Freshly Made Sketches #461

I'm back today with a rather intimidating sketch by Karen at Freshly Made Sketches.  This is definitely a clean and simple sketch, but one that sends shivers down my spine and causes sweat on my brow.  Not really, but I do find these plain sketches some of the hardest to do because the sky is the limit in terms of decision making and that field is just too vast for me.  

Here's the FMS #461 Sketch:

Since I'm trying to get caught up with making Christmas cards my focus for this card will be on one that's easily mail-able.  You know the type, one layer, lays flat without too much dimension and can be mass produced.  I chose a cling stamp set from Stampin' Up! called "Don't Stop Believing".

Here's My Card: 

One of my most loved and used bundles from last year's Holiday Catalogue was the Christmas Gleaming Bundle which included the stamp set, Brightly Gleaming Specialty Designer Paper and two ornament punches. I probably made 45-50 cards using just that bundle.  I was so enamored with it I bought two additional packages of paper thinking it wouldn't be around any longer, so imagine my delight when it was part of the Christmas lineup for this year's Stampin' Up! Annual catalogue. 

Because I love this paper so much, I started with a designer paper strip which features copper foil stars on a Night of Navy background. I adhered the strip to a 5" x 3 3/4" piece of Very Vanilla card stock. From there I dug out my Copper Foil and made a 5 1/4" x 4" layer, that I adhered to a Night of Navy A2 card base.  

Originally I visualized using a cluster of the ornaments from the Christmas Gleaming set for my focal point, but when I was grabbing the set, I spied my "never been inked yet" Don't Stop Believin' stamp set.  From there my ideas morphed into this card.

I added some glue to the tassel, hat brim and cuff of Santa's suit and sprinkled Iridescent Ice Glitter over them.  Unfortunately because I didn't stamp the Santa in a permanent ink, the Night of Navy ink on the jacket ran a bit into the cuff.  Oh well live and learn.  The next one of these cards I make I'll use Momento Black Ink - run proof when using blends or glue.   The sparkle just brought this card alive. I also added some Nuvo Crystal Drops to Santa's specs so they've got the appearances of glass lenses.  The small stars are from the Curvy Christmas stamp set.  

Supplies:
Stamp Sets: Don't Stop Believing #15332, Curvy Christmas (small stars)
Ink: Night of Navy ink, Blends: Night of Navy Light and Dark, Smokey Slate Light and Dark, and Ivory
Specialty Paper: Copper Foil, Brightly Gleaming DSP #150429 
Card Stock: Night of Navy, Very Vanilla
Embellishments: Iridescent Ice Glitter, Nuvo Crystal Drops

This was a fun and super easy card to do.  My non-traditional take on Santa worked out okay and I might try him in some other unconventional colours.  I know I'll be using the Don't Stop Believin' stamp set a lot now as it's really peaked my interest.  So many great images and sentiments, especially Frosty the Snowman.

Don't Stop Believin' #153332

HAPPY STAMPING!

PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT
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Using Up Paper Scraps - Layering Circles

Welcome to my blog post today.  I love to find simple techniques for using up paper scraps and today I want to share a quick and easy one that turns nested or layered circle dies into some pretty fancy cards.  

When I saw a masculine card on Pinterest created by Sue Vine  of Miss Pinks Craft Spot I knew I had to try this out.  There are lots of different versions out there but I liked the simplicity of her card.  Here's Sue's card: 

Here's My Version of a Layered Circle Masculine Christmas Card:

I have a couple of gentlemen friends that love getting my Christmas cards, so I'm always challenged to come up with a special masculine designed card. Because they like rich but neutral tones, I chose a mix of non-seasonal designs from the Classic Christmas DSP in Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler and Sahara Sand.  

I've been using these papers a lot since they released the Curvy Creations bundle and I love them so much I just might have to order another package before they are sold out and gone forever. 

The card base is an 8 1/2 x 5 1/2" piece of Cherry Cobbler card stock scored at 4 1/4".  The first layer is a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Sahara Sand and the second layer is a 5" x 3 3/4" piece of Whisper White, that's been embossed with the Tasteful Textile 3D Embossing Folder to give this layer a bit of depth.  

For the swirling circle design I die cut three progressively sized circles using the Stitched Shapes Circle Dies.  These circles were cut in half then layered together and adhered with Tom Bow glue starting at the circle's edge.  It's best to use a liquid glue rather than snail, because you may have to shift the circle into place.   

Once the half circles were glued together I lined up each half of the circles on the center of the Whisper White layer and then glued them down with Tom Bow adhesive.  Note:  I didn't realize until I had them down that I should have layered the second half circle in the opposite layer so when they were put together the wave would be continuous.  Oh well.  Live and learn.  

The Stitched Shapes Die set is one of those classic "must haves" for your stamping tool kit.  It has nested dies for ovals, circles and squares so you can do a lot with it, not to mention spruce up your designs with the lovely stitched edges on your die cuts.   

The "Merry Christmas" sentiment is from the Curvy Christmas stamp set.  Its stamped in Cherry Cobbler ink on a scrap of Whisper White and I cut it out with the Rectangle Stitched Dies dies.  The sentiment was mounted on a 5 1/4 x 1/2" piece of Crumb Cake card stock............ and yes, this is another goof up.  It should have been Sahara Sand, but I grabbed the wrong scrap.  Anyway before adhering this strip I embossed it with the Tasteful Textile embossing folder.

To finish off the card front I stamped two of the holly leaf images from the Christmas Gleaming stamp set in Cherry Cobbler ink on scraps of Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake and then fussy cut out both images. These were glued together then attached to the card face with dimensionals.  A few Cherry Cobbler leaves were cut with a die cut from the Sunflower Die set and added to the flower bunch. To complete the card face three Cherry Cobbler rhinestones were added in the top right corner.

I'm so happy Christmas Gleaming stamp set was transitioned into the Annual Catalogue from last year's Holiday Mini.  I love the sentiments  and the ornament images and holly sprig stamp so clearly.  I think this is a classic stamp and I'll be using it for years to come. 

I kept the inside of the card very simple. A sprig image from the Curvy Christmas Celebrations set was stamped off in Cherry Cobbler ink and then I stamped the Merry Christmas again across the sprig.

I also created a matching envelope by stamping the Holly design a few times in the bottom left corner of the card front in Crumb Cake and I covered the flap with the coordinating designer series paper.  

Supplies Used:

Stamp Sets:  Curvy Christmas for the Sprig and Merry Christmas sentiments, Christmas Gleaming for the holly berry image 

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake

DSP:  Classic Christmas 

Embossing Folder:  Tasteful Textile 3D 

Dies:  Stitched Shapes Dies - Circles 

Card Stock:  Whisper White, Crumb Cake and Cherry Cobbler

Elements:  Holiday Rhinestone Basic Jewels

I made a second card for a November birthday using the same technique.  This feminine version shows the versatility of this quick technique.  

Here is my  card:

Supplies Used:

Stamp sets:  Very Versailles #149275 for both sentiments on the card front 

Graceful Garden #143849 Retired.  For Rosebud on card front and inside and for the lattice on the envelope.

Here's a Card #149438 for the Happy Birthday on the inside of the card.

DSP:  Peony Garden #152483 6 x 6 sheet for three circles, Envelope Flap 2 1/4" x 5 7/8", 5 1/4" x 5/8" strip for inside of card. 

Inks:  Momento Black and Gray Granite inks.  Light/dark Petal Pink and Gray Granite Stampin' Blends.

Dies:  Stitched Shapes Circle Dies - largest of four dies 

Card Stock:  Gray Granite 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" for base and strip 3/8" x 5 1/4". Whisper White, 5 x 3 3/4" for front layer and 5 1/4" x 4" for inside layer.

Accessories:  Basic  Rhinestones

I love this Birthday card. I didn't make the same mistakes putting the circles together as I did with my first sample and it really makes a difference when you can see the proper flow.  

I'm astonished at how quickly this card comes together, with the hardest part being the choosing of papers and colours. The combination of Petal Pink and Gray Granite together is ultra soft and feminine and I'm impressed with the designer paper.  This card could have just as easily been for a wedding.  

 I hope you enjoyed today's post and the Layered Circles technique.  It's such a great way to use up your scraps.  Let me know if you try it out. 

HAPPY STAMPING!
PENNY TOKENS STAMPIN' SPOT
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Don't forget to apply the November Hostess code if you order is under $200.00 before shipping and handling. You'll get a free gift from me. If you place an order over $200.00 before shipping and handling, you will automatically earn Stampin' Rewards and can pick out your own free gifts. Everyone who orders from me will received a thank you card as I so appreciate your orders. 

Warm and Toasty Snowflake Card - Freshly Made Sketches 460

This week Judy at Freshly Made Sketches has chosen a sketch that has plenty of room for stamping and adding details.  Here is her sketch:

Here's My Card:

My card features the Polar Bear from Stampin' Up!s Warm and Toasty stamp set. What fun I had colouring this big guy. 

I used Pool Party, Misty Moonlight, Balmy Blue and Smokey Slate Blends.  The beautiful snowflake filled designer paper is called  Snowflake Splendor.

The inside of the card has a strip of the gorgeous Snowflake Splendor designer paper and a sentiment from the Warm and Toasty stamp set.

Well that's it for today's post, I hope you like this card.  Drop by and leave me a comment I'd appreciate hearing from you.  

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot 

Penny Hanuszak Independent Stampin' Up Demo 

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Having Fun With Curvy Celebrations

This week I'm so excited to share some of my creations made with the Curvy Christmas and Curvy Celebrations bundle which is now available for purchase. So let's get to it.

This was a great value bundle for me as it includes two stamp sets - Quite Curvy and Curvy Christmas along with matching dies and the Classic Christmas Designer Series Pack.  

Here are two of the cards I made using the Classic Christmas paper and the Curvy Christmas stamps and dies.  I'm in love with this paper pack which features Cherry Cobbler, Sahara Sand and Shaded Spruce papers.  

Both cards feature the same simple design. I began with an A2 card base measuring 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and scored at 4 1/4". The first layer of card stock measures 5 1/4" x 4". On the Cherry Cobbler card I cut this layer from a sheet of the Designer Paper that I used in the block design. For the Shaded Spruce card I started with a Whisper White Card Base and added a layer of Shaded Spruce.

The next layer on both cards is a 5" x 3 3/4" piece of Whisper White that is embossed. For the Cherry Cobbler card I embossed with the Snowflake embossing folder and for the Shaded Spruce one I used the Lucky Stars (retired) embossing folder.  

For the layered squares I cut two contrasting pieces of DSP into four blocks (2 of each design) measuring. 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" . I backed them with a layer of 1 3/8" x 1 3/8" card stock, then attached them with Tom Bow adhesive.  

For the beautiful flowing Whisper White card strip I used the dotted curvy line die and cut a piece measuring 5 1/4" x 2".  I cut a strip of coloured card stock measuring 3/4" x 5 1/4" and glued this to the back of the white curvy strip leaving 1/8" visible from the front.  I stamped the sentiment "May Your Days Be Merry and Bright" from the Curvy Christmas stamp set.  This strip was centered on the card face and attached with Tom Bow glue.  A few basic rhinestones in coordinating colours were the finishing touch.  

The inside panels for both these cards were made with a 5 1/4" x 4" piece of Whisper White card stock.  I adhered a 1/2" x 4" piece of DSP that coordinated with the card front down the right side.  For the sentiment I stamped off one of the branches on a scrap of paper and then stamped it in the center of the card.  By stamping off first, you lighten the tone of the ink.  Next I stamped the "Merry Christmas" sentiment over the leaf.   

 

For the Shaded Spruce card I moved the DSP strip to the left side and I used a different leaf sprig.  

Well that's it for today folks, but I'll be back with more Christmas cards featuring the Curvy Christmas set.  I hope you liked these two and will incorporate this design into your projects.  It's a great way to use up your stash of designer paper, and quick and easy to do.  

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot

Penny Hanuszak Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator 

November Hostess Code:  ZZ49FQKS

Add this hostess code if you place an order in my online store that is less than $200.00 before s&h and sales tax.  If you have an order that is over $200 please do not apply this hostess code, as you will receive your own Stampin' Up! rewards.   

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Eclipse Card - Welcome to Our Block

It seems like folks are either coming or going from our neighborhood.  Last week I showed you a Farewell Eclipse card made for a neighbor and friend who was leaving our community and this week I'd like to share a "welcome" card I made for a new couple who are moving in this weekend.  

I designed this template a couple of years ago when I earned a Hostess stamp set from Stampin' Up! called In To The City.  I fell in love with this set because it has so many bits and pieces that designing a card or creating a story book page is so much fun.  

This retired Hostess Set called In To the City is photopolymer and has so many pieces it's incredible for creating scenes.  The first and second generation stamps make the images easy to colour.  Love it! 

Here's the original card I made:

This card starts with a base measuring 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and scored at 4 1/4".  I've cut two pieces of Old Olive card stock for the 1st layer on the front and on the inside of the card.  They measure 5 1/4" x 4".  For the next outside and inside layers I cut two pieces of Crumb Cake card stock measuring 5" x 3 3/4".  

I stamped my design on the card and coloured it and then laid out the alphabet dies from my EK Success Alphabet dies set to spell HOME.   Once the letters were cut out they were popped up on Dimensionals and then placed back into the negative cut spaces and attached to the card.  The little banner was cut from a scrap of Old Olive and the "Welcome To Our Block" sentiment was stamped in Versa Mark ink and embossed with White Embossing Powder. 

For the inside of the card I stamped some additional houses and greenery and stamped the sentiment "so glad you're hear" in momento black ink.  

Although I may change up the houses I stamp this has pretty much become my template for designing "welcome to your new home" cards.  Now that the Coming Home stamp set from Stampin' Up! has arrived I'll probably change up my housing styles using that set.   

Here's the card's I made today.  

I always like to make duplicates while I have the inks, stamps and card stock out.

As you can see in these photos, I changed up the alphabet lettering arrangement a little bit for each card.  This was simply exploring different styles and not for any particular design issue.  I really like using these broad and bold alphabet letters because they stand out so well on the card front.  

My pledge for 2020 has been to purge and use up retired card stock and accessories from my stash, so I used the retired More Mustard for the sandwich layer and sentiment, and the card base was cut from Real Rust card stock.  

For this particular card template I generally choose a neutral card stock such as Natural Ivory, Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake or Very Vanilla for my stamped layers.  Sometimes I pre-stamp several image layer scenes and when I have nothing better to do or want to do something relaxing I pull them out and just colour in the images. I usually don't cut out the alphabet letters until I'm ready to finish the card.  It's always nice to have extras on hand for when you don't have time to do something from scratch.    

I coloured all the houses and trees with Stampin' Blends.  When you stamp on craft or Crumb Cake card stock the colours are a little murkier than they would be on Very Vanilla or Whisper White neutrals.  I like that look, as it makes the cards look a little more rustic.  The blends I used for the newer cards are Pool Party, Old Olive, Mango Melody, Gray Granite, Crumb Cake and Cinnamon Cider.  Although you can't see it well in these photos, I did randomly splatter some black Momento ink on the images.  If you look at the original card they show up better.

Well that's my post for today.  Happy November everyone and happy stamping!  With the weather turning colder and more rain in the forecast, I anticipate I'll be stamping more so I'm happy I have a hobby like this to occupy my time.  

How about you?  I'd love to receive your feedback on these cards and whether you have repeat cards you like to make ahead.  

Happy Stamping!

Penny Tokens Stampin' Spot 

Penny Hanuszak Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator 

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If you want to get a free gift from me, apply the November hostess code to orders under $200 before s&h before leaving my store.  If you place an order of $200+ before shipping and handling, don't need to apply the hostess code as you will automatically receive your own Stampin' Up Rewards based on the total of your order. 

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