Friday, January 29, 2016

More use of Happy Expressions Decorative Masks

Today's card features another of the decorative mask in the Happy Patterns pack. It comes with 4 different masks. The one I used today has polka dots surrounding the word happy. I just sponged the "happy" for this card. I used the new Confetti Textured Embossing Folder. So cute! And the Party Wishes and Party Pack punches for the balloon and "birthday."

Thursday, January 28, 2016

New Tools



I just got the Elegant Dots Textured Embossing Folder and the coordinating Happy Patterns Decorative Masks. I made the top card first for a color challenge (So Saffron, Plum Perfect, Blackberry Bliss and Pear Pizzazz). I thought the card was a bit busy so then I made the botgtom card using the same colors. The butterfly comes from Watercolor Wings and involves triple stamping. I started with So Saffron for the solid stamp. Then added Plum Perfect for the center stamp and Blackberry Bliss for the Outline. The fern comes from Butterfly Basics stamp set and the Welcome comes from the new Welcome Words stamp set in the Occasions Catalog.
For the background I used a sponge dauber and So Saffron ink with the Decorative Mask and then used the Elegant Dots embossing folder.  Another great coordination of tools from Stampin' Up!

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

A Way to Use Those Thin Scraps

This is another sketch from my new book. It's so simple. Usually when I get to the end of a Designer Series Pack I have lots of thin strips left. Great way to use them! The sentiment comes from the Honeycomb Hello stamp set.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Random Patches!

I got this idea from my new Paper Sketches book. It's a great way to use up different sized scraps of Designer Series Paper. You just have to be able to make some random cuts and be free with your placement. Not an easy thing for me. But I like the way it turned out. I used the new Party Wishes and Party Punch Pack on this card. Another great bundle from the Occasions catalog. What a fun bundle! The little cupcake and candle are so cute!

Monday, January 25, 2016

Hello Sale-a-Bration!


This card was made using the Hello stamp set free with Sale-a-Bration until February 15th. There are several items in the brochure that are only available for a limited time. This cute set is one of them.

Friday, January 22, 2016

Cupcake Anyone?

This is a quick and simple birthday card. I always have a lot of thin scraps of cardstock laying around my paper cutter. So, it was fun to grab one and use it for the dark band on this card.

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Repeat Layout

You might recognize this layout. It is the same layout as the Oh, Whale card from last week. I have had these felt flowers for years. They are a long retired Stampin' Up! product. I decided it was time to use them up. And I also used a retired SU! stamp set on the card. I just thought it was the perfect match.
I also am using up some old brads and some precut cards. I still had a few flowers left when I ran out of orange cards. So, I made the card below. Which color combo do you like best?

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Seize the Cake!

Another layout from my new book. This was a fun way to use some smaller pieces of Designer Series Paper. I like the way the CASE'd card cut the DSP at angles to give the cake a "funky" look. Seize the Cake expression comes from the Something to Say stamp set. The cake stand is from a retired set but the Build a Birthday set has a cake stand in it. And the new Party Punch Pack in the Occasion catalog would make quick candles. I didn't have that pack yet when I made this card. 

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Number of Years



A friend is celebrating her 21st birthday later this month. Her mom posted a request to mail cards on FB. I was excited to use the new Number of Years stamp set and the coordinating Big Numbers framelits. This is a photopolymer set so it is easy to get the stamped sentiment positioned on the banner. I also used some of the free Perfectly Artistic Designer Series Paper (only available until February 15). I attached the sequin strand and the baker's twine with a staple and then tied the bow in the linen thread.

Monday, January 18, 2016

Using Some More Paper Pumpkin scraps


These two cards also use some scraps from the December Paper Pumpkin scraps. The flowers, the banner and the foil banners are all scraps. I really like the banner that you can stamp sentiments on. So I was excited when I realized the new stamp set Number of Years has a banner that is pretty close to the same size and shape. And there are framelits that coordinate with the stamp set (Large Numbers Framelits Dies) and yes, you can purchase them as a bundle and save 15%. Come back tomorrow to see a card I made using this new bundle.

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Some More Cards Using Paper Pumpkin Scraps

I still had a box of Paper Pumpkin Scraps from the September Wickedly Sweet kit sitting on my work table. So, I made these cards. The kraft paper fringe and the die cut tags are the leftovers. I found a template in my new book and then modified it to make these cards. When I cut the fringed kraft paper for the horizontal card I had a small piece left so made the vertical card using it. The flowers are from the Bordering on Romance stamp set and "Love" comes from Best of Love stamp set and the little heart is from the Pictogram Punches stamp set.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Circle Template revisited.


 This is the first card I made using varying sizes of circles of Designer Series Paper. Then I decided to offset the circles for the second card. In the third card I offset them in a more random way. Which one do you like best?

Monday, January 11, 2016

Another Template from the Book

You have to look closely to see the paper piercing in this card. This is another template from the card. The book's card used circles for the paper piercing. I used the deco labels punch template from Stampin' Up! This particular pattern is now retired. We had lots of visitors at the churches in December so I am busy making welcome cards. 
Come back tomorrow to see another card using the same template.

Friday, January 8, 2016

Happy New Year!

2016! Can you believe it? It's seems like I was just getting used to writing 2015. But here we are in a new year. I always start the year watching bowl games and working jigsaw puzzles. And this year was no different. But finally got to my craft studio this week. I had to spend a few days just cleaning it up. So, many gift wrapping things scattered about.
I got a great gift from my sister for Christmas. It is the Leisure Arts "Card Sketches for Paper Crafters". We draw names in my extended family and give gift ideas. So, this is a book I had seen at Barnes and Noble. It is jock full of template designs for cards, tags and more.

I've been having fun using it the last two days. Here's a CASE of a card in the book.