Chalkboard Technique with Forever Young

I have been wanting to try this technique for, well, ever! I've seen it used many times and since I'm doing an All About Heat Embossing Class this Friday I decided to try it out. There's still some time to sign up for the class - we're doing 5 techniques!).

This card is a very special card for my new Godson, Zander, who was baptized today :) I don't have any religious stamps, as I'm not too religious. But to me, trees represent life and growth. I thought that the tree from the Forever Young stamp set and 'Dream' from Loving Thoughts would be appropriate. The tree in white and the white ribbon represent the purity that Zander's baptism has given him.

This week's sketch at Freshly Made Sketches was a very simple one, with just the one big element on the card. I did add the ribbon because my card needed it with the Oval Accent. And I always need to do things my way ;) I really love this technique because it's soooo simple, but makes a big impression. Here are some Tips & Tricks:

*For a crisp white embossed image, use Stampin' Up!'s Whisper White Craft Ink. It's a bit thicker than the VersaMark and will lead to a crisper white on the black. But careful not to goop your stamp up too much ;)
*I sponged the edges of my Basic Black card stock and the surface with some Whisper White Craft Ink. I didn't want the ink on my card stock to be too heavy, so I spread it out some more with a clean sponge.
*To trim my Oval Accent Die Cut to the right size, I first adhered it to the embossed Baja Breeze layer and only after did I trim it with my Paper Trimmer.

Zander's parents loved the card and were touched by the beautiful image. I hope when he sees it when he grows up he loves it too. I'm honored to be a part of his life :) Amazing what an impact a simple handmade card can make. 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Monica
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Card Recipe:
Stamps: Forever Young, Loving Thoughs
Card Stock: Basic Black, Baja Breeze
Ink: VersaMark, Whisper White Craft
Accessories: Stampin' Sponges, Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Oval Accent Clear Bigz Die, Stampin' Dimensionals

A 'Scentsational' Christmas

I've had the scented embossing powders (in Peppermint Sticks and Sugar and Spice) for a few weeks now. I just didn't get around to using them. Something about the summer being busy ;) I finally broke out my Peppermint Sticks embossing powder the other day. I had a Demonstrator meeting yesterday (a HUGE perk of being a demo - meeting, stamping and talking with wonderful ladies who love stampin' as much as me!) and committed to making swaps. And swaps were made :)

The sketch for this card came from this week's Retro Sketches Challenge. I changed it up a bit - my greeting is the third element at the bottom of the card and my bow is the little accessory on the ribbon. I absolutely love sketches like this. Clean, simple and they allow me to showcase a really gorgeous DSP (Candlelight Christmas from the Mini).

Tips & Tricks:

*Did you know that with our new Firm Foam Ink Pads you can emboss our Scented Embossing Powders without VersaMark? They leave images a bit more moist, so quickly sprinkle on that powder and emboss with the Heat Tool.

*The Candlelight Christmas DSP is what Christmas is all about. Gorgeous rich colors, snowflakes and stunning patterns.
*My hot cocoa mug image was stamped it with the Scentsational Season stamp set. Then I used the Holiday Collection Framelits to cut it out. So much easier than using my snips ;)
*I am LOVING the new More Merry Messages. I was really sad to see Many Merry Messages retire, but I've forgotten all about it. lol!

I hope the ladies I swapped with last night enjoyed this card. Atleast it smelled delightful ;) 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Scentsational Season, More Merry Messages
Card Stock: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Candlelight Christmas Specialty DSP
Ink: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Cherry cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Big Shot, Holiday Collection Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals

Birthday World Treasures

I love the peacock in the World Treasures stamp set. It's really cute and I can use it on thank you cards, birthday cards, really *any* kind of card. But how did I come by the stamp set? I didn't actually buy it yet! I borrowed it from one of my downline who's super creative but just couldn't figure out what to do with it. I wanted to prove to her that it really is easy to use ;)

Today's card is brought to you care of the Sunday Stamps Challenge. Our Lead Design Team Member Holly provided us with this week's color challenge:

What a funky color combo - definitely not my norm, but so much fun! That's what I love about challenges, they definitely push me out of my comfort zone most of the time. I made this card for my oldest friend for her birthday. We've known each other for over 20 years and she definitely is a treasure!

Tips & Tricks:
*I decided to play around with my embossing powders for this card. I embossed the peacock in Melon Mambo and the greeting in Black. I love how the Melon Mambo EP gives the peacock some shine and dimension.

*Do you like my black rhinestones? I simply used a black Sharpie marker to color the Basic Jewels - Rhinestones black. They still sparkle, too!
*I love the new Designer Labels Framelits. They coordinate with many stamps in the catalogue and I love how I can easily cut out images and greetings.
*The peacock is a big image, which is what my friend had trouble with. But I love how I just need the one stamp to make my card.

I hope my friend enjoys her birthday card. I still have to find her a gift though... 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity! And don't forget to join us at Sunday Stamps this week!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: World Treasures
Paper: Pool Party, Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Ink: VersaMark
Accessories: Basic Jewels - Rhinestones, Heat Tool, Melon Mambo & Black Embossing Powder, Big Shot, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Designer Labels Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals, Black Sharpie (not SU!)

Googly Ghouls Two-Tone Embossing

I'm back with the Googly Ghouls stamp set. Actually, today I wanted to show you one of the projects we will be making at the August Stamping Technique Club. If you haven't done heat embossing and you want to try it out, this is the class for you! You can also sign up for 6 consecutive classes and one of the months you'll enjoy a $40 shopping spree! I also have lots of other perks for club members. You can email me at stampingmonica@gmail.com if you have any questions. This is also the DSP that is featured with the Howl-o-ween Painter's Kit - A Starter Kit Special for August. Nearly $300 in product/materials for only $125 (tax and shipping included!). I hope you'll take a peek and think about being on my team :)

Onto my card. I used this week's Retro Sketches Challenge for my sketch inspiration. It's such a cute sketch and with the various cute images in Googly Ghouls it worked perfectly! I used my Large Oval Punch to punch out the mummy, witch and Frankenstein. Other than trimming a few little details off the sides, they fit well in the shape.

Tips & Tricks:

*Love the Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP as well as the Striped Satin Ribbon? They are part of my September Accessory Test Drive. Try out these as well as some other great accessories before committing to the whole package! Be sure to order yours before September 7th.
*I used both Black as well as Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder to give Frankenstein black pants and an orange shirt. I love this two-toned look! Hope you'll join me to learn it :)
*I wanted to use a different shape for the 'Boo' greeting to make it stand out. The 1-inch Circle Punch framed the first 3 letters of this greeting perfectly.
*What can I say about the Spider Web Embossing Folder. Love. It ;) (I say that a lot, don't I!)

Thanks for stickin' with me while I post a bit less. It is a very busy time for me. We're going a bit nuts trying to get everything ready and the kids are definitely reacting to the stress. Still haven't packed up all my stampin' stuff because I need that release, escape. I did choose my shelving system for my new studio though and I'm super excited. It's the Ikea Expedit system.  I can't wait to get them set up, and the flexibility of the doors, drawers, filing trays :) I'll be getting it in white though. 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Ghostly Ghouls
Ink: VersaMark
Paper: Basic Gray, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla, Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP
Accessories: Large Oval Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot, Spider Web Embossing Folder, Black Embossing Powder, Tangerine Tango Embossing Folder, Striped Satin Ribbon

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!

Last Post as Guest Designer...

... for the Friday Mashup. It's been a fun RIDE! (Pun totally intended ;) ) This month I was fortunate enough to get one of the Guest Designer spots at one of my fave challenge sites. I can't believe the month is almost over and this means this is my last post in that capacity. I've enjoyed having a 'head's up' on the challenges and having a few days to come up with the perfect design to show off :)

Typically, I'd have this post published on Friday morning. But seeing that my daughter and I are just barely returning to the land of the living from this horrendous flu, we'll have to settle for mid-day Friday. After I'm done posting, it will be naptime... my daughter is already there.

This week's challenge at the Friday Mashup was the 'Boys Will be Boys' challenge:
1. Make a project for that 'Special Man in Your Life'; or
2. Make a project with the 'sketch'; or
3. Mash it up and create a 'Masculine card using the sketch'.

I decided to 'mash it up' (since I love sketches so much' and choose option 3 :) I also did something I very rarely do: I used a retired stamp! Yes, retired! I really try to use current product but sometimes I can only find what I really want in my retired stash. I loved the Motorcycle stamp two years ago when I first lay eyes on it, and I still do. It's especially perfect for my BIL's birthday card.

Sometimes I find blog photography so frustrating... it's not obvious in the above pic, but I embossed the motorcycle and greeting in Pewter Embossing Powder.

Tips & Tricks:

*Who says you have to stick to one type of DSP? I mashed it up some more here by combining a pattern from the Summer Smooches DSP with a pattern from the Floral District DSP. Doesn't sound too 'manly' but I think it works well.
*Sometimes the best card base for a vibrant card it Whisper White Card Stock. I wanted to make sure my DSP and motorcycles really 'popped'!
*I love the thicker look that the Pewter Embossing Powder gives my images. It's great for a strong image such as the motorcycle.

I hope my BIL loves his bday card. He lives in Australia so it's going to be late, but that shouldn't surprise him coming from me ;) 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!