Blog around the block with SUDSOL!

Welcome!!! You've arrived at the first stop on the SUDSOL blog tour!

Today, I'm sharing some new goodies as well as some oldies with you - ENJOY!

First up is a card I created based on an idea in the new Occasions Catalogue. I liked the idea of a piece of cardstock embossed with the new Honeycomb Folder in the middle of the card, so that was my jumping off point.

My next step (since this was originally a swap card for a special group of ladies with whom I swap each month), was to figure out which papers in my stash were well stocked - LOL! Hey...you gotta use what you have, right? So, I went with Pretty in Pink because a) I had a lot of it and b) it's one of the colours in the new Tea for Two Designer Series Paper. If you don't already have this new paper you're going to LOVE it when you do get it. It's got lots of pretty subtle colours with a few darker ones to offset those.

The Collage Curios set is (so far) one of my favourites from the new Occasions Catalogue. When I saw the teeny, tiny Eiffel Tower, I immediately thought about Artistic Etchings and just knew it would be a cute match.

For this image, I stamped the background stamp in Baja Breeze and then using my Stamp-a-majig added the Eiffel Tower in Island Indigo. I then punched it out using my 1" circle punch and matted it on a 1 1/4" scallop circle punched from Island Indigo. If you missed out on the 1 1/4" scalloped circle punch when it was available in the Holiday Catalogue, it's been added to the carry over list and is STILL available (lucky you!).

I stamped the large Eiffel Tower from Artistic Etchings in Island Indigo and cut it out before adding it to the front of the card. The last step was attaching the tiny Eiffel Tower image with a Stampin' Dimensional.

My next card will have you falling in LOVE with Hearts a Flutter. :)

This card was one I swapped at Leadership with the lovely and talented Lyssa Zwolanek. She hosts the most amazing swaps - LOVE THEM!

I started off with a base of Primrose Petals (one of the colours in the More Amore Specialty Designer Series Paper pack) and then added a layer of Very Vanilla that I stamped with one of the small hearts from Hearts a Flutter and then sponged using Primrose Petals Ink. I added a strip of the paper from More Amore which was also sponged.

The main image panel consists of a 2 3/8" scalloped circle in Real Red, the large heart from Hearts a Flutter stamped in Primrose Petals and then diet cut using the matching Framelit set of the same name. I then stamped and punched the "love" image from Tiny Tags to which I added a teeny, tiny linen thread bow and a rhinestone.

I hope you've enjoyed visiting today and that you'll continue on with the blog tour. Next stop is Diana Soling and I just know you're going to see some AWESOME stuff!

CONTINUE on the Blog Tour
SUDSOL	Diana Soling

STAMPS: Collage Curios, Artistic Etchings, Hearts a Flutter, Tiny Tags
INK: Baja Breeze, Island Indigo, Primrose Petals, Real Red
PAPERS: Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink, Island Indigo, Primrose Petals and Real Red Cardstock; Tea for Two and More Amore DSP
ACCESSORIES: Punches, Big Shot!, Dies, Embossing Folders, Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals, Basic Rhinestones, Ribbon

Six Degrees of Separation and a card for the Crew!

So, I don't know if this even COUNTS as Six Degrees of Separation, but I had to figure out SOME way to link to someone else's blog and this is how I decided to do it. It sounded good in my head, so bear with me. :)

A few years ago, I started typing names into Facebook. Names of friends from high school, names of friends from the summer camp I attended up until 1989, names of friends from when I was a cheerleader...you get the idea.

Anyway, one friend I typed in was someone with whom I attended summer camp and we reconnected. It's fun to see "where they are now". About a month ago, this friend posted on Facebook that he had a Twitter account and that those who were so inclined could follow him. So I did...and he followed back.

Fast forward to this past weekend, and I get a notification that I have a new follower on Twitter - YAY!! My new follower is a stamper too!!! See? That counts at Six Degrees, right?? A connection!! (Cait is Bruce's wife - Bruce is the friend from Summer Camp)  So, I checked out her blog! It's just new, but you should check it out too! Cait has some fun ideas and LOVES playing with paper! She makes what she calls "Big Hair Girls" and you'll be AMAZED at the punch she uses to do it!

So, now that I've shared my excitement...let's get on with today's card for the Paper Craft Crew! It also qualifies for this week's Paper Players Challenge to use cups, so...YAY!! Check it out:

I started off with the teacup from the set and stamped it in Primrose Petals. I then cut it out (yep!) and distressed the edges with scissors. Next step was to decide what I wanted for a background.

I decided on the Apothecary Accents Framelits and cut out the largest one from Very Vanilla. I then grabbed the matching Paper Piercing Template from the Essentials pack and pierced all the way around the frame. I wanted a little bit more and added a layer of Crumb Cake behind the Framelit. This layer was hand cut (yes, again).

I adhered the Framelit layers to the card front layer and tied the ribbon around the those.

Then I cut out the largest of the doilies from the large Delicate Doilies Sizzlit and adhered it to the Framelit. Then...I added the stamped teacup to the front and added a few pearls. You can see them a bit better in the picture above than in the full card picture.

The sentiment was stamped in Crumb Cake on Very Vanilla and punched out with the Tag Punch. It was tied around the ribbon with Linen Thread and then adhered using a Stampin' Dimensional.

Last but not least:

I finished the inside.

You can play along too! Here's the sketch:

What do you think?

STAMPS: Tea Shoppe, Tiny Tags
INK: Raspberry Ripple, Crumb Cake
PAPERS: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake and Raspberry Ripple Cardstock, Raspberry Ripple DSP
ACCESSORIES:  Big Shot, Framelits, Sizzlits, Basic Pearls, Punch, Ribbon, Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

Artistic Etchings for the Creative Crew!

Well, actually, it's NOT exactly FOR the Creative Crew (though it is part of my creating for the crew), it's for my downline Teresa who celebrated her wedding anniversary last month! If you're looking for a demonstrator in the Edmonton area, she's your girl!

Have a look at the card, and I'll talk you through it:

I started off with Summer Starfruit...and darn if that colour isn't growing on me - LOL! I guess if you use it enough, you kind of get used to it! Heather Summers will be proud - HA! :)

The Designer Series Paper layer is from Comfort Cafe and is one of my FAVOURITE paper packs from this years Catalogue. On the next layer (Very Vanilla), I decided to do some collage stamping. That's where you put a WHOLE bunch of stamps (in this case six, from Artistic Etchings) on one big block (clear stamps are AWESOME for this technique!) and ink it up. Then, just stamp all at once. For this card, I wanted a bit more fill, so I took a few of the individual stamps and stamped those images again. So, even if you're a die hard "woody" (wood mount stamp enthusiast), you should own at least ONE clear mount set so you can do this fun technique.

As I was stamping the collage, my eye kept focusing on the "amour" word and I thought this would make a GREAT anniversary card! I decided to send it off to Teresa and her hubby Todd. I KNOW it got there late, but I also know it was very much appreciated.

Here's a close up of the little "love" tag from the Tiny Tags set.

Isn't that little tag just DARLING?? I love that Tiny Tags set and the matching punch. Just too adorable!

You'll notice I went a little nuts with the Colour Spritzer. Ever since I've been following my dear friend Ann Schach, that tool is never far from my creating space!

What do you think?

STAMPS: Artistic Etchings, Tiny Tags
INK: Summer Starfruit, Cajun Craze
PAPERS: Very Vanilla and Summer Starfruit Cardstock; Comfort Cafe DSP
ACCESSORIES: Punch, Clear Block, Colour Spritzer, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stamping!

Aviary for Create with Connie and Mary

Remember this from yesterday?

Here's the rest of the story:

Earlier in June, I purchased a pass to the awesome Create with Connie and Mary New Catalogue Edition. This is the FIRST time they've done Create for the bit catalogue and I didn't want to miss out! I have NOT been disappointed!

Each week, Connie and Mary issue a challenge to the participants who have purchased a pass. Through the challenges, participants have to opportunity to win a pass to the NEXT Create with Connie and Mary. Well...I had good intentions LAST week - OOPS! - but didn't want to miss out this week! Here's my card:

Just like the rest of this week, I had cardstock already out on the table and it happened to be Daffodil Delight and Island Indigo. This weekend, I'm doing a class where we'll be using the notecards and the Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper, so I thought I'd use that and then I could show my "students" what ELSE they could do with the abundance of DSP they'll have left over (each participant get a full pack of notecards and a half pack of Summer Smooches DSP as part of their class fee).

I had the scraps already cut, so I just used those and then went on. It seemed like the PERFECT sketch for Aviary and since I think Aviary is a "bright and happy" set, it sounded like a great idea! (Can something "sound" like a great idea if the idea is in you head? LOL!)

I wanted a little sentiment on the card too, but didn't want something that would overwhelm the rest of the card. I always imagine the little birds from Aviary wanting to say hello, so that sentiment from Tiny Tags was just perfect!

And I decorated the inside too:

I stamped the same bird again in Rich Razzleberry, mimicking the bird on the front, minus the cage. I also added some Island Indigo sponging to the edges of the Whisper White Cardstock.

Here's an idea! The very next person that places an order through my online store will get THIS CARD in the mail!!! I won't even write in it, so you can use it yourself!

What do you think??


STAMPS: Aviary, Tiny Tags
INK: Basic Black, Island Indigo, Rich Razzleberry
PAPERS: Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo and Whisper White Cardstock; Summer Smooches DSP
ACCESSORIES: Punches, Bakers Twine, Stampin' Dimensionals


Happy Stampin'!

The Open Sea for the Stampin' Queens

Father's Day will be here before you know it and this set is just the ticket to make the perfect card!

Here's the Stampin' Queens Sketch for this week:

As usual, I took a few liberties - LOL! In fact, I think I was influenced by the MOJO Monday Sketch and the card I created here...which really, is a little weird since I created the Stampin' Queens Card first! The colours I chose were from the Dynamic Duo Challenge:

Here's the card I created, which will be going to my FIL for Fathers Day. It's been "hubby approved" so I'm good to go - LOL!

My FIL LOVES boats and builds model sailboats from pictures in his head! Yeah...he's pretty awesome. I know he'll like this card.

I used the tiny tags set and punch in order to add the sentiment. Here's a close up:

I'm still loving that Island Indigo Baker's Twine!

What do you think?

STAMPS: The Open Sea, Tiny Tags

INK: Island Indigo, Read Red

PAPERS: Whisper White and Island Indigo Cardstock; Island Indigo DSP

ACCESSORIES: Punches, Baker's Twine, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

AWESOME, thy name is Island Indigo

...especially when paired with Baja Breeze. Oh my! I think I may just have a new favourite colour combo!

Truly! Now, Island Indigo and Pool Party are pretty awesome together, but Island Indigo and Baja Breeze are just more...well...MORE.

I had Island Indigo out because I was creating my card for the Stampin' Queens sketch on Wednesday (you'll have to come back to see that one) and I was struck with the idea of featuring a different stamp set each week. Well, my stamp set for Wednesday is The Open Sea and I drew a complete blank as to what else I could do with it. Subconsciously, it was probably the idea of using ONE stamp set for a WHOLE week that freaked me out - LOL!

Then, as I sat there staring at my Island Indigo cardstock, I thought, "HEY! Why not feature a new COLOUR each week!" With fifty colours, I could cover almost a whole year - YES! What do you think of that idea?

So...this week, since I was already creating with Island Indigo, I decided to go with that. Wednesday's card is also my Dynamic Duo card for the week, so it features Real Red as well. I wanted something different, so I pulled out my colour coach. Lo and behold, there it was! Island Indigo, Baja Breeze and Rich Razzleberry! LOVE!

See? You love it too, right? You get subtle with a bit of POP!

When I saw the Mojo Monday sketch, Betsy's Blossoms was the first thing to come to mind and I think it was a pretty good choice!

I just love the finished card! I'm planning on sending it to a dear friend and I do hope she likes it! I won't spoil the surprise by saying who, because I know she reads my blog on a regular basis. She needs a little pick me up and I think this will be just the ticket!

Here's a little close up of the tag:

Must run! Things to do, places to go, people to see and all that. Oh...and laundry, there's ALWAYS laundry!!! *sigh*

What do you think?

STAMPS: Betsy's Blossoms, Tiny Tags
INK: Island Indigo, Baja Breeze, Rich Razzleberry
PAPERS: Whisper White and Island Indigo Cardstock
ACCESSORIES: Ribbon, Bitty Button, Punch, Baker's Twine, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

Beyond the Garden - Card Set

Welcome Back!!!

I hope you enjoyed yesterday's sneak peek!  Today, I'll share the full cards with you. The design/sketch idea is based on cards by Mickey Roberts. I figured if she wasn't scared of the bright colours, I should give them a shot myself.

 All four cards are the same design, using different portions of the paper and different images from the Tiny Tags set. As I mentioned yesterday, rather than using the Tiny Tags Punch, I used the small oval punch (item # 120908 - $15.95).

I also used Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon and the little safety pins from the Vintage Trinkets set.

What do you think?

STAMPS: Tiny Tags
INK: Pacific Point
PAPERS: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight and Pacific Point Cardstock; Beyond the Garden DSP
ACCESSORIES: Ribbon, Punch, Vintage Trinkets, Basic Rhinestones, Basic Pearls

Happy Stampin'!

Sneak Peek Saturday with Beyond the Garden

How about a little sneak peek of something I've been doing? If you've seen the Summer Mini, you've seen the paper featured there, called "Beyond the Garden." I've got to tell you, that stuff is WAY outside my comfort zone!  However, my Caroline is using it for Stampin' Palooza, so I kinda need to get used it.

Here's a sneak peek at my first attempt:

I used one of the less scary papers (at least to me) for this one to lessen the shock - LOL!

I don't know if you can tell, but even though I used Tiny Tags, I didn't use the Tiny Tags punch, I used the small oval that was in the Holiday Mini (and is still available). And, you can JUST make out the safety pin from the Vintage Trinkets. I really didn't think I needed these, but...ummmmm...yeah - NEED 'EM!!!

And here's another sneak peek:

On this one, I used a Basic Rhinestone.

These two sneak peeks will be part of a set using all the same colours as well as the same design.  Each of the sentiments is different.

What do you think?

Come on back tomorrow and I'll show you ALL the cards!

STAMPS: Tiny Tags
INK: Pacific Point
PAPERS: Whisper White, Pacific Point and Daffodil Delight (even though you can't see it) Cardstock
ACCESSORIES: Ribbon, Punch, Vintage Trinkets, Basic Pearls, Basic Rhinestones

Happy Stampin'!

Tiny Tags for a friend - Simply Adorned

Have you experienced Stampin' UP!'s jewelry line, Simply Adorned?  It's simply GORGEOUS!

Here's just one sample from the Stampin' UP! website:

Isn't it darling?  The set used is Tiny Tags - it's not JUST for tags! It's the perfect size for these tiny little charms, which are available in sizes from 5/8" (square and round) up to 1 1/2" X 2" (rectangle).  The size shown here is the 1" square charm.

Each charm comes in a plain brown box which can be EASILY decorated, making it just perfect!  What's more, you could even create a matching card!

What do you think?

STAMPS: Tiny Tags

INK: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Sahara Sand; Crushed Curry (retired, but could be replaces with Daffodil Delight)

PAPERS: Very Vanilla and Rich Razzleberry Cardstock

ACCESSORIES: Simply Adorned Line of Jewelry

Happy Stampin'!