Christmas Classic - Blocking Design #FMS647

Hi Everyone!  If you're a BC Resident happy BC Day long weekend!  I've been watching the Summer Olympics out of France this past week, and I'm just awed by all the elite athletes representing Canada in the games!  How exciting!  

I'm also excited to share a card I made this week using the latest Freshly Made Sketches challenge sketch.  Karren is the sketch hostess this week at Freshly Made Sketches  so a big shout out to her.  Her concept for this sketch was "color blocking".

Click here to see the FMS Design Team Samples 

HERE'S MY CARD:

Today's card is another Christmas design using retired products from Stampin' Up! My biggest decision when I started to assemble the pieces was whether I needed a gap between the paper mats or to make them flush.  I decided having a white border around and between the paper cuts would tie them together.  I also decided to do a landscape mode rather than portrait.  

Instead of using a square or rectangle for the focal point on this card I chose to use layered circles.  I started with a 2 3/4" Shaded Spruce stitched circle followed by a Whisper White 2 1/4" circle.   Because I didn't want to stamp a sentiment or design in the background I cut a 2" circle from patterned paper and used that as a backdrop for the sleigh.  

SUPPLIES:

Stamp Sets:

• Window Wishes #159751 (sentiment) 
• Christmas Barn #159747 (sleigh) 

Cardstock:

• 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" Shaded Spruce scored at 4 1/4" for base.  Layout is landscape. 
• 3" x 3" scrap of Shaded Spruce for stitched circle 
• One 4" x 5 1/4" piece of Whisper White for inside panel and a scrap for 2" stitched circle layer and sentiment strip
• Scrap Cherry Cobbler 

Designer Series Paper:

• Classic Christmas 6 x 6 #155969 (R)

Accessories:

• Classic Label Punch
• Layered Stitched Circle dies
• Dimensionals 
• Adhesive Back Sequins Trio - Opaque White #161205
• Paper Trimmer
• Tombow Adhesive glue

Well thanks for dropping by.  I hope you liked this sketch challenge by Freshly Made Sketches.  If you haven't participated in a sketch challenge or like this design and just want to make a card there's still time to do so.  If you like my rendition, leave me a comment, I love to hear what caught your eye or how this card made you feel.  Cheers and have a good week. 

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online web store 

Click here to see how you can earn more free stuff! 

Designer Series Paper Summer Sale

 August 6th to 30th, 2024: 

Between 6–31 August, you can shop select Designer Series Paper from the 2024–2025 Annual Catalog* at 15% off! This is the perfect time to stock up and save on some of your favorite paper.

Stampin' Ups! Designer Series Paper is hand created in house. Their artists design, sketch, paint, etc. the patterns you see on the paper. Designer Series paper is durable and it's perfect for all types of paper crafts. The following paper is part of the sale:

• Bright & Beautiful
• Countryside Inn
• Country Lace
• Country Woods
• Full of Life
• Lily Pond Lane
• Mediterranean Blooms
• Perennial Lavender
• Take to the Sky
• Thoughtful Journey
• To Market
• Unbounded Beauty
• Wildly Flowering
• Winter Meadow

Check out the DSP Flyer Link for the detailed list, that includes item numbers, dimensions, and prices.

Video https:  

Sale Details - What You Need to Know:

Sales Period:         6–31 August 2024
Ordering Deadlines:
                                Phone: 30 August at 6:59 p.m. (MT) 

                                Online: 31 August at 11:59 p.m. (MT)

• Specialty paper, cardstock assortments, Designer Series Paper stacks, and paper not yet live is not included in the sale.
• Customers must open and close the order during the allotted dates to receive the discount.
• There are NO limits on ordering. However, product is only available while supplies last.
• Designer Series Paper purchased with Stampin’ Rewards or as part of a Starter Kit WILL qualify for the discount.

PLEASE NOTE: The following paper is featured in the Annual Catalog, but it's from previous product releases:

• Bright & Beautiful 
• Countryside Inn
• Perennial Lavender
• Winter Meadow

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my Online 24/7 Web store 

Ready Set REDEEM

Click Here to See How To Apply Hostess Code 

August Hostess Code

Welcome August!  

August just slid in quietly and I don't know about you, but I'm not ready for it!  Wow, where has the summer gone?  It's time for me to try and change my focus and do the things I love to do in the summer before it's gone too!  

New Hostess Code for the month of August!

Every paper crafter needs stuff, but not everyone can afford to place orders over $200 or host workshops to accumulate sales, so offering my monthly hostess code for smaller orders, is my way of saying "thanks for supporting my business".

If you're planning on placing an August order valued from $60 to $199.00 (before shipping and tax) just add my August Hostess Code #NMGJYXFZ at the end of your order to receive a small token of my appreciation and a thank you card.

The benefits of shopping at my online store and adding my monthly Hostess Code are:

• You never have to go to a workshop or party. 
• If you need help with your product choices I'm always here to help. 
• You get to decide when to place your order and my online store is available 24/7.
• You can order online exclusive products that aren't found in the catalogues.
• Your new products are shipped directly to your front door and generally arrive within 5-7 days of placing your online order.
• After you've placed your order and applied the current hostess code you'll receive a free surprise gift from me and thank you card generally within 2-3 weeks.

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS

If you don't already have an online Stampin' Up! account with me, you'll need to set one up.  It's fast and easy.  Locate the "shopping cart symbol" in the top right hand menu line on my web page.  It looks like this:

Just provide the information requested, choose me as your demonstrator, and once your account is set up you can begin to order. Add items you want to order by clicking on the Shopping Cart.  To receive for my free gift and thank you card, any order you place that's valued between $60 to $199.00 (before shipping, tax and handling) to qualify.  

Before you finalize your Shopping Cart order at the checkout you must add my hostess code for the month into the circled area marked "ADD HOSTESS CODE" (see blue circled area in above snapshot).  Please note:  I can no longer add the hostess code for shoppers after their order has been submitted.  So remember, if you haven't added the current month's hostess code to your order before hitting the checkout button, it won't qualify for my free gift.  

Stampin' Rewards:  If your order is over $200 you'll automatically receive Stampin' Rewards at the checkout based on your order total and will be prompted to enter products adding up to the qualifying amount. 

NOTE: My August  Hostess Code promo closes at noon on August 30th, 2024. Your free gift and thank you card will be sent to you by the 3rd week in September.  Thank you.

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up Demo since 2006

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Web Store 

Sweet Friend Card - AHSC #588

Well here we are the last day of July.  Where did the month go?  Before it ends I decided to play along with this sketch from Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #588. 

HERE'S MY CARD: 

This was a difficult challenge for me, as I'm not a fan of cards with leaves.  I have extreme difficulty for some reason, attaching them so they look like they were meant to be in the focal.  As I'm trying to use up supplies on hand,  I decided to use some of the products from the Life is Sweet - June 2024 Paper Pumpkin kit.  I knew it had some leaves in the ephemera packs, and there was lots of paper left to work with.  

Supplies:

Stamp Set:

• Life is Sweet Artwork Photopolymer stamp from Paper Pumpkin kit

Cardstock:

• Pretty in Pink for the card base - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" scored at 4 1/4"
• Basic Black for the mat on front 5 1/4" x 4" 
• Whisper White scrap for the sentiment label 
• Designer Paper from Paper Pumpkin - Pink  3 3/4" x 5" 

The original cherry from the kit was rather dull looking so I used a blending brush to enhance the green leaves and the cherries.  I also coloured the vellum leaves with garden green ink and a blending brush.  Once I was satisfied with the leaves, I added them with glue dots to the back of the cherries to get the spacing right and then added dimensionals to pop the cherries up on the focal point.

I stamped the sweet friend sentiment onto one of the Whisper White pre-cut labels from the Paper Pumpkin kit and again popped this strip up with dimensionals across the base of the focal point.    The last thing I did with this was scatter some pink iridescent sequins and Nuvo Drops to the cherries to make them shine.   

Ink:

• Momento Black for sentiment "sweet friend" 
• Real Red to touch up the cherries 
• Garden Green and Mossy Meadow to touch up Vellum leaves
• Soft Suede blends for the cherry stems

Accessories:

• Dimensionals
• Tom Bow Glue and Adhesive Glue Dots 
• Painted Texture Embossing Folder for Pink DSP layer 
• Stitched 2 1/2 and 2 1/4" circle dies
• Pastel Adhesive Backed Sequins Pink Iridescent x 5 #160387
• Pink Envelope

I won't lie, although the sketch challenge itself was simple, this card was a real challenge for me.  But, in the end I was satisfied with how it turned out.  What about you, do you struggle with adding ephemera to your cards?  I'd love to hear from you.

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up! Demo since 2006

Click Here to Visit my 24/7 Online Store

Click Here for Info on Applying Hostess Code 

Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge #68

Our run of extreme hot weather finally broke today and we had some cool winds and a drop of four or five degrees in temperature which is so welcome.   Since our home doesn't have air conditioning it's been a constant battle to keep the interior of the house below 80 degrees and that sure does cramp your stamping style.  

Thank goodness for the Peace On Earth Christmas Sketch Challenge's bi-monthly anything goes challenge.  Just the thought of making another Christmas card  literally kept me cool in my craft room.  Here is their wonderful mood board:

Click here to see Design Team Cards and Enter Challenge

Here is My Card: 

I was inspired by both the candles and the red plaid designs in the mood board when I created this card.

Supplies:

Stamp Set:

• Window Wishes by Stampin' Up! #159751

Dies:

• Window Dies #159756  

Card Stock:

• Whisper White - 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" for base scored at 4 1/4"
• Whisper White 5" x 3" mats x 2 for outside and inside\
• Scraps to stamp candles and wreath
• Shaded Spruce mat 5 1/4" x 4" for inside
• Scraps:  Basic Black and Crumb Cake for Window Frame, Real Red for bow, Vellum for Window backing

Designer Paper:

• Wrapped in Plaid 5 1/4" x 4" for front mat 
• Wrapped in Plaid 3/4" x 4" for strip on inside mat

Ink:

• Shaded Spruce for Wreath and sentiment
• Real Red for candle base
• Daffodil Delight for candle flames

Accessories:

• Red Starform Stickers for berries on wreath
• Dimensionals 
• Blender Brush to apply a light coat of Daffodil Ink onto the back of the Vellum window backing
• Tombow Adhesive

I hope you enjoyed this week's Christmas card challenge.  My little pile of cards is starting to grow, and while I'm not going to make my goal for July, it's inspiring me to make more.  

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot
Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin Up! Demo since 2006 

Click here to visit my 24/7 Online Store 

Click Here For Instructions to Apply Hostess Code

Berry Delightful Cards - Love Those Pretty Papers Card Challenge

EDIT:  Winner Love Those Pretty Papers Challenge! 

Just a note to say that I was chosen "Winner" for the challenge at Love Those Pretty Papers July Winners!  What an honour as this was their first challenge!  Thanks to Darlene Pavlick and Diane Hover, the hosts of this challenge.  Much appreciated!  Three Cheers for the Top Three Winners:  Imke, Annie and Liz Cavell.    Thanks so much! 

Penny 

Christmas In July - TSOT #161

WINNER UPDATE:  NEWS JUST IN!   

 TOP FOUR WINNER!

Click here to see the "Four" Winners for this Challenge! 

I was totally excited to see my card was chosen as part of the Top Four Winners in the Double Trouble Challenge #171.  I just had to share this awesome news!  I'll be posting my banner and making a few more of these cards, that's for sure! 

CHRISTMAS IN JULY TSOT #161 CHALLENGE: 

Click here to see the Design Team samples and challenge rules 

Here is the latest sketch challenge over at Try Stamping on Tuesday's blog - TSOT #651.    I love this sketch outline and will have lots of time to work on it as the challenge runs from July 16th to August 4th

I decided to pair the TSOT #651 with the Double Trouble #171 challenge that runs from July 19th to 31st.  

There are three parts to this challenge:   Things 1: add a window or apertures to your card, Thing 2: include snow, snowflakes, Frosty or any other snowpeople, and Thing 3: Christmas in July theme.  Whew that's a lot to try and cram into a card.  

HERE'S MY CARD: 

This card challenge was right up my alley as I had "Christmas in July" cards to make, so it qualifies for the Thing 3 Twisted Sister challenge.  The stitched circle window (aperture) qualifies for the Thing 1 Trouble-maker "What's Your Drive Thru Window", and last but not least the Thing 2 Double Dare, for the Jingle Bells "Dashing Through the Snow Challenge".  

I started with a Whisper White Card base and added a layer of Misty Moonlight card stock followed by a piece of winter scene designer paper from the Feels Like Frost Specialty Design 6 x 6 pack (#150444 R). 

I used some Sizzix nested stitched circles dies to cut the aperture window.   I found it was easier to start by adhering the top two mats together and lining up the 2" circle die on top of the designer paper mat.  I ran these layers  through the big shot twice to make sure I'd cut through both layers.  

Once I removed the circle of DSP I adhered the double mat to the card base.   To cut the circle through the card base I simply put the die back in the space where the circle was die cut from and then ran this stack through the big shot again, removing the white circle from the card front.  

I secured the two nesting circle dies on a scrap piece of Misty Moonlight cardstock with some washi tape and then ran this through the big shot.  I adhered the Misty Moonlight circle around the window to give it a more finished look.  

The cute little snowman is from an old Stampin' Up! set called "Snowman Season" #150458(R).   I used dimensionals to mount this 1 1/2" stitched circle to the circle left over from cutting out the window from the designer series paper. 

For my sentiment I stamped "Tis the Season to be Freezin" in Misty Moonlight ink on a scrap of Whisper White cardstock.  I cut this piece down and mounted it to a piece of Misty Moonlight and then adhered it to the card front with dimensionals.  A few silver flat sequins added some sparkle to the finished card. 

Well that's it for this "Christmas in July" card.  I hope you liked it.  This card design is a great way to show off some of those winter scene designer papers and is super quick and easy to make.   

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT! 

Penny Hanuszak, CDN Stampin' Up Demo Since 2006