Monday, May 4, 2015

A Special Birthday Card for My SIL

Today I'm dedicating my birthday card and wish to my very special sister-in-law, Mary Ann. 

Mary Ann would have been 74 today however sadly, she passed away 18 months ago following a long and courageous battle with lung cancer.

Mary Ann was a very determined and brave woman who faced death with a smile and her strong faith and conviction in God.  She declined heroic measures such as chemo and radiation preferring instead to take each day as it was given and enjoy the time she had left.  And she did. 

During the course of her illness I requested a "shower of cards" from my fellow Late Night Stampers and 33 stampers rose to the occasion.  Mary Ann soon began receiving cards from across Canada and the United States and even one from Austrailia.  

She cherished and loved each and every card she received. Not only did they put a smile on her face when she received them, but they gave her something to think about and focus on when she went through the harder times of her illness.  She told me she thought about where the cards came from and wondered about the senders who were kind enough to think of her even though they'd never meet. How kind you all were and I want to thank those caring stampers who were compassionate enough to take the time out of their busy lives to send a card of hope and caring.  I shall be forever in your debt and will kindly pass along my cards whenever there is a need.  

Happy Birthday Mary Ann.....................so wish you could still be here, but know that we're thinking of you in heaven!  Love and hugs!   


Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens 

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Celebrate Today - Birthday Balloons

I recently purchased the Celebrate Today Photopolymer stamp set from the Occasions Catalogue. Unfortunately life gets in the way, so I hadn't had any "me" time to ink it up and play with it.  All that changed however when I was checking out my stamping friend Diane Ison's class invite on her Face Book page Teach To Stamp. I took one look at her featured class card and began to smile.......no change that, I began to "grin".......... very widely!

Her delightful card featured a monochromatic card face filled with the balloons from Celebrate Today. From my first glimpse I wanted to CAS it. This is just totally a fun card, and one I would personally like to receive.   Here's Diane's version:

Diane stamped the balloons in Soft Sky, Pool Party and Bermuda Bay inks on a Whisper White card base, working from lightest to darkest ink, and centering her first balloon image. You couldn't get much easier than that, and oh my, what an impact this card has.  Easy to mail too!  Thanks Diane for always inspiring!
Here's My Version:

To make this card my own I started with a Bermuda Bay card stock base that measured 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 and was scored at 4 1/4".  Because I wanted a little glitz, I added a 5 1/4" x 4" layer of dazzling diamonds glimmer paper (which I can't get enough of).  And finally I added my stamped Whisper White layer which measures 5 x 3 3/4".  

I used Lost Lagoon, Pool Party and Soft Sky inks to stamp the balloons and went from lightest to darkest overlapping the balloons as I went. Note:  Quite truthfully, I had a little difficulty with my balloons stamping as evenly as Diane's did, but it appears there was a fine film or fluff on my stamp which blocked the colour application, and I don't believe my stamp pads which are the originally ones were juicy enough.  I've since cleaned the stamps and re-inked the pads and experienced instant stamping success.  The moral of this note is make sure you have clean stamps and juicy pads before you start your project.

To finish off the card face I added three basic rhinestones and stamped the Happy Birthday sentiment with two separate stamps from the Celebrate Today Photopolymer Stamp set, mounted on a clear block.
This is the Celebrate Today Stamp set and coordinating Balloon Framelits bundle.  The stamp set has 17 photopolomer two-step stamps that can be layered to give you many different images for your projects.  

Here's a view of the inside of my card I made.  The framelit that I used for the sentiment is from the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Die. I know I'm going to be using these sentiments a lot because they're fun to make and they say it all!




Here's some additional cards I made with Blushing Bride, Pink Pirouette and Regal Rose inks and cardstock.    What fun!




Any one up for a class?  If so contact me by email.

I hope you enjoyed these cards.  The Occasions catalogue is only available until June 2nd so if you are interested in this stamp set don't delay, order today. 

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens 

Thursday, April 30, 2015

WCC22 - A Combination Challenge

Wow, time's been flying and I almost missed this week's Watercooler Challenge, by Heidi Weaver.  Heidi one of the very talented and long time members of the Watercooler Artists has come up with a fun challenge that involves combining a watercolour background with a silhouette.  


Here's My Card:






Nothing in Heidi's instructions indicated the watercolour background had to be the "whole" base of the card for this challenge, so I decided to use only a portion of it in my design. The card base I chose to make is called a Pop Out Swing Card.  The watercolour background and silhouette are  showcased on both the swing panel and sentiment panels at the front of the card.  

When opened the Pop Up Swing Card has three panels.  I combined stamps from the Basic Butterfly and Serene Silhouettes stamp sets for the tree silhouette and the inside sentiments  and stamped them in Blackberry Bliss ink.  I embossed the tree silhouette on the watercolour background using Clear Embossing Powder over Blackberry Bliss and Versa Mark inks.
   
 
How Did I Make It:
I really had fun trying out a variety of techniques for making a watercolour background, before settling for one I made using the Mosaic Embossing Folder and re-inkers.  My original piece of water colour paper measured 5 1/4 x 4 but as you can see from the above pictures, I cut it down to 2 3/4 x 2 34".


To create the watercolour background I simply sprinkled some ink from the re-inkers in strips across the raised side of my Mosaic Embossing Folder and then used a water spritzer to move the ink around.  When I was satisfied with the amount of ink and the intensity, I laid my piece of 5 1/4" x 4" watercolour paper over the folder.  I used a scrap of white card  stock over top of the watercolour paper and pressed down on this piece evenly to transfer the colour to the watercolour paper.  I carefully raised the watercolour panel and then set it aside of paper towel to dry.  

Once it was thoroughly dry (the next day), I inked up my tree silhouette with Versa Mark and then Blackberry Bliss ink and stamped it in the center of the watercolour panel.  I spread Clear Embossing Powder over the still wet ink and embossed the image.  Wow did it pop and give added texture to the card.  

Supplies:

Stamp Sets:  Serene Silhouettes, Basic Butterflies and Really Good Greetings
Ink:  Lost Lagoon, Blackberry Bliss, and Versa Mark for the silhouette, sentiments and sponging around the watercolour panel.
Re-inkers:  Pool Party, So Saffron and Calypso Coral
Card Stock:  Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, Lost Lagoon, Whisper White, Watercolour Paper

  • Card base:  Blackberry Bliss cut to 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" and scored at 4 1/4"
  • Inside Layer:  Whisper White 5 x 6" scored at 2" and 4"
  • Front Layers:  Hello Honey 3 1/4" x 3 1/4", Lost Lagoon 3 x 3", and Watercolour Paper 2 3/4 x 2 3/4" for
  • Sentiment strip 1" x 3 1/2"watercolour paper  
For instructions on how to assemble a Pop Out Swing card click here to see Dawn Griffins video tutorial.
Accessories:  Trimmer, Big Shot, Mosaic Embossing Folder, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Squares Frame Lit Dies, Basic Rhinestones.




I hope you enjoyed this all occasion card that celebrates an accomplishment.  For me I was pleased that I accomplished the double challenge and came up with something that I really liked.  It was also fun combining the challenge with a fancy fold card that I've been wanting to make.


I hope you'll check out the rest of the samples on the Watercooler Watercolour Combo Challenge, they're truly awesome and leave these talented gals some comments while you're there.  

I also hope you'll try out both of these techniques.  I'd really like to know what you enjoyed about doing them and a link to your projects.  Oh, and there's still a bit of time to play along with this challenge, if you're up for it today.  We'd love to have you join in the fun!
Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens


Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Don't Forget theClearance Rack

If you're looking to put in an order this week, make sure you check out the Clearance Rack which was updated on April 22nd. There are some awesome treasures worth taking a look at if you're looking to save money and stock up on ribbons, accessories and stamps.  Just saying............

Happy Stamping! 
Penny Tokens

Hostess Code Club -

Just a note to let you know I'm starting a new monthly feature that will go live on May 1st.  Press the Penny Tokens Hostess Code Club tab at the top of my blog to get all the details.  

 

Retiring Products List Now Available


Today is one of those mixed blessings days.  On one hand the Retiring List of 2014-2015 annual catalogue (up to 50% off) and the MDS Studio's list (30% off) have been published.  For you this means it's a great time to stock up on some of your favourite products and stamps. For me, it's a sad day because it means I have to say goodbye to so many of my favourites.  

On the other hand (drum roll here) the smile comes back on my face because the announcement of the Retiring list also heralds the "coming soon" notice of the new Annual Catalogue for 2015-2016.  Oh boy that eally makes me smile in anticipation! 

Retiring List Links: 
Retiring List Stamps and Accessories PDF

My Digital Studio (PDF)


So my advice to you is to check out these lists and take advantage of the up to 50 percent off retail on the stamps and accessories and 30% off retail on the MDS Studio products today.  These deals are only available until June 2, or while supplies last, so now's a great time to get them before they're gone!*


Fine Print: 
Orders can be placed as a demonstrator, customer, workshop, or online order.
Order deadlines:
By phone: Tuesday, June 2, 2015; 6:50 PM (MT)
By On-Line OEX: Tuesday, June 2, 2015; 11:50 PM (MT)


*Note: Due to high demand for retiring stamps, Stampin' Up! will keep producing retiring stamps only until May 26, but accessories such as DSP, buttons, punches etc. are only available while supplies last.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Count Down To Retired List Reminder

It’s  getting closer and closer to the end of  Stampin' Ups!  calendar year,  and  that means they’re getting ready to retire stamps and accessories from the 2014-2015 annual catalogue.

In fact, I've just heard that the retired lists go live on April 21st this year.  Holy Batman  only three days away!!!

Don't worry, though!  You’ll  have the opportunity to order retiring products at discounted prices (up to 50 % off retail) before they're gone. So start checking back on your Wish List to see if there's anything you just have to have, and then you'll be all set when the lists are released this coming Tuesday.  


If you're faves are on the list and you want them, then I caution you to act fast and place an order through me (if you’re local) or on-line if you live elsewhere in BC or Canada, because supplies go fast!   

My Hostess Code for this month is C9WDQBM6, make sure you include this code on your order and you'll be entered for the hostess bonus draw


Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens

Zany Birthday FMS#628

Well another week has flown by and there's a promise of Spring between the rain drops.  I'm thrilled to see all the cherry trees sta...