An Overdue Post and Happy Valentine's Day

It's been awhile since I've posted...but the good news is that I'm putting up a post today. Yay...and I thought I'd share this shabby chic card with you. So, what else have I been doing this month? I've been creating cards  for upcoming classes and that's always a LOT of fun! I centered the cards around the Apothecary Art and Flower Fest stamp sets. I can't wait to share them with everyone.  Since I'll be teaching the cards I've been working on, I need tutorials to send out, so I've also been busy writing, taking and editing pictures, and putting them all together. It's a different kind of creating, but fun.

I taught this month's Brayering class at Tumbleweed Recreation Center last week. We had a great time brayering and everone's cards turned out beautiful. It was quite an aerobic class with all the brayering going on, we certainly got a workout. I get to teach the Brayering class again next week with another bunch of stamping gals. Can't wait!
I'll be posting this month's Brayering cards next week along with a little brayering how-to YouTube video, so you can all see what we've been up to this month. The Brayering Tutorial PDF will be available next week along with a few kits, so stay tuned for that, too.

Thanks a bunch for stopping by...I hope that you're all having a great day :-)

Supplies:

Cardstock: So Saffron, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette, Basic Black

DSP: Berry Blossoms

Ink:  Soft Suede for sponging; Basic Black, Poppy Parade, Old Olive

Punches: Jewelry Tag ((117190)

Big Shot: Labels framelit (125598), Adorning Accents edgelit (125595)and embossing folder (125601); Daisies #2 (114520)

Stamp Set: Vintage Vogue (118598 CM); Tiny Tags (118592 CM)

Click to Order Stampin' Up! Supplies

Another Valentine

This Valentine card was inspired by a card in the IBC catalog. This has a little slit on the card front for a Valentine "Friend" Tag. The DSP is from Stampin' Up's upcoming SAB catalog (January 24!!)...I love this paper! I used the stamp set Vintage Vogue and Teeny Tiny Wishes for the sentiment.

Have a great day!

Supplies:

Cardstock: Soft Suede,Crumb Cake, Poppy Parade

Accessories and DSP from 2012 SAB catalog

Ink: Early Espresso, Poppy Parade, Soft Suede

Punches: Small Heart, Corner Rounder, Decorative Label, Word Window

Big Shot: Edgelit Adorning Accents Scallops; Framed Tulips Embossing folder;  Hearts Collection Framelit

Stamp Set: Vintage Vogue,Teeny Tiny Wishes

Click to Order Stampin' Up! Supplies

Masking with Die Cuts

From Adriel:

I designed the cards for this month's card classes with a focus on masking, particularly using die-cuts. Many of us have at least one of the popular die-cutting machines. We personally own the Sizzix Big Shot and enjoy using the special dies that are available exclusively through Stampin' Up!. The fact is, none of the die-cutting machines are cheap and finding new ways to use them is a great way to get more bang for your buck! So I wanted to focus on using die-cuts in our masked cards class to give you more options for using your die-cutting machine. Each card employs a different technique on applying the ink to get that masked image, so we're also showing how to get different looks when masking with your die-cuts. A description of each card is below!

Elegant Top Note Card

This card uses the popular Top Note die as a mask. Stamping using the beautiful Fifth Avenue Floral set, along with sponging creates a beautiful frame around the die-cut. A large trimmed flower, a simple stamped sentiment and a lovely cluster of pearls adds just the right amount of extra to the card without taking away from the masking.

Delightful Floral Card

This card combines the combination of brand new colors from Stampin' Up! along with a special floral background using a die cut flower and sponging. The two-tone sponging adds depth to the flowers and the background created is beautiful in itself. A simple stamped and punched sentiment along with some elegant satin ribbon gives the finish that complements the beautiful masking. I was inspired by Dawn's video tutorial for this masking technique.

Butterly Flourish Card

Butterflies are very popular in crafts lately and they get incorporated into this lovely card. Butterfly die-cuts create a mask over the cardstock, which gets a spray of shimmer mist, creating a sparkly background to the sweet butterflies. Stamped images from Vintage Vogue complete the elegant look of this card.

You can purchase the directions for all 3 cards for $5 using the button below. A PDF will be sent to you within 48 hours of purchase.

You can purchase a kit for this class for $12 (which includes S&H) using the button below. Kit will include the pre-cut/scored/punched card stock, die-cut masks, ribbon, and pearls for 3 cards, 1 of each of the designs. You will need your own adhesive, stamps, ink, and shimmer mist. (Because of the angel policy for Stampin' Up!, we cannot pre-stamp for kits we sell.) Kits will be mailed in 1-2 days of purchase and should be received within 1 week. Kits are available only while supplies last.

Let us know what you think about this month's cards and the kit! We'd love your feedback! =)

Vintage Scallop Circle Cards

From Adriel:

I'm actually posting something new today! Wow! =)

Life has changed a lot for me with a new baby. I know that in a few more weeks, things will have settled down a little bit and she won't need so much attention (nursing, burping and diaper changing make up at least 8 hours of my day) and she'll be sleeping better. A part of me is longing to be the mom to my other two children I was able to be before the baby and to have the steam to do "extra" things that don't seem that important at the moment. While a part of me is craving for what used to be "normal", I'm realizing that this season of life is so short and will soon be over. My tiny little baby will be walking and talking before I know it and I'll have time again for those "extra" things. I'm learning to embrace the new "normal" and take it a day at a time. So today this is the little "extra" thing that I'm able to do. =)

I loved the scallop circle card my mom made a few weeks ago! I loved it so much, I made my own scallop circle card!

Mind you... I made this before baby. I'm not really sure when I'll be making anything new, but when I do, I'll be sharing it with you! =)

All supplies Stampin' Up! unless noted: Kraft CS, Chocolate Chip CS, Very Vanilla CS, Chocolate Chip ink, Rose Red ink, Very Vintage wheel, Vintage Vogue stamp set, Itty Bitty Bits stamp set, All Holidays stamp set, Boho Blossom punch, Modern label punch, Scallop Circle Bigz die, Circles #2 Originals die, Big Shot die cutting machine.

A Sneak Peek...

From Adriel:

Next month's Stamp-a-Technique class has two themes going. First, my mom thought it would be fun to do a "summer" theme for the cards, so they are a bit "summery". The technique theme for these cards is punching, so all the cards use punches and hopefully we'll be showing you some different ways to use your punches!

The sneak peek today is an adorable card that my mom, Heidi Tekunoff, made for the class. It is just darling, isn't it?

Summer Cottage Punch Card

She used a variety of punches and did some beautiful stamping with the Vintage Vogue stamp set. I think her card turned out so charming and I know those of you coming next month will enjoy learning how to make it. =)

More sneak peeks to come! Stay tuned! =)

May 13th Already?

From Adriel:

Can you believe that we're almost halfway through the month of May already? Craziness! Time is flying by in some ways, but in others, it seems to be inching by. My due date of June 2nd doesn't seem to be getting any closer... I'm in that stir-crazy phase of pregnancy, trying to keep myself busy and occupied. I know it's not a long wait now, but it still seems so far away and like it's never going to happen. Craziness (in a different sort of way... like mental)!

Anyway, that's a whole lot more than you came to hear today, I'm sure! LOL! I really began this post to show off what we're making today at our project classes today. This cute box w/ 5 note cards.

We're going to be using the Big Shot like crazy today! It should be a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to teaching the class. We'll be seeing some of you later!

And for those of you who are not able to come, but would like the PDF of the directions, I will have that available to purchase later for $3. I want to double-check my directions first for any errors before making it available. =)

Brayer Class Today

From Adriel:

Today my mom is teaching a card making class at Tumbleweed Rec. Center using various brayer techniques. This is the second installment of a brayer class that we have offered. My mom taught the previous class as well. She is definitely better at brayering than I am and her creativity with it really comes out in this class, I think. Here's one of the cards my mom will be teaching today to those of you who signed up!

I love this card and the other cards are wonderful as well (I just don't have pictures of them).

Enjoy your day! =)

Take 2

From Adriel:

Remember my first take on a project I was working on?

(You can click the preceeding sentence if you missed it.)

I made another attempt and I'm happy to say that I am much more pleased with the results! This project will be for one of our upcoming local classes. You want to like what you're going to teach others to make. That won't be a problem this time... I like it and it's a winner! =)



I broke out the Lattice die for the Big Shot that's been sitting in it's packaging for a few weeks... talk about instant wow! It's beautiful and easy to create with! Can't wait until our ladies get to try it out... they're going to love it!



I used the Mojo Monday 133 card sketch for my card and it worked out great!


My card size is 3-1/4" x 4-7/8", so a bit smaller than the normal 4-1/4" x 5-1/2". The colors I used for this card are: Sahara Sand, Bordering Blue, Not Quite Navy, and Very Vanilla. I used the Very Vintage wheel on the background of the card and the center oval is stamped with images from the Vintage Vogue stamp set. The sentiment is from the Vintage Labels sale-a-bration set.

Hope your weekend is going good for you!

Wowzer! Wednesday

For today's Wowzer! Wednesday we are featuring the work of talented SU! Demo Jen Sannes. A couple of her projects this week caught my eye and I thought, "Why not? Let's just feature her on Wednesday!"

Here are Jen's Wowzer! projects that I hope you will enjoy as much as I did!

This lovely card by Jen Sannes is simply done and yet so beautiful! Visit her blog HERE for all the details about her card! I love how she added some interest to the background simply by embossing the cardstock. It makes the card so much more interesting without very much effort! Her use of the Vintage Vogue stamp set are beautiful on this card.

This little card by Jen Sannes opens to reveal a pocket to hold a tea bag! Isn't that darling?! Jen provides dimensions and basic directions HERE, so don't miss it! This would be perfect for a friend under the weather or just to let someone know you're thinking of them. I love the color combo Jen used and again, she did such a beautiful job with the Vintage Vogue stamp set on this card.

We hope you enjoyed this week's Wowzer! Wednesday. Get those stamps out and use them! You never know when you'll end up with a Wowzer! of your own! =D

Using the new "Mom" set...

From Adriel:

We ordered the new "Messages for Mom" set from Stampin' Up! recently and a couple of days ago my mom and I both played with it and had some fun and laughs. I like creating with my mom. =)

This set has a ton of text in it, which I like for the reason that a lot of the sentiments can be used for other occasions and other people besides just "Mom", but they also fit well with the fancy "MOM" image that comes with the set. It doesn't come with very much else... one flourish image. This can be difficult if you're trying to use the set all by itself, but I used it along with the new "Vintage Vogue" stamp set and loved how the two sets went so well together! =)

For my card:

- I used a Kraft CS base and the size is just slightly under 3-1/2" x 5"... I think it's like 3-3/8" x 4-7/8"... I did that because it fits in the note card envelope better.

- I stamped an image from "Vintage Vogue" in Taken w/ Teal ink along the top and bottom of the card base.

- I stamped the "Mom" and the sentiment in black craft ink (on a strip of Kraft CS layered with Taken w/ Teal CS) and embossed w/ clear embossing powder. I didn't use a Stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp these... I'm just that good... no, not really! LOL! We bought the set as clear-mounted, so it was very easy to see right where I was stamping and that is my secret! =)

- My black gingham ribbon ruffle was done by applying a strip of Sticky Strip on the back of the bottom of the sentiment panel. I just pressed and gathered the ribbon as I went.

- My flowers are embossed, even though I didn't have craft ink in Taken w/ Teal! Here's how: I inked up the floral image first with versamark. I then inked up the image again with Taken w/ Teal classic ink, directly after the versamark. Then I stamped this on my cardstock, which I then sprinkled with a mixture of clear embossing powder and dazzling diamonds glitter and set with the heat tool. So cool... you can pretty much emboss with any color that way, without needing to have craft ink pads! =) The flowers were then cut out carefully, punched with the 1/16" hand punch and attached to the Kraft CS strip w/ clear rhinestone brads.

It was fun to make... I'm going to make more (if I have time). ;-)

Don't forget about the color challenge that we're hosting! You can get all the details about it HERE!

Have a wonderful, creative day! =)

Supplies for Mom card (all SU unless noted): Vintage Vogue stamp set, Messages for Mom stamp set, Kraft CS, Taken w/ Teal CS, Whisper White CS, Black craft ink, Taken w/ Teal classic ink, Versamark ink, clear embossing powder, dazzling diamonds glitter, heat tool, Sticky Strip, Clear rhinestone brads, Black gingham ribbon (not SU), stampin' dimensionals, adhesive.

My Color Challenge Card

From Heidi...I'm not entering the challenge, but I wanted to try out these colors. I combined a sketch challenge with the color challenge and this what I came up with. I used the Vintage Vogue stampset and the crimper. I'm looking forward to seeing all of your submissions...fun, fun!

To get all the details about the color challenge that we're hosting, click HERE!