Finally had a chance to play with it!

This is probably my favourite stamp set in the Summer Mini (at least today!!) and I've finally had a chance to play with it. It's called The Open Sea:

I wanted it to be a masculine card, and this set is great for that, especially when you pair it with the co-ordinating DSP Nautical Expedition. The cardstock is Cherry Cobbler, Basic Gray, and Whisper White.

I heat embossed the ship from the set in silver embossing powder directly onto the DSP:

And I used the new Baker's Twine in White and Cherry Cobbler to add another nautical note.

The 'just because' sentiment is from the Notably Ornate stamp set.

Hope you like it!

Happy Stamping

Carol

Another Mini Scrapbook

OK, I will admit that mini scrapbooks are almost as popular as making cards in my crafting obsession. And since I had purchased a few of the Simply Scrappin' kits from the Clearance Rack I thought it was time to use one. Well actually it took just half of one kit to put this together:

I saw the design on Andrea Walford's blog and copied it using a different kit.

It holds up to 16 4"x4" photos and would make a lovely gift! I'm going to add it to my fall class list - anybody interested?

It opens to show three pages:

And then opens again to show three more pages:

And opens one more time to show the last three pages:

You could add more or less journaling, or more pockets for momentos (I made one center pocket-see above).

The cardstock colours are So Saffron, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White. The Simply Scrappin' kit is Love Sparkles, and all the embellishments are from the set except for the So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon.  The Simply Scrappin' kit is still available here.

Let me know if you are interested in this as a class!

Happy Stamping!
Carol

Scrapbooking Special is Almost Over!

During the month of May, Stampin' Up! has a 30% discount on selected scrapbooking stamp sets, plus items from My Digital Studio (see ad on right hand column).

I just wanted to point out the stamps sets because they are very versatile and can be used for cards as well. Here is a list of the sets, the page where they can be found in the Idea Book & Catalogue, and the sale price:

Be sure to contact me with your order by Tuesday, May 31st, so you won't miss out on this special sale!

A Little Help from my Friend

Isn't it fun to share your crafting passion with a friend! Linda showed me how to make this cute little set:

The box is sturdy as the bottom and cover and made with chipboard. The cards are 3 x 3 inches and perfect for a gift card.

The top of the box is decorated with flowers from the Petal Pizzazz stamp set, and rhinestones...

The cardstock is Basic Black and Rose Red, the DSP is Rose Red from the Subtles Collection. The ink used is Rose Red, Regal Rose, Garden Green, Basic Black.

The box is filled with four cards and envelopes. Here is a close up of one of the cards...

I painted the flowers with Frost White Shimmer Paint to give them shine.

Thanks Linda!

Happy Stamping
Carol

Things I love

There are many things I love, but today I'm talking about the card I made with the Things I Love stamp set:

 

Isn't it a cute little set?! And I like how the images layer so nicely with the Scallop Rectangle Clearlits die. If you don't recognize the punch/die for the sentiment matting that's because I punched the ends with the 

2 3/8" Scallop Circle punch to provide a base for the brads.

The cardstock colours are Baja Breeze, Melon Mambo, and Soft Suede. The DSP is Melon Mambo from the Brights Collection Pack. And the ribbon is Baja Breeze Seam Binding. These are actually the colours for our ASI swap this month, but NO, this is not the card I'm sending! So if you're reading this (and you all know who you are...) the card you receive will be entirely different! 

Hope you like this card.... I'll be back soon with more!

Happy Stamping

Carol

Blank Center Embossing

OK, there must be a more exciting, inspiring, name for this technique than 'Blank Center Embossing'. It's obvious I'm not good at naming things (thank goodness my daughters have family names or heaven knows what I would have come up with...)

This is the final technique that we used this week, and while the title is boring it does explain the finished product:

This is another technique that works best with a small, dense, all-over design Embossing Folder. This makes the blank center more pronounced.

I used a wooden frame with an open center - an oval that is 4 1'4 " wide by 2 4/5 " high. The size of the wooden frame was approximately the size of a finished card. These can be found at craft stores, in wood or as mat boards and should be about 1/16 to 1/8 inch thick. The openings can be oval, round, square, etc.

Cut your cardstock 5 1/4" x 4".
There is a special sandwich for this technique, starting at the bottom:
1. The Multi-Purpose Platform without Tab 2
2. A 1/16" shim of cardstock or cardboard
3. The frame with the open center
4. The embossing folder with the cardstock inside - centered over the open centre of the frame below.
5. A cutting pad on top.
Note you only use one cutting pad for this sandwich.
As each Big Shot is slightly different you may have to adjust the size of your shim to get a good impression from the embossing folder.

This should run through your Big Shot with just slight resistance. If there is a great deal of resistance use a thinner shim, forcing it through could break the Big Shot or any of the sandwich pieces.

It's much easier than it sounds, so I hope you'll give it a try!

Happy Stamping
Carol

Cardstock: Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, River Rock
Ink: Soft Suede
Stamp Set: Countryside, You're A Gem
Accessories: Antique Brads, Eyelets, Bakers Twine Early Espresso, Large Tag Punch, Small Tag Punch.

Interrupted Embossing

I'm sure that's not the official name of this technique but that's what I call it. It's when you partially emboss, leave a space and then finish embossing. This was the second technique we used at our class:

I just love the white on white with all the texture!

For this technique use a densely patterned embossing folder such as this Perfect Polka Dots. Roll it at least 1/2 way through the Big Shot, rewind, remove the cardstock and place the unembossed section at the top/fold of the embossing folder (making sure to line up the dots with the impressions) and just emboss half a turn. When you remove the cardstock there will be a blank space.

Now you can use this blank space for stamping images or sentiments. You can place ribbon there, or scoring. You can see that I scored three lines on each side of the embossing and then attached with glue dots the flower from the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch.

The scalloped square is made with the Scallop Squares Duo, and the sentiment from Word Play (30% off during the month of May!!) is punched out with the 1 3/8" punch.

I think the addition of the pearls 'make' the card!

All cardstock is Whisper White and the ink is Basic Gray.
This was a really quick and easy card to make - I hope you give it a try.

Happy Stamping
Carol

Thank You and Embossing Technique

Hello, and a big Thank You to everyone who visited my blog during the SUDSOL Blog Tour - I appreciate your comments and your visit!

Today I want to show you a card we did at our last Technique class - it shows two different sizes of the Framed Tulips Embossing:

We first embossed the front of the Regal Rose card base using the embossing folder in the usual way. Then, using Whisper White we embossed a smaller piece of cardstock. You can make a larger or smaller Framed Tulips border as long as one side is at least 4 1/4". The cardstock on this card measured 4 1/4" x 3".

Simply place the cardstock in the embossing folder with the 4 1/4" side along the top. Using the regular sandwich run it part way through the Big Shot. 

Remove the sandwich by rewinding the same way it went though. Remove the cardstock, making sure you don't turn it over, and replace it in the embossing folder with the unembossed section at the top of the folder. Make sure the indented images fit in to the indents in the embossing folder, and that the cardstock is high enough to capture the whole of the top row of design.

Run this through the Big Shot part way - making sure it meets up with the previous embossed section, then rewind to remove.

When you remove the cardstock you should have a perfect frame!

Here is a close-up of the butterflies and double frame:

Have fun stamping!

Carol

Welcome to my stop on the SUDSOL Summer Mini Blog Tour!

I'm so glad you're here!

My samples are simple and fast but I think you're going to like them!

Let's get started. My first project is a card made with the new Flower Garden Embossing Folder.

 

The embossed image is strong enough to carry the card and the bold red and black contrast. Simple but striking!

Supplies:

Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Shimmery White

Accessories: Flower Garden Embossing Folder, Real Red Satin Ribbon, Real Red brads from the Brights Collection.

This next card uses the delightful Touch of Kindness stamp set.

Isn't the kitty cat adorable?! 

And all the sentiments fit nicely into the flower which fits perfectly into our 1 3/4" scallop punch.

Supplies:

Cardstock: Peach Parfait, Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Ink: Bashful Blue, Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight, Garden Green, Poppy Parade

Designer Series Paper: Peach Parfait "In Color" pack

Accessories: 1/4" Grosgrain Bashful Blue Ribbon, Scallop Squares Duo die, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch

The next card is simplicity itself, but will still stand out in a crowd:

This card uses the Summer Mini Hostess Level 2 stamp set Love & Care, and the flowers are embossed with the new coloured embossing powders Melon Mambo and Wild Wasabi. You can see the shine!

Supplies: 
Cardstock: Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Designer Series Paper: Wild Wasabi - Subtles pack
Accessories: Embossing Powder - Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi; Scallop Squares Duo die; Scallop Edge Border punch.

The next sample is a purse and note card set and features the new Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch:

I love how easy it is to layer the three punched images:

And you can even cut them in half and use them for a border:

Or cut them in quarters and use them in the corners:

You can place them anywhere and they make a lovely card:

The sturdy purse is made using the Petal Cone die for the sides:

Supplies:
Cardstock: Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette
Designer Series Paper: Subtles Collection - Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette
Ink: Certainly Celery
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Tasteful Trim die, Blossom Bouqet Triple Layer Punch, Scallop Trim Border punch


My final projects were made using patterns and directions chosen from the hundreds in the SUDSOL Creative Files:

Packaging makes all the difference, and here are two ways to dress up a small gift that will make the recipient feel very special.

The first is a Tea Bag Holder:

And the larger container is a Bag in a Box - perfect for a half dozen cookies or brownies or candy.

 

Together they make a lovely gift, and are quick and easy to make!

Supplies:

Tea Bag Holder:

Cardstock: Pacific Point

Designer Series Paper: Beyond the Garden

Stamp Set: Punch Bunch

Accessories: 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punch

Cookie/Treat Bag:

Cardstock: Melon Mambo, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Beyond the Garden

Stamp Set: Punch Bunch

Accessories: 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punch, Round Tab punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, 3/8" Taffeta ribbon - Whisper White, Bakers Twine - White.

I am so glad you could visit my blog today - thank you for taking the time. If you would like to see more of my projects you can visit my SUDSOL gallery HERE.

If you are a demo and wish to sign up for SUDSOL's Free Two-Week Introductory Package (and I think  you should!), just click on the SUDSOL image in the right hand column.

Happy Stamping!

Carol

Getting Ready for the SUDSOL Blog Tour

It's only a few days away - Tuesday, May 17th! You will see lots of samples using the new Summer Mini Catalogue products on lots of blogs! Everyone is welcome to do the tour, but if you're a Stampin' Up! Demo you'll want to check out the SUDSOL (Simply Unique Demonstrators Sharing On Line) site. I've been a member for 3 years and refer to it often for patterns, directions, ideas, samples, and answers to a myriad of questions.

I've been working on my samples and can't wait to show them to you but we have to wait!!! In the meantime I have this to share with you:

These are the Atlantic Stampers Ink April Swap cards! Our theme was simply 'a card for a child'.

Here is Linda's card:

She has used one of the new Summer Mini stamp sets - Sunny Fun for the image.

Louise's card uses a cute popsicle shaped design:

The inside image and sentiment is from Wellness Wishes.

My card uses a variety of punches (I saw this card years ago and recreated it):

Oscar, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, and Elmo all say Hello!

Maree's card celebrates the star in all our children:

And finally Sandi's card:

This cute train is carrying animals from the Fox & Friends stamp set.

Which one is your favourite?

Happy Stamping
Carol

Romance is in the air!

Here are a group of cards that I love (I can say that as I only made one of them!!) I posted one of them yesterday but it didn't do it justice so I'm showing it again.

The cards are cased from other demos (Karen Barber, Vicki Burdick, Sage Kimble, and Caroline Skinner), thank you ladies for sharing your creations.

And here are the ones that Maree, Suzy, and I made last week.

And close up:

Hope you enjoyed them as much as we did!!
Happy Stamping
Carol

What to do when your camera is stolen?

Well, the first thing I did was count my lucky stars that I had downloaded all my photos. But as the days went by I realized how much I need my camera for my craft business - photos of upcoming classes, updating blogs, photos of ideas for inspiration, etc., etc., etc..

So while I wait optimistically for my camera to be found (hahahaha) I guess I'd better purchase a new one!

In the meantime here is a card that Maree made while she was visiting last week:

Isn't it bee-you-tiful!!!
It doesn't show so well because I had to scan it...

Thanks for stopping by!
Carol

Technical Difficulties and Good Friends

Hello Everyone!

I have to apologize for not posting the past few days and for missing my first Friday Scapbook page - it is due to the fact that my camera is missing in action. As soon as it is 'recovered' I will get back on track.

In the meantime I've been having a wonderful visit from Maree and her friend from New Zealand, Suzy! We've had so much fun, and thanks to Suzy's camera I can show you a few things.

This is a card I CASEd from Sarah Wills, changing the colours and DSP. I used Wild Wasabi card stock and Beyond the Garden DSP (found in the new Summer Mini). The flower is made using the Fun Flowers die and the brad is from the Sweet Stitches package. (retired). The border is punched with the Scallop Trim Border.

I really like the added treat of the book mark, and the sentiments from the stamp set Blessed Mother are lovely. (it's from the Occasions Mini but I hope it will be carried over into the new IB&C in July!!)

Hopefully my camera will be returned within the next few days or I will need to purchase one. Wish me luck!

Happy Stamping
Carol

Want to see what's inside the antique box I made???

If you visited yesterday you saw the outside of the box, well here's a peek at what's inside...

A set of six Thank You cards:

I wanted to keep them looking old and antiquey (is that a word?), so I sponged them all with Soft Suede. I chose to showcase a different embossing folder on each card, and I tied them all together by using the same colours - Tempting Turquoise, Crumb Cake, and Very Vanilla.

Because I had gold embossed some of the elements on the book box, I wanted to use gold embossing on some of the cards too.

Cards 1 & 2

 

The first one uses the Manhattan Flower Embossing Folder and after it was embossed I gently rubbed the sheet with VersaMark and then heat embossed it with gold Embossing Powder. Then I coloured in the roses with a Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Write Marker. Stamped 'thanks' from the Thank You Kindly stamp set and it's done. I really like how the VersaMark held some of the gold embossing within the petals too.

The second card uses the Framed Tulip Embossing Folder, plus the single Fine Flourish stamp and flowers from the new Fabulous Florets set from the new Summer Mini. There's a bit of glitter in the centre of the flowers too.

Cards 3 & 4

Card three is made using the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder and the raised design was sponged with Soft Suede. I used the Fine Flourish stamp matted with the largest of the two Scallop Squares Duo Die.

I made card four with the new Flower Garden Embossing Folder and used the same technique of gently rubbing the VersaMark pad over the raised image and heat embossed with gold embossing powder. The shine doesn't show very well in the photo but it's impressive in real life!

Cards 5 & 6

The fifth card uses the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder. However I used a technique I learned from Sandi MacIver of embossing 2/3 of the paper, then taking it out of the folder, turning it end for end, and embossing a small section on the bottom. This leaves a flat space for stamping. I also scored lines below and above the dots. (click on the photo to enlarge)

The last card... well I'm not sure I like it, but I included it anyway. (I was reminded that everyone has their own unique opinions about cards when I showed my husband a card I had carefully distressed and sponged and he said "Well I like the image but it's too bad it's torn along the edge - can you fix it?") So someone may like it the best! I rubbed the Tempting Turquoise Classic Ink Pad on the indented side of the Elegant Lines Embossing Folder and ran the paper through the Big Shot. 

One of my favourite parts of the whole project is the 'binding' of the book:

It kind of reminds me of those Readers Digest Condensed Books!

Hope you enjoyed this project - I'd love to hear your opinion!

Happy Stamping!
Carol