Build a Blossom

I have two similar cards for you today, both of which use the Build a Blossom stamp set and Blossom Petals Punch.    The card on the left uses a stamp from Itty Bitty Bits for the background.  I also inked the edge of the layer with Bashful Blue before adhering it to the card base.  On the right is a one layer card and it uses the Fast Flower Wheel.  So, both have a small flower background, but each is done a different way.

Also, on the Bashful Blue card I stamped the Build a Blossom flower petals and leaves on Whisper White.  On the Melon Mambo card I used the same color ink and card stock for the petals and leaves.  Two different looks, both great.  That's what's so fun about this stamp set and punch -- you can get so many different looks.  Just because I was curious, I stamped the Melon Mambo petals on textured cardstock.

 

I still have room in the Build a Blossom classes I'm offering next week on Tuesday night (3/29) and Wednesday morning (3/30). 

See Classes for details on this and other class offerings.

Easter Treats

Here are two fun Easter treats that would be great for an Easter basket or to give to teachers or someone else special.  The orange one holds a mini candy bar.  The one on the right is called a sour cream container.  Just to give you an idea of the size, there are 6 chocolate kisses inside it.

We will be making these two treats in the Easter class on Saturday (some color choice will be available for the sour cream container).

Punch Bunch Baby Card

This card uses the Stampin' Up set Punch Bunch, which you can get for FREE until March 31 with a $50 order.  It's a great set with five different stamps, three of which I've used in posted cards (I've used the others -- maybe you'll see those posted, too).

The other stamp is from Congrats, a Sale-a-bration set from a couple of years ago (so I got it for FREE, too).  I have a few extra sets available if you'd like to own one.  Contact me to get Congrats (you can get it for free if you host a qualifying party) or to place an order so you can get Punch Bunch for free.  I'd love to help  you out with your stamping needs.

Things I Love with Glimmer Brads

Today's card uses a glimmer brad in place of the "o" in love to add a little pizzazz.  It fits perfectly.  The darker part on the "l" is only a shadow -- it's not as obvious in person.

After reading the things I love, you open the card and it says, "but most of all,...YOU."  What a nice sentiment to send to a loved one.



Things I Love with Game Spinner Hands

The new game spinner hands are so much fun (and they're only $3.95 for 12 of them)!  I like the stamps that coordinate with them, but I wanted to try something different.  So I paired them with the Stampin' Up set Things I Love.  I've been using this set a lot lately.  I'll post another card using it tomorrow.

Because I wanted four options for the spinner to land on, I used the set Morning Cup to get the fourth choice.  I do love coffee, but I chose it because the size was about right.  I used the Signo white gel pen to make the divider lines.

Then when you open the card, it says:

You could use that stamp on the front for the fourth choice, but since it's "most of all" I liked it in the inside.

Hope you have a wonderful day!  Thanks for checking out my blog.

Punch Bunch - For You Flower

Here's another card using the Sale-a-Bration set Punch Bunch.  This set is only available through the end of this month and only with a $50 (before shipping and tax) order -- but then it's FREE!

Punch Bunch Birthday

My first ever Mystery Hostess Party went really well.  Everyone had a lot of fun.  I did a demonstration using the Baskets and Blooms die for the Big Shot, then everyone made a birthday card using the Sale-a-Bration stamp set Punch Bunch.  On top of that, everyone got a prize and one person won a second prize!

Here's the card we made:

Edit 4/5/11.  The card with the rhinestones is the one we made at my event.  For some reason I originally posted my first card, which I decided needed jazzed up a little (hence the addition of the rhinestones).  I've left the original card in this post because the colors in the photo are closer to real life (but still kinda off -- that background is real red) and also so that you can see how much something simple like the addition of a few rhinestones really adds to the impact of a card.



Keep checking my Classes page because I plan to do this again.  Maybe you can join us.

A Flower For All Seasons -- from the Spring Card Class

We had a lot of fun at the Spring Card class this morning.  This is one of the cards we made, using the Stampin' Up set A Flower For All Seasons.  You can get this set for free now through March 31, 2011 with a $50 order (before shipping and tax).

It's too late for this class, but I'm having a Mystery Hostess Party on Saturday morning (3/12) and a Build a Blossom class on 3/24.  I'd love to have you join us.  See the Classes page for details, then contact me to RSVP.

For a variation, some of the ladies this morning tied a half knot in the ribbon before adhering to the card.  It gave the card a little more visual interest and depth.  I did not want the extra bulk on my card because I plan to mail it with other stuff in the envelope and I didn't want it to get too fat.  So I just left my ribbon flat, which I also think is cute.  That's another great thing about homemade cards -- you can make them how you want them!

Wondering what else we did this morning?  I posted both of those cards previously -- a bendy fold card and a St. Patrick's Day card.

Have a blessed day!  Sue

Build a Blossom smaller flowers

Here's an example of yet another flower that you can make with the Stampin' Up stamp set Build a Blossom and the coordinating Blossom Petals Punch.

I didn't have any wide Daffodil Delight ribbon on hand, so I substituted this retired ribbon.  If I had stamped the flower petals on an in color I could have used the 1/2" stitched poly ribbon (which I have in all the in colors).  Guess there's a lesson there in planning out your card before you begin stamping :)

I can tell I'm going to have to make this card again in different colors because I'm imagining how cute it would be using the in colors.  In the meantime, you can enjoy this card and CASE it using 5/8" grosgrain ribbon.  Or, try your own color combination.  If you do, I'd love to see your results.

Easter Blossoms Card Kit

Card Kit of the Month – March 2011

Featured Set: “Easter Blossoms”
 Featured Accessory: Vintage Flower Adornments

Card Kits are the Stamping Classes that come right to your door! You’ll receive the supplies to create SIX of EACH design shown here – that means all of the consumable supplies that you need to create 12 cards total. You will also receive 2 additional full color photographs of “alternative” cards that you can make with the combined contents of the kit! In addition, you’ll receive detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to complete each of the 4 designs. This month’s card kit items are listed below, and the price of the Card Kit is just $20 – that’s less than $1.70 per card!!

Card Kit Order Deadline is March 15th. You will receive your kits at the end of the month.

Special Offer for March! Purchase the Card Kit and receive the featured stamp set “Easter Blossoms” and the Featured Accessory “Vintage Flower Adornments” at 20% off!

The Card Kit ($20) Includes:

* Cut Cardstock Pieces
* Cut Seam Binding Pieces
* 12 – Die Cut Ovals
*12 – Very Vanilla Medium Envelopes
* Step by Step Instructions to complete 4 different card designs using the kit pieces

Add-on Products:

* Baja Breeze Classic Ink ($5.95)
* Early Espresso Classic Ink ($5.95)
*Rose Red Classic Ink ($5.95)
* Stamping Sponge ($3.50)
* Easter Blossoms Stamp Set: Wood - ($25.95) $20.76 Clear - ($1895) $15.16 with the purchase of the Card Kit.
* Vintage Flower Adornments ($5.95) $4.76 with the purchase of the Card Kit.

Other Optional Purchases:

* Stampin’ Dimensionals ($3.95)
* SNAIL Adhesive ($6.95)
* Bone Folder ($6.95)
* Paper Snips ($9.95)
* Mini Glue Dots ($4.95)

Please Note: I am glad to ship kits directly to you! There is a $3.50 shipping charge.

Contact me today to order your Card Kit Today!

Sue Root, stampin_sue@nc.rr.com

More Build a Blossom

Man, I love the Build a Blossom stamp set.  You can make so many different types of flowers with it.  Look for more posts containing this set and the coordinating Blossom Petals Punch.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Sue Root, Independent Stampin' Up Demonstrator

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

St. Patrick's Day Card

This is one of the cards we will make in the Spring Class on Thursday.  There is still time to register -- either through the e-mail address in the header or by leaving a comment on this post.  We'll also be making a bendy card.  Have you seen those yet?  Very cool.  My next post will show you one.

This card uses Whisper White and Garden Green.  I used the heart to heart punch to make the four leaf clover.  The center is from Build a Blossom.  The phrases are from Teeny Tiny Wishes and Define Your Life (which is full of fun, useful definitions -- great for cards, scrapbooking, inspirational journals...you name it).

I got the inspiration for this card on Stampin' Connection, a website full of ideas and more, that is open only to demonstrators.  Sale-a-bration is a great time to join Stampin' Up.  Contact me today to join!

(The talented demonstrator who shared the original card is Marsha Brooks.  I didn't copy hers exactly, but the layout is the same.)

Build a Blossom -- Love it!

Wow!  I so love the Stampin' Up set Build a Blossom.  It's great on its own, but pair it with the Blossom Petals Punch and the results are fantastic!

The first time I sat down to make a card with this set I was hooked.  That card is long gone (to my aunt), but this one is similar.  The flower, which uses the biggest blossom, really has an impact.  I can't even tell you how many different cards I've made with this flower and no matter what color I use for the flower it turns out great.

And this is just a one layer flower.  You can have multiple layers, using the same petal again or using a different shaped petal.  I'll show you some of those another time.

Believe it or not, the background on this card is Daffodil Delight Patterns Designer Series Paper.  Somewhere between my photophraphy and photo editing the colors became a little muted.  The flower is Perfect Plum and the leaves are Garden Green.  It's all on a Whisper White base.  The colors make a very cheerful combination in person.

There are 12 stamps in the Build a Blossom set. The Blossom Petals Punch punches four sizes of leaves/petals -- either all at once or feed in a smaller piece of cardstock to punch what you need. You can mix and match the stamps and punch parts to make a variety of flowers and leaves.

Both of these items are in the Occasions mini catalogue, so be sure to get them before they're gone.  You can order yours by contacting me at the e-mail address in the header or by leaving a comment on this post.

Did you notice the watermark on my card?  I used My Digital Studio to create it.  It was really easy to make.

Guess that's it for today.  Thanks for stopping by.  Be sure to leave a comment letting me know what you think about the Build a Blossom set and Blossom Petals Punch.

Sue Root, Independent Stampin' Up demonstrator

In Wilderness Wolf

I really like using Not Quite Navy with the Stampin' Up set In Wilderness.  This time I used the wolf to make a clean and simple, masculine, thank you card.

I used punches and the Circles #2 die (the Not Quite Navy circle under the wolf) to layer the elements.

In Wilderness Eagle

A clean and simple card is often the way to go when making cards for men.  This card using the eagle from the Stampin' Up set In Wilderness is just that -- no frills, just a nice, simple, masculine card.

The base is Naturals White and the strip down the side is Not Quite Navy.  Inks are Soft Suede and Not Quite Navy.



You can never have too much chocolate...

Here's another card using the Stampin' Up set Eat Chocolate.

See my last post for a discussion of the designer series paper I used.  The same holds true for this card.  I like the card, but will like it even more when I can replace the lighter brown dsp with my new Chocolate Chip Patterns dsp.  It's such a richer color for chocolate -- as you can tell by the top of the card, which is stamped in and layered on Chocolate Chip.



More Chocolate!

Today's card uses the Stampin' Up set Eat Chocolate.  The designer series paper is retired, but you can order the patterns paper stack in neutrals and get an even better brown for chocolate -- Chocolate Chip, Early Espresso (for dark chocolate) and maybe even Soft Suede would work.  Those colors, plus the rest of the neutrals family, come in the patterns paper stack.  I can't wait for mine to get here because I'm sure the new, darker browns will look much richer than this lighter brown.

I used Naturals White and Real Red card stock.  Again, while I like this card, I think the red will look even better with the darker designer series paper.  I also added three Real Red brads along the lower left side to give the card a little more interest.

Hope you have a great weekend!



In Wilderness

Here are two cards using the bison from In Wilderness.  The base for both is Crumb Cake.

In the top card, the layers are Chocolate Chip and Bravo Burgandy, with the bison stamped on Crumb Cake.  I ripped around the edges to give it a natural look.  Ink color is Chocolate Chip.

In the bottom card, the layer is Bravo Burgandy and the bison is stamped on Crumb Cake.  The ribbon is Night of Navy, though it looks a little brighter in this picture.

Hope you enjoyed today's post.  Thanks for stopping by my blog.  I'll be posting more samples with this set and also with Eat Chocolate over the next several days, so be sure to come back.

Sue Root, Independent Stampin' Up Demonstrator

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope all of you stampers have a Happy Valentine's Day!

This is one of my favorite Valentines that I made this year.  I ended up adding three little white half pearls vertically to the left of the tree.  It really bumped the card up a notch.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of it before it was sent.