Monday, June 28, 2010

Sneak Peak #2 Because I Care

For our vacation this summer, we went on a 10-Day driving adventure to Portland, OR from Phoenix, AZ. It was our son's first road trip. We had a great time and saw sooo many wonderful things. Oregon is one beautiful state!

While there, one drizzly afternoon, we headed off to a botanical garden. Once we got there, the weather let up and it was a photographer's paradise. There were so many beautiful flowers...none of which I could grow in AZ. I think that's what made them so special.

These Hydrangeas were the inspiration for my card. This new stamp set is called Because I care. It is a Level 1 Hostess set and can be earned with a workshop or order that reaches $150. For my colors, I used Bashful Blue and the *New* Pear Pizzazz. I did something I've never done before for this card. I used a Blender Pen to color the flower. I pressed ink onto the inside of my stamp pad cover dipped my pen in and used that as my ink. It worked perfectly!

What have you drawn inspiration from in the past? I'd love to hear.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Because I Care
Paper: Very Vanilla & Bashful Blue Cardstock
Ink: Bashful Blue, Pear Pizzazz & Stazon - Jet Black Ink
Accessories: Nesties, Blender Pens, 1/4" Bashful Blue Grosgrain Ribbon & Dimensionals/Pop Dots

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Sneak Peek #1 Artistic Etchings

This is my first Sneak Peek from the new catalog. I saw this set and knew I HAD to have it! Who doesn't love Paris and the Eiffel Tower? The other images in this set are just as fabulous. There's an Antique Key, a Crown and the word Amour. You'll be seeing these sooner or later!

This card is inspired by Kazan's Sketch Challenge #55 over at 2 Sketches 4 You. I'm finding it much easier to design cards if I track down a sketch that I can work my stamp set in with.

Also on this card is one of the new colors: Cherry Cobbler. I Love it! It is just the prettiest shade of red. The DSP I used is from the new Newsprint pack. The prints are in Basic Black and Very Vanilla. There are sheets reminiscent of a Dictionary Page, Sheets of Music, a World Map, Large Numbers, Large Letters and Newsprint, of course ;)

The only thing this card is missing is one of the new Antique Brads. I wasn't able to preorder those...*Sigh* Once I have them, I will be placing one right below the Paris print. That will make it complete.

These products will be available to order on Thursday, July 1st.

I hope to have another sneak peek tomorrow. Be sure to stop back in. TFL!

Stamps: Artistic Etchings
Paper: Basic Black & Very Vanilla Cardstock; Newsprint DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler and Basic Black Classic Inks
Accessories: Nesties, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack, 5/8" Black Satin Ribbon & Dimensionals/Pop Dots

Friday, June 25, 2010

Bella's Bloom

With Eclipse's release right around the corner, you'd think this was a tribute to Bella, right? Well, it's not ;) I earned this set during Sale-A-Bration and am just now using it. I was sad to see that it will not be in the new catalog. After using it, I love it and wish it was.

I started out using Mercy's Sketch Challenge for the week, but I could not make it work, so I switched it up a bit and this is what I got. The floral prints are from Bella's Bloom, the frame is from Abundant Hope and the saying is from Of the Earth.

I can't seem to get away from Rose Red lately. I should be getting my new cattie goodies today, so I promise I'll be moving on to some brand new colors. I can't wait to play.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Bella's Bloom, Abundant Hope & Of the Earth
Paper: Rose Red, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla Cardstock
Ink: Rose Red Classic Ink
Accessories: 1/4" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack and Dimensionals/Pop Dots

Thursday, June 24, 2010

A Blast from the Past

For those of us that have been using Stampin' Up for years, here's an oldie but goodie. Look close...what ink color do you think I used with Rose Red on this card? Did you guess Marigold Morning...well, that's what it is! I was so sad as I used it. I think it's drying out and I didn't get a refill. Lesson learned ;) I also played with So Saffron on this design, so that would work great too.

I had this card idea stashed in one of my To-Do files. It's inspired by this card by Amy Wanford. Sometimes it's nice to sit down and make a card and not really have to think about it. I loved the color combo and knew it would be great with this print from Fifth Avenue Floral.

I am still working on getting Thank You's out to my PTO Board and Chairs from this past school year and I think this saying says it all, "The greatest gift is a portion of thyself." This is from the Of the Earth Hostess Set from the current catalog and one of the last sets I got. I am so very glad I did. I've already used it more than any of the others that I earned...and it will be popping up on my card for tomorrow's post. You'll have to stop by and check it out.

Have a great day!

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral & Of the Earth
Paper: Very Vanilla & Rose Red Cardstock
Ink: Rose Red & Marigold Morning Classic Pads
Accessories: 1/4" Rose Red Grosgrain Ribbon & Dimensionals/Pop Dots

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

One Happy Stamper

I'm a wee bit late on one of my girlfriend's birthdays...dare I say, very late! I'm hoping this cute little card will make up for it.

The sketch is inspired by the Mojo Monday 144 Challenge. The colors are inspired by the Cupcake Inspiration Challenge #64. When I saw this cupcake, I immediately thought Taken with Teal and Chocolate Chip. I don't have a lot of Taken with Teal prints, but I found a few in the Sweet Pea Paper Pack from the Occasions Mini. Unfortunately, my colors aren't 100% true to the challenge, but they took on a life of their own. It's about inspiration, right?

The stamp set is Tote-ally Tess. I always thought of it as a 'stamper' set (as it has various accessory stamps in it), but as I was making this card, I found that you could use her and her super cute tote for any type of card. It's also perfect for paper piecing...one of my favorite techniques. Her tote, pants and blouse are all paper pieced from the DSP. Super cute! Last, but not least, the saying with the stamp set reads, "The best things in life are made, not bought". How true is that? I stamped this on the inside along with the little scissors stamp, the heart punch stamp and a little marker stamp. It's a must have set.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Tote-ally Tess & Vintage Labels
Paper: Taken with Teal, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron and Whisper White Cardstock; Sweet Pea DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Pad
Accessories: Curly Label Punch, 1/16" Circle Punch, Scallop Trim Border, Brown Brads and a Clear Crystal Gem

Friday, June 18, 2010

Navy Pumpkin Father's Day

In honor of all the men in our lives, I did a masculine themed workshop this week. The next three cards are the cards we made. For two of the cards, we used the Travel Journal DSP. It's just perfect for masculine cards.

The highlight of this card is the Wide Striped Ribbon. I Love it! It has been popping up everywhere. Most cards are tying it with Linen thread...I took it a step further and added a Jumbo Brad. It's perfect for masculine cards because you don't need a bow to use it. I think I will be investing in many more colors ;)

This card was inspired by an Ilina Crouse design. If you haven't seen her website, you must check it out! I had one of those Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda moments as I was making this card and wished I had bought the Cog Punch that coordinates with this DSP. Oh well...there's still time to order, right ;)

I love the colors on this card and had a lot of fun making it. Can you say that about a masculine card??? Hope you find these cards inspiring. Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: All Holidays
Paper: Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie & Whisper White Cardstock; Travel Journal DSP
Ink: Night of Navy Classic Pad
Accessories: 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon-Pumpkin Pie, Linen Thread, Jumbo Brad, Copper Brad, 1/16" Circle Punch and Dimensionals/Pop Dots

Oh and, Next Friday is...Hawaiian Shirt Day

Any Office Space fans out there? This is my 'Ode to
Lumbergh and his Hawaiian Shirt Fridays. I stumbled across this cute little bit of Origami about an hour and a half before my workshop. In honor of all those men out there, we just had to make it. There's a wonderful tutorial over at Jill Coleman's website. They are sooo easy to make and the print options are endless.

The most masculine print I could find that was Hawaiian in my stash is from the Pink Flamingo DSP. The polka dot print is from that as well. I made my card a Thank You card, but this could easily become a Father's Day Card or Birthday Card.

Would love to see yours if you make one, so leave me a comment to come check it out. Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Pedaling Past
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black and Whisper White Cardstock; Pink Flamingo DSP
Ink: Basic Black Classic Pad
Accessories: 1/16" Circle Punch & Black Brads

Navy Striped Birthday

When I saw this sheet from the Travel Journal DSP, I immediately had visions of the striped ties my father used to wear. I loved the Navy and Baby Blue colors that they were. This paper completely embodies that.

This pack of paper is perfect for Masculine cards: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Kraft and Pumpkin Pie.

The Pumpkin Pie was not as prevalent on this sheet, so I swapped it out for More Mustard. I think this works just as well. Keeping with a clean and simple look, I pulled out my hardware kit and added a few pieces.

Masculine, clean & simple...just what that man in your life ordered ;) Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp Sets: Vintage Labels
Paper: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue & More Mustard Cardstock; Travel Journal DSP
Ink: Night of Navy Classic Pad
Accessories: Mat Pack & Paper Piercer, Curly Label Punch, Hodgepodge Hardware (Aged Copper-Retired), 1/16" Circle Punch and Dimensionals/Pop Dots