The last few Coffee Break cards...

...and I then we move on.  For this one, I cut out a few more of those coffee cups from the additional Coffee Break Designer Series Paper piece I started using earlier.  They're really easy to cut out with the Framelits.  I also used the set of 4 squares cut from the One-Sheet.  I suppose I could've broken them up into a set of 2 to make 2 cards and bring the eventual total to 15 Cards, but I decided not to.  Maybe I'll do that for the Holiday Card version I'm planning.  Stay tuned sometime in the fall for that one to post.

We're getting closer to the final card.  Again, we could split the two strips of Designer Paper up and make 2 cards, but I kind of liked the layout here.

 And, at last, here's the final card from the class.  For this last card I added the background stamped with that cool stained-cup-ring from the Timeless Textures Stamp Set (see page 154 in the catalog).  I also used the 5/8" Burlap Ribbon as the cup holder this time just for fun.


Now for the template I used.  There a many different versions of the One-Sheet Wonder template.  You can vary it to make as many cards as you want or as many projects as you want.  This was my version this time.  Hope you've enjoyed it.  If you're local to me, I hope you'll join me at my next One-Sheet Wonder Class come Holiday Card time.

Next post will be something new and exciting...I promise.
Thanks again for visiting.

One-Sheet, Many Possibilities

Here we go for Take 3 and the next 4 cards.  This one I added some dry embossing to vary the background.  The folder I used was the now-retired Large Polka Dots.  However, there is a new folder called Polka Dot Basics that would do perfectly.  I love hoe the dots coordinate with the paper.   While it's not in this particular suite, I think the addition of some dry-embossing helps with texture to cards.  Check your collection of folders and make sure you have one with some simple shapes that can be used the same way.

In case you wondered, I also added a metallic Enamel Shape on top for the heart-shaped stopper.  A bit of coordinating bling...

 For these next two cards, I again switched out of the Coffee theme in case you're not as into the buzz as I am.  So, I went for an iced drink in this one and a smoothie in the next.

In this card, the Ice Cubes are stamped in Soft Sky ink to keep it in the palette.  The lid for this cup was made with the flat lid from the Coffee Cup Framelits.  I cut it out of Vellum and snipped of the tiered top so it looked like a soda top.  I really like the fact that the straw has a Framelit that matches, too!

The Smoothie Card uses the dome-shaped Framelit cut out of Vellum again.  I put the whipped cream/foam on the top.  I'm pretty sure you don't need that cup sleeve for this cold drink, but I thought it added some more texture to the card.

  Finally for today, a Tea card using the Tag Framelit from that same Coffee Cups Framelits set.  Kind of cute, isn't it.

We're almost done.  One more day of the Coffee Break Suite One-Sheet Wonder Cards and then I promise to move on to something else...Thanks again for visiting.

One Sheet Wonder: Part 2

Here's the next 4 cards I made for the One-Sheet Wonder Class using the Coffee Break Suite.  These cards really were fun to make.  In this first one, I looked to another of the sheets of the Coffee Break Designer Series Paper for the coffee press and the two cups.  Guess what?  Those two cups can be cut out with one of the dies in the Coffee Cups Framelits set!  Talk about "suite" coordination!

This card features the stamps from the Coffee Cafe stamp set.  I only used the dies to cut out the "Thanks A Latte."   The rest of the focal image is stamped on a Layering Circle.  Add some layers and voila!

The next card uses four little squares of our original One-Sheet plus some stamped coffee beans (yes, there's a die for those!) plus some more fussy-cut cups and a coffee press from that second sheet of Coffee Break paper.

 Finally for today, here's another card focused on the stamps.  I added the coordinating 3/8" Classic Weave Ribbon (in Crumb Cake) from the product suite as my embellishment on this one.

Thanks for visiting.  Day three up next.

Coffee Break Suite Fun! One Sheet Wonder Class Samples

I recently hosted a "One Sheet Wonder" Class.  I have done them before, but this time I wanted to focus on products from the Coffee Break Suite.  You can find them on pages 30 and 31 of the 2017-2018 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog.  If you're not familiar with the idea of a Suite of products, I highly recommend taking a look at some of the Suites in this catalog.   A Suite really makes paper crafts easy to plan and coordinate because everything was designed to be used together.  In the case of the Coffee Break Suite,  you first get a look at some really fun samples in the photos on page 30. Next, on p. 31,  you see all the products together from the Coffee Break Designer Series Paper to the Coffee Cafe Stamp Set and matching Coffee Cups Framelits Dies.  They've even added some texture to the Suite with the Corrugated Elements and 3/8" Classic Weave Ribbon.  So if you're looking for a place to start creating, this is it.  Actually, any of the Suites work the same way if Coffee isn't your thing.  So be sure to take a look.

I know, your next question is "But, what's a One Sheet Wonder?"   A One Sheet Wonder is a way of using one Sheet of Designer Series Paper to create a series of projects.  In the case of my class, I took one sheet from the Coffee Break Designer Series Paper pack, cut it down and used the pieces to make 14 different cards.  Yes, you heard me correctly, 14 Different Cards.  I started the design process with the Sheet of Paper and from there looked to the Suite of products and their coordinating colors for guidance.  How easy!  I only had to add a few coordinating embellishments and a couple extra stamps, but most of the products I used and the color scheme came from this Suite.  Here are Cards #2 and 3:

 

Notice in Card #3 I used the same Suite of products to create a different theme.  Not all my friends like Coffee, so we did a few different ones to showcase the versatility of these products.  Over the next few of days, I'll post the 14 cards, so please stop back in.

What I used for these 3 cards:

Stamps: Coffee Cafe, Happy Birthday Gorgeous
Ink: Soft Sky, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Garden Green, Crumb Cake
Paper: Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Sky, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Garden Green, Crumb Cake, Designer Series Paper Coffee Break
Accessories: Big Shot, Coffee Cups Framelits Dies, Layering Circles Framelits Dies, Corrugated Elements, Linen Thread

Better than Lemonade?

While we're on the subject of Summertime and cooling off, I remember seeing that National Ice Cream Day was "a thing" on Twitter recently.  Here's another of the Summer Fun cards from the July class.   I'm very excited about some of the new embellishments and ribbon from Stampin' Up!'s new 2017-2018 Annual Catalog.  In particular, the Glitter Enamel Dots (see p. 196) and the 3/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.  The ribbon comes in the 2016-2018 In Colors.  In this card, I used the Sweet Sugarplum.  I feel like it gives the card that "Ice Cream Shop" look.  The nice thing about the Glitter Enamel Dots is that the colors go from light to dark and can be used with multiple colors in the palette.  Thanks for taking the time to check out the card.  Enjoy.

Stamps: Cool Treats
Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Berry Burst, Sweet Sugarplum
Paper: Whisper White, Sweet Sugarplum, Pear Pizzazz, Berry Burst, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Big Shot, Layering Ovals Framelits Dies, Frozen Treats Framelits Dies, Glitter Enamel Dots, 3/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Sweet Sugarplum

Ahh!...Summer....

Lazy days.  Lazy, hot, humid days.  What could be better than some refreshing lemonade?  Not much.  But how about a fresh Summer-themed Birthday card featuring one of the new stamp sets and punches from the 2017-2018 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog (aka the AC)?  That's a pretty cool idea!

July's First Tuesday Card Making Class featured  "Summer Fun" cards.  This was the first one.  I really like the new Lemon Lime Twist as a bright new addition to the Stampin' Up! color palette.  Here it pairs well with Daffodil Delight and Night of Navy.  The embossing in the background is done with the new Layered Leaves 3D Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (p. 211 in the AC).  I like how it gives several layers of depth to the card.  And don't forget the homestyle touch of gingham with the new 1/2" Night of Navy Gingham Ribbon (AC p. 198.)  

The stamp set, Lemon Zest and its coordinating Lemon Builder Punch can be found on page 90 of the AC.  (for those of you interested, yes, the bundle for 10% savings!)  I used the lemons both in full strength and "stamped off."
   With builder punches, there are several theories about the most efficient way to punch out coordinating stamped images.  My solution was to use a piece of scrap paper for a punched template.  Here's a quick visual tutorial of what I did:

1.  Punch out the entire Builder.  Be sure to flip it over so it looks like the under side of the punch.

 2. Lay the template on your paper.













  3. Stamp your images through the template.

                                           

 4. Line up your punch.

5.  And punch out.  Of course, if you feel lucky, you can always  just eyeball it!  

Enjoy your day!

Here's what I used for this card:

Stamps: Lemon Zest

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Lemon Lime Twist, Night of Navy

Paper: Whisper White, Lemon Lime Twist, Night of Navy

Accessories:  Big Shot,  Layered Leaves 3D Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Lemon Builder Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch (for the slice), 1/2" Gingham Ribbon in Night of Navy.

In Color Reveal! Welcome to the Palette!

Here they are!  The 2017-2018 In Colors!  Just a Sample of what we have to look forward to this year.  The new Colors are (from back left, clock-wise)  Powder Pink, Fresh Fig, Berry Burst, Tranquil Tide, and Lemon Lime Twist.  fff

Last year, I showcased the In Colors in a similar way with a simple Birthday Card.  This one uses the fabulous Happy Birthday Gorgeous Bundle which includes that fun Happy Birthday.  Those In Color Bitty Bows are coming, too.  Best of all, they have adhesive attached!  For those of you who, like me, are "bow challenged" this is a miracle!  The Designer Series Paper is called Fresh Florals Look for these products to be available starting June 1.  Contact me (or your favorite Stampin' Up! Demonstrator) for more information.  Stay Tuned for more details.

One More Eastern Palace Card

Here's another Eastern Palace Card.  Not a big write-up today, but I did want to show this one because it features a Sneak Peek at what's coming in the new catalog, Gold Faceted Gems!! (in the center of the medallion)  Also, this is Fresh Fig (another 2017-2018 In Color) Enjoy you day, too!

Stamps: Eastern Beauty Stamp Set
Ink: Tranquil Tide, Fresh Fig
Paper: Very Vanilla, Tranquil Tide, Fresh Fig, Eastern Palace Designer Series Paper, Dapper Denim and Gold Foil , too.
Accessories: Big Shot, Eastern Medallions Dies, Layering Circles Framelits Dies, Eastern Gold Vinyl Stickers.  Gold Faceted Gems, Gold Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

More with the Eastern Palace Suite

Here's another quick and easy card featuring products from the Eastern Palace Suite.  I really love how all the products can be used together in interesting ways.  On this card, I used the Eastern Gold Vinyl Stickers, Eastern Medalions Thinlits Dies and the Eastern Beauty Stamp Set.  Again, the card features Tranquil Tide one of the upcoming 2017-2018 In Colors that is available with the Early Release products.  I love this color.  It's sometimes green, sometimes bluish, and it pairs well with Dapper Denim. The Eastern Gold Vinyl stickers look good on both the Vanilla and on the Tranquil Tide paper.

Stamps: Eastern Beauty Stamp Set
Ink: Dapper Denim, Tranquil Tide
Paper: Dapper Denim, Very vanilla, Tranquil Tide
Accessories: Eastern Gold Vinyl Stickers, Big Shot, Layering Circles Framelits Dies, Eastern Medallion Thinlits Dies, Stampin' Dimensionals

Eastern Palace Suite

Oh Wow!  New things to play with always make me smile.  This card uses some of the products in the Eastern Palace Suite which is now available as an Early Release special from Stampin' Up!  These products, which include samples of the new 2017-2018 In Colors (Yay!), are perfectly suited for cards with elegant lines.  The rich palette on this card includes Very Vanilla, Dapper Denim and the brand new Tranquil Tide.  Accented with Gold and a wonderful die cut from the Eastern Medallion Thinlits dies, this card can be used for many different occasions.  I chose the "Thank You" sentiment from the Eastern Beauty Photopolymer Stamp Set, which is included in this special offering. Part of this collection of products are the Eastern Gold Vinyl Stickers, seen on the right side of the card in a 2" strip.  These are quick and easy accents for any card and add a glamorous touch,.  Hope you enjoy the card.  Thanks for visiting.

Stamps: Eastern Beauty
Ink: Dapper Denim
Paper: Very Vanilla, Dapper Denim, Tranquil Tide, Eastern Palace Specialty Designer Series Paper, Gold Foil Paper
Accessories: Eastern Gold Vinyl Stickers, Metallic Gold Thread, Big Shot, Eastern Medallion Thinlits Dies, Layering Circles Thinlits Dies, 1" Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

A Fun Baby Card

Here's a cute baby card using some more of the retiring products.  This one features the Something for Baby stamp set and the Baby's First Thinlits dies.  This card can be changed up with different colors, too.  The stars in the background are made with the (retiring) Lucky Stars Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  I next added a piece of the Succulent Garden Designer Series Paper from page 21 in the Occasions Catalog (another retiring product!).  A gingham pattern can be so useful, especially for a baby card.  The color scheme included Mint Macaron and Tip Top Taupe from the retiring 2015-2017 In Color collection.  However, I also used So Saffron Ink and Calypso Coral Marker, and the Layering Ovals framelits and the Stitched Shapes Framelits all of which are staying around for awhile.  All in all, a really useful card to welcome a new little one.  Thanks for checking in.  

Stamps: Something for Baby, So In Love (OC, p. 52)

Ink: Tip Top Taupe, Mint Macaron, So Saffron, Calypso Coral (Marker)

Paper: Whisper White, Mint Macaron, Tip Top Taupe, So Saffron, Succulent Garden Designer Series Paper

Accessories: Big Shot, Layering Ovals Framelits Dies, Stitched Shapes Framelits Dies, Luky Stars Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Mini Glue dots, Stampin ' Dimensionals\

...Bring May Flowers!

  And what does May bring?  Mother's Day, of course.  But in the Stampin' Up! realm it also brings the end of the Catalog year.  That means saying "Happy Retirement" to some products that have been around for a long time.  This card is incredibly special to me because I made it for my Mom.  I'll be mailing it from far away (Alaska!) this year.  It will be the first time in a very long time that I haven't seen my Mom on Mother's Day.  But I will be thinking of her and wondering how long it will take the card to reach her from several time zones away.
   The card features several products that are retiring including three of the 2015-2017 InColors.  When Watermelon Wonder, Tip Top Taupe and Mint Macaron were introduced in 2015, I was so excited.  I really loved this group of colors.  Hard to believe it's been 2 years since they made their debut.  I also used the matching Designer Series Paper Stack for that polka-dotted background and used the matching In Color Doilies behind the flower.  Even the Crazy about You Stamp Set and its coordinating Hello You Thinlits Dies and Flower Medallion Punch are also retiring.  And, yes, sadly, the Papillon Potpourri Stamp Set and Bitty Butterfly Punch are in the same category.  However, we can certainly enjoy these products while we still have them around to share.  Together, they make a pretty special card, don't you think?    I also stuck something on the inside of the card using another retiring stamp  set, the Designer Tin of Cards.  I think it adds another special touch.

Stamps: Crazy about You, Papillon Potpourri, Designer Tin of Cards
Ink: Mint Macaron, Watermelon Wonder, Tip Top Taupe
Paper: Mint Macaron, Whisper White, Tip Top Taupe, 2015-2017 Designer Series Paper Stack
Accessories: 2015-2016 In Color Doilies, Flower Medallion Punch, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Big Shot, Hello You Thinlits, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Dimensionals

April Showers 2017

It seems to me that there are some types of cards I never want to have to send, but always end up needing at unexpected times.  These are cards for the most heartfelt of situations.   That's why, for the last two years, I've taught a class that I call "April Showers."   This year we again featured cards for expressing Sympathy, Get Well wishes and just Thinking of You that can be used to help support those we care about in the more trying days that life sometimes offers us.  Here's the Sympathy card from the class.  I think that this design can be used in many situations.  Layering a piece of Designer Series Paper on a coordinating piece of card stock and mounting it on a neutral card base is a really versatile building block.  This card showcases the Floral Boutique Designer Series Paper (see p. 77 in the Annual Catalog) and the So Detailed Thinlits Dies (p. 52 in the Occasions Catalog)   Thanks for visiting.

Stamps: Flourishing Phrases (p. 49 in the AC)
Ink: Night of Navy
Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Floral Boutique Designer Series Paper
Accessories: Big Shot, Layering Ovals Framelits Dies, So Detailed Thinlits Dies, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Pearls