A Touch From the Heart

A Look Back at My Retiring Favorites

Since today is the last day of the Spring & Summer 2009 Idea Book and Catalog, I thought it was only fitting to show you some of my favorite projects I've made with the retiring stamp sets over the past year.

This was a graduation card I designed for the Blogger's Challenge.   We attended lots of graduation parties this year....so this Great Grads stamp set was extremely well loved.  This card also uses Pink Pirouette (my absolute favorite In Color so far) and the Sweet Always designer series paper pack (retiring).

If you frequent my blog, you know I love a good cupcake card.  Big Bold Birthday was my "go to" stamp set to make an adorable birthday card.  The card can be made quickly because the images are all solid.  My biggest trick was to punch a scalloped circle and cut it in half.  Adhere to the top of the cupcake bottom and voila....instant frosting!!!  Once again, this card has Pink Pirouette in it.....I told you it was my fave!!!

Oh...I remember designing this card.   It was for a techniques class.  I taught my stampers the Wax Paper Resist background technique and Thumping.  The giraffe from Wild About You was stamped with More Mustard ink and then I bounced a Really Rust marker on the stamp prior to stamping.  The girls loved this card!!!  I am sure going to miss Wild About You.

This post could be SO much longer, but I don't want to take up all your blog surfin' time.  I just wanted to pay tribute to a few of my favorite stamp sets that will be......sniff......retiring....sniff.  It's always a sad yet exciting time of year.  I'm sad to see my old favorites leave.....but so exciting to play with new goodies.

As soon as the online catalog is available on Wednesday, I will download it and link it on my blog. 

Be sure to check out my blog on Thursday......it's my birthday......and I am going to have a birthday special to thank all of my blog readers!!!!

Until tomorrow....Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Heartfelt Thanks

 When I hold a class, I always ask which card is their favorite. 

This simple yet elegant card was the favorite from the "Wonders of Watercoloring" class.

This card uses the Watercolor Wonder Crayons and coloring directly on the stamps.  The girls loved how easy it was to get the watercolored look with so little effort.  The other cards were all line images that needed to be colored in using different Stampin' Up! products.

This card uses the retiring stamp set:  Heartfelt Thanks.  This is a two step stamp set, but the solid stamps work wonderfully with the technique highlighted here today.

Here's how to use this technique:

1. Use an Aquapainter to wet the stamp

2. Color on the stamp with Watercolor Wonder Crayons

3. Using a fine mist water bottle, mist stamp lightly

4. stamp onto cardstock (I used Shimmery White for this project)

So easy!!!!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Heartfelt Thanks

paper:  Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke, So Saffron, Shimmery White

ink:  Always Artichoke (sponging)

accessories:  Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Aquapainter, Color Spritzer Tool, Elegant Eggplant Marker, Big Shot, Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates (argyle), Elegant Eggplant 1/4" grosgrain, Small Oval punch, Vintage Brads, sponges

If you've fallen in love with this project, all of these items are available until June 30th (Heartfelt Thanks retires after this day.....gone forever....boo hoo).  If you would like to place an order for these products, please send me an email or place your order online at my demonstrator website:  www.pattichesky.stampinup.net.

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!

Cupcake Wishes

 Happy Sunday everyone!!  The heat and humidity have finally broken, and we turned off the AC after over a week and a half.  I much prefer the fresh air, but let's face it, I really hate being hot.  LOL!!!

This past week I held my Wonders of Watercoloring class.  During this technique-based class we explored different ways of watercoloring on your projects.  Besides showing the different effects based on what product you use, little helpful hints are discussed to get the best results.  This was the last card we made, and it showcased the watercoloring with markers technique.

The key to this technique is using Stampin' Up!s watercolor paper (the 80lb stuff in Michaels DOES NOT work....I've tried...the paper is too thin).

My stampers loved the class.  They said they learned a lot.....which is always a good thing. 

If you live in the Twin Cities area, I would love for you to take a class with me.  My Stamping Events are on my website:  www.pattichesky.stampinup.net.  All I ask is two days notice to get your project pack all ready for you!!!

Well, I am off to enjoy the beautiful day with my family!!!

Until tomorrow......Happy Stamping everyone!!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Crazy for Cupcakes, Whimsy jumbo wheel

paper:  watercolor paper, Tempting Turquoise, Only Orange, Summer Sun

ink:  Black StazOn, Only Orange

accessories:  Stampin' Write markers, Aquapainter, Bold Brights brads, Small Oval punch, sponges

Order Your Stampin' Up! Products from Patti

Stamping 411: Saturday Sketch

Welcome to the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch.

 First of all, I have to say that I love this sketch.  I use this layout frequently so when I opened the sketch photo for this week.....well, I jumped for joy!!

Here is the card I made with this sketch:

The base card is Certainly Celery (4 1/4" x 11"...folded in half).

The patterned paper comes from the Sweet Always designer series paper pack (my absolute favorite paper pack from the current catty).

Now, I picked my color combo from the Color Coach.  I knew I wanted to use this Regal Rose patterned paper.  According to the Color Coach, the colors that coordinate with Regal Rose are Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal and Bashful Blue.  As you can see, I didn't use Bashful Blue, but I did use the other two.

The Apricot Appeal strip is stamped with the large flourish (from Baroque Motifs) and heavily sponged using Apricot Appeal ink. 

I punched two Whisper White strips using my Scallop Edge punch.  I adhered the scalloped edges to the backside of the apricot strip.

I stamped the bunny (from Forest Friends...in the Occasions Mini catalog) using Basic Brown ink on Whisper White cardstock.  I used my Aquapainter and ink from my ink pads to color his belly (Creamy Caramel) and his inner ear (Pretty in Pink).  I punched the bunny out using my 1 3/8" circle punch.  I lightly sponged the edges with Close to Cocoa ink.  The bunny sits on a Certainly Celery scallop circle (punched with the Scallop Circle punch).  I also pierced each scallop with my piercing tool.

The sentiment comes from a sneak peek stamp set called Teeny Tiny Wishes.  I stamped it in Basic Brown ink on Pink Pirouette cardstock, punched with Word Window punch and set it upon a piece of Apricot Appeal punched with the Modern Label punch (available July 1st).

Have you seen the projects from the other Stamping 411 Operators?  If not, check them out at the Stamping 411.

I'll be back tomorrow with another project.  Hope to see you then!!!!

Blogger's Challenge: Alter It

This week's Blogger's Challenge was to alter something.  I purchased this wooden wall calendar holder a few years ago.  There was a paper for each month.  The design of the calendar was very Thomas Kinkaide like.  I was never able to find refills for it.....so it was the perfect candidate for "Alter It".

The Whisper White insert measures 4" x 6".   I stamped the cone flower image from Inspired By Nature with Versamark ink.  I used my sponge daubers and Chalk Pastels to color the image.  The technique is called Poppin' Pastels, and it is fun and easy!!

Of course, I grabbed my sponge and added a bit of a sky with Bashful Blue ink.  It still needed something so I spritzed a bit with my Chocolate Chip marker and Color Spritzer Tool. 

I added a Old Olive tab using my Small Oval punch and a Chocolate Chip 5/16" Neutrals Brad. 

I added an Old Olive strip whose top edge was distressed and sponged with Old Olive ink.  I stamped the sentiment with Chocolate Chip ink.  I also pierced the top edge and added two more of those chocolate brads.

Now I needed to change the post it note section too.  The original notepad had lighthouses on it.....that would not work here.  So I cut a piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock and tied a length of Old Olive wide grosgrain ribbon into a classic knot.

All I needed to do was glue on the Post It Notes (that I decorated with the large flourish from Baroque Motifs with Versamark)....and it's done!!!

I already have it hanging in my kitchen.....it's the perfect touch!!!

I can't wait to see what the other's Blogger's Challenge ladies have been up to.  I get so many ideas from them.....it's so great to inspire each other every week!!

If you've fallen in love with the products I've used today, they are available for sale from Stampin' Up! (with the exception of the wooden holder, of course).  I would be happy to place your order for you.   You can either email me or place an order through my demonstrator website.

Until tomorrow....and another Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch...Happy Stamping everyone!!

Marker Storage Tip

I am in love with my Stampin' Write markers.  In fact, they were on my first order as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  So, when I heard that Stampin' Up! was offering In Color markers this year.....well, I was jumping up and down!!!

I have this handy tip to keep all my markers together. 

I have my In Color markers and Neutral markers attached to my marker case so I have all my markers together...in one place....ready to use at any time!! 

The neutral markers were sold individually when I first bought my markers.  So they are sitting in a box the blender pens came in.  Now, the neutral markers are sold as a set....so they come in a box of their own. 

Make sure to use Sticky Strip to attach the boxes to the RIGHT side of your marker case.  Don't put them on the left side as that is the side with all the marker color guide.

If you do not own the Stampin' Write markers yet, I can sure help you with that.  I have two spots remaining in a Marker Club that I am currently trying to fill. 

Marker Club is the best way to affordably purchase the markers over a period of 4 months.  Each month you will receive a color family of markers and its matching 8 1/2" x 11" cardstock pack.  You will also be the hostess during one of those four months.  As the hostess you will receive a copy of the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog for FREE, the marker case, earn a level 1 Hostess set for FREE and get $15 in FREE catalog merchandise.  Marker Club is only $46 a month if you live near me to pick up your order or $51.00 a month if the items need to be shipped to your home.

If you would like more information about my marker club, please send me an email.  I would be happy to speak with you!!!

A Note of Thanks

Yeah....I've been playing with some new goodies again.  The new goodies include two of the new In Colors:  Soft Suede and Dusty Durango.  I also used the Dusty Durango Polka Dot Grosgrain ribbon and the Modern Label punch.

Now, I have to admit that I really haven't used this stamp set a lot.  I received it for FREE at the Minneapolis Stampin' Up! Regional meeting.  It's called Best Wishes & More, and it has a variety of different solid stamps.  For this card, I used the leaf image.

The leaves are stamped on Whisper White cardstock in Old Olive, Dusty Durango and More Mustard.  I sponged the edges with Close to Cocoa and spritzed with my Close to Cocoa marker using the Color Spritzer Tool.

The sentiment comes from "Thank You Kindly" and this sentiment fits perfectly in the new Modern Label punch.  You all know how much I love my punches!!!

It's an easy card so I am not going to bore you with all the details.  If you have any questions please email me.  I would be happy to answer them!!!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Best Wishes & More, Thank You Kindly

paper:  Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, Old Olive, Whisper White

ink:  Dusty Durango, Old Olive, More Mustard, Close to Cocoa (sponging)

accessories:  1 3/4" circle punch, Dusty Durango Polka Dot ribbon, Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon, Modern Label punch, Scallop Edge punch, Color Spritzer Tool, sponges, dimensionals

Order Your Stampin' Up! Products with Patti

My Honey Deserves the 3 "R"s

 This is the card I made for Dennis for Father's Day.  I usually make serious cards for him....so this year I decided to go for more fun. 

The colors are BRIGHT!!!  I'm usually more of an Earth Element/Rich Regals girl, but I decided to use a few of the new In Colors for his card.

The base card is Bermuda Bay.  This color is beautiful.  It's brighter than Taken with Teal......looks very tropical. 

I ran a strip of Real Red down the center.  I punched a 1 3/4" hole in the bottom before adhering to my base card.

The 3 "R"s come from the And Many Mower stamp set.....which can be found in the Occasions Mini.  I am sad to report that this stamp set is not in the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog.  So, this stamp set will only be available until June 30th.  If you've fallen in love with this stamp set as much as I have, make sure to order it before it is gone forever. 

I colored in the image using my markers.....Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry and Real Red.  Yes....you've heard it right!!  Stampin' Up! listened to our requests and made In Color markers.  Woo hoo baby!!!  The focal image is matted on some Crushed Curry.

Now onto the beer mug.  This comes from the Cheers to You stamp set.  I stamped the mug with Black StazOn ink on Whisper White cardstock.  I colored in the beer with my Crushed Curry marker.  I used my aquapainter and the Crushed Curry marker to highlight the foam on the beer.  I then added some Crystal Effects to make the beer look all shiny.

The final touch on the card was some dotwork with my white gel pen.

Yes, this card was SO simple to make....but it's so FUN!!!!

Card Recipe:

stamps:  And Many Mower, Cheers to You

paper:  Bermuda Bay and Crushed Curry (available July 1), Real Red, Whisper White

ink:  Black StazOn

accessories:  Stampin' Write markers, Crystal Effects, White Signo gel pen, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, dimensionals

Order Your Stampin' Up! Products from Patti's Demo Website

Stamping 411: Saturday Sketch Challenge

  Ahhhh....Saturday.  I love Saturdays.  Now that all the graduation parties are over, we can just hang around the house and relax. 

Saturdays are also the day for the Stamping 411 Sketch.  I changed it up just a little bit....I moved where the embellishments should go.  Sorry...couldn't resist!!! 

Here is my project for the week:

 The base card is Rose Red (4 1/4" x 11" folded in half).

The patterned paper comes from the Candy Lane designer series paper collection (retiring).  I sponged the edges with Pink Pirouette ink.

The vertical strip is a 4" x 1 1/4" piece of Pink Pirouette cardstock.  I added a length of the Organza ribbon down the center.

The focal image is stamped on Old Olive cardstock.  The grass comes from Inspired By Nature.  This stamp is currently on the dormant list (not shown in the current catalog)....so here's the info if you would like to purchase it (item# 111656 for $23.95).  The grass is stamped in Old Olive ink.  I also sponged the edges of the Old Olive cardstock with Old Olive ink.

The butterflies come from Flight of the Butterfly.  I stamped the large butterfly with Pink Pirouette ink and overstamped it with Rose Red ink.  I carefully cut out the butterfly and adhered it to the focal image using a dimensional.

The little butterfly is stamped on Whisper White cardstock using Rose Red ink.  This butterfly is also cut out and adhered with a dimensional.

The focal image is matted on a 1/8" larger piece of Whisper White cardstock.

The three Rose Red brads balance the focal image nicely.

The sentiment (from Really Retro) is stamped on Pink Pirouette using Rose Red ink.  I punched it out with my Word Window punch. 

I decorated the right side of the sentiment with a flower punched from Rose Red cardstock using the Trio Flower Punch.  I removed the rhinestone from a Clear Rhinestone brad and adhered to the center of the flower using a mini glue dot.

This sketch has so much potential for so many different kinds of stamp sets.

I hope you join us this week by making a card using the sketch.  Make sure you use Mr. Linky on the Stamping 411 site so everyone can see it. 

A Manly Challenge

 With Father's Day on Sunday, the Blogger's Challenge for the week is to create a manly card.

I have many masculine themed stamp sets......most of them retired.....but I decided to go back to an old favorite:  Lovely As a Tree.

My Lovely As a Tree stamp set case has a bunch of items tucked in there.  I have a piece of transparency that I use for the reflection technique, and I have a few masks with different shapes in the center.  For this card I used my mask with the oval center.

I placed the mask over a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  I used both stipple brushes and sponges to create the Always Artichoke background.  I then inked up my trees with Chocolate Chip ink and stamped.  I then took a sponge and some Close to Cocoa ink and rubbed where the ground is.  Remove the mask.

I took my piercing tool and pierced along the inside edge of the oval.

I sponged the edges of the focal panel and blended inwards towards the image.  This gives it a very vintage look. 

The sentiment comes from a sneak peek stamp set called Teeny Tiny Wishes.  I stamped it in Chocolate Chip ink and punched with the brand new Modern Label punch.  All these sneak peek items will be available for purchase on July 1st.

Well, I am off to enjoy the hot and sultry weather by the pool......oh yeah, add some laundry, cleaning bathrooms and grocery shopping in the there too!!!

I can't wait to see what the other Blogger's Challenge ladies have been up to.....simply click on the Blogger's Challenge icon on the right sidebar of my blog.

Tomorrow is the Stamping 411 Saturday sketch.....see you then!!!!

Happy Stamping everyone!