Card Gallery #279

I promise you I'm not obsessed with Halloween. (Okay, maybe just a wee bit. Don't tell anyone.) But I had another scrap of the decorative paper from the treat box in the last entry and I hated for it to go to waste.





The second card is an interesting one (at least to me). I was inspired by book binding. I used extra strips of cardstock (the same I used for the base) to create a faux binding. It creates a natural offset for your decorative elements (in this case the glossy floral handcuts). The ribbon was a last minute addition--but the idea looks great with or without the ribbon. This is definitely a technique I want to experiment with more in the future.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like...

Yesterday, the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog went live. You can now order items from this lovely 39 page mini-catalog via my Stampin' Up business website (clink link in the sidebar) or from your favorite Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. The catalog has a great array of holiday (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas) themed stamp sets, embellishments, gift ideas, and projects. It also features the introduction of a new line of Build-A-Bear Workshop themed items. Finally, there is the introduction of the forthcoming jewelry line and a software suite called 'My Digital Studio'.

Today's card project features many items that you'll be able to find and purchase from the 2009-2010 Holiday Mini Catalog. This project uses Stampin' Up! Riding Hood Red cardstock (now retired) and decorative paper from the 'Merry Moments' DSP pack. The red cardstock is cut to 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" and scored at 4 1/4". The decorative paper mat is cut at 4" x 4 1/2".



Using Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock and the new stamp set 'Delightful Decorations' (#116517, $21.95; p. 24) and the coordinating 'Ornament Punch' (#116794, $15.95; p. 25), I created my decorative elements using Stampin' Pads in Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, and Bermuda Bay. I chose three of the holiday ornament stamps and onced stamped, cut them out using the coordinating punch.



Once my ornaments were stamped and cut, I decided to use some Stampin' Up! Gold Elastic Cording (#109867, $4.95; p. 27) to tie a bow around the stem of each ornament for a bit more sparkle and visual interest.



I thought the ornaments looked right at home on this sheet of Designer Series Paper with green pine boughs scattered throughout. This paper is found in the 'Merry Moments' collection in the 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog (#115672, $9.95; p. 160).



The decorative paper and ornaments called out for a traditional holiday color--red. So, I chose to go with a piece of the unfortunately retired Riding Hood Red cardstock (from last season's In Colors selections).



Using the Stampin' Up Tag Corner Punch (#107215, $6.95; p. 186), I contoured all four corners of both my base cardstock and Designer Series Paper mat. I then attached the mat with Stampin' Up! SNAIL Adhesive. The ornament pieces were attached with Stampin' Up! Stamping Dimensionals to give the card some depth and a focus on the ornaments. Finally, I decided to use a sentiment from another new stamp set entitled 'Four The Holidays' (#116921, $13.95; p. 19).



The sentiment was stamped with Basic Black ink and the card was complete.




Though the Christmas holiday season is yet a few months away, now is the time to be thinking about what design and format your holiday cards will take. If you've never made your own holiday cards, now's the perfect time to look at some of the marvelous ideas Stampin' Up! offers and get your feet wet and your brain oozing creativity. Some of the best gifts and rememberances are the ones that come from the heart--and from the hands.

I'm going to be hoping for snow this year(yet, again!) and wishing you all a very creative Wednesday! Keep Crafting...

Candy Corn Explosion

I came upon this lovely sheet of candy corn paper from a Die Cuts With A View Fall Stack from last year. It inspired me to play with a couple of Martha Stewart punches and create a couple of Halloween themed cards.

I have to say that I am completely in LOVE with the new Martha Stewart Punch Around The Page punch sets. Additionally, the new wing-edged punches are a dream when it comes to folding them up and conserving on storage space. I recently purchased the Spider Web punch set and finally found a source to order my Loopy Border set. I even re-purchased the Drippy Goo punch just to get the wing-edged version.

Both cards are A2 size and the card base is Bazzill textured cardstock in Raven. The first card features a Drippy Goo border on the decorative mat. The stamped skull image is from the new Stampin' Up! Halloween set entitled "From The Crypt" (#115460, $22.95). It was stamped on Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock (#100730, $7.50 for 40 sheets) with a Classic Stampin' Pad in Only Orange (#102696, $5.95). The sentiment is from the Stampin' Up! set "Teeny Tiny Wishes" (#115370, $36.95). The card is accented with a Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Pen in Orange.




The second card showcases the same decorative DCWV paper. I cut a piece at 3 1/4" x 5" and used both the Martha Stewart Wing Edger Spider Web punch and the Corner Spider Web punch to create the all-around border. To highlight the web cuts, I adhered the decorative paper to a piece of Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock cut at the same size. I used the Stampin' Up! Ticket Corner Punch (#107214, $6.95) on the four corners as an accent.

Card Glimpses

Of late, I seem to have found this deep fountain of ideas for card layouts and techniques I want to try. The problem of course is one as old as time. Well, actually, it is time. For as many ideas as I have, there never seems to be enough time to get them all realized. I suppose that is a good thing--since inspiration and creativity can sometimes be moody playmates.

I just received a huge order of new stamp sets from Stampin' Up! and have been busy preparing them (EZ-Mount) for the calendar cases I store them in. There really are some marvelous new sets and artwork in the 2009-2010 catalog. Among some of my new favorites are: 'All Hallow's Eve', 'Beware Pirates', 'Extreme Elements', 'Medallion', 'Pendant Park', 'On A Pedestal', 'Greenhouse Garden', 'From The Crypt', and 'Chic Boutique'. I also finally broke down and ordered the Color Caddy and extender kit. I was never quite sure this is the route I wanted to take for my Stampin' Pad storage, but now I'm very happy I did. Of course, not all of my pads fit. But, it does make a great home for the four major color groupings (Bold Brights, Earth Elements, Rich Regals and Soft Subtles), as well as the last twelve In Color ink pads. It provides a great visual reminder of the palette that is available in my stamping ideas.

The weather here has been ridiculously hot. Though, I suppose that's just further impetus to stay inside and create. Wherever you are and whatever your weather, keep crafting!

Sneak Peek!: Crushed Curry & Soft Suede

On July 1, 2009, the new 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! catalog goes into effect. There are so many wonderful new stamp sets and products in store for all of us. I know my wish list is bursting at the seams (and unfortunately, I'm sure I will buy it all...lol).

One of the exciting unveilings is the addition of six new colors to the In Colors line. The new colors are: Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, and Dusty Durango. These colors will be available in Stampin' Pads, ink refills, cardstock, ribbon, and other products. I've had these products for a while now and I have to say they are a beautiful palette of colors and they integrate wonderfully with the regular Stampin' Up! color spectrum.

However, from the outset, I have to admit that there are two colors that I have fallen ABSOLUTELY head-over-heels for. They are so made for one another and I think they are going to become Stampin' Up! classics: Crushed Curry and Soft Suede.

Today, I've decided to give you a slight sneak peak into the color duo with a card project. I'm also highlighting one of the new stamp set releases that will be in the new catalog entitled "Circle Circus". This project is quick and easy, but I think it illustrates the endless possibilities of two of my new favorite colors.

The card will be a standard A2 size. The mat is cut from Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock at 4" x 5". The cardstock base is Soft Suede cut at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". This card utilizes two stamps from the upcoming "Circle Circus":,as well as inks in Crushed Curry and Soft Suede.


Circle Circus, (10) stamps


2009-2010 In Colors Crushed Curry and Soft Suede

To begin the card, I cut a mat of Stampin' Up! Whisper White cardstock at 4" x 5". Using one of the stamps from "Circle Circus" and the Crushed Curry Stampin' Pad, I randomly stamped the image on mat cardstock.



Using the same image, I used the Soft Suede Stampin' Pad for contrast and visual interest. Don't be too concerned with careful placement of the image. Many times overlapping the image or stamping off the cardstock creates really beautiful accents that draw the eye. Randomness in a good thing.



After looking at my mat for a few minutes, I decided I needed a little "more". So, I went back to "Circle Circus" and picked out one of the smallest images to fill in some of the blank space. Of course, the danger is always that you make your card too busy. So, you just have to practice and learn to train your eye. Sometimes, it doesn't work out so well...and it's back to the drawing board. In this instance, I think it was a good call.




When I was happy with my card mat, the question turned to which color to use for my card base. In truth, I think either new In Color Crushed Curry or Soft Suede would have worked. But, I was drawn to the Soft Suede.



I cut the 8 1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock in half, which creates two A2 card sizes at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2". Using my Scor-Pal (a MUST-HAVE tool in any crafter's arsenal), I scored the cardstock at 4 1/4".



Now that I was ready to assemble my card, I thought it needed one final touch: ribbon. While the new In Colors line comes in a matching polka dot ribbon, I thought that the dots would fight too much with the circle patterns of the stamping. I saw a piece of Stampin' Up 5/8" grosgrain ribbon in Chocolate Chip and thought it would be the perfect addition.



However, during assembly with my trusty ATG714 adhesive gun, I changed my mine (always a crafter's prerogative). I thought the 5/8" ribbon was a tad too wide and switched it to the 3/8" Stampin' Up! grosgrain ribbon (in Chocolate Chip) instead. Here's the final card and a close-up detail.




Remember, the new In Colors and stamp sets will be available on July 1st. You can order through my website (link on the sidebar) or your preferred Stampin' Up! Demonstrator. I, for one, am impatiently awaiting to place my order! Whatever you do today, take some time out to work on a project. It's good for your soul! Keep smiling...and Keep Crafting!

It's Easy Being Green...

A quick card project to share with you and a cardstock recommendation! I recently placed an order with Papertrey Ink to try some of their products. Needless to say, I'm now awaiting my third large order to arrive. On top of having some wonderfully creative and exquisitely packaged acrylic stamp sets, Papertrey Ink has a full line of solid color and artistic print cardstocks. Today's card project utilizes two of their Perfect Match Papertrey Color Collection cardstocks: Ripe Avocado and Spring Moss. You can purchase a 50 sheet 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock sampler collection (#CS2008) for $10.00 on their website and I highly recommend you try them out. It's a very nicely saturated and heavy cardstock with a fine tooth to it.

For this card, I used a standard A2 base of Papertrey Ripe Avocado. The card was cut at 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" and scored on my Scor-Pal at 4 1/4". The mat is Papertrey Spring Moss cut at 5 1/4" x 4". The stamped image and sentiment are from the Stampin' Up! set "Upsy Daisy" (#111710). They were stamped using a Stampin' Pad in Handsome Hunter (#105215). The ribbon is Stampin' Up! 5/8" striped grosgrain in Kiwi Kiss (#111372, which compliments perfectly with the Papertrey cardstocks). The mat was attached using my ATG714 adhesive gun. Finally, I used a Copic Atyou Spica marker in Melon for accent. (The envelope is an A2 size in Kraft from Stampin' Up!)

Going green and good friends are a good thing! Have a great day and Keep Crafting!