Simple Stems a Versatile Stamp Set

Here's another flower stamp set that I think simply rocks, and I'm sad because it's only going to be available for another two weeks.  

It's called Simple Stems and is in the Occasions Catalogue on page 33.  

Simple Stems is a 7 piece two-step stamp set that offers a lot of versatility as you'll see in the cards I'm posting today.  This set coordinates with the Secret Garden Framelit dies.

Wood Mount #133098 $23.95 or Clear Mount #133101 $17.95

Here Are My Cards:  

Supplies: 
Stamp Sets:  Simple Stems, Express Yourself, Blooming With Kindness
Classic Ink Pads: Real Red, Coastal Cabana
Card stock:  Crumb Cake (for base), Real Red, Whisper White
DSP:  Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper

Accessories:  2 1/2" circle punch, Basic Rhinestone Jewels, Dimensionals, Adhesive.

For the inside of the card I used a sentiment from the Blooming With Kindness stamp set.

The Blooming With Kindness stamp set includes six wonderful sentiments along with the gorgeous bloom.  I love the script.

To Make This Card:

1.  Cut Crumb Cake card stock for card base to measure 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" and score at 4 1/4".

2.  Cut Whisper White card stock to 3 3/4" x 5" for the inside of the card.  Stamp with sentiment and one of the flowers.  For the "happy birthday"

sentiment on the card front, cut a piece of Whisper White to measure 1/2" x 3 1/2" and stamp your sentiment in Real Red ink. Cut ends like banners and attach this piece last to the card front.

3.  For the DSP Layer cut 3 coordinating patterns of DSP from the Fresh Print Paper stack measuring:  First - cut DSP to measure 1 1/2 by 5 1/2" and cut in half lengthwise.  Second piece - cut piece to measure 1 1/8" x 5 1/2" and for the Third piece cut it to measure 1/2" x 4 1/4".

4.  Adhere DSP pieces to the face of the card by laying one of the first pieces on the left of the card center, then the second piece and finally the second of the First pieces.

5.  Punch out a 2 1/2" circle of Real Red card stock and attach with dimensionals to card front, overlapping the DSP strips.

6. Adhere the "third" piece of DSP over top of the red circle.  Attach with glue dots and dimensionals. 

6.  Stamp two flowers - one in Real Red and one in Coastal Cabana.  Fussy cut around the edges of each flower and attach at the top end of the circle with dimensionals.  

7.  Add the sentiment banner beneath the flowers, and place basic rhinestone jewels in each of the quarters on the circle, and in the corner of the white banner . 

Another Variation on this Card: All the measurements given above still apply to this second card I made using the Petal Parade stamp set.  I did however  changed up the ink colours to Cranberry Crisp, Coastal Cabana and Delightful Daffodil.  I also eliminated the "third" strip of DSP for this example.  The paper is "Sweet Sorbet" from the SAB catalogue.

Cut the 2/12" circle from Basic Black Cardstock. Stamp the three flowers in Cranberry Crisp, Coastal Cabana, and Daffodil Delight and fussy cut around the outline of each flower.  Adhere to the front of the black circle, just overlapping the top right hand side.  Add basic rhinestone jewels around the bottom edge of the circle.

The sentiment for these cards is from the Chalk Talk stamp set and is cut out with the Chalk Talk framelits. These are still available as a bundle in the Idea Book and Catalogue but only until May 31st. 

Kids Birthday Card Using Simple Stems:

I also made these really cute kid's birthday cards using Bold Brights (Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point and Real Red) card stocks and inks, after seeing a similar layout on Pinterest using this same layout.  It was so cute I just had to make one, which led to more.  

Who would have thought these little mop heads could be made from a "flower" head.  Cute, cute, cute!!!  I'll be looking at my stamps a little more closely from now on. 

Here's the inside of the card.  I kept it pretty simple. Tip:  If you want to keep this card flat for mailing or don't have store bought google eyes on hand, you can get almost the same look using the punch outs from the Owl Builder Punch. 

As you can see I couldn't stop at just one card I made a bunch of them.  It never hurts to have kids cards on hand.  Any combination of these "mop heads" would work for example this could be for a three year old (3) or you could have four for a four year old.  Use your imagination. 

Hope you liked these cards.  I really wanted to show you the versatility of this set and although I didn't use every flower in it,  I'm sure you get the picture.  Happy Stamping and leave me a comment if you liked this post. 

Penny

Monkey56: A Kid Card + Sketch Challenge and Guest Designer

Last week I posted a My Digital Studio Scrapbook layout for the A La Card Monkey54:  challenge.  My entry was a picture of my dog Murphy and I was absolutely thrilled to find out I was a runner up along with Heidi and Lucianna ........whoo hoo!!!!! The blog candy was won by Kathy the Paper Stamper for her absolutely fabulous "Serengeti" design.   Anyway one of the great things about being a runner up on this site  is you're invited to be a Guest Designer for one of the next challenges, and here it is, Monkey56: a Kid Card + Sketch. 
I have to say this challenge really had me putting on my thinking cap as I don't make a lot of kid cards and as such, don't have many kid orientated stamp sets or designer papers. While I was struggling with what's current and what kids like inspiration finally hit me. My soon to be 3 years old nephew loves all things Sesame Street so why not make him a card based on one of the Sesame Street characters.  Forgive me but not having kids and being relatively old in the what's "hip" department I couldn't remember what the characters looked like apart from Big Bird so I had to hunt for some pictures before tackling this sketch.  In the end I was able to design this card for him by using Stampin' Ups beautiful Celebrations DSP, Brights Collection cardstock, and a variety of circle punches.  And here is the card:

What do you think?  I think Ian will love it.  The outside is pretty straight-forward and follows the sketch but I've added a twist on the inside of the card.  I've repeated the character on the inside but scored across the top three scallops so that it folds back revealing a birthday message. layered underneath it.

Closeup of Embellishment on Card Front.  Since it's Ian's 3rd birthday I added some circles stacked with dimensionals and a # 3 cut out from the DSP to lend a focal point and provide interest to the card front. 

This is the inside of the card.  The face lifts up to reveal a hidden message.

This shows the label flipped up and the Happy Birthday stamp from the Punch a Bunch set in Pear Pizzazz.

Recipe:

Sketch:  A La Card Monkey  Monkey56:  Kid Card and Sketch

Cardstock:  Pacific Point, Real Red (card base), Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White, Black, Pumpkin Pie

DSP: Celebrations Designer Series Paper Pg. 173 IB&C  #117164

Ink:  Pear Pizzazz

Stamp Set:  Happy Birthday Sentiment from Punch Bunch (Occasions Mini)

Accessories:  Pear Pizzazz Satin Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, 3/4" 1" and 11/4" circle punches, 2" and 2  1/2" Circles die cut, 3 large gold brads (non  SU).