Houseplants Anyone?

I recently participated in one of Alison Okimatsu's online classes for Stampin Up demo's.  The class featured the stamp and die bundle from the Bloom Where You're Planted Suite on pages 80 and 81 of the new Stampin' Up Annual Catalogue.

The Bloom Where You're Planted Suite Collection comes in English and French versions and includes:  The Plentiful Plants Photopolymer Stamp set at 10% off, the Perfect Plants Dies at 10% off, the beautiful Bloom Where You're Planted DSP, and Paper Lattice Accent pieces.  The colours that coordinate with the DSP are Cajun Craze, Cinnamon Cider, Evening Evergreen, Garden Green, Gray  Granite and Just Jade. 

The Plentiful Plants and Perfect Plants Dies can be purchased as a bundle, with a 10% savings.  There are 15 photopolymer stamps and dies.  This bundle was part of our class purchase price and I was very pleased to play with the set once it arrived.  

The best part of the whole day was sharing it with Rachel one of my awesome team members.  We had so many laughs and giggles and at the end of the day she was one of the lucky winners of a stamp and die bundle!  It was the first time either of us have stamped with anyone in months, so it was super special.  

We had the usual trials and tribulations of getting the Zoom meeting format to work, but managed between tablets and phones to keep up. Allison's classes are always fast paced and filled with lots of activity.  We were going full throttle throughout the day, but we did manage to make six cards, listen to three wonderful presentations, and complete our cards for three separate challenges.  What an exciting and fun way to put your creativity to the test.  Here are the cards we made:  

Many Messages Cling Rubber Stamp and matching Dies.  Use the Stamperatus for this large block stamp to get the best ink results.  

I

We made two of each card and did three challenges during the class.  I incorporated some changes to make these cards my own.

I added the sentiment "Just wanted to say" from the Many Messages stamp and a Gold Bead on the hanger.   

I like stamping the insides of the cards so here are the views of the three inside panels.   

I love the sentiments in the Plentiful Plants stamp set.  

I managed to get an ink blob on the left hand panel of my card so I used a circle cut from the dsp to cover it up.  I actually die cut the circle from the panel on the right hand side.  So often we use contrasting card stock as a layer on the insides of our cards, but I like to use DSP too to add some interest.  

I had purchase Bloom Where You're Planted Designer Series Paper prior to doing the course and cut out a number of the pieces using the dies.  I also inked up my Many Messages stamp with Cinnamon Cider ink and cut out a pile of sentiments to use with this fun suite.  

TIP:  I like to recycle styrofoam food trays and I use them to hold all my bits and bobs when I'm working with stamps and dies. These recycled trays (I run them through the dishwasher before using) help keep everything grouped together so I can find what I'm looking for easily.  They help to keep my work surface tidy and organized and if I have to leave what I'm doing I can just stack the trays on the side of my desk just as they are.      

Here's one of my recycled styrofoam trays at work.  This one is about 15 x 8 and has slightly raised sides so nothing falls out.  

Here's another fun card I made using the Plentiful Plants stamps and dies.  It's a surprise gate fold card.

I love the beautiful embossed design behind the plant.  The texture really brings the plant out from the brick wall dsp.  The Embossing Folder is called Greenery EF

The Greenery EF This set includes two unique embossing folders that measure 6 1/4" x 3 3/38". These slightly smaller folders fit with the portable Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine.

I love this DSP.  The colours are so vivid.  These are the When you lift up the front panel of this card you have a split panel.  

And here is the inside of the card.  I absolutely love it!  

During the class we also had three challenges and here are the cards that I made:

The first challenge of the day was a colour challenge and we had to use a combination of pink, blue, green and yellow in our design.  I'd been wanting to create a card using the Beautiful Moments stamp set.  I chose the images of the woman and girl walking. I used Stampin' Blends to colour their dresses in So Saffron and Polished Pink inks.  Next I created a beach scene using a small detail stamp from the By the Dock stamp set and stamping some sand dunes in Crumb Cake and adding plant details in Old Olive. To complete the colour challenge I sponged the clouds in Pool Party and then used the new Basic Basic Border Dies to add some stitched detail.  What fun!

For the sketch challenge I made a dog sympathy card.  I combined the Pampered Pets Stamp set, Tailor Made Tags Dies and the Basic Borders Dies in the card layout.  The white portion was embossed with the recently retired Subtles EF.  

This card was for the Speed Challenge and was based on a picture depicting a sunset.   Participants had   less than an hour to design and make their card, then take a picture and post it on the class site.  Whew, what a challenge.  I used the Mountain Air stamp bundle for my background and the ball cap from Hats Off for this masculine retirement card.  

Well that's everything that I have for your folks today.  I hope you liked all the samples, and will give me some feedback on which card you liked best and why.  Looking forward to hearing from you.

Happy Stampin'
Penny Tokens Stampin Spot

Penny Hanuszak@telus.net

Welcome July - Happy Canada Day!

Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian friends and family.  I'm proud to say I'm Canadian and today I'm waving my flag and wearing my red and whites!

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS MONTH:

DESIGNER SERIES PAPER SALE STARTS TODAY!

We all love gorgeous Designer Series Paper, and during this incredible sale, you can enjoy a 15% discount on select papers from the 2021–2022 Annual Catalog! Now is a great time to stock up and save on some of Stampin' Ups! most popular paper designs! All prices are in Canadian Dollars. 

#155841 Pg 130 AC Beauty of the Earth 12 x 12        Reg. Price 15.75      Sale Price 13.39 

#155696 Pg 131 AC Bloom Where You're Planted Reg. Price 15.75    Sale Price  13.39 

#155499 Pg 131 AC Hand-Penned 12 x 12 DSP Reg. Price 15.75    Sale Price 13.39 

#152494 Pg 132 AC In Good Taste 12 x 12 DSP Reg. Price 29.00    Sale Price 24.65 

#155817 Pg 132 AC In the Wild 12 x 12 DSP Reg. Price 15.75    Sale Price 13.39 

#155807 Pg 132 AC Pansy Petals 12 x 12 DSP Reg. Price 15.75    Sale Price 13.39 

#155605 Pg 133 AC Sweet Symmetry 12 x 12 DSP Reg. Price 15.75    Sale Price 13.39 

#155718 Pg 133 AC Tidings of Christmas 6 x 6 DSP Reg. Price 15.75    Sale Price 13.39 

#155686 Pg 134 AC You're a Peach 12 x 12 DSP Reg. Price 15.75    Sale Price 13.39 

SALES PERIOD: 1 JULY–2 AUGUST

• All order types qualify for this promotion.
• There's no limit to how many packages of Designer Series Paper you can purchase during this promotion.
• Only the above select Designer Series Papers are available at a 15% discount during this promotion.
• All orders must be placed—and closed—during the promotion period for the 15% discount to apply.
• Designer Series Paper can be ordered as part of a Starter Kit or with Stampin’ Rewards to qualify for the 15% discount.

July Hostess Code:

Shop with me in July at my On-Line Store and you could be earning rewards.

It's always nice to get something for free when you're placing a Stampin' Up Order.  Any order over $200.00 (before shipping, handling and sales tax) you don't have to have a Hostess Code, because your order automatically earns Stampin' Rewards based on your purchase total and you get to pick your reward(s). What fun and you'll get a special thank you card from me! 

If you're placing an order that's between $50 and $199.00 (before shipping, handling and sales tax) and add my Hostess Code at the end of your order, you'll receive a gift and a thank you card from me.  So don't miss out on the freebies, add that Hostess Code.    

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot 

Penny Hanuszak, Canadian Independent Stampin' Up Demonstrator 

Beautiful Moments

I participated in a Zoom class on Saturday and there were three challenges during the event.  The first challenge was to use the colours pink, aqua, yellow, and green and you could use white or black as neutrals.   

Here is my card:

I've been itching to use my new Beautiful Moments stamp set since it arrived, so this was a perfect opportunity to get inky.  I decided to create a scene where the mother and daughter were walking along the beach.  

Details:

Stamp Sets:    Beautiful Moments, By the Dock

Dies:  Basic Borders - Stitched Cloud die 

Punches: Scalloped Circle 

Ink:  Coastal Cabana, Polished Pink, So Saffron, Old Olive and Granny Apple Green inks and Stampin' Blends,  Momento Tuxedo Black Ink

Cardstock:  Basic White, Coastal Cabana 

Card Base:  8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and scored at 4 1/4"

Layers:  Basic White 5 1/4" x 4", Coastal Cabana 5 1/4" x 4", Basic White for the images 5 1/8" x 3 7/8" 

Beautiful Moments 11 piece cling stamp set.  The line art makes it easy to apply watercolour techniques or blending.  

I created a scene by stamping the Mother and Daughter walking along the beach in Momento Black ink.  I coloured in their clothes with Stampin' Blends.  After I was finished colouring I wanted to add the background and so I re stamped the image on masking paper, covered the images and began blending.

I used a blending brush to create the sky and to get the cloud effect I punched out a scallop circle and used it to blend around.  I also masked in an 3/4" circle for the sun, which was later coloured in with So Saffron ink.  

For the greenery at the base of the card I used a stamp from the recently retired By the Dock set that gives a great ground effect. I stamped the image with Momento black ink and staggered it to give the appearance of sand with grass clumps. I blended Granny Apple Green and Old Olive inks across this area of the card.  

By the Dock - retired 

I also wanted to experiment with my new Basic Borders dies.   Oh my they're so easy to use and give such a beautiful edge.  Essentially I just fitted the cloud die on an angle across the top of the design layer and ran it through my Cut N' Emboss machine and then repeated this with the Coastal Cabana layer.  

This is what the six dies look like.  

This image of the Basic Border Dies shows what the die cut looks like after the card stock has been run through the die cutting machine. 

These Basic Border dies can be used as a single border, or paired together to create the perfect finish on your project.  There are 6 dies in the package and the largest measures  Largest die: 6" x 1" (15.2 x 2.5cm).  Use a Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine to cut your die images. 

I hope you liked my project.  If you have any questions please contact me, I'd be happy to provide more details.  

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

Penny Hanuszak, Canadian Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

June Hostess Code:

If you're placing an order under $200 before s&H and sales tax, be sure to add my hostess code for the month of June.  I will reward you with a thank you card and a small gift to show my appreciation.  If you're placing an order over $200 you will earn hostess rewards based on your order total.  

Hats Off to Beating Cancer

I made a card this afternoon and I hope I never ever have to send it to someone I know. I'm sure you'll know why when I say the theme of the card is "Breast Cancer friendship and support".  I've had too many friends, relatives and acquaintances who've battled this horrible disease.  

In my last post,  I featured the Hats Off Bundle and I mentioned that although this stamp and die set come off as masculine, they can also make up some pretty special feminine cards. 

Here is my card:

• I began by cutting and scoring the Basic Black card base.
• I cut the Polished Pink Layer and before adhering it to the card base I die cut the ball cap and cancer ribbon from  the center part of the layer. 
• I ran my Polished Pink Blends over the cap edges and along the stitched lines to add some depth to the cap.    
• I used the linked small basic rhinestones strip along the cap brim.  From the Hats Off bundle I die cut the oval sentiment and insert and attached the small pink ribbon from the Artfully Aware dies.  The ball cap was added to the card with dimensionals.    
• I cut the Basic White layer, then stamped it with the large ribbon image from the Artfully Aware set in Momento Black ink. To give this layer a bit more texture I embossed it with the Tasteful Textiles Embossing Folder to give the background a little more texture. 
• I chose the sentiment "Be Strong, Be Brave - you've got this" which is part of the Many Messages Cling Stamp set because it's such a bold statement.  I love this bundle of sentiments as I can pre-stamp and die cut the sentiments ahead of time. 
• To finish off the card I added the Basic Rhinestones around the hat brim and a few scattered rhinestones and to the Basic White layer.  I added a small rhinestone to the center of the ribbon. 

Love this sentiment from Many Messages #154510

• 
  For the inside card panel I stamped off the image of the two girls hugging once and then stamped to the center of the card.  In retrospect I should have stamped in Gray Granite or Smokey Slate for a softer image.  The sentiment was stamped full strength in Pink Polish and then the layer was adhered to the base.   

Details:

Stamp Up Sets:    Artfully Aware (Retired Stampin Up), Hats Off Bundle (#158361), Many Messages (#154510)

The Artfully Aware Stamp set and Coordinating dies by Stampin' Up! have Retired.

Hats Off #155483 for the 15 piece photopolymer stamp set 

Hat Builder Die Set #155964 has 15 dies.  Purchased as a bundle you save 10% just use order code #158361

Many Messages Stamp & Coordinating Die Bundle 

Card Stock:    Basic Black (base), Polished Pink, Basic White 

Ink:    Momento Black, Polished Pink and Versa Mark with Silver Embossing Powder

Accessories:  Dimensionals, Basic Rhinestones, Tasteful Textiles Embossing Folder

Card Base: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4" (Basic Black)

Layers:    

1st layer - 5 1/4" x 4" Polished Pink.  

2nd layer - 5" x 3 3/4" Basic White (stamp and emboss), Inside layer 5 /14" x 4" Basic White.  

Note: This card can be made in any combination of colours and for any form of cancer support or other type of support.  It's just a case of changing up the hat and 1st layer colour and you have a totally different look.  

Here's a Masculine Card I made for a challenge over the weekend where I've used the Hats Off stamp set and dies combined with Mountain Air.  The colours are muted and more masculine.

Like I said this becomes a totally different card by changing the background, sentiment and colours.  Although this particular card is earmarked for an outdoorsy kind of guy and an occasion such as Father's Day, a birthday or perhaps retirement event, it could easily be changed into a masculine support card by adding the ribbon to the hat brim and changing the sentiment to the one used above.     

  

Hope you've enjoyed this card and will leave me a comment.  

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

Penny Hanuszak, Canadian Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Click here to Contact Me: 

June Hostess Code: 

If you're placing an order in the month of June that is under $200 (before S&H and tax), apply the above hostess code and you will receive a hand made thank you card and a hostess gift from me for participating.  If your order is over $200 or more (before S&H and tax) you don't need to apply the code because you will receive your own rewards based on your order total.  Cheers! 

Masculine Cards for Father's Day

Have you looked at your calendar and wondered, "wow where has June gone", you're not alone.  Here we are at the half way mark and Father's Day is just a week away.  I always get requests from my friends for handmade Father's Day cards, so I've been working on some great masculine cards that would be perfect for that occasion, or for other masculine events like birthdays and retirement.

My motivation for the first card came from a new stamp and die set called the Hats Off Bundle.  You can find this on page 47 of Stampin' Ups! recently released Annual Catalogue.  

The Hats Off Bundle (#158361) is comprised of a 15 piece photopolymer stamp set called Hats Off (#155483) and a 15 piece coordinating die set called the Hat Builder (#155964). These can be purchased individual or you can save 10% by buying the bundle.  However you purchase this set, I know you're going to love it.  

  

Here's the first card I made with this bundle: 

 

Sometimes you buy a stamp and die set and you wonder why you did.  Let me just say that the Hat's Off bundle did not disappoint, I am in love with it!  The ball cap is just the perfect size for a card front or back as you'll see in a later photo, but there are so many other things it could be used for.

The die cut can be used on it's own or you can stamp the cap and then die cut it.  Either way it looks awesome.  The stitching on the cap seams is really detailed, so you get a little bit of a 3-D look.

Directions: 

Ink and Card Stock:    Cinnamon Cider, Misty Moonlight and Very Vanilla  card stock.  Misty Moonlight ink and blends used on the hat and sentiments inside and out. 

Card Base:  8 1/2" x 5 1/2" card base from Misty Moonlight card stock.

Layers:  Very Vanilla 51/4" x 4" followed by 5 1/8" x 4 1/8" piece of Cinnamon Cider, that was embossed with the Tasteful Textiles 3-D Embossing Folder. 

Embellishments:  I cut the hat from Very Vanilla card stock thinking that would look good on my card front .....wrong. It was way too light so instead of wasting this piece I coloured it with dark and light Misty Moonlight Stampin' Blends and then embossed it.  When I added the texture it made the hat look like it was suede.  Before adhering the hat to the card front I used my bone folder to round out the edges and then added dimensionals to the back of it. 

There are nine difference logo type embellishments included in this stamp set that can be used on the hat brim.  I cut out the "Life is Great" using the coordinating dies from Cinnamon Cider card stock and stamped the sentiment in Misty Moonlight ink before adhering this piece to the hat brim.    

Note:  The embellishment dies have two pieces and you can use them individual but they work best when fitted inside each other. The smaller piece doesn't cut out the card stock it just creates the stitching around the picture, while the larger one is the actual die cut.  

To finish off the front of the card I stamped the sentiment "To The Guy That Wears Many Hats" on a small scrap of Very Vanilla with Misty Moonlight ink.  Using the new Tailor Made Tag dies  I cut three separate tags to coordinate with the card colours and attached them with a blue brad and dimensionals. 

For my next project I decided to make some cards with Polo Shirts:

I recently saw a post on Frenchie Stamps blog showing some simple polo/golf shirts she made using the Handsomely Suited bundle.  I decided to try out her technique and I was amazed at how quickly these cards came together.  Here are the basic steps.   

I used paper designs from the In Good Taste DSP #152494 pg 132 AC that were carried over from last year.  These photographic images of woven materials give a life like 3-dimensionals texture to these cards making them quite unique. As an alternative to these papers, you could create your polo shirt using any  of the In Color Designer Series papers such as the In Color 6 x 6 Neutrals paper packs on pg 134.   

 Directions:  

Ink & Card Stock:  Cinnamon Cider, Misty Moonlight 

Card Base:    4 1/4" x 11" scored at 5 1/2" 

DSP Layer:    4 1/4" x 5 1/2"  - for full card or

                      4" x 5 1/4" - for shirt with border 

Collar/Pocket: 2" x 3" piece of contrasting cardstock.  Die cut out the collar and pocket then emboss the collar with the Tasteful Textile Embossing Folder.  Leave the pocket plain as you'll be stamping it.   

Placket for Buttons:  3/4" x 5 1/2" piece of contrasting cardstock.  Die cut this piece and then cut it in half - you'll have a spare for another card.  

Buttons:  I used Adhesive Sheets on the back of a 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" piece of black cardstock for my buttons and ran it through the Cut & Emboss Machine a couple of times.

Inside of Card:  4" x 5 1/4" Very Vanilla Cardstock with a 3/4" piece of dsp from the DSP layer on the long side or across the bottom.  Stamp the greeting "A Happy Birthday to You" from the Handsomely Suited Stamp Set. 

Handsomely Suited Bundle 

In Color Neutral 6 x 6 DSP 

In Good Taste DSP 

Well that's it for this week.  I will be posting more with these bundles over the coming week, so stay tuned.  Let me know if you like these cards and the instructions I've provided.  

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin Spot

Penny Hanuszak, Canadian Independent Stampin' Up Demo

June Hostess Code:    

Don't forget to apply this code to your order during the month of June 2021, if it's under $200.00 and you'll receive a thank you card and small hostess gift from me.  If your order is over $200, you'll receive a thank you card from me, but will earn your own Stampin' Up Rewards based on the size of the order.  

Click here for PDF version of the Catalogue or if you live in Abbotsford or Fraser Valley area contact me to get a catalogue.  

Click Here to Visit my On Line Clearance Rack 

Time is Running Out .....Join+ Promo Ends Today

Join + Details

Time is running out on the best promo of the year.  Join+ is the best deal you'll find and there are only a few hours left to save on shipping & handling and get your $206 starter kit for just $135.00.  

Why not take advantage of extra savings only available to Stampin' Up Demos today, and tie your starter kit savings in with the Last Chance offers of 50% off in the January to June Mini catalogue and you'll save a bundle.  But, you have to act fast as this offer closes at 10:00pm Mountain time this evening (see my note below about my free for joining gift).   

I'm extending my offer of a free stamp set valued at $23.00 to anyone who takes advantage of the Join+ promotion and joins my team by 6:00 pm tonight - read the details here:  I'd love to have you!  

Click here to Join+

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

Penny Hanuszak, Canadian Independent Stampin' Up Demonstrator 

May Hostess Code: