The Open Sea - Masking Tape Technique

This technique is so simple and, boy oh boy, does it pack an impact!

It's hard to believe that the background on this card takes just a few seconds to create!  I did not have any masking tape in my craft room, so I popped up to the dollar store and bought a roll.  It worked wonderfully, showing that you don't need the expensive stuff to do this technique.  I received this card in a swap in October with some local Demonstrators.  Did I mention these local ladies are awesome!!!

  Stamps:  The Open Sea
  Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Marina Mist, Smoky Slate, Midnight Muse
  Paper:  Marina Mist, Whisper White, Smoky Slate
  Other:  Masking Tape, Linen Thread, Ovals Dies (#1 & #2),  Occasions Punch Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Stampin' Pierce Mat, 1-3/8" Circle Punch, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Regals Candy Dots, Neutrals Candy Dots, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

To do the background you need 3 pieces of masking tape wider than your ink pad (the long way).  Then lay the tape over the ink pads (Marina Mist, Smoky Slate and Pear Pizzazz) lightly push the tape into the ink pad picking up some colour.  Be very careful not to push too hard or your tape will stick to the ink pad surface and when you lift it up, it may tear your ink pad foam!!!! (Yup learned this is the hard way.)  Lay the ink filled tape on your Whisper White cardstock, one at a time, in colour progression.  You need to reink the tape after each time you apply it to the cardstock.  Also make sure you lift the tape back off of your cardstock very gently as that can rip as well.

Hope you get a chance to give this a try! . . . . . .

The Open Sea - Take 2

Hi!  I'm back again with the second card in my "The Open Sea" trilogy ....

 This was a card I received in a swap in October at our local Demonstrator Get Together.  It is by Mavis Slaby.  Another card that my customers loved!  I used the World Background stamp and some sponging on the main image.  The ocean part is just the Pacific Point ink pad swiped on the bottom of the cardstock in Direct to Paper technique.  Once that was dry, we skipped the Whisper White Craft Ink pad over the top to give some highlights and mimic the wave action.

  Stamps:  The Open Sea, Something To Celebrate, World Map
  Ink:  Soft Sky, Marina Mist, Pacific Point, Whisper White, StazOn
  Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White
  Other:  Square Lattice EF, Sponges, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Regals Candy Dots

To sponge the image piece:  First sponge Soft Sky all over, then sponge Marina Mist around the top edges leaving the very center just Soft Sky.  Then sponge Pacific Point around the very outside edges.  Voila, done!

Thanks for visiting, go get crafty!    . . . . . . . 

The Open Sea - Ship In A Bottle Card

The first card in my trilogy using The Open Sea stamp set.

I received this awesome card in a swap at the Stampin' Up! Convention in July 2014 from Pat Zweber.  My stampin' customers bugged me long and hard until I included it in a stampin' class.  In March I had an entire class based around this stamp set called The Open Sea (click on the image to go to my web store) ......

This is the first card from the class.  In the next 2 posts I will share the other 2 cards with you.  They are equally as amazing as this one is.  Thanks, Pat!

  Stamps:  The Open Sea, Gifts of Kindness
  Ink:  Baked Brown Sugar, Early Espresso, Pacific Point
  Paper:  Naturals Ivory, Pacific Point, Soft Sky
  Other:  Masks, Bottle Template, Clear Embossing Powder, Aqua Pen, Sponges, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, 1-1/4" Punch, Banner Punch (SAB), 1/8" Handheld Punch, Brights Candy Dots

I had to figure out how to get the bottle template.  I had customers searching their Cricut cartridges, online, and anywhere else I could think of. When that did not work, I just photo copied the card and cut out the bottle and the cork.  Worked like a charm.

Happy Stampin' and Creatin'  . . . . . . .

Soft Sky Birthday Banner Card

These soft colours make this card stand out!

I will be very sad when Stampin' Up!s Sale-A-Bration ends on March 31st. I've been having a great time playing with all the FREE products - embossing folder, designer paper, punch, accessories pack, and the stamp sets.  Don't wait too long to contact me to pick up your very own SAB products.  When they leave on Mar 31st, they will be gone forever.

I saw this card on the internet, it is by Nicole Tugrul. I can't find her blog to link to, but thanks Nicole!!!

A simple, quick and elegant card using the new Petite Petals Bundle from the Occasions Catalogue.  Boy do I hope they keep this bundle in the new Annual Catalogue when it is released on June 1st!  Meanwhile, I am getting lots of use out of it.

  Stamps:  Simply Sketched, Petite Petals
  Ink:  StazOn, Soft Sky
  Paper:  Whisper White, Soft Sky, Basic Black, Sweet Sorbet DSP (SAB)
  Other:  Large Scallop Eyelette die, Soft Sky Seam Binding, Petite Petals Punch, Dauber, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder (SAB)

I hope you get a chance to be crafty today!
Happy Stampin' .......................................

Bootiful Birthday - Pop Up Box Card (aka Card In A Box)

This is the second Card In A Box card ....

I bought this stamp set - Bootiful Occasions - with a specific girlfriend in mind.  We have been friends since we both moved to Salt Spring Island, BC way back in grade 9.  I won't tell you the year, cuz then you would know the BIG secret!!!  LOL  But let's just say it's been a "few" years.  She is the quintessential cowgirl.  She lives on acreage, has horses, and works on a cattle farm (in her spare time) as a cowboy in trade for hay for her horses.  She lives quite a ways away from me, but we have one of those friendships that outlasts time and distance.  So this card is to the cowboy boot (her), from the rubber boot (me).  I live on Vancouver Island where we get LOTS of rain all year round.  Her birthday is not for a couple of months yet, but I can't wait to send it to her.
This is the second card we made in my February Cool Moves class.  We had a blast!

  Stamps:  Bootiful Occasions, Just Sayin'
  Ink:  Real Red, Midnight Muse, Bermuda Bay, Pool Party
  Markers:  Island Indigo, Real Red
  Paper:  Pool Party and Real Red Core'dinations, Whisper White, Red and Silver Glimmer
  Other:  Arrows and Alphabet Press Embossing Folders, Sanding Tool, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 2 Way Glue Pen, Basic Rhinestones, Word Bubble Dies, Star die from Circle Card Framelits, "Hi" die from Label Card Framelits

These cards are super fun to make.  If you go to my last post HERE, I posted a link to the tutorial for it.

Happy Stampin' ... 

Pop Up Box Card (aka Card In A Box)

I recently found a tutorial on how to make these awesome cards ....

Here is a link to the tutorial ....  it is on Splitcoast Stampers.  I had a Cool Moves class in February, and this is one of the cards we made.  I will be sharing the second one in my next post.

  Stamps:  Sketched Birthday, Another Great Year
  Ink:  Bermuda Bay, Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit, Pool Party, Raspberry Ripple
  Markers:  Daffodil Delight, Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, Pink Pirouette, Primrose Petals
  Paper:  Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Birthday Basics DSP, Polka Dot Parade DSP
 Other:  Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Petite Pennants Punch, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 7/8" Scallop Circle Punch, Window Sheet

These cards are quite time consuming to make because of all the added pieces.  But they are not difficult and so very fun to make.  I re-did the sizing so it would fit into a 6x6 envelope.  My Very Vanilla base was cut 12 x 6, then I scored it at 2-3/4, 5-1/2, 8-1/4 and 11.  Then flipped it and scored at 2-1/2.

Hope you get a chance to try one of these cards soon.
Happy Stampin' ...       

Goodie Bags for a Cowgirl Birthday

These goodie bags were created by one of my downline, Carla Neville.

Carla's daughter is in 4H, and is "horse crazy" as my Mom used to say.  So Carla went to work and created this punch image horse  and scene for bags for her daughter's birthday.  Aren't they adorable?

Carla does not have a blog, but she does have a facebook page ....  Carla's Creative Cards.  I have very talented downline ladies, each one is special to me.  We have a small group - Craft Room Stampers - and we are always looking for new members.  Want to join us?  Contact me and we can talk!

Happy Stampin' . . . .        

Modern Medley Banner card ....

A great way to use up leftover bits of designer series paper .....

I got a card similar to this one in a swap at a local Stampin' Up! Demonstrator meeting from Sarah Marwick.  I love the simplicity of this card, and of course the use of the awesome Modern Medley designer paper!

  Stamps:  Perfectly Penned
  Ink:  StazOn
  Paper:  Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Modern Medley DSP
  Other:  Neutrals Candy Dots

I ran out of black Candy Dots, so I just grabbed some Sahara Sand ones and coloured them with a black sharpie.  Here are the dimensions for the DSP flags:
  #1 - 1-1/2 x 3
  #2 - 1 x 2-1/2
  #3 - 1 x 2-1/2
  #4 - 1-1/2 x 2
  #5 - 5/8 x 1-1/2
  #6 - 1/2 x 1-1/2
If you find they are a bit long, just trim them off once you have them all installed.

Have fun and Happy Stampin' ..... 

Baby Girl In A Buggy punch art card

We have a new member in our family . . . .

Our niece and her hubby recently had a baby girl.  We have not been able to meet her yet, but they will be moving closer in the spring.  Then I can get some baby girl cuddles in!!!

This is the card I sent along with the Diaper Cake our Daughter-In-Law made to give to baby Alice.  I love doing punch art, and rarely give them away.  But this one just needed to be sent.  Because I was not doing a class on it, I was able to use some retired Stampin' Up! products.

  Stamps:  Matchbox Messages (R), Teddy & Train (R)
  Ink:  Pretty In Pink (R), Regal Rose (R)
  Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Pretty In Pink (R), Basic Gray, Going Gray (R), Bashful Blue (R), Pawsitively Prints DSP (R)
  Other:  Snowflake Punch (R), 1" Circle Punch, Scallop Square Die, Baby In Buggy and Baby Pin punch images

Our DIL is making these awesome Diaper Cakes.  We sent one of the Baby Shoe ones, in pink of course.

 

She also makes these ones ....

Blue Baby Carriage

Pink Baby Carriage

Motorcycle

Blue Owl

Sleeping Baby - blue

Sleeping Baby - pink

Blue Train

Pink Train

 Aren't they adorable?  She is starting her own business making these.  If you would like to order one, just email me and I will get you in touch with her.  Her prices are very reasonable and she will ship to you (postage is extra).

Hope you are having a great day.  Happy Stampin' .....       

Gingham Garden Thank You card

A bit of Washi Tape added to this card, pops it up a bit ....

Another one of my Thank You cards to share with you today.  I have a few rolls of Washi Tape and decided to put a couple of them to good use on this card.  I think it brings a card from so-so to fabulous with a very little bit of effort.  It uses one of my favourite stamp sets - Flower Shop.

  Stamps:  Flower Shop, Gifts Of Kindness
  Ink:  Raspberry Ripple, StazOn
  Paper:  Whisper White
  Other:  Gingham Garden Washi Tape, Pansy Punch

A few supplies turned into a great Thank You card for my fabulous customers! Thank You Ladies, you rock!!!

Happy Stampin' .. .. .. . . . . . .. 

Water Coloured Scooter Tilda

Every once in a while I feel the need to do some water colouring.  This is one of those cards .....

This is Scooter Tilda by Magnolia Stamps.  Here is a side view of the card ...

Only the Tilda image stamp, and the bling pen are non-Stampin' Up!  Everything else is all Stampin' Up! products.  Here is a closer picture for you ...

And I added some Crystal Effects to the leaves and the headlight after the card was complete.

I used water colour paper, stamped the image in StazOn and used Stampin' Write Markers and an Aqua Pen to colour her.  The background stamp is the World Map.  I laughingly refer to this card as a self portrait!  I own a scooter very similar to this one, and used to ride it to work every day - except when it was cold or snowy.

  Stamps:  Scooter Tilda (Magnolia Stamps), World Map, Occasional Quotes
  Ink:  StazOn, Island Indigo, Soft Sky
  Paper:  Whisper white, Crisp Cantaloupe, Water Colour Paper,
  Other:  Ovals Dies - 2nd largest, Crisp Cantaloupe Ruffle Stretch Ribbon, Crystal Effects, Glitter Pen, Banner Punch, Basic Pearls

Now that is out of my system, back to the regular cards!  Thanks for visiting. .. . . . .

Happy Stampin' .... 

Kindness and Papillons card ....

As promised, this is the third card we made in my February Stress Free Stamp-A-Stack class. . . . . . .

I got the original card at the Stampin' Up! 2013 Convention in the general swap.  Swapping is a BIG thing at convention, and it was pretty amazing last year as there were 6500 Demonstrators, and a huge quantity of them were swapping.  Even so, I did manage to get some duplicates!  I know, can you imagine!!!!  This was a card I received from Kivonne Tucker. It is very striking as Kivonne used a lot of bling on her card.  It took a bit of stamping to achieve the same effect.  When I did the class, I had to borrow two more flower stamps from some customers, or the class would have lasted long enough that we could have all had dinner together!  LOL  The bling is achieved by inking the same flower stamp in VersaMark ink and using Irridescent Ice Embossing Powder by Stampin' Up!  This was another well requested card from my Inspiration Wall.  Thank you to my customers, who "forced" me to recreate this card.

  Stamps:  Blooming With Kindness, Another Great Year, Papillon Potpourri
  Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Island Indigo, Wisteria Wonder, VersaMark
  Paper:  Pear Pizzazz, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White
  Other:  Irridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Bitty Butterfly Punch

Even the butterfly has bling on it as it was covered in VersaMark ink after it was stamped, then some Irridescent Ice embossing Powder was poured over it before it was punched.  Yippee I love bling.....

Happy Blingy Stampin' .... 

Fabulous Florets Happy Birthday card

This was another one of the swap cards I received at the October demonstrator get together ....

Every month I have a Stress Free Stamp-A-Stack class.  This is a fun class where the cards are fun to make, and usually have a technique or two to them.  This card, and the following card I will post, were from my February class.  I already posted THIS card a few days ago.  The card above was hanging on my Inspiration Wall for a few months and it was getting a lot of attention.  My customers "demanded" that I use it in one of my classes.  Well, I aim to please, so I did!  I got this card from DiAnne Hill who cased it from Diane Vander Galien.  Thank you ladies, my customers LOVED it!

  Stamps:  Fabulous Florets, Gifts Of Kindness
  Ink:  VersaMark, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie
  Markers:  Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight
  Paper:  Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz
  Other:  Flower Garden EF, Blender Pen, White Embossing Powder, sponges, Word Window Punch, Pumpkin Pie 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

To do the bud on the leaf stamp:
  1 - ink the entire stamp in Pear Pizzazz
  2 - remove the ink on the bud part of the stamp with a Blender Pen
  3 - add Daffodil Delight ink from the marker to the bud
  4 - kiss a bit of Pumpkin Pie ink from the marker to the edge of the bud

I just love how this turns out.  It reminds me of the colours in my wedding bouquet all those many, many years ago.  I had Jack O'Lantern Gladiolas and some lovely yellow and orange roses.  I think I will be using this technique again.

Happy Stampin' ..... 

Another Great Year New Product card

I used some of the new items available in the Stampin' Up! Occasions catalogue to create this card ....

I had a Tea Party when the new Occasions Catalogue went live in early January.  This is the make 'n take card everyone who attended, made.  I also used some of the Sale-A-Bration designer paper called Sweet Sorbet.  I was not sure I would like this paper, but as usual, I was wrong!  It is fabulous and I love the colours.  And, the best thing is, IT"S FREEEEEEEEEEEEE.... lol

  Stamps:  Another Great Year
  Ink:  StazOn
  Markers:  Crisp Cantaloupe, Pool Party, Summer Starfruit
  Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Crisp Cantaloupe, Sweet Sorbet DSP
  Other:  Scallops Embossing Folder, Scallop Tag Topper punch, Silver Baker's Twine

Wish Big on your next birthday!
Happy Stampin' ..................  . . . . .