In Color Circle Circus

Last night I offered a stamping class at my home and the theme was tools and techniques.  I wanted to give my customers a chance to try out some of the fun new products in Stampin' Up!'s catalog.  This card is a simple card to make and it showcases the new paper piercing templates.  It is a little hard to see, but around the thank you decorative label punch is a pierced border the same shape as the punch.  I used the Essentials Paper Piercing Pack which has templates for piercing circles, shapes (several that match punches), borders, etc.  The stamped layer uses the Circle Circus set--an oldie but a goodie.  I opted to use this set and this color palette so that this card can be used for both women and men.  The colors are all this year's In Colors: Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, and Midnight Muse.  I love how these four colors go together for a bright and fun combination.

Triple Layered Thanks

Do you recognize this card?  If you do, it's because you saw one almost identical to it that I posted yesterday.  Isn't it fun how a color change makes such a difference?  I just changed the layered card stock color so that this time the white is all mounted on Pink Pirouette.  I again used Basic Gray, Pink Pirouette, and Baja Breeze ink with the Raining Flowers set (and Sassy Salutations for the greeting).  I'm always in need of a thank you card--and I really should write them more often. 

I cut all of my white card stock pieces 4x5-1/4, 3x4-1/4, and 2x3-1/4 and used a bit of adhesive to hold them together on top of each other.  I stamped my images and then used the Color Spritzer tool and Basic Gray marker to get some gray speckles all around.  Once I did that, I pulled the pieces apart and then layered them onto the Pink Pirouette card stock (8-1/2x5-1/2 card base, then 3-1/4"x4-1/2, and 2-1/4x3-12).  It may sound a little complicated, but it's actually pretty easy.  Just cut each layer 1 inch smaller than the other.  I think I'll try out some different sizes sometime.  Before I glued everything together, I tied a little Basic Gray stitched grosgrain around the first two layers to tie in the gray Thank You (from Sassy Salutations) and the gray speckles.

Raining Thanks

I decided to take a little break from using my new stamps and pull out my Raining Flowers set that I have neglected lately.  I wanted a card that had flowers randomly all over the place, and this was the perfect set.  I also wanted to make a card for this week's Dynamic Duos challenge, which is to use Pink Pirouette and Baja Breeze.  I love trying out all of these new color combos.  Baja Breeze has been getting a lot more of my attention lately since it coordinates so well with the new In Colors as well as so many other colors.

Earlier this week I came across this fabulous card made by Angie Leach and I just had to try out this triple layout.  I love how stampers around the world share their ideas online so that we can all learn from and inspire each other!  I cut all of my white card stock pieces 4x5-1/4, 3x4-1/4, and 2x3-1/4 and used a bit of adhesive to hold them together on top of each other.  Then I stamped my images and then used the Color Spritzer tool and Basic Gray marker to get some gray speckles all around.  Once I did that, I pulled the pieces apart and then layered them onto the Baja Breeze card stock (8-1/2x5-1/2 card base, then 3-1/4"x4-1/2, and 2-1/4x3-12).  It may sound a little complicated, but it's actually pretty easy.  Just cut each layer 1 inch smaller than the other.  I think I'll try out some different sizes sometime.  Before I glued everything together, I tied a little Basic Gray stitched grosgrain around the first two layers to tie in the gray Thank You (from Sassy Salutations) and the gray speckles.  Have you tried a technique like this before?  I love how the flower pattern continues through the layers, but it is visually more interesting than just a flowered background.  Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Thank you, thank you, thank you

Sometimes the most important part of a card is what it says.  One of the first things I did with my Sassy Salutations set was to make some cards with the words and no other stamps.  I love the style of writing on this set, it works so well as the main focus of the card.  I think it also looks great in repetition like I did here.  This week's challenge over at The Paper Players is Wordsmith, so I thought it fitting to say thank you over and over again on this card.

I used Calypso coral, Daffodil Delight, and Lucky Limeade for my color scheme here.  The card base and the flower (punched with the blossom punch) are both textured with the petals-a-plenty textured impressions embossing folder.  I made the center with the 3/4" circle punch and put a printed In Color designer brad through the center.  The leaves are punched with the blossom petals xl punch.  I adhered the flower to my card with a Stampin' Dimensional so that it popped up a bit.


This week is Stampin' Up!'s annual convention, and I was sad that I couldn't make it this year, but a great friend of mine is taking some of my cards to swap.  I can't wait to see what fun ideas she comes back with.  I did a bit simpler version of this card for one of my swaps, so I hope the other swappers like it.

Celebrate Birthdays

I realized last night that I needed to make a birthday card for a dear friend (who shares my birthday) and get it in today's mail.  So, I decided it would be fun to use the current sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches and combine it with my need for the birthday card.  I turned the sketch vertically so that it would fit my cake stack that I made with the Stampin' Up! set Topsy-Turvy Celebration.  I just love how I can make multi-colored cake stacks of various sizes with that set.  I have it in clear mount so that I can easily place one layer on top of another.  For this card, I combined Daffodil Delight with the new Raspberry Ripple.  I textured the bottom layer of Raspberry with the polka dot textured impressions folder.  I added some striped dsp from the current In Color Patterns stack and placed that on top of a strip of white card stock punched with the scalloped edge punch.  My yellow polka dots come from the Polka Dot Party designer series paper and have a bit of white stitched grosgrain tied just above.  I'd better go get this card in the mail now.  Happy Birthday Connie and to any others out there who have their birthday coming up!

Watercolored Reason to Smile

While I had my watercolor wonder crayons out for yesterday's card, I decided that assorted daisies would make a fun card.  I love bright gerbera daisies, they remind me of my wedding almost 10 years ago!  My flowers were assorted bright flowers, but the most prominent of those flowers were bold gerbera daisies. 

I stamped the daisy from the Reason to Smile several times as well as the congrats stamp from Sassy Salutations with my Basic Black ink pad.  I then scribbled some color from the brights collection of watercolor wonder crayons over the flowers and then blended the color with my aquapainter.  I layered this onto black and then onto my Regal Rose card base.  This is a simple card with just a couple of layers, but I think it turned out fun.

Reason to Smile Solo Daisy

Here's another idea with the promotional Reason to Smile set.  I've made a bunch of different cards with this set, but all have just used ink pads for the color (something that I do a lot of).  This time I decided to pull out my watercolor wonder crayons and aquapainter and give those a try again.  I really do like the watercolor wonder crayons, I just find that the majority of my stamps are bold and don't need to be colored in. Anyway, I stamped the daisy in black and then watercolored it, adding a little bit of very watered down blue around the edges of the stamp for a bit of a shadow.  I layered it onto Marina Mist and tied some black 1/8" taffeta ribbon around it, then layered it onto some black card stock.  The blue designer series paper comes from the Polka Dot Parade pack and is layered on some white that I punched with the scallop edge punch.  Finally, everything is mounted on my Wild Wasabi card base that I (surprise) textured with the polka dot embossing folder.  Have you watercolored lately?

Black and Red Wedding

I found this fun card sketch layout over at splitcoast (it's this week's sketch challenge) and decided that I needed to play along.  I haven't made a card with a triangle in the background, so I decided that I should try it.  I knew I wanted to use some designer series paper, but the problem was that I didn't want to chop it up into odd angles and waste any.  My solution was to pick some paper that I could use both sides of, so that is what I did.  I grabbed a piece of red dsp from the Polka Dot Parade pack and started cutting.  I flipped the two corners over and swapped them places so that they fit back together for my background.  I love this pack of paper and I also love that the two patterns coordinate well together.  Since this paper dictated my colors, I decided to add some black and make it a wedding card.  I thought it was kind of strange to have a black cake, but it is what worked with this card, it also seems like cakes are done up in any color these days, so maybe black and red isn't too over the top.  My cake comes from Topsy-Turvy Celebration and the Congrats comes from Sassy Salutations.  Can you tell that I really like those two sets together?  To finish off the card, I added a bit of 1/8" black taffeta ribbon.  Have you made a triangle backgound before?

Crumb Cake Bicycle

This week's color challenge on Splitcoast is to make a card using Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette, and the new Raspberry Ripple.  I like how these color challenges keep me out of a rut and help me come up with fresh new cards.  I textured my card base (something that I'm doing a lot of lately) with the polka dot embossing folder.  I added a layer of patterns dsp in Raspberry Ripple mounted on a strip of the same color card stock.  My bicycle is from the Moving Forward set and is stamped in Crumb Cake with Raspberry flowers in the basket and has a bit of patterns dsp in Pink Pirouette below it and is layered on Raspberry and Pink Pirouette card stock.  I added a couple banners cut with the bitty banners framelits (for the Big Shot) and tied a bit of white stitched grosgrain ribbon around the first couple layers.  I love that stitched grosgrain and I think I need it in about every color--I'll be adding some to my order tomorrow :)  The greeting comes from Sassy Salutations and is stamped in Raspberry Ripple.  Have you tried a color challenge yet?

Duo Cake Take 2

I find that most of my cards are more feminine (or "girly") and I try to come up with options at my classes for more boy cards.  A few weeks ago we made this card at my class, but I offered it in this color combo as well.  You can see the recipe and tips on the link for the original card.  The only difference here is that my colors are Pool Party and Basic Gray.  I sure do like the Topsy Turvy Celebration set--those cake stamps are just so fun!

Dynamic Duo Bird

I love getting color inspiration!  Lately, I have been mixing up my colors thanks to a bunch of color challenges.  This card was made for the Dynamic Duos challenge this week.  I've always loved Rich Razzleberry, it is such a fun, bold purple and it works with a lot of different colors.  I have to admit, I haven't always felt the same way about Old Olive.  I've been a demonstrator for 14 years and it's only been in the past few years that Old Olive has gotten regular use with my stamps.  Maybe it's because my old go-to greens were all retired a few years ago, maybe it's because Olive is more of a trendy color, and then maybe it's because I've just gotten out of my comfort zone and have started using it.  I found that it isn't such a bad color after all, in fact, I really like it now.  Funny how out tastes change over the years.

This card is a quick one to stamp--two stamps, that's it!  The layering is what takes the time, which isn't too bad either.  I textured the card base with the polka dot textured impressions embossing folder and then layered some pieces of the Polka Dot Parade designer series paper on card stock.  Under the Razzleberry layer, I stuck two banners from the bitty banners framelits (cut with my Big Shot).  I cut out my stamped layer with my 2-1/2" circle punch and mounted it on top of everything with Stampin' Dimensionals after I tied a bit of white stitched grosgrain around everything.  The bird stamp is from Betsy's Blossoms and the greeting is from Sassy Salutations.  Enjoy!

Summer Cake Stack

Ooooh, these colors just scream Summer!  We're in the midst of hot summer 90+ degree days around here.  These colors are so rich and juicy, they make such a great trio!  They (lucky limeade, calypso coral, and daffodil delight) are the color challenge this week over at The Paper Players.  Thanks for the great color combo!  My calypso coral ink pad has been very neglected until just recently, now it is one of my favorite colors!

For my card, I used the Topsy-Turvy Celebration set and made a 4-layer cake.  Instead of adding the typical candles at the top of the cake, I used the bow stamp from the same set.  I embellished the cake a bit with flowers that I cut out (also from the same set).  The top layer of the cake is actually the same stamp as the next two layers, but I masked off a side of it so that it wouldn't be as wide.  The greeting comes from my fav Sassy Salutations set and I stamped it directly on the patterned paper.  I've combined the Polka Dot Parade designer series paper with my traditional patterns designer series paper for the prints. I added a bit of white card stock that I punched with the scallop edge punch to the daffodil papers.  Lately I've gotten into not having my card base be plain, so I've run this one through my big shot with the polka dot textured impressions folder to pick up on the dot theme on this card.  Hope you enjoy!

Polka Dots and Blossoms

I just can't get enough of my new Stampin' Up! sets.  I am about ready to order some new sets to add to my collection, but I keep finding great ways to use the handful of sets I ordered from the new catalog.  For this card I used the Betsy's Blossoms set and Sassy Salutations.  I came across a new sketch challenge that I'm sure I'll be following regularly now--Mojo Monday.  I love the layout from this sketch, and I love that I was able to create this card fairly quickly since the card layout was already decided.  I used the blossom punch on the large flower image and the 1/2 inch circle on the smaller flower to create the red center.  The thank you is punched out with the wide oval punch.  I only had limited time and wanted to participate in a couple of challenges today, so I used a color challenge along with this sketch.  My colors are Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, and Early Espresso, which were inspired by the blog challenge over at Pals Paper Arts. I used the Polka Dot Parade designer series paper in Daffodil Delight and added a bit of white card stock punched with the scallop edge punch.  I decided to continue the polka dot theme with the 1/2" cherry cobbler scalloped dots ribbon.  Thanks for stopping by!

Fresh Flowers

Are you ready for another card idea using the promotional Reason to Smile stamp set?  Today's card is based on a this week's sketch challenge over at Freshly Made Sketches.  I wanted my color palette to be bright and fresh, so I chose Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, and Wisteria Wonder.  I used the polka dot textured impressions folder to emboss the dots on the card base.  The pattern papers come from the 2011-2013 In Color Patterns designer series paper stack.  I used the For You stamp from Itty Bitty Banners and cut it out with the Bitty Banners framelits in my Big Shot.  Finally, I tied a bit of Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon around the card to finish it off.  Hope you enjoy!  If you haven't participated in a sketch challenge before, give one a try.  I find that they are a great way to get the creative juices flowing without taking a bunch of time to come up with just the right layout for a card.

Smile Flowers

Daffodil Delight is one of my favorite colors.  I love how bright and cheery this shade of yellow is.  Today is a beautiful sunny day so this card just fits for today's post.  This is another card that I made with the new Reason to Smile set.  Have you ordered it yet?  It's only $5 this month with a $50 purchase--contact me today to order!

I used Pool Party, Certainly Celery, and Daffodil Delight--colors from a past color challenge.  The ribbon is the Pool Party seam binding ribbon.  I punched the greeting (from Sassy Salutations) with the decorative label punch and then sponged a bit of celery around the edges.

Wisteria Wedding

Today I'm going to take a little break from posting cards made with the Reason to Smile set and show you something else instead.  Are you ever looking for wedding card ideas?  It seems to be the busy time of year for weddings right now.  I've made this card with the Embellished Events set.  My colors are Wisteria Wonder and Lucky Limeade, both 2011-2013 In Colors.  I stamped my image and greeting and then punched them out with the 2-1/2" circle punch.  I've used strips of the patterns designer series paper on top of my white card base (which is textured with the polka dot embossing folder).  I love this card layout and it is quick, simple, and fresh.  Hope you enjoy it as well!

Navy Olive Flowers

Do you remember my pink and black bicycle card from a couple of weeks ago?  Well, this card uses the same layout, just different colors and different stamps.  I love how cards can have a whole new look by switching around a few elements.  I combined Old Olive and Night of Navy for this clean and simple floral card.  The flower images come from the Reason to Smile set (get it for only $5 with a $50 purchase THIS MONTH ONLY)!  My greeting comes from Sassy Salutations and is stamped on a bit of olive patterns dsp.  I've tied a piece of white stitched grosgrain around the first layer to go along with my bottom layer that I textured with the polka dots embossing folder. 

Coral Crumb Daisies

Today's color challenge on splitcoast is to combine Calypso Coral, Crumb Cake, and White.  I LOVE these two together!  I used the new Reason to Smile set (only $5 this month with a $50 order).  I do have to admit that I just opened my Calypso Coral ink pad.  I can't believe that I haven't opened it sooner.  I guess I've used the card stock and markers, but not the ink--perhaps I didn't realize what I was missing!  That's one thing that I love about color challenges, it encourages me to put together colors that I wouldn't otherwise and it gets me using some of my less-used colors.  This is a simple card to make.  Just stamp the daisies, layer on some coral card stock, add a strip of coral punched with the scallop edge punch and a bit of my favorite patterns designer series paper.  The ribbon I tied around the base of the card is actually some that I got for free during Sale-a-Bration.  Finally, I added the thank you greeting from Embellished Events and punched it out with the bitty banners framelits on my big shot.

Rich Colored Blossoms

Have you heard about the promotion Stampin' Up! is having this month?  There is a fun set that you can get for only $5 (with a $50 purchase) and it is available THIS MONTH ONLY!  Hurry and place an order so you can get the Reason to Smile set to add to your collection.  Here is a flyer with the images that are in the set.  You can get it in either clear or wood for only $5.

Since this set is on special right now, I'll show you several cards using it over the next several days.  This first card uses Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, Baja Breeze, and Basic Black.  These colors are so rich together.  I combined them for a color challenge a few weeks ago and I love the results on this card.  I tied a bit of scalloped Cherry Cobbler ribbon around the top couple of layers and that is it!  Hope you enjoy the ideas with this set!

Scalloped Pinwheel Thanks

Do you recognize this layout?  Yes, I've used it before with a few different sets.  This time I used the fun pinwheels from the Sweets for the Sweet set.  Colors are Melon Mambo and Pear Pizazz (sadly a retired color).  I used the scallop trim border punch on the Melon Mambo paper alongside a strip of the patterns designer series paper.