Merry Poinsettia CASE

This is one of the cards we're making this weekend in my Stepped Up Cards Class. I created my version of the card in the Holiday Catalogue (pg. 20). I embossed the Poinsettia from Joyful Christmas with Gold embossing powder and fussy cut it with scissors. The Frosted Finishes embellishment also go the gold treatment (pressed it into the VersaMark pad, dipped it in the Gold embossing powder and heated it). The background was embossed with the Pretty Print embossing folder and then the Gold Encore ink pad was pressed onto the centre section. The Expressions Thinlit (Merry) was cut from the Gold Foil card stock. If you'd like to come to my class and make this card, there are a few spots left!

Regarding Dahlias Emboss Resist

I think Regarding Dahlias is my favourite stamp set right now... I have to stop myself from using it in every class I'm prepping for and I'm not always successful... it just sneaks in! We made this card in my July Stepped Up Cards class, and I love the way it turned out. I really like this colour combo (Pear Pizzazz, Soft Sky, Smoky Slate).

1. I stamped the Dictionary background stamp with Soft Sky ink on Whisper White card stock and let it dry. I also rubbed it with the Embossing Buddy.
2. I stamped the dahlia stamp from Regarding Dahlias with VersaMark ink and covered it with White Stampin' Emboss powder. Tap off the excess and heat with the Heat Tool.
3. I masked (covered up) the Dahlia with post it notes, then stamped the leaves (from Summer Silhouettes) with Pear Pizzazz ink. 
4. I removed the mask and coloured in the striped areas of the embossed dahlia with a Soft Sky Stampin' Write Marker.
5. I sponged over the whole flower with Pear Pizzazz ink. I also sponged around the edges of the card stock with Pear Pizzazz.
6. I embossed a strip of Pear Pizzazz card stock with the Delicate Designs embossing folder and added a few Basic Pearls to embellish. 
7. I punched a piece of Smoky Slate card stock with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch and put that behind the Pear Pizzazz card stock.
8. I stamped the sentiment and punched it with the circle punch, then layered that with the Artisan Label.
9. All that was left was to attach the Whisper White card stock to a card base!

I'll be back tomorrow with a card from this month's Stepped Up Cards Class...

September Scrapbook Class

This is one of the layouts we'll be making in this weekend's Scrapbook Class:

It features papers from the Brights Paper Stack, Natural Composition specialty paper, burlap ribbon, heart and button embosslits and Polka Dot Parade paper. I'm planning on adding back to school pictures to this layout...

September Simple Cards Class

 Starting this month, I'm offering two options in my Simple Cards Class:

All Occasion Cards like this

or Holiday Cards like this!

You'll still make eight cards (2 each of four designs) but you can choose to make All Occasion Cards or Holiday Cards. This is a great way to get a head start on the Holiday Season, plus these are great cards to make more of at home on your own. I have three class times over the weekend (Friday evening, Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening), and have spaces available in all time slots. You can check out the details or sign up for a class right on my website (Click Here)

The All Occasion card shown was inspired by JanTink and features the Regarding Dahlias stamp set and Emboss Resist technique. The Holiday Card was CASE'd from Lyssa Zwolonek and features the Calm Christmas (Holiday Catalogue) and World Map stamp sets.

Painter's Tape + Lovely as a Tree

I think this was my favourite card from my August Simple Cards Class... I love the colours, and I love how easy the Painter's Tape background technique is, and how much it adds to the card.

If you haven't seen the Painter's Tape Technique yet, you have to try it! I found it works best with the newer Firm Foam pads, but it does work with the older felt/fabric top pads too. You just lay a strip of painter's tape on the ink pad (sticky side down), rub in little circles to transfer ink to the tape, then lift the tape and stick it onto your card stock. Rub the back of the tape again (transferring ink to the card stock), and carefully peel it back off. If you're not happy with your first application, you can repeat to add a little more ink (or extend your strips of colour). Then repeat with a new piece of tape and another ink colour... continue until your background is the way you want it and stamp any image and sentiment of your choice over top. I used a tree from Lovely As a Tree (stamped with Early Espresso) and the sentiment from So Sorry (Soft Suede and Early Espresso. The colours I used for the background are Pistachio Pudding, Crumb Cake & Soft Sky. I also added a small piece of Burlap Ribbon (Holiday Catalogue) and paper pierced corners.

Thanks for stopping by!

Epic Day Washi Layout

I created this layout a few months ago for my Scrapbook Class. It features the Epic Day patterned papers and Washi Tape, the Everything Eleanor stamp set, the Typeset Alphabet Bigz dies (for the Big Shot) and some Vellum Card stock.

Acetate & StazOn Butterfly Card

This is a card from my August Stepped Up Cards Class, and it might be my favourite this month. While I was making it however, I wasn't happy with my prototype and couldn't come up with something that featured the stamped acetate (White StazOn stamped butterflies from Papaya Collage, Backyard Basics and Papillion Potpourri) yet didn't look too plain. I added the black glittered butterfly (thanks to my Heat & Stick powder and new black glitter from the Holiday Catalogue) and the Modern Medley patterned paper. It still needed something (I was thinking a black ribbon around the top--but I didn't have any) so I added the thin strips of Basic Black card stock, and the sentiment (embossed with White Stampin' Emboss Powder) from the Label Love stamp set. I love the way the card turned out, and I'm so happy I kept trying. Thanks to Pauline who gave me a few ideas to help me figure this card out!

I love butterflies, so Papillion Potpourri was a must have when I saw it in last year's catalogue. I love that we also have the co-ordinating punches for both sizes of butterflies. If you don't have the stamp set and Bitty Butterfly punch yet, now is the time! Until September 30th, you'll save 15% when you buy the Butterfly Bundle (#135311 - $33.92 for Clear Mount and #135312 - $38.17 for Wood Mount). If you look back at the last couple cards I've posted, you can see the stamp set and punch in use!

August Paper Pumpkin Bonus Cards!

I had a lot of fun with the August Paper Pumpkin kit... I love the bicycle stamp! A perk for people who subscribe to the Paper Pumpkin kit with me is I send them instructions, photos and extra supplies to create bonus cards with the stamps and products in the kit. The only other supplies they may need are the stamps and ink spot from the Welcome Kit (everyone gets that their first month) and adhesive. Card 1 is always the card made with the instructions in the kit. These are the four bonus cards for this month:

 (a bit of a tweak from the original design... made the card horizontal, and used a strip of the Raspberry Ripple card stock sticker instead of the banners)

(love how well the Birthday Basics patterned paper co-ordinates with the stamp)

 (this was a CASE from Julie Davison)

(I folded the Crushed Curry sticker strips in half, then cut a 'v' at the bottom to create another pennant type. This card also uses the stamps from the Welcome Kit)

I hope you like these variations!

Envelope Punch Board - Now Available!

Stampin' Up!'s Envelope Punch board is now available, and I can't wait to get mine... This will add an extra touch to our hand made cards (plus make it easy to create envelopes for different sized cards). I can't wait to use it to make a journaling pocket on my scrapbook pages too. You can check out how easy it is to use in the video below: