WWC76 - Penny's CAS Challenge - Butterflies

This is my first time hosting a challenge at the Watercooler and I hope you're going to like it.  I've chosen a Clean and Simple Challenge (CAS) but I've added a theme, one I think everyone will have fun with.  The theme is to include Butterflies. 

Rules for our Clean & Simple Challenges (by group consensus)
So, what is a CAS and what is acceptable for this challenge? Sometimes it's very hard to determine how far you can go with a Clean and Simple design.   So it's clear for everyone,our design team artists recently held a discussion and came up with these guidelines:

• Either a single layer card base upon which we stamp or a card base with a single layer of card stock upon which we stamp, nothing more. 
• Since we use embellishments for any other type of card, no embellishments, die-cuts or anything else is allowed except the simplicity of stamping for the "clean & simple" look.
• Apart from stamping, we will allow heat embossing since, if one decides to use a colour, heat embossing would show better than simple stamping. 
• No dry (EF) embossing on card base or layer. 
• Following these rules will keep it clean, simple and challenging.

Here is my CAS Butterfly Card: 

Supplies:
Stamp Sets:  Papillion Potpourri and You've Got This
Ink:              Elegant Eggplant
Card Stock:   Elegant Eggplant for base and Whisper White 
Accessories:  Trimmer, Tom Bow Adhesive

This is a really plain and simple type of card for me, but sometimes that's all you need.  Sometimes, you don't have time to do all the fancy stuff and it's nice to step back from all the layers and embellishments and just let the sentiment say it all.  I think this quote is perfect:

For this card I chose Elegant Eggplant for my ink and card base because I love the rich bold colour paired with Whisper White. I think it sets the tone for this friendship card.  

Although I chose Elegant Eggplant for my card any combination of ink and matching card stock along with Whisper White will work with this design.  To demonstrate this I made five additional cards using the new Incolours and my brand new mini Misti precision stamping tool.  In no time at all I was able to make all of these cards.
I

Everyone I know loves butterflies.  I think this would make a nice gift set for someone.  If I were doing these as a gift set along with making a matching box, I would use a variety of sentiments and make 2 of each card colour.

Peek A Boo Peach

Flirty Flamingo

Emerald Envy

Sweet Sugarplum

Dapper Denim

Stepped Up Version of this Card:

For those of you who aren't fussy about "Clean and Simple" cards I decided to make some additional "stepped up" versions so you can see how little it takes to go from my original "plain jane" card to a new level.

1.  For my first stepped up card I took the basic card and simply drew a free hand border around the outer edge of the Whisper White layer using an Elegant Eggplant fine tip marker to coordinate with the ink and card base.

2. I added some clusters of  Basic Rhinestones to this second card to give it more pizzazz.  

3. For my third card I kept all the original design elements but began by stamping a block image from the Work of Art stamp set in Perfect Plum and Rich Razzleberry inks before I stamped the butterflies and sentiment. On this card I wanted to make the butterflies and sentiment stand out more because of the background stamping and so I stamped the images with Versa Mark and Elegant Eggplant inks, and then heat set them with Clear Embossing Powder. A strip of Rich Razzleberry Taffeta ribbon was the final enhancement.

4.  For my final stepped up card I simply changed the card stock base to Whisper White and then added layers of Elegant Eggplant and Whisper White card stocks.  Although you can't see it I also used Wink of Stella on the butterflies for a little glimmer and pizzazz.

I hope you've liked these samples, and would welcome your comments.  I'd love to know whether you like making CAS cards and which is your favourite sample.  

I also hope you'll join the Watercooler Design team this week with this fun challenge.  We're looking forward to seeing some awesome butterfly CAS cards!  Until then, thanks for stopping by and.....

Happy Stamping!
Penny Token's Stampin Spot

July Hostess Code:  2B9CCGQR
(for on-line orders under $200.00)

Sneak Peak - August Thoughtful Branches Promotion

I know August is a few weeks away, but you may be interested in this special promotion that will run from August 2nd to 31st or while supplies last.  I wanted to give you a head's up as this is a one-time only offer. 

Because I'm a demonstrator I got to order this bundle in a special "demo only pre-order, so mine's on the way, and I can't wait to get my hands on it.  I'm in love with the sentiments as well as all the different tree shapes. I just know this beautiful, all season Photopolymer stamp set and matching framelits dies are going to be a lot of fun to stamp with.  Here's a copy of the flyer: 

The Artisan's team have already been playing with this set and are having a blog hop so if you follow this link you can check out some of the fabulous designs they've come up with.  You're going to love the versatility!  

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin Spot
July Hostess Code: 2B9CCGQR
(for on-line orders under $200.00)

3 Things You Need to Know About Stampin' Up Bonus Dollars

1.  For every $60.00 CDN you spend on Stampin' Up! products between July 7th and July 31st, you'll earn a $6 Bonus Day Coupon.

2.  Bonus Day Coupon codes can only be delivered via email, so an email address is required to participate in this promotion.  You'll want to put your Bonus Dollars coupon codes in a safe place or write down the codes, because if they are lost the codes cannot be replaced.

3.  Bonus Day Coupons can be redeemed between August 2nd to August 31st, and can be redeemed against any product of with the exception Stampin' Starter Kits or Paper Pumpkin new subscriptions. 

Contact me today if you want more information.

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot
July Hosess Code:  2B9CCGQR

WWC75 - Deborah's Sketch Challenge

July has arrived and with it the celebration of two very patriotic holidays in North America.  The first is Canada Day on July 1st followed by Independence Day in the States on July 4th.  I hope all my Canadian and American stamping sisters were able to celebrate and enjoy the holidays and perhaps get a little stamping in!  

This week's Watercooler Wednesday is hosted by Deborah Smart and is a sketch challenge.  I'm loving the simple lines on this one.

 Here's My Card:  

My youngest brother's birthday was on July 4th, so I took advantage of this great sketch to make a masculine birthday card.

I used a 5/8" x 5 piece of the DSP from the card front and a and a 1/4" x 5 strip of black card stock on the right hand side of the card.  The verse is from a retired stamp set called "On Your Birthday".  This set with it's twelve birthday related sentiments is one I will never get tired of using.  

I really like the design on this piece of Painter's Palette designer series paper.  It almost looks like grass cloth.  The design on the Elegant Dots Embossing Folder made me think of the swirls of smoke coming out of the smoke stack on this engine and I'm happy to say I think it really works for this card.  I used three Ice Brads to complete the card.

Supplies:   

Stamp Sets:  Traveler and On Your Birthday (retired)
Card Stock:   Very Vanilla and Basic Black, Painter's Palette DSP
Ink:              Momento Tuxedo Black 
Accessories:  Big Shot, Paper Trimmer, Elegant Dots Embossing Folder, Ice Brads (retired) Tom Bow Adhesive, Dimensionals, Paper Piercer  

Well I hope you enjoyed my post today and will take a moment to let me know how you liked this masculine card.  And, if you haven't been over to check out the other Watercooler Wednesday Design Artist's blogs, make sure you do, you won't regret it.  Lots of great ideas and designs.  

Happy Stamping! 
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot 
July Hostess Code:  2B9CCGQR
(for on-line orders under $200.00)

July 1st - It's Canada Day Eh!

It's July 1st, Canada Day and I can honestly say I am proud to be a Canadian.  Being Canadian means that I live in a vast country that believes in equality, opportunity, multiculturalism, freedom, helping others, and much much more.  Today is a day of celebration all across our great land.  It's an opportunity to be thankful for all we have as Canadians and to honour those who've made Canada one of the greatest nations on this earth.  

If you're a Canadian get out and enjoy the festivities with your neighbors, express yourself, fly your colours and be thankful you're a Canadian.  

Here's a Card I made just for today:  

Happy Canada Day and Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

WWC74 - Marsha's Challenge Tag Theme

TAGS that's the theme for this week's Watercooler Wednesday challenge hosted by the talented Marsha Reed.   I hope you're up for it and will join us for some fun!

Earlier this month I designed a milestone birthday card for the June Wacky Watercooler Blog Hop and when Marsha selected the tag theme for this week's challenge, I thought "perfect" I'll make a tag and matching gift bag to go with this card.

Here's my tag:

The gift tag measures 4 1/4" x 7 1/4" from top to bottom.  The rosette or "lolly" as some paper crafters call it, was created from one 6 x 6 sheet of the Playful Palette DSP.  Simply cut three 2 x 6" strips of DSP attach them end to end and score at 1/4" intervals along the strip.    

I used a glue gun in the center and topped it with a 2 1/2" scrap of card stock to hold the rosette together.  Once the rosette was assembled I used a sponge dauber and Blushing Bride ink to distress the edges.  Tip:  It would probably be easier to do this last step before you score the strip.

Next I cut the banners from Emerald Envy, Basic Black and Playful Palette DSP with the Banners Framelit set. Easy peasy!  The largest banner was embossed with the Large Polka Dot Embossing Folder for some contrast.  The basic black banner looked too plain so I ran a line of Dazzling Details around the edge to give it a little pop.  Tip:  If you do this make sure you allow the Dazzling Details to dry before you start handling the card stock.   It takes a long time to dry!

The banner was attached to the rosette before the circles were, so it could be centered and anchored securely. I double cut the numbers from Emerald Envy and Basic Black and then glued them together with Tom Bow adhesive to get a shadow effect.  They were attached with the new Adhesive Foam strips - what a snap!

The final layers on the rosette are a 3 5/8" circle cut from Blushing Bride glimmer paper and a 3 1/4" circle of Very Vanilla card stock stamped with the "Thinking of You" sentiment from the Time of Year Hostess set.  Got to love that stamp!  A few basic rhinestones completed the sentiment section.  I didn't have any of Stampin' Up!s current ribbon selection or baker's cord so I chose a 1/8" no-name brand ribbon and attached it to the lolly before gluing down the circles. I finished the backside of the tag with another 3 1/4" circle, this time in Blushing Bride. This tag could be worn by the recipient as a tag simply by adding a pin to the back.

This is the backside of the tag

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Time of Year (Hostess Set 2016 AC), Happy Birthday Everyone (Retired 2015-16 AC)
Card Stock:  Emerald Envy, Blushing Bride, Basic Black, Very Vanilla 
DSP:  Playful Palette and Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Emerald Envy, Blushing Bride
Accessories:  Big Shot, Trimmer, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Circle, Large Numbers and Banner Framelits, Swirly Bird Thinlets, Large Polka Dot and Brick Wall EFs, Adhesive Foam Strips, Tom Bow Adhesive, Dazzling Details Silver Sparkle, Sponge Daubers and Basic Rhinestones. 

Here's the Gift Bag, Tag and Card Ensemble:

I've mixed and matched the DSP from the Playful Palette 6x6 paper pack to create the tag, card and gift bag layers.  The colours are so bright and bold, especially the Emerald Envy which is fast becoming my "go to" colour this season.  

The gift bag started with an ordinary craft paper bag from one of the big box stores as the base.  The bag measures 9 x 6 1/2".  I cut a piece of Emerald Envy card stock 8 1/2 x 6" ran it through the Big Shot with the Brick Wall Embossing Folder, leaving a 2 1/2" gap at the bottom for the sentiment.  The sentiment is from the retired Happy Birthday Everyone stamp set. 

I attached a 5 1/2 x 5 1/2" piece of DSP in black with coloured speckles and then a 5 x 5" piece of Blushing Bride speckled DSP over the embossed brick design.  I absolutely love the dies in the Swirly Scribbles Thinlet set so I cut the large and medium swirls in Emerald Envy and Peek a Boo Peach card stock and attached them to the dsp layers.  To add a little sparkle I coloured over the swirls with Dazzling Details.  I was a bit short on the bottom of the layers so I added a 1/2 x 6" strip of the black dsp.  Voila, in seconds you have a designer gift bag that cost just pennies to make! 

Well that's it for today's tag post.  I hope you've checked out the other design artist's projects because they are really awesome, and I hope you'll consider playing along.  Remember for this "theme" challenge all you need to create is a "tag" and you can post it on it's own, add it to a card or object or however you want to show it off.  So why don't you play along and try and "Rock the Watercooler" with your tag.  You have until next Monday morning at 11:00 to enter your tag in the challenge.  In the meantime thanks for visiting and,

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot 

WWC73 - Gail's Clean and Simple Challenge - Summer

It's officially summer now, so how appropriate that this weeks Watercooler Wednesday Challenge hosted by the wonderful Gail Allen is a Clean & Simple (CAS) challenge with a Summer theme.  What fun! 

Living on the West Coast it's hard not to equate summer with being at the beach.  I have fond memories of end of school year outings to the local beach.  My classmates and I were always looking for sea life in the tidal pools, and hoping we'd be the one to discover something bigger and better than a sand crab?  It was so exciting and such fun!

Well I had that same feeling of excitement while using the two-step star fish images from the Picture Perfect stamp set for this card. It was my first time inking up these stamps and that little star fish was calling my name. 
Here's my card:

Background Design:
Visually I divided this card into three sections, but if you wanted to you could use an acetate or post it note mask on each area.  My card base was an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of Soft Suede Textured card stock scored at 4 1/4".  I added a 4 x 5 1/4" layer of Island Indigo and a 3 7/8 x 5" piece of Whisper White card stock that was sponged with with Crumb Cake, Island Indigo and Soft Sky inks. Working with a piece of scrap paper beneath the layer of card stock I'm stamping makes it easier to manage the amount of colour I'm applying.

Sand:  Starting from the bottom and working towards the sky with Crumb Cake ink I sponged in circular motions until I had the sand a third of the way on the card stock.  To give some life to the sand I stamped the speckled image from Gorgeous Grunge in Soft Suede and then again with Versa Mark and Gold embossing powder.

Water: To get the look of movement in the water I stamped the lined image from Gorgeous Grunge in Island Indigo ink just above the sand line.  Starting off the card stock I began sponging with the Island Indigo ink in a soft circular motion until I had sponged the ink just above the lined image. 
 

The Gorgeous Grunge Set contains 5 texture images that are perfect for creating background scenes.  For this card I used the top speckled image for my star fish and sand and the lined image that looks like tire tracks for the water.

Sky:  I sponged Soft Sky ink in a circular motion from the water line to the top of the card, so it looks like soft rolling clouds on the horizon.  The sentiment is from Rose Wonder and is stamped in Early Espresso ink.   

Note:  I'd already attached the star fish to the card base before I chose this sentiment, and while I was stamping it I rocked the stamp resulting in some blurring.  If you're CASing this card I'd recommend stamping the sentiment first and then adhering your star fish. Lesson learned.

Star Fish:  To bring this star fish to life I began the process by stamping the first image in Crumb Cake ink on a scrap of matching card stock.  The second star fish stamp has more texture and I stamped it in Soft Suede.  I stamped a third time in Crushed Curry and then stamped the small speckled image from Gorgeous Grunge in Versa Mark ink across the center of the star fish and heat embossed the speckles with Gold Embossing powder. The star fish was adhered to the back ground with small strips of the new foam adhesive strips - love this stuff!  It's only 1/8" wide so perfect for this embellishment. 

Inside of the Card:

Since I didn't have any small star fish stamp images, I couldn't resist stamping these little sand pipers on the inside of my card.  There from one of my favourite Stampin' Up! sets called Wetlands.  

Supply List:
Stamp Sets:  Picture Perfect, Gorgeous Grunge, Rose Wonder, Wetlands 
Card Stock:  Whisper White, Soft Suede, Island Indigo, Crumb Cake
Ink:  Island Indigo, Soft Sky, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Crushed Curry, Versa Mark
Accessories:  Snips, Heat Gun, Paper Trimmer, Gold Embossing Powder, Tom Bow Glue, Foam Adhesive Strips 

Well that's it for today. I love hearing from all my visitors, so I hope you'll leave me a comment and let me know what beach or summer memories you remember.

Click here to access the WWC73- Gail's Clean and Simple Challenge and visit the other design team members to check out the details on their WWC73 CAS Summer entries.  There are some awesome designs and tips so you won't want to miss out on.  And, I hope you'll decide to play along, it's a great way hone your stamping skills.  It's easy and you have until next week to get your entry in.  In the meantime Happy Stamping! 

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot