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

Die-Cut Blooms. WOW Card in 10 Minutes or Less!

Project #2 (of 3) of my count-down to the June 30 expiration date of some really cool Stampin' Up! Promotions.  For all current Stampin' Up! sales, please check out my right side bar list under "What's On Sale?"   However, I have sweetened the deal:  Now through 6:00 p.m. CST, Monday, June 30, I'm exclusively offering any item in the Occasions Mini Catalog at 10% off, plus FREE Shipping for products totals over $99.  US Only.  Simply click and securely order by credit card here.

For those of you who don't know, any card I create that can be assembled easily in 10 minutes or less earns my "Stamping 911" approval (category for all Stamping  911 cards on the left side bar).  Today's card is the definitive Stamping 911 example.  It holds it's own with snappy colors (Pumpkin Pie, Real Red and a Chocolate Chip 5.5 x 4.25" card base) and the use of Stampin' Up!'s Die-Cut Blooms (Occasions Mini Collection). 

There is no magic layout or combination.  Just play away with these delightful pre-cut textured flowers and centers (one 12 x 12 sheet each of Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Real Red).  TIP:  I like to run some of the blooms off the edges and then trim them with a paper cutter.  This is especially jazzy if you use one of the large blooms as a backdrop on a layout.

I added a Hero Arts sentiment in Real Red Ink on a 1 1/4" Circle of Very Vanilla matted on a 1 3/8" Circle of Real Red Textured card stock.  TIP:  A row of orange mini brads balances out the space.  I used a Paper Piercer and Template to align these little guys neatly and easily.  The sentiment is adhered to the flower using a Stampin' Dimensional for an added three dimensional effect.

Hugs and Pretties . . . Mary  (stay tuned for a Fresh Cuts note card and envelope idea on Monday morning)

Stamp Set:  Hero Arts Take Good Care
Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Real Red Textured
Ink:  Real Red
Cool Tools:  1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Paper Piercer and Template (Stampin' Up! Crafter's Tool Kit)
The Perfect Touch:  Mini Brads

10 Minute 2 Wheeler

I haven't done a Stamping 911 project (my category for a card that can be created in ten minutes or less) in ages. Today's card was crisp and quick (and under ten minutes) and stars one of my favorite stamp sets, Time for You (Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini).  TIP:  Just a reminder that the Occasions Mini is a limited edition.  If there's anything you plan to order, you will want to do so before it expires June 30.

TIP:  I used Papertrey Ink's white card stock (4 x 4 when folded in half) for this project since it is thicker than Stampin' Up!'s Whisper White and shows embossing better.  Using my circle Nestabilities, I embossed the center and used a Stamp-a-ma-jig to place the bicycle.  The bicycle is stamped in Basic Black.

A blender pen, Old Olive and Tempting Turquoise Markers make short order of watercoloring this fun two wheeler.  TIP:  I used the Tempting Turquoise Ink Pad with the blender pen to create the lighter shade of blue for the bike accents and flower centers.  Two Stampin' Up! Circle Rhinestone Brads add sparkle to the wheels.

"Hi There," from Fundamental Phrases, was inked in Basic Black and stamped on Tempting Turquoise card stock.  I then snapped it out with a Word Window Punch and gave it a lift with Stampin' Dimensionals.  A snippet of Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon wraps things up.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . M

Stamp Set:  Time For You (Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog), Fundamental Phrases
Paper:  Tempting Turquoise, Papertrey White
Ink:  Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive and Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Up! Markers
Cool Tools:  Word Window Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Cuttlebug, Nestabilities Circles
The Perfect Touch:  Stampin' Up! Circle Rhinestone Brads (Ice), Stampin' Dimensionals

Cheers for Stampin' Up!'s Taffeta

Add a touch of elegance to any project with Stampin' Up!'s Taffeta Ribbon.  It has a luscious sheen and comes in eight delicious colors (all coordinating with Stampin' Up! card stock).  TIP: I love how crisply it cuts with my Paper Snips.  Combined with the Stay Put Bow Technique, it was a quick and pretty accent to this "Stamping 911" card (my category for any card that can be created in 10 minutes or less).

Today's post was influenced by Saturday's Splitcoast Inspiration challenge, Papyrus En Fleur.  I loved the modern look and colors of the candle box I chose to mirror. 

I inked The Wonderful You flower in Basic Gray and stamped on River Rock card stock.  TIP:  I used a Basic Gray marker for the stemless blossoms (near the top), coloring only the flower so I wouldn't have too many stems.  Markers are fabulous for isolating areas of a stamp.  The image was next layered on Basic Gray Card Stock and a white card base (5" x 5"). 

The sentiment, inked in Basic Gray and stamped on white, is from Lots of Notes (Sale-A-Bration, no longer available).  I cropped and embossed it with Nestabilities Scalloped Rectangles.  A couple Styled Silver Brads add a little pop.

BAM!!! . . . less than 10 minutes :)

Hugs and Pretties . . . . M

Stamp Sets:  Wonderful You, Lots of Notes (Sale-A-Bration)
Paper:  Basic Gray, River Rock, Papertrey White
Ink:  Basic Gray
Cool Tools:  Nestabilities Scalloped Rectangles, Cuttlebug, Crop-A-Dile
The Perfect Touch:  Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware Brads (Styled Silver, Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini)

Wonderful Neutral You

Sometimes simplicity rules.  Today's post not only qualifies for my Stampin' 911 category (can be created in less than 10 minutes), it is basic enough to be a "boy" card.  TIP:  Neutrals take the guess work out of deciding on masculine colors.

Using the Wonderful You stamp set, I inked the stem in Basic Black and stamped it multiple times on Kraft card stock.  I then matted it on Whisper White and a Basic Black card base (4.25 x 5.5). TIP: Nipping the bottom corners on all three layers with a Corner Rounder Punch is a classy touch.

A pop of pattern in a black and white gingham ribbon lends a little interest.  The sentiment (also from Wonderful You), was inked in Basic Black and stamped on Whisper White.  It's punched with the small oval punch and layered on a large oval of Basic Black.  Some Stampin' Dimensionals both adhere and heighten the two layers. TIP: Stampin' Up!'s Large and Small Oval Punches compliment each other perfectly and always look sensational with sentiments.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

COMING UP!  A sneak peek and special offer on the first stamp set to be released ("Fresh Cut") from Stampin' Up!'s Fall/Winter Catalog 2008

Stamp Set:  Wonderful You
Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Kraft
Ink:  Basic Black
Cool Tools:  Large and Small Oval Punches, Corner Rounder Punch
The Perfect Touch:  Black and White Gingham Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happiness Is a 911 Card

911?  Any card that can easily be thrown together in less than 10 minutes qualifies for my Stamping 911 category.  This card is no exception.  It also follows the rule of today's Splitcoast Stampers' Limited Supplies Challenge (LSC167):  No Stamps.  Easy, schpeezy to do with rub-ons and die-cuts.

The card base is Stampin' Up!'s delicious textured card stock in Old Olive.  TIP:  Textured card stock gives a simple card depth and style.  The dimensions are 4 1/4" x 11" and scored at 5.5" (at the top).  I next layered a classy stripe from Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper.  TIP:  I covered the Pumpkin Pie stripe with the ribbon to keep the color scheme simple.

The Die Cut Blooms (also textured) pop out in seconds and are quite fun to mix and match flowers and centers.  This set is offered exclusively in the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini, which expires 6/30.   Die-cut Blooms come in four 12 x 12 sheets, one each of Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie and Bashful Blue.  TIP: They coordinate especially well with Jersey Shore and Summer Picnic Designer Paper.  White Rub-Ons offer some zing to the flower center and a create a quick and crisp "happiness" sentiment.

The final touch is some Old Olive  5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon and a matching button.  TIP:  I added some white thread to the button because I always feel they look a little "naked"  without.   The flower was adhered to the card with some Stampin' Dimensionals for some 3-D action.  All in a flash.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

Stamp Sets:  None
Paper:  Old Olive Textured, Summer Picnic Designer Series
Ink:  None
Cool Tools:  None
The Perfect Touch:  Die Cut Blooms (Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini 2008), Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Earth Elements Button (Old Olive), Stampin' Dimensionals, Love & Happiness Rub-Ons (Sale-A-Bration), White Thread

Die-Cuts to Die For

Stampin' Up!'s Die-cut Blooms (Occasions Mini 2008, p. 14) are a quick solution when you need a vibrant, 3-dimensional card with only 10 minutes to spare.  The set includes four 12 x 12 sheets (one each of Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red) in a range of large and small blossoms and flower centers.  They are simply divine for mix and match and layering.

TIP:  This card qualifies for my Stamping 911 approval (created in 10 minutes or less).  The Die-cut blooms I used coordinate beautifully with Jersey Shore Designer Paper.  I started with a Whisper White base and then added Old Olive textured card stock on the left, orange retro flowers on the right and a striped banner across the middle (both from Jersey Shore Designer Series).  I next slipped in a sentiment, which was cropped out with Stampin' Up!'s Round Tab Punch and inked in Brilliant Blue and Pumpkin Pie (both sentiment and flower from Papertrey Ink). TIP:  I was able to easily bend the acrylic sentiment to work with the curve of the punch.

TIP:  For a little jazz, I grabbed a Paper Piercer and Template and efficiently lined up my Bashful Blue Brads like soldiers at attention.  The flower took less than thirty seconds, merely the result of playing with different sizes and colors and topping it off with a quick punch of polka dots (also Jersey Shore) with a 3/4" Circle Punch.  All so "bloomin'" easy :)

Hugs and Pretties . . . Mary

Stamp Set:  Papertrey Ink Anniversary Set (sentiment) & Little Lady (flower on sentiment)
Paper:  Jersey Shore Designer Series, Old Olive Textured, Whisper White
Ink:  Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie
Cool Tools:  Round Tab Punch, Paper Piercer and Template (Stampin' Up!'s Crafter's Tool Kit), 3/4" Circle Punch
The Perfect Touch:  Die-cut Blooms (Occasions Mini 2008), Soft Subtles Brads (Bashful Blue)

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)

Simply Stampin'

I have another quick and easy card today that meets my "Stamping 911" ten minutes or less approval.  A large background stamp and decorative punches make this project a breeze.

I began with Stampin' Up!'s Baroque background stamp.  TIP: I always ink my background stamps rubber side up and apply the pad to the stamp, making sure I have even coverage.  I then lay an over sized piece of card stock (in this case Whisper White) on top, being certain that it is square with the stamp.  TIP: For an even transfer, place a piece of scratch paper on top of the card stock and firmly press (or I use a brayer) over the card stock and background stamp, going to the edges.  Keep one hand holding the card stock tight (if it slips, the image gets seriously messed up) and the other pressing.  TIP:  Trim the card stock to the size you need after you have transferred the image so that you can cut off any uneven areas or decide where to trim when you see where the shape fits on the card stock.

After trimming the image, I cropped the bottom corner with a Corner Rounder Punch and mounted it on a Soft Sky card base (also, with the bottom corner cropped).  The horizontal banner is Soft Sky Textured card stock with a strip of Basic Gray.  I popped out some Basic Gray and Soft Sky flowers with my Boho Punch, layered them and married them up with a Styled Silver brad. 

The sentiment is from Simply Said.  I inked it in Basic Gray and stamped in Whisper White.  The Styled Silver Label holder is a lovely fit with the sentiment snapped out with a Designer Label Punch.  A strip of Soft Sky Double Stitched ribbon pulls things together.   TIP:   I also tucked some Stampin' Dimensionals beneath the sentiment to make a snug fit with the label holder.

My colors were inspired by this week's Splitcoast Stampers Color Challenge CC159.  Unfortunately, I misread Basic Gray for Going Gray . . . so mine's a bit of a "pepper."

Hugs and Pretties . . . . M

Stamp Sets:  Baroque Background (109264), Simply Said (106598)
Paper:  Soft Sky (108639), Soft Sky Textured (Assorted In Color, 108694), Whisper White (100730), Going Gray (Assorted Neutrals, 108588)
Ink:  Soft Sky (109009), Basic Gray (109120)
Cool Tools:  Corner Rounder Punch (109047), Designer Label Punch (1075990), Boho Blossoms Punch (110711), Brayer (102395)
The Perfect Touch:  Styled Silver Brads and Label Holder (Hodgepodge Hardware, Occasions Mini, 111325), Soft Sky Double Stitched Ribbon (109059)

Happy Ovals

Need a quick card?  This one gets my Stamping 911 approval for being easy to assemble in 10 minutes or less.  Stampin' Up!'s Small Oval Punch is the gutsy little "Iron Man" which anchors the background, brads and sentiment for this simple card. 

The card base is Aqua Mist card stock (Papertrey, but Stampin' Up!'s Soft Sky and Tempting Turquoise would be excellent alternatives).  On top is a layer of Spring Moss (Papertrey, Stampin' Up!'s River Rock would work well, too).  The bottom corners are cropped with a Corner Rounder Punch.

I punched 5 small ovals of both Aqua and Moss and adhered them to Very Vanilla which was cropped on all four corners with a Corner Rounder Punch.  A Love and Happiness Rub-On creates the sentiment along with 3 pewter brads.

A layer of acetate was dressed up with a Chocolate Chip Rub-On (Stampin' Up!'s rub-ons adhere amazingly well to most non-porous materials) and attached with a couple more pewter brads.  I added just a snippet of Very Vanilla Ribbon and a brad because I thought it needed just a little something.

Easy Schpeezy.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

Stamp Sets:  None
Paper:  Very Vanilla (101650), Aqua Mist (Papertrey Ink), Spring Moss (Papertrey Ink), Clear Acetate (non SU)
Ink:  None
Cool Tools:  Small Oval Punch (107304), Corner Rounder Punch (109047)
The Perfect Touch:  Chocolate Chip Love & Happiness Rub-On's (Sale-A-Bration, retired), Hodgepodge Hardware Pewter Brads (105515), Very Vanilla Ribbon (109026), Non SU Brown Flower Brad

Where the Boys Are

Many stampers struggle with creating "boy" cards.  I am no exception.  I recently was asked by a reader for some masculine birthday ideas so I took a look at what I have done in the past and saw some common denominators.  "Less is best" comes to my mind when I design for a guy.  Think geometric, fewer layers, fewer embellishments, and hold the big blooms, please.  Neutrals and earthy hues rule.  Ah, and a touch of metal appeals to the most basic level of the modern male.

The good news is that with fewer details, your card can be completed in short order. This one qualifies for my Stamping 911 category . . . meaning if you need a card in an emergency, it can go together in 10 minutes or less. 

A card base of Always Artichoke gets things rolling.  I adhered some of Papertrey's Spring Moss card stock, textured with a Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder.  The top image (any stem will do) was dipped in Versamark and embossed in White (on Chocolate Chip card stock). 

The sentiment is from It's All Good . . .inked in Chocolate Chip and stamped on Whisper White.  I then punched it with a 3/4" circle punch and layered it over dimensional and a 1" Whisper White circle.  TIP: Attach your sentiment to your image first, then add the label holder and brads.  It's much easier this way. 

The final touch is a punch of Spring Moss with the Word Window and 3 brads to balance the metal in the sentiment.    TIP:  A template makes spacing brads evenly a snap.  Done!

NEED AN OCCASIONS MINI CATALOG?  If you are interested in ordering from the newly released Occasions Mini Collection 2008 and need a catalog , I would be happy to mail you one.   Just drop me an email with you name and address (U.S. only).  Please contact your local Stampin' Up! demonstrator for a catalog if you have a current relationship.  Thanks.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

Stamp Sets:  It's All Good (109308), Stem Silhouettes (retired set, but wonderful alternatives are Wonderful You (11181), Lovely as a Tree (101223) or Embrace Life (111011)
Paper:  Always Artichoke (105119), Chocolate Chip (102128), Whisper White (100730), Spring Moss (www.papertreyink.com)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (100908), Versamark (102283)
Cool Tools:  3/4" (107217) and 1" (109046)Circle Punches, Word Window Punch (105090), Heat Tool (100005), Wire Cutter, Paper Piercer and Template (Crafter's Tool Kit, 104310), Cuttlebug (available at Create for Less)
The Perfect Touch:  White Embossing Powder (109132), Hodgepodge Hardware Brads and Label Holder (Occasions Mini Collection, Styled Silver, 111325), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Now Here's the Rub . . .

Have you tried Stampin' Up!'s rub-ons?  I was a huge skeptic.  However, after using them a few times, I have become a die hard fan.  Not only do they leave a clean and crisp image, they are quick and easy, too.  If you have 10 minutes, you can have a gorgeous card.  Check out Stampin' Up!'s selection of rub-ons in the Spring/Summer Collection on page 182).

The white Love and Happiness rub-ons used today are exclusively from the Sale-A-Bration brochure.  You can download the entire brochure on the right side of my blog.  Each set includes one sheet each of Chocolate Chip, Olive, White and Black rub-ons. Sale-A-Bration is still in full swing so be sure to take advantage of the free merchandise offered before it ends March 17.  You earn one free Sale-A-Bration stamp set or the Love and Happiness Rub-ons for every $50 in Stampin' Up! you spend!  What great timing with the release of the new mini!

Need a Sale-A-Bration brochure (and you promise you aren't a demonstrator or already have a relationship with a local demo)?   I have a limited supply remaining and would be happy to whoosh one in the mail to you!  Either contact me with your address at my live help/email button (top left) or send it to me via an on-line order.

I'm proud to say this card is a CASE (Copy AND Share with Everyone) created by my wonderful stampin' niece, Kris (Splitcoast AKA Kreations by Kris).   You can see her card HERE.  I changed it up a bit with Soft Sky, Blue Bayou and Real Red card stock.  The flowers were done in a flash with a Boho Blossom Punch and secured with a Rhinestone Brad (one fire and one ice) and layered over the rub-on flowers, stems and butterflies.  The sentiment is a rub-on on Blue Bayou (1 1/4" Circle Punch), layered on Soft Sky (1 3/8" Circle Punch) and Real Red (Scallop Circle Punch).  I added a dot of white with a White Signo Pen to each scallop.

Less than 10 minutes . . . divine! 

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

My color changes allowed me to play in this week's  Splitcoast Inspirational Challenge IC117--Blue Room (photo on the left).
Stamp Set:  None
Paper:  Blue Bayou (108642), Soft Sky (108639), Real Red (102482)
Ink:  None
Cool Tools:  Boho Blossom Punch (110711), 1 1/4" (104403)and 1 3/8" (104401) Circle Punches, Scallop Circle Punch (109043)
Perfect Touches:  Love & Happiness Rub-Ons (Sale-A-Bration, 111228), Circle Rhinestone Brads (red/fire--109110, blue/ice--109111), White Signo Gel Pen (105021)

Look Ma, No Stamps!

Need a card in a flash?  I have a family get together today so I wanted to create today's card quickly.   I grabbed paper, rub-ons and an oval punch . . . Voilá!  Done in less than 10 minutes.  Simple and fresh.

I received some gorgeous card stock colors just released by Papertrey Ink (actually, I was the random winner during the release contest--hooray).  The card base is Aqua Mist (cut and scored the long way) topped by Spring Moss.  You could substitute Cool Carribean (2007), Tempting Turquoise or Soft Sky for the Aqua and River Rock for the Spring Moss.

The flower stem and sentiment are Chocolate Chip rub-on's from the Sale-A-Bration Love and Happiness pack.  If you take advantage of the Sale-A-Bration promotion before it ends (March 17), give these rub-ons a try.  They're divine to work with.  Easy placement.  Crisp images.  TIP: to ensure a perfect transfer, rub the images completely.  I go over everything twice to be sure.  The "flower" is merely six punches with a Small Oval Punch.  OK, gang, that's it.  Under 10 minutes.  Not a stamp to be found.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . .  M

Stamp Set:  None :)
Paper:  Very Vanilla (101650), Papertrey Aqua Mist and Spring Moss
Ink:  None :)
Cool Tools:  Small Oval Punch (107304)
Perfect Touches:  Love and Happiness Rub-Ons (Sale-A-Bration,  111228)

Inspiration:  Colors and  petals inspired by this photo (see the tiny tree) from Splitcoast Inspiration Challenge IC116

On Your Mark, Get Set, Stamp

My 14 year old daughter just had a delightful birthday and received some fabulous gifts.  However, following every birthday, I assume the responsibility (and the bearer of bad news) to advise her that she needs to do thank you notes for her gifts as soon as possible.  Worse yet, she has to make them (this household is a "No Hallmark" zone).  I can assure you from past mother/daughter stamping projects that she has clearly not caught the card making bug (yet) like her mum.

OK, I'm not all that bad.  She primarily dislikes the part about having to come up with an idea from scratch (second only to her belief that I am too particular about her work, "what, me?").  I felt if I could help her come up with something fresh, quick and easy, it might actually be fun together.

After I came up with a simple layout and concept, we decided to add a little interest by timing the   construction of 7 "mass" produced cards.  It took 20 minutes flat.  Less than 3 minutes a card (using two of us, of course).  I did subtract for a short break when we enjoyed some cookies we made simultaneous to the card production (ah, we women are the consummate multi-taskers).  Here's how it broke down:

Cutting, scoring and punching:  10 minutes
Piercing (I confess, I did this part):  3 minutes
Stamping: 3 minutes
Attaching flowers with super cool brad: 2 minutes
Adhering everything else: 2 minutes
Admiring final results with daughter:  Priceless (and timeless!)

Stamp Set:  Time Well Spent (Hostess, 111054)
Paper:  Elegant Eggplant (105126), Green Galore (101768), Orchid Opulence (100969), Whisper White (100730)
Ink:  Elegant Eggplant (105210)
Cool Tools:  Perfect Layers (retired), Paper Piercer (Crafter's Tool Kit, 104310), Marvy Giga Scallop Circle and Mega Circle Punches
Perfect Touches:  Pink Rhinestone Stick-Ons, Polka Dot Brad, Layered Flowers (All Non-Stampin' Up!)

Inspiration:  Splitcoast Stampers Ways to Use It Challenge WR147

Stamping 911: Stems for a "Manly" Man

My brother-in-law's birthday is next week and I wanted to make a special card for him.  The challenge is that he is the epitome of a "Man's Man" . . . loves football and hunting (he claims to have wrestled a deer once, which had been struck and injured by a car.  I don't doubt this in the least).  He's a proud Viking fan in Packerland . . . yes, he's courageous, too.  Everything I pulled out of my supply drawer for his birthday project just didn't seem masculine enough.  Florals, ribbon and almost my entire designer series paper collection were absolutely out.  Even color combinations posed a conundrum.   I am confident he would see "Purely Pomegranate" as  pink.  Here's what I came up with.  I'm hoping that stems delivered in Old Olive and Chocolate Chip will keep his male ego in tact!

Stamp Old Olive cardstock in Chocolate Chip using the Sanded background stamp.  Layer on Chocolate Chip cardstock.  Adhere to Kraft cardbase.  Next layer Au Chocolat Designer Series Paper on Chocolate Chip and apply horizontally.  I inked up my image in Old Olive and used a Chocolate Chip marker on the leaf tips, directly on the stamp. I stamped the image on watercolor paper and used my Aqua Painter with a light touch to soften and create a watercolored effect.  So easy!  I then matted the image on Chocolate Chip.

The sentiment is simply layers of Kraft (Sincere Salutations stamp) punched with the designer label punch, followed by some Stampin' Dimensionals, a Chocolate Chip 1 3/8" circle and an Old Olive rectangle "snipped" on the corners with my Ticket Corner Punch.  The final touch was using the Crop-A-Dile (clearly a man's man tool, right?) to add some Pewter Jumbo Eyelets (ahhhh, heavy metal, perfect).

Stamps:  Stem Silhouettes (retired).  I think the new "Embrace Life" stem would work even better but mine hasn't arrived yet (111011), Sincere Salutations (105156)
Paper:  Watercolor (105019), Chocolate Chip (102128), Old Olive (100702), Kraft (102125), Au Chocolate Designer Series Paper (retired)
Ink:  Old Olive (102277), Chocolate Chip (100908), Chocolate Chip Marker (100071)
Cool Tools:  Crop-A-Dile (108362), Designer Label Punch (107590), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (104401), Ticket Corner Punch (107214), Aqua Painter
Perfect Touches:  Stampin' Dimensionals, Jumbo Eyelets (Pewter, 108432)

Stamping 911: A Case for a CASE

One of the great things about stamping and card making is allowing your creative side to rise and shine.  Part of what fuels my obsession is the enjoyment I get when I design a card and give it away to someone special.  However, when you rise and shine on a Saturday morning and realize that you have a wedding to go to and almost no time whatsoever for the creative wheels to turn paper and ink into a card (AKA Stampin' Emergency),  I believe there's nothing finer that a visit to the Splitcoaststampers (SCS) Gallery to "shop" for a great CASE (Copy And Share with Everyone).  There is such a tremendous collection of beautiful artwork.  Frankly, the first thing  I do when I get a new stamp set is rush to see what's been done in SCS with the same set.  SCS has been a fabulous tutor on layouts, color, style and technique.  It's the perfect solution for those days of "Stamper's Block"  or when you simply don't have time to be Picasso.  So here's my CASE'd sample, which made it to the wedding in plenty of time, a divine card designed by PickleTree (yes, crediting those who created the original gem is absolutely mandatory).

Stamps:  Papertrey Spiral Bouquet
Paper:  Whisper White, Black, Basic Gray
Ink:  Basic Gray, Going Gray
Tools:  Oval Punches, Ticket Corner Punch, Crop-A-Dile, 1/8" anywhere punch (the "Crop" just couldn't reach the 3rd flower from the left), Cuttlebug and Swirls Embossing Folder (a little jazz for the envelope flap).
Perfect Touches:  Black and White Gingham Ribbon, Black Eyelets, Stampin' Dimensionals