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

Fall/Winter Sneak Peek: Dreams du Jour

"The way to know life is to love many things."   The sentiment of this card describes perfectly my love for "many things" from Stampin' Up!'s Fall/Winter catalog.  Including today's post, you'll get 5 sneak peeks in a row over the next 5 days, introducing you to the new stamps, colors and even the new "must have" Scalloped Border Punch--all available for customer order August 11 with the catalog release.  So if you are the curious-type, stay tuned for my Sneak Peek Mini Marathon . . .

My "love" card showcases 4 of the 6 new In Colors:  Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point and Tangerine Tango (the missing colors . . . . Pink Pirouette and Baja Breeze will get their turn in subsequent posts).  The Dream du Jour "love" stamp was inked in Basic Black, stamped and punched into 1 1/4" squares of these stunning new In Colors.  Each is matted on 1 3/8" Squares of Basic Black card stock.

The four mounted squares were placed on layers of Whisper White, Tangerine Tango and Riding Hood Red.  Next up was Kraft card stock which was a zowie backdrop for the powerful colors (and allowed me to slip this card into my "You've Got Male" category of masculine cards). 

TIP:  Using a Stamp-a-ma-jig, I was able to place the trés cool Van Gogh sentiment in just the right spot (even more precise than acrylics, in my opinion).  Some black gingham ribbon pulls things together before everything was adhered to the 4.25 x 5.5 Basic Black card base. 

Please drop me a comment and let me know what you think of the new releases!

Hugs and Pretties . . . . M

Stamp Set:  Dreams du Jour
Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Kraft, Basic Black
Ink:  Basic Black
Cool Tools:  1 1/4" Square Punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig
The Perfect Touch:  Black and White Gingham Ribbon

Glad for Dad

June 15 marks another special day for dear old dad--so it's time to create Father's Day cards.  This week's Splitcoast Color Challenge (CC168) seemed plenty "manly" for my husband, with the inclusion of Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip and Sage Shadow.

A chocolate chip card stock card base (4.25 x 5.5, scored at the top) kicks things off for daddy-o.  It's topped off with a layer of Au Chocolate Designer Series paper (retired) and Sage Shadow card stock. 

Twill Tape (1.5" wide) gets matted on Sage Shadow and Chocolate Chip card stock.  TIP:  Stampin' Up!'s Twill tape comes in a pack of three sizes and is very agreeable to being stamped upon.  For this bit of twill,  Stampin' Up!'s Always stem gets dipped in Chocolate Chip Classic Ink and leaves a favorable impression.  I simply had to play with my new Robin's Nest Dew Drops (Cowboy) so they got oodles of attention on this card.

The sentiment is from All Holidays and was inked in Chocolate Chip Craft Ink and stamped on Very Vanilla.  TIP:  Craft Ink is embossable and Classic Ink is not.  Clear Embossing Powder was dusted on and heat embossed to a shiny finish.  The edges are distressed in a flash using Stampin' Up!'s Cutter Tool.  TIP:  This handy dandy portable guy includes a rotary cutter, perforating tool, scoring tool and a 7-sided distressing tool.  Too bad it can't mow the lawn. 

Father's Day is matted on layers of Chocolate Chip and Sage Shadow card stock.   The final touch is a few more pops of color from Robin's Nest Dew Drops.

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Hugs and Pretties . . . Mary

Stamp Set:  All Holidays, Always
Paper:  Au Chocolate Designer Series, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Sage Shadow
Ink:  Chocolate Chip Craft and Classic
Cool Tools:  Heat Tool, Cutter Kit
The Perfect Touch:  Twill Tape, Clear Embossing Powder, Robin's Nest Dew Drops (Cowboy)

Enjoy for a Boy

The Enjoy Every Moment stamp set has a feminine, flowery appeal.  However, with a little spin on color and embellishments, it can become a "boy" card quite easily. 

I stamped "enjoy" in Basic Black ink on Whisper White card stock and layered a 1/2" circle of Blue Bayou Textured card stock and a 1/4" Square of Saffron on the "o."  I scored the top, folded it over and popped in two black eyelets with my Crop-A-Dile.  A piece of Hemp Twine is a perfect "rugged" touch to "tie" things up.

The horizontal banner begins with a layer of Blue Bayou Textured card stock with both sides ripped using a Tearing Strip.  TIP:  The Tearing
Strip has two different edges, each creating a consistent and distinctive ripped/distressed edge.  It looks much more polished than when I do it on my own.  I topped it with a layer of So Saffron and a couple thin strips of Blue Bayou card stock.  TIP:  This is a quick and easy way to create a striped look without having patterned paper.

Using the Canvas Background inked in Blue Bayou, I stamped it on So Saffron card stock and layered it on a card base of Blue Bayou Textured card stock (4.25 x 5.5).

The sentiment "life" was stamped on Whisper White and layered on a Large Oval of Blue Bayou.  I fastened it down using a Hodgepodge Hardware Styled Silver Label Holder and Brads (exclusively available through Stampin' Up!'s Occasions Mini).

Hugs and Pretties . . . . M

Stamp Set:  Enjoy Every Moment, Canvas Background
Paper:  Blue Bayou Textured, So Saffron, Whisper White
Ink:  Basic Black, Blue Bayou
Cool Tools:  Tearing Edge, Crop-A-Dile, Large Oval Punch, 1/4" Square Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch
The Perfect Touch:  Basic Eyelets (Black), Hemp Twine (Natural), Hodgepodge Hardware Label Holder and Brads (Styled Silver, Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini)

Stars and Stripes

Here's a simple masculine card for a graduate from the Air Force Academy.  Spring Break Designer Series paper is the headliner along with the crisp look of big, beautiful letters from the Schoolbook Serif Alphabet.  A user-friendly group of punches join in on the action, too.

The card base is Blue Bayou Textured card stock (5 x 5).  I then layered some Spring Break Designer paper on top.  TIP:  This paper series has many small prints that work famously for "boy" cards.  I like the "clean shaven" look of this one along with the yummy olive and blue stripe.

Using a Stamp-a-ma-jig,  I stamped "grad" in Blue Bayou ink on Whisper White card stock.  TIP:  This is the first time I used these particular letters so the rubber was "squeaky new."  If you like uniform inking (like me), try using a sanding block on new stamps to lightly scuff the rubber of the stamps. Clean before using.  It can be a powerful before and after for better ink coverage.  The large sentiment is layered on Blue Bayou Textured card stock. 

Fundamental Phrases "CONGRATS" was also inked in Bayou and stamped on white.  TIP:  Mixing upper and lower case words (like "grad" and "CONGRATS") or even playing with different fonts, can be much more appealing than everything matchy, matchy.  I snapped out the sentiment with a Key Tag Punch and slipped it underneath "grad."

I popped out four Small Stars, three with Bayou Textured card stock and one with a Spring Break Designer Series stripe.  The stripe was adhered with a Stampin' Dimensional to a Large Punch Star, in Bayou textured.  The three small stars were layered on a rectangle of the same stripe, matted on Bayou.  TIP:  The small stars, or any small punches for that matter, make great substitutes for brads and hardware.

Inkspirations for this card are Splitcoast Challenges:  Sketch Challenge SC177,  Ways to Use it (masculine card) WT167,  Limited Supplies (no hardware) LSC169 and Limited Supplies (alphabet) LSC168.  Note:  All Splitcoast challenges are listed for you on my right side bar if you scroll down.  Try playing along.  It's an enjoyable way to get the creative juices flowing.

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

Stamp Sets:  Schoolbook Serif Alphabet, Fundamental Phrases
Paper:  Spring Break Designer Series, Blue Bayou Textured Card Stock, Whisper White
Ink:  Blue Bayou
Cool Tools:  Large and Small Star Punches, Key Tag Punch, Stamp-a-ma-jig
The Perfect Touch: Stampin' Dimensional

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

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

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)

Mad for Monograms

Do you think I should add a category for just "boy cards?"  OK, perhaps "masculine" cards sounds more appropriate.  I always find male cards difficult in the world of rubber stamping where flowers, butterflies and flourishes reign.  However, my 30 something nephew and godson, Jeremy, has a birthday coming up.  He recently stopped by to help me with a little "issue" with my universal remote control (he understands these things) and was headed off to a Wild Turkey meeting afterward (I'm hoping he meant the game bird and not the bourbon).  In either case, he's not a flowers and butterflies kind of guy.

Hence, the beauty of the monogram.  Classic.  Unisex.  I just received Stampin' Up!'s Schoolbook Serif Alphabet and it's divine.  It stamps crisp letters and is large enough that you can snip out the letters if you choose (although I'm still on the snipping "wagon" from my cutting fest several days ago).  I just may become a monogram maven with this new set (and imagine the possibilities of building "custom" words).

The 5 x 5" base is in Wild Wasabi Textured card stock.  Two coordinating pieces of Jersey Shore Designer Paper arrive next. TIP:  I used a word window punch to create a peek-a-boo sentiment.  The sentiment was isolated with a Brilliant Blue Stampin' Up! marker, from the Lots of Thoughts Sale-A-Bration set, and stamped on Whisper White card stock.  I lined it up behind the open "window" and Voilá!  The horizontal banner is Wild Wasabi Textured card stock, which has enough texture to stand on it's own with out all the weight of layers.

Using Papertrey's Borders and Corners Squares set, I stamped a multi-line square in Wild Wasabi on Whisper White card stock.  TIP:  I then used a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to easily and accurately place the "j."  Some Brilliant Blue brads dot the corners.  The image was mounted on Brilliant Blue card stock using Stampin' Dimensionals and layered again on Pumpkin Pie.  The last touch was a couple bits of Striped Grosgrain in Pumpkin Pie.

I think he'll enjoy this (although perhaps not as much as bonding with his pals at the Wild Turkey meeting . . . difficult to compete with).

Hugs and Pretties . . . . Mary

Stamp Sets:  Schoolbook Serif Alphabet, Lots of Thoughts (Sale-A-Bration)
Paper:  Jersey Shore Designer Series, Wild Wasabi Textured, Whisper White, Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie
Ink:  Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi, Brilliant Blue Marker
Cool Tools:  Word Window Punch, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig
The Perfect Touch:  Bold Brights Brads, Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (Pumpkin Pie), Stampin' Dimensionals 

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

Stellar Stamping

This little Sputnik is the perfect way to showcase a few of the new Stampin' Up Accessories that are just "outta this world," Jersey Shore Designer Series Paper, Bead Duos and Striped  Grosgrain Ribbon.  The newly released Pun Fun set is simply splendid and will bring a smile to both kids (today's project) and adults (tomorrow's project).

Striped Jersey Shore is layered on Wild Wasabi Textured card stock.  The horizontal layer is Brilliant Blue, stamped with the retired Crosshatch background.  I dotted each "cross" with a clear glaze gelly pen for some stellar amusement.  The rocket is first stamped in Jet Black Stazon on watercolor paper and then colored using both markers, blender pen, Aqua Painter and ink pads.  I punched out the center with my Crop-A-Dile and added a Pumpkin Pie eyelet on a 1/4" circle of Wasabi. 

The new Stampin' Up! beads were the perfect touch to dress up the cosmos.  I layered it on Wasabi and Pumpkin and finished off with some seriously groovy striped ribbon and a Brilliant Blue button (I added a touch of orange thread . . . it looked a tad naked).  Such a blast!

H & P,  Mary

Stamp Set:  Pun Fun (111028), Crosshatch Background (retired)
Paper:  Wild Wasabi Textured (108694), Jersey Shore Designer Series (110479), Brilliant Blue (100721), Pumpkin Pie (105117), Watercolor (105019)
Ink:  Stazon Jet Black (101406), Pumpkin Pie (Marker, 105115), Bashful Blue (105209), Brilliant Blue (100691)
Cool Tools:  Crop-A-Dile (108362), Blender Pen (102845), Aqua Painter (103954), 1/4" Circle Punch (104942)
Perfect Touches:  Bead Duo (Orange (110732), Green (110754), Blue (110753), Earth Elements Pumpkin Pie Eyelet (100381), Bold Brights Brilliant Blue Button (103977), Orange Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (110715), orange thread

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)