Baby Boy or Girl...

My sister-in-law and her husband are expecting their first baby in October, and they haven't found out what the gender is yet. We will be traveling to see them this weekend and I wanted to make a congratulatory card- we are so excited for them!

The card base is Whisper White with a layer of Bashful blue DSP (SAB Freebie) next. A scallop border of Pink Pirouette was added on the right edge.

The giraffe from Animal Crackers seemed perfect for this card. I inked it in Black StazOn, being careful to not ink the sentiment image on the side. This was stamped onto Water Color paper and filled in using blender pens and ink pads in YoYo Yellow, Apricot Appeal, and Pumpkin Pie. A little Sahara Sand was used to add a little depth. TIP: I envisioned my light source coming from the upper right side, so I added a bit of a shadow on the left/under side of the giraffe for a shadow effect.

The giraffe was matted onto Certainly Celery. 3 loops of Certainly Celery ribbon (SAB Freebie) were evenly spaced on the left side before mounting the piece onto So Saffron. Onboard Essentials stars were covered in So Saffron and added to the card next.

The sentiment, from Absolutely Fabulous, was inked in StazOn and stamped onto a rectangle of water color paper. The edges were clipped with a corner rounder punch. The frame behind the sentiment was a leftover So Saffron frame that was die cut using the Matchbox Bigz Die and my Big Shot.

A cute neutral baby blanket, and a pregnancy book will join the card for our gift to her. I hope she will love it!

Happy Stampin'!
Carrie

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Recipe:
Stamp Sets: Animal Crackers (113395), Absolutely Fabulous (114914)
Paper: Whisper White (100730), SAB Freebie Designer Series Paper, So Saffron (105118), Pink Pirouette (111351), Certainly Celery (105125)
Ink: Black StazOn (101486), Apricot Appeal (105218), Pumpkin Pie (105216), Yoyo Yellow (102717)
Accessories: Certainly Celery SAB ribbon, On Board Essentials (112085), Scallop Border Punch (112091), Matchbox Bigz Die (114890), Big Shot (113439)

Wedding card- no stamps required!

My brother is getting married this Saturday, so I needed to get hopping on the card and this is what I came up with.

One of the things I love to do for wedding cards is coordinate the colors of the card to the wedding. The main color for this wedding is the deep red that I used.

This card starts with a base of Whisper White, with a piece of Riding Hood Red layered on top. Next a layer of Brushed Silver was clipped at the bottom using the Scallop Border punch. Basic Black serves as the backdrop for the cake.

The cake is made up of Shimmery White card stock. I wanted to give each layer of the cake a different texture. I grabbed my Big Shot and some Cuttlebug embossing folders- Swirls and Swiss Dots. TIP: I opted for the embossing folders this time versus the SU Texturz plates because I was aiming for a very deep impression. These folders work the same in the Big Shot as the Textured Impression Manhattan Flower die.

The top corners of each tier were clipped with a corner rounder punch, and a strip of Riding Hood Red was adhered to the bottom. The bottom tier was adhered first with two layers of Stampin' Dimensionals. The middle tier was adhered with one layer of dimensionals, and the top layer was adhered directly to the card stock with Snail. TIP: Adhering the layers at different heights give the cake a lot of depth and adds a realistic quality.

The cake topper is made up of coordinating Prima Flowers that have Pretties Kit half pearls for the centers.

A deep red organza ribbon (Michaels) finishes up the project.

This cake reminds me so much of me and my husband's wedding cake! Only our color was lavendar :).

Happy Stampin'!
Carrie


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Recipe:
Stamp Set: None
Paper: Whisper White (100730), Riding Hood Red (111348), Brushed Silver (100712), Shimmery White (101910), Basic Black (102851)
Ink: None
Accessories: Big Shot (113439), Cuttlebug Embossing Folders, Prima Flowers, Pretties Kit (109114), Scallop Border Punch (112091), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Snail (104332)

It's time for my favorite sketch challenge!

That's right. It's Monday, and you know what that means! First thing this morning I headed over to the Mojo Monday site to check out this weeks challenge. In case you didn't know, Mojo Monday is a sketch blog that serves as inspiration for hundreds of card makers every week. Check it out for a fresh idea on a new card!

Onto today's card- it follows the sketch and uses the tree from Forest Friends (Occasions Mini).

The card has a base of Chocolate chip that is partially covered by a piece of Old Olive. This was given a little texture using my Big Shot and the SU! Background Texturz Plate called Harlequin. TIP: For a deeper impression, I spritzed water on the card stock before adding the texture.

A square of So Saffron was given a paper pierced design with the crafter's tool kit and template. This was adhered to the lower left of the card using Stampin' Dimensionals.

A strip of So Saffron Grosgrain ribbon was added in the center of card. TIP: I like the look of having the edges going off of the card, but you could always shorten it to "stay within the lines" :).

The tree image was inked using SU markers in Chocolate Chip and Old Olive. Using a stamp-a-majig, I was able to place it perfectly on a piece of Whisper White. The top right corner was clipped using the ticket corner punch, and the left side was given a little more "omph" with Chocolate Chip Jumbo Brads. TIP: The crafter's tool kit and template made perfect placement easy.

The sentiment, from Trendy Trees, was split up onto a piece of Whisper White using a Chocolate Chip SU marker and a stamp-a-majig. It was then punched out with the 1 3/8" Circle punch. This circle was offset onto layered circles of Old Olive and So Saffron. TIP: Cutting the larger circles was easy with my Circle Scissors Plus and Glass Cutting Mat.

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Happy Stampin'!
Carrie

Order Stampin' Up! online 24-7! Click Here!

Recipe:
Stamp Sets: Forest Friends (113748), Trendy Trees (113258)
Paper: Whisper White (100730), Chocolate Chip (102128), Old Olive (100702), So Saffron (105118)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (100071), Old Olive (100079)
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Jumbo Brads (112533), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (104401), Crafter's Tool Kit (104310), Big Shot (113439), SU Backgrounds I Texturz Plates (114512), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Ticket Corner Punch (107214), So Saffron Ribbon (SAB Freebie), Circle Scissors Plus (112530), Glass Cutting Mat (112531)

Happy Earth Day!

This simple card was inspired by the Split Coast Sketch Challenge 225 (below). In honor of Earth day, Kiwi Kiss (green) was used, and also a fun touch- a pop can :).

This card took no time to make. I layered my Urban Oasis DSP onto a base of Basic Gray, in keeping with the sketch. Next I took my Craft and Rubber Scissors, and cut up a used (and rinsed) pop can. I first cut out a rectangle to be used as a matte for my butterflies.

Next I grabbed my Big Shot and SU Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die. Since this is a steel rule die, it can cut through a variety of materials, including this aluminum can. I cut two large butterflies and two small butterflies from the aluminum. Next, I cut one large, and one small butterfly out of a sheet of Sticky Pages. The graphic images of the can on the two butterflies were adhered to each other using the sticky cut. TIP: I used the Sticky Page versus Snail or Sticky Strip because I needed it to bond completely, especially on the edges. The reason for this is because the aluminum still had a curve to it from being formed into a can and I wanted it to flatten out once stuck together.

Kiwi Kiss Summer Love rub-ons were adhered onto both butterflies and they were attached to the card using mini glue dots. Pretty cool, huh?

Happy Stampin'!
Carrie

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Recipe:
Stamp set: None
Paper: Urban Oasis Designer Series Paper (113978), Basic Gray (108692)
Ink: None
Accessories: Summer Love rub-ons, Craft and Rubber Scissors (103179), Glue Dots (103683), Sticky Pages (114300)

Just got my Mojo...

Today I finally got an opportunity to sit down and stamp. We have been doing some home improvement projects lately, so combine that with keeping an eye on our 1 year old and you can imagine how hard it has been to get away to my stamp room! Oh, I have missed it lately!

This card is my submission for Mojo Monday, week 83. I wanted a soft feminine look, so I turned to my Bella Birds Designer Series Paper for further inspiration.

The card base is a 5 1/2" square of Whisper White, with a layer of Bordering Blue and another layer of the stripes from Bella Birds. A 4" square of Close to Cocoa came next with slightly smaller square of Pink Pirouette Bella Birds next.

The focal point is the branch from Eastern Blooms. I have been dying to use this branch, and thought it would work perfectly for this project! I first inked the stamp with Close to Cocoa and Pretty in Pink Stampin' Write Markers. The branch was then stamped onto Whisper White. TIP: "Huff" on the stamp to moisten the ink before stamping. Close to Cocoa was rubbed around the edges of the Whisper White with a sponge to give it a distressed look. A little paper piercing on two of the corners was added using the Crafter's toolkit. My favorite part of this piece are the flowers added on top of the branch. They were created using the Trio Flower punch and Pink Pirouette. They were attached to the branch using Pretty in Pink eyelets (retired). TIP: A pretty alternative could be to use pink brads vs. eyelets. The piece was adhered to the card with Stampin' Dimensionals.

The scallop border punch was used on a strip of Bordering Blue for the bottom of the card. The sentiment is from Oval All (Occasions Mini). It was stamped onto Whisper White (which was also inked up in Close to Cocoa). This was layered onto a Pink Pirouette scallop oval. TIP: The scallop oval was so easy to create using the new Scallop Oval Punch in the Occasions Mini! A Pink Pirouette flower button (Button Bouquet) was used to cover the butterfly portion of the stamp. A tiny sliver of Whisper White was looped through the button and adhered on the back using a glue dot.

The WOW factor for this card, in my opinion, would have to be the flower embellishments on the upper left. They were created using a new technique (for me anyway). I grabbed my Pretties Kit to start with. The two smaller flowers came with a wire stem, which I removed. Next, all the flowers took a dip in my Pink Pirouette Classic Ink. I needed to seal the ink, so I then dipped them in VersaMark. Irridescent Ice embossing powder was then applied and set using a heat tool. After a few seconds, I was able to attach them to the card using clear rhinestone brads- also from the Pretties Kit. I love the translucent look that embossing gives to the flowers! What do you think?

Don't forget! Every $40 purchase from the Occasions Mini, or any workshop ($150+) will earn you a free Under $10 item!! Check out the Get Connected page for details!

Happy Stampin'!
Carrie

Order Stampin' Up! online 24-7! Click Here!

Recipe:
Stamp Set: Eastern Blooms (111626), Oval All (113790)
Paper: Bella Birds Designer Series Paper (113981), Whisper White (100730), Close to Cocoa (101341), Pink Pirouette (111351), Bordering Blue (102630)
Ink: Close to Cocoa (103139), Basic Black (101179), Pretty in Pink (100045), Pink Pirouette (111838)
Accessories: Crop-a-dile (108362), Pretties Kit (109114), Scallop Oval Punch (114889), Button Bouquet (112092), Heat Tool (100005), Irridescent Ice (101930), Trio Flower punch (109183), Crafter's Tool kit (104310), Scallop Border Punch (112091), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Glue Dots (103683)

Summer Love!

I know I am getting a little ahead of myself here! Here in the Inland Northwest, we are barely reaching 60 degree temps so it is definitely still spring! When I started putting together this card, the colors just started to remind me more and more of summer so I decided to stick with the theme :-).

The Whisper White base measures 5 1/2" square. I first started out with this adorable clear patterned "paper". It is actually more of a thick textured plastic with flowers printed on it. The flowers are a very close match to Cameo Coral. TIP: to stick with using Stampin Up products exclusively, you could use the new window sheets and emboss a design on them! I picked this sheet up at my local craft store- it is by KI Memories. The plastic sheet was adhered at the top and bottom only (so the adhesive would be hidden under the other card stock and ribbon).

On another piece of the "plastic paper", I used my 1/2" circle punch to cut out 4 flowers. These were adhered to the bottom left of the card using brads. TIP: Perfect placement was easy using my crafter's toolkit and template. The brads were adhered to a strip of Baja Breeze. A scallop edge punch was used on the top edge of the Baja as well as the strip of Cameo Coral.

Whisper White Taffeta ribbon was used to cover the top strip of the patterned plastic to cover the adhesive. Several Summer Love rub-ons (Occasions Mini) were placed above the ribbon.

Now for my favorite part! I used the Flower Layers die and my Big Shot three times; once with Cameo Coral, once with Baja Breeze, and once with a Sticky Page (new in the Spring/Summer catalog). TIP: The Sticky Pages are great for use with the Big Shot. They work the same as the Sticky Cuts letters and shapes. Perfect for adhering glitter or beads! First I peeled the brown backing from each piece and layered it onto the corresponding piece of card stock (alternating between Cameo and Baja). Next the white backing was removed to expose the sticky part.
Pink and aqua glitter was then applied and the pieces were layered using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Does this card remind you of summer? :-)

Happy Stampin'!
Carrie

Order Stampin' Up! online 24-7! Click Here!

Recipe:
Stamp Set: None
Paper: Whisper White (100730), Baja Breeze (111352), Cameo Coral (100475), KI Memories
Ink: None
Accessories: Summer Love Rub-ons (114620), Big Shot (113439), Flower Layers Die (113458), Sticky Pages (114300), Silver Brads (104336), Scallop Edge Border Punch (112091), Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon (109070), Crafter's toolkit (104310), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Our Creative Corner Sketch!

This is my first attempt at a Creative Corner Sketch and I think it turned out pretty good!

My card started out with a piece of Urban Oasis Designer Series Paper (in Kiwi Kiss) layered onto Whisper White. TIP: I typically use Whisper White or Very Vanilla as a card base and layer card stock or DSP over it. Whisper White and Vanilla come 40 sheets to a package, while card stock and DSP have fewer sheets. More economical.

Whisper White became a matte for pieces of So Saffron and Bashful Blue- both were first zipped through my Big Shot using the dots (large and small) Backgrounds I Texturz Plates. TIP: Cutting the Whisper White and Bashful Blue circles was easy with my Circle Scissors Plus and Glass Cutting Mat. I first turned the dial to 3" for the white circle and then to 2.75" for the blue one.


One thing I love about this new set, Choo Choo (Occasions Mini) is that the train can be as long or short as you like it! For the sake of keeping with the sketch, I decided to keep it relatively short. The engine and caboose were both inked in Bashful Blue and stamped onto Whisper White. They were then cut out using paper snips and popped up using dimensionals. The "steam" was inked and stamped 3 times with Chocolate Chip and popped out using the 1/2" circle punch. These were also adhered using dimensionals.

Also in keeping with the sketch, the star was added to the lower left of the train. This was created using On Board Essentials chipboard. It was first covered in the same Urban Oasis DSP as the background and snipped out. TIP: A sanding block made smoothing the edges SO easy! Using my Crop-a-dile, I was able to punch a hole in the center and attach a star brad (unknown manufacturer).

A little hemp twine was tied around near the top of the card (I just felt like it looked a little bare). The finishing touch: "Happy Birthday" (from Bitty Birthday) was inked up and stamped on the lower right of the card.

I challenge you to use this sketch on your next creation! I admit that I rarely create a card completely on my own. I almost always have a sketch or some other form of inspiration :-)

Happy Stampin'!
Carrie

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Recipe:
Stamp Set: Choo Choo (113982), Bitty Birthday (114934)
Paper: Whisper White (100730), Urban Oasis Designer Series Paper (113978), Bashful Blue (105120), So Saffron (105118)
Ink: Bashful Blue (105209), Chocolate Chip (100908)
Accessories: On Board Essentials (112085), Circle Scissors Plus (112530), Glass Cutting Mat (112531), Big Shot (113439), Stampin' Up! Texturz Plates Backgrounds I (114512), Hemp Twine (100982), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Crop-a-dile (108362), 1/2" Circle Punch (104390)