Stampin-Style

A "Little" Sympathy

Stampin' Up! "C" Is For Cat & Pendant Park

Unless you are a pet owner, it is hard to image how anyone can become so attached to a small, furry, unconditionally loving, affectionate animal.  Or maybe it's not.  But speaking as one of those owners I can assure you many is the night that my pets got me through some rough times.  So when I spoke with my local Starbuck's Barista this morning and she told me that last night she had to make that most difficult decision, my heart went out to her.  It's hard enough to lose an animal, but when you have to be the one to make that decision, it becomes even more heart wrenching.  So this post, and card, is for Shelly and the loss of her little friend.

Stampin' Stuff:

Don't forget!
Clicking on the Featured items will take you right to my store.
Clicking on the images will display a larger image. 

Stamp Sets -

• "C" Is For Cat (115764) <-Featured item
• Pendant Park Wood Mount (115456) <-Featured item
• Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Ink - 

• Early Espresso Classic (119670) 

Paper - 

• Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
• River Rock Card Stock (108640)
• Early Espresso Card Stock (119686)
• Neutral Collection DSP Stack (117157) <-Featured item

Accessories -

• Early Espresso 5/8'' Grosgrain Ribbon (119955) 

Tools -

• 2 1/2'' Circle Punch (120906)
• 2 3/8'' Scallop Circle Punch (118874)
• Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049) <-Featured item

Putting It Together Tips:

• You may recognize the style of this card.  I created a very similar look for the Pals Paper Arts Challenge 116  That card was a square card.  By simply moving the ribbon to the bottom of the card the design converts beautifully to an A2 style card.  
• You may be wondering what DSP is behind the cat iamge.  That's not DSP at all, but the tree from Pendant Park.  It makes perfect background for smaller punch outs.
• The 2 1/2'' Circle Punch and the 2 3/8'' Scallop Circle Punch are perfect companion punches when you need a matted look.
• I would never be able to perfectly imprint the sayings from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set without my Stamp-a-ma-jig.  And forget about doing precision 2-step stamping without it!  What a great little tool!
• There are only a few more days remaining in the Free Big Shot promotion.  I would love to have you join my group of stampers.  The rewards don't get much better than this and subscribing now will give you 20% + discounts on all Stampin' Up! products through March 31, 2012 with no further obligation.  Contact me for more information.

Purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit.  
For $175 you'll receive product and business supplies valued at over $340.
During the month of October, receive a free Big Shot or
$100 in free Stampin' Up! products!  
Click here for the details! 

 

PPA116 - With Sympathy

Stampin' Up! Spice Cake DSP &
Teeny Tiny Wishes

This week's Pals Paper Arts Challenge is a sketch by our own Margaret Moody.  I rarely make square cards.  Maybe it's because it takes an non-standard envelope, or maybe it's just because I never think about it.  I usually head right for the A2 size ( 4 1/4'' x 5 1/2'') card.  The neat thing about this square card is that it takes only one 8 1/2'' x 11'' piece of card stock for the base.  The other nice thing about this design is that it doesn't require any stamp sets.  You could actually just write the sentiment on the card face.  DSP (Designer Series Paper) is the hero for this creation.  It not only provides the textural interest, but also the focalpoint artwork!

Stampin' Stuff:

Don't forget!
Clicking on the Featured items will take you right to my store.
Clicking on the images will display a larger image. 

Stamp Sets -

• Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370) <-Featured item

Ink - 

• Early Espresso Classic (119670)

Paper - 

• Very Vanilla Card Stock (101650)
• Early Espresso Card Stock (119686)
• Autumn Spice Designer Series Paper (120808 - retired)

Accessories -

• 5/8'' So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon (114618 - Clearance Rack Ribbon Bundle) <-Featured item
• Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
• SNAIL Adhesive (104332) 

Tools -

• Paper Snips (103579) <-Featured item 

Putting It Together Tips:

• This is a very quick card to create.  Time is in short supply these days so if you can create a card in under 20 minutes, why not!  The Paper Snips make quick work of cutting out the center medallion.  It is mounted directly unto the Early Espresso card stock and that assembly is mounted on Dimensionals over the So Safron ribbon.
• Speaking of So Saffron ribbon, what a deal!  I've used this ribbon before.  The Clearance Rack has a combo pack of 10 yrads each of So Saffron and Certainly Celery for only $3.49!  This pack coordinates so well with Spice Cake DSP.  The two colors are a shade lighter than More Mustard and Pear Pizzaz so they actually provide a highlight to the DSP colors.  One thing I noticed about the So Saffron Ribbon is that patterns like the Autumn DSP showed through, so I mounted the ribbon over a 1/2'' strip of Very Vanilla card stock so the pattern didn't show.
• One of the techniques I use to make my card components pop is to mat them on contrasting card stock.  Here I used Early Espresso as my accent color.  The mat for the DSP measures 5 1/4'' x 5 1/4''   The DSP measures 5 1/8'' x 5 1/8''  That allows a scant 1/16'' border - small enough to outline the DSP without making the mat a noticable component.  The next mat measures 4'' x 4'' and the Very Vanilla card stock measures 3 7/8'' x 3 7/8''  The center square is 3'' x 3''
• I LOVE Teeny Tine Wishes.  This set is truly an investment you will use over and over again.  I love how elegant and subdues "With Sympathy" is in the lower right corner.  Your sentiment doesn't have to be overpowering to be effective.

Purchase the Stampin' Up!  Starter Kit.  
For $175 you'll receive product and business supplies valued at over $340.
During the month of October, receive a free Big Shot or
$100 in free stampin' Up! products!  
Click here for the details! 

PPA111 - Please Know That I Care

Stampin' Up! Lovely As A Tree & BorderLines
This weeks challenge for the Pals Paper Arts is a sketch challenge from our own Margaret Moody.  I always love these styles of challenge because the work is done for me and all I have to do is plug in the components.  I relied on an old friend and a new friend for this creation. - Lovely As A Tree and Borderlines.  And of course I used another favorite set of mine - Thoughts & Prayers.
 
Stampin' Stuff:

Don't forget the Featured Items have links directly to the items in my store.  
Click on the pictures to see a larger version. 

Stamp Sets -

• Lovely As A Tree (115026) <-Featured item
• Thoughts & Prayers (113252) <-Featured item
• Borderlines Clear Mount (122642) <-Featured item

Ink - 

• River Rock Classic (109010)
• Soft Suede (115657)

Paper - 

• Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
• River Rock Card Stock (108640)
• Soft Suede Card Stock (115318)

Accessories -

• Linen Thread (104199)
• SNAIL Adhesive (104332)
• Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Tools -

• Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Embossing Folder (117335) <-Feature item
• Sweet Buttons Embosslits Die (121813) <-Featured item

Putting It Together Tips:

• The Sweet Buttons Embosslits Die is a great investment if you can't invest in buttons.  With this die you can have whatever color button you want as long as you have the color in card stock.  I used a cross stitch needle to thread the small pieces of Linen Thread through the holes in the button to give them an authentic look.
• Borderlines is a wonderful new stamp set from the 2011-12 Idea Book & Catalog.  The stamps are 5 1/4'' long which makes them the perfect size for borders in either direction on an A2 style card.  An A2 card measures 4 1/4'' x 5 1/2'', or a quarter of a standard 8 1/2'' x 11'' piece of card stock.
• I wanted to keep this card monochromatic, but that's a lot of white space behind the focal point.  Embossing folders are perfect to add some texture and interest to your creation without overwhelming the composition.  The dots are repeated on the leaves of the Borderlines impression.
• River Rock, though part of the Neutrals Collections family, is really a wonderfully ”natural“ green that compliments most browns.  Try it on your next card!

Become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and receive your Starter Kit.  
For $175 you'll receive product and business supplies valued at over $340.  
Click here for the details! 

 

 

PPA101 - With Sympathy

Stampin' Up! Awash With Flowers &
Teeny Tiny Wishes

This week's challenge is a color challenge for Pals Paper Arts.  And I must agree!!!  It was a challenge!!!  Using these three blues in a single composition was hard task for me.  Especially since I don't particularly care for blue.  Did you ever have one of those days (challenges) where you got the project completely done and then hated it?  That was me.   The amazing thing is this card was so easy to create and actually has a sort of Asian look to it, similar to the Asian brush painting.  That's because I actually did the stems and leaves with a Stampin' Write Marker.  So easy and quick to do.

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets -

• Awash With Flowers Clear Mount (120549) <-Featured Item
• Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370) <-Featured item

Ink - 

• Bashful Blue Classic (105209)
• Marina Mist Classic (119668)
• Not Quite Navy Classic (103008)
• Marina Mist Stampin' Write Marker (119679)

Paper - 

• Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
• Marina Mist Card Stock (119682)
• Bashful Blue Card Stock (105120)

Accessories -

• SNAIL (104332)
• Dimensionals (104430)

Tools -

• Modern Label Punch (119849) <-Featured item
• Word Window Punch (119857) <-Featured item

Putting It Together Tips:

• For those perfectionists out there, you're going to have to teach yourself to love Awash With Flowers like I did.  The solid images don't perfectly match up to the line images no matter how hard you try, so let it go and be a free spirit.  That's what the whole look of this card is about.
• You can't make a better investment than Teeny Tiny Wishes,  Talk about an “all occasion” stamp set.  This one is perfect.  And the way it works with the Word Window punch and the Modern Label punch is great. 
• The technique I used to get the Chinese Brush Painting technique is so easy.  Take your Stampin' Write marker and rest in on the paper and then just flick it in the direction you want the leaf to go.  It's magic!  LOL  I could actually see carnation leaves with this technique.  The same technique was used at the base of the bluebells.  I see a combination of greens and pinks when I'm not made to stay to a monochromatic color palette!
• Keep your main images in an uneven number.  I started with three large flowers placed on the card.  Then I just ”filled in“ around the larger images making sure I was kind of loose with my pattern.

Check out the $99 Starter Kit only available for the month of July.  
It's a really affordable way to get some great products at about a 45% discount.  
Check it out!

 

PPA87 - Preview Memories

Stampin' Up! Paisley Petals DSP &
Define Your Life

Greetings everyone, and welcome to the Pals Paper Arts Weekly Challenge #87.  This week our challenges was to use punches and I can't tell you how my head was reeling with all the possibilities, but I opted to keep it simple.  I figured there would be plenty of cupcakes, flowers, and owls to go around so I decided to rely on one of our very basic punch - the square.  Actually I used both sizes of square punch and through some DSP and matting I was able to create a rather unique design, I believe.  Let's let the Designer Series Paper do all the work!

Stampin' Stuff:

Don't forget the Featured Items have links directly to the items in my store.  
Click on the pictures to see a larger version. 

Stamp Sets -

• Define Your Life (114950) <-Featured Item 

Ink - 

• Cherry Cobbler Classic (119669)

Paper - 

• Very Vanilla Card Stock (101650)
• Certainly Celery Card Stock (105125)
• Old Olive Card Stock (100702)
• Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper (122367 - available April 1)

Accessories -

• 5/8'' Certainly Celery Poly-Twill Ribbon (114618 - available through the Clearance rack)<-Featured Item
• SNAIL Adhesive (104332)
• Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
• Anywhere Glue Stick (104045)

Tools -

• 1 1/4'' Square Large Punch (119865)
• 1 3/8'' Square Extra Large Punch (119877)

Putting It Together Tips:

• Paisley Petals Designer Series paper will be available for order on April 1, 2011.  This is a preview of the new Designer Series papers that will be in our new 2011-12 Idea Book & Catalog, but you can purchase it early simply by placing a $20 order.
• The three squares were placed 3/8'' apart.  I attached the DSP to the card stock first, and then turned the card stock to the back and marked the card stock with a pencil.  Lining up the punch was a no brainer after that and I didn't have to worry about the pencil marks showing as it was all done on the back.  I used the 1 1/4'' punch.
• Using the 1 1/4'' punch, I punched three squares in Old Olive.  Then using the 1 3/8'' square punch I punched around the first hole to create the delicate frame that was glued around the opening of the three punches on the card base.
• Using the 1 1/4'' DSP squares that I punched out in the first step, I matted them with Certainly Celery using the 1 3/8'' punch.  I also matted three squares of Old Olive the same way and randomly positioned them across the bottom of the card.  A ribbon finished the look.
• After applying a piece of DSP to the Very Vanilla card base, Dimensionals were placed on the back of the card component and positioned over the DSP.  It beautifully frames the DSP and gives the card some dimension.  The sentiment was printed in Cherry Cobbler and matted in Old Olive.

GO TO MY STAMPIN' UP! WEBSITE TO PURCHASE
ALL THE SUPPLIES FOR THIS PROJECT!

Become a StampinStyle Fan on Facebook for advance Notice on All Promos

Check out Mom's Attic for specials on retired Stampin' Up! Stamp Sets!

 

 

Just Believe Inspiration Is Everywhere!

Stampin' Up! Just Believe and Word Play

So many people have asked me where I get my inspiration.  I guess I never really think about it, I just create.  But the question began to haunt me.  Where DO I get my ideas.  After the Stampin' Up! Convention in July I made a stop in San Francisco and was in line at a Starbuck's thinking about that very question.  I placed my order and was adding stuff to my half caff when I looked down and thought - Inspiration is everywhere.  You just have to be open to it.  On that trip I had my camera with me so as I walked through the city I just started taking pictures.  Inspiration was everywhere, from a dress in a window to a collection of pottery, and all the way to the shapes and colors of buildings.  You just have to open your eyes!  Then I ate the chocolate chip cookie!  :-)

 

 

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets -

• Just Believe Clear Mount (120453)
• Word Play Clear Mount (120651) 

Ink - 

• Whisper White Craft (101731)
• Old Olive Classic (102277)
• StazOn® Jet Black Ink Pad (101406)

Paper - 

• Crumb Cake Card Stock (120953)
• Basic Black Card Stock (102851)
• Old Olive card Stock (100702)

Accessories -

• SNAIL Adhesive (104332)
• Stampin' Dimensionals (104430) 

Tools - 

• 1 1/4“ Circle Punch (119861)

Putting It Together Tips:

• One BIG tip I have is to wait for the Whisper White Craft Ink to completely dry before you attempt to print over it with the Old Olive Classic Ink.  I didn't do that and the Whisper White slightly bled through the Old Olive.  Live and learn!
• By adding the two strips of Old Olive Card Stock to the right side of the card face it balances out the composition, much like on the original.
• For this card I tried to come as close to the original inspiration as I could, however I could probably place the black circle more in the blank space on the right and achieve an equally balanced card.

The Holiday Minis are in!  

Send me your name and address and I'll get one out to you!

  
 

Pals' Paper Arts Challenge 52 - Because I Care

Stampin' Up! Because I Care Hostess Set

The Pals' Paper Arts Challenge this week is a sketch as pictured in the upper left corner of my photo.  This effect is one I've had floating around in y head for a bit so decided to try it.  I love the dimensional effect the light object on the dark background gives.  This set is so easy to earn.  Just host a workshop of $150 or more and the set is yours - along with $15 in free merchandise.  Come and get it.  Contact me if you're in the Palm Springs CA area and would like to host a workshop.  I'll be with you every step of the way!

 

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets -

• Because I Care Hostess Set Clear Mount (120118) 

Ink - 

• VersaMark® (102283)
• Soft Suede Classic Ink (115657)
• Old Olive Classic Ink (102277)
• Certainly Celery Stampin Write Marker (105106)
• Bashful Blue Stampin Write Marker (105111)
• Daffodil Delight Stampin Write Marker (119677)

Paper - 

• Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
• Old Olive Card Stock (100702)
• Certainly Celery Card Stock (105125)
• Cherry Cobbler Card Stock (119685)

Accessories -

• Old Olive 5/8” Satin Ribbon (117292)
• Stampin' Emboss Silver Embossing Powder (109131)
• SNAIL Adhesive (104332)
• Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
• 2-Way Glue Pen (100425)

Tools - 

• Heat Tool (100005)
• Paper Snips (103579)

Putting It Together Tips:

• To get the dramatic contrast between the flower and the background I stamped the image twice Using VersaMark Ink and Silver Emboss powder, once on Whisper White card stock and once on Cherry Cobbler card stock.  I colored the white image with the markers and cut out the two leaves and the flower.  I used the 2-Way Glue pen to attack them to the Cherry Cobbler car stock matching the images. TIP: This is a great way to color as the embossing does not take on any of the color and any color that goes out unto the card stock you cut away!
• When you need a specific Designer Series paper and you don't have it, make your own.  I used the flower image in Old Olive ON Old Olive to give that great strip of texture along the bottom of the card.
• Using Basic Black would have been to harsh for the sentiment on this card.  I opted to use Soft Suede instead.  I'm finding this is my favorite neutral soft color for accents and sentiments on softer cards.  I used it last week on the wedding themed card as well!

GO TO MY STAMPIN' UP! WEBSITE TO PURCHASE ALL THE SUPPLIES FOR THIS PROJECT!

Become a StampinStyle Fan on Facebook for advance Notice on All Promos

Check out Mom's Attic for specials on retired Stampin' Up! Stamp Sets!  

Mojo Monday 147 - To Comfort You

Stampin' Up! Medallion and Greenhouse Garden

I have always ben a fan of black and white.  I think the color combination delivers drama in a card that is unmatched.  “But one does need a hint of color.”  I'll be interested to see if anyone knows what movie that quote is from.  A dear friend lost his younger brother to a stroke last week.  This is the card I created for him.

 

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets -

• Medallion 115223)
• Greenhouse Garden (113824)
• Thoughts & Prayers (113252) 

Ink - 

• StazOn® Jet Black Ink Pad (101406)
• VersaMark® (102283)

Paper - 

• Whisper White Card Stock (100730)
• Basic Gray Card Stock (121044)
• Basic Black Card Stock (102851)

Accessories -

• Certainly Celery 5/8“ Satin Ribbon (117288)
• SNAIL Adhesive (104332)
• Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
• White Stampin' Emboss Powder (109132)

Tools - 

• Heat Tool (100005)
• Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)

Putting It Together Tips:

• The Greenhouse Garden set is a marvelous ”three“ dimensional set of two-step stampin' stamps.  I make my master for the accent using StazOn and card stock weight vellum (101856).  I cut pieces of vellum the size of the wood block and store the impression with the stamp.
• Stamping on heat embossed images is quite different from paper.  I find using StazOn it gives more of a shaded look.  Although I used StazOn Jet Black, you'll notice shades of gray as well in the accent image.  No extra work but a nice added bit of pop!
• I at least single matted everything on this card for definition.  The card face is double matted.  But unlike my usual routine, I found that allowing a narrower 1/16“ black border and a 1/8” Basic Gray border gave some interest and provided more of a framing effect.

GO TO MY STAMPIN' UP! WEBSITE TO PURCHASE ALL THE SUPPLIES FOR THIS PROJECT!

Become a StampinStyle Fan on Facebook for advance Notice on All Promos

Check out Mom's Attic for specials on retired Stampin' Up! Stamp Sets!  

 

Mojo Monday 113 - In Those Times

I really enjoy using the embosslits and embossing folders.  They add a wonderful texture without adding a lot of pattern to a creation.  Using an embossing folder here for the Elegant Eggplant band and the Embosslits Flower Burst provides the perfect amount of texture and focus.

 

Stampin' Stuff:

Stamp Sets - 

• Refuge and Strength (115056)

Ink - 

• Ruby Red Classic Ink (102259)

Paper - 

• Very Vanilla Card Stock (101650)
• Elegant Eggplant Card Stock (105126)
• More Mustard Card Stock (100946)
• Ruby Red Card Stock (102030)
• Autumn Traditions Designer Series paper (115668)

Accessories - 

• Stampin' Up! Flower Burst Embosslits Die (114515)
• Stampin' Up! Finial Press Embossing Folder (115963)
• Brass Brads (104337)
• SNAIL Adhesive (104332)
• 2-Way Glue pen (100425)
• Stampin Dimensionals (104430)

Stampin' Steps:

1. Cut a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of Autumn Traditions DSP and mat on a 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" piece of Elegant Eggplant card stock using the 2-Way Glue pen.  Cut a 1 1/4" x 5 1/4" piece of Elegant Eggplant card stock and emboss using the Finial Press embossing folder.  TIP:  I tried to position the strip in the embossing folder so that the pattern was evenly placed.  Although much of the pattern is covered, the parts that show support the symmetry of the card.  Position the strip in the center of the card vertically and affix using the 2-Way Glue Pen.
2. Cut a 2 3/4" x 3 3/4" piece of Autumn Traditions DSP and mat on a 3"x 4" piece of More Mustard card stock using the 2-Way Glue pen.  Affix to the card face using SNAIL.  TIP:  The embossing below creates a raised effect on this panel without the use of Stampin Dimensionals.  This raised effect requires SNAIL to ensure the panel is securely fastened to the card face.
3. Cut a 2 1/4" x 3 1/4" piece of Very Vanilla card stock.  Stamp the sentiment using Ruby Red Classic Ink.  Mat on a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" piece of Elegant Eggplant using the 2-Way Glue Pen.  Position three brass brads in the upper right corner.  Affix to the card front using Stampin Dimensionals.  
4. Die cut the Stampin' Up! Flower Burst on Ruby Red card stock.  Using the felt surface of the Ruby Red Classic Ink Pad, dub gently on the raised portion of the Flower Burst to emphasize the texture without adding additional color to the scheme.  Affix using Stampin Dimensionals.
5. Attach the card face to a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" piece of very Vanilla card stock scored at the 4 1/4" mark using SNAIL adhesive.  Fold the card.

    Go to my Stampin' Up! website to purchase all the supplies for this project!

Thoughts & Prayers - Sharing in Your Sorrow

I thought about doing some sort of mosaic for quite a while.  The Thoughts & Prayers set is the perfect stamp set for this.  The first one I did I made multiple impressions on all the different colored card stock and the cut the paper with a paper cutter into 1/4" squares.  It was a nightmare trying to match all the pieces up for the finished image.  The new and improved process is much easier!

Stampin' Stuff

Stamp Sets:  Thoughts & Prayers 

Cardstock:  Card base (4.25"x5.5") - Very Vanilla, Mosaic - Creamy Caramel, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Mellow Moss, Old Olive, Trims - Creamy Caramel and Basic Black.

Punches:  1/2" Making Memories Square punch, Trio Flower punch

Stampin' Steps

Print this template and stamp your image on it so that you know where colors should be placed.

Print the pattern for the mosaic tree

Mark the template squares with the appropriate colors.  Use a 1/2" Making Memories punch to punch out the number of squares you need for each color.  TIP:  This is the best way to get rid of small paper scraps!   Cut a piece of Basic Black card stock approximately 3 1/4" x 4 1/4" and glue the squares down to the card stock allowing for approximately 1/16" between squares.  Ink up the tree stamp in Basic Black ink and carefully position the tree over the corresponding squares.  You only get one shot at this so take your time.  The embellishment in the upper left corner is from the Trio Flower punch in both Basic Black and Creamy Caramel.  I finished it off with a black brad and attached it to the card with a dimensional dot.  The bands are strips of Creamy Caramel mounted on Basic Black as is the sentiment.