Starting the New Year off Right!

As I start the new year, I like to reflect on what I've accomplished in the previous year. In regards to my blog, I posted 24 times. That might not seem like much to you, but to me it's more than I've posted in previous years. It's an average of twice a month. Yes, that is an accomplishment!

It takes quite a bit of time to blog. Actually, let me clarify this... it takes me quite a bit of time to blog. I can write the content (although I tend to be a bit long-winded, if you haven't noticed, and need to spend time editing), but taking pictures, watermarking, linking, and uploading take so much time. I'm trying to streamline my process so I can blog more often. Wish me luck!

This project I've had finished for a few weeks... but I just haven't had the chance to get the pictures off my phone and upload them. Sigh. And I just realized I did not take a picture of the most important element... how I colored the vellum flower.

How to create the vellum flower - complete with adhesive:

• Use sponge brayer to color a piece of vellum (I used a scrap leftover from a class).

• Cut a piece of Multipurpose Adhesive Sheet slightly smaller than vellum, then remove backing.

• Place colored side of vellum on sticky side of multipurpose adhesive sheet and burnish. The nice thing is by putting the color against the adhesive, it doesn't have to be completely dry, but it keeps your fingers from getting inky!

• Use your choice of die or punch to create fun shapes that stick instantly! I used the Petals & More Thinlits coming out in the Occasions catalog January 3!

The card (on the left) was inspired by the card created at OnStage in November (on the right). As soon as I created the OnStage card, I knew I had to order the entire suite! It has to be my favorite from the Occasions catalog (only a few more days to see it!).

 

I call my card Trifecta - because it incorporates elements from three Stampin' Up! catalogs - the 2017-2018 Annual catalog, the 2017 Holiday catalog, and the 2018 Occasions catalog! Can you guess which items are from which catalog?

Thanks for stopping by today - and always. I hope you'll continue to follow my blog and see if I can post more than 24 times this year. And I hope you and your family have a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2018!

Product List

Petal Palette Clear-Mount Bundle [145974] $62.00	Petal Passion Designer Series Paper [145589] $11.00	Bermuda Bay 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [131197] $8.00	Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100730] $9.00	Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101856] $8.00
Bermuda Bay Classic Stampin' Pad [131171] $6.50	Sponge Brayers [141714] $8.00	Multipurpose Adhesive Sheets [144106] $10.00	Layering Circle Framelits Dies [141705] $35.00	7/8" (2.2 Cm) Striped Ribbon [144624] $5.00
Pearl Basic Jewels [144219] $5.00	Stampin' Trimmer [126889] $30.00	Paper Snips Scissors [103579] $10.00	Fast Fuse Adhesive [129026] $10.00	Glue Dots [103683] $5.25

Another Stamp Club Creation

We always create two items at stamp club (usually cards... sometimes 3-D or gift items)... one is generally quick and easy (Monday's post) and the other is a bit more involved. Just so you know, when I say involved, I don't mean complicated... just more layers and embellishments and a bit more time.

I teased the following picture on my Facebook page last week and I have to admit, at the time, I had no idea which direction the card would take me.

It's kind of fun building from the bottom up instead of the top down. I knew the stamp set, punch, and ribbon I wanted to use, but until I started laying things down, that's when the creativity kicked in.

I love this set! I'm not really a "flowery" kind of girl, but it seems the more I use these gorgeous sets from Stampin' Up!, the more I conform... I mean, they kind of grow on me (no pun intended). LOL!

Originally I wanted to use Crushed Curry for the bottom layer of the petals (top layer is Cajun Craze), but it wouldn't have made it through a class without being reinked... and I couldn't find my reinker (I ordered another one - added it to the stamp club order - good way to increase Annette's Stampin' Rewards) so I opted for Daffodil Delight (I had that refill).

Can you tell that I LOVE layers??? And texture. And dimension. Just a few tips for that dimension... first, I used foam adhesive strips behind the stitched frame; second, I creased the center of the leaves and put rolled-up glue dots behind each and adhered them to the frame; third, I popped up the flower with three dimensionals (stacked on top of each other). Yes... there are LOTS of dimensionals on this card. Did I mention I love dimension???

And the final card... what do you think? I think it's so much prettier in person.

As always, thank you for stopping by. Don't forget to sign up for notifications so you don't miss any posts... I'm blogging more these days and I have so many more projects to share!

Painted Harvest Photopolymer Bundle [146021] $33.25	Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [100867] $8.00	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650] $9.00	Night Of Navy Classic Stampin' Pad [126970] $6.50	Daffodil Delight Classic Stampin' Pad [126944] $6.50
Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad [126965] $6.50	Garden Green Classic Stampin' Pad [126973] $6.50	Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad [126978] $6.50	Night Of Navy 1/2" Gingham Ribbon [144232] $7.50	Big Shot [143263] $110.00
Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies [145372] $30.00	Fast Fuse Adhesive [129026] $10.00	Stampin' Dimensionals [104430] $4.00	Foam Adhesive Strips [141825] $8.00	Glue Dots [103683] $5.25
Paper Snips Scissors [103579] $10.00

Another Catalog CASE

There's no shame in CASEing (CASE - Copy and Share Everything) a card that inspires you... in fact, it's encouraged! Most of us crafters get much of our inspiration from Pinterest, but have you ever looked at the Stampin' Up! catalog for ideas? In fact, the catalog used to be called an idea book and catalog. There are so many wonderful cards, packaging, and home decor items pictured - but I, like many others, focus on the product and overlook the photos.

Isn't that gift box gorgeous? I would LOVE to be able to create packaging like that, but I barely have time to send out cards on time, let alone shop for presents. It's okay, my friends accept me as I am... they understand and are often in the same boat.

One of my closest friends had a birthday earlier in the month, and although I wished her a heartfelt happy birthday on the actual day, I wanted to create a card that was just for her (I find it difficult to send out cards that were created for card classes... weird, I know). So I sat down, pulled out my catalog, and flipped the pages until I landed on the one above.

I have fun posting on Facebook teasers of the cards I create... most of the time the pictures are of my mess, um, I mean creative process. This time it was the back of one of the card elements. There were many thoughts on how many Dimensionals should be used on a card/element when I asked the question on my Facebook page... but the overwhelming response (or so I think) is that one could never have too many Dimensionals! What do you think?

And here is the finished card! This picture doesn't do all of the foil and bling justice... it's so much more sparkly in person! My dear friend loved it - especially when I told her I created it just for her. She is worth it, after all.

Now go pick up your Stampin' Up! catalog and find a project that inspires you... and start creating!

My Creative Counterpart

Since I've been posting all of my creations, I thought you'd want to see what my friend Jennifer came up with! She used the Ribbon of Courage stamp set. Check out these beauties!!

The story of the card above is a sweet one... it was created for Jennifer's friend's son who was battling Leukemia and had a love for Lego. This story touched my heart, as my dad died from Multiple Myeloma (a form of Leukemia) when I was 15.

The Ribbon of Courage set is so versatile, but to me, this is the quintessential card for this set... whose life hasn't been touched by breast cancer? I think this card is simple, but meaningful (my favorite element on this card is the white ribbons in the background... I never would have thought to do that... very clever, Jennifer!).

I LOVE this card! It makes me want to reach out to someone I've been thinking of, but haven't been in touch with for a while. I'm going to CASE (copy and share everything) it and send it out this week. Who doesn't need a little bit of love and hugs sent their way?

I hope you've enjoyed seeing the cards Jennifer and I have created with our challenge. Tune in next week for more fun creations using two new sets! Oh, and by the way... we still need a name for our little challenge. Hint, hint...

Third Time's a Charm

The final card from the card challenge with Jennifer (we need a name for our challenge, so if you have a clever one, please let us know!). I have to say, I am in LOVE with this card! It's one that I may hoard, uh, I mean hold on to forever!!

If you didn't know this about me already, I really love fussy-cutting (silhouetting an image). The Eclectic Layers Thinlits set has a couple of embossing pieces, like the gold leaf above, but I honestly wish this particular piece had a framelit... it was really hard to fussy-cut. I'm not sure if it was the gold foil paper (which I love), but it was difficult to get clean lines. Did I use that element on my card? Check this out...

Nope! I honestly don't think it was needed. I think I'll try to fussy-cut that element out of regular cardstock and use it on another card. What do you think?