Clean and Simple with Tape It

While I love the look of a Clean and Simple (CAS) card, they seem to be a bit of a challenge for me. I have a hard time knowing when to STOP! I decided to link up to the Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge this week to give a CAS card a try.

 

This was the first time I have used the Tape It stamp set and I loved it! I prefer set that I can layer and use in many different way. I colored the sentiment with Stampin' Write Markers and of course added a little spritz. To add a bit of dimension I added the turned corner with a candy dot. I also tried to use the positively Chevron background stamp under the tape images but it is difficult to see in the picture.

Thanks for stopping and have a great day!!

Favorite Time of Year

Fall has always been my favorite time of the year. This year the colors have been spectacular! I have been taking many pictures outside and have loved the falling leaves of many beautiful colors. My card I created for the Fab Friday 30 challenge reminds me of what I love the most about fall...the COLORS!!

 

I used the Harvest of Thanks stamp because I love all the layering that can be done with it. I backed the main image with a scalloped circle that I cut in half to fit just as I wanted. I scored each of the scallops to add a little more detail. The leaves are from the Gently Falling set which I thought was perfect for these colors.

Thanks so much for stopping to take a peek!

She Did it!!!!

Today I would like to give a shout out to my sister-in-law, Miranda(LEFT). Yesterday she conquered her first full MARATHON with her friend Allison!!! That is right....26.2 miles! I decided to make her a card to congratulate her on this enormous accomplishment and used the RetroSketches Challenge #87 as a start.. The months of training she has completed has been amazing and her determination in inspiring! She is not the type of person to yell from the rooftops, "HEY! Guess what awesomeness I have completed?!?!" So...I thought I would do it for her!! Congratulations Miranda!! We are so proud of you!! HUGS!!
Here is her card...

 

 

After placing the layers my card seemed a little "flat." I decided to add a few little details and I really like how it made the sentiment POP. The hearts are from the owl punch. Although it is a distressed card, every girl loves some bling so I added the rhinestones too.

Once again...Congrats Miranda!

Thanks for stopping by!

 

A day for myself....

I am so excited about today! I am planning on spending the majority of the day in my stamping space! I have PLENTY of other things I should be doing but I have missed stamping so much!! I am creating while my kids are watching a movie. I am sure they will be over to help me soon! I decided to join a few of my favorite challenges too with this fun little card I created. The colors are from Dynamic Duos #77, the layout from Freshly Made Sketches #110, and I added some chevrons for the Friday Mashup #134 challenge.

   

 Since this was my first card I had made in a while I decided to keep things very simple. I liked the Bold colors this week and thought the Positively Chevron background stamp would be great to use with the color for a bit of a retro feel.

 The sentiment was from the Regarding Dahlia stamp set and I added a Candy Dot as a special touch. I used my Chevron embossing folder also for the Real Red square. I loved this layout so much that I decided to do birthday card too with a little bling as well.

Thanks for stopping by to take a peek at my creations!

 

 

My Stampin' Success Projects

I am so glad to finally share some exciting news!! I was asked in April if I would be interested in creating 4 projects for the September/October 2013 Stampin' Success Demonstrator magazine. I was blown away! I have been so grateful to have this opportunity. I was asked to use a new stamp set from the Holiday Catalog called Harvest of Thanks. I thought I would share some details with you today.

One thing I want to point out...when I was asked to do this I was told I needed to use only current products for the release of the magazine. This was around the time that the 2013-2014 catalog was being launched. They had given demonstrators a list of items that were retiring but I did not have access to purchase new items from the new catalog. This made me go back to my basics and use what I loved most about SU! when I was first introduced... (before I had purchased EVERYTHING from the catalog! LOL)...and that was the versatility of stamping. I made many of my own background papers. I call them personalized DSP! :) I would like to give a few details about each of the projects...

What I loved most about this stamp set was the options you have for layering the images. I used the Apothecary Framelits to cut out the Summer Starfruit piece. I used the Bitty Banners Framelits to cut out the THANKS. It didn't fit perfectly but I just added a little ink to the tips of the banner to make it fit perfectly. This card used the only piece of DSP that I had used on all my projects...Epic Day This and That. The background paper was made by stamping with Gently Falling.

I love to use the Color Spritzer tool and was very disappointed when it retired. These projects were screaming for some spritzing so what I used was my Aqua Painter. I dipped the tip in a little reinker then blew on the tip. It worked perfectly!!

 

Many Thanks Card

Stamp Set:  Harvest of Thanks, Everything Eleanor, Gently Falling

Paper: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Summer Starfruit, Epic Day This and That DSP,  Early

Espresso Core'dinations CS

Ink:  Summer Starfruit, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Pool Party

Tools: Bitty Banners Framelits, Apothecary Accents Framelits,  Woodgrain EF, 7/8" scallop punch,

Aquapainter, Sponge Daubers, Distressing Tool

Accessories: Linen Thread, Pearl Basic Jewels



 

This was a 5x7 frame my AWESOME dad created for me using old garden stakes. I thought this would make a great piece of framed art. When stamping the image,I used my Stampin' Write Markers to color on the stamp. If you look close you can see that I used the lattice stamp from the Summer Silhouettes to add some design to the corners of the frame. I also used my spritzing technique as I described above.

 

Harvest of Blessings Framed Art

Stamp Set:  Harvest of Thanks,  Gently Falling, Summer Silhouettes*

Paper: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Summer Starfruit,  Early Espresso Core'dinations CS

Ink:  Summer Starfruit, Cajun Craze , Early Espresso,

Stampin' Write Markers: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Summer Starfruit

Tools: Bitty Banners Framelits, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Woodgrain EF, Essentials Paper Piercing pack, Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die, Aquapainter, Sponge Daubers

Accessories: Tea Lace Paper Doilies, 7/16" Trim

*Summer Silhouettes was used to stamp directly on the wood frame.

 

This was a very simple card to make. We will be making this at an upcoming card class. This time the image was stamped in layers. I stamped the Harvest image in both Early Espresso and then in Cajun Craze. I then cut the bottom of the Cajun Craze and pieced it over the Early Espresso image. the "Gratitude" stamp was cut out using the Bitty Banners Framelits. As far as the dimensions of the Early espresso CS, I have no idea. Sorry!

Harvest Gratitude card

Stamp Set:  Harvest of Thanks

Paper: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, Summer Starfruit

Ink:  Summer Starfruit, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Pool Party

Tools: Bitty Banners Framelits, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Essentials

Paper Piercing pack, Blender Pens, Aquapainter

Accessories: Pool Party Seam binding Ribbon

 



This little favor was fun to make. I used a piece of Early Espresso CS that measured 2 1/4 x 10 inches then scored it at 4" and 6". This turkey was a bit more difficult for me to use. I decided to stamp the image in Summer Starfruit and then add some accent color using my blender pens. I think this worked well with the distressed look of this image. I decided to layer the turkey image so I used the 13/8 circle punch. I added a bitty banner behind the turkey for a bit more color. I also used my spritzing technique that I described above. This was a fun little project to make.

Favor/ Napkin holder:

Stamp Set:  Harvest of Thanks

Paper: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla

Ink:  Summer Starfruit, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Pool Party

Tools: Bitty Banners Framelits, Square Lattice EF, 1 3/8" circle punch, Blender Pens, Aquapainter, Simply

Scored Scoring Tool

Accessories: Pool Party Seam binding Ribbon, Pearl Basic Jewels

 

I hope this inspires many of you to try this wonderful stamp set! I can't wait to see all the different ways that Harvest of Thanks can be used! I am so grateful for the opportunity and honor given to me by the Stampin' Up! to showcase some of my creative talents. Please let me know if you have any questions and I would be happy to try to answer them!

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Aimee

Paper Pumpkin! What a deal!!

I have been enjoying getting my Paper Pumpkin each month from Stampin' Up!! The kits are so fun to put together and not complicated at all! My son, Brett, wanted to make a card for Daddy. I pulled out one of the Paper Pumpkin boxes and let him pick which card he wanted to make. HE put it together....with a little help from me. It took us less than 10 minutes to make this card and he was so proud of himself!! Both my kids get so excited when the Paper Pumpkin comes because they know the will be doing a little creating themselves!

I was excited when SU! recently announced that for new subscribers Paper Pumpkin was going to be $10 a month for the first two months. You need to sign up by August 31 to take advantage of this wonderful offer! Here are the details:

For new subscribers only.

Promotion applies only to the first two months of a new subscription. After receiving two month's worth, the price for each month's kit will go to the regular price: $19.95.

You and your customers need to visit mypaperpumpkin.com to join.

You must click "Add Promo Code" and then enter the promo code PUMPKINDEAL in the "Promo Code" field when you sign up on the mypaperpumpkin.com website to take advantage of this promotion.

You must join by Saturday, August 31, 2013; 11:50 PM (MT).

If you have been considering starting the Paper Pumpkin, NOW is the time to sign up!! You can skip any month or cancel any time.

Please let me know if you have any questions! :)

A Day for Dahlia

Hi everyone!! A good friend of mine, Michelle, recently let me borrow the new stamp set Regarding Dahlias from Stampin' Up! I have had my eye on this set since I had opened the new catalog but had not had the chance to purchase it yet. I thought I would use the Friday Mashup Challenge 119 to try this new set....I LOVE it!!

To color this beautiful flower I used Blender Pens with Daffodil Delight ink. I then added a little Crushed Curry to add some dimension and highlight to the flower. I added the wonderful new Candy Dots to spice up the card a bit. The arrows were from the stamp set Oh Hello! This was a quick, fun card to make and thank you to Michelle for letting me use the wonderful stamp set! (I have ordered mine and it is on its way to my house now!! :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Birthday Sketch

It has been a while since I have joined some challenges. I decided to set some time aside today to play with some new goodies. I am combining the challenges at Dynamic Duos and Freshly Made Sketches.

 

 

I used one of the new Hostess Sets from Stampin' Up called Simply Sketched. I just love this stamp set and the versatility that it offers. I decided to layer the petals on the large flower to add some dimension. I stamped the flower three times and layered the petals on top of each other and added some Dazzling Details in the center for some Bling. I love to add ribbon to my projects and decided to stamp the sentiment directly on the ribbon. I thought this would add to the distressed look of the project. Here is a close up....

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to hearing from many of you that I have missed!! :)

 

Aimee

Butterflies that Inspire

We have a very fun day planned today! My Son Brett is done with Preschool so we will be going to the Zoo for the first time this year! We both are so excited!! I wanted to play along with the CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge today before we left the house. I LOVE this sketch!! There are so many fun possibilities! For some reason I woke up thinking about this sketch, and this design popped into my head! This card was so simple yet so much fun to create!

 

I used the swirls from the Everything Eleanor stamp set as the path that the butterflies are traveling. I used sponge daubers to add the ink to the stamp. I stamped the Papillion Butterfly on vellum and used markers to add color. I added a few Dazzling Diamonds to the edges of the large butterfly to give a little sparkle.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

 

CAS(E) this Sketch #27

I was so excited to join in with the CAS(E) this sketch challenge #27 this week! And I will be coming in right under the wire!! This sketch has so many possibilities and the LOVE the inspiration provided by the Design Team! Here is my card....

I kept thinking that I needed to add more to this card, but I decided to let the Watercoloring Technique I used be the focal point. The watercoloring technique I used here, I have not used in a while but I love the way it adds a feeling of flow and movement to a card. You can find the technique HERE. I do find that I need to keep the philosophy of LESS is MORE.  I like the Blotchy look and if I add too much water the colors tend to flow more. You can see this in the card I posted below. I also decided to do a bit of a "Step Up" card adding some ribbon and Color Spritzer, of course. :)

This is still a very simple card and so much fun to add the little details that make a card your special creation! Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Boxes and a Butterfly

This week is teacher appreciation week and I was thinking I needed to make some cards for Brooke's wonderful teachers. I thought I could join some fun challenges too, CASE(E) this Sketch and Create with Connie and Mary #250.

I wanted this to be a simple card so I inked up the clear block to add the shapes. The Random piercing added a litle more detail to the card. The Banner is a sneak Peek from the 2013-2014 Catalog.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Aimee

Sunshine Dreams

Believe it or not I am making another post! :) I feel like I am almost back into the groove of things. I decided to join the Black Tie Friday Challenge and Retrosketches this week. Here is my creation...

 

 

I decided to use the yellow and black as accents on my card. I made the sunshine with a 1 3/4" circle punch and the small banner from the Itty Bity Banners framelit. I sponged around the edges of the sunshine to give a little more dimension., The clouds are from the Cupcake punch from Stampin' Up! which I sponged around the edges as well.

Have a great week and thanks for stopping by!!

U Inspire Me!!

When I started making this card today, I became very reflective on the people that have inspired me. I would love to begin to name them all but I am sure I would leave someone out. My Mom and my Grandmother are the two women that have inspired me the most. I could only hope to be the Mother, daughter, Christian, wife, friend, sibling, that they have been in their lifetime. I love you both so much! I also have a list of friends that inspire me in many different ways, each in their own special way, whether it is with your kindness, your thoughts, your faith or your determination....I love you all! I also want to thank all the wonderful creative people that I follow online on a daily basis. Your creativity is always pushing me to reach beyond the scope of what I can see and try something new. So, to ALL of you, this card is for YOU!

I have had alot of fun making this card. I have a hard time with tags so I thought the CAS(E) this sketch challenge #22 would push me outside of my box a little. I also loved the color choices for the Dynamic Duos Challenge this week. I decided to use both colors as accent colors for my card, and I was happy with the way they balanced each other.

 

I decided on a Vintage or distressed look again. I guess if I would have to pick a style for my card making, it would be this. I didn't have a sentiment that was working for me so i made up my own Using the stamp sets Loving Thoughts and the new Designer Typeset. I also used the large floral stamp from Betsy's Blossoms as a background on the tag. Of course i don't think I can make a card without adding the Color Spritzer tool and some ribbon.

Thanks so much once again for stopping by!!

 

Rain or Shine?

Today it is shining! The temperature is still a bit cooler than I would like but the sunshine makes all the difference! I decided to make a card for the Freshly Made Sketches Challenge and the Create with Connie and Mary Color challenge.

This card was a quick one layer card. I used some retired DSP, Berry Blossoms, for the Calypso Coral with raindrops at the top of the page. I also stamped the umbrella in Calypso Coral and then I used a SU Marker and trimmed the edge of the stamp with Real Red and then stamped the image.I found that as I wanted to add more I was overdoing it a bit. So, this was the cute little card I ended up with.

Thanks for looking!!

Hello Baby....whale!

I am so excited to have some extra time to join some challenges! I decided to attempt a card for the Hand Stamped Sentiments sketch challenge as well as the Paper Pal Arts Color challenge. Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue are two colors that are being retired with the new Color Refresh that Stampin' Up! will be introducing in the new 2013-2014 catalog. I am so excited they are bringing back several of my favorites!

Here is my card...

I have not used Circle Circus in a while and it is one of my favorite stamp sets ever! I love making my own paper that fits any color scheme that I want to use. I also used the whale from the retired Fox and Friends stamp set. I love to add the little details here and there like the Paper Piercing, Pearls, and of course a little ribbon.

Thanks for stopping and I hope you have a great day!!

 

Hey Friend!

I have been home all week on Spring break. We had a lot of fun things planned around the Fort Wayne area but the kids have been under the weather so we have stayed close to home. I decided to take some time and join in on a couple challenges so you may actually see a post from me tomorrow too!
This card I made for the Retrosketches #57 and ColourQ #183 challenges. I love making vintage cards and I thought this combo would be great to try. I also am linking up the the 52 Card Pickup this week...

This card was so much fun because I loved adding all the little details like the stitching at the top middle banner and the 3D heart. Of course, I added a little color with my Color Spritzer as well as an AquaPainter and reinker. I hope you can find something new each time you look at it! :)

I hope you have a great day!!

Aimee