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Punched Posies – CC283

Gosh…I haven't played along with the SCS challenges in quite a while!  I was looking for a color challenge and decided to play along with them today!  The colors are Baja Breeze, Poppy Parade, Crumb Cake and a Neutral.  Very fun color combo!

Here is my take on those colors!

For my card, I started with the Top Note die and cut the Whisper White with the Big Shot.  I also knew I wanted to use one of the phrases in Stampin' Up!'s stamp set, Word Play…I love how large the font is on these!  I picked this greeting with the thought that I'd use hearts some way…then saw my Punched Posies stamp set and decided Poppy Parade and Baja Breeze flowers was the way to go.  I stamped the words in Poppy Parade on the Whisper White, then sponged around the edges with Baja Breeze ink.

I inked up the large flower in Poppy Parade and punched with the Fancy Flower punch.  Then I stamped the smaller flowers in Baja Breeze and cut them out (they are really intended to use with the 1" circle, but I like them cut out better).   I used Stampin' Dimensionals to place them on the bottom of the Top Note.  I used a button tied with Linen Thread for the center of the large flower and the new adhesive 1/2 pearls in the centers of the smaller flowers…I LOVE these! 

I decided to add the Crumb Cake color with a butterfly in the upper right corner, so I stamped her on Whisper White with Crumb Cake for the wings and Baja Breeze for the body , then used the Butterfly punch.  She is popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals, too.  Then I decided to use the itty bitt 1/2 pearls to define her flight pattern.  LOVE how that looks!  Since the punch cut off the antenna, I drew them back on with my Baja Breeze Stampin' Write Marker.

The base of the card is Poppy Parade and I layered some Sunny Garden Designer Paper onto Baja Breeze cardstock in the background.  I think this worked out great for the SCS283 Challenge!

Well, I'm off to help move my youngest son's household today…could he have picked a busier week?  lol!

Don't forget!  Create with Connie and Mary is looking for FOUR new Design Team Members for the next session of Create with Connie and Mary, featuring the Holiday Mini!  We'd love to have you apply!  If you applied last time, try again!  We had so many great applications last time it was very hard to choose!  You can find out more information over on Create with Connie and Mary!

Create with Connie and Mary Challenge – Blossom Party Die

Since we've been celebrating my son's wedding all summer, I have had wedding on my mind a lot.  The last and final wedding reception will be held here in mid August.  And yes, I'm busy planning away.  Luckily it is very casual and only about 50-60 people are expected.  But…seems like it is one more thing on my list this summer!  lol!

Mary found this darling wedding cake and we knew we needed to use it as our inspiration for this week's Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge!  With all the flower stamps and dies on the market, we are positive you'll find some inspiration, too!  After you create your card, link it over on Create with Connie and Mary back to your blog or gallery.  Make sure to use the word CCMC109 so we can find your entry!

Here is what I did with the inspiration from the cake!  I started with a base card of Whisper White, then added a layer of Pacific Point.  I added another layer of Whisper White that I ran thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder.

The flowers are from a die in Stampin' Up!'s main catalog called Blossom Party!  I overlooked this die for a long time, but recently purchased it and am having LOTS of fun with it!  I cut out 5 of them out of more Whisper White cardstock and then cut the centers with the die in Pacific Point and one in Daffodit Delight…don't you like that little POP of a different color?  The yellow center flower is popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I wrapped some White Stripe Organdy Ribbon around the card and tied.  I needed a greeting, so I picked up Teeny Tiny Wishes and stamped in in Pacific Point on Whisper White, then punched with the Curly Label Punch.

I liked this card so well, I changed up the colors and made one similar for my second Control Freaks Convention Swap…I'll post that one tomorrow!

Have a great day and remember to check out what the rest of the Thursday Challenge Designers did over on Create with Connie and Mary!  Some FABULOUS cards this week!

Create with Connie and Mary Thursday Challenge

This week over on Create with Connie and Mary's Thursday Challenge it is a sketch challenge!  Mary made up an awesome sketch from MDS for us to use.  Remember, it is for inspiration only, feel free to flip it around and use it as you are inspired!  Then upload your card over on the InLinkz gallery on Create with Connie and Mary!  Make sure you put CCMC106 in your post!  And, check out what the Challenge Design Team did this week…they are AWESOME!

And here is my card for this week!  I LOVE the colors of Marina Mist and Daffodil Delight together!  Throw in a little Pear Pizzazz and you have a P-A-R-T-Y!  lol!

I started with a base card of Marina Mist and embossed the front with the new Vintage Wallpaper Impressions Folder.  I cut a piece of Greenhouse Gala Designer Paper and layered it on Daffodil Delight cardatock.  I wrapped some Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon around and tied a knot.  (I'm SO happy we have some new colors in the Taffeta!)  I embossed the Pear Pizzazz piece with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder and rounded the corners.

For the focal element, I stamped the large flower from Stampin' Up!'s Level 2 Hostess Set, Punched Posies, in Daffodil Delight Classic Ink on Whisper White and punched with the Fancy Flower Punch.  I stamped it again in Marina Mist and punched out the center with the 1" circle.  I stamped the leaves in Pear Pizzazz and cut them out individually.  In the center, I added a new Daffodil Delight Designer Button and added some Linen Thread tied in a bow in the center.  Finally, I used the X shaped flower punched from Daffodil Delight cardstock with the Itty Bitty Punch and placed it where the sketch shows brads.  I love how it turned out!  What do you think?

Again, check out what the other Challenge Team designers did over on Create with Connie and Mary this week!  FABULOUS!  Then get out your stuff and play along!  We love to see your creations, too!

Create with Connie and Mary Father’s Day Challenge

Create with Connie and Mary's Thursday Challenge is a Father's Day card challenge!  Or masculine card challenge if you'd prefer!  We've always had challenges for our subscribers, but now every Thursday we will offer a sketch, color or inspiration challenge for EVERYONE to try.  Just check to see what the challenge is for the week, then submit your entry via INLINKZ over on the Create with Connie and Mary blog.  Please state in your post that it is a Create with Connie and Mary Challenge and the corresponding challenge number (CCMC103 is today!)  Come play with us!

Recently my Punch Classes made a card using the Punch Art wrench and they loved it.  Here is another idea using the Punch Art Wrench!  I combined with with the Happy Father's Day greeting from All Holidays.  I started with a base of Kraft cardstock and layered on Soft Suede.  I used a piece of stripe paper from Travel Journal Designer Paper and layered that on top.  I stamped Happy Father's Day once in Soft Suede and once in Pumpkin Pie on Very Vanilla, then cut out the Pumpkin Pie center and layered it over the Soft Suede.  I layered the Very Vanilla on Pumpkin Pie cardstock and placed on front.

For the punch art wrench, I used the Boho Blossoms punch and the 1" circle punch for the bottom, the 1 3/8 Circle punch and Word Window punch for the top.  The middle is just a rectangle piece of cardstock.  I sponged along all the edges with Soft Suede ink.  Finally, I added two Circle Designer Brads (retiring!) in the upper right corner.  I thought they looked a little like bolts!  Clever, huh? 

Make sure to check out Create with Connie and Mary to see Mary's delightful card this week!  

Create with Connie and Mary is looking for three Design Team Members to play along with our Thursday Creative Challenges each week!  You'll need to use Stampin' Up! only products, have a blog where you can post your Thursday Challenge card, and love to use sketch, color or inspiration challenges as a starting point in your creations!  See more details over on Create with Connie and Mary!  We'd love for you to join us each week!

Gardenia Punch Art

Here's another card my Punch Class did this month.  I originally made one of the Gardenia Flowers when the Ornament Punch first came out!  I made it in Pretty in Pink with some Regal Rose sponging.  I decided I wanted to make a soft white and yellow card, so pulled out my Whisper White Cardstock to make the flower!

I punched 5 of the Ornament Punch from Whisper White cardstock and sponged the center and edges of the punches.  I folded them in half for some texture.  I adhered them all together, then added a 3/4 Certainly Celery Circle punch in the center.  I added some adhesive and Clear Micro Beads to the center (hurry…these are on the retired list!  I love using them for centers of flowers.)  I also punched two Certainly Celery Ornament Punch leaves, folded them in half, and added Certainly Celery Classic Ink to the edges.

In the background, I used the Scallop Square with Whisper White cardstock and trimmed off two of the scallops on the left side.  I ran it thru the Big Shot with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder.  I wrapped So Saffron Striped Ribbon around and tied.  I adhered it the the Barely Banana base card.  I added a Barely Banana "hello" greeing from Tiny Tags and punched with the Medium Jewelry Tag punch.  It is attached to the ribbon with Linen Thread.

Finally, I added two Xs from Itty Bitty Punches and Certainly Celery cardstock.  I love how this Gardenia Flower turned out!  I think my classes loved it, too!

Remember…my 50th Birthday Celebration is going on NOW!  Check out the details HERE!

Punched Posies

I really LOVE the Hostess Level 2 stamp set, Punched Posies, in the Summer Mini!  The images match Stampin' Up! punches…what could be easier than stamp and punch!  And, of course, it is FLOWERS! 

When I made this card, I felt I was channeling Mary Brown, my Create partner!  It looks similar to her style!  She loves using flowers in trios.  When I finished it, I emailed her to tell her I made a "Mary card" today!  lol!  This card is basically a remake of the first card I made here.  At that time, i wasn't happy with it, so after I posted the picture, I took off the luggage, greeting and scallop oval to start over with just the base.  Here is my re-do!

Using the base card of Melon Mambo, with layers of Crushed Curry, Whisper White and Pretty in Pink (run thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder), I added another strip of Melon Mambo in the background.  I stamped the three scallop flowers in Crushed Curry on Whisper White and punched with the Scallop Circle Punch.  I stamped the small flowers in Melon Mambo, then cut out with my Paper Snips and adhered to the centers.   I used the Itty Bitty punch to make the center flowers in Crushed Curry and added Bitty Buttons in the centers (sorry they are naked, Mary!)  I added leaves with Old Olive ink, cut them out and placed them around the flowers.  Finally, I stamped For You from Fundamental Phrases in Melon Mambo on Whisper White, punched with the Small Oval and layered on the Large Oval of Old Olive.

What do you think?  I think it is a HUGE improvement over the last card!  It is funny how you can let things sit, then redo them into something better…or at least that is how my mind works!  The Designer Paper was throwing me off the original card.

Do you love challenges?  Create with Connie and Mary is looking for three Design Team Members to play along with our Thursday Creative Challenges each week!  You'll need to use Stampin' Up! only products, have a blog where you can post your Thursday Challenge card, and love to use sketch, color or inspiration challenges as a starting point in your creations!  See more details over on Create with Connie and Mary! 

Create with Connie and Mary Challenge

This week's challenge is for the Design Team since it is the last day of our new daily posts on Summer Edition of Create with Connie and Mary!  Can you believe it has gone by SO quickly?  I can't!  You STILL can join and access all the projects and posts we did over the past 5 weeks! 

For our subscribers, I hope you got LOTS of great ideas for using the products in the Summer Mini.  We had a blast coming up with ideas for them each week.  I want to thank our guest designers, Kerin Sylvester and Monika Davis for their hard week this Summer Edition.  I know they were VERY busy with Cruise, Graduation, and their businesses, too!

So, now on to the challenge!  This week's challenge was to make an Invitation featuring the sets, July Fourth, King of the Grill or Sweet Scoops.  I had originally thought to go in a completely different direction, but it just didn't work out…and frankly I got frustrated trying to fix it!  Mental block, I guess!  So…here is what I ended up with.  I love how it turned out! 

I've always enjoyed doing punch art classes…I've been doing them for about 5 years now.  A couple years ago, I won the So Shelli contest for my Punch Art BBQ grills ensemble…I've seen them duplicated LOTS of places now!  Here is an adaptation of the original.   I ended up liking it just as well as the original…and I love the "Grill Master" that is standing next to it!

I started with a base card that is 4 1/2 x 8 1/2 of Real Red Cardstock.  On the Brilliant Blue layer, I stamped one of the fireworks images from July Fourth randomly in the background with Brilliant Blue Classic Ink.  Along the bottom, I added Whisper White cardstock that I stamped with the other two fireworks images in Real Red and Brilliant Blue Classic Inks.  I wrapped the Real Red Polka Dot Ribbon around to hide the seam and adhered it to the base Real Red card.  I inked the 4th of July stamp with my Real Red and Brilliant Blue Stampin' Write Markers (so I could omit the word Happy) and punched with the 1 1/4 circle punch, then layered on a 1 3/8 circle punch of Brilliant Blue.  I stamped the large star in the set on scrap Whisper White, then punched with the small star punch and placed with a Stampin' Dimensional.

For the grill, I cut a 2 1/4 circle with the Circle Scissors Plus Tool, I cut a sliver of Basic Gray and placed it for the "seam" between the lid and the bottom of the grill.  I used the Word Window and Basic Black for the legs…one of the Word Windows I cut in half lengthwise.  The wheel is a 1/2 circle of Basic Gray with a 1/4 circle of Basic Black.  The handle I punched the 1/4 circle first, then the 1/2 circle around it and placed it half way under the grill lid.

The pants of the grillmaster and the apron are just rectangles cut on an angle.  The arm is the Word Window punched from Real Red and stamped with the small trio of stars in July Fourth and Real Red Classic Ink.  The hand is Blush Blossom punched with the Word Window (just the end).  I cut down the other piece of the grill leg for the spatula and used the Word Window again with Basic Black for the flipper.  I used cut small slits in it with my Paper Snips.  Oh…his shoe is the Small Oval, trimmed off.  I used the Naturally Serif Strip die for the letters BBQ.  You're Invited is from the Introducing Stamp Set!

I hope you like it!  Leave me a comment and let me know!

Make sure to check out the rest of the Create Design Team's Invitation Challenge:

Check out the rest of the design team…

Mary Brown – StamperCamper

Kerin Sylvester – Stamps, Paper, Glitter

Monika Davis – Stamping Together at Monika’s Place

Supplies:

Sets:  July Fourth, Introducing

Inks:  Real Red, Brilliant Blue, Basic Black

Cardstock:  Brilliant Blue, Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Basic Black

Accessories:  Circle Scissors Plus, Naturally Serif Strip Die, Word Window Punch, 1/2 Circle punch, 1/4 Circle Punch, 1 1/4 Circle Punch, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, Real Red Polka Dot Ribbon, Small Star Punch, Big Shot, Stampin' Dimensionals

Even though Create with Connie and Mary's daily posts are over, remember the site stays up long after the session is done, so you can refer back to all the projects and tutorials.  (AND you can STILL join!)  We have been featuring the Summer Mini stamp sets and products.  You are welcome to use our ideas and projects in your classes and camps, we just ask that you do not submit our ideas to magazines, publications or contests, including Stampin' Up!'s challenges and So Shelli creative challenge.  For more information and to see a few samples, check out our Preview Week projects at Create with Connie and Mary!  Thank you to all our subscribers!  We appreciate you!

April Tour de Freaks!

Wow…another month has gone by and it is time for the April Tour de Freaks!  You've probably just come from Lynn Put's Blog…weren't her projects fantastic?  You can continue around the tour to see everyone's projects, we have 14 stops this time!  The theme this month is FLOWERS!  I know you'll see great ideas to help you enjoy Spring a little more!

My first project uses different sizes of circles to make some punch art flowers!  I used the 1 3/4 circle punch and Regal Rose cardstock, 1 3/8 circle punch and Pretty in Pink cardstock and the 1" circle punch and So Saffron cardstock.  I cut slits around each of the circles, then sponged them all with Regal Rose Classic Ink.  I adhered them together and added a White Flower Button to the centers.  The leaves are the wing from the Bird Punch (do you have that punch yet?) out of Certainly Celery and sponged around the edges with Certainly Celery Classic Ink.  I used Tea Party Designer Paper in the background and cut it into strips (using the Bloggers' Challenge sketch from last week!)  I added Happy Birthday from Stampin' Up!'s Well Scripted stamp set.  LOVE how this turned out!  The base of the card is Pretty in Pink cardstock.

I first saw this project over on Becky Robert's blog, but I adapted it to fit 4×4 cards instead of the tags she had used.  I created the bottom of the box from So Saffron cardstock, then lined the inside with Chocolate Chip cardstock for the divider.  Over the front is a piece of Medium Window Sheet that slides off to open.  I wrapped the Belly Band of Chocolate Chip cardstock that I punched with the Scallop Edge Punch and Sweet Pea Designer Paper around the Window Sheet and then wrapped Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon and tied it in a bow.

Inside I made six 4×4 sized thank you cards from a base of So Saffron cardstock.  I added the Stripe Pattern from Sweet Pea Designer Paper on top.  In the center is Very Vanilla cardstock layered on Chocolate Chip.  I used the Extra Large Fancy Flower punch and more Sweet Pea Designer Paper to punch the large flowers for the front.  The inside is a punched 3/4 circle from Taken with Teal or So Saffron to coordinate.  I added leaves punched from Sahara Sand with the 5 Petal Punch.  I used Thank You Kindly stamp set with Taken with Teal Classic Ink in various thank you greetings.  Although I didn't do it yet, I'll also include some 4×4 envelopes that I'll make to fit the cards. 

Wouldn't it make a nice present for someone special?  Here is a close up of a couple of the cards inside. 

Next stop  on the Tour de Freaks is Mary Brown's blog.  I KNOW she has some marvelous projects to show you!  She was telling me about it this past Sunday at our meeting!  Thanks for stopping by and taking the tour!  Hope you enjoyed my projects! 

Daffodils in Spring Punch Art

My recent punch classes enjoyed making this Daffodil card from punches!  I'm always amazed how easy it is to change the look of a punch by using it in a different way.  I've noticed the warm weather has made all the daffodils pop out in my area!  Love their bright yellow color!

The base of this card is Almost Amethyst and I layered on Lovely Lilac cardstock.  I ran another piece of Almost Amethyst thru the Big Shot with the Top Note Die to cut the shape, then ran it thru again with Finial Press for the impressions embossing. 

The greeting is from the Sale-A-Bration set, Vintage Labels (LAST DAY TO GET THIS SET FREE!)  and punched with the scallop oval punch.

I free-hand cut the leaves for the Daffodil.  The 5 petal punch was used for the yellow part of the flower and I used the dry embossing tool for definition in the petals.  The center is the Boho Blossom from Pumpkin Pie and then I made a little "stamen" for the center.  I think it looks pretty real!

I'm off to play with my stamping friend today.  Taking the wedding invites with me to work on them.  I did get the portfolio cut today, now it needs scored and the pocket put together.  Slowly but surely!

March Tour de Freaks!

If you have arrived here on the 19th, not all links may be live yet.  We're getting ready to go live on March 20th!  It's time for the March Tour de Freaks by your favorite Control Freak Swappers!  Our theme this month is SPRING!  You've probably just arrived from Wendy Janson's Blog and her amazing ideas.  You'll be able to go to the next stop when you click on the badge at the bottom.    I always get some amazing ideas from this tour, I hope you do, too!

I was late getting ready for this tour…I definitely have "wedding" on the brain!  I've been working on the templates for printing out my son's wedding invitations, plus buying the supplies I'll need to make 200 of them.  The pocket invitation design idea has been done for a while, just needed to get started.  But, thinking about it inspired my first project.  And since the month of June is mostly in the Spring, I think it fits the theme! 

I've had the Bag with Scallops XL die for a long while, but haven't used it for some reason!  I pulled it out for this project.  I thought one of the roses made from the XL Fancy Flower punch would be perfect on the front scallop!  The bag and rose are both made from the White Shimmer paper…so pretty for a wedding!  I added the half Scallop Oval leaves along the side of the rose, then added the White Satin Stripe Ribbon knotted along the other side of the rose.  The front of the bag I textured with the Finial Press Impressions Folder that I ran thru the Big Shot.  The bag was really easy to put together!  I wrapped some more of the White Satin Ribbon around it to hold it closed (under the rose).  Very elegant and I think they would be pretty at the place settings at the reception!  I'll be making more of these Bag with Scallops…so fun and easy to put together!

My next card is a Mother's Day card for my mom.  We both LOVE lilacs in the spring!  I know it is finally here when my lilacs are in bloom.  I've planted lilac bushes in every house we've lived in and will cut the blooms off to bring them inside so I can enjoy their fragrance.  I've been wanting to do a punch art card using the Trio Flower punch to make some lilacs.  I used Orchid Opulence and Lavender Lace cardstock and punched a BUNCH of them!

I started by placing the "stem" from the Two Bird Punch at the bottom of the Whisper White cardstock.  Then I used the bird wings from that punch for my leaves.  I just started adding a variety of the Lavender Lace and Orchid Opulence flowers in a cone shaped pattern.  Each lilac is so unique anyway, it really didn't matter how I placed them!  I added a little Orchid Opulence Classic Ink to the edges after I was done, just for some added shadows.

I layered the Whisper White on Lavender Lace and then Basic Black cardstock to make it pop.  I tied the Old Olive Satin Ribbon into a bow and placed it at the top corner.  Then I added the Old Olive Scallop Trim Border across the left side.   Finally, I used the stamps from Tiny Tags and the Jewery Tag punch to make the 4 You tag and wrapped it with Linen Thread around the center of the ribbon knot. 

Next stop is Mary Brown!  I'm sure you will love her work!  Have a great day!