Masked Single Layer Celebration

Today's card is featured over at Stylin' Stampin' Inkspiration and features a single layer card. I decided to use of my current favorite stamp sets: Celebrate Today. I was so excited to see this stamp set carry over from the Occasions catalog.

My goal was to create a single layer card that didn't feel plain. I decided on a masking technique with the simple balloon stamp. I layered a few differently colored balloons and then had some fun embellishing the balloons. Rhinestones and candy dots were added to a few of the balloons. They add some great visual interest without any extra layers. Lastly, I heat embossed the sentiment on the middle balloon. The sentiment is hard to see in pictures, but shows up well in person. Overall, I loved the challenge of making a single layer card. Turns out I can actually do it!

• Stamps: Celebrate Today
• Inks: Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight, Blushing Bride, Calypso Coral, Versamark
• Cardstock: Whisper White
• Accessories: Pearl Embossing Powder, Rhinestones, Candy Dots
• Tools: Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool

Fancy Folds Class - Part 2

In May I held a class featuring four cards with fancy folds. I tend to keep the same style of cards, but decided this was a great chance to learn some new techniques.

Card #1

I found a great little tutorial for a steps card. I love the finished look of these and knew I wanted to do my own. Take a piece of cardstock measuring 4 1/4" x 11" and score as 1 1/4", 2 1/2", 4 1/4", 6", 8 1/4". From there cut a separate piece of same colored cardstock to 4 1/4" by 5 1/8". Fold the card into steps and attach the other piece of cardstock to stand up the card. From there, I cut the DSP to 1" by 4", 1 1/2" by 4", and 4 3/4" by 4". I layered a smaller piece of white paper to put add a fun sentiment. To finish the card, I added some die cut flowers in coordinating inks.

• Stamps: Wacky Wishes (retired); Secret Garden (retired)
• Inks: Melon Mambo; Tangerine Tango; Pacific Point; Wild Wasabi
• Cardstock: Melon Mambo; Beyond the Garden DSP (retired)
• Accessories: Garden Party Washi Tape (retired)
• Tools: Secret Garden Framelits (retired)

Card #2

Love this tri-fold class! Start with a 8" by 12" piece of cardstock. Line up the piece at a diagonal and cut. It doesn't need to be precise. You can make the angle as steep as you want. Score at 4", flip around, and score at 4". Fold the card and you're ready to decorate.

To decorate, I created my own piece of DSP with the circle stamp from Work of Art. Once that was done, I cut the pieces to add to the cardstock. Finally I decorated and cut out some balloons. Perfect!

• Stamps: Celebrate Today (retired); Work of Art
• Inks: Pistachio Pudding (retired); Crisp Cantaloupe (retired); Pool Party; Basic Gray
• Cardstock: Crisp Cantaloupe (retired)
• Accessories: Gray twin
• Tools: Balloon Framelits

Two Color Balloons

Today's card was my individual swap card for March. I found this beautiful card design from Allison Okamitsu @ Nice People Stamp and knew I had to recreate it for my swap buddy. I've really been into heat embossing lately and this card has just enough to satisfy my craving.

The two color balloons are incredibly easy to make. Simply ink up one color (for example Pool Party) and then sponge another color (Wild Wasabi) directly onto the stamp. Stamp your paper and voila! instant two color balloon! I love the look, but the next step took this card to the next level. Next I inked up the confetti stamp with Versamark and then heat embossing with pewter embossing powder. I don't have gold like Allison's card, but pewter turned out very nice! In the photo below, you can see that the embossed parts are a bit shiny. Very pretty! I added a few die cut bows and a heat embossed sentiment on vellum to complete the card. Love this one!

• Stamps: Celebrate Today; Simply Wonderful
• Inks: Pool Party; Wild Wasabi; Daffodil Delight; Calypso Coral; Basic Gray; Versamark
• Cardstock: Pool Party; So Saffron; Daffodil Delight; Wild Wasabi; Whisper White; Vellum
• Accessories:
• Tools: Balloon Framelits; Pewter Embossing Powder; Heat Embossing Gun