Friday Focus: Getting Inspiration

Yesterday I sat down in my craft room hoping for inspiration.  I tried starting with a sketch challenge.  I tried starting with a stamp set.  Nothing seemed to jump out at me.  So, I walked away and spent the day with my husband who took the day off to be with me for my birthday.

Later that evening, I got busy making snacks for my son's class for their Ocean Fun Day today.  I was supposed to suspend fish gummy snacks in blue Jello.  I started by sorting all the gummies.

The only snacks I could find were these sharks, which I think all the kids will love.  Next I had to make the blue Jello and let it set up a little bit.  It took about an hour before the Jello was set enough to suspend the gummy snacks.

You can see in the picture above how the snacks are suspended in the Jello.  Once I got them together I thought they looked a little plain and needed a tag of some sort.  Last year I made a Father's Day card for my father-in-law that had fish on it, so I thought I would make some more now.

To make the fish I use my 1" Circle Punch.  After punching a circle I used the punch again on each side to make the fish bodies.

I used the Boho Blossom Punch to punch out half of the top flower.  I then cut off the outside petals to make the fish tails.

I was going to use a plain oval to help the fish stand out, but once I cut them I thought they would be even cuter with some waves (for the ocean).  So, I ran the ovals through the Big Shot with the Chevron Folder to make them more like the ocean.  Once the fish were put together I used MDS to print out "Ocean Fun," punched them out, and then added them to my tags.  (My husband even helped by putting the eyes on the fish.)

The final product is simple but cute, and I think all the kids are going to love them.  After starting out my morning with no inspiration, it turns out all I needed to do was make some Jello!  You never know what will inspire your next creation.

Paper: Bashful Blue (retired), Tangerine Tango (#111349), Whisper White (#100730)
Inks: Marina Mist (MDS), Basic Black (#100082)
Other Supplies: Word Window Punch (#119857), 1" Circle Punch (#119868), Boho Blossom Punch (#119858), Big Shot (#113439), Oval Framelits (#129381), Chevron Folder (#127749)

THE NEW CATALOG IS HERE!  
See the updated link to the new catalog on the right.  Want to see the real thing?  Let me know and I will send you a catalog of your very own.  Please feel free to contact me to order all the wonderful new products and tools!

Paper Craft Crew: Four Flower Card

Today's card is an experiment with colors.  I decided to use new and old colors for this one.  I also sponged the edges to soften the look.

The layout for this card was inspired by the Paper Craft Crew Sketch Challenge #44.  The first thing I thought of when I saw this sketch was a window.  Then I decided I would do four of the same image, just stamped slightly different each time.

I wanted to use some bright, tropical colors.  I decided on Crushed Curry (new color), Calypso Coral (old in color), Certainly Celery (retiring color), and Coastal Cabana (new in color).  The background is Smoky Slate.  I put the colors on a neutral background to make them pop.

To top it off I went with a Happy Birthday sentiment, since this week is all about birthdays (since mine is tomorrow).  The stamp, banner, and brad are all colors from the flowers.

Overall I love the clean and simple look and the small pops of color.  What is your favorite new color?  What color are you going to miss the most?

Papers: Whisper White (#100730), Smoky Slate (#131202), Certainly Celery (#105125, retiring)
Inks: Smoky Slate (#131179), Crushed Curry (#131173), Calypso Coral (#126983), Coastal Cabana (#131175), Certainly Celery (#126958, retiring)
Stamps: Serene Silhouette (#127324), Itty Bitty Banners (#126257)
Other Supplies: Big Shot (#113439), Bitty Banner Framelits (#129267), Chevron Folder (#127749), Stamping Sponge (#101610)

STAMPIN' UP! COLOR REFRESH!   

The upcoming 2013-2014 annual catalog will include 10 new colors (most of which are returning In Colors from previous years)! They are welcoming back some of your favorites, moving some colors around, and introducing one brand-new color, so take a look!  Stock up now on your favorites before they are gone.

See the Color Refresh Flyer

See the Stampin' Up! Color Refresh Video

Technique Tuesday: Thumping Tutorial

Here is a fun technique to add some color.  Thumping is a technique that involves "tapping" a darker color ink over a stamp.

Start by inking the stamp with a light color such as Crumb Cake (I stamped off to lighten the color).  You will then start with the lightest color and moved to the darkest markers.  Holding the marker at the far end you allow the brush end to "tap" or "bounce" along the stamp.  The light colors are hard to see, so you will want to be sure to thump the entire stamp.

You can see in this close up that the marker leaves small dashes on the surface.  You will want to tap using the side of the marker so you don't ruin the tip.  For this stamp, I used Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, and Real Red markers.

You will want to huff on the stamp to moisten it and then stamp it onto your cardstock.  The great thing about this technique is that you will get a different result every time.

Here you can see the stamped image mounted on a mat.  I chose one of the lighter colors for the mat to help bring the color out of the stamped image.  There are so many great techniques that work beautifully with this stamp, I absolutely love it.

Here is the final card again.  The sentiment is from a brand new stamp set that will be available on Friday when the new catalog goes live.

Papers: Whisper White (#100730), Pumpkin Pie (#105117)
Inks: Crumb Cake (#126975), Real Red (#100052), Daffodil Delight (#119677), Pumpkin Pie (#105115)
Stamps: Swallowtail (#129216), Happy Day (#130297)
Other Supplies: Rhinestones (#119246)

THE NEW CATALOG IS COMING!  
Only 3 days to go.  Check back on May 31st to see the updated link to the new catalog.  Want to see the real thing?  Let me know and I will send you a catalog of your very own.

MDSM16: Coloring Tool Birthday Card

This week's card was inspired by two things.  The first (and I think most important) is that this week I will be celebrating my birthday!  So, with that in mind I decided to make a birthday card.

The second inspiration was the MDS Monday sketch challenge (#16).  This is a simple card sketch, but they also challenge you to use the Coloring Tool in MDS.

I turned the sketch to make the card a portrait instead of a landscape design.  The colors for the main image were pulled directly from the fun polka dot DSP.  I like the way the polka dots go with the "Party" circles.

Since the main image suggests a party, the inside is the invitation.  I left a space to fill in information for the party.  I used the Coloring Tool again to color the stamps and continue the color theme on the inside.  I love the bright happy colors.  Perfect for a Happy Birthday celebration!

Supplies: MDS, Sweet Details DSP, Cake & Ice Cream Stamp Brush Set, Scallop Edge Punch
(I also love how few supplies are needed to make this card.  Easy and simple for planning a party!)

THE NEW CATALOG IS COMING!  
Check back on May 31st to see the updated link to the new catalog.  Want to see the real thing?  Let me know and I will send you a catalog of your very own.

Friday Focus: Serene Silhouette Samples

Friday Focus is a little late this week because I was on a field trip with my son's class yesterday.  Our focus is on the Serene Silhouettes Stamp Set.  On Tuesday I posted a card about using twine that also used this stamp set.

This card used a masking technique that I just love.  I made a mask with the Apothecary Accents Framelit and then sponged inside with So Saffron.  Then I sponged the edges with Rose Red.  The result gives a sunset effect as a background for the stamp.  The photo corners were hand made with a little creativity.

This card uses the butterfly stamp.  I cut the circle out of the light pink and set the stamped image under it, separating with dimensionals.  Then the DSP and some punched butterflies added the finishing touches.

The final stamp in this set is this wonderful tree stamp.  I stamped the image in Certainly Celery first and then Old Olive next.  This creates a shadow effect that adds dimension to the image without adding bulk to the card.  The embossed background cardstock helps add dimension, as well.  Which stamp is your favorite?

Papers: Whisper White (#100730), Very Vanilla (#101650), Crumb Cake (#120953), Chocolate Chip (#102128), So Saffron (#105118), Basic Grey (#121044), Pink Pirouette (#111351), Primrose Petals (#126841), Certainly Celery (#105125), Old Olive (#100702), Patio Party DSP (#126916, retired)

Inks: Chocolate Chip (#126979), So Saffron (#126957), Rose Red (#126954), Basic Gray (#126981), Primrose Petals (#126858), Certainly Celery (#126958), Old Olive (#126953)

Stamps: Serene Silhouette (#127324), Sweet Essentials (#126457), Teeny Tiny Wishes (#115370)

Other Supplies: Pearls (#119247), Old Olive Scallop Dots Ribbon (#124139, retired), Linen Thread (#104199), Stamping Sponges (#101610), 1-1/4" Square Punch (#119865), 1/2" Circle Punch (#119869), 1-3/4" Circle Punch (#119850), Word Window Punch (#119857), Modern Label Punch (#119849), Elegant Butterfly Punch (#127526), Big Shot (#113439), Wood Grain Folder (#127821), Chevron Folder (#127749), Labels Framelits (#125598), Apothecary Accent Framelits (#127003)

Serene Silhouette (#127324)

Apothecary Accents (#127003)

  
Get $155 in product for $99? Starter Kit Promotion Ends May 30.

• Spend $99 for your starter kit and get up to $155 in product (you get an extra $30 in free product during this offer)! 
• Make your kit your own by choosing from any current Stampin' Up! catalog or product promotion (including "Best of 25 Years Stamps" and  limited time single stamps), My Digital Studio, the clearance rack and specially priced bundles! 
• Plus add select products to the Starter Kit from the brand new Stampin' Up! 2013-2014 Catalog.
• The kit ships FREE! (another 10% savings)
• Save 30% on your first demonstrator order of $150 or more (before shipping and tax).  Must be placed within 45 days of purchasing the starter kit.  It's the perfect time to fill your wish list for less.
• Enjoy 20% off on all other orders you place as an active demonstrator.
• Click here to "Join the Fun" now. 

Not ready to join!  Host a qualifying party and receive $30 in free product while having fun with your friends!

Stampin Up! Current Promotions

 May 1 - June 15: Get 25% off select My Digital Studio Content and Printing!
 

• Digital content includes: ALL ensemble, calendar, photobook, and swatchbook digital content.
• Print products include: ALL photobooks, swatchbooks, cards, tags, individual pages, and calendars.  See all print products here.
• Visit my store today to start shopping!

Fine Print:

• Discount for downloads only available for artwork released prior to May 1, 2013.
• Make sure you have the latest version of the MDS software to get the discounts on print products. 
• Bulk pricing not included.

 Get $155 in product for $99? Starter Kit Promotion Ends May 30.

• Spend $99 for your starter kit and get up to $155 in product (you get an extra $30 in free product during this offer)! 
• Make your kit your own by choosing from any current Stampin' Up! catalog or product promotion (including "Best of 25 Years Stamps" and  limited time single stamps), My Digital Studio, the clearance rack and specially priced bundles! 
• Plus add select products to the Starter Kit from the brand new Stampin' Up! 2013-2014 Catalog.
• The kit ships FREE! (another 10% savings)
• Save 30% on your first demonstrator order of $150 or more (before shipping and tax).  Must be placed within 45 days of purchasing the starter kit.  It's the perfect time to fill your wish list for less.
• Enjoy 20% off on all other orders you place as an active demonstrator.
• Click here to "Join the Fun" now. 

Not ready to join!  Host a qualifying party and receive $30 in free product while having fun with your friends!

I'm Paper Pumpkin . . .A Magical Paper Escape Every Month

 

• I come to your door each month (a fully decked-out creativity carriage). I'll help you to escape your life with some paper fun.

• I come in a sweet box, but you'll really love what you find on the inside:
• All the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create pinable projects. Create stuff like cards, journals, décor, and more!
• Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up! is a new monthly kit program that anyone (even you) can enjoy! 

Getting Started
It's so easy to get started. Simply sign up for the program by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click Get it. Every month a new, surprise project kit arrives at your doorstep. Just think of the anticipation of creating a fun project to pin, showoff, and share with your friends and family every month!

Of course, you'll want to know more. So here's the nitty gritty:

• Each month you get a unique, surprise kit with a project-cards, journals, décor, and more! (We've even color-coordinated, measured, and cut everything for you!)
• Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper, and accessories-everything but adhesive.
• Each kit gives you a 30-minute creativity escape.
• We will ship your Paper Pumpkin on or around the 15th of the month. 
• You need to sign up for a kit by the 10th of the month to get that month's kit. If you sign up on the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the next month.
• A Paper Pumpkin membership is $19.95 per month (and shipping is included!) There's no commitment, you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at anytime. You can also skip a month if you want.
• Please list me as your demonstrator when you sign up!

FMS87: Congratulations Card

We make cards for so many reasons: birthdays, sympathy, congratulations, and love.  We give cards to so many people: family, teachers, friends, and others.  Today I decided to make a card for myself.

My inspiration came from a Freshly Made Sketches Challenge (#87).  This very simple sketch leaves a lot of room for creativity.  You could put any shape that you wanted to on this card.

I chose the bird punch, since it is one of my favorite shapes and this card was for me.  After six weeks on a liquid diet, which I thought would make me lose my mind, I was told yesterday that I could start eating soft foods.  It was not an easy six weeks, but I made it.  So, this card is a congratulations to me!

The colors were inspired by the Sun Garden DSP which I had started using, but then decided to use simple design to keep the card clean.  The little bird is repeated on the inside.  A bright, clean card to celebrate the end of a phase.  Now on to the next one!

Supplies: Bird Punch, Pearls, Meant to Be Stamp Brush Set, You Go Grad Stamp Brush Set, A Little Of This Stamp Brush Set

Show & Tell: New Photopolymer Sets and a NEW Online Class!

If you haven't tried our photopolymer stamp sets yet, now is the time! We've got two more for you: Show & Tell 1 and 2. Together these sets feature more than 60 versatile images that you can mix and match to create personalized backgrounds, patterns, layers, and dimensions to make any project stand out.

And even better, these sets are featured in our new Seeing the Possibilities Class! Take this class to discover how quickly and easily you can line up the stamped images for precision placement, achieve just the right ink coverage, combine images together exactly where you want them... well you get the idea. The possibilities are endless!

See the flyer by clicking here.

Technique Tuesday: Twine Time

 There are so many things you can do with twine.  You can make a clothesline or strings for balloons.  Sometimes you can also make things more interesting.  For today, I am using twine to add dimension and texture to my card.

For this card I chose to use the linen thread.  I love the texture and neutral color.  Many people I know have trouble making masculine cards, and this thread is perfect.

I used the Label Framelits to cut a frame and then wrapped it with the linen thread.  This makes a wonderful rustic frame.  The wrapping took a little time, but it did give me something to do while waiting at the doctor's office!

The wood grain seemed like a perfect fit to go with the rustic feel and the tree stamp.  This card is masculine enough for any father.  What will you do with twine?

Papers: Crumb Cake (#120953), Chocolate Chip (#102128). Very Vanilla (#101650)
Inks: Chocolate Chip (#126979), Crumb Cake (#126975)
Stamps: Serene Silhouettes (#127324), Teeny Tiny Wishes (#115370)
Other Supplies: Linen Thread (#104199), Word Window Punch (#119857), Modern Label Punch (#119849), Big Shot (#113439), Wood Grain Folder (#127821), Label Framelits (#125598)

Paper Pumpkin - SU! Monthly Craft Kit

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

• Each kit includes all the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories (everything except adhesive) to create projects like cards, journals, décor, and more!
• The kit comes with all you need for your project cut, measured, and ready—with instructions included. 
• The kit will ship on or around the 15th of the month.   You need to sign up for a kit by the 10th of the month to get that month's kit.  If you sign up on the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the next month. 
• And a free gift in your very first kit!  The Welcome Kit is the very first Paper Pumpkin you will receive in your first month of membership, and it includes a free gift - a clear acrylic block!
• Please list me as your demonstrator, so I know you are getting your goodies.