Hello, Pendant Park

Like all of you, I can hardly wait to ink up my new stamps. So for today, I selected “Pendant Park”. Consisting of four stamps, the largest of which is the tree, this set lends itself well to larger scale cards. The Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper was my first choice, due to the rich, sheen of the brown hues. I also got the chance to use the new More Mustard ribbon from the Orchard Ribbon Originals collection. This ribbon also has a metallic sheen to it, and compliments the paper well. Welcome to Pendant Park!

  • Prepare a 5-1/2″ square card base from textured Very Vanilla.

  • Layer a snippet of More Mustard ribbon from Orchard Ribbon Originals over a 5-1/4″ square of a brown selection from Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper. I selected a “Small Floral and Scroll” pattern. Adhere to the card base.

  • Ink the “Tree” image from Pendant Park with Always Artichoke and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Use the Corner Rounder on the upper left and lower right hand corners. Use the Paper Piercer on the remaining corners. Mat onto “Tiny Dot” Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper, followed by Very Vanilla. Adhere to the card base.

  • Ink the “Park Bench” image with Soft Suede and stamp onto Very Vanilla, and cut out using Paper Snips. Adhere to the “Tree” mat with Stampin‘ Dimensionals.

  • Ink the “Hello” sentiment with Crushed Curry, and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Punch out with the Word Window Punch, and layer onto a Modern Label which was punched from the Tiny Dot paper. Adhere to the card base as illustrated.

  • For a spot of color, use the 1/2″ Circle Punch on the “Rose Red Geometric Print” Thoroughly Modern Designer Paper. The place an acrylic disk from the Build-A-Brad collection on top, and pop onto the lower left-hand corner with a Stampin‘ Dimensional.

What did I like best about Pendant Park? I love the tree, but I feel that it overpowers the park bench, with those adorable squirrels. I truly think that I will more likely use these stamps separately. The “Hello” sentiment will be quite versatile, and a great option to use when one wants a larger “Hello” than found in some of the other sets. As for the Thoroughly Modern Designer Series Paper, I emphatically love it! Of course you know me and my Designer Papers…I haven’t met one that I don’t love! What will tomorrow hold? Hmm…Peace Within (I’m an animal lover…Who could resist the cat in the chair?), Farm Life (I grew up on a farm…This one was for old times sake!), Perfect Chemistry (I teach Chemistry…Could I pass this one by?), Scary Skeleton (I teach Anatomy and Physiology…I had to have this one!) Oh, you get the point! I can come up with a story as to why I needed every stamp set I ordered! Stay tuned to see what gets inked up tomorrow!

The Stampin‘ Schach Tip of the Day: The central stamp of this set, the tree (or is it a bush?) is a large stamp. Large images like these typically look more balanced with larger “white spaces”.

And Lisa A. and Carla, the lattice from yesterday is absolutely gorgeous when punched from Designer Series Paper and placed on plain card stock. I received this die on Monday, just in time for that evening’s Hostess Club. One of my club members did indeed punch it from Designer Series Paper. She used card stock weight Parisian Breeze, that was in my “retired stash”. Then she popped a second coordinating card stock lattice behind it before adhering it to the card base. It was striking!

Remember, your comments and emails are important to me. Stop in and say “Hello” or let me know what you think of the card du jour! Until next time…

Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies Now!

Stamp Set: Pendant Park (115456)
Inks: Soft Suede (115657), Always Artichoke (105219), Crushed Curry (115659)
Designer Series Paper: Thoroughly Modern (115673)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla Textured (108693—Neutrals Assorted Pack), Very Vanilla (101650)
Tools: ½” Circle Punch (104390), Corner Rounder (109047), Word Window Punch (105090), Modern Label Punch (116630), Paper Piercing Tool (116631), Mat Pack (105826)
Embellishments: Orchard Ribbon Originals (116232), Pewter Build-A-Brad (109128)

L is for Lovely Lattice

How can you prepare a beautiful card in a matter of minutes? With the new Stampin‘ Up! Lattice Bigz Die…That’s how! I love my Big Shot, so I was excited when I received my new catalog and saw all of the wonderful new products for use with it. Over the next few days, not only will I be preparing samples with my new stamp sets and Designer Series Papers, but I will include projects made with a variety of the new Bigz, Embosslits, Embossing Folders, and the newest Texturz Plates. Yesterday it was “D is for Dog”. Today it is “L is for Lovely Lattice”!

  • Prepare a 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ card base from Textured Whisper White card stock. (Tip: Since there is a lot of white space, using textured card stock adds…well, texture!)

  • Using the Eyelet Border Punch, punch a Whisper White strip and a Melon Mambo strip. Add to the card base as illustrated.

  • Run a piece of Whisper White regular card stock through the Big Shot, using the new Stampin‘ Up! Lattice Bigz Die. Mat onto Melon Mambo, followed by Bermuda Bay. Adhere to the card base.

  • Ink the “For You” sentiment from Great Friend with Bermuda Bay and stamp onto Whisper White. (As many of you know, there was a problem with the original formulation of the Bermuda Bay ink. Stampin‘ Up has taken care of this problem and will be sending out replacements.) Punch out with the Large Oval Punch, and layer onto Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay scalloped ovals punched with the Scallop Oval Punch. (I offset the scallops, and also popped them up with Stampin‘ Dimensionals.)

  • Add a snippet of Bermuda Bay Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon. Position and attach the sentiment ovals.

How easy was that? Yet, it gives the illusion of taking much longer to create. Without a doubt, there is a built-in “WOW” factor with the Lattice die. I debated on whether to add extra “bling” in the form of a Clear Rhinestone Brad, and decided to let the lovely latticework stand on its own merits.
Thank you for all of the kind comments and comforting emails that I have received yesterday and today. It’s amazing how supportive the stamping community is! Sometimes we underestimate the difference the kindness of virtual strangers can make …
So, what is in store for tomorrow? Will the science teacher in me select “Nature’s Nest” or “Perfect Chemistry”? Or will the Iowa farm girl take over and give you a taste of “Farm Life”? Will it be “Pendant Park” or “Peace Within”? To be truthful, I never know where my creative journey will lead! Remember, your comments and emails are important to me, so please leave me a quick comment to let me know what you think of today’s card…or just a quick “Hi!” Until next time…


Order Your Stampin‘ Up! Supplies Now!
Stamp Set: Great Friend (113792)
Ink: Bermuda Bay (115655)
Card Stock: Whisper White Textured (108693—Neutrals Assorted Pack), Whisper White (100730), Melon Mambo (115320), Bermuda Bay (115317)
Tools: Big Shot (113439), Stampin’ Up! Lattice Bigz Die (115958), Eyelet Border Punch (113692), Scallop Oval Punch (114889), Large Oval Punch (107305)
Embellishments: Bermuda Bay ½” Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115610)
Other: Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

D is for Dog

It seems only appropriate that the first of my new stamp sets that I would use is “D is for Dog”. As a dog lover, this was a “must have” set for me. The fun paper that I used is from the Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper, and it seemed to work perfectly for this week’s Mojo Monday sketch.
  • Prepare a standard card base from textured Ruby Red and score at the top.
  • Use the Corner Rounder on the bottom corners.
  • Layer with “Multicolor Striped” paper from Autumn Traditions, once again rounding the lower two corners.
  • The vertical block is “Elegant Eggplant Dotted” paper, once again from Autumn Traditions, matted with Eggplant.
  • The horizontal strips are textured Elegant Eggplant card stock and a snippet of one of the new Orchard Ribbon Originals.
  • Ink the “Dog” image from the D is for Dog stamp set with Soft Suede and stamp onto Whisper White. Mat with More Mustard.
  • Ink the “D is for Dog” sentiment with Elegant Eggplant and stamp onto Whisper White. Punch with 1-1/4″ Circle Punch, and “pop” onto a Ruby Red circle by using a Stampin’ Dimensional.
  • Ink the “Bone” with Soft Suede and stamp onto Whisper White. Cut out with Paper Snips. Using Linen Thread, tie onto a round Clear Button.
  • Position all of the elements according to the illustration, and adhere to the card base.
It has been difficult getting my “mojo” going. Over the past few weeks, our beloved Boxer, Missy, started developing some health problems. After a series of testing, the vet ruled out diabetes as well as liver and kidney dysfunctions. However, a few days ago I noticed that her right eye was beginning to bulge. Further diagnostic tests have concluded that she has a tumor on her pituitary gland. My family and I have agonized for the past two days over what decisions we will make. Missy is 11, and at her age is not considered a candidate for brain surgery. Currently we are administering eye drops to reduce the pressure in her eye, and according to the vet she is not in any pain. She will be monitored by the vet on a weekly basis, and when her quality of life slips, we will do what we must do…It’s hard knowing that the time you have left with a loved one is coming to an end. Rationally, you know that pets do not live forever, but that does not prepare you for when their time comes. I know that this is not what people what to read when they come to stamping blog, but it is something that I needed to share with you as I try to get over the emotional roller coaster that I have been on for the past few days…
As always, I do appreciate your comments. Until next time…


Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies Now!
Stamp Set: D is for Dog (115784)
Ink: Soft Suede (115657), Elegant Eggplant (105210)
Designer Series Paper: Autumn Traditions (115668)
Card Stock: Ruby Red Textured (108697—Earth Elements Assorted Pack), More Mustard (100946), Elegant Eggplant Textured (108696—Rich Regals Assorted Pack), Whisper White (100730)
Tools: Corner Rounder Punch (109047), 1-1/4” Circle Punch (104403), 1-3/8 Circle Punch (104401)
Embellishments: Orchard Ribbon Originals (116232), Clear Buttons (105447), Linen Thread (104199)