Soft Summer Birthday

For some reason, I've been on a birthday card kick today. Must be because in May there are tons of family birthdays, and believe it or not, May starts tomorrow! Best be prepared. This uses the lovely dogwood from Soft Summer, in the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini catalog. I was going for a different look. The card base actually is an old piece of Blush Blossom with a wacky dye-lot, so it's a bit too pink. Using the current Blush Blossom dye makes a big difference in the card. Another case of copy what I say, versus what I actually do! Enjoy.

Stamps: Soft Summer, Very Versatile
Ink: Regal Rose, Basic Brown, Markers: Almost Apricot, Certainly Celery, Creamy Caramel, and Blush Blossom
Paper: Blush Blossom, Regal Rose, Whisper White, Certainly Celery
Accessories: 5/8" grosgrain in Regal Rose, Ticket Corner Punch, Dimensionals

Feline Batty

We adopted Batty a month and a half ago now. I came across him sleeping on the couch this morning and he looked so peaceful. He also was purring loudly in his sleep, so I couldn't resist bringing out this great Cat Lovers Stamp Set from Boxer Scrapbook. Love the clean line of the sleeping kitty. The recipe is really basic. But this would make a really sweet Thank You. Here also is a picture of Batty taken by my daughter. It's a rather regal pose, though. He's got great character.

Stamps: Cat Lovers Stamp Set from Boxer Scrapbook Productions LLC
Ink: Stampin' Up! Basic Black and Riding Hood Red
Paper: Basic Black and Whisper White (again from Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Paper Piercer and Template, Stampin' Up! Ribbon Originals Dress Up

Boxes, Boxes!

My friend Casey (Thanks, Casey!) suggested that I post some project/box pictures on the blog. I'll try to put one on a week. Here's the first. These little boxes (the gift for Casey and the rest of you who kindly e-mailed me on the anniversary!) are made using 2 of the Stampin' Up! Scalloped Envelope BIGZ dies, plus a strip of paper 1-1/2 x 7-3/4 inches scored 2-1/4 inches from each end. The box is big enough to hold 3 mini-cards (3x3) and envelopes. I used a combination of retired colors/papers and new stamp sets here to make these particular ones. Here's a close-up of one of the boxes, as well. Sorry about the lighting on it. I think my camera needs new batteries.

Stamps: Great Friend, Thank You Kindly, Think Happy Thoughts
Inks: Blue Bayou, Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi (all retired from last year's In Color pallette)
Paper: Whisper White, Soft Sky, River Rock, Textured Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi, and Blue Bayou (again a lot from last year's In Colors)
Accessories: Stampin' Up! Scalloped Envelope Sizzix BIGZ die, Cuttlebug (still don't have that Big Shot...), Punches - Scallop Circle, 1-3/8 inch circle, 1-1/4 inch circle, 3/4-inch circle, Crop-a-dile (to punch holes for the handles), Ribbon: Groovy Guava, Blue Bayou stitched grosgrain (retired), dimensionals, Earth Elements Brads

Mother's Day in Teal

Taken with Teal is a color that I love, but I forget to use. It's the darkest color on this card, and I really love the combination with the Turquoise and the Apricot. I used my SU Color Coach to guide my color choice this time. I also used the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set and it's matching Manhattan Flower Textured Impressions Die folder from Sizzix. The card could easily be changed to fit any occasion. Enjoy your mid-week.

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, All Holidays
Ink: Taken with Teal (Classic Ink Pad and Marker), Apricot Appeal, Tempting Turquoise
Paper: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Taken with Teal, Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Stampin' Up! Manhattan Flowers Textured Impressions Die, Cuttlebug (because I still don't have a Big Shot!) , Wide Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Ice Rhinestone Brads (circles), Bold Brights Brads, Mat Pack and Paper piercer (to line up the brads), dimenstionals

All-American

A good Tuesday morning to you! Here's an All-American card for my Sassy 7 ladies this month. It's a Patriotic Card with some twists! I can't take credit for the Flag. That was designed by a fellow demonstrator BJ Peters who does some amazing work. I C.A.S.E.'d it off of the demonstrator showcase. She used the Flag as a box cover. I just used it on a card. In addition, I had to add the "All-American" symbols. This would make a great card for Father's day, too, just add a classic "Chevy," if you've got one. Enjoy.
Stamps: Voila to Go, Family Accessories, Fundamental Phrases
Ink: Basic Brown, Real Red, Markers: Ruby Red, More Mustard, Creamy Caramel, Blush Blossom
Paper: Kraft, Real Red, Whisper White, Brilliant Blue
Accessories: Punches: Small Star, 1-inch circle, 1-1/4 inch circle, Top Note BIGZ die and Cuttle bug, Gold Brad and dimensionals.

Rainy Day Post

Here's a card we're going to do at the Sassy 6 meeting this month. It's versatile in that you can put "Happy Mother's Day" on the inside or any other "for you" related sentiment. This uses the new paper from the Occasions Mini catalog and it's coordinating colors. It's a good combination for elegant cards. Enjoy your day. Stay dry if you're getting the same rain we are.

Stamps: Great Friend
Inks: Cameo Coral, Basic Gray
Paper: Whisper White, Cameo Coral, Basic Gray, So Saffron, Designer Series Paper Walk in the Parkl
Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch, 1-1/2 inch circle Punch, Dimensionals

Happy Friday

This card will look familiar to many of you. It's the same as the cover of a note-pad that we made recently at a Ladies Night stamping. I like the Bird Sizzlit die, he's very Spring-like. Hope everyone is enjoying a taste of Spring for this weekend.

Stamps: Garden Greetings, Enjoy Every Moment
Ink: Baja Breeze, Pacific Point
Paper: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss
Accessories: Sizzlits Dies: Birds and Blossoms and Little Leaves; Sizzix Bigz Die Scallop Circle, Word Window Punch, Pacific Point Striped Grosgrain Ribbon;Cuttlebug machine

One Year Thank You!

Today marks the one-year anniversary for Paper Curiosities. Hard to believe. Many thanks for stopping by to visit today. Here's a Thank You card using some oldies-but-goodies in the Stamp Set area. As an additional "Thank You," The first 6 visitors to e-mail me at this address (eaubin1@gmail.com) with suggestions for future posts (Stamp Sets, Color Choices, technique suggestions, thoughts about the Blog in general) will receive a hand stamped gift from me. Please include your mailing address if you are out of the state of Maryland! I will reply via e-mail if you are numbers 1-6. It's been a great year. Thanks again for visiting. Here's today's card recipe:

Stamps: Artfully Asian, Kanji, Symbols of Solicitude (all retired, sniff!)
Ink: Jet Black Staz On, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, Pretty in Pink (marker), Certainly Celery Marker, Regal Rose Marker
Paper: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Watercolor Paper
Accessories: Blender Pen, Aqua Painter, Pretty In Pink Taffeta Ribbon

Tax-Day Congratulations!

A fitting way to self-congratulate on Tax-Day. A cute Cheers to You card! I don't always post ideas that I copy from someone else, but I really liked the way my version of Karen L.'s card turned out. (She's another demonstrator and it was posted on the corporate showcase, a nice perk for us to be able to see some great artwork. Many thanks, Karen!) I used different designer paper and less scallops for a clean look. But I love that olive! What a great idea, toothpick and all. Here's what I used:
Stamps: Cheers to You
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red (marker), Old Olive (marker)
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Old Olive, Urban Oasis Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Punches Small Oval, 1/4 circle, 1-1/4 inch square, 1-3/8 inch square; Mini Glue Dots, Toothpick, Clear Gloss Glaze pen (I'm still out of Crystal Effects!)

Tea Party Thank You

Thanks for stopping by today. Here's a pretty spring Thank You card that's very easy. It uses the Tea Party designer paper plus the new stamp set Oval All from the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Cataolg. It also uses the new Scallop Oval Punch.

Stamps: Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Oval All
Ink: Basic Gray, Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst (marker), Pretty In Pink (marker)
Paper: Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Almost Amethyst, Tea Party Designer Series Paper
Accessories: So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon (5/8", from SAB ribbon bundle), Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Small Oval Punch, Dimensionals

Have a Cold One

Happy "Back-to-Blogging" day! Here's a fun card for any of your favorite Frosty Beverage-loving friends. Made with the "guy-card" idea in mind, but it would work for anyone unwinding with a cold one. Yes, that's "foam" on there. I found a tube of (old) Liquid Applique (I wish we still carried it! Fun stuff!) and puffed it up with the heat tool to make the froth frothier. I also used a clear Glaze pen to get the glass mug to look a bit more realistic. You could also use Crystal Effects from SU for a similar look, but I'm out of it right now. The card is cut so it flips open the long direction (Cut the base to 4.25 X 11 and score at 5.5") Here's the recipe. Hope you enjoy the card, your week. I'm happy to be back.

Stamps: Cheers To You
Ink: Basic Black, Creamy Caramel Marker
Paper: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, To the Nines Specialty Designer Series Paper
Accessories: 1-3/8 inch square punch, 1-1/4 inch square punch, Liquid Applique, Gloss Clear Glaze Pen, Dimensionals