For Love of Paper

Awash with Flowers: Sample 5

I have to say I'm a bit sad to see the week end. It isn't often I get to make five cards with the same stamp set right in a row. I'm really in the mood to keep creating with this set. If you ever find yourself stumped with a particular stamp set I highly suggest CASEing a few cards with that stamp set. It really gets your creative juices flowing for layout, design, colors and all the different ways you can use the same stamps.

I used Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder on this card just like on yesterdays sample. However, I didn't have a Night of Navy Craft Ink Pad. Instead I stamped the inside of the flower using Night of Navy Classic Ink and then colored over it using a Versa Marker. There's always more than one way to skin a cat in the world of stamping. It's just figuring out what you can do with what you have on hand.

For the stem I actually used it upside down because I needed it to curve the opposite direction to allow space for my sentiment. Since the flower itself looks a bit wilty the upside down leaves really make sense.

Now you've seen five samples using the Awash with Flowers stamp set so it's time to cast your vote for a chance to win.

Remember I will give full step by step instructions for the card that wins the most votes. To vote visit the post at the top of this page and leave a comment including your favorite sample (by number or day of the week). Everyone that leaves a comment/casts a vote will be entered to win some stampin' goodies!

Supplies

Stamps: Awash with Flowers (120549) and Three Little Words (113254)

Inks: Whisper White CRAFT Ink (101731), Basic Black (101179) and Night of Navy (102977) Classic Ink, Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker (100079) and Versa Marker (100901)

Paper: Whisper White (100730), Night of Navy (100867) and Old Olive (100702()

Other: Irredescent Ice Embossing Powder (101930), Heat Tool (100005), Embossing Buddy (103083), Clear Rhinestone Brad (113144), Mat Pack (105826) and Paper Piercing Tool (116631)

Awash with Flowers: Sample 4

Many times when I sit down to stamp I don't have a lot of time. To make the most of my time I CASE (copy and share everything) cards and projects. I figure there's no need to reinvent the wheel every time. But for this card I decided to combine three cards I had seen. I used the layout of the flowers from one card, the color scheme from another and the layout of the card itself from a third card.

So what's the lesson here? It is okay to copy and that doesn't always mean you are making an exact replica. You can take a little from here and there and turn it into something truly your own.

Be sure to watch for a new Awash with Flowers card sample everyday this week and then cast your vote for your favorite by for your chance to win some stampin' goodies.

See the post at the top of the page for all the details and to leave your comment to win.

Supplies

Stamps: Awash with Flowers (120549)

Inks: Versa Mark (102283), Basic Black (101179), Sage Shadow (102532), Almost Amethyst (101723) and Bordering Blue (102265) Classic Inks

Papers: Whisper White (100730), Almost Amethyst (102158) and Sage Shadow (101563)

Other: Irridescent Ice Embossing Powder (101930), Heat Tool (100005) and Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402)

Whatever Wednesday: Summer Mini Sneak Peak

When I first received my demonstrator copy of the new Summer Mini Catalog I was so excited to see a motorcycle. Stampin' Up! has had motorcycle and car images in the past but we didn't have any currently. That changes on this Saturday, May 1st with the release of the newest catalog, the Summer Mini.

The Motorcycle stamp is available as a single stamp for only $8.95 and will be available just in time for Father's Day. In addition I used another new product from the Summer Mini called Smooch Spritz. This is a pearlized spray that comes in four colors. I used the Log Cabin Smooch Spritz. This product is acid free so it's great not only for cards and projects but also for scrapbook pages.

This would make a great Father's Day Card by just changing out the sentiment.

Be sure to stop back this Saturday to check out the Summer Mini and cast your vote for your favorite Awash with Flowers Card Sample.

Supplies

Stamps: Motorcycle (117657) and Full of Life (111500)

Inks: Chocolate Chip (100908) and Close to Cocoa (103139) Classic Ink

Paper: Kraft (102125), Basic Black (102851) and Very Vanilla (101650)

Other: Sticky Strip 104294), Log Cabin Smooch Spritz (119921), Cutter Kit (106958), Stamping Sponge (101610) and Hemp Twine (100982)

Awash with Flowers: Sample 3

Three great things to notice about this Awash with Flowers Sample.

1. Water coloring with Stampin' Up!s Water Color Paper, Stampin' Write Markers and an Aqua Painter is by far my favorite way to color stamps. This is the water coloring technique I used for the focal point of this card.
2. If you look at the stamps that come in this set you may notice there isn't a full round flower like the one on this card. The full round flower was made by stamping the half flower three times. A Stamp-a-ma-jig is a huge help in getting the three flowers stamped in just the right place. Just be sure to stamp the image onto the Stamp-a-ma-jig using classic ink and then stamp the image onto the water color paper using Stazon.
3. I used one of the hottest new products, Spritz Smooch, set to be released in the Summer Mini Catalog on May 1st. That's this Saturday! I used one spray of the Log Cabin Spritz Smooch to give the background that speckled look.

Be sure to watch for a new Awash with Flowers card sample everyday this week and then cast your vote for your favorite by for your chance to win some stampin' goodies.

See the post at the top of the page for all the details and to leave your comment to win.

Supplies

Stamps: Awash with Flowers

Inks: Chocolate Chip and Basic Black Classic Ink, StazOn Jet Black, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust and Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Write Markers

Paper: Water Color Paper and Very Vanilla Cardstock

Other: Log Cabin Smooch Spritz (119921), Chocolate Chip Corduroy Buttons (114339), 1 1/4" Chocolate Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (115617), Cutter Kit (106958), Aqua Painters (103954) and Stamping Sponge (101610)

Awash with Flowers: Sample 2

Today's Awash with Flowers sample features the Cottage Wall DSP and the same additional stamp set, Thank You Kindly, that was used in yesterday's sample. As you can see changing just the paper/colors gives this set stamp set an entirely different feel.

Be sure to watch for a new Awash with Flowers card sample everyday this week and then cast your vote for your favorite by for your chance to win some stampin' goodies.

See the post at the top of the page for all the details and to leave your comment to win.

Don't forget the Awash with Flowers stamp set is only available through Friday, April 30th. Click the Online Ordering Button at the top right of this page to order yours today.

(It will be available again with the release of the new Idea Book and Catalog on July 1st, 2010.)

Supplies

Stamps: Awash with Flowers (120549) and Thank You Kindly (111700)

Inks: Rich Razzleberry (115658) and Basic Black (101179) Classic Inks and Old Olive Stampin' Write Marker (100079)

Paper: Rich Razzleberry (115316), Whisper White (100730) and Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper (115671)

Other: Tearing Edge Ruler (102930) Cutter Kit (106958), Clip Assortment (112580), Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115613)

Awash with Flowers: Sample 1

I love the simplicity of this card. Using only black and white with one additional color, Crushed Curry, I can easily see making a set of this card in four different colors, perhaps four of the In Colors and giving them as a gift set.

Be sure to watch for a new Awash with Flowers card sample everyday this week and then cast your vote for your favorite by for your chance to win some stampin' goodies.

See the post at the top of the page for all the details and to leave your comment to win.

Supplies

Stamps: Awash with Flowers (120549) and Thank You Kindly (111700)

Inks: Crushed Curry (115659) and Basic Black (101179)

Paper: Whisper White (100730), Crushed Curry (115319) and Basic Black (102851)

Other: Black Gingham Ribbon (104832) and Mini Glue Dots (103683)

Make Over Monday: Silhouetted Sympathy

Sympathy cards are something we hope we never need. Unfortunately we do end up needing them and if there is anytime I want the recipient of my card to know I'm really thinking about them is in their time of need. A hand made card certainly conveys this more so than one purchased at the store.

When I saw the original card created by SCS User hskelly I knew I needed to make a few of these to have on hand. It is such a simple card and doesn't take very many supplies. I choose a darker, more dreary blue because I thought it better conveyed the message of sympathy.

This card uses basic masking and stamping.

Supplies

Stamps: Close as a Memory (114946)

Ink: Bordering Blue (102265) and Basic Black (101179)  Classic Ink

Paper: Whisper White (100730) and Basic Black (102851)

Other: Sizzix Big Shot (113439), Top Note Die (113463), Beautiful Wings Embosslit 118138), Dotto Removable Adhesive (103305), Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049) and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

It's your choice!

To celebrate the newest release from Stampin' Up!, the Awash with Flowers stamp set and the terrific promotion that goes along with it, Two Step Into Spring, everyday this week I will be posting a card using this great new set. Friday through Sunday you can leave a comment in this post telling me which card is your favorite. Then, next week I will post step by step instructions on how to make the card that receives the most votes. In addition I will be giving away a few little stampin' goodies to one of the commenters chosen at random so be sure to cast your vote.(FYI this post will stay at the top of the page all week so be sure to scroll down for daily postings.)

How to restock your stash of cards for spring on a budget.

The Signs of Spring Card Kit will allow you to make eight great cards for not a lot of cash.

• Are you tired of having to buy multiple packages of cardstock, patterned paper, ribbon and embellishments to make one card?
  

• Does it drive you crazy when you see a card, start making it and then realize you’re short a few supplies to finish the project?  

The Signs of Spring Card Kit contains everything you’ll need to not only start but finish making eight terrific spring inspired cards on a budget. 

In the kit you’ll receive all the materials (including the Sweet Pea Felt Flowers) and instructions to make four different cards, twice. That’s eight cards total. All of the pieces are precut and include a heart created with the Big Shot and Heart of Hearts Embosslit. All you need are a few basic tools and you’re good to go.

Tools & Supplies Needed:

• Paper Trimmer/Scorer
• Adhesives
  
• Scallop Trim Border Punch (other border punch style could be used)
  

The cards contained in this kit are perfect for any occasion, even Mother’s Day. Just add the appropriate sentiment and you’re good to go. With cards costing at least $4 to $5 a piece at the store and so many of us having non-traditional families buying even run of the mill cards for mom can get quite expensive. This kit will give you enough cards for all the moms in your life and you’ll still have some left over for your card stash. Not to mention moms, of all people, really appreciate you taking the time to make them something by hand.  

There are a limited number of kits available. To order your Signs of Spring Card Kit click on the appropriate button below.

US Customers $25 plus $4.90 shipping

Canadian Customers $25 plus $11.45 shipping

Customers outside the US or Canada $25 plus $13.45 shipping

The Green side of Stampin' Up!

These days we all expect the companies we choose to support to be doing something to reduce their environmental impact. Today, as we celebrate Earth Day's 40th Anniversary I thought it was important to let you know what Stampin' Up! is doing to help our planet.

Stampin' Up!s home office is in Riverton, Utah and they also have a manufacturing facility in Kanab, Utah. They have arranged for trucks delivering other goods from the Riverton/Salt Lake area to Kanab to fill their otherwise empty trucks will stamps for the return trip.

Both the facilities in Riverton and Kanab were built with the environment in mind. Both have geothermal wells to reduce their dependence on oil and natural gas and all lights are on timers and/or sensors. They didn't stop with the insides of the facilities either. The landscaping takes advantage of native plants which don't require excessive watering and have planted wildflowers instead of grass.

They've also thought through ways to make the manufacturing of stamps and cardstock more green. All of the excess rubber from the production of stamps is given to a local charity called Courage Reins which provides riding therapy. They sell the rubber for use on playgrounds to raise money to support their charity.

As for cardstock who would have thought black was the "greenest" color. All of the scraps created from cardstock production are recycled right back into another batch of cardstock. The darker the color the more recycled material it contains.

Additionally all of the paper brokers Stampin' Up! works with are (SFI) Sustainable Foresty Incentive, (FSC) Forest Stewardship Council and (PEFC) Program for the Endorsement of Forestry Certification certified. One mill even generates its own power.

Until recently all SU! stamps were mounted onto Maple wood blocks. Stampin' Up! was sure to purchase all of their wood from tree farmers who practice sustainable farming and whose crops were planted to be harvested. Beginning this year Stampin' Up! began offering unmounted stamps, eliminating the need for wood blocks and introducing reusable acrylic stamp mounts.

I personally am a huge recycling/green fanatic (just ask my Technique Club members who know to leave their plastic cups for recycling and their paper plates to put in my compost bin) and was very happy to know the company I work with was doing their part.