So often when I create cards, they are girly.  I admit it – I’m a girly-girl.  But I can be rough and rugged with the best of them.  However, creating cards that can be used for men or even boys is tough for me.  However, I think I pulled it off with this one.

Although I used ribbon, I refrained from adding a bow (that’s so hard for me.lol).  I plan on using this one in the Child’s Birthday Card Swap that’s coming up here on CARDScraps.

It’s been a while, so I figured I’d made a project sheet on this one.  You can download it from the Resources – Project Sheets section.  It’s called Wish Big Card.  There are a several others for you to check out while you’re there.  The instructions don’t include the interior since it uses a retired stamp, although you could customize it with any birthday stamp.

Here are some additional pictures.  If you have any questions, just let me know!

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

• Stamps:  Word Play, Itty Bitty Bits, Birthday Wishes
• Paper:  Real Red, Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White card stock, Play Date designer paper
• Ink:  Real Red, Tempting Turquoise
• Other:  2-2/8″ Scallop Circle Punch, Circle Scissor Plus, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Bitty Buttons, Real Red Satin Ribbon, Glue Stick, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Stampin’ Write Markers, Cotton Thread (DMC)

Well, it’s probably a good thing that I live in a different state than Brenda right now because she’d probably smack my hands for creating and showcasing a card on our blog that uses retired stamps the day after the NEW 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog goes live.

But.I did use some of the new stuff and I wanted to talk a little bit about them.  First off, do you see that fabulously vibrant card base?  That’s the new In Color Poppy Parade.  Gorgeous!  It’s kinda like a reddish orange color and I absolutely love it. 

When I decided that Poppy Parade was the color I wanted to work with today, I went to another new product by Stampin’ Up! – the new Color Coach (pg 165 in the catalog).  This thing is fantastic!  First, if you look closely in the image below, you’ll notice that I pulled my color combination directly from the back of the color swatch.  If I’m ever stuck for a color combination, this is going to be an awesome resource.  There’s two different combinations on the back of every single card.  The other side is the solid color with the name and color family.  It even has some blank cards so you can record your own favorite color combinations.  What’s not to like love about that?

I realized after designing this card that I do not have any “missing you” sentiment stamps.  :0  So I opted to print one directly onto Whisper White card stock.  I have a little trick that I like to do.  First, I print it on a full sheet of standard computer paper.  Then I tape an appropriately sized scrap of Whisper White to it with masking tape and run it back through the printer.  I’ve always had success with this process even on my cheap little inexpensive HP printer.  The font that I used is Ali’s Hand by Ali Edwards – it’s a great little handwriting font for cards and scrapbooking.

One of these cards are headed out in the mail today for the Squares or Rectangles card swap.  That one is closed for signups but we do have several that are still available for you to sign up for.  They’re simple one-to-one swaps – meaning that you only have to send in one card and in return, you’ll get one back.  This is great for the beginner swapper or for those that prefer not to have to make a bunch of the same card.

I hope you are all having a wonderful time browsing the new catalog.  If you’d like one of your very own and don’t already have a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, we’d be happy to mail you a free catalog – just pay $5 for shipping.  You can go here to order one today!

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday weekend! 

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

• Stamps:  Fun Flowers
• Paper:  Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze, So Saffron and Whisper White card stock
• Ink:  Baja Breeze, So Saffron and Poppy Parade
• Other:  So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon, Scalloped Square Punch, 1-1/4″ Square Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Big Shot, Polka-Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Glue Stick, Dimensionals, Button (non-SU!) Crochet Thread (DMC), Computer Font: Ali’s Hand (CK’s Ali Edwards)

I told you yesterday that I had an adorable card to share.  I CASEd this one from Michelle Singer.  The only thing I really changed on it was the the ribbon and I used Very Vanilla instead of Whisper White on the background.

Is this not the cutest get well card?  I absolutely LOVE it!  Thanks Michelle for the awesome inspiration.  I glued 3 pieces of 2″ card stock together and then ran it through the Big Shot centered underneath the Creamy Caramel “band-aid”.  This gave it the raised look.  Then I used the Mat Pack and Paper Piercer to create the pattern.  The edges were sponged with Creamy Caramel ink and then mounted to a piece of Very Vanilla card stock which is also sponged.  This was then mounted onto a Really Rust card base.  I used the band-aid stamp from Wellness Wishes to stamp a little band-aid on the envelope flap.  I love how this card turned out!

I’m using this one for the Get Well card swap here at CARDScraps.  You can get more details here – we’d love to have you sign up!

If you have any questions, just let me know.

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

• Stamps:  Thoughts & Prayers, Wellness Wishes
• Paper:  Really Rust, Very Vanilla and Creamy Caramel card stock
• Ink:  Creamy Caramel, Early Espresso
• Other:  Big Shot, Dusty Durango Grosgrain Ribbon, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Sponges, Glue Stick

4th of July Cards/Patriotic Swap nlt 6/9/10

2510-B Ocean Nautical – sign up nlt 6/28/10

2610-A Favorite/or New Technique signup nlt 7/5/2010

2610-B Friendship Day signup nlt 7/5/10

2710-A Fall signup nlt 7/12/10

2710-B Grandparents Day signup nlt 7/12

2810-A Happy Harvest or Halloween signup nlt 7/19

2810-B Thinking of You signup nlt 7/19/10

2810SU Stampin Up Products signup nlt 7/19

2910-A Sympathy signup nlt 7/26/10

2910-B Think Pink signups nlt 7/26/10

Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator
Tarboro, NC

When I created the sketch for this month’s sketch challenge blog candy, I had a particular stamp that I wanted to use – the All a Flutter stamp set that just came out in the new 2010 Summer Mini Catalog.  However, when it actually came down to me making the card, I switched up completely.  My main reason for switching is because I really needed to make a swap card for the upcoming New Baby – Neutral Colors card swap.  I guess some could say the colors I chose are more “boyish” but that’s how it turned out – and besides – I LOVE orange!

One of the things I love about having different paper packs from Stampin’ Up! is because the colors are consistent.  Meaning, that the So Saffron designer print paper in one collection is the same color of So Saffron in another collection – just a different print.  LOVE IT!  In this card, I actually used the So Saffron print paper from two different designer paper packs; Tea Party and Delicate Dots (retired).  The Pumpkin Pie print paper is from the Welcome Neighbor paper pack (retired) from this year’s Sale-a-Bration promotion.  If you don’t have these particular papers, you can pretty much substitute any other designer paper of the same color and it will work just fine.

I stayed pretty true to the sketch other than only using two stars instead of three on the right side.  All in all, I’m very pleased with how it turned out.  I even kept the card square and just created a custom square envelope to go with it from some Whisper White paper.

Here you can see the little sentiment that I added to the inside of the card.  Very simple – “small Wonder” from the Whimsical Words stamp set.  Now, a handwritten sentiment can determine what the card is used for – welcome new baby, birthday, etc.

Oh!  One more thing.  Notice I used the new buttons – Itty Bitty Buttons.  I feel that buttons should always be sewn on or have the look of being sewn on.  And because I don’t have any Chocolate Chip string to tie them with, I cut tiny little strips of paper and inserted them through the button holes.  My buttons are actually glued on but you’d never guess!

I hope you enjoyed today’s card.  If you haven’t started working on your card for our sketch challenge, you have a few more days to get yours entered.  All entries are entered to win a free stamp set!

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

• Stamps:  Cute & Cuddly and Whimsical Words
• Paper:  So Saffron and Chocolate Chip card stock, Tea Party, Welcome Neighbor and Delicate Dots designer paper, Watercolor Paper
• Ink:  Black Stazon, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel
• Other:  Stampin’ Write Markers, Aqua Pen, Small Star Punch, Scalloped Border Punch, Itty Bitty Buttons, Itty Bitty Shapes Round Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals, Sponges, Glue Stick, 2-Way Glue Pen

While this card could definitely simply be a “congrats” card for any occasion, I actually created it for the New Home card swap here at CARDScraps. Ever since I saw the swap, I knew exactly what stamp set I was going to use and had an idea of the layout I wanted to use.

Yes, I know the Good Neighbors stamp set is retired as it was one of the stamp sets you could earn free during Sale-a-Bration.  However, it just goes perfectly with the swap theme.  And in my goal to use up some of my retired/retiring designer papers and card stock, I felt it was ok to use a retired stamp set as well.  So since most of the items used in this card are either retired or retiring soon, I chose not to create a project sheet on this one.  But, if you have any questions, feel free to drop me a line anytime and I’ll be happy to answer!

My card layout was inspired by a card created by Sandi MacIver.  She shared hers a while back and I saved it for future use.  I changed up quite a bit – papers, colors, ribbons, etc., so I can’t necessarily say that I CASEd her card – just inspired by it.

First of all, since you know my love for dimensional cards, I had to pop up everything on Dimensionals.  For the same reason, you know I had to add a big shiny bow as well.  Here’s a view of the card laying flat and closed.  I love how the sentiment (Congratulations) is actually on the inside of the card, but because 1-1/4″ was trimmed from the front cover, you can see it when it’s closed as well.  Doing this gives you the opportunity to use some of those square card sketches out there too since it makes the front of the card 4-1/4″ x 4-1/4″.

Below you can see a close-up of some of the paper piecing.  I chose to use the tree trunk from Trendy Trees since it was a little bigger and I wanted my tree to be a little taller.  Gives it a more whimsical look I think.  I stamped the house on patterned paper for the main house, but then also stamped it on Whisper White so I could cut out the windows and door.  They seemed to get lost in the house before I did this.

Anyway – I’d love to hear what you think about today’s card.  I hope to see you sign up for the card swap!

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

• Stamps:  Good Neighbors, Trendy Trees, Well Scripted
• Paper:  Taken with Teal, Old Olive and Whisper White card stock, Sweet Pea and Welcome Neighbors designer paper
• Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Bermuda Bay and Old Olive
• Other:  Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Corner Rounder Punch, Heart Punch, Dimensionals, 2-Way Glue Pen, Glue Stick

I absolutely fell in love with this look when I saw it done by fellow Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, Tina Dyck.  It would have never crossed my mind to create “toile” with the Elements of Style stamp set by Stampin’ Up!.  I’ve always been in love with Toile and the whole French Country look, so this card is special to me.

This is the card that I will be giving to my Mom and Mother-in-Law this year.  This is very elegant but super easy to make.  In fact, I have uploaded the project sheet on this one to the Resources – Project Sheets section which you can download and make one of your very own.

I can’t decide which one I like better – the red or the blue.  I used Not Quite Navy on the blue one and Ruby Red on the red one.  I chose to use the Ruby Red since it will be retiring soon and I wanted to use up some of the card stock I have on hand.

The original card that I CASED did not have any ribbon on it, but you know me – I have to have ribbon and preferably big fluffy bows.  It’s my feminine side, I suppose.

Here you can see the inside of the cards.  I used the All Holidays stamp set for the Happy Mother’s Day sentiment.  It’s got a beautiful little flourish that goes perfectly with the card, I think.  I actually only stamped a sentiment in two of the cards. 

One of the blue ones is going to be used in the SU Current Products Only card swap.  Would love to have you join in!  You still have plenty of time – signups close on 5/17 and cards have to be in the mail by 5/27.

Don’t forget that you can click on the images to see a larger view of them.  I’ve also included a close-up shot of the texture so you can see how the Square Lattice texture folder made this really look like toile fabric.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed today’s card.  If you have any questions, just let me know.

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

• Stamps:  Elements of Style and All Holidays
• Paper:  Kraft, Ruby Red, Not Quite Navy and Very Vanilla card stock
• Ink:  Ruby Red, Not Quite Navy
• Other:  Big Shot, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder, Dimensionals, Glue Stick, Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Sponges, 1″ Circle Punch, 1-1/4″ Circle Punch, Blender Pen   

For a while now, I’ve been wanting to make one of the circular cards using the Sizzix Scallop Circle Die from Stampin’ Up!, but kept putting it off for one reason or another.  Well, I finally did it and I have to say that I LOVE the results.  I started off with the sketch from Mojo Monday.  This week, they have square and circular versions of the sketch.  Although I admit that some sketches don’t appeal to me – whether they’re too simple, too complicated or just not a layout that I find pleasing – but this one really grabbed my attention.

Next, I was inspired by a card created by another Stampin’ Up! demonstrator (Andrea Walford).  She participated in a challenge in which you draw inspiration from a photograph.  Well, between the photo which you see here and Andrea’s card, I was inspired to make my card.  So I guess, in a way, I ended up participating in the Tuesday Trigger: Poolside Insiration challenge from Moxie Fab World.

So now that you’ve seen my inspiration, let’s move on to the card.  The stamp set I grabbed is an old favorite of mine – Petal Pizzazz.  I haven’t used this one in a while, so I was glad to be able to pull it out again – something about the Spring and Summer months make me want to see big, vibrant flowers!

See that delectable designer paper that I used?  That’s from a new paper pack which will be available on May 1st in the Summer Mini Catalog.  It’s called Island Oasis and you’re going to love it!  In this card, you’re seeing both sides of the same piece of designer paper too – the Tempting Turquoise polka dot is the backside of the main patterned paper I used.

And of course, I had to use some of the divine Satin Ribbon that Stampin’ Up! carries.  At first I thought it was a little pricey, but then when I started comparing what can get from the big box stores, I realized that I am getting a great bargain due to the amount of ribbon on the roll.  And once you’ve worked with this, you’re going to love it – it’s just so easy to tie bows with this stuff!  And you know me – I absolutely love using ribbons and bows on my cards.  A big beautiful bow just adds so much to an otherwise flat card.  For an added touch, I stamped the flower and the leaf onto the Whisper White envelope.

In this photo, you can see where I tried something a little different with the flower.  Rather than lining up the top layer to match the bottom layer, I turned it so that my flower would have more petals.  I can’t decide which one I like better.lol.

This card is going to be used in the Sender’s Choice – Any Theme card swap here at CARDScraps.  Hope to see you participate!

Would you like to make your own card like this one?  Well, I have created a project sheet for this one which you can download in the Resources -> Project Sheets section.

Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

• Stamps:  Petal Pizzazz
• Paper:  Old Olive, Kraft and Whisper White card stock, Island Oasis designer paper
• Ink:  Tempting Turquoise and Kiwi Kiss
• Other:  Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Big Shot, Scalloped Circle Die, Circle Scissors Plus, Glue Stick, Dimensionals

It’s so very hard to capture glitz and glimmer on camera.  However, the little yellowish gold specks you see in this card around my fairy shimmer and shine!   The ladies at the nursing home in Tarboro, NC will be making this card in May- minus the glimmer.  Once I spritzed on some Smooch Spritz which is coming out in a few days in the Summer Mini Catalog, I knew exactly what I was going to do with this card – use if for the Sparkles.  Glitter, Glitz.Any Theme card swap.

And check out my cute little fairy!  Isn’t she adorable?  She’s from the new Little Bit of Magic stamp set.  She’s so sweet and the other fairy in that set is just as adorable.if not more!  I think she looks divine in her little red and yellow flower dress.  I used the Stampin’ Write markers and the Blender Pen to color the image.

To spritz the background without covering my cute fairy, I stamped the image onto a sticky note and then cut it out.  Place it over top of the stamped image on your card stock and spritz with your Smooch Spritz.  I also kept my mask in place the stamp the fairy dust.

I hope posting some of these swaps makes you want to sign up.  We’d love to see more participants.

Until tomorrow – Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

• Stamps:  Little Bit of Magic
• Paper:  Tempting Turquoise, Real Red and Whisper White card stock, Pink Flamingo designer paper
• Ink:  Jet Black Stazon, Tempting Turquoise
• Other:  Scallop Border Punch, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Glue Stick, Dimensionals, Gold Glow Smooch Spritz, Stampin’ Write Markers, Blender Pen, SNAIL Adhesive

I actually made this card a couple of weeks ago but am just getting around to posting it.  This one is made using my favorite stamp set – Vintage Vogue!  The paper I used is from the Sweet Pea designer series paper stack which is only available for a couple more days as the 2010 Occasions Mini Catalog is coming to an end.   So if you want it, you’d better get it quick! 

For those that have fallen in love with the Sweet Pea designer series paper, you can buy the digital version to use in My Digital Studio or any other graphics program and you can have it forever and ever!  Just print out what you need!

As my title mentions, this card is for the Stampin’ Up! Products only swap that’s already closed.  However, we have a new one of these every month.  Just check our Card Swaps Forum for the latest swaps available.  I hope to see some new faces signing up.  For the most part, you only have to create one card – and in return, you’ll get one card.  This is great for the beginner swapper since you don’t have to mass produce your cards.

Tomorrow I’ll be showing you another card that I’m using for a swap card.  You’re gonna love it as it uses a few of the new products coming out in the 2010 Summer Mini Catalog which will debut on May 1st.

Until tomorrow – Happy Stamping

Lianne Carper
CS partner and DTM for Brenda Cook
Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator

• Stamps:  Vintage Vogue & Whimsical Words
• Paper:  Old Olive and Whisper White card stock, Sweet Pea designer series paper stack
• Ink:  Rose Red, Old Olive, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive Close to Cocoa and Basic Black
• Other:  Designer Label Punch, 1-3/8″ Circle Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Silver Brads, Dimensionals, Sponges, Polka Dots Impressions Folder, Glue Stick