Just Dandy

Background Basics: Retro Stamping

Hello everyone! I have had a few e-mails from some of you asking how you line up the 'INDIA' background from the Background Basics: Retro set. I've e-mailed most of you back but then thought that there may be a few of you left who are confused by this one image as well. So here's a rough tutorial on how to line this up. I hope it helps!

 

Instead of just showing you how to line up the image I went ahead and made a card while I was at it. I first cut 3 pieces of cardstock to measure just shy of 1.5" X 3" each. My colors...Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avacado & Ocean Tides. When I stamp with a long background strip, whether is be Polka Dot Basics, Background Basics: Retro or any other large image I always place my stamp on the bottom of my stamping block. This is just a personal choice. I find it easier to line my paper up against my image when the edge of my stamp is along the bottom portion of the block. You may find that another way is easier for you....play around til you find your 'right way'.

 

Now when I start stamping I always start at the bottom of my paper and work my way up. Again, this is just a personal choice and what works best for me. Some like to start from the top or even the middle...play around again to find out what works best for you and gives you the best result.

 

So you've stamped your first strip and now you're ready to move on up. This image is super easy to work with (although, I know it looks complicated). You will just need to bump the top curves from your first stamped image up against the bottom curves of the ones you are about to stamp. You can see what I mean in the picture above. I'm horrible sometimes at trying to explain something...Thank Goodness for pictures!

 

After you've stamped all the way up...this is what you will end up with! Pretty easy, huh?

 

And here is my finished card! I hope that this has helped those of you who were hesitant to begin stamping with this image. It truly is a lot of fun to stamp with and not as hard as you might think! If any of you need anymore tips or help with any of the background images don't hesitate to contact me!

Have a wonderful day!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

{YOU ARE WONDERFUL}

Stamps: Background Basics: Retro, Heartfelt Basics (Papertrey Ink)

Ink: Raspberry Fizz (Papertrey Ink), Noir Palette, Frost White (Colorbox)

Cardstock: Raspberry Fizz, Ocean Tides, Ripe Avacado, white (Papertrey Ink)

Accessories: True Black ribbon (Papertrey Ink), rhinestone circle (unknown)

Women of Life {Project 10}

The card I created for today isn't your usual card. I wanted to try something a little different. 

First, I cut a strip of Stampers Select to 5 X 2.5" and stamped my stems all the way across in Certainly Celery. Instead of using the flowers for this card I put my focus all on the flower  centers. I stamped them across in Toile Pink Palette Ink and Pixie Pink from SU! After stamping those I went over them with embossing ink and then sprinkled holographic embossing powder over them and heat set. Next, I trimmed a piece of green cardstock to 2.75 X 10". I scored and folded it in half and placed my stamped image on the front of it.

I then stamped 'Daughter' in Basic Black and punched it out using my large oval punch from SU! I placed the punched out word onto a scrap piece of green cardstock and trimmed around with my scalloped edge scissors.

When trimming with scalloped scissors I always make a little cut into the side of the image I'm cutting around.

Doing so always allows for an easier starting point and if the scallops don't perfectly align when you make your final way around then you can disguise the 'mess up' with a brad, button, flower etc.

                                                                                    

                                                                                    

Adhere 'Daughter' to the front of you flowers.

You will next need to trim a piece of white cardstock to 5 X 5" and a piece of patterned paper to 5 X 5". Adhere the patterned paper over the white. Since this is the base of your card it makes it studier by adding the thicker cardstock under the pp.

After I created my base I added a strip of Blush Blossom measuring 3 X 5" and adhered it across the center. I then attached my folded green 'card' in the center of that. I used my black Zig pen to create little black dots around each flower!

That's it! What do you think?!

Have a great day! Thanks for visiting!

Stamps: Women of Life from Papertrey Ink

Cardstock: Stampers Select from Papertrey, Certainly Celery from SU!

Patterned Paper: Nana's Nursery from DCWV

Ink: Certainly Celery, Pixie Pink & Basic Black from SU!, Toile Pink Palette Ink

Accessories: Embossing ink & powder from Ranger, Zig pen

Tools: SU! large oval punch, Fiskars scalloped scissors

Women of Life {Project 6}

I realized as I was taking pictures of my latest project that I have used some shade of green in all but one of them. I guess you all know what my favorite color to work with is! *grin* Tomorrow, I PROMISE to use colors other than green.

For this project you will need a composition book. These are fun to alter and they are cheap....something we all look for when we are papercrafting. I picked this one up for under $1.

The front of this book measures 6.75 X 9.75". You will need a piece of patterned paper measuring the same.

After trimming your paper you will need to round the two corners on the right side. I used my corner rounder punch from SU! to do this. You could also just trim around the corners after adhering it to the front of your book with a pair of scissors or xacto knife.

For the front of your book you will need a piece of 6.75 X 3" cardstock. I use Stampers Select from Papertrey (the BEST IMO). I used Chartreuse Palette ink to stamp my stems. You will need to stamp these twice.

I then stamped my second largest flower in Rose Red, as shown.

Stamp your smallest flower on the other stems in Bravo Burgundy.

I then stamped the 4 larger flowers again with Rose Red on a separate sheet of cardstock. I stamped the centers with Chartreuse Palette ink and then cut the flowers out and adhered them. 

Next, I punched 12- 1/2" black circles out using my EK Success circle punch. I adhered them all and then used my white Souffle pen to dot the centers of each one.

I layered this on a piece of 6.75 X 3.25" Rose Red cardstock and attached it to the front of my book.

Can you see the dimension the flowers have? After adhering them to the cardstock I just gently bent each petal. Just adds that extra little 'oomph'! I'm all about adding dimension!!

Now onto the matching card.

I used the Spellbinders Nestabilities square dies again. After running it through my machine I stamped my stem and flowers using the same colors as on the composition book. I stamped two separate flowers like before and adhered them to the front of my square.

To finish this I cut and embossed a larger square with the Nestablities again. This time using Rose red. I embellished the flowers on the card the same as on the book. I tied black twill ribbon after attaching the Rose Red square and then attached my flowers over that.

For the greeting I stamped 'Sister' in Rose Red and 'Happy Birthday' in Basic Black onto Stampers Select again. I then used a Making Memories metal tag to finish it off. This card measures 4 X 9".

I want to express my gratitude towards ALL of you wonderful ladies for continuing to support me and my work! I read your comments everyday (more than once *wink*) and you all just lift my spirits and make me feel so good! So thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!! ((BIG HUGS))

Thanks for visiting! I'll see you all tomorrow!

Stamps: Women of Life from Papertrey Ink

Ink: Chartreuse Palette Ink, Rose Red, Bravo Burgundy & Basic Black from SU!

Cardstock: Stampers Select from Papertrey Ink, Rose Red & Basic Black from SU!

Patterned Paper: Scenic Route

Accessories: Nestabilities square dies, Making Memories metal tag, Souffle pen, black twill

Tools: Corner Rounder punch from SU!, 1/2" circle punch from EK Success

Women of Life {Project 5}

How about a few tags today?! I always love to create these and use them on gift bags.....adds so much more to gift giving! These are so simple to create and would be an easy mass production if you needed a whole bunch!

To create them I started with 4 - 2 X 4 pieces of Stampers Select cardstock. I stamped my greeting 'IT'S YOUR DAY' vertically on each one using basic black ink. I then stamped my large flower in Pixie Pink above the greeting. Using the large flower center I stamped the middle of each flower using Certainly Celery ink. Using my 1/2" circle punch I created the centers of my flower by punching out circles with black paper.

After a few little finishing touches they were complete. I added tiny white dots to the centers of each flower by using my white gel pen. I used my ticket corner punch from SU! on each corner and then adhered each stamped image onto a piece of Certainly Celery cardstock measuring 2.25 X 4.25" using dimensional adhesive. Lastly, I added the brads and ribbon!

This is how I created the bow for each tag....

Start with about a 2" length of ribbon. Turn one end over as shown and glue down.

Turn the opposite side over the other and glue down.

Take another length of ribbon and glue one end to the middle of the first one.

While holding both pieces in your hand wrap the second length of ribbon around the first and glue down. Cut off any that is overlaying.

And there you have it! I make these bows quite a lot. They are so simple and I love the look when added to a project!

Stamps: Women of Life from Papertrey Ink

Cardstock: Stampers Select from Papertrey Ink, Certainly Celery from SU!

Ink: Certainly Celery, Pixie Pink & Basic Black from SU!

Accessories: brads from The Paper Studio, ribbon from Offray

Tools: 1/2" circle punch from EK Success, ticket corner punch from SU!

Women of Life {Project 1}

First and foremost I want to thank you ALL for all the wonderful comments and sweet e-mails about my previous post! I've read them over and over and I'm sure I'll read them over and over again.....you all totally made my day (gosh, my year). I'm on cloud nine and still can't really believe it all!

I'm SO excited to be sharing my first project with you all today. This is the first of many I will be sharing until the big release on the 15th. So much fun!

1. Start with a piece  of 8.5X11 cardstock. Scor  each side at 1". Scor again in the center at 5 & 6". Cut where the scor marks meet in the center to create two little flaps.

2. Fold where all the scor marks are and assemble the base of your box by glueing the sides together.

3. Take a second sheet of cardstock and trim to 6.5X11". Scor in the center at 5 & 6". Fold.

4. Attach your patterned paper to one side of you cardstock. Use a rounded object (I keep a paper plate on hand for projects like this) and trace lightly with pencil on the backside of your cardstock. Trim with scalloped scissors.

5. After trimming I put a tiny pencil mark in each scallop. Then flip your punch over so you can see each mark thru the hole...then punch. I find it makes for a much more accurate punch by doing it this way.

6. Attach this to the box base and this is what you'll have. I used a magnet from Basic Grey to secure the flap...kind of reminds me a women's handheld clutch (is that what those little purses are called?). I used my Spellbinders Nestabilities Square Dies on the white cardstock. After cutting and embossing my cs I stamped my flowers and then punched out circles from my patterned paper for the centers. The flowers and sentiment are all part of my new stamp set!

And there you have it! A nice boxed gift set for that special woman in your life! Depending how embellished your cards are you should be able to fit 5 to 8 cards and envelopes in there.

I hope you enjoyed this project! Be sure to stop back tomorrow....I have lots more to share with you!

Cardstock: Pale Plum by SU!, Stampers Select from Papertrey Ink

Patterned Paper: Nana's Nursery from DCWV

Ink: Lavendar Sachet Palette, Certainly Celery & Basic Black by SU!

Tools: Scalloped Scissors by Fiskars, Circle Punches by EK Success, Mega Circle Punch by Marvy, Scalloped Circle Punch by Marvy, Spellbinders Nestabilities Square Die

Accessories: ribbon, stickles, brad by Lasting Impressions, Button by Foofala

Chatterbox & scallops

Can you tell I'm loving anything scalloped at the moment!? I thought I'd try a little something  different today and came up with this card. I'm sure there must be a name for it somewhere out there but I'm not sure what it is. All I know is I love it! Here's the step by step of how I created it.....

1. Cut a piece of card-stock to 5" X 10.5".

2. Score each end at 2.75" and fold.

3. Cut 2 pieces of patterned paper for the flaps to 2.75" X 4.75".

4. In order to make the pp rounded I used the top of my ribbon jar. You could use anything   lying around your house that is round. I turned my piece of paper over (so the pencil mark wouldn't show) and I just placed the lid where I wanted and traced. I removed the lid and trimmed and then did the same with the other piece.

5. Adhere each piece to both ends of the card-stock.

6. Before I started trimming with my scalloped scissors I took my regular scissors and just lightly nicked the corner to give my scissors a good starting point.

7. Then just trim with your scalloped scissors and you're done! 

The paper is by Chatterbox from the Sun Room collection. To finish it off I used my paper piercer around each flap. I used a magnet by Basic Grey to attach the flaps together. The flowers are Primas and the sentiment is from Papertrey Inks Paper Tray set. The final dimensions ... 5X5!

Thanks so much for looking!

I'm back

I've been kind of MIA for awhile but I'm back and will be blogging more often....I promise! My family and our friends, The Grady's, went on a little getaway over the weekend. We rented a boat and spent Friday night, Saturday and Sunday on Lake Barren fishing, swimming and just enjoying the gorgeous weather. A very nice, relaxing weekend. We needed it!! It seems like it takes forever to prepare for a trip....not matter how long or short it is. Then you get to your destination and the time flies by so fast. If I could I would go back and spend a few more days. If only....

A few of you have e-mailed asking how I made the flowers on my 'Sweet Girl' scrapbook page using the Faux Ribbon set from Papertrey Ink.  They were so super easy and fun to create. I thought I'd do a little tutorial and try to explain it.......

I should have first made sure you could see the text on each picture....sorry it's so small. If you click on each picture it will bring it to it's full size and you can see exactly what it says.

I received my Little Lady set in the mail today and am  hoping to have some time this evening to sit down and play with it. Another set I'm easily going to fall in love with. I've already got a few ideas kicking around in my head for this set....can't wait to try them out.

Time

If there were only a few more hours in the day I would have more time to stamp and actually post on this blog. I'm here....I swear! *grin*

I did get a little time this afternoon to make a few cards and do a little organizing. I was at Target a few days ago and found these adorable tin baskets in the $1 section. I thought they'd be perfect to put little odds and ends in that I pick up for scrapbooking/stamping that I have no other place for. I picked up 3 of them and may go back for more. Eventually (when I get my stamp room) I'd like to put a shelf up and have these lined up sitting on top of the shelf. They actually look kinda small in the picture but they are about the size of 1/2 gallon paint can.

I came across this card template somewhere online (not sure where...but I'm thinking it was SCS) and thought I'd make a couple of cards using this. I first made a 4.25" X 5.5" card. I then took my ruler and at the top I measured .75" from each side. I marked it lightly with my pencil and then on my paper trimmer lined up the pencil mark and the bottom corner of the card. I cut it and then flipped to the other side and did the same. Pretty simple!

This first card is pretty basic and super easy to create. I used the faux ribbon set from Papertrey Ink to create the ribbon and sentiment. The colors I used are certainly celery and close to cocoa from SU! and toile pink from Papertrey Ink. I'm not sure who the flower is made by.....I have a bad habit of taking things out of their wrappers to store them before I use them.  Not good...I need to leave things in the packaging.

This second card measures the same as the one above. The paper is from My Mind's Eye and I used the faux ribbon set again to create the border and sentiment. The flower is a Prima. Another simple card!