King of the Grill

I have a Father's Day card for this week's Tic Tac Toe Challenge.  I chose the middle row across - blue, twine and food.

This stamp set was the Club set at The Stamps of Life this month.  It was a good one for me as most of the men in my life love to grill! 

The card was very easy to make since I used the stand-up die set, also from TSOL.  Although I have made stand up (aka easel) cards just from measuring, I really think the dies are worth the price if you make any amount of this type card.  Talk about a time saver!  And everything is uniform.  The last manual easel card I made I accidentally cut backwards and had to start over.

I used my Scan 'n Cut to cut out the stamps and sentiment even though I have the dies for the stamps.  When I have several things to die cut, the Scan 'n Cut is faster.  And the sentiment doesn't have a die so I was able to cut that out with just a shadow, rather than in a shape like a circle, etc.

Products used:

• Stamps: The Stamps of Life BBQ2stamp, moreBBQ2stamp
• Dies: A2 3 Inch Circle Stand Up
• Markers: sorry - I didn't write them down today
  

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Measure of Love Birthday Card

I made today's card for a friend who loves to cook.  I thought this set was cute when I first saw it, but after getting it home I like it even more!  The downside is that there aren't any coordinating dies, but with my Scan 'n Cut I was easily able to cut out the scale and bowl of cherries.  (And if you're into fussy cutting it wouldn't be difficult to cut.)

 My jumping off point was this week's sketch at Splitcoaststampers.  I say jumping off becuase I did change it up but I feel I still remained true to the sketch.  Because of mailing I did not want a square card so I changed it to a standard A2 size.  And then my focal point circle is no longer a circle.

 I love how this came out and it was pretty quick to put together.  The stamps are photopolymer so they line up quite easily. - cherries to stems, bowl outline to solid, etc.  The set also comes with flowers for the bowl and cupcakes for the scale!

Products used: all Stampin' Up!

• Stamps: Measure of Love
• Dies: Stitched Rectangles
• Ink: Memento Black, Real Red, Balmy Blue, Garden Green
• Cardstock: Basic White, Real Red (retired DSP - substitute your favorite small print or floral to remind you of a tablecloth!)
  

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Best Day Challenge

Today my card does double duty - for the color challenge at Splitcoaststampers (Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla, Night of Navy) and the sketch challenge at CAS Colours & Sketches.  It's a pretty straightforward card using a new set from Stampin' Up! called In Symmetry. It features very bold flowers that remind me of textiles.

I originally made another card for the challenge.  But I had two sets of flowers and leaves that I had cut out with my Scan 'n Cut so I thought I would rotate the sketch 180 degrees and do another.  I like both of them but my second card is my favorite so I used it for the challenges.

 I can't wait to try more designs with these stamps.  I think they'll look great in bold colors!

Products used: All Stampin' Up!

• Stamps: In Symmetry
• Dies: Stitched Greenery, Stitched Rectangles
• Cardstock: Very Vanilla
• Ink: Blushing Bride, Night of Navy

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Happiest of Birthdays - All Squared Away Bundle

I have a super simple set of cards for you today!  It started with the color challenges at Splitcoatstampers and CAS Colours & Sketches.  The colors that both hostesses picked are very similar and come from the Subtles collection of colors at Stampin' Up!.  I decided to use a brand new stamp and die set that I purchased mostly because I love the dies.  They did not disappoint.  They make very fresh, modern looking cards!

It was super easy to make multiples of these.  The squares with cut out designs can be left one solid color or you can add the flowers in contrasting colors by using the corresponding flower dies.  It is easy to run both the squares and flowers through the die cutter at the same time. 

CAS Colours & Sketches colors - Highland Heather, Soft Sea Foam and Blushing Bride.

Splicoaststampers Color Challenge colors - Mint Macaron, Pool Party and So Saffron.

For each set, three passes through my Cut & Emboss gave me three combinations of flowers and squares to play with.  I then just had to pick my background paper based on the third color from the challenge.  The background paper is cut in 1 3/4 inch squares.

The white panels are standard 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch card fronts that are given a bit of edge interest using the Stitched with Whimsy dies.  These dies just add stitching, they do not cut out a panel.  I used my Stamparatus to stamp the sentiment in the same place on each card front.

After designing my initial card (that always takes a little while) it only took about 20 minutes to make the rest of the cards!

Products used: (All are Stampin' Up!)

• Stamps and dies (save when you buy the stamps and dies together): All Squared Away Bundle
• Stamps only: All Squared Away
  
• Dies: Floral Squares (dies only), Stitched with Whimsy
  
• Cardstock: Subtles collection (each color can also be purchased individually), Basic White, Basic White Thick
  
• Paper: Subtles Designer Series Paper (I used a combination of the new collection and retired paper I had on hand)
• Accessories:  Stamparartus, Stampin' Cut & Emboss, Memento Tuxedo Black ink
  

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Interactive Pinata Card

It's time for another Tic Tac Toe Challenge.  Tenia gave us a fun board to work with this time and I ended up using some unexpected elements to bring you this pinata card - where the pinata swings!

 

I used the top row across - rainbow, diamond and label maker.  Originally I was going in a totally other direction, with the elements of diamond and label maker being my last choices.

Then I happened upon this fiesta themed paper pad and saw this paper.  Rainbow and diamonds - perfect, especially for a pinata. As for the label maker, I thought why not?  I've seen them used on cards before I just never thought I would use one.  I think it looks very cute on this card!  The inside has a sentiment from the set - "Have a smashing birthday!"

The Copic coloring on this card was very simple; no shading.  To create a bit of shadow I used a few neutral greys under the fringe layers.  For my blanket I cut a thin strip of white and then used paper snips to create the fringe.  The pinata is tied to a brad so that it swings.  I toyed with adding some candy behind it  but I didn't have any stamps of candy that small so I used the sprinkles from another set.

 

This card was super fun to make and I will admit to drinking a margarita while creating it!  I hope you will join us in the challenge this week!

Products used:

• Stamps and dies: The Stamps of Life Pinata2stamp 
• Stamps: Stampin' Up Party with Cake (sprinkles behind the pinata)
  
• Copic markers: YR18, Y19, R29, G07, B28, V06, RV17, N2, N4, N5
• Paper: Recollections Summer Fiesta

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Double Dare Sketch Challenge

It's the second Tuesday of the month and that means a Double Dare for the Sketch Challenge at Splitcoaststampers.  Participants can choose to use the sketch as is or make it into an interactive or fun fold alternative.  I have chosen the interactive version - I LOVE interactive cards.

 Here is the sketch.  The card is called a Swing Easel card and instructions can be found here.

I'm proud that I actually followed the instructions and hand cut the card.  I have several dies that will make this type of card (or one very similar) but I wanted to take the dare and make this the "old-fashioned" way.  I had fun although I admit the first time I cut the swinging square, I did it backwards and had to start over!

This type of card can be decorated in an infinite variety of ways.  I decided to use one of my favorite current Stampin' Up! sets, Nothing's Better Than.  It features four of my favorite "C"s - coffee, cocktails, chocolate and cookies!  I have made cards with the first three Cs and wanted to make one with the fourth.  (I have links to the other cards above.)

While visiting a friend last week, she insisted I take home some homemade chocolate chip cookies.  She told me she makes a batch every week because her husband loves them (and they don't need all the calories.)  I can't wait to give her this card!

For me, this is one of the best sets Stampin' Up! has come out with in awhile.  It can have a modern or a retro vibe and the sentiments are super fun.  Very versatile for any lover of the four "C"s!

Products used:

• Stamps: Stampin' Up! Nothing's Better Than
• Dies: Stampin' Up! Love You More
• Ink: Memento Black, Crumb Cake, Cinnamon Cider

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Double Challenge Card

Happy Tuesday!  I have a card doing double duty this week for the Color Challenge at Splitcoaststampers and the Sketch Challenge at CAS Colours & Sketches.

The colors this week are Highland Heather, Rich Razzleberry and Pear Pizzazz.  I think these colors are very pretty together and could make a gorgeous floral card.  Unfortunately, I don't  think that happened here.  While I'm not ashamed of it and will certainly give it out, I feel it falls a bit flat.

I tried using some new dies and have seen stunning results with them where one color of cardstock is used and each layer is inked to create several shades.  So these flowers are all Highland Heather.  I think the issue for me is that the dark layer is of the same tone as the Rich Razzleberry so there is not much contrast here.

I'm sure I could get this to look better with some tweaking however, I just didn't have the time today.  And a color challenge is what it is - a challenge with set colors.  On the other hand, I love the layout Samantha has for us.  It's a mini slimline - 3.25 x 6.25 inches.  A fun new shape.  Unfortunately I didn't have dies to use (I would have loved a stitched or scalloped panel) but cutting the panel was fine.  Now I'll be on the lookout for mini slimline dies.  LOL!

Products used:

• Stamps: Stampin' Up! Brushed Blooms
  
• Dies: Stampin' Up! Beautiful Brushstrokes
  
• Ink: Highland Heather, Pear Pizzazz
  
• Paper: Peaceful Poppies DSP, Highland Heather, Pear Pizzazz

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A Happy Butterfly from Stamps of Life

A new month brings a new hostess at CAS Colours & Sketches.  This month our hostess is Samantha.  She has picked a classic combination to start the month - Smoky Slate, Daffodil Delight and Basic Gray - very sophisticated!

So of course, I went with a very un-sophisticated stamp set.  However, it is fun and seemed to fit the colors.  This butterfly looks so happy!

I'm trying to use more of my NBUS (never-been-used-schtuff) and this is one of them.  I belong to the monthly stamp and die club from the Stamps of Life;  I'm guessing I've been a member for at least 5 years.  Do the math - I have a bunch of sets I've never used!

I pulled out this butterfly and decided she was perfect for the colors.  A fun and easy card to make! (BTW - Stamps of Life are marketed as easy, yet impressive cards to make.  They do fit that bill - especially their interactive cards!)

Products used:

• Stamps and dies: TSOL Butterfly2 stamp, Patterns4butterfy
• Dies: TSOL Edges
• Ink: Daffodil Delight, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate

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