Woodgrain Birthday

I'm so excited for tonight!  I'll have a house full of people making birthday cards with me this evening!  I was sick last week and was so disappointed that I had to cancel the birthday card event I had planned for last Friday night.  Fortunately, everyone was so kind and understanding...and able to reschedule.  This is one of the cards we'll be making, and I think it's perfect for a masculine card.

Tips & Tricks

• It's no secret that I love Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock AND the woodgrain embossing folder, especially when they're used together.  And I do like to lightly sand the embossed card stock to really make the woodgrain pop.  It's important to GENTLY sand with the grain, rather than across it, or the card stock will tear.

• Some light distressing adds the perfect touch to this woodgrain card.  I simply sponged a bit of Crumb Cake ink around the edge of the center piece.

Supplies

Stamps:  Day of Gratitude (retired), Best Dad Ever (retired), Woodgrain
Ink:  Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, and Crushed Curry Classic Ink
Paper:  Crumb Cake and Naturals Ivory card stock, Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock
Accessories:   Big Shot, Label Card Thinlit Die, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Linen Thread, Paper Snips, Sponge

Banner Birthday Card

I have another birthday card today...I always think that January is a great time for birthday cards.  I've made a couple versions of this card in the past, which you can see here and here.  I've explained how to make this super-simple card in both those posts.  Obviously, I like this card layout, so I'm sure I'll have more versions in the future!

Sale-a-Bration Starts TODAY!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  No, silly, not Christmas...it's Sale-a-Bration time!  For every $50 you spend on fabulous Stampin' Up! products, you can choose one FREE item from the Sale-a-Bration brochure!  Who doesn't love free?  To make this even better, the selections this year are fantastic!  And there is no limit to the number of free items you can earn!  To check them out, click on the picture to the right.

Want even more freebies?  Host a party (either in your home or online) that totals $300, and you'll get an extra $30 in hostess dollars to spend on anything in either the Annual or Occasions Catalog!

To schedule a party or just place an order, email or give me a call today!

Bright Blossoms Birthday Card

Happy Monday!  After a rough week of illness last week, I'm hoping for a great week this week, even if it is really cold outside! 

So to go along with my optimistic attitude for the week is a bright and cheerful card.  I saw this one online, and just loved the simplicity of it.  I just changed the colors (although I loved the original colors as well!) 

Tips & Tricks

• If you're looking to use up scraps of Designer Series Paper and/or to mass produce, this one is perfect!

• To get multiple colors on one stamped image, break out your markers and color directly on the rubber.  Just don't forget to breathe on the stamp to moisten the ink before you stamp!

Supplies

Stamps:  Bright Blossoms, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight, and Rich Razzleberry Stampin' Write Markers
Paper:  Naturals White card stock and Polka Dot Parade DSP
Accessories:  Big Shot, Bitty Banners Framelits, 1 3/4" Circle punch, Paper Snips, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Buttons, Stampin' Dimensionals

Create A Cupcake

This is a VERY simple birthday card that takes five minutes or less to make.  But simple doesn't mean that it can't be cute.  What I love about this is how it can be customized to the recipient by simply changing the colors.  This card is a piece of cake...or cupcake...to make!

Tips & Tricks

• To get the perfect square shape, I first made a template with a piece of card stock and my Squares Collection Framelits.  Next, I used a sponge dauber and my retired (boohoo) pastels.  Don't worry if you don't have pastels...you can get a very similar look by just using an ink pad.  Push the pastel/ink covered dauber around in the hole until the square is filled in.  When you pull away the template you'll have a cute little square on the front of your card!

• Less is more on this card...I only used three colors (plus white) and everything is tied together perfectly (especially since I used Cajun Craze for both the square and the ribbon on the cupcake!)

Supplies

Stamps:  Create a Cupcake
Ink:  Marina Mist and Cajun Craze Classic Ink, Whisper White Craft Ink
Paper:  Naturals White card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Squares Collection Framelits, Cupcake Builder Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' Pastels (retired)

Striped Clear Block Technique Card

I had so much fun making this card that I decided to make another, but with a twist.  I obviously changed the colors, but I also decided to use the clear block technique.  This has become one of my favorite techniques for quick cards. 

Tips & Tricks

• For an explanation of how to do the clear block technique, check out this post.  I'm a little bit addicted to this, and as you'll see, so are my kids!

• I almost always add some sparkle when I use this technique.  The retired shimmer paint works great, but since it's retired, that's no longer an option.  Grab a bottle of Illuminate Glimmer Watermark refill ink and use that instead (psst...it's on page164!)  It looks almost exactly like the Frost White Shimmer Paint.

• I added a bit of detail and interest to the tag using my Chalk Marker.  It's so simple, yet adds just a little bit "extra" that this card needed.

Supplies

Stamps:  Yippee-Skippee
Ink:  Pacific Point, Bermuda Bay, Island Indigo, Marina Mist, and Soft Sky Stampin' Write Markers, Illuminate Glimmer Watermark Refill ink
Paper:  Naturals White and Pacific Point card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Chalk Talk Framelits, Clear Block E, Stampin' Spritzer, Marina Mist 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon (retired)

Valentine Shadow Box Card

It's been a long time since I made a shadow box card, and I'm so glad I decided to try it again.  These are such fun cards to make, and are super-impressive without a lot of work.  The best part is that they fold up and fit into a standard sized envelope!

Tips & Tricks

• You'll need to cut three different pieces of card stock:  the front and back pieces should be 3 1/4" x 8" and the middle piece should be 3 1/4" x 6".

• Score your strips of paper at 2" and 6" for the two longer pieces, and at 1" and 5" for the shorter piece.

• Cut out the hearts using the Hearts Collection Framelits.  It is so easy to get perfect placement using Framelits and the Magnetic Platform.  It's SO much easier than when I made this type of card using punches!

• Do any stamping on the back piece before you start to assemble...it will be MUCH easier that way! 

• Be sure to use Sticky Strip to adhere the card stock pieces.  There is no substitute!  Attach the middle piece to the back piece, setting it inside of the sides of the back.  The attach the front to the back.  The sides of the front piece should be the sides of the card.

Supplies

Stamps:  Yippee-Skippee (love), Oh Hello (chevron), Map It Out (little heart)
Ink:  Raspberry Ripple Classic Ink Pad and Stampin' Write Marker, Early Espresso Stampin' Write Marker
Paper:  Naturals White, Primrose Petals, and Raspberry Ripple card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Hearts Collection Framelits, Chevron Embossing Folder, Clear Block A, Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sticky Strip

Gorgeous Grunge Valentine

I can't believe I forgot to post this on Friday!  What can I say, it was a busy day.  But now I have something on a Saturday, which is kind of a fun change. 

As I mentioned before, I've been having fun making Valentine cards, and this one is definitely my kids' favorite. I think it might be mine, too.

Tips & Tricks

• I love this layout, as it's so versatile.  If it looks familiar, it's probably because you've seen it before here.  Two very different cards, using the same layout (and even some of the same elements, like washi tape!)  Don't be afraid to CASE your own cards!

• Vellum can be tricky, because it's transparent.  That means that your adhesive is going to show through.  I've found that just a dot of the Tombo Multipurpose Glue, or even a glue dot are the best adhesives to use.  I used the glue on the lower vellum heart here, and it's barely visible.  For the higher heart, I just tucked it behind another heart, which is where I hid my adhesive. 

Supplies

Stamps:  Gorgeous Grunge, Tiny Tags (retired)
Ink: Raspberry Ripple, Blushing Bride
Paper:  Raspberry Ripple, Pink Pirouette, and Naturals White card stock, Vellum
Accessories:  Big Shot, Fashionable Hearts Embosslits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Gingham Garden Designer Washi Tape, Linen Thread

Chalk Talk Tag Card

Today's card is another one that was inspired by projects in the Annual Catalog.  There is a card on page 77 that I've loved since I first saw the catalog.  I loved the three tags and how the images overlapped on them.  Since I don't own the stamp set showcased on that card, I needed to take this card in a different direction.  I kept with the three tags, but that was pretty much where the similarities end.

Tips & Tricks

• When I make a card, texture is a must.  I like having multiple textures, although one shouldn't over power the others.  I added subtle texture to the tags by first cutting them out with the Chalk Talk Framelits and my Big Shot, then running them through again using the Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder.

• One of the things I love most about Stampin' Up!'s products is that so many of them coordinate.  The Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder works perfectly with the Mosaic Madness Stamp Set, which of course pairs beautifully with the Mosaic Punch.  This makes throwing a card together so easy, as everything works together so well.

• Try dyeing...Baker's Twine, that is.  Simply run Whisper White Baker's Twine over any ink pad, and press down with a sponge dauber.  The twine takes on the ink, and is dyed to match your project.  I used Smokey Slate here.  This technique can also be used with any white or neutral ribbon.  

Supplies

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes, Mosaic Madness
Ink:  Coastal Cabana, Smokey Slate, and So Saffron Classic Ink
Paper: Naturals White, Coastal Cabana, Smokey Slate, and So Saffron card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder, Chalk Talk Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Sponge Dauber, Mosaic Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Rhinestones Basic Jewels

Simple Marker Thank You Card

Do you ever have trouble getting the creative juices flowing?  I definitely do, especially when I'm really busy.  One of the best cures for this (for me, at least) is to look through my catalogs and find cards or projects that jump out at me.  From there, I put my own spin on it (although there's nothing wrong with copying it exactly).  And that's just what I did with this card!  Check out page 5 of the Sale-a-Bration brochure to see what I'm talking about.  (What?  You don't have one?  Just shoot me an email and I'll get one to you right away!)

Tips & Tricks

• Did you know there's a name for copying a card?  It's CASE:  copy and share everything (or, with everyone).  It's perfectly acceptable to copy a card or project you see, as long as you give credit to the original creator.  And I personally don't think it's OK to profit from another person's design, but that's more of a gray issue for most.  

• I used five colors, just like the sample card, but I made my stripes much thicker and closer together.  You'll see that I also chose different colors, but that's mostly because I don't have the 2013-2014 In Color Markers! Otherwise, I probably would have used them!

• As always, you're not striving for perfection.  As a recovering perfectionist, this was a tough thing for me when I first started stamping.  I wanted everything to line up perfectly.  But one of the charms of hand made cards is that they are hand made.  They aren't made by a machine, and they aren't supposed to be perfect.  I kind of like a few (small) imperfections on my cards because it also shows that anyone can make a beautiful card, and that even I, with almost two decades of experience, am far from perfect.  You don't have to look closely to see that my marker lines are anything but perfect.  But I think that just adds to the fun look of this card!

Supplies

Stamps:  Yippee-Skippee
Ink:  Calypso Coral, Tangerine Tango, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, and So Saffron Stampin' Write Markers, Calypso Coral Classic Ink Pad
Paper:  Whisper White and Calypso Coral card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Deco Labels Framelits, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Go take a look through whatever catalogs you have, and find something to CASE today!  And if you need a current Annual, Occasions, or Sale-a-Bration Catalog, just let me know.  I'm happy to give you whatever catalog you need!

Stenciled Hearts Valentine Flip Card

It's not technically mid-January yet, but here I am with the first of many Valentine's cards to come!  I've been having fun this week playing with reds and pinks and hearts galore, so I wanted to share at least one of my creations.  Unfortunately, I'm having trouble getting as good quality pictures as I'd like, and parts of this card just aren't as visible in the picture on my screen as I wish they were.  If you look carefully, the left hand side of the card features a strip of tiny little embossed hearts. 

Tips & Tricks

• What's my favorite part of this card?  The fact that I didn't use a single Valentine's Day set on it at all!  I don't actually have any current ones, so it was time to get creative.  I used several different products and techniques to get the holiday look I was going for.  So don't distress if you don't have stamps for a specific occasion.  Odds are that with a little creativity, you can come up with whatever look you need!

• The hearts on the right hand side of the card were stenciled on, using a sponge dauber and Crumb Cake ink.  I punched out the shapes using the littlest die from the Hearts Collection Framelits and the small heart punch.  You can easily make a stencil using scrap card stock and any punch or Framelits you have.  

Supplies

Stamps:  Oh Hello, Itty Bitty Banners
Ink:  Crumb Cake and Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink and Whisper White Craft Ink
Paper:  Naturals White, Crumb Cake, and Cherry Cobbler card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Circle Card Thinlit Die, Hearts Collection Framelits, Adorning Accents Embossing Folders, Bitty Banners Framelits, Small Heart Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Sponge Dauber

Button Buddies Birthday

This is a card for a very special girl, who turned 14 yesterday.  I've known her since she was two, and it's hard for me to believe that she's really as old as she is.  I gave a similar card to her mom a few months ago, and it's still hanging on their refrigerator.  A little birdie told me that she frequently looks at the card and comments on how she wished it was hers.  So I made one that's not a duplicate, but is similar, and hopefully she loves it. 

Tips & Tricks

• Paper piercing adds a lovely "finishing" touch to a card element, and I love that the Festive Paper Piercing Pack coordinates with Labels Framelits.  The holes are spaced perfectly, and there's no guesswork involved!

• Don't forget the most basic of stamping techniques...using markers directly on the rubber of your stamps.  This is how I created the Rich Razzleberry vase with the Old Olive stems sticking out.  Don't forget to breathe on the stamp before stamping to moisten the ink!

Supplies

Stamps:  Button Buddies and A Little Birthday
Ink:  Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive Classic Ink, Whisper White Craft Ink
Paper:  Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, and Whisper White card stock, Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper
Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Festive Paper Piercing Pack, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat, Daffodil Delight Taffeta Ribbon, Buttons, White Baker's Twine

Simple Coaster Board Magnets

Today I have a different kind of project to show you...magnets!  This is an incredibly easy project to make, and it can be customized in as many ways as you have stamps!  In fact, this project is so simple, I had a group of kids make them, and they were a huge hit.  As you can see, they are composed of a series of circles, but what really makes them look professional (as my 11 year old would say) is that the base is made of Coaster Board.

Tips & Tricks

• Coaster Board is one of those items that you may have missed when flipping through the catalog (it's on page 156, in case you're wondering!)  At only $5.95 for EIGHT sheets, it's a fantastic bargain.

• This is a great project to use up scraps of Designer Series Paper! 

• Adhere your DSP to the Coaster Board, then cut using a Big Shot Die.  I used the retired Movers & Shapers Die and the circle that was sold as and accessory to it. 

Supplies

Stamps:  Tart & Tangy (retired)
Ink:  Real Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, and Pumpkin Pie
Paper:  Whisper White, Old Olive, and Chocolate Chip card stock, retired Designer Series Paper scraps
Accessories:  Big Shot, Movers & Shapers Die w/ Circle, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Tombo Multipurpose Glue, magnets

Simple Banner Card for Any Occasion

If this card looks familiar, it's because it is!  It's just a birthday version of this Christmas card.  I love this layout, as it's a great way to use up scraps of Designer Series Paper.  And if you are anything like me, you have a lot of that lying around!

Tips & Tricks

• Paper piercing is a breeze when you use the Festive Paper Piercing Pack.  The guide lines up to coordinate with the Window Frames Framelits, so there's no eye-balling your paper piercing. 

• Cut each banner the same length, then adhere them to your card front in whatever arrangement you prefer.  Then go through and trim the tops off the shorter banners...it's much easier that way!

Supplies

Stamps: Cheery Chat
Ink:  Whisper White
Paper:  Old Olive, Whisper White, and Tangerine Tango card stock, Floral District and Summer Smooches DSP
Accessories:  Big Shot, Window Frames Framelits, Festive Paper Piercing Pack, Paper Piercing Tool and Mat, Old Olive ribbon