Curvy Keepsake Box Cuties!

Have you tried the new Curvy Keepsake Box Thinlit Die?  I bought it but didn't use it right away; when I did, I was surprised at how easy and FUN it is to use!  Addictive even?  lol!  Here are a couple of the first ones I made:

A pumpkin of course... after all, it's fall!  Pumpkin Pie cardstock stamped with Tangerine Tango ink using a stamp from the Work of Art set.  Pear Pizzazz ribbon, Old Olive leaf, curlycue and baker's twine.  Autumn Elements leaf too!  So simple! 

This little penguin makes me think of Happy Feet : )  Box in black decorated with punches:  Modern Label, Large Oval and Owl Builder Punch. 

The tag of Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper was cut with a framelit that comes with the Curvy Keepsake Box Framelit and is adorned with an All is Calm Snowflake.  So fun and easy!  I can't wait to make more for Christmas treats, ornaments or gift holders!

Have a good weekend!  Happy Stamping!

Margaret

Curvy Keepsake Box Thinlits Dies

$32.95

Table by StampinBuddy. 

Works of Art

You probably already know Work of Art, new in the 2014 Annual Catalog, is a very versatile set that can bring out your inner artist!  Here are several cards using this set that I've either received or made.  Hope you will see some ideas here that you might adapt for your own use!

First a card designed by my downline Louise Humphrey for a shoebox swap.  This card is stunning and simple!  I love her idea of stamping on DSP in the same colors but totally different style images than are on the paper.  The Gold Baker's Twine and button really set off this card!

 The second card is a Unite and Excite swap card by Angela Carr.  It is simple, colorful and conveys excitement and celebration!  Love the addition of the 1/4" Pool Party cotton ribbon and rhinestone sparkle! 

Angi Lay made this flower card for swapping at a Unite and Excite event.  Love the creative use of the stamp and the washi tape accent under the sentiment which really sets it off!

This last card is a similar design to several I've seen.  It is so pretty with the Gold Encore Ink, gold dotted vellum and Gold Baker's Twine... lots of sheen and sparkle.  This was a workshop Make 'n Take card using Melon Mambo and gold.

If you'd like more samples, I have two more cards previously posted on my blog which you can see here  Peaceful Petals and Four Feathers cards.

Thanks for visiting today!  Happy Stamping!

Margaret

Work Of Art Wood-Mount Stamp Set

$29.95

Work Of Art Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$21.95

Sassy Salutations Wood Stamp Set

$23.95

Gold Fancy Designer Vellum Foil

$10.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Backyard Basics CCMC296

Today is Thursday which means it's Create with Connie and Mary Challenge Day;  today we have a fun color challenge of Summer Starfruit, Smokey Slate and Pacific Point. 

 

The flowers were stamped in Black StazOn and colored with Summer Starfruit and a Blender Pen.  The stems were colored with a blend of Summer Starfruit and Pacific Point which made a nice tone of green.  The bird was colored with Pacific Point and a Blender Pen.  These were then cut out with the matching Backyard Basics Framelits.  Smoky Slate polka dot DSP was used for the background inside the On Film framelit.

The background behind the On Film framelit is White Shimmer Paper.  I misted it heavily with water then randomly stamped it with Summer Starfruit and a small splatter stamp from the Gorgeous Grunge set.  When finished I blotted it then put in between paper towels and under a heavy pile of cardstock packages to keep it from warping and to dry overnight.  I like the soft mottled look that evolved.

The smallest Basic Pearls were applied and a double bow of Silver Baker's Twine was added with Glue Dots to finish the card.

Stamps:  Backyard Basics, Trust God, Gorgeous Grunge
Inks:  Black StazOn, Pacific Point, Summer Starfruit
Paper:  Shimmer White, Summer Starfruit, Pacific Point cardstocks.  Smoky Slate Polka Dot Print from the Neutrals Designer Paper Stack.
Accessories:  Silver Baker's Twine, Basic Pearls
Tools:  Big Shot, On Film Framelits, Backyard Basics Framelits (bird, flower), Decorative Label Punch, Water Mister, Blender Pens.

Here is the color challenge for this week at Create with Connie and Mary:

Be sure to check out the cards the other Challenge Team members designed for this challenge... they are so talented and inspiring!!   While you're there, check out Preview Week for Card "Create"-ions 2014, and there just may be blog candy available this week also!

Join us for the color challenge and upload your card to the Create with Connie and Mary website!  We'd love to see what you did with the challenge!!  The guidelines are on the CWCM website.

Thanks for looking today!  Have a great weekend!

Margaret

World Treasures CCMC 272

It's time for the Thursday Create with Connie and Mary Challenge!  Today the challenge is a color one:  using Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry and So Saffron for your project!
 

I really like the way these colors look together!  I used the proud peacock from the World Treasures set (that I haven't used enough!), embossed him on Whisper White cardstock using my firm foam Bermuda Bay ink pad and Clear Embossing Powder (you CAN emboss with the firm foam pads if they are well-inked, you have the embossing powder ready, pour it on the stamped image quickly and heat.)

I then used a Blender Pen and ink refils to color in his pretty feathers.  I added the tiniest Pearls and a Rich Razzleberry Glimmer Brad to dress up his tailfeathers even more.

 

The sentiment is also from the same set.  I colored it with markers before stamping, cut it out with the matching Apothecary Accents Framelit, then cut off the white edge and layered it onto a Rich Razzleberry piece cut with the same Framelit.  It is decorated with more tiny Pearls and two yellow Rhinestones colored with a Sharpie marker.

Here again are the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge CCMC272 colors:

Have you tried a challenge before?  Whether you've tried 0 or 100, you'll enjoy working with these colors and seeing what you can come up with!  Just visit Create with Connie and Mary, check out the other Challenge Team Member's cards and the guidelines then get your stamp on!!

Stamps:  World Treasures

Inks:  So Saffron, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, and Stampin' Write Markers in these colors

Paper:  same as inks + Whisper White

Tools and Accessories:  Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Modern Mosaic TIEF, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Paper Snips, Blender Pens, Dimensionals, Basic Pearls and Rhinestones.

Thanks for visiting!  Now, go forth and stamp!  (and have fun!)

Margaret

Epic Day Sketch Card

It's Thursday so it must be a challenge from Create with Connie and Mary... and it's a very cool sketch this week:  CCMC295

The three panels are a print from the Epic Day Designer Series Paper; they are layered on Calypso Coral cardstock.  The layer of Pool Party Core-dinations cardstock was first dry embossed with the Big Shot and the Stitched Scallop Embossing Folder then the remainder of the panel was embossed with the Polka Dot embossing folder then all lightly sanded. The card base is Crumb Cake cardstock.

The flower consists of four scallop circles punched from a Daffodil print in the same package of designer paper which were brad-ed (is that a word?) together, misted, scrunched then allowed to dry.  They were then layered onto a flower of the same paper that had the edges sponged with Crumb Cake and a little color added also. 

The happy birthday greeting was adhered over a piece of Victorian Crochet Trim.  The large flower was attached with Dimensionals and two pieces of Gumball Green Stitched Ribbon were tucked underneath.  Three tiny flowers were added then centered with tiny Pearls.  Viola!  Done! 

Here is Sketch Challenge CCMC265 from Create with Connie and Mary: 

Now, how about YOU making a card following the sketch then link it to the Create with Connie and Mary website and join in the fun?! See the website for guidelines.

This is Preview Week for the Fall Collection so while you're on the CWCM website, be sure to check out the free tutorials available, find out who has Blog Candy today and go to their site and sign up!  You might win a free subscription to the Fall Collection, which you will love!

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper:  This 'n That Epic Day Designer Series Paper; Crumb Cake, Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Very Vanilla card stocks
Inks:  Gumball Green, Crumb Cake
Accessories:  Victorian Crochet Trim, Basic Pearls, Stampin' Sponge, Gumball Green Stitched Ribbon, mini brad.
Tools:  Big Shot, Polka Dot and Stitched Scallop and Polka Dot embossing folders, Pansy Punch, 1-1/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Paper Trimmer, Dimensionals, Snail Adhesive, Mono Multi Liquid Glue, Word Window Punch.

Thanks for visiting!  Come back tomorrow to see what I have posted! 


Margaret

Truly Grateful!

Happy Sunday everyone!  Today I am excited to share two new things!  First, I 'm excited to announce I have been invited to be a Guest Designer for the Fall Collection on Create with Connie and Mary!  Preview Week for the Fall Collection begins today!  During this week you'll find free downloadable tutorials, blog candy as well as an Early Bird Special reduced price for the Fall Collection subscription!  Be sure and check the Create with Connie and Mary blog today and every day this week!

Secondly, I'm posting my first card made with new fall stamps from the Holiday catalog, and I'll be using this set for my CWCM Fall Designer Project!  For this card I used the new set Truly Grateful which has four nature images and two sentiments.  This set just calls for fall colors and I've used Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Crushed Curry, Sahara Sand and Very Vanilla.

The chevron motif of the background stamp was repeated by using the Chevron embossing folder on the Chocolate Chip layer and also with the zig-zag Curry trim on the right side.  This accent was cut with the Big Shot and the Tasteful Trim die!  The tangerine layer is designer paper from the new-in-the-Holiday catalog Sweater Weather pack.

"Truly Grateful" greeting is from the set as is the "tree trunk slice" under the Designer Natural Button which is double-tied with Linen Thread.  I used my AquaPainter filled with alcohol with ink refills to do some spattering... I love this technique, and my stamping area looks like it, lol!!

Stamps:  Truly Grateful  (#131730w, #131733c; Holiday catalog, pg. 19)
Papers:  Sweater Weather DSP; Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Crushed Curry, Very Vanilla card stocks
Inks:  Crushed Curry, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango
Accessories:  Chevron TIEF, Tasteful Trim Die, Big Shot, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, Linen Thread, Designer Naturals Button, Distressing Tool, AquaPainter, Dimensionals, Snail Adhesive.

Thanks for joining me today!  I hope you enjoy the card and remember to check out Connie and Mary's website today and every day this week to see who the other designers are for the Fall Collection, see the free tutorials, sign up for blog candy and see what the Fall Collection is all about!


Margaret

By the Seashore CCMC263

It's Thursday and time for the Create with Connie and Mary challenge 263; this week it is a sketch!  I decided my By the Seashore set would work nicely for the sketch's split image!

The colors of Pool Party, Crumb Cake and Baked Brown Sugar seemed fitting for my beachy look.  The sea critters were stamped on Crumb Cake cardstock with Baked Brown Sugar ink.  I sponged the edges of each piece then spattered them with Baked Brown Sugar ink and my AquaPainter filled with alcohol.  

 

The Pool Party layer (5-1/4" X 4") was run through the Big Shot with the Chevron Embossing Folder.  I placed the paper in the embossing folder so the chevrons would go horizontal rather than vertical and which gave a flat border at the top and bottom; I like that look a lot!  I also splattered this layer with Baked Brown Sugar (more diluted than before for a softer look) and Pool Party inks.  That gives such nice visual texture.

 

"Thinking of You" is from the Sweet Essentials sentiment set and you may have noticed that I seem to use it a lot!!  It just has some really nice and useful greetings that I need frequently!  Since this is a seashore card, I thought we should definitely have some Pearls sprinkled around also!

Here again is the Create with Connie and Mary Sketch Challenge 263  for this week: 

Stamps:  By the Seashore, Sweet Essentials
Inks:  Baked Brown Sugar, Pool Party
Cardstock:  Pool Party, Baked Brown Sugar, Crumb Cake
Accessories:  Linen Thread, Subtles Designer Buttons, Basic Pearls, Chevron TIEF, Stampin' Sponge, 1/2" Circle Punch, AquaPainter, Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Corner Rounder Punch.

Be sure to check out the other CCMC Challenge Team's cards.. those girls can STAMP!!  And now it is your turn to create!  Stamp up a card using this sketch and the CCM guidelines on their blog then upload it!  Be sure and link it to where you've posted your card online so we can all come see it and leave you a comment too!!

BTW, I cut my Crumb Cake strips 1" wide then 3-1/4" and 1-1/4" height for the left column and 1-1/8" and 3-3/8" height for the right column.  Hope this will help you get started.

Thanks for visiting!  Now go forth and create!  : )




Margaret

Flowering Flourishes and Flower Shop!

I have another Make 'n Take card from Jo's party for you today!  This card combines the Flowering Flourishes set and the Flower Shop set and punch (one of the Bundles in the Annual Catalog).

Isn't this a light fresh look for a summer card?  I was inspired by a card made by Lisa Young and changed it up a bit to work for my Make 'n Take.  

The line of embossing along the top and bottom of the card is courtesy of the Needlepoint Border Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and the Big Shot!  The "hi" is from the Regarding Dahlias set.  It's casual feel really goes well with the other elements on the card.

I love the curvy swirly look of the flourishes (the green "stem").  The flowers are both from the Flower Shop set which has SIX different flower stamps and they ALL fit the punch!!  How genius is that?!   Remember to save 15% by purchasing the set and punch together!!  I added some little scalloped yellow circles to the flowers and centered them with Rhinestones (how did we ever make cards without those and the Pearls?)

Stamps:  Flowering Flourishes, Flower Shop, Regarding Dahlias (sentiment)
Inks:  Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Strawberry Slush
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Strawberry Slush
Accessories:  Basic Rhinestones
Tools:  Pansy Punch, Needlepoint Border TIEF, Big Shot, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, AquaPainter and Ink Refill (Wild Wasabi) for splatters

All of these and any Stampin' Up! products can be purchased on my secure Stampin' Up! website HERE:  margaret.stampinup.net   Once there just click on the "SHOP NOW" button to enter the store.  Thank you for shopping with me!

Thanks for visiting today!  Have a peaceful day!

Margaret

Six-Sided Sampler for the Guys

Yesterday I promised you a more masculine version of the Six-Sided Sampler card I posted so here it is!! Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Calypso Coral and Bermuda Bay are the star colors today!

The layout is the same, just a change in color scheme and a few details.   I spattered the Honeycomb embossed background with my AquaPainter and Early Espresso Ink, and lightly spattered the Very Vanilla background for a more rustic look.

Instead of little punched flower embellishments, today we have punched stars.  I'm so glad the Merry Minis Punch Pack carried over from the 2012 Holiday Catalog so we have this little Star Punch!!  (To see what other holiday products were carried over and are currently available, click on the "Holiday Carryover" tab at the top of the page.  If you are reading this via email, you can click HERE to come to the blog page to see the carryovers.)

In place of the flower-patterned hexagon, I opted for the "woven" image.  The Crumb Cake background layer was double-wrapped with Early Espresso and Calypso Coral Bakers Twine which also ties down the button over the birthday greeting banner.  

It was fun to challenge myself to make both a masculine and feminine version of the same layout!  Have you done this also?   Did you find it easy?

Stamps:  Six-Sided Sampler, Banner Greetings (Hostess only set of 6)
Cardstock:  Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Calypso Coral, Bermuda Bay
Ink:  Early Espresso, Calypso Coral, Bermuda Bay
Accessories:   Neutrals Collection button, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Calypso Coral Baker's Twine
Tools:  Big Shot, Honeycomb TIEF (embossing folder), Hexagon Punch, Merry Minis Punch Pack (star), AquaPainter, Paper Snips.

Remember that the Six-Sided Sampler set and the coordinating Hexagon Punch are available as a product "Bundle" which will save you 15% over purchasing them separately... and that also includes 15% less tax and shipping too!!  Yay!

*For more information on the money-saving Product Bundles in the current catalog, please click on the BUNDLES tab at the top of this webpage.  If you received this post by Email, you can click on this link:  http://funstampin.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_20.html

All of these and any Stampin' Up! products can be purchased on my secure Stampin' Up! website HERE:  margaret.stampinup.net   Once there just click on the "SHOP NOW" button to enter the store.  Thank you for shopping with me!

Thanks for visiting today!  I hope you enjoyed the card and get to do some stamping soon!  It's a great stress-reliever!


Margaret

Six Sided Strawberries and Bermuda Bay

Isn't this Six-Sided Sampler set just fun to use on our projects!  I love it!  Today's card pairs  it with three fresh new-this-year colors:  Strawberry Slush, Bermuda Bay and Smoky Slate!

For the greeting I stamped a ticket with the That's the Ticket set in Daffodil Delight ink then the sentiment added in Bermuda Bay ink. 

 This is the feminine version using this design; tomorrow I'll have a masculine version of this card for you.  I was inspired by a card layout by Jill Hilliard and case-d for this card, changing it up in the process as we stampers do. 

Hope you enjoy the card; wishing you a good day!


Stamps:  Six-Sided Sampler, That's the Ticket
Ink:  Strawberry Slush, Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight
Cardstock:  Whisper White Bermuda Bay, Strawberry Slush, Smoky Slate
Accessories:  Basic Pearls, 1/8" Melon Mambo Taffeta Ribbon,
Tools:  Hexagon Punch, Ticket Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Honeycomb Embossing Folder, Big Shot

Have fun stampin'!!



Margaret

Six-Sided Sampler:  #130953 wood,  $26.95.   #130956  clear, $18.95.

Regarding Dahlias... Again! CCMC261

Yes, another dahlia card!  Funny how much I like it even though I was reticent to buy it! haha!  It fits the sketch for Create with Connie and Mary's Sketch Challenge CCMC261 today quite well!

 The first time I saw this elegant paper in the Venetian Romance package I said it looked like a wedding.  I thought it went so well with the beautiful Dahlia bloom too!  The color scheme is Very Vanilla, Pistachio Pudding and Island Indigo.

The soft curves of the Modern Mosaic embossing folder work well with the pattern in the dsp.  I embossed the Dahlia with White Embossing Powder on Shimmery White cardstock and colored it with my AquaPainter (filled with rubbing alcohol) and ink refills.

The "Mr and Mrs" is from the Label Love set and punched with the Artisan Label Punch.  Pearls are always appropriate for a wedding so I added some small ones to the label and larger ones on the lower right corner of the card.  I hope you enjoy it.

Here is the CCMC261 sketch challenge from Create with Connie and Mary this week:

Stamps:  Regarding Dahlias, Label Love
Inks:  VersaMark, Island Indigo, Pistachio Pudding
Papers:  Venetian Romance Designer Series Paper; Very Vanilla, Pistachio Pudding and Shimmery White cardstocks.
Accessories:  Pearls, Pistachio Pudding Ruffle Trim
Tools:  Big Shot, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder, Artisan Label Punch

So why don't you join us at Create with Connie and Mary?  See their guidelines and instructions for linking on their site!  Also check out the cards of the other Challenge Team members... they are some talented stampers!!

 Now, to find a bride and groom!  : )

Thanks for visiting today!  Have a creative weekend!

Margaret

Regarding Dahlias, HSSSC164

There's an interesting sketch over at Hand Stamped Sentiments that I thought I would try... My Regarding Dahlias set was still on my desk which gave me an idea for this challenge.

For my "deconstructed" Dahlia, I first punched Blushing Bride cardstock out with the Hexagon Punch then using temporary adhesive, adhered the hexagons to a sheet of copy paper.  Next I stamped them with the Dahlia blossom using Calypso Coral ink.

Then I arranged them onto a layer of Coastal Cabana (LOVE this color!) that had been embossed with the Polka Dot TIEF and Big Shot, then adhered them with Mono Multi liquid glue.

 

The greeting is from Loving Thoughts set, layered on Baked Brown Sugar cardstock which has the ends treated with the Ticket Punch and the gorgeous Ruffled Trim in the same color added along the bottom.  Linen thread was tied in a bow and also anchors the sentiment tag.  I sprinkled several tiny flowers around, centered them with Pearls and added three small Pearls to the tag (all the Pearls were tinted with a pink Sharpie marker).

Here is the sketch from Hand Stamped Sentiments:

Stamps:  Regarding Dahlias, Loving Thoughts
Inks:  Coastal Cabana, Calypso Coral
Cardstock:  Baked Brown Sugar, Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana
Tools:  Big Shot, Polka Dot TIEF, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (four petal flower), Ticket Punch, Hexagon Punch
Accessories:  Pearls, Baked Brown Sugar Ruffled Trim

These and all other Stampin' Up! products can be purchased through my secure online Stampin' Up! store.  Just click HERE then click on "Shop Now"!  Thank you for your support!

Have an enjoyable and creative day!

Margaret

Regarding Dahlias....

Yes.. Dahlias!  This new set in the Annual Catalog has a beautiful large dahlia bloom plus four useful  sentiments!   I've been eager to put ink to it ever since my order arrived last week!

I stamped the dahlia onto the Pink Pirouette cardstock then again onto a second piece of the same color; I cut out an inner portion of the second one out and layered it with Dimensionals.

I added a sheet of Whisper White cardstock inside the card and stamped portions of the dahlia lightly on two corner areas.  It looks so festive that way!

A horizontal strip of Black Chevron Ribbon and a vertical strip of Modern Medley Designer Series Paper add dramatic contrast and make the flower "pop"!  The sentiment is from the Label Love set punched out with the Artisan Label punch.  (Love that duo!)

I enjoyed with my first use of this set; I'll be using this beautiful flower much more in the future!

Products used for this card:

Stamps:  Regarding Dahlias, Label Love
Cardstock:  Pink Pirouette, Basic Black, Whisper White
Paper:  Modern Medley Designer Series Paper
Ink:  Strawberry Slush (pad and Marker), Basic Black
Accessories:  Black Chevron Ribbon, Basic Pearls
Tools:  Paper Snips, Artisan Label Punch, Dimensionals, Snail, AquaPainter (filled with alcohol) for splattering.

Thanks for visiting!  Wishing you a creative day!

Margaret