CASE a CAS

For those not up on the lingo....CASE = Copy & Share Everything while CAS = Clean & Simple

It took me a while to realize these abbreviations were not the same thing.  One day I saw someone say a CASE'd CAS and I was beyond confused.  So, after a little searching on Mr. Google, I discovered their true meanings! 

For my club last month, one of our cards was just that, a CAS which I CASE'd from Mary Brown.

I changed up the colors and ribbon a bit, but overall it has a similar feel.  Everyone enjoyed making it.  I think the smearing of ink on card stock is such a neat technique but can be a little scary when you are first attempting it.  Basically, you just go for it and if it messes up....start over.  No harm, no foul.

I used the Four Square stamp set,  which retired last month, along with Chocolate Chip ribbon, Old Olive, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, and Not Quite Navy card stock, and Chocolate Chip & Really Rust ink pads.

I'm working on my Christmas in July Class and hope to have some of those projects posted soon!  Stay tuned! 

Happy Stampin!

Surprise...or close to it!

Yesterday I mentioned in my post that we celebrated my mother's 60th birthday with a surprise party.  Well, we tried to keep her away all day, but she came home an hour before the party started.  Normally this would make me sad, but she was still completely surprised to drive up to a decorated driveway full of tables, chairs, and a few streamers.  The best part was seeing her face when she saw her sister and brother come walking out of the house.  They both live in other states and came to town just for her party!!  Oh so special, fun, and surprising :) 

To prepare for the party, my main job was to get the invitation made and sent out.  So....I just had to use the Stampin' Up My Digital Studio program.  This was my 2nd or 3rd invitation using the program, and I'm still in love with it!  A normal person could make this card in about 10-15 minutes.  Since I don't consider myself normal, it took me about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.  I just kept playing with different options which is probably one of the coolest parts of the program...there are soooo many options!

I know I know...I'm rambling and you just want to see the invitation :)

The invitation was printed 4 to a page on 8 1/2 x 11 white card stock and mailed as a postcard.  For those guests whom I had email addresses for, I simply emailed them the invitation as an attachment.

I need to start using MDS for scrap booking now since I've mastered the whole card making side of things.  Hmmm...what picture should I start with....decisions decisions.

Happy Stampin!

Black Magic in Not Quite Navy...so for me Navy Magic?

I must say, the past few days are a complete blur.  Our family surprised my mother on Friday for her 60th birthday.  Between coordinating her being out of the house, setting up tables, decorating, chopping food etc etc and serving about 100 people, the day was a long one, but TOTALLY worth it.  My mother is a total jewel and I appreciate her so much.  I know you all probably have wonderful mothers as well, but mine is just a bit more awesome than any other...ok yes, I am totally biased.

I made her a bday card using the black magic technique and of course in all the rush of things forgot to take a picture of it.  So, instead I'll share a card I made for Jamie (aka girl in the photo with me who hardly EVER blogs but I still *heart* her).  For my mom's card, I actually used black card stock but for Jamie's I felt like it would be too much contrast with the DS paper I picked out.  So, I went with Not Quite Navy. 

Steps to Create the Cuteness:

1.  Stamped the Inspired by Nature flowers using white craft ink and let dry...well..or get impatient and use a heat gun to speed up the process.

2.  Color image with SU colored pencils starting with the lighter colors and working my way out to the darker tones.

3.  Use a white gel pen to create extra highlights around the flowers and leaves/stems. 

4.  After cutting out my DS paper, flip it over repeatedly in trying to decide which side I like best. 

5.  Cut off bottom half of my stamped card stock in realizing it won't all fit on my card.  I even contemplated slicing through the whole thing to create that cool effect that some people do, but I was simply to scared to do it after all that coloring.

6.  Add a so saffron bow to make it even more cute, but I'm still not totally satisfied with how my bow tying came out.

7.  Take a deep breath, and glue it all down.

Jamie loved the card.  Mom loved the card.  I love the technique and will probably have to demo it at my next club meeting.  Oh so fun.

Happy Stampin'!!

Products Used (All Stampin' Up):

DS Paper (Retired), Colored Pencils, White Craft Ink, White Gel Pen, So Saffron Ribbon (Retired)