Retro Fresh Angled Tag Topper Punch Card

I have another busy card filled with arrows today.  I think I've decided that I like this one from a couple of weeks ago after all, so why not try another take on the arrows?

This card uses paper from the Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper, and I just love the color combination.  As time goes by, I am loving Coastal Cabana more and more, especially when it's paired with Tangerine Tango. 

Tips & Tricks

• I wanted to add some arrows to the card to go along with the arrows on the paper.  The Label Card Thinlits set has two different arrows in it.  Actually, the Circle Card Thinlits set also has an arrow, so if you have either set, you can cut out some arrows!

• See that little strip of Coastal Cabana in the middle?  By cutting your card stock 4" x 1/2", it will fit perfectly into one of the lines of arrows in the Arrows Embossing Folder.  It adds just a little bit of subtle texture that this card needed.

Supplies

Stamps:  Just Sayin', Gorgeous Grunge
Ink:  Coastal Cabana
Paper:  Retro Fresh DSP, Soft Suede, Tangerine Tango, and Very Vanilla card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Word Bubbles Framelits,  Label Card Thinlits, Arrows Embossing Folder, Angled Tag Topper Punch, Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

Stampin' Up! Angled Tag Topper Punch

I'm not quite sure where to start with this card, because I'm not quite sure what it is.  There is a LOT going on here.  It's one of those cards that never started as a plan in my head (most do), and I just kind of sat down and started using some new things.  All that to say, the jury's still out on this one...I'm just not sure what I think.  But I do love the colors!

Tips & Tricks

• If you're stumped for a good color combination, start with an element that picks the colors for you, such as the Retro Fresh Washi Tape I used here (Designer Series Paper will also do the trick!) I only had to look to the tape to know that I needed to pull out Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Tangerine Tango and Coastal Cabana. (When I say Coastal Cabana, I start singing "Copacabana" in my head.  Does this happen to anyone else?  No?  OK, what can I say?  I grew up listening to Barry Manilow, and I'll admit, I still like him.  Although I do prefer the younger, less plastic version of him.)

• The Angled Tag Topper Punch...you just need this.  That is my tip.  :)  No, really...this looks like it wraps around the Very Vanilla card stock, but I really just punched two tags.  So easy!

Supplies

Stamps:  Yippee-Skippee, Gorgeous Grunge, Map it Out
Ink:  Coastal Cabana, Soft Suede, and Tangerine Tango 
Paper:  Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Coastal Cabana, Soft Suede, and Tangerine Tango 
Accessories:  Big Shot, Word Bubbles Framelits, Label Card Thinlits, Angled Tag Topper Punch, Linen Thread, Retro Fresh Designer Washi Tape

And you really need to listen to this (but really just the first 3 1/2 minutes).  You'll thank me every time you pull out Coastal Cabana. :)

Now I can't stop...here's a bonus, my favorite. :) 

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

Label Thinlits Christmas Card

Next week I'll be holding several Christmas classes for kids.  It's always fun, but totally crazy. CRAZY.  I like to have the kids make beautiful projects that they can be super proud to give to their family.  The trick, however, is keeping things simple, so they can actually make them. 

This is one of the cards we'll be making.  I don't think it would matter one bit what was on this card, because the flipping feature is going to be all it takes to make the kids love this card.  But I won't love it unless there's a little bit more going on.  I used up some old Holly Berry Bouquet Designer Series Paper on this...I have so many scraps of this left over from a project I did with a huge group of people a couple of years ago.  I'm not sure I will ever run out. :)

Tips & Tricks

• It's barely visible in the picture, but there is a subtle like of pine boughs that run up the left side of the card.  To add a little bit of subtle interest, consider a tone on tone look.  I used Real Red ink on the Real Red card stock, and it is just the right amount to add interest without overpowering the rest of the card.

• The sentiment on this card is a very old set.  But it fit perfectly with this card, and I thought that the water coloring would be fun for the kids.  I didn't want to stamp with StazOn black ink, so I embossed with Early Espresso instead.  I like the look of the brown, but especially love that the embossing creates a wall of sorts to keep the water coloring where it's supposed to be.

Supplies

Stamps:  Gingerbread Christmas (retired), and Pine Bough Wheel (retired)
Ink:  Real Red Ink Cartridge, Garden Green Classic Ink and VersaMark
Paper:  Real Red and Naturals Ivory card stock, Holly Berry Bouquet DSP (retired)
Accessories: Big Shot, Label Card Thinlits, Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainters, Stampin' Around Wheel Handle

Truly Grateful Label Card

I think it should be obvious this week which products are my favorites!  But I love fall, and this is kind of my last chance to show off fall cards, because on Friday, well...let the Christmas season begin, right?

This is an upside down flip card, which I love.  It's nice to mix things up a bit and throw in some variety to one's card-making.

Tips & Tricks

• To make the card "upside-down", simply fold the opposite way you normally would.  It's really that easy!

• Pair up the Woodgrain Background stamp with the Woodgrain Embossing Folder.  It's a great combination!

• Sponging the edges of the Label shape for both sides of the card adds a really soft look.  Did you know that you can cut a sponge in four pieces (like a pie) and quadruple the value?  It's actually a lot easier to use that way, too!

Supplies

Stamps:  Truly Grateful, Yippee-Skippee, Gently Falling
Ink:  Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, More Mustard (retired), and Cajun Craze Classic Ink
Paper:  Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla card stock, Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Label Card Thinlits, Sponge, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Sanding Block

Yippee-Skippee {Label Card Thinlit}

I just can't get enough of these Thinlit dies...flip cards are so much fun to make!  This one features Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper.  If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, I loooove plaid!  I think the Crushed Curry plain in this pack of DSP is my favorite. 


Tips & Tricks

• I made this card using the Label Card Thinlit Die.  Use the coordinating Labels Collection Framelits along with it to create additional layers.  They're a perfect match!

• When dying the Simply Pressed Clay, don't forget the gloves!  Of course, if you enjoy walking around with stained fingers, feel free to ignore my advice. :) 

Supplies

Stamps:  Yippee-Skippee
Ink:  Chocolate Chip and Crushed Curry Classic Ink, Tangerine Tango and Chocolate Chip ink refills
Paper:  Sweater Weather DSP, Very Vanilla card stock
Accessories:  Simply Pressed Clay and Molds, Linen Thread, Big Shot, Label Card Thinlit Die, Labels Collection Framelits, Magnetic Platform (!), Sponge