DOstamper STARS Sketch Challenge DSC#195

Lately, I’ve been trying to finish up some of the projects I’ve left lying around half-finished for a while.  One of those projects was finishing up an old Paper Pumpkin kit (Blissful Bouquet) that I had started and never finished.  Once I got those done, I decided to try to use the stamp set from that kit to create a card using this week’s sketch challenge.  

Even though my part of the world has seemingly moved into “autumn mode” I decided to resist the lure of deep, rich fall colors and, instead, chose the cheery colors of Delightful Daffodil and Pool Party.  I think the yellow/white/blue combination is classically cheerful & always had such a clean feeling.  I love it.  This card was unusual for me in that I didn’t add a single embellishment….but I quite like the simplicity of it for a change. The long skinny sentiments from the Floral Phases stamp set were perfect for this sketch.

After finishing the card for the challenge, I decided to make a similar card with some variances, which you can see below.  Which do you like better? 

Be sure to check out how my friends used this sketch to create their cards this week by clicking on the links below:

• Sharon Bennett
• Connie Plaumann
• Dawn Olchefske
• Joan Weidling 
• Angela O'Neill 
• Michelle Harrington
• Miriam Bollinger
• Dawn Thomas  
• Judy Strickling
• Robyn Rasset

Making Flowers from Foxes - DOstamper STARS Challenge - DSC #194 starring the Fox Builder Punch

This week's challenge was to use a NEW stamp - so something that was new to this year's annual catalog or something from the yet-to-be-released-to-the-public Holiday Catalog.  So far, I only have one new punch, the Fox Builder punch,...so guess who got out to play?  Yup, this little critter.  I am going to have soooo much fun with this little guy!  

So, about this project...one of the reasons I love to buy (and keep) the punches is because you never know what sort of punch art you can create with them.  There are tons of ideas on Pinterest and online galleries, so I have never regretted buying and saving these tools.  Today I wanted to look at the punch a little differently...I have seens TONS of cute cards already using the fox as a fox, cat, skunk, squirrel and other critters.  But I wanted to challenge myself to think outside the box.  Low and behold, I noticed that part of the punch layered to create a pretty little flower. 

What are some of your favorite "outside-the-box" uses for Stampin' Up! punches?

Here's what the Fox Builder punch looks like!

And here's how I punched out the flower parts - it took 4 pieces to make this flower.

To make this, you’ll need:

• The Fox Bundle (I used the punch to make the flower & the leaf stamp from this set to decorate the edge of the circle).
• Cardstock for the base and layers (I used Peekaboo Peach, Very Vanilla and Blushing Bride)
• Sweet Sugarplum ink (for stamping the leaves onto the small vanilla circle)
• Scraps from the Playful Palette Designer Series Paper (but the washi would work just as well for this project)
• 2" Circle Punch
• 1-3/8" Circle Punch
• an embellishment for the flower center (the pearl I used is retired, but I think these buttons or these rimmed pearls would be lovely!)
• Piercing tools (retired) - if you don't have these, you can always add interest by adding more layers, stamping or inking the edges, adding fun die-cut or punched shapes, or other elements, like doilies.  The point is just to add some interesting details.

To see how my friends used their new punches, check our their blogs by clicking on the links below...

• Judy Strickling
• Robyn Rasset 
• Sharon Bennett
• Angela O'Neill
• Connie Plaumann
• Dawn Olchefske
• Dawn Thomas
• Jan Carlson
• Joan Weidling 

Paper Pumpkin BOGO

For the first-time ever, FIRST-time Paper Pumpkin subscribers can buy their first month and get their second month FREE! 

Offer Dates: August 11–October 10, 2016
Offer Details:  When you use promo code “BOGO” at Michelle's PaperPumpkin, you'll pay the regular price of $19.95 for your first month and get your second month for FREE!

The Fine Print:

• Offer will be void if subscription is suspended or cancelled during the first two months. 
• After the first two months, the subscription will continue for $19.95+ tax per month (shipping included) unless cancelled or suspended.
• This offer is open to first-time subscribers only.
• Not valid on prepaid subscriptions.
• Ends October 10, 2016 (the last day to subscribe and get the October kit).

Timing:

• If you subscribe with the promo code between now and September 10, you will pay full price for the September kit and get the October kit free.
• If you subscribe between September 11 and October 10, your first kit will be the October kit and you will get the November kit free.

Happy stamping! 

Happy Birthday, Brianna!

Recognize the colors and technique?  That's right - it's the same color combination and layout as my challenge card from last Thursday!  This was the card I made for my friend, Brianna, who just turned 40.  We celebrated her birthday with pedicures & shopping followed by a surprise party her husband had lovingly planned.  It was perfect! 

Supplies: Whisper White cardstock, Island Indigo ink & cardstock, Mint Macaron ink & cardstock, Sweet Sugarplum ink & cardstock, Endless birthday wishes, adhesive, a few adhesive rhinestones and a dash of Sweet Sugar Plum ribbon.

8/4/16 DOstamper STARS Thursday Challenge

I knew as soon as I saw these colors that I would do something with snowflakes - the colors just seem so crisp and clean with white & they scream serenity, don't they?  And I find snow to be serene.  Since I knew right away what the theme would be, I figured it didn't count as much of a challenge, right? So, I went ahead and tried a technique I had never tried before.  My upline calls it "Triple Time" stamping.  I've always thought it was pretty but just have never taken the time to figure it out.  I'm really glad I did because I think it was a neat effect here. Want to see more cards with the same color scheme?  Check out my friends' blogs here:

• Connie Plaumann
• Dawn Olchefske 
• Judy Strickling
• Miriam Bollinger  
• Sharon Bennett
• Cathy Peck
• Dawn Thomas

And if you decide to try this scheme yourself, post a link to your work in the comments - I'd love to come check it out!

Mint Macaron & Botanicals Card

I'm one of those people who sometimes avoids things with which I'm uncomfortable.  Can you relate? Case in point - I have been reluctant to use the color Mint Macaron since it came out over a year ago. Don't get me wrong...it's a beautiful shade of green...but I wasn't quite sure with what colors I should pair it.  So I laid the Mint Macaron ink pad out on my work table with other colors in a circle around it and rearranged them every time I walked by for a few days to come up with a few color combinations that I liked.  This is the first one: Mint Macaron, Rich Razzleberry, Sweet Sugarplum, Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla and Perfect Plum.  Now, I'd admit it's a pretty safe color combo - it's hard to go wrong with pinks and purples, but it got me to play and now I'm really enjoying it.  You'll have to check back in the future to see if you can spy me using Mint Macaron with other colors...I have a few ideas up my sleeves.

Supplies: Rich Razzleberry ink &cardstock, Very Vanilla cardstock, Mint Macaroon cardstock, ink & ribbon, Playful Pallette Designer Series Paper, Botanical Blooms framelits and stamps, Perfect Plum ink, adhesive pearls, Blushing Bride cardstock & ink, Sweet Sugarplum ink, Teeny Tiny Wishes stamps, bitty banners dies (retired).