Inspiration Challenge 150

Hello! Today is Utah Divas International’s (UDI’s) Inspiration Challenge #150. Here is the Inspiration photo:

And here is my card:

I kept it pretty simple this time.  Just a Sahara Sand card base, Whisper White layer run through the Big Shot with the Chevrons TIEF and four strands of 1/8” taffeta ribbon  woven together.  The stamp is from Delightful Dozen, and the brad is a black glimmer brad.

Inside, I was going for a “stringy” look. Sort of reminds me of a Native American Blanket, and I inked just the stems on the Pleasant Poppies stamp with a Sahara Sand marker to give that effect. Then I used the Finishing Touches Edglits to trim the sides.

I hope you’ve been inspired this week, and that you take the time to create something that will brighten someone’s day today. Be sure to stop by the UDI blog to see what the other members of the design team made.

Happy Stamping!

UDI Color Challenge #101

Hello again! Woohoo! This will be my 3rd post in a week.  Yay for challenges! As I mentioned in my previous post, I’ve joined three design teams primarily because I love challenges, but secondarily to help me keep my blog fresh!  So far, it’s working, and I’m having a wonderful time!
Here is today’s Color Challenge:

Very patriotic!
…and here is my card:

I’m pretty pleased with the way it turned out. I used a similar layout on one of my swaps for convention this year, and I was glad to have a chance to switch it out with some different colors.
I’m really enjoying working with the stitched satin ribbon in all of the new In Colors, and this month, for every $40 you spend on a Stampin’ Up! order (before taxes and shipping), you get a spool of your favorite color of stitched satin ribbon FREE! Woohooooo! LOL! I’m all about the freebies!
…and because I like to carry my designs to the inside, here is the inside:

Okay, here are the supplies needed:
Cardstock: Raspberry Ripple, Midnight Muse, Whisper White
Stamp Sets: Pursuit of Happiness, Merry Minis
Punches: 1-1/4 Scallop Circle, Scallop Edge Border, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Merry Minis Punch Pack
Ribbon: 3/8” Midnight Muse Stitched Satin
Accessories: Pearls, Sponge Dauber, Snail Adhesive, Mini Glue Dots, Tombow Glue, Paper Trimmer, Bone Folder

The card base is Raspberry Ripple. The Midnight Muse layer is 3" x 4".  I cut the ribbons 1.5" longer than the side they were glued on, then folded them back at an angle to hang down under the flowers. The Whisper White layer is 2" x 3" stamped in Midnight Muse ink.  I sponged the edges with Raspberry Ripple, but now I'm wondering if it would have been better with Midnight Muse or both? Dunno.
Use Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch to make the Raspberry Ripple edge on the Whisper White layer. Punched the 4-petal flowers in Whisper White with the punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack.
For the larger flowers, punch three 1-1/4" Scallop Circles and fold them in half between the scallops all the way around. Then bunch them up a bit to get the shape you want and glue them on. I used the Star Punch from the Merry Minis Punch Pack to make the Raspberry Ripple centers and added Pearls to the centers of all of the flowers.

Inside, cut a Whisper White panel 5" x 3.75". Use the star stamp from the Merry Minis stamp set to add decorations in the corners. 2 of the stars are stamped off.  The Midnight Muse edge is 1.75" x 5" punched on one side with the Scallop Edge Border punch. Glue that over the left side of the white panel, and voila!
You could make the blue strip a bit narrower if you have a lot you want to write, but sometimes I think it's nice to have a small space so you aren't as pressured to write a long letter. ;D

Hope you've been inspired to create something fun today. See you Thursday for the Inspiration Challenge! In the meantime, happy stamping, and be sure to stop by the UDI blog to see what the rest of the design team made this week!

UDI Sketch Challenge #205

Hey, everyone! I’m back again!  It’s Saturday, and it’s time for the Utah Divas International (UDI) Sketch Challenge.  The Divas are a bunch of great ladies I met at Stampin’ Up’s Demonstrator Convention a few years back, and they’ve been a lot of fun to create with.  After you see what I’ve done, be sure to check out the UDI Blog to see what the rest of the design team came up with for this week’s sketch.
Here’s the sketch:

And here is my card:

I took a couple of liberties with this sketch.  I added the panel with the bird, and I used 3 ribbons instead of 2, but the ribbons were so narrow, I figured 3 would fill the space better, right? I’m so glad you agree with me! LOL!
I really wanted to use this stamp set today, so the 3rd panel had to happen because of the bird, and I didn’t want to turn the card. I don’t know why I was so determined to use this Stamp Set. It could be all of the birds fighting over the bird feeder outside the window of my craft area. We’ve had a lot of bird activity this year, and a family of house finches built a nest in one of our hanging baskets in front of the kitchen window. The bird in this set reminds me of them, and the knots and the weave of the ribbons make me think of their nest, so here we are!
Here are the tools I used to make this card:
Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Basic Gray, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White and Baja Breeze.
Ink: Basic Gray, VersaMark
Stamp Set: Nature Walk
Ribbon: 1/8” Taffeta in Pumpkin Pie, Baja Breeze, and Daffodil Delight.
Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (TIEF), Sticky Strip, Dimensionals, Snail Adhesive, Mini Glue Dots
I used Sahara Sand Cardstock for the Card Base.  I cut a Basic Gray layer 1/4” smaller than the base (5.25” x 4”) and stamped the floral stamp in VersaMark repeatedly as a background. On the back of the Basic Gray layer I used 1” of Sticky Strip to attach the ribbons at the top and the bottom. (when you’re looking at the back the Sticky Strip goes on the RIGHT side…yeah. Experience.) About 6” of ribbon will work here.  I braided each strand once to get the crossed over effect before attaching the second end. I cut another 2” of each color to tie the knots.
Once I got the ribbons situated, I used Snail Adhesive to center the Basic Gray layer on the Card Base.  The Pumpkin Pie and Daffodil Delight panels are both 2.5” x 3.5”. I Ran the Daffodil Delight panel through the Big Shot in the Square Lattice TIEF and layered them on the Basic Gray Panel.  (Note: Whenever I use a TIEF with a lot of detail and not much flat space, I use Mini Glue Dots to adhere it to my card.  They stick better on uneven surfaces. You could also use Tombow Glue.)
For the bird panel, I stamped the bird in Basic Gray Ink on Baja Breeze Cardstock. That panel is 1.75” x 2.75” and the Whisper White Panel is 2” x 3”. I used Snail Adhesive to layer the Baja Breeze to the Whisper White, then used Dimensionals to center both panels on the card.
That’s it for this week’s Sketch Challenge. Remember to check out the UDI blog to see what the rest of the Design Team came up with!
Have a great weekend, and take a scrap of time to create something to brighten someone’s day!
Happy Stamping!

UDI Inspiration Challenge #149

Hi, everyone! I’m enjoying being back in my craft room after a prolonged absence.  I had surgery earlier this year, and I keep trying to get back in the swing of things, but something shiny always seems to distract me. LOL!

To ensure I stay motivated and keep my blog up-to-date, I signed onto the design teams for 3 different Utah Divas International (UDI) challenges. Call me crazy, but I know myself, and I need that deadline hanging over my head in order to make sure I’m consistently making time in my craft room! LOL!

Today’s challenge is an Inspiration Challenge, and here is the Inspiration photo:

 

Wow! Pretty intense, huh? This picture never fails to tug at my heart and put a lump in my throat. I feel sadness, patriotism, strength, hope… so many overwhelming emotions!  I tried to narrow down all of the thoughts swirling through my head, and the one that stood out for me was gratitude.

In some ways it’s odd to associate gratitude with such a tragic event, but because of that tragedy, gratitude is what I feel toward these men and all of the people who rushed in to help when the world was falling down around them and for all of the people who followed them before the dust even settled who pushed through the pain of loss to look for survivors, and who rooted through what was left to find a way to rebuild what had been lost to give hope to a grieving nation. 

So, inspired by my gratitude and some of the colors in the photo, this is how my card turned out:

The stamp set is “From My Heart,” and this one reads, “Thank You from the Bottom of my Heart.”  Inside, it reads, “Your Kindness Means so Much.”

I love this set because it has 4 pairs of greetings that can be used individually or as a pair to bring continuity to the inside of the card.

Below are the tools used and instructions for making this card. Be sure to stop by the UDI blog to see how the rest of the design team was inspired this week!

Cardstock: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Basic Gray

Stamp Set: From My Heart

Ink:  Basic Gray and Baja Breeze Stampin’ Pads, and Cherry Cobbler Stampin’ Write Marker.

Ribbon: Baja Breeze and Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon

Accessories:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (TIEF), Apothecary Labels Framelits, Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Sponge Dauber, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Snail Adhesive

The card base is Whisper White, and I cut a layer of Basic Gray at 5” x 3.75” and ran it through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots TIEF. I used Snail Adhesive to center that layer on the card front, and then I took about 12” of each of the ribbons, looping them together and laying them in the center of the card front. When I had it positioned where I wanted it, I carefully used glue dots under each layer at the point where the ribbons crossed over each other to keep them from moving.

I stamped the front greeting in Basic Gray Ink on Sahara Sand Cardstock, and then ran it through the Big Shot with an Apothecary Label Framelit to cut it out and sponged Basic Gray ink around the edges with a Sponge Dauber. I colored in the heart and some of the flourishes with a Cherry Cobbler Stampin’ Write Marker.  I used the next larger size of Apothecary Label Framelit to cut out a piece of Whisper White Cardstock, and I sponged Baja Breeze Ink around the edges.

I layered the two labels with dimensionals, and used more dimensionals to center the stacked labels on the card front. Then I trimmed the ends of the ribbon and moved on to the inside.

I cut a 5.25” x 4” panel of Sahara Sand for the inside, and stamped the inner greeting in Basic Gray ink.  I punched the corners with the Scallop Trim Corner Punch, and sponged all of the edges of the panel with Basic Gray Ink.  Finally, I used Snail Adhesive to center the panel inside the card.

That’s it for this week’s Inspiration Challenge. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the card or Stampin’ Up! Check out my 24-hour store and this month’s “Back to Spool” special.  For every $40 you spend, you receive a roll of 3/8” stitched satin ribbon in one of our new In Colors!   Also, check in with me on Saturdays for UDI’s Sketch Challenge and on Tuesdays for UDI’s Color Challenge.

In the meantime, I hope you are all having a wonderful week and that you’re finding a scrap of time to create something to brighten someone’s day!

Happy Stamping!

UDI Saturday Sketch Challenge

 

Hey, I’m back!  I’ve signed on to the design team for Utah Divas International’s Saturday Sketch Challenge in order to force myself to be more faithful in updating my blog! So here’s my first sketch:

…and here’s the card I made based on that sketch:

Pretty fun, huh?  I like the simplicity of the layout.  I’ll put the details below for those who are interested. Be sure to stop by the UDI Blog to see what the rest of the design team came up with!

Okay, now for the directions:

Cardstock: Bravo Burgundy, Tempting Turquoise, Champagne Glimmer Paper

Stamp Sets: Every Little Bit, Sassy Salutations

Accessories: Big Shot, Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (TIEF) Chevrons, Pearls, Versamark Ink Pad, Tempting Turquoise Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy, Powder Pals, Heat Tool, Scallop Square Punch, 1-1/4” Square Punch, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Snail Adhesive

I used a standard card base of 5.5” x 4.25” in Bravo Burgundy.  Then I cut a 5.25” x 4” layer of Tempting Turquoise and ran it through my Big Shot with the Chevrons TIEF. I used snail adhesive to glue it to the base, Then I punched 3 scalloped squares from the Champagne Glimmer paper.  After rubbing a scrap piece of Bravo Burgundy cardstock with my Embossing Buddy, I stamped the flower from Every Little Bit in Versamark 3 times and the “Feel Better” stamp from Sassy Salutations once. Then I laid the scrap in my Powder Pals tray and sprinkled them with Tempting Turquoise Embossing Powder.  After tapping off the excess powder, I used my Heat Tool to melt the embossing powder, and punched each flower and the sentiment with the 1-1/4” Square Punch.  I used Mini Glue dots to adhere the flower squares to the Scallop Squares, then put a dimensional on the back of each one to layer them in the lower right corner of the card. I added a pearl to the center of each flower, and I used Mini Glue Dots to stick the sentiment to the Turquoise layer.

Super simple! It took more time to type it out than it took to make the card!  Hope you’re all having a great Labor Day Weekend, and that you’re getting a chance to break into your craft supplies for a little fun!  Check out my online store if you need more supplies!

3 x 3 x 3 Gift Box

I’m back!!! After several months of family health issues, I’m finally feeling as though I’m ready to be back in the blogging mode.  I made these cute gift boxes back in December for my sister-in-law, who was hosting her bunco group and wanted some pretty boxes to put her gifts to them in. So I made 10 all with different styles, but all basically the same box. I had some people recently ask for the instructions on how to make them, so here they are.  Feel free to email me if you have any questions about my instructions. They make perfect sense in my head, but I realize not all of you inhabit my head, and that’s probably a good thing!  If you need translation, I’m happy to help!

Start with a 9 x 9 piece of More Mustard cardstock

Use the Simply Scored tool to make folding/cutting lines at 3” and 6” on two sides. It should look like a tic-tac-toe board when you’re done. Then using the Fiskars cutter (or paper snips), cut in 3” from the edge toward the center on each of the score lines. This should cut off all of the corner squares of your tic-tac-toe board.

Next, take 4 strips of Whisper White cardstock cut 1-1/4” x 3”, and trim the long sides with a scallop border punch. Use the Simply Scored tool to score lengthwise down the center of the strip so it will wrap around the corners to hold the walls of the box in place.

Use Cherry Cobbler ink to stamp the flourish from Elements of Style on each of the walls of the box, then fold the walls up and use Tombow glue to adhere the white strips to each corner, holding each corner for a few seconds to make sure it was dry enough to stay in place.

I lined the inside of my boxes because I knew what I was putting inside would be heavy enough that it would need reinforcement. I dotted a 3” x 3” piece of cardstock (or designer paper) with Tombow glue and dropped it in the bottom of the box. (It may need to be shaved down a bit, but 3 X 3 is a good start point). Then I used a 3” x 12” piece of cardstock (or designer paper), scoring it at 3”, 6” and 9”, dotted it with Tombow glue and pressed it against the insides of the box. Again, the lining is completely optional, and if you’re concerned that it needs the extra reinforcement of another layer of cardstock, you can stamp the cardstock to make it look like designer paper.

To make the lid, use a 4-1/8” x 4-1/8” piece of More Mustard cardstock, and score it at 1” on all 4 sides. Then use paper snips to trim in 1” on the score lines on two opposing sides. Then trim diagonally from the corner to the cut line to leave a triangular flap to glue on the inside and hold the sides together. (Note: You could use the same method to assemble the box if you didn’t want to have the scallop trim on the outside, or conversely, you could trim the flap off the lid and use an oval or a circle to wrap around and hold the sides of the lid together. See the photo of the River Rock box where I used a small oval and eyelets on the lid.)

Stamp the outside of the lid with Elements of Style in Cherry Cobbler ink. Then fold the sides with the gluing flaps to the inside. Dot Tombow glue on the flaps and hold the sides in place for a few moments to keep them straight.

I lined the lid by dropping a 3-1/8” x 3-1/8” square piece of cardstock, dotted with Tombow glue, inside the lid.

Use sticky strip to adhere the scallop ribbon and the pleated ribbon around the sides of the lid. On the top, cut around a circle from the Lace punch in Cherry Cobbler, punch 2 fancy flowers from More Mustard. Wad both of the fancy flowers up to make them pliable, push an Antique Brad through the Lace punch circle and one of the fancy flowers and layer them on top of a large scallop circle punch in Cherry Cobbler. Use sticky strip to layer white Waffle Paper to the back of the scallop circle and use dimensionals to adhere it to the top of the box lid.

I hope you enjoy these boxes.  I had a great time making them! Here are some more photos of the other boxes I made for my sister-in-law. They are all the same box, just decorated differently.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the other decorations. 

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Wonderfully Wicked Wednesday, #29

Hi, all!  Here is my entry for WWW this week.  I used the new Gently Falling set from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  The theme for this month is Scarecrow, and things to do with autumn.  I thought this looked like the perfect boutonniere for a scarecrow, don’t you?

I used Soft Suede for the card base, Pool Party for the mat, and Very Vanilla to stamp on.  The background is the “En Francais” stamped in Calypso Coral ink.  It’s hard to tell, but I sponged it with Pool Party ink as well. 

The leaf outlines are stamped in Crumb Cake and the fill-in is stamped in Pool Party. The acorns are outlined in Crumb Cake and filled in with So Saffron. I used a neutral Designer Button tied with linen thread.

The Thank You stamp is from “Day of Gratitude” and is stamped in Soft Suede ink on Pool Party Cardstock.

Hope you enjoyed this week’s card.  Have a great week everyone, and try to get your fingers inky at least once this week!