Happy Halloween

I got this idea from Shelly herself at convention.  The Festive and Fun set is well named!  Cant wait to use it for Christmas and Valentine's Day too!

I stamped the words with StazOn Black and then "painted" away with my blender pen!

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Festive & Fun
Card Stock - Basic Black, Cajun Craze, Frightful Sight DS, Whisper White
Ink - StazOn Black, Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Wisteria Wonder
Accessories - Blender Pen

For Animal Lovers Everywhere

We recently adopted a beautiful kitten in need of a good, safe home.  Her name is Fidget.

As you can see, she is a special little girl with only three full legs.  But dont think that even remotely slows her down!  She is giving my other girls a run for their money.

After adopting her, I wanted to send the vet a card to thank her.  I made this card from an example I saw at Regionals.

A perfect tribute to animal lovers!  And the postage stamps are a great tutorial.

First Stamp your image on the cardstock.

Then, using a 1-in Square mask, Sponge color over the image.

Finish the image off with some color and a blender pen.

Punch the image out with the new Postage Stamp Punch!  I LOVE using the set Every Little Bit with the Postage Stamp Set as all the images fit perfectly and cover a variety of occasions!

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Every Little Bit, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Card Stock - Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink - Stazon Black, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, More Mustard, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Rose Red
Accessories - Postage Stamp Punch, Spounge Daubers, Blender Pen

Sparkle and Bloom

This is the last quick and easy card I have for you using the Touch of Kindness set.  This is a little different as I have also used the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch which is Fantastic!

The Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch gives you tons of combinations with three punch images from one punch!  Just set the button to the punch you want and punch!

Here are the three punches that result.  Two of the punches you get a flower and a ring!

I have jazzed it up with some Rhinestone bling!

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Touch of Kindness
Card Stock - Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink - Basic Black Marker, Stazon Black, Old Olive
Accessories - Blender Pen, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, 1/16" Circle Punch, Fire Rhinestones, Ice Rhinestones, Dimensionals

Bird Bath

Yet another quick and easy card!  This set is just so great!  And these cards can be used for any occasion!  Just TOO cute.

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Touch of Kindness
Card Stock - Whisper White, Marina Mist
Ink - Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Stazon Black
Accessories - Blender Pen

Kindness Blossom

Here is another quick and easy card using the Touch of Kindness set!  In many cases a clean and simple card is just as beautiful!

For the center of the flower I punched it out, rubbed it on the ink pad then attached with Dimensionals.

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Touch of Kindness
Card Stock - Whisper White, Old Olive
Ink - Old Olive, Rose Red, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black marker, Stazon Black
Accessories - 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Dimensionals Blender Pen

Cute Kitty

Sorry it has been so long!  Here is a cute card I saw done at Regionals and knew immediately I had to get the Touch of Kindness set from the Summer Mini.  If you find yourself in a crunch for time, I am going to show you a string of cards that are quick and easy!  Enjoy!

I used ink and blender pens to color and highlight.

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Touch of Kindness
Card Stock - Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie
Ink - Stazon Black, Basic Black marker, Pumpkin Pie, Marina Mist, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight
Accessories - Blender Pen

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

Year of the Rabbit

Happy Chinese New Year! (one day late)  Here is the card that I created for the new year.  It was meant to post yesterday but I failed to schedule my posts.  I was in a training this week and therefore was lining my posts to go without me but I forgot to actually set that up.  FAIL

I bought the Kimono Kids stamp set as I fell in love with it.  I of course saw the new year as a perfect time to use it.  The background stamp is actually not Stampin Up but an Asian characters background that I found in some store.  Everything else is Stampin Up.  For the color on the card I used my ink pads and blender pen.  I love the painted look it gives.  The buttons are adhered with craft glue.

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Kimono Kids
Card Stock - Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink - Real Red, Wild Wasabi, Regal Rose, Marina Mist, Staz-on Black
Accessories - Designer Buttons Neutrals and Regals, Blender Pen, craft glue

Because I Care

I was having a rough creativity day so I went to my Google Reader for inspiration.  That is where I found this card.  Just beautiful.  Thank you Linda for sharing!  I loved it so much I didn't change a thing.  Don't miss the Paper Piercing embellishment in the top left corner!

It uses one of my favorite techniques, painting with a blender pen. Just squish the ink pad before opening it to get ink on the lid. Then flip the lid open and use it as your pallet and paint way!

Have I mentioned before how much I am a fan of the new Bling!

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Because I Care
Card Stock - Night of Navy; Crumb Cake; Marina Mist; Whisper White
Ink - Black StazOn; Marina Mist
Accessories - Mat Pack; Paper Piercer; Blender Pen; 2" x 1-3/8" Oval Punch; 1-3/4" x 7/8" Oval Punch; Basic Rhinestones, Dimensionals

Noel Big On Christmas

My Christmas in July has finally begun.  This first card I got from pg 32 from the Idea Book & Catalog.  I love using the catalog for ideas! 

This is a simple card.  The base dimensions are 6-1/2" x 3-1/2".  The Noel is "painted" in with ink and a blender pen.  One of my favorite techniques, it looks like you have painted!

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Big On Christmas
Card Stock - Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzaz, Whisper White
Ink - Basic Black, Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzaz, Baja Breeze
Accessories - 1/2" Poppy Parade Stitched-Poly Ribbon, Scallop Edge Border, Blender Pen

My Husband's Birthday

My husband's birthday was a week ago last Sunday.  We had planned a whole birthday weekend with his parents coming to visit and everything and then I ended up flying to Ohio.  I owe him a birthday weekend.  I plan on making it up to him.

I still gave him his gifts and his card.  I had some fun with his card.  I found the template for the card here.  I colored the stamp with markers to reflect the colors I wanted.  I colored the flowers in with watercolor pencils and then used a blender pen to make it look painted.  The ink bled some but as it was the same color it just gave it more of a watercolored look.  I made the slits for the ribbon with my hobby blade.

When it comes to ideas for presents, my husband is impossible.  There are many thinks he will think of and want but never around a gift giving holiday.  As we are on a strict budget right now I didn't want to buy him just anything but something he really wanted or needed.  So I got him a bunch of gift cards to stores he shops in often.  I then made the gift card holders.  Its not the most romantic gift in the word but the next thing he wants he can go out and get without feeling guilty.

The dimensions for the gift card holder are 3-1/2 x 5-3/4 with a score at 2-3/4.  I punch a slit for the top to tuck into.  I adhered the gift card to the inside with a single glue dot so the card can be removed without damaging the holder. 

Supplies for Birthday Card
Stamp Set(s) - Awash with Flowers, Watercolor Trio
Card Stock - Whisper White, More Mustard
Ink - More Mustard marker, Old Olive marker and pad, Basic Black marker and pad
Accessories - 5/8" Basic Black Satin Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, 3/16" Corner Rounder, Watercolor Pencils, Blender Pen, Hobby Blade

Supplies for Gift Card Holder
Stamp Set(s) - Well-Scripted, Just Buzzin' By
Card Stock - So Saffron
Ink - Real Red, Basic Black
Accessories - Slit Punch, Mini Glue Dots

Wonderful Mother's Day Card

This card was completely me sitting down with a stamp set and going to work.  I just love when that happens!  I just got the Country Morning stamp set and thought the flowers stamp would be perfect for a Mother's Day card.  I picked a retiring color that looked like it would go well with this stamp.  I thing Lavender Lace fit the bill perfectly.  I have seen several demonstrators use a white on white layering effect that I really liked, and wanting to keep the card simple I tried it here.  I used Dimensionals to pop the first layer off the second.  I use Lavender Lace Ink on Lavender Lace CS for the words which gives the card softness.

Painting the flowers is the best part of the card.  I laid out a bunch of colors of ink pads and went to work (see below for which I used).  Before I open the Ink Pad I squeeze the lid against the top, then only flip it part way open.  I use the ink on the lid to dip my blender pen into to "paint".  I painted the flowers completely with the light color and use the darker to highlight.  This is a technique I wished I used more often.  Such an amazing effect!  What do you think?

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - County Morning, Well Scripted
Card Stock - Lavender Lace, Whisper White
Ink - Lavender Lace, Almost Amethyst, Close To Cocoa, Going Gray, Summer Sun, Old Olive, More Mustard, StazOn Black
Accessories -Blender Pen, Dimensionals

Back Into the Swing of Things and Color Renovation

I am back to blogging!  And just in time too.  Stampin' Up! has announced a Huge change!  But more on that in a minute.  Thanks for all the support with my layoff!  I am still job hunting but now that things have settled down and I have actually finished working at my previous job, I am able to get into my stamp room a little more!  The last couple of days I have been working on cleaning and rearranging my stamp room.  I will post pictures of that "renovation" later this week. 

(Making you wait another minute on that big announcement.) 

Yesterday I was able to go and hang out with a couple of my stamping girls during the day!  That was a first for me and we had So Much Fun!  We made two cards that were modifications of cards that I have done in the past.  Yes, we were together for half a day and only made two cards!  We were having so much fun talking and teaching that we didn't accomplish as much as we originally thought we would.  Here are the two cards we made.

This is the same card as here; however we used Vintage Vogue for the flower top instead of Awash with Flowers.  The only reason we made this change is because when I was grabbing stamp sets to take I grabbed another set instead of the solids part of Awash with Flowers.  I was so mad at myself but we recovered nicely.

This card is using a retired set one of the girls was playing around with.  I just think it is a beautiful card!  The dimensions are 5 1/2" x 2 3/4".  We used Bravo Burgundy, So Saffron, and Kraft paper.  The background is stamped with White craft ink and the flower is stamped with Basic Black.  We then used Bravo Burgundy and Blender pens to color in the flower.  Just varying the amount of ink on the blender pen and mixing in the white craft ink that wasn't quite dry, we were able to get the different shading.  It is hard to tell from the picture; however, on the Bravo Burgundy we stamped a retired background stamp with Basic black to give the card a nice texture.

Color Renovation
Okay I held out long enough, now for Stampin' Up!s big announcement!  We are going to have a color renovation in the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog released on July 1st!  I love that Stampin' Up keeps things fresh!  Colors and styles are constantly changing and cycling—and Stampin’ Up wants to stay on top of current trends.
First, for the very sad news; to accomplish these great changes some current colors will retire as of June 30. Everyone has their favorite colors, and I am no exception. If some of your favorites are retiring, you will definitely want to stock up on them before they’re gone. You can place orders for retiring colors through June 30, while supplies last. Click here to see a list of the retired colors.

The good news is that there are some beautiful colors being added. Our core color line will be reorganized into four color collections of ten colors each for 40 core colors. And then each July 1st 5 additional "In Colors" will be released and best of all, they will last for two years each time instead of just one as they do now! (so that will be 45 colors in the 2010-2011 catalog and then 50 in the 2011-2012 one.)

Within the new four core color collections we will be getting 6 brand new colors (including a great one called Crumb Cake that is an ink version of our current Kraft card stock) plus 10 former In Colors that were very popular are returning! Click here to see the new color families.

Now I know you're wondering about things like pastels, markers, watercolor crayons, etc. that you may have in your stash. Stampin' Up is going to be offering lots of great kits to retrofit lots of existing color tools you may already own. I will have more on that soon.

I am so excited about the new colors and I can't wait to share them with you soon!!!

A Good Egg Easter Card

I CASEd this card from the Demonstrator Community Website.  Of course, now that I go back to find it again to credit the creator I cant find it.  I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it.  This card ended up being a little more difficult than I anticipated.  For the window I punched the 1-3/4" Circle punch.  Each layer had to be punched separately.  I started with the top layer then glued it and lined up and punched the second layer, etc....  This would have been much easier had I had the Circle #2 Die for the Big Shot.  Once I had the window punched out I had to figure out how to line up the chick on the inside.  I drew a little pencil circle so I could line him up.  I couldn't stamp him straight through because he is a little bigger than the circle.  I used Ruby Red Ink and a Blender Pen to 'paint' in his egg.  I used Stampin' Pastels to color in the chick giving him a soft fluffy look.

  

You can see from the inside shot the little chick and the Happy Easter message.  Of course, after all this work, I dropped the Happy Easter Stamp and made an extra mark...just my luck :)

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - A Good Egg, Well Scripted
Card Stock - Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Retired DS Paper
Ink - Ruby Red, Basic Black
Accessories - 5/8" Pretty In Pink Satin Ribbon, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Blender Pen, Stampin' Pastels

Warm Winter Wishes

I was playing around in my stamp room yesterday and came across some cards that I had made with the Flaky Friends Stamp Set. I was so disappointed when that set retired because I LOVED it so much. It is still one of the retired sets that I hang on to. When I was looking through the cards it dawned on me that the snowmen in The More The Merrier Stamp Set is a lot like it. So I set to work creating cards with my new snowmen. I Love the Stampin' Up! blue colors so I used them to indicate cold. The snowflakes are from the Christmas Punch Stamp Set. I stamped them with Encore Silver ink. The coloring on the snowmen is Ballet Blue and a Blender Pen.

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Christmas Punch, The More The Merrier
Card Stock - Whisper White, Ballet Blue, Night of Navy
Ink - Ballet Blue, Basic Black, Silver Encore
Accessories -Blender Pen, Word Window Punch, Label Punch, Dimensionals

Embrace Life Thank You Card

In my last post I had a card that was really cute but wasn't quite enough in my eyes for a thank you to our boss. Well, I created this card this weekend and I think it is perfect. The only thing I would add would be to brush the edges of the white with color. I got the idea of the layout/design from this card but I changed up the colors and theme. I just love it! I hope you enjoy it too.

Techniques used: I used two different techniques to create the flowers. First, when I stamped the image, I used a mask to cover the middle flower and stamped the other two so they looked as if they are behind. To create the mask, I stamped the flower on a piece of scrap cardstock and cut it out as detailed as possible. I always keep the masks I create right in with the stamp set for next time. The second technique used was "painting" with blender pens. I only have the markers of the In Colors so I rubbed the tip of the blender pen on the tip of the mark and "painted" the flowers. They came out beautifully with the look I was trying to achieve.

Supplies:
Stamp Set(s) - Embrace Life, Trendy Trees
Card Stock - Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Razzleberry Lemonade DS paper,
Ink - Basic Brown; Crushed Curry, Bashful Blue, Melon Mambo markers
Accessories -White Taffita Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Blender Pen