Almost two months ago, I told you about my friend Terri Orr, a cancer survivor who volunteered to host The American Cancer Society Relay for Life event in her county here in Georgia.  Terri planned a birthday party for the participants (“celebrating more birthdays” is such a beautiful tagline) and wanted to collect gorgeous hand-made cards to give to the attendees.  You can see my original post here.

I was not shocked to hear that you all responded in droves and gave Terri quite an abundance of beautiful cards.  From the bottom of my heart, I thank each of you who participated.  The event took place this past weekend, and here’s what Terri had to say:

You and these ladies together provided me with 205 cards.  I truly can’t thank you enough…I’m a very overtly emotional person anyway….and Relay always makes my emotions even more “raw and real”–basically, I cry like a baby (some tears of sadness, some tears of joy) over all the stories that are shared by survivors and their families and friends at each Event. Knowing that folks who are technically total strangers to me would ‘reach in and give’ so generously had SEVERAL of us in tears over the weekend as we looked at these cards. It is both humbling and empowering to feel that kind of connection and shared purpose. So, um, well…a big sloppy THANKS.

Yesterday I told you how I’m trying to refrain from showing products from the upcoming catalog.  I don’t want to show you stuff you can’t yet buy, and I don’t want you to be bored with these products when they come out – BUT I can’t help myself.  I am in love with this new set, Simply Sketched, a hostess set in the upcoming Idea Book & Catalog.  It’s worth saving up for a $150 order so that you can earn this set.  Love, love, love it.  With that, here’s my card:

So, here’s the deal.  When I decided I could no longer hold back and had to use this stamp set, I knew I’d have to pair it with First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper.  I wanted to tell you how you can still grab this paper before it’s gone and then pair it with this stamp set when you get it.  Pam called me yesterday, and I could hear tears in her heart and she said softly, “First Edition is gone.  It’s all sold out.”  Her voice got fainter as she sighed, “I can’t have any more of it.”  I’ll just say this - if you have some left, save it up for this stamp set.

Tips, Tricks and Reminders

• Layering on a printed paper.  I stamped the image on the First Edition paper in Early Espresso.  Yah, yah!  I know the paper print is Basic Black, but I wanted to use Early Espresso.  So kill me!  No, please don’t kill.  Sue me!  Oh, please don’t do that, either.  Anyway, I stamped the images loosely on the printed DSP and then again on Very Vanilla card stock.  I painted the flowers on the Very Vanilla, snipped them and then glue them onto the image.  This allows the flowers to really “pop”! 
• Coloring with a Blender Pen.  I used new colors to paint these flowers – an undercoat of Blushing Bride with a very light topcoat of Strawberry Slush.  The Strawberry Slush is applied loosely to the middle of each flower, keeping the sketched feeling.  Here’s a closeup:  

• Layering the sentiment.  I needed a shape around the sentiment that was strong but not bold enough to draw attention away from the beautiful flowers.  I layered the smalled oval from the Ovals Collection Framelits on top of the Decorative Label punch.  I really liked the look of it.  I sponged a hint of Blushing Bride to the edges – that was for Patti Willey.  See, I can sponge the edges every once in a while. 

Stamp Sets:  Simply Sketched  Inks:  Early Espresso, Blushing Bride, Strawberry Slush, Pear Pizzazz, Pistachio Pudding  Papers:  Early Espresso, Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla, First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper Accessories:  Decorative Label Punch, Oval Collection Framelits

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Brian

While I have already received several items from the new catalog, I’ve been making a concerted effort to share retiring items so you can make sure you snatch them up before they are gone.  While I’m sharing Patio Party Designer Series Paper (retires at the end of the month), I’m also sharing a sneak peek of Banner Greetings (a new hostess set in the 2013-2014 Idea Book & Catalog).  Here’s my card:  And here’s the MOJO Monday sketch challenge that inspired my card:

• Pairing sentiments.  I included sentiments from two stamp sets that really seem to complement one another here.  The minute I saw the little banner on this sketch challenge design, I knew I would be inking up Banner Greetings.  I quickly decided on the Designer Series Paper and color scheme.  I just couldn’t find the right image for the center of the scallop.  I tried a punched cupcake – too much.  I tried ”Wish Big” – too bold.  When my eyes were scanning my stamp sets and landed on this sentiment from Petite Pairs, I was elated.  They look like they were meant for one another.  Word of advice – get this sentiment set.  You won’t regret it.  I promise.  I’ll wait here while you click over to buy it.  Go ahead – you need it.
• Colors.  Once I decided to use Patio Party, the color selections for the rest of the card were simple.  Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit and Baja Breeze.  Done.  People often times say they have a hard time picking colors.  These are already chosen for you.  Done.
• Matting the layers.  More often than not, I add a matting to images that serve as a focal point on a card.  It there’s a circle with a sentiment on it, that circle will inevitably have another shape around it in another color.  After I laid out the panels of DSP on this card, I realized I needed matting.  I added a very thin layer of Midnight Muse around the pieces.  Perfection!  It was just what this card needed to make the panels pop.

Stamp sets:  Banner Greetings, Petite Pairs Papers: Midnight Muse, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Summer Starfruit, Patio Party Designer Series Paper Inks: Midnight Muse Accessories: 1-3/8″ Circle punch, 1-3/4″ Circle punch, 2-3/8″ Scallop punch, 3/16″ Corner punch, Scallop Edge punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals

THE SHARES ARE COMING!  THE SHARES ARE COMING!  I’ll soon be announcing my 2013-2014 product shares.  You don’t want to miss these – shares are a great way to get a portion of each product for a portion of the cost.  I’ll also be making Designer Series Paper Swatchbooks so you can reference or show your DSP’s.  If you would like to be on my email distribution list, please email me at stampwithbrian@gmail.com.   Otherwise, check back here later in the week for more information about how you can join one of my shares.    

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Brian

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, but I’ve been celebrating the day for a couple of months.  Today, I am sharing a card that also showcases a retiring stamp set, Bordering on Romance, and a combination of colors I stumbled upon and have fallen in love with.  Here’s my card:

Tips, Tricks and Reminders:

• A Unique Cutout.  I was playing around with this cutout from Apothecary Accents Framelits on another card and decided not to use it.  I used the “scrap” piece to cut out an oval and just centered the oval on the piece.  I decided to not use the oval, either, but quite liked the cobmination of the two.  I sized the Very Vanilla card stock such that the tips of the framelit cutout lightly tapped the edges.  I thought you’d like that. 
• Color Coordination.  This card started with two things I wanted to use:  this polka dot pattern from Tea for Two and the flowers from Bordering on Romance.  Calypso Coral has been successfully paired with cool Pool Party and bright Lucky Limeade.  When I wanted to soften it a bit, I reached for Wild Wasabi.  Something different, and I am so happy with the combination.
• Watercoloring.  On a sheet of Stampin’ Up! watercolor paper, I stamped the flowers with Black Stazon.  Using my AquaPainter, I painted the flowers with Calypso Coral and the leaves with Wild Wasabi.  Quick tip: start at the center and pull the color out.  Don’t color the entire image for a beautiful look.  Here’s a closeup:

Stamp sets:  Bordering on Romance, Delightful Dozen  Papers:  Calypso Coral, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla, Watercolor Paper  Inks:  Jet Black Stazon, Calypso Coral, Wild Wasabi  Accessories:  Apotehcary Accents Framelits, Ovals Collection Framelits, Stampin’ Dimensionals

To see another card I made with this stamp set, click here.  To see the list of stamps and accessories that are retiring at the end of this month, click here. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Brian

Some of my fondest childhood memories are of summer afternoons when I would whitewash the wooden fence outside of our country house.  Mom would sit with me on the weekends and tell me stories while I painted.  Such wonderful memories.  She would recite some of the Great American stories like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.  Oh, wait!  I’m confused.  I’m actually telling you the story of Tom Sawyer.  We didn’t have a fence, so I had nothing to whitewash - but it sure is a pretty look.

As I sat down to make a card for this week’s Mother’s Day-themed challenge for The Paper Players, I whitewashed this paper from Natural Composition.  It really set the tone for the rest of the project.  Here’s my card: 

Tips, Tricks and Reminders: 

• Not Your Typical Mother’s Day Card.  When I set out to make this card, I challenged myself to make an atypical Mother’s Day card – one that’s not filled with pink flowers and fluffy ribbons.  While I met my self-imposed flower and ribbons challenge, I let the pink in.  It just looks so good with the natural brown color of the paper.  Too good to pass up!   
• Natural Composition Specialty Designer Series Paper.  I love this paper.  Over the past year, I’ve played around with different ways to use the paper.  I sponged it here and here and left it alone here and here.  For today’s project, I added a different twist by whitewashing it.
• Whitewashing.  With an old Aqua Painter, I gathered up some Whisper White Craft Ink and swiped it across the paper.  I kept the painter moving in one direction - back and forth, back and forth.  When I covered the area, I swiped the entire card with a paper towel to remove the ink from the embossed areas.  I also whitewashed the Primrose Petals piece in the center of the Everything Eleanor shape.  Here’s a close-up: 

Stamp Sets:  Everything Eleanor, Loving Thoughts  Inks:  Primrose Petals, Whisper White Craft  Papers:  Primrose Petals, Whisper White, Soft Suede, Natural Composition Specialty Designer Series Paper  Accessories:  White Embossing Powder, Aqua Painter, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!  Check out the other inspiration cards at The Paper Players site.

Brian

Gather ye ’round for it is time to announce the winner of my Blog Candy Giveaway.  Before I announce the winner, let’s take a peek at what this lucky person has won:

The winner of these amazing Stampin’ Up! products is Marianne Forsyth.  Marianne said, “I enjoy reading your blog every morning. Such great creativity inspire me. Thank you for that and chance to win SU product.”  Clap!  Clap!  Clap!  Let’s hear it for Marianne! 

D-ear Marianne, please email me at stampwithbrian@gmail.com with your mailing address.  I’ll get this package of goodies mailed out as soon as tomorrow.  If I don’t hear from you inside of a week, then I’ll know that you don’t really read my blog every morning and will sadly restock my organized room with them. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Brian

Colorful, vibrant cards are incredibly wonderful.  I make a lot of them, but it’s nice to step away from all the color every once in a while and retreat to colorless hues.  I made a lot of bright cards this past week with flowers and sunshine, but I’ve also had an itch to use the Postage Due stamp set for a while.  Why not cap off a colorful week with this muted and elegant card?  I’m very happy with how it turned out.   

Tips, Tricks and Reminders

• Double Time Stamping.  Triple Time Stamping came back with a vengeance last year.  It was (and still is) very hot.  Line up the layers of white card stock , stamp and then layer card stock beneath the layers to create a layered look.  As I studied this image from Postage Due, I knew I wanted to see it in layers, but I limited the layers to two so that the image wouldn’t get too broken up.  Rather than just stamping in black, I stamped with VersaMark and embossed both layers with black embossing powder.
• The Layers.  I want to share the measurements for the layers on the front of this card.  I was really happy with how it turned out, and some of that has to do with how effectively the card stock pieces are layered.  Here’s a quick rundown (working our way from the outside to the inside):
  • Basic Black – 5-1/2″ x 4-1/4″
  • Whisper White – 5-1/4″ x 4″
  • Basic Gray – 5″ x 3-3/4″
  • Basic Black – 4″ x 3″
  • Whisper White – 3-3/4″ x 2-3/4″
  • Basic Black – 3-1/4″ x 2-1/4″
  • Whisper White – 3″ x 2  
• Texture.  When I layered these pieces I knew I needed additional texture in the gray panel behind the stamped image.  Should I use an embossing folder?  No, it will fight with the image itself.  Should I tear the paper to add a rough image?  No, it will detract from the clean lines – and you know how I love clean lines.  Here’s what I did:  I dragged my Basic Gray ink pad over the Basic Gray paper.  It adds just the right amount of texture to the background to give interest without detracting from the image in the center. 

Stamp Set:  Postage Due  Papers:  Basic Black, Basic Gray, Whisper White  Inks:  VersaMark, Basic Gray  Accessories:  Black Embossing Powder, 3/16″ Neutral brads, Stampin’ Dimensionals

There’s still time (maybe).  Yesterday’s post included a Blog Candy giveaway.  You can still leave a comment on this post for a chance to win this:

I will pick a winner tonight, so leave your comment on yesterday’s blog for a chance to win.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Brian

The weather has really started to shift this past week. While we should be bracing for Summer temperatures in Atlanta, it feels more like Fall is upon us. I expect to see the leaves dropping from the trees, but they are vibrant and green in this cool weather. My calendar still tells me it’s Spring, so I’ve been busy with some Spring cleaning and organizing in the fungeon. I must prepare for a new year with the release of the 2013-2014 Idea Book & Catalog. I’m also starting to make my DSP swatch books for the new catalog – can’t wait to start sharing those – and am prepping for product shares!

Sharing Some Blog Candy

In the midst of the cleaning and organizing, I’ve decided to “let go” of some really great Stampin’ Up! products, so I thought it would be great to share with you. Some of these products date back eight or nine years, but some are current in the Spring Catalog. All of them are in really great shape. It’s quite a variety of accessories and embellishments, and I think you will love them. Just leave a comment below.

Here’s what’s included in this blog candy giveaway:

• Wire Works 26-gauge Copper Wire
• 1/2″ Stitched Poly Ribbon, Poppy Parade
• 5/8″ Flower Trim
• Designer Builder Brads
• Fancy Fibers (6 feet of each fiber)
• Metal Edge Tags – Vellum Squares
• Hemp Twine

I’ll randomly select a winner tomorrow evening (Saturday, May 4) based on comments left on this blog post. The winner will be posted here and should contact me with their mailing information within a week. Sorry, England and Canada, but this offer is only good for folks in the U.S.

Totally Unrelated to Stamping – Video Share

While we are sharing with one another (OK, maybe I’m doing most of the sharing here, but I’m OK with that), I wanted to share a video with you. In 2007, I participated in a stand-up comedy competition. The Search for the South’s Funniest Accountant is held annually in Atlanta as a fundraiser for Junior Achievement and to help change the myth that accountants are boring, dull people. There were about 600 people in this theater, and this was my first time doing stand-up comedy. I’m really proud of this bit because it’s clean comedy and really shows my personality. My nerves were on fire backstage, but I was so comfortable once I stepped on that stage. Before you click on this, be sure you have 8 minutes to watch it – my favorite part comes about half way through. Here’s my little gift to you:

I didn’t win the competition in 2007 (didn’t even place) but participated again the next year – AND WON! I’ll share that video with you at some other time.  Too much going on today.

One More Share – a Sneak Peek

I’ve shared some product. I’ve shared an old video of me. Now, I’m going to share a sneak peek at the card I’ve got lined up for you tomorrow. Here’s what I’ve got for you tomorrow:

Doesn’t that look exciting?! 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Don’t forget to leave a comment below to enter my Blog Candy drawing. I’ll be announcing the winner tomorrow evening, so please don’t forget to come back to claim your prize (I have a really good feeling you will be the winner). You’ve got a week to email me to claim it. Offer good for U.S. residents.

Brian

Swatch Books and Product Shares.  I’ll be announcing my product shares and swatch books closer to the end of May.  If you’d like to be included on my mailing list, please send me an email at stampwithbrian@gmail.com to let me know to add you.  I’ll be posting them here, too, but won’t it be nice to receive all the information in an email?

Now that the anxiety of the Build-a-Card posts over the last two days has passed (you know you secretly liked it more than you’ll ever admit), I’m happy to share my submission for the Pals Paper Arts Color Challenge – a simple card designed with three colors selected by a panel of designers. Every other week, the Pals challenge us with colors and sketches. Anyone can participate, and I encourage you to give it a try.

You’ve heard me talk about challenges that are challenging – novel concept, huh? Well, this one is probably the most challenging color combination I’ve encountered to date: Pool Party, Summer Starfruit and Lucky Limeade. Say what?! I pulled out three sheets of card stock (one of each color) and placed the side-by-side on my desk. Yikes! I was hard-pressed to see how these colors could ever work together. One is soft and light; one is bright and bold; one is rich and deep. How could I ever pull this off? After playing around with these colors for a bit, I came up with this card:

And here’s the challenge banner:

Tips, Tricks and Reminders:

• Face the color challenge. The challenge is to create a card that is composed of all three of these colors. There’s no rule that says you have to maintain an equal balance of the colors. I couldn’t see how the colors fit together, so I made the background of my card with mostly Pool Party paper. I also reduced the impact from Summer Starfruit and Lucky Limeade by embossing the crowns in white embossing powder (white and black are typically “allowed” by most color challenges). The colors are definitely there, but their impact is muted by the white embossing.
• Find unique ways to use your stamps. OK, so I didn’t exactly turn these crowns into something other than crowns, but I think I successfully changed the images from childish and playful to sophisticated and beautiful. I’ve had this set since the Spring Catalog was released (I bought it because it has my last name in it – how silly is that?). I have tried to incorporate it over and over. I’ve not seen one with pearls (they are showcased with rhinestones in the catalog), so I thought it would be cool to make one of each to represent the king and queen. Also, part of what I’ve never liked about the set is that the opening at the base of the crown is stamped the same color as the other parts. It looks silly to me (this won’t make sense to you, but somewhere along the way, I started to feel like the base of the crown looks like frog lips). Changing the color sent the frog lips packing.
• Add texture. I absolutely love the texture created with the Core’dinations card stock. After I embossed it with the Chevron Textured Embossing Folder, I ran my sanding tool over the surface to break away some of the Pool Party card stock, revealing the filament underneath. Very cool!

Stamp Sets: You Rule!, Ciao Baby! Inks: Summer Starfruit, Lucky Limeade, VersaMark Papers: Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Summer Starfruit, Pool Party Core’dinations Accessories: Embossing Powders (Pool Party, white and clear), 1/2″ Circle punch, 3″ Circle Originals, 1″ Circle punch, 1-1/4 Circle punch, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Pearl Basic Jewels, Large Pearl Basic Jewels, Large Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Stampin’ Dimensionals

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Please check out the other cards (and maybe submit one yourself by clicking here.

Brian