Spotlight on "Swap Shares" #1

Hi Stampers.  Today I'm going to begin my new series "Spotlight on Swap Cards" with a group of very talented stampers I had the pleasure of attending Convention with in July.  Not only are these gals talented but they were funny, spontaneous and oh so sharing................ great attributes for a group you just want to have fun with!

In this group photo Joni Metras from Charlton, Massachusetts is on my left while Adel Klassen and Diane Ison from British Columbia Canada are on my right.  For obvious reasons, we called our little group the "Can/Am Girls". We had so much fun this year we're hoping to join up for Stampin' Ups! 25th Anniversary celebration next summer.  It's sure to be a blast.  When we parted after convention it was with this thought........same time, same place, same group and more fun! 

 

And now for their great swaps.  I've thrown in some product and technique details but if you want more information just click on their links below I know they'll be thrilled to help you out with any questions or kudos.  I hope you enjoy these little works of art as much as I have! 

 

Spotlight on Diane Ison:

What new mom wouldn't want to receive this sweet little baby card? It was created by Diane Ison a very talented stamper from Richmond B.C.  Diane's featured stamp set is called Baby Prints. There are 7 great stamps in this set and she's used two of them to complete this great card. 

 

The image of the baby's feet was stamped in classic white ink and embossed.  The card base and the circle with the baby's feet were made with Baja Breeze cardstock and the Scalloped Circle is in Certainly Celery.  What a great colour combination. 

 

The sentiment Cherish the Moments is also in the Baby Prints set.  The cute ribbon detail is achieved with two small strips of 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Baja Breeze and Old Olive and the base ribbon is a strip of Whisper White 1/4" Grosgrain Striped Ribbon.  The Whisper White background  layer was embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder. 

Spotlight on Joni Metras:

How can you tell this card was created by a gal who loves the seashore with a passion?  When I look at this card I can feel the sand between my toes, the breeze on my face, and hear the roar of the waves.  Fantastic! 

 

Joni has featured the appropriately named Stampin' Up! stamp set "By The Seashore".  She used Naturals Ivory cardstock for her base and layered it with Baja Breeze and Crumb Cake that have been torn into strips.  Her seashell images are stamped with Early Espresso Ink on Crumb Cake, Natural Ivory and Baja Breeze cardstocks.  She's embellished the sand dollar image with a basic pearl.   The beautifully scripted sentiment "Imagine the Possibilities"  is from the Word Play stamp set and stamped in Baja Breeze ink. 

 

Don't you love the glitter along the water strip?  That was achieved with by laying down a strip of multipurpose liquid glue (pg. 177) and covering it with Glass Stampin Glitter.  This beautiful Glitter, which comes in Champagne and Silver is a chunky glitter that slightly tarnishes over time giving an aged vintage look to your projects.   

 

The final detail on Joni's card that I love is how she tied it with Linen Thread and then added some Baja Breeze Seam binding.  Can't get enough of that ribbon. 

Spotlight on Adel Klassen:

I travelled with Adel Klassen from Chilliwack BC to Convention this summer.  We were both first-timers and we had a couple of great pre-convention "swap assembling" sessions before we left on our big adventure.  This is one of many swaps Adele made.  She put so much work into this card and I was simply thrilled when she gave me one.  Thanks Adele!

 

Adele's beautiful wedding card features the "Love and Laughter" stamp set featured on page 38 of the IB&C.  This beautiful set has eight wonderful stamps that can be used for weddings, anniversarys and engagements.  The side-step card features five of the stamps from the set.  Adele did a beautiful job of embossing the dress in Pewter Embossing Powder and the cake and Congratulations sentiment in Black Embossing Powder.  Now that's a lot of embossing for one card. 

 

The side-step card base is made with Basic Grey cardstock and the contrasting Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White details really add some pizzazz to it.  The three Basic Pearls on the waist band of the wedding dress were coloured with a tempting turquoise marker and the heart on the top of the wedding cake was coloured with Perfect Primrose. 

 

Other accessories used to make this card included the Modern Label Punch, the Scalloped Oval and Large Oval Punches and the Labels Collection Framelits.  I can't remember how many of these cards Adele made but the number "50" comes to mind........... it might have been even more, and she told me her grandma, whom she adores fussy cut every single cake image by hand.  Now that's love!



Just in case you've never made a side-step card and would like to try, here is an easy video to help you out.  Side Step Card Video showing how to assemble the card base:



 

Spotlight on Swap Shares

Today I've been busy checking out the latest Stampin' Up! creations on the blogs and Pinterest site of the 2012 Stampin' Up! Artisan Design Team.    You can check them out too by simply clicking their blog links on my side-bar.  Have fun because there are so many interesting and inspiring projects on their sites. 

One of these sites that I always enjoy visiting is "Stamping with Heather" by Heather Summers,   Today while browsing, I was drawn to her "Swap Share" posts. What a terrific idea!  I love that she's sharing the swaps and gifts she's received at this years Convention, because that's what's at the heart of Stampin' Up, ....... sharing!  Well she's up to share #38 now and I think that's simply amazing.  

I liked this sharing idea so much that I've decided to add a "Spotlight on Swaps" feature to my own blog and plan on posting it on a regular basis. The picture above is just a little teaser of what's to come, so stay tuned for this regular feature and some stunning card shares.  Who knows, you may see your own card spotlighted.

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.