Bravo for Stars!

Today's cards feature the Bravo stamp set and Star framelits. Although I created these last year, most of the products have carried over to the new catalog. You'll notice I was on a "star layering" rampage! :)
supplies: Chalk Lines stamp set, Bravo stamp set, Typeset Specialty dsp, Star framelits, Metallic Baker's twine-silver, Black Stazon ink pad, Bermuda Bay ink pad.

supplies:  Bravo stamp set, Hearts & Stars decorative mask with sponge daubers and Lost Lagoon ink, Tangelo Twist ink pad, Gold Glimmer paper, card stocks: Lost Lagoon, Tangelo Twist, Mossy Meadow, Hello Honey. 

supplies: Bright & Beautiful stamp set(retired), Versamark ink pad and White embossing powder, Lucky Stars TIEF (run through the Big Shot twice), Star framelits, cardstocks: Crumb Cake, Coastal Cabana(retired), Real Red, ribbons: Chevron ribbon/Natural, Real Red 1/4" Cotton, Coastal Cabana thick baker's twine.

Sprinkles of Life - Ronald McDonald House Charities set

This darling stamp set is the RMHC featured set for this year's catalog. For each Sprinkle's of Life stamp set sold, Stampin' Up! donates $3 to the program. (See it on the back page of the catalog). We have a super cute, versatile paper punch that coordinates with this set:  Tree Builder. The first card was a project that we created at my New Catalog Open House this past weekend. It's a simple, easy, quick card to make. For fun, I thought I'd show you 2 additional "stepped up" versions, adding more accessories and tools each time. I'm sure I could have even gone more crazy (maybe I will tomorrow!). 

Card 1 supplies: Sprinkle's of Life stamp set, Tree Builder punch, Cherry on Top DSPS,  Whisper White cs, Elegant Dots TIEF, Tip Top Taupe ink pad, Banner Triple punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, 2-way Glue Pen and Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

card 2 additional supplies:  Bermuda Bay card stock, Candy Dots

card 3 additional supplies: Crushed Curry Baker's Twine, Zig Zag TIEF

Tag Talk paired with Label Bracket punch

This stamp set, Tag Talk, is carrying over to the new catalog, as well as the coordinating paper punch, Label Bracket. The phrases are super useful, since they cover general events: weddings, birthdays, babies, congrats, and then "For You" to cover everything else!! Other supplies: Coastal Cabana thick baker's twine, 2013-15 In Color sequins, Essential Wooden Elements (a recent favorite accessory!) and Crushed Curry embossing powder.  Lullaby dsp and Gold Glimmer paper provide the pretty background colors and touch of fancy!  TIP:  I used the Banners framelits in the "reverse" for the consistent angled lower edges!

Here I added additional stamp sets for a "stepped up" card: containing lots of layers, shapes, and textures!  The lovely scalloped background stamp was taken from Everything Eleanor, and the flower detail from Something to Say stamp set.  My card is very close to the original inspiration card I found online:  see it here. Additional supplies: Lovely Lace tif, Itty Bitty Accents punch pack (flower), Island Indigo Chevron ribbon, Baked Brown Sugar thick baker's twine, 1/8" Mini Brads.

Blue Ribbon stamp set takes First Place!

Here is a stamp set that is fun to use with several of SU's punches and dies. Grab your 1 3/8" circle punch, 2 3/8" scallop circle punch, and Bitty Banner framelits! The card below features Early Espresso card stock and ink and Silver embossing powder.

This second sample I dug out of my "retired" card samples! The paper is no longer available or that particular green ink, but you could substitute endless alternatives! The word "BEST" works great with title stamps….such as Dad, Mom, sister, ect. Although you could hand cut the banner inset paper pieces, the Bitty Banner framelits set contains the perfect fit!

Over the next few weeks, my blogging time will be very limited. My stamp room (and kitchen and lower bathroom) are all undergoing "transformations", starting with new flooring (and snowballing from there!!) So my craft supplies are totally packed up for now!  Starting on June 2, the first day of the new 2015-16 Catalog, I will begin stamping NEW creations to share.  Meanwhile, enjoying your own crafting times and I'll be back to a regular schedule in June!

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing all you moms a Happy Mother's Day!  Hope you enjoyed a lovely day.  I was blessed with a lunch out with my man, and uninterrupted crafting in my stamp room all afternoon:) Board games are on the evening agenda!

Little Sunshine stamp set - babies, weddings, and more!

The new 2015-2016 Catalog is around the corner, and now that I've seen it online, I can share which Occasions sets are NOT carried over!  And here is one:  Little Sunshine. And an added bonus: coordinating accessories to complete your projects with ease! Here we have Sweet Dreams washi tape, Sweet Dreams DSP, Word Bubbles framelits, Occasions paper piercing template, and Essential Wooden Elements. (all retiring btw!) 

This card features the same Sweet Dreams DSP, with an added fun glitter stripe made with Sticky Strip and Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

I challenged myself to create a totally different feel with the same heart image and DSP as the top baby card. To complete the wedding theme, I took a sentiment from the Occasions catalog stamp set: For the New Two (which IS featured in the upcoming new 2015-21016 Catalog).  The top row of hearts was created with Blackberry Bliss card stock and Silver embossing power. The lower row of hearts: Early Espresso card stock and Silver powder. Don't forget the coordinating punch: Sweetheart.

On a personal note, I was thrilled today to find a box from Bungalow Studio Pottery Company in the mail for me (birthday gift)! This lovely jewelry dish was made by my sister Elaine Leonard. Check out her Etsy Shop with this link.

Feel Goods stamp set - perfect sayings for special cards!

This post comes from Fort Riley, Kansas!  Well, in a way.  I'm here with my two sons, Alex and Chase, apartment hunting for the oldest - Alex.  Before leaving home, I snapped some photos so I could keep up with posting new cards each week! So although the cards are there in Iowa, the sharing is via Kansas!

This stamp set - Feel Goods - had been on my wish list for literally 2 years or more.  I think the reason it took me so long to "pull the trigger" is because the sayings are more unique and therefore not used for the average birthday or thank you card.  My long desired set came to me through Gloria Helmbrecht, my lovely upline, who hosts a card contest each month for her downline. Alas - I won a $25 Stampin' Up! gift certificate this past winter!! Thanks Gloria!

The above card's background color "splash" was created with the Work of Art set.  I used two of the stamps: medium and small size brushstroke images. The ink colors from the top: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango. The sheer seam binding ribbon: Daffodil Delight.  The phrase was heat embossed, with VersaMark ink and White powder.

Here I also used the Work of Art stamp set for background color and decoration.  Ink colors used: Soft Sky, Sahara Sand, & Blushing Bride.
The trims are Soft Sky Cotton Twine (Occasions Catalog) 
and Blushing Bride 1/4" Cotton Ribbon. The lower trim is washi tape from the Occasions: Stacked with Love.

 This card design was inspired by a Pinterest image, click here to see the original!  I switched out the color theme to: Mossy Meadow and Wisteria Wonder.  The background paper is found in the main catalog: Tyepset Specialty DSP- and I was thrilled to see that it will carry over the next catalog!  Once again, Work of Art stamp set provided the great brushstroke background color.  I snuck in a few splatters with
Gorgeous Grunge stamp set too!

Starburst Framelits to celebrate your occasion!

What items go great together? Starburst Framelits and Starburst Sayings of course!  Throw in some colored embossing powders and Neutrals Designer Paper Series Stack (which is 40% off) and you have some fabulous cards!  I could hardly stop once I got going.  You'll notice I stayed with monochromatic themes….just one featured color, plus neutrals.  All of these embossing powders are on the Retiring List, most of them 50% off!  The above card uses Crushed Curry emboss powder.

Here we have Calypso Coral embossing powder and Tangerine Tango baker's twine (happens to coordinate nicely...also retiring and 50% off).  The Neutrals designer paper stack gave me lots of options for patterned paper!

This card features Smokey Slate
embossing power and designer paper.  I embossed the oh, HAPPY DAY
3 times, and then cut 3 sizes of starbursts, then layered with dimensionals.
See photo below for side view!

 Here I covered the 
"DAY' portion of the embossed image with 
"Father's Day", from the Crazy For You stamp set. Below you will see a side view of my framelits, set up to cut both layers of brown and green card stock at the same time. I removed alternating layers, so I ended up with green, brown, green with their edges on the same level. 

Here is Pool Party embossing powder on the center "THANK you so much" image!  Add a few layers of Starburst cut outs, add a little texture with the Arrows embossing folder, and BAM.  Ribbon adds a final Pool Party accessory!

Gift Card Envelope Thinlits

The season for graduation parties is almost upon us!  Stampin' Up!'s Gift Card Envelope & Trims Thinlits Dies set is the perfect solution for creating a unique card to house your recipients gift card!  On the above example, I used the small circle framelit, mini brads, and baker's twine to create the closure.  On the lower card, I also used mini brads to attach the small circles, however I then covered them with coordinating candy dots (using a hammer to tap the mini brads flat first).

The stamp set B.Y.O.P. in the Occasions Catalog give you the perfect saying to go with all of your main events: weddings, babies, graduations, birthdays, thank yous, and more!

The BABY card below was created with the stamp set Celebrate Today.  When I first opened the Occasions catalog, this was one of the first on my wish list!   White embossing power helped me create the fun confetti on the balloons. Designer paper Lullaby covers the backgound in front, and makes the inside Gift Card Envelope.  Orienting the envelope vertically made the space nice and balanced.  Baker's twine holds the flaps closed and makes an easy "open"!!

Hello You Thinlits Dies

Here we have the Hello You Thinlits featured,

a wonderful set of curvy words:

happy, you, thanks, and hello

Although at this moment they are not orderable, I am accumulating a "waiting list" of names, and as soon as the Dies pop back online, I will place the order. If you would like to be added to that list, just let me know!  April is FREE SHIPPING month from me, and if you place your name on the list this month, FREE SHIPPING will apply regardless of which month we actually end up placing the order.   

The coordinating stamp set Crazy For You provides the exact phrase to match. These 2 items, the framelit set and stamp set, are also offered as a bundle.

The above silver "happy" was cut out with Silver Foil paper.  Use your ENTIRE piece by creating a second, reverse image card, as shown below!  In order to achieve that "inlaid" look with the silver foil and black cardstock, I attached my silver piece to the black background first, and THEN rolled it through the Big Shot in an embossing folder.  Silver Glimmer paper and Silver Fancy Foil Designer Vellum complete the look!

Once again, the Crazy For You stamp set provides the needed occasion word: GRADUATION.

I must mention the Adventure Bound Designer Series Paper Stack….it provided me with the tree background above, and the bricks here.  GREAT for masculine cards of nature, sport, or any other theme!

Crazy about "Crazy about You"!

Welcome to my new adventure…..I encourage you to "FOLLOW" me (using the box on the right to input your email) as I spend my upcoming Stampin' Up! playtime creating projects and sharing ideas in this blog. My goal is to inspire you in your own crafting time, and be a resource for stamping tips and techniques!!    It will take time to develop and build this blog over the coming year, but HERE is the starting point….yay!

We'll kick off "Stampin' with Jen" using the Occasions Catalog stamp set: Crazy For You. This set is extremely versatile, and includes 3 great images to go with a slew of words. The flower, spiral, and leaf can all be seen in the examples below. The Flower and Spiral have matching punches: Flower Medallion and 1 3/8" Scallop Circle

You will also notice the Striped Scallop Thinlit was used on all four examples! It was one of the first items I ordered last summer when the current catalog was released. I am embarrassed to say it took me the whole year to even TRY it!!  But now I am hooked, and I'll keep it in reach!  I found the best way to attach the lacy pieces was with 2-way glue. It was also important to use wax paper between the cardstock and the thinlit when rolling it through the Big Shot, to ease the release.

The skinny strip of black on the card above is just black cardstock, attached with a line of 2-way glue. Rhinestones create nice centers for the spiral flowers. The card base is Daffodil Delight cardstock, with an angled cut white cardstock piece taped on the right side.