Get Well Owl

Now who wouldn't feel better after receiving this cute little owl get well card?  Hopefully it makes the recipient feel better soon.

For today's card I started with Crumb Cake cardstock followed by a layer of Old Olive DSP from the Brights Paper Stack.  I love this Designer Series Paper Stack.  Each color family comes with 40 sheets of 2 double-sided designs, so there is always a color that coordinates well for your project.  I bought this paper when it first came out in July and have used it often, but still have so much more to choose from. The owl was punched in Early Espresso cardstock, the same color used for the layer on top of the DSP, and I added a bit of the Old Olive DSP and Crumb Cake to dress him up.  The Little Leaves were run through the Die Cut Machine and I used glue dots to adhere them to the card.   

To make today's card I use the following:

Cardstock:  Crumb Cake #120953, Early Espresso #119686, Very Vanilla #101650, Old Olive #100702

Designer Series Paper:  Brights Paper Stack #117155

Ink:  Old Olive #102277

Stamp Set:  Word Play #120308 wood or #120651 clear

Punches:  Extra Large Oval #119859, Two-Step Owl #118074

Accessories:  Big Shot Machine #113439, Little Leaves Sizzlits Die #114511, Glue Dots #103683

Embellishment:  uni-ball Signo Gel Pen #105021

Clear Block Storage

Old way of storing clear mount stamps.



New, more organized way of storing clear mount stamps.

When I attended regionals this past fall one of the new things I learned was a much easier way to store your clear mount stamps.  Instead of just throwing away the rubber backing that the stamps come in, when you are done assembling your stamps, put them back in the same spot they were packaged in.  This way, when you close your case, the stamps stay put.  It is much easier to find the one you are looking for, and keeps the small stamps from getting lost.  I wish I would of thought of it myself before I threw away the backing for the ones I already had assembled, but for all of the new ones I have bought since then, I really like this storage method. 

I'm sure many of you reading this have been doing it this way for a long time, but just thought I would share it with anyone who might not have heard this idea before.   There is always something new to learn, and I would love any of my readers to share any of their stamping tips too.  Please feel free to leave a comment after any of my posts.   Have a great weekend everyone, and for those of you living on the East Coast like me, let's hope for a few days of NO SNOW!  All that shoveling takes away from my stamping time, and I really hate to give up my stamping time!!!

Wedding Invitations

Wedding invitation with coordinating envelope. Top of invitation stamped and then embossed.

RSVP Card and Reception Card with Coordinating Envelope

Back of RSVP and Reception Card - Embossed with Square Lattice Embossing Folder

I was honored when a friend's daughter asked me to make her wedding invitations.  We finally came up with the black and white stamped and embossed invitations and matching RSVP and Reception cards.  To add some WOW to the envelopes, I stamped them with the same design used on the invitation.  A quick solution to add some elegance to a plain white envelope.

When stamping and embossing, remember to stamp your image first, then emboss. 

To make the invitations I used the following:
Cardstock:  Basic Black #121045, Whisper White #100730
Ink:  Basic Black #101179
Stamp Set:  Elements of Style #118611 wood or #120045 clear
Ribbon:  Basic Black 5/8" Grosgrain #115605
Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Square Lattice Embossing Folder #119976

Baby Shower Invitations

I was asked to made baby shower invitations for a friend.  The bedding is from Pottery Barn and I tried to capture the colors and pattern in the sheets for the invitation.  I made two samples and not sure which one will be used.  A few adjustments might have to be made depending on her style, but it was fun coming up with some new designs.

Front of Invitation - Invitation #1

Inside of invitation where infomation will be typed.

 

Bedding from Pottery Barn for the nursery.

Invitation #2 - Inside will have information.

Check back to see which one she selected and to see if any changes will be made.  I will then post what supplies and products were used.  I would love to hear your comments and let me know which one you would choose.



Super Quick Valentine Cards

Same layout, just different stamped sentiments, and I have two Valentine Cards that were really quick and easy to make. 

Both cards were made with Crumb Cake cardstock for the card base followed by layers of Pretty in Pink and Real Red Designer Series Paper that were from the Filled with Love Paper Bundle (promotion expires today).  If you like this paper you can still purchase it through the promotion today or from the  Brights and Subtles Designer Series Paper Stack in the current Idea Book and Catalog at any time.  I just changed the sentiment on both cards. The Love you Much stamped on the card on the left is from an expired stamp set, the one on the right is from the Love You Much set in the current catalog.  I hold on to my retired stamp sets, especially ones that have cute sayings even though I know I can't demonstrate them at workshops, and you can't order them now, but I'm sure you all have those sets you can't part with and still use for your own personal projects.  Random hearts were punched and placed on both cards.  The hearts on the card on the right were really used to cover some smudged ink, but no one else will know!!

For today's cards I used the following:

Cardstock:  Crumb Cake #120953, Whisper White #100730

Designer Series Paper:  Love Patterns #124156 (promotion ends today), or Brights Patterns Paper Stack #117155 and Subtles Patterns Paper Stack #117152

Ink:  Real Red #103133

Stamp Set:  Love You Much #113756, Teeny Tiny Wishes #

Punches:  Small Heart #117193, Heart to Heart #119881, Word Window #119857, Decorative Label #120907, Small Corner #119871

Quick Valentine Treats

Looking for a cute Valentine treat, just fill some bags with your favorite candy, add a cute stamped topper and some pretty ribbon and your done!

I got the bags from a company called Clear Bags and I have used them for several occasions.  For these Valentine treats I punched a Pretty in Pink heart and stamped and punched the Real Red heart.  To add a little more texture and design I also ran the pink heart through my Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  I also added the sentiment to the center of the red heart, and used some retired Pretty in Pink ribbon to dress them up. 

I also like to use Stampin' Up's! cellophane bags available in three different sizes to make treat bags too!  Check back tomorrow to see what I made using the small cellophane bags and cut pieces of Love Impressions Designer Series Paper.

To make today's treat bags I used the following:

Cardstock:  Pretty in Pink #100459, Whisper White #100730

Ink:  Real Red #103133

Stamp Set:  Filled with Love #124380 wood or #124381 clear - Promotion good until 1/24 - after that time set will no longer be available. 

Punches:  Full Heart #119883, 3/4" Oval #120908

Accessories:  Big Shot #113439, Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder #117335

Build-a-Roo Valentine

This is my final Stamp-a-Stack Valentine card.  I tried to make a variety with different colors, and wanted to make sure I had some for children too.  The Build-a-Roo Stamp Set gives you many options for a variety of occasions.

For today's card I started with a base of Whisper White cardstock, followed by a matte layer of Basic Gray.  To this layer I added a piece of Love Patterns Designer Series Paper.  I cut a circle with my Big Shot and the large scallop circle on the Scallop Circle #2 Bigz Die.  Before I placed the stamped kangaroo onto the card I cut a slit where his pouch is and placed the punched heart through it, and punched two small holes to make it easy to tie my ribbon and adhere it to the left side.  A quick, cute children's Valentine's Card.

For today's card I used the following:

Cardstock:  Whisper White #100730, Basic Gray #121044, Real Red #119940

Designer Series Paper:  Love Patterns #124156

Ink:  Real Red #103133, Basic Gray #109120

Ribbon:  Real Red 3/8" Taffeta #119763

Stamp Set:  Build-a-Roo #115948, Teeny Tiny Wishes #115370

Punch: Word Window #119857, Heart to Heart #119881

Acccessories:  Big Shot #113439, Scallop Circle #2 Bigz Die #113469