tea-drinking stamper

I actually ordered this bundle because of the dies and embossing folders, but I'm so glad I did! I love the font used in this stamp set and the soft, vintage look of the stamps. Since I did not order the coordinating Woven Threads Designer Series Paper, I made my own by stamping the long stamp repeatedly on Very Vanilla card stock. I essentially covered the entire 4" x 5-1/4" piece with the image. I struggled with this color, Petal Pink, because I think it looks more peach than pink. But it's just the name I don't like; the color itself has proven to be very nice, especially conducive to the style achieved here. The lace was discontinued a few years ago, but you could always use the current but narrower lace trim. I folded the lace over and tied it with Very Vanilla twine for that extra touch. I'm so thankful that Stampin' Up! designed the dies and embossing folders to work together. The dies themselves cut the frame out (one rectangular; one oval) and...

I'm still working with stamp sets and colors that are leaving our catalog. My go-to stamp set, Thoughts & Prayers, for sympathy cards is on its way out. I've used one stamp from the Work of Art stamp set to add color to the background. With the exception of the Very Vanilla card stock, all colors used on these two cards are being discontinued.   For the first card, which we made at my April stamp class, We inked the "brush stroke" with Wild Wasabi just once, but stamped it three times, thus acquiring the different tones. We added Soft Sky across the top.   The "paintbrush strokes" on this card are done, from bottom up, in Wild Wasabi, Marina Mist, and Soft Sky. The Chocolate Chip ribbon has been discontinued. Products Used: Thoughts & Prayers rubber stamp set (8), W 128751, $26.00; C 127805, $19.00* Work of Art rubber stamp set (11), W 134111, $30.00; C 134114, $22.00* Very Vanilla 8-1/2" x 11" card stock (40), 101650, $9.00 Ch...

I use the Thoughts & Prayers stamp set all the time, at least for the words. I love what they say. However, I haven't used the images as much as I did when I first acquired the set, which was a long time ago, back when it first came out and I had no choice but to order the wooden blocks. So I used the Wild Wasabi and Pink Pirouette with Very Vanilla when making this card. How I will miss those colors! One thing I like about the rubber stamps is how easily you can color the stamp itself and use more than one color for the image. Where I forgot to color one of the flowers, I added a Pink Pirouette Enamel heart. No one would ever know it wasn't intentional. Products Used: Thoughts & Prayers rubber stamp set (8), 128751, $26.00; 127805, $19.00 Very Vanilla 8-1/2" x 11" card stock (40), 101650, $9.00 Wild Wasabi 8-1/2" x 11" card stock (24), 108641, $8.00 Pink Pirouette -1/2" x 11" card stock (24), 111351, $8.00 Wild Wasabi Classic Stam...

I have run out of sympathy cards and decided to use one of my newest Sale-a-Bration sets to make a couple. One has a more masculine feel than the other, but it is definitely the Pink Pirouette and Very Vanilla card that is my favorite. But I loved seeing how the Stampin' Blends worked on Smoky Slate card stock. This Sale-a-Bration product is actually available only as a bundle including a 5-piece rubber stamp set and an embossing folder. New this year are more valuable items available for free with the higher spending amount of $100.00.  There are still many items available for free with the lesser $50.00 purchase. What is interesting is that the Basket Weave Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder will be available alone in the 2018-19 annual catalog. (Blossoming Basket Bundle, W 147504, C 147505, free with $100 purchase). The Pink Pirouette card would work very well as an Easter card and the attendees at my stamp class next week will be given the option of making it for...

When a dear friend's mother died, I wanted to make her a special sympathy card, especially because my friend is also a stamper. The Big Shot makes these fancy cards so easy! I used the Rose Wonder stamp set and coordinating Rose Garden Thinlits to make this card. Although I could have stamped the frame within the cutout for "With Sympathy", I chose to cut the embossed words with the framelit and adhere it to a piece of Gold Foil. I then took my paper snips and cut a frame around that piece. I finished it off with a gold enamel heart. I love that Stampin' Up! came out with the Die Brush with foam pad to make it so much easier to remove delicate cut-outs from the dies. Products Used: Rose Wonder photopolymer stamp set (14), 140697, $27.00 Rose Garden Thinlits (5), 140619, $31.00 Very Vanilla 8-1/2" x 11" cardstock (40), 101650 $9.00 Gold 12" x 12" Foil Sheets (2), 132622, $4.00 Metallic Enamel Shapes (100), 141678, $7.00 Embossing Buddy, ...

Yesterday was an especially busy day for me. I had a stamp class, a memorial service and luncheon, and an evening vespers service at church. But I enjoy busyness; it gets me interacting with people. In all honesty, I would find it very easy to stay at home reading and crafting if I didn't make the choice to be out and about. Yet, I totally enjoy my social interactions and wouldn't give them up for anything. I also thoroughly enjoy the fruits of my creativity, of my stamping projects. And I enjoy sharing them with you. This card is a simple card but also one of my favorites made with a stamp set I was sorry I ordered (I actually ordered it for an on-line class that, disappointingly, only used one of the stamps for a background). Every time I order something I am not sure I really like,  I force myself to design with it and find I love it. That's what happened with the starfish stamp in the Picture Perfect set, which I shared some time ago. Now I find the Touches of Texture...

I love the vivid contrast of black and white that add such class to cards. These cards are so simple if you have the Rose Garden Thinlits Dies from Stampin' Up! All you have to do is cut a piece of Basic Black cardstock to 4" x 5¼", place the die diagonally on top and run it through the Big Shot. Adhere one of the "scrap" pieces and then line up the die-cut rose along the cut edges. I used Thick Whisper White cardstock to support the Basic Black pieces. Products Used: Rose Wonder photopolymer stamp set (14), 140697, $27.00 Basic Black 8½" x 11" cardstock (24), 121045, $7.00 Whisper White 8½" x 11" Thick Cardstock (24), 140272, $7.00 Archival Basic Black Stampin' Pad, 140931, $7.00 Rose Garden Thinlits Dies 95), 140619, $31.00 Bitty Banners Framelits (3), 129267, $15.00 (retiring)

I always seem to need sympathy cards when I don't have any. So, in the process of preparing for the Christmas bazaar, I decided to include a couple sympathy cards. In a sense, the stamp sets I chose are from both ends of life's spectrum - Birthday Blossoms for the flowers and Thoughts & Prayers for the words of sympathy. Since I was running out of Whisper White envelopes, I decided to use Very Vanilla. Then, because I had some embellishments left over from the Cottage Greetings Card Kit, I incorporated the same color scheme. I used the reverse punch on the Envelope Punch Board to round opposite corners. Products Used: Birthday Blossoms stamp set (8), W 139167, $27.00; C 139471, $19.00 Thoughts & Prayers stamp set (8), W 128751, $26.00; C 127805, $19.00 Very Vanilla 8½" x 11" cardstock (40), 101650, $8.50 Mint Macaron 8½"x 11" cardstock (24), 138337, $7.00 Basic Gray Archival Stampin' Pad, 140932, $7.00 Mint Macaron Classic Stampin...

Once again, I did a lot of fussy cutting on a card. Took a lot of time to make the two cards I made Saturday afternoon. I like the looks of cut edges, but it does take time and patience. I debated putting the So Saffron behind the Pear Pizzazz leaves or leaving it open. Obviously I decided to add the contrast. I originally planned to place the Stamped So Saffron piece in the bottom left corner, but decided it needed something more. I played around with a doily and then cut it apart to fit it above and below the stamped piece. After mounting that, I decided it still needed something more and so I added the cut-out leaves and the bow (that ribbon is actually some Certainly Celery ribbon that has been kicking around in my room for some time, but I always thought Certainly Celery and Pear Pizzazz were very similar). Although it doesn't show up very well, I played around with another technique on this card. I inked my cala lilies with VersaMark and then Early Espresso before s...

I've been wanting to experiment with the Chevron Border punch to make a trellis and decided this was the time to do so. I cut two strips 1¼" wide, inverted one and put them together. I discovered on-line that some use the pieces that are punched out to overlay them on the strip. That would save paper but take a little more work. Anyway, I'm still using up bits and pieces of my favorite dsp, Painted Blooms. The fact that Blackberry Bliss is also a favorite color helps. Since the flower centers are Daffodil Delight, I chose to use that color cardstock for the butterflies. I am always in need of sympathy cards and I use my Thoughts & Prayers stamp set a lot. I've had it for such a long time that my set is still the double sided wooden set. I often wish I had the newer version so I could use it as a clear mount.  Products Used: Thoughts & Prayers stamp set (8), W 128751, $26.00; C 127805, $19.00 Papillon Potpourri stamp set (7), W 132058, $19.00; C 123759, ...

When working with the Butterfly Thinlit, I decided I would prefer more contrast between the butterfly and the rest of the card. I also decided to try some designer series paper behind the butterfly. Of course, that meant I had to reverse images to use.  I so love the Blackberry Bliss color and the coordinating Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper in the Occasions Catalog seemed the perfect choice to use with the butterfly. This one uses a Whisper White background to contrast with the Blackberry Bliss. I chose to use ribbon and add a salutation here. I seem to go through periods when I really need those sympathy cards. The bow on the card below is made with the new Bow Builder Punch. I may add a greeting to this one as well when I decide what I need it for—unless I merely use it as a note card. Products Used: Bloom With Hope stamp set (11), W 133940, $23 hostess dollars; C 133952, $17 hostess dollars Blackberry Bliss 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 133675, $6.95 Whisper...

Here is a fairly simple card using our great Stampin' Blendabilities and one background stamp. Those at my class get to choose the color for their flowers. I actually used the Skin Tone Assortment for the flower center, although the bloom itself is in shades of Pumpkin Pie. I even used the Color Lifter to throw in a few highlights, most noticeably in the center of the flower. Note: I cut out the flower with my paper snips. Products Used: Blended Bloom stamp, W 135905, $11.95 Bloom with Hope hostess stamp set (11), W 133949; C 133952 Old Olive 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 100702, $6.95 Whisper White 8½" x 11" card stock (40), 100730, $8.50 Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad, 132708, $5.95 Pumpkin Pie Assortment, Stampin' Blendabilities Markers (3), 130997, $11.95 Skin Tone Assortment Stampin' Blendabilities Markers (6), 129370,$22.95 Color Lifter, 129369, $4.95 Paper Snips, 103579, $9.95

I fell in love with the Pistachio Pudding color as soon as I saw this year's in colors but haven't done much with it. When preparing for the Venetian Romance dsp class, I was also in need of a few sympathy cards. This card is so soft and sweet; I love it and so did all those at my class. Admittedly, it was not part of the original line-up of cards, but I threw it in at the last minute because I was so pleased with it. Using the Squares Collection (Framelits), I cut an opening from a piece of Pistachio Pudding card stock before embossing with the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder and then adhered the pistachio and vanilla floral paper from the Venetian Romance pack behind the square. I punched the pansy from the script design in the same pack of dsp.  If I ever get my computer and scanner to talk to each other, my copies of my cards will be much clearer. Products Used: Thoughts & Prayers stamp set (8), W 128751, $25.95; C 127805, $18.95 Pistachio Pudding 8½" x 11...

This card is for the daughter of my deceased friend. I wanted to use the Elegant Eggplant and decided to create my own designer paper. I saw something similar to this card somewhere on the web, although I wasn't sure what stamp set was used. The stamp set I used is a two-step stamp, but I only used the detailed images rather than the colored backgrounds. I also reversed the polka dotted ribbon so it would be plain because I didn't think the dots fit the mood of the card. Of course, this ribbon is also discontinued. Sigh. I'm not sure if you can see it, but I dry embossed the card stock cut-out. The button is from an old stash—new buttons are a slightly different design. Once again, my camera made the Very Vanilla look like Whisper White. Products Used: Stippled Blossoms stamp set (10), W 132076, $26.95; C 126747, $18.95 Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp set (24), W 128748, $36.95; C 127802, $26.95 Very Vanilla 8½" x 11" card stock (40), 101650, $8.50 Elegant Egg...

Although I've had great fun designing cards with the Venetian Romance Designer Series Paper, an urgent need for sympathy cards and an anniversary card has be sidetracked. I could use more of that dsp, but I need my samples for my upcoming class featuring Venetian Romance. This is a very unique (I think) card which I sent to the widowed husband of a friend of mine from our years living in Ohio. Obviously, I needed to line the inside of the card since it is Basic Black. I have to admit, stamping with black ink doesn't produce the dark images I want, so I colored my stamps with my Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker. Perfect solution! Although the photo makes it look like the card is black and white, it is really black and vanilla. Products Used: Mosaic Madness stamp set (11), W 130246, $26.95; C 130249, $18.95 Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set (24), W 128748, $36.95; C 127802, $26.95 Basic Black 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 121045, $6.95 Very Vanilla 8½" x 11...

I just love the way this card turned out. Can there be anything better than Stampin' Up!'s perfectly coordinated colors? I know this butterfly stamp (Papaya Collage stamp set) wasn't designed to fit the Elegant Butterfly punch, but it works. I did take my Crisp Cantaloupe Stampin' Write Marker to give it a body, however. Products Used: Papaya Collage stamp set (7), W 132055, $31.95; C 126612, $23.95 Thoughts & Prayers stamp set (8), W 128751, $25.95; C 127805, $18.95 Crisp Cantaloupe 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 131298, $6.95 Soft Suede 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 115318, $6.95 Very Vanilla 8½" x 11" card stock (40), 101650, $6.95 Venetian Romance 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (12), 130144, $10.95 Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad, 126978, $5.95 Crisp Cantaloupe Classic Stampin' Pad, 131176, $5.95 Antique Brads (20), 117273, $5.95 Crisp Cantaloupe Ruffle Stretch Trim (10 yards), 130021, $8.95 Elegant Butter...

I've been slow designing a sympathy card for a man in our church who recently lost his beloved wife to cancer. She was a very special lady, serving in church until the day she was bedridden. Even then, she penned notes of appreciation to people in her life. Although we rejoice in her Home-going where she is in the arms of her Savior, we will miss her very much. This card is a very simple monochromatic design. I actually used the punch portion of the envelope punch board for rounding the corners. So easy! Products Used : Beautifully Baroque stamp, W 130895, $14.95 Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set (24), W 128748, $36.95; C 127802, $26.95 Naturals Ivory 8½" x 11" card stock (40), 101849, $7.50 Baked Brown Sugar 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 131296, $6.95 Baked Brown Sugar Classic Stampin' Pad, 131174, $5.95

It seems I am always in need of sympathy cards. I love the way this one turned out. I actually have made it a goal to use up some of my scraps that are laying around my workroom, some in bags, some just laying out. I had already embossed the edge of this card and trimmed a scrap of dsp from the retired in-color paper stack (Blushing Bride). The flowers are from the spring catalog. I really didn't think I needed another flower stamp set, but this one comes with a coordinating set of framelits. Since I often cut out my flowers, I decided this would be a real benefit for me.  Two of the flowers are stamped with Riding Hood Red classic ink on Blush Blossom card stock while the other one is stamped with Blush Blossom classic ink on Whisper White. I added Dazzling Diamonds glitter to the enters of two of the flowers and covered the Blush Blossom ink with Crystal Effects. I love the way this card turned out. Products Used: Secret Garden stamp set (7), W 129141, $25.95; C 129144, $18....

This is a card I made for my upline after her father-in-law died suddenly during the holidays while shoveling his driveway. Apparently I had it a little two high on my scanner, but you get the idea. Before I joined the Heartfelt Stampers group of demonstrators, I almost never used Stampin' Dimensionals, but now I use them all the time! They add a depth that I just love. And I'm having fun using them with the same color card stock, as I did in this card. The top layer is dry embossed with our Elegant Bouquet Folder, which I think coordinates nicely with the Bordering on Romance stamp set. I cut the label shape from the same layer using one of our Label Collection Framelits, then raised the whole thing off the card front with dimensionals. I also had fun cutting the butterflies from our new Primrose Petals Core'dinations card stock and sanding the embossed surfaces to make them stand out. I have also used this same design for a 90th birthday card using the Memorable Momen...

I have such a need to replenish my card supply, I decided this was also a great time to use up some of my retired product. The 2011 Occasions Mini Catalog carried beautiful Designer Series Paper—Springtime Vintage—and wonderful Vintage Flower adornments. Since I have some of each in my stockpile, I decided to design a few cards around those products. This first one is a sympathy card using Baja Breeze and Very Vanilla with the Springtime Vintage dsp. I added pearls to the butterfly, the finishing touch the card needed. The second card is a feminine birthday card which I think will have to be hand delivered because of the Vintage Flower on the butterfly. I used a strip of Island Indigo cardstock behind the dsp and Island Indigo classic ink for the birthday wish. Of course, I had to use the Big Shot for both of these cards. All the butterflies were cut with the Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die (114507, $21.95); the vanilla butterfly was embossed with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impr...