Page 152

Where, oh where, is spring??

February 24, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

You found at least a little breath of it here!!! With the forecast of more sn#@ (it has become a bad word), I had to pull out all the stops for a spring card!! I realized that I am sadly short of pretty pastel paper (soon to be fixed, I can assure you) and had to go searching for some retired items. Well, it was one of my resolutions to actually USE some of the beautiful things I have… Plus, I really wanted to use my new set, A Flower for All Seasons, that I got FREE with Sale-a-bration benefits. Yes, SAB is still going on and you, too, can get lovely free things from Stampin’ Up!! I have to admit that I am not much of a pink kind of girl, but with Bordering Blue and Saffron I love it!! Besides, who doesn’t love pink tulips??!! Don’t forget, you can click on the card to see it larger.

I used the sketch layout for this week from Splitcoaststampers, SC269. I love the triangle cut and how it lets you add more color to your card! I used my Stampin’ Pastels and a blender pen to watercolor the design. It seems like every spring, when my tastes turn to pastels, my chalks are the first thing that comes out. Hmm, sort of like the first robins of spring….yes, I digress into wishing for spring again! At least with my Stampin’ Pastels I am guarenteed to have all of the 48 SU colors right at my disposal!! The phrase from God’s Beauty (a retired hostess set) seemed just right for how I feel. The onlything left was ribbon. I did change the sketch a little and skipped the horizontal band across. The little corner knot finished the card up nicely.

Well, I have had a request to do a tutorial on tying the bow like in the post below, so come back Friday and I’ll have a post on that one and the corner knot! As always, thanks for dropping by!

Stamps: A Flower for All Seasons, God’s Beauty; Paper: Bella Birds DSP (ret), So Saffron, Bordering Blue; Ink: Bordering Blue, Basic Gray; Accessories: Saffron wide grosgrain (SAB ’09, ret), Stampin’ Pastels, Watercolor Blender Pen, Dimensionals

All products Stampin’ Up!

Bella Bleu to the Rescue

February 23, 2010 Jentimko 3 Comments

I needed a special card for one of my aunts who is a bit under the weather. My aunt has an unbelievable sense of style and I can’t just send her any old card, you see. Of course, I turned to some of the weekly challenges for inspiration. First, I saw this really cool layout over at Mojo Monday.

I chose the square option and started playing with my stamps. Things still weren’t coming together so I opted for a color challenge. I saw the colors over at the Curtain Call Color Challenge: Act 18.

Navy, check, Old Olive, check, Kraft, check, Brocade Blue….hmm. Oh wait, I still have some left over Bella Bleu DSP!!! While the colors in it are Not Quite Navy in the catalog, some of the coordinating blue looks like Brocade Blue. And, I am pretty sure that using Bella Bleu paper insures a pretty card every time!! Now, as you look at the picture, you’ll see that her color challenge really called for Ballet Blue (and also Whisper White). I obviously missed those details and went stamping! Only when I came to give credit did I notice my mistake. So, Stacy, I am still linking this to your challenge since the colors were intended to be your idea!

Also, you can see I flipped the Mojo Monday sketch since it seemed to work better for me. I used the Inspired by Nature set with a faux watercolor technique. I applied ink with the Stampin’ Write markers and then spritzed the stamp with water to get the images to blur a bit.

I hope you like this one and, most importantly, I hope it provides my aunt with a little lift! Thanks for stopping by…please let me know you visited. Your comments are most welcome!

Stamp: Inspired by Nature; Paper: Bella Bleu DSP, Night of Navy, Kraft, Very Vanilla; Ink: Night of Navy, Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Bashful Blue; Accessory: Kraft Taffeta ribbon

Stampin' Addicts Birthday Blog Hop

February 20, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

Happy Birthday, Stampin’ Addicts!! I’m thrilled you stopped by for the Birthday Blog Hop!! Stampin’ Addicts is one of my favorite sites and a go-to place for tons of creative ideas! I’m stop #20 so if you have missed any, please go here to see all the links. For those coming over from Kandi’s blog, My Sweet Stampin’ Spot, weren’t you completely wowed by her fabulous “green” ideas??!! My theme for this hop is “limited supplies”. All stampers have to start somewhere and many don’t have tons of accessories (yet!). My goal was to use basic card stock, stamps, ink and only one extra item. I find that I lean on designer paper a lot for my stamping and it really sparked my creativity when I went back to basics! Don’t forget, if you click on any picture, you can see a closer view.

My first card showcases the lovely Hostess set, Of the Earth, and some of my favorite colors. The simple addition of Stampin’ Up’s new satin ribbon (Occasions Mini) really makes this card special! I’m in love with the Well Scripted word set, too. The framing effect of the Chocolate Chip card stock steps up a simple layout.

Color blocking is another wonderful way to add some “wow” to a card. I love how the Basic Black layer really makes these colors pop! I cut a second cupcake top and put it on dimensionals to add additional depth and added a Real Red corduroy button. Such an easy card to put together and I love the strong colors with this set (Party Hearty)!!

Well, I said it at the beginning, I LOVE designer series papers! Since I couldn’t use them…I created my own! And because I created my own, I was able to make a card in two colors that have sat dormant in my stash for far too long. I really love the combination of Blush Blossom and Close to Cocoa. The softness of the colors led me to the wonderful new set Vintage Vogue and the card almost made itself! I used the vine to stamp on the Blush Blossom paper and create the texture of a designer paper. I cut out the two flowers and used the Very Vanilla satin ribbon to make the center (the how-to on that center is in my post dated Jan. 20, 2010). It was still missing something and I realized this card had a shabby chic feel to it…so I did a little distressing and here it is! The layout started with a challenge from Stampin’ 411 (SSC138) which I modified slightly.

Thanks so much for stopping by! All of these cards qualify for the Pals Paper Arts challenge this week to Keep It Simple, Sweetie (KISS)! Your comments are most welcome and definitely appreciated! Now, your next stop on the hop is a visit to Linda at Olive Stamps. You’ll love her quick and simple birthday cards!

Card details:

1. Stamps: Of the Earth (Hostess), Well Scripted (Occasions Mini); Paper: Mellow Moss, Bordering Blue, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White; Ink: Mellow Moss, Bordering Blue, Chocolate Chip; Accessory: Chocolate Chip satin ribbon

2. Stamp: Party Hearty; Paper: Taken with Teal, Real Red, Crushed Curry, Basic Black, Whisper White; Ink: Taken with Teal, Real Red, Crushed Curry; Accessory: Real Red Corduroy Buttons (Occasions Mini)

3. Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Well Scripted (both Occasions Mini); Paper: Close to Cocoa, Blush Blossom, Very Vanilla; Ink: Close to Cocoa, Blush Blossom; Accessory: Very Vanilla satin ribbon

Stampin' Addicts Birthday Blog Hop

February 15, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

Mark your calendars! One of my favorite sites, Stampin’ Addicts, is having its first birthday this month!! They are hosting a Birthday Blog Hop featuring birthday themed cards and projects with Stampin’ Up! products. I’ll be joining 24 amazingly talented stamping bloggers in this celebration on February 20th and 21st. Don’t miss this fun event!!

Share the happiness!

February 13, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

The wonderful Marie McClellan over at From Combat Boots to Rubber Stamps has passed on this very nice award to me! Thanks for thinking of me, Marie!! You should pop on over to her site and see her latest Inspiration Challenge…it will get you motivated for a beautiful card!

I’m supposed to list 10 things that make me happy. My list may be a little specific to this week since I have been obsessed with snow and all things caused by lots of snow. In no specific order:

1. Hearing from my husband when he is on a trip and knowing he is safe.

2. My husband actually getting home from a trip and getting to stay a while!

3. My 4 year old son telling me “I very love you Mom!”.

4. Waking up to my two sons giving me hugs (after they slept in).

5. Finally clearing a path through the snow that the plows had piled on my sidewalk. I live on a corner and my kids were having to walk in the street to see their friends…nothing more determined than a mother keeping her kids safe!!

6. Finally sitting down after the kids are in bed with a cup of tea and an old kitty firmly planted on my lap.

7. Stamping a card that comes together exactly like I had in my imagination…and liking it!

8. The joy of knowing I have amazing friends and family who will do anything to help me.

9. The fun of meeting new friends through stamping!

10. Realizing that I am blessed beyond measure as I look at the list above!

Thanks for dropping by!

Love is in the air!

February 11, 2010 Jentimko 12 Comments

Update: The Valentine’s card was chosen as a Goddess pick at Stampin’ Royalty and an Inkspirations winner for the week! Thanks to both for the complement!

We have been snowed in and what better to work on than Valentine’s Day cards?? Of course, the snow has really gotten in the way of my stamping. My 4 and 6 year old sons have only so much tolerance for Mommy’s projects before it is time to go sledding!! Ok, even I feel the need to go sledding. After all, if we are going to have record snows I want to take advantage of the opportunities for fun! Today, though, I really needed to finish my card for my dear husband. While I have made quite a few Valentine’s cards this year, I always feel bad if he doesn’t get his own unique card. He certainly deserves it!! I found this layout from Makeesha at Inkspirations and knew it would be perfect!

Then I used the colors from the Curtain Call Color Challenge: Act 16 which were Real Red, Very Vanilla and Kraft. I just received my new Satin Ribbon this week and finally got to use it. It is so beautiful…I might have to order it in all the colors!! The hearts are from the I {Heart} Hearts set from the Occasions Mini. Just a reminder that $2 from every one of those sets sold until Feb 28th goes to the American Red Cross in support of the Haiti earthquake victims. I really like that the Kraft on this card gives it a more masculine feel! Because this card follows a Love/Valentines theme, it also qualifies for the Stampin’ Royalty Challenge #6! Their challenges are wonderful…make sure you check out the cards their Goddesses made this week!

Card details:

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, Well Scripted

Paper: Christmas Cocoa DSP (ret), Kraft, Very Vanilla

Ink: Real Red

Accessories: Jumbo Brads, Vanilla Satin Ribbon

All products Stampin’ Up!

Earlier this week, I was supposed to work with a 2nd Grade class from my son’s school (he is in 1st Grade) to make cards for their parents. Since school is apparently cancelled until the spring thaw, the teacher came over to help me make the cards for her kids (thanks Shelly!). This project turned out so cute that I just had to post it. It is another project with the I {Heart} Hearts set and the Hugs Sending Love Notes from the mini. I am so sad that the kids didn’t get to do the project but I know the parents will love them when they finally get them. I put another Whisper White sheet on the back where the kids can sign them. Thanks for stopping by! I value your comments…have a great day!

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, Well Scripted

Paper: Hugs, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Ink: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Heart to Heart punch

The snow took my mojo!

February 5, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

Well, as the big storm marches up to VA, I am standing by for snow-blowing and shoveling! The impending work involved seems to be getting in the way of my stamping. And that, my friends, is simply unacceptable!! In an effort to jumpstart some creativity, I used not one but two challenges. You see, they chose my layout and my colors allowing me to focus all my energy on learning how to make this cool flower! The layout is courtesy of Diva Coffee Break Designs and it is their sketch challenge #163. I liked that this layout was a bit more clean than some of the cards I have made lately. I did alter it into a square just because it seemed to work better for me. The colors are from the Pals Paper Arts weekly challenge. PPA28 asked for cards using Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink and Basic Black. I love that the black provides relief from all that pink! Finally, I have been seeing these “puffy” flowers lately and had to try one. I used the instructions from Corie at Creations by Corie. They really are super easy…just what I needed today! I used seven layers and alternated the paper — Mambo paper from Lovely Flowers (a hostess DSP), Sweet Pea, and the center is Mambo cardstock. After I got it all together, I sponged a little Basic Gray on the edges. The paper on the card is the same as the flower. It is hard to see in the picture but the Pretty in Pink panels have a subtle design from the DSP.

I afraid I can no longer deny that the snow is coming but at least I was able to make a card with spring colors and a cool flower!! Thanks for dropping by…wish me luck with snow-a-palooza!!

Stamp: Well Scripted (Occasions mini)

Paper: Lovely Flowers DSP (Hostess), Sweet Pea DSP (Occasions mini), Melon Mambo, Basic Black

Ink: Basic Gray

Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Jumbo Brad (center of flower), Paper Piercing tool

All products Stampin’ Up!

Reach out and "touch" the dolphins

January 31, 2010 Jentimko 1 Comment

I promised that I would occasionally show you some of the pages I created for calendars at Christmas. This is one of my favorite pages with one of my favorite pictures!! We went to Sea World – Orland0 during a summer visit to see family. It was a fantastic day and I love the curiousity this picture shows. One of the fantastic things about My Digital Studio (MDS) is the ability to work with the colors until they are just right! I found that Bermuda Bay was perfect with the water in the photo. Then I expanded a circle punch a couple of times to get the layered circles, added the fill and had a great effect! The words are from the “Enjoy every moment” stamp set that is available digitally in MDS. This is an easy breezy page but I feel like it is a wow. Of course, maybe that’s because it focuses on my wonderful sons! Thanks for dropping by…I appreciate and value any comments!

Challenging Birthday

January 26, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

Just like the Teal challenge I did last week, this challenge from Inkspirations was out of my comfort zone a bit. The colors are So Saffron, Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla. I have to say that I haven’t used Cameo Coral in a while! I went over to Stamping 411 and saw their sketch challenge 135 and I was ready to stamp. I pulled out my Fifth Avenue Floral set…one of my favorites. Sadly, it has been collecting a little dust with the new Occasions Mini and Sale-a-bration things I have been using lately. I had a strip of the Sweet Pea paper from some other cards I used for a class that conveniently had the yellow flower on it. This is a birthday card for a dear sister-in-law. I hope she loves the card as much as our family loves her!

Stamps: Fifth Ave. Floral, Well Scripted

Paper: Cameo Coral, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Sweet Pea DSP (Occasions Mini)

Ink: So Saffron, Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: SU Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plate, Big Shot, Watercolor Blender Pen, Dimensionals, So Saffron Ribbon (SAB 09)

Stampin' Up! gives me a Happy Heart!

January 23, 2010 Jentimko No Comments

I used the Mojo Monday sketch challenge (Mojo122) for this card. The sketch was created by the wonderful Mary Fish who is an amazing stamper! I also wanted to participate in a challenge from Shelli Gardner, the CEO of Stampin’ Up! She challenged us to make a Valentine’s Day project. I used the set “A Happy Heart”. When I saw the circles in this new Sweet Pea paper pack, I immediately thought of the dandelion stamp. They are a natural combination. Of course, I also just had to use the Sale-a-bration punch too! The phrase from this stamp really fits how I feel about Stampin’ Up as a company right now.

You have seen the devastation in Haiti and I know you, like me, want to help in any way you can. Stampin’ Up has committed to donating $2 from every “I {Heart} Hearts” set sold from now until Feb. 28th to the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. Wow, what can I say??!! The spirit of giving at Stampin’ Up is a corporate philosophy that starts with the CEO and continues throughout the entire company. You can see pictures on Shelli’s blog, So Shelli, of employees packing up supplies for 5,000 hygeine kits with supplies purchased by the company. You see, now Stampin’ Up gives you a Happy Heart, too!!

Take a look at the flyer for this promotion for more details!! I {Heart} Hearts promotion for Haiti

Thanks so much for visiting my blog!!

Stamp: A Happy Heart

Paper: Sweet Pea Paper Pack (Occasions Mini), Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Close to Cocoa

Accessories: Scallop Trim border punch (SAB), White Organza Ribbon

Layout: Mary Fish, Mojo122

Primary Sidebar