Monday, June 30, 2014

Flower Patch meets Striped Scallop Die - Stampin' Up!




I have a confession to make....I'm in love.  With the Flower Patch Stamp Set from Stampin' Up!  Loveit!  And the matching dies.... 
Can you say beautifully easy?

Today's card marries the (also new) Striped Scallop Thinlit Die with the Flower Patch set.  I used the little dot image from the stamp set to stamp inside each little scallop - I couldn't forget the half scallops on the edge!

Then, I simply stamped my flowers and leaves and die cut them.  The nice thing is that you can stamp the images on a sheet of cardstock and die cut several at a time - as long as you leave enough room in between the images.  This just eliminates several passes thru the Big Shot.

I layered the flowers up - some with Stampin' Dimensionals and some are simply flat.  

To jazz things up a bit, I added some of the new In Color Sequins!  FUN!  I love them.  



Sorry my photos are kinda blah....we've been dealing with a LOT of stormy weather here lately - last night this was a storm that we missed, but did trigger the tornado sirens in town:


We have an amazing view from our house, and could watch it.  Our kids were playing in the basement....so Andy and I went outside to get a good glimpse!  Living life on the edge....just a little bit!  My phone has been going crazy this morning with Warnings and Watches....I'm ready for sunshine and 80 degrees....



tams# 808

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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Flower Patch & Flower Fair dies from Stampin' Up!


April Showers bring May Flowers - right?

Well.....it was still snowing in April....and May! At least it was here in Iowa.  So we are really JUST getting into full bloom here, in JUNE!  

But that's okay, because with the new (and much loved) photopolymer set - Flower Patch, I can create flowers any day of the week, in whatever color I'm in the mood for.  And they are BEAUTIFUL!

The Flower Fair die makes cutting these a breeze....


Because they are photopolymer, it's a breeze to see where you are stamping, and you can layer the stamped images quite easily.  Check out those leaves.  Super simple.

I layered all of the flowers onto a piece of Typeset Specialty DSP that I tore and roughed up a bit.  This DSP is lightweight and has the feel of old book pages.  With that in mind, don't be afraid to "dog-ear" your paper either....

Wouldn't this card make your day?


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Sunday, June 15, 2014

Creation Station #4 - Weddings & Traveling


Happy Sunday - and Happy Father's Day!  

Even tho it's Father's Day....those of us at The Creation Station are celebrating some things that scream Summer! - Weddings & Traveling!  

Our options for this week were to:
1) Create Wedding Themed Projects
2) Use the Traveler or World Map stamps
3) Create something with the NEW Gift Card Enclosure Envelopes

Because we've had some Wedding Hoopla in the family lately, I decided to stick with the Wedding Theme.

First project up - a greeting card:



I kept this pretty simple, and I happen to love it.  

I started off by layering a piece of Brushed Gold Cardstock onto a black card base.  I punched several 3/4" circles from Blushing Bride CS and glued them to the gold card stock. (there aren't any circles under the sentiment.

I created the focal sentiment in My Digital Studio, then die cut it using the Labels Framelits, then popped it up with Stampin' Dimensionals.

FYI - My Digital Studio is Fab! for creating all things wedding.  I recently created the wedding invitations for my Sister-in-law's wedding, and I'm gonna toot my own horn and say they were beautiful!  You can see them in this post.


It's hard to capture how beautiful the Brushed Gold Cardstock is in a photo.  On a cloudy day.  Without good lighting.  

This one shows it a little better.  Love that cardstock!

Next up, I created something else from My Digital Studio - with the assistance of my Silhouette.  

I decided to create some packaging that the newlywed's could use to give small gifts to their bridal party.

I cut the box from the Always and Forever download with my Silhouette, then let the decorating begin!  I used Blushing Bride CS here.....seeing a theme yet?

I used the flourish from Everything Eleanor, stamped and embossed it with Gold embossing powder.



 When I printed the sentiment for the card above, I also included this sentiment (from Cheers to Love download) on the same sheet.  One thing I love about printing sentiments from MDS is that you can create an entire sheet of sentiments at once.  I die cut this with one of the dies from Chalk Talk Framelits.



I'll admit - I've got a thing for these Creped paper flowers lately!  The creped paper from Stampin' Up! is strong and so easy to work with - making these flowers a breeze to create.  And the bonus is that they don't die!  
These are perfect because you get to choose what color flowers you want - I opted for a blush colored flower.  I just filled a spritzer with rubbing alcohol and just a couple of drops of Calypso Coral reinker.
I created the center for this one using that same Brushed Gold CS (loving it!) and my fringe scissors.

Lastly, we need a gift for the couple, right???

Easy Peasy!

Our new Gift Card Enclosure Envelopes are quick and simple to decorate. 



I created a belly band from Blushing Bride CS.  I added a bit of that Brushed Gold CS (are you surprised?) that I punched with the Dotted Scallop Border Punch.  The black was die cut with one of the dies from the Project Life Framelits, and topped with a strip of pearls.

Again, I used MDS to create the sentiment spot.  This one uses a combination of the Cheers to Love (Mr/Mrs) and the Always and Forever (&) downloads.

I kept this rather simple too.  It just seemed like enough!

I know that YOU have not yet had enough tho!  Enough inspiration that is!!!

Click the next button to see what AMAZING projects Ilina has come up with - OR - click the back button and check out Justin's FABULOUS works of art!


            



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Sunday, June 1, 2014

Creation Station #3 - Something for Baby & Hamburger Boxes!


Good Morning!  It's time for another blog hop from the Creation Station! 

If you are unfamiliar with The Creation Station, this is a group of talented Stampin' Up! demonstrators that have joined forces to show you many ways to use a couple of stamps and products.  

This week we're working with:

Something for Baby (released tomorrow) & Baby, We've Grown - Baby Themed Items
For the Birds stamp set
Hamburger Box Die (released tomorrow!)

I am working with the Something for Baby set and the Hamburger Box die.  Let's take a look at what I created:



I created a little gift ensemble - a 3x3 gift card along with the Hamburger Box decorated up for a baby gift.


I don't typically create many 3x3 cards, but this one just seemed suitable!  And when giving a little gift, little cards are perfect.  Or even to attach this to a gift bag as an adorable tag.
The flower is part of the stamp set, and YES! there is a die for that!!!  In fact, every image in the stamp set has a coordinating die.  How is THAT for ease!  The gem on the flower was colored with my Coastal Cabana medium Blendabilities marker.

The Hamburger Box is adorable, and I thought the coordinating DSP from Lullaby DSP was a perfect match for the little rubber duckie!  You can get the die and DSP June 2nd....hold on for one more day!!!  FYI - the Hamburger Box can be a little bit of a trick to put together if you follow the directions that come with the die. I've made assembly simpler by clipping some corners - you can watch the tutorial video I created and save yourself a headache!


Here's the inside of the box.  If I had BABY sized frilly socks, I could have probably fit a couple of pairs in here.  But.....Aubrie's feet are bigger than a baby now (sad faced momma!) and this is all that I had for my photo prop....I think you could also put some baby girl hair pretties in here...a gift card....

 When you create the box, simply adhere a piece of baker's twine into the corner seams to create a little clothesline.  You will probably want to put a little glue at the top of the clothespins to hold them in place, otherwise they want to flip over.  The "sweet baby" image comes from Bitty Banners.

Okay....now let's take a completely different look at that Something for Baby set....



When I initially looked at this set, I was curious what else I could do with it besides baby cards.....

It was a quick fix to turn the onesie into a football shirt...at least I hope that's what everyone else sees!  



The background was stamped with an image from Blue Ribbon, the sentiment comes from a new set - Bravo!  And a little tip there.  Bravo! is a photopolymer set with some wonderful Congratulations sentiments, and they are LARGE!  I am finding that the Photopolymer sets work great with Memento Black ink - the ink doesn't stain your clear stamps the way that Stazon will.  

The numbers on the shirt come from the Project Life stamp set and the football is from Great Sport - which unfortunately retires tomorrow.....

That's all I have for you today - but I know that the rest of the Creation Station team has some awesome projects - be sure to continue onto Ilina's blog to check out her amazing work.  OR! Head backwards to Justin's blog and see what he's created for us...


    




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Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Stampin' Up! Hamburger Box Die - Frustration Free Method!


Howdy!  By now you've probably been seeing some really cute projects made with the new Stampin' Up! Hamburger Box Die.  This little gem will be available on June 2nd, and it's stinkin' CUTE!

But....it's not really easy to assemble.  That is, if you follow the directions that come with the die.  I followed the directions for the first box I made.  And then I was frustrated.  All I could think about was there has to be a simpler way.  When I get determined to find a way....I seek and destroy.  

So - I created a video to show you a much easier way to put this little box together.

Watch now:



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Sunday, May 18, 2014

Creation Station: Work of Art, Blast Off and all things Twine!


Hey there!  It's time for another group posting from the Creation Station Design Team!  Be sure to welcome Sara Levin and Heidi Boos this round!  They will be regular contributors - and they do amazing work. (that's kinda why I picked them to join us!)

This week the Design Team and I are working with a lot of new items, but mainly:

1) Work of Art Stamp Set
2) Blast Off Stamp Set (retiring)
3) Tied up with Twine - creative uses for Twine!

Alrighty - come on into the Creation Station:



For this one, I used the circle image from Work of Art and stamped it  like it was confetti falling {can you say trendy??}  I used three of our new In Colors - Blackberry Bliss, Lost Lagoon, and Hello Honey.  And I hate to admit this, but I think I have a newfound love of PURPLE!  Specifically Blackberry Bliss.  Such a pretty shade of purple, and I know it makes people like Cindy G. glad to hear me say such things!  


For the twine, I colored it with my new Blendabilities Markers.  The bonus here is that the twine dried almost instantly.  I tried this at first with our regular markers. It doesn't work as slick as with Blendabilities.  I ended up with purple fingers and the first die cut piece I tried to tie my twine to ended up with a LOT of purple smudges.  May I recommend using Blendabilities to "die" your twine!  You can see I also tied it to the die cut piece like you would a tag - on both sides.  Then adhered the ends to the back using Fast Fuse - this is some great new adhesive.  There is a trick to using it. It comes with some directions (thank goodness!), and with a little practice......The stuff is sticky - which is GREAT!

Let's move on to my next card.....


I was in dire need of some Graduation Cards.....are you seeing a theme?

This one uses the chevron image from Work of Art as a background stamp.  And instead of really showcasing the watercolor effect these stamps have, I think the looks a little more grungy - perfect for a teen graduate!  I think you'll want to use a Stamp-a-ma-jig - it makes lining things up MUCH easier!

The card base is Tangelo Twist, and the tag is Bermuda Bay - I think they make a great combo!  That sentiment is from Bravo!  This is a great!!! sentiment set - and the sentiments are large!

As you can see, I stitched with my twine.  This was actually quite easy.  I went around the edge of my Crumb Cake layer with the Essentials Piercing guide, and pierced every other hole in the guide. Then, I simply stitched it with a needle and white twine!

Ready for some more goodness?


Ok....I'm gonna warn you now!  I'm in love with our new Blendabilities!  IN LOVE!!!  Forever I've been wanting to purchase some Copic Markers.  But.  They. are. so. expensive.  

Our Blendabilities are reasonably priced.  3 of them for 11.95 (US).  Compared to the single $7-8 Copic - I think this is FANTASTIC!  And now I feel like I'm coloring like a pro!

That's what I used to color these gals from the In This Together set.  I pulled in the Work of Art set by using the skinnier streak image for the "rain" - well....here it looks like a downpour!  But I'm cool with that!

I also pulled in some new DSP - this comes from the Moonlight Paper Stack.  Once again, I colored my twine with a Blendabilities marker - this one of the Coastal Cabana colors.

Alright....one more card!


This time I stuck with Work of Art - sentiment and all.  First I heat embossed the sentiment with clear embossing powder, then stamped some of the images over the top using Lost Lagoon and Hello Honey.  
Yeah - my Lost Lagoon streak looks a little funny.  I tried to rolled the ends in a darker ink color.  I need to do a little more practice.  It really left a line.  I think the new(er) style ink pads aren't as friendly to the rock and roll technique.  (If you have tips....let me know in the comments! PLEASE!!!)

As you can see - where the Hello Honey and Lost Lagoon meet over the sentiment, they turn green....yellow and blue make....green!  It's probably more noticeable here because I had to use a sponge dauber to push the color into the areas around the embossed sentiment.  It's raised enough that the ink doesn't get down around the sentiment onto the paper.  
I pulled in some DSP from that Moonlight Paper Stack again, and some arrows in Lost Lagoon from the Chevron Border punch.

Well....that's all from me today!  Go on to the next blog to see what Ilina has come up with - something amazing I know!  Or head back to Justin's blog to be inspired by his awesomeness!


              





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Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Chevron Favor Bags


HEY!  I know, I know....I've been gone.  I've left ya hanging....
without explanation.  But life blew up on me.  

In the past 2 weeks, I've had 4 funerals, 1 graduation party that I took over and created all of the decorations for (my BFF's dad died the week she was having her daughter's graduation party!) and a bridal shower that I did some crafty things for - as seen above!  Plus school functions and baseball practice....  This stay-at-home mom has been anything but!  Today I'm home.  Finally.  One full day home.  My agenda is still chaotic - laundry (ugh!), a garden to plant, some signs to make that I sold on my etsy shop, a class to prep for and a craft room that needs some serious attention.  It's a disaster.

So, let's focus on some cheerful things, ok?

I created some favor bags for a recent bridal shower we had for my sister-in-law.  I think they turned out super cute - I did 2 different styles - today I'm showing you my favorite one.



I stamped some black cardstock with a retired stamp (that I don't dare part with cuz I really love it!).  I used the Gold Encore ink.  I used the Dotted Scallop Border punch with some Gold Foil paper to anchor the bottom.  Added half of a paper doily, and that was it for the base of my chevron favor bag.


The flower is a mix of flowers from the Fun Flower Die, and the Petite Pansy Punch.  Stacked them and glued them, then added a black button that's tied up with some gold baker's twine (*swoon*)!

I made 10 of this style, then we filled them with yummy chocolates.  Everyone loved them.

Would you like some of these bags?  I'm putting them up on my Etsy Shop!


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Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Tuesday's Deals at Stampin' Up!



WoW!!!  There are some great deals this week at Stampin' Up!  Click on the picture above to learn more about each product, and to purchase these amazing items - remember, while supplies last!


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