The Stamp Review Crew: High Tide Edition

Stamp Review Crew: High Tide Edition

It’s time for the Stamp Review Crew: High Tide Edition! If this is your very first visit to one of our hops, the Stamp Review Crew is a group of international Stampin’ Up! demonstrators whose mission is to do a blog hop on the first, third and fifth Mondays of each month. Our hops are unique because each of us features the same stamp set used in a variety of ways, giving you loads of inspiration for that set. The hops are archived at the Stamp Review Crew blog. You will be able to click through each hop at any time, going directly to the posts for that hop whenever you want. This week we are featuring the High Tide stamp set.  With its inspirational sentiments, this set quickly became a favorite of many stampers. If you are following along in order, you have just arrived from my good friend, Mike Funke.  What can I say? His work is always exceptional. After visiting me, you will continue to the next stop, the incomparable Tanya Boser. She has such a creative eye. Enjoy this week’s hop!

The Stamp Review Crew:  High Tide Edition

Stamp Review Crew: High Tide Edition

Colors of the Day
The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips

I almost dropped from this week’s hop.  I wasn’t feeling inspired.  I wasn’t feeling creative.  My mind was wandering – and it wandered to my son, Brady.  I have not seen Brady since he moved to Seattle last September, and of course, I miss him terribly.  My mind was flooded with memories, and one of those memories was how much he always loved my cards.  Some of my favorite cards were made for Brady, and he saved them all.  As I thought about those cards, I felt the inspiration returning. The creative juices were flowing.  I hope you enjoy the end result!  I know Brady will!

Stamp Review Crew: High Tide Edition

The Soft Sky and Dapper Denim ocean, which was stamped onto Whisper White, looks as if the wind is churning up whitecaps. Just a hint of sky was achieved by using an aqua painter and Soft Sky ink. If the Basic Gray birds look muted, it is because all of this was covered with a layer of vellum in order to mute the colors and to give the impression that what we are seeing is in the distance. The lighthouse was tucked on top, and only adhered at the base.

Stamp Review Crew: High Tide Edition

The sandy foreground was first stamped in Crumb Cake. I then took the smaller “sand” stamp and added Soft Suede accents.

Stamp Review Crew: High Tide Edition

Sections were popped up on dimensionals, with tufts of Always Artichoke grass tucked here and there. A few rhinestones add a touch of sparkle.

Stamp Review Crew: High Tide Edition

The sentiment was stamped in Basic Gray, Real Red and Crushed Curry.  I snipped out sections of the red and curry ones, and layered them onto the gray base. Once again, rhinestones were used as accents.

Stamp Review Crew: High Tide Edition

This card is winging its way to Washington.  If I know my son, it will adorn his desk at work.  And if I know my son, he will proudly be telling his co-workers, “My Mom made this!”

I hope you enjoyed today’s card.  If would like to try your hand at creating your own High Tide card,  the supply list is located below.  Clicking on a product takes you right to my store.  Not only will online orders over $50 (before tax and shipping) earn you a FREE Sale-A-Bration item, you will also receive a special little somethin’-somethin’ from me IF you use the Host Code.   If your order is $150 or more, please do not use the Host Code.  You will automatically receive the gift from me, as well as your own Host Rewards.

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Of course, if you ever have a question about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away.  Now hop along to Tanya Boser to see what she has in store for you!  If you get lost along the way, you can find a list of all the hoppers at The Stamp Review Crew.

Stamp Review Crew: High Tide Edition

Stamp Review Crew: High Tide Edition

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Price: $110.00

FF0002 Employee Appreciation Day and/or Ribbon

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It’s time for the Festive Friday Challenge, where every challenge is a party! This week for FF0002, we are honoring Employee Appreciation Day, which is celebrated on March 2nd.  Just think of all the versatile things you could create for this challenge: a simple thank you card, a gift card holder, a treat bag or box and more. If you have no need to make an Employee Appreciation project, our option for this challenge is to use Ribbon. It doesn’t get any easier.  Won’t you please join us and play along? But before you run off to grab stamps, paper and inks, let’s take a look at what I created!

Barn Door Meets Bird Banter

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How much fun would it be to receive this card and slide back the door to find this adorable toucan staring back at you! Of course, to truly convey a little “toucan of my appreciation”, I think I would include a tray of cookies on which my employee could munch.  A little gift card tucked inside would be a nice touch, too!

Colors of the Day
 The Stampin’ Schach Design Tips

Coloring with Stampin’ Blends are so much fun.  No special blending was needed on the toucan, since it is meant to be a cartoonish type of image.  Tip:  Use  Memento Tuxedo Black ink to keep the image from “bleeding” as it is being colored with the Stampin’ Blends.

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When decorating the wreath, scale was important. The “Thank You” sentiment from Bird Banter was the perfect size to create a banner across the wreath.  In hindsight, a Basic Black Baker’s Twine bow might have given a little more contrast.

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I always feel so mechanical when I make a slider card.  It must be the washers!

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You’ll notice, I did make a mid-card design change.  Have you ever done that?  I decided I wanted white cardstock behind the grooves instead of letting the Tangerine Tango show through. Of course, it wasn’t an easy fix.  The foam adhesive strips I used to adhere the panel to the card base are, shall we say, VERY sticky.  And let me tell you, it wasn’t easy to insert white cardstock into those little grooves.  (Wink)

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The Challenge Twists

Festive Friday is a challenge with twists.  First, if you do not want to create an Employee Appreciation Day project, you could create a project that uses ribbon. We know not everyone celebrates the occasions which we will be featuring, so we are offering alternatives for each challenge.  Secondly, if you play along with us, you will be earning Fest Points which can be redeemed for items such as tutorials, Stampin’ Up! products, cards, and even a spot as a Guest Designer! But remember:  To earn Fest Points, you need an account on the challenge site. Just click on login/register anywhere on the challenge site to get started. 

Would you like to create your own Barn Door Meets Bird Banter card?  If you enjoyed today’s card, and would like to create your own,  the supply list is located below.  Clicking on a product takes you right to my store.  Be sure to use this month’s Host Code.  Online orders over $50 (before tax and shipping) will receive a little gift from me IF you use the Host Code.  Don’t forget, a $50 order will also qualify for a FREE Sale-A-Bration item!  If your order is $150 or more, please do not use the Host Code.  You will automatically receive the gift from me, as well as your own Host Rewards and Sale-A-Bration items.

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Remember, if you have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away. Now hustle on over to the Festive Friday blog to see what my team mates have created. Until next time…

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Price: $110.00

On the CASE: The CASE of Friendship’s Sweetest Thoughts

On the CASE: The CASE of Friendship's Sweetest Thoughts

It’s time for On the CASE with Ann & Nicole! Your favorite stamping sleuths are back at work continuing our quest: To work through current Stampin’ Up! catalogs breaking down gorgeous samples, step-by-step, just for you! In “case” this is your first “On the CASE” visit, here is the scoop: Twice a month, on the first and third Wednesdays, we will be CASEing a card from one of Stampin’ Up!’s current catalogs. CASE means to Copy and Share with Everyone, and that is exactly what we will be doing. We hope you enjoy the cards we CASE and the free tutorials included in our posts. This week I selected a set from the Occasions Catalog.  Are you ready for On the CASE: The CASE of Friendship’s Sweetest Thoughts? Let’s get ready to stamp!

On the CASE: The CASE of Friendship’s Sweetest Thoughts
Occasions Catalog – Page 34

On the CASE: The CASE of Friendship's Sweetest Thoughts

Friendship’s Sweetest Thoughts is as you might guess, a sweet set! I was sold on the set’s namesake sentiment, “Friendship’s sweetest thoughts blossom in the heart”.  The images are so delicate and precious, I couldn’t wait to try my hand at recreating the adorable flower cart Thinking of You card.

On the CASE: Friendship's Sweetest Thoughts

I hope that today’s CASE gets your creative juices flowing. Let’s get on this CASE!

Colors of the Day
Stamps and Papers and Inks…Oh, My!

Stamps: Friendship’s Sweetest Thoughts
Paper: Whisper White Thick Cardstock (4-1/4″ x 11″ scored at 5-1/2″ for the card base, 3″ x 4-1/4″, 3″ x 3/4″), Vellum Cardstock (3-1/4″ x 4-1/2″), Sweet Soiree Specialty Designer Series Paper (4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″)
Ink: Basic Black Archival, Calypso Coral, Silver Baker’s Twine, Watercolor Pencils
Other:  Blender Pens,   SNAIL Adhesive,  Stampin’ Dimensionals

“On the CASE” Notes
Your Step-by-Step Guide

1. Score the Whisper White Thick cardstock at 5-1/2″ to form the card base. Cover the front with designer series paper.

On the CASE: The Case of Friendship's Sweetest Thoughts

2. Adhere the vellum.  Keep the adhesive at least 1/4″ from the edges so the next layer will cover it.

On the CASE: The CASE of Friendship's Sweetest Thoughts

3.  Stamp the flower cart image in Basic Black onto Whisper White cardstock.  Using watercolor pencils, color as follows:  Cart – Early Espresso; Leaves – Old Olive; Flowers- Calypso Coral; Bird – Daffodil Delight; Heart – Calypso Coral.  Blend using a Blender Pen, adding more color as needed.  Note:  In the light areas, such as two of the flowers, and the green area behind the flowers, only a minimum amount of color is needed. Practice on scrap paper first to get the desired results.

On the CASE: The CASE of Friendship's Sweetest Thoughts

4. Add a Silver Baker’s Twine Bow.

On the CASE: The CASE of Friendship's Sweetest Thoughts

5.  Adhere the image panel to the card base at a slight angle using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

On the CASE: The CASE of Friendship's Sweetest Thoughts

6. Stamp the sentiment in Calypso Coral.  Snip the ends to form a “V”.  Pop onto the image with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

On the CASE: The CASE of Friendship's Sweetest Thoughts

7. And most importanly, send to someone to let them know you are thinking of them!

5. Stamp the sentiment in Calypso Coral. Snip the ends to form a "V". Adhere onto the image with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Of course, I couldn’t wait to add my own little touches, so I created a second card.  I added pearls to the flowers, shaded the images lightly with Soft Sky ink, and instead of placing the image panel on the card at an angle, I straightened it up.

On the CASE: The CASE of Friendship's Sweetest Thoughts

How Hard Was It to Crack This CASE

What can I say? This adorable card is a snap to make!  Difficulty Level:  2 out of 5, only because there are layers.

 #SUontheCASE

Nicole and I hope our projects today inspire you to try CASEing the catalog, too! We’ll be “on the case”, looking for the hashtag #SUontheCASE on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ & Pinterest). If we find one of your projects, we’ll share it, like it, repost it – we’ll do it all!

On the CASE: The CASE of Daisy DelightNow head on over to Nicole at  Pixel Maven’s Retreat to see the CASE file she has been working on.  Nicole always writes the BEST tutorials!  You will be “bubbling over” with enthusiasm with what she has created for you!

Would you like to check out the most recent Cold CASE Files?  Try these:

On the CASE: The CASE of Daisy Delight
On the CASE: The CASE of a Magical Day
On the CASE:  A Case of Petal Palette
On the CASE:  Beautiful Bouquet Sentiment
On the CASE: Lovely As a Tree
On the CASE: A Season to Sparkle
The CASE of A Brightly Lit Christmas
A CASE of Good Tidings
A CASE of Nature Sings
A CASE of Snowflake Sentiments
A CASE of Gourd Goodness
The CASE of the Sheltering Tree
The CASE of the Beautiful Bouquet
The CASE of the Birthday Blooms

Ready to get On this CASE?  If you enjoyed On the CASE: The  CASE of  Friendship’s Sweetest Thoughts, and would like to try your hand at creating your own CASE,  the supply list is located below.  Clicking on a product takes you right to my store.  Be sure to use this month’s Host Code.  Online orders over $50 (before tax and shipping) will receive a special little somethin’-somethin’ from me IF you use the Host Code.  Don’t forget, a $50 order will also qualify you for a FREE Sale-A-Bration item!  If your order is $150 or more, please do not use the Host Code.  You will automatically receive the gift from me, as well as your own Host Rewards and Sale-A-Bration items.

February:  NK4GCCPW

Remember, if you have any questions about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away. Until next time – CASE away!

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