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