Leadership Artisan Samples 2015 - Build a Bouquet

Over the next few weeks, some of the 2014-2015 Stampin' UP Global Artisan Design Team will be sharing some samples that we were asked to make for the Challenge Boards at Leadership in Orlando. Here is just one of the boards that displays mine and Kaitlyn's work for this category of the Challenge. The other North American Artisans did other categories so be sure to check them out as well. See below for the links.

 

I have a confession....I had a REALLY hard time with this stamp set. It is a stamp set that coordinates with the Build a Bouquet kit and give the flowers dimension with stamping. I held it off until last and by the time I got to it, my stampin mojo was....well spent. I think the last card is my favorite. I love color combo of Hello Honey, Rose Red and Basic Gray. Funny thing, seeing these again (produced at the end of Dec) and I can think of how I could have added just a few things to make them even better. 

I hope that you like my projects and can use them to inspire you in some way! Check back soon for more Leadership display samples! Just three more to share and they were my favorites!

Thanks for stopping by!
Cindy

Here is a list of the other North American Stampin' UP Artisan Design Team  blogs! Come see who made what!

Allison Okamitsu - http://nicepeoplestamp.blogspot.com/

Becky Cowley - http://scrapjunkie-becky.blogspot.com/

Cindy Schuster - http://nutmegcreations.blogspot.com/

Kaitlyn Zumbach - http://createwithkaitlyn.blogspot.com/

Krista Frattin - http://www.stampindolce.com/

Mercedes Weber - http://mercedesweber.blogspot.com/

Sarah Sagert - http://www.sarahsagert.stampinup.net/blog

Fancy Friday Blog Hop - Fancy Technique

Welcome to the FANCY FRIDAY BLOG HOP for a

"Technique" Challenge!

My fancy friends and I are BACK! We loved working with each other so much that we decided to continue on with an all new blog hop to inspire you in fun new ways! Each month on the last Friday, we will bring to you new challenges of all kinds (color,sketch, stamp focus, etc) that you can even participate in!  This month we are doing FANCY TECHNIQUE FRIDAY! We are showing a technique that suits our fancy and we hope you give it a try!

My technique is probably one that you may have seen before but one I thought I would put my own spin on and bring it back. It is a way to create a watercolor background (or block of area) with your clear blocks. I love the look of watercolor! But sometimes my watercoloring does not always turn out like I want it. Are some of you afraid of watercoloring too? Here is a simple way to do it!

You will need Whisper White cardstock cut to the size you want, two Classic ink pads (Pool Party and Old Olive here), a Stampin' Spritzer filled with water, two clear blocks and a tissue. Guess what? I made my first stamping video ever! I even had my own "Tom the camera guy" to direct it. You can hear Allison give me her director's cue to start. 

I used the Butterfly Basics Stamp set with this card. I have seen such beautiful cards out there with this stamp set so I had to give the set some inky love. Loving this color combo too - Pool Party, Old Olive, Smoky Slate, Gold and Crumb Cake.

I had an extra stamped faux watercolor background from the video, so I grabbed some scraps on my desk (butterfly, gold glimmer paper and paper doily) and the Endless Birthday Wishes Photopolymer Stamp set (stamped in Hello Honey). The background layer is from Lullably Designer Series Paper.  I just love this pattern of this pack with the cute outline hearts in colors. Swoon!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope this inspire you!

Cindy

Now move on to the FABULOUS and FANCY 

Connie Collins by clicking on the next button below! 

Easter for Peeps' Sake - Stampin' UP Artisan Blog Hop

Welcome back to the Artisan Design Team Blog Hop! We are finishing up our February 2015 box from Stampin' UP. This box was full of brand NEW products from the Stampin' UP Occasions Catalog! Every Thursday of each week, all 16 of us from all over the world will post on our blogs an inspiring project for you! Be sure to get Google Translate so that you can read in your language all about how they created their projects too. Now on to my project this 4th week...I am getting a head start on some more Easter cards!

For my card, I used the Soft Sky Blendabilities Light for the brush-like-stroke lines across the Whisper White cardstock base. I stamped that cute little chick from the For Peeps' Sake Stamp Set in Daffodil Delight. I colored his beak with Pumpkin Pie and his eyes with Basic Black. I used Wild Wasabi Blendabilities to color in the green grass at his feet. I also used Daffodil Delight Blendabilities to color the dotted pattern strip from the Sale-a-bration Irresistibly Yours Designer Series Paper. Another coloring is on the Rhinestone center of the flower in Light Calypso Coral Blendabilities! Can you tell I love Blendabilities?

And here is a BONUS project! 

I created this card for a recent team meeting to demo Blendabilities and well it inspired me to create my Easter card. I used the Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky, and Daffodil Delight Blendabilities on this card. The bird and sentiment comes from the Sale-a-bration stamp set called A Happy Thing. I just loved the easy and simple layout too much not create more with it! If you ever want a splatter look, you must have Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set to do it! I used it with Crumb Cake on the background.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope this inspire you!!!

Cindy

You saw my friend, Becky Cowley before me and now move on to my friend, Helene Legrand by clicking on the next button below! Be sure to stop by all 16 of us!

Did you know that some of the team members did the Leadership samples this year? You want to check them out on this Friday's post! Be sure to come back! 

Leadership Artisan Samples 2015 - Irresistibly Yours

The North American team members of the 2014-2015 Stampin' UP Global Artisan Design Team will be sharing some samples that we were asked to make for the Challenge Boards at Leadership in Orlando. Here is just one of the boards that displays mine and Kaitlyn Zumbach's work for this category of the Challenge. The other 7 members did other categories so be sure to check them out as well. See below for the links.

For this challenge section, I was to showcase the Sale-a-bration Designer Series Paper called Irresistibly Yours. Did you know it is FREE?...with a 50$ purchase! This clear embossed white paper is so versatile and they wanted us to share different coloring techniques with it. 

I created this page first. I found the flower pattern so soft when you color with just a sponge dauber and classic ink. I used Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive Blendabilities with Blackberry Bliss ribbon and cardstock. All of these images are from the photopolymer stamp set called You're Wonderful. I thought it fit very well as the photo title. 

This next project uses the diagonal striped version of the designer series paper. This time I colored directly onto paper with Blendabilities - Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie and Coastal Cabana. I cut strips of them and add to my Kraft cardstock card base. I love how the vellum paper breaks up the stripes just enough to then focus on the tags. This stamp set with the cute duck is called One Tag Fits All. I colored him in with Daffodil Delight Blendabilities too.

This last project is quite cute yet I took an awful picture of it as it is has much more color then this. It is a "pop out of the box" gift. I took the stars pattern of the designer series paper and colored with Pool Party Classic Ink and a sponge dauber for a soft, sky like effect. I used the Gold Sequin to add a streamer of gold and then used them to cover the Tiny Treat Box. This 2" by 12" strip folds into the box perfectly and you even have room for a piece of chocolate. I would add a piece of Pool Party Cotton Ribbon with a bow on the outside.

I hope that you like my projects and can use them to inspire you! Check back soon for more Leadership display samples! Much more to share!
Thanks for stopping by!
Cindy

Here is a list of the other North American Stampin' UP Artisan Design Team  blogs! Come see who made what!

Allison Okamitsu - http://nicepeoplestamp.blogspot.com/

Becky Cowley - http://scrapjunkie-becky.blogspot.com/

Cindy Schuster - http://nutmegcreations.blogspot.com/

Kaitlyn Zumbach - http://createwithkaitlyn.blogspot.com/

Krista Frattin - http://www.stampindolce.com/

Mercedes Weber - http://mercedesweber.blogspot.com/

Sarah Sagert - http://www.sarahsagert.stampinup.net/blog

Indescribable Blendibilities - Stampin' UP Artisan Blog Hop

 Welcome back to the Artisan Design Team Blog Hop! We are winding down on our February 2015 box from Stampin' UP. This box was full of brand NEW products from the Stampin' UP Occasions Catalog! Every Thursday of each week, all 16 of us from all over the world will post on our blogs an inspiring project for you! Be sure to get Google Translate so that you can read in your language all about how they created their projects too. Now on to my project this 3nd week and my Facebook project for Stampin' UP...

For my first card, I played around with using the Blendabilities markers on Kraft cardstock and turns out I really love the look of it! I used the Indescribable Gift Stamp set and the Pink Pirouette and Wild Wasabi Blendabilities. This stamp set is so perfect for using Blendabilities with ease. TIP: When coloring on Kraft cardstock, you need to color each tone twice for a more brighter color. I went ahead and made another card with a similar layout as the first card. This time, I kept the stamp image and coloring to the center single layer. I used the Soft Sky and Wild Wasabi Blendabilites. The details on both included Pearls, those beautiful butterfly from the Butterflies Thinlits Dies and the Painted Blooms Cotton Twine.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope this inspire you!!!

Cindy

You saw my friend, Becky Cowley before me and now move on to my friend, Helene Legrand by clicking on the next button below! Be sure to stop by all 16 of us!

MDS Monday Sketch Challenge #101

Tami has a awesome sketch and video this week over on MDS Monday! Be sure to go check it out and then open up MDS to create a page with it! The sketch is fairly simple, so it leaves lots of room for imagination. You can use three photos, like the template, or combine them into one or two, like my example. You group the photos and then drag a photo over into the group. You gotta have just the right photo and I thought this one of my besties on our BFFs' Day Out was perfect. 

For my example, I used the designer series papers from Beautiful Today and the images from Painter Petals Brush Stamp Set. 

Challenge Guidelines:

• Please create a new MDS project for the current challenge.
• Provide a link back to MDS Monday or use the Challenge Graphic above within your post.
• Link directly to your Post for this challenge, not your entire blog. (So we can find your project)
• You can create a Card, Scrap Page or 3-D Object with the Sketch.
• The Challenge will end on Saturday February 21st @ 12pm EST. 
• Have fun! 

You can give the challenge a try and submit your own page if you click on the MDS Monday button on the right side! 

 Thanks for stopping by! I hope this inspires you today to get into 

MDS Mondays and our challenges!

Cindy 

Leadership Artisan Samples 2015 - Annual Catalog Blendabilities

Over the next four weeks, some of the 2014-2015 Stampin' UP Global Artisan Design Team will be sharing some samples that we were asked to make for the Challenge Boards at Leadership in Orlando. Here is just one of the boards that displays mine and Krista Frattin's work for this category of the Challenge. The other North American Artisans did other categories so be sure to check them out as well. See below for the links.

I was to create 3 projects showcasing the Annual Catalog Blendabilities. I was able to use two stamp sets from the Sale-a-bration selection and one famously funny Stamp set from the Occasions Catalog. The first card above has the perfect images from the Sale-a-bration Stamp Set called Big Day for coloring in with Blendabilities! While I did regular coloring on the other images, I created just dots in the wording CAKE with the Light, Medium and Dark of Calypso Coral to make an ombre look. It created a really fun look and showing another way to use Blendabilities!

This next project has the perfect stamp set for Blendabilities beginners. This lemon is in the Sale-a-bration Stamp set called A Happy Thing. Looking back at this, I could see where I could have added just a little more glam to the packaging but I do like it for a simple easy gift giving. Can you imagine putting lemon cookies or lemon cake inside the Take-out box for the recipient? YUM!

This last card is using the funny Wood You Be Mine? Stamp set. This dude has grown on me and he is perfect for showing our Blendabilities is perfect for coloring. I also used the Blendabilities to make some ombre colored trees by coloring on Whisper White Cardstock and punched with the Tree Punch.
I hope that you like my projects and can use them to inspire you! Check back soon for more Leadership display samples! Much more to share!
Thanks for stopping by!
Cindy

Here is a list of the other North American Stampin' UP Artisan Design Team  blogs! Come see who made what!

Allison Okamitsu - http://nicepeoplestamp.blogspot.com/

Becky Cowley - http://scrapjunkie-becky.blogspot.com/

Cindy Schuster - http://nutmegcreations.blogspot.com/

Kaitlyn Zumbach - http://createwithkaitlyn.blogspot.com/

Krista Frattin - http://www.stampindolce.com/

Lisa Harlow - http://dwelldelightfully.com/

Mercedes Weber - http://mercedesweber.blogspot.com/

Sarah Sagert - http://www.sarahsagert.stampinup.net/blog

Artisan Sale-a-bration Box - Stampin' UP Artisan Blog Hop

Welcome back to the Artisan Design Team Blog Hop! We are just starting on our February 2015 box from Stampin' UP. This box was full of brand NEW products from the Stampin' UP Occasions Catalog! I was able to mix in a little exclusive Sale-a-bration into my project with week too!

Every Thursday of each week, all 16 of us from all over the world will post on our blogs an inspiring project for you! Be sure to get Google Translate so that you can read in your language all about how they created their projects too. Now on to my project this 2nd week...

The Butterflies Thinlits Dies are super HOT right now! Everyone wants them and everyone is making something with them. They make a simple project a WOW project in an instance. I especially love using the Gold Foil Sheet with them. Be sure to use a sheet of wax paper in between die and cardstock. All those detail pieces just come out with ease. 

Do you see that beautiful belly band of Designer Series Paper? That is from the Sale-a-bration selection this year! It is called Irresistibly Yours Designer Series Paper. It comes white with embossed clear images so you can use a spritzer with ink, color with Blendabilities or even a sponge dauber with ink to create whatever color paper you want. I used Blushing Bride Classic ink with a sponge dauber on this pattern. I love the soft look it creates.

The topper is that Gold Foil Butterfly and the Artisan Embellishment Kit. I added a little banner tag with the perfect saying from the And Many More Stamp set and finished with a double wrap of Linen Thread. I made three of these boxes for my roommates at Leadership and filled them with fancy nail polish and polish remover pads so they could get their toes pretty for the warm Florida weather. Too bad it was very cold while we were there!

So here is the breakdown of supples to make this box:

Butterflies Thinlits Dies $24.95

Gold Foil Sheets  $ 3.95

Artisan Embellishment Kit  $9.95

Kraft Gift Boxes (4)  $2.95

Linen Thread $4.50

Blushing Bride Classic Ink Pad $5.95

Sponge Daubers $4.95

TOTAL $57.20 ...

= Irresistibly Yours Designer Series Paper FREE

And Many More Stamp Set Clear $26.95 (optional) or use whatever stamp set you have.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope this inspire you!!!

Cindy

You saw my friend, Becky Cowley before me and now move on to my friend, Helene Legrand by clicking on the next button below! Be sure to stop by all 16 of us!

Blendablities REFRESH - Stampin' UP Artisan Blog Hop

Welcome back to the Artisan Design Team Blog Hop! We are just starting on our February 2015 box from Stampin' UP. This box was full of brand NEW products from the Stampin' UP Occasions Catalog like the new colors of Blendabilities! I love Blendabilities and I plan to inspire you with some great projects showcasing them! 

Every Thursday of each week, all 16 of us from all over the world will post on our blogs an inspiring project for you! Be sure to get Google Translate so that you can read in your language all about how they created their projects too. Now on to my project this 1st week...

I did a similar style card last year and I wanted to show how this fun artsy style can continued to be made using newer stamps and Blendabilities. I first used NEW Bermuda Bay Blendabilities and covered my Whisper White card layer with the Light version with the large tip end. I stamped the Indescribable Gift Stamp Set in Memento Ink on top. You then take the Medium and Dark Bermuda Bay Blendabilities and color in the flowers. I used the NEW Wild Wasabi Blendabilities in Medium and colored in the leaves and stem. Once finished, I framed the image with the Project Life Journaling Pen. Then I added finishing touches like the stamped wording cut in boxes, White Cotton Ribbon and Gold Glitz Dazzling Details to complete the card.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope this inspire you!!!

Cindy

You saw my friend, Becky Cowley before me and now move on to my friend, Helene Legrand by clicking on the next button below! Be sure to stop by all 16 of us!

MDS Monday Sketch Challenge #100

It's our 100th challenge at MDS Monday!  Whoo, hoo!!!  Can you believe that we've had 100 weeks of sketches or challenges?  To celebrate, we're doing something different.  Heidi has maintained a Pinterest board of all the MDS Monday sketches to date.  Go to that board and pick your favorite sketch to create a new scrapbook page or card.  When you link your project, be sure to tell us which sketch you used.  We will give you two weeks to create your projects, and we're giving out prizes!!!  The top two winners will receive a download of their choice valued up to $9.95, and three runner up winners will receive MDS Monday key chains designed by Beth!!!  So, get your creative juices flowing and help us celebrate this awesome milestone.

Challenge Guidelines:

• Please create a new MDS project for the current challenge.
• Provide a link back to MDS Monday or use the challenge graphic above within your post.
• Link directly to your post or mydigitalstudio.net sample page for this challenge, not your entire website (So we can find your project)
• You can create a card, scrapbook page or 3-D object with the sketch.
• The Challenge will end on Saturday February 14th @ 12pm EST. 
• Have fun! 

_______________________

I selected Sketch #35 for this fun challenge! I was drawn to it by the diagonal aspects of the sketch!This was also a sketch that I never did as I join the MDS Monday Design Team on Sketch #39 so I was excited to take on the challenge! We took a brief yet always fun trip to Disneyworld. We got to see some of our Disney friends while we were there. Great fun and you are never too old to get a picture with Mickey and the gang! I left the background white because the pictures have so much activity in them. Then I just added more chevrons in Basic Black and Real Red. The title is a mix of two stamp images that I cropped to fit together. Opening your mind to this kind of thinking with you stamp images will help to have even more possibilities of word combinations. I also used the ink splatters found in the stamp location in MDS. Can you see my hidden Mickey?

We're also having a Blog Hop this week so you can see the sketches we picked and learn how we created out pages.  The next stop is Jeanna!