Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Pennants for Our Party!


Here's one of the cards we'll making this Friday at Stamp Class! I think the whole Pennants thing is so cool and trendy right now - I Love 'em!! And, of course, I love new stamps, but I love 'em even more when they have coordinating punches. Yesss....!



OK, but for class, I sorta cheated, but in a good way! Instead of stamping all the cool little pennant centers (which there are four fun different designs!), I decided to use the new Just Add Cake Designer Papers. Easier - just punch 'em out! Then I used Cardstock for the scallop-edged "background" pennant piece. - Wahlah!

But then we will do a little stamping for the little accent circles on the pennants! - And a super cool secret about all the sayings in the Pennant Parade set - they all fit inside the 3/4" circle punch so you can add them to your pennants - Fun!!



And here's a little fake out - for the string (White Baker's Twine) that holds the pennants all together... it's just two separate bows tied onto the ends. There really isn't a string attaching them all together. You don't really need it because you can just glue them down with a little overlapping to make them look "strung together."


Hope to see you on Friday (the first day to order from the new Catalog too!!),


Julie

Sunday, June 26, 2011

A Royal Flower Fest!


Here's a card I made today, with some help from two Challenges I found!




First, here's the Sketch Challenge from Stampin' Royalty that helped me get going! I hadn't been by to check out their challenges in a while, but glad I did!



And then I found these colors on Create with Connie and Mary that helped me put it all together!




And here's a close-up of the main image. I used the Flower Fest stamp (because I had it out today on my desk from another project I was working on!). And I used the "enjoy" from the Fabulous Phrases set - just love that font, and glad it will be carrying over into the new catalog!

And, of course, when nothing else will do - I had to add in lots of Crumb Cake to make it all better!! I so can't wait for the new catalog so I can order up a ton of the Taffeta Crumb Cake!!




Thanks for stopping by,


Julie B

Friday, June 24, 2011

I'm Back in Action!


Sorry I haven't posted in soo long! But I'm back in action!! I decided to play along with the Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge today. It's kind of set up to be a "Color Block" style layout, but I decided to keep it simple and go with a Monochromatic look!


And here's the Sketch from Stamping 411.



So I used different sides to the Patterns Designer Paper Stack out of Blush Blossom for the "Color Blocking." And the Super Cool Scallop Circle in white is from the new Perfect Pennants Big Shot Die, available July 1st (and it has 4 other awesome pieces on the same die!).

And for the center focal part I used the single stamp, Tiny Teacup. And, yep, it will still be available in the new catalog. And I used the White Bakers Twine for a little somethin' extra for between the layers!




So here's where I was the last few days - it was kind of a trip that all came together just a few days before I left. And I'm so super glad I got to get away for a few days! This was the view from the room - not too bad, huh? I actually brought part of a stamping project I'm working on for Convention to work on (mostly I did it on the plane). But for the most part, it was nice to get away and enjoy some nice pool and beach weather, a few nice dinners out and some time with my hubby!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Open Sea for Dad!


So, yep, here I waited until the morning of Father's Day to make Father's Day cards! Well, better on time (and I guess late for the one going in the mail!), than never!! I wanted to use the Open Sea set so it would coordinate with the Scrapbook Folio I made a couple weeks ago. So I'm CASing this one I found made by Renee Van Stralen, another SU! demo.

I love how this set is so classic, and you pretty much can't go too wrong with it! It's a great masculine set to have - what guy doesn't like something nautical? I just think it works for lots of male cards! And if you're going to buy the set, you gotta have the Nautical Expeditions Papers for the backgrounds.



The ship is so easy to watercolor (even for an amateur watercolorer like me!). And I made everything kind of vintage-y by sponging with Soft Suede.



Of course, my 'fav' linen thread is a cool easy "ribbon" for this card. And I had to finish off the top corner with some Espresso brads!


Hope you have a nice Father's Day Sunday!


Julie

Friday, June 17, 2011

In-Color Color Block!


Here's a quick "Color Block style" thank you card I made with some of the new "goods" coming out in July! I used all the new In-Colors in cardstock (if you count the background Calypso Coral piece). And the "thanks" stamp in the center is from a new hostess set called "Tagtastic." I wouldn't normally have bought a hostess set during the pre-order, but I love this set and know I will use it for lots of cards and projects. All the images coordinate with punches - Yessss!!



So, besides the Calypso Coral in the background, here's a closer-up of the other new In-Colors - Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder and Pool Party. Lovin' these new colors!!


Happy Friday,


Julie

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

I Did It - A Scrapbook Folio!


This is the project we made in stamp class a couple weeks ago. I was super excited to find a Scrapbook project that I felt totally at ease doing for a class (I know those of you who were at the morning class will remind me that I misread my measurements on the technique card!! But I did write the directions - Really!).

Anyway, I was inspired by the project made by Kim Assaly - she made it so easy to follow! So I did put my own design on the colors and papers we used though. I decided to make it masculine, a nice Father's Day gift!



And here it is open (it even has the pictures I put in it!). I'm kind of pretty proud of myself for actually completing a Scrapbook! OK, I know it's only 5 pictures, but I did it!! So this will be a small gift for my hubby for Father's Day this weekend. What else do you get men who buy everything they want or need for themselves!?!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Word Play Graduation


I needed another graduation card - and this saying from the Word Play set made a quick and clean card! I used the school colors and it came together pretty easily!



It's going to be an "in-the-mail" card so I didn't add as much bling and popped up layers as I usually would. But I did try to just keep the colors coordinated. Not sure how well you can see (or how well I did?!), but I colored with Daffodil in the letters of direction to try and keep with the color scheme!


I Love how the Word Play set has some awesome focal pieces that can really stand alone on a card front!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Flirtatious Perfect Details!


I decided to play along with the Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge today! I was inspired by a project I saw on Stampin' Up!'s preview of the new products to use the Flirtatious papers. And, of course, it coordinates with the Delicate Doilies set so I used that too!



And here's the Sketch I used!



The largest doily is cut from the new Flirtatious Specialty Papers - they are awesome with perfect details! (Maybe that's what inspired me to used the Perfect Details Texturz Plate on the Pumpkin layer!) On top of that is a Mambo stamped Delicate Doilies stamp, punched with the 1 3/4" Scallop Circle. Next is a Triple Layer Blossom Bouquet punch, and then a couple Boho Blossom punched flowers. And, of course, a Rhinestone Jewel!!



Here's an even closer-up! I added a Jewelry Tag with a saying from the new Pennant Parade set. I stamped it in White Craft Ink and then Clear embossed it.


Hope you have a great Sunday!


Julie

Friday, June 10, 2011

Goodbye, Always!


Today I decided to stamp with one of my favorite retiring stamp sets, Always! I 'always' had great intentions of using it more often - and then other new stamp sets came along. So I figured I better get it out and use it today!!

I used Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake and Early Espresso - more of my favorites!



Here's a close-up of the always, punched with the 1" and the 1 1/4" circle punches. I also added a banner piece (cut out with the Big Shot Petal Cone die) - that little piece is perfect for so many stamps!

And, maybe you can see, I used the white gel pen to color in the details on the bird.


Don't forget to check the retiring list to make sure you have your favorites before they're gone!!


Julie

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Thanks a Million New In Colors!


I'm super excited about the NEW In Colors that will start on July 1st!! I made this quickie Thank You card to send to a few people. And I mainly made it to show off the incoming In Colors! I love them! In order from left to right, they are Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party, and Lucky Limeade.

I know there are still a few weeks until these are available to order, but I couldn't wait to show you! I'm super excited that we have the Wisteria Wonder color, and right up my alley is Pool Party! But I know I'm going to love using them all!


While these long few weeks of June are ticking away (before the new catalog goes live!), don't forget to check, and double check, the retiring lists that will end on June 30th!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Sunday, June 5, 2011

A Peek at Pennant Parade!


I finally got some time to play with some of my new stuff that came the other day!! I Love this little Pennant Parade set - there are so many cool pieces to it! And the "have-to-have" Petite Pennants Builder punch! Yay - new punches!!



The dotted Wild Wasabi paper comes from a new paper set called Just Add Cake. What's especially cool about those papers is that on the opposite side of the dotted Wild Wasabi are the letters of the alphabet in 1/2" circles (you can't really see the colors, but the circles have a Wild Wasabi ring with Espresso letters) - perfect for punching out and putting on your pennants!! - Just what I did!



After I made the pennants, I decided to add the 'you.' So I used the Billboard Strip die to cut out the letters. Then I put them on a 1 3/4" circle and the 2 3/8" scallop circle (stamped with the Handmade stamp).

And one of the other coolest things about this card... the ribbon - Crumb Cake Taffeta! OK, so really I used Kraft Taffeta from my retired stash - I found one partial roll! But we'll be getting Crumb Cake Taffeta - Woohoo!

I can't wait for the new catalog to start - July 1st!!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Saturday, June 4, 2011

End of the Year Celebrations!


This is yet another End-of-the-school-year card I made! I guess it could be considered an end-of-the-Stampin' Up!-catalog-year too though! The Celebrations Designer Papers are on the Retiring Accessories list, so it's the end for them as well!!



And here's a close-up of the 'teacher' owl! I just added some little slivers of black cardstock for the arms of his glasses! And really the punch has all the parts to make the eyes look like glasses - just use black for the largest part of the eyes and white for the second largest (instead of doing the opposite for regular eyes!).

I added a little jewelry tag punch with a Tiny Tags saying for the 'thanks {so much},' and some of our "much needed" White Bakers Twine!


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Friday, June 3, 2011

Play Date Thank you!


Here's another teacher thank you card I made the other day! It was a simple card, but I think the Play Date Designer Papers gave it a lot of WOW!



I think the 'scallop and circle layers thingy' turned out to look like a "first prize ribbon" - not what I had imagined it was going to be, but I like how it came out anyway! Funny how things turn out to be something you didn't expect!?


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie





Thursday, June 2, 2011

Happy Graduation!


It's that time of year - for grads and dads! This was a card I made for someone who needed a high school graduation card. I found this idea on my 'go-to search spot,' Stampin' Connection. The original was made by Chera Wiest. There wasn't really a template or anything, but I just "eyed" it!



The card is for a girl, and I like how the pearls add a cute little neckline!



Here's a close-up of the graduation cap (just a 2" square with a brad in the center). For the tassel, I googled it and found a quick tutorial on how to make one. Then I used our White Baker's Twine - it was perfect for it.


Thanks for stopping by,


Julie

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Thanks to the Teachers (and my helper!)


I was asked by a friend to make some teacher thank yous. And, call it crazy, but I don't have too many things are very teacher-like (in stamps, that is!). So, I did some searching on Stampin' Connection - and I found this one (made by Heidi Boos). I just changed the ribbon, and added the thank you at the bottom section.



And here's the inside - with a black card it's always best to make a lighter piece for the inside! Otherwise you're kind of limited with a white gel pen for the writing inside!

The apple stamped inside (and on the front) is from the Tart and Tiny set. It's a retiring set - so you have just the month of June to get it!!



And I couldn't resist showing you a quick picture of Benny! We got a little bit of sun in the window while we we're stamping this morning. And sad to say, especially being June 1st, we're supposed to have thunderstorms today!?! Kind of crazy - but at least I won't feel bad about not being outside, cause I have lots of cutting and prepping for this Friday's class to do!


Have a good one,


Julie