Fifth Ave Mother's Day

Good Morning! I have been wanting to share this card we made at our last Stamp Camp. I decided to use a fancy fold card with Fifth Ave Floral stamp set and  reinkers. (I am going to miss this set when it retires!) This was the first time that most of the ladies had used this technique. I was fun to see all the different flowers that were made and the ladies couldn't believe how easy it was to do. We embossed the image first in white on Shimmery White card stock, spritzed it generously with water, then added the color.

I gave them Two different options in adding the color to the card--1) Add reinkers directly to the image or 2) add the reinkers with an Aqua Painter. When applied with an Aqua Painter the colors were softer than the sample above.

I was planning on giving this card to my mom for Mother's Day, but she came and made her own card. :) Hope you have a terrific MONDAY!!

Aimee :)

Faith in Nature

This is the card I designed to play along with the Create with Connie and Mary Challenge #199 Color Challenge this week. Peach Parfait has been one of my favorite colors. I will miss it when it is gone but I am sure another beautiful Stampin' Up! color will take its place.

Here is the card I designed...

I love this Hostess Set from Stampin' Up!, "Faith in Nature." I added some distressing to make it a little more unique. I trimmed the front of the card and added a splash of color to the inside edge of the card. Here it is up close...

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Aimee :)

Supplies used for Faith in Nature

Stamp Sets: Faith in Nature
Card stock: Sahara Sand, Night of Navy, Peach Parfait
Ink: Sahara Sand, Night of Navy, Peach Parfait
Accessories: Peach Parfait Ribbon,
Tools:Square Lattice Impressions folder, Sponge Daubers, Ticket Corner Punch, Simply Scored, Air Spritzer Tool

Watercolor Butterflies

I just had to add another post today! Last night I was up creating very late and I tried something new. I was inspired by a card I saw on a blog by Jessica Witty using Watercolor Paints...I just loved it! I decided to recreate it using Stampin' Up! Products. Here are the results...

This is way out of the box for me! I used Shimmery white card stock and slightly spritzed it with water. I used reinkers and Aqua Painters to add the color to the card stock. When I needed the color to flow more I would add a small spritz of water. I added some simple butterflies and a sentiment.

I hope you enjoy this and try something "outside your box" today! :)

Aimee

Supplies used for Watercolor Butterflies

Stamp Sets: Word Play
Card stock:  Pacific Point, Shimmery White, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Perfect Plum DSP, Daffodil Delight DSP
Ink: Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Pacific Point, Perfect Plum, Basic Black
Accessories: Basic Rhinestones
Tools: Butterflies Embosslits

Sending Many Thanks

I just love the colors chosen for this week's Color Q Challenge # 134. My goal was to use the colors as splashes of color and making the card as soft as possible.

Pool Party is one of my favorite colors ever! It seems to go with Everything! I used the flower from Growing Green with the Masking Technique to make a border and colored them using sponge daubers. I used the Simply Scored to add to the border as well as give me a guideline to place the Impressions folder straight on the card.

The Oval Frame Impressions folder was the perfect centerpiece for this card. I added several small details to the frame to highlight its importance. Of course, almost every card I make needs a little spritz of color from the Air Spritzer Tool. Here is a close up of some of the details...

Thanks for stopping by today!

Aimee

Supplies used for Sending Many Thanks
Stamp Sets: Growing Green, Petite Pairs
Card stock: Very Vanilla, Pool Party
Ink: Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Bravo Burgundy, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Pool Party Seam Binding 
Tools:Polka Dot Impressions folder, Oval Frame Impressions folder, Simply Scored, Air Spritzer Tool, Sponge Daubers

Brooke's Photo Shoot

Today Brooke came home with the "Spring Pictures" that were taken at school. Of course, I didn't remember they were going to be taken so her choice of outfits that day wasn't quite what I would have in mind. I convinced her to let me take her pictures and she could have her own personal photo shoot. She helped to decide the poses and props we used as well! We had lots of fun! I edited, uploaded, and ordered the pictures tonight so she will have some to hand out at school next week. Here is where you can find the final results...Brooke's Spring Pictures.

Fox and Friends

Happy Friday! I wanted to share this card we made in last weeks card camp. This is from the retiring set "Fox and Friends." This is a stamp set I have wanted for such a long time and I am so happy I was able to get it before it retires.

I just love these little animals! This is the perfect set to use for baby or birthday cards. I favor the solid images because when they are stamped the images are crisp and clear. Adding a little ribbon and, of course, some "bling" gave this card the finishing touch I was looking for.

Thanks for taking a peek!!

Aimee

Supplies used for Fox and Friends
Stamp Sets: Fox and Friends, Fabulous Phrases
Card stock:  Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, More Mustard, More Mustard DSP
Ink: Early Espresso, More Mustard, Cajun Craze
Accessories: Basic Rhinestones, Early Espresso Tafeta Ribbon,
Tools:Square Lattice Impressions folder, 1 1/4 inch Square punch, 1 3/8 Square punch, Simply Scored

Going, Going, almost Gone!

SU! has released the list of retired accessories. There many items that will be leaving us but several that are being reconfigured. SU! has redesigned the Classic Stampin' Pads to have a firm foam pad. This is to allow for better ink coverage and better stamped images. Not all Stampin' Write markers will be available indivually but can still be purchased in a set.Click on the links below to see the retired lists:

Stampin' Up Retiring Stamps
Stampin' Up Retiring Accessories

Things are going fast so be sure to get those things that you just can't live without! Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thanks!!

Aimee

Extreme Cards

Since the retiring list of SU! stamps was recently posted, I have been trying to use some of my favorites that will be leaving us. Probably my most favorite is Extreme Elements. Every card that is stamped with this set is perfect! You can't make a mistake!! I usually like to use it for masculine cards but Love it for "sassy" but feminine cards too. Below you will find some I recently created...

 Spider man is a favorite of my son's. So he helped me make this. :) I free-handed the shape of the face. I then used the Spiderweb Impressions folder to add the design to his face. I used a brayer with Basic Black Ink and rolled across raised portion of the web. I used the large and extra large oval punches to make the eyes. I then marked my punches with a black permanent marker so it is easy to find the placement of the card stock each time. I finished with Extreme Elements and the sentiment from Grunge Rock.

This is a Graduation card that I will be using this year. The splashes of color with Extreme Elements was just what this card needed to add some spice. I used the Circle punch to round the corners of the white card stock.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Supplies used for Extreme Spiderman
Stamp Sets: Extreme Elements, Grunge Rock
Card stock:  Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Pacific Point, Real Red, Basic Black
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Bakers Twine,
Tools:Spider web Impressions folder, Brayer, extra large punch, large oval punch

Supplies used for Extreme Butterflies

Stamp Sets: Extreme Elements
Card stock: Peach Parfait, Pool Party, Vellum, Whisper White
Ink: Peach Parfait, Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Pear Pizazz
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Bakers Twine,
Tools: Oval Impressions folder, Finial Press Impressions folder, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Beautiful Wings Embosslits die, 1 1/4 circle punch

Retired Stamps List

We have been waiting....and now it is here! Stampin' Up! has released the list of over 300 stamp sets that will be retiring as of May 31. Click HERE to see the full list. On April 25 the list of retiring accessories will be released. SU! Is making room for the New catalog being released June 1 and I am so excited to see what is on the horizon for the Stampin' Up! world!

Please let me know if there is something that you would like before these sets are gone forever!

Thanks for stopping!!

Aimee



Beautiful Summer Smooches

When I started on the Color Challenge at Create with Connie and Mary, I began on a card and it was NOT going in the same direction I was. So I put it down and came up with something else. Later I came back to it to see if I could finish what I had started. I wanted to create a 3D frame on the front of the card and use the new Summer Smooches stamp set I just bought. Here is the result...

To create the scalloped frame I stated with a piece of card stock 4 1/4" by 5 1/2". I used the scallop border punch to create the border then scored 1/2"  and 3/4" in from each edge. I used my square punch to trim the extra piece from each corner then folded the edges. I also added some Crystal Effects to the vase and flowers to give them dimension as well.

Here is a close up of the frame and vase... 

This card was a little out of my comfort zone but I am pleased with the wasy it turned out.

Thanks for stopping by!

Aimee

Supplies used:
Stamp Sets: Summer Smooches, Fabulous Phrases
Cardstock: Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Concord Crush, Whisper White
Ink: Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Concord Crush
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Concord Crush Poly Ribbon, Crystal Effects
Tools: Labelits,Scallop border punch, Simply Scored, Oval Frame Impressions folder,Oval Punch, Scalloped oval punch,Ity Bity Punch

colourQ Challenge #132

So here is another color challenge card I decided to try at colourQ. I just LOVED this color challenge when I saw it. We were to use Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie, and Basic Black. I decided to try a retro style card.

I used the circle punches to complete my pattern on top. The "Happy Birthday" stamp is from "Grunge Rock." I used the sponge daubers to apply the color to the stamp. Then used my Basic Black Stampin' Write marker to highlight the top and bottom of the stamp. Of course I used my Air Spritzer tool to give it the final touch along with some "bling!"

Thanks for stopping!

Aimee

Supplies used:
Stamp Sets: Grunge Rock
Cardstock: Poppy parade, Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Poppy parade, Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Basic Black
Accessories: Basic Rhinestones, 1/8 Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon
Tools: 1/2" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch,1" Circle Punch, Stripes Impressions Folder, Big Shot, Air Spritzer Tool

CCMC-197 Color Challenge

Happy Saturday everyone! It is a rainy day here in Indiana...BUT that means it is a perfect day to spend in my "stamping space." I have really caught the bug for joining some challenges. I am trying to broaden my creative palette. Here is another card I have created for a challenge at Create with Connie and Mary. The colors chosen were Concord Crush, Certainly Celery,and Marina Mist.

I decided to use Circle Circus, a favorite stamp set of mine! I am a little worried about this retiring, so I am using it as much as I can. I will miss the wonderful 2010-2012 In Colors when they retire May31, but I am so excited to see what Stampin' Up has for us for 2012-2014. Tomorrow the retiring stamp sets will be announced so check back tomorrow to see which you have to buy before they are gone forever!

Thanks for stopping!

Aimee

Supplies used:
Stamp Sets: Circle Circus, Pursuit of Happiness
Card stock: Concord Crush, Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Ink: Concord Crush, Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Whisper White
Accessories: Basic Rhinestones, Concord Crush Stitched Poly Ribbon
Tools: 2 1/2 circle punch, 1 1/4 circle punch,2 3/8 scallop circle punch , Scallop Border Punch, Sponge Daubers

CCMC196 Sketch Challenge

This is my first attempt at a sketch challenge! I have been watching the design team at Create with Connie and Mary and have decided to throw my hat in the ring! :) They are a wonderful group of Creative stampers and I have learned so much from them already. Here is the sketch for this week:

...and here is my card for this week's challenge

The colors I chose were Baja Breeze and Very Vanilla. The flower was made using the Blossom Punch. I also saw a video made by Mercedes Weber that showed how to make a distressed flower by breaking down the cardstock and peeling it apart. I just love this technique!

Thanks so much for taking a peek!!

Aimee

Supplies used:
Stamp Sets: Mixed Buinch, Thank You Kindly
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla
Ink: Baja Breeze
Accessories: Basic Pearls, Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Rhinestone Brad
Tools: Blossom Punch, Polka dot Impressions Folder,Ticket Corner Punch, Lace Ribbon Border Punch

Fabulous Birthday

Hello! I wanted to share a card I recently made for my good friend Shana. She is my Stampin' Up! Upline. So...when decided to make her a birthday card I wanted it to be unique and I wanted to try something I had never done before. I used Fabulous Phrases to create a grouping of words. This was so much fun to be able to individualize the card for her. I also had purchased the Blossom Punch and the Mixed Bunch stamp set and thought they would add some dimension.

Thanks for stopping by!

Aimee