Stamped Sophisticates

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Pink Bow Birthday

I seem to be on a roll with Pals Paper Arts Challenges. This week's theme caught my eye, again. The challenge was to use brads. I love brads and I tend to get carried away when I get the chance to use them.

I made two versions of the card for my entry. Here they are together. The first card used rhinestone brads and plain brads in different colors. After I studied it a while, I redid the card with one more layer and using brads all the same color. Which do you think I entered in the Pals Paper Arts Challenge, PPA95, this week?

Here's a closer look at each of the cards.The first version...

And the second version.

This is the one I entered. It seemed to need the extra layer, and it wasn't quiet as jarring as the sample that used multiple kinds of brads. I also sponged the edges of the Decorative Label with Soft Suede to give it dimension

Here's the card recipe:

Stamps: Well Scripted
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Botanical Gazette, Subtles Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack (Love these stacks!)
Accessories: 1-1/4" Pretty in Pink Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Brads - Pretty in Pink and Rose Red from the Subtles collection, Dimentionals, Spong, Pink Rhinestone brad from the Circle Fire collection, Glue dots, Beautiful wings embosslit die, Big Shot die cut machine, and Decorative Label Punch.

Final few days to save 30% on the Digital starter kit, select stamps, select My Digital Studio download packages, and / or Digital Download products during National Scrapbooking month (May 2011). See current promotion link below.

Current Promotion Details
Start You Own Business
Host a workshop
24/7 Shopping at my Stampin' Up! Website
Download Free Stampin' Up! Catalogs

Enjoy!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Wedding Heart

I decided to do another Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge this week since the theme was anything for a wedding and I needed to make a wedding card for my wonderful niece and her new husband-to-be in California.

Here's my card.

It was based on another card I did a few years back and also showcases a heart made out of grosgrain ribbon based on a ribbon wreath card by Marisa (or Whiterockmama if you visit Splitcoaststampers) of Rosemary Reflections. She has a link to a tutorial for how to make these wonderful ribbon fantasies. To form the heart I tied a piece of 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain ribbon on the top to give it a heart shape.

Stamps: Occasional Quotes
Paper: Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Vintage Wallpaper Texturewd impressions embossing folder, Basic Pearls, 5/8" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, 1/4" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon

Here's my original card that I cased.

Don't forget, just two more weeks to take advantage of Scrapbooking Month Specials.

30% off Select Stamp Sets, including one of my all-time favorite butterfly sets called Simple Friendship.
30% off Select My Digital Studio(TM) professional print products,
30% off Digital Download Products--bundles-- for themed photobooks, and
30% off the Digital+ Starter Kit and/or Stampin' Memories Add on when you join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator.

Enjoy

Monday, May 09, 2011

Gaga over Blossom Petals Punch

I couldn't resist doing another version of the Mother's Day card I made my mom and posted yesterday -- only this time I changed the sentiment so that I can use the card for other occasions as well.

My real incentive happened when I stumble across the Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge site this week and thought this card would look great in the PPA Color Challenge colors using Pear Pizzaz, Peach Parfait and Poppy Parade.

I'm still gaga over the Blossom Petals Punch. I'm thrilled it is a carry over items from the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini catalog.

Here's my new version of the card I posted yesterday.

Stamps: Build a Blossom, Just Believe (Sentiment)
Ink: Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzaz
Paper: Sunnny Garden Designer Series Paper, Pear Pizzaz, Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade
Accessories: Blossom Petals Punch, Sweet Stitches Fabric Designer Brads (Occasions Mini), Eyelet Border Punch, Modern Label Exgtra Large Punch, Bone Folder.

To order any of the supplies above or either of these punches that are still available from the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini catalog, visit my on-line Store.

Enjoy!

Saturday, May 07, 2011

Naturally Mother

It getting warmer outside and everything is fresh and new! Colorful flowers are popping out of the ground, and in Texas, the humidity is still low -- it is simply the best time of the year!

I had so much fun making this card. I used the same colors as the flowers my DH planted for me in the front flower bed. Who knew that even the garden store followed fashion colors! And I was surprised at how fast and easy it was to make this card. I am so pleased the punch for this stamp set is one of the carry-over items from the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini catalog! There are a number of items you can purchase from the Holiday and Occasions Mini catalog and the Occasions catalog. You won't find these items posted in the Summer Mini, but you can add stamp and punch numbers below to your order.

I made this for my mom in Minnesota for Mother's Day. I love that with the Build A Blossom stamp set and Blossom Petals Punch I can create this easy-to-make flower so quickly.

After stamping the petals in Melon Mambo on Pink Pirouette, I punched them out with the matching Blossoms Petals Punch. Then I curled the petals slightly with my bone folder. A few leaves in Always Artichoke were added to the underside and I also used one of the Fabric Designer Brads in the center, although the stamp set comes with a wonderful center (actually, 2 circle centers; a 1/2" and a 1" center stamp) to give you more variety. This is a very versatile stamp and punch set and one you'll want to add to your collection as soon as possible! While the stamp set and punch aren't in the catalog, you can still add them to your order buy using the numbers below.

Stamps: Build A Blossom - 121994 (Clear); 121923 (wood), Home is where your mother is (retired)
Paper: Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper (Occasions Mini), Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Pink Pirouette
Ink: Always Artichoke, Melon Mambo
Accessories: Fabric Designer Brads (121880- Occasions Mini), Blossom Petals Punch - 121808, Bone Folder, Eyelet Boarder Punch

On another note, I'm so excited to share with you the new Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalog. Download your free copy today! Good May 1 - August 31, 2011

Also, this is National Scrapbooking Month. Look at these great promotions for May and save today. If you're a mom, this is a great time to drop a hint that Stampin' Up! is what you really want. Or spend that gift card someone thoughtfully tucked inside your card.