Springtime Scene Card ~ Color Dare #696

 Are you ready for a new challenge from our team at Color Dare? Well here you go! You must use at least FOUR of the six colors shown in the graphic below. We also give you some Free colors to use but do not add any colors beyond that. See the graphic for the details.

Create any paper craft you like and make sure your colors are a close match to those in the graphic. 

Since I woke up to a white ground this morning, even though it was only a dusting, I felt like doing Spring with my design and avoid looking out the window. Haha

We have a new bundle called Springtime Scenes and it has so many cute images and dies! I've only used a few for this card so I have many more to give a try soon! I paired it with the Splash of Sparkles DSP to get the colors needed for the challenge. 

I cut out this portion of the DSP for the color combo. After die cutting the elements I wanted to use I glue it all down on a green card base.

BY THE WAY, the clipboard easel I used to photo my project is one of our NEW KITS this month! What a fun way to display photos or projects! The kit is a set of 3. Be sure to check it out. The link is at the end.

The sentiment was stamped then the ends were punched with the Happy Labels Punch. Adding a few flowers helps draw your eye to the sentiment. Muted Palette Gems were used as flower centers in keeping with the colors of the challenge.

Here's a look at the inside of the card. I used a piece of the DSP along the bottom just for fun. I had a few flowers left over and placed them around the sentiment. I don't usually use gems on the inside of a card because of the bulk. This time I felt the flowers looked really bare and didn't go with the front of the card. So gems on the inside it is!

Direct link to Color Dare #696

Have fun! We can't wait to see how our colors inspire your creativity!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator 

Images©Stampin' Up!

#showandtellwithmichelle #cardmaking #colordarechallenge #colorchallenge

Dainty and Pretty

 How are you today? I felt some creativity happening earlier and put it to use for this creation! I love it when it comes together easily. How about you?

This is a new bundle from our March release on Online Exclusives. It's a bit old fashioned and dainty looking. Just think of all the looks you can get from this bundle! I think the frames would be great for scrapbooking old photos, too. I'll have to look into my photo bin to see what's there.

As I was looking through my papers I came across this pack of Pastel Shimmer. With the three colors in the pack I knew it would be perfect for my design. Plus it gives an added sheen. See the photo below.

I love the lacy look of the inner frame. I kept the oval inset and used that, too for a solid look to that layer. This was die cut from Vellum so it softens the green background. To make it easy and hide the adhesive, I put the Vellum on a piece of our Adhesive Sheets then die cut. The adhesive covers the entire piece and makes the glue invisible!

The pink flowers are popped up on Mini Stampin' Dimensionals. The flower centers come from the Rainbow Dots and finally a white ribbon accents the bottom of the frame. 

Our Take Your Pick Tool makes placing those tiny items like the Dots an easy thing to do! I use mine all the time and just with out the tips depending on what I need to do.

Look at that luster and sheen on the papers. It's even prettier in person! It adds so much to the design. I used all three colors here but it would also make a great accent using only a bit of it with other papers.

I had one tiny flower and set of leaves left over. they are the perfect tiny accent for the inside of the card. Don't forget to add something to the inside, too! This tiny accent leaves plenty of room for a custom message!

I hope you enjoyed seeing my project. Why not give the bundle and /or Pastel Shimmer paper a try? I know you'll love both.

Have a crafty day!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator 

Images©Stampin' Up!

#showandtellwithmichelle #scallopedwishesbundle #usingvellum #cardmaking

What's Up Wednesday ~ More Gears

Hello there!  Yes, it's another gear card, BUT this is one super fun technique to use on the gears! 

Adding texture to a project is always fun because there are so many ways to do it! This technique uses texture paste and embossing powder for the texture! Let's dive in.....

This card was design inspired by Cheri's Stamps. The technique was inspired by Daveda Leppke.  Thanks for the inspiration, Ladies.

I started by die cutting tons of gears in Textured Metallic paper. Since I was die cutting why not make extra, right? The gears look good in regular cardstock but I really like them in the metallic best. 

Next up was the DSP and stamp distressing those elements of the design. Once ready the pieces were glued to the card front and I was ready for the gears.

 In the photo it kind of looks like a mess on the gears but in person it really looks great! I started with the large copper gear and the embossing paste. Since copper ages to a green patina I used a drop of Coastal Cabana re inker to tint the paste. I smeared it randomly in a few spots and called it good. The heat tool was used to set the paste since I was impatient to keep going with the assembly. 

Next up was the gold gear. I applied the paste, no tinting, then pressed it face down in the copper embossing powdered tapped off the excess. I did the tiny silver gear the same way using a bit of paste and gold powder. Now I heat set those tow gears. 

To assemble the gears I layered them using the Mini Stampin' Dimensionals. The large gear is glued directly to the card front.  The photo below gives you an idea of the dimension this creates.

I finished with the other elements and it was a win!

Here's a look at the inside of the card and the envelope. I randomly stamped images along the right to mimic what's going on in the front. I had a leftover piece of DSP and glued it to the flap of the envelope. Don't forget your envelope as it's always nice to decorate a bit there, too! 

What do you think? would you try this distressing technique? I hope you enjoyed seeing my project and it inspires you to give it a try. Have a crafty day!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator 

Images©Stampin' Up!

#showandtellwithmichelle #cardmaking #gears&textures #whatsupwednesday #distressingtechnique

Gears & Textures ~ Masculine Style

 Welcome to a fun and easy masculine style card using our Gears & Textures Bundle! This bundle is so versatile and fun to create both feminine and masculine cards! Click here to see a feminine version I shared a few posts ago. Today though, is all about masculine!

This design was inspired by Archie's Atelier. I did put my spin on it but the idea is still there. It's kind of an elegant look, don't you think? 

I spent a lot of time die cutting gears because I taught this at a recent class. For this card I used a technique to  distress the gears a bit with ink. The ink colors for each of the metallic is Gold + Pecan Pie, Copper + Cajun Craze and Silver + Basic Gray. All you have to do is tap the ink pad on the gear. Once you're happy with the look you need to dry the ink with a heat tool or set aside to dry for a while. It's a subtle look but adds a nice touch to the design.

The background for the gears was stamped with various images from the set. At the end I added some metallic gems to keep the metallic theme going. No need for a sentiment on the front but if you wanted to you could emboss a small one at the top or bottom of the stamped layer.

One other technique I used was to splatter ink all over the white layer using a Secret Sea Stampin' Blend. It adds to the distressed look and softens the white area, too.

What do you think? Would you send this card to someone special?

On the inside of the card I did some stamping then added a couple gears. The chain is leftover from the front when I snipped the chain for sizing. Those little pieces come in handy!

Tomorrow I'll share a different way to age the gears. This time using embossing paste! So be sure to come back tomorrow!

Have a crafty day!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator 

Images© Stampin' Up!

#showandtellwithmichelle #cardmaking #gears&texturesbundle #agingtechnique

Masculine Grears Card ~ Atlantic Hearts Sketch #673

Monday means a new sketch from our team at Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge. Today it's Team A's turn to share and it's a fun and easy sketch to inspire your creativity.

You can manipulate the sketch however you like. We just need to be able to see the elements of the sketch in your design. Once again I have stayed true to the sketch as it is. Let's take a look. 

This card came together very quickly. I've been on a roll with the Gears & Textures set lately and felt this sketch worked well. I already had a bunch of the gears die cut and just went with it! I'll be sharing other masculine looks this week so come back to take a look!

Right away I felt the Timeless Plaid DSP would be a perfect match with the gears. I'm partial to greens and blues so that's why I chose this plaid from the pack. 

My gears were die cut in the Textured Metallics paper and I liked the copper and gold for this. I also added some texture to the upper panel with the Exposed Brisk 3D embossing Folder. I love it paired with the gears!

I popped up the layer with the gears so to keep the card from getting too thick I glued the gears directly on top of each other.

A simple sentiment from Banner Sayings copper embossed and punched out is all it took to finish the sketch along with a few gems.

Here's a look at the inside of the card. I used the leftover pieces from the front so they would feel left out. haha

By the way..... a couple of the products I used are on sale!!!

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge

Now it's up to you to show us how this sketch inspires you. we can't wait to see your artwork! Have fun!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampn' Up!® Demonstrator 

Images© Stampin' Up!

#showandtellwithmichelle #atlanticheartssketchchallenge #gears&texture #cardmaking

Bright and Cheery ~ Color Dare #695

Yipee! It's Friday! That means a new color challenge from our team at Color Dare! This week we're giving you a palette of SIX beautiful colors. You must use at least 4 of the colors shown.   There are Free colors you can also use. Dee our graphic for that info. DO NOT use any colors beyond that. 

Make any paper craft you like. When you're ready to join our challenge use the direct ink below.

I guess I'm in the mood for Spring because this is what I came up with. Nice and bright with a few flowers to make you smile. 

There are some great details worked into this design. The embossed plaid background works great to make that layer interesting without taking away from the focal layer. 

I used the Everyday Arches dies but turned them on the side for a different look. That gave me enough space to stamp the cute little tulips. 

The ribbon adds a nice touch to the folded edge of the card. Honestly, I was thinking about using a ribbon there, but once I embossed the plaid and it didn't go all the way to the edge the ribbon became a cover up for that. See, if I hadn't told you, you wouldn't have even noticed. It's one of the ways we can compensate for those little oopsies that happen on occasion.

Direct link to Color Dare #695

How do our colors inspire you? Ee'd love to see your creation. Have fun!

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator 

Images©Stampin' Up!

#showandtellwithmichelle #colordarechallenge #cardmaking

Every Little Thing Kit

Take a look at this fun video featuring our NEW Every Little Thing Kit. It has such pretty details!

It's a great to have a kit or two on hand for those situations where you need a card quickly. Our kits are there for you! Always easy and ready to go in minutes. 

Click here to shop our selection of Kits.

Michelle Loncar

Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator 

Images©Stampin' Up!

#showandtellowithmichelle #Stampinupkits