Thursday, January 19, 2017

Back to the Watercooler


Yes the Wacky Watercooler gang returns for "part II" of our introduction to the Occasions and Sale-a-Bration catalogs.  We have 13 "hoppers" and I hope you'll be sure to visit each site to see what our artists have created.

Our hop is a circle; if you have joined here, welcome!  And please be sure to click the links below to see all the sites.  If you've just come from my friend Penny's blog I know you've been blown away by her skills--I frequently CASE her cards, and today is no exception.

Our goal is to show you some of our favorite new products from these new catalogs, and I will start with a stamp set that surprised me.  I first saw it at the On Stage "convention" in November and decided I didn't "need" it...and then it grew on me.  So here is my rendition of Beautiful You:

This set is a TOTALLY MUST HAVE stamp set!  The gorgeous, stylized drawings of women, added to the fabulously wonderful sentiments AND fantastic fonts make this a go-to set for those special female friends in your life for just about any occasion.

I decided to make a simple, elegant set of cards, all in black and white.  I actually created this first one for my daughter...and the rest is history.

My daughter is very stylish (and skinny) and this just looked like her.  I had a little gift for her, and wanted to include a card, and this was born.  Whisper White Thick cardstock (5" x 10" and scored at 5") is the base for all three cards in the set, along with a 4-7/8" x 4-7/8" Basic Black square.  Then I took a variety of black and white Designer Series papers (from the Neutrals Paper Stack and Pop of Pink) and created my background.

The stamps are all inked with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Whisper White.

And each card has a different, subtle embellishment--Metallic Enamel Shapes on the first card, Basic Black Solid Bakers Twine on the second, and black Sharpie-colored Pearls on the last one.

I thought this would make a lovely gift, so I created a special gift box:

Using a 10" x 10" square of Basic Black and the Envelope Punch Board, this box came together easily.  I covered it with the specialty paper from Pop of Pink (it has gold flecks), and added a Gold Foil bow (from the Bow Builder Punch).


The box is perfect for holding the three cards and envelopes.

So there's project #1 - what do you think?

And Project #2?  Easy peasy:

I LOVE the simplicity of this card.  I needed a special card for a former colleague who just began a new job, and I wanted to use the new Celebrations Duo Textured Impressions Embossing Folders.  I also wanted to try the Falling in Love Designer Series Paper, and BAM!  It all came together!

First, that embossing folder.  It actually DE-bosses; the word is sunk into the paper, not raised up.  I ran it through the Big Shot with the embossing folder and then took the circles (2 sizes) from the Happy Celebrations stamp set.  Using Tip Top Taupe (stamped off), Soft Sky and Blushing Bride (stamped off) I stamped right over the letters.  But since they are de-bossed, the letters stay white.  Cool, huh?

The ribbon edging the panel is a FREE item from the Sale-a-Bration brochure.  The 3/8" Metallic Ribbon Combo Pack comes with two rolls of ribbon; the white one is woven with shiny silver accents, and the vanilla ribbon has shiny gold accents--really pretty!

The card base is Soft Sky.  There is a skinny panel of Tip Top Taupe and then a layer of the Falling in Love DSP--a beautiful bokeh look (which I copied onto my de-bossed panel).  And the "New Beginnings" is from the Happy Celebrations set too.  I really loved the way this came out!

So there you have it--my two projects using new items that I wasn't in love with at first, but REALLY grew on me!  Sometimes you just have to try something new!

Now it's time to go visit a favorite virtual friend of mine (who I actually once met in person!), Jean Fitch.  Jean is extremely creative and dares to try new things.   Let's go see what she has to show us today.  Thanks for stopping by!

https://jlfstudio.wordpress.com


http://wackywatercoolerstamping.blogspot.com
http://pennytokensstampinspot.blogspot.ca










22 comments:

paper bag create said...

Loving the creativity in both your projects...but the gold bow tie on the black and white gift box for the card collection has won me over!! :)

Deborah Smart said...

OMG - absolutely fabulous projects, Priscilla! I'm with you - the Beautiful You is a 'must have' stamp set - and your cards and box are gorgeous (going into my 'CASE' file right now!). Terrific 'celebrate' card - I'll have to add the (de)bossing folders to my shopping list.

Lisa Kmiec said...

I love your projects Priscilla! I'm a fan and black & white cards in general, but yours are beautiful. Your celebrate card is making me rethink my decision to not buy that embossing folder! Such a simple technique, but so pretty!

Created by Kath said...

Yes, your black and white is going to be CASEd. I love the softness of the second card.

Heather Hopson said...

Priscilla, these are awesome! I love your project. It is so beautiful and what you did with that stamp set, makes me want this on my Wish List. The card is beautiful! Well done!

Penny Hanuszak said...

Wow you've taken Beautiful You to another level Priscilla. Great job of not only the cards in your first project but that holder is perfect too! I'm also a big fan of your second card. I really haven't seen much of these debossed images, but you sure grabbed my attention with this great card. Thanks for inspiring once again.

Laurie/Paul said...

I love your envelope box!

Heidi Weaver said...

Oh, Priscilla, I didn't think I could love the Beautiful You set even more but, wow, those elegant cards of yours are divine. I'll have to try some studies in black and white. I love the way you've added little touches to give each a subtle embellishment. And those matching envelopes---the perfect addition. I really had no intention of getting that embossing folder duo but your sample and Libby's really changed my mind. *sigh* The list is getting longer. But the debossing lends itself to so many different stamping opportunities. Love the way the stamped circles make the word "pop". A perfect example of how simply one can add elegance.

Unknown said...

The Beautiful You cards are stunning! Love the way you used pieced the DSP for a backdrop to your stamped images. I had not noticed the the debossing folders...now I have to go look...and order!

Marsha Reed said...

Beautiful cards, Priscilla! Love black & white, love Beautiful You and I feel a CASE coming on. Lovely set of cards.

Stampin' Amigos said...

Thanks so much! I couldn't resist that little bow after using the gold-flecked paper on my box. I appreciate the blog love!

Stampin' Amigos said...

Sorry to have enabled you, Deb :)
But these two really are winners!

Stampin' Amigos said...

Thanks, Lisa; I wasn't sure about the embossing (debossing) folders either, but am very happy I went ahead and got them. They are fun to use and with "happy" and "celebrate" I can think of lots of occasions when they'll come in handy.

Stampin' Amigos said...

Thanks, Kath! "Softness" is NOT usually my style, but I really liked the way this came out. Something about that Falling In Love DSP got my "soft" side showing

Stampin' Amigos said...

Thanks so much, Heather! I appreciate the comment!

Stampin' Amigos said...

After visiting your blog, Penny, I felt extremely inadequate :)
But I thank you for the kind comment--I really was happy with my cards this hop!

Stampin' Amigos said...

Thanks, Laurie; I can provide directions for you, because I KNOW you are making some of these cards (and they are terrific!)

Stampin' Amigos said...

Gee thanks, Heidi! I love praise from you. And I saw what you did with Beautiful You and thought it was gorgeous! Appreciate the thoughts...

Stampin' Amigos said...

Yes, Marie, get those "debossing" folders--they are different and fun to use. Thanks for the comment!

Stampin' Amigos said...

Thanks, Marsha! And thanks, too, for helping us put together a great hop!

Jean Fitch from jlfstudio said...

Wow Priscilla! Both such fabulous projects I'm having trouble picking a favorite. I really appreciate you sharing all the details as I want to CASE them both. The softness of the second embossed card just seems to glow on the screen and the elegance of the black and white somewhat retro look of the first pops off the page. I hadn't planned to get the folder but now I simply must. My budget is growling but my heart is happy. :-)

Stampin' Amigos said...

It's always nice to have a happy heart, Jean...even if the wallet is empty :)
Thanks for the kind comments!