Encre, papier, ciseaux

A Bubbly Suite

I love everything about the Bubble Over suite! The cute stamp set with the versatile tags and fun French sentiments, the adorable Framelits with the bottle caps and bent straws, and the brightly-colored papers that were added as a SAB free offering! Those papers might be some my favorites this year. I love every single page - front and back.

The Create with Connie and Mary sketch #494 inspired this card. The little circles on the sketch were just so perfect to pair with this bundle. Here are the deets about this card:

• To get clear bottles, I used a stamp positioning tool and a piece of Whisper White cardstock. I layered both bottles on the tool, inked the images with VersaMark ink and then with a sponge daubers, I added a touch of Soft Sky ink on the edges of the bottle to create a glass reflection look. I stamped the images then covered them with Clear Stampin' Emboss powder. The embossing was not as thick as I wanted it the first time around, but because I was using the stamp positioning tool, I was able to wipe my images clean (to get rid of the Soft Sky ink) then reink with VersaMark and add a second, and then a third layer of heat embossing. It made a visible difference in the final result.
• Don't forget you can overstamp on Designer Series Paper. I did just that using the bubble image with VersaMark and then embossed it with white powder to fill out the space a bit.
• What do you know - the Tutti-frutti sequins work very well with those papers, even though they're not part of the same suite! I added some as bubbles and one in the center of the star on my bottle cap.
• The bottle caps were die-cut out of Silver Foil paper and it looks just like the real deal, thanks to the dry-embossed details the die leaves on the paper.
• See those cute striped straws? They were hand-colored using markers (did one with the Lemon Lime Twist Stampin' Write marker and the other with the Calypso Coral Stampin' Blend marker).
• No need to add a sentiment anywhere on my card: it's right there on the bottles! "thanks for much" and "Your kindness is so refreshing."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Pétillant de bonheur (Bubble Over)
Cardstock: Basic Grey, Whisper White, Silver Foil
Designer Series Paper: Bubbles & Fizz
Ink: Basic Grey, Calypso Coral, Lemon Lime Twist, Daffodil Delight, Soft Sky, VersaMark
Accessories: Bottles & Bubbles Framelits, Envelope Punch Board, Brights Enamel Shapes,
Tutti-frutti Adhesive-Backed Sequins, Stampin' Emboss Powders (Clear, White),
Stampin' Dimensionals, Lemon Lime Twist 1/2" Finely Woven Ribbon, Markers

 

Wishing You Better Days to Come

This card was inspired by Stamping Bella (Anything Goes), Color Throwdown #470 and CAS(E) This Sketch #248. The sketch was pretty simple, so I decided to stamp an image at the end and play with ink and masking to create a band on the card. I initially planned on stamping directly on the card base, but since I wanted to color my image with alcohol markers and I didn't want it to show inside the card, I decided to cut another white panel and layer it on top to solve that problem.

The masked insert was sponged with Fossilized Amber and Frayed Burlap Distress Oxide inks. I then looked through my sentiment stamps to find something about encouragement and found "Wishing you better days to come" in the Beautiful You stamp set.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Resplendissante (Beautiful You - Stampin' Up!), The Chicks Who Couldn't Even (Stamping Bella)
Cardstock: Thick Whisper White
Inks: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Chocolate Chip Classic Ink (Stampin' Up!),
Fossilized Amber and Frayed Burlap Distress Oxide (Ranger)
Accessories: Water Spritzing Bottle (Ranger), Copic Markers,
Large Corner Rounder Punch, White Medium Envelope

 

Ready Set Snow!

The starting point of this card was a stamp set called Ready Set Snow! I received as a free gift in a Simon Says Stamp order. I thought it was pretty cute so I paired it with the Freshly Made Sketch #311 to get it inked. I chose the boy image and paired it with the Winter Meadow collection from Photoplay. I saw an opportunity to make a masculine card instead of a Christmas one, so I used the Happy Birthday Gorgeous stamp set (currently sold in Stampin' Up!'s annual catalogue) to stamp "Happy birthday to you." The scarf die I used was another freebie included in my order, from the Warm Wishes dies. I used my markers to color the fringes on each side of the scarf. The little heart comes from the same die set.

After I was done gluing and embellishing, I still felt the card was lacking a little something, so I decided to add stitches on each side of the plaid paper. It totally transformed the card and the added texture made it feel more complete. At the last minute, I decided to add Clear Nuvo Drops on the heart, and then made a few more dots around the card, like falling snow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Ready Set Snow! (Simon Says Stamp), Joyeux anniversaire beauté (Happy Birthday Gorgeous - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Bravo Burgundy, Whisper White
Patterned Papers: Winter Meadow (Photoplay)
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, Lost Lagoon (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Paper Piercer, Piercing Template, Needlepoint Thread, Clear Nuvo Drops,
Candy Dots (SU!), Stitched Rectangle Stackables Dies (Lawn Fawn), Copic Markers,
Stampin' Dimensionals (SU!), White Medium Envelope (SU!)

 

Support Like No Otter

This card shows the new set Lawn Fawn (Christmas Like No Otter) released in collaboration with Simon Says Stamp during the Stamptember event. I was going back and forth on whether I should get it or not, and I remember how fast last year's Lawn Fawn exclusive sold out, so I knew that if I decided I wanted it, I had to be quick. Sure enough, the stamps and dies sold out within a day of being released. This is the first card I'm making with the set, and it was inspired by the sketch from Fab Friday challenge #121 + Lawn Fawnatics #12 (Create a scene) and an old colour combo (ColourQ #61).

I kept the design fairly simple. Initially, I created the background with Tempting Turquoise cardstock, but it was a little plain, so I inked a piece of white cardstock with Broken China Distress Oxide ink and a blending tool, making sure to leave a bit of white peeking at the top and spritzing with water to create a bit of texture, which added to the card design greatly.

To add definition to the waves, I sponged the edges with Periwinkle Glitter Kiss, which catches the light very nicely when you move the card around. The sentiment reads "Thank You for Being Here" and was added to a Fancy Folded Banner die-cut. The Soft Suede background was embossed with the Stitched Windy Backdrop die.

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

Supplies
Stamps: Christmas Like No Otter (Lawn Fawn), Arbre protecteur (Sheltering Tree - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Pacific Point, Soft Suede, Whisper White
Ink: Soft Suede, Tuxedo Black Memento, Broken China Distress Ink (Ranger)
Accessories: Periwinkle Glitter Kiss, Copic Markers, White Medium Envelope, Stampin' Dimensionals, Spritzing Bottle. Blending Tool,
Fancy Folded Banner Dies, Christmas Like No Otter Dies, Ocean Wave Borders Dies, Stitched Windy Backdrop Die (Lawn Fawn),
Layering Oval Framelits Dies

 

Faux Suede Tag

One of the videos shared by Papertrey Ink during their Stamp-a-Faire event was faux suede. I've used that technique quite a few times back in my early stamping years, but I decided it would be a fun technique to revisit and a good opportunity to make a masculine card. Looking at my stamps to find a big and bold sentiment, I found something interesting in the You're Amazing stamp set. I liked the frame around "You're amazing" but preferred having a birthday sentiment, so I inked the frame with markers and stamped on my faux suede cardstock, then I added the birthday sentiment inside. I pulled out the Apothecary Frames Framelits to die-cut the sentiment, and added a mat in the same shape die-cut out of patterned paper underneath.

I wanted die-cut metallic eyelets to accent my main shape, so I used the Sparkle & Shine Sequins die from Papertrey Ink and die-cut some Champagne Foil Paper (currently sold in Holidays catalogue). Those are supposed to be sequins but when you leave the center in, I think they make terrific eyelets.

I sponge Night of Navy or Soft Suede around my papers and cardstock, and added a bit of kraft rope trim, then decorated a matching envelope and I was done!

Design was inspired by MFT Sketch #347 and theme by Global Design Project #103.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Tu es incroyable (You're Amazing - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Soft Suede
Patterned Papers: Original (Authentique)
Ink: Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Night of Navy
Accessories: Apothecary Frames Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals,
Champagne Foil Paper, Shione & Sparkle Sequins Die (Papertrey Ink), Kraft Rope Trim,
Crumb Cake Medium Envelope, Sponge

 

P.S. I Miss You

This card was inspired by the Fusion challenge and the Fab Friday challenge #120. It was a great excuse to get the Glamper Greetings stamp set out. Since this set is only available in English, I looked for a French sentiment in other sets and found "P.S. I Miss You" in the You're Delightful hostess stamp set.

I added interest to my pieces of cardstock by stamping the Tree Ring background stamp and Burlap background stamp on them. I also added a thin strip of patterned paper from the Wood Textures Designer Series Paper Stack on the edge of my Tango Tangerine cardstock.

I was looking for an embellishment to finish my card and pulled out the Glitter Enamel Dots. I was going to add a green dot, but then I noticed that the blue ones were a close enough match to the Tranquil Tide color to work, so I went with that.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Glamper Greetings, Tu es charmante (You're Delightful)
Cardstock: Tango Tangerine, Tranquil Tide, Lemon Lime Twist, Peekaboo Peach, Watercolor Paper
Designer Series Paper Stack: Wood Textures
Ink: Tango Tangerine, Tranquil Tide, Lemon Lime Twist, Peekaboo Peach, Jet Black StazOn
Accessories: Layering Circle Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals, Aqua Painters,
Glitter Enamel Dots, White Medium Envelope

 

Knitting You a Christmas Gift

This is an interesting card. It's the very last project I made for the DTGD challenge (made them all - woo-hoo!) and I wasn't sure what to make for it. I really wanted to finish 'em all, so I got going, thinking worst case scenario I wouldn't really like what I had done but would have completed the whole list.

I applied a thin layer of texture paste on Thick White Cardstock and stamped the knitting texture from Papertrey Ink's Background Basics: Striped Sweater in it repeatedly. I let aside to dry and went hunting for stamps to match. I settled on Baaah Humbug because of the knitting sheep and decided to put the image in a frame made with the Stitched Square Frames. Then I decided since I was making a Christmas card to look at the Merry Monday catchup challenges and selected #181 - Blue and White with texture, which was perfect. Since I needed blues, I went to my ColourQ list and found something perfect in challenge #166.

As I started coloring the image and putting the card together, I decided I might actually like it after all and really got into it. I found the perfect sentiment in the Cheerful Christmas stamp set, which had a Merry Christmas in a font that looks a bit like embroidery or knitting. Then I remembered the white knitted trim we used to carry, so I pulled this out. And decided I really liked this card after all!

The designed was inspired by past Mojo Monday sketch #473. By the way, this is another time when I was doubtful about the ColourQ combo looking at the picture, but I totally love it on a project. Eating crow again!

 

 

 

 

 

     

  

Supplies
Stamps: Baaah Humbug (Lawn Fawn), Background Basics: Striped Sweater (Papertrey Ink),
Y'a d'la joie (Cheerful Christmas - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Cool Caribbean, Midnight Muse, Thick Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Brights
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, Tempting Turquoise, Midnight Muse, Pacific Point
Accessories: Baaah Humbug Dies (Lawn Fawn), Adhesive Foam Strips, Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies,
White Knitted Trim, Texture Paste (SU!), Envelope Punch Board, Markers, Button,
Stitched Square Frames Dies (Lawn Fawn)

 

King of the Day

The background of this card was inspired by a video shared by Jennifer McGuire. I used sticky strip and gold flakes to create shimmery stripes. I was eager to give it a try right after seeing the video, but then the piece was left unused on my desk for weeks afterwards because I just couldnt find anything to pair it with, despite my best try.

I finally got inspired today, though the DTGD challenges, Lawn Fanatics challenge #10 (Create your custom sentiment), Match the Sketch #188 and past ColourQ combo #171. For the sentiment, I wanted something that had to do with a king, and I found "Queen for a day" in another set, so I masked off the first word when inking, and then I created "king" using an alphabet set. It worked out well that it was a short word: made my job easier!

 

 

 

    

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Wild for You (Lawn Fawn), Empire Alphabet Lower, Jeux de mots (Pun Intended - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper Stacks: Brights, Neutrals
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, night of Navy
Accessories: Gold Flakes (Cosmic Shimmer), Sticky Strips, Crumb Cake Medium Envelope, Starburst Framelits Dies,
Stampin' Dimensionals, Markers, Wild for You Dies (Lawn Fawn), Brads, Natural Rbbon, Gold Gel Pen

 

We Should Ketchup

This card was inspired by the DTGD challenges and Paper Craft Crew Card Sketch #254 (Backyard BBQ). (Also, past challenges Mojo #406 and ColourQ #42.)

I kept things fairly simple, with the focus on the cute main image. What ended up giving me the most grief was the fact that I had used a piece of textured cardstock which I believe is Core'dinations, and it did not take the ink well, even though I could see it was still shiny and tried to dry it with my heat tool. I kept getting ink somewhere and transferring it to my finished colored image. Thankfully, I had recently purchased a mono eraser meant for smears and I was waiting for one to test it out. I ended up testing it out quite a bit on this card! (Verdict? It does work well, but it's not meant to produce miracles, so not smudging your project still remains the best option.)

The background So Saffron cardstock was stamped with a new background stamp from the Annual Catalogue, Burlap.

 

 

 

 

       

 

Supplies
Stamps: Burlap (Stampin' Up!), Let's BBQ (Lawn Fawn)
Cardstock: So saffron, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Tango Tangerine, Whisper White
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Tango Tangerine, Real Red
Accessories: Markers, Stampin' Dimensionals, Washi Tape, Button,
Chocolate Chip Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, White Medium Envelope

 

Road to Recovery

This card was inspired by a DTGD challenge, CAS(E) This Sketch #233 and an old ColourQ combo (#214). I kept it fairly simple, by combining the Leafy Tree Background: Portrait and Road Border dies, and I used the bicycle from the Bicycle Build for You stamp set, to lean on the tree.

For the background, I had this image of a houndstooth-patterned blue sky, so I pulled out the Houndstooth stencil from Carta Bella and sponged Bashful Blue ink on matching cardstock. This is a tricky stencil to use. Because the rows are entirely open, you can rub your sponge on the surface of the stencil like you normally would, because if you do the plastic will bend and ink will get everywhere. I was only able to gently pounce my sponge on it. I think this is a stencil that probably works best with spritzing. It's very fragile, so its use is limited.

I embossed my sentiment in copper powder, which reads, "Thoughts of comfort and healing."

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Bicycle Built for You (Lawn Fawn), Éclosion de pensées (Flourishing Phrases - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: So Saffron, Dusty Durango, Bashful Blue, Early Espresso
Ink: Bashful Blue, VersaMark, Rich Cocoa Memento
Accessories: Bicycle Build for You Dies, Leafy Tree Backdrop: Portrait Dies,
Road Border Dies (Lawn Fawn), Copper Stampin' Emboss Powder, Adhesive Foam Strips, Markers,
Houndstooth Stencil, Sponge, White Medium Envelope

 

Mondrian Inspired

One of the DTGD challenges called for geometric shapes. That's far removed from my usual style so I had to think about this one, and then I thought about doing something Piet Mondrian-inspired, using markers to color in a grid. I first planned on cutting thin strips of black cardstock to glue over the lines, but then I spotted the black striped washi tape on my desk, which made the design a little more interesting - and really easy to put together! Since the challenge was calling for a bit of sparkle as well, I added sequins in matching colors in the rectangle corners.

Coincidentally, Stamp Ink Paper challenge #110 this week is calling for primary colors, which fits perfectly with Mondrian's art.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Jolies pensées (Curly Cute - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Whisper White
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento
Accessories: Markers, Sequins, Pick a Pattern Washi Tape, White Medium Envelope

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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)

 

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

 

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)

 

Fishing With Dad

After seeing so many amazing projects made with the Scalloped Box Card Pop-up die set, I finally caved and got one for myself. This is my first try at using it. I thought it would work well with the Dad + Me stamp set, so I spent a whole evening stamping and die-cutting scenery elements. The design was inspired by Paper Craft Crew challenge #250. On the tic-tac-toe grid, I selected Natural Element (the outside scenery images), Summer Celebrations (Father's Day) and Embossing paste (at the bottom). I added the embossing paste after I was done putting the whole scene together, using dyed Distress grit paste, and I really wasn't sure I was digging the look. Now that it's dry, I think I might like it a little better. I do like the texture it adds, but I wonder if it's still a little too pink (even though I added a few drops of reinker three times). Oh, well. Sometimes you just got to give new things a try and hope for the best if you don't want to keep making the same thing over and over again.

The colour combo came from ColourQ combo #4 (still working on past challenges).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Dad + Me (Lawn Fawn), Tout en losange (All-Around Argyle - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Bravo Burgundy, Taken with Teal, Real Rust, Old Olive, Whisper White
Patterned Papers: Perfectly Plaid Fall (Lawn Fawn)
Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Taken with Teal, Tuxedo Black Memento, Old Olive, Real Rust, Night of Navy
Accessories: Scalloped Box Card Pop-up Die (Lawn Fawn), Distress Grit Paste (Ranger), Palette (Stampin' Up!), Markers,
Stampin' Dimensionals, Grass CutUp Die (The Cat's Pajamas), Dad + Me Dies (Lawn Fawn), Bravo Burgundy Classic Reinker

 

Thoughts to Lift You Up

This card was inspired by MFT Sketch #336 and Lawn Fawnatics #6.

Ironically, when the new Lawn Fawn release came out, I was in love with a lot of the new stuff, so I was trying to prioritize and decide what I loved best. I kept going back and forth on the Plane and Simple stamp set, wondering if I would really be using it. Figures that the one set I was most undecisive about turned out to be the first set I inked when I had time to sit down and stamp. roll eyes

That plane with the banner is so adorable. I immediately thought of it when I spotted the new MFT weekly sketch. I figured I could make the sky out of that big heart and have the plane fly across it, using the Stitched Trails dies behind it. (By the way, the trails dies are one of those items that is going to be such a classic. Makes me wonder how come it took so long for me to have something like that in my dies collection. It's going to come in handy for so many things.)

I was looking for a French sentiment to match and since the Lawn Fawn challenge theme was "Cheerful Get Well," I went with "Just a Thought to Lift You Up," from a Stampin' Up! set featuring hot air balloons. Perfect!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Plane and Simple (Lawn Fawn), Gentil remontant (Lift Me Up - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Dapper Denim, Shimmery White, Soft Sky
Patterned Papers: Beachside
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, VersaMark
Accessories: Simple Puffy Clouds Dies, Simply Puffy Cloud Frames Dies, Plane and Simple Dies,
Stitched Trails Dies (Lawn Fawn), Stampin' Dimensionals, Markers, Sequins, White Stampin' Emboss Powder,
Banner Framelits Dies, Sweet & Sassy Framelits, White Medium Envelope

 

Peaceful and Rustic

This week's Merry Monday challenge theme was "rustic" (#250). Based off of that and the Try Stamping on Tuesday #324 sketch, I put together the card below. I have recently purchased some Glitter Kiss from Cosmic Shimmer and I thought the Golden Sand color would look lovely sponged on the edges of the vellum circle and the background paper. I did the same thing on the envelope as well. The stag was die-cut out of Champagne glitter paper (I don't know why Stampin' Up! retired that one, it was my favorite). When came time to add the sentiment, I decided to use a peace die-cut (inspired by the inspiration picture from Merry Monday) and as I was looking for some blue paper, I spotted a piece of cardstock I had entirely covered with Periwinkle Glitter Kiss when I tested the product out, so I used that and it worked beautifully. Copper Nuvo Crystal Drops were added to the circle to fill it out a little. A Crumb Cake medium envelope was decorated to match.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Cardstock: Dapper Denim. Vellum
Patterned Paper: Sleigh Ride (Bo Bunny)
Accessories: Stag Trio Dies (W Plus 9), Circle Punches, Champagne Glimmer Paper,
Stampin' Dimensionals, Nuvo Crystal Drops (Copper), Voeux de Noël Thinlits dies,
Glitter Kiss (Periwinkle, Golden Sand), Crumb Cake Medium Envelope

 

Bicycle Ride

When I saw the inspiration image from the Inspired by All the Little Things challenge #56 with the bike with flowers in the basket, I knew it was a perfect occasion to get my Bicycle Built For You stamps inked. For the design, I drew inspiration from Sunday Stamps #152. I was looking for colour inspiration and nothing from the current challenges was tickling my fancy, so I reverted to older ColourQ combos for inspiration (I picked #7). The orange and teal reminded me of Lawn Fawn's Perfectly Plaid Fall papers, so I pulled those out to create my background.

It's hard to look at a Lawn Fawn creation without feeling happy, and this card is no exception. There's just happiness that oozes out of those smiley, adorable characters. I was looking for a French sentiment to finish off my card (although this set DOES include three French sentiments to add to the bike banner!) and I found something that was the perfect size in Stampin' Up!'s retired Amazing Birthday stamp set. By sheer coincidence, the otuside rim of the sentiment looks like a sun, so it complemented my little scene very nicely. The sentiment reads, "It For You."

I'm really digging the new road dies Lawn Fawn has added to its line as well. With the two overlapping die-cuts, it's really easy to add colour to the street line. I grabbed my dew drops and added a few "pebbles" on the side of the road for added dimension and detailing.

 

 

 

 

    

Colour Combo: Pumpkin Pie + Kiwi Kiss + Taken with Teal + Soft Suede

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Bicycle Built for You (Lawn Fawn), Super anniversaire (Amazing Birthday - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Taken with Teal, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Soft Suede, Kiwi Kiss
Patterned Papers: Perfectly Plaid Fall (Lawn Fawn)
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, VersaMark, Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Bicycle Built for You Dies, Road Border Dies, Stitched Rectangle Dies (Lawn Fawn), Circle Punches,
Stampin' Dimensionals, Markers, Dew Drops, Decorative Brad, White Medium Envelope

 

Another Perfect Day

This card was inspired by Sugar Pea Mix It Up #31 challemge. As I was putting together a layout using the All Year Long Project Life collection, I spotted a card with a lemon background and it reminded me of the inspiration picture, so I decided to make a card after I was done with the layout. As I was putting the card together, I also found a 3" x 4" card with a circle sentiment that was perfect to punch out with the 2-1/2" Circle punch and add directly to the card as my main sentiment, as per the sketch.

 

Retiring items featured:

• All Year Long Project Life Cards
• Mint Macaron Cardstock
• Delightful Dijon 5/8" Mini Striped Ribbon
• Woodgrain Embossing Folder
• Classy Designer Buttons

 

 

 

 

Color Combo: Mint Macaron + Delightful Dijon + Tip Top Taupe + Basic Black + Very Vanilla

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Cardstock: Mint Macaron, Basic Black
Project Life Cards: All Year Long
Accessories: Delightful Dijon 5/8" Mini Striped Ribbon, Vanilla Medium Envelope,
Classy Designer Buttons, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Woodgrain Embossing Folder

 

Sending Hugs From Afar

My Distress Inks were out and I was trying out different stuff. Since the inks are pigmented, I decided to try them out on black cardstock. While they were not popping out like I was expecting the colours to, I still liked the Milky Way look enough to decode and transform my piece of cardstock into a card. The astronaut from the Out of This World stamp set seemed like an obvious choice. I die-cut little stars in the background using the Starry Skies die and placed a piece of Silver Glimmer Paper underneath.

I worked my design around the Freshly Made Sketch #286. I was first planning on gluing the pieces in place , but then I got the idea to use the Slide On Over dies and hide a slider part underneath my sentiment title. (This is an idea that was shared by Jennifer McGuire on her blog and that I wanted to try out.)The little astronaut is floating around the Earth and it makes that card that much more fun.

I wanted a French sentiment and went looking at options to find something that would make sense with the space theme. I actually found what I needed in the Lift Me Up stamp set from Stampin' Up! (the one with hot air balloons from the Occasions catalogue). In English, you have a sentiment that says "Sending smiles across the miles," which in French became something like "Sending you a hug even though you are far."

For colours, I had a look at my past ColourQ combos cheat sheet and selected combo #73 for something masculine that could work well with the astronaut and little earth. A couple of silver enamels stars were added to the design as well, and Clear Wink of Stella was brushed on the stamped stars around the sentiment.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Colour Combo: Rich Razzleberry + Pear Pizzazz + Brocade Blue + Brilliant Blue

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Out of This World (Lawn Fawn), Gentil remontant (Lift Me Up - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Pear Pizzazz, Brocade Blue, Brilliant Blue, Basic Black, Watercolor Paper
Designer Series Paper: Polka Dot Parade
Ink: Basic Black Archival, Brocade Blue, Brilliant Blue, Pear Pizzazz, Blush Blossom, Smoky Slate, Soft Suede,
Distress Oxide
Accessories: Metallics Enamel Shapes, Envelope Punch Board, Lots of Labels Framelits,
Silver Cord Trim, Slide On Over Dies (Lawn Fawn), Stampin' Dimensionals, 7/8" Circle Punch,
Washi Designer Tape, Clear Wink of Stella Brush, Silver Glimmer Paper, Starry Skies Dies (Lawn Fawn),
Blending Pen, Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder

 

Nailed It

After 11 years working for the same company, I'll be leaving for a new job at the end of this week. It'll be quite a big change, for the better, but saying goodbye to my boss will be bittersweet. I wanted to make a card to thank him for everything that he's done over the four years we've worked together. The Nailed It stamp set (Occasions Catalogue, p. 48 - retiring) includes a sentiment in the French set that says "De main de maître" - it loosely translates to something like "From the master's hand." My boss is a lawyer and in French, we put "Maître" in front of a lawyer's name, so the play on words is perfect for a card for him. The design was inspired by Fab Friday sketch #111.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stampin' Up! Supplies
Stamps: Les bons outils (Nailed It)
Cardstock: Basic Grey, Delightful Dijon, Smoky Slate, Silver Foil
Designer Series Paper: Urban Underground
Ink: VersaMark, Jet Black StazOn, Basic Black Archival 
Accessories: Build It Framelits Dies, Stampin' Dimensionals, Urban Underground Washi Designer Tape,
Envelope Punch Board, Black Stampin' Emboss Powder, Stapler

 

Strong Dad

The Stay Strong stamp set seemed liked a natural fit for the Big Top Birthday Designer Series Paper Stampin' Up! carried a few years ago. Based off of the Stamp Ink Paper challenge #95 sketch, I came up with this fun Father's Day card. For the French sentiment, I reached for the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set. I embellished with different stars: metallic enamel shapes added to the pennant image on the DSP, stars punched out of Silver glimmer paper with punches, and a metal star from the Urban Underground Embellishments (from the Occasions catalogue - absolutely love those!).

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Stay Strong (Sugarpea Designs), Voeux mignons (Teeny Tiny Wishes - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Big Top Birthday
Ink: Pacific Point, Tuxedo Black Memento
Accessories: Stitched Rectangles Stackables Dies (Lawn Fawn), Markers, Neutrals Candy Dots,
Silver Glimmer Paper, Star Punches, Urban Underground Embellishments, Metallic Enamel Shapes,
Envelope Punch Board, Lots of Labels Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

Blow Out the Candles and Make a Wish

I needed a masculine card so I decided to pair the Boys Only papers from Doodlebug Design with the Sweet Cupcake and the Birthday Banners stamp sets. None of the weekly sketches worked for the double banner, so I picked an older Mojo Monday sketch (#375), paired with Just Us Girls #388 (multi-step stamping – on the cupcake and on the banner)  and Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge (Happy Birthday) for inspiration.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Banderoles de fête (Birthday Banners), Douceurs sucrées (Sweet Cupcake)
Cardstock: Brilliant Blue, Soft Sky, Whisper White, Basic Grey
Patterned Papers: Boys Only (Doodlebug Design)
Ink: Soft Sky, Tempting Turquoise, Smoky Slate, Basic Gret, versaMark, Night of Navy
Accessories: Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder, Petit Gâteau Framelits Dies, Stampin' Dimensionals,
Bunch of Banners Framelits Dies, Metallics Enamel Shapes, 2" Circle Punch, White Medium Envelope,
Party Animal Embellishments

 

Cardio is Hardio

I'm still putting my KI Memories paper scraps to good use. In this instance, I drew inspiration from Naughty or Nice #38, Just Add Ink #354 (purple shades from inspiration picture) and an old Mojo Monday sketch (#395). Those Exercise Grumplings just make me smile every time I look at time. That frustrated, discouraged look pretty much reflects my own whenever I try to exercise. And "Cardio is Hardio" says it all! For Naughty or Nice's three of something challenge, I added three metal embellishments that reminded me a little bit of dumbbells. I kept the embelilshing to a minimum because I wanted this card to work as a masculine card.

 

 

 

   

 

Supplies
Stamps: Exercise Grumplings (Taylored Expressions)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Bazzill
Patterned Papers: KI Memories
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Rich Razzleberry Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, 2-1/4" Circle Punch,
Markers, Tall Envelope, Urban Underground Embellishments, Stampin' Dimensionals

 

Wintery Birthday Wishes

This week's Just Add Ink challenge #353 is centered around critters and Simon Says Stamp Wednesday is Anything Goes. I was looking forward to playing with the Polar Bear Pals stamp set, so I paired it with the Winter Wonderland papers from Simple Stories (I have to say, I'm totally digging that collection - the colors and patterns are really appealing to me). That polar bear is just so cute - I don't know how you can't not smile, looking at its adorable face. The sentiment reads, "Happy Birthday to you" and was embossed in Rose Gold powder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Polar Bear Pals (My favorite Things), Coffret de souhaits (Tin of Cards - Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: True Thyme, Barely Banana (inside), corrugated cardstock
Patterned Papers: Winter Wonderland (Simple Stories)
Ink: True Thyme, Cocoa Memento, VersaMark, So Saffron (inside)
Accessories: Stitched Rectangles Stackables (Lawn Fawn), Sycamore Street Button, Markers,
Baked Brown Sugar Thick Baker's Twine, Linen Thread, Rose Gold Embossing Powder,
Bermuda Bay Sequins, Winter Wonderland Washi Tape, Stampin' Dimensionals, Vanilla Medium Envelope

 

Diddly Squats

The sentiments in the Exercise Grumplings stamp set just crack me up. The "my new exercise routine: diddly squats" sentiment might be my favorite. (Maybe because it's not that far from my personal reality?)

The card design was inspired by Can You Case It #151. I found the Cut & Paste papers from My Mind's Eye in my paper stack and thought the colours were great for an exercise card. Then I spotted the paper with the bikes on it, which reminds me of a spinning bike, so it thought it tied up nicely with the theme as well.

I stamped the sentiment in Night of Navy ink and then overstamped it in VersaMark so that I could emboss it with clear powder. It gives it a nice shine and dimension. I die-cut the sentiment with the Stitched rectangles Stackables dies, matted it with Going Grey cardstock and popped up my colored image (which I handcut). Summer Starfruit satin ribbon and Regals candy dots were added, and to mimick the sketch, I added two wooden arrows on the left side of the main panel.

The card base was stamped with the Timeless Textures stamp set (one of my personal must-have sets) to add texture.

 

 

 

 

 Supplies
Stamps: Exercise Grumplings (Taylored Expressions), Timeless Textures (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Real Rust, Going Grey, Night of Navy
Patterned Papers: Cut & Paste (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, Night of Navy, Cajun Craze, VersaMark
Accessories: Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder, Stampin' Dimensionals, Markers,
Essentials Wooden Elements, Stitched Rectangles Stackables Dies, Regals Candy Dots,
White Square Envelope, Summer Starfruit Satin Ribbon

 

Beary Special Surprise

I combined Tuesday Morning Sketch #393 and Color Throwdown #433. The color combo was somewhere between purple and blue to me. I thought it looked more purple, but saw some sample cards done with blue so I was hesitating and finally landed on blue because it gave me the chance to pull out a paper bundle I hadn't used in a long time and had put aside in my pile of stuff I wanted to use again. I found a nice green paper in the Let's Bokeh in the Snow paper pack from Lawn Fawn that went well with my blues.

This card came together surprisingly fast. Everything I tried worked right away and the ideas just kept coming. I like that the resulting card could work well for a man - can never have too many of those. On the plus side, "Surprise" is both an English and French word, so this card can work for either case.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Beary Special Birthday (My Favorite Things)
Cardstock: Buckaroo Blue, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Patterned Papers: Subtles DSP Pack, Let's Bokeh in the Snow (Lawn Fawn), Original (Authentique)
Ink: Tuxedo Black Memento, Night of Navy, VersaMark
Accessories: Oval Nestabilities, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Buttons, Subtles Enamel Shapes,
Stampin' Dimensionals, Markers, Navy Embossing Powder, Square Punches, Designer Washi Tape,
Envelope Punch Board

 

Birthday Glamping

This card was inspired by Paper Craft Crew Sketch #234 (awesome sketch this week!). I wanted to make a camper birthday card because I know a few colleagues at the office are camping enthousiasts, which is why I knew getting the Glamper Greetings stamp set would be a wise addition to my stamps. I paired it with my Away We Go papers from My Mind's Eye. Perfect match, and would work great for a masculine card. I did a bit of paper piecing on the camper, using two patterned papers from the stack, and colored Very Vanilla pieces for the door, windows and details. Teeny tiny pieces to cut out and glue down! The result is pretty cool, though.

For the sentiment, I picked one from Tasty Trucks that reads, "It's always too soon for one more year..."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplies
Stamps: Glamper Greetings (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Dusty Durango, Very Vanilla
Patterned Papers: Away We Go (My Mind's Eye)
Ink: Rich Cocoa Memento, Crushed Curry
Accessories: Candy Dots, Ticket Duo Punch, Circle Punch, Baker's Twine,
Stampin' Dimensionals, Markers, Banners Framelits, Vanilla Medium Envelope