Baby Wipe Butterfly (Clear block with Baby Wipe Inkpad Technique)

This is so easy you'll be surprised I bothered with a tutorial!
First I inked the baby wipe with reinkers (Pear Pizzazz, Not Quite Navy and Baja Breeze in this example).
Next, I inked a clear block (as one does when clear block stamping), and after insuring it was inked well all over, stamped it onto Very Vanilla cardstock. The wetness of the baby wipes gives it a much more mottled/tortoise shell type look than one gets with a regular ink pad.

Then, I let it dry for about 15 minutes.

Next, I used the Big Shot and the Butterfly Bigz Die to die cut the butterfly.

On this card, I sprayed the butterfly with a mist of alchohol and shimmer paint for a little glimmer as well.

Finished card:

Stampin' Addicts Birthday Bash Blog Hop 2011 Baby Wipe Inkpad

Welcome Stamping Friends to the Stampin' Addicts Birthday Techniques Blog Hop!

Our Birthday Hop this year features birthday cards again, but this time with a variety of fun techniques for you to enjoy. 

You may have arrived from Jennifer's Blog, Stampin' On the Fly, where you enjoyed the Clear Block Stamping technique on her lovely projects. Should you get lost or want to chat about the blog hop, visit the Blog Hop Chat Thread on Stampin' Addicts for a list of all the participating blogs in order.

I'm featuring the Baby Wipe Inkpad Technique in which you put several colors of reinker onto baby wipes to create a multicolored "inkpad" to use for stamping solid image stamps.

This card probably doesn't look like a Baby Wipe Inkpad card.....Perhaps a marker to stamp or Poppin' Pastels?  I added Perfect Plum, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, River Rock and Old Olive to certain areas of the Baby Wipe Inkpad to create this image and give it a watery look. A little old school sponging and a few of the great SU! colored brads in Soft Suede and Perfect Plum keep the ribbon from being the focal point of the card and allow your eye to take in the main image. Check back for a mini-tutorial on this idea on Wednesday.

 For this card I used a clear block to stamp onto a Pear Pizzazz, Not Quite Navy and Baja Breeze Baby Wipe Inkpad which created almost a tortoise shell or crackle look. I spritzed it with an alcohol mist made with Stampin' Up!'s Frosted White Shimmer Paint after cutting out the butterfly shape using the Big Shot. I curled the wings a bit for interest. This card features Mojo Monday Sketch #178 (MOJO178).  The Happy Birthday image from the Create a Cupcake Set has a whimsical yet elegant look that I think matches the mood of this card, but it is so versatile that it really goes with anything.  Check back for a mini-tutorial with pictures of the process of making this card on Monday.

And now for the typical look of a Baby Wipe Inkpad card....I used the Build a Blossom set and punch with
So Saffron, Pretty in Pink and Melon Mambo for a tropical hibiscus on this birthday card.  I had a happy accident when I stamped the petals for this card. I caught a spot in the middle of the stamp with ink (due to the thickness of the baby wipes) and stamped it onto my card as well. I think the added color in the middle of an open space that would have been white on my example worked out perfectly!  The leaves on this card would still fit in a regular medium SU! envelope because it is a 4-1/2 X 4-1/2 inch card.

Now click on over to Tanya's Tinkerin' In Ink blog for a look at her fun Reverse Faux Letterpress creations! I hope you enjoy the hop!  Happy Birthday Stampin' Addicts!

      

Wrapped Present Gift Card Holder

Today's post is for the Stampin' Addicts Fun Fold Tech #5 today on Stampin' Addicts!

It is a great birthday celebration this week with a Technique focused birthday blog hop this Friday (check back to see it here of course!), so look for fun things all around the Stampin' Addicts site and join in! 
For today's Fun Fold, Vicki Burdick has graciously allowed me to feature her Wrapped Present Gift Card Holder. It is the perfect festive Birthday gift card holder and is great for celebrating for us on Stampin' Addicts! Thanks Vicki! Here is a link to Vicki's blog for a peek at her instructions in case you could use a second explanation: It's a Stamp Thing: Gift Card Holder It does not fit in an envelope, but do you really need one?
1. Cut a piece of base cardstock 4" by 8", a piece of cardstock 4-1/4" by 3" (score in the the 3 inch side at 1-1/2"/down the vertical middle), and a piece of contrasting/matching cardstock at 1" by 4".

2. Cut designer series paper to match 3-3/4" by 3-3/4 " and just under 1-1/4" by 4".

3. Cut your bow by first punching the small oval punch and then punching the large oval punch around it. I tried for a consistent top and put the extra cardstock (since they do not layer perfectly) at the base to allow for gluing. I glued them with Mono Multi in the green and white bottle and sticky strip, but for class glue dots work well.

4. Use sticky strip to close the 8"X4" base and use a gift card to position a piece of sticky strip horizontally across the card so that the gift card or cardstock attached to it doesn't fall all the way to the bottom (for me it was 3/4 of an inch from the edge).

5. Punch part of a circle using the 1-1/4 circle punch at the top of the base, line up your dsp layer and punch it as well. Then glue your dsp to your base and then your contrasting 1X4" layer. Punch your contrasting 1X4" layer to match

6. Fold your "lid" and adhere the dsp to the front. Make your embellishment for the front and put the "bow" behind it.

7. Attach velcro to the flap putting the "pokey" side on the card and the "fluffy" side on the flap for ease of use. If you have adhesive velcro, I wouldn't trust it--I used a dot of Mono Multi green top glue.

Quick Cards with the Sale-A-Bration Ice Cream Parlor Pack

I enjoy the bright colors and fun accents of this Designer Series Paper and Quick Accent Set.  They are great for scrapbooking, but also for making quick cards. For Quick Class this Thursday, my customers will be able to choose use the quick accents of their choice to make a card in record time.

Asian Inspired Thinking of You

The new level one hostess set, A Slice of Life, in the Occasions mini catalog is quite a useful one!  I enjoyed the baby onesie on a card a few weeks ago, and I enjoyed working with the dogwood blossoms today.  I used the square lattice embossing folder to create a nice texture on the Early Espresso cardstock layer, and I think this card's color scheme contributes to the simple modern look too. When coloring the blossoms, I used the tiny end of the Blushing Bride marker to quickly make a loop of color so that there is still some white on the petals.  I enjoy the knots in the hemp twine too.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today I thought I'd show you the Valentine lollipop decorations my daughter made for her classmates.  The penguin was made using the Owl punch. I've not been able to determine the first creator of the penguin from owl punch, but it certainly wasn't me!  We thought the round background and torn snowy edge looked nice too. Hope you have a great day!

Operation Write Home

I enjoy using rather than tossing my cardfront swaps after they retire.  I can only use so many of certain types of cards, so I attach them to a white or ivory cardbase and donate them to Operation Write Home.  The charity sends a box of cards to a contact who distributes the cards among their military unit/group for the hero to send a card home to a friend or family member.  Cards written TO a hero are also included so that those who don't normally receive mail get one as well, but the main focus is cards for the heroes to send home.

This year I had some retired cardfronts, but what I really needed to use was retired carstock from Stampin' Up!'s last color renovation.  I was able to use some Western images (both current and retired) and the Motorcycle from last year's Summer Mini Catalog for Father's Day cards and the Manhattan Flower Rose embossing folder to create Mother's Day cards.  I had help in making the Rose cards and Motorcycle cards from my church women's group and from my stamper friends who helped after class one day.  My daughter Emma helped with the Western cards as well. All in all it is an enjoyable and easy way for me to clean up my craft area without being wasteful, and all together Operation Write Home received 192 cards.

If you'd like to read more about Operation Write Home, here is a link to their website: http://operationwritehome.org/

Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop 2011

Welcome Stamping Friends to the Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop! 

This is the first stop on our trip, but you may have arrived from Cheryl's Blog, Love to Stamp and Scrap, where you enjoyed her lovely creations with Thank You Kindly. Should you get lost or want to chat about the blog hop, visit the Blog Hop Chat Thread on Stampin' Addicts for a list of all the participating blogs in order.

I really enjoy the So Happy for You Sale-A-Bration set...Five great sentiments plus 5 adorable mini stamps that make for an easy quick card! This set is a good one to have on hand, for making a variety set of cards to give as a gift or for creating a card kit of stamped cards and separate sentiment labels that can be added when the occasion arises.  The red card sketch is Paula's Stampin' Addicts Sketch Challenge #60.

The Emboss Resist Masking card below uses each image in light colors that are perfect for a spring birthday...Using a different color circle sponging on each image makes them really pop.  This card is my sample for both this week's Fun Fold Technique on Stampin' Addicts and for next week's Technique challenge to use both Emboss Resist and Masking in some way.  Stop by and check out any of the challenges!

It doesn't have to be about the sentiments though....sometimes it's all about the bling!  Contrary to the vintage chic design usually applied for the petal cones, I added random large and medium rhinestones (with Mono Multi glue for a secure hold) as well as small rhinestones in the center of each stamped flower and on the butterfly for a sparkly modern look. The Petal Cone is a perfect box for a gift of earrings or trinkets, and this set of colors would be adorable in a girl's room.

Finally, this set is great when its sentiments are combined with other sets such as the baby sleeper from the A Slice of Life Hostess Level 1 set in the Occasions Mini Catalog.  I used the Mojo Monday Sketch 175 ( MOJO175 ) for this card, and I enjoy the substitution of a safety pin for the hatpin and addition of the mini button brads at the bottom right. Adding a couple of embossed texture layers made this card quick yet interesting.

Now click on over to stop number two, Jennifer's Sunflower Stamper blog for a look at her pretty and fun ideas for the Punch Bunch Sale-A-Bration set!  I hope you enjoy the hop!

  

Treat Cup Poppy Parade Designer Series Paper Card

I so enjoy the Hostess Level 1 designer series paper pack, so I showcased a few Poppy Parade colored pieces in this Treat Cup Valentine.  The heart from the Sweet Centers set and the LOVE heart from the I Heart Hearts set combined with a few punches from the Heart to Heart punch for a flurry of patterned fun.

I have seen the method for getting the treats out without tearing up the card in several places, but I'm sorry I don't remember exactly where.  I'm not sure if I saw using a 3X3 card to make it easy to punch the 1-3/4 inch circle or not, but it will be much more enjoyable this way for class. :)

Swaps are so Fun-Occasions Mini 2011

I love to join card swaps in which I send 10 or so of the same card and get back 10 different cards, and recently I swapped this card made with the Eat Chocolate Set.

One of the WOW swaps I received in return was this one from Cheryl Wilcox.  This card uses the new Build a Blossom set and Blossom Petals Punch to a beautiful and striking effect.  Cheryl is participating with us in this weekend's Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop with Stampin' Addicts, so be sure to check back for more fun things!

Cocoa Powder Embossed Cupcake with Stampin' Up!'s new Create A Cupcake set!

This card was so fun to make using the new Build A Cupcake Punch and Create a Cupcake stamp set.  I enjoyed using the Mojo Monday sketch 172 for it as well as the new Sale-A-Bration Ice Cream Parlor Designer Series Paper (which also comes with a Quick Accents Pack perfect for scrapbooking or quick cards!).  I used cocoa powder mixed with my clear embossing powder over Chocolate Chip Craft Ink for a chocolate scent for my card. (It does give the cupcake top a matte rather than shiny look.)

Mini Tutorial:

I also wanted to show you an easy and green way to punch just what you want from your Cupcake Punch...simply cut a strip of designer series paper or cardstock the width of the part you want to punch and slide it into the punch.  Especially if you are going to stamp first, it is really helpful to use just a strip of cardstock for perfect punch placement. When you punch your cupcake wrapper, just a bit of Chocolate Chip carstock will be wasted this way.

The fluffy icing is just as easy....

A tiny strip of your favorite red (Real Red shown below) is perfect for the little cherry. :) You can also slide in a tiny scrap of Daffodil Delight for your candle flame.

Some stampers were surprised by this locally, so I thought I should share how easy this punch is to use online as well.

Quick Stampin' Up! Create a Cupcake Card

This card uses Stampin' Addicts Sketch Challenge #73, and the new Create a Cupcake Stampin' Up! stamp set and punch.  It is a lot of fun to use, and this is a surprisingly quick card to make.  I hope my customers enjoy making it at class this week.

Masculine Valentine MOJO173

This week's Mojo Monday sketch is perfect for a Valentine, and my group usually likes at least one Masculine Valentine card.  I used the Love Impressions Designer Series Paper with the Red Glimmer paper for the main image area.  The little LOVE hearts from the I Heart Hearts set are stamped in Real Red for a contrasting random background for the straight patterned designer series paper. Add dimensionals and dovetailed Satin ribbon, and you're finished.

Collage Stamping...Stampin' Addicts Technique Challenge (Tech77)

Today's Challenge is Collage Stamping. You simply stamp your images in a random way (you can create a pattern if you'd like) that doesn't create an actual scene/picture (That's next week's technique.). Repeating some or all of the images can be helpful.

I used direct to paper/drug my cardstock across the Crumb Cake ink pad in my example and sponged over most of the cardfront with Crumb Cake ink as well.  I enjoy the Bella Toile Background with the new Clearly for you set for a messy, interesting look.

This technique is perfect when you need a fast card....This is a card that will be offered at my next Quick Class on the 19th and 20th.

Stamp-A-Ma-Jig Two Step Stamping and NEW things....

Once in a while I like to cut out a flower or two, and this set certainly lends itself to it. The Stamp A Ma Jig makes it so easy to place your stamps just where you want them on your card and so easy to stamp your two-step stamps. Two step stamping with the Stamp A Ma Jig is a technique I should use more often, and it is perfect for lining up layers of ink in a pleasing way for the pink roses for this card. Using Pretty In Pink, Regal Rose and Rose Red for the larger/outer rose stamp provides variety and using Rose Red as the small/inner stamp creates interest and continuity.

I cut out the roses and the center of the sentiment label after masking the flower image while stamping the leaves. Just punching a hole on each side of the sentiment label stamp makes the new Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon appear to support the label..  There are dimensionals under the Framed Tulip embossing folder layer to create a sentiment window with Happy Birthday (from the new Create A Cupcake set) under it.