Be My Valentine

Today's project is a CASE of a card I found online. I saved the image which wasn't watermarked so unfortunately I cannot give credit to the designer but I loved the card so much I just HAD to make my own with my own colors and papers!

I just love how all the papers coordinate! Hmmm...have I said that before? lol!

EZ Design Ideas

There aren't many elements to this design which is why it works so well. A few pieces punched with a square punch, sponging on the edges, and hearts punch out of glimmer paper for jewelry! One line scored with the Stampin' Trimmer and a well chosen sentiment and that's it! EZ Peasy!

Stampin Supplies:

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes (127802)

Paper: Whisper White (100730), Real Red (102482) Cardstock; More Amore (129309) Specialty Designer Series Paper, Red Glimmer Paper (121790)

Ink: Real Red (126949) Classic Stampin' Pad 

Tools: Stampin' Trimmer (126889), 1" Square Punch (124094), Small Heart Punch (117193), Stamping Sponges (101610)

Embellishments:  None

Thanks for stopping by!

Monochromatic Thank You - PPA151

Today I am playing along with the Pals Paper Arts Challenge and an awesome new sketch!

I struggled with this one just a bit and my end result is nothing like my original idea! It's funny when that happens... Here is what I came up with:

In my mind when I looked at the sketch I saw one of the circles as an image and the smaller circle as a sentiment so I was STUMPED on what to put in the left hand corner! I finally settled on making a banner out of pearls and I think it adds a bit of softness to the otherwise very clean and simple card.

I have to laugh because I realize that I have used this image more than once! I must really like it!

Stampin Supplies:

Stamps: Blooming with Kindness (126422)

Paper: Very Vanilla(101650),  Lucky Limeade (126984) Cardstock; Tea for Two (129311) Designer Series Paper

Ink: Lucky Limeade (126984) Classic Stampin' Pad 

Tools: 1 1/4" Circle Punch (119861), 1 3/8" Circle Punch (119860), 3" Circle Die (122125), Big Shot (113439)

Embellishments:  Pearl Basic Jewels (119247)

Thanks for stopping by!

Loving Thoughts

There is a funny story attached to this card! Some fellow demonstrators and I were having a chat about how difficult it can be to "let go" of our stash of pretty papers. One of them suggested a challenge amongst ourselves to make a card using some of our precius stash. I thought the idea was genius but where to start? I went to my paper storage and pulled out a piece of paper from the first DSP series I have stored called "Attic Boutique" from the 2012 Spring Mini, found a sketch that spoke to me, and literally put this card together in abut 30 minutes!

EZ Design Ideas:

• Find a card or a sketch that speaks to you and change it up to suit your design
• When in doubt, choose a neutral color to accent the color of choice - in this case this paper really stands on it's own
• Let the style of the paper dictate the accents - this paper was so soft and delicate that every other design aspect needed to reflect those same qualities
• Let your tools do your design work for you! Stampin' Up!'s Adorning Accents Embossing Folders and Coordinating Edgelits provided the perfect mix of texture and detail and the Floral Fusin Sizzlits provided quick and easy flower accents. The new Large Pearl Basic Jewels are the perfect size and give the card that "WOW" factor without any additional work!

I just can't say enough how much I enjoy all the coordinating projects that make putting something like this together so simple and fun. I hope you enjoyed today's project!

Stampin Supplies:

Stamps: Loving Thoughts (125845)

Paper: Whisper White (100730), Pool Party (122924) Cardstock; Attic Boutique (Retired) Designer Series Paper

Ink: Pool Party (126982) Classic Stampin' Pad 

Tools: Big Shot (113439), Adorning Accents Embossing Folders (125601), Adorning Accents Edgelits (125595), Floral Fusion Sizzlits (115969)

Embellishments:  Large Pearl Basic Jewels (125577)

Thanks for stopping by!

An Exciting Leadership Annoucement!

An exciting new program was announced this weekend at the Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference in Orlando FL this weekend that I want to share with you:

 

NEW!  SUBSCRIBE TO STAMPIN' UP! MY PAPER PUMPKIN KITS!  Take a monthly creativity escape with paper crafting kits delivered right to your doorstep.  You'll love what you find on the inside: All the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create pinable projects.  You'll just need adhesive.  Stuff like cards, 3-D items, and more!  Sign up starting Jan. 14 with first kits shipping in mid-March.  Get the details.

What a great way to start stamping! ...Simple projects with almost everything you will need right in the box! How cool is that! And you can sign up now for the first shipment in March!

CAS Masculine Birthday - Freshly Made Sketches #68

Just take a look at the fabulous sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches this week!  It is courtesy of the talented Jen Mitchell.  Don’t you love it??!! And here is my interpretation of the sketch:

 

As I was going through my stamps for inspiration for this sketch I realized that I had a family birthday coming up so why not get a head start? It's a milestone birthday so I pulled out my Memorable Moments stamp set, I see so many uses for this set, don't you? And it's a masculine birthday so I pulled out the new Parker's Patterns DSP from the new Spring Catalog and set to work!

EZ Design Ideas:

• Let the personality of the recipient dicate the personality of the card - in this case masculine, so clean and simple!
• Let the pre-coordinated products do most of the design work for you! The coordinated papers dicatated the inks I would use as well as the color of the card base
• Use the Stamp-a-ma-jig! It is a WONDERFUL tool! There are six different stamps in this sentiment but the Stamp-a-ma-jig made lining them all up a snap!

•  Simple tools can make a big impact as is the case with paper piercing - just a 'little' something to add a bit more interest
• I really returned to my roots for this card - sponging every edge! I used one color, Crumb Cake, to keep the sponging from overpowering the rest of the card
• I also sponged the wonderful new Natural 7/16" Trim Ribbon which is almost burlap in texture and appearance but still soft and pliable so the sponging just took a bit of the "pretty" off of it!
• Yes, masculine cards CAN have jewelry, it would depend on the taste of the recipient as to how much jewelry. In this case, I keep it to a minimum with one of the new Basics Designer Buttons - they are very shiny and suprisingly light-weight. I would typically dress the button up with some twine or ribbon but layered another button on top to keep the masculine feel (I hope!)

Stampin Supplies:

Stamps: Memorable Moments (126682)

Paper: Crumb Cake (120953), Very Vanilla (101650) Cardstock; Parker's Patterns (131021) Designer Series Paper

Ink: Cherry Cobbler (126966), Marina Mist (12962), Crumb Cake (126975) Classic Stampin' Pad 

Tools: Big Shot (113439), Labels Collection Framelits (125598), Essentials Paper Piercing Pack (126187), Stampin' Pierce Mat (126199), Paper-Piercing Tool (126189), Stamping Sponges (101610)

Embellishments:  Natural 7/16" Trim Ribbon (129287), Basic Designer Buttons (129325), Natural Designer Buttons (127554) 

Thanks for stopping by!

Update on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 10:09 AM by Shannon

I'm so thrilled to announce that Rita Wright has chosen me as her "Princess" for the week over at Freshly Made Sketches for my submission of this card!!

Here's what she had to say:

"Shannon's card is total eye candy for me. I love the colors, the chevrons, the stacked buttons, and of course the bit of piercing and corner rounding! Congrats, Shannon."

What an honor and I will enjoy being a "Princess" this week!