Daring Adventure and New Stuff!

I've had some of this stuff, unused, just sitting on my table teasing me for weeks now. WEEKS! I couldn't put it away because I wanted to use it, but nothing was really coming to mind so it sort of became part of my work surface. Does this happen to anyone else?

Today's challenge over at Pals Paper Arts was a really great kick to my creativity and as soon as I saw what it was, I knew exactly what I had to do! Yay! The challenge is to "Soften the Edges" which is so great because it can mean so many things. Corner rounding, scallops, ink, sanding, tearing, designer paper, crinkling...etc. I love it!

So I got  out all those unused products and started softening edges (yes ALL of them!) and here is what I came up with:

The new stuff I used tonight includes:

Vintage Trinkets - see those cute little brads and safety pin? I can't believe I've waited so long. They're so fun!

Denim Ribbon - Not the same color? Who cares! Denim matches everything!

Well Worn Designer Paper - Such a nice understated paper. Classy and perfect.

And yes, every single edge on this card has had something done to it. One has been rolled and pinned, some have been textured, most have been sanded and all of them have been inked.

Hopefully these picture show all the edge details.

I feel like I should also mention how great this Daring Adventure stamp set is. This card features all four images: the flourish at the top left, the footprints on the greeting, and the word background. I REALLY love it when a stamp set can be used like this to make a complete project with no wasted rubber. I also love Helen Keller so I might be a bit biased.

I used:

* Daring Adventure stamp set

* River Rock, Cajun Craze, Whisper White,  and Soft Suede card stock

* Well Worn designer paper

* Soft Suede, and Crumb Cake ink

* Vintage Trinkets

* Denim Ribbon

* Distressing kit

* Antique Wallpaper embossing folder

Punch Card and Paper Players

Here is this week's sketch challenge over at The Paper Players. It may look simple, but it was REALLY challenging for me!  I've tried a number of cards using this sketch and I just couldn't get them to work. I was having an off stamping week I guess.

Anyway, its always good to push yourself and try new things so I managed to finally make a card I could proudly display. Phew!

Here it is:

I used:

* Warmest Regards (retired, sorry!) stamp set

* Crumb Cake, Naturals Ivory, Early Espresso, Pink Pirouette, and Perfect Plum card stocks

* Perfect Plum designer paper

* Early Espresso Ink

* Scallop border, Heart to Heart, Blossom Bouquet, and various circle punches

* Early Espresso taffeta ribbon

* Basic Rhinestones

* Polka Dot impressions folder

More Boxes and Fall Paper!

I just couldn't help but make up some more of these cute boxes! Both of these are really similar but one of them is a lot harder to make because it uses retired ribbon AND has one of those foldy circle things on it. Which, after making, I'm not convinced was worth it.

Here's the fussier version. This ribbon is retired now but I'm sure Soft Suede would look just as good here. I just didn't have any of that on hand.

And that foldy circle thing you ask? Yes, its cool but again, not sure its totally worth the effort. I think maybe for Christmas Ornaments I might make some larger ones, with glitter and crap on them but this tiny one was sort of a nightmare for me.

But look at the giant button!!!

Here is the simpler version. I think its just as cute but WAY easier to make and reproduce! This Spice Cake paper is sooo pretty though that it would probably look fantastic on anything! And the giant button doesn't hurt either.

Instead of the foldy circle deal I just used an extra large scallop circle and you know what? It might not have a "wow" factor to it, but I really like it. And it doesn't make me feel angry. Which is a bonus.

And I just love the ruffled Pool Party ribbon too. Who knew it would look so good for fall? I can't wait to use it for Christmas too!

Oh, and on both of these boxes the belly band slips right off so the lucky recipient can open it, eat the treat inside and then put it all back together again. Or redecorate it themselves. So fun!

I used:

* Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set

* Naturals Ivory Card stock

* Soft Suede ink

* Spice Cake Designer Paper

* Hemp Twine, Old Olive Striped Ribbon and Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon

* Spice Cake Designer Buttons

* Extra Large Scallop Punch

* Kraft Gift Box

Boo! Card for the PPA

I just have a quick post tonight of a fun Halloween card I made for the Pals Paper Arts Sketch Challenge. I know its still August and way to early for Halloween, but I am so done with summer that I don't even care. Heck, I even love all the Christmas displays that are out at all the craft stores. Jingle Bells anyone?

All the stamping on this card is embossed a nice shiny black but besides that everything else is super easy.

I didn't even do any distressing or use my Big Shot.

Weird, I know.

Here is the Sketch. So fun right?

 

I used:

* Spooky Bingo Bits and Tiny Tags stamp sets

* Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Basic Grey, Whisper White  and Basic Black card stocks

* Frightful Sight designer series paper

* Versamark ink

* Black embossing powder

* Embossing Tool

* Black Striped Grosgrain ribbon (so cute!)

* Baker's Twine

* Jewelry Tag punch

Bookmarks for Bookclub!

I may have mentioned before that when I'm not stamping I'm usually reading. Occasionally I do both and stamp while listening to an audio book. Yay!

This month my book club is having a Pot Luck. We're all bringing a book we love and a coordinating treat to share. But instead of bringing a treat to eat, I thought I'd bring a treat to keep. A bookmark!

And since Bloody Jack is a book that takes place mostly as sea (An orphan girl on the streets of London dresses up like a boy and goes aboard a ship in the British Royal Navy and has many a daring adventure) the Open Sea stamp set and the matching designer paper, Nautical Expedition, are just perfect! Also, there's a funny scene that involves a blue anchor tattoo so I really couldn't help myself.

And if a few are good then A LOT are better, right?

Here are the three versions I made:

Which is your favorite?

I used:

* The Open Sea and Daring Adventure stamp sets

* Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Soft Suede, Early Espresso and Not Quite Navy Card Stock

* Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Not Quite Navy and Cherry Cobbler inks

* Nautical Expedition designer paper

* Jumbo Eyelets and the Crop-o-dile

* Baker's Twine

* Sanding blocks

Featured Book: Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer (Read it!)

Pink Gift Box for the Paper Players

Isn't this little gift box just the cutest thing you've ever seen? I plan on making them for pretty much every occasion there ever was.

This foldable little beauty will be coming out in the new Holiday Mini album in September. Yay!

I made this box for a really fun challenge blog, The Paper Players. This week's contest uses Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose and Rose Red. So pretty!

I used:

* Word Play stamp set

* Rose Red and Whisper White card stock

* Pretty in Pink d.s.p.

* Regal Rose 5/8" ribbon

* Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Heart to Heart punch, Ticket Corner Punch, 3/4" circle punch

* Kraft Gift Box

* Baker's Twine

Birthday Party Invites for Baby!

Today's post should really be split into 3 posts but to be honest, I've been blogging A LOT lately and I'm a bit worn out. I know. Lame.
My niece, Kjirstin, asked if I could help her design a birthday invitation for her little one who's turning 1 next month. Yay! and Of Course! Its so nice to be useful to someone!

I made up a couple cards in advance, knowing full well we would change everything around but still, it always helps to be prepared right?!?
Here's the first one I came up with. I love it a lot and I think I might re-make it in about a trillion different color combos so as to be ready for every birthday for the next century or two. CUPCAKES!!!

I even sort of used my Color Coach! I still changed the pink but that's pretty good right?
The Color Coach is awesome. I think it could really help me but for some reason I feel like it wants to take over my life and tell me what to do so normally I leave it buried under a pile of stamping tools.
I know, I have some control issues. I'm working on them. Sort of.

I used:

* Build a cupcake and Dot Dot Dot and Afterthoughts (retired) stamp sets

* Whisper White, Soft Suede, Blushing Bride and So Saffron card stocks and coordinating inks

* So Saffron d.s.p.

* Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack, Cupcake Builder Punch

* Basic Rhinestones

* Baker's Twine

Anywho, when Kjirstin got here, we played round with different colors and stamps and embellishments til we came up with this little beauty. It still has quite a few similarities but as you can see, a totally different feeling.

So feminine and pretty!

Can you see the Smooch Spritz on it?

We used:

* Clearly for You, En Francais and Afterthoughts (retired) stamp sets

* Whisper White, Early Espresso and Pink Pirouette card stocks

* Crumb cake, Pink Pirouette and Early Espresso inks

* Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz

* Paper Daisies

* Basic Pearls

* Crumb Cake Taffeta Ribbon

This was a late night card whimsical twist on the same layout. Isn't it so fun how each card is so different but still has so much in common?

I used:

* Dot Dot Dot and Afterthoughts (retired) stamp sets

* Early Espresso, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White and Melon Mambo card stocks

* Certainly Celery and Early Espresso ink

* So Saffron d.s.p.

* Linen Thread

* Stripes embossing Folder

* Basic Rhinestones

* Bird Punch

For Candi!

If you don't live under a rock, you may have noticed that THERE ARE OWLS EVERYWHERE!!!

I'm not saying I don't like them, I just worry about all the decorative mice.

The thing about owls is, with their really big owly eyes, they look really surprised. Right? What might they be thinking? Is it a secret just for owls?

Well wonder no more! My sister has figured out what they are soooo surprised about. You'll never look at another owl the same way again.

I know I can't.

Try it. Try to look at this boring "hello" card without thinking that the owl has just farted!

You can't do it!

It cannot be done!

 

He's saying "hello" but he's thinking "fart!"

I used:

* Woodgrain and Pendant Park stamp sets

* Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Crumb Cake, Whisper White and Basic Black card stocks

* Pumpkin Pie d.s.p.

* Early Espresso ink

* Owl Builder, Bird Builder, Large Oval and Wide Oval punches

* Rat-a-Tat sizzlit alphabet (Non SU!)

Fall Designer Paper Sneak Peek!

Isn't this paper soooooo pretty!?!

The colors are delicious, the patterns are beautiful and as an added bonus, it matches all the themes from both this year's new fall stamp sets AND last year's Day of Gratitude set. Which is good because I really love this "old" set.

The challenge today over at Pals Paper Arts is to Dress for Success. Dressing for Success is easy as 1-2-3 this week at Pals Paper Arts.  Follow our simple recipe to success:  Use 1 piece of designer series paper, 1 punch and 1 sentiment. 

How great is it that I have such a wonderful excuse to use this pretty pretty paper! Thanks PPA!

I cheated a little because I actually used 2 pieces of designer paper. You can see the the tiny blue border peeking out at the top and bottom? Yep. I couldn't help it. But other than that I followed the 1-2-3 rules perfectly!

The sentiment is stamped on the Wide Oval punch which is framed using a die from the Lots of Tags Sizzlit set. All the edges on the card are filed using a metal precision file from the Distressing kit and inks with Soft Suede and a sponge dauber.

After the edges are all filed and inked the whole thing, inside and out, is splashed with watered down Crumb Cake ink and a light spritzing using Soft Suede and the Color Spritzer tool.

It might be easier to see on the inside but I promise its the same all over.

I used:

* Day of Gratitude stamp set

* Soft Suede, More Mustard and Very Vanilla Card stock

* Spice Cake Designer Paper (2011 Holiday Mini Catalog)

* Soft Suede, Pear Pizazz and More Mustard Markers

* Soft Suede and Crumb Cake ink

* Sewing Machine and thread

* Crochet Trim and Soft Suede Polka Dot ribbon (retired)

* Wide Oval Punch

* Lots of Tags Sizzlit

* Distressing Kit

Hello Baaaaaby!

I finally used my new Pennant Parade stamp set and matching punch. Woot!  It's so fun and easy and just imagine this bag saying "Happy B-Day" in bright colors. So versatile!

I used a standard size gift bag, I think about 8X10, that you can get anywhere. I try to always have a few of these on hand in case of gift-y type emergencies. Like this one. And look how cute it turned out. I can't wait to make some more projects with this set!  

I used:

* Pennant Parade stamp set

* Blushing Bride, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party Crumb Cake and Whisper White Card stocks and coordinating inks

* Petite Pennants Builder punch

* Paper Piercing Tool

* Baker's Twine

* Rat-a-Tat sizzlit alphabet (non SU! Sorry!)

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!

Happy B-day to my very best friend Elizabeth! Yay!

I was so excited to make this card because I knew I could make it as girly as possible and she would totally get it! And also because I love her.

I used my brand new Daring Adventure set here and even though the catalog makes it look kind of masculine I think its also really soft and pretty.

For the background I first wrinkled and sanded a strip of rose red d.s.p. Then I adhered it to a piece of Crumb Cake then ran it through my Big Shot. After that I sanded it some more til all the white parts were showing. Then I used a sponge dauber to add some Crumb Cake ink to the edges and I spritzed it with my Color Spritzer tool and a Soft Suede marker.

For the image I started with a piece of Whisper White, inked it with Crumb Cake and a sponge dauber, spritzed it with Soft Suede. The words are stamped in Crumb Cake while the flourish is in Soft Suede. I can't remember if I used Rose Red (stamped off a few times) or a lighter pink like Pink Pirouette for the shadow images of the flourish. Sorry!

And for the little tag I used the Clearly for You set and my Jewelry Punch. Which I love.

Most of the time I avoid tying a bow because I sort of suck at it, but on a card like this a simple knot just would not do.

And here is the inside with the lining treated the same as the outside.

I used:

* Daring Adventure and Clearly For You stamp sets

* Early Espresso, Whisper White and Crumb Cake card stocks

* Crumb Cake, Soft Suede and Pink Pirouette(?) inks

* Rose Red d.s.p.

* Color Spritzer Tool and Soft Suede marker

* Sponge Dauber

* Distressing Kit

* Antique Wallpaper embossing Folder

* Jewelry Tag Punch

* Paper Piercing Tool

*Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon, Baker's Twine

Baby Bundle Baby Gift!

In addition to stamping, I am also a great lover of a good book. What does this have to do with stamping? Well! I'm in a bookclub (two actually) so of course when someone (or someones) is having a baby I have to stamp their gift. Reading and stamping and babies and friends! YAY!!!

 

Did I mention there are also treats at bookclub?

I was a little pressed for time so instead of making an entire gift bag with a coordinating set of thank you notes or something, I just made a quick 3x3 on top of a wrapped gift. So easy and sweet!

This is for a baby boy so I went with a nice traditional combo of Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue. And with a mini Clothespin and some texture, that's pretty much all it needed.

Congrats to Liz and Anadine! I hope you make it back to bookclub soon so we can see these babies of yours!

I used:

* Baby Bundle stamp set

* Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White  card stocks

* Black Stayz On ink

* Certainly Celery Marker

* Polka Dots impression folder

* Baker's Twine

* Mini Clothespin

Word Play Birthday and PPA 105

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Today's challenge over at the Pals Paper Arts is a color challenge using Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade and Daffodil Delight. Yay! AND its my mom's birthday next week. What could be better?

And the inside:

I used:

* Word Play stamp set

* Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade and Whisper White card stock

* Daffodil Delight designer paper

* Island Indigo and Lucky Limeade markers

* Distressing Kit

* Bird Punch

* Polka Dots and Stripes impressions folders

* Linen Thread

Petite Pairs Wedding

Congrats to Jarik and Stephanie! I can't wait to celebrate with you both on Friday and I wish you all the best things life has to offer!

I got inspiration for this card from Richard Garay's lovely blog. Thanks!

I finally got to use my new stamp set, Petite Pairs again. Its so fun to have the inside of the card say something that goes with what the outside says. I love this set!

This is the first chance I've had to use my new Boho Blossoms punch too and I can't believe it took me so long to buy it.

The green leaves come from the bird punch, which I also love.

I only had enough white satin ribbon for one card. I like the wedding-y look of white but when I tried the Bashful Blue ribbon, I liked that too. I'm a sucker for good ribbon!

I used:

* Petite Pairs stamp set

* Early Espresso, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, and Old Olive card stock

* Early Espresso ink

* Whisper White and Bashful Blue satin ribbon

*Square Lattice impressions folder

* Boho Blossoms and Bird punches

* Basic Pearls

Spooky Bingo Bits, Wild Tarantula and PPA 104!

Is everybody ready for Halloween???

No? Me neither. But I found this in my garage this morning:

It is a tarantula from the hill behind my house. We'll be moving soon. To Antarctica.

So anyway, (shudder) I made this card as therapy to help me calm down a little.

Sadly, I don't have any stamps that say:

"AHHHHHH!!!!KILL IT!!!KILL IT!!!AHHHHHH!!!  IT MOVED!!!AHHHHHHHH!!!!

So I had to settle for "EEK!"

I'm also playing along over at the PPA with today's post. The challenge for the week is all about paper piercing, which until today I was drawing kind of a blank about. So thank you Mr.ScariestSpiderI'veEverSeenWhileNotAtTheZoo for your inspiration. And also for dying. Eventually.

It's hard to capture both the paper piercing AND embossing at the same time in pictures but this one does a pretty good job.

And of course the inside has another embossed spider, just waiting to jump out at you! AHHHH!!!

And because I was having soooo much fun poking holes in my cards, I couldn't help but to make a little ghosty card too! He's so much cuter than a spider!!!

To make the ghosty shape, I just hand drew a ghost (patterned after the ghost in the Spooky Bingo Bits set) the size I wanted onto some scratch paper, used a small amount of snail adhesive to hold the outline paper to my Whisper White card stock and then poked round the outline. Then I used a clean eraser to remove the extra adhesive. So easy and fun!

I used:

*Spooky Bingo Bits stamp set

*Basic Black, Whisper White and Pumpkin Pie card stock

*Versamark Ink

*Black embossing powder, embossing buddy and heat tool

*Large Safety Pin

*Spider Web embossing Folder