Inspiration and Perspiration

Design and Redesign

Here is a card that I received in a swap, which I liked very much:

I like the peaceful look of monochrome, the layout, the images, and even the choice of designer paper stack patterns suggesting waves on the beach. 

So, I decided to copy this one exactly.  Except, that I don't have this exact stamp set, and I didn't really want a "hang in there" card.  Also, I was in the mood for a little Hello Honey to go with my Chocolate Chip.



I decided to choose the cat image from the new Giggle Greetings set.  I stamped my kitty in Chocolate Chip and colored him in with the Hello Honey marker.  The dye-based inks will smear a little when you color over them, which allowed me to get the nice shading on the cat with only the one marker.  (I used Tangelo Twist for his little tongue.) 

 

I felt that the proportions of my image didn't work as well in the layout of the original card, so I played around a little, eliminating one of the designer paper strips, and adding a ribbon for a pop of color.  This is actually a polka-dotted ribbon in Dusty Durango (a lovely retired color a shade lighter than Cajun Craze; ) one of the few Stampin' Up! ribbons that are not double-sided.  This suited me just fine, though, because I wanted a plain ribbon.

So here is my finished product.  A bit of a deparature from the inspiration card, but I'm very happy with it.

Supplies List:
Paper:
Hello Honey Card Stock 133678
Chocolate Chip Card Stock 102128
In Color 2014-16 Paper Stack 133705
Whisper White Card Stock 100730
Marker:
In Color 2014-16 Markers 133654
Ribbon: 
Since mine was retired, try this one instead--it's gorgeous!
Tangelo Twist 3/8" Satin Stitched 133669
And Don't Forget:
Snail Tape 104332
Envelopes 107301
Dimensionals 104330 (to pop up the kitty!)

Lotus Blossom, Step-by-Step with Masking Technique

The Lotus Blossom stamp set is clearly a winner, judging by the sheer numbers of cards posted on-line in various forums.  I'm so happy that the Stampin' Up! photopolymer sets give an excellent, clean image.  If you have shied away from photopolymer stamps before because of poor image quality, you can safely jump back in with this one.

The three-step blossom and two-step stem give you endless possibilities for designing your bloom just the way you like it.  On this card, I used several masks in order to make a whole bouquet, highlighted against an oval frame.

The Lotus Blossom stamp set is only available as a Sale-a-Bration item, which means that you get it for free when you purchase $50 worth of supplies.  The current Sale-a-Bration catalog is full of really great stuff.  So, if you need any of the supplies to make this card, get 'em now!  It's a great time of year to stock up and get lots of freebies.

Here's what you will need:
Card Stock
Pacific Point 111350  standard card size (5-1/2" x 8-1/2", folded to 5-1/2 x 4-1/4)
Whisper White 100730  3-5/8" x 4-7/8" (cut two)
Very Vanilla  3-3/4" x 5" (cut two)

Ink Pads
Soft Sky 131181
Melon Mambo  126948
Strawberry Slush  131178 (this one is an In Color, so if you don't have it, get it fast!)
Daffodil Delight  126944
Pear Pizzazz  131180
Old Olive 126593
Memento  132708 (Tuxedo Black)

All the Usual:
Stamping Sponge 101610

Snail Tape 104332
acrylic blocks 129851
also, a sheet of printer paper, sticky notes
and don't forget your envelopes


1. Select an oval from your Ovals Collection thinlits.  I actually used the center from my old Bigz Oval Scalloped Frame, or you can use a different shape such as the Deco Labels or Labels Collection thinlits.  Cut the out oval using thin paper, such as printer paper.
    Lay the oval in the center of your Whisper White card, and use the Soft Sky to sponge all the way around it.  I swirled my sponge to get a cloudy sky effect.  Remove the oval mask.

2.  Stamp the largest of the Lotus Blossom images onto the sticky end of a stack of sticky notes.  Peel off the top three together, and cut carefully around the image.  Sticky note masks are ideal for smaller items, because they stay put!

3.  Using the smallest of the Blossom images with the Melon Mambo ink, stamp three images around the white oval in the center of your card.  It is okay to go over into the blue a bit.

4.  Optional--Mask the bottom two flowers with your sticky note masks.  We are making the top flower appear to go behind the other two, in case there is overlap.  Using the medium Blossom image with Strawberry Slush ink, line up the stamp with the image already on the card, and press. You'll notice an arrow pointer at one end of your stamp--this will help you line up your images. Also, use the end points of the images and "V's" between the flower petals to help you.

5.  Remove one of the bottom the sticky note masks, and do the next image.  This flower will be in the middle of the bouquet.  Finally, remove the last mask and do the last blossom.  This is the front blossom.  It is also ok if your flowers do not overlap, or perhaps they are far enough apart that they will not overlap 'til you use the final, largest image.

6.  Replace the two bottom masks, if you like, and repeat steps 4 and 5 with the largest Blossom image and Daffodil Delight ink.  (Oh! THAT's how she got orange tinted flowers with pink ink.) If you want your blooms to remain pink, use Pretty in Pink or Pink Pirouette for your largest image.

7.  Now, replace all three flower masks, and do the stems.  Use Old Olive with the "bumpy" stem first, and then use Pear Pizzazz with the smooth stem.  If you want to extend the length of a stem, just turn it around and butt the flat end against the previous image, and stamp again.  Use a mask at the end of the extension to control the length. 

8.  Finally, and VERY carefully, stamp your sentiment in the corner.  PLEASE do a few practice images, as the polymer stamps are very thin, and it is too easy to get a blob or smear.  Of course, if you do, we simply re-do the sentiment on a label of our favorite shape, and pop it up over the smear.  We can fix anything.

9.  Layer your creation onto the Very Vanilla, and then onto the Pacific Point card base.  I used the Vanilla instead of White, to harmonize the warmer Soft Sky to the cooler Pacific Point.  The White was too harsh as a frame.  However, you may disagree with me.  Line the inside of your card with the White and Vanilla also, or you may choose White over Soft Sky.  Or all three.  Have fun.

Enjoy!

Team Challenge

Two cards I made with the supplies from the latest Team Challenge:

We were given samples of the Sale-a-Bration designer series paper called " Best Year Ever" along with those little multicolored flags and a Coastal Cabana circle.  Quick and easy.

BIG Day (with cake, and perhaps a little ice-cream)

You've got to love this Sale-a-Bration set from Stampin' Up!

Here are just four variations of the same card.
You can totally have fun with this!

Start with a simple layout on Pacific Point, with some Painted Blooms DSP for a colorful accent.










Or, just frame the center with the Pacific Point, leaving the card base white.














Then again, maybe we'll stick with the blue card base, but layer the white on top, so as to create a picture frame.











 

Or never mind the blue.  Let's go with a dark pink card base, using Rose Red card stock.

All Purpose Butterfly Card

Butterflies and blossoms--so easy to work with, and good for every occasion.

Here is a pretty card that is perfect for a get well, or sympathy.

The seeming challenge here is getting those windows straight.  It's actually very easy!  Here is my low-measure method.

Start with a Whisper White card base, plus a card front measuring 4" x 5 1/4".  On that card, about 2/3 of the way up, make a little pencil mark right in the middle, which would be 2 1/2 plus 1/8th.  (ok, 2 5/8 for normal people.) 

(The angle of this photo really messes with the look of the proportions, but card really does have the correct dimensions.)

Flip the card upside-down for easier handling, and line your 1 1/4" square punch over the mark.  Use the mark only to center your punch.  You should place the paper down into the punch as far as it will go, keeping it centered only laterally.  Punch out the center window.









Now slide your punch over to the side, resting the paper against your finger.  This will be the correct distance to punch out the next window.  Be sure the paper is pushed down as far as it will go. Punch the side window.

Turn the card stock over and do the same on the other side, using your finger to stop the paper in just the right spot.  Again, be sure the paper is down in the punch as far as it will go. Punch!

 Your windows will look like this.  (Your spacing will look better than mine if you don't try using one hand to take pictures.)

Now lay the window frame on the card base, and slide it over just a little.  Make two little pencil marks to give you an idea of the height of your windows.

Do both sides.  When you put the window frame back, it will cover the marks, but of course you may erase them later if you like.

Sponge your sky from near the top of the card base to the center between the two pencil marks, and your grass coming up from just below the marks.

Be careful not to sponge all the way to the edge, to keep the edge of the card white.  You may use scrap paper to mask the edges if you are not sure of yourself.

Or, you may go ahead and color all the way to the edges in blue, green, or both.  Have fun.  Once done sponging, stamp your favorite flower or weed several times across the meadow that you have made.  I used Serene Silhouettes for my card. 

Stamp your sentiment on the window card BEFORE attaching it.  (That way if you smear, you can flip over and do over!)  The window may be popped up on dimensionals or taped flat with snail tape.  Add your butterfly and your pearls, and you're all done!

I would love to see your variations on this card.  Show me what you can do!