Blossom Bunch

This is a cute card that is nice to have on hand for those unexpected occasions.  The flower is two punches with the new Blossoms Punch.  The first is glued flat on the card.  The second, I rolled the petals and attached with a couple glue dots just in the middle.  The final touch is the center dot, stamped with Mixed Blossoms set, punched with 3/4" Circle Punch, attached with a Dimensional.  The center is then covered in Crystal Effects makes it look slick and shiny.

 

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Mixed Bunch
Card Stock - Whisper White, Twitterpated DS
Ink - Basic Gray
Accessories - 3/4" Circle Punch, Crystal Effects, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Blossom Punch, Big Shot, Adorning Accents Embossing Folders, Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies

Give Thanks

Before we move into Christmas, I wanted to give you at least one Thanksgiving card.  I have to admit that Thanksgiving often gets over looked in my craft room.  Once I wrap up Halloween, I am just so excited I just straight into Christmas!  But this year, I did slow down and make a Thanksgiving card.  I had to as I was so inspired by the wreath in the Warmest of Wishes set!  Plus I had a perfect scripted saying from the Hand-Penned Holidays set!

(sorry the colors are so bad in this photo)

I used my markers and inked the leaves individually.  It takes time but gives a great fall look!

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Warmest of Wishes, Hand-Penned Holidays
Card Stock - Soft Suede, Naturals Ivory, Lucky Limeade
Ink - Markers: Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie, Always Artichoke, Daffodil Delight
Accessories - Dimensionals, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Halloween Bat

I swapped for an adorable card like this at Convention.  I knew immediately I needed to do this for Halloween.  So Cute!

The bat is actually very easy.  The body and eyes are from the Owl Punch (just trim those feet off).  The wings are the 1-3/4" Circle punch cut in half and then punched at the bottom three times each with the 1/2" Circle Punch.

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Teeny Tiny Wishes
Card Stock - Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink - Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories - Word Window, Modern Label, Big Shot, Spider Web Embossing Folder, Dimensionals, Owl Punch, 2-Way Glue, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch

All Occasions Card Swap - Birthday

Prior to convention, I signed up for several organized swaps.  This card is for an All Occasions Swap which just means that your card could be for any occasion.
As I have been playing with the new In Colors, Wisteria Wonder has quickly become my favorite color.  Paired up with Elegant Eggplant it is to die for!  This card also features a favorite technique of mine, Emboss Resist with Embossing Folders and the Big Shot.

First you have to create your resist image.  I used Stampin' Up's Original Die, 3" Circle.  I used this die to cut a circle in chip board.

Once you have your image that you want resisted cut out, lay the Embossing Folder over the chip board to position where you want it.  Draw marks around the corners so you remember where it goes then remove it and put down removable two sided tape.

Position the Embossing Folder back to where you want it using the marks you drew.

Insert your paper inside the Embossing Folder.

The Big Shot should be set up so that you are on Tab 2.

Then place the chip board and Embossing Folder and finally a Cutting Board.  (So you will only use one Cutting Board).

When taping down an embossed image, it is best to put tape on the regular cardstock and then adhere the embossed image.  This will keep the pressure from flattening the embossing.

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Aviary, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Card Stock - Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White
Ink - Wisteria Wonder, Early Espresso
Accessories - Rhinestones, 3" Circle Die, Big Shot, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Lattice Lace Embossing Folder

Palm Trees in Florida

I am just in love with this card!  This is great for any occasion and for anyone.  I like having a stack of these around for those unforeseen (or forgotten) occasions.  It is hard to tell but the base card is Very Vanilla and the Embossed Chocolate Chip sits on top of the base.  The palm tree is colored with Stampin' Pastels and I always go "out of the lines" to create a soft look to it.  I used Linen Thread as my emblishment because, for some reason, boys dont like bling as much as girls do.

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Plant Hope
Card Stock - Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke
Ink - Stazon Black
Accessories - Big Shot, Lattice Lace Embossing Folder, Linen Thread, Stampin' Pastels

Father's Day

Here is another great masculine card and a Father's Day card.  I found this cute card on my Stamping Connection that is available just for demonstrators.  There are so many great ideas and so much support available!
This cards is pretty quick and easy.  Using the 1-1/4" Square Punch, I punched out Chocolate Chip and Bashful Blue squares.  The Bashful Blue was run through the Lattice Lace Embossing Folder first.  I attached the sentiment with Demensionals to get it to pop out over the squares.

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - All Holidays
Card Stock - Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Ink - Chocolate Chip
Accessories - Dimensionals, Big Shot, Lattice Lace Embossing Folder, 1-1/4" Square Punch

My Swap from Orlando Regional

Here is the card I made for my swap at the Regional!  It is of Asian design which is some of my favorites.  :)

For the Bonsai, I stamped the image in Basic Black and then used a Blender Pen and Old Olive to color the leaves.

The technique I am featuring here is omitting a section with an Embossing Folder as shown below.

First, take a piece of cardboard.  I used the cardboard that comes in the DS Paper packages.  Using the Exacto Knife, cut out the section you want to omit.  You can also use the Big Shot to cut a shape.

Lay the Embossing Folder over the cardboard, get it positioned just the way you want it, then trace with pencil.

Remove the Embossing Folder and put Dotto to the cardboard edges.  Put the Embossing Folder back on using the lines you have drawn.  The adhesive will keep the folder from sliding when going through the Big Shot.

Put your piece of cardstock in the folder.

You want to be on Tab 2 of the Multipurpose Platform.

Put your cardboard/Embossing Folder directly on Tab 2 (do not use the bottom cutting plate).

Put a cutting plate on top then run through the Big Shot.

You will have your Omission!

Supplies:

Stamp Set(s) - Kimono Kids, Plant Hope

Card Stock - Cajun Craze, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink - Basic Black, Old Olive
Accessories - Blender Pen, Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder

Happy Birthday Cupcake Punch

This is a card that a customer of mine made and brought to my last class to show off.  Needless to say I went and purchased the Create A Cupcake Set and Build A Cupcake Punch.  How fun!  Keep an eye out for my card using these materials!  Thanks Carol for sharing!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Here's a little Irish luck to fill your day.  An oldie but a goody, using the heart punch to make a clover.

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Define Your Life
Card Stock - Whisper White, Garden Green, Certainly Celery, Basic Black
Ink - Garden Green
Accessories - Silver Brads,Small Heart Punch, Crop-A-Dile, Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder

February Birthday

As you should know by now, every month I do a birthday card for each of my birthdays and it is themed around the month.  Here is this months card.  I actually got this idea from a demonstrator in a group I belong to here in Southwest Florida.  We made a card like this a year ago and as I was flipping through my binder of cards past, I saw it and decided to change up the colors and resurrect the idea.  That is why I always recommend keeping I of each card you make for yourself.  It doesn't have to be a hard copy either.  I use this blog as a record of ideas as well.

My little trick technique on this card is the triangle cut of the words banner.  I have a hard time free hand cutting the shape so I use a square punch to do it for me!

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Curly Cute
Card Stock - Rich Razzleberry, Pretty In Pink, Whisper White
Ink - Rich Razzleberry
Accessories - Big Shot, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit, Scallop Trim Border, 1-1/4 Square Punch (or scissors)

Joyful Season

Stampin' Up! has released a new toy for the Big Shot in the new Holiday Mini Catalog.  It is the Letterpress plates.  I, of course, had to try it out.  It is super simple!  I created this card (idea from the Idea Book and Catalog) in just minutes!  Cant wait to teach this in my next class!

The Garden Green card base was so dark I added Very Vanilla to the inside and stamped some matching stockings from the A Cute Christmas stamp set.  Stampin' Up! does such a wonderful job coordinating everything!



Stampin' Up! released this video on the Stampin' Up! channel of You Tube.  Check it out for a tutorial on how to use the Letterpress Plates!



Supplies:

Stamp Sets: A Cute Christmas

Ink:  Garden Green Craft, Real Red

Paper:  Garden Green, Very Vanilla

Accessories: 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Joyful Season Letterpress Plate, Big Shot

My November Birthday Card

Okay, I know I am way ahead posting my November birthday cards but I wanted everything done so I could fully move on to Christmas.  I also need to be ahead of schedule as my husband and I are house hunting and we may end up moving during the holiday season and I am NOT buying my cards!!!

I took this picture on an Old Olive background as the card disappeared on white.  The card is pretty straightforward except the pumpkin.  To do this I used a technique called Thumping.  The idea of thumping is you coat the stamp with on color (I lighter color) then use a marker to add (thump) spots of a darker color over top.  On the stamp, color the entire pumpkin with Pumpkin Pie.  Then color the stem Old Olive.  Finally, take Cajun Craze and color spots of the pumpkin (right over the Pumpkin Pie).  Huff on the stamp and stamp it onto your paper.  Multiple colors in one easy step!  It is a great way to add shading right to the image you want to stamp.

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Paisley Prints, wish from a retired set
Card Stock - Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Old Olive
Ink - Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Old Olive Markers
Accessories - Square Scallop Punch, Paper Snips, Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Template, Dimensionals, Jewelry Tag Punch,1/16" Circle Punch, Linen Thread, Brights Designer Buttons

My Halloween Card

October is almost here. When it comes to card making and crafting the holiday season is the best time of the year and it is beginning!!! My next couple of posts will be some more fun Halloween and fall cards then I will be full into Christmas!!! Can you believe it is only 12 weeks out!


Here is the Halloween card I plan to send this year.  I am a big fan of cartoon, light cards.  This card is pretty straightforward and I got to pull out my Watercolor Pencils and color!

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Fang-tastic
Card Stock - Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Basic Black, Old Olive
Ink - Basic Black
Accessories - Big Shot, Spider Web Embossing Folder, Watercolor Pencils, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Dimensionals, Raven Lace Ribbon

Elegant Black

I was looking for an elegant card to turn into an elegant wedding card.  I found this one.  The card turned out great so I made some thank yous too.

Cut the Basic Black as a 5"x5" card.  Then place it on the Scallop Square Die making sure the fold is inside the square so not to be cut.  Once run through the Big Shot you have a scallop square card.  The white is 3-1/2"x3-1/2" run through the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder.

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Occasional Quotes
Card Stock - Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink - Basic Black
Accessories - 1/8" Taffeta Basic Black, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Scallop Square Die, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch

Watercolor Flowers

Sorry I haven't posted!  I am working at Florida Gulf Coast University and fall semester started up this week, things have been busy and I have been exhausted afterwards!

I created these cards off of some cards that Andrea Walford made.  I had a lot of fun with the Watercolor Trio set.  Hurry to get your set from the Summer Mini!

The first card I actually messed up and made backwards!  I cut my card stock (bashful blue) in half long ways.  The Early Espresso is a 1/4 sheet.  I stamped the card left to right with the space on the right, Mistake!  Be sure to stamp right to left and leave your gap on the left.  When you fold the card, slide the Early Espresso in and tear so to expose your stamping.  Tie the ribbon around the torn edge and then tape down so to hide your ribbon.  Easy and beautiful!

This card is very easy to put together.  I layered with Sahara Sand, Bashful Blue, and Early Espresso.  Stamped my images in Craft White.  Stamped on Whisper White and punched it out with the Wide Oval Punch and attached with Demensionals.  I added a Rhinestone to take it up a notch.  Fun!

Using the same colors to layer as the previous card, I designed this card.  I used the Square Lattice Embossing Folder on the Bashful Blue.  I wrapped some Linen Thread around and added a couple Rhinestones for embellishment.

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Watercolor Trio
Card Stock - Early Espresso, Bashful Blue, Sahara Sand, Whisper White
Ink - Craft Whisper White, Early Espresso
Accessories - 5/8" Satin Early Espresso, Linen Thread, Rhinestones, Square Lattice Embossing

My Friend

I got this wonderful card idea from here.  I fell in love with it as soon as I laid eyes on it!  I had to make it mine!  Thank you Dawn for the idea!  This card was quick and easy and looks just amazing.

I used the Floral Fusion Sizzlit for the flower (a new toy for me).  I popped up the tag and the flower with Dimensionals because I love things to POP!  This close up makes me realize that my square punches are getting dull, I will have to replace them.  I will try sharpening them first.  How do you sharpen a punch?  Use it on aluminum foil!  Easy as pie.

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Perfect Punches
Card Stock - Whisper White; Greenhouse Gala DS Paper; Pear Pizzazz; Real Red
Ink - Early Espresso
Accessories - 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon; Big Shot; Floral Fusion Sizzlit; Curly Label Punch; 1-1/4" Square Punch; Metallic Brads; Crop-A-Dile; Dimensionals

Simple Butterfly

Another great find that I had to make my own!  A little more time but very easy to mass produce!  The butterfly is done with the Big Shot.  I then used the Crop-A-Dile to punch through the butterfly and folder ribbon.  I attached the butterfly with dimensionals.

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Perfect Punches
Card Stock - Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Greenhouse Gala DS
Ink - Early Espresso
Accessories - Beautiful Wings Embosslit, 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon, Crop-A-Dile, Metallic Brads, Dimensionals, Big Shot, Wide Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch

Last Christmas Card and My Helpers

Before I get to my last Christmas in July card I wanted to show you a couple of my helpers.  I have a total of four helpers but on this day only two of them were "all paws on deck".

This is Bagheera.  She loves to help with the paper.

This is Meeko, she is good at taking care of the scraps and picking out the stamp sets.  Very good my girls are :)

Now for the last Christmas in July card.  I actually did some more work on this card that I posted earlier.  I just didn't like it, but could not put my finger on why.  I decided that it was the white background.  So I changed the background to Marina Mist and used an Embossing Folder for texture.  I then did the snowflake on Whisper White.  I also added more pearls, Love the Bling!  What do you think, better or worse?

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Serene Snowflakes
Card Stock - Whisper White, Marina Mist
Ink - Marina Mist
Accessories - Big Shot, Top Note Die, Polka-Dot Embossing Folder, Basic Pearls

Snowflake Merry Christmas

Snow in the Summer!  How fun!  First, I apologize the pictures are dark.  Second, I would love your opinion!  I am not sure if I like this card or not.  I really like the Top Note Die Cut and what is stamped on it, I just think the white background-even with it stamped-doesn't work.  I tried some embossed backgrounds but it felt like too much.  It might be that I am just so used to putting ribbon on everything, I don't know what to think when it is absent.  Thoughts?

I definitely had fun with the large snowflake.  Details are great!  I am thinking of adding the smallest pearls to each of the points of the diamonds instead of the white dots.  I love Bling!!!

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Serene Snowflakes
Card Stock - Whisper White, Bashful Blue
Ink - Marina Mist, Bashful Blue
Accessories - White Gel Pen, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Basic Pearls

Watercolor Wishes

Today is the launch of the NEW 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog!  Be sure to check it out!  I just LOVE it and have already submitted my first order!

Another great idea for you!  I know I got to figure out how to get better lighting on my pictures.  Sorry about that!  I got the idea for this card here.  I changed up the colors to Concord Crush, Perfect Plum, and Daffodil Delight.  Sadly the Concord Crush looks blue in my picture :(  I love the Watercolor Trio set because it looks like more work went into it than actually does!

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Watercolor Trio
Card Stock - Concord Crush, Perfect Plum, Whisper White
Ink - Concord Crush, Perfect Plum, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight
Accessories -Perfect Polka-Dot Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Two Tags Bigz Die, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, 1-3/8 Circle Punch, 1/8" Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon