Scalloped Edges

I recently learned a new technique. It involved making scalloped edges with a slit punch. I had seen several cards on Splitcoast Stampers and various blogs using the scalloped edges and really liked what it added to the cards, but I had no idea how to do it. So, I did what I always do when I have no idea how to do something…….I Googled. Several different sites popped up including some with step-by-step tutorials. This technique that I thought would be difficult turned out to be incredibly simple!!! Since then, I have become scallop-crazy. I’ve taken all kinds of scraps and scalloped them and have been looking for ways to add the edges to my cards. This card is a perfect example of that. I initially didn’t have the white scallops on the card, but it just seemed to be missing something. Once I added them it seemed to make the flower pop. I also added a bit of sponging. I have a difficult time with too much white space and the sponging seemed to tone that down. Enjoy!


Card Recipe:

Stamps: Gerberadaisy
Ink: Black Stazon, Garden Green Classic Ink Pad, Lovely Lilac Watercolor Crayon; Garden Green Watercolor Crayon
Paper: Whisper White, Garden Green, Lovely Lilac, Elegant Eggplant, SU DS Paper
Other: Vintage brads, sponging, Hodgepodge Hardware, Purple Stitched Ribbon from Michael’s, Slit Punch, Ticket Corner Punch

Did Someone Say Cat?

A friend of mine LOVES cats. She is constantly looking for cute cat sets. When we look at different cards together, her mind is always working at trying to figure out how to get a cat in the picture. Whether the cat is behind a bucket or tree, or peeking through some flowers or high grass, or on top of a box or truck. She must be rubbing off on me because I came across a card where they used the Unfroggetable flowers as a background to a snail (that is also in that set), and all I could think of when I saw the card was how much my friend would love it if the snail had been a cat. Lol So, I changed the card and colors and used one of the cat stamps she let me borrow. This is the result. I was very pleased with the way it turned out, and she was as well. The dimensional really helps the cat pop out of the picture. I also added some Versamark flowers from the Watercolor Joy Wheel on the Yoyo Yellow paper to add a little texture. I think there is a very good chance we will be making more of these in the future for her to send out. (smile)

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Unfrogettable, Watercolor Joy Wheel, Cat Set (from Michaels)
Ink: Black Stazon, Yoyo yellow watercolor crayon, Only Orange Watercolor crayon, Real Red Watercolor Crayon, Close to Cocoa watercolor crayon
Paper: Whisper White card stock, Only Orange card stock, Yoyo Yellow card stock
Other: Watercolor pen, twine, dimensional

Simple Thank You

This last week I held my first Stamp Camp. I was a bit nervous wanting everyone to enjoy the projects, but once I got there and started talking about how much I love to stamp.....well there was no looking back. They enjoyed everything I brought and we had a GREAT time. I tried to have some balance with simple cards and a couple of cards with some new techniques that would take a bit longer. This was one of the simple cards. I just LOVE the colors. The Stampin' Up Designer Series paper out of their current Occasions Mini has such vibrant colors. I'm looking forward to utilizing it in more cards. I used markers for the stamp which is also found in the current Stampin' Up mini. I was really pleased with the simplicity of the card.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Full Of Life, Simply
Ink: Basic Black Stampin’ Write marker, Real Red Stampin’ Write marker, Certainly Celery Stampin’ Write marker, Bashfull Blue Stampin’ Write marker, VersaMark

Paper: Whisper White card stock, Certainly Celery card stock, Bashful Blue card stock, Real Red card stock, Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper

Other: Slit Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Real Red Colored Buttons

Hooray for Spring!!

Can I just say how wonderful it is that Spring has FINALLY arrived. Everything is finally starting to change colors and to bloom. Of course that means lots of beautiful flowers which makes me want to stamp beautiful flowers. Here is a stamp I absolutely love. It's the Gerberadaisy stamp from The Angel Company. Of course my challenge is that I feel it needs the watercolor look, and I am still learning how to use those. It is so great to have so many options in coloring the stamps.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Gerberadaisy, Heartfelt Thanks, Watercolor Joy Wheel

Ink: Black Stazon, VersaMark, Creamy Caramel, Cameo Coral Watercolor Crayon; Garden Green Watercolor Crayon

Paper: Whisper White, Garden Green, Cameo Coral

Other: Paper piercing, sponging, hodgepodge hardware, Always Artichoke ribbon

Another Great Camp

I attended Stamp Camp last night. I must say that Heather had some wonderful projects, one of which was this card. Unfortunately, the scan does not do the colors justice. I don't know that I ever would have thought to put these colors together, but the Groovy Guava, Chocolate Chip and Always Artichoke gave it such a unique feel. If you get time, pull these colors out and see not only how well they compliment each other, but what kinds of projects come to your minde with them. Heather mentioned she really liked it because she thought it could also work as a masculine card for a birthday. I have to agree! Thanks again Heather!

Card Recipe:
Stamps: Birthday Whimsy (from the Sale-A-Bration mini)
Ink: Groovy Guava
Paper: Groovy Guava, Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke and Whisper White
Other: Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Chocolate Chip and Always Artichoke Stampin Write Markers

Valentine's Day

In preparation of the upcoming holiday, I'm working to get my creative mind working once again. With both of these designs I began with basic black cardstock and then went to my scrap paper drawer. I have so many scraps in there that I don't ever seem to utilize. Does anyone else have a scrap drawer? If so, how do you discipline yourself to go there and use what is inside? What kind of personal challenges do you create to use them? I would love to hear feedback on this. Ok, back to the Valentine cards. I have this really cute retired stamp from Stampin' Up and used it along with the embossing technique. I've said it before, I love embossing. I embossed the black and red card with black embossing power. On the pink and black card I used clear embossing powder and the emboss resist technique. I never seem to tire of learning new ways to emboss. It always takes the card to a new level in my eyes. Both of the cards are pretty simple and clean, which is a little different for me, but I'm trying to step outside my comfort zone with different approaches to my cards. I hope you enjoy them.