Blue Ribbon Graduation

If you are wondering why I am posting graduation cards in the middle of June, read about it Here. 

Again, I used the new Dictionary Background stamp and the new Simply Stars stamp set. This card went to a grad whose school colors are Red and Black so I added a punched star from Red Glimmer paper for a little bit of sparkle.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! If you would like to place an order, my Online Store can be found Here.

Stamps: Blue Ribbon, Simply Stars, Dictionary Background
Paper: Brights collection, Neutrals (a small piece of retired dsp), Red Glimmer paper
Card Stock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red
Ink: Real Red, Basic Black 
Other: Large and Small Star punches (retired), Scallop Circle punch, Circle punches

Thanks for stopping by.

Simply Stars graduation

Now I know in most of the country, high school graduation came and went a long time ago. But in my area (Western Massachusetts), school is still in session. June 24th is the last day of school! Crazy. I know. David and I went to a high school graduation party yesterday for 3 young men from our church. They are friends so it was one party for 3 outstanding guys. We always give checks as a gift, but I had fun making the cards!

Today's card was for the graduate whose school colors are red, white, and blue. So really this card would make a great Fourth of July card too!

The print on the left side of the card is from the new Dictionary Background stamp. I love that I can make print in any color I want. So fun. The stars are from the new set, Simply Stars. There are 4 stars in the set, 3 of which are pictured. The weird part about this stamp set is that SU didn't provide any matching punches or framelits to make our life easier. BUT, if you have the old, retired star punches - they work just fine. Yay! So while I was digging through my container of old punches I came across another retired punch and I don't know it's name but it punches 4 arrows. What?! Why didn't I think of this punch before?! So that is what I used for the arrows on my card.

And finally, the sentiment is from the Blue Ribbon stamp set. I punched it with the new Artisan Label punch then trimmed it down to layer on a punched piece of Real Red cards stock. I find it easier to trim a punched image down than to try to trim a piece of card stock around the punched image -if that makes sense?

I did add a star punched from Silver Glimmer Paper for some "subdued bling". I tried to be sensitive to the fact it was going to a guy. Lol.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! I have an Online Store found Here if you would like to purchase anything.

Stamps: Simply Stars, Blue Ribbon, Dictionary Background
Paper: Silver Glimmer Paper
Card Stock: Whisper White, Real Red, Midnight Muse
Ink: Real Red, Midnight Muse
Other: Artisan Label Punch, Arrow Punch (retired), Small and Large Star Punches (both retired)

Thanks for stopping by. Have a blessed day!

Summer Silhouettes and Washi Tape

Our family is counting down until the wedding in 8 days! And I have several lists of things to do. No stress. Lol. I have to take stamping breaks, or mental health breaks as I sometimes call them. Maybe some of you can relate. 

The card today is clean and simple - very simple! I am loving Stampin' Up!'s Washi tape. It is a new product and so much fun. I know washi tape has been out there in stamping land for a while now but I never used it till now. Washi Tape is what I used to create the floral border on today's card. It is just a little bit sticky so no adhesive is necessary. It is transparent. It is tearable (tears well, not as in bad such as terrible). And it is inexpensive. These are just a few positives!

After I stamped the flowers, and added the embossed border, I added 2 strips of wash tape and the sentiment. I felt like it still needed something so I used some Crystal Effects (ok, a lot) and some Dazzling Diamond Glitter.

The sentiment is from Sweet Essentials stamp set and is on sale! 25% off until June 30th. It is one of my favorite greeting sets and is one of the 3 greeting sets on sale. Petite Pairs and Sassy Salutations are also on sale.

Sweet Essentials Clear Mount #132085

Regular Price $14.94  Sale Price $11.21

Sweet Essentials Wood Mount #126457

Regular Price $19.95  Sale Price $14.95

All supplies are Stampin' Up! To place an order, my Online Store is Here.

Stamps: Sweet Essentials (on sale), Summer Silhouettes

Card Stock: Whisper White, Pear Pizzaz

Ink: Pear Pizzaz, Melon Mambo

Other: Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Gingham Garden Washi Tape, Big Shot, Needlepoint Border embossing folder, Large Scallop Edgelit

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend!

CCMC256 Creative Elements

Hello stamper friends! Welcome to another Create with Connie and Mary challenge. And this week it is a color challenge.

I used one of my favorite stamp sets - Creative Elements - to create a shabby chic kind of card. This is one of my favorite layouts because it is so easy to switch the shape of the focal point.

I was super sad to see the Color Spritzer Tool retire. Have I mentioned that before? Lol. I am trying to learn how to add splattered ink with an aquapainter  and ink refill. Definitely a learning curve! 

I stamped the Summer Starfruit card stock with the filigree stamp from the set. Then I sponged it lightly and distressed one corner. The oval is stamped with the dahlia stamp and  Island Indigo ink. I stamped one full strength then stamped the second and third without reinking. Once I had everything layered, I splattered.

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Creative Elements, Itty Bitty Banners
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Summer Starfruit, Island Indigo
Ink: Early Espresso, Summer Starfruit, Island Indigo
Other: Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Aquapainter, Summer Starfruit Dalia, sponge, Big Shot, Bitty Banner Framelit, Oval Framelit, dimensionals, Corner Rounder punch

And a little side note.

Create with Connie and Mary Summer Edition Collection 2013 is available with an Early Bird special of $19.95.  Preview Week begins June 16 - 22. Click Here for more details. 

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will give the Create with Connie and Mary Color Challenge a whirl. I for one look forward to seeing everyone's creativity!

Wildflower Meadow Control Freak Swap

Today's card is one that I made for a recent Control Freak's Swap. What is a Control Freak? Well, in Stampin' Up! world, it is a group (invitation only) of demonstrators who swap cards a few times a year and have the option of participating in the Control Freak Blog Hop on the 20th of each month. There is probably a story behind the group, and the name, but if I heard it I don't remember it! I was invited to join the group a few years ago and consider it a huge honor to swap with these AMAZING stampers. 

The swap was a New Catalog Preorder swap so I made my swap card with Wildflower Meadow background stamp, some new In Colors, and new embellishments.

This card is not difficult - just lots going on. I wanted to create the look of a misty  garden with a fence. Love the little hummingbird. I made the flowers with Strawberry Slush ink because I know hummingbirds love red (or bright pink in this case).

All supplies are Stampin' Up! My Online Store.

Stamps: Wildflower Meadow, A Round Array

Card Stock: Whisper White, Pistachio Pudding, Strawberry Slush

Ink: Versamark, Coastal Cabana, Strawberry Slush, Pistachio Pudding, Daffodil Delight

Other: Clear embossing powder, Washi Tape, Baker's Twine, Basic rhinestone, Simply Pressed Clay, Buttons and Blossoms mold, Scallop Circle punch, dimensional, Big Shot, Oval framelit, Stripes folder, Scallop trim border punch, sponge, sponge dauber, blender pen, aqua painter,  

Thanks for stopping by.

That's the Ticket

I have some wonderful Online customers - and Offline too - basically I have wonderful customers. :) Every time someone places an order with me, I send them a one of a kind, personal thank you. Today's card is one of those. 

I was intrigued by this sketch at Freshly Made Sketches. But since I feel like I make a lot of cards with the traditional banners, I thought I would try something different.

I used the tickets from That's the Ticket stamp set along the bottom of my card front. The flower is punched and has one of my new found loves - the Simply Pressed Clay - for the center. LOVE this new product!

All of the colors are new this year. I am so happy that we have some soft, pastel colors back in the color palette!

Notice the notched edges of the card front, holding the baker's twine in place? It allows the twine to be wrapped around the card front without adding an extra layer of card stock! I noticed the concept artist(s) at Stampin' UP! have been doing this with their cards lately. Click here for an example. If you aren't on Pinterest the link may not work. It is the lobster card  HERE on the SU home page. Being a vegetarian I take exception to the caption. Lol. So disregard that part!

All supplies are Stampin' Up! My Online Store for your stamping needs is Here.

Stamps: That's the Ticket, Perfectly Penned

Card Stock: new colors - Crisp Cantaloupe, Smoky Slate, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White

Ink: new colors - Crisp Cantaloupe, Smoky Slate, Coastal Cabana

Other: Baker's Twine, Itty Bitty Punch, Chevron embossing folder, Big Shot, Boho Blossom punch, Simply Pressed Clay, Buttons and Blossoms mold, Aquapainter, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, mini brads, Ticket punch

Thanks for stopping by.

Tutorial for Box of Cards

I received so many requests for the directions to make my Box of Cards, (Post found Here.)

 and because I love all of my faithful followers so much, I created a very basic, rough tutorial. It isn't as nice as the original because I just used paper, ribbon, brads and card stock that I wanted to get rid of. 

I know there are probably a lot of similar boxes out there but I made this one up myself. 

Tip: I like to make a practice one first with scrap card stock and scrap computer paper. Just in case the measurements are off. 

You will need:

• 2 pieces of solid - colored, 8 1/2 x 11 card stock for the box itself
• 1 piece of solid - colored, 8 1/2 x 11 card stock. To layer under the dsp
• designer paper (dsp) in 2 coordinating patterns
• Big Shot and Apothecary Accent Framelits
• Antique Brad for closing flap
• Coordinating ribbon - 21 inches
• 4 coordinating brads to hold ribbon to box
• Border punch
• Paper piercer and mat for the brads
• Sticky Strip
• Scoring Tool of some sort

And one final note. I could charge a fee for this tutorial but I prefer to offer my tutorials for free. My only "fee" is if you do copy/case this project, or any of my projects, please provide a link back to me with full credit. Thanks for understanding!

1. Cut one piece of Early Espresso (base color) card stock into 2 pieces - 5" x 8 1/2" each.

    *Score each piece at 1 1/8". These will be create the bottom and sides of the box.

2. Use Sticky Strip and adhere the 2 flaps together to create the bottom of the box. It looks lighter because of the way I took the photo. It is still Early Espresso card stock.

4. Cut the other piece of Early Espresso card stock into 2 pieces - 4 1/4" x 6 1/2" each.

    * Score on 3 sides only! Score at 1/2" and at 1" on each of the 3 sides. Do this for        both pieces. These will be the pockets on the inside of the box.

5. From the remaining piece of Early Espresso, cut one Apothecary Accent with the Big Shot. 

    *Score at 1 1/8" from one end and 2 1/8" from the other. As long as there is 1 1/8" between the 2 score lines you can score at any measurement really. This will be the closing flap.

6. Crease all score lines of the above pieces. Then trim on score lines as shown. Set aside while you work on the layers of designer paper.

7. Cut 1 piece of dsp to measure 4 3/4" x 4 3/4" and 1 piece of a coordinating piece to measure 2 1/4" x 4 3/4". This will go on the front of the box.

    * Cut a piece of coordinating card stock 1" x 4 3/4" and punch a border.

NOTE: If you want the back to be the same then do this twice. If you want the back to be one solid piece of dsp, then cut another piece to measure 4 3/4" x 7". Sorry, I didn't take a photo of that piece of dsp.

8. Adhere the border punched card stock to the back of the smaller piece of dsp so the scallop shows. See picture below.

This step is optional. If you want to layer the dsp onto a coordinating piece of card stock as pictured, then you will need to cut 2 pieces - 4 7/8" x 7 1/8" each. I used So Saffron for mine. Do the same for the piece(s) that will go on the back of the box.

9. Cut 2 pieces of coordinating ribbon - 10 1/2" each. Also, need 4 coordinating brads. These will be the handles.

 10. To attach the ribbon handles, place the dsp/card stock onto the piercing mat and use the paper piercer to punch a hole in each corner. Do this for front and back piece. Push the brad through the dsp/card stock layer and through the ribbon.

11. Adhere the front and back (from step #10) to the box frame (from step #1)

 12. Use Sticky Strip and attach the SHORT END of the Apothecary Accent to the BACK of the box.
       * Add an Antique Brad to the front end of the flap.
Tip: Crease the score lines well. This will help the box stay closed.

13. Attach the pockets on the inside. Add Sticky Strip on 3 sides of each pocket piece (from step #6). Only add it to the outside 1/2"! 

    *Line up the bottom of the pocket with the score line on the bottom of the box. Adhere. 

      Note: the bottom of the pocket should not be adhered to the bottom of the box. Otherwise the box of cards won't open.

14. Side view of the Box of Cards when closed. The flap with the Antique brad is heavy enough to stay put. But if you want to, add a piece of velcro to the underside of the flap and the front of the box. 

15. Front of the box. I know it is not the prettiest combination of dsp, ribbon, brads and card stock but you get the idea. 

The box easily holds 5 envelopes in one pocket and 5 cards in the other pocket. My cards only had 2 layers. Click here to see those cards.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! Please visit My Online Store to purchase any of these products.

Stamps: none

Card Stock: Early Espresso, So Saffron

Paper: Tea for Two -retired

Ink: none

Other: Big Shot, Apothecary Accent Frmelits, Antique Brad, Scallop Border Punch, Paper Piercer Tool and Mat, Sticky Strip, Island Indigo Ribbon and Brads (retired),

If you have any questions regarding this project, or any for that matter, please feel free to email me. I will do my best to help you out.

Thanks for stopping by!

CCMC255 Mint and Gold

Hi there stampers! Welcome to another challenge from Create with Connie and Mary. This week is a sketch challenge!

Since I have weddings on the brain I made a wedding card with the sketch. Or, if you prefer, it can be an anniversary card :) One of the popular color combinations for weddings this year is mint green and gold. Just check out Pinterest if you don't believe me! 

I LOVE our new In Color, Pistachio Pudding so I combined it with gold embossed flowers and our Brushed Gold card stock.

I stamped the gold flowers with Versamark and then embossed with gold embossing powder. 

All supplies are Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Everything Eleanor, Petite Pairs

Card Stock: Brushed Gold, Whisper White, Pistachio Pudding

Ink: Versamark, Pistachio Pudding

Other: Gold Embossing Powder, Gold Brad, Antique Brad, Basic Pearl, Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, dimensionals

I had a lot of fun with this sketch and I hope you will give it a try and link it up at Create with Connie and Mary. We love to see everyone's creativity! 

Thanks for stopping by.