TSSC 365 - Flower Card

EDIT 6/16/15: For some reason my design team sample didn't make it on the TSSC blog with the others. I just went ahead and linked it the way you will when you play along. So if you look for it there, it's underneath with the challenge entries.

Here's my design team sample for this week's Techno Stamper Sketch Challenge. I used the faux suede technique on the flower.

Supplies:

Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper (DSP): In Color Envelope Paper (Watermelon Wonder)

Big Shot: Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder (retired)

Punch: 3/4" circle, Pansy Punch (on the weekly deals through tonight), and a punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack (retired)

Sorry about the retired items. You could use the Decorative Dots embossing folder instead of Perfect Polka Dots ef. There are a few options for the retired punch - 1/2" circle punch would be a little bigger, but still good; a Brights Designer Button; or if you used Delightful Dijon instead of Daffodil Delight, a 2015-2017 In Color Blossom Accent would look cute.

Here's this week's sketch. Use it to inspire you! I was pretty literal with it.

You can link your project and see the rest of the design team samples at the Techno Stamper Sketch Challenge site. Hope you'll play along this week!

Live Well, Laugh Hard, Love Big

This stamp - Live Well, Laugh Hard, Love Big - is the main reason I bought the set, Oh My Goodies. It's a great set and I like all the stamps, but this one is my favorite.

This set coordinates with the Deco Labels Framelits. And even better - you can get the stamps and framelits for FREE this month! Yes, free!! Buy a Big Shot and this is one of the bundles that you can select for free. Already have a Big Shot? During August, these bundles are available at a 15% savings. After August, the stamps and framelits will still be available, but not as a bundle. So why not get them now and save?

You can see all of the available bundles here. No limit! Hostess code is KS9R42T2.

Golden Oldies 50th Birthday Card

A good friend of mine turned the big 5-0 recently and I made her this card. The colors actually turned out a little different than I planned based on the supplies I found when I went to make the card. Does that ever happen to you? Please tell me I'm not the only one!

 I knew I wanted to use Golden Oldies. It might be retired, but it's perfect for these milestone birthdays. And I wanted the lady wearing purple, with a red hat, based on the poem "Warning" by Jenny Joseph. But when I went to find Designer Series Paper (DSP) with numbers, this was all I could find. I thought I had some number DSP with purple in it, but guess not. I thought it was cute to have the old lady saying, "You're how old?" It's from the stamp set, Just Sayin', and was cut with the Word Bubbles Framelits. The 50 was punched out of the DSP with a circle punch and layered on another circle.

Here's a photo of the inside, which says, "We're too young to look this old!" (from Golden Oldies). Then, I used the stamp, "Live, Laugh & Love. Happy Birthday" from On Your Birthday.

I entered this card in the Late Night Stampers Challenge 250. The theme is Celebrations. I'd say a 50th birthday is definitely a celebration!

Here's the poem "Warning" by Jenny Joseph, in case you aren't familiar with it.

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.

You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.

But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

Peek-a-Boo Card - Something for Baby

I belong to the Stamper's X-press group, which has its own blog. When I saw Kelly Gettelfinger's post about a Peek-a-Boo card, I went upstairs and made one right then. Because we share demo info, the blog is only available to demonstrators. But good news! If you join my team, you can be part of my group and several other groups. Plus, you'll have access to the Stamper's X-press blog.

From today, through 6/30, you can join Stampin' Up! for only $50. With that, you get so much!

• $55 US worth of products
• A 30 percent discount on your first order*
• A 20 percent discount on all your orders
• Free Paper Pumpkin Kit
• Free entrance to our annual Convention* (must be registered by the 20^th of June)
• Before June 2, 2014, you may also choose preorder items from the new annual catalog. See the US lists. (Note: currently this is the only way to get the awesome new Blendabilities markers!)
  
  Create friendships that will last forever and enjoy the benefits of fun, friends, and creativity—become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator today.
   *Certain restrictions apply; see your demonstrator for details.
  
  So what are you waiting for? Head over here and join my team today!
  
  
  Peek-a-Boo Card:
  
  
  
   This is the Peek-a-Boo card I made. I used sneak peek items Something for Baby stamp set and Baby's First framelits, which I got as a bundle.
  
  
  I also used some retiring items: Peekaboo Frames Die (25% off), Tasteful Trim Die (25% off), Cuddles and Kisses stamp set (40%0ff), Afternoon Picnic Designer Series Paper (DSP), and 3/16" Corner Punch (25% off)
  
  
  Current items: Petite Pairs stamp set, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Circle Punches: 1/2", 3/4", and 1 1/4"
  
  
  No longer available: Wisteria Wonder Baker's Twine
  When you pull the tag/Baker's Twine, it pulls over and opens up to reveal the hidden messages (hence the name Peek-a-Boo).
  
   This gives another view.
  
   Here's how I finished the inside:
  
  I don't know how many times I've thought, I can't believe Stampin' Up! is getting rid of that! This is true of several items on today's card. I'm glad I've got everything off the retired list that I want, but it's too bad I can't use the items in classes anymore. This would be a great card to show my stampers!
  
  
  On the bright side, I'm excited about all the new products! Less than a week until the new catalog goes live!!

Golf Spinner Card

I have to say, I absolutely love the projects we'll be making in class on Tuesday (5/27). I've CASEd two of them, so it's not like I'm bragging too much. ;) I did put my own spin on them, though.

I got this idea from Lynn Starzl, another Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. It's a circle spinner card. I haven't made one of these in years. It was fun to do again. And with Father's Day coming up, this was the perfect card. Speaking of perfect, I have a retired set with a stamp that says, "Hope your day is par-fect". Figured it would be "par-fect" for the inside of the card.

The golf ball spins around the hole. How cute is that? If you check out Lynn's card, you can see how I changed it. I put the grass and tee at the bottom and put a flag in the hole.

As you can see in this picture, the golf ball even has dimples. They were made with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder. I just used the debossed side.

Supplies:

Stamps: Project Life Day to Day

Cardstock: Lucky Limeade, Naturals Ivory, Smoky Slate, Whisper White

Ink: Early Espresso

Big Shot: Circles Framelits, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Woodgrain Embossing Folder (on tee)

Tools: Fringe Scissors, Petite Pennants Builder (flag - cut end off), 1 3/8” Circle Punch (golf ball), Build a Blossom (for tee), Sponge Daubers (to darken/shadow inside of hole)

Thanks for stopping by my blog. If you try one of these, put a link in my comments. I'd love to see it!

Not a stamper or not enough time? I will make this card for you to give to a golfer in your life for $5 (includes high quality Stampin' Up! envelope).  Contact me for details.

Also, there's still room in Tuesday's class – 1:00pm or 6:30pm. The other projects are another masculine card and a gift card wallet. See details here. Let me know by 5:00pm Monday if you'd like to come.

You're Lovely Cards

I had just gotten the Deco Labels Framelits when my Sale-a-Bration (SAB) brochure arrived, so I was excited when I saw this set. I love getting stamps that coordinate with my framelits!

There are several SAB items on these cards: You're Lovely stamp set, Sweet Sorbet Designer Series Paper (DSP), and Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack. I used the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder because when I made these cards I didn't have my Decorative Dots embossing folder yet.

I used different cardstock and ink colors, but the other products are the same and look how different the cards are.

Sale-a-Bration ends March 31. Until then, you can choose a FREE SAB item with each $50 purchase. Head to my Online Store to start earning your free items. Please use hostess code RJVQKPKM when you place your order.

Punch Art Rattle

I think the hand prints and footprints in the Stampin' Up! set, Baby Prints, are so adorable! For this card I made a punch art rattle to go with the hand prints.

The rattle is just made with circle punches and a rectangle strip. I used the Big Shot to emboss the largest circle (top of the rattle) with the  Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. Then I punched a strip of Whisper White card stock with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch to decorate the rattle. To make the bottom of the handle, punch the smaller circle first and then center the bigger punch around the hole left by the first punch.

The sentiment, "welcome baby," is from Petite Pairs. I used the coordinating stamp, "so glad you're here," on the inside of the card.

I entered this card in the Late Nite Stampers Challenge.  The current theme is Punch Art.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.  Hope you're having a great weekend!

Delicate Doilies and Simply Pressed Clay - A Winning Combo

Delicate Doilies Sizzlit and Simply Pressed Clay are both on the Weekly Deals list this week, so I made a couple of cards showcasing both products.

Here is a close-up of the button.  I colored it with my Daffodil Delight Stampin' Write Marker.  I love that you can make the Simply Pressed Clay items any color you want.

Supplies:

Cardstock:  Island Indigo, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight

Stampin' Write Marker:  Daffodil Delight

Accessories:  Gingham Garden Washi Tape, Simply Pressed Clay (with Buttons and Blossoms Mold), 7/8" Scallop Punch, White Baker's Twine

Big Shot:  Delicate Doilies Sizzlit

Here's the other card I made:

Here's a close-up of the flower, which I colored with my Crushed Curry Stampin' Write Marker.  I love the details in the flower.  This is the largest of the three that come in the mold.

 Supplies:

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Cardstock:  Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry

Classic Ink:  Melon Mambo

Stampin' Write Marker:  Crushed Curry

Accessories:  Simply Pressed Clay (with Buttons and Blossoms Mold), Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Crushed Curry Polka Dot Ribbon (retired)

Big Shot:  Delicate Doilies Sizzlit, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

I hope you've gotten an idea why I love these products so much.  A few other cool facts about the Simply Pressed Clay:

* There are lots of ways to color the clay items.  You get a different look with different methods.
* You don't just have to use them in the molds, although the molds are my favorite (so far).
* They are very light.

You can see another card I made using the Simply Pressed Clay that demonstrate the first two points.

You can these and any of the Weekly Deals by Ordering Online.  Please use hostess code: HEANKVVG*.  Remember, to get the sale price you must order by Monday, Feb. 10 (which is also when the My Paper Pumpkin Promotion ends).

*By using the hostess code you become eligible to share hostess benefits if the group order gets large enough.  I will contact you with your amount after the order closes.  It's my way of saying thanks for choosing me as your demonstrator.  If your order is over $150, don't use the hostess code.  Instead, collect your free hostess gifts right away.

I also entered the top card in the Late Night Stampers Challenge.

TSSC258 And LNS 218 - Amazing Family

Here's my card for this week's Techno Stamper Sketch Challenge and Late Night Stampers Challenge:

 

I guess I'm in a Floral Frames Framelits mood.  I didn't even think about/remember that I used them for last week's TSSChallenge.  But, as I started putting this card together, they just seemed right for it.  I started with no ideas - except the colors (for LNS) and the sketch (for TSSC).  Then I just started adding elements.  I am pretty sure I never would have come up with this card on my own, which as I've said before, is the fun of challenges.

 Edit 4/9/13 - If you are wondering about the stamp, I used Stampin' Write markers to color the words.  The stamp itself, which is from Amazing Family, says YOU'RE SUCH AN AMAZING.  The set has several stamps with family words - Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, and Friend - which you can put after the Amazing stamp (so you get YOU'RE SUCH AN AMAZING MOTHER).  But by using the markers I could just color the two words and get YOU'RE AMAZING.

The Late Night Stampers Challenge this week is a color challenge.  Use Summer Starfruit, Raspberry Ripple, and Old Olive on a project.

Here's the sketch for the Techno Stamper (aka Monday Lunchtime) Sketch Challenge:

You might have seen the challenges and had an idea -- or two, because they are separate challenges.  You don't have to incorporate both into one project.  But, if you're like I was and draw a blank, don't let that stop you from playing along.  Just start designing with the colors and/or the sketch in mind.  You never know what you might come up with!

You can see the other design team samples and link your entries at the following locations.  I'm looking forward to seeing what you make.

Late Night Stampers Challenge 218

Techno Stamper Sketch Challenge 258

Recipe:

Stamps:  Amazing Family

Big Shot:  Floral Frames Framelits, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Square Lattice Embossing Folder

Card stock:  Summer Starfruit, Raspberry Ripple, Old Olive, Whisper White

Ink:  Raspberry Ripple, Old Olive

Accessories:  Brights Buttons, White Baker's Twine

LNS Challenge (3-D Carrot Treat Holder)

This week's Late Night Stampers Challenge is to make a 3-D object.  My submission is a carrot treat holder made with the Petal Cone Die.

Here it is empty:

 And here it is with some candy tucked into it:

While the idea of a challenge is to create a new item so that you "challenge" yourself to try something different, this project was actually made a little while ago.  I knew 3-D items would be an upcoming theme (a benefit of being a guest designer) so I went ahead and created it early so my club could make it in time for Easter.  Some of the stampers (me included) are planning to make these as table favors for Easter dinner.

To make, use the Big Shot to cut one Petal Cone in Tangerine Tango.  Run it through the Big Shot in the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder.  I actually ran it through twice so that the polka dots were still sticking up when I folded down the round flap at the top, but this is not necessary if you don't mind the dots at the top being debossed (dipping in rather than poking up).  Assemble the Petal Cone die cut (fold over and use Sticky Strip to adhere flap to back).  Fold front semi-circle down and tack with adhesive.  Leave back semi-circle up.  Cut a Lucky Limeade scallop semi-circle from the Petal Cone die.  Run it through the Big Shot with the Vine Street Embossing Folder to make it look leafy like a carrot top.  Attach the scallop sem-circle to the Petal Cone carrot as shown.

Stamp the polka dot image from Four Frames onto Whisper White cardstock.  Punch out with the Decorative Label Punch.  Use the Happy Easter stamp from Teeny Tiny Wishes to add the sentiment and then add three Basic Rhinestones under it.  Attach punched piece to carrot.  Add desired treat and you're done.

Supplies used:

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes, Four Frames
Big Shot:  Petal Cone Die, Vine Street Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder
Punch:  Decorative Label Punch
Embellishments:  Basic Rhinestones
Cardstock:  Tangerine Tango, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White
Ink:  Tangerine Tango, Lucky Limeade

Thanks for stopping by my blog.  Don't forget to check out the rest of the design team samples here.  Then, create your own 3-D item and link it to the challenge.

Edit 4/2/13:  I am excited to announce that my project was featured on Blog Finds of the Day by Kelly Mayou.  This is a wonderful resource for finding some great ideas.  You can check out her blog here:  http://blogfindsoftheday.blogspot.com/

Double Challenge (Madison Avenue)

This week I doubled up on my design team challenges - a challenge in itself.  I incorporated both challenges in one card.

The Late Night Stampers Challenge is:

Still Sale-A-Brating!  By now you should have at least one SAB freebie, lets see what you can do with it!  My card has three Sale-a-Bration items on it.

And here is this week's sketch from the Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge (aka Technostamper Sketch Challenge - TSSC250):

Here's my card for this week:

The Sale-a-Bration items are:  Vine Street embossing folder, Sycamore Street buttons and the Madison Avenue stamp set.

Colors are:  Lucky Limeade, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, and Whisper White

I tied Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine in the the button.

And just for kicks, I took my card and changed it up a bit.   This one has a little different color scheme and the Pool Party strip is embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.

 I really changed the colors around on this card.  I left the polka dots and added some Pool Party Sycamore Street ribbon.  Instead of using Baker's Twine on the Sycamore Street button, I used the circle punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack for the center.

This card doesn't follow the sketch, but it was inspired by it and by the cards I'd already made.  As I've said before, that's one of the things I enjoy about sketch challenges.  They spark my creativity and I never know what I'll end up making.  I was going for a single layer card.

 So now that you've seen my card for this week's challenges, why not go check out the samples from the other design team members and create your own card(s) to enter?

Vintage Verses Shoe Box Swap Card

This morning at our team meeting, we had a shoe box swap.   Here's my card.  It has three different items that you can get for free during Sale-a-Bration (one free item per $50 purchase).

These team meetings are lots of fun because it gives us a chance to get together as demonstrators and talk business, do some stamping, and get to know each other better.  I'd love to have you join my team and you, too, could be a part of this wonderful group of stampers.  During Sale-a-Bration you can get an extra 25% of merchandise with your starter kit.  That's $156.50 worth of great Stampin' Up products for only $99!  Stampin' Up offers lots of resources to help you get your business started and I'll be available for that personal touch.  See more details and join here or contact me for more information.

Stamp:  Vintage Verses (SAB)

Card stock:  Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Whisper White

Ink:  Tangerine Tango

Accessories:  Vine Street Embossing Folder (SAB), Blossom Punch, Blossom Petals Punch, Sycamore Street buttons (SAB), Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine, Big Shot

Edit 2/10/13 - I was scanning through my blog and noticed that this card is pretty much a CASE of a previous card.  I really liked this card and thought about using it for the swap, but I wanted to use some Sale-a-Bration items.  Apparently I like the layout so much that I came up with twice, lol.

You Are Loved Party Card

My friend Karen had a party yesterday and we made this Valentine.  We had lots fun and I was able to see friends I hadn't seen in a while and meet some new people, as well.

Sale-a-bration has started, with extra gifts for hostesses!  Why not schedule a party and get your friends together for some fun?  Contact me today to reserve your spot.

This card was made with the stamp set, You Are Loved.   The background was embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder and my Big Shot.  The hearts were punched with the Heart Punch.  The hearts are paper pierced, which I made an optional step at the party.  Some chose to try it and others didn't.  Some of the stampers just did one heart as an accent.  They all turned out cute.

The Essentials Paper Piercing Pack is one of the items you can get for free with a $50 purchase during Sale-a-bration.

Valentine's Banner

Don't you love how sometimes a mistake turns into something you love?  I've seen lots of banners that people have made and have thought about getting the pennant die, but I wondered how much I'd really use it.  Well, the other day when I went to make the Hanging Heart (that I posted here), I forgot that when you use a die with score lines you need to only cut one at a time.  I cut 4 and was left with two petal cones that were falling apart.  That's when it hit me that I could use the separate triangle pieces for a banner.  Here's the result: 

Big hearts were cut with the Hearts Framelits.  Letters were punched with the Heart Punch and framed with a heart from the retired Movers and Shapers (some parts of which are still on the Clearance Rack).

 Close up of the heart on the left.  It was stamped with the You Are Loved Stamp Set.

 Close up of the heart on the right.  The arrow is from the retired Game Spinner Hands, which are still available on Clearance Rack.  The smallest heart was punched with the Heart to Heart punch and the Chocolate Chip one behind it was cut out with my Paper Snips. 

Close up of an individual letter.   The letters were stamped with the Morning Post Alphabet stamp set.  The Designer Series Paper is First Edition.  The brads are retired (but you guessed it - still on the Clearance Rack).  The pennant piece was embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.

 

I was very excited about how the whole banner came together.  I hope you've enjoyed it.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.

Valentine's Card

We'll be making this Valentine in the classes next week.  Hope you can join us!

Stamps:You Are Loved

Big Shot:  Hearts Framelits, Fancy Fan embossing folder, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

Card Stock: Basic Gray, Raspberry Ripple,  Whisper White, Sahara Sand

DSP: Patterns Pack - In Colors

Embellishment:  Raspberry Ripple Ribbon

Ink:  Raspberry Ripple

May Team Meeting

Once again, we had a wonderful time at our team meeting!  It was held Sunday at the home of my upline, Frances Wagner.  Thanks Frances for providing a wonderful lunch and Deb Dodd for the delicious dessert!!

Here is the make and take we did.  Frances designed it using the new stamp set Everything Eleanor.  The sentiment is from Pursuit of Happiness.  I love how she also used the Tasteful Trims die and Baker's Twine, two of my favorites.

Here are the swap cards.  The first one is a double punch card from Karel Standish.  Isn't this just the coolest idea?  Karel has instructions on her blog.

This card was made by Debbie Green.  Looks like Mixed Bunch and the Blossom Punch were popular for this swap!  Of course, I think they are popular with everyone!!  The sentiment is from Elementary Elegance, which was one of this year's Sale-a-bration stamps.  With everything that's retiring, I'm glad to see this ribbon is staying!

 This card was made by Deb Dodd.  She used the Bright Blossoms stamp set.  If you missed it during the Sneak Peak, you can get it when the new catalog begins on June 1st.  I just love the angled card stock layers.  Expect to see that soon on one of my cards.

 I showed some of the cards I've made with fabric and the keychain we made at my last class.  I hoped this would give everyone some ideas.  I also demonstrated the rock and roll technique.  I'll post more on that a different day.

Frances had door prizes and I won supplies (foam board and a decor element -- that's all that's needed) to make a chalkboard like the one below.  Thanks, Frances!  This decor element was from S-A-B, but there are lots more available (both chalkboard style and regular) but only until May 31 (sadly they are being retired).  There are even chalkboard sheets that you can cut with your Big Shot!  How fun to use them to make labels (just like in a recent article in Martha Stewart's magazine -- except you could cut yours in cute shapes, like the Top Note or a scallop).

Oops, I just realized that the watermark on the board should have had Frances's name since she made it.  Guess I was distracted because I thought it was clever to put the watermark on the board in white like it was written in chalk.  Sorry about that!

Want to come to great meetings like this and have fun, share ideas, and stamp?  Join my team and you can!  Not to mention all the other great benefits!  Stampin' Up has introduced a new $99 starter kit.  Check it out here and then sign up to take advantage of this fantastic offer.  I'd love to have you on my team!