Mish Mash

Hi Stampers!
Today I'm posting a card that I made to use a couple of different techniques.  First, I had the sewing machine out for a project that I was working on and wanted to try gather DSP using actual stitches.  I'm not in love with this so I will probably never do it again (never say never).  I just ran a row of very loose stitches up the middle of a strip of DSP and then gently gathered.

It gave a rumply ribbon type look.  The next thing I did was "suede" technique on the blue scallop circle punch.  To do this you crumple up your card stock and smooth it out several times.  If you have the crimper you can run it through that several times as well.  When you think you are crazy, rub it over the edge of the table several times.  What this eventually does is break down all the fibers in the card stock and you can pull it apart into 2 pieces that are very soft and sueded.  Is sueded not a word?  My spell checker does not like it but I'm keeping it.
I used Creative Elements stamp set, Midnight Muse and the new Raspberry card stock, Midnight Muse and Basic Black ink pad, Versamark ink pad, Scallop circle punch and 1 1/4" circle punch, an embossing folder, and Teeny Tiny wishes.
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Quilting toward the 4th

Hi Stampers!
Handstamped sentiments  (#123) has a challenge this week that works perfectly with a card I wanted to make so I'll send this over to them after I post it here.  It is inspired by the season (if you can call the 4th of July a season) (and yes, I do, actually) and it kind of goes back to my pillow post.  I haven't actually made said pillows as of yet, but I did tear some ideas out of a magazine.  Maybe next year I'll get to making pillows.

The Challenge is inspired by quilting so I pieced together a sort of star using 1" squares (and triangles cut from same squares) to make a traditional pattern.  The hardest thing about assembling a card like this, and I've noticed this in the past as well, is getting it all square so here is a little tip.  Use your grid paper.  You know the grid paper (#102787) you use as scratch paper to stamp on?  I put my snail on that and laid my squares down on that then trimmed the edges away, voila!  I used the new Midnight Muse card stock with Real Red and Whisper White cardstock.  The buttons are from the Sweet buttons embosslit, and the only stamping is with, wait for it, Teeny Tiny wishes. Can you believe it?  I think it's been a week since I pulled out this old trusty stamp set!  Some dimensionals add depth and there you go.  Happy 4th.
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Showering

Hi Stampers!
Yes, it's showering here today- pretty gloomy for summer weather but the lawn and garden are quite happy.  Actually, I'm happy to because I will spend some time in my stamp room using my new items that arrived this week.  I have several challenges I'm working on so you will see those soon.
For today I want to show you a card I made for a shower- fitting with the weather and all.  I actually missed the shower as we were out of town but I did want to give the lovely bride a small token to mark the day and of course, a card.

The bride's colors are not rose but the color made me happy (do we still call it rose romance?  I can't remember, I'll have to look it up).  Nope, Regal Rose, darn.  Rose Romance would be so much more poignant.  I used the Creative Element stamp set, a Shelli favorite, and Teeny Tiny wishes, a Mary favorite.  I stamped the flower 3 times and cut out two at smaller increments then sponged the edges to make the layers stand out a little more.  I then used dimensionals to give it more of a 3D look.
I used an embossing folder for the background and finished the card off with some pretty satin ribbon.
We now have a Sizzix die that will cut banners for different sizes- many that coordinate with stamps in the catalog.  At this point, as I don't have the die, I still cut my banners manually getting the banner edge using my square punch.  I get some flexibility with this method as I can make my banners any size up to the dimension of my punch.
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CAS Challenge

Hi Stampers!
I was cruisin' over at splitcoast stampers and found this Clean and Simple Challenge.  I had an idea in mind so I didn't read all the rules so I hope this card qualifies for the challenge!  Here is the inspiration image:

I think this bathing suit is so cute!  Wish I could buy those thighs (sigh).
Here is what I came up with:

 I couldn't help adding a little Lucky Limeade- the ruffled ribbon is so...ruffly!  I used Four frames and the nice coordinating Decorative Label punch along with Teeny Tiny wishes.  I had this little flower on my table (in the new Raspberry Ripple) and I couldn't resist.  I think the flower may take me out of the "Clean and Simple" but it really wanted to be there.
There is just one more element to this card that you should check out- take a peek:

I punched out the front of the card and the greeting is actually on the inside of the card!  Take a look at this:

I inserted a square of white cardstock inside as well to write a nice note.  You could use our cool white gel pen if you like, but if you don't have one of those (yet) this is a nice alternative!
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Summer challenge

Hi Stampers!
Over at the SU-Only blog is a challenge for summer.  After 10 days of summer weather on the east coast I'm feeling it (here in the redwood forest, as I have said before, weather is subtle.  Your average day is 55, your hot day is 60, your cold day is 50, 'nuf said).  I even wore SANDALS last week!  When summer starts heating up, well, when it gets into June anyway, we leave the coast and  go camping.   Our family tradition is to go camping on the first Sunday after school gets out- we call it "overpack the car and go on a long, hot drive on a windy road"day, most everyone else calls it Father's Day.  I wonder why my husband is not usually his most chipper on his special day...
Anyway, camping is summer to me so here is my card:

It becomes more special when you see the inside:

I think I'm going to send this over to the SoShelli blog for her creative challenge as well
I'm going to miss the Under the Stars stamp set that I used for this card.  I also used Family Reunion and Teeny Tiny wishes.  I'm going to have to challenge myself to go a week without using Teeny Tiny wishes.  Do you have this set?  Well you should!  And if you need to order it right now you can go here.  It is clearly a good value.
My husband is a great dad and husband, even on overpack the car day, so I'm happy to make a special card just for him.
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I'm so excited!

Hi Stampers!
I AM so excited because when I saw this challenge over at Stampercampers blog I pictured exactly what I wanted to stamp.  I rushed to my stamp room and got right to it!  Here is the sketch:

And here is my card!

I've been visualizing making pillows for my couch for 4th of July, which is funny because I never decorate for the holiday EVER, but I have been hooked on making quilted pillow covers for all my pillows.  This is what I envisioned for some reason so I applied it to my card and this is it.
Let me tell you about it, although it looks quite simple I added some interesting touches.  First off, the cherries look puffy and shiny because I applied Crystal Effects on top of the red.  I was too impatient for it to dry completely before I took my photo so the Crystal Effects is still a bit opaque, but trust me that they are shiny and clear by now!  The stitching I have shown you all before- you can look for the tutorial in my blog.  The "ribbon" is an idea I got out of the new catalog.  It is stamped card stock that I fashioned into a bow.  Is that not the coolest thing ever?  So simple and yet so effective, I love it.  The stamp set is Button Buddies and Teeny Tiny Wishes (of course) and the colors are Real Red and Night of Navy.  When is the last time you used Night of Navy?  I think the last time for me that I can remember was Christmas '10!  Surely I've used it since then but I can't remember- how funny is that.
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Sweet Centers Again

Hi Stampers!

Just a quick post to show you another card I made using the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge last week.  I used the Sweet Center stamp set and the Teeny Tiny wishes stamp set as well.  Hope you like it!
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Everything but the kitchen sink

My stamping friend Elizabeth does an activity on her blog Seeing Ink Spots where she uses the scraps on her work table to make up a card.  I had some interesting scraps on my worktable so I thought I'd try it out.  Here is what I came up with:

Are you tired of the retiring in colors yet?  I love them and will be sorry to see them go.  What I found on my table is something I haven't really used- one of our paper flowers.  I found them on the retired list and put one on my table last week to inspire me.  I've been saving them for something really special, and what that means is that they've been sitting in my drawer not getting used and now they are retiring!  Why am I such a hoarder?  Why oh why?
The Peach Parfait circle was an experiment for another card I made.  I used the Simply Scored tool to make hash marks in both directions and used the white gel pen at each intersections.  I like the effect so much I used it again on the Concord Crush circle, except that I used an embossing folder for the texture on this circle.
The Daffodil Delight button is from the Button, button embosslet.  I have a whole cello bag full of the leftover buttons from when I cut out buttons.  Makes it fun!
The scallop along the bottom uses a die and embossing folder set from the occasions mini- luckily it will be in the new catalog!  Yea!  I added some white dots to this as well.  I can't remember why I cut this out but it works well here.
In case I didn't have enough I found the ribbon and added that, and ran the nice piece of leftover Pear Pizazz through the sizzix (I didn't even have to cut it down to size), added a banner, and here you go!  The best part?  SUO challenge this week is dimensional flowers so I am going to add this card to their challenge!  This is SUO Challenge #45.

Happy Graduation!

Hi Stampers!
Today my youngest graduates from graduate school.  To say I'm proud would be an understatement- she has worked so hard and done so well- I amazed.  I stamped her a card that I'm going to show you today because she will see it first!

I made a little purse too, just because.  Do you ever do that?  Just because?  I hope so!
This little card stands up like an easel and I will do a tutorial on it in the future.  Because I will be busy with family over the next week or so posting may be sporadic if at all, so please bear with me!  I will return!
But back to this project.  As you can see I used Concord Crush as a base.  I am redundant this week using the rest of the retiring in colors as well, Poppy Parade and Pear Pizazz.  I used Teeny Tiny wishes Stamp set and Family Reunion- I love when I stamp "to my daughter" because they are so special to me.  My daughters, not the stamps ;O).  For texture I used an embossing folder which gave the purse a fabric look that I really like.  I matched the card to the purse (obviously), adorned it with punches, ribbon, brads, a rhinestone, and anything I could fit on a 3 x3" area!  Did I maybe over do it a little?  I hope so!
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A new Challenge

Hi Stampers!
I loved this challenge sketch this week over at Create with Connie and Mary

CCMC201- Sketch Challenge

 so I was so excited to join in!  Here is what it looked like:



The base of this card measures 41/4" square but with the little banner hanging out the side the actual measurement of the card ends up 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", just the right size for our envelopes.  Did I say I love this sketch?
Here is my card:

I have a confession to make.  I found a stamp set in my cabinet that is retiring that I have NEVER used!  That is so WRONG!  I think I may have received it at a Stampin' Up! event such as convention or something.  It is called Sweet Centers (116521) and it is designed to go with our little treat cups (116802).  Anyway, it is high time I pulled this set out and used it.

Back in the day I worked in Aspen, CO during the summer and one morning I got up early and watched a balloon festival over in the Snowmass Valley.  It was amazing to see all the beautiful balloons floating up in the air with the mountains in the background, breathtaking!  I knew my balloon had to have some Designer Series Paper to capture that effect.

I only have a couple more weeks with the retiring In colors so I used my favorite, Concord Crush, for the base.  I accessorized with Peach Parfait and Pear Pizazz.  I added some texture to the banner with the Elegant Bouquet embossing folder (#115694) and used the square punch (of course) to make the ends.  I added a little Pear Pizazz scallop to decorate the basket, and a bright brad to top it off.

My balloon was just hanging there so I decided to make some clouds.  SU used to sell the cutest cloud stencil but it has been retired for many years and I couldn't find it so I made my own.  This is what it looked like:

Not very pretty but quite effective.  I punch some circles of varying sizes and attached them to a piece of scratch card stock- voila!

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sympathy

Hi Stampers!
Today I'm delivering on the promise of a tutorial!  I want to show you how to make the little stitches on a card without using a sewing machine.  This is such an easy fun technique you will want to try it!
The first step is to pull out your mat pack and paper piercing tool-

These are such great tools- they work great for punching holes for your brads and things and for rows of punching for special effects.  I like to use them for this stitching technique.  So, line up your card stock along the grid-

Next, punch your holes-

This is what it looks like-

Next, use this nice gel pen to make your stitches!

You need to look closely.
Here is my final project-

I stamped this card for the Technostamper monday sketch TSSC220.  I used the C is for Cat stamp set (soon to be retired) with the Beau Chateau Designer Series Paper.  The soft colors are soothing for a sympathy card- Marina Mist, Pirouette Pink, Soft Suede, and Very Vanilla.  The card came together with the addition of pearls and rhinestones, what could be better!
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The Outlaws are Coming!

No, not THOSE Outlaws- our Outlaws!  That's what we call my daughter's significant other's parents (who are also our neighbors and dear friends).  We are so lucky to have them in our lives, parents of "the boy next door" almost literally!  Anyway, they have been in Chile visiting their new granddaughter for the last several weeks and we have missed them.  To welcome them home I baked our favorite coffee crisp cookies, packed it in a cute tin and made them a card-

I made this quick and easy card using the soon to be retired Trendy Trees stamp set.  Why haven't I used this more?  It is such a cute set!  My excuse is that it is a tiny box that gets pushed behind everything else.  Don't let that happen to you!  I also used the soon to be retiring in colors- Concord Crush, Pear Pizazz, and Poppy Parade.  These colors play well off of each other I think.  If you look closely you can see I add grass to my little orchard with the Pear Pizazz marker.  A Teeny Tiny greeting and I'm ready to go.  Do you think they'll like it?  I hope so.
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Trendy Trees Stamp set #113258
Teeny Tiny wishes Stamp set #
Concord Crush card stock #
Pear Pizazz card stock #
Pear Pizazz stampin pad #
Poppy Parade card stock #
Chocolate Chip stampin' pad #
Basic Black stampin pad #
1" circle punch #
Eyelet border punch #
Word Window Punch #
Snail Adhesive 3

Packed for Dad

Hi Stampers!
I've been stamping up a storm lately but I've had a funny dilemma- the cards I've stamped have been for people/occasions coming up, the recipients may read this blog, and I don't want them to see the cards BEFORE they receive them in the mail!  It's made posting a little difficult!  So I stamped more!  That's not a bad thing.
I stamped a card for the SUO Challege #43, Occasions mini catalog goodbye.  It is time for a more masculine card so I used my Packed for Dad stamp for a father's day card.  This is a stamp that either stands alone, or if you want all four Packed for... stamps, you can get a 25% discount.  You can check these out here.  Here is the card I came up with:

I cased the layout from the card on page 90 of the catalog, but of course I gave it my own twist.  If you look closely  you can see that I used the Packed for Dad stamp as the background.  I usually go for random stamping but I thought is was important that the background look uniform so I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to really line things up.  I used the SAMJ again to line up the "happy father's day" since I was on a roll.  This is such a great tool to use that maybe I will try to do a tutorial for you all to see how well it works later in the week.  Check back for that!
Now is the time to check out the Occasions Mini before it goes away- you can download it HERE, as well as the other catalogs.  Our 2011-2012 is retiring on May 30th this year instead of June 30th so you may want to check that out as well!  Did you download the retiring list yet?  You can get that HERE.
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