Stampin' Llamas First Blog Hop!

Welcome to the second stop on the Stampin' Llamas Blog Hop!  We will be working our way through the Stampin' Up! 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog (IB&C).  The hop is just beginning, so we're still in the first section of the catalog, the Hostess section!  Enjoy!

My first card was made with the Simply Soft stamp set.  This is my favorite stamp set in the entire catalog.  These images just beg for coloring!  I cut a circle from watercolor paper with the 3" Circle Sizzix die.  I stamped an image from the Simply Soft stamp set on the watercolor paper with StazOn ink and colored it with Watercolor Wonder Crayons and an Aqua Painter.  The scallop circle layer was cut with the Scallop Circle #2 Sizzix die.  I stamped another one of the Simply Soft stamps (I call it the dandelion stamp) several times on Very Vanilla cardstock with Crumb Cake ink to make a background for the Thanks (from the Thank You Kindly stamp set).

Stampin' Up! products used:
Stamps: Simply Soft, Thank You Kindly; Cardstock: Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla; Ink: Black StazOn, Crumb Cake, Island Indigo; Ribbon: Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon; Tools: Aqua Painters, Blender Pen, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Big Shot, 3" Circle die, Scallop Circles #2 die

I wanted to have a "dandelion" on the inside of the card as well.  I didn't want to use watercolor paper on the inside, but I still wanted to watercolor my image.  So, I stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock and used blender pens with the Watercolor Wonder Crayons.  I really like the effect; it is a bit softer, more like colored pencils. 

My second card was made using the Faith In Nature stamp set.  I wanted some randomly stamped leaves behind the sentiment.  Old Olive straight from the ink pad would be a bit dark behind Early Espresso and make it a little hard to read.  To lighten up the color a bit, I double-stamped it.  I inked up my stamp and then I stamped once on my Grid Paper to remove some of the ink.  Then, without reinking my stamp, I stamped on the Whisper White.  That gave me a lighter shade of Old Olive that doesn't overshadow the Early Espresso sentiment.

For the frame, I found it easier to cut my paper before I emboss it.  I cut out the center of the Old Olive cardstock with a craft knife.  I carefully centered the frame on my Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder and ran it through the Big Shot.  I made a bow with the Whisper White Organza Ribbon and wrapped the ends of the bow around the frame.  Finally, I used Stampin' Dimensionals to pop the frame off the page.

Stampin' Up! products used:

Stamps: Faith In Nature; Cardstock: Early Espresso, Old Olive, Whisper White; Ink: Early Espresso, Old Olive; Ribbon: Whisper White Organza; Tools: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder. 

Other produts used: Craft knife, cutting mat

That's all I have for you today!!  The next stop on the hop is Martha over at matilliestamps.blogspot.com.  Have a great weekend!