tea-drinking stamper

I seem to be drawn to stamp sets that include birds and flowers, and the Flying Home set in the Occasions Catalog is fits the bill. This one is colored with our Stampin' Blends. Such fun! Looking forward to playing with the other images in this set. The card is constructed of Pool Party, Whisper White and Daffodil Delight card stock. Stampin' Blends are alcohol markers that come in our exclusive colors. I love the way they color without streaks and blend easily to add dimension to the coloring. They can be purchased individually, but you'll need both the light and dark shades of each color to accomplish that depth, so you might as well purchase the combo pack when ordering. This card does have one discontinued item: the Daffodil Delight grosgrain ribbon. However, you can get the exact same effect using a 5/8" strip of Daffodil Delight card stock. Products Used: Flying Home rubber stamp set (8), W 145926, $25.00; C 145929, $1.00 Whisper White 8-1/2" x 1...

Honeycomb Happiness is just a cute and fun stamp set that seems to coordinate so well with the Birthday Bouquet Designer Series Paper. And, of course, I just had to use the Honeycomb Embellishments along with the stamps. Strawberry ice cream cone anyone? Products Used: Honeycomb Happiness stamp set (6), W 141288, C 141291, SAB, free with $50 purchase Blushing Bride 8½" x 11" cardstock (24), 131198, $7.00 Mint Macaron 8½" x 11" cardstock (24), 138337, $7.00 Soft Suede 8½" x 11" cardstock (24), 115318, $7.00 Whisper White 8½" x 11" cardstock (40), 100730, $8.50 Birthday Bouquet 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (12), 140557, $11.00 Honeycomb Embellishments (12), 140566, $5.00 Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad, 126978, $6.50 Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad, 131172, $6.50 Blender Pens (3), 102845, $10.00

There's just something about this Designer Series Paper that I really like. Of course, the use of dsp does determine what color cardstock and inks I use on my card. Once again, I'm mixing elements—dsp and stamp sets that weren't intended to go together but do. I originally thought I would make this card into a Valentine, but decided it was too dark in colors. Yet, I believe the very darkness adds a rich quality to the card.  The cotton ribbon bow is Crushed Curry, a discontinued color. Products Used: Bloomin' Love stamp set (16 photopolymer stamps), 140643, $17.00 Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set (24), W 128748, $37.00; C 127802, $27.00 Cajun Craze 8½" x 11" cardstock (24), 119684, $7.00 Very Vanilla 8½" x 11" cardstock (40), 101650, $8.50 Botanical Gardens 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper, 140583, $11.00 Cajun Craze Classic Stampin' Pad, 126965, $6.50 Lots of Labels Framelits (7), 138281, $27.00 Large Numbers Framelits Dies (11...

We used to make a lot of 6" x 3" cards and I think this particular stamp truly lends itself to that size card. I still have some of our nice envelopes left that fit this size, but we can also make the envelopes with our Envelope Punch Board. Since people who know me always associate me with tea, so this stamp set is perfect! So far, I've been using the Have a Cuppa Designer Series Paper Stack in all my designs (partly because I always seem to end up with leftover dsp when it's discontinued), but that isn't absolutely necessary. And I've taken to using Baker's Twine for the little teabag tags. I have quite an accumulation of the twine in both current and retired colors. The Bermuda Bay is still available. The narrow ribbon, however, is retired. I have to admit that I "fussy cut" out the stack of teacups. To get inside the handles, I punched a small hole to insert my paper snips without risk of tearing or bending the element. Products Used:...

If you saw my previous post, you will notice some changes in this card, although very similar. Admittedly, the card should probably have been turned the opposite direction, but I had cut the designer paper the wrong direction to do that. I could have lined the heart-shaped steam with the teapot's spout if I'd turned the card. However, I really like the changes I made to this card (my scanner always cuts off the upper edge, but the card ends up crooked if I try to move it down). I think this card, with its saying "you are Tea-riffic" could be used as a birthday card or a Valentine, depending on what you put inside. Of course, it could also be a thank you or just a simple note card. Products Used: A Nice Cuppa stamp set (11 photopolymer stamps), 140683, $17.00 Whisper White 8½" x 11" cardstock (40), 100730, $8.50 Melon Mambo 8½" x 11" cardstock (24), 115320, $7.00 Crushed Curry 8½" x 11" cardstock (24), 131199, $7.00 Melon Mambo ...

Being the tea-drinker that I am, I just had to order "A Nice Cuppa" stamp set with its accompanying "Cups & Kettle Framelits Dies" and "Have a Cuppa Designer Series Paper Stack".  This card uses only one stamp from the set but the teapot, spoon and heart are framelits. If you look closely, you will see that I sprinkled some Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the spoon to look like sugar. A fun card that I've made into a belated birthday card by using a verse from an old birthday greeting set inside. I also rounded the corners on one side of this card using our old punch, but you could use the Project Life Corner punch (135346, $8.00) for slightly larger rounded corners. Products Used: A Nice Cuppa stamp set (11 photopolymer stamps), 140683, $17.00 Cups & Kettle Framelits Dies (12), 140624, $29.00 Have a Cuppa Designer Series Paper Stack (48 sheets 6" x 6"), 140567, $8.00 Crushed Curry 8½" x 11" cardstock (24), 131199, $7.0...

As I said in my previous post, I love tulips and so I just had to have the Blessed Easter stamp! For this card, I really changed things up. I heat-embossed the tulips with Black Stampin' Emboss Powder and then colored them in with Crushed Curry and Daffodil Delight and Gumball Green Stampin' Write Markers before cutting them out. I then inserted them into an envelope made with my Envelope Punch board (the point of the flap was removed with the Small Scallop Stampin' Trimmer Rotary Cutting Blade. I then stamped the word portion of the image again, this time with Island Indigo ink, and punched it out. A totally different effect than the stamp's original design. I think this is my favorite Easter card! But it's a toss-up. Products Used: Blessed Easter stamp (1), W 133212, $11.95 Whisper White 8½" x 11" card stock (40), 100730, $8.50 Island Indigo 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 122923 Watercolor Wonder 12" x 12" dbl-sided Designer Serie...

I designed this card based on a sketch challenge from Splitcoaststampers.com and I really like its clean look. The Evergreen stamp set is another set carried over from last year but not appearing on the pages of either the core or holiday catalog. Each banner strip is just one inch wide. I used Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler with the Season of Style designer series paper, colors the catalog lists as being used in these papers. Also, I stamped the tree off on scrap paper before stamping on the card front so it would be light enough for the words to show. It's probably best to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to help place your words and your star where you want them. Products Used: Evergreen stamp set (5), W 127970, $25.95; C 127973, $18.95 Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set (24), W 128748, $36.95; C 127802, $26.95 Whisper White 8½" x 11" card stock (40), 100730, $8.50 Old Olive 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 100702, $6.95 Cherry Cobbler 8½" x 11" card stock (24)...

Okay, I've used this stamp set a lot. To be perfectly honest, I never expected to use it so much when I purchased it. I liked the embossing folder so I figured I needed the stamp set. For this card, I arranged the individual mosaics in such a way that they form a Christmas tree. The "Merry Christmas" is from the retired "Come to Bethlehem" stamp set, but the rest of the products are current. I punched each word separately with the Word Window punch and then used tweezers to hold the card stock while punching the other side, customizing the size of my word window. Products Used: Mosaic Madness stamp set (11), W 130246, $26.95; C 130249, $18.95 Cherry Cobbler 8½" x 11" card stock (24),  119685, $6.95 Old Olive 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 100702, $6.95 Chocolate Chip 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 102128, $6.95 Whisper White 8½" x 11" card stock (40), 100730, $8.50 Season of Style 4½" x 6½" Designer Series Pape...

When I showed this card to my husband, all he said was, "Fancy". Sigh! But I think it is exquisite. It could be a Christmas card, a winter anniversary or birthday card, or simply a pretty note card. But we will make it at my September Christmas card class. We could add a Christmas greeting from Teeny Tiny Wishes punched out with the Word Window punch and protruding between layers of the snowflake or across the bottom. But I decided I like it as it is. In all honesty, I wasn't going to order the Festive Flurry stamp set because I really loved the Serene Snowflake set from last year's book that is still available for sale. But this set comes as a bundle with framelits to cut out the snowflakes, so that made the decision for me.  And now I love it! Products Used: Festive Flurry Bundle, W 133284, $54.95; C 133285, $46.95      Festive Flurry stamp set (4), W 131778, $39.95; C 131781, $29.95      Festive Flurry Framelits (4), 132193, $24.9...

This is another of the cards we're making for my May class using a number of retiring items. The Designer Builder Brad in the center is in the soon-to-expire Spring mini catalog. The designer series paper is from the subtles paper stack, which stacks have been redesigned because of disappearing colors. Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze and Pretty in Pink are three colors that are discontinued beginning June 3. If you wish to stock up on any items being retired, you need to place your order while supplies last. I also used retiring square punches to design this card. Products Used: Perfectly Penned stamp set (4), C 122892, $12.95; W 122890, $16.95 Pretty in Pink 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 100459, $6.95 Early Espresso 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 119686, $6.95 Whisper White 8½" x 11" card stock (40), 100730, $8.50 Subtles Collection 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper Stack (40), 117152, $21.95 Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad, 126974,...

I just love the versatility of the Hearts a Flutter Bundle in the Spring catalog. [The bundle includes the Hearts a Flutter stamp set and the coordinating Hearts a Flutter Framelits.] I decided to use a less Valentine-ish color for this card and really like the bold contrast.  Products Used: Hearts a Flutter Bundle (8 stamps, 5 framelits), W 131098, $42.95; C 131097, $36.95 Delightful Dozen stamp set (12), W 122650, $32.95; C 122652, $24.95 Whisper White 8½" x 11" card stock (40), 100730, $8.50 Rich Razzleberry 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 115316, $6.95 Rich Razzleberry Classic Stampin' Pad, 126950, $5.95 White StazOn Ink Pad, 106960, $11.95 Bitty Buttons (64), 118761, $4.95 Delicate Designs Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (2), 127023, $8.95

This was not a set of stamps I thought I would use much and yet it is the first of my Sale-a-Bration sets I have used. Definitely appropriate for men, although the Wild Wasabi one would also be suitable for women. The ribbons are retired, but you could used some of our striped designer series paper in its place. Products Used: Feeling Sentimental stamp set (4), Sale-a-Bration, W 129627, C 129630, free with $50 purchase Delightful Dozen stamp set (12), W 122650, $32.95; C 122652, $24.95 Naturals Ivory 8½" x 11" card stock (40), 101849, $7.50 Soft Suede 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 115318, $6.95 Wild Wasabi 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 108641, $6.95 Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad, 126978, $5.95 Early Espresso Baker's Twine (25 yds), 123124, $2.95 Regals Designer Buttons (72), 119744, $8.95 1" Circle Punch, 119873, $12.95 1¾" Circle Punch, 119850, $16.95 Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, 127749, $7.95 Honeycomb T...

I'm just loving the Be of Good Cheer designer series paper! The Cherry Cobbler and Gumball Green are such cheerful Christmas colors. Although I used Very Vanilla card stock to make this card, I'm changing it to Whisper White for my Christmas in July class. The colors listed as being in the dsp are Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla, but this particular piece has no Very Vanilla in it. Plus, the textured embossing along the right edge reminds me of snowflakes. Another thing I am just loving is the ability to cut out all these shapes with my Big Shot. I am thrilled we have framelits to fit every stamp in the Scentsational Season stamp set as well as the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set. Products Used: Scentsational Season stamp set (6), @ 121026, $18.95; C 121190, $14.95 Snow Swirled stamp set (6), W 11690, $24.95; C 127799, $17.95 Very Vanilla 8½" x 11" card stock (40), 101650, $8.50 Cherry Cobbler 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 119685, $5.95 Be of Good ...

While designing cards for my Christmas in July class, I created a card that I cannot use at the class. I love the way this turned out, but I just don't have enough of this sheet of designer series paper. I had never imagined that the Floral District dsp would include a design I would want to use for a Christmas card. Of course, the stamp set cannot be purchased until August 1st... When I started working on this card, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I would use the Midnight Muse card stock and emboss in white two of the images from the First Christmas stamp set and cut it out with one of the Apothecary Accents Framelits, which I did. In the process of deciding what to put behind it, I found a scrap of the Floral District dsp and realized that it looks a lot like stars within the scallop circles (it's the reverse side of the designer series paper I used in a previous class). My thought to put white scallops along both edges of the dsp morphed into using the new Lar...

When one of the ladies at my Mini Occasions Catalog class said she only uses stickers for catalogs, I immediately took up the challenge and designed some cards using the Sweet Shop Stickers. Today is the last day you can order these because the catalog expires today. Because these stickers are rather transparent, I adhered them all to Whisper White card stock. The ice cream cone above was then cut out and adhered to a piece of Wisteria Wonder card stock. The thin ribbon is leftover from the Sale-a-Bration catalog and no longer available for purchase. Even the "Happy Birthday" stamp on this card is part of the Sweet Shop product suite, as is the specialty designer series paper. The doily on the card below is cut from one of the sheets of Flirtatious specialty designer series paper with a circle of Whisper White on top of it. Products Used: Sweet Cake stamp set (4), W 125490, $18.95; C 125492, $14.95 Happiest Birthday Wishes stamp set (11), Hostess Dollars Sweet Shop designer s...

The final card from my class featuring products from the Occasions Mini Catalog. The last day to order from this card is Monday, so don't miss out on those fantastic items. Oh, it's hard to see, but there is a tiny pearl in the middle of the flower. Products Used: Mixed Bunch stamp set (6), W 125535, $27.95; C 125537, $21.95 Sincere Salutations stamp set (8), Wood Mount only, 115068, $23.95 (retiring June 1) Blossom Punch, 125603, $16.95 Decorative Label Punch, 120907, $16.95 Twitterpated 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (12), 125406, $10.95 Whisper White 8½" x 11" card stock (40), 100730 Riding Hood Red 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 111348, $6.95 Riding Hood Red Classic Stampin' Pad, 111836, $5.95 Riding Hood Red 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon (5 yards), 125569, $6.95 Basic Pearls (150), 119247, $4.95

I'm really grieving over the expiration of the Occasions Mini Catalog! Here are two more cards using the Sweet Cake stamp set and the Sweet Shop Specialty Designer Series Paper. Notice how these two are made with essentially the same design yet they look so different. Just different background papers and different methods of stamping resulting in a different color scheme. For the above card, I colored the stamp with Soft Suede, Pool Party and Calypso Coral Stampin' Write Markers to get the variety of colors. Both cards have the stamped image cut out and mounted over ribbon with Stampin' Dimensionals. Did you notice my mistake on this card? I had actually put the whole card together and then realized I had everything upside down, making it necessary to open the card from the top rather than the bottom. But I was able to peel off the focal image because the adhesive on the Stampin' Dimensionals allows me to do so if I don't wait too long. Hence, the upside down heart...

I've had so much fun designing the cards for my class featuring products from the Occasions Mini Catalog! In fact, I've designed more than I can use. I find myself hoping that the Tea Shoppe stamp set will somehow make it into the core catalog. I will never give this set up! Products Used: Tea Shoppe stamp set (10), W 125545, $34.95; C 125547, $27.95 Whisper White 8½" x 11" card stock (40), 100730, $8.50 Twitterpated 12" x 12" Designer Series Paper (12), 125406, $10.95 Flirtatious 12" x 12" Specialty Designer Series Paper (12), 122360, $12.95 Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad, 101778, $5.95 Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad, 101179, $5.95 5/8" Organza Ribbon, Whisiper White (15 yards), 114319, $5.95 Paper Snips, 103579, $9.95

I have to say of the Occasions Mini Catalog, "You are simply wonderful"! This is another card made from items in that catalog, which is expiring the end of this month. I have to admit I copied Gloria Plunkett's design for this one (hers used Pink Pirouette instead of the Peach Parfait). It was too pretty not to. And its use of items from the mini catalog make it perfect for my upcoming class. By the way, Peach Parfait is one of the retiring In Colors and will not be available after May 31st. Oh, I scanned this card before adding three tiny pearls to the flower centers. Products Used: Bordering on Romance stamp set (5), W 125480, $27.95; C 125482, $21.95 Friendly Phrases stamp set (6), W 126149, $18.95; C 126151, $14.95 Peach Parfait 8½" x 11" card stock (24), 119794, $6.95 Whisper White 8½" x 11"card stock (40), 100730, $8.50 Jet Black StazOn ink pad, 101406, $7.95 Peach Parfait Classic Stampin' Pad, 119783, $5.95 Pear Pizzazz Classic Stampin...