Lean on Me - December 1st

Happy December 1st - how did we get so close to the end of the year?

I wanted to share with you a card I recently made for my friend who is going through a difficult time right now.  The stamp that I used is from the "Lean on Me" stamp set ($19.95 for clear mount) which I really love because it's the kind of stamp set that you can use to cheer a friend up or to just the person know that you're thinking of them.  Here's what it looks like:

I colored in the image with Stampin' Up Watercolor Pencils and then used a Scallop Trim Border punch on the Whisper White cardstock that I stamped the image on.  The buttons are retired.  The Ballet Blue (also retired) cardstock was put through the Big Shot with a embossing folder called "Stripes" which really gives it such as classic look.  It's a simple card yet it packs a punch.  This card hardly took any time at all - everything came together in minutes.  What do you think of it?

Young Vermillion - Another Favourite

Happy Wednesday! I can't believe we made it to the middle of the week...I've had to remind myself several times that it's Wednesday and NOT Tuesday.  I really need the weekend.

I wanted to showcase a stamp that I have used a lot and that is called "Young Vermillion" which is found in the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalogue ($9.95).  I love it and use it because it fits any type of card - its just a classic image that lends itself well to any stamping project.  This is what I came up with using Peach Parfait cardstock, Spice Cake Designer Series Paper (found in the current issue of the Holiday Mini $13.50) and Crumb Cake seam binding ribbon ($9.50 - I am liking this way more than regular ribbon).  The huge button that I used is from the Spice Collection Designer Button set and the colour is More Mustard ($10.50 for 16 in 4 colours).

I hope you like it.  Its simple and took very little time to do which is a double whammy.  Hope to see you tomorrow!

Retired But Still Awesome

Happy Tuesday, readers! In Toronto, the forecast is rain all day.  A perfect day to do something crafty.

I had to do a thank you card for a friend who had us over for dinner.  I didn't want something overly feminine and I knew she was into Star Trek so I decided to do sort of a space theme.  The stamp is from the 8 piece stamp set called "Pun Fun".  As I've said, retired doesn't mean that the stamps are any less valuable.  To make room for more stamp sets, Stampin' Up simply retires certain sets so we can have more variety in the catalogues.  I wish I had used this stamp set more but it doesn't mean that I won't.

I embossed the "You're a blast" sentiment with gold embossing powder and then heat set it.  I can't take credit for this design though.  I saw a similar version of it in the "Card Ideas for Paper Crafters" (volume 1) magazine and the designer of the card is Cindy Major. 

When my friend got it, she told me that she loved it.  And also mentioned that it was nice to get a card from someone other than e-mail.  I thought that was nice thing to say.  It sure makes a difference when someone takes the time to let you know that you're thinking of them. Try it and let me know!

Get Back on That Horse

My dear friends and readers.  I am almost ashamed to see that it has been so long since I last posted - back in September.  Nothing earth-shattering happened.  Just that I hit a creative block and could not myself past it.  I still love scrapbooking and cardmaking but sometimes you just run out of ideas or inspiration (now THAT'S SAD) to keep it going.  So I stopped, played around with the products that I had on hand and even got some new ones and spent the time re-grouping.  It's been quite the journey.  I hope you'll stay with me on it.

One of the stamps that I use a lot is called the "Leaves of a Tree" ($11.95) in the Holidays Mini Catalogue.  It just comes in handy for any occasion.  Here are a few samples:

I have to say that my favourite technique using this stamp is the direct to stamp with marker technique.  You can use more than one colour when you use the Stampin' Write Markers and it gives the leaves a more realistic look to them.  At any rate, I think you can get more bang for your buck.

Hope to see you tomorrow!

French Foliage - Getting Ready for Fall

Hello my friends.

With the beginning of fall, we tend to put away the summer clothes, pull out the warm sweaters and anticipate the wonderful colours that only fall can bring.  I love this time of year - it always seems like a time of new beginnings and beauty everywhere.  I wanted to create a card that reflected a change in the seasons and I came up with this:

The stamped leaf image is from the "French Foliage" stamp set (page 115) and instead of using ink to stamp the leaf, I used Stampin' Up Write Markers (page 202) which gives me the freedom of mixing different colours and making the leaves look more authentic.  I really like the way it turned out.  I made this card for a girlfriend that I have known since Jr. Kindergarten and we just recently hooked up again on Facebook.  Just a little something to show that I have been thinking of her.  What can YOU create to reflect the time of the season?

It Happens in Threes - Technique Tuesday

Hello my friends.  Happy Tuesday.

I don't have so much of a technique as much as it is something worth a try.  How about stamping an image three times to give your card more of a visual appeal? It doesn't sound like much, but I sure do like the look.  Tell me what you think....

I love this stamp set.  It's called "Established Elegance" (page 130) and I just love the retro feel of it.  It would be a perfect card for a girlfriend to say hi or to cheer her up.  I used linen thread (page 194) to wrap around it to give it texture and dimension. 

This stamp is from the stamp set called "Under the Big Top" (page 63 ).  It's really a great set to invest in.  I used Watercolor Pencils (page 202) to color in the image and then a blender pen (page 203) to finish it off.  It creates a nice, soft look.

This stamped image is from the "Timeless Treasures" stamp set (page 135).

So you get the picture.  You could infuse new life in an old stamp set just by finding new ways to use it.  It's worth a try.  See what YOU can come up with!

I'm Back

Hello my friends.  Summer is over and here we are in September, back to school routines and forging ahead with work schedules.  It's taken me a while to get back to what I love but I am definitely back.

Last week, my husband and I celebrated our 11th year anniversary.  As usual, I wanted to make a card for him and was flipping through a cardmaking magazine called Card Creations.  I saw a card that I wanted to duplicate so I have to give a shout out to the person who designed it in the first place.  Her name is Jane Ralph and she is featured on page 17 in the latest Card Creations magazine that is out on newstands right now.  As soon as I saw it, I knew I wanted to do it.  Here's my take:

The main colour that I used is Poppy Parade (cardstock & ink) and I just love the way it turned out.  It doesn't take itself too seriously which is exactly what I wanted.  Anniversary cards don't have to be all stuffy and stiff with the usual flowers and romantic overtures.  And  yes, my husband loved it.

See you tomorrow!