Step it up Saturday - Delightful Decorations

On Step it Up Saturdays, I show you two cards. One is a simple and quick and the second is 'stepped up' by adding a technique, embellishments or layers.

This week, I have two versions of a card using Delightful Decoration and Candy Cane Christmas DSP. This first card is very quick and easy.

I stamped the pink ornament on the Whisper White note card, then covered it with a mask and stamped the red ornament. I punched a little hole at the top of each ornament, and drew a line with my Stampin' Write marker, I added a strip of paper down each side and a Basic Rhinestone to each ornament. I stamped the sentiment from Christmas Greetings and the card is done!



The second card is stepped up with a little more stamping, the Ornament Punch, some Hemp Thread and  Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon. I also added a couple layers. I punched an ornament from the glittery striped paper from Candy Cane Christmas and stamped the Crumb Cake card base with the small stamps in Delightful Decorations. The sentiment is from Curly Cute.

Card 1 Supplies

Stamps: Delightful Decorations, Christmas Greetings

Inks: Blushing Bride, Cherry Cobbler

Card: Whisper White Note Card

Other: Basic Rhinestones, Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker, Candy Cane Christmas DSP

Card 2 Supplies

Stamps: Delightful Decorations, Curly Cute

Inks: Garden Green

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Naturals White

Other: Ornament Punch,  Basic Rhinestone, Candy Cane Christmas DSP, Hemp Twine, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon

Fast & Fun Friday - Shoebox Swap Just Believe

On Fridays, I share something quick & easy to make (under 15 minutes).

This is my swap card for my team meeting tomorrow... we try to keep each card to 10 minutes, so it's perfect for today's blog post too! I'm showing four cards using Just Believe and different techniques, so this card shows Ghosting (aka VersaMark Resist). The design is based on last week's Clean & Simple sketch (#113).

A Stamp-a-ma-Jig and Heat Tool were essential to keeping this card quick. You need to make sure your VersaMark ink is dry before applying the ink to the Glossy Cardstock. I used a Brayer, but you can also sponge it on.

Stamps: Just Believe
Inks: VersaMark, Certainly Celery, Marina Mist
Cardstock: Naturals White, Marina Mist, Glossy White
Other: Stamp-a-ma-Jig, Heat Tool, Paper Flowers, Basic Crystals

Whatever Wednesday - Just Believe

On Whatever Wednesdays, I share whatever is inspiring me, and hope you'll be inspired as well.

This week, I'm inspired by my favourite new stamp set from the 2010/2011 Idea Book & Catalogue: Just Believe. I'm creating four different cards all using this stamp set and showcasing four different techniques as well for my Gold Stars, Ink. meeting this weekend. The technique on this card is what I call Faux Watercolouring... I coloured the rubber on the stamp with Stampin' Write markers and then misted it with water before stamping onto Naturals White cardstock. The rest of the card is pretty basic... just a few punched strips of cardstock and a little paper tearing. If you're interested in learning more about the Stampin' Up! opportunity (even if it's just for the discount), you're welcome to come to my meeting this Saturday and make cards with us.

Stamps: Just Believe
Inks: Rich Razzleberry, Pear Pizazz
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Naturals White, Rich Razzleberry, Pear Pizazz, Tempting Turquoise
Stampin' Write Markers: Pear Pizazz, Rich Razzleberry, Garden Green, Pretty in Pink
Other: Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch

Mini Monday - Christmas Collage

In my Mini Monday posts, I feature a stamp set (or two) from the current Mini Catalogue.

This card was inspired by a card sketch challenge by Susie on Stampin' Connection. I used Christmas Collage from the Holiday Mini (inked it all over with Crumb Cake ink, then used Stampin' Spots to add colour to some areas) and added the sentiment from Cardinal Christmas. I also used the new Glass Glitter from the Holiday Mini and some Hemp Twine to embellish the punched strip of Garden Green cardstock.

Stamps: Christmas Collage, Cardinal Christmas
Inks: Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Garden Green
Cardstock: Naturals Ivory, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Very Vanilla

Other: Hemp Twine, Scallop Edge punch, Fancy Favour die (from the scraps at the top edge), Silver Glass Glitter

Fast & Fun Friday - October Thank You cards

On Fridays, I share something quick & easy to make (under 15 minutes).

This is the 3x3 Thank You card I'm putting in with my October orders... very quick & easy, but I love the way this one turned out! I'm so glad I decided to get French Foliage, because I think it might be my favourite set from the Holiday Mini. I just stamped some images randomly onto the Crumb Cake card base and stuck on a scrap of Old Olive cardstock. I Rock 'n Rolled the focal leaf image (inked with Daffodil Delight & rolled the edges in Pumpkin Pie), and stamped it onto Naturals White cardstock before punching it out with the Decorative Label punch (another favourite item). I added the Thank You sentiment from Days of Gratitude and used Stampin' Dimensionals to attach it to the card. This may even be under ten minutes to finish!

Stamps: French Foliage, Days of Gratitude
Inks: Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Poppy Parade, Old Olive
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Naturals White, Old Olive
Other: Decorative Label Punch

Whatever Wednesday - Butterfly Congrats

On Whatever Wednesdays, I share whatever is inspiring me, and hope you'll be inspired as well.

My apologies for the lack of postings this week. I had some scheduled, but didn't come and check to make sure they posted, and of course they didn't for some reason. I'm back on track today, and will re-schedule the other posts.

Today, I'm sharing a card that was inspired by a sketch created by Susie Nelson for a challenge on the Stampin' Connection website (a demonstrator only message board and gallery). I also challenged my downline to create a card using at least one new In Colour and neutrals this month, so I thought I should play along too! I kept it pretty simple, with butterflies stamped in three of this year's In Colours, a punched strip of cardstock, some ribbon and rhinestones. I love the sentiments in the Curly Cute stamp set, and this one fit perfectly on the card.

Stamps: Butterfly Prints, Curly Cute
Inks: Peach Parfait, Concord Crush, Blushing Bride
Cardstock: Naturals White, Peach Parfait
Other: Basic Rhinestones, Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch, Early Expresso 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Stamp-a-ma-Jig

Try it Thursday - Cut it apart!

On Thursdays, I try something new, and invite you to try it too!

This is the second card we'll be making in my Technique Class this weekend. After I stamped and embossed the flower image from Inspired by Nature, I cut it apart. I sponged different colours (chosen with the Colour Coach) onto each piece, and put them back together on some Basic Black cardstock leaving a small space between each piece. It's a very simple 'technique' and you don't have to make a grid... this would look great cut into strips too, but I really like it because it gives me another way to use some of my favourite silhouette images. If you create something using this technique, I hope you'll share... I'd love to see it!
 

 
Stamps: Inspired by Nature
Inks: Always Artichoke, Perfect Plum, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, VersaMark
Cardstock: Naturals White, Basic Black, Cajun Craze
Other: Black Stampin' Emboss powder, Paper Trimmer, Linen Thread, Stampin' Sponge, Regals Button, Eyelet Border punch

Two for One Tuesday - Word Play

On Tuesdays, I share two projects that are linked in some way... stamp set, design, colours, etc.

Today I'm sharing two cards that look very different, but they are connected in several ways. They both use Word Play for the sentiment, they both use the Designer Label punch, and both have a similar design. This first card is one we'll be making it in my Technique Class this month - let me know if you'd like to come and join us. It uses the Faux Tile or Grid technique and French Foliage stamp set.

On the second card, I used a much different colour pallette. I used several shades of blue and just a bit of Very Vanilla. I used my Big Shot to cut the cupcake, and added some Basic Rhinestones and Smooch Topcoat for some bling.

French Foliage Card:
Stamps: Word Play, French Foliage
Inks: Sahara Sand, Peach Parfait, Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze, Old Olive
Cardstock: Cajun Craze, Old Olive, Pear Pizazz, Naturals White, Pumpkin Pie
Other: Decorative Label Punch, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack, Always Artichoke Seam Binding, Bone Folder & Paper Trimmer, Wide Oval Punch

Wish Big Card:
Stamps: Woodgrain background, Word Play
Inks: Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise
Cardstock: Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze, Marina Mist
Other: Decorative Label punch, Illuminate Smooch topcoat, Basic Rhinestones, Big Bold Cupcake Sizzlets, Brights Patterns DSP (Pacific Point), Square Lattice TIF

Mini Monday - Season of Hugs

In my Mini Monday posts, I feature a stamp set (or two) from the current Mini Catalogue.

Happy Thanksgiving! To celebrate this day, I thought I'd put my Season of Hugs stamp set to work and create a Thanksgiving card. This set co-ordinates perfectly with Beary Best Friends from the main Idea Book & Catalogue to make cards for back to school, Thanksgiving, Halloween and Christmas. The basket and sentiment are from Season of Hugs. I coloured the images with my Stampin' Write Markers and a Blender Pen.

The design from this card came from a card sketch challenge on Stampin' Connection. Susie Nelson created a sketch which inspired this card.

We'll be creating a similar card (with a Halloween theme) at my Make, Take & Donate at the Crouch Library this Wednesday @ 4:00pm.

Sketchy Sunday - #98!

On Sketchy Sundays, I have a card or layout sketch to hopefully inspire you. I also have a project I've done inspired by the sketch.

 I have a 12x12 scrapbook sketch for you today... I really like this one, and I hope you do too! If you create something based on this sketch, I'd love to see it! Link me up in the comments.

Here is the layout I created based on the sketch:

I added some stamping (French Foliage from the Holiday Mini) to the background cardstock, and some texture with my Big Shot and the Spiderweb Textured Impression Folder. The title was cut with my Big Shot and the Billboard Decorative Strip Die. I still have to add my journaling...

Stamps: French Foliage

Inks: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Cajun Craze

Cardstock: Very Vanilla (textured), Crumb Cake, Soft Suede (textured), Early Expresso

Big Shot: Spiderweb Textured Impressions Folder, Clear Circle, Scallop Circle, Billboard Decorative Strip

Other: Brights Patterns DSP (Pumpkin Pie)

Step it Up Saturday - Pendant Notes

On Step it Up Saturdays, I show you two cards. One is a simple and quick and the second is 'stepped up' by adding a technique, embellishments or layers.

This week, I thought I'd play with the Pendant Note Cards. This first card is a CASE of the card in the Idea Book & Catalogue (pg 171). I used the Old Olive word patterned paper from the Bold Brights Patterns pack behind the cut outs in the Pendant note card. I tied a bow with Linen Thread through an Old Olive button from the Brights button pack. The sentiment is stamped with Curly Cute and Early Expresso ink. This is a quick and easy card, and I really like the simplicity.

On the stepped up version of the card, I embossed the Pendant Note with the Elegant Lines textured impressions folder. I stamped on some Old Olive cardstock with Old Olive ink and the Just Believe stamp set. That was adhered behind the cut outs in the Pendant Note Card. I added some Basic Rhinestones and put a Glimmer Brad (from the Brights Glimmer Brad pack) through a Rich Razzleberry button from the Brights Button pack. The sentiment (also from Just Believe) is stamped on Naturals Ivory cardstock with Rich Razzleberry ink and punched out with the Modern Label punch. I really like the embossing on this one. Which one do you like best?

Two for One Tuesday - Leaf Lines

On Tuesdays, I share two projects that are linked in some way... stamp set, design, colours, etc.

Today I wanted to show you two different cards using the same stamp set: Leaf Lines. The first card is very clean and simple... a nice masculine card that you can make quickly.

I stamped the Crumb Cake card base with Cajun Craze and one of the stamps from the set to create a background. I stamped the main image onto Naturals White cardstock, and punched it out with the 2" x 1 3/8" Oval punch and layered it with the Decorative Label punch from the Holiday Mini. A strip of torn paper and some brads on the label punch finish the card off.

My second card uses the same stamps and punches, but it's not a quick & easy card. I've added some background stamps, some texture, a sentiment and heat embossing. I double embossed the images. I thought I had seen this somewhere online, but it didn't work quite the way I was thinking it would, so I think I got something wrong (I think I should have stamped the images with StazOn, coloured them and then heat embossed with clear powder). I decided to use them anyway, since they turned out pretty cool...

First I heat embossed the leaves with Gold Stampin' Emboss powder. I coloured the leaves with various inks and my Blender Pen. Then I used the VersaMarker to go over the images and I sprinkled Clear Stampin' Emboss poweder over them. When I heated the images again, the gold details melted into the colouring and clear embossing. It looks a bit milky in this photo, but it is clear in real life... but the gold is mixed with the clear embossing a little. It actually looks very cool, but I had thought I'd keep the gold detailed outlines after I heated it the second time. The reason I double embossed was so my coloured images would resist the background stamping I did with the Sanded and Wonderfully Worn background stamps. I added a few Basic Pearls to the corners of the larger stamped blocks and called the card done!

Wowza!!! Great Deals!

Stampin' Up! is having a Clearance Rack Blitz starting today and ending October 18th. You can save up to 80% on retired products (ribbons, ink pads, chipboard, cardstock, Designer Series Paper, embellishments, Big Shot Dies...). Supplies are very limited on some of these items, so don't miss out on the great deals! These are available online only, so check out the deals, register/log in and select me (Liz Goldhawk) as your demonstrator to get the preferred pricing.

Some of my favourites:

Simply Sent Kit - Everything you need to make 10 cards, and you'll have the inks and stamps for future cards.

Was $56.95, now just $20.89!

Pretties Kit - was $41.95, now only $14.89!

Mini Monday - Thanksgiving Wishes

In my Mini Monday posts, I feature a stamp set (or two) from the current Mini Catalogue

We received the Day of Gratitude stamp set at the Hamilton Regionals to use for our make & takes, and I thought it was perfect for a couple challenges I wanted to participate in. The leaves work perfectly with the colour challenge this week at Just Add Ink, and the images work perfectly scattered on the main panel of FTL #110 on the Clean & Simple blog.

I heat embossed the sentiment with Old Olive Craft ink and Clear Stampin' Emboss powder and then sponged over it lightly with Pumpkin Pie ink.

Stamps: Day of Gratitude, Seasonal Sentiments
Inks: Old Olive (Classic & Craft), Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Always Artichoke
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Other: 2 1/2" Circle punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch, Clear Stampin' Emboss powder

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Sketchy Sunday - #97

On Sketchy Sundays, I have a card or layout sketch to hopefully inspire you. I also have a project I've done inspired by the sketch.

Here's a card sketch for you to work with this week...

It's also the sketch for the challenge on Stampin' Connection for any SU! Demonstrators out there... we'd love to have you play along!

Here's the card I made based on this sketch:

Stamps: Cute by the Inch
Inks: Rich Razzleberry Craft
Cardstock: Naturals White, Rich Razzleberry (textured), Blushing Bride, Whisper White
Other: Clear Stampin' Emboss powder, Rich Razzleberry 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Decorative Label Punch, Curly Label punch, Elegant Soiree DSP

Fast & Fun Friday - Decor Frame

On Fridays, I share something quick & easy to make (under 15 minutes).

I found this very nice frame and thought it would be perfect to create a fun and easy decor project with Designer Series Papers and Decor Elements. Believe it or not, the hardest part of this project was getting the backs open to switch out the photos that were in it. I still plan on getting a few photos printed in Sepia to put into some of the spots, but I like it with the papers for now. The Decor Elements vinyl words go on so quickly and easily on the glass in the frames. Then I just cut various papers from the Elegant Soiree Designer Series paper to 4"x6" and popped them in where photos would normally go.

This would be super easy to change out the papers to make it a seasonal accent, or to work in another room with different colours.