Masculine Seasonal Thinking of You

If you are anything like me, making a guy friendly card is hard to do! As I was using the Watercolor Winter stamp set to make my Christmas Cards the wood and the pine needles reminded me of my daddy and I felt inspired to make a non-christmasy card! I used a few different techniques including distressing, sponging, and embossing with my Big Shot. And not only am I showing you the end product, but I think this time... I'll let you see my trial and error process of building it. Here goes!

      too boring/not enough contrast!              better but the bkgrd is still to blah!  

                                eh, kinda neat but not quite there               nice contrast....good color...

Stampin' Up! Thoughts & Prayers stamp set, Watercolor Winter stamp set, Timber standard wheel, wood grain embossing folder. Always Artichoke, Early Espresso, and Sahara Sand.

Extravaganza!

Fall card sets

Here are some quick and easy cards I made. Quick and easy because I had most of it already all stamped up! I created a background pattern by sponging in green and then randomly stamping the leaves and acorns. This is a fast formula I love to use: pattern on the bottom (stamped or patterned paper,) stripe to separate (this can be a solid or pattern paper, ribbon, or punched edge,) some type of popped up embellishment (here I reused the leaves,) and the sentiment at the top!

I also used a fake layered technique by masking off a section of the paper and then sponging and stamping and then removing the mask. I'll probably share this technique again later in greater detail. For now I just want to show off the end product.

But maybe the best part of making these is the potential lead I got today! The lady I made these for sent one out and the recipient loved it so much... I may have the opportunity to make and sell more! Woowho! I can't wait to share and spread my stampy happiness with as many people as possible. Thanks AmyC for being such a big fan of my work! :)

I used Stampin' Up!'s Day Of Gratitude stamp set in Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, and Early Espresso. It sounds like a gross combo but it looks great!

Congrats! Benn & Kristen

A picture is worth a thousand words... or 100 wedding invitations and 125 thank you cards! I made these for my nephew Benn and his bride Kristen. I love the way it all turned out!

I used Love Blossoms Stampin' Around Wheel, Beautiful Wings Stampin' Up! Embosslits Die, Pacific Point cardstock and ink. I also used 5/8" black satin ribbon and black glitter glue. Some assembly required. :)

MONDAY Oct 29th ONLY: super sale!

I know I've changed the tone of my blog to more what I make not what I sell.. but I HAVE TO SHARE this Stampin' Up! promotion!

MONDAY OCTOBER 29th ONLY -- 15% off STAMPS!

All* stamps in the current catalogs including:

• Regular stamp sets
• Background stamps
• Personalized name stamps
• Cookie press stamps
• Single-image stamps

*This DOES NOT include Hostess sets, Bundled stamp sets or Digital stamp brush sets.

PLUS I need to share with you that Stampin' Up! has added MORE single stamps! Please call or email me your orders ASAP! Any time over the weekend or Monday by 4pm. I don't want anyone to miss out! AND... I might just sweeten this deal. Place and order to find out! Think of what you need for the holidays or crafters on your Christmas list!

Be sure to check out the Stampin' Up! catalog AND the Holiday catalog!  Or download them to your computer here: http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/22124.asp

 

designer series paper card

I can't believe i'm about to say this but... sometimes stamping doesn't have to be the focus of a hand made card. <gasp!> I know, right? I can't believe I'm putting this out there. But see for yourself! I made this belated birthday card by mixing designer series papers! Don't be afraid to mix and match and layer. Then I mimicked the pattern of the paper onto the envelope using similar stamps for a finished look. Ta-da! Happy Belated Birthday, Jess!

Featuring Stampin' Up's Patio Party Designer Series Paper: Baja Breeze, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals, Summer Starfruit, and Whisper White and Fabulous Florets stamp set.

rock and roll technique

In my last technique share I said: Instead of a boring old solid stamped image you will have a cool looking one-of-a-kind image! That applies for this technique as well! 

You will need a solid image stamp, two coordinating ink colors (one light, one dark) and of course...cardstock to stamp it on! Ink up your stamp in the lighter color. Then switch to the darker color and instead of pressing it down on the stamp pad only press the outside edge of the stamp to the ink. You'll have to "rock and roll" the stamp around to get all the edges covered. The more you do, the more extra color you grab. It creates a bit of a gradient effect and depending on the stamp image you pick, it can create a darker border.

I've been using this technique for years and I love it! So Friday when my brother said "do you have a card I can have for the wedding tomorrow?" I said "Sure!" cause I knew this technique would give me a great looking card fast!

    

I used Stampin' Up!'s "Cottage Garden" and "God's Blessings" stamp sets in Bashful Blue and Pacific Point.