Birthday Soiree 2.0

Hi there and welcome back!  I thought I would share the rest of the cards I made as a birthday present for my friend.  You can see the first one here (Birthday Soiree).  The primary theme for all the cards is the use of the retired Elegant Soiree designer series paper, of which I still have a healthy supply that I am trying to use up.

         
This first card uses one of the floral images from the beautiful Birthday Blooms.  It was colored with reinkers and a blender pen, then die cut with a Labels Collection framelit.  The sentiment, stamped in Baja Breeze was popped out with a Large Oval punch.

The star of this next card is the fun sentiment from Botanicals For You, available free during Sale-A-Bration with a $50 or more purchase.  After stamping I used Gold Wink of Stella to add some gold dots in the upper left corner.  I really like how the Gold Baker's Twine and sequins look against the Soft Suede design.

This third card has a softer look to it with the butterfly and doily.  The sentiment was die cut with one of the tags from the Tags and Labels Framelits that I recently decided to order.  Love these cute shapes!

And finally a decidedly more masculine card.  This time the sentiment and the piece it was layered on were die cut with two of the labels from the Tags & Labels Framelits, while the flags were die cut with one of the dies included with the Gift Card Envelope framelit.

I didn't add too much detail about each card for the sake of brevity, and I've listed all the product details below for each one.  But if you have a specific question about anything I've shared today, please let me know in the comment section. Thanks for visiting today!

Hugs,

Stef

Product details:
Card #1
Stamps:  Birthday Blooms
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Baja Breeze, Soft Sky (butterfly), Elegant Soiree dsp
Ink:  Archival Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz
Other:  Metallics Sequins Assortment, Pearl Basic Jewels, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Labels and Deco Labels Collections framelits, Finishing Touches Edgelit, Venetian Crochet Trim

Card #2
Stamps:  Botanicals For You
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Elegant Soiree dsp
Ink:  Baja Breeze
Other:  Gold Baker's Twine, Metallics Sequins Assortment, Gold Wink of Stella

Card #3
Stamps:  Circle of Spring
Paper:  Regular and Textured Baja Breeze, Textured Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Elegant Soiree dsp
Ink:  Soft Suede
Other:  Tags & Labels and Bold Butterfly framelits, Tea Lace Doily, Linen Thread, Pearls Basic Jewels

Card #4
Stamps:  Endless Wishes
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze, Elegant Soiree dsp
Ink:  Crumb Cake
Other:  Tags & Labels framelits, Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon, Neutrals Collection Button, Linen Thread

Birthday Soiree

Hello again, I hope your weekend is going well!  I'm scooting in just under the deadline for this week's challenge at Global Design Project, where we are to CASE the Designer.  This week it is the fabulous Connie Collins with a terrific CAS card design!

#GDP020

For my card, I reached back into my hoard well stocked supply of designer series paper to make a group of cards as a gift for a friend who is the person that introduced me to Stampin' Up! and paper crafting.  She isn't an active paper crafter any more, so I always give her cards for her birthday.

Loved the CAS design which allows the dsp and sentiment to shine.  I started with a base of Soft Suede that was topped with a 4" x 5.25" piece of Elegant Soiree.  The sentiment was stamped in Versamark on Very Vanilla card stock, heat embossed with Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder then die cut with a Ovals Collection framelit.

Before adhering the sentiment with Dimensionals, a bit of Gold Metallic Thread was added to peek out under the edges of the oval.  The last bit was to add the Gold Metallic Sequins.

That's it!  Thanks for taking time to take a look and of course I'd love to hear from you if you have time to leave a comment.  I've added a link to GDP above, so be sure to check out all the wonderful inspiration!

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Happy Birthday, Everyone!
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Elegant Soiree dsp
Ink:  Versamark
Other:  Gold Metallic Thread, Metallic Sequins Assortment, Gold Stampin' Emboss Powder, Ovals Collection Framelit

Watermelon Birthday

Happy Friday!  I decided to take an extended weekend from work, so instead I am playing with paper today  ; - ) and sharing a card I made last night for three challenges - the sketch challenge at Paper Players, the color challenge at Pals Paper Arts and the "Nature" theme challenge at Just Add Ink (here's the link JAI 296).

The Paper Players

Pals Paper Arts

When I saw the sketch I knew I would like to do some kind of flower in the circle and then, when the color challenge was posted yesterday I thought it would be perfect to use with the delightful wreath from the Circle of Spring stamp set!  And it fit the JAI challenge to add anything from nature - flowers, birds, animals, sun, stars - you get the picture.

I began with a base of Thick Whisper White, layering on top a piece of the Birthday Bouquet designer series paper currently available in the Occasions catalogue.  Love those watercolor stripes, and since Watermelon Wonder is a very strong color, it's nice that it's a bit lighter shade for the background.  Next is a panel of Tip Top Taupe embossed with the Honeycomb TIEF.

A blender pen was used to color the flowers in Pink Pirouette and Watermelon Wonder, and the leaves in Tip Top Taupe after the image was stamped on Whisper White in Archival Basic Gray ink.  The matching framelits were used to cut it out. I then put Dimensionals on the back right around the inside opening and layered the sentiment underneath.

After adhering the Watermelon Wonder card stock banner, a scramble (is that what it's called?) of white cotton twine was layered on it before finally adding the wreath.  I put a couple of little flowers in the corner for a little added color.

Thanks so much for looking!  As always, your visit and comments are sooo appreciated!  Have a great weekend and be sure to use the links above to take in all the lovely inspiration at all three challenges!

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Circle of Spring
Paper:  Thick and regular weight Whisper White, Tip Top Taupe, Watermelon Wonder, Birthday Bouquet dsp
Ink:  Archival Basic Gray, Watermelon Wonder, Pink Pirouette, Tip Top Taupe
Other:  Pearl Basic Jewels, Wonderful Wreath Framelits, Honeycomb TIEF, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack, Painted Blooms Cotton Twine (retired)

Love Four You

Hi there and welcome back!  A quick post with my card for this week's sketch challenge at Just Add Ink.  Be sure to use the link below to check out all the wonderful inspiration!

Just Add Ink

Still needing a couple of Valentines, I decided to use this sketch to make one a shabby, distressed one for my 13-year old grandson.  Nothing to girly, at least I hope not.  ; - )

The Crumb Cake card base was stamped with the Hardwood background stamp, then topped with four Early Espresso squares holding various Valentine sentiments in different shapes, all from retired Stampin' Up! stamp sets.  After everything was adhered, I wrapped some retired Hemp twine lengthwise around one side.

Thanks so much for dropping by today - as always your visit and comments are so appreciated!

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Hearts A Flutter, P. S. I Love You, Hardwood
Paper:  Whisper White, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler
Other:  Postage Stamp, 1" Square, 1 3/8" Square, 1" Circle, and Petite Curly Label punches, Hearts A Flutter Framelit, Hemp Twine

Dear Friend

Hello and welcome back!  Tonight I'm sharing a card made with the sketch challenge at Pals Paper Arts.  I love it because it has a "wonky" panel, making it a very interesting visually.

Pals Paper Arts

Lots of options with that circle peeking out from behind, but I decided to use a doily along with two pieces of designer series paper from Birthday Bouquet.  Deciding which stamp set to use was not difficult; I still can't get enough of Birthday Blooms!  This time I used the small flower in the set.

After stamping on watercolor paper in Archival Basic Black, the flower was colored with an Aqua Painter using Mossy Meadow and Blushing Bride inks.  It was then fussy cut with Paper Snips and popped up on the circle along side one of the sentiments from the same stamp set.  White enamel dots and silver sequins were then added to the card.

I tried water coloring on Shimmer card stock but I'm so used to how easily the ink can be moved around on watercolor paper that I wasn't pleased with the Shimmer card stock result.  I'm determined to practice and get better at using it, because it does have a nice sparkly look.  Instead, I used Clear Wink of Stella on the blossom to add that lovely sparkle.

Thanks for the visit, and as always, I'd love to hear from you if you have time to leave a comment!  Be sure to use the link above to enjoy all the beautiful inspiration at Pals Paper Arts.

Hugs,

Stef

Product details:

Stamps:  Birthday Blooms

Paper:  Whisper White, Thick Whisper White, Pool Party, Birthday Bouquet dsp

Ink:  Archival Basic Black, Mossy Meadow, Blushing Bride

Other:  White Perfect Accents, Metallics Sequins Assortment, Tea Lace Paper Doily, Circles Collection Framelit, 2 1/2" Circle punch, Clear Wink of Stella, Paper Snips, Aqua Painter.

Bloomin' Affection

Hi there and welcome back!  Tonight I have a quick post to share my CAS Valentine for this week's challenge over at The Paper Players.

What I ended up with is no where near where I started or had planned, but sometimes things don't work out the way you plan, so instead of trashing everything, I salvaged parts and ended up with a masculine Valentine.

Everything was layered on a 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" panel of Crumb Cake mounted on a Crumb Cake base.  The vertical panel of Cherry Cobbler was embossed with a Woodgrain TIEF, with an Antique Brad mounted on the corner.  The panel was then wrapped with Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine.

For the top square, a piece of the new Love Blossoms designer series paper was adhered to a same size piece of Whisper White card stock for stability, then the sentiment from Bloomin' Love was stamped in Cherry Cobbler in the bottom right corner.  The flying heart from the retired Affection Collection stamp set was stamped in Cherry Cobbler on Whisper White, hand cut with Paper Snips and popped up on Dimensionals.

Thanks for your visit today!  I've included a link above to Paper Players so be sure to use it to check out all the great inspiration.

Hugs,

Stef

Indian Summer

Hello again!  It's Monday night and time to share my card made for this week's Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers (SCS). Maura is our hostess and she has chosen a glorious color combination of Melon Mambo, Pretty In Pink and Pumpkin Pie.  I {heart} these colors together!  I also used the current sketch challenge from SCS for my card design.

CC566

SCS Sketch Challenge

I went digging through my hefty stash of designer series paper (yes, I have admitted to being a bit of a dsp hoarder), and found some beautiful Basic Gray paper from the Indian Summer collection from a few years ago that is perfect for this challenge.  It was layered on a piece of Pumpkin Pie and a base of Melon Mambo.

Next came the embossed Vellum circle that was topped with a banners of Pretty In Pink satin ribbon (okay, a ribbon hoarder too!) and textured Pumpkin Pie card stock.  The Melon Mambo butterfly was cut out with a Butterflies Thinlit and covered with a layer of Clear Wink of Stella.  Obviously, using the butterfly precluded me from adding a Tall Greeting as the sketch indicated, so instead I added a sentiment on a small banner that was slipped under the Pumpkin Pie button on top of the butterfly.

Thanks so much for visiting!  Please join us at the SCS Color Challenge this week!  The links above will connect you to each challenge, so be sure to use them and check out all the wonderful cards!

Hugs,

Stef

Mambo Love

Hi there!  I have a card to share made for the current challenge at Just Add Ink (Just Add Ink), where the theme is to use "Something New to You".  With products from the new Occasions catalogue, this requirement was not a problem!  I pulled out the beautiful Bloomin' Hearts thinlit to make another Valentine.

Last week I made a multi-layered and rather busy card (link here Be Mine) using this gorgeous thinlit, so today I decided to keep it very CAS.  While I made this as a Valentine for my granddaughter, this could also work as a wedding card.  The base is the wonderful Thick Whisper White card stock, which was then layered with an embossed piece of Whisper White card stock. After the thinlit was cut, I painted it with Clear Wink of Stella for that wonder sparkle.  Seriously, I think I am totally addicted to using it!  The final touches were rhinestones and a bit of ribbon wrapped around the card below the heart.

Thanks so much for looking!  As always, your visit and comments are so appreciated.  I've added a link above so you can visit JAI and enjoy all the inspiration.  This week it's actually a blog hop, so do be sure to check it out!

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Bloomin' Love
Paper:  Thick and regular Whisper White, Melon Mambo
Ink:  Melon Mambo
Other:  Bloomin' Hearts Thinlit, Clear Wink of Stella, 1/8" Melon Mambo Grosgrain Ribbon, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Vintage Wallpaper TIEF

Your Best

A quick post (yes, two in one day!) with a card I made for this week's sketch at Mojo Monday.  At Christmastime, my office Secret Santa gave me some sweet quote cards and I used a couple of them to make a card.

Mojo Monday

Taking a cue from the colors in the quote cards, I started with an Early Espresso card base.  The next layer is a slightly smaller piece of Textured Whisper White card stock, where I then adhered the round quote card, with the patterned side up.  A panel of Marina Mist card stock was embossed with the Spring Flower Textured Impression Embossing Folder, then a bit of sparkle was added with Clear Wink of Stella and added to the card.  Rather than a banner at the top, I added a bow tied with So Saffron ribbon.

The sentiment, a quote from one of my favorite writers, Kahil Gibran, didn't need much embellishment, so I just added rhinestones to the flowers already on the card.

Be sure to use the link above to visit Mojo Monday and take in all the inspiration.  Thanks for looking!

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  None
Paper:  Early Espresso, Textured Whisper White, Marina Mist
Ink:  None
Other:  Clear Wink of Stella, So Saffron Grosgrain ribbon, Spring Flower TIEF, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Cardstock Quote Cards (Cloud 9 Design)

Open Sea Birthday

Hi there and welcome back!  I had need of a masculine birthday card, and used the challenges at Friday Mashup and Freshly Made Sketches to provide the inspiration.

The Friday Mashup

Freshly Made Sketches

I pulled out a virtual plethora of retired Stampin' Up! products to make this card.  Part of the color challenge at Friday Mashup is to use 3 of the colors, which I did - Not Quite Navy, Smoky Slate and the bottom color which I took to be Whisper White.  I found some retired designer series paper and matched it up with an embossed panel of Smoky Slate on a piece of card stock slightly smaller than the Not Quite Navy card base.  It was then wrapped with a piece of Not Quite Navy Taffeta ribbon and some Very Vanilla Thick Baker's Twine, which I think looks remarkably like rope.



I saw a card made by Amy Koenders here (http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2647950?&cat=21164)      using the frame idea and decided to incorporate it into my card.  I first stamped the ship and world images on Whisper White card stock.  I then inked the Hardwood stamp in Smoky Slate, then stamped it on a panel of Smoky Slate card stock, using my paper cutter to trim each piece of "wood" for the frame.  After putting that together I used a small piece of tape to put the "rope" on the corner, then topped it with the compass.

Thanks for taking a look!  Be sure to use the links above to check out all the great inspiration at Friday Mashup and Freshly Made Sketches.

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  The Open Sea, Hardwood, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper:  Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Smoky Slate, Nautical Expedition dsp
Ink:  Smoky Slate, Not Quite Navy
Other:  3/4" and 1 1/4" Circle punches, Word Window punch, Neutrals Candy Dots, Very Vanilla Thick Baker's Twine, Not Quite Navy Taffeta ribbon, Square Lattice Textured Impression Embossing Folder

Be Mine

A quick post tonight with my card for this week's Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers (SCS 565)  This week Barbara has chosen perfect colors for Valentine's Day - Real Red, Whisper White and Basic Black.  "Dessert" is to add ribbon.  I used an older sketch from the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge (SSSC258).

I decided to go all in on making a Valentine.  I pulled out designer series paper with lots of hearts, then layered an amazing Red Foil heart cut with the Bloomin' Hearts thinlit on top.

The sentiment and banner were stamped on Whisper White and cut out by hand, then popped up across the heart.  I added little white heart sequins and some beautiful White Organza ribbon to finish it off.  While it has several layers, it's still plenty flat for mailing.

Thanks for you taking a look, and as always I'd love to hear from you if you have a moment to leave a comment!  Be sure to use the link above to SCS to check out all the great inspiration!

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Bloomin' Love
Paper:  Whisper White, Real Red, Basic Black, Stacked With Love dsp, Red Foil
Ink:  Real Red, Basic Black
Other:  White Organza Ribbon, Metallics Sequins, Bloomin' Hearts Thinlit, Paper Snips

Spring Fields

Happy Sunday, and welcome back!  Today I'm sharing a card made with the current sketch challenge at Pals Paper Arts, and using the colors from the current challenge over at Create with Connie and Mary.  I've included links to the sites, so be sure to visit and enjoy all the beautiful inspiration!

Pals Paper Arts

Create with Connie and Mary

Two of my favorite items available during Sale-A-Bration this year are the stamp set Flowering Fields and the matching designer series paper, Wildflower Fields.  Each one is separately available free with a purchase of $50.00 or more.  One of the things I like about the stamp set is that each of the six wild flower images are a separate stamp, so you have the opportunity to build a wide variety of "scenes".

I decided to flip the sketch 90 degrees for this scene.  I started out by stamping the floral images on a small Shimmery White panel using Archival Basic Black ink, which is wonderful for coloring with reinkers.  Using a Blender Pen, I gently colored the flowers with the challenge colors, going over the leaves in the middle image a second time to give some contrast to those on either side.  After that was done, the corner was punched with the Curvy Corner Trio punch and adhered to a slightly larger piece of Pear Pizzazz card stock.

Before attaching the piece of Blackberry Bliss card stock, it was embossed with the Fluttering Textured Impression Embossing Folder.  The circle element of the sketch was created with the 1 3/4" Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle and 1 1/4" Scallop Circle punches.  The sentiment, stamped in Blackberry Bliss, is from the Circle of Spring stamp set (available in the annual catalogue).  Pearls and sequins finished things off.

Thanks for your visit today!  I hope you have a great week ahead!

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Flowering Fields, Circle of Spring
Paper:  Thick Whisper White, Shimmery White, Pear Pizzazz, Blackberry Bliss, Bermuda Bay, Wildflower dsp
Ink:  Archival Basic Black, Pear Pizzazz, Blackberry Bliss, Bermuda Bay
Other:  1 3/4" Scallop Circle, 1 1/4" Scallop Circle, 1 3/8" Circle punches, Fluttering TIEF, Curvy Corner Trio punch, Blender Pen, Metallics Sequins, Pearl Basic Jewels

The Cute Begins

Hello, friends!  Welcome back!  Tonight my card is a fun and easy one, made for a co-worker and his wife, who welcomed a new baby boy to the world last weekend.  I was inspired by the wonderful color challenge at ColourQ and this week's fun sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.

ColourQ

Freshly Made Sketches

For a new baby card, I looked through the few stamp sets I have for that event and settled on using a couple images from The Best of Brides & Babies.  They were stamped on Shimmery White paper and colored with a Blender Pen.

Since the card is for a baby boy, I wanted Pool Party and Crumb Cake (in lieu of Kraft) to be the primary colors, which worked out great with these stamps that were colored with reinkers and a Blender Pen.  To work the pinks in, the bottoms of the bear paws were colored with Blushing Bride and the heart on the sweet little onesie with Melon Mambo.

As you can see, I actually added a bit more Melon Mambo plus some Crumb Cake at the bottom of the card for some additional contrast, using the retired Tasteful Trim XL Big Z die to cut out the pieces of rickrack.

Thanks for taking a look today.  I appreciate your visit and would love to hear from you!  I've included links above, so be sure to visit FMS and ColourQ to check out all the great inspiration.


Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Best of Brides & Babies
Paper:  Shimmery White, Crumb Cake, Melon Mambo, 2011-2013 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack
Ink:  Archival Basic Gray, Crumb Cake Pool Party, Melon Mambo, Blushing Bride
Other:  Blender Pen, Tasteful Trim Big Z XL die

Well Wishes

Hello once again!  Tonight I'm sharing a card made for this week's Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers.  I was invited to contribute a weekly sample with the Color Challenge Design Team for the next 4 months.  Of course I said yes!  I had a great time as a guest designer for the month of June 2015, so I know this will be a lot of fun!

This week our hostess is Peggy and she has chosen the luscious combination of Pacific Point, Cucumber Crush and Sahara Sand.

Splitcoaststampers

I love the bright bold blue and green together but wasn't quite sure how to put Sahara Sand into the mix.  Then I decided to stamp directly on a panel of Sahara Sand and color the image with an Aqua Painter.  What that acted to do was tone down the brights and make it more compatible with the subtle third color.

This really ended up quite CAS.  After stamping and coloring the flower, I dried it with my heat tool.  While it ended up being a bit warped, I adhered it to a slightly smaller piece of the same card stock with some Score Tape and once it was mounted on the card with Dimensionals, the warping went away.  The sentiment was added using a Stampamajig.  It still looked a bit bare, so I added spots, which were stamped off once or twice before adding to the panel.  Then I took the tip of a Gold Wink of Stella pen and added some gold dots in the mix and also in the center of the flower.  It helped tie in the piece of gold cord tied over the Sahara Sand Lace Trim.  Mounted on a Pacific Point card base and done!

I so appreciate your visit today and would love to hear from you if you have a moment to leave a comment!  Please be sure to use the link above to the SCS main page where you can find a link to this week's color challenge.  Believe me, you'll see lots of fabulous inspiration and I hope you join us this week!

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Remarkable You, Thoughts & Prayers, Gorgeous Grunge
Paper:  Sahara Sand, Pacific Point
Ink:  Archival Basic Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, Cucumber Crush, Pacific Point
Other:  Aqua Painter, Sahara Sand Lace Trim, Gold Cording, Gold Wink of Stella

Bud Birthday Wishes

Hello again!  The color challenge and sketch challenge at Splitcoaststampers this week are both marvelous, so I decided to use them both for the card I am sharing with you today.

Island Indigo

Lost Lagoon

Pear Pizzazz

Splitcoaststampers

I used Stampin' Markers directly to the rubber so the colors are more muted than inking with a stamp pad.  I first colored the flowers with Lost Lagoon, then went around the middle or lower edges with Island Indigo.  After stamping the flower, I trimmed the card stock, stamped the sentiment and added the buttons.  Due to the size of the stamped image, making it a tag as shown in the sketch wasn't working for me, so I layered it over a tilted piece of Pear Pizzazz.

The card base of Lost Lagoon was covered with retired designer series paper.  I cut the dsp 1/8" shorter than normal to make room for the diagonal split, which has another design from the dsp peeking out.  Popped the focal image on top with Dimensionals and I was done.  Very quick and easy!

Thanks so much for looking, as always your visit and comments are so appreciated!  Be sure to use the link above to visit both challenges, links of which are listed on the front page of Splitcoaststampers.

Hugs,

Stef


Product details:
Stamps:  Hey There Buds, Petite Pairs
Paper:  Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Lost Lagoon, 2011-2013 In Color Pattern Stack dsp
Ink:  Island Indigo, Pear Pizzazz, Lost Lagoon
Other:  Retired Lost Lagoon and Pear Pizzazz buttons, Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Linen Thread