Natural Composition Specialty Paper

Glossy, raised patterns printed on heavy-weight Natural paper.  That is how this paper is described in the Stampin' Up! Catalog, but until you actually see it yourself you don't realize how pretty it really is.  No heat embossing needed because the patterns appear brown and glossy all by themselves.  It is also great for making boxes because it is a very sturdy paper.

I embossed my Marina Mist cardstock with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, and then added a layer of Riding Hood Red cardstock, and a layer of the Specialty Paper.   I stamped and then punched out my flower and sentiment, and added a piece of 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon to finish the card.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Marina Mist #119682, Riding Hood Red #111348, Whisper White #100730

Designer Series Paper:  Natural Composition #126917

Ink:  Marina Mist #126962, Crumb Cake #126975

Stamp Sets:  Perfect Punches #117022 wood or #120516 clear, Mixed Bunch #125535 wood or #125537 clear

Ribbon:  Marina Mist 1/8" Taffeta #119257

Punches:  Blossom #125603, 3/4" Circle #119873, Extra-Large Oval #11859

Tools:  Big Shot #113439, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder #120175

Words of Courage

 I was asked to help out at a fundraiser this past Saturday for an organization called Humble Hearts for Hope.  They were doing a fund drive asking people to stop by and donate supplies for care packages  for deployed troops, and wanted people to be able to make a handstamped card that would be placed in each  package.  I designed very simple cards because there were a lot of different activities planned, and anyone could stop by to make a card.    People of all ages joined in and made cards, and wrote their personal sentiments inside.  Over 70 cards were made and the day was a big success.

Just a few of the people who stopped by to make their own handstamped card for a deployed soldier.  Thanks to my friend Sue who helped out at the table.

Some of the donated item that will be packaged into boxes and sent to the deployed troops.

Brenda Detweiler VP of Humble Hearts for Hope at the HHFH information booth and collecting donated items.

So, the cards made may have been simple, but the sentiments people wrote inside came from the heart.  I am sure the deployed soldier who receives one in his or her package will appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers from people at home.

If you would like to find out more about this organization you can visit their website at www.hhfh.org/ .

One of the Stampin' Up! Stamp Sets I used to prepare the cards is called Words of Courage #126335 wood or #126337 clear.  A great set with the perfect sentiments for cards for the troops.

Serene Thanks

By stamping my image directly onto First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper, I got a nice soft background image. It almost looks like the flowers are a part of the paper. 

I used More Mustard cardstock (a color I often forget to use, but really love for this card) for my card base, and added a layer of Basic Black and First Edition Specialty DSP.  I then stamped my flowers using More Mustard ink, directly onto the paper.  Some More Mustard 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon was turned around to the blank side and added at the bottom of the card.  I layered some squares for my thanks sentiment and placed it on using dimensionals.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  More Mustard#100946, Basic Black #121045, Whisper White #100730

Designer Series Paper:  First Edition Specialty #121878

Ink:  More Mustard #126964

Stamp Sets:  Serene Silhouettes #127322 wood or #127324 clear, Pretty Postage #123095 wood or #123097 clear

Punches:  1" Square #124094, 1 1/4" Square #119865, 1 3/8" Square #119877

Ribbon:  More Mustard 1/2" Scallop Dots #124140

Baby Bundle Thank You

I had another request to make some baby boy thank you cards.  So, with the help of the new Apothecary Accents Framelits I had a nice focal point to stamp my baby items.

My card base is Night of Navy cardstock, and I added an embossed layer of Bashful Blue.  Using Whisper White cardstock I cut one of the Apothecary Accents and stamped my images with Night of Navy Ink, and colored them in with a Bashful Blue marker.  Some silver brads added a bit of embellishment, and the Night of Navy Grosgrain Ribbon is now retired, but one of my retired items I didn't want to part with.

I used the following:

Cardstock:  Night of Navy #100867, Bashful Blue #105120, Whisper White #100730

Ink:  Night of Navy #126970   Marker:  Subtles Collections (Bashful Blue) #119700

Stamp Sets:  Baby Bundle #118525 wood or #120576 clear, Teeny Tiny Wishes #115370 wood or #127802 clear

Punch:  Word Window #119857

Embellishment:  Metallic Brads #119741

Tools:  Big Shot #113439, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder #117335, Apothecary Accents Framelits #127003



Reason to Smile Blog Hop

Need a reason to smile? Hopefully by joining in the Reason to Smile blog hop, you will be inspired by all of the ideas surrounding this beautiful stamp set that is being offered during the month of July for $5.00 when you spend $50 on Stampin' Up! merchandise. Thanks for stopping by my blog, and I hope you take the time to check out all of the blogs on the hop which is listed at the end of my post.

I am #5 on the list. 

 Adding a quick bookmark makes a cute gift too!
Easy to make using the Two Tags Bigz Die.
Fold your piece of cardstock in half, and keep the bottom of the die exposed so instead of cutting two tags, you get one large tag with a fold.

The picture on the right shows how the bookmark looks when it is opened.

For added embellishment I ran the bookmark through my Big Shot and embossed it with the Fancy Fan Folder.  I attached my flower on with dimensionals after I punched it out with the 1 3/4" Scallop Circle.

To make my card I started with Baja Breeze cardstock.  To this I added two layers, one with Primrose Petals cardstock and Patio Party Designer Series Paper, and one with Summer Starfruit and Whisper White cardstock.  To my Whisper White layer I first stamped my full flower image with Primrose Petal ink, and then added the second detailed flower image with Summer Starfruit ink.   To dress up the center of the flowers I added a Basic Pearl, and for further embellishment I tied on a piece of Primrose Petals 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon.  My "To My Friend" sentiment was placed on with dimensionals and is from the Friendly Phrases Stamp Set.  In addition, I used one of my templates from the Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack to pierce the top corner of the card to add a different look.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Baja Breee #111352, Primrose Petals #126841, Summer Starfruit #126839, Whisper White #100730     Designer Series Paper:  Patio Party #126916  Ink:  Primrose Petals #126858, Summer Starfruit 126991   Stamp Sets:  Reason to Smile #131274 wood or #131275,  Friendly Phrases #126149 wood or #126151 clear    Ribbon:  Primrose Petals 3/8"  Stitched Satin #126844    Embellishment:  Pearl Basic Jewels #119247  Punches:  Large Oval #119855, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle #119854  Tools:  Paper-Piercing Tool #126189, Stampin' Pierce Mat #126199, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack #126187, Big Shot #113439, Two Tags Bigz Die #115954, Fancy Fan Folder #127751  Adhesive:  Dimensionals #104430, Snail #104332

Stop by to see the other Reason to Smile Blog Hop creations:

1. Elaine Uhl - http://createnstamp.blogspot.com/2012/07/handcrafted-smiles.html
2. Susan Carlson - http://stampinmomoffour.blogspot.com/2012/07/reason-to-smile-blog-h...
3. Lori Witt - http://www.stampinwithlori.com/2012/07/reason-to-smile-blog-hop.html
4. Andi Potler - http://www.absolutekreations.com/2012/07/10/reason-to-smile-blog-hop/
5. Eileen Lang - www.eileensstampingcorner.blogspot.com - You are here
6. Karin Biefeld - http://www.karinbiefeld.blogspot.com/

Another Nature's Pace for any occasion

Last week I posted a card I made using the Nature's Pace Stamp Set that I framed by sponging around the Label Framelit.  Today I made one by cutting two different size Label Framelits and embossing all of my layers.  I made several to use as all occasion note cards, therefore I did not add a sentiment.

My card base and the smaller Framelit were made using Very Vanilla cardstock, and the larger Framelit was cut with Old Olive cardstock.  I stamped my image using Old Olive ink, and then embossed all of the layers with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder. 

Remember - ink your cardstock before running it through the Big Shot to get even coverage.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Very Vanilla #101650, Old Olive #100702

Ink:  Old Olive #126953

Stamp Set:  Nature's Pace #122660 wood or #122662 clear

Tools:  Big Shot #113439, Labels Collection Framelits #125598, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder #120175

Baby Tees

The baby shower is over, the presents unwrapped, and now it is time for the mother-to-be to send out her thank you cards.  I made the invitations a few months back, and I was happy to help her out by making the thank you cards as well.

I started with Night of Navy cardstock, followed by a layer of Bashful Blue and Whisper White.  I used the Baby Tees Wheel which goes with the Jumbo Handle and rolled the wheel over my Night of Navy ink pad and then onto my white layer.  Using markers, I colored in the images and added my Thank You.  To dress up the layers a bit I used the 3/16" corner punch to round the edges.

I also added a layer of Whisper White to the inside of the card to make it easier to write the thank you.  I usually do this when my cardstock is really dark in color.

The following were used:

Cardstock:  Night of Navy #100867, Bashful Blue #105120, Whisper White #100730

Ink:  Night of Navy #126970  Markers:  Subtles Collection #119700, Brights Collection #119702

Tools:  Jumbo Handle #103661, Baby Tees Wheel #118621

Punch:  3/16" Corner #119871