Happy Anniversary!

      Hello!  Today's card was inspired by Sarah Wills' simple notecard over at her blog, Sarah's Ink Spot.  If you haven't had the chance to check out her blog you really should - she's amazing!  To make Sarah's card more of my own I changed the colors, main image and sentiment. 
     In my effort to keep my New Year's resolution of sending special occasion cards to all family members this year I realized that anniversaries should be included.  Of course, an anniversary stamp is THE ONE type of stamp set I don't own, so I had to imrovise.  I wasn't sure if I should use a "congratulations" sentiment (I strongly believe that 27 years of marriage deserves a hearty congrats!) or "best wishes".  In the end I went with the latter, but mostly because the font went better with the First Edition DSP (everything has to be just so...).

Stamps: Great Friend, Vintage Labels (retired)

Ink: StazOn black, Pretty In Pink

Paper: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Pretty In Pink, First Edition DSP

Tools & Accessories: Grograin ribbon, pearls, Stampin'dimensionals 

Sketch Challenge 294, Take Two!

     Hello!  I had so much fun participating in Sketch Challenge 294 over at Split Coast Stampers that I thought I'd try it again!  For this card I dug out some retired DSP that I've been hanging on to for years.  While Stampin' Up! does offer DSP in So Saffron they no longer offer it in the patterns that I have.  I think I've been holding on to the paper for so long because I know once I use them up they're gone for good :(

     The card base is 5 1/4"x5 1/4" and fits in the medium square envelope.  It's hard to tell from the photo but the first layer of More Mustard was embossed with the swirl from the Backgrounds #1 Texturz Plates set.  These plates give a very faint embossed look - for a more prominent look spritz the card stock with water before running through the Big Shot.
     I should also mention that this is a very heavy card.  The extra layers and ribbon give it some bulk and I'm sure that it would require extra postage to mail.

Stamps: Great Friend, Thank You Kindly, Vintage Vogue
Ink: Old Olive, StazOn Black, More Mustard
Paper: Very Vanilla, So Saffron (CS and DSP), More Mustard
Tools & Accessories: Brads, crystals (non SU), dimensionals, black 5/8" grosgrain ribbon. Big Shot, Backgrounds #1 Texturz Plates

A Purple Card and Brads to Match!

Hello!  Today's card is inspired by Beth Ann Wilson's card.  While I absolutely love the colors she chose, I decided to tone it down a bit and went with Perfect Plum.  While Stampin' Up! does offer a wide variety of colored brads I currently do not have any in my collection.  Bummer.  But... the good news is you can "dye" brads to match any color cardstock and it's super easy!

     Simply cover the brad in your choice of craft ink (in my case I used Elegant Eggplant), coat with clear embossing powder and heat until melted (for small brads this is 8-10 seconds).  I've found that you may need to rough up the brad a bit with a sanding block if the ink isn't sticking too well.  Make sure you let the brad cool for at least a minute before you try to use it - it will be hot!   I'll be honest and say that once you've "dyed" your brad you shouldn't handle it too much - the color will eventually come off. 

Stamps: Great Friend
Paper: Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White
Ink: Elegant Eggplant (classic and craft), VersaMark
Tools & Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, clear embossing powder, heat tool, dimesionals