Stampin' Pretty - Mary Fish - Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Stamp Like a Firefighter 2 Day Sale

Now through 7:00 p.m. CST, Wed., April 30, I am exclusively offering 10%  off on all Stampin' Up! storage items shown on p.193 of  the Stampin' Up! Spring/Summer Collection 2008. Yes, I'm one of those guys who not only has a designated spice drawer, but each spice is organized alphabetically.  So when I stamp, I like everything lined up, within my eyesight and ready to go.  It's reminds me of a firefighter with boots, pants and gear perfectly positioned for the next alarm.

Some Red Hot Sale Ideas . . . :

Color Caddy:  I couldn't live without my Color Caddy (pictured here with the extender kit).  Just swirl and see every color at a glance.  The Color Caddy alone accommodates 48 Stampin' Up! ink pads (classic or craft) and 48 refills in the basins on top (or whatever you like to keep close at hand).  The Extender Kit allows for an additional 12 ink pads.  TIP: The Word Window Punch (p. 180 of the catty) makes labeling ink pads by color a snap (among all the other magic this indispensable punch performs).

Stampin' Stack & Store: This little gem is exclusively designed to be used with Stampin' Store containers (which come with Stampin' Up!'s brads, beads, eyelets).  All your little accent jewels are fingertip ready on a turn table  Additional Stampin' Store Containers (item nos. 103649 regular & 103657 for the minis) may be purchased for your non SU items, too. 

Ribbon Keepers:   Stackable storage boxes offer an organized way to store your Stampin' Up! ribbon.  Each package (small, medium or large) includes 2 boxes of the same size and additional items for simple assembly.  The small keepers hold taffeta ribbon (and my gold and silver cord).  The medium hold gingham, double-stitched ribbon and 5/8" grosgrain.  The large keepers hold 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.  So much nicer than sifting through a drawer for the right color.

SAVE NOW . . . before the fire goes out at 7:00 p.m., Wed., April 30!

Hugs and Pretties . . . Firefighter Mary

P.S.   Don't miss all Stampin' Up!'s current and May 1 sales on the right hand side of my blog under "What's on Sale?"

P.S.S. The marker storage X-Cube and 4 drawers below (separate) are Eldon Shelf Savers, available on-line thru Office Depot, Office Max and Staples.

P.S.S.S. The cute little child in pastels is my mother :)

COMING UP . . . . More Mini Occasions magic.  The deadline for ordering from Stampin' Up!'s Occasions Mini Collection 2008 has been extended through June 30.  I'll be demonstrating more delightful (not to mention die cut) stamp sets and luscious ideas over the coming week!

Stamp-a-ma-jig Tutorial

Love seeing where you are stamping?  Clear stamps certainly offer this advantage over rubber (I own and love many clear stamp sets).  However, Stampin' Up!'s Stamp-a-ma-jig (Spring/Summer Collection, p. 184) gives you a window to perfect stamping.  Additionally, it holds your stamping block steady, eliminating the risk of an unsteady hand, which can happen even with my acrylic pals.  Note:  All images in this tutorial may be clicked for a closer look.

The first step to befriending your Stamp-a-ma-jig (also known as "SAMJ") is to tuck the clear sheet tightly into it's corner groove (left and right option available).  TIP:  The coarse side of the sheet is for Craft inks and the smooth side is for Classic or dye inks.  I used the smooth side with classic ink and stamped my tulip, sliding it down and fitting it into the corner of the SAMJ.  TIP:  Choosing a dark color (even if you ultimately plan to use a lighter one) for stamping on the sheet helps ensure you'll see the image easily when aligning your images.

Next, line up the tulip where you would like it on your card stock.  For this card, I'm only aligning from top to bottom.  I cut off the excess card stock in the width when I was done.

Once you determine placement of the tulip, the SAMJ is fit against the corner of the plastic sheet.  The bottom grips nicely for steady positioning.

 
Holding the SAMJ in place, remove the sheet and slide your inked stamp down and against the corner.   Repeat for additional images, each time moving the sheet/image where you want it.  It's quite easy once you get the hang of it and oh, so divine for steady, eddy alignment.  With a So Saffron marker, I accented some details on the tulips.  The tulip images were matted on So Saffron and Basic Black card stock.

I grabbed Stampin' Up!'s Polka Dot Background stamp and using a brayer made my So Saffron card stock polka dot-a-licious.  Here's a photo tutorial on using a brayer for uniform inking of background stamps.  I assembled the polka dot layer on Basic Black card stock and a 4.25 x 5.5 Whisper White card base.

The focus of the banner is a delicious piece of So Saffron ribbon from the Ribbon Originals Sherbet collection.  It's matted on Basic Black card stock and a piece of black gingham ribbon gives it some polish.

The sentiment is from Sale-A-Bration's Lots of Thoughts set.  It's inked in Basic Black and stamped on Whisper White.  I used a few Stampin' Dimensionals for a 3-D effect before adhering it to a square of Basic Black.  I used 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" square punches for neatly matted layers.

TIP:  The perfect touch to any handmade card is your personalization.  Stampin' Up! offers a variety of decorative stamps that you can customize with simply your name or address, too.  Check out page 160 of the Spring/Summer Collection for the possibilities.

Hugs and Pretties . . . .Mary

Stamp Sets:  Lots of Thoughts, Time Well Spent (Hostess Level III), Polka Dot Background, On a Whim (personalized stamp)
Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, So Saffron
Ink:  Basic Black, So Saffron Marker
Cool Tools:  1 1/4 and 1 3/8" Square Punches, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Brayer
The Perfect Touch: Ribbon Originals Sherbet, Stampin' Dimensionals, Non SU Black Gingham Ribbon

Inkspiration:  Splitcoast Featured Stamper (FS64) based on Stamper Michelle's beautiful card.

Background Check Part 2: Background Stamps

I'm a pushover for pretty patterned paper.  However, it's so simple to create your own custom versions that I thought I would share some more tips and ideas in this post and in the coming days.  Please see Background Check (Part I) for other custom background paper ideas.  All photos may be clicked for a closer peek.

A background stamp should be flipped on it's "back," rubber side up.  Think of a turtle.  Next, ink it up thoroughly. 

Place card stock directly onto inked stamp, carefully aligning it.  If you move it on the stamp, the image will smear.  Lay a piece of scratch paper on top of the card stock.  TIP:  For uniform inking, use a Brayer (Stampin' Up! Spring/Summer Collection, p. 185) to roll over the entire stamp, making sure to keep one hand holding the paper and card stock steady on the background stamp.

TIP:  I always use a larger piece of card stock than I need and do my cutting later in case there are any imperfections (which is exactly what happened to me on the right hand side as I was trying to hold everything in place and take the photo at the same time--always rather humorous for my family to witness this balancing act). 

Here's the finished project!

Hugs and Pretties . . . .M

Stamps:  Polka Dot Background
Paper:  So Saffron
Ink:  Basic Black
Cool Tools:  Brayer

You Had Me at Hello

Colored Cuttles?  Sure.  With a few watercolor crayons and an embossed image, you can doll things up with color.  To kick things off, I used Tempting Turquoise card stock, scored on the side.  I added some paper piercing to the corners.  A layer of Green Galore, embossed with Swiss Dots kicks out a textured banner.

Birds and Swirls dresses up the Whisper White card stock.  Using Stampin' Up!'s Watercolor Wonder Crayons, I added color to the raised images.  TIP:   Concentrate color toward the middle of the larger objects, otherwise you risk going over the edges. TIP:  A blender pen makes moving the color to the edges easy work and provides a watercolored finish.  I cropped out the main image and the two progressively larger Scalloped Circles using Nestabilities Circles.

The "hello" sentiment is from Fundamental Phrases.  I hail this stamps set as the "little black dress" of sentiments.  Pretty much everything you need.  I used Only Orange for the sentiment and popped it out with a Small Oval Punch, followed by a Large Oval Punch in Green Galore.  A couple Green Galore Brads give some polish and Stampin' Dimensionals wrap things up.  "You say 'good bye' and I say 'hello.'"

Hugs and Pretties . . . .Mary

RED HOT! . . . Stampin' Up!'s Mini Occasions catalog has been extended through June! 

Stamp Sets:  Fundamental Phrases
Paper:  Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore, Gable Green
Ink:  Only Orange
Cool Tools:  Large and Small Oval Punches, Paper Piercer and Template (Crafter's Tool Kit), Cuttlebug, Nestabilities Circles
The Perfect Touch:  Green Galore Brads (Bold Brights), Blender Pen, Watercolor Wonder Crayons (Bold Brights), Stampin' Dimensionals, Cuttlebug Embossing Folders (Swiss Dots, Birds and Swirls)

Background Check

Today's post tackles a couple of challenges.  This week's Splitcoast Color Challenge (CC163) requires the use of Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery and Pretty in Pink.  I combined those colors with the Ways to Use It Challenge (WT163) Snip, Snip, posted yesterday.  It requires the use of scissors in decorative or unique ways.

The card base is Certainly Celery.  TIP: To create custom background paper, I colored in the dots of a piece of Chocolate Chip polka dot patterned paper with a Certainly Celery Marker.  Thirty seconds to Voilá!  I then layered it over Pretty in Pink card stock that was reshaped with a pair of scalloped scissors.  For an added touch, I placed a Certainly Celery Brad on each "hump."

The main image was created using the sweet "thank you" flower from the For a Friend Hostess Level I stamp set. TIP:   I used  3 different colored markers directly to the rubber to make it a tri-colored image and stamped it on Whisper White   TIP:   I added a few warm huffs of breath to ensure the ink was evenly moist). 

The flower portion was stamped a second time (again inking in Pretty in Pink but using pink card stock).  With the assistance of my Stampin' Up! Paper Snips, I was able to maneuver around my tiny flower buddy and pop in a celery Rhinestone Circle Brad.

I'm still introducing myself to the rectangle Nestabilities (click here for how to get a 40% off coupon).  I'm convinced they are nothing short of divine.  I first cropped the flower image with a plain rectangle.  TIP:  Using Certainly Celery Textured card stock, I created an easy frame.  I cropped out the middle square using a "nestie" slightly smaller than my flower rectangle (for overlap).  I then lined up a larger scallop rectangle around the opening and cut again.  Frame-a-licious.  I felt it simply had to be popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals.

The final touch required a piece of silky, sexy Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon and a cool bow tying technique featured at All Inked Up (a welcome tip I received from one of my virtual stamping pals, Monica). If you are bow and ribbon "challenged" like me, don't miss this amazing Stay Put Bow video tutorial.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . M

P.S.  Here's a quick link to the tutorial on the matching envelope.

Stamp Set:  For a Friend (Hostess Level I)
Paper:  Au Chocolat Designer Series, Certainly Celery, Certainly Celery Textured, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White
Ink:  Stampin' Write Markers:  Certainly Celery, Pretty in PInk, Chocolate Chip
Cool Tools:  Crop-A-Dile, Stampin' Up!'s Paper Snips, Provocraft Decorative Scissors, Nestabilities Rectangles
The Perfect Touch:  Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, Soft Subtles Brads (Certainly Celery), Stampin' Dimensionals, Rhinestone Circle Brad (Ice)

The Envelope, Please

I adore the look of a handcrafted card with a coordinating envelope (stay tuned for the matching card). TIP:  Using some Au Chocolate polka dot designer series paper (retired, but any polka dot pattern will do) and a Pretty in Pink Stampin' Up! marker to color in the ivory dots, I created a custom pink and brown envelope flap.

The designer paper was adhered to the flap and then flipped over to expose the leftover paper.  Using a Stampin' Up! hobby blade and cutting mat (click for sale starting May 1), I cut off the excess.    I added a  Pretty in Pink flower from the Big Pieces stamp set to Whisper White card stock. TIP:  I cropped it with a 1 1/4" Circle Punch and matted it on a 1 3/8" Pretty in Pink circle for a "crafty" envelope seal.

Hugs and Pretties . . . Mary

Stamp Set:  Big Pieces
Paper:  Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Au Chocolat Designer Series Paper, Whisper White Envelope
Ink:  Pretty in Pink Marker and Ink Pad
Cool Tools:  Sanding Blocks (to scuff unused flower stamp), 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Cutting Mat and Hobby Blade

Big Kid on the Block

Have you ever stamped a solid image and it looked a bit uneven or splotchy?  Often it's caused by new rubber.  Here's a simple TIP on how to get your solid images to stamp their best from the very start.  Gently scuff your stamp rubber with a sanding block. 

I did a quick before and after of a stamp that had never been used (right) and then scuffed with a sanding block and re-stamped.  Got it?

TIP:  Sanding blocks act like magic erasers for quick clean-up of a rough edge, too.  I had a tiny imperfection on a punched circle which cleaned up neatly with a little friction from the blocks.  TIP: Stampin' Up! offers 2 blocks for $3.50, an inexpensive and versatile craft investment.

Hugs and Pretties, M

COMING UP . . .
"The Envelope Please"  is a quick demonstration on how to jazz up your envelopes with designer paper.
"Background Check" puts it all together with today's card creation and and this week's Splitcoast Color Challenge. 

Crazed Woman Destroys Computer

No, I haven't disappeared into the witness protection program . . . I'm alive and well.  At least, significantly better than yesterday.  I have had the misfortune of about 48 hours of technology nightmares.  Ever been there?  However, I believe (hope, pray, beg) that I'm over the computer catastrophe hump. No, I didn't really destroy my computer but hope it will never disclose the language leveraged against it during its "failure to cooperate." 

Here's what the fuss was about.  I am putting the finishing touches on a secure order form for my Stampin' Up! customers which will allow them to submit their credit card information along with their on-line order in an encrypted and secure environment.  It will look essentially the same but have a little padlock in the address bar and a "badge" verifying that it's a protected site. 

I'll still personally review every order (to make sure you get all your freebies and specials) and forward a final total for approval.  However, the process will be even more secure, efficient and user-friendly.  I will continue to accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover credit or debit cards.  However, I will no longer be accepting American Express or PayPal.  It's not cost effective for me to continue to offer them.

I intend to have the secure version on the site over the weekend.  The "old way" is still functioning.  I'm waiting for the new page to activate (or something like that).  Wish me luck.  I'm taking a breather to go do what I love . . . stamp up some cards and blog for all of you!

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Crazy Mary

My Dear Friend Nestabilities

I finally caved (and saved). . . I started my collection of Nestabilities die cuts.    TIP:  Marcy at Cut @ Home offers a monthly VIP coupon of 40% off, so I ordered the circles on March 31 (with the March coupon) and the rectangles on April 1 (ditto the next month's coupon).  I have every intention of picking up the ovals option on May 1 (with the May coupon). 

I'm such a punching die hard and the option to have so many die cuts to run through my Cuttlebug (all layering beautifully), plus embossing, I just couldn't resist any longer. 

I put them to the test with today's post and they were both fun and easy to use.  Beautiful, clean cuts.  The "Kind Friend" sentiment was inked in Ruby Red and stamped on Ginger Blossom Designer Paper.  TIP:  There's no rule you have to stamp on plain paper.  Stamped images over patterns are delightful.  Nestabilities were used to create the sentiment square, emboss the sentiment square (although it's pretty soft, I'll make an adjustment next time), crop the Groovy Guava Textured card stock square and master the final scalloped rectangle layer in Ruby Red.

The card base is Very Vanilla with the River Rock polka dot pattern from Ginger Blossoms (matching the sentiment paper). TIP:  For three quick and easy flowers, Stampin' Up!'s Boho Flowers Punch pops out six beauties, all married up double time with a brad.  I used Groovy Guava and Ruby Red textured card stock for a delicious, rich texture. No stamping necessary.   A Ruby Red striped pattern from Ginger Blossoms provides a lovely backdrop.

Hugs and Pretty Nestabilities . . . . M

Stamp Set:  All Holidays
Paper:  Ginger Blossom Designer Series, Ruby Red Card Stock, Ruby Red Textured, Groovy Guava Textured, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Ruby Red
Cool Tools:  Boho Blossoms Punch, Nestabilities Rectangles, Polymer Mat for Embossing
The Perfect Touch:  Hodgepodge Hardware (Brads, Pewter)

Star-struck

This card is for a 12 year old boy, who is very dear to my heart.  He's working through a lot of personal issues so I felt "journey" was an appropriate sentiment and encouragement.

I began with a Pumpkin Pie card base.  I used Jersey Shore designer paper for a strong contrast.  Another design from Jersey Shore (the rows) was layered on the Wild Wasabi square. 

The sentiment (inked in Wild Wasabi) is from the Define Your Life set that I'm so mad for lately . . . however, any sentiment about this size would work just as well.  TIP:  A Brilliant Blue Brad adds a touch of charm. 

The Wild Wasabi base is faux stitched.  Although I recently purchased a mini sewing machine for exactly these situations, I still resort to the ease and believability of the faux option (no need for set up, an outlet, searching everywhere for my reading glasses to thread the needle).  Yes, I'm cutting a corner and proud of it, babe.

TECHNIQUE:  To faux stitch, I used Stampin' Up!'s Paper Piercer and Template (from the Crafter's Tool Kit).  Using the template, pierce a line where you want your "stitches" and connect the "dots" with a Signo Gel Pen.  TIP:  For a variation, you can easily do a zigzag pattern using the template.  TIP:  I have tried other white pens and the Signo is superior.   

Stampin' Up!'s star punches balance things out, especially with the 3-D effect Stampin' Dimensionals provide. TIP:  The 1/4" circle punch and some card stock or designer paper, instantly give the look of a brad.  It was a lovely was to recycle a small snippet of Summer Picnic designer paper this way.

Hugs and Pretties . . . M
 
Stamp Set:  Define Your Life
Paper:  Jersey Shore Designer Series, Summer Picnic Designer Series (1/4" Circles), Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi, Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue
Ink:  Wild Wasabi
Cool Tools:  Large and Small Star Punches, 1/4" Circle Punch, Paper Piercer & Template (Crafter's Tool Kit)
The Perfect Touch:  Bold Brights Brad (Brilliant Blue), White Signo Pen, Stampin' Dimensionals

Give the Gift of Stamping

You're just a click away from choosing a beautiful gift for stamping friends or family.  Customers love the convenience of my on-line ordering option . . . and Stampin' Up! gift certificates are available on-line from Stampin' Pretty, too.  Simply complete the on-line order form and use the comments area to let me know the amount of the certificate and where you would like it shipped.  I'll whip up a special gift card and mail it for FREE (U.S. only).  Major credit cards and PayPal are accepted. 

Today's criss cross card is a special birthday gift for Erin.  The monogram "e" is from Schoolbook Serif Alphabet, stamped using Close to Cocoa Craft Ink on Very Vanilla card stock.  TIP:  One of the advantages of Craft Ink over Classic (dye) ink is that it's embossable.  I added some clear embossing powder to give this "e" some glamour.   The monogram is punched out with a 1 1/4" Circle Punch, mounted on a 1 3/8" Close to Cocoa Circle and a layer of apricot, punched with a Scallop Circle Punch (and I couldn't resist a little paper piercing).  The band (which slides off) wraps around the entire card and uses Apricot Appeal Textured card stock with a scalloped rectangle of Cameo Coral (also textured) to anchor the monogram.

The card is a variation on a criss cross card . . . made a bit wider (and, frankly, I scored the reverse of the directions . . . oh, my).  If you are a Splitcoaststamper member (and if you aren't, it's free), please click here for a criss cross tutorial by Beate Johns.  I'm often available at my Live Help button if you have an "engineering" question along the way.

The designer paper is Stampin' Up!'s Linen Prints (now retired).  However, any 2 sided paper works perfectly.  I used Cameo Coral Textured card stock for the base (delicious stuff).  The insert is a computer generated gift certificate, matted on Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla and Apricot Appeal card stock (the last two had their top corners lopped off with a Corner Rounder Punch).  I added "for you" from Fundamental Phrases to an apricot scrap (inked in Close to Cocoa Craft and embossed like the "e"). It received new meaning when a Round Tab Punch was called in to play.  I had a little brown flower brad from eons ago, that seemed like it needed a home.   Ah, the final touch.

Hugs and Happy Birthday, Erin! . . . . Mary

Stamp Set:  Schoolbook Serif Alphabet, Fundamental Phrases
Paper:  Cameo Coral Textured, Apricot Appeal Textured, Apricot Appeal, Very Vanilla, Linen Prints
Ink:  Close to Cocoa Craft
Cool Tools:  Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" Circle Punches, Round Tab Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Marvy Giga Rectangle Punch, Paper Piercer (Stampin' Up!'s Crafter's Tool Kit)
The Perfect Touch:  Clear Embossing Powder, Non SU Brown Flower Brad

Stampin' Up! Kindness

I know that pinks and browns are hot, hot, hot . . . However, I have always loved the rich contrast of black and pink.  The colors of today's card remind me of a black leotard and delicate pink ballet shoes.   Plus, check out a "bright idea" to add a dash of paisley to the envelope.

I just received textured card stock in all Stampin' Up!'s color families (I was using the In Color textured up like mad) and cracked out the Pretty in Pink Textured first.  It made a divine textured card base.  I stamped Whisper White with the Paisley Background stamp, dipped in Versamark.  Heat embossing with Black Embossing Powder gives a wonderful sheen.  The paisley layer is matted on Whisper White.

The horizontal banner is another slice of Pretty in Pink (textured, of course).  TIP:  I used a Paper Piercer and template to place the three Black Brads on the left evenly.   Takes the guess work out.   I'm not typically a good guesser--give me the tool, please.  The sentiment from Define Your Life (offering a charming definition for every circumstance and every letter of the alphabet) is in Basic Black stamped on Whisper White.  I snipped the corners with a Ticket Corner Punch.  TIP:  I placed the sentiment on the pink banner with removable tape so that I could use my paper piercer to earmark the spots for the four additional brads.  After setting the brads, I popped the sentiment up on Stampin' Dimensionals, so it hovers over the banner.

The flower image is from Wonderful You (which comes with a free Stems and Silhouettes Jumbo Wheel, now through April 30, tick, tick, tick).  I adore the versatility of this 2 step set . . . masculine to feminine, multiple or single images.  TIP:  The solid images create an impressive background when stamped repeatedly on cardstock with matching ink . . . very chic and tone on tone. 

I first stamped the line image flower in Basic Black (Whisper White card stock).  I then inked up the solid flower, Pretty in Pink for the Petals and Old Olive Marker along the stem.  Using a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, I added the soft, shadowy solid flower.  It's not intended to line up perfectly.  It's a more organic feel than that. 

For a couple quick final touches, I used a Basic Black marker to add a trio of dots in each corner and a Sakura Glaze Gel Pen to give some dimension to the flower center.

TIP: Want a Bright Idea for an easy "wow" to your envelope?  Simply run the flap through your Cuttlebug with an Embossing Folder . . . Voilá.  "Impressive" (yes, that's an intentional pun).

Hugs and Pretties . . . . M

Stamp Set:  Wonderful You, Define Your Life, Paisley Background
Paper:  Pretty in Pink Textured, Whisper White
Ink:  Basic Black, Old Olive Marker, Basic Black Marker, Pretty in Pink, Versamark
Cool Tools:  Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Ticket Corner Punch, Paper Piercer & Template (Crafter's Tool Kit), Heat Tool
The Perfect Touch:  Stampin' Dimensionals, Black Brads, Black Embossing Powder, Sakura Glaze Gel Pen

Stamping for Ewe

Pun Fun has adorable stamps that are divine for watercoloring.  The colors were inspired by this week's Splitcoast Stampers challenge . . . Blush Blossom, Groovy Guava and Basic Gray.  I love them together.  Soft and pretty.

I started with a Blush Blossom card base.  I next layered some Groovy Guava Designer Series Paper and some Basic Gray, which got a little embossing magic from Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots (isn't this embossing folder absolutely the coolest)?  I dotted the Guava flowers with a Sakura sparkle pen for added razzmatazz.

The horizontal banner begins with Blush Blossom and some added paper piercing action.  I next added a layer of Basic Gray to set off the Groovy Guava Double Stitched Ribbon.

My little lamb was stamped with Basic Gray (waterproof) on Stampin' Up! watercolor paper.  An Aqua Painter with a touch of Groovy Guava ink fills in the "wool" and a Blush Blossom Marker finishes off the face, legs and tail.  TIP: I used the Aqua Painter to remove some of the Blush and Guava inks for a more watercolored look.  The heart is filled in with more silvery "jazz" courtesy of the Sakura sparkle pen.

I matted my lamb on Groovy Guava and a Blush Blossom scalloped rectangle punch and launched it on Stampin' Dimensionals.  I dotted each scallop with a little sparkle pen, too.  Not baaaaaaad :)

Hugs and Pretties . . . Mary

Stamp Set:  Pun Fun
Paper:  Groovy Guava Designer Series, Groovy Guava, Basic Gray, Blush Blossom, Watercolor
Ink:  Basic Gray, Groovy Guava, Blush Blossom Marker
Cool Tools:  Paper Piercer and Template (Stampin' Up!'s Crafter's Tool Kit), Aqua Painter, Marvy Uchida Giga Scalloped Rectangle Punch, Cuttlebug
The Perfect Touch:  Groovy Guava Double Stitched Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sakura Gel Pen (Sparkle), Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Embossing Folder

Other Inspiration:  Splitcoast Challenge CS172

A Peony, A Mum and Two New Specials!

Wow!  Stampin' Up! has launched two new sales starting May 1 and continuing through May 31.  First up, "Get On Board With Chip Board."  Spend $35 on Stampin' Up! products and get 25 percent off any On Board items from the Spring-Summer Collection.  No limit on how many chipboard products you can buy.  Check it out on pp. 178-179 of the catalog.    Get 3-D fast and easy.

Next, have you ever admired Stampin' Up!'s fabulous 12 x 18" cutting mat (p. 184)?  I couldn't live without this no slip wonder, perfect for precise cutting.  Purchase the mat in May ($15.95 U.S.) and get the hobby blade and 5 refills free.  Sharp.

So does this card offer a little deja vous?  It's inspired by page 90 of the Stampin' Up! Spring Summer Catalog.  It was one of the reasons I purchased this set (but have found so many additional ways to use it).  I want to give my Pretty Peony set to my sister (she adores it) so I stamped a few last chance cards before it finds a new home.

I started with a Ruby Red card base and stamped a little less than half with a French Script Background stamp (Ruby Red ink).  I then used the two step stamps from the Peony set to create the main flower.  It's created using only one ink (Ruby Red).  TIP:  However for the more solid image, I stamped off once before stamping on Very Vanilla.  I used a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to position the deeper version on top.  You get a soft shaded effect vs. using two distinct colors.

I next added leaves in River Rock and cut out one to mount on Stampin' Dimensionals.  The gorgeous sentiment is from All Holidays (River Rock ink).  The edges are sponged in Ruby red and mounted on River Rock card stock.  My handy cutter kit distresses the River Rock in no time.

Hugs and Pretty Peonies . . . . Mary

Stamp Set:  All Holidays, Pretty Peony, French Script
Paper:  Ruby Red, River Rock, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Ruby Red, River Rock
Cool Tools:  Cutter Tool (Distressing), Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Sponges.
The Perfect Touch:  Hodgepodge Hardward (Brads, Pewter), Stampin' Dimensional

Bouncing Baby Colt

My good friend recently delivered a baby boy . . . he was overdue by a month, and, yes, thank goodness, I'm referring to a colt.  We visited the barn the night he was born, but his equine mother decided to let the excitement begin after we left.  Trust me, my friend sees all her horses as family so a baby card celebrating this colt's arrival is deemed appropriate.

Chocolate Chip and Taken With Teal card stock were run through a Cuttlebug and Paisley Embossing Folder and mounted side by side on Soft Sky card stock.  I then adhered Soft Sky to Taken With Teal and a card base of Chocolate Chip.  The horizontal banner is Soft Sky Textured with a snippet of Taken With Teal.  I bounced the letters for "boy" through my Cuttlebug using a die cut alphabet.

TIP: The Perfect Touch is an idea I saw Beate Johns use on Splitcoast Stampers.  I combined a Rhinestone Brad with a ribbon slide (from the new Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware).  Trés Chic.  The sentiment uses "New Baby" from Fundamental Phrases (Taken With Teal ink) and I layered one of the new Papertrey stamps from the anniversary set in Soft Sky.  The image is cropped with a 1 3/8" Circle Punch and layered on a background of a Chocolate Chip Scallop Circle Punch.  A touch of Soft Sky Double Stitched Ribbon and some Stampin' Dimensionals wrap things up.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . M

Stamp Sets:  Fundamental Phrases, Simple Little Things (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Taken With Teal, Soft Sky and Soft Sky Textured, Whisper White
Ink:  Taken With Teal, Soft Sky
Cool Tools:  1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Cuttlebug
The Perfect Touch:  Rhinestone Brads (Ice), Hodgepodge Hardware (Styled Silver Ribbon Slide, Occasions Mini), Soft Sky Double Stitched Ribbon, Cuttlebug Red Tag Die Cut Alphabet, Paisley Embossing Folder

Perfect Love

One of my virtual pals will be celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary in the upcoming weeks.  It was wonderful how she shared that she married the love of her life--how refreshing after being together for so long.

The card base is one of the love's of my stamping life . . . textured card stock in Wild Wasabi.  The bit of added texture lends such a richness to the card.  I layered two pieces of Jersey Shore Designer Paper (one matted on Pumpkin Pie) and added a strip of Pumpkin Pie striped ribbon as an accent.

Punches grabbed the stage next.  The love sentiment is from Fundamental Phrases and is inked in Brilliant Blue and stamped on Pumpkin Pie.  Using a Round Tab Punch, I gave the sentiment some style and added some Brilliant Blue Brads at the top. TIP:  A paper piercer and template from Stampin' Up!'s Crafter's Tool Kit make lining up the brads much simpler.

One of my favorite new sets is Define Your Life.  There's a tasteful definition for every occasion.  I think they look chic and refined.  "Perfect" is inked in Wild Wasabi and stamped on Whisper White.  I used a Papertrey Borders and Corners stamp to instantly add the dotted border in one swoop.  It was punched out with a Marvy Giga Scallop Rectangle Punch and beefed up on Stampin' Dimensionals.

Not quite fast enough for Stamping 911, but close.  Happy Anniversary, Sandy!

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

Stamp Sets:  Fundamental Phrases, Define Your Life, Papertrey Borders and Corners Rectangles
Paper:  Jersey Shore Designer, Wild Wasabi Textured Card Stock, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White
Ink:  Wild Wasabi, Brilliant Blue
Cool Tools:  Round Tab Punch, Paper Piercer and Template (Crafter's Tool Kit), Marvy Giga Scalloped Rectangle Punch
The Perfect Touch:  Pumpkin Pie Striped Ribbon, Bold Brights Brads (Brilliant Blue)

Catching the Stamping Bug

What's lurking in your lawn?  The two sizes of this ladybug set seemed a perfect way to zoom in on these little ladies with a magnifying glass.  Fun card for a child or a friend.

The card base is Glorious Green, the bottom corners snapped with a Corner Rounder Punch.  I accidentally grabbed my retired Corner Rounder so the curve is slightly flatter.  I stamped different sized stems from Papertrey's Green Thumb set to create a grassy "jungle" on Whisper White.  The bottom corners are again cropped with a Corner Rounder.  I then sponged a little extra green for texture.   The Real Red wings get things started for the "ladies" and the dotted stamps are layered next in Basic Black.  A few droplets of a Sakura Glaze Gel Pen give a nice sheen to each dot.  I got to choose from several antennae, large and small.  This is such an adorable stamp set.

The magnifying glass is simply Night of Navy card stock cut with the Word Window Punch (handle) and a Curvy Cutter (circles one within the other--TIP:  Start with the smaller circle first.  ).  A White Signo Gel Pen gives the magnifier some attitude.  A Photo Corner Punch of Real Red polka dots graces the corner with some Night of Navy 1/4 Circles punches, each dotted for hurrah!  The sentiment is dipped in Night of Navy ink.

Hugs and Bugs . . . Mary

Stamp Set:  Little Lady & Green Thumb (Papertrey Ink)
Paper:  Glorious Green, Real Red, Night of Navy, Whisper White, Real Red Designer Series (Hostess Level I)
Ink:  Real Red, Night of Navy, Glorious Green
Cool Tools:  Word Window Punch, Photo Corner Punch, Corner Rounder Punch (retired version), 1/4" Circle Punch, Sponges, Curvy Cutter
The Perfect Touch:  Signo Gel Pen, Sakura Glaze Gel Pen

Inkspiration:  Splitcoast Color Challenge CC161

With Sympathy

Unfortunately, we all need sympathy cards.   A handmade card for an occasion of sadness is, in my opinion, all the more thoughtful and sincere.  This particular card is for a male friend (whose wife passed away last week).  I took inspiration for my colors from this week's Splitcoast Color Challenge (CC 161), believing they conveyed a masculine feel.

The card base is Night of Navy with layers of Glorious Green and Real Red on top.  A couple Real Red brads accent the corners.  I used the Stems & Silhouettes Jumbo Wheel, rolled it on my Versamark pad and gave it a ride on Night of Navy.  TIP:  You don't need a wheel cartridge if you are only "driving" a short distance.  Inking it up on the pad should do the trick for 4 to 5" inches.  TIP:  Don't miss Stampin' Up!'s Free Wheelin' Bundle Specials for a terrific offer on Jumbo Wheels!  Heat embossing with white embossing powder provides a striking contrast against the navy.  I then matted on Real Red.

The "Wonderful You" line stem was inked in Real Red and stamped on Whisper White.  It, too, was matted it on Real Red card stock.  For the final touch, I used a Papertrey sentiment, inked in Glorious Green and stamped on Whisper White.  The words were cropped with a Large Oval Punch and the edges sponged in Glorious Green.

Hugs and Pretties . . . .M

Stamp Set:  Wonderful You, Stems and Silhouettes Jumbo Wheel, Papertrey 1st Anniversary Set (sentiment)
Paper:  Night of Navy, Glorious Green, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink:  Glorious Green, Real Red, Versamark
Cool Tools:  Large Oval Punch, Heat Tool, Sponges
The Perfect Touch:  White Embossing Powder, Bold Brights Brads (Real Red), Stampin' Dimensionals

Got Scraps?

The idea for the geometric and modern look of this card was inspired by a fashion catalog (photo below).  I played a bit with my paper scraps and elevated a few for the feeling of floating shapes.  It's also the makings of an easy (Stamping 911 . . . 10 minutes or less) masculine card.

I began with an Old Olive card base.  The half circle of Summer Sun was leftover from a previous project.  Great to find it a home :)   TIP:  Try not to over think the positioning of these pieces or the colors used.  Soft Sky Textured and the Brocade Blue Square are popped up with Stampin' Dimensionals.  I layered 1/4" circles over 1/2" circles for some contrast to all the straight edges.  I then added a large oval with the rub-on sentiment (also on dimensionals).

I listened to my readers' feedback on masculine cards and created an "official" new category just for "boy" cards called "You've Got Male."  TIP: However, with just an extra floral rub-on, this card instantly gets a feminine touch (maybe even a fun teen card).

Inkspiration

Stamp Sets:  None
Paper:  Old Olive, Summer Sun, Soft Sky Textured, Bravo Burgundy, Pumpkin Pie, Brocade Blue
Ink:  None
Cool Tools: 1/4 and 1/2" Circle Punches, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Large Oval Punch, Curvy Cutter Circles
The Perfect Touch:  Stampin' Dimensionals, Love & Happiness Rub-Ons (Sale-A-Bration)

Because I Need It Fast

Here's an easy way to whip up a pretty card in less than ten minutes (my requirement to be categorized under "Stamping 911").  Blue Bayou Textured card stock is scalloped on the bottom (here's how) and layered on a Rose Red card base.  It is scored at the top. TIP:  Textured card stock provides a stand alone way to get instant polish. 

The horizontal banner is Rose Red card stock.  The flower is a combination of 3 felt flowers from Stampin' Up!'s Flower Fusion Kit (130 individual pieces in Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie & Old Olive).  Simply stack and connect using a Rhinestone Brad. 

The sentiment is an Old Olive Rub-On, layered on Pumpkin Pie card stock which was punched out with a Word Window Punch.  Another Rhinestone Brad gives the card just enough jazz to be fun but stay clean.  TIP:  I like to unify 3-D objects.  Since the layered felt flower has some heft to it, I felt the sentiment would look best if it was attached using Stampin' Dimensionals.

The final touch was a bit of Old Olive Grosgrain tied at the top.

Stamp Set:  None
Paper:  Rose Red, Blue Bayou Textured, Pumpkin Pie
Ink:  None
Cool Tools:  Corner Rounder Punch, Word Window Punch
The Perfect Touch:  Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Up! Rhinestone Brads (Ice), Flower Fusion, Stampin' Dimensionals, Love & Happiness Rub-On (Sale-A-Bration)