Comfort Cafe Flowers

This might just be my favorite card of them all.  The Cajun Craze piece is embossed with the Square Lattice Die, then topped with a piece of Comfort Cafe DSP.  For the flowers, I colored right onto the stamp using Soft Suede, Midnight Muse, and Cajun Craze, then stamped it onto a piece of Very Vanilla card stock.  After cutting out the flowers with the Labels Collection Framelits, I sponged around the edges with a little bit of Soft Suede.  It's all topped off with some butterflies I made using the Beautiful Wings Embosslit.  A piece of Soft Suede taffeta ribbon tops the whole thing off.

Stamps:  Just Believe

Ink:  Midnight Muse, Cajun Craze, and Soft Suede markers, Soft Suede Classic ink pad

Paper:  Naturals Ivory, Cajun Craze, Midnight Muse, and Very Vanilla card stock, Comfort Cafe DSP

Accessories: Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Labels Collection Framelits, Square Lattice Die, Big Shot, pearls, sponge

Pool Party Banners

Never in a million years would I have thought to put these colors together, but thanks to this paper that came in the International Bazaar DSP, I did. :)  This is a super-simple card using Pool Party, Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo, and Naturals White.  I also embossed across the back of the card, but unfortunately that's not showing up in this picture.  I used the Alhambra jumbo wheel across the top part of the card, behind where the orange circle is.  I heat embossed it with white embossing powder, and it's very subtle (so subtle you can't see it here!)

Stamps:  Itty Bitty Banners, Alhambra Jumbo Wheel

Ink:  Whisper White Craft Ink

Paper:  Pool Party, Naturals White, Tangerine Tango, and Island Indigo card stock, International Bazaar DSP

Accessories:  White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Bitty Banners Framelits, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 1/4" White Grosgrain ribbon

Bright Blossoms

This super simple card uses the Bright Blossoms stamp set and Summer Smooches DSP.  Both of these items are just like their names:  bright and summery.  I've noticed I've been using orange a lot lately.  Or maybe I always do and just haven't noticed???  I like orange so much that I painted my dining room orange. :)  This orange is Tangerine Tango.  My dining room is more of a terra cotta color...sorry, there isn't a SU color that matches it exactly...somewhere in between the old Real Rust and the current Cajun Craze.  Anyway, enough about my dining room.  If you want to come stamp with me, you can see it in person. :)

Stamps:  Bright Blossoms, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, and Crumb Cake Markers, Tangerine Tango Classic Ink Pad

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, and Whisper White card stock, Summer Smooches DSP

Accessories:  Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat

Kindness Matters

This one is another SAS card from Sunday.  I'm loving the crochet trim with the Comfort Cafe DSP...it's a perfect match.  I also went a little Framelits-crazy on this one, using both the Apothecary Accents and Floral Frames Collections.

Stamps:  Kindness Matters, Daydream Medallions

Ink:  Cajun Craze, VersaMark

Paper:  Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, and Cajun Craze card stock, Comfort Cafe DSP

Accessories:  Apothecary Accents and Floral Frames Framelits, Crochet Trim, Pearls, Clear Embossing Powder, Stampin' Dimensionals

Stamp-a-Stack Cards

Yesterday was my All Occasion Stamp-a-Stack, and it was a great time.  Each day this week, I'll be featuring the cards we made yesterday.  This one is my favorite, so it gets to go first. :)  I love the big flower in Betsy's Blooms, which are clear embossed on the Lucky Limeade base of this card.  It's also stamped in Rich Razzleberry...the 2 1/2" Circle Punch is perfect for this stamp!  I punched it out and popped it up with some Stampin' Dimensionals.  There's a bit of Floral District DSP there as well.  I used some old Rich Razzleberry ribbon that's no longer available, but the new 1/4" stitched grosgrain would also look fabulous!

Stamps: Betsy's Blooms, Itty Bitty Banners

Ink: VersaMark, Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink

Paper:  Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry, and Whisper White card stock, Floral District DSP

Accessories:  Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Rich Razzleberry 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Bitty Banners Framelits

Since I gave a sneak peak of this card in a previous post, it only seems fair to show you another card today.  This is another VERY easy card to make, but sometimes simple packs the biggest punch.  This card is made primarily of Rich Razzleberry and Early Espresso card stock, along with some of the paper found in the new International Bazaar DSP.  I used the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder and the new Paper Piercing Pack to jazz up the brown pieces.  The sentiment is embossed in white, and the final touches are simply two buttons and a piece of Daffodil Delight ribbon.  I used seam binding here, but I think I prefer the look of the taffeta.  Either way, I really do like how this card turned out.  I hope you do, too!

Stamps:  Occasional Quotes

Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink

Paper: International Bazaar DSP, Early Espresso and Rich Razzleberry card stock

Accessories:  Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon, Brights Buttons, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Paper Piercing Pack, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat, Linen Thread

Medallion Birthday

OK, I'm not going to lie, I don't like this card.  There's a lot going on here, and it kind of hurts my eyes to look at it.  But I'm putting it up here because it's important to know that even demonstrators can't always make great cards.  I don't hate it, I just think it's a little busy.  And if you like it, great!

What I do like, though, is the Daydream Medallions set and the coordinating Floral Frames Framelits.  Oh, and the Daydream jumbo wheel, which also coordinates.  Coordinating products get me every time.  I love things that match.  It's the Type A in me I guess.  So because everything works together, this card was pretty easy to put together.  I stamped each layer of the flower, then cut it out with my Big Shot and the Framelits.  The solid color layers are the same size as the Very Vanilla layer on top of each of them.  Does that make sense?  I clear embossed the wheel image across the bottom...don't look too closely, because my clear embossing powder has all kinds of different colors mixed in.  It's got a bit of a speckled look going on.  I also added lots and lots of little pearls to finish it off.

Stamps:  Daydream Medallions, Itty Bitty Banners, Daydream Jumbo Wheel

Ink: VersaMark, More Mustard, Night of Navy, and Cajun Craze Classic Ink

Paper:  Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Night of Navy, and Very Vanilla card stock

Accessories:  Floral Frames and Bitty Banners Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals, Pearls

Pretty Buttlerflies

One of the sets I got during Sale-a-Bration was Kindness Matters.  I'm not sure how I passed by it so many times, and I'm stunned that it didn't retire.  These little butterflies are perfect for watercoloring, so I got out my aquapainters and went to town.  I used Crumb Cake, Perfect Plum, and Elegant Eggplant for the butterflies, and added in some Always Artichoke on the flowers.  I kind of wish I had worked in some Elegant Eggplant card stock somewhere...I think that one extra color is what this card is missing.  And I should have sponged over the embossed flowers a bit, too (and yes, that's a retired embossing folder I used here...oops!)  Can you tell I'm not crazy about this card?  I think it has potential, but it just missed the mark.  I might have to try again on this one, but I at least wanted to share it!

Stamps:  Kindness Matters, Apothecary Art

Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink, Staz-On Black Ink, Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum, Crumb Cake, and Always Artichoke Classic Ink Pads

Paper:  Perfect Plum, Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, and Very Vanilla card stock

Accessories:  Labels Collection Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Aquapainters, Stampin' Dimensionals, Crumb Cake and Always Artichoke Seam Binding Ribbon, Pearls, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

June Club Cards

This is one of the cards we made at club this month.  I have recently fallen in love with the crochet trim.  I love how it adds the perfect finishing touch to every card I put it on.  Why did it take me so long to start using this?!?

Er, somehow that flower got smushed.  Fortunately, I have a different version of this card below, so you can see how pretty the pearl in the middle of the flower is.  Both cards use papers from the Comfort Cafe DSP, which I love!  Fall colors are my favorites, plus there's a blue thrown in for good measure.  A perfect combination!

Stamps:  Thoughts and Prayers

Ink:  Soft Suede Classic Ink Pad

Paper:  Cajun Craze (or Midnight Muse), Soft Suede, and Summer Starfruit card stock, Comfort Cafe DSP

Accessories:  Pearls, Crochet Trim, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals


I need to post one more card from this month.  Somehow it disappeared before I could take a picture.  I'll try to add it soon!

For Sale

I have tons of retired stamps that are looking for a new home.  All sets are wood mount, unless otherwise noted.  I have linked as many sets as possible to their galleries on Splitcoaststampers so just click on the stamp name to see a picture and samples. 

Stamps
Skeeters wheel (brand new!)  $4
Holiday Happiness (brand new, unmounted) $5
Dot, Dot, Dot $5
Fine Flourish $5
So Very $5
Around & About $5
Made from Scratch $5
Stippled Stencils $5
Mostly Flowers $5
Alpha Shadows $5 (email me if you'd like to see a picture)
Scribbles $5
So Many Scallops $5
Say It with Scallops $5
Punches Three $5Lots of Thoughts $5
By Design $5
Paint Prints $5
A Little Bit of Happiness $5
Send a Celebration $5
Seasonal Images $5 (email me if you'd like to see a picture)
Stylish Sunflower $5 (email me if you'd like to see a picture)
Mini Messages $5
Painted Posies $5
Riveting $5
Framed Fun $5
Simple Wishes $5
The Fine Print $5
Noteworthy $5
Whimsical Words $5
Dear to My Heart $5 (scroll down on the page to see this one)
Gently Falling $5
Fabulous Four $5
Wonderful Woodcuts $5
Sweetheart (CM) $5
Always Elegant (CM) $5...only used once!
A Slice of Life (CM) $5...brand new!
Fresh Vintage (CM) $5...only used once!
Cute by the Inch (CM) $5...only used once!
Watercolor Trio (CM) $5

Year Round Cheer $7
Little Layers $7
Little Layers II $7
Little Layers Plus $7
Very Punny $7

Spring Solitude & matching Solitude wheel $7Bloomin' Wonderful $8
Big Blossom $8
Kids Prints $8

Festive Fall $10
Flight of the Butterfly $10 (ask me if interested in purchasing the matching butterfly punch)
Butterfly Prints $10 (ask about a special price for this, Flight of the Butterfly, and punch if purchased together!)
Frames with a Flourish $10
Define Your Life $10


Other
Circle Scissors Plus with glass cutting plate and refill blades $30

Happy Father's Day!

This is the perfect card to send to my dad, because I really think he's the best!  Of course I also think that my husband is an amazing father, but since he's not my dad, I'm not giving him this card :)  Seriously, though, I am incredibly thankful for my dad.  He has set such an example of love and commitment, especially in circumstances where most people wouldn't have.  He's always been so proud of his kids, and wasn't afraid to let us or anyone else know it (he's screamed "That's my kid!!!!!" from the sidelines on more than one occasion!)  Growing up, my friends always used to tell me how cool my dad was.  I don't know about cool, but he was, and still is, pretty great.

On to the card...another super-simple one, and this time, it features one of the new In Colors, Midnight Muse.  I crumpled up that piece of card stock, smoothed it out, and adhered it to the front of my card, after I sponged the edges of the base with a bit of soft suede ink.  I carried the distressed look to the piece of soft suede, which was the recipient of the scissors distressing method I used on the card in the last post.  The hardest part of this card was cutting out the ties!

Stamps:  Best Dad Ever

Ink:  Midnight Muse, River Rock, Early Espresso, Marina Mist, and Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pads, VersaMark

Paper:  Naturals White, Midnight Muse, and Soft Suede card stock

Accessories:  linen thread, sponge, clear embossing powder and heat tool (it's hard to see, but the River Rock tie has been embossed)

Faux Suede

Another faux technique!  Faux suede is even easier than faux silk...just crumple up some cards stock as much as you can.  The more you crumple, the better, as you want to break down the paper fibers as much as possible.  Once you've done lots of crumpling, your card stock should feel much softer than it did when you started.  If not, keep crumpling!  Once it's soft and sort of leathery feeling, you can pull apart the layers of the card stock, so that you have two pieces.  The "inside" part will feel (and look) kind of fuzzy, which gives it the look of suede.  For this card, I cut one strip of card stock, then used both pieces after I pulled them apart.  See that roughed up edge on the piece the flowers are stamped on?  I did that by simply running the edge of a pair of scissors along the card stock until I was happy with the look.

For the flowers, I stamped them with Whisper White Craft Ink, then tapped over the image with More Mustard and Cajun Craze pastels.  Sadly, those have retired, but for those of you lucky enough to own them, give this technique a try.  It's especially stunning on Whisper White or Basic Black card stock.

Stamps:  Just Believe

Ink:  Whisper White Craft Ink

Paper:  Cajun Craze, Chocolate Chip, and More Mustard card stock

Accessories:  Stampin' Pastels, sponge daubers, linen thread

Faux Silk

This card is one we made in club a few months ago, and it features a technique called faux silk.  It's so soft and pretty, but couldn't be easier.  Simply stamp on the back of a piece of tissue paper, crumple it up, then smooth it out, and mount it to a piece of Whisper White card stock.  That's it!  Another easy technique that adds the look of texture to the base of this card is to simply stamp onto the card stock with the ink pad.  Now, this isn't going to give quite the same look with the new firm foam pads, but if you have the old felt pads, it definitely adds a little something to a card.  So there you go, two super easy techniques to try on your next card!

Stamps:  Just Believe

Ink:  Elegant Eggplant Classic Ink Pad, Always Artichoke and Elegant Eggplant Markers

Paper:  white tissue paper, Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard, Whisper White, and Crumb Cake card stock

Accessories:  Always Artichoke Seam Binding Ribbon

Another Birthday

Today my first born turns 10.  It doesn't seem possible that I've been a mom for a decade, but I have loved every day with this sweet, precious gift.  She's an amazing kid, and we just feel so blessed to get to be her parents.

I realize this card probably has more retired product on it than new, but I wanted to show it off anyway.  It's easy to swap out DSP and ribbon with current stuff, or anything that you have in your stash!

Goody, Goody...Gumballs

I know, it's supposed to be gumdrops, but there are so many gumballs on this card, that I couldn't resist.  The green, of course, is Gumball Green, my very favorite of the new In Colors.  Remember how I said that Brights make me happy?  This card has lots of them, but on the Crumb Cake background, they aren't overwhelming.  This was such a simple card to make...just punch out lots of circles, do a little water coloring, and that's pretty much it! Isn't the gumball machine from the Every Little Bit set so cute?  I don't make use of that set enough!

Stamps:  Every Little Bit, Pennant Parade 

Ink:  Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green, Pacific Point, and Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink Pads, Staz-On Black

Paper:  Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green, Pacific Point, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, and Crumb Cake card stock

Accessories:  Daffodil Delight 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, and 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Aquapainter

Happy Card

So yeah, have you noticed there's a lot more stamping going on here than stitching?  I can't even get into the room where my sewing machine is right now.  It's become the room where everything gets stashed, including lots of yard sale stuff.  Hopefully I'll be sewing again soon.  In the mean time, I'm having lots of fun playing with my goodies from new catalog.

I know I've been stamping in Brights a lot lately, but they just make me happy!  I'm so glad that there are so many bright new DSP choices...Brights = happy (to me, at least!) and that's what I need right now.  And since my favorite color is blue, this is definitely a happy card for me!

Stamps:  Bright Blossoms, Best Dad Ever (sentiment)

Ink:  Pacific Point, Old Olive, VersaMark

Paper:  Pacific Point, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, and Whisper White card stock, Summer Smooches DSP

Accessories:  White embossing powder, Old Olive taffeta ribbon, Brights Buttons, White Baker's Twine, Labels Collection Framelits, Paper Piercer

New Catalog!

It's here!  Today is the first day to order from the 2012-2013 catalog!  There are so many great new things in it, like Betsy's Blooms, the stamp set I used on this card.  The base of this one is made with Gumball Green, one of the new In Colors.  It's a great match with Pacific Point and Tempting Turquoise.