A Stamp Rewind for My Anniversary

Pin It Now! You hoard retired stamp sets like me, don't you? I'm not alone here?!  As a demo, I find myself trying to use the current sets because, of course, they're fresh and new. But for my 15th Anniversary this week, I found myself at a loss for a perfect stamp. But looking around my room, I saw that I had amazing stamps...they're everywhere!

This was more or less the sketch from last week's challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments, and I CASE'd the style of Diana Eichfeld with her pretty challenge winner. 

My husband collects clocks, so the cuckoo clock from Forever Young was perfect. And "Love always" was layered from a retired Valentine set, Affection Collection. I used an interesting die cut that complemented the shaped of the clock, and added woodgrain embossing. 

I think what he said was, "Wow, baby, you really did a nice job!"  :D I get that a lot. Haha. 

So, pull out those old stamp sets, blow off the dust, and ink them up!

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS: Forever Young, Affection Collection (both retired)

INK: Blackberry Bliss, Gold Stampin' Emboss, Versamark, 

PAPER: Blackberry Bliss, Brushed Gold, Watercolor paper

EMBELLISHMENTS: Gold Sequin Trim, Apothecary Labels Thinlits dies, 2-1/2" circle punch, Mossy Measow striped satin ribbon, Naturals button, corner round punch, Woodgrain embossing folder

New Year's Eve Party Favors - Crackers & Blowers

Pin It Now! Who's in the mood to celebrate?  Has it been a banner year for you, or are you glad to see the new one coming?  Either way, you really ought to have some festive party favors to wave bye to the old or ring in the new.

Here are some easy favors.  I made these for my church friends and some family that I'll be celebrating with.

The party blowers are too cute, and were easy to make. And YES! They do curl back up when you blow them out!  Yay!  I learned to make them from good ol' Martha Stewart here.  I used her measurements.  But I did a few things differently which are:

* I used  paper straws purchased at Target dollar spot.  Didn't cover them with vellum as they suggest.  I wrapped mine with washi tape.  The glittered ones are first wrapped with Sticky Strip, then rolled in glitter.  (You probably don't want to blow on these.  I don't personally mind glitter lips, but that's just me.)

* I used washi tape instead of clear scotch tape to adhere the patterned paper into the long strip.

*  I used Sticky Strip to insert the straw into the paper curl.  NO drying time!

One great tip I learned was to keep them rubber banded tightly curled for 24 hours.  They'll definitely keep their curl better.  I used the tiny Rainbow Loom bands, and they looked kind of cute while I waited.

Then the party crackers!  I love these, they turned out rather elegant.  They'd make a nice 50, 60, etc. birthday party, man's party, or wedding favor. 

Want some measurements?

Inside roll of Typeset Specialty DSP 3-1/4" x 3-3/4"

Outer ring of DSP: 1-1/2" x 4"

Tissue paper - plain white. 10" x 3-3/4"

Fringe cut the edges with fringe scissors.

Ribbon trim 4"

Baker's twine 3" each side

The tag was cut from the circle flip card Framelits set, and the "Happy New Year" comes from retired Christmas Messages which is still available as a digital download!

Have a wonderful, safe, blessed New Year's.  I hope you're surrounded by people you love!

From My Heart Anniversary Card

Pin It Now! Gold, newsprint, and buttons are the combination of this card for a friend's 17th anniversary.  She's an English professor, and he's an American History author, thus the vintage newsprint!  One button for her, one for him, and a gold heart, all tied together with a gold strand.

A little closer...  That gold ribbon is the BEST.  I heard that at the Stampin' Up! convention, they said that gold is the new black.  That works for me!

These challenges are used for my card.  Click the pic to visit them!  

SUPPLIES

STAMPS:  From My Heart

INK:  Gold embossing

PAPER:  Typeset Specialty, Basic Black, Very Vanilla

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Gold satin ribbon, gold bakers twine, basic buttons neutrals, gold glimmer, heart punch

Anniversary Card - From My Heart [ SUO100 ]

Pin It Now! Today is my 14th wedding anniversary!  Like the card suggests, I have enjoyed the passing of time with my dear husband.  He is my rock, and was placed in my life at just the right moment, 16 years ago, and we were married on the same day 2 years later.

Here's the card I made for him at 11:00 last night while he was still out working.

I found a card on pg. 130 of the SU catalog that I loved the layout of, so I used the basic sketch of it to create my card.  I tried to go very MANLY, but as you can see, I just had to add a few sequins to make it stand out!  I left the little fringes from the sequin trim to rough up the look a little.  

The point at the card front is made by marking the center with a ruler and then each side at 1-1/4", then using the trimmer to cut away the excess.  The chevron embossing is spritzed with Early Espresso and the Spritz Tool, and "enjoying" is gold embossed on Mossy Meadow.  The bottom strip is from the new Vintage Typeset DSP.   I'll be using that on so many things! 

I tied off the bottom with Baked Brown Sugar thick twine.  

And here we are, saying I Do, on a breezy July day on the Miles River. *sigh*

July 2, 2000

I'm joining SUO challenges in their 100th, and I chose #22 - Anniversary, of course! 

SUPPLIES: 

STAMPS:  From My Heart, Teeny Tiny Wishes

INK:  Early Espresso, Gold Embossing

PAPER:  Vintage Typeset DSP, Mossy Meadow, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

EMBELLISHMENTS:  gold sequin trim, Thick baker's twine in Baked Brown Sugar, Chevron Embossing folder 

TOOLS:  Spritz Tool, Heat Embossing Gun

The Secret of Life is...

Pin It Now! ...enjoying the passing of time.  What a poignant sentiment from James Taylor, and the focus of my card today.  I think I'll make a bunch of these up in varying color themes for loved ones!  I think it'll make a great card for birthday, thinking of you, anniversary, even sympathy.

This one features our color combo from the latest challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments. 

I love this stamp - as I was fussy cutting the layer in the center I was marveling at the elegant swirls and wishing I had the graphic talent that the artist that created this stamp has! 

The color combo had me scratching my head a little - a lot of brightness here!  But once I decided on a rather rustic theme, I think the blue and orange were nice touches.  The Tangerine Tango in a trio across the front is a nice little punch of sunshine!

Do you see potential in this color combo?  Head on over to HSS to get some inspiration and play along!  Thanks for stopping by!  

SUPPLY LIST:

STAMPS:  From My Heart, Hardwood

INK:  Baked Brown Sugar, Early Espresso, Tangerine Tango

PAPER:  Coastal Cabana, Very Vanilla

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Tangerine Tango brights buttons, 1-1/4" Burlap Trim, Linen Thread

OTHER / BIG SHOT:  Apothecary Accents Framelits

His & Hers Clean & Simple Valentines

Pin It Now!

Happy Friday to you!  Today I'm sharing a clean and simple card that can be used as a Valentine, Thank You, or simply a "thinking of you".  

I first made the pink one, liked it, and wondered what it would look like in more masculine colors...because though my man is secure in his masculinity, he'd probably prefer a more rugged card.  So I believe I've got my hubby's Valentine done!  

This is a versatile layout that anyone can rock!  I got my inspiration for the layout from a card on my CAS Pinterest board.  

Here's a quick list of measurements:

Card base, standard 4-1/4 x 11, score at 5-1/2" to make a lengthwise card.

DSP: 2" x 4-1/4".  

2-1/2" circle punch for the sentiment. 

The little notches for the baker's twine is the 3/8" circle punch.

That's it!  Embellish as you please!

Here's a closer look:  The masculine card has a small loop of Basic Black Chevron ribbon and a little wooden heart (Wooden Elements, Spring 2014 mini).

The strawberry one is trimmed with Coastal Cabana Stretch Ruffle Trim, and a tiny heart punched with the Owl Punch. 

Have a blessed and creative day!  ~Erika

Supplies:

Stamps:  See Ya Later (Saleabration 2014)

Ink:  basic Black, Coastal Cabana, Real Red

Paper:  Brights DSP, In Color DSP, Strawberry Slush, Basic Black, Whisper White

Embellies:  wooden Elements, Basic Black Chevron Ribbon, Gold Twine

Punches:  2-1/2" circle, corner rounder, 3/8" circle punch, Owl Builder Punch

Big Shot:  decorative dots TIEF