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SUOC36 – Try a new technique

SUOC36 – Try a new technique published on 5 Comments on SUOC36 – Try a new technique

I am so excited to share with you the SUO Challenge for this week.  It is perfect for the new year, I must say.  We are asking you to try a new (to you) technique.  Fun!  The hardest part will be choosing what to try.

I wanted to see what came of using a Faux Tile technique using my Simply Scored Scoring Tool.  I was inspired by the color challenge from Pals Paper Arts PPA126.  They chose Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze and Very Vanilla.  So that led me to making Faux Delft Tile.  I love this flower stamp from the Sale-a-bration (SAB) set Fresh Vintage and it seemed perfect for using with  this.  I took a Very Vanilla sheet that is 3″ x 4 1/2″ and scored it at 1 1/2″ increments.  Make sure you go over your score lines a couple of times to create nice deep indents.  Randomly stamp your image making sure you don’t press too hard.  This works particularly well with larger stamps but it was not too hard with this one.  Using a sticky note, mask the score line and sponge a bit around each square to mimic tile.  I stamped the images in Not Quite Navy and sponged with Baja Breeze.  Finally I added an oval embossed with Designer Frames and fussy cut.  The sentiment is from Day of Gratitude and punched with an Extra-Large Oval Punch.  The edges were sponged to match the tile panel.  A couple of Basic Pearls and done.

This is a fun technique.  And my husband said…hey, it really looks like tile.  Success!  I can’t wait to see what you will create for this challenge!

My first few days of training went well last week but it showed me how much I have to do to get ready for flying.  I’ll be busily working on some aircraft systems studying this week but there is definitely room for some stamping too.  I’m still trying to get ahead on all the upcoming challenges.  I will be back tomorrow with a new layout from Freshly Made Sketches.  See you then!

Stamps:  Fresh Vintage (SAB), Day of Gratitude; Paper:  Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla; Ink:  Not Quite Navy; Accessories:  Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Big Shot, Designer Frames Embossing Folder, Basic Pearls, Dimensionals

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Freshly Made Sketches #16

Freshly Made Sketches #16 published on 9 Comments on Freshly Made Sketches #16

Welcome to a new year of challenges from Freshly Made Sketches!  This week’s sketch is courtesy of the amazing Tui Nathan of Stampin-Time.  Her style is always highlighted by the most lovely details and she has brought us a layout that lends itself to so many possibilities.

With the beginning of a new year it seemed appropriate to use this sketch for a baby card.  My husband works with the West Virginia Air National Guard and as you may imagine there are some serious West Virginia fans there.  This was my color motivation since this card is for some friends from work who had a baby boy.  I pulled out my Button Buddies set.  It is one of my favorites from the new catalog for the pure fun of it!  The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  I used a print from the Just Add Cake DSP against a Night of Navy background.  Some retired Night of Navy Satin Ribbon was used to add a little dimension across the card.  Of course the buttons make this…aren’t they fun??!!

You will be impressed with what the design team has done with this sketch and we can’t wait to see what you will show us!  Come along and join the fun!

Today is the first day back at United Airlines for me.  Wish me luck in going back to “school” (more here if you missed the announcement)!  Thanks for stopping in today.  See you soon!

Stamps  Button Buddies, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper:  Just Add Cake DSP, Night of Navy, Whisper White; Ink:  So Saffron, Night of Navy; Accessories:  Night of Navy Satin Ribbon (retired), Subtles Buttons, Regals Buttons, Thread

Enchanted Flower

Enchanted Flower published on 15 Comments on Enchanted Flower

 

 

Can you believe it???  I have a new card to share!  After a break from stamping I always find it best to start with a nice sketch.  Leave it to the Operators at Stampin’ 411 to have the perfect layout.  Even better that it is open to a lot of interpretation with the little bow and button.  I decided it was time to show you a preview of some of the Sale-a-bration (SAB) offerings that will be coming on Jan. 24th.

 The paper in the Everyday Enchantment DSP is gorgeous!!  Just look at those lovely designs!  I felt like the prints could do all the work for me on this one and kept it fairly simple.  The flower is two layers cut from the Fun Flowers Die (one in the DSP and one in Poppy Parade).  I sponged a little Crumb Cake ink on the Very Vanilla panel to mimic the sponging in the DSP.  The Organdy ribbon (Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade) are also offered as a SAB choice along with the a package of brads (I used one of those in the center of the flower).  You can’t really see it here but I stamped a flower from the coordinating Fresh Vintage Stamp Set on the inside.  Guess what….if you host a $400 workshop during SAB, you will get all three of those items on top of your other hostess benefits!  Wow!!

I hope your new year is starting off right.  Don’t forget that the new Occasions Mini goes live tomorrow!  There are so many beautiful things to see in it!  I will see you tomorrow with the first Freshly Made Sketches challenge of the year.  Thanks for stopping by today!

Stamps:  Fresh Vintage (SAB), Always Thankful (Holiday Mini); Paper:  Everyday Enchantment DSP(SAB),  Very Vanilla, Poppy Parade; Ink:  Poppy Parade (Lucky Limeade inside card); Accessories:  Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Pack, Big Shot, Fun Flowers Die, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals

 

New Year, big changes!

New Year, big changes! published on 16 Comments on New Year, big changes!

Happy New Year to all of you!  I hope that the beginning of your 2012 is off to a great start.  I do not have a card for you today but wanted to share some exciting news.  Most of you know that I am a pilot for United Airlines.  I have been on leave for over three years.  This is partly because United Airlines has many pilots still laid off and my schedule would be less than wonderful.  It is partly because my husband is in the Air National Guard and flies long trips.  The time has come for United to ask me to return to flying.  As of today, I am back on the books at the company.  With three years off I have lots of training to do, of course, and some of that will start on Wednesday.  I will be flying the Airbus 319/320 (which I was flying when I took my leave of absence) with mostly domestic US flying (some Canadian, Mexican and Caribbean routes).

What does this mean for my stamping??  Not much really.  You haven’t seen much in the way of posting over the last couple of weeks.  Some of that is the typical holiday schedule with little time to post.  Much of it though is that I have been getting ahead.  I will continue my design team work with both SUO Challenges and Freshly Made Sketches.  I will continue to be a Stampin’ Up demonstrator as well.  I love the products from Stampin’ Up and my stamping customers are so supportive of my non-stamping work.  I have a one-month training period starting on Jan. 17th that will be academically intensive so you can expect to see nothing other than design team work during that time.  I hope to “sneak” in something here and there but it is hard to predict when.

Thanks for all the support you give me in my creative efforts.  I find that my stamping and  the people in this crafting community bring such joy to my life.  I look forward to continuing these “adventures in stamping” with you.

Oh, I almost forgot…I also got a brand new computer for Christmas…a MacBook Pro!!  I have always been a Windows user so my learning curve is steep.  Bear with me as I learn how to edit photos with my new toy!  Happy and safe new year to all of you!  I’m stamping today so with any luck, I’ll have a card to show you with some of Stampin’ Up’s latest products tomorrow!

SUOC35

SUOC35 published on 2 Comments on SUOC35

After all the holiday preparation, the team at SUO Challenges is a little punchy this week!!  We are creating projects with our punches and can’t wait to see how you use yours.  Now I will freely admit that I am not a “punch art” talent but I know that many of you are.  I always love seeing what people create!

There is nothing quite like a punch to simplify your life and make a quick card so I went with that idea for my card.  This is a birthday card for a friend of my oldest son.  She loves orange so I figured a Pumpkin Pie flower was just the thing!  I punched out 9 Scallop Circles from some Brights Designer Paper and layered them alternating the patterns.  The background was the Old Olive dots pattern from the same DSP and plain Old Olive card stock.  The sentiment is from Inviting.  I got the sketch from a Fall-to Layout Challenge (171) from a couple of weeks ago.  Once you punch out the Scallop Circles, just crumple the papers to soften the fibers.  Then layer them (with a Basic Black scallop as a base) and re-fluff.  I sewed them together but you can use a brad too.

My mom is leaving today and we have been busy with all the holiday stuff.  I hope to be back a little later in the week with some new things.  I hope you are having a great week.  Thanks for stopping by and I will see you again soon!

Stamp:  Inviting; Paper:  Brights Designer Paper Pack, Old Olive, Whisper White, Basic Black; Ink:  Basic Black; Accessories:  Scallop Circle Punch, Neutrals Button, White Taffeta Ribbon, Dimensionals

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! published on 5 Comments on Merry Christmas!

As I sit here on Christmas Eve I realize that I haven’t posted in over a week.  I, like many of you, have been running around getting everything ready for Christmas.  My cards are finally all sent and most of the presents are wrapped.  My children are doing a bit of arts and crafts for final decorations.  My mother is here enjoying the chaos of two little boys as they get more and more excited for the big day.  In short…not much time for posting.  I have been working on some projects for the new year so I will have lots for you as we get into January.

I thought it appropriate to show you two final cards using Bright Hopes.  I might as well have called these “A few of my favorite things”.  My favorite Christmas set this year, my favorite color combination (Vanilla/Always Artichoke), my favorite embossing folder (Framed Tulips) and my favorite ribbon (Seam Binding).  This first version doesn’t photograph as pretty as it is in person.  I used Naturals Ivory paper and embossed the wreath with Clear Embossing Powder (over Versamark/Always Artichoke).  I didn’t make lots of them but enough to share with some close family and my club members.

The second version was a bit quicker with no heat embossing.  I used the lovely tree and Very Vanilla card stock on this one.

I hope that all of you have a happy holiday season.  Whether it be Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, I hope that you are surrounded by family and friends.  I feel blessed to share my stamping adventures with you and I thank you for sharing your thoughts back with me.  I wish you peace and joy!

See you next week with some new challenges and maybe (I really hope I can get one done) a preview of the new Occasions Mini.

Freshly Made Sketches #15

Freshly Made Sketches #15 published on 8 Comments on Freshly Made Sketches #15

Happy Wednesday!  I am here with Freshly Made Sketches Challenge #15.  The lovely and talented Cindy Hall from Pretty Impact brought us the sketch today.  I love that it is different and made me think a bit.  I tend to go towards linear things so those little tilted panels seem to add such interest!

I knew when I saw the layout that I wanted one of the snowmen from Snow Much Fun to be on the center panel.  I chose this little trouble making fellow because my boys really like him.  They love that he has a sly grin as he gets ready to start a snowball fight (much like two little boys I know).  I wanted to make him a little bit vintage but with a “clean” twist.  No distressing or sponging here.  I used the colors from Well Worn DSP as my starting place to color the snowman (Not Quite Navy, River Rock, Early Espresso).  I then chose this Not Quite Navy print for the panels and River Rock stock as a background.  It was still missing something so I added some River Rock Seam Binding.  What was that??? River Rock??  Ok, I really added some Very Vanilla Seam Binding that had been dyed River Rock.  Dying is a great solution when you only need a little of a color.  A button tied with Linen Thread and a part of a sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes punched with the Jewelry Tag Punch were the finishing touches.

I hope you like my “vintage light” version of a snowman.  Just wait until you see what the rest of the team has made.  As always, their work is so fantastic!

Thanks so much for stopping it today!  I hope your week is going well.  See you again soon!

Stamps:  Snow Much Fun, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper:  Well Worn DSP, River Rock, Early Espresso, Watercolor; Ink:  Not Quite Navy, River Rock, Crumb Cake, Stazon, Blushing Bride, Tangerine Tango; Accessories:  Blender Pen, Very Vanilla Seam Binding, Neutrals Buttons, Linen Thread, Sticky Strip, Mini Glue Dots

SU Only Challenge 34 – Merry and Happy

SU Only Challenge 34 – Merry and Happy published on 11 Comments on SU Only Challenge 34 – Merry and Happy

For the next two weeks the team at SU Only Challenges is celebrating December holidays…all of them!  The challenge is “Merry and Happy” and we want to see the cards you make to share your joy.

This is the time of the season that I tend to lean on some favorites to make my remaining cards.  I am woefully behind on my Christmas cards and Dasher came to the rescue (again).  I combined him with one of the prints from Frostwood Lodge DSP.  The sketch comes from Inkspirations Challenges #99.  I love that I could use those little squares and get a pop of color.  The sentiment comes from Bright Hopes.  Early Espresso Baker’s Twine was used to tie up a Crumb Cake button.  I think I’ll be making a few more of these!

When you see what the rest of the team has made you will be so impressed.  It is clear that we love our December holidays!!  Can’t wait to see what you will make!

I’ll see you tomorrow with a Freshly Made Sketch!  Until then, thanks for dropping by and have a great day!

Stamps:  Dasher, Bright Hopes; Paper:  Frostwood Lodge DSP, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Whisper White; Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso; Accessories:  Early Espresso Baker’s Twine, Neutrals Buttons, Dimensionals

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Dasher found a friend!

Dasher found a friend! published on 7 Comments on Dasher found a friend!

Big post disclaimer…I did none of the work for this post other than taking the picture (my watermark is simply there as protection)!!  But I was so excited about this that I had to show you!

One of my dear stamping friends Brenda came over yesterday to stamp and she brought me the most lovely surprise!  Now it is no secret that I think Dasher is one of the best stamps ever created by Stampin’ Up.  That little reindeer has worked hard for me since the day he showed up on the big brown truck.  My stampers know this too, of course, since they get to make things with him every year.  Brenda found Dasher a friend for me and then packaged them together.  Yes…I was jumping up and down.

Brenda found Prancer from a company called Scentsy and knew how much I would love him too.  I mean really, look at him and the colors of his warmer (this company sells warmers that melt scented wax).  So not only did Brenda get this for me, she then went and created a card to go with it.  Seriously, how amazing is that??!!  Just look at the two together!

She made this gorgeous center step card with Dasher embossed in Black.  It is even more striking in person!  And the rhinestones add the perfect sparkle!  How lucky am I to have such a talented and generous friend??!!  I knew you would all love seeing this so thanks for letting me share.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.  More Christmas cards will be coming your way next week (and maybe a sneak peek of the new Occasions Mini).  Thanks for stopping by today!

 

Freshly Made Sketches #14

Freshly Made Sketches #14 published on 16 Comments on Freshly Made Sketches #14

Welcome back to another challenge from Freshly Made Sketches!  I am the hostess this week and this is my very first sketch!  I love square cards so it seemed perfect to use one this week.  I also know that in the middle of holiday card making I seem to end up with lots of designer paper scraps.  I hoped that this sketch would provide a way to use them.

When I intially designed the sketch I had intended to use it very literally with a snowflake from Northern Frost.  I realized, however, that I have been using that die a whole lot so wanted to shake it up a bit….but not too far.  I went with my go-to stamp set for the season this year, Bright Hopes.  I love this wreath!  Jen Mitchell has been using her Deck the Halls DSP from last year on a lot of cards lately and I have been admiring them all!  I went digging in my paper pile.  Low and behold…I had some!  Yippee!  And how pretty it is with the wreath!  I wanted to add a little bow to the wreath and chose to do another fork bow (tutorial here).  I used the Early Espresso Quilted Ribbon for this one.  I chose to put the sentiment in place of the snowflake and keep it clean.

Well, since the design team has already made some fabulous cards with the sketch, I am breathing a bit easier.  Make sure you stop over the the challenge site and see them.  I love the variety of interpretations!  I know you will show us even more cool ways to use the layout!

Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you are having a great week!  See you again soon!

Stamp:  Bright Hopes; Paper:  Deck the Halls DSP (retired), Early Espresso, Very Vanilla; Ink:  Early Espresso; Accessories:  Early Espresso Quilted Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals

All products are Stampin’ Up!

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