Stampin' Up! Aviary & Valentine Defined
I hate bows! I'm not good at making them. I don't use them. I wear slips-on shoes. Are you getting the picture? So you can just imagine how excited I was to see this week's Pals Clean & Simple Elements of Style challenge. BOWS! Okay, I'm sure y'all are saying I need an attitude check. Or maybe a time out! I'll just stop whining (no cheese) and get to it!
Stamp Sets -
- Valentine Defined Clear Mount (123057 - Occasions Mini)
- Aviary Clear Mount (120462)
- Grateful Greetings (116511)
Ink -
- VersaMark® (102283)
- Basic Black Classic Ink (101179)
- Real Red Classic Ink (103133)
Paper -
- Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
- Real Read Card Stock (102482)
- Basic Black Card Stock (102851)
Accessories -
- White Stampin Emboss Powder (109132)
- SNAIL Adhesive (104332)
- Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
- Glue Dots (103683)
- Real Red 1/8'' Taffeta Ribbon (119251)
Tools -
- Full Heart Punch (119883)
- Scalloped Heart of Hearts (117332)
- Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)
Putting It Together Tips:
- Said it before - say it again. The Stamp-a-ma-jig is a God send. I use a small piece of vellum to create the bird cage images on and then position them over the pre-stamped flowers and bird. Perfect every time!
- Tying these bows was a - well let's just say it's starts with the same letter as bows! I found if I tied the bows first and then cut the ribbon from the roll I saved a few inches. Cost savings but doesn't make it any easier!
- Because any time you do two step stamping, you are risking not getting the image in the exact spot, I cheated and did the images on separate piece of Whisper White card stock. That way if I messed up one image, I didn't mess up the whole card.
- Design Tip: For a nice clean look, limit your color choices. This card has only three colors - two if you don't count white as a color. The vast white space coupled with the bright color and black as an accent really makes this puppy pop! You could use any bright color in place of the Real Red with equally dramatic results.
- For those of you that asked - here are the measurements:
Bird cage - 1 1/4'' x 2 3/4''
Bleeding Heart cage - 2“ x 1 1/2”
Sprouting Hearts cage - 1 1/2'' x 3''
Now is the time to make your buck count. Sale-a-bration is here with over 75 free product offerings to entice you. Stampin' Up! quality products for free. What could be better? I'll tell you! Credit towards $50 in free merchandise from me. Earn 10 credits and receive $50 in Stampin' Up! Merchandise. Choose your free items from the 2010-11 Idea Book & Catalog, The Occasions Mini, Decor Elements, and Celebrando Creatividad. REALLY make your dollor stretch. If you have any questions, please email me.
This is a stunning valentine card. I love your design,Mike.
Posted by: Pat S | 01/29/2011 at 12:15 PM
Lovely card, Mike - the colours are great and I like your different layout and stamp set combo!
Posted by: Genelle Little | 01/29/2011 at 12:12 AM
This card is absolutely adorable!
Posted by: LORI | 01/28/2011 at 06:34 PM
I absolutely love it! It is so adorable! I have been thinking about purchasing the aviary set. Now I know it is a for sure thing! Great way to use it.
Posted by: Teresa Scharnick | 01/28/2011 at 03:43 PM
Hi Kathy,
Arent you sweet to say those things. Thank you so much. And you know, that video tutorial on the Stam-a-ma-jig and vellum might be a great topic. I have to get started on more of those and thats the second idea Ive received for a tutorial.
Thanks again.
Mike
PS -The Occasions Mini Catalog is now available with the premier of some great new products. Dont miss the chance to grab some exclusive spring design items.
Posted by: Mike Funke | 01/28/2011 at 10:23 AM
Thanks Carol,
Gad you like. This was a fun card to make and really super easy. Plus I love mixing up the stamp sets.
Mike
PS -The Occasions Mini Catalog is now available with the premier of some great new products. Dont miss the chance to grab some exclusive spring design items.
Posted by: Mike Funke | 01/28/2011 at 09:33 AM
Mike, this is an awesome valentine card and it would fit for just about anyone, including kids! I love it...
Posted by: Pinky | 01/28/2011 at 08:17 AM
LOVE this card, Mike. The colors, the stamps, the matting, everything. That narrow ribbon looks just great. You may have enabled me - I think I need that stamp set now, plus I haven't gotten the narrow ribbons yet (any of them). I'd better get on the stick and get some ordered.
Posted by: Carol Bush | 01/28/2011 at 04:37 AM
Mike, Woo Hoo I LOVE this card! Nicely done and so adorable. You are amazing! TFS this wonderful idea. Your Minnesota friend.
Posted by: Sue Dyas | 01/28/2011 at 04:06 AM
oops.. I meant "trim the tails".. (not trip) :-)
Posted by: Bobbi Miller | 01/27/2011 at 06:19 PM
Mike, you've done it again! I hate bows too, so I've learned to tie a knot and trip the tails at an angle and it LOOKS like a bow. I cheat ... A LOT. Funny too; I can make a HUGE bow for a lamp post or a gift basket, but my fingers don't work well in smaller spaces :-). This card is the BEST for these stamp sets. I love you "stuff"... way to go! TFS
Posted by: Bobbi Miller | 01/27/2011 at 06:19 PM
Mike...for someone who's bow deficient you did pretty darn good!!! ºÜº
Love these cards - using the 3 sets is absolute genius.
Happy Valetine's.
Posted by: Terry | 01/27/2011 at 06:18 PM
Hi Mike, It seems when all the thumbnail pictures are lined up , my eyes are drawn toward your style :-) I love the layout of your posts ( with detailed "recipes") too and the clean non fussy style you give the cards. I would love you to do a tutorial on this card -how you used the velium and the Stamp-a-ma-jig
Thanks for sharing
Posted by: kathy | 01/27/2011 at 05:07 PM
This card is too cute!! this is the best card I have seen with this set thus far! This is one I will definately have to case!
Posted by: Linda Henry | 01/27/2011 at 04:07 PM
You have such a great talent..what a clean and neat card. Love it to pieces.
Posted by: sara | 01/27/2011 at 03:52 PM
Now I Love that!!!
I don't know how you keep doing it? You are one talented cookie!
Vicki (and a bag of chips)
Posted by: Vicki A. | 01/27/2011 at 03:14 PM
Mike,
The layout on that card is fab! Love the combination of the two stamp sets. I appreciate you including the dimensions.
Since you shared your distaste for bow-tying, I recommend trying the "fork bow" method. Works great with the 1/8" ribbon. Just used it in my workshop today and my girls loved it : ) Here is a tutorial: http://dianagibbs.typepad.com/files/how-to-tie-a-fork-bow-with-diana-gibbs.pdf
Posted by: Susan Carlson | 01/27/2011 at 01:00 PM
Now that is adorable! Love what you have done within the cages, and the hearts that grew right out of the one. Love just can't be contained, can it? Ha.
Posted by: Marcia Gray | 01/27/2011 at 12:58 PM
Love the card, dramatic color combo and fun,creative stamp combination!!
Posted by: Annette J. | 01/27/2011 at 12:55 PM
For someone who hates bows, you have got a gorgeous card here! I just love it!
Posted by: Joni Kelly | 01/27/2011 at 12:40 PM
Now this is a great Valentine card. It's not too mushy and oh so fun.
Sharon L
Posted by: sharon l | 01/27/2011 at 11:36 AM
And you said you can't tie bows???? What a great card and a great use combining the two sets!
Posted by: Annie | 01/27/2011 at 11:07 AM
Who can't tie bows? I think you did very well! So maybe it took a time or two tries. But you didn't give up, and you got great results! Lovely card Mike. I love the birds and cages that are so popular now. I have some bird images on my cricut cartridges, but no cages as yet. I would love a stamp so if I wasn't using the Cricut for anything else, then I could just use the stamp. Ah well, I'm old enough for my wants not to hurt me! lol
Hugs,Jess
Posted by: Jessica | 01/27/2011 at 11:01 AM
Look at you go with the bows! Great card! I was just at a workshop last night, where they used the Aviary stamp set. I might just have to get it!
Posted by: Barb from Ontario | 01/27/2011 at 10:37 AM
Genius idea on using the two stamp sets together. So fun and creative!
Hugs, M
Posted by: Mary Fish | 01/27/2011 at 10:26 AM