Mojo Monday 271/ New Years

Sorry the photo quality on this one isn't great, but I thought I would snap a quick one with my iphone so I could just blog and go.  It's been way too long since I've done a Mojo Monday and I just knew that waiting to do a "real" photo would mean I wouldn't actually post it.  So, we'll make do with a little lack of focus and some less than perfect lighting. ;)  The card is soooo shiny in person though... glimmer paper makes everything sparkle!  I got to try out one of my new Single Stamps for this one.  In addition to releasing a few stamps from sets within the current catalog, SU also came out with a few never before seen stamps for sale as singles.  Isn't this new year's greeting great?  The stamp is super big & at $6.95 a great bargain too.  It's a perfect solution for folks like me who rarely get it together in time to send Christmas cards, but have just a bit of free time at the start of the year.  Head on over to my SU website to look at this and the other single stamps--- available for a short time only!

Fancy Friends Kit

I'm so looking forward to my class this month.  We're going to make gifts using the new Fancy Friends kit from Stampin' Up.  The kit includes all we need--- even two stamps & two mini ink pads for everyone!  I'm going to, of course, add my own flair by teaching a fun technique to add a little extra pizzazz to all our cards. Class is from 1-4 on Sunday the 16th.  RSVP today by commenting on this post or sending me an email.  Class fee for 6 cards is $20 or $30 if you want to make 26 cards to create several gift bundles.  Make sure to RSVP by Friday the 7th so I can order all our goodies!!

Ribbon Framelits Case

Ah, it's Christmas card time again!  I saw a version of this card at Stampin' Up Regionals in Denver and knew I just had to make it.  All of the fillings for each framelit come from ribbon.  It was such fun to use ribbon in a brand new way.  It creates unexpected texture and is super easy to do.  I resisted buying the Holiday Framelits Collection and the  Scentsational Season set that goes with it, but since SU offers it as a bundle, how could I go wrong?  Of course, the stamps aren't featured in this card. They are super cute though and will make fun additions to the liner & envelope.  I hope folks like it at my Fancy Xmas Card Class tomorrow!

Manly Mojo/ Mojo Monday #255

My new goal for classes is to have at least one "masculine" card for each one.  I've considered having an all masculine class, but I think I like the sprinkling idea even better. Then folks will always have at least one on hand (& I don't need to think of five masculine designs all at once!).  So, this week's Mojo Monday sketch needed to go manly for me.  I found inspiration in an unexpected place--- Floral District designer paper.  With so many blossoms, I didn't think I could find a design that work work for my manly theme.  However, one of the "B" sides worked just great.  All it needed was a little bit of soft suede sponged around the edges.  It's hard to believe I used to dislike this color.  Now I use it ALL the time!  I went with the distressed look on my stamped piece.  My distressing tool took care of the edges & my color spritzer added just enough to my repeated stamps.  I even think the accidental stamping of the edge of this stamp adds to the distressed look.   That's why I didn't redo it.  I am the Accidental Stamper after all.  My very favorite part of this card is the combo of the embossed scallops & the pierced ones along the side.  It was such a fun alternative to a punched piece of paper.  The card didn't really need another layer & this way I could include that element more subtly (and use even more toys!).

Floral District Mojo/ Mojo Monday #254

This is one of the first signs I may actually be getting back into gear: I completed my Mojo Monday card on MONDAY.  That hasn't happened in a long while. :)  Tomorrow is the start of a new school year for me and I hope to get off on the right foot.  Hence actually focusing on my Mojo Monday sketch.  I know my organization is bound to deteriorate as a new job begins, but I wanted to start with things as well off as possible.  That way, they have a lot further to go! :)  I've been eyeing this pattern from the Floral District designer paper ever since it arrived as part of my title benefit bundle.  Isn't it lovely?  I knew I wanted to create something elegant with it.  However, I was struggling a bit until I added Night of Navy to my color mix.  Originally, I had a Tangerine Tango pennant on the far right, but that just wasn't doing the trick.  I was inspired by some simple Night of Navy Grosgrain ribbon and decided to sponge my layers with Night of Navy as well.  The overall effect could work for any occasion from birthday to sympathy.  I like to keep things versatile because you never know what sort of card you'll need next.  Do you recognise the leaf stamped on the small rectangle?  It's from the Language of Friendship set & is designed to punch out using the XL Bird Punch.  I just inked that bit of the image with my markers so the leaf could fly solo on this card.  Perhaps I would punch some leaves to go with it next time around?  We'll see what folks decide to do at class this month.  I bet no two cards look alike.  That's one of my favorite parts of class!

Scallop Circle Flower Throwdown/ Color Throwdown #204

It's such fun to see a photo of something that makes you think "I want to try THAT" and then sitting down and doing just that!  In this month's Stampin' Success (the magazine just for SU demos...let me know if you want to join the team so you can get inspired each month too!) they pictured a flower made from lots of little scalloped circles and glued together using hot glue & the new Silicone Craft sheet.  Well, I just had to give it a try since my very own Silicone Craft Sheet arrived this week along with my new glue gun.  Such fun!  I went over to the folks at The Color Throwdown for color inspiration & found this week's pallet includes Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Gray & Very Vanilla.  Since I really wanted to use pearls on this card, I replaced the Very Vanilla with Whisper White & then just went for it!  I've never used hot glue with paper crafting before.  Wow, was that easy!  And no hassle at all thanks to my Silicone Sheet.   I didn't even have to worry about burning myself because I could glue straight on to the sheet.  No need to hold anything and glue at the same time.  Excellent!  I was a little startled to find that I have four different sizes of scallop circle punch now.  How about that?  Oh, and there is also the scallop circle Big Shot Die.  Tee hee... I love creating layers!!  This card ended up as an easy show stopper!  I don't think it'll fit in an envelope though...

Fall Jar Project

Well, this was about the most fun crafting ever!  I decided I was going to attempt a project with my new Autumn Accents die & thought I would try the wreath pictured in Stampin' Success (the demo only magazine from SU).  So, I went off to buy a wreath form.  While shopping for one, I saw a display of canning jars and inspiration struck!  I went home to play with one of my jars & a bunch of leaves/acorns created via my Autumn Accents die.  Oh, and most importantly, with my first ever purchase of burlap.  (The kind lady at the fabric counter was very patient with me as a total novice at buying fabric by the yard.)  Running burlap through the Big Shot is hands down my favorite thing of the moment.  It cuts so cleanly and gives these great little accents.  Love them! I'm sure you'll see them featured in a card soon.  After fiddling a bit with crinkling leaves, spritzing with gold, and stuffing my jar I had an excellent little fall accent.  I can't wait to put it on my mantle!  I think it's a prime candidate for a September project class, what do you think?