blue and orange

Here are two more of the crayon gifts that Aaron brought to help celebrate Blue Day and Orange Day. His teacher told me the kids are loving it! It's nice to be able to make something as simple as a new crayon into a fun gift :} 

 Blue Day

I kind of "hit a wall" when I was planning the Blue Day gift, because Stampin' Up! doesn't really have a color that matches the crayon wrapper. If I were one of those Moms who gets everything done months in advance, I could have used the "color picker" tool in My Digital Studio and designed a perfectly matched tag. But... well, I'm not even close to being that prepared. Soooooo, I solved my dilemma by using every shade of blue! And I love how it turned out! It's even more fun and "kid-like" than a perfectly matched tag :}

I used a Window Sheet (acetate) to create a window for my little astronaut. And I had to add a heavy layer of shimmer to that cute alien (rubbing alcohol in a Spritzer with a few drops of Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint) :} 

Orange Day

Drawing on my creative use of color from the Blue Day project, I chose Peach Parfait, Tangerine Tango, and Cajun Craze to create this fun flower tag. Stamp set: Printed Petals. Framelit: Floral Frames. 

I'll bet you can't wait to see the next two colors...  ;)

Framelit meets Embossing Folder :)

At one of my recent Technique Tuesday classes, we played with the awesome Embossing Folders. I thought it would be fun to make one of our cards a little more masculine.

A simple design and "manly" colors are important elements in creating masculine cards. For this card I chose to use the Well Worn DSP, and I pulled my colors from there (Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla).

After die cutting Cajun Craze card stock on the Big Shot using a Framelit from the Labels Collection, I dry embossed the center using one of the little Designer Frames Embossing Folders. For some simple detail, I sponged Cajun Craze ink around the edges, and very lightly on the dry embossed oval. Using an image from the Pocket Silhouettes stamp set, I inked it up in Cajun Craze and then "stamped off" onto my Grid Paper before stamping the image onto Very Vanilla card stock. I like how the image is more muted - it works well for this card. The sentiment - from this same stamp set - is stamped in Not Quite Navy. The Extra Large Oval punch is the perfect size to fit in the center of the dry embossed oval. I sponged the edges with Cajun Craze ink before attaching my focal point with Dimensionals.

Oh, how I will miss the Well Worn DSP... it has great colors and patterns for masculine/boy themed cards and scrapbook pages. But everything must retire eventually... even the Pocket Silhouettes stamp set (sigh). On the flipside, that just means more goodies to buy when the new catalog is released June 1st!! Yay  :}

more projects...

Oh my goodness, my camera's memory card is full of projects I haven't shared yet. I can't believe how quickly things pile up when you get busy! Since I know you are still recovering from yesterday's loooong post, I'll just share a couple of things today ;)

I made simple "thank-you" cards for my oldest son's birthday. I really like this color combination: Not Quite Navy, Pear Pizzazz, and Chocolate Chip. The sentiment from the Thank You Kindly stamp set is stamped in Chocolate Chip ink onto the Pear Pizzazz DSP. I will definitely miss this stamp set when it retires at the end of this month!!

Lots of retiring goodies on this card, too. I will miss the Blushing Bride and Concord Crush, but at least I will have five new colors to play with! The sentiment is from the retiring Sweetly Said stamp set, and the three doily shapes are from the retiring Doily Triple Layer punch.

How about some things that are still available on the Carryover List? If you haven't already added these to your supplies, you can still order the Blossom punch and the Twitterpated DSP - yay!! And while you're ordering, you have to add these 3-1/2x5" Notecards! They're great for making quick and easy cards... pre-cut, pre-scored, and envelopes included!!  (107311   $5.95 for 20)

Here's the rest of the Carryover List:

Ok, so three projects and a list... that's still a "couple of things," right??  ;)  If you have a question or need to stock up on your stampin' goodies, you can always reach me from my Stampin' Up! website. Have a fabulous day!!  :}

hubby's birthday

Today is my husband's birthday! It's so easy to remember, since it's the same day as George Washington's birthday. Interestingly enough, Washington is one of Chris's history heroes. And while they both have a thing with cherry trees, I'm happy my husband uses his to make pies and wine :}
My hubby enjoys getting some of the "fancy stuff" (as he calls it) that I make, and his birthday card is no exception:

Masculine cards can be a little tricky to create... why is that? Well, it's a lot more fun to make a card that screams "Yoohoo!! Hey! Look at me! Love me - I'm gorgeous!!" At least I think that's what my cards are shouting  ;)  But with a masculine card, it needs to be more subtle, as in, "hey. What's up? Yeah, I'm a handmade card. Cool, dude." Soooo, I tend to use more "fall" colors and neutrals, plus LOTS and LOTS of texture.

Now, that doesn't mean the card has to be boring! I added lots of detail, subtle detail, to the background. First, I used Cajun Craze ink and a Sponge Dauber to stencil the fleur-de-lis image (from the Elegant Trio set). Then I spritzed the background using a Not Quite Navy marker in the Color Spritzer Tool. I used a stylus to dry emboss a few bits of the image from the Houndstooth Embossing Folder, and then tore a bit from one corner of the card base.
The layer of River Rock has been treated to what I call a "faux leather" technique. First I crumple the heck out of the card stock. Then I sponge the same color ink over the whole piece, including the edges. It starts to look and feel like really worn out leather. For more subtle detail, I lightly sponged some Not Quite Navy ink onto one corner, and then lightly spritzed the Not Quite Navy marker onto two opposing corners.
The strip of Well Worn Designer Series Paper is dry embossed using the Houndstooth Embossing Folder through the Big Shot. *Tip: cut your DSP strip a teeny, tiny bit longer than the width of the card, as the width will "shrink" a smidge after it's embossed. I sanded the raised places a little, but the exposed white core was a little too white. So, I used a sponge to lightly rub some River Rock ink over the DSP.
The birthday sentiment is stamped in Not Quite Navy ink onto Very Vanilla card stock. I distressed the edges, and added a layer of Cajun Craze card stock behind it. A snip of Blue 3/8" Denim Jean Ribbon (with frayed edges for more texture) and a Chocolate Chip 5/8" Jumbo Brad are all the embellishment this card needs.
It was pretty darn convenient that the challenge over on the Paper Player's blog is for a masculine-themed creation. How'd they know I was making a "boy card" this week??? Cool, dude  ;)  

Thanks for dropping by - enjoy your day!

Not Quite Navy

I have to admit that I often overlook this color... but thanks to my Color Coach, I have found some nice color combos, and have started using it more.
The Color Coach lists the "Dynamic Duo" as Not Quite Navy and Baja Breeze. The "Creative Combination" colors are Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze, and More Mustard. The "Sweet Set" colors are Not Quite Navy, Pumpkin Pie, and Garden Green.

This card measures 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". I used the Scallop Circle #2 Bigz Die to cut the Greenhouse Gala DSP. The image (from the Friends Never Fade stamp set) and sentiment (from the Apple Blossoms Hostess stamp set) are stamped on Whisper White card stock that I cut using the Circles #2 Originals Die and my Big Shot.

I love when I manage to make a card suitable for giving to a guy! This color combo works well for a masculine feel, and the Linen Thread is a great substitute for ribbon. Stamp sets: Autumn Days, Something to Celebrate.

A bonus card with this color combo... although I ended up with very little Not Quite Navy showing ;)
Stamp set: Apple Blossoms
The perfect little boy birthday card! This card uses a scrap of the Pawsitively Prints DSP, which is still available from my online store in the Clearance Rack. Stamp sets: Beary Best Friends, Beary Nice Wishes.