Stylin' Stampin' INKsiration Masculine Monday: Two Times the Fun

Good morning!  Today over on the Stylin’Stampin’ INKspiration blog it’s Masculine Monday and you know we always need ideas for the guys in our lives.  Aidan just finished his basketball season this weekend and Chris decided to coordinate at the last minute gifts for the coaches and then volunteered me to provide the cards for the kids to sign, oh and I had just a few hours to have them finished (no pressure!!!)  So down to the studio I went, and thanks to the Adventure Abounds Designer Series Paper Stack, I came back shortly later with these two cards that were super easy but really turned out great. 

For this first card I started with Basic Gray for the cardbase and embossed the front of the card using the Big Shot and Woodgrain Embossing Folder.  Next I cut a piece of the Adventure Abounds Designer Series Paper Stack in half (I like to do this so I get two cards with each piece of DSP and don’t have any scraps) and matted it with Sahara Sand Cardstock.  For the greeting I used the Hip Notes stamp set and stamped it with Versamark and then Heat Embossed it using the Heat Tool and Basic Black Embossing Powder on Vellum.  I wrapped the Vellum and a piece of Natural 5/8” Chevron Ribbon around the DSP layer before attaching the whole piece to the cardbase.

 

 

For the second card I started with Sahara Sand for the cardbase and once again embossed the front using the Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder.  For this card I used a scrap of DSP from the Adventure Abounds Designer Series Paper Stack and cut tails for a flag.  For the greeting I used the Chalkboard Paper and stamped the greeting from the Simply Wonderful stamp set (a SAB Freebie!!) using Whisper White Craft Ink.  Since I was in a hurry I used the Heat Tool to set the ink and then cut matching flag tails in this layer.  For the final detail I used the 1/8” Handheld Punch to punch two holes to thread some Mossy Meadow Stitched Satin Ribbon into a unique bow.

For not having a lot of time to whip these cards but I really like them (however I later learned I should have added a separate layer for the embossed piece so that both sides of the inside of the card were flat, forgot how big kid’s write, oops!!) and this DSP stack really has some beautiful images that can make cards simple yet impressive.  The rest of the design team is sharing some great masculine cards so make sure to check them out and then pick one to CASE and play along with.

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Happy Stamping,

Diana

Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge: Hip Notes

It’s Friday again my friends and it sounds like we’re going to potentially have an interesting one if the weather has it’s way (they’ve mentioned the SNOW word that has Aidan very excited!)  I will also have a very exciting announcement on Sunday so you’ll have to make sure to check back on the weekend.  Before then, it’s Friday, which means it’s time for our weekly Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch challenge.  This week we were given a really fun layout that once I again I choose to highlight some great designer series paper we have (and best all, it’s FREE right now during Sale-a-bration with a qualifying order, yeah!!!)  I started with Calypso Coral for the cardbase and then added a piece of Sahara Sand cardstock.  The greeting is stamped down at the bottom and uses the Hip Notes stamp set (this stamp can be used for several occasions, in this case it’s a birthday card for a friend) and was stamped in Soft Suede ink.  The DSP is from the Best Day Ever Designer Series Paper package (this paper has such great colors and prints it’s perfect to get us ready and with matching accessories and stamps, all that you can get for FREE, what’s not to love?)  So I added three strips of the DSP to a piece of Soft Suede cardstock before attaching it to the cardfront.

The final touch was to add three little flowers that I punched out with the Petite Petals Punch using Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana, and Crushed Curry cardstock, embossed them with the Big Shot and Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  I used a bone folder to help curl the petals of the flowers before attaching them to the card with glue dots.  To add a little somthin-somethin to the card I added rhinestones to the centers of two of the flowers and a bow made from the Baked Brown Sugar Think Baker’s Twine to the center flower (I actually had that bow tied from another project that didn’t work out so it was perfect!)

I love you we have so many great accessories that you can make a quick card with very minimal stamping that will still grab your attention!  The other design team members shared some fun cards as well so please go check them out and then play along with the sketch, I would love to see what you come up with, it’ll be great for any project on your To Do list this weekend.

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

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Have an enjoyable Friday and hope you get some crafting time!

Diana

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

Project Portfolio Full of Inspiration

Good morning friends!  Boy this week is flying by, we've been on the go non-stop between work, school, baseball practice, getting my runs in getting ready for this weekends race, etc. but I wouldn't have it any other way we always have lots of fun.  So today I have a special post to share.  One of my highlights every year is the opportunity to attend Stampin' Up!'s Annual Convention in Salt Lake City.  This is a fabulous time where we can connect with friends and fellow demonstrators from all over the country, see exciting new products and ideas, and more.  Convention always has some fabulous displays of projects made by fellow demonstrators which are truly amazing and inspiring.  This year we have the opportunity to apply to be a display stamper for this year's convention and we have to submit a portfolio of projects to be considered by the Stampin' Up! team.   I always love these projects and have decided to take the plunge and apply to be a display stamper this year so below is the portfolio of projects I'm submitting, which consists of 3 cards, 2 3D items, and one scrapbook page.

 

 

 

 

This first card uses lots of great products from the Occasions catalog, including the Woodgrain,  Petite Petals (with matching punch) and Hip Notes stamp sets to make a soft and springy card.

 

My second card is nice and yummy, perfect for any birthday greeting.  It used the Sketched Birthday stamp set and the cake was colored in with Stampin' Write Markers so you could just eat it.  Texture with the Arrows Embossing folder, flags, and lots of layers really make this card pop.

 
The final card I have is perfect for the little new arrival and uses the Baby, We've Grown stamp set, On Film Framelits, and lots of bling with Gold Paper and Gold Sequin trim that will make anyone sparkle when they receive it.

Next we move onto the 3D items and I have two very different projects to share with you.  The first is a treat box using the Tag a Bag Gift Boxes, the Yippee-Skippee stamp set and lots of fun accessories that really make it stand out.  The great thing about this box is that it can really be recycled and given multiple times by just changing out what is in the box. 

The second item is a fun décor item for Valentine's Day.  I used the Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper for the color palette and used a wood cutout piece of the base, painted it White and used different papers, including DSP, Silver Glimmer Paper, and embossed Coredin'ations Cardstock to cover each of letters.  I decided to dress up the piece with punched hearts, elements that I printed out of My Digital Studio, ribbon, the "xoxo" cut out with the Big Shot and Thinlit die, and stamped images from the Love You to the Moon stamp set.

 The last item I want to share is a scrapbook page I made using My Digital Studio from our recent cruise.  This page uses lots of punched elements to showcase pictures, designer series paper, and text so we remember all the special times. I got several of the tropical embellishments from an MDS download and created with Mickey head with circle punch pieces in different sizes.

I really had a lot of fun assembly this project collection and hope you enjoy them as much as I do.  I love all the different products Stampin' Up! offers and how they all work together to make the perfect project for any occasion.



Fab Friday Color Challenge: Hip Petite Petals

 
 

Welcome to Wednesday friends!  I have to admit this cold winter is really wearing on me and I'm ready for spring.  I was so excited when I saw this weeks Fab Friday color challenge since I love these colors and their really helping me get into a springtime frame of mind.   For this card I started with Coastal Cabana for the cardbase and added a layer of Crumb Cake cardstock that was stamped with the Woodgrain stamp with Crumb Cake ink and then I sponged around the edges with the same ink.  I added some Real Red 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon and then lots of flowers that were stamped with the Petite Petals stamp set and punched them out with the coordinating Petite Petals Punch.  I used my bone folder to curl up the edges of the flowers and then used a glue dot on the back of each flower so the have more dimension and texture.

 

For the greeting I sued the Hip Notes stamp set (this set is so fresh and fun) and colored it in with Stampin' Write Markers before punching it out with the Large Oval Punch and sponged around of the edges of the oval with Crumb Cake ink.  I used the Decorative Label Punch and some Coastal Cabana cardstock to make the perfect mat.

 

 

This card is so bright and cheery it is really helping me warm up and think that spring really will be here soon.  This is such a versatile color combination, it looks great for Christmas as well as all occasion cards, make sure to pin this so you can use it on your upcoming projects.

 

Happy stamping,

 

Diana

Create with Connie and Mary Color Challenge: Perfect Blend Birthday Greetings

Good morning friends!  I don't know about you but I'm officially finished with this winter weather, we got that nice little peak of spring weather this weekend and I loved it!  Time to bring it on for good.  Today I'm sharing the card I made for this weeks Create with Connie and Mary color challenge (I seem to be on a color challenge streak this week).  These are nice springy colors which  is helping keep those warm thoughts.  For this card I used Crisp Cantaloupe for the cardbase and then added a layer of Sahara Sand under the Whisper White layer.  Along the bottom of the card I used the outline of the Chevrons from the Oh, Hello stamp set and stamped them in Sahara Sand.  I also stamp the decorative inside pieces in Pistachio Pudding and Crisp Cantaloupe and cut them out before adhering them to the card. 

 

I love the Perfect Blend stamp set and used it again, stamping the cup three times in Whisper White, Sahara Sand, and Pistachio Pudding so I could cut out the pieces and paper piece them together.  The Oh, Snap! is from the Hip Notes stamp set and I cut out the banner with the Itty Bitty Banner Framelits and Big Shot but made it a smaller banner.  The bow is tied with Crisp Cantaloupe baker's Twine from the Sweet Sorbet Accessories pack (a FREE Sale-a-bration item).  The birthday greeting is from the Bring on the Cake stamp set and after stamping it I added some Rhinestones along the bottom to accent the greeting.

 

This card is kind of funny, not what I pictured when I started but I just kept adding elements, I finally had to put it away so I didn't keep going.  It's interesting and not something I usually make so that's OK, the process was still relaxing which is the best part for me, plus I love to send handmade cards and the reactions you get when you send something you made for them, it's priceless.

 

Enjoy and take care!

 

Diana