Just a Note

Posted on May 23, 2017 by

Just a Note

One of the products from the new Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog that made its way to my “vacation craft bag” is the new Soft Sayings all-inclusive card kit (available June 1). I love these kits! Stampin’ Up! started offering them about three years ago, and each catalog has carried a new kit as well as the previous year’s. The kits include everything you need to complete 20 cards – printed card bases and coordinating envelopes, giftable kraft box, die-cut accents, Stampin’ Spot, Baker’s Twine, washi tape or or other embellishments, Stampin’ Dimensionals, the exclusive stamp set (only available in the kit) and a clear block.

Here’s a picture of the kit.

I immediately fell in love with this kit. I love the soft colors and the gold accents. And the stamp set is so versatile. It can be used for so many occasions. And you don’t have to use the stamps with the kit. I saw a card in a magazine, and I wanted to play with the technique they used (watercoloring). Sadly, my watercolor paper did not make it to the vacation craft bag (I kept walking around my craft room muttering, “I’m forgetting something….”), but I did grab a few sheets of Shimmery White, which worked beautifully.

Soft Sayings Card Kit, Stampin' Up!

Remember, I’m on vacation, so I don’t have a lot of embellishments. This could definitely use some sequins and maybe a little glitter. I may add a Powder Pink ribbon later as well. But for now, I’m very pleased with this “basic” card.

I stamped the flowers and leaves in Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Ink, then simply watercolored them with Berry Burst, Fresh Fig, Powder Pink, and Lemon Lime Twist (yeah, I brought all the new In Colors with me).  I made sure to pull some of the ink out of the flowers and leaves with the Aqua Painter to make it look a little more vintage, and splattered a little Fresh Fig.

My dear friend Susan uses Shimmery White all the time for watercoloring, and I’m so glad for the tip! (Thanks, Susan!!) It was so simple to pull color and move it around, plus – as the name suggests – there’s a little shimmer to the card to make it extra special.

I finally ordered the Banner Triple Punch, and it was so simple to notch a Powder Pink scrap for the “Just a Note” banner. I like the pop of pink on the card with the Berry Burst sentiment. It also covers where I was in a hurry and didn’t line up a leaf and flower as well as I had hoped.

Thanks for stopping by Stamping with Buffy. Have a lovely day!

Product List

Soft Sayings Card Kit

$35.00

Shimmery White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$8.00

Aqua Painters

$17.00

Banner Triple Punch

$23.00

Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad

$7.00

#stampinup, #cardkit, #SoftSayings

Posted in Kits, Sneak Peeks | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Happy Birthday, Wesley!

Posted on May 22, 2017 by

Happy Birthday, Wesley!

Thursday was my Wesley’s 25th birthday. I can’t believe how quickly time has flown and that my baby is a man with a toddler of his own. (I guess Amelia is technically a “toddler,” but she doesn’t toddle. Ever.)

Jon asked me early in the week if I could make a card for him to give his brother. When I first started stamping, my family and friends felt like they were “mooching” if they asked me to make a card. I had to convince them that making the card is actually a gift for me. I haven’t been able to get them to let me make my own cards, but I’m working on it!

While I was working on the card for Jon, Katelyn asked if I could help her make a card for Wes. She stopped by after work, and made this one.

Note: All items marked with an asterisk will be available June 1 in the 2017-18 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog. All other products are available now.

Isn’t that gorgeous? It was her first card ever, and I’m so proud of her. I showed her some of the shaving cream background cards Amelia and I had made the day before, and she loved them and wanted to use that technique on her card. We used Tranquil Tide*, Pool Party*, and Night of Navy* classic ink refills, because Wesley likes blue.

This background is so easy. Trust me, if a toddler/preschooler can do it, anyone can. And most of the time Amelia was playing with the technique, she was really playing, squishing the cream between her fingers and mixing it all around. She had a wonderful sensory experience. Surprisingly, we got some beautiful backgrounds that day as well. All you do is spread a thin layer (about 1/2″ or so) of shaving cream (not gel! It has to be cream) in a pan. Drip several drops of 2-3 different ink refills (Amelia and I used Tranquil Tide*, Fresh Fig*, and Lemon Lime Twist*), then swirl them with a toothpick or skewer. I’ve always heard, “Don’t mix too much or you’ll get mud,” but that didn’t seem to slow Miss Amelia down – and some of her overmixed panels were the prettiest.

After you swirl your ink drops, press your cardstock into the cream and lift straight up. Lightly scrape off the excess shaving cream and let dry. We used Glossy White Cardstock*, but Whisper White works as well.

Other elements to Katelyn’s card – She used the Happy Birthday Thinlits* with Silver Foil Sheets and Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper, and she sponged the glimmer paper with the same colors we used for the background to create an ombre look. So clever! Finally, she added Enamel Shapes over the front. I didn’t get pictures of the inside or the envelope, but they have stamped balloons (some are even masked! Amazing girl went straight for the more advanced techniques!) and a fun sentiment.

Here’s the card I made for Jon to give Wesley.

Birthday Delivery, Stampin' Up!

There’s not a lot of stamping – just the banner and sentiment from the Thoughtful Banners set (and Duet Banner Punch). The other elements are from the Birthday Memories Designer Series Paper (DSP)*. I think the Birthday Memories Suite* is my favorite in the catalog. I love the images – and the thinlits coordinate with the stamps and the DSP. How cool is that?

Over the next two weeks, almost everything I blog will use new products. When I was grabbing stamps and paper to bring with me, I seemed to gravitate to the new ones, so you’ll see a lot of sneak peeks. But don’t miss out on the products that will be retiring May 31. You can see them here. Remember, all products (even stamps after today) are while supplies last, so order them while you can!

Thanks for stopping by Stamping with Buffy. Have a wonderful day!

Product List

Happy Birthday Thinlits Die

$20.00

Thoughtful Banners Photopolymer Stamp Set

$21.00

Thoughtful Banners Photopolymer Bundle

$35.00

Duet Banner Punch

$18.00

 

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Wine Lovers Gift Set

Posted on May 21, 2017 by

Wine Lovers Gift Set

What Wine Lover would not want to be the recipient of this adorable gift set? This tutorial comes with the wine bottle template that holds four notecards and envelopes, a cute little crate that holds four coasters, homemade wine charms, and a cheese box that holds chocolate!!! This set showcases the Tuscan Vineyard and Here’s To Cheers Stamp Sets!

Tuscan Vineyard, Here's to Cheers, Stampin' Up!, Craft Project Central

This adorable project was designed by Judy for Craft Project Central. To get the tutorial, simply subscribe to May, or select a 3-, 6-, or 12-month package that includes May.

Thanks for stopping by Stamping with Buffy. Have a wonderful day!

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Fun Fold Stamp-Off Challenge

Posted on May 19, 2017 by

Fun Fold Stamp-Off Challenge

This week’s Stamp Off challenge is a fun fold. I love fun fold cards, but I usually don’t even think about doing one unless it’s for a challenge. You know how sometimes you have all these wonderful ideas running around your head – and it gets to be a little overwhelming. That’s me. I get all kinds of ideas and inspiration for cards and then when I sit down to craft, I get creative block because I have inspiration overload. Have you ever been like that, or is it just me? (You don’t have to answer.)

I’ll have to admit, I almost copied the inspiration photo and made a gatefold card. Wesley’s birthday was today, and I had to make a cheesecake, figure out how to wrap ice cream so it wouldn’t melt before he opened it, make taco salads, run a few errands, and…well, it was a busy day. But I had gotten a really cute “Twist/Turn” card from OnStage, and I had to try it.

This fold is so easy and it really is fun. First – here’s my card using the beautiful Delightful Daisy Designer Series Paper, the Daisy Delight Photopolymer Stamp Set, and the Daisy Punch. These are all products that will be available in the 2017-18 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog. You can bundle the stamp set and punch and save 10%, too.

Daisy Delight, Stampin' Up!

Isn’t that paper gorgeous? I know daisies are a spring flower, but I am going to use this all year long. I stamped the sentiment in the new Tranquil Tide Classic ink, and the daisy three times in Crushed Curry. Then I punched with the Daisy and Banner Triple punches. Done. Oh – and don’t you love that Gold Faceted Gem in the center of the flower? These are also new, and they come in clear as well.

Here’s the inside of the card.

Daisy Delight, Stampin' Up!

Again, the sentiment is stamped in Tranquil Tide and the flowers in Crushed Curry.

Probably the easiest way to learn how to make this card is from a video tutorial. I used Dawn Griffith’s, and it was super simple to follow. Simply cut a 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ piece of cardstock (Wisteria Wonder here) and score it at 2-3/4″ and 4″ along the 8-1/2″ side, and 2-3/4″ along the 5-1/2″ side. Then lay the cardstock out with the 8-1/2″ side at the top. Place your stylus where the horizontal 2-3/4″ score and the vertical score at 4″ meet and, using a ruler or other straight edge, score diagonally up to the top of the 2-3/4″ score. Go back to the same starting point and score diagonally down to the bottom of the 2-3/4″ score. Here’s a picture of the open card.

Daisy Delight, Stampin' Up!

Fold on all the score lines, getting sharp creases and breaking the fibers in the paper so the card will move like it’s supposed to. Then fold the top right side down (for a mountain fold) and the far left side up. Both diagonals will be mountain folds, and it should twist right into place.

So there’s my fun fold. Check out what Susan and Jackie did this week. I always look forward to Friday mornings to see what they made. It’s always awesome.

Thanks for stopping by Stamping with Buffy. Have a wonderful day!

Product List

Daisy Delight Photopolymer Stamp Set

$17.00

Daisy Punch

$18.00

Daisy Delight Photopolymer Bundle

$31.50

Banner Triple Punch

$23.00

Delightful Daisy Designer Series Paper

$11.00

Gold Faceted Gems

$5.00

Posted in Movable Cards, Sneak Peeks | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Bright Wishes

Posted on May 18, 2017 by

Bright Wishes

I wanted to play around with some watercoloring today. This is a set from the new 2017-18 Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog called Bright Wishes. There are several wonderful sayings in this set, and the one I used is, “may all your wishes come true.” Sadly, though, after I stamped it, I realized my image wouldn’t fit, so the sentiment is under the image. Oops!

Stampin' Up!, Sneak Peeks

I used Smoky Slate ink to stamp the wishing well. The idea was to color all the lines and make it look like I painted it. Of course, when you watercolor over water based ink, it fades a bit, but I actually like it this way. It looks old and vintage and goes with the weathered board background. (That’s my story, and I’m sticking with that.)

The background paper – Serene Scenery – is retiring, and it’s already gone. *sad* It was great paper. The card base is also new. I know, you’re thinking, “What’s so new about Very Vanilla? We’ve had it for years.” Yes, we have. But this is Very Vanilla thick cardstock. How cool is that?

I was in a rush to finish this, so I didn’t add any “fancies” – like twine, ribbon, or other embellishments. Maybe later. Today was my “catch up” day. (Edited: Since it ended up being so late when I finally got around to blogging, I decided to post this on Thursday instead of Wednesday, so “today” is really “yesterday.” Having a little more time, I thought, “Hey, let’s do more to this card.” And you know what? I actually like the plain version better. I added some doilies and metallic thread, but I think it detracts from the focal image. So I’m sticking with my original.)

May 18 (today, if you’re reading this the day it was posted) is my Wesley’s birthday. I can’t believe my baby is 25 years old. He’s such an amazing man, and I’m so proud of him. Since this will post early on the 18th, I won’t show any of the cards we made for him until tomorrow. Or, actually, probably Monday, since Friday is Stamp-Off day. I had a blast making (and helping others make) cards for Wes and a creating a gift from Amelia. I think he’ll love it!

Thanks for stopping by Stamping with Buffy. Have a wonderful day.

Product List

Bright Wishes Wood-Mount Stamp Set

$25.00

Bright Wishes Clear-Mount Stamp Set

$18.00

Serene Scenery Designer Series Paper Stack

$10.00

Many Marvelous Markers

$110.00

Aqua Painters

$17.00

Posted in Sneak Peeks, Sweet Cupcake | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Perfect Mix Gift Set

Posted on May 16, 2017 by

Perfect Mix Gift Set

In this tutorial, you’ll make a cute gift set for any baker or cook using the Perfect Mix Stamp Set. You will learn how to decorate the gifts with pretty tags, make a coordinating card and then make a fun sampler to hang in the kitchen. Who wouldn’t want a gift like this?

Craft Project Central, Stampin' Up!

This project was designed by Jen for Craft Project Central. To get the instructions, simply subscribe to May, or select a 3-, 6-, or 12-month package that includes May.

Thanks for stopping by Stamping with Buffy. Have a wonderful day!

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Ordinary Moments

Posted on May 15, 2017 by

Ordinary Moments

Since I’ve been taking weekends off from blogging, I didn’t post for Mother’s Day. I gave away all the cards I made, but this one uses the sentiment I added to Mom’s card.

High Tide, Stampin' Up!

We made this card, using the High Tide stamp set from the Stampin’ Up! Occasions catalog (and it’s carrying over to the 2017-18 Annual Catalog!) for our classes this month. All of the stamps are from the High Tide set. The Tip Top Taupe cardstock will be retiring at the end of this month, and the striped grosgrain ribbon isn’t available yet. It will be new in the 2017-18 Annual Catalog. That’s the ribbon design for the “old” 2016-18 In Colors (I ran out of the Dapper Denim ruched, so I let everyone have a sneak peek!). I love the sentiment, because it sounds so much like my mom.

When my brothers and I were growing up, Mom made every event an adventure. When we went with my grandmother to put flowers on graves in the cemetery, it was an opportunity to take a walk in a quiet, tree-lined park to fill up the water bucket. After, we almost always had a picnic lunch in the park. Mom packed sandwiches and a thermos of lemonade or tea, and my grandmother almost always brought a jar of homemade 21-day sweet pickles. Chores weren’t “chores.” They were a precursor to an adventure or a treat when we finished. Even simple trips were turned into a history or geography lesson. Mom would point out different landmarks and tell us stories about who had lived there. She made our local history real, and we felt like we knew those people who had lived years ago.

I didn’t realize how much Mom made ordinary events adventures until I had kids. We were staying in a motel while Mike worked on one of our rentals, and the power kept going off due to thunderstorms. I grew frustrated, because how can you care for two small boys with no electricity? No way to cook, no TV, no pool in thunderstorms…Mom kicked into adventure mode. We hopped in the car and headed to the nearest grocery store. She bought a roll of paper towels, some pre-cooked fun food (corn dogs and chips, I think), some raw veggies and snack cakes, and some drinks. I think she even bought some inexpensive “treasures” that the boys would love. Then we headed back to the motel for an indoor picnic.  She spent the afternoon reading to the boys and playing indoor games including a “treasure hunt.”

One day, I want to grow up to be Mom. I so admire her imagination and creativity as well as her loving and generous spirit. She will be forever young. I love you, Mom!

Thanks for stopping by Stamping with Buffy. Have a wodnerful day!

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