Wedding Birds

I took a little hiatus for the holidays, and now I am refreshed and ready to get back to it.  To get back into the groove I decided to start with an Inspiration Challenge (IC369) from SplitcoastStampers.  The challenge was to find something on a website called "Wedding Bells" that inspired you.  I came across a personalize candle that I just loved!

Since getting the bird punch it has become a favorite of mine.  When I saw the candle I immediately thought of it and knew what I wanted to do.

The colors were obvious, as well.  The birds and limbs were done in Chocolate Chip and the abstract leafs from circles were punched from Certainly Celery.   It is a beautiful color combo that is perfect for a wedding.  The card is very neutral as works from both men and women.

I did some embossing on the border of both the front and inside of the card (which is a little hard to see in these pictures) which give a little extra elegance.  A simple sentiment (For the Newlyweds) completes the card perfectly.

Overall, I think this card captures the inspiration and make a wonderful wedding card.

Papers: Very Vanilla (#101650), Chocolate Chip (#102128), Certainly Celery (#105125)
Inks: Chocolate Chip (#126979), Certainly Celery (#126958)
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes (#115370), Affection Collection (#127949, retires Jan 2nd)
Other Supplies: Bird Builder Punch (#117191), 3/4" Circle Punch (#119873), 1/2" Circle Punch (#119869), Standard Hole Punch, Simply Scored (#122334)

Bird Builder Punch (#117191)

Affection Collection (#127949) - Expires January 2, 2013

RECEIVE A FREE SPRING CATALOG 
& SALE-A-BRATION BROCHURE!  
If you would like FREE copies of both sent to you, please visit my website and click contact me to let me know.  U.S. delivery only.  If you already have a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, please contact them directly for your catalogs.  No demonstrator requests for catalogs, please.  

Karate Birthday Card

This is a card that I made for my son's Karate instructor.  His birthday is tomorrow and I thought he would enjoy a cute origami gi.  Since this card is intended for a man, I tried to keep the colors masculine and the design simple.

The gi was made from printer paper since it is thinner and easier to fold than cardstock.  I used instructions I found on YouTube for an origami soccer uniform.  The belt was made with some black grosgrain ribbon.  Since the instructor is a black belt, it is appropriate for his card to have one too.

The inside of the card has a simple birthday greeting.  I added four stripes to the side of the card, since he recently became a fourth degree black belt.  His new belt is embroidered in red, so that is where the color choice came from.

A clean and simple card with a masculine feel.   And the colors and design will be meaningful.  Plus, I think it is really cute!

Papers: Whisper White (#100730), Basic Black (#121045), Cherry Cobbler (#119685)
Inks: Cherry Cobbler (#126966)
Stamps: Curly Cute (#120510)
Other Supplies: Neutral Brads (#119736), Big Shot (#113439), Square Lattice Folder (#119976), Black Grosgrain Ribbon (retired - could substitute with taffeta ribbon)

Square Lattice Folder (#119976)

Curly Cute (#120510)

HOLIDAY TREAT BUNDLES!
Looking for cute ways to package little treats and gifts for co-workers, teachers, neighbors, and friends?  Simply add a treat or gift and assemble. Lighten your holiday load without emptying your wallet!  See my Promotions page for details.

Technique Tuesday: Magical Masking

Magical Masking is the technique for today. You simply tear a piece of masking tape long enough to cover your cardstock, press the sticky side to an ink pad, and then press it to the paper.  The masking tape can be used as is, if you are using glossy paper.  If you want to use regular cardstock, you will need to remove some of the stickiness from the tape by pressing it to fabric a couple of times first.

The masking tape leaves a very interesting texture, and no design is ever the same.  You can use this to make stripes, as done here, or you can make plaids or checkers.

A simple central design leaves the masking visible.  It is hard to tell from the photos, but the Elegant Eggplant color was chosen as a combination of the red and blue.

Papers: Whisper White (#100730)
Inks: Rose Red (#126954), Baja Breeze (#126960), Elegant Eggplant (#126969)
Stamps: Mixed Medley (#128057), Lacy & Lovely (#122887)
Other Supplies: 1-1/4" Scallop Circle Punch (#127811), 3/4" Circle Punch (#119873)

Mixed Medley (#128057)

Lacy & Lovely (#122887)

HOLIDAY TREAT BUNDLES!
Looking for cute ways to package little treats and gifts for co-workers, teachers, neighbors, and friends?  Simply add a treat or gift and assemble. Lighten your holiday load without emptying your wallet!  See my Promotions page for details.

MOJO 272: Blue Hearts

The sketch challenge at Mojo Monday this week is a clean and simple sketch that was adapted for this card.

For my card, the hearts remained - only a little larger and overlapping.  Also, the DSP for the hearts adds interest to the design without cluttering the card.

Some of the small details include paper-piercing on the corners, embossing on the "ribbon," and a color coordinated brad.  I am constantly amazed at how versatile this DSP is, even though it is in the Holiday Catalog.

I have a friend who recently gave me some wonderful things, and this card is going to her as a Thank You for her generosity.

Papers: Very Vanilla (#101650), Island Indigo (#122923), Festival of Prints DSP (#126904)
Inks: Island Indigo (#126986)
Stamps: Curly Cute (#120510)
Other Supplies: Paper-Piercing Tool (#126189), Paper-Piercing Mat (#126199), Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack (#126187), Big Shot (#113439), Square Lattice Folder (#119976), Heart Framelits (#125599), Designer Printed Brads (#122940)

Festival of Prints DSP (#126904)

Curly Cute (#120510)

HOLIDAY TREAT BUNDLES!
Looking for cute ways to package little treats and gifts for co-workers, teachers, neighbors, and friends?  Simply add a treat or gift and assemble. Lighten your holiday load without emptying your wallet!  See my Promotions page for details.

Technique Tuesday: No Stamping!

Sometimes, stamps are not necessary.  I love my stamps, and not using them is a bit of a challenge, but today these cards feature no stamps at all.

For the first card, several die cut leaves were layered to make a wreath.  Colored rhinestones and a ribbon make a beautiful CAS holiday card.

For the second card, ribbon and punch art make cute candles.  To continue the In Color theme some layered scallops were added to embellish.

Papers: Whisper White (#100730), Old Olive (#100702), Gumball Green (#126840), Primrose Petals (#126841), Summer Starfruit (#126839), Raspberry Ripple (#126842), Midnight Muse (#126843), Basic Black (#121045), So Saffron (#105118), Cherry Cobbler (#119685)
Inks: Pumpkin Pie (#126945)
Stamps: None
Other Supplies: Big Shot (#113439), Little Leaves Sizzlit (#114511), Adorning Accents Edgelits (#125595), Rhinestones (#119246), Stitched Ribbon (Gumball Green #126848, Primrose Petals #126844, Summer Starfruit #126846, Raspberry Ripple #126845, Midnight Muse #126847), Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon (#122988), Bird Builder Punch (#117191)

Little Leaves Sizzlit (#114511)

Adorning Accents Edgelits (#125595)

Stampin' Up! Ink-redible Promotion
New demonstrators who join the Stampin' Up! family by December 16th will received a FREE collection of Classic Stampin Pads.  You can choose from Brights, Subtles, or Regals! You can also get a FREE collection of Classic Stampin Pads for hosting a qualifying party.  Click below for details.

Fab Friday #08

I have been under the weather lately, but I am on the mend and back at it.  For today, the card is featuring colors from the Fab Friday Challenge.

These colors were a little hard to begin with, but I have been wanting to make a cardinal for some time now.  The Real Red is perfect for this cute winter bird.

After the bird was introduced the rest of the design came together quickly.  The Stampin' Dazzle Gold Marker was great for the beak of the cardinal, as well as coloring the pearls for the flower centers.  Sponging was used on the background to enhanced the pattern and on the bird for shading.

The woven ribbon pattern and the two flowers made "Happy Anniversary" the perfect choice in sentiment.

Papers: Whisper White (#10730), Pool Party (#122924), Primrose Petals (#126841), Real Red (#102482), Gumball Green (#126840)
Inks: Real Red (#126949), Cherry Cobbler (#126966), Pool Party (#126982)
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes (#115370)
Other Supplies: 1/2" Circle Punch (#119869), Bird Builder (#117191), Word Window Punch (#119857), Primrose Petals Stitched Ribbons (#126844), Gumball Green Stitched Ribbon (#126848), Big Shot (#113439), Perfect Polka Dot Folder (#117335), Petals-a-Plenty Folder (#116824)

Bird Builder Punch (#117191)

Petals-a-Plenty Folder (#116824)

Stampin' Up! Ink-redible Promotion
New demonstrators who join the Stampin' Up! family from November 1st to December 16th will received a FREE collection of Classic Stampin Pads.  You can choose from Brights, Subtles, or Regals! You can also get a FREE collection of Classic Stampin Pads for hosting a qualifying party.  Click below for details.

Technique Tuesday: Pop-Up Gift Card Holder

Today I was finishing up some gift wrapping for a family that we adopted.  One of the gifts that needed to be wrapped was a gift card, so I found a great tutorial on SplitcoastStampers. 

Since this is a present, I made sure to mark it "Do Not Open 'Til Christmas."  The faceted button adds just the right touch.  I changed the design a little by using a ribbon to tie the card closed, instead of a belly band.

On the inside of the card, the gift card "pops-up."  The inside was decorated with DSP in two main colors to keep it from getting too busy.

Papers: Very Vanilla (#101650), Lucky Limeade (#122926), Festival of Prints DSP (#126904)
Inks: Cherry Cobbler (#126966)
Stamps: Curly Cute (#120510), Tags til Christmas (#120847)
Other Supplies: Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon (#119960), Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine (#123125), Sticky Strip (#104294), Ornament Punch (#119847), Curly Label Punch (#119851), Faceted Button (#127555), Simply Scored Tool (#122334)

Tags til Christmas (#120847)

Festival of Prints DSP (#126904)

Ornamental Elegance Kit--While Supplies Last!

The ornament on the cover of our holiday catalog is such a hit that we are making it available to you--just in time to deck the halls with terrific trimmings you've made yourself! We've simplified this fun project so that you can quickly and easily achieve the same results.  

The Ornamental Elegance Kit (132832) is $14.95 and includes:

• Die-Cut Cardstock Elements
• Cherry Cobbler 3-1/2" Scalloped Tulle Ribbon
• Natural Linen Thread
• Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons 
• Large Pearl Basic Jewels

Order these now so you will have plenty of time to make them for Christmas gifting--or for your family tree! Available while supplies last.