Orange Birthday Windows

This is a card that we made at my last stamp camp. It could be modified for a variety of occasions, but this is for a birthday. I figured it is time I start showing you that I DO use other colors besides green and purple on my cards. ☺

To make this card, you'll need a template that you can make yourself--that is what we learned at the stamp camp. But, I'll share with you how to make your very own. Now, there are other ways to do this, but I thought this would be a fairly simple way to make more than one of these cards--not having to measure each time I want to make a card like this. This is the template:

To make the template, cut your template paper (I just used some old card stock that I had on hand) to the size of a card front--4 1/4"x 5 1/2". I used a ScorePal, but you could just use a ruler and pen to mark 1/4" from the long side and the short side. I put the edge on the 4" line and score on the 4 1/4" line. Using your 1 3/8" punch, punch out the corner, using the lines you just drew to guide you with your punch. After you get the corner punched, you'll need to draw lines 1/4" from the punched hole, in each direction. Again, I lined up the opening on the 4" line and marked on the 4 1/4" line or put the opening on the 4 1/4" line and marked on the 4" mark. After making the new lines, use them for your guide for the other two holes to punch and there you have your template. Put the template on your paper and punch through the template.

Hope this makes sense. I did take pictures of each step, but when I try to load them, they all go at the top of this post and I can't seem to get them down. If you have ideas of how to do this, please let me know.

Here's what I used to make the card:

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Whimsical Words (Inside)

Ink: Only Orange, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip

Paper: Only Orange, Whisper White

Accessories: 1 3/8" square punch, Dimensionals, White Taffeta ribbon

Until next time,

Laur

Faux Suede

Today's card is a jumping off point for a card that we will be making at my next stamp camp on March 20, 2010. The technique that we'll be learning is "faux suede" which is what I used to make the flower on this sympathy card. Sign up for my class and learn how to make this yourself.

Things I used to make this card:

Stamps: Hope for Comfort (retired), Delight in Life (retired)

Ink: Perfect Plum

Paper: Mellow Moss, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum

Accessories: 5 petal flower punch, Elegant Eggplant 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon, SU! Perfect Polka Dots textured Impressions Folder, Scallop Trim Border Punch (THIS IS FREE, with a $50 purchase, before s/h), linen thread, Soft Subtles button, Crystal Effects, glue dots

Until next time,

Lauu

Techniques Stamp Camp

Saturday, March 20, 2010
9:00 AM-11:30 AM
Cost: $10
At my house-e-mail for directions
We will be making cards using different stamping techniques. Some new, some we haven't used for a while.
RSVP by 3/18/10

Punch Flowers

Okay, I know I wasn't going to show any more pictures of cards with Pastel Prints DP, but this isn't really showing the paper, just the technique. Besides, the paper was still lying on my dining room table, so I thought I'd use it instead of putting it away. It all started by looking at this card on splitcoaststampers.com. So, I decided to use my scraps on the table and see what I could come up with. I have to say, I am impressed with SU!'s new bird punch. We will be making a card like this at my April Stamp Camp--Just Punchy. More details about the stamp camp later. Here's what I used to make the card:

Stamps: Whimsical Words, Time Well Spent

Ink: Lovely Lilac

Paper: Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Lovely Lilac, Lavender Lace, Whisper White, Pastel Prints DP

Accessories: Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch, Large Oval Punch, Keyhole punch (retired), White Taffeta ribbon, dimensionals

Until next time,

Laur

Old Friends

Today's card is one that I had made earlier and then modified for my friend that turns 55 today. Where does time fly? I've finally been utilizing my Cricut machine. I love it. I also have the Cricut Design Studio which allows me to "weld" the letters together.

Stuff I used:

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree

Ink: Garden Green

Paper: Creamy Caramel, Garden Green, DP (Hostess Pack)

Accessories: Cricut

As far as the weatherman from the other day--we received 4-5 inches. Yesterday, however, we had a white out with lake effect snow. In Milwaukee they had 3 inches in 40 minutes. We received about that amount, too. But, this morning our driveway had a 4 foot high drift across it. I forgot to take a picture of the drift. If I can find my daughter's camera, I'll show you the beautiful snowfall from the other day. The joys of living in Wisconsin.

Until next time,

Laur

Still Rolling

Yep, I still have more cards made from the same paper. I'll put them all in this post and hopefully move on to a different color scheme tomorrow. We'll see, as we're supposed to get 4-8 inches of snow overnight and tomorrow so I'll be out snowblowing regularly if the weather people are correct. What a job to have. Where else can you be so vague and WRONG so often and still have people believe what you say? More than that, they still have a job! Oh well. Just goes to show that only GOD knows all. We can try all we want but the final outcome is still in HIS hands and not ours. For that, I am truly grateful. Now they say only up to 6 inches of snow. It started out 7-10 inches. Stay tuned and we'll find out tomorrow what REALLY happens.

On to the cards. I ussed Sketch Challenge 38 as the inspiration for each of these cards. This paper lent it self to making 2 cards right away because the Designer Paper is only one sided--that is how old this is paper is! Cut a 4" x 5 1/4" paper of each color and then cut it into pieces. I cut at 1 1/2" from each end for my sizing. I added some Dazzling Diamonds Glitter to the flower from retired stamp set "Tags and More" that I colored with markers before I stamped it.

I used the retired stamp set "Flutter By" for the next one. I stamped it in versamark and and used Heat and Stick Powder before applying some purple glitter from an old Glitter Stack. Used the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder to add some texture. Also brought out my Barely Banana Ink pad. Can't say I use that color very often.

My last card uses the flower from "Simple Friendship" that I colored with my old metalic pencils. I'm kind of bummed that SU! doesn't sell them anymore, as they add just a little shimmer. I also embossed the Lovely Lilac using the Elegant Bouquet embossing folder. The middle flower is popped up on dimensionals. My inspiration for this card came from http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ sketch challenge 40.

General stuff I used for all the cards:

Stamps: Tags and More (retired), Flutter By (retired), Simple Friendship

Ink: Basic Black, VersaMark, Barely Banana, Always Artichoke, Lovely Lilac Marker, Mellow Moss Marker

Paper: Pastel Prints DP, Lovely Lilac, Barely Banana, Whisper White, Lavender Lace, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss

Accessories: Brads, Dimensionals, Metalic pencils, Heat & Stick Powder, Glitter Stack, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Scallop circle punch.

Until next time,

Laur

On a roll . . .

The papers are still on my dining room table, BUT I have been using them, slowly but surely. This is a card I made , using Sketch Challenge 172 from www.splitcoaststampers.com. Again, I used a retired stamp set, as well as some brads that I bought at Hobby Lobby a while back. I'm generally too cheap to add embellishments, so I have drawers overflowing with them. I guess I really am a hoarder. Hopefully, I will get out of that mind set. God has blessed me with so much, the least I can do is share. In case you can't tell from the photo, I put Crystal Effects on the top of the mushroom. I also used the masking technique to make it look like the mushroom is in from of all the flowers. You do this by stamping your front image on your paper and stamping it again on a sticky note--making sure you get as much of your image where the sticky part is. Then, cut out your image on the sticky note and stick it to the image you stamped on you project. This covers your "good" image. Then, stamp your other images over the sticky note image. KEEP YOUR STICKY NOTE with your stamps so you don't have to keep making a mask every time. My mask looks kind of yucky but it works!

Here's what I used:

Stamps: Unfrogettable, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Old Olive, Lovely Lilac

Paper: Pastel Prints DP, Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Lovely Lilac, Lavender Lace

Accessories: Brads, Watercolor Pencils, Aqua Painter, Scallop Trim Border Punch, SU! Dimensionals, Crystal Effects

That's it for this card. Hope you get inspired to dig into your stash and make something with it instead of hoarding it.

Laur

Hoarded Paper Cards

Well, I did it. I pulled out my stash of "Pastel Prints" from the Stampin' UP! 2001-2002 catalog and the Designer Vellum from 2003-2004. Notice that practically EVERY sheet that it came with is still there!

I went to my ideas drawer and pulled out the first thing that I saw and it was this sketch. You know this is old because the current week is 126. This is from week 79. I guess this card was just meant to be!
I figured I could make something with these papers. Well, after awhile my juices got flowing and this is what I came up with:

Once I got started, I couldn't stop at one. After 2 cards, I was ready to make another one, but by then it was past 10 o'clock and time to get to bed.

Here's what I used:

Purple card
Stamps: Unfrogettable, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Old Olive, Mellow Moss, Lovely Lilac
Paper: Lovely Lilac, Lavender Lace, Whisper White, Old Olive, Pastel Prints DP
Accessories: 2 way glue stick, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Old Olive Grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Trim Border Punch (FREE, with $50 purchase before s/h), Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Sponges, Big Shot, Stampin' UP! Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder


Green Card
Stamps: Flutterbys, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Lovely Lilac
Paper: Lovely Lilac, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Pastel Prints DP, Designer Vellum
Accessories: Word Window Punch, Butterfly Punch, Wire, Dimensionals

I really like how the purple card turned out. I colored the dragonflies with Mellow Moss Marker and then Aqua Painted over them. That step (watering them) wasn't necessary and if I make more of them, I won't bother. I'll just lightly color them. I put glitter on the wings and it looks pretty cool in real life. I also lightly sponged Lovely Lilac on the Whisper White paper.

On the green card, I couldn't find any ribbon to match (I have a hard time with purples and reds matching, do you?) So, I made my own, sort of, out of paper.

Well, that's that for today. I really do need to do something around the house.

Let me know what you think and thanks for looking.


Laur

Asian Birthday

This is another one of the cards we did at Saturday's stamp camp. I saw this card http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1611877 on Splitcoaststampers.com and decided to CASE (Copy And Share Everything) it. I think it turned out pretty good. Had some papers left over because I cut extra thinking my youngest would join us, but she didn't, so yesterday I made a few of these for my stash. I am working on trying to get enough cards on hand to be able to MAIL out at a moment's notice. Do you do that? Make these beautiful cards and then hoard them? I'm trying not to be so much of a hoarder. I'm going to start using my designer paper that I have had laying around the house for years (I've been a Stampin' UP! demo for 10 years, so you can imagine.) Perhaps tomorrow I will post my "breaking free of hoarding card." In the meantime, this is what I used on this card:

Stamps: Asian Artistry, Messages for Mom

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, So Saffron Marker

Paper: Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Sweet Pea DP

Accessories: Big Shot, Stampin' Up! Backgrounds 1 texturz plate, Stampin' UP! Finial Press Embossing folder,Photo Corners punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Stampin' UP! Dimensionals, Paper Snips

Stamp Camp coming up

I will be hosting a Stamp Camp at my house on Saturday (2/13/10) morning. The theme is "Birthday, Birthday." We will be making 2 of each type of card--one to send (so you'll also customize the envelope) and one to keep as a sample for future card making adventures on your own. The cost is $15. All you have to bring is yourself (and the $15 fee). Let me know if you're interested in attending. Space is limited. You can also purchase all the the papers pre cut for a "stamp camp to go" option. You would have to provide your own stamps, ink, and adhesive. Here is one of the cards we'll be making. It fits in a regular small envelope. Stuff I used: SU!'s Bird punch---I really like this. Lots of different ways to use it. Raspberry Lemonade DP, Crushed Curry paper and ribbon, Soft Suede paper and ink, Melon Mambo paper, Whisper White paper, paper piercing tool, and we'll be using a different sentiment set at the stamp camp, Picture This.

Well, I better do some other work today.

Until next time,

Laur

My first post

After being asked numerous times, by various people, I have decided to give blogging a try. Why? I don't know. Maybe if I start little I'll stick with it and who knows? I might just open my own store. Maybe not. In the meantime, we'll see what happens.

The title of my blog says a lot. This blog will have Stamping stuff on it, as I am a Stampin' UP! demonstrator. In my mind I have planned tons of scrapbook pages, but reality doesn't quite add up. Perhaps with this blog I will put "feet" to my "ramblings in my mind." Then there is the "S'More" part. That will be the part that will allow me to share "s'more" stuff--my faith in Jesus, happenings in my life and whatever else comes up.

As I sit here and type this I am listening to Philips, Craig and Dean--I really enjoy listening to them. My favorite song of theirs, at the moment anyway, is "Counting on God" from their "Fearless" album.--I want Joy unspeakable the won't go away, and just enough strength to live for today, so I never have to worry what tomorrow will bring because my faith's on solid rock, I'm counting on God." Joy unspeakable. That is what I want. Counting on GOD. That is what I want. I want my faith to be on the solid rock--Jesus, and not myself. Too often I rely upon myself instead of surrendering to the Creator of All, Jesus.

I want to try to share a card and/or something I have made in each post. Today it is "Birthday Blessings" I made this to fit in a regular envelope, because I am cheap. I really like Stampin' UP!'s envelopes but they are about $.15 each instead of $.02 for these long ones from where ever. I do, however, use SU!'s envelopes for the majority of my 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 cards. I cut the "Birthday Blessings" out of Brilliant Blue, using the Cricut. Now that I have it out, I use it more. I also used the Big Shot and the Petals Aplenty Embossing Folder. I really like how it adds dimension to a project so easily.

Well, that should be enough rambling for one post. Hopefully I'll figure out how to move the card down to the part where I'm actually talking about it. But, not tonight. It is Wednesday so that means AWANA. I am a Chum Leader (3-4 grade girls).

Looking forward to hearing what you think.

Laur