Sweet Shoppe Duet {Cards for Kids}

Pin It Now! A little birthday happiness for anyone that likes the bright, cool colors reminiscent of the '50s soda shoppes.


The card is 3" x 6" on Pool Party textured cardstock, with Edgelits, Sweet Shoppe DSP, tab punch, and trimmed out with Real Red Glimmer Paper and Galaxy Glitter on the frosting. Stamp set is Sweet Cake from the Spring Mini. 
The Pixie Stix favor I made to be used as a gift topper, with Button Buddies cherry image, the body of the tag from 2-1/2" circle punch, and trimmed and tied with Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine. The Pixie Stix will probably be a bigger hit than the present you tied them onto! :D

Have a blessed & creative day! Erika.

Fresh Color Challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments HSS116 {how-to}

Pin It Now! This week at Hand Stamped Sentiments, we are challenged to use one of the prettiest color combos I've seen in a while...Pool Party, Pink Pirouette, Regal Rose, Basic Grey.  I can never envision what to do with a color combo until I sit down and start playing.

So, I grabbed a few supplies, a Dollar Tree pack of mini composition books, and got to work.  This ended up being my last project for my Stampin' Buffet at my house yesterday...



I for one, can't wait to tuck this in my purse and whip it out to jot down groceries or cardmaking brainstorms :D I was inspired by a larger spiral bound notebook done by Wendy Cunningham.

These are super easy and cost about 50 cents each to make...below are some basic instructions.  I didn't list measurements, as your notepads might not be the same size as these, mine are about 41/2" x 3-1/2". Just lay the notebook open flat on your cardstock and mark where the top and bottom are, go a little large, and cut and trim...just don't go too small.

BUTTERFLY NOTE PAD

INSTRUCTIONS:

11)      Rub Regal Rose cardstock against edge of table to bend in a curve.

22)      Fold in half to find center.

33)      Stamp randomly with Artistic Etchings stamps and Versamark Ink.

44)      Adhere Basic Grey ribbon down spine and trim excess.

55)      Adhere Regal Rose cardstock to notebook with Tombo Multi glue, and corner round edges.

66)      Adhere patterned paper strip, trim if necessary.

77)      Punch newsprint oval, sponge and adhere.

88)      Tie ribbon around bottom of Pink Pirouette rectangle.

99)      Ticket Corner Punch top to corners, adhere with dimensionals to notepad.

110)  Apply pearls to butterfly, and adhere with dimensionals.

As it so happens, my notepad fits well with the Friday Mashup challenge this week too...to use text or print in a project.  

Hope you decide to play along with the gorgeous springy challenge colors at Hand Stamped Sentiments!

SUPPLY LIST:
STAMPS:  Artistic Etchings
INK: Pink Pirouette, Versamark
PAPER:  Attic Boutique DSP, First Edition DSP, Regal Rose CS, Pink Pirouette CS
ACCESSORIES: Basic Grey 5/8" satin ribbon, Decorative Frames embossing folder, Beautiful Wings embosslits, Basic Pearls, Ticket Corner Punch, Corner Round punch, Sponge
OTHER:




Have a blessed & creative day! Erika.

Summer Smooches Joy Fold Card

Pin It Now! Here's a bright, pretty card I offered at my Stampin' Buffet yesterday, with a matching Petite Purse, all from the new Summer Smooches collection.


I love the special fold of this card, it looks very "wow" without any fuss. Perfect for beginner cardmaking.  You can see a tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers here.  You can see another sample that inspired this card here on Jennifer Timko's blog.


Lots of these were made at the party yesterday, and the matching purses make a great gift topper!


Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

Spring Chevron Layout HSS115 {how to make Chevron}

Pin It Now!

This week at Hand Stamped Sentiments, it's all about SPRING!  Anything goes, with all the wonders of Spring as your springboard.  

When I think Spring, I think Love...and when I think Love, I think hubby...and Chevron....do you see where I'm going with this?!

This 12 x 12 layout features a handmade and zigzag stitched chevron background made from Attic Boutique DSP, and is embellished with Attic Boutique Side Notes.

Here's the Hand Stamped Sentiments #115 challenge inspiration...please play along!  Who couldn't use a little Spring in their day this week?

 Here are some of the details and tips....

 The little rosette was made with a scrap of White Waffle Paper spritzed with Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz that was laying on my desk.  Add a little second rosette of Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon and an Antique Brad.  Then a bunch of ribbon strips at the bottom to finish it off.

 The Chevron background is wrapped three times in Linen Thread, then I added a bow under my bouquet and a Trinket Heart lock to give it a 3D effect.

I matted the photo on Pool Party DSP and then onto ivory muslin, and frayed the edges.

 Want to make some Chevron??  Here are the basics!

Cut a bunch of strips like so, in different but complementary patterns.





Hold 2 pieces together at a 90 degree angle corner to corner, and snip them on the diagonal.  This will ensure a clean cut look, instead of simply overlapping them, but either is o.k.  Lay them out in rows on a scrap piece of cardstock.




When you like the way it looks, adhere them down. Cut your cardstock backing to size, and you will only see the chevron strips at this point.

Stitch them together, if desired.  I used a zigzag stitch, I like the quilted look it gives.





I created a spattered look by pouring some Frost White Shimmer Paint on a stiff paintbrush and flicking it onto my cardstock.  I have to mess it up just a little!





SUPPLY LIST:STAMPS:  NoneINK: Soft suede, Pool PartyDSP: Attic BoutiqueCARDSTOCK: Sahara SandACCESSORIES: Attic Boutique Side Notes, Basic Pearls, Waffle paper, Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Pool Party and Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, Crochet trim, Antique Brad, Heart Trinket, Linen Thread, Muslin (from craft store)
Have a blessed & creative day! Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

A Few Cuties From My Upcoming Buffet

Pin It Now! Here are a few cards we'll be making at my house this Sunday!

This one uses the new stencils offered in the new prelease from the 2012 Idea Book, from the Summer Smooches Collection. It was designed by Patty Bennett.


This one is a super cute peek-a-boo card featuring the soon to retire Furry Folk.  I learned this pocket style card at an upline meeting last week.  Love new info and ideas!

oh. my. gosh. that little guy is cute, no?  what is that, a hedgehog or a porcupine?

And how about this cutie? This was featured in the latest issue of Stampin' Success as an Art Contest Pick. I can't wait for someone to have a baby girl now!


If you would like any of these cards either as a kit, or complete, please email me. Each completed card is $2 and each kit style card without the stamping is $1.

Have a blessed & creative day!
Erika. www.erikaclark.stampinup.net

Summer Smooches Sketch Swap

Pin It Now! I whipped up a dozen of these bright pretties for my local monthly card swap in record time!  Two hours!!!  
Thank you, Keurig!  Coffee helps with productivity :)



This month's swap theme was this sketch! Yay!  I love a sketch, and this one's clean and simple.



Each vase of Bright Blossoms is topped with a luscious Designer Fabric Brad. They're big and beautiful!
A little bling on the patterned paper circles, some polka dot embossing, punched sentiment, and some grosgrain ribbon.



The inside is simple, but done.

Blossoms In Motion! {Card Project}

Pin It Now! Hello Friends!  Wow, I have been so busy creating another card set with COOL MOVES for Ustamp With Dawn & Friends!! Cards With Cool Moves 2012!

This is my third and final project for this round, and it might just be my favorite!  

This set is called Blossoms In Motion, and there are flowers everywhere!  They include:

A blossom pinwheel card that actually spins!  My son is always wondering why my pinwheel cards don't spin, soooooo.... 

A center easel card that pops up a medallion emblazoned with pretty layered blossoms.

A 3" x 6" card with a big bloomin' banner across the front.

The medallion card includes a bonus tutorial for a pizza box holder to present it in style!

To get this and more than 40 other full color tutorials on cards that pop, slide, explode, twist, spin and more, check out Ustamp With Dawn and Friends!! here.   You'll love being a member here!  There are live chats twice a week, prizes, gallery, new projects posted every day, and a community of wonderful people like you who LOVE to step it up a notch!  

Have a blessed and creative day!  Erika