We Create Blog Hop: Pattern Play

Happy July! The year is officially half over- I can't even believe it! A new month always means a new blog hop to inspire you, so here's what I've got today...

Stampin' Up! has a sale on our beautiful Designer Series Paper, beginning today, so we decided to feature some of that paper for you! I picked In Good Taste, which is only $17.85 (US) today and all month long! 

My card uses the latest sketch from the Fusion Card Challenge, which gave me a chance to show off three of the different prints in this pack. 

Supplies:

Stamps: A Good Man

Ink: Memento Black, Night of Navy, 

Stampin' Blends: Night of Navy Dark & Light, Daffodil Delight Dark & Light, Pumpkin Pie Dark & Light, Ivory

Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla & Night of Navy card stocks, In Good Taste DP (ON SALE NOW!)

Accessories: Circle dies, Dimensionals, Big Shot (retired)

There are lots of other beautiful DP's on sale this month too! Check them all out HERE! 

Now, hop on thru to Tricia with the button below, and then on to every one else so you can see them in our projects! It's a short hop, and you'll love what you find.

Kimberly Morris

Libby Fens

Tanya Harvey - That's Me! 

Tricia Butts

Jeanna K

Cheryl Curtis 

And beat the heat with some papercrafting and stamping yourself! 

We Create Blog Hop: Relationship Celebrations

And today is June, and around here that means summer! School ended last week or earlier for my kids so we are ready! A new month means a new blog hop, so be sure and click through to see everyone's projects! 

This month we're focusing on celebrating relationships, and I need some Father's Day cards so that was a perfect match!
For my card, I used the sketch from Inspire.Create.Challenges, and the challenge to use Stampin' Blends from TGIF Challenges. Another perfect match because coloring these cute images is fun with the Blends! 

Supplies:

Stamps: A Good Man

Ink: Memento Black

Stampin' Blends: Light & Dark Night of Navy, Light & Dark Old Olive, Light & Dark Pumpkin Pie, Dark Daffodil Delight, Light Petal Pink, Ivory, Bronze

Paper: Very Vanilla, In Good Taste DP

Accessories: Linen Thread, Dimensionals, scotch tape

Now click the button below to hop over to Tricia's blog and see what she's made to inspire you today!

Then hop on thru to see everyone's! 

And then make something pretty this week and send it on to someone! 

Kimberly

Tanya <--- Me!
Tricia
Libby

Jeanna

Cheryl

A Birthday Card!

It feels like it's been forever since I stamped anything! I really needed a guy birthday card so this is what I put together. It was pretty simple, but I find that best when I'm "coming back to stamping", haha!
I used the sketch from TGIF Challenges, and it also goes for the SUO Challenge to make a birthday card! And it's going out in the mail today too! 

Supplies:

Stamps: A Good Man
Ink: Pretty Peacock
Paper: Mango Melody & Whisper White card stocks, Plaid Tidings DP 
Accessories: Linen Thread, Dimensionals 

New Toys!

Happy Wednesday! I haven't blogged for a few days but I have emailed out my newsletter and updated on facebook...

Today I have lots of new stuff, wrapped into one little card! I used the latest sketch from Fab Friday, along with two new colors, one new DP, one new ribbon and one new punch! FUN! The only thing "old" is the greeting and that is because my son still needs thank you notes!

Supplies:
Stamps: A Good Man
Ink: Memento Black
Paper: Misty Moonlight, Bumblebee, World of Good DP
Accessories: Flowers for Every Season Ribbon (the twine), Lovely Labels Pick A Punch, Dimensionals

Daddy Birthday

Today I have another masculine card for you, and again with the retiring products! (Seriously tho- they are selling out so hurry and order if you want it!)
I combined the sketch from The Paper Players and the colors from the As You See It challenge for this sweet card for my daughter to give her father for his birthday. For the girl's hair I used Soft Suede lines and then went over it with So Saffron. Stampin' Blends work better, but that's what I had, ha! I did sneak in a tiny bit of blue marker for the water at his feet, but I like how it turned out.

Supplies:
Stamps: A Good Man, Sending You Thoughts (retired)
Ink: Memento Black, Soft Suede marker, Lovely Lipstick marker (retiring!), Call Me Clover marker (retiring!), So Saffron marker, Blueberry Bushel marker (retiring!)
Paper: Soft Suede, Call Me Clover & Whisper White card stock
Accessories: Dimensionals

Texture!

I need several of all sorts of cards right now, so the other day I got seven made! That means you don't only have to see scrapbook pages when you visit my blog, haha! I pulled out the embossing paste and played with three of the Decorative Masks that are on the retiring list, and a bunch of other retiring products! Check it all out HERE, choose me as your demonstrator if you don't already have one, and place an order before it's gone!

Here are two of those cards...
This one uses the sketch from the Fusion Card Challenge.

Supplies:
Stamps: Silhouette Scenes, A Good Man
Ink: Night of Navy
Paper: Balmy Blue, Whisper White card stocks
Accessories: Navy/Sahara Sand twine (retiring!), Pattern Party Decorative Masks (retiring!), Embossing Paste, Silicone Craft Sheet, Palette Knives

And then I made this stamp-less card. This one used a challenge that ended last night, but I'm posting it now. I used the colors from the card to make mine.

Supplies:
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Basic Black, Granny Apple Green card stocks
Accessories: White Baker's Twine (sold out!), Pattern Party Decorative Masks (retiring!), Embossing Paste, Silicone Craft Sheet, Palette Knives, Circle dies (retiring!), Well Written dies, Big Shot, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

What are you making??

Thank You's

'tis the season for end of year teacher appreciation gifts!
This year, as you well know, the teachers went above and beyond trying to teach kids over the internet. Some used videos, some had to learn new software, and presumably most if not all of them missed the kids they kinda never saw again.
Both of my kids are moving on from the school they attend, and both wanted to thank the teachers they've had more than one year, or for more than one class....and in some cases, both! I had a decent stash of thank you cards but I did need one more masculine card. I picked the sketch from Sunday Stamps. I let my son pick the supplies for this card, and this image is perfect for this teacher who is going from a crazy-busy position to a much calmer, 8-5, lol...

Supplies:
Stamps: A Good Man
Ink: Night of Navy
Paper: Whisper White card stock, Come Sail Away DP (retiring)
Accessories: Circle Dies (retiring), Big Shot

Relax!

I needed some birthday cards for a man, so I'll share those over the next few days haha.
This first one is monochromatic and pretty simple too. I used a sketch from Sketch Saturday for the layout, and then I also thought it fit the Just Us Girls challenge to frame it!

Supplies:
Stamps: A Good Man
Ink: Early Espresso
Paper: Very Vanilla & Soft Suede card stock, Come Sail Away DP

What are you creating this week? Hopefully something fun!!

We Create Red, White and Blue Blog Hop

Annnd now it's July!! The year is half over! I am so not prepared to realize that, but! here we are! And a new month always means a new blog hop to inspire your own creativity!

This month, since it's the 4th of July in the United States, and hot summer months elsewhere, we're going with the bold combination of red, white and blue! I wanted to stick with this set I am loving, so I put together a quick beach scene with this relaxing guy for a birthday card. I am in serious need of masculine birthday cards at the moment...!
I used the sketch from Freshly Made Sketches, and it also works for the current SUO challenge to make a birthday card! Helpful!

Supplies:
Stamps: A Good Man, Well Said
Ink: Memento Black, Pacific Point, So Saffron, Crumb Cake
Stampin' Blends: Dark Cherry Cobbler, Dark Night of Navy, Ivory, Color Lifter
Paper: Balmy Blue, Whisper White & Pacific Point card stocks
Accessories: Stamping Sponges, Big Shot, Well Written dies, In the Woods dies

Mostly I stuck to red, white and blue, but I did sponge on some sand using So Saffron and Crumb Cake. It just needed something between the guy sitting and the water...

Any special plans for the 4th? Any special plans for July? We have a birthday and a little getaway planned but I am hoping for a little down time, since June was PACKED.... Maybe even a day that looks like this card! haha... Here's hoping!

Hop on over to see what Cheryl has made for you using the button below, then hop on thru everyone else's projects too! It's a short hop this month, but you'll find something to get your own wheels turning!

Northern Lights

I had a plan...and it so did not work, haha. So I tried this instead. This was my second try at the "galaxy background". Both tries were on Monday, haha. The first time I was hoping for fireworks, but I'll show you at the end why it didn't work out.

I still wanted to use the idea in my head, so I went with a starry sky instead. I used the sketch from The Paper Players for the layout. And I love this cute father and daughter image, watching the night sky.

Supplies:
Stamps: A Good Man, Little Twinkle
Ink: Real Red, Pacific Point, Flirty Flamingo, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Memento Black, Versamark, Crumb Cake
Stampin' Blends: Light Basic Black, Light Pumpkin Pie, Dark Night of Navy, Bronze, Ivory, Color Lifter
Paper: Mint Macaron & Whisper White card stocks

I even stamped the inside to go with the outside!!

So, for my first attempt...
Since I was trying to do fireworks, I kept the colors bold- Real Red, Coastal Cabana, Pacific Point, Night of Navy. You just sponge it on your card stock, then sponge black ink around it for the "night sky". I then added these little flower centers from Colorful Seasons, embossed in white. But this is what I got....

I don't often throw something away but I sure don't know how else to use that, haha... what do you think? Have you tried any new techniques lately?

Great Guy Card

I told you I'd be back with some stamping, haha...!
Today's card was made at my last event, just in time for Father's Day cards! The DP retired at the beginning of June, but the coordinating stamps and dies did not. However, I don't have the coordinating stamps or dies... just the little embellishments. And those stuck around too! But we made the card anyway, and it was quick and cute and that makes it a hit! We borrowed words from another card kit that used the "A Good Man" stamp set, and tacked on the cute embellishment of choice (a car key or a wrench) and that was that!

Supplies:
Stamps: A Good Man
Ink: Memento Black
Paper: Crushed Curry, Basic Gray card stocks, Classic Garage DP (retired)
Accessories: Classic Garage Metal Elements, Glue Dot

Did you get Father's Day cards out this year? I only got my family to send some to my father-in-law. So I just want to remind you to never underestimate the power of a card in the mail. This card doesn't say anything about Father's Day - it could be a birthday or a thank you or whatever you need to say "I'm thinking about you..." with. Cards are magical!

Summer Woods

Here is a set that I am so glad stuck around in the new catalog! I've used these trees so far for winter, fall, winter, spring and spring, so here's my first summer version! This is also for my upcoming class- great for a guy, (Father's Day is almost here!) or for anything else you might need. Personally, I used this greeting from the A Good Man set, and it still could be sent to pretty much anyone!

I started with the latest sketch from the Inspire.Create. blog, tho I kind of added a bit. I wanted to mat the main image with copper foil DP but I didn't have enough for a class, so a strip of foil has to work! I also heat embossed the trees- a technique I haven't shown in years!

Supplies:

Stamps: Winter Woods, A Good Man

Ink: Versamark, Old Olive, Cajun Craze

Paper: Old Olive & Very Vanilla card stock, Copper Foil DP

Accessories: Copper Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Stamping Sponge

However, heat embossed images, and foil paper can be pretty tricky to photograph, so let's try that again...

Hmm...still tricky. But trust me, it looks neat with the definition to the branches and the sponged on "leaves". And really, I love that these trees work for all seasons.

New Catalog!!

Happy New Catalog Day to you! A new catalog is always so exciting- new colors, new stamps, new accessories, new tools!

I got lots of stamping done yesterday in preparation for my upcoming classes, (yeay!! finally!!!) and I get to show off a couple of brand new catalog products for you today!

This is one of my favorite new sets in the catalog, altho, if we're honest here, there are maaany. These images, especially the ones with the children, look like actual photos of my husband and my own father. I know I can get a lot of use out of this set! For my class however, I am offering a few cards that will work for Father's Day (it's coming up- are you ready?) or a man's birthday, or really whoever. Since I don't know what image my customers will like the best, I thought I'd give them a choice of images and greetings. I have a few stamping friends that even when given choices, will still copy my card exactly, even if they might get more use out of a variation. So I made all three options! I also chose to color them in different ways, showing the versatility of our tools, but also giving them a chance to try something new, or stick with something easy if they'd prefer that! It doesn't matter how you like to color your images, we've got something you'll like. And I love that part!

So here is my full set- and it shows my favorite new In Color, Seaside Spray!
The set qualifies for the latest TGIF challenge which is to make a set! Handy! Also, it totally qualifies for the latest SUO Challenge to make something masculine!

For all three cards, I used the same sketch, found at the Sketch Saturday blog. The color combo came from a very old stamp kit, back when our DP was one sided, haha. But I love the shades of blue with the orange, (even if the kit I'm thinking of used More Mustard) and it's nice and masculine too.

This first card is the most simple. The image was stamped in that great new Seaside Spray, I really do love it!

Supplies:

Stamps: A Good Man

Ink: Pacific Point, Seaside Spray

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Pacific Point, Seaside Spray, Whisper White

Accessories: Dimensionals

This second card is colored with Watercolor Pencils and Blender Pens- one of the first techniques I learned with Stampin' Up! I used the slightest hint of Calypso Coral pencil for the skin and the Blender Pens didn't even make him look sunburned, haha! Also, I am pretty sure I know just who this card is going to...

Supplies:
Stamps: A Good Man
Ink: Pacific Point, Stazon Black
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Pacific Point, Seaside Spray, Whisper White
Accessories: Watercolor Pencils, Blender Pens, Dimensionals

And my final card is going to be a Father's Day card, even if I haven't figured out yet for whom...! I SO love this image!! I used the Stampin' Blends on this card, except the water. I don't have a light blue shade of Blends yet, so for this I used the Seaside Spray ink pad and a Blender Pen.

Supplies:

Stamps: A Good Man

Ink: Pacific Point, Memento Black, Seaside Spray, Bronze Stampin' Blends, Ivory Stampin' Blends, Dark Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Blends, Light Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Blends, Dark Night of Navy Stampin' Blends, Color Lifter Pen

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Pacific Point, Seaside Spray, Whisper White

Accessories: White Baker's Twine, Dimensionals

So! There's a new stamp set, and a new In Color. What do you think?
If you don't have a copy of the catalog yet, it is right there on my sidebar for your convenience! You can also contact me to get a hardcopy if you'd rather. There are SO many things I am looking forward to in the new catalog! Tell me your favorite!