Sneak Peek Week - Day #6

We're almost done with my week of sharing brand new product... so today I'm going to show a new colour and a fun, versatile stamp set:

I used the oh-so-lovely Bermuda Bay on this card and mixed it up with a little Basic Grey and Tangerine Tango. I thought it was a really fun and masculine combination.

The stars are from the Simply Stars stamp set, and I can already tell I'll be using them a lot. They are just so cute.

We're making this card tonight at my monthly card class - the great thing about it is that you can change up the sentiment and use it for so many occasions!

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

Spring Colours with Paper Pumpkin!

Have you been thinking about Paper Pumpkin? Why not order the Try It Kit and see what it's all about!

This week Steph's got some nice spring colours at Sunday Stamps for us to play with, and I used the Paper Pumpkin Try It Kit to make my project.

For the coloured flowers, I used the smallest oval from the framelits collection and traced around the inside to outline the area that I wanted to use. Then, I trimmed around the pieces that I wanted to stick out from the oval (the leaves) with a craft knife. 

When I placed the oval framelit back on, I lifted the leaves over top of the framelit so that when it was run through the Big Shot, it would not cut those sections. It creates a really fun effect! 

Here's our challenge colours for the week:

And this is what the suggested project is from the Paper Pumpkin kit - super cute! Check out My Paper Pumpkin page for more details.

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara

xox

Dynamic Duos!

I'm finally getting back into the swing of things! My mojo took a short vacation, but we've reconnected now and are ready to go.

I needed to play along with the Dynamics Duos challenge. It had been so long, and I don't even know where that time went!

Congratulations

 Stamps: Delightful Dozen

Colours: Basic Black, Poppy Parade, Whisper White

Embellishments: Pearls

Tools: Boho Blossom punch, Blossom punch, Simply Scored

This week at Dynamics Duos, the challenge was to use Black and Poppy Parade (and add in some punches!). It has been awhile since I've grabbed Poppy Parade, so if felt kinda good ;) The punches I used were the Boho Blossom and Blossom punch.

The big black flower has the faux suede technique applied to it, and I scrunched up the boho blossom flowers to give them a little more depth. I laid them out kinda willy-nilly and then just layered some more on top.

The background layer is scored with the Simply Scored Diagonal Plate - makes for a fun bit of texture :)

Thanks for stopping by today!

-Tara
xox

Nautical Father's Day

Ah, Friday is here at last! :) Are you guys ready for a new Friday Mashup challenge?

Holly is getting us ready for Father's Day this week with a wonderful sketch and theme.

Happy Father's Day

Check out this week's challenge

1. Make a project for " That special Man in your life ".
2. Or Make a project with the " Sketch ".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a " Masculine card using the above Sketch ".

This card is for my step-dad. He's a lover of all things really cool (ships, trains, Canadian history). It always amuses me that I have a lot of the same interests as a 70 year old man ;) Anyways, I knew I wanted to use the Nautical Expedition designer paper for this card - but I wanted to try and get away with not using The Open Sea stamp set (mainly because I don't have it yet, hehe). So, this was my compromise - a few simple knots (figure 8, to be exact) and a simple sentiment.

Thanks for visiting today - and head on over to The Friday Mashup! to play along and check out the gorgeous samples from the rest of the design team! :)

Technique Time!

I’m loving these technique challenges over at the Friday Mashup! I’ve been wanting to try the Versamark Resist (“ghosting”) technique for quite some time – I even had all the supplies – but it just never happened. 

With a gentle nudge in the right direction, I gave it a shot. I really liked it! I have a feeling I may try it again real soon.

Mother

Materials used in this card:
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Glossy White, Whisper White 
Paper: Crumb Cake DSP, Always Artichoke DSP 
Stamps: Elements of Style, Delightful Dozen 
Ink: Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, Marina Mist, Versamark 
Embellishments: Always Artichoke Seam Binding 
Tools: Decorative Label punch, Sponge daubers, Dotted Scallop Border punch

This is the Friday Mashup Challenge:

1. Make a project using the "Sketch".
2. Or Make a project using the "Ghosting (aka VersaMark Resist) Technique".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a project using the "Sketch & the Ghosting Technique".

It's snowing outside today. That's pretty much all I have to say about that :(

-Tara

xox

Soft Thank You

It's getting warmer out again! I say "again", because a couple weeks ago we were having unseasonably high temperatures, and it was glorious! It might not be getting *that* warm, but this weekend is supposed to be lovely.

And speaking of lovely, the ColourQ has challenged us with the softest, sweetest colour palette this week!

Thank you so, so much

Aren't they pretty? I don't often use Peach Parfait, so I appreciated the nudge in the right direction.

 

Hope you have a great long weekend. I'm really looking forward to 4 days straight with all of my men home! :)

-Tara
xox

Edit to add: So excited that this card was selected as a "Colour Coutier" this week at the ColourQ. Thank you! :)

Quilting

Ahhh, the quilt. I conjures up the same emotions, comfort and sense of 'home' that Grandma's Apron does. When you're sick, it's your go-to warmth, when you're playing 'fort', it's the perfect weight to make a great roof, and when your baby first starts playing on the floor, it's there to support them when they inevitably take a tumble.

I love quilts. I have so many of them in my house, all with different meanings. One of them was made by my grandmother's grandmother (and my grandmother is 90, so you can guess how old it is!). The newer ones are made by my mother, and she's a fabulous quilter.

This week's challenge at the Friday Mashup is to:

1. Make a project using the "Quilted Cards Technique".
2. Or Make a project using "Something that's been forgotten (sitting in your stash forever)".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Quilted card with something you've forgotten about".

My card today is an homage to my mom's craftsmanship; her incredible patience when creating, her eye for colours and patterns, and her never-ending attention to detail. I modeled this card after my favourite quilt she made (which is pictured below).

As for the "something that's been forgotten"! I have had a roll of Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon in my collection since October, and I used it once... the day I got it! It has sat unused since then, so I was so pleased to bring it back out again for this challenge!

For My Wonderful Mother

Love the tag-line for this challenge :)

When I first saw the DSP in the Sale-a-Bration brochure, it immediately made me think of this quilt. What are the chances that the Friday Mashup team would challenge us to create a quilted card? ;) One last Sale-a-Bration "hoorah!" before it's over. Can you believe there's only a week left!?

My mother's quilt

With all this talk of quilts, and the rainy/damp weather we have here today, I wish I could just wrap myself up in one! ... off to do housework instead :P

-Tara

xox

Card for Grandma

My grandma send cards for everything - all the time. So, I made this one to send to her for Easter. I don't typically send Easter cards, but I thought it would be nice for her to get one, considering all that she sends! With 14 grandchildren and 10 (or is it 11 now?!) great-grandkids, I don't know how she keeps it all sorted out!

Happy Easter

The lovely sketch came courtesy, once again, of Freshly Made Sketches :)

Materials used in this card:
Cardstock: Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral, Whisper White
Paper: Flirtatious DSP
Stamps: Fresh Vintage, Delightful Dozen
Inks: Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral
Embellishments: White baker's twine
Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Jewelry Tag punch, Decorative Label punch


-Tara
xox

It's another Freshly Made Sketch!

Hello! :)

Sketch challenges are one of my favourites. I have a hard time relinquishing control when it comes to colour, but I love the inspiration and motivation when I have a sketch to work with!

This week's sketch at Freshly Made Sketches inspired me so much I made three cards with it, but I'm only sharing one... for now ;)

Get Well Soon

 

 (FMS17)

Materials used in this card:
Cardstock: Island Indigo, Pear Pizzaz, Whisper White
Papers: Twitterpated DSP
Stamps: Delightful Dozen
Inks: Island Indigo
Embellishments: Island Indigo ruffled ribbon
Tools: 1 3/8" circle punch, Scallop circle punch, 3/16" corner rounder

This is my Twitterpated "sampler" card! The Herringbone technique, which I first learned from a fantastic tutorial by my upline, is one of my absolute favourite techniques - and it a great one to use if you want to showcase a lot of designer series papers all at once :)

After I had assembled most of the card, I decided I wanted to change one of the papers I had used in the herringbone pattern, so instead of gluing over top, I popped up the new pieces on some dimensionals. It ended up creating a perfect little 'nook' for my sentiment.

Until next time - Happy stamping!

-Tara

A soft palette

As I was browsing though the new Occasions Mini, I came to a page that I had earmarked for future CASEing. If you're ever stuck for ideas, either colour combinations or sketches/layouts, why not open up your catalogue? It isn't called the "Idea Book & Catalog" for nothing :)

I'm constantly inspired by the cards in the catalogues and minis, even if I don't have the exact same supplies - necessity is the mother of invention, afterall! And if you need to make a card (which I so often do!), then you'll find something that works for you.

For this butterfly card, I used the colours from the Play Date Cafe challenge. I interpreted them as Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery and Pool Party.

thank you so, so much.

To make the butterfly, I stamped the flower from Mixed Bunch from the Occasions Mini on Very Vanilla cardstock with Pool Party ink and punched it out with the Blossom punch. I cut out two sections of two 'petals'. I then did the same thing with plain Pool Party cardstock. The body of the butterfly is made using the Jewelry Tag punch that I trimmed to a point. the antennae are just strips of pool party that were cut and curled.

Although it may be difficult to see from the photo, I added some faint texture around the sentiment using the Simply Scored scoring board. Here's a close look.

It's my mother-in-law's birthday today, and I have the flu :( I had to miss out on seeing her, and now have to wait another 364 days before I get to wish her a happy birthday in person! 

Materials used for the card:

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Pool Party, Very Vanilla

Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Delightful Doze

Inks: Pool Party

Tools: Blossom punch, Jewelry Tag punch, Square punch, Scoring Board

Although it's not too cold here right now, this card makes me reminisce about much, much warmer times!

Until next time - Happy Stamping!

-Tara

Fashionable Hearts

I've surprised myself this year by thinking of Valentine's Day already, but how can I not when this adorable Fashionable Hearts embosslits die from the Occasions Mini is staring you in the face each day?! It cuts and embosses all at once - way to multi-task, little embosslit!

This week's sketch challenge at Freshly Made Sketches is irresistible! I love symmetrical designs, but sometimes I tend to be asymmetrical in my symmetry ;) Here's the sketch:

And here is my Valentine's card:

Be My Valentine

Materials used:
Cardstock: Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla
Paper: Gorgeous DSP from the upcoming Sale-a-Bration event!
Stamps: Delightful Dozen
Inks: Lucky Limeade, Versamark
Embellishments: Ribbon from the upcoming Sale-a-Bration event
Tools: Clear embossing powder, heat tool, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Big Shot, 3/16" corner rounder, Fashionable Hearts embosslit die

You may have noticed that I've been using a lot of items from Sale-a-Bration. I assure you, you're going to love it! It's got some great papers and accessories, and the stamp sets are fresh and simply delightful. Mark January 24th on your calendar and come check out some of the samples I'm going to have to show you!

Until next time - Happy Stamping :)

-Tara

Fun Night!

Hands down, my favourite part of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is being able to hang out with a great group of ladies and make some cards :) Last night, I had a few close friends and family come over and we made some 'last minute' Christmas cards. It's funny, it's not even December yet, and I think that making cards on November 29th is last minute!

I wanted to share one of the projects from last night, because I think it's just too cute! How are your Christmas cards coming along? :)

Merry Christmas and a Happy New  Year

punch, stamp, sponge, done! :)

The supplies I used for this card were:
Cardstock: Pool Party, Whisper White
Paper: Not Quite Navy DSP
Stamps: Punch Pals, Delightful Dozen
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Pool Party
Tools: Postage stamp punch

Until next time - Happy Stamping!!

-Tara

For My Wonderful Mother

There's never a 'wrong' time to send a card to your mother to remind her she's wonderful :) I wanted to make her a clean, simple and classy looking card. I played along with the Play Date Cafe Challenge this week to make a card using black and white, and a splash of orange.

 For My Wonderful Mother

  (PDCC107)

For this card, I wanted to keep it clean an simple, with a splash of colour!
1. Layer it!: For my splash of colour, I wanted to incorporate the Calypso Coral into the Triple Treat Flower, so I first inked up the stamp in the Calypso Coral, and punched it out using the Fancy Flower punch. I think inked up the Triple Treat Flower again using Basic Black. I don't currently own the 5-Petal Flower punch, which would be perfect for this, so I cut out the smaller flower and popped it up on dimensionals! A pop of colour and depth all at once!

2. Add a watermark background!: I had a lot of 'white' space to fill (well, black in this case!), but I didn't want to put any paper or colour on it - so I inked up my Triple Treat Flower stamp with versamark and scattered it around the card front. It's subtle, but in the right light, adds a nice little touch.

The supplies I used for this card were:
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black
Stamps: Triple Treat Flower, Delightful Dozen
Ink: Basic Black, Calypso Coral, Whisper White (Craft), VersaMark
Embellishments: Whisper White Satin ribbon
Tools: Fancy Flower punch

Until next time, happy stamping :)

-Tara

Flirtatious

It's early November, and in the cardmaking world, Christmas has been in full-swing for quite some time! Sometimes though, it's nice to take a break. Thank you to the Friday Mashup! team for encouraging us all to do that ;)

Our family is going to a birthday party today for 3 women. So, this challenge couldn't have come at a better time!

1. Make a project featuring "A Girly Theme"
2. Or make a project using "Your Favourite Technique"
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Girly project using your favourite technique".

I mashed it up this week with a little Rock'n'Roll flirtation ;)

Happy Birthday

(FM32)

For this card, I wanted to make it as girly as possible as well as incorporating my favourite technique!
1. Flirtatious Suite: I know I just used the Delicate Doily set last week to make a Thank You card, but it just doesn't get any more 'girly' than that set and the coordinating paper - Flirtatious. If you're looking for a really fun feminine card, and you're not afraid of bright colours, this is the paper and stamp set for you ;)

2. Rock 'n' Roll: Once of my favourite techniques, even though it's an oldie, is the "Rock N Roll" tehcnique. And it's almost as if the Delicate Doily set was MADE for rockin'! First, stamp your image in a lighter coloured ink (in this case, I chose Melon Mambo), then, 'roll' your stamp in the darker coloured ink (I used Wisteria Wonder). The edges of your stamp will pick up the new colour, and the middle will retain the first. I used this technique on the doily, and then punched it out using the Doily Triple Layer punch.

The supplies I used for this card were:
Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Paper: Flirtatious DSP
Stamps: Delicate Doilies, Delightful Dozen
Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Melon Mambo
Embellishments: Wisteria Wonder Ruffled Ribbon
Tools: Fancy Flower punch, Doily Triple Layer punch

Maybe I'll put the Delicate Doilies away for a bit... But it will be hard!

Thank you for visiting! Until next time, happy stamping :)

-Tara