July 28, 2011

Paper Piercing for PPA104

By Melissa O

Today over at the Pals Paper Arts challenge they’re paper piercing. It’s not a technique I use very often, but I love the results on this card! So get your paper piercing tool out or even a needle will work and make some holes in your project!

Details:

*This is a pretty simple card, but I think the paper piercing gives it a little extra “umph” don’t you think?

*I choose to focus most of the piercing on the gorgeous flower. The stamped flower was cut out using Stampin’ Up’s amazing Paper Snips and the Daffodil Delight was cut using the Fun Flowers Bigz Die. The stamped image coordinates perfectly with this flower.

*Are you wondering if Stampin’ Up got a new border punch? That is the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border tucked behind. I thought the dots were reminiscent of paper piercing.

Supplies:

Stamps: Perfectly Penned (W:122890 C: 122892) Raining Flowers (W: 122765 C: 122767)

Ink: Daffodil Delight (119667)

Paper: Lucky Limeade (122926) Whisper White (100730) Daffodil Delight (119683) 2011-2013 In Color DSP Pack (122384)

Embellishments: Brights Designer Buttons (119747) Daffodil Delight 1/4″ Grosgrain Ribbon (120928) Linen Thread (104199)

Tools: Paper Piercing Tool (116631) Mat Pack (105826) Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border (119275) Paper Snips (103579) Fun Flowers Bigz Die (121812)


6 comments | posted in Cards, Stampin' Up!, Thank You

July 27, 2011

Kid Friendly Birthday

By Melissa O

Isn’t this little guy cute? He was fun to put together. I recently did a class where we made three birthday cards. I’ll be sharing those over the next few days. This was the children’s birthday card. I tried to keep it gender neutral as well. It’s so easy for me to swing into the girl cards with all the pink, ribbons & bling.

Details:

*The patterned paper on this card is from the Just Add Cake designer series paper pack. What a fun set of paper! Really easy to create great kids cards with.

*The turtle is from the Turtle & Co. stamp set. Every year Stampin’ Up designs a new stamp set that benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities. For every set purchased Stampin’ Up donates $3 to RMHC. What could be better? Plus it’s really cute.

*When inking an image you plan on coloring, it’s best to use StazOn ink. The black won’t bleed into your coloring.

*I gave his eyes some shine using Crystal Effects. Love the finishing touch it gives.

Supplies:

Stamps: Turtle & Co. (W: 122870, C: 122872) Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Ink: Black StazOn (101406) Wild Wasabi Stampin’ Write Marker (120975) Garden Green Stampin’ Write Marker (100080) Bashful Blue Stampin’ Write Marker (105111) Poppy Parade Stampin’ Write Marker (119801) So Saffron Stampin’ Write Marker (105114)

Paper: Just Add Cake DSP (124339) Wild Wasabi (108641) Whisper White (100730) Poppy Parade (119793)

Embellishments: Crystal Effects (110755) Poppy Parade 1/2″ Stitched-Poly Ribbon (119263)

Tools: Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder (117335)

1 comment | posted in 2-Step Stampin', Birthday, Cards, Kid Friendly, Stampin' Up!

July 26, 2011

Paisley Thank You

By Melissa O

This is a fun size card to create. Because there is not a lot of space to fill, it comes together rather quickly. I created several of these cards for friends who wrote recommendation letters for us for our adoption. It’s amazing to read what other people have to say about us and our family. It’s a big confidence booster as a parent. Thank you again to those of you who wrote on our behalf. It was so appreciated and your words hit our hearts!

Details:

*When you use beautiful Designer Series Paper, the rest of your card can be minimal. That was my idea in creating these cards.

*The Paisley Petals DSP anchors this card beautifully.

*I used the new Postage Stamp punch from Stampin’ Up for the top squares. A little more “interesting” then straight squares, don’t you think?

*A quick wrap of some linen thread and a little button are the finishing touches on this card.

*Do you have a Go-To size for creating quick cards?

Supplies:

Stamps: Pretty Postage (C:123097, W: 123095)

Ink: Bravo Burgundy Stampin’ Write Marker (105109) Marina Mist Stampin’ Write Marker (119679) Always Artichoke Stampin’ Write Marker (105113)

Paper: River Rock (108640) Bravo Burgundy (105123) Paisley Petals DSP (122367)

Embellishments: Linen Thread (104199) Neutrals Buttons (119743)

Tools: Postage Stamp Punch (122344) 1-1/4″ Square Punch (119865)

1 comment | posted in Cards, Male Friendly, Quick & Easy, Stampin' Up!, Thank You

July 25, 2011

My Friend MOJO201

By Melissa O

Hello Everyone! I intended to get a post written up for this morning, but ended up sitting on the porch last night enjoying the evening with my husband rather then blogging. I’m sure y’all will forgive me for that. I was excited when I saw this week’s Mojo Monday sketch. It’s been awhile since I played along and I LOVED this week’s sketch. I hope it will get your creative juices flowing like it did for me.

Details:

* I love sketch challenges. You’ll recall that last Thursday I said they reminded me of a paint by number picture. They’re a fill in the blank for you to use as a jumping off point in creating a beautiful card.

*I used the Hostess Designer Series Paper Pack, CHerrful Treat, as my inspiration. The colors are fresh, summery and just plain gorgeous!

*I Adore the Fun Flowers Bigz Die. I use it quite frequently. This flower is made using the Concord Crush DSP from the 2010-2012 In Colors DSP pack. I scrunched the flowers up to give them some more dimension on my card.

*The Melon Mambo card base was stamped with the Netting background stamp to give it a little “texture”.

*A little ribbon, some jewels and brads and this card is all set.

Supplies:

Stamps: Netting (122655) Friendly Phrases (126151)

Ink: Melon Mambo (115656) Concord Crush (119785)

Paper: Cheerful Treat DSP (122381-Hostess) Melon Mambo (115320) 2010-2012 In Colors DSP pack (117158)

Embellishments: Concord Crush 1/2″ Stitched-Poly Ribbon (119266) Brights Designer Buttons (119747) Silver Brads (104336) Basic Rhinestones (119246)

Tools: Fun Flowers Bigz Die (121812)

2 comments | posted in Cards, Mojo Monday, Stampin' Up!

July 22, 2011

Berry Blossom Thank You

By Melissa O

A few days ago I headed out to the garage, two kids in tow. The car was dead! So I pulled out the battery charger/starter thingy. I got the car started and off to the gym we went. Fast forward two hours and we’re headed back to the car. Wouldn’t you know it, the battery was DEAD again! I ran inside to see if anyone could help and the gal behind the desk said she had jumper cables. She so kindly came and jumped my car and we were off. I wanted to thank her for helping me in a pinch. This card is headed her direction.

Details:

*This card relies heavily on pretty paper, and less on stamps. The card background was stamped with the Netting background stamp. It gives a great texture. I think it’s my new favorite background stamp.

*Some stripes, some flowers, some fruit. This card has it all. The fruit DSP behind the flower is from the Berry Blossoms Designer Series Paper pack. So pretty.

*A simple Early Espresso ribbon finishes this card beautifully.

Supplies:

Stamps: Netting (122655) Perfectly Penned (C: 122892, W: 122890)

Ink: Calypso Coral (122939) Early Espresso (119670)

Paper: Calypso Coral (122925) Wisteria Wonder (122922) Lucky Limeade (122926) 2011-2013 In Color Designer Series Paper Pack (117158) Berry Blossoms (122350)

Embellishments: Early Espresso 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon (119959) Neutrals Brads (119736)

Tools: Boho Blossoms Punch (119858) 2-1/2″ Circle Punch (120906) 3/16″ Corner Rounder Punch (119871) Fun Flowers Bigz L Die (121812)

4 comments | posted in Cards, Stampin' Up!, Thank You

July 21, 2011

Sweet Featured Artist for PPA103

By Melissa O

Hello everyone. Today I’m the featured artist for this week’s Pals Paper Arts challenge. This week is a sketch challenge, always a favorite of mine! The remind me of the paint by numbers pictures when we were kids. Just fill in the blanks. Head on over and join in on the fun. I’d love to see what you come up with.

 

Details:

*I used the new Sweets for the Sweet stamp set. When I saw it in the catalog it was instant love. What’s not to love about lollipops. My kids are obsessed with lollipop’s these days. They very rarely get them, except for the occasional trip to the bank. But when they do, it’s  a big deal.

*The candies were punched using the 1″ circle punch. It’s a perfect fit. I cut the bows out using the paper snips. It was an easy cut.

*The designer series paper on this card is from Big Top Birthday. It coordinates, easily with three different stamp sets. The colors are bright & cheery and the patterns are gorgeous.

*Do you see the red glimmer paper peeking out? I am so happy they carried this product from the Occasions Mini into the new Idea Book & Catalog. Now if they’d come out with more colors I’d be on cloud 9.

 

Supplies:

Stamps: Sweets for the Sweet (W:122510, C: 122512)

Ink: Real Red (103133) Daffodil Delight (119667) Tempting Turquoise (100814) VersaMark (102283) Real Red Stampin’ Write Marker (100052) Daffodil Delight Stampin’ Write Marker (119677)

Paper: Basic Black (121045) Whisper White (100730) Daffodil Delight (119683) Red Glimmer Paper (121790) Big Top Birthday DSP (122348)

Embellishments: Black Embossing Powder (109133) Basic Rhinestones (119246) Real Red 1/8″ Taffeta Ribbon (119251)

Tools: 1″ Circle Punch (119868) 1-1/4″ Circle Punch (119861) 1-3/8″ Circle Punch (119860) Paper Snips (103579)

8 comments | posted in Cards, Kid Friendly, Pals Paper Arts, Stampin' Up!

July 20, 2011

Blog Candy Winner

By Melissa O

 

The winner for this edition of Blog Candy is Tory with this comment: “Congratulations on 25,000 blog visits. My favorite DSP is Well Worm. It’s a rich and classy looking paper.” 

Tory send me an e-mail at naturalstampin (at) gmail (dot) com with your address and I’ll get that sent off to you! I must hear from you by 1:45 pm (MST) on Thursday.

Congrats and thanks for playing!

 

Leave a comment | posted in Blog Candy, Stampin' Up!

July 20, 2011

First Edition of Raining Flowers

By Melissa O

I love Stampin’ Up’s 2-Step Stampin’ sets. There are some great flowers and this one is perfect for my style. It’s contemporary, edgy and easy to use! The colors on this card were inspired by the picture frame in the bottom corner of page 173. The Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade and Melon Mambo are striking on the First Edition DSP.

Details:

*I stamped my outlines first in Basic Black ink… TIP: I should have used Black StazOn. I smudged it a little. Then I stamped my colors on top.

*I added some Basic Pearls to the flowers to give them a bit more “pizzazz”

*The little label with the sentiment at the bottom is the Decorative Label punch folded in half.

*Do you see the First Edition peeking out from the inside of the card? I’ve been putting little bits of DSP on the inside of my cards if I have a scrap piece sitting on my desk. This particular piece is what I tore off the front piece. It gives a little extra special touch.

*A little Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, a few pearls and a black brad are the finishing touches on this card.

Don’t forget about the BLOG CANDY announced on Monday! You have until Noon MST to enter to win!

Supplies:

Stamps: Raining Flowers (C: 122767 W: 122765) Best of Everything (C:123536 W: 123534)

Ink: Melon Mambo (115656) Lucky Limeade (122935) Island Indigo (122937) Black StazOn (101406)

Paper: Melon Mambo (115320) Brights Designer Series Paper Stack (117155) First Edition DSP (121878) Very Vanilla (101650) Island Indigo (122923)

Embellishments: Lucky Limeade 3/8″ Ruffled Ribbon (122977) Neutrals Brads (119736) Basic Pearls (119247)

Tools: Decorative Label Punch (120907)

1 comment | posted in 2-Step Stampin', Cards, Stampin' Up!

July 19, 2011

Best of Everything

By Melissa O

Hi friends! I recently taught my two-year-old how to say that, “Hi Friends!” he says. If we met you, this is how he would greet you. So from the cyber world this card will serve as our “Hi Friends”

Details:

*This set  is way too cute! It has so many cute pieces. I stamped the birds in Early Espresso first and then on another whisper white paper I stamped in Daffodil Delight. I then paper snipped out their bodies and adhered with dimensionals. Aren’t they cute???

*The DSP on the bottom is from the Berry Blossoms Designer Series Paper pack.

*A quick tie, a couple rhinestones and this card is all set.

Don’t forget about the BLOG CANDY announced yesterday! Go enter to win.

Supplies:

Stamps: Best of Everything (C: 123536 W: 123534)

Ink: Pool Party (122938) Lucky Limeade (122935) Calypso Coral (122939) Early Espresso (119670)

Paper: Pool Party (122924) Whisper White (100730) Calypso Coral (122925) Berry Blossoms DSP (122350)

Embellishments: Calypso Coral 3/8″ Ruffled Ribbon (122976) Basic Rhinestones (119246)

Tools: Paper Snips (103579) Eyelet Border Punch (119853)

2 comments | posted in Cards, Kid Friendly, Stampin' Up!

July 18, 2011

25,000 Visit Blog Candy

By Melissa O

You’ll recall that last week I promised blog candy when I hit 25,000 visits. I reached that milestone last Tuesday so you all get a chance to win some goodies.

The Goodies:

  • One roll Real Red striped ribbon (retired)
  • One roll Old Olive striped ribbon (retired)
  • 4 colors of floral die-cuts (retired)
  • 36 – 6×6 sheets Designer Series Paper. There are 12 sheets from the retired Summer Picnic which coordinated beautifully with the now retired Tart & Tangy stamp set. There are another 12 sheets of Old Olive DSP and 12 sheets of Pumpkin Pie DSP. (all retired)

Rules:

To participate simply leave a comment below telling me your favorite new Designer Series Paper. You have until Noon (MST) on Wednesday, July 20, to leave a comment. I’ll post the winner later on Wednesday. Please be advised: I only ship within the US. The winner has 24 hours to e-mail me their address. Don’t miss the winning post, enter your e-mail address on the right to subscribe and have all my posts sent directly to your inbox!

Thanks for playing along!

21 comments | posted in Blog Candy, Stampin' Up!

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