Betsy's Blossoms Thank You Card

Um, whoops!  I completely forgot to post this card yesterday!   I love this card.  It's so simple to make.  I've always been someone who likes a lot of layers on a card (and I still do), but I've come to embrace the simple cards, too.  For someone like me, who loves lots of layers, it's a challenge to create simple cards, but I'm finding that it's getting easier to do.  I can't really take credit for this one, though.  I saw something similar somewhere online, so if I've CASEd your card, let me know so I can give credit where it's due!

Hey, speaking of simple cards, be sure to check back tomorrow.  I have a VERY simple card that not only shows a brand new stamp set, but a peek at the new In Colors for 2014-2016!

Tips & Tricks

• This card uses the retiring Betsy's Blossoms stamp set.  And what I love is that it uses the same large flower stamp for all three flowers.  I simply punched them out using different sized circle punches.

• If you look closely, you'll see that the "Thank You" is a little crooked.  Now, I'll confess that I used this picture because it doesn't look too bad.  But if you saw it straight on, you would wonder what was going on!  The way to avoid crooked stamping is to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig.  This handy tool helps align things perfectly!

Supplies

Stamps:  Betsy's Blossoms, Thank You Kindly (retired)
Ink:  Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe, So Saffron, and Pistachio Pudding
Paper:  Naturals White card stock
Accessories:  2 1/2", 1 3/8", and 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Stampin' Dimensionals

Betsy's Blossoms Birthday Card {Retiring Products}

On Monday Stampin' Up! released the Retiring Products Lists, and wow, were there some surprising things on that list!  I can't even believe how many Big Shot dies and embossing folders are retiring.  That's a hard one for me to take.  But I'm glad I have many of them, and can just keep on using them.

I'm also sad about Betsy's Blossoms being on the list.  I've always liked this set, and it was one of the first ones I bought the year it came out.  I love the big flower in the set, and don't use the little ones enough.  But I think they work perfectly  with the Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper (also retiring), and was really pleased with how this card turned out. 

Tips & Tricks

• If I wanted to take this card up a notch, I would put some buttons in the center of the flowers.  I happen to have some old retired buttons in coordinating colors, but if I didn't, I could make them using the Simply Pressed Clay and Button Mold.  That's something that's NOT retiring!

Supplies

Stamps:  Betsy's Blossoms, Sincere Salutations
Ink:  Island Indigo, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, and Pear Pizzazz
Paper: Island Indigo, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, and Pear Pizzazz card stock, Gingham Garden DSP
Accessories:  Melon Mambo ribbon (retired), Decorative Label Punch

Betsy's Blossoms Bookmark

I've been a creative rut lately, so I thought that making something other than a card might help the creative juices flow a little better.  I'm not sure it worked, but it is fun to have something different to show!

I decided to make this tag that can double as a bookmark.  I may stick this in a card for someone, or I might even tuck it into the next book I loan out.  That would be a fun surprise for the reader!

Tips & Tricks

• If you're new to Stampin' Up!, you might be overwhelmed by all the gorgeous colors there are to choose from.  And you might not quite know where to start when it comes to building your ink collection.  If your budget is limited and you can't get them all in one shot, I highly recommend picking a few that you love, and adding in the VersaMark ink.  I used it here on the Pacific Point tag.  This ink gives a tone-on-tone look, and can also be used for embossing.  It's a very versatile ink (hence the name) and it's one that every stamper needs to have!

• I've been trying to use up my many, many scraps of paper, and this project lends itself perfectly to that mission.  I ONLY used scraps on this project, and it could be made using any Designer Series Paper and coordinating card stock or ribbon.

Supplies

Stamps:  Betsy's Blooms, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  VersaMark, Chocolate Chip, and Pacific Point
Paper:  Crushed Curry, Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, and Pacific Point card stock, International Bazaar DSP (retired)
Accessories:  Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, Big Shot, Bitty Banners Framelits, Scallop Tag Topper Punch, Tangerine Tango ribbon (retired)

Scallop Tag Topper Punch Treat Holder

I'm not sure about you, but I hadn't really realized how close Easter was.  Which is pretty pathetic, considering how late it is this year.  So even though my Easter decorations are still in my attic, I thought it would be fun to make a little Easter project.  This is a treat holder that is perfect to give as a gift, and would be easy to make multiples of. 

Tips & Tricks

• I love the new Tag Topper Punches, because they are so easy to use.  I just cut a 2" strip of card stock along the 8 1/2" side.  The best part about this project is that you don't have to have precise measurements for the length.  This would have still worked out great had I made a shorter strip.  It's a great way to use up your scraps!  I punched both ends of the strip.

• Get out your Simply Scored Scoring Tool and score twice...I scored about 3" in from each end.  I say about because I counted wrong from one end.  I recommend turning your piece after the first score, so that you are sure you are using the same measurement for both sides. :)

• Once you have punched and score, just embellish!  And don't forget to tuck a little bag of jelly beans or other treats inside!

Supplies

Stamps:  Betsy's Blossoms, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana, and Crushed Curry
Paper:  Strawberry Slush and Whisper White card stock
Accessories:  1 1/4", 1", and 3/4" Circle Punches, Coastal Cabana Ruffled Trim, Scallop Tag Topper Punch, Whisper White Baker's Twine

Retro Fresh Praying for You Card

A few weeks ago I mentioned that each week I wanted to make a card and send it to someone different each week.  I've only done this twice, but each time, the recipient told me how much it meant to them.  That's not why I do it, but it's a good reminder that something as simple as sending a card makes a difference.  It's easy to make lots of pretty cards and just let them accumulate.  What's the point in that?  More than ever, I'm encouraged to make sure I use my cards to bless others. 

This is one of those cards that's going to someone who has been going through a really rough time lately.  I'm hoping that receiving this card will be an encouragement.  It's always nice to know that someone is praying for you!

Tips & Tricks

• I love this Coastal Cabana Stretch Ruffle Trim.  But I wouldn't recommend using SNAIL to adhere it.  Be sure to use our Tombo Multipurpose Glue or Sticky Strip.

• You may notice the paper-piercing on the Praying for You element.  I had to eyeball the poking, which just made me appreciate all the different templates that Stampin' Up! does have (I really wish there was one for the Deco Labels Framelits!)  They are quite inexpensive and I highly recommend getting them if you haven't already!

Supplies

Stamps:  Betsy's Blossoms, Thoughts & Prayers
Ink:  VersaMark, Tangerine Tango
Paper:  Soft Suede and Very Vanilla card stock, Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper
Accessories:  Coastal Cabana Stretch Ruffle Trim, Big Shot, Deco Labels Framelits, Pearls Basic Jewels, Heat Tool, Winter White embossing powder (retired), Paper-Piercing Tool and Mat

July Club Cards (Part 1)

This was the card I was originally planning to make at club this month.  I loved the colors, the rock and roll technique on the flower, and the piece of Floral District DSP.  I even loved that little bit of ribbon with the button at the top.  But something just didn't feel right.  I saw this fun fold card, and was stumped for days trying to come up with a good design to use with it.  I hated every single one I made.  And then I decided to combine this card with the fun fold, and this is what I ended up with:

 I was so happy with how it turned out!  Same bright colors, same fun flower, same everything (except that cute button!), just rearranged.  The diamond part of the card opens up, so you can write your message inside of it.  It's so cute, and so easy to make!

Stamps:  Betsy's Blossoms, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, and Gumball Green Classic Ink, Whisper White Classic Ink

Paper:  Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green, and Whisper White card stock, Floral District DSP

Accessories:  Daffodil Delight 1/4" stitched grosgrain ribbon, Bitty Banners Framelits, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

One More Day!

Today's the last day to order from the current catalog.  If there is anything still on your wish list, NOW is the time to order!  Just let me know if you'd like to place and order, or better yet, have it delivered right to your door by ordering from my website.

I know it seems odd to post a Mother's Day card today, but I have my reasons.  When I first made this, I was going to post it on Mother's Day.  That didn't happen, and immediately after I made the card, I knew that I was going to change it into a birthday card for my daughter.  Unfortunately, I didn't take a new picture before putting it in the envelope.  She adored this card when she saw it, so I knew that I should just use it for her.  She's my pink girl, so this is perfect for her.  I can't believe my baby is eight years old!

I could go on and on about how fast my kids are growing up, but I'll give you card details instead. :)  The card itself is made with Naturals White card stock.  I clear embossed across the front with the new Betsy's Blooms wheel that coordinates with Betsy's Blossoms, the set I used for the flowers and leaves.  I did the same thing on Raspberry Ripple cards stock and put a strip of that along the top edge of the embossing on the card.  On top of that is a piece of Primrose Petals that was embossed with the Square Lattice embossing Folder, mounted on a piece of Gumball Green.  That's my favorite of the new InColors, and I even have one of the new firm foam ink pads in GG.  Can you see how perfectly those leaves are stamped?  I LOVE these new ink pads!  The flowers are Raspberry Ripple and Primrose Petals.  They remind me of an old, long-ago retired set called Island Blossoms, which was a favorite of mine.  And of course, the little banner was cut out using the new Bitty Banners Framelits.

Simple Summer Starfruit

I'm not one for overly simple cards, but I'm pretty happy with how this came out.  It's no secret that I have to put ribbon on practically every card I make, and even though this is simple, it's no exception.  But my ribbon usage is limited to one simple bow, something I rarely do!  The are only three colors on this card:  Baja Breeze, Whisper White, and Summer Starfruit, one of the new In-Colors.  And I love the color combination!  They work really well together.  The floral image is from the new set Betsy's Blossoms.  It's my favorite image from this set, and it's really trendy right now.  I've seen this all over the place, including a candle holder I got for Christmas and the sheets my niece has on her daughter's new big-girl bed. :)  I'm going to have to use it for her birthday card next month.  The DSP in the background is from the new Floral District DSP.  I love the papers in the new catalog...there are so many bright and cheery colors, which just make me happy to look at!

I know I keep saying how much I love everything from the new catalog, which can be pretty annoying, I'm sure. :)  But it's true!  Everything is so fabulous.  I promise!

Old and New

Here's a bright, fun card using the retiring set, Always Elegant.  I've always thought that it matched the Elegant Lines embossing folder so well, which is why I used them together!

This card features the combination of Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, and Old Olive.  I simply ran the Pacific Point card stock through the Big Shot with the Elegant Lines embossing folder, and used the crimper on the little strip of Tempting Turquoise.  I'm sad that the crimper is retiring...I like to use it to give a bit of texture to little pieces like that one.  I tied a piece of whisper white 1/4" grosgrain ribbon around the crimped piece...the ribbon is retiring, too!  I used Staz-On black in to stamp the image on Whisper White card stock.  That's important, because the black won't run when watercoloring.  I dipped the tip of my aquapainter into the ink from the top of my ink pads to color in parts of the image, and then added some rhinestones to a couple of spots.  They're hard to see in the picture, but I promise they're there!  Oh, and those little tags...I stamped them with the Tiny Tags set and punched them with the Jewelry Tag punch, then poked a hole with my paper piercing tool. 

And now for some new stuff!  This card has a fun color combination, which I pulled from the Floral District DSP.  It, and the bird from Betsy's Blossoms, are both mounted on Daffodil Delight card stock.  I also used a piece behind the strip of Tangerine Tango, both of which I punched with the scallop edge punch and then pierce with my paper piercing tool (did you know there's a brand new one coming out in the new catalog?  The mat is bigger and there are templates that match some of the new Framelits...so exciting!)  Back to the card...I rounded the corners on the DSP and bird pieces, then added some brand new Daffodil Delight 1/4" stitched grosgrain ribbon...it's such cute stuff!  I also sponged the edges of the bird and added a little bit of white baker's twine to a button before popping it on as a final touch.