PALS Blog Hop: A Gift of Spring

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Brian

2013janhop_badge Thank you for joining us for the first Pals Blog Hop of 2013! Today the Stampin’ Pretty Pals are excited to introduce you to new Stampin’ Up! products that are available in the 2013 Spring Catalog and Sale-a-Bration brochure. We hope you find inspiration and ideas for using the new stamps, papers and accessories.

You should have just left stop number 18 on the Pals Hop – Debbie Crowley at expressivelydeb. If so, you are in the right spot. If you get off track, the full blog lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations.

A Gift of Spring

I can find beauty in almost anything – I’m an optimist that way. When I see an image or product I don’t initially like, I search for a reason to like it. I feel an urge to find its beautiful side or make something I like out of it. Today’s project is a mixture of things I did not initially like and things I ABSOLUTELY LOVED when I first saw the Spring Catalog and Sale-a-Bration brochure. Here’s my Springtime gift for you:

So, what did I dislike? What did I love? Let me break it down for you:

Love. There was no doubt in my mind I would love my Ovals Collections framelits. Just makes sense to get them since I use the other Framelit collections so routinely. I am not disappointed with that decision. They layer so nicely in this project.

Dislike. There’s no doubt in my mind I love the Sale-a-Bration set Feeling Sentimental. I love all three of the glorious images showcased there (I have more to share this week). I was hesitant, though, with the selected sentiment for that set, “Celebrate”. I was convinced it will be the least used stamp in that collection. After including it here, though, I feel more comfortable with that single word. I think it threw me off because it doesn’t really seem to go with the images in the set. On its own, it’s a winner!

Love. From the moment I laid eyes on them, I was in love with the embossed paper tags that come with the Pop-up Posies Designer Kit found on page 18 of the Spring Catalog. I immediately thought of a million ways I could use those tags – one of the first items I opened when my first order arrived.

Dislike. While I loved the embossed paper tag that accompanies the flowers and brads, I was not initially crazy about the flowers themselves. Loved the colors – you can’t go wrong with Calypso Coral and Pool Party – but how could I incorporate those flowers into a beautiful project? I didn’t see it – until I played around with them. I have another project this week using this product. I might have to order another kit…

Love. This Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper didn’t read “Springtime” to me at first, but I love, love, love it. I can’t wait for you to get your hands on some. Combining soft colors like Pool Party and Summer Starfruit with the rich, deep tones of Rich Razzleberry and Tangerine Tango, this DSP is sure to please. I couldn’t be happier with how it looks layered on this natural kraft box.

For the record, all of my “not like”s have been converted to “love”s. I was wrong, and I’m not afraid to admit it.

Stamp sets: Feeling Sentimental (Sale-a-Bration) Papers: Pool Party, Summer Startfruit, Whisper White, Sycamore Street (Sale-a-Bration) Inks: Rich Razzleberry Accessories: Ovals Collection Framelits (Spring), Pop-up Posies Designer Kit (Spring), Blossom punch, Kraft Gift Boxes

Thank you for stopping by today!

Brian

The next stop is Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts by Patti, stop number {X} on the Pals Blog Hop! Thanks for visiting – and I hope to see you next month!

Blog Hop Line Up List:

Simple Snowflake card

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Brian

After a long and wonderful weekend at my Mom’s house in Charleston, SC, I was traveling back to Atlanta all day today. Because my time is so limited, I am sharing a sweet and simple card I made for a workshop last week. This card features one of the most popular stamp-and-punch combinations with my customers, Mixed Bunch and Blossom punch.

This gorgeous set has an amazing assortment of flowers and a delicate medallion. Three of the images coordinate perfectly with the Blossom punch for a perfectly cut-out image every time.

Tips, tricks and reminders:

I’m afraid to define “temporary”. I’ve already divulged my addiction to this color and have featured several Baja Breeze projects over the past two weeks. I realize it might not be everyone’s favorite color. After today, I vow to you that Baja Breeze will be on a temporary hiatus from my site.
Don’t recreate the wheel. This card uses the same, basic layout as the card I made for Brooke’s birthday celebration last week (remember?) I wanted to use this large, delicate shape, so why not let it stand out in a format that’s already familiar?
Turn it on its side. Remember that there are several ways to score and cut a sheet of card stock so that it still fits into the medium-sized envelope. This card opens sideways - always fun to watch someone try to open this from the bottom.
Add texture. The seam binding ribbon (if you haven’t already worked with it) has a wonderful texture that really stands out on any project. Give it a try!

Stamp sets: Mixed Bunch, More Merry Messages Papers: Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla Inks: Baja Breeze Accessories: 1/2″ Seam Binding Ribbon (Baja Breeze), Blossom punch, 3/16″ Neutrals Brads (Very Vanilla), Paper Piercing Tool, Stampin’ Pierce Mat

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Brian

Get Well, Sunshine!

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Brian

Sometimes you just need a cheery and bright card. That’s where Mixed Bunch comes into play. Here’s a quick and easy card I made to brighten anyone’s day. Of course the sentiment is replacable with almost any greeting – “hello”, “happy birthday” or “feed the cat” would work just as well here.

Here’s my card:

I learned this “sunlight” technique from a stamping blogger. It’s really easy, and makes quite an impact. I held a piece of scrap paper at the base of the card (where the center of the flower is now) and extended it to the right edge of the card. Using my sponge daubers, I sponged Daffodil Delight onto the card from the bottom edge of the scrap paper. I moved my scrap paper around the card bit by bit to make this rays effect. Pretty cool, huh?

I originally designed this card with the peacock from World Treasures but replaced it with the flower because the peacock looked too much like a rooster you’d find on an IHOP print ad. I love the simplicity of the bold flower with the busy background.

Tips and Reminders:

Mix your patterns. What made the peacock not work was that the intricate designs in the peacock feathers fought with the pattern of the rays in the background. It’s best to mix intricate patterns with solid ones or solid ones with solid ones, but intricate and intricate rarely work well together. I liked the background of this card so much that I simply replaced the peacock with the flower. Don’t worry! I saved the peacock, and you’ll see it again.

Stamp sets: Mixed Bunch, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Betsy’s Blossoms Inks: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Gumball Green Papers: Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Gumball Green Accessories: Blossom Punch, Sponge Daubers, Word Window Punch

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Brian

PALS Blog Hop – Summer Sunshine

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Brian

It’s time for some fun in the sun with the Pals! Glad you could join us for the Pals Summer Sunshine Blog Hop! You’ve probably hopped over from Lori Martin’s blog, I’m stop number 20 on the Pals Hop and I’m glad you hopped in! I’ll help you “hop along” from blog to blog where you’ll find great ideas for summer themed Stampin’ Up! projects from the Stampin’ Pretty Pals!

The beauty of summer is found in the colors and textures of nature – the bright yellows of the sun’s rays, the delicate touch of a flower’s petals, the firm textures of woody trees and twigs. To celebrate summer, I made an adorable wooden gift box with Natural Composition Specialty Designer Series Paper and the Fancy Favor Bigz XL die. I love how the heavy-weight Specialty DSP appears embossed with a glossy wood grain texture – it adds a nice touch to this little gift box. I brightened up the wooden box with a belly band of Floral District DSP and a small strip of Daffodil Delight card stock and then adorned the belly band with a faux suede flower. To add a touch of summer sun to the gift box, I created a fan with the Designer Rosette Bigz XL die and Floral District DSP.

Below is a close-up of the texture I created on the flower and belly band:

Here are some helpful tips to help you achieve this same look:

Add a simple touch of scoring. In the center of the Daffodil Delight band around the box, I added two scored lines. It’s a simple and lovely way to add a subtle elegance to any project.
Add texture with faux suede. After I punched the flower from Soft Suede card stock, I rolled the image (from center to tip) with a bone folder. Really dig into the card stock to break down the fibers in it. Work your way around the flower several times until you can gently pull the card stock apart, leaving the inside texture of the card stock exposed. Layers and layers of faux suede in both Soft Suede and Daffodil Delight really add a special texture to this flower.

Stamp Set: Teeny Tiny Wishes Paper: Natural Composition Specialty DSP, Floral District DSP, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede, Whisper White Ink: Soft Suede Accessories: Designer Rosette Bigz XL, Fancy Favor Bigz XL, Bitty Banners Framelits, Perfect Pennants Bigz L, Blossom Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Bitty Buttons, Early Espresso Baker’s Twine, Bone Folder, Sticky Strip

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Now hop along for more inspiring ideas from Maxine Conrad’s blog, stop number 21 on the Pals Summer Sunshine Blog Hop! Thanks for “hopping” by!

Should you hop off course, simply click on any of the links in the Pals Hop Line-up below and you’ll be back on track.

A Mixed Bunch of Betsy’s Kisses

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Brian

Today, I challenged myself to use Betsy’s Blossoms in a cool, unique way. This stamp set, debuting in the 2012-2013 Idea Book and Catalog, features a cool bird, some small flowers, some leaves and an oversized, detailed flower. The flower makes a great feature image on a card or is perfect for a background cover. After playing around with the flower and punching it in various fashions (I had all my punches laid out on my craft table), I decided to try “kissing” another stamp. This technique, described briefly below, is perfect for combining one bold image and one detailed image.

First, I stamped the Mixed Bunch flower in Daffodil Delight. Then, I inked up the Betsy’s Blossom flower in Pumpkin Pie. I pressed the two together and then stamped the Mixed Bunch flower onto a piece of Whisper White card stock. Since the Betsy’s Blossom flower was stamped with a darker pigment of ink, that pattern transferred to the Mixed Bunch image. I did the same with Daffodil Delight and Tempting Turquoise and love the outcome! Very 70′s, no? Here’s a close-up of this “kissed” image:

Stamp sets: Mixed Bunch, Betsy’s Blossoms
Papers: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
Inks: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: Blossom Punch, 3/4″ Circle Punch, Stampin’ Dimmensionals, Brights Designer Buttons

stampwithbrian.com

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Tag Archives: Blossom Punch

PALS Blog Hop: A Gift of Spring

Simple Snowflake card

Get Well, Sunshine!

PALS Blog Hop – Summer Sunshine

A Mixed Bunch of Betsy’s Kisses

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