Papillion Potpourri Mother's Day Card

Wow, am I late in getting a card posted today!  Since this coming Sunday is Mother's Day, I thought it would be appropriate to show this card this week.  And yes, there are lots of retired products used on this, but if you have these stamps sitting on your shelf, it's a good way to use them.  And you should use them!  Sometimes we let some really great sets just sit there, all forlorn and forgotten, when they should be seeing some ink and contributing to pretty cards! 

This card was really simple to make.  I just stamped the grass using the Inspired by Nature set, then stamped, punched, and added the butterflies from Papillion Potpourri.  And while I was certain that the Deco Labels Framelits would be on the retiring list, they weren't!  I am SO excited about this.  And guess what...there's a new set to use with them that's coming out in the new catalog!

Supplies

Stamps:  Inspired by Nature (retired), Papillion Potpourri, All Year Cheer II (retired)
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Raspberry Ripple, Pretty in Pink (retired)
Paper:  Raspberry Ripple, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Sahara Sand card stock
Accessories:  Elegant Butterfly Punch, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Big Shot, Deco Labels Framelits, Raspberry Ripple Stitched Satin Ribbon

Hey, speaking of the new catalog, let me know if I can set aside a copy for you!

Simple Shadow Box Card

This simple shadow box card is for one of my daughter's good friends.  We just found out that she has to have surgery, so I wanted to have a special card to give to her to let her know we're thinking of her and praying for her.  Thankfully it's a relatively minor issue, but she's going to have a rough few days as she recovers.  What better color combination for a little girl than pink and purple?  I love how Wisteria Wonder and Strawberry Slush look together!

I've made shadow box cards before, and even won an award for one (although technically these are called diorama cards).  But those were a bit more complicated to make.  This one is SO simple.   It really only took me a few minutes to make this!

Tips & Tricks

• Just cut two pieces (one for the front, one for the back) of card stock 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" and score at the 1/2", 1", 4 1/2", and 5" marks.

• After you've scored, cut out some type of hole in the center of your front piece.  I used the Deco Labels Framelits* here.

• Stamp the background.  I also spritzed some sparkles using the Glimmer Ink Refill and some rubbing alcohol in a spritzer bottle.  If you plan on stamping or embossing the front, go ahead and do that now.

• Once everything is stamped and embellished, adhere to two pieces together along the sides using Sticky Strip.

Supplies

Stamps:  Just Believe, Gorgeous Grunge, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Wisteria Wonder, Strawberry Slush, and Wild Wasabi, Glimmer Ink refill
Paper:  Wisteria Wonder and Naturals White card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Deco Labels Framelits*, Strawberry Slush Stretch Ruffle Ribbon, Dazzling Details, Bitty Banners Framelits, Linen Thread, Button, Spritzer bottle

*The RETIRED PRODUCTS LIST comes out on Monday.  Be sure to check back here for links to the list.  I have no inside knowledge, but I highly suspect that the Deco Labels Framelits will be on that list.  Due to the fact that Karen Burniston has not renewed her contract with the makers of our Framelits and other Sizzix products, I'm guessing that everything with her name next to it in the catalog will also be retiring. 

If you want to be sure to get the items from your wish list that appear on the retiring list, go here to place an online order.  If you use hostess code 9WKB7ZYE, you'll receive a gift from me. :)

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

Praying For You Card {New Hardwood Background Stamp!}

I've made a new goal for myself, one that I've thought about so many times before.  I'd like to try to send a card to someone different each week.  I've put a reminder in my calendar so that each week I'll remember to do this.  At the same time, it gives me a chance to be a little more intentional about praying for that person.  This is one of those cards.

I've gone on and on about my love of woodgrain, so how could I possibly pass up the new Hardwood background stamp?  I LOVE it.  I wanted something muted and simple, and I love the interest this stamp lends to a card.  I thought the tree from Thoughts & Prayers tied in nicely, too.

Tips & Tricks

• Less is more...I used a tone on tone look here, first by stamping in Soft Suede ink on Soft Suede card stock, and next by mounting that piece to a Soft Suede card base.  I also stamped the tree and sentiment with Soft Suede.

• For a softer look, use a sponge on the edges of the card elements.  I sponged the edge of the Hardwood piece, as well as the edge of the Deco Labels shape. 

Supplies

Stamps:  Thoughts & Prayers, Hardwood
Ink:  Soft Suede
Paper:  Soft Suede and Naturals Ivory card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Deco Labels Framelits, Sponge, Crochet Lace, Linen Thread

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!

Prince of Peace Single Stamp Christmas Ornament

Despite the fact that I'm not at all in a hurry for Christmastime to arrive, I can't seem to help making Christmas projects.  Today I have a simple, yet very elegant ornament, that could also double as a gift tag.  In fact, that's what I'm planning to do with this one!

Tips & Tricks

• Who doesn't love embossing?  I know I love it!  I actually tried making this with glitter instead of embossing powder, but it was just too much.  Let the simple elegance of the silver embossing powder shine on this project by making sure you've cleaned off all stray flecks before whipping out your heat tool.  This is an especially important step when embossing on a dark color as I have here with Night of Navy.

• Chipboard is my new favorite element, but Framelits don't quite cut all the way through, especially if you've adhered Silver Glimmer Paper to it first!  A quick trim with your Paper Snips will clean up the edges and make your project look flawless. 

Every year my sister-in-law asks me to bring supplies to make a craft or ornament on Thanksgiving.  And every year I dutifully drag my supplies to her house, only to have them sit untouched the entire afternoon.  We'll have a smaller crowd this year, so I'm hoping that we'll actually get to make the ornament, and this is the one we'll be making.  Or at least the one I'll take supplies to make.

Supplies

Stamps:  Prince of Peace Single Stamp
Ink:  VersaMark
Paper:  Chipboard, Silver Glimmer Paper, Night of Navy card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Deco Labels Framelits, Heat Tool, Silver Embossing Powder, Rhinestones Basic Jewels