Because I Care

Here's another peak at the Because I Care Level 1 Hostess set.

Stamp Set: Because I Care
Paper: Marina Mist, Early Espresso, Always Artichoke, Whisper White
Ink: Early Espresso, Marina Mist, Always Artichoke
Accessories: Stipple Brush, Dew Drops, Dimensionals

When I first saw this set I thought that it wasn't one that I would really like. The more I use it, the more it grows on me. I really like hydrangeas, but I don't generally use a lot of flowers in my stamping. What's nice about this one, is it is all one stamp; no trying to line up the stem with the flower, or the leaves with the stem.

Once again, I used one of my new favorite colors Marina Mist. I also used one of my favorite tools, my stipple brush. Stipple brushes give a nice soft effect on paper, and it's so easy to layer color with them. I used Early Espresso, another of the new Core Colors and added some Always Artichoke to soften and warm up the look.

This card only took me about 10 minutes to make. I need to learn to do more cards that quick! :)

Have a great day!

Baja Time

I'm glad that Baja Breeze is one of the returning In-Colors with the Color Renovation; it goes great with so many different colors. I know that this particular ribbon probably won't be coming back,(even though I really want it to) but I'm sure SU will have something just as wonderful. Trying to use up some retired items to make room for all the new ones coming in. Yeah!!

The card design is actually a Mojo Monday sketch found here. There are some really awesome sketches on the site for when you're in a rut, or need to put together something spectacular, but don't have the time to design it yourself.

I ran the textured Baja Breeze through the Big Shot with the Distressed Texturz plate, then used the distressing tool on the edges. The Sahara Sand piece is stamped with the clock face and cog stamps in Sahara Sand. I then stamped the cogs again, in chocolate chip, and secured the Artichoke 1/2" circle with a vintage brad. I distressed the Sahara Sand piece and it's Chocolate Chip mat with the distressing tool. All the edges, except for the card base, are sponged with coordinating ink. I then simply stapled the ribbon on and frayed the edges, so that it was "distressed" too. :)

To match up the torn edges of your DSP and mat layer, simply cut your pieces to the appropriate size, then line up the bottom of your DSP with the bottom of your mat and tear both pieces at the same time. Center your DSP on your mat and voila-matching edges!


Stamp: Sense of Time
Paper: Always Artichoke, Baja Breeze-textured, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand, DSP (retired)
Ink: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand
Accessories: Cutter Kit Distressing Tool, Vintage Brads, Big Shot, Sizzix Distressed Texturz Plate, 1/2" Circle Punch, Baja Striped Ribbon (retired), Sponges, Stapler

Flowers from Bird Wings?

So here is a fun way to use the 2-Step Bird punch and not make a bird. You can make tulips! I saw this idea on one of the swaps I received at the Milwaukee Regional I attended last week. I will be posting pics from that in a few days.



Punch out three of the little wings and layer them on top of each other. I used one of the new core colors - Cherry Cobbler. It is a beautiful rich red and it's going to be one of my new favorites, along with Marina Mist. See how well they go together...

Stamps:Bella's Bloom Ink: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red
Cardstock:Early Espresso, Always Artichoke, Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Extra Large 2-Step Bird Punch, Top Note Bigz Die, Distressed Texturz Plate,
Sponge Dauber, Whisper White Grosgrain, Glue Dots, Tombow

The stems are the leaf from the bird punch. I cut the Marina Mist Top Note in half and sponged the edges with Baja Breeze and sponged the edges of the tulip petals with Riding Hood Red. The Always Artichoke strip was run through the Big Shot with the Distressed Texturz plate.

Color Renovation

I received my New Color samples from the Color Renovation. I really like these new colors, they are so yummy and vibrant. I am really excited about the new color collections.

(Color Renovation jpeg by Marie S)

I only wish I had more paper to work with right now and the coordinating inks, ribbons, accessories... It's going to seem like forever before we can buy them.

Since I didn't have the matching ink to work with, I had to improvise a little bit, but I used colors within the same collections and I think they worked pretty well. The Early Espresso is a blackish brown or a cool brown.

Be sure to click on the pictures to get a closer look at these luscious new colors.

Cardstock: Early Espresso, Naturals White Ink: Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes
Accessories: Linen Thread, Clip Assortment

I finally got my extra large 2-step bird punch!!! Yeah, I am loving this punch. Make sure you order one before the Mini ends. I have some other fun samples to show you using this punch. I sponged the edges of the Daffodil Delight bird and his wing with So Saffron ink, then popped his little wing up with a dimensional.

Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Rich Razzleberry, So Saffron Stamps: Tiny Tags, Sense of Time
Accessories:2-step Bird Punch, Medium Jewelry Tag Punch, Linen Thread, Cottage Wall DSP,Dimensional, Sponges

Since we only received one sheet of each of the New Colors, most of the samples are ATC or mini size cards, so I could make more samples and show you lots of wonderful color combos. I ran Riding Hood Red ink over the edges of the butterfly and across the embossing. It goes wonderfully with the Cherry Cobbler paper. The Cajun Craze is a nice vibrant rust color

Cardstock: Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, More Mustard, Naturals White
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard Marker Stamps: Wings of Friendship (Hostess)
Accessories:Beautiful Wings Embosslits, Linen Thread, Vintage Brads, Mat Pack, Sponge Dauber

The butterfly embosslit is also in the Occasions mini, so make sure you get it quick. Check back tomorrow to see more new color samples and a fun way to use the 2-step bird punch to make something other than a bird!

Enjoy!