Thursday, July 26, 2012

My Thinkin' Spot





When we decided to renovate our small one and a half storey home into a full two storey 5 years ago, there were a couple of things I really, really wanted.  I'd always dreamed of having a wrap around veranda and a porch swing to enjoy it.  Well, my wish came true :)  The first photo is what the house looked like in the summer of 2008 and the second photo was taken in June of this year...just a slight change, no?


We inherited our porch swing this spring.  It looked like it needed some work but once we washed it down it literally came back to life.  The only thing missing were cushions to make the "ride" a little more enjoyable.  I decided in my spare time (haha) I would sew my own cushions; that way I could choose the perfect fabric and they would be exactly the right size. 
I need to interject here that I am by no means a seamstress...especially with my nine month old running the foot pedal and my 3 year old in charge of the back stitch button.  But, even with all the "help", I managed to get the cushions done in an afternoon/evening.  I added tons of Velcro tabs on all three cushions to make sure they wouldn't shift while you are sitting on the swing and stuffed each cushion with 1/2" foam so it would be nice and comfy. 
Now if I could just find those lazy days of summer everyone talks about to enjoy it!!  The odd time I do get to sit on it is usually about 10:00 at night with a cup of coffee - all is quiet and it gives me a chance to wind down and do some thinking - which is exactly why I've named it my 'Thinkin' Spot'.  Its also where I got the idea to name my blog ;)

I have a really quick card for you today as well.  It's a technique called Inlaid Embossing.  A truly simple, basic technique that involves punches, an embossing folder, and your Big Shot.

Supplies:

Stamp set: Thoughts and Prayers
Cardstock: Whisper White, Primrose Petals, Textured Soft Suede, Summer Smooches DSP
Ink: Primrose Petals, Gumball Green, Basic Black
Accessories: Square lattice embossing folder, 1 3/4" circle punch, Lucky Limenade Ruffled ribbon, Triple Blossom punch (retired), sticky strip, snail adhesive.

In the instance of this card, I stamped the flower from the Thoughts and Prayers set on white cardstock first.  I then punched out the flowers with my Triple Blossom punch from Primrose Petals cardstock and glued them down with snail adhesive.  Then its as simple as running the cardstock through the Big Shot using the Square Lattice embossing folder.  It really appears as though the punched images have become part of the base cardstock!  Have fun with this technique - its makes for an instant WOW factor!

Well, I best get at some card creating!  I have six cards on my list that need to get made within the next week...so expect to see a few more posts over the next while! :)

Thanks so much for looking!
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Monday, July 23, 2012

Go Eh!


With the London Summer Olympics only 5 short days away I thought I'd wave my "pride flag" and do a card to cheer on our Canadian athletes.  It seemed only fitting to incorporate a couple of our national mascots along with our flag in the layout.  I used a Brushed Gold cardstock background to represent all the gold medals I hope our athletes win (finger's crossed).  The sentiment "Go Eh" is really just meant to poke a little fun - a truly Canadian term that sets us apart from the masses! LOL

Supplies:

Stamp sets: none
Cardstock: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, Brushed Gold
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Simply Scored scoring tool, Owl punch, Large oval punch, 1 3/8" square punch, 1/2" circle punch, Heart to Heart punch (retired), Alphabet Simple Letters (retired), snail adhesive, Tombow liquid glue


Moose:
Head: Modified the owl body by cutting off the ears in Soft Suede
Torso: owl punch "tummy" in Soft Suede
Hooves: 1/2" circle punch cut in half (Soft Suede), owl punch eyes cut in half (Basic Black)
Antlers: 1 3/8" square punch cut in half on an angle in Sahara Sand.  Top of the antlers were punched with 1/2" circle 4 times side by side
Each piece was sponged on the edges with Early Espresso ink and glued together with Tombow

Beaver:
Head: Modified the owl punch body by rounding the ears and slightly trimming down the beavers "cheeks" in Early Espresso
Torso: owl punch "tummy" in Early Espresso
Feet: 1/2" circle punch cut in half (Early Espresso), owl punch eyes cut in half (Whisper White)
Nose: small heart from the owl punch in Basic Black
Teeth: cut freehand from Whisper White
Tail: Large oval punch in Soft Suede.  Created the grid lines using the Simply Scored tool.
Each piece was sponged on the edges with Early Espresso ink and glue together with Tombow

Canadian Flag:
I cut a rectangle from Whisper White cardstock and two narrower strips for the end stripes from Cherry Cobbler Cardstock.  The maple leaf is created with 6 hearts layered together from the Heart to Heart punch and 1 small heart from the owl punch.

The Olympic rings and "Go Eh" were created using the Alphabet Simple Letters.

GO CANADA!!!!!!

Thanks so much for looking!
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Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Fingerprint Tree


Today's post is more of a project than a card but I'm sure it could be modified to be card for a numerous amount of occasions.  I stumbled across this idea on Pinterest quite awhile ago. The original idea was meant to be used as an alternative to a wedding guest book but I used it instead for my niece's baby shower.  I could see it used as a thank you card for a baby shower with the baby's fingerprints, or even as a wedding thank you with the new couples fingerprints stamped to make little hearts in the tree. 

I used a free template download I found on the net for the tree, but in hindsight I found a great download in My Digital Studio called Bold Brushes (#124212) that would have worked perfectly...next time.  I printed the tree on a piece of  12"x12" Whisper White cardstock that I trimmed to 8 1/2" wide x 12" long so it would fit in my printer.  I colored in the tree with my Stampin write markers and the fingerprints were stamped with Melon Mambo and Pretty in Pink ink.  On the original tree after the person stamped their fingerprint they signed below it with a black marker.  In short, I forgot LOL.  So we decided to write the names of those in attendance on the back instead.  My intention was to frame it to hang in her nursery - only problem? The shower was in April and its still on my "to do" list...

Thanks so much for looking!
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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Faux Patina Technique


I seen this great technique called Faux Patina on Split Coast Stampers recently and really wanted to give it a try.  I think it makes for a really unique background - no two backgrounds will ever be the same.

Supplies:

Stamp sets: Elements of Style
Cardstock: Whisper White, Old Olive, Brushed Gold, Crumb Cake
Ink: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Always Artichoke, Early Espresso
Accessories: Damask Texturz Plate (retired), Versamark, gold embossing powder, sponges, Old Olive satin ribbon, Early Espresso grosgrain ribbon, 1 1/4" circle punch, 2" circle punch, Stampin' dimensionals, sticky strip

Supplies:

Stamp sets: Tea Shoppe
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pool Party, Basic Gray, Everyday Enchantment DSP (retired)
Ink: Crumb Cake, Pretty in Pink, Wisteria Wonder, Early Espresso, Basic Black
Accessories: Damask Texturz Plate (retired), Labels Collection Framelits, Versamark, silver embossing powder, Primrose Petals Satin stitched ribbon, 3/16" corner punch, snail adhesive, sticky strip

The technique is as follows:
  • Choose 4 co-ordinating inks; one a lighter neutral color, then a light shade, medium shade, and darker shade.  In the first example I used Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Always Artichoke, Early Espresso.  In the second example I chose Crumb Cake, Pretty in Pink, Wisteria Wonder, Early Espresso
  • Ink up either a texture plate or embossing folder on one side with the neutral colored ink
  • Lay a piece of Whisper White cardstock on the plate or inside the embossing folder and run through the Big Shot
  • With a sponge and your lightest shade lightly sponge over top of your neutral color; leaving some of the base color exposed
  • Follow in the same manner with the medium shade, once again leaving some of the base colors exposed
  • Finish with your darkest shade sparingly.  This adds dimension and really brings out the depth of the pattern in the embossing folder.
  • Once ink is dry lightly apply Versamark randomly.  Sprinkle with either gold or silver embossing powder and heat set.
Thanks so much for looking!

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Monday, July 16, 2012

Flying Through Birthday


Today's card is a slider card I made for a little boy who turned 3 over the weekend.  I love how interactive a card like this is, and once you figure out the making's of a slider card; super simple to make.  There are many great tutorials and videos across the net to get you started and teach you the basics.


The airplane "flies" with a little help from two pennies sandwiched together with Stampin' dimensionals and a pull tab adhered with another dimensional underneath the bottom penny.  As the airplane flies across the sky it reveals a birthday message! 

Supplies:

Stamp sets: Up, Up, and Away
Cardstock: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight, Basic Gray, Night of Navy
Ink: Basic Black, Island Indigo, Gumball Green, Real Red
Accessories: Large Oval punch, Modern Label punch, Build-a-Cupcake punch, 1/2" circle punch, Owl punch,
1 1/4" circle punch, Stampin' dimensionals, snail


The airplane was inspired by a similar one created by Lynn Pratt.  Here's how I assembled it:

Body: Large oval punch, trimmed narrower from the middle of the oval downwards to the tail (Daffodil Delight cardstock)
Wings: Modern Label punch, cut in half (Daffodil Delight cardstock).  Dots on wings made with 1/2" circle punch in Night of Navy cardstock
Tail: freehanded an oval from Basic Gray cardstock; fin made from tip of Modern label punch in Daffodil Delight
Propeller: Modern Label punch trimmed (Basic Gray); Daffodil Delight center with smallest circle from the Owl punch
Window: freehanded from Basic Gray cardstock
All pieces were sponged on the edges with Basic Black ink to add dimension before assembly.

I began by cutting my card base out of Baja Breeze cardstock; in this case I made it the standard finished size 5 1/2" x 4 1/4".  I then cut another piece of the same colored cardstock 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" to create my card front.  I decided where I wanted the airplane to slide and lightly marked with a pencil.  I used my 1/2" circle punch on both ends of where I wanted the slider to be and connected them by cutting with my paper cutter; creating a track (make sure when cutting your slider your track is smaller than your penny or it will fall through).  At this point, I decorated the card front with clouds punched from the Build-a-Cupcake punch and balloons and birds from the Up, Up, and Away set.
Next, I layered my card front over my base card and lined up my sentiment so it would be visable through the slider; I then adhered the sentiment to my base.  I then cut another piece of Baja Breeze cardstock roughly 1 1/2" wide x 5 1/2" long to create my pull tab.  I added a 1 1/4" circle folded in half from Daffodil Delight and adhered it to the end of the pull tab.
To assemble the slider I first adhered two pennies sandwiched between a dimensional.  With another dimensional I attached the airplane. Insert the airplane into your slider opening on your card front by slipping the cardstock in between the two pennies.  Once inserted, adhere your pull tab with another dimesional to the bottom penny.  Glue your card front to your card base and viola! 

I hope I've inspired you to try making a slider card!  Thanks so much for looking!
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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Spiderman Birthday


Hope everyone is enjoying the heat wave!  I love love love summer, so I'll be one of the last few to ever complain about the heat.  The humidity level on the other hand can be a little much, even for me, which proved itself yesterday.  It was much too hot to have the boys outside so I got to work in my stamp room guilt free during nap time!

July and August are a couple crazy months for birthdays around here so I decided I best get to it and get caught up and (gasp) AHEAD on all the cards that have to be made.  A wonderful little boy of close friends turned 5 earlier this month and he loves superhero's, so I turned to my punches and created Superman scaling a building wall.  I hope he likes it! :)

Supplies:

Stamp sets: Up, Up, and Away
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red, Not Quite Navy, Pool Party, Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight
Ink: Basic Black, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Versamark marker, Silver Embossing Powder, sponges, Owl punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, Modern label punch, Large oval punch, 2 way glue pen, dimensionals

Head: 1 3/4" circle punch - trimmed to create an oval shape
Eyes: the "tummy" portion of the owl punch - cut in half and trimmed to shape
Body: 1 3/4" circle punch - trimmed to shape
Upper Arms and Upper Legs: Large oval punch
Lower Arms and Lower Legs: Large oval punch trimmed down to a small oval.  I don't have the small oval punch which would have worked perfect.
Hands: Modern Label punch - cut in half and trimmed to shape
Boots: I used the Large oval punch as a guideline to keep the proportions right but essentially freehanded them

The web on his body was created by drawing the lines freehand with the fine tip end of a Versamark marker then covering with silver embossing powder and heat setting.  Before I assembled the pieces I sponged Basic Black ink on all the edges of each piece.  I assembled the pieces using a 2 way glue pen.

The building is Basic Gray cardstock, highlighted with Basic Black ink on the edges.  The windows are done with Daffodil Delight cardstock; 1"x1" and highlighted with Daffodil Delight ink.  The finished card is 5 1/2"x 4 1/4".

Thanks so much for looking!
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Thursday, July 5, 2012

Floating in the Moonlight

Well I managed to get 45 minutes in my stamp room yesterday!  It wasn't a lot of time, but enough to make a quick card.  I used a stamp set 'new to me' called Up, Up, and Away.  I think its going to be a really versatile set that I will use for many occasions.

Supplies:

Stamp sets: Up, Up, and Away, Lovely as a Tree
Cardstock: Whisper White, Real Red, Summer Smooches DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Island Indigo, Not Quite Navy, Real Red, Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Versamark, Versamark marker, clear embossing powder, Cherry Cobbler and Bravo Burgundy markers, white gel pen, Adorning Accents edgelits, 1 3/4" circle punch, brayer, Stamp-a-ma-jig, snail adhesive

I began by stamping the balloon in Real Red and the basket in Basic Black ink.  I made the shadows on the balloon with a Cherry Cobbler and Bravo Burgundy marker.  I then covered the entire balloon with a Versamark marker and clear embossed and heat set.  The tree tops were done by stamping into Versamark first then Basic Black ink followed by clear embossing powder and heat setting.
Next, I masked off the moon with a 1 3/4" circle punched out of a post it note.  I brayered Island Indigo over the whole image then Not Quite Navy on the upper portion of the sky.  I removed the mask from the moon and sponged Baja Breeze and Daffodil Delight to add shadows.  I finished by adding stars with a white gel pen.

Thanks so much for looking!
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Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Packed for Baby


Between a funeral, reunion, the first Roughrider football game of the season (awesome win!!), a long weekend, a wiener roast, and regular household and yard duties my card room is collecting a thin layer of dust LOL.  I'm desperately hoping that during nap time today I can take a few minutes to stamp again!  In the meantime, I dug into the pre-blog vault and pulled out a baby card I made for my nieces baby shower this past April.  It uses my go to techniques again - emboss resist and brayering. 

Supplies:

Stamp sets: Forever Young, Packed for Baby (retired)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Build a Bear Pawsitively Prints DSP (retired)
Ink: Basic Black, Early Espresso, Olive Green, Tempting Turquoise, Lucky Limenade
Accessories: Versamark marker, clear embossing powder, Basic Black, Real Red, Pink Pirouette, Perfect Plum, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake markers, brayer, stamp-a-ma-jig, Fashionable Hearts embosslits, snail adhesive, Stampin' dimensionals

Thanks so much for looking!
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