Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #135 - Judy's Feminine "Anything Goes"

Hi everyone welcome to our first Watercooler Wednesday Challenge in September.  It already looks like this month is chalking up to be super busy, at least for me and my family that is.  How about you?   

Judy is hosting our challenge this week and it's a Feminine "Anything Goes".  What fun!  The design team came up with some pretty amazing feminine projects so I hope you'll check them out. 

Here's My Card: 
I still haven't finished all my "Hello" cards yet, so I decided to create another one for a friend of mine who is really into cats. She has two precious fur baby's and they are the light of her life, so I thought it appropriate to say hello with this card which features the "Pretty Kitty" stamp set.


Isn't this just "purrfect"?  I know this card will be well received. 
Supplies:
Stamp Sets:  Pretty Kitty #141864, Cat Sayings SSC1222 Stampendus
Card Stock:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Berry Burst
DSP:  Colour Theory Designer Series Paper Pack #144193
Ink: Berry Burst, Momento Tuxedo Black, Basic Gray, Smokey Slate
Accessories: Big Shot, Paper Trimmer, Aqua Painter, Pinpoint Layers 30065 Memory Box dies, Tom Bow Glue, Dimensionals. 

Details:
1.  The card base is an 11" x 5 1/2" piece of Berry Burst scored at 5 1/2".
2.  The first layer is a 5 1/4" x 5 1/4" piece of Basic Black card stock.  
3.  The second layer is a 5" x 5" piece of Berry Burst Color Theory Paper.There are different designs on the paper but I chose the plain one with just a slight gradation of the colour for this layer.

4.  Cut the following for the cat images from Whisper White card stock:
  • 2 pieces that measure 1 3/8" x 2 3/8" - stamp kitten with wool and kitten with tail on floor
  • 1 piece that measures 2 3/4" x 1 3/4" - stamp kitten looking at butterfly
  • 1 piece that measures 1 1/2" x 1 3/4" - stamp kitten in flower pot 
  • 1 piece that measures 1 3/8" x 1 3/8" - stamp kitten walking
  • 1 piece that measures    7/8" x 1 7/8" - stamp the sentiment "Just peeking.."
5.  Mount those images on Basic Black card stock cut as follows:
  • 2 pieces that measure -  1 1/2" x 2 1/2"- kitten with wool & kitten with tail on floor
  • 1 piece that measures -   2 7/8" x 1 7/8" - kitten looking at butterfly
  • 1 piece that measures -  1 7/8" x 1 5/8" - kitten kitten in flower pot
  • 1 piece that measures - 1 5/8" x 1 5/8" - kitten walking
  • 1 piece that measures - 1" x 2"  - sentiment
Because the sentiment was just a tad to long to nestle in between the squares and rectangles, I mounted it with Dimensionals.  so that it's touching the other blocks. 

6.  To finish the inside of the card I cut a 5 1/4" x 5 1/4" layer of Basic Black card stock.  I topped this with a 5 x 5" piece of Whisper White.  I stamped the Stampendous sentiment and one of the little kittens in Tuxedo Black Ink. 

7.  Once the images were stamped, I coloured them with an aqua painter in Basic Gray and Smokey Slate inks.  Details such as the bows and the ball of wool were added in Berry Burst ink.


I hope you enjoyed this card.  I'm pretty pleased with it and plan to do several more in different colours.  What do you think?  If you like it I'd love to hear from you.  Your comments totally make my day.

If you haven't already checked out the other Watercooler Wednesday design team blogs, simply click here and the link will take you to the main page.  Just click on the name  below each card.  

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

Friday, September 1, 2017

HOLIDAY CATALOGUE HAS BEEN LAUNCHED

Hi everyone!  It's the first day of September and for me this is one of the happiest times of the year.  Why?  Well the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalogue is now availableIt went live today and will remain active right through to January 2nd 2018.  I've added direct links on my Catalogue Header and on my sidebar, so if you don't have one of your own you can still view it on line. 

Here's what it looks like.  
Click here to see PDF version
 Along with the launch of the new catalogue there is a Stamp Promotion called "Merry Patterns" and from today through October 31, if your order is >$375 - you will earn this  EXCLUSIVE FREE Host set! 
Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Watercooler Wednesday Challenge #134 - "Anything Goes"


The last week in August has arrived and I'm left wondering where the summer disappeared to. How about you?  Are you ready for Fall, shorter days, cooler weather and the kids returning to school?  

Because August is one of those five week months, the Design Team over at the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge is hosting an "Anything Goes" challenge that will run from August 30th through to 5pm MST on Monday September 4th.  We hope you'll join our challenge.

 Here's My Card:
Throughout the year I frequently send "thinking of you" or "hello" cards to friends and relatives I haven't talk to in a while. Since my supply of "hello" cards is running low I decided to use this week's  "Anything Goes" challenge to make a batch.  Here's what I came up with. 
I'm totally in love with the Eastern Beauty circle stamps.  You can use them in so many ways.  Here I've got them joining and creating a wonderful framework for the flowers from the Beautiful Bouquet set.    

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Eastern Beauty #143675, Bountiful Bouquet #143666, Bold Botanicals from 2016 Paper Pumpkin Kit, Thoughtful Branches
Card Stock: Whisper White, Fresh Fig, Wild Wasabi
Ink:  Fresh Fig, Wild Wasabi
Accessories:  Big Shot, Paper Trimmer, Bouquet Bunch Framelits #143659, Small Circle from Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Wink of Stella
Eastern Beauty Stamp Set
Thoughtful Branches Retired
Beautiful Bouquet

Layers: 1.  The card base is an 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece of Whisper White scored at 4 1/4".
2.  The first layer is a 4 " x 5 1/4" piece of Fresh Fig.
3.  The second layer is a 3 7/8" x 5 1/8" piece of Wild Wasabi.
4.  The third layer is a 3 3/4" x 5" piece of Whisper White.  
5.  The fourth layer is a 3" circle cut from Fresh Fig card stock with a retired Circles die.
6.  The fifth layer is a 2 7/8" circle cut from Whisper White card stock with the Stitched Shapes circle die. 
7.  For the inside panels cut a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of Wild Wasabi and attach to the card base.  Cut a 3 7/8" x 5 1/8" piece of Whisper White card stock and attach to the Wild Wasabi panel after it's stamped. 

Stamping and Assembly:
1.  The third layer of the card is a background created with stamps from the Eastern Beauty and Bountiful Bouquet stamp sets. Since I was making several cards,  I stamped the design on a full 8 1/2" x 11" sheet of Whisper White in this order:
  • I randomly stamped the double circle image from Eastern Beauty in Fresh Fig ink beginning at the center of the card stock and working towards the outer edges. 
  • I stamped a flower image from Beautiful Bouquet in the center of each of these circles in Fresh Fig. Note:  I wanted a lighter image for these flowers so I stamped off on scrap of paper first.
  • I stamped one of the flower center images from Beautiful Bouquet in full strength Fresh Fig in the center of each of the flowers.
  • I stamped the small dotted circle image from Eastern Beauty in Wild Wasabi overlapping the edges of the Fresh Fig circles.  
  • I stamped the small dotted center image from Beautiful Bouquet Wild Wasabi in in each of the dotted Wasabi circles.  
  • Once all the background stamping was completed the card stock was cut to size and adhered to the Wild Wasabi card stock (second layer).
2.  Using the Stitched Circle die I cut the fifth layer, a stitched circle, from a second piece of Whisper White card stock and stamped it in this order:
  • Stamp the "HELLO" image from Bold Botanicals, in the center of the circle in Fresh Fig ink.
  • Stamp the flower image on the top and bottom left of the circle in Fresh Fig.  
  • Stamp three small floral images using the flower center stamp to the right of the larger image on the top and around the edge of the lower flower.
  • Stamp two flower images on scrap paper in full strength Fresh Fig and fussy cut them.  Mount these flowers with dimensionals to the stamped flowers  on the circle. 
  • Stamp the flower center image twice on scrap Whisper White card stock and punch out with the Itty Bitty Circle punch (R).  Adhere to the center of the two flowers. 
  • Cut out 6 small leaves using the Bouquet Bunch Framelits from Wild Wasabi card stock.  Sponge the leaf edges with Wild Wasabi ink and then glue them beneath the cut flower images.


  • Mount the Whisper White circle to the Fresh Fig circle and then attach the circles with Dimensionals to the card front.  
  • Dab Wink of Stella on all the flower and circle centers and on the leaves. 
  • Stamp the sentiment "You're in My Thoughts" from Thoughtful Branches (R) in Wild Wasabi towards the center top of the inside panel.  

This was a super fun and easy card to make and I hope you enjoyed my instructions and along with this card.  I wish you could see how beautiful it looks with the Wink of Stella adding just enough glimmer to the floral centers to reflect the light.  

If you haven't already checked out the other Watercooler Wednesday Design Team members click here.  You don't want to miss their wonderful creations.
Until next time.............

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Watercooler Wednesday #133 - Penny's All About Christmas Challenge


It's time for another Watercooler Wednesday "All About Christmas" Challenge, and guess what?  I'm hosting this week.  

I thought I would start off the Christmas Challenge using the one stamp set that is currently available prior to the Holiday Catalogue going live on September 1st, called "Carols of Christmas".    You're going to see a lot of cards made with this stamp set and matching die cuts and the reason is simple, combined they create a remarkable range of combinations and beautiful stamping experiences.   

Here's My Card:


Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Carols of Christmas #144804, Colorful Seasons #143726, Six Sayings Hostess set #139852(R)
Card Stock: Dapper Denim, Whisper White
DSP: Color Theory Paper Pack - Dapper Denim and White Crackle
Inks: Dapper Denim and Versa Mark
Accessories: Big Shot, Paper Trimmer, Card Front Builder Framelit #144674, Stitched Shapes Framelits (Circle), Snow Flurry Punch #139680, White Embossing Powder, Basic Rhinestones

Details:  
1.  Cut Dapper Denim card base to measure 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and score at 4 1/4".

2.  Cut a 5" x 4" piece of Whisper White for the next layer and cut out the corner pattern with the beautifully efficient Corner Builder Framelits.  Line up the die close to the edge of the card stock and make sure its even before running through the big shot. Tip:  When you need to make sure a cut is precisely in place use a bit of Washi Tape to hold the die down before cutting.  Works like a charm.  Glue the panel to the card base using a fine detail liquid glue around the edges of this layer and make sure the lines and corners are adhered.  

3.  Cut a 2 1/4" x 4 3/8" Dapper Denim panel and top with a 2" x 4 1/8" piece of the dapper denim crackle design paper from the Color Theory paper pack.  Randomly stamp the small and large snow flakes from the Colorful Seasons stamp set in Dapper Denim ink.  Glue to center of Whisper White layer. 


4.  Cut a 3 1/4" circle from Dapper Denim card stock and a 3" Stitched Circle from Whisper White card stock.  

Here you can see the snowflakes stamped on the designer series paper. 
5.  Stamp the Peace on Earth sentiment in the center of the circle and randomly stamp the small snowflake from Colorful Seasons around the edges of the sentiment.  Note:  I stamped my sentiment and snowflakes* prior to cutting it out with the die and the images were too far apart to show up properly on the cut image.  In future I'll cut my circle first and then stamp on it. Lesson learned. 
*Oops, you can barely see those small snowflakes stamped around the edges of this circle.  Next time I'll cut out the circle before stamping additional images.

6.  Stamp two small snowflakes on a scrap of Dapper Denim card stock with Versa Mark ink and emboss with White Embossing powder**.  Cut out the snowflakes with the Snow Flurry Punch and mount to card face and circle with dimensionals.
When I was stamping this snowflake for my Perpetual Calendar project last month I made a great discovery. The small snowflake in the Colorful Seasons stamp set is almost the same shape as the small snowflake in the Snow Flurry punch.  What do you think?  Pretty close and gives a different look from the die in the matching framelits.   Just sayin'......

**Okay, who put the Very Vanilla Embossing Powder cap on the Whisper White jar?   I didn't really notice this color variation until I was taking pictures of my card.  When I checked my Embossing Powder bottles sure enough there had been a switch-up with the caps.......... another oops?
7.  Cut a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Whisper White card stock for the inside panel.  Stamp a sentiment in the center.  I used the Merry Christmas to You and Yours from the retired "Six Sayings Hostess Stamp set".  I really love the size and style of the fonts in this set and use them often.  To finish off the inside panel I randomly stamped a couple more snowflakes.
Well there you have it, the first of many cards I'll be making and sharing with you featuring the Carols of Christmas stamp set and Card Builder Framelits. I hope you like it as much as I do and will leave me a comment.

If you haven't already checked out the rest of the Design Team Artists creations this week, I suggest you do so. What a fantastic range of cards and inspiration.
Happy Stamping! 
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Sharing Sweet Thoughts - Artisan Design Team blog hop link



Earlier this week Stampin' Ups! Artisan Design Team began hosting their August Blog Hop. I've visited all their sites and want to share this hop with you because there are so many fabulous samples, tips and inspiration.  I just can't keep it to myself.

The Artisan Design Team Hop focuses on the Sharing Sweet Thoughts stamp set. In case you didn't know, this is Stampin' Ups! featured Ronald McDonald House charity stamp set for 2017-18 and it can be found on page 223 of the Annual Catalogue. 


There are 13 wood or clear mount rubber backed stamps in this set and it comes in English and French.

I think you'll agree it's a delightful set with lots of cute images. More importantly though, this is a stamp set that gives back to the community. How? Well, every time someone purchases the Sharing Sweet Thoughts stamp set throughout the catalogue year, Stampin' Up! donates $3 of the purchase price to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). Over the past several years, Stampin’ Up! has donated $1.5 million dollars to RMHC.

So what are you waiting for, grab a cuppa and get started checking out this hop............. it's awesome! Click on the Artisan badge to go to the first link.

Artisan's Design Team August Hop
Featured Artisan Artists: These Stampin' Up Demos are incredibly talented and provide lots of tips and inspiration in their posts, so be sure to stop by their individual blogs and leave comments. They'll appreciate it I'm sure. 

Happy Stamping
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot 

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Watercooler Wednesday #WWC132 - Marsha's Masculine "Anything Goes"


This week Marsha is hosting our Masculine "Anything Goes" challenge over at the Watercooler.  

Why don't you join us and inspire us with a card or project of your own. Since this is an "Anything Goes" challenge you can create for any reason or occasion such as a birthday, retirement, thinking of you.... you get my drift.  Oh, and it can be for a child, a teenager a father, grandfather, brother, uncle just as long as it's a "Masculine" theme.   Our Linksy is open from now until August 21st at 5:00pm Mountain Time and all the details are on the main page of the Watercooler Wednesday Site.  Come join us!


Here's My Card: 

Sorry for the dark pictures this week, I just can't seem to find enough light these days, although the weatherman is forecasting clearer skies and an end to our smokey horizons this week.  

This card is all about the "manly" birthday guy.  You know the one!  He's a guy who has swagger and likes to flex his muscles, crank up the testosterone and do other manly things. With that in mind I based this card on stamps from the Guy Greetings (can't get more masculine than that) and Super Duper.  Here's the details.

Supplies:  
Stamp Sets:  Guy Greetings, Super Duper


Card Stock:  Basic Black, Smokey Slate and Whisper White 

Ink:  Momento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Paper Trimmer, Stamp-a-ma-jig, 1" and 1 1/4" Circle punches, Modern Label Punch, Stitched Shapes Oval Thinlets, Detail Scissors, Dimensionals, Tom Bow Glue.
 
Super Duper

Good Guy Greetings

Details:
Card Base:  8 1/2" x 5 1/2" Smokey Slate Card Stock, scored at 4 1/4" 

First Layer:  5 1/4" x 4" Basic Black

Second Layer:  5" x 3 3/4" Whisper White 
I decided I only wanted the "guy" image from Guy Greetings on the card face, so I repeatedly stamped it across this panel.  To line up the images I used my trusty Stamp-a-ma-jig positioner.  I started with the middle image and worked from there.

Third Layer:  4" x 1 5/8" strip of Basic Black  for the sentiment base panel. 

Fourth Layer:  Two 3 7/8" x 1 3/8" strips of Smokey Slate for the Sentiment
This is one of those "don't try this at home" warnings.  I mounted the stamped sentiment on the basic black panel and attached it to the card.  Unfortunately  I clumsily smeared ink in the center of the finished panel and couldn't remove it.  I wasn't sure what to do as I didn't want to damage the card front by trying to remove the panel so I decided to try a cover up.  Luckily I had  pre-stamped two of the "Happy Birthday To You" images.  The second one wasn't wide enough to cover the first one however, so I fussy cut around the wording, sponged the edges with ink and mounted it over the first one with Dimensionals. This little cover up hid the glitch and I was able to finish the card, ever though it wasn't what I'd originally set out to create. Was it a happy ending or a disaster.... I'll let you decide.

Inside:  For the inside of the card I cut a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Basic Black and a 5" x 3 3/4" piece of Whisper White for the panels. 
Ovals were cut from Basic Black and Smokey slate with the Stitched Shapes Oval Thinlet Dies to provide a base, since I couldn't stamp directly on the inside panel.  Again, I'd pre-stamped the balloon and party images from Super Duper on scrap pieces of Smokey slate so my only option was to fussy cut the balloon and punch out the circles with a 1" and a 1 1/4" circle punch.  I hand cut the "Time to Celebrate" sentiment and mounted it on a piece of Basic Black card stock that was cut out with the Modern Label (Retired) punch.  I used Tom Bow and Dimensionals to mount the arrangement on the inside of the card and left plenty of room for hand writing messages. 



Well that's it for my contribution to the Masculine "Anything Goes"  challenge.  I hope you enjoyed it ..... mistakes, bad photography, lighting and all, and if so I'd love to hear your views .  If you get a moment leave me a comment because it truly keeps me interested in designing cards and sharing them with you. 

Oh and before you go, don't forget to check out the other members of the Watercooler Wednesday Design Team who've created some awesome Masculine cards for your inspiration.   Until next time.......

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack Updated Today!

 

Hot New Deals on Clearance Rack Starting now..............

Fall is coming and the new HOLIDAY season is almost here.  That means it's time for some change. So it's out with the old and in with the new and that means the Clearance Rack has been restocked with all kinds of great deals!

Visit my online store now and and check out the savings...... you could save up to 60% on select products. But, these deals won't last forever so fill up your shopping bag before supplies run out!


Remember:  You can cash in your Bonus Day $6.00 coupons on anything ordered from the Annual Catalogue including Clearance Rack items........... just sayin! 

Happy Stamping!
Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot! 
Click Here
Click her to see how you can redeem your coupons:


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...