Carte Postale Color Challenge

I've seen the K. Werner Color Challenge for quite a few months, but I finally decided to participate today. Here's her color combination for the week:

Here's the card I made:

I stamped the rose onto watercolor paper and then painted it with a blender pen, then I used the versamarker to add ink exactly where I wanted to apply embossing powder. I added a layer of clear embossing powder, and then highlighted some areas with glassy glaze embossing powder.
If you look closely, you'll see the edge of the whisper white card stock gently rolled around the old olive card stock, which has some faux-stitching running along its edge.

Here's a close-up of the embellishments:
Scroll down for links to the supplies I used.

All supplies Stampin' Up!:
Stamps: Carte Postale*, French Script**, Baroque Border
Card Stock & Paper: Old Olive, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White,
Parisian Summer DSP, Watercolor Paper
Classic Ink: Old Olive, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette
Craft Ink: Old Olive, Versamark
Accessories & Tools: Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Versamarker, Blender Pens,
Clear Embossing Powder, Glassy Glaze Heat Embossing Powder, Heat Tool,
Uni-Ball Signo Gel Pen, Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, 1 1/4'' Circle Punch,
1 3/8 Circle Punch, Dimensionals, Sponges, SNAIL

*Retired Stamp Set
**Retired, but there's a current stamp set that is similar

Vintage Skaters

I wanted to make this card look as vintage as the stamp set, so I aged the card with a few techniques. I made the skating image look like it's under cracked glass. I distressed the card stock by crumpling it in my hands, by sponging ink on it, and by drawing the ink pad across it.

I used the glassy glaze enamel heat embossing powder and versamark ink to create several layers of "glass." Then I put it in the freezer until it cooled. Then I bent the image several times to create the fissures in the "glass." Then I sponged over it with ink to show the cracks.

You can see some hodgepodge hardware too that just adds the final vintage touch.

Click on underlined supplies to go to the online store. To purchase supplies, create a user name and password, log-in, then search for demonstrators (list my name to get a 10% discount) and then order the items you would like.
Contact me with your questions or concerns.

All Supplies SU!
Stamps: Winter Post
CS: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Versamark
DSP: Hostess Pack
Ink: Really Rust, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Chocolate Chip 5/8'' grosgrain ribbon, HodgePodge Hardware (this particular finish has retired, but there are two current finishes of HodgePodge that are beautiful), Glassy Glaze Emboss Enamel, Sponges, SNAIL, Pop-Up Glue Dots, Dimensionals
Tools: Heat Tool, Ticket Corner Punch, 1/8'' punch,

Ice Skaters

Here's another card made from the Winter Post stamp set.

You can see how it looks like an old-fashioned post card.
Scroll down to see the list of supplies.
Click on the supplies to get more information.

All supplies SU!
Stamps: Winter Post, Best Yet
CS: Red Riding Hood, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla
Classic Ink Pads: Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke
Stampin' Write Markers: Apricot Appeal
Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Red Riding Hood Taffeta Ribbon, Linen Thread, SNAIL, Stampin' Dimensionals, Blender Pens

Snowflake Cards

Here are some simple snowflake cards.
Hopefully you've enjoyed the snow we've had so far this season.
This snowflake comes from the Winter Post stamp set on pp. 10-11 of the Holiday Mini Catalog.
Click here to see it. I like the classic, vintage look of this snowflake and played around with different color combinations. Actually, I only tried two, but the possibilities are endless.
Clicke here to try get your own snowflake set to try out your own ideas.

Stamps: Winter Post, Best Yet (Hostess Set)
CS: Naturals Ivory
Ink: Ruby Red Craft Ink, Always Artichoke Classic Ink
Accessories & Tools: Red Riding Hood Taffeta Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Stamps: Winter Post
CS: Brocade Blue
Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink
Accessories & Tools: Brocade Blue 5/8'' grosgrain ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Bethlehem Card: Happy Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

This card reminds us to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas when the best gift of all time was presented to each of us.

All supplies SU!:
Stamp: City of David (retired)
CS: Brocade Blue, So Saffron, Watercolor paper
Inks: Chocolate Chip Craft and Classic ink pads, Always Artichoke Classic ink pad
Accessories & Tools: Brocade Blue 5/8'' grosgrain ribbon, clear embossing powder, heat tool, Stampin' Write markers (Soft Subtles), Blender Pens, SNAIL, dimensionals

Snowman!

We've gotten a snow day, snowed in, and a delay. (Yeeeheeee!)
The snow conditions weren't right to build one outside, so here's a snowman card.
There's actually no stamping on this card. This reminds me of a snowman my mom has.
Enjoy, and try to stay warm and cozy!

All materials SU!
CS: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie
Ink: Baja Breeze, Whisper White Craft, Basic Black
Accessories: Button Bouquet, Kiwi Kiss-Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Paper Snips (especially for the branches), Blender Pens, Sponges, Glue Dots, Crystal Effects (see eyes and nose).

Snowflake Ornament

Here's a Christmas Ornament made with a circle punch.

The snowflake is from Winter Post and the sweet little button is from the Button Bouquet.

Here's an aerial view.

SU! Materials:
Vellum, Winter Post, Ruby Red Craft Ink, Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Circle Punch, Sticky Strip/ Glue Dots, Red Button

Non SU! hemp (because I don't have any SU! Linen Thread).

French Scripted Pears

I made this set of cards with an elegantly rustic theme.

I made this box from card stock and sticky strip to hold the cards, and then even made a mini gift card/ tag.

Scroll down for supplies.

All supplies are Stampin' Up! except for the hemp twine.
Retired Stamp Sets: All Natural, French Script, Thanks, Simple Delights
CS: Chocolate Chip & Old Olive
Classic Ink: Chocolate Chip & Old Olive
Craft Ink: Old Olive
Embellishments: Clear Embossing Powder, Twill Tape, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon,
Tools: Circle Punches, Hand Held Circle Punch, Heat Tool

Masculine Birthday Card

You all know how difficult it is to come up with masculine cards, so here's some simple inspiration for you.

I was playing around with the French Script background stamp and decided to make a card element using that stamp and the large star punch. I thought I'd use it on a scrapbook page, but then it turned into a masculine birthday card. I stamped the background, punched it out, and roughed up the edges. Some of you will definitely want to sponge some ink around the edges.

CS: Naturals Ivory, Brocade Blue, and Chocolate Chip Ink: Old Olive Accessories: 5/8'' Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals

p.s. French Script is retired but En Francais is current. They are practically the same stamp, except the font is different. As far as styles are concerned, the retired one is more antique, and the current one is more wedding/ romantic.

Coneflower in December

It's December, but I still have autumn flowers in my head.

Here's another coneflower made using punches. To add a little more texture to the petals, I used the Designer Series Paper that is one of the level one hostess gifts. I stamped the French Script background with Old Olive ink onto Naturals Ivy cardstock. I cut a narrow strip of paper for the stem. For the leaf I punched an oval of Old Olive cardstock, scored it, crumpled it, and cut around the edges. The banner is made from a swath of Really Rust card stock. I inked up just part of the thank you stamp from Sincere Salutations for the short and sweet greeting.

All supplies Stampin' Up!:
Stamps: French Script, Sincere Salutations
CS: Naturals Ivory, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Really Rust,
More Mustard DSP from the hostess packet.
Ink: Old Olive, Really Rust
Accessories: 1''circle punch, oval punch, paper snips

Baby Cards

One of my friends recently made some baby cards, and she helped me to finally get around to make these cards for the new babies in my life.
I used my punches to dress up these cards.

For a girl:

A couple years ago I wouldn't have thought that pink and brown coordinated or were feminine. But, the combination has grown on me and these days they seem to be quite an elegant pair of colors. I stamped the teddy bear in Pink Pirouette in the background, and then punched out some stars, and applied them to the card. I even cut a couple, so that it looks like it was cut from a larger piece of card stock. I made a little medallion with the teddy bear and Crystal Effects. I finished it off with a length of chocolate chip ribbon.

Stamp sets: Family Accessories (109377) and Family Phrases (111016)
CS: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Star Punch, 1-1/4" circle punch, 1" circle punch, oval punch, blender pen, crystal effects, chocolate chip 5/8 grosgrain ribbon

For a boy:
I like how this color combination worked out.
You'll see a starry background if you look closely. To make the circle-cut-out-stars, I first punched out the star, and then centered the star inside the circle punch. If you have some paper punches, see what else you can come up with. I'd like to see your results.

Stamp Sets: Family Phrases (111016), Starring You (111696)
CS: Bordering Blue, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie
Ink: Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: 1'' circle punch, small star punch, large star punch, oval punch, twill tape, dimensionals, and glue dots