Hardwood Father's Day Card

I know, I know, Father's Day was in June.  Somehow I missed posting this, and even though we've long passed Father's Day, I still wanted to share it.  Plus, I have the best dad in the whole world, so there's nothing wrong with a card that makes me think of him, even in August.

This card uses the Hardwood background stamp, which I LOVE.  I also used the Woodgrain embossing folder for the strip of paper going across the card.  Yes, I love any product with any kind of woodgrain on it!

After stamping the tree from Thoughts & Prayers, I cut it out using the Labels Framelits Collection and my Big Shot, then sponged around the edges of it and the smaller label with Soft Suede.  I topped it off with some Linen Thread, and that's it.  Easy-peasy!


Supplies
Stamps:  Thoughts & Prayers, All Year Cheer, Hardwood
Ink:  Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, and Ivory Naturals
Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Linen Thread, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Sponge

Nuts About You Shadow Box Card

So I'm totally in love with the new hostess set, Nuts About You.  I almost never get hostess sets anymore, but this one was way too adorable to pass up.  I love the cute animals, the funky tree, and all the fun ways you can use the stamps together. 

Tips & Tricks

• I've posted about shadow box cards before, (here and here), so check out those posts for directions and to see some other example of this easy-peasy card.

• It's kind of hard to tell in a picture, but I cut the tree out by hand and then popped it up a bit using Stampin' Dimensionals.  It adds more interest when the image isn't flat on the card...you'll have to trust me on this one, since you don't have the card in your hand!

• The grass in front was made with my handy-dandy fringe scissors, and layered on the front piece of the card.  I highly recommend using sticky strip for this part.  It just makes life so much easier than snail or glue would, although both of those option would work.

• I think my favorite part of this card is the little "you & me" in a heart that looks like it's carved on the tree.  I'm pretty good at eye-balling things to line them up, but even I had trouble with this one.  It's most definitely a job for the Stamp-a-ma-jig!

Supplies
Stamps:  Nuts About You
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Garden Green, Smokely Slate, Basic Gray, Early Espresso, and Cherry Cobbler
Paper:  Naturals White, Crumb Cake, and Garden Green card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Ovals Collection Framelits, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Fringe Scissors, Sponge, Stamp-a-ma-jig, and Paper Snips

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

Gently Falling Woodgrain Card

Yay!  It's Thanksgiving week!  I do love Thanksgiving, a holiday I've really only come to appreciate as an adult.  But I'll confess that I'm excited about this week for other reasons.  As I may have mentioned in the past, I homeschool my kids, and one of the very best things about that is the ability to set our own schedule.  And because we can do that, we take the entire month of December off from formal schooling (but we're always learning, because that's how life works!)  Since Thanksgiving falls so late this year, it actually marks the beginning of our break.  We've been working our tails off to get finished up before Wednesday, and it looks like once we finish up a few things today, we can start our fabulous, gigantic Christmas break!  That is what I am especially thankful for today!

So let's focus on this card for a moment, shall we?  I love the woodgrain stamp in the Truly Grateful set.  I also realized that with a little bit of help from my Stamp-a-ma-jig, it fits well with the large tag in the Chalk Talk Framelits.  That was a very exciting discovery!  And you all know how much I love woodgrain and leaves together.  I won't bore you with my gushing about that again.

Tips & Tricks

• In order to make an embossed image pop a bit more, simply sponge a bit of ink lightly over the raised parts.  It makes a world of difference!

• When using the leaves from Gently Falling, I always stamp off the background stamp (not the outline one).  I'm always a lot happier with the final product if I do that.  Try it out and see what you think!

Supplies:

Stamps:  Gently Falling, Truly Grateful
Ink:  Baked Brown Sugar, Cajun Craze, and Crushed Curry Classic Ink
Paper:  Soft Suede, Baked Brown Sugar, Naturals Ivory card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Chalk Talk Framelits, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Bitty Banners Framelits, Linen Thread, Sponge

Linking up to the Fab Friday Challenge.

Day of Gratitude Emboss Resist Card

Today is my 18th wedding anniversary, so I thought it would be fun to show the card I made for my husband.  I used the retired Day of Gratitude set, which is fitting, since I am filled with gratitude to be celebrating 18 happy years of marriage today!

I love this set, and thought it would be fun to try the emboss resist technique with it.  It turned out a bit more colorful than I was hoping...I think there are more fall colors on this card than I'm seeing on the trees this year.  I'm not sure what's going on around here, but where are all the pretty leaves?!

Tips & Tricks

• Emboss resist is such an easy technique.  Simply stamp and emboss your image.  I used VersaMark on Very Vanilla card stock and embossed with clear embossing powder.  Then dab a sponge on the ink pad of your chosen color, and kind of swirl it around on your card.  I used several colors and just randomly chose where to rub the sponge on the card.  I went back and filled in with Crumb Cake at the end, so be sure all the empty spaces were filled.

• Sponges are super inexpensive, and even more so when you cut them into fourths.  I set aside 1/4 of a sponge for each color ink, then slide them in a tiny cellophane bag labeled with the color name.  I never have to worry about accidentally using the wrong sponge in my ink pads!

Supplies

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes, Day of Gratitude (retired)
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, and Crumb Cake Classic Ink, VersaMark
Paper:  Soft Suede, Old Olive, and Very Vanilla card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Simply Pressed Clay and Molds, Linen Thread, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Truly Grateful Woodgrain Card

It has definitely turned to fall here this week, but instead of crisp days and pretty leaves, we have rain.  But even the rain has put me in the mood to make woodsy, fall cards.  Today's card is full of texture, which I always love on a card!  It also combines the rustic with a bit of elegance.

Tips & Tricks

• To make the woodgrain pop out a bit on the background, I lightly sponged some crumb cake on all the raised areas that the Woodgrain Embossing Folder made.  It would have looked fine if I had just left the whole piece an uninked Very Vanilla, but this adds more interest.

• The fastest way I know of to add texture to a card is to tear some of the cardstock.  It's easy to do, requires no special tools, and is nearly impossible to do wrong.  The largest piece of torn card stock just happens to be textured card stock, adding even more, well, texture. :)

• Paper-piercing is easier than ever with the Paper-Piercing Packs that Stampin' Up! introduced in last year's catalog.  The templates match so many different Framelits sets, including the Labels Collection that I used here. 

• I'm not the world's best water-colorer, but I do like to include that look on a card from time to time.  I was going for a very subtle, soft look with these acorns, so I didn't worry about using watercolor paper.  Very Vanilla worked just fine, and blurred the perfect amount with a very light touch on my aquapainter.  In this case, less is more when it comes to water!

Supplies

Stamps:  Truly Grateful
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Baked Brown Sugar, and Really Rust
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Baked Brown Sugar, and Really Rust card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Paper-Piercing Tool, Mat, and Festive Pack, Sponge, Aquapainter, Linen Thread

Gently Falling

After a few days of hot and humid weather, it's finally starting to feel like fall around here.  So what better card for today than one that looks like fall!  I grew up in the woods amidst sugar maple trees, which turn the most gorgeous, brilliant color of orange-red.  This card sort of makes me think of those trees that line the country road leading to my house.

Tips & Tricks

• Want the woodgrain to stand out more when using Woodgrain Embossing Folder?  Rub the ink pad of the same color over the embossed card stock.  The ink will only stick to the embossed design and will make it pop.
• When using the Gently Falling stamp set, which is a two-step stamp, I always stamp off once before stamping the "inside" of the leaf.  I only do this with this set, and I really like the more subtle look it gives these leaves!

Supplies

Stamps:  Gently Falling, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede, and Cajun Craze
Paper:  Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, and Very Vanilla card stock
Accessories:  Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Neutral Designer Buttons, Linen Thread

Papillion Potpourri {plus a promotion!}

Wow, there's a lot of alliteration in that post title!  And good heavens, it's been a week since I last posted.  I NEVER intend to go that long.  Unfortunately, an elbow injury kept me from stamping and limited my computer use.  I'd love to say it's all better, but it's an ongoing thing that just sometimes gets really bad.  And last week was one of those times.  I'm so sorry for my long absence!

And while I'm apologizing, sheesh!  Sorry about this horrible picture!  I'm having some camera issues.  Actually, the issue is more with the user than the camera itself.

I'm not a big watercolorer (yes, it's a word...I just made it up), but I love to watercolor these butterflies.  I think these are really easy to watercolor, and anyone can make these butterflies look beautiful.  Pair them with the coordinating Elegant Butterfly and Bitty Butterfly punches, and you just can't go wrong!

Tips & Tricks

• Squeeze the lid of an ink pad while shut, and you'll end up with ink on the inside of the lid.  Grab an Aquapainter and dip it in for easy watercoloring...no special paints needed!
• Sticky Strip is your best friend when ruffling ribbon...don't bother with any other adhesive as it just won't stick long term.
• No need to fussy cut your butterflies when you can just punch them with coordinating punches! (see below)

Promotion

• Get 15 percent off when you buy the Papillion Potpourri stamp set (clear or wood mount) and the Bitty Butterfly punch!

		Clear-Mount Butterfly Bundle     $26.27 Wood-Mount Butterfly Bundle     $29.67
		Call or email me if you'd like to order this great bundle...it's only available until September 30!

Truly Grateful

Ah, fall colors, plaid, and woodgrains (OK, plus linen thread)...three (four) of my favorite things.  This may be a simple card, but there are several textures and patterns going on.  The plaid comes from the Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper, which is available in the Holiday Catalog.  (Let me know if you need a copy!)  And check out the wood slice image stamped across the Cajun Craze stripe.  It goes beautifully with the woodgrain texture embossed on the Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock.  This card just makes me think of fall, my favorite time of year.  Although I'm not quite ready for it yet!

Stamps:  Truly Grateful
Ink:  Early Espresso
Paper:  Early Espresso Core'dinations, Cajun Craze,  and Sahara Sand card stock, Sweater Weather DSP
Accessories:  Big Shot, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Bitty Banners Framelits, Linen Thread, Simply Pressed Clay, Buttons & Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay Molds, Sanding Block

Truly Grateful

I don't show nearly enough masculine cards here on my blog, so it's high time that I did.  This card uses the brand new set Truly Grateful, from the Holiday Catalog (which will be available starting August 1).  There are some beautiful images in this stamp set, but the wood slice that you see above is the reason that I got this set.  I love anything woodsy, so I just had to have this.  On a side note, I'm totally a woodsy/camping girl...I would much prefer to go camping in the mountains/woods than to go to the beach.  I know I'm completely in the minority on that one, but I grew up living in the woods and I guess no matter what, I'm always drawn back there.  Although if someone wanted to send me on a free beach vacation, I would not turn it down!

Anyway, back to this card.  I love using the Woodgrain embossing folder with this stamp...the more woodgrain, the better!  I lightly sanded a piece of Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock and clear embossed the sentiment on it.  Oh, and there's one little wood slice that I cut out and popped up with a Stampin' Dimensional.  I just love all the browns and the woodgrains together. 

So what about you?  Mountains/woods or beach?

Stamps:  Truly Grateful
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, and Early Espresso
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, and Early Espresso (Core'dinations) card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Woodgrain embossing folder, sanding block, linen thread, paper snips, Stampin' Dimensionals

November Club Card, Part 2

I had originally planned to use the card from last week for club, but there was something about it that didn't seem quite right to me.  Plus, it had too many layers and steps to do at club.  So I took some of the elements I loved most about that card, and used them on a new card.  I'm so happy with the result!  The medallion is exactly the same, as is the button.  In addition to those pieces, I added half of one of the flowers cut using the Floral Frames Framelits behind the piece of Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock that was embossed with the Woodgrain folder (my favorite!)  A simple banner using DSP from the Orchard Harvest pack finishes it off.

Stamps:  Day of Gratitude, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, and More Mustard Classic Ink
Paper:  Naturals White, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, and Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock
Accessories:  Sweet Buttons Embosslits, Floral Frames Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Woodgrain embossing folder, Square Lattice embossing folder, Big Shot

Thanks a Bunch

I have been so busy lately that I haven't had a lot of time to just stamp for fun.  I've been working on lots of projects, but I rarely have a chance to just sit down and stamp for the fun of stamping, with absolutely no specific end in mind.  I finally had a few minutes this afternoon and decided to use the Fab Friday sketch for this week.  I've never linked to a challenge before, but I'm hoping to do it a lot more in the future!

I used the cracked glass technique on the center image.  I'm sad that Stampin' Up! no longer sells the embossing powder needed for this technique. :(  Fortunately, I still have a little stash of it to pull out occasionally.  I really like this sentiment from the Friendship Preserves set, and I don't use it nearly enough.  Hopefully it will carry over to the main catalog!

Stamps:  Friendship Preserves

Ink:  Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, More Mustard, and Early Espresso markers, VersaMark

Paper:  Early Espresso Core'dinations,  Naturals Ivory, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Very Vanilla card stock

Accessories:  Window Frames Framelits Collection, Big Shot, Festive Paper-Piercing Pack, Paper-Piercing Tool and Mat, Linen Thread, Always Artichoke Seam Binding Ribbon, Woodgrain embossing folder, Glassy Glaze embossing powder, heat tool

October Club Card #2

Have I mentioned before that I love leaves?  I could make cards that feature leaves and fall colors all year long.  The Gently Falling stamp set is a perfect pairing with the woodgrain embossing folder.  To make the woodgrain really stand out, we sponged a bit of Soft Suede ink on the embossed card stock, working against the grain.  The piece of more mustard card stock was spritzed with the Color Spritzing Tool and then crumpled up.  It's not visible in the picture, but the leaves have a bit of sparkle to them.  I made my own shimmer spritz using rubbing alcohol and a few drops of shimmer paint.  It was so easy to make, and even easier to use!

Stamps:  Gently Falling, Tiny Tags

Ink:  Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, and More Mustard Classic Ink

Paper:  Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, More Mustard, and Very Vanilla card stock

Accessories:  Crochet Trim, Linen Thread, Woodgrain embossing folder, Jewelry Tag punch, Color Spritzing Tool

October Club Card #1

I'm not really much of a Halloween person, but I do love fall.  And fall means pumpkins.  These little pumpkins are so easy to make.  Just pick out a circle or oval punch, punch out three pieces, then with a little adhesive, stick them together.  So simple.  I did pop up the center piece with a Stampin' Dimensional, and sponged the edges a bit to give the layers a bit more dimension.

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes, Button Buddies

Ink:  Early Espresso, Old Olive, and Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, and Pumpkin Pie card stock, Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock

Accessories:  Labels Collection Framelits, Woodgrain embossing folder, Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, sponge

September Club Cards, Part 2

This month was all about non-traditional sized cards, so this one is a square card.  It was a simple as can be, with banners making up most of the layers.  The circles were easy to create with punches, and the little apple and stem from Perfectly Preserved are precisely cut with the Cannery Framelits.  This card also features two different types of woodgrain:  the green circle was stamped with the Timber wheel, and the Early Espresso banner was run through the Big Shot with the Woodgrain embossing folder.  The woodgrain pops out because I lightly sanded the Core'dinations card stock.  I love this stuff with this embossing folder!  They are perfect together!

Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Timber wheel

Ink:  Raspberry Ripple and Early Espresso markers, Lucky Limeade Classic ink pad

Paper:  Naturals Ivory, More Mustard, and Lucky Limeade card stock, Orchard Harvest DSP, Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock

Accessories:  2 3/8' scallop circle punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, Cannery Framelits, Woodgrain embossing folder, paper-piercing tool and mat

An Apple for the Teacher

I FINALLY have a new card to share!  Better late than never, right?  Today is the first day of school for a lot of people, including us.  So in honor of the first day, I thought an apple card would be appropriate.

Not surprisingly, I used the Woodgrain embossing folder on this...I can't get enough of this folder, especially now that I have some of the Core'dinations card stock in Early Espresso.  I LOVE how this looks after lightly sanding the top layer.  In addition to the rest of my new staples, Orchard Harvest DSP and the Perfectly Preserved stamp set, I got out the Two Tags Die for my Big Shot.  The longer tag pairs so nicely with the scallop circle punch.

Our first day went reasonably well.  I love homeschooling my kids, but there are days when the drama is just. too. much.  We had a bit of that, but I've been preparing my 5th grader that this was a big year for her, and yes, the work would be harder.  I think that helped.  Hopefully it just gets better from here!

Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved

Ink:  Raspberry Ripple, More Mustard, Early Espresso, and Lucky Limeade markers

Paper:  More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Lucky Limeade, and Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock, Orchard Harvest DSP

Accessories:  Two Tags Bigz Die, Big Shot, Scallop Circle punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches, Bitty Banners Framelits, Woodgrain embossing folder

August Club Card

This was one of our cards for club this month.  It used my very favorite, the Woodgrain embossing folder.  I wish I had used the new Core'dinations card stock with it, but unfortunately, I didn't originally buy it in Early Espresso.  But after making this card, I took care of that!  It will be here on Thursday. :)

The flowers and jar are from Perfectly Preserved.  Everything is stamped right onto the piece of Very Vanilla.  We took a piece of Window Sheets and cut it out using the Cannery Framelits.  We didn't do any stamping on that piece, although if you wanted to, StazOn is the way to go.  The ribbon and sentiment hide the adhesive, and I think it turned out to be so cute!

Our other card this month was a repeat of a SAS card from earlier this summer.  Here's a look at that one.

Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved

Ink:  More Mustard, Lucky Limeade, and Raspberry Ripple Classic Ink

Paper: Orchard Harvest DSP, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Raspberry Ripple, and Very Vanilla card stock

Accessories:  Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon, Cannery Framelits set, Window Sheets, small oval punch, Woodgrain embossing folder

Ladybug

Please excuse this horrible picture.  I'm so sorry for the blurriness and the inept cropping. :)  But it was super cute and I needed to take a quick picture before it left my house.  This one is for our friends, former neighbors who are adopting a little girl from China.  They are hoping to go pick her up next month.  Apparently, ladybugs mean good luck in China, and they are definitely going with a ladybug theme with clothing and other new things for Piper.  So I had to make a ladybug card for the surprise shower that I missed while on vacation.  I'm sad to have missed it, but I'm looking forward to meeting this special little girl!

Stamps:  Inspired by Nature (retired), Rough Edges Alphabet (retired)

Ink:  Gumball Green and Basic Black

Paper:  Naturals White, Gumball Green, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, and Melon Mambo card stock

Accessories:  1 3/4" circle punch, 1" circle punch, 1/4" circle punch (retired), Melon Mambo ribbon (retired), Bitty Banners Framelits

Hot Chocolate, Anyone?

OK, I know.  I used more retired DSP on this card.  I desperately wanted to use plaid on this card (remember how I love plaid?)  but I don't have the Festival of Prints DSP pack.  That somehow got left off my last order, but I will quickly remedy that with my next one!  So, even though I'm using a plaid from last year's Frostwood Lodge DSP, it is easily substituted with the plaid in Festival of Prints (which is only $6.95!!!!)

Aside from my beloved plaid, this card uses my newest favorite, the Woodgrain embossing folder.  You'll notice that the woodgrain really stands out on the Cherry Cobbler.  It's because I used the new Core'dinations card stock.  Simply run it through the Big Shot with an embossing folder and you normally would, but when it comes out, whip out your sanding blocks and sand off a bit of the top layer.  The inside is a lighter color and makes the textured design pop.  I can't wait to get this in the other colors!

The mug and steam both come from Scentsational Seasons, and are embossed with the Peppermint Sticks embossing powder.  I'm not a coffee drinker...that's peppermint hot chocolate in that mug, folks. :)  The sentiment is stamped right on the cotton ribbon...doesn't it look great on that?  I love how easy it is to stamp on this ribbon.  And then a bit of Early Espresso baker's twine completes the card.

Stamps:  Scentsational Season, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Timber Wheel

Ink:  Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink, VersaMark

Paper:  Naturals White, Whisper White, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations card stock, Festival of Prints DSP (not shown, but makes a great replacement!)

Accessories:  Woodgrain Embossing Folder, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, 7/8" Cotton Ribbon

Perfectly Preserved

How cute are these apples?  Have I mentioned how much I love this set?  And the Orchard Harvest DSP?  And the Cannery Framelits Set?  And the Woodgrain Embossing Folder?  Too much?  Sorry. 

The colors in the Orchard Harvest aren't necessarily ones you'd think to combine for fall, especially the Raspberry Ripple, which is what I used as the base of the card.  But you know, they work.  In fact, I really like the More Mustard on top of it.  The little apples in the DSP coordinates with the apple stamps in the Perfectly Preserved set.  They are so cute!  It's hard to see, but I used the Dazzling Diamond Dust technique on the apples.  So even though they don't really look it, they are all sparkly.  I also tied a piece of linen twine around the lid to the jar, just to give it a finishing touch.

Stamps: Perfectly Preserved

Ink:  More Mustard, Raspberry Ripple, Old Olive (I don't have a Lucky Limeade marker, so I used Old Olive...either will work!), and Early Espresso markers, Early Espresso Classic Ink Pad

Paper:  Raspberry Ripple, More Mustard, Lucky Limeade, and Very Vanilla card stock, Orchard Harvest DSP

Accessories:  Cannery Framelits Set, Bitty Banners Framelits Set,  2 1/2" Circle Punch, 7/8" Cotton Ribbon, Sponge, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Big Shot