Okay, in my usual papersaving manner, I have cut the background paper (‘Spice Cake’ designer series paper) in a 3×4 in piece (for the bottom) and 2×4 in piece (for the top) which maximizes the amount of layers I can get with no waste… and the middle gap kind’ve works with the Espresso cardstock showing.

The leaves were stamped in Early Espresso ink onto the ‘First Edition’ designer series paper, sponged and cut out.  I used two Sizzix dies to make the scalloped circle and inside vanilla… I need to pull out my SU circle cutter to make a closer fitting center, but I was being lazy this week.

Tell me what you think!

Sets: Gently Falling (123802 W, 123804 C)
Always Thankful (#123787 W, #123789 C)
Accessories:
5 ½ x 8 ½  Early Espresso cardstock
3 x 4 Spice Cake DSP #124003 (espresso floral)
2 x 4 Spice Cake DSP #124003 (dk floral stripe)
4 x 4 First Edition DSP #121878
3 x 3 Vanilla cardstock
4 x 4 Early Espresso cardstock
Classic Inks: Early Espresso, More Mustard, Pear Pizzaz, Cajun Craze
Hemp, Sponge Daubers, Glue Dots, Dimensionals™
Spice Cake Designer Buttons #124113
——-Sizzix Accessories ———————–
Sizzix Die – Circles #2  #114526,
Sizzix Die – Scallop Circle #2  #113469
Sizzix Die Cutting Machine, Two clear cutting pads

I am TRULY sorry that this awesome Level 2 hostess set ‘Peaceful Season’ from the Holiday Mini Catalog will likely not be back again (hostess sets usually aren’t).  I would take this as your excuse to go nuts and spend $300 in Stampin’ Up! products just to get it (don’t worry, your husband told me it’s okay, remember he did that ‘weekend’ thing with the guys so fair is fair, LOL!).

This is actually ‘my take’ on a photo of a swap that I didn’t get at the Baltimore regional–my girlfriend got it.  I would have TOTALLY knocked people over to get it, as it is, I was just happy to get a photo of it.

To get that background, I took a white crafters ink and pressed it to the ‘relief’ textured side of the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder Crumb Cake cardstock rectangle through it.  Try not to get too much white on the background, but if you do it just adds to the almost ‘pewter’ look of the Crumb Cake cardstock with the white crafter’s ink.

I made the ‘debossed’ cardstock as a layer to make the card was more sturdy.  And just a warning that the Antique brad holding the ribbon in place is beautiful but between the two, it will totally cost you more to mail… this is the type of card that I would put on top of a gift (without even an envelope).  I’m such a showoff!

Okay, here’s another reason not to miss my Fall Rubber Stamp Festival each year!

This year, the set was ‘Bells & Boughs‘ and all projects featured that and the ‘Deck the Halls‘ designer series paper from the Stampin’ Up! Holiday mini catalog. This was one of the four projects.

I am absolutely in LOVE with the new ‘Crumb Cake’ paper and ink!  Doesn’t it look fabulous with those colors?

I have shared the recipe and step-by-step instructions  below.  Click the graphic below to download:

And just a note, there is a Bundle special going on that includes the ‘Bells & Boughs’ set… check it out HERE.

EAT CHOCOLATE for FREE! Yes… not kidding, I’m offering one sweet deal for a FREE (never been seen yet) “Eat Chocolate” Stamp Set when you purchase the Stampin’ Up! Starter Kit through me.  The ‘Eat Chocolate’ offer ends through me on October 15th.

This set features ‘gems’ such as ‘I would give up chocolate, but I’m no quitter’ and ‘All you need in life is a friend with chocolate’.

So, isn’t it time to ‘Eat Chocolate’ for yourself… you know it isn’t JUST for breakfast anymore!  CLICK HERE for more information about joining… and:

• Customize and save up to 40% on the Stampin’ Up! Starter Kit.
• Get a gorgeous Free Greenhouse Gala Craft Tote (valid thru Oct. 18).  Value $39.95.
• PLUS receive the “Eat Chocolate” Stamp Set, a future release from the upcoming Occasions Mini.  Sneak Peek “Eat Chocolate” samples (created by Stampin’ Up!) below.*
• Enjoy demonstrator discounts and benefits whether you stamp for a hobby (pressure-free) or prefer the Stampin’ Up! business opportunity.

I have fallen in love with the phenomenal artwork of the ‘Countryside‘ stamp set (see below).

The vintage effect of this Soft Suede and Black card is simply done by stamping the truck in Soft Suede on ‘Naturals Ivory’ (#108849) cardstock and gently blurring some of the edges with an Aquapainter–that’s it.  The dye ink will run easily with the water, so don’t get carried away!

The edges of each ivory cardstock layer is sponged with the Soft Suede ink  and I sparingly used the ‘speckle’ stamp in to finish the job.

I had originally envisioned an entirely monochromatic card until I added the faux newsprint (Newsprint Designer Series paper #117116).  I loved that, so I needed to work more black into the piece to justify the accent color (thank you Sr. Nishio, 9th grade art class) so I added the black medallion stamp (from the new ‘Artistic Etchings‘ set) and the scrap of torn black cardstock and of course the black speckles.

I found that it takes a surprising amount of time to make a card that looks like it was just thrown together, doesn’t it?

SETS:
Countryside
Artistic Etchings
Itty Bitty Backgrounds

ACCESSORIES:
5 ½ x 8 ½ Naturals Ivory cardstock
2 ½ x 4 inch Naturals Ivory cardstock
2 x 4 Basic Black cardstock
4 x 3 Soft Suede cardstock
2 x 3 Newsprint DSP
Soft Suede ink, Aquapainter, Sponge Dauber™
Black StazOn™, Mini library clips (black), hemp twine
Square Lattice Embossing folder (#119976)
Sizzix Big Shot, Multi-purpose platform and pair of clear cutting pads

I just LOVE this new Summer Mini Catalog set ‘Sweet Scoops’ featuring ice cream cones and ice cream scoops as well as a greeting stamp, sprinkles and a cherry on top!

I added the pink beads as 3D sprinkles for effect.

This 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 square card is embellished with the square scalloped edge die for the Big Shot machine and a 4×4 square of Razzleberry Lemonade designer series paper.

The accessories that I used were as follows:

Set(s): Sweet Scoops (#117078 Wood, #120078 Clear)

Accessories:
5 ¼ x 10 ½ Whisper White cardstock
5 ½ x 5 ½ Melon Mambo cardstock
4 x 4 inches DSP ‘Razzleberry Lemonade’
3 x 3 inches Melon Mambo (for punching)
3 x 3 Crushed Curry (for punching)
4 ¼ x 2 ¾ Whisper White (for stamping/punching)
1 inch x 5 ¼ inch Crushed Curry
¾ x 5 ¼ inch Whisper White cardstock
15 inches Wide Grosgrain Ribbon ‘Vanilla’
Beads Duo “Pink”
Sizzix Scalloped Square Bigz Clear Die #115950
Sizzix Big Shot & clear cutting pads
Large Oval punch, Scallop Circle punch, Scallop Square punch
Inks:  Melon Mambo, Soft Suede ink, Glue Dots

This adorable treat holder is actually ‘no more’ as I type.  I left it on my stamping table and looks like some kids got into it.  My own kids know better, so I’m thinking neighbor kids…

Anyway, good thing I have a photo and it was super easy to make anyway!

The body of the box is the ‘Bag With Scallops’ (#114519) Sizzix XL Die without the sides attached and decorated with the Halloween designer paper ‘Cast a Spell’ (#115677).  It takes very little designer paper to dress this up and our Scalloped circle punch (#109043) fits nicely on top of the fold over scalloped flap.

The ghosts are from the Holiday Mini Catalog set ‘Twick or Tweet’ (#116497) and just outlined in Sahara Sand marker.

The Scalloped Oval punch (#114889)  fits nicely into the Wide Oval punch (#112082), don’t you think?  So well that three of my six projects last week for my Stamp a Stack used those two punches requiring me to order another pair of them.  Although everyone shared nicely I am happy to report!

Tuesday is the last day to register for my team Rubber Stamp Festival on October 3rd.  We will be holding it at the Newark Baptist Church in Elkton, MD.  The cost of the festival includes the new stamp set ‘Autumn Days’.

This unique card holder will be one of the projects we will be making–and it conveniently fits all the 3D cards we will be making!

I am so excited about it and hope you can join us!

CLICK HERE for more information and to register.

Four Awesome Hands-On Projects
Live Product Demonstrations
‘Recycled Rubber’ Table*
Refreshments  – Sample Displays – Fellowship

*Recycled Rubber table is cash only.  Doors open at 8:15 am… so get there and get your table and get first dibs on the rubber stamps.  You stay seated and the projects rotate to you!

Remember to bring your camera for the displays, your monoadhesive and scissors and any other regular implements you usually stamp with (bone folder, etc.).

Check back to my blog after the festival is over for instructions and more information on how to make this card holder.

In the video, I not only show this easy folding method to an excellent gift bag/purse, but also the watercolor techniques that I used to color this awesome ‘Victorian’ Santa.

Supplies used in the project:

• 115326   Good Cheer stamp set (set of 3)  $22.95
• 115672   Merry Moments Designer Paper   $9.95
• 101650  Very Vanilla Cardstock  (40 sheets)  $7.50
• 102514  Creamy Caramel Cardstock (24 sheets)  $7.95
• 106696  Earth Elements Watercolor Wonder Crayons  (12 colors) $19.95
• 103954  Aquapainters (set of 2)  $16.95
• 112533  Jumbo Brads 5/8 in. Neutrals  (8 ea. of 4) colors, $6.95
• 109053  Bravo Burgundy 5/8 in grosgrain ribbon (15 yds)  $7.95
• 111343  Chunky Sprinkles glitter (iridescent) set of 4 colors  $15.95

ENJOY!

Okay ladies–this card is for those of you who think that I am rushing along Christmas too soon!

I absolutely LOVE this new Thanksgiving stamp set from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  It is ‘Gifts of the Earth’ and it works so beautifully with that designer series paper!

Materials:  Gifts of the Earth stamp set (#116501, set of 4 $20.95), French Filgree background stamp (#113742, $17.95),  Autumn Traditions Designer Series paper (#115668, $9.95), More Mustard cardstock (#100946), More Mustard ink (#103162) & Black Staz On, Watercolor Crayons – Earth Elements, and Aquapainters.

I have some more beautiful cards to come with this set.