Originally published on February 25th, 2014

This past week, I received a huge Stampin' Up order.  My demonstrator, Pam, told me that she wanted to see me make cards with my new stuff.  Of course, I had to dive right in.  I had so much to play with and try out: tons of DSP, some punches, some stamp stamps, new ink colors, and some new embellishments.  Here's pics of my new stash:

Card #1

Pam gave us the sketch above for our stamp club homework.  I won't be attending March club (Arthur and I are flying that day to Indiana), but I did want to do the homework and get creative.  I started with the idea of using my new Sweet Sorbet DSP.  After finding a few different layering patterns, I paired them with my new Petite Petals stamps and punch.  I love the play of florals with a touch of neutral (Sahara Sand based pattern paper).  I left the card without sentiment because I didn't want it to get too busy.  As an added bonus, everything on this card is Stampin' Up.

• Stamps: Petite Petals
• Inks: Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Summer Starfruit
• Cardstock: Summer Starfruit, Sweet Sorbet DSP
• Tools: Petite Petals Punch, SNAIL, Dimensionals

Card #2

The second card is again using the sketch from OWH.  I wanted to play with my new Banner Blast stamps and punch, and this is what came out.  I decided to skip the horizontal piece of DSP as I think it would have been much too busy.  While card #1 used a lot of the floral patterns from the Sweet Sorbet DSP pack, this card uses the geometric designs.  I love the polka dots!  I think that design is my favorite in the entire pack.  I had to use it a background!  Plus, this is another all Stampin' Up card.

• Stamps: Banner Blast
• Inks: Pool Party, Pistachio Pudding, Crisp Cantaloupe, Basic Black
• Cardstock: Sweet Sorbet DSP; Summer Starfruit
• Tools: Banner Punch, SNAIL, Dimensionals

Card #3

I initially tried to complete the sketch with patterns from the Birds of a Feather DSP, but found myself making some big changes.  Ultimately, this is what came out after a lot of playing and changing pieces up.  I loved the birds on a wire look and wanted to incorporate that piece somehow.  Because of the big pattern with both bird designs, I designed to go subtle for the background patterns.  They are all from the same design pack so of course they all work together.  Another all SU card.

• Stamps: Express Yourself
• Inks: Raspberry Ripple
• Cardstock: Primrose Petals; Birds of a Feather DSP
• Accessories: 2012-2014 In Color Dahlias
• Tools: Artisan Label Punch, SNAIL, glue dots, dimensionals

Card #4

This is my other attempt to use the sketch and the Birds of a Feather DSP.  I decided that the two pieces overlapping (blue design and brown stripe) really threw off the balance of the card.  So, I put the sentiment on top of the cross and added the dahlias in the opposite corner to help balance the card.

• Stamps: Express Yourself
• Inks: Primrose Petals
• Cardstock: Primrose Petals, Birds of a Feather DSP
• Accessories: 2012-2014 In Color Dahlias
• Tools: Artisan Label Punch, SNAIL, Dimensionals, Glue dots

Card #5

I wanted to play some more with the Sweet Sorbet DSP pack, so I went onto my Pinterest boards for inspiration.  The above card caught my eye and I knew I had to use it as inspiration.  Just like Angie, I initially didn't know what to do with that black based pattern.  It's incredibly loud in a 12 x 12 sheet, but if you cut it down and only use a piece, I really really love it.  I kept her basic layout, but changed up some of the supplies for ones from my own stash.

• Stamps: Perfect Pennants; Banner Blast
• Inks: Crisp Cantaloupe, Summer Starfruit, Pool Party, Basic Black
• Cardstock: Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding, Sweet Sorbet DSP
• Accessories: WRMK Sew Easy Floss
• Tools: Chevron scissors, Chevron Embossing Folder, Banner Punch, SNAIL, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

Card #6

Another card inspired by a Pinterest pin.  For my last card, I realized that I don't have any Pool Card cardstock, so I can't recreate the exact coloring on the above card.  Instead, I used a piece of black scrap to give the card a bolder look.  I love the look of the banners in a row.  Plus, the colors really pop against the black (they look much brighter in person).

• Stamps: Banner Blast
• Inks: Pistachio Pudding, Crisp Cantaloupe, Basic Black, Pool Party, Summer Starfruit
• Cardstock: Whisper White, Black scrap, Pistachio Pudding, Sweet Sorbet DSP
• Accessories: WRMK Easy Sew Floss
• Tools: Banner Punch, SNAIL

Overall, I'm really loving my new supplies.  Next week I want to branch out to some of the other pattern papers.  I have a plan to use some for One Sheet Wonders...