GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO . . . BAIT

Sharing a fun little masculine card on this sunny and hot Saturday.  Once again, I reached for the Bic markers to quickly color the fisherhare.  Texture was added to this project with two Stampin' Up! embossing folders . . . Cloudy Day (retired) and my all-time favorite, Square Lattice.  The button and linen thread are also from Stampin' Up!

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS"

It's Julie's turn to share a Freestyle Fridays project today and, from the looks of the sneak peek photo she shared with me, she's been playing with dies again.  And doing a great job, too!  I hope you'll join me over at Julie's blog to see the whole project and learn all about it.  I'll be anxious to find out about the mission she has for me, and you might be interested in trying it, too.  Have a great weekend!!!

SEA TURTLES

Isn't this a cute beach scene?  I think the mother turtle looks so loving as she urges the baby toward the water.  Or maybe she's trying to talk him into resting on the sand for a while.  The beach (sand, shells, turtles) is a digital image that I printed onto Stampin' Up!'s Whisper White card stock.  I have mentioned on my blog before that I have decided that it's okay for me to use cheap Bic markers for coloring since I simply don't have the patience for all of the shading and blending with alcohol markers, and I'm quite relieved to simply enjoy coloring again.  Maybe I'm channeling my inner kindergartener or something--all I know is that it is liberating to be able to just grab some markers and color.  For the sky, I used Stampin' Up!'s Soft Sky ink to sponge around a punched scallop circle, and then I rough cut the two felt clouds.  Soft Sky card stock was torn and distressed to create three layers of waves, and I thought the middle layer was the perfect spot for the stamped sentiment.  The finishing touch was a Vintage Faceted button with a small piece of twine threaded through the holes and left dangling.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

For today's MISM project, I'm sharing a card made with a Stampin' Up! stamp set (The Great Outdoors) that has been on and off of my wish list for a while.  Obviously, it finally made it to the "get" list.  The images in this set are so fun, especially for someone who enjoys camping.  While I'm not that person, this card was made for someone who is.  I began by stamping the chair and then masked that image while I stamped the tent.  Other Stampin' Up! stamp sets featured on this card include Gorgeous Grunge and So Sorry.

CHAD'S "SIDE-STEP" BIRTHDAY CARD

My son's birthday was this past week, and I chose to make a side-step card for him.  When I began this project, all I knew was what kind of card I would try first--had no other ideas for the design and, as you can see, there are quite a few design opportunities on a card like this.  It took a while to get the window just right, although I wasn't 100% pleased with it.  At first, there wasn't a window frame, mainly because I always confuse myself with whether the inside of the house should be behind the frame or if it should be a "looking outside" scene.  I know it should be a simple and obvious decision, so why do I get confused?  I thought that I would just not use a window frame, but I ended up changing my mind about that.  Of course, it would have helped if I had already put the trees and grass on the card, but those elements hadn't yet arrived to the design process.  Want to know which element on this card came first?  It was the flagpole and sentiment.  Ha!  The stamped sentiment (from "Teeny Tiny Wishes" stamp set) and the oval punches and twine are from Stampin' Up!  For the trees, I rough-cut the trunks and then used Stampin' Up!'s Scallop Circle punch with Pistachio Pudding card stock and This and That Epic Day designer paper (with a Stampin' Dimensional between the two circles) for the tree tops.  The same designer paper was used to die-cut three layers of grass using a grass border die.  The last thing to be added to the card was the bicycle, and it didn't get added until the next day.  If you ask me, it totally completed the card!  I kept thinking that "something" was needed, and it took a while to figure out what that something would be.  As I used a craft knife to cut out the tiny white spaces from the stamped image, I made a deal with myself that I would throw the bicycle in the trash if the knife slipped too far and accidentally cut where it shouldn't.  Having had some success, I decided to not tempt fate by trying to cut between the spokes--they were just too, too tiny.  After everything had been glued in place, the card still needed something--a window frame!  Looking at the card now, I wonder how I could have possibly thought I could get away without one, but I finally was able to see that (thankfully) the frame should be on top of the curtains and wallpaper.  It wasn't as easy as just adhering the frame, though.  Oh, no!  I had to peel the curtains and wallpaper from the Crumb Cake card stock AND from beneath a portion of the grass so that I could trim the designer paper and then move one of the curtain panels closer to the center so they would both fit the window frame.  Fortunately, the few casualties were covered when I re-adhered the window layers to the card, and it's hardly noticeable that a patch of grass is missing.

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS"

With her ever-so-cute balloons and clouds project last week, Julie Beaulieu issued a mission for me to create a balloon project this week--and it had to make me giggle at some point during the process of making it.  Hmmm . . . I was stumped!  I knew that I could access all kinds of balloons if I used my Cricut or Silhouette machines, but I would have had to clear a path to them and just wasn't ready to work that hard.  Wracking my brain, I faintly recalled buying a balloon punch at some point in my life, but where to find it?  When I finally found it, I giggled alright . . . it punched mini (seriously mini) balloons!  I got to thinking that those tiny balloons were sized perfectly for Stampin' Up!'s owl (punch), but the handsome owl didn't have a wing to hold the balloons, which I had already tied together and was bound and determined to use.  Creating his little wing (his left wing is behind his back in case you're wondering) made me giggle again because I do not have an artistic eye.  After a few tries, I finally settled on the one wing that you see on the card and, as I said, I declared that his left wing is behind his back, much the way a gentleman might stand at a door with a surprise in one hand and his giggles and overwhelming pride in his left hand behind his back.  Other Stampin' Up! products featured on this card include Yippee-Skippee! stamp set, Gingham Garden washi tape, rhinestone jewels, Baker's twine, one of the Finishing Touches Edgelits, and the Blossom punch (which was used to shape the sentiment banner).  So, Julie, are you happy?  Are you thrilled that I giggled?  Are you pleased with yourself to have made me squirm?  I love you anyway and still look forward to accepting many more of your challenges.

"TEA FOR TWO" MDS RECIPE BOOK

While Stampin' Up! offered discount pricing on professionally printed digital projects, I took the opportunity to design a recipe book.  This was a project that I had contemplated for quite a while and was just waiting for the right time.  I used the "Tea for Two Collection" CD from the Spring catalog, which included a template for a 5.5" x 6.5" easel calendar.  I thought it would be perfect for a cookbook with the easel, and I absolutely LOVE the way it turned out!

The calendar template actually included some embellishments that I could incorporate into my recipe pages, such as the stitching and fabric-looking label to which I added the "Delicousness" text.

The above page has two recipes that are family favorites.  As you can see, I kept the stitching and again added text (the recipe name) to one of the fabric-looking labels.

One of the fun things about designing my own collection of recipes was being able to include photographs, as in the page above and the one below.  I ♥ the way the green tag printed perfectly with the spiral binding.  I had designed it that way and was hoping the project would line up as perfectly for printing as it did during the design process.

There are sooooooooooo many embellishments and other digital content available for My Digital Studio, and it's really hard to pick and choose what to use!  In case you're wondering why there's no organization to the collection of recipes, I call this my "go to" cookbook.  I had been using a journal-type book to collect the recipes that I use most often, so I was already used to not having them divided into categories.  Besides, I get to enjoy flipping through the pages to find the recipe that I'm looking for!  Something else that I did on some of the pages (there are 26 total pages) is leave some blank space so that I can add more recipes--write them, tape them, staple them, anything goes!  Even without discount print pricing, an easel calendar/book like this is more reasonably priced than you might think.  Look into it, and you'll be designing one for yourself (and maybe others, too).

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Today's MISM project is one that we'll be making in class this Friday, and it features images from FOUR really fun--and new--stamp sets from Stampin' Up! . . . Gorgeous Grunge, Wanderlust, Six-Sided Sampler, and Tape It.

Tape It has already become one of my favorite new stamp sets.  I've been a washi tape addict for a while now, but being able to use the stamps to create the look of washi tape in any color is the bee's knees!  I can't even put into words how much I love this set!  Wanderlust is another one that didn't waste any time finding a cozy spot in my heart.  For starters, it's the brand new photopolymer (truly clear) stamp set, so it already had bonus points before it even got here.  In this set, I see versatility and tried to demonstrate that with this card.  My first Wanderlust project can be found in THIS blog post.  Stampin' Up! colors that I used to create this card include Soft Sky, Smoky Slate, and Summer Starfruit.

A BIRTHDAY "FLIP-IT" CARD FOR MY MOTHER

In yesterday's post, I shared the birthday gift that I made for my mother, and I want to share today the card that I made for my grandmother to give to my mother.  Mamaw was so sweet when she asked me about a month ago if I would make a special card for my mother's birthday.  I look forward to any stamping opportunity, and I knew that I really needed to make this card special . . . and I think I did.

I used a Sizzix Flip-Its die for the card base and assorted designer paper and embellishments to decorate it. 

Stampin' Up! products used to complete this card include Blossom punch, Soda Pop Top, rhinestone jewels, Doily die, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Wide Oval and 1" Circle punches, Lace tape, and the following stamp sets:  Collage Curios, Blessings from Heaven, and Happiest Birthday Wishes.

One of my favorite images in Stampin' Up!'s "Feel Goods" stamp set is, "Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."  I didn't use that quote on this project, but I felt it during the making of this project and feel that all three of us (my mother, my grandmother, and myself) brought it full circle. 

BIRTHDAY GIFT FOR MY MOTHER

Today is my mother's birthday, and this is what I made for her . . .

It's a portfolio (with a decorated protective cover) that holds ten blank note cards.  All she has to do is gently pull the little tab to remove the portfolio from the cover, and choose a card!  The large doily is one of the five that I brought home from Red Robin one evening.  I wrote about it in THIS blog post.

Of course, a gift bag was needed for her gift and it, too, got decorated.

I am LOVING Stampin' Up!'s new "Tape It" stamp set.

Happy Birthday, Mother!!!  You are the best . . . truly!

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS"

It's Julie's turn to share a Freestyle Fridays project today, and this is the sneak peek that she shared with me:

She's been playing with dies!  I love the clouds and what looks like balloons!!!!  Lucky Julie to (seemingly) have a stamp room with LOTS of fun tools!  To learn more about her project and to see the rest of it, I hope you'll join me in visiting her blog.  Don't forget to leave a little comment because it's always great to hear from blog visitors!

PROFESSIONALLY PRINTED TRIFOLD NOTE CARD

For the past month or so, Stampin' Up!'s professional print pricing has been discounted by 25%, so I took the opportunity to design a few projects and take advantage of the sale.  One of the projects that I designed (using one of the trifold card templates) was this note card.  I decided that I wouldn't include a sentiment or an actual themed design; instead, I wanted blank note cards that I can stamp and complete as needed.

Most of my print order arrived this evening, and I was anxious to complete a note card.  O.M.G.  This is one of the best things that I have done with the My Digital Studio software!  Not only did the cards stamp as nicely as I had imagined, it was a breeze to add three punched flowers and two stamped sentiments and then say, "DONE"!

I used sentiments from "Yippee-Skippee!" and "Six-Sided Sampler" stamp sets.  The "Flower Shop Bundle" was used to stamp the flowers and then punch them with the Pansy punch.  The only other Stampin' Up! product used to complete this card was the scallop circle from Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack.  I have a feeling that I'm going to quickly design at least one more trifold note card to have printed before the sale ends this Saturday.  During the sale, these note cards are only $1.09 each (US), and the price INCLUDES the envelope!  You can't beat that!

"WANDERLUST"

I anxiously waited all day yesterday for two Stampin' Up! orders to arrive and, as luck would have it, the man in brown didn't show up until after 4:00 p.m.!  I spent quite a bit of time getting all of those stamp sets ready to use, and then I had a hard time deciding what to work with first.  I actually used two stamp sets to create this card--Wanderlust and Gorgeous Grunge.  Wanderlust is the new photopolymer (clear) stamp set.  When I first saw this set, I couldn't think of any particular project that would make me reach it, but it has quite a variety of images!  I'm sure that it would be handy to create a travel journal or vacation-themed mini album, not to mention scrapbook pages, and I'm sure that I'll use the "hello from" image to create simple cards.  Stampin' Up!'s photopolymer sets are soooooooooo fun and quick to use because they're clear, which makes it easy to get images placed exactly where you want them.  Something else that I love about them is how they seem to grab ink.  The solid images in Wanderlust were a dream to ink!  If you haven't tried any of Stampin' Up!'s photopolymer stamp sets, this might be the one for you and I would really appreciate your order! 

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

For today's MISM project, I tried a new technique (well . . . one that was new to me) and one brand new stamp set ("Really Good Greetings") and another set ("A Fitting Occasion") that touched ink for the first time.  I have already forgotten the name of the technique, but it's Sunburst something.  To create the background for my card, I stacked three squares of "Tea for Two" designer paper and used scissors to make cuts all around the stack of papers that resembled sunburst shapes.  I made sure that each cut was about 1/4" shy of the center point and, to use the shapes to create my background, I just tore them from the designer paper and glued them onto my Whisper White card stock, being mindful that they were positioned on the Whisper White card stock as they were in the stack when cut so that they fit perfectly.  This is an easy peasy way to create a pretty background, and the sunburst can totally fill the background, or accentuate a corner, a half, or any other portion of the card stock used for the background.  All products used to create this card are from Stampin' Up!

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS"

So . . . it's my turn to share a Freestyle Fridays project, and I am always eager to try whatever mission Julie presents.  With her project post last week, she challenged me to create something glittery since I don't seem to use glitter very often.  Here's the thing . . . I love sparkly stuff, but Julie was right that I don't use it often.  That stuff goes everywhere, and I always end up with it on my face, the floor, etc.  Heck, I even end up with glitter on my feet, and it probably ends up in other places where it has no business!  This card didn't come together as quickly as you might expect because I kept trying different ways to use the glitter.  Finally, I decided to keep it really simple and just apply it to the birthday hats.  On the Tempting Turquoise layer, I applied a strip of 1/8" double-sided tape and sprinkled the glitter onto the adhesive--love using glitter this way!  When all was said and done, I used Stampin' Up!'s Core'dinations Dust Buddy to swipe the stray glitter off the card.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include "Blooming with Kindness" and "You're Amazing" stamp sets.  Thank you, Julie, for the challenging mission!  I hope my glitterness is pleasing to you.  :-)

ROMANCIN' THE BOX

 

I recently came across a really cute box pictured on a web site and jotted down the measurements for scoring and, as I was working on the first box, I wondered why I didn't draw a diagram.  I guess I thought I would just remember or that the magic would "come to me" eventually, but I think I finally got it right.  I will try to find the web site and update this post with the link.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this box include "Happy Day" stamp set, Chocolate Chip card stock, and a few pieces from the Artisan Embellishment Kit in the current mini catalog.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

I love today's MISM project, mainly because the finished design was a surprise--sort of!  I've had the stamp (Wildflower Meadow) for probably two weeks, and yesterday was the first time that I've used it.  I began by staring at the stamp, trying to decide what I wanted to do with it and how each of my ideas might turn out.  Even though I wasn't sure the ink would stay wet long enough for me to color the flowers, leaves, and stems with markers, I decided to go for it using Summer Starfruit, Old Olive, and Calypso Coral.  Before stamping, I huffed and huffed . . . and it worked!  I didn't color the polka dot background on the stamp; instead, I swiped the Woodgrain embossing folder with Crumb Cake ink prior to running it through the Big Shot, and I REALLY like the background that it created on this card!  After tying the Calypso Coral ruffled ribbon, I decided that a sentiment was needed somewhere . . . and a picket fence.  Doesn't this card just scream for a picket fence?  After digging and digging, I finally found a Sizzix fence die that I purchased years ago (and have hardly used), and I think it was the perfect touch for this card.  The sentiment, from Stampin' Up!'s brand new Happy Day stamp set was stamped onto vellum card stock with Soft Suede ink and adhered to the fence with a brad.  All in all, this was a snappy card to make--if you don't consider the thinking time involved.  ;-)  Anyone who stamps will agree, I'm sure, that most projects take more time to think about than to complete.

STAMP-EMBOSSED CLAY MEDALLION

For the past couple of days, I have been experimenting with Stampin' Up!'s Simply Pressed Clay and the button and flower molds that are now available for purchase.  It occurred to me today to try using a stamp to emboss a design into the clay, and I think it turned out really nice!  To begin, I colored the clay with Pistachio Pudding ink, spread it out, and then pressed one of the Mosaic Madness stamps into the clay.  I set it aside to dry and then used scissors to trim the shape.  I suppose I could have found a more creative way to use the clay medallion, but time was of the essence, particularly since I was supposed to be cleaning my stamp room.  My finished card features Pistachio Pudding card stock and Modern Medley designer paper (both of which were cut with a Sizzix Square Flip-Its die), black satin ribbon, rhinestone jewel, one of the Finishing Touches Edgelits dies, a sentiment from the Really Good Greetings stamp set, and the border along the right edge of the card was stamped in Pistachio Pudding ink using the same image from the Mosaic Madness stamp set that was used to stamp into the clay.