Friendship Bouquet - May Stamp of the Month

I love coloring.  It makes me feel like a kid.  So I loved hand coloring these beautiful sunflowers from the May Stamp of the Month, Friendship Bouquet.

I made several projects this time.  I can't decide which one I like best.  First I created a few journaling cards.  I was inspired by all the unique 3" x 4" embellishments I've seen that can be used with Project Life scrapbooks or on any scrapbook page.

For the card in the middle I stamped the large sunflower (Chocolate) and three leaves (Olive), then colored them with pencil and trimmed them out.  I cut a 3" x 4" Colonial White rectangle and stamped the sentiment along the bottom right edge in Olive ink.  Then I just adhered the sunflower and leaves to the top.

For the other two cards I decided not to add any dimension.  I stamped one small sunflower on a scrap paper and cut it out (don't color that one - it will be used as a mask).  I cut a 3" x 4" rectangle and stamped another small sunflower in the corner, hanging it off the edge just a bit. You can choose whether you want the card to be horizontal or vertical.   I placed the first, cut-out sunflower over the sunflower stamped on the card, as a mask to protect it.  Then I stamped two leaves in Olive ink.  I colored in with pencil to finish.  Once you choose if it will be horizontal or vertical, add some light lines in pencil to keep your journaling straight if you like.

My second project using the May Stamp of the Month was an opportunity for me to try something new using the Circut Art Philosophy.  I decided a gift box was just the thing since I've been thinking a lot lately about end-of-the-year teacher gifts.

 

I cut the pillow box using the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge and Colonial White cardstock.  (The one pictured is 8 inches.)  I stamped the outside of the box with the script stamp from Universal Backgrounds in Goldrush Ink.  I used a sponge to gently edge the whole container with Buttercup ink to give is a yellow-ish glow.  I wrapped the box with a 1 inch strip of Honey cardstock and a 1/2 inch strip of Chocolate cardstock. (Cardstock)  I stamped one large and one small sunflower (Chocolate) and three leaves (Olive) then colored and trimmed them.(Exclusive Inks)  I grouped them together as shown and adhered them to the front of the pillow box.  I cut a small card using Cricut Art Philosophy which is edged with Olive ink and stamped with a sentiment on the inside and the outside. The ends of the pillow box close and stay shut without glue or tape.

I was able to fill it with 10 tea bags nicely.  You could put many other goodies inside.

For the card makers out there I created a beautiful thank you card.  These sunflowers are so happy and bright.  They are perfect for giving to someone who has gone the extra mile for you.

This card uses a Colonial White, 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 inch base.  I cut the scalloped squares using Cricut Art Philosophy.  Each is 1 1/4 inches (you'll need 10).  I stamped three large sunflowers on Colonial White and colored them with pencils.  Then I carefully cut them into one inch squares (a 1 inch punch would work nicely too I'm sure.)  I chose the pieces I thought looked the best and placed them on the Chocolate squares in random directions. Arrange them on the card as shown leaving a space for your sentiment.  I chose to cut another shape (Colonial White) and it's outline layer (Chocolate) for my "thanks so much" sentiment.  I raised it with foam tabs and added a small hemp bow.

Shop for:
May Stamp of the Month, Friendship Bouquet
Cardstock
Exclusive Inks
Circut Art Philosophy

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a "sunny" day!

April Stamp of the Month Layout

I knew I wanted to use the small half-circle accent in the April Stamp of the Month to make a border for my layout so I set off trying to find an interest sketch that included a scalloped border.

I found just the thing on a layout created by Laura Vegas on the Bella Blvd site. The layout was inspired by a sketch from Becky Fleck.  Here's my take on this layout.

I used papers and flower stamps from the Sophia Workshops on the Go (spring 2011).  The flowers are stamped in Tulip and Goldrush and trimmed by hand. The April Stamp of the Month is featured on the dark pink border strip and the title.  Here are some close ups.

 

You can see the scalloped border here, which was the inspiration for the whole layout.

I also used the lined stamp to put some soft journaling lines on the pink cardstock so my handwriting will stay straight and level.  I like to hand write my journaling, but I can get messy if I'm not careful.  I think I will use this layout to feature a photo of my grandmother.  It's fun for me to do a layout with flowers and pink colors occasionally since most of my layouts are more masculine to suit my two boys.

Supplies:
April 2012 Stamp of the Month, "You Are . . ."
Sophia Workshops on the Go (paper and stamp set)
Ink colors: Tuplip, Goldrush, Olive (second generation)
The white mat is 10 1/2 inches square, pink dots: 6" x 6", stripe: 4" x 6", pink cardstock: 4" x4".
The remaining white space is the perfect size for a 4" x 6" photograph.

April Stamp of the Month

It wasn't hard to come up with Cool!, Fun!, Original!, Amazing! ideas for this month's stamp of the month.
This month's stamp features four words for page titles or for card sentiments.  It also includes designs for  enhancing plain cardstock, a border stamp, and cute accents.  (15 stamp designs)

  

"You Are . . . " - April Stamp of the Month

Available April 1 - April 30, 2012 only

Here's my  Thank You card. 

 A few pop dots for dimension.

Inside

Supplies

Paper: Wonderland
Stamps: You Are . . . (set of 15) - April Stamp of the Month, "Thank You" from Card Word Puzzle stamp set
Inks: Chocolate, Pacifica (second generation), Cranberry
Tools: 2 inch Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/2 inch circle punch, 1 1/4 inch circle punch
Embellishments: Colonial White bitty brads