Watercolor Wings with New In Colors... 2 Ways

Sometimes, it's fun to try to 'CASE' a card you see that you like.  This one was inspired by someone's photo of a display board from Stampin' Up's Australian Convention.  I don't want to ever copy exactly and don't think I could.  Once my creative juices get flowing, things start to change pretty fast.  I'll share my cards and then explain a bit about them. 

The photo I saw had In Colors DSP for the banner strip.  I didn't have mine (yet) so I decided to go with silver foil paper on 1 of each color and our new Corrugated Paper on 1 of each color.  I love this new paper.  It comes in white and Kraft.

Here are the 2 variations.  I wasn't sure if, on the card in the photo, they used vellum for the tiny butterfly, but decided that's what I'd like on mine.  After stamping and cutting out the large butterflies, I spritzed them with some of my shimmer concoction.  They have a nice shimmer coming through behind the vellum.  You have to see it in real life.

I also added a tiny bit of stamping on the card base, using 2 of the little stamps that came with the Watercolor Wings stamp set.

I love our new little Blossom Accents.  I used the Bitty Banners framelits for the 'Just for You' strip and then cut one end off straight, then attached it under the blossom.

I added a strip of our new Dotted Lace trim over each of the banners, to show off how pretty it is.  These cards were quite time consuming, but I love the results.  I used a lot of product, so I hope I didn't forget anything.

I must confess that, with all my intense work time I've had in my studio lately, that I'm having trouble choosing a favorite stamp set and a favorite new In Color.   The party is this Sunday, so I have to decide this week.  I thought I knew right away but, after working with so many lately, I just love them all.  Ok, I'll think hard and choose... by Sunday afternoon.  Yikes!

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Fall Frameable Project / Tips to Make It

I have been looking forward to sharing today's project with you.  This is what we'll be making at our Scraps and Prayers class on Oct. 14.  It starts with a 12 X 12" sheet of CS and then continues on with many layers of rich color and texture.  I love making projects like this one!  I decided to make it using the same colors as the banner (Oct. 23 Blessings and Banners class) and the wreath (Sept. club) I've made, so they could all be used together to decorate for the season.

Tip:
Would you like the perfect frame for this project?  Get a frame called a Record Album Frame.  It is the perfect size.  You can find them at most hobby and craft stores.  Watch for a sale and then stock up on a couple of frames.  If you like this project, you'll want to get a couple of extra frames, because I will be sharing 2 more ideas for Christmas frameable projects!!!

To cut out the 'thankful' lettering:
Place a layer of waxed paper OVER your CS and then make your 'sandwich' for the Big Shot.  It makes it much easier to get the letters off the thinlit.

Now that you've cut out your letters, you have to get them off the die.  See the holes in the die?  Use these to gently poke through with your paper piercer.  Then, turn the die over and carefully peel off your letters.  Be sure you peel off the waxed paper, too.

Lastly, use your paper piercer to poke out the extra spaces in the letters.  This tool makes the project a snap.  The dies also have lettering for 'merry' and 'love' in the package.  To order, use #132171.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Color Inspiration, Part 3: Sketched Birthday

Let's continue my little series today with more color inspiration and using it to guide our artistic creations.  So far, I've shared color inspiration from Aaron digging in the yard and Aaron and Olive Jane playing on the deck.  Today, we'll see how I used color inspiration from Aaron and Ben in their new pool.  These are super fun colors to use.  It doesn't get much more vivid than this:)

Here's my card project:

My color story:
Pacific Point
Gumball Green
Tangerine Tango
Marina Mist 

I added a Whisper White top layer, to stamp my images and then attached the banner and the scalloped piece with dimensionals.  The ribbon is wrapped around just the white layer.  I will admit that I hadn't used this stamp set yet.  In fact, I had to put it together before I could finish my card.  I really enjoyed using it, especially the balloons.  Sorry, Oprah.  I hear you're afraid of balloons.  I just happen to like them.

Here are the photos for my color inspiration:

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

A Beautiful Spring Card

Today's card is perhaps the heaviest card I've ever created, due to its numerous layers.  I love it!

My color story is Daffodil Delight, Regal Rose, and Wild Wasabi.  I've used the coordinating framelits and stamp set to make it easy to create this card.

• Daydream Medallions stamp set
• Floral Framelits
• Bitty Banners framelits
• Fancy Fan embossing folder

At my last Team Meeting, my plan was to 'play' with stamp sets that we felt like we hadn't used enough yet since we bought them.  I chose this set.  I think the only reason I haven't used it enough is because we just plain have so many wonderful things to use in our creations that sometimes a product gets set aside and neglected.  We have to go looking for them, dust them off and get busy using them.
This is the time of year that I start thinking about the new catalog coming out in June and want to be sure that I've used everything I have on hand, in case it retires.

 

Every layer of my floral accent is up on dimensionals, to give it lots of depth.  I also love the texture of the embossed layer behind it.  The greeting is just adhered by putting a touch of Liquid Tombow onto the end of the banner and slipping it in between 2 of the layers of my floral piece.  

So this is Day 2 of my Work Like a Dog mission.

Are you wondering how I am coming along on my 3-day plan to do some catching up in my life?    Yesterday, I did pretty well.  I accomplished quite a lot and have even bigger plans for today.  Let's hope I don't run out of steam.  

One thing on my list yesterday was to go to the fabric store and get some supplies for some new Spring projects --- supplies to go with my Stampin' Up! products, of course.  I really never buy something that competes with Stampin' Up!  That would be like shooting myself in the foot instead of promoting our own products, which I love.  I only go for items that I need to go with them, such as wreath bases, mosses, etc.  You get the idea.  Anyway, I found some great inspiration, including some baskets on sale that I plan to decorate with some of our fabrics.  I can't wait to get going on them, but I am sticking to my 'to do' list, I promise.  So, I'm off to add more goodies to my booth and then work the rest of the day in my studio.  

Here's the inside of the card:

Check back soon to see more projects we made at our Team Meeting, as well as lots more inspiration for Spring cards, decor, gifts and more.  Like I said, I have big plans:)

Have a great day and let me know what you think of my multi-layered card.  Do you have any stamp sets or other products that have collected dust?  Get them out and go make something wonderful. 

A Pair of Pears

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a great weekend.  Today, I have a pair of pears for you --- the closest I'll ever come to doing home canning:)

I love using the DSP strips to make the little 'flags.'  They are quite the trend now.  You can use a square punch to nip the v-shape on the end of the flag.

I made good use of linen thread on 4 parts of this card.

• It's wrapped around the top layer of the card.  
• It's used to tie on the bitty banner.  
• It's used to 'tie' on the lid of the jar.  
• It's threaded through the button.

I added extra dimension to the pears by attaching one flat (Liquid Tombow adhesive) and then overlapping the second pear and popping it up on dimensionals.

Remember:  Planning a color story for your project is so easy when you use the colors in the DSP to plan your project.  It takes out all the guess work and guarantees a successful color story every time.

I'm off to work in my studio.  I need to finish my layout for my Scraps and Prayers class tonight.  We're making a Halloween layout this time.  We had a good time at the Friday 3-4-5 class last Friday and will post some of those projects soon, too.

Come back often to see all my seasonal cards and projects.  It's the most wonderful time of the year!

An Oops, a Little Glimmer and My Booth Redo

Before I share today, I'd like to say that I goofed yesterday.  I said I'd be sharing a cute little double pocket treat holder today, along with instructions on how to do it.  That is my post for Friday.  I'll figure out what day it is any time now.  So... be sure to come back Friday and see it.  It is cute!

Next up, here's a little glimmer to start your day:

Remember my technique for adding gold embossing to the crumpled leaves?  I used that technique here and also added a die cut leaf from the champagne glimmer paper.  In real life, there is a lot of glimmer, shimmer and shine.

I used our new cotton ribbon, along with 2 of our Naturals buttons.  I stacked them and then stitched it all together with a little linen thread.  The card base is Early Espresso.

I wanted to share with you my photos from my Prairie Treasures booth redo!  I took out the round table and replaced it with shelving and then added more wall display items.  I like it a lot.

I put up new curtain panels, too.  If you're in the Harristown area, I hope you'll stop by and check out my booth.

Plans are in the works for a second booth in downtown Decatur.  I'll be in the Root Cellar at the Wildflour Bakery.  Won't that be fun?!!!  My booth there will feature high end, vintage style cards, fabric and decor items --- lots of gift ideas for your shopping.

I'm off to work in my studio.  I have a full class already in the works for tomorrow night.  It's my Friday 3-4-5 and I have lots of fun new cards that I think they'll really like.  Have a great day.

An apple a day...

I don't know if the old saying really works, but an apple is a thing of joy, especially this time of year.  Here's a card that, while it may not keep the doctor away, it will surely bring joy to the lucky recipient.

This card is an apple version of the pear card we made at my Team Meeting.

The raspberry ripple/crumb cake color scheme works well for this card.  I added squares to the background and embossed the entire layer with the square lattice embossing folder, to give added texture and the feeling of a warm quilt.  As you can see, I'm getting into the mood for cooler weather.

A pair of pears...

Here's a fun card I designed for my Team Meeting for September.  Using the coordinating stamp sets and framelits makes it easy to create such a card and using the color scheme from the coordinating DSP just adds to the fun.

I distressed the edges of the Early Espresso layer under the embossed 'quilt' layer, so there's lots of texture to this card --- a fun element for Fall.

Sneak Peek #2: Fall Card

Here's another sneak peek at a Fall card for my class this Friday, August 24.  Where did August go?  This card is a cute little 4 X 4" card, inspired by our Holiday Catalog. 

This card uses lots of fun product from our Holiday Catalog, including new ribbon and our new piercing templates.  See my class schedule for complete details on the class this Friday, as well as more seasonal classes coming up soon.  Come join us!  Before I go and enjoy my beautiful Sunday afternoon, I will tell you that I have 2 more sneak peeks coming up for you.  The next 2 will be Christmas projects!  If you want to see the rest, you'll just have to come to my class.  You'll get a little bit of Fall, a touch of Halloween and a nice dose of Christmas.  Now to change out of my church clothes, play with the boys and maybe stamp a little more:)  Have a great day!

Reason to Smile, Sample 3

Want another Reason to Smile?
Here it is!

I've used the Bitty Banners stamp set and coordinating framelits again, along with the scallop square punch and another new embossing folder.
The colors are summer starfruit and midnight muse.
Remember, you can only get this stamp set during July.  If you order $50. or more, the price of the stamp set is just $5.00!

Reason to Smile, Sample 1

Remember my post about the Reason to Smile stamp set promotion?
I promised you some samples, using this set.
Here is my first sample:

I will have a similar version of this card for my Friday 3-4-5 Card Buffet this Friday, July 13.  Be sure to register early to save your spot.
I used soft suede, summer starfruit and midnight muse for this cute little card, along with the Bitty Banners framelits and coordinating Bitty Banners stamp set.