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!

CAS Valentine - Winner of Freshly Made Sketches #67

Update: I'm so please to share with you that this card was selected as the winner of the FMS #67 Challenge! This is what Jennifer Timko had to say about it:

This lovely Valentine's card just captured my heart, so to speak.  First, the color scheme is fantastic.  Then, there are all the little details.  That pretty brad with a coordinating heart out of DSP, the embossed scallop and the rhinestones all create such fabulous texture.  This all adds up to the perfect Valentine for anyone on your list.  Congratulations, Shannon, on being the Queen of Clean!!

Please click here to see all of the wonderful cards submitted this week and many many thanks to Jennifer for choosing my entry!

This week's sketch from Freshly Made Sketches is right up my alley - clean and simple! I just love Jennifer Timko's design style...thanks Jennifer! Here's her sketch:

As soon as I saw this sketch I knew I had to break out the new product from the Spring Catalog! I'm not really a fru-fru girl so while I think the new More Amore Specialty Designer Paper is the bomb, all that pink is a bit overwhelming to me so...

EZ Design Ideas:

• I used a neutral for my card base
• I added texture to the card base by using textured cardstock (retired product unfortunately)
• Addional texture was added by using the new Core-dinations Card Stock in Pool Party as well as one of the Delicate Designs Embossing Folders and then only exposing some of the scallop.
• Ribbon and a small pattern used sparingly provides additional interest while remaining almost neutral
• All of these subtle layers ensure that the focal point steals the show and I have to say my heart is completely lost to the new Designer Builder Brads, (thanks Pam for sending me a sample) these things are AWESOME!! Just punch whatever your heart desires using the circle punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, adhere it and add the epoxy bubble. That little bubble magnifies the image! AWESOME! (did I say that already?) And, coincidentally, the heart in this pattern paper just HAPPENS to fit very neatly...I love discovering all the ways that Stampin' Up! makes their products coordinate!

• The sentiment is called Love Heart and was available as a single stamp - I'm really hoping it is included in the next catalog, it's super cute!
• A small heart was created using the Fashionable Hearts Embosslits and textured cardstock in Primrose Petals
• The Rhinestone Basic Jewels really add the "WOW" factor to this card and were a total accident! I intended to paper pierce the heart outline and forgot...what to do, what to do...I'm glad I forgot, I think the Rhinestones are the right amount of bling to balance the Designer Builder Brad and are a perfect final touch!

I'm very pleased with this one, I hope you have enjoyed it as well!

Stampin Supplies:

Stamps: Love Heart (currently unavailable but hoping)

Paper: Basic Gray (121044) Cardstock; Pool Party (129321), Primrose Petals (129322) Core'dinations Cardstock; More Amore (129309) Specialty Designer Series Paper

Ink: Primrose Petals (126858) Classic Stampin' Pad 

Tools: Big Shot (113439), Delicate Designs Embossing Folders (127023), Full Heart Punch (119883), Fashionable Hearts Embosslits (125596)

Embellishments:  Basic Gray 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon (126879), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246)

Thanks for stopping by!

Delightful Valentine

Today is a quick post, to share my unashamed CASE of an original design by Mary Fish. I kept true to her design, simply swapping out the papers and sentiment to match the season. Sometimes when you want to be creative, this is just the ticket to get the creative juices flowing! I just HAD to use some of the paper from the new catalog, available today!

Stampin Supplies:

Stamps: Delightful Dozen (122652)

Paper: Primrose Petals (126841), Pool Party (122924), Very Vanilla (101650), Soft Suede (115318), Sahara Sand (121043) Cardstock; More Amore (129309) Specialty Designer Series Paper

Ink: Primrose Petals (126858) Classic Stampin' Pad 

Tools: Owl Builder Punch (118074), Bird Builder Punch (117191), 3/16" Corner Punch, Adorning Accents Embossing Folders (125601), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)

Embellishments:  3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon-Primrose Petals

Hope you enjoyed today's post, thanks for stopping by!