Happy Thursday – and welcome to the first Happy Stampers Blog Hop of 2015! This is my first hop, and I’m really excited to be included with the other talented ladies who are taking part. One of the coolest parts of stamping is how everyone can, with roughly the same tools, come up with an almost endless variety of ideas. Blog hops really illustrate how versatile these products are. So, once you’ve checked out my projects, be sure to go to each of their blogs to enjoy their creations. Take a minute to leave each of us a comment, because, in addition to some great ideas, we’re all giving away a little Blog Candy, too! For this hop, we’ll all show you a card made with some Occasions catalog product(s) and one with Sale-a-Bration product(s).
My first card to share with you uses the Irresistibly Yours DSP (Sale-a-Bration catalog) and the Butterfly Basics stamp set and complementary Butterflies Thinlits Dies (Occasions), which are available as a money-saving bundle (so, you KNOW that’s how I got it!). I colored the DSP with my Sale-a-Bration Blendability markers.
My design inspiration for this card was Mojo Monday Sketch #380. And, as I looked at the supplies I’d chosen, I gratefully stepped back into my color-palette wheelhouse.
This card started with a Crumb Cake Cut and Ready card base, with the corners rounded. I sponged the edges of a piece of Typeset DSP with my Crumb Cake ink, and then SNAIL’d it to an Old Olive Cardstock mat. Using a couple of the stamps in the Butterfly Basics set, I inked the Typeset with some honeycomb and frond images, using Crushed Curry and Old Olive respectively (I stamped each one off on scrap paper first and then stamped twice without re-inking). I rounded the corners and SNAIL’d the whole thing to the card base. Then, I colored two pieces of the Irresistibly Yours DSP – one with the lightest Wild Wasabi Blendability Marker and the other with the lightest Crumb Cake Blendability – and wiped the excess off the “resist” areas with a paper towel. This DSP is so cool and versatile – you can make it be any color you want it to be (sponge ink on, spritz it on, use a Blenadability, etc), and it’s also pretty in it’s natural white-on-white state. And, because it’s a Sale-a-Bration item, you can still get a stack FREE with a $50 purchase through 31 Mar! Each piece was matted to the opposite color – the Old Olive on a Crumb Cake mat and the Crumb Cake on an Old Olive mat. I put these on with SNAIL as well, since I knew I wanted to pop my sentiment and the butterfly.
I stamped my sentiment in Old Olive on a piece of Vanilla Cardstock and then added a Crumb Cake flower. Both of these are in the Butterfly Basics set – this one gives you a lot of stamping power for your money – and was the first thing I ordered when the Occasions catalog came out. Please note that, sadly, it was far from the ONLY thing I ordered! LOL After I lightly edged the CS with some more Crumb Cake, I popped it onto the card with some Stampin’ Dimensionals. My Butterfly was stamped twice in Old Olive (on Very Vanilla) and cut out twice with the Thinlit Die that matches it. I colored in one butterfly with my lightest Crumb Cake Blendability. Then I layered them on the card front with SNAIL – the top one, I only attached the center third or so of the butterfly, and then put a little tiny piece of Stampin’ Dimensional under each wing – I wanted them to stay up even after going into an envelope. I finished off the front with some Pearl Basic Jewels on the butterfly and in the center of the flower.
For the inside, I inked the edges of a piece of Vanilla CS with the honeycomb stamp, again with the Crushed Curry, and lightly sponged it with more Crumb Cake. The sentiment is in Old Olive, from the Good Greetings Hostess set.
I must say, I really like working with this color combo – and this card turned out to be one of my very favorites! You can find the card cuts below. But first, on to card two – my Occasions Catalog share! Everyone stand up, stretch a little – maybe get a snack or another cuppa …. long blog post today!
This one started with another great sketch from Mojo Monday – this time is was #381. And, since I wanted to use the Painted Blooms DSP, I let it drive the colors.
This color combo is very spring-y and feminine, and I like it – it’s just a little harder for me to work with than the more earthy tones in the first card. But, I’m learning and trying to expand my comfort zone and I think it turned out well. I started out with an Old Olive Cut and Ready Card Base (Annual Catalog). I cut a 2 3/4″ circle from the top part of the Whisper White Mat, and then cut a slightly larger (next size up in the Circles Collection dies) round of the Painted Blooms DSP (Occasions catalog). That stack has many beautiful paper patterns, but this one is my favorite. I SNAIL’d the DSP circle to a Pink Pirouette CS mat. I wanted a little more detailing on my white mat, so I used the fine-point end of my Pistachio Pudding Stampin’ Write Marker to make “stitches”. I wanted it to look hand-stitched – which, for me, means not-so-even-and-perfect. Pretty sure I nailed that one!
I adhered the white mat with Stampin’ Dimensionals to the Pink Pirouette mat, making sure the DSP was under the opening, and centered so the edges of the DSP weren’t visible.
I made my sentiment banner by SNAIL-ing my Whisper White CS to a Pink Pirouette mat and then stamping the sentiment from the Sassy Salutations set in Blackberry Bliss. I gave that the hand-stitched treatment as well. The banner is SNAIL’d to the larger white mat – obviously there’s only SNAIL on the ends that actually TOUCH the mat!
Then came the really fun part! I’d been itching to use the gorgeous, detailed dies in the Butterfly Thinlits set. I ran the medium butterfly through the Big Shot, using wax paper and my Magnetic Platform. The beauty of this butterfly means there are a lot of little pieces to clean out of the die cut. With the wax paper, I was easily able to push them all out with my craft pick. Tip: leave the die cut IN the die while you push out all the little pieces. It stabilizes the cut and helps a lot. Then, I ran that die cut BACK through the Big Shot, this time in my Lovely Lace Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. I think it adds a subtle little sump’n-sump’n to the butterfly. I repeated the cutting and pushing-of-pieces on a second butterfly, this time with white CS. Then I layered them onto the card with SNAIL – a little offset from each other, just to add a little more depth. He got a few little Pearl Basic Jewels and the front was finished!
On the inside, I “stitched” a white CS liner, and SNAIL’d a few (okay – this time, 4 just looked right – please excuse me for decorating with an EVEN number – no need to call the Decoration Police!) Bitty Butterflies, made with the SU punch of the same name, in Pink Pirouette. I stitched all of THEM, too. Appears I got on a sewing binge, which is quite odd, considering I can’t really sew a stitch! I once tried to make a t-shirt and cut two backs out. Yea – sewing is not my thing!
So – if you made it all the way to this point, pat yourself on the back! I’m sorry for the novella, y’all, but….two cards takes some words. (According to WordPress, 1675 so far!). All the card cuts are below, as is the supply list for each card. And, those stalwart souls who kept slogging on, will now get to read about the….
BLOG CANDY!!
Embellishing “makes” and “finishes” your card. So, for this hop’s Blog Candy, I have a package of SU Calypso Coral Baker’s Twine, a package of Old Olive Simply Styled Embellishments, and a package of Santa & Co Washi tape. One lucky winner will receive all three items!
Simply leave me a comment on this post before 7 AM ET on Monday 2 Feb 15 and you’ll be entered to win. I’ll have the random number generator pick a comment on Monday morning and I’ll announce the winner on my blog that morning! Please note, anyone is welcome to leave me a comment but I am only able to ship the blog candy items to addresses within the United States. Thanks for your understanding.
There’s only a few days left to use my January Hostess Code, so now’s the time. Don’t forget that you’ll also get a free gift from me and you may qualify for Punkin Head Peppermints! And, if you’ve been waiting for the Textured Impressions Embossing Folders – this is a good week. There are 6 TIEFs on sale right now – including the Lovely Lace folder I used on my second card. Check out the Weekly Deals below and stock up on all your favorite folders.
Hope you enjoyed my blog hop shares – I sure had fun making them!
Mary
Okay, on with the hop! To hop back to Heather Van Looy’s Blog, click the Back arrow button. To move forward to Amy Koender’s Blog, click the Forward arrow button.
In case you get lost along the way, here is a list of the Happy Stampers Team Members who are joining in this blog hop:
- Heather Van Looy – www.handcraftingwithheather.com
- Mary Deatherage – www.stampsnlingers.com <<<<You are here
- Amy Koenders – http://stampwithAmyK.com
- Sandi MacIver – www.stampingwithsandi.com
JANUARY 1 – 31 HOSTESS CODE: RMQE9AEQ Use this hostess code when you order and receive a free gift from me! But, if your order is over $150, please do not use this code (you’ll miss out on your own Stampin’ Rewards/Hostess $$ if you use it) but you’ll still get the free gift. The free gift for January is your choice of any item valued up to $4.95 in either the 2014-15 Annual Catalog or the 2015 Occasions Catalog!
Here are the card cuts for today’s project
Happy Birthday Butterfly (starts with Crumb Cake Cut and Ready Card base)
Old Olive Card Stock: 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″ (bottom mat); 4 1/8″ x 2 1/8″ (Top rectangular mat)
Crumb Cake Card Stock: 4 7/8″ x 1 5/8″ (Bottom rectangular mat)
Typeset DSP: 4″ x 5 1/4″
Irresistibly Yours DSP: 4 3/4″ x 1 1/2″ (Bottom rectangle with Wild Wasabi); 4″ x 2″ (Top rectangle with Crumb Cake)
Very Vanilla Card Stock: 3 1/3″ x 1 1/2″ (Sentiment banner); 5 1/4″ x 4″ (Inside liner); Butterfly (stamped with Old Olive and then Butterfly die cut)
Thinking of You Butterfly (starts with Old Olive Cut and Ready Card base from 2014 Holiday Catalog):
Pink Pirouette Card Stock: 4 1/8″ x 5 3/8″ (Bottom Mat); 4″ x 1 1/8″ (Sentiment banner mat); Medium Butterfly Thinlits; Bitty Butterfly punches
Whisper White Card Stock: 5 1/4″ x 4″ (Card front with 2 3/4″ circle cutout); 3 7/8″ x 1″ (Sentiment banner); 5 1/4″ x 4″ (Inside liner); Bottom Butterfly
Painted Blooms DSP: 3″ circle cutout for card front
STAMPIN’ UP! ITEMS USED IN BOTH PROJECTS:
Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog
STAMPIN’ UP! ITEMS USED IN HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUTTERFLY:
Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog
Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog
Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog
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Your cards are just beautiful Mary! I love them both, but I really love the second one…I know that you said that isn’t your preferred color scheme, but it turned out great!! I’m so glad that you jumped in for your first blog hop, great job!!! 🙂
wow, absolutely beautiful projects Mary I’m with Amy, I love your color choices they work perfectly together and congratulations on your very first blog hop, you did an amazing job, well done!…
Thanks, Sandi. It was a lot of fun! 🙂
Your cards are definitely eye-catching, Mary! I love the added flowers onto the sentiment in the first card, that pretty butterfly truly stand out too; and I love the strip sentiment across the circle panel in the second one with another gorgeous butterfly added! Your dashes are pretty cool too~
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave such a nice comment, Roberta! I’m glad that you liked them!
Mary, your cards are lovely. I especially like the painted blooms dsp in the circle. Your “stitching” adds just the right touch and I like the way you embossed and layered the butterflies. VERY nice!!!
Debra – thanks. That is definitely my kind of “stitching” – no needles! I, too, like how it looks. Appreciate the very nice words! 🙂
I love the vintage appeal of your first card, and the layered femininity of the second, both are really great! I enjoyed reading your novella, thanks!
Thank you, Jeffie. Guess I could be a writer – certainly I’m verbose enough! ;). Thanks for the nice comments. I was pleased that the cards didn’t just look like each other!
Mary, I love your cards. The colors are so great. I think the first card could be used as a masculine card even with a butterfly! Thanks for sharing.
Hmmm. Hadn’t thought they’d be good for men, but…you could be right. The colors do seem to lend themselves to that, don’t they? And – men like butterflies, right!? Thanks for the nice comments, Kathy! 🙂
Mary, very beautiful cards! Love the stitching on the second card. Enjoyed reading your “novella”.
Thanks, Lori, for taking the time to leave such nice words! I’m very glad you enjoyed my cards – and the novella! 🙂
Love everything about your cards, the colors and the layers. The second one looks so delicate and those tend to be my favorites
Thanks so much, Patty. I appreciate the kind words. I like the delicate things, as well – and those Butterfly Dies in the Butterfly Basics are just wonderful! 🙂
I love both of your cards today Mary. I especially like how you used the DSP behind the circle “window” to add depth to your card. Sometimes I struggle with how to best use DSP in my designs. I often find the patterns are too busy as a background. This is a great solution for that!
Thanks, Heather – I agree. The DSP is beautiful, but….sometimes I, too, have trouble with fitting it in – and I hate to “waste” it! 🙂 I was really happy with how this turned out!
Love, love and love both of your cards. I’m blown away on how you did your sentiment on the second card. Brilliant. TFS
Thanks so much – what a nice thing to say! Appreciate you taking the time. 🙂
Congrats on your first blog hop, they are so much fun. Your cards are so pretty. I love that stamp set and am amazed at all the different looks you get from these cards. Thanks for sharing.
Yes – it’s really quite awesome! Thanks for stopping by to look and take the time to comment! 🙂
Your cards are so inspiring – I love them both! Thank you for offering some blog candy – it’s always fun to enter for the drawing. I think SU! hit the ball out of the park with this Occasions catalog and Sale-a-bration catalog. Every time a turn a page, I think, “That’s my favorite!”
Agree – SU! Done really good this time (as always)! That’s why I had to sign up – to support my “habit! 😉 Thanks for the nice words, Melanie!
Fabulous cards. I like how you incorporated the DSP.I usually have problems with DSP since I am more of a “clean and simple” gal but you did a great job.
Thanks! Appreciate the nice words and that you took the time to come look and leave a comment! 🙂
Really enjoyed your cards today. The designer paper used in the window is just about my favorite!
I liked how that ended up, too! Thanks very much for the nice comments! 🙂
Thanks for the inspiration and a chance to win! I love the Butterfly card and the “window” adds such depth to the card.
Thanks so much for taking the time to look and make such a nice comment! 🙂
You used one of my favorite stamp sets and DSP. As soon as I get my Butterfly Bundle I look forward to CASEing some projects.
CASE-away! And have fun. It’s an awesome bundle. Thanks for the comment! 🙂
Beautiful cards. That butterfly bundle is fabulous. My favorite. Can’t wait to get mine
Pam – thanks! Hope you have fun playing when they get to your door. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
both cards are awesome but I really love the second one and the layout.
Those sketches are wonderful jumping-off points, aren’t they? Thank you for taking time to comment!
Glad I don’t have to choose between the cards!
are just beautiful!
Thank you very much! Very nice compliment. 🙂
I especially love your second card…nice job of stepping out of your comfort zone! The Painted Blooms DSP is amazingly beautiful.
Thanks, Ann. Yes, I love this DSP. Every single sheet is beautiful! Thanks for stopping by!
I absolutely love what you have made using this set!! Totally different looks, but both are stunning.
Thanks for sharing your creative ideas.
Thank you, Martha. These sets lend themselves to so many different ideas and styles, don’t they? Glad that you liked them! 🙂
Both cards are beautiful, I just love anything with butterfies
Thanks for stopping by to look and take the time to comment. Glad that you liked them!
Nice cards! The butterflies are beautiful! I just love them! And I love how beautifully the cards are finished on the inside. Thank you for the post.
My Stampin’ Up demonstrator – Amy Koenders (who is a major reason I joined the company!) – taught me about doing the inside of the cards. It really adds something! Thanks so much for the nice words. 🙂
Beautiful patina on the first card… Looks so vintage! And butterflies are always in style… Reminds me of spring! Thanks for the opportunity to try, and best wishes to all who enter.
Thanks, Patricia. I like that vintage look, myself. Appreciate you stopping by!
The Butterflies Thinlits dies are my favorite new product! They are perfect for so many occasions. Thanks for the opportunity to win some blog candy.
Yes, they’re really lovely and the stamp set offers so many ways to use it! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
ooohhhhh such wonderful cards! I will be trying to recreate those this weekend when I get some stamping time! Love the colors of the first one too. I really like the butterfly basics set and your take on it is really great with the browns and green etc. A nice showing that not all butterfly cards have to be bright and spring like……this is just a great card!! Thanks!
Jill, thank you so much for the kind words! I really appreciate you taking the time – and am very glad that you liked them!
Beautiful projects Mary! So glad to be visiting your site for the first time.
Thanks, Dana. Appreciate you taking the time to come by and hope that it won’t be your last visit! 🙂
Both cards are so spectacular, Mary! Your work is very creative and inspiring! I can’t wait to try to case them :-). You really highlighted my favorite bundle of the season! Butterflies are so fun!
Thanks, Nancy. It’s a great set and I hope you enjoy CASEing them both!
Your cards are amazing. Loving your earthy color palette on the first card. Reminds me of spring in the garden. Congrats on your first blog hop.
Very kind of you, Rose Marie! Yes, it’s very springy – and I’m glad that spring is on it’s way!
I’m glad you did not ask us to choose between your cards because that would have been so difficult as I like them equally! You did such a great job, I doubt this will be your last blog hop! I really enjoy that you used a variety of techniques on each card. I love your stitching and sponging and especially noticed how you ran the butterfly thru an embossing folder to give it the extra texture. I agree that the embellishments make the card come alive. Thank you for offering fun blog candy.
Thanks so much for the very nice compliment, Sandy! I sure do appreciate you taking the time to come by and look and comment!
lottus blossom
Thanks for stopping by, Marge!
I like the second card best because of the dsp and I also like shapes (circle) on cards
Thanks for the comment and for taking the time to stop by and look!