Petal Parade

I'll admit that I really didn't like the "Petal Parade" stamp set when I first saw it.  It certainly wasn't on my "must-have" list of Sale-a-bration items that's for sure.  But I decided to give it a chance.  The blogging world and those lovely people who pin their ideas on Pinterest have certainly inspired me so I inked "Petal Parade" for the first this week for 2 challenges:

Colour Q


and Try Stampin' on Tuesday!



I certainly am "dreaming of spring" like so many people and the fun flowers are helping feel a little warmer!

What do you think?

I'm loving the vibrant colour combo and the hint of spring in this card.  I can't wait to do some more stamping with this set!  This is a really easy set to do some masking with because the images are smaller and manageable to cut out.

Stamp Sets:  Petal Parade (Sale-a-bration), Banner Greetings (Hostess)

Card Stock and Ink:  Summer Starfruit, Coastal Cabana, Basic Black, Crumb Cake and Whisper White.

Other:  Lattice TIEF,  Decorative Dots TIEF (Sale-a-bration), Crumb Cake Seam-Binding Ribbon.

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!