Stampin' Up!

Bloggers Challenge – Sketch

March 26, 2010 By Connie | 25 Comments

Can you believe it??? We are getting SNOW! Last night we had an inch or so. I'm scheduled to go out of town Friday morning, so I hope the weather cooperates and I can go. I'm all ready for the class, so I'd hate to cancel it.

Lisa came up with a really cool sketch for us to use in this week's Bloggers' Challenge! I really liked the circle element on this sketch.

I started with a base card of Old Olive cardtock and added a layer of Kaleidoscope Designer Paper. I stamped the daffodils from Stampin' Up!'s Abundant Hope stamp set in Old Olive on Whisper White. Then I colored them with my Stampin' Write Markers in Pumpkin Pie, Yo Yo Yellow and Old Olive along with the AquaPainter. I used the Circle Scissors Plus and cut out the circle shape, then layered it on an Old Olive circle. I used the Scallops #2 die to make my yellow scallop circle.

Across the bottom I placed a stripe of Old Olive from Cottage Wall Designer Paper. I added butterflies from the Beautiful Wings Embosslit cut from Chocolate Chip Cardstock. And I added crystals from Eggscellent Eggs Kit on the bodies of the butterflies. Finally, I stamped Happy Easter from Teeny Tiny Wishes on Old Olive and punched with the Word Window Punch, then shortened it by placing it inside the Word Window again and cutting it down to match the print.. Fun card!

As you may have noticed, I've been extremely busy with classes and projects and not getting to my blog posting! I hope to be back on schedule next week! Have a great weekend!

Shower Invitation

March 24, 2010 By Connie | 3 Comments

This is the shower invitation I made for my future daughter-in-law's bridal shower next month! I think they turned out SO cute! I know you've seen this dress around, but it was just too darling not to use.

Her colors are cornflower blue and sand because it is a destination wedding in Riviera Maya. I used the Kraft cardstock for the base. I used a metallic blue cardstock (non SU) for the blue and ran it thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder (the same cardstock I'm using on their wedding invites.) I first did a pattern for the dress by cutting chipboard with the large Scallop Circle die, then cutting off the sides. I ran the Bride Designer Paper thru the Big Shot with the Scallop Circle Die and then used the dress pattern I made to cut them out.

I wrapped Kraft Taffeta Ribbon around the waist and used the Trio Flower punch from scrap metallic blue cardstock to make the flower. I added a white Mini brad in the center. I stamped You're Invited from Family Phrases on Kraft cardstock and punched with the Small Oval Punch, then layered on Large Oval from Shimmer White and another Kraft Scallop Oval.

IHope you enjoyed the Tour de Freaks Blog Hop over the weekend! Isn't there some fabulous talent in this group?

March Tour de Freaks!

March 19, 2010 By Connie | 31 Comments

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!

Stamping 411 – Extreme Guitar

March 19, 2010 By Connie | 5 Comments

It's time for the Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge! This week's sketch was really fun and quick to do! I really like the end result!

I've picked up several of these "extreme" stamps with the free Sale-A-Bration going on. I figure they are good for teen/young men cards! I also got the Extreme Elements stamp set with my free hostess credits, so thought it was time to use both of them!

I started by picking out the circle designer paper from Sweet Pea Paper Pack! What am I going to do when that paper goes away after the Spring Mini ends? I love it! I thought this design looked "boyish" and loved the colors! The base of the card is Taken with Teal. I used the circle DSP pattern over it, and then the reverse of this pattern I cut off a slice for the strip going down the right side. I added some Pumpkin Pie 1/4 Grosgrain Ribbon to go along with the strip.

I stamped the dotted square pattern in Stampin' Up!'s Extreme Elements stamp set in the background of the Whisper White with Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink (stamping off, too). Then I inked up the Extreme Guitar player stamp with Chocolate Chip Craft Ink and stamped over top. I like to use Craft Ink with my bold stamps in order to get better coverage with the ink. I layered the Whisper White on Chocolate Chip cardstock and placed it. As a final touch, I punched a Large Star from Pumpkin Pie and a Small Star was punched from a scrap of the Designer Paper. I placed a So Saffron Mini Brad in the center and placed it with Stampin' Dimensionals!

I like it! Looks like a Rock Star to me! lol!

Check out the rest of the Stamping 411 Operators to see what they did with the sketch this week. I'm always surprised how different our cards are using the same sketch! Play along by adding your card to Mr. Linky on the Stamping 411 blog!

Bloggers Challenge – Spring

March 19, 2010 By Connie | 27 Comments

Today certainly feels and looks like spring around here! We have been having beautiful sunny days (unusual for Ohio) and temps in the high 50s, low 60s. I can see the golfers playing from my house, so the course must be open.

Bloggers' Challenge for today is a Spring theme…perfect! I also combined it with another challenge and used Mary Jo's Monday Lunchtime Sketch to build the card for my punch flowers.

I started with a base of Old Olive cardstock and layered on a piece of Stampin' Up!'s Cottage Wall Designer Paper in the olive print. For the back layer, I ran the Pale Plum Cardstock thru the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder and layered it on Rich Razzleberry. The next layer, I used the stripe pattern in Cottage Wall DSP and layered it on Rich Razzleberry cardstock again.

I used the Two-Step Bird Punch (and you thought it was just for punching birds…lol!) and created the vine from the leaves, then used the bird's wing and created the buds for the flowers. The Old Olive part of the bud is the wing with the point down and a V cut into the rounded part. The Pale Plum is the wing with the point upward for the flower bud. I sponged the edges of the Pale Plum with Rich Razzleberry and the Old Olive cardstock with Old Olive Classic Ink, too, for some shading and definition. I adhered them to Whisper White cardstock and layered that on Rich Razzleberry cardstock. Finally, I stamped Happy Birthday from Stampin' Up!'s Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set in Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink and punched it with the Word Window Punch. That was layered onto a Pale Plum Modern Label Punch and tucked under the front panel.

I loved Mary Jo's sketch, and I think it fits the Spring Theme for Bloggers' Challenge as well! I hope you have a great weekend! Come back tomorrow for the monthly Control Freaks Tour de Freaks Blog Hop! You'll be glad you did!

Easter Favor

March 15, 2010 By Connie | 2 Comments

Stampin' Up!'s Level 2 hostess set, Picnic Parade, is one of my favorites, but I realized that I hadn't really used the cute stamps in it much! So, at the stamping retreat, I made up some little favors for my downline and customers who attended. I also made some as my Stamp Club order favors this month. They are pretty quick to put together. The watercoloring probably took the longest. Inside is a nice Chocolate Crispy Bunny!

I started with 3 1/4 x 11 size So Saffron cardstock and score it at 3, 3 1/2, 8 1/4, 8 3/4. I folded it on the score lines and brought the bottom up to form a pocket, securing it with Certainly Celery Mini Brads. The front tab I covered with a 2 3/4 x 3 piece of Kaleidoscope Designer Paper. I added a strip of Pretty in Pink Scallop Trim Border Punch under the front flap and tied Pretty in Pink 1/4 Grosgrain Ribbon around it. I stamped Happy Easter on the bottom portion with Basic Brown Classic Ink.

I stamped the bunny from Picnic Parade in Basic Brown Classic Ink and watercolored with Stampin' Write Markers in Brocade Blue, Certainly Celery, Going Gray and Pretty in Pink. I punched it with the Wide Oval Punch. I layered it on another oval made with the Sizzix Ovals Dies. I placed it above the ribbon on the front.

It really made a quick and easy favor! I know I'll be using this pattern again.

Bloggers Challenge – Birthday theme!

March 12, 2010 By Connie | 23 Comments

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Lisa! Our Bloggers' Challenge "mom" Lisa is the one who sets up our themes for each week. It is her birthday on Monday, March 15th! This week's card is virtually dedicated to her!

Again, my inspiration comes from others. I think Mary Brown's card is the one that inspired me the most, although I've seen this basic format done a few times. I love using the ornament punch as a vase! I made up a bunch of these at the stamping retreat last weekend.

I punched the vase from the Soft Suede pattern out of Thoroughly Modern Designer Paper. I inked up the floral branch from Stampin' Up!'s Thoughts and Prayers stamp set with Rose Red and Soft Suede Stampin' Write Markers, then placed it so that it looks like it is coming out of the punched ornament vase. I tied a bow from 1/4 Rose Red grosgrain ribbon and placed it on the front of the vase. I stamped "the more candles the bigger the wish!" from Well Scripted on the Whisper White layer, too, in Rose Red Classic Ink. The Whisper White was layered onto Rose Red cardstock, then a base of Soft Suede. The inside is finished off with a strip of the same Designer Paper and another greeting.

I can't believe it is Friday already. I haven't been in my stamp room since I got back! I'm definitely feeling withdrawal! I need to get stuff put away from last weekend…it is all still laying on my tables! (No one else does that, right?) Anyway…I did get my new bedroom put together. I need to go buy a couple pictures for the walls, but the curtains are up and the bed made. Hmmm, I'll take a picture and show you when it is done! Have a great weekend!

The next batch of Satin Ribbon Shares are going out today! I'm SO happy that Stampin' Up! put the Satin Ribbon in the Summer Mini, too, so I can continue doing the shares! You can find out more information HERE!

Thoughts and Prayers

March 11, 2010 By Connie | 1 Comment

Stampin' Up!'s Thoughts and Prayers stamp set is really my go-to stamp set when I need sympathy cards. My mother-in-law placed an "order" for some, so I made up a dozen while I was at the stamping retreat last weekend.

I picked the Nouveau Chic designer paper to use because it uses Basic Gray. I thought the Sage Shadow was toned down enough to really compliment this stamp set, too. It really is the perfect designer paper for Sympathy cards!

I started with a base card of Sage Shadow and layered on Basic Gray cardstock. I added a strip of Nouveau Chic Designer Paper. I inked up the tree with my Stampin' Write Markers in Going Gray and Sage Shadow and stamped on Whisper White. I added Sharing in Your Sorrow with Basic Gray Classic Ink. I layered the Whisper White on Sage Shadow cardstock and placed it on the front of the card. Pretty basic and simple, but I think it has a lot of impact for a Sympathy card! Hope she likes them!

I'm so excited. We just purchased a bedroom set for the empty bedroom. Our youngest took his bedroom set with him to college and the room had a spare sofa bed in it for a couple years. Last year when he moved to his new apartment, he took the sofa bed with him and the room has been empty. They delivered it yesterday and I went shopping yesterday for a new comforter and sheets. I found a really bright and pretty comforter, but now I need new sheets (expensive!) and some pictures, etc. Isn't it funny how one new thing can spark a whole new bunch of shopping? lol!