Stampin' Up!'s Stipple Blossoms....

Here is another card that we made back in June using the Stipple Blossoms stamp set.

 The flower and sentiment were stamped on a piece of Whisper White in Basic Gray and StazOn Black.  A piece of vellum was then placed over the top of it.  The bow was made using the 5/8" Organza Ribbon.  See how the bow is wrinkled?  To get this look, just heat the ribbon using your heat gun.  As soon as it begins to curl a bit, take the heat away.  A little heat goes a long way.  I recommend tying the bow and heating it before you place it on your card.  The ribbons curl and you can flip it over and heat from the other side to make it lie flatter again.

Here's what you will need to duplicate this card:
Stamps:       Stipple Blossoms, Delightful Dozen, Creative Elements
Inks:         Basic Gray, StazOn Black
Paper:      Whisper White, Basic Black, Vellum
Other:        5/8" Organza ribbon, heat gun

Forever Stampin',

    Cathy Williams

Stampin' Up! - Valentine Treat Bundle Class..

 Here's another card that we made at the Valentine Treat Bundle class.  The card is made using the Hearts Collection framelits.  The largest scalloped framelit is placed with a folded piece of cardstock just below the top scallops so you are left with a bit of a fold.  The picture below shows it real well.

Here's what you will need to duplicate this card:
Stamps:       Creative Elements, Wacky Wishes & Happy Heart
Inks:           Real Red & Primrose Petals
Paper:        Primrose Petals, Real Red, Whisper White & More Amore DSP
Other:        Needlepoint Border embossing folder, Hearts Collection framelits,
                   Heart punch & 1/8" Regal Rose Taffeta ribbon

Forever Stampin',

    Cathy Williams

Layers Technique Card...

Here's a card using the Layers Technique which is very popular right now.  Super simple to do but very cool outcome.

Here's the card that I made using the Everything Eleanor, Creative Elements, Perfect Punches and Papillon Potpourri stamp sets.  To re-create this technique, just cut three pieces of Whisper White cardstock in the following sizes:

• 4" x 5 1/4"
• 2 7/8" x 4 1/8"
• 1 3/4" x 3"

Cut three pieces of your contrasting color (I used Cherry Cobbler) in the following sizes:

• 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" (this is your card)
• 3" x 4 1/4"
• 1 7/8" x 3 1/8"

Take your Whisper White pieces and layer them using a small piece of temporary tape or Dotto.  Stamp your images on the Whisper White cardstock.  There will be small areas where the ink does not show next to the edges of the layers but do not worry about that.  They will be hidden.

After finishing your stamping, take these apart and attach using the contrasting layers as well.  The contrasting color layers hide the spots where the ink was missing.

I finished the card using the Thank You from Perfect Punches and stamped the butterfly using Crumb Cake cardstock.  A piece of Cherry Cobbler seam binding finishes off the card.

Creative Elements stamp set...

Here's a card that we made at a recent workshop.  First, I used the Woodgraind background stamp and layered that piece with Early Espresso and Not Quite Navy cardstock. 

I then cut a piece of Not Quite Navy cardstock using the Labels Collection framelit and also cut a second one out of Early Espresso cardstock.  When cutting the Early Espresso piece, I also placed the next smaller framelit down and cut both at the same time so I ended up with just a frame.  I used a post-it note to hold them in place.  Next, I ran the Not Quite Navy piece through with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and then glued the Early Espresso frame onto it .  Finally I cut the left edge off and layered it on the card.

I then stamped the Very Vanilla strip using the Vintage jumbo wheel and sponged along the edge with Soft Suede ink.

I then stamped the butterfly from the Creative Elements stamp set on a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and punched it out using the 2 1/2" circle punch which was layered on a piece of Early Espresso cut from the 3" circle Big Shot die.

I took a piece of linen thread and wove it through one edge of a piece of the Crochet Trim.  Then I gathered it up and tied it together in a knot, making a circle.  I then threaded another piece of linen thread through the a Naturals button, through the center of the Crochet Trim piece, into the Vintage wheel strip and then back up through the three again and tied a knot.  (I did this because the Crochet Trim was too thick for a glue dot to hold everything together. 

Finally I attached the Vintage wheel strip down to the card and then attached the butterfly circle.

Twelve Days of Christmas - Day 9....

Here's the gift I made for the 9th Day of Christmas....

 It is a pretty little post-it note holder for your desktop - complete with a little pen.

Here's the inside where you keep your post-its.  I never can seem to locate them on my desk or in the drawer.  I just might need to make one of these for myself!

Brayer Techniques - Stampin' Up!'s Creative Elements Stamp Set

I recently held a brayer class where we made this card.  Can you tell where the brayer was used?
I started with a piece of Pool Party Patterns Pack DSP and embossed the butterflies with clear embossing powder on the patter that has the small words.  I then used Wisteria Wonder ink on the brayer and covered the DSP, virtually making the pattern disappear except on the butterflies.  After brayering, I used a tissue to remove the excess ink from the embossed area.
I then ran another small piece of the opposite side of the DSP through the Elegant Lines embossing folder for the bottom of the card.  A crinkled ribbon, a button and a few pearls completed this card.

Getting Paid to Do What I Love - Is There Anything Better?

My mother-in-law recently approached me to make some personalized stationery for a couple of friends of hers.  Apparently she is part of a group who celebrates each other's birthdays and the best part - everyone gets a gift!  (How do I get in on this idea?)  The Birthday Girl is given something really nice and the other two are given smaller gifts.  My contribution was the smaller gifts.  A "Thank You" goes out to Christine and Barbara on SCS for the inspiration cards!

 This group of cards used the Bella Bleu DSP which is retired but you could use Mocha Morning or Beau Chateau from the current catalog.  The letters are from the Lovely Letters stamp set.  The colors used are Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede and Not Quite Navy.  The ribbon is 3/8" Taffeta in Soft Suede.  The box's dimensions are:  8-5/8"x7-3/8".  The sides are scored at 1-1/2".  For the top, I just scored at a tiny bit less than 1-1/2".  I used the Eyelet Border punch around the base of the lid.

The second stationery box was made using Old Olive , Early Espresso, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla cardstock.  The horses came from a retired set called Brushstroke Horses but you can substitute with the bird from Nature Walk, the zebra from Zoo Review, the wolf from In Wilderness or whatever inspires you!  Again, the ribbon is Soft Suede.  The Old Olive cardstock is stamped with the swirl from Creative Elements which is one of my new favorites from the catalog.  I can't wait to begin making cards with that set so get ready to see them!
Aren't these lovely gifts for someone?  Who can you think of to give such a gift to?  A sister, friend, teacher... the list is endless!