My first Bella....

This is my first Bella. Prezzibella. I love these stamps!!! I have been wanting these for a while and I restrained myself to ordering only three. So keep checking back for further uploads of the other Bellas.

This was a very quick and easy card to make. I just used scraps of card stock that I had lying around. Yes, I do keep almost all the scraps. The Certainly Celery strips were long strips of 1/2" card stock adhered underneath the designer paper. I used my Oval Coluzzle to cut around the Bella that I stamped on Whisper White, sponged the edges and tacked it on to a piece of Celery card stock. Then I carefully cut around the oval leaving about 1/8" edge. I didn't use the Coluzzle for the Celery card stock because that edge seemed to be too wide and didn't look right. Oh, and I also used the Corner Rounder Punch to scallop the edges of the designer paper and celery card stock. And of course I used blender pens.... once again.

Recipe:

Stamps: Prezzibella, Hugs & Wishes

Paper: Designer Paper (?? from Michael's), Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Rose Red, Close to Cocoa

Accessories: Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Corner Rounder Punch, Oval Coluzzle

4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card

Heartfelt Thanks

This is the first time that I have used the sentiment "heartfelt thanks" from this (Heartfelt Thanks) stamp set. And can you believe that this is the first stamp set I bought from Stampin' Up! I was never really happy with how the sentiment turned out when I layered them like this before. Maybe it was the colours I was using. But I am quite pleased with how it looks now.

I basically cased the layout of Beate's card exactly. Yes, I go on to her blog alot! I just changed the colour combo and stamp sets. I liked the design so much that I made another card, but again, with a different colour combo and stamp set. You can view it on my gallery on Splitcoaststampers. It's called Birthday Hugs & Wishes.

Recipe:

Stamps: Heartfelt Thanks, Fabulous Flowers (flower), Everyday Flexible Phrases (my friend), All in a Row

Paper: Certainly Celery Designer Series Paper, Basic Black, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla

Ink: Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Sahara Sand

Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Scalloped Circle Punch, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, 1 1/4 Circle Punch, Round Tab Punch, Silver Cord, Rhinestone Brads (makingmemories), Paper Piercer, Paper Flowers (makingmemories)

4 1/2 x 4 1/2 card

Charleswood Christmas Card Event

To the women of Charleswood (you know who you are),

In the following six posts, I have uploaded a photo of the Christmas cards and the names of those who would like to make that particular card. For those of you who have not made any choices please let me know which ones you'd like to make in the Comment section. Also in the Comment section, please let me know how many of each card you would like to make so I can prepare accordingly. Please note that there might be some changes in the choice of ribbon we use. It all depends on what is available.

Andrea

PS If you get to the bottom of the page and you do not see six cards, click on Older Posts. That should get you to the rest of them.

#2 Mossy Peaceful Wishes

Rachel

Kim (10 cards)

#1 Winter White Forest

Monica

Charlotte

Rachel

#3 Real Red Snowflake

Monica

Charlotte

Ang

#4 Bashful Blue Snowflake

Monica

Charlotte

Ang

# 5 All Spruced Up

I know that some of you might not want the sentiment "all spruced up" on your card. Let me know whether or not you want that sentiment on the front of the card. If not, I'll just cut the card stock down to size and have only the tree.

Charlotte

Rachel

Kim (10 cards without the sentiment)

# 6 Pink Pinecones

Rachel

Sheila

Weekend Sketch Challenge #20

Friday mornings are one of my "free" mornings. Zachary is in Kindergarten and Caleb is at nursery school. So instead of cleaning the house or running errands, I started Beate's weekend sketch challenge. I finished it after lunch while the boys were playing a game on the computer.

Technique: Scalloped Edge

To create a scalloped edge on card stock there a only a few simple steps. Take SU's corner rounder punch and gently remove the base of the punch. Place the card stock in the punch and press to punch out a scallop. Move the punch over so you can see a tiny bit of space of the previous scallop and punch again. Continue on. Just a note: I often do not begin at the edge of the cardstock but slightly in from the edge so that the first scallop is not a "whole" scallop. Hope that makes sense.

Recipe:

Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes, Broque Motifs (swirls on pink dp), Butterfly (unknown)
Paper: My Mind's Eye Designer Paper, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White Craft, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch, Photo Corners Punch, Scalloped Circle Punch, White Grosgrain Ribbon, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, Blender Pen, Paper Piercer

5 1/2 x 4 1/4

Fabulous Zinnias

I love zinnias. Every spring, at the end of May, I plant zinnia seeds in two flower beds between the side of my house and driveway. And all spring I wonder if it is worth it because they only begin to bloom in the middle of July (and here in Manitoba it feels like summer is almost over -no exaggeration*wink*). But when they do bloom, I realize it is sooo worth the wait. The flower bed is thick with zinnias and so colourful.

So, I had to get the Fabulous Flowers stamp set from SU..... just because of the large zinnia stamp. Then the other day at Michael's I found this wonderful designer paper that had zinnias on it as well. And out of that came this card.

By the way, this was my creation of the Sketch Challenge #142 on Splitcoaststampers.

Enjoy!

Recipe:

Stamps: Fabulous Flowers, Warm Words

Paper: Confetti White, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, My Mind's Eye Designer Paper

Ink: Whisper White Craft, Brocade Blue, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: White Grosgrain Ribbon, Corner Rounder Punch, Clear Embossing Powder, Sponge, Sponge Dauber

5 1/2 x 4 1/4 card

Oh, So Lovely

I saw the layout for this card on one of my favorite blogs, Pink Tulle with Feathers and Sequins (see side bar). It was super easy to make. I used one of my favourite things: blender pens. I love colouring with them!

Technique: Watercolouring with Blender Pens

All you need to do is squish the ink pad when it is closed so that the lid will pick up the ink from the pad. Open up the ink pad and there will be colour on the lid. Dip your blender pen in the ink on the lid and colour away. Easy as one-two-three!

Buy the way, the ribbon is a very close match to SU's Rose Red card stock. Not red as the photo shows!

Recipe:

Stamps: Oh, So Lovely (SU Level 1 hostess set), BG Print Pattern, Simply Said (sentiment)

Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, Rose Red

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, Rose Red, Certainly Celery

Accessories: Corner Rounder, Ribbon (Michaels), Blender Pen

5 1/2 x 4 1/4 card

Simply Square In the Spotlight

I can't believe the weekend is over. I did find the time to make a few cards this weekend during naptime/quiet time. Here is one of them and I will find the time to post the others I made sometime during the week.

I CASED this card from tashers on Splitcoaststampers (her blog is Palmtrees andPogosticks - see sidebar). I added the Old Olive background which she did not use, as well as the scalloped punch. I also sponged the scalloped edges with Bordering Blue. Tried to make it my own, but she had a great design using only one stamp set. Hurray!!

Recipe:

Stamps: In the Spotlight
Paper: Whispering White, Old Olive, Bordering Blue, Not Quite Navy
Ink: Old Olive, Bordering Blue, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Scalloped Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, Circle Coluzzle, Sponge Daubers

4 3/4 x 4 3/4 card

And Another One

This is the second card I made with same design but using Close to Cocoa card stock instead of Old Olive.

Recipe:

Stamps: In the Spotlight

Paper: Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Bordering Blue, Not Quite Navy

Ink: Close to Cocoa, Bordering Blue, Not Quite Navy

Accessories: Scalloped Circle Punch, 1/2 " Circle Punch, Circle Coluzzle, Sponge Daubers

4 3/4 x 4 3/4 card

Have a good week.

Andrea

PS. Every time I do a post, the spacing/format is different. I didn't want double spacing the the "recipe" section. And I can't figure out why, because I'm not doing anything different. So I apologize for the different look. Maybe someone else knows what is going on?!?

Sketch Challenge

This is the card I made for last week's sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers. I have finally found the time to upload it. With Zachary starting Kindergarten (and Caleb back at nursery school) I feel like I have begun a new job as well. We are having very early mornings compared to the summer. I have to get used to this new routine and not feel quite as harried. It will get easier.

A couple things to note about this card since it is hard to see on the photo: I used the "dotted" print stamp on the Bashful Blue card stock with Bashful Blue ink, stamped the three-flowered stamp over it with VersaMark and finally, embossed with clear embossing powder. I also distressed and sponged all the edges of the card stock except for the card base in Sahara Sand.

Technique: Rock & Roll

Using the Rock and Roll techique is simple but fun. Make sure you are using a bold image stamp. Stamp your image in a light coloured ink first and then roll the edges in a darker colour ink. Now stamp on your card stock. Done! Very easy. Make sure you are using light ink first otherwise you will add ink to the second ink pad. If this does happen, lightly dab away the darker ink with a paper towel or baby wipe.

Have a great day!

Recipe:

4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card

Stamps: Looks Like Spring, Holidays & Wishes (from the heart)

Paper: Sahara Sand, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Basic Black

Ink: Sahara Sand, Bashful Blue, Basic Black, VersaMark

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Cutter Kit (distresser), Ribbon (Michael's), Silver Brads, Gemstone (Paper Studio), Sponge Dauber

Weekend Sketch Challenge #18

This is the second weekend in a row that I have tried Beate's weekend sketch challenge. I am finding that it can be so much easier using someone's layout and all I have to come up with is the paper, stamps and accessories. Sometimes it makes it half the work.....when you're inspired that is.

A few things about this card that are a little hard to see on the picture are:

1. I distressed most of the edges of the card stock using the distressing tool from the Cutter Kit. Much easier than using you nail!!

2. I outlined the edges of the flower using a two-way glue pen and sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on top.

3.There are four diamond gemstones in the punched out ticket corners.

4. To attach the ribbon, I used the Horizontal Slot Punch under the scalloped circle area to hide the hole and then thread the ribbon through the hole and around the edge of the card. So the ribbon does show on the inside of the card.

5. To create the scalloped circle, I used the Coluzzle circle to cut a circle and then used the Corner Rounder punch around the edge. Don't forget to take off the base. It just snaps off.

Happy stamping!

Andrea

Recipe:

4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card

Stamps: Heartfelt Thanks, Warm Words

Paper: Petals & Paisley Designer Paper, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, Whisper White, Taken with Teal

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Old Olive

Accessories: Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, Two-way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Gemstones (Paper Studio), Ticket Corner Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch, Word Window Punch, 1/16 Handheld Circle Punch, Coluzzle Circle, Cutter Kit (distresser)

Artfully Asian Thankyou

This is a card I made for a friend. It was quick and easy.

I've been looking everywhere for square envelopes that will fit 4.25 x 4.25 cards. So far they are impossible to find. What I did find were envelopes that fit 5 x 5 cards at Michael's. And guess what? I was able to use my 50% off coupon this last weekend....I saved $9....woohoo!The box contains 40 cards and envelopes with various types of embossing on it. We'll see what I can come up with...kind of boring since they are all white.

On this card the "Thank you" is embossed. I carefully traced the letters with my Versamarker pen and then used a sponge dauber with mellow moss chalk and lightly daubed the letters. I tried to do the same with three embossed lines that bordered the outside of the card, but that did not turn out so I cut the edges off. I stamped the blossom branch with ink and then used the blender pen and chalks to colour in the flowers. As Caleb (age 2.75) would say, "easy-peasy". Because I had to cut the card, it didn't have a fold anymore. I made a new card base out of whisper white card stock, cut a piece of perfect plum card stock, used the ticket corner punch on the original white card stock, sponged the edges with mellow moss ink and adhered it all together. Wallah!

And the moral of the story is: you can usually fix your mistakes when making cards or scrapbooking.

Happy stamping!

Andrea

Recipe:

5 x 5 card

Stamps: Artfully Asian

Paper: Whisper White, Perfect Plum

Ink: Mellow Moss, Close to Cocoa, Versamarker

Accessories: Chalks, Blender Pens, Sponge Daubers, Ticket Corner Punch,

Stampin' Up! Promotions

The Fall Frenzy Promotion runs from September 1-30. Spend $40 in regular priced merchandise and qualify to purchase one of each of the eight stamp sets listed below at
30% off.

#105355 Bitty Boos Too $17.47
#109284 Haunting Halloween $18.17
#107383 Thoroughly Thankful $22.37
#109373 Autumn Fest $23.07
#109421 Elementary Essentials$27.27
#110366 Stem Silhouettes $30.77 (from mini catalogue)
#110388 A la Tige $30.77 (from mini catalogue)
#110211 Halloween Hantee $18.17

Choose Your Family Promotion is a promotions for those of you who would like to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. When you sign up before September 30, you will be able to pick one colour family of the Classic Stampin' Pads FREE (12 for a $79.95 value). Email me if you are interested in more information.

Coming up in October is the World card Making Day Promotion. It runs for ONLY 4 DAYS (October 4-8). To celebrate, Stampin' Up! is offering 20% off ALL Simply Stampin' Card Kits (page 12-14 in the Idea Book and Catalogue). These kits are great for beginner and busy stampers. You receive instructions as well as ALL supplies to make at least ten cards. They also make wonderful gifts.

Contact me if you would like to make an order or have any questions.

Andrea

Weekend Sketch Challenge #17

Ok, I think I am getting into this challenge thing. This card did not take me all morning to make, like the last one. I'm very happy about that because then it doesn't seem so daunting.

I found this challenge on Beate's website, fresh and fun (click on side bar to view). She makes wonderful cards and I always find inspiration and great ideas when I look at her work. She has made a great sketch and I will definitely use it again....maybe in a square card next time. (The frustrating thing about square cards, 4 1/4 x 4 1/4, is that it is so hard to find envelopes that size. If anyone knows where I can find some in Canada, please let me know.)

I think Soft Subtles is my favourite colour family from Stampin' Up!'s ink and paper. I find that it is so easy for me to find colours that go together. But this time I decided to throw in something else - Real Red. I think that is the only colour I own from the Bold Brights family. And I like how it turned out.

Technique: Emboss Resist

The technique I used was Emboss Resist. I coloured my stamp with a Certainly Celery marker on the stems and a Versa Marker on the flower heads. Stamped, poured clear embossing powder on and then used my heat gun. I used a Stamping Sponge with Bashful Blue ink to sponge around the embossed flower heads. And lastly, just wiped the ink off the embossed flower with a kleenex. Easy. And I love the look of emboss resist and need to do it more often.

Have a great long weekend and happy stamping!

Andrea

Card Recipe:

4.25 x 5.5 card size

Stamps: Happy Harmony

Paper: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Real Red, Certainly Celery, Certainly Celery Design Series Paper

Ink: Bashful Blue, Real Red, Certainly Celery Marker, Versa Marker

Accessories: red eyelets (makingmemories), Michael's ribbon, paper piercer, mat pack, clear ep, circle coluzzle