DIY Paper Creations

Inspired by Nature - From the Archives

I'm in love with this set and did several variations using different color schemes. This particular card was one that my Cardi~ology Clubs made in February of 2011.  In the middle of winter this card reminded us that warmer weather and flower gardens were right around the corner!

We sponged More Mustard ink on Very Vanilla card stock for the background.  For the flowers, we used my dauber and reinker technique - Always Artichoke for the stems and leaves, More Mustard for the petals and Cajun Craze for the flower centers.  I added a little Cajun Craze to the tips of some of the petals.  Then we inked up the stamp that had the grass on it using Early Espresso ink and stamped it onto the card stock.  

Stamp Set:  Inspired by Nature

Ink:  More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke and Early Espresso

Card Stock:  More Mustard, Cajun Craze and Very Vanilla

Tools:  Daubers, Sponge, SNAIL

Bling:  Linen Thread

All Dressed Up

As a little girl,I played with paper dolls for hours...oh the fun that I had.  This stamp set with coordinating framelits brings back that fun!

The Card Base Pop 'n Cuts die caught my eye when I realized that it not only cuts the card base with the decorative edge at the bottom of the card, but it cuts little slits in the back of card so you can tuck the corners in to keep it closed. Elegant!  I got so excited that I placed an order that day for next day delivery.

Stamp set:  All Dressed Up

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn

Card Stock:  Primrose Petals, Very Vanilla and Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack

Tools:  Big Shot with Standard Cutting Plates, Extended Cutting plates, Multipurpose Platform, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Card Base Pop 'n Cuts Die, Dress Up Framelits Dies, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, SNAIL, Dimensionals and Glue Dots

Bling:  Pearl Basic Jewels and Hung Up Cute Clips

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Organize it Tuesday - Reinkers

Eeny, meeny, miny moe...When reaching for a reinker do you ever feel like you're playing that children's game again and the reinkers are winning?  I know exactly how you feel!

A little over a year ago, I set out to even the score.  I wanted a way to label the top of the reinkers to improve my odds of grabbing the color that I was looking for.  I pondered it for a little bit and got an idea.  What if I punched out a 1/16" circle (using the 1/16" Circle Handheld punch #101227) for every color of card stock and used Crystal Effects to adhere it to the corresponding reinker's cap?  I put just a small dot of Crystal Effects in the center of the cap to hold the dot of card stock in place and then covered it with more Crystal Effects.  I let them dry overnight and in the morning it was mission accomplished. And yours truly did a happy dance!

I'm betting that you can look at the photo and identify which reinker is Temping Turquoise vs Pacific Point.  The three "green" caps in the lower left - can anyone guess what colors they are?  Hint, one isn't current!

~Enjoy!

The lucky winner of the Valentine's Day Blog Candy is...

Number 36, Sherri and this is the comment that she posted:  We are a stay at home couple, but there is always a little chocolate treat of some sort! But just so you know... I use my stamps and make Valentines for Emily's class. :)

Normally, this is where I ask Sherri to e-mail me and give me her address. However, in this case there's no need to do that because Sherri is both a customer and a friend of mine.  She and her daughter need to go buy some lottery tickets! Last Friday at the Kings Drumline Stamp-a-Stack, Emily won the raffle which was a $50 gift certificate, two stamp sets, Designer Series Paper, Ribbon and Buttons. Think maybe if I went over and just stood near Sherri that some of her good luck would rub off on me?

Congrats, Sherri!

Quick DIY Feeling Sentimental

With minimal fuss and using just one ink pad and punch, this card goes together fast!  I added a couple of scored lines across the bottom to give it texture.

Everyone who made this card at the Kings Stamp-a-Stack on Friday night thought that this would be a perfect "guy" card.  It was a privilege to help them with their event and I'm very happy that they enjoyed the cards that I designed for them.

Stamp Sets:  Feeling Sentimental and That's the Ticket

Ink:  Early Espresso

Card Stock:  Early Espresso, Very Vanilla and Marina Mist

Tools:  Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Ticket Duo Builder punch, SNAIL and Glue Dots

Bling:  Early Espresso Baker's Twine

Just a quick note

I wanted to post a quick note to my blog letting you know that I'll be back in action on Monday morning with a post at 4:30am.  We had a very successful Stamp-a-Stack that benefited the Kings Music Association on Friday night. However, I came home at 11:30 and was absolutely exhausted. I plopped down in the recliner "for a few minutes" and the next thing I knew it was 6 am!  With all that I had going on last week, I really needed to take this weekend to get caught up on household stuff - laundry, cleaning some bathrooms and finding my studio under all the rubble of 2 club meetings and one big Stamp-a-Stack. I love that being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator gives me this flexibility!

Enjoy the Super Bowl today and I'll "see" all of you tomorrow!

Valentine's Day Blog Candy!

Just in time for Valentine's Day I'm giving away some sweet blog candy. The winner will receive the following Stampin' Up! products (all arriving at your doorstep in plenty of time to make a card for your sweetie):

• My Little Valentine clear mount stamp set
• Sealed with Love Simply Sent
• Designer Builder Brads
• Pink Pirquette Ribbon

 To enter all you need to do is post a comment answering this question:

For Valentine's Day, is it a date night with your sweetie or do you spend it at home kicked back on the sofa enjoying a peaceful evening at home?

Please leave me your comment at the end of this post.  On Monday, February 4, 2013 at 6:00 pm EST I'll use a random number generator to pick the winner. And post the winner and their comment later on that evening.

Best of luck!

Quick DIY Mixed Bunch Birthday

We all need time savers and one of my favorites when I make cards is to use stamp sets that have coordinating punches. Whenever Stampin' Up! releases a new duo, it's an automatic "must have" on my next order.

This set came out last year, but I'm still finding new ways to love it!  And what about this color combo? It's fun!  

Blog candy alert!  Be sure to check back on Friday because I'll be posting some delicious blog candy!  You won't want to miss out on your chance to win this one.

 

Stamp sets:  Mixed Bunch and Perfect Punches

Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso

Card stock:  Daffodil Delight, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso and Whisper White

Tools:  Blossom punch, Decorative Label punch, Extra Large Oval punch, SNAIL and Deminsionals

Bling:  Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon and Large Pearl Basic Jewels

Quick DIY Pleasant Poppies

Quick DIY card and full of WOW!  "Quick DIY" means that you can make this card from start to finish in less than 10 minutes.  All bets are off if your Big Shot or punches are buried under a pile of card stock. I've been there and done that and you know who you are!

This week my cards all have the same theme. Quick DIY, but with a little hint of WOW or whimsy. You see, I'm preparing to do a charity event for our local Kings Music Association. Follow along with me, this will be fun!

Stamp Sets:  Pleasant Poppies, Papillon Potpourri and A Word for You

Ink:  Jet Black Stazon

Card Stock:  Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry and Very Vanilla

Tools:  Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, Elegant Butterfly, SNAIL and Dimensionals

Bling:  Rich Razzleberry 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon

 

Organize it Tuesday - Embellishment Storage

Must have bling!  I'm sure all of you are going to understand this...When it comes to embellishments, I have to have them all!  I can't seem to get enough embellishments.  However, if I have to have them all, I had to find a way to store them so they were readily available.

Cooking is another one of my passions, so I think I just naturally thought of spice jars and spice racks. They work well for me.  I store my buttons, brads and other doodads in them as well as glitter and embossing powder.

Just a side note...check out the temp on my iPad.  It's 79 degrees in my dreams!  As I'm typing this it's 14 degrees outside.  The photo was taken back in July.   

Bird Builder Punch Thank You

Tweet!  Last week a friend did me a huge favor even though she really didn't have the time at the moment.  However, she knew that I needed some help with a project and freely gave of her time. She's a wonderful friend and I'm so grateful for her help!

To make the birds shadow, I used the negative image of the bird after it was punched out of the card stock.  All I did was place it down onto the card stock (after I sponged the area with Old Olive ink) and I used a dauber to add Always Artichoke ink.

Stamp Sets:  Language of Friendship and Tiny Tags

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn, Old Olive and Always Artichoke

Card Stock:  Going Gray (retired), Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight and Textured Card Stock from the Dude, You're Welcome kit

Tools:  Bird Builder punch, 1" Circle punch, Heart to Heart punch, sponge, dauber, SNAIL and Dimensionals

Bling:  White Bakers Twine

Card Trek!

Space: the final creative frontier.  These are the voyages of the starship Stampin' Up!  Our mission: to love what we do and share what we love as we boldly go where creativity has never gone before.

Last week Stampin' Up! released a video called "Card Trek" and after I stopped laughing, I knew that I'd be making this card and sharing the video with all of you.  The video is pretty funny!

My husband is a huge Star Trek fan, so this card will be in his flight bag when he leaves for his next trip. 

Stamp Sets:  None - I'll type something up and put it inside

Ink:  None

Card Stock:  Basic Black, Real Red, Brushed Silver, Brushed Gold

Tools:  Large Oval Punch, Heart to Heart punch (retired), Cupcake Builder punch, SNAIL and Dimensional

Now, sit back and enjoy the video!

 

Quick DIY Birthday Card

Need a Birthday card in a hurry?  This Quick DIY card is perfect.  You'll get all the credit, but the Big Shot and punches do most of the work!

Why not make several in advance with different sentiments and color combinations?  Giving a set of these cards would make a very nice (did I mention quick?) gift for a hostess or co-worker.

Stamp Set:  Create a Cupcake

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn; Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write marker

Card Stock:  Whisper White and Daffodil Delight

Tools:  Big Shot with standard cutting plates, Multipurpose Platform, Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, SNAIL and Dimensionals

Bling:  Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon and Basic Pearls

Sunflower in January

Doesn't a sunflower make you feel all warm inside?  I don't know where you live, but in Ohio it's cold outside.  However, I know that January/February leads to March...and than April.  Are you starting to feel warmer?

This card is so easy to do and it packs a lot of WOW...my type of card!

 

Stamp Set:  Sunflower (wood mount 123606, clear mount 123608)

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn

Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Basic Black, More Mustard and First Edition Designer Series Paper

Bling:  Large Basic Black Button and Linen Thread

Simple Happy Hearts - From the Archives

Going back into my archives is sort of fun!  I've found cards that I forgot I made as well as stamp sets that I loved.  

This card is one from my very first card club meeting back in January of 2010.  I roped my two neighbors into each bringing a friend and the 5 of us had fun making three cards each. Little did I know that evening would be the start of Card~iology - Cards from the Heart - my monthly card clubs. 

 

 

Stamp Set:  A Happy Heart

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Always Artichoke; Real Red and Pretty in Pink Stampin' Write Markers

Card Stock:  Real Red and Very Vanilla

Tools: Big Shot with standard cutting plates, Multipurpose Platform, Silicone Rubber pad, Texture Plates Kit #4, Small Heart punch, Piercing Tool and Mat, SNAIL and Dimensionals

Bling:  Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon and Sending Love Epoxy Brad

Clear Block Stamping

Isn't that a fun technique?  I was going to hold off and post the video for the Nature Walk card on Saturday.  However, my fabulous upline, friend and mentor, Mary Fish talked me into posting it today. It's so easy and on trend right now. I hope you give it a try!

Mary and I did a little synchronized stamping today.  If you're looking for another way to apply this method be sure to check out Mary's blog at www.stampinpretty.com to view her Quick and Pretty Card plus video.  Don't you just love that retro style on her card?  Same technique, but a very different look.  I love it!

Organize it Tuesday - Paper Piercing Template Storage

Love, love, love the new Paper Piercing Templates!  But, how do you store them so they are available when you want to use them?  And, now that there's 9 of them, how do you keep from losing them?  I'm sort of famous in my house for throwing things in the trash without meaning too!

I used my Crop-A-Dile (retired) to punch a hole in the upper left hand corner of each template and use a small binder ring to keep them all together.  Easy and inexpensive.  Which means we have more money leftover to buy Stampin' Up! stuff, right?

What craft room storage tips would you like to share?  I'd love to read them!

Three Little Hearts!

Sweet little Valentine!  My favorite part of this project is the envelope that I lined with a piece of paper from the super fun More Amore Specialty Designer Series Paper collection.  

Would you like to learn how to make templates so you can line your envelopes too?  I'll be posting a video with an easy way for you to do just that on Saturday, February 2, 2013.

Subscribe to my blog NOW so you don't miss any of the my videos! I'm posting another video this coming Saturday.  In that episode I'll be making the Nature Walk card from start to finish.  You won't want to miss it!

Stamp set:  Field Flowers

Ink:  Jet Black StazOn and Primrose Petals

Card Stock:  Pool Party, Primrose Petals, Very Vanilla, Paper Doilies and More Amore Specialty Designer Series Paper.

Tools:  Small Heart Punch, Sponge Dauber, Stencil Plastic (for the envelope lining template), Sharpie (any color, also for the template), Scissors, SNAIL and Dimensionals

Bling:  Basic Rhinestones and Pool Party Ribbon (From the Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack - only available during sale-a-bration)

Postage rates are going up!

 

This is just a quick little reminder to everyone to go buy your "Forever" stamps now before the rates go up on January 27, 2013.  The new rate for a First Class postage stamp will be 46 cents. Which means that the rate for all of those beautiful cards that we create that required special handling will be increasing too.  Don't even get me going on the rate for sending cards to my family and friends up in Canada...that's just nuts!

 

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Waxed Paper Resist Method

My first video!

I had so much fun making this card that I wanted to share the technique with all of you. It's so easy to do and the results are sure to bring you lots of oohs and aahs.

I brayered the ink onto the card stock, but if you don't own a brayer you can rub your ink pad onto the paper and still get very good results.  Personally, I didn't like the results when I tried sponging the ink onto the card stock.

To get the soft image of the flower and leaves, I used Watercolor Wonder Crayons and colored directly onto the rubber stamp.  Then I spritzed the stamp with a little water and stamped it.  

Stamp set:  Love & Sympathy

Ink:  Early Espresso and Watercolor Crayons - Always Artichoke and Cajun Craze

Card Stock:  Naturals White and Very Vanilla

Tools:  Big Shot with standard cutting plates, Multipurpose Platform, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Brayer, Stampin' Spritzer and SNAIL

Bling:  Linen Thread and Always Artichoke Seam Binding Ribbon

Now on to the video! (Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think - remember this is my very first video - be gentle).