Pages

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Paper Players Card Sketch Challenge: Kinda Eclectic

Good morning!  I can't believe we're half way through the week and July is almost over.  We've got a break from the heat and humidity here I Northern Virginia and I'm loving this more comfortable weather (perfect for outdoor workouts).   Today I decide to play along with the Paper Players card sketch challenge, it's been awhile since I've played along so this was fun.  One of the stamp sets we received at convention was Kinda Eclectic and I had fun stamping with it so I decided to use it for this sketch and really show off a lot of the different stamps that are included in the set (they work so well together).

The cardbase is Sahara Sand and I added a layer of Whisper White cardstock that's matted with Lost Lagoon Cardstock.  On this layer I stamped the sun image with Hello Honey and the dots for the border along the bottom with Sahara Sand.  Next I took the leaf image and stamped on another piece of Whisper White and stamped multiple times without reinking to get different levels of ink strength for the image.  This piece was then matted with Blackberry Bliss cardstock.

For the main stamped image I stamped the sun image again and then punched it out with the 2" Circle Punch.  The greeting (also from the same stamp set) in Blackberry Bliss ink.  I matted this with a piece of Sahara Sand cardstock that was cut out with the Big Shot and Window Frames Collection Framelits and then embossed it with the Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder.  The final touch was to add some ribbon flags with the Hello Honey 3/8" Stitched Satin, Blackberry Bliss 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon, and the Natural 5/8" Chevron Ribbon.

I love how well these new In Colors work together and this stamp set is so versatile.  I know I've said it before but sketch challenges really are a great way to get you going on a project if you're a little stumped and you can make it work for lots of different project types.

Below are easy ordering links for the products used in this project:
Diana

Monday, July 28, 2014

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Masculine Monday: The Open Sea

It's the start of another week, I hope your weekend included a little crafting time (mine did which is always relaxing!)  Today on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog we're sharing lots of great ideas for masculine cards.  These are the cards that we always need but seem to not make as frequently as other styles so our card stashes are always in need of these types of cards.    For my card I went to one of my go-to stamp sets for these cards, The Open Sea (I really like all the different elements in this set which provides lots of possibilities).
 
The cardbase is Crumb Cake and I added a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock that I first stamped with the compass image in Island Indigo ink, then embossed it with the Big Shot and the Stylish Stripes Embossing Folder, and then sponged all over with Crumb Cake ink really help the embossing pop.  Next I stamped the journal log stamp on Very Vanilla cardstock with Crumb cake ink, sponged all over, and then distressed the edges with the distressing tool.  I matted with some Basic Black cardstock that I also distressed.
 
I added the globe image that was stamped with Black Momento Ink on Crumb cake cardstock and punched out with the 2" Circle Punch (and sponged with Crumb Cake Ink, I'm sure you're seeing a trend).  I added a piece if Island Indigo 1/4" Cotton Ribbon and this piece was attached to the card with dimensionals.  For an extra element I added a Basic Black Button (from the Neutrals Button Collection) and tied a bow with Linen Thread.  For the greeting, I used the Remembering Your Birthday stamp set and used my Island Indigo Stampin' Write marker so I just got the text I needed and then punched it out with the Modern Label Punch.
 
I love how the neutral elements work together with just the hints of color and you could certainly use if for all types of special occasions for that special guy in your life.
 
Below are easy ordering links for all the products used on todays card:

Friday, July 25, 2014

Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge: Endless Birthday Wishes

Happy Friday friends! Chris has been out of town this weekend so Aidan and I have been hanging out and looking forward to a fun weekend before we pick Chris up (I think we'll be spending lots of time at the pool as long as the weather cooperates).  Before we get the weekend started it's time for another Sketch Frenzy Friday sketch challenge and we have another great sketch designed by Patrice.  I was excited with the recent announcement that the Endless Wishes Photopolymer Stamp set is back in stock and available so I decided to use this set for this weeks card.  I started with a Pistachio Pudding Cardbase and added a layer of Bermuda Bay cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and the Arrows Embossing Folder.  For the greeting I used the Remembering Your Birthday stamp set and used Stampin' Write Markers so I just got the "Happy Birthday" words from the set (the sentiment in full is about belated birthdays) and matted that piece with Melon Mambo cardstock.
 
I thought the birthday cake from the Endless Wishes stamp set is so cute so I stamped it with Memento Ink (I love the crisp image you get with this new ink and it doesn't run when you watercolor the images.  I used Stampin' Write Markers and a blender pen to color in the cake.  I punched this piece out with the 1 3/4" Circle Punch and matted it with Basic Gray cardstock punched out with the 2" Circle Punch.  I used a two way glue pen to add some Dazzling Diamonds to the top of the candles for extra sparkle.
 
To amp up the birthday fun I used a couple of the script words from the same stamp set and punched them out with the Large Oval Punch and used dimensionals to attach all the different elements to the card.  This is a pretty simple card but has lots of different elements for added fun. 
 
The other designers are sharing some great ideas to go along with this sketch so go check them out and then come play along with us, it's great to see all the different ideas people come up with.
 
Below are easy ordering links for all the products used in today's card:
 

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Convention 2014 General Swaps

I'm back and it's time to  share the rest of the swaps I made for this years convention.  In addition to organized swaps there is also general swapping which means you swap with anyone on the convention floor, hotels, restaurants, anywhere.  This is lots of fun as anyone who attends can participate and you really see a wide rage of projects and stamping, it's also a great way to meet lots of people from all over.  I don't like to make tons of one design (I get board) so I usually make batches of 25 and do different ones for each day.  This year I made three but realized when I was typing this I must have missed taking a picture of one (sorry!) 
 
Just a final remember, this Saturday is my annual, "My Husband's Away, Let's Play Just Cards Class" we're we'll be making 5 of the swap cards I'm sharing this week (I made more than 5 so it'll be a surprise exactly which one's you'll be making).  The class is Saturday, July 26 at 1:00 PM and you need to RSVP by today, July 24 to save you're spot. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make these over the top cards to be ready for your future card sending needs.  Hope to see you Saturday!!!
 
Enjoy!
 
Stamp Set(s):  Pennant Parade

Stamp Set(s):  Million & One, Petite Petals

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Convention 2014 Organized Swaps

One of the fun parts of convention (or any gathering of Stampin' Up! demonstrators) is swapping.  Basically, we make multiples of the same card, or 3D item and then swap them with other demonstrators so we have lots of great new project ideas, techniques, etc. to show our customers and use on future projects.  This week I'm sharing the cards I made for this years event.  Today's posts are all the projects I made for organized swaps (which means we actually presign up for the swaps based on themes, stamp sets, etc).  This year I participated in 4 cards and a 3d sweet treat swap throughout the week.
 
Remember, this Saturday is my annual, "My Husband's Away, Let's Play Just Cards Class" we're we'll be making 5 of the swap cards I'm sharing this week (I made more than 5 so it'll be a surprise exactly which one's you'll be making).  The class is Saturday, July 26 at 1:00 PM and you need to RSVP by Thursday July 24 to save you're spot. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make these over the top cards to be ready for your future card sending needs.
 
Enjoy!
 
Stamp Set(s):  Big News

Stamp Set(s):  Hip Notes
 
Stamp Set(s):  Boys will be Boys

Stamp Set(s):  Chalk Talk, Hardwood

Stamp Set(s):  Label Love

Monday, July 21, 2014

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration July Scrapbook Sketch Challenge: Family Matters

Happy Monday!  What an exciting week, I had a great time at convention, seeing great friends, stamping inspiration and all we have to look forward to in the upcoming year (let me just say, it's going to be AWESOME!!!!)  One of the highlights of this convention was meeting in person with several of the design team members on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Blog, I love these ladies and getting together with them in person was just wonderful.  We'll today over on the blog is our monthly scrapbook sketch challenge and Jenn really created another fun one.  I was able to use My Digital Studio to make this page up while I was at the airport heading home on Saturday (how great is it that I can work on my layouts anywhere???)  This page documents some great pictures and times Aidan had last week when he was visiting is Gramma Terri and Great Grandma Molly and Great Grandpa Jack.  Aidan's grandparent live in Washington State and he had the opportunity to spend the past couple of weeks visiting his grandparents and just have lots of fun and making memories (I'm so excited he has this opportunity that he'll remember forever).

This layout gives a great inspirational start that you can really take anywhere, instead of filling up the page with lots of pictures I decided to really just let two be the focus which gave more room for different shapes and elements for lots of fun.

My fellow designers have created several different pages to share and inspire you so make sure to go check them out and then come play along with us for lots of fun!

Below is the list of all the supplies used on this page:


Supply List
Embellishments
    Chevron Ribbon - embellishments\Chevron Ribbon - black v
    Antique Brads\Antique Brads - brad 2
    Delightful Digital Tape\Delightful Digital Tape 2 - crumb cake

Stamps
    _Designer Kits/Game Day/Game Day - 4, Color = VERY VANILLA 254,249,232
    Hooray for Today\Hooray for Today - family is everything, Color = 230,WATERMARK 255,255,255

Punches
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch, Fill Color = CRUMB CAKE 179,161,131
    Extras\See Ya Next Year - punches\See Ya Next Year - 3,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Grad Party - designer series paper\Grad Party - 5
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch, Fill Color = 230,WATERMARK 255,255,255
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Grad Party - designer series paper\Grad Party - 2

Have a great week!

Diana