July Stamping Project - Proud Peacock

Sooooooo I don't need to apologize for my love of birds, but it is exciting when birds show up in the SU catalogue. This is the third time that I know of that a peacock has graced a stamp set. The Royal Peacock photopolymer stamps and matching Royal Peacock Detailed Dies are ornate and perfect for a touch of class or style. I just wish that there were some feather stamps to go along with the peacock. I ended up making two cards as I wasn't satisfied with the first. Sometimes a card is a problem solving journey. It began with a sketch, like all good ideas:

Click for larger

However, the reality was that the peacock stamp and the Heirloom Frames oval die were too large to use together. Another oval would have to do. Tip: Die cut first before embossing for best results. I cut a bunch of front panels from a 6x12" piece of peacock paper and tried different embossing folders on them. I liked Subtle embossing folder because it leaves just a hint of an impression. Since I was die cutting and embossing anyway, I also made a panel with the Layered Leaves 3D embossing folder.

Now back to the card...sample 1 started with a white base and I stamped all over it with Old Olive and Pretty Peacock. That seemed too loud, so I toned it down by sponging the same colours on top. Looking good!

I die cut the branches from the matching set with copper foil cardstock, but as I assembled the pieces together, it was not looking right. Instead of being harmonious, all the elements were screaming at each other. Oops! A piece of Balmy Blue cardstock and some sponging around the edges with Pretty Peacock brought calm to the storm. It covered up all my work to this moment and I was glad! A sentiment, a circle punch and a little touch of gold ink completed the card.

Card 1 - click for larger

For the second card, I went for tone on tone. I stamped a Pretty Peacock base with the flowers in Pretty Peacock ink and the effect was more subtle than a white base. As Stampin' Up! does not sell a gold ink pad, I edged the base and embossed panel with gold ink from another brand. The differences between the bases really changed things up.

Card 2 - click for larger

So, I guess that's my free advice this month - don't be afraid to make extras, cut extras, stamp extras - you never know when you need to change your design. And if not, there always another project waiting in the wings!

June Stamping Projects - My Sampler Swap Cards

Whew! Enough of the mystery. You have seen the sketches for my swap cards. You have seen some of the swap cards I received! Now it's time for the big reveal! One thing you might notice is how different the final card is from the sketches. An idea scribbled at work takes a few turns once the shapes and sizes are all laid out. Click on each picture for a larger version.

Each card had a secret challenge:

1. How to make a lot of designs with just a few stamps - stamped the bird group upside down for the border.
2. Where to place the sentiment with so much going on - tuck it on the side.
3. How to fill in some empty gaps - add die cut leaves.
4.  How to make sponging easier - make a stencil with scrap cardstock!
5.  How to add a touch of class and delicateness - die cut vellum cardstock

Balmy Blue, Very Vanilla and Crumbcake cardstock

So Saffron cardstock and Petal Pink ink for the background

Crumbcake, Very Vanilla and Soft Suede cardstock

Mint Macaron cardstock and So Saffron ink

Petal Pink and Granite Gray cardstock

I made 50 cards to be on the safe side for the swap and I really enjoyed trying to come up with new ideas by using the paper and stamps in the Bird Ballad suite. Stay tuned for next month's project!

June Sampler Swap Cards

Before I show off my swap cards, let me show off some of the ones I received. It was a super fun time to meet up with the gals, trade cards and talk about the techniques we used. Remember that everyone picked a set from the current catalogue and made five different designs, one for everybody in the swap. Click on any of the pictures to see the larger version.

Sunday Sketch - May and June Stamping Projects

Since I post my projects at the end of the month, I decided to share the sketch for them at the beginning of the month. Check back in a couple of weeks to see how the sketches becomes reality. I signed up for a sampler swap with my group. This swap is a little more involved and I have to make 45 cards - 5 different designs for each person. So far I have three sets down!

Storage by Stampin' Up!

It's funny how crafting is all about the accessories sometimes! On April 1, SU released their new organization system and it was so popular that I only had a chance to order a set of marker trays. That was fine as it turned out to be exactly what I needed. I had been keeping my Stampin' Blends markers in empty cases and that was fine...until I started collecting more and more markers.

The different pieces, which include marker trays, stamp trays and lids, are made from sturdy white plastic and rubber feet are included if necessary. I can't wait to get other pieces to the collection and make a tower of markers. There's so much potential to organize your way - I can see stacking these on a lazy Susan for maximum space savings. Hopefully I'll be able to include some more pieces in my next order. Don't take my word for it, check it out!

March Stamping Project - Thank You Cards

Life threw me some curveballs in February and March and I found myself making a lot of thank you cards. Don't panic, everything is ok now. But stamping is so win win - I benefited from making something and people who asked for nothing in return were acknowledged.

This card uses the Peaceful Place stamp set. I sponged different greens all over the trees and used blue and brown Stampin' Blends markers for the fine details. This is a pretty gender neutral card - I made it for a gal who isn't super girly and loves nature.

The cards below were made for different people. I almost forgot to get a photo of it before I gave it away! It was well received on the Stampin' Cafe FB group. I liked it so much that I made a set of four in Real Red, Fresh Fig and Blackberry Bliss. The big Thank You stamp is discontinued. You can never go wrong with a big thank you stamp!

Stay tuned for a new project in April :)

February Stamping Project - Hello Teatime Friendship Card

I haven't had a chance to make a separate post about Sale-A-Bration - that fun time of year where all your purchases count towards freebie items. I always end up with too much bonus paper, eek! This month's project uses an item from the 2019 Occasion's catalogue as well as a Sale-A-Bration item. Although the card is themed around friendship, it could also make a great invitation or birthday card.

I'll come back and post the instructions - otherwise, this might never get up on the blog!

Perfect for any occasion!

Supply list

• So Saffron 8.5x11" cardstock
• Whisper White 8.5x11" cardstock or large scraps
• Blushing Bride 8.5x11" cardstock or large scraps
• Vellum 8.5x11" cardstock
• Smoky Slate ink
• Tranquil Tide ink
• Blushing Bride ink
• Tea Time Framelits Dies
• Tea Together Cling Stamps
• Butterfly Gala stamp and punch set
• Accented Blooms Stamp Set
• Tailored Tag Label Punch
• Lace Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
• Doily Builder Thinlits Dies (unorderable)
• Stampin' sponges
• Big Shot and adhesive

Now here's the fun part - you don't have to use my colour scheme. Instead of a soft pastel background, you could combine the Blushing Bride doily with a bold purple such as Rich Razzleberry or Blackberry Bliss. You can also try cutting out the teapot from paper with a tiny pattern (think chintz!) and make the tea cup a solid colour, or vice versa. You don't even have to emboss the piece of vellum - just leave it plain.