More Amore Valentine's

Eek, I'm a day late! I'm trying to stay on track with my posts, but sick kids and a sick husband (and who's kidding who, he's like a sick kid too ;) ) have thrown me of my game this week. But I have some great cards for you today. Yes, cardS :)

I'm doing a mom-and-me Valentine's class tomorrow evening. We are using the Note Cards and Envelopes, the Spring Sampler stamp set and the More Amore Specialty DSP from the Spring Mini Catalogue. I can't tell you enough how much I absolutely LOVE the More Amore DSP. It is GORGEOUS and so easy to use. I especially love how easily the different patterns coordinate. Did I tell you I love it?

My inspiration for this card was this week's Freshly Made Sketch. I love the cut-off large element on the left. I used the Try Stampin' On Tuesday sketch for the next card.

Tips & Tricks:

*I was in a glitzy and glam kind of mood (plus I thought the kids would appreciate it) so I made sure to use the Basic Jewels - Rhinestones and Silver Glimmer Paper on every card. I find I can never give the Glimmer Paper justice through photos. It's so much more SILVER ;)
*The Notecards and Envelopes are awesome. For just $7.95 you get 20 3-1/2"x5" note cards as well as envelopes in Whisper White. Perfect for that quick card or a set of cards.
*I absolutely LOVE the laser-cut hearts in the More Amore DSP. So many ways I could use them...
*I embossed the DSP on the second card with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. I love how it gives paper, especially DSP, a fabric-like feel.

*Wondering where the greeting is on the second card? I used the Wacky Wishes Hostess-only stamp set and stamped it *inside* the card :)

I hope my guests enjoy the cards. These ones are pretty feminine, but I do have some masculine ones up my sleeve, too. 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Monica
Shop Stampin' Up! Online 24/7 

Card Recipe: 
Stamps: Spring Sampler, Wacky Wishes, Delightful Dozen
Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party, Primrose Petals, More Amore DSP, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Real Red, Primrose Petals
Accessories: Note Cards and Envelopes, Big Shot, Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Modern Label Punch, Full Heart Punch, Basic Jewels - Rhinestones, Stampin' Dimensionals

Fancy Fan Embossed Valentine

We're still in January, but I figured I should get a head start on a few Valentine's cards that I need to make. I actually don't have too many Valentine's stamps, I like using DSP and making Valentines nice and simple. I do have the Delightful Dozen greeting stamp set which has some pretty fantastic, ornate greetings.

I got sketch inspiration for my card from Try Stampin' On Tuesday. A lovely simple sketch. Instead of the traditional color red, I thought I'd mix it up a bit and use Raspberry Ripple as well as the Print Poetry DSP. I love how my two-toned card turned out. 

Tips & Tricks:

*Did you notice that the whole card was embossed? I got a card at Leadership and after putting her card together, the demonstrator embossed the whole thing. So I did the same, embossing all the layers, with the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder. I love the look of the embossed DSP and greeting.
*The heart in the greeting seemed a little too empty, so I added the largest pearl from the Basic Pearls embellishments. It just adds that little je-ne-sais-quoi to my card.
*I am still loving the notched out flagged look that is so 'in' right now! An easy little added touch with my Paper Snips.

You've got to forgive my pictures. I'm still trying to sort out the best place and way to photograph my cards and projects. I'll get there though and hope you'll hang in there with me. 'Til next time, keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Monica
Shop Stampin' Up! Online 24/7 

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Delightful Dozen
Ink: Raspberry Ripple
Paper: Very Vanilla, Raspberry Ripple, Print Poetry DSP
Accessories: 2/3" Scallop circle Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Big Shot, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Raspberry Ripple Stitched Ribbon, Basic Pearls Jewel Accents 
 

A Manly, Romantic Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Although I realize that this may be hitting your inbox on February 15th, bear with me because I really love this card I made for my husband ;) My inspiration was this week's Mojo Monday sketch. I added a few details but it was my starting point.

I also knew that I wanted to use my Attic Boutique DSP. I hadn't used it yet and had to break open the package to use it today. It is gorgeous - LOVE IT! My colour scheme is based on the DSP.

I told my husband that I wanted my card to be manly but romantic. He said it was an oxymoron but he thinks I accomplished my mission. Some of the Attic Boutique DSP is very girly, some is more masculine or gender neutral. I purposely chose a pinkish red pattern for the top of my rosette.

Tips & Tricks:

*I love how the Adorning Accents Edgelits and Embosslits coordinate! Makes adding that little extra special touch easy.
*Can't get your Edgelit to stay in place? Use my Post-It trick!
*Not sure what colors to use on your card? Let the Designer Series Paper figure it out for you - SU! tells you what colors coordinate with all the DSPs.
*LOVE the rosette? It's so easy to make! Punch out six 1-3/4" Scallop Circles, sponge with a coordinating in (I used Soft Suede) and crumple the flowers (yes, you're going to have to crumple up the DSP ;) ). Adhere the six circles together with a small amount of adhesive between each circle and then put a brad through all of them. Pull the individual circles up from top circle to bottom - to give dimension - and arrange as desired.

I hope you've enjoyed this card as much as my hubby did. Do you think it was masculine enough? I know it's got a flower on it, but who says you can't give a man flowers ;)

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

Valentine's is in the Air

There's something in the air! It involves lots of reds and lots of hearts! And two of my favorite challenges asked us to use these elements this week. At the Friday Mashup, they asked us to:
1) Use the inspiration photo to the left; or
2) Use the color combination of Regal Rose, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White; or
3) Mash them up and do both!

Then at Pals Paper Arts, we were asked to make a card and add any red. So I combined both challenges and came up with the card below. Since we're talking love, romance, Valentine's day, I thought it would be fun to use the P.S. I Love You stamp set and Textured Impressions Adorning Accents Embossing Folders. I love these folders, especially the hearts for romantic cards. And I love how the other two folders coordinate with the Adorning Accents Edgelits. The design and layout of this card was inspired by a card I saw at Leadership.

Tips & Tricks:

*Did you notice that my supposed-Valentine's Day card has a 'Happy Birthday' greeting?  Well you see right! I did this card for a Valentine's Day class but I wanted to make it versatile for the class-goers. Doesn't it make a lovely birthday card? We also use the 'Love' greeting from Outlined Occasions, and various V-day greetings at the class.

*Are you LOVING the Twitterpated fabric? It coordinates with the Twitterpated suite of products and I love using it as a ribbon.
*I removed a few threads from each side of the fabric strip to give it that shredded look.
*A lot of my class-goers were worried about having the white and red scallops aligned perfectly. You'll notice mine aren't... I think that is part of the card's charm!
*If you follow my blog you know I love my Stampin' Dimensionals. This card is no exception. I popped up that yummy-looking strawberry on a few :)
*Still loving all of the coordination with punches. The circled hearts fit perfectly into the 1-3/8" Circle Punch and the strawberry fits perfectly into the 1-inch Circle Punch.

How's that for a lot of info for you today! Hope you've loved this card as much as my class-goers. I just love love love the fabric :) '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!