Catching Up With Cards!

Hello and welcome back! Again, I've fallen off the wagon and haven't sent many cards over the past several months. However, I have made a few. Let me show them to you!

First up, a card for our neighbors who had a baby in October:

I used the Layering Squares framelits to cut out the colored and white squares, then used different embossing folders to add texture to the white squares. The background was also embossed and the die-cut word and bakers twine bow were added.

Next up, a birthday card for the choir director at my church:

I especially like the sophisticated look of this card. The flocked designer paper and custom envelope, along with the satin bow, are very elegant.

I also made a few cards for some church friends who are homebound:

This was pretty simple, with minimal stamping and just a bit of coloring with Stampin' Blends. I love the layers!

Finally, a card for a friend who was just diagnosed with breast cancer:

 I used Stampin' Blends to color in the floral design on the ribbon, then layered it with another ribbon cut from Blushing Bride and popped it onto the card front with dimensionals. I also made a second card to add to my stash and had the idea to cut a heart in the upper right corner to show a heart inside the card. 

Unfortunately, the idea didn't come until after I had assembled the front of the card. When I ran it through the Big Shot to cut the heart, my well-used cutting pads left impressions on the card and the die cut. I'm hoping that they will relax a bit and I'll be able to use the card in the future. I like the look of it.

Well, now I've got to start thinking about Christmas cards. I've decided to up my game this year and have added about 20 names to my existing list of 80. Time to get cracking!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi



Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Baby card -
Stamp set - Moon Baby (retired)
Paper - Whisper White, So Saffron, Blushing Bride, Balmy Blue, and Soft Sea Foam cardstock; Whisper White Thick Cardstock
Ink - Soft Sea Foam
Accessories - Crushed Curry Bakers Twine (retired)
Tools - Big Shot (retired), Well Written Thinlits, Layering Squares Framelits, Tufted embossing folder, Basketweave embossing folder, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder (retired), Quilt Top embossing folder (retired), Simple Stripes embossing folder (retired), Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets

Birthday card -
Stamp set - All About Everything (Paper Pumpkin retired set)
Paper - Very Vanilla and Basic Black Cardstock, Very Vanilla Thick Cardstock, Mocha Morning Specialty DSP (retired)
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories - Basic Black 5/8" satin ribbon (retired)
Tools - Envelope Punch Board (retired), Big Shot (retired), Stitched Nested Labels dies, Stampin' Dimensionals, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Mini Glue Dots, SNAIL

Thinking of you card -
Stamp set - Good Morning Magnolia
Paper - Early Espresso, Petal Pink, and Whisper White Cardstock, Magnolia Lane DSP
Coloring Tools - Memento Tuxedo Black Ink; Petal Pink and Mossy Meadow Stampin' Blends
Tools - SNAIL 

Ribbon card --
Stamp sets - Ribbon of Courage (retired), Strong and Beautiful
Paper - Blushing Bride and Whisper White Cardstock
Coloring Tools - Memento Tuxedo Black and Flirty Flamingo ink; Balmy Blue, Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, Granny Apple Green, Pink Pirouette, and Highland Heather Stampin' Blends
Tools - Big Shot (retired), Support Ribbon Framelits, SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals

What's new for fall?

Hello and Happy Fall! The weather is finally starting to match the calendar, but we still have some warm days to come. The kids are back in school, fall programs are starting up at church, and there are mums at the grocery stores. And you may not want to think about it yet, but Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas are right around the corner, and I'd like to help you get ready!

First, the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog is now live, and the products are amazing! I've added lots of classes to my calendar to give you an opportunity to come and play in my stamping studio. September has gotten away from me, so I'll be kicking off my Christmas Stamp-A-Stack classes in October with 2 sessions in that month, with additional sessions in November and December. You can come to any session and make 12 holiday cards - 4 each of 3 different designs. The cost for each session is $25. By the end of the last meeting, you'll have 48 beautiful handmade holiday cards to send to your family and friends. Easy peasy! The next classes will be held on Monday, October 14 at 7 pm and again on Wednesday, October 16 at 12:30 pm. The second session will be held on Monday, October 28 at 7 pm and Wednesday, October 30 at 12:30 pm. Classes in November and December will be held during the second week of the month. You can come on either Monday or Wednesday for any one or all of the sessions. RSVP for October 14 & 16 is October 4, and RSVP for October 28 & 30 is October 18.

Second, if you'd like to be crafty more often, but don't have time to design or shop, I've got a solution for you -- Paper Pumpkin! It's a fully designed project kit that arrives at your door each month with stamps, ink, and paper -- everything you need to create a simple, fun project! If you sign up by October 10, you'll receive the Winter Wonders kit, which will make 10 full-size cards. The coordinating November kit will contain supplies to make 24 beautiful gift tags of various sizes. You can contact me for more information or go to paperpumpkin.com and sign up yourself. Please choose me as your demonstrator during the registration process or use THIS LINK. I also host an open stamp day each month, so you can bring your kit and get some help if you need it, or get some alternative ideas for your kit.

Third, Stampin' Up! has brought back the popular Designer Series Paper Sale! Through September 30, for every three packages you purchase of select Designer Series Paper, you get one more FREE! Our paper is beautiful and versatile, so don't miss this chance to stock up!

As I mentioned above, the Holiday Catalog is now live and available for you to view at the link on the right, but if you'd like a copy of your own, you can pick one up at an Open Stamp Day or class, or have one mailed to you. There are lots of fabulous products, but availability may be limited, so if you see something you love, don't wait!

As always, you can check the calendar on my website or here on my blog for upcoming events. Project sneak peeks may be posted on my Facebook page. The next Open Stamp Day will be held on Saturday, September 21 from 11 am to 4 pm. RSVP by September 18. 

You can find more information about everything I've mentioned above, and more, at my website, which can be reached by clicking HERE. If you are interested in an event that doesn't fit into your schedule, please let me know so we can make it work for you.

I know this is a busy time of year, and I appreciate you taking the time to read this! Hope to hear from you soon!

--Cindi

WWYS 221 - Timeless Textures

Hello and welcome back! Today I'm excited and honored to be a guest designer for the challenge at What Will You Stamp?

And here is my card:

Most of the cards that I've seen that use this stamp set, use it as background in subtle or neutral colors. I went in a different direction. I love rainbows and thought this set provided the perfect opportunity to try and create one.

I used a variation of the step technique on the Stamparatus to stamp the grid down the center of the card with seven different colors (in ROYGBIV order, of course), then added some textural interest with other stamps from the set. Since the top layer is so colorful, I attached it to a neutral base of Basic Gray and Smoky Slate.

The sentiment is small, but stands out with layers from the Layering Circles Framelits. Then I raided my stash to add a bow with seven strands of different colors of baker's twine.

After adding all that to the front, I couldn't just ignore the inside of the card. I used the speckle stamp from the set to create the rainbow border around the edge of the insert and added the sentiment from the Incredible Like You stamp set. And I couldn't forget the envelope either!

Well, it was fun being challenged this week. Hope you all like the card!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi



Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp sets - Timeless Textures, Itty Bitty Birthdays, Incredible Like You
Paper - Whisper White, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, Calypso Coral, and So Saffron cardstock
Ink - Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral, So Saffron, Soft Sea Foam, Pool Party, Balmy Blue, and Highland Heather
Accessories - Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Pool Party, Island Indigo, and Wisteria Wonder Baker's Twine (all retired)
Tools - Big Shot, Layering Circles Framelits, Subtle Dynamic TIEF, Stamparatus, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, SNAIL, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

CC&S 321 and PCC 337 - It's graduation time again!

Hello and welcome back! Here's today's card:

My niece is graduating from high school this week - those years went by quickly! Her school colors are purple and silver so this is what I came up with. I used the sketch from CAS Colours & Sketches. The card base is Whisper White Thick Cardstock (my favorite for card bases!), with a layer of Gorgeous Grape. The sentiment in the corner was stamped with Versamark and embossed with white embossing powder. I pulled some Brushed Silver Cardstock from my retired stash and used the old Perfect Pennants Bigz die to cut two triangles, then layered them to get the effect on the left side of the card. I also die cut the "hooray" from the silver and stuck it to a white piece punched with the Tailored Tag punch. 

A really simple card, so I made a big statement on the envelope with the Congrats stamp from the retired Bravo set.

This card is for the sketch challenge at CAS Colours & Sketches and the theme challenge at Paper Craft Crew.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

--Cindi



Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp sets - B.Y.O.P., Bravo (both retired)
Paper - Whisper White Thick Cardstock, Gorgeous Grape, Brushed Silver (retired), and Whisper White Cardstock
Ink - Versamark, Gorgeous Grape
Tools - Big Shot, Well Written Thinlits, Perfect Pennants Bigz Die (retired), Heat Tool, White Embossing Powder, Tailored Tag Punch, Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals

TGIFC 211 - No Layer Birthday Card

Hello and welcome back! Here's today's card:

This was definitely hard for me, since the challenge at TGIFC this week was to make a card with no layers. That meant all of the stamping and coloring had to be right the first time - no opportunities to cover something up with a die cut or label! I will have to put a lining in this card since I used the Stampin' Blends to color it and they bleed through the paper.

I used the Serene Garden stamp set and embossed the corner motif with the Garden Scene Framelits. The leaves were stamped in Shaded Spruce and the bird and greeting with Bermuda Bay. I used the Shaded Spruce Blends for the leaves, Mango Melody for the flowers, and Pool Party for the bird.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi 



Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp sets - Serene Garden, Cottage Greetings (retired)
Paper - Whisper White Thick Cardstock
Ink - Shaded Spruce, Bermuda Bay
Stampin' Blends - Dark and Light Shaded Spruce, Dark and Light Pool Party, Dark and Light Mango Melody, Dark Pumpkin Pie
Tools - Big Shot, Embossing Mats, Garden Scene Framelits 

PCC 336 & JAI 456 - Monochromatic Floral

Hello and welcome back! I've got another anniversary card today.

This was inspired by the sketch at the Paper Craft Crew and the photo at Just Add Ink.

I used a Whisper White card base and added some Very Vanilla DSP from a Neutrals Background package from about 8 years ago. The Very Vanilla banner is embossed with the Subtle embossing folder and created with the Triple Banner Punch. I stamped the flowers and leaves with Versamark on vellum and heat embossed with white powder. The small flower is layered with another cut from Very Vanilla. Finally, I added pearls to the centers of the flowers. It's a bit difficult to see, but I snipped and curled some of the petals on the larger flower.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi



Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp sets - Falling Flowers, Best Birds
Paper - Whisper White Thick Cardstock, Very Vanilla Cardstock, Vellum, Neutrals DSP (retired)
Ink - Soft Suede, Versamark
Accessories - Pearls Basic Jewels
Tools - Big Shot, May Flowers Thinlits, Subtle Embossing Folder, Heat Tool, White Embossing Powder, Triple Banner Punch, SNAIL, Mini Glue Dots, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

FMS 387 & CTD 542 - Needlepoint Anniversary

Hello and welcome back! Here is today's card:

With June coming up soon, I'll be needing lots of anniversary cards. This one is for the sketch challenge at Freshly Made Sketches and the challenge at Color Throwdown.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi



Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):
Stamp sets - Needle & Thread, So In Love (retired)
Paper - Very Vanilla Thick Cardstock, Wood Textures DSP
Ink - Old Olive, Flirty Flamingo, Balmy Blue
Tools - Big Shot, Needlepoint Elements Thinlits, Subtle Embossing Folder, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

SUOC 222, CC&S 320, SSC 204, & RRCB 110 - Celebrate You!

Hello and welcome back! Today's card was inspired by four different challenges - I love making a combo!

I used the sketch from the Sunday Stamps challenge and the colors from the CAS Colours & Sketches challenge. The Retro Rubber and SUO challenges provided the theme.

This stamp set was one of my favorites when it appeared in the Stampin' Up! 2017 Occasions Catalog. As with any 2-step stamping set, it can be tricky to get all of the stamps lined up just right, but this one is random enough to be pretty forgiving. The vase never seems to stamp as solidly as I'd like, but I've come to appreciate the texture that comes from using an old fabric stamp pad.

A couple of the flowers didn't stamp quite right, which provided an opportunity for embellishment! I added the rhinestones for camouflage.

This card is being entered in the following challenges:

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi



Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp sets - Thankful Life (retired), Crazy About You (retired), Perennial Birthday
Paper - Whisper White Thick Cardstock; Mango Melody, Garden Green, and Whisper White cardstock
Ink - Mango Melody, Melon Mambo, Garden Green
Accessories - Rhinestone Basic Jewels
Tools - Big Shot, Celebrate You Thinlits, SNAIL, Multipurpose Liquid Glue

PP 440, WWYS 218 & SIP 198 - Butterfly Gala

Hello and welcome back! It's been waaaaaaay too long since I posted but I was inspired this week by a couple of challenges.

I have several packages of this Botanical Butterfly paper from Sale-A-Bration, but hadn't yet opened it. When I saw that the colored butterflies matched the ones on the black and white paper, I knew I had to do this. The colored butterfly is simply fussy cut and layered on top! I glued down the center and popped up the wings with Mini Stampin' Dimensionals. The trickiest part of this technique was figuring out where to cut the black and white paper so the colored butterfly would be well placed on the card front.

As you can see, there are lots of options depending on how you cut the paper. I also added some of the Gingham Gala ribbon from Sale-A-Bration to coordinate with the colored butterfly. 

Another trick I used was to edge the cut out butterfly with the Basic Black Stampin' Write marker to eliminate the white edge of the paper and to cover up any mistakes in my fussy cutting.

I think I'll be cutting some more of these butterflies tonight just to be prepared for the many cards I need to catch up on!

I'm entering these cards in the challenges at The Paper Players, What Will You Stamp?, and Stamp Ink Paper.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi



Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp set - Butterfly Gala
Paper - Whisper White Thick Cardstock, Basic Black and Whisper White Cardstock, Botanical Butterfly DSP (retired)
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Balmy Blue, Daffodil Delight, Grapefruit Grove, Highland Heather
Accessories - Gingham Gala Organdy Ribbon Combo Pack (retired)
Tools - SNAIL, Tombow Multipurpose Glue, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals 

Hello Cupcake!

Hello and welcome back! Today's card is a birthday card that I CASEd from Lisa Hardie. I didn't have any creative mojo today, but I need to get some cards out this week! 

I loved this color combo and really didn't change anything except the ribbon. I also used a smaller piece of DSP so that I could get more cuts out of one sheet of paper. I admit I'm a hoarder when it comes to pretty paper, so I'm a bit stingy. :)

Just like Lisa, I also added some Clear Wink of Stella to the frosting but it's so hard to photograph that. Maybe you can see it...

...or maybe not. :(

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi



Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!): 

Stamp set - Hello Cupcake
Paper - Whisper White Thick Cardstock; Whisper White and Gorgeous Grape cardstock, Gingham Gala DSP
Ink - Gorgeous Grape, Crumb Cake, Memento Tuxedo Black, Flirty Flamingo, Highland Heather
Accessories - Organdy Ribbon Combo Pack, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Clear Wink of Stella
Tools - Big Shot, Subtle TIEF, Layering Circles Framelits, SNAIL, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

AYSI 193 - Eclectic Style

Hello and welcome back! Today's card is for a fellow Great Lakes SU! demonstrator. Our Demonstrator Development Manager issued a challenge in our Facebook group to send cards to each other, so this one is going to the demo who commented just before me in the post.

I decided to create a card based on the eclectic style challenge at As You See It.

I pulled the striped DSP from a retired pack called Just Add Cake. I think it was one of the first I ever bought! It's got Poppy Parade in it, so it covers three of the requirements. I used the biggest stamp from the Amazing Life set and then restamped the banner on Poppy Parade to cut out and add to the card front. I added a bow with some retired Blushing Bride bakers twine to finish the card. 

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi

Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp set - Amazing Life

Paper - Whisper White Thick Cardstock, Poppy Parade cardstock, Just Add Cake DSP (retired)

Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Poppy Parade

Accessories - Blushing Bride Baker's Twine (retired)

Tools - Big Shot, Rectangle Stitched Framelits, Paper Snips, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Mini Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

WWYS 205 - Lovely Lattice

Hello and welcome back! Today's card is for an old high school friend who just lost her mother. Sadly, as we age, these cards are becoming more necessary.

I got this set at On Stage, but wasn't sure how I felt about it. I have come to love it, but I wish it had matching framelits. I'm not a fan of fussy cutting, and haven't been able to fork over the bucks for a Scan 'n Cut. :) It is a great set for coloring with Stampin' Blends, and the subtle colors here are perfect.

After stamping, coloring, and cutting, I was ready to assemble the card but felt it needed just a little something extra. Then it hit me -- the Subtle embossing folder! You almost don't notice it, but that bit of texture makes all the difference.

This card is for the challenge at What Will You Stamp?

FYI - you can get the two stamp sets I've used today for FREE with a qualifying purchase during Sale-A-Bration! Check out my online store for more information.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi



Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp sets - Lovely Lattice, Lasting Lily
Paper - Petal Pink and Whisper White cardstock
Ink - Memento Tuxedo Black, Petal Pink
Markers - Light and Dark Petal Pink Stampin' Blends, Light and Dark Granny Apple Green Stampin' Blends, Light Daffodil Delight Stampin' Blends
Tools - Big Shot, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Subtle TIEF, Paper Snips, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals

FMS 373 & CTD 528 - Wishing You Well

Hello and welcome back! Today's card is for a friend who just had surgery. She had a bad fall about a year ago and this surgery was to remove all the hardware they put in last year.

I love this stamp set - it's so simple and yet beautiful - so I'm glad it carried over from the Holiday Catalog.  The colors are subtle and though I don't think I'd have come up with this combination on my own, I really like it.

I finally got a chance to use the Stitched Rectangle framelits. When they showed these at On Stage in November, I knew that they would be a staple in my stash!

I'm also trying to remember to decorate my envelopes too. Let's give the Post Office a little something to look at! :)

This card is for the sketch challenge at Freshly Made Sketches and the color challenge at Color Throwdown.

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

--Cindi



Supplies used (all Stampin' Up!):

Stamp set - Wishing You Well
Paper - Very Vanilla Thick Cardstock; Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Coastal Cabana, and Crushed Curry Cardstock
Ink - Soft Suede, Coastal Cabana, and Crushed Curry
Tools - Big Shot, Rectangle Stitched Framelits, SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals