So Long Farewell to the Spring Catalog…Project Parade!

Written by Leave a Comment

Secret Garden 002 MainOh Hello 001 Main

We’ve had so much fun at The Creative Grove with the Spring Catalog this year.  The CG Crew felt this year’s mini catalog was the best one in 25 years.  So if there is anything that you were holding out on, don’t wait – tomorrow starts the brand new catalog year which means that today is the official LAST day to order from the Spring Catalog.  Some products made it into the new catalog, but most unfortunately did not.  So we bid good bye to several favorites.

Click on any image to see the card details and creative tips.

Ciao Baby 001 Main

Ciao Baby – I didn’t get to stamp with this set as much as I would like, but here is the first actual creative scenery card I’ve ever made actually based off a real life photo or experience.  It brings back such great memories of a wonderful day in St. Barts. Click Here for card details, creative tips and more photos

By the Tide – This was by far my most highly anticipated stamp set out of this year’s catalog.  I was dying to do an underwater scene like the one above and below.  The images were just begging to be brayered.  I love all the projects I’ve made with this set, and there were many more, just made as exclusive content for clubs and classes.  The top right one actually was a CG Crew project in January.  Click each photo for card details, creative tips and more photos.

By the Tide 003 Main

Collage Curios – This is a fun set that I was shocked didn’t make the new Catalog.  Here are a few easy projects that highlight this stamp set in a great way.  This project was acutally a CG Crew project in March.  We loved making this along with a necklace out of Soda Pop Tops.  Those little flowers from our 5/8” Flower Trim and Soda Pop Tops also didn’t make it, which makes me glad I’m stocked up!  The Soda Pop Top card features all the best from the Spring Catalog – Honeycomb Embossing Folder, Pool Party Core’dinations Paper, Paper Doilies, Hearts a Flutter Bundle, Oval Framelits, Collage Curios, Soda Pop Tops and 5/8” Flower Trim. Click each photo for card details, creative tips and more photos.

Collage Curios 002 Side

Hearts a Flutter – This set I had a ton of fun with around Valentine’s Day.  I love the coordinating framelits that come along with it as well.  As a bundle you save 15% which I just love!  And the framelit set has a banner flag die in it.  Below you see my use of the new Occasions Paper Piercing Templates in the Spring Mini – I just love all the different sizes of Hearts on the one of three templates.  The first project was my actual Anniversary card for my sweetie Michael and was a Just Cards Class card.  Smile Click each photo for card details, creative tips and more photos.

Swallowtail – okay, I think we can all agree that this ended up being my surprisingly favorite stamp set out of this years Spring Catalog.  There are so many projects you didn’t even see with this amazing stamp too.  But this is still probably one of my top five cards I’ve made over the past five months.  My favorite detail is the Banner Flag.  Look closely – that’s the butterfly image stamped tone on tone under the Thanks.  I’ll miss that Thanks too – it’s part of the stamp set Kindness Matters which is retiring from the big catalog – and at $8.95 for the clear set is by far the best Stamp Set deal you’ll find.  I think that one stamp has gotten almost as much usage as Thinking of You from Sweet Essentials.  Click each photo for card details, creative tips and more photos.

Some more favorites from the Swallowtail Stamp Set.

Swallowtail 007 MainSwallowtail 004 Main

Do you want to get the latest specials and creative tips sent right to your inbox?  Then click here to sign up for my Creative Tips Mailing List!

Signature-Snowflake-001_thumb1_thumb

Filed Under: Brayer, Cards, Clean and Simple, Creative University, Inspiration, Masculine, Mojo Monday, Specials Tagged: , , , , ,

Farewell Kindness Matters

Written by Leave a Comment

Kindness Matters 002 Main

Do you ever just have those go to kind of stamp sets?  Kindness Matters has definitely been one for me. I probably use the Thanks greeting from this set more than any other, and I know I have a guaranteed great card every time I use the butterflies.  It’s a fabulous set that if you don’t have, don’t miss out.  Best part – it’s one of our least expensive sets, so there’s great value too!

Today I’ve paired this fun stamp set with a few of our retiring colors.  Yesterday you read how Not Quite Navy has been my #1 favorite color for 11 1/2 years (still…sniff…sniff), but this year, one of my go to colors has definitely been Baja Breeze.  I was is complete shock when this color retired.  And quite sad, as I have so many cool things in Baja Breeze.  It was such a great color to work with.  It’s sad that I’m speaking of it in the past tense, but this is my grieving week, and then Friday I’ll move on! Smile

Kindness Matters 002 Side

Creative Tips –

  • I always want to use the Rock n Roll technique when I use this stamp.  The butterflies to me just need that multi color.  Perhaps it’s because most butterflies are multi colored.  I stamped the main image randomly and from various angles on an oval that I cut out using the new Ovals Collection Framelits and my Big Shot.  It’s the second smallest one.  I used So Saffron, but didn’t want the butterflies to take away from my main ones, so I stamped them off once to decrease their vibrancy. Kindness Matters 002 Butterflies
  • Next I stamped my main images on a piece of scrap paper.  I used the new color Crushed Curry.  I really wanted my yellow to stand out from the So Saffron.  I rocked my image in Baja Breeze and then slightly on the edges in Not Quite Navy.  To get a good outline on my images in Not Quite Navy, I touched up my image with my Stampin’ Write Marker in the same color.  I also thumped the marker along the center of each butterfly.
  • Of course blue and yellow make green, but I think since this blue is so much darker, it stands on its own.
  • I cut out my rock n rolled butterflies with my paper snips and ran some Snail adhesive down each center.  I curls and popped up the wings with some Stampin’ Dimensionals that I trimmed down to fit.  This way the butterflies look like they are in flight.Kindness Matters 002 CU
  • I took a piece of our retiring Baja Breeze 1/2” Seam Binding Ribbon and pulled a few of the middle fibers to ruffle the ribbon a bit.  Once I had it how I wanted, I adhered it using Glue Dots – the single best way to attach fibers to anything!
  • I ran a piece of Not Quite Navy through my Big Shot using the Chevron Embossing Folder for a little contrast and added half of one of our new Paper Doilies.  Together the combination has a collage feel, yet also looks contemporary.
  • I try to apply the law of thirds to just about all my projects in the design aspect.  You’ll see that my main image is in the top third of the space, while my Pearl Basic Jewels accents are also in threes, within three.  You always want to add your embellishments in odd numbers.  Kindness Matters 002 Front
  • Since the Seam Binding Ribbon is such a large accent, I balanced it out on the other side with one of our Vintage Faceted Buttons on the opposite side.  I used Pearls to complete my triangle, and used some of our White Bakers Twine for the knot.  Of course I attached it using Glue Dots.Kindness Matters 002 Height
  • One tool that I will keep on using, and if you don’t have one I encourage you to get it right away – that’s the Color Spritzer Tool.  Combined with any of our Stampin’ Write Markers, you can fill any space in just the right way.  I used my Not Quite Navy Marker to add the speckling to both my oval and main project.  Don’t hold it too close, as the dots will be highly concentrated together. 
  • You may be wondering where my greeting is, well…after playing around with several banners, tags to be attached with vintage trinkets like our safety pins and staples, I decided to just put the greeting on the inside.  Although, there’s nothing wrong with a blank card too! 🙂
    As this week quickly winds down, I’m trying to use all my favorite things one last time for you before moving on.  It’s not so easy!  You many be wondering why move on at all?  Well, in my Stampin’ Up! world, if it’s not current, then use it sparingly.  That’s okay, believe me when I tell you I have a secret stash of Not Quite Navy card stock in both sizes…lol! 
    There are a handful of stamp sets that will make the cut and remain on the shelves of the Creative Studio.  But not many!  I find that I think I’m going to stamp with them, and then I don’t.  So I’ve gotten quite good at purging.  Which is to your benefit – look next week for all my “retired” sets on here.  Some go back 10 years! Have a creative day today – and most of all, have fun!

    Come Stamp with Me!

    f you are in the Orlando area and want to come to the Creative Studio to stamp – be sure to check out the classes tab above.  I have Just Cards and Creative Cards classes on Monday June 3rd!  And of course, don’t miss my free but fully loaded with fun New Catalog Kick Off Thursday June 6th. Smile

Signature Snowflake 001

To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

Kindness Matters 002 Angle

Stamp Sets – Kindness Matters (122902c, 122900w) Ink – So Saffron (126957), Baja Breeze (126960), Crushed Curry, Not Quite Navy (126971), Not Quite Navy Stampin’ Write Marker (Regals Collection – 119701) Paper – Whisper White (100730), Not Quite Navy (101722), Baja Breeze (111352)  Cool Tools – Paper Snips (103579), Color Spritzer Tool (107066) Finishing Touch – Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Pearl Basic Jewels (119247),  Baja Breeze 1/2” Seam Binding Ribbon (122331)

new stampColor Spritzer Tool I107066

Filed Under: Big Shot, Cards, Tools Tagged: , , , , , ,

Mojo Happy Hour

Written by 10 Comments

Happy Hour 001 Main

It’s that sad and exciting week in Stampin’ Up!  It’s our final time to say good bye to good ‘ol friends and hello to new ones.  What am I talking about, you may be wondering – well…it’s the final week for some of my all time favorite products – some that have been with me for 11 1/2 years!  And of course – hello to the brand spankin’ new ones in the new catalog.  If you want your very own free catalog click here!

Of course, what better way to send of our dear favs other than Mojo Monday!  I truly love creating in this fun Challenge.  I find that it really gets my week off to a great creative start. Smile

Mojo295Sketch

Today we are saying good bye to my two favorite retiring colors – Not Quite Navy (Gasp!!) and More Mustard.  Not Quite Navy and I have been good friends my whole life.  So it was natural, when I joined the Stampin’ Up! sisterhood in January 2002, that Not Quite Navy quickly became my all time favorite color.  And More Mustard, which is the exact color of Dijon Mustard – another favorite of mine…I can’t eat a hard boiled egg without it, is sadly being depleted with each card here in the Creative Studio.  I think I only have three full sheets of it left!

And my favorite Designer Series Paper this year was hands down Fan Fair.  How could you not like something with a giant Eiffel Tower and World Map in it?! 

So since we’re saying good bye to some good friends, I thought I would say hello to a new one for me.  Not that the stamp set Happy Hour is new to the catalog, but it is new to me!  I’ve wanted this set all year, and felt it was about time to start stamping with it.  And since Champagne is a fitting beverage to toast our retiring and new friends, why not three glasses of it!

Of course, I had to sneak my signature smashed flower in there too – everything is better with a smashed flower!   And just plug in smashed flower into the search box on the right to see the many projects I’ve created with this easy and addictive flowers.  Click Here To learn how to make smashed flowers

Creative Tips:

  • I gravitate to the square cards in this challenge, so that was an easy choice for me.
  • I used my color coach to choose my colors and then decided on Early Espresso as a highlight. 
  • Champagne is bubbly and sparkly, so I had to have Rhinestone Basic Jewels!  Instead of my usual flower center, I chose to add our Large Rhinestone Jewels. 
  • My card needed a little something in the corners, so I added a large and two small Rhinestones instead of Paper Piercing.  But the Paper Piercing would have looked great too. Happy Hour 001 Side
  • I chose the Fan Fair DSP because it’s just the right amount of pattern without taking away from the spirit of card.  Balance is important when working with patterned paper, otherwise you can quickly overwhelm your project.
  • To bring a little drama and emphasis to various spots, I popped up the Champagne glasses, banner flag and smashed flower.  Click Here for a video on how to make a perfect Banner Flag endHappy Hour 001 Height
  • I couldn’t get my greeting stamped right today for the life of me – ever had that happen?  So I finally just filled it in with my Not Quite Navy Stampin’ Write marker.  I’m so glad it’s the same ink as our Classic Ink Pads.  If you look closely at my photos you can tell, but only because it’s zoomed in, holding the card in front of you, you’d never notice.
  • My card measures 5 3/8” x 5 3/8” and my white panel is 5” x 5”.  My Early Espresso panel is just an 1/8” larger so that I have a 1/16” border…or is it too early in the day for fractions…lol!
  • My interior white square is 3”x 3” and the Not Quite Navy square is 3 1/8”x 3 1/8”. This card came together easily for me.  I hope you like it, it has a classic and traditional look to it.  I love the colors, I hope you do too!  Happy Memorial Day. Smile

Free New Catalog

If you would like your very own brand new FREE 2013-2014 catalog click here to find out how to get one!

Signature-Snowflake-001_thumb1

To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

Stamp Sets – Happy Hour (126642c, 132013w) Ink – Not Quite Navy (126971), Not Quite Navy Stampin’ Write Marker (Regals Collection – 119701) Paper – Whisper White (100730), Not Quite Navy (101722), Early Espresso (119686), More Mustard (100946), Fan Fair Designer Series Paper (126918) Cool Tools – 1” Square Punch (124094), Fancy Flower Punch (118073), Paper Snips (103579) Finishing Touch – Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246), Large Rhinestone Basic Jewels (129324)

Happy Hour

Filed Under: Cards, Challenges, Masculine, Mojo Monday, Techniques Tagged: , , , , , , ,

Swallowtail Emboss Resist

Written by 4 Comments

Swallowtail 008 Main

The Swallowtail stamp is one of my favorites to create an simple but elegant card in just minutes.  Today I decided to emboss and show you a little emboss resist. 

Creative Tips:

  • I like stamping with the swallowtail stamp on an angle.  To me it’s like she’s in flight.  Try it at different angles.
  • This is a detailed stamp, so I encourage you to use an Embossing Buddy first on your Whisper White card stock. 
  • Next ink up your image in Versamark ink.  Versamark is a watermark pigment ink.  It’s sticky – that’s how we’re going to get the embossing powder to stick to it.  Because it’s a watermark ink, stamped on a color, you immediately have a faint (watermark) matching color of ink – it’s a must have!
  • Next I poured White Embossing Powder all over my Swallowtail image.  Because our powder is so fine, it really gets into the detail of this stamp well.  If you haven’t tried Stampin’ Up! embossing powder, I encourage you to do so.  I guarantee you’ll notice the difference, my customers swear by it!
  • Melt your powder using our Heat Tool being sure to really get the entire image.  Tip – if your powder looks grainy and not smooth, it’s not melted.  With an image this large it’s easy to miss some, so take your time and check.Swallowtail 008 CU
  • I used Tangerine Tango to color my butterfly.  I gave my project a couple of minutes to cool, and then sponged my Classic Tangerine Tango directly over my image.  The raised embossed image resists the ink and pops.  It’s a cool technique that’s a big wow. 
  • To finish my project off, I sponged around the edge to create a frame. 

You can over emboss, and there’s no real fix for that.  Before I joined the Stampin’ Up! sisterhood, I over embossed all the time. I would get so frustrated because my images always looked really funny and not that pretty.  My embossing powder would turn this funky color, and you just knew it wasn’t right.  I guess that’s why I’m not a good griller either…I always over cook the meat.  It never looks done…lol!

This is a simple project that really comes together in minutes.  I love the simplicity of it.  Now it’s your turn!

Are you getting my Exclusive Video Series?

Be sure to sign up for my Creative Tips Newsletter and get the latest Creative Grove news in addition to my free Creative Techniques Video Series!  Don’t miss out on our creative community – the only way to get this exclusive content is to sign up in the box on the upper right or click here.

Signature Snowflake 001

To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

Swallowtail 008 Main

Stamp Sets – Swallowtail (129213w, 129216c), Thanks so Much (retired) Ink – Versamark (102283), Tangerine Tango (126946)  Paper – Whisper White (100730), Tangerine Tango (111349) Cool Tools – Heat Tool (129053), Embossing Buddy (103083), White Embossing Powder (109132) 

Swallowtail Stamp 129216L

Filed Under: 10 Minutes or Less, Cards, Techniques Tagged: , , , , , ,

A great Tip for Edgelits

Written by 2 Comments

Lacy & Lovely 01w Main

One of my customers was recently going through one of my many basket of cards for ideas here in my classroom.  She stumbled upon this card and I happened to tell her that I made 100 of these last summer.  She said there was no way she would ever cut out that many of those Finishing Touches Edgelits because she didn’t like to pop out the little pieces (notice there are two on this card – so that’s 200!).  I told her I’d show her a little trick I learned along the way and thought I’d share that with you today too!

001

Anytime I’m using the Doilies or Edgelits, I use a lint brush to help me get out those little pesky pieces.  It does most of the work for me and I then can quickly pop the remaining ones out with my Paper Piercing Tool.  It goes so quickly, I think you’d be absolutely amazed!

Another little tip I have for when you are mass producing them is to run two through your Big Shot at the same time.  While it’s not recommended to do more than that (you can actually break your machine if you force anything through), what’s great about doing two is that on one all the little pieces come completely out!  Then on the second I just whip out my lint brush & Paper Piercer and finish it off. 

If you’d like to see all the details of how I made this card Click Here.

Try it, I think you’ll be amazed!

Signature Snowflake 001

To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

Lacy & Lovely 01w Angle

Stamp Sets – Lacy and Lovely, Travel Journal Script Builder Wheel Paper – Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, So Saffron Ink – Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, So Saffron Cool Tools – Big Shot, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Delicate Doilies Sizzlits, Decorative Label Punch    Finishing Touch – Stampin’ Sponges, Stampin’ Dimensionals,  Pearl Basic Jewels, Linen Thread

Lacy and Lovely

Filed Under: Big Shot, Techniques Tagged: , , , , ,

Collage Curios Bottle Caps

Written by Leave a Comment

Collage Curios 002 Main

Have you tried out the Soda Pop Tops (Bottle Caps) out yet?  This was my first attempt at making a way cool card with them. This project was one of our make n takes at the CG Crew team meeting in March.  We also made a very cool necklace pendant with this set as well. Click Here to find out more about the CG Crew

I love how all the elements come together on this project.  It’s fun, has a little of a modern vintage flair, does that even make sense?

Creative Tips –

  • We started with a Pool Party base in our Core’dination’s card stock run through the Big Shot with the Honeycomb Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (TIEF).  We then sanded it down to reveal the cool pattern in a distressed look using the new Stampin’ Sanding System. (You can get the Pool Party Core’dinations card stock in a package until 5/31, next year it’s in a combo pack – so stock up while you can!)Collage Curios 002 Side
  • The banners are stamped and cut out with the Hearts a Flutter Bundle that includes the Stamp Set and Framelits. 
  • One of the Paper Doilies was cut in half and angled so that it fit behind the banners.
  • I love the whole Very Vanilla/Whisper White thing that’s very on trend today, this card shows it off very well.  What do you think?  Do you like it, or does it just look wrong to you?  Let me know!
  • The new 5/8” Flower Trim is an awesome accessory.  I cut just one off and added it with a few glue dots.  I always leave the netting on the back, some of the CG Crew just couldn’t leave it on and had to trim it away, I guess to each her own, right?!Collage Curios 002 CU
  • For a little color pop, I added a few strips of Riding Hood Red that were distressed using our new Distressed Tool.
  • The oval was cut out of our First Edition DSP using our new Oval Framelits.
  • Collage Curios is an awesome stamp set to use with the bottle caps.  I love layering the different stamps in this set.   Here I used Crumb Cake, Pool Party, Riding Hood Red and Early Espresso.
  • To flatten the bottle caps (Soda Pop Tops), you just run them through the big shot.  It’s so super easy, and you have a really cool little embellishment. I love this little card.  It’s fun, flirty and a good blend of some of my favorite things from the Spring Catalog – ending next week (sniff…sniff).  I hope you love it too!

Are you getting my Exclusive Video Series?

    Be sure to sign up for my Creative Tips Newsletter and get the latest Creative Grove news in addition to my free Creative Techniques Video Series!  Don’t miss out on our creative community – the only way to get this exclusive content is to sign up in the box on the upper right or click here.

    Signature-Snowflake-001_thumb1_thumb[1]

    To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

    Collage Curios 002 Angle

    Stamp Sets – Collage Curios (129102c, 129099w), Hearts a Flutter (129252c, 129249w) Bundle (131097c, 131098w) Ink – Pool Party (126982), Early Espresso (126974), Crumb Cake (126975), Whisper White (100730), Riding Hood Red (111348) Paper – Very Vanilla (101650), Pool Party Core’dinations Card Stock (129321), Riding Hood Red (111348), First Edition DSP (127821), Paper Doilies (129399) Cool Tools – Oval Framelits (129381), Hearts a Flutter Framelits (130159), Stampin’ Distress Tool (127562) Big Shot (113439), Honeycomb TIEF (129378), Stampin’ Sanding System (129367), 1” Circle Punch (119868), 1/2” Circle Punch (119869) Finishing Touch – Glue Dots (103683), 5/8” Flower Trim (126869), Soda Pop Tops (129388)

    Collage Curios 129102L

    131097L

    Filed Under: Big Shot, Cards, CG Crew Tagged: , , , ,

    Best of Butterflies Color Splash

    Written by Leave a Comment

    Best of Butterflies 002 Main

    When I think of butterflies, I think of color.  Butterflies are spots of color that fly around and color our world.  It may be simplistic, but that’s what I see every time one flies by.  So today I thought I’d add a little color to your world using the Best of Butterflies 25th Anniversary stamp set.  Be sure to stop by tomorrow for the RemARKable Blog Tour with this set.  You’ll get tons of ideas!

    Best of Butterflies 002 SIde

    Creative Tips –

    • I stamped my butterflies in Jet Black StazOn so that they wouldn’t smear when sponged.
    • Normally I would use Sponge Daubers, but today I wanted a little messier a look, so I used my everyday Stamping Sponges.
    • Tip – I wanted the sponging to have a light look, so I did it in a circular motion starting on my grid paper and then onto my butterfly.  That way the harsh starting color isn’t on my project.
    • When I think of the traditional butterfly, I think of the Monarch, so I started with two colors – Crushed Curry for that vibrant deep yellow and Tangerine Tango because that’s just the perfect shade. Best of Butterflies 002 CU
    • I added a fun, bright blue – Bermuda Bay and wanted a purple, so I settled on Rich Razzleberry.  I have to admit, it’s not my favorite shade for this project, but couldn’t settle on any other.  What do you think?
    • I wanted a vibrant color on the inside that worked with all the colors so I chose Crushed Curry – one of my new favs! I added a full card panel on the inside.  You could adhere it to the front cover, but the card would lose the flight effect.

      • Best of Butterflies 002 Inside

    • I have to admit, the greeting was not supposed to be a banner, but I dropped my card on my Razzleberry ink pad – whoops!  Yes, I know, you’re thinking glad it’s not just me!  Well if full disclosure is what you want, look at the bottom butterfly, see the extra ink?  I cut out a little notch where it was really noticable, but couldn’t get it all – that’s okay, I’m human too!
    • So to fix my Razzleberry spot on my card, my greeting went onto a banner.  Since I didn’t have any layers on the top of the card, I didn’t pop my banner up.
    • The greeting is with our Made for You stamp set which is only available for two more weeks!  It’s a great go to set that is so inexpensive, don’t miss out on this gem.
    • For a little pop, I added the Pearl Basic Jewels on the butterfly heads – cause let’s be honest, the heads look a little freaky, so this way they are covered up in an elegant way. Best of Butterflies 002 Front

      • I hope you love my little splash of color into your day today.  This is a fun, quick and bright card that works for any occasion.  I like the messy colored look of it – kind of like I threw paint at it.  Well, almost! 

      Are you getting my Exclusive Video Series?

      Be sure to sign up for my Creative Tips Newsletter and get the latest Creative Grove news in addition to my free Creative Techniques Video Series!  Don’t miss out on our creative community – the only way to get this exclusive content is to sign up in the box on the upper right or click here.

      Upcoming Blog Tour

      Be sure to stop by this Sunday for the 25th Anniversary Blog Tour featuring this cool stamp set.  20+ stampers with great ideas – you won’t want to miss it.

    Signature-Snowflake-001_thumb1_thumb[1]

    To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

    Best of Butterflies 002 Angle

    Stamp Sets – Best of Butterflies (133345c) Made for You (126342c, 126340w) Ink – Jet Black StazOn (101406), Tangerine Tango (126946), Crushed Curry (131173), Rich Razzleberry (126950), Bermuda Bay (131171) Paper – Whisper White (100730), Crushed Curry (131173) Cool Tools – Paper Snips (103579), 1” Square Punch (124094), Stamping Sponges (101610) Finishing Touch – Pearl Basic Jewels (119247)

    Best of Butterflies

    Untitled-12

    Filed Under: Cards Tagged: , , , , , ,

    Best of Butterflies Flight

    Written by Leave a Comment

    Best of Butterflies 001 Set

    Sometimes we just need a quick and elegant card for an occasion.  Today I needed a birthday card that was impressive, but didn’t take a ton of time.  The Best of Butterfly set is perfect for this occasion.  Who doesn’t like butterflies?  I decided to go with one of my favorite retiring colors – River Rock.  River Rock looks stunning with Basic Black, so my choices today were quite simple.

    Best of Butterflies 001 Side

    It’s my son in-law Jeff’s birthday today, and I thought this card would be perfect.  The colors are neutral, and the butterfly is cool.  And since he’s a cool guy, it’s a perfect fit.

    Creative Tips:

    • I wanted to add a little splash of color, so I inked up my clear D stamp block in River Rock and stamped it on a piece of Whisper White card stock.
    • I popped the butterfly image on top in Basic Black and gave it a quick zap with my heat gun to set the black ink. 
    • The greeting is from the set You’re Amazing, and although I probably could have put it on an accent using Apothecary Accents Framelits, I thought it was better by itself today.Best of Butterflies 001 CU
    • I popped up the Butterfly once I matted it on Basic Black.  I thought it needed just a little pop of elegance, so I added a few Pearl Basic Jewels for a nice effect.
    • When adding Pearls, I like to place them in three in an asymmetrical triangle.    So I used two below connecting to the point within the Butterfly and three above.
    • I refrained from wanting to place more pearls in the design portion of the greeting as it was too much.  As a rule – when you want to stamp or place one more somewhere – stop! Best of Butterflies 001 Height

      • This card took just a few minutes to put together and is a great go to card for any occasion.  I hope you love the end result just as much as I do.Best of Butterflies 001 Main

      Are you getting my Exclusive Video Series?

      Be sure to sign up for my Creative Tips Newsletter and get the latest Creative Grove news in addition to my free Creative Techniques Video Series!  Don’t miss out on our creative community – the only way to get this exclusive content is to sign up in the box on the upper right or click here.

      Upcoming Blog Tour

      Be sure to stop by this Sunday for the 25th Anniversary Blog Tour featuring this cool stamp set.  20+ stampers with great ideas – you won’t want to miss it.

    Signature-Snowflake-001_thumb1_thumb

    To Shop 24/7 in the Creative Store – Click here!

    Best of Butterflies 001 Angle

    Stamp Sets – Best of Butterflies (133345c) You’re Amazing (126722c, 126720w) Ink – River Rock (126977), Basic Black (126980) Paper – Whisper White (100730), River Rock (126977). Basic Black (126980) Cool Tools – D Clear Stamp Block (118485) Finishing Touch – Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Pearl Basic Jewels (119247)

    Untitled-12Best of ButterfliesD Block

      Filed Under: 10 Minutes or Less, Cards, Clean and Simple, Masculine Tagged: , , , , ,
      « Previous Page
      Next Page »