Well Written Birthday Card

 A friend asked me to make some cards for her. This is one of the cards I made. An interesting thing about this card is that there is zero stamping on it! Take a look:

All supplies available from Stampin' Up!:

Cardstock: Purple Posy (Item #150881)

Daffodil Delight (#119683)

Basic Gray (#121044)

Accessories: Best Dressed Designer Series Paper (retired)

Forever Gold Laser-Cut Specialty Paper (#152493)

Mini Stampin' Cut and Emboss Machine (#150673)

Tasteful Labels Dies (#152886)

Well Written Dies (#151816)

5/8" Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon (#146912)

Gold Glitter Enamel Dots (#152155)

Foam Adhesive Sheets (#152815)

If you notice that the label looks to be rather thick, it is because I used the Foam Adhesive Sheets on the back side. Some of the Tasteful Label dies have embossing edges on them, so that when I ran it through the Stampin' Cut and Emboss Machine, it gave a really deep embossed edge to the label. Plus it is like a great big solid sheet of Dimensional foam, so it also pops it up! Awesome!

I also  loved using the Forever Gold Laser-Cut Specialty Paper. It adds such a beautiful touch of shine to this card. And it comes with so many different pieces of the laser-cut paper that you have multiple options to create with!

If you see anything you want to order, please feel free to contact me about helping you to place your order.  Or go to https://www.stampinup.com and use the item numbers that I included. And I would appreciate it if you put me as your demonstrator, if you are not already working with one. 

Thanks for stopping by, and please subscribe to my blog. That way you will know when I post next time! Also leave me a comment letting me know how you like this card. 

See you soon,

Kathryn Whittaker

Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator since 2005

Coming Home to a Happy New Year!

 2021!! It's a brand new year, and one that so many of us hope and pray will be so much better than the last one. So from my home to yours, I wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

All supplies available from Stampin' Up!:

Stamp set: Coming Home (#153500)

Card stock: Whisper White Thick (#140272)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black (#132708)

Accessories: Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (#149653)

Home Together Dies (#153515)

Trimming the Town Designer Series Paper (#153491)

Tasteful Labels Dies (#152886)

Stampin' Blends Combo Packs: Real Red (#154899)

                                                    Old Olive (#154892)

                                                       Soft Suede (#154906)

Snowflake Sequins (#150443)

Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430)

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Kathryn

P.S. If you need anything from the August-December 2020 Mini Catalog, Monday, January 4th is the last day! Go to https://www.stampinup.com and place your order. (I would appreciate it if you listed me (Kathryn Whittaker) as your demonstrator too.) And the new January-June 2021 Mini Catalog goes live on January 5th, 2021, so stay posted for some fun new samples from that catalog! If you want a catalog, and don't already have a demonstrator, please let me know and I can get one to you.

Thanks!

Peaceful Season's Greetings

"Peaceful Boughs" is a wonderful stamp set that is made by Stampin' Up! It has a coordinating die set called "Beautiful Boughs" that I also used to make the pine cone, and the pine bough. The pale green leaves and the gold foil branches are from the "In the Woods" die set. I love to layer my die cuts. It gives such a feeling of dimension and depth.

The wood patterned paper is from the "In Good Taste" Designer Series Paper. It has so many great patterns that have that photo-realism look to them. Wood, stone, textiles, etc... It is a great collection of papers!

And with the Real Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels and the Real Red/Whisper White stitched trim from the Playful Pets Trim Combo Pack topping it off with a cute little bow, my card is all done! 

All supplies are available from Stampin' Up!:

Stamp set: Peaceful Boughs (Item #150541)

Card Stock: Whisper White Thick (Item #140272)

Early Espresso (Item #119686)

Soft Suede (Item #115318)

Shaded Spruce (Item #146981)

Soft Seafoam (Item #146988)

Inks: Early Espresso (Item #147114)

Accessories: Stampin' Cut and Emboss Machine (Item #149653)

Beautiful Boughs die set (Item #150661)

In the Woods die set (Item #1518090)

In Good Taste Designer Series Paper (Item #152494)

Gold Foil Sheets (Item #132622)

Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels (Item #150457)

Playful Pets Trim Combo Pack (Item #152466)

Stampin' Dimensionals (Item #104430)

I love the layers, and the colors, and the overall design of this Christmas card. I hope you like it too!

Thanks for stopping by,

Kathryn

A Sunflower Card of Thanks

Recently I participated in a swap where the theme was "Gratitude, or Thanks".

I had a dream about this card before I created it, and it turned out so much more beautiful than in my dream. In my dream I had created a card that was a "Gatefold" card. A gatefold card is a card that opens in the center, like two halves of a gate might. This card uses 1/2 a sheet of card stock for the base, cut at 8-1/2" x 5-1/2". Then you score it at 2-1/8" and also 6-3/8", folding both sides so that they meet in the center. Then you just decorate it how you want. Isn't it gorgeous?! I created a belly band to wrap around the card to hold it closed. Then you just slide the band off to open up the card and see the inside!

Take a look:

All supplies are available from Stampin' Up!:

Stamps: Celebrate Sunflowers (Item #152517)

Country Home (Item #147678) (greeting)

Card Stocks: Crumb Cake (Item #120953)

Bermuda Bay (Item #131197)

Calypso Coral (Item #122925)

Cherry Cobbler (Item #119685)

Soft Suede (Item #115318)

Old Olive (Item #100702)

Bumblebee (Item #153077)

Very Vanilla (Item #101650)

Inks: Calypso Coral (Item #147101)

Cherry Cobbler (Item #147083)

Old Olive (Item #147090)

Accessories: Stampin' Cut and Emboss Machine (Item #149653)

Sunflowers Dies (Item #152704)

Woodland Embossing Folder (Item #152881)

Adhesive Sheets (Item #152334)

Stampin' Dimensionals (Item #104430)

Holiday Rhinestone Basic Jewels (Item #150457)

 So, there is my beautiful "dream" card that I absolutely love! I hope you like it too, and try your hand at  making your own card like this!

Thanks for stopping by, and please subscribe to my blog. That way you will know when I post next time! Also leave me a comment letting me know how you like this card. I would love to see if you make one like it, or use this gate fold technique on your own design.

Thanks, and come visit again, and as always, if you need to order any Stampin' Up! supplies, I would love to be your demonstrator.

Kathryn

Forever Fern Christmas Card!

I wanted to make a Christmas card using a stamp set that maybe you wouldn't think of as a Christmas set. So I picked out the Forever Fern stamp and die bundle.

Here is my finished card:

All supplies available from StampinUp.com :

Stamp sets: Forever Fern (Item #152559)

Banner Year (Item #153464)

Ink Pads: Shaded Spruce (Item #147088)

Pear Pizzazz (Item #147104)

Cardstock: Shaded Spruce (Item #146981)

Pear Pizzazz (Item #131201)

Real Red (Item #102482)

Whisper White (Item #100730)

Accessories: Stampin' Cut and Emboss Machine (Item #149653)

Forever Flourishing Die Set (Item #152714)

Lovely Labels Pick-A-Punch (Item #152883)

Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels (Item #146924)

Stampin' Dimensionals (Item #104430)

I stamped 6 of the leaf clusters in Shaded Spruce, and 6 more of a smaller leaf cluster in the Pear Pizzazz. Then, using the die set, I ran them through the Stampin' Cut and Emboss Machine to cut them all out easily. I also used the little sprig die, and cut out 6 of them in Real Red cardstock. I then layed them out in a circle, alternating the dark green leaves with the lighter green leaves, gluing them together when I was happy with the arrangement and shape. I tucked the little red sprigs in here and there where I thought they looked good. I still thought it needed something, so that is when I added the Red Rhinestone Basic Jewels. It added just the right amount of color and sparkle! Then I attached the wreath to my card using the Stampin' Dimensionals to pop it up a bit. 

Forever Fern stamp set/die bundle (Item #154094, save 10% off the regular un-bundled price!)

Since Forever Fern is not traditionally a Christmas set, it has no Christmas greetings included in the stamp set. I chose to use the stamp set "Banner Year" which is in the August-December 2020 Mini Catalog. It has greetings and small images that can cover several different holidays, from Halloween to Valentine's Day!

Banner Year Stamp Set (Item #153464)

I hope you like my Christmas wreath card. I think it turned out wonderful! If you would like to order any  of the supplies to make this card yourself, I would be thrilled if you listed me as your demonstrator!

Thanks for stopping in to visit!

Kathryn Whittaker

A Very Merry Snowman!

I did a little watercoloring on this little snowman card over the weekend. He made a fun Christmas card, with some cute falling snowflakes too! He's a happy, little snowman, out dancing in the evergreen forest!

All supplies available from Stampin' Up!:

Stamps: Snowman Season (Item #150458)

Itty Bitty Christmas (Item #150513)

Card stock: Old Olive (Item #100702)

Thick Whisper White (Item #140272)

Inks: Smoky Slate (Item #147113)

Basic Gray (Item #149165)

Pool Party (Item #147107)

Old Olive (Item #147090)

Soft Suede (Item #147115)

Misty Moonlight (Item #153118)

Real Red (Item #147084)

Pumpkin Pie (Item #147086)

Blushing Bride (Item #147100)

Accessories: Stampin' Cut and Emboss Machine (Item #149653)

Stitched Shapes Dies (Item #152323)

Evergreen Forest 3D Embossing Folder (Item #153576)

Trimming the Town Designer Series Paper (Item #153491)

Snowflake Sequins (Item #150443)

2020-2022 In Color 1/4" Ribbon (Misty Moonlight) (Item #153624)

Stampin' Dimensionals (Item #104430)

Water Painters (Item #151298)

Thanks for stopping by!

Kathryn

 

Past Paper Pumpkin Alternates - May 2020 - A Kit in Color

I don't know about you, but sometimes I have stamps and such sitting on my desk for a long time, just waiting for some inspiration to hit. Currently, I have had the May 2020 Paper Pumpkin Kit (A Kit in Color) sitting there, just waiting for something to come to me and give me some inspiration. 

Well, my patience has paid off! I have 3 cards to show you that use the "A Kit in Color" May 2020 Paper Pumpkin Kit.

Let me show you:

Using a few supplies that were not included in the Paper Pumpkin kit itself, I made these three cards. The card bases were from my own personal supplies, plus the rhinestones, the flower punch and the small circle punch, the Misty Moonlight card stock, and the white embossing powder and Versamark Ink. Also the greeting on the Magenta Madness striped card is from the "Here's A Card" stamp set. I think everything else is from the original kit. I love how these three cards turned out!

I hope that you like these cards as much as I do. If you have this kit, maybe you can try CASE-ing one, two, or all three cards.

Thanks for stopping by,

Kathryn

#akitincolor

#paperpumpkin

#paperpumpkinmay2020

#paperpumpkinakitincolor

#paperpumpkinalternatecards

Forever Fern Friendship Card

Hi everyone!

How are you all doing? I'm just dropping by quickly to give you an up-close look at my Forever Fern Friendship card. It uses a couple of items from the Forever Fern suite that's in the current Stampin' Up! 2020-2021 catalog. The greeting is from the Forever Fern stamp set, and the patterned paper is from the Forever Greenery Designer Series Paper. (It is gorgeous!) I've used one of the new 2020-2022 In-Colors, Just Jade, for the card base, along with some Shaded Spruce, Pear Pizzazz, and of course some Whisper White card stock for stamping on. That Trim is from the spool called Braided Linen Trim, and I added just a trio of the frosted epoxy droplets from the Frosted and Clear Epoxy Droplets embellishments. 

Take a look:

All supplies used are available from Stampin Up : Stamp sets: Forever Fern (#152559) Ink colors: Shaded Spruce (#147088) Cardstock: Just Jade (#153079) Shaded Spruce (#146981) Pear Pizzazz (#131201) Whisper White (#100730) Accessories: Forever Greenery Designer Series Paper (#152492) 2" Circle Punch (#133782) 2-1/4" Circle Punch (#143720) Braided Linen Trim (#147808) Frosted & Clear Epoxy Droplets (#147801) Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430)

Take a close-up look at the focal point:

Some exciting news is that I started a YouTube channel that goes along with my blog here. If you would like to see my very first video that goes along with this card, feel free to check it out. 

My channel is named "Kathryn Whittaker - Stampin' with Kathryn". (A really creative name, I know, but hopefully it will make it easy to find.) If you could, go to YouTube and check it out (or just click on the link below). I would be really appreciative. You could even leave me a comment or subscribe, but please be kind. It is just my first time.

https://youtu.be/BfNIdmAufDQ

Well, I hope you have enjoyed my card today. I really appreciate it when you come to visit me! 

Thanks for stopping by,

Kathryn

Christmas (Card) in July!

Today is July 25th! Christmas is 5 months from today! I know that some people think that it is too early to start thinking about Christmas, but if you are a crafter, then it is probably just the right time to start making your Christmas cards.

So...I made my first Christmas card today. The Stampin' Up! August-December 2020 Mini Catalog goes live in about a week and a half, and it it full of all sorts of holidays wonderfulness! As a demonstrator, I am able to pre-purchase things from the mini catalog a month before it goes live to the general public. It's one of the perks of being a demonstrator! If you have any questions about becoming a demonstrator, feel free to contact me, and we can talk about it! I would love to have you as a member of my team!

Anyway, here is my Christmas card for today:

All supplies are currently, or will soon be, available from Stampin' Up!:

Stamp set: Sweetest Time (coming soon!)

Ink pad: Shaded Spruce (Item #147088)

Cardstock: Shaded Spruce (Item #146981)

Pear Pizzazz (Item #131201)

Real Red (Item #102482)

Whisper White Thick (Item #140272)

Accessories: Sweetest Borders Dies (coming soon!)

Stitched Rectangle Dies (Item #151820)

Wonderful Gems (coming soon!)

Stampin' Dimensionals (Item #104430)

I think I love the border dies in this die set. There is the holly berries, ivy and evergreen boughs, plus there is one that has candy canes and round peppermint candies. There are other dies in the set, and I think I love them all! I can see so many cute cards and tags that can be made using not only the dies, but the adorable stamp set also. 

These are not the only cute products in the upcoming catalog, but there are so many other fun things that will be available starting on August 4th. If you would like a catalog, and you don't already currently have a demonstrator that you work with, just leave me a comment, and I will get back with you and get you a catalog.

Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate it!

Kathryn

An In-Color Friendship Card

I have been taking an online class this month that has been focusing on the Stampin' Up! bundle "Forever Fern" (Item #154094). We have been using the stamp set "Forever Fern" and the die set "Forever Flourishing". When you purchase the two of them together, as a "bundle" you save 10%! Such a great bargain.

Anyway, after watching one of the tutorials the other night, I made the following card:

All supplies available from Stampin' Up!:

Stamp set: Forever Fern (Item #152559)

Ink Pads: Just Jade (Item #153115)

Bumblebee (Item #153116)

Magenta Madness (Item #153117)

Versamark (Item #102283)

Card stock: Whisper White Thick (Item #140272)

Cinnamon Cider (Item #153078)

Misty Moonlight (Item #153081)

Whisper White (Item #100730)

Accessories: Forever Flourishing Dies (Item #152714)

Stitched Shapes Dies (Item #152323)

Forever Greenery Designer Series Paper (Item #152492)

White Stampin' Emboss Powder (Item #109132)

Heat Tool (Item #129053)

Linen Thread (Item #104199)

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals (Item #144108)

It's such a pretty card. But I can't take all the credit for it. I was inspired by Jenn Frost, and The Crafty Carrot Collective group. Next month (August 2020) they will be offering their program for free! And the Stampin' Up! bundle that they will be working with is the "Beautiful World" bundle. If you feel so inspired, go check it out (craftycarrotcollective.blogspot.com). 

Well, thanks for stopping by. I always appreciate it when you do. And I hope to see you again soon,

Kathryn

Positive Thoughts Silhouette Card - #TGIFC273

I have felt inspired by the TGIF Challenge Blog lately. This week it was to create a project with a fun silhouette effect on it. I looked through my stamp sets, looking for an image that would make a good silhouette. I found a beautiful fern image in the "Positive Thoughts" stamp set that I thought would do quite nicely. Take a look:

All supplies available from Stampin' Up!:

Stamp set: Positive Thoughts (Item #151490)

Ink Pads and Refills: Night of Navy Ink Refill(Item #103033)

Gorgeous Grape Ink Refill(Item #147164)

Versamark Ink Pad(Item #102283)

Stazon Jet Black Ink Pad (Item #101406)

Cardstock: Gorgeous Grape (Item #146987)

Night of Navy (Item #100867)

Pretty Peacock (Item #150880)

Basic Black (Item #121045)

Accessories: Water color paper (What I used is retired, but Stampin' Up! has some "Fluid 100" watercolor paper -Item # 149612, that would be just right!) 

Die-cutting and Embossing Machine (Coming soon!)

Greenery Embossing Folder (Item #152716)

Nature's Thoughts Dies ((Item #153586)

White Stamp and Emboss Powder (Item #109132)

Heat Tool (Item #129053)

Water Painters (Item #151298)

Rhinestone Basic Jewels (Item #144220)

Stampin' Dimensionals (Item #104430)

On the watercolor paper, I used the Night of Navy Ink Refill on one end and the Gorgeous Grape Ink Refill on the other end, and brought them together in the center to blend the colors together. I also used the Stazon Jet Black Ink to stamp the fern to give it the silhouette effect. I was trying to make a sunrise-sort of background for it. I also used white embossing powder and a heat tool to stamp and emboss my greeting, and then hand-cut around it and mounted it on my card using Stampin' Dimensionals. 

I hope you like my card, and are inspired to create your own silhouette-effect card. Maybe you could even participate in the challenge (#tgifc273).

Hope you are having a wonderful day, and keep on stamping!

Kathryn

Tasteful Touches Hello Card - #tgifc271

It has been a while since I participated in a challenge blog, so I thought I would give it a shot this past weekend. Over on the TGIF Challenges Blog, their challenge this week is a color challenge. Here is my card that I made to go along with it:

All supplies available from Stampin' Up!:

Stamp set: Tasteful Touches (Item #152562)

Inks: Flirty Flamingo (Item #141397)

Mango Melody (Item #147093)

Granny Apple Green (Item #147095)

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (Item #132708)

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick (for card base) (Item #140272)

Whisper White (Item #100730)

Flirty Flamingo (Item #141416)

Accessories: Tasteful Labels Dies (Item #152886)

Watercolor Pencils (Item #141709)

Water Painters (Item #151298)

Paper Snips (Item #103579)

Rhinestone Basic Jewels (Item #144220)

Stampin' Dimensionals Self-adhesive Foam Mounts (Item #104430)

A fun technique I used on this card is using up your paper strip scraps to create the background. Using a tone-on-tone color scheme (or using the same color strips as your card base) gives this card a classy-looking background, don't you think? And the strips don't all have to be the same width. The widths that I used were anywhere from 1/4" to almost a whole inch wide, with most of them being about 5/8" wide. Then I just trimmed the edges to be the same as the card. Very easy.

Like I told you at the beginning of this blog post, I wanted to participate in the TGIF Challenge Blog Color Challenge (#tgifc271). The color challenge was to use the following colors:

Go check out their blog (tgifchallenges.blogspot.com). They have lots of great challenges, and it is fun to play along!

If you have any questions about my card, or you would like to place a Stampin' Up! order with, please feel free to contact me, and I will do my best to help you out!

Thanks for stopping by,

Kathryn

Paper-Strip Weaving Birthday Card

I was watching some videos on YouTube earlier today and came across a fun technique presented by Ingrid Blackburn. I think she is an artist, and she does all sorts of really fun techniques. The technique that sparked my interest this morning was using thin strips of paper and weaving them together into a piece that you could use as the focal point, or the background, on your card. Since today is Independence Day in the United States (July 4th), and I have some friends with birthdays that are around this time of year, I decided to use some patriotic colors, (you know, Red, White, and Blue) but you could use any colors you wanted...even patterned paper! (I might have to try that!)

Take a look:

 All supplies are available from Stampin' Up!:

Card Stock: Whisper White Thick (card base) (Item #140272)

Real Red (Item #102482)

Night of Navy (Item #100867)

Whisper White (Item #100730)

Basic Black (Item #121045)

Accessories: Die Cutting Machine (Coming soon!)

Well Written Dies (Item #151816)

Paper Snips (Item #103579)

Forever Greenery Trim Combo Pack (Item #152475)

Rhinestone Basic Jewels (Item #144220)

Stampin' Dimensionals (Item #104430)

Another interesting thing about this card is that it has zero stamping on it! But you could use any stamp you had, if you wanted to. I die-cut a greeting from the Stampin' Up! set of dies called "Well Written". It has multiple dies to cut words and a few little shapes too! So many fun options to use! I die-cut the words out of Whisper White and then glued them onto a scrap of Basic Black cardstock. Then I hand-cut the words out with a thick border, and mounted them onto the woven-paper-strip background using Stampin' Dimensionals foam adhesive mounts. I finished off the card with a bow tied from some gold metallic trim (from the Forever Greenery Trim Combo Pack), and a few Rhinestone Basic Jewels.

It is fun to try a new technique! I hope you will give this one a try, and use up some of your paper-strip scraps at the same time.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see you soon!
Kathryn

Oops! A Birthday Jubilee card!

I made a card toward the very end of the 2019-2020 catalog sales period, and promptly forgot to post it!!! Now the stamp set (Birthday Jubilee) and die set (Jubilee Beauty) is retired and you can't get it anymore, but I want to share with you anyway, just in case you already have it! I love this set, and am so sad that it didn't carry over.

Here is my card:

All supplies available from Stampin' Up!:

Stamp set: Birthday Jubilee (retired)

Ink pads: Coastal Cabana (Item #147097)

Basic Gray (Item #149165)

Memento Tuxedo Black (Item #132708)

Card stock: Coastal Cabana (Item #131297)

Daffodil Delight (Item #119683)

Granny Apple Green (Item #146990)

Whisper White Thick (Item #140272)

Accessories: Jubilee Beauty Dies (retired)

Lovely Labels Pick-A-Punch (Item #152883)

Stampin' Blends: Flirty Flamingo Combo Pack (Item #154884)

Granny Apple Green Combo Pack (Item #154885)

Daffodil Delight Combo Pack (Item #154883)

Iridescent Sequin Assortment (retired)

Stampin' Dimensionals (Item #104430)

I love this die set. It cuts a couple detailed, delicate pieces that are like  "Papel Picado" banner pieces. I cut two of the same piece and placed them together underneath the birthday greeting. Then I colored the floral swag with my Stampin' Blends alcohol markers, and stamped the greeting with Basic Gray on the label that I had punched out with the brand-new "Lovely Labels Pick-A-Punch". It can cut 6 different tag ends (two designs in 3 different widths)! It is amazing!

Anyway, I hope you like my card...even though the stamps and dies are retired. It can still give you ideas to use with other stamps and dies.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I truly appreciate you visiting. Please leave a comment if there is something you would like to see me use.

Kathryn

"A Little Lace" Set of Notecards

I wanted to make some In-Color notecards, but I wanted them to be easy, and not involve a lot of coloring, so I decided just to do a quick little watercolor swish on the focal point image of the big flowers from the "A Little Lace" stamp set. I used the 2019-2021 In-Colors, and a little bit of patterned paper to help give it a bit of a romantic look.

Here are the cards:

All supplies are from Stampin' Up!:

Stamp set: A Little Lace (Item #149364)

Inks: Rococo Rose (Item #150080)

Pretty Peacock (Item #150083)

Seaside Spray (Item #150085)

Terracotta Tile (Item #150086)

Highland Heather (Item #147103)

So Saffron (Item #147109)

Cardstock: Rococo Rose (Item #150882)

Pretty Peacock (Item #150880)

Seaside Spray (Item #150883)

Terracotta Tile (Item #150884)

Purple Posy (Item #150881)

(or 2019-2021 8-1/2" x 11" Cardstock Assortment Pack (Item #149701))

Whisper White (Item #100730)

Accessories: Paper Snips (Item #103579)

Rhinestone Basic Jewels (Item #144220)

Whisper White Ribbon (retired, but 

you could use the White Crinkle Seam Binding Ribbon instead,  Item #151326)

Stampin' Dimensionals (Item #104430)

These notecards made up just exactly like I was seeing them in my mind's-eye. I love the colors, and they are just perfect to send a "little note of hello". Everyone could use a little set of cards like this today, to send some love to our socially distant friends and family. Wouldn't you love to get some "love" in you mailbox today? 

Thanks for stopping by to visit today,

Kathryn

#keepstamping with Stampin' Up!

Stampin' Up! has had a challenge going on for several weeks now to help us all "keep stamping" during this pandemic/quarantine/social distancing thing. Since I have had to go back to work about 4 weeks ago, I don't have as much time to stamp as I would like, but I did do a little stamping yesterday when I needed to take a day off for some stuff that I needed to take care of. The theme for this week is:
            "Stamping Challenge #7: Make a project using something from the retired list 
(aka Last Chance Products list)."

I went through the "Last Chance Products List" (or the retiring list, as a lot of us demonstrators like to call it) and I pulled out all of my retiring stamp sets, punches, embossing folders, etc... and put them into a box to set aside for the time being. I decided that I wanted to make some cards using these retiring stamps and things, so that is what I did.

Here is one of the cards that I made:

All supplies are available from Stampin' Up! (while supplies last):

Stamp sets: Bokeh Dots (Item #151368)

Witticisms (Item #151686)

Ink Pads: Night of Navy (Item #147110)

Memento Pad, Tuxedo Black (Item #132708)

Card stock: Whisper White Thick (Item #140272)

Night of Navy (Item #100867)

Cherry Cobbler (Item #119685)

Accessories: Silver Metallic Thread (Item #138402)

Stampin' Blends Alcohol Markers: Cherry Cobbler Combo Pack (Item #144598)

Smoky Slate Light (Item #145054)

Bitty Buttons (retired a loooooong time ago -- LOL!)

I hope you enjoyed this little card of mine that is full of retiring products. Stop by stampinup.com to check out the entire Last Chance Products List and all the other great products from Stampin' Up! And I would really appreciate it if you put me as your demonstrator! 

Thanks for all your support, and for visiting my little blog!

Sending you all virtual hugs,

Kathryn

Paper Pumpkin Alternate Cards for April 2020 Kit

I love the April 2020 Paper Pumpkin kit! So many cute elements to play with, and so many cute cards to make! Here are three more cards that I designed that I want to share with you!

Most of the supplies I used to make these cards were from the April 2020 kit called "No Matter the Weather". The greetings and images in this kit were so inspired for what is going on in the world today. I used the "Corrugated 3D Embossing Folder" on the Daffodil Delight piece of card stock behind the focal point image. I love how it brings out the daffodils that are inside the cute rain boots. And that little bunny die-cut is so cute.

On this card I used the little bunny stamp that comes in this kit. I love bunnies that have the markings that look like a Siamese kitty, so I thought I would try my hand at coloring the cute little bunny like that using my Stampin' Blends markers. I especially like how the scalloped stitched rectangle looks like you're looking through a window into a brighter day ahead. I think we are all looking forward to those days again, right?!

Now I must admit that I was highly inspired by Rachel Tessman's card of a similar design. I hope she doesn't mind that I used her design for this card. It was so beautiful, but simple. Thank you Rachel, for your inspiration! Also the greeting and the little "sprinkles" behind the pretty posies are from the stamp set "Perfectly Framed". And the Shaded Spruce Rhinestones are from the "Holiday Rhinestone Basic Jewels". (I sure do love those rhinestones. So glad that they will be carrying over into the new catalog in June!)

Thank you for stopping by and looking at my card designs. I hope you like them as much I enjoyed making them. 

Kathryn

Hello Friend!

I was telling you recently about the beautiful designer series paper that Stampin' Up! has available currently. Now, I know that the paper on these cards is no longer available as it was one of the offerings during Sale-A-Bration, but you could always choose some of the other paper collections  that are in one of the current catalogs and still come up with something that is equally amazing.

Here are my cards that I wanted to share with you today:

All supplies available from Stampin' Up!:

Stamp set: Seriously the Best (Item #151712)

Card stock: Highland Heather (Item #146986)

Blackberry Bliss (Item #133675)

Balmy Blue (Item #146982)

Ink pad: Versamark Pad (Item #102283)

Accessories: Lily Impressions Designer Series Paper (retired)

White Stampin' Emboss Powder (Item #109132)

Heat Tool (Item #129053)

Scalloped Lace Trim (Item #149593)

Linen Thread (Item #104199)

Stampin' Dimensionals (Item #104430)

Paper Snips (Item #103579)

As you can see, I used white embossing powder on the greeting, and then I fussy-cut (or hand-cut) the greeting out using my Paper Snips, leaving about a 1/16" border around it.  (Paper Snips are my super sharp, micro tip scissors that are available from Stampin' Up!, in case you didn't know.) I also used some retired sequins that coordinate with the paper, but you could use any sort of sequins or rhinestones that you have.

As you can see, on the sheet of paper that I used, it has many colors that coordinate with it. It is such beautiful paper, and it made some gorgeous cards in a snap! I made a whole set of these cute cards and then I delivered them to special friends in my area, just to let them know we were thinking of them at this tough time. My husband even used some of them to give to some families that he visits. (He liked the darker colored parts of the DSP, and I used the lighter shades of purple.)

I know that right now might be hard to get to the craft store, but I just want to let you know that Stampin' Up! is still shipping orders directly to your home. And if you need to order some paper crafting supplies, just contact me and I can help you get your order placed and coming right to your home! Just leave me a comment and I can get right back to you in a timely manner. I will even send you a handmade thank you card in appreciation for your order! I hope to be able to help you soon!

Thanks for stopping by,

Kathryn

Blackberry Poppy Love

Stampin' Up! has some really beautiful designer series papers in their catalogs right now. One of the most popular, and might I add, most beautiful collections is called "Peaceful Poppies". I've seen so many gorgeous projects made with it that I thought I would give it a try. 

I saw something similar on FaceBook, but I don't remember who it was by, but "Thank you" to whomever it was. I loved your design!

Here are my cards:

All supplies are available from Stampin' Up!:

Stamp set: Peaceful Moments (Item #151595)

Card stock: Blackberry Bliss (Item #133675)

Whisper White (Item #100730)

Ink pad: Blackberry Bliss (Item #147092)

Accessories: Parisian Flourish 3D Embossing Folder (Item #151474)

Peaceful Poppies Designer Series Paper (Item #151324)

Gold Glimmer Paper (Item #146958)

Timeless Label Punch (Item #149516)

Metallic Pearls (Item #146282)

Stampin' Dimensionals (Item #104430)

There are so many beautiful patterns in the Peaceful Poppies collection of this designer series paper. Take a look:

Peaceful Poppies Designer Series Paper (Item #151324)

See! I told you it was gorgeous!

When you decide that you need this paper, just contact me, and I will help you place your order, along with whatever else you need to make this beautiful card and all your other Stampin' Up! paper crafting projects! You'll love it! I promise!

Thanks for stopping by, and stay safe!

Kathryn 

Painted Poppies Mini One Sheet Wonder

Sometimes I like to make a half-sheet (8-1/2" x 5") of my own patterned paper. This is one of those times, and I made 3 cards out of it. I used the "Painted Poppies" stamp set (Item #1515996), plus some other stamp sets for the greetings. 

Here are all three cards together. 

On this first card I used a 5" x 4-1/4" piece of the paper that I had randomly stamped with the Painted Poppies stamp set. I used the Aqua Brush to watercolor the flowers and leaves, and also to splatter the whole piece. Then I cut the piece on the diagonal at 1-1/2" inches from the top end to 1-1/2" inches from the bottom end, then I split it so that there is a diagonal empty strip that sort of runs through the center. I really like this one. I also used the "Poppy Moments" dies to make the die-cut flower and leaf, and I mounted them on a cardstock vellum piece punched out with the Starburst punch. The greeting is from the "Timeless Tulips" stamp set. I added a few sequins for a little bit of shine from the Peaceful Poppies Sequins.

 All supplies are available from Stampin' Up!:

Stamp Sets: Painted Poppies (Item #151599)

Timeless Tulips (Item #151534)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (Item #132708)

Poppy Parade (Item #147050)

Pear Pizzazz (Item #147104)

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick (Item #140272)

Calypso Coral (Item #122925)

Poppy Parade (Item #119793)

Pear Pizzazz (Item #131201)

Mossy Meadow (Item #133676)

Basic Black (Item #121045)

Accessories: Vellum Cardstock (Item #101856)

Poppy Moments Dies (Item #151594)

Starburst punch (Item #143717)

Peaceful Poppies Sequins (Item #151325)

Aqua Painter (Item #103954)

Stampin' Dimensionals (Item #104430)

This second card used a 1-3/4" x 5" piece of the patterned paper that I had stamped. The card base is Calypso Coral color, with a "Basket Weave 3D" embossed panel in the center. I also used some black twine from the Country Club Twine Combo Pack for a little bit of texture, and the Clear Epoxy Droplets add a little bit of shine and dimension. The greeting came from the "Peaceful Moments" stamp set, which is part of the Peaceful Poppies suite, just like the Painted Poppies stamp set. I punched the greeting out with the Timeless Label punch.

  All supplies are available from Stampin' Up!:

Stamp Sets: Painted Poppies (Item #151599)

Peaceful Moments (Item #151595)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (Item #132708)

Poppy Parade (Item #147050)

Pear Pizzazz (Item #147104)

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick (Item #140272)

Calypso Coral (Item #122925)

Poppy Parade (Item #119793) 

Accessories: Basket Weave 3D Embossing Folder (Item #151797)

Country Club Twine Combo Pack (Item #151318)

Timeless Label punch (Item #149516)

Frosted and Clear Epoxy Droplets (Item #147801)

Aqua Painter (Item #103954) 

Stampin' Dimensionals (Item #104430)

The third card used the remaining piece of patterned paper ( 5" x 2-1/2") that I made. The green piece (5" x 1-1/2") is embossed with the "Layered Leaves 3D" embossing folder, and is mounted underneath the edge of the poppy-stamped piece. I used one of the black, embossed pieces that comes from the "Peaceful Poppies Elements" pack. It was longer that I wanted it, so I cut it in half, and shortened it underneath the circular medallion piece. The greeting comes from the "Perfectly Framed" stamp set, and was die-cut into a circle shape using Poppy Parade cardstock, the black flag piece is next, and then there is a Calypso Coral scalloped circle on the bottom. The circle and the scalloped circle are from the Layering Circles dies. I finished it off with a few Peaceful Poppies Sequins that I glued on to the front.

 All supplies are available from Stampin' Up!:

Stamp Sets: Painted Poppies (Item #151599)

Perfectly Framed (Item #151668)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (Item #132708)

Poppy Parade (Item #147050)

Pear Pizzazz (Item #147104)

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick (Item #140272)

Calypso Coral (Item #122925)

Poppy Parade (Item #119793)

Pear Pizzazz (Item #131201)

Accessories: Layered Leaves 3D Embossing Folder (Item #152321)

Layering Circles Dies (Item #141705)

Peaceful Poppies Elements (Item #151327)

Peaceful Poppies Sequins (Item #151325)

Aqua Painter (Item #103954) 

Stampin' Dimensionals (Item #104430)

I hope you like my cards. It was a lot of fun making them, especially using the patterned paper that I made myself.

Let me know if you would like to order any of the items that I used. I know it looks like a lot of items, but a lot of them are repeated on each card.

If you would like to order any of the items that I used to make these cards, feel free to contact me through the comments, and I can get with you to help you place your order.

Thanks again for stopping by,
Kathryn