SNEAK PEEK - Sprinkles of Life: Clouds, Cupcakes and Ice Cream...oh my!

SNEAK PEEK.... I'm sure you've noticed a few other sneak peeks around. I've got one to share today featuring the NEW Sprinkles of Life stamp set from the upcoming Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue! A portion of sales from every one of these sets goes directly to the Ronald McDonald House Charities - which is pretty awesome. The stamp set  a pretty awesome too with some fun images and sentiments and can be paired with a coordinating punch to make creating your projects even easier. I've got not one, not two, but three cards to share with you today featuring some clouds, cupcakes and ice cream! Are you intrigued yet.. check out my samples ................ 

I decided to make a card with a bunch of silver clouds to coordinate with the sentiment "Every cloud has a silver lining ~ you just have to look up to see it." Such a great saying. I stamped the clouds in one of the NEW In-Colours called Mint Macaron. I'm loving the new colours, and they go great together too. Stampin' Up! sure got it right on trend with these colours once again. 

I added the silver clouds with Stampin' Dimensionals to make them pop off the page a bit more. The rain drops were added by stampin off once so the colour wasn't as intense as the clouds themselves. I did use another "sneak peek" item called the Triple Banner Punch - I'm a sucker for paper punches so it was a no-brainer ordering this for me! I created the banner that my sentiment is on top of with it. It is super easy to do, just cut your strip of paper - I used a 1" strip and inserted it into the punch... and TA-DA! A flagged banner, so simple. It also punches a 1-1/2" and 2" strip banner, how great is that? 

Well nothing goes better with rain then some comfort food...... cupcakes and ice cream! Yet another fun image and sentiment - it's actually the same stamp I used for the cloud, but I added some sprinkles using Tip Top Taupe, another new In-Colour. I love the name... super fun! The cupcakes are made using Mint Macaron and Watermelon Wonder. I added a bit more colour with the last two in colours Cucumber Crush and Delightful Dijon for the candles on the center cupcake. Great new colours don't you think?! 

With the easy to use Tree Builder Punch it made cutting out the cupcake tops super simple. I did fussy cut the candles, but it was easy too. Yet another fun sentiment, "Money can't buy happiness... but it can buy cupcakes, and that's kind of the same thing." So cute! 

I just had to try to make an ice cream cone... a really BIG one too. Best part is there are no calories to these babies. It's a mint, strawberry and vanilla cone - six scoops of YUM! I made my own center band using the new Bohemian Borders stamp set. A great set to add fun borders to your projects. 

And another fun sentiment for this card "Hope your day stacks up to be one good thing on top of another." Love, love, love this set and all the fun sentiments. I can see this set being a super popular one. I hope you like my shares - only a little more than a week until the new catalogue is available, are you excited........ I AM! Enjoy the sunshine and have a great day :) 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Stamps: Sprinkles of Life (new), Bohemian Borders(new)

Papers: Tip Top Taupe, Mint Macaron, Very Vanilla, Whisper White & Watermelon Wonder Card stock (all new in-colours) 

Inks: Watermelon Wonder, Tip Top Taupe, Mint Macaron, Delightful Dijon, Cucumber Crush Classic inks (all new in-colours); Versamark

Accessories: Heat tool, Tree Builder Punch (new) , Paper Snips, Venetian Crochet Trim, Handheld Stapler, Staples, Cupcake Punch, Triple Banner Punch (New), Decorative Dots TIEF, Big Shot, Silver Stampin' Emboss Powder, Stampin' Trimmer, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by, happy stamping!

Beckie

Flamingo Lingo

Every year Stampin' Up! releases a stamp set with a portion of the proceeds going directly to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Flamingo Lingo (retiring) set is for the 2014-2015 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue. I sat down and played with this set a few weeks ago and this is what I came up with.... check out my samples below: 

I decided to make a couple "baby" themed cards, since that is something I don't make a lot of. I used the Flamingo, coloured in with Stampin' Write Markers (Calypso Coral and Pumpkin Pie). I randomly stamped the entire background layer of Lost Lagoon with Lost Lagoon Classic ink and the fun flower, which coordinated with the Petite Petals Punch. You've just got to love how simple a punch can make adding dimension to your projects so quick. 

On the next card, I went primarily for a "baby girl" themed card. As I'm not one for too much pink I used mostly corals, but I did use a layer of Blushing Bride - embossed with the Fancy Fan Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (retiring). I coloured the stamp with the markers, the same as the first card - to get the lighter flamingo I just stamped off once. I made the scallops at the top and bottom by cutting one of the Scallop Ovals in half. The cute button coordinated perfectly, they are from the Occasions Catalogue called Sweet Dreams. I hope you like my cards, I have some "Sneak Peek" cards to share tomorrow featuring the new Ronald McDonald House Charities stamp set called Sprinkles of Life. 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for stopping by, happy stamping!
Beckie

Adventure Bound From the Herd

Today I have a card featuring the From the Herd stamp set. I just couldn't resist using the cute, little piggy again. Unfortunately, this adorable set didn't make the NEW Stampin' Up! Annual Catalogue and will only be available until June 2, 2015. I used the Adventure Bound Designer Series Paper for the background, I opted for the brick pattern - this paper stack is so versatile with the photograph images on one side [also water, knit, grass, wood, birch bark, and a lot more] and the opposite sides having tweeds and plaids in a variety of masculine colour tones. 

The brick pattern really pops off the page, I decided to punch a 2-1/2" circle and mat the brick paper onto a piece of Basic Black card stock. I added some grass made with the Fringe Scissors before adding the cute piggy. I added a balloon and Happy Birthday Banner to finish off the card. 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for stopping by, happy stamping!
Beckie

Alphabet Press Birthday Bash!

Today's card share is a larger sized card - a 6" x 6" base. I used the Alphabet Press Textured Impressions Embossing Folder to make the background. I went for a vintage inspired feel with this card. I used Pistachio Pudding card stock, I sponged with the same colour and Soft Suede inks to distress it.

I cut a piece of Sahara Sand, curled and cut the edges. I added it behind my sentiment focal piece. The sentiment it from Balloon Bash and embossed with Crushed Curry Stampin' Emboss Powder. I stamped a second time, with Soft Suede Classic Ink and added Clear Stampin' Emboss Powder. I cut out the banner, popped it up on dimensionals and reattached it to the card. I stapled it to the Sahara Sand base. Lastly, I stamped and fussy cut out the cake from the Simply Sketched. 

I think this card would work great for a masculine themed card, which for some reason seems more difficult to design. The edge of the card was stamped with Gorgeous Grunge for an even more distressed and vintage appearance. 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for stopping by, happy stamping!
Beckie

6 Creations of Well-Worded Perfection!

Hello... I shared a card made with the butterfly image from the Well Worded stamp set. I decided to play with rest of the stamps since there is only a few weeks left of the retiring products lists, I am showing several cards made with the Well Worded stamp set. I must admit that I had a lot of fun coming up with these cards - and I did use all of the stamps within the set. I really don't know why I over looked this set, I am regretting it since it really is a wonderful set... I hope you are inspired with my creations, all supplies used are listed at the end of this post. 

For this first card I used the floral image. Not in the conventional way, as I decided to use the Bitty Butterfly Punch to punch out some of the words - "Loving", "Sweet", "Good/Caring" and "True". The colours I chose are Pumpkin Pie in the Sweet Taffy Designer Series Paper this paper pack is full of bright, bold colours and funky patterns, it is featured on the retiring list also, paired with one of the retiring In-Colours - Strawberry Slush. The bitty butterflies are popped up and attached to a punch out using the Elegant Butterfly Punch. The sentiment is from Flamingo Lingo which is the Ronald McDonald Children's Charity stamp, also retiring. 

Next, I went masculine with the fun mustache stamp, which also coordinates with the Mustache Framelits Die - also retiring. I stamped and die cut the mustaches in Hello Honey Classic Ink and Tuxedo Black Memento ink before die cutting them. I die cut 3 mustaches - popped the entire layer on dimensionals then added my die cuts so they are inset. The layers are Hello Honey, Basic Gray and Basic Black. The plaid pattern is from the Adventure Bound Designer Series Paper stack, featured in the Occasions Catalogue - sadly, it is not being carried forward into the Annual Catalogue. 

This next one features one of my favourite retiring products - The Triangle Punch. I'm a sucker for a paper punch, what can I say?! I stamped several of the Tiered Cake images and punched them out and layered them to a piece of Basic Black. The cake was stamped several times in several colours and cut out to get the layered look. I used Lost Lagoon, Tangelo Twist and Strawberry Slush. 

This is another card using the flower stamp. This time it's more conventional and obvious to be a flower unlike the first card with the punched out butterflies. I stamped first in Hello Honey, then using my Mossy Meadow Stampin' Write Marker to add the stem and leaves to stamp. I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to get them aligned perfectly. The designer series paper in the background is from the Stacked with Love stack in the Occasions Catalogue, also not being carried forward. 

I love the black and white patterns - very crisp and adds a nice background to the card. The "I Miss You... already" is from the Really Good Greetings stamp set - this set is also retiring. Some great sentiments in this set, suitable for many different occasions. 

Here is another card featuring the cake image. This time I stamped with Blackberry Bliss and Lost Lagoon Classic Inks - added some clear embossing powder, heat set and there you have it an In-Colour Embossed Cake. The dimension that embossing powder adds to a card, it's so simple - but always gets an ooooo.... and ahhhhh! I used the Moonlight Designer Series Paper Stack which is retiring and on sale for 50% off!  The striped pattern is from the same paper stack. 

I added the stamped/embossed cake to a layer of Blackberry Bliss - die cut with the Starburst Framelits Dies which are also retiring. 

My last card I used the butterfly image. I stamped the entire background layer first with Blackberry Bliss Classic Ink, then Rich Razzleberry to fill in the holes. I stamped the butterfly again on vellum and adhered it on an angle. I chose vellum as to not cover the pretty stamped background. The vellum was adhered with staples (I love the handheld stapler!). 

I decided to add some Bitty Butterfly punches - if you look closer, you will see that I aligned them so the words line up with the words in the background. I stamped another butterfly on a piece of vellum and attached it to the card on an angle, added some Silver 1/8" Ribbon and a strip of Blackberry Bliss card stock. The sentiment "I can't thank you enough" is from Chalk Talk. I had so much fun playing with 

I hope you like all my creations - Have a wonderful day :)

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for stopping by, happy stamping!

Beckie

Well Worded Butterflies

I always find it strange that some stamp sets go unnoticed and until you have time to sit down and experiment you don't realize how amazing they are. There are so many stamps and accessories it's easy to have some get lost in the shuffle. I wish I would have noticed the set Well Worded sooner, it's really quite fabulous. Unfortunately, it is on the retirement list and is only available for a few more weeks...

There is so much potential with this set and I love the tiny script within each of the 4 shapes in the stamp set... it almost looks like subway art within each image. I did make at least one card with each of the 4 stamps, this is just one. I will share the rest later. This set will be available until June 2, the wood mount version is discounted too. 

For this card, I used the butterfly image - probably my favourite of the 4. It has a Thank you theme to it. I opted for a purple card using Rich Razzleberry and Blackberry Bliss. I stamped the butterflies so they were mirroring each other.

I added some vellum punch outs from the Elegant Butterfly and some card stock punch outs from Blackberry Bliss and Rich Razzleberry. These colours are so perfect together the Razzleberry is a warmer, slightly lighter shade of the Blackberry. 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for stopping by, happy stamping!
Beckie

A Marquee Card for MOM!

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's out there, I've got 3 cards to celebrate MOM! 

I decided to make a few "Marquee" style cards for my Mom this year. I used a few stamp sets, Sweet Laughter, Painted Petals and Flower Patch. 

I decided to use a belly band to keep the card closed. Here are close ups of a couple of them. 

The card on the left features the "Painted Blooms" designer series paper. I used Rich Razzleberry for the accent colour. The top card is also using the same designer series paper, I used Strawberry Slush for the accent. The bottom right card is using "Flower Pot" designer series paper - I used both sides of the same sheet for this card - the accent colour I used is Calypso Coral. 

Such a fun style card, with a hidden surprise for your card recipient. I hope you like them!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for stopping by, happy stamping!
Beckie

Balloon Bash: Watercolour Wash Background

Here's a simple way to jazz up your card.... choose your favourite ink colours, grab your aqua painter and add some brushstrokes to the background on your watercolour paper. 

I chose to use Hello Honey, Bermuda Bay and Perfect Plum for my colours. Because the background was so vibrant - I didn't want to add too much to the the card, so I simply added a stamped sentiment right in the center and a few Bermuda Bay sequins for a bit of sparkle and shine! 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for stopping by, happy stamping!
Beckie

Blue Ribbon Birthday

I was playing the other day and stamped several of the Happy Birthday stamp from Blue Ribbon, which is retiring. I used the current in colours - Tangelo Twist, Lost Lagoon, Blackberry Bliss, Mossy Meadow and Hello Honey. I love these colours - they are my most used Stampin' Up! colours. I used the 1-1/4" Circle to punch out the shapes, and layered them onto 1-3/8" Basic Black.

I decided to make a larger card - a 5-1/2" square. It fit 3 rows of 3 circles nicely. I popped them up on a dimensional. I added some Basic Black Baker's Twine, with a bow to the right side of the card. 

 I added sentiment from the Just Sayin' stamp set, "woo hoo!" die cut with the Word Bubbles Framelits Dies. I hope you like my card, have a great day!

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for stopping by, happy stamping!
Beckie

Artistic Embellishment Kit + Birthday Bash

I've got a fun card using two fabulous products. One the Artisan Embellishment Kit, unfortunately it has been discontinued - but you could use the decorative masks for the background. I love the look of this stencil in the background, so pretty. I used three different colours to make the stenciled background - Old Olive, Pistachio Puddig and Hello Honey. Since the stencil is smaller than a standard card, I moved it around the layer to fill the entire piece. 

I've been playing around with watercolouring, while preparing for my "Stamping with Seniors" class. So I have several samples using watercolouring. I did a striped watercolour wash fro the stamped image. I started by stamping the sentiment from the Balloon Bash stamp set with versamark and adding clear Stampin' emboss powder and heat set the powder. I then added stripes with an aqua painter in various colours. I decided to cut the sentiment out - popping it up on dimensionals and adding two of the roses from the Artisan Embellishment Kit. 

The stenciled layer was added to a distressed piece of Tangelo Twist and added to a card base of Hello Honey card stock. I hope you like it, have a great day :)

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for stopping by, happy stamping!
Beckie

Butterfly Basics: Embossed watercolour wash background

I've got watercoloured background card today, for this card I decided to make a collage with the Butterfly Basics stamp set. I stamped the images with Versamark, and added Clear Stampin' Emboss before heat setting it. I added Pacific Point, Lost Lagoon, Calypso Coral and Bermuda Bay inks to add colour to the background. I love this technique - so simple, but so effective. 

I added a few other details to add a bit more pop. It's hard to see, but I added some Dazzling Details to various elements on this card for a bit of sparkle. Then I added a bow made with the Coastal Cabana thick baker's twine, attached with a glue dot. Lastly, some Simply Pressed Clay roses, with a bit of ink added so they blend in more to the background. I hope you like my share, have a good one! 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for stopping by, happy stamping!
Beckie

Indescribable watercolouring

My card for today is one that I made for my upcoming "Stamping with Seniors" class. I stuck with a watercolour theme for this class. I love the simplicity of this card, and how easily you can make a basic card into a something stunning. I seem to be all about the watercolouring technique lately. 

I just love the Indescribable Gift stamp set, it is unfortunately not continuing into the new catalogue. I never thought I'd get so much use out of this stamp set, an Easter set - but it seems to be a set that I constantly gravitate towards. I stamped the blossoms with versamark and using Early Espresso Stampin' Emboss Powder heat set to make it easier for the seniors to colour. I gave them a sneak peek of the cards and they are so excited and can't wait to make them. 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used: 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for stopping by, happy stamping!
Beckie

Lovely as a Tree Ray of Sunshine

The inspiration for my card today came from a stained glass panel that I saw. I made my own sunset with a scrap of printer paper and a sponge dauber. I used one of my favourite colours to create the sun, Crushed Curry. Such a bright, vibrant yellow. I started by stamping the sun, the circle from the Ray of Sunshine stamp set. I then made the sun rays and re-stamped the circle to cover any of the sponged lines that may have impeded the original stamped circle. 

I did make a version of this card before by sponging the water, which did work well - but then I remember the Adventure Bound Designer Series Paper Stack had a nice water paper. I attached it below my stamped sun before stamping my trees. 

The trees are from the Lovely as a Tree stamp set using Mossy Meadow Classic Ink. I stamped several trees to cover up the water. I decided not to put a sentiment, it makes a nice note card. 

I hope you like it, have a super day :) 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for stopping by, happy stamping!
Beckie

Celebrate Today... celebrate baby

I don't know why I have trouble making baby cards or kids cards in general. Maybe because I don't have kids, who knows... I just find it challenging. I thought it might be cute to make a hot air balloon using the Balloon Framelits Dies - I made the balloon 3-dimensionals by cutting multiple die cuts (4). I scored them in half using the Simply Scored board.

 I adhered one Daffodil Delight one to one Pool Party one. 

I added a piece of Sweet dreams designer series paper - the one with the clouds was perfect for this card. I cut a few of the clouds using the Word Bubble Framelits Dies. I made the banner by stamping a strip of Whisper White card stock, with a score mark at 3/8". I glued it between two of the die cuts before I attached it to the designer series paper layer. I then cut a banner with "Baby", I cut the exclamation point off so it fit nicely to the banner. the celebrate banner was cut by hand since there was no matching die. I decided to add some grass, cut with the Fringe Scissors  and added a few tiny flowers to the grass with the sane coordinating colours. 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Stamps: Celebrate Today

Papers: Sweet Dreams Designer Series paper; Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party, Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi Card stock

Inks: Daffodil Delight, Pool Party Classic Inks; Tuxedo Black Memento Ink

Accessories: Fringe Scissors, Itty Bitty Accents Punch pack, Balloon Framelits Dies; Word Bubbles Framelits, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Glue Dots, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Trimmer, Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot, Magnetic Platform, Paper Snips, Simply Scored

Thanks for stopping by, happy stamping! 

Beckie

Butterfly Basics: Water coloured Foliage

I got to view the upcoming Stampin' Up! 2015-2016 Annual Catalogue. I can't share any of the products available just yet. They ususally carry over some products from the Occasions Catalogue into the Annual Catalogue. I am happy to report that two of my favourites are - Sheltering Tree & Butterfly Basics. I have a card using Butterfly Basics to share today! I hope you like it :)

I was experimenting with some water colour paper and inks. First I stamped the flower image with StazOn ink so it wouldn't run when wet. I stamped some bright colours [Real Red, Mossy Meadow, Pumpkin Pie and Hello Honey] and spritzed with water and made it so the ink ran down the paper. 

I matted a piece of Mossy Meadow behind the water coloured layer. Then the striped piece of designer series paper is from the Adventure Bound Stack and stapled it to a Basic Black layer. 

I die cut the large framelit from the Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies and trimmed it down so I could use it as an accent piece at the bottom of the water coloured layer to add some more sparkle!

I wrapped some Gold Baker's Twine around the card layers, tied a knot and frayed the ends for even more sparkle. I decided to stamp the Happy Birthday sentiment from the same set, but I decided to heat emboss it with Basic Black embossing powder. 

After the powder was all melted, I decided to fussy cut around the letters before attaching it to the card front with dimensionals. The idea behind this card is so simple, but I think it adds a nice, vintage and distressed look and feel to my card. 

Stampin' Up! Supplies Used:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for stopping by, happy stamping!
Beckie