Christmas with the new Pennant Parade stamp set!

 
Ho ho ho!! How about a wee bit of Christmas cheer using the new Pennant Parade stamp set! I had said in my last post that I would show you how versatile this adorable set is and I had a lot of fun creating this card! Isn't the little tree stand just perfect? It's a stamp that's included in the set! Those design elves at Stampin' Up! are just waaay too clever, eh? I also used our new Petite Pennants Builder punch to make creating this card oh so easy!! The image in the middle is the full stamp punched out and the other two are the stamped triangles punched out and then mounted on unstamped punched out scalloped pennants. I do hope that makes sense! I stamped the tree stands in Chocolate Chip and then punched them out using our 1" circle punch ~ it was soooo much easier than cutting them out and I think that they need that white surrounding them to make them stand out. 

When I was trying to get some inspiration for colors to use on my card I turned to our new catalog and checked out the colors that are used in our new DSP "Letters to Santa". I usually only use 3 colors at the most on any project that I create, but the paper also had Blushing Bride (pink), so I had to make a choice for my colors. I know I never would have put Marina Mist, Riding Hood Red and Old Olive together on a Christmas card, but I do think that these 3 work quite well together, if I do say so myself!!

I added a bit of bling with the rhinstones as tree toppers and the white Scallop Trim Border just peeking out from under the edges of the panels adds to the winter/Christmas feel.

After I put the card together and looked at it I wished that I had added some piercing down the sides of the panels to accentuate the edging! Oh well, I'll have to remember to try that another time!

Project supplies:

Cardstock: Old Olive, Marina Mist, Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso, Whisper White.

Ink: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red.

Accessories: Pennant Parade stamp set, Petite Pennants Builder punch, 1" circle punch, Word Window punch, Scallop Trim Border punch, Basic Rhinestones, 5/8" White Organza ribbon. 

Enjoy! Happy stamping!

Amelia Rose              

Pennant Parade fun!

                              

My first project from the new 2011-2012 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog!

This is made with a new set called Pennant Parade and isn't it just the cutest thing? I can think of sooooo many ways to use it......on cards, on picture frames, on SCRAPBOOK PAGES!!  How stinkin' cute would it be to use this on a new baby page with the baby's name on the pennant...or on a wedding page above a picture of the new couple just kissing with a pennant saying simply "bliss"......or putting the year in the pennant on any type of page!! The possibilities are truely endless!! I can NOT wait to continue playing with this set!!

Oh and when the uber talented SU! designers created this set they even made a stamp of a little tree stand so that we could flip the pennant over and use it as a .....wait for it......Christmas Tree!! And there is a tiny star stamp to perfectly top off your tree!! They do think of everything don't they!!?

Oh and do you see what my card is sitting on?? Yep, a pennant punch!!!  It's perfectly sized for the Pennant Parade stamp set!!  Once again, those geniuses at SU! have thought of everything!  

I used the gorgeous new In-Color Wisteria Wonder card stock along with our new Chocolate Chip baker's twine to add a finishing touch!  I also zipped the Wisteria card stock through my Bigshot using the Square Lattice Textured Embossing Folder to give the card some extra textural interest! So very easy!!

Pennant Parade stamp set   <---- you can purchase the set here!

Look at all the stamps that are included in the set - so many occaisions and uses!

I'm going to try to make a couple more cards using this set in the next day or so!! Keep tuned to see what's coming up!

Morning Cup Thank You card

 
I created this card today for the Color Challenge on Splitcoaststampers ~ the colors that we had to use were Poppy Parade, Tempting Turquoize and Whisper White ~ colors that I would never have put together in a million years, but I like how they work on the finished card! I guess that is the point of participating in a challenge, it nudges you into trying things that you would not normally try!  And that is a good thing!! I'm going to try to do more challenges and I'll be sure to show them to you here! You should give it a try too!

We could use any stamp set that we wanted and I had been thinking that I should be inking up my "Morning Cup" set that I bought waaaay back when the new Stampin' Up! catalog came out! I needed a thank you card for a thoughtful friend and figured this would get me moving!!  It is an uber cute set ~ my favorite sentiment is "....a morning without coffee.....is like sleep."  How funny is that!! I can just imagine a cute scrapbooking page using that as the title!

The patterned paper is from the Hostess Level 1 ~ Designer Series Paper Patterns Pack in the new In-Colors, gorgeous!!  I chose small-ish patterns so as not to overwhelm the stamped images. I wanted to make sure that the teacups and teapot are the first things that you see when you look at the card.  I followed a layout from the Sketch Challenge 305 on SCS from last week and it was based on a square card and had the main image block as a square also. I was determined to use both of the  images so I decided that I would have to mask the teapot. It's really easy peasy once you know how to do it. (I really should do a tutorial on it soon!)  I wanted the teacups to be cozied up to the teapot and it worked fine.

The lace is from the Holiday mini and is actually featured on the Halloween pages. I ordered it immediately because I KNEW that I would use it waaay more than just at Halloween. I have to check to see if it is going to be carried over into the Occaisons Mini ~ I'll let you know ~ if it's not going to be offered then I am going to be placing an order for a few more rolls to tuck away for future use!

Here are the supplies that I used ~ all are from Stampin' Up:

Stamps: Morning Cup stamp set

Paper: Whisper white, Poppy Parade, Basic Black, Poppy Parade DSP

Ink: Black

Accessories: Raven lace trim, black thread

Techniques: masking, sewing

Thanks for stopping by!

Live with passion!

Amelia Rose

Fang-tastic Halloween Cards

 

 

I love, love, love this new stamp set that's in the Holiday Mini catalog! It's called Fang-tastic and I think it's fantastic!! The adorable little witch reminds me of my grandaughter, Lily Rose and I love being able to include our little black kitty Seamus in a Halloween card!

I cut out and popped up various parts of the images to add interest to the card. I was surprised how quickly it went, snipping and popping up!! I used Karen Barber's "make your own background paper" technique on the first card by stamping the pumpkin image over and over. I also altered the sentiment from "have a fang-tastic halloween" to "have a purr-tastic halloween".   I thought it sounded cute!

Life a life filled with passion!

Amelia Rose

So Many Stamps.....So Little Time

I can't believe Tess will be retiring on Friday when the Occasions Mini catalog sales period is over!!

She is way too young to be gone!! I had so many dreams for us ~ most of them unrealized, which is "tote-ally" my fault!!! (Haha ~ get it ~ "tote-ally" ~ the stamp set 's name is "Tote-ally Tess"!)

 I am just not ready to say goodbye to her!! 

So many of my favorite "toys" are going, so I had to use some of them at least one more time while they were still available.!

The retiring supplies that I used on this fun card are:

~ Tote-ally Tess stamp set

~ Well Scripted stamp set

~ Sweet Pea designer paper stack

~ Sweet Pea Stitched Felt accents (on Tess's hair)

Just a close-up of Tess with her beautiful "Sweet Pea" decoration in her hair. (Doesn't she remind you of Siobhan on Idol?? lol )This is one of the teensy pieces in the package. There are lots of pieces that are much bigger! In fact I used 2 of them, plus some leaves in the next card.

 

This is another card that I created using the Sweet Pea paper and the Well Scripted set. I have to say that even though this set of sentiments is retired it is going to stay on my stamping shelf so I can use it often.  It is just too pretty and versatile!  I love the font and wish that I could write with all of those curls!! I also used 2 of the Sweet Pea felt flowers, they are layered on top of each other. You get 52 different sized pieces in each package ~ what a deal!!

I wanted to use the patterned paper and then decided to add some swirls. Of course in my usual style I went  a little too far. Well maybe, maybe not!!

I stamped the swirls from Vintage Vogue in Vanilla craft. Hmmmmm. I could hardly see it and while I was looking for a subtle look I thought that was a little too subtle! A ha!! A light went on!  How about adding white embossing powder?? I pulled out my jar of white embossing powder and my trusty heat gun and went to work!!

Well, it came out a bit more "obvious" on  the Rose Red paper, but what the heck! I like it!! And it's staying!

Ackk, I just went into the Stampin' Up website and there is an announcement posted. All of the Sweet Pea paper AND the Sweet Pea felt accents are sold out!!!!! And they can't get any more!!

I'll keep my fingers crossed that there will be something similar in the new catalog that is coming this July!! Gosh, that's only 2 months away! Yikes, that means that July 4th is only 2 months away also!! And that meas that we'll just turn around and Christmas will be here....at least that is what my dear Aunt Georgie used to say at our July 4th picnics! And she was right! haha!

I'm going to make a few more cards this week that I'll be sharing here!

Live with passion!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Amie

 

 

Friday Art Chat

Today I'd like to continue discussing the "Shabby Chic" style and give some hints on how to achieve it. 

I found this picturere on-line from the Lavender Barn shop in the UK. Shabby chic usually has the look of time-worn features and often the things are distressed, in other words they have peeling or worn off paint, lots of froufrou or swirls and a look of ornateness. Most of the pictures that I found when I googled "shabby chic" had an abundance of white or light colored objects. I really didn't realize that that was true. I thought that it just had to have an old look about it. So I guess you learn something new everyday, eh?

Here is another example of a "shabby chic" style of decorating, and again it is predominantly white!! I love the roses and soft dusty pinks that are included in this bedroom and I could easily see using this as an inspiration piece for a project.

When I am creating a project in the Shabby Chic style I usually do lots of sponging with ink all around the edges of the card and I also sponge on any and all layers that I have included. I have found that once I start sponging, everything has to have a touch of sponged ink on it or else it stands out like a sore thumb. Before you make the decision to sponge on a project make sure you have enough time to do it properly and fully! I think it is always worth the extra investment in time, but if you are in a hurry to finish your project maybe the sponging is best left for another one!

I also like to add flowers in some way, shape or form when I am doing a shabby project. Designer paper with lovely blossoms works very well as does simply stamping various flowers on the piece. The flowers can also  be punched out or cut out and then added as embellishments. You can even gussy the flowers up with a little glitter, ink or pearls before you add them to your project.

An abundance of "pretty things" is the key to achieving the shabby look!

Here is a beautiful card that I received this week from my friend, Penny ~ am I not the luckiest person!! She used the Vintage Vogue stamp set and I think that this design really shows it off!! And I love the colors she chose ~ she kept it to just 3 ~ Rose Red, Pretty In Pink and Old Olive.  Oh and the butterflies add the perfect balance on the card. It is perfection, simply perfection!! Thank you Penny!!

Tomorrow I am off to an all day crop ~ 9am to 9pm!! Yikes, I hope I have packed enough to keep me busy for all of that time!! I always worry about that and end up bringing  way too much!! I can't wait to spend the day with my scrappin' girlfriends! 
  

Monday's Creative Expression ~ A "Shabby" Thank You card

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a chance to express your creative passion this past weekend, what ever it may be!!

Here is one of my creative expressions! In it's former life this was a card that I had designed for my Stamp-a-Stack that I held several weeks ago. I decided to experiment and "shabby it up" a bit with some distressing and with some added touches of glitz and glimmer. I LOVE the "shabby chic" look whether it is in arts and crafts, home decor or in fashion!

Here is the original card ~ it has a vintage feel to it with the floral designer paper that I used and the swirls that are on the butterflys. I always think that vellum, (which is one of my favorite types of paper to use) gives it an old-time look also. It is fun to take a rather simple card and see just how far I can take it into the world of "vintage".  

Here is a close-up of the butterfly embellishment that I used on the card. I stamped with Perfect Plum ink onto a vellum butterfly that I had cut out with the Big Shot using the Beautiful Butterflies die (which you can only get from Stampin' Up!).  The smaller butterfly was cut from Perfect Plum cardstock using the Beautiful Wings emblosslet also exclusively from Stampin' Up! I sponged both of the butterflys with more Perfect Plum ink and then added a line of glitter to suggest the body. I added pearls to the punched flowers, a dot of glitter to each corner of the sentiment  and a few more fluttering butterflys. Some swirls on the card base were the finishing touch. Not that I would suggest doing the swirls last, but that's what happens when you "shabby up" an already completed card!! It's more of a challenge that way and who doesn't love a good challenge!!

Thanks for stopping by!
 
 

Dreamin' of Spring!!

Commmme onnnn March 20th ~ the first day of spring! I can't wait! Not that I want to wish my life away, but being warmer and not seeing any more dirty snow would be a nice change! Just sayin'....... 

I LOVE morning glories and was heartbroken when SU! decided to retire this stamp set!! It is so much fun to watercolor! I love a vintage-y look and this card let me fully express that! Mmmmm! I don't think you can have too many swirls or pearls or ribbon!

Here is the list of the supplies (all Stampin' Up!) that I used:

Stamps:Morning Soft, Baroque Motif

Ink: Black Stazon, Close To Cocoa

Paper:Almost Amethyst, Bella Bleu designer, Very Vanilla, Basic Black

Accessories:Eyelet punch, Pretties kit pearls, Organza ribbon (shhhh, I did use dies from another company to cut out the circles and scallops). Enjoy!!

A Kind Word card

I made this card for the birthday of another sweet friend of mine. It made me think of spring! I love to watercolor and this image let me have all kinds of fun with it! The flowers aren't Stampin' Up! but everything else is! I used a card sketch from the weekly challenge over at Splitcoaststampers. Darn, I didn't think to write the challenge # down. Well, I know it was a recent one! Ooops, I lied up above.....the scalloped circle and the other circles are all Nestabilities. Sorry!!

Another Double Pocket card!

Here is another Double Pocket card that I designed. I used it as one of my Stampers 10 club projects. Kathy, the hostess for the first club meeting of the month, asked me to design a baby card using the Double Pocket design so this is what I came up with!

I love the color combo of So Saffron and Certainly Celery and thought that it was suitable for both a baby boy or girl card. I threw the Amethyst in also for a little pop of color!
I used the eyelet border punch which is always perfect for a baby theme.
I also used the SAB ribbon in my fav colors!
The tag in the second pocket is perfectly sized to hold a gift card for mommy or baby.
Fun and Fast Notes as well as Curvy Verses were the stamp sets that I used.
The Horizontal Slot punch is a perfect fit for the wide-ish ribbon. Just slide a piece through the opening and then you can easily tie a knot with a contrasting ribbon to secure it!
Coloring was done with the SU! markers.

These Double Pocket cards are so easy once you get the hang of them and they are addicting!! Watch out!!!