Mountain Camping - Stampin' Up! Greatest Journey Dies

 It's time to go camping!!  No, not really....I'm not a big fan of camping.  I love the outdoors and hiking and being in the woods but the whole logistics of packing everything and planning for food etc. is too much trouble when you can just rent a cabin and get to do all the fun outdoors stuff and still have running water and a refrigerator right there.  So all you campers go crazy but after doing it a number of times I just don't think it's for me!  

  But I'll make a camping card for sure!  I'm using The Color Hues challenge for my palette.  They got us using Blue and Turquoise.  I choose to use Night of Navy and Bermuda Bay and Coastal Cabana to create this scene.

  I started with a Night of Navy base then added a piece of Enjoy the Journey DSP in a fun night sky pattern.  The color listed for this is Starry Sky but Night of Navy definitely matches better.  Using the mountain/hill die in the Greatest Journey die set I cut a mountain peak in Night of Navy and then blended some of the same color ink onto the edge to darken it even more.  I colored the edge with Clear Wink of Stella for some nighttime sparkle.

  I positioned the mountain inside a Basic White frame made with the Stitched Rectangle dies.  I added a Basic White moon also colored with Wink of Stella.

  For the hiker I cut 2, one each in Bermuda Bay and Coastal Cabana and then trimmed the backpack and lantern from the Coastal Cabana hiker and glued them to the Bermuda Bay hiker.  I also added a tiny piece of Basic White on the backside of the lantern so it appears lit.  The lantern has more Wink of Stella. Both the tent and hiker are popped on dimensionals.

  I left a sentiment off the card front as I didn't want to cover up any of the elements and I liked the balance and didn't want to throw that off.  I added a happy birthday sentiment on the inside.

  All of the items used for this card can be found in my ONLINE STORE.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: none

Ink: Night of Navy

Paper: Night of Navy, Basic White, Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay, Enjoy the Journey DSP

Accessories: Enjoy the Journey dies, Stitched Rectangle dies, Wink of Stella, dimensionals

Pastel Park - Stampin' Up! Sentimental Park

   I just keep finding different ways to use the Regency park suite.  For my card today I took inspiration from the Global Design Project layout and paired it with the Sentimental Park stamp set.  I just used a few of the images to make the stamped panels but I think it turned out so cute!

  I started with a Petal Pink card base then topped it with a piece of Basic White embossed with the Brick & Mortar embossing folder which I had in my orphaned card parts basket.  

  Next, I stamped the leaves and flower images on Basic White with Basic Gray ink and then punched them out with the Rectangular Postage punch. I used Blends markers to color the images including filling in the open space around them with Balmy Blue light.

  I arranged the flowers and leaves over a strip of Country Gingham DSP and little strip of scalloped edging made with the Basic Borders dies.  The flower panel is popped up on dimensionals in the center.

  Happy Birthday from Go To Greetings is stamped in Basic Gray then fussy cut and added under the images to follow the sketch.  A narrow grosgrain bow in Petal Pink as well as some Polished Dots complete the look.

  If you'd like to recreate this card the supplies are listed below and current items can be purchased in my ONLINE STORE

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Sentimental Park, Go To Greetings 

Ink: Basic Gray

Blends: Balmy Blue light, Old Olive light & dark, Petal Pink light & dark, Calypso Coral light & dark

Paper: Petal Pink, Basic White, Country Gingham DSP, Balmy Blue

Accessories: Brick & Mortar embossing folder, Basic Borders dies, Rectangular Postage punch, dimensionals, Polished Dots, Petal Pink ribbon (retired)

Spring Rain - Stampin' Up! Playing in the Rain

   I've a "spring is on the way" card today!  The Playing in the Rain bundle is just so cute with the adorable animals and all the "accessories" dies to create sweet scenes.  I ended up not using any of the dies on this card and just focused on the fox taking his little walk in a spring rain storm.

  I love these colors as a change from spring pastels; these are bright colors but the white keeps them from overpowering the image.

  The card starts first with a panel of Basic White embossed with the Raindrops embossing folder.  then I used my Balmy Blue light Blends marker to color each raindrop. Be careful here as the paper absorbs the ink very quickly and can easily spread further than than the embossed bit.  I just lightly touched the brush tip to the embossing and that's all that I needed to get them colored.

  After adhering the embossed panel to the the card front I die cut some Stylish Shapes circles in Daffodil Delight, Sweet Sorbet and Balmy Blue and added them to opposite corners.

  Next I stamped the fox in Memento black on Basic White and colored him with Blends markers then cut him out with a larger Stylish Shapes circle die.  The big circle is popped on dimensionals in the center of the card overlapping the smaller circles slightly.

  The sentiment is stamped and fussy cut and popped up in the corner.  I highlighted it with a single Sweet Sorbet Matte Decorative Dot to continue to draw the eye all the way down the card on the diagonal.

  Definitely check out the Playing in the Rain bundle if you're in the mood for some cute animal scenes for your spring cards!  If you're looking for a Stampin' Up! demonstrator I'm happy to help you out!  To shop my online store click on the shopping bag in my sidebar or HERE

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Playing in the Rain

Ink: Memento Black

Blends: Balmy Blue light, Sweet Sorbet light & dark, Daffodil Delight light & dark, Cajun Craze light & dark

Paper: Basic White, Sweet Sorbet, Balmy Blue, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Raindrops embossing folder, Stylish Shapes dies, dimensionals, Matte Decorative Dots

Birthday Stripes - Stampin' Up! Greatest Journey

   For this week's Testosterone Tuesday card (aka A Guy Card!) I've got a really easy design that can be adapted to lots of color combos and themes depending on the guy you're designing for.  For my colors I was inspired by the mood board over at Just Us Girls Challenge.  I loved the photo with the green and yellow crayons laid out in a striped pattern and used that in paper form to make the background of my card.

  I pulled out all of my greens and a few yellows and played around for a few minutes to see which ones played nicely together.  I put away a few greens that just didn't jive and then got to work.  I dug through my scraps of each color and pulled out 1/2" wide pieces and then just began tearing them at different lengths and then adhering them to the card front repeating the pattern until I covered the whole edge. So not only do you end up with a cool guy card but you can feel virtuous by using up some smaller scraps!

  This color grouping made me think of summer with all the trees and other plants being green so I stamped a set of trees from Greatest Journey in Garden Green and then added them to a Stylish Shapes circle embossed with the birthday greeting from Best Day stamp set.  A quick change of sentiment and this would make a great Father's Day card as well. Both pieces are popped on dimensionals onto the card front.

  I added a few retired candy dots and a bakers twine bow to finish up the details.  I think this will be a great birthday card for the summer months for a guy who loves the outdoors.  And after finishing this design it really made me think of a vintage 70s t-shirt; you know the ones with the stripes across the chest?  Anyway.....it was a fun challenge and now my guy birthday card stash is plus one!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Best Day, Greatest Journey

Ink: Versamark, Garden Green

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Mossy Meadow, Old Olive, Pear Pizzazz, Granny Apple Green, Garden Green, Crushed Curry, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Stylish Shapes dies, Greatest Journey dies, dimensionals, Black embossing powder, candy dots (retired), baker's twine (retired)

Candle Wishes - Stampin' Up! Best Day

 I've been using the Best Day stamp set a lot lately and I'm using it again for today's card.  Instead of using one of the main images in the set I decided to highlight the smaller candles/sparklers stamp after seeing this fabulous card by Angela Meiritz-Reid.  She used embossing for the candles/sparklers but I was designing this card for a Quick & Easy card class so I stayed with ink for a similar look using fewer supplies.

  The card base is Fresh Freesia and then a panel of Butterfly Kisses DSP in a Starry Sky pattern.  The candles are stamped in Starry Sky on both edges of a Basic White panel.  The edges are softened a bit with some Fresh Freesia ink and a blending brush.  The centers of the candle flames are highlighted with a bit of gold Wink of Stella. 

  I cut a label shape out of the fantastic gold Fine Shimmer paper with a retired Tasteful Label die (to recreate yours at home any label or rectangle-ish shaped die would work).

  The sentiment is stamped in Starry Sky and punched out and popped on dimensionals over the top of some bunched up Crinkled Seam Binding ribbon.

  A few gold adhesive sequins embellish the sentiment circle for the final detail.

  Thanks for the inspiration Angela!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Best Day

Ink: Starry Sky, Fresh Freesia

Paper: Fresh Freesia, Butterfly Kisses DSP, Gold Fine Shimmer paper, Basic White

Accessories: gold Wink of Stella, Tasteful Label dies (retired), dimensionals, crinkled seam binding ribbon, gold sequins

Hey There Taco - Stampin' Up! Taco Fiesta

   A few weeks back I was designing for an upcoming class and TGIF Challenges had a great layout and was just what I was looking for to highlight a smaller image.  The challenge closed before I could share it but I definitely got my inspiration there! I used the Taco Fiesta stamp set to create this bright hello card. The taco is easy to color and gets highlighted perfectly with this layout.

  This card was for a Quick & Easy card class and I love how the fun patterned papers do so much of the heavy lifting filling in the background of the card.

  The Mango Melody star design can be found in the recent Sale-a-Bration reward Dandy Designs DSP and the Parakeet Party stripes are in the Butterfly Kisses DSP in the annual catalog.

  The taco is stamped in Memento Black and colored in with Stampin' Blends markers on a Stylish Shape circle and then popped up.  The sentiment is stamped right onto the DSP.

  The final touch is a black baker's twine bow. 

  I told you it was a quick & easy card!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Taco Fiesta

Ink: Memento Black

Blends: Parakeet Party dark, Poppy Parade dark, Daffodil Delight light & dark

Paper: Poppy Parade, Basic White, Dandy Designs DSP (SAB), Butterfly Kisses DSP, Basic Black

Accessories: Stylish Shapes dies, dimensionals, bakers twine

Get Well Journey - Stampin' Up! Greatest Journey

   Today's card is a really straightforward design using the Global Design Project challenge colors.  The Coastal Cabana, Crumb Cake and Vanilla combo could be used for so many types of cards and I decided to go with a get well card.  My stampers made this one at my last Quick & Easy card class.  The limited supplies and and easy embellishments make this card a great one to reproduce with supplies you've got at home.

  This one starts with a Very Vanilla thick card base topped with a panel of Dandy Designs in a geometric Coastal Cabana pattern.  

  Using some Crumb Cake I cut a rectangle with the Stitched Rectangle dies.  The large flower stamp from the Greatest Journey stamp set is stamped to one side in Crumb Cake ink.  A few of the blossoms are colored in with a blender pen and Coastal Cabana colored pencil.

  A length of thick Frayed Ribbon is adhered to the side of the flower panel (I used a bit of Tear & Tape to make sure it stayed put!).

  The sentiment from Inspired Thoughts is stamped on Very Vanilla in Coastal Cabana ink and cut out with another Stitched Rectangle die.  It's then popped up on top of the ribbon.  I gave my stampers the choice of either a get well or sympathy sentiment as I think it a design that can go for either depending on what you need for your card stash.

  The last details added are some Classic Matte Dots in Very Vanilla.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Greatest Journey, Inspired Thoughts

Ink: Crumb Cake, Coastal Cabana

Paper: Very Vanilla thick, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Dandy Designs DSP

Accessories: Stitched Rectangle dies, Frayed Ribbon, Classic Matte Dots, dimensionals, colored pencils

Tea Hello - Stampin' Up! Cup of Tea

   In the frenzy to make sure I used limited time only mini catalog products I tend to forget stamp sets in Annual Catalog which have a longer sales period.  The Cup of Tea bundle hasn't seen much ink the last few months and I decided it was time to change that once I saw the fun spring-like colors that The Paper Players were using this week.  I'm getting in under the wire sharing this card...I really must plan my blog posts better!  Daffodil Delight, Tahitian Tide, Granny Apple Green and White are just such happy colors and I tried to make a happy card with them.

  I haven't made a square card in ages and the little tea cup just seemed like it needed a square layout.  I started with a Basic White thick base to make a 4.25" square card.  I embossed a square panel with the Cane Weave embossing folder for the card front.

  I backed a piece of Tea Boutique DSP with some Daffodil Delight as a base for the cup and flowers.  The cup is stamped in Tahitian Tide, the greenery in Granny Apple Green and the flowers in Daffodil Delight.  After die cutting them all I adhered each piece with dimensionals.

  The hello from Biggest Wish is stamped in Basic Gray (I like this neutral sometimes in place of black as it's a bit softer and less bold to go better with certain color combos) and then fussy cut.  It's also adhered with a dimensional.

  The final touches are a bakers twine bow and a tiny brass butterfly on one of the flowers.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Cup of Tea, Biggest Wish

Ink: Tahitian Tide, Daffodil Delight, Granny Apple Green, Basic Gray

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Daffodil Delight, Tea Boutique DSP

Accessories: Teacup Dies, Cane Weave embossing folder, dimensionals, bakers twine, Brushed Brass Butterfly

Best Cake Birthday - Stampin' Up! Best Day

   I'm playing along with Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge and their sketch today.  I was intrigued by the arched panel and thought it would be a good challenge to attempt.

  Since we're about to say good-bye to Polished Pink and Pale Papaya (maybe??!!) I thought it would be fun to pair them with Pumpkin Pie for a bright birthday card.   The base is Polished Pink and I stamped the candles from the Best Day stamp set along the top and bottom using the same color ink.

  Next I cut out a large label with the Seasonal Labels dies and trimmed off the bottom so it looks more like a tag and fit the sketch better with just the top being rounded.  I stamped the cake in Basic Gray and then colored it in with Blends Markers.  A strip of Enjoy the Journey DSP in a great zigzag pattern gives a nice base for the cake panel to rest on.  A bit of Pumpkin Pie twine (found on page 59 of Jan.-April mini catalog) is wrapped around it before being popped with dimensionals.  

  The "it's all about you" secondary sentiment is added under the panels in Basic Gray and then a few adhesive sequins are added for extra detail.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Best Day

Ink: Polished Pink, Basic Gray

Blends: Pumpkin Pie light & dark, Polished Pink light & dark, Pale Papaya light & dark

Paper: Polished Pink, Basic White, Enjoy the Journey DSP

Accessories: Seasonal Labels dies, dimensionals, Three Twine Combo Pack (Pumpkin Pie), white adhesive sequins

80th Petal Wreath - Stampin' Up! Petal Park

   My mother in law asked me recently to make a special 80th birthday card for her to give to a friend so I got busy using the Petal Park and Sentimental Park stamp sets.  I think these 2 sets have been my most used so far in this mini catalog.  I had fun building up a wreath shape with stamped and die cut flowers.

  I chose bright spring-like colors as they seemed perfect for a celebration of a milestone birthday this time of year.  The Cane Weave embossing folder gives a nice texture to the Basic White background.

  I pulled out some REALLY old dies to make the '80'.  The other number dies I had just weren't the right size.  The long retired Bigz Alphabet Typeset dies have been in my closet for years and are rarely used but they were such an investment back in the day I just can't get rid of them!  And sometimes like for this card I'm really glad I let them continue to take up precious closet space.  I used some retired Bermuda Bay glimmer paper for a nice bling-y centerpiece to the florals.

  The number are popped on dimensionals on a large die cut circle which gave me a nice base to arrange the flowers and helped keep everything nice and round.

  After everything was adhered I added a few sequins and white matte dots to accent a few of the flowers.  I also added a tiny ribbon knot in a thin shimmer ribbon...it's either Bermuda Bay or Coastal Cabana...I can't quite tell as it's not a perfect match to either and there are not markings on the roll since I think it was a 3 pack Sale-a-Bration reward at some point.  

  This was a fun card to put together and used up some small bits of cardstock for all the die cut flowers which is always a bonus!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Petal Park, Sentimental Park

Ink: Fresh Freesia, Daffodil Delight, Polished Pink, Granny Apple Green

Paper: Fresh Freesia, Basic White, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Bermuda Bay, Polished Pink, Bermuda Bay Glimmer paper (retired)

Accessories: Cane Weave Embossing folder, Petal Park punch, Sentimental Park dies, dimensionals, Stylish Shapes dies, Bigz Alphabet Typeset dies (retired), sequins, white matte dots

Love You Hearts - Stampin' Up! Country Bouquet

   I know I'm not the only card maker with a basket or bin full of card parts that didn't make the cut to be used on a card but were too good to just toss.  I have panels of embossed cardstock, die cuts, stamped images and off cuts that "might be good for something" sitting in a bin on my stamp desk.  Every once in a while I cull it and toss what I know I will never use no matter how many times I tell myself I will.  The rest sit there waiting for their second chance.

  Thanks to the current challenge over at As You See It a few of those orphaned card parts made onto a card finally.  For the challenge they are asking us to "Spring Clean the Stash" and use up some bits and pieces that we've been holding onto!  

  The bits of this card that I already had sitting around are the large stamped heart; it was die cut and everything with the Stylish Shapes dies just sitting and waiting!  The Cane Weave embossed panel was also an orphaned card part as well as the baker's twine bow.  

  I added all the pieces to a card base and added a panel of Country Gingham DSP and a smaller embossed heart in Sweet Sorbet and a sentiment.  A few In Color dots finish up this card that was completely based around a few pieces I had saved "just in case"!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Country Bouquet

Ink: Mint Macaron, Sweet Sorbet, Versamark

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Mint Macaron, Country Gingham DSP, Sweet Sorbet

Accessories: Stylish Shapes dies, Cane Weave embossing folder, white embossing powder, dimensionals, Country Bouquet punch, baker's twine, In Color Matte Decorative Dots

Rainbow World - Stampin' Up! Watercolor World

   I was able to spend quite a bit of time in my stamp room yesterday and made a few projects as well as just tidied up some messy spots.  I was inspired to make today's card by the Just Us Girls challenge which is to make a card with rainbows.

  I haven't used the Watercolor World background stamp since I got it way back in the demonstrator preorder period!  I had something like this card in the back of my mind this whole time and finally put the ink to the paper to make it!

  I inked up the stamp using sponge daubers and 6 ink colors just going across in rainbow order and stamping it on Basic White cardstock.

  I edged the top and bottom of the stamped panel with narrow strips of Basic Black and then mounted it to a Basic White thick card base.

  The sentiment from Full of Love is stamped in Versamark ink onto Basic Black cardstock and then embossed in white.  Dimensionals adhere the sentiment to the card front.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Watercolor World, Full of Love

Ink: Gorgeous Grape, Pacific Point, Granny Apple Green, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Poppy Parade, Versamark

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Basic Black

Accessories: sponge daubers, dimensionals, white embossing powder

Sweet Goose - Stampin' Up! Silly Goose

   Just a quick card to share today using the Silly Goose stamp set.  It's always nice to have a few friendship cards on hand as you never know when you'll have to pop on in the mail.  I used a closed Freshly Made Sketches challenge for the layout.  Since the images in this set are smaller I liked the sketch for the circle which was a perfect size to make the little swimming scene.

  I started with a Night of Navy base topped with a piece of Basic White embossed with the Cane Weave embossing folder.  The sketch called for a band along the left side of the card so I used a strip of Butterfly Kisses DSP in a cute Calypso Coral heart pattern.

  The goose is stamped in black Memento ink on Basic White and then die cut with a Stylish Shapes circle die.  I added a few extra "waves" along the bottom of the circle then blended some Balmy Blue ink over the top with a mini blending brush.

  I highlighted the waves with the dark Balmy Blue Blends marker and then colored in the rest of the images with Blends.  I popped the circle on dimensionals and then added the sentiment in Night of Navy.

  A Night of Navy baker's twine bow and some long retired candy dots used for embellishments.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Silly Goose 

Ink: Memento Black, Night of Navy, Balmy Blue

Blends: Balmy Blue light & dark, Night of Navy light, Calypso Coral light & dark, Daffodil Delight light and dark, Crumb Cake light, Granny Apple Green light

Paper: Night of Navy, Basic White, Butterfly Kisses DSP

Accessories: Cane Weave embossing folder, Stylish Shapes dies, dimensionals, baker's twine, candy dots (retired)

Zesty Birthday - Stampin' Up! Sweet Citrus

   Today's card is a bright cheerful birthday card to bring a little bit of color to this cold wet day here in the RVA.  After a few sunny but colder days this week today is wet and cold so these bright lemons will at least make your computer or phone screen a little more cheerful!

  I used the Global Design Project challenge of caseing a card by the designer Kim Fee for my layout.  The open DSP ring allows more of the watercolored background to show through which is a fun design feature and I turned the layout to be a landscape orientation instead of portrait because I need a little more room for the longer sentiment banner.

   My color combo for this card was inspired by a color palette Stampin' Up! recently shared as inspiration.  They had used Crushed Curry but I swapped it out for Daffodil Delight for a brighter yellow for my lemons.  The other colors; Starry Sky, Crumb Cake and Coastal Cabana are used as well.

  I started with a Coastal Cabana base, then a layer of Shimmery White cardstock embossed with the Sweet Citrus embossing folder.  I then watercolored the raised embossed images with my water painters and reinkers.

  The open ring is made with a piece of Dandy Designs DSP and 2 of the Stylish Shapes circle dies.  I popped it up with dimensionals then added 2 stamped and die cut lemons and some leaves on one side.

  The sentiment is stamped in Starry Sky ink and then the end is flagged.  It's tucked just under the inside of the ring and adhered with mini dimensionals.

  The final detail is a linen thread bow added just under the lemons.

  If you haven't checked out the Sweet Citrus bundle yet don't wait; it makes such cute cards and you can do all the different citrus fruit just by changing up the ink colors.  See an orange card, lemon card, and a grapefruit card.  Looks like I should put a lime card on my to do list!!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Sweet Citrus

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Coastal Cabana, Crumb Cake and Starry Sky

Paper: Coastal Cabana, Shimmery White cardstock, Basic White, Dandy Designs DSP (SAB retired)

Accessories: Sweet Citrus Hybrid embossing folder/dies, Stylish Shapes dies, dimensionals, linen thread

All the Conversations - Stampin' Up! Conversation Bubbles

 My stamping time has been limited for various reason this week but I did finish this card just in time to join in with the Just Us Girls Challenge color challenge which ends tonight.  The colors were fun and I thought they would work well on a bold, graphic card.

  I start with a Coastal Cabana base, then a layer of Basic White, then a layer of Basic Black on which I created a full background using all the different die cuts from the Conversation Bubbles die set.  I cut them out in Coastal Cabana and Daffodil Delight cardstock and mixed and matched open bubbles with solid bubbles.  One trick that I use when doing a panel with a lot of pieces is to arrange it until I get it just so then I take a quick picture with my phone so if the panel get bumped or if I have to move a few pieces to glue another one down I don't get mixed up where everything fits.  

  Once I had the background squared away I embossed the 'welcome' and the outline bubble in black embossing powder, cut it out and popped it on dimensionals.  I added the little yellow heart to balance my unintentionally offset sentiment.  Some times a goof ends up being a good design decision!  lol!  A quick change of the sentiment and this card could be for many other occasions.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Conversation Bubbles

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Coastal Cabana, Basic White, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Conversation Bubbles dies, black embossing powder, dimensionals

Spring Florals - Stampin' Up! Petal Park

   My stampers made this very spring like card last week at class.  These colors are definitely screaming spring to me!  Blushing Bride, Fresh Freesia and Soft Sea Foam are a pastel lovers dream for a floral card when the weather starts turning warm(er).  

  The card starts with a Basic White thick card base topped with a piece of Soft Sea Foam stamped with the open leaves stamp from the Petal Park stamp set.  Next, the trio of flowers was stamped twice; the open flowers in Fresh Freesia and the solid flowers in Blushing Bride.  They are punched out with the Petal Park Builder punch.

  The fantastic detailed label can be found in the Sentimental Park dies and we cut it out using Fine Shimmer paper in Fresh Freesia.  This paper has a gorgeous shimmer and is different from glimmer paper in that it doesn't have the bits that can flake off, it's very smooth to the touch and cuts beautifully.  You get 2 sheets of 3 colors in the 12x12 pack; Gold, Fresh Freesia and Soft Succulent. The catalog photos don't do it justice in my opinion.

  Next the sentiment is stamped in Basic Gray onto Basic White and cut out with the coordinating Sentimental Park die.  The sentiments are in the Sentimental Park stamp set and can be mixed and match.  This one is 3 separate stamps that I placed on one clear block for easy stamping.  The white label tucks into slits cut into the detailed label for a seamless look.

  All of the punched flowers are adhered around the label; some flat, some popped on dimensionals.  The Blushing Bride flowers have Opaque Adhesive-backed gems in the centers and one of the Fresh Freesia flowers has a baker's twine bow.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Petal Park, Sentimental Park

Ink: Soft Sea Foam, Blushing Bride, Fresh Freesia, Basic Gray

Paper: Basic White thick, Soft Sea Foam, Basic White, Fine Shimmer paper (Fresh Freesia)

Accessories: Petal Park builder punch, Sentimental Park dies, dimensionals, Opaque adhesive-backed gems, baker's twine

Springtime Fun - Stampin' Up! Playng in the Rain

   I was inspired to design this card for a recent class by a customer who sent me a lovely watercolored card that she had made.  I hadn't done a watercoloring card in class for a really long time so it was long overdue.

  The Playing in the Rain stamp set was perfect for a little bit of watercoloring and scene building with the fantastic coordinating Playing in the Rain dies.

  This one starts with a nice bright card base in Tahitian Tide.  Then using a piece of Fluid 100 watercolor paper (which is nice and thick and takes ink beautifully) we watercolored the background sky and grass.  Water painters (on page 129 in the Annual Catalog) are perfect for all the coloring on this card.  We used the wide brushes for the sky and grass and the finer tip ones for the small spaces on the bunny.  All the ink colors used are listed below.

  Once the background was dry the rest of the scene was added.  The bunny is stamped in Stazon onto Shimmery White paper and then watercolored.  The bunny was stamped a second time onto a small piece of Rain or Shine DSP and then the raincoat is fussy cut then paper pieced onto the bunny for a fun patterned design.

  The kite, grass sprouts and clouds are die cut and added to the scene.  For ease of use for my customers we used adhesive sheets for the kite pieces to make adhering all those small bits super easy.  One cloud and one of the grass sprouts are popped on dimensionals.  

  The sentiment is from the Sale-a-Bration set Thanks a Bunch and is stamped in Tahitian Tide and popped on dimensionals at the bottom of the card.  A few Pastel Adhesive Backed sequins around the clouds adds a bit of sparkle for the finishing touch.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Playing in the Rain, Thanks a Bunch (SAB-retired)

Ink: Stazon, Tahitian Tide, Parakeet Party, Blushing Bride, Smoky Slate (Gray Granite makes a nice bunny color too)

Paper: Tahitian Tide, Fluid 100 watercolor paper, Basic White, Shimmery White, Sweet Sorbet, Granny Apple Green, Mango Melody, Rain or Shine DSP

Accessories: water painters, dimensionals, Playing in the Rain dies, dimensionals

Orange Squeeze - Stampin' Up! Sweet Citrus

   Here it is Thursday already and I haven't shared many projects this week.  I was busy getting ready for classes at the beginning of the week and then all day yesterday I mulched the yard and by the time I was finished with it there was no energy left for blogging!  I finally have a few minutes today to share what I've been working on.

  I designed this card for a recent class to introduce the Sweet Citrus bundle to my stampers.  Since it is a similar product to the Tree Rings hybrid embossing folder which they loved I was pretty sure they would like it and I was right!  They loved the emboss and cut at the same time option as well as the beautiful texture you get from the Sweet Citrus embossing folder.

  We started with a Balmy Blue base, then a layer of Night of Navy topped with Basic White stamped with the little flower cluster stamp in Balmy Blue ink.  The centers of the flowers are stamped in Pale Papaya.  The sentiment is stamped in Night of Navy over the top of the flowers.

  A piece of Country Gingham DSP is adhered to the side of the Basic White panel.  The oranges are stamped in Pumpkin Pie and Pale Papaya and during class we used the Stamparatus for perfect alignment.  The embossing folder and die were used to emboss and cut the orange slices.

   Before adhering the oranges a piece of Night of Navy Bordered ribbon was added along the bottom of the Basic White panel.  The smallest slice of orange is popped on dimensionals.

  Finally 2 Milky Dots are added to the DSP for the finishing touch.

  This is the perfect card to send to someone needing a big hug.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Sweet Citrus

Ink: Balmy Blue, Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie, Pale Papaya

Paper: Balmy Blue, Basic White, Night of Navy, Country Gingham DSP

Accessories: Sweet Citrus Hybrid embossing folder/die, dimensionals, Night of Navy Bordered ribbon, Milky Dots

Guacamole Birthday - Stampin' Up! Taco Fiesta

   I've got a cute masculine birthday card to share today for Testosterone Tuesday.  It really could be for anyone that enjoys a good pun or some chips and guac but it's a CAS design with little fuss so it falls into the "guy card" category for me.

   Parakeet Party is used for the card base.  The Basic White panel has 3 score lines across the bottom for some low fuss detail and they also gave a bit of an anchor for the sentiment.  I colored the avocados and the bowl of guacamole with Stampin' Blends markers and then punched them out with a circle punch.  They are backed with a slightly larger punched circle in Basic Black. Some dimensionals are used to adhered them to the card front.

  So it's a quick masculine card too!  Minimal supplies but still really fun!

  Thanks for looking! Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Taco Fiesta

Ink: Memento Black

Blends: Parakeet Party light & dark, Old Olive dark, Basic Black light & dark, SU300 (brown)

Paper: Parakeet Party, Basic Black, Basic White

Accessories: circle punches (or dies), dimensionals, scoring tool

Turtle Get Well - Stampin' Up! Playing in the Rain

   I needed a masculine get well card and this week the Paper Players have a Clean and Simple Get Well prompt so it was perfect timing.

  I haven't watercolored in a really long time and a customer recently inspired me by sending me a card that she watercolored at a class at our local botanical gardens.  I decided to pull out my (very dry!!) Stazon ink pad and some watercolor paper and give it a go.  No, I'm not going to share the first attempts...only the one that came out worthy enough to send to another human!  

  I chose some nice bright cheerful colors in Mango Melody, Parakeet Party, Granny Apple Green and a bit of Night of Navy for contrast.

  First, I adhered a piece of Regency Park DSP onto the card front.  Next I stamped the turtle from Playing in the Rain stamp set in Stazon and then watercolored with water painter brushes.  The sentiment is from the Through It Together stamp set and is stamped in Stazon as well.

  Once the turtle panel was dry I added a length of Night of Navy ribbon to the top and then backed the panel with Night of Navy cardstock.  The whole panel is popped onto the card front with dimensionals.

  The final detail is a Night of Navy enamel dot added to the flower center. See pretty clean and simple!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Playing in the Rain, Through It Together

Ink: Stazon, Mango Melody, Parakeet Party, Granny Apple Green

Paper: watercolor paper, Night of Navy, Regency Park DSP

Accessories: water painter brush, dimensionals, Night of Navy Bordered Ribbon, enamel dot 

Bunny Ears Easter - Stampin' Up! Sentimental Park

   Sometimes when I'm working on a card design I see something in a stamp or die that looks like it could be used for something else.  I was creating this card and while I was fussy cutting the leaves I totally had an "a-ha" moment where I saw bunny ears!  Of course I tucked that little bit of inspiration away and a few days later I sat down to see if I could come up with a design using this stamp as bunny ears.

  I paired the stamp with 2 patterns from the Sale-a-Bration Day at the Farm DSP to create a trio of little bunny ears peaking over the top of a hill.

  The card base is Balmy Blue then a layer of Basic White.  The sky/cloud pattern from Day at the Farm DSP is on the top half of the Basic White panel.  I fussy cut the hill pattern and added it to the bottom half.

  The bunny ears are stamped in Crumb Cake and then the inside is colored with the light Flirty Flamingo Blends marker.  I fussy cut all three pairs of ears then tucked them just behind the hillside.

  To fill in the sky I added a few die cut clouds from the Playing in the Rain dies.  They are popped on dimensionals for added interest (and because I can't say no to dimensionals lol!!).  I cut a few grass/flower stems using the same die set and added them to the hillside.  They are topped with the fun Loose Daisy embellishments.

  The sentiment is an old retired set called And Many More.  The size and bunny reference fit perfectly with the design. 

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Sentimental Park, And Many More (retired)

Ink: Crumb Cake, Garden Green

Blends: Flirty Flamingo light

Paper: Balmy Blue, Basic White, Pear Pizzazz, Day at the Farm DSP (SAB)

Accessories: Playing in the Rain dies, dimensionals, Loose Daisy embellishments

Musical Thinking of You - Stampin' Up! Sweet Songbirds

   I'm playing along with the Festive Friday Challenge today.  They are celebrating World Music Therapy Day with a fun list of inspiration to get your creativity going.  From the list I have used Notes, Supportive Sentiment, Clean and Simple (CAS) Design and Ink Blending.

  Out of all my current stamp sets the Sweet Songbirds is the only one that has anything musical in it so wasn't hard to decide what to start with!

  I started with a piece of Regency Park DSP on the card front.  Next I backed a layer of Basic White with some Polished Pink.  I blended a bit of Balmy Blue into the background so I could have a nice sky for my bird.

  The clouds are punched with the cloud punch and I sponged a bit of Balmy Blue ink on the edges to define them a bit more.  The sentiment from the Beauty of Friendship stamp set is stamped in Night of Navy onto one of the clouds and is popped on dimensionals.

  The bird is stamped in Polished Pink and punched out with the Songbird Builder punch.  I added a punched beak in Mango Melody as well as stamped feet in the same color ink.  The bird body and wing are popped on dimensionals.

 Finally I stamped the music notes in Night of Navy to finish the design.  No embellishments are added to keep it more CAS than not.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Sweet Songbirds, Beauty of Friendship

Ink: Night of Navy, Balmy Blue, Polished Pink, Mango Melody

Paper: Basic White, Polished Pink, Regency Park DSP, Mango Melody

Accessories: Songbird Builder punch, dimensionals, Cloud punch

Chubby Cat Birthday - Stampin' Up! Best Day

   I'm getting in just under the wire for posting a Testosterone Tuesday guy card!  My day was full up of college visits with my oldest and I didn't plan far enough ahead to schedule a post you'll get a rare evening post from me!

  I used the Inspired By Challenge in which I used not only the inspiration photo but loosely used the sketch as well.

  These colors were just perfect for a guy card and after looking through my stamp sets I thought the adorable chubby kitty from the Best Wishes stamp set was a perfect image to incorporate them all in.

  The card base is Basic White thick with a slightly smaller layer of Smoky Slate which is embossed with the retired Subtle embossing folder.  Then I added a narrow strip of Balmy Blue to anchor the other other elements.

  The squares are all die cut using the Stylish Shapes dies in various sizes.  The cat is stamped on the large Basic White one in Basic Gray ink.  I used Blends markers to color in the image using all the challenge colors.

  I stamped the sentiment in Basic Gray and then trimmed it down to fit inside the Real Red square which is popped on dimensionals.  And then I dug around in my retired stash of embellishments and blued out some Pacific Point candy dots which I swear are multiplying in the drawer as I never seem to make any headway in using them up!

  It's always a great idea to have some masculine cards tucked away in your stash and I would definitely suggest trying out these colors for a few cards!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Best Day

Ink: Basic Gray

Blends: Smoky Slate light & dark, Real Red light & dark, Balmy Blue light & dark, Night of Navy light

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic White, Real Red, Smoky Slate, Pacific Point, Balmy Blue

Accessories: Stylish Shapes dies, dimensionals, candy dots (retired), Subtle embossing folder (retired)

Blushing Dear Friend - Stampin' Up! Sentimental Park

 I used the current Tic Tac Toe challenge for this card.  I used the right hand down choices of; CAS, stencil and flowers.

  

  This is such a pretty color combo that I'm sure I've used it more than once but it's also a good combo to use before Soft Succulent and Evening Evergreen retire on May 1.  Double check your reinkers and cardstock so you don't run out of your favorites!  My ordering link is in my sidebar -------->

  The first step for this card was to use one of the retired Adorning Designs stencils on the card base.  I blended some Soft Succulent ink for a nice subtle pattern.

  

  Next I cut a Stylish Shapes circle out of a Basic White panel and added the full panel to the card front.  The flowers from Sentimental Park are stamped in Soft Succulent then filled in with Blushing Bride.  I die cut the flower cluster as well as a few Blushing Bride flowers and popped them with dimensionals along the side of the open circle.

  

  I stamped the leaves in Evening Evergreen and then fussy cut them (the die cuts the large leaf/stem combo) and then tucked it behind the flowers.  The sentiment is stamped in Evening Evergreen and then fussy cut and popped.

  The finishing touches are small pearls on the Blushing Bride flowers and an Evening Evergreen baker's twine bow.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Sentimental Park

Ink: Soft Succulent, Evening Evergreen, Blushing Bride

Paper: Soft Succulent, Basic White, Blushing Bride

Accessories: Stylish Shapes dies, Sentimental Park dies, dimensionals, pearls, baker's twine

Cacti Hello - Stampin' Up! Taco Fiesta

   Check out this fabulous color palette that The Color Hues team has for us this week!  As soon as I saw my friend Nanc's stunning card in their design team gallery I knew I had to play along with these bright colors! Cyan and Lime Green translate to Tahitian Tide and Parakeet Party in Stampin' Up! colors and like Nanc' I added some black to really make the colors pop!

  The card base is Tahitian Tide with a Basic White layer next.  On top of that is a piece of Tahitian Tide embossed with the Gingham embossing folder.

  Next I stamped a row of cacti from the Taco Fiesta set across a piece of Basic White and then colored them in with my Parakeet Party Blends.  I used the color lifter marker to pull up some color in a dot and striped pattern to add some detail to the cacti.  Next I embossed in black the mustache face on one cactus and then backed the layer with Basic Black and popped it with dimensionals on the card front.

  I stamped and embossed in black the 'hello' word bubble from the Conversation Bubbles set and then die cut it with the coordinating dies.  It's also popped up on a dimensional above the cactus.

  I didn't want to take away from the smaller images by adding any embellishments so I left it plain and let the embossed texture and shiny black embossing be the main details.

  Thanks so much for the color inspiration Color Hues!!  This card just makes me smile so much I might have to keep it for myself!!

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Taco Fiesta, Conversation Bubbles

Ink: Memento Black, Versamark

Blends: Parakeet Party light & dark

Paper: Tahitian Tide, Basic White, Basic Black

Accessories: Gingham embossing folder, black embossing powder, Conversation Bubbles dies, dimensionals

Park Floral Thanks - Stampin' Up! Sentimental Park

   It is very dreary here in Central Virginia with rain expected for a good part of the day.  It's not cold but I'm going to stay inside and doing stamping things!  I'm sharing a bright floral card to combat the gray weather to start my list of stamping things I need to do today!

  My stampers made this at my last Quick & Easy class.  When you've got gorgeous paper like the Regency Park DSP you want to show it off.  We paired a pretty design with a clean sentiment label.

  The card base is Balmy Blue, then a square of Regency Park DSP backed with a Shaded Spruce square.

  2 lengths of Night of Navy Bordered ribbon which I love are adhered to the card front on a diagonal.  I used glue dots but a bit of snail adhesive would work as well.

  A piece of Basic White is cut with the plain label from the Sentimental Dies set.  The open flower stamp from Sentimental Park is stamped off in Mango Melody across the label.  The 'thanks' is stamped over the top of the flowers in Night of Navy for a nice contrast.  The label is popped on dimensionals and a punched flower from another Regency Park DSP pattern is added to the corner with a Night of Navy adhesive backed Milky Dots in the center.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Sentimental Park

Ink: Night of Navy, Mango Melody

Paper: Balmy Blue, Shaded Spruce, Regency Park DSP, Basic White

Accessories: Sentimental Park dies, Petal Park builder punch, Night of Navy Bordered ribbon, dimensionals, milk dots

  

Pastel Bubbles - Stampin' Up! Conversation Bubbles

   The team over at Global Design Project have a nice set of colors to work with for their current challenge.  Fresh Freesia, Highland Heather and Blushing Bride are so sweet together.  I had a card in mind when I started and it didn't end up how I had hoped but I think it came out good enough to share.  Maybe one of you can see my vision and improve upon it!!

  I basically just stamped and cut a bunch of different word bubbles from the Conversation Bubbles bundle and arranged them on a Highland Heather circle.  The stamped "just a note" is popped on dimensionals and the others are adhered flat but the big circle is popped on the card front.  

  I used a piece of Silver & Gold Specialty paper that was a Sale-a-bration reward last year and cut it with the Stitched Rectangle dies for a but of added detail for the background.  The silver polka dot pattern was subtle enough to let the challenge colors show but not just a boring flat piece of card stock,

 The word bubbles are jazzed up with some baker's twine, rose gold hearts, rhinestones and sequins.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Conversation Bubbles

Ink: Highland Heather

Paper: Highland Heather, Blushing Bride, Fresh Freesia, Basic White, Silver & Gold Specialty paper (SAB-retired), Rose Gold Metallic Specialty paper

Accessories: Stylish Shapes dies, Conversation Bubbles dies, dimensionals, baker's twine, rhinestones, sequins, Stitched Rectangle dies

Spring Showers Hello - Stampin' Up! Playing in the Rain

   I haven't used the Playing in the Rain bundle very much yet but I was inspired by 2 challenges to make a card using the stamp set and coordinating DSP.  The TGIF Challenge has a fun sketch with with 3 different sized panels and the Alphabet Challenge is on letter W and the theme is "water".

  

  I fussed around for a bit with other DSPs before deciding to go with the brighter palette in the Rain or Shine DSP.  I start with a Basic White card base then a layer of Country Gingham DSP in a Balmy Blue small plaid.

 

  Next I layered my 3 different Rain or Shine panels on top.  It took a bit of trimming and re-cutting to get my panels balanced.  If you want to try a similar layout here are my measurements:  

raindrop panel - 2 5/8" x 3 1/2"

crosshatch panel - 1" x 3 1/2"

flower panel - 1 3/8" x 3 3/4"

  I really like the Rain or Shine DSP because it's a specialty paper and for this particular pack that means that the designs on one side are have certain elements that are shiny or clear embossed.  The raindrops, umbrellas, clouds etc all have this fun detail.  The rainy one is perfect for this alphabet challenge!

  Next I stamped the bunny in Basic Gray and colored it in with Blends.  I stamped the bunny again on a piece of the DSP and then fussy cut the raincoat and added it to my colored bunny for a fun paper pieced coat.  I fussy cut one of the umbrellas from another sheet and adhered it and the bunny to the card front.

  The clouds are stamped in Smoky Slate and die cut.  I stamped the hello from the Beauty of Friendship in Balmy Blue to the largest cloud and then adhered the clouds behind the bunny.

  Thanks for looking! Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Playing in the Rain, Beauty of Friendship

Ink: Smoky Slate, Basic Gray, Balmy Blue

Blends: Smoky Slate light & dark, Flirty Flamingo light, Petal Pink dark, Night of Navy light, Balmy Blue dark

Paper: Basic White thick, Country Gingham DSP, Rain or Shine DSP, Basic White

Accessories: Playing in the Rain dies, dimensionals

  

Goofy Goose Birthday - Stampin' Up! Silly Goose

   I was really drawn to all the cute animals in the Stampin' Up! Jan.-April mini catalog and the owls in the Sale-a-Bration brochure.  I couldn't resist the cuteness of the Silly Goose stamp set especially.  That and the fact that you can make a pretty quick card with white geese...hardly any coloring needed!  

  This week's installment of Testosterone Tuesday isn't overtly male themed but the fresh colors and clean lines do seem more masculine to me.  

  My stampers made this card at my last Quick & Easy card class which I hold once a month and it's perfect for new stampers or casual crafters who love to have a few extra cards on hand.  Though my more avid stampers seem to love it as well.  It's a class for all levels!  Check out my events calendar to see if you can join an upcoming class HERE.

  Since this is a very straightforward card design I won't go over every detail but will just point out a few things.  We don't currently have Stampin' Blends markers in Coastal Cabana but using the Pool Party dark and Bermuda Bay light markers gets you pretty close which are used here for the balloon. The Gray Granite light marker is perfect for a tiny bit of shading at the wings and under the feet.

  The 2022-2024 In Color Glimmer paper is a great way to add a bit of shine and shimmer while still keeping the overall design quick & easy and the ombre effect is a nice bit of interest.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Silly Goose

Ink: Basic Gray

Blends: Pool Party dark, Bermuda Bay light, Gray Granite light, Pale Papaya dark, Starry Sky light

Paper: Coastal Cabana, Basic White, 2022-2024 In Color Glimmer paper, 

Accessories: dimensionals, Matte Decorative Dots

Bright Hugs & Kisses - Stampin' Up! Country Bouquet

   Not a country floral in sight on this Valentine's day card!  I used the colors at Just Add Ink for this bright and bold hugs & kisses card using the Country Bouquet stamp set and punch. Orchid Oasis, Tahitian Tide and Polished Pink are a knockout combo I think!

  I used the challenge colors in nice big blocks to create a fun background for my shimmery X's and O's die cut with the Alphabet a la Mode dies.  I lined up the panels and then stamped across them using Versamark ink and the large open heart stamp in Country Bouquet.  I then mounted the colored panels on a piece of Basic Black for a nice contrast. 

  Next I cut 2 sets of X's and O's; one in retired Shimmer paper and one in foam adhesive sheets and put them together and adhered them to my card front.  They pop nicely against the background.

  I punched a few small hearts from Orchid Oasis glimmer paper and popped them on the card with dimensionals.  A few Tahitian Tide Matte Decorative dots finishes off the details.

   Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Country Bouquet

Ink: Versamark

Paper: Basic White thick, Basic Black, Orchid Oasis, Tahitian Tide, Polished Pink, 2022-2024 In Color Glimmer paper, White shimmer paper (retired)

Accessories: Alphabet a la Mode dies, Country Bouquet punch, matte dots, dimensionals

Park in Purples - Stampin' Up! Sentimental Park

   Sometimes it doesn't happen but I try to send my team members a card each month just to say hello and brighten their mailboxes with some happy mail.  This month I used Sentimental Park and paired it up with purples for a soft floral look.  

  I made one with a welcome sentiment for my newest team member and the others I used a friendship sentiment.  The Sentimental Park dies have the loveliest labels with the cute flower accents that are perfect for not only stamping a greeting on but also as a pretty accent element.

  I used a Fresh Freesia base then a layer of Basic White topped with a piece of Dandy Designs DSP in a floral pattern.

  I cut the label in Basic White then stamped the open flower cluster after stamping off once for a very light look.

  The flower is stamped in Highland Heather then is filled in with Fresh Freesia and is backed by a punched flower in Highland Heath.  The stem is Pear Pizzazz.  I cut a bunch of little flowers in Highland Heather and then added them to the edges of the label.  The whole label element is popped with dimensionals over a strip of Pear Pizzazz shimmer ribbon which was a Sale-a-Bration reward many years ago.

  The final touches are small pearls in the center of the small flowers and one larger one on the big flower.

  Thanks for looking!  Did you stamp today?

Stamps: Sentimental Park, Stamping Your Way to the Top (retired demo-only set)

Ink: Highland Heather, Fresh Freesia

Paper: Fresh Freesia, Basic White, Highland Heather, Dandy Designs DSP

Accessories: Sentimental Park dies, Petal Park Builder punch, pearls, dimensionals, Pear Pizzazz Shimmer Ribbon (retired)