Lawn Fawn Admit One Birthday Balloons

This will likely be my last post of the month. I am finally having the much needed surgery on my back that I have been anxiously awaiting. I hope to be back to crafting and posting by the first of August, if not sooner. I'm usually quick to heal, and my surgeon is the best in the area, so I'm optimistic. Anyway, today's post is for the Lawnscaping Color Challenge. 

This was a true challenge for me as I didn't have the Copic colors that I wanted to color any kind of animal, water, or sky. It seems I skimped when buying my blues. I was able to make B00 and BG01 work to color the blue balloon. The same combo wouldn't have worked for sky or water. I've been looking for a reason to use my Admit One set, so this seemed to be the perfect opportunity. I love carnival and circus themes. Something about the bright colors and balloons. It reminds me of my youth. I look forward to using this set more frequently. I love the stitched journaling card die, too! It was one of those "have to have it" purchases.

I used Copic markers and the Admit One stamp set to create my card. I used the free sample of Pink Lemonade cardstock that was included with my last Lawn Fawn order as my background. I used the Stitched Journaling Card die to cut Whisper White card stock, stamped and colored the balloons on Whisper White, then cut using the Admit one balloon die. I adhered Crushed Curry baker's twine with glue dots under the center of each balloon, brought the strings down, and tied a bow to create my balloon trio. After I was satisfied with the placement of the strings, I removed the backing on the Stampin' Dimensionals and stuck each balloon down.

I used the happy birthday stamp from Stampin' Up's And Many More set to stamp the sentiment on vellum then cut with the Itty Bitty Banners framelits Dies. I was able to use a glue dot over the twine to adhere the banner without any adhesive being visible. The project took all of 15 minutes to create, coloring and all. I think it took me more time to get a useable photo of the card.

Thank you for looking! Wishing everyone a wonderful summer. Please pray for a speedy recovery for me! I may have confidence in my surgeon, and have been desperate to get back to being fully independent and free of intolerable pain, but it is my spine. Prayers certainly can't hurt! To all of my fellow demonstrators, I hope you enjoy convention this year! I was so looking forward to it. It wasn't meant to happen this year. I hope to join you all next year in Salt Lake. 

Supplies used:

Stamps: Admit One(Lawn Fawn), And Many More(Stampin' Up!)

Ink: StaZon Jet Black

Paper: Pink Lemonade DSP(Lawn Fawn), Whisper White CS(Stampin' Up!, Vellum(Stampin' Up!)

Accessories: Stitched Journaling Card Die(Lawn Fawn), Admit One Dies(Lawn Fawn), Bitty Banners Framelits Dies(Stampin' Up!), Crushed Curry Baker's Twine(Stampin' Up), Stanpin' Dimensionals, Glue Dots

Copic Ciao Markers: Y08, Y06, Y02, YR07, YR04, YR02, B00, BG01 

Keeping it Clean & Simple With Stampin' Up's Blendabilites

When I think Blendabilities, or Copics for that matter, images of beautifully detailed flowers enter my head. Since I prefer clean & simple cards, I've always thought that alcohol markers just weren't for me. I couldn't make a shabby chic or collage card if I tried. I'm also terrible at using traditional coloring methods like watercoloring. I wasn't expecting to love Blendabilities as much as I now do. I ordered them with the expectation that they would end up collecting dust with the Copics that I bought in 2011. I am so glad that I tried something new! They are now my favorite crafting tool.

I've wanted to make this card since I bought the Countless Sayings I photopolymer set. I even colored it in on a practice sheet that I stamped when I first got my Blendabilities. This card goes to show that in just 5 minutes or less you can still make a card that isn't boring. I toyed with the idea of adding sequins or enamel dots, but I wanted something that could be created with very little cost. You could make an entire set of these cards in less than an hour. 

If you still are on the fence about Blendabilities, I would recommend starting with 2 or 3 colors. My favorites to work with are Cherry Cobbler, Rich Razzleberry, and Daffodil Delight. I love all of them, but I found these to be a bit easier to work with when I had no clue of how to use them.

Also, if you're just starting out and finding that you're having trouble blending, I would recommend trying the Copic Mini Pack card stock or Xpress Blending Card. I was unable to do much of anything on Whisper White when I first started out. I switched to Xpress Blending Card and found it much easier. Once I was able to color an image with some degree of confidence, I found it much easier to color on Whisper White. Just a tip, I know I'm probably not supposed to recommend anything but Stampin' Up product, but I want you to learn to love your Blendabilities. If it takes using a different brand of card stock, I don't see the harm.

All supplies from Stampin' Up!

Stamp: Countless Sayings I Photopolymer

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Paper: Cherry Cobbler & Whisper White Card Stock

Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Blendabilities, Dimensionals 

 

Rainbow Rubber Duck Birthday Card

I just had to make a special birthday card for my stepson. He has a love/hate relationship with rubber ducks. I have always included a rubber duck or two with each gift that I've given him. I couldn't just give him one of my random birthday cards. I knew this set was going to come in handy for Eddie. This is pretty much what I had envisioned when I first saw the set at the catalog premiere. It took surprisingly little time to create, and I think it's quite cute. I'm looking forward to using this set in other creative ways in the future. It's one of my favorites!

All Supplies are from Stampin' Up

Stamps: Endless Birthday Wishes, Something for Baby

Ink: Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Crushed Curry, Gumball Green, Pacific Point, Momento Tuxedo Black

Paper: Whisper White, Polka Dot Parade DSP

Accessories: Baby's First Framelit Dies, Envelope Liner Framelit Dies, Big Shot, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Project Life Corner Rounder Punch

Shop the new catalog now!!

Simple Steps to a Clean & Simple Start

Have you ever found yourself staring at the catalog wondering where to even begin? I know I have. Over the years I have learned how to make the most out of minimal supplies. I love clean & simple cards, not because they are easy, but because I hate clutter. Here are a few tips to keep from getting overwhelmed. You don't need all of the bells and whistles, or should I say buttons and ribbon, to make something pretty and presentable. Somewhat new or feeling overwhelmed? Read on.

• You need a good, multipurpose greeting set. You may not be feeling the Christmas spirit right now, or have no need for birthday cards until January, but that doesn't mean you won't find yourself needing a Christmas sentiment next week. You'd be surprised. A good greeting set will be spendy, around $27 to be exact, but you will need one more than any of the cute little image stamps that you could spend the money on. Trust me, it took me a long time to learn this lesson.

• Designer Paper. You can create your own with stamps, but it is nice to have a pack on hand. A good place to start is the first one that draws your attention in the catalog that you have matching card stock and/or ink for. It's fine if you only have one or 2 of the ink colors, as long as they will work. I still don't have all of the ink or card stock colors. The In Color or Brights Collection Designer Paper Stacks are a great start. Also, the new 4 1/2" x 6 1/2" stacks are a great value. They each come with 48 double sided sheets in 12 patterns and cost only $6.95. They're also quite cute!

• 3 to 4 themed stamp sets. Think of what you make cards or scrapbook pages for. Kids? The girls at church? Men? Women? If you only want to make cards for kids, you clearly don't need any wedding themed sets. I would recommend one good set that covers more than one occasion, such as Feathered Friends. Find something that you like. 

• Dies, you'll want them. If you're new to stamping, it probably isn't the best time to run out and buy a Big Shot. Assuming you didn't just start stamping yesterday, my advice is to buy the Big Shot, or something that is compatible with all Sizzix dies. I bought my Big Shot when we were on the brink of losing everything. Was it the best way to use the money at the time? Probably not. Do I regret buying it? Absolutely not. It is the one thing that I use every day, usually multiple times a day. 

• White and Vanilla Card Stock. You'll want at least a pack of each. If you want colored card stock, you can buy a set of each color family. You won't use Real Red on every card, but you will use white or vanilla on 95% of what you make. This depends on budget, but as a rule, if I don't have at least one sealed pack of each on hand, I know I need to order sooner rather than later.

• A good paper trimmer. This is a must. You will spend far more on replacing the paper that you don't cut straight than you will on a simple trimmer. 

• Adhesive. SNAIL holds better than anything I've bought elsewhere. I think I've tried them all. This is my recommendation. Stampin' Dimensionals are great for added dimension, worth every penny if you ask me.

• Envelopes, don't forget them! I know, you'd rather have the stamps for that money. I get it. I still do it, which is why I only have 2 Whisper White envelopes left. Oops. White, Vanilla, and Kraft/Crumb Cake in medium size are what you'll want to have on hand. 

• Pick a simple embellishment or 2 to start. Find something that you know you'd use, that you could use on something you've already made. Just because someone else makes them look adorable doesn't mean you're going to find them overly helpful. Buy what you like.

• Stamp Cleaner. The best way to ruin your ink pad is to not clean your stamps right. You can also do some damage to your stamps. Do you save a ton of money by not buying Stampin' Mist and Stampin' Scrub? You sure don't when you have to replace only one ink pad and one stamp set. There are others out there, but the fuzzies come off on your stamps, then they go into your ink, and then they make a mess when you stamp. Yes, I've learned this one the hard way. 

• An embossing folder or 2. This is assuming you have a way to use them. Start with something versatile like polka dots. Simple patterns that can be used for birthdays, babies, and sympathy cards are a good investment. They also make for some pretty cards. Great way to keep it simple without risking making it blah. 

• Ink. If you don't have much, start with StaZon Jet Black as a first. Work on adding a few ink pads here and there later. It is cheaper to buy the bundle, but it's an expensive purchase. I added mine to each order, 3 at a time. The in color color kits are great, they're affordable and they match. They have packs with ink and paper. It's a cheaper way to stock up on the basics, and they're pretty.

• Stamp-a-ma-jig!!! This is last on the list, but one of the first things you should buy. Read the directions and use it! Don't just set it aside for later. This little tool saves a lot of time and materials. Mine collected dust for 5 years. Yes, that was stupid.

 That's about it. This is just a guide. It will take a while to get what you need. Start one piece at a time if you have to. I know I was clueless when I started. I sure as heck wasn't going to ask anyone. I would have saved a lot of time, money, and frustration had I known what to start with. And here is what I created this morning. It only took 10 minutes or so from start to finish. If someone had their stuff better organized, it would have taken half that. Notice that I've made the most of what I have. It isn't blah, but it isn't the fanciest thing ever. That's the way I like it.

All supplies from Stampin' Up

Stamps: Something to Say, Sea Street

Paper: Night of Navy, Whisper White CS, Maritime DSP

Ink: Coastal Cabana, Night of Navy

Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Bitty Banners Framelit Dies, Arrows Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Whisper White Envelope

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Simple Salutions Challenge - Turned into Gift Set for New Neighbor

I was making my card for the Simple Salutations Challenge at MFPSpeedyTV, and then I just kept going. Normally I would do a separate post for the card and the set, but I'm not feeling well at all and need to go lay down. Just wanted to get this posted before I retire to the couch.

The new neighbors had introduced themselves to me yesterday only minutes before I sat down to decide what to make for the challenge. The challenge was to use only cardstock on the card. I had so much fun making one that I decided to make a set of them to give as a gift to the new neighbors. 

The set didn't take very much time to put together, or maybe I was enjoying it so much that I didn't notice time passing. I made 5 matching cards, included 5 envelopes, some first class forever stamps, and made a matching pen. I made it a set by putting it in a 4 1/2" x 6" x 1" clear gift box that I picked up at a local craft store. 

 All supplies are from Stampin' Up with the exception of the stamps

Stamps: Furry Cat & Box(Simon Says Stamp), Simply Celebrate

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Paper: Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green, Pumpkin Pie, Raspberry Ripple, and Whisper white card stock, Brights Collection DSP Stack, Polka Dot Parade DSP

Accessories, Blendabilities Markers, Copic Markers(for the brown & gray), Glue Dots, Pen, Hello Honey Ribbon, Bermuda Bay Baker's Twine Essentials Hardware Clips, Whisper White Envelopes, Clear Box, Scalloped Tag Topper Punch

Crazy 4 Challenges - Newton's Birthday Bash

I am still having a lot of fun with my Blendabilities markers. I have found that my Newton's Birthday Bash set is a perfect match for the markers. Good thing, because I love my markers and my cats. This was created for the Crazy for Challenges Color Challenge(C4C237), which required the use of orange, turquoise, and kraft. I'm so glad I finally have a way to color my line image stamps AND match all of my papers and inks! These things have made card making way more fun!

All supplies are from Stampin' Up with the exception of the cat stamp, which is by Newton's Nook Designs.

Endless Birthday Wishes Photopolymer Stamp Set #137553

Point & Click PLxSU Photopolymer Stamp Set #135787

Whisper White Card Stock #100730

Crumb Cake Card Stock #120953

Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Pad #126945

Bermuda Bay Baker's Twine(from the Tag a Bag Accessory Kit) #130153

Momento Tuxedo Black Stampin' Pad #132708 (Available June 2nd)

Pumpkin Pie & Coastal Cabana Blendabilities Markers, flesh tones & Cherry cobbler for ears, used Kissing technique to get Cherry Cobbler on the flesh tone marker to create pink (Available Mid-Summer)

Rockstar Something for Baby Sneak Peek

This was done for the Paper Craft Crew Card Sketch Challenge. I've been wanting to do this with the Something for Baby set since I got it. I'm not a huge fan of traditional baby colors and themes. This is one where I was able to add my personality to the card. I printed "Rockstar" on Whisper White card stock, and used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up and stamp the image. Surprisingly, no card stock was wasted. 

I used the star stamp from the Project Life Point & Click photopolymer set to create the star border. I ordered that set the day it was available as a pre-order, but it didn't really catch my eye until I was putting this together. I used the 1/2" & 3/4" circle punches to create the "record", then punched the hole in the center with a handheld hole punch. I look forward to making more nontraditional baby cards with this set. The possibilities are endless. 

All supplies from Stampin' Up. 

Stamps - Nursery Necessities, Something for Baby, Something to Say PLxSU Point & Click

Ink - Coastal Cabana, Momento Tuxedo Black

Paper - Basic Black, Coastal Cabana, & Whisper White CS

Accessories - Circles Framelit Dies, Baby's Firsts Framelit Dies, 1/2" circle punch, 3/4" circle punch, Banners Framelits Dies, Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Cornering Vivid Vases

I created this card for the sketch challenge over at Pals Paper Arts. I was a bit intimidated by the challenge when I saw it earlier in the week, and was actually thinking of skipping it. When I started playing around with different ways to configure the Vivid Vases image, I had a bit of a light bulb.

For my card, I chose to use a technique I call "cornering" to ink my stamp. I'm sure there is a real term for it, but I call it cornering, because you color the part of the stamp you want to use with the corner of your ink pad, using it like a marker. If you look at the image, you'll notice that I reconfigured my 3 vases a bit. A stamp-a-ma-jig is required to do this. I wanted two of the same vases on my ends, so I made it work. Normally I'd just use paper piecing to do this, but I wanted to try something different. I was tempted to use paper piecing after the coloring didn't turn out so well on this. I put my Blendabilities down for a week, and I swear I forgot how to use them. My 3 year old breaking into them to "make pretty blue dots" on the 8 rows of vases I'd stamped was not a huge help. This combo was good enough for me. I'll work on perfection when I can sit down more comfortably and the kids are in school. Supplies used listed below image. Thanks for looking! Have a blessed week!

 

Supplies are Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted.

Six Sided Sampler Clear Bundle #132724

Vivid Vases Stamp #133818

Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad #131171

Bermuda Bay Card Stock #131197

Whisper White Card Stock #100730

Brights Collection DSP Stack #130134

Stylish Stripes TIEF #132174

Circles Framelit Dies #130911

Envelope Liners Framelit Dies #132172

Stamp-a-ma-jig #101049

Stampin' Dimensionals #104430

SNAIL Adhesive #104332

Big Shot #113439

Momento Tuxedo Black Ink #132708(Available June 2nd)

Blendabilities Markers(Available mid-summer)

Lacey Circles Nestabilites(by Spellbinder)

 

 

Float Your Boat Meets Maritime DSP

I've created this card for the Sketch with a Twist Challenge over at MFPSpeedyTV. The sketch is shown above. The twist was to use paper piecing, which is one of my favorite ways to keep things from getting boring.

Stamps: Float My Boat(Lawn Fawn) Ink: Night of Navy. Pool Party, Real Red Paper: Whisper White & Night of Navy CS, Maritime DSP Accessories: Brights Basic Buttons, Real Red Baker's twine from one of the Simply Sent kits, Stampin' Dimensionals, SNAIL Adhesive, Circles Framelits Dies

I wanted to use my Float My Boat set. The Maritime DSP was a perfect match for it. I stamped the boat using 3 times, twice in Night of Navy, and once in Real Red for the flag. I used Dimensionals to give them a pop. It's simple, but not boring. I managed to use some of my DSP, too! It's always hard for me to keep things clean & simple when using DSP. I think I managed to keep this one clean.

The Maritime Paper will be available starting June 2. In the meantime, a lot of the retiring merchandise is on sale! Now would be a great time to check out the retiring products. They're selling out fast.

Contact me if you don't have a 2014-2015 catalog yet. Thanks for looking. Have a safe and fun weekend!

SHOP RETIRING PRODUCT NOW

Apothecary Art Sympathy Card

I am loving this week's colors for the color challenge over at Splitcoast! Crisp Cantaloupe, Garden Green, and Pistachio Pudding go so well together. This card was done for the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge, which required the use of dies. I think it would be more of a challenge to not use them!

I have only been waiting FOREVER to buy this set. Ok, maybe not, but it sure felt like it. I need to replenish my stockpile of sympathy cards, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so. Never something that you want to make to fit the occasion! I try to keep 5 on hand as a minimum.

The Loving Thoughts stamp set was used to stamp the sentiment. I just got this one yesterday and LOVE it. If you don't own the set yet, I suggest you order it sooner rather than later. The clear is already sold out, but it is available in wood mount.

Anyway, the card is pretty simple and self explanatory. The image and sentiment were both stamped in StaZon Jet Black, blender pens were used to color the image, and it was cut using the Labels Framelit Dies. I used the Perfect Polka Dots TIEF to emboss Crisp Cantaloupe cardstock to keep it from being too blah. There's just something very wrong about embellishing or adding bling to a sympathy card.. I can't bring myself to do it. I adhered to the Crumb Cake CS with tons of Dimensionals, and it was done. This was quick and relatively easy, plus it was a lot of fun.

Supplies Used:

Apothecary Art Stamp Set

Loving Thoughts Wood Mount Stamp Set

Crisp Cantaloupe Card Stock

Crumb Cake Card Stock

Whisper White Card Stock

StaZon Jet Black Ink

Crisp Cantaloupe Stampin' Pad

Garden Green Stampin' Pad

Pistachio Pudding Stampin' Pad

Stamp-a-ma-jig

Labels Framelits Dies

Envelope Punch Board

 Perfect Polka Dots TIEF  

SNAIL Adhesive

Dimensionals 

I Miss Fresh Prints Already

I made this for the sketch challenge over at Pals Paper Arts. This sketch was definitely just right for me, but I'm just not able to create much these last few days. I think the pain meds are killing my creativity. I used the Fresh Prints DSP stack, which is only available for a few more weeks. I would recommend stocking up before it's too late! I also used the Really Good Greetings stamp set, which I have grown to love. I used Coastal Cabana and Real Red Stampin' Write Markers to color the stamp, and basic rhinestones to give it a little bit of bling. I cut the greeting using Chalk Talk Framelits. I used the Arrows Textured Embossing Folder on Whisper White card stock, and adhered it all to a folded Coastal Cabana Card using Dimensionals.

Something for Baby Sneak Peek

This set will be available for order starting June 2! If you don't have your new catalog yet, please contact me to get one!

Items Used:

Something for Baby Clear Bundle(Stamps & Dies) - Available June 2

Whisper White Card Stock

Blushing Bride Card Stock

Blushing Bride Stampin' Pad

Envelope Punch Board

1/2" Circle Punch

Starburst Framelits

Glue Dots

SNAIL Adhesive

Clean & Simple Spring Card

I have been dying to try out this color combination. I finally got the chance when I took a look at The Paper Crew Challenge Crew's latest Sketch Challenge and felt inspired to make something. Still keeping it clean and simple, the way I like it. Check out the Papercraft Crew Challenge Blog for the challenge details. 

All supplies are Stampin' Up. Product used:

Whisper White Card Stock

Garden Green Card Stock

Regals DSP Stack

Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad

Calypso Coral Stampin' Pad

Crisp Cantaloupe Classic Stampin' Pad

Many Marvelous Markers

Petite Petals Stamps & Punch Bundle

Really Good Greetings Stamp Set

Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Big Shot Die Cutting Machine

Glue Dots

Stampin' Dimensionals

Something for Baby Clear Mount Bundle(Available June 2)

Crisp Cantaloupe Thick Baker's Twine(Available June 2)

Happy Mother's Day!

(Stamps: Blended Bloom, Teeny Tiny Wishes. Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Rich Razzleberry. Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White. Accessories: Rich Razzleberry & Old Olive Blendabilities, Brights Designer Buttons, White Baker's Twine, SNAIL Adhesive, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, and of course paper snips)

I would like to say Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there. My mother is the most amazing woman I know. I have always looked up to her and strive to be more like her. She is kind, patient, giving, intelligent, beautiful, and just about as close to June Clever as it gets. She dedicated her life to making sure our family was taken care of and happy. She still does this today, even though she has no obligation to. My mom is just a special person, my words can't do her justice.

This is the card that I made for her this year. Hopefully she gets home from church and opens it before peaking at my blog. This was my first try at using the all new Blendabilities markers. It is a clean and simple card, but there is nothing simple about it.

I started by using the Blendabilities markers to color in Blended Bloom, one petal at a time. I cut the flower(no die for this one) and used Dimensionals to adhere to a piece of Whisper White. The Dimensionals give it just the right amount of pop. Before threading the White Baker's Twine through the button, I took my medium and dark shades of Rich Razzleberry to it. I had to try it. I hear it works well on the organza ribbon, can't wait to give that a try. If you attempt to color anything that is slow to absorb, like ribbon or thread, use care in handling it until it is dry. It can take a few minutes to an hour, depending on the material colored. 

I adhered the white to a square of Rich Razzleberry with SNAIL, then adhered both to the 4 1/2"x 4 1/2" card with glue dots, just to keep it from being to flat. I added the threaded button with 2 glue dots to finish it off. 

A note on the coloring: This was my first attempt at using the markers. While the blending went well, you can see that not a lot of thought was given to shading and highlighting. I take no shame in it. We all start somewhere. A lot of my friends have yet to share their work anywhere online, and I think they do beautiful work that should be shared with the world. I'm hoping that sharing my not even close to perfect work can help inspire those of you who are still holding back to inspire some of your work. 

Thanks for looking. And again, a big thanks to all of the moms out there for being the glue that holds this world together! I love you, Mom!