Concord Crush Birthday

I love well-put-together shabby cards that boast a variety of patterns and unassuming colours.  I'm lovin' the ruffles - next time I make this card, I think I'll put even more!  I distressed the flower and the punched ruffles by smudging ink around the edges with my ink pad, carefully crumbling them up in my fingers, then slowly unwrapping and smoothing them out.  For some reason it makes the paper really flexible.  I stuck them together with adhesive, cut them to size on either side, then took them over to my sewing machine to add some stitching.

Materials (all are Stampin Up! unless otherwise noted):

Curly Cute Stamp Set*
Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch
Scallop Punch
Random scraps of patterned paper
Concord Crush Smooth Cardstock
Soft Suede Smooth Cardstock
White Cardstock
Button is from Button Latte Pack
Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon
Scotch Dimensional Tape
Skinny hemp twine (purchased by the spool at Walmart)
Zip Dry paper glue

*I didn't have room on the card to use the "Happy Birthday" stamp normally, so I inked one side ... stamped, then inked the other side and stamped below.  The clear sets are great for that kind of creative freedom.

You're Invited!

Morgan's 9th birthday is just around the corner.  So ... tonight we began the task of planning the bash by making the invitations.  Morgan chose a bright, fun and very "teenagery" look (in her opinion).  I'm hoping this will be a party she never forgets ... a pool party sleepover with all her closest friends.  I savour these moments as a mom - they are priceless ...

Materials (all are Stampin' Up! unless otherwise stated):

• Inviting Stamp Set
• Flight of the Butterfly Stamp Set
• Pacific Point, Melon Mambo and True Thyme Ink Pads
• Ice Cream Parlor Designer Series Paper
• Pacific Point Smooth Cardstock
• White Cardstock (purchased in bulk at my local office supply store)
• Hot pink ribbon (purchased in the $1 section at Michaels)
• Jelly Roll Sparkle Pen - Clear Star
• Sewing machine with white thread (set to 1.3 zig-zag stitch)
• Scotch dimensional tape
• Zip Dry glue
• Snail Adhesive

I love that she wanted to make the invites.  I don't think there is a simpler card to make ... they come together so fast!

 

 

Happy Birthday, Man!

How hard is it to make a card for a guy?  HARD.  I am in love with the Engraved Greetings stamp set for this very reason.  It's my go-to set for last minute cards - they seem to come together in about 5 minutes and create a simple, yet elegant result.

MATERIALS:
(all materials are from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise stated)

• Engraved Greetings Stamp Set
• Early Espresso Ink Pad
• Early Espresso Smooth Card Stock
• Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch*
• Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper
• Bronze Pearls (from the dollar section at Michael's)

*Designer's Note:
I used the scraps from the Ribbon Punch to make the two little borders that line the sides of the stamp.  Anytime I use this punch with cardstock, I save those little edges.  They make perfect accent borders!!

Blushing Bride Owl

I love the Stampin' Up owl (if you can't tell ;) ) ... and I don't think I'm alone!  I've used the Punch Bunch set or my Two-Step Owl Punch for about every kind of card you could think of.  I appreciate the versatility ... and this pink little owl bride is a prime example.  I made this card for my sister-in-law-to-be, Dena's wedding shower last Saturday - simply pretty, fun, elegant ... just like her!

I attached the veil and the flowers using double-sided tape and dimensional dots.

Materials (All materials are Stampin' Up! products unless otherwise noted):

• Blushing Bride Ink
• Blushing Bride Cardstock
• In-Colour Decorative Paper pack
• Gelly Roll Pen - Clear Star
• 2" wide ribbon from the dollar store (for the veil)
• Pearls and Accents (from the dollar section at Michael's)
• Double-sided tape and Dimensional Dots

• Punch Bunch Set
• Always Elegant Set
• Itty Bitty Bits Set
• Tiny Tiny Wishes

• Two-Step Owl Extra-Large Punch
• EK Success 1" Scalloped Circle Punch
• Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Set
• Scalloped Trim Border Punch

 

Have fun experimenting with this fun little owl.  Really any combination of stamp sets and embellishments will work - whatever you have on hand! 

Lovely Trees

This classic stamp set is one of my favourites.  I use it mainly for backgrounds and add-ons, but never on it's own, so I thought I'd give it a try - and it can definitely stand alone!  This is a simple attempt at some vintage styled note cards.

Materials (All materials are Stampin' Up! products unless otherwise noted):

• Lovely As A Tree set

• Early Espresso Ink
• Early Espresso Cardstock

• Eyelet Border Punch 

• Flee Market Paper Pad - by Colorbök

• Red Ribbon - Offray 3/8" (from Walmart)
• Small Hemp Spool (from Walmart)

• Pearls and Accents (from the dollar section at Michael's)
• Gelly Roll Pen - Silver Star

Of course, if you've read any of my other posts, you know I always make mini cards to go into my present-topper file.

Happy Valentines Day, Morgan!

My daughter, Morgan, and I spent so much time making the Valentines for her class ... she loved it!  But because those took a large chunk of time, we didn't really get cards made for each other.  So I woke up super early on Valentines day to make this mini card and surprise her with a little owl of her own.

Materials (from Stampin' Up unless otherwise noted):

• Early Expresso Cardstock
• Sending Love Specialty Designer Paper
• Real Red ink
• Early Expresso ink
• Red ribbon (from Walmart)

• Baby Blossoms set
• Punch Bunch set (2011 Sale-a-bration set)
• Vintage Labels set

• Two Step Owl Extra Large punch
• Extra-Large Oval punch

• Dimensional Dots
• Decorative Pearls and Rhinestones (purchased in the dollar section at Michaels)

In-Colour Birthday

 

 

I just spent the last week in Kansas City visiting my family.  I packed two large bags of stamping supplies hoping my Mom, Em (my sister-in-law) and I would make some time to be crafty.  I was super excited because I just received my Stampin' Up! starter kit the day before we left.  My kit included the 2010-2011 In-Colour inks, so of course we had to try them out.  Just look at all the fun we had!! :)

 

I also ordered the Create a Cupcake set with matching punch, so we made some minis for present-toppers to match.  

*Design Note:  To get the brushed antique look around the edges, gently swipe along the ink pad all the way around. Sponging makes the antiquing look more subtle, but this look is a little more distressed and bold.

Stampin' Up! Materials (unless otherwise noted):

• In-Colour Decorative Paper pack
• In-Colour Cardstock pack
• Early Expresso Cardstock
• In-Colour inks (Pear Pizazz, Poppy Parade, Concord Crush, Peach Parfait and Blushing Bride)
• Early Expresso ink
• Early Expresso ribbon

• Baby Blossoms set
• Create a Cupcake set
• Vintage Labels set
• Itty Bitty Bits set

• Itty Bitty Shapes punches
• Build a Cupcake punch
• Extra-Large Oval punch
• Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch

• Dimensional Dots
• Decorative Pearls and Rhinestones (purchased in the dollar section at Michaels)

Easy to cut.  Easy to assemble.  Easy to share materials.  Stamping fun for all!  I'm so thankful that my Mom and Em share my love of crafting.  It's so much fun brainstorming and trying new techniques together, but the best part is - in the end we don't just have a stack of cards to show for, we have quality time with each other that I will always cherish.

Pretty Birthday Wishes

I must admit, I'm a sucker for things that are pretty!  Vintage quilts, large blossom prints of fabric in shades of pink, blue and purple, just draw me in.  While I sport a very funky, eclectic style, there's just something about those pretty girlie prints that inspires me.  That's what I had in mind tonight as I was crafting these birthday wishes.   I hope that in some way they have inspired you to create your own!

Materials:

• Stampin' Up - Baby Blossoms set and Watercolor Trio set
• Stampin' Up Ink - Rose Red, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive and Early Espresso for antiquing
• Stampin' Up Punch - 2" x 1 3/8" Extra Large Oval Punch and Scallop Trim Border Punch
• Stampin' Up Designer Paper - Thoroughly Modern
• American Crafts premium ribbon (from the JoAnn dollar section)
• Gelly Roll Pen - Clear Star
• Random self-adhesive pearls
• Dimensional dots 

Instructions:

Cut your paper to size (I always to the very first layer 1/4" smaller than my card.  Attach the ribbon to your first layer with adhesives before sticking it to the card.

Stamp label image on a piece of white paper - 2 images for each card.

Stamp your greeting inside on of the images at the bottom left.  Punch or cut out with scissors.

The rest of the card is pretty self-explanatory - dimensional dots, antiquing, etc.  I used the Gelly Roll pen over the greeting and a little on the darker part of the two-step flowers.

TIP - I always need birthday cards ... they seem to fly outta my house faster than any other card I make.  Since I don't have a lot of extra time on my hands, I try and craft a few of the same style whenever I'm in the groove. I make one or two large cards, then 3 or 4 minis (finished size 3 1/4" square) so I always have them on hand.  I use the larger cards for occasions that don't require a gift and the minis as present-toppers.

Valentines | Part 2

Round two of the valentine making: classmate valentines.  Morgan wanted them to match her teacher valentines (the Magnet Bookmarks), so our options were slim.  When we were at the dollar store, we were particularly inspired by the shiny valentine pencils they had ... this was the result - a bouquet of owls!

Valentines

My daughter, Morgan, and I have made a tradition of hand-making valentines the last several years.  It's always fun trying to come up with something new and different.  This year we found these amazing craft magnets at the dollar store and this is what we created ... magnetic bookmark valentines!!  You could really use any combination of papers and punches - or even trace circles with jar tops.  Fun and simple!  Hopefully her teacher will love it!

Materials:

• Craft magnet set purchased at the dollar store (Dollarama if you live in Canada)
• Google Eyes
• Craft glue - I use Zap Dry

• Stampin' Up Raspberry Tart Designer Paper
• Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip Cardstock
• White Cardstock

• Stampin' Up Groovy Guava Ink Pad
• Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip Ink Pad

• Stampin' Up Vintage Label Stamp Set
• Stampin' Up Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set

• Stampin' Up Two Step Owl Punch - Extra Large
• Stampin' Up 1 3/4" Scalloped Circle Punch - Large
• Stampin' Up 2 3/8" Scalloped Circle Punch - Extra Large
• EK Success 2 1/2" Circle Punch - Extra Large
• Nest-abilities Circle Die-cuts

Instructions:
Cut 2 - 3" circles out of patterned paper and glue onto either side of the metal circle from the craft magnet set.

Punch or cut 2 - 2 1/2" circles - one for a background, and one for the back of the "card".  I used one white and one chocolate chip.  I added a little distressing with a sponge around the edges, but you don't have to.  At this point you can stamp or write a greeting on the back.  Use snail adhesive, or double sided tape and fix those onto either side of the paper covered magnetic circle.  This completes the back of the bookmark.

Punch an extra large scallop out of patterned paper, and a large one out of white cardstock (you can use a stamp for the background if you have one before you punch).  Use adhesive to attach them together.

Punch any colour combination of owl parts and attach together with adhesive.  With craft glue, attach one or two of the magnets to the owls back.  Glue the other side of the magnet to the scalloped circles.  This should finish off the front of the bookmark.

Snazzy Pizzazz

Who doesn't need a quick and easy gift?  I love giving these fun little note cards made with the Petal Pizzazz set from Stampin' Up.  The colour and paper combinations are endless!  I just used a few scrap pieces of decorative paper and some craft paper ... cut, snip, punch ... antique with a little sponge ... assemble with adhesive and dimensional dots ...

Materials:

• Stampin' Up - Petal Pizzazz set
• Stampin' Up Inks - Pink Passion, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, and True Thyme for the antiquing
• Stampin' Up Punch - 1 3/4" Scalloped Circle and 1 1/4" Circle
• K&Company Designer Paper - Scraps I had from the Wild Raspberry and the Berry Sweet Pads
• The Paper Company - Kraft Cardstock Sheets
• Gelly Roll Pen - Clear Star
• Random self-adhesive rhinestones