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Donald the Frog

The Pieces of Heart challenge this month was to create a card using at least 10 circles with 2 different sizes. I have named this frog after our mascot, Don Schell who gave us this challenge.   I thought it to be quite a challenge until I happened upon this adorable punched owl by Tammy Howel.   It was almost as if he came to life as I assembled his parts. There are way more than 10 circles and 2 different sizes so I met the challenge without a contest.

Best thing about this card?   With the exception from the Whisper White card base, all of the paper came from my scrap box.

For the Frog you will need:

1 – 1 3/4" circle Always Artichoke
1 – 1 3/8" circle Old Olive
2 – 3/4" circles Always Artichoke
2 – 1/2" circles Whisper White
2 – 1/4" circles Basic Black
2 – small flowers from Boho Blossoms punch Always Artichoke
2 – small ovals Always Artichoke
1 – large oval Always Artichoke
For smile – cut 3/4" Basic Black and then cut 1/2" circle form that in a smile shape.

Sponge green pieces with Always Artichoke.  For eyes the Always Artichoke circles are glued behind the oval and the white and black in front of the oval.

For the Lily Pad, you will need:
2 –  heart punch
3 –  flower from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack
3 –  ½ circles (the small circle from the Owl Punch is a perfect fit)

For the Embellishment, you will need:
1 –  Scallop Circle Punch
1 –  3/8 circle punch
1 –  1/4 circle punch
1 –  flower from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack
1 – ½ circles (the small circle from the Owl Punch is a perfect fit)

Stamps: Friendly Phrases (#126149w or 126151c)
Ink:   Always Artichoke, Basis Black
Paper:   Always Artichoke, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White
Accessories:   Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, 1 ¾ Circle Punch, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, 1 ¼ Circle Punch, ¾ Circle Punch, ½ Circle Punch ¼ Circle Punch (or Owl Punch), Boho Blossums Punch, Small and Large Oval Punch Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Scallop Circle Punch, Old Olive 5/8 Ribbon, Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

August Buddy Swap

I made this 4 ¼ square card for my August buddy swap.   I saw the this card on LeeAnn Greff’s blog and thought it would be fun to try this the technique with the Decorative Label punch.   It worked like a charm.
 

The big challenge was stamping the smallest doily onto the Doily Triple layer.   As this is not a punch designed to punch after stamping, I turned to my buddies the Stamp-ma-jig and dotto to get it just right.   The Delicate Doilies stamp set has some intricate detail and stamps beautifully. I ordered this in wood and I’m glad I did.

I believe this will be a good card for my next camp too as it features the versatility of the Stampin’ Up punches. If you want to know how to make it, my next camp is on September 17, 2011.  

Stamps: Delicate Doilies

Ink: Basic Black & Real Red (Stampin’ Write Marker)

Paper: Whisper White, Real Red and Basic Black

Accessories: Decorative Label punch, Doily Triple Layer Punch, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, Stamp-ma-jig, Paper-Pierciing Tool, Circle Fire Brad, Adhesive.

Shoe Box Exchange & Buddy Swap

I attended a Shoebox Exchange yesterday with a group of very talented Stampin’ UP demonstrator’s.  What fun we had. There were 22 demonstrator participating. I took 22 of the same cards (half I fully assembled) and brought home 22 different cards (half I had to assemble) as part of the exchange.   We spent the morning making cards and making new friends.  Afterwards we went to the Ferguson Brewhouse for lunch.  Had to have the brisket again! 

May Occasions

 I needed a bunch of cards this month for graduations, birthdays and my Buddy Swap. I saw this design recently on Dawn Olchefske’s blog and just loved it.  The cardstock and DSP is identical to Dawn’s card.   I changed the style of the sentiment and used different stamp sets.  On version shown,  the sentiment is from Happy Greetings. It’s stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with Wild Wasabi embossing powder. I use the Decorative Label punch for the sentiment and mat.  

I placed the graduation card in a Clear Translucent envelope and took it to the graduation party.    It made a lovely gift with a very personal note and some cash tucked inside.  Clear Translucent envelopes are approved for the US Mail but I usually save them for hand delivered cards.

April Swap

Summer Mini Swap

With the launch of Stampin’ UP’s Summer Mini Catalog, I participated in a demonstrator swap. I made 10 identical cards and sent them to our hostess, Karen Povis Graf. She sorted them, and I received 9 different cards back.  This is a great way to get ideas and inspiration from some very talented demonstrators.   I received some fabulous swaps. You can see all of the swaps on Karen’s blog with her posts starting on May 1st.