Bright Skies

 This week I started out to make some cards using Bright Skies stamp set and Sunny Days paper from this year's Sale-a-Bration.  I thought that I was going to make cards with clouds on them, but they turned out more like flower cards than clouds!  

I love the bright, cheery papers that coordinate with the set.  They have sort of a retro look to them.

For the sayings, I used Best Family Ever stamps.  It has cute sayings and all kinds of family names.  I don't know who I will send the cards to, so I just used the generic "friend" stamp.  

The cut outs are from Designer Tag Dies and Nested Essentials, which I think are still available to purchase.  

I hope the cards still make your feel like you're gazing at fluffy clouds on a nice day.  That was the look I was going for.  

 

Everyday Details

This past week I made some cards using the stamp set, Everyday Details in the mini catalog.  I loved the set right away when I saw it in the catalog and decided to make some cards using the set.

I love the little tea cup stamp and put it on my card with some papers from the Softly Stippled designer papers, one of the offerings during Sale-a-bration.  The background for all of my cards this week is Pebbled Path.  The gray matched some of the papers in the designer pack and for the first card, I chose the flowered teal background.  

Here is the same card made only using a soft coral color.  I didn't color in the tea cup for this card and love the look of it.  I also used Everyday Details dies for the focal point and accent piece.  I added a little doily cut out from the designer papers, too, to add some interest.  

For the nest card, I used the stippled flower paper as the background and added a gray strip across the front of the card, cut out with one of the dies.  I stamped the speckled dots on the eggs but didn't really like how it came out.  I think just using a blend or marker dots would look better, for the next time I use the little nest image.

The vase image with the flowers is so sweet and I love how it looks with the outer border raised just a bit.  I let the ladies who come to my stamp class pick which designer papers that they wanted for their cards.  I tend to use a lot of the same colors in my projects so it was nice to have some variety for them.  I got the idea for this card from Ange McKay on Youtube.  

I would definitely use this set again.  I'd like to try some brighter designer papers to pair it with.  What colors have you used with it?  Maybe I'll find a little bird to put with the nest.  

 

Loving the Birds!

This week I had a chance to use some of the Sale-a-Bration papers called Flight and Airy.  I cut out several of the water colored birds and then had fun putting them onto cards.  

Misty Moonlight is the background cardstock.  From there I added some soft gray designer paper from the Winter Meadow papers.  I then found a piece of old hydrangea paper with some blue and purples on it that matched the colors in the bird perfectly.  :)

I added some Fresh Fresia sprigs and a focal circle.  The saying is from a new online set called Garden Meadow.  

For my next watercolor bird card, I copied the idea of the birds sitting on a wire from Julie Gilson.  I loved choosing which birds would look suitable on each card.  I just love the simplicity and whimsical look of this card.  :)

Here is the same basic card only with some Calypso Coral matting and birds that have a bit of coral color in them.  The flower is from Just My Type stamp set.  

I ended up making a lot of these little birdie cards using different colors.  Once I made the first, I just couldn't stop.  

For my third card, I used the Pecan Pie colored paper that comes in the Flight and Airy designer series pack.  It brings a different look from the first two cards, more of a soft, subtle look.  

I fussy cut the bird from the papers and added him to a smaller circle focal point.  I like the sayings that are in the Notes of Nature stamp set.  

I got the idea for this card from Donna Ross.  

The ladies all loved making these bird cards.  And so did I.  

 

Dainty Delight

For this week's stamp class, I made some cards using the Dainty Delight stamp set.  During Jan and Feb, Stampin Up had some pretty designer papers that coordinated with the stamps and die cuts.  I'm finally getting around to using them.  :)

Working on my first card, I cut out some of the flowers to use as a focal point for my card.  I added some soft gray paper from Abigail Rose designer papers.  I cut out a fancy strip from some of the designer papers and added that, also.  The saying is from Peaceful Moments that has a lot of nice sayings in it.

Sadly, you can only cut out about three images from each half of the pretty flowered paper.  Now I wish that I hadn't given away so many packages of this paper to my customers.  Lol

The second card features the soft purple papers from the designer pack.  I cut out part of it using Split Card Textures dies.  Then I fussy cut around the floral image and used that as the focal point of my card.  I added an oval with a saying and a sprig from the Queen Bee cut outs.  

I got the idea for this card from Wendy Weixler on Pinterest.  I could make this card all day using different colored papers for the background and different sayings.  

I got the idea for this pretty card from Gail Ellis on Pinterest.  She has a video on how to brush the ink in the circle using ripped Post-It-Notes.  I changed up the colors and came up with this card.

I love the soft look of the card and how amazing the focal circle came out using the brushes.  I added some daisies and another flower from Dainty Delight dies and did some white embossing for the saying.  

The ladies all loved making this card and want to try making it again using different colors.  You could also use different shaped cut outs to brush in for a completely new look.  

What do you think of my Dainty Delight cards?  Which one is your favorite?

Color & Contour

 For my cards this week, I chose the stamp set, Color & Contour.  I had seen some pretty samples using it, especially with black and white contrast.  I selected the new designer paper from Sale-a-Bration called Beautifully Penned to pair it with.

I also used the die cuts that coordinate with this stamp set, called Scalloped Contour Dies.  The flowers on the stem cut out well using the die, but the daisy-looking flower is hard to match up so I cut them out by hand.  

I copied the idea of using a jar to put the flowers in from Tammy Capone.  I think they look really sweet in the jar.  

For the two pink cards, I used the new color Polished Pink.  The pink card idea is from Stampin Pretty and the Happy for You card idea is from The Stamp Doc on Pinterest.  I especially like the cards with the gray papers on them the best.

I enjoyed using this set, and may have gotten a bit carried away.  I wanted to try the gray papers with some of the newer colors.  For these two cards, I used Soft Succulent as the main color.  I copied the two-panel card from Stampin Pretty.  

Next up are two cards using the Pale Papaya color in them.  The gingham paper is from the Pansy Petals paper collection.  

Here are the two cards using the Fresh Freesha color.  Which color scheme do you like the best?  

I had so much fun making these cards that I didn't want to stop.  There are so many pretty ways to use them with their coordinating dies.  Have you tried this set yet?

For my stamp class, I will let the ladies choose which 4 cards that they want to make.  I hope that goes well.  LOL

Tea & Cake Cards

Here is upstate NY we have had a pretty mild winter so far.  And even though we've had some nice days, I call it the "fake Spring."  During March and sometimes into April we can still get snowstorms.

But that doesn't mean that we can't craft and bring Spring into our homes.  For this week's class, I made some cards in "springy" colors.  I called this class, Tea & Cake.

We started out with this sweet Tea Cup card featuring the Tea Together set and cut outs.  I got the idea from Chris Smith on Pinterest and revamped it by added Coastal Cabana cardstock and the back of the one the snowman papers left over from Christmas.  I love it with the purple accents and the cut out saying. 

Next up we worked on a Cake card using the Happy Birthday To You stamp set from Sale-a-Bration.  I love it teamed up with the purple gingham, don't you?  We cut out the flowers so the card has some dimension to it.  Sweet!  I got this idea from Teri Pocock.

Don't you just love these colors together?

To go along with the Tea theme, we made this card that also includes the teapot from the set.  I paired it with the Garden Lane designer papers.  It looks so soft with these colors.

And here's the surprise with this card - if you score and fold it just the right way, the teapot and cup stand up for displaying!  I love how this card is interactive.  :)

If you like this special fold, you can find the link here.  The idea for the card came from Diane Barnes. 

And finally, to round out the spring feel, we made a simple card with a butterfly.  I used Sea Foam green cardstock, but you could use any color for this card.  The butterfly was cut from last year's Botanical Butterfly designer paper and the grassy stamp is from Home to Roost. 

Even though you can't see in the photos, I have added Wink of Stella to make the flowers and butterfly shine and stand out.  I already feel more in the mood for spring.  :)

Roosters A-Plenty

This rooster was part of the Sale-a-Bration fee items a few months ago.  I have to admit, when I first saw the rooster, I wasn't that impressed with him.  But after seeing many cards and projects made using him from Pinterest and Facebook, I decided that I liked him after all.  :)

The note cards are made with the Grapefruit shiny paper that was also part of the Sale-a-Bration choices.  It looks like it has a lot of colors in it, but that's just the way the light is hitting it on these cards. 

I found that I really like the sayings in this set, too.  They worked up so nicely on the notecards.  I got the idea for the notecards from Helen Read. 

Then I decided to make a little holder for the cards and envelopes.  It's made using the Envelope punch board and perfectly fits the cards.  I tucked the lid to the box down inside when I was folding it, so you close the lid or leave it open to see the contents.

This set would make a nice gift for someone that likes roosters or chickens.  Or it's great just to keep on your desk for a quick and easy note.  And who doesn't like receiving that?

Sale-a-Bration Cards

I wish that Sale-a-Bration would last longer.  Don't you?  I love being able to earn free stamps and crafting supplies from Stampin Up.  Here are a couple of cards that I made using the Lots of Lavender stamp set. 

I colored in the lavender with some paint from the stamp pads and then cut it out.  For the background piece, I used the Stitched Shapes framelit and the scallop that matches it.  I thought the card needed a little something, so I put the tiny "for you" on it in the corner.  I'm happy with how it came out. 

I'm very fond of lavender and hope to grow some in my garden this summer.   Have you tried to grow lavender?  Have you had success with it?

Here is card made with the peacock stamp from the Sale-a-Bration catalog.  I don't usually use these colors but I love how the Lemon Lime Twist brightens up the card. 

I added some rhinestones and a bit of Wink of Stella to make the bird come alive.  He's so regal looking, don't you think?

It's a Panda Birthday Party!

I's always sad when Sale-a-Bration is over for another year.  This year's stamp sets and accessories were a lot of fun to work with.  I especially liked the Panda Parade stamp set.  What cute images they are - perfect for making some whimsical birthday cards. 

I'm finally back to having regular stamping classes in my home.  I had to take a few months off because I had hand surgery over the winter.  I made a set of 4 birthday cards all using the Panda Parade set.  In this first one, the panda is juggling balls that are actually tutti-frutti sequins.  So colorful and cute, right? 

I love the colors in this bright and cheery card.  The paper is from the Bubbles and Fizz designer paper.  This card could be given just anyone- boy, girl, man or woman.  Don't you just love the tiny little heart on his notecard?

Next up is a fun shaker card filled with a mixture of shiny sequins.  The circle is supposed to be a balloon that the Panda is holding.  I added the stitch marks by hand using a coordinating marker.

And last up is a bright red card with star cut-outs and rhinestones for some bling.  The balloon is 3D, made using 3 balloon punch cut-outs glued together. 

Which one is your favorite? 

Hey, Chick!

Another fun stamp set is "Hey, Chick" that features some funny looking chickens strutting their stuff!  Here is a card sample that I made using one of the chickens.  I stamped the arm twice, cut it out and then raised it using a couple of glue dot so that the chicken looks like he's holding the sign.

They are both the same card, only using two different sides of the designer paper, giving them each a very different look.

Which one do you like better? 

Coloring with Flowering Fields

Have you tried out one of the new fads lately - coloring in adult coloring books?  I think this is a fun way to encourage my non-crafty friends (and my crafty ones) to be creative.  I even set out a basket with coloring books and colored pencils on my family room table so that anyone who comes over can take out a book and color!

Another way to color is to take out some of your stamp sets that have images in them that you can color.   I chose Flowering Fields to make a couple of cards with.  It was a set that came out during Sale-a-bration time.  It's a fun set in which to color in some flowers and then send out a note to encourage someone.

I added some pin pricks to the edge of my cards for some added interest.  Then I added a 3-D butterfly. My card ideas came from Sue Vine and Laura Milligan.

Coloring can even reduce stress in your life.  How about taking out some coloring for a few minutes today?  It's surprising how relaxing it can be. 

Check out Life as Mama's blog for 5 reasons to get your coloring on!  lifeasmama.com/5-reasons-to-get-an-adult-coloring-book/.