Sparkly Gently Falling Leaves

I think I had told you a few weeks ago that I had participated in some swaps.  I was able to share all of the Halloween ones with you, but I haven't been able to share all the Fall/Thanksgiving themed ones yet.  This is one that really knocked my socks off.  I love that she added some depth and texture to her layers and used sparkles to glam up the leaf!  I feel so lucky to have received so many good pieces of inspiration.  I hope you enjoy it, too!

Supplies used include: Gently Falling stamp set, Woodgrain Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (retired), adhesive pearls, the Word Window punch, and the Modern Label punch.

Papillion Potpourri Birthday

Here's a birthday card I created awhile back and never got around to posting.  I try to be humble, but I've got to admit that this is one of my favorites.  I just love all the textures, patterns and layers...don't you?  This was a fun card to make, and I'm curious to see what it would look like in different color combinations, so if you decide to try it, post a link to your creation so that I can see!

Supplies used:
Paper: Cardstock (Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Basic Black, Whisper White) and Sycamore Street DSP (polka dots, retired)
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Stamps: Papillion Potpourri (butterfly) and a retired sentiment
Other: rhinestones, Elegant Butterfly punch (coordinates perfectly with the Papillion Potpourri butterfly stamp), Little Leaves Sizzlet, 1-3/4" scallop circle punch, Delicate Doilies Sizzlet, Houndstooth Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Scallop Edge Border Punch
Tip:  I used the scallop edge border punch to layer black on black.  It adds a little depth and interest without being too distracting.  It's hard to see in the photo but it's along the bottom edge.  Also, I used Stampin' Dimensionals adhesive to get some depth to my layers.

Summer Silhouettes Birthday

I've been posting a lot of fall/Halloween cards lately and I decided to take a break, and show you a flowery one that reminds more of spring or summer.  I was inspired by this card.  As you can see, I changed it a bit by matting the stamped image and eliminating the bow.  But it still achieved a clean and simple look, which is what attracted me to the example.  I think it would also look pretty in a shade of purple or yellow.

Supplies used for this card include the Summer Silhouettes stamp set, the Simply Sketched stamp set (sentiment), cardstock (whisper white and primrose petals), ink (gumball green, basic gray, and primrose petals, the Modern Mosaic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, a Big Shot machine, and Primrose Petals 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon.

Punchy Halloween

Isn't this adorable? I received this in a swap awhile back and I love it.   I think this would be a wonderful card for crafty kids.  The ghost and owl are made using our Owl Builder Punch, and the moon is a circle punch.  I love how Nikki sponged the moon to give it some texture or depth! Not only would this be a great card to copy, but I love how it challenges me to look at my punches in a whole new way! 

Happy stamping!!!

Halloween Bash/Witches' Brew

As promised, here is another piece of Halloween inspiration.  This time it comes to you courtesy of Jessica Morgan via a swap we both participated in.  I love that she used the new Chevron Punch to create the gray accents.  And I also love the sentiment.  The font and arrangement of the text reminds me of an Old West "Wanted" poster, so the crumpled texture and frayed edges suit it well, in my mind.

Supplies used include: Witches' Brew Designer Series Paper, Halloween Bash stamp set, Chevron punch, cardstock (Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Summer Starfruit), a brad, and Basic Black ink.

Come back soon to see a punchy piece of Halloween art...until then, Happy Stampin'!!!

Witches' Brew/Halloween Hello

Isn't this a great card?  A few weeks ago I had posted a few Halloween swap card (one that I had submitted for the swap and I had received in exchange). This is another of the cards I had received in exchange.  I love how she kept simple to assemble and used the popular banner and damask-like motifs.  This stamp set (Halloween Hello) comes with a nice assortment of small Halloween images, and she used four of them on this card.

Supplies used include Witches' Brew Design Series Paper, cardstock (pumpkin pie, basic black, very vanilla), ink (pumpkin pie, basic black), and circle punches.

Thanks, Misty, for a great card!  Check back in a few days for more Halloween inspiration from another swap card I received.

Joyful Christmas

I knew as soon as I received the holiday mini that this stamp set - Joyful Christmas - would make its way into my collection and now I'm so glad it did.  I used it to make cards for a swap I was in and I'm so happy with how it turned out.  I love it when I can use lots of layers, lots of patterns, and lots of textures, and this stamp lends itself perfectly to those criteria.

This card is labor- and supply-intensive, but oh-so-worth it!  It will knock the recipients' socks off!

Here's what you'll need:
Paper: Season of Style Designer Series Paper, Cardstock (whisper white, crumb cake, cherry cobbler and old olive)
Stamps: Joyful Christmas
Ink: Old Olive (sentiment), Crumb Cake (to make the watermarks on the crumb cake layer), and Versamark (for the embossing)
Other: adhesive-backed rhinestones, paper snips (for "fussy cutting"), white embossing powder, paper piercer, Apothecary Accents die set, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack, Paper-Piercing Mat, sticky strip (to adhere the embossed layers together).

Tip: When "fussy cutting" something, I find it easier to turn the paper rather than turn the scissors...you get a cleaner cut that way.  Also, try to slowly close the scissors as you can rather than lots of jagged open-close movements.