Fall is in the Air

I really like fall colors and the changing season.  Here in Northern Colorado, we have officially entered into fall this week and I am loving the crisp air, and occasional sprinkling of rain.  This card is one of our class projects from last week's Stamping Class, "Fall into Stamping".  The maple leaf was especially fun to make and features the following steps to make this gorgeous leaf:

1.  Stamp Maple Leaf design with more mustard.  I used the Wonderfall stamp set. 
2.  Sponge the edges with Cajun Craze ink.  
3.  Next, the fun part:  Crumple up the leaf and 'stomp' (but not too hard or ink will go everywhere) with the Cajun Craze ink pad to create the leaf veins.
4. For a little glam and sparkle, sponge randomly with Champagne Shimmer Paint.   

And, because I always buy popcorn from the Boy Scouts each year and have about 50 unpopped popcorn bags hanging around, we made this matching fall gift.  Basically, a belly band is made from Early Espresso cardstock, layered with some Orchard Harvest DSP, and tied in a neat little bow with Island Indigo ribbon.  the colors Island Indigo, More Mustard, and Cajun Craze really do work well for fall and are different from the traditional fall color combinations.  And, the key to jazzing everything up is a little sparkle from the Champagne Glitter paper.  

Grateful Butterfly

There is something about butterflies that adds both a touch of elegance and nature to a card.   They are so universal and work for so many different types of cards!  Here is another one of my swap cards I made for the Denver Regional this month.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Papillon Potpourri
Paper:  Basic Gray, Rose Red, Whisper White, Floral District DSP
Ink:  Basic Black and Versamark
Techniques: Butterfly is heat embossed with Black embossing powder, houndstooth embossing folder for background, and framelit has paper piercing along the border.

Denver Regional SU! Conference

I had a great time today at the Denver Regional Stampin' Up! Conference.  It was a more low-key atmosphere than convention and I really liked getting to meet the Stampin' Up! team in person.  I also had a blast hanging out with my two friends Darci and Joanne who share my passion for stamping and paper crafting.  I learned all kinds of new ideas (including about 10 new ways to use Shimmer Paint)!  Bring on the glitz and sparkle for the holidays!

This card features River Rock and Basic Black colors.  It is difficult to see in this picture, but the butterflies are embossed in black embossing powder which helps them to really stand out and provide additional texture.  River Rock is one of the colors I use the least, but I really like how it pairs with black. I am glad that I used a color outside of my comfort zone.

Today I also learned that the stamp set 'Papillon Potpourri' is the most popular stamp set from the 2012-2013 Stampin' Up! Catalog this year.  I like it because it has so many different types of butterflies and also coordinates with the new Elegant Butterfly punch.  This card was made in less than 10 minutes start to finish!  So easy!

Papillon Potpourri Stamp Set
Item # 123759 (clear mount) - $14.95 or
Item # 123757 (wood mount) - $18.95

Don't forget - if you are in the Northern Colorado Area, I am having a Stamp Class "Fall into Stamping" Friday September 21 at 7 pm in Loveland, CO. I will be featuring some products from the Holiday Catalog that will get you in the spirit of fall.  As the weather is finally starting to change, it will be the perfect time relax and get crafty!  Email me for details (see the top of my home page to send me a quick note!)