Created by Stacey Cogswell
Copyright Stampin'Up!

Have you seen the printed Sale-a-bration velum?  It's pretty cool and I thought it would be fun to made a simple card featuring it.  So that's what I did! I die cut a circle in the middle of the square and then added a piece of velum behind the opening.  Velum can be tricky to adhere to cardstock because you can sometimes see the adhesive, but with this card there is not a problem.  I added a little color to the back of the velum leaves, added a pretty bow and a few candy dots.  I thought he card still looked liked it was missing something, so I added a little punched butterfly and it was just the touch it needed.  

Sharing in your Sorrow

Created by Stacey Cogswell
Copyright Stampin'Up!

A few weeks ago my son's piano teacher lost her mother and wanted to make her a special card.  I wanted to use incorporate music in the card, so I used a piece of music printed velum. The card lay out is simple enough, but to bring it up a notch, I added a button, a piece of lace ribbon, a die cut doily, a dry embossed panel and a couple of punched butterflies.  It turned out really pretty.

Easy Shamrocks!

Created by Stacey Cogswell

Copyright Stampin'Up!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I wanted to show you a super cool easy way to make shamrocks using your Pansy Punch.  Simply punch out a pansy then partially cut away one of the petals to create a stem. Add a little sponging for some contrast and wallah you've got a four leave clove!

Thank you to fellow demonstrator Brandi Barnard for this great idea! 

Check back later to see what I'm making these to go on.

Smiles,

Stacey

Easter Delights!

Lookie lookie, my friend and fellow demonstrator, Linda, made these super adorable creations for me for Easter.  She's amazing when it comes to punch art and it's always such a treat to receive one of her creations, but this time I was blessed with four Easter delights.  Check them out!

Created by Linda R.
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Created by Linda R.
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Created by Linda R.
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Created by Linda R.
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The tin is open to reveal the pretty paper wrapped candy!

Hope you have a wonderful blessed Easter.

Smiles,

Stacey

Easter Creations

Easter is in two days and I'm still working on my little creations.  Sorry I'm posting these so late in the game, but if you hurry you still have two days to make some for your self!

Created by Stacey Cogswell
Original idea from Mary Fish
Copyright Stampin'Up!

Isn't this little guy super cute!  He's made using the Oval Framelits collection from the Spring catalog, the Petite Purse Die and a couple of punches.  The bunny is attached to the front of the Petite Purse and filled with candy.  Because time is running short and you don't have a lot time to get to work, head over to Mary Fish's website Stampin' Pretty and you can get all the details.

Happy Easter!
Stacey 

Fall Hello



Created by Stacey Cogswell
Copyright Stampin'Up!

This a simple card, but it still has the WOW factor.  I simply took a piece of Vanilla cardstock and sponged it with ink.  Here I used Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie.  The only trick to sponging is to start the sponge off the paper and work onto the paper you're coloring.  Add more or less ink until you get the look you like. For this card I first sponged the cardstock and them heat embossed the image over the top. I used the stamp set My Friend.  I used Early Espresso embossing powder and cardstock along with Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie.

Give this technique a try and let me know what you think.

Smiles,
Stacey

Wide Eyed Owl

A few months ago I saw a card in Paper Crafts magazine that I thought was a very cool and a good way to use little pieces of designer series paper..... if you're like me you can't stand to throw away even the smallest piece and you save them all, until one day you have so many of those little scrap that they start to over flow your work space and you're forced to either use them or else they will take over!....Wow, I might need a DSP scrap intervention!  Anyway, here is the card.

Created by Stacey Cogswell
Copyright Stampin'Up!

Isn't this fun. Owls have been "big" over the last couple of years and I'm not really sure why.  I think it's just one of those things that comes around every 50 years or so, kind of like fashion.  I remember as a kid my Mom collected owls and she had everything under the sun with an owl on it, but her jewelry was the best.  I wonder if she still has any of that stuff, if she does, she'd be right back in style! 
This card was pretty easy to made.  The 4 1/4" x 11" card was folded in half and then cut on the top using the Adorning Accents Edgelit, making sure to cut only the center part of the fold.  The back of the eyes were made using large circle and scallop punches.  The center of the eye was created by adding a 1/2" punched circle to the center of one of the Natural Designer button....so cute!  The nose is the Pendent punch.  I used scraps of DSP from Orchard Harvest glued to a paper and then I cut with the Adorning Accents scallop edge before adding it to the front of the card.  Stamp a greeting and wa-la you've created a super fun card and used up some of those dreaded little pieces of paper you couldn't bare to to throw away! 

Enjoy!
Stacey

Button Pumpkin

Created by Stacey Cogswell
Copyright Stampin'Up!

This is a super fun card to create using the pumpkin stamp (or I guess just the stem) Button Buddies stamp set.  To start; stamp the image, punch out with a circle punch, add a button, layer it with a another circle punch and a scallop punch.  Add some design series paper, punch out a couple more circles, give them some dry embossing and accent with a little espresso Baker's twine. Add any greeting and in no time you've created a super cute card anyone wold love to have.

Enjoy,
Stacey

Are you ready for some Football?

If you live in Oregon, you're either a passionate Duck (University of Oregon) or  Beaver (Oregon State University) fan and don't care much about the side your not on......but no matter which side you're on you have to admit these two cards are Stinkin' Cute!  My friend Cathy Peterson made the Beaver card and I being a Duck fan just had to come up with a duck version.   Stampin'Up! punches/cardstock were used to create the duck and the beaver, but I know, I know I didn't use all Stampin'Up supplies!   I think you'll have to agree (this one time) is was worth the exception.  The printed paper I bought at a local craft store and the duck bill/eyes were stamped using a stamp set from Peachy Keen.  Just think of the possibilities this card could be turned into...basketball, soccer, baseball and graduation....LOVE IT!

Happy Game Day.......and GO DUCKS!!

Smiles,
Stacey

Looking out the Window

Created by Stacey Cogswell/Original Idea by Jackie Juda

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When I saw this card in Jackie Juda's blog, I knew I just had to CASE (Copy And Share Everything) it!  Isn't cute!?  My friend loves sailboats and I love cats, so this was a wonderful way to combine the two.  The sailboat is simply stamped on a solid white square and then cut in four pieces.  By leaving a little space between the pieces on the front of the card, it creates the look of a frame.  The little kitty is created using punches for everything except the tail.  The sailboat stamp is now retired, but this technique would work with many stamps.  Just think about what the little kitty could be looking at through the window!

Meow!

Smiles,

Stacey 

Card Contest Share #1

Last month I made several cards for the Paper Crafts Stamping Royalty Card contest, but none of my cards were chosen as a winner.  Bummer!  Oh well, you can't always know what the judges are looking for, so I'll just try again next year.  Anyway, now that I know they didn't win I can take the pictures out of hiding and share then with you. 

The first one was one of my favorites.  I thought the die cut scalloped square shape, which is about 4x4 square, would give this card a different, but fun look and of course who doesn't love the Create a Cupcake stamp set!  I also had to add a cherry to the top of my cupcake using my super easy to use Build a Cupcake punch.  If you haven't seen or used these fabulous products....you only have until April 30th to order them......don't miss out!

Created by Stacey Cogswell

Copyright Stampin'Up!

Products used to create this card:

Stamp sets:  Create a Cupcake (wood $22.95 121915 or clear $16.95 121982)

                    A Word for You (wood $21.95 117032 or clear $16.95 120528)

Classic Ink: Early Espresso and Rose Red

Punch: Build a Cupcake ($16.95 121807)

Card Stock: Early Espresso, Rose Red and Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Sweet & Sour Specialty

Accessories: Big Shot with Bigz Scallop Square die.

Well, hope you enjoy this card and will try using a different shape to your next card.

Smiles,

Stacey

Neutral Colors with Scallop Flower

Each month I create a one of a kind card for my son's piano teacher.  This is her April card and I'm really happy with how it turned out.  Five strips of designer series paper each punched with a different border punch, a flower created with eight circle scallops, an antique brad and a little edge ink sponging makes this card very elegant.

Products used to create this card:
Stamp set:  Crosses of Hope
Card Stock: Soft Suede and Crumb Cake
Ink: Soft Suede                                 
Designer Series Paper: Elegant Soiree                                               
Accessories: Antique brads, Baja Breeze seam binding                        
Two step Bird punch and sponge.

To make the flower; punch 8 scallop circles.  Lightly mist 7 of them with water, then fold each one in half, then half again and half again.  When you have all 7 folded, adhere then to the flat 8th scallop.  Sponge with ink and add brad.  A version of this card will be made at the April stamp camp.

Smiles,
Stacey

Ice Cream Anyone?

Created by Stacey Cogswell

Copyright Stampin'Up!

Here is another fun project made with the Petal Cone Die.  I saw a version of this card made by Jackie Topa, but instead of having the card slide out, I decided to have my card just open.  It uses only one box piece textured with the Square Lattice Impressions folder to create the "cone".  The chocolate and vanilla "ice cream" was made by first punching a 2 1/2" circle and then placing this punched circle onto the Petal Cone Die over the half scalloped area making sure to cut only the scallop area with the die. (Check out Jackie's blog to see how to make the "Ice Cream" shapes in more detail.  A second box piece was cut with the Petal Cone Die and then cut in half to create the area inside of the card for the greeting.  Punch a 1/2" circle out of red glitter paper and you've got the finishing touch of your card.....a glittery cherry! 

Products Used to Create this Card:

Stamp Set:  A Word for You
Card Stock: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Very Vanilla and Glitter Red
Ink: Chocolate Chip and Rose Red pad/marker
Accessories: Big Shot with Square Lattice Impression folder and Petal Cone Die, 3/4" Circle punch, 2 1/2" Circle punch, sponge and blender pen.

Do you know an easy way to get two colors on one stamp?  This is how I do it.  Ink up the stamp with the first color then remove the ink from the area you want another color with the blender pen.  Ink up this area using a marker in the second color, huff on the stamp to re-wet the ink and stamp. 

Smiles,
Stacey

Embedded Technique

In the last stamp camp I introduced a technique called Embedding.  This is a really fun technique and once you try it you'll be hooked!  In the last week I've made four cards, two of which I'll show you, using this technique. You can use an array of circle punch sizes to create this cool look.  One punch size can keep the pattern simple, but many punches sizes makes a interesting abstract pattern.  This is one of those fun techniques that never turns out the same twice, which for some is hard to think about, but you'll have to try it.

Created by Stacey Cogswell

Copyright Stampin'Up!

This is how to create the Embedded look:
Glue random punches circles (or any punched shape) on a base piece of card stock.  Try punching a smaller circle in the card stock first, then punch out a larger circle around the smaller circle.  When this double punched circle is placed on the base card stock the "hole" will allow the base card stock to show through, giving it the look of two circles on top of each other, but with out the added bulk of a third layer of paper. When you're done, run this piece of card stock through the Big Shot using the Square Lattice Impressions folder (or any full texture folder.)  By dry embossing the card stock you are "embedding" the layers of card stock together to create the look of fabric.  It's so cool and I hope you try it!

Smiles,
Stacey

Packet Full of Tags

Created by Stacey Cogswell

Copyright Stampin'Up!

Today I wanted to share with you a fun Christmas project I made for a friend.  It's a packet of tags! If you love home made Christmas tags and punches, then this is the project for you.  Plus, if you take advantage of the current bundle special you can get the Tags til Christmas set and either the Decorative Label or Ornament punch for 20% off.  What a deal!  

I used a 6x6 page protector to create the packet for all the tags to be easily carried.  It was really fun and easy to make.  The tags and the packet would look terrific in any color combination, but I like the more vintage Christmas colors.  Let your creative juices flow and see what you can come up with.

Here is an inside view with the packet open.

Created by Stacey Cogswell

Copyright Stampin'Up!

Products used to create this projects:

Stamp set: Tags til Christmas (clear set with either punch $31.92) and Cute Curly for greeting

Designer Paper: Jolly Holiday (117159)

Classic Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Card Stock: Cherry Cobbler, Vanilla and Old Olive

Punches: Decorative Label, Ornament, Tag, Scallop Square, 1 3/8" Square and 1 3/4" Circle

Big Shot with Northern Frost snowflake die strip (120901 $21.95)), 6x6 page protector (page 108) with side cut off, Basic Pearls, Glue Pen, Glitter, Glass Glitter, black brads, black marker, silver cord and velcro dots

Hope you like it!

Smiles,

Stacey

 

Little Birdie of Friendship

Created by Stacey Cogswell

Copyright Stampin'Up!

Today I'm busy getting ready for my October stamp camp, so this will be a quick post.  I made this card for a sweet friend and fellow demonstrator that is always so helpful with my Stampin'Up business.  Plus, I owed her money, so I thought I couldn't just send a plain old check in an envelope!  Anyway, this is what I can up with and I think it turned out pretty nice.  I used a sponge dauber and white craft ink to give the little bird some dimension. 

Enjoy,

Stacey 

Easy Baby Card

Created by Stacey Cogswell

Copyright Stampin'Up!

Here is another card I submitted to PaperCrafts, but again sadly it wasn't chosen, so I can now share it with you.  The challenge was to create a baby card with non-traditional colors, no pink or blue.  So this is what I came up with.  Again, I thought it as pretty stinkin' cute!  I even added little diaper pins to the inside of the card.....now I ask you.....could it get any cutesier than that!?

Products used to create this card:

Stamp set: All in the Family, Curly Cute and Short & Sweet

Card Stock: Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade, Concord Crush and Whisper White

Classic Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush, Black Stazon and Blush Blossom (marker)

Accessories: Poppy Parade 1/2" Poly-Stitched ribbon, 2 3/8" Scallop circle punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, Big Shot with 2" circle die and Polk-a-dot embossing folder and Aqua painter.

Hope you like it.

Smiles, Stacey

           

Christmas in September!

Created by Stacey Cogswell
Copyright Stampin'Up!


I recently demonstrated these projects at a workshop and thought I would share them with you. This cute card and fun treat box use products from the Holiday mini catalog.  The featured items are the stamp set Tags til Christmas stamp set and the Candy Wrapper Bigz Die. I also used the new designer series paper Holly Jolly, ornament punch, and square scallop punch from the main catalog.  Hope you like them and they get you inspired to start making Christmas cards!

Smiles,
Stacey

Creative Used for the Bitty Bat punch #7

Well, this is my last card (for now anyway) using the Bitty Bat punch and I'll have to say that out of all of the cards posted, this is my favorite!  This card is a little on the advanced side and it uses a little twist for the normal use of a punch......can you see it?

(scroll down to the end of the post for the answer)

Created by Stacey Cogswell

Copyright Stampin'Up!

What do you think....isn't this a fun card!  I love the little animals and the way the scene looks as if they have just raided the pumpkin patch.

Products used to create this Card:

Stamp set: Under the Stars (11556 wood $29.95) Teeny Tiny Wishes (11530 wood $36.95)

Card Stock: Night of Navy, Pumpkin Pie, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Ivory, Daffidil Delight and Water color paper.

Ink: Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Pie, White craft and Black Stazon.

Accessories: Big Shot with Polk-a-dots embossing folder, Top Note die, Swirls Scribbles Sizzlit, all the Oval punches, 1 3/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1/2" circle punch, Bitty Bat punch, Modern Label punch, brads, Brayer, Vanilla Shimmer/Log Cabin Smooch Spritz, Aqua Painter and a sponge dauber.

I brayered the Top Note cut out with Night of Navy ink and then spritzed it with Vanilla snooch spritz to create the "stars".  I cut out a top note in Crumb Cake and tore off part of it. I then inked the edges and spritzed it with the Log Cabin Smooch Spritz. After embossing the base of the card, I used white craft ink and a sponge dauber to highlight the dots, again to create "stars".   The animals were water colored and cut out. 

Answer: The pumpkins were created by pushing the Bitty Bat punch into a sheet of card stock as far as it will go and then punching. Next push the selected circle/oval punch as far as it will go over were you just punched the bat.  Punch.  Continue this with each of the circle/oval punches.  Layer them and you have a pumpkin!  I hope this makes sense.....if not maybe we'll just have to have a class!  

Smiles,

Stacey



Creative Use of Bitty Bat Punch #6

O.k. back to another way to use the Bitty Bat punch.  I don't think you'll have to look to close to see it, but if you can't see it scroll to the end of this post for the answer.

Created by Stacey Cogswell

Copyright Stampin'Up!

Well, did you ever think you could use the Bitty Bat punch to make a Christmas card? I never would have thought so myself, but it's amazing what you can come up with if you just sit down and play.

Products Used to Create this Card:

Stamp set: Cute Curly (117014 wood $19.95, 120510 clear $14.95)

Card Stock: Whisper White, Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler 

Ink: Versa Mark

Accessories: Big Shot with Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder, Bitty Bat punch,1/4" circle punch, gold ribbon, gold embossing pwder and heat gun.

Designer Series paper: Holly Jolly

Smiles,

Stacey

Answer:  I cut the feet and the head off the bat then glued them in a circle.  4 bats are needed per circle.