Midnight Silver- Two Challenges in One!

Hi Stampers!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend-I know I enjoyed the extra time off from my accounting job :-) !!  I spent most of yesterday trying to catch up on one of the designs for my Christmas cards (will post this card tomorrow) but today, decided to create a fancy fold card for this week’s Hand StampedSentiments HSSTC145 Challenge along with the colors from this week’s DynamicDuos#30 Challenge (if you have not visited their sites yet, the samples at both are gorgeous)!

This card is a Clean and Simple (CAS) Gatefold Card (see the Splitcoaststampers’ Tutorial here- of course, I used my Simply Scored™ Tool).

Create the base for the Gate Fold card using Whisper White cardstock- use a scoring tool or bone folder.

Front view partially open 

With the Big Shot™ and the Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, emboss a piece of Silver Metallic cardstock.  Adhere the embossed panels to the two front sides of the “gate” on the card base.

Stamp the sentiment and ornament using Midnight Muse Classic Ink onto Whisper White cardstock.  Cut the ornament using the Big Shot™ with the Holiday Ornaments Framelits™ Die and create a basic panel with the sentiment (mounted onto Midnight Muse cardstock).  

Adhere the ornament with Stampin’ Dimensionals onto the panel and mount the panel onto the left hand “gate” fold only. 

Another front view showing ornament & sentiment

Attach the 5/8” Whisper White Organza Ribbon bow and Rhinestones to finish off the outside of the card.  I  decorated the inside with a few stamps and layers - remember to leave room for personalizing :-)

Stamp Sets: Ornament Keepsakes, More Merry Messages, First Christmas (inside)

Ink: Midnight Muse

Paper: Whisper White, Midnight Muse, Silver Metallic

A simple message inside 

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Vintage Wallpaper Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Holiday Ornaments Framelits™ Die, 5/8” Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Rhinestones

Thanks again for stopping by and if you have a chance, stop by tomorrow eve. to see the "hybrid" Christmas :-)).  I hope all of you have a marvelous Monday and God Bless!

PP122- Thanksgiving and Christmas- Two Cards for One Challenge!

Hi Stampers!  

                                                                                                             

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my U.S. friends!!   I hope all of you are having a blessed Thanksgiving holiday!

This week the PP122 Challenge is a Clean and Simple (CAS) Challenge using Silver or Gold so while I had the supplies out, I decided to create two cards- one for Thanksgiving and another for Christmas.

If you have not had a chance to check out The Paper Players site yet, I would recommend that you take a moment to do so.  Again, the Design Team has outdone themselves and the rest of the entries are gorgeous!! 

To create the Thanksgiving card:

With the Big Shot™ and the Holiday Frame Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder emboss a piece of Early Espresso Core’dinations cardstock (lightly sand the embossed image to show the lighter core of the paper).

De-static a piece of Naturals White cardstock with the Embossing Buddy® and stamp the images from Full of Blessings and French Foliage using Versamark™ ink.  Apply Stampin’ Emboss® Gold Embossing Powder and heat emboss with the Heat Tool.

Once cool, cut out the oval using the Big Shot™ with an Oval Framelits™ Die and fussy cut the leaves and create a banner with the sentiment (use the corner of the 1” Square Punch to create the banner points).  Mount the oval to the embossed panel using Stampin’ Dimensionals™ and arrange the leaves and banner sentiment attaching to the card with Mini Glue Dots.

Adhere the entire panel to the Naturals White card base to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Full of Blessings, French Foliage

 Ink: Versamark™

Paper:  Early Espresso Core’dinations, Naturals White

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Holiday Frame Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Sanding Block, Embossing Buddy®, Heat Tool, Stampin’ Emboss® Gold Embossing Powder, 1” Square Punch

To create the Christmas Blessings Card:

With the Big Shot™ and the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder emboss a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Use the narrow ornament from the Holiday Ornaments Framelit™ Die to cut a piece of More Mustard cardstock.  Adhere the white embossed background to a piece of More Mustard cardstock.

De-static a piece of Whisper White cardstock and the More Mustard ornament with the Embossing Buddy®.  Ink the stamp image from Bells & Boughs , the sentiment from More Merry Messages and the Snowflake Party Builder Wheel using Versamark™ ink (I took the wheel apart and use it as a regular stamp).  Stamp the poinsettia image and the sentiment onto the Whisper White cardstock.  Stamp the Snowflake Party wheel across the ornament a few times.  Apply Stampin’ Emboss® Gold Embossing Powder to all images and heat emboss with the Heat Tool.

Cut the poinsettia image out using the Big Shot™ and the round pointed ornament from the Holiday Ornament Framelits™ Die set.  Mount the More Mustard ornament first, then the white ornament to the Lacy Brocade embossed background.

Create the banner using the corners of the 1” Square Punch and adhere to the bottom of the card.

Add the Satin Ribbon Bow and pearls to finish off the card. 

Stamp Sets:  Bells & Boughs, More Merry Messages, Snowflake Party Builder Wheel

 Ink: Versamark™

Paper:  More Mustard, Whisper White

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Embossing Buddy®, Heat Tool, Stampin’ Emboss® Gold Embossing Powder, 1” Square Punch. Pearls, 1 ¼” Gold Satin Ribbon (from my stash)

Again, Clean and Simple (CAS) style does not come easy to me and I so admire those who can create the CAS masterpieces that I see everywhere but this is my version of CAS.

Thanks again for stopping by and I hope all of you have a blessed Thanksgiving and weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hi Stampers!!

I will be posting a few cards later today (sneak peek above) but wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!  

I hope all of you have a blessed, safe Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends!  We have so much to be thankful for and I personally am blessed each time you visit :-) 

Thanks again for your friendship and taking the time to stop by- God Bless!

A Christmas Quilt- Four Punches, Two Embossing Folders and a Whole Lot of Fun!

Hi Stampers!

I have had quite a few busy weeks with swap cards and a quilt card class but I wanted to take the time to create a card using the Dynamic Duos #28 Color Challenge and the SplitcoastStampers SC409 Sketch.  Again, if you have not been directed here from either of those sites, I hope you will take some time to check out the Design Team samples as well as the other entries/gallery- what a wonderful example of how two colors can be used in so many ways not to mention the multiple interpretations of the sketch!

To create this card:

Using the 1 ¼” Square Punch, I used squares from Cherry Cobbler cardstock, Sahara Sand DSP and retired Christmas DSP to create my paper quilt.

Once you layer the squares (cut into triangles) and create your quilt pattern, ink the interior of the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder with Sahara Sand Classic Ink and emboss with the Big Shot™.  Layer the paper quilt onto Cherry Cobbler cardstock and Sahara Sand (alternating layers ending with Cherry Cobbler). 

Ink the interior of the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder again with Sahara Sand and emboss a piece of Sahara Sand DSP. 

Use the Big Shot™ with the Large Scallop Edgelit™ Die and cut a piece of Sahara Sand cardstock.  Ink the interior of the Delicate Designs Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder (Lace) and emboss the scalloped piece of Sahara Sand.

Adhere this panel to the embossed Sahara Sand DSP, add the ½” Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding. 

Add the mounted circle of DSP and sentiment to the paper quilt, add the ½” Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding triple bow and adhere to the card using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Stamp Sets: Bells & Boughs

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Sahara Sand , Sahara Sand DSP, retired Christmas DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade and Delicate Designs (Lace) Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders, Large Scallop Edgelits™ Die, Punches- 1 ¼” Square, 1 ¼” Circle, 1 3/8” Circle, XL Oval, ½” Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Pearls

Once I chose the design for the paper quilt, this card was fairly quick and easy to create. I may choose to add an Antique Brad and additional "antiquing"/sponging on those that will be hand delivered but this card should be fairly postage friendly :-).

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope all of you have a wonderful week and find some time to relax and create!

Joyful Hearts Meeting- Nov 2012

Hi Stampers!               

                                                                                                

Between the hurricane, internet and power outages and work, I have been busy creating my 26 swap cards for our quarterly Joyful Hearts demonstrator meeting that my lovely upline, Cindy Fodor held today.  She is just the best upline possible and this meeting included her family serving us a wonderful dinner (turkey, beef, veggies, desserts-all of the food was fabulous and so fresh since it is from their farm)!!  Thank you Cindy and family for such a grand evening of fun!!

This card is fairly simple to create:

Stamp the Ex Libris background stamp using Early Espresso Classic Ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock.  Color the flowers, vines and borders with the Aqua Painter using More Mustard, Always Artichoke and Bravo Burgundy Classic Ink (be careful not to use too much water or the Early Espresso ink may run).

Stamp the medium flower image from Everything Eleanor using Early Espresso Classic Ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock.  Again, using the Aqua Painter, watercolor with More Mustard and Bravo Burgundy ink- once dry, add a second layer of ink on some of the areas for dimension.

On Very Vanilla cardstock, stamp the sentiment (with Early Espresso Classic Ink). Cut out the sentiment using the Big Shot™ with the Apothecary Accents Framelits™ Die- lightly sponge the edges with Crumb Cake ink and use the Color Spritzer Tool with the Stampin’ Up! Crumb Cake marker to add additional distressing.

Close-up of Watercolor Background 

Also with the Apothecary Accents Framelits™ Die and the Big Shot™, cut the label from Bravo Burgundy cardstock. 

Use the Big Shot™ with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss the watercolored Ex Libris background panel as well as the Bravo Burgundy label die cut.

Assemble the background panel onto Bravo Burgundy and Always Artichoke cardstock.  Add the embossed label and stamped sentiment along with the flowers along the side.

Attach the ½” Always Artichoke Seam Binding double bow and pearls to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Ex Libris, Everything Eleanor, Blessings from Heaven

 Ink: Early Espresso, Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Crumb Cake, Stampin’ Up! Crumb Cake marker  

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits™ , Aqua Painter, Sponge Dauber, Color Spritzer Tool, ½” Always Artichoke Seam Binding, Pearls

Thanks again for stopping by!!  I had a great time making this card for all of my fellow demonstrator “friends” that truly bless my life!

I hope all of you are doing well and have a wonderful week creating and stamping!

CAS Masculine Birthday- Three in One!

Hi Stampers!          

I wanted to create a masculine CAS birthday card and decided to incorporate this week’s PP118 The Paper Players “Framed”CAS Challenge along with the Stampin’ Up! Only SUO56 "Animals" theme and the FMS58 Sketch at Freshly Made Sketches- a "trifecta" so to speak :-)

Again, if you have not visited these challenge sites, they provide wonderful inspiration each week and I hope that you have a chance to visit them and play along as well:-).

To create this card:

Stamp the wolf image using Early Espresso Classic ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock and punch out using the 1 3/8” Circle Punch.  Punch two other circles with the same punch from Night of Navy, overlap slightly and adhere behind the Very Vanilla focal image to produce a small “frame”.

Use the Big Shot™ with the Labels Collection Framelits™ and cut a piece of Early Espresso Core’dinations cardstock and Very Vanilla cardstock.  Cut the Very Vanilla layer in half and trim off the points (this piece will layer behind the Early Espresso layer).

Use the Big Shot™ with the Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss the Early Espresso die cut framelit™ (created in the step above) and a piece of Comfort Café DSP.  Lightly sand both pieces to expose the core of the cardstock.

The Night of Navy layer was created from a previously embossed piece (using the retired Snow Burst EF)- love those scraps!! :-)

Add the layers, the brads on the frame, the bit of knotted Hemp and the sentiment banners to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  In Wilderness, Birthday Greetings (both retired)

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Night of Navy, Early Espresso Core’dinations, Comfort Café

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders, Labels Collection Framelits™ , Sanding Block,  retired products- Snow Burst Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Antique Copper Brads, Hemp Twine

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope you like this simple masculine card.  I might save this for my husband- he loves nature and wolves:-)

Have a great week creating and stamping!

Your Kindness- Two Challenges in One!

Hi Again Stampers!

I have one more card that I created this weekend for the HSSTC140 Hand Stamped Sentiments InkedEmbossing Folder Challenge as well as the Splitcoaststampers CC397 ColorChallenge (Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip and Pumpkin Pie). 

If you have a chance, stop by and see the Design Team samples along with all of the other entries as well as the gallery at Splitcoaststampers- so much inspiration!

To create this card:

Stamp the floral image using Chocolate Chip Classic Ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock.  Lightly watercolor the image using the Aqua Painter with Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink and use the Color Spritzer Tool with a SU! Chocolate Chip marker to “spritz” the image.

Ink the interior smooth side of the Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder and use the Big Shot™ to emboss two pieces of Very Vanilla cardstock (if you are using the new foam ink pads).  If using the foam ink pads, the first embossing will be very dark and I used the lighter second pass through the Embossing Folder (I will save the first piece for a future card :-)).

Using the Big Shot™ with the 3” Originals™ Circle Die, line up the floral image and cut out.  Cut a circle using Chocolate Chip cardstock as well, cut the Chocolate Chip circle in half and layer behind the floral image.

With the Big Shot™ and the Apothecary Framelits™, cut a piece of Pumpkin Pie cardstock and emboss with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.  Layer the Pumpkin Pie embossed die cut behind the focal image and place onto the inked embossing background.  Mount the focal panel onto Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Chip cardstock to finish off the layers.

Add the 15/16” Chocolate Chip Satin Bow (retired) along with the sentiment and pearls, adhere the entire panel to the Very Vanilla card base to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Blooming with Kindness

 Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie

 Accessories:  Big Shot™, Vintage Wallpaper and Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders, Apothecary Accents Framelits™, Aqua Painter, Color Spritzer Tool, SU! Chocolate Chip Marker, Pearls, 15/16” Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon (retired)

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope all of you have a blessed week!

CQC159 Always Thankful- A More Masculine Card

Hi Stampers!

What another wonderful fall week here on the East Coast!!  After a long week at work, I finally had a chance to spend some time creating a card for this week’s CQC159 ColourQ Challenge.  If you have not had the chance, check out the Design Team samples as well as the other entries- terrific examples of how one set of colors can be designed in so many different ways.

There are a lot of changes happening at my office (our company is relocating our office to a different state) and quite a few of us will not be making the long commute each day.  This week will be the last week for one co-worker- he is starting a new job next week and I struggled trying to locate a masculine card in my stash for him (I need to create more masculine cards)!!

I thought that this week's colors would be great for a masculine card so I chose to create a one to help fill in the gaps of my card "inventory" :-).

To create this card:

Using the “D” Acrylic Block, ink with Pear Pizzazz Classic Ink and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock.  Mask the white areas around the block stamped image using a sticky note or cardstock and stamp the feather images within the block image using Only Orange, Tangerine Tango and Pear Pizzazz Classic Ink.

Remove the masks and de-static the stamped images using the Embossing Buddy®.  Stamp the long feathers using Versamark™ ink and heat emboss with Basic Black Stampin’ Emboss® Embossing Powder. Trim around the edges cutting around the large feathers, attach the stamped sentiment below (layered onto an XL Oval Punch from Basic Black cardstock).  FYI- Originally I was trying to create a one layer card with this technique but I did I forgot to de-static the card when I stamped the sentiment, therefore I had to trim and layer- see now you know all of my secrets!! :-)

Close-Up of Collage (Acrylic Block Technique)

Use the Big Shot™ to emboss a piece of Whisper White cardstock with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder and a piece of Basic Black cardstock using the Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.  Ink the interior smooth edge of the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder with Tangerine Tango Classic Ink and emboss a piece of Tangerine Tango Cardstock. 

Cut the Whisper White embossed piece with an Oval Framelit™ or Ovals Original™ Die and the Tangerine Tango embossed piece along the bottom edge with the Adorning Accents Edgelits™ Die (to mirror the oval in the sentiment and along the side).

Punch a circle from the scrap of the Tangerine Tango embossed panel using the 1 3/8” Circle Punch and assemble all of the panels onto a Whisper White cardstock layer (I split the Basic Black background layer for additional interest and added the strips of embossed Basic Black from the strip left from the "split").

Stamp Sets: Always Thankful, Soft As A Feather (both retired)

Ink: Versamark™, Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, retired Pear Pizzazz and Only Orange

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Tangerine Tango

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade and Square Lattice Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders, Adorning Accents Framelits™ Die, Sizzix™ Ovals Framelits™,  Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® Basic Black Embossing Powder, Acrylic Block ‘D’,  XL Ovals and 1 3/8” Circle Punches

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope all of you have a wonderful week and find some time to relax and stamp!!