August Hoppers' Blog Hop: Color Combo - Red

It's that time of the month for the Hoppers to get together and provide a blog hop for your viewing and creating pleasure.  This month's theme is a color challenge and I am the coordinator.  I've chosen the color Real Red from the Color Coach.  The Creative Combination consists of Real Red, Bashful Blue, and Crumb Cake.  The second combination comes from the Getting Started Collection - Real Red, Early Espresso, and Pumpkin Pie.

There will be some blog candy from me at the end of the month. If you want to play along, please leave an encouraging comment on each blog.  Then on August 27th (first day of school for my kiddos!), I'll choose a random winner from all who comment .  Please be sure to leave your email address or some other way for me to get ahold of you.  The blog candy will be 24 - 6" x 6" sheets of current and retired designer series paper!

I chose to create projects with both Color Coach combinations.  The first one uses the stamp set Moving Forward.  It's the 2012-2013 Ronald McDonald House Charities stamp set.

I colored the stamp with markers, stamped it onto Whisper White card stock, then punched it out.  Behind it is one of the scalloped circle shapes from the Perfect Pennants Bigz L die.

For my second card, I used one of my new favorite stamp sets, Serene Silhouttes.  Once again, I colored the stamp with markers.  Then I spritzed the stamp with water using SU!'s new Stampin' Spritzer.  It created a cool watercolor look on the paper. I ran the new Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock through the Big Shot with the new Woodgrain embossing folder, then I sanded it with the new sanding system.  Here's a close-up:

I am impressed with the Core'dinations card stock because the woodgrain looks real!  Hope you enjoyed my creations.  Please let me know what you think.

Here's a link to the other Hoppers:


Stamps: Moving Forward / Serene Silhouettes, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Real Read, Whisper White, Subtles pattered dsp, Neutrals patterned dsp / Very Vanilla, Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso, Early Espresso Core'dinations Card Stock
Ink: markers: Real Red, Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue / Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot and Stampin' Dimensionals (for both projects), Tasteful Trim die, Perfect Pennants Bigz L die, 2 1/2" circle punch / Woodgrain embossing folder, Stampin' Sanding System, Stampin' Spritzer with water,Word Window and Modern Label punches


Happy Stamping!

Susan

Tweet

Birthday Bash #3

This is the third card from my Birthday Bash Stamp Camp.  It was inspired by the photo in the Sale-a-Bration catalog.  It is the girliest card of the bunch because of the pink.

I had planned on using Bakers's Twine for the balloon strings. Then I got to thinking how complicated it would be for everyone to string it, etc.  So I picked up my trusty Chocolate Chip marker and drew the strings on!  How clever is that?!?  One of my customers suggested to a fellow stamper to draw a figure 8 for the loops at the bottom of the balloon - also, a clever idea!  After May 31st, the Chocolate Chip marker will only be available when you buy the set of Neutrals markers.  It will not be available separately.  My brush tip is getting a bit frayed, so I got another one now while I could.

Stamps: Party This Way (retiring on May 31st!!!)
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Whisper White, Subtles Patterned dsp
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip ink and marker
Accessories: Big Shot, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die, Small Oval punch, Word Window punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stamping!

Susan

Tweet

Two Challenges Combined- Merry Monday and SUO Challenge

A few weeks ago I thought to myself that I really need to make Christmas cards all year round.  Then I stumbled upon a new challenge called Merry Monday, a new weekly sketch challenge.  And here's this week's sketch:

I've combined this sketch with the SUO Challenge to pick a technique that's something you use infrequently – or not at all.

The technique that I use infrequently (due to lack of experience and confidence) is watercoloring. I started out by stamping my focal images several times on different types of card stock - Whisper White, Shimmery White, and watercolor paper.  This way I had many different pieces to practice on.  

I tried several different methods of watercoloring (aqua painter and ink pads, aqua painter and reinkers, blender pen and ink pads, blender pen and reinkers).  For the size images I had, the blender pen and reinker gave me the best effect.  (I thought about photographing my "mistakes," but I don't want to embarrass myself. LOL!)  I used the image created on watercolor paper.

Stamps: Polar Party
Paper: Watercolor, Real Red, Garden Green, Brights Collection Patterns dsp paper stack. Regals Collection Patterns dsp paper stack
Ink: Garden Green, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Pacific Point, Early Espresso, StazOn jet black
Accessories: Big Shot, Tasteful Trim die, Blender Pen, Dazzling Details, 2-way glue pen, Stamp-a-ma-jig


Happy Stamping!

Susan
PS- No matter what I did, I could not stamp that sentiment properly.  If anyone has any tips on stamping fine print words or intricate designs, please let me know.  Although I could stamp the trees with no problems, I think my StazOn pad is not evenly inked.

Tweet

Strength & Hope Campaign - and my first Mojo Monday

As part of our Making a Difference program, Stampin' Up! is proud to partner with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in the Strength & Hope Campaign.  Throughout the 2011 Summer Mini Catalog sales period starting May 1st, Stampin' Up! will donate $2  from the sale of each Strength & Hope set and Strength & Hope digital kit to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).  Be looking for your Summer Mini in the mail any day now, ask me for your very own copy or check my blog on May1st to see it for yourself.  I'm sure each of us know at least one person who is fighting this disease and these people need cards more than anyone. For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org. 

I am hosting a Strength & Hope Stamp Camp fundraiser on Tuesday, May 31st at 6:00 pm at the Oil City YWCA.  Participants will create six cards (two of three designs) using their own Strength & Hope stamp set.  My personal sales commission will go to the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" program.  This money will stay in the Western PA region and directly assist breast cancer patients.  Please contact me for more information.

I am combining Mojo Monday with this new set (my first Mojo Monday, too):

Here's my version:

Here is a photo of my almost six year-old Dide (pronounced Dee-da, a Dutch name) posing with the card.  You can also see where I usually take my photos: on the back of the couch in natural lighting. 

Stamps: Strength & Hope, Tiny Tags

Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Marina Mist, Soft Suede

Ink: Marina Mist, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede

Accessories: Big Shot, Tasteful Trim die, Square Lattice textured impressions embossing folder, Medium Jewelry Tag punch, Crumb Cake seam binding, Vintage Trinkets, linen thread, pearls

I wish all of you a very happy Easter!  Please enjoy the time you spend with family and friends and remember the real reason we celebrate Easter.

Happy stamping!

Susan

Tweet

Simple Swap Cards

This month I was asked to participate in two different swaps.  Of course, being the Stampin' Mom of Four, I combined my efforts and used the same card layout for both swaps.  Why make anything more complicated for myself?!?

There's one weakness that I have that's a bit difficult to admit -- I hoard designer series paper!!!  I'm not alone.  Closet hoarders are everywhere!  They just don't admit it.  What I can't understand is why some of us have the urge to save designer series paper. It's so gorgeous that we should be sharing it with everyone we see!  Could you imagine me at Walmart in the diaper aisle showing the mom (or dad!) next to me the beauty of the Springtime Vintage dsp?!?

On the other end of the spectrum, there are people who never buy designer series paper.  Why is that???  Are they afraid they'll never use?  Are they afraid to cut up the paper?

For only $9.95, designer series paper (AKA dsp) is worth the cost!  You get 12 sheets total: two 12" x 12" sheets of six double-sided design.  That's equates to only $1.20/sheet. What a bargain! 

Here are the cards I made:

Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers, Style Beautiful
Paper: Baja Breeze, Always Artichoke,Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Springtime Vintage designer series paper
Ink: Always Artichoke, Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, Big Shot, Tasteful Trim die, dimensionals

At first, I cut the dsp 4" x 5 1/4" then planned to overlay a piece of very vanilla cut with the top note die like I did with this card.  But that would've covered up the beauty of this paper.  That's why I decided to keep it simple.  These cards were quick to create, too.  I used Tombow adhesive to attach the zigzag trim because Snail is a bit too wide.

I forgot to take a photo of the inside of these cards. I stamped the smallest image from the Style Beautiful stamp set in Not Quite Navy (stamped off) onto a 4 x 5 1/4" piece of Very Vanilla to decorate the inside. I also stamped the image on the corner of the envelope.

One of the personal goals I set for myself this year is to use an entire package of designer series paper.  And I have to say (write) that I'm on my way to meeting that goal.  "I cut the dsp and I'm okay.  I cut the dsp and I'm okay.  I cut the dsp and I'm okay."  Call it my exposure therapy.

Happy Stamping!

Susan

Tweet