Forest Friends

I generally embrace change when it comes to the new Stampin' Up! cattie. I know they have to get rid of some of our faves to make room for some GREAT new stamps and accessories. But I am a little sad about the fact that Forest Friends is retiring. So if you like it, you only have 'til June 30th to get it and the other retiring products.

I did this card for this week's Mojo Monday Challenge as well as my Fast and Fabulous Monthly Card Class, this Wednesday June 29th at 7:30. I still have a few spaces if you'd like to join us.  

Little hints:

*Like the Designer Series Paper? It's the Playdate DSP, which is also retiring June 30th.
*Haven't seen the greeting stamp before? It's the Swirls and Curls Verses Level 1 Hostess Set from the Summer Mini. I just love the fun and playful script in this stamp set!
*I love the new Baker's Twine - available in the Summer Mini as well as the new cattie! It's an economical way to add an embellishment to a card.
*How did I get the tree to be Old Olive and Chocolate Chip in color? Stampin' Write markers, of course :)  The ink in them is the same ink as in the stamp pads so you can stamp with them, too!

Hope to see you at my Fast and Fabulous class and keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Star Light, Star Bright

Stars were the element of style at Pals Paper Arts this week. We were challenged to use stars in our card design and it was the perfect opportunity to use an idea I recently saw on a card by fellow demonstartor, Linda Willman. This card is yet another example of how versatile the new Pennant Parade stamp set and coordinating Petite Pennant punch.

I decided to use the new 2011-2013 In Colors to showcase them one more time before they go live on July 1st. To add a bit of dimension to the card, I embossed the Pool Party mat as well as the Wisteria Wonder circle with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.

Little hints:

*I think that the people who know me or have seen my work have realized I like my bling. I blinged up this card by adding some adhesive rhinestones to the flower / tag, and Dazzling Diamonds Glitter to the inside of the flower.
*Do you like polka dots as much as I do? They're fun and festive and starting July 1st, you'll be able to get Scalloped Polka Dot Ribbon, just like the Chocolate Chip ribbon on this card!
*I love how the new In Colors all work SO WELL together! I don't always like blue on blue, but Island Indigo (my card base) and Pool Party (my mat) are just a lovely combination.
*Stampin' Dimensionals are an easy and cost-effective way to add dimension to your card. I used them on the star, the tiny tag and the flower.

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!

Vintage Tri Shutter Card

For this week's Mojo Monday card (well, more like Mojo Wednesday card - I was busy!) I did a tri shutter card. We'll also be making this card at my stamper's group this week-end. You'll notice that my card has the semi-circle on the left shutter and the oval/square/strip on right shutter.

I did add the butterflies to the card, because it needed a little something extra. There's a lot more space to fill on a tri shutter card then on a regular 4-1/4" x 5-1/2" card! I'm not sure who I'll be giving this very special card to, but I love it!

Little hints:

*Like the vintage look? The retiring Newsprint DSP, Artistic Etchings stamp set and Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder are perfect for this popular style!  And don't forget to sponge your DSP and butterflies with Soft Suede ink. It's GREAT for 'vintagizing' your work.
*Although the adhesive pearls would be more 'vintage', I really liked the rhinestones for this project.
*Love the Early Espresso Taffeta and Satin ribbons? They're retiring as well!  Get them before they're gone for good in my ONLINE Store.
*Although most of my card is Early Espresso and the Newsprint DSP, I added a bit of Crumb Cake (center butterfly) and Cherry Cobbler to jazz the card up!
*Love the butterflies? It's the Sizzix Bigz Beautiful Butterflies die, one of my faves :)
*Want to make a Tri Shutter card yourself? Here's the tutorial: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/trishuttercard/

Hope you liked this tri shutter card and keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Fabulous Florets... in DIGITAL!

This week's Pals Paper Arts Challenge was a sketch challenge. I love sketch challenges, they're probably my faves. But... I've sprained my left wrist (or something). All I know is it hurts and I'm trying to finish my daughter's end of year teacher gifts so I did my card digitally today :)  For the color scheme and stamp choice, I took inspiration from another card I made - the flowers are all blooming around here and I just felt like sharing that through my cards! Scroll down to see more on this other card :)

Little hints:

*If you love digital but don't want to invest in all the stamp brush sets, consider downloading some of the Designer Kits, such as the Playful Polka Dots kit. They're like Simply Scrappin' Kits but in digi format!  They have DSPs, borders, labels and 'sticker' elements (like the flowers above). They're an economical way to enjoy digital!
*Love the butterfly? I filled it in with the orange polka dot DSP from the Playful Polka Dots kit. Did you know you can change the 'size' of the DSP within the 'punched' elements?  You can make the polka dots bigger or smaller, whatever suits your card/page.
*Love Stampin' Dimensionals like I do? I added a shadow to the butterfly to make it look like it's on dimensionals. There isn't much you can't do with My Digital Studio!

I've also decided to participate in Gallery Idol this year, a contest put on by Paper Crafts Magazine. This year's theme is 'Congratulations cards'. The prizes are pretty amazing - first prize is a CRUISE! - and I thought I'd give it a shot!

Little hints:
*Love the DSP? It's the Botanical Garden DSP which is in the Summer Mini as well as the new 2011/2012 IB&C!  It coordinates perfectly with the Fabulous Florets stamp set.
*See that Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon? It's on the Last Chance List!  Get it before it's gone for good (June 30th).
*The Fabulous Florets stamp set is a perfect floral stamp set that you can layer the different flowers with.
*How did I get the card stock that 'congratulations!' is stamped on to coordinate so perfectly with the stamped images? I punched it right out of the stamped images and then stamped the greeting on top. I then layered it to match it up. Just be careful to stamp in the right orientation and not make a mistake since you only really have one shot at it (other than restamping the whole piece of card stock). I saw this technique in a card swap I did and LOVE IT!!!

I hope all these flowers have brightened your day a bit and maybe even inspired you to try something new!  Keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Mojo Birthday and Something New

Today, I'm want to start a slightly simplified, more informative format for my blog. One of my biggest blog inspirations is Mary Fish and I love how easy to read her blog is. I tend to be, well, wordy. While I don't want to copy her blog, I do take my inspiration from it. So here's my first attempt at simplification - let me know what you think.

Today's card is for the Mojo Monday 195 sketch challenge. I love the uniqueness of this sketch. My hubby's birthday is tomorrow and I thought I'd use it to make his card.

Little hints:

*Love the Designer Series Paper? It's a preview of the NEW Just Add Cake DSP from the 2011-2012 IB&C, available July 1st!
*What's that in the spinner? I've replaced the regular pewter brad with a red Glimmer Brad, carried over from the Occasions Mini and appearing in the new IB&C.
*I used Poppy Parade and Marina Mist Stampin' Write Markers to ink my stamp in two different colours.
*Love the 3/8" Marina Mist Ribbon? It's on the Last Chance List - get it now while you can... it's only available until June 30th!

Hope you've enjoyed my blinged-up spinner card and keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

The Versatile Pennant Parade Stamp Set

I love the Pennant Parade stamp set. It's a new stamp set in the 2011-2012 Idea book & Catalogue. It has a coordinating punch, the Petite Pennant Builder Punch. You may be thinking, "What can I do with that? Other than make a bunch of pennants!" Well, let me show you... Obviously you can make some super cute mini pennants for your cards...

But you can also make a custom SPINNER card :) Use the Game Spinner Hands (carried over from the Occasions Mini and in the new IB&C), the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set and make the perfect card for that special someone.

How about party hats? Use the unscalloped triangle in the punch (yes, there are two, a scalloped triangle and an unscalloped coordinating one) to create a sweet party hat. The stamp set has a few different styles of triangle patterns so you can customize your hats :)  Or use your favorite background stamp with the Petite Pennant punch to make an even more customized hat. Yes, the stamp set comes with the star stamp to make a little ruffle on the top of your hat.

See the little Tangerine Tango scalloped border on the bottom of the Pacific Point strip? I made that with the scalloped triangle from the punch. How's that for versatility!

What else can you make?  What about a fan - with different greetings and images. The card can be given with the fan closed, and then opened to reveal the wonderful greetings and images :)  By the way, see those colors? They're the new 2011-2013 In Colors!!! Aren't they gorgeous???

And finally, use the triangle and Soft Suede ink to make an ice cream cone! I know, I've posted this card before, but somehow I felt I should post it again here :)  The ice cream was made with the Build a Cupcake punch.

What else can you make? A flag, a Christmas tree and many more things! Don't forget the flower pot I made last week with this punch :)  This is one versatile set! Hope this post has inspired you to use one of your stamp sets for something other than it's intended purpose... and keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!

Clean and Fresh Playful Polka Dots Scrap Page

Today's Pals Paper Art Challenge asked us to show our signature style. What is my signature style? I love bright colors, especially the new Bold Brights Color Collection. I like clean lines, straight layouts. Though I sometimes like to go out of my box and do some more 'vintage' projects, they definitely are not my signature style.

This is why I fell in love with the Playful Polka Dots Simply Scrappin' Kit in the Summer Mini. I've made cards and pages with the kit - it's got lovely Designer Series Paper, gorgeous card stock colours and beautiful self-adhesive elements. As far as embellishments go, I love the adhesive rhinestones and ribbon. Here are some samples of what I have done with the Playful Polka Dots kit. I think they show my signature style pretty accurately.

We'll be making this 12x12 page at my Playful Polka Dots Scrapbooking Class on July 17th. We'll be using the coordinating Fabulous Florets stamp set, as well as the Summer Splash set. Let's not forget the super fun Triple Bouquet punch.I also made the following cards for a recent card class.

Hope you've enjoyed looking a bit at my signature style. What's YOUR signature style? Leave me a little note - I love to hear what others are working on!

New Cattie Sneak Peek Mojo

Today is Mojo Monday and do I have a treat for you!  The new catalog debuts July 1st, but as a SU! Demonstrator, I have the chance to buy a selection of sneak peek products a month early! Today's Mojo Monday Challenge sketch was PERFECT to showcase one of the gorgeous new Designer Series Papers in the new cattie - Pocketful of Posies.  I just love the colors, variety in designs, well, everything!

I also took the opportunity to use a new stamp set, Pennant Parade as well as the coordinating Petite Pennants punch. Create cute pennants for your cards or... a vase by trimming the point off with your Paper Snips!  That's just what I did for today's challenge. What colors are my card base and mat, you may be wondering? They are two of our new In Colors for 2011-2013, Wisteria Wonder (the pale purple we've all been missing) and Lucky Limeade (perfect for those missing Kiwi Kiss).

Wondering how the pennant looks on a card? I love it the idea - great for new baby cards, birthday cards, thank you cards... just about anything!  Pennants just seem to say "CELEBRATE!!!" :) And yes, the card base is another new In Color, Island Indigo!  Perfect for those of us mourning the loss of Taken with Teal :)

What about an ice cream cone? Use the 'waffle' design triangle punch to create your cone and the cupcake top from Build-a-Cupcake (carried over from the 2011 Occasions Mini and appearing in the new cattie) to make the perfect ice cream cone. Are you loving this Designer Paper? It's one of the new hostess products you can choose from :)

Stay tuned for more ideas of what you can make with Pennant Parade and the coordinating punch.  I love versatile stamps and accessories like these and I've got ideas galore :)

Don't forget that many wonderful accessories and stamp sets are retiring!  Be sure to get yours before they're gone forever on June 30th.  Take a look in my Online Store.  Hope these cards have gotten your creative juices flowing and keep letting stamps bring out your creativity!