Tag Archives: birthday card

Step right up..more cupcake fun!

Posted in Big Shot, Birthday, Card Ideas, Card Share, Stamp Set Spotlight, Techniques, Tutorial by

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I have to apologize for not posting my Sunday Share this week, life has been a little crazy the past few weeks.  My husband sprained his LCL so he is in a knee brace and having a little trouble getting around. He is wonderful about helping me since I also work full time but with his bum leg his number one priority is to rest so he can get better. He is healing nicely and moving around a lot better so I am able to get some stamping time in.

Today I want to show you how to use the two step or as I like to call it the “three step” Sweet Cupcake set to make this adorable birthday greeting.

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When you look at the set, you will notice on the image sheet there are little numbers letting you know what order to stamp the images in. But me being the rebel I am I like to stamp mine in reverse, 3, 2 then 1. For me it is easier to start with the solid then build the layers ending with the most detailed stamp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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First I picked the #3 frosting stamp.  It is the one that is pretty solid.and inked it up using Pink Pirouette.  Stamp off on scrap paper once to make the image pretty light. Then stamp on a small piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Next I picked the #2 frosting stamp, ink again in Pink Pirouette and stamp directly over the first image.  Note: Because this ink is so light I did not stamp off first but stamped it in full strength.  Final step use the #1 stamp and  using the same ink again, stamp over the image.  Again full strength ink to make those frosting swirls come to life!

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Now we are going to do the same with the cupcake.  Using the #3 cupcake stamp I inked it using Chocolate Chip classic ink.  This time I stamped it off not once but twice on my grid paper to make it as light as I could. Then I stamped it on the same scrap of Whisper White cardstock as the frosting.  Next up the #2 stamp, ink in Chocolate Chip then stamp off once on the grid paper and stamp over the first image.  Last take the #1 stamp, ink stamp using the Chocolate Chip full strength over the other two images and viola a yummy cupcake with loads of detail.

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For the candle this is a two step, I stamped the solid candle in Pink Pirouette then the stripes using Chocolate Chip ink.  The Flame is stamped using Pink Pirouette

Run everything through the Big Shot using the coordinating framelits.  The word “wish” was cut from Pink Pirouette cardstock.

Learn more about the coordinating framelits and Big Shot here.

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Using the Clear Wink of Stella pen I colored over each piece, just to give it a little bit of glimmer. This is one of my favorite new toys!  Love how it dries so quick and gives a subtle sheen.  When I looked at the candle I thought it should be inside the frosting just how a candle would be. So time to break out the old X-Acto knife and self healing mat to cut a small slit.  Then I inserted the candle.

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Time to assemble the card!  The polka dot DSP in Chocolate Chip is adhered to a Pink Pirouette panel and attached to the far left side of the card base.  A Fun Tip: When using photopolymer word stamps it is so easy to create your own phrases. I took “Make A” and “Big”  and mounted them on one clear block to make a single “stamp”.  I stamped this with Chocolate Chip ink onto a Whisper White panel.  This is the mounted on Chocolate Chip cardstock then Pink Pirouette cardstock, attach to the card base as shown.  Using itty bitty teeny tiny dots, no bigger than a pin head of Mono Liquid Glue attach “wish” under the stamped greeting.  Dimensionals are used to attach the cupcake and frosting taking care to make sure the candle creates the “I” in wish. Then attach the little flame.  The final touch, a little bling by adding three rhinestones at the bottom.

The final card!

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Sweet Cupcake Set – Stampin’ Up!

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!  Check back soon, next time we will continue the bundle and Big Shot theme with the set Jar of Love. As always if you have any question please feel free to contact me any time!

Happy Stamping!!

~Jo

Supplies used today:

Having Fun with the Big Shot!

Posted in Big Shot, Birthday, Card Ideas, Card Share, Tutorial by

This is by far my favorite tool, I use this little baby all the time!  I remember before the Big Shot debuted, when you wanted to dry emboss you needed to use a light table and brass stencils and all the fussy cutting of images, I don’t miss that at all!

The Big Shot retails for $110.00 and includes two standard cutting pads and platform. You may have sticker shock with the price, it is a lot to spend but this tool is worth every penny! The amount of time saved, plus all the awesome things it can do with it make it a must have purchase that you will use for years to come!  If you would like to know how to reduce the cost by 50%, let me know I would be glad to help you!

Now let’s get started with a simple card using both framelits and a textured embossing folder.  This tutorial will show the most popular ways to use the Big Shot; to emboss and to cut out images.

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Clockwise from left: Cupcake Cutouts Framelits, Confetti Textured Embossing Folder, Standard Platform, Big Shot Machine, Finished Project, Magnetic Platform, Standard Cutting Pads, Sweet Cupcake Set.

First let’s start with embossing!

If you have been stamping as long as I have, you will remember the only way to dry emboss was to use those fancy little brass stencils and the light table plus you had to be near an outlet. The Big Shot eliminates all that so it is completely portable. I have even taken mine camping!

You will need a Textured Impressions Embossing Folder or TIEF for short.  Here, I am using the Confetti TIEF.  I love this folde with how the confetti acts as a frame.  You will note one side has indentations and the other side has raised images, this is what will create the embossed effect when the two sides are pressed together.  Simply open the folder and slide the cardstock inside, then close it up.

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Now we are ready to run this through the Big Shot.  You will be using a standard platform and two cutting plates, making a little embossing “sandwich”.  If you have an older platform like me it has several tabs with each one used for a different function.  Tab 2 is used to cut framelits and thinlets and Tab 1 is for embossing.  Flip open to Tab 1 and place one cutting pad on the platform.  The new platforms available through Stampin’ Up! no longer have the tabs.  Now add your TIEF on top, then place the other cutting pad on top of the TIEF. You have now created your “sandwich”.  Slide it into the Big Shot as shown, grab the handle and crank away. This is my favorite part, it will pull it along as you crank, squishing the two sides of the TIEF together making a perfectly embossed panel!  So much quicker that tracing those brass stencils isn’t it?

After embossing my panel I wanted the raised images to stand out a bit so I sponged the panel with Soft Sky classic ink and a sponge dauber.  Then I stamped the greeting using Chocolate Chip classic ink.

Next up, cutting out a stamped image with the framelits!  You will need a set of framelits, I am using Cupcake Cutouts which coordinates with the Sweet Cupcake stamp set.  And bonus…they are available as a bundle!  Not only can you save 10% when ordered as a bundle but during the month of July, my personal monthly special is purchase any bundle in the current catalog you will receive a FREE bottle of Stampin’ Mist!

Taking another trip down Memory Lane, when you wanted an image to pop off the card you would stamp and then grab those scissors and cut away.  I can vividly remember making Christmas cards one year. I loved my design only thing I didn’t think of when creating one  card was all the cutting I was going to have to do for forty cards.  I can tell you by about the tenth card my hand was cramping and I was beginning to wonder what I was thinking with all that cutting.  Not so bad with one but forty…yikes!!  If I had a Big Shot I would have had those little images cut out in records time!

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To make the cute little cupcake, I stamped the image first on scrap cardstock using the Sweet Cupcake set, Soft Sky and Chocolate Chip Classic ink.  FYI- For my Sunday Share next week, I will be showing how to use the 3-step Sweet Cupcake photopolymer set to get that beautiful realistic shading!  Make sure you follow me so you know when a new post is available!!  After the image is stamped it is now time to cut it out.

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For framelits I use the magnetic platform.  Since they are made from metal when you place them over your stamped image they will “stick” to the platform.  This will reduce the risk of having the framelit shift so you get a perfect cut every time!  If you haven’t invested in the magnetic platform yet, you can tape down the framelit with a little piece of washi tape or the sticky side of a small post-it note.  You want to make sure you use something that will be easily removed from the paper without tearing it.

Now we are going to make another sandwich.  Place a cutting pad down on the magnetic platform.  You might notice all the cut marks, I have two sets of cutting pads.  One set I use for framelits and the other set for embossing only.  Next comes the stamped images.  Take note the framelits have a flat side and a raised side. It is very important that the raised side is placed down over the image with the flat side facing up.  Take care to line up the framelits over your image. If you’re using the magnetic platform it will stick in place if not be sure to secure the framelit as described above.  After the framelits are in the right spots cover with the other cutting pad.  Again you made another “sandwich”!  When cutting out images, I like to run it through twice to make sure it cut through.  I crank it one way and then reverse before I take it out of the machine. And viola your images are perfectly cut out!

Once everything was cut out, I went over the images with Wink of Stella in clear to give it a little shimmer.  Then I assembled the card using a Soft Sky card base, Chocolate Chip panel then the embossed panel.  Finally I attached the cupcake with dimensionals to make it pop!

And here is the finished card….

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Sweet Cupcake Set – Stampin’ Up!

Thank you for visiting today!  Be sure to check back often, I am in the process of updating several pages including …drum roll….video tutorials!  A little nervous about that but I know once I get through one video I will be OK.  And anyone who knows me, knows I love to talk!

Happy Stamping!

~Jo

Items used in todays share:

Stamping in the great outdoors!!

Posted in Paper Pumpkin by

100_0790I’m back from our family adventure in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York!  We had a really great time with lots of laughs. I was able to spend some time stamping while my husband, kids and the dog went swimming.  Of course my children that were with us are 30, 21 and 18, but in my mind they are forever little!  As you can see, the picnic table made a great spot for my stamping afternoon and using a Paper Pumpkin kit was a great idea!

100_0789I always start out by unpacking my kit so I can look over the exclusive stamps, pre-cut cardstock, all the accessories and read through the instructions.  I decided to use my May 2015 Paper Pumpkin, since everyone has a birthday!  This kit has everything you need to make six cards with matching envelopes and four adorable gift bags. You do need a pair of Paper Snips and adhesive like Fast Fuse.  I did bring my full size ink pads with me, but the kits come with cute little Stampin’ Spots, this one comes with Island Indigo.

100_0795This is the card, envelope and gift bag. They are so cute, perfect for any birthday celebration!  The stripes in the card are Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight and Whisper White and the back of the card is solid Island Indigo. The colors are so vibrant you can use it for any age or gender. The gift bag is a nice sturdy cardstock and comes with the yellow tissue paper for wrapping your gift.  The balloon cutouts let the bright yellow peek through! The instructions are easy to follow, perfect for any level stamper!

While I love everything that comes in the kits, I really get inspired once I start stamping and like to add a few extras to change things up a bit and see what I can come up with.  I used the card base, Calypso Coral balloon, white banner, coral and white trim, dimensionals and printed Bermuda Bay decorative strip included with the kit.  I added the following:

100_0796I started with a Calypso Coral card base, then I cut the card included with the kit in half, trimming the striped side down to 5 1/4″ x 4″ and the Island Indigo side to 4 3/4″ x  3 1/2″.  I mounted them to the card base as shown. I used the balloon cut-out and mounted it to the Island Indigo panel with Stampin’ Dimensionals.  Using the Calypso Coral and White trim I glued it down using Multipurpose glue.  Using Calypso Coral Ink I stamped “Celebrate” on the pre-cut banner and mounted it on a piece of the decorative strip that I cut down and notched, framing the greeting. Then attached it to the balloon with dimensionals.

Now my creative juices are really flowing!!  Next up I used the card base, pre-cut white banner, Island Indigo Ink, the coral & white trim, dimensionals and one of the gift bags from the kit. To this I added:

100_0799I cut a piece of Daffodil Delight cardstock 2″ x 4 1/2″, cutting the top with the Scalloped Tag Topper punch.  Then I trimmed 1 1/2″ from the top of a gift bag, making sure the entire flap was included.  Cut a small piece 1 3/4″ x 3 1/4″ from the flap. Mount to the tag as shown.  If the pre-punched holes from this section fall out you can do some clever covering up with the balloons and greeting!  Still using the trimmings from the top of the bag, I turned it over to the white side and stamped three balloons using Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight and Calypso Coral, cutting each one out.  Attach these to the tag and stamp the balloon strings using Island Indigo ink.  Cut a 9″ piece of the Calypso Coral and white trim and thread it through the top of the tag as shown, then mount the completed tag to the card base with dimensionals.  Stamp the greeting on the white banner using Island Indigo ink, attach to the tag using dimensionals.

Waste not..want not..make sure you keep the bottom portion of the gift bag!  Add four holes at the top using the 1/8″ circle handheld punch then add two handles using the Calypso Coral and white trim to make a little open bag, don’t forget to add the yellow tissue paper!

Here are the final projects!  It really was soooo relaxing to have a stamping afternoon surrounded by the quiet of the woods. When my family pulled up my husband commented on what a huge smile I had on my face!  Like I always say, stamping is one of the best ways to reduce stress, a little creativity a day keeps the doctor away!!

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’til next time!

~Jo

Watercolor Four Panel Birthday Card

Posted in Birthday, Tutorial, Watercolor by

Happy Wednesday!

100_0702For my first card idea I picked this one, which has been really popular on Pinterest. Since I posted it about a month ago it has been repinned almost 500 times!  Watercoloring is one of my favorite things to do, I think of it as grown-up coloring. It brings me back to my box of crayons and my coloring books as a little girl, so relaxing! It’s also a pretty easy technique for any level of stamper, there really is no right or wrong way to do it. You can just stamp and color or if you are feeling adventurous you can add some depth and shadows. I also love the layout of this card, the way the corners are rounded on two sides of each square, it really makes a beautiful focal point to the card. Have fun creating!

’til next time!!

~Jo

Supplies Used:

Sizes of cardstock:

Elegant Eggplant  – 1 piece (5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″, scored at 4 1/4″)

1 piece (3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″, cut into 4 squares 1 3/4″ x 1 3/4″)

Tip Top Taupe – 1 piece (4″ x 5 1/4″)

Shimmery White – 1 piece (3 1/4″ x 3 1/4″

Directions:

Attach Tip Top Taupe panel to the Elegant Eggplant card base and set aside.

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Stamp your flower and butterfly from the Best Thoughts stamp set onto the Shimmery White cardstock using the StazOn pad. This stamp set is an exclusive hostess set, with any qualifying workshop or individual order of $150 or more you can purchase this set for $10.00! The StazOn pad is perfect for watercolor as it is a permanent ink and will not bleed.

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With your ink pad closed, squeeze the pad to create a nice pool of ink in the cover. Use your Aqua Painter to pick up the ink and color your image. It makes it so easy to watercolor, no need to keep dipping your brush in water, it’s right in the pen!  If you want to have some sections of the image appear darker, apply the watercolor in layers, this way the cardstock won’t get too wet. I apply a base layer, then after it has dried a little I go back in and apply more color to create some depth.

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After the panel is dry, cut into four equal squares of 1 5/8″ x 1 5/8″.

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Sponge the edges using Tip Top Taupe ink. I also like to add a little to the white area so it creates a nice antique look.

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Use the corner rounder on each small square, as shown in the sample, this creates that interesting four panel effect.  Then mount each on the Elegant Eggplant squares using Fast Fuse adhesive. I found that it was easier to round the corners of the Elegant Eggplant squares after I attached the stamped image. Attach each section to the card using the Stampin’ Dimensionals, this gives it a nice raised look.

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Last step, stamp your greeting in Elegant Eggplant using the Happy Birthday image from the Butterfly Basics stamp set and now you have a lovely work of heart!

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