Encre, papier, ciseaux

My Silly Valentine Basket

Since the Berry Basket Bigz L Die was not available during the preorder of the Occasions Catalogue, I thought I would simply pass up on it altogether, but honestly, after seeing all of the great projects made with it online, I caved and bought the die for myself. It's so adorable! And roomy enough to actually house stuff.

Aside from being roomy, this basket is also really easy and quick to put together. Before assembling mine, I stamped the sides and handle with the chevron and line images from the Work of Art stamp set. The lining and border were created with papers from the Stacked With Love Designer Series Paper Pack. I used staples to assemble my basket, but you could certainly use a strong adhesive instead if you'd rather have something that does not show. Black Designer Buttons were added to each side of the handle.

To embellish the front, I folded the paper doily from the Artisan Embellishment Kit in half and added pearls from the same kit on it. Since we don't carry black or grey glimmer paper, I created my own by coloring a piece of Silver glimmer paper with a Blendabilities marker. I also punched a small heart (using the Owl punch) out of the Silver glimmer paper as well.

The main image is a rose that comes from the Kisses & Smooches photopolymer stamp set. If you're trying to place this set, it's one of the sets that SU! released as part as the monthly photopolymer stamp set series, when they first introduced the photopolymer option. I stamped the rose in black ink, then I filled it out with Red Dazzling Details and let it dry. I stamped the "My Silly Valentine" sentiment on a scrap of White cardstock and handcut it to glue on top of the rose, then mounted all of those elements on the front of the basket.

The other side of the handle was decorated with the Perfect Bow Die.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Kisses & Smooches, Work of Art
Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper Pack: Stacked with Love
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black
Accessories: Stampin' Write Markers, Artisan Embellishments Pack,
Berry Basket Bigz L Die, Silver Glimmer Paper, Circle Punches, Red Dazzling Details,
Neutrals Designer Buttons, Perfect Bow Die, Stapler, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

Gift Tag Collection

One of my work colleagues had a special request for me: she wanted small tags she could tie to hostess gifts when she gave them out. I love making mini gift cards but rarely have any use for them, so I jumped on the chance to make some. I looked through my stash to put my paper scraps to good use. Most of the tags were made with some past Simply Scrappin' kits, which allowed me thanks to the matching cardstock, Designer Series papers and die-cuts to put together cute cards really fast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pure Bliss

The look of pure bliss on my niece's face in those pictures is cute to see. She obviously enjoyed riding on her grandpa's shoulders.

To match the fun vibe and the pink of her hat, I pulled out the Everyday Adventure Project Life Card Collection (retiring). I used various elements to embellish the cards:

• 2013-2015 In Color Sequins (top right) and the Day to Day Project Life stamp set to add the date
• Best Day Ever stamp set from Sale-a-Bration, inked with markers to get three colours on the sentiment (if you have that stamp set, it's perfect to use on scrapbook pages)
• The Heart Confetti Border punch on the title block, with one of the cards peeking from underneath
• The word "enjoy" was die-cut out of Silver Glimmer Paper using a die from the Mini Treat Bag Framelits dies set. The pink bow on the bottom left corner piece was also die-cut with the same dies and added to one of the cards, with a Black Sweet Dot on the bow. I recommend using the Transfer Adhesive Sheets on the back of your cardstock before die-cutting the bow, then it will be super easy to adhere in place with no fuss or mess.
• A Sweet Dreams Designer Button on the bottom middle panel
• A heart was die-cut out of Silver glimmer paper using the heart die from the Mini Treat Bag Framelits dies set (getting a lot of use out of that one, as you can see), then decked out with a Designer Button.

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Alphahearts, Best Day Ever, Au jour le jour (Day to Day) Project Life, Taffy Alphabet
Cardstock: Whisper White
Project Life Card Collection: Everyday Adventure
Ink: Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay
Accessories: Stampin' Write Markers, Sweet Dreams Buttons, Designer Buttons,
Silver Glimmer Paper, Transfer Adhesive Sheets, Mini Treat Bag Framelits Dies,
Strawberry Slush Ruffled Ribbon, Hearts Confetti Border Punch, 2013-2015 In Color Sequins,
Neutrals Sweet Dots, Nordic Designer Buttons, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

Gift Exchange

I hadn't had the chance to use the Hello December Project Life card collection that was offered as a add-on to the Holidays catalogue last December since it came out just before Christmas. I knew I'd put it to good use eventually once I got around to scrapbooking Holidays pictures. Those pics were taken a couple of years ago, back when I was still working in Quebec City. We had done a gift exchange before Christmas and the rule was that the gift had to start with the same letter as the recipient's name. Some people were quite clever with their gifts and we had a few good laughs!

A lot of the cute embellies and stickers you see on the page came from the Hello December embellishment pack. I think this was one of the best Project Life kit we've had so far and I hope to see more like this one over time.

Since the cards were sized 4 x 3" and I had 4 x 4" pockets on the protector sheet I chose to use, I cut the cards apart and glued them together to change the format. I also used parts on my pictures to add my journaling about each of them. I used the Rotary Alphabet Stamp to write the gifts.

 

TIP: I'll be honest - the rotary Alphabet stamp can be frustrating to use. With our foam pads, the ink get everywhere and it's hard to get a clean stamped image. Either you get ink where you don't want it or parts of the letters are missing. I only started liking this stamp after seeing a short clip from convention where they advised to ink your sentiment, then rotate the letters around your sentiment that are not being used to get clean ones in place before stamping. Afterwards, you go back and clean everything with a baby wipe. (Or the Stampin' Scrub, but this is one instance where the wipes might allow for a better cleaning.) Much, much better results!

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Alphabet Rotary Stamp, Skinny Mini Alphabet
Ink: Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Lost Lagoon
Accessories: Hello December Project Life Card Collection and Embellishment Pack,
Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, Stampin' Write Markers, Silver Ribbon

 

CASEing the New Catalogue: Duly Noted

Each year, I love studying the contents of the new catalogue, not only for the fun new stuff available, but also for the inspiration I can draw from the detailed samples found in it. Each year, I like copy at least one of the samples I like most. I will usually change the colour scheme or stamp set, but this time, I liked the sample and didn't really want to change it that much. The hearts became stars and dots so that the card could go to a friend, and the silver button became a gold one, to match the yellow tones. And the sentiment was switched to a French one.

I'm really happy that the Tap Tap Tap stamp set is staying around for another year.

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamp sets: Tap Tap Tap, Voeux mignons (Teeny Tiny Wishes), Gorgeous Grunge, Well-Worn Alphabet
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Crushed Curry, Whisper White, Lost Lagoon, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black, Lost Lagoon, Crumb Cake, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Gold Basic Metal Button, Baker's Twine, 2013-2015 In Color Sequins,
Crumb Cake Medium Envelope, Sweet Dreams Designer Washi Tape, Project Life Corner Rounder Punch,
Linen Thread

 

 

Just Sayin' Thanks

Some of the best inspiration still comes from the catalogue year after year. This card is copied integrally from one of the samples from the 2014-2015 Stampin' Up! Catalogue. I liked the fun and modern vibe it has and didn't want to change anything to it, so there it is! The only change? A French sentiment! 

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Remerciements (Lots of Thanks)
Cardstock: Smoky Slate, Basic Grey, Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Vellum
Ink: Crushed Curry
Accessories: Neutrals Sweet Dots, White Medium Envelope, Word Bubbles Framelits Dies,
Stampin' Dimensionals, Stacked With Love Designer Washi Tape, itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack,
Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, Arrows Embossing Folder

 

Stampin' Up!'s Retired List: Stippled Blossoms - Burlap Blooms

This is another project that was inspired by a card seen on Pinterest. The original card had a square piece of jute on the card and I thought I could replicate the look using the burlap ribbon, which I did on the first card.

On the second card, I thought I would try stamping a background square using a clear acrylic block inked with Baked Brown Sugar ink. I then masked the area surrounding the stamped block with Post-It Notes and overstamped the Dictionary background stamp over it. I really like how it turned out.

 

Retiring items used:

• Pistachio Pudding Ink
• Crisp Cantaloupe Ink
• Baked Brown Sugar Ink
• Stippled Blossoms Stamp Set
• Really Good Greetings Stamp Set
• Hi There Stamp Set

 

 

Colour Combo: Crisp Cantaloupe + Calypso Coral + Pistachio Pudding +
Lost Lagoon + Baked Brown Sugar

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Hey There, Souhaits instantanés (Really Good Greetings), Stippled Blossoms, Dictionary
Cardstock: Whisper White
Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral, Pistachio Pudding, Lost Lagoon, Baked Brown Sugar
Accessories: Burlap 1-1/4" Ribbon, Pearl Basic Jewels, Crumb Cake Medium Envelopes,
Clear Acrylic Block, Water Mister, Stampin' Dimensionals, Corner Rounder Punch

 

Stampin' Up!'s Sheltering Tree - You Warm My Heart

I was looking at projects on Pinterest and this design caught my eye. I switched some of the colours around, but the rest is a pretty integral take. It uses the beautiful Sheltering Tree stamp set (which I am happy to report is still available, if you want to get your own copy of it).

 

Retiring items featured:

• Crisp Cantaloup ink and thick baker's twine
• Pistachio Pudding ink

 

 

 

Colour Combo: Lost Lagoon + Pistachio Pudding + Calypso Coral +
Crisp Cantaloupe + Baked Brown Sugar

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Arbre protecteur) Sheltering Tree)
Cardstock: Whisper White
Ink: Pistachio Pudding, Lost Lagoon, Calypso Coral, Baked Brown Sugar
Accessories: Crisp Cantaloupe Thick Baker's Twine, Project Life Corner Rounder Punch,
White Medium Envelope

 

And Many Mower!

While the And Many Mower stamp set was out, I thought I'd make a card using the mower image as well. I had never really used that image and matching sentiment before since I didn't really have a use for English cards back when I was in Quebec City, but in Montreal, I have more of a use for them and can re-explore stamp sets accordingly.

The design was inspired by the Viva la Verve sketch #4 of May.

I used a 5/16-in brad, dipped it in VersaMark then Pewter Stampin' Emboss powder a few times to create a thick layer and embossing and then ran the tip of my paper piercer in the hot powder to create the screw. One of my favorite trick for masculine cards!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: And Many Mower
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Whisper White
Patterned Papers: Recherche maison ou appartement (Kesi'art)
Ink: Night of Navy, Tuxedo Black Memento
Accessories: 5/16-in. Brad, Stampin' Dimensionals, Key Tag Punch,
Scallop Squares Dies, Markers, Pewter Stampin' Emboss Powder, Paper Piercer,
Stamp-a-ma-jig, Ticket Corner Punch, White Medium Envelope

 

Par-fect Day

Still going on my masculine cards production. Using the Mojo Monday sketch #398, I pulled out the long retired And Many Mower stamp set, a set that always come to mind for masculine cards. I used my favorite image from the set, the golfer, and paired it with the matching sentiment: "Hope your day is par-fect!" The sentiment was embossed with Copper Stampin' Emboss powder. We have retired that colour many years ago, but I wish we still carried some, as I love the look of copper with autumn hues and shades of oranges. Oh, well - I'm enjoyed the rest of my jar while I can!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: And Many Mower
Cardstock: Midnight Muse, Whisper White
Patterned Papers: Cut and Paste (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, VersaMark, Soft Sky, Smoky Slate
Accessories: Buttons, Midnight Muse Satin Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, 2-1/2-in. Circle Punch,
Markers, Sponge, 1-1/4-in. Circle Punch, Copper Stampin' Emboss Powder,
White Medium Envelope

 

You're a Classic

I want to get some Father's Day cards ready, so I leafed through a Stamp It! Cards book and found a sample with cars embossed on a dark background. I thought I could reproduce the look with the Guy Greetings stamp set, so I drew inspiration from the ColourQ challenge #292 (minus the pink to keep it masculine) to create this card.

The sentiment comes from a retired sentiment set called Fêtes diverses. I realized that despite the extensive stamp collection I own, I only have a couple of Happy Father's Day options, mainly because a lot of times, this sentiment has been translated to "Happy birthday, dad" in French. Not exactly the same meaning or occasion. This forced me to reach for a retired set for this reason.

Get your colored embossing powders while you can - they are awesome!

 

Retiring items featured:

• Pool Party Stampin' Emboss Powder
• Crushed Curry Stampin' Emboss Powder
• Tango Tangerine Stampin' Emboss Powder
• Smoky Slate Stampin' Emboss Powder

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Guy Greetings, Fêtes diverses
Cardstock: Tango Tangerine, Daffodil Delight, Basic Black
Ink: VersaMark
Accessories: Designer Buttons, Stampin' Emboss Powders (Smoky Slate, Pool Party,
Crushed Curry, Tango Tangerine), White Medium Envelope

 

Winter Sheltering Tree

The Merry Monday challenge #159 called for a Christmas card using a tree other than a evergreen. I immediately thought of using Sheltering Tree, one of my fave sets from the Occasions Catalogue. I paired the images with Lawn Fawn patterned papers and the Monday Lunchtime Sketch #363. I used In Color Sequins to decorate the tree. It was meant to be snowflakes at first, but maybe it looks more like lights or ornaments? Depends on how you're looking at it, I guess... I found the snowflake sequins we were selling in the past Holidays catalogue as well, for my background.  I used our Faceted Vintage Buttons at the bottom to go with the icy look.

The small Christmas sentiment comes the French version of the And Many More stamp set, a versatile all-occasion sentiment set you can find in the current catalogue.

 

Retiring items featured:

• 2013-2015 In Color Sequins
• Strawberry Slush Cardstock and Stampin' Write Marker (In Color Collection)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Sheltering Tree, Du coq à l'âne (And Many More)
Cardstock: Strawberry Slush, Whisper White
Patterned Papers: Snow Day (Lawn Fawn)
Ink: Early Espresso, Soft Sky
Accessories: Faceted Vintage Buttons, White Baker's Twine, White Medium Envelope,
Pinking Heart Border Punch, Nestabilites Dies, Sponge, Frosted Sequins,
2013-2015 In Color Sequins, Strawberry Slush Stampin' Write Marker

 

Happy Father's Day, With Love

I stumbled unto this picture on Pinterest. I liked the clean, fun look and decided to make my own Stampin' Up! version of it. For colours, I drew inspiration from the Create with Connie and Mary challenge #356.

 

Retiring items featured:

• Starburst Framelits Dies
• Mustache Framelits Die
• Occasions Paper Piercing Pack
• Brushed Silver Cardstock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Tout en losange (retired hostess set)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Brushed Silver
Designer Series Paper: Winter Frost (retired)
Ink: Blackberry Bliss
Accessories: Paper Piercer, Occasions Paper Piercing Pack, Project Life Corner Rounder Punch,
White Medium Envelope, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mustache Framelits Die,
Starburst Framelits Dies, Treat Bag Framelits Dies (Heart)

 

Life In Pink

This project came about a little differently. I was going through a pile of stuff to put away and found a Make 'n Take project from a few conventions ago. It was a decorated chevron pocket that I had never used. Looking at the sentiment, which in French reads, "Life in pink," I thought the sentiment would be great on a girl baby card. Instead of pulling this set (already retired) to make a brand-new card, I figured I could reuse the elements from the pocket to turn them into a card. Recycling and saving time!

So the card background is actually the pocket that I cut apart to turn into patterned paper. I already had the sentiment with the glimmer paper circle and the olive banner with rhinestone and chevron ribbon, so using the Freshly Made Sketch #187 as inspiration, I cut a tag with the Apothecary Accents Framelits dies out of vellum and added heart-shaped holes in it using a die from the Mini Treat Bag Framelits set. The leftover vellum hearts were glued at the top of the card and decorated with rhinestones.

I used the Something for Baby stamp set to stamp the onesie and hanger, and used the matching Baby's First Framelits dies to cut out of the images.

 

Retiring items featured:

• Crisp Cantaloup Cardstock
• Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies
• Chevron Tag a Bag Gift Bags
• Calypso Coral Chevron Ribbon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Something for Baby, Agréables pensées (retired)
Carddstock: Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloup, Old Olive, Whisper White, Vellum
Ink: Calypso Coral, Pool Party
Accessories: Baby's First Framelits Dies, Mini Treat Bag Framelits Dies, Stampin' Dimensionals,
Silver Glimmer Paper, Circle Punch, Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies, Rhinestone Basic Jewels,
Calypso Coral Chevron Ribbon, Chevron Tag a Bag Gift Bags

 

Enjoy your Day

I should use those Plumeria papers from Basic Grey more often - seems like everything made with them turns out fabulous! This card was based on this week's Stamping Bella sketch challenge.

Once I had done the banners and colored and die-cut the main image, I was looking for a sentiment that would complete the card. I stumbled unto the word "Savoure" from SU!'s set Oh, les petites friandises!, which was perfect to go with the image of the Uptown Girls eating their sushis. The sentiment didn't make much sense used alone, though, so I went looking for a stamp that had the words "ta journée" in there and found it in the set Pour ton anniversaire. Using Stampin' Write Markers, I inked only the words I needed and used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to line those on my card. Love the personalized sentiment I ended up with!

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Uptown Sushi Girl Chelsea and Lauren (Stamping Bella), Pour ton anniversaire (SU!),
Oh, les petites friandises ! (SU!)
Cardstock: Orchid Opulence, Whisper White
Patterned Papers: Plumeria (Basic Grey)
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: Button, Scallop Trim Punch, Stampin' Write Marker (Elegant Eggplant),
White Medium Envelope, Nestabilities Die, Markers, Scallop Edge Deco Scissors, Sponge

 

Stampin' Up!'s Retiring List: Perfect Blend - Bravo!

Another set I'm a little sad to see leave is Perfect Blend. We've had a few coffee sets over the year, and this is one that I really liked. This card came about solely on intuition. I pretty much grabbed stuff at random and paired them together to create this card. The design was based around As You Can See sketch #87.

This card will be going to one of my downline members for congrats card, which is why I chose to add sentiments from other sets to complete the card.

 

Retiring items featured:

• Perfect Blend Stamp Set
• Stacked with Love Designer Series Paper (Occasions Catalogue)
• Stacked with Love Designer Washi Tape (Occasions Catalogue)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Perfect Blend, Project Life Je me souviens, Grandes nouvelles (Big News)
Cardstock: Crisp Cantaloupe, Brushed Silver
Designer Series Paper: Stacked With Love
Ink: Jet Black StazOn
Accessories: Stacked With Love Designer Washi Tape, Neutrals Sweets Dots,
White Medium Envelope

 

Stampin' Up!'s Retiring List: Stippled Blossoms - Girly Thanks

I knew I wanted to pull out Stippled Blossoms again before it retires. It's one of the sets I'm most sad to lose in the current list. Everything made with this set always end up looking incredible. The Paper Players challenge #245 calling for Girly Thanks creations was perfect to match with it. Then I pulled the colour inspiration from Just Add Ink #262 and the sketch from CAS(E) this  sketch #123.

Since the colour combo called for two colours that have matching embossing powders, I pulled those out (Pool Party and Calypso Coral). This is another item I wish was not retiring. I remember a few years ago when SU! started adding colored powders to its line again, I had originally thought it was just a gadget and that we didn't really need those since we can simple emboss with clear powder over color ink. I quickly realized that the depth of colour you achieve with the colored embossing powders is much more vibrant than what you can create with clear powder and I quickly became hooked! Here, I embossed the sentiment on Crumb Cake cardstock. I made the same card twice, but switched the colours around just to create a different look. I think I like the one with the Pool Party sentiment best, because the sentiment is easier to read in that colour. The details on the roses were also embossed with powder.

 

Retiring items featured:

• Stippled Blossoms Stamp Set
• Let Your Hair Down Stamp Set (Hostess)
• Calypso Coral Stampin' Emboss Powder
• Pool Party Stampin' Emboss Powder
• Something Borrowed Designer Series Paper (Occasions Catalogue)

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Stippled Blossoms, Fais ce qui te plaît (Let Your Hair Down - Hostess)
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Calypso Coral, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Something Borrowed
Ink: VersaMark, Calypso Coral, Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party
Accessories: Pearl Basic Jewels, Envelope Punch Board, Stampin' Dimensionals,
Stampin' Emboss Powders (Calypso Coral, Pool Party)

 

Never Far From My Thoughts

This card was inspired by the Stampin' Celebration challenge #104. When I saw the kites, I knew instantly I was going to pull out the Up, Up and Away stamp set from Cat's Pajamas. I wanted bright colours to match the inspiration piece, so I pulled the colour combo from the Paper Pals Arts challenge #251. Then, I needed a sketch and this week's Deconstructed Sketch challenge calls for using a past sketch, so I pulled out #189, which I hadn't worked with yet.

I found a Daffodil Delight Project Life card on my desk, which is from the This Day card collection that was offered during SAB this Spring. The stitching around it reminds me of a sun, so it was perfect to fit my theme. I wanted the theme of this card to be about something uplifting, something to show support, so I found a sentiment that reads, "You're never far from my thoughts."

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Up, Up and Away (The Cat's Pajamas), Douces pensées (SU!)
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
Patterned Papers: Hello Summer (Echo Park Papers)
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, VersaMark
Accessories: Yello polka dot brads (Q & CO), White Stampin' Emboss Powder, Markers,
Stampin' Dimensionals, Toppers CutUp Dies, Clouds CutUp Die, This Day Project Life Card Collection,
Corner Rounder Punch, White Medium Envelope

 

Hello, Baby Boy and Girl

Initially, the idea behind those cards started with a colour combo from a challenge posted online last week - Sahara Sand, Lost Lagoon and Pistachio Pudding. I loved the soft, muted look of the combo, but really struggled to make something that I liked with it. I finally had to leave the project aside before I could come back to it and make it work. As I was putting together the card, I decided I was curious to see what the card would look like if I tried it in a girl colour scheme, so I paired Sahara Sand with Calypso Coral and Crisp Cantaloupe.

What do you think? Do you have a favorite between the two?

By the way, I can't believe the Scallop Edge punch is retiring. I think I'm in denial. It was such a staple and go-to for me, I'm going to really miss it.

 

Retired items featured:

• Little Sunshine Stamp Set (Occasions Catalogue)
• Daydream Medallions Stamp Set
• Scallop Edge Punch
• Starburst Framelits Dies
• Word Bubbles Framelits Dies
• Pistachio Pudding ink Ink and Cardstock
• Crisp Cantaloupe Ink and Cardstock

 

 

 

Colour Combos:

Sahara Sand + Lost Lagoon + Pistachio Pudding

Sahara Sand + Crisp Cantaloupe + Calypso Coral

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Little Sunshine
Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Lost Lagoon, Pistachio Pudding, Crisp Cantaloupe,
Calypso Coral, Very Vanilla
Ink: Sahara Sand, Lost Lagoon, Pistachio Pudding, Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral
Accessories: Word Bubbles Framelits Dies, Starburst Framelits Dies, Stampin' Dimensionals,
Floral Frames Collection Framelits Dies, Venetian Lace Trim, Lost Lagoon Satin Ribbon,
Scallop Edge Punch, Vanilla Medium Envelopes, Stamp-a-ma-jig

 

You Never Cease to Impress

I really liked the modern feel of the Hand Stamped Sentiments color combo (challenge #211), so I looked at my stamps to find something that could go well with the colour combo. When I found the Big News stamp set, I immediately thought I could fit the big sentiment inside one of the Framelits from the Apothecary Accents die set. The design of the card was inspired by Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #362, rotated on its side.

The stripes from the sketch were made using Designer washi tape, and I added white cardstock underneath so that the colours would pop up more. The sentiment was stamped on Night of Navy cardstock with VersaMark ink and embossed with Melon Mambo Stampin' Emboss Powder. The cardstock was die-cut with an Oval Framelits and laid over a piece of Strawberry Slush cardstock die-cut with the Apothecary Accents Framelits dies. Stars were punched out of Gold Foil Paper using the Bitty Accents punch, and I layered 2013-2015 In Color Sequins over. Designer buttons were added as well.

The background was embossed with the Mosaic Embossing Folder, and I added two Brights Sweet Dots.

 

Retiring items featured:

• Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies
• 2013-2015 In Color Sequins
• Sweet Dreams Designer Washi Tape
• Melon Mambo Stampin' Emboss Powder
• Essentials Paper Piercing Pack

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Grandes nouvelles (Big News)
Cardstock: Hello Honey, Night of Navy, Strawberry Slush, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: In Color
Ink: VersaMark
Accessories: Envelope Punch Board, Melon Mambo Stampin' Emboss Powder, Ovals Framelits Dies,
Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies, Designer Buttons, 2013-2015 In Color Sequins,
Gold Foil Paper, Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Stampin' Dimensionals, Brights Sweet Dots,
Mosaic Embossing Folder, Paper Piercer and Essentials Piercing Pack

 

A Bowl of Chicken Soup

As I was finishing putting together my previous card, I spotted the chicken soup image in the You Sick Thing stamp set and thought it would look great paired with this week's ColourQ combo (#291). I then looked for a sketch for inspiration and settled on Paper Craft Crew Card Sketch #144.

It took a long time before I could find something I was happy with. At first, the card just wouldn't come together in an interest way. I kept adding and changing things until I ended up with a card I'm happy with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: You Sick Thing (The Cat's Pajamas), Du coq à l'âne (SU!), Gorgeous Grunge (SU!),
Flannel Plaid (SU!)
Cardstock: Bordering Blue, Gumball Green, Poppy Parade, Hello Honey, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Poppy Parade (hostess paper pack)
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, Gumball Green, Bordering Blue, Sahara Sand
Accessories: Designer Buttons, Banner Punch, Ribbons, Sticky Strip, Sweet Dots,
Nestabilities dies, Markers, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sponge, White Medium Envelope

 

Better Get Better

I love when the TCP challenge (#290) is a sketch, because they are always inspiring ones. This one was no exception, so I looked through my Cat's Pajamas stamps and settled on You Sick Thing, to have a get well card on hand­. I found Jillibean papers I had leftover from a scrapbook page done recently and thought the flower pattern would work great to paper piece the bedspread.

The top of the tag and the stitching at the bottom were created with CutUp dies from the Toppers kit. I used circle punches to add rings around the circles at the top as well.

I also used Tags CutUps dies on the envelope to create a space to write the address on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: You Sick Thing (TCP)
Cardstock: Lost Lagoon, Very Vanilla
Patterned Papers: Jillibean
Ink: Night of Navy, Tuxedo Black Memento
Accessories: Toppers CutUp Dies, Markers, Daffodil Delight Seam Binding, Designer Buttons,
Envelope Punch Board, Tags CutUps, Circle Punches, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig

 

Stampin' Up!'s Retiring List: Happy Hour - Cheers to You

Here's a quick, fun card that came together quickly thanks to the fun notecards I have leftover from last year's Sale-A-Bration. Based on Mojo Monday sketch #397, I added a few elements and quickly wound up with this cute card.

Happy Hour has been one of my favorite and most used sets since I bought it the second it was released. Although we've had it around for a few years, I'm still sad to see it go from the catalogue, as I was still using it regularly. To get the two-tone image, I stamped the glass in Bermuda Bay ink, then I stamp the same image in VersaMark ink on a scrap of paper, embossed the image in gold and handcut the liquid part, then paper pieced it onto the main image. I added bubbles using some Bermuda Bay sequins taken off of the trim, and In Color Sequins as well, glued in place with mini glue dots.

I've also used chevron ribbon, another item I've been raving about ever since it first came out.

One item I'm surprised made it on the retiring list is the Alphabet Press embossing folder because it had just been released this year. That to me indicates that it probably didn't sell well enough to remain in the next catalogue, which I have to say surprises me, because I love the look of it and the idea of the alphabet background, which is perfect for baby projects, school pages or teacher cards, and even generic projects as well. I wish it had stayed around for at least another year.

 

TIP: I used the paper piercer and Essentials Paper Piercing Pack to add the pierced circle around the Starburst die-cut. I pierced the holes from the back to the front to get the dots pointing upward instead of regular holes. Just a little detail that make for a different look.

 

Retiring items featured:

• Happy Hour Stamp Set
• Starburst Framelits Dies
• Basic Black Chevron ribbon
• 2013-2015 In Color Sequins
• Alphabet Press Embossing Folder
• Essentials Paper Piercing Pack

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: À ta santé ! (Happy Hour)
Cardstock: Pistachio Pudding, Calypso Coral, White White, Gold Foil Paper
Simply Sent Kit: Good as Gold
Ink: Bermuda Bay, VersaMark
Accessories: 2013-2015 In Color Sequins, Bermuda Bay Sequin Trim, Circle Punches,
Starburst Framelits Dies, Basic Black Chevron Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals,
Alphabet Press Embossing Folder, Paper Piercing, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack

Elvis is in the Building

I love my boss: he's a lawyer but he's managed to remain a kid at heart. He loves dressing up in costumes and never miss a chance to do so, so the year our office Christmas party theme was "White," he showed up at the event wearing a Elvis costume! Needless to say, he was very memorable amongst the crowd.

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Patterned Papers and Accents: Crate Papers
Others: Alphabet Stickers (American Crafts, Doodlebug Designs), Stampin' Dimensionals,
Project Life Corner Rounder Punch, Twill, Rhinestones, Nestabilities Dies

 

Home

Those pictures must date back ten years. I also found them when rearranging my pictures.

 

 

 

Photobooth

This is a page I made with pictures from our Christmas office party, where a photobooth was available. In retrospect, as cute as the inserts I made are, I should probably have used pocket cards that were very streamlined to balance out the fact that the pictures are crowded and busy. Hindsight is 20/20...

 

 

 

Silly Family

Those little mustaches on a stick really brought out our silly side, as captured in these pictures!

 

 

Stampin' Up!'s Retiring List: Positively Chevron - Adventure awaits!

The design of this card was inspired by MFT sketch #227. The colors were started from the cQc challenge but then evolved into something else. I guess it just hits me that Coastal Cabana is about to retire and that makes me sad. How fresh does it look here paired with Tango Tangerine and Bermuda Bay?

 

Retiring items used:

• Positively Chevron Background Stamp
• Champagne Glimme Paper
• Vanilla Smooch Spritz

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colour Combo: Tango Tangerine + Bermuda Bay + Coastal Cabana + Very Vanilla

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Project Life Je me souviens (Project Life Remember This), Positively Chevron, Gorgeous Grunge
Cardstock: Tango Tangerine, Coastal Cabana, Bermuda Bay, Very Vanilla
Specialty Designer Series Paper: Typeset
In: Bermuda Bay, Tango Tangerine
Accessories: Stars Framelits Dies, Champagne Glimmer Paper, Designer Buttons,
Confetti Star Border Punch, Gold Sequin Trim, Vanilla Smooch Spritz,
Hearts and Stars Decorative Masks, Vanilla Medium Envelope, Project Life Corner Rounder Punch

 

Dinner with Dale

A few years ago, my downline members and I had the chance to have dinner with Dale (Stampin' Up! Canada's Manager). This is a quick page I put together to add to my 6" x 8" album.

 

 

Stampin' Up!'s Retiring List: Life's Adventure (Hostess) - Welcome

Just playing around with a couple of challenges and retiring items tonight. The design was inspired by the  Mojo Monday challenge #396 + Nacho Average challenge #140. The main image was stamped with Jet Black StazOn ink on Canvas Creations. I totally spaced out on using this product while it was current, I had used it previously with the Cross Stitch stamp to get texture and then it got forgotten. I do like the textured look it gives to a project. I was curious to see if I could use StazOn combined with the Stampin' Write Markers and I have to say, it worked out well. It creates a look different from the usual marker or watercolor look.

A little Crisp Cantaloupe heart sequin was added to the chimney smoke for kicks.

 

 

This card features the following retiring items:

• Life's Adventure Hostess Stamp Set
• Little Sunshine Stamp Set (Occasions Catalogue)
• Champagne Glimmer Paper
• Sweet Dreams Designer Series Paper, Designer Buttons and Designer Washi Tape (Occasions Catalogue)
• Watercolor Wonder Designer Washi Tape
• Baked Brown Sugar Ink, Cardstock and Thick Baker's Twine
• Crisp Cantaloup Ink, Cardstock and Thick Baker's Twine
• Canvas Creations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Colour Combo: Baked Brown Sugar + Crisp Cantaloupe + Bermuda Bay

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Life's Adventure, Little Sunshine
Cardstock: Baked Brown Sugar
Designer Series Paper: Sweet Dreams
Ink: Jet Black StazOn
Accessories: Stampin' Write Markers, Champagne Glimmer Paper, Sweet Dreams Designer Buttons,
Sweet Dreams Designer Washi Tape, Thick Baker's Twine, Envelope Punch Board,
Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Washi Tape, Canvas Creations