For Love of Paper

Whatever Wednesday: A paper watering can?

Yes, this is a watering can crafted from paper. It just goes to show you can make anything from paper, lol.

Last week I attended my local Lone Star Stampers demonstrator meeting and this was our shoebox swap project. I LOVE the technique we used to make the flower. I believe it's called "Suedeing paper" (sp?). You can bet that this will show up on a project I'll share with you very soon.

Were you ever a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator? If you were and you'd like to come back you can now rejoin for only $35. Contact me for all the details. This deal is only good for July.

Whatever Wednesday: Mini Scallop Purse

How cute is this? One of my awesome downline, Retta, gave this to me when she stopped by one day. Many of you have probably seen purses like this on previous posts but a bit larger. They are made using the Stampin' Up! exclusive Scallop Square Die (#115950). 

It looks like this.

The scallop square is 4 3/8".

I really like this die because I've used it on a lot of projects. It's such a pleasing shape.

So how do you use a die to make a purse? Well, the Sizzix Big Shot and many of the dies are designed to be used on tons of different materials from paper, chipboard, cardstock, fabric, metals, wood, cork, felt and the list goes on and on. In the case of this purse the die was used to cut scallop squares from fabric. Even better, when using a normal weight cotton fabric you cut through eight layers at a time!!! Making this a super fast project.

When you look at the versitility of the Sizzix Big Shot you really begin to see the value it has to offer. If you have questions or would like to talk about what all you can do with the Big Shot feel free to contact me anytime.

Here are links to a couple other purses I shared with you before and my favorite Sizzix/Fabric project flower pins.

Scallop Square Purse (scroll down a bit in the post)

Another Scallop Square Purse (scroll down a bit to see the purse)

Fabulous Flower Pin with Tutorial

Whatever Wednesday: Baby Girl Card

I was in need of a baby girl card and was low on time and mojo so I decided to CASE myself.

This is the original card I made several years ago. I have always liked it. I just didn't feel a lot of creative mojo this morning so I thought why reinvent the wheel? Instead I copied myself.

Any time I try to copy something exactly it always ends up a little different. This time was no different. I thought the organza ribbon would be nice for a girl but when I put it in place like on my original boy card it seemed like too much. So I tried moving it a bit and liked it there.

If you really like the background stamp used on both of these cards get it while you can. It is called Tres Chic (109258) and is on the Last Chance/Retiring List. It is only available through June 30th.

Click here to shop now and be sure to check out all the great deals on Last Chance items and the Clearance Rack.

Supplies

Stamps: Fun and Fast Notes (113500) & Tres Chic (109258)

Inks: Pretty in Pink (101301), Melon Mambo (115656) and Basic Gray (109120)

Paper: Whisper White (100730) and Pretty in Pink (100459)

Other: Blender Pen (102845), Organza Ribbon (114319) and Mini Glue Dots (103683)

Whatever Wednesday: Double CASE Card

People often ask me where I come up with project ideas. If you've been reading my blog for very long you know I'm a huge fan of CASEing (Copy and share everything). There are so many wonderful creations out there already I figure there is no need to reinvent the wheel every time.

The card above is actually a double case.

I used the colors, DSP (Designer Series Paper) and flower technique from this card by Ilina Crouse.

Then I used the layout from this card by SCS User queenoe.

 

Feel up for a challenge?

Give CASEing a try and if you're really feeling adventurous try double CASEing.

When you're finished email the cards your CASED and of course your finished project and I will post them here for everyone to see!

Supplies

Stamps: Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel (117693)

Inks: Rich Razzleberry (115658) and Crushed Curry (115659) Classic Ink Pads

Paper: Melon Mambo (1153200, Crushed Curry (115319) and Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper (115675)

Other: Sizzix Big Shot (113439), Scallop Square Die (115950), Full Heart Punch (113693), Heart to Heart Punch (113694), Stamping Sponges (101610), Sherbet Designer Buttons (116312 and Hemp Twine (100982)

Whatever Wednesday: Elements of Style Duo

Elements of Style is one of the newest stamp sets. It can be found on page 12 of the Summer Mini Catalog. This is a stamp set you just can't miss with. On their own the images are so lovely that anything you do to them just makes them better.

Above is the card I made when I first inked up this new set. The sentiment on the front of the card is such that you could use this card for nearly any occasion depending on what sentiment you place on the inside. I used this card for my husbands mother for Mother's Day.

Below you'll find a very similar card that I gave to my mom for Mother's Day.

If you haven't yet received a copy of the Summer Mini Catalog and would like one I'm more than happy to send you a FREE copy. Just contact me by phone or email and let me know.

If you can't wait click here to view a PDF of the catalog.

Supplies for Card One

Stamps: Elements of Style (120045)

Inks: Basic Black (101179), Chocolate Chip (100908), Sahara Sand (105208), Old Olive (102277) and Elegant Eggplant (105210) Classic Inks

Paper: Very Vanilla (101650), Kraft (102125) and Naturals Ivory (101849)

Other: Circle Bookplate from Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware (112454), Stamping Sponge (101610), Blender Pen (102845), 1" Circle Punch (109046), Cutter Kit (106958), Mat Pack (105826) and Paper Piercing Tool (116631)

Supplies for Card Two

Stamps: Elements of Style (120045) and All Holidays (114916)

Inks: Stazon Jet Black (101406), Chocolate Chip (100908), Close to Cocoa (103139), Elegant Eggplant (105210) and Old Olive (102277) Classic Inks

Paper: Very Vanilla (101650) and Kraft (102125)

Other: Sizzix Big Shot (113439), Top Note Die (113463), Blender Pen (102845) and Stamping Sponge (101610)

Whatever Wednesday: Bloomin' Blue

Today's card is a great example of letting your products do the work. What do I mean by letting the products do the work? Rather than me taking lots of time and artistic talent I've left things simple and let the beauty of the colors, stamp, patterned paper and pleasing shape of the die show through.

This is a 10 to 15 minute card and most of the time is spent getting out and putting away the supplies.

Here is how simple it really is:

• Cut a standard card from Kraft Cardstock
• Cut a piece of Bella Blue DSP to 4" x 5 1/4"
• Cut a Very Vanilla Top Note
• Stamp flower with Basic Gray Classic Ink
• Color flower using Brocade Blue Classic Ink and an Aqua Painter, make it darker where the little lines are and lighter everywhere else
• Color the inside of the flower with a So Saffron Stampin' Write Marker
• Color the stem with Old Olive Classic Ink and an Aqua Painter
• Stamp "bloom" using Basic Gray Classic Ink
• Sponge Chocolate Chip Ink on edges of Top Note and Bella DSP
• Adhere the layers

My challenge to you is to not be afraid to keep things simple and let your products work for you. Give it a try and be sure to email a picture of the finished project.

Supplies

Stamps: Bloomin' Beautiful (111490)

Inks: Close to Cocoa (103139) Basic Gray (10920), Brocade Blue (101102) and Old Olive (102277) Classic Inks and So Saffron Stampin' Write Marker (105114)

Paper: Kraft (102125), Very Vanilla (11650) and Bella Blue DSP (113974)

Other: Sizzix Big Shot (113439) with Top Note Die (113463) and Stamping Sponge (101610)

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)

Whatever Wednesday: She took the challenge!

On Monday I issued the challenge to everyone to use the same image stamped three times in a row as the focal point of their next project. One of my favorite stampers took the challenge and here is Anna's beautiful creation.

Thanks so much for sharing with all of us Anna.

Supplies

Stamps: Botanical Blooms and Sweet Little Sentiments (both retired)

Inks: Pink Pirouette, Mellow Moss and Chocolate Chip

Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette and Candy Lane DSP (retired)

Other: 1" Chocolate Chip Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals and Glue Dots

Whatever Wednesday: Spotlight on Trendy Trees

This month Stampin' Up! is offering a terrific special on five different two-step stampin' stamp sets. One of them is the Trendy Trees stamp set. About this time last year I created several cards using this stamp set for a local craft fair, but never did get around to showing them to all of you. I was hesitant to post them because several of the colors of paper and ink I used are currently retired but with the new Color Renovation (click here to learn more) most of them will be back in July.

Stamps: Trendy Trees

Inks: Chocolate Chip and Kiwi Kiss Classic Inks

Paper: Chocolate Chip and Whisper White

Other: Stampin' Dimensionals, Scallop Edge Punch and Kiwi Kiss Ribbon

Stamps: Trendy Trees

Inks: Summer Sun, Kiwi Kiss and Riding Hood Red

Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Summer Sun and Riding Hood Red

Other: Word Window Punch, Kiwi-Vanilla Satin Ribbon and Mat Pack with Hole Piercer

Stamps: Trendy Trees

Inks: Summer Sun, Chocoalte Chip, Kiwi Kiss and Ridinghood Red

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip and Kiwi Kiss

Other: Photo Corner Punch

Stamps: Trendy Trees

Inks: Chocolate Chip and Kiwi Kiss

Paper: Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White and Chocolate Chip

Other: Sizzix Big Shot with Frame-Scallop Oval and 1/4" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon

Trendy Trees is a terrific set with an ultra modern flair. This set normally retails for $17.95 But through the end of April you can get it for only $14.36.

As you can see from the cards above this set will go a long way. It isn't often anymore than I make cards using only one stamp set but this set has everything you need; a main image, greeting and the little swirl makes a great textural background (see the second example above).

If you'd like to take advantage of the sale price you can click the online ordering button at the top right of this page or contact me today.

Whatever Wednesday: Surf's Up

Several years ago Stampin' Up! had another stamp set with a surf board in it. I have to say I was sad to see it go when it retired. When the Just Surfing (115008 page 79) stamp set came out about a year ago I was absolutely delighted and at only $13.95 you can't beat it.

As I was saying yesterday I had a house full of Girl Scouts here last Wednesday to stamp cards for Love Letters. The troop leader mentioned the moms might also like to stamp a card so I created this clean and simple surfer card for them to make.

I CASE'd the design from SCS User ambouth. I changed it up slightly and really love how it came out. Several of the Girl Scout moms thought the wavy kraft paper was a bit of corugated cardboard. It is actually just kraft cardstock run through the crimper and sponged with a little Close to Cocoa Classic Ink.

I definately could have added more to this card but wanted to keep it simple since the girl Scout Moms were first time stampers. Just goes to show sometimes less is more.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Surf's Up and Itty Bitty Backgrounds (great for making sand)

Inks: Close to Cocoa, Not Quite Navy and Dusty Durango

Paper: Bashful Blue, Whisper White and Kraft

Other: button (store bought), Hemp Twine, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Sponge and Crimper