Easter Treats - For Peeps' Sake

There's been a change to the TSSC: Mary Jo just announced that the Techno Stamper Sketch Challenge is no longer going to be weekly. She's noticed that people tend to participate every other week, so the new schedule will reflect that. Look for new TSSC posts the first and third Monday of each month. You can continue checking my blog each Monday because on the off weeks I'll post something else for you to enjoy.

A couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of helping host a North Carolina Stampin' Up! Demonstrator's quarterly meeting. One of the activities at these meetings is a shoebox swap. I made this project, which was designed by Marcia Enns. Isn't it adorable?

 

There's a Reese's candy egg tucked inside.

Supplies:

Stamp: For Peeps' Sake

Punches: Scallop Tag Topper Punch, Boho Blossoms (feet), scallop circle (cut in half for wings), circles (for eyes)

Big Shot: Fancy Fan embossing folder, Handpicked framelits

Tools: Fringe Scissors

Here's the back:

 

 For Peeps' Sake stamp set has a little row of eggs and they are stamped on the bottom as a finishing touch.

Beautiful Heart Card

In honor of the Hearts Collection Framelits Die Item # 125599 being on sale, I'm re-posting a favorite card of mine.  The embossing folder has retired, but you could probably substitute the Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder.  I'm sure there are good substitutes for the stamp and the ribbon, as well.  The other items are current.  See even more ideas with these framelits here.

Turkey Card - Tags 4 You

Isn't this Turkey Card just the cutest thing?  We'll be making it in the class next week and we'd love to have you join us.  Tues. 10/22 at 6:30pm and Wed. 10/23 at 10:00am  You can see full details about the class here.

The sentiment is from Tags 4 You.  I bought it in the bundle (clear - 133294, wood - 133293)  with the Label Bracket punch and saved 15%.  It was stamped with Pumpkin Pie ink.

The strip of cardstock under the turkey is Early Espresso Core'dinations that I sanded to look like dirt.  There are some packs of Core'dinations cardstock on the Clearance Rack, so be sure to check that out.  There are some great deals, but only available while supplies last.

The turkey was made with the Owl Punch, the Autumn Accents die, and the Boho Blossoms Punch.  Designer Series Paper (DSP) is from the Regals Paper Stack (the retired pack, but the current one also has polka dots).  Cardstock is Chocolate Chip, More Mustard (sadly, retired - but if you need some I can hook you up), Cajun Craze, Whisper White, and Basic Black.

Although I changed my card and even how I made the turkey, the original inspiration and directions came from Dawn Olchefske.  She said that she got the idea from Connie Plaumann.  Thanks, ladies!

Thank you for stopping by my blog.  Remember, you can make this card (and two others) in class next week.  Be sure to RSVP by Sunday night if you plan to come.

Happy Father's Day! (Punch Art)

Happy Father's Day to all of the wonderful fathers out there!

Here is a punch art Father's Day card that we did in my most recent club.  The ladies loved it!  Who doesn't know a man who works with at least the most basic of tools, like the wrenches in this card?

Basic Gray base.  Basic Black layer.  Real Red Top Note die cut run through Big Shot with Stripes Embossing Folder.  Sentiment from Delightful Dozen stamped in Black StazOn on Whisper White and layered on Basic Gray.  Three silver brads.

Wrenches:  Basic Gray  pieces (all sponged around edges):  Rectangle.  1 1/4" Circle Punch - use Word Window for cut out.  Punch smallest flower from Boho Blossoms and then punch 1" Circle around it.

This card was originally posted by Paula.  I saved the link (back when I found this in 2009), but it's no longer valid.  If this is your post and you have more information, I'd love to hear from you so I can do a better job giving you credit.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!  Sue

Boo Hoo Girl (Punch Art)

This card was made by my friend and customer, Nancy Baker, whose work I've shared before.  She made this for the birthday of a mutual friend.

 The face is the Ornament Punch (119847, retiring, 25% off).  The hair is the Scallop Oval Punch.  The mouth is a Circle Punch.  She used the Little Leaves Sizzlit, Boho Blossoms Punch and a punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack for the flower above the Happy Birthday Label (which is from the Bitty Banners Framelits). The medallion was made with a Scallop Punch (not sure which size) which was punched twice, with a smaller circle layered inside.  Not sure what else, though I believe several parts were hand cut.

Here's another card she made:

Some of the supplies I recognize:  a label from the Lots of Tags Sizzlits (retiring), a retired Embossing Folder, Butterfly Embosslits, Ticket Corner Punch (retired).  I'm sure the crocuses are made with some small piece from a punch, but I don't know which one.

Nancy often gets inspiration from other stampers, so it's possible these may resemble something you've made.  If so, please let us know by leaving a comment with a link to your work.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.  I hope you've enjoyed seeing my friend's cards.

Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 248

I am very excited to announce that I was invited to be on the Techno Stamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge Team.  I'm quite honored because Mary Jo Price-Williams saw my work and liked it enough to invite me.  The members of the team are listed at the bottom of this post.  They are a talented group of stampers.

Here's this week's sketch:

I was pretty literal with my card and followed the sketch closely.  The color combination reminded me of summer and 4th of July, which made me think of the fair and Ferris Wheels.  Here's what I came up with:

The stamps are from the Sale-A-Bration set Feeling Sentimental, which can be yours free with a $50 order.  Colors:  Midnight Muse and Raspberry Ripple. 

The sketch is merely a starting point to jog your creativity.  This week's sketch also inspired the next card.  It is not nearly as literal as the other.  I turned it on its side and replaced the two same colored layers with a ribbon at one end and flowers at the other.  The stamps are from Amazing Family, which is in the new Spring Catalog.

I love how one sketch can inspire so many different ideas.  Why don't you let the sketch inspire you?  Create a card using the sketch and link to it so we can all see your creation.  Never done this before and not sure how?  Just ask and I'll walk you through it.

Sketch Team Members:

Sue Root 
Nicole Tugrul
Robbie Rubala
Ellen LeFevre
Tanya Bell
Carolyn Bennett
Jonia Smith
Mary Brown
Mary Jo Price-Williams

Butterflies and Flowers

Here's a coordinating set I designed.  I think it's nice when you give a gift to coordinate the card with the packaging if possible.

 The candy wrapper die is an interesting way to package a small gift.  You could also fill it with candy and use it as a favor at a banquet or party.  Here is a close up of the candy wrapper.

 This is a 3 x 3 card.  Stampin' Up sells square envelopes to fit this size card.  They can't be mailed, but are great for hand delivering, packing in a lunchbox, leaving on a co-workers desk, or attaching to a gift.

Cardstock:  Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive

DSP:  First Edition

Punches:  Boho Blossoms,  Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack

Big Shot:  Candy Wrapper die, Butterfly embosslits

Bright Birthday Trifold Shutter Card

This is the trifold shutter card that we made in the Fancy Folds class yesterday morning and Tuesday evening.  I love trifold shutter cards!  It takes me a while to design them because there are so many panels and sometimes it's hard to find small enough stamps, but the assembly is easier than it looks and the end results are well worth the time.

The main image on the front consists of 4 stamps from the Make A Cake stamp set.  The center image is from Delightful Dozen and the other two are from the hostess set, Happy You.

The Big Shot was used to emboss the Daffodil Delight pieces with the Fancy Fan embossing folder and to cut the front image and its background layer with the Labels Collection Framelits.  The flowers were punched with the Boho Blossoms punch and the centers with one of the punches from the Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack.

A great thing about Stampin' Up's Designer Series Paper (DSP) is how the sheets in a package coordinate with each other.  Often they coordinate with stamps and embellishments, too.  Another great thing is that the catalog lists all of the colors in the DSP so it's easy to choose colors for a project.

This is a view of the card when it's closed:

If you are part of my stamp club, you got to take this class for FREE.  If not, you were able to attend by paying a class fee.  Everyone there had a great time and enjoyed all three projects we made.  Don't miss the next one -- either Thursday, July 19th at 6:30pm or Wednesday, July 25th at 10:00am.  See the Classes/Events page or contact me for more details.  We'd love to have you join us!

Delightful Dozen Mother's Day Card

One of the reasons I haven't posted in a while is because I was away on our annual Mother's Day trip that my mom, sister and I do.  It was our 7th one this year and every one has been great!

Here's the card I made for my mom for Mother's Day this year.  Even though the trip wasn't until June she did get the card on the right day.

I made the rosette using the Designer Rosette die.  The sentiment is from Delightful Dozen.  The background was embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.  The flower and leaves in the center of the rosette were made with the retired 5 Petal Flower punch.  The center of the flower was done with the Boho Blossoms punch, the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack and a designer pearl.

Thanks for reading my blog today.  Come back soon.  I'm not planning on such a long break until I post again.

Summer Smooches Butterfly Card

This card was made with items from the Summer Smooches promotion -- the Daffodil Delight Seam Binding and the Bright  Blossoms stamp set.  I also used Inspired By Nature for the grass, the Boho Blossoms punch for the Melon Mambo flowers, and my Crop-o-dile for the flower centers.

Medallion Rosette Card

I just love making these rosettes (sometimes called lollies)!!  You can make this card at my upcoming class on 3/24 or 3/28.  See details here.

Stamps:  Medallion background (115223), Three Little Words (113252)

Cardstock:  Always Artichoke (105119), Calypso Coral (122925), Marina Mist (119682), Whisper White (100730)

Designer Series Paper:  Paisley Petals (122367)

Classic Ink:  Calypso Coral (122939), Marina Mist (119668)

Accessories:  Twitterpated Designer Buttons (125579), Hemp Twine (100982), Boho Blossoms Punch (119858), 1" Circle Punch (119868), Simply Scored (122334)

I also used SNAIL adhesive (104332) to assemble the card, except as noted.  I used Stampin' Dimensionals (104430) to attach the rosette and a Mini Glue Dot (103683) to attach the button.

You can order all of these supplies through my online store.  I appreciate your business!

When ordering, please remember to double check that the item name matches what you are ordering.  I'm only human and even though I've double checked the numbers, it's very easy to transpose a number or accidently look at the wrong line :)



Fresh Vintage and Framelits Card

We will be making this card in my upcoming sponging class where you will learn different ways that sponging can add interest to your projects and also new ways to use your embossing folders.  I will offer the class twice - once on Wednesday, Feb. 8 and once on Saturday, Feb. 11.  See the Classes/Events page for more details.  Pick the day that works best for you and contact me to register.  Hope you can make it!

Christmas Wreath Card

This wreath was made using the retired Trio Flower Punch, but you could make it with the smallest flower on the Boho Blossoms Punch.  The bow is made with 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.

The card itself was cut with the Big Shot using the Magnetic Movers and Shapers die and the Movers and Shapers Punch Windows.  I love this combo because it allows me to get bigger shapes that coordinate with my punches.  I used the Modern Label Punch and the Word Window to get the layers that show through the opening in the card.  The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes, which I use tons.

As an added bonus, the piece that was cut from the card front can now be used to on another card layered under a piece punched with the Modern Label Punch.

Hope  you enjoyed today's card.  If you'd like any of the items used on today's card, they can be purchased from my Online Store.



Bendy Fold Card

As promised in my last post, here's my version of the bendy card.  This card is so much fun!  I have to thank my friend Corothy, who originally saw this card on the Internet and suggested that we make one in a class.  Speaking of which, due to participant illness the morning Spring Class has been rescheduled for next Thursday, March 10 at 10:00am.  E-mail me (address is in header) or comment on this post if you're able to come. 

The original instructions came from Emma Fewkes.  Go here to see her bendy card and in the upper right of the page you can click to get the tutorial:

http://ladynthestamp.blogspot.com/2011/01/bendy-fold-card.html

Thank you Emma for sharing the instructions to make this unique card! Emma also has some links to other blogs that have posted bendy cards. Patty Bombyck did one using Things I Love. That's a great little set. I'm currently working on a card with that set using the Game Spinner Hands. I'll post it when I'm done.

Now, on to my cards.  This first one is the one we will make in the Spring class next Thursday.  I just got Forest Friends for free (thanks to Sale-a-bration!) and thought it would be perfect for this type of card.  The flowers are from the hostess set Punch Potpourri, which I also got for free.  Host your own workshop (party) before the end of March and you, too, could get these sets for free! 

Here's a top view to give you a better idea of how the card works:

Here's the very first bendy card I made -- very cheerful and Spring-like with the bright colors, flowers and butterlies.

Here's a close up of the phrase on the front, which comes from Simply Said (as did the flowers on the back panel).  Sorry it's a little blurry (it's not on the card, just in my photo), but it says, "a friend is someone who makes it easy."  How true!

These cards will fit in a regular sized envelope -- just take the tabs out of the slots and lay flat.

Reminder: register for the Mystery Hostess party by March 5th to receive an extra ticket for the prize drawing. There will be lots of fun, prizes and stamping. Hope you can join us. Go to the Classes page for details on all of my upcoming events.

Send me photos of the bendy cards you create and I'll post them or add a link in the comments section so others can see your work and maybe get an idea they'd like to try.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!  Sue Root, Independent Stampin' Up Demonstrator

More Animal Crackers

Here's another card using Animal Crackers, which retires at the end of the month.  The Designer Series Paper is Close to Cocoa Prints.  It's retired, but if you want a pack I can get one for you.  It's great for more masculine or, in this case, Autumn looking cards.  This DSP was also used on the trifold shutter card using the retired set Backwoods (see tags).

This card also uses the Trio Flower Punch (retiring), Boho Blossoms punch, several oval punches and brads from Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware (love that stuff).