Banners Everywhere

Today's post is all about Banners.  It seems that a lot of people are using them this week in their challenges, so I thought I would play along.  The card is based on a sketch from Deconstructed Sketches (#91).  I stayed pretty close to the sketch, just used the central design for my entire card front instead of an inset.

When looking at the various DSP options for the banners, something spoke to me with the distressed look of the Number One DSP.  So, the overall look of the card is a little "rough around the edges."

Another challenge that used banners this week was the SplitcoastStampers Digital Scrapbook.  The challenge was to use Flags and Flowers, so that is what I have done here on this 12x12 page.  The soft colors are beautiful with the floral theme.  I am in the process of moving my photos, so I will have to fill one in later. 

Banners can be any size, any shape, and in any design.  How could you use them?

Supplies: MDS2 (#130910), Flag Punch, Number One DSP, Splatter Brush Set, Bloomin' Marvelous Brush Set, Circle Punch, Cottage Wall DSP, First Edition Brush Set

Number One Digital Kit

Cottage Wall DSP

Paper Pumpkin

Paper Pumpkin is your very own paper fairy godmother (without the white hair).   I'm the total package:

• I've got all the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create pinable projects. Projects like cards, journals, décor, and more!
• I'm all cut, measured, and ready—with instructions included.
• I'm a new and exciting surprise every month.
• Please list me as your demonstrator, so I know you are getting your goodies.

Paper Craft Crew: Squares

Today's inspiration came from the Paper Craft Crew Sketch Challenge (#31).  The card is a slight variation on the sketch.  I turned the card to portrait and moved the sentiment.  I reversed the shadows on the flowers to make them appear to be inset.

The sketch is simple enough to fit any need, but also offers a lot of room for creativity.  You can put anything on the squares, make them from DSP, or change the shape completely.

The inside of the card uses the DSP again across the bottom and a sweet sentiment.  What could you do with 5 squares and infinite imagination?

Supplies: MDS2 (130910), Fantabulous You Brush Set, You're My Sunshine Brush Set, Travel Log DSP, Square Punch, Decorative Label Punch

Fantabulous You Brush Set

Sale-a-Bration Is Going On NOW!

Sale-a-Bration is an anunal party with loads of free products!  This year it is better than ever... in honor of Stampin' Up! celebrating 25 years.  There are three ways to enjoy:

1. Host a party: You can get a pack of silver glimmer paper for $150 party, or you can get glimmer paper and a free product bundle for a $400 party.  Plus you still get the everyday hostess benefits.
2. Shop for yourself: For every $50 in product that you purchase you get to pick one free SAB item.  Spend $100 pick two.  This offer is also valid for anyone shopping at your party.
3. Join the Stampin' Up! Family: During SAB, you can get 25% more in your starter kit.  You get to choose $156.50 worth or product for only $99.  Whether you want to start your own business or just enjoy this as a hobby, that is a great deal!

Technique Tuesday: Digital Punch Art

I am a huge fan of punch art and love to make a variety of things with it.  You can see some of the previous punch art that I have done here.  The idea for the fire hydrant came from a fellow demo, Andi Potler, and you can see her tutorial on her blog.  I decided to try this with MDS and I think it came out pretty cute.  And what better to go with a fire hydrant that a birthday cake covered in candles.

This card features some punch art birds on a wire.  I love how versatile the ornament punch is when I am doing paper punch art, and it is just as versatile in MDS.  The cropping feature in MDS came in quite handy on this one and the ability to type your own text made this sentiment too funny to pass up.

Another experiment I wanted to try was to make a card in MDS that I had previously done with paper.  In my previous post on punch art I did a frog with a lily pad, so I recreated here.  I have to admit that I like the paper version better because of the shading that sponging gives.  I think the MDS card is cute, but still love manipulating paper to make new images.

Supplies: MDS2 (#130910)

Sale-a-Bration Is Going On NOW!

Sale-a-Bration is an anunal party with loads of free products!  This year it is better than ever... in honor of Stampin' Up! celebrating 25 years.  There are three ways to enjoy:

1. Host a party: You can get a pack of silver glimmer paper for $150 party, or you can get glimmer paper and a free product bundle for a $400 party.  Plus you still get the everyday hostess benefits.
2. Shop for yourself: For every $50 in product that you purchase you get to pick one free SAB item.  Spend $100 pick two.  This offer is also valid for anyone shopping at your party.
3. Join the Stampin' Up! Family: During SAB, you can get 25% more in your starter kit.  You get to choose $156.50 worth or product for only $99.  Whether you want to start your own business or just enjoy this as a hobby, that is a great deal!

Fab Friday 12: Crazy You

This card was inspired by the Fab Friday Color Challenge (#12).  Being a SAHM, I have many friends who are in the same boat that I am - crazy stressed by their kids, work, life, etc.  And not all of them are into Craft Therapy the way I am.  Sometimes the smallest act of kindness can make all the difference.  I hope this card makes my fellow moms feel loved.

I love these soft cool colors together.  These colors would make a wonderful card for just about anything, but I wanted to make a card that I could use for any occasion.  This one will be perfect for so many of my friends.

In order to add the illusion of texture I did some digital embossing on the background.  By using a background stamp in the same color as the background and then adding a white drop shadow you can give the illusion of embossing.  And, with so many great stamps to choose from the embossed design options are endless.

Supplies: MDS2 (#130910), Fantabulous You (#129920), Autumn Elements (#127172)

Fantabulous You (#129920)

Autumn Elements (#127172)

Paper Pumpkin

Paper Pumpkin is your very own paper fairy godmother (without the white hair).   I'm the total package:

• I've got all the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create pinable projects. Projects like cards, journals, décor, and more!
• I'm all cut, measured, and ready—with instructions included.
• I'm a new and exciting surprise every month.
• Please list me as your demonstrator, so I know you are getting your goodies.

All About LOVE

Today I am focusing on a scrapbook layout that I did for Valentine's Day.  It uses almost every size of the Hearts Framelits.

The fist page has one photo square (which I have yet to fill) and a journal area created with the Labels Framelits.  The banner was created with the Primrose Petals Stitched Ribbon.

The pink journaling mat was also embossed with Stampin' Up's new scoring plate.  It adds great detail and texture.  And the glimmer paper was used to bring some sparkle to the background.

The second page has room for two photos.  The squares were adhered such that a photo could be slid in later.  There are two white hearts on each photo square to add a date or name for the photos.

For the layered hearts I used the Heart Framelits and the Heart Embosslit (which adds tiny embossed hearts to the surface of the pink heart).  Again, a little glimmer paper was added for some sparkle.

Papers: Whisper White (#124302), Primrose Petals (#126841), Pink Pirouette (#111351), Glimmer Paper (#124005), More Amore DSP (#129309)
Inks: Primrose Petals (#126858)
Stamps: Morning Post Alphabet (#126592)
Other Supplies: Primrose Petals Ribbon (#126844), Big Shot (#113439), Square Lattice Folder (#119976), Scalloped Heart Embosslit (#117332), Hearts Framelits (#125599), Label Framelits (#125598), Simply Scored Tool (#122334), Borders Scoring Plate (#126192)

More Amore DSP (#129309)

Hearts Framelits (#125599)

Sale-a-Bration Is Going On NOW!

Sale-a-Bration is an anunal party with loads of free products!  This year it is better than ever... in honor of Stampin' Up! celebrating 25 years.  There are three ways to enjoy:

1. Host a party: You can get a pack of silver glimmer paper for $150 party, or you can get glimmer paper and a free product bundle for a $400 party.  Plus you still get the everyday hostess benefits.
2. Shop for yourself: For every $50 in product that you purchase you get to pick one free SAB item.  Spend $100 pick two.  This offer is also valid for anyone shopping at your party.
3. Join the Stampin' Up! Family: During SAB, you can get 25% more in your starter kit.  You get to choose $156.50 worth or product for only $99.  Whether you want to start your own business or just enjoy this as a hobby, that is a great deal!

FMS74: Embossed Butterfly

This card was inspired by the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge (#74).  The image and sentiment were embossed in silver.  I love the way silver and blue look together.

You can see from the sketch that any shape could be used as the focus of the card front.  Having one large focal point makes this sketch so versatile.  When I saw this sketch, I immediately thought of the Swallowtail.

One of my husband's colleagues is retiring tomorrow, so I decided to get double duty out of this sketch and make a card for the going away party.

It is difficult to see in the photos, but I sponged the entire card front with Illuminate ink to give it an overall shimmer that works well with the silver embossing and little touch of bling in the corner.

Papers: Not Quite Navy (#101722)
Ink: VersaMark (#102283), Illuminate Glimmer Watermark (#126857)
Stamps: Swallowtail (#129216), Teeny Tiny Wishes (#115370)
Other Supplies: Silver Embossing Powder (#109131), Basic Rhinestones (#119246)

Swallowtail (#129216)

Teeny Tiny Wishes (#115370)

Paper Pumpkin

Paper Pumpkin is your very own paper fairy godmother (without the white hair).   I'm the total package:

• I've got all the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create pinable projects. Projects like cards, journals, décor, and more!
• I'm all cut, measured, and ready—with instructions included.
• I'm a new and exciting surprise every month.
• Please list me as your demonstrator, so I know you are getting your goodies.

Technique Tuesday: Sharing

Today's technique is Sharing.  I have so many cards from challenges, technique examples, etc. and I can not just let them go to waste.  I thought I would share a few of my favorite places to send cards to help inspire you.

One place to look when you are ready to share your cards is SplitcoastStampers.  Every month there is a challenge called Cards for a Cause.  Each month features a different place that you can send you cards.  This month is Cole's Foundation which was started in honor of a little boy with cancer.  This organization was created to utilize the 21st century’s technology to provide support and assistance to families facing the most devastating challenge that a parent could face, the illness and death of a beloved child.  Send cards such as thinking of you, sending a smile, and encouragement (no Get Well cards please). Also, if possible please include envelopes.

Send to: 
Cindy Mann
Cards For C.O.L.E.S.
120 Ohio Avenue
Montreal, WI 54550 

Card Care Connection provides supportive cards and hopeful messages to those faced with cancer. They request assistance with hand crafted greeting cards for program recipients all year long. Themes should include: Thinking of You, Have a Nice Day, Hello, Care & Concern but not Get Well or any religious sentiments.  Since these cards are sent to cancer patients, they should be left blank on the inside for personal messages.

Send to:
Card Care Connection
112 Saddlehorn Court
Fenton, MO 63026

There are so many places that you can donate cards and these are just a couple of options.  I know that CardMaker Magazine has a card donation article in every issue.  Many nursing homes are happy to accept cards for their residents to use.  Take a look around your neighborhood or get online and you are sure to find someone who would love handmade greeting cards.

One other way to share, of course, is with friends and family.  This card (above) is going to my wonderful husband for his birthday.  Sharing what I love with someone I love is always my favorite way to share.

Sale-a-Bration Is Going On NOW!

Sale-a-Bration is an anunal party with loads of free products!  This year it is better than ever... in honor of Stampin' Up! celebrating 25 years.  There are three ways to enjoy:

1. Host a party: You can get a pack of silver glimmer paper for $150 party, or you can get glimmer paper and a free product bundle for a $400 party.  Plus you still get the everyday hostess benefits.
2. Shop for yourself: For every $50 in product that you purchase you get to pick one free SAB item.  Spend $100 pick two.  This offer is also valid for anyone shopping at your party.
3. Join the Stampin' Up! Family: During SAB, you can get 25% more in your starter kit.  You get to choose $156.50 worth or product for only $99.  Whether you want to start your own business or just enjoy this as a hobby, that is a great deal!

An Unscripted Birthday

My Step-mother-in-law's birthday is coming up, so here is the card I made for her.  It was inspired by Unscripted Sketches (#198).

This simple sketch could be adapted to any occasion or used with any theme.  Since I knew I wanted to make a birthday card, the two side rectangles immediately jumped out at me as candles.

I used ribbon for the candle and the wing of the Bird Builder Punch for the "flames" of the candle. It is difficult to see here, but there is also a little paper-piercing in each corner for added detail.

On the inside of the card I kept things clean and simple.  The butterflies match the DSP on the front of the card.

I love the color mix of the Patio Party DSP and the banner print makes a perfect background.

It also made a great addition to the envelope.  By attaching a piece of DSP to the flap of your envelope you can create a very special matched set that is sure to surprise the recipient.

Papers: Midnight Muse (#126843). Primrose Petals (#126841), Summer Starfruit (#126839), Whisper White (#100730), Patio Party DSP (#126916)
Inks: Primrose Petals (#126858), Midnight Muse (#126860)
Stamps: Itty Bitty Banners (#126257), Curly Cute (#120510), Make A Cake (#126742)
Other Supplies: Midnight Muse Stitched Ribbon (#126847), Bird Builder Punch (#117191), Big Shot (#113439), Bitty Banner Framelits (#129267), Paper Piercing Tool (#126189), Stampin' Pierce Mat (#126199), Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack (#126187)

Patio Party DSP (126916)

Bird Builder Punch (#117191)

Sale-a-Bration Is Going On NOW!

Sale-a-Bration is an anunal party with loads of free products!  This year it is better than ever... in honor of Stampin' Up! celebrating 25 years.  There are three ways to enjoy:

1. Host a party: You can get a pack of silver glimmer paper for $150 party, or you can get glimmer paper and a free product bundle for a $400 party.  Plus you still get the everyday hostess benefits.
2. Shop for yourself: For every $50 in product that you purchase you get to pick one free SAB item.  Spend $100 pick two.  This offer is also valid for anyone shopping at your party.
3. Join the Stampin' Up! Family: During SAB, you can get 25% more in your starter kit.  You get to choose $156.50 worth or product for only $99.  Whether you want to start your own business or just enjoy this as a hobby, that is a great deal!