The 5-Card Goal

At one point, I thought to myself "I really need to make a 5-card goal."  I have all these lovely stamp sets that I can use to make any card I need.  However, some of those sets get passed over, frequently.  So I've decided to try for a "5-card Goal" for my stamp sets.  (Maybe I should make that a #5-card-goal ?)  What that means for me is a that each stamp set I have needs to be used to design 5 cards.  I know, pretty crazy, but it might just get me using the sets I have to some sort of potential.  Maybe?  
So, when I found out that Stampin' Up! will be featuring a special soon on their Paper Pumpkin monthly kit club, I thought "What a Perfect place to start with the 5-card-goal!"  Here are 3 of the cards/projects that came in the July Paper Pumpkin Kit "Positively Picturesque."  The kit included a photopolymer stamp set and enough supplies to make 8 cards, 2 each of 4 designs (The 4th didn't make it into the picture,but you can see it in this video.  Anyhow, the nice thing about using the kit as a starting place is the color scheme is already planned for you.  All you need to do is start designing cards with the stamp set and the extras from the kit 

Here is what I had leftover this time.  Some washi tape in Soft Sky and Powder Pink.  A few dimensionals, the two Stampin' Spots in Soft Sky and Tranquil Tide and the cute stamp set.   

So off I went.  I added the 4th color, Lemon Lime Twist, a few Big Shot dies, an embossing folder and some cute matching embellishments and ribbons.  Here are my cards.  #5-card-goal has been met for this set!  Wish me luck keeping it up.  I'll list the additional supplies next to each card.

Here's the first one I made.  This was inspired directly from the card in the kit. Additional supplies: Whisper White Card Stock, Tranquil Tide Card Stock, Lemon Lime Twist and Powder Pink Ink,  Powder Pink 1/2" Finely Woven Ribbon.

This next card used some additional card stock and the same 1/2" Finely Woven Ribbon in Lemon Lime Twist.  The Starburst Die is from Paisley Framelits Dies (see p. 216 of the Annual Catalog).  I cut it in half and attached it to each end of the "Hooray" element.  Again the additional supplies: Whisper White. Lemon Lime Twist, Tranquil Tide and Powder Pink card stock, and the Lemon Lime Twist 1/2" Finely Woven Ribbon 

This card would make a sweet New Baby Card, too.  I added the Ruffled 3-D Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder in the background and one of those really cute In-Color Bitty Bows in Powder Pink.  The only other addition was the Sweet and Sassy Framelits Dies to cut out the heart.  Card stock was Whisper White, Soft Sky and Powder Pink.

I like the way this one came together.  Only addition here was card stock and the Eclectic Layers Thinlits Dies.  I used the Triple Banner Punch to punch the end of the banner.  Card Stock used was Whisper White plus Soft Sky, Powder Pink, Lemon Lime Twist and Tranquil Tide (It's back behind the center of the flower, in case you were wondering.)












Here's the last one.  I used the Layering Circles Framelits and the Metallic Enamel Shapes in Silver as the additional products.  
Thanks for sticking with me.  I hope you enjoyed the #5-card-goal today.  

 Maybe it will inspire some future posts, as well.  
Also, be sure to look for that Paper Pumpkin special when it goes live on Friday.  I might post another piece on it soon!  

Still waiting...

...for my Holiday Catalog Pre-Order to arrive....  My own fault, though.  I was slow to place it and the rest of the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Universe placed their orders first, so I'm still waiting.  In the meantime, however, a cute Christmas Card might help the mood.  Remember this Cookie Cutter Christmas stamp set from last year?  It's now in the 2017-2018 Stampin' Up! Catalog on page 116.  I took my inspiration for this card from the element on the top of page 117.  Using the matching Cookie Cutter Builder Punch to punch out Rudolph and.  I stamped him once on Crumb Cake Card Stock and again on Real Red Card Stock.  I then used the Cable Knit 3-D Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder to create a cozy background to match the sentiment.  The paper with the ornaments on it is from the Be Merry Designer Series Papers.  It's cute, just like the Cookie Cutter Christmas set.  I actually think you could make this card with any of the images from that set and make a great gift for someone.  Here are the details:

Stamps: Cookie Cutter Christmas
Ink: Basic Black Archival Ink, Real Red
Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Real Red, Garden Green, Be Merry Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Cookie Cutter Builder Punch, Big Shot, Layering Ovals Framelits, Cable Knit 3-D Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder 1/8" Sheer Ribbon in Whisper White

Curiosities explored...

 Can you tell the difference between these two cards?  I know, the picture isn't great.  Let me try this again...

This is a bit better.  On the surface, these two cards look almost identical.  However, focus on the snowflakes for just a bit.  Do you notice any difference in the colors?

Okay, get to the point, Emily!

Water coloring has been popular for a while now.  In particular on card elements.  Every so often, I read about people using Shimmery White Card Stock (Annual Catalog, p. 194) with this technique.  Some of the cards I've seen uses die-cut Shimmery White Card Stock that has been water colored.  I've noticed, however, that even though Watercolor Paper exists, I rarely see people using it die-cut.  Hmmmm...I wonder why?  In true Paper Curiosities fashion, I decided it was time to test it out.

So, I assembled some paper and dies and started cutting.  Here's the process I went through and what I discovered.   Then I'll let you know which card uses which paper.

First the Dies un-colored:

Here's the Watercolor paper.  I believe that the Stampin' Up! Watercolor paper is 120 pound.  Thicker than the usual 80 pound.   I expected it to be harder to die cut, but it worked fine.

Next, I used an aqua painter to wet the snowflake first and then some of our classic ink in Soft Sky, Island Indigo, and Night of Navy to color each.  This is what the watercolor paper looked like when it dried:

 These took a bit to dry so I left them sit while I turned my attention to the Shimmer White Card Stock.

Here are the Shimmery White snowflakes.  These were a bit more difficult to cut out, believe it or not.  The cardstock has a slight coating to it that gives it the shimmer when you move it around in the light.  Almost like there's glitter in there.  Really fine glitter, that is.

I followed the same process with the Aqua Painter and the same inks as the first time.
Here's the result.

I set these aside to dry.  Already, I could notice a difference in the color.  Interesting!

This is what they look like after they dry.  The Watercolor paper is on top.  Notice that the color is a bit darker.  While these dried a bit longer, I prepared the cards:  Here's what I used in case you're interested in the entire card.  Then I'll give you the reveal!

Stamps: Work of Art, Colorful Season
Ink: Night of Navy, Island Indigo, Soft Sky
Paper: Whisper White, Island Indigo, Soft Sky, Watercolor Paper, Shimmer White Card Stock
Accessories: Big Shot, Seasonal Layers Thinlits, Aqua Painters, Metallic Enamel Shapes, 5/8" Crinkled Seam Binding in Night of Navy, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

Big reveal time:  Here they are

 This card has the Water Color Paper snowflakes.













 And this one is the Shimmery White.  Not a lot of difference between them, is there?

The biggest difference is the subtler color of the Shimmery White and the hint of shine when you rotate it to catch the light.  The Watercolor paper gives a more saturated color and has a more natural texture.  I can't quite convey that with my pictures.  So, try it out for yourself and see what differences you find.  I actually liked both as options for making watercolored elements for these cards.  Hope you enjoyed it.  Thanks for visiting.  See you next week!

Biding My Time...

until the pre-order arrives.  One of the nice things about being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator is having access to all sorts of cool products early.  I got to pre-order from the Holiday Catalog this week, so I am anxiously waiting for a box to arrive.  More excitement in the coming weeks.

But, in the meantime, there's a lot of exploring to do.  So I put my Winter Seasonal hat on and I'm finding a lot of really fun things to play with.  Here's another card sample that uses another of the Card Front Builder Thinlits along with the wonderful snowflakes from the Colorful Seasons stamp set and it's matching Seasonal Layers Thinlits Dies.  The sentiment focal point was made with several different products and I've included a picture tutorial of how I made it.  Color scheme is Dapper Denim, Soft Sky and Whisper White.  The snowflakes are stamped both full strength and stamped off for the background.  The sentiment is from the Christmas Pines set on page 120 of the Annual Catalog.  Here's what I used, followed by the tutorial for my sentiment arrangement.  Enjoy.

Stamps: Colorful Seasons, Christmas Pines
Ink: Dapper Denim, Soft Sky
Paper: Whisper White, Dapper Denim, Soft Sky
Accessories: Big Shot, Card Front Builder Thinlits, Seasonal Layers Thinlits. Layering Circles Framelits, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Pretty Label Punch, Metallic Foil Doilies, Mini Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Simple Joys medalion:  How do you make one?

1.  Stamp the sentiment and cut out with Layering Circles Framelits.

2. Cut a small silver Metallic Foil Doilie in half

3. Punch out a Pretty Label in Dapper Denim

4. Attach sentiment on top of Label with your favorite adhesive.  (I used SNAIL)

5.  Attach the half-doilies to either side of the sentiment.  Again, use your favorite adhesive.  Glue dots are great with the foil if you're worried about things staying together.

6.  Here's the final look ready to go on the card with dimensionals and be decorated with any type of bling you desire!  Thanks for reading through!

Is it September, yet? No? Okay, more Christmas... in August!

And, another card using the Carols of Christmas Stamp Set and Card Front Builder Thinlits which are now available as a Holiday Catalog Early Release!  Be sure to visit the Stampin' Up! website (link to the right somewhere) for more details.

This is also a partial CASE of a card from Pinterest.  I saw several like this, so I don't know who to credit for the original one I saw.  Thanks to everyone who posted this idea.  I chose Dapper Denim and Tranquil Tide for my color scheme here.   I also used the White Stampin' Chalk Marker (see p. 200) to add some "snow" to the trees.  Unfortunately, mine are getting a bit dry, so it looks like I'll need to order a new one soon!  This card is very easy to make and a version of it just might make it into my Auction donation cards this year.   The moon and stars are cut out using one of the dies from the Card Front Builder Thinlits.  So are the pine trees.  I actually used those trees to create the snowy slope, too.  However, I now need to figure out how to use Whisper White trees....stay tuned!

Stamps: Carols of Christmas
Ink: Dapper Denim and Tranquil Tide Markers, White Stampin' Chalk Marker
Paper: Whisper White, Dapper Denim, Tranquil Tide
Accessories: Big Shot, Card Front Builder Thinlits, Stitched Shapes Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals (regular and Mini sizes)