WWC81- Gail's Colour Challenge

We're mid-way through August and in BC we're finally getting some weather that speaks of Summer.  It's been hot and sizzling all week with temperatures ranging in the high 30's (C) but no one's complaining, at least not yet!

I always think of Summer as the season of heat and vibrant colours and this week at the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge, our talented Gail Allen is bringing you just that.  She's pulled together some pretty exciting summer colours to challenge our imaginations. 

Here's My Card:

Since August is also a hot birthday month I thought I'd respond to this challenge with a gender neutral birthday card that's a fiesta of colour and images.   We've got balloons, splotches and sparklers and it all says fun!  

Supplies:  

Stamp Sets:  Balloon Celebrations, Stylized Birthday and Gorgeous Grunge
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Watermelon Wonder, Peek A Boo Peach, Daffodil Delight and Momento Tuxedo Black
Card Stock:  Pear Pizzazz, Watermelon Wonder, Peek A Boo Peach, Daffodil Delight and Very Vanilla
Accessories:  Basic Rhinestones, Balloon Bouquet Punch, Wink of Stella, Paper Trimmer, Sponge Daubers, Tom Bow Adhesive, Scissors

Assembly:
This is a pretty easy card to assemble - only ten steps required and it comes together really fast.

 1.  Cut the card base from Pear Pizzazz.  It measures 4 1/4" x 11" and is scored at 5 1/2 for a top folding card.

2.  Cut two pieces of Very Vanilla card stock measuring 4" x 5 1/4" - one is for the face of the card and the other is the inside panel.

3.  Cut a strip of Watermelon Wonder card stock 1/2" x 5 1/4" and a strip of of Peek A Boo Peach 1/4" x 5 1/4".

4.  Before assembling the front do the stamping on the Very Vanilla piece:  Stamp the sentiment "Happy Birthday" from the Stylized Birthday in Pear Pizzazz towards the top center of this card stock.  Make sure your ink pad is nice and juicy so you get a good impression.

The Stylized Birthday is a one stamp wood mount image Order #141828.  The image measures 2 1/4" x 1 3/4".

Randomly Stamp splotches from Gorgeous Grunge in the challenge colours over the remaining Very Vanilla piece.  

Gorgeous Grunge - 5 piece stamp set comes in Wood(130514)and Clear Mount (130517).  The stylized textured images really help create awesome images!

Stamp the small dandelion from the Balloon Celebrations stamp set randomly between splotches.  The overall effect you're trying to achieve is "fiesta" "confetti", "fireworks"...... in other words FUN!
 

Balloon Celebration - 35 piece Photopolymer Stamp Set #140675

 5. Cut two 1/4" x 5 1/4" strips from the Very Vanilla piece.  It should now measure 3 1/2 x 5 1/4.  Glue this to the card base lining up on the right hand side.

6.  Adhere the Watermelon Wonder strip on the left side butting it against the Very Vanilla strip.  Center the 1/4" x 5 1/4" piece of Peek A Boo Peach down the center of the Watermelon Wonder strip.
   
7.  Punch out balloons from scraps of Pear Pizzazz, Watermelon Wonder, Peek A Boo Peach and Daffodil Delight card stock.  Stamp the balloons with the dotted balloon image.  Position and stamp the balloon strings on the Very Vanilla card layer on the left side of the sentiment.  Adhere the balloons with Tom Bow adhesive.  The last balloon is mounted with dimensionals.  

For some extra detail I ran the Clear Wink of Stella Glimmer Brush around the edges of the balloons and on the dandelions in the background panel.  Love this stuff - it's subtle but picks up the light for some extra sparkle.

8.  Adhere strips of Basic Rhinestones down the center of the Peek A Boo Peach strip to the top of the first balloon and from the last balloon to the bottom of the strip.
  
9.  Finish the inside of the card with a 5 1/4 x 4" Very Vanilla card panel.  Attach the two 1/4" x 5 1/4" stamped strips to either side of this panel.  Stamp the sentiment "Let Us Celebrate" in Pear Pizzazz ink along the top left side of the strip, and add a couple of Gorgeous Grunge Splatters.

10.  Stamp the top half of the balloon strings from the left hand bottom corner of the panel towards the center.  Adhere one of each coloured balloon so they look like they are rising from the bottom of the card.  I offset the orange balloon so it actually overlapped the edge, and then I cut off the excess balloon.   

Okay now that was easy wasn't it?  Did you like this colour combo?  I hope you'll play along this week and link up your creation with our linky tool.  It's easy and our team of design artists would love to see how you've used this colour challenge.  If you're unsure go back and check out their cards - they're awesome!  Oh and while you're at it leave us some comments because we like feedback too.  

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stamping Spot

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Watercooler Wednesday - WWC80 Heidi's CAS Challenge

Our bathroom renovation started last week and we've been up to our eyeballs in water related issues, so it was kind of ironic that Heidi's theme for her Watercooler Wednesday Clean and Simple Challenge this week is "Water".  

Since Clean and Simple (CAS) cards always seem to be a challenge for me and because I don't have a lot of water themed stamp sets, I had to really put on my thinking cap to come up with an original and fresh card design.  I hope you like it as much as I do. So with an idea about a school of fish in mind, this is how I started out and then my card designed morphed into the one below:  

Here are my working "drafts" of my card.  I like the final version which is below.

Here's My Card: 

 

Nothing like a school of fish swimming by to make you think of water.  My card base is an 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 piece of Island Indigo card stock scored at 4 1/4".  I used a single layer of Whisper White card stock for my stamping layer and it measured 4 1/8 x 5 1/4".  Note:  This layer should have measured 4 x 5 1/4". but I was out by an 1/8th of an inch, my layer doesn't fit evenly on the card front. I couldn't do anything about the wrong measurement because I'd already applied my glue before I discovered this.  Oh well "go with the flow", if you get my "drift"! 
 
Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Seaside Shore #141625, Stylized Birthday #141828
Ink:  Island Indigo
Card Stock:  Island Indigo and Whisper White 
Accessories:  Tom Bow Glue, Wink of Stella.

I kept the inside of this card pretty plain by just stamping "Happy Birthday" from the Stylized Birthday stamp in Island Indigo ink on a piece of Whisper White card stock that measured 4 x 5 1/4" (got it right that time).

 
I really like the size and timeless classic script featured on this single wooden stamp, and I'm glad I've added it to my collection. It really produces a good solid image, which is so important. 

I wanted the images from the Seaside Shore stamp set to look like a school of fish swimming by and I think I accomplished this.    Before starting on the school of fish I stamped the sentiment "Hoping Your Day Goes Swimmingly" and then masked off both corners of the card so I had clear lines to stamp the design along.

Seaside Shore a 15 piece clear mount rubber stamp set

Now It's Time For You: 
Well what do you think?  Did you like this challenge?  Are you ready to Rock the Watercooler this week and link up your card?  I sure hope so! I also hope after looking at the other Watercooler Wednesday design team artist's cards that you've been doubly inspired and will consider playing along with us.   

Entering challenges is such an awesome way to enhance your card making talents and get great feedback on your creations. After all, it's all about sharing and it's fun and easy.  So what are you waiting for? 

To help you out here are some guidelines you need to follow to be eligible for this week's challenge:

• For the CLEAN AND SIMPLE (CAS) challenge the card must feature either a single layer upon which you stamp or a base with one single layer that you've stamped on (card stock only no dsp).
• Because it's a CAS challenge, no embellishments or die-cuts or anything except the simplicity of stamping for the "clean & simple" is allowed. 
• No embossing folders allowed.
• Heat embossing is allowed since heat embossing does show up better than simple stamping. (Yeah!)
• Your card or project, and this is really important, may not be entered in more than four challenges including the Watercooler Wednesday challenge.
• Keep it clean and simple!  And have fun! 

I'm also adding my "Water" themed challenge card to the "Just Us Girls" Challenge Blog as their theme this week is the word "Water".  Hope appropriate and coincidental is that?  Make sure you check out their challenge site too.  

Check out this challenge site too!

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot
August Hostess Code:  EZGKEM73

WWC79- Watercooler Wednesday Challenge

What's with this weather?  Whew, we went from a hot breezy day yesterday to rain clouds and a "turn on the fireplace" type of morning!  Honestly it feels like fall out...............and that's not good as we're craving the lazy hazy days of summer.  

My "I still want summer" craving is the basis for my card in the Watercooler Wednesday WWC79 Kath's Sketch Challenge today. I'm thinking seaside shore weather not autumn leaves! I really enjoyed this wonderful sketch that Kath  chose for this weeks challenge.  I had fun with it and I know you're going to have fun with it too!  

Here's Kath's Sketch:

Here's My Card:

It was my friend Lynda's birthday on August 1st, so instead of the usual "girly girl" card I decided to make this fun shaker birthday card.  I started the card with a Calypso Coral base, followed by a 5 1/4 x 4" Mint Macaroon layer.  The third layer is a piece of 5 1/8 x 3 7/8" piece of Dapper Denim.  The fourth layer is a piece of  3 3/4 x 4 7/8" piece of By The Shore Designer Series Paper.  
 

#141640 By The Shore Designer Series DSP  - 12 double sided 12 x 12 sheets.

I cut  a 1 1/2 strip from the bottom of the dsp and then cut the remaining piece from the top down at 2 6/8" to get the two top pieces.  Easy peasy!

The shaker part of card started with a 3" circle of Very Vanilla card stock.  I stamped fish and shell images from the Seaside Shore stamp set in Mint Macaroon and Calypso Coral, added a sandy bottom with Crumb Cake and stamped the sentiment with Dapper Denim.  

I added the Dapper Denim circle frame and window sheet with Foam Adhesive Strips (love this stuff) and filled it with sequins and blue glitter from my stash.  What fun!   

TIPS:  If you remember to run your anti static Embossing Buddy around the edges of the window sheet on the inside before adding your shaker filling you will reduce static cling.  It really works well.  

Also, I used the old Circle Framelits to cut out the Very Vanilla circle, the Dapper Denim frame and window sheet. You need to run over the window sheet framelit a couple of times or add a shim so it cuts through the acetate. 

The classic "Happy Birthday" sentiment is the single wood mount "Stylized Birthday" stamp from the new annual catalogue.  Love it!  

Although it looks like I used lots of cut layers on the inside of this card I have simply added a 4 x 5 1/4" layer of Dapper Denim and a 3 3/4 x 5" layer of Very Vanilla card stock.  I had a 1" by 3 3/4 strip of DSP which fit nicely on the bottom of the card and a 1/2" strip of Dapper Denim to complete it.  

Supplies Used:
Stamp Sets:  Seaside Shore 141625, Stylized Birthday 141828
Card Stock:  Calypso Coral, Dapper Denim, Mint Macaroon, Very Vanilla
Scrap of Window Sheet
Ink:  Dapper Denim, Calypso Coral, Mint Macaroon, Pool Party, Crumb Cake
Accessories:  Big Shot, Trimmer, Tom Bow Glue, Dimensionals, Foam Adhesive Strips, Embossing Buddy, Circle Framelits, Glitter, Sequins

Thank you for dropping by and checking out my card today.  I hope you'll check out the other Watercooler Wednesday design team artists and maybe leave a comment or two.  We always like hearing how we're doing and whether our cards are inspiring for you.  

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin Spot
August Hostess Code:  EZGKEM73

WWC78 Jean's Theme Challenge - Anything With a "B"

It's time for the weekly Watercooler Wednesday Challenge hosted by our wonderful design team artist, Jean Fitch.  This WWC78 "anything" theme challenge has a twist....you must create a card or project using anything with a "B" theme in it.  To help you out Jean's compiled a list of "B" ideas in her banner.  Now, all you have to do to play along, is pick one of these themes or come up with something of your own, and link it to our challenge site by next Monday morning.  It's time to put your thinking cap on, join in and let's have some fun! I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with. 

When I saw this challenge I began wracking my brain trying to come up with something different - not on the list.  I was stumped because either the idea worked but I didn't have anything to go make  it with or I wasn't happy with the idea.  In the end I was getting a little bit frustrated when that voice in my head blurted out "man this is a BEAR of a challenge".  Blink the lights went on!  Houston we have liftoff!  I'm doing a BEAR card!

Here's My Card: 
For my project today I've actually incorporated five "B's" into my challenge. You'll see that some of the other design artists have multiplied their "B's" too, but you don't have to do that - the rules say "a B".   

As you've already guessed, BEAR is one of my "B's".  But, how about the other four, can you guess what they are?  Well, BEAR with me, because you'll have to read through to the bottom of the post to figure out all five "B's".  

Last week following the Wacky Watercooler July Anniversary Blog Hop, I received a number of requests for a tutorial on how the Rectangular Pop Up Box is actually made.  So I thought this would be a golden opportunity to show you how.  This week's version is a birthday card/gift card holder.

Aren't these bears from the Bear Hug stamp set all nestled into this card just adorable? They were my inspiration for this fun project.

BEAR TIP:  When I'm working with this stamp set, I like the bear faces to look more dimensional, so I stamp an extra bear face for each bear image I'm using.  I cut around the eyes and nose from the extra image and adhere this piece (which looks like a key hole) over the original stamped image with a dimensional.  I also touch up the eyes and black tip of the nose with  Crystal Effects.  I usually do the claws and some of the accessories like the honey jar lids and the chapeau (hat). You have to try this. Everyone is drawn into the BEAR faces as soon as they see them. It makes such a difference!

Here's the back view  of the card before I insert a gift card.  By adding foam tape on the backside of the DSP panel, it leaves enough room to slide in a gift card or some lottery tickets.  TIP:  If you need more room in the panel for whatever you're inserting, just double the foam tape height (see below).

The back panel of the card was adhered with the new foam strips instead of glue or tape, I'm able to enclose a gift card or lottery tickets.  

As you can see, I've incorporated lots of images in this card but it still folds flat and fits into a standard card envelope. If you need a bit more wiggle room with your card, try making a custom envelope using the Stampin' Up! Envelope Punch. The Bear Hugs framelits and the punches for the trees and balloons make assembly quick and easy.

Here you can see the rows of images attached to the inserts.  The back row of the card has balloons and the Birthday Banner, the first insert at the back of the card has the two bears and a grouping of trees. The front insert has a small bear and a stack of honey pots.   Layering TIP:  I find it easier to group things together with glue or glue dots, before trying to add them to the inserts, for example the stacked honey pots and cluster of trees.

Supplies:Stamp Sets:  Bear Hugs #139546, Time of Year #141790, Party Pants #141327 (R Sab 2016)
Card Stock:  Pumpkin Pie (one 12 x 12 sheet), Old Olive, Tip Top Taupe Whisper White and Gold Glimmer Paper.  DSP is from Welcome Neighbor (R)
Ink:  Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Tip Top Taupe, Momento Tuxedo Black
Accessories:  Big Shot, Trimmer, Tom Bow Glue, Dimensionals, Sticky Strip, Bear Hugs Framelits, Tree Builder Punch, Balloon Bouquet Punch, Tree Punch (R), Small Star Punch (R), Itty Bitty Accents Punch (R), Foam Strips and Crystal Effects.

Details for Assembling the Rectangular Box: 

Here you can see all the bits and pieces I've stamped and cut out prior to assembly.  I find it much easier to have my images and layers already completed, rather than doing it as I go. Some of the images weren't used, but that's okay they're ready for another project.

Rectangular Pop Up Card Base and Inserts:
1. Cut Pumpkin Pie base to measure 4 x 12"
2. Score the base at 2", 5 1/2", 7 1/2" and 11" 
3. Turn 90 degrees and score at 2" the length of the card base.

This is a very rough diagram of the score lines and cutting lines.  The dotted lines represent how far down on the score lines you cut. 

4. From the remaining Pumpkin Pie card stock cut two insert pieces measuring 1" x 4 11/16".  These will be your support pieces.

In this picture you can see the two support pieces.  Once you have assembled the box, you can place the insert pieces inside the box opening.  I used Tom Bow glue to attach them as it's a little more forgiving.  Start with the insert at the back of the box first.  Adhere one side, wait for it to dry and then attach the other side. Make sure the insert pieces are flush with the box and not above the top of the box. INSERT TIP:   In this picture it shows the front insert with the two tabs facing backwards.  You're going to want to turn this around as the tabs should fit flush with the front of the box corners that means the tabs have to fit in the direction of the box either front or back. 

Panels and Gift Card Holder:
1.  For the outside of the card you need the following card stock layers: Cut two pieces of Old Olive 1 7/8 x 3 3/8" and two 1 7/8 x 1 7/8".
2.  For the DSP layers, I cut two pieces of Welcome Neighbor (R) dsp to measure  1 3/4 x 3 1/4" and two measuring 1 3/4 x 1 3/4".  
3.  For the Gift card panel cut a piece of Old Olive 3 7/8 x 3 3/8", and a piece of Whisper White  3 3/4 x 3 1/4".  You will be adhering the gift card panel to this layer with foam strips.  

Here you can see the layered panel for the back of the card.  Stamp your sentiment on the Whisper White piece before attaching the bottom gift card holder panel.  I recommend using foam tape as it's easy to work with and it's higher than dimensionals. If you want more room in the gift card panel add two layers of foam tape, one on top of the other - remember to take off the paper backing on the first layer before you add the second.  This will double the height of the foam tape.

FOAM STRIP TIP:  Because the foam strips are white, they will show on the sides of the gift panel.  If you don't like that look, simply colour the foam tape around the edges with the large tip of a marker that matches your card stock.  Voila, the foam tape blends right into the card.You can do this touch-up before or after you add the foam strips; I did mine after the holder was adhered to the card back.

Outside of the card with all the DSP and card stock panels added.  Do this before shaping in to a box and gluing the tab in place.  I use sticky strip because it is strong to attach the tab.  The sticky strip should be placed on the outside of the tab.  Attach the remaining panels to the inside of the card.  Decorate the front and two side panels to match the inserts.

I've added some balloons cut out with the Balloon Bouquet punch, Gold Glimmer stars, and a honey pot.  I've used dimensionals to attach the balloons.  The Happy Birthday sentiment is from the Party Pants (R) set.  I stamped it on to the leaf portion of the Tree Builder Punch and sponged around the edges with Old Olive.

 

Bonus Project:
I was having so much fun making this box card I decided to add a BONUS treat box to this post, made with the images I had left over. Here it is:

This cute little box measures 4 x 4 18" tall.  It can hold a set of 4 small cards (3 1/2 x 3 1/2) and matching envelopes, candy, or other goodies.

The side view

Here it is "glammed" up with some crinkle wrap.

Supplies:

Stamp Sets: Bear Hugs, Oh My Goodies (R)
Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black, Tip Top Taupe, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive,
Card Stock: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Tip Top Taupe and Welcome Neighbors DSP (R)
Accessories: Big Shot, Trimmer, Crystal Effects, Basic Rhinestones, Scissors,
Simply Scored, Bone Folder, Dimensionals, Tom Bow Glue, Bear Hugs Framelits, Corner Rounder

Measurements for Gift Box:
1. Cut One piece of Old Olive card stock measuring 4 x 10" and scored at 4 1/4 and 5 3/4". Round corners on each end and fold on the score lines - this forms the bottom of the box.
2. Two pieces of Old Olive measuring 2 1/2" x 3" and scored at 1/2" on each long side are for the side supports of the box.
3. Piece of DSP measuring 4 x 3 7/8" with corners rounded for box front.        

   

Isn't this girly bear just the cutest?   I put some Crystal effects on her claws, her nose and eyes and the center of her hair bow.  She was cut out with the Bear Hugs Framelits.  I used Tip Top Taupe and a sponge dauber around the edges of the bear and Pumpkin Pie around the hair bow and skirt for some added depth.  

The sentiment is from the Oh My Goodies retired stamp set.  I stamped it in Old Olive and then again in Pumpkin Pie.  I cut the "Umpteenth" strip from the Pumpkin Pie image and adhered it in the center of the Old Olive image with dimensionals.  Rhinestones in each corner finished it off.  

Well that's it for me today and my two projects. I'd love to have some comments.  How do you like these projects?  

Also if you try out either of my projects, I'd like your feedback on my directions and I'd like to see what you came up with.  Oh and before I forget, although I'm sure you figured out from the bold hints that I gave you what my five "B" theme items were, here they are:

1. Birthday Card

 2. Box Card (rectangle)

 3.  Bear Hugs - main stamp set

 4.  Balloons

 5.  Bonus Project  

I hope you've had an opportunity to check out the other Watercooler Wednesday design team artist's blogs.  I know they've come up with some really great ideas to share with you.  See you next week with a new project!  


Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot
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