Oh, Whale! Baby Shower Thank You's

In March, my aunt and cousin threw a baby shower for our first baby.   We are doing the nursery in a sea life theme, so they decided to carry that theme into the shower by sending out the cutest little whale invitations and using whale plates and napkins.  It was such a wonderful shower with the ladies in my family, the ladies in my husband's family, a close friend and her daughter (both of whom are pretty much family).

The whale theme was a surprise to me, and I was so happy when I was able to make some thank you notes after the shower using the whale set (Oh, Whale!) I had hoarded purchased several years ago. It is retired, and it did have a die that went with it.  Until this shower, it hadn't gotten much love from me but I'm so glad I held on to it.  This is why I encourage people to buy what they like and keep it - if you like something, you'll eventually find a use for it, as I did here.

The wavy embossing, stitched square and clouds were all made using current Stampin' Up products (click on the words to see them in my store).  The colors are Blushing Bride, Marina Mist, Pool Party and Whisper White.  I've also started lining all of my envelopes.  This envelope liner is paper from the Playful Palette stack, which is on sale for six bucks and retiring...which means it's only available until the current stock runs out!

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 

DOstamper STARS Challenge DSC #191

Phew, wee!  This was a challenge for me!  I really wanted to honor the original sketch with an oval-type shape in the upper corner, but try as I might, I couldn't get it right.  So, instead, I swapped the oval for a heart.  Also, the Peekaboo Peach & some of the patterns of paper in the Playful Pallette suite have been out of my comfort zone.  But you know, I'm glad I played until I got a little more comfortable, because I think this one turned out pretty good.  It still honors the sketch to a degree: a shape in the upper left, flowers & a horizontal element more towards the middle.  So, get out something that has you stumped and play - that's my challenge to you this week!  

Supplies: Sweet Sugarplum, Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride and Peekaboo Peach cardstock; Sweet Sugarplum ink; Playful Pallette Designer Series Paper, hearts thinlits, adhesive pearls, dimensionals & snail adhesives; Number of Years stamps, Large Numbers Framelits, Botanical Builder Framelits.

Now - go check out how my friends interpreted the same sketch:

• Michelle Harrington (that's me - you're here)
• Joan Weidling
• Judy Strickling
• Miriam Bollinger
• Angela O'Neill 
• Cathy Peck
• Connie Plaumann
• Dawn Olchefske
• Dawn Thomas
• Sharon Bennett

DOstamper STARS Challenge: Product Spotlight DSC #186

This weeks challenge was to use the 2016-2018 In Colors.  Rather than trying to use them all at once, I zoned in on the Sweet Sugarplum, which is prominently featured in the new Playful Palette Designer Series paper.  I'm pleased with the results.  You'll have to keep your eyes peeled in the coming weeks to see other In Colors in my work.

Be sure to check out more "Product Spotlight" inspiration from the DOstamperSTARS Team (click on their names below):   

• Michelle Harrington- you are here 
• Angela O'Neill 
• Sharon Bennett
• Jan Carlson
• Miriam Bollinger
• Cathy Peck
• Judy Strickling
• Robyn Rasset 
• Joan Weidling 
• Dawn Olchefske 
• Connie Plaumann
• Dawn Thomas

STARS Sketch Pad Challenge DSC #183

If you're a follower of the Stampin' Up! world, you know that today is a BIG day for us!  The new catalog is now revealed to the public (before it was just for demos) and it is all available for purchase. Needless to say, we are all pretty pumped to finally be able to share all of it with you and order anything we want.

Speaking of new, here are some new products I used to make today's challenge.The pink and green are two of the NEW In Colors: Flirty Flamingo (LOVE that name) and Emerald Envy (which is a totally delicious green).  I paired it with our old friend So Saffron.  The patterned paper is also new.

To see what my friends did with this same sketch, follow the links below!  And come back soon to find more new goodies from the new catalog.

• Michelle Harrington - you are here
• Angela O'Neill 
• Connie Plaumann
• Sharon Bennett
• Jan Carlson
• Cathy Peck
• Joan Weidling 
• Dawn Olchefske 
• Judy Strickling
• Miriam Bollinger