Sew Saturday ~ May Finish ~ Color Value Quilt

May was a packed month for our household, so I didn't have much time for sewing.  I did manage to finish my goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes though.  My goal was to finish my half square triangle color value quilt.  I think it needs a new name, don't you?

The reason I chose this lofty goal was I wanted this quilt to be done, (clicky to see my first post about it over a year ago) and I needed to practice FMQ on my new machine.  Can I tell you how much I love my new machine?  This was WAY easier to quilt than anything I tried on Brother PR420.  I still need to practice and hone my skills, but I can definitely tell the difference.  The right tools make all the difference.

Since I was playing with my new machine I decided to try out one of the embroidery stitches for my label.  It turned out larger than I expected, but I found a way to add it to the quilt instead of the binding.  The more I quilt, the more I find it is not about perfection as much as practice.  There are some things that will have to be learned through trial and error.  The more I practice, the more experience I gain, the more I use that experience, the better I become. 

Now if I could just find the TIME to put into my sewing and quilting, I would be golden.  :)   

May Finish

Remember, tomorrow is the last to link up your finishes with Melissa and Shanna.  I'm celebrating your achievements with you!  

Thank My Lucky Stars ~ Misti ~ Gradient Stamping

Recently I've been in a card making spurt.  Instead of making one card, I often make 3 to 5 in a setting.   Which is excellent, because I have so little time to stamp these days. Today I am going through my computer files to make sure I share the good ones with you.  :)  Here is a card I thought I had already shared, but can't find it on my blog.

I used the same gradient technique that I shared in this post, clicky.  There's a video with that card showing you how it's done.  I'll give you a hint, the MISTI made it easy!

There are still two more cards I made that day and one has a video.  :)  I'm editing it now and hope to have it up on my blog for you next week.  Don't you love when inspiration spreads from one project to 4?!!!


Stamps: Lucky Stars (Wplus9)
Ink: Bermuda Bay, Garden Green, Tempting Turquoise (Stampin' UP)
Paper: Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: Star Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh); Stitched Rectangle Dies, Quilted Swirl Stitch Pattern Die (Lil' Inker Designs)

WPlus9 Design Studio Clear Stamps, Lucky Stars

Pretty Pink Posh Sequins, 6 mm Flat, Silver Stars

Ranger Multi Medium, Matte Mini, 1/2 oz.

Retiring Favorites ~ From My Heart

The new Stampin' UP! catalog goes live on June 2nd.  If you have purchased anything from me in the past 6 months you should be receiving your catalog soon, if it isn't in your hand already.  :)    Please contact me if you haven't received yours yet.  While the new catalog is very exciting, it also means we have to say goodbye to some of our retiring favorites.  I've been trying to showcase some of mine on the blog so you can get them before they are gone.

One of my all time favorite sets is retiring, From My Heart, along with the coordinating Apothecary Framelits & Labels Framelits.     I  used the stamp set on this watercolor wash card.  It turned out so pretty that I decided to make a second card and film a video to show you how it was done.

Below is the card I made for the video.  You can see the pink of the heart reflected in my Sparkling Clear sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.  When I was editing the card I said to myself, "I don't remember using iridescent pink sequins."  Sometimes I amuse myself.  Now I want to get my hands on some pink/clear sequins though.

Supply List:

Stamps: From My Heart (Stampin' UP! - retiring)
Ink: Soft Sky, Strawberry Slush (Retiring) & Versamark (SU)
Paper: Whisper White (SU); Marshmallow (Bazill)
Accesories: Silver Embossing Powder (SU); Stitched Rectangle Dies (Lil' Inker Designs); Sparkling Clear Sequins (Pretty Pink Posh);

From My Heart

Apothecary Accents Framelits

Apothecary Art (retiring)

Pretty Pink Posh Sequins, 6 mm Cupped, Sparkling Clear

Pretty Pink Posh Sequins, 4 mm Cupped, Sparkling Clear

Ranger Ink Blending Tool, 1 Inch Round

Retiring Favorites - Chalk Talk + Stampin Celebration

It's time for a new sketch challenge at Stampin' Celebration.  This one is great for die cuts and punches.  My mind is spinning with all sorts of ideas.

SC105

As you know this is the last week to pick up your favorite Stampin' UP! items from the retirement list.  I've been sharing some of my favorites here, here and here.  The chalk talk set really surprises me to see it go.  It's been such a popular set with chalkboard trend.  

I wanted the tag to have its moment in the spotlight, so I created this fairly clean and simple (CAS) card.  The background was made using a wax paper resist technique with sponging.  I did a video on this technique for the StampNation Virtual Retreat last month, and this is one of my leftover pieces. If you are a member, CLICKY, to see it now.

Be sure to head on over to the Stampin' Celebration blog to see what the rest of the incredi bly talented design team has created and then link up your card inspired by the sketch.  

Stamps: Chalk Talk (retiring)
Ink: White Pigment Ink
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White
Accessories: Chalk Talk Framelits (retiring), Basic Rhinestones, Large Rhinestones, Black Chevron Ribbon (retiring),  Wax Paper + Iron

Chalk Talk Bundle

Chalk Talk Framelits

Chalk Talk

Memorial Day

While many of us in the United States are enjoying a long weekend with family and friends, I want to take a moment to remember those who gave their lives so that we could enjoy our freedom.  Their sacrifice is not lost on me, nor our family.  I'm so thankful to the men and women who have served our country.  Today, and everyday, I honor you.

If you are a cardmaker, there is an amazing blog hop going on right now for Operation Write Home and their "Finish Strong" campaign.  Clicky to see the hop from the start.   Take some time today to do something you love and appreciate those who served our country.

Retro Coffee Card

Last weekend I saw a sketch post for Retro Sketches on the Facebook group, Coffee Loving Papercrafting.  I knew I had to create something with that sketch and the retiring Perfect Blend.

rs#165

Here is the card I came up with.  I masked off the right side of the card with post-it masking tape, and stamped my cup 3 times with a few splatters in the background for good measure.  Then I stamped the cup again on Crumb Cake, Soft Suede and Whisper White cardstock before cutting them out by hand.

All the pieces were adhered together and I popped the lid up using dimensionals.  The finishing touches were double mats with coordinating cardstock and Early Espresso Baker's Twine.  This would make a great card to give with a gift certificate to your favorite coffee spot.  ;)

Supplies:
Stamps: Perfect Blend (Stampin' UP!)
Ink: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake (SU)
Paper: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: Eearly Espresso Bakers Twine, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Circle Framelits (SU)

Either/Or

The new challenge is up at StampNation and it is an Either/Or game.  We had to chose one item from each category and couldn't use the other on our cards.  I chose Rectangle-Enamel Dots-Embossing-Silver for my card.  Can you spot which one is mine from the Design Team collage?

My Retiring Favorites - Blooming With Kindness

This morning I finally sat down and pulled out all my Stampin' UP! products that will be retiring soon.  The list is long.  I have 30 stamp sets, 20 punches, and half a dozen Framelits that are being retired, not to mention embossing folders and ribbon.  Normally this makes me so sad, but I am in purging mode, so it is a little bit exciting to clear off some shelf space.

Blooming With Kindness

Still, there are a few items that I am super sad to see go.  I may just hold on to some of them.  I keep a shelf of retired stamps in my stamp room.  It's up high, and I'm short, so I don't go to it often, but they are there if I need them.  Every year I am able to let a couple go so that I can put a couple more up there.   Here is one that I will be holding onto for at least a year because I love the scripted sentiments in Blooming With Kindness.

One of my favorite designs for this stamp set is making a stack of notecards.  They make great gifts.  I get bored easily with repetitive stamping, so I can change each card just a little bit to  make my stamping time enjoyable.  Can you spot the differences?

Can you spot the differences?  I cut all my layers the same to make the process go quickly.  With one exception.  There was one card that I double mounted.

Do you have any favorites that are retiring?  Clicky to check out the full list.  I'll be going through my retiring stamps and trying to use my favorites for the rest of the month before they are gone.  

Here are just a few of mine, in no particular order.

From My Heart

Apothecary Accents

Itty Bitty Banners Bundle

Love & Sympathy

Apothecary Art

Modern Label Punch

Beautiful Wings Embosslits

Stamps: Blooming With Kindness (Retiring)
Ink: Coastal Cabana , Crisp Canteloupe, Strawberry Slush (Retiring), Wisteria Wonder, Black (Memento); London Fog (Memento)
Paper: Whisper White, White Notecards + Cardstock to match ink colors
Accessories: 1 3/8" Circle, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch

Sending Good Thoughts + Spotlight Stamping

A couple of weeks ago I received this sweet card on the left from my friend, Kristie, for my birthday.  Immediately I knew I had to CASE it.

Her family recently moved to a new a state, so I thought it would be fun to use the arrow punch and turn it upside down to look like a house.

It is such a simple technique with a great impact.  Thank you, Kristie!  I cherish you even more than your card.  <3


Stamps: Perfect Pennants (Stampin' UP!)
Ink: Bermuda Bay (SU), Black (Staz-On)
Paper: Bermuda Bay, Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: Banner Framelits, What's Up Punch (SU); Twine (Doodlebug)

Sew Saturday + Cards

I haven't had much time in my sewing room this week, except for doing some ironing, and fabric pulling, so I don't have any new sewing pictures to share with you.  BUT, I do have some cards.  :)  

My quilt guild (SSMQG) asked me to make a few thank you cards for them to give out.  It was perfect timing because I just got this new Notions stamp set from Waffle Flower.  If you love to sew and make cards, this stamp set will be right up your alley.  I've made 8 card already using this stamp.  :)  I'll be sharing them on my blog over the next couple of weeks.  Subscribe to my blog to have posts emailed to you if you don't want to miss them.

 I get bored pretty easily with repetitive card making, so I like to make little changes to each card.  Can you spot the differences in the 3 cards I made above?

To make this card I stamped the sewing machine, then used a piece of post-it note masking tape to mask off the right side of my card.  Then, I began filling in the right side of my card  using different stamps from the stamp set.  I varied the colors of ink for the spools of thread and the buttons.  When I was happy with the coverage of "notions" I lightly sponged on some soft color so the line would be clearly marked.  The last step was to add my sentiment.

I've been using the masking technique on my cards all week.  Clicky here and here if you want to see more examples.  If you ever want to see a video on how I made any of my cards, just leave me a comment letting me know.

Stamps: Notions (Waffle Flower)
Ink: Aqua Mist (Paper Trey Ink); Berrylicious (My Favorite Things); Green Apple, Slate (Simon Says Stamp); London Fog, Tuxedo Black (Memento); Bermuda Bay, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise (Stampin' UP!); Black Onyx (Versafine); Vesamark
Paper: Marshmallow (Bazzil)

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder (SU); Liquid Platinum Embossing Powder (Ranger)

Small Stamp Background with Waffle Flower and Simon Says Stamp

What draws you to a stamp set?  For me it is the font/sentiment 90% of the time.  First I notice the script, then what is being said and if they use 2 or more fonts in one sentiment I am sold!  I'm also drawn to cute little images that come in these sets, but don't always know what to do with them.

That problem has now been solved for me.  I've been playing with my new stamps from Waffle Flower and discovered that it is FUN to create my own patterned paper.  (See Wednesday's post for another example)  I can get just the colors I need for any project and feel like I have used the entire stamp set.

Here's my first attempt at masking using a stitched rectangle die.  When I peeled up the mask I discovered that ink had bled through the stitching holes.  DOH!  I tried adding black lines to frame the sentiment and hide the boo-boo, but the lines aren't even and it bugged me.  I tried the technique again, but used masking tape to cover up the holes.  This worked perfectly.

On my card today I knew the design I wanted, but wasn't sure what colors to use until I saw the new challenge up at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge.   The challenges is using my favorite color pallet from one of their releases.  I knew I had to play along.  My plan was to use the cupcake from the SSS Cupcake Party stamp set (clicky) and stamp the little flower from my card above, but when I got to the stamp room a different card came out.  Sometimes that happens.  I still want to try stamping the little bloom on the cupcake liner.   Perhaps I should head back to the stamp room and play some more.  It is almost the weekend, afterall.

Special Note: Waffle Flower is sponsoring StampNation this week with a $50 gift certificate going to one lucky stamper who enters the challenge.

Stamps: In Every Way, Notions (Waffle Flower)

Ink: Audrey Blue, Cotton Candy, Doll Pink, Surf Blue, Mint (Simon Says Stamp)

Paper: Marshmallow (Bazzil)
Accessories: Stitched Mat Duo 2 (Pretty Pink Posh)

Waffle Flower Comes to StampNation

I just love sponsor week at StampNation.  Once a month we bring in a stamp company and introduce them to the members of StampNation.  They offer up a prize for one of our members who plays along with that week's challenge and the design team gets to play with new product.  It constantly amazes me how many wonderful stamp companies are out there.  My horizons have broadened as my stamp room seems to have shrunk. ;)

This week our sponsor is Waffle Flower Stamps.  I had way too much fun with my new stamps.  I made at least half a dozen cards and I can't wait to show them all to you over the next week.  First up is this card using the photo inspiration at StampNation as my Muse.

Since I had the stamps and ink out, I decided to go ahead and stamp the envelope too.

For my exclusive card for StampNation I used the Misti to stamp my die cut images.  I love when stamp sets come with matching dies!!!  The paper wrap for my boquet was die cut out of a paper bag.  It gives it a soft texture and was super easy to line up and cut through.  I also used some of the twine that came in my packaging to tie a bow around my bouquet.

I can only show you a sneak peek here on my blog, but you can see the rest of my card along with all the design team members creations at StampNation.

Clicky if you are a member to go there now.

Not yet a member?  Clicky to see a video giving you an inside look into this incredible online community.

That's 2 cards down.  Be sure to come back on Friday to see more from Waffle Flower Stamps.

Stamps: A Bunch (Waffle Flower)
Ink: Crisp Canteloupe, Daffodil Delight, Strawberry Slush, Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, Rich Razzleberry, Wild Wasabi (SU)   

Paper: Marshmallow (Bazzil) 

Accessories: A Bunch Dies (Waffle Flower)