MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY

Today's snappy project is not only a snap to make, it's even snappier when you turn it into a one-sheet wonder!  While the stamps were still out from making this card, I decided to make a quicker version that didn't involve embossing powder.  I actually needed to put four cards in the mail, so I created a one-sheet wonder and then cut it into 4x4 panels, which fit nicely on the 4.25" square cards.  The image background, at just a glance, reminds me of the serene images found in Sunday School materials and the front of church bulletins when I was a little girl.  Maybe I'm the only one who thinks this.  Anyway, after cutting the square panels, I used the Square Lattice embossing folder to texture them and then added the ribbon and sentiment.  I have had this Early Espresso ribbon for a while now, but it has a green tint to it--who knows why--and I just don't use it with Early Espresso projects.  That green tint actually worked very nicely with these cards!  All products used to create this card are from Stampin' Up! . . . Bashful Blue and Whisper White card stock, "Bliss" and "Upsy Daisy" stamp sets, Scallop Oval punch, and Not Quite Navy, Soft Suede, Always  Artichoke, and Early Espresso ink.  The card  pictured to the right was created from scraps that were cut from the one-sheet wonder.  Since my stamping wasn't straight, I had to cut from all four sides so the 4x4 panels would be squared and straight.  I couldn't bring myself to throw the strips away, so this card was born.

"SEW SUITE" AND NOT SO SWEET

Today I wanted to try stamping some spools of thread using the masking technique, and I also wanted to make a cute frame using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch.  Since I already had the stamped tape measure lying on my desk, waiting to be used on something, this card was born.  It's a large card--5.5" square--but I really like how it turned out!  The "not so sweet" part of making this card is that my freshly-inked Black StazOn ink pad slipped from my hand and landed on my crisp khakis, which I haven't worn in years!  I don't know why it couldn't have landed on my black shirt, but maybe I am not meant to wear anything but jeans.  :-(  Stampin' Up! products used to complete this card include Certainly Celery, Marina Mist, Whisper White, and Daffodil Delight card stock, markers to color the stamped images, twill tape, "Sweet Stitches" designer fabric brad, "Button Button" and "Sew Suite" stamp sets, Buttons #5 Sizzlits die, Stampin' Dimensionals, Square Lattice embossing folder, gold brads, and linen thread. 

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS" RAZZLEBERRY ENSEMBLE

Last week, Julie issued a mission for me to use Rich Razzleberry card stock to create an Envelope Box following these instructions.  The box pictured to the right is my third one.  The instructions are very, very simple but, with my first box, I somehow missed that the card stock needed to be 11-5/8" long.  Upon folding the box into shape, I realized that the missing 5/8" of card stock was very much needed.  With my second box, I forgot that I was supposed to use Rich Razzleberry and, instead, I created a cheery box using Stampin' Up!'s Ice Cream Parlor designer paper and Quick Accents (free Sale-a-Bration product).  Yes, it's been one of those weeks, and I keep asking myself WHY I can't follow simple instructions!  I really like that this box is very easy to make (if you take the time to follow the instructions), and it is a perfect way to hand-deliver a bulky card, a small set of cards, or anything else that will fit.  Stampin' Up! products used in the making of my Rich Razzleberry ensemble include Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry, and Very Vanilla card stock, Eyelet Border punch, crimper tool, antique brad, Fancy Flower XL punch, 1-3/8" Circle punch, "First Edition" designer paper, Rich Razzleberry polka dot ribbon (retired), "Flourish" texturz plate, Elegant Lines embossing folder, Dazzling Diamonds glitter (on the edges of the flower on the box), Champagne Mist shimmer mist (which, in the picture, looks like white specks), and "Curvy Verses"

stamp set.  I sponged Rich Razzleberry ink on the embossed card stock, which makes it appear darker than the ribbon, but it's really more closely matched in real life.  Julie, thank you for the mission!  I'm so glad that I had enough time to finally get it right!  Have a great weekend, and visit me again on Monday to see my "Snappy Monday" project!

"BLISS" DOUBLE EMBOSSING

Can I love this card?  Please?  Any project that's as easy to create as this one should certainly be loved, and anyone who receives a card like this would surely think that you went to a lot of trouble to make it!  I don't know the correct name for this technique, but I began by stamping the large image with VersaMark onto glossy card stock and gold-embossed it.  I then stamped the butterflies with VersaMark and silver-embossed them.  Next, I sponged Soft Suede, Always Artichoke, and Not Quite Navy ink--randomly--on the card stock.  When finished with the sponging, I tissued off the ink that was resisted by the embossing and used the heat tool to "re-shine" the embossed images.  I used the Eyelet Border punch on the Brushed Gold card stock and then dry-embossed it with the "Vintage Wallpaper" embossing folder.  This card was finished with a crochet trim bow, topped with a Vintage Adornment flower, and the "hello" tag.  The stamped images are from the "Bliss" and "Tiny Tags" stamp sets, and the card stock colors are Very Vanilla and Baja Breeze.

NEW BLOG BANNER!!!

While I should have been busy doing a number of other things, I decided to use Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio program to design a new banner for my blog.  This one isn't too different from the one I had previously, but some of the new digital images that I used in the design include Springtime Vintage designer paper, antique brads, Scallop Edge Border punch, and Vintage Adornments flower.  When I first uploaded the new banner, it was HUGE!!!!  I gasped and feared that I maybe shouldn't have tried to do this on my own!  After four attempts, I finally got it sized to at least fit in the banner area.  If you feel so inclined, please leave a comment and let me know what you think of it. 

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

While working with some of Stampin' Up!'s current SAB stamp sets last week, I was reminded of a cute set that I got during SAB last year . . . "Very Thankful" . . . and felt compelled to use it.  I think this is such a cute and sweet image!!!  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Rose Red, and Pear Pizzazz card stock, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch, 2-1/2" Circle punch, Sizzix 3" Circle die, Rose Red seam binding, Square Lattice embossing folder, assorted markers, and Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch (for the small scallop edge beneath the Soft Suede layer).  Yes, this is a square card and, yes, I used the Square Lattice embossing folder--again!  That embossing folder seems to jazz up ANY project, and I cannot stop using it!  I hope you like this week's MISM project and that you will feel inspired to create something square!

"SENSE OF TIME" TWISTED EASEL

I had a class last night--with my "Inkerbelles"--and I have the best time with these ladies!!!  Clearly, my philosophy is . . . if you don't come to enjoy fellowship and friendship, wish to have a good time, plan to relax and laugh, check your cares at the door (or discuss them with the other 'belles), or wish to take a fair amount of abuse from me, then you have mistakenly taken the seat belonging to a true Inkerbelle!  As a demonstrator, I have never "worked" the business . . . I do what I do because I enjoy it, I have a good time, and the fun has a sneaky way of providing for my hobby.  The card pictured here was one of our projects last night, and isn't it a fun little fold?  I will be the first to admit that I don't make a lot of masculine cards--they're always challenging--but Stampin' Up!'s "Sense of Time" stamp set is one that would appeal to the men and, in case you haven't noticed, it begs to be "vintage'd up" as well.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Naturals Ivory, Marina Mist, and Early Espresso card stock, "First Edition" designer paper, Square Lattice embossing folder, Stampin' Dimensionals, and an assortment of punches.  Be sure to check back on Monday for my "Make-It-Snappy-Monday" project!

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS" - JULIE'S FLOWER

It's Julie's turn to inspire us with a "Freestyle Fridays" project this week, and all I know is that I can hardly wait to see the whole project!  The only thing she sent to me was this sneak peek . . . kind of cruel, huh?  We'll have to visit her blog to see more and learn about it!  She'll have a mission for me, and you might want to play along!  I always enjoy the creative challenge that her missions present!

ANOTHER "SPREADING INK" TECHNIQUE

This is quite a tiny card, one that would be a perfect pick-me-up for a friend, neighbor, co-worker, etc.  To make the scallop circle card, I used Stampin' Up!'s Scallop Circle #2 Sizzix die.  The stamped image, from the "Simply Said" stamp set, was clear-embossed on glossy card stock, spritzed with water, and then colored by using an aqua painter to place ink on the wet card stock--this is the same technique that I used to create the "Bloomin' Beautiful" image recently.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Scallop Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, and 1-1/4" Circle punches, Marina Mist 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, pearl jewel, and Go Go Boots Alphabet dies.

BOTTLE CAP "SPRING" LAYOUT

This fun Spring layout was designed for the seasidecrafts group and features several Stampin' Up! products and, of all things, bottle caps!  To use the bottle caps on this layout, I ran them through the Big Shot to flatten them, which was a process as smooth as butter!  Stampin' Up! products used to create this layout include the following:

Stamp Sets:  Easter Blossoms, Lovely Letters

Punches:  Scallop Edge Border, Fancy Flower XL, Two-Step Bird XL, 1" Circle, Scallop Circle, 3/4" Circle, Eyelet Border

Sizzix:  Go Go Boots Alphabet, Square Lattice embossing folder, Beautiful Wings Embosslits

Accessories:  Satin ribbon, glimmer brad

BLOOMIN' BEAUTIFUL INK TECHNIQUE

Each month, Stampin' Up! demonstrators receive a Stampin' Success magazine which features a few project samples and techniques, as well as business information.  The card pictured in this post is my attempt at the featured technique in the March issue.  The floral stamp was inked with VersaMark, stamped onto glossy card stock, and then clear-embossed.  I sprayed a mist of water onto the card stock, and then used an aqua painter to drop ink (Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, and Old Olive) onto the stamped image.  The embossed areas resisted the ink, and the water caused the ink to spread, sometimes blending the colors.  I let the card stock dry most of the day and then assembled my card, which features the following Stampin' Up! products:  Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, Not Quite Navy, and Whisper White card stock, Vintage Trinkets (pin and brads), satin ribbon, 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Square Lattice embossing folder (I know . . . I use this one too much), Dotted Ribbon Border punch, linen thread, "Bloomin' Beautiful" and "Tiny Tags" stamp sets, 3" Circle die, and 3-1/2" Circle die.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Today's MISM card features two fun techniques . . . a shaded, shaped background for the stamped image, and a ribbonless pleated ribbon accent.  For the Crumb Cake shaded circle, I punched a 2-1/2" circle from a piece of card stock to use as a template for sponging a colored circle on the Top Note die-cut layer and, while the template was in place, I stamped the leaf and stem image from the "Sweet Summer" SAB stamp set.  A piercing tool was used to make the hole for the "Sweet Stitches" fabric brad, and I then stamped the sentiment from Stampin' Up!'s "Curvy Verses" stamp set.  For the faux pleated ribbon, I cut a strip of Rose Red card stock, ran it through the paper crimper, and then pleated it as I laid it on a line of adhesive.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Marina Mist and Early Espresso card stock.

ROMANCIN' THE BASKET

When I started working on this basket, I wasn't planning to make something frilly and feminine, but that's how it ended up.  I really like it, though!  Stampin' Up! products used to create this basket include "Springtime Vintage" designer paper, Not Quite Navy and Very Vanilla card stock, Filigree brad, Glimmer brad, satin ribbon, and the following Sizzix dies:  Fun Flowers, Petal Cone, Box #2, and Tasteful Trim.

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS" CANDLE/CARD ENSEMBLE

With her Freestyle Fridays post last week, Julie issued a mission for me to decorate a candle and a coordinating card, and so I did!  When I first read about the mission, I knew instantly that I'd be using a strip of embossed metal.  Upon searching my stash of alterable/to-be-decorated-sometime-during-my-lifetime assorted items, this green candle was the only color I could find.  At first, I wondered why I would buy this color, but then I started looking at my assorted colors of metal and found that several of them looked really nice with the green.  I cut the strip of metal at 2" x 11" and wondered how I would get a continuous embossed image on it.  I decided to use a craft knife to cut a slit in the fold of the "Vintage Wallpaper" embossing folder, and this enabled the metal strip to slide through the folder very easily.  Cutting a slit in the  fold of the embossing folder apparently didn't compromise the integrity and function of the folder because I've used it several times since and had no issues--can hardly tell that it's been cut!  I tied Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon around the metal, adhered it to the candle (using straight pins), and added some pearl jewels.  For the card, I began with a Very Vanilla base and used the Eyelet Border punch along the right side and then folded the card so that the punched edge would be exposed.  I embossed two rows of tulips along the bottom of the Pear Pizzazz card stock with the "Framed Tulips" embossing folder, placed a strip of Rich Razzleberry ribbon between them, and then adhered this layer to the card.  The Decorative Label punched shape was embossed with the "Vintage Wallpaper" folder, and I accented this shape with a 3/4" circle punched from a leftover scrap of the metal.  All in all, this was a relatively simple project with just enough visual interest.  Rich Razzleberry has been a favorite color of mine since I first laid eyes on it, and I think it gets all the attention it deserves paired with the Pear Pizzazz and Very Vanilla.  Thank you, Julie, for presenting such a fun mission!

FANCY FAVOR BOX WITH A DOME TOP

Sharing today a box created with Stampin' Up!'s "Fancy Favor" Bigz XL die, but I added a top to it.  It's very simply decorated . . . one of those "flash and dash" giftables . . . made in a flash so you can dash out the door.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this box include Not Quite Navy textured card stock, "Greenhouse Gala" designer paper, Butterfly and Elegant Border punches, rhinestone jewels, and Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.

"JUST BELIEVE" SYMPATHY CARDS

Today I started working on the design for a sympathy card, somewhat inspired by one that Sharon Field had created, and then I remembered that I actually needed two sympathy cards.  My original intention was to place the circle image (used on the smaller card) to the left and slightly behind the rectangular image (shown on the gatefold card), but I ended up using the two images as focal points on the two cards.  The gatefold card is for the family of my grandmother's dear friend, Elizabeth, who passed away last week.  I had not known Elizabeth very long, but she was such a sweet lady who seemed to look up to my grandmother as a mother, and I know that my grandmother cared very much for her.  Stampin' Up! products used to create these two cards include:  Very Vanilla, Marina Mist, and Pear Pizzazz card stock, Square Lattice and Vintage Wallpaper embossing folders, Modern Label, Word Window, assorted Oval, and Eyelet Border punches, satin ribbon, "Just Believe" and "Teeny Tiny Wishes" stamp sets, and a strip of "Springtime Vintage" designer paper.  To color the stamped floral image, I used Wild Wasabi, Marina Mist, and Baja Breeze markers.

CLEAN & SIMPLE THANK YOU

I needed some "thank you" cards recently, and this is what I created.  I wasn't sure how the Poppy Parade and Pear Pizzazz colors would work together, but I think they provide a striking balance.  This design features Stampin' Up!'s Framed Tulips and Square Lattice embossing folders, circle punches, pearl jewels (which were colored with a marker to coordinate with the Poppy Parade card stock), "Clearly for You" and "Kind & Caring Thoughts" stamp sets and, of course, Very Vanilla card stock. 

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY" SIMPLE DESIGN

Today's MISM card is one that would prompt you to use the designer paper scraps that are lying around on your desk; however, if you're not the kind of paper crafts artist who typically creates in a state of piled up chaos, this project may not be all that snappy for you.  ;-)  My card features Stampin' Up!'s "Springtime Vintage" designer paper, which I love and can't stop using, and a pierced trail from the butterfly square to the sentiment.  To create a "pattern" for the piercing, I used a pencil to draw the shape of the trail, pierced the pencil drawing, and then used it as a guide on the Early Espresso card stock.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Rose Red and Very Vanilla card stock, 1-3/8" and 1-1/4" square punches, crochet trim, "Easter Blossoms" and "Clearly for You" stamp sets, Mat Pack, and Scallop Edge Border punch.

"SEW SUITE" FRAMED ART

Part of being on the Sample Maker Team for a "bulk buy" group for Stampin' Up! demonstrators means that I get to create with some of the bulk buy product offerings--this translates to a LOT of fun!  The project shown in this post showcases the use of mini spools, mini half spools, and wooden needle box to embellish a Stampin' Up! sewing-related framed art project.  I used a lot of Stampin' Up! products to create this framed art . . . Springtime Vintage designer paper and Big Buttons, Square Lattice embossing folder, linen thread, "Sew Suite" and "Tiny Tags" stamp sets, Jewelry Tag  punch, Sweet Stitches Fabric Designer brad, Scallop Square Duos die, Big Shot, "In Stitches" jumbo wheel (which I showed in a previous post how I cut the stitches from that wheel apart and mounted onto wood blocks), 1/8" Early Espresso ribbon (used to keep the needle box lid attached when open), 1-1/4" square punch, and more! 

"EASTER BLOSSOMS" CHALKBOARD

Try as I may, I could not get a really good picture of this card.  The images are from Stampin' Up!'s "Easter Blossoms" stamp set (Occasions mini), and I used the Chalkboard technique to color them.  I first stamped the images with white Craft ink and used Stampin' Pastels to apply color, which I later sealed with hair spray.  I also spritzed the stamped images with a shimmer mist created with water and Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint.  Additional Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Regal Rose, Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron, and Whisper White card stock, Photo Corners punch, Tag punches, Scallop Edge Border punch, Square Lattice embossing folder, vintage flower Adornments, Satin ribbon, linen thread, white gel pen, and rhinestone jewels.  It's difficult to see, but the Regal Rose card stock was embossed with the "Pattern 2" texturz plate from the Perfect Details set.

JULIE'S "FREESTYLE FRIDAYS" PROJECT

Isn't this a pretty candle?????  My sweet friend, Julie, decorated the candle as part of a Valentine's ensemble, and didn't she do a great job?!?!  Be sure to visit her blog for more pictures and details of her "Freestyle Fridays" project.

ANOTHER "SEW SUITE" CARD

Today I decided to make another "Sew Suite" card with the sentiment on a piece of "fabric" that appears to be getting sewn, but this time I used the "Button, Button" stamp set as an appropriate coordinating element.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Baja Breeze and River Rock markers, "Springtime Vintage" designer paper, "FYI" stamp set (for the sentiment), Square Lattice embossing folder, and Baja Breeze seam binding.  I also used an image from the "In Stitches" jumbo wheel on all four sides of the designer paper.  I am loving my individual "In Stitches" stamps and know that I will use them much more often now that they are no longer together on the wheel.  FYI . . . I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to perfectly place the button and stitch images.