Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Textured Autumn


Hi Everyone!
I wanted to share with you today a technique I can only describe as vintage and worn - Faux Linen.  I think the results are so beautiful and easy to create with a few simples tools.

Autumn has always been my favorite season - the colors of the season are so rich and beautiful...plus it gives me a legitimate excuse to pull out anything warm and fuzzy in my wardrobe.  I came across a quote on Pinterest that pretty much summed up Autumn perfectly for me...ok everything except the cold air part LOL.

Your probably asking yourself 'and where's she going with this?' I'll bet.  Well when we get to this time of year I naturally start to craft with the current colors in nature - a perfect way to incorporate Stampin' Up!'s Neutral and Regal palettes.  Today's card is no exception; here's a look at how I created it.

Supplies:

Stamps: French Foliage, Full of Blessings (greeting)
Cardstock: Glossy White, Early Espresso, Howlstooth & Scaringbone DSP
Ink: More Mustard, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Stampin' Sanding System, Square Lattice embossing folder, Early Espresso Bakers twine, Brights Designer Buttons, sponges, dimensionals, snail adhesive

I began with a piece of Glossy White cardstock and stamped the written image from the French Foliage set in Soft Suede randomly over the cardstock.  Once dry I used the brand new sanding block from the Holiday catalogue to first sand vertically then horizontally over the cardstock until all the glossy finish was gone.  I then lightly sponged Soft Suede using a circular motion over the entire cardstock.  Next I stamped the water spot image in Chocolate Chip and one of the leaf images in More Mustard.  Once again, when dry, I sanded in both directions and lightly sponged on Soft Suede.  I finished by adding a few leaves in Cajun Craze.  Before assembling the card I wrapped the Glossy cardstock with Early Espresso baker's twine and added a button in Olive Green for interest; I then attached it to a piece of Early Espresso cardstock I had ran through the Square Lattice embossing folder.

I hope you've been inspired to try this technique!  I know it goes to the top of my favorite's list!  For a full picture tutorial, check out Splitcoast Stampers.  Well, I'm off to work on my son's birthday cake for this weekend, wish me luck!

Thanks so much for looking!
webbanner-002copy
Pin It

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Tall Order MDS Birthday Invites


I really don't know how this happens - one moment I'm holding a snugly newborn who depends on me for everything and the next moment I have this little independent person who gets INTO everything!  {Sigh}...they really do grow up too fast!  It's been an extremely chaotic year, but I wouldn't change a thing!  I sometimes long for the days of quiet before kids, but its short lived when I can take a moment to focus on what a blessing and joy they are to our family...

Making birthday invitations digitally, I think, is almost always the quickest and easiest way to go.  Once I complete my design its as simple as printing as many copies as I need; and by using the My Digital Studio 2 from Stampin' Up! I can still use all the stamps, colors, papers, and accessories I'm accustomed to with a few extras as an added bonus!

The obvious focal point of this invite is the giraffe.  Stampin' Up! does have a couple of stamp sets in MDS that offer possibilities but as usual I needed to challenge myself to think outside the box.  This giraffe is made entirely with digital punches that come with MDS2 software!  And the spots you ask?  Well they were made using the NEW freeform feature - just one of the many new super cool tools.  If your interested in the My Digital Studio software and would like to take a test drive, click on the link to the left to download your FREE 30 day trial version today!

Well, now that the invitations are complete, I'm onto the all important 1st Birthday card!  Here's to hoping I won't ruin it with tears of 'my baby isn't a baby anymore'...

Until my next post...
webbanner-002copy
Pin It

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

We're Simply Meant to Be...


Today's card is purely and simply for the enjoyment of my sister.  She absolutely LOVES the movie The Nightmare Before Christmas so I thought I would try to re-create a couple of the main characters.  Now that I look at it I think I should have given her this card for her wedding anniversary instead of the Mickey and Minnie Mouse card - that may sound weird but then you haven't met my sister...hehehe ;)

Anyway its another card off my Halloween bucket list and, as with all the punch art I do, I had a lot of fun making it!  Here's a quick overview:

Supplies:

Stamp sets: Googly Ghouls
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Wisteria Wonder, Basic Black, Pool Party, Raspberry Ripple, More Mustard, Island Indigo, Primrose Petals, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Island Indigo
Accessories: Lacy Brocade embossing folder, Framelits Labels Collection, small oval punch, 3/4" circle punch, owl punch, heart to heart punch (retired), 1 3/4" circle punch, white gel pen, Basic Black marker, tombow adhesive, dimensionals, sponges

Jack:
Head: 1 3/4" circle punch; Whisper White with Basic Black ink sponged on edges
Eyes: 3/4" circle punch, small oval punch
Nose: smallest circle from the owl punch
Suit Jacket: body of owl punch cut in half and glued at an angle back together; Bat from the Googly Ghouls stamped in Basic Black ink on Whisper White cardstock

Sally:
Head: 1 3/4" circle punch; Pool Party with Island Indigo ink sponged on edges
Eyes: 3/4" circle punch, trimmed and smallest circle from owl punch
Lips: small heart from the owl punch
Hair: second smallest die from the Framelits labels collection in Raspberry Ripple
Neck: body of owl punch trimmed
Dress: 3 pieces of oval punch trimmed to size
All details were made with Basic Black marker

Well I'm off to work on my next project!  My son's first birthday is just around the corner and the invites have to be made!

Thanks so much for looking!  Until my next post...
webbanner-002copy Pin It

Monday, September 17, 2012

Potted Sunflowers


I had the most wonderful surprise this weekend!  As I opened one of the blinds that faces out into my backyard I was surprised to see a small patch of sunflowers in full bloom!  Why so surprised you might ask?  Well, I didn't plant any sunflowers this year...or last year...or even the year before that!  In fact I probably haven't planted sunflowers in 5 years or so and even then certainly didn't plant any amongst where they are currently growing - in thick brush at the back of our property.  Nonetheless I'll take 'em!  They are my favorite flower - my house is quite frankly littered with sunflower paraphernalia.  There's just something about their happy bright petals that has always made me smile...so much so I just had to cut a few to enjoy inside - even if they only last for a few days.

The most ironic part of finding these happy flowers? I had already made the card I'm going to share with you today when I found them...spooky...its almost like I planned it this way when in truth it was just a happy coincidence!  I found the template for this flower pot card on Splitcoast and envisioned it in fall colors with sunflowers.  You pull on the top flowers and your greeting slides out!  Wonderfully neat idea with a little surprise for the recipient!!




Supplies:

Stamp sets: Papillon Potpourri, Summer Silhouettes, Create a Cupcake
Cardstock: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Summer Silhouettes DSP
Ink: Sahara Sand, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Lacy Brocade embossing folder, Lucky Limenade ruffled ribbon, scallop circle punch, triple blossom punch (retired), Versamark, gold embossing powder, sponges, snail, mini glue dots, tombow adhesive

The flower pot uses the Faux Patina technique; a technique I have done before; which can be found HERE.  The sunflowers were made using the scallop circle punch.  I punched the circle once then put the same circle back into the punch and gave it a quarter turn and re-punched to give the petals a more pointed appearance.  Using scissors I then cut each petal from the tip to just about the center.  Three flowers from the triple blossom punch were added to the center of each flower.

Hope you enjoy your day!  Thanks so much for looking!
webbanner-002copy Pin It

Friday, September 14, 2012

Poppin' '53 Chevy



Happy Friday!  I have a neat card fold to share with you today called a Shadow box card.  My husband's birthday is Monday and I actually managed to get his card done DAYS before...go me!!  I always struggle with guy cards simply because I love frills and flowers and the all men I have to design for are none of that!  I'd seen a few punch art Volkswagen Beetle cards in my internet travels and started fiddling around with idea of making a punch art truck instead.  The basic idea is really the same, just with a few tweaks and additions.

Here's a side view to show the depth this card has:

The concept of the Shadow box fold is really a simple one.  Take two pieces of cardstock the same size; one usually Whisper White the other any color of your choice.  Score each piece on top and bottom at 1/2" and 1".  On the colored cardstock cut a shape such as a circle, square, or oval.  Layer the two pieces together and stamp within the opening onto the bottom layer - layering the cardstock will ensure your image is centered when your card is complete.  Place sticky strip in between the score lines on the Whisper White cardstock, remove backing and adhere the two pieces of cardstock together, creating your box shape.  A full picture tutorial can be found on Splitcoast Stampers HERE.

Supplies:

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, So Happy for You (retired Sale-a bration item)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Basic Black, Basic Gray
Ink: Sahara Sand, Basic Gray, Wild Wasabi, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Tempting Turquoise, Island Indigo, Not Quite Navy,Basic Black
Accessories: Simply Scored Scoring tool, Modern label punch, Word Window punch, Owl punch, 1/2" circle punch, small oval punch, large oval punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, piercing tool, mat pack, white gel pen, Versamark, clear embossing powder, silver embossing powder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponges, tombow adhesive, sticky strip, dimensionals, metallic brads

To complete the background first mask off the highway portion with post it notes.  Sponge Sahara Sand and Basic Gray, shading with Basic Black along the edges.  Using a ruler add white lines along the edge of each side of the highway.  Remove masks and place them over the highway portion just sponged.  Sponge Wild Wasabi, Old Olive, and Always Artichoke for grass line.  Place a torn post it note along the skyline and sponge mountains with the same colors used for the highway.  Remove all post it notes and sponge the sky with Tempting Turqouise, Island Indigo, and Not Quite Navy until achieving desired result.  Add trees using a Stamp-a-ma-jig and Always Artichoke along the side of the highway.  Finish by adding a dotted line cut out freehand with Daffodil Delight cardstock.

The truck is made as follows:
Roof and windshield are a large oval punch with the ends trimmed off to size.  I coated the windshield with clear embossing powder to give it a shiny appearance. The trucks antenna is a small piece of cardstock with the smallest circle from the owl punch added on top.  The hood portion is a 1 3/4" circle with the bottom portion trimmed off.  Details were added to the hood with a stylus tool.  Headlight hood portion is a small oval punch with the bottom trimmed off.  Headlights are made with a 1/2" circle punch and the largest circle from the owl punch.  The bumper is made with the word window punch and the tires are made with the modern label punch.  Tire details were added with the stylus tool.  The chrome grill was cut freehand.  All chrome pieces were Versamarked then silver embossed.  Before assembling with tombow adhesive all pieces were sponged on the edges with Basic Black ink.  Finishing details were added with a white gel pen.  The completed truck was then adhered to the card with a dimensional.

Thanks so much for looking!
webbanner-002copy Pin It

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Halloween in Owlville


Morning All! 
Today's card was so much fun to do and it meshed my two current obsessions - Halloween and punch art!  I truly love my owl punch - the possibilities seem absolutely endless when I sit down and start punching with it.  Some of these little guys were made with ideas I'd seen from fellow stampers, like the bat, ballerina, and pirate but Mickey and Minnie, Spiderman, and the dragon were ideas I designed.  I should mention while I think of it that each character is made only with pieces from the owl punch, with the exception of the ballerina's tutu (scallop circle punch) Mickey and Minnie's shoes (3/4" circle punch), and the pumpkin 
(1 1/4" circle punch).  Neat hey??
I will try to be as detailed as I can in describing the materials I used but if I forget something, please accept my apologies now - a lot went into this one!!

Supplies:

Stamp sets: Take care, Wicked Cool, Googly Ghouls
Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Howlstooth and Scaringbone DSP, Whisper White, Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, Primrose Petals, Sahara Sand, Brights Designer Series DSP, Cajun Craze, Subtles Designer Series DSP, Pretty in Pink, Early Espresso, Brushed Gold, Lucky Limenade, Pumpkin Pie
Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White Craft ink, Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive
Accessories: Owl punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, 3/4" circle punch, scallop circle punch, Basic Black marker, Pumpkin Pie marker, Old Olive marker, white gel pen, brayer, sponges, tombow adhesive, dimensionals

Here's a close up of the owls:


I began with a piece of Whisper White cardstock and masked off the moon with a post it note punched from 1 3/4" circle punch.  I brayered Rich Razzleberry 3/4 of the way down the paper, followed by Elegant Eggplant on only the upper portion of the sky; Old Olive was sponged on the bottom 1/4 of the paper.  I removed the mask from the moon and sponged Daffodil Delight inside.  The fence was hand drawn with a Basic Black marker, then the tree branch was added over the moon in Basic Black ink along with the bats in the sky.  The owls were then placed in the scene with dimensionals and stars were added to the sky with a white gel pen.

Hope you enjoyed them!  Thanks so much for looking!

webbanner-002copy Pin It

Monday, September 10, 2012

Stippled Blossoms Bookmark Card


I recently received a folded bookmark from a card swap I'm part of and knew instantly I had to try make one!  They are super simple to make, and adds a nice little surprise gift to a card.  There are a few ways to fold a bookmark; I simply did a search on You Tube and found many varieties - take your pick on what suits you in the moment!

Here's the way the bookmark looks when its separated from the card.  I used a new stamp set called Stippled Blossoms which I really love.  The flowers look so real it makes you want to stick your nose in for a sniff LOL.  I first stamped the solid portion of the flower in Baja Breeze. Then, using my Stamp-a-ma-jig, I stamped the inner portion of the flower in Midnight Muse.  I followed the same procedure for the leaves using Old Olive and Always Artichoke; cutting each piece out with my paper snips after I stamped.  I then used snail to adhere the leaves to the backside of the flowers and adhered them to the card using a dimensional.  I think I'll have to make a few of these cards just to have on hand - who wouldn't like to not only receive a handmade card but get a little treat besides as well?? :)

Supplies:

Stamp Sets: Stippled Blossoms
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Subtles Designer Series DSP Pack
Ink: Baja Breeze, Midnight Muse, Old Olive, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Pool Party 1/2" seam binding ribbon, Stamp-a-ma-jig, dimensionals, snail

Thanks so much for looking!
webbanner-002copy
Pin It

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Hallow's Eve


I think my sister's enthusiasm for Halloween may be rubbing off on me, or perhaps my 3 year old's obsession with ghosts and monsters has finally taken its toll.  Either way Halloween has never been a holiday that I have ever enjoyed, yet this year I have a list; yes a list; of all the "spooky" cards I want to attempt over the next few weeks leading up to the big event. 

The best thing about creating out of my "norm" is it makes me think and look at things a different way.  When I first saw the Serene Silhouettes stamp set, I envisioned this bird stamp used in a winter scene; yet here it is far from how I originally intended.  Nothing saying I won't still use it the way I originally intended, but its nice to know just how versatile Stampin' Up! sets can be!

Supplies:

Stamp sets: Serene Silhouettes
Cardstock: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Basic Gray, Howlstooth and Scaringbone DSP (NEW!! from the Holiday Catalogue)
Ink: So Saffron, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Labels Collection Framelits, 1 3/4" circle punch, 1 3/4" scallop circle punch, sponges, black grosgrain ribbon (retired), white gel pen, glue dots, dimensionals, snail adhesive

Its hard to see in the photo, but the layers of the frames have dimensionals in between them to help them pop.  The depth looks so much better in person and creates shadows over the image which is kind of cool.
I began the sky by first sponging the moon.  I punched a 1 3/4" circle from a post it note and used the negative portion to create my outline.  I sponged So Saffron within, lighter at the top of the moon and darker at the bottom.  I then randomly sponged Night of Navy and Basic Gray ink over the entire sky until I reached the effect I was going for.  The birds are stamped using Basic Black ink that I stamped off once on scrap paper before stamping on my project.  I then added highlights with a white gel pen before assembling the card.  The paper rose is made with the 1 3/4" scallop circle punch. 

Well, I'm off to make a dint in that "spooky" list!  See you again soon; thanks so much for looking!
webbanner-002copy Pin It

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Mickey and Minnie


Hi Everyone! 

Today's card was so much fun to make!  It's my sister and brother-in-laws 2nd anniversary today and I thought what better way to depict a little love than with none other than Mickey and Minnie Mouse! 

I seem to be stuck on punch art as of late; I just really love the challenge of making something out of circles, ovals, and squares.  I'm sure like everything else I'll need a shake me up soon and move on to something else to create a one of a kind card :)  Until then folks, your stuck with me and my punches LOL.

Supplies:

Stamp sets: none
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Summer Smooches DSP, Crumb Cake, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, Sahara Sand, Melon Mambo, Pool Party, Designer Brights DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Island Indigo
Accessories: Basic Black marker, Brights Designer series buttons, white gel pen, sponges, snail adhesive, dimensionals
Punches: Small oval, owl punch, 1/2" circle punch, Heart to Heart (retired), Window label, Modern Label, 5/16" corner punch, large oval, 1 1/4" circle punch, 3/4" circle punch

Finished size: 6"x6"

Thanks so much for looking; it's much appreciated!!
webbanner-002copy

Pin It

Monday, September 3, 2012

Warm Regards


I can hardly believe that we are at the beginning of September!  I hate to say it but the evenings are getting cooler and autumn feels like its fast approaching.  The moment it starts getting cool I can't help but reach for my big, heavy knit sweaters and a thick pair of socks.  Most people who really know me would say I wear these items even in the hot summer (and they would be right LOL) but there's something about the crispness in the air that makes me want them even more.

I began knitting again about a year and a half ago.  My Grandma taught me as a child but I didn't continue on with it until last year while pregnant with our son Sawyer.  I found I couldn't be as active as I wanted but needed a way to keep my hands busy...I chose knitting and became hooked again!  I started with small items and have worked my way up to more complex patterns.  I'm hoping this winter I can devote a little extra time into making a few sweaters for myself (fingers crossed).

I stumbled on this cute postcard pattern while in search for sweater patterns on a great knitting and crocheting site called Ravelry.  There are literally thousands of patterns to choose from; both for free and for purchase.  As soon as I seen this pattern I knew it was for me.  What a perfect little gift to send in the mail to let someone know your thinking of them!

The knitting pattern for this postcard can be found HERE.  I used some stash yarn I had along with a piece of 4"x6" Crumb Cake cardstock I sewed onto the back of the piece with ribbon from this years past Sale-A-Bration promotion.  I then added a Thinking of You greeting from the Thoughts and Prayers stamp set on the bottom of the cardstock.  Now its ready for a special message to a special someone!


Thanks so much for looking!
webbanner-002copy
Pin It
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...