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Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Christmas in 'JUNE'??

I love to start thinking of Christmas in July - and planning out projects to make. However, yesterday I spent MUCH needed time in my craft room and decided to work with some new papers, stamp, dies, and ink from Stampin' Up!! I have files of ideas that I save from stuff I see on the internet - in these files I have card samples, sketches, etc. So, I opened up my files to give me a jump start on ideas - mostly for sketches. I started out with this card that features the new Christmas stamp set - Chock Full of Cheer (126717) I took my color combination from the new Designer Series Paper, Be of Good Cheer (126896) that features Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla and the one of the new In colors - Gumball Green. I do like this new green. I stamped the cute little mitten stamp all over my very vanilla cardstock and then layered it on the cherry cobbler and gumball green. For the card base, I decided todo something a little different - and sort of fun. I cut about 1-1/2" off the edge and then added a sliver of embossed cherry cobbler to the inside of the card - so it just pops through when the card is closed, and adds a bit of dimension when the card is open. I used the Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder (119976) for embossing and adding the texture to the inside sliver as well as the outside. I added a bow made with the new In color satin stitched ribbon - in Gumball Green (126848) Of course!! I stamped my sentiment on a sliver of very vanilla and punched it with my Scallop Oval punch (119856). It needed just a bit more to make it pop, so I sponged with Cherry Cobbler. My next card had a similar card design, but this time I decided to use some of the Designer paper Be Of Good Cheer. Rather than embossing the front panel and adding a bow, I simply used a sliver of this beautiful designer paper. I chose not to layer as much on this one, and used a different Textured Impressions folder for the inside sliver - Vintage Wallpaper (120175) This one was a little trickier to do as I wanted it to appear as an ornament - however, I wanted it to be dimensional, so I stamped and cut te ornament top and then twisted some of the cherry cobbler seam binding ribbon (120992) and ran it through the top of the ornament 'hanger'. The ornament stamp lends itself to dimension. I cut the larger circle with my 1-3/4" punch (119850) and the inside circle with my 1" punch (119868)and then added dimensionals and added it to the card front. The last card that I did I like best of all. The idea came from Vicki Lynn. ) I am not sure how long ago I got this idea - but loved the idea of a 'quilted' card. I used my 1" square punch (124094) and punched a bunch of squares. Vicki's card had 25 squares, but since my card is much smaller, I chose to go with a 3"x3" piece and covered this with the little squares. I cut the designer paper squares on a diagonal and used opposite sides of the paper to match. Once I had these little pieces on my 3"x3" base, I ran it through the square lattice textured impressions folder which gave it a lovely feel and look. I then added a piece of the satin stitched gumball green ribbon and secured the ends with one of the new natural designer buttons (127554)I toyed with the idea of adding designer paper behind the design, but just didn't like the way it looked. Next I added my sentiment -which I knew would be the sentiment from the stamp set, but wasn't quite sure how to add it. Well, I got out a couple of the new dies. The dies are from the Apothecary Accents Framelits set (127003). I just layered them on top of each other, stamped the sentiment on a piece of very vanilla cardstock and punched with the scallop oval punch. I added dimensions and popped it on my card. I really like the way it turned out and can see myself doing a few more similar to this one - but perhaps in other colors - fall, summe, spring, winter - not just Christmas colors. It looks difficult, but is rather easy. I enjoyed my crafting time yesterday and hope to do a bit more tomorrow - but perhaps I will wrk with some of the other new colors. The INKPADS are wondeful - and I plan on purchasing the whole new set of them - eventually - but there are s many more items that I want before the colors!! Thanks for stopping by - now it is time for me to head to the spa where I am hoping to have several clients today. Paula

Monday, June 4, 2012

Vacation is over!!

Yes, sadly - vacation is over and it is time to get back to my day job at the spa. Of course, I love my job - but it is nice to get away now and then.
While I was gone - the NEW STAMPIN' UP! Catalog came out. I have placed a link to it in the side bar and you REALLY need to take a peek. There are some wonderful new sets, DSP's, embossing folders, dies - take a peek and see what is new. I am hoping to get back to stampin' and making cards for OWH in the next month. I have been away from my crafting far too long and I have SO MANY new things to play with.
Thanks for keeping up with my ramblings - see you on the other side of the craft door!
Paula