pennants

Hi all
Today I have a card for you that shows a good use of odd pieces of designer series paper (DSP). 

Using dark cardstock can add such a dramatic flair to a card.  Of course, a swatch of ribbon, a button, and a brad offer additional eye interest as well.  Cool, huh?
Peggy

Catching up..

Hi all
Had a fun group on Sunday for my convention trades class but got behind on my posts.  So here we go...

This card is so lovely and uses, not only the Big Shot (my fav!), but also the Diagonal Scoring plate for the Scoring Tool. 

The white gel pen was used to add the dots, highlighting the diagonal score which may be difficult to see in my picture.  The butterflies were cut with the Big Shot and sit atop the not quite navy cardstock and add a bit of dimension to the card.
Lovely!!!
Peggy

Birthday Card

Hi all
Today I have a birthday card for you that is a model of economy.

Why economy?  Because you can use up scraps of designer paper, as long as they share some common colors.  I am really enjoying using the various textured impressions folders that Stampin' Up! is currently carrying.  texture!!
Peggy

teen birthday card

Hi all
Today I want to share with you a birthday card that I think would be great for a teenagers birthday!

You know, sometimes teens get embarrassed with too much attention so the mono tone of this card keeps it from going over the top.  I wanted it to be for a boy so I added the metal grommet.  Love it!
Peggy

Birthday Card #3

Hi all
Today I want to show you a cute card that simply begged to have dazzling details!!

When I went to my first convention (15 years ago!) there were many projects using a snail and everyone added a glitter line.  Now that we have dazzling details it is so much easier to add the slime line.  Hope you can see it in my amateur picture!
Peggy

Another Birthday card

Hi all
This card is kinda curly!!  Scallops across the top and the loops around the sides of the focal point!

This technique is called spotlighting - where you only color focal points of the whole design and then pop them up on top of the main picture. 
But the fun part is on the inside!!  check it out!!

How cool is that!!  Love it!  What a nice surprise for the person having a birthday!!  Thanks to my upline Sandy for a great idea!!
Peggy

Cards cards cards!!

Hi all
I have just found a whole tray of cards from my May classes that I never posted to my blog!!  yikes!!
How could I have gotten so far behind?  Let's get started on getting caught up!!

The topic for the 5-23-12 class was Birthday Cards.  The first card I have to show you is simple but striking. 

This card featured the concord crush In Color which is now retired.  It sure was a popular color with stampers!  I created a template for the gals to use to cut the two flaps on the front.  I love the way the designer paper peeks through at the top and bottom.  Look inside...

I used two stamp sets on this card.  The Ornate Blossom (single stamp) is used on the cover and the "On Your Birthday" set (12 greetings) on the inside.   I am sorry to see this phrase retire but if you'd like to use it on your cards, contact me as my set is for sale.
Peggy

Projects from our second Gratitude Retreat project #6

Hi all
Today I have the last of the six projects that our Gratitude Retreat ladies made.  Again, the format of this card matches the one I posted yesterday.  This project also uses the tangerine tango and lucky limeade colors. 

Isn't it amazing what style a simple thing like using the corner rounder on opposite corners can do for a card?  That punch changed these squares into what looks to be petals.  It doesn't take every tool in the book to make fashionable cards.  I really love what the button does for this card too!  Try a little element and see what it does for your projects!
Peggy

Projects from our second Gratitude Retreat project #5

Hi all
Today I want to show you another card that the ladies at our Gratitude Retreat made. Remember you have already seen the first two formats, two of each.  This card uses the third format.

The tangerine tango is such a fun color and works so well with the lucky limeade.  I especially love the way the black background is used on this designer paper.  Remember that you can create a whole new look by choosing different colors and designer papers that are positioned in the same way.  Try it!
Peggy

Projects from our second Gratitude Retreat project #4

Hi all
Are you ready to see the second version of the second format used by the ladies at the Gratitude Retreat?

The background printed designer paper totally overtakes the whiteness of the top layer.  Which Stampin' Up! punch could you use with this layout?  Experiment!
As you are viewing this card I should be Salt Lake City bound ..leaving my guys behind to fend for themselves.  I know they'll be fine.  Stay tuned for news from convention.
Peggy

Projects from our second Gratitude Retreat project #3

Hi all
Today I want to show you the second format used by the ladies at the Gratitude Retreat.  This card is so bright because the primary color is Poppy Parade, a retired color. 

I love the way the punched area allows the designer paper in the second layer to show through.
Peggy

Projects from our second Gratitude Retreat project #2

Hi all
The second card our "retreaters" made used the same format as the card I showed yesterday. Check it out

I love the way the polka dots echo through the two designer papers and the ribbon.
If you want to make a card like this, using Stampin' Up! products, I'd be happy to post your card on my blog.

Peggy

Projects from our second Gratitude Retreat project #1

Hi all
Recently my friend, June, a Life Coach, and I conducted another Gratitude Retreat.  As part of the event, the ladies turned some of  my old convention card front trades into full sized cards which are then sent to the group "Operation Write Home".  This group then sends the cards on to soldiers who are overseas so they can send them home to their loved ones.  June's husband is in the reserves and although he no spring chicken (he is older than I am) he has been overseas a couple of times.  She appreciates how this card effort can support our armed forces.  Yesterday, after counting, sorting, and packaging  the cards, I sent them off to Operation Write Home.   This box contained nearly three hundred cards!! 
After the ladies make the cards for OWH, they get to make six thank you cards for their personal use.  Here is the first card they made....

This card used some retired designer paper and ribbon - sage shadow which was a great color!! 

It has a nice autumn feel, don't you think?

If your group is interested in having a Gratitude Retreat or wants to help with the Operation Write Home effort, contact me.

Peggy

Beach Cards, Project 8

HI all
Sorry about missing yesterday...been busy getting ready for convention.  I cannot wait to share my projects for convention ...but that will have to wait until I return from convention.  In the meantime, I have one last beach card to share with you.

In someways this card is a throw back to the past.   First, the stamp set used to make the card is retired (Simply Summer).  The mechanical aspect of the card doesn't seem as frequently used as it used to be.

The background was sponged using a cloud template.  The flowers were stamped on the edge of the cardstock and then the edge was folded upward to create a trough.  The bike is attached to a strip of cardstock which is woven into the cover of the card so that it can slide through the trough. When you pull the strip the bike moves.

Now the bike is on the right!  fun!!  Because the strip is woven into the card, it won't slide out or get pulled out. 
If you are interested in getting this 6 piece set of stamps for $5 (plus postage if it needs to be mailed), contact me.

Peggy

Beach Cards, Project 7

hi all
Today I want to share a card that I made to honor one of the joys of Maryland, CRABS....yum!

Although our crabs are blue when you catch them, once you steam them (all covered with Old Bay Seasoning), they are red....so I made mine red ..ie ready to eat!!  It is layered on one of the new framelits.  Here is one of my secrets...when I cut a hole in a card, such as the one I cut in the card of the boy in the sand, I feel the need to use the part that is discarded.  Thus I have this card for you!  The layer under the crab is what was left when I cut the cover for the boy in the sand.  no trash!  Used the new set By the Seashore.  This card was part of the beach class but will re-appear at the convention trades class on the 29th because I have made a bunch of these to trade at convention.
Contact me by July 26th if you want to be at the convention trades class.
Peggy

Beach Cards, Project 6

Hi All,
Hope you are enjoying your summer.   Today I have nifty card for you...it even has a special inside.  Here is the front...

Sorry about the fingertip in the picture - the special inside element was making the card pop open while I was trying to photograph it!

The boy stamp is one of four in the retired Summer by the Sea set - I had to chalk him.  The sketchy style seemed to need the softness of the pastels.  I had recently received the new apothecary accent die and I just love the keyhole effect it created.  Not to worry, I used the inside of the die cut on another card - you will see it in a few days.

The  inside is special too!  Take a look....

What little boy playing by the sea wouldn't enjoy playing with a boat in the water?  Refreshing!  The sailboat is from the retired set called Simply Summer.
This pop-out folded element was created using the label collection die and Big Shot.  The trick is to NOT  fold the base cardstock until after you stamp the boat.  Give it a try!!
If you are interested in adding either the Summer by the Sea and/or Simply Summer stamp sets to your collection for $5 each (plus postage if then need to be mailed) contact me.
Peggy

Beach Cards, Project 5

Hi all,
Today I have a fun little card for you.   It is especially appropriate given the incredible temperatures we have been having.  I have to admit, that we did not lose power during the recent storm - only had several flickers.  Actually, I really thought we had ghost!  The power would flicker and the TV would click off.  I was working in my stamp room at the time (of course!) and the remote was across the room... so I went and got it, turned the TV on and went back to work.  Then the TV flickered off again...back across the room to the remote.  this happened several times.  Guess I should have put the remote in my pocket because each time it happened, I had moved around the room again.  It finally stopped!!  go away, ghost!  I can't complain.   As I write this (a bit ahead of when it will appear) my sister STILL doesn't have power.  Fortunately, her neighbor across the street does have power and so a very long extension cord is keeping Mel's fridge going. I digress.  Here' the card....

This card used the "Life's a Beach" retired stamp set - a really fun summer set.  Can you tell that I applied Crystal Effects to the inner tube?   Really makes it look great! 
Contact me if you would like to add  my Life's a Breeze stamp set to your collection for only $5 (plus postage if it needs to be mailed).
Peggy

Beach Cards, Project 4

Hi all
Hope you are all enjoying your summer and that my cards are expressing the fun of summer for you.  Today, I have a summer beverage card for you.

Not sure if you can tell how this card was colored - I stamped on designer paper and then cut out the focal point of each glass and glued it onto the same image I had stamped on white cardstock.  Fun!!
This card used the retired set called "Cheers for you" which is available from my retired set collection for only $5 plus postage, if the stamps need to be mailed. Contact me if you are interested in add this set  to your collection.
Peggy

Beach Cards, Project 3

Hi all,
Some folks love to romp in the sand at the beach and others think miniature golf when they think beach!  To me, a really great image of the beach is a comfy chair on a quiet beach...relaxing!!

This card was made using the retired stamp set called Along the Shore.  I think the use of chalks/pastels to color the image added to the relaxed feel of the image.  On my model, I used crumb cake ink to do the birds at the bottom but they didn't show up very well, so I had the class participants use a slightly darker color.  This retired set is for sale from my retired set collection for $5 plus postage, if the set needs to be mailed.  Contact me if you'd like to add t to your collection.
Peggy

beach card, Project 2

Hi all
I really enjoyed making the projects for this class.  This little card came to mind when I looked at the DSP I chose - it just reminded me of the fun patterns I like to see on my beach towels.

Sometimes the smallest piece of DSP can make a great card!!  The sandles on this card are from a retired set called Sunny Fun.   It is available from my retired collection for $5 plus shipping, if the stamps need to be mailed.  Let me know if you'd like to add it to your collection.
Peggy

Beach cards Project 1

Hi all
Today I have a fresh little card for you.  The set used is a long retired one, called Simply Summer. 

The DSP is also recently retired but perfectly matched the images in the stamp set.  What made the card really pop was the crystal effects on the sun, pitcher, and glass. 
This set is available from my retired collection for only $5 plus postage, if it needs to be mailed.  Contact me to add this set to your collection.

Peggy

Dresden wedge!

Hi all
A few days ago I showed you a card using the Dresden Die cut wedge - here's another.....

Gotta love all the texture - textured impressions polka dotted background, scalloped edges on the two punches.  The center image was colored using daubers and I love the way the center color seems to pop off the pool party edges.
Peggy


Again I got to use my punches - blossom and scallop circle.

Love those edgelits

Hi all
Today I want to share a card with you that uses one of the new Adorning Accents Edgelits (p 190) across the middle of the card, where the two  DSPs meet.

Of course, the central element is made using the Labels Collection Framelits.  I still have some of this retired DSP for sale if you are interested in getting a package, contact me.
Peggy