Encre, papier, ciseaux

Love as Big as the Sky

This card was inspired by both a DTGD 2017 challenge and the Fab Friday Sketch #117. Since the challenge called for chipboard, I reached for those chipboard kits I have left from when Stampin' Up! carried them. The stars caught my eye and I thought they could be the focus of a card. I saw an opportunity to make a fancy background using Distress Oxide inks and to test making a night sky using the Black Soot mixed with colours. The whole thing turned out darker that I would have hoped, but I do like how the ink I sponged through the Radiating Rays stencil turned out, with a milky quality that works well for a universe background. I had splashed some Distress Oxide inks on the background, which initially looked cool but then turned really pale when they dried so in the end, I ended up stamping the splatter from Gorgeous Grunge and embossing it in Silver powder for something that stood out a little bit more (and added shimmer).

The chipboard stars were also covered with Oxide inks (which cover the chipbaord beautifully since they are part pigment ink) and overstamped with the Gorgeous Grunge set. After I was done preparing those pieces and started playing with placement, I decided to pull out the Out of This World stamp set to add the little astronaut. Then I decided to add the rocket, too. And to connect them both with some silver cord. And to add sequins, including some tiny stars one, on the card.

When came time to add the sentiment, I had planned on stamping something small, punch it with the Classic Label punch or something similar and add it on top of the pink star. Looking for a relevant French sentiment, I found "I love you as much as the sky is big" in the Lift Me Up stamp set (which I've used a bunch since buying it, mostly for its versatile sentiments). First of all, it was perfect, but too large to fit in the punch, so I had to slide both ends in the punch separately to create my piece. Then it was too large to fit on the right side of the card and I kept moving it at an angle and it didn't look right. It then it me that I could turn it into a sign that the astronaut would be holding. Forget paying to have a banner added on the back on a plane - this is taking things to the next level to confess your love!

Crystal Effects was added to the glass on the helmet, the teal star and the rocket window.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Out of This World (Lawn Fawn), Gorgeous Grunge, Gentil remontant (Lift Me Up - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Taken with Teal, Whisper White
Inks: Distress Oxide from Ranger (Black Soot, Picked Raspberry, Peacock Feathers, Twisted Citron)
Accessories: Silver Cord Trim, Radiating Rays Stencil, Blending Tool, Classic Label Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals,
White Medium Envelope, On Board Essentials Chipboard Pieces, Crystal Effects, Sequins, Markers

 

Ice Cream Man

I had been meaning to use my The Scoop stamp set again, so I pulled it out this weekend and paired it with the Tasty Treats Specialty Designer Series Paper from the last Occasions catalogue. Inspired by Paper Players #355 (blue + enamel dots + birthday) and Sunday Stamps #158, I put together this cute card. The sketch originally included banners, but I couldn't fit them on my card to make it work, so I switched to enamel shapes instead.

The stamp set includes some fun sentiments but I wanted something in French, so I found what I was looking for in the Lift Me Up stamp set. Or almost what I was looking for. I thought the font would work great with the retro vibe of the ice cream truck image, but the full sentiment was too long (and not altogether fitting with the theme). So I decided I'd use my scissors to snip the sentiment apart. Frankly, the first part of the sentiment was hard to use and I figured I'd use the "Happy birthday" alone more. It ended up fitting like a glove in the open space of the truck - I'm really happy about that!

I also went back to watercoloring my image with inks. I've been using markers a lot lately to color my cards, but before that, I was watercoloring with inks pretty much every line art card I made. It was nice to give my Aqua Painter brush a spin again. I embossed the image on watercolor paper with copper embossing powder to give it shine and make the watercoloring easier. The other option would be to use StazOn ink, as I used to do, but I don't find the StazOn ink easy to use with polymer stamps. It's not impossible to pair them together, but I just don't find the StazOn ink as easy to use with polymer stamps as with rubber stamps. Not as easy to clean afterwards either, so here I saved myself grief and went for the embossing instead. It adds a really pretty and delicate touch to the card as well.

After I finished my watercoloring, I thought the image was lacking something, so I got the idea to get out a Cloud stencil to try and add clouds at the top. I added ink following along the edge of the stencil with my watercolor brush and afterwards, smoothed the edges a bit with the paintbrush. It worked out well and make the scene more interesting.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: The Scoop (Avery Elle), Gentil remontant (Lift Me Up - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Watermelon Wonder, Watercolor Paper
Specialty Designer Series Paper: Tasty Treats
Ink: VersaMark, Chocolate Chip, Pool Party, Watermelon Wonder, Peekaboo Peach,
So Saffron, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Cloud Stencil (My Favorite Things), Stampin' Dimensionals, Nestabilities Dies,
Subtles Enamel Shapes, Peekaboo Peach Crinckled Seam Binding, Curvy Corner Trio Punch,
Envelope Punch Board, Copper Stampin' Emboss Powder, Aqua Painter Brushes

 

Two for the Price of One

My favorite challenge week has rolled around: Dare to Get Dirty on Splitcoast Stampers! I'm hoping this year's challenge will be as inspiring for me as last year's were, so I got going on one of the challenges this weekend.

It was perfect to use paper scraps so I pulled out an old DSP pack that's down to a few pieces (Pocketful of Posies). I looked at the papers I had left to see if I had any piece big enough to create an envelope with and the largest piece I had measured 7½ x 7½ in, which created an envelope for a 3" x 4-1/2" card. Based off of that, I decided I would be making a card of that size. Because I had initially thought I would be making a regular A2 card, I had prepared a cardfront for that size, but since I now needed a smaller front panel, I used my Stitched Rectangle dies from Lawn Fawn to cut a panel from the middle of the piece I had and I used the larger die from the set to cut the outside, therefore creating a frame I could use on another card. No waste!

I made the small notecard first. Looking at stamps that could work well with the papers, I settled on Pieces and Patterns and picked the thank you sentiment with the flower. The flower was stamped in Basic Black Archival ink on Shimmery White cardstock and colored with inks and a blending pen. A glitter enamel dot was added to the flower center, and another one to the sentiment tag die-cut with the Lots of Labels Framelits set.

For the background, I added die-cuts created with the Swirly Scribbles Thinlits. A piece of Fresh Fig 1/8" Sheer Ribbon was added to the cardfront as well. I'm really enjoying the ribbon selection we have in the annual catalogue - one of the best in years!

For the frame, I again looked at my stamps and decided to use Prehistoric from Neat & Tangled. I totally fell in love with this set after seeing a card made by someone with it. The little guy and girl remind me of Bam Bam and Pebble from the Flintstones, which my sister and I always watched during lunchtime when we went home to have lunch. I sometimes find it hard to get inspired to make baby cards, possibly because of the pastel hues, which are not what I naturally gravitate towards, but I thought here I had the chance to make an out-of-the-box baby card, so I tried to find an appropriate sentiment and found "your little baby is big news" in the retired Big News stamp set. To accomodate the sentiment, I switched the little boy from the back of the dinosaur to sitting on its tail and added the flag in his hand to fill in the empty space. I added two buttons on each side for a bit of decoration and that was it. So cute!

The last card was also inspired by the Just Us Girls challenge #403 - Something new and/or old and Simon Says Stamp (Anything Goes). I have a new stamp set (Prehistoric) paired with some old Designer Series Paper (Pocketful of Posies).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies - Card I
Stamps: Croquis et motifs (Pieces and patterns - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Vintage Violet, Wisteria Wonder
Designer Series Paper: Pocketful of Posies
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder, Basic Black Archival, Rich Razzleberry, Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Glimmer Enamel Dots, Lots of Labels Framelits,
Fresh Fig 1/8" Sheer Ribbon, Swirly Scribbles Thinlits Dies, Envelope Punch Board

 

Supplies - Card II
Stamps: Prehistoric (Neat & Tangled), Grandes nouvelles (Big News - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Bazzill, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Pocketful of Posies, Subtles Stack
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, VersaMark
Accessories: Platinum Embossing Powder, Foam Adhesive Strips, Buttons, Markers,
Stitched Rectangle Stackables Dies (Lawn Fawn), Envelope Punch Board, Lots of Labels Framelits

 

Indigo Rain

It was my first time trying a technique where you wet your paper and then let reinker ink drip down the paper. I thought I could do a rainy sky, so I pulled out Marina Mist and Night of Navy and gave this a try. I have to say I'm really happy with how it turned out for a first try. I particularly like that the colours mixed together softly and didn't leave big trails behind on the cardstock. The mix of the two colours also created a bit of purple in there, which fit with the colours I was planning to use in the first place (ColourQ #275) by sheer dumb luck.

I based my design off of Just Add Ink #370. I first thought of adding my sentiment in a central circle and placing two umbrellas on both sides, but as soon as I had put together the two umbrellas and placed them on the background paper, I decided they looked pretty against the watercolor background and that I didn't want to hide it, so I just decided on a strip for the sentiment at the bottom. I then remembered some tape I have found in a desk drawer earlier this week. It was metallic labeler tape I had purchased with my previous labeling machine, which happened to die on me before I've had the chance to use the tape. My new labeling machine does not use the same cartridges, so I figured I'd try to use it for something else so to not let it go to waste. My StazOn ink was already out since I had stamped the umbrella grip on Silver Foil paper, so I tried using the StazOn ink on the blue metallic tape and it worked,

Sequins were added randomly on the card to finish it off. To decorate a matching envelope, I did a watercolor wash using Marina Mist ink and then added another die-cut umbrella on top of it.

  

 

 

 

  

 

Colour Combo: Marina Mist + Night of Navy + Wisteria Wonder + Melon Mambo

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Contre vents et marées (Weather Together - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Melon Mambo, Wisteria Wonder, Marina Mist, Silver Foil, Watercolor
Ink: Night of Navy, Jet Black StazOn
Accessories: Classic Reinkers (Marina Mist, Night of Navy), Umbrella Weather Framelits,
Sequins, White Medium Envelope, Metallic Tape (Dymo)

  

Seaside Seagulls

This card was inspired by MFT Colour Challenge #74 (blue + blue-green + green) and Hand Stamped Sentiments #269 (beach inspiration picture). I pulled out the Seaside Seagulls stamp set and the Seaglass patterned papers from Craft Smith, since the colors were close to the challenge colors and the patterns matched the seaside theme.

Instead of the banner from the sketch, I fussy cut an anchor from one of the patterned papers and I added that underneath my button and ribbon bow. For the main scene, I die-cut a Stitched Rectangle from two colours of papers and I cut the darker blue one with a Ocean Wave Borders die, then layered it with Dimensionals. I stamped and embossed in platinum powder a sentiment that reads, "You can count on me." Little enamel eyes were added to the seagulls to give them a fun look.

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Supplies
Stamps: Seaside Seagulls (My Favorite Things), Là pour toi (Here for You - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Basic Grey, Very vanilla
Patterned Papers: Seaglass (Craft Smith)
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, VersaMark
Accessories: Platinum Stampin' Emboss Powder, Eyes Shape Sprinkles (Simon Says Stamp / Doodlebug Design),
Ocean Wave Borders Dies, Stitched 4 Bar Rectangles Stackables Dies (Lawn Fawn), Envelope Punch Board,
Ticket Corner Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Button, Basic Grey Taffeta Ribbon

 

Dreamboat

Tell me honestly these images don't put a smile on your face... This is another card inspired by a Dare to Get Dirty 2017 challenge. It was not hard to put the patterned papers aside since I'm on a big Distress Oxide inks kick lately. I thought I could make a fun night sky for the dreamboat lovers and I had initially planned to die-cut some waves to go at the forefront of the card, but I decided I liked the inked paper just like that and simply added stamped waves instead. The Dreamboat die set includes some waves, which make it easy to slide some of the elements so that they disappear in the water, like the post and the paddle.

The colour scheme was inspired by old ColourQ combo #330, and I punched the two top corners and added some colored cardstock undereanth for added interest. I also added a few sequins and beads to the sky for a bit of shimmer.

The sentiment was embossed in navy powder and reads, "The best love story is the one we are writing together."

The design was inspired by Try Stampin' on Tuesday #332.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Dreamboat (Avery Elle), Si succulent (So Succulent - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Shimmery White, Whisper White
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, VersaMark, Distress Oxide (Faded Jeans, Black Soot, Broken China,
Candied Apple, Fossilized Amber)
Accessories: Dreamboat Dies (Avery Elle), Curvy Corner Trio Punch (SU!), Navy Embossing Powder,
Sequins (Pretty Things by Lucy's Cards), Markers, White Medium Envelope (SU!)

 

All I Want is Ewe

This card is inspired by Stamp Ink Paper challenge #109 and the Merry Monday summer catch-up challenge, where I picked former challenge #249 (Mistletoe). It gave me a good occasion to use the Baaah Humbug stamp set. I was planning on including the Fleece Navidad sentiment on the card, which just cracks me up, but "All I want for Christmas is ewe" fit better and I was able to split it in half to fill some of the empty space in the frame with a little banner die-cut.

Now that I've finished this card, I'm thinking it might be a little busy - maybe since I was working with busy patterned papers, I should have kept a plain background instead of adding the dry embossing. Oh, well – I'll remind myself not to put everything but the kitchen sink on my next card.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Baaah Humbug (Lawn Fawn)
Cardstock: Garden Green, Smoky Slate, Whisper White, Basic Grey Core'dinations, Bazzill
Patterned Papers: Mad 4 Plaid Christmas (Photoplay)
Ink: Basic Grey Archival, Tuxedo Black Memento, Real Red, Garden Green
Accessories: Garden Trellis Embossing Folder (Stampin' Up!), Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh),
Fancy Folded Banners Dies, Stitched Square Frames Dies, Baaah Humbug Dies, Magic Color Slider Dies (Lawn Fawn),
Markers, Foam Adhesive Strips (SU!), Envelope Punch Board, Clear Gems, Nuvo Golden Crystal Glimmer Paste,
Zig Zag Dots Stencil (Simon Says Stamp), Nestabilities Dies, Decorative Scissors

 

Treasure Under the Sea

This card was inspired by Curtain Call challenge - Surf's Up and TGIF challenge #117 (Summertime Blues). I got this idea that I could combien the treasure chest from the Ahoy Matey stamp set with the Mermaid for You stamp set to have the treasure under water. I had seen a few cards here and there with a colorful panel placed on a white card base and I was stuck on trying that idea, so I pulled out the Distress Oxide inks (including some of the new shades), the Swirl stencil from Hero Arts and the Moonstone Nuvo glimmer paste.

I had initially planned on stamping my sentiment on the card base, but the colorful panel I had created was a little too wide for that and I didn't want to cut it down narrower since I had tried out my images on it and I liked the flow. I found the Fancy Folded Banners dies and decided to add a sentiment banner at the top instead. I was looking at options and I found "My wishes for happiness" in Stampin' Up!'s Sunshine Sayings stamp set (p. 96 of Annual Catalogue). I plan on sending this as a birthday wish to a friend who's just had her firstborn baby a few weeks ago. I think the happiness sentiment will be relevant in her life right now. Sequins and baker's twine were added as well.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Mermaid for You, Ahoy Matey (Lawn Fawn), Souhaits et voeux (Sunshine Sayings – Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Thick Whisper White (SU!)
Patterned Papers: Beachside (Lawn Fawn)
Inks: Tuxedo Black Memento, Craft Whisper White, Night of Navy, Distress Oxide (Abandoned Coral,
Cracked Pistachio, Twisted Citron, Peacock Feathers, Salty Ocean, Frayed Burlap)
Accessories: Fancy Folded Banners Dies, Mermaid for You Dies, Ahoy Matey Dies (Lawn Fawn),
White Medium Envelope, Calypso Coral Baker's Twine, Clear Sequins (Simon Says Stamp), Markers,
Moonstone Nuvo Glimmer Paste, Swirl Stencil (Hero Arts), Stampin' Dimensionals

 

Guiding Light

The starting point for this card was leftover rub-on images I had on hand (the boat and the birds). I thought it might work well paired with the lighthouse from the High Tide stamp set – and sure enough it did. I cut the image in half and used the boat on one side of the lighthouse and the birds on the other.

After stamping the lighthouse, sand and moon and coloring the rub-on images, I covered everything with VersaMark and embossed in clear powder, before using my Distress Oxide inks to color the water, sky and beach. I discovered something interesting while doing this: I had blended my blues with a touch of black at the top of the cardstock when I started spritzing the ink with water. I then decided afterwards to add Antique Linen at the bottom. Since there were some spots of dried water on the cardstock already, it picked up the ink more intensely in those spots and I ended up with darker spots - which I really like! I will have to play with that on future projects to see what other effects I can achieve that way.

My sentiment was embossed with Platinum powder and I decided at the end to add the rays of light coming out of the lighthouse, which I simply stamped in Versamark to darken the ink underneath.

The colours were inspird by Sunday Stamps #157 and the design by As You See It #154.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Marée haute (High Tide - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Whisper White White, Tempting Turquoise, Night of Navy
Designer Series Paper; Nautical Expedition
Ink: VersaMark, Cherry Cobbler, Smoky Slate,
Distress Oxide (Antique Linen, Faded Jeans, Broken China, Frayed Burlap)
Accessories: Stitched Scallop Basic Edges Die-namics, Stitched Domes Die-namics (My Favorite Things),
Envelope Punch Board, Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder, Regals Candy Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals (Stampin' Up!),
Fly a Kite Rub-Ons (October Afternoon, Platinum Embossing Powder (Ranger)

 

Summer Days Shaker

I had some leftover rub-ons from October Afternoon that have been sitting in my stash for years, and with summer coming up, I had put them aside to try and use them on a card. I finally had time to make something with them today. Inspired by Paper Craft Crew Sketch #252, I combined the little dog and kite rub-ons to create a scene.

I was using the Stitched Square Frames dies from Lawn fawn and just I was about to add the frame popped up on dimensionals to the patterned paper, I decided to make a shaker box for added interest. I filled the shaker with a variety of sequins in colors that matched my rub-ons. Some cloud die-cuts were added on the back of the shaker and one of the front windowsheet for dimension.

For the sentiment, I used the Fancy Folded Banners dies from Lawn Fawn, and stamped "Happy Birthday!" from the Birthday Banners stamp set. The card background was made with a piece of patterned paper from the Wood Textures Designer Series Paper Stack (AC, p. 187). A useful paper stack to have on hand, that can be used on its own or paired with various other patterns since wood is pretty neutral.

  

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Banderoles de fête (Birthday Banners - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Bazzill, Thick Whisper White
Ink: Island Indigo, Whisper White
Patterned Papers: Wood Textures DSP Stack, Serene Scenery DSP Stack,
In Color DSP Stack (SU!), KI Memories
Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Envelope Punch Board, Glitter Enamel Dots, Sequins,
Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Foam Adhesive Strips, Sponge (SU!), Wonky Stitched Ovals Die-namics,
Puffy Clouds Die-namics (My Favorite Things), Fancy Folded Banners Dies,
Stitched Square Frames Dies (Lawn Fawn), Fly a Kite Rub-Ons (October Afternoon)

 

Discovering Cath Kidson

When I went to England, I discovered the charming shops from designer Cath Kidston. My friend who lives in the UK is a total fan and I could totally see why, as Cath's creations are delicate, feminine and charmnig, which is totally my friend's style. Even though I'm not usually big on flowers, I totally fell in love with a grey "jumper" with flowers on the front and I got one to bring back home with me.

When I got the Hello Gorgeous papers from My Mind's Eye, I knew I was going to use them to scrapbook our stop at the Cath Kidston store, because the colors and patterns of the papers reflect the designer's style so well. The flowers, the polka dot, the candy hues - just perfect!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inspiration: Page Maps April 2017

 

Supplies
Cardstock: Lucky Limeade, Whisper White
Patterned Papers and Alphabet Stickers: Hello Gorgeous (My Mind's Eye)
Ribbons: Calypso Coral 1/4" Ombre (SU!), Pear Pizzazz 3/8" Shimmer (SU!), flower trim (?),
Calypso Coral Baker's Twine (SU!)
Accessories: Mostly Vintage Stencil (SU!), Moonstone Glimmer Paste (Nuvo), Artisan Embellishments Kit (roses - SU!),
Project Life Corner Punch (SU!), Chalk Talk Framelits Dies (SU!), Project Life Nesting Dies (American Crafts),
Alisha Lowercase Alphabet Dies (Echo Park), Fancy Folded Banners Dies (Lawn Fawn), Paper Argyle and Mold (Stampin' Up!),
Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz (SU!), Copper Gel Pen, White Waffle Paper (SU!), Scallop Decorative Scissors,
Cherry Hill Cardstock Stickers (October Afternoon)

 

Duh-nuh. Duh-nuh.

I was enamored with this stamp set the second I saw that it was called Duh-nuh and that it actually included that sentiment in the set. So cheeky! Even though it's one of my favorites, it took me a little while to get it inked because I was waiting for the right idea to hit. I kind of wanted to make an interactive card with the shark coming out of the water but I wasn't sure how to proceed. I finally decided to give the moving card with a pull tab a try. (This is something Jennifer McGuire showed in a step-by-step video on her blog, if you want to better understand how the card is put together. Just look for her card with the Bicycle Built for you stamp set.)

It took a little bit of fidgeting to get the pull tab just right and to find a sentiment that was the right length. The first one I stamped ("Good luck!" - hehe!) was too long and did not slide all the back underneath the wave. So I switched to "Make a wish" (equally cheeky, I find) instead, and there was enough room at the end of stamp the word "slide" using the Push Here stamp set from Lawn Fawn.

Also, my first wave die-cut was not tall enough to hide the full sentiment. I discovered it was because the die cuts both the top of the wave, but also the bottom, so the second time around, I used the trick of placing the cutting mat higher up on the die so that it did not cut the bottom and therefore, I was able to get a higher wave.

The design was inspired by MFT Sketch #341 and the colors by MFT color challenge #73. Once I started putting the card together, it seemed a little bare, so on a whim, I decided to stenciling using silver glimmer paste. I found a bubble pattern from the Seasonal Decorative Masks and just adding those few silver bubbles totally made the card feel more complete. (And of course, shimmer never hurts.)

Also, after letting the card sit overnight, I decided on a whim the next day to add more text on the card. Using a mini alphabet set, I stamped something that loosely translate to "Another year is creeping close bt..." I  thought it made a nice tie between the shark image and the birthday theme.

Since the card has multiple layers of dimensional adhesives to allow for the moving parts to move freely, I made an oversize matching envelope using the Envelope Punch Board. (I used the dimensions for a 4-1/2" x 6" card to make room.)

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Duh-nuh, Push Here (Lawn Fawn), Faut fêter ça (Party with Cake - Stampin' Up!), Mini Alphabet (Studio G)
Cardstock: Smoky Slate, Island Indigo, Thick Whisper White, Calypso Coral
Designer Series Paper: 2012-2014 In Color Stack, Neutrals Stack
Ink: Island Indigo, Basic Grey, Tuxedo Black Memento, Calypso Coral, Smoky Slate
Accessories: Wonky Stitched Squares Die-namics, Stitched Scallop Basic Edges Die-namics (My Favorite Things),
Duh-nuh Dies, Slide On Over Dies, Ocean Hillside Pop-Up Add-On Dies (Lawn Fawn),
Silver Gem Nuvo Glimmer Paste, Seasonal Decorative Masks (Stampin' Up!), Cloud Mask (?),
Stampin' Dimensionals, Envelope Punch Board, Sponge

 

Hey You

I have to admit, the first time I saw the Pieces & Patterns stamp set, I was not that impressed with it. I thought it looked so disjointed and wondered who in their right mind would ever buy that set.

Hmmf... Looks like I have to eat back my words, because once I saw the whole suite together, with the matching Pick a Patterned Designer Series Paper and Washi Tape, it all got much more appealing to me - and the whole suite found its way onto my very first catalogue order. What eventually sold me on the stamp set was that it includes some solid French sentiment that we don't have in other sets.

So here's my first creation with this suite, inspired by the TGIF challenge #116 and Paper Craft Crew #251 (New to You).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Motifs et croquis (Pieces and Patterns)
Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Pick a Pattern
Ink: Basic Black Archival, Flirty Flamingo, Emerald Envy
Accessories: White Medium Envelope, Stampin' Dmensionals, Banners Framelits,
Flirty Flamingo Ruched Ribbon, Pick a Pattern Washi Tape, 1-3/4" Circle Punch,
Blending Pen

 

Tickled Pink

This is my first go at using the Fabulous Flamingo stamp set. The color combo was inspired by Color Throwdown #451 and the sketch by Sunday Stamps #156. In hindsight, the contrast between the Pink Pirouette and Berry Burst ink was too stark to work well with the two-step stamping but it's by trying out stuff that you improve on your stamping. My next try will be a bit better. I also got the chance to take out the Burlap background stamp for a spin and the new all black and white washi tape set. I've also layered the faceted gems on the washi tape as well. The gorgeous crinkled seam binding was added to the card as well. (I cut a little slit in the card fold to insert the ribbon around the card front.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Fabuleux flamant (Fabulous Flamingo), Burlap
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Berry Burst, Lemon Lime Twist, Tranquil Tide
Accessories: Pick a Pattern Washi Tape, Clear Faceted Gems,
Subtles Enamel Shapes, Berry Burst Crinkled Seam Binding, White Envelope

 

Treasure Your Day

While going through my paper pile, I found some Sandy Lion papers I've had for a long time, and put them aside to pair with the Ahoy Matey stamp set from Lawn Fawn. The Freshly Made Sketch #296 was perfect to create a little scene and I used the old map paper to make my central piece. I ran it through the Big Shot using one of the Stitched Trails die to add a little trail, pirate-map style. I initially wanted to use the little girl pirate, but then I figured I'd be better served adding a masculine birthday card to my stash, so I switched to the little dude.

The sentiment comes from the Pieces and Patterns stamp set and reads, "Enjoy your day." I made a matching envelope out of the papers as well.

Inspired by the Stamp Ink Paper challenge #107, I used Blue for the card base, added embossing with the sentiment and made a square card, with a square center panel.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Ahoy Matey (Lawn Fawn), Motifs et croquis (Patterns & Pieces - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Blue Brocade, Basic Black, Whisper White
Patterned Papers: Sandy Lion
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, Soft Suede, VersaMark, Distress Oxide (Black Soot, Antique Linen, Faded Jeans)
Accessories: Wonky Stitches Square Die-namics, Stitched Domes Die-namics (My Favorite Things), Envelope Punch Board,
Blending Tool, Washi Tape, Stampin' Dimensionals, Markers, Platinum Embossing Powder, Classic Label Punch,
Clear Wink of Stella Brush, Stitched Trails Dies (Lawn Fawn), Ahoy Matey Dies (Lawn Fawn)

 

Bessst Birthday

This card took forever to complete. Not because putting together the slider is complicated, but because I got a little too ambitious with the layering and the sliding part was not moving properly, so I had to make that part again. The Magic Color Slider die is originally made so that you image suddenly becomes colored when you pull the tab, but I decided to use it differently and have the image show when the card is closed and the sentiment appear when you lift the image up. Having this option as well makes me feel like the dies will allow for more than one options. I already feel like the pieces that are included to make three types of windows will come in handy since they are stitched on both sides of the cut. I can see a lot of other uses outside of sliders for those pieces.

I couldn't find any existing French sentiment that made sense to match with the Critters in the Jungle, so I simply made my own using the Labeler Alphabet. I stamped, "Hope you have a sssuper birthday." In my original pocket, I was also using the oval window, but it was too tight of a fit because of the two longer words at the end (which was the beginning of my problems because I glued the stamped piece higher, try to add another piece of cardstock at the bottom to hide the seam, then the slider was working when I was trying it before gluing, but catching once I glued it shut because it was tighter.)

The pull tab was decorated using a mix of masking, coloring and blending inks. I also used the Push Here stamp set to add "pull here" on the top tab. I now know it's best to use some indication for interactive cards after my mom visited and we realized that she had not opened the stove door on the card I had sent her months before. We were looking at another stove card together and I showed her how the door opened to reveal the "bun in the oven" sentiment, and then I said, "Just like the one I sent you." And she went, "It opens?!" So I realized that she had not opened it and then I asked her why she didn't find it strange that the sentiment was only half a sentence. She said the message I had written inside kind of finished the thought and she said she would never pull on something on my card for fear of breaking it. So lesson learned on my end!

If you're looking at the supply list and are wondering about the mismatched ink colours, it's because I'm still waiting on my next order with the new In Color ink pads, which I had forgotten to include in my first catalogue order. I do have the markers in the meantime, but they don't do a terrific job when inking on photopolymer stamps, or not helpful for sponging either. I should get them this week and I can't wait since all of the colour challenges popping up are including new In Color shades. The color combo for this card was inspired by TGIF challenge #115 and Lawn Fawntastics #8 challenge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Critters in the Jungle, Push Here (Lawn Fawn), Labeler Alphabet (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Berry Burst, Tranquil Tide, Lemon Lime Twist, Whisper White
Ink; Tuxedo Black Memento, Island Indigo, Rose Red,
Distress Oxide (Cracked Pistachio, Walnut Stain, Iced Spruce)
Accessories: Magic Color Slider Dies (Lawn Fawn), Berry Burst 5/8" Crinkled Seam Binding Ribbon,
Lemon Lime Twist 1/2" Finely Woven Ribbon, White Medium Envelope, Window Sheet, Layered Leaves Embossing Folder

 

Gardening

I wanted to use the Rooting for You stamp set and decided I could make my own garden using Distress Oxide inks (inspired by Just Us Girls challenge #401). The design of the card evolved as I was going and since the main image ended up bigger than I had first thought, I ended up using the MFT sketch #340 as my inspiration and modyfing it slightly to fit my needs. The stamp set has some great English sentiments, but I wanted a French sentiment, so I kept thinking about what would work as I was putting the card together. I finally got a flash of inspiration when I remembered a silly song from a Quebec comedian that talks about going to his garden. That comedian was really big when I was in high school and a lot of my friends are big fan of his as well, so I think this could bring a smile to anyone to knows his skits. Someone I know has a birthday coming up at the end of July, so this will probably end up going to him.

Since I was doing a personalized sentiment, I used my typewriter on a piece of inexpensive white cardstock and I sponged some Distress Oxide ink on it to make it match. Since the sentiment was long I added it to the side, and I changed the little banner piece from the sketch into a line of Nuvo drops, to look like little rocks or seeds in the garden. The little signs with the veggies on it might be my favorite part of the card. Such a cute detail from the stamp and die sets!

This is also inspired by Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge (Summer Sunshine), since a lot of people enjoy gardening during summertime. The colours were almost inspired by a ColourQ challenge. I was going through the list trying to find something that would work with the veggies and then I picked up a color combo of Coastal Cabana + Riding Hood Red + More Mustard + Early Espresso. I only realized after I was done with the card that the original combo used Island Indigo and not brown! Anyway, I needed brown for the garden, so the other combo wouldn't have worked, but I think I got stuck on the other colours working with the vegetable images. Still liking the result, though!

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Rooting for You (Lawn Fawn), Flannel Plaid Background (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: More Mustard, Early Espresso, Coastal Cabana, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White
Ink: Coastal Cabana, Emerald Envy, Sahara Sand, Elegant Eggplant, Delightful Dijon, Tangelo Twist, Riding Hood Red,
Distress Oxide Inks (Fossilized Amber, Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain)
Accessories: Blending Tool, Nuvo Crystal Drops (Copper Penny, Clear), Typewriter,
White Medium Envelope, Stitched Domes Die-namics (My Favorite Things), Rooting For You Dies (Lawn Fawn)

 

I Love You So

I was looking at my stencils and when I saw the striped one, it reminded me of the Global Design Project #94 sketch. Since the sketch has five stripes on it, I thought I could pair it with the Fab Friday challenge #116 yummy colours. Since I spaced out on getting the new In Color ink pads on my last order, I used Post-It notes to mask off sides and used my Stampin' Write markers to fill in the space in each line of the stencil. After I was done, the result lacked a little something, so I decided to spready Moonstone glimmer paste over my colored lined. It gave the design so much pop!

After the paste was dry, I tried to decide what to add to the design. I pulled out the new Eclectic Layers Thinlits trying to see if something from it would work. I first tried with the diamond, and couldn't really make it work, so I went back to the idea of using the heart. The heart die in this set does not cut, though, it only embosses. So I pulled out the Sweet & Sassy Framelits to cut a heart out. I thought the lines were still a bit too faint, so I sponged the heart with Tango Tangerine ink.

At the bottom, I added a sentiment created with two stamps from the Oh Happy Day card kit stamp set, which reads "I Love You So Much." To make the heart stand out more, I decided to mat it with a larger heart die-cut out of vellum, and I topped both hearts (the die-cut one and the stamped one on the sentiment) with glitter enamel dots. (My favorite new embellishment from the annual catalogue.)

 

 

 

  

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Une belle journée (Oh Happy Day Card Kit)
Cardstock: Berry Burst, Whisper White, Tango Tangerine, Vellum
Stampin' Write Markers: Berry Burst, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Lemon Lime Twist, Bermuda Bay
Accessories: Sweet & Sassy Framelits Dies, Eclectic Layers Thinlits Dies,
Giltter Enamel Dots, White Medium Envelopes, Nuvo Moonstone Glitter Paste

 

Besties

I had some new papers I was itching to play with so I looked through my pictures to see what I could scrapbook. Found an older one of me and my friend Maggie at the first Leadership event we attended together that I thought could fit the paper collection nicely. Neither Maggie nor I are really into flowery stuff, but the feminine vibe suits the picture, I find.

I used the new Eclectic Layers Thinlits dies to embellish the page (see top and bottom half-circles). The design of the page was inspired by a Page Maps sketch from April 2017. I used some old Coluzzle templates to make the half circles and the file tab and as I was pulling them out, I spotted some old chipboard pieces that included a butterfly like on the sketch, so I used a chipboard label to create my title piece and a butterfly piece covered with Silver embossing paste as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Mois de l'année Script (Lime citron)
Ink: Lost Lagoon
Cardstock: Pear Pizzazz, Vellum
Patterned Papers: Hello Gorgeous (My Mind's Eye)
Accessories: Project Life Corner Punch, Mint Macaron Lace Trim, Bitty Butterfly Punch,
Pearl Basic Jewel, Eclectic Layers Thinlits Dies, Nuvo Crystal Drops, Mini Brad,
Onboard Chipboard Pieces, Silver Gem Nuvo Glimmer Paste, Pretty in Pink Corduroy Buttons,
Coluzzle Templates (Circles, File Folders), Stitched Rectangle Stackables (Lawn Fawn),
Dotted Scallop Rectangles Dies (Elizabeth Craft Designs), Mini Stampin' Dimensionals, Arrow Embossing Folder,
Layering Ovals Framelits, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Hello Honey Satin Ribbon

 

Flowery Birthday Wishes

Inspired by Tuesday Morning Sketch #410, I decided to use the Happy Birthday Gorgeous stamp set and pair it with the gorgeous Whole Lot of Lovely Designer Series Paper. Since the sentiment I wanted to use comes in two parts, I stamped the first half on a stripe of cardstock I added to the main panel, and I stamped the second half in the tag from the stamp set, punched out with the matching Classic Label punch.

Because the colour combo includes Tango Tangerine, I thought adding touches of copper embossing would look lovely. Since the background paper includes black, I was inspired to pull out the new black mini sequin trim and added a bit of it on each end of the first part of the sentiment. It's a fun embellishment and it's a little easier to manage than the bigger sequin trim we had before.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Joyeux anniversaire beauté (Happy Birthday Gorgeous)
Cardstock: Tranquil Tide, Pool Party, Tango Tangerine, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Whole Lot of Lovely
Ink: Tango Tangerine, Tranquil Tide, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Black, Pool Party, VersaMark
Accessories: Copper Stampin' Emboss Powder, Classic Label Punch,
White Medium Envelope, Stampin' Dimensionals, Black Mini Sequin Trim

 

New Adventure-Filled Year

I was having some more fun playing with stencils and Glitter Kiss. I looked at former ColourQ combo to find one with Bermuda Bay in it to match the Glitter Kiss colour and settled on ColourQ #288. The Try Stamping on Tuesday sketch #328 was also perfect to let the background shine. I tried the light glitter colour on black cardstock and the colour does show really well and really pops.

I was looking for a bold sentiment and found one in Balloon Adventures, which I die-cut using the Stitched Shapes Framelits. For the tag, I used the new and awesome Foil Frenzy Specialty Designer Series Paper from the annual catalogue.

 

  

 

 

 

Colour Combo: Basic Black + Kiwi Kiss Kiss + Bermuda Bay + Crumb Cake

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Ballons à l'aventure (Balloon Adventures - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black, Bermuda Bay
Specialty Designer Series Paper: Foil Frenzy
Ink: Basic Black, VersaMark
Accessories: Ice Blue Glitter Kiss (Cosmic Shimmer), Stitched Shapes Framelits,
Angle Tag Punch, Triple Banner Punch, Kiwi Kiss Corduroy Buttons, Stampin' Dimensionals,
Numeric Stencil (Ranger - Tim Holtz), Crumb Cake Medium Envelope, White Velvet Rickrack, Kraft Trim,
Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder

 

Birthday Fireworks

My parents are visiting for the long weekend (Canada Day) and I was making a demonstration to my mom of various craft items she had never seen. In doing so, I showed her the Distress Oxide inks, masking, die-cutting and coloring with markers. I also showed her the Stitched Fireworks dies from Lawn Fawn. She was pretty impressed to see how it all came together and get a glimpse of my creating process, and also how much time and steps went into creating a scene like that. Considering it was just a demo piece, I was pretty happy with how the little scene had turned out, so the next day, I decided to finish it into a full card. I pulled out paper and cardstock scraps in colour matching the ink, stamped "It's a Celebration" in Night of Navy ink and added glittery Nuvo drops and shimmery sequins to the fireworks to bring them to life.

The textured purple cardstock seemed a little bare and while I was hunting for a sentiment, I noticed that the new In the City hostess set included some small fireworks, so I used this stamp to create a background.

This card is inspired by Stamp Ink Paper challenge #105 (Summer Fun), Just Us Girls #400 (Celebrate) and Simon Says Stamp Wednesday (Anything Goes). The design came from past sketch Mojo Monday #302.

 

 

 

    

 

Supplies
Stamps: Upon a Star (Lawn Fawn), Du coq à l'âne (And Many More - Stampin' Up!), In the City (Hostess - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Purple Bazzill, Crisp Cantalope
Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket
Ink: Night of Navy, Tuxedo Black Memento, Distress Oxide (Fossilized Amber, Spiced Marmalade,
Wilted Violet, Peeled Paint, Faded Jeans)
Accessories: Stitched Fireworks Dies, Stitched Rectangle Stackables Dies (Lawn Fawn),
Blending Tool, Sequins, Night of Navy Seam Binding, White Medium Envelope, Star Punches,
Markers, Silver Glimmer Paper, Water Spritzing Bottle, Nuvo Glitter Drops (Silver Moondust)