Monday, August 18, 2014

August - Big Shot


Yes, this month’s Stampin’ Up! (SU) special is the Big Shot. With the purchase of a new Big Shot you received a FREE stamp set and Framelit bundle. If you already have a Big Shot you could purchase the bundle at a 15% savings. I decided to purchase my second Big Shot – yes, I now have 2. What surprised me the most when I unpacked my new Big Shot was the new clear plates (new to me). They are beveled on the leading edges. So, when you run them through they should glide a bit smoother than before. As you will see, I am using my new Big Shot in all of the following pictures.
Starting with my first two cards, I used the Tea Party stamp set. This stamp set was requested to be used by Pam and it was fun to play with, thank you Janice for allowing me to borrow it from you.
For the first card, I CASE my card from Kerry (Kez) Bunting all the way from Australia, thank you Kez. I wanted to go a little more romantic than my case sample, but I felt that this year’s DSP doesn’t really have the feel I was looking for. So, I used some retired DSP and then incorporated current elements into the card. I was pleased with the end result.  



The second card, using the Tea Party stamp set, does use current DSP Park Lane. I like the combo of the Old Olive and Calypso Coral. If you look closely you will see the coral dots in the DSP. The hint of it is peeking out above the stamped boarder and also in the layered wording of TEA PARTY. I like this color combo especially against the crisp, white background and might use it again.
 Speaking of crisp, white background…..I love the simple and bold color combo of Pumpkin Pie and white used with the ever so cute Kind Koala single stamp. I layered the pumpkin pie card stock on top of white by cutting out two Banners Framelits and then stamped in Black StazOn the simple and adorable Koala image. To further enhance the color combo, I colored in the flower with a Pumpkin Pie marker and added Pumpkin Pie Chevron ribbon underneath the banners. Adorning the flower is a jumbo rhinestone and a touch of pink was added to the inner ears of the Koala. Too Cute. 
 
 
Lastly, and another CASE card from Dena Rekow, is a fun RomCom card. What you say is a RomCom….maybe my own term, but I think this card has a romantic (Rom) but Comedic (Com) feel to it, RomCom. It uses another single stamp Friends Who Know and the Chalk Lines stamp set. I liked all the layers and colors used on this card and it was fun to do.

All of these cards had a common theme for them. Each one used the Big Shot and Framelits which brings me back to the August – Big Shot special. If you would like to purchase your own Big Shot and receive FREE products please contact me and I would be happy to assist you in your purchase, or click the flower vines in the righthand column to place your order. But, hurry this promotion ends at the end of the month!
Thanks for stopping by.
 
 
 

 

Sunday, July 20, 2014

More Mojo Monday's......


I know I have said this before, but my life has been turned upside down a lot in the past 10 months. So much has happened (and believe me a lot has), that was not good and very time consuming, but that can be for another blog post.

For this post, I am going to share with you my past Mojo Monday cards starting with June’s projects.

The first two cards, we used the new Work of Art stamp set, [page 165 of the Annual Catalog (AC)]. This new set is really fun to create different cards. You have to step out of your comfort zone and look at the shapes and swatches differently (there are some really beautiful ideas posted). Because we were using this set in June, I wanted to do one card with the 4th of July in mind. Using the different shapes, we created a flag image – cute huh!

For the second card, I used some of the new 2014-2016 In-Colors with my favorite being the Blackberry Bliss. I think I have shared with you before my new love for purple. For this card, you inked up one of the swatches and then just stamped it three times, each time moving the stamp a little lower. With each time you stamped it the ink would get lighter and lighter and even looks like you used a different color each time. I accented the card with a little of the Hello Honey (another new in-color) ribbon and stamped heart.  By the way, this new in-color ribbon is so soft and beautiful.



For our next card, I use a single stamp Look up to Father, from the Occasional Mini. The card shown here uses another sentiment under the tree, because I forgot to take a picture of the card with the Father sentiment on it before I gave it to my dad.  This stamp didn’t make it into the new Annual Catalog, but I think I might use the tree again.
 
 
 
The last card shown here, we didn’t complete at Mojo, but I wanted to share with everyone the new Blendabilities markers. Of course, the color that drew me in to the Blendabilities was the Blackberry Bliss; with the purchase of the Blendabilities you receive 3 markers in different shades. I am going to have to play a little bit more with these. Remember, you must use the Memento pad and ink or you will have big issues and no one wants issues, hehehe. Check all the colors and supplies on page 212 of the Annual Catalog.  
July’s Mojo Monday cards –
I had a request to use the new Something for Baby set and matching Framelits, (page 74 AC); remember to save $$ and purchase the bundle. When I started to work on these cards, I couldn’t decide between a little girl or a little boy card so I did both. Starting with the little girl card, I wanted to add layer of dimension. So, I used the new Decorative masks (page 205 AC) by using the Heart mask and sponging it. I love how the pattern is more concentrated at the bottom versus the top. For the tag, I used the new Scalloped Tag Topper punch and sponged around the edges.
The boy’s version, I saw a card similar to this one but it used an older stamp set. I just used a couple more current items to create this card. Again, stamping and punching out the onesies and socks (remember when your babies ran around in their socks, now they are just found on their bedroom floor). Then for adding a little bit more texture, I used the Electric Paper Piercing pack and outlined the onesies. The grass was made using the new Fringe Scissors (page 215 AC). They are so easy to use and what a time saver if you have been cutting grass by hand one “blade” at a time (think about using these scissors for Easter scrapbook pages). The clothes line is Bakers Twine and the mini clothespins are a previous SU retired product.
I think both cards are so darn cute for the new little one(s) in your life.
 

Well, just as I couldn’t decide on creating a girl or boy baby card, I could decide on to create a dog or cat card. So, I did both again. The set we used to create these cards is Cool Kid, again this set was in the Occasional mini catalog and they are retired, but because of my crazy life the past months, I had purchased this fun set but didn’t a chance to use it before the catalog expired, (Life). I do have to give a shout out to Dawn Olchefske, for these cards that I CASE them from, thank you Dawn.

 
 
Okay, maybe I was coming out of my shell, because I thought what the heck let’s do one more card. I wanted to do one a little more romantic, girlie or at least flowery. I saw a similar version of this card, but they used the Stippled Blossom set and I didn’t have it. So, I used the Flowering Flourishes (page 118 AC) for the background and the Chalk Talk (page 11 AC), for the “tag” sentiment; remember to purchase the bundle, set and Framelits for savings. The small flower are the Petite Petals set (page 125 AC) and then punched out using the Petite Petals Punch (page 219 AC). I then used some retired brads that are flowers and some with designs on them. I think they gave a fun whimsical touch to them. I have to admit this card was a stretch for me; because I don’t do usually do flowers, but even this old cat can learn new tricks.  

Thank you for stopping by and if you need a catalog or wish to order anything that have seen here, please let me know.
 

Sunday, March 23, 2014

What is up with 2014?????

I have been struggling this year with my personal and stamping domain. I think my stamping or lack of stamping is because of the trials I am going through in my personal life.

This years started out horrible. In January, I found out my estranged mother has breast cancer. We are still working through our relationship and her cancer, which has taken a turn for the worse and I am dealing with helping with her medical treatments and healing. Then came the death of my step mother-in-law in February and this month March, was my own surgery on my shoulder. So stamping and blogging has not been my priority and I am off my mojo a bit.

I have been blessed with friends and family support and know I couldn't have gotten through these couple of months without them. So, for those of you (and you know who you are) Thank You!

To try and catch up with the past couple of months of my Mojo Monday group I am just going to post the pictures of the cards we completed. So, here goes and I hope I have these listed correctly, hehehe.

January:

 

February:
























March: These cards were done using the Sale-a-Bration stamp sets and paper. You still can get FREE stamps until March 31st.



 


 Thanks for Stopping by and I think I will use the saying on this card for my inspiration.