Last Call for Paper Pumpkin Special

Today is the last day you can sign up for Paper Pumpkin at the rate of $10 a month* for the first two months.  Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper, and accessories-everything but adhesive. In the first kit, you will also receive the Clear Block D.  This block will be used with future kits and will fit the stamps included.  That is an $8.50 value alone!!

I made one of the cards from this first kit.

 

 

Then I mixed things up.  I added some So Saphron cardstock, embossed it and punched some of the yellow polka dot paper with my hexagon punch.  I added a sentiment from the Six Sided Sampler stamp set.

 

Visit mypaperpumpkin.com to join.

 

•You must click "Add Promo Code" and then enter the promo code PUMPKINDEAL in the "Promo Code" field when you sign up on the mypaperpumpkin.com website to take advantage of this promotion.

•You must join by Saturday, August 31, 2013; 11:50 PM (MT).

*Promotion applies only to the first two months of a new subscription. After receiving two month's worth, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price: $19.95.

Open Sea Thank You

For today's card, I was inspired by the following sketch at the Paper Craft Crew.

 

 

I started with The Open Sea stamp set by Stampin' Up.  I enjoy using stamps to create texture on the cardstock. This adds more interest to the overall design of the card.  For the Basic Gray panel, I stamped a combination of the globe and compass with matching ink.  The small element was created using a stamp from the By the Tide set embossed in Silver embossing powder.  The sentiment is from Regarding Dahlias. 

 

 

 

 

All Items Stampin' Up unless noted

 

Stamp:  The Open Sea, By the Tide, Regarding Dahlias

Paper:  Night of Navy, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, Whisper White

Ink:  Night of Navy, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, Versamark

Other:   1" Circle Punch, White Baker's Twine, Siler Embossing Powder



A Girl Needs a Little Pink

My niece is turning 4 in a couple weeks, and when I saw the following challenges, I immediately thought birthday card.  I have two little boys, so when I have the chance to shop or make cards for girls, I go pink all the way.

Here was my inspiration:  Color Throwdown #257 and Inkspirational Sketch Challenge #35.  I am also playing this week at Stampin' Royalty Challenge #191 - Circles.

 

 

Don't the colors in the Color Throwdown just remind you of sherbet?  I loved the butterflies and circles on the Sketch Inspiration.  I moved the center element down, but it still feels like the sketch to me.  To create the patterns on the butterflies, I used the Six-Sided Sampler stamp set from Stampin' Up.  I stamped the various patterns and colors, then punched a butterfly from the center of the hexagon shape.  The rhinestones add that little bling every girl loves!!

 

 

 

 



 

All Items Stampin' Up unless noted

 

Stamp:  Six-Sided Sampler, Remembering Your Birthday

Paper:  Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White

Ink:  Regal Rose, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi

Other:   5/8" White Organza Ribbon, Jewel Rhinestones, Paper Studio Small Butterfly Punch,

Five-Way Flower Notecards

I have been wanting to try the Five-Way Flower Stamp from Stampin' Up since I received it.  But the flower never really fit the card I was working on - and I have lots of other flower stamps.  LOL.  Today was the day.  I was very inspired by two challenges - again a sketch challenge a color challenge.  Here are the links:

Dynamic Duos Challenge #67 & Seize the Sketch #2

The cool thing about the Five Way Flower is that it coordinates with 5 of Stampin' Up's Scallop Circle punches.  For today's card, I only used 3 layers, 2 are punched and added to the card with dimensional adhesive.  I used the greetings from the Lacy and Lovely stamp set. 

Once I made the first one, I was hooked on the monochromatic look of the Calypso Coral and Crisp Cantaloupe.  Here are some other colors I tried.  I changed up the sentiment on the other colors. 

The colors are Island Indigo & Coastal Cabana, Strawberry Slush & Blushing Bride, and Elegant Eggplant & Wisteria Wonder.

   

What a fun group of cards to give to a friend.

 

All Items Stampin' Up unless noted

Stamp:  Five-Way Flower, Lacy and Lovely

Paper:  Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe, Whisper White, Crumb Cake

Ink:  Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe, Versamark

Other:  Linen Thread, White Embossing Powder, 1 1/4" Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Revved up for a Challenge

Today I took on a challenge from Operation Write Home.  This is an organization that collects handmade cards and sends them to deployed service members.  In an age where communication is almost instantaneous with emails, Skype, etc. this is a way for heroes to keep in touch with home in a more personalized way - through handwritten cards.

Even with sketch challenges, sometimes it may be difficult to determine the exact size of the various elements.  OWH makes it easy - they include measurements.  Maybe that isn't your style, but when you are just starting out, it can be difficult to judge how big a layer may need to be or how they are proportioned to each other.

Here is the sketch for today - OWH Challenge 187:

I have been meaning to use one of the newer sets from Stampin' Up - Rev Up the Fun!!  With all the men/boys in my life, this was a must have.  Hope you enjoy my card.

All Items Stampin' Up unless noted

Stamp:  Rev Up the Fun, Bo Bunny Geometric Patterns Stamp

Paper:  Real Red, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Whisper White

Ink:  Real Red, Basic Black

Other:  Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine

A Challenge That Made My Day

I have been having so much fun with challenges.  They just inspire me to try to new color combinations and layouts.

Today's card was made using the 100th sketch from Freshly Made Sketches

 

 

The colors were taken from the ColourQ Challenge #203.  These colors felt like they were inspired by the sea (maybe that bag with images of tropical leaves and frogs has something to do with that).

 

I used just about every stamp from the By the Tide stamp set from Stampin' Up.  I wanted to create some texture on the various layout elements.  I substituted Old Olive for Lucky Limeade since I didn't have that color.  I used the coral/seaweed stamp in the matching ink color to add some interest to the Old Olive piece.  The fish were also stamped using matching Island Indigo ink and cardstock.  The Pacific Point shell was stamped over the text stamped in Crumb Cake.  The whole thing is brought together by the Early Espresso.  I hope you enjoy this card.

 

 

 

 

All items Stampin' Up unless noted

 

Stamp:  By the Tide, A Dozen Thoughts

Paper:  Island Indigo, Pacific Point, Old Olive, Early Espresso, Whisper White

Ink:  Island Indigo, Pacific Point, Old Olive, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake

Other:  Candy Dots - Neutrals, 1" Circle Punch, Sizzix Circles Dies

Thanks for the Challenge

The last challenge was so much fun, I thought I would try it again.  For today's card I again combined a sketch challenge with a color challenge.  It takes a lot of the guesswork out of choosing elements for cards to start with these challenges.  The sketch is from Paper Pals Arts and the color inspiration came from Color Throwdown:

 

 

I turned the card vertically and replaced one of the rectangles with an oval.  I think it still captures the essence of the challenge.  I love the way the black embossing powder really defined the design of the flower.  I colored the flower using Stampin' Up's blender pens.  The pearls complete the overall look.  Hope you like it.

 

 

 

 

Stamp:  Best of Flowers - 25th Anniversary, Simply Sketched

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Rich Razzleberry

Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Rich Razzleberrry, Versamark

Other:  Black Embossing Powder, Basic Pearls, Blender Pens, Lifestyle Crafts Oval Dies

Paper Pumpkin Promotion Ending Soon

What is Paper Pumpkin?

•Each month we send you a unique, surprise kit with a project - cards, journals, décor, and more! (We've even color-coordinated, measured, and cut everything for you!)

•Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper, and accessories-everything but adhesive.

•Each kit gives you a 30-minute creativity escape.

•We will ship your Paper Pumpkin on or around the 15th of the month. 

•You need to sign up for a kit by the 10th of the month to get that month's kit. If you sign up on the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the next month. (Let's say you sign up on August 10, we'll send your kit around August 15. If you sign up on August 11, we'll send your first kit around September 15.)

Offer Details:  Use the promotion code PUMPKINDEAL to join Paper Pumpkin before August 31, 2013, and pay only $10 a month* for the first two months.

*plus tax, where applicable. Shipping included!

The Fine Print:

•For new subscribers only.

•Promotion applies only to the first two months of a new subscription. After receiving two month's worth, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price: $19.95.

•Visit mypaperpumpkin.com to join.

•You must click "Add Promo Code" and then enter the promo code PUMPKINDEAL in the "Promo Code" field when you sign up on the mypaperpumpkin.com website to take advantage of this promotion.

•You must join by Saturday, August 31, 2013; 11:50 PM (MT).

Hexagons to the Challenge

Today’s card was inspired by two online challenges.  For the layout, I used the sketch from Clean and Simple Stamping.

For the colors, I used the Dynamic Duos combination.  Pool Party and Basic Black aren't colors I would normally pair together, but they were a lot of fun to work with.  I added some Very Vanilla as a neutral background color.

 

Hope you enjoy my card.

 

 

Stamp:  Paper Pumpkin Introductory Kit

Paper:  Pool Party, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Modern Medley Designer Series Paper

Ink:  Basic Black

Other:  Six Sided Sampler Punch

In Colors Banners

For the final card of this series, I wanted to show how the 2013-15 In Colors look great together.  For the banners, I stamped the cardstock using the Dahlia stamp and matching ink color.  The tone-on-tone effect adds both texture and color to your cards.  I used dimensional adhesive on the Crisp Cantaloupe and Pistachio Pudding banners to create some additional layers.  The sweet little bow is tied using the White Baker’s Twine.

I hope you have enjoyed this card series. 



Stamp:  Regarding Dahlias (130327)

Paper:  Costal Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Strawberry Slush, Smoky Slate, Whisper White

Ink:  Costal Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Strawberry Slush, Smoky Slate

Other:  White Baker’s Twine

All items are available in my Stampin’ Up store.  Order online 24/7.

Triple Time Stamping

This technique is easier than it looks. My Stampin’ Up upline Dawn Olchefske featured this technique on her website awhile ago.  This stamp set and color seemed perfect for this style.  I love the way Costal Cabana looks fresh and crisp with the Whisper White. 

 

 



Stamp:  Regarding Dahlias (130327)

Paper:  Costal Cabana, Whisper White

Ink:  Costal Cabana

All items are available in my Stampin’ Up store.  Order online 24/7.

Dahlias in Strawberry Slush

For this first card, I created a clean and simple card.  The dahlia is stamped with Versamark and then heat embossed with white embossing powder.  The white baker’s twine breaks up the card front and separates the image and the greeting.  “Hello, You” is such a great greeting to send a quick card to a friend for any reason – and who doesn’t love the color?

Stamp:  Regarding Dahlias (130327)

Paper:  Strawberry Slush, Whisper White, Smoky Slate

Ink:  Versamark

Other:  White Baker’s Twine, White Embossing Powder



Stampin’ Up 2013-2015 In Colors

Each year, Stampin’ Up introduces 5 new colors that are featured for 2 years.  The new colors have such yummy names – Baked Brown Sugar, Costal Cabana, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, and Strawberry Slush.

For my next series of cards, I am going to use these fabulous colors.  Stampin’ Up offers a great bundle that includes 5 ink pads and 20-sheet cardstock sampler.  Match that with some neutrals such as Smoky Slate and Whisper White and you have the foundation for some great cards. 

 

Now for the stamps.  For these cards I selected the new set Regarding Dahlias (130327).  This is a great set because it includes both an image and some great greetings.

Watch for my new card series over the new few posts.

All items are available in my Stampin’ Up store.  Order online 24/7.

Christmas in August Card 3 – Merry Christmas

Pool Party and Island Indigo don’t exactly evoke images of the holidays in my mind (especially being from Wisconsin).  But those are exactly the colors used on this card.  My color inspiration came from the Winter Frost Specialty DSP.  This paper pack comes with 12 sheets of 12 x 12 paper, including 2 sheets that include silver foil. 

My fabulous Stampin’ Up upline Dawn Olchefske introduced me to the Starburst technique used on this card.  I stamped the ornament using Versamark ink and then heat embossed it using Silver Embossing Powder.  There is a rhinestone accent in the center of the ornament.

 

I hope you have enjoyed these holiday cards. 

Stamp:  Christmas Collectibles (131775), Greetings of the Season (128033)

Paper:  Smoky Slate, Pool Party, Island Indigo, Winter Frost Specialty DSP (132341)
Ink:  Island Indigo, Versamark
Other:  Silver 1/8” Ribbon (132137), Basic Rhinestones (119246), Silver Embossing Powder, Christmas Ornament Punch 

All items are available in my Stampin’ Up store.  Order online 24/7.

 

Christmas in August Card 2 – Greetings of the Season

Card 2 in this series shows how you can use the same stamps and create a different look.  This card has more of an “earthy” feel.  I love the way the linen thread compliments the Crumb Cake cardstock base.  Cherry Cobbler and Always Artichoke add to the traditional holiday feel.

 

Stamp:  Christmas Collectibles (131775), Greetings of the Season (128033)

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla

Ink:  Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler

Other:  Linen Thread, Christmas Ornament Punch



Christmas in August Card 1 – Noel

This is a very simple, yet elegant design.  I love the way Midnight Muse contrasts with the Whisper White.  And of course, the silver adds just that extra sparkle to the card.  There is a strip of ribbon added to the bottom of the white layer that balances the ribbon used to “hang” the ornaments.  I added 3 rhinestones of the top of the middle ornament.

Stamp:  Christmas Collectibles (131775), Greetings of the Season (128033)

Paper:  Midnight Muse, Whisper White

Ink:  Midnight Muse

Other:  Silver 1/8” Ribbon (132137), Basic Rhinestones, Christmas Ornament Punch

 All items are available in my Stampin' Up store.  Order online 24/7.