Hello! I must be going! Fun with retiring stamps {HSS184}

Pin It Now! I spent a portion of my morning going through all my stamps sets and marking my retiring stamps.  It's always bittersweet.  Is it silly to feel an attachment to stamp sets?  This fun fringe card was made with two retiring sets - Storybook Friends and Happy Day.

The layout of the card is from our latest sketch challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  I flipped the sketch, and took the liberty of leaving it upside down so that you can see how "right on" I was!  Haha. You are welcome to turn it back upright for your card, or sideways if that floats yer boat.

If you haven't tried using Stampin' Up!'s Fringe Scissors, you absolutely must!  They are SO fun and easy to use.  What a great dimensional effect, and it gives the card an ombre look with the graduated shades of pink.

Here are a few tips on creating an ombre fringe card:

1)  It looks best if the card base is long ways, i.e. opens from the bottom and not the side.

2) The strip of cardstock I used to layer this card are 4-1/4" x 1-1/2", and scored at 1" to mark where to stop cutting with the fringe scissors.

3)  It helps to open the scissors wide to make your cuts, and not to cut until the scissors close.  This prevents unnecessary twisting and tearing of the cardstock. 

4) The fringe cuts in the scissors seem to be spaced so that your 4-1/4" pieces will have perfectly spaced fringes, right up to both ends!  Neat!

I was tempted to color the little critters with an aqua painter, but let it go black and white, like an old cartoon.  

If you decide you can't live without Storybook Friends, there's time to order it before it's gone!  Contact me today to order!  Happy Day, too - available while supplies last!  Below are links to the retired lists.

SUPPLY LIST:

STAMPS:  Storybook Friends, Happy Day

INK:  Versamark, Black Stampin' Emboss Powder

PAPER:  Subtles DSP Stack, Pink Pirouette, Blushing Bride, Strawberry Slush, Pistachio Pudding, Whisper White

EMBELLISHMENTS:  White Organza Ribbon

PUNCHES:  1-1/4" circle, 1-1/2" circle

TOOLS:  Fringe Scissors

  

PS:  Here are a couple of the cards I made with Storybook Friends last year!

Retiring Stamp Sets

Retiring Accessories

If you plan to place an order, here is a HOSTESS CODE for your convenience!  TPQAW6RB

Have a blessed and creative day!

Altered Composition Book - HSS167

Pin It Now! Hello, crafty friend!  Homeschool is getting started around here, so I used the sketch from Hand Stamped Sentiments to alter a $0.50 composition book from WalMart.

Here's the sketch.

It's so easy to make!  Just trace your background paper and glue to the front and back.

 I used the Canvas Creations #129375 for the spine, it comes in a 12" x 12" sheet, and cuts wonderfully with a rotary trimmer. It adhered really nicely with Snail.  I tucked a layer of Baked Brown Sugar Stretch Ruffle Trim down the side.

Here you can see the trim.  The corset body form from this Etcetera DSP is cut from its second sheet and popped up.  One doily behind, one scrunched on top with a Frosted Finished Designer Embellishment (Holiday 2013).  A few small rhinestones along the left side.

 "Smile" is from Happy Day, and is stamped on 7/8" Natural ribbon in Calypso Coral, pleated and placed over the popped up body form.  A little linen thread and Designer Faceted button finishes it off!

This composition book will be used as my attendance book for homeschool, so there's a little added meaning on the front.  My boys are in 4th and 7th grades, so I placed the 4 and 7 on either side of the form.  And SMILE is something I like to remind myself to do every day, especially when teaching my children!  

I hope you're inspired to alter something that will bring you a SMILE, and that you might check out HSS and all the inspiring projects these ladies have to share!

Have a blessed and creative day ~ Erika

SUPPLIES:

STAMPS: Happy Day

INK: Calypso Coral Stampin' Write Marker

PAPER: Etcetera DSP

EMBELLISHMENTS:  Basic Rhinestones, Frosted Finishes Designer Embellishment, White Tea Lace Paper Doilies, Baked Brown Sugar Stretch Ruffle Trim, Canvas Creations, 7/8" Natural ribbon, Linen Thread.  

Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge 164 - Creative Inspiration With a Friend

Pin It Now! I was honored to make this week's challenge with my best crafty friend JoAnn. Although we live 537 miles apart from each other most of the time now, when I come back to visit - I come prepared!!!  She's never done a card challenge before, but after explaining what it's all about, we got to work!  Here's the photo inspiration:

Such a cute photo, right?  Wow!  For my card, I used the stack of books, and the black shoes as inspiration, as well as the strawberry colored skirt hem for the bottom of the black banner.

Jo liked the striped feel of the books, and turned that shape on its side.  She chose Baked Brown Sugar as her card base to match the suitcase she's sitting on, and the crochet trim matches the gravel below.  I love her card, and I love how differently two people can create from an identical start!

It's so relaxing to spend quiet time with someone who shares the same zeal for papercrafting as I do.  I've been blessed lately to meet some new people back home that I'm creating with. But Jo is the friend who always knew when I was crafting because she could see my light on across the yard :) Tonight is just like old times.

What inspiration will you find in this week's photo challenge?  Head on over to Hand Stamped Sentiments. Play along and check out the other designers' projects!  

SUPPLY LIST:

STAMPS:  Happy Day, Six Sided Sampler

INK:  Strawberry Slush, Baked Brown Sugar, White Embossing

PAPER:  Time For Tea, In-color Designer Series Stack, Crisp Cantaloupe, Baked Brown Sugar, Basic Black

EMBELLISHMENTS: Strawberry Slush Stretch Ruffle Trim, Crochet Trim, Basic Rhinestones, Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine, In-Color Boutique Details