acetate smoosh for a bridal shower invite

acetate smoosh for a bridal shower invite

I love how Stamping brings people together and create fun and joy!
When I moved to Conneaut Lake I restarted my Stampin’ Up! business and started to find places that I could go and teach classes and our local library system holds a ton of really cool classes so I asked if I could start to teach there and they loved the idea!
Over the course of the last year I have met very nice people – locals, neighbors and friends!
One of the first people to take my class asked if I did workshops and parties and I told her I had done everything from children’s birthday parties to ladies nights out! She asked if I had ever done a bridal shower and I said no but I thought it was an awesome idea! Instead of playing traditional shower games which this new generation is not that into (LOL – by the way most of my generation didn’t like them either!) we decided to have a Stampin’ Up! event for the guests and I plan on designing thank you cards for the guests to make for the bride-to-be and they will craft a scrapbooking recipe page and bring a picture of themselves with the bride-to-be or with their own family and a recipe and we will make a keepsake recipe book for the bride! It will be fun and meaningful and the guests will be able to visit and socialize while they stamp! I am so excited!

We finally decided on the invitation design and I will highlight the process of making the background today! The bride-to-be loves flowers so the theme revolves around flowers and the colors of her wedding!

Measurements:
BASE: Lost Lagoon CS 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Thick Basic white CS: (2) 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ (1) to
be die cut with the Two Tone Flora die (1) to
be dyed with ink using a smoosh technique
Basic White CS: 4″ x 5 1/4″ for the insert

Take a half sheet of a Window Sheet and on a covered surface lay patches of ink down using a direct to paper technique – use the whole stamp pad and the edges and lay ink onto the window sheet in various places with the Lost Lagoon ink pad.

Then add Pretty Peacock ink using mostly the side edge of the ink pad direct to the Window Sheet as this is a dark color you need less of the ink.
Using a spray bottle, spritz water onto the Window Sheet. The amount of water will determine the look of the final product – less water you will see the individual colors more prominently and more water the colors will run together more – neither look is wrong just personal preference!
Lay a piece of Thick Basic White CS down on the window sheet and peel off and allow to dry.
I am making 40 invitations so the samples of Smoosh technique vary alot! Here are some of the versions – because we are making an die cut overlay with the Two-Tone Flora die the variation will be toned down and all of them will look beautiful and unique!
Die cut a 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ Thick Basic White CS piece with the large die from the Two-Tone Flora die set.
Adhere the Smoosh dyed cardstock to the Lost Lagoon base card.
Lay the die onto the base.
Then sparingly adhere with Liquid Glue around the edges of the die and overlay onto the dyed smoosh piece of cardstock.
I added a sentiment in Pretty Peacock ink and punched it out using the Lasting Label punch.
Adhere it onto the lower right-hand corner of the card front and add Pearls to the sentiment piece!
Here is another version.
I love how these turned out and I am excited to be at the Bridal shower to help make this bride-to-be’s day a sweet one!
Hope you are able to stamp today and create some art of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

fresh as a daisy impossible card

fresh as a daisy impossible card

I have seen the impossible card showcased by many demonstrators, so I decided to try my hand at it and let you know how easy this is!

It is called the Impossible Card because when you look at it it is hard to believe that the base card is made from one quarter sheet of card stock. You cut and fold and twist the card so it takes on this unique pop up version and it is so adaptable to any type of card – birthday, thinking of you, wedding as I made here! Literally anything can be made with this fun fold!

Measurements:
Base: Pretty Peacock CS 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ cut and
scored according to the directions and
diagram.
Basic White CS: 3 1/4″ x 4″ cut per diagram
scraps for Flower dies and sentiment punch
(1) 3/4″ x 5 1/4″ for cross piece matte
DSP: 2 ” x 3 1/8″ for pop up center section
3″ x 3 7/8″ cut per diagram
(1) 5/8″ x 5 1/8″ for cross piece

The diagram below details the cutting dimensions.

For the main base section, cut at 1″ from top of CS to the 2 1/8″ mark. Flip card stock over and cut at 1″ on opposite side of first cut down to the 2 1/8″ mark. Rotate and score between the two bottom marks of the cut lines. Then cut at the halfway point of the 5 1/2″ side at 2 3/4″ from the score line to the opposite end of the 1″ cut marks. (do not cut into the pop up section but go the opposite way of the 2 prior cut marks – see the diagram)

Take the Basic White card stock for the matte and at 3/4″ cut from the left side down to the 2 1/8″ mark. Flip 180 degrees and repeat. Cut from Line 1 stop point to Line 2. The cut from Line 2 stop point to Line 1.

For the DSP 3″ x 3 7/8″ piece: Cut in 5/8″ from left side down to the 2 1/8″ mark. Flip 180 degrees and repeat. Cut from Line 1 stop point to Line 2. Cut from Line 2 stop point to Line 1.

Burnish the score line back and forth in both directions so that the fold is very pliable. Take the right hand section and flip it in the opposite direction.
Adhere the DSP L shaped pieces to the white mattes.
Adhere the first section to the base card.
Adhere the second L shaped piece to the other side section of the base and then adhere the DSP smaller rectangle to the pop up section.
Adhere the DSP narrow strip to the narrow white matte and adhere it to the two bottom pieces to give the card more stability.

I added a daisy die cut to the narrow strip and stamped the sentiment from the Wonderful Thoughts stamp set and punched it out with the Lasting Label punch and adhered it to the center pop up section.

I added five Iridescent Rhinestone Basic Jewels to the card balancing two on either side of the flower and one large rhinestone in the flower center.
Such a fun card with an unexpected twist! Try this soon and let me know how you liked it! Now go and create some art of your very own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

more color mondays – azure afternoon, berry burst and old olive

more color mondays – azure afternoon, berry burst and old olive

Well by now you should know I am a Bold Brights girl (the old name for the Brights collection of inks, cardstock, and accessories) That collection is my go to! I gravitate towards the Brights collection without even realizing it! But this More Color Monday is one of my favorites so far!
Azure Afternoon, Berry Burst and Old Olive (for those of you newer to Stampin’ Up!, we have been through several color resets in my 22 years as a demonstrator and Old Olive believe it or not has been moved three times – when I joined as a demonstrator it was in the earth elements – which eventually became our neutrals collection, then it was moved to the bold brights collection – which eventually became our bright collection and then we moved it to the Regals Collection – which used to be the Rich Regals. LOL makes me feel a little old! Anyway it is a perfect compliment to these richly saturated bright colors of berry and blue!

Measurements:
Azure Afternoon:
Base: 4 1/4″ x 11″ scored at 5 1/2″
Layer: 5 1/4″ x 2″
Basic White: 3 sheets of 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ to be
colored with Blending Brushes and inks
Layer: 5 1/4″ x 4″
scrap: for the sentiment piece

Run the 5 1/4″ x 2″ piece of Azure Afternoon cardstock through the Stampin’ Cut and Emboss machine with the Basics 3D embossing folder with the slash marks.
Adhere the White layer to the card front leaving a 1/8″ border from the right hand side of the card edge, top and bottom. There will be a larger gap on the left hand side but this will be covered.
Place 5 Stampin’ Dimensionals on the back side of the Azure Afternoon embossed piece as shown – three spaced along the left edge and two in the middle between the three – do not place any along the right hand edge yet!
Using Azure Afternoon, Berry Burst and Old Olive inks and Blending brushes, Blend each color across one of the 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ pieces of Basic White cardstock. Leave lighter spaces and even some white space in the cardstock.
Cut the leaves die from the Old Olive Blended cardstock, and the berries and floral dies from the Azure Afternoon and Berry Burst blended cardstock.
Remove the paper backing from the Stampin’ Dimensionals and adhere the 5 1/4″ piece of embossed Azure Afternoon cardstock so that it is 1/8″ evenly spaced from the left hand edge and top and bottom of the card front.
Place adhesive on the bottom strips that attach the dies from the Timeless Arrangements dies and slip the straight edge under the Azure Afternoon embossed piece to hide that straight edged connection piece.
Overlap the colored dies to form a pleasing arrangement and add another Stampin’ Dimensional on the top and bottom right edge of the Azure Afternoon piece to secure the dies and the embossed piece to the card front.
Stamp a sentiment on the large banner die from the Stylish Shapes die set and adhere the left side with adhesive to the card and the right side with a Stampin’ Dimensional to pop it up to equal the depth of the left edge.
Add Iridescent Rhinestones Basics Jewels to the card and voila a beauty of a card – I must thank a demonstrator that posted this card design to the Demonstrator Planning Place and I fell in love with the design and knew I had to case it unfortunately I did not take note of the demonstrator to give her credit and I cannot find the post any longer so whoever you are it was a gorgeous card and I appreciate the inspiration!
Hope this inspires you to create some art of your very own – one stamp at a time! If you need anything my current hostess code is HGE4RYHW.

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

swap cards ideas galore

swap cards ideas galore

It is swap time again and I have loads of ideas for you thanks to our great group of demonstrators that I swap with every month!

The first card from Michelle L features a whimsical stamp set that is just too cute called Bird’s Eye View and the little bird is peeking out from the back page through a die cut oval window and frame.

This card from Judith P uses the Taco Fiesta stamp set. All of the little cut outs on the bottom of the card are cut out and popped up on Dimensionals! Too Cute!
Legendary Ride is the stamp set that Jennie T uses for this great masculine card featuring the awesome Metal Plate 3D Embossing Folder on the right side of this card!

Lyn L’s card uses the Countryside Inn DSP which is one of the great Designer Series paper’s on sale all this month order your favorites at a 15% discount using the current hostess code HGE4RYHW or order a paper share from me over 80 pieces of 6″ x 6″ samples of every sale DSP for $25 plus $5 shipping if you are not local! Let me know!

Bright and Beautiful Suite collection is the product suite used by Vickie G for this great center flap fun fold card with a sweet balloon stamped inside!
This sweet Taco Fiesta card by Denise W uses easy shading with a Blending Brush to color the card front and the Alphabet a la mode dies for the Happy on the front. The inside is just as cute as the front!
Kathi D sent two cards from last month and this month’s swaps! Double bonus! The first uses Circle Sayings and Countryside Inn DSP in hues of Boho Blue, one of our popular new In Colors!
Her second card was for last month’s For the Guys swap and features the Beside Me stamp set.
Lori V never disappoints and this lovely Zany Zoo card is a fun fold card with lots of pizzazz!
The Zoo Crew paper is also on sale this month and included in my paper share!
Night of Flight is our Hostess stamp set and is the set Susan K used in this elegant and simple SIP card! SIP = stamps, ink,paper simple stamping does not need to be plain and boring!
Marie W’s card uses the Cane Weaving 3D Embossing folder as a background and the Layering Leaves bundle for a lovely card.
Softly Sketched stamp set sets the stage for Susan K’s swap card and just a hint of Masterfully Made DSP at the bottom which is also a DSP featured in this month’s sale and my paper share!
Robin G’s card arrived yesterday in time to post it on this blog entry and it is one of my favorites using all the current In Colors and the new Vellum Basics in a die cut circle behind the Timeless Arrangements dies! Nice Job all set in Boho Blue!
Denise W’s swap card for May features Just My Type stamp set and the Zoo Crew DSP which is also included in the June DSP sale with 15% I absolutely love black and white paper and this DSp offers a wacky and zany zoo crew on one side that matches the Zany Zoo bundle but it also goes with ANYTHING on the reverse side for those of us that do not have the stamp set we can use the black and white side for everything! This paper is also included in my paper share! E-mail me if you would like to participate!
Hope these ideas inspired you to grab one of these stamp sets and create some artwork of your very own – go out and create one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie

Product List
Paper Snips
[103579]
$11.00
Bough Punch
[157711]
$22.00
irresistible blooms double sided vellum card

irresistible blooms double sided vellum card

Vellum is such a cool paper to work with, translucent and lovely it can transform a project like no other paper in my opinion!

With this technique we will be stamping on both sides of the vellum to bring depth and dimension to the project.

Measurements:
Base: Basic White 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″
scored at 4 1/4″
Basic White Die Layer: 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″
Vellum Layer 3 3/8″ x 4 3/4″
and another piece 1 3/4″ x 3 3/8″

Using post it notes or post it tape secure the largest two Deckle Rectangle Dies to the Basic White layer and die cut a frame for the card.
This is a great way to secure vellum – since it is translucent one of the downfalls or issues with vellum is how to secure it without seeing the adhesive through the vellum and hiding the adhesive “stains” under the frame is a great way to do it!

On one side of the vellum stamp the leaves from the Irresistible Blooms stamp set in Shaded Spruce ink. Vellum takes longer to dry than regular cardstock so extra drying time is necessary in order to not smear the stamped images. USE CAUTION when handling the stamped side until dry – this usually takes a few minutes.
When dry flip the vellum over and stamp in Gorgeous Grape ink the flower from the Irresistible Blooms stamp set in between the stamped leaf images. Allow drying time.
Place adhesive on the backside of the frame and adhere the vellum to the frame.
Add Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals to the backside of the frame. Remove the release paper and fold the card base in half to prepare to adhere the frame to the card base.
Stamp the smaller vellum piece with a sentiment and leaf image. Allow to dry and add adhesive to the left edge only and add to the left side of the frame. Add 3 Glossy Dots to the card to finish with a little bling!

Stamping on both sides of the vellum creates muted leaves and brighter flowers creating depth and dimension to the stamped scene.

Try this technique and go create some art of your own – one stamp at a time!

Happy Stampin’
Natalie