Artifacts

Seems like I pull out this set for my Father's Day and masculine birthday cards a lot. This one uses a sketch from Maria's blog. I liked the small tags hanging from the center piece. I also wanted an opportunity to use Buckaroo Blue again before it retires in a month! This card is pretty straight forward. The star and words are embossed with Classic Copper on Close to Cocoa. The background is the small square shape in Artifacts placed in a checkerboard pattern. The stripe paper is from Sentimental Journey.

Set: Artifacts, All Year Cheer II (retiring)

C/S: Sahara Sand, So Saffron, Buckaroo Blue, Close to Cocoa, Sentimental Journey paper

Inks: Versamark, So Saffron, Buckaroo Blue

Other: Copper mini brads, Classic Copper EP, 1/16 hole punch, ticket corner punch

Double Line Doodles

This is a NEW set in the 2007-2008 catalog that we were given at Regionals this year. I'm so happy to finally start using it again. Our Regional was in September of last year and I didn't feel I could start demoing it until now to start promoting the new catalog.

I made this card for a group challenge to do Unique Backgrounds. One of my favorite backgrounds is Heated Pearls. Those of you in my stamping Technique Classes may remember this technique from a year ago! This one I used brushed gold cardstock as the background (you can barely see it peek through), then I spread Elmer's Glue over the cardstock and stippled Misty Lavender and Spring Green Pearl Ex over top. Heat set until the glue bubbles and dries. Neat, huh?

Tip on cutting the flowers that I picked up from someone. It works great! Stamp the flower image and color as desired. For the large flower here, I used the 1-1/4 circle to punch it out. Then use your paper snips to cut diagonals out between each petal. Do the same with the small flower and use the 1/2 circle punch. Easy, peasy! The grass I just cut a strip of Certainly Celery and used my paper snips to cut into the top of the strip. Cut some on the slant and then ruffle the edges so it looks like grass. I highlighted the grass with Certainly Celery ink for a little dimension.

Sets: Double Line Doodle, Aida Cloth BG, Itty Bitty Backgrounds

C/S: Brushed Gold, Almost Amethyst, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla

Markers: Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst

Inks: Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal, Basic Black

Other: Misty Lavender and Spring Green Pearl Ex, Elmer's Glue, Stipple brush, Blue Narrow Organdy ribbon, mini Celery brad, 1/16 hole punch

On Gossamer Wings

Ugh...so sorry I went MIA so soon after my return from Florida! My eldest son came home unexpectedly for the weekend and we ended up spending lots of time at the Lake boating, jet skiing and fishing! It is SO relaxing out there...I never get tired of it. Our best friends are out there, too, so it makes it nice to visit with them. Hope you had a great Memorial Weekend! Tomorrow, I'm slated to work in my stamp room ALL DAY! I have a ton of ideas that need to get put on paper! lol!

Here is a card using the retiring On Gossamer Wings and a watercolor technique. The butterfly sparkles since I stamped it with Basic Brown on glossy cardstock that was brayered with the Pumpkin Patch spectrum pad, then covered it with Versamark and heat set Irridescent Ice embossing powder over top! For the flower, I inked the stamp with Pumpkin Patch, then spritzed water on it...made sure my paper was lightly misted with water, too, and then stamped it. After it dried, I went back over it with the stamp inked with Basic Brown. Very cool technique! I used a coluzzle to cut the ovals in the Always Artichoke and Chocolate Chip paper.

Set: On Gossamer Wings (retiring)

C/S: Pumpkin Pie, Always Artichoke, Naturals Ivory, Chocolate Chip, Glossy White

Inks: Pumpkin Patch Spectrum pad, Versamark, Basic Brown, Always Artichoke

Other: Copper brads, copper cord, Coluzzle Oval cutter, Dimensionals, Irridescent Ice EP, 1/16 circle punch

Blog Candy Winner

Wow! I far exceeded the 5000 hits I thought I'd get while I was gone! Thanks for checking in on my blog and leaving a comment. I had my husband pick the number between 1 and 43...he chose #5! Here is the winner...please contact me with your address and I'll get your goodies out to you! Congratulations!

Sandra L-M said...
I'm hoping for some masculine sets and a brown jumbo cartridge. Thanks for the candy and Congratulations! Sandra Lew-Moll

Balmy Breezes

I'm back! I had such a good time in Orlando, Florida with my girlfriend, Annette! We checked out several stamp/scrap stores in the area, relaxed AND did a 7 hour behind-the scenes Disney tour! It was AWESOME! We couldn't take pictures, so I'm definitely going to need to journal a lot about the experience.

I haven't done ANY stamping lately, so I'm pulling out a card I did a few weeks ago from some leftover scraps. I know it is bright in this scan, but it really is cool looking with all the layers. First the background is Smackin' Acetate technique with Pink Passion, Only Orange and Summer Sun. The sun is embossed with clear EP on white mulberry paper and since it is layered on Barely Banana, it picks up that color. The tree is embossed with White EP on white mulberry paper...then I used reinkers in Bashful Blue, Summer Sun and Only Orange to dye the mulberry paper. The clear and white EPs resisted the reinker colors, making them stand out. It is a very cool looking technique. The mulberry paper is layered onto Barely Banana, mounted on Only Orange and then layered onto the Smackin Acetate layer. The base card is Barely Banana. Like I said...a lot going on, but the overall effect is really neat!

Sets: Balmy Breezes (retiring), Simply Circles (retiring), Alphabits

C/S: Barely Banana, Only Orange, Whisper White, White Mulberry

Inks: Pink Passion, Summer Sun, Only Orange markers, Bashful Blue, Only Orange, Summer Sun reinkers, Versamark. Only Orange, Pink Passion Classic pads

Other: 1/4 circle punch, White EP, Clear EP, Aquapainter, Wide pink organdy ribbon (retired), Orange grosgrain, Rich Regals Tag Sheet

Blog Candy!

I'm headed off for some sun and fun with a girlfriend for several days. I'm excited!

AND, it looks as if I will be hitting 5000 posts shortly on here! Since that is time for celebration, I'm offering up some Blog Candy! Woohoo!

I have a Cuttlebug Thanks Embossing Folder up for grabs! (Yes...I purchased one when I already had one...duh!) and a dozen 4x4 blank coasters for you to alter! Just comment to this post with what stamp, accessory or embellishment you hope for MOST in the new Stampin' Up! catalog! Can't wait to see your responses!

Close as a Memory

This was one of the first sets I ordered when the catalog came out last year. Unfortunately, it seems I make a lot of sympathy cards and it definitely is great for that...

However, I wanted to use this set for something cheerful and bright! I made this card for my SIL who is undergoing chemo for breast cancer to let her know I'm thinking about her. She "ran" the Race for a Cure today with a wheelchair nearby in case she needed it. I'm amazed at her will power, strength and grace with this disease...and also the humor she has retained through it all. She can use your thoughts and prayers...her name is Mary Beth.

I haven't done poppin' pastels in AGES, and I do love the soft look chalk creates over Versamark. I kicked it up a notch by using the bright colors. Paisley background is on both the Green Gable cardstock (using Green Galore) and the Whisper White cardstock (using Green Gable). The base of the card is Whisper White to tone down the brightness a little. The ribbon is sheer polka dots in a bright green! I SO hope that Stampin' Up! will get a large selection of printed ribbons in the new catalog! Love them!

Sets: Close as a Memory, Paisley background, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Warmest Regards (retiring)

C/S: Whisper White, Gable Green, Pink Passion

Inks: Green Galore, Gable Green, Pink Passion, Versamark, Basic Black

Other: Pastel chalks, Sponge daubers, non-SU ribbon

Nice and Narrow

Anyone else think the season finale of Grey's Anatomy was strange last night? They left a LOT of story lines up in the air. What's up with Meredith...why can't she commit to Derek!!! They make such a great couple. And Callie as Chief??? Poor George...wonder if they are writing him out of the show...it wouldn't be the same without him. Oh well...now to wait out the summer until the new season starts and something gets resolved.

I needed a quick baby card for my husband's co-worker. I pulled out the retiring Nice and Narrow set. This is a VERY simple card...but sometimes simple seems just right. I must say, seeing the new retiring list has made me pull out stamps I haven't seen in quite a while! Kind of nice to dust them off and use them again. You can't see the spot of glitter I added to the heart, buggy and wheels...just makes it little more cheerful, I think!

Sets: Nice & Narrow, All Year Cheer II (both retiring)

C/S: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

Inks: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink

Pretty in Pink marker

Other: Light Pink Narrow organdy, Liquid Glue, Dazzling Diamonds, Dimensionals

Artifacts

Well, who is excited about the Finals of American Idol next week??? I was VERY happy that my two favorites made it into the finals...now the hard part. Who do I vote for to win? I've been calling and voting for both of them equally over the past few weeks. Decisions, decisions... Who did you choose to win?

This is a Hidden Slider card that my Stamp Club made earlier this month. It features the retiring Artifacts set and Crosshatch background...one of my few masculine sets! I certainly hope they come out with a big selection of masculine sets in the new catalog. This card is fun because of the hidden movement. When closed it says "They say it's your birthday"...when open the star moves to the bottom and the top says "Celebrate"! I think interactive cards are SO much fun. Here are the details:

Sets: Artifacts (retiring), All About U, It's Your Birthday, Crosshatch (retiring)

C/S: So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Cool Caribbean, Taken with Teal, Basic Black

Inks: Stazon Black, Taken With Teal, So Saffron, Cool Caribbean

Other: Watercolor crayons, Aquapainter, Star brads, 1/8 inch punch, 1-1/4 circle punch, Apricot grosgrain, hemp

Name Frame

Look what my sweet friend, Rachel, sent me!!!! It is SO awesome! I love the colors, it matches my So Saffron walls perfectly in my Studio! She made it even when she has had tons of health issues herself. Woohoo! I love it! I'll be hanging it up tonight! She used the Hostess Only Simply Scrappin Kit, Friends and Flowers...one of my favorites!

I was also "Tagged" by my friend, Hetty, in The Netherlands. She wants me to list 7 things that you probably don't know about me!

1. I love to read! I don't spend as much time since I started stamping, but I do read quite a bit...especially at night before bed. Current read is Stuart Wood's series with Stone Barrington...Dirty Work...that I listen to while walking. I also love Nora Roberts books.

2. I played Varsity Tennis in high school.

3. I have a cat named Bleach who is 3 years old and as spoiled as any grandchild! She is definitely MY cat and jumps into my lap the minute I sit down at night to watch TV.

4. I'm an American Idol, House and Grey's Anatomy addict. (Oops...you might have already figured that out from my posts.)

5. My first published artistic endeavor was creating a character for the local newspaper called "Busy Betsy Butterfly". I won a $25 gift certificate! I think I was 6-7 years old.

6. I don't drink much, but I do like Pomegrante Martinis. Bonefish Grill has the BEST!

7. I have one sibling, my brother, Mark...but I always wanted a sister! I can remember begging my mom for one!

Now I need to figure out 7 people to send this "tag", too!

Hope you have a great day!

Triple Mosaic #3

Here is the last of the Triple Mosaic technique I learned from Technique Junkies newsletter! I'm glad to have these partially completed projects off my desk and made into cards. Check out Pat's site at www.techniquejunkies.com She is offering a Connie's Special Price for you...$16.95 for issues 2-07 to 12-07!

Again, notice the subtle different in the grout color on this card. I used Night of Navy to accent the lines a little more...a different look than the other two cards. I kept the focal point simple because the background is so dramatic.

American Idol is on tonight! Yeah! I'm going to be out of town next week for the finals...hoping I'll be able to catch a TV somewhere to watch it. If not, I'll have it recording at home...but I don't want to wait a week to see it! lol!

Sets: Floral Background, That's Nice
C/S: Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst, Regal Rose, Shimmer White
Inks: Night of Navy Classic ink, Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst and Regal Rose markers, White Craft ink
Other: Ticket corner punch, non-SU hydrangea flower

Beate's Sketch Challenge

Ugh...you know what they say about "never put off for tomorrow, what you can do today?" Well, I did this card for Beate's sketch challenge yesterday, figuring I'd upload it this morning to my Blog. Of course, Roadrunner chooses today to go down and I didn't have service this morning. AND, when I'm hurrying, I finally figured out that my son must have accidentally unplugged the scanner when he was helping me install a new phone line. So...I couldn't figure out why my scanner wasn't working for the longest time.

I used that adorable Crab & Company again in a 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 sized card. The flowers were cut from thePetals and Paisley's designer paper with my Cricut. Hard to see, but the centers have glitter on them for a little bling, bling.

Sets: Crab & Company, Sandy Shells wheel

C/S: Ruby Red, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Shimmer White

Inks: Black Stazon, Close to Cocoa cartridge

Markers for coloring: Creamy Caramel, Taken with Teal, Ruby Red, So Saffron

Other: Cricut flowers, Dazzling Diamonds, 1/2 circle punch

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope you had a wonderful day. We didn't do much. My youngest came over for dinner and we did a little shopping earlier in the day. That's about it! My favorite Nascar driver won! Go Jeff Gordon! Woohoo!

This is the second in the series of Triple Mosaic technique. I softened the look of the background by using cardstock vellum over the top. It is subtle, but instead of using Chocolate Chip for the "grout" lines like the first one, this time I used Creamy Caramel. I embossed with Silver on the vellum layer and on the tag. The top has a scallop awning that I also faux stitched. I'll be using this card for a wedding I have coming up.

Sets: Floral Background, Both Way Blossoms (retiring), Warm Words
C/S: Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Almost Amethyst, Cardstock Vellum
Inks: Creamy Caramel, Whisper White Craft, Versamark
Other: Silver EP, Word Window punch, Paper piercer and mat, Rose eyelet, Rose grosgrain ribbon, White gel pen, Slit punch

Floral Triple Mosaic

Another gorgeous day here in Ohio. Mother Nature is definitely making up for the cold winter snap we had here this spring that ruined all our flowering trees. I finally felt confident enough to buy my annuals. I don't do a whole lot of planting, just about four containers filled with geraniums, marigolds, coleus and some wave petunias. The beds are mainly full of perennials, shrubs and evergreens, so I just use a little extra color here and there for contrast.

It's Mother's Day weekend, so I hope all the mothers out there will be pampered on their special day. We bought my MIL a beautiful Hydrangea plant that goes with the stack of cards I gave her a couple weeks ago. My mother took off with my dad on a three-week tour of Yellowstone, Badlands and Black Hills country, so she won't get her gift for a few more weeks. I have a stack of cards for her, too, and I bought her a photography book of Charleston. We visited there when we were in Hilton Head a couple weeks ago. I thought she'd like the remembrance of our trip. I also am making up a Scrapbook in a Box of the pictures I took on the trip..or maybe I'll save that for my dad for Father's Day! Hmmmm...

Once again I'm showcasing a technique I learned on Technique Junkies (http://www.techniquejunkies.com/) called Triple Mosaic. When you make this technique, you end up with pieces for 3 different cards! I'll show you the other two card variations over the next couple days. I used the Floral Background stamp with Craft White ink over the cardstock.

Who doesn't love these big flowers that are all the trend right now? This one came from a scrapbook kit I had purchased and the color matched the background of the card perfectly! I stamped the center with Riveting hostess set (retiring soon!) and layered it, added a colored mini brad and slipped it through the center of the flower and secured it with dimensionals on the card. I added a little ribbon for the "leaves" and a little "something-something" up in the corner with 3 mini brads. I'm laughing because it seems so simple, but I have agonized over this card for two days! I find that when I'm stuck, if I set it aside for a day or two, then I come back and work with it again. The background is so dramatic with the triple mosaic cuts and stamping, I didn't want to detract from it too much.

Sets: Floral BG, Riveting (retiring)
C/S: Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst, Regal Rose, Very Vanilla
Inks: Basic Brown, Craft White
Other: Rose mini brads, 1-1/4 and 1-3/8 circle punches, 1/16 circle punch, Grosgrain ribbon, non SU flower, dimensionals, cutter, sponge

Coaster Challange

I took the Coaster challenge on SCS and made this magnetic coaster post-it note holder. I used a medium weight coaster and covered it with decorative paper (both sides if you want to hang it) using Stampin' Up's glue stick. I sanded the edges to get rid of excess paper and then punched 1/8 circle punches along the top and tied ribbon in them. I punched another 1/8" hole on the right side to hold the pen...folded a piece of ribbon in half and secured it with a mini brad. I used the Round Tab punch and stamped "Remember" on the left side. Added a matching pen, post-it notes and a magnet on the back and it has a place on the side of my refrigerator! (I know they make them, but I couldn't find any pink post-it notes so it would match a little better!)

Sets: Expressive Flexible Phrases (retiring)

C/S: Regal Rose, Rebecca Designer paper

Inks: Basic Brown

Other: Grosgrain ribbon, mini brad, round tab punch, coaster, pen, glue sticks

35th Anniversary card

I SHOULD be in my studio working on some upcoming assignments. I also am almost finished cleaning and putting things back in order from my last classes. But...I'm sitting reading Blogs instead. Does anyone else think Blogs are a black hole that sucks in time? I can sit down and the next thing I know it is an hour later! lol!

I was talking with my friend/customer yesterday and she mentioned that she and her husband were going away for a week because it was their 35th wedding anniversary this weekend! I quickly made up this card for them. The tag pulls out from behind the truck from Loads of Love. I know she has this set, so she'll appreciate another idea for using it...although she is so talented she doesn't need more ideas. I ended up using my Cricut for the numbers because I couldn't find a single set of smaller numbers that I could stamp! I have large numbers from Headline and Letterpress, but my Whimsical set is missing and I know I have a couple retired number sets. Grrrr....I'm sure that my Whimsical ones probably got mixed in with my retired sets and since I reorganized the retired sets, I'm having trouble putting my hands on things quickly. Need to get a better system for them, and a cheat sheet on what shelf they are stored. (Maybe this is an indication that I have too many sets?????? nah......). lol!

Sets: Loads of Love, Warmest Regards (retiring)
C/S: Brocade Blue, Night of Navy, Real Red, Shimmer White, Oxford Designer Paper
Inks: Stazon Black, Real Red
Other: Watercolor crayons, AquaPainter, Tag punch, Brocade eyelet, Red gingham ribbon, 1/8 circle punch

In Color Challenge

YEAH! I'm registered for Session 2 at Convention! Now it really seems like it is real...the new catty and convention will be here soon! Woohoo! I can't wait to chill out with my gal friends, see and meet some new friends and absorb all that information from SU.

The Drywall maintenance is done...what a pain. They were supposed to show up at 10:00 AM and they arrived at 9:00 AM...luckily I was dressed. They were supposed to do some things and they didn't, so I had to contact our builder again and complain. That just wears me out. Now they messed up the paint on the garage walls, so I have to have the builder come back out and paint. But...good news is that is the last of the one-year maintenance items.

I signed up for a card challenge on one of my groups. As it happened, the person I was assigned to send it to is a good customer and friend! Hope you like it Rachel!

We were to use the outgoing In-Colors to make a card with at least two layers. I was happy that I could use 4 out of 6 colors on this card! I probably could have used all 6 on the flowers, but didn't want to push it. This is the retiring Flower Filled stamp set...another set I haven't used much except to make the Display Samples for convention. It is hard to see, but I masked off the center portion of Marigold Morning and then sponged MM ink on the top and bottom. I also used Word by Word background stamp while the mask was in place...I think it looks like a wide band of cardstock in the picture, but in person you can tell it has been sponged. The corners I used the 1-1/4 circle punch and cut them in half...then folded the edges around to the back. The boots are stamped twice, the top one cut out and popped up with dimensionals and the gold mini brad for the buckle.

Sets: Flower Filled (retiring), Word by Word background

C/S: Marigold Morning, Buckaroo Blue, Cranberry Crisp, Glossy White

Inks: Marigold Morning, Buckaroo Blue, True Thyme, Cranberry Crisp, More Mustard

Other: Gold and Ruby Red mini brads, Cranberry Stitched ribbon, Bordering Blue eyelet, 1/8 circle punch, 1-1/4 circle punch

BLOG CANDY WINNER!

We have a winner! Sorry I am so late getting this pulled together. Seems like it has been one thing or another since I returned from vacation, left again for some classes and then returned.

By random selection...Angel...you are the winner! Congratulations!!!

Angel said...
LOVE these sympathy cards. I will be caseing them! My favorite vacation spot? I once went to Hawaii and can't wait to go back. Maybe for my 25th anniversary in 3 1/2 yrs?

Angel...please email me with your snail mail address. I'm sending you some fun things to alter! You will get a blank DVD tin, a spiral bound scrapbook, some chipboard microscope slide holders, two large paperclips and a clear checkbook/calendar cover! Enjoy! Thanks for posting a comment on my Blog.

My husband and I visited Oahu and Maui on our honeymoon. We really want to go back soon and visit some of the other islands. Our 30th anniversary is in a couple years and our youngest son will be out of college. Sounds like a great time to go!

All The Best 2

Ugh...a wasted day. Well, not really. Yesterday, a drywall serviceman for our one-year walk-thru on our new home was supposed to be here at 10:00 AM. They called to reschedule for today. At 11:00 AM today, no one is here so I called the company and asked where the person was...they wanted to schedule again for tomorrow! Ridiculous! They've had this appointment on their books for over a week. I had the same problem the first time they came out (to do the prep work). I called the Service Manager from our builder to get him to put some pressure of them. Of course, I haven't heard back from HIM either. Frustrating! But, I went to my Studio and started working on a couple things due later this week. So I guess it wasn't a complete waste...but I bet I'll be waiting around the house again tomorrow. Grrrrrr.....

This card uses the retiring All The Best. Since I had it pulled out, I thought I'd do something one more time before it retires. It really is a versatile set. The background (under the sentiment) is Wax Paper Resist...another technique I learned from Technique Junkies newsletter. It is made using Lavender Lace, Bashful Blue and Almost Amethyst...pretty, soft colors. I must be in a Soft Subtles mood these days! lol! I stamped the flower three times, cut them out and slightly curled the petals back, added a Bashful Blue mini brad in the enter. This card is going to in a pack of cards I'm making for my mom...hope she likes it!

Sets: All The Best, Cheery Chat (both retiring)

C/S: Bashful Blue, Almost Amethyst, Lavender Lace, Whisper White, Glossy White

Inks: Basic Black, Bashful Blue, Almost Amethyst, Lavender Lace

Other: Ticket corner punch, Soft Subtles mini brads, dimensionals

Comparison

I had some extra pieces of Pool Party designer paper (I'm sure it will retire this year!) I wanted to use up, so I decided to show you a comparison of using the same designer paper and layout, but how the stamps and accessories you use make it look totally feminine or masculine!

The one on the left I used Bodacious Bouquet...after further thought I should have used the hibicus flower in the same Aloha set as the men's shirt, but didn't recall ever seeing a blue or sage green hibicus flower! The only other thing changed was the retiring All Year Cheer II greeting AND I used my Snail adhesive on the Mother's card and ran it down some of the background stripes. I then sprinkled dazzling diamonds over the Snail tape. It is so sparkly in person and really adds to the bling background of the card. In addition, I set the colored brads very close together in the flower, so they overlapped a little...making it actually look like the center of a flower. The flower is popped with dimensionals and the petals curled back.

The masculine Aloha card on the right is also popped with dimensionals and I cut out and layered the stamped shirt on an extra layer of Bashful Blue so it gave it some dimension. I added the colored brads in the corners on the layered piece of this card instead of ribbon for a more masculine look. Aloha is one of the retiring sets, so make sure you pick yours up before it is gone!

Mother's card

Set: Bodacious Bouquet, AYC II (retiring)
C/S: Bashful Blue, Sage Shadow, Glossy White, Pool Party Designer paper
Ink: Bashful Blue, Sage Shadow, Basic Black
Other: Soft Subtles mini brads, Snail adhesive, Dazzling diamonds glitter, Blue Gingham ribbon, dimensionals

Father's card

Sets: Aloha, AYC II (both retiring)
C/S: Bashful Blue, Sage Shadow, Glossy White, Pool Party Designer paper
Ink: Sage Shadow, Basic Black
Other: Rich Regals mini brads, dimensionals

All The Best

Well! Where did yesterday go? I think I blinked and missed a whole day! Actually, I was finishing up my Technique Junkies Design Team assignments, scanned them and emailed them off to Pat for publication. I love being on her Design Team...I've always enjoyed doing techniques, and she puts together some really great ones in her newsletter every other month. If you don't subscribe...give her newsletter a try! I think you'll find it well worth the money. www.techniquejunkies.com

This is a really OLD technique...polished stone. I submitted this card to Stampin' Up! for Convention Display Maker two years ago and was selected! I've seen it on display boards at convention and regionals! I decided to feature it today, because it uses one of those sets that will be retiring, All the Best. This is a set that I used to use a lot when it first came out, but it has been neglected lately. My plan is to pull it out and use it within the next couple days...along with a bunch of other neglected sets.

The background of this is polished stone as I mentioned. If you haven't done this technique, pull out your reinkers and rubbing alcohol...it is fun! I make up full sheets (on glossy paper) and then cut them up when I need a quick background. Basically, saturate a portion of your cotton ball with rubbing alcohol, add 2-3 drops of one color reinker...dot the cotton ball over the glossy paper randomly. Select a second color and do the same with a fresh cotton ball...a third color adds even more dimension. Let dry and decorate! The flower is stamped in Almost Amethyst and "rocked" the edges with Lavender Lace. It is kind of hard to see in the photo.

Sets: All the Best, Everyday Flexible Phrases

C/S: Pretty in Pink, White Glossy, Mellow Moss, Almost Amethyst

Inks: Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss, Almost Amethyst, Lavender Lace, Basic Black

Reinkers: Pretty in Pink, Mellow Moss, Almost Amethyst

Other: Silver cord, 1/16 circle punch, Pretty in Pink eyelet

Another Roses in Winter

Two posts in one day! I spent most of today working on my assignments for Technique Junkies...I'm pleased with how they turned out.

I'm still using up some scraps on my stamping table (yes I have TONS of unfinished work.) I also had the retiring Roses in Winter laying out, so decided to use it one more time. And I'm using one of my standby layouts, too.

The background is actually done direct to paper, hard to see the variation...but it really looks like suede in real life. I used the crimper just on the middle section, under the celery ribbon. Sahara Sand is the base...I like that color with Regal Rose and Certainly Celery.

Sets: Roses in Winter, Eat Cake (verse)
C/S: Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Certainly Celery
Inks: Regal Rose, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Basic Black
Other: Celery grosgrain ribbon, Paper Piercer and mat, White gel pen, Crimper, Slot punch

New In-Colors!!!

NEW In-Colors! Woohoo! This picture has been floating around cyberspace since last week and I just found it! It must have been posted on SCS when I was on vacation last week. Stampin' Up! introduced the new colors on the cruise. I'm definitely going to miss the old In-Colors and have stocked up on paper and reinkers, but the new colors are quite intriguing...can't wait to see them in person. I hope Soft Sky will replace my beloved Cool Caribbean. And, don't you think Stampin' Up! is rockin' with their choice of names...even though they are challenging to spell! lol! These new In-Colors will be available in the new catalog, set to premiere July 1st!

Have you seen the retired list yet? If not, check it out at http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/8071.asp

If you want any of the retiring wheels, make sure you order them from your demo NOW...once current supplies are gone, they will no longer be available. Many are gone already and several are on the endangered supplies list....

Thursday Card Sketch Challenge

Wow, I found it hard to get motivated to do anything today. I think the driving from my week's vacation and then my quick trip up to Canton wore me out...I just wanted to laze around today! I did run a few errands and went to my Nail appointment this morning. I worked on a couple cards this evening so I had something to post here! lol! I have a couple assignments due soon, so hopefully I will feel like working on them tomorrow.

Are you ready for another sketch? This one is pretty simple and I've used it a lot over my stamping career...but sometimes it is the basics that keeps my stamping mojo going. I used the retiring Roses in Winter with this sketch. I wanted something BOLD, so I chose deep colors of Red and Black and Sahara Sand as a neutral.

Roses in Winter, Canvas Background, It's Your Birthday
C/S: Sahara Sand, Real Red, Basic Black
Ink: Real Red Classic, Real Red Craft, Basic Black, Bravo Burgundy Craft, Certainly Celery
Other: Black and Red Gingham ribbon

Bundle of Joy

I've been waiting forever to share this card! I waited because my Stamp Club didn't meet until today and I didn't want them to see the variation of this card before we made it.

I don't have many baby sets, so this one has really taken my fancy. The yellows of Marigold Morning and Barely Banana just seem so soft...just like a baby's blanket.

I did the Faux Layering technique by tearing a piece of cardstock and laying it on the white layer base as a template. I then sponged Marigold Morning ink on the left side of the torn edge, then stamped the moon and stars with Marigold Morning over top. I removed the template and inked up Canvas in Barely Banana and stamped over the entire white layer, including the faux layer. The Giraffe is colored with blender pens and ink pads. I used the Round Tab punch upside down and secured it with two gold mini brads. The ticket corner punch and Apricot ribbon finish off the card.

Sets: Bundle of Joy

C/S: Marigold Morning, Whisper White

Inks: Marigold Morning, Barely Banana, More Mustard, Stazon Black

Other: Cutter kit distressing tool, Gold mini brads, 1/16 circle punch, Ticket corner punch, Apricot ribbon, Blender pens, Round Tab punch

Retiring List Available

Oh my gosh....Stampin' Up! has their much anticipated "retired sets" list available! Over 250 sets will be retiring at the end of June from the current catalog...the stamps will no longer be available to order after that time.

Of course, the FIRST thing I did this morning was to check out the list and count how many of my sets would be gone (as far as not being able to demo them at workshops). I'm "losing" 86 regular stamp sets plus all the hostess sets! I haven't counted the wheels I'm losing yet. Oh my! Several of them, like Roses in Winter featured here, I will keep in my permanent stash. This is one stamp set you don't want to miss! I pull it out any time I need a quick card or to decorate a gift bag or gift item. It is such a WOW, but SO easy to use! I'm sad I won't be able to demo it anymore.

But, it sounds as if Stampin' Up! is really re-doing the catalog big time...I know we will get lots of new, fresh-looking stamp sets and I'm sure at least one will become my new favorite set to use! lol! Getting the retired list only makes me more anxious to see the NEW catalog that will be available July 1st.

Roses in Winter, Floral Background, Sincere Salutations

C/S: Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Whisper White, Regal Rose

Inks: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Basic Black

Other: Black Gingham ribbon

Have a great day! We have beautiful sunshine here today...always cheers me up!