TSSC 55 Happiness is a Journey

Happy Monday! Whew! I'm just barely getting this in on Monday! Today is Technostamper's Monday Sketch Challenge again. So glad I got to participate today!

Here's the sketch. It is pretty straightforward... a long card this time.

Happiness is a Journey was a new set in the Fall/Winter catalog and is now on the Dormant List (not in the catalog but still available for ordering). This is the first time I've gotten to use this set and I really like it. One of my grandfathers was a railroad engineer so I have a fondness for trains and train images.


My color scheme is Kraft, Not Quite Navy and Baja Breeze; this is Color Challenge 201 over at Splitcoaststampers. It's a great combo and works really well for cards for men too! I cut Kraft cardstock into 8 1/2" x 7 1/2" and folded the 7 1/2" side in half. This size card fits nicely in a standard business envelope; it is a little larger and a different shape than the regular quarter-sheet size card yet still requires only regular first class postage.

I stamped the engine image on a strip of Baja Breeze in Not Quite Navy Craft ink and embossed it with clear e.p. I then masked off the image and stamped both ends of the strip with the Sanded background stamp for visual texture. The circular image comes from the Enjoy Every Moment stamp set; it was stamped twice in NQN on Baja Breeze, punched out with the 1" circle punch, added a silver brad then layered with a Dimensional on a 1 1/4" NQN card stock punch out. I stamped "happiness" and "cherish" from Warm Words on the strip then adhered the two circular images. This entire piece was layered over a strip of NQN cardstock and adhered to the Kraft card.

I punched out a little red heart with the Heart to Heart Punch that was part of the Love You Much bundle and adhered it to the side of the engine. I will probably use this card for my DH's Valentine.

Hope you enjoy. I wish my picture was better but I had to scan my card rather than photograph it tonight.

You can see Mary Jo's card and the list of other participants at http://technostamper.blogspot.com/. Leave them a comment if you wish!

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Stampin'!
Margaret

Dreams Du Jour, part II

I have a couple of cards to share with you today that I received in swaps. Both feature the Dreams Du Jour set, Bella Rose Designer Series Paper, a red and white color scheme and would be lovely Valentine's cards as well as for other occasions. That's the great thing about this set; it doesn't limit your use to just one occasion.

The first card was made by Nancy Kuhfuss using the Love image from the set and the Polka Dot Background, which is on the dormant list (it is not in the current catalog but can be ordered). The sentiment is from the stylish Sweet Serendipity set (#113626, p. 136). (I need that set! lol!) A vertical piece of the Bella Rose D P sets off the image layer and the polka dot layer is enhanced with scallops made with the Scallop Edge punch. She also used that punch on the corners of the image layer. Isn't that a great corner treatment?! Quarter inch red grosgrain ribbon finishes the design. What a sweet card, Nancy! Thanks!


The next card was made by Lisa Somerville. The Bella Rose Designer Paper really takes center stage on this card in a lovely pleated fashion This technique is from the Technique Junkie News Letter. If you love stamping techniques and/or are looking for a way to kick up your stamping efforts, go to http://www.techniquejunkies.com/ to see a sample of Pat Huntoon's online tutorials. So many fun techniques and easy to understand presentation!



The verse on Lisa's card is from the Dreams Du Jour set. Old Olive cardstock and ribbon accent her layout. This is a simple and very attractive card which would be appropriate for many occasions. Thanks for the lovely card, Lisa!

Hope you enjoyed these cards. I was very happy to receive them in swaps and be able to share them with my friends and customers.

Have a stampin' good day! Stay safe and warm! I have a lot on my plate this week but plan to get back to stamping again next week!
Margaret

Petal Card Die and Love You Much Bundle pt II

Yesterday I showed you a heart candy holder using the Petal Card die; today I have another one for you using the same basic materials. This holder is diecut from Real Red cardstock using the Petal Card die. I then cut just one scallop from a scrap of the Candy Lane Designer Paper and attached it to the red cardstock. Three of the petals were then folded up using the bone folder for a nice sharp edge and adhered with Sticky Strip adhesive. The fourth scallop, the one lined with the Designer Paper, was left unfolded and punched at the top with a 1/8" punch. and red gingham ribbon was threaded through this.

The large heart from the Love You Much stamp set was stamped in Real Red on Pretty in Pink cardstock. After cutting the heart out and highlighting it with the Signo white gel pen, it was attached with Dimensionals to the front of the envelope A red gingham ribbon bow embellishes the heart.

I added a Ghiradelli chocolate in the envelope and it fits just perfect! You could tie sweets to a bottle of soda, frappacino, or other beverage to make a "sweet" gift for Valentine's Day or other special days!

I cut another red petal card to sit my display bottle on and thought these would make cute paper coasters for a festive tablesetting also! There are many other uses for this die; these are just a few! I'm sure you'll come up with many more! Please share them.

Happy stampin'! Have fun!
Margaret

Petal Card Die and Love You Much Bundle

I have been wanting to play with the Petal Card die for the Big Shot for some time and finally got to do so! One of the cool things to use it for is to make a heart pocket that will hold a treat or a note, even a Valentine note. : )




I used the delicious Candy Lane Designer Paper to cut the petal die, then all you do is fold in two of the four scallops (the die also scores them so that is totally simple) to form the bottom point of your heart. Tip: Since I was going to use mine to hold a chocolate square (chocolate, what else, lol!), I placed the chocolate on my die cut and folded the paper over it in order to accommodate the thickness of the candy. I sealed the flaps together with Sticky Strip to hold the weight of the candy.

Next I stamped the Hugs and Kisses image from the Love You Much stamp set, colored it with markers, added Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the heart in the center and punched it out with the Scallop Circle punch. I adhered this with Dimensionals. On the top, I made a loop of the Riding Hood Red Tafetta ribbon and attached it with a small pink Fire Rhinestone Brad. Viola! Sweets for someone sweet! So quick and easy and what a great use for our beautiful double-sided Designer Paper!

Sorry I didn't get to post this sooner but I've been out of town for three days.

I will have another way to use the Petal Card Die I'll show you tomorrow.
Thanks for dropping by! Make it a great day!
Margaret

Dreams Du Jour

I have several cards to share with you today just as we are closing out the Fall/Winter Catalog. The set featured is Dreams Du Jour which is in the F/W Sampler and is currently (through tomorrow) offered for 20% off! This is a lovely set which can be used year-round, and is also perfect for friends and Valentine Day cards as well. And don't we loooove a sale!







The first two cards feature the Bella Rose Designer Paper and cardstock colors of Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss and Old Olive. Two of the image stamps from the set are used; the birthday sentiment is from Birthday Hugs and Wishes set.


Other accessories used are Pretty in Pink grosgrain ribbon, Scallop circle punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Crafter's Tool Kit and paper piercing tools, Signo White Gel Pen and Olive brads.








This card by Rhonda Beadell used Basic Gray, Rose Red and Vanilla cardstock plus Vellum cardstock for the image. The Floral background is stamped on the Rose Red in the same color ink for a tone on tone look.

After embossing the image in white on the vellum and letting it dry, it is colored on the back with markers, giving it a soft ethereal look. Basic Gray taffeta ribbon around the band finishes the card with a lovely touch.

I hope you enjoy these cards! Have a great weekend!

Have fun stampin'!


Margaret

Love You Much Swap Card

Here is the last of the swap cards I received in my Stamp Therapy group Love You Much swap. Jann McCollom made this LOVE-ly card!! (pun intended : )

Like the rest of us, Jann used the stamp set, punch and Candy Lane Designer paper and then added another element, chipboard, which brings dimension and texture to her design. Actually she has used the chipboard left from around the Scalloped Frames chipboard to form the basis of the design focal point and frame her hearts. The scallop of the chipboard is reflected in the scalloped edge of the Designer Paper; I love how she tied her ribbon on the chipboard also! What a great way to make the most of your chipboard purchase...use both the item and the empty shape it leaves! And so "green" too!


Stamps: Love You Much
Inks: looks like Basic Brown to me, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink
Paper: Candy Lane DSP; Pink Pirouette Textured cardstock, Rose Red, Whisper White; perhaps a Pretty in Pink marker to color letters, I'm guessing?
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Pink Gingham ribbon (retiring), Stampin' Sponge.

Beautiful card, Jann! Thanks, and thanks to all my Stamp Therapy friends for luv-ly cards! !

Have a great day/evening, everyone! Have fun stampin'!

Margaret