Spring Flowers gifts

We have two birthday parties today. This is the gift I made for my grown-up niece, Camellia. We really don't do gifts since the kids have turned 21, but since we are going to a combined birthday party (with her step-brother who is 4)...I thought I'd give her something, too.

It is my goal to use up my leftover retired Stampin' Up! designer paper. I loved this pattern when it was in the catalog and used several packs of it. However, I found another almost full pack when I was looking today. I think I'll make up several of these Notebook/Bag/Pen combos for the craft show and take my alphabet set and ink pad with me so I can personalize it for them if they would like. I put a flower behind the C, so if someone didn't know who they were going to give it to, they could still buy it. The centers of the cut-out Looks Like Spring flower is filled with the Earth Elements beads we carried last year. I also made a matching beaded pen and tabs for the journal using the Round Tab punch. I also like a pen holder on my notebooks, so I created one using cardstock and layered it between the back of the notebook and the inside layer I stamped to cover up the ugly inside.

I'm using the card as part of the decoration for the bag. I slipped the card into a clear envelope and then adhered the envelope to the bag. Quick and easy! I really didn't even need to stamp the bag, but I already had the So Saffron ink and flower sitting out.

Happy Anniversary, Honey!

My husband and I are celebrating 28 years of marriage today! Wow...has time really gone by FAST! I am very blessed to have a wonderful family...understanding husband...great kids. Both our parents have been married for 53 and 48 years respectively...they have set good examples!

So...I sat down this morning to make a card for my hubby (I know...last minute!) I thought of how he is my "one and only" love and thought of the Bronc Buster set. I added a little bit of dry embossing on the background with a Cuttlebug heart embossing folder...I used Ruby Red and scraped Craft Vanilla over top. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out...and my hubby thought it was a NEAT card! Yeah!

We have dinner reservations tonight at a nice restaurant (Martini's), but need to get home by 8:00 PM so we can watch the Ohio State/Minnesota football game. We both love watching them! Have a good weekend! It is GORGEOUS fall weather here!

Sets: Bronc Buster, Wanted, Circle of Friendship, Canvas BG

C/S: Creamy Caramel, Night of Navy, Ruby Red, Very Vanilla

Inks: Very Vanilla Craft, Night of Navy Craft, Night of Navy Classic, Chocolate Chip

Other: Star punch, Scallop Circle punch, 1" and 1-1/4 circle punches, Antique brass brad, Dimensionals, Cutter kit distressing tool, Cuttlebug embossing folder

Week #14 Blogger's Challenge

Here is this week's Blogger's Challenge card...we were to use our Spectrum rainbow pads. It's funny. I enjoy using them, but rarely pull them out any more. There are all kinds of fun techniques to do with them. This was is a basic Resist technique. I stamped the background Tres Chic with Versamark on Glossy paper (I like using Glossy paper the best because I think you get a more vibrant look with the Spectrum rainbow pads), then used Stampin' Up's Celebration Spectrum pad with my brayer over it. The Versamark resists the ink of the Spectrum pad and you get this look. Very simple and fun.

Check out the rest of the Blogger Challenge team to see how they've used their rainbow Spectrum pads this week!

Sets: It's Your Birthday, Tres Chic BG
Inks: Pixie Pink, Basic Black, Versamark, Wild Wasabi, Celebration Spectrum pad
C/S: Pixie Pink, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White, Only Orange, Glossy White
Other: More Mustard mini brads, 5 petal flower punch, Paper piercer and pad, brayer

Pick a Petal Fry Box

I woke up with a sinus migraine...seems to happen when the weather changes dramatically. We went from sunny skys yesterday to thunderstorms this morning. I just now am feeling a little better...no meds seem to help (over the counter, that is)...luckily it doesn't happen too frequently.

I have to feel up to watching Grey's Anatomy tonight! Anyone else hooked on that show! Looks like they are going to mess around with McDreamy and Meredith's relationship again this season. I'm sure going to miss Addison on this show, too!

Anyway...here is a Fry Box that my Stamp Club members did a couple months ago. I used the inspiration from a card I saw and converted it to the front of the box. I purchased the blank fry boxes at Hollo's over a year ago, but I know there are lots of patterns out there for the same thing. The petals and leaf are stamped with Classic ink on glossy paper and cut out, plus popped with some dimensionals. I used the So Swirly jumbo wheel on the background.

Merry & Bright Thank you

I made these bookmarks as thank yous for the people attending my Merry & Bright Stamp Camp on Sunday! Thanks to Patty Bennett for the cute idea! The Scallop circle piece fits over the page and the long piece goes behind the page to mark your spot. The center is one of our Jumbo eyelets! I also used the Dashing paper...so fun...in the background and on the circle! This snowman from Merry & Bright just makes me smile!

I'm still frantically working on getting my items together for the craft fair coming up. Of course, I have more ideas than I do time! So...this is short and sweet!

Hope you are having a great week!

Merry & Bright

Here is one of the cards we made at my Merry & Bright stamp camp yesterday! I tried to use the camera, but just couldn't get a good shot of it...it wanted to fall open. It is one of the Flap Fold cards I learned how to make on Technique Junkies.

The original idea for this card came from Jena Haux as her Control Freak swap. I changed out the colors and use Merry & Bright snowman as the focal point instead of the snowflake. I was surprised how well I like the Soft Sky and Basic Grey together! I also added the Rhinestone brad jewel on the snowman's cap...isn't it TOO cute? I LOVE those jewels! The snowman fits perfectly in the 1-1/4 circle punch, then layered with the 1 3/8 punch and Scallop Circle punch...I am crazy about that look! I used a Blender pen and Soft Sky pad to color in his hat and scarf. The flap behind the Snowman has a Soft Sky Designer paper layer...do you see it?

Sets: Merry & Bright, Snow Jumbo Wheel, The Snowflake Spot, Season of Joy

C/S: Basic Grey, Soft Sky, Shimmer White, Soft Sky Designer paper

Inks: Basic Grey, Blender pen

Other: Ice Rhinestone circles, Soft Sky Double Stitch ribbon, 1-1/4, 1-3/8 and Scallop Circle punches, 1/16 circle punch, Dimensionals, Only Orange marker

Cards for Victoria

I just ran across Courtney's Blog requesting cards be sent to Victoria...a young teenage girl with cancer. Her teacher has put together a project to try to get cards from all over 50 states and internationally! Since we are in the business of MAKING cards, what a wonderful project to bring someone hope and joy and let her know we care about her and are sending lots of prayers to her for good health. Spread the news...anyone can participate...it doesn't have to be a handmade card. You can read all about it here!
http://createdbycourtney.blogspot.com/2007/09/blog-candy.html

Now, I happen to think teenage girl cards are tricky...to me it is just a mental block. I don't want something too "young" looking...nor something to "old" looking. I settled on this simple card with flowers...mainly because I thought she'd enjoy the GLITTER! The flowers are punched from different colors of Faux Diamond Dust. I make up 1/2 sheets at a time and keep them on standby...never know when you'll need a sparkly punch added to a card! The leaves are an old Stampin' Up! punch...I crimped the Certainly Celery paper before I punched it for a little added dimension.

I hope you'll participate by sending Victoria a card, too!

Victoria Enmon

1205 Red Bud Circle

Orange, TX 77632

Merry & Bright 2- 5-7-10 box

I think the Merry & Bright is SO cute! I have a Stamp Camp tomorrow where everyone purchased this set and we will be doing 6 projects using it. Here is a 2-5-7-10 box with flap that they will be doing...do you see the Crystal Effects icicles? Aren't they neat...we learned how to do these at Convention this year. The icicles are easy to make...just make sure you make them thick enough that you can get them off the wax paper without tearing them.

I also did a Make & Take at a meeting recently where I used all the small metal tags out of the packages...leaving me a bunch of the larger metal tags. I was VERY happy to see that the scallop circle punch fits in the large metal ring perfectly...leaving just a hint of the white paper behind the scallop. To further accentuate the white, I punched holes in each of the scallops.

On the flap, I used a little of the Wintergreen snowflakes designer paper...it is so pretty. I also liked the Bashful Blue and Sage Shadow color combination.

Set: Merry & Bright

C/S: Sage Shadow, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Wintergreen DSP

Inks: Basic Black, Sage Shadow

Other: 1-1/4, 1-3/8 and Scallop Circle punches, Double circle punch, Bashful Blue grosgrain ribbon, Large Metal Tag, Paper piercer and mat, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds, Dimensionals

Week #13 Blogger's Challenge, Embossing

I knew the minute I saw this challenge that I wanted to try a embossing technique that will be in the NEW October Technique Junkies newsletter (coming out next week!) called Cuttlebug Smoosh Technique. It wasn't one of my TJ Design Team assignments, but I had been wanting to try it cause it looked so fun! I don't get to use my Cuttlebug much, since I'm normally working on stamping for my Stampin' Up! business, but for this challenge I decided to pull it off my shelf.

I also saw a card done with the new Basic Grey and Purely Pomegranate and thought they were such RICH colors together! That was my inspiration for this card. I taught a class last night using the Three For You punch, and grabbed it since it was close by. The centers of the flowers are a dab of Liquid Glue sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds.

Don't forget to check out the rest of the Challenge Blogger's to see how they "Embossed" this week! There are SO many ways to emboss, it will be interesting to see what they choose to do!

Sets: Artfully Asian
C/S: Basic Grey, Whisper White, Purely Pomegranate
Inks: Purely Pomegranate, Basic Gray
Other: Ticket Corner punch, Pomegranate ribbon, Grey Taffeta ribbon, Liquid Glue and Dazzling Diamonds, Three for You punch, Cuttlebug Embossing folder

Frankenstein Altoids tin

OK...here's another one! I can't stop! Isn't he fun??? I just had to order more tins...this was the last one I had...and I had to empty it out to use it!

Did you notice the brads on the bottom? Those are supposed to be the bolts on his neck...get it? lol! Again, I just used a bunch of punches...the small oval, 1/2 " circle, 1/4" square. The eyebrows and mouth are cut free-hand and the stitched scars are drawn.

Enjoy!

Snowman Altoids tin

OK...I admit it. I'm a punch junkie. Is there a 12 step program? Most of my stamping friends will tell you it is true...probably even most of my customers! I'm always enticing them to purchase the newest punch!

Well, you should know that if I made a Santa, I'm going to have to try to make a Snowman! I LOVE snowmen! This one is completely my design. I played around with different punches until I liked the rectangle snowman face! Again, I've made up several for my craft show, but now I'm all out of Altoid tins! I will need to start saving them up again...lol! At least I know if they don't sell, I'll have my gift card packaging all done.

Pretty much is self-explanatory by the picture, but I did cut the scarf "fringe" after I crimped it. The leaves of the holly are cut from the 5 petal punch. The berry is punched from red Faux Diamond Dust paper. The whites in the eyes were drawn with a white gel pen. I did wrap ribbon around the sides and covered the back and insides with Designer paper.

I'm wondering if I should fill these with candy or anything for the craft show....what do you think? Annette mentioned a deck of cards, but they don't fit.

Santa Face Altoids tin

Hello everyone...hope you had a great weekend. They certainly go by fast here. I was busy working on my craft fair items.

I thought I'd share one of things I will be selling. This is not my original idea. I think I first saw it as a card on the Stampin' Up!'s Demo only Stampers' Showcase and then again over at SCS. I changed up the beard and eyes a little bit and placed it on an Altoid tin. I think it would be fun to put a gift card in it. I always like my recipient to have something to open, rather than just a gift card case.

First I spray painted my tins red since the only ones I had were Teal/Wintergreen flavor. And then, basically it is just cardstock and punches. I lined the back and insides with designer paper. The hat band is crimped with the Crimper and I placed some black ribbon around the sides to hide the expiration date. That's it! Fun to make!

Blogger's Challenge Week #12

This week's challenge was to find an inspiration piece again...this could be a pillow, bedspread, home decor, magazine, napkin, anything...and design a card around that inspiration. I find that I really like this type of challenge. It is showing me how to look at my surroundings and use them for color and pattern inspiration!

On the left is a rug that I found in the Pier 1 Imports magazine. The background reminded me of a cowboy bandana, which led me to using the Wanted set, which led to using the medallion in that set. The medallion is stamped in Vanilla on the background. Then stamped on Very Vanilla in Night of Navy, Read Red. I used the Large Scallop Circle for the background, then 1-1/4 circle for the next layer and 1/2 circle for center layer. I used my piercer to punch through all the layers and added a red Rhinestone brad in the center. All the layers are popped with dimensionals.

Simple...but I like it!

Remember to check out the rest of the Bloggers and what they've chose for their inspiration! They are a VERY talented group!

I did it!

I have had the Bind-it-All for over six months, took it out of the box, and never used it. I kept MEANING to read the directions and figure it out, but just never took the time. Well, I loved Beate's Address books and others I've seen around, so I took mine off the shelf and experimented on this little book. They are SO much fun and the Bind-it-All is SO easy to use! I'm amazed and kicking myself that I didn't get it out before now! Now that I've experimented, you can be sure I'll be using that baby ALL the time! I have a huge box of wires that I bought with the machine, so I think I'm set!

I used my new So Many Sayings set for the "friends forever" image. Like many others, I cut mine up and mounted them individually onto dominos. They work pretty well and I know I'll definitely use them more often when I can see them individually. Hard to see in the picture, but the center is a yellow Rhinestone brad...I can tell I'll be using those a LOT...they add a lot of bling!

I did get some wonderful news today, but I can't share yet! Woohoo! I'm jumping up and down! I know...I'm a tease!

Sets: Ginormous Flowers, Priceless, So Many Sayings
C/S: Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Cutie Pie DP
Inks: Purely Pomegranate, Basic Black, So Saffron
Other: Rhinestone brad, Purely Pomegranate double stitched ribbon, Apricot, Burgundy and Celery grosgrain ribbons

BLOG CANDY!!!

Oh my gosh! 20,000 FLEW by me overnight...by several hundred! Thanks to you all for stopping in and checking my Blog out. I do appreciate you...and I love seeing your comments and that counter number go up! lol! At least that way I know someone out there is reading my ramblings...

So.....here is a little Blog Candy I'm offering up! I'll include a couple surprise things, too! First is an unmounted The World Over stamp set...a last year's hostess prize, so if you missed out on it last year, you are getting a second chance! And, a shadow box frame that I altered...inside used to be an ugly elephant picture! I switched it out with the image from Season of Joy...lots of sparkle on it! I think it turned out cute! I'm thinking I'll make up some of these for a craft show I'm doing in October!

OK...now how do you get the Blog Candy? How about leaving me a comment telling me your favorite Christmas/Holiday set in the Fall-Winter big catalog or the Holiday Mini catalog and why! I'll use random.org to give me a random number with the winner on Friday, Sept. 14th @ 9:00 AM! Good Luck!!!

Scallop Punch - Coneflower

One of my email groups has weekly challenges that you can participate in. Last week's challenge was to use any of the new punches or brass templates to create your card for a partner. Well, as I've said numerous times...I love punches, so I had to jump all over this challenge! I hope my partner, Laura, likes it!

I was inspired by the Coneflowers that are planted in the beds as you turn into my subdivision...they are in full bloom right now. I was a little challenged by the color of the purple coneflowers...but Orchid Opulence cardstock rubbed with a little Rose Red ink matches their color fine. The centers are Rose Red cardstock rubbed with Bravo Burgundy to darken them.

I took the Scallop punch and cut the scallops towards the center to make petals, then folded the Scallop in half. I used the 3/4 circle punch for the centers and small oval punch for the leaves. I followed a tip from another Blog...sorry I can't remember which one...that said to fold the leaf oval in half and rub ink over it...the crease will look like the stem of the leaf. Very clever! I layered the flowers with dimensionals so parts of them are popped up and curled the petals under. I had a lot of fun designing this card!

Sets: Short & Sweet
C/S: Wild Wasabi, Orchid Opulence, Rose Red, Whisper White, Soft Sky Designer paper
Inks: Rose Red, Garden Green, Bravo Burgundy
Other: Ticket corner punch, Wasabi ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, Small and large oval punches, 3/4 circle punch

SU Punches and matching Stamp Sets

Wow! Did you see my counter! We are FAST approaching 20,000 hits! I'd better get some Blog Candy together...be watching for it!

No stamping I can show off yet. I did work on a couple things this weekend, but they are for future events. My hubby took Friday off unexpectedly and that always throws my schedule off. We did get a major thing crossed off my to-do list! I have been looking and looking (and looking!) for a large, casual hutch/buffet type piece of furniture for my Dinette since we moved into our new home a year and a half ago. I have a LONG wall...10 1/2 feet x 10 feet high that has this little bitty baker's rack on it! It looks so DUMB right now! But, I did find one...the second store we walked into. I didn't even want to go in that store...I never have found anything I liked...but my DH convinced me. What is especially nice, there are additional pieces you can purchase to coordinate. Since the Dinette is one adjacent room with the family room and kitchen, I can get the other pieces of furniture to match! Yes!!! (Just need to work on my hubby and his wallet a little more! lol!)

This list came in a round-about way from someone on SCS who shared the punches that go with current Stamp Sets! What a wonderful idea! I love punches! Of course, you aren't limited by the ones listed here, but they will give a good start! So...pull out those punches and PLAY!

Scallop Circle Punch: In the Spotlight, Glorious Garlands, Punch Pals, Double-Line Doodles, Wanted, Priceless, Big Flowers, Big Deal Alphabet, Looks Like Spring, Fabulous Flowers, Ginormous Flowers, Sweet Shapes, Illuminations, It’s Your Birthday, Warm Words, Pictograms, Short and Sweet, Sincere Salutations, All Holidays, Jumbo Alphabet, All About Occasions, Brocade Basics, Baroque Motifs, Sparkling Sayings, So Much, Fun & Fast Notes, On Board Blossoms and Basics

Tag Punches: Perfect Presentation, All About Occasions, Flaky Friends, Punch Pals, Be Happy, Tagger’s Dozen, Bundled in Love, Business Boosters

Designer Label Punch: Party Punch, Labelicious

Round Tab Punch: Party Punch, Office Accoutrement, Totally Tabs

1” Circle Punch: Sending Happy Thoughts Simply Sent Kit, Perfect Presentation, Glorious Garlands, The Snowflake Spot, Perennial Favorites, Holiday Blitz, Double-Line Doodles, Polka Dots & Petals, Create a Coupon, Genuine Articles, Business Boosters, Calendar Cues, On Board Blossoms and Basics

1 ¼” and/or 1 3/8” Circle Punch: Simple Delights Simply Sent Kit, Perfect Presentation, Batty For You, Holiday Tag Team, Sparkling Sayings, Be Happy, Figures of Speech, Double-Line Doodles, Polka Dots & Petals, Big Flowers, Stamp of Authenticity, Carte Postale, Think Happy Thoughts, Big Pieces, Seeing Spots, So Happy, Dots Are Hot, Brocade Basics, Labelicious, Genuine Articles, Circle of Friendship, It’s All Good, Sporting

½” and/or ¾” Circle Punch: In the Spotlight, Holiday Tag Team, Glorious Garlands, Cold Play, Snow Flurries, Merry Merry, Punch Pals, Forever in My Heart, Holiday Blitz, Double-Line Doodles, Sweet Thing, Wanted, Star Struck, Little Flowers, Little Pieces, Please Come, Dot Spot Background, Alphabits, Art by Design

1 ¼” and/or 1 3/8” Square Punch: Simple Delights Simply Sent kit, Perfect Presentation, Forever in My Heart, Sealed With A Kiss, Be Happy, Figures of Speech, Tagger’s Dozen, Sweet Thing, Office Accoutrement, Stamp of Authenticity, Carte Postale, Glad Tidings, It’s All Good, Art by Design,Sporting, Business Boosters, It’s a Date

¾” Square Punch: Punch Pals, Calendar Cues

Large Oval Punch: I Did It, many of the word sets

Star Punch: Wanted, Starstruck, Sporting, Wild West Alphabet, On Board Blossoms and Basics

5-Petal Flower Punch: In the Spotlight, Be Happy, Priceless, Simply Said, Looks Like Spring, Heartfelt Thanks, Ginormous Flowers, Office Accoutrement, Big Pieces, Cutie Pie Double Sided Paper, On Board Blossoms and Basics

Snow Blossom Punch: In the Spotlight, Simple Snowman, Wondrous Gift, Snowflake Spot, Merry Merry, Snow Flurries, Punch Pals, Snowfall, Be Happy

Spring Flower Bouquet Punch: Looks Like Spring

Three for You Punch: Three Thoughts Simply Sent Kit, Punch Pals, Take Three, Three for You punch box

Word Window Punch: So Many Sayings, Block Party, Boatloads of Love, Fun & Fast Notes, Take Three, Everything Baby, Short & Sweet, Happy Everything, Wonderful Favorites, Warm Words, All Holidays, Everyday Flexible Phrases, Amazing to Zany, Fundamental Phrases

Blogger's Challenge Week #11

I must be in a Christmas Holiday mood. I've been designing Holiday cards for my World Card Day Events (check out my Stampin' Up! Calendar later today for details)and then decided to use the fun Dashing paper for my Challenge card this week. Our Blogger's Challenge was to use the card sketch on page 12 of the Holiday mini. I decided to use my Three for You punch again to make a wreath as my focal point on the card. The rhinestone brads add a little bling, along with the berries that I punched from red Faux Diamond dust paper. The Dashing paper is probably wilder than I would normally use for these backgrounds, but I had those pieces and went for it! This card came together really quickly...with NO stamping! Paper and punches...that's it! I debated whether or not to put words in the center of the wreath...what do you think?

Check out the rest of the Blogger's this week and how they interpreted the challenge sketch. I'm sure they will have lots of creative ideas!

Burnished Watercolors Technique

Sorry! I disappeared on you for a couple days! I had classes Tuesday and classes out of town Wednesday/Thursday and then went with friend to her doctor's appointment today (good news!) and then shopping! Fun day. Just got back in town tonight at 5:30 PM! Whew...long day. My girlfriend I sat up until 12:30 AM talking and then had to get up at 6:30 AM this morning! Driving around all day, shopping and then driving the 2 hours home just wore me out. I did catch a little nap after I got home, but I am SO ready for bed right now! I wanted to get this out to you first....

This was one of the cards and matching envelope we did for my Technique Classes this week...the technique is called Burnished Watercolors! Check out my Stampin' Up! calendar for future dates and join my classes!

Burnished Watercolors is one of the techniques featured in this month's Technique Junkies Newsletter...an awesome publication (and yes...I am a design team member for this publication!) I've been with Pat and Technique Junkies since she started this newsletter service. Pat and I are on an awesome yahoogroup together where we started doing technique challenges each week YEARS ago and it was the "birth" of Technique Junkies Newsletter inspiration.

Small ad here...To celebrate the 5th year of publication, Pat is offering a wonderful special. Check it out...you won't be disappointed! I get a lot of inspiration for my Stampin' Up! Technique Classes from her publication. Thanks, Pat, and congratulations on 5 years of publication!!!

Get two years of the Technique Junkie Newsletter at 2004 prices! Get the 2007 and 2008 Technique Junkie Newsletters for just $33.00 (US addresses only). You will receive a whopping 150 techniques delivered to your doorstep. TJ techniques are step-by-step -- not an overview -- and the newsletter itself is full-color, professionally printed and high-quality. In addition, you have online-access to the step-by-step picture tutorials online -- and GREAT artwork from talented designers.

No-one has more tutorials than the Technique Junkie Newsletter. With our 5 years of publications, we have an archive of nearly 400 Rubber Stamping Tutorials -- and so many more to come!

Email me at phuntoon@optonline.net for a PayPal invoice to get your subscription started -- or send a check to the address below. Thank you!

Technique Junkie Newsletter

PO Box 16547

Stamford CT 06905

PS: Yes, it is good for renewals, too...

Holy Triptych

Hello! I hope you had a nice holiday weekend! We were out at the lake enjoying the boat, sunshine and gorgeous weather! There wasn't a cloud in the sky and just a perfect temperature all weekend! Wish it would stay like that all year round!

I have been showing you some of the designs that lead up to my final Control Freaks Swap...so here is the card that I made 40 of for the Control Freaks Holiday Mini swap. As I mentioned before, I've received these swaps back and they are absolutely fabulous! One of the best swaps I've ever enjoyed!

The color inspiration came from the Wintergreen designer paper. I don't think I would have ever put these colors together, but they look great in the paper! The main colors are Certainly Celery, Always Artichoke and Sage Shadow! Very pretty!

Have to run...I have a Technique Class tonight, Stamp Camp tomorrow and another Technique Class tomorrow night! I'm finished preparing for them, but I want to get my World Card Making Day project done so I can show it off (and hopefully get some sign ups!)

Sets: Holy Triptych, So Swirly wheel, All Holidays
C/S: Certainly Celery, Sage Shadow, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Wintergreen DP
Inks: Versamark, Always Artichoke Classic pad and ink cartridge
Other: Gold Embossing Powder, 5/8 celery grosgrain, Photo Corner punch, Key Tag punch

Glorious Garland

Glorious Garland was on my first order going into Stampin' Up! I knew that I wanted to use it for my Control Freaks New Catalog Set swap. I made 40 of these cards for the swap! Since everyone has or will receive their swaps shortly, I felt I could share it with you now! The swaps I received back were TOTALLY awesome! My jaw just hit the floor looking at all of them. Great work, gals!

It was quite a process to get to this finished design. First I did the tree in all one color - Always Artichoke. Then I decided that it needed more color. So I used Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Chocolate Chip and Summer Sun markers to color in the tree...yes...all 40 of them!

For the Purely Pomegranate layer, I first tried the So Swirly wheel...it seemed too busy, then I tried Print Pattern...again too busy. I would have used Sanded, but I didn't have it yet. So...Polka Dot won out. I think the tone-on-tone dots are nice and subtle for a background. Next was the Scallop punch design. If found that the 1" punch worked well on the Labelicious Merry Christmas since I just wanted the circle, not the rest of the design. Then, I felt a layer was necessary behind it, so added the 1-1/4 PP circle over the Scallop circle. Decided it needed a gold mini brad in the center, and placed all 40 of those. Still wasn't quite finished to my eye...so I added the piercings around the Scallop punch. Ahhhhh, that was it! Finally added the Ticket Corner punch on all the layers. DONE! Yeah! 7 layers in all! lol! It was worth it!

Sets: Glorious Garland, Polka Dots BG, Labelicious

C/S: Always Artichoke, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White

Inks: Purely Pomegranate, (Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun, Bravo Burgundy markers)

Other: Gold mini brad, Scallop Circle Punch, 1-1/4 and 1" circle punches, paper piercer and mat, Ticket Corner punch