Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Fair VSN Fun

Last weekend was "Summertime in the Land that I Love" VSN over on Splitcoast. Working Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Great Minnesota Get-Together didn't leave me much time or energy to participate, but I did manage to upload cards for 2 of the challenges.

The very first challenge was to make a card inspired by a food that reminds you of summer. There were a lot of lemonades, strawberries, watermelons and burgers. I decided it had to be something ... ON A STICK!

Here is a link to my Pronto Pup card.

Our new computer doesn't talk to our scanner right now, so I'm unable to upload the image directly here. I'll work on getting that ironed out.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Plaid Silhouette

Here is another super-easy technique that gives new life to your old stamps: the Plaid Silhouette Technique.



I used colors from Stampin' Up!'s new Brights Collection (So Saffron, Melon Mambo and Old Olive) along with some Shimmery White card stock to create these Tent Topper cards.

The Plaid Silhouette Technique will be the focus of my Technique Club's October meeting. We are currently looking for one more member to bring our group to six. Let me know if you have questions or would like to visit and try us out.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Double Dip!



Isn't this a fun color combination? Bashful Blue (an old standby), Concord Crush and Pear Pizzazz (two of the new In Colors). I was inspired to try this after seeing a card using this combo over at splitcoaststampers.com.

The stamp set featured here is the French language Hostess Set Belles attentions. I love that Stampin' Up! offers so many sets in both French and Spanish now.

If you like this set, I'd love to help you get it FREE by hosting a Workshop in September or October!

Some other tools I used on this card are the Big Shot and Top Note die, Scallop Trim Border Punch and Color Spritzer Tool. This was a fast-fast card to make, and I was able to turn out the double dip in just about 30 minutes.

I'd love to hear your comments or questions!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Inspiration and Ministry

While Matt attended a midnight movie with a friend last night, I stayed home and stamped!

One thing I really enjoy about paper crafting is the opportunity for relaxation and meditation when I make cards for a friend who is in need of a lift. If you have heard of the "Prayer Shawl" idea, this is--for me--similar. I love to customize my cards, and while I created these cards last night, I thought about and prayed for my friends.

Here is a very simple card using just one layer of card stock and a flat piece of ribbon (no knot or bow). While the ribbon and Ruby Red card stock are both retired products, the Herb Expressions stamp set is current, and new to me. Thanks to all of my fabulous customers, Club members and Hostesses for your continued business in 2009 I was able to earn this stamp set free!



Here is another card using the same basic color scheme and layout, but this time I added a lot of dimension with three additional layers, distressing, a big bow in the ribbon, sponging and a punched border. Even with all of that added detail, this was still a pretty quick card to make.



I think this is my favorite card of the four I created with the Ruby Red/Very Vanilla theme last night. Here I added some other retired products: Cameo Coral Classic Ink, Best Blossoms and Whimsical Words stamp sets. My inspiration for both this card and the final one was a challenge to make a monochromatic card with a 'splash' of a contrasting color. I 'splashed' my creations with Old Olive Classic Ink.



If you've been following my blog posts, you might recognize the layout and style of this fourth card from my 'quilting' spree at the beginning of July. I liked those cards so much, I was thrilled with an opportunity to switch up a few things and reprise my Brights quilt card in shades of red with a splash of green. Another change I made to the card this time around was to use my new Square Lattice Embossing Folder. Man, do I love that tool! If you are looking for a nice deep impression for a card front, the Folders are the way to go.



I'd love to hear what you think of my set of cards, and would also be pleased to answer any questions you might have. Thanks for checking out my blog! Now go stamp.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

August Technique Club

It's been too long! I didn't stamp at all while I was on vacation last week--I swam and read and relaxed. This week has been filled with catch-up, and tonight I got back together with my top-notch Technique Club ladies, and we had a grand old time.

I posted the Faux Tin Ceiling card a while back, and we learned that technique tonight. If you are thinking of trying this technique out, here are a couple of things to keep in mind: it is pretty easy, but it does use a lot of silver embossing powder. We made a total of 9 projects tonight using this technique, and pretty much used up a container of ep.



Here is another card we made tonight, though everyone's card was a bit different. The base is Tempting Turquoise, "ribbon" is Daffodil Delight card stock (the Textured Impressions Square Lattice Embossing Folder gives it the deep relief), mat is Rich Razzleberry (3 1/4" square), and the stamped panels are Whisper White (a 3" square piece cut up).

We each used different images for the panels, drawing from Belles attentions Hostess Stamp Set (here), Herb Expressions, and Elements of Style.

It was so much fun to get together and create with my Club again. It seems likes it has been ages! I'm looking forward to another night of productivity next week Friday (August 20), when the SAPUMC Artist Guild meets to flex our stamping muscles and turn out a few cards for our Card Ministry. Everyone is welcome at our meeting, so contact me if you're interested!