Wet Paper Stamping

   I tried a new technique this week called Wet Paper Stamping. I read about it in Stampin' Success, our monthly demonstrator magazine. It is so easy and it gives the stamped image a blurred "artsy" look. I even used the same layout that they used in the magazine. I did use a different stamp set though. 

   To make this card I used the stamp set, Day of Gratitude because the large image really lends itself well to this technique. You can use any colors but I wanted a monochromatic look so I turned to my Color Coach and decided on the combination of Pear Pizzazz and Garden Green. By using a green palette, this card can be used any time of year - think versatile! 

How I did it:

1. Mist the Watercolor Paper with water. 

2. Stamp image with Pear Pizzazz ink and let it bleed a little.

3. Let this dry thoroughly. 

4. With the help of a Stamp-a-ma-jig, stamp directly over the first image with Garden Green ink.

I then rounded the corners and added a Garden Green Big Designer Button in the center. But I felt like it needed more so I used my 1" circle punch and punched a piece of Garden Green cardstock and added a Glimmer Brad for some extra embellishment.

 For the base card: I stamped the lower portion of my base card with the leaf branch and Pear Pizzazz ink. I then added Garden Green 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon. But wait you say. Stampin' Up! doesn't sell Garden Green Ribbon. No they don't, so I made it by coloring White 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon with a Garden Green SU marker. How cool is that?! It worked beautifully and I love that I can have ribbon in all of our colors just by using a marker!! Again, versatility!

   And finally, I added the sentiment, which is a little difficult to see in the photo, but it is right above the watercolor paper in the right corner. If I were reproducing this card, I think I would use Garden Green ink for the sentiment instead of Pear Pizzazz . 

The supplies:

Stamps: Day of Gratitude

Paper: Watercolor Paper, Pear Pizzazz, Garden Green

Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Garden Green, and Garden Green marker

Accessories: Glimmer Brad, 1" Circle Punch, Dimensionals, Corner Rounder Punch, 

Big Designer Button, Stamp-a-ma-jig, 1/8" White Taffeta Ribbon

Enjoy!

I want a red truck

   Recently, David and I have been talking about trading in my old, but still going strong, car for a truck. Back in April we finally said goodbye to our Mini Van and reentered the world of 5 passenger cars. You know, the kind that grown ups without children drive. We miss our van. We miss our children! 

   We miss the cargo capacity of our van so I suggested we trade in my car for a used truck - something small and preferably red! I love red vehicles and a red truck would be perfect for our needs. So we are thinking about it. 

   In the meantime I can make cards that include red trucks such as this one!

   I went with a red truck, and green, Granny Smith apples for something different. Apples don't always have to be red, right? And I'll be sending this to my daughter Bethany, cause she loves Granny Smith apples. 

   The sketch is from Stampin Addicts and can be found by clicking  HERE. 

   The little tag at the bottom of the card was in my stash, complete with linen thread so I just used it as a backdrop for the saying. I love when I find a use for my scraps. 

Stamps: Countryside and Fabulous Phrases

Paper: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Vanilla, Watercolor paper, Newsprint designer series paper

Ink: Black Stazon, SU Markers

Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice tief, Lots of Tags sizzlit, linen thread, Medium Oval Punch, 1" circle punch, Jumbo Eyelets, Blender Pen, Color Spritzer Tool

Have a wonderful stamping day,

A Favor for a Bride

   One of my coworkers is getting married tomorrow so our department gave her a shower last week! It was a simple - just the staff - get together. I volunteered to make the favors which was no hardship on my part and there were only 30 to make.


   The bride to be is a librarian and is marrying a farmer (of sorts) so my idea was to use the milk carton die as a nod to her fiance and the library clip as a nod to her. Plus, I filled it with chocolate and they love chocolate! 


  Colors: White, Navy and Orange - her wedding colors.

   And here's how I made it:

• After I die cut the milk cartons with my Big Shot and Milk Carton Die, I spritzed them with Vanilla Smooch Spritz. 
• Then I wrapped a piece of white embossed cardstock around the middle of the milk carton. This was embossed by using the Elegant Lines textured impressions embossing folder.
• Night of Navy Scallop Circle was punched and also spritzed with Vanilla Smooch Spritz
• Peach Parfait Circle punched with a 1 3/8" Circle Punch
• Presto Patterns paper die cut with the Beautiful Wings Embosslit and sponged with Night of Navy ink
• I punched flowers from Night of Navy cardstock using the Boho Blossoms punch, adhered them together and added a Basic Pearl.
• The name tag and "to open" were done on the computer. 
• Library Clip to close it! Oh, fill with chocolate candy first!

   Now you would think that being a library, everyone would fuss over the library clip or the milk carton, but the thing that impressed them the most was the embossed band around the middle. Seriously! They loved that. 

Yippee skippee it is Friday! Thanks for stopping by.

First Day of Autumn

  Well it is official. Today is the first day of Autumn which means... sniff....Summer is officially over. Ok I know for some of you it is your favorite season. And because it is the first day of Autumn I made this card.

  With the 2 FABULOUS Autumn stamp sets in the Holiday Mini (Day of Gratitude and French Foliage), and with all of the fun I have been having with them, I seriously forgot about this set! It is Autumn Days and I remember how much fun I had last year with this set. 

   I wanted to try the Color Challenge at Stampin Addicts this week since I haven't participated in that challenge for a few weeks now. The 6 colors, count them six, are:  Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Certainly Celery, Early Espresso, and Bashful Blue and Vanilla! Quite a list don't ya think?!

   To subtly frame the focal point of the stamped foliage, I used one of my Clear Acrylic Blocks and a Stylus to dry emboss a rectangle. I placed the paper piercing mat under the reverse side of my cardstock. I then placed my acrylic block where I wanted the rectangle and drew around it with the stylus. Next I turned it over and retraced my lines. I think I want to explore this technique further sometime in the future. It has potential!

   My "ribbon" was done with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch. To make the "bow" I just cut a smaller piece and bent it to look like a bow. Glue dots kept it in place. 

The saying is from the new stamp set Curly Cute. I just received it last week and I am already loving it.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Autumn Days, Curly Cute

Paper: More Mustard, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Vanilla

Ink: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze

Accessories: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Stylus, Clear Acrylic Block, Paper Piercing Mat, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Corner Rounder Punch

I just have to say it. "Happy Fall Y'All". Now if you have been with Stampin' Up! long enough, you may remember a stamp set with that name. But that is another story for another time.

Animals, birds, flowers - all good

   We ( David and I), just watched the movie/dvd, Furry Vengeance. Oh my oh my that movie was hilarious! I love it when animals get the best of humans, and make me laugh in the process. 

  But enough about movies. Lets move on to the subject of stamping! I have to tell you when I started to make this card I had a completely different picture in my mind. And I mean completely. I was going to use the circle stamp in the Just Believe stamp set and make a really creative card. At least it looked creative in my head.

   I sat down to make this wonderfully creative card (the one in my head, not the one I am posting),  and it absolutely would not cooperate - no way, no how. In the end I gave up and made this card instead. 

   I did end up using the Just Believe stamp set and the circle stamp from that set. I used it on the bird! I punched the bird using our 2 Step Bird Punch and then stamped the bird with the circle stamp which gave it a nice pattern. 

Some other details:

• The background was spritzed with the Color Spritzer Tool and a Soft Suede Marker and then a Baja Breeze Marker. 
• The strip of Soft Suede cardstock at the bottom was stamped with one of the other foliage stamps in the set.
• I used the distressing tool from the Cutter Kit to add some tears and rough edges to the background.
• The 3 little circles in the upper right hand corner are just punched with the circle punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack. I love the tone on tone look that is so popular now.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Just Believe

Paper: Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake

Ink: Soft Suede, Baja Breeze

Accessories: 2 Step Bird Punch, Circle punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Twine, Cutter Kit, Big Designer Button, sponge, Color Spritzer Tool

                              

                          

   

A Tribute to Coneflowers

  Today's card is a nod to late summer when the purple and pink coneflowers bloom in my garden. For some reason the butterflies love them and I love them (the coneflowers) too. They are so easy to grow - my kind of flower. lol. But my perennial garden really suffered this summer. Last year's summer was nothing but rain, rain, rain. I felt like we lived in the rain forest. This year's summer was very hot and very humid but no rain. I think we set a record here in Massachusetts for the number of days that hit 90 degrees or above! Add to that, the lack of rain, and it was a weird summer. Not that I am complaining. I love the heat.

  So to conserve water, I just didn't water. And thus my perennials reflected my neglect environmental consciousness. My coneflowers did ok though and for that I am thankful. To show them my appreciation for surviving blooming, I made a card in their honor. (Not really but it sounds good).

   The Challenge I chose is found on Susan Raihala's (aka LateBlossom) blog, Simplicity. The challenge is to create a One Layer Card using 3 stamped images and a sentiment. No problem. I used the stamp set, Every Moment, and stamped the individual flower 2 times at different angles and levels. The butterfly is my 3rd stamped image. And the sentiment is from Thank You Kindly.    

  Once stamped I needed to color them in so I used a Blender pen and Watercolor Crayons which is a little unconventional but hey it worked! Pastels and a blender pen or watercolor pencils would work too. I tried markers but the ink just won't "move" enough for me on Whisper White cardstock. I am too used to Watercolor paper I guess. LOVE that paper!! 

   I like these One Layer Wednesday challenges because sometimes I get so caught up in layers and Embellishments that I lose the joy of pure stamping. If you haven't stamped a one layer card in a while I encourage you to try it!

Stamps: Every Moment

             Thank You Kindly

Paper: Whisper White

Ink: Black Stazon

Accessories: Watercolor Crayons, Blender pen

Have a wonderful weekend!          

Who says it has to be a leaf?

   One of the things I like to do with a new stamp set is use it in a way that it wouldn't normally be used, or with colors that are out of the ordinary, such as THIS card. It gives the stamp set versatility. And it helps me rationalize my purchases . LOL!

   I used the French Foliage stamp set for today's card and made a flower with the smallest leaf. First I inked up the leaf stamp with Pretty in Pink, then rolled the edges of the inked stamp in the Rich Razzleberry stamp pad and stamped (Rock and Roll technique). I just continued with this process stamping the leaf around in a circle. After the "flower" was done I cut it out and added some green leaves and a vintage brad center! 

   Now, the colors are pretty conventional - Rich Razzleberry, Pretty in Pink, Pear Pizzazz and a little bit of Crumb Cake. You see, I found a new challenge blog called Utah Divas International found HERE. Their color challenge included all of the colors I just mentioned plus Early Espresso which I forgot to add to my card. Rats! In case you are wondering where the Crumb Cake figures in, I lightly sponged it on the flower, leaves, and the oval edges. Subtle huh? 

I really like how this card turned out even if I did forget the Early Espresso!

Stamps: French Foliage - Holiday Mini

             Thoughts and Prayers

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, White, Pear Pizzazz

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Pear Pizzazz, Pretty in Pink, Crumb Cake

Accessories: Basic Pearls, Victoria Crochet Trim, Vintage Brad, Big Shot, Oval die, Elegant Lines tief, 1" circle punch

Have a wonderful, creative, stamping day.

I love him now

   Tomorrow is my little brother's birthday - little, meaning he is younger, cause he isn't little. I clearly remember the day he was born because he is 9 years younger than I am so I was in 3rd grade, at recess, having a fun time with my friends jumping rope, when my aunt (the principal) came out to the playground and told me I have a new baby brother. Say what?

   My first thought was ,"a brother??? but I specifically requested a sister!" You see, I already had a brother, and I thought it would be fun to have a sister. I had even told my mom and dad I wanted a sister. I didn't realize back then how these things work if you know what I mean. 

   But when I met my baby brother for the first time, I loved him. And then he grew to be an annoying toddler and I wasn't a fan. Then he grew into a cute little brother and a wonderful big brother and I was a fan once again - and have been ever since. Because I love him I made him a card for his birthday. Nice of me I know. 

   September birthdays are perfect for fall foliage cards! This card was a little tough to photograph cause the saying is actually on the inside behind the oval punched window.

The side.

The front.

The inside.

  For the background I repeatedly stamped the oak leaf and then sponged. Once the leaves were assembled on the front I spritzed the everything with Log Cabin Smooch Spritz. It gave it a really cool coppery shimmer.

Stamps: French Foliage - Holiday Mini

Paper: Daffodil Delight, Chocolate Chip, Cajun Craze

Ink: Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Largest Oval Punch, Big Shot, Ovals die, Twine, Cajun Craze button, Log Cabin Smooch Spritz, Chocolate Chip ribbon, Chocolate Chip brads

Creatively yours,

Day of Gratitude

  I really don't like fall as a rule because it means the end of summer and the end of warm weather. I happen to love warm weather. So while most of New England welcomes the beginning of school, the cool, crisp air, the leaves turning color, I am longing for the heat and the beach. Ha. 

   Why am I telling you this? I don't know, I just thought you'd like to know. No seriously, I am just telling you this cause the one thing that I do like about the fall is the beautiful stamp sets that herald in this time of year. Such is the case with the set, Day of Gratitude, from the Holiday Mini Catalog. I showed you a card found HERE that uses the large stamp in a non-traditional way. Today's card is much more traditional.

   The designer paper is Autumn Spice from the Holiday Mini and coordinates with the Day of Gratitude stamp set. To get the multi-colors in the stamped image I used my markers and then punched the image out with the 1 3/4" circle punch. See the coppery looking brads? They are the new Glimmer Brads from the Holiday Mini and if you love glitter and sparkle - they fit the bill perfectly!! 

  Another new product from the Holiday Mini is the Tasteful Trim Bigz die. Finally we have some cute trims in a larger size. The scallop border across the front was done with the Bigz die and my Big Shot.

  The sketch is from......wait for it......Stampin Addicts. Here is the sketch and it is challenge 67 just in case you go looking for other samples on their site. It is a simple sketch but can easily be "stepped up" with more layers and embellishments!

Stamps: Day of Gratitude - Holiday Mini

Paper: Autumn Spice Specialty designer paper - Holiday Mini

           Old Olive, Early Espresso, Vanilla cardstock

Ink: SU markers - Old Olive, Early Espresso, More Mustard, Cajun Craze

Accessories: Decorative Label punch-Holiday Mini

1 3/4" circle punch, Oval punch, Photo Corner Punch, Word Window punch

Big Shot, Tasteful Trim Bigz die (Holiday Mini), Glimmer Brads (Holiday Mini)

And it is Sunday, a day of gratitude for me. I hope you have a blessed day and thank you for stopping in.

Gotta Cold? Or the Flu?

   Well I don't know anyone right now who has a cold, flu, or is otherwise sick but I am sure I will, cause it is that time of year when germs begin to flourish! And when I find someone who is in need of a hot cup of tea I have just the thing!


   The 3-D challenge this week at Stampin Addicts is a Tea Bag Holder. Click here for the instructions and measurements. I made mine a little different which I will explain, but first, here it is.

The front.

The inside.

  I followed Stampin Addict's directions only my tea bag was too big so I made the holder 4 1/4" x 7"(instead of 3 1/4" x 7").  I also didn't run my ribbon under the front panel. Instead I adhered it over the front panel. And I made the inside a little different just by adding a punched saying and some trim. Everything else is pretty much the same. 

 And before you ask Click Here for the directions to make the ribbon rose. I know. I love it too. And it is so easy to make!!

  I tried to make the tea bag holder feminine, and with a tea room kind of look. You know. Blushing Bride pink, Eyelet Lace (punched trim), Ribbon, Pearls, and a soft striped wallpaper behind the tea cups. Well the wallpaper is really Blushing Bride designer paper  - but it works! I hope you like this cute little project and I hope you will try one of your own.

Stamps: Morning Cup and Word Play
Paper: Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride, White, Blushing Bride dsp (hostess pack)
Ink: Black Stazon, SU markers
Accessories: Blushing Bride Ribbon, Eyelet Border Punch, Sticky Strip, Basic Pearls, Paper Piercing Tool, Blender Pen, Decorative Label punch, dimensionals

   Thank goodness it is Friday. Hope you have a good one.

It's a Purse, it's a Note Box, no it's a ...

  It's a Treat Holder in the shape of a pumpkin! Well it could be made into a purse and apparently that is what the original idea/project was. And it could be a Note Box because that is what Holly, the talented 3-D Challenge hostess at Stampin Addicts made it into. CLICK HERE for the tutorial.

I love treat holders, so I made it into this.

Here is a side view.

   Isn't that designer paper on the front of it just yummy? It is from the new designer paper found in the Holiday Mini. It is called Autumn Spice. Even the name is yummy. And it is specialty paper which means it is textured and heavy-weight which is perfect for projects like this. 

NOTE: I have no idea why the font on the paragraph above is so much smaller! Sorry.

  There is not much stamping involved, just the leaves and they are from the coordinating stamp set, Day of Gratitude. I stamped, cut, sponged and bent them for a more realistic look. And you know, I was going to add a saying either at the top or on the bottom like Holly did but I left it plain and simple. 

  I will be making 2 more of these and sending them off to my daughters come October. Of course I will be making some other things to send as well!

Stamps: Day of Gratitude - Holiday Mini

Paper:   Tangerine Tango, Cajun Craze, Peach Parfait, Vanilla cardstock

            Autumn Spice specialty designer paper - Holiday Mini

Ink: Cajun Craze, Old Olive

Accessories: Hemp Twine, Old Olive Button, Big Shot, Scallop Circle die, Clear Circle die, Circle Scissors Plus, Oval Punch (for the stem).


I hope you have a chance to stamp today!

Perfect for a Collage

  I hope you had a wonderful Labor Day. I know I did! I "labored" with my stamps. Ha! I would hardly call that labor. I was able to stamp a few things - see what you think of this one.  

  The Holiday Mini stamp set called French Foliage, is perfect for a collage. Remember a few years back when collage style stamping was so popular? I loved it cause it is so easy to do and you really can't mess it up! 

  All I did was take the images, and a clear block, and stamped them randomly across my cardstock. I used the clear block just as I did with THIS CARD except I just inked it up and stamped it here and there in my collage. Then I sponged the edges. I also stamped the cardstock base with one of the images from the set - just to give it that little extra something!

  The sketch is once again from the fabulous stamping site, Stampin Addicts. Seriously folks I hope you try some of their challenges!

  The focal point was easy. It is just a leaf stamped in Tangerine Tango and More Mustard. I then sponged a little right over the top and added a saying from the set, Thank You Kindly. You could leave it sayingless (I don't think that is a word. lol) and that would be fine too.

  Now comes my moment of indecision. The sketch called for a horizontal rectangle so I added a strip of retired Tangerine Tango ribbon that I sponged with More Mustard to soften its look. But I am not loving the ribbon. What do you think? Should I have used cardstock? Opinions are welcome!

Stamps: French Foliage - Holiday Mini

            Thank You Kindly

Paper:  Tangerine Tango, More Mustard and Vanilla cardstock

Ink:      Tangerine Tango, More Mustard, Concord Crush

Accessories: Dimensionals, Sponge, Tangerine Tango ribbon (retired)

Thanks for looking! 

It's Delicious!

   I made this card yesterday for the Clean and Simple Challenge on Splitcoaststampers. The challenge was/is to create a card with the inspiration being the word "delicious". I think of many things when I think of that word - mainly having to do with chocolate. lol. But I had just been looking at the Stampin' Up! stamp set, Countryside which I own but have yet to use. And it contains an image of one little apple so when I saw the challenge I thought "aha, I know just the thing - a Red Delicious Apple"!!

  After creating the card shown I kept trying to add a button here or a button there or maybe some ribbon but it just wasn't working so I stepped back, looked at it, and decided I liked it just the way it is. And the Textured Wild Wasabi cardstock really gives it a nice touch. I decided I need to get more textured cardstock in other colors!

Stamps: Countryside

Paper: Woodland Walk designer paper

            Wild Wasabi textured, Crumb Cake cardstock

            Watercolor paper

Ink: Black Stazon

        Stampin' Up! markers 

Accessories: Blender pen, 1" circle punch, Neutral brads, Corner rounder punch

                       Decorative Label punch - Holiday Mini

Have a blessed day!