Sponging and Serene Silhouettes

Did you see the card a couple days ago with the tree silhouette? I had mentioned sponging first and then stamping. This one was better captured on film. I used my Oval Framelits to create a stencil this time and then sponged with Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party, and Regal Rose. Then I stamped using the Serene Silhouettes set.  I layered my Whisper White on Wisteria Wonder Cardstock.  For another element, I added 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon in Whisper White.  I still had a few of the swirled butterflies flying around my office, so yes, one landed on this page with some Basic Jewels Pearls.

Take some time today to do something fun! Even if it is just doing a silly dance for one minute...  you will be glad you did!

Stamp-A-Stack

So have you signed up for the Stamp-A-Stack on Saturday yet? What are you waiting for???  Here are the four designs we will be making. And yes, there is some flexibility. If you want all Birthday cards, we can do that.  We will make three of each design for a total of twelve cards. If we have enough time, there will also be a bonus card! The cost for the class is only $15.  Class is this Saturday, March 16 from 2-4pm.  Please email me at MightyOakStampers@yahoo.com by Wednesday, March 13, to confirm your spot and to get directions. I hope to see you on Saturday!

Serene Silhouettes Red Bird

Sometimes a card just pops into my head. Does that happen to you? I had this set out with other cards already mulling in my mind. As soon as I looked at this stamp, I knew one of the birds had to be red!  This is the resulting card.  I love the muted colors of Crumb Cake and Early Espresso offset by the bright Real Red. It reminds me of seeing Cardinals in the long months of winter - that little bit of brightness and cheer in the grays of winter always makes me smile.  For anyone now wondering, no, I haven't always lived here in North Carolina. But back to the card....the greeting comes from my "go to" set Curly Cute.  The card needed a little something more so I added the Natural 7/16" Trim Ribbon.

This is a great neutral card that you could have made up in advance. Just leave space to add your greeting when you need it. 

Serene Silhouettes

Sometimes, my camera just can't fully capture a card.  This is one of those cards - the background behind the trees is actually muted shades of Old Olive, Daffodil Delight and Pool Party.  The stamp set Serene Silhouettes is perfect for this style of card stamping over a sponged background.  The oval layers were easy as pie using the Oval Framelits from Stampin' Up!  The greeting comes from the Especially for You stamp set.  I added a little more dimension using the Natural 7/16 Trim Ribbon, with a Naturals Designer Button and Linen Thread.

Hopefully you will come to one of my classes so you can see this card displayed. I had a blast designing it and am hoping you enjoyed it too!  Don't forget to make some time for you this weekend and see what you can create!

Punch Art Easter Bunny

So here was my first attempt at creating a punch art item on my own.  Punch art is just that - using punches to create something new. For card stock I used, Crumb Cake, Pretty In Pink, and Basic Black. To create the face, I used the Full Heart punch. The ears were made with the Scallop Oval and Large Oval punches. I used the 1/2" circle and the circle from the Itty Bitty Shapes punches for the eyes and nose. The candy bags are a huge hit around any holiday or birthday. They are only $2.50 for 50 of the 1"x8"  bags. (item 124134 page 161 in the annual catalog). 

I hope you enjoy this little bunny - I will be trying to find all kinds of ways to help decorate your Easter table this season. 

Swallowtail Basic Black and Pumpkin Pie

Yes, I had to try it!  There are so many things you can do with this Swallowtail stamp. In a previous card, I mentioned the fact that you can easily stamp with only part of the butterfly showing and have it turn out beautifully. But I wanted to see what it would look like using the whole stamp. Here I stamped in Basic Black on to Pumpkin Pie card stock.  I cut out the image and then layered it on Basic Black card stock.  This would be a great "stock up" card to pull out for any occasion. 

Simple Swallowtail

So simple - but so beautiful. Who would not love receiving this card?  Here it is shown in two versions. Using just the Swallowtail stamp and a greeting you could whip up a bunch of these cards to have ready.  I used the Bring on the Cake stamp set for the Happy Birthday greeting.

Here it is stamped with Island Indigo ink on to Pool Party card stock.

 

I also tried it using the Basic Black ink stamped on Regal Rose card stock.

 

 

 

Though the larger stamp can be a little intimidating to some, this is a great starter card too because it does not require a lot of materials or techniques to create a beautiful card.

First Friday Swirled Butterflies Card

So here is one of the cards that we made on Friday night.  The technique of the evening was turning our white butterflies into Regal Rose and Rich Razzleberry swirled butterflies. We were having so much fun with the Elegant Butterfly punch, we decided to add the Blossom punch too. Then the following card was created!

This is also an example of CASE-ing (Copy And Share Everything).  The design is very similar to the first. The Whisper White card stock was removed and the flower was added using the Blossom Punch and the Boho Blossom punch.  The first card had the Basic Jewels Pearls added to the butterflies. The second card felt like it needed a little sparkle so the Basic Jewels Rhinestones were added instead of the pearls as you can see below.

 

I hope you enjoyed the cards here. I have been thinking about offering a strictly techniques class once a month and would love some feedback from you.  If this is something that you might be interested in, please email me at MightyOakStampers@yahoo.com or leave a comment below.  Thank you and keep stamping!

Stampin' Up! Offering an Online Class!

Wahoo!!!  Stamping Up has come up with this wonderful way to bring classes to you. We understand that it is hard to get out to classes all the time, even though it is more fun to stamp with others. With such hectic schedules, it can be hard to juggle one more activity like a class. So if that feels like you - check this out. For only $14.95, you can download a class to your computer, filled with lots of tips and tricks to get the most out of your supplies.  It is divided into six sections that are focused on a variety of topics, including videos, step outs, and supply lists for over 30 projects!!! Wow, that should keep you busy for a very long time.

If you are interested in trying the online class - it is now available as item 133385. You can shop 24/7 from my website www.hilarysmith.stampinup.net. 

Stampin' Up! is making it easy and affordable to take a class right from your own home when it is convenient for you.  Please don't misunderstand however, I would love to still have you come stamp at my classes as well, along with sharing new ideas, it is a great way to meet new friends with the love of crafting in common. 

So whatever your time allows you - even if just a minute - keep creating!

Best of Series - March Flowers!

Here's the third stamp set in Stampin' Up!'s "Best of" series to celebrate their 25th Anniversary. What a wonderful selection of flowers.  If you are interested in this set, it is available as of today. Just add item 133342 to your shopping cart. The set is just $14.95.  You can shop 24/7 at my website www.HilarySmith.stampinup.net