A Bucket of Blooms

Friday’s limited supplies challenge reminded me of where I came from…We were not to use any stamps for this project!

I really had to be creative, and use my imagination to create cards before I was introduced to the world of stamping. I would make my own embellishments and I would often make different shaped cards. Stamping really added a whole new dimension to my card making, but it was kind of fun to get back to my grass roots, so to speak.

I drew the template for the bucket first. I cut out the handle using a circle cutter system from Creative Memories. I love it because it is simple to use and not too expensive! The whole bucket is cut out of a 5 1/2 by 4 1/4 inch gray card base. I adhered the dp to the base, leaving a half inch gap at the top down from the handle. Using the handy dandy Scor-Pal, I scored a ridge in the bucket. Covering the dp with some scrap to keep it clean, I sponged on some Sterling pigment ink to get the metallic look I wanted for the bucket. The flowers are all cut from a floral die in the cuttlebug. I just pieced them together in different ways with two different colors of dp. The little leaves are pieces leftover from the cut out flowers. For the final touch I added the pewter brads to the top corners.

Happy Saturday!

May Flowers?

I haven’t seen any flowers poking their sleepy heads up yet, but we are getting a lot of rain, so maybe in the near future? Maybe someone should change the song to May showers bring June flowers?!

Well, since there are no flowers yet and it barely feels like spring, Sharon Johnson over at No Time To Stamp has the right idea…to think Spring! Bring on Spring with our own fresh flowers in pink and green cards! Have a look at her challenge Here. Sharon’s challenges are always fun and inspiring!

I made a combination challenge card. Using yesterday’s Limited Supply Challenge from SCS and Sharon’s challenge I came up with this pink and green punched circle flower card. The LSC asked us to used only limited tools, and those had to be circle punches or cutters! I love using my circle punches and this was the perfect opportunity to make some sweet flowers with them. I used the 1 1/4 inch punch as well as the 1/2 inch punch. Both from Stampin’ UP!

Fun and simple to make. Just get out those punches! I want to make some of these flowers in every different size punch I have! Don’t be surprised if you start seeing these flowers on more of my cards! I’m punch drunk!! hehehe

I used some fabulous new Spring 2008 paper from Crate Paper. The Katlin Collection. Isn’t it beautiful in such yummy colors?

The stem is a stamp from Sandy Lion Kelly Pannaci clear stamps, and it is inked in Regal Rose from SU.

The cardstock is SU Pretty in Pink and Mellow Moss textured cs.

Ribbons- SU Pretty in Pink grosgrain

-SU Chocolate Chip Polytwill

I made this one on a Sage Shadow and Blue Bayou base. I used a paper from Scribble Scabble called Felicity for this one, which repeats the circle dot flowers in it’s patterns.

The stem is stamped in SU Pumpkin Pie ink.

Hopefully these bring a bit of spring into your world!

Have a happy Saturday everyone!

Deena

We Have a Winner!

Goodmorning!

Drumroll please… AND THE WINNER IS…. #6

KATHY HERING step on up!

Congratulations, Kathy! Send me your snail mail Kathy, so that I can get your goodies sent out to you! Thanks to everyone for playing! I love reading your comments and appreciate your opinions!

Now for a new card! I was inspired by a wedding favor bag that I came across in Paper Crafts magazine, made by Lauren Meader. I love pink on white and I new when I saw it that I would make a card like it. I’m not usually into pink, but I guess I’m feeling ‘girly’ at the moment and I’m going with it!

The Whisper White cs is stamped with stem silhouettes from Stampin’ Up in Pretty in Pink. The top panel is cuttled with the stylized flowers folder and the edge is punched with a Martha Stewart punch.
The popped up outline flowers are die cut with my cuttlebug (Mmwaa!! I love it!) with flowers #3 dies.

I stamped the centers with one of the small flowers from Friendship blossoms, then punched it out with a small flower punch I had, that fit over the stamped image perfectly! Love it when that happens!
Added the sheer pink ribbon and done. This card actually went together quite quickly!

I’m off to celebrate Des’ birthday!

Have a great day!

Deena

Making your Own Designer Paper

I love using designer paper and I have quite a variety of it too. I thought I’d share a bit about the papers I like to use today.

Before I talk about some of my favourite designer papers though, I want to show you a second card that I made for the SCS challenge to use only diy dp. In other words, create our own designer paper! It may be a far cry from the papers I’m talking about below, but there is some satisfaction in knowing that I made it myself!

Hope you get some inspiration from it!

Click to Enlarge

The dp was created by first repeat stamping a canvas background randomly over white paper, so that it is angled and fading in some areas.
I then used two different Carte Postale stamps in Certainly celery and So Saffron to create a pattern of color over the canvas background.

The sentiment is from Define Your Life -Stampin’ Up!

Stamps: SU Define Your Life, Cornish Heritage Farms Canvas Bg, Carte Postale SU

Paper: Bazzill Basics green, DCWV text. blue cs.

Ink: So Saffron, Blue Bayou, Certainly Celery

Accessories: gem brad, Petite Primas, ribbon by Offray

Now for the real designer stuff!

Basic Grey papers are fantastic. They are so unique and they use a wonderful variety of colors and patterns, mixing them in some very inspiring, and original ways. They are available in 12X12 sheets and collection packs and 6X6 paper pads. Check out the Mellow, Infuse, and Periphery collections and the NEW Sugared collection.

Crate paper is wonderful too. It is a very heavy card stock, and it is double sided. It is a very pretty paper; and you will find lots of floral collections and swirly soft, lovely patterns. These papers are available in 12X12 collection packs. It’s heavy weight makes it ideal for 3d paper projects. Have a look at my SLIDER BOXES to see how I’ve used this heavyweight paper. The Samantha, Kate, and Baby Bee collections are gorgeous!

DCWV papers are available in a wide variety of bold and subtle colors, different textures and a splendid variety of patterns as well. They are known for their “Stack” collections, available in 12X12, 8X8, and mat stacks in 4.5X6.5. Their Metallic stack, Far East collection and All Occasion Glitter Stacks are some of my favourites.

Stampin’ Up! makes quality medium weight papers in a variety of prints. What is wonderful about the SU papers is that they coordinate perfectly with all the inks and cardstock colours that they also have available! This makes it super easy to create a beautiful card in no time! My favourites are the Porcelain Prints, Fall Flowers and Bali Breeze collections.

I have to mention K& Company as well, because they are the parent company of many fabulous paper collections, such as Basic Grey. Amy Butler, Brenda Walton, and Elizabeth Brownd are some of their wonderful designers of not only papers, but chipboard products, embellishments, ribbons and more!

Have a wonderful Sunday!!

Deena