Watercolour Roses Sympathy Card

My task for this card was to use the new Tempting Turquoise Embossing Powder by Stampin' Up! (Main Catalogue, page 201, Item 122950, $5.95).  I have not painted any roses lately, so thought it would be a good time to do that ...

I used Pool Party and Tempting Turquoise Classic Reinkers to paint the roses, and added a Brights Glimmer Brad (page 199, Item 121006, $6.50) to the middle of the smaller flowers.  I wanted to use this sentiment from Petite Pairs and wanted to punch it out.  I did not have a punch that would work the way I wanted it to work, so I used the Postage Stamp Punch and punched it twice, making it a bit smaller.  I will do a tutorial on how I did this in the next few days. 
Stamps:  Fifth Avenue Floral, Petite Pairs, En Francais background
Ink:  VersaMark
Cardstock:  Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Shimmery White
Other:  Postage Stamp punch, White Embossing Powder, Tempting Turquoise Embossing Powder, Pool Party and Tempting Turquoise Classic Reinkers, Aqua Pen, Brights Glimmer Brads, Tempting Turquoise 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon.
Happy Stampin' .....

It's A Boy!

I do not have a card to share with you today, and I won't be posting tomorrow either.  On Thursday, Oct 27 our family grew by one not so small precious bundle.  Our second grandson - Cameron Alexander - was brought into the family circle.  Cameron bounded into the world weighing 9 lbs 6.8 oz.  He is truly a precious bundle of light and joy for our entire family.  Gramma and Grampa are over the moon with happiness at the latest light of our lives.  I cannot share a picture with you as I have an agreement with our son and daughter-in-law that I will not post pictures of our grandchildren's (don't you LOVE that word) faces on my blog. 

I am sure you will understand as I spend time with Cameron and his big brother James.

Happy Stampin' .....

Holiday Line Up Christmas Shaker Frame

Well here's another shaker card.  Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE the new Shaker Frames from Stampin' Up!  I sure hope they continue them after the Holiday Mini catalogue retires......

I used some Fine Galaxy Glitter - Red and Champagne - for inside the frame.  I also coloured a Basic Pearl with a red sharpie marker and added it inside for Rudolph's nose!  I think the glitter is a bit too fine as it sticks to the window sheet over the frame.  Oh well, live and learn!
Stamps:  Holiday Line Up, Occasional Quotes
Ink:  Basic Black, Early Espresso
Markers:  Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red, Soft Suede
Cardstock:  Whisper white, Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red
Paper:  Letters to Santa DSP
Punches:  Scallop Trim Border, 2-1/2" Circle, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle, Decorative Label
Other:  Shaker Frames, Fine Galaxy Glitter, Circles #2 Die
Happy Stampin' .....

White Butterfly Wedding Card

As a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator I have access to a Demonstrator only website called Stampin' Connection.  It is full of awesome samples of projects created by Demonstrators.  There are over 75,000 members and over 195,000 samples of projects to make.  I was trying to get inspiration for a wedding card and Stampin' Connection is where I go.  I found an awesome one by Brenda Reed in July 2011.  It inspired me to make this one ...

I looked at Brenda's info page, and she lives about 2 hours from me!  In all those 75,000 members, what are the odds?

I spritzed each and every part of the front layer, butterflies, and sentiment of this card.  Oh my the bling is front and center.  I used Champagne Mist Shimmer Spritz.  I did try the Frost White Shimmer Spritze, but I find it does not spray as fine as Champagne Mist does.  I used the same bottle and everything. 

  Stamps:  Occasionals Quotes

  Ink:  Basic Black

  Cardstock:  Whisper White, Pink Pirouette

  Other:  Champagne Mist Shimmer Spritz, Designer Frames Embossing Folder, Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Wide Oval Punch, Basic Pearls

This card can be adapted to any colour to go with the colour scheme of the wedding, and would look just as awesome.

Happy Stampin' ......     

Christmas Treat Holder

I am still playing with the 1"x8" Cello Treat Bags in the Holiday Mini Catalogue.  Today I have a Christmas themed one for you ....

 I sorted out the red M&Ms for this one .....

 Some of the Silver Glimmer Paper adds the bling .....

 Sorry this picture is so fuzzy, guess I was off a bit when I took it ....

Stamps:  Tags Till Christmas
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler
Paper:  Silver Glimmer, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper white
Punches:  1-3.8" Scallop Circle, 1-3/4" Circle, Scallop Square, 1" Square, 1/16" Circle
Other:  M&Ms, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, 1"x8" Cellophane Bag (Christmas Mini Catalogue page 11, Item 124134, $3.25 for 50 bags)
HERE is one I made for Hallowe'en using the Cellophane Bags.
Happy Stampin' ....

Christmas All Year Long - Magnolia Blog Hop - October 2011

Welcome to the October Christmas All Year Long Blog Hop for Magnolia images.  I am happy to participate again.
If you have arrived from Corinne Sherematta's blog, you are on the right track, if not please go to the Magnolia-licious Christmas All Year Long Blog Hop  to start at the beginning.
Here is my card for you today ....

I used Tilda With Tinsel Garland from the 2009 So Jolly Collection and Poinsettias from the 2008 Christmas Collection.  They are stamped on watercolour paper using StazOn Black ink.  Then I coloured them with Stampin' Write Markers (colours listed below).  The cardstock, designer paper, other stamps and accessories are all Stampin' Up!  I spritzed each layer with Champagne Mist Shimmer Spritz (including the poinsettias) and my, oh my, it is so blingy!
Stamps:  Magnolia - Tilda With Tinsel Garland, Poinsettias
Stamps:  Stampin' Up! Grateful Greetings
Ink:  StazOn, Cherry Cobbler
Markers:  Cherry Cobbler (poinsettias, dress, leggings, bows), Daffodil Delight, So Saffron, More Mustard (all on the hair)
Cardstock:  Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler
Paper:  Deck The Halls DSP (retired), Watercolour
Other:  Dazzling Details, Early Espresso Quilted Satin Ribbon, Decorative Label Punch, Champagne Mist Shimmer Spritz, Petals-A-Plenty Embossing Folder
Next on the hop is Leonie Jaeschke, I know she has a fabulous card for you today as well.  Happy Hoppin' and I hope you have a great day!
Happy Stampin' .....

Sunflower Shaker Card

Still coming up with ways to use all the sizes of frames from the Stampin' Up! Shaker Frames.  These are brand new in the Holiday Mini Catalogue - page 38, Item 124155, $5.95 for a package of 36 frames!  Here is my latest card using the frames ....

I had some sugar beads in my stash so that is what I used for inside the shaker frames this time.  The first flower I made is the smaller one on the bottom and I did not use the Polka Dot Embossing Folder for the Soft Suede piece inside, but when I made the bigger one, I did and I like it better.  These frames are impossible to get apart once you attach them to cardstock or window sheets!  Believe me I tried, LOL.
Stamps:  Inspired By Nature, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink and Markers:  Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede, Calypso Coral
Punches:  Fancy Flower, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle, Small Oval (retired, darn), 1-1.4" Circle, 1-3/4" Circle, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer
Other:  Circles #2 Die, Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Sugar Beads, Window Sheet, Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Polka Dot Embossing Folder
I had a question earlier about how I punched out the Window Sheet.  Some of the punches don't work at all on it (eg: the 2-3/8" Scallop Circle).  But the Fancy Flower does, the Ornament does, the circles do.  I just sandwich the Window Sheet in some regular copy paper before I punch it, and it worked real well.
Happy Stampin' and I hope you give the Shaker Frames a try, they are real fun!

Christmas Keepsake Box

A while ago anyone who signed up to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, and the Demo who signed them up, received a wonderful Christmas Keepsake Box for FREE!  I was bummed that I did not get one, but now you can have one too!  Stampin' Up! is now selling these totally awesome keepsake boxes.  Here is a picture of the box, just click here to go to my Stampin' Up! Website and order it for yourself .

I bought myself one, and made it up last night.  Oh I just love it!  We have a new grandbaby coming any day now (don't know what it will be as it is a surprise!) and I am planning on using this as a keepsake box for him/her or her/him.

 I left out a few things that designate it as a Christmas Keepsake Box hoping it will be a bit more generic.

 I also did not use the fabric flower they suggest, I got some more of the Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim and made another lace trim flower.  Also, the paper flower in the middle, I doubled the number of punch outs to increase the fullness of the flower.

 I left the sentiment area blank so I can put the baby's name on it, when we know what it is!

 Because I did not use the fabric flower, I had an extra button, so I just put it on top of the green one.

 I also sprayed it with Champagne Mist Shimmer Spritz instead of using spray adhesive and the Champagne Glitter they send an suggest. 

 Then I alternated big and medium Basic Pearls around the bottom for added interest.

It took very little time to put this together.  The scallop strips are all pre-cut for you.as are most of the other paper pieces.  And the end result is spectacular.  You get an entire package of Basic Pearls and an entire container of Champagne Fine Galaxy Glitter and you don't use anywhere near all of them on the project, so plenty left for your next project.

Hope you can give one of these boxes a try!

Happy Stampin' ....           

Thank You Fish

I saw this fish made with the Build-A-Blossom stamp set a long time ago.  Sorry, but I can't remember who originated it, but if you email me I will give you proper credit of course!

If you look close you can see that it sure shines a lot!  I spritzed the Whisper White cardstock for the fish image layer as well as for the sentiment layer, with Frost White Shimmer Spritz.  I love using the spritzes, but had forgotten about making the spritz with the Frost White Shimmer Paint until a customer asked me if you could make the spritzes with the other Shimmer Paints as well as the Champagne Mist!  Thank you for reminding me. 
Stamps:  Build-A-Blossom, Best Friends Forever, Very Versatile
Ink:  Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive
Cardstock:  Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White
Other:  Frost White Shimmer Spritz, Decorative Label punch, Basic Rhinestone

If you are wondering how I make the spritz, here is the recipe:
   1 ounce of 7 Rubbing Alcohol (do not use the 99% as it turns the mica in the paint to a globby mess)
   18 to 20 drops of Shimmer Paint (page 203 main catalogue, Items #116806 Champagne Mist, #116854
        Frost White, #116807 Platinum, $7.95 per bottle.

Happy Stampin' .....

Christmas Gift Card Treat Holder

As promised yesterday, I am back with a Christmas Treat Holder for Christmas.  I added a bit extra to this one, it is also a Gift Card Holder.  Recently in a demo only swap I received an awesome Gift Card Holder from a very talented Vancouver Island Demonstrator, Susan Easter.  I took her idea and some of her embellishments and created my own Gift Card Holder, and added the 1"x8" Cellophane Bag full of M&Ms to go with it.  A bit of ribbon on the back and this could hang quite nicely in a Christmas tree or on the mantle ....

Isn't this the cutest gift card holder ever?  To make the bow loops on the top, you first punch a small oval (retired now, but wouldn't it be nice if Stampin' Up! brought it back????), then punch a large oval around the hole made by the small oval punch.
Stamps:  Serene Snowflakes, Tags Till Christmas
Ink:  Real Red, Early Espresso
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Real Red, Red Glimmer
Punches:  Large and Small Oval, Scallop Oval, Decorative Label
Other:  Sticky  Strip tape, 1x8" Celophane Bag, M&Ms, Champagne Mist Shimmer Spritz, Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon, Northern Frost Stip Die
Happy Stampin' .....

Halloween Owl Treat Bag

I whipped this up quite fast.  It would be very easy to reproduce these in no time at all for your favourite Trick-Or-Treater!

 An up close picture of the topper ...

 And this is the back ....

I used lots of Champagne Mist Shimmer Spritz and it really sparkles!
Stamps:  Warmest Of Wishes, Grateful Greetings
Ink:  VersaMark
Cardstock:  Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White
Punches:  2-3/8" Scallop Circle, 1-3/4" Circle, Owl Builder, Scallop Square, 1-1/4" Square
Other:  Tangerine Tango Embossing Powder, 1x8 Cello Bags, Circles #2 Die (2" Circle), Champagne Mist Shimmer Spritz, Google Eyes, M&Ms
The 1x8" Cello Bags are in the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalgue - page11 - Item 124134 - $3.25 for 50 bags!  You can fill them with lots of different things, candy, licorice, marbles, buttons, brads, trinkets, etc.  I will be back tomorrow with a Christmas Treat Bag using the same bags.  So check back then.
Happy Stampin' .....   

Christmas Collage Shaker Card

Another Shaker Card for you today.  I used the Christmas Collage Background stamp in Crumb Cake for the background ......

I used 3 different ornament stamps to create the Shaker Ornaments on this card.  The top one uses the 1" frame, the middle one uses the 1/2" frame and the bottom one uses the 3/4" frame.  This time I filled them with Mica Flakes.  Oh these are so pretty and change colour depending on the direction the light is hitting them.  And they come in a really BIG container too, so you get lots to work with.
I spritzed the background layer with Champagne Mist Shimmer Spritz but you can't see it in these pictures, and I used the Colour Spritzer to spritz some Early Espresso and Riding Hood Red Classic Ink onto the background as well.  Then I used daubers to add some colour around the edge of the background in Crumb Cake and Riding Hood Red
Stamps:  Christmas Collage Background, Delightful Decorations, Tags Till Christmas, Bells & Boughs
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red, Brushed Silver
Other:  Ornament Punch, 1" Circle, 3/4" Circl and 1/2" Circle Punches, Scallop Oval and Large Oval punches, Mica Flakes, Window Sheets, Shaker Frames
Happy Stampin' .....

Baroque Motif Ornament Shaker Card

More Christmas cards coming for you.  I wanted to devise a way to use the other frames from the Shaker Frames sets.  I created a Christmas card HERE that uses the biggest frame, then had all the other ones left over.  This one uses the frame that co-ordinates with the 3/4" Circle Punch .....

 And a closer view of the Ornament Shaker embellishment ....

A while ago I saw a card that used the Baroque Motif swirl as a Christmas Tree branch to hang an ornament on.  I don't remember who the originator is, but if you email me I will give you proper credit.  I used the swirl in Always Artichoke to create the branch effect, then created the shaker ornament. 
It's very easy, I just stamped the ornament once on Whisper White cardstock in Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink. Then I punched a 34" circle out of the ornament, then punched the ornament with the Ornament Punch.  I punched a second ornament on plain Whisper White, and one out of Window Sheet material. 
Then adhered all the layers together with some Dazzling Diamonds Glitter in the middle of the shaker part.  These frames make it so darned easy to make Shaker Cards, and they co-ordinate with different sizes of Stampin' Up! punches!
Stamps:  Baroque Motif, Delightful Decorations, Christmas Greetings
Ink:  Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, VersaMark
Cardstock:  Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler
Other:  Shaker Frames, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Window Sheet, Cherry Cobbler Embossing Powder (for the sentiment)
Get some Shaker Frames and give the Shaker Card a try, you will become addicted, I promise!
Happy Stampin' ......