My Weblog

Project: "Go Green" with Scraps!

The most recent issue of the magazine sent to Stampin' Up! demonstrators covers a topic that is near and dear to my heart.... "Go Green"!  The article suggests ways to use up all the bits and pieces of card stock, patterned papers and embellishments that most crafters accumulate while enjoying their creative side.  It inspired me to make another "Strip Quilt" card using the tiny curled pieces of Designer Series Papers from having made pad and pen sets for my recent craft displays.  (If you haven't seen these sets yet, then you can view them here!)  Here is the resulting card:

I admit to using one of our retired colors for the card base - and some of the paper scraps - but Rich Razzleberry would look just as nice for the base... probably even better!  Some of the other supplies I used are:  Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set (pg.67), Classic Ink Pads - Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Soft Suede and Riding Hood Red (pgs.177-180) - for the watercoloring, Log Cabin and Gold Smooch Spritzes (pg.203) and Dazzling Details (Holiday Mini, pg.41).  I couldn't resist adding a sparkle of Dazzling Details to the cherries.  I absolutely love how the Log Cabin Smooch Spritz shows through the watercolored image giving the cupcakes some added texture and making the cake stand look like stoneware.

When using scraps like the ones I've used here, be sure to watercolor some touches here and there - especially where they are wrinkly and/or torn - to give them a vintage look... as seen in the close-up below.  It makes such a big difference in the overall appearance of the card.  (Note:  Click on the images for a larger view of them.)

I have been playing so much with Autumn and Christmas colors recently, that playing with all these other bright Spring/Summer colors has been such a nice change!

Now to get back to prepping for Saturday's Christmas Card Class!  It is being held in Yigo, Guam on Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 2:00-5:00 pm.  We'll be making a total of 12 Christmas Cards (3 each of 4 different designs).  Fee is $25.00 pre-paid.  I still have a few seats available, so contact me (maria@stampingwithmia.com) if you are interested in joining the fun!   Hope to see you there!

Happy Stamping~

Mia

"Grateful"

Some friends from Japan arrived on Guam last week.  We were busy visiting and didn't have the chance to stamp this time, but here are two cards I made earlier this month and haven't shared with you yet.  Both were made using the Always Thankful stamp set from the Holiday Mini catalog (pg.19).  This post is another example of how the same image can look very different depending on the colors and layout that are used.

The first card... with the purple and glitter accents... is contemporary in design.  The additional supplies needed to create it are:

Ink: Jet Balck StazOn

Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz, Perfect Plum

Accessories:  Spice Cake DSP (Holiday Mini, pg.17), Watercolor Wonder Crayons (pg.202), Dazzling Details (Holiday Mini, pg.41)

The second card is more traditional in color.  You will also need:

Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Chocolate Chip

Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand

Accessories:  Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Scallop Trim Border (pg.211), 1/4" Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon (pg.195)

Both are quick to create and color... using Stampin' Up!'s great Watercolor Wonder Crayons and Aqua Painters (pg.203).

Contact me today to place your order... or to learn how easy it is to watercolor using Stampin' Up!'s quality products.

Happy Stamping~

Mia