Pages

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

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

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

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!

    Sunday, June 23, 2013

    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



    Friday, May 17, 2013

    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!!
     

    Tuesday, May 14, 2013

    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!!

    Tuesday, May 7, 2013

    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