Fab Friday Sketch Challenge: Celebrate Today

Happy Friday!  It’s weeks like this that we’re definitely reminded that it’s summer in the mid-atlantic and all the humidity that goes along with it (wowsers).  I certainly see some time at the pool in our future this weekend, just to stay cool. For some reason things have gotten a little more in control in our schedules, or maybe I’ve adjusted, which has meant I’ve had some additional time in the studio, which I love.  Today I decided to play along with this weeks Fab Friday Sketch challenge and make a card for a dear friend, just because!

I started with Smoky Slate cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Mint Macaron DSP from the 2015-2017 In Colors Designer Series Paper Stack that I matted with Basic Black cardstock.  Next I took a piece of Smoky Slate cardstock and embossed it with the Big Shot and the Sparkle Embossing Folder.  Next I used the Celebrate Today stamp set and stamped the big balloon in Mint Macaron ink on Whisper White cardstock and then stamped the little confetti in Basic Black before cutting it out with the Big Shot and Balloon Framelits.  I tied a double bow using Basic Black Baker’s Twine to the bottom of the balloon before attaching it to the cardfront with dimensionals. I added a couple of sequins from the Metallics Sequins for the mandatory bling.

 

 

The greeting is from the Just Kidding stamp set (this was one of the original photopolymer sets that was released so it’s not in the catalog and doesn’t show up on the online store but if you do a search of the title it does pop up and you can order, there are few like that) and it was stamped in Basic Black.  This sentiment is perfect for my friend and I know she’ll appreciate it.

Sometimes you need to send a card, just because, to let someone know you’re thinking of them and this does the job perfectly!

 

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today’s card:

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Diana

Sketch Frenzy Friday Card Sketch: Celebrate Today

Good morning!  It’s another Friday and since this is the last full weekend we have at home before school starts we haven’t jam packed it with activities (yet, I know there’s still time).  Looking forward to some fun this evening stamping with the ladies at my first Paper Pumpkin Play Date (it’s a fun event so if you want to come just send me a text we would love to have you) and then I have a list a mile long of things I would like to get done before vacation.  This week Patrice provided the sketch challenge over on the Sketch Frenzy Friday blog.  I had in mind part of what I wanted to do for this card but I was struggling with the background until I was looking through my pack of Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper that just screamed background, so away I went! 

 

 

I started with Bermuda Bay cardstock for the cardbase and then added a piece of Cherry on Top Designer Series Paper that was matted with Daffodil Delight cardstock for a little extra color.  The stamp set I used for this card is Celebrate Today, the greeting was stamped along the bottom using Cucumber Crush Ink.  To make the balloon I stamped the dots and stars image on Watermelon Wonder cardstock using Whisper White Craft Ink and used my Heat Tool (on the low setting) to set the ink before cutting it out with the Big Shot and Balloons Framelits (so easy!!)  Next I cut a piece of Cucumber Crush 1” Lace Trim and just cut a small piece of the edge off and tied it in a bow and used Whisper White Baker’s Twine to make the balloon strings.  Dimensionals are a must on this card so it isn’t too flat.

I didn’t know how this card would look when I was finished but it’s cute and cheery, perfect to celebrate a happy occasion.  The design team is sharing some other great cards so please, go check them out for further inspiration and then play along and share your creation so we can all enjoy! 

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today’s card:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Have a great weekend and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration: 4th of July Treats

Good morning!  How is it possible that it’s already July?  It’s seems like I’ve just finished defrosting after this past winter.  Everyone who knows me knows I love all holidays and love to decorate and give gifts for all the holidays (not just the big few) so of course I had to make a little surprise for Aidan for the 4^th of July.  This was perfect timing since today over on the Stylin’ Stampin’ INKspiration blog we’re sharing our ideas for the holiday.  Instead of a card I decided to make this cute little treat holder using the Fry Box die (so easy and the size is great!!)

I started with Real Red cardstock for the base of the box and ran it through the Big Shot using the Fry Box BigzL Die and in a matter of seconds my box was cut and scored (LOVE IT!!!) I used a couple of strips of adhesive on the sides to put it together.  I took another piece of cardstock, this time, Whisper White and ran it through the Big Shot again using the same die just to cut the front panel piece and then used my Paper Snips to trim just inside the lines so it fit on the front of the box.

For the front panel I used some Night of Navy ink and the Hearts and Stars Decorative Mask.  Next I added a piece of the 5/8” Chevron Ribbon (trimmed both edges and removed some of the threads and then flipped it over so the solid side was showing.  I used the Be the Star stamp set to stamp the large star in Pacific Point and then cut it out with the Big Shot and Star Collection Framelits and used the same framelits to cut the smaller star using the Silver Glimmer Paper.  I added some loops of Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine for a fun effect as well.  The greeting is from the Crazy about You stamp set and after stamping it in Real Red I used Paper Snips to trim it down and then colored the edges with Pacific Point ink.  The greeting looks like it’s waving and I used my Bone Folder to curl the cardstock and then attached all the pieces with dimensionals.

For inside the box I used a clear cello bag from last year’s Pinwheel Paper Pumpkin Kit (but you could use any of our cello bags that fit inside the box) and after filling it with Jolly Ranchers (one of Aidan’s favorites) tied it up with some Pacific Point Stitched Satin Ribbon.

This box is so cute and while it lots of pieces to make it look really fancy it wasn’t that hard to put together (you could still make multiples of these with plenty of time before Saturday!!)

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today’s card:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday!

Diana

Can You Case it? Design Team - Sketch Challenge CYCI #74

Happy Sunday!  So we survived the BBQ and it was a lot of fun, now the recovery begins.  Looking forward to a little rest and stamping with the ladies this afternoon (there’s something about retreating to the cool studio on hot humid days that feels great!!)  Today it’s time for another edition of the Can You Case It? weekly challenge.  This week we’re changing things up and giving a theme and letting you see where it takes you, in this case SUMMER!!! I’ll admit, when I first saw this challenge I was very nervous since we don’t have any current summer themed sets that I own (in the past we’ve had some uber-cute sets that I still have in my stash but I’m resisting).  Instead I started to think about all the great things about summer and came up with this, out of the box idea. 

 I started with Tempting Turquoise cardstock for the cardbase and then added a layer of Whisper White cardstock.  On this layer I did lots of stamping using the Work of Art stamp set.  I stamped the sand along the bottom using both Sahara Sand and Crumb Cake ink and stamped off on some of the images to get different levels of color.  I did the same thing for the sun using Hello Honey, Tangelo Twist, and So Saffron ink (I used my Stampin’ Write Markers to only ink part of the long narrow image for the sunbeams so they fit the page better). 

I always think of ice cream for the summer so I took a small piece of Whisper White cardstock, used the Project Life Corner Rounder Punch on three of the corners and the 1 ¼” Scallop Circle Punch on the last corner to look like a bites been taken out of the tasty treat.  Then I used the larger “swoosh” stamp and stamped using Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, and Real Red ink (also stamping off on the Real Red for a lighter top look). 

The goals was to make this look like the classic ice cream treat (but realized later I had the white and red in the wrong order, oops!!)  I used a piece of Soft Suede cardstock and the Word Window Punch to make the stick and attached the frozen treat to the card with dimensionals. 

The greeting is from the Celebrate Today stamp set and was stamped in Real Red Ink.  The final touch was to add some “birds” to the skyline and since I couldn’t find any suitably sized stamps I just drew simple ones in with a marker.

What do you think?  It’s a little out of the box for my usual style but it definitely conveys summer so I say, success.  I love the wide range of cards the other design team members are sharing so go check them out and then come play along for more summertime fun!

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today’s card:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Have an enjoyable Sunday!

Diana

Can You Case it? Design Team - Sketch Challenge CYCI #62

 Happy Sunday!  How has your weekend been?  We had an exciting day yesterday but looking forward to a relaxing day today, heading out for my run now, and then get started packing for our Spring Break trip (I can’t remember the last time I took a trip for Spring Break (probably not since middle school and this is also my birthday week so I’m extra excited!)  Since it’s Sunday, today I’m sharing my card for this weeks Can You Case It? Sketch challenge and this week we had complete freedom to using any layout, products etc. for our project so I decided to share the card I made for Aidan’s birthday (of course I had to wait until after he received the card so I didn’t ruin the surprise) but I always spend some extra time on his cards so I knew you’d enjoy it!

I started with Pistachio Pudding cardstock for the cardbase (remember this is one of the 2013-2015 In Colors that will be retiring in a few months so make sure to stock up before it sells out).  Next I added a piece of Whisper White cardstock that was matted with Basic Gray cardstock.  I used a piece of Confetti Celebration Designer Series Paper along the bottom and is a perfect mat for Aidan’s name (he loves personalized things with his name!)  I cut the letters for Aidan’s name using the Gold Foil Paper, Big Shot, and Little Letters Thinlits die (super easy).

For the main stamped image I stamped the balloon from the Celebrate Today stamp set in Pistachio Pudding ink and then cut it out with the Big Shot and Balloon Framelits (I used the same framelit to cut the second balloon out of the Confetti Celebration Designer Series Paper).  I added the “10^th” inside the birthday using the Metallic Gold Ink Pad and the Memorable Moments stamp set.  The “birthday” greeting is from the same stamp set and was stamped in Basic Gray ink.  The final touch was to add some string for the balloons and I used Crushed Curry Baker’s Twine and used two pieces to tie a double bow so there are strings for both balloons and it was tied around the bottom of the top balloon.  I popped the top balloon up with dimensionals.

This card is so fun and has lots of bling that Aidan really liked!  it can’t help but brighten your little one’s day.  Make sure to check out the other design team creations for further inspiration and then come play along, we love to see what others create.

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today’s card:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Have an enjoyable Sunday!

Diana