Oak Leaf at OCC


Fall is in the air at Our Creative Corner! The challenge was to create a fall card, and this Obsessive Compulsive Card Creator felt up to the task. Once again, one of my “go-to” stamp sets from the Holiday Mini Catalog, Autumn Splendor, takes center stage. It seems as if I can always create a card that I love with this set. It allows me to touch upon a more primitive style, with ink distressing and natural fibers. Splitcoast sketch SC245 provided the inspiration for the layout, and allowed me to showcase the cross-stitching on the smaller vertical panel.

  • Prepare a standard card base from Really Rust.
  • Layer with “Taken with Teal Herringbone” from Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper, which has had its edges distressed using Soft Suede and a Sponge Dauber. (Stampin‘ Schach Design Tip: Although I usually use Chocolate Chip for ink distressing, Soft Suede works better with the softer, muted shades in this designer paper.)
  • Cut a panel from “Very Vanilla Woodgrain“. Punch the two right-hand corners with the Ticket Corner Punch. Ink distress the edges with Soft Suede. Mat onto Really Rust.
  • Cut a panel from textured Really Rust card stock. Use the Ticket Corner Punch on the right-hand corners, and then ink distress with Soft Suede. Using the Paper Piercing Tool and the Paper Piercing Template, punch six pairs of holes. Lace with Linen Thread.
  • Ink the Oak Leaf from Autumn Splendor with Basic Brown. Stamp onto Very Vanilla. Using the Color Spritzer Tool and Taken with Teal and Chocolate Chip Stampin‘ Write Markers, spritz the image panel. Using Blender Pens and the following inks, color the leaf: More Mustard, Creamy Caramel, Really Rust.
  • Use the Ticket Corner Punch on all four corners, and distress the edges with Soft Suede. Mat onto More Mustard, and ink distress the edges. Add Vintage Brads to each corner. A snippet of Natural Hemp Twine completes the panel. (Stampin‘ Schach Design Tip: Notice how the three panels are unified by the brads and the Ticket Corners? Unity and balance compliment this sketch.)
  • Position and adhere all elements to the card base.
Isn’t it funny how it’s hard to break old habits? As much as I have tried to edit and summarize the recipes for my cards, I just can’t! When I write up lab instructions for my students, I have to be specific. Old habits die hard, and I just can’t simplify my writing style. Arghhh!

Need a Holiday Mini? The Holiday Mini Catalog is filled with wonderful seasonal stamp sets. I truly think that Stampin‘ Up! outdid themselves this time. If you don’t have a copy of this “catty”, please email me with your address. I would love to put one in the mail for you!

There is still time to Play at PPA! I love to see what you create each week! This week’s challenge is a sketch challenge by the Pals’ very own Margaret Moody. Margaret has designed a very versatile sketch which I know I will use again and again. If you have not visited yet this week, I and my Design Team Pals invite you to join in the fun! Are you one of the next “Pals Paper Arts Artist Picks”?

As always, I invite you to leave me a comment or drop me an email. I do appreciate them, and I do read them all. And remember that if you have any questions about techniques or specific cards, I love helping and inspiring you! Until next time…

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Stamp Set: Autumn Splendor
Inks: Basic Brown, More Mustard, Really Rust, Creamy Caramel, Soft Suede
Designer Series Paper: Autumn Meadows
Card Stock: Really Rust, Really Rust textured, Taken with Teal, More Mustard, Very Vanilla
Tools: Ticket Corner Punch, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Sponge Dauber, Color Spritzer, Taken with Teal Stampin’ Write Marker, Chocolate Chip Stampin’ Write Marker, Blender Pens, Stampin’ Dimensionals
Embellishments: Vintage Brads, Linen Thread, Natural Hemp Twine

Pick Me! Pick Me!


Like many of you who own pets, I enjoy having deep, philosophical conversations with my dog, Missy. Actually, she is more like a daughter to me. (Never once did she complain when I did her scrapbook pages in “pinks” and “girly swirls”. I can’t say the same for Brady, my son.) Just the other night we were discussing why people should select me to be their demonstrator. Missy is such a wise dog, and her comments made excellent sense to me. Since some of you may not be fluent in “Boxer”, I will translate her answers for you. What follows is our conversation:

Me: Missy, what do you think I could do to entice people to book a workshop with me?
Missy: Well, Mom, I think that you should tell them what makes you and your workshops special. (It always slays me when she calls me “Mom”. After all, she is so much older than me in doggie years. But anyway, I digress.)
Me: What would that be?
Missy: You could tell them that you give treats after they go potty outside.
Me: Hmmmm! How about if I change that to “I provide treats at the workshop!” That’s not such a bad idea, Missy. Good dog!
Missy: Can I have a treat now for that answer?
Me: Not yet. How about some other ideas that I could share.
Missy: You are really good at teaching me tricks.
Me: You are so right, Miss. I love to teach, especially when it comes to techniques and design tips. I absolutely love sharing all that I know about card making and stamping.
Missy: And you know how you surprise me with little toys when you come home from getting the groceries? Maybe you could give them toys, too. Like my “baby” and my “kong” and my “quackie duck”. Hey, do you have to get groceries later?
Me: Whoa, hold on a minute! No groceries, and no surprises today. But, you know, I do give incentive stamps to everyone who attends my workshops.
Missy: And remember how you talk about giving away kitties? How come you never gave me a kitty?
Me: Kitties? I don’t give away kitties.
Missy: Yes you do, Mom. (At this point she was getting a little “growly“.) You are always talking about the Holiday Mini catty and the big catty. I want a BIG catty.
Me: Oh, Missy! Catties aren’t kitties. They are catalogs! And you are right, I should mention that everyone who attends one of my workshops does receive a FREE Holiday Mini Catalog. And if they place an order with me, they also receive a 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog. Missy, you have been such a big help to mom tonight. What a goooood dog you are! Such a pretty gurl! You are Mommy’s smart and pretty gurl! (Sloppy Boxer kisses followed!)
Missy: Mom, can I have that treat now?

So, if you are located in southeast Iowa or western Illinois, email me today to book your fall or holiday workshop. I offer:

  • Design Tips
  • Technique Training
  • Demonstrations
  • Make and Takes
  • Free Mini Catalogs
  • Incentive Gifts for your Guests
  • Hostess Gifts
  • Support after the Workshop
  • My Home or Yours
  • And yes…Treats!
And even if you do not live within driving distance, I will help you host a catalog workshop. It’s the same great benefits, but without the treats and demonstration! Email me for details!

Need a Holiday Mini Catalog? Email me with your address, and I will drop one in the mail for you! Goodies galore are in this fantastic little catalog!
The weekend is coming up and that means card-making time for me! I plan on inking it up all weekend. Stayed tuned as I share more of my creations! And please, leave me a comment or send me an email. I really do appreciate them. If you have a question about a technique or a question about how I created a specific card, do not hesitate to ask. Until later…

Missy

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Jumbo Snowflakes for PPA


It’s Thursday! Can you say, “It’s fun to play at PPA!”? I can! And I had a blast creating this textured card for the Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge this week. Sketch designer Margaret Moody was at her best with this versatile sketch:

Notice how I changed it up slightly? The circles became snowflakes, and I layered the horizontal strip while adding a bow. You can certainly alter the sketch if you need to! As you look at the inspiration cards that the design team created for you, you can see all of the unique touches that each designer added in making the sketch her own. I hope that you have tons of fun with this challenge! I know that I did. But before you bid me adieu to check out the challenge, I would like to share my recipe for “Jumbo Snowflakes” with you:
  • Prepare a card base from Taken with Teal card stock.
  • Zip a piece of Whisper White through the Big Shot with the Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder.
  • Using the Jumbo Snowflake Punch, punch snowflakes from Rich Razzleberry, Taken with Teal and Old Olive card stocks.
  • Ink the Delightful Decorations image with Old Olive and stamp onto Whisper White. Punch out the center using the 1″ Circle Punch. Repeat with Rich Razzleberry and Take with Teal inks.
  • Adhere the “Circles” to the “Snowflakes”, and add a Clear Rhinestone Brad to the center of each. Adhere this element to the textured Whisper White as shown in the photograph. (I layered Old Olive onto Rich Razzleberry, Rich Razzleberry onto Taken with Teal, and Taken with Teal onto Old Olive.)
  • Whisper White forms the horizontal strip. Mat this onto Old Olive, followed by Taken with Teal. Adhere to the textured Whisper White. Add a snippet of Rich Razzleberry Ribbon, polka-dot side down. Position and adhere this element to the textured Whisper White as illustrated.
  • You are now ready to adhere the entire textured mat to the card base.
I have a new love in my life. I absolutely love the Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, and Taken with Teal combination for holiday cards! And, are you ready for another little secret…I also love the Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder. How did I ever get along without it? I love the rich texture that it imparts to any holiday card.
Thanks for stopping by today and allowing me to share my new favorite color combination with you. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think about today’s card. I do appreciate your comments, and your questions, too! Until next time…

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Stamp Set: Delightful Decorations (116517—Holiday Mini Catalog)
Inks: Rich Razzleberry (115658), Old Olive (102277), Taken with Teal (103257)
Paper: Whisper White (100730), Rich Razzleberry (115316), Old Olive (100702), Taken with Teal (101584)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Folder (116824—Holiday Mini catalog), Jumbo Snowflake Punch (116628), 1” Circle Punch (109046)
Embellishments: Clear Rhinestone Brads (113144), Rich Razzleberry ½” Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115613)