Aloha!

images (c) Stampin' Up!, 1990-2007

Since I like it so much, here's another card based on the sketch challenge from SCS. I picked some tropical colors and my favorite tropical set, and away I went!

Sets: Do the Hula, Canvas BG

Colors: Cameo Coral, Cool Carribean, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White

Accessories: Aged Copper brad, hemp twine, dimensionals (for surfboard)

The mat size on this card is much smaller than the normal 1/4", so precise cutting is even more important when doing the mat of 1/8" like I've done here.

Other than that, I had a great time making this one and hope that it brings a bit of the "island spirit" to you when you see it, too.

Bright Birthday Balloons

images (c) Stampin' Up!, 1990-2007

Say that ten times fast! lol

So this one was using SCS Sketch Challenge #105, and it's what I came up with. It was a gray day and I needed some cheer, so what better way to perk up than using Only Orange and YoYo Yellow together! Can I get a "woo hoo"?!

The scan doesn't show it, but there's Crystal Effects on the scooter at the wheels, the back fender, and the little headlight. It does add something to the look in person.

For the half-oval, use the Coluzzle cutting system, and cut the oval in half.

Sets used (all SU!): The Wheel Thing, Soft Swirls BG, Mini Messages, Everyday Flexible Phrases

I hope this brings cheer to your day!

Coupon Card

images (c) Stampin' Up!, 1990-2007

So we've all given cards that include gift cards, but have you ever made a card that WAS the gift card? Well, that's exactly what this card is!

Night of Navy and Rose Red make up the color scheme. Aged copper hardware and navy grosgrain ribbon accent the piece.

The gift is proudly displayed in the front, doubling as the design art, but here's the best part - the coupon is a tear-off! Just using the perforating blade from SU!s Cutter Kit along the left edge of the coupon makes it easy to tear off after reading the inside of card. By lifting the coupon at the ribbon and using the perforated edge as the "fold," you reveal the inside message that completes the sentiment. Basically, the layered Navy/Rose Red piece is the stationary base, and the only moving piece is the coupon.

Comment with any questions. I'll be happy to clarify. lol

By keeping this design simple, you don't overwhelm the men in your life, and you make it easy to re-create anytime. Enjoy!

French Flair

images (c) Stampin' Up!, 1990-2007

This was one that was an experiment with hardware again. The scan doesn't show it well, but the word inside the oval was stamped and attached to the hardware with the brads, then I filled it with Crystal Effects (SU!) and let it dry for a day or two until it was fully dry. It's important to let this stuff dry completely because if you touch it too soon, it will leave your fingerprint and make it harder to see through to the word clearly.

The French Flair background stamp (SU!) was embossed with Winter White embossing powder.

Cardstock used was Vintage Violet and Confetti White (SU!)

It was an interesting experiment, and while it's worth the effort to create that filled hardware piece, you certainly couldn't make this for a quick card, even though it's simple in its design.

Using that Hardware!

I have that Hodgepodge Hardware kit and like many of us, I have pieces that I have not been able to find a use for until I challenged myself to find a way to use them.... and came up with this simple and demonstratable card.

Stamp Set: All the Best
Colors: Gable Green, Tempting Turquoise
Hardware in Aged Copper

Be sure to use GLUE DOTS on this one, or the hardware won't stick!

On the leaf stamp, I used markers to color the stamp to get the two-toned image. Then it's just a matter of cutting around the leaf stem and feeding it into the buckle before sticking it down.

Celery and Turquoise grosgrain ribbon make a fun accessory to draw your eye to the buckle so it doesn't get lost in the shuffle. I used Gable Green to stamp a border along the edge to bring the top and bottom together.

It's fun and simple, and it gave me a reason to use that hardware, so go dig up your miscellaneous buckles and other pieces and see what YOU can do with them!

Happy Stamping!

Bleached Beauty

images (c) Stampin' Up!, 1990-2007

For this card, I was trying my hand at the bleach that hasn't touched my cardstock in a long time. I love this Artfully Asian set, and it cemented itself into my favorite list after playing with it a few times.

I first embossed the cherry blossom branches with Versamark and clear embossing powder. Then it was a small watercolor brush dipped in chlorine bleach that did the magic. The more bleach, the lighter the color. I used different amounts to create depth in the flowers. Then I painted the torn edge of the Elegant Eggplant cardstock with bleach to complete the look.

All products are Stampin' Up!, and the images are copyrighted by SU!, so please do not copy without permission.

I hope you like it.

Delight in Life

This one doesn't scan as well, but all the gray areas are sparkling with life thanks to the use of Hologram Highlights (HH) embossing powder from SU!.

The first layer of the gray background was done using Versamark direct-to-paper and then using a mixture of pink, lavender and green pastel embossing powders (SU!). Next was another layer of Versamark followed by the HH.

The background flowers were simply stamped with Regal Rose ink, and the word stamp in Basic Black.

Flowers were stamped in Craft Gray ink, then embossed with HH. Then using a blender pen and the Regal Rose dye inkpad, I highlighted small areas with ink to bring the flowers to life.
The flowers are then cut out and applied to the card using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Cardstock colors are Going Gray, Regal Rose, and Whisper White
All products are Stampin' Up!, images (c) 1990-2007

Another little gem for the Valentines holiday. The little heart that the hanging monkey is holding is covered in glitter, but it's hard to tell in the scan.

All products are Stampin' Up!, and the love is all mine.

images (c) Stampin' Up!, 1990-2007

Happy Valentine's Day!

This card is just using some classic pieces, papers, and ribbons, all from my favorite current Stampin' Up! stuff!

Tag punches are the best, and this little Taggers' Dozen Sell-A-Bration set made a cute accent to this card.

All About U was the source of the "U", and I hope you like it.

It was fun to make and easy, too. All products are SU!, images (c) Stampin' Up!, 1990-2007