Black Tie Language of Love

My, my!  I've spent more time in my stamping space in the last 3 days than I have in a while.  Partly because I'm getting ready for my Sale-a-bration Kick-Off party on Tuesday and some upcoming parties and partly because I've got so many fun new stamps that I want to use!

For this card I took inspiration from Freshly Made Sketches  and  Dynamic Duos,

FMS Sketch 120

Dynamic Duos #87

I love the "pop" created by the Melon Mambo.  I think if I was going to re-do anything on this card I'd texture to the black banner but otherwise I'm happy with how it came together.

Here's what you'll need to create this card:

Stamps:  Language of Love (Occasions 2014 catalogue)

Ink and Card Stock:  Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer paper

Big Shot and Punches:  Perfect Polka Dots TIEF, Banners Framelits (Occasions 2014 catalogue), Hearts Framelits, Small Heart punch

Happy Stamping!

One Layer Valentine for PP179

Wow!  This was a difficult card to come up.  I didn't realize how much I rely on layers to create interest in my cards until I tried this week's Paper Players Challenge:  One Layer Valentine.  It was all I could not to punch something out or add ribbon!!!  It took me 3 tries to settle on something I really like and here's the result:

I did a lot of "masking" to create this look.  I stamped the Real Red heart first then placed a cut-out of the same heart over it and sponged the Coastal Cabana heart.  Finally, I covered the Coastal Cabana heart and stamped the "Gorgeous Grunge" lines in Smoky Slate.  I'm really happy with the way it turned out and the simplicity of the card.  Take a closer look:

Here are the supplies you'll need to make this card:

Stamp Sets:  Language of Love (Occasions 2014 catalogue), Gorgeous Grunge, Express Yourself (hostess set).

Ink:  Real Red, Coastal Cabana, Smoky Slate

Misc:  Stampin' Pierce Mat, Paper Piercing tool, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, "masks" -- mine were from various cut-outs using the Hearts Framelits dies.

Happy Stamping!

Blowing Bubbles

I was doing my Saturday morning blog surf and came across a technique that I'd never seen before.  My friend, Leena at A La Cards designs for The Technique Twist Challenge.  This morning she showcased this week's technique, "bubble backgrounds".  After reading her description I just HAD to try it and my husband off to the dollar store to get me some acrylic paint!

Simply combine some white acrylic paint with any colour of Stampin' Up ink using a re-inker, add a little dish soap and some water and you're all set to begin blowing bubbles.  I combined my paint and ink in an empty accessories container (e.g. brads or buttons, etc.) because I didn't want to use a lot and I need something fairly shallow.  I held my Whisper White card stock over top of the container while I blew bubbles using a drinking straw and as they popped they coloured the paper.  So cool!

"Bubbles" using Island Indigo and Real Red

Then I turned to one of my favourite sketch challenge blogs, Try Stampin' On Tuesday, for some sketch inspiration:

Try Stampin' On Tuesday Sketch #151

I really like how the banners alternate and wanted to capture that with my "Bubble Background"

I LOVE the look that the "bubbles" have on the paper.  I used Stampin' Up's Island Indigo and Real Red to tint my acrylic paint.  It created a lovely, soft background for my "Language of Love" stamps.

I deliberately did not put a specific sentiment on the card.  I thought it could be used for Valentine's Day, a wedding, a baby's arrival, a birthday or just about anything really.  I wanted to leave it open-ended so that when the right occasion comes along I can use it.

Here is a list of all the supplies you'll need to make this card:

Stamps:  Language of Love (item # 133077 CM or #133074 WM, Occasions Catalogue)

Ink:  Island Indigo, Real Red, Pink Pirouette, Pool Party

Paper: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette

Other:  Decorative Dots TIEF (item #133520, Sale-a-bration item), Hearts Framelits (item # 125599), white acrylic paint, dish soap, drinking straws.

Happy Stamping!