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

Big Shot Organization

I've taken a bit of a blogging break, and honestly, it's been kind of great.  I haven't been feeling all that creative lately...the organizational side of me has taken over.  It seems that I can't be both at once, so when I'm feeling creative, I'm pretty messy!  Anyway, I've been cleaning out my house, and have gotten rid of more bags of stuff than I can count.  And there's still more!  But it's so nice to be rid of so much clutter.

As part of my organizing project, I tackled my stamp corner.  I've just had my Big Shot sitting on top of a card board box off to the side of my desk, with the dies, Framelits, and embossing folders in various other spots.  I really wanted everything to be together, and what I had going on just wasn't working for me.  I had a brilliant plan to use this IKEA cart to put everything on, but when I got to the store, I discovered that the bottom shelf was about 1/2" too short to fit things the way I wanted.  I was so sad, but I immediately started thinking of a way to get what I wanted.  Initially, I was going to build a cart.  But I wasn't really wanting to take on that project, so I decided to check out the thrift store.  And guess what...I found a little shelf that was the perfect size!  Better yet, it was really cheap.  I wanted to have a cart, though, not a shelf, so I needed to put wheels on it.  I removed the little wooden feet on the shelf and replaced them with wheels so I could pull it over to where I'm working (I store it on the side of my desk).  The hardware ended up costing about as much as the shelf did! 

As you can see in the picture, the Big Shot fits on top, at a perfect height whether I'm sitting or standing.  The bottom shelf holds two Large Die Boxes perfectly.  All my dies are in those boxes, along with a few other random items.

The second shelf holds a Medium Die Box full of embossing folders and a container that holds all my Framelits.

I don't like the packaging the Framelits come in, so I put each set in an empty clear mount case with a strip of magnetic adhesive to hold them in place.  Right now I have them all lined up in a plastic container, but they will also fit in one of the Large Die Boxes.  Eventually I'll get one to store them in.  For now, I kind of like having the labels easy to see from the side.  However, the container is full, so the next set I get won't fit in there.

So there you go, my handy-dandy Big Shot cart that is far more sturdy than the one I set out to get in the first place, and it cost me less!

Check back on Saturday when I'll finally have a new project to post!

Retro Fresh Awesome Thanks

I thought I'd play along with the most recent challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  This week it's a color challenge, and it's a combination I've used a lot lately.  I love these colors together, and especially love the Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper.  I'll be sad to see that go, but I'm super happy that the washi tape is sticking around.  Oh my, I wasn't even trying for that pun!  But I'm a dork, so I'm giggling.

Tips & Tricks

• I love to use the Arrows Embossing Folder to emboss a scrap, then trim it to use as a paper embellishment.  I used it as an arrow on this card, and then today I'm using it as a little flag.  It's a fun and simple way to add texture and interest to a card.

• I might just shed a tear over the fact that the stretch ruffle trim is retiring.  I really love this stuff...it's so pretty and it's easy to use.  I've found that the best adhesive to use with it is Sticky Strip.  It holds well, but the fabric will lift off of it (unlike paper) to allow for repositioning.  I've used it here as a fun way to kind of mat the Very Vanilla card stock.

Supplies

Stamps:  Yippee-Skippee
Ink:  Coastal Cabana and Tangerine Tango Stampin' Write Markers
Paper:  Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana, and Very Vanilla card stock, Retro Fresh DSP
Accessories:  Big Shot, Arrows Embossing Folder, Coastal Cabana Stretch Ruffle Trim, buttons, Linen Thread

Retro Fresh Happy Card {Retiring Products}

Oh, how I love the Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper!  I'm so sad that it's going away at the end of this month.  The good news, however, is that the Retro Fresh Designer Washi Tape isn't!  That's right, it's in the new catalog that comes out in June!  I got a sneak peek at it yesterday and was SO happy to see it in the new catalog.  So while I won't be able to get the DSP, I can still enjoy this color combination with the Washi tape.  And since I'm so happy about that, what better card to show off today, right?

I've decided that I have too much ribbon.  Actually, I already knew that, but finally came to terms with the fact that it's completely out of control and I have to use it up.  So those little orange banners you see peeking out?  Yup, old, long-retired ribbon.  And using those little pieces didn't even make a dent in my stash.  I'd better get to work using that ribbon.  I'm told myself that I can't buy any new ribbon until the old is gone (or at least mostly gone), and that's going to be hard.  I'll have to be creative and find some interesting ways to use my ribbon!

Supplies

Stamps:  Yippee-Skippee
Ink:  Coastal Cabana, Baked Brown Sugar, and Tangerine Tango Stampin' Write Markers
Paper:   Very Vanilla, Coastal Cabana, Baked Brown Sugar, and So Saffron card stock, Retro Fresh DSP
Accessories:  Big Shot, Arrows Embossing Folder, Chalk Talk Framelits, Coastal Cabana Stretch Ruffle Trim, Tangerine Tango ribbon, Sticky Strip, Paper Snips

Thanks So Much

I don't know about you, but I was shocked to see the Square Lattice embossing folder on the retiring list!  I love that folder, and use it all the time.  I just love the unique texture it gives, but hopefully there will be something similar in the new catalog.

Because I love this folder so much, I thought I'd show it off with this card.  I really like to layer it on a same colored card base, as it gives a subtle bit of texture and interest without drawing attention away from the main image. 

I'm also linking this card to the Fab Friday challenge.  This one was a color challenge and was really tough for me!  These are NOT colors I would normally use together, but I was pleasantly surprised to see them work as well together as they do.  That's why I like to do challenges...they push me outside my comfort zone.  Considering the creative block I've had going for the last few weeks, this was just the push I needed!

Supplies

Stamps:  Just Believe (retired), Tiny Tags (retired), Papillion Potpourri
Ink:  Early Espresso, Summer Starfruit, Crisp Cantaloupe, Smokey Slate
Paper:  Early Espresso, Summer Starfruit, Crisp Cantaloupe, Smokey Slate, and Naturals White card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Chalk Talk Framelits, Jewelry Tag Punch, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Sweet Sorbet Accessories Pack, Basic Jewels Pearls

Stampin' Up! Hardwood Thank You Card

Well, I'm a little late in posting this week, but it was because I didn't have any time to stamp this weekend!  And this card is for the person responsible for that.  My friend Cathy organized a mini-retreat for homeschool moms this weekend, and it was WONDERFUL!  Homeschooling is really hard sometimes (and I know it's not for everyone).  It's totally worth it, because I know it's best for my family.  But it's still easy to get burnt out, especially at this time of year when you just. want. to. be. done.  Actually, I'd bet money that every single teacher out there feels that way right about now...especially the ones who have been doing standardized testing over the past few weeks!

Anyway, I had a wonderfully relaxing weekend, even though it didn't involve stamping. 

Supplies

Stamps:  Itty Bitty Banners, Hardwood
Ink:  Soft Suede and Crumb Cake 
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Naturals White, and Cherry Cobbler card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Hearts Collection Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, retired ribbon...for a similar look, try the 7/16" Trim instead!

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. :) 

Spiral Flower Burlap Wreath

I mentioned on Monday that I've been playing with the Spiral Flower Die, and as you can see, I've been busy!  This die makes creating felt roses a breeze.  They were so easy and they look beautiful!  I've also been playing around with making a burlap wreath, and I think I've decided I like this one.  I'm all about neutrals, and the larger flowers add just a bit of springtime pop.  Because this wreath is made of fabric, it could be hung on the outside of a door.  I may hang mine on the front of my house.

Tips & Tricks

• Cut a few pieces of felt at once!  I fold my sheet of felt in half and run it through the Big Shot, but you could add at least one more layer of felt.

• Jumbo Sticky Rounds are the key to easily making rolled fabric flowers.  I've seen some tutorials online that tell you to use glue, and that just seems so messy to me.  By tying a knot at the end of the strip of fabric, just roll around and around as your flower forms right on the Jumbo Sticky Round.  It is SO easy!

Supplies:

Spiral Flower Die, Big Shot, Jumbo Sticky Rounds, Beau Chateau Designer Fabric, burlap, 14" straw wreath, hot glue gun and glue

Just Sayin'

I've waited a long time to order from the Occasions Catalog, and the Just Sayin'/Word Bubbles Framelits bundle was the first thing on my list.  So I think it's funny that the first card I made only used the words from one stamp, and didn't use the Framelits at all!  Don't worry, I'll be playing with those a lot more this week and will have plenty of cards to show in the next couple of weeks!

I decided to play with the current Fab Friday color challenge this week.  I wasn't in love with the color combination at first, but I figured it was a great way to stretch and try something new.  I'm so glad I did, because I really like these colors together!  In fact, check back on Wednesday for another card using these same colors!  I might be sort of addicted to this combination.

Tips & Tricks

• You might notice that I didn't use a single heart/Valentine stamp on this card.  That's because I don't have any current ones, and my old retired ones just weren't singing out to me.  That's when my Hearts Collection Framelits and Small Heart Punch come in handy!  I used three different stamps, then just punched or cut out the heart shapes.  It's a great way to add texture to cards.  The dots, chevron, and splatter prints all came from different stamp sets, but are really fun together.  And none of them were heart shaped stamps.

• Use a marker and color right on your stamps to either get a multi-colored image or just select a part of an image (like I did here.)  I didn't want the word bubble around the words this time, so I just used my Real Red marker to color the words and stamp on my card.

Supplies

Stamps:  Just Sayin', Oh Hello, Gorgeous Grunge, Banner Blast
Ink:  Real Red and Coastal Cabana
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Real Red, Coastal Cabana, and Whisper White card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Hearts Collection Framelits, Chevron Embossing Folder, Small Heart Punch, Whisper White Baker's Twine

Cut-out Heart Valentine Card

Since Valentine's Day is quickly approaching, I thought it would be fun to share another Valentine card.  This one is unique and was fun to make.  I used my Hearts Collection Framelits to cut a heart from the center of this square card.  Windows are always a fun addition to any card!

Here's a close-up of the heart that you see through the window.  I experimented to get this embossed look, and was happy with the way it turned out.

Tips & Tricks

• Did you know that you can mix embossing powders?  I combined Gold and Iridescent Ice to get a sparkly gold color.  You could mix Iridescent Ice with any color to give it a little bit of sparkle.  I store my mixed color embossing powders in empty embellishment containers.

• Have you ever tried the faux metal technique?  Cover the surface you're embossing with VersaMark ink, then sprinkle with embossing powder and heat with your heat tool.  Repeat this two more times.  As soon as you've embossed the third time, stamp your image or greeting into the still warm surface.  The stamp will sort of sink down into the soft, melted powder, giving the look of embossed metal.  It does use a fair amount of embossing powder, but it's a fun technique.

Supplies

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes, Pennant Parade
Ink:  VersaMark, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake
Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Naturals Ivory
Accessories:  Big Shot, Hearts Collection Framelits, Iridescent Ice and Gold Embossing Powders, Heat Tool, Pretty Print Embossing Folder, Bitty Banners Framelits, Crochet Lace, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Sponge

Apothecary Art Birthday

Happy February!  I have a few more birthday cards to show off this week.  This one is very different than most cards I make, but still lovely. 

Tips & Tricks

• Aquapainters are always my tool of choice when water coloring.  They just make it so easy.  Squeeze the lid of a closed ink pad, then dip the Aquapainter in the ink that transfers to the inside of the lid.  It makes painting so easy!

• Don't forget to distress!  I think that's what gives this card just the right finishing touch.  I used Crumb Cake ink to lightly sponge around the edges of the center element.  When ordering sponges, they come in a pack of three.  You should then cut each one into four quarters.  They will be much easier to manage and you'll actually end up with 12 sponges!

Supplies

Stamps:  Apothecary Art
Ink:  Calypso Coral, So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz, and Crumb Cake Classic Ink, StazOn Black Ink
Paper:  Calypso Coral and Naturals White card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder, Aquapainters, Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon, Sponge

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)

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

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

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

Winter Frost Circle Flip Cards

As I mentioned last week, I'll have a bazillion kids coming to my house this week to make all kinds of fun Christmas gifts.  These cards are one of the items they'll be making.  I didn't have enough supplies for all the kids to make the same thing, so half will be making the top one, and the other half will be making the bottom one.

Tips & Tricks

• These cards both use non-traditional Christmas colors, but I love them both.  I guess they are more of a winter look than a Christmas look, but a simple "Merry Christmas" on the front conveys the message. :)  Don't be afraid to use colors other than red and green!  It's good to think out of the box, but also nice that Stampin' Up!'s Designer Series Papers help you do that.  I was really surprised to discover that the gray card is one of my favorites this year.

• I mentioned on Friday how stamping tone-on-tone adds just the right amount of interest to one of the panels on a flip card.  Well, embossing does the same thing!  I put the extra flap on the right into the Northern Flurry embossing folder and fell in love with the look.  It's subtle, but perfect.  

Supplies
Stamps:  Christmas Punch (retired), Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Silver Encore Ink and Basic Gray Classic Ink
Paper:  Pool Party, Smoky Slate, Basic Gray, and Whisper White card stock, Winter Frost DSP Stack
Accessories:  Big Shot, Circle Card Thinlits, Northern Flurry Embossing Folder, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

So, which card is your favorite?  Do you make Christmas cards that aren't red and green?

Scentsational Season of Style Christmas Card

Do you like that title?  It's like one of those Jeopardy categories where they mash two phrases together, although for the life of me, I can't remember what that category is called.  For this card, I combined the retired stamp set Scentsational Season with the Season of Style Designer Series Paper.  I've already admitted that I'm a tad obsessed with making these flip cards...I can't help myself, they're so fun!  I'll also admit that a lot of my cards this month will be using some retired products.  That's a bummer for those of you looking for fun new stamps and tools to add to your collection, but a bonus for those who are looking for ways to use the things that have collected a bit of dust in recent months (or years).  It just seems a shame to me to use only current products when I have so many fun things sitting on my shelf!

One of those items is Scentsational Season, which in my opinion, was the cutest Christmas stamp set that Stampin' Up! sold last year.  I can't believe they retired it.  One of my most viewed and pinned cards of all time uses this set, which obviously proves that lots of people love this set as much as I do! :)

Tips & Tricks

• I only make flip cards with the extra flap on the right side...it just makes sense to give yourself a bit more room to write and not to waste card stock.  Cut your card stock 5 3/8" x 8 1/2" and let the right side stick out on top of the Circle Card Thinlits Die.  This will give you a nice score line instead of cutting the card stock.

• For a fun look, stick that extra flap into an embossing folder and run it through your Big Shot.  It adds a bit of interest without using more paper!

• Remember all the scented embossing powder that was available last year?  I have tons of it, and it is fun to use, since it makes my stamp space smell so yummy!  Did you know that you can combine colored embossing powder with the clear scented powder?  Play around with amounts to see what you like...the gingerbread man shown here was embossed using equal parts of Early Espresso and Sugar & Spice Scented embossing powders.

So Sorry {Circle Card Thinlits}

Soft and subtle is always the way to go when making a sympathy card, and these two patterns from Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper are just that.  The two colors, Tangerine Tango and Sahara Sand, also happen to be a great combination on the tree/branch image from Thoughts & Prayers. 

It's good to keep sympathy cards simple, as well.  Someone once told me that the most meaningful card she received when her father passed away was one from a family friend that simply read, "I'm so sorry."  She knew that sentiment was heartfelt, and no other words were needed.  Now, this card allows for room to write a few more words than that, but if you speak from the heart, long sentiments aren't necessary.

Tips & Tricks

• One of the very first techniques I learned was to use markers!  I stamped the entire image in Sahara Sand, then colored the flowers right on the rubber with my Tangerine Tango marker.  If using two darker colors, don't layer your colors!  You'll end up ruining the tips of your markers.  However, it's perfectly fine to use a darker marker over top of a lighter color ink.

Supplies

Stamps:  So Sorry, Thoughts & Prayers
Ink:  Sahara Sand and Early Espresso Classic Ink, Tangerine Tango Stampin' Write Marker
Paper:   Sahara Sand, Tangerine Tango, and Naturals White card stock, Sweater Weather DSP
Accessories:  Big Shot, Circle Card Thinlits, Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Pearls Basic Jewels, 2-1/2" Circle Punch

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