Stampin Addicts Sketch Challenge

It has been ages since I participated in a challenge, any challenge. If you need to be motivated or just can't find your creativity, a Challenge just may do the trick. I know they really help me because I find myself reaching for the same colors and using the same sketch way too much. 

So today's card uses this week's Sketch Challenge on the Stampin Addicts web site. If you aren't familiar with Stampin Addicts, it is a Stampin' Up! Only (Non Demos and Demos) website with forums and a gallery and a positive attitude. If you have time, I would encourage you to check it out.

I loved this sketch because it is so different from the norm. And it was easy to create!

Details: 

• The border was stamped with one of the three borders in the Borderlines stamp set. This is a set that is easily overlooked in the catalog (pg. 148) because it looks like a Wheel. 
• The designer paper was cut by using the Big Shot and Perfect Pennants Bigz die
• The image was stamped on Watercolor paper, then cut out and attached with dimensionals
• The Paper Piercer was used to add a circle around the center circle. I just eyeballed it.

Stamps:  Borderlines (wm 122640; cm 122642); Always Thankful (wm 123787; cm123789) from Holiday Mini

Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron cardstock; Watercolor Paper; Paisley Petals dsp

Ink: Black Stazon, So Saffron; Stampin' Up! markers

Other: Big Shot, Perfect Pennants Bigz die; Buttons, Linen Thread; Paper Piercer, dimensionals, Aquapainter; 2 1/2" Circle Punch

Have a wonderful weekend!

Clear Block Stamping with French Foliage

I needed a simple thank you card - simple and mailable - so I took out my French Foliage stamp set and created this.

One of the easiest techniques is using a clear acrylic block as a stamp. It doesn't stamp a solid image because of the nature of the block but some blocks will pick up more ink than others. It is a fun, funky way to use those clear blocks! Once the block is stamped, just stamp any solid image right over the top. 

For my card, I inked up the leaf stamp with Old Olive and then rolled the stamp in some More Mustard just to add some "fall" color. 

Note: I used Confetti Cream cardstock for the base. It has these lovely green flecks in it which is perfect for an autumn card - or Christmas as seen Here.

Stamps: French Foliage, Fabulous Phrases

Paper: Confetti Cream, Sahara Sand, Old Olive, More Mustard, More Mustard dsp

Ink: Sahara Sand, Old Olive, More Mustard

Accessories: Clear Acrylic Block, More Mustard Dotted Ribbon, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Modern Label Punch

Happy Friday!

Old fashioned thank you

I needed another thank you for another co- worker. This time it was for our Administrative Assistant. I figured she would love the old fashioned typewriter image from Established Elegance stamp set. She told me she learned to type on one of these babies so she loved the card. I'm not sure those memories of banging away on her old Royal were good memories though. Lol.

This card is pretty straight forward so I will just give the supplies and be done!

Please feel free to visit my Online Store if you see something you would like to order.

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Established Elegance

Ink: Basic Black

Paper: Real Red, Very Vanilla, Basic Black, First Editions dsp

Other: Basic black striped ribbon, Antique Brad, Scallop Trim Border punch, brads, Hobby Blade, Big Shot, 3" circle die, Mini Glue dots

Thanks for stopping. Have a wonderful creative day!

Goose on chair and where did the basket go?

I hope you had a good weekend. I sure did!

Today's card is another Christmas/holiday card but could easily be used for any occasion. Just remove the Stitched Felt Holly. I will be using it as a thank you card come Christmas time.

If you have the Cherish Friendship stamp set you may have noticed that the stamp image of the chair also has a basket on said chair. I wanted to put the goose on the chair, tie a bow around its neck and make a holiday card out of it. You know - a country goose kind of look. 

First I stamped, colored and cut out my goose. That way I could figure out where on the chair I wanted him/her to go.

To "remove" the basket, I did a simple masking technique. First I placed a small piece of sticky note on the side of the chair to mask the foliage. Then I stamped my image on another piece of sticky note and cut out the basket, placed it on my stamp and with the stamp image facing up I inked it with Black Stazon. IMPORTANT: remove the sticky notes before you stamp!!

Once it was stamped on watercolor paper I used my Black Stampin Write Journaler to carefully draw the missing lines on the chair's back. Don't worry it was easy to do and the Journaler is permanent ink so it didn't smear when I colored.

I used Stampin' Up! Markers to color and blended a little Crumb Cake with a blender pen where the goose's head is. The head blended in with the background too much so I added that little bit of shading.

To attach the goose to the chair I used dimensionals. 

And that, my friends, is where the basket went. The Stripes textured impressions embossing folder is one of my favorites for backgrounds such as this. To add definition to the stripes, just lightly swipe a sponge  back and forth. 

Visit my Online Store by Clicking Here if you would like to place an order.

Stamps: Cherish Friendship, Pretty Postage

Paper: Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Watercolor Paper, Well Worn dsp

Ink: Black Stazon, SU Markers, Basic Black Stampin Write Journaler

Accessories: Big Shot, Stripes tief, sponge, dimensionals, Blender Pen, brads, 1/8" Real Red Ribbon, mini glue dots, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch, Stitched Felt Holly (Holiday Mini)

Thanks for stopping!

French Foliage Emboss Resist

Emboss Resist is such a fun technique. And it is easy! Just stamp the images with Versamark, then emboss with Clear embossing powder. After that is done, sponge (or brayer) the colors of your choice. Don't forget to "buff" the embossed images to remove any ink.

Yesterday a Christmas card, today I am back to Autumn. This was a thank you for one of my co-workers. He's a guy so I didn't want it to be too froo, frooey (my made up word. lol). 

Visit my Online Store by Clicking Here if you would like to place an order.

Stamps: French Foliage, Thanks You Kindly

Paper: Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake cardstock

Ink: Versamark, Cajun Craze, Old Olive, More Mustard

Other: Clear Embossing Powder, Twine, Library clip, Gold brads, corner rounder punch

Thanks for visiting. Have a wonderful weekend!

Perfect Pennant Christmas

I was in the Christmas mood today. I think it's because I went shopping yesterday and everywhere I went I was confronted with Christmas! What happened to Halloween and Thanksgiving? So after seeing all of the Christmas decor, I became convinced I need to get going on my Christmas Cards! I don't send many - just close family - but I do send alot of Christmas thank you cards.

I still love the vintage look and pulled out the background set, Christmas Collage and it's companion set, Bells and Boughs. Both sets work separately - I just chose to combine them for this card.

First I die cut my Christmas Tree with the Big Shot and Perfect Pennant Bigz die. Once it was cut, I used the Christmas Collage background stamp and stamped the largest pennant. The tree stand one of the other smaller pennants, trimmed to fit.

For my background I used Confetti Cream cardstock. I only have a few sheets left because I haven't used it in years. Seriously! It is a lovely cardstock: creamy with a green fleck throughout. I am so glad I discovered it again. Lol. The stamped images are from the Bells and Boughs stamp set as well as the Music Notes Stampin Around Wheel. 

I was going to keep this card flat and mailable but I couldn't resist the Antique Brad at the top. Oh well, I will just have to pay the extra postage my post office will require. :)

See anything you like? Click Here for my Online Store.

Stamps: Christmas Collage Background, Bells And Boughs, Music Notes Stampin Around Wheel

Paper: Always Artichoke, Confetti Cream

Ink: Always Artichoke

Other: Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, Antique Brad, Big Shot, Perfect Pennants Bigz die, sponge, Wide Oval Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Snow Burst embossing folder (Holiday Mini)

Thanks for stopping. Hope its a great day!

Big Shot Blog Hop!

Welcome to the Stampin Addicts Big Shot Blog Hop,  featuring the Big Shot and the wonderful things you can make with it! Best of all this Hop coincides with the Stampin' Up! October Big Shot special - receive a FREE Big Shot!

Please note that the Hop begins at noon so all of the links may not be working just yet. Be sure to come back because this could be the best Blog Hop yet!

If you came from Yapha Mason's blog, you are at the right place. Didn't she do a fabulous job with the Matchbox Die?! If you just joined the hop, don't worry. The Blog Hop goes full circle - just follow the links.

<-------- Previous Blog

I am featuring the Box #2 Bigz XL Die, a die I happen to love and use alot! 

My first project was inspired by Tammy Fite's Halloween treat box. It uses the Box #2 as its base. I used the Winter Wishes Stitched Felt wreath from the Holiday Mini and made mine a Christmas treat box! And best of all, it is so easy to make! 

Stamps: Four the Holidays

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler dsp

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Wild Wasabi Striped Ribbon, Oval Punch, sponge, Winter Wishes Stitched Felt (Holiday Mini)

Other: Big Shot, Box #2 Bigz XL Die

My next project uses the Box #2 in a vertical position. 

I used the Perfect Pennants Bigz L die and Silver Glimmer Paper to make a sparkly Christmas tree for the front of my Box #2. Elegant but simple, it is perfect for the Holidays.

Paper: Brushed Silver, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper

Accessories: White Satin Ribbon, Eyelet Border Punch, Sticky Strip

Other: Big Shot, Box #2 Bigz XL Die, Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die

Halloween is just around the corner and the Box #2 is perfect for this treat container. I punched out the center, added a piece of Window Sheet and filled it with candy. To make it even more special, I added a stamped piece of Shimmery White cardstock to the back!

Stamps: Haunted Forest (Holiday Mini)

Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Shimmery White, Cajun Craze dsp

Ink: Black Stazon, Elegant Eggplant, Chocolate Chip, Cajun Craze, More Mustard

Accessories: Wide Oval Punch, Window Sheet, Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Brads, Corner Rounder Punch,  Sponge, Sticky Strip, Dazzling Details (owl's and cat's eyes)

Other: Big Shot, Box #2 Bigz XL Die

One more project - a card file for 3 x 3 cards! Again, the Box #2 is the base. 

The sides are 1/4 sheets of cardstock covered with dsp. And to jazz it up, I added a flower made with the Big Shot and the Fun Flowers Bigz L Die!

The Card File holds at least five 3 x 3 cards and envelopes. To make them, I used all 5 of the new In Colors - ink, cardstock, ribbon, and brads!

Stamps: Four Frames, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Pool Party, Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder, Very Vanilla, First Edition Specialty dsp

Ink: Basic Black, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder

Accessories: In Color Ruffled Ribbon, In Color Printed Brads, Oval Punch, Decorative Label Punch, dimensionals, sponge

Other: Big Shot, Box #2 Bigz XL Die, Fun Flowers Bigz L Die

Thanks for stopping by. The next stop on the Big Shot Blog Hop is Holly P.'s blog where she will entertain and inspire you with the Petite Pocket Die. 

Next Blog------->

I hope you will stop in again sometime! 

Shabby Chic Creative Elements

I just had the best weekend! My brother, his wife, and their children were here for the holiday weekend. We had so much fun and the weather actually cooperated with lots of sunshine! Boy are we tired though! And Gideon, our now big kitten was great with the children. He had a blast playing with them. Good times! 

I do have a card to show you today. It was inspired by a book cover I saw. I don't have a photo of the book because it was in a woman's hand. I didn't want to unnerve her by asking if I could take a picture of the front of her book because I wanted to make a card. :)

I sponged on the ink, then stamped some images from Creative Elements stamp set. I thought it needed something else so I added Log Cabin Smooch Spritz which kind of got away from me! The bottom left corner took a big hit of Smooch Spritz so I roughed up the edges a bit.

There are 3 layers of ribbon: Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, and the Chantilly Crochet Trim.

If you would like to place an order, click here to go to my Online Store.

Stamps: Creative Elements, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Pool Party, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Ink: Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Mahogany (Distressing Elements Kit), Log Cabin Smooch Spritz

Other: Antique Brad, Vintage Trinkets, Chantilly Crochet Trim, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, Distressing Elements Kit, sponge, Sticky Strip

Thanks for stopping by. And don't forget this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday is the Stampin Addict Blog Hop! Everyone is featuring something made with the Big Shot! 

Don't have a Big Shot but wish you did? Now is your chance! Click here to see how you can get one for FREE!

Puppy Punch Art Birthday Card

My niece's third birthday was the last week in September so I wanted to make her a Sound Card. I had made each of her siblings one so it was only fair that I made one for her too!

Because my family lives many hours away, I don't get to be there when they celebrate birthdays. That is one reason I love the Stampin' Up! Sound Cards. I can record a personal message to make the card even more special!

My brother's family are dog lovers to the max. They have 4 dogs at the moment so I thought it would be fun to create a birthday card using Punch Art. Today's card was inspired by this video tutorial. I changed it up a bit to make it look like my brother's Greater Swiss Mountain Dog.

I did use some retired paper from the 2010 Occasions Mini because it is glittery - perfect for a little girl's birthday card!

The puppy is a series of punched circles and ovals trimmed and folded. I added a little birthday present made from Red Glimmer Paper and White Organza Ribbon. 

The sentiment is punched and has a layer of Red Glimmer Paper behind it. This can be done by just punching 2 Decorative Labels, cutting them in half - one lengthwise, one widthwise and trimming any edges that show. 

I can't believe I forgot to take a picture of the inside! The number 3 (cut from Red Glimmer Paper) popped up. Too cute!

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Stamps: retired Birthday sentiment 

Paper: Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Whisper White cardstock

           Red Glimmer Paper, Sending Love Specialty paper (retired)

Ink: Basic Black ink and marker

Other: Sound Card, Decorative Label Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, 1/2" circle punch, circle punch from Itty Bitty Punch pack, Wide Oval punch, Large oval punch, small oval punch (retired), sponge, White Organza Ribbon, dimensionals, mini glue dots

Reminder: Stampin Addicts is having a Big Shot Blog Hop October 14 - 16 (next weekend)! All projects in the Hop will feature the Big Shot which you can receive for FREE! Click Here for more information.

Thanks for looking!

Leaves of a Tree

It has been a looong time since I participated in any Sketch Challenges. The timing is just never right! Today's card is last week's sketch over at Stampin Addicts. 

I love working with circles so this was a fun card for me!

I used the Woodgrain background stamp for the background which seemed appropriate! A little strip of cardstock punched with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch was added to the left side for some visual interest. 

My focal point was stamped with a single stamp, Leaves of a Tree, from the Holiday Mini catalog. Its leaves are just beginning to turn colors for the Fall season!

To get those little dabs of color in the tree, I inked it with Pear Pizzazz. Then I added color here and there with SU markers, including the trunk and tree branches. 

Stamps: Leaves of a Tree

Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Cajun Craze, Pear Pizzazz

Other: Cajun Craze Striped Ribbon, Hemp Twine, Button, punch, Big Shot, 3" Circle Bigz die, sponge

Hope your day is a creative one!