Friday, August 31, 2012

Nothing exciting today.  Our youngest grandson, Cohen, was visiting us today.  He is 19 months old and a real whirling dervish.  He is so funny and definitely makes us laugh.

Well I did come up with a new card for the Reason to Smile stamp set and I am hoping you like it.  I sure did.  Sometimes I amaze myself LOL.

I used the solid flower from the set and stamped it on white card stock using Stampin Up Basic Black. This is one of the new ink pads and if you use it be sure that you let the ink dry well.  It takes a little longer to dry and it will smudge if it is not dry.  I then took a scrap of black ribbon and bound it around the lower 1/3 of the white card stock and then adhered the white cardstock to a designer paper from a 6x6 paper pad called Victoria Gardens by Echo Park Paper Co.  I then mounted the entire thing onto white card stock.  And for just a little color, I added a punched Red Rose flower oval.  Actually I made 3 yesterday because I had something else in mind when I started but then changed my mind and so I had one to use on today's card.  Like I said some days I amaze myself.

Remember you need to leave a comment about any of the cards this week to be entered into a drawing for a Reason to Smile stamp set.  I will even send you a new set and not the one that I have been using.

Have a great Labor Day Weekend.

Pam

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Well another exciting day for me.  Went to the physical therapist and got a wonderful massage and stretch.  Then I went to the pool to test out my water socket.  Well the leg didn't stay on.  It was okay while I was in the pool but I couldn't keep it on once the liner got wet.  I got a wheelchair ride to the car and once I got home Dave helped me.  I was going upstairs to shower and the leg totally fell off.  Oh my goodness it was so funny.  I wish I had a picture to show you.

What I do have a picture of is a new card that I made from the Reason to Smile set.  As I promised I am making a different card from the set all week because I have a set just like it up for grabs.

I am posting two pictures because I wanted you to be able to really see the embossing.  I guess I need to take a photo taking class.  Anyway, I first stamped the flower with Rose Red and Wild Wasabi ink.  I then stamped the oval outline from the Stampin Up Joyous Celebrations stamp set.  Then I punched it out with the large oval punch.  The next step was to emboss the mat with the Textured Impressions embossing folder from Stampin Up.  I then adhered the punched oval in the center and adhered the mat to the card and I was done. 

I love flowers so this is one of my favorite stamping sets.  Until tomorrow.  Have a great evening.

Pam

Wednesday, August 29,2012

Another beautiful Minnesota day.  I was busy busy today and so I am a little late getting this out but I sure had fun making another card out of the Reason to Smile stamp set from Stampin Up that I have up for grabs this week.  All you have to do is leave a comment.  I will make a card using the stamps from this set all week.

I tried this technique of spraying shimmer sprays on white card stock using red yellow and orange with a little pearl thrown in the mix.  After the paper dried, I stamped the single out line flower from the Reason to Smile set, using Memento Rich Cocoa ink.  I then stamped a piece of card stock and colored the flower with Stampin Up markers, Summer Sun, Dusty Durango, and Early Espresso.  I also colored the flowers I stamped with Dusty Durango and Early Espresso.  I then mounted the single flower with pop up dots.  I then mounted the flower paper onto Stampin Up designer paper Old Olive from the Polka Dot Parade set.  I then mounted the entire thing onto white card stock.  I really like the way this turned out.  Making the one background was no more time consuming then sponging a variety of colors onto card stock.  It reminds me so much of the colors of autumn.  I did fussy cut the one flower though.   Hope you enjoy.

I then wanted to share a card I made for my great nephews wedding in October.  I found this leaf ribbon in a lavender color so I put that onto a white opaque ribbon.  I then made a flower from Stampin Up Mixed Blossoms by white embossing on white cardstock.  I really like the white on white.  I stamped the sentiment in lavender as well and then die cut it and adhered with adhesive to the dotted background paper and then that onto the card base.  Just a little variation of the white on white that I really love.   Enjoy and don't forget to leave a comment

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Hello everyone,  I have a fabulous card for you today.  My niece, Michelle Selinski turned 21 years old this month which called for a special 21st birthday card.  Actually, it came together quickly and I have to say Paper Crafts Magazines "Card Design Handbook" is awesome.  It really helped me rethink the original card that I made.

Originally I used just the designer paper which really was not all that fun and interesting.  Actually it made my eyes go a little crazy.  Using concepts that I read about in Card Design Handbook I used the asymmetrical design and added two solid colors that toned down the designer paper.  The solids are colors that are in the dp also.  I stamped two balloons then stamped them onto white cardstock and used sticker numbers The happy birthday banner was made using Stampin Up set Itty Bitty Banners and the die cuts that coordinate with this set.  Happy Birthday again Michelle and I hope all of you enjoy the card.

Also don't forget to check Mondays blog for the contest!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pam

Monday, August 27, 2012

Well hello everyone.  I wasn't feeling especially well so I didn't post a couple days last week so I decided to show you two cards that I made.  I also promised you contest.  Well it isn't really a contest because all you need to do is leave me a comment about one of todays cards and on Monday, September 3, 2012, I will randomly draw a winner from the comments I receive and the winner will receive the following Stampin Up stamp set. 

This is a beautiful set of stamps and can be used for cards or for scrapbooking.  And because I would be remiss not to give you an example card, the following card was made with my set of  "Reason to Smile.

So I used Primrose Petals card stock for the card base.  I then used a scrap of Twitterpated designer paper leaving just a sliver of primrose petals on the bottom.  I used a piece of 1/4 inch stitched grosgrain ribbon in Wild Wasabi at the top of the designer paper.  I stamped one of the flowers from the Reason to Smile stamp set on a scrap of white and cut it out with one of the Apothecary Accents dies.  I sponged around the edges of the white with Blushing Bride ink.  I then slipped the flower piece under the Wild Wasabi.  I used a stamp from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set for the sentiment.  I made this card in under 15 minutes without a prethought out idea. 

Making cards is not only a relaxing hobby but is so easy.  If you haven't tried stamping and making your own cards you must give it a try.  You will fall in love with it just as I did.

Now I have been making cards and I made a gift card holder.  I CASed a card from pinterest so of course because I was CASing I changed the colors and closure.  This card turned out awesome.  The only thing I would change would be something to secure the bow.  Take a look and see what you think.

I used white card stock for the base.  I then found a scrap of designer paper from Stampin Up's Bella Bleu.  I used the same designer paper for the bottom and top of the faux box.  I used designer paper and brown card stock cut with the medium and small oval punches and adhered to the back of the box top for the bow.  I used velcro for the closure but used a sparkle button and a pearl for my faux closurel.  I added a tag with the sentiment Mr & Mrs from Stampin Up's Tiny Tags and secured it to the card with linen thread.  Pull open the box lid and there is a place for gift card and I wrote congratulations on the card.  I was really happy how this turned out.  Like I said the bow was a little insecure and when I make another, and I will, I would put a piece of card stock over the lower portion of the box top to secure the bow.

Now remember you have a week to leave me comments and let me know what you think of my cards.  Pretty easy task to win a wonderful stamp set.
 

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Well today has been slow down day.  I didn't really didn't do much of anything. I did sign up for a class tomorrow to make the beautiful ornament that is on the front of the Stampin Up Not So Mini Catalog.  I had to stamp and cut out 20 of each of 2 ornaments.  I decided since I was taking on that task I would just stamp and cut a few extra ornaments out to make a Christmas card. 

 

 

I used very vanilla for the card base and the new Candlelight Christmas Specialty Designer Paper as a mat to use the cherry cobbler scalloped tulle ribbon, which I gathered together and tied with linen thread.  I then placed an old olive stamped ornament on top of that.  I used a scrap of green ribbon around the top of the ornament.  I have to say I like how it turned out and hope that you do too.

 

Starting Monday, August 27, 2012 at noon, I am starting a new contest.  That is all I am saying for now except that the prize will be an entire stamp set.

 

Enjoy,

 

 

Pam

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Well I realize this is being posted rather late but I have been gone all day.  I had the best time today with my friends Jeanne and Judy.  We went to St. Cloud, MN to a store called Crafter's Direct.  Wow what a wonderland of fun.  We then went to lunch at a place called Grizzley's and then to the most beautiful place called Clemons Munsinger Gardens.  This place is so totally amazing.  It runs along the Mississippi river.  The gardens are filled with amazing flowers and trees.  There are benches to sit on and enjoy the beauty of the place.  The garden was created by the Munsinger's for everyone to enjoy.  There is no charge to go through the beautiful gardens so if you are ever in the area make these gardens a place to go.  I could have sat there all day amongst the flowers.  Speaking of flowers, I want to share one of my latest cards.  It is a card I made for my friend Donna Sobraske's birthday.  I used the Stampin Up set World Treasures. 

I used Dawn Olchefske's triple time design and basic grey and melon mambo.  Found a scrap of black, grey and white ribbon and that is it.

Enjoy until tomorrow.




Pam

Monday, August 20, 2012

My goodness the summer is going fast.  Last week at the Wisconsin Dells with most of our family ( really missed having son Brian with us) was great.  I love my grandsons so much and having them around everyday was nice but now it is time to get back to the everyday life.  The two oldest must start getting ready for school and the littlest one must start to get ready to return to daycare full time.  They grow so fast, it is nice to get pictures of them every year so I can watch how they grow.  While we are at the Dells each year we celebrate middle grandson, Blake's, birthday.  He turned 12 this year and we did the usual, taco's, presents and ice cream cake.  He is a wonderful kid as they all are.  Here is the birthday card I made for Blake.



I belong to a card club at DOstamping and she sends out the materials and patterns each month for like $24.  One of the cards had a race car from a newer Stampin Up set that I do not have.  I do have an old set called Toy Box that no longer is for sale.  I do however like the set because it has so many options for children cards.  I used the race car from the Toy Box set and made the middle portion of the card.  I then used the new Stampin Up set called Itty Bitty Banners and stamped the happy birthday on a scrap piece of white paper and used the matching dies to cut the banner out.  I then assembled the card the way that Dawn had created it.  She used the zigzag embossing folder for the black, then all three pieces were adhered to a black card base.  I used a sentiment on the inside that said "can't think of a nicer person to celebrate."  Hope you enjoy and have a great rest of Monday.

Pam

Next week

 I am on vacation next week and will be computerless and stampless.  I know it is awful.  Well not really as I get to spend time with all my grandkids.  Yeah.  I will be posting again the following week Until then have a fabulous week.



Pam

Thursday, August 9, 2012

I have been gone all day baking.  My husband, Dave and I get together with our good friends, Chris and Kim Capaul and bake coffee cake.  Well Kim and I have the hard part, rolling out the dough, while the guys just make the stuff.  We go  out to lunch and then sit around chatting and laughing while the coffee cake bakes.  This is usually a winter tradition but every other year we make the coffee cake for Dave's family reunion.  Needless to say, no time for stamping but not to fret as I made a couple of cards one day and held this one back.  I made this from the flower in the Stampin Up set World Treasures.  Really do like this set.  I did this card in the triple time technique which I have to say is my all time favorite card style.

Enjoy



Pam

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Well today I am going to share with you a card that I made from a stamp set that I fell in love with, Stampin Up set World Treasures.  I held off buying it wondering if I would really use it that much but I finally caved and I am so glad that I did.  I just got the set and have made two cards and have a couple other ideas. 

I love this peacock.  I used bermuda bay for the card base.  I then decided some of the new designer paper, International Bazaar was called for.  I stamped the peacock using the Bermuda Bay and then fussy cut it out.  I used dimensionals to pop it up off the card.  I used yellow gold crystals to add some more dimension.  I used Stampin Ups Friendly Phrases and the Bermuda Bay ink for the sentiment.  I did dig into my ribbon stash and found a scrap of Cajun Craze and it worked out perfectly.  Hope you enjoy the card as much as I do.  I think this just may be one of my most favorite card yet.  Oh who am I fooling, I love them all.  Have a great day.

Pam

Contest winners

Congratulations to both Nicki and Barb.  They have claimed their prizes.  Thanks to all of you that are now following my blog.  Make sure that you check it often because I will be having other contests.  I am downsizing and have so much stuff in my stash that I could give a prize a week away for probably 5 years and still have stuff that I am not going to use.   That is what happens when you get carried away.  I actually was a Creative Memories consultant and then I had an accident at work and lost my leg and lets just say recovery is lengthy and my business fell apart.  At any rate I have lots of things to use for prizes. 

Now I didn't do a post on Monday because I thought I published the one that ended up on Sunday late enough to be Mondays.  My grandson, Cohen, who is an active 18 month old was here with me this morning and he likes to be outside and he is like a ping pong ball; you have to watch him every second.  But I did make a card last night from a new set that I just received from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  I got two sets and the one I used 246 Hat Ladies is so funny.  I like a little humor in my cards so when I got these I just had to use the set right away.

Two ladies out on the town and having Fun after Fifty.  I think I should change up the sentiment and stamp it in red.  The yellow doesn't show up well.  Anyway, I used dp from Gina K Designs and a scrap red ribbon.  I used an ivory card base and placed the dp on top of that making sure that the ribbon hide the seam where the two colors met.  I then stamped the focal image in black and colored in using Stampin Up markers.  I then punched the corners with ticket punch from Stampin Up.  The image and sentiment both came from that same fun set from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  I love the card, I can use as a birthday card, thinking of you card, or just a note card.  So many ideas bouncing around in my head.  The stamp set has three other images and 4 additional sentiments so it is quite a large set for the price.  I can't wait until I have time to make another card but right now I am going to take a nap.  I am tired after such a busy morning.  Enjoy ladies. 

Pam 

CPC14 Pretty Cards

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  Saturday, I went to a family fest in Maple Grove with my daughter, Katy and my grandson, Cohen and then I went to their house and helped Katy with some last minute baby shower preparations for the shower she was giving for her friend Jenny.  We took my mother-in-law and her friend to a polka mass in Isanti, MN on Sunday.  My sister-in-law, Donna and her family live there.  The church had a festival too so we ate and played bingo.  Then my sister came to visit for a while and returned some stamps that I had given her.  It seems that we all are downsizing these days.  Unfortunately, I went through those she returned and returned a few to my shelf.  Only a few though.  I still have plenty to sell off.  They are still great stamps I just can't keep all of them if I want new.  I do like new. There are so many beautiful stamps out there.  Then my daughter, Jennifer stopped by and needed some sympathy cards.  Anyway, I didn't have a lot of time this weekend to work on cards.  Well I did manage to make a few.  The one that I am showing today is for a challenge on CraftProjectCentral. CPC14 Creating Pretty Cards provided a sketch

And here is my interpretation.  Since I am a flower person I decided to go into my stash of stamps and found a wonderful Stampin Up set called Punch Potpourri.  I used two of the new in-colors from Stampin Up called Primrose Petals and Raspberry Ripple.  I stamped the flowers in Raspberry Ripple and punched them out.  I then punched out three 1 3/4 inch circles in the Raspberry Ripple.  I used the Primrose Petals as a mat and some of the Primrose Petals ribbon.  I also stamped on Very Vanilla the sentiment from another Stampin Up set called You're a Gem.  I added some of the tiny pearls to finish it off.

I do have to say that this is a very Pretty card and I am very proud of it. Enjoy my interpretation of the card and have a great day.

Pam

Contest Winners

So I am a little late but only because I was waiting for my hubby. He was in the shower and then didn't come upstairs right away.  Anyway, without further chatter:

The first name drawn is

Nicki Newman

The second name drawn is

Barb Bruder

Congratulations Ladies and thanks so much for following my blog.



 Remember:   Winners will have until Monday at 8:00 p.m. (CST) August 6, 2012 to send me your information via email at pamselinski@comcast.net.

One note if a winner does not respond by the aforementioned day and time, a new winner will be chosen. 


Now ladies, those of you that didn't win don't dispair because I am already planning another contest.  Yup that is right.  I am downsizing and have tons of new products that I would love to share with you so watch for the next contest coming soon.

Pam

Friday August 2, 2012

Happy Friday everyone.  I have found the ideal technique.  You can use it for just about anything.  I love it.  I seen it on a Stampin Up blog http://dostamping.typepad.com/ recently and it just looks great no matter what subject you use.  Today I made a birthday card and a Christmas card. 

I took a picture of both cards at once and then I took individual photos of each.  It looks like it would be difficult and takes tons of time but it doesn't. First of all you cut all your pieces: white or ivory 2X3 1/4, 3X 4 1/4, and 4X5 1/4. Then your card base color.  In the first card I used Stampin Up new color Midnight Muse then cut two additional pieces (in this case, blue) 2 1/4X3 1/2, and 3 1/4X4 1/2.   Set the base card and last two cuts aside.  With the white cuts place a small dab of tape on the back of the small piece and center it on the medium piece then place a dab of tape on the back of the medium piece and center it on the largest white piece.  Then stamp away.  Once it is stamped take the pieces apart and mount each on it's corresponding color piece.  

On the first one I wanted to make a masculine card because I never seem to have enough of those. Using Stampin Up The Open Sea stamp set I stamped the compass all over the white pieces.  I mounted the largest piece to the card base and then I mounted the small piece to the medium piece remembering to match the tied red and white baker's twine around the medium piece and tied a happy birthday sentiment from Stampin Up's Teeny Tiny Wishes and then adhered the medium piece to the large piece and waala I was done.  I think it is a really rich looking card.
    

This card was made with a set from Sparkle N Sprinkle set 418.  I stamped the ornament in green and then used a red sparkle pen for the poinsettia.  In the center of the ornament I sponged a pale yellow.  I mounted the ivory card stock with green.  On this card I didn't use a ribbon or sentiment but liked it just the way it is.  I will put a sentiment on the inside. 

Now if you haven't joined this site remember to do so today before 8pm CST as that is when I will be closing the contest and having my wonderful husband Dave draw for the two prizes. 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Pam

SNSSC10 Thursday August 2, 2012

While going through my emails of which most are stamping blogs, I came across a challenge from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  The challenge was to make a card from a sketch they posted (if you are interested in the challenge, go to their blog) and also using their stamps.  Well since I am trying to figure out a Christmas card I decided to make christmas cards from the sketch.  I ended up with two cards but I am unsure which I should use for the challenge.  Well, the rules don't say that I can't enter more than one but I guess I like the ornament one best of the two.  Here is the card that I made using Sparkle N Sprinkle Stamp Set #418.  This set is great because not only does it have Spellbinder Nestibilities Dies that can cut out the ornament images, but it comes with many, many sentiments for the holidays.

I decided to use a non-traditional color for christmas with the blue.  After stamping and cutting out the ornaments, I took my Sakura clear star pen and high lighted the ornaments and the sentiment.  I used dimensionals to pop up each ornament and silver wire to hang the ornaments from.  The card was easy and quick to make so it would be a real Christmas card contender for me.

I also created this second card from the sketch.  Actually it probably mirrors the sketch more than the first card.  I took  and made my card base from ivory card stock.  I then added a green mat.  I had some designer holiday paper that was double sided.  I turned the ornament side over and found a two-toned red circle paper so I cut two strips of designer paper and one red.  I also made 3 buttons with acrylic caps and the paper I used for the strips.  I then placed the strips on the green mat and the buttons at the bottom of each strip.  I used the same Sparkle N Sprinkle Stamp Set 418 for the sentiment which I stamped on the ivory card stock in black and then backed it with red and mounted it on the bottom of the card. 

I like both cards.  I think they both turned out very well.  They were both easy to make and I completed them both quickly.  Since I sent out over 100 cards last year, I better get a move on. Decisions, decisions.

As a side note I have been told that some folks have not been able to "Join this Site"  If you are having difficuly drop me an email at pjselinski@comcast.net and I will add your name to the contest.  I checked this out today and it is working so I would have to address each problem individually.  Remember, the contest ends Friday, August 3 at 8pm CST.  I may have said Thursday on one post but it is Friday. 

Until Friday have a wonderful Thursday.

                                                   Pam 

www.sparklensprinkle.com if you are interested in the stamps and or Nestibilities.

Wednesday, August, 1, 2012

Well I am back to my newer Stampin Up sets.  Flower Fest is one that recently retired I think but I think it is a timeless set.  The flowers are frivolous and that is something we all can use from time to time.  I am really liking the Stampin Up new in-colors.  The Ripple Raspberry and Primrose Petals in particular.  I used the round scallop punch to complete the card and continue with the scalloped theme of the flowers.  I am off with my daughter, Katy, and grandson, Cohen, to visit Cohen's great-aunts, Roxanne and Marge. Enjoy the card and I hope you like it as much as I do

A trick I learned from Stampin Up demonstrator, Christine Miller, is to stamp the flower and then mask it before applying the leaves.  It leaves the impression that those leaves are under the flowers. 

Pam