Butterfly Bokeh

The Bokeh technique is certainly trendy right now, so I figured it was time I got on the Bokeh Bandwagon and taught it in my monthly techniques class.  Here is one of the cards we'll be making tonight...

Any-occasion card featuring the Butterfly Basics stamp set and using the Bokeh Background technique.

Now, there are a couple of ways to do this technique.  I showed a sample last week where I sponged the colour on for the background before adding my white stenciled circles.  On this one I used watercolour paper and watercoloured my background colours of Lost Lagoon and Blackberry Bliss.  Not sure which one I prefer...both are pretty!  I will say, thought, that if using watercolour, make sure your paper is completely dry before sponging on the circles...or the Whisper White ink will change colour (like my pale mauve circles??)  Unless that's the look you're going for, make sure things are completely dry ;)
On this project I created my Bokeh background and then stamped the fern and larger butterfly images from the Butterfly Basics stamp set in Basic Gray ink.  I also stamped the honeycomb image in silver metallic ink.  For the bottom layer I used Brushed Silver card stock that I embossed using the Delicate Designs TIEF. 

The sentiment is heat embossed in silver and die-cut using the Banners Framelits.  The Butterfly is die-cut from Whisper White card stock, using the Butterflies Thinlits and then sponged with Lost Lagoon and Blackberry Bliss inks.  I then lightly dabbed my silver metallic ink pad all over the butterfly to give it a sheen.  I used some silver satin ribbon and a single large rhinestone (retired) to embellish.  The entire card is built on a Lost Lagoon card base.
I may actually give this card to one of the secretaries from my school who is retiring on Friday after 30 years.  Somehow the idea of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly seems suitable for someone about to experience freedom from the working world!

Blessed Tulips and a SALE!!

Stampin' Up! is having a Blowout Sale!  Starting today save up to 50% off a wide selection of retiring products.  These products are available only while supplies last, so be sure to snap up your favourite items today!  Click HERE to view the complete selection of retiring products.

Today I have another project I did with my Blendabilities...are you sick of them yet??  I am having such fun with them!  This time I used the image from the Blessed Easter stamp in the Occasions Catalogue.  When I mounted the stamp I trimmed off the sentiment and mounted it separately so that I could easily use the image without the text...it makes the stamp much more versatile!  Try it next time you purchase a stamp that has both an image and text on the same piece of rubber ;)  But I digress...here is my project:

Any Occasion card featuring the Easter Blessings and Gorgeous Grunge stamp sets

I used the Easter Blessings image which I coloured with the Daffodil Delight and Old Olive set of Blendabilities.  I layered the stamped image on a larger oval in Hello Honey and then pierced a border around it.  For the background I stamped images from Gorgeous Grunge in Crumb Cake, Mossy Meadow (fabulous new In-colour available June 2), and Metallic Gold.

 I also added a little Watercolour Wonder Washi tape, some butterflies die cut from vellum and a few rhinestones I coloured with the darkest of the Daffodil Delight Blendabilities marker.  I like the whimsical feel of this one!
On the inside I couldn't resist colouring a few more tulips...its just so fast and easy with these awesome new markers!

I left this one without a sentiment..sometimes its just nice to have a blank card ready to go for what ever occasion arises ;)

Happy Mother's Day...a little early!

Well this Sunday is Mother's Day and I thought it only appropriate to show you the card I sent my own mom to mark the occasion. 

Mother's Day card featuring the Family Reunion (retired) stamp set.

My mom is, among her many other talents, an avid gardener, so I thought it only fitting that I incorporate flowers on her card in some way.  I had been wanting to try this lattice look, done using the Chevron border punch, for a while so I figured there was no time like the present!  I punched the white card stock and then used the punched chevron shapes, inverted, to create the lattice look.  I had a bunch of branches, punched with the Bird Builder punch, left over from another project.  I began weaving them into the lattice and then added the little punched flowers in Raspberry Ripple.  To give the flowers dimension I layed them on my Stampin' Pierce mat and pressed in the middle with the eraser of a pencil...instant petals. 

The DSP I used is from the Sale-a-bration Sweet Sorbet pack (yep, still using that stuff up!) and the little butterflies were die cut using the Beautiful Wings Embosslit.  The sentiment is from the long-retired Family Reunion set and I punched it using the Artisan Label.  I used up some of the my remaining Raspberry Ripple stitched satin ribbon and finished with one of my beloved Antique Brads.
Although this card took a while to put together it was worth the effort for the woman who gave birth to me and allowed me to survive my teen years ( and let me tell you, I'm sure that wasn't easy!).  I love you mom!!

Baby Mojo

Well I'm late again!  Today's project was designed using LAST WEEK'S sketch over at Mojo Monday.  I quite liked the sketch, but alas I am too late to enter the challenge.  Ah well...maybe next time!  Here is my project:

Baby card featuring the Zoo Babies, Hearts A-flutter and Sweet Essentials stamp sets.

Would you believe this is the first time I've inked up my Zoo Babies stamp set??  I've had it for nearly a year and it just finally saw ink this past weekend!  Sad or what??  Thankfully it is back in the new 2014/15 Annual Catalogue so I'll have another year to play with it.

Here are some tips in case you want to recreate this one:

• The colour in the top photo is really off...the bottom one is more accurate!  My colour scheme was Coastal Cabana, Pool Party, Crumb Cake and Whisper White.
• The DSP is from the Fresh Prints DSP stack.
• I used the Adorning Accents TIEF to add this little embossed hearts along the bottom of the card base.  (psst...if you like those little hearts get those folders now...they're retiring soon!)
• The rear panel is stamped using the soon-to-be-retired Hearts A-Flutter stamp set and was then run through the Big Shot with the also-soon-to-be-retired Square Lattice TIEF.  I trimmed the left edge of the panel with a bit of Stretch ruffled trim (also retiring!)
• The sentiment is from the Sweet Essentials stamp set (it's retiring too...are you sensing a theme here?)
• The ribbon is 3/8" taffeta in Crumb Cake, which is...wait for it...also retiring!

Yup, I'm losing a ton of supplies to retirement this year!  There is going to be one heck of a Yard Sale come June...stay tuned for more about that!

Speaking of retirement, there are some great soon-to-be-retired items on this week's Weekly Deals.  Check 'em out:

Alhambra Stampin' Around Jumbo Wheel Reg. Price: $10.50 Sale Price: $7.88	Card Base Pop' N Cuts Reg. Price: $48.95 Sale Price: $36.71	Hearts A Flutter Clear-Mount Stamp Set Reg. Price: $22.95 Sale Price: $17.21	Holiday Ornaments Framelits Dies Reg. Price: $30.95 Sale Price: $23.21
I Am Me Designer Series Paper Reg. Price: $13.50 Sale Price: $10.13	Pacific Point 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon Reg. Price: $12.50 Sale Price: $9.38	Real Red 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon Reg. Price: $6.75 Sale Price: $5.06	The Man, The Myth Board Book Designer Template - Digital Download Reg. Price: $16.50 Sale Price: $9.90

Another One for Mom

Free Shipping all this week on everything!  Click the image above to place your online order and it will ship directly to you for free!

Looking for the Retirement Lists?  
Click HERE to view the list of retiring stamp sets
Click HERE to view the list of retiring accessories

Today I have another project I designed for this week's challenge over at The Technique Twist.  We're all about the Modern Whimsy style this time and there is still plenty of time for you to join us!  Check out this Mother's Day card I put together:

Mother's Day card in the Modern Whimsy style featuring the Secret Garden, Petite Petals and Hello Lovely stamp sets.

You know how sometimes when you're in the crafting zone projects just seem to design themselves?  Well this is NOT one of those projects!  I spent hours figuring this one out!  And, to be honest, it's not anything special, in my opinion!  Now, don't get me wrong, I like it well enough, but it certainly doesn't look like the type of thing one would spend hours putting together.  So, to save you the hassle of trying to recreate it, here are some tips...hope they help!

• The colour scheme is Coastal Cabana, Calypso Coral, Crumb Cake and Pool Party.
• The DSP is from the Fresh Prints stack.
• The Coral flowers are from the Secret Garden stamp set (which is on the retirement list...get it NOW!) and were die cut using the coordinating Framelits.
• The Pool Party flowers are from the Petite Petals stamp set and were punched using the coordinating punch.
• I used my Squares Collection Framelits to create the polaroid frame.
• The background is embossed using the Scallops TIEF.
• The largest heart was die cut using the Hearts Collection framelits.  The medium one was punched with the Small Heart punch (also on the Retirement List!) and the smallest heart was punched with the Owl Builder punch.
• The letters on the banner were stamped with the Simply Serif Mini Alphabet on DSP and then punched with the Banner punch.

I hope I haven't scared you off from trying this style.  It really is (usually) easy breezy.  Give it a go and then enter our challenge over at The Technique Twist...I'd love to see what you come up with!

Now today is Tuesday, which means a new batch of Weekly Deals.  This round features several items from the Retiring Accessories List at 25% off.  The best part?  You can order online right now and they'll ship directly to you for FREE!!

2013-2015 In Color Core'dinations Reg Price: $14.95 Sale Price: $11.21	5/8 Inch Crochet Trim Victoria Reg.Price: $9.50   Sale Price: $7.13	Afternoon Daydream Kit - Digital Download Reg. Price: $10.95   Sale Price: $6.57	Afternoon Picnic Designer Series Paper Reg. Price: $13.50 Sale Price: $10.13
Large Pearl Basic Jewels Reg. Price: $6.50   Sale Price: $4.88	Naturals Designer Buttons Reg.Price: $6.95   Sale Price: $5.21	Pacific Point 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon Reg.Price: $6.75 Sale Price: $5.06	Rich Razzleberry 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon Reg. Price: $6.75 Sale Price: $5.06

Sweet Baby

Happy Good Friday!  I hope you have plans to spend quality time with those you love this weekend.  I know I'll be hanging with my two favourite men!
Today I have a gender-neutral baby card I designed for my upcoming Brides, Babies and Birthdays Card Buffet.  I managed to use primarily supplies from old kits I had laying around from past events...gotta love using up odds and ends!

Baby card featuring the Hearts A-flutter and Baby We've Grown stamp sets

I used a colour scheme of Crumb Cake, Pool Party and Calypso Coral to keep as gender-neutral as possible.  The stamp sets I used were Baby We've Grown and Hearts A-flutter. 

On the inside I used a sentiment from Cuddles and Kisses...

Quick and easy...perfect for making a stack in a hurry!

Sassy Birthday

BIG NEWS from Stampin' Up!!  Yesterday they announced a brand new partnership with Becky Higgins and Project Life!  Now you can get authentic Project Life products in Stampin' Up's exclusive colours AND they coordinate with other fabulous Stampin' Up products!  Check out this video to learn more:

I just can't wait to get my hands on these fantastic products!  As a demonstrator I get to pre-order starting this coming Monday...woohoo!!  Want in on the action?  Join my team and you'll be able to place your order on Monday AND get a 30% discount!  Click Join My Team above to learn more!

Today I have another project for my upcoming Card Buffet...this time it is a simple birthday card for the women in your life...

Feminine Birthday card featuring the Sassy Salutations and Betsy's Blossoms stamp sets.

This is another one you can throw together in no time!  Here are some tips for you:

• The background is embossed using the (retired) Pretty Print TIEF (but just about any TIEF would do!)
• The DSP is leftover from the Sweet Sorbet Sale-a-bration DSP pack.
• The flower is from the Betsy's Blossoms set, is stamped in Pool Party in and then die cut using the smallest of the Starburst Framelits.
• The sparkly little flowers are punched with the Itty Bitty Punch pack.  The centres are some long-retired black rhinestones, but you can get the same look by colouring regular rhinestones with a black sharpie!

 On the inside I used some of the same DSP and a black card stock mat to echo what I had done on the front.  The inside sentiment is from the Another Great Year set.

The cool thing about this design is that you can easily switch up the DSP and the coordinating card base to use up those pesky scraps you have laying around!  Gotta love it!

Lovely Birthday

Lovely as a Tree is Stampin' Up's longest running stamp set and each year around this time folks start to get nervous.  The retirement list comes out next week and everyone holds their collective breath to see if Lovely as A Tree will survive another catalogue year.  I am one of those who hopes this set will continue.  It is just so versatile and the images really are, well, lovely!  Today I have a card I designed for my upcoming card buffet using this iconic set:

Masculine birthday card featuring the Lovely as a Tree and Hardwood background stamps with sentiment from Simply Sketched.

I am so in love with the Hardwood background stamp from the Occasions catalogue!  I sure hope it is one that carries over into the new Annual Catalogue...I haven't had enough time to play with it yet!  Here are some quick tips in case you want to give this one a go:

• I stamped the background in Sahara Sand on Soft Sky card stock and then sponged lightly all over with Whisper White craft ink.
• The trees are stamped in Soft Suede ink and then sponged lightly with Soft Sky.  The edges of the panel are also sponged but in Sahara Sand.
• The sentiment is stamped in Sahara Sand.
• The little clip is one of the (retired) mini library clips (I really miss those!)

This really is a quick and easy project to put together and is perfect for just about any man in your life.  Here's hoping Lovely as a Tree survives yet another catalogue transition...I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Now for this week's Weekly Deals...remember, sale prices are good till next Monday at Midnight:

	Venetian Romance Designer Series Paper Item # 130144 Regular Price: $13.50       Discounted Price: $10.13
	Needlepoint Border Textured Impressions Embossing Folders Item # 129383 Regular Price: $9.95           Discounted Price: $7.46
	Adorning Accents Edgelits Die Item # 125595 Regular Price: $11.95           Discounted Price: $8.96
	Night Of Navy 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon Item # 126874 Regular Price: $6.75          Discounted Price: $5.06
	Natural 5/8" Chevron Ribbon Item # 132982 Regular Price:$8.95          Discounted Price: $6.71
	Anywhere Glue Sticks Item # 104045 Regular Price: $5.50           Discounted Price: $4.13
	Outer Space Stampin' Around Jumbo Wheel Item # 126938 Regular Price: $10.50         Discounted Price:$7.88
	Floral District Photobook Template - Digital Download Item # 127211 Regular Price:$19.95          Discounted Price:$11.97

Technique Twist Saturday!

It's the second Saturday of the month which means its time for a new challenge over at The Technique Twist!  This time we're not so much about a technique as a style:  Modern Whimsy.  Now, I had no idea what Modern Whimsy was but once I started investigating I discovered it was a style of design that I have always been drawn to.  I'm so excited to share my first attempt with you...check it out:

Baby card in the Modern Whimsy style featuring the Cuddles and Kisses stamp set.

Isn't that fun?  I had such fun putting this together...here's how I did it:

• I started with a piece of silver Fancy Foil Designer Vellum that I cut just 1/8" smaller than my 4"x5-1/4" piece of Smokey Slate card stock.
• I added half of a tea lace doily
• Then I added a 2"x4" banner cut from Blushing Bride DSP from the Subtles stack.
• The scalloped heart is die cut from Blushing Bride card stock using the Hearts A-flutter Framelits and embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots TIEF.
• The DSP heart is punched from Eastern Elegance DSP using the Full Heart punch
• The sentiment is stamped in Smokey Slate, punched and then resized with the Modern Label punch.  
• The die cut LOVE is done in Strawberry Slush card stock using the Expressions Thinlits
• The little sparkly hearts are punched with the Owl Builder punch

On the inside I stamped the sentiments from the Cuddles and Kisses stamp set in Smokey Slate and Strawberry Slush and added a couple more sparkly hearts, punched with the Owl Builder and Small Heart punches.

I really love the light, airy look of this style of design.  I plan to play with it some more this weekend...be sure to stop by next week to see what I come up with!  In the meantime, be sure to check out what the other members of the Twisted Design Team did and be sure have a fantastic weekend!

For Father

I haven't had much stamping time the past couple of weeks with all of the birthday hoopla around here, so I have a card I designed a while back when I first received my Look Up to Father stamp.  It is super simple, but a perfect man-card:

Father's Day card featuring the Look up to Father stamp from the Occasions Catalogue as well as the Woodgrain background stamp.

This was a quick and easy card.  Even the watercolouring was done in a hurry with an aquapainter.  Sometimes I really enjoy just quickly throwing together a card without agonizing over layout and composition.  I started with a Very Vanilla card base that I stamped in Early Espresso with the Woodgrain background stamp.  I then sponged the whole thing in Soft Suede and the edges in Early Espresso.  The tree image is stamped in black Staz On and then watercoloured with an Aquapainter and Soft Suede, Old Olive and Garden Green ink pads.  I wrapped and tied some linen thread for texture and then  I layered the somewhat textured watercolour paper on a slightly larger Very Vanilla layer and popped it up with dimensionals.  I also added dimensionals when I adhered the image panel to the card base.  (Have I mentioned that I'm addicted to those things??)  The sentiment is stamped in Early Espresso on a strip of Very Vanilla card stock and trimmed into a pennant.  The finishing touch was three Candy Dots in Early Espresso. 

Inside view

On the inside I stamped the sentiment from Delightful Dozen in Early Espresso ink.  I inked the tree image using my markers and stamped it in the lower right corner.  Quick and easy and done in less than 10 minutes!