ADORABLE OWL

This little guy is so very cheerful.  Adorable Owls is one of the stamp sets that is free with a $50 product purchase during the Sale-A-Bration promotion which ends February 28.  3 owls are featured.  Balmy Blue must be the color for March Stamp Camp as Nested Friends also features Balmy Blue.  Dandy Designs, also from the Sale-A-Bration promotion, is the DSP shown here.  The white layer to the left framed in Balmy Blue has been embossed with the Wrapped in Texture Embossing Folder. Two embossing folders come with this set so a different one was used for each of the samples.   Layering Circles Dies are used for the owl image and the sentiment.

The owls are colored with Stampin’ Blends.  The owl in the card above is colored with light SU500 and dark SU200.  These are Stampin’ Up skin tone shades.  The owl to the right is colored with light and dark Crumb Cake.  Light Balmy Blue is used for the outer eyes and a bit of Light Pool Party is used on the inner eye.  Light Petal Pink or Pale Papaya color the beak and feet of both owls.  Several messages come with this set.  The sentiment “You’re a friend like no other” is from the Best Bunny stamp set.  Several clear rhinestones are adhered and of Wink of Stella adds a bit of sparkle.

The message layer features a strip of the Dandy Designs DSP that matches the front, and a small stamped bird that is also found on the envelope.  The bird comes to us from the Best Bunny Stamp Set and is colored in Balmy Blue and Petal Pink or Pale Papaya.

We’ve seen a bit of nature for March Stamp Camp – birds, owls and shamrocks – but NO FLOWERS.  I wonder what our final March Stamp Camp card will look like????????????????

Blessings, Rosemary – (H)630.759.3089 – (C)630.965.1965 – paperrose01@aol.com

A WEE BIT IRISH

I think everyone is “a wee bit Irish” – don’t you?  I like to offer a St. Patrick’s Day card each year as it’s a fun time to remember our friends – Irish or not.  The message on our card is perfect for so many!

This Evening Evergreen card is just a “wee bit green.”  I found some retired Berry Delightful DSP and the reverse side is perfect for our Irish lass.  The largest Scalloped Contours Die on white gives a bit of frill for our dancing girl.  Lucky Clover is the Stampin’ Up set used along with the Lucky Clover punch.  I love the little row of stamped shamrocks on the envelope and running up the top left of the card.  Although hard to see, green glimmer paper shadows the large shamrock and is the top smaller shamrock on the left.  Our Irish Lass and the green butterflies come to us from Etsy – resized and cut with the Brothers Stamp’n Cut.  Call Me Clover Stampin’ Blends are used to over-color the hat ribbon, bodice and shoes.  Wink of Stella is the crowning touch.

The message layer features a message that is perfect for all our friends:

A GOOD FRIEND IS LIKE A FOUR-LEAF CLOVER.  HARD TO FIND  & LUCKY TO HAVE.

The message is stamped in Evening Evergreen on the second-largest Scalloped Contour die-cut white cs.  2 punched or die-cut shamrocks embellish the message layer.

This is a cute card to have on hand as St. Patrick’s Day approaches.  I bet you can think of 3-4 people who would enjoy receiving this.  Let me know if you have any questions or concerns,

Irish Blessings, Rosemary – (H)630.759.3089 – (C)630.965.1965 – paperrose01@aol.com

Spring is Coming–Nested Friends

Spring is coming – just 1 month away.  Nested Friends is a perfect way to celebrate the upcoming sunny days.  Actually, hubby Norb requested this card as he thought it would be an ideal card for a male. 

Nested Friends is a stamp and die bundle from the January – April 2023 Mini Catalog. shown here as a Z-card fun fold.  I wanted to use a gingham DSP background.  I have not purchased the Country Gingham DSP as it is sized at 6X6 and I am not a fond user of 6X6 card stock.  I dug into my archives and found some long retired Balmy Blue Gingham Gala DSP – perfect for spring.  The scoring for this sized Z-fold on an 8 1/2 X 5 1/2 piece of cardstock is 4 1/4 and 2 1/8 inches.  The top 4 1/4 inches is scored in half (2 1/8 inches) and folded back.  This style card generally uses less DSP – 2 X 5 3/8 and a 1/4” strip used on the inside. 

The message is stamped in Old Olive on white cardstock and punched with a hexagon shaped punch.  A piece of balmy blue is also punched and shadows the white message on the card.  The Birthday Wishes message used here comes with the set as do several other message stamps.

The Hive 3-D embossing folder and the 3-Way Punch give us dimension and interest on the Z-fold artwork.  3 pastel adhesive-backed sequins add a bit of glimmer. 

Stampin’ Blends were used to color the Nested Friends images seen here.  Light and Dark Crumb Cake were used for the nest, Light and Dark Old Olive for the leaves and Light and Dark Soft Suede for the wooden branch.  I applied color with the light, highlighted with the dark and went back and blended with the light Stampin’ Blend.  The bird is colored in Light and Dark Balmy Blue, and Light and Dark Petal Pink.  Pale Papaya can be used in place of the Petal Pink

The card is open in this view.  If desired, an additional bird could be added to an inside corner

March Stamp Camp is right around the corner – March 2, 3, 4 from 10am to 4pm each day.  Cards are $3.50 each and as always, all supplies and tools are provided.  Water and soft drinks are in the fridge and some type of snack will appear on the counter – maybe healthy or maybe not! 

I will be giving a 20% discount on all orders placed during the month of March with the exception of Paper Pumpkin.  I’m pleased many of you took advantage of the Sale-A-Brations promotion that ends on the 28th of February.  The gorgeous Dainty Flowers DSP that we fell in love with finally ran out of stock.  Needless to say, we will be making cards with this beautiful paper.  When you look at DSP, do you ever look at the reverse side?  Often times, the reverse side is of more use than the front  – especially for muted backgrounds.

I’m looking forward to seeing you in March.  Please let me know what day you plan on coming and which cards you wish to do.

Blessings, Rosemary – (H)630.759.3089 – (C)630.965.1965 – paperrose01@aol.com

NESTED FRIENDS

Spring is coming – just 1 month away.  Nested Friends is a perfect way to celebrate the upcoming sunny days.  Actually, hubby Norb requested this card as he thought it would be an ideal card for a male. 

Nested Friends is a stamp and die bundle from the January – April 2023 Mini Catalog. shown here as a Z-card fun fold.  I wanted to use a gingham DSP background.  I have not purchased the Country Gingham DSP as it is sized at 6X6 and I am not a fond user of 6X6 card stock.  I dug into my archives and found some long retired Balmy Blue Gingham Gala DSP – perfect for spring.  The scoring for this sized Z-fold on an 8 1/2 X 5 1/2 piece of cardstock is 4 1/4 and 2 1/8 inches.  The top 4 1/4 inches is scored in half (2 1/8 inches) and folded back.  This style card generally uses less DSP – 2 X 5 3/8 and a 1/4” strip used on the inside. 

The message is stamped in Old Olive on white cardstock and punched with a hexagon shaped punch.  A piece of balmy blue is also punched and shadows the white message on the card.  The Birthday Wishes message used here comes with the set as do several other message stamps.

The Hive 3-D embossing folder and the 3-Way Punch give us dimension and interest on the Z-fold artwork.  3 pastel adhesive-backed sequins add a bit of glimmer. 

Stampin’ Blends were used to color the Nested Friends images seen here.  Light and Dark Crumb Cake were used for the nest, Light and Dark Old Olive for the leaves and Light and Dark Soft Suede for the wooden branch.  I applied color with the light, highlighted with the dark and went back and blended with the light Stampin’ Blend.  The bird is colored in Light and Dark Balmy Blue, and Light and Dark Petal Pink.  Pale Papaya can be used in place of the Petal Pink

The card is open in this view.  If desired, an additional bird could be added to an inside corner

March Stamp Camp is right around the corner – March 2, 3, 4 from 10am to 4pm each day.  Cards are $3.50 each and as always, all supplies and tools are provided.  Water and soft drinks are in the fridge and some type of snack will appear on the counter – maybe healthy or maybe not! 

I will be giving a 20% discount on all orders placed during the month of March with the exception of Paper Pumpkin.  I’m pleased many of you took advantage of the Sale-A-Brations promotion that ends on the 28th of February.  The gorgeous Dainty Flowers DSP that we fell in love with finally ran out of stock.  Needless to say, we will be making cards with this beautiful paper.  When you look at DSP, do you ever look at the reverse side?  Often times, the reverse side is of more use than the front  – especially for muted backgrounds.

I’m looking forward to seeing you in March.  Please let me know what day you plan on coming and which cards you wish to do.

Blessings, Rosemary – (H)630.759.3089 – (C)630.965.1965 – paperrose01@aol.com

GNOME PYRAMID

We neglected pyramid cards in 2022, so let’s start out 2023 with a pyramid of Gnomes!

        

               

Remember this shape?  I’ve decreased the size by 1/8” to make it easier to slip the card into an envelope.  The 3 gnomes come to us from Etsy.  They are resized, cut with the Brother Scan’n Cut and adhere to triangular pieces of card stock and Sweet Talk DSP.  The added hearts are die-cut or punched from additional DSP.  When the pyramid is released from the Velcro dots, the card open and has space for a message.  A triangular piece of DSP adds a bit of decoration. 

   

 

Please let me know as soon as you can which cards you choose to do and which day you plan on attending.  The weather forecast looks chilly but no snow.  Of course, that can change in an instant.  Cards to go is an alternative if the weather or sickness keep you from attending.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Blessings, Rosemary – (H)630.759.3089 – (C)630.965.1965 – paperrose01@aol.com

SILVER VALENTINE

Sometimes you might have a favorite item that you just can’t part with.  The Greeting Card Kids Stamp Set is one of my favorite items.  This adorable little girl is part of that stamp set.  The Lovely Lipstick and Magenta Madness card is bright and cheerful.  The greeting card girl is colored with Stampin’ Blends and rests on two embossed hearts. A small envelope features a message reading “a teeny tiny note,”  Adhered to the envelope is an actual silver heart charm.  Scattered heart pearls finish the card with a touch of elegance.  This card can be for whatever occasion you choose.  Although it looks very “valentineish”, the message can be for birthday, anniversary, get well, or other occasion.

As a reminder, February Stamp Camp is Thursday, Friday, Saturday – February 2, 3, 4 from 10am – 4pm.  Please let me know which cards you wish to make and what day you plan on attending. 

Wondering what our 4th February Stamp Camp card might be?  Think pyramid! 

POPPY HEART

Poppies are special flowers.  They grow as weeds in California.  Once upon a time, I had 2 red poppy plants outside my kitchen window.  Someone who shall remain nameless, mistook the foliage for a weed and pulled up my 2 plants. At least I can still enjoy them on paper.

Simple and elegant!  Those are the words I use to describe the Poppy Heart card.  This print comes to us from Etsy.  When I saw the design, I immediately pictured it on a piece of Poppy Parade cardstock.  Although the sentiment reads “Happy Valentines Day”, if you let me know ahead of time, I will pull an alternate sentiment such as Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary, Thinking of You, or Get Well.  This is a sweet card for someone special in your life. 

CHEERFUL BASKET

HAPPY 2023 crafters and Welcome Back to another year of happy crafting, fun folds and new ideas and techniques. 

As Valentines Day is just around the corner, hearts are being featured for February Stamp Camp.  However, with the change of the sentiment, these cards can easily be for birthdays, thinking of you, or other cheerful occasions. 

For Cheerful Basket, all of our images are die cut.  Retired wood tone DSP is perfect for our basket.  To fill the basket, double heart images are stamped, die cut and colored with Stampin Blends.  Our cute little kitty is stamped in Basic Gray on Smoky Slate.  Several red glitter hearts are punched or die cut and add sparkle to our card front. 

So when is February Stamp Camp?  Actually, it is right around the corner – Thursday, Friday and Saturday – February 2, 3 and 4 from 10am to 4pm each day.  You can come for one hour, 2 hours, or spend the day.  As always, we provide all the tools and supplies.  Water and soda pop is also provided.  Not sure yet what our snack will be.  One change for 2023 is the pricing.  Cards will still be any 4 for $14, but each additional card will be $3.50.  I apologize for having to make this change, but the rising prices on everything has taken a toll.

Please let me know which cards you wish to do, and when you plan on coming.  Debbie could use everyone’s prayers and she is ill and having problems getting rid of the infection.  It will be great to see everyone!

BUTTERFLY NOTE

Butterfly Note is the final  Stamp Camp card for 2022.  Debbi and I call this the everything card!  This elegant card is perfect for sympathy, birthday, get well, thinking of you, wedding, anniversary and anything else you can think of although I’m sure a child would not enjoy it.  The DSP does all the work for this card!  Blackberry Beauty DSP has been on sale at Stampin’ Up for 1-2 months, but it is now gone!  The card is simply 1” strips of DSP layered on Brass metallic cs and arranged in a stairstep pattern.  A simple sentiment is also layered in brass and a Blackberry Bliss Brilliant Wings Dies butterfly is embellished with 4 Champagne rhinestones and adhered to the card front with glue dots.  There are 6 butterflies to choose from in this set so you can choose the one you like best.

The Very Vanilla message layer features a second butterfly.  The butterfly of your choice can be die cut in Blackberry Bliss or Rich Razzleberry as we see in the embossed top layer of the card front.  Both colors are rich and complement each other. 

I can’t stress how simple this card is.  1”X4” strips of DSP layered on 1 1/8” X 4 1/8” strips of a coordinating color.  And butterflies go with any DSP.  The Brilliant Wings Dies are a great set that will never go out of style – #155523 – $44.00 for 17 dies!

And so we end 2022 Stamp Camps!  I hope you can make our December gathering on Thursday, Friday and Saturday – December 1, 2, 3 – from 10am to 4pm.  If you have a conflict, please let me know and we can schedule an alternate time.  If you need Cards to Go, we can do that.  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know when you are coming, what cards you wish – as soon as possible.  With Thanksgiving in the middle of this coming week, we lose several days of cutting time.

The first 2023 Stamp Camp will be February 2, 3 and 4 and I have some fun ideas planned.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate or we will be doing Cards to Go for everyone.

Warm Winter Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving, Rosemary – H(630.759.3089 – C(630.965.1965 – paperrose01@aol.com

COFFEE? CHOCOLATE? COCKTAILS?

Do you have a favorite?  Cocktails?  Chocolate?  Coffee?  I happen to be a chocolate and coffee person but not so much for cocktails.  Now my brother-in-law loves his cocktails, so his birthday card was the cocktail version.  My sister doesn’t do coffee or cocktails – but she adores her chocolate, so the chocolate version is for her!

Coffee, Coffee Coffee!  How many of you start your day (or end it) with a steaming cup of coffee.  The Nothing’s Better Than Bundle features the favorites of coffee, cookies, chocolate and cocktails.  we see the coffee version here.  The Petal Pink DSP is from the retired Magnolia Lane.  The left Petal Pink strip is embossed with the Wrapped in Texture 3-D  embossing folder.  The coffee cups can be stamped in any dark color but I think Early Espresso or Memento Tuxedo Black inks look best.  Although there is a stamp to both fill the coffee cup and color the saucer, I find it more fun to use Stampin’ Blends to color different shades of coffee, and different colors for each saucer. 

The cocktail glasses are so cute.  The stamp that fills the glasses has ice cubes!!!!!  Cocktails can be so many colors.  The lemons, of course, have been colored yellow with Stampin’ Blends.  The small cocktail umbrella can be colored any way you like.  Some are even pre-colored for you.  I loved coloring the umbrellas with 3 different hues.  The 3-layer sentiment allows for the featured image to be die cut in Tahitian Tide and adhered flat to the sentiment.  Like the coffee sample above, all other images are adhered with dimensionals.

Now for my favorite – CHOCOLATE!!!!!  The chocolates are colored with Stampin’ Blends although there will be some uncolored ones available for you to color as you wish.  Different shades of Stampin’ Blends brown are used to give each trio a different look.  The fifth cluster is cut to fit on the sentiment layer.  In my archives, I pulled my ancient metal dots and adhered them to the sentiment layers – BUT I just noticed I missed the Cocktail card!  The dots can be colored if you wish but I like the grays and neutrals.

The message layer for each card features a 4 X 1/2” strip of Magnolia Lane DSP and an image that matches your theme – a coffee cup, chocolate cluster, or cocktail.  This is a fun card and nice to have in your library for that special person.  Although the stamps and dies are no longer available as a bundle, they are available singly.  The stamp set – Nothing’s Better Than is #158295 – $22.00.  The Love You More Dies are $30 – #152698.

Stay tuned for THE FINAL 2022 CARD.

Warm Blessings, Rosemary – C(630.965.1965 – H(630.965.1965 – paperrose01@aol.com