DOstamper STARS Challenge #112

Happy Thursday!!  The countdown to Christmas is on.  Can you believe that Christmas is only a week away - yikes!!  This week we are featuring a Sketch Pad Challenge.

I really wanted to make my own Christmas tags this year.  This sketch challenge was just the inspiration I needed to get my tags done.

I started with a 2" x 3 1/2" piece of cardstock punched with the Scallop Tag Topper Punch.  I then added a 1/2" strip of DSP from the Trim the Tree Paper Stack.  These tags were a great way for me to use up some of my scraps.  For this tag I added the Cherry Cobbler Chevron ribbon tied with Linen Thread .

 

Here are some more of my tags.  You can use any stamps, trims, washi tape, etc. you have available.  No sense saving this stuff for next Christmas - you know there will be new stuff next year.

 

 

Here is my "Frozen" version to add to my nieces' gifts.  These don't really follow the sketch, but I like how they turned out.  I added some sequins and rhinestones to give these sparkle.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today.  I hope you will give these tags a try.  Visit my fellow STARS for more inspiration.

 

Robyn Rasset: Lotus Blossom Anniversary Card

Miriam Bollinger: Sketched Birthday Card

Sharon Bennett: Mingle All the Way Card

Dawn Olchefske:  You Plus Me Card

 

All items Stampin' Up unless noted.

 

Stamps:  Festival of Trees, Christmas Bliss, Endless Wishes

Paper:  Early Espresso, Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, Sahara Sand, Trim the Tree DSP, Whisper White, Gold Foil

Ink:  Early Espresso, Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, Sahara Sand

Other:  Scallop Tag Topper Punch, Cherry Cobbler Chevron Ribbon, Linen Thread, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Early Espresso Cotton Ribbon, Gold 1/8" Ribbon

DOstamper STARS #111 - Color My World Christmas

Welcome to another DOstamper STARS Thrusday Challenge.  This week we have a Color My World challenge.

 

 

I took a very Christmas interpretation of these colors.  I couldn't seem to make the Basic Black work for me, so I used Early Espresso instead (hope that is OK).  When the Hardwood background stamp came out in the annual catalog, I couldn't get enough.  I haven't used as much lately, so it seemed like the time.  I stamped the Hardwood background in Early Espresso on Natural White cardstock.

 

I stamped the wreath in three colors - Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive and Real Red.  Using two greens helps give some dimension to the leaves.  I then cut it out using the coordinating framelits.

 

Thanks for stopping by today.  Visit my fellow STARS for more inspiration.

 

Robyn Rasset: Wood You Be Mine card

Judy Strickling: Cheerful Tags card

Miriam Bollinger: Today & Everyday card

Sharon Bennett: Pillow Box

Dawn Olchefske:  Ornate Tag Punch Treat

 

All items Stampin' Up unless noted.

Stamps:  Good Greetings, Hardwood, Wonderous Wreath

Paper:  Natural White, Whisper White, Early Espresso

Ink:  Real Red, Old Olive, Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso

Other:  Wonderous Wreath Framelits

DOstamper STARS #110

Happy Thursday!!  Time for another DOstamper STARS challenge.  This week is a Home Sweet Home challenge. 

 

 

If you haven't started your Christmas cards, now is the time.  I will be featuring the Wonderous Wreath stamp set and framelits for the next couple cards.  This week I used the wreath framelits and cut a wreath from Silver Foil paper.  Then I took the Decorative Dots TIEF and embossed the wreath three times.  Each time I ran it through the Big Shot I slightly moved the wreath in the embossing folder.  This embossed more of the wreath and created some cool dimension.

 

I think you can see better in this photo.  The embossing folder will emboss the empty space, but it will also emboss over dots created in the last pass through the Big Shot.  I added a Night of Navy Seam Binding bow as an extra detail.  The sentiment is from a retired holiday set from last Christmas.  I love the elegance of the font with the silver and blue papers.

 

 

Hope you liked my card this week.  Thanks for stopping by.  Visit my fellow STARS for more inspiration.

 

Robyn Rasset: Holiday Home card

Connie Plaumann: Silver & Gold Label Love Card

Miriam Bollinger: Letterpress Interlocking Hearts card

Sharon Bennett: Lovely As a Tree Dryer Sheet card

Dawn Olchefske:  Holiday Home card

 

All items Stampin' Up unless noted.

 

Stamps:  Greetings of the Season (Retired)

Paper:  Whisper White, Night of Navy, Silver Foil Paper

Ink:  Night of Navy

Other:  Night of Navy Seam Binding Ribbon, Decorative Dots TIEF, Wonderous Wreath Framelits

DOstamper STARS #109 - Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Happy Thanksgiving to those of you from the United States.  Welcome to another DOstamper STARS Thursday challenge.  This week we are featuring a sketch pad challenge.

 

 

The sketch this week is fairly simple.  I did change up the shape a bit (and the season - Christmas vs. Fall).  Ever want to add just a little something extra to a card - add washi tape.  It took me awhile to buy my first rolls, but now I love it. 

 

 

 I think it adds just the right amount of texture and color to this card.

 

Thanks for stopping by this week.  Hope you have a chance to do some crafting this holiday weekend.  See my fellow STARS for more inspiration.

 

Robyn Rasset: Bearing Gifts card

Miriam Bollinger: Flower Patch card

Sharon Bennett: Holiday Invitation Thanks card

Dawn Olchefske:  Holiday Invitation Scallop Tag card

 

All items Stampin' Up unless noted.

 

Stamps:  Endless Wishes, Festival of Trees

Paper:  Silver Foil Paper, Lost Lagoon, Smoky Slate, Whisper White

Ink:  Lost Lagoon, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Sky

Other:  All is Calm Designer Washi Tape

DOstamper STARS #106 - Trim the Tree

Hello.  Welcome to another DOstamper STARS Thursday Challenge.  This week we have a Sketch Pad challenge.

 

 

I know - you are looking at my card and thinking - where are the squares?  Well, I took a little liberty with the sketch and made them trees instead.  I am loving the Trim the Tree DSP stack.  It has so many great colors for the holidays.  I prefer the traditional reds and greens for Christmas, so this is perfect for me.

 

I added a banner stamped with the Good Greetings stamp set and a silver button tied with Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine for the finishing touch.

Hope you like my card.  Visit my fellow STARS for more inspiration.

Dawn Olchefske: Maritime card

Sharon Bennett: Cheerful Tags card

Robyn Rasset:  Something for Baby card

Connie Plaumann: Holiday Home card

Miriam Bollinger:  Back to Black card

Judy Strickling: Project Life Holiday card

All items Stampin' Up unless noted.

 

Stamps:  Good Greetings

Paper:  Trim the Tree DSP, Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Cherry Cobbler

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler

Other:  Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, Silver Buttons

DOstamper STARS #103 - Joy Fold Card

Hello.  Welcome to another DOstamper STARS Challenge.  This week is a Sketch Pad challenge.

Two weeks ago, I started a Saturday card series featuring a One Sheet Wonder template that I created, combined with fun folds, to create 15 different cards.  If you have not seen it yet, check out this link.  One of the folding techniques is the Joy Fold card.  This fold is easier than its look and adds such as an impact to your card.

Here are the folding instructions: 

1. Cut card base to 4 1/4" x 8 1/2"
2. Score:  5 1/2"
3. Cut second pieces of card stock to 3" x 8"
4. Score:  4"
5. Adhere 4" x 5 1/4" piece of DSP to inside of card.
6. Add adhesive to the back of the smaller card base and adhere to the main card base.  Make sure the fold of the smaller card is opening to the right.
7. See tutorial if you need more information:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/joy_fold_card/

Hope you will try this technique.  Visit my fellow STARS for more inspiration.

• Dawn Olchefske:  Tag Talk Boy or Girl card
• Sharon Bennett: Truly Grateful card
• Robyn Rasset:  Fall Fest card
• Heidi Vinkemeier:  Flower Patch card
• Connie Plaumann:  Trim The Tree cards
• Miriam Bollinger: Perfect Pennants card
• Angela O'Neil: Motley Monsters DSP card

All items Stampin' Up unless noted.

Stamps:  Good Greetings

Paper:  Trim the Tree DSP, Whisper White, Early Espresso

Ink:  Early Espresso, Sahara Sand

Other:  Early Espresso 1/4" Taffeta Ribbon

DOstamper STARS #100 and Blog Candy!!

Hello.  Welcome to another Thursday DOstamper STARS Challenge.  This is Challenge #100!!  Hooray!!  And on top of that, I have some blog candy to give away.  We are featuring a sketch challenge this week.

Here is my first Christmas card of the year:

I thought I would try using a fun fold for this special challenge.  I am using the Double Dutch Fold.  It is actually a lot easier than it looks.  Here are the instructions for the card base:

1.  Cut two pieces measuing 4 3/16" x 9" and 2" x 8 1/2"
2.  Score the first piece at 5 1/2".  Score the second piece at 2 1/8" and 6 3/8".
3.  Layer the first piece over the second piece.  Adhere the pieces together on the backside.
4.  Embellish!
5.  Here is a link if you need more help:  http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/doubledutchfold/

I actually made the card base in the first Step 4 3/16" (that is just less than 4 1/4") x 9 1/2".  This allowed me to use the Scallop Edge Border Punch.

Here is the card with the top panel open:

Here is the card with all panels open:

Now, for the blog candy.  Leave a comment below by midnight Sunday, September 28 and you will be entered for a chance to win this card as well as a pack of Essentials Hardware Clips.

Winner will be selected randomly and announced here on my blog Monday, September 29th.

US residents only.

Be sure to visit my fellow STARS to see all the cards this week.

Miriam Bollinger: Cycle Celebration card

Dawn Olchefske:  Seasonally Scattered Card

Judy Strickling: Let your Hair Down Autumn card

Connie Plaumann: Holiday Home Card

Robyn Rasset:  Halloween Street cards

Sharon Bennett: Freaky Friends card

Heidi Vinkemeier:  Pumpkin Punch Art cards

Jan Carlson: Bat Punch Art card

All items Stampin' Up unless noted.

Stamps:  Festival of Trees

Paper:  Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Sahara Sand, Trim the Tree DSP

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Early Espresso

Other:  Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon

Festive Flurry Ornament Kit

Stampin' Up recently introduced a new holiday ornament kit.  This is the Festive Flurry Ornament kit.  It inlcudes all the pieces needed to create 10 of these fabulous ornaments.  No need to order the stamps, framelits, ink, rhinestones, etc. - it is all in the kit.

Top presents, embellish cards, create a wintery garland, or trim the tree. How you use them is up to you!

The kit includes everything you need (minus adhesive) to create 10 snowflakes, including:
* 10 feet of Soft Sky Ribbon
* Printed cardstock - die cut and scored, ready to be assembled (Soft Sky, Crumb Cake, Whisper White Cardstock and Silver Glimmer Paper)
* Large Rhinestone Basic Jewels (40)

All for the price of $14.95.  Check this one out in my online store!!
Festive Flurry Ornament Kit - Item 135813

Getting Ready for the Holidays

I am starting a new series of posts today featuring Stampin' Up product that you can use to get ready for the holidays.

The first post features some holiday ornaments created with the Gift Bow Bigz L Dies.

The ornament may look familiar to you.  It is the actually the same construction as the small pumpkin from a couple weeks ago.  See the Truly Grateful Pumpkins post.  I have replaced the stem with a Candy Dots Brad Base blinged out with a large Basic Jewel Rhinestone and Silver 1/8" ribbon as a hanger.

The angel is very sweet and easy to construct.   I cut 2 Small bow loops and 2 bow tails from Pool Party.  I then stamped the pieces using the Mixed Bunch stamp set with Island Indigo ink.  The halo is punched from Silver Foil Sheet using the 1 3/4" and the 1 1/4" circle punches.  The face is punched from Pink Pirouette using the 1 1/4" circle.  The center piece is Island Indigo cardstock punched with the 7/8" scallop circle and layered with a Frosted Finishes embellishment.

My upline, Dawn Olchefske has a video on her website featuring this project.  Check it out:  Stampin' Up Gift Bow Die Angel

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you enjoy these projects.

Stamp: Mixed Bunch
Paper: Ornament - Island Indigo, Winter Frost Specialty DSP.  Angel - Pool Party, Island Indigo, Silver Foil, Pink Pirouette.

Ink: Ornament - Versamark.  Angel - Island Indigo.
Other: Gift Bow Bigz L Die.  Ornament - Candy Dots Brad Base, Basic Jewel Rhinestone, Silver 1/8" Ribbon, Silver Embossing Powder.  Angel - Silver 1/8" Ribbon, Frosted Finishes Embellishments.

Circle Punches - Ornament - 1" Circle, 7/8" Scallop Circle.  Angel - 1 3/4" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 7/8" Scallop Circle



Pop & Place Holiday Gift Tags

Stampin’ Up introduced a new product today that I think would be fabulous for anyone.

Pop & Place Holiday Gift Tags

What a perfect way to dress up your holiday (or any time) packages!  The Pop & Place Holiday Gift Tags come in a booklet of 70+ tags in five designs.  These tags coordinate with the Season of Style products in the 2013 holiday catalog.

Combine this with the Christmas Tagables Photopolymer Stamp Set and you will be set for the gift giving season.

There are several options when buying these products. The tags and stamp set can be purchased individually.  Or you can combine items and save some money as a bundle.

Check out my online store for this product. It is available to order from October 4, 2013 to December 31, 2013. You can order online with me 24/7.

Virtual Card Making Party - Challenge 1

Over Labor Day weekend, Operation Write Home (OWH) hosted a Virtual Card Making Party (VCMP).  During the weekend, they posted challenges to get your card making mojo going, learn a few new techniques, and most importantly, make cards for the heroes that serve this country.

I wasn't able to participate over the weekend.  However, the challenges are still open this week and I really wanted to play along.  Here is the first challenge (posted by Nancy Keller at Scrap Happens):

"My challenge is to make a winter or Christmas themed card for OWH following a sketch!"

Here is my card.  The squares are cut at 1".  This was a fun technique.  It uses up scraps and creates a nice layout for the card.

 

 

All Items Stampin' Up unless noted

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

Paper:  Coastal Cabana, Island Indigo, Winter Frost Specialty DSP (132341)

Ink:  Island Indigo, Versamark

Other:  Basic Jewel Rhinestones (119246), Silver Embossing Powder, Christmas Ornament Punch 

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.



Christmas in August

Stampin’ Up releases the Holiday catalog in August each year.  And while Christmas is actually months away, once school starts, that time seems to fly by in my house.  Why not get started on your holiday cards early and eliminate some of that stress?  I am going to have a few postings featuring one new stamp set and one returning set.

The new set is Christmas Collectibles.  This set is available in clear (131775) or wood mount.  You can also save 15% and get the bundle which includes the matching Christmas Ornament punch.  I try to minimize fussy cutting shapes, so the bundle was the way to go for me.

And for our greetings, I chose the Greetings of the Season stamp set (Clear mount - 128033).  This set is not featured in the new Holiday catalog, but is available on my Stampin’ Up website.

Stop by again to see these fabulous cards.  If you need any supplies, visit my online store.