Fun 'n Crafty Blog Hop October 2014

Welcome to the Fun n’ Crafty Blog Hop for October. This month we will be showcasing project ideas from Stampin' Up's card kits. I haven't bought many of their kits, but I must say that the ones I have seen just keep getting better and better. I've now subscribed to Paper Pumpkin and am impressed. But for today's hop, I am highlighting cards that I've made from the Everyday Occasions catalog. The demos who attended the Unite and Excite events got the kit for free. However, now that I've seen it, I'm definitely recommending it to all my customers. Just check out all these beauties:

The leftovers! I still have enough parts to make at least three more cards. And look at all those dimensionals... they will be used soon enough.

Blog Hop Participants:

Sara G. of 1200 Some Miles
Tobe B. of The Craft Sea
Stacey L. of A Work of Carte
Jennifer B. of Northwest Stamper

Children's Cards

I attended a fun little class taught by my crafting partner Colleen that focused on children's cards. Between my friends and the parent's group, I will definitely have a use for these in the coming months.

Such an easy but striking design. I can't wait to replicate this cute caterpillar.

Legos! I love the simple color blocks (complete with fake embossed circles) and big sentiment. Perfect for any little kid birthday!

This was a birthday card, but I changed up the sentiment. A friend of mine is due any day with her baby girl. I thought this would be the perfect card to send.

And finally, a cute birthday card using the stamp set that I can't believe I don't own myself: Zoo Babies. My rhino is a bit off, but it's still a cute card. I may just have to add this set to my next SU order.

Do you want to make amazing cards like these and live in the Bay Area? Hop on over to the Mountain View Stampers and Paper Crafters Meetup site and join us!

Unite and Excite Swaps: The Rest of the Pretties

We had a great swap time at the Livermore Unite and Excite event on Sunday. Here are the rest of the great swap cards I received:

Sara Grafton @ 1200 Some Miles

Vinnie Cespedes

Margery Chen

Alicia Valdez

Janet Smith

Deidre Wong

Denise Zachariah

Sarah Camarillo

Patti Mizutani

Paula Frieders

Maria Esther Fennelly @ Maria's Creative Place

Jeannie Barron

Raberta Gannon @ Inkabella Crafts

Carrie Vermazen @ Crafty Carrie

Cary Farruggia @ Cary's On Your Case

Colleen Becker

Sharon Tong-Robinson

Another Kid Birthday Card

After the first round of baby 1st birthday cards, we had another invitation arrive in our mailbox. So I pulled out some fun stamps and tried to make a card out of them. This card is completely non-Stampin' Up (except for the ink). Every once in awhile it's nice to pull out old random supplies to use. I think this card is simple, but perfectly adorable for a little boy birthday card.

Description

Stamps: Random dinosaur, random birthday sentiment and cake (presents inside)
Inks: More Mustard (retired), Summer Sun (retired), Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal (retired), Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore (retired)
Cardstock: Random blue and green
Accessories: Blue polka dot washi tape

Girl Birthday Cards

It's birthday season around here. My mom's group is comprised of mostly summer to fall 2013 babies. That means that they are all turning 1! Just this month and early next, we have four birthday parties to attend. Parties mean presents and cards. I've bought the presents, but I can't just buy the cards. Nope, I need to make them! Today, I'm highlighting two of the cards I made. These two were for the two girls we know, but the first one could easily work for a boy also.

Card #1

Another card featuring PL cards from the Everyday Adventures pack. I loved this "Happy" card, but didn't see myself using in a PL spread. But I though it would work perfectly on a greeting card. I layered it on top of the rainbow stripe card and adhered both to a pumpkin pie layering piece. It still looked a little plain. A quick dig through my stash and I found these glittery silver stars. Because they are 3D, the stickers add that bit of visual interest the card needed.

Stamps: Birthday Cake (retired)
Inks: Primrose Petals (retired)
Cardstock: Melon Mambo; Pumpkin Pie; PL Everyday Adventures
Accessories: Random silver stars
Tools:

Card #2

For the second card, I pulled this gorgeous "wonderful" 4x4 card from the stack. It screamed little girl. Because of the unusual size, I cut my card base to be 4.25 x 4.25. I layered on pieces of another PL card featuring polka dots. Those pieces were cut using one of my patterned scissors to add more visual interest. Finally I found this great little Happy Birthday sticker in my stash to complete the card.

Stamps: Birthday Cake (retired)
Inks: Island Indigo
Cardstock: Bermuda Bay; PL Everyday Adventure
Accessories: Random birthday sticker
Tools: Patterned scissors

Boy Birthday Cards

It's birthday season around here. My mom's group is comprised of mostly summer to fall 2013 babies. That means that they are all turning 1! Just this month and early next, we have four birthday parties to attend. Parties mean presents and cards. I've bought the presents, but I can't just buy the cards. Nope, I need to make them! Today, I'm highlighting two of the cards I made. These two were for the two boys we know, but they would totally work for boys or girls.

Card #1

I decided to look through my SU PL Everyday Adventure card collection for inspiration. I had seen a few greeting cards using the PL cards and I wanted to try it out. I found this great "Best Day Ever" cut out card and layered it on top of a orange patterned card. From there, I found cardstock to match the colors. It was still a but plain, so I dug through my stash and found these great silver stars. Placing those as a background really improves the card. On the inside, I stamped a birthday cake and wrote a little inspiration. In fact, all four of the cards have the birthday cake stamped inside in a coordinating ink color.

Stamps: Birthday Cake (retired)
Inks: Pumpkin Pie
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Pear Pizzaz, PL Everyday Adventure Card Collection
Accessories: Random silver stars from the stash
Tools:

Card #2

Another little boy card. This one's recipient is having a lion themed party and loves to growl/roar at everyone. I came across two great PL cards from the Animal theme pack and had to use them. In their original form, the cards were too big and bulky. I cut down the lion card and completely cut out the quote bubble from another card. Much better. I added the animal print alpha stickers as a makeshift background to complete the look.

Stamps: Birthday Cake (retired)
Inks: Pumpkin Pie
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie; Garden Green; PL Animals theme pack
Accessories: Random alphabet stickers.
Tools:

Comfort Cafe DSP Purge

Another retired DSP pack down... I'm really loving this set of cards.

Card #1

Card Inspiration from Stampin' Connection

My version

I love the simple blue and cream combo. Very pretty together!

Stamps: Papillon Potpurri; Sweet Essentials (retired)
Inks: Midnight Muse (retired)
Cardstock: Midnight Muse (retired); Very Vanilla; Comfort Cafe DSP (retired)
Accessories:
Tools: Labels Framelits (Spellbinders)

Card #2

Card Inspiration from North Shore Stamper

My version

I made two variations because I didn't have enough Midnight Muse Dahlias for both cards. I actually pulled these little heart wood veneers from my Take Ten PL kit. Perfect finishing touch.

Stamps: Sweet Essentials (retired)
Inks: Early Espresso
Cardstock: Summer Starfruit (retired); Midnight Muse (retired); Very Vanilla; Comfort Cafe (retired)
Accessories: 2012-2014 In Color Dahlias; heart wood veneers
Tools: 1 1/4" Circle Punch; 1 3/8" Circle Punch

Card #3

Card Inspiration from DO Stamping with Dawn

My version

Simple yet lovely. I realize that my favorite cards are usually pretty simplistic. At the last minute, I added the wood veneers for that extra little something.

Stamps: Wacky Wishes (retired)
Inks: Midnight Muse (retired)
Cardstock: Brown (Michael's); Very Vanilla; Comfort Cafe (retired)
Accessories: Brown ribbon (Joann's); bird and feather wood veneer
Tools:

Card #4

Card Inspiration from Card Creations by Beth

My version

This card looks much better in person. The embossed Midnight Muse piece really pops and the dahlia adds a little extra touch.

Stamps: Vintage Verses (retired)
Inks: Midnight Muse (retired)
Cardstock: Brown (Michael's); Midnight Muse (retired); Comfort Cafe (retired); Very Vanilla
Accessories: 2012-2014 In Color Dahlias
Tools:

Card #5

Card Inspiration from Stampin' Pretty

My version

This card is so bright and cheery! I don't have the ovals framelits (must put on wish list), so I substituted my new Starburst Framelits. And I don't have the same ornament stamp and punch, but I do have the old retired ones. Still works!

Stamps: Delightful Decorations (retired); Sweet Essentials (retired)
Inks: Midnight Muse (retired)
Cardstock: Very Vanilla; Midnight Muse (retired); Summer Starfruit (retired); Comfort Cafe DSP (retired)
Accessories: 2012-2014 In Color Dahlias
Tools: Starburst Framelits

Card #6

Card Inspiration from Northwest Stamper

My version

This card really isn't my personal style, but it's pretty. I got the new hostess set I LIke You because watercolor images are so popular right now. This is the first time that I used it and I actually like it!

Stamps: I Like You; A Word for You (retired)
Inks: Really Rust (retired); Early Espresso
Cardstock: Cajun Craze; Early Espresso; Very Vanilla; Comfort Cafe DSP (retired)
Accessories: wood veneers
Tools: Hexagon Punch (banner end)

Card #7

Card Inspiration from My Creative Corner

My version

Simple layering of coordinating DSP makes for a striking card.

Stamps: Sweet Essentials (retired)
Inks: Early Espresso
Cardstock: Cajun Craze; Very Vanilla; Comfort Cafe DSP (retired)
Accessories: brown ribbon (Michael's)
Tools:

Card #8

Card Inspiration from Dawn's Stamping Thoughts

My version

Another card that just isn't my style, but it turned out okay. I like the contrasting paper and butterflies.

Stamps: Vintage Verses (retired)
Inks: Early Espresso
Cardstock: Cajun Craze; Very Vanilla; Comfort Cafe DSP (retired)
Accessories: 7/8" Natural Cotton Ribbon
Tools: Elegant Butterfly Punch; Artisan Label Punch

Card #9

Card Inspiration from Pretty Impact

My version

I think this card is my favorite of the entire bunch. I love the simplistic shapes and lots of texture. For me, the switch to the yellow cardstock for the sentiment banner really makes the card pop!

Stamps: A Word for You (retired)
Inks: Midnight Muse (retired)
Cardstock: Brown (Michael's); Midnight Muse (retired); Summer Starfruit (retired); Comfort Cafe DSP (retired)
Accessories: wood veneers
Tools: Hexagon Punch (banner end); Corner Rounder Punch

Card #10

Card Inspiration from WeeBeeStampin4Fun

My version

Turns out I don't have Cajun Craze ink in either a marker or an ink pad. I dug through my stash and found a Really Rust marker from a few years back. It' snot the same color, but I think it coordinates nicely with the Cajun Craze card stock.

Stamps: Vintage Verses (retired): Mixed Bunch
Inks: Really Rust (retired); Early Espresso
Cardstock: Cajun Craze; Very Vanilla; Early Espresso; Comfort Cafe DSP (retired)
Accessories: Gold brads
Tools: Hexagon Punch (banner end); Blossom Punch; 1" Circle Punch; Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder

Paisley Petals DSP Purge

Another attempt to get rid of my retired DSP. This post's pack comes from a few years back. I don't remember how old Paisley Petals is, but I do know that it's been sitting in my DSP box for at least a year. After making the cards featured, I had a few scraps and some full sheets leftover. I ended up putting the full sheets up for grabs to other crafting friends. They kindly took them away from me. One more pack down.

Card #1

Card Inspiration from Stampin Sunshine

My version

Loved the inspiration card. My version turned out okay, but not the best. I really need different layered framelits. I'm getting a bit sick of using my labels.

Stamps: Secret Garden (retired); Express Yourself (retired)
Inks: Old Olive; Night of Navy
Cardstock: Paisly Petals DSP (retired); Marina Mist (retired); Whisper White
Accessories: Random brown ribbon (non-SU)
Tools: Artisan Label Punch; 1 1/4" Circle Punch; Label Framelits (Spellbinders)

Card #2

Card Inspiration from Moxie Fab World

My version

Very cute inspiration card. Mine is a bit plain, but much nicer in person.

Stamps: Express Yourself (retired)
Inks: Chocolate Chip
Cardstock: Cajun Craze; Paisley Petals DSP (retired); Regals DSP
Accessories: Silver dots; Rhinestones; Old Olive button (retired)
Tools: Elegant Butterfly Punch; Hexagon Punch (banner ends)

Card #3

Card Inspiration from Creative Crafts by Lynn

My version

I rarely make no sentiment cards, but this one has so much going on that it seemed appropriate. I love the layering...

Stamps: Papillon Potpurri
Inks: Old Olive
Cardstock: Old Olive; Baked Brown Sugar; Paisley Petals DSP (retired)
Accessories: Silver dots
Tools: Elegant Butterfly Punch

Card #4

Card Inspiration from Handmade from Michelle

My version

Simple yet striking. I love the pattern play here.

Stamps: Best of Greetings (retired)
Inks: Night of Navy
Cardstock: Paisley Petals (retired); Night of Navy; Regals DSP
Accessories:
Tools: Artisan Label Punch; Scallop Edge Punch

Card #5

Card Inspiration from Handmade by Michelle

My version

I made this card, but something just seemed off... Then I added the ribbon and everything worked so much better.

Stamps: Work of Art; Morning Meadow (retired)
Inks: Night of Navy; Old Olive
Cardstock: Night of Navy; Whisper White; Paisley Petals DSP (retired)
Accessories: Baked Brown Sugar Ruffled Stretch Trim (retired)
Tools: Label Framelits (Spellbinders)

Card #6

Card Inspiration from Stamp-n-Paradise

My version

Love how simple this card is. I just find myself drawn to the negative space.

Stamps: Work of Art
Inks: Night of Navy
Cardstock: Baja Breeze (retired); Marina Mist (retired); Paisley Petals DSP (retired)
Accessories: Rhinestones
Tools:

Card #7

Card Inspiration from Scrappin' and Stampin' in GJ

My version

Not my favorite card, but interesting visual draw.

Stamps: A Word for You (retired)
Inks: Night of Navy
Cardstock: Marina Mist (retired); Whisper White; Regals DSP; Paisley Petals DSP (retired)
Accessories: Rhinestones
Tools: 1" Circle Punch

Card #8

Card Inspiration from ...Confessions of a Stamping Addict

My version

I didn't think I would like this card in the end, but something pulls me in. I'm loving the added butterfly on the side.

Stamps: Sweet Essentials (retired)
Inks: Old Olive
Cardstock: Old Olive; Whisper White; Paisley Petals DSP (retired)
Accessories: Old Olive buttons (retired)
Tools: Bitty Butterfly Punch; Hexagon Punch (banner ends); Blossom Punch; Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder; Patterned scissors

Card #9

Card Inspiration from Paper Suite

My version

I played with the hexagon punch to ultimately create 5 different cards. My favorite is the all over hexagon card. Very striking!

Stamps: Best of Greetings (retired); Hip Notes
Inks: Night of Navy
Cardstock: Marina Mist (retired); Whisper White; Paisley Petals DSP (retired)
Accessories:
Tools: Hexagon Punch; Label Framelits (Spellbinders)

Gingham Garden DSP Purge

I made up my mind to use the very last of my Gingham Garden DSP. I had about two half sheets remaining. Of course i had to scour my Pinterest boards for some great inspiration. In total, I made six cards with just a few scraps leftover. Card #1

Card Inspiration from AE Stamps a Latte

My version

i flipped this card on the side because my paper cuts did not line up vertically. I may be a bit obsessive, but the Gingham Garden pattern just didn't look right turned the other way. I also realized that I was out of Island Indigo card stock, so I substituted Island Indigo DSP. Beyond that I tried to use my current supplies to give the card it's own look. My favorite part is the candy dots on the hexagons (they pop more in real life). I've had the Brights pack for awhile now and had yet to use it. I may have a supply hoarding problem. I love how they add just a little bit more dimension to the card.

Stamps: Six Sided Sampler
Inks: Island Indigo, So Saffron
Cardstock: Daffodil Delight; Gingham Garden DSP (retired); Brights Collection DSP; Whisper White
Accessories: Brights Collection Candy Dots
Tools: Hexagon Punch; Scallop Punch

Card #2

Card Inspiration from Too Cool Stamping

My version

I kept the basic design with just a few tweaks, mainly due to my own stash limitations. I realized that I need to had Melon Mambo to my ink pads to buy list. I am really warming up to that color.

Stamps: Sweet Essentials (retired); Morning Meadow (retired)
Inks: Regal Rose (retired)
Cardstock: Melon Mambo; Whisper White; Gingham Garden DSP (retired)
Accessories: Rhinestone Jewels
Tools: Hexagon Punch (banner ends); Pansy Punch

Card #3

Card Inspiration from Stamp with Amy K

My version

I think this is my favorite card of the set. I was going to make this a fall sentiment card, but after finishing it, I thought sympathy or get well card. It is so cool and calm. And I love all the layers. I changed up the color combo slightly from the example. Amy had Garden Green and Pear Pizzazz. I went with Old Olive and Pear Pizzazz. It gives just a bit of a softer look.

Stamps: Magnificent Maple (retired); Sweet Essentials (retired)
Inks: Old Olive
Cardstock: Old Olive; Pear Pizzaz; Gingham Garden DSP (retired)
Accessories: Brights Collection Candy Dots
Tools:

Card #4

Card Inspiration from Nutz About Stamping

My version

I had used up all the Island Indigo gingham check paper, I decided to do a bit of substitution for this card. With that change, I swapped out a ton of other pieces to create my own card.

Stamps: A Word for You (retired)
Inks: Island Indigo
Cardstock: Daffodil Delight; Whisper White; Brights Collection DSP
Accessories: Brights Collection Candy Dots
Tools: 2" Circle Punch; Pansy Punch; Hexagon Punch (banner ends)

Card #5

This card came from my desire to use a ton of the scraps laying on my craft table. I love how bright and cheery this card is. I think the Melon Mambo really pops!

Stamps: A Word for You (retired)
Inks: Island Indigo
Cardstock: Melon Mambo; Gingham Garden DSP (retired); Brights Collection DSP
Accessories: Brights Collection Candy Dots
Tools: Hexagon Punch (banner ends); Pansy Punch

Card #6

This card is so simple, but I love the mix of patterned paper. As a late edition, I found an old Brights Collection Button Pack at the bottom of my embellishment box and had to add.

Stamps: Sweet Essentials (retired); Morning Meadow (retired)
Inks: Old Olive
Cardstock: Old Olive; Pear Pizzazz; Gingham Garden DSP (retired)
Accessories: Brights Collection Button (retired edition)
Tools: Pansy Punch

Sweet Sorbet DSP Purge: Random Edition

Another attempt to use my retired DSP to make room for new fun stuff... This time I'm highlighting cards made from the Sweet Sorbet DSP pack (Sale-a-bration 2014). The following cards are using a lot of the other papers in the pack. I found that I wasn't a huge fan of the primarily Summer Starfruit, Sahara Sand, and black paper pattens. But I did find a few cute card designs to use them.

Card #1

Card Inspiration from Linda Higgins

My version

Stamps: Petal Parade; A Word for You
Inks: Basic Black; Pool Party
Cardstock: Crisp Cantaloupe; Sweet Sorbet DSP (retired); Whisper White
Accessories: Silver Dots; Crisp Cantaloupe Ruffled Stretch Trim (retired)
Tools: 1 1/4" Circle Punch

Card #2

Card Inspiration from JK Cards

My version

Stamps: Perfect Pennants
Inks: Basic Black
Cardstock: Basic Black; Sweet Sorbet DSP (retired)
Accessories:
Tools: Elegant Butterfly Punch; Bitty Butterfly Punch

Card #3

Card Inspiration from Ginger Stamps

My version

Stamps: Petite Petals
Inks: Pool Party
Cardstock: Basic Black Whisper White; Sweet Sorbet DSP (retired)
Accessories: In Dolor Dahlias (retired)
Tools: Patterned scissors; Petite Petals Punch; 1 1/4" Circle Punch

Card #4

Card Inspiration from Stampin' Up in Munchen

My version

Stamps: Perfect Pennants; Petite Petals
Inks: Crisp Cantaloupe; Pistachio Pudding
Cardstock: Summer Starfruit; Crisp Cantaloupe; Whisper White; Sweet Sorbet DSP (retired)
Accessories: Silver Dots
Tools: Petite Petals Punch; Patterned Scissors

Card #5

Card Inspiration from Stamps, Paper, n' Stuff

My version

Stamps: Flower Shop; A Word for You (retired)
Inks: Basic Black; Crisp Cantaloupe
Cardstock: Crisp Cantaloupe; Whisper White; Sweet Sorbet DSP (retired)
Accessories: Rhinestone Jewels; Crisp Cantaloupe Ruffled Stretch Trim (retired)
Tools: Hexagon Embossing Folder; Pansy Punch

Card #6

Card Inspiration from CindyLeeBee Designs

My version

Stamps: A Word for You (retired); Petal Parade (retired)
Inks: Summer Starfruit; Crisp Cantaloupe; Pistachio Pudding
Cardstock: Basic Black; Whisper White; Sweet Sorbet DSP (retired)
Accessories: Pool Party Ribbon (retired); Rhinestone Jewels
Tools: 1 1/4" Circle Punch; Hexagon Punch (banner ends)

Card #7

Stamps: Petal Parade (retired)
Inks: Basic Black
Cardstock: Basic Black; Whisper White; Crisp Cantaloupe; Sweet Sorbet DSP (retired)
Accessories: Crisp Cantaloupe Ruffled Stretch Trim (retired)
Tools: Blossom Punch; 1 1/4" Circle Punch

Card #8

Card Inspiration from Stamping Sanity

My version

Stamps: Perfect Pennants; Petite Petals
Inks: Pool Party; Crisp Cantaloupe; Summer Starfruit
Cardstock: Basic Black; Whisper White; Pistachio Pudding; Sweet Sorbet DSP (retired)
Accessories:
Tools: Petite Petals Punch; 2" Circle Punch; Patterned Scissors

Card #9

Card Inspiration from Susan Stamps

My version

Stamps: Flower Shop; Petite Petals; Petal Parade (retired); Vintage Verses (retired)
Inks: Pool Party; Basic Black; Pistachio Pudding; Crisp Cantaloupe
Cardstock: Whisper White; Sweet Sorbet DSP (retired)
Accessories: Crisp Cantaloupe Ruffled Stretch Trim (retired)
Tools: Pansy Punch; Petite Petals Punch; 2" Circle Punch

Card #10

Stamps: Best of Greetings (retired); Petal Parade (retired)
Inks: Crisp Cantaloupe; Basic Black
Cardstock: Whisper White; Pool Party; Pistachio Pudding; Summer Starfruit; Sweet Sorbet DSP (retired)
Accessories:
Tools: Pansy Punch; Secret Garden Framelits

Card #11

Card Inspiration from Tiddbits from Dawn

My version

Stamps: Wacky Wishes (retired); Petal Parade (retired)
Inks: Pool Party; Crisp Cantaloupe
Cardstock: Basic Black; Whisper White; Summer Starfruit; Sweet Sorbet DSP (retired)
Accessories:
Tools: Bitty Butterfly Punch