Packed for Baby

This card is a case of one made by Helen VanDaalen that I found on Stampin' Connection, a resource for Stampin' Up  Demonstrators.

The little bear comes from a collage of images on a stamp called Packed for Baby.  I made my card for a baby boy, so I chose Bashful  Blue for my card stock and button, and I changed the ribbon layout   from the original design.

The For Baby greeting on the card front is from the Easy Events stamp set. 

The blocks from the bottom of the collage on the stamp were added to carry the color and design to the inside.  The little embossed hearts on the front were made using the Adorning Accents embossing folders, now available in the Occasions Mini Catalog. 

The sentiment is from the Curvy Verses stamp set.

The card was a big hit at the baby shower!

For the Newlyweds

It's always nice to have a variety of special occasion cards ready to use.  I  seemed to be getting low on wedding cards, having just used two in the past few weeks.  So here's another one I came up with today.
The beautiful black swirl is from Elements of Style stamp set and it was stamped and embossed with black craft ink and EP.  The pretty label shape is from Apothecary Art stamp set, available in the current Occasions Mini Catalog.  The top label shape was cut by hand.  The Blushing bride color  behind the sentiment was cut with the new Framelits labels dies.
The modern label punch was used to punch out the phrase "For the Newlyweds" which is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set.
The tiny blossoms are punched with the Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack and decorated with tiny pearls from Basic Pearls collection.
The flap of the envelope is embossed to match the scroll on the card.
Here are a few more views you may enjoy:

 Close up of the sentiment.

Sentiment inside the card is from the retired stamp set Elegant Inspirations.






The last photo shows the card front and embossed flap of the envelope.









Thanks for stopping by today.  Please come back soon!

Fresh Vintage fun

Here's a fun card to make with the Fresh Vintage stamp set that can be yours for free with a $50 purchase of other SU products!
This card also uses Baroque Motifs stamp set to compliment the swirls in the Fresh Vintage image.
The Circle Scissors Plus was used to cut the circles from Whisper White and Pool Party card stock.
Other papers include Soft Suede card stock and the Everyday Enchantment Designer series paper.  The DSP is another free product you can earn free with a qualified purchase.  Also available as a free selection is the Everyday  Enchantment ribbon and brad pack, which is showcased here with the 1/8" organdy ribbon that you see tucked behind the soft suede card stock.
I love how the Scallop Trim Border Punch finishes off the bottom edge of the card.

Inside the card you'll see the Fresh  Vintage flower image stamped lightly in  Pool Party ink.

Another image from the Fresh Vintage stamp set was stamped and cut out before placing on the strip of   papers along the bottom edge. 
I was pleased with the way this card turned out.

Thanks so much for taking time to stop  by my blog today!                   

Sail Away

Hello!
Our hot Florida weather makes me want to spend an afternoon or evening sailing away over calm waters with soft breezes blowing gently.  Doesn't that sound wonderful?  Well, I can dream, can't I?

I recently purchased this pretty Sail Away stamp.  I think it will make some wonderful masculine cards, as well as all occasion cards.  

I chose a piece of  Marina Mist card stock for the base. The next layer is So Saffron, which was embossed with the Framed Tulips embossing folder and the Big Shot.  Additional layers of Basic Black and Marina Mist card stock were added to create a base for the focal image, the sail boat.

A 1 3/4" circle punch was used to create a mask for the sun using a post-it note.  It was placed on a  piece of Glossy Card stock.  Next, I brayered Marina Mist ink over the card stock, letting the color fade out at the top, and deepening the color at the bottom.  

The post-it note was removed and So Saffron ink was sponged in the circle.  Some Perfect Plum ink was also sponged across the center of the card to add some color variaion and interest.

For the main image, the sail boat was stamped in position with black ink.  It was stamped a second time on Vellum card stock, and the sails were cut out of the vellum piece. The sails were attached over the image on the glossy card with two mini  glue dots.

A white gel pen was used to color the tiny flag on top of the mast as well as to accent the waves in the water.
I enjoy using the brayer to create smooth and blended backgrounds.  Glossy card stock is very forgiving when brayering and the lines tend to blend more easily than on other types of papers.

This card ended up as a birthday card for my son.  He doesn't have a sailboat but I know he will appreciate the card.

Happy stamping,

Owlish birthday

I just grinned from ear to ear when I made this cute owl card!  I cased the original by Diana Gibbs but changed the greeting and some of the colors. 
It was so much fun giving the punch out some personality! 
It's pretty easy to figure out when you look at the details.  When I made the feet, I punched the lower half of the owl in black, then cut it off leaving just enough above the feet to glue it underneath the body.
This isn't the best photo, but some of our Basic Pearls were added to make the necklace.  Basic Rhinestones add detail to the eyes.  I added the branch from the bird punch so she could perch comfortably over the greeting.
Now I'm starting to think of other ways to dress up that owl!  Should be fun!

Inside the card I made this pop-up holder for the gift card.  I found a video tutorial by Dawn Griffith that shows just how to do it!  I'd been wanting to make a pop up like this for some time and just came across the tutorial recently.  Thanks, Dawn!

Clearly for You

This card was one of our projects taught by Catherine Harwood for the 321-Stamp monthly team meeting a couple of weeks ago.  The project was a card design presented by Stampin' Up! at Leadership conference this year. I love the colors and the unique layout!

We used the paper crimper (which I had forgotten I owned!), the Extra Large Petal Card punch, and the 2 1/2" circle punch  in addition to the Clearly for You stamp set. This was a fun card to make and just a bit different from the standard fold I often find myself making.

Thanks for visiting.  Have a wonderful day!

Daffodil Build a Blossom

This card was the project for one of my recent events.  Of course, you could change the sentiment as desired, since this pretty flower would be appropriate for any number of occasions. 
The inspiration for this card came from a clear card designed by Mary Fish.  Since I didn't have the necessary transparencies to make a clear card I decided on this version using a basic white card base.

Supplies used:
Daffodil Delight card stock
Certainly Celery card stock
Whisper White card stock
Old Olive card stock
Old Olive Stampin' pad
Clear mount Build a Blossom stamp set
Clear mount  Block E
3/4 "circle punch
Botanical Gazette DSP
Daffodil button
Artichoke seam binding
Thoughts and Prayers stamp set (sentiment)
Dimensionals
Mini Glue dots

Thanks for visiting.

Cute by the Inch Surprise

I made this card last week when my sister and a friend were visiting.  We all made the same basic square card, but varied the stamps and colors as we chose. 

This card was made with a 6" piece of Pear Pizzaz from the Level 1  Hostess In Color Designer Series Paper Pack, as well as Old Olive, Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, and Certainly Celery card stock.  When it's opened up, it looks like this.

T

The Cute by the Inch stamp (Hostess Level 1) was inked up and layered on a square of Whisper White.
The next layer was the flower made with the Petal Card Extra Large punch. Old Olive ink was used to stamp the floral design from Clearly for You.  That was popped up on a 2 1/2" circle. 
The Tangerine Tango square was cut with the Bigz Scallop Square Duo die.
The cute belly band holds everything together when folded up. It uses the 1 3/4" scallop circle punch and a 1 3/8" circle punch.

Below is a close-up of the center.

Isn't it pretty?
 Here's the closed-up version below. 
I think it's so much fun to try something different now and then.

I hope you'll stop by again soon!

Thoughts and Prayers Sympathy

 Hello!  Thanks for stopping by today!
I've had this Thoughts and Prayers stamp set for some time but this is the first I've inked it up.
I had the layout in mind when I started and the card went together very quickly!
I like sympathy cards to stay pretty simple in design.  The scallop edges give enough interest without getting too  fussy.



The inside was stamped with a portion of the tree and the bottom edge was punched with the scallop edge punch.  

Supplies:

Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke

DSP - retired

Punches: Scallop edge, large oval, scalloped oval 

Ink: Always Artichoke

Build-a-Blossom Tulips

This card was inspired by a tutorial offered  by Jackie Topa.  I love the idea of making tulips from the Build-a-Blossom punch. 
The petals were sponged with ink and assembled with glue dots.
I used my Circle Scissors plus to cut the  background circle, and stamped the grass from Inspired by Nature stamp set.  The corner was punched with the Scallop Trim Corner Punch.
We will be making a card similar to this one at my Build-a-Blossom punch class next week.  If you live near Cocoa, Fl. or Merritt Island and are interested in attending the class, please send me an email  or check my class schedule on my website (in sidebar) for class details. 
Thanks for looking!

Punched Easter card

I was playing with my new Blossom Petals Punch last week.  Here's the card I made.  I love the soft subtle pink on white for the blossoms. 

 The Petals a Plenty embossing folder was used for the  background.  I haven't used this one in quite a while.  It is perfect for this card.

The flower center is a 3/4" punched circle, accented with a Square Fire Rhinestone brad.

The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set, stamped on Whisper White and punched out with a Modern Label punch.  That layer is attached to a die cut made with the punched windows coordinating modern label die.

Once I selected the colors I wanted to use, this card came together quickly.    It is one of the cards that we will be making at my  Build-A-Blossom punch class next week.  If you live near Cocoa or Merritt Island or in that vicinity and would like to attend this class please send me an email for details.

Thanks for visiting!

Elegant Soiree Thanks card

I love making this fun card!  The Elegant Soiree DSP and Baja Breeze card stock make an elegant combination. The stamp sets are from The Hostess set Afterthoughts.
This card also uses Soft Suede ink and card stock and Baja Breeze seam binding ribbon.  The scallop trim border punch and the scallop oval punch add more details.
I cased this lovely layout from Michele Reynolds, who I find has lots of  great cards.  She is so creative! Check out her website here.
If you're looking for a fun layout, this one is quick and easy. 
Thanks for stopping by!

Tea Party Floral

I've just a tiny bit of the Tea Party DSP left and I'm really going to miss it!  I decided to use it on this little square card.
The card base is 4 1/4" by 8 1/2", scored and folded at 4 1/4".  The card is layered with Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, and a square of  DSP.  The little Pretty in Pink Border was punched with the scallop edge border punch.
The flower from the Level II Hostess set  Punched Posies is stamped in  Regal Rose, punched out with a  scallop circle punch, and sponged around the edge.  It is layered over a large circle punch and is topped with a pink corduroy button brad.
You can get just a peek of the inside, which is decorated with a strip of the DSP creating a border along the bottom edge.
This was a quick card to make.  I loved using this paper just one more time before it is retired.

Thanks for visiting!

Patriotic Thank You

I wanted to make a patriotic card to thank our service men and women who give so much for our freedom.   I like the Thank U from the True Friend stamp set so I thought it would be a nice focal point for this card.  The card measures 4 1/4" square.  White star-flowers are embossed with white E.P. to provide a subtle pattern in the background although they are barely visible in the photo.





 Supplies:
Stamps: True Friend
Card Stock: Real Red, Brilliant Blue, Whisper White
Inks: Real Red and Brilliant Blue classic ink, White Craft ink
Accessories: 1" and 1 3/4" circle punches, White Embossing Powder, Curly Label punch, red brads, paper piercer, mat pack.

Thanks a Latte

This card is for a challenge from the LateNightStampers Yahoo group to make a card using the colors of your flag.  I wanted a CAS (Clean and Simple ) card this time.  
The only tricky thing about this card was to piece the scallop circle punch pieces so they fit behind the 1 3/4" white circle, since I don't have a scallop that fits behind it.

Supplies:
Card Stock: Whisper White, Brilliant Blue, Real Red, Watercolor paper.
Ink: Craft Basic Black, Real Red marker.
Accessories: Aqua Painter, Red striped grosgrain ribbon, large oval punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, Scallop Circle punch, Black Embossing Powder.

It's nice to do a quick card occasionally!

Live, Laugh & Love Birthday card

I was inspired to make this birthday card after seeing a tutorial by Linda
Heller on her Stamping School website.  She has some wonderful ideas!

The base card is Whisper White, and the Ruby Red DSP is from the Level 1 hostess pack available in the Idea book and Catalog.   The photo has a blue cast so I hope you can imagine what it actually looks like!
The hanging tag is made with the scallop punch, a large grommet, some small flower punches, and brad. 
The sentiment comes from On Your Birthday stamp set.
This was a quick card to make.  It looks great in a variety of colors!
                                                                         

Supplies used:
Stamps: On Your Birthday
Paper: Whisper White, Ruby Red
Ink: Ruby Red
Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, Jumbo Grommet, Bold Brights Brads, Flower punch, Mat Pack and paper piecer, Linen Thread, ribbon

On a Pedestal birthday

I really like creating with this fun stamp set!  I keep looking for new ways to use the stamps so my cards each have a unique look.  Sometimes it's hard to do when the stamp set just has "one look!"
I started with cutting the Chocolate Chip circle to create an area to display the focal point.  Then I stamped the different layers of the cake using Regal Rose and Chocolate Chip ink.

The cake seemed to need a ground of some sort so I added the cherries at the base of the pedestal.
That got me to thinking about what I could put inside the card.

I decided on the sentiment at the top and a bowl of cherries at the  bottom.  I also added a double row of scallops at the bottom with the scallop edge punch. 

Here's a close up of the cherries.  I took a circle punch and cut it in half for the bowl.   After stamping several cherries I adhered the bowl in place.  It was a quick card to assemble once the stamping was complete.
I think I like the way it turned out!
Thanks for looking in today.

Scallop Square card with Butterfly

I recently purchased the clear scallop square die and have been wanting to use it. When I saw this pretty pink Specialty DSP in the Spring Mini Catalog, I knew they would work together for a pretty project. The scallop die measures about 4 3/8" square, so I cut my base card at 4 1//2".
I did a lot of sponging to make the scallops pop.
I layered the DSP on white card stock and centered them on the scallop.
To make the butterfly I stamped the vine from Vintage Vogue with Black Craft ink on vellum card stock. Next, I heat embossed it with black E.P. Then I ran it through the Big Shot with the Bigz Beautiful Butterflies Die. I colored it on the back with my Regal Rose marker.
The sentiment is from the Well Scripted stamp set.

Inside, I stamped the vine again using Regal Rose Ink. I added the flower with a dimensional. The little butterfly was made with the Beautiful Wings embosslit die. More product details listed below.


Supplies:
Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Well Scripted
Card Stock: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink
Inks: Regal Rose ink pad and marker, Basic Black Craft ink, Basic Black marker and Classic ink
Accessories: Sending Love DSP, Vellum Card Stock, Black E.P., Heat Tool, Scallop Oval Punch, Clear Square Scallop Die, Bigz Beautiful Butterflies die, Embosslit Beautiful Wings, Corner Rounder punch, Paper Snips, Stampin' Sponges, Dimensionals, sticky strip, Sizzix Machine.

Purely Punched Bird House

This little card was designed by my sister, Cindy Rigel and created by my guest artist Mary K. Hart.
The roof is was made with a 2 1/2" square, cut in half on the diagonal. The scallop trim border punch (# 118402, free Sale-a-bration item with $50 purchase) was used to make the scallop overhang of the roof.
The birdhouse is a 2 1/2" square. The 1 1/4" circle punch made the center opening.
The birds and branches were punched out with the Extra Large 2-step bird punch (117191). The bird's wing was layered with a darker wing underneath to create a shadow. The little berries were made with a 1/4" circle punch. The post is about 3/8" wide.
The beak was paper pieced and a marker was used to make the eye.
Colors used on this card were Real Rust, More Mustard, Garden Green, Ruby Red and Basic Black card stock. Assorted designer papers were used for the background and bird house.
Thanks for letting me share your work, Mary! Your card is beautiful!