Oh, Hello Bitty

Hi there, Stampin' Friends!  One of the perks of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is access to Stampin' Connection, a demo only site.  There are TONS (and I am not exaggerating) of ideas, videos, and tutorials on this site.  Along with sharing creativity, we also can share our hearts, with our 'Stamping Family'.  I created this card for a special little 3 yr old, nicknamed Bitty, who has recently been diagnosed with Leukemia.  Someone who loves her reached out and asked for a card shower to cheer her up.  Sometimes just a little card stock, a little ink, a little adhesive, and love can change a person's day.  I hope this makes her smile.

My inspiration came from this video. Thank you for sharing your talent Aly.

Supply List:
Stamp Set: Oh, Hello
Card Stock: Pink Pirouette, Water color paper, Gumball Green, Pear Pizzazz
Ink: Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz, Pink Pirouette, Black Stampin' Write marker, yellow sharpie for flower center
Punches: 1 3/4 circle, 1 3/8 circle,  1/2" circle, Boho Blossoms
Oval framelits, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, rhinestone

I encourage you to send a smile (today) in the mail to someone who needs it.  I'm guessing you won't have to look far or think too hard to come up with someone who could use some encouragement.  The difficult part might be picking just one person! 

Please feel free to leave a comment and if you have questions, please ask!

Blessings ~ RaeDeen

Camouflage Grunge

Hi there, Stampin' Friends.  I have a 'camouflage' birthday card to share with you today.  In my attempt to create a masculine card without any camouflage stamps, Gorgeous Grunge fit the bill.  I used several different colors of ink and stamped them onto Crumb Cake card stock. The sentiment from You're Amazing was stamped onto Crumb Cake and cut out with the Apothecary Accents Framelits. I used my piercing tool and pierced two holes and threaded Linen Thread through them and mounted the layer onto a Soft Suede card base.

We had made a birthday cake to go with the card.  It was frosted with white frosting and decorated with blue frosting.  It was only fitting the 'icing on the cake' on the inside of the card should be the same as the frosting on the real cake. I stamped the cake from the Sketched Birthday stamp set onto a scrap of Whisper White with Black Stazon, colored it in with Marina Mist, Crushed Curry, and Smokey Slate, added Crystal Effects to the flame and edge of the plate. I cut the image out using the Apothecary Accent framelits; left the white card stock in the framelit, placed it on a scrap of Crumb Cake, traced around it, removed the framelit, cut the base layer out and adhered the two layer together. The added sentiments were stamped with Soft Suede ink.
           Here's the inside:

Supply List:
Stamp Sets: Gorgeous Grunge, You're Amazing, Sketched Birthday
Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede
Ink: Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand, Old Olive, Baked Brown Sugar, Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Marina Mist, Smokey Slate, Soft Suede marker for the hand written words

Big Shot, Magnetic Plate, Apothecary Accents framelits, linen thread, crystal effects, Tombow Liquid glue

Please feel free to leave a comment and if you have questions, please ask.

Blessings ~ RaeDeen

Santa Ornament #2

Hi there, Stampin' Friends! I created another Santa ornament with a completely different look. Here I have used the Window Frames Collection Framelits.  I stamped Santa on Naturals White card stock with Black Stazon and colored him with reinkers and an aqua painter. I cut him out using the Big Shot, magnetic plate, and framelit. I left the Santa in the framelit,(Leaving the Santa in the framelit gives it a little more stability to trace around), set the framelit on Basic Black card stock, traced around it, and then cut the shape out with my scissors and distressed it; removed Santa from the framelit and attached him to the black layer and threaded a thin silver cording through it.   The base of the card is made by using the second to the largest framelit. I inked up the smooth side of the Pretty Print embossing folder with Smokey Slate ink, placed the card base in it and ran it through the Big Shot. The 'ornament' is attached with two glue dots so it can be easily removed.

Here is Santa all colored and sparkled by adding dazzling diamonds and crystal effects to the lenses of his glasses.

Supply List:
Stamp Set: Santa's List
Card Stock: Naturals White, Basic Black
Ink: reinkers Cherry Cobbler, Blush Blossom (retired), Blushing Bride, Smokey Slate, Marina Mist, Soft Sky; Smokey Slate ink pad
Big Shot, Windows Frames Collection Framelits, Magnetic Plate, Pretty Print embossing folder, aqua painter, silver cording (from my stash), Tombow Liquid glue, dazzling diamonds, crystal effects, glue dots

Santa Postcard

Hi there, Stampin' Friends.  Yesterday Santa was on an ornament; today he is on a postcard.  I inked up the Postcard stamp with my Black Stampin' Write marker, omitting the line down the middle and the 'This Space For Address Only'; huffed on the stamp to moisten the ink, and stamped it on Very Vanilla cs. Santa was inked in Black Stazon and colored with markers and an aqua painter; crystal effects were added to the lenses of his glasses. The greetings were inked with Black marker and stamped with the help of the Stamp a ma jig.

Here is a closer look at Santa:

The 'postage stamp' was created using the Postage Collection and Santa's List stamp sets, the Stamp a ma jig, and the Postage Stamp punch.  It is popped up on dimensionals.

I ran the Cherry Cobbler base through the Big Shot with the Framed Tulip embossing folder before mounting the Postcard on the front with liquid Tombow glue.

Supply List:
Stamp Sets: Santa's List, Postcard, Postage Collection, Warmth & Wonder
Card Stock: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Basic Black
Ink: refills and aqua painter: Cherry Cobbler, Smokey Slate, Soft Sky, Marina Mist, Blush Blossom (retired), Blushing Bride; Stazon; Black, Cherry Cobbler, and Gumball Green markers

Postage Stamp punch, Framed Tulip embossing folder, dimensionals, liquid Tombow glue, crystal effects, distressing tool, sponge with black ink

Please feel free to leave a comment and if you have questions, please ask!

Blessings ~ RaeDeen

Santa Ornament

Hi there, Stampin' Friends. I recently saw a beautiful card posted on Stampin' Connection ( a site for demos only) using the Festive Flurry Framelits Bundle (found on pg. 30 of the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog) to create a card with a removable ornament.  I thought it was not only a gorgeous card but a brilliant idea to create an ornament as a little gift. My version is much more 'vintagey' and I did not use the matching stamp set that comes with the bundle.  Here is where my creativity took me...

The background was created using the Northern Flurry embossing folder and Gold Metallic Encore ink. I opened the folder, inked up the smooth side of the folder with the gold ink, placed my Very Vanilla card stock in it, closed the folder and ran it through the Big Shot. I had to add a little more ink with a sponge to even it out and I also stamped the dots from the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set. The saying was stamped in Versa Mark, covered with Gold embossing powder, and heat set.

                                              Here is a close up of the removable ornament:

The ornament was created by cutting the largest snowflake from the Festive Flurry Framelits out of Very Vanilla card stock.  I used my Stamp a ma jig to position the Santa in the center of the snowflake and stamped him in Black Stazon. I used ink (listed below) and an aqua painter (without water) to color the image. I added crystal effects to his glasses. After the crystal effects was dry, I created a 'mask' by stamping the Santa stamp on a scrap of printer paper and then cut it out. I placed the mask over the colored image and sponged Baked Brown Sugar ink over the snowflake. Remove the mask. I cut an additional snowflake out of Baked Brown Sugar and adhered it to the back of my Santa Snowflake, pierced a hole, added the gold cording, put two glue dots on the back of the Snowflake and placed it on my card. Three small pearls in  the center of the Northern Flurry snowflakes finish it off.

Supply List:
Stamp Set: Santa's List, Gorgeous Grunge
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Baked Brown Sugar
Ink: Black Stazon, Baked Brown Sugar, reinkers of  Blush Blossom, Blushing Bride, Soft Sky, Smokey Slate, Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler, aqua painter, Gold Metallic Encore Pad, Versa Mark, Gold Embossing Powder

Festive Flurry Framelits, Northern Flurry embossing folder, Stamp a ma jig, pearls, crystal effects, sponge, paper piercer, gold cording (from my stash), heat tool, glue dots

Please feel free to leave a comment and if you have any questions, please ask!

Blessings ~ RaeDeen

Peace on Earth

Hi there, Stampin' Friends! Oh, what fun I had creating this one!! This card was inspired by Claudia Manderla.  She posted a photo on Stampin' Connection (A Stampin' Up! Demo only site...one of the many benefits of being a demonstrator) and I thought it was adorable. You may view her blog here.  Her Aug. 6th post entitled "Shabby Chic" was the beginning of my card.  I changed up the stamp sets, size of my pages, color combo and embellishments and came up with this....

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't capture the dimension in this card. It is so different in real life.  Here are a few close ups...

                                                                   The Left Side:
 The 'globe ornament' is rounded: attached only along the outer edge with Tombow liquid glue and a dimensional in the middle of the ornament.

                                                         
                                                              The Right Side:

 

The pages are stamped, distressed, sponged, and connected in the middle with linen thread and they open up on both sides.

And last but not least here is a photo of the inside all decorated up too!  The Postage Stamp was created using the stamp a ma jig and the stamp "Sharing with you the Glory, Wonder, and Miracle of this Holy Season" and the Midnight Muse marker.

Supply List: 
Stamp Sets: Postcard, The Open Sea, Gorgeous Grunge, Calm Christmas, More Merry Messages
Card Stock: Midnight Muse, Crumb Cake, Baked Brown Sugar, Very Vanilla
Ink: Midnight Muse, Baked Brown Sugar, Crumb Cake, Versa Mark

Framed Tulip embossing folder, Paper Piercer, Linen Thread, Candy Dots, Postage Stamp Punch, Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, Holiday Ornaments Framelits, Circle punch, Gold embossing powder, distressing tool, sponge, dimensionals, Tombow liquid glue, Stamp a ma jig

Feel free to leave a comment and if you have questions, please ask!

Blessings ~ RaeDeen

Wedding Card: That Keeps on Giving and an envelope "Gift Box"

Hi there, Stampin' Friends!  Today's card is the Wedding Card I made for my nephew and his bride. I found this video done by Kathy Orta and knew I wanted to make one... Gift Card Holder That Keeps on Giving.  I changed mine up a bit and I didn't add tags or photos in the side pockets.  I wanted something elegant.  I used The Paper Studio's Blanc Boutique paper pack.  The card stock has a pearl finish. 

Here is the card closed.  I added a belly band for the closure. It is created with card stock and vellum.  The names and date are computer generated. The Apothecary Accents Framelits and 2 Very Vanilla brads form the label.

Here is the card opened. There are 3 tags and an envelope on the left.Two of the tags have computer generated messages, one is a personal hand written message, and the fourth one is an envelope.  The center is a picture taken of them after she said, "Yes!"  I computer generated 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and printed it out on vellum. I attached it with glue dots over the photo and added Stampin' Up Very Vintage Designer Buttons with a small ribbon through the center.

Here are a few close up pictures of the tags.  An Irish Blessing

 The Heart Framelits were used here:

 I used the retired Scallop Envelope die here to create a place to put a gift of money.  It is not large enough to hold a gift card.  I tied a ribbon around it so it could be easily removed from the pocket.

 One more view of the Scallop Envelope.

.

I didn't feel this was a card that could just be stuck in a regular ol' envelope and seal so I made an Envelope Gift Box.  Thank you to Dawn Olchefske for her easy to follow video found here. Using Wisteria Wonder card stock and the retired Medallion stamp I created a beautiful box for this special card.  The Wisteria Wonder and Medallion stamp were also used on their wedding invitations.

All products are Stampin' UP! unless noted otherwise.
Supply List:
Card Stock:  Blanc Boutique (the Paper Studio), Vellum, Very Vanilla
Ink: Versa Mark, Wisteria Wonder, Soft Suede (sponged on the card), Wisteria Wonder marker
Stamp Sets: Medallion, Tiny Tiny Wishes, Four Frames
Apothecary Accents Framelits, Heart Framelits,  Very Vanilla brads, Modern Label punch, Decorative Label punch, Scallop Envelope die, Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon , Very Vintage Designer Buttons, clear embossing powder, sponge, corner rounder punch, Tombow liquid glue, Sticky Strip, and a whole lot of Love.

Please feel free to leave a comment and if you have questions, please ask!

Blessings ~ RaeDeen

Chicken Wire Pennant Frame

Hi there, Stampin' Friends!  I've been admiring all the frames made with chicken wire.  It has been on my list of things to try for some time now. My nephew's wedding was the perfect event to motivate me to put my plans into action.

The frame was in my collection of things to alter.  I removed the picture and glass and stapled the wire to the back of the frame. I cut stripes of cork and hot glued them over the staples and sharp edges of the wire to protect not only the wall but also fingers! I painted the little clothes pins with acrylic paint.  The banner was made using the Perfect Pennants die, Timeless Type Alphabet Junior sizzlits (retired) and some retired Stampin' Up! twine. I added pictures of the happy couple and tags made using the retired extra large tag punch and the stamp set, Trust God. ("God Bless You",  "Thank God for what you have. Trust God for what you need.", "God is Love",  "Live Simply, Love Generously, Care Deeply, Speak Kindly, Leave the rest to God",  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding".) I made the hanger out of some thick ribbon I had tucked away.  I left it extra long so they could decide how long they would like the hanger and can adjust it to their liking. 

Supply List:
Stamp Set: Trust God
Card Stock: Basic Gray, Tempting Turquoise
Ink: Basic Gray
Frame, Chicken Wire, ribbon for hanger, small clothes pins, Tag Punch (retired), Perfect Pennants Bigz L die, Timeless Type Alphabet Junior sizzlits (retired)

Please feel free to leave a comment and if you have any questions, please ask!

Blessings ~ RaeDeen

Frontier Postcard

Hi there, Stampin' Friends.  I have another masculine postcard to share with you today. I even added a little 'barbed wire" down the center.

I stamped the horse twice; once on the card and once on a scrap. The image on the scrap was colored using a blender pen and Soft Suede marker.  I cut the image out, used a stylus to add dimension, and then added it over the image on the card with Tombow glue.  Here is a close up:

Supply List:
Stamp Sets: Horse Frontier, Postcard, Postage Collection
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede
Ink: Soft Suede, Gumball Green
Postage Stamp Punch, Framed Tulip embossing folder, Spritzer tool, Linen Thread, Dimensionals

Please feel free to leave a comment and if you have questions, please ask!

Blessings ~ RaeDeen

Walk in the Wild Postcard

 Hi there, Stampin' Friends.  That Postcard stamp stays close to my desk...just in case I need it and here it has found its way to card stock again. I have created a masculine card with a few layers and no bling.  The linen thread adds a nice masculine touch as does the Woodgrain embossing folder on the core'dinations card stock.

I ended up using a retired label for the "Thinking of You" because....I used my Stamp a ma jig and stamped the sentiment "perfectly crooked" and had to cover it up.  I like it this way though...it adds a little dimension.

Here are a couple of close ups:

 and...

Supply List:
Stamp Sets: Postcard, Walk in the Wild, Gorgeous Grunge, Amazing Family, Postage Due
Card Stock: Naturals Ivory, Early Espresso Core'dinations
Ink: Soft Suede, Gumball Green

Woodgrain embossing folder, sanding block, Lots of Tags sizzlit (retired), sponge, and dimensionals, spritzing tool (retired), linen thread, aqua painter

Feel free to leave a comments and if you have any questions, please ask!

Blessings ~ RaeDeen

Baby Tees

Hi there, Stampin' Friends. I've been playing with the Baby Tees wheel. Aren't these tees just adorable? I stamped them out on Whisper White card stock, colored them with Stampin' Write markers and an aqua painter, and then cut them out. The strip of White Baker's Twine was colored with reinker and strung across the card to make it look like a clothes line...well, it does to me anyway. : )  Miniature clothes pins would be adorable too.  Hmmm...might have to give that a try too.  I didn't add a sentiment with the thoughts that I would add the baby's name with an alphabet die at a later date to make it more personal.

    For a Girl... I didn't use the aqua painter on this one. I used the markers and a blender pen.

For a Boy...

Supply List:
Stamp Set: Baby Tees wheel
Card Stock: Whisper White
Ink: markers used with an aqua painter or blender pen
Cloudy Day embossing folder (retired),  Baker's Twine, dimensionals, sponge

Please feel free to leave a comment and if you have any questions, please ask.

Blessings ~ RaeDeen

Masculine Postcard

Hi there, Stampin' Friends!  I am loving the new Postcard stamp and there are lots of ideas running through my head for future creations.   I stuck with monochromatic on this card and really like the way it turned out.

The Very Vanilla layer opens up so you can add a greeting. The Soft Suede is a single layer cut at 4 1/4" X 5 1/2".

Here are a couple of close up pictures:

 

and

 

Supply List:

Stamp Sets: Postcard, Calm Christmas

Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Soft Suede

Ink: Soft Suede

Tulip folder, Stripes folder, Postage Stamp punch, Crystal Effects, Candy Dots

Thanks for looking. Please feel free to leave a comment and if you have questions,

please ask!

Blessings ~  RaeDeen

Wisteria Wedding

Hi there Stampin' Friends!  Today's card is the Wedding Shower card.  This one was a lot of fun to create.  I started out with an idea and it took a whole new turn...but that's ok.  I really like the way it turned out.  There is a lot of texture and dimension!

 

 

Supply List:
 Stamp Set:Express Yourself
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Wisteria Wonder
Ink: Wisteria Wonder

Tulip folder, Woodgrain folder, Polka Dot folder, Hearts framelits, Bird Builder punch, small heart punch, pearls, pine branch punch (non-Stampin' Up!)

Please feel free to leave a comment and if you have questions, please ask!

Blessings ~ RaeDeen

Altered Envelpe Box

I attended a Wedding Shower for my nephew and his bride-to-be this passed Sunday.  I wanted to give them something special and unique.  I wanted it to be something they didn't already have and definitely something they could use.  As I pondered, I thought, why not give them something that I love and something that is part of who I am. They had opened many gifts and then my gift came up on the table. My nephew took one look at the box and said, "This is from my Aunt Deen!"  Before he even opened it, he knew who had made it.  My heart overflowed with JOY.  I had already accomplished one goal...something special that is a part of me.

I took an empty envelope box, took it apart, painted it, stamped it, reassembled, decorated the top, and filled it with handmade cards and a book of stamps. I included 4 Sympathy, 4 Thinking of you, 4 Happy Birthday, and 4 Thank you cards.  I made sure to include some masculine cards also.

Here is the finished gift...

                                                                   The Box (front view)

         

                                                            Top View

Supply List:
An empty envelope box, ivory acrylic paint, Basic Gray and Black reinkers, foam brush
Stamp Sets: Loving Thoughts, Very Vintage wheel, Everything Eleanor, and a retired flower stamp
Card Stock: Smokey Slate, Whisper White, and Cherry Cobbler
Ink: Basic Gray, Black Stazon
Owl Builder Punch, Bird Builder Punch, Heart Framelits, Lattice embossing folder, Gray Satin ribbon (retired), pearls, Crystal Effects, Champagne Shimmer Mist (retired), dimensionals

Please feel free to leave a comment and if you have questions, please ask!

Love what you do and do what you love.

Blessings ~ RaeDeen

In Memory of Victoria

Yesterday Stampin' Up! lost a demo and I lost a precious friend. Victoria's favorite color was orange.  It is only fitting that I created a sympathy card for her husband and family using orange.  I will miss her deeply as will those who knew her as "Ethel", Mom, "Nana", sister, aunt, and friend.  She loved the 3D challenges and was always trying to teach me to make a box or bag of some sort.  This is my idea of 3D....and a loving tribute to someone who came into my life unexpected, shared a piece of my heart,  left unexpectedly, and still holds a piece of my heart...."Love you, Ethel!  Luc"

Cherish today....and those you love.

Blessings ~
RaeDeen

Amazing Mother

Hi there Stampin' friends!  I've been creating some Mother's Day cards.  I am preparing for the annual SaleARoma we hold at our church the Saturday before Mother's Day.  There are several vendors that attend, a garage sale, bake sale, and a lunch served.  It is such a fun day.  I've met so many people and have also gotten to spread some joy along the way.  A couple of years ago the Pastor's husband came to the sale.  He picked out a Mother's Day card for his wife and jokingly asked me, "So can I get a bouquet of flowers delivered with this?"  I replied, "Certainly!"   Sunday morning (Mother's Day) I got the honor of delivering a large vase of gorgeous daffodils freshly picked my garden to our Pastor from her husband at church.  When I walked in an announced that I had a delivery for Pastor Larae, she was overjoyed!  The look on her face was priceless.

Here are a couple of cards I created with silver and gold embossing powder, a little ribbon, and some pearls and rhinestones.  The come together beautifully to create a rich beautiful card. 

                                                              Gold and Pearls

             
                                                           Silver and Rhinestones
 

                                                              Silver and Gold
 

Stamp Sets: Amazing Family, Papillon Potpourri
Card Stock: Whisper White, Very Vanilla
Ink: Versa Mark

Big Shot, Elegant Bouquet folder, Elegant Butterfly punch, 5/8" Organza ribbon, 5/8" Crochet trim, pearls, rhinestones, pewter embossing powder, gold embossing powder, stamp a ma jig

Blessings ~ RaeDeen

Ink Embossed Sympathy

Hi there Stampin' Friends!  Today's card is the results of the video I posted yesterday.  You may view it here. A little versa mark, Stampin' Up! classic ink or Stampin' Write Marker and clear embossing powder and you can emboss in any color your heart desires!

Stamp Sets: Ex Libris, Creative Elements, Loving Thoughts
Card Stock: Very Vanilla
Ink: Versa Mark, Early Espresso, Soft Suede and Midnight Muse Stampin' Write Markers

clear embossing powder, Heat tool, sponge, stamp a ma jig

Blessings ~ RaeDeen

Tulips and Butterflies for Mom

 

 Tulips and Butterflies for Mom

As I was creating this card, the further I got into it, the more I realized this was something my Mom would have loved!  Two of her favorite things were Handmade and Handpicked!  The bouquet reminds me of all the times I picked flowers for her and brought them to surprise her.  Pansies, Lilacs, Violets, Peonies...she loved each and every bouquet...sometimes it was just a cluster of weeds from the pasture mixed with columbine, dutchman's breeches, and jack in the pulpit.  Each one was special to her.  The banners are hand written.  Sweet, precious memories of a woman I loved and cherished!

Card Stock: White, Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade

Ink: Black Marker, Gumball Green and Melon Mambo (for sponging), Stampin' Up watercolor pencils

Stamp Set: Papillon Potpourri

Fancy Fan embossing folder, Labels collection framelits, 5 Petal Flower Punch (retired), glossy accents on the butterflies, Champagne Shimmer Mist, Lucky Limeade ribbon (retired)

Here is my video showing how I made the tulips:

Blessings ~ RaeDeen

How to watercolor your Flower Garden

I've had several requests for instructions on how to watercolor the Flower Garden cards I have made.  Since my previous post I have been busy making more.  I am 'stuck' on this technique for now and I think they will make a beautiful gift set.   I have used several different Stampin' Up! sayings.  Some of them are current and some are retired.  There are just some sets I can't part with even after they retire.  I have created a video to show this technique...Enjoy and Create!

 Island Indigo and Raspberry Ripple  (Gumball Green for the stems and leaves)

 Wisteria Wonder and Pool Party (Gumball Green for stems and leaves)

 Primrose Petals and Midnight Muse (Gumball Green for stems and leaves)

 Summer Starfruit (Gumball Green for stems and leaves)

Here is the set using the In Colors




See how it is done ....

Blessings ~ RaeDeen