A Mixed Bouquet Birthday

The other day when I was looking on Google Images for some samples from the "Mixed Bouquet" set I found some!!  Yes, some!  I made one yesterday and the day before!  And then there's todays!  I found some fun samples to recreate as best I can with what I have.  Once again there was no watermark on the card to see where it came from but on the sidebar was a website "Juxt a Post" but it lead me to a dead end.  Though looking at that site, it looks a lot like a Pinterest type site.  But there was no link to where this card came from.  So if it's your card, please let me know so I can give you credit and a link back to your blog.

For the base of this card I used Pacific Point and a layer of Whisper White on top of that.

The flowers were stamped using Pacific Point as well as the words.  And those words came from the "Simply Sketched" set.  

The white flower was punched out and then the petals were clipped.  That part I didn't care for but I was only making one card so it was ok.  If I were making more cards I think I would be looking at something different for that flower!  With all the punches and dies out there I've become spoiled and cutting shapes is so not for me.  Ok, back to the card.  The flower was set in place using Dimensionals.  And that is all there is to this card.  It went quick but like I said, I only did one.  I saw this layout done using other fun colors, like Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight and Primrose Petals.  And every one of those were beautiful.  I chose the Pacific Point because I have not used that color in a while and I thought it would make a pretty card. It did indeed!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Mixed Bunch Birthday

I had done a Google search for "Mixed Bouquet" and I ran across this bright and cherry card.  The card had no name on it and on the sidebar I saw that the link to it was Hill Country Stampin.  The link does not work. I don't know if the blog is in existence anymore.  So if this is your card, please let me know so I can give you credit for it.

I did change the wording part.  The original card had a paper strip with the end "v'd". I didn't have words wide enough to make that work for me so I just went with the words from "Express Yourself" and the oval punch and scallop.  The original card also had the center circle done using a scallop but I couldn't make the scallop punches I had work with it so I kept it round.

The leaves are a Sizzlet die and my colors are Real Red, Whisper White for the cardstock and Wild Wasabi for the green.

This is an extremely simple card to make and I actually had fun making this, even though I struggled a bit as to what I was going to do with the words.  But in the end it all worked out and I like the card!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Mixed Bunch Birthday Card Gift Set

Today I was working on some craft fair and gift items.  I had gotten some boxes from my sister and I HATE to throw them away.  She hates to see things like that thrown away so she brings me in on the act!!  She works in a print shop and after stuff sits around for several months it is determined useless and is recycled. Sometimes it gets recycled to my home!!  I had gotten 12 of these gift boxes and they were too big for cards but I made them work!

First I made my cards using the new in colors decorative paper pack and the Mixed Bunch flower and punch.  The words are from the  "Simply Sketched" set.  The boxed set has one of each color card in it, so you get a little variety in colors.  

Once I got the cards made I took the plastic cover off the box and added a piece of white to the bottom of the box.  Don't ask why, I just thought it looked nice.  Then I set an envelope in the box and measured the open space on the top and side.  I took a piece of cardstock and cut it to the size I needed and scored the piece.  I folded the scores and set the "u" shaped piece in place in the box.  I thought the top piece was a bit too big to leave empty so I went on the computer and printed out "Birthday Greeting Cards and 4 envelopes".  I had printed it out on a sheet of label paper and cut them on the paper cutter.  I stuck them on top of the piece and it looked SO professional.  I plan on selling some of them at the fall craft fair and a few of them are for gifts.

It was a fun and nice way to use those boxes.  I am not a big fan of mass producing.  And I thought 48 cards was a BIG production for me!!!  I have never done that before and don't plan to do it again.  Well, unless I get my hands on more gift boxes.  I had those in the closet for a few years so I don't see that happening anytime soon!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Wetland Masculine Card

Today's card come to you from Terri's latest Stamp-a-Stack.  I love going to those.  Her cards are very clean and simple, easy to follow and easy to repeat at home if you wanted to make more.  Unfortunately I can't make more of this one, I do not have this stamp set.  Though I do think it is on my wish list because of it leaning towards the masculine side.  It's difficult to find great masculine stamps.

The cardstock used here is Soft Suede, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla.  And the ink is Soft Suede.  

The center focal pieces are cut 3-1/2 x 3" on the Soft Suede piece, 5-1/2" x 3-1/4" on the Crumb Cake piece (fold this piece in half) and 2-1/2" x 3" on the Very Vanilla piece.  Stamp your images first and then assemble.  

This card does not open in the usual way.  The Soft Suede piece on the back is just 1/4 sheet of card stock with the Crumb Cake layer on the top.  The part of the card that opens is where the goose is stamped.  You don't really need to write much inside a masculine card, so this is the perfect amount of space!! :o)

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

A Five-Way Flower Birthday Card

Is this card bright enough for you?  LOL  It sure is colorful!!!  I had bought the "Gingham Garden" decorative paper with a few of the sheets in mind for other projects and the other sheets were just there.  I wasn't all that much interested in them.  This happened to be one of those but I thought I should play with it anyway.  I had found a layout from a card on Split Coast Stampers and I thought I would give it a try with this paper and this is what I came up with.

I am having a lot of fun with the "Five-Way Flower" stamp.  I'm thinking of making a card but only using 3 of the 5 layers and see what I get.  And of course I will share it with you. Don't I always share what I make with you?  Even the ones that don't turn out so well!!  Oh lucky you!   LOL

I'm not a big fan of cutting triangles.  I usually get them a bit crooked because they slip in my cutter or some other reason.  I think this is a bit crooked but I'm not exactly sure!!  I think it might look that way because the ribbon is a bit crooked!  Oh well, what's done is done!  

The base of my card is Night of Navy, then a layer of Daffodil Delight on top of that.  I used the Dotted folder for some texture on that piece.  Then the layers of flowers and the layer of triangle.  And the words came from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  

Now why do I always see something wrong with my card when I am ready to post it?  I take the photo and the first think I add to my post is the photo. I've had big messes when I type the words first and add the photo. It seems like the words end up with too big of gaps between the paragraphs or the photo is on top and the words are way at the bottom and you can't delete any space to bring them closer together. So to avoid that I just add the photo first and then the words.  Plus having the photo there on the screen helps me to see what steps I did to make it.  And on this flower I can see that I forgot to add something to the center of it.  UGH!!  One of these days I will show you a completely finished card!!! LOL

I can't really say I had fun making this card because I find the triangles a bit frustrating.  Maybe you like to play with triangles.  I certainly don't and that is why you don't see too many cards on my blog using triangles!!!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Flower Shop and Simply Pressed flowers

I was at "Stamping Fun with Margaret" and I ran across this card. I had kept the image on my computer for a couple of days. I was on the border of whether I liked it or not.  Well, obviously I liked it, there was something about it that made me keep it on my computer for those days.  

As I was looking at it today I decided to just give it a try. It looked simple enough.

So the first thing I did was whip up a few Daffodil Delight flowers from the Simply Pressed molds.  I used the smallest flower in the mold.  I had not used that one yet and was pleased at how well it came out of the mold right after making it.  I didn't have to let it sit like I do with the buttons.  Nothing got distorted on it so I was able to make the three I needed, plus a few more for another day!

The pretty border image came from the "Summer Silhouettes" set.  The image was not long enough for the card so you have to stamp half from the center up and the other half from the center down.  Don't worry if you don't get the ends to meet in the middle, the center flower covers it.  That was stamped in Night of Navy.

Then I stamped the Daffodil Delight flowers using the "Flower Shop" set.  I liked how they looked so I took a 1/4 sheet of card stock and filled it with those flowers in the same color for another project another day.  I thought it looked like it would be a nice background for a future card.

And for the other 3 flowers I stamped them using VersaMark and embossed them using clear embossing powder.  Then I punched them out.  I set them in place using Dimensionals.

The words were done using the Modern Label punch and the Word Window Punch.  And the words are from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  And lastly the clay flowers were added using a little bit of glue.  I wasn't sure how well they would stick using tape because of the centers of the flower being mostly embossed.  

And that was it.  I did like making this card and after seeing it in person I like it even more!  It's a very quick card to make if you have the clay flowers done up a head of time.  Don't you just love those flower and button molds?  You can make them in any of the Stampin' Up! colors and have them match any of your products.  What I was amazed at the most with the clay is that it really doesn't take that much ink to color it and even when it dries the color stays the same as the wet clay.  What you see is what you get!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Six-Sided Sampler Card

I'm still trying to find a way to play with this Six-Sided Sampler set.  I found a card made by Kim at Joyful Creations.  As I was stamping along, trying to reproduce Kim's card and it wasn't working, I decided to read.  Apparently it turns out that the stamp are Happy Hexagons by Paper Ink.  Their hexagons are much smaller, so I turned the paper sideways and worked with it.  

I am ok with this card but overly thrilled with it.  It needs a lot of finesse!  The layout of the hexagons is growing on me but I think it could use some more festive colors.  And had I known I was going to be turning the card the orientation of the hexagons would have been such that the alphabet one would be straight instead of crooked.  

The colors I used here are Strawberry Slush and Baked Brown Sugar.  The words are from the "Express Yourself" hostess set and stamped in Baked Brown Sugar.

It's an easy enough and quick enough card to make.  I just think it needs more color!

Thank you ever so much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Secret Garden Thank You Card

I'm still into flower cards.  This card was made by Connie at Inkspired Treasures.  I frequent her blog.  She always seems to have cards that catch my eye.

And speaking of catching my eye.  I just noticed I didn't add the rhinestones to the center of the flowers.  You can see that look at Connies site.  Just follow the link above, it will take you directly to that card.  

The stamp set used here is the Secret Garden set and the dies to cut them flowers and leaves out.

The words are from the Too Kind set.  The decorative paper is from the Gingham Garden pack.  The color of the flowers are Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz, and Night of Navy.  They match the little flowers in the decorative paper.  How cute!!!

The cardstock used here is Daffodil Delight and Whisper White. The red gingham paper is the backside of the decorative paper.  And Pear Pizzazz was used for the oval scallop. 

This card was very fun to make.  I like it because it's so bright and cheery.  I am just so into flowers right now!  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Six-Sided Stampler Card

I found this fun hexagon card at Margaret's "Fun Stampin' with Margaret" blog.  I have been struggling with this stamp set and punch.  I don't know if it's because I'm just SO into the Flower Shop set and punch that I can't see beyond that right now.  But I have been surfing the web for samples and I haven't found many I like.  I'm just hoping the set is too new and not many samples have been created yet.  

This card caught my eye because of the colors and I do like the layout of the hexagons.  

The colors of ink used here are Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding and Calypso Coral.  The cardstock colors are Pistachio Pudding for the base of the card, the next layer is Calypso Coral and Whisper White on the top that was dry embossed using the Stripes folder.  

The cardstock flowers are from the Blossom Party Sizzix die and the center of the flowers were made using the Simply  Pressed clay and mold.  I got my clay to dry faster by setting it on a piece of tulle that was taped to an open container.  The air flows around the whole thing and helps dry out the clay faster.  I was able to glue them to the card about an hour after making them.  

The hexagons were set in place using Dimensionals.  The words are in the Six-Sided Sampler set.  I stamped them and taped them in place before I punched it out.  I didn't want to try to match tips.  

This was pretty simple to do.  Now I just need to figure out a fun layout myself!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Six Sided Sampler

I know the hexagons are really in right now so I bought the Six Sided Sampler stamp set and the punch to go with it.  I hadn't played with the set yet because I hadn't found anything that really caught my eye to make.  Surfing the net the other day I found this card.  And other than the words and card base color I pretty much copied it exact!  Just because I REALLY liked it!!

The original card was done by Margaret at Fun Stampin' with Margaret.  I had everything to make it but the words and I knew I could find other wording.  My wording came from the Express Yourself hostess set.  That is going to be a very well used set.  I LOVE the font.  

The stripes on the paper are made using the Gingham Garden Washi tape.   Once I set the tape on the card front I stamped the words.  Then I stamped the hexagons and punched them out.  They are set in place using Dimensionals.  Rhinestones were added to each hexagon.  And finally the butterfly was made using the Washi tape and the small butterfly punch.  When I was looking at Margaret's card I was trying to figure out what stamp she used to do the butterfly and then it dawned on me it was not a stamp, it was the Washi tape.  I glued the butterfly in place and then added the rhinestones.  

This is such a simple card to make and it's SO colorful and cheery!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Five-Way Flower Fun Birthday Card

I am really enjoying this one single Five-Way Flower stamp.  Just make sure you have all of the scalloped punches before you begin this project or you will be spending a lot of time cutting.  Because of the punches, this card goes together SO quickly.  I think I will hunt around for the "perfect" card layout to use with this flower and make a set of them for a gift. Giving sets of cards for gifts is fun, the one who gets them LOVES them and it's fun making them and giving them!  Win win!!

Today my flower card comes to you from Katies "Stamp Ladie Katie" blog.  I don't think I've ever been to her blog before.  It was fun to look around.  When I saw this card I immediately thought of the Five-Way Flower set.  The flower in her card is from the Mixed Bunch set.  But the size was close enough and the Five-Way Flower came to mind so that is what I ran with.

I used the new in color Pistachio Pudding decorative paper for my background paper and Marina Mist for my ink on the flower.  I stamped my flowers and punched away.  You really only need to stamp 3 flowers.  Punch out the parts needed from each flower and layer them.  No one will see that the center of the base flower is not there!  I looked under my flower layers and couldn't tell and I knew what I was looking for.  Besides if people are looking under your flowers on your card then next time they get a store bought one!!! LOL

The words are from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set.  Such a fun set!

For my decorative paper, the pieces are 1-1/4" x 1-1/4". Katie used a punch for hers.  I didn't want to waste the decorative paper so I cut it on the paper cutter, it didn't take long at all.  It was only four pieces for pitty sake!  My corner rounder is a retired one that doesn't round much of the corner so I used my 3/4" circle punch, turned it upside down and I slipped the corner of my paper inside the punch and punched the edge off.  Easy Peasy!  

I set my flower layers in place using Dimensionals and I added a green Candy Dot to the center and I called it done!!!  As simple and quick as that!

This would make a very fun Stamp A Stack project!!! And a  fun Make N Take too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Five-Way Flower

This card went in a total different direction that I had in mind.  And the one I still have in mind is not all that great either!!! LOL  But it did spark another idea that I will give a try to tomorrow.  I need to take a break after this disaster!  

First of all I needed to re-ink my Strawberry Slush ink pad.  The new pads are nice because they are foam but they are not quick to ink. You don't just ink and use.  You need to get that ink into the foam.  And how do you do that?  You take a plastic spoon and push hard into the foam to get that ink worked into it.  I just inked and stamped and what a soppy mess.  And I didn't add that much ink.  But the ink was not in the foam, it was on top (even though it looked like it soaked in).  SO I went and got a plastic spoon and pushed the ink into the foam and it worked much better.  Not fun but at least I could stamp again.

I stamped my flower several times and punched out the layers I needed.  I set each layer in place using Dimensionals.  Then I added a yellow Candy Dot to the center of the flower.  

The words are from the "Perfectly Penned" set and stamped using Wild Wasabi.  

The decorative paper is from the In-Colors paper pack.  

It's an easy card to do but needs something.  And just as I typed that it came to me that some Wild Wasabi leaves sticking out from under the flower would finish it off.  I will do that later and share the photo with you tomorrow.  Hope it helps the card!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Bright Blossoms Birthday

I ran across this card I had found on the net some time ago and thought I would make it using the new in colors.  I am SO loving the Strawberry Slush color.  It's such a fun color and it makes me feel happy when I see it.  I also thought I would play with the new in color decorative paper too.  The other side of this paper is a chevron design that personally I think messes with my eyes. But that's ok because I like this side much better so in a toss up, I would pick this pattern hands down!!! 

That decorative paper panel I was just talking about measures 3" x 3".  

I am not aware that there is a big enough oval punch for the oval folder I used.  Maybe in the Nestabilities stuff.  I have oval Nestabilities I bought MANY years ago so I couldn't justify buying the Stampin' Up! ones. They could have ones that fit but that's ok.  I just cut it out by hand and it was easy enough to do, I just followed close to the dotted edge and it went rather well.  I think it turned out nice so I used it on the card!  

Now the smart thing to do would have been to stamp the image first and then use the oval folder.  Did I do it that way?  No, I did it the hard way.  So I tried to line up the vase as close to center as I could.  It's close enough!!  I lucked out.  And of course I stamped after I cut the oval out too.  Had it not stamped nice I don't think I would have been too happy with myself for taking the time to cut it out, let alone taking the time to emboss the piece.  But luck was on my side and I got the vase and flowers pretty darn close to center.  

The petal on the flower was cut out by hand.  Grueling, I know!!!  I'm SO spoiled by the Flower Shop stamp and punch!!!  And I had to take a step back into the dark ages and cut by hand!!! LOL 

The words are from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" set.  And I used the label punch to layer it.  

The oval and the flower were set in place using Dimensionals.  And the little rhinestone was added last! 

The card came from Debra's Artfelt Impressions blog.  There is no direct link to her card.  Sometimes when people pin things on Pinterest they don't pin directly from the image so you end up with the whole website instead of going directly to the item in question.  So if you want to see the original card you will have to scope out her blog and see where it is.  I'm guessing it's over a year old because of the colors she used.  But again, I could be wrong!  The only real noticable difference here is on the words.  She used a long strip of white with the words on it and it ran from the right side of the card to under the oval. Other than that they are very similar.  

This was a very fun card to make, it was simple enough, quick, and not to mention pleasing to the eye!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Gingham Garden Washi Tape Weekend Project

Today I ran across a candle with a glass top and thought I would see what I could do to dress it up a bit.  The candle originally had a paper label going around the space that the strip of Washi tape is covering.  Fortunately the glue they used on that paper was very easy to remove (or this project wouldn't have happened!!). 

When I added the tape around the bottom I did have to snip it a bit at the bottom to make it fit or there would have been little pleats all around it.  I suppose that would be ok but you can feel and see them because they stick out.  So I just carefully went around the candle snipping and pressing the tape in place.  I liked what I saw but what about the lamp part?

On the lamp part I decided to tape a piece of copier paper and add the Washi tape to it.  Then I took the 1/2" circle punch and punched out the cute circles, making sure I got flowers in each one.  Then I removed the copier paper and stuck the circles onto the glass lamp.  Cute, huh?  It's cuter when you light it up!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Another Flower Shop Birthday

Today I thought I would try a bit of "shadowing" behind my flower.  All I did to achieve that look was to punch out another flower and cut off the petals.  I matched each petal up with the stamped flower and that was it.  Easy Peasy!!!  

The leaves are also from the Flower Shop set.  I just stamped a different flower and cut off the petals and used them as leaves.  Once again, easy peasy!!!  

I added a piece of Basic Black cardstock that was punched with the Ribbon Punch.  

The words are from the "Simply Sketched" Hostess set. I punched them out using the large oval punch and the scalloped oval punch.  

The flower was set in place using Dimensionals.  And the decorative paper panel measures 2-5/8" x 4-1/2".  Cut the black behind it 1/8" bigger.  

I added a pearl to the center of the flower and the background was textured using an embossing folder.

I think that covers everything.  

As I'm looking at this, I'm thinking I should have added some black behind the leaves too.  What do you think?

Thank you SO much for stopping by,
Wanda

A Papillon Potpourri Birthday

I found a card on Pinterest that I thought was SO pretty and easy to make so I thought I would try my hand at it.  I did make a few subtle changes.  I added a frame behind the small white panel, I used a different butterfly (one that was not retired) and I used pearls instead of whatever was used on the original card, and of course the wording is different.  You can see the original card here.  That card was made by Silke at her My Life blog.  The link from Pinterest just takes you to her website, sorry to say it doesn't take you directly to the original card.  I spent a few minutes on the blog looking for it but ran out of time.  It's on there somewhere.  The links on Pinterest don't always work.  If someone removes a post they linked then you get directed to a dead end.  Hopefully this won't happen  but if it does, now you know why!

Now lets talk about the way I made this card.  First I want to say that I appreciate all of the kind emails about the fun cards I've been finding and making to post here. I too have been enjoying the simpler cards!  But don't get me wrong, I still LOVE lots of layers when I have time to play!

The base of my card is a folded half sheet of Whisper White cardstock.  The printed panel is from the In Color Decorative paper pack.  I did the math on those paper packs and they are SO worth the money you spend on them!  That Strawberry Slush decorative piece measures 2-7/8" x 5-1/4".  The white panel measures 1-1/2" x 4-3/8"  I scored the lines in it every 1/4".  Behind that panel is a piece of Strawberry Slush cut 4-1/2" x 1-3/8".  I used the large oval punch for the word piece and a Nestability oval for the larger one behind it.  A rectangle layered piece would work just as well here too.  The words are from the Simply Sketched set and the butterfly is from the Papillon Potpourri set.  The butterfly was stamped using Cherry Cobbler ink.  The ribbon around the scored panel is Cherry Cobbler.  I needed a little color contrast and the Cherry Cobbler goes well with the Strawberry Slush.  Take my word on it, the photo doesn't do the two colors together justice.  And I added some tiny pearls to the butterfly and to the front of the card on the decorative paper.  The word piece was set in place with Dimensionals but the butterfly was just glued in place.  Yup, I said glued.  Tape doesn't stick very well when you are using such a tiny piece.  I wanted it just on the "body" part of the butterfly.  And there you have it.  Now go make one!!!  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Flower Shop and Washi Tape

Silly me.  I need to look closer at the cards I copy.  I thought the yellow gingham piece in the middle of the card was from some new decorative paper that I didn't own.  But I did have the new Gingham wheel so I just inked it up with Daffodil Delight and made and cut a strip.  After getting the strip and the decorative paper attached to my card I realized that the yellow gingham piece was the new Washi tape.  So what I ended up doing is taking a little piece of that Washi tape and taping it to a piece of scrap cardstock and then punching out the three 1/2" circles in the middle of the flowers.  So my card did include the Washi tape!  

I saw somewhere on the internet that you can make your own Washi tape.  I'm going to have to look into that so I can make some from the fun decorative papers.  I know it involves clear tape, decorative paper and water.  I think it's on the same principal as the photo transfer to polymer clay.  It takes a bit of work and care to do it but the end result is perfect!

The words on my card are from the Simply Sketched set.  I just LOVE how those words look.  They remind me of the "Sincere Salutations" set.  That was one of my most favorite word sets of all times.  

The decorative paper is from the new Gingham Garden pack.  I bought that pack because there is a sheet in there that I want to make some fun notebooks with.  And of course I will share it with you when I get them done!

There's not much to this card.  It's pretty simple to do and having the Washi Tape would have made it even quicker.  You just cut or tear and stick that tape.  I will be playing with it a lot more in the future.  I'm NOT going to hoard it!!

The original card was done by Narelle (cool name) from Sydney.  Her website is "Simply Stamping with Narelle".  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Flower Shop Birthday Card

And you guessed it again. I'm still playing with the "Flower Shop" stamp set.  And of course the "Simply Sketched" set for the happy birthday words.  

I love the new in colors.  They are so soft and subtle looking. Great for flowers but I don't know how much I will be using them come fall.  Maybe the Crisp Cantaloupe, and the Baked Brown Sugar.  But for now, it's summer and I'm going to play with these colors.  

I stamped my flowers using Crisp Cantaloupe, Strawberry Slush and Pistachio Pudding.  Three of the flowers I punched out.

The words were done in Strawberry Slush.  The base of the card is Whisper White with a layer of Pistachio Pudding.  I added Dimensionals to the word panel and to a couple of the petals on the top and bottom flower in the cluster of flowers.  The centers of all the visible flowers have a pearl added to them.  Oh and the background was textured with the polka dot embossing folder.  

I found this card extremely simple and quick to do.  I think it would be a great Stamp A Stack card.  It's got a little bit of stuff to do it it but it's all easy and quick.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Flower Shop Birthday

I'm still having fun with the "Flower Shop" set.  And yes, I have put it away several times but I keep finding fun cards to copy or finding things on my own to do with it that it doesn't sit on the shelf for very long before I'm taking it out to play with!!

I found this card on the net.  No, not on Pinterest.  I actually found it through Google Images.  Using Google Images saves me LOTS of time because I just want to look at pictures.  And I have added the "Pin It" link on my computer so when I see something I like in Google Images I can just pin from there.  It's SO much quicker than scrolling down all the time and then waiting for my first screen to come back after pinning.   Ok, enough about that.  Let's talk about this pretty card that I found and copied it almost exactly like the original.  

The original is made by Linda at "Stamping Year Round".   This card has lots of fun things going on.  It's got textured background, scalloped edge, butterflies, flowers, leaves, scalloped oval and circle, and don't forget the pearls.  It's a fairly quick card to do too.  And the only stamping on it you'll find are the words, which are from the "Simply Sketched" set.  

The original card had some of the new clay flowers in the center of the paper flowers.  I did like the look but I didn't have any Pistachio flowers on hand.  I have yet to use the flower mold.  I was having too much fun with the button mold.  

It's a busy looking card but yet appealing to the eye.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Five-Way Flower Birthday Card

This flower has some familiarity to it.  I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what set this flower reminds me of.  I remember cutting out each layer from the one image and setting each layer up on Dimensionals as I did here.  And I finally figured out which set it reminds me of, it's the retired "Flower Fest" set.  I remember stamping the image using VersaMark and white embossing powder and then cutting out layers from the rings of flowers.  And I remember stamping the image several times to get all the layers I've wanted.  This set is much like that except you don't have to emboss and you don't have to cut.  You just stamp the image several times and punch out each layer with all of the scalloped punches Stampin' Up! sells.  I did have to make sure I had all the punches before I decided to order this one.  

Each layer was set in place using Dimensionals.  And the very center of the flower I added one of those new "Candy Dots", and on the decorative paper too.  The decorative paper is from the new in colors pack.  I LOVE buying those packs. You get a lot of paper for your money.  They have some fun designs but not like the retired packs had.  

I used the leaf Sizzlet and Garden Green card stock.

The words are from the "Simply Sketched" set.  I want a set of words just like that with no images.  I LOVE the font and the size of these words in that set.

I think that covers everything.  Oh, except the colors.  I used one of the new in colors, Strawberry Slush.

This was a fun card to make and I love NOT having to cut out flowers anymore!!!  Imagine how many cards you can make now???

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Flower Shop Papillon Birthday

Once again I find myself not being able to put the "Flower Shop" stamp set away.  I just think it's that whole concept of stamping and punching, no cutting by hand that has me SO enthralled with the set.  And the fact that the images are so adorable and fun to play with!

For today's card I used the leaf die and Wild Wasabi cardstock along with the Whisper White cardstock.   

My ink of choice is new Strawberry Slush.  It's such a fun color and it seems to me that the new "In Colors" are in the subtle's group so I feel that I need to use them while the months are warmer.  They don't speak of fall or winter to me at all.  But they are pretty and I am having fun with them.

This is a very easy card to make.  I cut that center panel 3-1/2" x 4-3/4".  I scored 1/2" in on all 4 sides.  I didn't score all the way at first.  I guessed about how long I should make the scores and then went back after I was all done doing the other 3 sides and filled in the spaces.  I didn't want to overshoot my line.  I've done that way too many times.  So this time I played it safe and had to do the lines a few more times but it was worth it.  

The words are from the Simply Sketched Hostess set.  It's too bad it's a hostess set because those words fit so nicely in the oval punches.  Stampin' Up! does need to come up with more words that fit in the punches.  They have a lot of punches, they should have just as many words to go with them!  Ok, rant over on the words!! LOL

Once I got my center panel scored I added the words, then the leaves and the flower is set in place with a Dimensional and so was the butterfly.  I added 3 tiny pearls to the butterfly and one large one to the flower and the card was complete!  These are easy enough to make for a Stamp a Stack or a Make and Take or even a set of them as a gift.  

That's all I have for you today.  I'm working on several projects at one time and I'm hoping to get them all done this weekend.  I have them stacked by my computer and I need to get things picked up and finished up.  I hate it when I do that but when I get a new idea, I set the other things aside and run with the new one! Silly I know but that's how I operate!!! LOL  Aren't you glad you don't live with me!!! LOL

Thanks SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Simply Sketched Stampin' Up!

I am finding this "Simply Sketched" set to be such a fun and easy set to work with.  

Today I stamped the image, using black StazOn and watercolor paper.  I pressed the stamp down firmly on the watercolor paper and held it in place for about 10 seconds.  The first one I did, I stamped like I was stamping on card stock and my image wasn't very dark and it was a bit blotchy too.  

Next I colored in the flower with a blender pen and markers.  Here I used the Crisp Cantaloupe, Pumpkin Pie, and Cajun Craze.  I only used the Cajun Craze on the very outer edges.  I did not use the blender pen with that color.  I used the fine point end of the marker.  I just wanted a very little bit of dark color and that is what I got!  

The butterfly is from the Papillon Potpourri set.  I stamped it using the Crisp Cantaloupe ink pad and I punched it out with the small butterfly punch.  I did take Pumpkin Pie marker (wide end) and ran it around the edges of the butterfly.

I used the ribbon punch for the Pistachio Pudding band under the focal image.  And that focal image, along with the butterfly were set in place using Dimensionals.  I used the Fancy Fan folder on the background piece.  And Pistachio Pudding cardstock was used for the base of the card and the layer.  That's it, pretty simple to do.  Blender pens do all the work.  Just remember to start in the darkest area of the image and blend your way out!  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Flower Shop meets Fabulous Florets Birthday Card

You guessed it, I have not put the "Flower Shop" set away yet.  I'm having too much fun with it.  And you do realize, in about 8 weeks the leaves will start falling off the trees.  Our summer just got going and I want to make a lot of flower cards before the summer gets away from me.  I'm not a big fan of summer but I do love the flowers.  

For my card I used Pumpkin Pie card stock and ink, along with Wild Wasabi ink for the flower stem.  The flower stem is from the "Fabulous Florets" set.  I thought the two together were a nice combo.  It's too bad that the "Flower Shop" set didn't come with a stem and a leaf.  But since it didn't I have managed to find a couple of sets I can mingle to make a pretty flower with a stem!

This was an easy and super quick card to make.  And of course, it was a lot of fun to do too.  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

In the Wild Masculine Card

I like to buy masculine sets.  It seems that there are never enough of them.  Maybe because guys don't get thrilled about whether the card is from the store or handmade!!!  

I was playing with this set in conjunction with the sponging technique of yesterday but once I stamped the moose over the moon I knew I had ruined the card.  The moon NEVER shines through a moose!!! LOL  So I had tossed that work in a pile and dug out the Lovely as a Tree set that you saw yesterday.  So today I decided to give the moose set another try.  I kept it simple and clean, just the way I like to stamp!!!

I stamped the moose on a piece of Whisper White using the new Baked Brown Sugar.  Once again I found myself sponging.  I didn't want to do a lot of sponging, yesterday's card was enough for me for a long time!!! LOL

I was working with one of the Split Coast Challenge sketches and it had a circle in it that was half covered by a ribbon.  Well, we know how well ribbons and bows go over on a guys card! So as I was working with the shapes I ended up with this.  I used the Ribbon punch and then punched it with the same size circle punch as I used for the white piece and I set it in place on the circle.  It was just what that empty section of the circle needed.  

This was a very easy card to make, even with the sponging!! LOL  I do like the layout even though it was totally accidental how it came to be.  I had all of the pieces ready to tape down and as I was coming from my paper cutter to my worktable, I gently tossed them to my work mat and they ended up crooked on the card.  The more I looked at it the more I liked the moose crooked!  I did put the words on straight because I didn't like how it looked with both of them being crooked.  Anyway, I do like how the card turned out and I do like this layout (of course I would, most of my cards consist of a panel with words in a circle and a scalloped border!).

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Lovely as a Tree Masking Technique Masculine Card

Masking has never really been one of my favorite techniques but it is a very effective one!  

To make this card I took a 1/4 piece of scrap copier paper and I punched a circle in it.  I then used removable tape and taped the piece to my Very Vanilla cardstock and began sponging Daffodil Delight.  I kept adding more ink until I was satisfied with the color.  Remember, when you are doing this, the ink will be darker than it looks with the mask on.

Next I tore the bottom part of the mask and  I covered the ground area and I also put the circle I had punched out on top of my sponged mood.  I then sponged in the sky using Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and a little bit of Cajun Craze.  

For the ground I used Garden Green and then some Soft Suede on top of that to tone down the green. I thought it was a bit too green in contrast.  

I used black StazOn for the trees and the words.  

I do like how it turned out.  It's a nice masculine card but it's just too much sponging for me!!  I'd rather make the clean and simple cards!  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

A Flower Shop Birthday

I saw a card on Pinterest (where else lately?  LOL) and I liked the "concept" of the card.  I liked the use of the Flower Shop set and I liked the colors.  So I thought I would play with those two elements that I liked and make a card.  I don't have a link to the card but the original designer of it is Sandi.  Sandi's card also had the new little candy dots on it.  I don't have any yet to I just used a punch and set a few on the card.  I suppose you could make your own candy dots by using Crystal Effects on your paper dots.  But I didn't because I wanted to get my card done and not have to wait for anything to dry before I could handle it.

The centers of my flowers are little flowers using the Boho Flower punch.  And the words are from the "Simply Sketched" set.  A set I REALLY, REALLY like!!!

This is a very easy card to make.  You just stamp, line up the flower in the punch, punch it out and you have a quick flower.  Like I said before, I will be making a lot of flower cards using this set and it's mostly because I can punch the flowers out and not have to cut them!!  

Before I forget, the leaves are from the Secret Garden dies.  Another set with the easy of stamping and cutting with a die.  No hand cutting.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Buttons & Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay Molds

Button, button, who's got the button?  You do!  If you have the "Buttons & Blossoms" Simply Pressed Clay Molds then you have a lot of fun in store for you.  

I know a lot about clays. I have been playing with them since I can remember. I remember the oily based non-drying clay we got in elementary school.  I remember the real earthen clay we got to play with in art class in middle school and even into high school.  Then several years after high school I discovered Sculpey and fell in love with clay all over again.  It only came in white at the time and you had to paint it after it was baked.  Now it comes in lots of colors and you can blend them to create even more colors.  

This clay is a little different than the Sculpey clay.  This clay you don't bake.  It's an air dry clay so you need to be a little more patient with it in the sense that you have to give it time to dry.  It takes longer to get a finished product with the air dry clay than the baked clay because baking time is under a half hour for this type item and the air dry time is several hours.  I have made these buttons as the last thing I do in my workroom at night and in the morning they are dry.

I did experiment with them to speed up the drying time. Do NOT put the mold in the freezer.  Freezing the clay does not dry it out and it doesn't make it hard as a rock for easy removal either.  I didn't do that with this mold, I just know the properties of this clay don't allow that.  I have worked with silicone molds before and they can withstand 400 degrees F.  So with that in mind I thought I would put the Stampin' Up! mold to the heat test too.  I mixed up some Strawberry Slush clay and put some in each button well.  I used a straight edge razor and scraped across each button to expose the holes.  You want to expose the holes.  It's not fun sanding them round after they are dry.  Smooth off the back of the buttons with your finger.  If the clay feels a bit too dry to smooth it, huff on it a couple of times.  The moisture from your breath will add just enough to the clay to make it workable. The clay is a paper base so you can not heat it to over 451 degrees F or it will catch on fire.  And keeping in mind my other silicone molds can handle 400 degrees F, I headed over to my heat tool.  I had the heat tool about 6" from the mold. I moved it around in a circular motion.  I did not at any time stop in one spot.  I did not touch the clay as I was heating it to dry either.  I did heat it for about one minute.  Then I turned it over to heat up the other side of the mold. I repeated what I did for the other side.  I kept it 6" from the mold and I kept the heat tool moving around.

Next I set the mold on my worktable and left it there until it cooled off to room temperature.  I was then able to remove the buttons so they could finish drying. I also have an embroidery hoop that has some tulle pinched between the rings that I use as a drying rack.  This gets the air flowing on both sides of the buttons.  They will dry laying on a flat surface but you do have to turn them over at some point so they completely dry.  And you can just leave them in the mold to dry too.  Those are the ones I remove in the morning and during the course of the day I make more using the heat tool technique.  I am also going to give this mold a try with some Sculpey and some resin.  I'll let you know how that turns out.  I won't get the pretty Stampin' Up! colors using those mediums but I will get something different and fun!  And I'm going to give the flower mold a try too and see what I come up with.  

If there is any little bits of clay left in your mold from your own experimenting, use a toothpick to clean up the mold.  Make sure you crush the tip of it on your work surface so it's not so pointy.  Don't use anything sharp on the mold, it could scratch it or mark it up and you will not be very happy with the end results.  A Q-tip could be used but it may leave cotton behind.  

These buttons are very lightweight and when they dry the color remains the same so what you see is what you get when you mix the colors.  I have a little project in mind for my buttons and I will be making more in other colors for this project too.  

Have fun with these molds!

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda

Toilet Paper Folding Happy 4th of July!

Now for something completely DIFFERENT!!!  Now you will know how really weird I am!  I LOVE to fold my toilet paper roll after I get done cleaning the bathroom.  I just do it for me.  It's the thing I do to make me feel good after cleaning in there.  A job well done and even the toilet paper roll gets a cute and tidy look!!!  

These are easy to do too.  You've seen them folded to a point in hotels, I use to do that until I saw this one and thought how fun it would be to do. And it's not difficult at all.  And of course you are now going to want to give your bathroom that finishing touch once you are done cleaning it!  So that means I will need to tell you how to make this pretty pocket!

First you need to remove one square of toilet paper and fold it back and forth to create a fan.  Fold the fan in half and pinch the bottom where the fold is.  Set it aside.  I suppose you could color it with Stampin' Up! markers but I don't think I'd like to be the one to use that!!!  The color may transfer, if you know what I mean???

Next you will need to make sure your toilet paper rolls from the top. Take the next piece of toilet paper (don't remove it from the roll).  Then fold the end up about 1".  You don't need to be exact and the more you do this the easier it will be to guess where you want your fold.  Make sure you pinch the bottom of the fold so it's nice and tight and sharp.

Now we are going to form the pocket.  Fold the bottom right corner towards the back of the toilet paper. You will be folding it from about an inch or so in from the end.  Repeat for the other side.  Pinch the lines tightly with your fingers.  See in the photo how the pinched and folded edges for a "V" with a flat bottom?  

And the last thing you will do is open the picket just a little and slip in the fan.  Open the fan up a little so it looks like the one above.  And you're done.  Now go use your other bathroom so you don't have to disturbe the pretty toilet paper!  And yes, that is exactly what I do!!! LOL  

Have a fun and safe 4th of July!

Thanks for stopping by today,
Wanda

Flower Shop

I am having a lot of fun with this "Flower Shop" stamp set.  I got the clear mount one.  To make my stamping and punching easier (mostly the punching) I   marked my stamp so I know where "up" is. I punched out a flower from scrap copier paper.  I set it on my stamp so I knew which petal when where.  For this set you have to line up the flower petals just right.  So to save myself a lot of time I had marked my stamp with an arrow and the word up.  So when I stamp with it I know which petals I want "up" and I stamp my image.  Then I just take my punch and I have very little maneuvering to get it lined up.  It sure makes stamping these flowers a breeze.  I actually made 4 of these cards because I could!  LOL Because punching the flowers was so quick and simple.  Stamping was easy too and I was able to just stamp and punch in no time.

I could have dressed up the flowers more with something in the center but I decided to just leave them as they were.  I think I have made a card like this every couple of years with a new flower stamp.  I like the waves of flowers.

So on the eve of the holiday I am going to leave you with this simple cards!  It will give you something to do while you are waiting for the sun to set so you can go see the fireworks!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda 

A Flowering Flourishes Flower Shop

Say the title to this post three times fast!!! LOL  

What I found amazing about making this card was how the new Baked Brown Sugar ink turns a bit green when it's next to the Tangerine Tango.  I like how it worked out!

I used the Flowering Flouishes for the "stem" part of this flowering card and the flowers are from the Flower Shop set.  I LOVE that set because you just stamp and punch.  NO cutting!  EVER!!!  

I also stamped out a few more flowers and punched the center out with the Boho Blossoms Punch.  

I used the Rock & Roll technique on the flowers.  That is where you stamp your image in a light color (Daffodil Delight )and roll the edges of it in a darker color (Tangerine Tango).  

The words are from the Perfectly Penned set.  I stamped them using Tangerine Tango. The base of the card is Tangerine Tango. I added a few pearls and it's ready to go!  So simple, so quick and pretty too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Too Kind

I tend to do the same layouts time after time.  I was putting this card together today and realized I was just adding a rectangle and a scalloped circle.  I went to grab my tape and the flower panel turned at an angel and I thought I would go with it.  It must have meant to be.  I thought how simple it was to take those same shapes I often use and turn them to create a totally different look.  So this is the totally different look!  What do you think?

I used the "Too Kind" stamp set to make this card.   I do like two step stamp sets, especially when you don't have to line things up.  Just stamp where you think the image should go and miraculously it turns out!!!  

My colors of ink used here are Strawberry Slush and Raspberry Ripple.  The decorative paper is Rich Razzleberry.  They all seemed to go together.  Now it doesn't look like it in the photo but that's because the lighting was not right when I took the picture.  But in person the colors do blend well.  And you know me, even if they hadn't blended well I still would have shown you it!!! LOL

If you are looking to make a quick, simple and pretty card, this set is the way to go.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda