More Leftovers

Here's another card I made on Saturday from my "leftovers" box. The top note piece was already stamped and watercolored and even the gray base was precut. I simply cut a piece of designer series paper, added a ribbon and voila! A card!!

I really love our watercolor paper. It's a 100% pressed cotton paper and takes the watercolor beautifully. If you click on the pic you can see how the color pools to create the classic watercolor effect. The "you" stamp is actually the "for you" stamp from Great Friend. I simply used my basic gray marker to ink just the "you."

Watercolor Thanks card: jumbo outline alphabet and great friend stamp sets; basic gray cardstock; muirfield dsp (retired); watercolor paper; basic gray and kiwi kiss ink; aquapainter; gray taffeta ribbon

Leftovers anyone?

The drawer below is from a small storage unit I have sitting on my stamping desk. I use it to hold all the images, punched elements and such that I've started for a card but decided not to use. Every once in a while I pull it out and throw together some quick cards using these pre-stamped images.

On Saturday, while everyone else was working on their Christmas cards, I was assembling some cards from this box, and I'd like to share one with you.

I don't even remember when I colored this image, but I'm so glad it finally made it's way to a card front. This little guy is from a long-retired set called Knobbly Gnomes, and I added some crystal effects to the water drop on the leaf.

Friendly Gnome card: knobbly gnomes stamp set; bordering blue and very vanilla cardstock; basic brown classic stampin' pad; various classic ink colors (probably from stampin' write markers); aquapainter; lots of tags sizzlets; big shot; vintage brads; brown felt ribbon (retired alpine ribbon originals); dimensionals

Fancy Fold 2

At this month's club we made 2 cards: gate fold and joy fold.

First: Gate Fold Card


I used the beautiful new set from the Holiday Mini called Autumn Splendor. We inked the oak leave in Crushed Currey then added Dusty Durango ink and Chocolate Chip ink to the stamp using sponge daubers before applying it to the cardstock. A gatefold card has two folds and opens in the center. The image panel is only attached to the left flap.


Second: Joy Fold Card

This card is made of two pieces. One is folded on the left and one on the right. They are overlapped, as you can see in the image of the open card at left, to create a fun card that always gets a smile.

fall gate fold: autumn splendor stamp set; whisper white, dusty durango and chocolate chip cardstock; more mustard patterns dsp; chocolate chip, dusty durango and crushed curry classic stampin' pads; sponge daubers

butterfly joy fold: great friend stamp set and polka dot background stamp; rich razzleberry, orchid opulence, old olive and whisper white cardstock; rick razzleberry, orchid opulence and old olive classic stampin' pads; 1 1/4", 1 3/8" and scallop circle punches; old olive striped grosgrain ribbon; dimensionals

Fancy Fold 1

Last month we started a fancy fold card club. Here is the card from the first meeting last month.

This cute little halloween card is called a Cami-Trifold. The orange panel on the front of the card is a great technique I'll be teaching at this month's Technique Tuesday class (Tuesday, October 20 @ 6pm). The panel is double embossed and colored with the brayer and 2 different ink colors.


Here is the card open. The left panel folds in to the right twice so the chick in the mask shows through the punched hole in the center panel.

I hope you enjoyed last month's card. Check back tomorrow for a card from this month's club meeting.

Halloween trifold: twick or tweet and teeny tiny tishes stamp sets; old olive, whisper white and basic black cardstock; basic black, pumpkin pie and so saffron classic stampin' pads; going gray stampin' write marker; pumpkin pie striped grosgrain ribbon; 1 1/4", 1 3/4", scallop circle and slit punches; crop-a-dile; filigree texturz plate with big shot; brayer

More Fall Fun

I fell in love with this card by LateBlossom on SplitCoastStampers at first sight. Then I realized that I already had all the elements to recreate this card in Stampin' Up! style. So, here is my CASE of her originality. I used the solid side of the new Soft Suede polka dot ribbon and this trick to get the perfect knot and used the rock'n'roll technique on the leaf by inking it in Dusty Durango and then rolling the edges in Soft Suede. What do you think?

Thanksgiving Swirl: Priceless, Falling Leaves and Holidays &Wishes (retired); Dusty Durango and Very Vanilla cardstock; Dusty Durango and Soft Suede ink; Soft Suede polka dot ribbon; Dimensionals; Crop-a-Dile

Fall Fun

This card uses not only a new set from the new catalog but three of the new in colors. I love all the new in colors in their various combinations. These three, soft suede, crushed curry and dusty durango, make a great fall palette. And this set is not only great for Thanksgiving, with it's 1" circle medallion that says "Happy Thanksgiving" around an acorn, but is also great for a fall card and even thank you notes. I love the bold images and variety, with 5 different leaf options.

I layered the white button from Button Latte (available free this month with a $35 stamp set purchase from the Growing Up section of the catalog) over the 1" thanksgiving medallion. I also got to use my new mat pack and piercing tool to add the pierced dots along the bottom of the soft suede panel.

Falling Thanksgiving card: falling leaves stamp set; crushed curry, soft suede and dusty durango ink; crushed curry, soft suede and whisper white cardstock; button latte; linen thread; mat pack; paper piercing tool; 1" circle punch

Holiday Mini Sneak Peek

The Holiday Mini Catalog begins on September 1, but here's a sneak peek. This is my first ever Halloween set, but when I saw this set, I couldn't resist. This set of 4 cute image and sentiment stamps is called Twick or Tweet. I want to share 2 of the images with you.

When I finished this first card the orange panel was very plain, so I cut another piece, ran it through the Big Shot with the viney textured plate and ran an inked sponge over it to highlight the raised image.


This second image is just too cute! I can picture this on a tag or bag topper with sweet treats for the kiddos. This is the first stamp in the set that caught my eye. I just couldn't resist that chick and his speech impediment.

Make Me Smile card: Twick or Tweet stamp set; Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White cardstock; Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Elegant Eggplant and Sahara Sand ink; Stampin' Up! backgrounds 1 Texturz plate; Big Shot; black gingham ribbon; dimensionals

Twick or Tweet card: Twick or Tweet stamp set; So Saffron, Basic Black and Whisper White cardstock; Basic Black, So Saffron, Pumpkin Pie and Sahara Sand ink; Scalloped Edge punch; Pumpkin Pie striped grosgrain ribbon; dimensionals

Bleached again

I can't believe it was over a year ago that I shared my last bleaching class. Last month, I taught the class again, with different projects, and wanted to share them here.

I must apologize in advance for the condition of these pictures. I didn't realize how bad they were until I started uploading to blogger...and I'm too lazy to go back and retake the pics. Sorry.









Stamping with Bleach

Pocket Silhouettes stamp set; Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip and Bermuda Bay cardstock; bleach and Chocolate Chip ink; 1/4" Old Olive Grosgrain ribbon; Rounded Corner and Scalloped Edge punches; dimensionals













Bleached out

Fifth Avenue Floral and Jumbo Outline Alpha sets; Melon Mambo, Whisper White and Soft Suede cardstock; bleach, Melon Mambo and versamark ink pads; clear embossing powder; fine watercolor brush; 5/8" WW organza ribbon
















Bleached out plus

Forever Flowers stampin' around wheel; Orchid Opulence, Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry cardstock; bleach, versamark ink pad; Orchid Opulence, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry and So Saffron stampin' write markers; white embossing powder; fine watercolor brush; Scallop Square Bigz Clear Die











And here's a close-up of the stamped panel. The flowers and leaves were bleached and then colored in with the markers.

3 days in a row??

I know what you're thinking, "Three in a row...what's gotten into her??" Well, through the magic of blogging I actually wrote this 2 days ago for you to enjoy today. Sorry the pic's so bad. I didn't even drag out my light tent. I just wanted to get this posted for you.

The third Tuesday of the month I teach a technique class. We do (generally) 3 techniques and make a card and technique page for each. Below is pictured both items for the technique "reinker spread." I LOVE this technique. It takes quite a while to do (mostly drying time) but the end result is so worth it...and never what you expect.

Emboss an outline image on shimmery white or glossy white cardstock, spray liberally with water until it pools, apply ink to the water pools and watch the color spread. Set the image aside to dry (takes quite a while and can be sped up with your heat tool...if you're really careful to not chase the water all over your cardstock), then cut it out. Voila!!

Fifth Ave Kraft: Fifth Ave Floral stamp set; Kraft, Basic Black, Whisper White and Glossy White cardstock; Versamark and Basic Black classic ink pad; white embossing powder; heat tool; water mister; Pink Pirouette and Riding Hood Red reinker; aquapainter

Another OLC

I made this one-layer card the same day as the one I posted yesterday. I think it was for a clean & simple challenge over at SCS, but I don't remember which one (again, that was a month ago).


Simple Butterflies (all SU! unless otherwise noted): A Little Bit of Happiness stamp set (retired); White cardstock (PTI); Basic Black classic stampin' pad; Rose Red and Sahara Sand stampin' write markers; aquapainter; stamp-a-ma-jig; ruler

Hello, again...again.

Yeah, I'm not going to mention the fact that it's been exactly a month since I posted, and I have no good excuse but laziness.

On to the good stuff!!

This card was actually made the day after my last post...a month ago...but who's counting?? Some sets I love from the get go and some don't "speak to me" until long after they retire. This set, A Little Bit of Happiness, was a hostess set a couple catalogs ago. I unmounted and cut apart the images to make them simpler to use alone or in other configurations. I've discovered I especially like them alone.


I applied crystal effects to the dragonfly to help him stand out from the card base.

Dragonfly Friend (all supplies Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted): A Little Bit of Happiness stamp set (retired); White cardstock (PTI); Basic Black Classic ink; Tempting Turquoise, Gable Green and Sahara Sand stampin' write markers; crystal effects

Contraband color challenge

Kristina has another great color challenge this week. Click the picture to check it out!

While I've created things for her color challenges before, it's been quite a while since I've been done in time to play along. I hope you like it.

Oh, this is also my first post with my NEW photo light tent. My setup's a little ghetto (using an ikea desk lamp...leaving it unattended could burn down the house), but, hey, if it works, that's the main thing, right?

Hmm...now all I need is a decent camera...

Oh, and the title of the post? About half the supplies for this card are non-SU!...GASP!!!! I just couldn't help myself.

kw#53 card: all supplies SU!, unless noted: Boxes Bags and Tags (PTI) and Short and Sweet; Stampers Select White cardstock (PTI), Real Red patterns dsp (retired); Valet ribbon originals; Pacific Point, Real Red, Summer Sun and Basic Black classic stampin' pads; rhinestone stickers (me & my big ideas)

Bleaching Sneak Peek

This is me making good on my promise to post "soon." Tuesday I'm teaching my monthly Technique Tuesday class, and it's all about bleach! So, here are sneak peeks of the cards we'll be making.

How was that for a "peek"?? If you'd like to see more, and take home some for yourself, join me Tuesday...Less then 24 hours to RSVP!! See you there.

Quick post, then off to bed...

So, it's late and I should be in bed. But, I found a pic of a card I haven't shared yet and thought, "I should let my 3 readers know I'm still here." So, here it is.

Please check back again soon. I'm truly planning to post more...perhaps a sneak peek at next Tuesday's Bleach class...you never know. Oh, by the way, if you'd like to attend the technique class next week, let me know. (Tuesday, May 19, 6-9PM $10) You'll learn stamping techniques with bleach and create a card and technique page for each one...so fun!!!

How's that, Michelle? LOL

Thank you so very much card: Inspired by Nature and Flight of the Butterfly Stamp sets; Kraft, Whisper White, and Pumpkin Pie Textured Cardstock; Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad; 5/8" So Saffron grosgrain ribbon (retired)

Scallops, scallops everywhere...

Today I'm sharing another card we made at last month's Stamp-a-Stack. I originally intended this to be a one layer card, but it wasn't cooperating. So I pulled out my trusty big shot and came up with this. I also used my pastels and sponge dauber to add some subtle color around the edge of the circle and to highlight the scalloped bottom edge.

Scallop Wishes card: Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip cardstock; Chocolate Chip classic ink pad; Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink stampin' write markers; 1/4" Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon; Filigree Brad; Stampin' Pastels (Pretty in Pink); sponge daubers; scalloped edge punch; scalloped circles #2 Bigz die; Sizzix Big Shot; Coluzzle circle cutter

2 projects for you...

I hope you had a good Easter! I had too much ham and way too much chocolate...but that's neither here nor there...until WW weigh-in on Thursday. *sigh*


So, I wanted to share 2 projects with you...both of which were made with my Sizzix Big Shot for Stampin' Up! The first is a name banner I made several months ago for a friend who had her first girl after 4 boys (she's gonna be a tough little princess :). I cut the letter frames from coasters with dsp already attached (no sanding!!). I would have done the same for the letters, but I don't have those dies...yet. A kind sister demo on SCS traded me the chipboard letters for some stamped image sheets...SU! demos are so nice!




The second project is a card we made at our March Stamp-a-Stack. I ran the Close to Cocoa colored Candy Lane designer series paper through the Big Shot using my SU! exclusive Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates. Then I ran my sanding block over it lightly to distress the raised design, leaving the white paper core exposed for contrast. I just love the way that looks.

TIP: Use a darker designer paper with a tone-on-tone effect to make the distressing more prominent.

Leah Name Banner: Bella Rose dsp; 5/8" Chocolate Chip stitched grosgrain ribbon; filigree brad; fire rhinestone brad; tombow multi adhesive; paper snips; Sizzix Scalloped Circle #2 Bigz Die; Serif Essentials Bigz Alphabet Dies Set; Sizzix Big Shot for Stampin' Up!

Perk Up Card: Brocade Blue and Whisper White cardstock; Candy Lane dsp; Chocolate Chip craft ink pad; clear embossing powder; 5/8" Certainly Celery twill ribbon (SAB); Ticket Corner punch; SU! backgrounds 1 texturz plate; Sizzix silicone pad; Sizzix impressions plate; Sizzix Big Shot for Stampin' Up!

Let's Get Connected!

Spring is finally here, and so is the Occasions Mini Catalog (April 1 thru June 30, 2009)!!



Yesterday I got a chance to use my new Summer Love rubons (see the Spring Friend card below). They're gorgeous! The package includes 2 sheets of multi-colored rubons (pg 7) for just $11.95 PLUS they coordinate with not just a stamp set (Great Friend pg 6-7) but also the Walk in the Park designer series paper on page 9. Coordinating products make it so easy to create beautiful projects to share with friends and family.



Sending cards and handcrafted gifts are great ways to stay connected with friends and family. For the month of April you'll be able to earn free stamps to help you do just that. When you place a $40 order from the Occasions Mini or host a $150 workshop, you'll get to choose 1 item from the "under $10" page (208) in the Spring Summer 09 Idea Book & Catalog absolutely FREE...and that's for every $40 you order from the mini...so, an $80 order of Occasions Mini products gets you 2 free "under $10" items...and so on!



Also during April, Stampin' Up! is sending a FREE SS 09 IBC with every* online order. So, place your Occasions Mini order on my website and you'll not only be eligible to receive the free items from the Get Connected Campaign, but your own crisp copy of the current catalog. How great is that!?! *But hurry, because the free catalog offer is only until the end of April or the first 22,000 orders...whichever comes first. Click the "FREE Catalog" link in this post or the sidebar then click "shop now" at the top right of my Demonstrator Website to get started.

Emerging Petal Pizzazz

Here's another sample of a technique we'll be doing on Tuesday (April 21, 6-8). If you'd like to join us for the class, just send me a quick note before Monday 4/20 so I can have everything ready.

This technique is a great one, since, aside from several steps, it's pretty simple but packs a fancy punch. I do hope you'll join us.

And a closeup:

Emerging Pizzazz card: Petal Pizzazz stamp set; Certainly Celery, So Saffron and Whisper White cardstock; So Saffron, Almost Amethyst, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink and Elegant Eggplant classic ink pads and versamark ink pad; clear embossing powder; brayer with rubber attachment; 5/8" So Saffron grosgrain ribbon (retired); scalloped edge punch

Spring Friend

So, I had some time to play today and created this card. I wanted to share a reverse masking sample, since that's one of the techniques I'll be teaching next Tuesday (April 21, 6-8 at my house), and was inspired by the second card in this post on Krystie's blog (www.cupcakemartini.com). She really has a way with negative space...so calming! I also got to use my new Summer Love rubons from the Occasions Mini Catalog. This could easily be sent to a man or a woman. I hope you like it.

Spring Friend Card: Inspired by Nature stamp set; Baja Breeze and Old Olive classic ink pads; Old Olive, Baja Breeze textured and Whisper White cardstock; Summer Love rubons; Crop-a-dile; Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon