PCS Cross Box blog hop!!

If you find yourself here at my blog, you must have just visited Melanie Schulenberg's gorgeous blog, Pockets of Inspiration!

Check out this gorgeous little cross box -- you too can make it using the exclusive template available in this months' Paper Crafters Sampler!  This adorable project is so easy to put together and would be just perfect for Easter or Confirmation gifts.  All you need to do is subscribe to the February issue of the Paper Crafters Sampler!

For this box, I printed the template directly on an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock cut from the Springtime Vintage dsp.  I cut, scored and folded it, then adhered all the corners with mini glue-dots.  I sponged all the edges with Always Artichoke, the adhered two pieces of Old Olive 1/8" taffeta ribbon down the centers of the arms.  The ribbon is embellished with the seed pearls from the Pearl Jewels.  The leaves are cut out of Certainly Celery and Always Artichoke with the Little Leaves Sizzlit, then sponged with Always Artichoke.  The rose is made from Pretty in Pink cardstock using Melanie Schulenberg's fabulous paper roses tutorial.

To go to the next stop on the PCS Cross Box hop, scoot on over to Julie Pitta's beautiful blog, Thoughts that Stick!

Stamping 411 Color Inspiration 149

I'm loving this weeks' Stamping 411 Color Inspiration!   What's cooler than Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake and Peach Parfait?  The colors are so good together that I didn't even use any stamps!

This color challenge totally fit the Parisian Breeze dsp -- so soft, so lovely.  Deets?  The edge of the pinwheel is cut with the Pinking Hearts border punch to give it some depth, then dipped in glue, then Baja Breeze chunky glass glitter.  There are pearl Jewels in each Early Espresso scallop, as well as the punched out holes of the Double-Sided Ribbon punched Baja Breeze.  Seriously, I'm going to have to start ordering pearl Jewels five packs at a time!

Stamps:  Tiny Tags

Paper:  Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, Vanilla, Peach Parfait, Parisian Breeze dsp

Ink:  Baja Breeze, Early Espresso

Accessories:  Big Shot, Top Note BigZ die, Scallop Circle punch, Ticket-Corner punch, 1 3/8" Circle punch, Pinking Hearts border punch, Tiny Tags punch, Tiny Heart punch, Double-Sided Ribbon punch, Early Espresso 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Pearl Jewels, Trinket Keys, Adornments, Baja Breeze chunky glass glitter, Metallic brads, linen thread, sponges, Sticky Sheets

Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge #187

Woo-hoo!  This card was featured on this week's Stampers Showcase over at Stamping 411!!  Thanks to all the operators who enjoyed my entry!

I'm really into the Saturday Sketch Challenges over at Stamping 411 these days -- many thanks to the Operators for their great sketches!  Check out this weeks' great sketch:

I made this card for my mother-in-law, who just lost her older sister to a stroke.  I punched one strip of the double-loop  in white, one in Always Artichoke, then layered the Always Artichoke under the white.  I cut a narrow strip of Always Artichoke, then ran it down the center and embellished with the tiniest pearls in the pearl Jewels.

The border embellishment under the central image is the same, but with only the tips of the loops showing.  The central image was color directly on the rubbah with markers to give the stamped image some depth.

Stamps:  Thoughts & Prayers

Paper:  Pear Pizzazz, Always Artichoke, White, Springtime Vintage dsp

Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Always Artichoke, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Melon Mambo

Accessories:  Double-sided Loop punch, Ticket-Corner punch, Always Artichoke seam binding, Adornments, Dimensionals, Basic Pearl Jewels

Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge #186

I worked this up for the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge #186, involving a torn edge.  I changed it up a little as I went along.  I was trying to make something a little bit shabby with the Sweet Stitches dsp.  I love torn edges, but it's hard for me to be shabby with lovely, bright colors for some reason!  To play along with this challenge, go visit the Stamping 411 Operators!

I think that this card is pretty self-explanatory.  The dress form, measuring tape and sentiment were heat embossed with black detail ep.  The embellishment across the center is made up of Wild Wasabi stitched poly ribbon, Melon Mambo pom-pom trim and an edge cut from the Pinking Hearts border punch.

Stamps:  Sew Suite, You're a Gem

Paper:  Wild Wasabi, Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, White, Sweet Stitches dsp

Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Versamark

Accessories:  Large Oval punch, Pinking Hearts border punch, Scallop Oval punch, Photo-Corners punch, 1/16" circle punch, Brights brads, black detail ep, Melon Mambo pom-pom trim, Wild Wasabi stitched poly ribbon, Dimensionals

More Rich Razzelberry and Springtime Vintage!

Yet more fun with the fabulous Rich Razzleberry!  I swear, this is the most underrated Stampin' Up! color, but so rich and gorgeous -- I love the saturation.  

This card started out in my mind being pale and ethereal with Blushing Bride.  However, as color schemes frequently go with me, it ended up going down a whole different, darker road!

The elements are pretty self-explanatory, but I'll describe the central floating image.  I stamped the round garland from Vintage Labels on Blushing Bride cardstock with Rich Razzleberry ink.  Then I restamped the image with Versamark and clear embossed it.  I think that the clear embossing really brings out the color.  

I punched the garland out with the Scallop circle punch, then punched twice more out of Rich Razzleberry to layer it.  For the center of the round garland, I punched out a circle from the same dsp design as the rectangular layer beneath.  I sponged the edges, then adhered the circle to the center of the garland.  The leaves were made by punching the Bitty heart punch in Always Artichoke twice.  I adhered them to the bottom of the rose colored Adornment, then to the center of the garland with mini-glue dots.

Stamps:  Vintage Labels

Paper:  Always Artichoke, Rich Razzleberry, Blushing Bride, Springtime Vintage dsp

Ink:  Rich Razzleberry, Versamark

Accessories:  Big Shot, Framed Tulips Textured Impressions folder, Metallic brads, Adornments, Scallop Circle punch, Ticket-Corner punch, Bitty Heart punch, clear ep, Always Artichoke seam binding, Rich Razzleberry 1/8" taffeta ribbon, sponges, mini-glue dots, Dimensionals

Springtime Vintage!

I didn't do this card for any reason other than my own pleasure -- I love these colors together with the Springtime Vintage dsp!  

The Marina Mist central frame was stamped with White craft ink on Marina Mist cardstock, then heat embossed with white detail embossing powder and cut out.  The sentiment was stamped on Vanilla in Night of Navy, then framed up with the flourish from Vintage Labels in Marina Mist.  I adhered the Vanilla to the back of the Marina Mist frame, then matted with Always Artichoke.  

To achieve a neat mat under an odd shape like this, cut out two of the shape.  One you cut through the middle lengthwise, the other through the middle vertically.  With these four pieces, you can neatly mat any oddly shaped image.

The miniature Marina Mist roses were made with Cherie Franklin's tutorial, available in the April 2010 issue of the Paper Crafters Sampler.

Stamps:  Baby Blossoms, Vintage Labels, You're a Gem

Paper:  Marina Mist, Always Artichoke, Vanilla, Springtime Vintage dsp

Ink:  Craft ink: White. Classic inks: Marina Mist, Night of Navy, Always Artichoke

Accessories:  Big Shot, Top Note die, Ticket-Corner punch, Flower Trio punch, Always Artichoke seam binding, Marina Mist 1/8" taffeta ribbon, Metallic brads, white detail ep, sponges

Dirty Dozen challenge CT1210

I worked this up for the December Splitcoast Dirty Dozen challenge CT1210 -- any project with a musical theme.    I really wanted to use my Rich Razzleberry taffeta ribbon, so I designed this card around that glorious pale color.

The torn wallpaper was done with the back-to-back design from the Springtime Vintage dsp.  Remember to sponge BOTH sides of your dsp before you peel it to get the really distressed, vintage look!

The gramophone was watercolored, then double-matted in Early Espresso and Rich Razzleberry and covered with a beveled windowpane.   I really tried to get a good photo of this detail, but the windowpane distorts the image somewhat.

The beautiful paper rose was made using the Birds & Blooms large flower Sizzlit and Melanie Schulenberg's fabulous video tutorial.  Go to her blog, Pockets of Inspiration, to get started on your own beauties!  The miniature rose in the lower right hand corner was made with Cherie Franklin's tutorial, available in the April 2010 issue of the Paper Crafters Sampler.

Stamps:  Timeless Treasures

Paper:  Rich Razzleberry, Early Espresso, Vanilla, Springtime Vintage dsp

Ink:  Black, Soft Suede, Close to Cocoa, Early Espresso, Rich Razzleberry, More Mustard

Accessories:  Big Shot, Birds & Blossoms large flower Sizzlit, Flower Trio punch, Modern Label punch, Beveled Windowpanes, Metallic brads, sponges, Aquapainter, Rich Razzleberry 5/8" taffeta ribbon, Rich Razzleberry 1/8" taffeta ribbon, white gel pen, Trinket key

While taking photos, I couldn't resist this one 

of my little Jack Russell, Sally, checking out the action!