Purple Series - 1

My mother is my biggest fan. I can always count on her to 'oooh and ahhh' over my cards. She especially loves anything with the color purple incorporated. (I literally cheered in mom's honor when Stampin' Up! announced the In Colors included Rich Razzleberry!) Her birthday is right around the corner, and I wanted to make her a set of purple cards she can use for a variety of occasions. With that thought in mind, I'm kicking off a Purple Series here on Sassy Stampin'.

• I started with a standard A2 Rich Razzleberry card base matted with a piece of Old Olive. I opted for Patterns Designer Series Paper today in three colors: Old Olive, Crushed Curry, and Rich Razzleberry.

• The Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry layers are each 'sassed up' with the Scallop Edge Punch. A strip of Rich Razzleberry Polka-Dot Grosgrain hides the 'seam' between the white based pattern and the Old Olive. TIP: The NEW In Color ribbon is reversible - solid on one side, polka-dots on the other. Can you say versatile?

• I inked the dove from Special Blessings in Rich Razzleberry and stamped onto Whisper White. TIP: I love how the floral print on the dove coordinates with the floral patterned paper. Details, details. Using Stampin' Dimensionals, I popped the dove onto a piece of Crushed Curry with a small, subtle pattern. (1.75" x 2.5")

• The sentiment, 'May God bless you...' is stamped in Rich Razzleberry and mounted onto a thin strip of Crushed Curry. A sassy 'v' on one end builds interest.

• To add a little more Crushed Curry, I opted for a Scallop Edge border where my card opens. Can you tell I was in a bit of a scallop frenzy? I like how they unify the project.
  

• Today's sassy somethings are the beautiful paper flowers (Spare Parts) I picked up at my local craft store. They are paired with buttons from the Playground Button collection. I sewed the buttons on using Linen Thread and adhered the flowers to my card base with Pop-Up Glue Dots. TIP: The More Mustard button included with the Playground Buttons is a perfect match for Crushed Curry.
  

Thursday, July 30th -- 5:00 am CST

Tomorrow we'll take a quick break from the Purple Series for the debut of the NEW Challenge Blog. Myself and a very special design team have put together a fabulous site dedicated to craft challenges.

You'll LOVE it, and I just know you'll want to play along! Stop in for your morning dose of Sassy Stampin' - I'll provide the challenge link.

Stamps: Special Blessings (113411)
Paper: Rich Razzleberry Card stock (115316) and Patters Designer Series (115685), Old Olive Card stock (100702) and Patterns Designer Series (112160), Crushed Curry Card stock (115319) and Patterns Designer Series (115686)
Ink: Rich Razzleberry (115658)
Tools: Scallop Edge Punch (112091)
Must-Haves: Pop-Up Glue Dots (104183)
Sassy Somethings: Rich Razzleberry Polka-Dot Grosgrain - reversible (115613), Playground Buttons (116313), Linen Thread (104199), Spare Parts Paper Flowers

Ready, Set, Rub-On

Sometimes a Rub-On is just the thing I need to get myself going. The NEW Idea Book and Catalog is full of new Rub-On sets - perfect for quick cards and embellishments.

• Today's sassy little number starts with a Chocolate Chip card base cut to 4" x 8" and scored. I used my 3/16" Corner Rounder for the corners at the fold.
  

• Scallops are a hot trend these days. I opted for a sassy twist: Using my 1.25" Circle Punch I popped 4 Ruby Red circles out and adhered them to my card - allowing half of the circle to hang off the edge.

• A 3" x 3.25" piece of Chocolate Chip pattern was cut and matted using Ruby Red. Both layers received the Corner Rounder 'treatment'.
  

• Adhering a strip of Double-Stitch Grosgrain across the bottom turns my circles into darling scallops. TIP: Before adding the ribbon I used my paper trimmer to make sure my sides were even and trim down the 'hang-over'. I layered a piece of Pretty in Pink Grosgrain on top of the wide Chocolate Chip. TIP: Mini Glue Dots are the perfect solution for keeping ribbon in place.

• A floral rub-on from the Dots and Designs pack looks perfect on Kraft Cardstock. I used my Marvy scallop square punch (pink) to crop the image. Stampin' Dimensionals make the flower pop when added to a Pretty in Pink base with rounded edges. (2" square)

• A skinny strip of Kraft cardstock was cut to 4.5" and trimmed to a 'v' at one end. The sweet sentiment is also a rub-on, this time courtesy of the Chit-Chat pack. I selected Antique Brass brads from the Vintage Brads collection and used them to adhere the strip. TIP: Instead of laying the strip down flat with adhesive I opted to lightly curve the strip using my fingers and rounding it. Pretend your fingers are scissors and use them in the same way you would use scissors to curl ribbon for a package.

• A few more Stampin' Dimensionals make the floral image catch your eye. The image is adhered slightly off-center to make room for the sweet sentiment to be noticed.

• Last, my favorite embellishment, buttons, dress up the bottom border. TIP: I use Linen Thread to tie through my button holes. It's got a thickness that is 'just right' and is very easy to work with. Plus, I love the way it coordinates with the Kraft cardstock in this project.

Rub-Ons: Dots and Designs (115728), Chit-Chat (111804)
Paper: Chocolate Chip (102128), Ruby Red (102030), Pretty in Pink (100459), Kraft (102125), Chocolate Chip Patterns Pack (112164)
Tools: 1.25" Circle Punch (104403), 3/16" Corner Rounder (109047), Scallop Square Punch - Marvy (pink)
Must-Haves: Mini Glue Dots (103683), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
Sassy Somethings: Button Latte (114333), Chocolate Chip Double-Stitch Grosgrain (111849), Pretty in Pink 1/4" Grosgrain (109032), Linen Thread (104199), Vintage Brads (109109)

How 'bout a challenge?

Do you enjoy a challenge?

Soon you will be saying, " I love to Play @ PPA!"

Join me and a my PALS for some stampin' fun as we launch our very own challenge blog. The Design Team will feature Stampin' Up! products each week and are sure to inspire your creativity. Participants are welcome to use any brand of supplies - we just want you to PLAY along!

What: Launch of the new PPA Challenge Blog

When: 5:00 AM CST, July 30th

Where: Check in here at Sassy Stampin' - I'll provide the link.

I'm looking forward to sharing this exciting event with you!

Tween-tastic

We got to spend some time with extended family this weekend... a blessing in the middle of this crazy summer. My tween-aged niece is absolutely in love with the Twilight series and delights in all things Edward. When I won this fab (and aptly named) Edward stamp from The Greeting Farm, I knew exactly who to make a card for.

I combined the Farm Fresh Friday sketch with the Triple Play challenge from Our Creative Corner. My 3 embellishments are buttons, ribbon, and my large silver heart brad... all sassy somethings.

I stamped Edward onto watercolor paper and used my Stampin' Write Markers and Blender Pens to color him in. His vest is paper pieced. For a funky and slightly macabre vibe I used the retired Rockabilly paper collection. The final touch: a Round Tab Punch accented with the letter 'E' from Lovely Letters Alphabet.

I love that Stampin' Up! has such an array of products. Even when I use another company's stamps, I always turn to Stampin' Up for my craft staples... punches, Designer Series Paper, etc. Anything you order from Stampin' Up! is guaranteed to be high quality... what new necessities are on your wish list? And speaking of necessities... check out the Deal of the Week:

Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware
Regular: $29.95 SALE: $18.99
NOW thru. July 26th, 9:50 am MT

Shop Online ANY time -- Order Stampin' Up! 24-7

Stamps: Edward (The Greeting Farm), Lovely Letters (115030)
Paper: Basic Black - Textured Neutrals 12x12 astd. (108693), Rockabilly Specialty Designer Series (retired), Watercolor (105019)
Ink: StazOn (101406); Stampin' Write Markers: Ruby Red (100075), Not Quite Navy (100059), Blush Blossom (100037), So Saffron (105114), Creamy Caramel (100078), Blender Pens (102845)
Tools: Scallop Edge Punch (112091), Round Tab Punch (108340)
Sassy Somethings: Buttons, Heart Brad, and Black Ribbon (not SU)

So Tweet

The NEW Chic Boutique set is 'so tweet'... it just may be my favorite new set from the catalog. Have you had a chance to pick a favorite and add it to your wish list?

• Today's layout is courtesy of Mojo Monday #95. My Rich Razzleberry card base is 5 x 7 (A7) and topped with two sweet layers: So Saffron and a stripe from the NEW Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper collection.

• I stamped the bird cage image onto watercolor paper in StazOn black ink. Using a blender pen dipped in Creamy Caramel I shaded the cage. TIP: I wanted to shading to be light so after 'loading' my blender pen I 'wiped' it onto scratch paper before coloring.

• I used my Rich Razzleberry marker to add accent and color. My tweet birdie was colored in So Saffron. For a little sassy something, a petite button was added as the 'handle.

• My horizontal panel started as a 1.75" x4.75" piece of textured Basic Gray cardstock. I topped it with a layer of So Saffron that has a dainty scalloped edge. Some Rich Razzleberry polka-dot grosgrain ties the whole thing together. TIP: This panel is adhered to my card using Stampin' Dimensionals - it creates a cute 'pocket' effect for the images.

• I stamped the frame in Basic Gray onto Very Vanilla cardstock and used my Stamp-a-ma-Jig to insert the Rich Razzleberry 'hello' sentiment. I love this simple sentiment - perfect for making projects in advance and then customizing later. This can easily be for a birthday, thank you note, or 'just because', etc.... all depending on what I add to the inside.

• Today's sassy somethings are the blooms I created using the Birds and Blooms Sizzlits. They are perfect for layering and eliminate all the hand-cutting that I normally do. Plus, this is a great way to use your scraps. I love how they dress this card up!

Another great way to dress up your cards: Rhinestones

Deal of the Week: Square Fire Rhinestone Brads
Regular Price: $10.95 SALE PRICE: $6.99
Price effective thru. July 19th, 9:50am MT

Shop Online ANY time!

Stamps: Chic Boutique (113744)
Paper: Cottage Wall Designer Series (115671), Rich Rich Razzleberry (115316), So Saffron (105118), Basic Gray - textured neutrals 12 x 12 astd. (108693), Very Vanilla (101650), Watercolor Paper (105019), Walk in the Park Designer Series (retired)
Ink: StazOn (101406), Creamy Caramel (103220), Basic Gray (109120), Rich Razzleberry (115658), Stampin Write Markers: So Saffron (105114)
Tools: Scalloped Edge Punch (112091), Stamp-a-ma-Jig (101049)
Sassy Somethings: Birds and Blooms Sizzlits - 4 pack (113485), Rich Razzleberry Polka-Dot Grosgrain (115613), Button Latte (114333)

Pendant Park

Do you have a secret crafting fear? Does the thought of sponging edges make you sweat? Or does watercoloring make you weak in the knees? My personal crafty krytonite is the Bold Brights color family. Friends, let's join together to conquer our crafty fears by confronting them head on! I'm jumping in with Color Throwdown #50: Real Red, Tempting Turqouise, and Kiwi Kiss. I will BOLD-ly and BRIGHT-ly craft!

I was inspired by CPS sketch #124 but opted for a square card instead of the standard rectangle. My 5.5" x 11" (folded in half) piece of textured Tempting Turquoise is layered with a 5.25" piece of Kiwi Kiss.

• Two prints from the Real Red Patterns pack provide my background. TIP: These two patterns create balance - one is red based, the other more white based. I used my Scallop Edge Punch to add extra interest along the left side.
  

• I stamped the tree from the NEW Pendant Park set in Kiwi Kiss onto Whisper White. (3" x 3.25") TIP: Old Olive is the perfect sub for Kiwi Kiss. A Tempting Turquoise matte provides extra emphasis. The entire panel is popped using Stampin' Dimensionals.

• My 'hello' sentiment is just right in Real Red. I also added the smallest butterfly from Flight of the Butterfly. I simply colored the stamp using my Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Write Marker, 'huffed' to ensure moisture, stamped, and snipped.

• I'm sure you already guessed that today's Sassy Somethings are buttons. I love them! Buttons are a serious crafting trend right now and are popping up in all sorts of fun ways on projects. Stampin' Up! has NEW Playground and Sherbet Buttons collections that are adorable and provide a perfect mix of colors, sizes, and textures. Plus, they're a sassy steal for only $7.95.

Shop Online NOW for your own Sassy Somethings!

Stamps: Pendant Park (115456), Flight of the Butterfly (111564)
Paper: Real Red Patterns - currently available in Rose Red (112162), Tempting Turquoise - Textured 12x12 - astd. Bold Brights (108698) , Kiwi Kiss (retired), Whisper White (100730)
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Real Red (103133), Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Write Marker (100058)
Tools: Scallop Edge Punch (112091)
Sassy Somethings: Playground Buttons (116313), Linen Thread (104199)

Sassy Chic

Instead of Shabby Chic, we're going to call today's creation: Sassy Chic. I've been busy working on a few personal projects for friends while suffering from a nasty cold. For one of these projects I created a background print using the Damask stamp from the Friends 24-7 set. I had scraps all over the place and wanted to recycle, not waste!

• Using my 1.25" Circle Punch I managed to salvage some beautiful snippets from my scraps. To add a shabby look, I distressed them using Tea Dye ink from Ranger. TIP: When sponging I use a cosmetic make-up wedge. They're cheaper, dual purpose, and provide more surface area.

• I ran my Top Note Die thru the Big Shot twice - Kraft and Baja Breeze. (Yes, I'm still using Baja- call me addicted! A great substitute is Brocade Blue.)

• Using a background stamp (very similar to Bella Toile) and inked with Soft Suede, I covered the Kraft Top Note in pattern. I trimmed at the perforation and mounted it atop my Baja Breeze matte. My finished Top Note rests on a Soft Suede card base (10" x 4.25" scored in half)
  

• I adhered my circles using Stampin' Dimensionals... quick and easy. Then, I inked up the butterfly from Great Friend and stamped her three times onto Very Vanilla: Crushed Curry, Old Olive, and Soft Suede. Her wings were also lightly sponged with Tea Dye ink.
  

• My fluttery friends got pearl bodies and were adhered to their spots using Stampin' Dimensionals. (cut in half)

• For a final sassy something I added a Crushed Curry scallop to my card edge. I love the shabby... I mean, sassy chic vibe this card has.
  

Order Online - it's Sassy and Chic!

Stamps: Great Friend (113792), Friends 24-7 (113218), Bella Toile (111598)
Paper: Soft Suede (115318), Kraft, Crushed Curry (115319), Very Vanilla (108693), Baja Breeze (retired)
Ink: Soft Suede (115657), Ruby Red (102259), Old Olive (102277), Baja Breeze (retired), Tea Dye by Ranger
Tools: Top Note Die (113463), Scallop Edge Punch (112091), 1.25" Circle Punch (104403)