Stamping with the Stars

November Thank You Cards

This month's thank you card is also my entry for the new Pals Paper Arts Christmas Cheer Challenge PPA16.  I also tried a new technique for embossing the flap on the envelope, which I first saw on a Mary Fish's Curried Fresh-Cut Notes post.

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamp set:  Holiday Best, Hostess Level 1, Pg.13 #115364

Paper:  Real Red Cardstock (CS), Pg. 156 #102482; Bride Specialty Paper, Pg. 158 #115669; Whisper White CS, Pg. 155 #100730

Ink:  Real Red, Pg. 156 #103133

Accessories:  Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Pg. 183 #109034; Mat Pack, Pg. 191 #105826; Needle; Heat Tool, Pg. 188 #100005; Clear Embossing Powder, Pg. 188 #109130; VersaMark Pad, Pg. 190 #102283; Embossing buddy, Pg. 188 #103083; Snail Adhesive, Pg. 192 #104332; Stampin' Dimensionals, Pg. 192 #104430; Stamp-a-ma-jig, Pg. 191 #101049; Optional:  Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Pg. 194 #113439; Finial Press  Embossing Folder, Pg. 195 #115963; Whisper White Mini Square Envelopes, Pg. 168 #107309

Cut Real Red CS 3" x 6" and score at 3" to create the card base. 

Cut Bride Specialty Paper 2-3/4" x 2-3/4'.  Wrap ribbon across the Bride Specialty Paper and tape in back.  Attach to the card base with snail.

Cut Whisper White CS 2" x 2".  Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig, center the image on the CS.  Load your stamp up with VersaMark and then Real Red ink.  Stamp the image and apply Clear Embossing Powder.  Heat emboss.

Use the Mat Pack to pierce holes  in the four corners of the image.

Attach the image piece to 2-1/4" x 2-1/4" Real Red CS with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Attach this piece to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals.

If you missed my October Thank You Card post, go back and take a look to see how I cut the Finial Press Embossing Folder to create a single row of embossing.

Insert the envelope flap into the short piece of the embossing folder and run it through the Big Shot Die-Cut Machine to emboss.

The embossed envelope is a perfect match for this card.  I hope you'll give it a try.  Don't have a Big Shot yet? Watch this video demonstration  then put the Big Shot on your Christmas Wish List.  Or better yet, go to my online store today and place your order so you'll have it in time to use during the holidays! 

Thanks for stopping by today, and Happy Friday the 13th!

Mickey

In the Pink

Today's card was created for the Pals Paper Arts In the Pink Challenge PPA14 to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month and  Karol Harris, and her loving daughter (and PPA Design Team member), Kris Kilcoyne. 

I'm also dedicating my post to my very dear friend, Germaine, who is also fighting this battle.  I have no doubt that she will win, because she is the smartest and bravest person I know.

The only requirement for this challenge was to use pink, so I made my first pink Christmas card.  Here are the supplies I used:

Stamp set:  Gifts of Christmas, Pg. 37 #115372

Paper:  Whisper White Cardstock (CS), Pg. 155 #100730; Pretty in Pink CS, Pg. 157 #100459; Brushed Gold CS, Pg. 159 #102935

Ink:  None!

Accessories:  Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Pg. 194 #113439; Petals-A-Plenty Embossing Folder, Holiday Mini-Catalog, Pg. 21 #116824; Oval Scallop Frame Die, Pg. 199 #114521; Hobby Blade, Pg. 191 #102449; Craft & Rubber Scissors, Pg. 191 #103179; Gold Embossing Powder, Pg. 188 #109129; Heat Tool, Pg. 188 #100005; Embossing Buddy, Pg. 188 #103083; VersaMark, Pg. 190 #102283; Pretty in Pink 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Pg. 183 #109032; Snail Adhesive, Pg. 192 #104332; Dazzling Diamonds, Pg. 180 #102023; 2-Way Glue Pen, Pg. 182 #100425; Fine-tip Glue Pen; Stamp-a-ma-jig, Pg. 191 #101049

Cut Pretty in Pink CS 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" and score at 4-1/4" to create the card base.

I first saw this technique of cutting out the oval in a Petals-A-Plenty embossing folder over at Patty's Stamping Spot.  The only difference is instead of cutting out the oval on both sides of the embossing folder, I only cut out one side.  This has two advantages:  First, I'm basically a lazy person, and this is a whole lot easier.  And second, I can actually pop the oval back in and emboss the full sheet as intended.

You'll need an oval shape to trace onto the embossing folder.  The Oval Scallop Frame die works great if you have one.

Once you trace around the oval, cut it out.  I used the Hobby Blade to get it started and then cut around the oval with the Craft & Rubber Scissors.

Yes, I actually wore "Sharps" gloves when I cut the oval out of the embossing folder.  (My husband bought them for me the last time I cut the tip off my finger.)

Insert a 4" x 5-1/4" piece of Whisper White CS into the embossing folder and run it through the Big Shot.  I usually spritz the CS with alcohol before embossing it, but I forgot this time.  Still, I think I got a nice crisp texture.

Here is a piece of cardstock I ran through after popping the oval back into my embossing folder.  Looks fine to me.  Now I can cut a rectangle out of my spare folder!

Dust the embossed CS with the Embossing Buddy and use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to center the image in the oval.  Stamp with VersaMark, apply Gold Embossing Powder and heat set.

Now use the 2-Way Glue Pen to fill in the dove.  I also used a fine-tipped glue pen to get into the tight areas.  Apply Dazzling Diamonds and tap of the excess.

 Layer the image piece onto 5-3/8" x 4-1/8"  Brushed Gold CS.  When I made my card, I attached the embossed piece with Stampin' Dimensionals, but I wasn't thrilled with the results, so I recommend attaching it with Snail Adhesive. (When you're attaching an embossed piece to CS, apply the Snail to the base CS so you don't flatten out the embossed piece.) Wrap Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon around the layered piece and tie in bow.  Attach to the card base with Snail.

We're all done. I hope this tutorial will inspire you to submit your own entry in to PPA's In the Pink Challenge.  While you're there, check out the links to other websites for more information on Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Thanks for stopping by.

Mickey

Autumn Splendor

This card is my entry for this week's Mojo Monday Challenge-MOJO110.  I used up a lot of my Autumn Meadows Designer Paper (DSP) scraps.  I also used some left over embossed pieces from the Autumn Splendor Thank You Card I posted last August.

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamp set:  Autumn Splendor, Holiday Mini-Catalog, Pg. 12 #116503

Paper:  Autumn Meadows, Holiday Mini-Catalog, Pg. 13 #116769; More Mustard Cardstock (CS), Pg. 156 #100946; Brushed Gold CS, Pg. 159 #102935

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Pg. 156 #100908; Really Rust, Pg.156 #102549

Accessories:  Autumn Harvest Rub-Ons, Pg. 177 #115731; Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Pg. 183 #111367; Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Pg 194 #113439; Scallop Circle #2 Die, Pg. 199 #113469; Gold Embossing Powder, Pg. 188 #109129; Heat Tool, Pg. 188 #100005; VersaMark, Pg. 190 #102283; Blender Pens, Pg. 192 #102845; Sponge Daubers, Pg. 192 #102892; Circle Scissor Plus, Pg. 191 #112530; Glass Mat, Pg. 191 #1125312; Snail Adhesive, Pg. 192 #104332; Stampin' Dimensionals, Pg. 192 #104430; Mini-Glue Dots, Pg. 192 #103683; Gold Elastic Cord, Pg. 27 #109867; Paper Snips, Pg. 191 #103579; Glue Pen

Yesterday was kind of a rush, so I didn't take the time to take a lot of pictures.  In fact, I didn't take any until I was all done with the card, so we'll have to make the most of it!

 Stamp the leaf and acorn images onto Autumn Meadows DSP using VersaMark.  Apply Gold Embossing Powder and heat emboss.  Cut around the images with Paper Snips.

Use a Blender Pen to fill in the images with Really Rust and Chocolate Chip.

Run a 4" x 4" piece of Brushed Gold CS through the Big Shot with the Scallop Circle #2 Die.  To emboss the tiny gold dots on the scallop edge, I used a glue pen I bought at a local craft shop.  Unfortunately, the 2-Way Glue Pen in the Stampin' Up! catalog doesn't have a fine enough tip for this project.

Set the Circle Scissor Plus to 3" and cut a circle from the Autumn Meadows DSP.  Ink around the edges with Chocolate Chip and attach to the scallop Circle with Snail. 

Cut a lighter colored piece of Autumn Meadows DSP  1-7/8" x 1-7/8".  Rub on the "Bless your Home" image as shown.  Ink around the edges and attach to a 2" x 2" piece of Brushed Gold CS with Snail.  Attach the scallop circle piece with Snail.  (I'd like to use a lot more Stampin' Dimensionals on these layers, but then I run into postage issues.) 

Cut contrasting Autumn Meadows DSP as follows:  5" x 5", 3" x 3-3/4", 1-1/2" x 5". Ink around all of the edges with Chocolate Chip. 

Now, I did a dumb thing when I assembled my card.  Instead of just wrapping my ribbon around the 1-1/2" x 5" piece, I attached that piece to the 3" x 3-3/4" piece first, then wrapped the ribbon around both pieces before tying the bow.  That would have looked great if the scallop circle were smaller, but as it turned out, I just wasted a lot of ribbon that wasn't going to show anyway. *sigh*. 

So anyway, here is how you should assemble the card:

Cut More Mustard CS 5-1/4" x 10-1/2" and score at 5-1/4" to create the card base.  Attach the 5" x 5" DSP to the card front with Snail. Attach the 3" x 3/4" piece in the upper left with Snail as shown.  Wrap the ribbon around the 1-1/2" x 5" piece and tie in front.  Now attach that piece to the card front with Snail. 

Cut a piece of Gold Elastic Cord 4" long and tie a knot on both ends.  Fold in half and tuck it under the bow and attach with a Mini-glue Dot. Attach the acorns under the bow with Stampin' Dimensionals.  tuck the stem under the bow and stick it to the Mini-Glue Dot holding the Gold Cord.

Attach the scallop circle to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals.

That's it.  I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and will be inspired to create your own card. 

Thanks for stopping by today.

Mickey

October 'Thank You' Cards

The inspiration for this month's 'Thank You' cards came from two places.  The embossed ornament came from Sandi MacIver.  After reading her post a month ago, I ordered an extra Finial Press Embossing Folder right away, but didn't have the nerve to cut into it until now.  The idea of layering like-colored cardstock came from Mary Fish in her Holloween Trick post.

Here are the supplies I used:

Stamp sets:  None!

Paper:  Bella Blue Designer Series Paper (DSP), pg. 162 #113974; Not Quite Navy Cardstock (CS), Pg. 156 #101722; Very Vanilla Textured Cardstock, Pg. 155 #108693

Ink:  Not Quite Navy, Pg. 156 #103008

Accessories:  Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Pg. 194 #113439; Finial Press Embossing Folder, Pg. 195 #115963; Ornament Punch, Holiday Mini-Catalog, Pg. 27 #116794; Craft & Rubber Scissors, Pg. 191 #103179; Frost White Shimmer Paint, Holiday Mini-Catalog, Pg. 27 #116854; Silver Cord, Holiday Mini-Catalog, Pg. 27 #109866; Sponge Dauber, Pg. 192 #102892; Snail Adhesive, Pg. 192 #104332; Stampin' Dimensionals, Pg. 192 #104430; Mat Pack, Pg. 191 #105826; Mini Glue Dots, Pg. 192 #103683; Needle; Rubbing alcohol in spray bottle

Cut Very Vanilla Textured CS 3" x 6" and score at 3" to form card base.

Now you'll have to cut one row from your Finial Press Embossing Folder.  I know, it's scary, but it's worth buying an extra one, honest.  I used my Craft & Rubber Scissors, which cut through the heavy plastic like butter.

Cut a 2" x 6" piece of Not Quite Navy CS and spritz with alcohol.  This will give you a sharper impression from the embossing folder.  You could use water, too, but alcohol evaporates faster.

Place the CS inside the embossing folder. Sandwich between the cutting pads and place on Tab 1 of the multipurpose platform that comes with the Big Shot and run it through the machine.  The picture shows the Whisper White CS I started with before I changed my mind.  (Hey, it's only paper, right?)

Center the Ornament Punch over the impressions and punch out shapes.  You can get two ornaments out of each 2" x 6" embossed strip.

Sponge Shimmer Paint over embossing and around edges of ornament.

Cut Very Vanilla Textured CS 2-3/4" x 2-3/4".

Use the Mat Pack Template and a needle to pierce holes in the corners.  When finished use Stampin' Dimensionals to attach to card base.

Cut Bella Blue DSP 2" x 2" and ink around the edges with Not Quite Navy.  Attach to center of the card front with Snail.

I really like this "Vanilla on Vanilla" layering.  It looks so elegant.

Attach ornament to front of card with Stampin' Dimensionals.  Tie a bow in the Silver Cord.  I cut a mini glue dot in half to secure the bow to the card without the glue dot showing.

That's it.  These cards will go out to everyone who places an order this month.

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial.  Let me know what you think!

Mickey