Simple Masking.. Natures’ Silhouettes, a perfect “GUY” card.

Did you enjoy the Operation Write Home Blog Hop this weekend?  I know I did!  Wish my internet had not gone down… I’m still trying to catch up on all the fabulous blogs, projects, and stories that were shared!  Many of the bloggers have left their links up, so you can catch up too… it was a wonderful tour and tribute!  If you’re still trying to follow the tour  Click >>>Operation Write Home Blog Post, Click HERE <<<to proceed and view all the lovely projects and ideas!!

It seems that people are always asking for masculine cards!  Soft Suede, Basic Black, and Whisper White… all perfect colors for a Guy’s card, aren’t they?  Add a little textured embossing folder, brads, and masking… and you’ve got a quick masculine card for that special guy in your life!

The Whisper White background layer was cut at 4” x 5 1/4” and stamped the main image from the Upsy Daisy Stamp Set with Basic Black Classic Ink before I ran it through my Sizzix Big Shot machine using the textured embossing folder. 

TIP:  Make sure your semi permanent Basic Black Classic Ink is completely dry before running it through the Big Shot, or you’ll need to clean it well with Stazon cleaner and a few paper towels (personal experience/share!)

The wolf was stamped on a post it note, with his feet along the stick edge so that after cutting the image out, it could easily be used as a mask before stamping the tree and grass silhouette images.

Just playing around, and trying to get a ‘different’ look for a tag, I used my corner rounder on one end of the tag before punching with the slit punch.  It is important to punch only one layer at a time with these tiny punches.. the Stampin’ Up! card stock is nice and sturdy, two layers will kill a punch quickly!

Two narrow strips of cardstock were cut and glued together using Tombow Multi Adhesive before running through my paper crimper… giving the tag a ‘custom ribbon’ appearance.

This is one of the cards we will be constructing during the First Wednesday Card Club in June… I hope they like it!! It’s going to be a fun meeting, I’ve made a special gift for all my current and past club hostesses, and we’ll be lunching on Chinese Chicken Salad too (always a favorite.) 

See you tomorrow with some bright and colorful Island Oasis Designer Series Paper Card Shares!! 

Hugs,

Utah Divas International Sketch Challenge May 29th..

If you’re looking for the Operation Write Home Blog Post, Click HERE to proceed and view all the lovely projects and ideas!!

Sorry for the late post, I was trying to wait until they had all the blog links fixed for the OWH Stars and Stripes Tour.  This a card I did for the Utah Divas International Blog Challenge… it’s a colorful card featuring the Island Oasis Designer Paper and Birthday Bliss stamp set from Stampin’ Up!  It’s a bright, colorful and happy card follwing the sketch posted on the Utah Divas International Blog yesterday… hope you’ll check it out and play along too!

So.. here’s the original sketch:

And this is the card I made for the challenge…

Stampin’ Up! Cardstock:  So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Old Olive

Stampin’ Up! Classic Inks:  Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black

Hope you like it!  It’s kind of colorful and bright, isn’t it?    Be sure to scroll down and look at the projects (and blog candy) for the Operation Write Home Blog Hop… and be sure to stop by Loni Holt’s blog too.. be sure to tell her hello!

I’ve got a great guy’s card share tomorrow too.. I hope you’ll come back to check it out!

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: blog hop,operation write home,utah divas international,card,challenge

Blog Candy, Blog Hop, and Stamping Away Memorial Day… Operation Write Home Blog Hop!

Welcome, I’m glad you’ve taken a moment during your very busy Memorial Day Observance to visit my little blog!

As part of the Operation Write Home Blog Hop, we were asked to share a “Missing You” card for all the soldiers who are not able to be with their families during this holiday weekend.  I had to dig through my ‘collection’ to find JUST the right stamp!  Here’s a quick sneak peek of my card for all the soldiers, all the Hero’s who serve so proudly to protect the U.S.A.

Remember the Faux Embossed Leather Purse Tutorial I shared a few weeks ago?  Today, I’ve embossed a pair of cowboy boots using the same technique and the Baroque Motifs Stamp Set!

Isn’t this fun?  I drew the boots onto post-it notes and then traced them onto my creamy caramel card stock before stamping and embossing with the Faux Embossed Leather Technique (FREE Tutorial <<HERE>>)  I’ve decided I’m not really too good at drawing cowboy boots.. my cowboy must have very flat feet!

Couldn’t stop there… had to make the inside of the card just as special as the outside… complete with another flat footed cowboy boot… and a hand-written message stating :  No-one could EVER fill YOUR boots!

The Designer Series Paper used on this card was left-over Sweet Slumber DSP from last year’s Idea Book and Catalog… The stamps:   Really Retro (miss you) and Sassy Sayings (For My Hero).

Here’s another simple card I made… I markered the stripes on the Ribbon of Hope Stamp set so that it was Red/White/Blue…

Here’s a third hand stamped card… using the color blocking technique… simple design with an appropriate sentiment to commemorate the Memorial Day Observance.

By now, you must be looking for the Blog Candy.  This weekend’s blog candy is a hand made Star Album in Real Red, Brilliant Blue, and Whisper White.  This album is a great way to store those special memories and photos of that special soldier you have known… or for a special Dad too (Father’s Day is right around the corner, isn’t it?)

When completely opened, and tied secure, the album forms a beautiful star (hence, Star Album).  And has plenty of places to record your special soldier’s story and photos… (or Dad’s too.)

But wait, there’s more!!  Two more lucky winners will receive one of the two cards shown in this post! 

So… what do you have to do to win this fabulous blog candy?  It’s quite simple:  Leave a comment and tell me the name of your very favorite Stampin’ Up! Stamp Set from the Current 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog!  For two entries, sign up as a NEW follower on my blog.

On WEDNESDAY JUNE 2ND, I’ll post the Winners’ names on my Wednesday June 2nd blog post… be sure to check back to see if you have won!  NOTE:  if you are commenting anonymously, please include your first and last name in your comment.

General Johan A. Logan in his General Order No. 11 of May 5th, 1868 Decoration Day:

“Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest of flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and asist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation’s gratitude, – the soldiers’ and sailors’ widow and orphan.” 

Hugs and prayers for all the soldiers, and their families on this very special Memorial Day weekend! 

Continue your Memorial Day Blog Hop with Operation Write Home… visit the next stop on the tour:  Loni Holt, be sure to leave her a comment too!

And Hugs, to all of you too!

Technorati Tags: Blog Candy,Operation Write Home,Idea Book & Catalog,faux embossed leather,tutorial,star album

Sharon Field

I’ve Been Tagged… Operation Write Home Blog Hop Stay Tuned!

I’ve been tagged!!  Pamela “Pam” Browne of Virginia Beach, Virginia sent me this bright and festive card just in time for the Memorial Day Observance.  Featuring Red, White, and Brilliant Blue Designer Series Papers and the Wings of Friendship Stamp Set, it’s a very colorful salute to start the weekend with!

TODAY.. at 10am EDT, the Operation Write Home Blog Tour and Hop will begin.  With tons of stamped samples, contributors, and talent, you won’t want to miss this special event!

Be sure to check back for featured BLOG CANDY too… Three Blog Candy Prizes from ME to YOU!

See you in just a few hours!!

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: operation write home,blog candy,tagged,blog tour,blog hop

OSW full class share and BIG Day for Demos!! Preorder Day!!

Boy oh boy, if you are a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, Sunday is the BIG day you’ve been waiting for… New Catalog Pre-Order Day!  I know, you won’t get the new Idea Book & Catalog full of new Stamps, Images, Paper and more until July 1st… but for Demos, June 1 is the big day!! 

Tomorrow is the modified One Sheet Wonder Class…  Modified because for every person there was one sheet of 12 x 12 Designer Series Paper, and we SHARED the paper… Just look at the wonderful creative and simple hand made cards we will make!

I’m so excited about the new catalog and all the new stamps, I don’t think I will sleep a wink all night!!  (I should stamp all night… right?).. AND I get a discount on everything I order too.. Now, how COOL is that???  You, too can become a Stampin’ Up! Business or Hobby Demonstrator JUST by signing up online… it’s quick, it’s easy, and you have access to a wonderful team, resource blog, and more… SIGN UP NOW (Password:  STAMPTEAM) 

See you tomorrow with more creative ideas for rubber stamping and card making!

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: new catalog,stampin up,one sheet wonder,stamp team,rubber stamps,join now

Sharon Field

2 Stamped Cards, Next Blog Hop!

In honor of the Memorial Day weekend and our Soldiers at home and overseas, I’ll be participating in a special Blog Hop sponsored by Operation Write Home.  I’ve got some very special projects to share, and wonderful blog candy too.. Hope you’ll check back and take a ride along the tour of talented Bloggers!

The first stamped card today features the fabulous and fresh Nouveau Chic Designer Series Paper available in the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog.  I’ve used this DSP many, many times before… it’s so very versatile complimented by Whisper White, So Saffron, Basic Gray, and Sage Shadow Card Stock.

Just playing around with scraps… this is a very quick Real Red, Whisper White, and Brilliant Blue Card with a rainbow of stars.  The stamp set used on this card is none other than “Heard from the Heart.”  Scraps and narrow strips of paper were added to the top of the card… Stars and Stripes for you!

I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day Holiday, and take a moment to remember and say a quiet prayer for all the soldiers and their families who have given so much to our Country.

Please stop back tomorrow… I’ve got some very special Blog Candy, and some very special cards for the Operation Write Home Blog Hop!

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: rubber stamps,operation write home,blog hop,blog candy,soldiers

It’s all about the SWEET Stuff!

Sweet Scoops… is a really fun stamp set in the Summer Mini Catalog… but what if it was complimented by Sweet Slumber Specialty Designer Series Paper?  Do you remember it?  Lots of texture, polka dots, plaids… leftover scraps from the 2009 Summer Idea Book & Catalog… Cleaning out my stash of Designer Series Paper.. ah yes!!  So, here’s today’s Sweet Scoops and Sweet Slumber Card Share inspired by the June issue of Paper Crafts magazine!

I think the ice cream cones need a little candied sugar (aka Dazzling Diamonds)… what do you think?

This is such fun DSP… here’s another card I made featuring the Stampin’ Up! Blossom Party Sizzix Die.  (I just love this die.. it’s one of the most versatile flower dies we have, and it’s just $17.95!)

Yesterday I spent a lovely afternoon working one on one with one of my down-line doing a bunch of techniques… we made faux embossed leather cowboy boots, traced from a post it note pattern I drew… We did the rock ‘n roll technique, shadow stamping, mirror image stamping, and gosh.. I don’t even remember what else!  It was a fun afternoon, and I know she went home to stamp the night away!

I guess you can tell I’ve been cleaning out my stash, and making room for all the new wonderful yummy stuff in the new 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog.  I can’t wait to place my first Demonstrator Order in June, and have already re-written my wish list three times!

Want a sneak peek of the new 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog?  Book a workshop, and I’ll bring it along.. Click HERE to go to my Stampin’ UP! Demonstrator Web Site for more information or to order that lovely Blossom Party Die (#115971).

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: rubber stamps,sweet scoops,paper crafts,blossom party,idea book & catalog,2011

Riding along in a Volkswagen… and I’ve got something in my pocket!

One of my down line team members, and a couple of my customers really enjoy punch art… and a few weeks ago when I stumbled upon Dianna Gibbs’ cute Volkswagen Punch Art, I just had to make it into a card.

So, with the help of the “Trendy Trees” stamp set, we have a cute little VW bug travelling through the country side! 

This will be one of the two Quick N Easy cards we’ll make at the Senior Stampin’ Sessions this week… hope to see you there!!  You can take a peek at other punch art featured on Dianna’s blog in THIS POST.

I’ve got something in my pocket.. well, not really.. maybe my pocket book!  Guess what arrived on my doorstep yesterday???  It’s something very fun, that comes out once a year.. something we all wait for, and something very exciting.  Have you guessed?  It’s my new 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog!!!  I’d love to let you take a peek at it… and if you book a workshop, I’ll bring it along!!  You’re going to love all the new ideas and STUFF!!!

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: 2011 idea book & catalog,punch art,volkswagen,dianna gibbs

Another Sneak Peek.. Saturday’s Class.. Have you signed up yet?

Here are two more Quick and Easy cards we’ll be making at next Saturday’s class… We’ll be making 12 different cards and designs in all!   What a great way to stock up on greeting cards, and have a great time with friends too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday’s class will begin promptly at 10am.. bring your adhesive, and basic tools.  Light refreshments will be provided.   I’m looking forward to seeing you!

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: OSW,rubber stamps,jacksonville,arts & crafts,instruction

Sneak Peek… Saturday’s OSW

It started out as a One Sheet Wonder Class, but quickly migrated into more of a Stamp A Stack!

We’ll be making 12 cards featuring the Tropical Party Designer Series Papers and various stamps sets.  All the cards will be fairly quick and easy, so you’ll be able to complete all 12 and go home with a healthy stash of cards!

Here are two of the cards we’ll be making…

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ll be featuring more of the cards we’ll be making this week.. be sure to register early, seating is limited!

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: tropical party,rubber stamps,one sheet wonder,class,jacksonville

Mixed Media Collaborative Project

Last Friday, I had a ‘play date’ with my good friend Tee.  I had decided before she got here that we needed to play around with mixed media and canvas.  Of course, Tee happily obliged.. and off we went!  Although we initially began working on two separate canvases, we soon discovered that it was much more fun to work together on one. 

We did not start with a vision, but rather bits and remnants left over from stamped projects, punches, buttons, ribbons, etc, we happily worked away the day, allowing the canvas to evolve… until the buzzer went off, which meant Tee had to go pick up her kids from school :(

Are you ready to see our collaborative mixed media canvas collage?  Here you go!

It’s kind of like a Stampin’ Up! where’s waldo project.. or highlights for Stampin’ Up! fans, isn’t it?

Can you find and name the images, punches, dsp, etc. used in this project?  Isn’t it fun?

I just happened to have some magic mesh in my stash… (remember when we carried magic mesh in bronze, silver and gold?)  The “Flower Fancy” image was a reject from one of the card projects I had made for the royal blog tour, the Charming images were something I had been playing round with… and the bird and branch punches were leftover from Valentines’ Day… can you believe that?  Bits, beads, buttons and baubles… pearls, punches, Designer Papers and wet/dry sand paper, all rolled into one unique canvas and piece of art!

I sent Tee home with our finished projects… and you can visit her blog HERE.  I am so jazzed and inspired that I’m going to sit down and make one by myself in the coming week.  I have an idea in my head, but who knows what it will evolve into!

Have you signed up for next Saturday’s One Sheet Wonder class?  It’s always so much fun, and a great way to build up your card stash… hope to see you there!

Hugs!

Technorati Tags: mixed media,canvas,rubber stamps,art,3-d

We interrupt this program... Blog Candy Winner!!

Short and sweet, very quick post to announce today's Blog Candy Winner: Susan Carlson!! Please contact me to arrange delivery of Tuesday's Butterfly Birthday Card!!

Butterflies in Flight… Blue Skies A Tutorial from CreatedByU

All A Flutter is quickly becoming one of my favorite stamp sets from the Summer Mini Catalog.  In today’s tutorial, I’m showing you a simple way to color your butterflies and achieve a bright, bold and colorful look!

They look like they just landed on the cardstock don’t they?  Scroll to the bottom to see the complete and finished card.

Once again, I am embossing on Vellum Cardstock, leaving a generous amount of space between each image.  I used Black Embossing Powder to get the crisp black lines in the image to POP.  Right now, you’re saying.. yeah, and then you colored them, right?  WRONG… It was actually even easier than coloring on vellum! 

I wanted strong, vibrant colors for my butterflies so…. After embossing, I flipped the Vellum card stock over, and using my Tombow Multi Adhesive, covered the butterfly with glue, except for the antennae.  Note:  the image below is only 1/2 covered with the Tombow Multi Adhesive.

Next, I took scraps of New In-Color Card Stock Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, and older in-color card stock Tangerine Tango… and placed them firmly on top of the Tombow Multi covered butterfly image.

Press firmly with your hand to prevent the Vellum Card Stock from rippling… the warmth from your hands will also help the glue dry more quickly.

Here’s what the butterflies looked like before I cut them out with my paper snips…  The one on the top right is not quite dry yet!

After snipping out the butterflies (very closely to the embossed edge), simple white accents were added with a White Signo Gel Pen. 

I decided the butterflies really needed a soft blue sky to flit through… so I tore a piece of scrap cardstock vellum and sponged white clouds into the Bashful Blue Cardstock.  (I used vellum just because that was what happened to be on the table.)

And then embossed with Clear Embossing Powder.  I did NOT use the embossing buddy as I wanted the texture and effect created when the clear EP stuck to the cardstock even where there was no ink… giving it a deeper blue coloration.

After embossing “Kind Thanks” (from the Thank You Kindly Stamp Set) with white EP, the butterflies were mounted onto the blue and white sponged sky with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Here is the finished card… what do you think? 

Later today, I’ll announce my blog candy winner for the butterfly card posted on May 18th. 

Tomorrow I am sharing a special collaborative project my friend Tee & I made during our Friday “play date.”  It’s not like anything you’ve ever seen before on my blog, so I hope you’ll like it too…

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: butterflies,all a flutter,rubber stamps,3-d

Sharon Field

DivaIC96 Challenge – Red/Black/White

Taking a tiny break from butterflies to participate in the Utah Divas International Inspiration Challenge this week.  The challenge was inspired by a Red, Black and White Rummy Board as seen here:

When I looked at the rummy board, I saw intersections, texture, hearts and clovers… of course there is a lot more than that going on…

Here is my card for the challenge, using the Stampin’ Up! Beautiful Blooms Stamp set with a little help from Tiny Tags too!

The background Basic Black Cardstock was run through the Big Shot Machine using the Finial Press Textured Embossing Folder… Then, using my Versa Mark Ink pad, I inked and embossed with Black Embossing Powder to give it a shiny textural effect.

The poppy was painted with my aqua painter and Riding Hood Red Classic Ink.  Two additional images were stamped and pieces of the image were cut out and layered together using Tombow Multi Adhesive AND Stampin’ Dimensionals as well.  Here is a close up of the poppy:

When coloring images with an aqua painter, allowing the ink to completely dry between applications will allow you to achieve a darker hue of the color you are using.

Hope you liked today’s DivaIC96 challenge card, and that you’ll take a moment to visit my friends at Utah Divas International.

Tomorrow I’ll have a drawing for the Butterfly Birthday card featured in THIS post earlier this week… and a new tutorial using guess what…

                 BUTTERFLIES!!!

Hope you’ll stop by to see if you won, and to check out the new tutorial too!  Have a really great day!

I’ve got a tiny favor to ask today too.. please keep my DD and her three German girlfriends in your prayers for the next few days… as they visit Phuket, Thailand.  My husband and I are encouraging them to change their plans and travel further south to Malaysia… and then return through Bangkok again to attend the university in China.  Hopefully they will listen to all our prayers!

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: Utah divas international,DivaIC96,Challenge,Rubber Stamps

Techniques Class: 3-D Flower Projects and THREE Tutorial Links

This class was so much fun.. and everyone really enjoyed making all the 3D flowers on these projects!  Two flower topped boxes and the sweet butterfly punch pansy card.  Of course, they had to ask how in the world I came up with this stuff… and me, being me… had to tell them I couldn’t take credit for any of the flowers at all!

They remembered of course, a card I had made last winter using the ornament punch, pretties kit, butterfly punch, and 5-petal flower punch:

You can read more about how this was done in my December 13th post HERE.  But it definitely is not the same as the beautiful magnolia perched atop the brown box lid.  Here’s a close up of the Magnolia flower designed by Rhea Anderson.  Rhea has a tutorial for this lovely flower available on her blog: (Night Owl Stamper).  Here’s a close-up of the pretty Magnolia Rose…

The Lilies setting atop the green and white box were also totally CASE’d… from none other than the fabulous Julia Bettencourt.  Julia is a member of one of the Demo groups I belong to and often shares some really fabulous ideas.    You can visit Julia’s lovely blog and view her Lily tutorial HERE.

The pansy card has been featured on my blog before.. but everyone just HAD to make it after they saw it… so I added it to my Techniques Tuesday (and Wednesday) class this month.  Another CASE from a tutorial offered by Tina Sieben’s blog:  The Inkredible Shrinking Stamper.

Bet you’re going to be busy making flowers soon:)  And, now I’m going back to the stamp room to come up with some original art of my own.

Hope you’ll stop by tomorrow!

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: 3d flowers,tutorial,night owl stamper,juliabettencourt,the inkredible shrinking stamper

Cute ‘ N Cuddly Sweet Baby Card and DD Update.

Thank goodness for Skype!!  Through the magic of the internet, we hear from our DD (Darling Daughter) daily… and sometimes more often than that!  She’s been pretty good about sending post cards from all her European Travels… but there’s nothing like seeing your daughters’ face in cyberspace when she is so very far away!  This week she is in Hong Kong, will soon be travelling to Thailand and Malaysia… 12 hours ahead of Florida!

Today’s card share is a Sweet Baby Card using the Cute ‘N Cuddly Stamp Set from Stampin’ Up!  I love this little bear… you just want to tickle his tummy!  He reminds me of the Charmin’ bear, playing with all the charmin rolls of paper!

Love that Mat Pack and Paper Piercing Tool.. don’t you?  I wish they would make oval and circular mats to go with them too.. guess I should call that one in to demo support.  They do listen to us, and appreciate our ideas… if we remember to call!

The ovals were cut with the Sizzix Ovals #2, and of course I used the Scallop Square punch to perfectly punch the stamped image “Sweet little Baby.”

Have you seen all the Island Oasis polka dotted papers?  The paper pack has lots of palm fronds and colorful hibiscus images… but it has a lot of polka dots too, great for scrapbooking and card making too!

Well.. off to my stamp room to make some more cards to share.  I hope you’ll stop back tomorrow!

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: stamps,rubber,ink,cute and cuddly,mat pack

One Layout… Three Versions

I promised you more butterflies.. and here they are!  Using some of my textured embossing folders, and the All A Flutter Stamp Set, I actually made this card more than once.. experimenting with the layout until I found what worked.

Sometimes stamping is about experimenting, exploring your creative options.  Sometimes we hit it on the nose on our first try… other times, it’s back to the drawing board, right?

 

Above… embossed vellum with flowers, Whisper White Background with dots and added a bow.

Below:  Left off the vellum Card Stock, swapped out the colors for less of a monochromatic look, adding sahara sand card stock and Kraft tafetta ribbon… a few pearl from the Pretties Kit.

Below:  Changed out the bow for crimped Bashful Blue Card Stock, reversed usage of the folders used in the first card. 

Kind of amazing how little changes can make such a big difference.  I think the last one is my favorite, what do you think?

Stampin’ Up! Supplies

Stamps:  All A Flutter, Watercolor Trio

Card Stock:  Vellum, Whisper White, Sahara Sand

Accessories:  Pretties Kit, Heat Gun, Versa Mark Ink, White Embossing Powder, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Tafetta Ribbons, Ovals #2 Sizzix Die, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Textured Embossing Folders

I’d love to hear which one you like best… no butterflies tomorrow, but I hope you’ll love the special card just the same!

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: stamps,ink,all a flutter,embossing,vellum,butterflies,join Stampin' Up

Soft and Sweet Butterfly Birthday

All a Flutter, and Flores Suaves… two butterfly image stamp sets that work so very well together!  (A little glitter doesn’t hurt either!)

This was one of my experimental cards using the two butterfly images together.  They were stamped with Versamark Ink, covere with White Embossing Powder, and then Dazzling Diamonds applied with a two way glue pen.

Couldn’t stop there.. had to add some pizzaz to the inside of the card too… with the help of the Beautiful Wings Embosslit and another embossed Vellum Butterfly!

So.. who has a birthday this month and would like to receive this beautiful card?  Simply leave a comment at the end of this post.. the winner will be drawn on Saturday and announced.

Now, when you look at the supply list, you’re going to thing “Whew.. she used a LOT of stuff!”.. and I did!  As a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator, I not only have a lot of stuff, but purchase it all at a fabulous discount! 

As a Team Builder, I’m here to help you start your business your way too!  Start your own Stampin’ Up! business, with a customizable starter kit.. click the join now icon in the upper right corner.. You’ll get two fabulous Wow! DVD’s with tons of stampin’ ideas and techniques too!  And, as a welcome gift, you’ll get a surprise package from me too.. a fun way to say welcome to my group!

Stampin’ Up! Supplies:

Stamps:  Beautiful Wings, All A Flutter, Water Color Trio, On Your Birthday

Classic Ink:  Basic Gray, Versa Mark

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Accessories:  Scallop Oval Punch, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Vintage Brads, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Tombow Adhesive, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Paper Snips

See you tomorrow…  I’ve got more butterfly cards to share with you!

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: Join Stampin' Up,Business Opportunity,rubber stamps,techniques,all a flutter

Butterflies.. Outside the Box

Ahh.. had some quality stampin’ time today… and I made a LOT of butterfly cards.  And now I must decide which one is my favorite… decisions, decisions… Does that ever happen to you?

I came across a (new to me) challenge blog this morning called Sisterhood of Scraps… I use challenge blogs sometimes to get my creative juices flowing.  The Sisterhood of Scraps Blog Challenge this morning was to make a predominately brown card… and my first butterfly card was born… I think this card would be great for a guy too, don’t you think?

The two side butterfly images were stamped and masked ‘outside the box’… After masking the stamped image, I stamped the script and trimmed so that the wings fell outside the box, flowing onto the brushed gold cardstock.

In a similar fashion, the larger butterfly from the Flores Suaves stamp set was stamped, masked and stamped again with En Francais.  As a final touch the butterflies were painted with an aqua brush and Apricot Appeal Classic Ink.  Letting the cardstock completely dry, a second coat of ink was painted onto the butterflies to deepen the hue.  A white Signo Gel Pen was used to highlight the spots on the butterflies and make them stand out a bit more.

Stampin’ Up! Supplies:

Card Stock:  Brushed Gold, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Sahara Sand

Classic Inks:  Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Apricot Appeal

Stamps:  Flores Suaves, All A Flutter, Bloomin Beautiful, En Francais, Thank You Kindly

I’ll share some more butterfly cards tomorrow.. hope you’ll stop by and check them out!

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: all a flutter,flores suaves,butterflies,sisterhood of scraps,challenge

Watercolor Trio Two Ways…

I can’t begin to tell you how difficult it was to photograph this Basic Gray and Faux Embossed Metal Simple and Elegant Watercolor Trio Card!  The picture does NOT do it justice.  The cardstock used is actually basic Gray, Very Vanilla, and Brushed Silver (the part I embossed.)

After embossing the brushed silver cardstock piece with three layers of silver embossing powder, I covered the watercolor trio image with versamark and pressed it firmly into the warm embossed surface.  Once the surface had cooled, the versamark ink acted as a release agent for the stamp… and left behind this cool impression.

More on the level of a quick and simple workshop card… here is a distressed card featuring the Watercolor Trio Stamp Set too!

Not sure why I had to distress this card… it was, of course perfectly fine before I distressed it… but it just needed something.  So I began to mess it up a bit.. at first, bending a corner.. then crumpling the main image.. well, that was a wrong move!  So, I grabbed my River Rock Classic Ink Pad, and DTP hit all the high spots… what’s the worse that could happen?  It’s only paper after all!

A little Versamark Ink applied with a pen, and Clear Embossing Powder, heated… and we have a shiny focal image too… kind of a fun contrast for the distressed paper, unexpected I guess… right up there with those quick and easy workshop cards though.. teach a quick technique or two, create a card… you know the ones I  mean.

Well, back to the drawing board… I am so ready for the new catalog to arrive in July… it’s like Christmas in July when I open the new book and peruse all the wonderful new images, papers, and accessories… maybe I’ll start a countdown clock… hmm.

Until tomorrow…

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: rubber stamps,watercolor trio,embossing,versamark

Watercolor Trio Two Step

It didn’t start out that way… two step… and it’s really not a two step stamp.  But necessity called, and it became one. 

When I first made the background for this card, I stamped the background leaf image from the Watercolor Trio Stamp set multiple times with both Certainly Celery and Wild Wasabi Classic Ink.  Then I decided to add some flowers….

The Regal Rose flowers (markered only the flower on the image… not the stem or leaves) came out nicely… but then for some crazy reason I decided to add Yo Yo Yellow flowers.. WOW was that a bright idea or what (PUN intended)… NOT a good idea though.. way too bright for my canvas.  SO… the image was inked again with Apricot Appeal ink and stamped over the top of the Yo Yo Yellow flowers, muting them ever so slightly… much better.

To add additional contrast, I markered the flower centers with contrasting colors as well (on the paper.. not the stamp).  All in all, not too bad.. what do you think?

Stampin’ Up! Supplies
Card Stock:  Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi, Pacific Point

Classic Inks: Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi

Stampin’ Write Markers:  Regal Rose, Pink Passion, Pacific Point, Yo Yo Yellow, Apricot Appeal, Lavendar Lace

Accessories:  Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon, Stampin’ Dimensionals, mini glue dots.

See you tomorrow.. stay safe and well.

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: rubber stamps,ink,watercolor trio,markers

Sympathy Cards, Sharing, Caring and Offering Prayers…

Never a fun topic… always a need, and never look forward to making sympathy cards.  Today I made two to put in the mail…

Old Olive and Soft Suede, paired with Very Vanilla, this tree is one of my favorites.  The Old Olive Satin Ribbon was run through two parallel slits in the VV cardstock, and then an extra length ‘bow’ tied to the ribbon.  The Thoughts and Prayers Stamp Set (tree) is combined with the sympathy greeting from Close as a Memory Stamp Set.

 

The images on this card are all from the Thoughts and Prayers Stamp set.  The floral image was applied direct to the stamp with Regal Rose and Old Olive Markers.  Kind of a plain card…

This week a young friend lost his equally young wife to a terrible car accident.   I know it happens all the time, but somehow it still shakes you right down to your roots when a young person loses their life, whether because of a senseless accident, or illness.  My heart and prayers to both family and friends of Nikki Letro and of course to her devoted husband, Jeff.

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: rubber stamps,thoughts and prayers,sympathy

Featured Stamper and For Our Soldiers… a special card

As we approach the Memorial Day Holiday, I pause to remember, pray, and appreciate our soldiers.  Having come from a military family, I have personal knowledge of the sacrifices and trials these families face…. With a son in the US Air Force, I also share the trepidation and sorrows many face as their loved ones are deployed.

Today’s card is a celebration for our hero’s… those men and women who leave their loved ones behind to fight for our freedom.  Featuring a variety of current card stocks and stamps (Flores Suaves, dotted, priceless, and Watercolor Trio)… and of course stars resembling our nation in red, white and blue… and a sincere and heartfelt thank you to all those who have served in this era and in the past!

If you are making cards for soldiers, be sure to leave them GLITTER-FREE… dazzling diamonds unfortunately, are very reflective in a night scope!

As my DH would say… change the channel…

I forgot to mention that this past week, I was fortunate and blessed enough to be the Featured Stampers on Utah Diva’s International!  Wow!!  No, I’m not from Utah… (but my son happens to be stationed there at the moment).  I am constantly admiring the creative talent shared on the blog… so it is a very special occasion that they have featured me along with other very creative divas!  Take a peek and visit the Utah Divas International Blog >>HERE<<.  Be sure to leave a comment, and let them know I sent you to visit :)

Hugs to all those soldiers out there… and to all of you!

Technorati Tags: stamping,freedom,soldiers,utah divas international,featured stamper

Sharon Field

Sweet Scoops Easel Dream

Sweet Scoops has really been giving me a hard time… I used the set earlier this week to make a patio planter for yet another Tropical Party Card.  But, I really wanted to make an ice cream card!  So when my new adopted downline came to stamp and play on Tuesday, I decided we had to make a card using the Sweet Scoops Stamp Set!  Since she had never made an easel card, I thought it would be a fun start to getting that stamp set off the shelf!

Here is the card we made:

Isn’t it fun?  The ice cream colors were stamped with Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, and So Saffron.  The So Saffron seemed a bit dark, so we stamped ‘off’ before stamping above the cone.  The cones were stamped with Soft Suede Classic Ink, and the confetti was stamped with all three ice cream colors.

Here’s another view of the easel card:

Ha ha.. I put chocolate sprinkles on the cone ‘stopper’ which is popped up with stampin’ dimensionals.  This is one stamp set which I purchased in Clear Mount.. knowing I was going to line things up and stamp them together, the clear mount stamps did make it easier.  (Still missed on one cone, though… )

Often when I have a medium to dark card base, I will add a lighter color to the inside to write the greeting or message on.  This card was no exception.. here I added a smaller piece of Whisper White card stock, and multi color stamped confetti too.

Have you signed up for next week’s Techniques Tuesday and Wednesday Night Techniques Classes?  We’re going to make some really great projects which I am sure you will love!!

Hugs,

Technorati Tags: sweet scoops,rubber stamps,ice cream