Neutrals challenge....

Recently I participated in a challenge with one of my yahoo groups where we had to make a card using only colors from Stampin' Up! Neutrals collection.  Here is the card I made for my challenge partner.  I used the Neutrals Patterns Collection in some of its colors.  You cannot tell from this shot (because it is laying on my counter) but the card is Soft Suede with a Very Vanilla layer on front.  I used white embossing powder to stamp and emboss the Mixed Bunch flower onto vanilla card stock.  Then I punched it out with the Blossoms punch and smudged it with Crumb Cake ink--inside the petals and around the edges.  Can you see the pearls I put on the dots in the center of the flower?  The sentiment is from the Sale-e-bration Elementary Elegance stamp set.  I hope my partner liked it!

 Here is the same card, photographed on a white background and without the pearls.  I think the pearls add to that flower, but it's OK without them, too.

This is the challenge card I received from Rhonda Sands.  She did a wonderful job and added pearls to hers, too.

My friend Rose Kerry also participated (she had another partner) but she graciously shared her card with me, too.   I love her layout!  I can't believe those beautiful flowers she made.  They even made it through the mail to me without getting scrunched.

 Here is the inside of Rose's card.  She always goes the extra "mile" to decorate her inside.  What a treat to receive TWO cards from this challenge!  Thanks, ladies!!

Stop in again to see what's doing.  Smiles, Laura

Sort of Herringbone but not....

While I was playing with the herringbone pattern, I wanted to try this two-layer card.  I saw one like this on someone's blog and saved the picture to try my own.  These stripes are also cut 3/8" wide but I didn not adhere them in a herringbone pattern, but just diagonally across the card front.  The smaller, top layer I just layered the opposite way.  I popped up the front smalelr layer with dimensionals and added ribbon and a purchased butterfly to it.  I love this technique, too.

 Here is a close up of the front.  I did not use SU designer paper on this one but it is SU cardstock.

 So I decided to make another card using Stamping' Up! designer paper and to add a flower I made.  Here is this one.  The card is Island Indigo and I used patterned paper in Island Indigo, Poppy Parade, Pool Party and Crumb Cake for my stripes.  I love that bright Poppy flowers---again using the Mixed Bunch stamp set.  The sentiment comes from the Sale-a-bration Elementary Elegance stamp set. 

 Now look closely at this one to see the difference.  For it, I decided I wanted the Indigo to be more subtle, so I flipped the Indigo designer paper over to its lighter side.  What do you think?  Which do you like better?

I hope these inspire you to make a striped card of your own. Remember the paper itself does not have to be striped.  You can cut narrow stripes and make hyour own stripe.  Have fun!!
Smiles, Laura

I'm back!

I knew I had been away from my blog a long time, but I didn't think it was since March 11!!I'm sorry; all I can say is I've been busy with other things.  Stamping classes for one, but also redecorating a room at our church and now we are starting to work on a second room.  Also my 3 sisters and I had a Sisters Weekend last weekend.  We all went to Isle of Palms, SC, to stay with the sister who lives there and it was so fun!!  So I hope you haven't abandoned me entirely. 

I have a great card to share with you today.  I was waiting until I could demo this in my March classes before posting it here for you.  It's the Cascading Card.  I did show you the two Valentine ones I made on my February 14 entry, but did not give instructions.  Well, today you get the instructions.  This one below was made from Sahara Sand cardstock and I used the Mixed Bunch stamp set and the Blossom Punch and the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch to decorate it.

Here is a view from the top...

And I know it's after St. Patrick's Day but I have to show you the one I made for my son for St. Patrick's Day.  He was a March baby so this particular holiday has always been sort of our holiday.  I think he loved this card!
                                                   
OK, so here is how you make it:  I have put the instructions right on the picture.  I won't repeat them, but you can email me if you have questions.

(Since taking these pictures, I realized you can start with an 8" x 10.5" piece of cardstock and you will not have that 1/2" in the center to toss.  But if that confuses you, stick with these instructions.)

In case these instructions are too hard to see in the pictures, here they are:

Instructions:
• Start with an 8.5” x 10.5” sheet of CS. Mark one 8.5” side at 2.5” and 5.5” and mark the other 8.5” sideat 5.5” and 2.5”. Cut across the length of the card so that you end up with two “wedges”.

• Mark along the bottom of the two pieces at 1.75”, 3.5”, 5.25”, 7”, and 8.75”. Then score at each of these marks from the bottom to the slanted top.

• At the 1.75” score line, measure up to 2.5” (half way) and make a mark--on both pieces. At the 8.75” score line, measure up to 1.5” (half way) and make a mark—on both pieces.

• On one piece of CS, cut DOWN from the top to both these marks you just made on the two score lines. On the other piece of CS, cut UP from the bottom to both these marks you just made on the two score lines.

• Insert the two pieces into each other at the two cut lines, sliding one down and the other up into each other. Do this on both ends—at the 1.75” mark and at the 8.75” mark.

• Slowly fold up the two pieces, making alternating mountain and valley folds.  There is your cascading card! Decorate as desired.

Thanks for stopping in today.  I will see you again soon!!
Smiles, Laura

Mixed Bunch

Today I'm sharing a card my friend Judy and I made recently when we had a "play day."  I used Blushing Bride for this card, and layered the three strips of 3 different designer papers with Baja Breeze.  I stamped the flower from the Mixed Bunch stamp set with Blushing Bride on Bride cardstock and punched it with the new Blossoms punch.  We are really going to enjoy that punch!  I punched two pink flowers and one from Baja,which I used behind the flower for leaves.

 I stamped the center of the flower in Baja Breeze on vanilla cardstock and punched it out using a 3/4" circle punch.

The finishing touch to this one is the bow and ribbon made using Baja Breeze Seam Binding Ribbon.  It lays so pretty!  I thought this turned out to be a nice, feminine card, suitable for any of my friends.  What do you think?
Smiles, Laura