Tag Archives: cards

When brilliant minds collaborate

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Yesterday you saw my challenge card – today you get to see Cheryl’s.  Hers is similar to mine in many ways, but with just a few changes it has an entirely different feeling.

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  • Upsy Daisy stamp set; Linen background stamp (retired)
  • Basic Black and Melon Mambo Classic Stampin’ Ink; Sahara Sand Stampin’ Write marker
  • Basic Black, Kraft, Melon Mambo and Whisper White cardstock; Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper
  • Black gingham ribbon

We decided it really didn’t need the sentiment, although it would be easy enough to add at the last minute if you needed it.  I love the softness of the stems – I would have probably done them in black and it would have been too strong a contrast.  I love this Upsy Daisy stamp and I love what Cheryl did with it.  We’ll have to be mosquitoes again!

Learning new things

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In stamping, as in life, there is always room to grow.  New techniques, new projects, new points of view all serve to keep me inspired and encourage me to keep my work fresh.  Left to my own devices, I suspect I would make lots and lots of cards in primarily blue and green hues with very predictable layouts.

The best way I’ve found to grow is to stamp with others.  Stamping together in person is always the best choice – I think I need another person to ignite my creative juices.  Life being what it is, it’s not always possible to stamp with another person.  That’s when online challenges come into play.

Yesterday, I posted a link to the Mojo challenge.  There are also many challenges on Stampin’ Addicts, and even more on Splitcoast Stampers. SCS has a really broad selection of challenges – techniques, product spotlights, unusual inspirations – as well as the more typical color and sketch challenges.  The Blogosphere has made it possible for anyone with an internet connection to post a challenge, and you can spend the better part of the morning cruising through all those options.  Your best option there is to find a few bloggers whose style strikes you either because it’s so unusual, it’s so inspiring, or it’s a close match with your own taste.  Once you’ve done that, subscribe to those blogs to keep updated and start playing along with the challenges.  Don’t feel obligated to post your creations, but at the same time, realize that the sharing and the interaction when you do post can be enjoyable, inspiring, and perhaps even addicting.

Yesterday Cheryl came over and we ended up abandoning our original stamping plan and playing along with the color and sketch challenges at SCS.  Here’s what I did:

Anne_SCS_CC242_SC252

  • Thoughts and Prayers, En Francais, and Linen (retired) stamp sets; Leaves a la Carte (retired) wheel
  • Basic Black, Whisper White, Melon Mambo and Kraft cardstock; retired Designer Series Paper
  • Basic Black and Sahara Sand Classic ink;  Basic Black, Melon Mambo and Sahara Sand Stampin’ Write markers
  • Kraft taffeta ribbon, Stamp-a-ma-jig and Stampin’ Dimensionals

We had such a good time stamping, although I have to admit we’re like a couple of little kids with the attention span of a pair of mosquitoes.  We kept flitting back and forth between crafting and the computer – and of course we both had phones ringing – but we finished our cards and had a good time together too.

So stretch a little – try a challenge.  If you don’t like it, remember that it’s only paper.

Surprise! It’s a tree!

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This tree is about as different from yesterday’s tree as you can get.  Soft, sophisticated, really a classy tree.  No Googly eyes here.

I suppose this could have been a sympathy card.  That’s what I needed, and that’s what I intended to make when I pulled down the Thoughts and Prayers stamp set.  Somewhere along the way it took a very slight detour – it could still be a sympathy card, but that wasn’t what I saw as it came together.

Thoughts_n_Prayers_grommet

  • Thoughts and Prayers stamp sets; Cornelli Lace wheel
  • Old Olive, Kraft, Soft Suede and Whisper White cardstock; Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper
  • Old Olive Classic Ink pad; Old Olive and Soft Suede Stampin’ Write markers
  • Jumbo Basic Grommets; Old Olive 1 1/4″ Stripe Grosgrain ribbon

I like the simplicity of this layout.  It complements the elegance of the tree.  I also love that Cornelli Lace wheel and can’t believe it took me almost half the catalog year to notice it.  You would think my constant poring over the catalog would have caused me to spot it sooner.  In case you’ve missed it, it’s on page 64 of the Idea Book and Catalog.  Item # 115624, $8.50.  A bargain.

Crystal’s Spooky Branches

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What is it with me and trees these days?

I am crazy about cards with trees…spring trees, autumn trees, soft trees, stark trees, trees with eyes…

This card is from the amazing Crystal, who by the way has been freed from the confines of her sofa.  Do you love the Googly eyes or is it just me?  I think I need to send an email to Demonstrator Support requesting that Stampin’ Up! add Googly eyes to the product line.  There are SO many uses for them.

Crystals_Hallloween_Branches

  • Season of Friendship and Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Sets
  • Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pine, More Mustard and Glossy White card stock
  • Basic Black, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip and Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink pad
  • Round tab punch, 1 3/8″ circle punch, brayer, Stampin’ Sponges
  • Googly eyes

Whale season

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It’s a little early…but I’ve seen the first Humpback…

Animal_Stories_Whale_crop

  • Animals Stories and Family Phrases stamp sets
  • So Saffron Classic Ink pad and Whisper White Craft Ink pad;  Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write marker
  • Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, and Very Vanilla cardstock; Tall Tales Designer Series Paper
  • So Saffron 5/8″ grosgrain; Chocolate Chip 1/4″ grosgrain

OK, so it’s not a Humpback, and we hardly ever see them until at least the end of October.  But I am really looking forward to seeing them out there in the Pacific again.  There’s something so amazing about seeing just a little sliver of shining black skin break the surface of the water, knowing that beyond that sliver is a school-bus sized whale that can propel it’s entire body out of the water.  It never ceases to astonish me, and during whale season I love to sit on the beach and just watch for a spout, flipper slap, or distinctive tail sighting.  And maybe, just maybe, a breach.

Check out the National Marine Sanctuary and the Hawaii Whale Research Foundation for more information.

I’ll be sure to let you know when they arrive.

Starting to think about Christmas

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I generally object to any kind of Christmas marketing before about the middle of November, but when it comes to crafting I have to make an exception.  Cards, tags and decorations take time and planning.  Leave it too late and they just don’t get done.  I go through a lot of paper, ink and accessories in the process of choosing our annual family card, and I need time to let the ideas and examples simmer before I make my final selection.

This won’t make the cut – literally – with those hand-cut pines.  Sure are cute, though!

Pattern_Pines_card_crop

  • Patterned Pines and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set
  • Handsome Hunter and Real Red Classic Stamp pad; Champagne Mist Shimmer paint
  • Kraft, Handsome Hunter, Whisper White and Glossy White cardstock; Riding Hood Red Designer Series Paper (retired)
  • Kraft Taffeta ribbon
  • Modern Label punch, Stampin’ Sponges, Sponge Daubers
  • Metallic eyelets and Crop-a-dile

This concept actually began as the embellishment on the top of a box for A-2 cards.  The tutorial is HERE and don’t miss it – the first box is two pieces, base and lid.  Scroll down to the bottom and look for the dimensions for the pizza box.  That’s what I made.

Pattern_Pines_box_crop

Cute, isn’t it?  And easy as can be.  But please don’t ask me about that evergreen garland.  It’s a retired wheel.  Use Soft Holly (112968) instead.  It’s better.  Really.

And no Christmas Carols in the stores until after Thanksgiving, OK??

A Medallion Tri-fold

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It’s rare that I see a completed card in my head before I start it but that was the case with this card.  Some of the details came along as I worked, but I saw that Medallion on the front of the tri-fold and knew it would work.

Tri_Fold_Medallion_crop

  • Medallion, Wonderful Favorites, and All Holidays stamp sets
  • Kiwi Kiss and Baja Breeze Classic Ink pads (ret’d); Champagne Mist shimmer paint
  • Kiwi Kiss textured card stock, Baja Breeze and River Rock card stock, andDesigner Series Papers, all sadly retired
  • Vanilla Hodge Podge Hardware; Circle Ice Rhinestone brads; Flower Fusion II (retired)
  • White gel pen; ticket corner punch; Circle Scissors Plus

I free-hand cut around the Medallion, then adhered it to the Baja Breeze Designer Series paper and cut a border.  I know, I know, it’s kind of ridiculous, but it had to be done.  I stamped the center again in Baja Breeze and cut it with the Circle Scissors Plus, then stamped it one more time in Kiwi Kiss, sponged it with Champagne Mist (my go-to product of the moment!) and punched that with the scallop circle.  The rest of the embellishments are fairly simple because I wanted the Medallion to really pop.

I really miss these colors.  I think last year’s In Color collection was the absolute best and if I had to choose colors to bring back, Baja Breeze and Kiwi Kiss would be at the top of the list.  I’ll eventually get over it.  Eventually.

Make a card, send a card

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Today is World Card Making Day.   I would hasten to add that I don’t need a designated day to make a card.  It’s something I enjoy doing (I know, News Flash!) and it’s something that I especially enjoy teaching others to do.

If we’re brutally frank about the matter, World Card Making Day is  a marketing idea.  It’s a great idea, but in my opinion, there should be more to making a card than selling cardstock, ink and paper.  Everyone makes cards for different reasons and with different motivations.  Some make cards for their own pleasure, satisfied with participating in the creative process.  Others make a card with a recipient in mind, carefully selecting colors and images that are designed to bring happiness, comfort or inspiration to a special person.  Some people may even choose to make a card simply because it’s more economical, although if you were to inventory my card making supplies you might question that premise.

In the end,  it doesn’t matter why you make a card.  The important thing is that the process satisfies you.  It’s a very forgiving craft, with near-infinite options.  The basic materials are inexpensive enough that if you finish your card and you really don’t like it, you can let go of it.  It’s just paper.

Your hand made card, whether simple or complex, holds the potential to bring you to someone else.  Make a card – and send it.  A card is really just paper and embellishment until it is given away.  Then it becomes a message of love and caring straight from your heart to another.

Inspired_by_Nature_cc238_crop

  • Inspired by Nature and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets
  • Sage Shadow, Basic Gray, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White card stock
  • Sage Shadow, Basic Gray, Pretty in Pink and Rose Red Classic Ink pads
  • Sponge daubers, Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Champagne Mist shimmer paint, and Stamp-a-ma-jig

Happy World Card Making Day.

Why you should invest in Ink Refills Part I

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Remember this card?  When I started stamping, I began by embossing the cupcakes with clear embossing powder over Chocolate Chip Classic ink with a little Versamark thrown in to make it sticky.  When I was finished with the heat tool, I looked at the image and thought it seemed a little, well, wimpy.  So I pulled out my Ink Refill and gave my Chocolate Chip ink pad a li’l nip.  Same process – Chocolate Chip Classic ink, Versamark, clear embossing powder and heat gun – and WOW.

Which one got the li'l nip? (Actual Unretouched Photo!!)

Which one got the li'l nip? (Actual Unretouched Photo!!)

Next time you sit down to stamp, take a look at your images.  It might be time to take your ink pads out for a drink!

My First Mojo

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Card challenges can be addicting.   They stretch you to try new techniques, layouts, and colors.  Sometimes they go together so easily that you are exhilarated.  Sometimes you push and pull and struggle and end up throwing the whole thing away (well, I do anyway.  It’s just paper.)

I’ve been following the Mojo Monday blog and challenges for a while but haven’t taken the leap.  This week I jumped – just couldn’t resist those scallops along the bottom.  The Mojo bloggers have such awesome samples that it’s a little tough to get started, but it was fun to play with this sketch.

Mojo Monday 105

Mojo Monday 105

  • Blush Blossom and Whisper White cardstock, retired Stampin’ Up! DSP
  • Cameo Coral, Kiwi Kiss Classic Ink
  • Champagne Mist shimmer paint and sponge daubers
  • Crazy for Cupcakes and Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Sets
  • Wide Oval, Scallop edge and 1/16″ circle punches
  • Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon and Gold cord
  • Stamp-a-ma-jig, crewel needle, Stampin’ Dimensionals

I keep pulling out that darn Kiwi Kiss paper and ink.  I really loved last year’s In Color collection from Stampin’ Up! and I’m having a hard time letting go of it.  Eventually I’ll run out of scraps…but then there will be this year’s In Color collection to deal with.  If it’s not one challenge, it’s another!