Big Butterfly Bright Birthday Card - Simply Stampin' Challenge #53

This week at Simply Stampin' we have a zesty, zingy colour combo for you - Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango and Whisper White.  Very cheery, perfect for spring!

 I've made a Daffodil Delight A6 side opening landscape oriented card base.  I stamped the French Filigree background stamp in VersaMark ink onto Wild Wasabi CS, heat embossed with Wild Wasabi embossing powder and cut the panel to size.  I matted the Wasabi panel onto a larger Whisper White panel that I edged with Tangerine Tango ink.  I then used the Beautiful Butterflies die to cut out a Tangerine Tango large butterfly.  I  have to confess I'm not an orange fan and I'm definitely not fond of Tangerine Tango CS, I find it far too intense.  So I die cut another large butterfly from CS weight vellum to lay over the top in order to diffuse the intense Tangerine Tango colour.  I stamped the French Filigree stamp on the vellum butterfly and heat embossed with white embossing powder.  I die cut a smaller butterfly with patterned paper from the Domestic Goddess pack, sponged the edges of the smaller and larger butterflies with Tangerine Tango ink and glued the butterfly layers together.  I placed Daffodil Delight brads through the holes of an orange button and adhered that to the butterfly with glue dots.  I added 3 more brads to the Wasabi panel - making sure I used my Mat Pack to guide me to perfect placement!  To finish off the front, I stamped my current fave birthday sentiment in Tangerine Tango ink, trimmed it to size and sponged the edges.

For the inside of the card and the envelope, I used a stamp from my new Borderlines set.  I inked the sentiment with my Wild Wasabi ink pad, used a blender pen to remove the ink from just the exclamation mark and then inked only that with a Tangerine Tango marker.  A very bright and breezy creation - and I'd love to come and see what you make so please do play along with us at Simply Stampin' this week!

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Happiest Birthday Wishes & Borderlines sets, French Filigree background stamp
CS: SU! Daffodil Delight, Wild Wasabi, Tangerine Tango & Whisper White, CS weight white vellum
Patterned paper: SU! Domestic Goddess DSP
Ink: SU! Tangerine Tango & Wild Wasabi, VersaMark, blender pen
Tools: SU! Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die, Mat Pack & paper piercing tool, sponge dauber
Embellishments & accessories: SU! White & Wild Wasabi Stampin' Emboss powder, Brights brads, Brights Designer Button, glue dots

A Clutch Of Chickie Easter Scalloped Circle Cards

I've always loved the cute little chickie in the A Good Egg set but I didn't buy the set while it was current, I waited to get a retired bargain from eBay!  While I had chickie out and inked up I decided to make a few cards so I made 4 identical cards.  I love shaped cards and I went for a scalloped circle shape using my largest Nestie die.  My colour combo is Pool Party and Daffodil Delight with a touch of black.  I stamped on watercolour paper and coloured the chicks with markers and a wet paintbrush.  I paper pieced the eggshell with some patterned paper and used the same paper for the envelope flap.  I punched the sentiment out with the Modern Label punch and attached it with a black brad.

Here are my 4 chickie cards all together.  There's something so satisfying in seeing a group of identical cards, perhaps I should do it more often!

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! A Good Egg set
CS: SU! Pool Party, Daffodil Delight & Basic Black, watercolour paper
Patterned paper: My Mind's Eye Lime Twist paper
Ink: VersaFine Onyx Black, SU! Daffodil Delight, Summer Sun, Only Orange
Tools: Plain & scalloped circle Nestabilities dies, SU! Modern Label punch
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Vintage brads

Bird & Snowflakes Merry Christmas Card

It's been so lovely and warm here today that hubby and me ate our lunch outside in the spring sunshine before he headed off to work.  It seemed quite odd to be making a Christmas card when it's so sunny and warm and in the same week that I'm making Easter cards!

The challenge this week at the 52CCT blog is to use patterned paper.  I've used some old Basic Grey Figgy Pudding papers I've had in my stash for years.  I had the two pieces of diagonally cut paper already, they are pieces left over from a card I made way back in January 2010 - I knew I'd use them one day LOL!  I made an Always Artichoke 5 3/4" square card base.  For my main image I've used a stamp from the Inkadinkado Winter Birds set which I stamped on patterned paper using Memento Rich Cocoa ink.  I stamped the 'Merry Christmas' in Always Artichoke ink.  I've layered the panel onto red Figgy Pudding paper and I've added vintage brads.  To finish off the card front I've added red punched photo corners.

I cut a Whisper White panel for inside the card and I distressed the edges using River Rock ink and a sponge dauber.  I've stamped a snowflake border in Always Artichoke ink and the sentiment in Riding Hood Red ink.  I stamped a large snowflake in Always Artichoke ink on the envelope flap.  Back to more seasonal stuff now as I need to make a few more Easter cards!

Supplies:
Stamps: Inkadinkado Winter Birds clear set, Merry Christmas from SU! Seasonal Wishes set, Stampendous Christmas Wishes clear set
CS: SU! Always Artichoke & Whisper White
Patterned paper: Basic Grey Figgy Pudding papers
Ink: SU! Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red & River Rock, Memento Rich Cocoa
Tools: SU! Photo Corners punch, SU! Mat Pack and piercing tool, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sponge dauber
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Vintage brads

Easter Blossoms Shadow Box Card

I saw this lovely shadow box card recently and I just had to CASE it and make my own version.  I haven't made a shadow box card before, I've made diorama cards but I think shadow box cards are easier as there is no central section like in a diorama card.  I will definitely try another shadow box again at some time. There is this shadow box card tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers.  I changed the measurements for my card - I cut two pieces of CS measuring 6" x 6" and scored the sides of both pieces at 1/2" and 1".

My crafty friend Jan loves the Easter Blossoms set, especially the little girl image, so this card will go to Jan and Alan.  I was at the Glitter Pot a while back with Jan talking about colours and the ones we tend to avoid.  In my case that would be grey, I've probably only used it a few times in all my years of card making.  However, I spotted some patterned papers that came in lots of different colours and, surprisingly, I actually liked the grey ones. I bought a couple of sheets and I decided I'd break them out and use them for this card.

I covered the front panel entirely with the patterned paper and then cut out the oval aperture with a Nestability die.  I stamped the little girl and some blossom branches on a piece of Whisper White CS and cut it to size as a back panel.  It's not easy to see from the photo but I've added some torn Pear Pizzazz CS as grass underneath the girl's feet.  I then stamped a few blossom branches, coloured them in with markers and fussy cut them out. A very fiddly task but worth it as I like the way the blossoms look around the aperture - but I wouldn't make another card like this any time soon!  To finish off the front I added a sentiment oval and added lots of itty bitty punched flowers with rhinestone jewel centres.

I've decorated the corners of a white panel on the back of the shadow box with the sweet little stamp from the Easter Blossoms set.  A Hero Arts stamp/die combo sentiment made its way on there - no surprise there LOL!

Shadow box cards should fold flat to go inside an envelope but I have to own up to mine not folding all that flat.  It's my first time making one so I'm cutting myself some slack - plus I certainly wasn't about to start all over again!  So I've decorated a box envelope with more of the lovely swirly paper, some Basic Gray CS leaves and a flower with 8 petals made from the Easter egg in the Easter Blossoms set.  I inked the egg with Pretty in Pink ink and added Rose Red ink with a sponge dauber.  I cut all the petals out and I've glued them to a punched circle to form the flower.  I threaded silver lurex ribbon through a button for the flower centre.  Quite a time consuming project, it's not a card to mass produce that's for sure!  I enjoy making special cards for Jan though as she always appreciates the effort - and I have to say I'm quite pleased how this turned out!

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Easter Blossoms set, Hero Arts Sending You Love clear set
CS: SU! Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Gray & Whisper White, 6" x 6" box envelope
Patterned paper: Echo Park Style Essentials Grey Flourish paper
Ink: SU! Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose & Rose Red, Memento Tuxedo Black
Tools: Petite Oval Nestabilities die, SU! Oval XL punch, flower punch from from SU! Itty Bitty Shapes pack, Sizzix Branch w/leaves medium Sizzlits die, Hero Arts Small Tag Frame Frame Cuts die, SU! 1 1/4" circle punch
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Designer Button, silver lurex ribbon, SU! Vintage brads, SU! jewel rhinestones, 3d foam pads

Postage Stamps It's Your Day Card - Simply Stampin Challenge # 52

We have a sketch challenge for you this week at the Simply Stampin' blog and it's a fabulous layout so I hope you'll play along with us!

I decided to use some of the Everyday Enchantment papers - they are just SO gorgeous!  I used the lovely Limeade and Pool Party coloured papers and added some Soft Suede and Very Vanilla - what a luscious combo!  For my main image panel I stamped the border image in Pool Party ink and then I've stamped and punched out  4 postage stamps - I've popped up the two Limeade ones.  I thought it would be fun to use the post mark stamp from the French Foliage set along with the stamps and I stamped that in Soft Suede ink - I think it adds a sweet little touch!  My main panel and the sentiment got a sponged edging of Soft Suede ink. I added a scalloped border to the Soft Suede panel and I glued a Pool Party  Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border over the top.  I've blinged up my scalloped border - this seemed a good opportunity to use up some of my larger sized rhinestone jewels!

 
I punched the sentiment out with the Word Window punch - using the trick that lets you punch a longer size to fit a longer sentiment.  After stamping the sentiment I cut my CS into a 3/8" strip, fed it through one side of the punch and punched just one end, then fed the strip through again and punched the other end.   Here's a couple of photos that will show what I mean.

I used some more patterned paper for inside the card and the envelope - and yes, I added a postage stamp to the envelope again!  After I'd stamped the frame from the Elementary Elegance set inside the card I went to get the Happy Birthday stamp from the set - and I couldn't find it.  So there was a huge gap of time between me stamping the frame and stamping the Happy Birthday 'cos I had to turn my room upside down looking for the stamp!  In fact, I'd given up the search, grumpily resigned myself to having lost it and asked to borrow Jan's stamp when I realised I hadn't looked in the little drawer where I keep my acrylic blocks - much to my relief, there it was! I'll be more careful about keeping track of my cling stamps from now on!

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Fresh Vintage, Elementary Elegance, French Foliage & Happiest Birthday Wishes sets
CS: SU! Pool Party Soft Suede & Very Vanilla
Patterned paper: SU! Everyday Enchantment DSP
Ink: SU! Pool Party, Lucky Limeade & Soft Suede
Tools: SU! Postage Stamp punch, SU! Scallop Edge Border & Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punches, sponge dauber
Embellishments & accessories: SU! rhinestone jewels, SU! Dimensionals

Gift Card Holders With Crimped Pouch Envelopes

At the last Stamper's Ten Make and Take evening one of the projects Joanne shared with us was a cute gift card holder that went inside a crimped pouch - the pouch is made by altering an envelope.  I started mine there but have finished it off at home - and then I couldn't resist trying it with a larger sized envelope!

This first one uses an SU! Whisper White C6 size envelope.  You stick the envelope shut and apply a tiny bit of glue to the sides of the flap so that they will be firmly stuck down and not snag in the finished pouch.  Cut the envelope at 10.5 cms.  Punch the open side of the smaller envelope piece with the Scallop Edge punch.  Then run the larger envelope piece through the crimper - making sure you have the open side at the side as it goes through the crimper.  This ensures that the envelope shrinks widthwise which means the smaller piece can fit over the top of it as a lid for the pouch.  Rounding the top corners of the larger piece means it's easier to put the pouch lid on.  Here's my finished pouch which has been decorated with patterned paper, ribbon and punched Boho Blossom flowers.

To make the card to go inside the pouch, cut a piece of A4 Whisper White CS in half lengthways.  Score along the long side at 10.5 cms and 21 cms and then cut it off at 24.5 cms.  Punch along the short edge of the small section with the Scallop Edge punch. Apply Sticky Strip to the two short ends and fold to make a pouch inside the card for the gift card holder to slide into.  Fold on the other score line to make the card base.

For my card front I've added a patterned paper strip, a scalloped edge CS strip, a sentiment and I've popped up the Triple Treat flower.  At the centre of my flower is some contraband - that's what Joanne calls my eBay USA purchases LOL!  It's an SU! pewter Build a Brad.  In the tin you get  brad bases and clear epoxy dome stickers.  To build the brad, you punch out patterned paper or a stamped image with the 1/2" circle punch, stick that on the top of the brad and then cover that with the epoxy dome sticker.  Perfect - a brad to match your project every time!  I've used the yellow stripy paper from the Just Eat Cake DSP for this brad.

Here's the inside of the card with the scalloped pocket at the side where you can place a gift card, bank notes or tickets.  You can also see the pouch made from the two separate envelope pieces and you can see where I rounded the corners.  What a great project, I was so taken with it I had to make another one!

 

I thought I'd try with a different sized envelope and make a larger square card to go inside. I also took the opportunity of using another of Jan's PaperMania Designer Die Cuts as I thought the die cut shape would work really well as a pocket.  I've used an envelope that would be suitable for a 5" x 7" card.  The envelope measures 133 x 184 mms and I cut it at 13 cms.  This time I used the Eyelet Border punch to punch my pouch lid.  I sponged the edges with Pink Pirouette ink.  I cut the Designer Die Cut into 3 pieces so I had a narrow strip for the pouch lid, a wider strip for the card front and a shaped piece for my pocket on the inside of the card.  Here's my finished pouch with a Pretty in Pink Posy Punch flower on the bottom crimped part.

For my card base I used Pink Pirouette CS and I made a 12 cms square card.  To make my flower I punched two Pink Pirouette Fancy Flowers, spritzed them with water, scrunched them up a few times and dried them with my heat tool.  Once dry I added some Rose Red sponging and put another contraband Build a Brad in the centre.  I used a Spellbinder's Labels Trio die to cut out the sentiment.

Here's the inside showing the shaped die cut pocket.  To make the pocket I placed the paper die cut on a piece of Whisper White CS, traced the fancy edge, cut it out and glued the paper to the white CS.  I thought this would make a sturdier pocket, as the die cut is made of paper I didn't feel it was strong enough.  I then glued the pocket to the bottom of the card, making sure to apply adhesive at the bottom and sides only.  I stamped a sentiment and the card was finished.  I really like these crimped pouches, they make a lovely alternative to a plain envelope - and I get to use my new crimper LOL!

Supplies for white card & pouch:
Stamps: SU! Triple Treat Flower stamp, SU! Happiest Birthday Wishes set
CS: SU! Whisper White, So Saffron & Baja Breeze
Patterned paper: SU! Just Eat Cake DSP
Ink: SU! Early Espresso & Baja Breeze
Tools: SU! Scallop Edge punch, SU! Fancy Flower, 5 Petal Flower & Boho Blossoms punches, SU! crimper, SU! 1/2" circle punch, Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, sponge dauber
Embellishments & accessories: SU! So Saffron grosgrain ribbon, SU! So Saffron brads, SU! pewter Build a Brad kit, SU! Dimensionals & glue dots


Supplies for pink card & pouch:
Stamps: SU! Posy Punch & Happiest Birthday Wishes sets, Hero Arts Yummy Treats clear set
CS: SU! Pink Pirouette, Old Olive & Whisper White
Patterned paper: PaperMania Parkstone Pink Designer Die Cut shape
Ink: SU! Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red & Old Olive
Tools: SU! Eyelet Border punch, SU! Fancy Flower punch, SU! 1/2" & 3/4" circle punches, Spellbinder's Labels Trio die, Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper, sponge dauber
Embellishments & accessories: SU! pewter Build a Brad kit, SU! Dimensionals & glue dots

Reindeer Merry Christmas Easel Card - 52 CCT Theme Challenge #3

This week at the 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown blog they've set us a Christmas animal theme challenge.  This gave me the perfect opportunity to ink up a neglected reindeer stamp.  This reindeer names stamp is quite quirky and whimsical, it's from an Inkadinkado clear set called 'Holiday Sentiments'.  I'm not convinced Rudolph should really be included alongside Prancer, Dancer, Blitzen etc. as he isn't one of St. Nick's reindeer in Clement C. Moore's 'The Night Before Christmas' poem - but it's a lovely image so I'll live with my quibble!  I opted to make an easel card and used SU! Crumb Cake, Real Red, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla as my colour combo.

One of my favourite crafty purchases has been the Hero Arts 'Sending You Love' clear stamp set and matching Tag Frame dies.  I'm so chuffed when I find a sentiment that fits in the blank frame stamp and I was delighted that this gorgeous retro 'Merry Christmas' fitted perfectly!  I glued a vanilla die cut Charlotte border to the red strip and I added red jewels.  I used some Choc Chip snowflake design paper for the base of my easel card.  There was lots of space around the image and I wasn't happy to just leave it as it was so I've added some buttons.  I cut CS strips to thread through the buttonholes before attaching the buttons to the panel with glue dots.

I've glued a vanilla panel to the bottom of the card and added some snowflakes and a sentiment.  The same snowflakes wheel stamp was used on the front of the envelope.

Supplies:
Stamps: Inkadinkado 'Holiday Sentiments' clear set, Hero Arts 'Sending You Love' clear set, SU! 'Four the Holidays' set, Stampendous 'Christmas Wishes' clear set, Rollagraph Snowflakes wheel
CS: SU! Crumb Cake, Real Red, Chocolate Chip & Very Vanilla
Patterned paper: SU! Merry Moments DSP
Ink: VersaMagic Jumbo Java chalk ink, SU! Real Red
Tools: Hero Arts Small Tag Frame Frame Cuts die, Memory Box Charlotte Border die
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Brights Designer Buttons, misc neutral buttons from stash, red rhinestone jewels, 3d foam tape, glue dots

Cupcake Birthday Wishes Card

My friend Jan was given a pack of PaperMania Parkstone Pink Designer Die Cuts and she was looking for some inspiration on how to use them.  She kindly let me have a few so I could have a play.  I chose the pink gingham shaped one to work with first and as it reminded me of a tablecloth that led me to using a die cut cupcake as my main image on the card.

I decided on contrasting colours as no pink CS I had went with the patterned paper, everything I had was so different in tone.  I opted for Pool Party and Chocolate Chip - with a tiny bit of Cherry Cobbler for, of course, the cherry on top!  I've applied Crystal Effects to the cupcake icing so it's glossy and raised and I've popped up the cupcake.  I added two Choc Chip buttons and a framed sentiment to finish off the card front.

I added a sentiment tag inside the card and put a cake punched circle element on the envelope flap.

Supplies:
Stamps: Hero Arts 'Sending You Love' & 'Yummy Treats' clear sets
CS: PaperMania white square card blank, SU! Pool Party, Chocolate Chip & Cherry Cobbler
Patterned paper: PaperMania Parkstone Pink Designer Die Cut shape
Ink: SU! Pool Party, Chocolate Chip & Cherry Cobbler
Tools: Hero Arts Small Tag Frame Frame Cuts die, Sizzix Rounded Tags Framelits dies, SU! 1 3/8" circle punch, SU! 1 3/4" scalloped circle punch, sponge daubers
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Crystal Effects, SU! Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon, SU! Latte Designer Buttons, Doodlebug 'Cupcake' brads, Signo White Gel Pen, 3d foam tape

Black & White Elegant Hello Card

I always think if you want an elegant card then a black and white combo is an excellent start.  I came across these lovely thank you cards made by Dawn Olchefske and just had to make my own version.  I also came across this YouTube video from Christine Miller showing a tip for using the Designer Frames embossing folders without getting the lines from the outline of the folder around the embossing.  I was eager to try that out too - and it works a treat!

So here's my version of Dawn's card - I've matted and layered rather than making a one layer card.  I popped up the Hello oval and added 3 of the tiny flowers from the Fresh Vintage set.  I punched them out with a 1/2" circle punch, added jewel centres and popped the centre circle up.  

Some simple stamping on the inside of the card and on the envelope front - I do love adding a punched postage stamp to an envelope, it just really appeals to me for some reason!

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Fresh Vintage & Elementary Elegance sets
CS: PaperMania A6 white card blank, SU! Basic Black & Whisper White
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Tools: SU! Designer Frames oval embossing folder, SU! Extra Large Oval, 1/2" Circle & Postage Stamp punches
Embellishments & accessories: SU! rhinestone jewels, SU! Dimensionals

A Bag Of Tags - Simply Stampin' Challenge #51

This week at Simply Stampin' the challenge is 'Totally Tags'.  I decided to make a collection of tags and package them up in a bag.  I wanted to make my tags identical in design but to be in different colours.  I chose my colours based on what 1/4" grosgrain ribbons I had in my stash - not counting white or vanilla.  I ended up with Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant, Certainly Celery, Marina Mist, Chocolate Chip, Real Red and Tempting Turquoise.

I used the Two Tags die to cut the tags and the flower is from the Button Buddies set.  I kept each tag monochrome apart from adding a pop of colour with a contrasting button flower centre.  Each button has linen thread through the holes.  I punched the ribbon holes in the tags, threaded a length of ribbon through and tied some linen thread around the ribbon and tied a knot.  I then punched out the flowers and popped them up on the tags.   I've used 'Just for You' from the Ovals All set and the oval punches for my sentiment.  To finish the tags off, I've added punched, shaped Whisper White Boho Blossoms flowers and I placed a jewel in each flower centre.  

I then placed my tags in a bag and made a bag topper.  Here they are, all bagged up.  I used Marina Mist CS for the bag topper, added an Elegant Eggplant punched Eyelet Border and tied Marina Mist ribbon around in a knot.  I computer generated the 'Bag of Tags' using the 2Peas Raspberry font.  I've popped up a Marina Mist flower to finish off the bag topper.

I very rarely make multiples of anything - but there is something very satisfying about seeing a group of items together and I really had fun making this project!  I hope you'll play along with us at Simply Stampin' this week, I'd love to know how you'll interpret the challenge and come and see your terrific tags!

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Button Buddies & Ovals All sets
CS: SU! Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant, Certainly Celery, Marina Mist, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise & Whisper White
 Ink: SU! Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant, Certainly Celery, Marina Mist, Chocolate Chip, Real Red & Tempting Turquoise
Tools: SU! Two Tags die, 1 3/4" scalloped circle punch, plain & scalloped oval punches, Boho Blossoms punch, Crop-A-Dile
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant, Certainly Celery, Marina Mist, Chocolate Chip, Real Red & Tempting Turquoise 1/4" grosgrain ribbons, Brights & Subtles Designer Buttons, linen thread, rhinestone jewels, Dimensionals, glue dots

Baubles Merry And Bright Christmas Card - 52 CCT Colour Challenge #3

This week we were set a colour challenge at the 52 CCT challenge blog.

I've taken a non traditional approach and chosen Island Indigo, Rose Red and Lucky Limeade as my colours which I think gives a contemporary feel.  I made a couple of Christmas cards similar to this one last year, in blues and greens and I wanted to try it again with different colours.  I've added glitter glue to the baubles and popped them up.  The Merry and Bright sentiment has stars around it and I chose to cover those with jewels as that was a perfect opportunity to use some of my larger jewels. I always use the smaller size jewels in a pack first and get left with the larger ones so I was happy to use up a few on this card!

Here's the inside and the envelope.  I've used the SU! 'Something for Christmas' à la carte stamp for my sentiment inside - I've committed surgery on the stamp and cut it apart so I have 3 separate sentiments.  I knew I would use it more that way rather than having the 3 sentiments all together.  I've got more comfortable with cutting stamps these days, I'm definitely willing to do it if I know I'll use the stamp more if it's modified!

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Baroque Motifs & Contempo Christmas sets, SU! Something for Christmas à la carte stamp
CS: SU! Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Rose Red & Whisper White
Ink: SU! Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade & Rose Red
Tools: SU! Ornament & Photo Corners punches
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Dazzling Details glitter glue, SU! rhinestone jewels, SU! Dimensionals

Shabby Top Note Easel Birthday Card

It was my lovely SU! demo Joanne's birthday yesterday and this is the card I made for her.  I have a thing for easel cards and I wanted to try one made with the Top Note die.  I took my colour combo from the Spice Cake DSP I used.  When I tried the plain Pool Party CS on the bottom half I didn't like it just plain but then I wasn't sure I wanted to emboss it with a folder.  So to just add some texture I crumpled the CS and then lightly brayered Soft Suede ink over it.  It produces a very shabby effect but I have to say I liked it!  I did wonder what a non card maker would think of it though  - a dirty crumpled up piece of paper for goodness sake!?

I've inked the edges of almost everything with Soft Suede ink and a sponge dauber.  I added a glimmer brad to the centre of the flower.  I punched a Soft Suede Eyelet Border and added that to the Pool Party sentiment strip.  I've added 3 tiny More Mustard flowers with jewel centres and I popped the sentiment strip up.

I glued a Very Vanilla panel to the bottom of the card.  I decorated the front of the envelope with that sweet postage stamp image from the Fresh Vintage set and a strip of Spice Cake paper.  

I then decorated the envelope flap with more Spice Cake paper and another Posy Punch flower.  This card is definitely more shabby than the look I usually go for but I was really chuffed how this turned out!

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Posy Punch, Happiest Birthday Wishes & Fresh Vintage sets
CS: SU! Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party, Soft Suede & Very Vanilla
Patterned paper: SU! Spice Cake DSP
Ink: SU! Pool Party, More Mustard, Pear Pizzazz & Soft Suede
Tools: SU! Top Note Bigz die, SU! Little Leaves Sizzlits die, SU! Fancy Flower punch, SU! Eyelet Border punch, SU! Itty Bitty Punch pack, SU! 1" circle punch, brayer, sponge dauber
Embellishments & accessories: SU! Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon, SU! Glimmer Brad, SU! rhinestone jewels, SU! Dimensionals

Bloom & Bird Hello Card

This card came about due to playing with some of my new goodies - the Posy Punch stamp set, a crimper and the Memory Box Charlotte border die.  I loved the Posy Punch stamp set as soon as I saw it and I knew it would work well with another fave set of mine - Sweetheart. I used Pool Party CS for my card base, crimped a strip of Lucky Limeade CS and used Melon Mambo for my rounded tag mat.  The flower, hello circle and birdie are all popped up.  I added rhinestone jewels to the birdie's eye and the die cut border strip to finish off the card front.

Here's the inside and the envelope showing the gorgeous Love Blossoms wheel.  I die cut another Charlotte border for inside the card, this time in Melon Mambo CS.

Supplies:
Stamps: SU! Posy Punch & Sweetheart sets, SU! Love Blossoms wheel
CS: SU! Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo & Whisper White
Ink: SU! Pool Party, Lucky Limeade & Early Espresso
Tools: SU! Fancy Flower punch, SU! 1" circle punch, SU! crimper, Memory Box Charlotte border die
Embellishments & accessories: SU! rhinestone jewels, SU! Dimensionals