Mojo 102: Thank you beary much!

My son's 2nd birthday party is going to be this upcoming Saturday! I can't believe he is already going to be 2! We received a couple early birthday gifts so I decided to use this weeks Mojo Monday sketch for some thank you cards.

The card I created for today's post uses the brand-new sets Beary Best Friends and Beary Nice Wishes- both available starting tomorrow!!! These Build-a-bear Workshop sets are so adorable.

Here are some step-by-step instructions for 'building' this card:

• A standard A2 card base was constructed out of Bashful Blue.
• I used my Circle Scissor Plus to cut out two circles: one 3" circle of Only Orange, and another 2.75" circle of Brocade Blue.
• The balloon image came next. I inked up just the string portion using Basic Black ink, and stamped it directly on the circles. The balloon was inked up again and stamped onto a scratch piece of Crushed Curry Patterns DSP before being snipped out and adhered using dimensionals.
  
• This cute little bear was black heat embossed onto watercolor paper. He was filled in using blender pens and Close to Cocoa, Soft Suede, Only Orange, and Brocade Blue ink pads. Finally he was snipped out and adhered to the circles.
  
• I just received my photo corner punch in my last SU shipment so I was thrilled that I got a chance to use it for the sketch! I popped out corners in Brocade Blue and Only Orange. A little paper piercing detail (using the paper piercing tool and mat pack) was added to the orange piece and attached with glue dots.
• Now onto the left side :). I cut a 1.25"x 4.25" piece of Brocade Blue and wrapped a piece of Crushed Curry Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbon around it before sticking it down to the card.
• My stamp-a-ma-jig came out next to split up the sentiment into smaller sections using a Brocade Blue SU marker. I off-centered this piece onto a mat of Only Orange.
• The tiny hat image was inked in Basic Black and stamped onto Whisper White. Only Orange and Brocade Blue SU markers were used to fill it in.
• Only Orange Playground Designer Buttons were the finishing touch. I used tiny slivers of Brocade Blue card stock as thread.

If you haven't already received a copy of the new Holiday Mini Catalog (which goes LIVE tomorrow!) please email me and I will send one to you ASAP!!



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Recipe: Stamps: Beary Best Friends (118052), Beary Nice Wishes (118050) Ink: Basic Black (101179), Versamark (102283), Brocade Blue (100064), Only Orange (100051), Close to Cocoa (103139), Soft Suede (115657) Paper: Bashful Blue (105120), Whisper White (100730), Only Orange (102837), Brocade Blue (101166), Crushed Curry Patterns Pack DSP (115686), Watercolor Paper (105019) Accessories: Circle Scissor Plus (112530), Photo Corner Punch (109042), Playground Designer Buttons (116313), Crushed Curry Polka Dot Grosgrain (115614), Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack (105826), Dimensionals (104430), Glue Dots (103683), Black embossing powder (109133), Heat Tool (100005), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)

Back from vacation: feeling under the weather

Hi All,
I just wanted to write a quick post to let you all know that we are back from vacation (had a fabulous time!). But I haven't been able to create because I have had a pretty bad cold. I am hoping to get in some stamp therapy tonight or tomorrow, though!

Thank you!

PPA5: Halloween Theme

This weeks PPA challenge is to create a Halloween Themed card.

I wanted to try and create pumpkins using punches- and it worked pretty well, I think.

Here are the specifics:

• This card started with a Basic Black card base measuring 5 1/2" x 5 1/2".
• A 2" strip of Old Olive was adhered at the top.
• A 1" strip of Elegant Eggplant was placed below the Old Olive.
• Using the 1/2" circle punch, I popped out 5 Dusty Durango circles.
• They were evenly spaced on the Elegant Eggplant. Some orange glitter dots (Non-SU) were placed in the center of each circle.
• The title "Spooky" was created using the Lots of Letters Chipboard. TIP: I used a variety of fonts to create a more interesting looking title.
  
• I covered each letter with Elegant Eggplant, cut them out with a hobby knife, then smoothed out the edges using a sanding block and a small nail file.
• Jet Black StazOn was used to distress each letter.
• The letters took a dip in some Versamark ink and were each heat embossed using Iridescent Ice embossing powder.
• The pumpkins were created using a 1 3/8" circle punch, and a 1 1/4" circle punch. First I popped out the main circles out of Dusty Durango. Then, using the hole created from that first circle, I popped out "moon" shapes for either side. The moon shapes were adhered next to the sides of each circle for a pumpkin shape (and also makes it look like it has realistic ridges!).
• I cut out pumpkin faces from more Basic Black, and also cut out a stem using Old Olive.
• Using my Big Shot, the Swirls Scribbles die, and more Old Olive, I was able to create some vines for the pumpkin.
• Two jumbo silver brads finished up the left bottom of the card.

Hope you will play along and make your own Halloween creation!





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Recipe:
Stamps: None
Ink: Jet Black StazOn (101406), Versamark (102283)
Paper: Basic Black (102851), Old Olive (100702), Dusty Durango (115321), Elegant Eggplant (105126)
Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Swirls Scribbles Sizzlet (113441), Jumbo Brads (112534), 1/2" Circle Punch (104390), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (104401), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (104403), Glitter Dots (non-su), Lots of Letters Chipboard (109182), Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder (101930), Sanding Block (103301)

Disneyland here we come!

That is right! By the time you read this post, my family and I will be on our way to Seattle and then off to Disneyland in a few days! We are very excited! Because we will be on vacation you wont be hearing much from me in the next week. I do however have a special post ready for next week's Pals Paper Arts challenge.

My goal for this card was to incorporate Teresa Kline's Mojo Sketch (to celebrate 100 challenges), and the use of some Apricot Appeal card stock. I have so much of it from purchasing several Soft Subtle assortment packs, and I never think to use it. I was determined to change that! I combined Apricot Appeal with Whisper White, Cameo Coral, and Lavender Lace.

• This is a 5 1/2" square card with a base of Lavender Lace.
• Cameo Coral textured card stock came next. I used the medallion stamp in the upper right corner in Versamark, then I heat embossed it using clear powder.
• To distress the edges, I grabbed my cutter kit. TIP: The cutter kit is an awesome tool that has not only a distressing option, but tools for cutting, scoring, and perforating. I simply rubbed the distressing tool across all the edges.
  
• A 1" strip of Whisper White was dry embossed using my Big Shot and the dot pattern from the SU Backgrounds I Texturz Plates. This was also given some distressing using the technique above.
• Cameo Coral ink was dabbed all over the dots and edges using a sponge.
• A 1 1/2" strip of Apricot Appeal was given a scallop border and layered onto a 2" strip of Lavender Lace.
• Whisper White ribbon was tied around the piece before it was adhered to the card.
• Lavender Lace and Basic Black SU Markers were used to color directly onto the sentiment image before being stamped onto Whisper White. TIP: When using a sentiment as the focal point, I like to off-center it for some added interest.
• The Whisper White was also distressed and the edges were inked up using a sponge and Lavender Lace ink.
• The Big Shot came into play for the flowers. I used it with Lavender Lace card stock and the Cherry Blossom Embosslit. A Pretties Kit Half Pearl was used to dot the center before it was attached to the card with dimensionals.
  
• The Trio Flower punch was used with more Lavender Lace and Cameo Coral. I used some tiny half-pearl stickers (Recollections) for the centers.

Well we are off for vacation, but don't worry- I will be back to create soon!


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Recipe: Stamps: Medallion (115223), Sincere Salutations (115068) Ink: Lavender Lace (101305), Cameo Coral (103035), Basic Black SU Marker (105394), Versamark (102283) Paper: Soft Subtles Textured (108695), Earth Elements Textured (108697), Whisper White (100730) Accessories: Big Shot (113439), SU Backgrounds I Texturz Plates (114512), Cherry Blossom Embosslit (114516), Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon (109070), Trio Flower Punch (109183), Cutter Kit (106958), Pretties Kit (109114), Clear Embossing Powder (109130), Scallop Edge punch (112091)

PPA4: Anything But a Card

I am so excited about today's project because I had so much fun creating it! This will be dropped off at my mom's office later today. I'm thinking she will love it!

This week's Pals Paper Arts challenge is to create anything but a card. This is definitely not a card, but it incorporates some new products from SU!

Here is how I made it:

• I used a sneak peek stamp set from the Holiday Mini (products available Sept. 1st). The set I used is called Sweet Centers. It was designed to accommodate the new Sweet Treat cups (also used in this project).
• Using my stamp-a-ma-jig, I stamped the petal image onto Whisper White card stock several times to create Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry flowers. This took some time to get right. The petals need to be stamped overlapping each other so that the 1 3/4" circle punch will fit in the center properly. I noticed that if I lined each petal up corner-to-corner, then snipped the flower out, the punch couldn't reach. Another way to use this stamp would be to punch out a circle from card stock and use the stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the petals to the hole. But that would be more suited for a card, since the flower would not ultimately be snipped out.
• Before snipping out the flowers, I pressed a Versamark pad all over my paper and heat embossed it with Iridescent Ice.
• Next, I took Rich Razzleberry and Melon Mambo card stock and lightly attached it to the back of the Whisper White stamped card stock using Dotto Removable Adhesive.
• With the two pieces of paper attached, I snipped out each flower. The extra card stock will be for the back of each flower for a cleaner look (see photo).
• After separating the two pieces and removing the adhesive, I popped out the circle on just the stamped flower piece. TIP: An easy way to do this is to flip the punch over so you can line up the image in the opening.
• For the solid card stock flowers, I took a ruler and the perforating tool from the Cutter Kit, and perforated the center of each one (see photo). The reason for this is so that the candy can be more easily accessed without tearing apart the entire flower.
  
• I filled my treat cups with some Skittles (smile) and attached them to the Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry flower centers (not the circle punched flowers).
• I created the stems by using some bamboo skewers. I covered them with Certainly Celery ribbon (SAB freebie) using sticky strip. More ribbon was tied near the top to mimic the look of leaves. TIP: Make sure to cut down the stems to different heights for more dimension!
• The top of each stem was adhered below the sweet treat cup on the solid flower using large glue dots (several all around-including the top!). 3 layers of dimensionals were added to all the other petals so that the top flower would be level.
• Lastly, I lined up and attached the top flower to the bottom. TIP: I kept all my flowers together through the whole process so I wouldn't forget which embossed flowers went with the solid card stock ones. Otherwise it could be a mess to figure out which one lined up with what (think turning the cut out top of a carved pumpkin over and over to line it up! At least that is what I kept thinking of :).
• I used an over-sized mug to hold all my flowers. Florist foam was pressed down into the bottom to keep them in place.
• I took pieces of Soft Suede and Chocolate Chip card stock and ran them through my Paper Crimping tool and then through a paper shredder to get a filler for the rest of the mug.
• Gorgeous 1 1/4" Striped Chocolate Chip ribbon was tied around the bottom. TIP: I used a glue dot on the front and back to keep it from sliding down.
• The final touch: my stamped tag. Using the Great Friend set, I stamped the frame in Soft Suede ink. Next I repeatedly stamped the stem image using Certainly Celery (without re-inking). Again using my stamp-a-ma-jig, I stamped the sentiment in the center. I colored it in using Basic Black and Melon Mambo SU markers.
• I got double duty out of my 1 3/4" Circle punch. It fit perfectly around the Great Friend frame.
• A small hole was punched near the top using my Crop-a-dile and Hemp Twine was tied through (and around a flower stem).
• The butterfly was created using a Martha Stewart punch and Razzleberry Lemonade DSP. Three little half pearls (non-SU) dot the center.

I hope this inspired you to make your own "anything but a card" project! Be sure to load your projects from your blog or online gallery at Pals Paper Arts- you could be a Pals Paper Arts Artist Pick!


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Recipe: Stamps: Sweet Centers (available Sept. 1st), Great Friend (113792) Ink: Rich Razzleberry (115658), Melon Mambo (115656), Soft Suede (115657), Certainly Celery (105217), Basic Black SU Marker (100082), Versamark (102283) Paper: Whisper White (100730), Rich Razzleberry (115316), Melon Mambo (115320), Razzleberry Lemonade DSP (115675), Chocolate Chip (102128), Soft Suede (115318) Accessories: Sweet Treat Cups (available Sept. 1st), 1 3/4" Circle Punch (112004), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Crop-a-dile (108362), Paper Snips (103579), Glue Dots (104183), Dimensionals (104430), Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder (101930), Heat Tool (100005), Certainly Celery Ribbon (SAB Freebie), 1 1/4" Chocolate Chip Striped Ribbon (115617), Hemp Twine (100982), Paper Crimper (101618), Sticky Strip (104294), Cutter Kit (106958) Other: Bamboo Skewers, Martha Stewart Butterfly Punch, Mug, Florist Foam, Stick-On Half Pearls, Skittles

Happy Mojo Monday!

Wow! Mojo Monday is already up to 100 sketches! This week's 100th sketch was quite challenging for me. I ended up leaving out the larger scalloped circle. I kept trying to cut one out and it just didn't look good! Note to self: Purchase the scallop circles die!

• This is a standard A2 Chocolate Chip card base.
• A layer of Old Olive came next (I love lots of layers!)
• A slightly smaller piece of Rose Red took a trip through my Big Shot with one of the SU Backgrounds I Texturz Plates. TIP: I put an extra piece of card stock on top of my "sandwich" before I run it through for a more defined impression.
• I used one of the patterns from the Dots & Design's Rub-on's. The pattern easily transferred onto a 1" piece of Chocolate Chip.
• 1" Double Stitched Rose Red ribbon hid the raw edge of the Chocolate Chip card stock.
• "Hello", from Chic Boutique, was inked up in Rose Red and stamped onto Very Vanilla. It was popped out using a 1 1/4" circle punch and layered onto a 1 3/8" Chocolate Chip circle, and an Old Olive scallop circle.
• The sentiment was attached to the card using dimensionals.
• To create the focal point, I used more Chocolate Chip and Old Olive for mats.
• The dress form image was inked in Jet Black StazOn and stamped onto a Very Vanilla rectangle.
• All four corners were clipped with the ticket corner punch.
• I wanted to make it look like there was actually a dress on the form, so I colored in the neck and arm portions using a Perfect Plum SU marker. The rest of the image was filled in with Old Olive and Rose Red.
• Using a 2-way glue pen, I applied Fine Cosmo glitter to the dress and beads.

Did you know that there is only 2 weeks to become a demonstrator for as little as $85??? If you are interested in more information, click here or email me.

The Holiday Mini goes live in about 2 weeks! If you would like your very own copy, let me know!



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Recipe: Stamps: Chic Boutique (113744) Ink: Jet Black StazOn (101406), Rose Red (100063), Old Olive (100079), Perfect Plum (100035) Paper: Very Vanilla (101650), Chocolate Chip (102128), Old Olive (100702), Rose Red (102544) Accessories: Big Shot (113439), SU Backgrounds I Texturz Plates (114512), Dots & Designs Rub-ons (115728), Scallop Circle Punch (109043), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (104403), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (104401), Ticket Corner Punch (107214), 2-way glue pen (100425), Fine Cosmo Glitter (108796), SU Dimensionals (104430), 1" Double Stitched Rose Red Ribbon (111846)

Clean and Simple Winter Card

You know you have a serious stamping addiction when you beginning plotting your next card as you are drifting off to sleep at night. At least that is what happens to me! Last night as I was laying in bed I had an idea to try using flocking powder with Sticky Pages. Unfortunately, SU no longer sells flocking powder, but I had a whole jar back from when it was still available. The recommended application process included using Heat and Stick powder- which I could never master. So it sat along with all my other embossing powders and glitters. No need to fear, however. Many online stores still sell it as well as some craft stores.

I am so glad I tried this technique- it turned out beautifully, even though my photo doesn't do it much justice.
Here is how I made the snowman:

• I covered a piece of Whisper White card stock with a Sticky Page.
  
• I popped out the circles using a 1 3/4" punch, a 1 3/8" punch, and a 1 1/4" punch. TIP: You have to use quite a bit more pressure since the sticky page makes the paper so much thicker.
• After I peeled of the red backing, I applied the Whisper White flocking to each circle. You will need to rub off most of the flocking for a smooth texture.
• The different circles were decorated with black half-pearl stickers (Recollections), ribbon, and an orange glitter dot (unknown manufacturer).
• The hat was created using the Round Tab punch, folded in half, with the bottom trimmed to a straight line. I folded Whisper White Taffeta ribbon in half also, and tied it around the top.
• I dyed Whisper White ribbon blue using the Bashful Blue SU marker for the scarf.
  
• Once the card was finished, the snowman was attached the card using dimensionals.

For the card:

• This is a 5 1/2" square Bashful Blue card.
• A slightly smaller layer of Brushed Silver Card stock came next.
• A 2" strip of vellum was trimmed on one side using the Scallop Edge punch, and attached at the bottom of the silver. I used my paper piercing tool to dot the center of each scallop.
  
• A 1 1/2" piece of Bashful Blue was covered in a piece of a Sticky Page. It was then also trimmed using the Scallop Edge punch.
• The red backing was peeled away and large Silver Duo beads were added. TIP: Add the larger beads first, then fill in with the microbeads.
• I attached the beaded piece with glue dots for added stability.
• The sentiment is from Sincere Salutations. I used Basic Black and Bashful Blue SU markers to fill it in and stamped it onto Whisper White.
• I clipped all four corners using the Corner Rounder punch.
• The 1 3/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches were used again with Bashful Blue and Brushed Silver for some added interest behind the sentiment.

This was a fun card to make, although it is very simplistic in design. Let me know what you think!



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Recipe:
Stamps: Sincere Salutations (115068)
Ink: Bashful Blue (105111), Basic Black (100082)
Paper: Bashful Blue (105120), Whisper White (100730), Brushed Silver (100712), Vellum (101839)
Accessories: 1 3/4" Circle Punch (112004), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (104401), 1 1/4" Circle Punch (104403), Sticky Pages (114300), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Silver Bead Duo (110755), Corner Rounder Punch (109047), Dimensionals (104430), Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon (109070), Round Tab Punch (108340), Flocking (retired), Glitter Dot (non-SU), Black Half-pearls (non-SU)