Tea Party Anyone?

I love tea parties but can never find the right hat to wear. But I did, however, make the perfect hat for an invite. I didn't use any stamps or ink with this card but I think it came out beautifully. 

Using this Raspberry Suite color challenge, I cut out a hat template out of Whisper White card stock and layered Chocolate Chip Patterns DSP. I then wrapped the card to accentuate the rim of the cloche with Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon. For the accent and focal point of this hat, I made a flower using Cameo Coral and Sage Shadow card stock. 

My inspiration for this flower came from Dawn McVey's sample here. I tore different sizes (circular shaped) of card stock, crumpled them, and then curled the edges inward. After layering each piece onto each other, I placed the clear rhinestones in the center, which also helped to keep the layers together without the need for adhesive. Attached the flower onto the card with Stampin' Dimensionals and voila! 

A simple yet elegant invitation for a very special tea party! 

Here is another picture with my downline, Elisa's, version using "Botanical Blooms" from Sale-A-Bration. Isn't it beautiful?! 

Thanks for looking.

Urban Note Tote

Today, I attended our Stamp "IN" Fellowship group meeting and saw this amazing tote project. I saw it here on-line as well. I loved it so much, I had to CASE (copy and share everything).

{TIP}If you don't have buttons, try using the buttons #5 Sizzlits die. I find that it adds the extra touch and the colors and patterns of these buttons are unlimited. 

 

It contains 4 note cards featuring the Fifth Avenue Floral {113734} and Thank You Kindly {111700} stamp sets with matching envelopes. If you have interest in making this as a class or would like this card kit with step by step instructions along with pictures, please contact me.

{Project Details}

Stamp: Fifth Avenue Florals and Thank You Kindly

Ink: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, and Basic Gray Classic Ink Pads

Paper: Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, and Basic Gray card stock; Urban Oasis DSP (Designer Series Paper)

Accessories: Blender pen; Large Oval and Wide Oval Punches, Kraft and Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbons; Big Shot; Buttons #5 Sizzlets Die; Basic Gray corduroy buttons; Window Sheet.

KWerner Design Color Challenge

I just love these color challenges. I especially love this one because it reminds me of summer, which I can't wait for! But for my Stamp "IN" Fellowship Group meeting, we were asked to bring a Father's Day or Graduation Card, so I elected to use this color combination for graduation cards. I used it to make this money holder. 

I decided to let this greeting be the focal point. Using a variety of the alphabet stamp sets that Stampin' Up! offers, I used it to stamp CONGRATS. Also, I used the So Saffron button from Button Latte as my "o". I like how these mixed up letters seem to work together.

Besides, what graduate wouldn't love a card that reminds them of summer to come and find inside a little extra spending cash!

{Project Details}

Stamp: ABC Alphabet Upper, Big Deal Alphabet, Taffy Alphabet, and Eight Great Greetings Stamp Sets

Ink: Baja Breeze, So Saffron, and More Mustard Classic Ink pads

Paper: Sahara Sand and Whisper White card stock; Baja Breeze and So Saffron Patterns DSP

Accessories: Big Shot; Top Note Die; Stampin' Up! Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plate; Corner Rounder and 1/16" circle punches; and More Mustard Brads (Earth Elements).

And the winner is . . .

Thank you to all who participated in the blog tour and for all the wonderful comments. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to respond to all who commented but I wanted to say how much I appreciated it and so excited that I had over 800 visits! I hope that I will continue to inspire and excite you with all the new projects to come!

But now,

Drum roll please....

The winner is  . . . 

jmniffer.

Please contact me with your mailing address so that I may send you your prize. You will have 24 hours to contact me and then, the prize will go to the runner up.

(The drawing was completed by Random.org. For more details about this drawing please click here.)

Thank you again.

Bird on a Branch

It's another week with another great MOJO Monday Sketch. I  finally got around to making my card for this sketch and got to use my newly purchased "Bird on a Branch" (113266) stamp set. Although I love birds, I wasn't quite convinced that I was in love with this bird image. But in the end, I reconsidered and now am so happy that I did.

I used Cameo Coral and Chocolate Chip cardstock to layer on top of the Chocolate Chip Patterns Designer Paper. (Stampin' Up! is having a special...buy 3 Designer Series Paper or 12"x12" Textured Paper or any combination of both and receive a 4th one FREE.) 

Stamped my branch with Chocolate Chip Classic Ink onto Whisper White card stock. Stamped the flowers with Cameo Coral Classic Ink onto the branches and then trimmed my paper into thirds (leaving my middle a little bit larger so it would stand out more). Layered those pieces onto Cameo Coral card stock to pop those images even more and attached to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals. For the final touch, I stamped the bird in Ruby Red Classic Ink onto Whisper White card stock, trimmed it, and attached with Stampin' Dimensionals. Its another easy yet beautiful card. Thanks for looking.

Simple Friendship--Blog Tour Card Tutorial

Wasn't the tours just amazing?! As promised, here is the tutorial for my "faberge" card. Leave a comment and you'll be entered for a random drawing for a $25 Stampin' Up! Gift Certificate. (U.S. Residents only.)

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

*Very Vanilla card stock 

*Chocolate Chip Classic Ink Pad

*Kiwi Kiss Classic Ink Pad

*Bold Brights Water Color Crayons

*Blender pen

*Glue pen

*Dazzling Diamond glitter

*Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

1. Stamp the swirls in Chocolate Chip Classic Ink and use it to make a frame around the Very Vanilla card. (I used my handy dandy Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to help me with my placement of the swirls.) 

2. Ink the large flower in Chocolate Chip Classic Ink and stamp it sporadically on the swirled frame. (Don't worry about the swirls showing through the open flower because it will be covered up. This step helped me to see how it would look but also for placement of the smaller flowers.)

3. Stamp small flowers around the larger flowers again in Chocolate Chip Classic Ink.

4. Stamp more large flowers on another sheet of Very Vanilla card stock and color with water color crayons and blender pen.

(TIP: Using the crayon, outline the center of the flower. Then use the blender pen to pull the color out towards the edge of the flower. This should leave the center of the flower darker and the outer petals lighter.)

5. Trim each colored flower and adhere on top of the stamped flowers on the card. (I used both Tombow Multi Liquid Glue and Stampin' Dimensionals to get a varied depth.) 

(TIP: cut in between the petals on the flower to get more definition and dimension.)

6. Because there are no In Color markers, make one by using a blender pen and soaking it in the Kiwi Kiss Classic Ink Pad. Then, outline the swirls to add some color.

7.Ink butterfly stamp with Kiwi Kiss Classic Ink and stamp onto extra Very Vanilla card stock.

8. Trim butterfly leaving a small border of Very Vanilla and adhere to card with Stampin' Dimensionals.

9. For the final touch, add some Dazzling Diamond glitter to the center of the flowers, swirls, and butterfly.

Go crazy and have fun!

This Tour is Over But There Will Be Another One in July

  

  

I hope you enjoyed this Blog Tour. The links are gone now so I hope you bookmarked all your favorites. Our next tour will be July 27 and 28. It will coincide with the launch of our yearly catalog, so be sure to stop back here in July for updates.

Below are samples of what I shared for this blog tour using one of my favorite stamp sets, "Simple Friendship" (113397). 

I love this stamp set because the artwork is beautiful and this set is so versatile. It can be used for all occasions and easily transforms from one era to another. I would love to hear your comments about the blog tour so please come back on May 17 (after the tour) for a tutorial on my "faberge" card and leave your feedback to be entered for a random drawing for a $25 Stampin' Up! Gift Certificate (U.S. residents only). Let's begin!

One of my favorite things about stamping is how I can use it to create little gifts like this party favor. It has a modern and classy feel to it. I love the gray pattern from Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper and the contrast with the Regal Rose Ribbon. And of course, everything looks just a little nicer with "sparkles". I also love how Stampin' Up! provides coordinating punches with our stamps. Although this circle stamp is larger than the 1 3/8" Circle Punch, I was still able to capture the image and center it onto my gray scallop circle. The box was made using the Big Shot and Matchbox Bigz XL Die. (You'll be introduced to many other projects using the Big Shot as you go along the tour.) Wouldn't you love to receive something sweet in this box?

PROJECT DETAILS:

Paper: Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper; Basic Gray and Whisper White card stock

Ink: Basic Gray and Regal Rose Stampin' Up! Markers

Accessories: Clear Rhinestone; Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon; 1  3/8" Circle and Scallop Circle Punch; Big Shot; Matchbox Bigz XL Die

This sample is one that I used for K Werner Color Challenge #50 of brown, red, yellow, turquoise, and white. 

I like this 5" x 5" card because it has a more modern, trendy appeal. Also, it was quick and easy to do. I simply stamped the background using the flower images in the stamp set. Layered with a Chocolate Chip card stock trimmed with a scallop edge punch. Placed a 1/8" strip of Tempting Turquoise card stock onto the Chocolate Chip card stock. Stamped the butterfly onto another Whisper White card stock, cut out leaving a bit of white outline, and adhered to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals. You can use other greetings/verse in place of the "true friend". I just love the colors and how they work with each other.

CARD DETAILS:

Card stock: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, and Tempting Turquoise

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun, and Chocolate Chip Classic Ink Pads

Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch

My next card is the complete opposite of the previous card. What I like to call this card is my "faberge" card. Its colorful, glittery, delicate, and ornate like a faberge egg (or at least that's what came to my mind when I finished this card). But this is just as easy as other cards that I like to make only with a few more steps. *Remember, come back after the tour on May 17th for a tutorial on this and a chance to win some blog candy (U.S. residents only--sorry). 

CARD DETAILS:

Paper: Very Vanilla card stock

Ink: Chocolate Chip and Kiwi Kiss Classic Ink Pads; Bold Brights Water Color Crayons

Accessories: Blender pens; Glue pen; Dazzling Diamond glitter; Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

Thanks for stopping by!

Oval All Stationery Set

I was lucky enough to have my mother (from Georgia) accompanied by my aunt (visiting from Korea) to come and visit with me here in sunny California. As a parting gift, I wanted to send them home with a card set of my own creation.  I started with a Whisper White card stock. Then stamped the "Baroque Background" onto the card stock with Baja Breeze Classic Ink Pad. (TIP: to get a better inked coverage of your stamp, rub the rubber stamp with a sanding block.) In this case, I don't mind the splotchiness of the background. It adds a little extra to the "vintage" feel of the card. I cut two 1/8" x 4.25" strips of Basic Gray card stock and adhered them towards the bottom of the card. Using the "Oval All" stamp set (113790-Occasions Mini Catalog), I stamped each rubber stamp onto the extra pieces of Whisper White card stock  ("Just for You" not shown). Punched those images with the large oval punch and layered onto a scallop oval punched Basic Gray card stock using Stampin' Dimensionals. For added depth, I layered the Basic Gray scalloped oval onto the card using Stampin' Dimensionals as well. 

For this stamp, I stamped the butterfly image with Basic Gray Classic Ink onto another Whisper White card stock. Once I was finished coloring the butterfly, I cut it out and layered it using mini glue dots. But I felt like it needed something more, so I added my favorite dazzling diamond glitter. 

For this image, I stamped the flower twice with Basic Gray Classic Ink onto another Whisper White card stock and water colored the whole flower. The second flower, I only colored the center of the flower. Trimmed the main flower and layered onto the large oval with mini glue dots. Finally, I trimmed the center of the second flower and adhered to the center of the large flower now layered onto the large oval.

"Best Wishes" was inked with Baja Breeze Classic Ink. Then, I colored the words directly on the rubber stamp with a Basic Black Stampin' Up! marker and stamped onto the card stock.

I think these came out beautifully and it was easy to do! 

Sweet Cherry Tote

(front pockets)

This past week was Teacher Appreciation Week. As a class, we decided to give our teachers a small gift each day and at the end of the week, surprise them with a brunch and a big classroom gift. For my day, I wanted to make them something homemade and something to do with papercrafting. I decided to make Becky Robert's Tote-tally Awesome Tote. I made some adjustments but overall, I think it turned out "tote-tally" perfect.

(back pocket)

  

(sample of card inside) 

   

    (post-it note holder w/pen) 

  

   (bookmark)

Additional supplies: Tart and Tangy stamp set (111514); Real Red, Basic Black, and  Old Olive Stampin' Up! Markers; Rockabilly Specialty Designer Series Paper; Riding Hood Red card stock and Kiwi Kiss textured card stock; scallop edge punch; scallop circle punch; 1 1/4" circle punch; designer tab punch; round tab punch; jumbo eyelets; crop-a-dile; 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (black); ;Riding Hood Red Striped ribbon; rhinestone (shown--not stampin' up!); and Kiwi Kiss corduroy buttons.

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge

I love participating in different "challenges".  It helps me get out of my comfort zone and continually motivates me to try other things. Today's card is in response to Raspberry Suite Color Challenge.  I decided to use the colors for my friend's birthday card. She's not your average girl so I tried to come up with a card to fit her -- something out of the ordinary, modern, clean, simple, and pleasing. The out of the ordinary came to be the dandelion image. Instead of the traditional cupcake or cake with candles, the dandelion fits the concept of making a wish. I also love that the dandelion is made with tiny hearts. It to me represents wishes of happiness and love. 

I also wanted to add something extra to the interior of the card to make it just as special as the exterior. Using a scallop edge punch, I trimmed the edges of the Whisper White card stock and stamped the simple yet bold verse: "Make a Wish". Its a special card for a special friend.

(inside of card)

Additional information: "A Happy Heart", "Park Avenue Patterns"; and "Big Bold Birthday" stamp sets;  Basic Gray, Whisper White, Regal Rose, and Rose Red card stock; Basic Gray Patterns Designer Series Paper (Hostess Level 1); Basic Gray Classic Ink Pad; Versamark Pad; Silver Embossin' Powder; Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon; Scallop Edge and 1  3/8" Square Punch.