Monday, September 4, 2017

Crepe paper large flowers

Here is a craft challenge that I finally managed to complete and just in time before the bridal shower.
After watching many Youtube videos, this was my ending result.

Sorry for the messy backgrounds, but crafting took priority over housekeeping the week of the bridal shower. The larger flowers have a diameter of approximately 13-14 inches. They are made out of crepe paper. I found out that there is a difference between crepe paper. Some are thinner and some thicker, which made the flowers more durable. The first challenge was the vase or basically how I was going to display the large flowers. I needed a large vase to go with the large flowers. Again, Youtube to the rescue, so I made a card board vase. Cut the card board pieces and used some masking tape, then eventually decoupaged the rough edges and painted the whole thing black.
That wasn't the last of the challenges. I needed to figure out how to get the flowers to stand up in the vase. That is when my husband came in to play. He welded a fencing rod to a square metal piece that was just big enough to fit in the vase. I twisty tied the flower stems to the metal rod and finally achieved the end results. There were many kind compliments at the shower so it was all worth it.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane

Monday, August 28, 2017

Painted Harvest Sunflowers

The Painted Harvest stamp set can be found in the new Holiday Mini Catalog (pgs. 48-49). There is a bundle that comes with this stamp set which includes a leaf punch. Check it out, if you are interested. The sentiment is from the Rose Wonder stamp set (AC pg. 162).

The sunflower image is a two-step stamp and with this sunflower the back image is stamped in Crushed Curry and the top layer is stamped using Peekaboo Peach ink. The center of the flower and the sentiment are stamped using Early Espresso ink. The leaves are stamped using Garden Green ink. The speckles around the flowers are stamped using Crumb cake ink.

This is a very easy card to stamp and put together.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane


Monday, August 21, 2017

Painted Harvest

Sunday was the day for my son and future daughter-in-law's bridal shower. It was a wonderful shower with family and friends attending. The couple received wonderful gifts. We are blessed with so many community members, friends, and family that are support the two as they begin the next journey in life! As one of their gifts, I made 50 thank you cards with matching envelopes.

I used the new Painted Harvest stamp set that is found in the new Holiday catalog that starts September 1, 2017. I used Bermuda bay for the flower color and Pear Pizzazz for the background color and leaves. The leaves are actually from the Daisy stamp set. I speckled the background with Old Olive and the center of the flower is Memento black. You will see more of this stamp set from me.

Just thought I would share one other picture. I was asked to make cream cheese mints for the shower so wanted to surprise the bride-to-be with tooth mints. She will be finishing dentistry school in May, therefore, the tooth idea. I looked everywhere online for a tooth mint mold, but didn't have any luck. I did find the supplies to make my own mint mold and I was very pleased with how they turned out. The bride-to-be was happy to see the teeth mints and had to send this picture to her other dentist classmates! She asked to have them for the wedding too! Now to work on a mint mold made especially for my son! He is an engineer!

Thanks for visiting my blog!
Jane

Monday, August 14, 2017

Patio Rules

Did a little crafting this weekend. Seems like a large amount of my time is working on things for my son's upcoming wedding. The bridal shower is this coming Sunday so I worked on a gift for the couple. The kids are redoing their patio on their house so thought this might be a nice addition.
Will need to give it a couple coats of polyurethane and it should be done.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane

Monday, August 7, 2017

A Little Wild bookmark

Who wouldn't like to see this little guy peeking out from your pages of a book? So simple and yet pretty darn cute.
The "A Little Wild" stamp set (pg. 108 AC) makes this bookmark with the front and back image that is easily stamped with memento ink on smoky slate card stock, cut with the Little Loves framelit dies (Bundle pg. 108 AC), and then attached to a large paper clip using mini glue dots (pg. 202 AC). This little project was seen on Chic n Scratch's Youtube video. Don't forget there is a bear and lion image too that can be used for the same bookmark project. A piece of 1/8 inch Sheer ribbon (pg. 199 AC) is run through the hole that is already cut by the framelit die and then a tiny bow is tied around it using the Solid white Baker's twine (pg. 199 AC).
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane

Monday, July 31, 2017

A Little Wild

I've met my goal to post a card a day for the month of July! It's been A Little Wild (pg. 108 AC) so decided it was appropriate to post another card from this stamp set. I hope you have enjoyed looking at the different cards.
The base card is made from smoky slate card stock. The design at the top and bottom are made from the stamp set's coordinating die (pg. 214 AC-does come in a bundle too) and cut out of smoky slate. I stamped the elephant image in smoky slate. I cut two Stitched Shapes Framelit circles, one out of watercolor paper and the other out of Pink Pirouette (really should invest in the new in-color Powder Pink pg. 184 AC). I colored the elephant using an aqua painter and the ink colors, smoky slate and pink pirouette. I added some metallic silver thread (pg. 198 AC) behind the pink circle. This card was CASEd from Nadine's StampinClub.

I don't believe I can keep up with a card a day so my plan is to post over the weekend so by Monday morning you can check the blog for a new idea. I will have this little guy soon so looking forward to Grandma time!

Thanks for visiting my blog!
Jane

Sunday, July 30, 2017

A Little Wild

A new baby boy was added to our community last week so decided to make a baby card in honor of the new parents. Congratulations Ben and Debra!
In making this card, I will do things a little differently next time. If you can see by the picture, I lost some of the texture on the cable knit embossed background because I embossed first and then cut the circle from the front of the card. It also left a lot of marks from my well used clear cutting plates (pg. 209 AC). Next time, I will slightly attach the Bermuda bay card stock to the base card using sticky notes so it doesn't move, cut the middle circle through the Bermuda bay card stock and the front of the base card, and then remove the Bermuda bay card stock to run through the embossing folder. Then I would reattach to the front of the base card. I added a little Bermuda bay 3/8" Mini Chevron Ribbon through the circle. Stamped the elephant from the A Little Wild stamp set (pg. 108 AC) on watercolor paper, cut the front and back image using the coordinating Little Loves framelit (bundle available pg. 108), and colored the elephant using an aqua painter and smoky slate and pink pirouette ink pads (pg. 186 AC). I attached the front image to the back image only at the top, so by leaving the feet unattached, I could slip the image over the bottom edge of the circle.
Having the back image is so adorable. On the inside, front part of the base card, I stamped the jar using Archival Black ink from the Jar of Love stamp set (pg. 29 AC) so that the elephant looks like he is standing on the jar to peek through the hole. I stamped the sentiment with Bermuda bay ink through the center circle onto the back of the base card. CASEd this card from Tina Rappe, with a few changes of my own.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane

Saturday, July 29, 2017

Coffee Break Designer Series Paper

This card uses the Coffee Break Designer Series Paper (pg. 188 AC) and the sentiment from the Coffee Cafe stamp set (pg. 31 AC). I have two examples.

One of the papers in the Coffee Break DSP has images on it. I fussy cut the coffee pots and the cups on the right hand card, but did you know that there is a die from the Coffee Cups framelits (pg. 213 AC) that will cut the cups (shown on the left card) from the DSP.
How quick is that! I added a white and early espresso circle cut with the Stitched Shapes Framelits (pg. 214 AC) and just layered them on the front of the card. Added some DSP and stamped the sentiment. CASEd this card from Tina Rappe.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane

Friday, July 28, 2017

This Little Piggy

The base card is white with a piece of the Wood Texture DSP (pg. 187 AC) on top. It measures 5 1/4 x 4 inches. I used a half of a lace doily (retired--there are different Delicate White Doilies available on pg. 194 AC) at the top of the wood texture DSP. With a sponge dauber (pg. 200 AC) and Berry Burst ink, I created the polka dot white card stock background and cut the 2" strip with a banner edge at the bottom. Used the Stitched Shapes Framelit oval to cut a piece of watercolor paper that I stamped the pig and sentiment from the This Little Piggy stamp set (pg. 48 AC) on. I added a piece of 1/2" Finely Woven ribbon (pg. 198) tied with Linen Thread (pg. 199 AC) at the top of the card. This card was inspired by Jessica Hill, although, I switched things up a bit.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Coffee Cafe

Still really enjoy playing with the Coffee Cafe stamp set and coordinating dies (pg. 31 AC).
The background paper is from the Coffee Break DSP (pg. 188 AC) that goes with the Coffee Cafe bundle. Used the Stitched Shapes dies (pg 214 AC) for the circles and cut one in Soft Sky card stock and the other in white. Using the Coffee Cafe stamp set, I stamped the coffee beans, cup, sleeve, whipped cream, and straw. The top cover on the cup was stamped using Archival black onto a window sheet and cut out with the coordinating die. The stamped images for the coffee cup were cut using the coordinating dies. I did use the new mini dimensionals on the straw (pg. 203 AC) and the regular dimensionals on the rest of the cup. When I'm ready to send the card, I can add a sentiment and send it on its way.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Happy Birthday Gorgeous

Just realized the stamp group has a number of birthdays coming up soon so I decided to make a birthday card today.
The flower image is from the Happy Birthday Gorgeous stamp set (pg. 77 AC) which is part of a bundle with the Happy Birthday die. I used Flirty Flamingo and Peek-a-boo Peach ink and Emerald Envy for the leaves. The center piece of paper is part of the Wood Textures Designer Series Paper Stack (pg. 187 AC) and I cut 1/8 inch strips of Peek-a-boo Peach card stock and attached on the top and bottom of the center DSP. The die was cut using black card stock and attached with Tomboy glue. This was a card I found on the Internet and had saved the image. Finally getting around to actually making it.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Mixed Drinks

I'm enjoying the Mixed Drinks stamp set (pg. 60 AC) because of the ease in putting together a card rather quickly. Here is an idea that I once again found on the Internet so won't take credit for the original idea . . .
The front panel is stamped with various stamps from the Mixed Drinks stamp set using memento ink and then filled in with Delightful Dijon, stamped off Crushed Curry, and Real Red. I stamped the sentiment on a small piece of white card stock and attached using washi tape (pg. 195 AC) from the Basics Pack 2.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane

Monday, July 24, 2017

Colorful Seasons

Today's card is using the chair from the Colorful Seasons stamp set (pg. 147 AC). I saw a similar card on Pinterest, but don't recall the individual that made it. I see the example in the Stampin' Up catalog is somewhat like this card idea.
The background paper is from the Color Theory DSP stack (pg. 147 AC). The ribbon is from my supplies that is no longer available, but there are a lot of options that Stampin' Up has to offer on pgs. 198-199 of the annual catalog. The front panel of white card stock has the chair stamped from the Colorful Seasons stamp set (used memento ink and crushed curry ink). The ground image is using Archival Basic Gray ink and the stamp is from the Sheltering Tree stamp set (pg. 151 AC). The sun is a stamp from the Swirly Bird stamp set (pg. 171 AC), and I used Crushed Curry ink for that. I decided to wait on a sentiment, but thought the card would work perfectly for a thinking of you card idea.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Mixed Drinks Wedding Card

Another wedding card, since I have so many weddings I will be attending within the next 4-5 months.


I used the Gorgeous Grunge (retired) stamp in the background using Crushed Curry ink stamped off once and then stamped several times on the front of the card. The Kinda Eclectic stamp set (retired) was used for the sun burst. I used silver embossing for the sun burst stamp. The wine glasses are from the Mixed Drinks stamp set (pg. 60 AC), stamped using Memento black and Crushed Curry for the wine. I fussy cut the glasses out and attached using mini glue dots. The sentiment is from Better Together stamp set (pg. 51 AC). I used Memento black ink for that. Added some Baker's twine around the front of the base card.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Gerbera Daisies

Had to experiment with the daisy punch (pg. 206 AC) on these gerbera daisies.
I've attached these paper flowers to wire so now I'm not sure what to do with them. For each flower, I stamped the daisy four times from the Daisy Delight stamp set (pg. 127 AC) with the same ink as the card stock paper color. I used real red, rich razzleberry, and pumpkin pie (?). The flower centers are made from four of the old Sizzix Flower Daisies #2 die (the smallest daisy) and then trimmed down to about a 1" circle. They are made from so saffron card stock and sweet sugarplum card stock. The very centers are stamped using the center stamp from the Daisy Delight stamp set and punched out using the 1/2" circle punch. I used early espresso and more mustard card stock. If you have any questions on the assembling of the flower, just let me know. Need to find a place for these paper flowers. I was pleased with the way they turned out.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane

Friday, July 21, 2017

Simple Wedding Card

Today's card was very simple and easy to make. Don't you need one of those kinds of cards once-in-a-while? This card was CASEd from Connie Stewart. She actually has a four part series of these simple cards, each made a little differently, but with the same idea.
If you have any of the Falling in Love designer series paper (retired) left, that is what I used for the background. A good substitute might be the Bundle of Love Specialty DSP (pg. 189 AC) in the current catalog. I wrapped lace (retired) around the DSP, a good substitute would be the Very Vanilla 1/2" lace trim (pg. 199 AC). Added a strip of Berry Burst, 1/2" Finely Woven Ribbon (pg 198 AC) next to the lace and slightly overlapping. Stamped the sentiment in Archival Black ink, from Better Together stamp set (pg. 51 AC) on the DSP and that is it. The paper does it all.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Movable Little Piggy

I made a card with the flying piggy awhile ago using the embossing paste for the clouds. This little piggy can move around the card because of a magnet that is attached to the back of the pig and another magnet on the inside, front piece of card stock.
I CASEd this card from another Stampin' Up demonstrator and just sized it down to an A2 card. For those of you that like interactive cards, you might want to give this one a try. I used the old style cloud making by taking a stencil and sponging Pacific Point ink over the stencil. Stamped the pig on watercolor paper and colored it using Pink Pirouette ink and an aqua painter. The ribbon is retired, but any ribbon would work by gathering one side to form the tutu. The front panel card stock is raised by Foam Adhesive Strips (pg 203 AC) so the magnet can move freely between this panel and the base card.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Coffee Cafe Thanks a Latte

This card was CASEd from Connie Stewart. It is part of her simply simple flash card idea. Her Youtube videos are wonderful. I really like the Coffee Cafe stamp set (pg. 31 AC) and it comes in a bundle with coordinating dies.
I used Crumb cake card stock for the base of the card (5 1/2 x 8 1/2 in.) It is scored at 1 1/2 and 4 1/4". The 1 1/2 inch part is folded back creating a Z fold type card. The coffee beans are stamped down the sides using early espresso ink. I stamped the cup lid and the stirring stick with elegant envy ink, stamped the Thanks a Latte using early espresso, and then die cut all the pieces. You might see that the cup sleeve is corrugated. The die cuts the sleeve and embosses the lines.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane

Tuesday, July 18, 2017

A Little Wild Thinking of You

Getting good use out of the back side of the bear in the A Little Wild stamp set (pg. 108 AC). Stamped the bear image in Archival Black ink on crumb cake card stock.
I did glue the front of the bear to the back so his face can be seen when the card is open. I gave the bear a little shadowing using the soft suede watercolor pencil (pg. 201 AC). I used the coordinating dies to cut out the bear (Bundle offer saves you 10%), but cut off the string hole that is cut with the die. Used a circle die to cut the front of the base card and added watercolor paper to the inside of the card. Ink up a small clear block with Pacific Point ink, wet the watercolor paper, and smoosh the inked block onto the wet watercolor paper. I intended for it to create a sky effect. Using a white gel pen, I drew in some stars and added a little wink-of-stella (pg. 200 AC). The sentiment is from the Sheltering Tree stamp set (pg. 151 AC). I wrapped some ribbon (retired) around the top, front of the base card and just tied a knot.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane

Monday, July 17, 2017

Something for Baby Thank you

Since becoming a new grandma, I received wonderful gifts from individuals. I also want to thank everyone for your prayers. I designed this thank you to show my appreciation.
Even though the card uses the Something for Baby stamp set (retired) and the thanks die, also retired, I need to use some of my stamps and dies that I purchased. I do appreciate all of you for thinking of our family. Samuel is God's miracle and we are truly blessed to have him in our lives. I have to share a few photos. Hope you don't mind. I'm so proud of my son for being such a great daddy to Samuel. The matching outfits are perfect, except my son, Tyler, mentioned that his blue shirt doesn't have a dinosaur on it.😉

Couldn't resist sharing this picture too! Someday we will get a picture with them both wearing the shoes.
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Jane

Sunday, July 16, 2017

Prayer Journal

What a wonderful day I had yesterday! I was able to spend some time with a great group of ladies as we all shared ideas while making a Prayer Journal.




Thanks Marilou for having us to your house and for preparing a scrumptious lunch. The talents of these ladies are amazing! Everyone's journal looks different as we all shared ideas, handouts, stamps, envelope pockets, etc. We only broke the surface in making our Prayer Journal, but now each of us can go home and work on our pieces of art. I can't wait to see how they turn out.

Here are a few pictures of my Prayer Journal. I used some watercolor paper to create a background for the front cover and wrote my words on with black marker. I was able to use stamps that the other ladies had, that I will cut apart and include in my journal.
Pockets were made and attached to the inside of the front cover and I also made pockets for the back cover too. I will be including family photos and other inspirational quotes and prayers that were found on the Internet, printed, and shared. Thank you for a great day ladies! God has truly blessed me with fantastic friends!

I'm excited to get my Prayer Journal finished up and look forward to using it in my prayer life!

Saturday, July 15, 2017

This Little Piggy

With my daughter being so active in agriculture, the pig set was top on my list to purchase. Today's card uses the embossing paste (pg. 201 AC), with the cloud mask (pg. 201 AC).
This Little Piggy stamp set (pg. 48 AC) has such cute images of this adorable little pig. I added a drop of Soft Sky ink to the white embossing paste before making the clouds. I stamped the pig image using memento ink on a gradient piece of Berry Burst DSP from the Color Theory DS Paper Stack (pg. 187 AC). I had to fussy cut around the image and I did swap out the pink wings for card stock vellum wings. Just stamped the wings on vellum and cut them out. Added the image using mini glue dots (pg. 202 AC). Used memento ink to stamp the sentiment, "She Believed She Could . . ."
On the inside of the card, I added a few cloud images (also included in the stamp set), used an aqua painter to add a little blue around the clouds, and added the ". . . So She Did."
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane

Friday, July 14, 2017

Coffee Cafe

When making cards, I usually make at least two and sometimes four of the same card. I figure I have the stamps all inked up, I might as well make more than one card. When you cut a piece of card stock for the base card, you will have two pieces so why not just make two cards. Anyway, today's card is using the same coffee cup and DSP as yesterday's post, but switched the background.
The background was inspired by Lisa Curcio. All you do is take an edge of your ink pad and swipe it back and forth on the white card stock base. I did practice a time or two on scratch paper first, but I do like the outcome. I used the Soft Suede ink pad. I thought it gave the illusion of hot coffee steaming up in the background. You might want to give this background technique a try. It is super easy!
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Jane

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Coffee Cafe Bundle

For all you coffee or latte drinkers, the Coffee Cafe bundle (pg. 31 AC) is something you might be interested in.

This card is going to my mother-in-law for her birthday. Not your ordinary birthday card, but I found it appropriate because she doesn't really enjoy getting older or having birthdays, but she does enjoy her coffee. Therefore, Life Happens, Coffee Helps! The base of the card is white and I added 1/2 inch strips of early espresso along the sides. I had made the embossed white center piece (3 1/2 x 5 1/2 in) earlier so decided to use it as the background. The embossing paste (pg. 201 AC) is fun to use and when you are at it, make several backgrounds at a time. It does take a little prep time when using the embossing paste because you want to have water ready to clean the masks and tools after use because of the fast drying time. I mixed a drop of Garden green ink with the white paste (used the silicon craft sheet (pg. 203 AC) before applying using the diamond mask. The colors are endless because of the many re-inkers available. Having several pieces of card stock ready, enabled me to keep making backgrounds to use up the paste I had mixed. The embossing paste goes a long way so start with a small amount. The Coffee Break DSP strips (1/2 x 4") were added at the bottom of the card. I stamped the coffee cup (early espresso), the lid (garden green), and the cup sleeve sentiment (garden green) and then ran them all through the Big Shot at one time with the coordinating dies. Looking forward to working more with this set!
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Jane

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

A Little Wild

Here is another card idea using the A Little Wild stamp set and coordinating Little Loves Framelit dies (Bundle on pg. 108 AC).
The base card is made from white card stock with a layer of Garden Green on top. The coordinating die behind the lion was cut five times from Garden Green card stock and attached directly to the Garden Green layer. It looks like dry embossing, but isn't. I didn't want to cover up the background so decided to cut a frame from the square Stitched Shaped Framelits (pg. 214 AC) rather than a solid square that the lion would attach to. When making the frame, you just lay two of the square framelits, one inside the other, and run through the Big Shot and it cuts a perfect little frame in one run. I tied some Linen Thread around the frame for a little embellishment. I stamped the lion from A Little Wild stamp set, cut with the coordinating die, trimmed the back image off, colored the lion using watercolor pencils (pg. 201 AC), and attached in the center of the frame.  A sentiment could be added later, depending on the occasion. The stamp set has "wild about you!" or "a great big welcome for a sweet little someone." It could also be for a birthday or thank you. So many options!
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Jane

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

A Little Wild gift tags

Yesterday I mentioned the possibility of making gift tags using A Little Wild stamp set (pg. 108 AC). These little guys will look so cute hanging from a gift bag.

I stamped the lion and elephant on watercolor paper and used the watercolor pencils (pg. 201 AC) to color the images. The bear was cut from crumb cake card stock and added just a little coloring on the front using the Soft Suede watercolor pencil. I added linen thread and string (could use Baker's Twine) through the hole that is cut from the Little Loves Framelits Dies that coordinate with this stamp set. The little characters are approximately 1 3/4 inch square. 
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane

Monday, July 10, 2017

A Little Wild

Since becoming a new grandma, I've noticed my stamp wish list has new items on it that are more child related. I decided to purchase A Little Wild stamp set (pg. 108 AC) because I saw great potential for some easy gift cards, baby cards, scrapbook embellishments, and much more.


Today's card was inspired by Carolyn Bennie's suspended spinner card. I used the Coffee Break DSP (pg. 31 AC) for the elephant image and the front cover of the card. The base card and the framed circle front are using soft sky card stock. I used the Stitched Shaped Framelits (pg. 214 AC) on the frame. I used silver metallic thread (pg. 198 AC) for the suspended spinner part. The coordinating dies, Little Loves Framelits, make it easy to stamp, die, and fold for a perfect front and back image. If you can tell, I used the gray pencil (pg. 201 AC) to do a little shading on the elephant. Added some white seam binding ribbon (retired) around the front panel of the card. There are lots of other options for white ribbon on pgs. 198-199 of the annual catalog. A sentiment can be added on the front or the inside of the card when ready to send.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Jane