It's A Boy

Fab Friday's design team took over the challenge this week from their awesome leader, Mindy Backes. Why? Well it came about because Mindy delivered a son, Ian Lee, on Tuesday, August 5th.  To honor Mindy and Ian, the design team came up with a little surprise for her by switching out the weekly challenge with a baby card theme challenge and inviting everyone to play along.  Mindy was super surprised when she found out.

Because I really like Mindy's challenges and her Badabing Crafting Blog, I obviously had to play along and contribute a sketch for her and her new little guy.  Congrats Mindy and welcome to your little one!

For this challenge I combined the need to make the "baby" card with a sketch from Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration.  This is a rather interesting site where they hold blog hops and have three challenges a month.  On the first Monday of each month they hold a colour challenge.  On the second Monday it's a sketch challenge, and on the third Monday it's a scrapbook challenge.  They draw winners on the fourth monday of the month.  The August sketch challenge is what I opted to play along with and here is their great sketch outline -#SSINKCS12.

Here Is My Card:

I used a straight Whisper White A2 base measuring 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 and scored at 4 1/4"  The first layer of Soft Sky measures 4 1/8"  x 5 3/8".  A third layer in Whisper White and measuring 5 1/4 x 4" was embossed with the Delicate Dots Embossing folder before being adhered to the Soft Sky layer.

I used the Squares Collection Framlit Dies to cut out my Soft Sky and Whisper White Squares for the design element of the sketch.  The three Soft Sky squares measure 2 " x 2" and were embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  

The Square Collection Framelits die is a great new addition to my tool chest. It includes 8 layering dies with the largest scalloped square measuring 4 3/8" x 4 3/8".  Great value for only $32.95  #130921, pg 231 of the IB&C. 

I wanted just a slight tough of glam on this card so I added a 1 5/8" x 1 5/8" square of silver glimmer paper.  Remember that normal adhesive doesn't adhere to the glimmer paper so I had to use large glue dots to stick the next layer on.

Because I don't own any current baby theme stamp sets, I chose to use the rattles from the retired Button Buddies stamp set stamped in Soft Sky ink on the 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" Whisper White layers.  The edges of these squares were sponged with Soft Sky ink.  These rattles have a little dotted pattern on them so they fit in perfectly with my other dotted layers. 

Stampin' Up! has a great "baby and kids section" in their current catalogue and there are many great sets that would also work well with this card sketch, such as the little duck from Something for Baby, or the little monkey from Zoo Babies.  

The sentiment "congratulations" from the Sweet Essentials stamp set (r) was stamped in Smokey Slate ink on Whisper White cardstock measuring 2 6/8" by 5/8".  This piece was layered onto a piece of Soft Skye and mounted below the blocks with dimensionals.  I think this was the perfect sentiment for this card. 

I chose to keep the inside of the card fairly plain by not adding layers.  I simply stamped the sentiment "A baby is God's opinion that the WORLD should go on (Carl Sandberg) in Basic Gray ink.  I also stamped another rattle in Soft sky beneath the sentiment.  

Supplies:
Stamp Sets:  Button Buddies (R), Sweet Essentials(R), Occasional Quotes (R)
Ink:  Soft Sky, Smokey Slate
Card Stock:  Soft Sky, Whisper White, Silber Glimmer Paper
Accessories:  Squares Collection Framelit Dies, Decorative Dots and Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folders, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing, Trimmer, Sponge Dauber, Big Shot Machine, dimensionals, adhesive, glue dots.  

I hope you like this card and will let me know if you like the design.  I also hope you'll drop by the two challenge sites to see the other submissions by the designers and participants, and may you're inspired to enter your own take on the sketch or theme.  Until next time..........

Happy Stampin!
Penny Tokens 

Paper Players Colour Challenge #208

This week I've played along with Colour Challenge #208 over at the Paper Players blog (PP208).  

This was such a hard challenge for me because I had a hard time with the colour mix, but I did eventually come up with a card.  

The challenge colours are Calypso Coral, Blushing Bride, Hello Honey and Basic Gray.  Alone, I like each of these colours, but together they just didn't work well for me, so it was a real stretch to get my mojo going. 

Another issue I had with this card was picking a sketch to work with.  I know, I know, there are so many great ones out there, what could be the holdup.  But holdup it was and sadly after I chose the wonderful sketch from the Paper Craft Crew PCCCS104, I wasn't able to finish my card in time to enter their challenge.  Even though I missed their linkup date, I did complete the card.

Here is My Card:
My card began with a standard A2 Basic Gray card base topped by a layer of Hello Honey card stock measuring 5 1/4" x 4".  I added a layer of Blushing Bride designer series paper from the All Abloom Designer Series Paper pack.  I stamped make splotches in Basic Gray and in Hello Honey ink with the spotted stamp from Gorgeous Grunch (retired). 

Instead of adding an actual banner such as the one in the sketch, I simply added a string of flowers. The three smallest flowers were made with the Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack and punched from Basic Gray card stock. Basic Rhinestones are mounted in the centers.

The larger flowers were stamped with images from the Petite Petals stamp set in Basic Gray ink onto Hello Honey and Calypso Coral card stocks. These images were then punched out with the Petite Petals Punch. I used sponge daubers around the edges to add a little softness to the petals. I actually stamped two additional flowers and punched out their centers with the 1/4" circle punch and placed the Calypso Coral center on the Hello Honey flower and the reverse for the Calypso Coral flower. The flowers were adhered with large glue dots.
For the rest of the embellishments on the front of the card, I layered squares cut from Hello Honey, Basic Gray and Whisper White that were cut out using the Squares Collection framelit dies.

I wanted the bottom two layers to have a bit of texture so embossed the Hello Honey layer with the Fancy Fan embossing folder and the Basic Gray one with the Stripes embossing folder. The sentiment " You Can Never Have too Much Happy" is from the Yippee Skippee Stamp set, and is stamped in Calypso Coral.

The final two elements on the front of the card are the Calypso Coral flower perched on the edge of the squares. It has a basic rhinestone mounted in the center for some fun, and a Basic Gray circle that was punched out with a 1 1/4" circle punch and then distressed with a sponge dauber and Basic Gray ink and the spotted stamp from Gorgeous Grunge.

The "new" Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack gives you 3 great little punches for only $$22.95

I used a masking technique for the inside layer of the card.  I cut a piece of post it note paper to measure 3 1/4" x 4 1/2" and centered it over the Whisper White liner piece which measured 3 3/4" x 5".  If you're using Post-It-Note paper for your mask, make sure to leave on the sticky part.  It will help secure the mask to the liner during the stamping process.

Once the mask was in place, I stamped three different floral images from the Petite Petals stamp set in Basic Gray, Hello Honey and Calypso Coral inks around the rim of the card liner. 

Before removing the mask I inked up a sponge dauber with Basic Gray ink and worked the dauber around the edge of the Post-It-Note paper.  Always start this process working in small circles from the inside of the Post-It-Note towards the edge.  When you remove the Post-it-Note you will have a smooth edge frame around your floral images. 

  

Supplies:
Stamp Sets:  Petite Petals, Remembering Your Birthday, Gorgeous Grunge (R)
Card Stock:  Hello Honey, Basic Gray, Calypso Coral, Blushing Bride
Designer Series Paper: All AbloomDesigner Series Paper Stack pg 185 IB&C
Accessories:  Paper Trimmer, Petite Petal Punch, Itty Bitty Punch Pack Two, Basic Rhinestones, Dimensionals, Square Collection Framelit dies, 1/4" circle punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Sponge Dauber Fancy Fan and Stripes Embossing Folders,Big Shot Machine, Post-it-Note 4 x 6 pad.

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens

Create With Connie and Mary Challenge #CCMC315

It's scorching hot in Abbotsford today, hitting a high of around 32 in the valley. Supposedly it'll be even hotter tomorrow.  I'm not complaining about the heat though, I'm just staying in the shade and enjoying it!

I'm super happy the weather's this great for all the folks  visiting the Abbotsford International Airshow this weekend. This annual event is one of the biggest airshows in the country and attracts around 80,000 people.  One of the highlights of the 3-day show are the Canadian Snowbirds jets, and they've been flying over our house for the past few days. So, not only is it hotter than Hades outside but it's also been a very exciting and  "loud" weekend! 

While I was keeping cool inside I checked out the "Create With Connie and Mary" blogsite and decided to play along with their latest sketch challenge #CCMC315.

Here's My Card: 

All those strips in the sketch intimidated me a bit when I first looked at it.  I was planning on making a masculine birthday card, but I wasn't sure whether I should use card stock or dsp for the strips.  

In the end I decided to use the Moonlight Designer Paper Stack, and chose a design with bold chevron stripes in Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey and Sahara Sand.  Once that decision was made, the paper choice set the tone for the rest of the card. Whew what a relief!

Unfortunately there's too much light reflecting off this picture, but I think you'll be able to see how the sentiment from the Starburst Sayings stamp set is layered on Hello Honey and Sahara Sand card stock.  

I cut out the Sahara Sand layer with the Starburst Framelits and the sentiment and Hello Honey layer were cut out with the Circles Collection die cuts.  This sentiment piece was mounted to the card front with a double layer of dimensionals so it would rise above the card stock banners.

The Starburst Sayings stamp set comes in wood or clear mount and has six stamps.  It's available in English, Spanish and French versions.  It coordinates with the Starburst Framelit dies and can be purchased as a bundle. 

Starburst Framelit Dies contains 5 layering dies.  The largest die measures 4 x 11/16" in diameter.  This set coordinates with the Starburst Sayings Stamp set above, as well as Baby We've Grown pg 80 of the IB&C.

I can't believe what a bold and vivid stamped image you get with the Blackberry Bliss ink. When I stamped the sentiment it almost looked like I had stamped with white ink on Blackberry Bliss cardstock instead  of the other way around.  

I added a Hello Honey and a Blackberry Bliss banner beneath the sentiment.  The two banners were embossed with the Arrows Embossing Folder and I used the 1" square punch to make the pointed ends.  They were added to the card front with dimensionals.

For the inside of the card I simply stamped the "celebrate" image from the Starburst Sayings........ I think that says it all.  I used some scraps of DSP and card stock on the bottom of the liner.   
Supplies:
Stamp Set:  Starburst
Ink:  Blackberry Bliss, Hello  Honey
Card Stock:  Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, Sahara Sand, Whisper White 
Designer Series Paper:  Moonlight DSP Paper Stack 
Accessories:  Trimmer, Big Shot, Starburst Framelits, Circles Collection Framelits, Arrows Embossing Folder, Dimensionals, adhesive

Well that's it for today folks.  Hope you've enjoyed this challenge card, and I hope you'll drop by the Create With Connie and Marie blog site to see all the other cards from the design team and other stampers, and perhaps play along too.  This challenge is open until Wednesday August 13th.  

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens

Artisan Design Team 2014-2015

At this year's Stampin' Up Conference the first ever International Artisan's Design Team was announced and here are the lucky winners!  These gals have extraordinary paper crafting skills and they will be available all year long to share beautiful projects and ideas.  I have updated my side bar to include them for quick reference.  You'll want to follow their monthly Artisan Blog Hops, they are awesome! 

Allison Okamitsu, Canada - Nice People Stamp blog 

Krista Frattin, Canada - Stampin Dolce blog       

Sarah Sagert, Canada - Sarah's Blog         

Kaitlyn Zumbach, USA - Create With Kaitlyn blog      

Lisa Harlow, USA - Dwell Delightfully blog              

Becky Cowley, USA - Scrap Junkie Blog
Cindy Schuster, USA - Nutmeg Creations Blog

Mercedes, Weber, USA - Paper Paradise blog

Keith Rueda, Paperland Creations blog 

Tenealle Williams, Australia

Susan Wong, New Zealand - Stamping With Susan Blog 

Helene LeGrande, France - Stamp 2 Linotte Blog
Kerstin Kreis, Germany - Stamp @ Round Blog
Barbara Meyer, Austria - Barbara's Kreativ Studio Blog
Inge Groot, Netherlands - Stampin' Cards and Memories Blog

Victoria Hayes, UK - Crafting Clare's Blog  

A big round of applause and congratulations to all of the winners, I am so looking forward to following your blogs this year!

Paper Craft Crew #102 - 1 of 3 Featured Artisan's

I just found out that I was one of the featured artisans on Paper Craft Crew Sketch Challenge #102.  this fun sketch challenge.  Click here to see Heidi Weaver and Crystal Komora's great cards!  Nice to be in such great company!

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens

Birthday Gift Bag

Nothing in my book beats a beautifully wrapped gift for someone.  I think it really shows how much you care.  Last week it was my friend Linda's birthday and I had an opportunity to do just that.  

I had her present, and I'd made her a card, but I just didn't have the right gift bag for her new Infinity scarf.  What to do?  What to do?

I checked through my stash of Designer Series Paper found some that was relatively close to the colours I used for her card and quickly put together a beautiful gift bag for her.  

Here's What I made:

The gift bag and card were a big hit! 

The paper is from the Watercolour Wonder paper pack (now retired).  I matched up Calypso Coral, Cantaloupe Crisp and the DSP to make a gorgeous flower.

I added some white sparkly tulle that was cut in narrow strips and then  tucked in between the leaves and the flower.  The tulle shimmers and adds a whimsical look to the flower.  I'm so happy the Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons are back in this season's catalogue.  They are one of my all time favourites.  These glass like buttons add just the right touch to the center of this flower.  A large basic pearl crowns the center of the button.  

When I made the flower I staggered the petals so all the gaps were filled.  The cardstock petals were embossed with the Beautiful Baroque embossing folder and then I sponged all the edges to give them a darker hue.  I assembled the layers of the flower with a glue gun.  Tip:  To get rid of all those glue wisps that seem to catch on everything when you're using a glue gun, keep a hair dryer on hand and at the end of your project, just heat set the wisps.  Like magic they disappear.

I hope this post has inspired you to make gift bags of your own.  If you would like to attend a class and make a matching bookmark, gift bag and card, check out my event calendar for details.  I plan to do an August class.

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens

Can You Case It CYCI30 Challenge

Sheri and I just discovered Can You Case It  challenge blog and we were excited to try out this week's sketch challenge #CYCI30 for our second card on Tuesday.  

If you're visiting this site be sure to check out their "Challenges" link on their right sidebar.  It will provide all the details about their weekly challenges which being on Sundays and end on Saturdays.  Each week there is a different theme:  sketch, colour, pick a page, scrapbook/cards Project Life, and Holiday. This is an interesting site that I know I'll be visiting.

This week is a Sketch Challenge and here is sketch #CYCI30:

Sheri and I both liked this sketch because of it's simple style and layering. The two of us are such "layer queens". Our hardest choice was deciding on the card's theme and then what colours to use. 

For my card I wanted to combine the Stippled Blossoms stamp set and the Back to Black DSP series paper but hadn't chosen any contrast colours and theme.   

Sheri was in love with the  Just Add Ink Colour Challenge, from last week and decided to do a double challenge card using these colours, and with a little bit of thought, I decided to go along with that choice.  Sheri will be posting her fabulous card on her blog:  Paper Bag Create.  Make sure you go an check it out.   

Note:  Although we both intended to enter our cards in the Just Add Ink Colour Challenge, we'd both forgotten about the International Date Line.  Since Australia is a day ahead of us here in Canada we both missed entering this challenge by "one day".  Too funny.  I'm sure you'll enjoy the cards anyway. 


Here's My Card:

I love this card.  The mix of textures and colour are perfect, even if I do say so myself.  It's got a rich, elegant feel about it.  The Back to Black DSP is simply stunning and really adds the contrast this card needs, while the subtle stamping on the tag adds to the elegance. 

 

The ribbon was added before layers 2-5 were attached to the card base.  The bow was made by using the "Fork Bow" method of tying bows.  Works for me! 

The modern label punch worked out perfectly as a tag.  The best wishes sentiment is from Perfect Pairs stamp set. 

I kept the inside of the card fairly plain by just stamping the flower image. 

Supplies:
Stamp Sets:  Stippled Blossoms, Petite Pairs 
Ink:  Basic Gray, Memento Tuxedo Black
Card Stock:  Basic Gray, So Saffron, Basic Black and Whisper White *
Designer Series Paper:  Back to Black, Glimmer Paper - Silver
Accessories:  Trimmer, Big Shot Machine, Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder, Scalloped Tag Topper Punch, Modern Label Punch, Corner Rounder punch 

Back to Black Designer Series Paper

How It's Made: 
1.  The Basic Black card base measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and folded at 4 14".

2.  The second layer is Basic Gray card stock and measures 5 1/8" x 4 1/8". 

3.  The third layer is a piece of Back to Black Designer Paper (DSP) measuring 

4 x 5 1/16".  The edges were distressed with a sponge dauber and Basic Gray ink.  

4.  The next layer was a piece of So Saffron card stock measuring 3 1/4 x 4 1/2.  This piece was first stamped with the Stippled Blossom detailed rose in Basic Gray ink and then embossed with the Beautifully Baroque Embossing folder.  

5.  The final layer is the tag.  I chose to cut a Whisper White piece of card stock to measure 2 14 x 5 and then punched out the tag image with the Scalloped Tag Punch.  I trimmed off the excess on the sides and used a corner rounder on the bottom of the tag.  This edges of this tag were sponged with Basic Gray ink and it was adhered to the So Saffron layer with dimensionals.

6.  Stippled Blossoms rose and rose buds were stamped in Basic Gray and Tuxedo Black on the tag.  The sentiment "Best Wishes" from the Petite Pairs stamp set was stamped in Tuxedo Black ink.

7.  I punched a Modern Label from Basic Black card stock and Silver Glimmer paper for the small tag element of the card.  I layered these pieces and added a Basic Rhinestone to the bottom.

8.  Before adhering layers 2 to 5 on the card, I added a strip of 3/8" Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon and small bow.  

9.  For the inside of the card I added a 5 x 3 3/4" Whisper White layer with a single rose stamped in the lower right hand corner.  

I hope you've enjoyed seeing this card and my details on how to assemble it. Let me know if you've ever prepared a card for a challenge and missed by seconds on the clock..........I'd love to hear your stories.  

Thanks for dropping by I thoroughly enjoyed making this card for you to see.

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens