Hand Stamped Sentiments - All Stitched Up #80

The challenge this week at Hand Stamped Sentiments is to make something with stitching or faux stitching.  I think my creativity went out the window with this one.....not my best card, I think...LOL  This is my version of faux cross-stitch.  Using Pink Pirouette, Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla.  I used a stamp set from the new IBC Best Friends Forever. Although you can't see it I added Iridiscent Ice Embossing Powder to the heart.,,,IRL it hs many sparkles!  I'd love to be your Stampin Up! Demonstrator, please email me at sherrysinknstamps@yahoo.com. 

I've been bakin' a cake!

Well as you can see I have been busy baking already this morning.  No, not really, but this has got to be the best of both worlds as far as cake goes....Loads of layers, lots of frosting (rhinestones), beautiful decorations (Elements of Style Flourish), and just a few candles.  Can you even imagine what would happen if there were 63 candles on this card.....no card left....all burned up!  LOL.  I thought this was a really cute card idea.  It turned out just like it was in my head.  So Happy Birthday to Me! (Doin' the Happy Birthday Dance).

Two Hearts

This is a classic Valentine card for that special someone.  The Real Red Cardstock base was embossed with the new Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (New Occasions Mini). The two hearts were punched with the heart punch out of Real Red CS and sponged with Cherry Cobbler ink around the edges to give definition.  I glued the hearts to a rectangle of Blushing Bride CS then embossed all together with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder (Idea Book and Catalog). Other layers are Red Glimmer Paper and Love Impressions DSP (New Occasions Mini).  It is topped off with a beautiful bow of white grosgrain ribbon.

Sneaky Peeeeeek!!! Create a Cupcake Gift Card Holder

I am so happy that Stampin' Up! is making so many adorable stamp sets and matching punches. This gift card holder with the belly band is showcasing the Create-a-Cupcake stamp set #121982 (C) $16.95 and the Build a Cupcake punch #121807 $16.95 in the new Occasions Mini available Jan 4th - April 30th, 2011. I used one of the Builder Wheels, Candle Crazy #118618 $4.50 to decorate the belly band. The cupcake was stamped on Cherry cobbler with VersaMark and embossed with White embossing powder.  The 'Icing" on the cupcake is stamped on Whisper White with Cherry Cobbler.  The sprinkles are stamped in VersaMark and embossed with white embossing powder, then a dab of 2-way glue and Dazzling Diamonds tops the cupcake sprinkles. The Build a Cupcake punch is fabulous, not only does it punch out the cupcake and icing, but a candle, cherry and sprinkles taking all of the tedious cutting out of the process. I'd love to send you a new Occasions Mini catalog. Drop me an email and let me know you'd like one.

Sneaky Peeeeeeeek - Bliss - Sale-a-Bration

Here is another SNEAK PEEK of a stamp set that you will be able to get for FREE with a $50.00 purchase beginning Jan 25th - Mar 31, 2011. This set is called Bliss and has 5 different stamp designs in it. The tag was heat embossed with VersaMark and White Embossing Powder.  The large butterfly from Beautiful Butterflies Sizzix Die is Whisper White CS cover in Deck the Halls DPS, the run through the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. The I took a brayer with VersaMark on it and ran over the butter too apply VersaMark to the raised areas, they applied Gold Embossing powder and heat set with Stampin' Up's Heat Tool. The smaller butterfly is stamped with VersaMark onto Brushed Gold CS, sprinkled with Gold Embossing powder and heat set. (sorry pic of the Brushed Gold Cs don't do justice).  It'ss all tied together with Old Olive Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, and 2 of the newest seam binding ribbon in Cherry Cobbler and Pear Pizzazz.

Jolly St Nick

This is the cutest, little guy! Valita's Designs and Fresh Folds designed this cutie from a Christmas decoration she purchased. I couldn't wait to make it.  I did do a couple of things a little different, but all in all the basic design is the same. Please check out the link to Valita's blog above to watch her video and get directions. Valita's directions are the best and most thorough.

SNEAK PEEK - Build-a-Bloom

Here is a sneak peak from the upcoming Occasions Mini at one of the new GO-R-G-E-O-U-S stamp sets called Build a Blossom #121994c $18.95.  It even has a coordinating punch, the Blossom Petals punch #121808 $16.95 that cuts out all of the petals and leaves and flower centers.  Isn't it just so beautiful?  I knew when I first saw it in a preview of the new Occasions Mini, (available January 4th) exactly what colors I wanted to use and what I wanted to do with this set (it has 12 stamps in it yikes!). I paired it with Blushing Bride CS #119796 $6.96 and ink #119786 $5.95, Pear Pizzazz CS #119795 $6.96 and ink#119784 $5.95, Presto Patterns DSP #117175 $11.95 and Cherry Cobbler ink #119669 $5.95.  Are you wondering how I got the glittered detail?  It's done with two-step stamping.  It's made very easy with this stamp set.  I used Heat and Stick Powder #100625 $4.50, a heat tool #100005 $29.95 and once it turns shiny, I sprinkled pink Fine Supernova Glitter #114287 $13.95 (for 5 colors) on top then heat set again.  Stampin' Up's Heat and stick powder is the best thing since sliced bread as far as I'm concerned....no fuss, no mess, no glitter flaking off.   The second picture shows the side view and how I created dimension with the petals.  I wish I could show you the stamp set, but I can't until Jan. 4th.  Let me know you want an Occasions Mini Catalog and I will mail one to you. Then starting January 4th, I'll be able to take your order for this stamp set and punch as well as many other fabulous stamps, paper and accessories only available from Stampin' Up!

Watercolor Wonder Crayons Now Available-Because I Care

The lovely card was made using a technique I had never tried before. Cardstock used was Cherry Cobbler #119685 $6.95 and Blushing Bride #119796 $6.95. The Hydranga  from the Level I Hostess Stamp set Because I Care # 120118 was colored with Watercolor Wonder Crayons (now Available p. 194 $16.95) and misted with Frost White Shimmer Paint #116854 $5.95 mixed with a few drops rubbing alcohol. Once the image was stamped, I used a 2-way glue pen #100425 $3.50 to add Dazzling Diamonds #102023 $4.50 to the leaves and flower centers.

Joy with Deck the Halls

This was a very fast and easy card.  Again, made with left over pieces of Deck the Halls DSP #120810 $9.95.  This paper is just to pretty not to use every little scrap of paper..  The card base is Crumb Cake CS #120953 $6.95.  I used Cherry Cobbler CS #119685 $6.95 as my accent color.  The word 'Joy' was just begging for some Red Fine Galaxy Glitter #114286 $13.95 (5 colors).  Presto Chango!  A card that is something special. Inspiration for this card came from SandiMacIver.com. Thanks, Sandi!

Christmas Collage

This card it simply G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S! I gold embossed the Christmas Collage #121279 stamp (found in the Holiday Mini Catalog) on Glossy CS #102599 $5.95 and heat set. Then brayered (brayer #102395 $12.50) Cherry Cobbler #119669 $6.95 and Pink Pirouette #111838 $6.95 ink to create the gradient effect of the colors. I stamped the '25' again and the sentiment from Sincere Salutations #115068 $23.95 in Cherry Cobbler and then covered them in VersaMark #102283 $7.50 and Iridescent Ice #101930 $4.75 embossing powder and heat set with the Stampin' Up heat tool #100005 $29.95.  I really wanted to add some ribbon, but I didn't want to cover up any of the beautiful art on this stamp.  So I just left it as is.  This would be a stunning card to mass produce for your family and friends.

Deck the Halls with Peace and Joy

These cards use a piece of the Deck the Halls DSP.  I used some scrap pieces I had left over from other projects. I tried 4 times this weekend to edit a video showing you how I made these cards, but 4 times I lost the video because the program crashed.  So maybe later this week I will surprise you with a video if I can get it edited and posted without problems.  I'm not usually a quitter, but today takes the cake.  So, on to the card....Other than the DSP I used Very Vanilla #101650 $8.50 and Cherry Cobbler #119685 $6.95 CS.  I stamped the Very Vanilla background with the Elements of Style flourish #120045 $19.95, and sponged all edges with Crumb Cake ink #121030 and a sponge #101610 $3.50. It's all tied up with a beautiful bow made from 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Old Olive #115618 $9.95 and a gorgeous flower made using the Circles #2 Sizzix Die #114526 $ 15.95 and synthetic fabric.  I learned to make this flower from Tammy Fite's Christmas Newsletter.

Presto Patterns - Christmas Candles All a Glo

The idea for this card came from a Christmas newsletter I received from Terri at Nutz About Stamping.  She is so creative.  She even does a video every Sunday using the Big Shot.  I so look forward to her videos.  This card highlights a unique way to use the Decorative Edge #120907, $16.95 punch to make the candles.  In her newsletter she used the small end of the punch to make 3 candles on her card.  I used the long edge to make a wider candle and used the design on a scrap of Presto Patterns DSP #117175, $11.95 to add interest to my candle design (Cherry Cobbler ink #119669, $5.95 and a sponge #101610, $3.50 to add the color).  I used a piece or Presto Patterns also for the background (Old Olive #102277 ink $5.95 and a sponge #101610, $3.50 to add the color).  The holly leaves come form the Peaceful Season #121124 Hostess set. It was all wrapped up in a piece or 1 1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon # 119771, $9.95 and tied in a beautiful bow, then mounted on a base of Old Olive #100702, $6.95 CS on the Whisper White #100730, $8.50 card base.

Fast & Fabulous

This is the card we did in our technique class tonight where we learned to use the Stamp-a-ma-jig.  It used the Fast & Fabulous #120133 Level 2 Hostess stamp set from Stampin' Up!s 2010-2011 IBC. The sentiment is from Favorite Thoughts #120048 (personally one of my favorite sentiment sets).  We used Cherry Cobbler #119685, Pear Pizzaz #119795 and Whisper White #100730 CS as well as Basic Black #101179 and Cherry Cobbler #119669 ink.  We also used the Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Write Marker #119681 to Spritz the image and the Pear Pizzaz Marker #119801 (set of 5 In-Colors) to color the green leaves and stems. Then added a touch of Pear Pizzaz ribbon #119265. Want to know how I made the decorative edge to my sentiment? Below you can find the link to 4shared.com to a tutorial for creating the decorative edge! Clink on this link for access to the FREE tutorial.

Deck the Halls

This very blingy 4x4" card was designed to use a small left over scrap of the Deck the Halls DSP #120810.  I cut around the image and placed it on top of a Cherry Cobbler #119685 frame which was mounted on top on a Crumb Cake #120953 and another Cherry Cobbler mat.  It was decked out with rhinestones #119246 and a greeting from Teeny Tiny Wishes #115370.

Teddy Bear on a Onesie

This is the cutest Card. Perfect for a baby shower or baby announcement. No babies in my family right now....so I guess I'll just have to keep this one. I've seen many versions of this card on blogs all over the web, so I can't remember who I got the idea from. However, the punch art teddy bear on the front was something I came up with. Isn't it just the cutest thing....and can you tell what in it's mouth? A pacifier, cute huh? Look at those tiny little toes....just makes you giggle doesn't it! The base card is Whisper White CS #100730, trimmed in the Blushing Bride DSP out of the Hostess In-Color paper pack. I used 1 1/4" circle #119861 and scallop circle #119854 punches to cut out the trim for the neck and legs. Punched 1/4" circles for the snaps at the bottom. The sentiment is from Hostess gift Occasional Quotes. Video on how to make the bear will be coming this weekend.
The baby Onesie was inspired by Ilina Crouse.

Deck the Halls act 2

This is another 4x4" card perfect to tuck inside a Christmas gift.  It was made with a scrap of Deck the Halls DSP #120810, mounted on Cherry Cobbler #119685, Crumb Cake #120953 and Old Olive #100702 CS. It is topped off with rhinestones #119246 and a piece of Early Espresso 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon #119964.                                                    

Peaceful Season

This picture does not do this card justice.  It is really G-O-R-G-E-O-U-S and has lots of beautiful sparkle from the Iridescent Ice embossing powder.  I've been using it a lot lately....more than I ever have before.  Maybe it's because the Holiday season is upon us, but mainly I just love SPARKLE.   But like many of you I always grumble because it seemed to get all over the place....but I came up with a solution.  I've discovered that the color catcher #121093 is NOT just for over spray of Shimmer or Smooch mist.  It's great for keeping the embossing powders all in one area too.  Anyway on to the details of this card.  I used the Petals-a-Plenty #116824 embossing folder with Versamark on the debossed side of the folder....added the front of my Whisper White #100730 card and ran it through the Big Shot #113439.  This left Versamark in the recessed areas of the petals.  I sprinkled on Iridescent Ice embossing powder #101930 and set with my heat tool #100005. Talk about beautiful.  I just wish everyone could see this card in person.  I stamped the Dove and leaves in Whisper White Craft ink #101731 on Whisper White and sprinkled on Iridescent Ice, then heat set. I then took sponges with Cherry Cobbler #119669 and Always Artichoke #105219 and went over the top of the dove and leaves with berries.  I cut these out to place on the card.  For the sentiment I stamped it in Versamark ink #102283, then into Cherry Cobbler ink, so it would remain wet enough for Iridescent Ice embossing powder to stick to it, I then heat set and mounted it on a piece of Cherry Cobbler CS #105123 that I punched each corner with the Scallop Trim Corner punch. I tied a large bow of 1 1.4" striped Grosgrain ribbon (Real Red #119768) around the card to add a finishing touch.

Presto Patterns and Cherry Cobbler

Although these card look slightly different, they have been made much the same. Presto Patterms DSP was used for the center of the art piece. It was colored with Cherry Cobbler Ink and a sponge from Stampin' Up! The butterflies were cut using the Sizzix Die Beautiful Butterflies

Happiness Shared

This gorgeous card was made using my new favorite stamp set from the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog, Happiness Shared. The inspiration came from a friend of Diana Gibbs, Tracy Altemose. This is one of the most elegant cards I have ever made. Thanks for the inspiration Tracy! I used the new Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder to emboss the top half (Blushing Bride) of the Top Note Die and the Cherry Cobbler Background Layer. The bottom of the Top Note is Pink Pirouette cardstock. A layer of Pear Pazzaz also outlines the Top Note. I used Crystal Effects to give the flower a dimensional effect and pearls to accent the final card. Please leave a comment. I always enjoy what everyone has to say.

Fifth Avenue Floral

These cards were inspired by my awesome upline Guru Sandi MacIver. I call these my MacIver Roses. As her downline demonstrator I get a copy of all her tutorials to use in my stamping classes and workshops. If you'd like to learn how to use the reinkers to create these beautiful elegant roses from the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set from Stampin' Up!, just let me know.