Spring Inspired With Summer Smooches?

Today's card is one that I made for my Card Buffet this month.  I had the Hand Stamped Sentiments (#115 - Spring) Challenge in mind when I created it.

When I think of spring I think green. It's beautiful living in the North Georgia Mountains and I love to watch all the trees and plants sprout green in the spring.  And then of course all this greenery comes alive with beautiful flowers.   I had to laugh though when I realized I used the Summer Smooches Designer Paper for "Spring Inspired".

• Using a bold pattern like this one can be a bit of a challenge.  I met the challenge by using only two colors, and breaking the pattern up with the solid colored strip across the center of the card.

• I also wanted to keep the focal point simple but then I love clean and simple designs.

• The 5 Petal Flower Punch is one of my favorites.  It's retiring and will only be available until supplies last.  If if you've been thinking about adding this punch to your tool box order it now!

• The Summer Smooches Fabric Brad is gorgeous.  Oh please Stampin' Up! let big fabric brads be in our future this year. :) 

Stamp Set:  Short and Sweet (115060) Wood Only

Ink: Basic Black (101179)

Paper: Summer Smooches DSP (125409), Lucky Limeade (122926), Whisper White (100730)

Tools: 5-Petal Flower (119880), Scallop Trim Border (118402)

Accessories:  Summer Smooches Fabric Brads (No Longer Available)

Tomorrow is the last day to place an order for the Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper and the other products in this suite. If you haven't ordered them by the end of the day you will need to wait until June 1. The Petite Purse is so cute for little gifts and candy. Don't wait...order now. :)  

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More Summer Smooches Designer Paper

Hi Stampers!

What do you do with some of the designer paper that is bright and busy? What was that you said...use the other side. :D  That's right... sometimes it's a real challenge.    
When I first saw the Summer Smooches DSP I really liked it but there were a few patterns that I thought might be a bit too busy for me.  So today I decided to challenge myself by making a fun colorful mother's day card with one of the cute busy flower papers in this collection.

My solution is to use it with one of the smaller patterns (which happens to be on the backside) and make sure I don't put a busy layer on top of it.  In fact today I decided on a simple layered flower.  To give the flower additional dimension I curled the bottom flower petals to the back the front petals forward.  Notice how the center of the flower mimics the small flowers in the DSP?  The rhinestones add some real pop that is difficult to see in the picture.  

I didn't have a current Mother's Day Stamp so I used the one from the retired set All Holidays.  Because it had flourishes and additional words that I didn't want to use I took my black marker and colored just the part I wanted.

I see that Hand Stamped Sentiments has a Mother's Day challenge this week so looks like I have the perfect card.  They would love for you to visit and join a challenge.  If not this one there will be a new one next week I'm sure.

Stamp Set:  All Holidays (Retired)

Paper: Summer Smooches DSP (125409), Tempting Turquoise (102067), Real Red (102482), Daffodil Delight (119683), Whisper White (100730)

Tools & Accessories:  Scallop Edge Border Punch (119882), Fancy Flower Punch (118073), Boho Blossoms Punch (119858), Basic Rhinestones (119246)

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Hostess Set - Simply Soft - Challenges

Hi All!

Today I want to share a card that I will be entering into two challenges...Mojo Monday and Hand Stamped Sentiments.  Challenges are fun because they get the creative juices flowing.  Are you like many of my club and class members that say they can copy great but have no creativity? Well challenges can help spark that creativity.

The Mojo Monday Challenge is a sketch challenge and the Hand Stamped Sentiments Challenge this week is a color challenge.  So I pulled out the colors first and then decided how I would use them in the sketch.  It makes creating a card quite simple.

You will notice I did not put a sentiment on this card.  I will put one on the inside when it's time to send the card.  It gives me some flexibility.

The Stamp Set I used is a Hostess Set called Simply Soft.  It is a two step stamp set which creates a nice water color look.  The outline is first stamped with an neutral color then you use a second stamp to stamp the inside color of the flowers.  Since it is impossible to get it lined up perfect it looks like it has been water colored!

Hand Stamped Sentiments

Mojo Monday

The Simply Soft Stamp Set is only available to Hostesses or if you place an order of $150 or larger.  If you are local and would like to host a stamp party or a private card making class please email me or give me a call.  It's fun and with a qualifying order you will receive free products.

Stamp Sets: Simply Soft (C122472) (W122470), Fabulous Phrases (C120501) ( W117002)

Ink: Early Espresso (119670), Pretty in Pink (101301), Old Olive (102277)

Paper: Pocketful of Posies DSP (122354), Rick Razzleberry (115316), Pretty in Pink (100459), Early Espresso (119686), Whisper White (100730)

Tools and Accessories: Scallop Trim Border Punch (118402), Designer Buttons-Subtles (119745), 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon Early Espresso (119959)