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)

Seeing Red, White and Blue

I was in a quandry when faced with the Our Creative Corner challenge this week. It sounded easy enough…just use red, white and blue in a card! It didn’t even have to be patriotic. But for a person who typically does not design cards in this color palette, trust me…it was a challenge. Thankfully, Mary Fish provided the inspiration that I needed. She has been able to rock the new stamp set, Circle Circus, and I used the “medallion” idea on her “Three Ring Circus” card as a starting point! Thanks, Mary!

  • Prepare a standard card base from textured Whisper White card stock.

  • Layer with Real Red and Night of Navy Textured card stock, which have been rounded on opposite corners with the Corner Rounder. Adhere to the card base.

  • Place Real Red 5/8″ Grosgrain Ribbon across the bottom as illustrated.

  • Ink the selected Circle Circus stamps with Real Red and stamp onto Whisper White. (Note: The circles were either hand trimmed or punched using the appropriate size circle punch. Several were given the “bling” treatment with Red Circle Fire Brads.)

  • For the large focal circle, I stamped the image twice, using Real Red on Whisper White. One image was punched out using the Scallop Circle Punch. The second was punched with the 1″ Circle Punch. A 1-1/4″ Night of Navy circle was punched and layered over the scalloped punch image. The 1″ punched image was then layered on the cardstock to create this stunning embellishment.

  • The Butterfly image from Great Friend was inked with Real Red and stamped onto Whisper White. It was trimmed using Paper Snips and placed into position with Mini Glue Dots.

  • The circles and medallion were popped onto the card base with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

  • Ink the {friend to friend} sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes with Real Red and stamp onto Whisper White. Punch out with the Word Window Punch and position on the ribbon.
Even though these colors were not my cup of tea, I am now envisioning this card in other colors, like Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay! In fact, I am finally getting a little excited about Circle Circus and its possibilities…thanks to the “Creative Corner Ladies”!
Your comments and emails are important to me! Please feel free to leave me a comment or email me. Until next time…


Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies Now!
Stamp Set: Circle Circus (115778), Great Friend (113792)
Ink: Real Red (103133)
Card Stock: Whisper White (100730), Whisper White Textured (108693—Neutrals Assorted Pack), Night of Navy Textured (108696—Rich Regals Assorted Pack), Real Red (102482)
Tools: Word Window Punch (105090), Scallop Circle Punch (109043), 1” Circle Punch (109046), 1-1/4” Circle Punch (104403), Paper Snips (103579)
Embellishments: Real Red 5/8” Grosgrain Ribbon (109052), Circle Fire Brads (109110)

Razzle Dazzle Lemonade

I actually started to make a “Lots of Bots” card today, but as I was experimenting with ways to color the “Get Well Soon” robot, I discovered that I really like the way Bermuda Bay and Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Markers look with each other. So it was “Good-by Bots” and “Hello Razzle Dazzle!” Has that ever happened to you? I will also confess that I am running out of current Designer Series Paper. I can hardly wait until my new Designer Papers arrive Monday. But luckily for me, this selection of Razzleberry Lemonade worked perfectly!
  • Prepare a 7″ x 3-3/4″ card base from textured Bermuda Bay, scored at the top.

  • Select a 6-1/2″ x 3-1/4″ piece of Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper and wrap with Bermuda Bay Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon. Mat onto Soft Suede and adhere to the card base.

  • Ink the “Floral” image from the Razzle Dazzle stamp set with Bermuda Bay and Soft Suede Stampin’ Write Markers. “Huff” and stamp onto Very Vanilla. Mat with Bermuda Bay followed by Soft Suede. Position and adhere to the card base.

  • Ink the “It’s Good to Dream” sentiment with Bermuda Bay and stamp. (Tip: Because I used a lighter selection of Designer Series Paper, I actually stamped the sentiment onto a small piece of it for a coordinated look. If I had used darker paper, I would have elected to stamp onto Very Vanilla, to match the image block.) Punch out with the Word Window Punch. Mat onto Bermuda Bay which has been punched with the Modern Label Punch.

  • Punch a second Modern Label with Soft Suede. Cut off the ends and layer behind the Bermuda Bay label. Adhere to the card with a Stampin’ Dimensional.

  • Extra bling was added with three Yellow Circle Fire Brads!

Maybe tomorrow I will get around to making the Lots of Bots card…unless I get distracted by another In-Color “Dynamic Duo”!

I know that I always end my posts by saying that your comments are important to me. They truly are! And this morning I received an email which was a day brightener on this cool and rainy Iowa Fourth of July. It is so rewarding to know that people are out there and that they are reading my posts! Thank you to S. in Canada!

Yes, I do enjoy your comments and emails. Please feel free to leave me a comment or email me. Until next time…

Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies Now!

Stamp Set: Razzle Dazzle (116714)
Ink: Bermuda Bay (115655), In-Color Stampin’ Write Markers (116329)
Designer Series Paper: Razzleberry Lemonade (115675)
Card Stock: Soft Suede (115318), Bermuda Bay (115317), Bermuda Bay Textured (115314—In-Color Assorted Pack), Very Vanilla Textured (108693—Neutrals Assorted Pack), Very Vanilla (101650)
Tools: Word Window Punch (105090), Modern Label Punch (116630)
Embellishments: Bermuda Bay Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (115610), Circle Fire Brads (109110)