A Little Pleating with Nursery Necessities

I'm really getting this out under the wire for the Friday Mashup Challenge. The challenge closes in less than 3 hours. But I'm getting this out there. I love pleating ribbon which was one part of the challenge. I also loved that the other part of their challenge was to make a baby card. I've been wanting to use the Nursery Necessities stamp set since I got it a 2 months ago. But I didn't have anyone to make a baby card for. Until now. My daughter's senior kindergarten teacher is expecting a baby in January and I'm so so excited for her! I also know she loves all my cards:

I also used this week's Freshly Made Sketch. It came at a good time for me because I *finally* found my brand new Scallop Edge Punch. I got it just before we moved and packed it away. Really well. ;) I did the same thing with my new Illuminate Watermark Ink Pad. But I found that too ;)

Tips & Tricks:

*Can't get your pleated ribbon to stay put? Especially the thicker grosgrains? Adhere a strip of Sticky Strip to your card and then pleat your ribbon. It'll keep it in place!
*The Illuminate Watermark Pad is so great. It's leaves a watermark on your card stock, but with a shimmer! I did try it on Pool Party too, but it had a much more subtle look so I opted for Island Indigo.
*My daughter's teacher is francophone so the greeting is in French. I have Teeny Tiny Wishes in both languages because Ottawa has so many bilingual and francophone residents :)

I hope my daughter's teacher loves the card. Now I've got to get ready for my big Studio Grand Opening on Friday :) 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Nursery Necessities, Voeux Mignons
Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party, Island Indigo, In Color DSP
Ink: Illuminate Watermark Ink
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Word Window Punch, Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder

Water Stamping 'En Francais'

This week on Splitcoast Stampers, the featured technique was Water Stamping. What a fantastic technique. So simple and makes a fantastic background. I'll be demonstrating this technique at my next Stamping Technique Night on Friday August 24th at 7:30PM, along with tie-dye heat embossing. Water Stamping is pretty easy, although I made a few modifications to the technique to make it a smidge easier.

Isn't it awesome? And the En Francais background stamp is perfect for the slightly blurred lines this technique produces. The sketch for this card is from this week's Freshly Made Sketches Challenge. Something was missing on my card so I added the three adhesive Pearls.

Tips & Tricks:

*Wondering why the new Heat Tool has a low and high heat setting? The high setting is great for heat embossing. But if you need to dry ink, or dry card stock from a technique like Water Stamping, the low setting is great. It won't burn your card stock.
*My card base is Cajun Craze. I wanted to sponge some of this color onto my background, but when I stamped it with water, a lot of pink in the Cajun Craze came out. So I sponged it in just Soft Suede and Summer Starfruit. Much better.
*I first sponged the Summer Starfruit in a few spots on the card stock. Then I sponged over and around it with Soft Suede. I love how the En Francais script comes out looking antiqued on those two colors.
*The Comfort Cafe DSP is really turning into one of my favorites. I love how running it through the Square Lattice Embossing Folder gives it a quilted look.
*I'm really loving Framelits. Especially these new Apothecary Accents Framelits. They make such a fantastic background for many different images, punches and greetings.
*I was going for vintage and I love how the Victoria Trim Ribbon gives everything such a great vintage look.

Hope you love this technique and you'll come and find out my little tricks to do it just right on August 24th. 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Card Recipe:

Stamps: En Francais, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Soft Suede, Summer Starfruit
Paper: Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Comfort Cafe DSP
Accessories: Summer Starfruit Satin Stitched Ribbon, Victoria Trim Ribbon, Soft Suede 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Modern Label Punch, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals, Adhesive Jewels - Pearls, Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits

Fun with a Thaumatrope

I first saw a thaumatrope on my friend and downline Tara's blog. I have been wanting to make one ever since, but never got around to it. I have a FREE 'Try Out a Stamping Technique Club' class on Sunday and this is one of the cards and techniques that we'll be doing. I still have room if you'd like to come :) I think the thaumatrope is such a fun element and I love the way it 'floats' in the card :)

The butterfly in the center of the Floral Framelits is a removable thaumatrope. I'd give you a tutorial, but the link I've given you is much better than any tutorial I could give you. That said, here are some pictures of what my thaumatrope looks like.

I tied Early Espresso Baker's Twine on both ends of the scallop circle. I pierced holes through the base of the card and ran the twine through the two holes. If I can give any advice (and Tara gave me this advice too) cut the Baker's Twine longer rather than shorter. You'll need it!

Here's what my thaumatrope looks like when untied. When you spin it around the two colors and butterfly styles blend together. Stunning really.

Tips & Tricks:

*I used the sketch at the Friday Mashup Challenge for this card. I really love the simplicity of it and how versatile it is.
*I used the new Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder for the background on my card. I absolutely LOVE this folder. It will be available in the Holiday Mini on August 1st.
*When using two different-sized framelits to make a frame (like the Cajun Craze Flower) cut your large die-cut shape first. Then put your smaller framelit over the larger die-cut and cut out the smaller image to make your frame. To ensure your framelit doesn't move, put a Post-It note over the framelit/card stock to hold it in place.
*I am absolutely loving the Comfort Cafe DSP. Some patterns are fresh and modern, others are more vintage. I can't believe I wasn't sure about this paper when I first saw it ;)

I'm excited to show this card off to the ladies at my class on Sunday. I still have a few spots available and I'd love for you to join us.

'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

A Little Papillon with International Bazaar

I've used a lot of my new stampin' supplies but some, such as the Vintage Faceted Buttons, have gone unused up 'til now.  Not because I don't like them. It's more of a time issue. I can only craft so much ;) And then there are some supplies, like the Papillon Potpourri stamp set and the International Bazaar DSP, that I would like to use even more. So on this card, I did just that. Lots of different elements, but I think they work well together.

My inspiration for this card was this week's Pals Paper Arts Challenge. I had originally wanted to make two of the DSP flowers (bottom right corner) but it was too busy for the card. So instead I put a Vintage Faceted Button in the corner. The button still draws some attention, but doesn't take over the card.

Tips & Tricks:

*For the DSP flower, I used the new 1-1/4" Scallop Circle Punch. It is in the Holiday Mini and will be available August 1st. I punched 6 scallop circles from the International Bazaar DSP, crumpled them (I know! It seems so wrong to crumple up DSP, but it looks so great) and put them together with a Brights Brad.
*Did you notice the piercing around the Framelit Labels? I used the Festive Paper Piercing Pack, also available in the Holiday Mini. I'm loving how Stampin' Up! is making paper piercing so easy for us with these lovely templates.
*The Papillon Potpourri stamp set has several different styles of butterflies - from a realistic looking one, to a flowery one and then to a more mod one. I thought this more realistic looking butterfly was perfect for this card.
*I've always loved the Word Window punch but I kept waiting on buying it because I was worried it would retire. It works so well with Teeny Tiny Wishes, Fabulous Phrases and other stamps. When I put in my huge order a few weeks back I took the plunge and finally ordered it. I can't believe I didn't have it before ;)

*Not sure how to adhere your buttons? I use the Mini Glue Dots. They're clear so they work with the clear buttons. I used them to adhere my DSP flower on the card, as well.

It's one of my friend's birthday this week so I'll be giving her this card. She loves anything colorful and with a funky pattern. I think this card fits the bill. 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Papillon Potpourri, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Pacific Point, Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, International Bazaar DSP
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Elegant Butterfly Punch, Word Window Punch, 1-1/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Big Shot, Labels Framelits, Paper Piercing Mat, Paper Piercer, Festive Piercing Pack, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, 1/4" Stitched Rich Razzleberry Grosgrain Ribbon, Basic Jewels - Rhinestones, Brights Brads

Dino Punch Art

I did have another blog post planned for today. But then I worked on this week's Friday Mashup Challenge. We were challenged to
1. Make a project with Punch Art;
2. Make a project featuring your Favorite Animal; or
3. Mash it Up and create a project with an animal using punches.

I have a lot of favorite animals... monkeys, pigs, dolphins, fish. But I do love dinos, too. I came across this cute punch art dino surfing the web. It's CASEd but I don't have any info about the original.

Here's a quick breakdown of how I made the stegosaurus and the palm trees:
Body: I used the 2-1/2" Circle Punch. I punched out the circle, then put it back in and trimmed off part of it. You'll have pointy sides so I rounded them out with my Paper Snips. You can use the Wide Oval Punch as well. The color is Always Artichoke.

Tail: I used the 2-1/2 Circle Punch again. I punched out part of the circle, discarded it and punched over top of the area where I punched the first circle to make a crescent.
Armour: This was super easy - Boho Blossoms Punch. The color is River Rock.
Head: The Large Oval Punch was perfect for 'Steg's' head.
Legs: I used the Large Oval Punch again and cut the punch-outs in half and voila - 4 legs :)
Tree Trunks: The Modern Label Punch makes a great tree trunk. The color is Soft Suede.
Palm Tree Leaves: I once again used the Large Oval Punch. Then, I used my Paper Snips to cut out the 'leaves' in the ovals. The color is Old Olive.

The grass was easy. I cut a 1" strip of Old Olive card stock and snipped the blades with my Paper Snips. I embossed the dino parts with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. I sponged the dinosaur, its armor, the grass and the palm leaves with Always Artichoke. The tree trunks were sponged with Soft Suede.

I can't wait to give this card to a lucky little birthday boy or girl :) Hope you've enjoyed this card, 'til next time keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Playing With Some New Toys

Today was a great day. The little brown truck (aka UPS truck) pulled up at my house and dropped off a 23 lbs box of goodies for me to play with! No, it wasn't all mine, there were lots of goodies for the ladies who attended my New Catalog Event almost two weeks ago. But I did get a bunch of stamp sets, all of the new In Color Ribbons, some of the 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, new DSP, some Big Shot stuff and some new punches. Fun times!!! :)

I used the sketch above from Let's Try Stampin' on Tuesday for my card today. I wanted a sketch where I could use my new stamps, new DSP and In Color Ribbon. I think it worked :) Of course, as you can see I changed it up - a bit. Lol. I also used the Four Seasons Hostess Set. Isn't that birdie so cute!

Tips & Tricks:

*I love love love the new Fancy Fan Embossing Folder. It is so gorgeous and classic! I can see myself using this one a lot!
*Have you seen the new Paper Piercer and Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack? So many shapes you can pierce: the Heart, Curly Label, Designer Label and more! All coordinating with our punches! I used the circle template on this card.
*I really loved these rolled flowers and I replaced the scallop edge on the sketch with them. The technique is simplified paper quilling. I had done this technique a few weeks ago in another card and I had to refer to my own post about it to remember how to do it. How silly is that!
*The ladies at my Stamper's Group are doing this card this Sunday. I really wanted them to try out some of the new products. Want to come and learn some advanced techniques? Come try the group out on Sunday or join a new one starting in August/September :)
*I am *really* loving the Stitched In Color Ribbon. It is so soft and shiny! And don't you love how the Summer Starfruit Ribbon looks golden? So pretty...

The Polka Dot Parade DSP is so much fun! I love the bright colors and all the polka dots! (Of course ;) ) I really hope the ladies enjoy this card on Sunday! And I'm so glad I've finally got my new goodies... I have a few more coming next week :) Happy days!

'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

A New Challenge...

... and I'm on the Design Team. That's right! Little 'ol me. I'm so excited! The challenge is called Sunday Stamps and Holly at Holly Beary Creations started it. We'll be alternating between sketch challenges and color challenges and this week we did a sketch challenge.

Isn't this a great sketch? I love it when they're not too busy and still allow some room for creativity! I decided to combine the Sunday Stamps sketch with the Dynamic Duos Color Challenge. This week, we were challenged to use Melon Mambo and Basic Black on our card.

I know I used these Labels Framelits in my last card (hubby's birthday card) but after I decided what I was stamping, I had to use them again ;) I wanted to use the En Francais background stamp and what goes better with that than the Eiffel Tower from Artisitic Etchings? Then I reached into my French Teeny Tiny Wishes and pulled out 'je pense a toi' (thinking of you) and this card was born. I love it all on the Whisper White background - it tones down the darkness of the black and brightness of the melon.

Tips & Tricks:

*I didn't just stamp the En Francais stamp on the Melon Mambo... I heat embossed it with Clear Embossing Powder. I love the extra texture and sheen it gives it. Makes it look like a DSP.
*I love the large scallop edge from the Bigz XL Tasteful Trim die, but something here was missing. I added a few inexpensive Rhinestone 'bedazzlers' and it fixed my 'problem'.
*To make my Eiffel Tower and sentiment really 'pop', I embossed them in Black Embossing Powder. I love the extra gloss and texture heat embossing gives my images - and it costs next to nothing!
*Don't have the Artistic Etchings stamp set yet? Add it to your stash! It is my 'go-to' set for feminine, masculine, birthday, thank you - basically everything cards!
*I again free-handed the notches in the card stock I stamped my greeting on with my Paper Snips. I could have used the Modern Label Punch but with the round look of the Framelits I wanted something a bit more angular.

I usually have a plan for my cards, who's going to get it. But this time, I just let my creativity guide me. I don't really have any upcoming birthdays or other occasions! Whoever it will be I hope they love it. The Melon is so bold, but the Eiffel Tower classic.

'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Clean and Simple with the Baby Wipe Technique Tutorial

I first did this technique over a year ago at a Demonstrator meeting. And I've been meaning to do it again but somehow I just haven't gotten around to it. When I saw the sketch for the Clean and Simple Stamping Challenge #193. I did change up the challenge a bit, because all three of my flowers are the same size, so I guess I broke one of the challenge's rules. But who am I to follow rules? lol! Oh and I'll say it again... THANK GOODNESS this challenge is open for two weeks :p Otherwise I wouldn't have made it!

I've also done up a little tutorial for the baby wipe technique. It is *so* easy and I wanted to show you how to do it :) What I love best about it is that each image you stamp has just a wee bit different color distribution. And the tie-dye effect - love it! With respect to my tutorial, I know the photo tutorial is sooo passe... but I can't get organized enough to do a video... yet. ;)

Step 1: Take a baby wipe and fold it twice. Then choose the colors you want for your stamped image. For my flowers, I chose Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit and Primrose Petals - all new In Colors :)

Step 2: Put a few drops of reinker on the baby wipe in each color. Put the reinker on the baby wipe in any pattern you wish. I did three stripes.

Step 3: Use your inked up baby wipe as a custom ink pad: stamp your image on it :) I washed my stamp in between stamping to try to keep the ink even on the baby wipe. See how the three colors show up on the stamp?

Step 4: Because of the dampness of the baby wipe, the ink goes onto the stamp and the card stock really nicely. Do you like how each flower looks different?

My card base is Primrose Petals. Isn't it a lovely pink? I also love the Gumball Green that I used for my flower stems. I stamped the greeting in Raspberry Ripple. What a gorgeous, rich color! I did cut out all my flowers and I admit, that took a lot of work. I tried to get around all the little nooks and crannies and there sure were a lot. But these flowers from Fabulous Florets were perfect for this card.

I hope my tutorial made sense, and made you realize how easy and wonderful this technique is. 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

With a Cherry On Top!

I'm *just* squeaking in for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge this week. I had a super busy week with my New Cattie Event as well as Retired Merchandise Sale. I was busy stamping, but also pricing, setting things up, didn't have the time (or energy) to post. Which is really awful, I want to post more than every 8 days :p And here I was doing so well at being consistent.

But I really wanted to make sure I got in this sketch challenge. I really like the simplicity of it, but also the fact that you could make a bit more ornate. It has a great space for a focal image, a spot to use our fab DSP and ribbon. Does it get better than that? True to my style, I did have to change it up a bit and I rotated the image.

These are the cherries from the Mouthwatering stamp set. It was carried over from the 2012 Occasions Mini. Don't they look good enough to eat?

Tips & Tricks:

*Like the two-tone image? I used my 2012-2014 In Color Stampin' Write Markers to stamp the image.

*I'm not much of a green girl, but I'm loving the Gumball Green color! I didn't have any non-Christmas Gumball Green DSP so I dug into the new Christmas Cheer DSP and found this cute polka dot pattern! I think it's fun and works for this non-Christmas card.
*Are you loving the Raspberry Ripple color as much as me? Can you say YUM! And it works for the cherries.
*When I think cherries, I think juicy, plump and sweet. I used a whole lot of Crystal Effects on them to give them that plump sheen. Just make sure you give your image enough time to dry if you use a thick layer of the Crystal Effects.
*When I first heard SU! was retiring the 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, I wondered what they could possible replace it with. As usual with SU!, I needn't worry. I LOVE the Stitched 1/4" Grosgrain. The stitching adds just a wee little something special ;)

I hope you've enjoyed this juicy card and I'll be back really soon! In the meantime, if you're in the Ottawa area and looking for bargains on retired stamps, DSP, punches, Big Shot Accessories, etc., send me a note! I still have all the items from the garage sale set up so you can come check them out anytime :)

'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

New Catalogue Fun!

What a big day! Big, big day! The 2012-2013 Stampin' Up! Catalogue debuted today and I am so excited! New ribbons, new colors, new DSPs, new stamps, new Big Shot accessories. I have loved my preorders and can't wait to place my first new cattie order! You can check out the Catalogue Online Here.


Today, I have a card for you with all new products. I used this week's Freshly Made Sketch for my sketch inspiration. I also used the new Oval Accent Bigz Die to cut out my DSP quilt. I have to say, one of the Freshly Made Sketches Designers and fellow SU! Demo, Cindy Hall, made a gorgeous paper quilt for her card this week and I admit, it inspired this card's design.

Tips & Tricks:

*Paper quilting is easy to do. Cover a rectangle of card stock with pieces of DSP. I used my 1" Square Punch to punch out my pieces. Once securely affixed, cut out with your desired die cut shape. I wanted to add a bit of texture to my 'quilt' so I embossed it with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder.
*I embossed the Raspberry Ripple card stock with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder as well so that it coordinated with my quilt.
*I really love Baker's Twine. And it's so cost effective, I can warp it around my card as many times as I want :)
*I've used the new colors on this card: The card base is Summer Starfruit, the scallop border is Midnight Muse and the flower is Raspberry Ripple.
*I used the Itty Bitty Banners stamp set and coordinating Bitty Banners Framelits for my greeting ~ isn't it cute?

I can't wait to show off all the new colors, stamps, products, all the new TOYS at my New Catalog Event and BOGO Sale. It's on Thursday June 7th from 7:30 to 9:30. Want to come? Sign up here: http://monicasnewcattieparty.eventbrite.com
'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Monochromatic Just Believe

Another little lag in my blog posts, but wow, was I sick! I don't remember being that sick in a long time and I'm still not 100%. But today I ate 3 meals, small meals, but 3 meals. And I was hungry! So I see that as progress. I also took the opportunity with my higher energy levels to do some stamping. Can you believe I hadn't stamped in a week?!?!? Craziness!

I don't often do monochromatic cards. Not sure why, guess it's just not my usual style. But going a bit out of my box is not a bad idea once in a while ;) This is just what the Dynamic Duos Challenge had me do: create a card with Bashful Blue and Marina Mist. And even though I didn't have time to enter my card into the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge last week, I did use their sketch because I loved it so much.

Tips & Tricks:

*I was excited to use the Beau Chateau DSP one more time before it retires! It has Marina Mist in which worked perfectly for my color challenge card :)
*I love Bashful Blue, but it's not too dark and was worried my gorgeous flower would show up. And then I realized that this is the perfect image for the Rock and Roll technique. I first stamped my card in Bashful Blue and rolled the edges in Marina Mist. I love how it makes the image POP!
*I added a bit of glitter to the flowers, as well as the grasses at the bottom. Love those Dazzling Diamonds.
*Do you have a hard time inking larger images properly? Can't get the ink on evenly and all over the stamp? Have no fear - Firm Foam Ink Pads will be here June 1st! SU! has changed their ink pads to a new material and holy smokes! What. A. Difference. Just tap your stamp on the pad and voila - perfectly inked stamps big and small! If you're in Ottawa, come and try them at my New Catalogue Event and BOGO Sale. Register here: http://monicasnewcattieparty.eventbrite.com.

I think I'm going to have to do this monochromatic look again sometime, I kinda like it ;) 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!