A Big Thank You!

My mother passed away back on September 5, 2016.  Since then we've been in the process of trying to sell her house.  It's a big house with 54 years worth of memories, but it was time to let it go and move one.  The closing is on Monday.  I decided that just saying 'thank you' to everyone who's been such a help to my sister, brother and I, wasn't going to be enough, so I made up a few cards to give to the various people who have been so much help.  The real estate agents are getting a card too but that one uses too many retired products to be appropriate to post here.

The construction of the cards is, I believe, pretty self explanatory from the photos provided so I won't go through all of that here.  I will give the supply list for each of the cards, however.

First of all, my mom's two neighbors pretty much took her under their wing and treated her like a member of their own family.  Both of the women watched over her like hawks.  If she was home or if she was gone, they knew.  Which was a very good thing since none of us kids live close, and mom was up there in age (92) when she passed.

This first card was made for those 2 friends:  Kris (Buzzy) and Linda.

Supply List:

Stamp Set:  So Very Much, Delicate Details (both from 2017 Sale-a-bration)

Paper:  Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla

Ink:  Sweet Sugarplum, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede

Accessories:  1/8” gold trim ribbon

Tools:  Word Window Punch (retired-could also use Classic Label), Big Shot Diecutting Machine and accessories

I made this card for Pam at the bank who was so much help to us.

Supply List:

Stamp Set:  So Very Much (2017 Sale-a-bration)

Paper:  Sahara Sand, Island Indigo, Whisper White, Blooms and Bill Designer Series Paper

Ink:  Island Indigo

Accessories:  Regals Enamel Shape

Tools:  Word Window Punch (retired-could also use Classic Label), Big Shot Diecutting Machine and accessories

This card was a bit more masculine and was made for Fran, mom's attorney and Kevin, her insurance agent.

Supply List:

Stamp Set:  So Very Much (2017 Sale-a-bration)

Paper:  Pool Party, Peekaboo Peach, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

Ink:  Soft Suede

Accessories:  Lace Doily, Falling Petals Embossing Folder

Tools:  Word Window Punch (retired-could also use Classic Label), Big Shot Diecutting Machine and accessories

Check out my Stampin' Up! website if you'd like to order any of the above items, at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinkathy/  Just click on the 'shop now' button and it will take you to my online store.  Happy Stamping!

Dragonfly Card and Treat Holder

The following cards are all made using the same method, so I will post the instructions just one time.

Card is made by taking a piece of card stock 5.5” x 8.5” and scoring the long way at 4.25”.  Using the large floral die from the So Detailed Thinlits Dies set, die cut your choice of Designer Series Paper using the Big Shot.  Position the straight edge near the folded edge, and adhere.  (I used the Fine Tip Glue Pen for this step).  Take the larger flower stamp from the So in Love stamp set and stamp on scrap of Whisper White card stock in choice of color.  Stamp sentiment over the top in darker coordinating color.  Cut out with the appropriate size Stitched Shapes Circle Die using the Big Shot.  Cut a larger scalloped shape from choice of coordinating solid color card stock using the Layering Circles Framelits Dies set and the Big Shot.  Stack elements on Lacy Doily and adhere to card.  Using the dragonfly die from the Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits Dies set, cut out using Gold Foil or Glimmer Paper, using the Big Shot.  Adhere to card with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Treat Holder is made by taking a piece of card stock and cutting it 5.5” by 7”.  Score at 3.25” and 3.75” along the long side.  Fold along score lines and line up the tops.  Use 1/8” hole punch to punch 2 holes near the top for closing with ribbon.   Round corners with Project Life Corner Rounder.  Using the large floral die from the So Detailed Thinlits, die cut your choice of Designer Series Paper.  Line up straight edge with fold line on front, and adhere to card stock holder.  (I used the Fine Tip Glue Pen for this).  Take 14” length of ribbon and feed through holes at top of holder and tie in bow.  Stamp ‘Enjoy’ in choice of color ink, then with ‘frame’ stamp.  Cut out with paper snips.  Punch hole in top with 1/16” hole punch.  Thread piece of silver cording trim through or use narrow ribbon or Metallic Thread.  Tie around ribbon bow.

Sweet Sugarplum

Products used:

Stamp Set:  So in Love (2017 Occasions Mini Catalog), You’re a Gem (retired)
Paper:  Sweet Sugarplum, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Gold Foil Paper, Falling in Love Designer Series Paper (2017 Occasions Mini Catalog)
Ink:  Sweet Sugarplum
Embellishments:  Lace Doilies (2017 Occasions Mini Catalog), Sahara Sand Lace Trim (retired)Tools:  Stitched Shapes Framelits, Layering Circles Framelits, So Detailed Thinlits, Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits Dies, Project Life Corner Rounder, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine and accessories

Tip Top Taupe

Products Used:

Stamp Set:  So in Love (2017 Occasions Mini Catalog), You’re a Gem (retired)
Paper:  Blushing Bride, Tip Top Taupe, Gold Foil Paper, Falling in Love Designer Series Paper (2017 Occasions Mini Catalog)
Ink:  Blushing Bride, Watermelon Wonder
Embellishments:  Lace Doilies (2017 Occasions Mini Catalog), Blushing Bride 3/8” Stitched Stain Ribbon
Tools:  Stitched Shapes Framelits, Layering Circles Framelits, So Detailed Thinlits, Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits Dies, Project Life Corner Rounder, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine and accessories

Pool Party

Products Used:

Stamp Set:  So in Love (2017 Occasions Mini Catalog), You’re a Gem (retired)
Paper:  Pool Party, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper, Succulent Garden Designer Series Paper (2017 Occasions Mini Catalog)

Ink:  Flirty Flamingo, Watermelon WonderEmbellishments:  Lace Doilies (2017 Occasions Mini Catalog), Pool Party 3/8” Stitched Satin Ribbon
Tools:  Stitched Shapes Framelits, Layering Circles Framelits, So Detailed Thinlits, Detailed Dragonfly Thinlits Dies, Project Life Corner Rounder, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine and accessories

Check out my Stampin' Up! website if you'd like to order any of the above items, at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinkathy/  Just click on the 'shop now' button and it will take you to my online store.  Happy Stamping!!

WOW.  Just WOW.  I went back and looked at the cards that I made when I first started this blog and all I can say is I'm amazed at what I was able to come up as a new stamper.  I wasn't a Stampin' Up! demonstrator but had a mentor who was good at giving me ideas.  I wish I still had some of those cards, but I'm sure I sent them to others who would have enjoyed them as much as I enjoyed making them.  Ah, the power of the Internet and the Stamping Blog!  It brought back some good memories.

Gift Card Holders

These gift card holders were featured on Patty Bennett’s blog some time ago.  She used the Craft Tag a Bag Gift Bags and the Glassine Gift Bags to make them.  So, I just had to check it out! 

Create Holder:  The bottom of the bag is folded up 3” and creased.  This creates 2 pockets, one for a little note and one for the gift card or other small treat.  Secure side edges with SNAIL, Fast Fuse, or Tear &Tape Adhesive (I used SNAIL). A belly band of Designer Series Paper size 2” x 10.5” is wrapped around the holder meeting in the front and secured.  The embellishment will eventually cover this area.  This eliminates a seam in the back.  Ribbon of your choice is then wrapped around and tied in the front.  Attach the embellishment of your choice over all.  The note card that goes in the top pocket is made from a piece of Whisper White card stock and measures 4.25” x 4”,  It is stamped with the sentiment of your choice.  I chose to use a retired punch to add interest to the top corners, but you can leave them plain or use the Project Life Corner Rounder OR corner punch of your choice.

Here’s what I came up with:

Cool Treats

A craft gift bag was used for this holder.  Create using directions as stated at beginning of this post.  To make embellishment, cut out oval shape from Pool Party card stock and sponge with Pool Party ink.  Cut out ice cream pieces, topping, sprinkles, spoon pieces, and bowl with appropriate color card stock or Designer Series Paper, and assemble sundae.  I used the Fine Tip Glue Pen to attach the sprinkles and chocolate ‘topping’ to the ‘ice cream’ pieces.  Attach to holder with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Products used:

Stamp Set:  ‘Celebrate You’ from Suite Sayings
Paper:  Pool Party, Whisper White, Peekaboo Peach, Watermelon Wonder and Chocolate Chip card stock, Silver Foil, Tasty Treats DSP (from 2017 Occasions Mini Catalog), Craft Tag a Bag Gift Bags
Ink:  Watermelon Wonder, Pool Party
Embellishments:  ¼” silver Natural Trim, Stampin’ Dimensionals
Tools:  Frozen Treats Framelits Dies (2017 Occasions Mini Cagalog), Layering Ovals Framelits Dies, Sponge Daubers or Stampin; Sponges, Curvy Corner Trio Punch (retired), Big Shot Die Cutting Machine and accessories

For You Tag

Create gift card holder using Glassine gift bag, using directions stated at the beginning of this post.  Attach belly band made using Wildflowers DSP, and Flirty Flamingo Ruched Ribbon.

To create embellishment, stamp dotted scalloped oval design on Whisper White card stock and cut out using Timeless Tags oval die.  Stamp the ‘flower spray’ image with Wild Wasabi Ink, and the ‘For You’ with Flirty Flamingo, on the oval tag.  Stamp flowers with Basic Black on a Whisper White scrap and color in with markers.  Cut out with Timeless Tags Thinlit flower die.  Attach over flower spray, adhering the middle one with a Stampin’ Dimensional to give it, well, dimension! 

Products used:

Stamp Set:  That’s the Tag (Occasions Mini Catalog), ‘Celebrate You’ from Suite Sayings
Paper:  Whisper White, Wildflower Fields (2016 Sale-a-bration), Glassine Gift Bag
Ink:  Flirty Flamingo, Basic Black, Wild Wasabi Stampin' Write Markers
Embellishments:  Flirty Flamingo Ruched Ribbon
Tools:  Timeless Tags Thinlits Dies (2017 Occasions Mini Catalog), Curvy Corner Trio Punch (retired), Big Shot Die Cutting Machine and accessories.

These gift card holders can be adapted to Mother’s Day, Birthdays, Graduation, Anniversary, whatever you want to celebrate!  Let your creativity run wild! 

The bags used for these are on the retiring list so if you want them, buy them now!

Happy Stamping!

Check out my Stampin' Up! website if you'd like to order any of the above items, at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinkathy/  Just click on the 'shop now' button and it will take you to my online store.  Happy Stamping!!

Happy Home Memories

As a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, I’m trying to only post cards that use current supplies but I felt the need to share this particular one even though it has several retired elements, because of the meaning behind it.

My mom passed away in early September of 2016.  Because my dad had passed away by then, it was left to me and my 2 siblings to sell mom’s house which we had lived in for the past 54 years.  It was a heart wrenching thing to have to do, but we couldn't sit on the house forever.  None of us live that close to my hometown so it was somewhat of a challenge.  We were working with an excellent real estate firm, and recently had an offer on the house which we accepted.

I made this card to give to the new owners on the day of the closing.  They are EXACTLY the sort of family that we had hoped and prayed would want our beloved home.  We were told that they fell in love with it from the first showing.  When the parents told their 11 year old twin daughters that they had accepted our counter offer, the girls hugged each other.  It's going to be a very sad day for me (and I'll probably cry in front of everyone at the closing) but a very happy day for the buyers, and this card just seemed appropriate somehow, because it WILL be a good day all around.

I got the idea from Rina Meushaw's blog.

Products used:

Stamp Set:  Happy Home (retired), Hardwood

Paper:  Smokey Slate, Soft Sky, Whisper White card stock, Botanical Gardens Designer Series Paper

Ink:  Soft Sky, Smokey Slate, Old Olive ink pads, Watermelon Wonder, Flirty Flamingo, Old Olive and Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write Markers

Embellishments:  Hello Honey Thick Baker’s Twine (retired), Gold Sequins

Tools:  Hearth and Home Framelits Dies (retired), Sponge Daubers, Fancy Fan Embossing Folder (retired), Stampin’ Dimensionals, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine and accessories

To make the card, cut Whisper White card stock to 3.5”x4”.  Run through the Big Shot using the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder.  Cut lower panel from Botanical Gardens DSP to 2.5”x4”.  Adhere to Smokey Slate card base, overlapping lower panel over upper panel.  Cut strip of Soft Sky card stock to 3/8” x 4”,  Stamp with Hardwood stamp to simulate wood grain ‘chair rail.’  Attach to cover where white and patterned paper meet.  Set aside.  Using Smokey Slate card stock, run through the Big Shot using the window frame from Hearth and Home Framelits Dies.  Cut piece of Whisper White card stock to 2.5”x3”.   Using markers ink the tree, ground lines, and tree ‘blossoms’ and stamp.   Sponge Soft Sky ink in air, and Old Olive on the ground.  Adhere behind the window frame, and attach to card with Dimensionals.  Stamp sentiment on Whisper White card stock in Smokey Slate ink and cut out with paper snips.  Tie Baker’s Twine into a bow, and unravel the ends.  Glue to sentiment and adhere to corner of frame.  Glue 2 sequins on other side.

Check out my Stampin' Up! website if you'd like to order any of the above items, at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinkathy/  Just click on the 'shop now' button and it will take you to my online store.  Happy Stamping!!

Happy Birthday Debossed part 2

This card is the followup to making the debossed card in my previous post.  The stamping order is the same, but instead of cleaning off your stamp after doing the first Watermelon Wonder ink stamp on the previous card, you stamp again on another piece of Whisper White.  This results in the reverse image to what you got on the previous card.  Do this with all of the colors, first on the debossed image, and then on the second white piece.  Too Cool!! 

Then make the card base.  Attach the stamped card stock to the Emerald Envy layer, then wrap the Dapper Denim ruched ribbon and tape the ends behind the two layers.  Cut another short piece of ribbon and tie a bow.  Then add to the Watermelon Wonder card base.  You need to do it this way in order to have the ribbon ends hidden. 

You get 'two for the price of one' labor-wise when you make cards like this!

Supplies needed:

Stamp Set:  Happy Celebration

Paper:  Watermelon Wonder (5.5"x8.5"), Emerald Envy (5.25"x4"), Whisper White (5"x3.75")

Ink:  Watermelon Wonder, Dapper Denim, Emerald Envy

Embellishments:  Dapper Denim Ruched Ribbon

Tools:  None!

Check out my Stampin' Up! website if you'd like to order any of the above items, at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinkathy/  Just click on the 'shop now' button and it will take you to my online store.  Happy Stamping!!

Happy Birthday Debossed!

Supplies that you will need to make this card:

Stamp Set:  Happy Celebrations
Paper:  Dapper Denim (5.5"x8.5), Watermelon Wonder (4"x5.25"), Whisper White card stock (3.75"x5")
Ink:  Dapper Denim, Watermelon Wonder, Emerald Envy
Embellishments:  Emerald Envy Ruched Ribbon
Tools:  Celebrations Duo Textured Embossing Folder, Big Shot Die Cutting Marching, adhesive

This card incorporates a real cool technique shared by Patty Bennett.  It uses the Happy Celebrations stamp set and the Celebrations Duo Textured Embossing Folder, 'Happy.'  For the main element, you put the Whisper White CS  in the embossing folder, centering it the way you want, and run it through your Big Shot.  It depresses the image rather than making it raised.  Then take the appropriate solid image from the Happy Celebrations set, ink it up and stamp OVER the debossed image.  The raised part of the image and the surrounding area is inked, but the debossed area stays white.  Cool huh?  Do the same with the other inks, and watch it pop!  Or if you want to wait and see how to use that same ink to make another card before cleaning the stamp and going on to the next color, file this away for future reference.

But you can still go ahead and make the card base.  You will need to attach your stamped image to the Watermelon Wonder piece, and then wrap the Emerald Envy ruched ribbon piece around and tape it in back.  Cut a small piece of ribbon and tie a bow.  You need to do it in this order so ensure that the ribbon ends are hidden.  Ask me how I know?  THEN attach the two pieces to the Dapper Denim card base.


Check out my Stampin' Up! website if you'd like to order any of the above items, at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinkathy/  Just click on the 'shop now' button and it will take you to my online store.  Happy Stamping!!

Birthdays!

We all need birthday cards, right?  Who doesn't?  But it seems like we never have any on hand and who wants to get all the stuff out to make just one?  Well, the above samples can be made with a number of colors with very little effort.  I had actually made 5 cards like this but have already mailed out 3 of them.  They are made using all 5 of the 2016-2018 In-Colors.  I will mention those again at the end when I post the list of supplies.

I used Dapper Denim Card Stock for the first (Emerald Envy Card Stock for the second) for the base, and layered Whisper White Card Stock on top of that.  I cut a piece of Basic Black just a bit smaller than the Whisper White, and using my Versamark ink pad and the star design and Happy Birthday from the Birthday Blast stampset, heat embossed with the gold embossing powder.  Using the star edgelit from the Star Blast Edgelit Dies, cut out shape in cardstock weight vellum.  Adhere over the embossed image with SNAIL adhesive.  Cover edge of vellum with your choice of In-Color Ruched Ribbon.

Here are the supplies to make this card:

Stamp Set:  Birthday Blast
Ink:  Versamark
Card Stock:  Dapper Denim, Emerald Envy (or Flirty Flamingo, Peekaboo Peach, Sweet Sugarplum), Whisper White, Basic Black, Cardstock Vellum
Accessories:  Ruched Ribbon in Dapper Denim, Emerald Envy (or Flirty Flamingo, Peekaboo Peach, Sweet Sugarplum), Gold Embossing Powder
Tools:  Star Blast Edgelit Dies, Heat Tool, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine

Check out my Stampin' Up! website if you'd like to order any of the above items, at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinkathy  Just click on the 'shop now' button and it will take you to my online store. Happy Stamping!

Easter Greetings

With Easter right around the corner, I decided that I needed to get started on my Easter cards.  I got the inspiration for this card from Diana Brewer Eichfeld.  Anyway, I really liked how this one turned out.  Thanks Diana!

I started with Soft Sky cardstock for the card base and then added a piece of Sahara Sand cardstock for the mat on the card front, with a top layer of the Falling In Love Designer Series Paper.  The DSP is part of the 2017 Occasions Mini offering Falling In Love Suite and is found on page 51 of the catalog.

Next I took a Delicate White Doily (cut it in half) and then sponged it using Soft Sky ink.  The greeting is from the Suite Sentiments stamp set (also from the Occasions Mini catalog) and was stamped in Sweet Sugarplum ink on Very Vanilla cardstock and then matted with Blushing Bridge cardstock, using the Lots of Labels framelits dies.  I added a few Pearls as accents on the sentiment piece.  Before attaching the greeting with dimensionals I added a piece of Sweet Sugarplum 3/8" Ruched Ribbon strip in the background.

Here is a list of what you need to make this card (all of the items are in the annual catalog except for those where 'occasions mini' is indicated):

Stamp Set:  Suite Sentiments (Occasions Mini Catalog)
Ink:  Sweet Sugarplum, Soft Sky
Paper:  Soft Sky, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Falling in Love Designer Series Paper (Occasions Mini)
Accessories:  Paper Lace Doily, 3/8" Sweet Sugarplum Ruched Ribbon, Basic Pearls
Tools:  Lots of Labels Framelits Dies, Sponge Dauber, Big Shot Die Cutting Machine

Check out my Stampin' Up! website if you'd like to order any of the above items, at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/stampinkathy/  Just click on the 'shop now' button and it will take you to my online store.  If you click one of the dropdown items, it will take you to a PDF of the respective catalog.  Browse through, you might find you want a few more things!  Happy Stamping!!