Bright Blossoms for Mother's Day

Another Mother's Day card coming today :) I made the spiral card last week for my MIL and I needed a card for my own mom too, of course. I was already planning on using the color combo in last week's Pals Paper Arts Challenge ~ Calypso Coral, Baja Breeze and So Saffron ~ but I wasn't sure what sketch to use. I was browsing a friend and downline's blog and came across the Retro Sketches Challenge. I loved this week's sketch so I flipped it and combined it with the color combination I was going to use.

I wanted to show off the color contrast as much as possible. As luck would have it, the Bright Blossoms stamp set (a 2012-2013 cattie sneak peek) has three larger flower images. I stamped and cut each of them out. I used Stampin' Dimensionals to adhere them to my card so that they popped out a bit. I love how it all turned out.

Tips & Tricks:

*I don't *love* cutting images out, I much prefer punches. But sometimes to get the effect I want, it's necessary. I always use my SU! Paper Snips to help me out ~ LOVE them.
*See how the 'Mom' is written in the three-color combination too? I used my Stampin' Write Markers for that. Love how I can stamp with them because they have the same ink in them as the ink pads.
*Yeah, the Seam Binding ribbon frays more easily than others. But I think that just adds to its charm. And you can't deny that the sheen it has is just gorgeous.
*I couldn't make a spiral card for one mom and not the other ;) So I used the smaller floral images from Bright Blossoms for the spiral inside this card.

I hope our moms love their cards! I've just received my new catalog preorder so I've got to run to play ~ after I get my son down for his nap. Be on the look out for more sneak peeks. 'Til then, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Flowers and Birds for Mother's Day

This month, I have the privilege of being a Guest Designer for the Friday Mashup Challenge. I was super excited AND nervous to present my first project to these wonderful ladies - and to all of you! The Friday Mashup is also teaming up with the Paper Lovin' Gals. So our challenge was a bit bigger this week:

1. Make a project for "Mom, Grandmother, Aunt, etc..."
2. Or make a project with a "Pop-Up Element"
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Pop-Up Project for Mom"
4. Or join in Both Challenges and create a "Pop-Up Project for Mom using the inspiration photo." 

I did make a card for my mom and MIL, as well as a pop-up project. I also wanted to use the Everything Eleanor stamp set which will be in the upcoming 2012-2013 Idea Book & Catalogue. This stamp set looks so pretty with Wisteria Wonder. So I didn't use the inspiration photo - I only mashed it up two ways ;)

Here's what I came up with:

I know, I know. The outside looks a bit plain. But look what happens when you OPEN the card:

The spiral pops out! I hope the moms are going to love it. I'm also featuring this card at my stamper's group this week-end so I hope they love it too.

Tips & Tricks:

*On this card, I used the 2-1/2" Circle Punch to for the circle that I free-handed into a spiral. I have done this technique with a 1-3/4" circle and I think it works a bit better - the spiral is a bit more solid and you can see the images better.
*Yup, the flower and bird images are free-handed. But my Paper Snips made the task a snap!
*Use Sticky Strip to secure the two ends of the spiral to the card, as well as the stamped elements on the spiral.
*The 'Mom' sentiment on the front of my card is from the Family Reunion stamp set! Love its versatility.

I will be back with a tutorial on the spiral - give me a few days. There's a few visual tricks that would make it easier ;) 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Goodbye Gorgeous Medallion

Stampin' Up! is retiring a whole pile of stamps this year. A lot of stamps! On the one hand, I'm sad to see some go. On the other hand, it was needed. There are a lot of stamps in our catalogue that have been around for a very long time. With selling my house, I know how good a big purge feels. And I bet the folks at SU! feel the same way about this purge.

One of the stamps leaving us is the big Medallion. I'm going to miss this stamp a lot, but it has been around for 3 years and I know that SU! will have something even better for us in the new cattie :) I used this weeks Freshly Made Sketch for inspiration.

I'll also be doing this card at my Stamper's Group on Sunday. Do you love how the Medallion stands out on the card? I did the emboss resist technique and layered Soft Suede as well as Early Espresso inks. Hope my stampin' girls love it!

Tips & Tricks:

*I am so glad the the Bigz Beautiful Butterflies die isn't retiring. I love it and the impact it makes on my projects. Fold the butterflies in half, layer them together and voila - a flittering butterfly :)
*I love the strips of the Adhesive Jewels. I don't use them enough but I thought that the strip of pearls would be just perfect for my butterfly ~ isn't it great?

*To add a bit of a vintage look to my card, I teased the edges of my Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla card stock with my Bone Folder and pulled the layers apart. Stampin' Up! card stock is nice and thick so you can do this.

I really hope my stamper's group loves this card as much as I do. And my husband. And my daughter. But they may be a bit biased ;) 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Waterfall Card and Tutorial

This past week-end, I had a stamper's group and after seeing a fantastic swap at Leadership (I wish I could give credit but it wasn't a swap I received, I just saw it in passing...) I decided to do a waterfall card. This card has such an impact, looks so complicated but is actually very easy to make! I also designed this card with the Friday Mashup Challenge in mind. They asked us to do a card:
1) using the sketch they provided; or
2) using something new in our stamping stash; or
3) mash it up and do both.

Because I knew I wanted to do a waterfall card, the sketch didn't work for my card. But I did have a Sale-a-Bration stamp set, Elementary Elegance, that I hadn't used yet. I've used the Sweet Shop DSP before, but it's still pretty new in my stash and I love the colors so I used that, too. Finally, the waterfall card I saw at Leadership used the Labels Framelits and it looked so great! They're pretty new in my stash too :)

Look what happens when you pull the ribbon tab:

How awesome is that? The best thing about it is that it's not even that hard to make. See below for a quick and easy tutorial:

Step 1: For a standard 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 (A2) card, cut a piece of card stock that is 8-1/2" long. The width will depend on how wide you want the waterfall to be. Here I used the 2nd smallest Label Framelit and my strip is 2-1/2" wide.

Step 2: For four waterfall elements, score your cardstock (on the bad side of the card stock) in five places at even intervals with your Simply Scored scoring tool. I scored my card stock at 3/4", 1-1/2", 2-1/4", 3" and 3-3/4". You NEED that 5th score line, even if you have only 4 elements.

Step 3: Fold the card stock on all the score lines as shown.

Step 4: Adhere the waterfall elements (on this card, the labels) just below the following score lines: 3-3/4" for the upper most element, 3", 2-1/4" and 1-1/2"  for the last element. DO NOT adhere anything to the last scored area (3/4" score line;.

Step 5: On your card mat, use brads to attach a 4" x 1" strip of card stock or DSP about 1-1/4" from the bottom of the mat. DO NOT adhere this card stock with adhesive; you need your waterfall to pass through here.

Step 6: Put a strip of Sticky Strip at the top of the 1st score line (at 3/4").

Step 7: This is the tricky part. Slide the unscored portion of the waterfall card stock underneath the 4" x 1" strip of card stock or DSP that you attached with brads. Then, attach the Sticky Strip you put on in Step 6 to the top of 4" x 1" strip of card stock/DSP. Be very careful to adhere your waterfall on straight.  

Step 8: Decorate your card as desired.

See how it's *really* not that hard? There's a few steps, but once you've got the hang of it, it only takes about 20 minutes to make! The girls at my stamper's groups were thrilled with this card and I'm so glad! My mom will be getting this card for her birthday on Saturday and I hope she loves it too.

Does this card make you wonder a bit more about Stamper's Groups? If you're in Ottawa, drop me a line and I can tell you a bit more about how you can learn new techniques! 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity.

Happy New Baby Trifold Shutter

Back from Leadership and ready to get posting :) I sent my sister and her husband a card and a little gift to welcome their new blue bundle of joy. She got her package today so I'll finally post the card I made ~ I didn't want to spoil the surprise!

I wanted to make something super special and I know my sister loves Trifold Shutter Cards (click on the link for directions :) ). She loves how fancy they look and how they're so easy to display. So I went in that direction.

I once again used the Beau Chateau DSP - I've made some girly cards with it, but the Marina Mist and Bashful Blue colors are perfect for a little boy.

You may be wondering where I got the greeting. It's from an old, retired (from 1997!) stamp set, Cuddles & Tickles. I bought it when I first got into stamping over 4 years ago and it's one I won't give up ~ it's just too perfect. The baby carriage is from a current stamp set though, Baby Bundle.

Tips & Tricks:

*Don't you just love the baby feet? Our new stamp set in the Spring Mini, Baby Prints, is very similar.

*I just love the baby booties and onesie in the Baby Bundle stamp set. Even if you don't like cutting images out, these ones are pretty easy to trim with you Paper Snips.
*When I have a lot of card stock showing on a fancy card, I like using textured card stock. It just adds that much needed detail :)
*I love the new buttons in the Twitterpated suite of products. Aren't they adorable?

Hope you've enjoyed this card and I hope my sister does too. I'll be back soon! 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Layers Upon Wonderful Layers

It was like Christmas in Stamping Monica's stampin' studio today ~ my Occasions Mini preorder came! I ordered WAAAAAY more than I was planning and also got a ton of FREE loot... just because SU! is such a fantastic company :) :) :) I love love love being a demonstrator!

There were tonnes of awesome new products in the Mini: pleated ribbons, designer buttons, Framelits (Big Shot dies that create shapes in multiple sizes, similar to Spellbinders dies), Edgelits (card stock edge cutters) and coordinating edge embossing folders! Oh and some really great stamp sets. And Designer Papers. Actually everything :) I also got a bunch of Sale-a-bration loot (SAB runs from Jan 24 to March 31).

Gorgeous Pleated Ribbon and Designer Buttons

Today, I had absolutely no idea where to start. None. So many great products, which ones to work with??? I had to make a project for my upcoming stampers group (I promised them a project with new products) as well as some swaps. The swap cards will be a smidge different to make them a bit easier to make, but the idea will be the same.

I also chose to use the new stamp set P.S. I Love You. It is a super Valentine's stamp set, perfect for kids' valentines, as well as adult ones. This super cute sketch is from Freshly Made Sketches. It's a keeper, for sure. I love the Heart Framelits, coordinating hearts, or make a frame! Place it right over an image and cut it out with precision. Totally AWESOME :)

Tips & Tricks:

*My 3D butterfly and ornament have been real hits! So I thought, why not do it with the Heart Punch and coordinating image from P.S. I Love You. Need some details on how to make the 3D heart? Here's a previous Blog Post on 3D Butterflies - different punch, same idea :)

*This card is an angled easel card. I saw this concept at a demo meeting about a month ago and have been making it ever since. Love. It.
*I cut cupid out by hand ~ sometimes doing a bit of cutting has a great effect.
*Like the Designer Paper? It's the new Twitterpated DSP. It coordinates with the Blushing Bride Pleated Ribbon and Twitterpated Designer Buttons, both used on this card. Isn't it gorgeous?

I hope you've enjoyed this little Sneak Peek :) I'll be back with more soon because there's just so much awesome stuff! 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Sliding Treat Cup Card - Tutorial

I recently did this type of card with my stamper's group. I found a few tutorials, improvised on them for the group, but didn't really like any of them. They weren't easy to follow, the photos in them didn't really help me and I knew I could make a better one :p So below is my own tutorial. The sketch I used is from Freshly Made Sketches. It works perfectly for the Treat Cup cards.

1. For your standard A2 card, cut a 8-1/2” x 11” piece of card stock for your base, a 5-1/4” x 4” piece of card stock for your mat and a 5” x 3-3/4” piece of card stock for your card front.

2. Decorate your card front with any designer paper, etc., that you will be punching through. Choose where you will be placing the Sweet Treat Cup and punch out a hole in your card base with the 1-3/4” Punch.

3. Place your card mat (Cherry Cobbler here) and card front (Early Espresso with Designer Series Paper) on your card base and position it as desired. DO NOT adhere.

4. Carefully flip the card over. With a pencil, trace the 1-3/4” circle through the card base onto the Cherry Cobbler mat. This will mark where you will punch out the circle for the top two layers.

5. Punch out the 1-3/4” circle through the top two layers of your card. Now all three layers of your card have the 1-3/4” circle punched through them and will align properly.

6. Remove the adhesive from the Sweet Treat Cup and adhere to the middle layer (Cherry Cobbler on this card). Adhere the top layer of your card (Early Espresso here) onto the middle layer, fitting the hole over the Sweet Treat Cup.

7. Cut a 2” x 4” piece of card stock for your slider. Position it over the hole in the card base (Early Espresso layer). Using Sticky Strip (to make sure that your card doesn't fall apart – the treat cup layer is quite heavy) create a 'frame' for your slider to slide in and out of and to keep it in the right spot. Put Sticky Strip on the rest of the card base and put your card together.

8. When you've put your card together, you'll see the slider through the Treat Cup as shown in the picture below. The slider goes between the middle layer and card base (Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso).

9. Fill your treat cup from the inside of the card.

Funny thing, I didn't actually do any stamping on this card, except the Merry Christmas. But I did use a bunch of accessories including the Letters to Santa DSP, Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die as well as the Stocking Accents Originals Die. Isn't the Cherry Cobbler Waffle Ribbon just yummy? Love it!

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial and the card. Keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

'I Dig' Peekaboo Frames

Another Monday - another Mojo Monday Challenge. It's my son's little friend's second birthday on Wednesday and I need a card fitting for the occasion. That's one of the things I LOVE about making my own cards, I can customize them as much or as little as I want :) And what little boy doesn't love trucks and tractors. This is why I just had to have this new stamp set, I Dig You.

I also got a new Bigz L Big Shot die with my Holiday Mini preorder, Peekaboo Frames. I love love love it!  You can make frames with little flaps in a variety of shapes and sizes! I finally got a chance to use it on my card today, to hide the little guy's age, but you could also use it to hide a greeting, to make an advent calendar, or to hide a treat in your card.  I can't wait to use it in my upcoming Holiday and Christmas Classes.

The birthday boy can also be a little monkey, so I thought the circus-themed Big Top DSP was a perfect fit, with the perfect colors. I changed the orientation of the sketch to fit my card. I also punched out the circus balls from the DSP using my 1-inch Circle Punch and used those in place of a strip of ribbon or card stock as shown on the sketch.

Tips and Tricks:

*SU! makes coordination easy with their Designer Series Papers. With the Big Top DSP, I knew that Real Red and Tempting Turquoise would coordinate perfectly! 
*Even though I love SU!'s clear mount stamps, I got I Dig You in wood mount. When I want to stamp with my kids, wood mount is much easier to use and I knew that my 5-year-old and 2-year-old would want to use this set (and I was right!).
*The curly label Peekaboo Frame is 2-1/8" x 2" (inside dimensions). The Simple Numbers are 2-1/4" tall. To make my number fit I simply snipped the frame slightly bigger with my Paper Snips. And voila: Peekaboo, I see '2'!
*Use Stampin' Dimensionals (under the circus balls) to add a bit of dimension to your card.ling
*Add a bit of bliiiing to your card with our Basic Rhinestones.

*Love our Designer Series Paper? This month Buy 3 Get 1 FREE!  Now *that's* a deal!

Hope you've enjoyed this little Holiday Mini 'peekaboo' and keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Broadsheet Alphabet Collage Teacher Gifts

My daughter started at a brand spankin' new school in February. So even though they have 'some' decor, they definitely need some more. She's just finished Junior Kindergarten and they do a lot of alphabet learning early on.

At a stamping event a few months ago, I saw a lovely alphabet collage using the Broadsheet Alphabet stamp set. I thought it would make a lovely gift for Anna's teacher and ECE teacher. Keep in mind she's in a French school, so some of the images may appear to be in the wrong spaces (like the owl in the 'H' spot, and octopus in the 'P' spot). I did an animal theme and a transportation mode theme.

 

Little hints:

*I did the collages on a 12x12 page. The base circles are 1-3/4" in diameter, and the circles with the letters are 1-3/8". All the base circles are embossed with the lattice embossing folder.
*All the letters and images are on Stampin' Dimensionals - this gives the collage a bit of a 3D effect.
*I anticipate that the collages will be hung on the classroom walls (I attached Early Espresso and Basic Gray Satin Ribbon to the hooks on both frames and tied a decorative bow at the top). So, to make sure it stands up I used Sticky Strip everywhere, except where I used the Dimensionals and on the buttons. I used Glue Dots to adhere the buttons.
*Want to see more pics of the projects?  Check out my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150205488557864.313594.137367652863


The teachers really liked the projects and I'm so glad - lots of time and effort went into them ;)  Keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!