Thought for the day... sympathy and insight

Ever had one of those days?  This is the card for that day...

Supplies available from www.creativeflare.stampinup.net

Stamp set:  Trust God (w#132094, c#126702)

Ink:  Basic Black

Card Stock:  Raspberry Ripple, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Modern Medley Designer Series Paper (birds and backing label)

Tools:  Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Labels Collection Framelits (125598), Hearts Collection Framelits (125599), Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder (129984), Petals a Plenty Embossing Folders (116824),  2-1/2" Circle Punch (120906),  Decorative Label (120907).

Peace!

This card is not totally a Stampin' Up card, my inspiration piece for this card was the elephant/butterfly washi tape that I got from a local craft store...

Supplies available from www.creativeflare.stampinup.net

Stamps:  Positively Chevron Background (w#130496, c#130499)

Ink:  Versamark

Card Stock:  Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, Island Indigo, Melon Mambo, Elegant Eggplant, Tangerine Tango

Tools:  Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Window Frames Framelits (129021), Label Bracket Punch (132153), Elegant Butterfly (127526), Bitty Butterfly (129406), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309)

Enjoy!

Epic Thanks

The zig-zags on the Gumball Green background were made with the 1" square punch...

Supplies available from www.creativeflare.stampinup.net

Stamp Set:  Six Sided Sampler (w#130953, c#130956), Gorgeous Grunge (w#130514, c#130517)

     (*Buy as a bundle with the Hexagon punch and save 15% - w# 132725, c#132724)

Ink:  Gumball Green, Crumb Cake

Card stock:  Crumb Cake, Gumball Green, Calypso Coral, Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party;  Epic Day Designer Series Paper

Tools:  Hexagon Punch (130919), 1" Square Punch (124094)

Happy Day Hello

The colors of this card were inspired by the mock-Turkish rug on my living room floor...

Supplies for this card are available from www.creativeflare.stampinup.net

Stamp set:  Happy Day (w#130294, c#130297)

Card Stock:  Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Island Indigo and Always Artichoke.

Ink:  Island Indigo, Versamark

Tools:  Artisan Label Punch (130920), Scallop Edge Border punch (119882), Floral Frames Collection Framelits (127012), Adorning Accents Edgelits (125595), Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439)

Enjoy!

Perfect Blend - Fast and Fun Card

This was very simple.  It's a 5-1/4" x 4" Pistachio Pudding card front with 3 coffee cups stamped using the masking technique.  The forward most cup was stamped on Whisper White card stock in Early Espresso ink (of course) and colored with a Pistachio Pudding Stampin' Write Marker.  The cup sleeve was made by stamping a cup on Crumb Cake card stock, stamping the sentiment in Garden Green, and then trimming out the sleeve and adding it to the card using a Stampin' Dimensional.

These days everything looks better with banners, so I rummaged through my scrap keepers and found some Crumb Cake, Crisp Cantaloupe, and Strawberry Slush to add some pizzazz.  The finishing touch was a little bow of Early Espresso Baker's twine and a small heart punched from Strawberry Slush card stock.

Supplies:  available from www.creativeflare.stampinup.net

Stamp Set:  Perfect Blend (w130745, c131392)

Ink: Early Espresso (126974)

Pistachio Pudding Stampin' Write Marker (part of In Color 2013-15 collection 131260)

Card Stock:  Pistachio Pudding, Strawberry Slush, Crisp Cantaloupe (In Color 2013-15 collection 131200)
Whisper White and Crumb Cake (Neutrals Collection 131191)

Tools:  Small Heart Punch: (117193)  3/16" Corner Rounder (119871) Paper Snips (103579) Stampin' Trimmer (126889)

Morning Coffee.... Perfect Blend with Gorgeous Grunge

"Given enough coffee, I could rule the world...temporarily."  Yeah, I feel like that most days.  This card is  done in what you can call "The Starbucks color scheme"  - Baked Brown Sugar, Early Espresso, Garden Green and Very Vanilla.  The coffee cup is stamped with Early Espresso on Whisper White and colored in with a Blender Pen loaded with Baked Brown Sugar ink.  The sentiment stamped in Garden Green ink, and the cup was cut out and attached to the Very Vanilla background with Stampin" Dimensionals.  The coffee splatters are Baked Brown Sugar - stamped off for the big splat, straight to paper for the darker spot, and Early Espresso for the spray.  The washi tape is the Witches' Brew from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  

Supplies - available from www.creativeflare.stampinup.net

Stamp Sets:  Perfect Blend (w 130745, c 131392), Gorgeous Grunge (w 130514, c 130517)

Card Stock:

Baked Brown Sugar (131296), Garden Green (102584), Very Vanilla (101650), Whisper White (100730)

Ink:  Baked Brown Sugar (131174), Garden Green (126973), Early Espresso (126974)

Tools:

Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Blender Pens (102845), Witches' Brew Washi tape (132156)

Enjoy your coffee!

Gate Fold Flower Card

This was a fast and fab make and take.  The card is a standard A2 size, only scored at 2-1/8" from either long side.  Using a Simply Scored Board (item #122334) was the key to exact placement of the score lines.  I pre-cut the flowers using the Floral Frames framelets collection in Melon Mambo and Island Indigo.  These flowers were embossed using an embossing folder, but some of the attendees textured them with the crumple-flatten-ink method and it looked great.  The center is a 1-3/8" circle punch.  The card base is Crumb Cake card stock stamped with the Woodgrain background stamp in Chocolate Chip ink.  The border along the bottom is 1-1/4" x 2-1/8" of Orchard Harvest Designer Series Paper (Holiday 2012 catalog) and Old Olive card stock trimmed with the Scallop Border punch along one side.  

Convention Swaps, part 5

This card was my favorite.  Once upon a time, in my wild and almost unruly youth I was a Naval Officer, and while the ships I worked and lived on didn't have sails, the romantic in me loves the ones that do.  Fortuitously, the "frames" was left over from a previous project where I needed a stack of Crumb Cake card stock Top Note Dies.  

All supplies are available from www.creativeflare.stampinup.net

Supplies:
Stamp set:  The Open Sea (wood mounted item #128454 $26.95/ cling mount item #123032 $18.95, Clear Block D or larger recommended); Simply Serif Mini Alphabet (item #126360 $20.95)

Card stock:  Crumb Cake, Island Indigo, Natural Ivory

Ink:  Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler

Tools:  Top Note Die, Woodgrain embossing folder, Big Shot, Sponge Daubers, Modern Label Punch

Other:  Linen Thread (item #104199 $4.50 for 15 yards)

Convention Swaps, part 3

Back to my convention swaps!  I made about 130 card fronts in 6 different designs to trade with other demonstrators at the Stampin' Up convention a couple weeks ago.  This is design #3 - Fiesta!  

The technique trick for this card is the selective cutting technique.  It works great for matchbook style cards as well as backgrounds!

Here's how:  

1.  Cut strips of Old Olive card stock to be 5-1/2" long and 2-5/8" wide - the exact width of the corners of framelet.  

2.  Weave one end of the strip under the cutting edge of the die and placed my cutting pad just over the area to be cut, leaving the tail end on top of the die.  

3.  Crank it into the Big Shot and back out again without going over the whole piece of card stock so that there are no marks or wrinkles on the rest of the strip.  

4.  Flip the strip and do the same to the other edge.  

Afterwards, I sponged the edges in Old Olive ink, and ran it through the Big Shot with the Honeycomb TIEF.

Supplies available from www.creativeflare.stampinup.net

Stamp Sets:

Mixed Bunch:  wood mounted set item #128442 $27.95; cling mount set item #125537 $21.95 (block D is recommended)

Fabulous Phrases: wood mount set item #128557 $37.95; cling mount set item #120501 $26.95  (block B, C, or G is recommended)

Card stock:

Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight - available together in the Brights Collection multi-pack; item #113190 $6.95 for 20 sheets, includes all the colors listed above.

Ink:

Pacific Point:  item #126951 $5.95

Old Olive:  item #126953 $5.95

Punches: 

1-1/4" Scallop Circle: item #127811 $15.95

7/8" Scallop Circle:  item #129404 $12.95

Big Shot Die Cutting Machine: #113439 $99.95

Honeycomb Textured Impressions Embossing Folder:  #129378 $7.95

Window Frame Framelets Dies: #129021 $26.95

Sponge Daubers:  item #102892 $10.95 for a dozen daubers.

It was so awesome to get to swap cards with other demonstrators.  It amazed me how all of us could take the exact same supplies and make such a variety of cards!  You're all fabulous!

Enjoy!

Live the Life You've Imagined card...

At the end of the Stampin' Up catalog year, I sift through all my paper scraps and pre-cut items to get organized for the new trends in color.  Baja Breeze and Riding Hood Red are retiring colors, and will only be available through May 31.

Colors - (in order of card base to flower)  Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Sahara Sand, Whisper White, Basic Gray, Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red, (mini-brad)

The stamp set Really Good Greetings will be available May 31.  Item (130330w $18.95/130333c $14.95)

    }cling mount set requires Clear Block C (118486 $6.95) or larger.

The "leaves" are the inner scraps from a Lattice die cut (115958 $21.95)

Embossing Folders:

Chevron (127749 $7.95)

Woodgrain (127821 $7.95)

Honeycomb (129378  $7.95)

Enjoy!

All these items are available from my Stampin' Up website www.creativeflare.stampinup.net  

Stampin' Up new 2013-14 Catalog Sneak Peek

Here's a card I "scrap-lifted" from our new catalog (pg 114), with a few of my own modifications.  Featured here are our new In-Colors for 2013-15.  The card stock color is Coastal Cabana, the flowers are inked in (largest to smallest) Strawberry Slush, Baked Brown Sugar, Pistachio Pudding, and Crisp Cantaloupe.

Stamp set:  Daydream Medallions (131976w $36.95/126467c $26.95)
     }cling mount stamp set requires Clear Block F (118483) $16.95
Stamp-a-ma-jig  (101049 $11.95)
Floral Frames Collection framelets (127012 $26.95)
     }for use with the Sizzix Big Shot (113439 $99.95)
Fabulous Phrases (128577w $37.95/120501c $ 26.95)
     }cling mount Clear Block B or larger 117147 ($5.95)
Bitty Butterfly Punch (129406) $15.95
Artisan Label (new!) (130920) $15.95
Mosaic Punch (new!) (131267) $15.95
In Color 2013-15 Card Stock and Pad Kit (131204) $29.95

Label Love (new!) 130619w $24.95/130622c $17.95

All of these supplies are available from my website: www.creativeflarecards.stampinup.net .  New Items will be available May 31, 2013. Other items are currently available.

Enjoy!

A farewell to the Cottage Window...

The Cottage Window stamp set (127280w/127282c)  is one that we'll be saying "good-bye" to at the end of this month, alas!  I love how evocative the idea of an open window is, and while the set has several cute images to stamp in the window, here I went with some brayer technique and the Lovely as a Tree set (115026w/127793c).

To make the window,  cut a 2 x 2-1/2" rectangle of Glossy White card stock (also a discontinuing item, 102599) and ink it entirely with Daffodil Delight and a brayer.  Once dry, punch a sticky side of a post-it note with a 3/8" circle (from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack 118309) and mask your setting sun. Brayer again, this time using Pumpkin Pie ink.  Peel off post-it mask and voila! A golden sunset!  Stamp your trees over the sunset, lightly dab on some little green leaves with the brush end of a Garden Green Stampin' Write marker if it's spring time in your window, and adhere cut out stamped window frame with Stampin' Dimensionals, trim excess scenery from around the window frame and adhere to card front.  

The sentiment comes from the Trust God set (126700w/126702c)

The card base is Lucky Limeaid, accent color is Regal Rose.  Both colors retire at the end of the month as well!  The background card stock is Very Vanilla, and the Window frame is stamped in Early Espresso ink on Crumb Cake card stock.  The sentiment was punched out with the Extra Large Oval punch (119859) and backed on the Decorative Label punch (120907).

Enjoy!

All the items from this card can be ordered from my Stampin' Up website www.creativeflare.stampinup.net

Beautiful Bee Boxes

I love making boxes!  There are loads of cool box templates available out there on the great big internet, but I favor taking apart boxes found around the house.  This "template" is a hexagonal Haci Bekir Turkish Delight box that came from the World Market.  Yes, the Turkish Delight was delicious.


Supplies:
2 sheets 8-1/2 x 11 card stock (here I used Crumb Cake and Bashful Blue by Stampin' Up)
1 sheet 12 x 12 card stock for the bottom (Crumb Cake by Stampin' Up)
1 sheet Designer Series Paper - it's double sided and a little thicker than average paper.  Of course, it's by Stampin' Up.

The decor on the box is my little "sneak peek" into the new catalog, I just got the Mosaic Madness bundle (item 132733c/132734w), and the Label Love bundle (item 132722c/132723w) which is the stamp set plus the coordinating punch "bundled" and discounted.  One of the great things about being a Stampin' Up demonstrator is getting all the new stuff first.

The foofy flower is 7 layers of filter paper, spritzed with Marina Mist ink (put 4 drops of Marina Mist ink in a Stampin' Spritzer and fill the rest of the way with water).  Spritz until you are satisfied with the color saturation and dry with a heat tool.  Cut 3 - 4 layers at a time with the Floral Frames Collection framelets and the Big Shot, stack and pierce in the center and secure with a brad.  Scrunch the flower layers to the center individually and when you're ready, attach using a Stampin' Dimensional.

First, I take apart the box.  The cool thing about this one is it is held together by folding.  In it's original form no glue or tape is required.   The box size is about 1" deep by 6 3/4 inches corner to corner.   Contact me at creativeflarecards@gmail.com and I can send you a poster board template with instructions to recreate this box, cost is $10 (shipping included).  Whoever originated this box was a genius, and I can't find them in stores anymore...

To use colored card stock, however, it does have to be broken down into parts.  There is an "inside" flap for each top and bottom (above).  Trace these on to 8 1/2 x 11 card stock.  The top is 1/8" bigger all around.

Trace the "outside" pieces on double sided Designer Series Paper (top) and Stampin' Up 12 x 12 card stock.  A light tack masking tape is a big help here.  Thicker paper is better, and I highly recommend Stampin' Up's card stock because it is heavier (80# weight) than most craft store card stocks.  This DSP was a Sale-a-Bration score from a couple years ago....

Cut out all 4 pieces and score using a straight edge and stylus.  It is helpful to have a soft surface underneath like a piercing pad or some grid paper.  Yes, the ruler is a "Tim Holtz" tool....

Place a generous amount of adhesive on the connecting tab of the inside flaps.  I used SNAIL adhesive, but Sticky Strip works well too.

Adhere to the inside of the paper or card stock exterior.  The edge of the inner tab should be flush with the score line on the middle of the exterior tab.

Fold along score lines.  

The fold follows an in-in-out pattern, curling over on itself.

Fold all the sides in, making sure to fold each successive side over the previous side tab.

 

Fold the inner flap over - this will hold all the other folds in place.

Repeat same steps for bottom card stock pieces.

Now it is ready to decorate!  You can have a lot of fun with these, they obviously are great candy boxes, and are great for small gifts, gift cards, jewelry, etc.  They're fun boxes for end-of-year teacher gifts, too.

Enjoy!

Bee Box with Nestabilities Dahlia pattern

Bee Box with Stampin' Up Labels Collection framelets and Blossom Builder Punch.

 The name "Bee Box" comes from my 5 year old, who compares it to the hexagonal designs in honeycomb.

Not long ago I was experimenting with the "Dryer Sheet Techique"  - the little butterfly was stamped with Staz-On Jet Black ink on Whisper White card stock and colored in with Stampin' Write markers in Tangerine Tango and Pumpkin Pie, and outlined with Sahara Sand.  Then I sprayed it with Elmer's Spray glue and pressed a used dryer fabric softener sheet onto the wet glue.  After it dried I cut it out with some Paper Snips.  

The remaining elements on the card are: (by Stampin' Up)

Labels Framelets, Paper:  Pocket Full of Posies; Card Stock:  Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz, Pumpkin Pie, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight; Ink:  Pear Pizzazz; Stamp set:  Papillion Potpourri 

Other company products;

Nestablilities Dahlia dies.

Sorry, Stampin' Up, but I just like that Dahlia!

I love the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die from Stampin' Up, so as a result, my scrap bin is often filled with various colors of butterflies.  

Supplies:  

Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Labels Framelets.  Punches:  Small Tag, Large Tag and Right Way; Paper: Pocket Full of Posies; Card Stock: Garden Green, Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie, Always Artichoke, Whisper White, Not Quite Navy;  Ink:  More Mustard, Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso.  Stamps by Stampin' Up.

Inking the dots helps them "pop".

Enjoy!

New Spring Mini Catalog ideas

For this card, I cut and taped all my large ovals, then used a tabletop paper cutter to slice down the center.  A Stamp-a-ma-jig was also helpful getting the quilt-looking stamp lined up to create the band across the front.


Supplies:
 "Oh, Hello" bundle  - "Oh, Hello" stamp set and Ovals Collection Framelets - item number 131102 $44.95 wood mount bundle;  131101 $38.95 clear mount bundle

Card Stock:
Raspberry Ripple (In-Color 2012-14) - 126842 $6.95 for 24 sheets
Gumball Green (In-Color 2012-14)  - 126840 $6.95 for 24 sheets
     (also available in the In-Color 2012-14 Card Stock Collection: 126838 $6.95 for 20 sheets, 4 each of 5 colors)
Very Vanilla - 101650 $8.50 for 40 sheets
Basic Black - 121045 $6.95 for 24 sheets
Crumb Cake - 120953 $6.95 for 24 sheets
     (also available in the Neutrals Card Stock Collection 119707 $6.95 20 sheets, 2 of each neutral color)
Designer Series Paper Regals Collection (More Mustard used here) 117154 $21.95 for 40 sheets of double sided 12 x 12 paper, 4 each of 10 colors)

Ink:
Raspberry Ripple Classic Stampin' Pad:  126859 $5.95
Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad:  126975
Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad:  126980
Gumball Green Classic Stampin' Pad:  126861

Punches:
Elegant Butterfly Punch - 127526 $15.95
Blossom Punch - 125603 $16.95
Boho Blossoms Punch - 119858 $16.95

Other Tools:
Stampin' Up Big Shot by Sizzix - 113439 $99.95
Blender Pens - 102845 $9.95 for 3
Stampin' Dimensionals: - 104430 $3.95 for 300
Sponge Daubers: 102892 $10.95 for 12
Stamp-a-ma-jig: - 101049 $11.95
Tabletop Paper Cutter: - 106959 $45.95

Stamping with Embossing Folders

Stamping with Embossing Folders

This technique is so easy it's ridiculous, and what's funny is that it took me so long to find out how to get this look! All you need is an embossing folder, card stock, and classic dye ink.

First, open the embossing folder and ink the raised portion on the inside.  This is the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder from Stampin' Up.

Next, carefully place your card stock squarely on the inked side of the folder.

Last, close the folder and press down with your hand, or use a bone folder or empty acrylic block to create nice even pressure. DO NOT RUN THIS THROUGH THE BIG SHOT. 

Just open the folder and, voila! A fabulous delicate background for your card.

Another way to stamp with embossing folders is to ink the “deep” side of the folder, place your card stock, and run it through the Big Shot. Gives a bold textured look.

Cleanup is a snap, just run the folder under the tap and dry it off. Very simple.

Enjoy!

Do it Yourself Stamps

The Sizzix Big Shot is a great tool to have on the shelf... but mine never stays there. There's no paper crafting project that a few die cuts can't improve. I've found yet another way to use the Big Shot. The initial idea came from the great altered art sorcerer, Tim Holtz. The Great Tim had used his Big Shot to cut out 6mm Craft Foam with Bigz and Originals dies, and glued them to backings he cut from the stiff plastic packaging from some of his supplies. Voila! Stamps! Very clever! I decided to take it one step further and incorporate Stampin' Up's Clear Mount Cling Foam. Using the Cling Foam enables you to mount your newly cut foam stamps on your acrylic blocks and be able to reposition them and couple them together for whatever back ground composition you wish, and you can store them in the thin plastic cases made for our regular stamps!

Supplies:

Thin craft foam, any color. I prefer white, while it shows stains after a few uses it is still easy to see where the ink is on the stamp. While I experimented with both 6mm and thin craft foam, I found that when combining the thickness of the craft foam with the Cling Mount Foam, the thin stuff was easiest to run through the Big Shot and plenty thick enough to stand up off of your block. Tim used black craft foam on his blog, must be a guy thing.

Stampin' Up! Clear Mount Cling Foam. You get (2) 8 ½ x 11 sheets – enough to fill 4 or more Clear Mount Stamp Cases if you're thrifty.

Big Shot and Bigz or Originals Dies

Clear Mount Stamp Cases

Ink, Paper, etc...

Directions:

1. Measure the size of foam 1/8 th inch larger all around the die cut area to be sure to cover it completely. There is one clingy side and one sticky side of the cling mount foam, when making your “sandwich” for the Big Shot, the “cling” side will be down on the die if you want the stamp to look exactly like the finished die cut, or up toward the cutting pad if you want the stamps to print in the reverse image. “Up” or “down” might make a difference in your measurement, begin with the goal in mind.

1. Adhere craft foam to Cling Mount Foam. Make it nice and exact as possible, you want both pieces to cover your die cut.

2. Make your Big Shot “sandwich” - cutting pad, die, foam pieces, cutting pad. If you are wanting an exact image and your craft foam side is up, be sure that your cutting pad is new and smooth. The texture of a cutting pad will mar the foam if the cutting pad is heavily worn. What I do with my cutting pads is use one exclusively as a cutting surface and keep the other smooth. Then when the both sides of my cutting surface are excessively worn down, I swap it out with my smoother one and use one new cutting pad as a smooth backer. That way I don't have to use both my new ones in a set at once, and I always have a smooth sheet of acrylic to use to cut foam, ink up to load my brayer, or it can be used with Cling Stamps to create a large composition for decorating a greater area, etc...

1. Run your “sandwich” through the Big Shot. It will be a little thick and you might need an extra hand, but it will come through just fine.

1. Pop out your die cut stamp, peel the backing off the “cling” side of the foam and adhere to your acrylic block, ink, stamp, and clean just as you would a conventional rubber stamp. Works great with Classic Ink, Craft Ink, Versamark, watercolor techniques, “Kissing” techniques - where you stamp on the foam and then stamp the foam onto your paper, not what you do with your honey on Saturday night, what are you thinking?

The Stampin' Up “Lattice” Die was my personal favorite. Not only did it create an intriguing background, but you also get all the groovy inner pieces to make patterns with. Flowers, borders, relief patterns... so much to do with those pieces! I've photographed a few ideas but there's so much more you can do with this, give it a go!

The “Top Note” Die was a great one for watercoloring and kissing – really a unique look.

Sharing your creativity does make a difference to everyone around you. 

Enjoy!