Watercooler Wednesday #WWC152 - Kath's "All About Occasions" Challenge

Hi Stampers!  How's your week going?   We're getting rain in this part of the world and although sadly needed because of the drought conditions, it's still dull,dismal and wet.  The upside is it'll only last a few days, and maybe, just maybe I can get some stamping time in during the showers.  

We have a new challenge for you today on Watercooler Wednesday, hosted by Kath.  She's challenging us to create something for an "Occasion".  The WWC152 challenge is open to everyone  until Monday January 15th at 5:00pm MST.  So why don't you join us, who knows you could ROCK THE WATERCOOLER!

Here's My Card:

The occasion I'm  celebrating is my friend "M's" upcoming birthday.  I wanted to create a sophisticated and glam card for her and I think I hit it on the mark with this "Double Z Joy Fold Card". 

Here is the Double Z Joy Fold Card opened up.  This is a  5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square card when closed.  I made a special envelope for it with my Envelope Board, but forgot to take a picture for you.  I lined the flap with the green striped paper and stamped a Dragonfly on the front. 

 
Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Dragonfly Dreams and Happy Birthday Gorgeous
Card Stock:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Old Olive
DSP:  Merry Little Occasions
Ink:  Old Olive
Accessories:  Big Shot, Paper Trimmer, Stitched Shapes (Circles) Dies, Detailed Dragonfly Thinlet Dies, Dimensionals, Tom Bow Glue, Sticky Strip, Large Basic Rhinestones, Green Sequins,Wink of Stella.

Details:
The Base Panel is 11' x 5 1/2" Basic Black card stock scored at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2".  Use bone folder to crease score lines in Mountain and Valley folds. 

 For the panel layers cut:

• Front Panel cut a 2 1/2" x 5 1/4" Whisper White and a 2 1/4" x 5" piece of DSP and adhere.
• Inside Panel cut a 2 1/2" x 5 1/4" Whisper White and a 2 1/4" x 5" piece of DSP and adhere.
• For Square panel cut a 5 1/4" x 5 1/4" Whisper White and a 5" x 5" piece of DSP and adhere.  

 The Joy Fold Panel is a 9 1/4" x 3 3/4" Whisper White piece scored at 2 3/4" and 5 1/2". Use bone folder to crease the panels in Valley and Mountain folds.  

For the panel layers cut:

• For Square Panel cut a 3 1/2" square of Basic Black, a  3 1/4" x 3 1/4" piece of Whisper White and a 3" x 3" piece of DSP and adhere.  
• For Inside Panel cut a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" piece of Basic Black, a 2 1/4" x 3 1/4" piece of Whisper White and a 2" x 3" piece of DSP and adhere. 
• For the Last Panel cut a 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" piece of Basic Black and a 2 1/4" x 3 1/4" piece of Whisper White. Adhere.  Stamp the sentiment "It's Your Day" from Happy Birthday Gorgeous set in Old Olive ink. adhere. 

For Front Circles cut the largest stitched circle from Basic Black.  Cut the next largest circle from Whisper White. Adhere together with dimensionals.  Stamp the floral image after stamping off twice in Old Olive on the white circle.  Stamp the sentiment "Happy Birthday" across the center in Old Olive.

Cut three Dragonflies using the Detailed Dragonfly Thinlets  - 2 from Old Olive and 1 from Basic Black and adhere in a stack.  Add large basic rhinestones down the spine.  I coloured the wings with Wink of Stella to give some luminescence.

To Assemble:
1.  Add Tom Bow Glue to the back of the last panel of  the Joy Fold section.  this will be attached at the midway point on the large square panel. 

Once it's attached, fold up both the the Joy Fold Panel and the Back Panel and add glue to the left edge of the Joy Fold Panel and secure to the Back Panel.  Tip:  Before you add the adhesive check your panel placement to get your best position.  

Once the panels are adhered together attach the circle and Dragonfly to the front panel and add some sequins.

Well that's it for this week's card.  I hoped you enjoyed it and will try this fancy fold.  You'll find it is a quick and easy card to assemble and the sky's the limit in terms of decorating it.  It can be used for any occasion.  I'd be happy if you'd leave me your thoughts on this card.  

If you haven't visited the Watercooler Wednesday main page and checked out the cards by the other Design Team members you can click here to link  back.  You won't be disappointed.  Lots of inspiration this week. 

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin Spot 

Watercooler Wednesday #WWC130 - Gail's Feminine "Anything Goes " Challenge

I don't know about your part of the country but where I live it's hot, hot, hot, and as we begin the month of August the long range forecast looks like more hot weather to come.  

Now I'm not complaining because in the Spring it seemed like it would never stop raining, but now a large portion of our Province (BC) is under extreme fire alert and evacuations so it's a scary time for many folks living here.  Today the sun is hidden in a smokey haze, so picture taking outside is not great. 

I have a lot of friends and family on my August birthday card list, so Gail's Feminine "Anything Goes" challenge will come in handy.  

Are you interested in playing along with us?  It's easy and fun.  Take the challenge, just make a card or project and link it to the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge site. This challenge is open from now until Monday August 7th, so there's plenty of time to post a card or project.  All the rules and how to's are on the side bar on the Watercooler Wednesday Home Page.

Here's My Card:

For this week's challenge I wanted to make an ultra feminine birthday card for my friend Lynda, and I wanted to try a drapery fold.  I looked on Pinterest for a template and found a post by Angie Leach of Too Cool Stampin, who made this drapery fold card back in 2016.  I loved the way the pleats showed just a hint of the background paper, and looked so soft and feminine. I used Angie's measurements for the drapery fold on my card but I've tweaked the rest of the card to make it my own. 

Supplies: 
Stamp Set: Beautiful Bouquet
Card Stock: Whisper White, Powder Pink, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Sweet Sugar Plum, Powder Pink
Accessories: Big Shot, Paper Trimmer, Bouquet Bunch and Stitched Shapes Ovals Thinlet Dies, Mini Glue Dots, Tom Bow Glue, Dimensionals, Basic Rhinestones.

Details - 7 Steps:
1.  Card Base:  Cut the card base from Whisper White card stock to measure 8 1/2" x 5 1/2". Score at 4 1/4" and fold.
2.  First Layer:  Cut a piece of Powder Pink to measure 3 7/8" x 5 1/8". Adhere to card base with Dimensionals.
3.  Second Layer:  Cut a piece of Whisper White to measure 3 3/4" x 5".  Adhere to first layer with Tom Bow glue.
4.  Drapery Fold:  

• Cut a piece of designer series double sided paper to measure 8 3/4" x 3 1/2".  
• Decide which pattern you want on the outside before you score at 1 1/4", 1 3/4", 2 3/4", 3 1/4", 4 1/4", 4 3/4", 5 3/4", 6 1/4", 7 1/4", 7 3/4".
• Place the bottom of the 1 1/4" score line on the cutting line and the opposite top edge of the paper at the 1/2" point on your trimmer.  Cut a straight diagonal line between the two points.
• Alternately fold front and back on score lines to create the pleats.  Crease the pleats with a bone folder to get a sharp edge.  Tip rather than using Tear N' Tape or Tom Bow glue, I affixed Mini Glue Dots between the pleats to hold the pleats in place.  Put a strip of Tear N' Tape along the back top edge and adhere to the second layer.  I lined up the bottom of the longest pleat on the side and bottom of this layer and then firmly adhered this layer.  
• Cut a 1/4" x 3 3/4" piece of Powder Pink card stock and adhere this to the top edge of the Drapery folds.  Note:  You may have to use mini glue dots on the edge with the longest pleat.  

 

5. Sentiment:  Stamp the "Happy Birthday" sentiment from the Beautiful Bouquet stamp set on a scrap of Whisper White with Sweet Sugar Plum ink.  Stamp off the small floral image stamp in Powder Pink ink over the oval.  Cut out the stamped sentiment with the 2nd oval from the Stitched Shapes Oval Thinlets.  Using the next size of Oval cut out a Powder Pink one and attach it with Dimensionals in the center top of the card overlapping the drapery.  Adhere the sentiment oval with Dimensionals to the Powder Pink one.  

6. Card Front Details: To finish the card front, die cut a small flower in Powder Pink and a Glimmer Paper Silver leaf using the Bouquet Bunch thinlets.  Adhere to the bottom corner of the card and add Basic Rhinestones to the flower centers.

7.  The inside of the card has a 4" x 5 1/4" panel of Powder Pink.  I added a cluster of Whisper White flowers and Silver Glimmer leaves in the bottom right corner.   I chose not to add a sentiment  to the inside as I want to personalize this card for one of my girl friends.  

Sometimes it feels like I have more difficulty making a feminine card than a masculine one, and it becomes a real challenge for me. But, the stamping gods were with me today, because this card came together beautifully and I'm pretty pleased with the outcome.  All in all a pretty easy card that has a lot of WOW factor and a design that I know I'll be making again. 

Thanks for dropping by today.  If you haven't already visited the other Watercooler Wednesday Design Team members to check out their fabulous projects you can do so by clicking here.  Have fun and if you're so inclined I'd love to hear what you think of this card.  Have you made a Drapery Fold and if so was it easy?  Leave me a comment, I love having feed back, especially when I try something new.   

Happy Stamping
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

Watercooler Wednesday #120 - Gail's Christmas Challenge

Our new lineup of weekly challenges includes a Christmas Challenge and the talented Gail Allen is leading the first one with her WWC120 - Christmas Challenge.  Her inspiration photo is so cute, who could resist.  What fun! 

So even though it's not quite summer the Watercooler Wednesday Design Team have mustered up their Christmas Spirit and come up with some really great seasonal cards to share with you.  I know you're going to enjoy them too.   

And, hopefully you'll feel inspired too and get an early start on your seasonal cards and share your creation by linking up with us for some fun too!  This challenge is open from May 24th through 5pm Mountain Time on Monday May 29th, 2017.  

My Card:

One of my most stamped Christmas sets last year was Cookie Cutter Christmas. I absolutely adored every single image.  When I found out it was carried over into the new 2017-18 Annual Catalogue, I whooped for joy and did a happy dance!  It was like welcoming back an old friend. 

So, for this first ever Christmas Challenge at the Watercooler, it will probably come as no surprise that I chose this set and my favourite image from it for today's card.  Hope you love it as much as I do! 

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Cookie Cutter Christmas #132043, Here's to Cheers (R)
Card Stock and DSP: Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Crumb Cake and Warmth and Cheer DSP Stack(R)
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black ink
Accessories: Big Shot, Trimmer, Cookie Cutter Builder Punch (140396), Shaker Shapes Framelits (R), Stitched Shapes Framelits (145372, Jingle Bell (R) 

How It's Made:
Card Layers Inside and Out:  
1.  Card Base - Cherry Cobbler 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4" 
2.  First Layer - Garden Green 4" x 5 1/4".  Cut out the Oval and Circle from this piece before adhering it to the card base. 
3.  Second Layer - Basic Black 3 3/4" x 5" - Cut out oval before adhering to first layer. 
4.  Third Layer - Warmth and Cheer DSP - 3 5/8" x 4 7/8" adhere to second layer.  Note:  I purchased this paper pack on the current Clearance Rack and it's going to be perfect for making this season's Christmas projects.  Love it!

Warmth and Cheer DSP  is currently on sale for more than 50% off on the Clearance Rack

Oval Layers: 
Note:  As you probably know from past tutorials, I number my Stitched Shapes Thinlets from the inside (smallest) to the outside (largest).  The following directions list the number (#) of the thinlet instead of the size.

Stitched Shape Thinlets There are 12 dies in this set of Thinlets, and I number them from the smallest die through to the largest 1 - 4:
Circle: 4 dies, largest image 2-7/8"
Square: 4 dies, largest image 2-5/8”
Ovals: 4 dies, largest image 3-1/4” x 2-5/16”
Use with Big Shot, Big Shot Platform, and Standard Cutting Pads

 

1. 1st layer:  #4 Oval - Garden Green oval (cut from First Panel).
2. 2nd layer: #3 Oval - Basic Black oval (cut from Second layer).  Cut another #3 oval from a scrap of DSP, and then cut it into thirds.  Throw away the two ends and glue the remaining piece across the center of the Basic Black Oval, lining up the stitch marks.  Mount the black oval with Dimensionals to the green one. 
3. 3rd layer:  Stamp the Deer image from Cookie Cutter Christmas in Momento Tuxedo Black ink on Crumb Cake card stock and punch out with the Cookie Cutter Builder Punch.  Adhere to DSP with Dimensionals.  Die cut a small bow from Shaker Shapes in Cherry Cobbler card stock and mount with Mini Glue dots below the deer head.  Attach a silver jingle bell to the center of the bow with Mini Glue dots.  Attach the oval to the top left corner of the Third Layer approximately a 1/2" below the top and to the side.  Glue flat with Tom Bow Glue to the DSP layer. 
 

Cookie Cutter Builder Punch cuts out all the characters from the Cookie Cutter Christmas Stamp set, plus a cute little bow tie and heart. 

Sentiment Layer:

1.  Stamp the "Just Spreading Cheer This Christmas" sentiment in Momento Tuxedo Black ink onto Crumb Cake card stock.  Cut out with 1 5/8" circle die and layer onto the #2 Stitched Circles Garden Green circle with Dimensionals. Glue flat with Tom Bow glue to the bottom right hand corner of the card face overlapping the panels. 

Inside Panel:

1.  Cut a 4" x 5 1/4" panel from Garden Green card stock and adhere to card base. 
2.  Cut a 3 3/4" x 5" panel from Crumb Cake card stock and adhere to Garden Green panel. Stamp the sentiment " Warm Heartfelt Greetings....." from the Cookie Cutter Christmas stamp set in Momento Tuxedo Black ink.  Stamp the deer's head in lower corner of the panel.  Add a small Cherry Cobbler bow under deer's chin with Mini Glue dots.  
3.  Cut a 1/2" x 5 piece of the Warmth and Cheer DSP and glue to the left side of the Crumb Cake panel leaving an 1/8" gap between the edge and DSP.

Well that's it for my Christmas share today.  I hope you like this card.  I know I do and I've got plans to duplicate it several times over using other papers from the Warmth and Cheer paper pack.  I just know that my relatives and friends will get a kick out of it too! 

If you haven't had a chance to see the cards from the rest of the DT make sure you stop by and check them out.  And, if you feel like it, leave me a comment and let me know if you enjoyed Gail's Watercooler Wednesday Christmas Challenge and how early you start making your seasonal cards.  I'd love to have your feedback, it makes my day! 
Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot 

On February 21st Stampin' Up! let us know about their second release of FREE products for the 2017 Sale-A-Bration sales period.  The release included two new stamp sets and today I want to share a video by Carrie Cudney demonstrating how to use one of them.  

She's demonstrating how to be creative with the Make a Medallion stamp set, which is so versatile.  This set is an 8 piece Photopolymer that coordinates with the Circle Framelit Dies.  You can't purchase this stamp set but you can earn it for FREE by placing a minimum $60CDN order (before tax & shipping and handling) with me before March 31st, 2017.  Check out my on-line store.

Here's Carrie's great video presentation:

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin Spot

Water Cooler Wednesday - #106 Heidi's Clean & Simple Challenge

 
 It's time for this week's Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #106, hosted by the incredibly talented Heidi Weaver.  Heidi is challenging us to make a Clean and Simple Card with Sparkle.

The rules are simple for our Clean And Simple challenge.  Show lots of open space, use minimal layers and use minimal embellishments.  The Watercooler Artists have given you many great examples of what our Clean And Simple challenge looks like.

Here's My Card: 
You'll see by my use of the word "Sparkle" that I chose to interpret this challenge quite literally.  I simply couldn't resist since we have a fun new Stampin' Up! stamp set called "Love Sparkles" in the new Occasions Catalogue.

Supplies:
Stamp Sets:  Love Sparkles #143183 and Balloon Adventures #142823
Card Stock:  Whisper White and Basic Black
Ink:  Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Trimmer, Stamp-a-ma-jig,Tom Bow Glue, Basic Rhinestones, Wink of Stella.
 

Love Sparkles #143183  There are 13 rubber stamps in this set that are sure to help you get your glam on!  I used the little spray of stars and the word sparkle to enhance this card and loved the results.

Balloon Adventures #142823  Such a fun stamp set! I love all the sentiments and there are so many ways to use this 17 piece Photopolymer two-step stamp set that co-ordinates with the Balloon Thinlet Pop-up Dies.  Bundle and save 15%.

Assembly:

1.  Cut an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" base from Whisper White card stock
2.  Cut a 51/4" x 4" Basic Black mat for the first layer.  Adhere to base.
3.  Cut a 5 1/8" x 3 7/8" Whisper White piece for the top mat.
4.  Starting at left edge of top mat randomly stamp a series of stars from top to bottom in Momento Tuxedo Black Ink.  Note by positioning in a different direction as you stamp each image, it will create a ribbon like effect. Colour these stars with Clear Wink of Stella.

Link stamped image as you move along the length of paper so the design flows.

5.  Cut a 1/4" x 5 1/8" strip of Basic Black  and adhere to top mat 1 1/2" from left edge.  Evenly space Basic Rhinestones down this strip.
6.  Using a Stamp-ma-jig for perfect placement stamp "Sparkle" four times.  Use the Clear Wink of Stella brush to add tiny sparkling details on each of the  letters.  Adhere this mat to the Basic Black one.  
7.  Cut a 51/4 x 4" Basic Black mat for the inside of the card and adhere with Tom Bow glue.
8. Cut a 5 1/8" x  3 7/8" Whisper White layer.  
9.  Stamp the sentiment "No One Deserves a Happier Birthday Than You" from the Balloon Adventure stamp set in Tuxedo Black Ink in the center.  
Voila this card is finished!   

Well that's it for me this week.  If you haven't had a chance to check out the other Watercooler Wednesday Design Team Artist's creations, just click on the link to return to the home page.  

And, how about playing along? If you liked this challenge give me some feedback and I hope you'll add your own "Sparkle" Clean and Simple card to our linky. This challenge is open until 5pmMT Monday February 20th.  We'd love to see your creativity and what you can do with our theme!

Happy Stamping!
Penny Token's Stampin' Spot

My First 12 x 12 Sampler

I like firsts!  It's so exciting to do something for the first time.  I'm always so afraid to take the first step, but once I actually get geared up and start the fear suddenly disappears and the endorphins kick in and the thrill of discovery and creativity takes over.  What a thrill!

My project today is a Christmas sampler and it's a "first".  Although I've often admired and drooled over the samplers that I see other card makers display, I've never made one myself.  So when a friend asked me to create something special for his partner for Christmas morning (actually the "largest card" I could make), it was a no-brainer.  I suggested a Christmas Sampler with a card and he agreed.  And, I'm so happy he did!  What an enabler!

Supplies:
Stamp Sets:  Merry Mice, Candy Cane Lane, Christmas Cactus, miscellaneous snowflake and let it snow stamps
Card Stock: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Candy Cane Lane DSP, Chip Board, Watercolour Paper, Dazzling Diamonds and Red Glimmer Papers
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Real Red, Pacific Blue, Old Olive, Flirty Flamingo, Tip Top Taupe, Delightful Dijon, Pear Pizazz,
Accessories: Paper Trimmer, Detail Scissors for fussy cutting, Dimensionals, Tom Bow Glue, Tear N' Tape, Aqua Painter, Circle Framelits, Banner Framelits

Dimensions:
Since I only had a few hours to pull this together and didn't have a lot of supplies on hand I basically began hauling out my Christmas stamps and designer paper to see what I would put together. Ideas started to flow and  creativity started to kick in once i began fussy cutting images, water colouring and gluing.  Here's how it took shape:
1.  Base layer:  I started working with a 12 x 12 piece of White Chip Board from the Candy Cane Lane DSP package, turning the side without writing to the top. 
2.  Second layer:  11 1/2" x 11 1/2" piece of diagonally striped DSP.
3.  Third Layer:  11" x 11" piece of Crumb Cake and white DSP.
4.  Small Squares:  3" x 3" Early Espresso layered with 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" card stock or DSP.
5.  Two Large Rectangles:  3" x 6 1/2" layered with 2 3/4 " x 6 1/4" Crumb Cake and 2 1/2" x 6" Whisper White layers 

The Other Side:
Unfortunately I didn't have time to take a picture of the reverse side of this sampler, but  I did cover the chipboard with another designer series paper from the Candy Cane Lane collection.  It was the one with the Candy Cane hearts.  

I created an actual Christmas card that could be signed and I attached it to the center back of the sampler with Tear N' Tape.

The card base is an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of Real Red card stock, layered with a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Whisper White and then a piece of Watercolour paper cut to 5" x 3 3/4".  The Christmas Cactus is an old Whipper Snapper stamp I've had for years, and was appropriate for this gift.  Of course the cute little mousie is from Merry Mice.  

Well that's it for today's project.  I hope you've enjoyed this share and it inspires you to step out of your comfort zone and create something you wouldn't normally try. The recipient of this card was thrilled and plans to frame this little "piece of art". 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this sampler and any questions you might have about it's assembly.  

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot