Thursday, May 31, 2012

Baby Shower Invitations and Thank You


These are the baby shower invitations and thank you cards I made for a friends daughter-in-law who is expecting their first child.  It will be nice for the mother to be to have a supply of coordinating thank you cards on hand to send out after her shower. 

Both the invitations and cards were made using Night of Navy, Old Olive, and Whisper White cardstock.  The sailboat is from a retired stamp, and the wording for the invitation was printed using my computer.  I added Old Olive 5/8" Satin Ribbon (retiring today) to the invitation, and also embossed the top of the invitation with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, (after I stamped my image).  The thank you card was made by folding my Night of Navy cardstock in half, and cutting the scallop circle using the Scallop Circle Bigz Die.  When cutting the cardstock, in order to make the bib and not cut two separate circles, I left the top four scallops exposed and placed my fold line just below those four scallops.  I then cut a small opening with my 1" circle punch.  The additional circles were cut with my Circle Scissors Plus (also retiring today).  Some silver brads were added at the top to secure my Night of Navy ribbon (retiring).

Remember, today is the last day to get your retiring items, if they haven't already sold out.  So, don't wait any longer if there are some items you really don't want to be without.

The following were used:
Cardstock:  Night of Navy #100867, Old Olive #100702, Whisper White #100730
Ink:  Night of Navy #102977
Ribbon:  Night of Navy 1/4" Grosgrain #109036 and Old Olive 5/8" Satin #117292 (both retiring today)
Embellishment:  Metallic Brads #119741
Tools:  Circle Scissors Plus #112530 (retiring), Big Shot #113439, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder #117335, Scallop Circle Bigz Die #113468
Punch:  1" Circle #119868

Friday, May 25, 2012

Circle Circus Birthday


I have two good friends, and my son-in-law who all share the same bithday as me.  So, I thought I better get started making some birthday cards. 

My card base is Whisper White cardstock, and my circles were stamped on using Cajun Craze, Night of Navy and Early Espresso ink.  I cut out around the bottom of the circles for a different look.  This is not my original idea, but I have seen it on other cards and thought it added a unique look.  I then embossed the front of my card using the Houndstooth Embossing Folder.  I added a strip of Night of Navy cardstock to the bottom of the inside of the card to make the circles stand out when the card is folded.  My "happy birthday" was just stamped onto a scrap piece of Whisper White cardstock, and the edges were cut into the triangular shape using my Paper Snips, and this was placed on with dimensionals.

Now, off to make some more birthday cards, and then on my way to the beach to celebrate!

The following were used:
Cardstock:  Whisper White #100730, Night of Navy #100867
Ink:  Cajun Craze #119671, Night of Navy #102977, Early Espresso #119670
Stamp Sets:  Circle Circus #115778, Best Dad Ever #120399 wood or #120681 clear
Adhesive:  Dimensionals #104430, Snail #104332
Tools:  Big Shot #113439, Houndstooth Embossing Folder #123134, Paper Snips #103579


Thursday, May 24, 2012

Graduation Card using the Brick Technique


Thanks to Stampin' Up! demonstrator Aimee Cretsinger who was the inspiration for today's card.  It makes a great graduation card, and was easy to make using the Simply Scored Scoring Tool.

To my Cajun Craze cardbase, I added a layer of Very Vanilla cardstock that was first scored in random 1/4" increments, and then sponged with Cajun Craze and Early Espresso ink.  I then added more to the background by stamping images from the soon to be retired Stamp Set, Extreme Elements.  The center sentiment is from the Word Play Stamp Set, a great set that can be used for 12 different occasions.

In person you can really see the scored lines which give the illusion of brick.  To further that design, I cut out random scored pieces and the also scored the Cajun Craze pieces that show through.

The following were used:
Cardstock:  Cajun Craze #119684, Very Vanilla #101650
Ink:  Cajun Craze #119671, Early Espresso #119670
Stamp Sets:  Extreme Elements #115181 (retiring 5/31), Word Play #120308 wood or #120651 clear
Tools:  Simply Scored Scoring Tool #122334, Stamping Sponges #101610

Friday, May 18, 2012

Baby Boy and Girl Cards


A good friend just became the proud grandmother of her first granddaughter, and another friend is expecting her grandson to arrive sometime next week.  So, I made two of the same card, just changing the colors to make one for a girl, and one for a boy. I have seen a lot of cards made using the scallop circle punch to make a bib, and I think it is a really cute idea for baby cards.

The bibs on both cards were made using the 1 3/4" Scallop Circle and the 1 3/8" Circle.  I punched the curved opening using my 1" Circle punch, and added brads and Baker's Twine.  You can use any of your favorite baby stamps for the image on the bib, and my little duck is from the Baby Bundle Stamp Set.

The following were used:
Cardstock:  Pretty in Pink #10059, Wisteria Wonder #122922. Daffodil Delight #119683, Bashful Blue #105120, Whisper White #100730
Designer Series Paper:  Subtles Paper Stack #117152, Brights Paper Stack #117155
Stamp Sets:  Baby Bundle #118525 wood or #120576 clear, Friendly Phrases #126149 wood or #126151 clear
Ink:  Daffodil Delight #119667, Wisteria Wonder #122936, Bashful Blue #105209
Punches:  1 3/4" Scallop Circle #119854, 1 3/8" Circle #119860
Ribbon:  White Baker's Twine #124262
Embellishment:  Subtles Brads #119738
Accessories:  Mat Pack #105826, Paper Piercing Tool #116631

Monday, May 14, 2012

One More Big Top Birthday


I really like the bold colors in the Big Top Birthday Designer Series paper.  I reach for it when I need to make either a masculine or kids themed birthday card. 

Today I paired my paper with the Pennant Parade Stamp Set, and stamped my pennants with the same bold colors as the paper.  That is another reason I love my Stampin' Up! products.  Everything coordinates so well together, and it helps take the guess work out of what will look good together.  I did use Tempting Turquoise ribbon to accent the seperation of my Whisper White cardstock and designer paper, but it doesn't quite look like Tempting Turquoise in the picture. 

The following were used:
Cardstock:  Real Red #102482, Whisper White #100730, Tempting Turquoise #102067
Designer Series Paper:  Big Top Birthday #122348 (retiring 5/31)
Ribbon:  Tempting Turquoise 1/4" Grosgrain #124323 (retiring 5/31)
Ink:  Real Red #103133, Tempting Turquoise #100814    Marker:  Tempting Turquoise #100058
Stamp Sets:  Pennant Parade #122740 wood or #122742 clear, On Your Birthday #111664 (retiring 5/31)
Punches:  Word Window #119857, Modern Label #119849

Friday, May 11, 2012

Berry Blossom Get Well


I love the Berry Blossoms Designer Series Paper, and will hate to see it go.  It is great for spring and summer cards with all of its bright colors  But, I can't wait to see what new papers Stampin' Up! has in store for us with the new catalog arriving soon.

My card base is Wisteria Wonder Cardstock, with a punched strip of Lucky Limeade and a layer of Whisper White.  I added my Berry Blossoms Designer Series Paper, and then tied my Calypso Coral ribbon around these layers.  I stamped my images onto scrap pieces of Whisper White cardstock, and then punched them out using the 1 1/4" Square punch.  For accent, I punched Wisteria Wonder cardstock with the 1 3/8" Square punch and layered them under my stamped images.  Small flowers were punched in Calypso Coral cardstock using one of the flowers from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, and then accented with pearls.

The following were used:
Cardstock:  Wisteria Wonder #122922, Lucky Limeade #122926, Whisper White #100730, Calypso Coral #122925
Ink:  Lucky Limeade #12935
Ribbon:  Calypso Coral 3/8" Ruffled #122976
Stamp Sets:  Just Believe #116948 wood or #120453 clear, Delightful Dozen #122650 wood or #122652 clear
Punches:  1 3/8" Square #119877, 1 1/4" Square #119865, Itty Bitty Punch Pack #118309, Scallop Edge Border #119882
Embellishment:  Basic Pearls #119247


Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Father's Day coming up soon!


Wow, I feel like I just prepared cards for Mother's Day for my stamp class, and now already it is time to start thinking of dad.  This is one of the cards that will be featured at this month's class, and it would also make a nice masculine birthday card by just changing the sentiment.

My card base is Soft Suede Cardstock, and I added an embossed layer of Crumb Cake, and then a piece of Well Worn Designer Series Paper.  Before I placed on my tie layers, I added some Cajun Craze 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.  I am going to miss this ribbon that is retiring the end of this month.

To stamp on my ties, I took a Night of Navy and Cajun Craze marker and colored directly onto the stamp.  These images were then cutout using a Labels Collection Framelits.  The larger one in Night of Navy was added to accent the Whisper White Framelit.  I really like the Framelits Dies and glad they are being carried over into the new catalog in June.

The following were used:
Cardstock:  Soft Suede #115318, Crumb Cake #120953, Whisper White #100730, Night of Navy #100867
Designer Series Paper:  Well Worn #122359
Ink:  Night of Navy #102977   Markers:  Night of Navy #100069, Cajun Craze #119678
Stamp Set:  Best Dad Ever #120399 wood or #120681 clear
Ribbon:  Cajun Craze 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain #125055 (retiring)
Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Framelits Labels Collection #125598, Square Lattice Embossing Folder #119976
Punch:  3/16" Corner #119871

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Wedding or Bridal Shower Favors



The new Petite Purse Bigz L Die, which is from the Summer Smooch promotion and can be ordered now, and will also be in the new catalog, is great for making wedding or bridal shower favors.  I decided to go with a black and white theme for these favors, but you can make them any color if you wanted to match the colors used to dress the wedding party as well as the bride.

You can get two purses from one sheet of 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock so they are also very economical to make.  As you can see, they can be decorated in a variety of ways, and the papers can also be embossed before you put the purse together.   In addition to your embellishments, you just need two small strips of Sticky Strip to keep the purses togeher.    

When you see these purses in person, the embossing on the cardstock really stands out and adds a touch of elegance.  

The following were used:
Cardstock:  Basic Black #121045, Whisper White #100730
Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Petite Purse Bigz L Die #125606 (Summer Smooch Promotion)
Embellishments:  Basic Pearls #119247, Neutral Brads #119736, Antique Brads #117273, Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder #114517, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder #117335,
Punch:  Boho Blossom #119858 
Adhesive:  Sticky Strip #104294


Monday, May 7, 2012


I almost forgot about the pretty laser cut doilies in the Flirtatious Specialty Designer Series Paper.  When I first got the paper in May of last year, I made a lot of cards with them, but that is what happens when I get so many other pretty papers to design with.  So, I have decided to go through all of my Designer Series Paper while I am preparing for this month's stamp class, and want to try to design a card using a piece of paper from all of my different packs.

My card base of Daffodil Delight cardstock was layered with a piece of Whisper White cardstock and a piece of the Flirtatious Specialty Paper.  These layers were embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder before I placed a piece of Daffodil Delight 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.  To the Pumpkin Pie laser cut doily I added my sentiment and a Daffodil Delight Flower Brad.  The doily was placed on using dimensionals. 

The following were used:
Cardstock:  Daffodil Delight #119683, Whisper White #100730
Designer Series Paper:  Flirtatious Specialty #122360 (retiring)
Stamp Set:  Perfect Punches #117022 wood or #120516 clear
Ink:  Pumpkin Pie 105216
Embellishment:  Brights Flower Brads #119734 (retiring)
Punch:  Curly Label #119841
Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder #120175
Ribbon:  Daffodil Delight 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (retiring)
Adhesive:  Dimensionals #104430


Thursday, May 3, 2012

Redesigned stamp class cards




I had time to start using up the leftover cut materials from last month's stamp class.  Instead of making the same card several times, I just stuck to the basic layout and added different stamps or embellishments to get a variety of cards.  An easy, quick way to build up my card inventory.

The card base on all of the cards is Old Olive cardstock, with added layers of Concord Crush cardsock, Wisteria Wonder Designer Series Paper, and then additional layers of Old Olive and Whisper White.  I will list the additional materials used below for each card. 

Find a design or layout you like and you too can easily and quickly create a nice variety of cards. 

The following were used:
Cardstock:  Old Olive #100702, Concord Crush #119792 (retiring 5/31), Whisper White #100730
Designer Series Paper:  2011-13 In Color Paper Stacks #122384
Ink:  Concord Crush #119785 (retiring 5/31), Old Olive #102277, Crumb Cake #121030
Stamp Sets:  Love & Sympathy #122795 wood or #122797 clear, Circle Circus #115778, Printed Petals #116679 wood or #120444 clear, Baby Bundle #118525 wood or 120576 clear, Nature's Pace #122660 wood or #122662 clear
Ribbon:  Old Olive 5/8" Satin #117292 (retiring 5/31), Whisper White 5/8" Satin #114616 (retiring 5/31), Concord Crush 1/2" Stitched Poly #119266 (retiring 5/31)
Punches:  Scallop Oval #119856, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle #118874, 1/2" Circle #119869
Embellisment:  In Color Glimmer Brads #121005
Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder #120175, Square Lattice Embossing Folder #119976, Stamping Sponges #101610

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Another Masculine Themed Birthday Card


I am always looking for inspiration to create masculine themed cards, and I saw a card made by Stampin' Up! demonstrator Annette John that I liked.   I changed it up a bit, but want to thank Annette for her original design.

My card base is Not Quite Navy cardstock, with an added layer of Crumb Cake, and First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper.  The layers on top were cut from Well Worn Designer Series Paper, a favorite of mine when I need to make masculine cards.  To get the angled cuts on my three strips, I just eyed it up and cut using my Paper Snips.  I strung some Early Espresso/White Baker's Twine around the top layers, using a piece of scotch tape to hold it on in the back.  My sentiment was inked with Not Quite Navy ink and punched with the Extra Large Oval punch and is from the On Your Birthday Stamp Set which is retiring the end of May.

The following were used:
Cardstock:  Not Quite Navy #101722, Crumb Cake #120953, Very Vanilla #11650
Designer Series Paper:  First Edition Specialty #121878, Well Worn #122359
Ink:  Not Quite Navy #103008
Stamp Set:  On Your Birthday #111664 (retiring May 31st)
Ribbon:  Early Espresso/White Baker's Twine #123124
Punch:  Extra Large Oval #119859