CAS Sympathy for a Close Friend

Hi Stampers!!

I decided to create a card using the Create with Connie and Mary CCMC253 Sketch and Ann’s CAS Masculine Theme PP146 Challenge at The Paper Players.

Again, if you have a chance, stop by both sites for wonderful inspiration from their Design Teams as well as the other entries- great job by all!

We needed to send a sympathy card to my husband’s co-worker- his father died unexpectedly and he loved to hunt and fish.  I chose to use the retired set, Nature’s Silhouettes along with a simple embossing and sponging technique.  They are a very close-knit family and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time of sorrow.

To create this card:             

                                                                               

De-static a piece of Whisper White cardstock using the Embossing Buddy® and ink the deer image using Versamark™ ink.  Apply Stampin’ Emboss® Early Espresso Embossing Powder and heat with the Heat Tool to melt the powder.  Once cooled, repeat the same steps using the tree image.

Using a mask created with the 1 ¼” Circle Punch, sponge Crumb Cake Classic Ink for the sky area and sponge Soft Suede around the edges.  Trim and mount onto Early Espresso cardstock and adhere the focal image onto a banner created from the retired Well Worn Designer Series Paper (DSP). 

Use the Big Shot™ with the Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of paper (again from the Well Worn DSP) and a piece of So Saffron cardstock with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder. 

Layer the banners and add the ½” Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon bow along with sentiment to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Nature Silhouettes, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Versamark™, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Soft Suede

Paper: Early Espresso, So Saffron, Whisper White, Well Worn DSP

Accessories:  Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Big Shot™, Woodgrain and Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders, Punches- 1 1/4” Circle, Word Window, ½” Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon, Sponge Daubers, Sanding Block

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope you have a wonderful Friday!!

SUO71 Favorite Retiring Stamp Set- Three of My Favorites in One!!

Hi Stampers! 

The SUO71 Challenge is to use your Favorite Retiring Stamp Set and we welcome all entries using Stampin’ Up! Only products!  So pull out those soon to be retired stamp sets and let’s highlight them for all to see! 

In my normal fashion, I could not decide on just one set so I used three of my favorite retiring sets, French Foliage, Nature’s Pace and Nature Walk.  I love the line drawn realistic images in all of these sets and they will definitely have a permanent place in my collection.

To create this card:

Use the Big Shot™ with the soon to be retired Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Pistachio Pudding cardstock - ink the interior of the folder using Sahara Sand Classic Ink prior to embossing. Mount this layer onto a piece of Early Espresso cardstock.

Using Early Espresso Classic Ink, stamp the images from the stamp sets onto Sahara Sand cardstock and color using Stampin’ Write markers- Wisteria Wonder for the grapes and flowers, So Saffron on the bees and an Aqua Painter™ with ink from the Pistachio Pudding and Crisp Cantaloupe stamp pads for the eggs, leaves, flowers and robin’s breast. 

Stamp the French Foliage script using Sahara Sand Classic Ink over the images as well as the seal image on a few of the corners.  Cut the images to size and distress the edges using the Distressing Tool and sponge more Sahara Sand Classic Ink with a Sponge Dauber.

Mount the panels onto Early Espresso cardstock and position for the collage effect.  Add the Early Espresso ½” Taffeta Triple Ribbon bow to the bee wreath panel and add the diamond shape bee image and sentiment using Stampin’ Dimensionals®.

Use the Color Spritzer Tool (also retiring) along with the Early Espresso Stampin’ Write marker to distress the card a bit and add Frost White Shimmer Paint to the bee’s wings on the center panel.

Add a few Pearls to the corners to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Nature Walk, Nature’s Pace, French Foliage

Ink: Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, Pistachio Pudding, Crisp Canteloupe, Stampin’ Write Markers- Wisteria Wonder, So Saffron, Early Espresso

Paper/Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Early Espresso, Pistachio Pudding

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impression ™Embossing Folder, Sponge Dauber, Color Spritzer Tool, ½” Early Espresso Taffeta Ribbon, Distressing Tool, Pearls

Thanks again for visiting!  Since I personally need to work on patience, I may keep this card as a reminder in my craft room :-).  

 I hope can take the time to create a project to share with us at SUO Challenges for this SUO71 Favorite Retiring Stamp Set Challenge- look forward to seeing your creations :-)

10 Minute CAS Thank You Scrap Card :-)

Hi Again, Stampers! 

I decided to create a CAS Card using this week’s Stampin’ Royalty SR176 Colors along with the Splitcoaststampers SC422 Sketch .   

I hope you can take a moment to check out both sites- you will find terrific inspiration! 

Luckily, I was able to create this card using scraps that were already embossed, so it was a 10 minute card for me as well- love those scraps!:-) 

                                                                                               

To create this very easy CAS card:

Use the Big Shot™ with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Pool Party cardstock- trim down to 4” W x 5 1/4”H and mount onto a piece of Island Indigo cardstock.

Create the large flower with the Blossom Punch (already embossed the Calypso Coral cardstock with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder)  and the center is two rolled flowers into one- the center is the 1 ¼” Scallop Circle Punch and the 1 ¾” Scallop Circle Punch- spiral cut around the scalloped circle toward the center, roll and glue the smaller one in the center of the larger rolled flower.  Adhere the double rolled flower center to the embossed blossom.

Add the DSP Panel, Tea Doily Paper Lace corner and the Scallop border along with the sentiment to finish off the card. 

­Stamp Sets: Because I Care (sentiment)

Ink:  Island Indigo

Paper: Whisper White, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Sycamore Street DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Square Lattice and Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing  Folders, Punches- 1 3/4” Scallop Circle, 1 ¼” Scallop Circle, Blossom Punch, 1” Square Punch (for banner points), Pearl, Tea Lace Paper Doily

Thanks again for stopping by- have a great weekend!!

Nature's Pace Sympathy- A Sketch, A Color Challenge and A Stepped Up Version :-)

Hi Again Stampers! 

I wanted to create a card using the Create with Connie and Mary CCMC252 Colors and incorporated them with the Splitcoaststampers SC433 Sketch Challenge. 

 Again, if you have the time, check out both sites for wonderful inspiration!

To create this card:

Use the Big Shot™ to emboss a piece of a piece of Soft Suede DSP and a piece of So Saffron cardstock with the Honeycomb Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.  Lightly sand the DSP to soften up the fibers and hand cut a few of the hexagons and them randomly onto the embossed background.  

FYI- I had both of these background pieces already pre-embossed/sanded in my scraps- love when that happens :-)   

First attempt- decided to step it up- see next image  :-)

Sponge additional Soft Suede Classic Ink over the background panel and mount onto Soft Suede cardstock and again onto Sahara Sand cardstock (sponging additional Soft Suede ink to “antique” the Sahara Sand base).

Stamp the bee image from Nature’s Pace onto Sahara Sand cardstock and color using Stampin’ Write markers in So Saffron, Sahara Sand and Soft Suede (add the White Gel Pen highlights at the end to highlight some of the flowers/bee wings).  Use the Sponge Dauber with Soft Suede Classic Ink to lightly sponge around the oval. 

Use the Big Shot™ with the Ovals Collection Framelits™ to cut out the bee image and also cut two additional ovals from the same size framelit for the layers behind the stamped image.   Add the Modern Label “ends” with the Pearl accents. 

Added Script background and Rolled Flowers to Step It Up :-)

Create the vertical banner strip using Sahara Sand Designer Series Paper (DSP) and the 1 3/8” Square Punch (to create the banner points).  Mount onto Soft Suede cardstock and adhere to the card per the sketch.

Mount the focal image onto the banner strip, add the sentiment and ½” Soft Suede Taffeta triple ribbon bow to finish off the card.

For my first attempt card, I left the DSP blank and did not have the rolled flowers on the card but felt that the card needed something at the top to balance it out, so I decided to "Step It Up" :-) 

So I took this one carefully apart and stamped the script background stamp from French Foliage in Soft Suede randomly over the banner and bee image.  I also added the So Saffron rolled flowers (fyi- they are very easy to make..punch regular circles or in this case scallop circles and hand cut a spiral towards the center of the circle and then hand roll :-)  Here is a great tutorial for the rolled flowers).  

Mount the focal image onto the banner strip, add the sentiment and ½” Soft Suede Taffeta triple ribbon bow to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Nature’s Pace, French Foliage, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Soft Suede, Stampin’ Write Markers- Sahara Sand, So Saffron, Soft Suede

Paper/Cardstock:  Sahara Sand, So Saffron, Soft Suede

Accessories: Big Shot™,  Honeycomb Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Ovals Collection Framelits™, Punches- 1 1/4" Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Square, Modern Label Punch, Small Oval (retired),  Sponge Daubers, White Gel Pen, Pearls

Thanks again for stopping by- hope you have a great Monday!!  Stop by again tomorrow for the new SUO Challenge :-).

Sunflower Prayers- A Sketch with a Color Challenge :-)

Hi Stampers! 

I hope you are having a great weekend so far!  I decided to stay up late (or early depending on your point of view:-) and create one more card.  This one incorporates the PalsPaper Arts PPA159 Sketch along with the Dynamic Duos DD53 Color Challenge.  Again, if you have not done so yet, please take a moment to stop by each site and check them out!

Whenever I use black lately, I find that I tend to gravitate towards either heat embossing, or in this case, my printer ink and My Digital Studio (MDS).  I love the crisp clean lines that you can get with the digital image plus as I studied the color combo, I knew that I had the perfect images already printed ready to go!!  Love using MDS for this very reason. 

To create this card:

Print the image from the Sunflower Background Brush stamp set (resize to approx. ½ the size of the actual stamp) and the sentiment from Thoughts and Prayers onto Whisper White cardstock. 

Carefully cut out the sunflower image and cut the petals apart to remove all of the white background. 

Use the Big Shot™ with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Pacific Point Designer Series Paper and a piece of Basic Black cardstock.  Lightly sand the Pacific Point DSP and cut into a 3 ½” square, mount onto Basic Black and again onto Whisper White cardstock. 

Use the Big Shot™ with the Adorning Accents Edgelit™ to cut two lacy edge pieces for the top and the bottom of the card and assemble per the sketch.

Add the 5/8” Basic Black Satin Ribbon bow along with the punched sentiment to finish off the card (the punch used is a sneak peek of the new Artisan Label Punch).  Add the Pearls to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Sunflower (MDS), Thoughts and Prayers (MDS)

Ink: Printer Ink- Black

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pacific Point DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, 5/8” Basic Black Satin Ribbon, Pearls, Artisan Label Punch

Thanks again for stopping by- have a wonderful day!!

Artistic Etchings and French Foliage- Two Challenges in One!!

Hi Stampers!!

Card created with fun 6 yr old girls :-)

Before I show you my recent challenge card,  I wanted to share the cute easel card that we made this morning at our Mother/Daughter brunch.  All of the components were pre-cut and the easels were assembled (we only had 1/2 hr or so to work plus they made two cards and decorated two planters).  

The nine special little girls were able to emboss with the Big Shot and they loved it!!  I think they did a fabulous job especially since the average age was 7 years old :-)  Good times had by all and special thanks to all of those who helped (and my good friend, Bert for bringing her Big Shot as well- she is the best!!)

Well, on to the challenge card- 

I decided to create a card for the "big girls" and used the FMS86 sketch from Freshly Made Sketches along with the Fab Friday 18 Color Challenge.  

Again, if you have the chance to check out both sites, I would highly encourage you to do so- great examples and inspiration from the Design Teams as well as the other entrants!!

To create this card:

Use the Big Shot™ and the Fancy Fan Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and mount it onto Soft Suede cardstock. 

For the focal image, stamp the script background from French Foliage using Primrose Petals Classic Ink and the round seal image using Raspberry Ripple Classic Ink.  

Ink the Eiffel Tower image from Artistic Etchings using Soft Suede Classic Ink and the Medallion using Summer Starfruit Classic Ink (stamped off once before stamping onto cardstock).

Punch the edge of the focal image panel using the Scallop Trim Border Punch and add a small strip of Designer Series Paper (DSP) from the Poetry Prints DSP stack. 

Add the ½” Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin triple ribbon bow and mount the panel onto Soft Suede and again onto Very Vanilla cardstock. 

Ink the leaf image from French Foliage using Summer Starfruit Classic Ink and pounce Raspberry Ripple and Soft Suede onto the stamp with Sponge Daubers before stamping onto Very Vanilla cardstock.  Carefully cut out and lightly sponge additional Raspberry Ripple on the edges and curl the edges a bit.  Add to the focal panel with Mini Glue dots and add the Antique Brad in the corner.

Mount the focal panel to the card base using Stampin’ Dimensionals™ , add the sentiment and Pearls to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Artistic Etchings, French Foliage, Short and Sweet (retired)

Ink: Primrose Petals,  Raspberry Ripple, Soft Suede, Summer Starfruit

Paper: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede,  Poetry Print DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Fancy FanTextured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Punches- Word Window, Modern Label, Scallop Trim Border; Pearls, Antique Brad

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope all of you have a wonderful Sunday!!

Clean and Simple Roses- Three Challenges in One!

Hi Again, Stampers! 

I decided to create a CAS Card using this week’s CQC189 ColourQ Colors and the CAS(E) This SketchChallenge #28 along with the CASOLOGY Theme #44 Bloom.

If you have the time to check out all of the challenge sites, please do so- there is so much inspiration from their Design Teams as well as all of the other entries

I know that many of you may not think this card is simple, but trust me it is :-) 

Also, not sure if I have too many layers to qualify for the CAS Challenges, but here it is…

To create this very easy CAS card:

Use the Big Shot™ with the Argyle Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Whisper White- trim down to 3 ¾” W x 5” H and set aside the trimmed pieces.

Create the rolled flowers from Calypso Coral, Ruby Red and Whisper White cardstock using the 1 ¼” Scallop Circle punch and the spiral cut method (see tutorial here). 

Attach the embossed Whisper White background to Basic Black and Certainly Celery and mount onto Basic Black for the final frame.

Add the strip of Basic Black cardstock (from my scraps) and a piece of the trimmed embossed paper from the first step.

Punch the leaves from Certainly Celery cardstock using the Bird Builder Punch and add to the card front and adhere the rolled flowers along with the Pearls.

Add the sentiment to finish off the card.  See how simple.. and CAS to me! :-)

­Stamp Sets: Petite Pairs

Ink:  Basic Black

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Calypso Coral, Certainly Celery, retired Ruby Red

Accessories:  Big Shot™,  Argyle Textured Impressions™ Embossing  Folder, Punches- 1 ¼” Scallop Circle, 1 3/8” Circle, Bird Builder, Pearls

Thanks again for stopping by and if you have the time, let me know if you like this card – your comments mean so much to me!  

I hope you all of you have a wonderful weekend!  I have a "date" with approx. 20 young ladies for the Mother/Daughter brunch this morning and I am looking forward to helping them make a cute little flower pot easel card (they range in ages 3 to 12)- we will have so much fun!) :-)

Roses in a Teacup- Two Challenges in One!

Hi Stampers!!

I finally had a chance to relax and stamp a card and decided to use this week’s PP145 colors atThe Paper Players along with the JAI165 Just Add Woodgrain at Just Add Ink.

To create this card:

Use the Big Shot™ and the Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Whisper White and adhere to Midnight Muse cardstock. 

Using Stampin’ Write Markers in Midnight Muse, Gumball Green and Raspberry Ripple, color the large teacup from Tea Shoppe and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock.  

Carefully cut out and lightly sponge Midnight Muse over the edges.  Lightly brush Frost White Shimmer Paint over the teacup to give the impression of porcelain.  Add to the Tea Lace Paper Doily using Stampin’ Dimensionals . 

Create the rolled flowers from Raspberry Ripple cardstock (using the 1 ¼” Scallop Circle Punch) along with the leaves from Gumball Green cardstock (from the Sizzlet™ Little Leaves)- add Pearls to the center of the flowers and to those on the teacup image. 

Add the Midnight Muse DSP layer from the Print Poetry DSP pack across the center and adhere the Teacup focal image with Stampin’ Dimensionals. 

Add the tag with the ½” Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin Ribbon triple bow to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Tea Shoppe

Ink: Stampin’ Write Markers- Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple

Paper: Whisper White, Midnight Muse, Poetry Print DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Little Leaves Sizzlet™, Punches- 1 ¼” Scallop Circle, Large Tag; Pearls, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Sponge Dauber

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope all of you have a great Wednesday!!