A Touch From the Heart

Lumpy and Bumpy with a Touch of Vanilla

Whew!  We made it through another work week.  By Tuesday I was ready for the weekend to get here already.  Now that it's Friday, I am just itchin' to get it started. 

My weekend always begins with my project for the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge.  This week's card will not fit in an envelope.  Nope...no way!!!  It's too lumpy and bumpy.  This is a card that needs to be hand-delivered. 

Besides being lumpy and bumpy, it also smells DELICIOUS.  I used some of the new Vanilla scented embossing powder on the cupcake.  Some vanilla scented items can be icky smelling (i.e. cheapie candles that smell like gross vanilla play-doh), but this embossing powder actually smells yummy! 

This card also features the new Designer Rosette Bigz XL die.  Making rosettes has never been easier because the die does all the cutting and scoring for me.  I just fold on those score lines (in an accordian fashion) and attach the ends with Sticky Strip. 

My base card is Chocolate Chip.......the perfect color for this confection card!!!!

Layer #2 is Peach Parfait.  It's a color that I've really come to appreciate and use a lot more over the past six months.  It's a shame that it's retiring on May 31st (along with Poppy Parade, Concord Crush, Pear Pizzazz and Blushing Bride), but there will be five new colors introduced in it's place.

Layer #2 has been embossed with my most used embossing folder:  Square Lattice.  Before adding this layer to the base card, I wrapped two layers of ribbon around it.  I used Whisper White Satin Ribbon and Tempting Turquoise 1/4" grosgrain. 

The rosette is cut from Real Red polka dot paper (found in the Brights Patterns stack).

The focal image comes from the Sweet Cake stamp set.  I inked up the image two times.....first in Chocolate Chip (adding in some Real Red and Old Olive to the cherry) which is stamped onto Whisper White cardstock.  The cupcake image is cut out of this image.  Secondly, I cleaned the stamp and inked it with Tempting Turquoise ink.  Before stamping, I cleaned the heart off with a cotton swab and colored it in with my Real Red marker.  A quick huff is needed to re-moisten the ink and then stamp it onto some Whisper White cardstock.

The frosting on the cut out cupcake is colored with my Peach Parfait marker.  I then colored over the entire image using my Versamarker.  Once I sprinkle on the Vanilla scented embossing powder and heat it til melted, this confection transforms into complete yumminess!

All that's needed are the finishing touches:  popping the cupcake up on dimensionals, adding the layered buttons with the Whisper White Baker's Twine and adding the sentiment!

That's all there is to it......a yummy confection card without all the calories!!!!  With weigh-in tomorrow, the sniffing of yummies is much better on the scale than tasting them!!!! 

I'll be back soon with another project using scented embossing powder.  I played with the Melon scent, and it reminds me of my Maybelline rollerball lip gloss I loved in high school.   I wonder if there will eventually be a bubble-gum flavor?  That was my favorite Bonne Bell lip gloss!!!  Ahhhhh....the memories!!!!!

Have a great weekend!!!!!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Sweet Cake
paper:  Chocolate Chip, Peach Parfait, Whisper White, Brights Patterns dsp stack
ink:  Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise
accessories:  Stampin' Write Markers (Real Red, Old Olive), Brights Designer Buttons, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Vanilla Scented Embossing Powder, Versamarker, Designer Rosette Bigz XL die

Shabby Chic

While at Leadership, I was drawn to a card made by one of the display stampers.  I drew inspiration from that card and tweaked it a bit to make it my own!!!!

I just love the shabby-chic feel and all the texture!!!!!  I've played with lots of product on this card and made a mess of my stamp desk while doing it!!!  So much fun!!!!

Order your favorite Stampin' Up! products from Patti's Online Store

Card Recipe

stamps:  Fresh Vintage, Netting, Petite Pairs
paper:  Calypso Coral, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Everyday Enchantment dsp
ink:  Soft Suede, Versamark
accessories:  Elegant Lines embossing folder, Blushing Bride pleated ribbon, Bigz Butterfly die, White embossing powder, circle punches, Basic Pearls 

Cheetah....It's Not Just an Animal

Did I get your attention with my catchy title? 

I've been so sick this week.  I haven't had the energy to do much of anything.  So, when I needed to make a card for the Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge, I panicked.  I brought up the sketch on my laptop and smiled!!!  This sketch is SO close to a card we made as a make-n-take at the San Antonio Regional Meeting. 

Am I a "cheetah"?  Nah!  I'm just being resourceful!!!!  LOL!!!!!  Like I said, the sketch is quite close....there's just some additional details added to my card. 

This interactive Viewmaster card was SO much fun to make!!!!   In fact, the president of Stampin' Up! (Rich Jutkins) stopped by every table encouraging us to copy the templates so we can share the project with our customers.  I intend to do just that!!!

What's a Viewmaster card?  Well, you spin the circle on the right edge of the card and the kite changes patterns and colors.  Love this!!!

The colors are all wonky in the photo, and I apologize for that!!!  The colors on this card are Basic Gray, Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Lucky Limeade!! 

As I am still feeling pretty icky, I'm not going to get into the itty bitty details of the card.  If you have any questions, just leave me a comment and I will get back with you!!!

If you want to try the sketch, please hop on over to the Stamping 411 blog to link your project to our blog.  While you are there, check out what the other operators have made!!! 

Until next time....Happy Stamping everyone!

3-2-1 Cake

Today, I am back with a weight loss update and a fabulously easy recipe for dessert when you need a little nosh of sweetness!

On Saturday morning, I hit the 50 lb mark!!!  I was actually hoping to hit it last week, but I was .8 lbs short.  I was robbed!  LOL!!!!  I was completely on plan, working out, tracking my meals, etc......  Rather than let it get me down, I worked hard again making sure I stayed on plan.  My hard work paid off with a 2.2 lb weight loss!  

Now, I have a big 'ol sweet tooth and staying on plan isn't always easy.  But, I've just discovered the 3-2-1 Cake.

3-2-1 Cake Recipe

• dump a 18.25 oz box of cake mix (any flavor) into a big ziplock bag
• dump a box of angel food cake mix into that same ziplock bag
• close up the bag and combine the two cake mixes

When you're ready for a sweet treat:

• put 3 Tbsp of cake mix into a coffee mug
• add 2 Tbsp of water and mix with a spoon
• microwave for 1 minute

I like to add some fresh berries and a little squirt of Reddi Whip to mine.  This sweet treat has a Points Plus value of 2.  Woo hoo!!!!!

I've only tried Devil's Food Cake mix, but Lemon Supreme is going to be my next conquest!  

If you're on a weight loss journey and also love sweet treats, I encourage you to try your own version of the 3-2-1 cake.  Let me know what you think!!!!!

Saturday Sketch Challenge #242

Has your week felt like a week full of Mondays?  Mine sure has!!!  So when I say TGIF, I really mean it!!! 

I am looking forward to the weekend although it is a busy one.  Chris, my oldest, is getting inducted into Phi Beta Kappa (a college honor society) tonight.  Tomorrow is my Weight Watchers weigh-in.  I am hoping to hit a major milestone, but I don't want to jinx it by talking about it too early.  On Sunday, I am holding my annual Valentine's Day Stamp Camp.  Whew....I'm tired already, and it hasn't even happened yet!

My weekend always starts out with my Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge project.  After a few weeks of Valentine's Day projects, I thought I would try something different. 

This week it's a get well soon card.  I know there's lots of people out there feeling icky.  So, sending them a pretty card is one sure-fire way to cheer up their day.

My card starts with the Pool Party base card.  It measures 5 1/2" x 8 1/2", scored at 4 1/4" and folded in half. 

Layer #2 is a piece of Whisper White cardstock that measures 4" x 5 1/4". 

Using my 1 1/4" square punch, I punched three squares from Basic Black cardstock.  Using my 1 3/8" square punch, I punched squares from Island Indigo, Calypso Coral and Wisteria Wonder cardstock.  The black squares are matted onto the colored squares and glued onto Layer #2.

In the top left corner of Layer #2, I added a trimmed piece of Basic Black cardstock that's been punched with the Designer Label punch. 

Now, it's time to run Layer #2 through my Big Shot using the Square Lattice embossing folder.  This technique is called Inlaid Embossing, and it never fails to get "ooohhs" and "ahhhhs". 

Layer #2 can now be glued onto the base card.

My flowers (from It's Raining Flowers stamp set) are stamped using Wisteria Wonder, Island Indigo and Calyspo Coral ink onto Whisper White cardstock.  I cut the flowers out by hand and placed them on the squares using a dimensional.  The leaves are stamped with Lucky Limeade ink and added to the back of the flowers using mini glue dots.   The center of each flower is adorned with a So Saffron 1/2" circle and a Large Basic Pearl (from the Occasions Mini). 

For the final embellishments, I added a Twitterpated button that's been threaded with some Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine. 

For my sentiment, I chose to make a banner.  Have you noticed how banners are everywhere?  They add a whimsical touch to any project.  To make an easy banner edge, just insert the edge of a strip of cardstock into the corner area of any square punch and squeeze.  That's it....easy peasy!!!!

My greeting comes from Teeny Tiny Wishes.  It nestles perfectly in my Word Window punch.

This card just makes me happy!!!  I love the colors and how they pop on the black!  I hope the person I'm sending it to feels better just by knowing that they are loved!

Well, I am off to start this crazy weekend.  I hope your weekend is fabulous!!!  If you can spare a few moments, we'd love to have you play along with this sketch at the Stamping 411.  Just upload your card and link it's web address to the Stamping 411 blog using the Linky Tool provided at the bottom of the post. 

Card Recipe

stamps:  It's Raining Flowers, Teeny Tiny Wishes
paper:  Pool Party, Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, So Saffron, Wisteria Wonder, Basic Black, Whisper White
ink:  Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade
accessories:  square punches (1 1/4", 1 3/8"), Square Lattice embossing folder, Designer Label punch, Twitterpated buttons, Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine, Word Window punch, Large Pearls, 1/2" circle punch

More Twists and Turns

Oh boy!  The Stamping 411 has created a monster!  

Can you believe that I am making another "twisted" card?  I know!!!!!  Scary!!!!

This card all started with a leftover project pack from a recent class.  I thought I would take the pieces and make a different design!!!

My base card is Island Indigo.

Layer #2 is some Baja Breeze dsp from the Just Add Cake dsp pack.  

Layer #3 is a strip of Pear Pizzazz cardstock.  I used one of the brand new Edgelits to cut the left edge.  I just love this funky scallop!!!  I wrapped a length of Certainly Celery narrow grosgrain ribbon around the cardstock before adhering it to the base layer.  

Let's start building the focal layer.  It all started with the Real Red cardstock.  I matted it on a 1/8" larger piece of Basic Black cardstock.  

I stamped the "thanks" (from the Outlined Expressions Sale-a-bration stamp set) with Black StazOn ink.  I colored in the image using my Stampin' Write markers (Baja Breeze, Real Red and Pear Pizzazz).  The image was cut out using one of the new Labels Framelits.  I sponged the edge with Baja Breeze ink before adding to the focal layer.  

I added two In Color brads before tucking the focal layer under the ribbon.....with a twist!  I just love the whimsy of these brads.......they are such fun!!!!  

Wow!  I feel so liberated!!!  I made two "non-Patti" cards in the same week!!!!  What will I come up with next?  Hmmmmmm....you're going to have to come back and check it out, huh?

If you've fallen in love with today's project, all of the items used to make it can be ordered from my ONLINE STAMPIN' STORE.  Thanks for choosing me as your demonstrator!!!!

A New Sketch....with a Twist

Oh boy!  This week's Stamping 411 Saturday Sketch Challenge sketch has a twist.....literally!  I get a little nervous when things aren't straight.  So, I told myself to put my big girl panties on and try something out of my comfort zone. 

This is what I've come up with.........

I really love the final result, but I'm not going to lie.  It took me a LONG time to get it right!!!  

Let's chit chat about the card......

My base card is Crumb Cake cardstock....cut to 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"......scored and folded in half.

Layer #2 is Peach Parfait cardstock.  I used the Direct-to-Paper technique using a Peach Parfait ink pad.

Layer #3 is a strip of geometric patterned paper from the Twitterpated Designer Series Paper pack.  I also used the Direct-to-Paper technique on this layer (using Crumb Cake ink).  

After adhering layer #3 to layer #2, I ran it through my Big Shot using the Square Lattice embossing folder.  

As per the sketch, I added a length of Peach Parfait Polytwill ribbon.  I just love how the texture on this ribbon plays up the texture from the embossing folder!

Be still my heart, now it's time to talk about that dreaded twist.  I grabbed some Pool Party patterned paper from the In Color Patterns stack.  I tore the edges and crumpled it up.  Once again, this adds texture to the final card.

Now, let's talk about the focal image.  Isn't this butterfly image stunning?  It's from the Kindness Matters stamp set.  It's available for purchase in the big catty, but it's also one of the free stamp sets you can earn during Sale-a-bration.

I stamped the butterflies onto Very Vanilla cardstock using Black StazOn ink.  The butterflies are watercolored using my Aquapainter and ink from the lids of my ink pads.  The colors I used are Pool Party, Peach Parfait and So Saffron.  I sponged the edges (lightly) with Chocolate Chip ink and spritzed it with my Color Spritzer Tool using a Crumb Cake marker.  Using my fingernail, I distressed the edges a bit so it added even more texture and dimension.

The focal image is matted on a 1/8" larger piece of Basic Black cardstock.  The black just makes the image pop.

All that's left is my bow........from the Peach Parfait Polytwill Ribbon.  

So, what do you think?  I know what I think.  It was silly to "spaz out" over a sketch with a twist!  I just need to take some time.....breathe.....and play.  It will all work out in the end!!!

Are you ready to try the twisted sketch?  Do you need to gather a few more ideas before trying it for yourself?  Well, you should check out what my fellow Stamping 411 operators have come up with.  I love how we all put our own "twist" on the same sketch.  Does that make us Twisted Sisters?    (oh boy, I am completely dating myself on that one).  

I am outta here......with visions of Dee Snider in my head singing  "We're Not Gonna Take It".  Oh my brother would be so proud!!!!

Until next time.....Happy Stamping everyone!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Kindness Matters
paper:  Crumb Cake, Peach Parfait, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, 2011-2013 In Color Patterns Stack, Twitterpated dsp pack
ink:  Black StazOn, Peach Parfait, Chocolate Chip (sponging), Crumb Cake, Pool Party, So Saffron
accessories:  Square Lattice embossing folder, Peach Parfait Polytwill Ribbon, Aquapainter, Color Spritzer Tool, Crumb Cake marker

 

Inspiration

Can you believe it?  I've posted two days in a row!!!  LOL!!!

I'm really excited about the project I am showing you today!  It was inspired by a project that was on display at Leadership.  I put my own "Patti twist" on it, and I really love the end result.  My Stamp Club ladies made this project on Saturday!!!!

This project uses lots of new product from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  

The flowers are made with the Mixed Bunch stamp set.  All of the flower images were inked with Versamark and stamped onto either Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride or Baja Breeze cardstock.  I then sprinkled Clear Embossing Powder and then heated til melted.  The Blossom Punch (also new) coordinates with this stamp set so there's no hand cutting!  Love that!

I made two of each flower and offset the petals when putting them together.  A skewer of varying lengths sits in the flower.  

The flowers are nestled in this adorable milk carton.  I used the Milk Carton Bigz L die to make it.  I wrapped a length of Twitterpated designer series paper around the milk carton to fancy it up a bit.  There's also some of the new Blushing Bride Pleated Satin Ribbon to make it extra fancy too!

My banner is made with a 3/4" x 4" strip of Pear Pizzazz cardstock.  I stamped the sentiment from the Loving Thoughts stamp set using Basic Black ink.  To create the banner edge, simply use any of your square punches and insert the end into a corner of the punch.  It creates the perfect banner edge!  My banner is clipped to the carton using a clip that I purchased a while back on the Clearance Rack.  

This project just makes me happy.  It's a reminder that Spring isn't too far away.  Yay!

If this project makes you happy too, I'll give you the recipe so you can make it at home.  If you need any supplies, I hope you'll order them from my ONLINE STORE.  Don't forget, with every $50 of your order, you get to choose ONE free Sale-a-bration item!!!!

Thanks for choosing me as your demonstrator!!!!  It means the world to me!

Project Recipe

stamps:  Mixed Bunch, Loving Thoughts
paper:  Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, So Saffron, Twitterpated dsp
ink:  Versamark, Basic Black
accessories:  Milk Carton Bigz L die, 1 1/4" square punch, Blushing Bride Pleated Satin Ribbon, skewers, clip (retired), Clear Embossing powder, Blossom Punch