Stampin Addicts Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Stampin Addicts Blog Hop 

featuring stamps and products from the 

Summer Mini Catalog!

  If you arrived from Yapha Mason's blog, Rubber Stamping & Card Making With Yapha, you are in the right place. If you just joined the hop, that is ok too because the blog hop goes full circle. Just follow the links!

   Everyone on the tour signs up for a specific stamp/product. I chose the stamp set, Fabulous Florets for my projects. It was an obvious choice for me because I love flowers and I love how this stamp set offers watercolor opportunities...or not!

  This set is especially good for Mother's Day! I wanted my card to be extra special for my mom so I made a spray of flowers by using some masking techniques and cutting out individual flowers.

  I was soooo excited to see Baker's Twine being offered in the Summer Mini catalog! I used the Early Espresso/White version on my mother's day card. Love it!

Stamps: Fabulous Florets (Summer Mini), Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: River Rock, Early Espresso, Whisper White

Ink: Poppy Parade, Early Espresso, River Rock, Bashful Blue, Perfect Plum

Accessories: Early Espresso Baker's Twine (Summer Mini), Basic Pearls, dimensionals, Color Spritzer Tool, sponge, aquapainter, oval punch, Scallop oval punch

  Another advantage of the Fabulous Florets stamp set is how easy it is to make clean and simple cards just by using different colors of ink. That is exactly what I did for the cards in the Flower Cart Gift Set I made.

  The flower cart is one I created from cardstock and then decorated with the Fabulous Florets stamp set. The top of the cart comes off (it's really a lid) and holds a set of hand stamped cards. I made 4 note cards (4-1/4" x 5-1/2"), but it easily holds more, including the envelopes.

I deliberately made the cards without sentiments so they can be used for any purpose. This would make a lovely gift for anyone who enjoys flowers/gardening!

I know I will be asked for directions for the flower cart. All I can say is I will try to do a tutorial, but no promises.

Directions are posted. You can view them by clicking HERE. 

Stamps: Fabulous Florets (Summer Mini)

Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Marina Mist, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Peach Parfait, Crumb Cake

Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler, Peach Parfait, Crumb Cake marker

Accessories: Color Spritzer Tool, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, 1-3/4" circle punch, 1-3/8" circle punch, 1-1/4" circle punch, Jumbo Eyelets

And speaking of gardening - here is another easy gift for the flower lover. It is an apron card with a front pocket just the right size to hold a packet of seeds. 

 The solid flower image in the Fabulous Florets stamp set easily becomes a zinnia just by using bright, cheery colors of ink! 

  I folded the top of the seed packet down so the price is not visible. 

Stamps: Fabulous Florets (Summer Mini)
Paper: Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Ink: Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango, Wild Wasabi
Accessories: Pumpkin Pie 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, White Brads

  Time to hop along to the next blog which haIppens to be Barbara Welch's blog, Creative Stampin' Spot. You can get there by clicking on her name or on the arrow below. Enjoy!!

   Thanks for stopping. If you enjoyed these projects, I hope you will come back and visit me again! 

Classic on Craft

  Reminder: Stampin Addicts Blog Hop featuring 

Summer Mini Sneak Peaks 

Noon, Friday, April 29 - Sunday, May 1st

  We had a chuckle yesterday at the library where I work. I work with children, so chuckles abound! My co worker was giving a tour of our children's library to a group from a local preschool. He was explaining the slot in our circulation desk where patrons return books. Apparently one youngster in the group wasn't grasping the concept of returning books because she wanted to know if that is where we shred the books!?  Note: we do not shred books!

  Well I made this card a few weeks ago when I was just goofing around with White Craft ink. I layered the classic ink with the craft ink - no heat embossing. I like the shadowy effect it gives.

  First I stamped the En Francais background stamp on the Sahara Sand cardstock. Next I stamped the Medallion background stamp using White Craft ink. Finally I used the bird from Friends 24-7 and stamped right on the White Craft ink with Concord Crush classic ink.

  Of course some distressing and some cool, First Edition designer paper pull it all together!

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Medallion background, En Francais background, Friends 24-7

Paper: Concord Crush, Sahara Sand cardstock, First Edition dsp (Occasions Mini)

Ink: Sahara Sand, Concord Crush, Whisper White Craft

Other: Basic Pearls, Scallop Oval punch, Sponge, Vintage Flower Adornment (Occasions Mini) 

Have a wonderful Thursday!

Four Frames and Bunny

  

 I combined 2 stamp sets for today's card: The Nicest Things and Four Frames, the April promotional set. Four Frames, along with the designer paper seen here, Paisley Prints, are available only through April 30th. I just realized April 30th is on Saturday! Just sayin'. 

 To eliminate the word "carrots" from the flower pot, I used the Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler (permanent ink)to outline the bunny and flower pot but not the word. By using a permanent black marker, I could watercolor without fear of a smear. The Journaler is different from the Basic Black marker for that very reason. 

  After I cut out the bunny I used dimensionals to give it some height. Little tiny Pearls accented the card along the embossed border.

 I deliberately kept the background simple - small patterned, monochromatic paper and only a few embellishments. By doing this I felt the watercolored images would stand out more.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! If you would like to order anything or check out the April Promotion that I mentioned, click HERE. 

Stamps: The Nicest Things, Four Frames (promotional)

Paper: Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla, Watercolor paper, Paisley Prints dsp (promotional)

Ink: Black Stazon, Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler, SU markers

Accessories: Basic Pearls, Blender pen, dimensionals, Big Shot, Framed Tulips tief (Occasions Mini)

I am so glad you stopped in! I hope you will come back!

Tutorial for the Gift Box

  I hastily put together a tutorial for the (Bath Products) Gift Box I made for the Control Freaks Blog Tour. Those Summer Mini projects can be found by clicking HERE.

The original.

My box was stamped, but because I didn't have the time, the cardstock used for this is just plain white.

1. Cut 3 pieces of cardstock: 

• 7-1/2" x 10-1/4"
• 3" x 4"
• 1-1/4" x 4" - score at 1/2", 2", 3-1/2"

2. Cut 1 piece of Medium Window Sheet: 4" x 4" - set this aside for now.

3. You will need to score the 7-1/2" x 10-1/4" piece of cardstock.

• Score it at 1/2", 1-1/8"", 1-3/4", 5-3/4", 6-3/8", 7"
• Turn it and score it at 7-1/2", 8-3/4"

Stamp all pieces of cardstock at this point. Remember, for this tutorial, I left mine plain.

4. Trim as shown. 

5. Fold on all score lines. Notice how some folds are mountain, some valley.

6. Fold the cardstock, measuring 1-3/4" x 4" on score lines as shown.

7. Adhere together and add Sticky Strip to bottom as shown. This will go on the inside of the box to separate the 2 bottles of bath product. Set aside for now.

8. Add Sticky Strip to the 1/2" edges of box. 

9. Adhere the Window Sheet about 1-1/8" from the bottom.

10. Attach trim to one of  the 4" lengths of the cardstock measuring 3" x 4". If you are going to add brads for embellishments, now is the time to do so.

11. Adhere this piece (from step #10)  to the top of the box.

12. Fold up the bottom flap and adhere it. 

13. At this point you will need to add the "divider" from step #6. I found it easiest to just gently slide it down into the box, centering it on the bottom. Use a bone folder to smooth it firmly in place.

14. Fold the top of the box together and punch 2 ovals at the top for the handle. 

15. Add the bath products and embellishments. I added my flower with dimensionals. Tie a ribbon at the top.

Again, this is the original.

I hope you find this helpful! Any questions, feel free to email me.

Happy Easter

This is just a quick post to wish you a wonderful Easter.

I saved this card for today because it symbolizes the meaning of Easter for me. As I was photographing this card,

I noticed how the oval with the banner cutting it across the bottom, looks similar to the shape of the entrance to Jesus' s tomb. Or at least what we think it looks like. That was not intentional on my part.

I colored a Vanilla Ribbon Rosette with Blushing Bride marker, spritzed it with water and then once it dried, I added Frost White Shimmer Paint. Tiny Pearls adorn the centers of the flowers on the branch.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Crosses of Hope, Easter Blossoms (Occasions Mini)

Paper: Whisper White, Early Espresso

Ink: Versamark, Early Espresso, Blushing Bride

Other: White Embossing Powder, Big Shot, Scalloped Oval bigz die, Framed Tulips tief, dimensionals, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Basic Pearls, Vanilla Ribbon Rosette

Happy Resurrection Day! 

Wisteria on a Fence

  I just received another blog award - the Cherry on Top Award - from Jenny Young (no relation).

 If you have time, go to her blog Young Inker to check out her clean and classy projects. Thanks Jenny, for the award!! I really appreciate it!

So here is how my mind works. A few weeks ago I responded to a thread over at Stampin Addicts about In Colors we would like to see. I suggested a soft, purple called Winsome Wisteria. That got me thinking about the flower wisteria, which got me thinking about our neighbor's wisteria, and the love/hate relationship I have with that vine! 

  I love the vine because when it blooms it is beautiful, but mostly I hate it because it is so invasive on my side of the fence!! Trailers pop up everywhere and they drive me crazy! lol.

  After thinking about my neighbor's wisteria on the fence, and how I need to get outside and tackle those vines again, a card using Baby Blossoms for the wisteria and Perfect Details Texture plate for the fence began to take shape in my mind. Here is the result.

  Every garden needs a birdbath for the birds! I made mine with various oval punches. And if you notice the bird, I added "feathers" to its wing by using the same stamp that I used for the wisteria! Don't forget that time is running out on the Occasions Mini Catalog. Only eight more days to order from it, including the Baby Blossoms stamp set shown today.


All supplies for this card are Stampin' Up!. If you would like to place an order, just click here.


Stamps: Baby Blossoms (Occasions Mini)
Paper: Perfect Plum, Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Playdate dsp, Crumb Cake
Ink: Perfect Plum, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Pear Pizzazz seam binding ribbon, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Oval Punch, Wide Oval punch, Big Shot, Perfect Details Texture Plate, Square Lattice tief, Corner rounder punch, sponge


Have a wonderful day!  

Control Freaks Blog Tour - Summer Mini Sneak Peak!

It is time for another Control Freak's Blog Tour brought to you by Control Freak Swappers!

With the debut of the Summer Mini Catalog on May 1st, the theme for today's tour is.... Summer Mini Catalog Sneak Peaks!

 If you arrived from Dawn Olchefske's blog, Dostamping with Dawn, then you have arrived at the right place. If you are just beginning the Tour with me, don't worry. The tour goes full circle so just follow the links. Enjoy the sneak peaks!

  My sneak peaks are: a new stamp set called Flower Fest, new stamp set called Happy Greetings, new Melon Mambo and Wild Wisabi Embossing powder, and new designer paper called Beyond the Garden.

  There are so many fun techniques that you can use with this stamp set! For my card, I chose to heat emboss with the new embossing powders and color with ink and and an aquapainter. 

  The BEST part of this stamp set?? Each flower, and the butterfly coordinates with a punch so other than the leaves, there is no cutting involved! Can you say easy?!

Our local Bath and Body Works had a huge moving sale so I bought up lots of the 3 ounce shower gels and lotions. They make wonderful gifts! And gifts need special packages - made easy with stamps, punches, and ribbon. 

 To make my box, I stamped the images from Flower Fest stamp set on Whisper White cardstock. The colors of the bath product determined my color choices for ink. 

 A close up of the window and the flower embellishment, also embossed and colored with ink and Aquapainter.

   

The back of the gift box offers a better view of the fun stamp images. 

Stamps: Flower Fest, Happy Greetings (Summer Mini - May 1st)

Paper: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Beyond the Garden dsp (Summer Mini - May 1st)

Ink: Melon Mambo, Peach Parfait, Wild Wasabi, Certainly Celery, Daffodil Delight, Pretty in Pink, Versamark

Other: Color Spritzer Tool, Aquapainter, Medium Window Sheet, Scallop Border Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Oval Punch, Butterfly Punch, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Fancy Flower Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Daffodil Delight Satin Ribbon, Filigree Designer Brad, Basic Rhinestones, Big Shot, Clear Circle Die, sponge, dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Melon Mambo and Wild Wasabi Embossing Powder (Summer Mini  - May 1st)

 The next stop on the Control Freak's Tour is  Connie Babbert's, Inkspired Treasures.  Have fun and come back soon!

Shimmer Paint

Reminder: Control Freaks Blog Tour is coming on 

Tuesday, April 20th. 

Get ready for some Summer Mini Catalog Sneak Peaks!!

  Today's card features some Occasions Mini products and Shimmer Paint - all of which I use with great fondness.

  The stamp set I used is Baby Blossoms and I tried to make it into a viney looking swag of flowers. How's that for a description? lol. The saying, however, is Curly Cute from the Idea Book and Catalog.

Close up of the saying - I used a marker on the stamp.

The main thing I want to point out about this card though, is the Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint I used on the edges. This is hands down my favorite of the Shimmer Paints. It gives everything this vintage, lustrous shimmer and I highly recommend it! For this particular card, I used a Sponge Dauber and just brushed the paint lightly around the edges and on the corners. A wonderful, inexpensive wow. 

Stamps: Curly Cute, Baby Blossoms (Occasions Mini)

Paper: Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Whisper White

Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, More Mustard, Baja Breeze

Other: Wide Oval Punch, dimensionals, Sponge Dauber, Color Spritzer Tool, Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint, Baja Breeze Seam Binding Ribbon(Occasions Mini), Glimmer Brad (Occasions Mini), Basic Pearl, Bitty Punch Pack

All supplies are Stampin' Up! If you would like to order from me, you can do so by clicking HERE. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Birthday card for chocolate lover

Reminder: Control Freaks Blog Tour is coming on 

Tuesday, April 20th. 

Get ready for some Summer Mini Catalog Sneak Peaks!!

 My sister-in-law had a birthday this month and since she is a chocolate lover, I made her this card!

  I like to make my birthday cards with the person in mind, whether it be their favorite color or something they enjoy - anything that gives it a personal touch!

 This is my first attempt making an Easel Card and it wasn't difficult at all! Click HERE for a tutorial. 

 I used 2 stamp sets from the Occasions Mini, which is only available through April 30th. Yikes! I made a cake stand by first texturizing Whisper White cardstock. Then I used the Scallop Border Punch and Oval Punch to make the layers. I wanted it to look like milk glass! The cake stand idea is not my original idea so please don't be impressed with me!

 The inside looks like this. I love the To Do List from the Eat Chocolate stamp set! Since my  sister-in-law has 5 small children, she does alot of laundry and alot of cleaning which makes the To Do List even better!

The card was 5-1/4" x 5-1/4" square.

All Supplies are Stampin' Up!. If you would like to place an order with me, 

please click HERE then go to the Product tab to shop now.

Stamps: Eat Chocolate, Create a Cupcake (Occasions Mini)
Paper: Chocolate Chip textured cardstock, Whisper White
Ink: Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink, Pear Pizzazz, So Safffron, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso; Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Pear Pizzazz, Baja Breeze markers
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dot tief, Scallop Border Punch, Oval Punch, Build a Cupcake punch (Occasions Mini), Basic Pearls, Basic Rhinestones, Pretty in Pink Grosgrain, Rhinestone brad, Crystal Effects, Mini Glue Dots


Thanks for stopping by! I hope you will pop in again real soon.

Four Frames Elegant Lines

 This is one more sample of the Four Frames stamp set, available through April 30th. It will be available again in July when the new Idea Book and Catalog is revealed but you may not want to wait till then! Details can be found HERE.

 You know I think the Elegant Lines textured impressons embossing folder makes any card look good, I really do. This is a case in point. All I did was add some scallops to the bottom, stamp and punch out the image and then add a few Basic Pearls. That's it! One color of ink, and no coloring.

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Four Frames (promotion)

Paper: Basic Black, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black

Other: Big Shot, Elegant Lines tief, Basic Pearls, Scallop Border Punch

  

Until the next time, take care, and happy stamping.

Bluebird, bluebird

  My brother in Pennsylvania, tells me they have had bluebirds for a while now. Not so here - at least I haven't seen any yet. I have seen robins though!

  Talking about bluebirds made me want to stamp some! So I pulled out the Every Moment stamp set and made the bird into a bluebird. Now I really don't think bluebirds hang out in cat tails but oh well  - mine is! So, he's off track a little. lol.

  After I stamped and colored my bluebird, I had to figure out what to do with it, and then a light bulb went off! The Paisley Petals designer paper is a perfect match, so I trimmed the paper to frame my bird in the best possible way. 

  The Paisley Prints designer paper is only available until April 30th. If you would like more details, please click HERE. The Four Frames stamp set (not used today) is also part of this promotion.

Stamps: Every Moment and Three Little Words

Paper: Not Quite Navy, Watercolor paper, Paisley Prints dsp (Spring Blossoms promotion)

Ink: Black Stazon, Crumb Cake, SU Markers

Accessories: Blender Pen, Color Spritzer Tool, Twine, Button

Hope you have a wonderful creative day!

From Craft Table to Card

 A quick post today. I had a Bashful Blue Scallop Square hanging around my craft table for quite a while and decided it was time to put it on a card! The Notably Ornate stamp set is a good match as far as the shape so I went with that. 

  To ruffle the ribbon I used the Sticky Strip method and randomly folded the ribbon back and forth. It is easy to do but you have to like the messy look - at least that is what I call it!

Stamps: Notably Ornate

Paper: Botanical Gazette dsp, Early Espresso, Bashful Blue, Whisper White 

Ink: Early Espresso

Other: Big Shot, Clear Scallop Square, Buttons, Linen Thread, Basic Pearl, sponge, Wide Oval punch, Early Espresso Satin Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Modern Label punch

  

  

  

Where do you get your inspiration?

  

 Sometimes I get asked the question, "where do you get your inspiration?". And the answer is that I get inspired by various things: Nature (alot), magazines, art, fabric - basically lots of things inspire me! Sometimes an idea just pops into my head. Not so with today's card.

 At church this past Sunday, I couldn't help but notice the gorgeous floral arrangement on the altar. It was my kind of arrangement - very informal with lots of color and a variety of flowers and greenery. 

 I admit, as David preached my mind wandered a bit. So I finally sketched the arrangement on the inside of my bulletin with the intent to eventually recreate it with paper and ink! And that is my true confession. lol. 

  But look how that little sketch evolved into a card!

   I used Baby Blossoms stamp set and created my own bouquet. The one at church had way more variety but I wanted to keep mine simple.

  I also wanted a clear vase so I used my Wide Oval Punch and a Medium Window Sheet to create the "vase". You can't really see it in the photo. Bummer because it looks so cool! At first I was going to keep the vase clear but then I decided to do some water coloring beneath the vase to give the illusion of water.

   And wouldn't you know it - after completing my bouquet I got a small smudge of ink on the bottom of the card. Arrrrg! So that is why the button is there. There was no way I was going to start over!

 What inspires you? I'd love to hear about it!

Stamps: Baby Blossoms (Occasions Mini)

Paper: Whisper White, Certainly celery

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze

Accessories: Big Shot, Framed Tulip tief, Wide Oval Punch, Medium Window Sheet, Aquapainter, dimensionals, button, crochet thread

With fond wishes for a wonderful day.

Daffodils are a delight

 Daffodils are such bright and cheerful flowers and I am a big fan! Every winter when I don't think I can stand much more of the snow and cold, potted daffodils begin to appear in the stores. David always remembers to buy me some because he knows they make me happy! They remind me that Spring is just around the corner! 

  For today's card I used 2 stamps from the Awash With Flowers stamp set,and made daffodils! 

 To make the daffodils I stamped the bottom petals directly on the cardstock first. Then I stamped the same thing on another piece of cardstock and cut out the petals. I sponged each one before attaching them to my stamped flower. This gave the flower some dimension. 

 The cup portion of the daffodil was completely stamped, sponged, and cut out first. Some Basic Pearls dressed it up just a tad.

  The Awash With Flowers stamp set doesn't have a daffodil type leaf so I made my own with Grosgrain Ribbon. Finally, I added some specks of Daffodil Delight by using one of my favorite tools - the Color Spritzer Tool. Love that thing!

  This card gave me so much pleasure while creating it. I love the colors and design!

Stamps: Awash With Flowers, Bring On The Cake (Occasions Mini)

Paper: Daffodil Delight, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Certainly Celery

Other: Basic Pearls, Certainly Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Oval Punch, Sponge, Color Spritzer Tool

Thanks for stopping by,