Purple Haze for Sunday Stamps!

Today's new colour challenge over at Sunday Stamps is all about the purple! 

Now, I will admit, these are not colours I use often...in fact my Perfect Plum ink pad is in almost pristine condition!  It was a true challenge for me to come up with a project featuring these colours.  Here it is:

Birthday card featuring the Everything Eleanor, Papillon Potpourri and Simply Sketched (retired) stamp sets, and using the Stampin' Mist ghosting technique.

 Since I had my monthly techniques class this past week, I decided to use one of the techniques we would be doing on my project.  We were learning the Stampin' Mist Ghosting technique, so I decided to try it with this colour scheme.  Here is how I did it...

• I sponged Whisper White card stock with Wisteria Wonder, Perfect Plum and a touch of Elegant Eggplant ink.  
• I spritzed the flourish image from the Everything Eleanor stamp set with Stampin' Mist until it was quite wet.  Then I stamped the image on the sponged card stock, allowing the stamp to sit on the card stock for a few seconds before removing it.  The flourish image begins to appear and gets more pronounced as the Stampin' Mist dries.
• Once it was dry I stamped the flourish again using Versamark ink, offsetting it from the ghosted image, and then heat embossed in silver.

• The focal piece is layered on a piece of Brushed Silver card stock.
• The butterfly, from the Papillon Potpourri stamp set, is stamped in silver metallic ink on Wisteria Wonder card stock and punched with the Bitty Butterfly punch.
• The background panel is embossed using the Beautifully Baroque TIEF.
• The card base is Wisteria Wonder.
• I used Whsiper White Organza ribbon and pearls I coloured with the Wisteria Wonder Blendabilities by way of embellishments.
• The sentiment is heat embossed in silver and then die cut using the Banners Framelits.

Inside view with sentiment from World of Dreams.

 On the inside I stamped the flourish again in Perfect Plum.  The sentiment is from the World of Dreams stamp set.
I would love to see your take on this colour challenge, so be sure to give it a try and then enter your project over at Sunday Stamps.  Have a great Sunday!!

Bloom With Hope Meets Blendabilities

Yesterday I promised you a project using the Bloom With Hope hostess set and Blendabilities.  Here you go...

CAS Birthday card featuring the Bloom With Hope and Papillon Potpourri stamp sets.

Isn't that flower yummy??  I coloured it using the Calypso Coral and Smokey Slate Blenda colour sets.  both of those sets will be available for order starting Friday...be sure to add them to your wishlist.  They are stunning!  This flower reminds me of the beautiful poppies I have growing in my backyard in the spring.
I kept the design for this one really CAS, adding just the wee vellum butterfly and some rhinestones for embellishment.

The background is embossed using the Honeycomb TIEF and the whole thing is on a Basic Black card base.

On the inside I reversed the colour scheme a bit, leaving the flower in black and white and the butterly in Calypso Coral.  The sentiment is also from the Bloom With Hope set.

In case you missed it, I have posted a photo of the projects we'll be making at my Fabulous Flower Patch class coming up at the end of August.  Click HERE for more information.

Now yesterday I forgot to show this week's Weekly Deals!  There are some awesome projects on sale this week!

1/2" Circle Punch Price: $7.95   Sale: $5.96	Brights Designer Buttons Price: $10.95   Sale: $8.21	Clear Oval Accent Bigz Die Price: $26.95   Sale: $20.21	Cupcake Builder Punch Price: $22.95   Sale: $17.21
Delight In The Day Photobook Template - Digital Download Price: $21.95   Sale: $13.17	Gift Bow Bigz L Die Price: $40.95   Sale: $30.71	Little Book Of Coupons Designer Swatchbook Template - Digital Download Price: $13.95   Sale: $8.35	Pool Party Stampin' Emboss Powder Price: $6.25   Sale: $4.69

 
  Watercolor Wonder Designer Washi Tape  
Price: $6.50  
Sale: $4.88

Sympathy for a Friend

Last week a good friend of mine lost her Mum to Alzheimer's.  Although it was the inevitable conclusion to a horrible disease, it certainly wasn't easy for her to lose a parent.  I made this card for her:

Sympathy card featuring the Flowering Flourishes and Papillon Potpourri stamp sets with sentiment from Best of Greetings

Inside View with sentiment from Blessings From Heaven

I wanted this card to be soft and soothing, so I chose several of the new In-colours to feature.  I used Pistashio Pudding, Crisp Cantaloupe and Blushing Bride for the flourish.  The butterfly and the sentiment are both heat embossed in pewter.  I layered the front panel on a piece of Smoky Slate, which worked quite well with the embossing.  Rather than punch a label for the sentiment on the front of the card,  I opted to highlight the it by paperpiercing a label shape using my Essentials Paperpiercing Template.  On the inside I oped for the punched label so that I could layer it over top of the stamped image. 
Although this was designed as a sympathy card, a change of colour scheme and sentiment would make a lovely wedding or anniversary card.  Gotta love a versatile design!

Best Birthday Present EVER!!

Today is my birthday and yesterday I received the best birthday present I could ever hope for...the announcement that my son's school has been saved from closure!!  You may recall a couple of weeks ago I appealed to all of you to consider donating what you could to help meet a lofty fundraising goal of $81,000.00 in just 9 days.  I am thrilled to tell you that the grand total hit in excess of $115,000.00!!!  That kind of money in that short a time-frame is nothing short of miraculous.  We are so thankful!  The church voted this past Sunday to reopen the school for next fall and we are filled with hope and are excited about a new life for the school.  Thanks SO MUCH to all who made a donation or sent prayers our way. 
I want to show you the gifts I made for each of the staff at the school to thank them for the love and care they have shown my son and for their dedication to the school.  Check it out...

Pretty Packages for some wonderful teachers featuring the Chalk Talk stamp set and Framelits and the new Beautifully Baroque embossing folder.

Inside each package was a Simply Adorned chain and pendant.  These are retired but are still available for a steal on the Clearance Rack!

Pendant featuring Epic Day DSP, Papillon Poutpourri stamp set and Charming stamp set (retired)

I am so pleased with the way these turned out.  I really hope the staff like them, though if they don't they can easily swap out the insert for a family photo or other artwork.  On the back side of the pendant I stamped the following sentiment from the Trust God stamp set: "Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly; leave the rest to God."  Each of those women do all of these things and I thought it was the perfect sentiment to include.  We are so blessed to have our son taught by such a wonderful group of teachers.  The fact that he gets to continue under their care next year is worth more to me than anything money can buy.  This is a very happy birthday, indeed!

Today is the day!

Announcing a brand new challenge blog to inspire your creativity!  I am so excited to be part of the design team for The Technique Twist!

Come join the fun!

This fun new blog is where we take challenges to the next level! Our goal is to see you go beyond the norm and push your creative boundaries!  Best of all, we want you to have FUN & learn something new! :)  To celebrate our launch we are hosting a blog hop.  You'll find the list and details at the bottom of this post.  

Now for the projects!  Our first technique challenge is Blown Ink.  I have to admit I had never tried this one before, but I sure am glad I did!  I played around and came up with two completely different looks that I just love.  Check them out:

Blown Ink Technique Sample 1

Blown Ink Technique Sample 2

 Cool, huh?  So, are you ready for the how-to?  For the background on the first sample I blew drops of reinker from directly above using a drinking straw and very controlled puffs of air to get as uniform a look as possible. When I was happy with the colour and pattern, I did the Dazzling Diamond Dust technique over top so the whole thing sparkles.  I used the new In-colours for my pallette:  Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Strawberry Slush and Coastal Cabana and then added some Daffodil Delight for a bit of pop.  I thought it looked very psychedelic, so I pulled out a long retired stamp called Extreme Guitar for the focal image.  The sentiment is from a long-retired Hostess set called Perfect Words.  It was a hit with my 6-year old son who is like a magpie with anything sparkly.  I could barely wrest it out of his hands long enough to take a picture LOL!
For the background on the second sample I used watercolour paper that I spritzed with water first to allow me more control over how my ink spread when I blew it.  Then I used Tempting Turquoise, Gumball Green, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango, Real Red and Rich Razzleberry reinkers and blew drops across the damp paper to get the rainbow backgroud.  Kind of a blend of Reinker Splash technique and Blown Ink. The butterflies are from the Papillon Potpourri set and the sentiment comes from the One in A Million set.
What I loved about playing with this technique was the fact that I had no plan in mind for either card.  I just played and played and the cards kind of designed themselves!
Now for the Blog Hop details.  Listed below you'll see a series of links to each designer's blog.  Be sure to check out all of their work... you'll be surprised at how many different looks you can get with just one technique.  There's even a little incentive to participate in the Hop.  As you navigate the blog hop, be sure to leave a comment on each designer's post.  If you do, you'll be entered into a draw for some fabulous Stampin' Up! swag!  There will be one randomly chosen winner who will receive a truckload of great product.  My contribution to the  swag bag is the recently-retired Snow Much Fun stamp set 

and a package of Silver Glimmer paper.  

Perfect for getting a head start on your Christmas crafting this summer. So...start hopping!

It's our first challenge at The Technique Twist Challenge blog & what better way to celebrate than with a blog hop!  To enter, leave a comment on each blog for your chance to win a great prize pack!

The Technique Twist Challenge 01:Blown Ink

Jessica

Julz

Lauri

Leena (you are here!)

Pam

 We'll randomly draw one name as our winner out of all the entries! Contest ends on June 26, 2013 at 11:59pm ET. Good luck!

In-Colour Sneak Peek Madness

 Wow!  I'm not sure what happened to the long weekend, but it's over already!!  It was a busy one full of gardening and deck-building!  Thankfully the weather was simply gorgeous and I made great progress on my gardens.  Still a little ways to go, but they are dramatically better than they were this time last week!
Today I have a card I designed to congratulate one of my Tri-City Stampers team members for her recent promotion.  I featured all five of the new In-Colours...they are yummy!!

Congratulations card featruing the new 2013-15 In-Colours and the Banner Greetings stamp set.

I love these colours...so warm and sunny and soft!  They all work beautifully together too.  The card base is the new Baked Brown Sugar...oh, so delish.  The flowers are, from top to bottom, Pistachio Pudding, Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe and Coastal Cabana.  I used the Floral Fusion Sizzlet to cut the flowers and then layered them with a dimensional in between each one for lots of pop.  The DSP is the from the new Quatrefancy pack...so many fantastic patterns and colours!  The sentiment is from the new Banner Greetings Hostess set (which I earned for free through an  incentive program for demonstrator...score!) and is held in place with two silver mini brads.  The finishing touch is the bling...it always makes good things better, don't you think?  Here is a quick shot of the inside of the card:

Inside view with sentiment from Friendly Phrases.

On the inside I stamped an image from the new Mosaic Madness stamp set using the same In-Colours I did on the front.  The sentiment is stamped in Baked Brown Sugar and then punched out with the Decorative Label punch and embellished with little flowers punched with the Itty Bitty Punch Pack.  So much fun!!

The end of a Crazy Week!

TGIF!!  I am SOOO glad it is Friday!  This week has been nutso!  I've been out every night and worked during the day...which means no stamping fun and no projects to show you!  My new catty pre-order arrived last week and I've barely done more than take it out of the box!  I am so overdue for some stamping time. 
Today I want to show you a card I designed for a workshop I did last Sunday.  It features, once again, one of my favourite retiring stamp sets...have a look:

Any-occasion card featuring the Circle Circus and Papillon Potpouri stamp sets with sentiment from Petite Pairs

This is a super-simple card to put together...perfect for a workshop situation.  I started by embossing the scalloped edge pattern on the card base with my Needlepoint Border TIEF.  Then I stamped the various circles using the following colours:  Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango, Pool Party, Daffodil Delight and Lucky Limeade.  On a scrap of Whisper White, I stamped the butterfly from Papillon Potpouri using Lucky Limeade ink and punched it out using the Bitty Butterfly punch.  I layered that on an Elegant Butterfly punch in Lucky Limeade.  On another bit of scrap I stamped the sentiment in Basic Black ink and punched it out with my 1-1/4" circle punch.  I layered it on a Melon Mambo 1-3/8" circle.  Both the sentiment and the butterfly are adhered to the card with dimensionals.  The last touch was to add some bling to the butterfly with a few rhinestone basic gems.  Easy-peasy but such a happy card! 
Here's a quick look at the inside:

Inside view

I hope you've got great plans for the weekend...and maybe something special in-store if you're a Mom or mom-to-be on Sunday.  Enjoy!

Just Believe...it's time to say good-bye!

Today's project is another one I designed for my Retirement Party class last week.  It uses the very first stamp set I ever did a class with as a demonstrator:  Just Believe.  This set holds a special place in my heart, not only because it was my first class but also because it really is a beautiful set, full of lovely images and sentiments.  To properly send this set off I knew I had to do something special...

Any-occasion card featuring the Just Believe stamp set and using the Telescoping Framelits technique

Close-up detail of telescoping focal image.

 I saw a card on Pinterest recently that used this technique, creating a telescoping series of layers to give the image dimension.  I knew I had to try it with this stamp set.  It is such a cool technique and SO easy to do!  It will work with any set of framelits that has multiple sizes of the same shape.  I simply sponged my background using Certainly Celery and Baja Breeze ink (both of which are retiring), and then stamped the floral image using Basic Gray.  I then laid out my framelits on the image and ran them all through the Big Shot at once.  The result is a bunch of varying sizes of rings.  I then glued each ring onto a plain Whisper White oval of the same size and then layered them one on top of the other using dimensionals.  So easy and very effective!  The hardest part is getting the layers aligned exactly.  I used more retiring product with the Not Quite Navy background layer that I embossed with the Elegant Lines TIEF (both are retiring) and the Certainly Celery 3/8" taffeta ribbon.  The final touches were the butterfly from Papillon Potpourri, stamped on vellum with Basic Gray and punched out with the Bitty Butterfly punch, and the pearl basic jewels.  A perfect send-off to a much-loved stamp set!
Stop by tomorrow for another project that uses this technique!  Have a great Monday!

Cheers!

Any-occasion card featuring the Happy Hour stamp set

I am SO excited!  Tonight at 8:00 pm I get a sneak preview of the new 2013-14 Annual Catalogue a full four days before the general population of demonstrators do!  I was successful in earning this wonderful perk as a result of a recent incentive event offered by Stampin' Up.  I can't wait!!!  I will share some inside info with you tomorrow...as much as I am allowed to...and I'll have a good idea of which stamp sets and accessories will be retiring.  The actual retirement list comes out on Wednesday of next week and, as always, items on it are while supplies last, so it is sure to be a busy time for all of us!  The card above is one I designed a while back and I am confident that the stamp set I used will be back for another year.  Happy Hour was new in this year's catty and it is a great one!  So versatile and fun.  On this design I used some Birds of a Feather DSP, as well as some Howlstooth and Scaringbone DSP I had leftover from the fall.  The satin ribbon is also left over from the Holiday catalogue, but works perfectly on this card.  I couldn't resist adding a touch of sparkle with the Silver Glimmer Paper and a few rhinestones.  The liquid in the glass is paper-pieced, much easier than trying to ink with markers!  The colour scheme is Summer Starfruit, Basic Gray, Basic Black and Whisper White.
On another note, I want to remind you that time is running out to register for my Family Canvas class coming up this Friday, April 26th at 6:45 pm.  In case you missed it, here is the project we'll be creating:

Perfect for displaying treasured family photos, this project would make a lovely gift for Mother's Day, a new baby or just to keep for yourself to display in your home.  The class fee of $20 includes all materials and supplies to create one of the canvases pictured above, including the wooden easel to display it on!  Please indicate yoru colour choice when you register.  If desired, bring three photos with you to class to complete your project.  You'll need one 4"x6", one 3-1/2"x5" and one 2"x3".  Be sure to contact me to reserve your seat before the 23rd.

My Turn for April!

Today I get to show you my project for April at Craft Project Central.  Check it out:

Family Canvas and Card designed by Yours Truly!

I also did this same project in Midnight Muse and I am offering both options in a class on April 26th.  Click the Upcoming Classes and Events tab at the top of this page for additional details.  If you can't make it to my class (or even if you can!), you can subscribe to April over at Craft project Central to get the full-colour step-by-step tutorial.  Just $10 gets you 10 great projects...lots to keep you busy all month long!  I am also giving away a free subscription.  To enter the draw just leave a comment on any post dated April 1-15th, 2013.  I will post the winner on the 16th.  Good luck and happy stamping!

Make A Wish CASE

Sometimes when I'm in a rush for a design I find myself CASE'ing the work of my fellow demonstrators on our online forum.  Today's card was originally designed by Deena Boos.  You can view her original design here.  This is my take on it:

Birthday card featuring the Summer Silhouettes and Papillon Potpourri stamp sets with sentiment from Sweet Essentials

As you can see, I pretty much CASE'd Deena's design exactly with the exception of the addition of the DSP layer behind the card front and the use of the larger butterfly.  I love the monochromatic look of this design and the vellum butterflies are just so pretty and delicate.  The next time you're stuck for an idea, start by CASE'ing something you like.  You'll be amazed at how it can spark your own creativity!

March Sketch Inspiration...a little late!

I have to admit I am a wee bit behind posting my samples for this month's sketch inspiration!  Here it is the third week of March and I've only shown you one lonely sample!  Well this week will be a two-fer!  Here is another project using this month's sketch:

This is the sketch, in case you missed it!

Birthday card featuring the Summer Silhouettes stamp set with sentiment from Sweet Essentials

For this example I turned the sketch on it's side!  I still kept all of the elements, but instead of putting my sentiment where it is in the sketch, I put it where the embellishments were...I even kept it to three words!  I moved my embellishment to where the sentiment was in the sketch.  And what an awesome embellishment those Designer Builder Brads are!!  I also added a little butterfly from the Papillon Potpourri set that I punched out with the new Bitty Buttefly punch...did you know the small butterfly images in that set fit the punch?  Love it!  The butterfly is stamped on Vellum to give it a different texture and add interest.
This card just happens to be one of the designs that will be available at my Spring Fling Card Buffet next weekend.  If you haven't registered yet it's not too late!  There are still spots available for both the Friday and the Sunday sessions.  Call or email to reserve your seat today!

CASE'ing Mary

Today I have another card for you that I am planning to do at a private class I have coming up.  It is inspired by a gorgeous card by Mary Fish and uses a fantastic colour combo of Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso and Summer Starfruit. Check it out:

Simple Birthday card featuring the Papillon Potpourri stamp set with sentiment from Perfect Punches.

Inside view with sentiment from Sweet Essentials

I have to say, I sadly neglect this particular TIEF. It is beautiful but I often only pull it our for wedding cards!  Seeing Mary's use of it with the Core'dinations card stock has made me see so many more possibilities!  I used it as the focal image here and added a little butterfly stamped in Summer Starfruit and punched with the Elegant Butterfly punch.  This is an addition to Mary's original design which I feel balances the card a little better.  The sentiment, from Perfect Punches, is stamped in Early Espresso and punched out with the XL Oval punch. I added some of that luscious stitched satin ribbon in Summer Starfruit that I got for FREE this month, as well as some pearls to add a bit of elegance.  This card is SO simple to make but really effective thanks to that beautiful TIEF!  Gotta love simplicity!

Another Self-CASE

Today I have another version of a card I posted last spring.  It features a couple of my favourite products.  Have a look:

Nature-inspired birthday card featuring the Papillon Potpourri stamp set with sentiment from Curly Cute.

Can you guess which products on this card are my fav's?  For starters it is the Natural Compositions DSP.  LOVE that stuff!!  On this card I sponged it all-over with Raspberry Ripple ink...so rich!  The second favourite item is actually two, but they coordinate, so they really count as one in my book.  The Papillion Potpourri stamp set and coordinating Elegant Butterfly punch are just such a fabulous combo!  They make creating beautiful butterfly embellishments so fast and easy.  On this card I stamped the two smaller butterflies on the card stock and then stamped, punched and popped up the larger butterfly.  So pretty and so easy!  I added a little 3/8" taffeta ribbon in soft suede and some pearls to girlie it up but take off the ribbon and pearls and change the pink to blue or green and this card could easily work for a man as well.  I may just CASE myself on this one again if the need arises!

Playing with Les Papillions

I love butterflies.  I plant flowers in my garden that I know will attract them.  I so enjoy spending summer afternoons on my deck, reading and watching for the colourful winged visitors to my little patch of paradise.  When I first saw the the Papillion Potpourri set in the new catty and then saw the coordinating punch I have to admit I did a little happy dance.  I SO LOVE them both.  So why is it, you might ask, that it has taken me this long to finally make a card using them?  The answer:  my real job gets in the way of my fun.  Now that the school year is finally over (LAST DAY TODAY!!!) I will have more time to play...and believe me, play I will.  So, here, without further ado, is today's project...

Any-occasion card featuring the Papillion Potpourri stamp set with sentiment from Sweet Essentials

Isn't that little butterfly just the sweetest?  I knew as soon as I saw that particular butterfly image that I wanted to pair it with this pattern in the Twitterpated DSP pack.  They work rather nicely together, no?  I kept the colour scheme simple, using Basic Gray in addition to the Riding Hood Red and Whisper White.  I am really wishing I had some of the Basic Gray stitched grosgrain ribbon...I think it would have worked better than the white here...guess what's on my next order??
Oh...before I forget...here's a little tip for using the new Finishing Touches Edgelit that I used here (on the decorative grey border):  the first time you use it you will find that all the little bits from the holes get stuck in the die.  I was going to take the time to clean them all out but then got distracted and never got around to it.  SO glad I didn't!  When I used it to cut the border on this card, the little bits were still stuck in the die.  I didn't think too much about it until I ran it through my Big Shot and, lo and behold, the little bits stayed in the holes that I had cut, rather than in the die!  I just had to pop them out (a little rolling of the card stock did the trick).  So...the moral of the story is, don't clean the bits out of your die after the first use.  Leave 'em there and make your life SO much easier!

Working my Mojo

Today I did something WAY out of my comfort zone.  I made a round(ish) card!  I never do that...occasionally I do square, but never round.  This week's challenge over at Mojo Monday inspired me to try something new.  Here is the  sketch;

And here is my version:

Thank You card for MOJO247 featuring the Papillion Potpourri stamp set and sentiment from the Pursuit of  Happiness

See what I mean about  the "ish" part?  While not exactly round, I think it fits the bill for the sketch.  I pulled out my Floral Frames Framelits and cut the card base using the largest of the dies.  The DSP circle is from the International Bazaar pack...so love that stuff!  I stamped one of the medallions from the Daydream Medallions set and cut it out using another of the Floral Frames Framelits.  The Lucky Limeade strip is embossed using the Fancy Fan embossing folder.  I stamped the butterfly image from the Papillion Potpourri set in Rich Razzleberry and punched it out with the Elegant Butterfly punch.  The sentiment, from the Pursuit of Happiness set, is stamped in Lucky Limeade, though it looks washed out in the photo.  I added  a little leftover ribbon from my Sale-a-bration freebies and then went a little nuts with the bling.  One can't have too much sparkle, can one?  So...whaddya think of my first round card attempt??