HAPPY LEPRECHAUN

Doesn't he just bring a smile to your face? When I saw him on Kimberley Morris's blog, I just couldn't resist.  She generously gave me permission to show on my blog what I've done with him.  You can see her original one, with instructions, at http://procrastistamper.blogspot.com/2009/03/lair-of-leprechauns.html

She suggested adding the Summer Sun circle in the O of "GO" to tie the colors together. It does add the finishing touch. Thanks, Kimberley.

The top card uses Naturals White as the base card.  The bottom card uses Summer Sun as the base card. It is a bit more gaudy, don't you think?  It is tempered somewhat by the Certainly Celery cardstock, which is a current color. The top one - I'm using up some of my stash of a retired color.  Mint Mist, I think it was called. I really do like the color and would love to see it come back, but it has been out of the line for several years, so - probably not.

I did another card like these but in my hurry to get it in the mail to beat a deadline, I forgot to add the ribbon before pasting down the sentiment, so I tied a knot in the center and placed it under his chin as a bow tie. That was cute, too. 

What you can't see very well here is that the green CS has been textured using my Big Shot.  It's a nice touch. The Leprechaun is made entirely with punches except for the strip of Basic Black and square of Summer Sun of the hat band.

Happy Stampin'

PRAYER DIARY

I needed a new Prayer Diary where I keep my prayer lists and follow-ups along with notes about cards sent and other communications that apply.  This is an altered Composition book using Rose Red Designer Series paper from a year or two ago.  The alphabet is the retired Brushstroke Alphabet.  The ribbon looks that looks white in the photo is actually Pretty in Pink 1/4" grosgrain. The darker ribbon is Rose Red.

If I use this template to make another covered journal, I will make the panels a little larger to show off the variety of designs in the papers.  My original thought was to leave the larger space and sprinkle small hearts on it, but when the rest was assembled, they made it look way too busy, at least for my taste.

The back cover is plain Rose Red CS while on the inside covers, I used the additional patterns of the designer papers.  Now that I've used most of the retired Rose Red DSP, it is time to order the current one. I can't believe that I will actually order some more DSP - I have way too much in my stash.  You'll be seeing more of it as I continue to use it up. 

Happy Stampin'

Shades of Spring

Shades of Spring Designer Paper is so beautiful. If you've seen my recent posts, that is what I'm using.  I just couldn't let these flowers all be cut up to use the background designs on the reverse side of the paper. So, I've saved a few to make one-of-a-kind cards with them. On this card, the lower flower is raised using Stampin' Dimensionals.  Both flowers have Dazzling Diamond glitter on the center petals. That never shows up in scans, but it adds the zing that the card needed.  The card is quite elegant and will be used for a special occasion.  You'll notice, there is no stamping at all on this card. What???

• This Designer Paper, it is shown in the current Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog and available only through April. so, you see why I'm using it a lot.
• The corner punch is available in the Occasions Mini Catalog through April 30.
• The border punch is available as a free choice during Sale.a.bration with a $50 order through March 31.

Card stock: Orchid Opulance, Elegant Eggplant, Shades of Spring Designer Paper

Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, Elegant Eggplant 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch.

I probably won't be posting for the next few days.  I had a bunch of books on hold at the library and was way down the waiting list on all of them.  Eight arrived at the libe this weekend and I picked them up this afternoon.  So, you know what I will be doing for a while, in between watching the Olympics - especially the figure skating. Why, O why, do we need to spend so much time sleeping?

Happy Stampin'

Onsies for Baby

The Onsies I've seen posted are adorable and, because I know of several new Moms-to-be, I'm having fun playing with baby cards and ideas. The Onsies, once you've made your template, are quick and easy to do, depending on how you embellish. Just like cards - some are quick and some take longer to make. When I get permission from the originator of the template (I'm sure she will give it), I will share the link with you.

As you can see, I got carried away with the pink one.  I had put the Rose Red embellishments on the legs before I decided to make a little dress.  When the dress was added, the card was so garish that I cut more embellishments from Pretty in Pink but, knowing that I might not get it totally covering the original scallops, I decided to offset them. It does tone it down a bit, but if I were to make this one again, it would be with the pink only on the legs..

Both the pink one and the green striped ones are shaped cards with the fold at the shoulders.  The mounted card is Barely Banana even though it looks pinkinish in the photo. The body of the Onsie is texturized  by the Big Shot using the diamond patterned plate.  The texturizing with that plate gives the garment a quilted look.

Enjoy!

Always Valentines - Again

The last of the Always Valentines. I've had so much fun playing with them. As long as I had all the supplies out, I just kept going. You can see that the possibilities are endless and you don't have to have a ton of supplies to make a variety designs. Later, I'll make some cards using the bird from the Always set. I could have used the "Always" sentiment, too, but chose not to this time. Teeny Tiny Wishes has 24 different sentiments so, when you need something small, it is a great set to have in your collection.

Can you tell that two of these cards use the Heart to Heart punch (the one with three hearts in one punch) and the underlying color peeks through the punched hearts? Again, the real life version is more attractive than the published one.

So, these Always Valentine cards have used two punches, two stamp sets, three colors card stock and one Designer Paper and one ribbon selection. Not counting the non-Valentine using Crushed Curry and Dusty Durango. That was to show the "always - anytime" use of the heart from the stamp set. You will have most of your Designer Paper left, probably lots of ribbon unless you are making a ton of cards, your punches, and solid cardstock, depending on how many cards you make. With these colors, you will quickly think of other projects for them.

I hope you have enjoyed these Valentines and perhaps gleaned an idea or two for your own stamping. I'd love to see your creations.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO ALL OF YOU.

Always for Anytime

Here it is again - the stamp sets Always and Teeny Tiny Wishes. The card uses this year's In Colors Crushed Curry and Dusty Durango. The colors are appropriate for anytime during the year and might be more acceptable as a masculine card than one made with pinks and lilacs. I think the Crushed Curry and Dusty Durango together are very rich looking, don't you? The label might be embellished with gold brads rather than ribbon to give it a more masculine look.

This is a basic Go-To template that can be varied in so many ways. You can keep it simple, as this one, or embellish it to your heart's content. Because the ribbon is a bit bulky, I found that the best way to attach the label is to use a small piece of Sticky Strip on both top and bottom of the label.

Stamps: Always, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Cardstock: Curshed Curry, Dusty Durango, Whisper White

Ink: Crushed Curry

Accessories: Scallop Oval punch, Scissors, Crushed Curry Polka Dot grosgrain ribbon, Sticky Strip, Crop-o-Dile to punch ribbon holes.

(Note: Any punch with the hole size to fit the ribbon can be used. If I could find my hand held rectangle punch, that is the one that I would have used. Oh well.)

Check back tomorrow, I'll have one more Valentine for you to see using the Always stamp set.

Always Valentine #2

Here's another version using the same stamps and supplies. This time I added a silk flower and a half pearl from the Pretties kit.

Did you know that you can color the flowers and the pearls with your Stampin' Up! stamp pad or reinkers or Stampin' Write markers? I just smooshed the flower onto both the Rich Razzleberry and the Melon Mambo ink pads and let it dry. I wear gloves when doing this and there was enough ink on my glove to rub it on the pearl.

The stamping looks a little blurred in the photo but that is because of the height of the pearl in the scanner. You just have to believe me that the images are clear in real life.

Originally, I stamped the Happy Valentine sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set right on the card. But - it was just a tad crooked. Stampers know that "A mistake is an excuse for an embellishment". I didn't really embellish, but I did cover the mistake up by stamping again on a scrap and punching it out. Sometimes, our error corrections make for an improved final project, but this time, it just covers the error.

I'm on a kick using the Always stamp set right now. The next image you see will be using different colors and not necessarily a Valentine. So - check back tomorrow.

Puns from the Past

Faux Quilting is a delightful way to show a variety of Designer Papers or to use up scraps. I've punched out 12 1-1/4" squares and adhered them to cardstock, then used Big Shot's Top Note die. Punch two holes in the top for a faux bow, add the stamped message and then adhere the whole piece to folded cardstock to complete the card. I think that this stamp set is perfect for the "quilted" backgound, and especially appropriate for friends who sew. I added faux stitching by making small cross-stitches on the seams with the fine pointed end of Stampin' Write markers.

I'm trying to use up some of my stash, so these designer papers are retired, but you get the idea.

Stamps: Puns from the Past

CS: Retired Designer Papers, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Whisper white

Ink: Certainly Celery, Rose Red

Accessories: Pink satin ribbon, Big Shot, Top Note Die, 1 1/4" square punch. 1/8" circle punch for ribbon holes, Old Olive and Rose Red markers for stitching marks

Always Valentine

Here is my first Valentine this year. It's about time! Valentine's Day will be here and gone and I'll still be thinking about it. Stay tuned. There may be more coming in the next few days, but I won't promise. The heart in the Always stamp set is so elegant, I just had to use it. It is very nice when embossed, especially in silver or gold.

Stamp Sets: Always; Teeny Tiny Wishes

Cardstock: Melon Mambo; Rich Razzleberry; Crushed Curry; Whisper White

Ink: Same as cardstock colors

Accessories: Melon Mambo Polka Dot ribbon; Have a Heart punch; Small Heart punch - available in the Occasions Mini Catalog; Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds on the tiny center heart. I haven't done this yet on the sample because it takes longer to dry than I wanted to wait to scan the card. And, glitter doesn't show up well in scans, anyway. But, it will shimmer and give the card the Bling that it needs.

More covered notebooks

Here are a couple of notebooks. They are such fun to do, and you can make them as simple or as complex as you wish, just like cards.

Shades of Spring Designer Paper is used for both of them.
This is a little spiral bound purse notebook and matching pen. In addition to the Designer Paper, I used the 5/8" satin ribbon found in the Occasions mini catalog and the Elegant Eggplant 1/4" grosgrain ribbon. The stamp set is retired Brushstroke Alphabet and the note is (gasp!) a non-SU stamp. This notebook currently resides in my own purse.

This one uses Orchid Opulance as the base color. The flower is from the Pretties Kit. It started out white, as do all the flowers in the kit. I sponged the largest petals with Rose Red and Orchid Opulance, the middle layer with Rose Red and the top one with Pretty in Pink. The half pearl in the center is also from the Pretties Kit. Ribbons are Whisper White and the two pink ones are also Stampin' Up! ribbons but retired colors. If I hadn't had them in my stash, I would have sponged more white ribbon with Rose Red and Pretty in Pink. The silver cord separating the colors is usually available in the Holiday mini catalog, but I find that I buy enough to use all year long.