A Touch From the Heart

A KISS Card

 
In my opinion, everyone should KISS.......Keep It Simple Stamper, that is!!! 

This card is so elegant, but oh so easy to put together.

Thanks to my Big Shot and the Top Note die, this card gets instant beauty just by the shape for my focal image.  I trimmed off the left side a bit so that it flanks the side of the card perfectly.

The lovely silhouetted flower image comes from Just Believe.  If I could've only purchased one brand new stamp set from the catalog, this is the one! 

I inked the image with Chocolate Chip ink and stamped onto the die cut.  The edges are also sponged with Chocolate Chip ink.

My base card is Chocolate Chip (yeah, this is my favorite color).  The next layer is Crumb Cake that has been embossed with my Big Shot and the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.  I lightly rubbed my sponge just to add a little bit of Chocolate Chip ink to the embossed areas.  It gives it a slightly aged look.....very shabby chic!  What adds to the shabby chic look?  The pearls of course......they were added to the centers of the larger flowers!

The horizontal layer is a strip of dsp from Elegant Soiree.  Of course, I sponged the edges to match the rest of the card.

All that's left is a gorgeous Antique Brad......placed just at the tip of the die cut!

Once the card was put together, I added some Log Cabin Smooch Spritz.  Be careful......with this color, less is more!  Spritz from a distance away and evaluate your card after each spritz to see if you are happy with the spattering.  Don't engage in a conversation while smooching.......the results could look like something from a bad CSI episode!  Ask me how I know!

Well, I am off to run errands.  I went back to work yesterday.  I had quite a bit of clean up to do, but it was nice to see my co-workers again.   The kids had a great first day of school.  It was Chris' "last first day" of high school.........it seems like only yesterday I sent him to kindergarten!  Time sure flies.....hug the ones you love!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Just Believe
paper:  Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Elegant Soiree dsp
ink:  Chocolate Chip
accessories:  Big Shot, Top Note die, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Basic Pearls, Log Cabin Smooch Spritz, Antique Brads, sponge

All products used on today's KISS card are by Stampin' Up!  Place an online order through my demonstrator website.  Just click on Shop Now to enter the online store.

Keep it Simple Sunday

By far, my most favorite-est (talking like my little niece here) stamp set from the new catalog is Just Believe.  I can make a beautiful card is just minutes using a plethora of different techniques....

• ink up with Versamark and sprinkle on some embossing powder.....heat until melted (Heat Embossing)
• ink up with Versamark and pounce using your Stampin' Pastels and a sponge dauber (Poppin' Pastels)
• place drops of reinkers onto a baby wipe and use like an ink pad (Baby Wipe Technique)
• mist stamp, color onto stamp with Watercolor Crayons and stamp onto cardstock
• and so much more........

On today's card, I used a different technique.  I colored onto the stamp with my Stampin' Write markers (Poppy Parade and Old Olive), huffed on the stamp to re-moisten the ink and stamped onto Whisper White cardstock.

To get a slight variation on this technique, rather than huff on the stamp.........spritz a fine mist of water prior to stamping onto the cardstock.  This gives a more mottled effect (with a lot of water, this technique looks very Monet-like).

Just Believe is a very smart stamp set purchase.  It's just so versatile......not only due to all the techniques you can use with it, but also because the stamp set has so many images.  The images are all solid, silouette images and some fabulous sentiments. 

Regardless if you're a new or seasoned stamper, Just Believe is a wonderful stamp set to add to your collection.  You will use it for so many occasions!

Card Recipe

stamps:  Just Believe
paper:  Basic Black, Poppy Parade, So Saffron, Old Olive
ink:  Basic Black, So Saffron
accessories:  1 3/4" circle punch, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Big Shot, Basic Rhinestones

If you want to place a Stampin' Up! order, you can order from me 24-7........thanks for your order, I truly appreciate it!!!

 

 

Just Believe

If you could only pick one new stamp set out of the catalog to play with for a while, which one would you choose?

Which one would I choose?  Definitely, Just Believe (116948...wood   120453...clear).  Ever since I had my first peek at the catalog, this stamp set has been my favorite! 

Why?  Well, it's just so versatile.....

• it can be inked up in one solid color (like today's card)
• you can use your markers to color the flowers and leaves/stems with different colors
• looks beautiful when heat embossed
• there's nine stamps in this set (5 are images.....4 are sentiments)
• can't wait to try the bleach technique with it

Now, here's what I did with it for today's card.  I stamped the image with Basic Black ink onto some of my favorite patterned paper.  It's called Sweet and Sour Specialty paper (117390).  One side of each paper has a glossy pattern on it.  For this card, I used the non-glossy side!!!  I love having choices.....especially with the yummy hues of Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie and Very Vanilla.

The Rose Red patterned paper used just on top of the base card is also from that same pack. 

For the corner treatment, I glued on a Rose Red photo corner (punched with the Photo Corner punch).  I then took a length of Basic Black 1/4" grosgrain ribbon and placed it on a diagonal and secured on the back with some tape.

Of course, some bling was in order.  So, I added three of those amazing Basic Rhinestones(119246).  I love them because they come in three different sizes and the adhesive is already on the back.  They are clear and vibrant.......some of the ones from the craft stores are hazy......yuck! 

Well, the rest of the card is easy to figure out.  You know that if you have any questions, just comment on the post.  I will get back to you lickedy-split!

If you are interested in joining one of my patterned paper shares to experience these gorgeous patterned papers for yourself, just click HERE for more details.

Card Recipe

stamps:  Just Believe
paper:  Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Sweet and Sour Specialty
ink:  Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie
accessories:  Basic Rhinestones, 1 3/4" circle punch, Photo Corner punch, sponges