Monday, January 31, 2011

I Want It All! - Three 3x3s





I decided that for my next set of projects with my "share", I'd make some little Valentines. You can get three little 3x3" cards (3x6" before folding) from a sheet of 8.5 x 11" and still have some scrap left over for future projects. You can ALSO get envelopes to fit, which makes this size ideal for little gift cards! And of course, there is the "cuteness factor" that automatically attaches to miniature things.

I chose to use the Rose Red sheet of CS, cutting a piece 6x9" as illustrated above. I scored down the center of this before cutting it into 3 pieces, each 3x6". Stick one edge of each card in the eyelet or scallop punch, so that the little strip of stripes will show.

From the stripes and rosebuds piece of DSP, cut a half inch piece off one side (work from the stripey side and pay attention to the direction the stripes are going!). Half of this will make two of the cards, so cut another half inch strip for your third card if you wish (you'll have a bit left over). Attach these about 1/8" inside the edge of the card, as shown, using the Tombow. Next, you'll need a strip 1 3/8" wide. When you've cut that, turn it into two pieces, each 2 3/4" in length. Attach these, rosebud side up, to the card fronts, as shown.

All Holidays provided the simple sentiment (what a great set, it covers so many occasions!), stamping with Rose Red classic ink onto a scrap of Naturals Ivory CS. I then used the large oval punch (work from the back to center the sentiment in the opening, then punch) and the scallop oval punch for a "mat" out of a corner of Perfectly Pear CS. I layered these together using Tombow Multi-purpose glue, then popped it on with Stampin' Dimensionals. Note that you can play a bit here, going vertical or horizontal, using roses or knots of seam binding tape (you can adhere either with glue dots or Tombow if you can leave them for a few minutes to dry) or even buttons.

Have fun tailoring to your tastes! -Kathy


Tuesday, January 25, 2011

I Want It All! - Standard Sized Card




Let's make a standard-sized 4.25 x 5.5" card to begin. Choose your base color and two coordinating sheets of designer series paper (DSP). I selected Always Artichoke and the papers you see here.

Begin by cutting a 2" strip from the side of the lighter piece of DSP. It will be 6" long, so cut a bit off so that you are left with a piece 2"x 4 7/8".

Cut a 3/8" strip from the darker DSP, and trim it to 5 1/4" long.

You will divide the Always Artichoke card stock in half, forming two pieces 5.5"x 8.5". Score one of these in half as shown to create a folded card 5.5 x 4.25". (Set the other piece of Artichoke aside for future projects.) Position card horizontally on work surface with hinge at top. Using Tombow Multi-purpose Adhesive, layer on lightest color as shown, placing the left edge of the strip against the left edge of the card. Note that the space below and at the end of the strip are equal. Next, layer on the darker strip just below half way.

Take a moment now to sponge color onto the edges of the card for some depth and interest. I used Not Quite Navy. Using the Tombow, position a large button near the right side of the narrow strip of DSP as shown. This can set as you complete the rest of the card.

On a scrap of Naturals Ivory card stock, stamp desired sentiment in Not Quite Navy classic ink. Work from the back side of the XL Decorative Label punch to center, and punch out. Sponge edges with Not Quite Navy. Punch two more shapes from coordinating scrap to form "mat". Assemble and affix with Tombow.

Finally, look on the remaining piece of light DSP for a large flower and two sets of leaves near an edge. Cut out using Paper Snips, leaving about 1/8" to 1/16" margin around elements to provide stability. Attach with Stampin' Dimensionals. If you are easily frustrated or don't really enjoy cutting with scissors, this step may be omitted.

Voila! You've just completed your first card using "Share" materials. Check back tomorrow for some "Three for One" Valentines. -Kathy






Sunday, January 23, 2011

I Want It All! Spring Share System


Has this happened to you?

A new catalog from Stampin' Up! arrives. You flip through the pages and start circling or turning down page corners. By the time you get to the back cover, you realize: You want it all!! One of everything, thank you very much. Then you start adding up the numbers...

I had seen some other demonstrators using a clever approach to this dilemma. They'd choose some items, see how they'd divide out, then invite that number of people to purchase a "share" of the items so that everyone could have some of all of it. I love this kind of thing, where in sharing... you actually get everything you want. So I decided to try it. I chose my favorite new products from the Spring Mini, divided by eight, and asked my stamp club ladies if they'd be interested. Between the two clubs, we had exactly the right number. So for just $13.00, including tax and shipping, a share provided:


6 sheets 6x6" Springtime Vintage designer paper (Mini p.15)
6 sheets 8.5 x 11" card stock in coordinating colors
3 Adornments Roses, 1 each color (Mini P.15)
3' each Baja Breeze, Rose Red and Perfectly Pear Seam Binding Tape (Mini p.16)
3 mini vintage tags (IB&C P.186)
4 big buttons, 1 each color (Mini p.16)
3 Antique Brads (IB&C p.187)
8 Bitty Buttons, clear, 2 each style (IB&C p.186)


I will be posting a series of ideas of what one might do with these materials, so check back often. And if you're not in a stamp club but you still want it all, watch for the next offer here at the blog or in your e-mail. -Kathy

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Nature Walk



I saw this card created my Lisa Young on the Stampin' Up website and thought it was so pretty.
Just my luck I had one piece of Marina Mist left, but no worries it looks great with Cajun Craze and Always Artichoke as well. Enjoy!

M.

Materials: All materials are Stampin' Up!
Paper: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Early Espresso and Botanical Gazette DSP.
Stamps: Nature Walk.
Ribbon: Jute Thread.
Misc.: Button.
Ink: Early Espresso and Watercolor Crayons and Pencils.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Birthday Wishes



Butterfly wishes for friends Birthday. Hope you had a great day Alex!
Monique

Materials: All materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.
Ink: Rose Red.
Paper: Old Olive, Whisper White, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, and Sweet Pea DSP.
Punches: Eyelet Border, Circle and Scallop Circle.
Ribbon: Old Olive Satin Ribbon.
Misc.: Butterfly Wings Embosslit.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Inspiration is Everywhere


Customers sometimes ask where I get my inspiration. All over the place! From other demos, Stampin' Up! publications, blogs, magazines... even junk mail. It's just one more good reason to pay attention to the details of your life. This card started out as an ad for a computer manufacturer. I just liked the proportions and the way the "swirlycues" flipped from positive to negative. Hey, I thought, I could make that with our product line! So I ripped out the page and headed up to the studio.

An interesting thing often happens when you stamp in white craft on black. The white ink takes on or "reflects" the color nearby - especially if it's a light color. Here it seems to be blue, but I've seen it turn pink and yellow, too.

Technique Tip: When you want to feature a small image as your focal point, give greater visual weight to it by placing it in front of a punched "medallion". Here I've layered a white and a Bashful Blue circle to reinforce the color scheme of the card, and placed it behind the bird (which is attached with Stampin' Dimensionals).


And don't forget to give a little attention to the inside of your card. The impact is well worth your time! -Kathy


All Supplies Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Elements of Style
Ink: Basic Black and Bashful Blue classic; White craft
Paper: Whisper White, Bashful Blue and Basic Black CS
Accessories: ticket corner punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches; Tombow Multi-Purpose Adhesive; Stampin' Dimensionals; narrow gingham ribbon (now retired)

Monday, January 17, 2011

January 2011 Stamp Club Project








My friend and fellow demo Lisa made the first "circular rotation card" for a Christmas swap, and as I was showing it off one of my club members liked it so much that she chose it as the project she wanted me to teach this month. *I* like it so much, I'll be doing it for the gals in both my clubs!
The two pieces of the card are cut out with the Big Shot, and then instead of being folded/attached at a "seam" as a traditional card is, the front and back are held together by a brad which allows the card to rotate open. We used those gorgeous Antique Brads and the new Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper (usually abbreviated DSP). And see the little bows? They're simply torn strips of the coordinating fabric in the mini catalog, tied with linen thread. Speaking of stamp club, I have just a few spaces in both the Lawrence and the Olathe groups. Let me know if you'd like to be part of the fun! -Kathy

Thursday, January 13, 2011

September 2010 Stamp Club



I fell in love with the "Black Magic" technique instantly. It is always striking, the colors "pop", and it's a great alternative approach to using your silhouette stamps. Here are a few examples of what we did at club this month - each person really tweaked the design to come up with their own signature style. I love teaching this stuff and seeing what you all do with it!! -Kathy

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Tea & Sympathy



I think I'm on a roll here... I'm loving this mixy-matchy vintage look and moreover I'm finding that I can cover an unexpectedly wide variety of occasions with the Greeting Card Kids stamp set! Here's a "get well" card with a hidden treasure teabag, the perfect way to send "tea & sympathy" through the mail! I've decorated a Crumb Cake envelope to match. No chance anyone will mistake this for a mass mailing! -Kathy


All supplies Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Greeting Card Kids and Tiny Tags
Ink: Chocolate Chip and Crumb Cake classic (Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede and Bashful Blue for tinting); Black Staz-On
Paper: Naturals Vanilla and Basic Black CS; Love Letter DSP
Accessories: Petal Card die (sorry, this one's retired - but now there's an XL Petal Card handheld punch to try!); scallop and 1 3/8" circle punches; mini vintage tag; 1/4" black grosgrain ribbon

Monday, January 10, 2011

Versatile Red & White




Hello there, stamping friends! I hope you haven't given up on me as I've been working to hammer out a schedule that allows for some new responsibilities in my life, in particular being on the companion roster for my little Mother, now a widow at age 88. The urgent and the important vie for our attention in so many ways, but I am thankful to have this time with her.

DO look back to December 31, I tucked in a couple of new posts that represent various stamp club projects from 2010. I wanted to have a complete visual record here of what we did last year, because it was a great year!

I'm starting my 2011 posts with a "reprise". I loved the easel card that I taught the Olathe ladies in December, so I've taken that same fold and changed out the image to create some valentines. I want to call your attention to the fact that when you're working with a red and white color scheme, you can cover Christmas, Valentine's Day, and summertime "fresh" looks easily from the same set of supplies. Just one of those little tips I've picked up over the years...


-Kathy



All Supplies Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Punch Potpourri (Hostess), Grateful Greetings
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, So Saffron and Crumb Cake classic; Timber Brown Staz-On
Paper: Naturals Ivory, Cherry Cobbler CS; Love Letter DSP
Accessories: Ticket Corner, XL Decorative Label, Scallop Trim Border, Eyelet Border, 1 3/4" Circle, and 1 3/8" Oval punches; Aqua Painter; Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Tape and Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon;Linen thread; Sticky Strip and Tombo Multi-Purpose adhesives; Big Designer and salvaged buttons; Basic Pearl & Basic Rhinestones; 3/16" neutral brads

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Just Because


I made this card for a Set Sampler our 'Cool 'n the Gang' group did last fall. It's always fun to see the different ideas people come up with using the same stamp set. Hope you like.
Monique
Materials: All Materials are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.
Paper: Concord Crush, Very Vanilla, Bravo Burgundy, and So Saffron pattern DSP.
Ink: Bravo Burgundy and Concord Crush.
Stamps: Notably Ornate and En Francais.
Punches: Scallop Circle, Modern Label, and Spiral Border.
Ribbon: So Saffron Grosgrain.
Misc.: Brad.