Kim's Vintage Vogue swap...

Kim added lots of texture with the Polka Dot embossed background, the curled up petals of the flower, the shiny smoothness of the Pretty in Pink epoxy brad, and the satin ribbon on this Vintage Vogue card.

American Ink swap time!

It's always fun to get together with my downline for a couple hours of swapping cards, stamping fabulous make & takes, eating and chatting.

I'll share a few swaps here that use Sale-a-Bration items you can get for FREE with every $50 purchase. These are by Heather (Good Neighbor), and Michelle W. (Happy Moments).

Enjoy your weekend!

A textured diecut daisy card...

This Bermuda Bay and Whisper White card was my swap at our last American Ink gathering.

It's a Whisper White card with a Bermuda Bay Top Note that's been run through the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.

The daisy is a diecut that I ran Bermuda Bay print patterns through, adding a jumbo white brad to hold the layers together before adhering it to the Top Note with dimensionals.

The greeting is from the Level 2 Picnic Parade set, and punched out with the Wide Oval Punch.

Spring Stamp Camp chick card...

It was a marathon stamping day yesterday as my American Ink Stampin' Up! group first met at 11 a.m. for a "meeting" (i.e. lots of stamping and door prizes), followed by my Spring Stamp Camp, which featured five projects.

I love the ladies in my group, as well as all they have to share (stamping and food!). We had quite a spread yesterday.

This chick, from the Eggcoutrements stamp set, was stamped off in Regal Rose ink on Whisper White card stock, hand cut, and adhered with dimensionals. The sentiment is from the FREE Sale-a-Bration stamp set Happy Moments.

The white layer is adhered to Pretty in Pink, then those layers are adhered with dimensionals to some gorgeous and sparkly Sending Love paper, also layered on Pretty in Pink on a Whisper White card.

It's simple, sparkly, mostly monochromatic (except for the Basic Brown sentiment), and lots of layers for a nice feel.

This card was CASE'd (except for the designer paper) from one I saw on Andrea Walford's blog here.

Spring Stamp Camp bunny card...

Rub-ons and sparkly rhinestones are fun and easy to use on cards, and unique.

The bunny image is the only stamped part of this Whisper White card. It comes from the Eggcoutrements set in the Occasions Mini, along with the rhinestones and floral rub-on (Eggcellent Eggs Kit).

We stamped the bunny in Rich Razzleberry ink and punched it using the 1-1/4" Circle Punch. It layers perfectly on a 1-3/8" Rich Razzleberry circle, and a Whisper White scallop circle.

Tip: When applying the rhinestones, use a paper piercer to gently "pull" a rhinestone from a line of rhinestones and place with your opposite index finger.

The designer paper is from the Level 3 hostess bundle Lovely Flowers. This card was inspired by Andrea Walford.

Spring Stamp Camp bird house

Using the Mini Milk Carton die for the Big Shot, I made this bird house one of the Spring Stamp Camp projects Saturday.

The milk carton is So Saffron, then we ran a Hugs (Occasions Mini) through the Polka Dot embossing folder for the roof. For embellishment, we added a Chocolate Chip felt flower, a 3/4" circle of So Saffron and a Filigree Flower brad with a silver center.

Before the milk carton was put together using Sticky Strip, I punched a 1" hole for the pink bird (these chicks always conjure up fond memories of Easters past for me).
I used the Eggcoutrements stamp set to stamp the long scallop image along the bottom of the bird house.

My great idea: Make a bunch of these bird houses in pastel colors and hang from a tree, or make a mobile! How fun is that?

Spring Stamp Camp basket...

The coolest thing about this basket is that it uses one 12" x 12" sheet of designer paper, a metal ring and some ribbon. After that, add grass or goodies or whatever you like!

To make this: Score at 4" and 8", then turn the paper and score at 4" and 8" again. It should look like a tic-tac-toe board. Now take one corner into your hands and score from where the score lines meet to the outside corner. Repeat on each corner. You should have a diagonal score line on each corner.

I punched a 1/8" hole about 1/2" down from each corner. You bring those to the middle and put the metal ring through the holes. The ring will be mostly horizontal. Now add knots of ribbon all the way around (so you don't see the ring anymore), and finish as desired.

(Note: If you fold the corners out instead of in, you can overlap two corners and staple/add a brad to secure them in place, then do the same on the other side and get a box - without the lid - that you can add a handle to.)

Tiny Tags & I (Heart) Hearts card...

I love the collage look of this card.

The body is Kraft card stock that's been stamped all over with the Vintage Vogue stamp set, some of the images stamped off.

The Real Red layer features the Faux Suede technique (basically curl the card stock with your bone folder as you would scissors with curling ribbon. The card stock will separate into two layers, with the insides feeling like suede.)

For the flower, I used two strips of 1" Real Red card stock, each punched with the Eyelet Border Punch, then sponged with Chocolate Chip ink and run through the paper crimper a few times (you can run both strips through the crimper at the same time)., then I tore it a bit to make it look distressed.

I put down some SNAIL adhesive on the Real Red layer where I wanted the flower, and started from the outside, winding the paper in a circle. The crimping helps break down the paper fibers so they give easier. A jumbo Chocolate Chip brad was adhered to the center with dimensionals.

The heart is from I (Heart) Hearts. I stamped it in Chocolate Chip ink on Kraft paper and hand cut it out, sponging the edges before adding a red rhinestone brad. It's adhered onto the card front with dimensionals.

I used Kraft taffeta ribbon for the knot, and used the Tiny Tags stamp set with the Medium Jewelry Tag punch for the tag, adding it to the ribbon with linen thread.

Kimberly at Stampin' By The Sea inspired this card with a box of hers.

Something Sweet square cards...

I've been waiting for an excuse to use this Something Sweet stamp set (in the Occasions Mini), so I created a card class!

For one project, stampers could choose to make this gumball card or the baby card below, depending on which card they needed.

I started with a 5-3/8" square Whisper White card, with a square of Shades of Spring designer paper. I used my FREE Scallop Trim Border Punch ('cause I bought $50+, of course) on a piece of Soft Suede print paper, securing a knot of Pretty in Pink satin ribbon.

I found it easier to punch a 1-3/4" hole for the Sweet Treat Cup before stamping the bottom of the gumball machine. The little balls inside are edible pearls used in cake decorating.

The final touch is a filigree flower brad with a pink rhinestone brad.

The baby card uses the same supplies, though instead of a brad, we added a Soft Suede polka-dot ribbon knot on the rattle.

This card was CASE'd from here.

Textured Abundant Hope card...

I love the texture on this Abundant Hope card. (The stamp set may be found in the Occasions Mini Catalog.)

The More Mustard half uses textured card stock, while I used the Polka Dot embossing folder on the Whisper White half. The other layers are Night of Navy and Old Olive card stocks.

This daffodil stamp is made more lily-like by using a white gel pen to cover some of the details lines. We used watercolor crayons and an aqua painter to color the image.

The sentiment comes in the Abundant Hope stamp set. It was stamped in Night of Navy ink, punched using the Modern Label Punch, sponged around and then adhered with dimensionals.

This card was CASE'd from www.brandyscards.com.

My Matryoshka layered card...

I think the My Matryoshka stamp set is so pretty. The biggest of the four stamps is used here.
Starting with the top layer, the colors are Whisper White, Melon Mambo, pierced Blushed Blossom, Pretty in Pink and Melon Mambo card stock. With all those layers, it's got a nice weight to it.
Buy the stamp set and all those packs of paper, plus some Pink Taffeta ribbon, and you may select the Whimsical Words stamp set for FREE from the Sale-a-Bration Mini Catalog (freebies available with every $50 order).
This card was CASE'd from Jenn D. here.

Cracked glass Friends 24-7 card...

My technique lovers made this card using the Friends 24-7 stamp set and Cracked Glass Technique recently, although they sponged around the Very Vanilla bird layer before doing the technique.

Here's how to do Cracked Glass Technique: Stamp your image on card stock and sponge, distress or punch corners as you like.

Cover entire area with VersaMark ink (tapping the pad onto the paper is the easiest way to do this), then cover with Glassy Glass Enamel. Heat and repeat this step two more times. Let it cool a minute and then bend layer so it cracks. It's very cool.

Then you finish the card as you like!

Totally Tool faux panel...

This tape measure from the Totally Tool stamp set made a great non-traditional Valentine for my hubby, who uses a tape measure almost every day at work.

We stamped it in Old Olive and sponged around the Very Vanilla layer before adhering it to Old Olive card stock. A few small parts were colored in using the Crushed Curry marker.

I love the row of houses in the Welcome Neighbor pad of paper you can get for FREE with a $50 order. It's a good fit with the Totally Tool stamp set.

We sponged Crushed Curry ink on Very Vanilla to make it look paneled. Then to mimic nail heads, I used Circle Brads.

Emboss resist technique on thank-you card...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Gratuitous Graffiti is my friend Holly's favorite stamp, or so it seems. I borrowed a page from her book - literally - with this Emboss Resist Technique card for my technique class last week.

Visit Holly's blog by clicking here.

Here's the technique: Stamp the image in VersaMark ink on Glossy White card stock. Pour White Embossing Powder over it, tap off excess and heat. Using sponges and ink pads, sponge areas of color all over glossy card stock. That's it! I used Yoyo Yellow, Orchid Opulence and Lovely Lilac.

I finished with the FREE Whimsical Words stamp set, stamped in Orchid Opulence and punched out with the Curly Label Punch. We sponged around it and added an ice circle rhinestone brad before adhering it to the top layer with dimensionals over white grosgrain ribbon.

There's a strip of Lovely Lilac card stock that's been Scallop Edge Punched, layered on top of a piece of Shades of Spring designer paper (Occasions Mini) on a Whisper White card.

Enjoy your day, and thanks for visiting!

A ribbon flower Messages for Mom...

I had a request from one of my best customers for a flower made from ribbon. I borrowed this idea from the Occasions Mini, page 29.

There are such nice sayings in the Messages for Mom stamp set, along with MOM and a lovely spray of flowers I used on the envelope.

This card is Whisper White with Sending Love specialy paper, Soft Suede card stock and a knot of Real Red satin ribbon (so soft and beautiful!).

I started with 6 inches of Soft Suede polka-dotted ribbon, because it took me awhile to find the "right" thread with a paper piercer. This thread will gather the ribbon. Pull a thread from each end (you really only need about 4 inches of ribbon) and you'll get a flower when you join the ends. The Real Red corduroy brad and Eyelet Border Punch used near the bottom of the card add great texture.

Garden from the Heart club card...

My club members will get to make this beautiful card this month.

It features the Garden from the Heart and Well Scripted stamp sets from the Occasions Mini.

The hat was stamped in Basic Gray ink and colored in with a Sahara Sand ink pad and sponge dauber, as well as markers - Dusty Durango for the hat band, and Garden Green and So Saffron for the flowers. We added the white dots on the hat band - to coordinate with the ribbon - with a white Unibal gel pen.

We used a Cutter Kit to distress the edges of the Whisper White layer, which is adhered over a knot of Dusty Durango polka-dotted ribbon and a strip of Sahara Sand card stock that's been stamped with the herbs.

I saw a card like this on the Klompenstampers blog.

Sweet Pea & Happy Moments card...

Sweet Pea designer paper pack offers a wide variety of colors and designs sure to please everyone.

I love the fun colors and pattern in this piece of paper. We stamped the birthday cake from Happy Moments, colored it in with watercolor crayons and an aqua painter and layered in on Taken with Teal card stock.

A strip of Taken with Teal card stock has been punched with the Scallop Trim Border (another item you can get FREE with a $50 purchase), and the greeting stamped in Basic Brown.

This was one of my stamp-a-stack cards.

Happy Moments card...

I try to keep a variety of birthday cards on hand because I've got a rather large extended family, in addition to friends and downline.

This bird cage stamp was a FREE one I received with a recent order. You can find it in the Sale-a-Bration Mini Catalog. It's called Happy Moments, and comes wood- or clear-mounted.

This is a 6" square piece of Whisper White card stock, folded in half. It uses a strip of Welcome Neighbor paper (FREE with a $50 purchase thru March 31), layered on Old Olive card stock, with a couple of Earth Elements brads.

Each layer was sponged with Old Olive, and a knot of Pumpkin Pie was stuck on with a mini glue dot. We stamped the bird cage in Pumpkin Pie ink, then used a blender pen to wipe off the bird and ink it up with a Crushed Curry marker.

Big Shot birthday card...

I adore the simplicity of this card.

It features a Real Red Top Note (die cut by the Big Shot), a Fancy Flower Punch flower out of the Sending Love Specialty paper with a Jumbo Very Vanilla Brad, and a few inches of Certainly Celery satin ribbon.

The birthday greeting is from the Well Scripted stamp set in the Occasions Mini, and punched out with the Wide Oval Punch.

And what's better? When you purchase these items, you can select the Whimsical Words stamp set (wood or clear-mounted) for a FREEBIE!

We made this card at my stamp-a-stack on Sunday.

Like-O-Meter card...

"Here's how much I like you - a lot but not like a stalker." I love that phrase!

And now I can make this card for my friends and hubby. It's got a lot of love in it and sparkles on it (love the Sending Love specialty paper!).

I used a 2-way glue pen to have the Dazzling Diamonds glitter "fill" the Like-O-Meter. I punched a Small Heart with that new punch (Occasions Mini), adhered it with a dimensional and added glitter on top of that too.

The card is Very Vanilla card stock, with a strip of Pretty in Pink card stock that's been punched with the Scallop Border Punch, and a layered of Perfect Plum under the top layer. The right corners of the top two layers were punched with the Corner rounder punch.