line image or solid image stamp style, so you would probably want to substitute with the style of stamp shown on the card.

Linda

THINK ABOUT COLOR THURSDAY - Color Combo: Summer Sun, Only Orange, Green Galore

I'm thinking about something sunny - like this color combination!

RECIPE
Cs: Summer Sun, Only Orange, Green Galore, Whisper White
Stamp sets: True Friend, Define Your Life, Defining Alphabet
Punches: 5-Petal Flower
Other: Aluminum Metal Edge Tags – White, Mat Pack, Dimensionals, Stapler

1. Stamp circular floral image across the card’s mid-section.

2. Pierce a stem down a piece of Green Galore cs.

3. Stamp in Only Orange on Whisper White cs’s: Tt, Together definition, & flower image.

4. Assemble the definition piece: Cut apart the definition & layer the word & definition separately on Only Orange cs, leaving room for the “Tt”. Cut out the Tt & staple it onto the definition piece. Set aside.

5. Layer flower piece: Punch 5-Petal Flower, adhere it with dimensionals to metal edge tag, then freehand cut around flower image & adhere it to the Only Orange punched flower.

6. Assemble card: Adhere green pierced piece, definition, & flower.

Linda

PUPPY LOVE CIRCLE CARD, RETIRING ACCESSORIES, & STAMPIN' UP INVENTORY CLEARANCE !!!

Today I will show you how to make a FULL circle card.

SUPPLIES:
Not Quite Navy & Whisper White cs
Patterns dsp - Close to Cocoa
Coluzzle circle cutter
For Father stamp set

HOW TO MAKE CIRCLE CARD:
1. Cut 2 same size Not Quite Navy Coluzzle circles. You’ll want to use the cutting track that is 4 ¼” or smaller so the card will fit into a standard A2 envelope.

2. Decorate one of the circles as desired – it will become the front of your card. For this particular card, I went Coluzzle-crazy (white cs & dsp circles too)! I cut off part of the white circle & distressed its edges & adhered it to the dsp cocoa circle with dimensionals.

3. I then added embellishment: I tucked in a Not Quite Navy large oval (large oval punch) at the top (it fit like a glove) & used my brand new (see the Valentine's Day Bundle special on my blog) 3-heart punch & cascaded some of those little hearts down the card front.

4. For the back page of the card, fold the other blue circle as shown here. Adhesive is added in that little folded area (I used Sticky Strip for a strong hold, so the adhesive shows up in the photo as a dark red color).

5. Now flatten out the fold (adhesive facing up) & lay the decorated circle (decorated side facing up) directly on top of the folded circle, lining up circle edges exactly. Pull open the top circle & you’ll see that your card is done! Isn’t it cute!

SOME STAMPIN' UP NEWS............................

Stampin' Up is having an Inventory Clearance thru 1/18/09 (see my blog's sidebar). By the way, I update this sidebar frequently to try to keep you updated on stamping news and Stampin' Up's promotions, new products, and sales, so be sure to check often!

Secondly, Stampin' Up's Retiring Accessories List has been released. I have posted the list below, in case you are interested. Remember, everything on this list will no longer be available after 1/18/09. Products must retire in order for new products to be introduced.

RETIRING ACCESSORIES LIST

Contact me soon for items on this list. These regular priced items are available while supplies last or through January 18, whichever comes first! If an item is noted as Not Available, supply is exhausted and the item can no longer be ordered. I receive daily updates of this list, so contact me soon if you want any of these items.

111377 ACCENTS & ELEMENTS ROOF GARDEN
112012 ACCENTS & ELEMENTS SEASON TO SHARE
112088 ACCENTS & ELEMENTS TRUE ELEGANCE
102782 ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 12X12 Not Available
104188 ALBUM LEATHER BLACK 6X6
105384 ALBUM LINEN POST MELLOW MOSS 6X6*
104516 ALBUM LINEN POST NAVY 6X6
105381 ALBUM LINEN POST REAL RED 6X6*
103977 BUTTONS BOLD BRIGHTS*
103978 BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS
103981 BUTTONS EARTH ELEMENTS & NEUTRALS
105446 BUTTONS RICH REGALS
105445 BUTTONS SOFT SUBTLES
103604 DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 12X12
102174 DAYS-TO-REMEMBER CALENDAR 8 1/2X11
112465 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER BANBURY
112462 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GEORGIA PEACH
112463 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GHOSTLY GREETINGS
112040 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER GREEN TEA
112470 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HAIKU
112460 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HAWAII PAPAYA
112469 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER HOLIDAY TREASURES
112458 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER JUNIOR VARSITY
112459 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MAINE BLUEBERRY
112466 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER MUIRFIELD
112149 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PARISIAN SUMMER
112467 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER PRESTWICK
111355 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SUMMER PICNIC
112039 DESIGNER SERIES PAPER WINDSOR KNOT
112963 ELEMENTOS PARA TARJETAS DIAS FESTIVOS HECHOS A MANO SIMPLY SENT 106523 ENVELOPE TEMPLATE FIVE-IN-ONE CARD COVER
104104 ENVELOPE TEMPLATE MINI
107298 ENVELOPES CONFETTI WHITE MEDIUM
110695 ENVELOPES OPEN END KRAFT SMALL
109115 ENVELOPES OPEN END VERY VANILLA SMALL
103372 METAL EDGE TAGS ALUMINUM WHITE SQUARE
107925 ON BOARD BITTY BOOK*
109190 ON BOARD CLIPBOARD 9X9*
109180 ON BOARD SIMON UPPER
112086 ON BOARD SOMETHING SEASONAL
107923 PAGE PROTECTORS RING 3.25 X 3.25
104942 PUNCH 1/4 INCH CIRCLE
104943 PUNCH 1/4 INCH SQUARE
107273 PUNCH 3/4 INCH SQUARE
104389 PUNCH DOUBLE CIRCLE*
100391 PUNCH HANDHELD 1/8 INCH CIRCLE Not Available
104830 RIBBON GINGHAM CARAMEL
104829 RIBBON GINGHAM LIGHT BLUE
104828 RIBBON GINGHAM LIGHT PINK
104831 RIBBON GINGHAM MOSS
109037 RIBBON GROSGRAIN MORE MUSTARD 1/4 INCH
110282 RUB ON ANCHORED
111806 RUB ON CHILLS & THRILLS
111805 RUB ON SCHOOL DAYS
111417 RUB ON WORD FLURRIES
110283 RUB ONS TAKE NOTE
112193 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN I WISH
112186 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN PINA COLADA
112068 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN SUMMER HOME
112043 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN U R SWEET
112061 SIMPLY SCRAPPIN WINTER RETREAT
112016 SIMPLY SENT CARD ELEMENTS HANDMADE HOLIDAY Not Available
109868 SIMPLY SENT CARD KIT LIFELONG NOTES
103647 STAMPIN STORE MINI
105813 WRITE ME A MEMORY FONT CD VOL II
107212 MATEYS MAP
106749 BRIGHT BULBS
109672 BRONCO
104100 MAKING TRACKS
108978 SANDY SHELLS
110332 SNOW
101233 SNOWFLAKE
109694 SWEET STARS
111249 TAKE A NUMBER

*This item is discounted and included on the Inventory Blowout.

Phew! Lots to share today!

Linda ;)

TUESDAY TIPS - MARKERS: Direct-to-Rubber Inking

DO YOU REMEMBER THIS CARD? (You may want to refer to my 12/30/2008 post). That post about Direct-to-Rubber Inking promised more tips about this technique, so here they are!

TIP #1: OMITTING
If there is a part or parts of a rubber stamp that you do not want as part of your stamped image, don't color it in with your markers on the rubber. For instance, I only wanted the coffee cup & splashes to show up in my stamped image for the card below, so I didn't color in the chicken on the rubber. As a matter of fact, notice the "Oops" on the card----I markered a few letters individually on some word stamps that I had nearby to make that "Oops"!

TIP #2: DIRECT-TO-RUBBER SHADING
Using several graduated tones of the same color, color the rubber with Stampin' Up markers, starting in the center from lightest to darkest color. This direct-to-rubber shading technique looks especially nice on solid flower & leaf image stamps. The center of the flower example shown below was markered with Pretty in Pink, then extending out on the petals I markered Regal Rose, Rose Red & Lovely Lilac.

TIP #3: WATER MISTING
For a subtle watercolor look, color directly onto the rubber with Stampin' Up markers, spritz with water and then stamp. The soft images look like they've been water-brushed.

TIP #4: MARKER STORAGE
If you store your markers horizontally, both ends have equal saturation.

Have a great day!
Linda ;)

MAP IT MONDAY - got my design groove back!!!! TWO DUCKIES

I was looking at my blog & realized that I am unhappy with my recent card posts. I was ill, then Christmas happened, then the week after Christmas happened - my card ideas were the outpourings of an exhausted brain. But be bored no more - last night I made some of the best cards I have ever designed! Hold on to your seats, because they will be posted beginning today! I also decided that in the future I will post some cards from my Stamp Camps. You might get a sneak peek! And......if there's a card you absolutely LOVE & ask me, I just might add it to a Stamp Camp!

Today’s Map It Monday post uses a new set from the upcoming catty! It’s called Goody Goody Gumdrops – besides the little duckies, there’s a bunch of cute stamps AND messages in this set, including a gumdrop stamp!

Recipe:
Cs: Blue Bayou or Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, So Saffron, Whisper White
Dp: daisydyspaper
Ink: Classic Inkpad - Basic Black, SU Markers - So Saffron, Ruby Red, Not Quite Navy, Bordering Blue
Other: punches: 1 ¼” square, scallop square, mat pack paper piercing kit, SU taffeta ribbon – Riding Hood Red, dimensionals, Crop-a-Dile

How to create this card:
1. Create the focal points - I stamped both duckies in Classic Basic Black Ink & colored with SU markers, layered them, then paper pierced with a mat pack.
2. Set the focal point cameos aside & work on the two designer paper layers next. Mat two coordinating designer print papers with Riding Hood Red & adhere them to the card.
3. Stamp the message in Blue on So Saffron cs, layer it on Riding Hood Red cs & pierce the left side.
4. Punch a hole in the smaller duckie square with a Crop-a-Dile & insert ribbon.
5. Adhere the message strip, then both duckies with dimensionals.
6. Paper pierce a design in the lower right corner.

Notice the new look?
By the way, I discovered a new & improved way of photographing my projects - let me know if you like it. It seems more appealing & has a bit more style.

That's it for today! See, I got my design groove back!!!!
Linda ;)

SCRAPBOOK SATURDAY

I recently started sketching layouts freehand once again......when the inspiration hits you, sketch it on a scrap of paper, or, better yet, keep a little sketch book! Love, love, love this layout.

How I did it:
I began with the polka dotted paper from my bottomless sb paper stash. I pulled one neutral color (Creamy Caramel) for the base background, & pulled 4 other colors from its color palette. First I cut 2 large circles with a Coluzzle & planted them. The yellow polka dot strip was stamped with the Polka Dots & Paisley dotted stamp. Photos are matted in white. I punched a few circles with circle punches in varied sizes, from stamped cs, solid plain cs, & patterns dsp. The title blocks were diecuts from my also bottomless embellishment box. The mini journaling rectangles are words cut freehand from cs & edged with an inkpad. I used a journaling marker to add dates in the bottom corner of each photo, right on top of each photo.

If you try this layout, be sure to bring it to one of my studio camps to show me!

Linda :)

FAST FRIDAY - coral leaf

RECIPE:
cs: cameo coral, chocolate chip, whisper white
dsp: patterns dsp - chocolate chip
stamps: Bitty Basics (hostess set)
punches: circles - 1", 1 1/4", 1 3/8", small tag
other: white button, crystal effects

This quick card's focal point is the stamped leaf. I purposely adhered the white circle off-center to give it added interest. Crystal Effects is a liquid that gives shine to whatever you use it on, but it doubles as a very effective liquid adhesive for those hard-to-stay-stuck items, like a button.

free tip of the day: Just recently I discovered that if you fold a thick cs, thin foam paper, or even thin tagboard over the edge of the card with non-level embellishment (like this button) before mailing, the post office workers are much happier.


Linda :)