The More Pumpkins the Merrier

Today’s sneak peek is from a Level 3 Hostess Set entitled “The More the Merrier”. Containing an adorable snowman family, yummy cupcakes, darling birds and these sweet little jack-o-lanterns, this set is extremely versatile. The Designer Series Paper is from the Razzleberry Lemonade collection, which along with the Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon and the Designer Label Punch, will be available July 1st. By the way, the matching brad was made using the Build-A-Brad kit! Let’s decorate some jack-o-lanterns, shall we?

  • Prepare a 7-1/2″ x 4-1/4″ card base from Handsome Hunter Textured Card Stock.
  • Layer with purple paper from the Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper collection.
  • Ink the “Jack-o-lantern” stamp from The More the Merrier with Basic Black and stamp onto Stampin‘ Up!s Watercolor Paper. Color by using the following Stampin‘ Pastels and a Blender Pen: Pumpkin Pie (of course), Old Olive, and Yoyo Yellow. Mat onto “Small Retro Flower” paper from the Razzleberry Lemonade collection, followed by Handsome Hunter. Make a vertical block from a coordinating selection of Razzleberry Lemonade, round opposite corners using the Corner Rounder Punch, and mat onto Handsome Hunter. Round the opposite corners of the Handsome Hunter mat also.
  • Position and adhere the vertical block and image block onto the card base.
  • Ink the “happy halloween sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes (also available July 1st) with Dusty Durango and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Punch using the Word Window Punch. Layer onto Handsome Hunter which has been punched with the new Modern Label Punch. Add a snippet of Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon, and adhere the sentiment and ribbon to the card base.As a final touch, prepare a designer brad by using the Build-A-Brad set. Simply punch a 1/2″ circle from the Designer Series Paper of your choice. (I selected the “Retro Floral” so I could showcase the little flowers!) Adhere it to the brad base, add an acrylic bubble, and you have an instant “Wow” factor. I popped my brad into position with a Stampin‘ Dimensional.

If someone would have told me that Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper could be used to make a Halloween card, I probably would have said, “No way!” But the Rich Razzleberry, Dusty Durango and Crushed Curry hues certainly work for fall and Halloween. It is definitely a collection that I will want to keep on hand!

Please feel free to leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you! Until next time…

Click here to access the Occasions Mini Catalog!

Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies Now!

Stamp Sets: The More the Merrier (Level 3 Hostess 115322—Available July 1st), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Inks: Basic Black (101179), Dusty Durango (115654); Stampin’ Pastels (105542), Blender Pens (102845)
Designer Series Paper: Rich Razzleberry (115675)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla (101650), Textured Handsome Hunter (12” x 12” Rich Regals Assorted 108696)
Tools: Corner Rounder Punch (109047), Modern Label Punch (116630), Word Window Punch (105090), ½” Circle Punch (104390),
Embellishments: Pewter Build-A-Brad (109128), Rich Razzleberry Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115613)

Pheasant Details

During the past day, I have had several card makers ask how I achieved the awesome colors found on the background of yesterday’s post, “Pheasant in the Field.” Before moving onto a new card, I decided to share the watercolor technique I used in more detail.

Stampin‘ Pastels, Stampin‘ Write Markers, and Blender Pens were all that I needed for this effect. After masking the area where the pheasant was to be positioned, I established the horizon. I did this by touching the tip of the Blender Pen onto the Always Artichoke pastel. I then gave the illusion of a tree line in the background. Because I did not feel that I had enough definition, I outlined my mounds of trees using the thin tip of the Always Artichoke Stampin‘ Write Marker. To soften this line, I once again applied the Blender Pen.

To achieve the look of the sky, I used a Blender Pen and the Brocade Blue pastel. Because I was using Stampin‘ Up!s watercolor paper, I was able to “scrub” the color, giving the sky a natural, patchy appearance. The foreground utilizes Chocolate Chip and Close to Cocoa pastels and blender pens. I made it darker closer to the tree line and lightened up as I neared the bottom edge. Once again, scrubbing the colors gave a more natural appearance. When I finished the above steps, I wasn’t quite happy with the end results so I added just a touch of Always Artichoke pastel with the blender pen to the lower left hand section of the foreground to break up the brown.

My next step was to remove the mask and stamp the pheasant image. Of course, for this step, I definitely had to rely upon the Stamp-a-ma-jig. Because I wanted to showcase the new In-Colors, I inked the stamp with Soft Suede and stamped away.

After researching the colors of ring-necked pheasants, I looked for Stampin‘ Pastel colors that would work for their natural coloring. I dipped my Blender Pen into Rose Red and proceeded to tint the feathers around the eye. Oops! Do you know what I forgot? Since Soft Suede is not waterproof, the Blender Pen began to smear the ink slightly. A close look at the photograph will reveal the proof of my “blender pen blunder”. I should have used Basic Brown, but it was too late. At this stage, I moved to Plan B: pastels only. The breast of the pheasant is Bravo Burgundy, fading into Pumpkin Pie as we near the wings. Barely Banana was then brushed over the wings.

As I took one last look, I felt that the tree line was still missing something. As a final touch, I added the bare trees by using the fine tip of my Soft Suede marker. I also underlined the bottom of the pheasant and the tail feathers to make him “pop” a little more.

For all of you who emailed me with questions, I hope that this helps. So what’s in store for tomorrow? How about a little sneak peek at the Level 3 Hostess gift, “The More the Merrier”!

Please feel free to leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you! Until next time…


Click here to access the Occasions Mini Catalog!

Order Your Stampin‘ Up! Supplies Now!
(For complete card)
Stamp Set: Autumn Days (115452—Available July 1st)
Inks/Markers: Soft Suede Ink (115657—Available July 1st), In-Color Stampin’ Write Markers (116329—Available July 1st), Always Artichoke Stampin’ Write Marker (105113)
Paper: Manchester Designer Series Paper (112464—Last Chance List), Textured 12 x 12 Very Vanilla Card Stock (106530), Dusty Durango—for button thread (115321—Available July 1st), Water Color Paper (105019)
Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049)
Other: Stampin’ Pastels (105542), Blender Pens (102845), Fresh Favorites II Buttons (107422)

Pheasant in the Field


Autumn Days is earning a place as one of my favorite stamp sets. This card was designed to incorporate the latest Splitcoast Challenge Sketch SC233, and is in direct contrast to my first Autumn Days card. If you want clean and simple, this set can deliver. On the other hand, if you are feeling a wee bit more creative, Stampin‘ Pastels and Blender Pens can lead you into the realm of Currier and Ives! Enjoy this recipe for Pheasant in the Field!

  • Make a standard card base from textured Very Vanilla and score at the top.
  • Layer with “Green Plaid” from the Manchester Designer Series Paper collection.
  • Prepare a mask with the Pheasant stamp from Autumn Days. (Tip: Masks can easily be prepared from Post-It notes. Just stamp your image as normal on the face of the note, making certain that the sticky side of the note is under part of the image. Trim with paper snips, and you automatically have an easily positioned and removable mask.) Position and adhere the mask onto Watercolor Paper. Using Blender Pens and Stampin‘ Pastels prepare a background as seen in the photo. (Tip: I added a few leafless trees with my new Soft Suede Stampin‘ Write Marker.)
  • When your background is complete, simply remove the mask. Ink the Pheasant image with Soft Suede, and stamp into the place vacated by the mask. Of course, for perfect placement, a Stamp-a-ma-jig is a must!
  • Trim and mat onto Always Artichoke.
  • The middle vertical block is created by matting the “Green Plaid” paper onto Always Artichoke.
  • The final block is prepared by inking the “Bittersweet Vine” stamp from Autumn Days with Always Artichoke and Dusty Durango Stampin‘ Write Markers. “Huff” and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Mat onto Always Artichoke.
  • Position and adhere the blocks as illustrated in the sketch.
  • For a finishing touch, add an Always Artichoke button from the Fresh Favorites II Collection which has been threaded with Dusty Durango card stock. Pop it onto the card with a Mini-Glue Dot.

Since I needed a masculine birthday card, I inked a sentiment which I added to the card after the first photographs. I simply inked the “happy birthday” sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes with Dusty Durango and layered it onto “Green Plaid Manchester” and Always Artichoke. Notice that I used the Ticket Corner Punch on all four corners of each layer. I then popped it onto the card with a Stampin’ Dimensional.

Click here to access the Occasions Mini Catalog!

Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies Now!
(For both versions of the card)
Stamp Set: Autumn Days (115452—Available July 1st), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370—Available July 1st)
Inks/Markers: Soft Suede Ink (115657—Available July 1st), Dusty Durango (115654—Available July 1st), In-Color Stampin’ Write Markers (116329—Available July 1st), Always Artichoke Stampin’ Write Marker (105113)
Paper: Manchester Designer Series Paper (112464—Last Chance List), Textured 12 x 12 Very Vanilla Card Stock (106530), Dusty Durango—for button thread (115321—Available July 1st), Water Color Paper (105019)
Tools: Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Ticket Corner Punch (107214)
Other: Stampin’ Pastels (105542), Blender Pens (102845), Fresh Favorites II Buttons (107422)

Please feel free to leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you! Until next time…