Elements of Style -- One Sheet Wonder -- Part 3

Here are the final two cards made using my Elements of Style One Sheet Wonder piece:

For these two, I used Marina Mist Card Stock for the background -- this is one of Stampin' Up!'s newest colors, and is oh so beautiful!  As for the other three cards in this set, I used a combination of the Square Lattice and Elegant Lines Embossing Folders to create texture on the background papers.  And, again I had great fun using the Pretty in Pink 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Victorian Crochet Trim, and Pearls to dress up my cards!  For the bottom card, the trim is again one of the pieces I had left after I created these cards.  Here's a close up of the sentiment on the bottom card:

Hope you enjoyed these!  Please let me know if you'd be interested in a class, tutorial, or supplies to make these yourself!

- Michelle

Elements of Style -- One Sheet Wonder -- Part 2

Here are three of the five finished cards I created using the One Sheet Wonder piece I showed you yesterday:

I wanted to create some Shabby Chic / Vintage looking cards, and combined the Square Lattice, Elegant Lines, and Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folders to create some great textures on the layers underneath the One Sheet Wonder focal pieces.  It was also great fun to dress these cards up using a combination of Pretty in Pink 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Victoria Crochet Trim (for the middle card, you might notice that the ends of the trim are missing -- this is one of the pieces leftover from making these cards), and Pearl Jewels, all from Stampin' Up!

Watch tomorrow for the last two cards made from this One Sheet Wonder set!

And, I'm thinking about offering a class and/or tutorial for these cards -- if you'd be interested, please leave me a comment or email me!

- Michelle

Elements of Style -- One Sheet Wonder -- Part 1

Earlier last week, I met with a good friend who also happens to be part of my Stampin' Up! team, and one of the things we were talking about was One Sheet Wonders.  While she was over, I pulled out two stamp sets -- Elements of Style and Extreme Elements and stamped out a half sheet of Very Vanilla Card Stock with Elements of Style and a full sheet with Extreme Elements, and showed her how I would divide them up to create 5 and 10 cards, respectively. 

Here is the half sheet of card stock, all stamped up and in the midst of being watercolored (I used the Aquapainter, plus Regal Rose, Old Olive and Marina Mist Classic Ink):

And, the finished sheet, ready to be cut:

After I cut the pieces, I sponged the edges with Early Espresso Classic Ink:

Next challenge:  make some cards with these pieces!  Tune in starting tomorrow to see what I created.

- Michelle

Cheers to You!

Time sure is flying this summer!  I can't believe it has already been two weeks since I had a fun afternoon creating some special cards with a dear friend for her sister's bridal shower!  Rosie knew she wanted to have them in her sister's wedding colors -- so we selected Bravo Burgundy and Basic Black, and then decided it would be fun to use the new Newsprint Designer Series Paper as well.  We found this cute sample by Vera on Splitcoaststampers, which inspired our card design.

Here is one of the shower invitations we created:

We used the Square Latice Embossing Folder to add texture to the front of the Bravo Burgundy card base.  The designer series paper strip is layered on top of a piece of Basic Black, which had been punched using the Scallop Trim Border.  We tied Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon around that, then added the stamped piece on top. 

Here's a close up of the stamped image:

The martini glass is from the Cheers to You stamp set.  It was stamped using Basic Black Classic Ink on Very Vanilla Card Stock, then the olive was colored using Blender Pens and Bravo Burgundy and Old Olive Classic ink.  Then, we colored the martini with the new Moonlight Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink for some sparkle!  The card stock around the glass was sponged with Bravo Burgundy Classic Ink.

We used the same basic ingredients to create coordinating thank you notes for the bride-to-be, too:

Here's a close up of the thank you note (although apologies because the lighting wasn't great when I took it, so this photo doesn't really do justice to what we created!): 

For the champagne, we painted some Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint in the glasses!  And, couldn't resist adding some rhinestone bling. 

Cheers,

Michelle

Another Greenhouse Gala Card!

Today I have another card made with Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper to share with you -- this is one that I made to say congratulations to a friend and Stampin' Up! team member who just completed a Century Ride for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!  I'm so proud of her accomplishment!!!  Here's her special card:

This paper from the Greenhouse Gala pack is so bright and summery -- just makes me happy to look at it! 

Anyway, the bicycle from the Pedaling Past stamp set (in the Summer Mini) was stamped in Early Espresso onto Whisper White card stock.  I colored it with Blender Pens and Ink from my Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight and Tangerine Tango Classic Ink Pads.  The stamped image was layered onto a piece of Tangerine Tango, and layered on top of the Greenhouse Gala paper on a Crumb Cake base.  Sentiment was stamped in Early Espresso Classic Ink. 

I thought the card needed a little something more, and my amazing friend Jane suggested three rhinestones in the top right hand corner.  That was just the thing!  Really loving the new Stampin' Up! rhinestone and pearl jewels!!!  So quick and easy to add just the right touch of bling! 

Hope you are having a beautiful summer day, too!

- Michelle

Greenhouse Gala Meets Pendant Notes

Good morning!  I'm back again with the second card we created at this month's hostess club.  This card is again CASE'd from the new Idea Book -- this time I drew inspiration from the Pendant Card on page 124 (and had to recreate the embossing on the envelope flap, too!  That uses the new Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder. Such a beautiful touch!) 

Here's what we created:

This card was so quick and easy to put together -- definitely fast and fabulous!  We simply added a square of the Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper behind the die cut window in the note.  Then, inserted one of the beautiful new Antique Brads through a 1" Circle of the designer paper and a 1 1/4" Circle of Early Espresso.  Attached that piece with a glue dot, and added the paper strips at the bottom.  For a finishing touch, we spritzed on some Smooch Spritz -- either Gold Glow or Vanilla Shimmer. 

I took the card outside and tried to get a photo that would show off the shimmer -- here's the best I could do:

I know, you have to look very closely to see the gold flecks on this one -- but it really does look very sparkly and elegant in real life!  If you haven't tried the Smooch Spritz for yourself yet, you really should! 

Thanks for stopping by!

- Michelle

"Tea"rific Card for Hostess Club

For hostess club this month, I chose two sample cards from the new Idea Book and Catalog to CASE (stamper-speak for Copy And Share Everything), but we didn't copy exactly -- I wanted to make some changes to the cards to incorporate some of my favorite new products.   The first card we made is a CASE of the card on page 214 (or 216 in the online version of the catalog).

 

I changed the color of the card base to Blushing Bride, and we sponged the embossed image from the gorgeous new Elegant Lines Embossing Folder with Early Espresso Ink, to give a soft, shabby chic look. 

The images on the tag we created are from the new Morning Cup stamp set (love this one so much!!!)   I have the clear mount set, and love being able to see what I'm doing through the block to line them up.  Here's a close up of the tag:

You can see that the teacup image looks a little fuzzy . . . I used an Aquapainter to pull some of the stamped ink inside the teacup to shade it.  I also added a touch of Blush Blossom ink in the flowers. 

The close up also gives a good view of the Paper Daisy we added to the tag.  We colored these by sponging on Blush Blossom ink.  I added just a hint of color to mine, but others had fun adding more.  Here's a photo that shows some of the variations (all were colored with the same ink -- the difference is in how much ink was applied):

Don't you love the pearls in the centers, too?!  I'm so glad we have them now . . . and love how many come on a package.  I've made lots of cards with these pearls, and still have lots left to use!

You can also see that we substituted the Early Espresso 5/8" Satin Ribbon for the Certainly Celery on the card in the Idea Book.  (Yes, this is why in my photo of my ribbon in the post about my ribbon shares, there is noticably less Early Espresso!)   And, to attach the tag to the Espresso Ribbon, we used a piece cut from the edge of the new Victoria Crochet trim.  (Found that idea in the new Idea Book, too, although can't find the page at the moment!)  Here's how we did it:

1.  We started with a 4-6 inch pieces of the Victoria Crochet trim.

2.  Then, using what I call my Ribbon Cutters (Stampin' Up! calls these "Craft & Paper Scissors, and while they are great for everything, I love how smoothly and cleanly they cut through ribbon -- and try to use them only for that!), we trimmed off the border on the edge:

3.  The finished product, ready to go through the tag and be tied around the Satin Ribbon: 

Note:  You can trim the piece off the other side to use as well.  And, the center piece is still fun to use, too!  You can see what I did with that in an upcoming post! 

Thanks for stopping by!

-- Michelle

Glorious Ribbon!

I promised a while back I'd show you some photos of the new ribbons that we took when my friend Jana and I put together the first batch in my ribbon share.  Well, here they are -- with a big thanks to Jana for styling and photographing the ribbon!

These are all of Stampin' Up!'s new colors of 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon:

Here's the photo of the new colors of 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon:

And, last but not least, the new 5/8" Satin Ribbon:

And here's a photo of the Satin and narrow taffeta all divided up and on the spools: 

You might notice that there is significantly less Early Espresso Satin Ribbon -- that's because I took this photo this weekend, after my Hostess Club, when we used the Early Espresso to make 10 cards!  I'll show you those projects soon.

In the meantime, if you'd like some beautiful new ribbon of your own, leave a comment or email me at michellevanw-stamps (at) sbcglobal (dot) com and let me know you'd like to take part in my ribbon share! 

Thanks for stopping by!

-- Michelle

Cute by the Inch Friend Card

I love the new Cute by the Inch Level 2 Hostess set!  The images are so much fun, and since they are only 1 inch square, are fun for creating adorable mini cards (check out what I did with them before in this post).  However, I wanted to create a sample that would show how to use them to create a regular size card, too.  Here's what I came up with -- using the stamps in two ways (both to create the background and to create the focal images):

I stamped the square medallion image from Cute by the Inch repeatedly in Early Espresso (one of my new favorite colors!) on the Cherry Cobbler card stock.  Then, I ran the Cherry Cobbler piece through my Big Shot first in the Square Lattice textured impressions folder, and then again in the Vintage Wallpaper, and a third time with no embossing folder, just between the 2 plates on the Multipurpose Platform with all tabs -- that helped flatten the card stock back down a bit, but still left some nice, subtle texture.  Here's another photo to show that a little more clearly:

I layered the Cherry Cobbler piece onto a piece of Early Espresso Card Stock, then attached that to a Crumb Cake Card Stock base.  I stamped the "Friends"-flower image on Crumb Cake in Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, and Early Espresso, then trimmed those images and attached them to squares of Early Espresso.  I put a dot of Crystal Effects in the center of each flower.  

For a finishing touch, I added some Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon.  Love that!  Want to participate in my new ribbon or accessory shares and get some of your own?  Be sure to check out this post or email me for more info!

Thanks for stopping by!

- Michelle

Journey Card from Marlene!

I recently received a wonderful surprise from my friend Marlene Caravello -- this beautiful card:

Isn't that car adorable?  Marlene created it with Stampin' Up! punches.  It even has a windshield made with a oval punched window sheet -- very clever! 

Marlene copied the map onto Very Vanilla Card Stock using her computer printer.  Then, she sponged Melon Mambo and Daffodil Delight Classic Ink over the map.  The compass is from the Sentimental Journey stamp set, which is in the Summer Mini Catalog. 

Here's a close up of the car:

And, Marlene is always wonderful about decorating the insides of her card, too.  Here it is:

The suitcase stamp is from Sentimental Journey, and the journey stamp on the sign post is from the Define Your Life stamp set.

Great fun!  Thank you so much for the beautiful card, Marlene!!!

- Michelle

Fabulous Forest Friends

Finally had a chance to create a card using some of my new supplies and was excited to be able to complete a few challenges at the same time!   Here's what I made:

The current challenge (#78) on Late Night Stampers is an inspiration challenge -- to create something inspired by this photo:

 

Looking at the colors in the photo and with a little help from my new Color Coach (love being able to flip out swatches to compare colors and check combinations!), I decided to use Pacific Point, Marina Mist (Bashful Blue probably matched better, but wanted to try Marina Mist out!), and Pear Pizzazz (one of the new In Colors).  I liked the cloud images in the photo and wanted to create something with a relaxed, dreamy feel, pairing my new Funky Four set (love the mushrooms!) and the bunny from Forest Friends.  I also enjoyed using my new Fabulous Phrases set -- my first clear mount word set -- so fun and easy to line up the words using the clear mounts! 

The layout for the card came from the current Mojo Monday 164 Challenge.  Such a fun layout to play with! 

And, last but certainly not least, this card also is for the current So Shelli Creative Challenge, which is to play with something new.  In addition to the new colors and new stamps, this card also uses the new Elegant Lines embossing folder, two new ribbons -- Marina Mist 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon and layered on that is Certainly Celery 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon -- and couldn't resist adding some new Basic Pearls on the butterflies and the center of the flower on one of the mushrooms. 

The oval shape for the focal image was created using the Big Shot and Scallop Oval Frame.  I sponged Pear Pizzazz ink around and under the mushrooms, then added the clouds by sponging Marina Mist around a mask I created by punching out a piece of paper with the Scallop Oval Punch.  I sponged Pacific Point around the entire oval. 

The clouds behind the oval were created by punching out some Whisper White Card Stock using the Scallop Oval Punch.  I sponged around those with Marina Mist.  The smaller cloud with the "hi friend" greeting was created by punching a full-size cloud a second time with the Scallop Oval Punch.

The orange and blue butterflies were created from a soda can, cut and embossed using the Big Shot and the Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die. 

Here are some close ups:

Thanks for stopping by!

- Michelle

Christmas in July!!!

Look what the UPS man brought me yesterday --

New stuff!!!!  In fact, I spent the better part of this afternoon over at my friend Jana's house trying not to drool over the new ribbon we are sharing as we measured, cut and wrapped it on spools.  More photos of that coming soon.  Saw some fun color combos to try out as we were doing that, too!   In fact, one of them that I really want to try soon is Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Marina Mist -- looks so fresh and summery together! 

Have been working on some cards to swap with fellow demonstrators, and can only give you a little sneak peek of one of those now: 

Once that swaps is complete, will show you the whole card!  In fact, one of the products I was very excited to get my hands on yesterday was the new self adhesive pearl jewels!  Had to break those open and use them right away -- that's what you see in the center of the little flower, which is from the Because I Care stamp set (a Level 1 hostess set!  Am so excited at all the wonderful Level 1 hostess sets in the new catalog -- if you haven't checked them out, you really should.  You can earn these with a $150 order or group of orders -- from a party or workshop, for example.  Want to know more or to book a party or workshop?  Please send me an email or leave me a comment!)

Now off to work on swaps and start assembling new stamps!  Hope you have a wonderful weekend and are able to find some time to create! 

- Michelle

New Ribbon and Accessory Shares!

If you've had a chance to browse through the new Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog, you've probably noticed that there are some beautiful new ribbons and accessories!!!  
If you'd like to get your hands on a wonderful sampling of these, I have just the solution for you -- my new ribbon and accessory shares!  Here's more information about these:

New Satin & Taffeta Ribbons Share 

Receive all the new colors of the Satin and Taffeta Ribbons -- more than 340 yards of ribbon --for just $75 (compared with $241.57 if you purchased a complete roll of each of the new colors!)  Specifically, you will receive the following:

• 5 yards of each of the 6 new colors of 5/8" Satin Ribbon (Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy, Marina Mist and Early Espresso)

• 3-1/3 yards of each of the 13 colors of 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (Whisper White, Very Vanilla, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy, Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Early Espresso, and Basic Black)

• 3-1/3 yards of each of the 10 new colors of 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon (Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy, Marina Mist, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Early Espresso, and Basic Black)

To receive 5 yards of each of just the new Satin ribbon colors would be $20. 

For 3-1/3 yards of each of the new 1/8" taffeta colors, $30.

And, for 3-1/3 yards of each of just the new 3/8" taffeta colors, $27.




Fav New Accessory Share
For only $24, receive:

• 36 Brights Designer Buttons (2 ea. of 3 designs in 6 colors)

• 36 Regals Designer Buttons (2 ea. of 3 designs in 6 colors)

• 10 Antique Brads (2 ea. of 5 designs)

• 20 Paper Daisies (5 ea. of 4 designs)

• 1/2 package of Basic Rhinestone self-adhesive jewels (25 ea. in 3 sizes, plus 1 2-5/8" strip of connected 3mm rhinestones and 1 1-5/16" strip)

• 1/2 package of Basic Pearls self-adhesive jewels (25 ea. in 3 sizes, plus 1 2-5/8" strip of connected 3mm pearls and 1 1-5/16" strip)




These shares are only open to U.S. residents.  Orders will be placed when a share is "full" -- in other words, for the ribbon shares, when there are three participants for the share, or for the accessory share, when there are two participants.  If you are not in the San Jose area, there will be an additional charge for shipping to you  ($4.95 for Priority Mail).  If you are interested in participating in one or more of these shares, please send me an email!

- Michelle

Happy New Catalog Days!!!

Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July weekend!!!  We had a fun BBQ with friends and neighbors and enjoyed our local fireworks.  Yesterday, Greg, the boys and I headed to the beach at Santa Cruz, but unfortunately it was way cooler there than we expected!  Only in the 60s . . . and overcast.  We still had good fun riding the rides at the Boardwalk and visiting the Seymour Marine Discovery Center.  They had some amazing artwork there by Chris Jordan called Running the Numbers, and it depicted mass consumption and pollution in some very thought-provoking ways.  I think you can find some of his works online as well. 

Anyway, I digress!  I am very excited about Stampin' Up!'s beautiful new 2010-11 Idea Book and Catalog!  If you haven't checked it out yet, you can see it online here.  I haven't had quite as much time as I would like to play with the stamp sets I was able to order through last month's demonstrator pre-order (one of the many great perks of being a demonstrator!)  However, I am hoping to have more time to stamp and play soon!  And, have more new things on the way that I will have to play with, too! :)  I'll be sure to show you what I create.

One of the projects I have made so far is some mini notecards with the new Level 2 Hostess Set called Cute by the Inch.  Here are some of them:

These also use the new Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper and the Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon -- loving them both!

Here are some close ups of some of the cards:

These were tucked in with some of the new catalogs I sent out.  If you are here in the U.S., do not have a hard copy yet, and would like one, please let me know! 

- Michelle