Women's Conference in color

We began with 160 pieces of cardstock, then cut them in half, to create 320 programs in five bold, bright colors.This "Polka Dot Punches" heart image was stamped and punched 320 times on whisper white, then placed on Kraft cardstock, six per page, then run through my printer with a scripture printed on it that references our Relief Society women's conference theme of "one heart, one mind."

Then came another 320 pieces of cardstock to keep an assembly line of four to six women busy...for four to six hours...cutting and folding matchbox gifts, lovingly filled with four assorted flavors of Hershey's Nuggets candies.

They look so festive and party-friendly.

Sorted. Let's try looking at them from this angle.

When you put this much work into them, you want to admire the outcome again and again.

Dreaming of bold, bright matchboxes.

Now in focus, two days before the big event.

Here are the 320 colorful programs, with gorgeous white cardstock printed inserts, not pictured.

Zoom in. You'll see "a little something" from Matchbox Messages stamp set.

Programs, programs.

Matching napkins for the luncheon, bundled with hemp twine.

Then last but not least, plates for our taco salad luncheon. It all looked great, thanks to our inspiration piece!

These Walmart plates, a package of 20 for $1, was what started this whole color scheme! Forty bucks and 400 plates and 400 napkins later, our colors were chosen. Luckily, Stampin' Ups' Bold Brights matched perfectly--Tempting Turquoise, Yoyo Yellow, Real Red, Pixie Pink, and Green Galore.

A card from Julie

Thanks for this fabulous card with vibrant colors, Julie! I love it! Here's another fabulous card design that I cased from Melissa S. She is a rock star card creator, in my opinion. This lovely version is going to my friend, Barb, for her big 5-0!

Happy hearts Valentines

Here's what I used to make these valentines yesterday.

• Ink: Almost Amethyst, Kiwi Kiss, Riding Hood Red all by Stampin' Up!
• Cardstock: Same as inks, plus Whisper White, plus Pink Pirouette cardstock
• Stamps: Happy Hearts, En Francais by SU, Stampabilities wood stamps Kids Play lower case and upper case
• Accessories: hemp twine, self-adhesive gemstones by Paper Studio
• Techniques/tips: each heart was stamped, then cut out; center of pink cardstock is torn out, then a layer of French background image appears through peep window

Christmassy Punches

There's a lot of punching here, but I think it turned out cute. I'm just trying to break the silence of no posting since October. Yikes!

Watercolor cards

As mentioned yesterday, I'm taking a beginning watercolor class and I've transformed my practice pieces into cards. I love this charcoal and orange combo, striped image below, and when I did it, others in the class probably wondered why I chose that palette. At the time, I knew it would be used for a Halloween card. I did some sewing machine stitching, added ric-rac, and a Happy Halloween stamped image that my sister stamped for me a few years ago when she was here visiting and we made cards together. Therefore, I don't know the name of the set it's from. My instructor, Donna, was teaching us how to paint a plaid surface, and she really disliked these colors. I told her I love it so she let me take her masterpiece home. I have just added some flowers, brads, and a rub-on sentiment, then placed it on Tangerine Tango and Creamy Caramel cardstock.

This effect was interesting. The idea was to brush the heavy paper with clean water, then put some color on top of it, then using tweezers, add chunks for rock salt until it dries. This was my very first one and it didn't turn out too well, but it's amazing how adding a little (happy birthday) embellishment (Birthday Whimsy) and coordinating cardstock can magically turn any old piece of paper into interesting card art.

This lavender wash was done at my first class. (I've had two now.) I stamped the chandelier image and it was not inked up enough on the right side, so I had to cover it with something. With the machine stitching and other bling, it turned out to be a very luxurious looking card. I like it!

I still have a few more images to play with and see what I can come up with.

Kindness comes in many forms

Here's my first card to do after taking a beginning watercolor lesson. I just painted these three colored images this morning and they're very fun to do. I used heavy 140 pound paper and watercolor paint. First I brushed the paper surface with clear water, then brushed it with one of the bold three colors on each piece of heavy paper, then dropped little amounts of rubbing alcohol on it. Then let it dry, then trimmed it. Then mounted it on whisper white cardstock, scored it, then embossed the sentiment from Stampin' Up's Heard from the Heart Sentiment. I finished it off with 1/2-inch wide Pumpkin Pie striped grosgrain ribbon by Stampin' Up! I'll be making more cards with my watercolor mini masterpieces.

The second card coordinates with my first, using a similar technique. Wet the surface of the heavy paper with a paint brush, then put dots of color on, then place crinkled plastic wrap on top until it dries.

Miss you

This was a fun little card to whip up for my sister, using Halloween colors. I just stamped the main image, then used two markers for the flower and pot.