Soft and Pretty for 411

Today's card is one that is just so pretty!  I am not much of a girlie girl, but I have to say that now and then I like pretty, girlie things.  I put this card to together for this week's Saturday sketch challenge over at Stamping 411.  Here is the sketch:

...and here is my card (with the sketch turned sideways!)

Soft and pretty card for SSC215 using the Nature's Pace stamp set and Beau Chateau DSP

Isn't this pretty?  I have to say I struggled with this sketch!  I actually started making this card a couple of days ago and just couldn't get it to work.  So I set it aside and came back to it last night and viola...it just fell together!  Sometimes I need to remember to do that more often...I think I would create far fewer ho-hum cards!  I'm not going to take the time tonight to give you step-by-step instructions for this one, but I will give you some tips:

• The focal image is stamped in brown Staz-on and then  coloured with a blender pen and watercolour crayons.  I also spritzed it and distressed it with the tea stain ink from the distressing kit.
• The "No. 5" and "for you" are from the Clearly for You set.
• The white-with-blue floral DSP isn't sponged...it comes  that way!

I think the rest is pretty straightforward.  I have to say I am loving this DSP!  Such pretty images with soft, feminine colours!  I may just see more "girlie" in my future!

16-year-old Boy birthday for PPA105

Today's card is one I designed for this weeks colour challenge over at Pals Paper Arts.  The challenge is to create a card using daffodil delight, island indigo and lucky limeade.  I started out to design a masculine card, but then as I went started thinking it would be perfect for a 16-year-old boy's birthday.  You'll see why in a second...

Masculine birthday card for PPA105 using the Need for Speed stamp set and sentiment from Pennant parade.

Inside of card with sentiment from the new Delightful Dozen set.

Now what 16 year old boy doesn't wish for a shiny new sports car for his birthday??  I remember turning 16 (about a century ago!) and dreaming of getting a car for MY birthday!  (Didn't happen, but a girl can dream, right?)  Anyhow, this card was really fun to make because I got to use a bunch of new product as well as some retired stuff too.  Here is how I put it together:
 Starting with an island indigo card base, I stamped the textured background on both the front and inside the card using the retired Sanded background stamp and island indigo ink. ( I can't, for the life of me figure out why that one retired!  It is perfect for adding just a bit of texture...).  I also sponged the edges of the front of the card using the same coloured ink.  Setting that aside, I took a scrap of black cardstock and ran it through my Big Shot using the new houndstooth embossing folder.  LOVE that one!!  I tore the long edges and distressed the short ones and then sanded the raised areas with my sanding block.  The result, I think, looks like a tire tread (I actually asked my husband and HE agreed, so it must be good!).  Then, taking another scrap of lucky limeade cardstock, I randomly stamped the Good Grid mini background stamp (one I got FREE at convention!) all over.  I distressed and then sponged the edges in the same colour.  Then I spritzed both lucky limeade and basic black for even more textural interest.  I glued this piece to the back of the "tire tread".  Then I wrapped some retired black twine around the lucky limeade piece. securing it with glue dots.  Using my matpack and piercer, I pierced holes for five mini brads in the lower right corner of the lucky limeade piece and then adhered it to my cardfront.  Setting this aside, I stamped the car image in black Staz-On ink on a piece of whisper white cardstock.  Using my aquapainter and watercolour wonder crayons, I coloured the car.  I then adhered the stamped piece to a slightly larger piece of daffodil delight cardstock and adhered it to the cardfront using dimensionals.  The final touch on the front was to stamp the sentiment from the Pennant Parade set in island indigo ink on whisper white cardstock and punch it out with my jewelry tag punch.  I punched two more tags, layered them together with glue dots and added them to the knot in the twine.  On the inside of the card I stamped the sentiment in black Staz-on again on whisper white cardstock.  I coloured in some of the letters in lucky limeade.  I then stamped the image again in island indigo and daffodil delight, cutting out parts of the sentiment I wanted to highlight, and adhering them where appropriate.  I sponged the edges of the sentiment piece using lucky limeade and adhered it to the inside of the card. 
Now...I just need to find a 16-year-old boy to give this to...though I suppose a 40-year-old man would likely enjoy it too!

My Soccer Star and aTimeless Birthday card for Monkey 68

Well, soccer is done for another year.  My son had great fun this year and today he got his prized "gold" medal!  Check this out!

He couldn't be prouder of that medal!

Now we have our Saturday mornings back for a few weeks until skating starts in September!  We're gonna make the most of these next few weeks, for sure!
Now on to some stamping.  I haven't played along over at A La Card Monkey for a while and I figured it was high time I paid them a visit.  This week's sketch is anything goes, so I did a birthday card using the Timeless Portrait DSP.  I really love the bold images and colours in that paper!  I am definitely going to stock up during the Buy-three-get-one-free promo this month! Here is the sketch:

...and here is my card:

Card for Monkey68 using Timeless Portrait DSP and a sentiment from the retired Watercolor Trio set.

Close up of focal image and sentiment.

Inside sentiment from Bring on the Cake set.

I'm not sure what it is that appeals to me more about this DSP:  the bold patterns or rich colours!  I just knew the moment I saw it in the new catty that I just HAD to own everything in the suite!  You likely can't tell, but I embossed the black background layer using the new strips embossing folder...another new fav...as are the designer frames folders.  I especially love how the large oval punch fits inside the oval frame perfectly!  This card really was very easy to put together thanks to my Big Shot and punches...the only stamping is on the sentiments!  I may just have to use it in an upcoming class or workshop!

Soccer Thanks

Tomorrow is the last game for my 4-year-old's soccer season.  He has had his ups and downs as he has learned that just because the other kids are trying to take the ball away from him doesn't mean they don't want him to play!  There were many tears shed until he got the idea that it is all part of the game!  He has come a long way this season due, in large part, to the patience of his coach.  All of the coaches in my son's league are parents of kids who play and who volunteer to act as the coach.  They have many watchful eyes on them and are held to a standard that, at times, is unfair...they are, after all, volunteers!  My son's coach has been great...working with the kids on skill-building drills before the "game" and then encouraging them to do their best during the "game".  I use the term "game" rather loosely as they are only four and it is a bit of a free-for-all.  One week my son spent the entire game running hand-in-hand with a little girl from the opposing team!  So cute!  None-the-less he has learned a lot and we wanted to express our appreciation for his coach's willingness to take on such a big job.  I made this card using a REALLY old set called I Love Soccer...check it out:

Thank you card for my son's soccer coach using the long-retired I Love Soccer set as well as the still-current Calendar Alphabet set.

Inside of card...the jersey is coloured lucky limeade (his team's colour) and stamped with my son's number.  The sentiment is from the Pennant Parade set.

So this card uses a bunch of retired product, but also several new items too!  As I mentioned, the stamp set in ancient!  However I used the pennant builder punch and the Calendar Alphabet set to do the banner.  The banner is held together with the new silver mini brads...these are really teeny, but so great!  The colour scheme is wild wasabi, daffodil delight and poppy parade. I chose the DSP (from a retired Simply Scrappin' kit) because I thought the pattern looked a little bit like the mesh on a soccer net.  I spent most of the evening working on this one...I sure hope he likes it!  I know my son will enjoy giving it to him with the Tim Horton's gift card we bought...what coach doesn't love Timmy's?!?

Another class preview

Yesterday I showed you one of the cards for my September class featuring the Vintage Vogue stamp set.  Today I have another for the same class that uses the Very Vintage wheel as well.  It also uses my new favourite DSP:  Mocha Morning!

Sneak peek at September's monthly class projects using Vintage Vogue and Perfectly Penned stamp set and Very Vintage wheel.

This card comes together far more quickly than the one I showed you yesterday!  It really is quite simple, but that gorgeous Mocha Morning paper makes it so elegant!  I honestly see A LOT of that paper in my stamping future!  I also love the WOW that the lace border punch offers...so pretty when punched from brushed gold cardstock and threaded with black satin ribbon!  Ok...that's all the hints I'm going to give!  If you want to know more, come on out on September 13th and make this and two other cards with me!

September Monthly Class Sneak Peek!

Believe it or not, I am already into planning my classes and events for September!  I know it seems early, but my monthly card class happens on the second Tuesday of every month and with school starting, I know the first week is going to be nutty!  So, since my featured stamp set next month will be Vintage Vogue, I started playing with ideas to use that set.  It is one that I've had for a while but haven't inked up in quite some time.  So, here is the first card I came up with.  It is based on the sketch from the Paper Players this week...see what you think!

For PP57:  September's Monthly Card Class Preview using Vintage Vogue and Perfectly Penned stamp sets and Beau Chateau DSP

So, whaddya think?  I really didn't set out to make a shabby-chic card, but that's kinda how it turned out!  There is a lot of fussy cutting in this one, so my class attendees will need their favourite pair of paper snips.  Don't you just LOVE the Beau Chateau DSP pack?!?  It is so pretty and feminine I can't get enough of that paper!  Good thing I can stock up with the BOGO (or rather BTGO) event this month!  I'm not going to give the deets for making this one...you'll just have to come and take my class on September 13th!  Its posted on my website events page HERE...you can even RSVP right from that page!  I hope you can join us...did I mention you also have the option to purchase the Vintage Vogue set at a discount if you attend this class?  That's right...every month I feature a different set and offer it for purchase at a discount for all class attendees.  Plus, if your order is $40 or more you get to take the class FOR FREE!!  See, now there's even MORE reason to join us!  Click on over to my Stampin' Up website and RSVP today!

And the winner is...

...Jessica Strub!!  Jessica was the 11th person to complete my online survey and, lucky her, the random number generator I used chose her number!  That means Jessica receives a $40 Stampin' Up gift certificate to redeem with yours truly.  Congratulations, Jessica!

Now, on to today's news.  With the start of a new month there is always a new promotion to tell you about.  This month's offer is a GREAT one!  Its BOGO time at Stampin' Up!  When you buy 3 packs of Designer  Series Paper (DSP) from either the Summer Mini or the new Idea Book & Catalogue, you get a fourth pack FREE!!!  That's like getting 25% off each pack.  To put that into dollars and cents, the regular price of  a pack of DSP is $13.50 or $1.13 per page;  during this promotion it is only $10.13 per pack or $0.84 per page!!  You can't get gorgeous paper like this ANYWHERE for that price!  Take advantage of this offer and stock up...you'll be glad you did!!  Click HERE for a pdf listing all of the products included in this promotion and call or email to place your order today!

Also this month, I am getting back to my regular schedule of clubs and classes.  Check out the "Upcoming Events and Classes" tab at the top of this page for a listing of this month's offerings.

Another thing I look forward to with the start of a new month is our monthly team meeting and swap.  This month's challenge is to create a card using some kind of technique and the Just Believe stamp set.  The idea is to have a selection of cards using the same set to show how versatile our stamp sets are.  For my card I decided to try brayering.  I am by no means an expert at this technique...in fact, I'm pretty novice.  However it just goes to show you don't have to be Michelle Zindorf (the goddess of brayering) to create a pretty decent looking card using a brayer.  Check this out:

Brayered Just Believe card for our monthly team meeting swap.

Not bad, eh?  Now those of you who were are convention may be thinking this looks kinda familiar...that's likely because I was inspired by that gorgeous "GROW" set on the main stage!  I went for a late-summer-wild-flower-garden-at-sunset kinda look...did I succeed?
This card is WAY out of my comfort zone for a lot of reasons:  first of all the brayering thing...not so good at it yet.  Secondly there are NO embellishments whatsoever on this card!!!  Talk about a departure from the norm for me!!!  The only details I added were the pierced holes in the upper corners and on the sentiment tag.  Now, my critics will be saying "But there are still 4 layers on this card..."  and yes, its true, there are.  But you gotta give me props for the sheer au naturel nakedness of this card, no?  In any case, I was proud of myself and the restraint I showed...I hope  my fellow team members will be too!

For those of you who want to try this background yourselves, the colours I used (in order) were daffodil delight, peach parfait and cajun craze.  The images were stamped using the mahogany ink spot from the distressing kit.  I just found it was  darker and more opaque than the early espresso I had originally planned to use.  The sentiment is stamped using the same ink on very vanilla, punched out with the decorative label punch and then sponged with peach parfait and early espresso. 

This really was an easy card to create, aside from the steep brayering learning curve.  Even so, I did 10 in 2 hours...which translates to 18 minutes per card.  Pretty quick, if you ask me!