Too Cool Stamping

Paisley Prints Convention Make & Take CASEs

One of the sets that we received at this year's Convention was Paisley Prints and we made the cutest Make & Take card with it! 

  

Although this card is simple, I think it really packs a lot of punch!  We stamped the Paisley Prints pumpkin once in Pear Pizzazz, then created a cut-out version with markers.  The two-color paisley prints made me love this stamp set!  First we colored the entire pumpkin with the Pumpkin Pie (fitting, right?) marker, then we colored random paisleys with Cajun Craze.  Very easy and very lovely!

We also used VersaMark ink with the coordinating Paisley Party Stampin' Around Wheel to add a subtle border. 

This card opens vertically, which made it easy to wrap around a pretty Pumpkin Pie 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon.  I have to admit that I'm a little challenged when it comes to ribbon pleating, but I'm working on it!  I've discovered there are several ways to approach this technique, depending on how you want the ribbon to look in the end. 

Ideally, I would sew the pleats down, but I don't own a sewing machine.  So, in this card, I tacked down both ends first, then used Glue Dots to tack the pleats down until all the slack was taken up.  Glue Dots are a must for a secure pleat (use them on the backs and fronts of each pleat), and they give your pleats a loose and natural look.

I liked this card design so much, I tried a few variations...

Here's another pumpkin card, this time adding a Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border in Cajun Craze, and more of the Paisley Party wheel design.  Words from the Thank You Kindly set.

Here's another variation using the leaf image.  This time, I tried lining the back of my ribbon with Sticky Strip.  I didn't really like that the pleats looked too flat and "stuck." Not really the look I was going for.  Words are from the Occasional Quotes set.

I love the multiple leaf prints on this one!  Just one of the leaves is multicolored and popped up with Dimensionals.  I also added a Scallop Edge Border along the bottom.  This one is my favorite of the bunch!

I'm really enjoying experimenting with variations of the same card design!  Plus, I end up with a lot more cards without a lot of extra creative thinking!  Always a plus!

See ya next time!

Angie

 

 

Peaceful Season - Simply Irresistible Variations

Can you believe it's almost October?  That's the best month to start designing and creating your holiday cards!  With all the awesome new stamps and accessories in the Holiday Mini Catalog, there's almost too many ideas from which to choose!  How do you decide? 

If you are planning on doing some mass-producing of Christmas cards this year, remember to keep your project easily duplicatable.  With a clean and simple design, your production line will be fun, not overwhelming.  Plus, you can always step-up your simple design when you want to create a few extra-special cards for the most important people on your card list.

For today's examples, I'm starting with a simple design inspired by Sandi MacIver, then adding some additional stamping or different accents to show a variety of looks.

 

The elegant designs from the Peaceful Season Level 2 Hostess set perfectly complement the traditional colors of Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla.  The holly leaves are colored with markers, and the dove is stamped with VersaMark, heat embossed with Gold Embossing Powder, and cut out.  The new Vanilla Seam Binding makes a lovely faux-bow.  So simple, yet very lovely, and super-easy to recreate over and over again!

Then, I tried some variations.

Same design, with two quick additions: the background piece is embossed with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder and the edges of the sentiment are heat embossed with gold. 

Next, I tried stamping off some holly sprigs and adding a real bow to the background piece.  Then I added a pierced border and some Basic Pearls to the greeting.  This one took a little more time to make, but the pretty bow, lighter stamp images, and pearl details soften the look of the card.

It always amazes me how just a few details can change the look of a project so much!  

      

Finally, I stamped more of the background of this card, which probably took the longest to do, since I had to re-color the rubber stamp so many times.  I also threaded a new Deck The Halls Big Button through the Seam Binding before tying a bow.  The thicker button means that this card would need to be sent in its own padded envelope, attached to a holiday package, or hand-delivered.  But you know that special someone would treasure it!

What stamp set will you be using for this year's holiday cards?  I'd love to know in the Comment section below!

Angie

 

 

Batty For You Spider Cards

Don't you hate it when you get ready to do a project, then realize that you are missing a key ingredient?! 

Well, that was me today when I got ready to create a Halloween card with the Spider Web Impressions Folder.  Oh, I had the Spider Web in my possession (finally)...but, I'll be danged if I could find a good spider to live in it! There's a perfect one in From The Crypt, by the way.

The only spider I had was the whimsical one in the Batty For You stamp set—that's not creepy and scary AT ALL!  Oh well.  Here we go!

  

Since it was a circular stamp, I went with a window-style card.  The stamp is punched with the 1-3/8" Circle Punch, and the window is punched with the 1-3/4" Circle Punch.  With so many card stock layers, I had to punch my window first, then trace that circle onto the Pumpkin Pie and Black layers separately.  You could use a die, like the Movers & Shapers Die with the Holiday Windows Accessory Dies, to easily cut all layers at once. 

I used the Spider Web embossing folder on Black card stock, then sponged lightly over the raised texture with White Craft Ink.

I finished off the card with some old striped ribbon I had and three Glimmer Brads.  Ooooh!  These are awesomely sparkly!  They come in four different color assortments: Basics, Brights, Subtles and In Color.  The Old Olive ones I used are from the Brights package. 

  

Here's another Dazzling version!  After sponging the Web in White Craft Ink, I outlined it with the 2-Way Glue Pen and glitterized it with Dazzling Diamonds!  Talk about awesomely sparkly!

I wrapped the card in more old striped ribbon.  The bow is a separate piece, gathered together with one of the Pumpkin Pie Glimmer Brads and adhered with a Mini Glue Dot.

Fun stuff! 

Inside Cover Girls!

A few days ago, I went to my mailbox and was excited to see my October Stampin' Success magazine waiting for me.  It's a magazine exclusively for demonstrators, filled with all the latest product information, business tips, and stamping techniques. 

Anyhow, I open it up and, much to my surprise, Darla and me are right there on the Table of Contents page!

  

Here we are dancing and cheering for country singer Charlie Jenkins during Awards Night.  Wow!  I think it's our first step to becoming FAMOUS Stampin' Up! demonstrators! 

Since I know you're so impressed, I'll even make you a special offer!  If you sign up to be a demonstrator before October 18th, not only will you receive this awesome Greenhouse Gala Craft Tote (valued at $39.95 and exclusive to demonstrators), I will also personally sign your first Stampin' Success magazine!  That is a bargain at any price!  Can you imagine what my autograph will be worth when I become a stamping celebrity?  And, you can say you knew me when...! 

LOL!

Angie

House of Haunts Sunset Card

  

I've been wanting to try a House of Haunts sunset card for so long, but I was intimidated by the background.  I don't mind telling you that I spent over two hours trying to brayer a sunset that was just right.  No luck.  To say I am not Michelle Zindorf, is a huge understatement. 

Then, I relented and tried using Sponges...much better!  I highly recommend them for the brayer-challenged like me. 

Sunset How-Tos

I started with a piece of White Glossy card stock, because the ink stays on the surface longer for easy blending.  After rubbing over the entire piece with the Embossing Buddy to eliminate static and oils from fingerprints, I stamped the house and tree images with VersaMark, then heat embossed with Black Embossing Powder.

For the background, I started by sponging on Daffodil Delight across the center, making sure to cover the moon image.

Next, I masked the moon with a 1-3/8" punch out (held in place with temporary adhesive).  I then sponged Pumpkin Pie on the upper part of the Daffodil, and sponged Always Artichoke along the bottom where I wanted my yard to be.  This picture also shows some Early Espresso sponged along the bottom edges for depth.

I finished by sponging Rich Razzleberry next, and then sponging Night of Navy to the top edges.  When I lifted the mask, my bright yellow harvest moon shines beautifully!

Other Card Details

I embossed the "Happy Halloween" on another piece of sponged glossy card stock and punched it out with the Wide Oval Punch.

I embossed the tree design on black card stock, and used that for a shiny decoration on the Bat Punch.

And the Pinking Hearts Border Punch isn't only for Valentine's projects!  The pointy edges look fantastically scary with Halloween projects, too!

So, it may not be a Zindorf, but I think my House of Haunts is still pretty cool and creepy!  :-P

Angie

French Foliage Panel Card

Here's another quick French Foliage card I created.  See!  I told you I couldn't get enough of it!  I sponged River Rock on the card stock first, then added leaves and such in Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, So Saffron and Cherry Cobbler, then cut the panels apart.

Funny...I just now realized that I've been calling it "Expresso" and not "Espresso!"  Can you tell I'm not a coffee drinker?  Haha!  I'll have you know that the proofreader in me is completely mortified.

I had fun embellishing this one with the Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware label holder, along with a variety of ribbons: Chantilly Crochet Trim, 1/8" ESpresso Taffeta, and Linen Thread.  Lots of cards I've seen recently have featured layers of ribbon, especially in combination with buttons, providing lots of interesting texture.  Try it!

The So Saffron layer is from the Regals Patterns DSP Stack that I shamelessly promoted yesterday!  

The "for you" is from Fresh Cuts.

That's all for today.  I promise to move on to another stamp set...(for a while anyway)...teehee!

Angie

 

 

French Foliage Frenzy!

  

Here's another quick card created with the French Foliage stamp set.  It's easy to get a little carried away with this set—you can't make a mistake!  The images layer together so well!  I found myself trying out all kinds of color combinations and every background I stamped looked awesome—like beautiful decorative paper!

Color Combo: Always Artichoke, Perfect Plum, Cajun Craze (this is THE color for me this Fall), Cherry Cobbler.

   
It was difficult to cover up the lovely background with a second layer and I knew that I had to make it a very simple focal point, so it didn't get too busy-looking.  It was the perfect time to use the larger sentiments in the Word Play set! 

I layered the sentiment on Perfect Plum card stock that's die-cut with the new Scallop Squares Duo Bizg Die in the Holiday Mini.  Then, I accented it with a cut-out leaf, Rhinestone brad, and Cajun Craze striped DSP from the Regals Patterns Stack. 

OMG!  Have you seen these awesome value DSP assortments?  Let's talk about Patterns Stacks! 

     

Patterns Designer Series Paper Stacks—Stampin' Up! reconfigured the old 12-sheet Patterns Packs in single colors into 40-sheet Patterns Stacks that represent EVERY color in each Color Collection—Brights, Regals, Subtles, Neutrals & In-Color! 

You receive two each of two double-sided sheets in each of the 10 colors in a Collection (or, four each of two double-sided for each In-Color).  That's a whole lotta paper—more than 3x the old packs!  Plus, at only $19.95, each sheet is only 49¢ each!  You can't beat it!

Inspire Me! 

I want to see YOUR inspired projects!  Be sure to enter my Be Inspired Contest!  Deadline is September 30th.

Angie

One Card, Many Different Looks

My September Stamp Club participants created the Stampin' Mist Ink Wash card at our last event, and I was fascinated by all of the different looks that everyone had for their cards! 

Of course, one reason for the difference, was that not everyone's Ink Wash technique worked as successfully as others.  We discovered that the more you ink your base card stock, the better the Medallion design will appear.  It's also better that the ink still be fresh, and not thoroughly dry as I originally posted.  I'll be updating my original post with these new tips!

The heated Satin Ribbon Flower was a big hit—I knew it would be!  It's so pretty!

I provided everyone with several colors of inks that they could choose from for the base of their card, which, along with the trial-and-error results, really made everyone's card unique!  I thought it would be fun to show you some of the different designs that were created.  Take a look!

 

 

Peggy Tassler—She used Elegant Eggplant and created a frame around her label using the technique the we learned for the Decorative Label punch layer.  Her medallion wasn't very visible, but the mottled background still looks fabulous!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kari Heitmann—I love the Cherry Cobbler color combination!  She also layered her Modern Label punch by cutting the second punch in half and adhering them to the sides of the original punch.  The medallion wasn't very defined, but the Smooch Spritz made the background dazzle!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Baker—Oooo, monochromatic!  Love it!  This Soft Suede and Very Vanilla color scheme gives the card simple elegance!  Couldn't you see it as a wedding or anniversary card?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deb Pott—I knew Deb would choose purple (she loves that color!), and even though the medallion didn't come out well, the direct-to-paper background is so pretty with the shimmery Smooch! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carmen DeBruce—There's a little serendipity going on with this creation.  Carmen forgot to mist her stamp with Stampin' Mist, so she only had VersaMark on her Medallion.  She used the heat tool to dry and darken the image, and consequently, it caused the entire piece to take on an oxidized look that perfectly matched the Soft Suede color!  Another example of taking a "mistake" and turning it into awesome creativity!  She added pleated ribbon and a double-layer sentiment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annie Kolb—Annie was one of our guests.  I love how she took the basic ideas and made them her own!  Her medallion didn't show up very well, but she made up for that with some fantastic embellishments!  She added Cajun Craze ink to the edges of satin ribbon flower, and used extra ribbon petals as a pretty border.  The sentiment, punched with the Decorative Label punch, looks great tucked behind the flower.

 

 

 

 

 

Jennifer Fisher-Ponko—I love how Jennifer makes the flower the true and simple focal point of her Elegant Eggplant card.  She used less ink the the background, so the medallion didn't show up at all, but again, the softer look, with all the ink pad edge lines, gives is a lot of interest.  She chose to keep her ribbon petals square and I love the pointy look that results! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kathy Kolb—Kathy's medallion showed up pretty well, just not in my picture.  She wanted a larger sentiment, so she tried out the Decorative Label punch frame in So Saffron and Old Olive.  Very nice!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(I realized, after the fact, that I had missed taking photos of Judy's and Kim's projects—I apologize that yours aren't featured here!)

So, I discovered a few things during our experimenting... 

• First, no one liked my Pacific Point/Soft Suede color combination!  Pffft!  *pouts* 
• Second, with just a few variables (like color or punches), you really can get A LOT of different looking styles of cards!
• Finally, even if the original technique or design doesn't work the way you originally intended, it doesn't mean that you can't "go with the flow" and create something absolutely fabulous.  You know what they say about makin' lemonade!  

Be sure to come and experiment with us at our next Stamp Club meeting on October 8!  Contact me for more information.

Angie

 

Stamp Club September Showcase

I've already posted a few of the projects showcased at our September Stamp Club Show & Tell, but there several more I wanted to share.

Halloween Treat Holders

  

Peggy Tassler made this darling, tri-fold Mummy Treat Holder.  It would also be awesome for a gift card holder.  I found another example of a tent-style Mummy Treat Holder that has the same look.  Cute and quick!

This sparkly spider, also created by Peggy, is a cute Peppermint Pattie cover.  She used a combination of circle punches and the Scallop Circle punch for the body, and the Modern Label Punch cut in half length-wise for the legs. 

Unfortunately, she said that it's becoming difficult to find the old-style wrapped patties that work the best with this project.  I've always loved making these cute little covers for all kinds of occasions with stamped images or punched characters.  You can see lots of other Peppermint Pattie Covers for Halloween and much more at Splitcoast.

  

Linda Cox used the Milk Carton Die to create lots and lots of cute Halloween treats for her friends.  I wonder what she put inside?  Curious!  If you need to create a bunch of treats in a hurry, a die-cut treat makes your assembly line much easier!  You could use the Batty For You stamp set and punch them out with a Circle Punch for even faster accents on the front of the carton.  Awesome job, Linda!

Make-Your-Own Bat

  

Peggy showed us how to make our own punched bats without the Bat Punch.  She cut a 1-1/4 Circle Punch in half, then folded it in half.  Use a 1/4" hole punch to take three nips out of the round edge for the bottom of the wing, and one nip out of the straight edge by the fold to create the ears.  Finally, cut along the straight edge to finish the shape of the wing and head.  Great idea, Peggy!

Butterfly Embossed Impressions

In this Carmen DeBruce original card, I love how she embeds Beautiful Wings butterflies with the Square Lattice Impressions Folder, and then adds a second, popped-up and pearled layer to three of the butterflies.  The pearl details on the butterflies are a lovely touch.  Very pretty design! 

Origami Christmas Ornament

Carmen created a beautiful, intricately folded Christmas ornament with the Jolly Holiday DSP.  You can use different colors and patterns of paper to make the lovely origami flowers for box toppers, picture frames, and much more.  Learn how to make the ornament here.

Christmas Cards

 

 

Peggy showed us some of her latest Christmas cards.  These were created with the Delightful Decorations stamps (with coordinating Ornament Punch) and Serene Snowflakes.

These were just some of the awesome projects we saw!  Sharing projects and ideas is one of the most exciting parts of Stamp Club!  As much as I enjoy showing my projects and teaching new techniques, I get the most satisfaction when I see what everyone else has created!  I love that we inspire each other!  Keep sharing those fantastic projects and tips, ladies! 

Speaking of Inspiration! 

I want to see YOUR projects!  Be sure to enter my Be Inspired Contest!

Angie

 

 

French Foliage Is My Fall Favorite

Autumn is my favorite time of year, and the French Foliage stamp set, with its realistic looking leaves and collage-style images, is definitely my favorite of the season!  It works so well with so many stamping techniques, too.  I'm looking forward to trying emboss resist, watercolors, and pastels.  But first, I had to experiment with the style that French Foliage perfectly lends itself to...layered stamping! 

   

My card design was CASEd from 4everstamping at Splitcoast.

One thing I discovered right away about the French Foliage images—they would make a fantastic One Sheet Wonder!  If you're not familiar with that term, it refers to random stamping over an entire sheet of card stock to create your own decorative paper, then cutting it up to use pieces on different cards.  All of the images layer so perfectly with each other, so creating a Too Cool background is effortless!

For my randomly stamped background, I started with the script words in Night of Navy, then added leaves in Cajun Craze, More Mustard and Pear Pizzazz, and finished by filling in the white areas with Rich Razzleberry splotches and Pear postmarks.

I also used a little Vanilla Smooch Spritz on the background for some shimmer. The result was so pretty I didn't want to cover it up, but I need a base to place my cut-out leaves, so I used a torn and sponged strip of Vellum Paper. 

I LOVE how the cut-out leaves look so REAL!  For these, I inked the image in one color, then dabbed the edges in another color.  Kind of a modified Rock & Roll technique.  Once the leaf was stamped on Whisper White card stock, I sponged more color over the top to fill in the white areas. 

My leaf color combos:

• Cajun Craze, dabbed in Rich Razzleberry, sponged in Razzleberry.
• More Mustard, dabbed in Cajun Craze, sponged in Mustard.
• Pear Pizzazz, dabbed in More Mustard, sponged in Mustard.

After cutting out the shapes, I sprayed them liberally with Vanilla Smooch Spritz, giving them a beautiful sheen.  Be sure to click on the closeup photo to see how awesome they look!

Other Card Details: Greeting from Sincere Salutations, punched with the Scallop Oval and layered on a Decorative Label punch.

Be Inspired Contest

Have you found your inspiration, yet?  Can't wait to see your projects!  More details on how to win a FREE Halloween Frights stamp set at the bottom of this post.

Angie

 

 

Peggy's Pier One Inspired Cards & Contest

Look around your room right now and notice all of the colors and designs just waiting to inspire you!  From a colorful coffee mug to a curtain, a framed art print to the scene outside your window, anything can spark an idea and set your creativity in motion! 

I was reminded of how inspiration is all around us when Peggy Tassler shared three fabulous cards that she created after a few home décor items in the Pier One Imports catalog caught her eye.  Take a look!

Fabulous Inspiration #1

 

Using a similar color combination, Peggy used the Boho Blossoms Punch and 1/2" Circle Punch to mimic the flowers on this chair's upholstery.   She also used the Embedded Embossing technique with the Vintage Wallpaper Impressions Folder. 

Fabulous Inspiration #2

 

This colorful pillow was next!  Again, Peggy used punches and matching colors to recreate a similar design on her card.  The Bird Punches are dressed up with half 1/2" Circles and Itty Bitty Shapes flowers.  The leaves are also from the Bird Punch.  And the flowers are made with a combination of the Boho Blossoms, Blossoms Trio (retired) punches.  She embedded all the shapes with another embossing folder.

Fabulous Inspiration #3

 

Peggy chose another pillow for her final card.  She stamped with a similar design, and colored in the images with a White Gel Pen.  Silk flowers duplicate the pillows floral focal points. Lovely!

What Will Inspire You Today? 

Look around you!  Find some colors or patterns that appeal to you, then use them to get creative!  Remember, your piece of artwork doesn't have to look like a duplicate of the original.  Use a similar color combination or style, or simply select pieces of the design you like most to re-create in your own unique way. 

I'd love to see your inspired projects!  Let's make it a contest for some Blog Candy, shall we?!

Be Inspired Contest

Choose your inspiration, create an inspired project, and be entered to win a new, unmounted wood, retired Halloween Frights stamp set. 

There are three ways to enter: 1) Email pictures of your inspiration and inspired project, 2) Include a link to your inspiration and project in the Comments Section below, or 3) Mail pictures of both to me (contact me for my address if you need it).  Hand-delivery is also acceptable.  All entries must be received by midnight on September 30th. 

Fine Print: All entries will be numbered and the winning number selected by Random.org.  Winner will be announced on October 1, and arrangements will be made for immediate shipment or delivery of the prize.  Entries may be featured on my Too Cool Stamping Blog.  U.S. residents only.

Can't wait to be inspired by YOU!

Angie