Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge: Mixed Bunch

Good morning!  It’s May already, how is that possible?  Since I’m in a house full of boys there’s been an added focus the past couple weeks on super hero movies with the upcoming release of the new Avengers movie so we joined the “crazies” last night to catch the first showing of the movie before it’s officially released today, it was a lot of fun!  Today I’m sharing a card that’s a combo using this weeks Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch challenge along with the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration blog  retiring favorites post (using the Mixed Bunch stamp set).  I have to admit that when this stamp set was initially released a few years ago I didn’t care for it and didn’t buy it but it was one of the free sets we received at Leadership Conference so we had several make & takes using the stamp set and immediately I was in love and been using it ever since.  Patrice provided this weeks card sketch and I really like how it leaves a lot up to the creators preference and used the Sweet Taffy Designer Series Paper as the foundation for my color selection (I loved this paper since it was first released and since it’s retiring will be enjoying it in my stash for personal projects).

I started with Tempting Turquoise for the cardbase and then added a piece of the DSP for a fun background and wrapped a piece of Rich Razzleberry ¼” Cotton Ribbon around the DSP.  For the flower I stamped the Mixed Bunch flower twice using Rich Razzleberry ink on Melon Mambo cardstock before punching it out with the coordinating Blossom Punch.  I used a bone folder to curl up the petals of the flowers and layered them for a fuller flower.  In the center of the flower I added a Pacific Point button from the Brights Designer Buttons and tied a bow in the button using Crushed Curry Baker’s Twine.

For the greeting I used another retiring stamp set, Really Good Greetings. After stamping it in Pacific Point ink on Whisper White cardstock I punched it out with the Oval Punch and matted it with Old Olive cardstock punched out using the Scalloped Oval Punch.  Dimensionals were used to attach the greeting to the cardfront.

I’ve always been a fan of our brights color family and love when we have some great DSP that really lets these colors shine and provide some fun so here’s hoping for some equally fun paper in the new catalog.  The design teams on both blogs are sharing some fun cards so make sure to check them out and then come play along with the Sketch Frenzy Friday ladies, we’d love to have you!

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today’s card:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Have a wonderful weekend and happy crafting!

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Blog Hop: Anything Flowers

Happy Thursday, it’s time for this months Stylin’ Stampin’ INKspiration blog hop and the design team has decided to give Mother Nature a helping hand for the arrival of spring so we decided to focus on flowers this month!  Stampin’ Up! is seriously in love with flowers and we have so many different products to satisfy our flower lovers needs so there is a large variety of projects being shared in this months blog hop which is great.

As you hop along, please be sure to comment and show some love on every blog!  we are always excited to hear from our followers!  you should have left stop number 3 on the Stylin' Stampin' INKspiration Blog Hop - (Wendy at Luvin' Stampin').  If so you are in the right spot.  If a link doesn't work or you get off track, you will find the full blog hop lineup below. 

I decided to make a fun card showing lots of different textures and elements using the Mixed Bunch stamp set (an oldie but goodie!!)  I started with a piece of Calypso Coral cardstock and then I added a piece of bark printed paper from the Adventure Abounds Designer Series Paper Stack (I love the realistic prints that are in this paper stack that really help provide a great nature feel to projects!).  I decided to stamp my greeting directly on the DSP using the Big on You stamp set and Black Memento Ink (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this ink!!!!) and it shows up great.
 

For the flower I stamped it using the Mixed Bunch stamp set on Whisper White cardstock using Daffodil Delight ink before punching it out with the coordinating Blossom Punch.  Next I took my Paper Snips and cut two slits half way down on each of the petals and then used the Bone Folder to “fluff” up the petals and really add some dimension.  Next I punched a circle out of Basic Black cardstock using the ¾” Circle Punch and then used the Paper Snips to cut lots of little slits along the edge of the circle and “fluffed” it as well to mimic the fuzzy center of a flower.  The final touch was to add a Calypso Coral Button from the SAB Best Day Ever Accessory Pack and tied a bow in the center using Basic Black Baker’s Twine.

The mixture of the flower with the bark print has such a fun effect and really helps me think of spring in the forest, so fun!  It’s also great to go back and use some of the older stamps that we sometimes neglect in all of the fun with new releases.

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today’s projects:

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

 

Make sure to check out the rest of the blog hop for lots of other great ideas.  If you click the “Next” button, you’ll go to Kathy's’s site but you can also access any of the hopper’s site from the full blog list below.

 

Blog Hop Participant List:

1. Jennifer C. at Happy 2 Scrap 4 Life
2. Jenny G. at Jenny G Paper Crafts
3. Wendy at Luvin' Stampin'
4. Diana at Stampin' Fun with Diana
5. Kathy at Katrina P's Creative Corner
6. Kim at Stamping with Kim
7. Melissa at Stamp Doc
8. Darcy at Dj's Stampin Place
9. Cynthia at Ink-A-Doodle Creations
10. Carrie at Carrie Stamps

 

Enjoy and have a great day,

Diana

Sketch Frenzy Friday Sketch Challenge: Mixed Bunch Birthday Greetings

Happy Friday!  Just a few hours before we get to start the weekend and from what I hear we're going to get a least one more weekend of "summer-like" weather before fall may officially take over so I'm going to enjoy the sun and fun while I can.  Today it's time for another card for the Sketch Frenzy Friday sketch challenge.  Stacey gave us the layout this week and boy was it fun.  I have lots of September birthdays so I decided to use this sketch for one of the birthday cards I needed (love it when I get to share the joy with the cards I make) so this card was made for a special young girl we adore.  I started out with Tempting Turquoise cardstock for the cardbase and then layered it with Basic Gray cardstock that was embossed with the Big Shot and the Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder.  Next I added a flag made of the Sweet Taffy Designer Series Paper.  I also added three large rhinestones to the bottom right corner of the cardfront.

I used the Mixed Bunch stamp set for the flower and stamped the flower twice in Strawberry Slush ink, once on Whisper White and again on Strawberry Slush before punching out the flowers with the Blossom Punch.  I used my bone folder to help curl up the petals.  The center of the flower uses the same stamp set and is stamped in Tempting Turquoise before being punched out with the 3/4" Circle Punch and attached it with dimesionals.  A rhinestone is the perfect accent for the center.

The greeting is from the Good Greetings Stamp set (an exclusive hostess stamp set you can get for FREE right now when you have a party or order of $300 or more (in addition the normal hostess benefits)).  I stamped it on a strip of Pistachio Pudding cardstock with Tempting Turquoise ink.  Now to get the shape, I used my Big Shot and the Windows Collection Framelits and just centered the strip in the window to give a fun shape to the label and attached it to the card with dimesionals.  It's fun to see what different shapes you can make using the framelits in non-traditional ideas.

This card is so bright and cheery, perfect to spread special birthday greetings, so fun.  Make sure to check out the other design team cards, so much inspiration.

Below are easy ordering links for the products used on today's card:

Big Shot

$99.95

Modern Mosaic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

$7.95

Sweet Taffy Designer Series Paper

$10.95

Rhinestone Basic Jewels Embellishments

$4.95

Tempting Turquoise 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Strawberry Slush 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$8.50

Mixed Bunch Clear Stamp Set

$21.95

Blossom Punch

$16.95

3/4" Circle Punch

$12.95

Window Frames Collection Framelits Die

$26.95

Pistachio Pudding 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

 

I hope you enjoy and have a chance to play along with the sketch challenge this week.

Happy stamping,

Diana

Stylin' Stampin' Squad Blog Hop: Favorite Springtime Flowers to Help Say Goodbye to Winter

Thank you so much for joining us for our March Stylin' Stampin' Squad Blog Hop!  Temperatures are on the rise and there is just one short week until the official first day of Spring!  We are all so ready to put away our snowflakes and break out the flowers in our craft rooms!  Stampin' Up! has so many options for Spring-time flowers and we are showing you just a few of those today!

As you hop along, please be sure to comment and show some love on every blog! We are always excited to hear from our followers! You should have just left stop number 2 on the Stylin’ Stampin’ Squad blog hop – Pam S. of Stampin' in the Sun. If so, you are in the right spot. If a link doesn’t work or you get off track, you will find the full blog hop lineup below.

I was really excited when this blog topic was announced since there are so many different flower sets, I can’t wait to see all the great projects the designers are sharing.  I’m not a huge flower person (of course I do have several flower sets) but my favorite set currently is Mixed Bunch.  This set came out last year and while I initially didn’t fall in love with it once I got it I use it regularly, so simple with the matching punches and fun daisy type look.  For my card I started with a cardbase of Crumb Cake and added a piece of DSP from the Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack (these pieces perfectly fit a card front) and overlayed the DSP with a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock that I first stamped with the Hardwood stamp and Soft Suede Ink, and then cut it out with the Big Shot and the Hexagon Hive Thinlit Die (a little tip to ensure all your hexagons get cut out, run it through the Big Shot 3 times to guarantee it’ll cut through and make removing all the pieces a breeze.  I added a piece of Natural 5/8” Chevron Ribbon around the center of the card for some added texture.

For the flowers I used So Saffron, Strawberry Slush, and Wisteria Wonder and punched each of the flowers out with the Blossom Punch and used a Bone Folder to curl the flower edges for more dimension.  The centers were punched out with the ¾” Circle Punch.  A Mini Silver Brad was added to the center of each flower and I used a dimensional to attached the flower center so they really pop.  Mono Multi-Purpose glue was used to glue the flowers to the card front (these beauties aren’t going anywhere).  The greeting is from the Lots of Thanks stamp set and is stamped with Soft Suede Ink and Strawberry Slush cardstock and then punched out with the Modern Label Punch and attached with a dimensional and glue dot (I used the glue dot to attach the greeting to the flower piece and then the dimensional on the other side so it sits even.

Of course I decided to make a matching treat (even if there not given together it’s still fun to make coordinating projects) so I used one of the Mini Muslin Bags (I can’t believe I’ve had these for months and this is the first time using them, I love their versatility and how big they are!).  I used the You’re Lovely stamp set (a SAB exclusive) to stamp the little line of images along the bottom of the bag with Strawberry Slush ink (make sure to put a piece of cardboard or cardstock inside the bag before stamping or adding ink to the bag so you don’t get any bleed through).  Then I tied a piece of Wisteria Wonder Chevron Ribbon around the top of the bag for added color and so I had something to tie my tag to.  The tag uses all the same products as the card above but a used a piece of 2013-2015 In Color DSP and the Scallop Tag Topper Punch to make the tag base (these tag topper punches are really the bomb, They make tags and decorative elements so easy and you can make them any size you want, love it!!!)

 

I love how these projects turned out and may be making them of other occasions, the card would be a beautiful birthday or Mother’s Day card (even Easter) and the bags could be great for Teacher Appreciation, party favors, etc.  I hope you enjoyed these projects and I’ve helped you rediscovered a stamp set that may be in your stash but hasn’t been used much lately, or if you don’t have it make sure to get it!

 

 

Blog Hop Participants

1. Dawn S. of Dawn's Creative Chalet
2. Pam S. of Stampin' in the Sun
3. Diana E. of Stampin' Fun with Diana
4. Cynthia R. of Ink-A-Doodle Creations
5. Erica B. of Stamping Starlette
6. Anastasia R. of Stampin' Blondie
7. Darcy J. of DJ's Stampin' Place
8. Bree R. of Craft-Somnia
9. Heidi B. of Stuck on Stampin'
10. Shellie G. of Craft Smashup
11. Kim R. of Stamping with Kim
12. Jennifer C. of Happy 2 Scrap 4 Life
13. Tonya B. of Stampin' with Tonya
14. Donna S. of Organized Chaos
15. Jamie H. of Unique Ink
16. Darla R. & Nancy K. of Stampin with Darla and Sisters
17. Kathy P. of Katrina P's Creative Corner

30 Day Gratitude Challenge: Day 13

Good morning and welcome to the midway point of the week!  I decided to make another combo card for today's gratitude card (killing two birds, you know) and as soon as I saw this weeks Create with Connie and Mary Color challenge I fell in love and knew I had to play along.  I decided to make a bright and cheery thank you card perfect for every day.  The cardbase is Coastal Cabana and I added a layer of Real Red and Whisper White cardstock.  The greeting is from the Perfectly Penned stamp set and was stamped on the Whisper White layer.

Next I added a piece of In Color Designer Series Paper that was matted with Smoky Slate.  One of my favorite flower stamp sets (perhaps since it has a coordinating punch) is the Mixed Bunch stamp set and I stamped the outline flower twice in Real Red before punching it out with the Blossom Punch.  I used a bone folder to curl up the petals before gluing them together.  For the center I stamped the circle piece and punched it out with the 3/4" Circle Punch and added a Real Red Candy Dot to the center (these candy dots are so fun and easy to use, plus you can get them in all our core colors, love it!)

This card is so cheery, it would certainly brighten up any one's day, and you could certainly change out the greeting to make it a birthday, thinking of you, etc. card, so easy!

Enjoy and have a great day!

Diana

Hand Stamped Sentiments Color Challenge: Thankful Flowers

Happy Friday and welcome to the the start of the weekend (in a few hours).  After what was supposed to be a very bad weather day yesterday, thankful the storms missed us and we're looking forward to a beautiful weekend, perfect to celebrate the special men in our lives for Father's Day.  Today I want to share the card I made for this weeks Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge, this week it's a fun color challenge.  These are four fun colors but I'll admit I never would have thought to combine them.

 

I started with a cardbase of Baja Breeze (so sad this color retired) and then added a layer of Midnight Muse under my Whisper White panel.  For the Whisper White piece I first stamped it with the Mixed Bunch stamp set and just stamped several of the flowers and circle images in different colors.  Then I ran it through the Big Shot with the Hexagon Embossing Folder before adding a piece of Primrose Petals Stitched Satin Ribbon.

For the greeting image I used the Oh, Hello stamp set and stamped the chevron oval piece in Summer Starfruit but stamped off first to soften the color.  The greeting is from the same set and is stamped in Midnight Muses.  I used the Big Shot and the Oval Collection Framelits to cut out both oval pieces (I love matting layers and the framelits help me do that so easily and with so many different sizes and shapes available, so awesome!)  I used dimensionals to attach the greeting to card so it really pops up off the page.

 

I have to admit when I was making this card I didn't know how it was going to turn out because of the colors but the more I look at the card I really like it, nice and cheery!  If you haven't tried using these colors together, give it a try, it'll be fun to see what you come up with.

 

Take care and have a great weekend!

 

Diana

It's Time to Get our Convention Groove on!

Good morning friends!  We had a great weekend relaxing and enjoying our quiet weekend with our kiddo but I also spend a large chunk of item wrapping up all my swaps for this weeks Stampin' Up! convention.  I leave tomorrow and I'm so excited to see fabulous friends and learn all of what is coming up in the new year, plus Aidan and my mom are going to meet me on Thursday so I get to see my baby (I've definately missed him!)  So this week I'm going to be sharing all the projects I've been making the past couple of months to swap. 

Today I'm sharing a card I make for general floor swapping.  I'ts actually a copy of of a card we made at a workshop several months ago and I updated the colors and added the new Itty Bitty Banners stamp set.  It also features the Mixed Bunch set (I was definately doing the happy dance when I found out this set was carried over to the new catalog).  I also used two different packs of DSP, Summer Smootches for the orange piece and Brights DSP pack for the Daffodil Delight strip.  I used the apothocary framelits and big shot to cut out the orange piece.  The finishing touch was a bright button with a bow of white baker's twine that just fit these flowers perfectly.

Hope you enjoy and check back tomorrow for the next sample!

Diana

Sneak Peak - Big Shot Class

Good morning friends!  I wanted to share with you another project for this weekends Big Shot class.  We made a version of this project at January's Leadership Conference and I've modified the box base to be able to use a standard 8 1/2" x 11" piece of cardstock.  You'll have to come to class on Saturday to get all the details.  Enjoy!!!!

Mixed Bunch - Leadership Samples

Good morning friends.  I've been working on finishing up some of my Make & Take projects from past Stampin' Up! events.  Today I wanted to share two of the projects from January's Leadership Conference.  Both the card and box use the Mixed Bunch and Loving Thoughts stamp sets along with the Builder Blossom kit.  It's great how easy it is to make beautiful flowers just by layering the different flower layers and adding a button in the middle.  The box is so cut and uses a Fancy Favor box for the top and and super simple template for the bottom.  This box is so cute I'll definately be making more of these.

Enjoy and have a great start to the weekend!

Diana