Happy Hour

Who doesn't like Happy Hour?  It doesn't matter how you celebrate Happy Hour, it's always such a fun and social time of day.  Whether you send out formal invitations or have a standing invitation, it's always nice to have cards and/or decorations that reflect the light-heartedness of the event. 

To help with your preparations you'll find a great stamp set on page 38 of the Annual Idea Book and Catalogue, called Happy Hour.  How appropriate! This set includes 17 really fun stamps in either wood or clear mount versions.  Both are reasonably priced.  If you do the math, that works out to $2 or less per stamp and that's a great deal! Here's a look at what's included:

While this set is great for invitations and decorations it's also great for tags, birthdays and other festive celebrations.  Go ahead and toast your friendships and fun occasions with this seventeen-piece stamp set. Have fun with it......make your drinks "sparkle" with a little Multipurpose Liquid Glue and a pinch of Stampin' Glitter! For even more fun, emboss with our new Scented Embossing Powder.  The possibilities are endless.

 

Here are some samples from other Stampin' Up! Demos that demonstrate what a great set this.  Just click on the links below to see their original posts. 

 



I received this fantastic card in a Late Night Stampers swap at Convention in June I totally fell head over heels in love with the Happy Hour stamp set.  It was created by Peggy Murwin. 

 

Shawn Crawford's colourful birthday card is just a delight.  Check out those ice cubes in the martini glass........ so cute.  Here's the link to Shawn's blog where you'll find another card using this set:  http://fireflyscards.blogspot.ca/2012/09/3-cheers.html . 

  And, here are two great cards by Jennie Maier featuring this set.

Made for Split Coast Colour Challenge #390 http://jenniemstampinspot.blogspot.ca/2012/08/cheerful-color-challenge.html

http://jenniemstampinspot.blogspot.ca/2012/09/happy-hour-card-for-sketch.html

My set is on order and I know I'm going to make good use of it. Can't wait until it arrives!

MOJO Monday 259 Challenge Card

Julee Tilman of Poetic Artistry Blogspot created this week’s sketch #259 for Mojo Monday.

When I first looked at this sketch I thought, wow this looks too much like work.  This sketch has way too many layers and embellishment areas for me, but the more I studied it, I started to see movement and the semi-circles reminded me of wheels.  Once I began visualizing that concept I decided to make a friendship card using the Moving Forward stamp set which includes a bicycle. 

I love red, white and blue and when I look at this card, I'm glad I chose this combination. 

 

I used Midnight Muse one of this year's fabulous In Colours, and Real Red from the Brights Collection for the stamped images and elements on this card. To show case these bold colours, I chose Whisper White cardstock for the card base and background to stamp the images on. I used an additional 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Whisper White cardstock that I embossed with the Stripes Textured Embossing folder, to add a little more drama to the background.  I think it worked. 

 

The small tags on the bottom front were punched out with the jewelry tag punch and tied together with some Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine.  A small basic pearl was used for the center of the tiny flower and for the circle outline on the Midnight Muse circle layer.  I really love the small size polka dots on the strip of Designer Series paper I added for the middle layer.  The DSP is from the Summer Smooches collection. 

 

I've used a combination of stamp sets to create this card.  The panel image highlighting the bicycle parts is from a set called "Moving Forward".  This is a very versatile set and beyond the great graffics, $3.00 of every Moving Forward stamp set sold by Stampin' Up! goes to the Ronald McDonald House Charity. 

 

For the large wheel in the background I stamped a lovely paisley medallion in Midnight Muse ink on the Whisper White layer.  This image is from from the Lacy and Lovely stamp set. The layered circles were cut from the BigZ Circle #2 die.

 

In keeping with my motion idea for this card, I decided to only showcase portions of the bicycle image and mount them on a layer of Real Red cardstock cut out with the 1 1/4" punches.  To get this effect I simply stamped the full image on a piece of Whisper White Card stock moved the window on my 1 inch square punch until I got the image I wanted and then punched them out. The layered squares were then added to a piece of 2 x 3 3/4" Midnight Muse that was distressed around the edges with Midnight Muse ink and a sponge dauber.

 

For the circular layer on the bottom of the card, I stamped a "Friend" sentiment in Midnight Muse. This wonderful little stamp is from a hostess set called Mixed Medley.  I got my stamp for free when I attended Convention this summer, but you can earn it as a Hostess Set from the Holiday  Catalogue, simply by placing an order of $200 through my on-line store, or hosting a party. Ask me how!   

I kept the inside of the card very basic just adding the Moving Forward full image of the bicycle and it's darling sentiment "hello dear friend".

I hope you like my creation and would like to hear back from you if you have any comments. 

Moving Forward..........CCPCC007

Hi everyone.  What a beautiful day it is here today.  A real sunny fall day with warm breezes and clear blue skies.  Wonderful! 

Today I want to share with you my entry for this week's Paper Craft Crew Card Challenge #007.  Like the day, I wanted something "bright and sunny" so I've used red, blue and yellow from the Brights Collection of Cardstocks to convey happiness and good cheer in my Thank you card.   Hope you like it.  Leave a comment if you do.

The card base is in Whisper White with a layer of Pacific Point that's been texturized with the Striped Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  A 2.5 x 3.5 rectangle of Real Red cardstock has been added.  It also was embossed using the Fancy Fan fold embossing folder.  The two flags are from the Polka Dots Parade Designer Paper Series. 

I've kept the inside of the card pretty basic, just adding a 1.5 x 5.25 strip of Pacific Point Cardstock to which I've adhered a 1/2 strip of Real Red Polka Dots Parade DSP.  The sentiment is from the Lacey and Lovely stamp set which I got for free at Convention this summer.

The little sail boat image is from the Moving Forward stamp set. It was coloured with markers - Daffodil Delight and Pacific Point and mounted with dimensionals on layers of Daffodil Delight and Pacific Blue cardstock circles. The beautiful bow is made with Real Red Gros Grain ribbon from Stampin Up and has a cluster of Jewelry tags tied on with Cherry Cobbler Butcher's Twine. The sentiment "thanks so much" is from the Tiny Tags stamp set.  

Moving Forward Stamp Set this 7 piece set comes in wood or clear mount and is Stampin' Ups! Ronald McDonald House Charity stamp of the year.  For every Moving Forward Stamp Set purchased, Stampin' Up! will donate $3.00 to the Ronald McDonald House charities.   Talk about a value added stamp set.  I love it!  Stay tuned for more cards with this set in the upcoming weeks.

 

World Card Making Day - October 6, 2012

Hard to believe, I know, but October is just around the corner and you know what that means.  Along with designing your Thanks Giving Projects and Halloween goodies it's just three weeks away from Paper Craft Magazine's seventh annual World Card Making Day!

You can join your fellow card makers as the holiday card-making season officially kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 6.   Visit www.WorldCardMakingDay.com for participating retailers, exclusive projects from their sponsors, a gallery to upload your creations, and fun ideas for celebrating with your friends.  

While you're there, don't forget to enter their 2012 World Card Making Day Card Contest! This year 20 winners will be awarded a prize package valued at more than $400, and an opportunity to be published in the March/April 2013 Paper Crafts issue.   For submission details, including the five card categories, click HERE. Deadline: Monday, Oct. 15.

Paper Craft Crew Card Sketch Challenge #007:

You may recall that I've participated in several Stampin' Queen sketch challenges in the past and have encouraged you too play along too. Well,  this group recently changed their name to the Paper Craft Crew and I think you're really going to like the changes they've made to their blog.  

Take a look at this simple yet terrific sketch designed by the Paper Craft Crew, for this week's sketch challenge . If you want to play along too, the deadline is Monday September 17th 9 AM EST.  Be sure to check out their guidelines for this challenge by clicking here.  You can also vote for your favourites from Monday, September 17th at 9 AM EST to Tuesday, September 18th at 1:00 PM EST so make sure you check out all the entries and vote.

 

You're going to find that Paper Craft Crew is comprised of a very talented and creative team of Stampin' Up! Demonstrators for their weekly and monthly card making challenges.    But it gets better, because the Paper Craft Crew is also offering a once a month scrapbooking sketch challenge option on this site.  Here's a look at their first Scrapbooking Sketch Challenge #PCCSS001.  Isn't it an awesome sketch.  Entries will be accepted until September 23rd so there's still time to get in on the fun and prizes! 

 

 

Did I say prizes?  In honour of this being Paper Craft Crew's first Scrapbook Sketch Challenge and to make things even more exciting, they are offering a chance to win a Snowflake Season Simply Scrappin' Layout Kit Free!

 

To be entered into this Blog Candy contest all you need to do is submit your scrapbook page using this month's sketch.  There's still plenty of time to enter.  The winner will be determined by voting through InLinkz and voting will be for 5 days so you can also share and encourage your friends to visit www.papercraftcrew.com to VOTE!  Voting will end on Thursday, September 27th @ 9:00 PM EST and the winner will be announced on Monday, October 1st!  Details are on the blog.

I'll be posting my entries later today so I hope you'll check back and if you like mine cast a vote, I'd appreciate it!  Thanks so much.

 

 

So many babies

Several of my friend's daughters are expecting any time now or have just delivered so this week I needed to get busy making baby cards. 

 

My decision on which stamp set to use was easy.  I've always loved Stampin' Up!s "A New Little Someone" and simply couldn't part with it when it was retired. That little flop earred rabbit stole my heart and it's been my "go to" baby stamp set ever since.  The sentiment "Welcome Little One" is also from a retired stamp set called Riveting.

Here's a sampling of my "boy", "girl" and "not sure yet" cards. Hope you like them.
 

The "girl" card was made with Pirouette Pink and Whisper White cardstock.  Images were stamped in Pretty in Pink ink and the striped designer series paper is in Pretty in Pink stripes.  The Perfect Polka Dot Embossing folder was used to give some texture on the top of the card. 

I used this cute little verse "bottles and booties bibs and more, a new little someone to love and adore" and the rattle on all the cards.  For those cards that I was attaching a gift card, I attached a 3 x 5 inch Stampin' Up! envelope on the left side of the card.  I stamped the envelope flap with baby food tin images from the stamp set. 

This little 'boy" bunny card is made with Marina Mist and Whisper White Card stock.  I love the new Polka Dot Parade Designer Series Paper.   Here I've used the reverse side of the Blue Polka Dotted paper.  It gives a crisp clean look.

This looks really dark but the cardstock is actually Certainly Celery and So Saffron.



Herringbone Meets PinWheel

 

 

I really enjoyed teaching my "Christmas in August" this past Sunday, even though it's the third time I've taught this class since early August.  It's always a major kick for me to teach a new technique to people and see their reactions when they look at the cards they're going to make and when they actual finish their projects.  Those smiles of joy and satisfaction get me every time.

 

Before go on with this post, I want to share my preclass experience, so you don't fall victim to the "smell".  So here goes.  While I was waiting for my guests to arrive I decided to spray some air freshener in my studio just to freshen things up a bit.  Big mistake!!!  Let me tell you!  

 

Never try a new deodorizer or scent without first testing it.  I reacted big time to this beautiful Vanilla spray scent by sneezing, wheezing and stuffing up to the point I had to take an antihistamine to get things under control. 

 

Fortunately for me no one else had the same reaction.  Thankfully my lovely guests were able to deal with my frequent trips to the other room to "sneeze my brains out" and grab more Kleenex.  I guess this was one of those classic examples of what not to do before a class!  Anyway the "magic" pill kicked in about an hour into the class and all is well that ends well.  Luckily they are seasoned stampers and were able to carry on while I was out of the room!

 

While all four cards were fun to make, I especially enjoyed demonstrating the
"herringbone" technique.  Here are some instructions for the card we made:

 

 

HERRINGBONE TECHNIQUE and SUPPLIES

Card Base:                                           5 ½” x 8 ½”  Very Vanilla

First Layer:                                          5 ¼” x 4” Cherry Cobbler

Herringbone Layer Cardstock:        3 ¾ x 5”  Very Vanilla

Mulitpurpose Adhesive Sheet:       4 x 5 ¼”

 

Steps For Completing Herringbone Layer:

Strips of DSP: Be of Good Cheer DSP pack. You need 4 patterns. Cut a variety of strips in 12 inch length measuring from ¼ to ½ inches in width . Play with the size of strips you cut to get the effect you want.

Peel back Big Shot Multipurpose Adhesive Sheet to expose glue side.

Place Very Vanilla cardstock over top of adhesive sheet and burnish to adhere glue, then remove Very Vanilla cardstock. The adhesive has transferred to the cardstock. Work with this side up.

Lay DSP strips of patterned paper across sticky side of Very Vanilla cardstock creating 4 quadrant areas. See Dawns video on Youtube at :

 

 

Working in different directions, lay varying sizes of DSP to fill in the gaps. Always complete one area before moving to the next quadrant.  This ensures your strips are going in different directions.

 

When you've laid all the strips of DSP on the cardstock place this layer in the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder and run through the Big Shot machine.  This seals your work to the cardstock and gives the layer a real quilted look.  Adhere this layer to the Cherry Cobbler layer. 

 

Finish Decorating the Card Front:

Stamp small ornament from Ornament Keepsakes stamp set in Gumball Green Ink and again in Cherry Cobbler on scrap piece of Very Vanilla cardstock.  Cut out the ornament with Holiday Framelit Die and the center of the Cherry Cobbler ornament with a 3/4" punch.  Mount the Cherry Cobbler piece on the Gumball Green ornament with dimensionals.  Note: If you purchase the Ornament Keepsakes bundle which includes the stamp set and the holiday framelit dies, you'll save 15% off the individual pricing.

 

Punch a 1 3/8" circle from Glimmer Red Cardstock using the Circle Punch.  Adhere ornament to the glimmer paper with dimensionals.

 

Cut a 2 x 2" piece of Gumball Green cardstock and then cut out a medallion using the Perfect Pennants Die cut and the Big Shot Machine. Glue the red glimmer circle and ornament to the medallion and mount with dimensionals to the center of the finished card front. 

 

 

 Alternate Decoration for Card Front Using Pinwheel:

Follow the steps for stamping the ornament and red glimmer paper circle but mount it to a Pinwheel Square made with Cherry Cobbler cardstock and Be of Good Cheer DSP.  Here's what it will look like:

 

 

Here's the finished card:

And the inside:

Hope you found these instructions easy to follow and like the cards I made.  I'd appreciate your comments.