Two Friends Stamping

You’re On My Mind & PPA 47 Summer Theme Challenge

You can always use a stack of cards to send to various friends and colleagues, just to let them know you care and are thinking of them! This is one of the cards I created to do just that! The inspiration for the card came from a layout I saw in a recent Paper Crafting publication – I changed it up a bit and used only SU! Products. Now that I look at it, it may very well fit the PPA 47 Summer Theme Challenge with the flowers! Hmmmm….. maybe I’ll enter it there before noon!

Remember, you can shop online with Karin (me!) or Julie, 24/7! Just click on our names here to order or email us. We are happy to help!

Stamp set(s): Upsy Daisy; Dot, Dot, Dot

Paper: Crumb Cake (Kraft), Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz

Inks: Concord Crush Stampin’ Write Marker. Whisper White Craft Ink

Tools: Big Shot, Little Leaves Sizzlit Die, SU! Boho Blossoms Extra Large Punch, 3/16” Corner Rounder Small Punch, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Snail Adhesive, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer

Accessories to make it special:  5/16” Jumbo Brads

Thanks for looking today! Have a Great Day and Happy Stamping!

Karin

PPA 40 - Happy Anniversary Monochromatic Blue Challenge

My older sister reminded me that it is her and her husband’s 30^th Wedding Anniversary on Sunday so I took the hint (smile :) and created this Anniversary Card for them using the PPA 40 Challenge – Monochromatic Blues! It was a super quick and easy card with the beautiful Bella Bleu DSP and the gorgeous Ribbon Originals Elementary Ribbon.

Shop online with Karin (me!) or Julie, 24/7! Just click on our names here to order or email us. We are happy to help!

Stamp set(s): Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper

Inks: Not Quite Navy

Tools: Big Shot, Movers and Shapers Curly Label Die, Punch Windows Movers and Shapers Die, Modern Label Punch, Snail Adhesive, Dimensionals

Accessories to make it special:  Ribbon Originals Elementary Ribbon Not Quite Navy, Vanilla Brads from Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware

Thanks for looking this evening!

Karin

PPA 32 A Theme Challenge – SPRING!!

Had fun creating this challenge card today! Julie, my blogging partner was going to spend the afternoon stamping with me but I woke up not feeling well and did not want to risk getting her sick! I was so disappointed!

I managed to have a few hours without anyone around and created this card to showcase SPRING! Can’t wait for the sun to shine more consistently and temperatures to rise :)

Remember, you can shop online with Karin (me!) or Julie, 24/7! Just click on our names here to order or email us. We are happy to help!

Stamp set(s): Seasons of Friendship; Trendy Trees (Sentiment)

Paper: Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink

Inks: Old Olive

Tools: Sherbert Designer Buttons, Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing folder, Mini Glue Dots, Snail Adhesive, Dimensionals

Accessories to make it special:  Pretty in Pink 3/8” Taffeta Ribbon

Thanks for looking!

Karin

Thoughts and Prayers PPA 30 Challenge

I had to get some cards out to a couple friends who are having/recovering from major surgeries.  I had a card in mind but then decided to have a little fun with it.

I started out with a simple card and progressed to the card I had in mind.

The first design is simple-a base card of Chocolate Chip topped with a layer of Whisper White CS embossed with the SU Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder.  I inked the flower branch image with markers and stamped it on one of the Hugs die-cut note cards from the Occasions Mini, stamped the greeting and attached it with Dimensionals.  This is an easy card that qualifies for the PPA KISS Challenge-lots of white space with a nice soft design. 

For the next card, I simply added a layer of Regal Rose CS behind the Hugs note card.  This layer does not detract from the softness of the design, but adds a little feminine sweetness to it.

The final card is wrapped in satin ribbon tied with linen thread.  For a little glitz I added some sparkle in the center of the flowers with the tiny rhinestones from the Eggcellent Eggs Kit in the Occasions Mini.  If you don’t own one of these kits, please consider the value-$9.95 for many, many embellishments!

All of the cards have the same design on the inside. 

Remember, you can shop online with Karin or Julie (me!), 24/7.  Just click on our names here to order or email us.  We’d love to help you!

Stamp set:  Thoughts and Prayers

Paper:  Whisper White CS, Chocolate Chip CS, Regal Rose CS and Hugs die-cut note cards

Ink:  Chocolate Chip Classic Ink, Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Almost Amethyst, Certainly Celery and Apricot Appeal Markers

Tools:  Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder

Accessories to make it special:  5/8 inch Satin Ribbon in Certainly Celery, Linen Thread, and Rhinestones from the Eggcellent Eggs Kit

Thanks for looking and I hope you will have fun making “progressive” cards like I did!

Julie

PPA 30 Challenge - "KISS" Keep It Simple, Sweetie Card - Happy Easter

Haven’t done a weekly challenge card for a while so I turned to one of my favorite challenge groups – Paper Pals Artists for inspiration. This weeks’ challenge is a KISS card – Keep It Simple Sweetie! Right up my alley!

The following are suggested guidelines for creating a KISS-able card:

• Clean with lots of 'white' space
• Simple Designs
• Minimum time to create
• Limited layers and embellishments

This was a really quick and easy card to make. After completing my version of KISS – lots of white space and minimal layers, I stepped it up and created this version.

I like both and it really shows how adding a few more elements can really change the look of a card. Hope you like them!

Remember, you can shop online with Karin (me!) or Julie, 24/7! Just click on our names here to order or email us. We are happy to help!

Stamp set(s): Inspired by Nature (grass); Teeny Weeny Wishes (Sentiment)

Paper: Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant, So Saffron, Perfect Plum, Pretty in Pink

Inks: Elegant Eggplant

Tools: Trio Flower Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Brads in Soft Subtles, Rich Regals and White, Mini Glue Dots, Snail Adhesive, Dimensionals

Accessories to make it special:  ¼” Elegant Eggplant Grosgrain Ribbon

Thanks for taking a quick look and have a great day!

Karin

PPA 25 With All My Heart

I had an unexpected day off and I spent the day trying to get my creative juices flowing again. It’s been a while since I have challenged myself to create something ‘original’ and it was tough! I turned to one of my favorite challenge groups – Pals Paper Arts for inspiration. Of course my absolute favorite food is chocolate so I could not resist! After at least an hour of some frustration and almost giving up, this is what I created!

I took the card layout inspiration from one of my favorite stampers, Mary Fish. Her card can be found here. Most items used for this card are from the new Occasions Mini. Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink are two of my favorite colors together!

Remember, you can shop online with Karin (me!) or Julie, 24/7! Just click on our names here to order or email us. We are happy to help!

 Stamp set(s): With All My Heart (#118134 – wood; #118623 - clear), I {heart} Hearts (#117010 wood; #118571 clear), Three Little Words (#113254)

Paper: Chocolate Chip (#102128), Pretty in Pink (#100459), Whisper White (#100730

Inks: Chocolate Chip (#100908), Pretty in Pink (#101301)

Tools: Big Shot with Standard Cutting Pads and multipurpose platform (#113439), SU! Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (#117335), Heart to Heart Punch (#113694), Small Heart Punch (#117193), 1 ¼” square punch (#104400), 1 3/8” square punch (#103375), 3/16” rounded corner punch (#109047) Snail Adhesive (#104332), Dimensionals (#104430)

Accessories to make it special:  Pretty in Pink Corduroy Buttons (#117681)

Thanks for stopping by! We always love comments letting us know how we are doing and any suggestions for improving our blog!

Don't forget ..... call me now to book your workshop sometime in January, February or March to take advantage of all the great, FREE product you can earn during Sale-a-bration! Now is a fantastic time to sign up as a Stampin' Up Demonstrator too! Be a Hobby Demo like Julie and I and enjoy the Stampin' Up Discount on all your products, all year long! Call me today to find out more.

Have a great day;

Karin

Serene Snowflakes PPA 18

I had all but given up on creating a KISS card for this week’s PPA 18 challenge.  Anyone who knows my stamping style knows that keeping it simple is next to impossible for me!!

My husband told me I had to explain that this KISS card took me hours to create and that I had every color card stock and DSP out as well as a dozen different stamp sets before I finally came up with a suitable simple card!  I ultimately had to give up and work on another project.  Once I put it out of my mind, this idea came to me and it was easily made in ten minutes (after I sorted through my mess to find the right card stock)!   

Is there anyone else out there who struggles with the concept of KISS?  Maybe this will be the card for you!  

Stamping tips:  

• I stamped the medium sized snowflake from the Serene Snowfakes in Encore Gold ink and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder.  This would have been beautiful with VersaMark and SUs Gold Embossing Powder, but I keep my inks and clear powder at my fingertips and I was going for easy. 
  

• I dry embossed the snowflake image using a template that I made with the Circles #2 die.  For the template I used the cardboard insert from a package of DSP.  
  
• Everything else was stamped with the Encore Gold ink, embossed with clear powder, layered and it was done!  
  

I finally created a KISS card.  I hope you enjoy it!  

Remember, you can shop online with Karin or Julie (me!), 24/7!  Just click on our names here to order or email us.  We would love to help you!  

Stamp set(s):  Serene Snowflakes (#115438) and Four the Holidays (#116921) both from the Holiday Mini Catalog which will retire January 4, 2010, and Scenic Season (#115354).  

Paper:  Shimmery White CS (#101910) one piece 11 in. by 4 ¼ in., scored at 5 ½ in. and two pieces 5 ¼ in. by 4 in. and Brushed Gold CS (#102935) two pieces 5 3/8 in. by 4 1/8 in.  

Ink:  Encore Gold Pad (#101017)  

Accessories:  Clear Embossing Powder (#109130) and SNAIL (#104331)  

Tools:  Light Table (#102888), Stylus (#100663), and Heat Tool (#100005)  

 

Thanks for looking!

Julie  

Merry Christmas PPA 18

The “KISS” challenge from Pals Paper Arts (PPA) this week is to ‘Keep It Simple, Sweetie’ – I tend to be a more simple stamper so this was fun! Minimal layers and embellishments, clean with lots of white space, minimum time to create. I like the clean, simple yet elegant look of the card. It really took me less than 10 minutes to make :)

Stamping tips:

• I used the marker to stamp technique to create the red and green holly leaf using Real Red and Garden Green Stampin’ Write Markers. I love being able to take an image and highlight it with multiple colors of ink using markers,  this way. After applying your markers to the areas of the stamp, breathe - “huff” - on the stamp to remoisten the ink before stamping.
  

• Shimmery White Paper was used for the card to add just that tiny bit of additional sparkle. The paper is also a little heavier than the traditional Whisper White.

• Grab your mat pack and paper piercer to add some pierced holes for a simple embellishment. Don’t forget your Stamp-a-ma-jig to help line up all your images and keep everything straight!

• The card base in Shimmery White measures 5 ½” x 4 ¼”, scored at 4 ¼”. I left some additional white space between layers and popped it up on dimensionals. The next layers (Real Red) measures 3  7/8” x 4  7/8” followed by another of Shimmery White at 3 3/4” x 4 ¾”. I layered and stamped the inside of the card the same measurements.

Hope you enjoy today’s post.

Remember, you can shop online with Karin (me!) or Julie, 24/7! Just click on our names here to order or email us. We are happy to help!

Stamp set(s): Christmas Classics (#111566), Christmas Greetings (# 115448)

Paper: Shimmery White (#101910), Real Red (#102482)

Inks: Real Red Classic Ink (# 103133)

Markers:  Real Red Stampin’ Write marker (#100052), Garden Green Stampin’ Write marker (#100080)

Tools:  Dimensionals (#104430 ), Snail Adhesive (# 104332), Stamp-a-ma-jig (#101049), Paper-Piercing Tool (#116631), Mat Pack (#105826), Bone folder (#102300)

Accessories to make it special: None needed!

Thanks for looking and have a great day;

Karin

Fun News to Share!

Fun news to share! My card submission to Pals Paper Arts was chosen for this weeks' Artist Pick! Play along too, each week. On Thursday of each week a new sketch or challenge is posted to try. Everyone is invited :)

Julie and I have posted all of our Pals Paper Art weekly submissions in the gallery. Click on the link to the right under PPA Challenges to take a look.

Check out the site!

Pals Paper Arts

Of the Earth PPA 17

  

I have wanted to make a card for a good friend of mine who has spent the last 4 months taking care of her family through some very difficult times. She is so giving of herself and I wanted her to know that she has been a gift to all those she has cared for. I used the Pals Paper Arts 17 sketch challenge to conceptualize the card and used the Level 1 Hostess Set – Of the Earth to make the card.

 

Stamping tips:

• I tried my hand at the shadowing technique using Going Gray ink first on the stamp image, stamping off once before stamping the image on Whisper White. I experimented a couple of different times with the Going Gray and decided that one stamp off before stamping the final image on Whisper White, created a nice faded image for the shadow portion of each square. I then used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to align the next stamped image in Lovely Lilac just off slightly from the stamped Gray image.

• This was a great, easy sketch to create a really nice card. I popped the images up in dimensionals to give it some additional height too.

• The card base in Basic Black measures 4 ¼” x 11, scored at 5 ½”. The next layers (Going Gray) measures 3 ¾” x 5” followed by a Lovely Lilac layer at 3 ½” x 4 ¾”. I layered and stamped the inside of the card the same measurements, adding a layer of Whisper White at 3 1/4” x 4 ½”. The squares were easy to create with the 1 1/4” and 1 3/8” square punches.

It’s easy to get this stamp set FOR FREE by hosting a Stampin’ Up workshop (either in your home or mine!). I guarantee a LOT of fun, laughing and stamping for you and your friends. Call me to book a workshop today!

Hope you enjoy today’s post.

Remember, you can shop online with Karin (me!) or Julie, 24/7! Just click on our names here to order or email us. We are happy to help!

Stamp set(s): Of the Earth (Level 1 Hostess Set) (#115336)

Paper: Whisper White (#100730), Basic Black and Going Gray (#108588), Lovely Lilac (# 100427)

Inks: Lovely Lilac (# 10287 )

Markers: Going Gray in the set of Neutrals Markers (# 109126) (I used a marker for the Gray because I did not have the Classic Ink stamp pad (#103274). You can use either option)

Tools:  Dimensionals (#104430 ), Snail Adhesive (# 104332), 1 ¼” square punch (#104400), 1 3/8” square punch (# 103375)

Accessories to make it special: 5/8” Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon (#115605)

Have a great night and thanks for looking!

Karin