Step It Up with Summer Smooches

Today's feature is called 'Step It Up' after a much admired article in my favorite Scapbooking Magazine Simple Scrapbooks which is sadly no longer in publication. The premise carries over very well from scrapbooking to card making. Just take a simple layout (which is beautiful in itself) to the next level. Here is the first card:

In this card I featured 5 of the beautiful patterns in the sneak peak of Summer Smooches paper, cut in simple 1" strips, graduated in length from 3" to 4". The DSP is adhered directly to the card base and the sentiment is kept simple with just two tulips as an accent, popped off the main image using a Dimensional and a bit of Dazzing Diamonds for a bit of sparkle. That's it. A super easy card, yet makes a great impact.

I used an embossing folder with the second card to give added texture. I sponged the edges of the DSP strips to add richness and adhered them to the card using Dimensionals for depth. I added a bit of baker's twine and the sponged the edges of the sentiment and the edges of the tulip accents before adhering them. Six additionals steps, all designed to give the card added interest.

In these shots you can see the added depth using the dimensionals gives the card: 

I hope I have given you some ideas for stepping up your own cards :) Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies:

Stamp Sets: Bright Blossoms, Friendly Phrases

DSP: Summer Smooches

Colors: Whisper White, Island Indigo, Real Red, Tangerine Tango

Accessories: Baker's Twine, Dazzling Diamonds

Tools: Perfect Polka Dots Textured Embossing Folder, 1" Square Punch, Big Shot, Stamping Sponges

Just My Type

Hi There! Today I wanted to share with you how one layout and stamp set can be utilized in many different ways. The only things I changed here were the colors and 'accessories'. Earthtones and manly brads for the guys and pinks and purples for the girls (sorry, I was dying to use Wisteria Wonder!) A few pearls and flowers and voila! a very 'girlie' card. I sponged the edges of, well everything really, on both cards and then I used the distressing tool from the Cutter Kit to rough up the edges of the cardstock on the masculine card and then used my bone folder to flip the edges of the DSP, the banner, and the flowers up on the feminine card. For me, those subtles touches are what gives each card that WOW factor.

Stampin' Supplies:

Stamps: You're My Type

Paper: First Edition DSP; Wisteria Wonder, Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, and Basic Black CS

Tools: Houndstooth and Stripes Textured Embossing Folders, Boho Blossoms Punch, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Bone Folder, Big Shot, Cutter Kit, Stamping Sponges

Accessories: Pretty in Pink Brad, Metallic Brads, Basic Pearls

My next challenge for myself is to create something using the delightful new Summer Smooches DSP paper and Bright Blossoms stamp set that was just made available for purchase on April 1st. Looking forward to it!

Thanks for Stopping By!

April Stamp Class

Today's cards are a sample of what my ladies at work made today in our class. These cards are both CASEd from my upline, Mary Fish-thank you Mary for your wonderful inspiration! I wanted to give the ladies a color choice so I created them in two different color combinations...I can't decide which ones I like best! Thanks for stopping by!

Tomorrow will be my first post on my regular Wednesday feature, His and Hers! I will show you two examples with the same layout and stamp set, one masculine and one feminine. Be sure to check back!