Oh Happy Day!

Hello there, stampin' peeps!
Hope your Wednesday is off to a great start.  And even if it isn't, the weekend is in sight, so that is a happy thought!

I hope all of you creative stampers are enjoying Sale-a-bration as much as I am!  At this time of year, I put everything on hold and concentrate on stamping, stamping, and more stamping.  This is the very best time of year to be a stamper, because you get free goodies with every $50 you spend.  So why not take advantage of this special time of year and get the stamp sets, ink pads, paper, and other accessories that you've been wanting?  After March 22nd, it'll all be over for another year.

My Wednesday card is similar to something I saw on another blog.  I've tried to go back and find it, but so far I've been unsuccessful.  Next time I need to write down my source.  I love the color combination of Primrose Petals, Pool Party, and Crumb Cake.   I'm so very sorry we'll be losing Pool Party at the end of May.  I'm also almost sick to think of losing Lucky Limeaid and Calypso Coral... I love those colors!  Be sure you have the ink pads, refills, and card stock for all of those outgoing In-colors, because after May 31st, they'll be gone, gone, gone!  Oh, and while you're at it, you'd better add some of that adorable ruffled ribbon in those In-colors as well, because that will all be gone too!

Too much chatting and not enough card?  I think so too, so here's the card...

The stamp set is, of course, the very popular "Bloomin' Marvelous" from the Sale-a-bration brochure.  How marvelous to be able to get this 8 piece stamp set free!   As I mentioned above, the colors are Pool Party, Primrose Petals, and Crumb Cake.  See how you can get different shades of pink by just "stamping off?"
The darker flowers were inked with Primrose Petals and stamped directly on the card.  The lighter flowers were "stamped off... (stamped once on scratch paper), then stamped on the card, giving a lighter shade.  By "stamping off," you can get two and sometimes three different shades with each of your stamp pads.  That makes your stamp pads just that much more versatile!

The hole in the Primrose Petals panel was cut with one of the framelits in the Apothecary Accents Collection (on the top of page 191 in the big catalog).  I stamped the butterfly in the "Bloomin' Marvelous set" in Pool Party ink on Pool Party card stock, then punched it out with the Bitty Butterfly punch that's on page 13 of the spring catalog. The larger butterfly was punched from Pool Party card stock using the Elegant Butterfly punch that's on page 184 of the big catalog.  I punched the leaves from Crumb Cake card stock using the Bird Builder punch on page 185 of the big catalog.  A row of tiny pearls brings more attention to that delicate butterfly.  I know you've got a friend or two who'd love to get a card like this for her birthday!  Why not pull out your stamps and make several?  That way, you'll be prepared for March birthdays.

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Enjoy your Wednesday and don't forget to come back on Friday for another Classic Card.
Hugs,
Susan

In a Rut?

Hello Stampers and Happy Monday!

Did you have a wonderful weekend?  I'm hoping that you enjoyed the sunshine.  Even though it was cold, I was certainly happy to see my old friend Mr.Sun!  My weekend was filled with stamping fun, and it is going to continue today with our SOS (Stamp Out Stress) gathering at Symposium Coffee in Old Town Sherwood.  I've got two fun cards to share that I think everyone will love.  If you'd like to join us sometime, we'd love to have you.  We meet the last Monday of every month at 1 pm.  The cost is only $3 for two cards and envelopes... what a steal of a deal!

I don't know about you, but I often feel that I'm in a rut when it comes to card design.  I love cards that have interesting folds or open in an unusual way, so why haven't I been making any of those lately??    Once Sale-a-bration is over and I have a bit more time, I'm going to put together a class that will focus on some unusual sizes and unusual folds, just to keep our card-making interesting.  I think it is possible to get in a rut that is so deep that you don't even realize you're in it, because you can't see out!  Heaven forbid that we fall into a rut like that!  So be looking for a class in April or May that will jazz up your card-making skills and give you some fun folds and formats to follow.

Speaking of classes... I've got a great one coming up in April and I think you'll love it!  It's a technique class so you'll be using some techniques that we typically don't do in a regular workshop, for lack of time. The theme for the class is "Beautiful Butterflies" and we'll be making 4 cards, each with a different technique, but all of them will be featuring butterflies.  The cards and envelopes will be slipped into a coordinating folder so the ensemble would make a lovely gift.  I have this class scheduled for Saturday, April 6th at 1pm.  If it fills quickly, I may repeat the class later in April.

Enough chatting!  Let's get to the card, shall we?  Take a peek...

This is a tri-fold latch card.  They seem to be on everyone's blog lately!  If you'd like the complete instructions, send a quick email to me at  sjrstamps@gmail.com and I'll email you the measurements.  To make the base of the card, start with an 8 1/2 by 11 piece of card stock.  Cut it in half vertically at 4 1/4.  Then using your Simply Scored scoring  board, score at 3 inches and 8 inches.  I used the Print Poetry Designer Paper stack for the front panels of the card. The focal panel was stamped with the cake from Embellished Events (page 40 of the annual catalog).  I colored directly on the stamp with Raspberry Ripple and Summer Starfruit markers..  The ovals were cut with the new Oval Framelits (page 4 of the Spring catalog).  That gorgeous ribbon is the Stitched Satin ribbon in Raspberry Ripple (p. 172 of the annual catalog).  The little tag that serves as the latch on the card was stamped with one of the Sale-a-bration sets "Pretty Petites" and then punched out with a coordinating punch, the Petite Curly Label punch which is also a free Sale-a-bration item (with a $50 purchase).

Well, stampers, I must run now or I'll be late in meeting everyone for our SOS group.  Thanks so much for stopping by today.  Please come back on Wednesday for another classic card.
Hugs,
Susan

Getting Ready for Spring

Hello Stampers and happy Friday!

How was your week?  I'm hoping that it was great and that you are looking forward to some fun and relaxation this weekend.  Last weekend I was in sunny California and it was sunny indeed!  We visited with our daughter and son-in-law in Davis and there the daffodils are up and blooming, while ours haven't even peeked through the dirt yet.  There was a beautiful yellow rose blooming in the yard as well, while our roses  are just dead-looking sticks at this point.  So while we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Spring (March 20th), I've decided to do some "getting ready for Spring" chores.  First on the list is doing a little cleaning and re-organizing in my stamping room.   I find it so much easier to work in a neat and well-organized space, don't you?

Another way I'm getting ready for Spring is to start making some Easter cards.  Easter comes early this year, on March 31st, so it's time to get busy.  Here's a fun, springy card that I cased  (C.A. S. E. stands for Copy and Share Everything) from Janine Tinklenberg.  I changed the layout a bit, used a different sentiment and a different ribbon, but otherwise the card is hers.  Check it out....

The colors are Wild Wasabi, Perfect Plum, Baja Breeze, and Whisper White.  The stamp set is called Take Care ( p. 91 of the Annual Catalog).  The sentiment is from Delightful Dozen (p. 140 of the Annual Catalog).
I colored directly on the branch stamp with Wild Wasabi and Soft Suede markers, then cut it out by hand.  The nest was stamped in Soft Suede and then cut out.  The eggs were stamped in Baja Breeze, then also cut out.  I applied some Crystal Effects to the eggs to make them shine.  I'm sorry you can't see their shiny surface in this photo.  I used the new Cloudy Day embossing folder (p. 28 of the Spring Catalog)  to give texture to the Baja Breeze panel.  Some 1/4 inch stitched grosgrain in Wild Wasabi ( p. 173 of the Annual Catalog) repeats the color of the base panel.

Thanks for stopping by The Classic Card today!  Have a great weekend and please come back on Monday for another classic card.  Thanks for being one of my readers.... I appreciate each one of you!
Hugs,
Susan

Sailing Along

Hello my friends!
Here we are sailing right into Wednesday and I thought we'd continue the ocean theme we have going at least for one more post.  I sent you a Sea Breeze on Monday, and today we'll be Sailing Along with the stamp set called The Open Sea.  This isn't a new stamp set, but I've given it an updated twist by using a couple of the newer In-Colors and some new Designer Series paper.

Take a look and see if you'd like to sail along with me...

I took my color inspiration for this card directly from the new Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack that you can see on page 16 of the new Spring Catalog.  This particular pattern reminded me of a paisley necktie and I thought it would be perfect for a masculine card.  I simply cut a strip of the paper, then "flagged" the end, which calls to mind a nautical flag.

The base of the card is Very Vanilla, and I layered on  a 5 1/4 by 4 inch piece of Summer Starfruit card stock, which I sent through my Big Shot using the Square Lattice embossing folder for some masculine texture.  The focal panel is Very Vanilla also, and I started by inking up my clear block "C" with some Summer Starfruit ink and then just stamping the rectangle off center.  Next I inked the ship from "The Open Sea" (page 104 of the Annual catalog) with Midnight Muse ink and stamped it so that it overlapped the Summer Starfruit rectangle. I sponged the edge of the focal panel with some Crumb Cake ink to give an aged look.  I stamped the compass image in Midnight Muse on Very Vanilla as well, then punched it out with the 1 inch circle punch and then adhered it to a 1 1/4 inch circle punched from Midnight Muse card stock. It is popped up with a dimensional. Some linen thread wrapped around three times gives a nice masculine touch and brings to mind the ropes used on sailing vessels.  With no sentiment added to the front, this card could serve many purposes:  thank you note, birthday card, retirement card, thinking of you... just about anything!

There are good things coming up!  Kelsey's party starts at 11:30 on Saturday ( It's a Soup-er Saturday!) and I'll be serving a yummy Baked Potato Soup with toppings.  The cards will be fun, the company friendly... you can't miss!  Please send me a quick email to sjrstamps@gmail.com if you'd like to attend and I'll be sure to save a spot at the lunch table for YOU!
Hugs,
Susan

Sea Breeze

Well, stampers, here we are back at Monday again already!  How did that happen so quickly?  Isn't there some way to slow the weekend down?  I hope you did something fun that relaxed and refreshed you, because that's what weekends are all about!

For those of you who did chores all weekend and didn't find much in the way of relaxation, I've got a card for you today that is as fresh as an ocean breeze.  I know I've mentioned this before, but if you want a card that says clean and crisp, make sure there's an ample amount of white space.

The minute I saw the "By the Tide" stamp set in the spring catalog (page 19), I knew it was a "must have."
OK, I'll admit that I don't love the lobster that much, but the rest of the set is just my style. I've had a shell collection since I was about 7 years old.  I still have those shells from my childhood, along with many more that I've collected and purchased over the years.  In the summertime, they come out of their boxes and look decorative in glass bowls.  In case you think that script is just meaningless scribbles, let my laser-sharp vision decode it for you.  It says "Pink shells, white shells, and shells colored blue; smooth shells, crinkled shells, old shells and new; striped shells and plain shells lift by the tide; my shell is magic-- the sea sings inside."  Now isn't that a charming little quote for an ocean-themed card?  I love it!  Maybe you'd like to see the card now?

This is a gate-fold card, meaning that it opens in the middle, but you could just as easily make it a conventional card with the fold on the left.  I used the Stripes embossing folder for a nice crisp look to the  white card stock.  The colors here are Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Crumb Cake, and Soft Suede.  I stamped the script in the background with Crumb cake, and then just started layering the other colors and images over it. I'm not sure how I'm going to get along once Pool Party and Calypso Coral retire at the end of May.  There are usually some In-Colors that I'm happy to see go away, but I'm really going to miss these two!  I love the look of the Calypso Coral baker's twine tied around the bottom of the focal panel.  I guess that will be going away on May 31st as well.

Do you have someone who loves the ocean, shells, fishing, or perhaps even lobster among your friends and relatives?  If so, you might find this set is just the ticket for creating cards they'll love.  May your Monday be as smooth as a tide-worn shell!  Thanks for stopping by today and be sure and come back on Wednesday for more stamping inspiration.
Hugs,
Susan

A Sample of Spring

Hi there stampers!  Welcome to Friday at The Classic Card. We made it through another week... hurray!  Wouldn't it be nice to have a few days of sunny and spring-like weather?  Who couldn't use a break?  I keep my body running on a whole alphabet of vitamins, but wouldn't some natural vitamin D in the form of sunshine be welcome right about now?

If you are feeling starved for warmer and sunnier days, I've got a little sample of spring for you today, in this card made with the new stamp set Spring Sampler.  This fun set has 24 images that are perfect for spring cards. There are rain boots and an umbrella, bunnies and eggs, birdies and nests, butterflies and bees, bugs and frogs... all the best of spring in one stamp set.  These images are sized perfectly to make "inchie" cards... cards made by punching out an image with a one-inch punch.

Check out my "inchie" card and see what you think.

I like my Easter cards on the pastel side, as you can tell.  Some people like brighter colors like hot pink, purple, and school-bus yellow, but I don't think anything says "spring" and "Easter" like the Soft Subtles color family from Stampin'Up!   I used some DSP from the Soft Subtles paper stack ( page 162 at the top of the page).  This particular sheet is in Pink Pirouette, the palest pink.  I stamped four of the images from Spring Sampler... the jelly beans in Pretty in Pink, the bunny in Bashful Blue, the egg in Certainly Celery, and the basket in So Saffron.  I then punched each image out with the 1 inch square punch.  I then punched card stock to match each image with the Scallop Square punch.  The sentiment is from the set Delightful Dozen on page 140 of the Annual catalog.  I punched it out with the Scallop Oval punch on page 184 of the Annual catalog.  Some pretty taffeta ribbon in So Saffron (our palest yellow) finishes of this "breath of springtime" card.  I love how this card turned out and hope you like it too!

Here's a little challenge for you this weekend.  Look through your stamp sets and find one with small images. Using that set, create your own "inchie" card.  I think you'll find that it is fun, easy, and fast!  Have a great weekend, everyone, and don't forget to come back on Monday for another classic card.
Hugs,
Susan

Oh, Hello!

Hello to all of my readers out there !  Thanks for stopping by this gray-ish Wednesday!
Wednesday marks an important point in the lives of working people... once it's over, it's a nice downhill slide into the weekend.  So relax, people.  The uphill climb to Wednesday is over and by the end of today, you'll have just two quick days left until the weekend.  Isn't that a cheering thought?

I have a fun card for you today that some of you made at Stephanie's party this past weekend.  I was going for a vintage look again, Stephanie's favorite style and I think I achieved it with a little sanding and a lot of sponging.   What do you think?

This card is just loaded with new products from the Spring catalog!  First of all, there's the new Honeycomb embossing folder, the new Core-dinations card stock in Primrose Petals, the Oh, Hello stamp set, the Tea for Two Designer Series paper, the Collage Curios stamp set, the new Oval Framelits, and last but not least, the amazingly cute silver soda bottle tops, which you can squish like this in your Big Shot.  Right now these nifty little embellishments are on back order, but will begin shipping on February 25th.  I can see why they ran out... they are just the perfect finishing touch on all sorts of cards, not just vintage-y cards.

I used crumb cake ink for the chevron background stamp and stamped it off on scratch paper before stamping my image.  After I ran it through the Big Shot with one of the oval framelits, I stamped the rose over the background, coloring the rose stamp with Primrose Petals and Lucky Limeaid markers.  The sentiment is stamped in Early Espresso, then punched out with the Extra-Large oval punch.  I sponged it in Crumb cake.  The center of the bottle top was stamped on Very Vanilla card stock using the Collage Curios set, then sponged in Crumb Cake before adhering it inside the bottle top.

To squish a bottle cap, follow these easy instructions.  First, fold all the tabs on your multi-purpose platform back out of the way.  Place one cutting plate on the platform.  Then place the bottle caps on the cutting plate with the pointy-side up.  Cover with another cutting plate and crank through the Big Shot.  You can do more than one bottle top at a time.  Try it!

That's it for Wednesday!  Hope you'll have a great day!
Hugs,
Susan

Bunny Love

Hello there stampers and welcome back to The Classic Card!

How was your weekend?  I hope that you had a chance to relax and regroup after a busy week and that you are now ready to face another Monday!   I was a busy bee this past weekend.... stamping, stamping, and more stamping filled my Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  So while the rest of you are ready to go back to work, I'm ready to rest.

With the gray and gloomy weather we've been having lately, it is difficult to believe that spring is just around the corner, but it is!  With Easter coming early this year (March 31st), it is time to show the bunny stamps some love. The fun little diorama card I have for you does just that.  Take a peek inside...

Aren't those frolicking bunnies just the cutest?  They are part of a new stamp set called "A Little Bit of Spring," (page 22 of the Spring catalog).  This fun set has 18 different stamps in it:  bugs, a frog, a flower, an Easter egg tree and eggs to decorate it with, an Easter basket, and of course these two cute bunnies.  I stamped the bunnies in Jet Black Staz-On ink, so that when I colored the images with markers, the black ink wouldn't run.  The Daffodil Delight card stock for the front is cut at 5 1/2 by 4 1/4.  I scored it at 1/2 inch and 1 inch from each end, then folded on the score lines so that the front pops out.  After scoring, I cut the oval hole with one of the new Oval Framelits (page 4 of the Spring catalog).  Then I sent it through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  The clouds were sponged on using a scallop circle I cut with my Scallop Circle punch and some Pool Party ink.  The grass is just sponged on with Lucky Limeaid ink.  I popped the bunnies up on some dimensionals.   The sentiment is from the Delightful Dozen stamp set.
I just stamped it on a narrow strip, flagged the ends, and then curled it with my bone folder.  A bow of stitched grosgrain ribbon in "Pretty in Pink" add a Spring-y touch, but a yellow or blue bow would work well too.

Maybe the best thing about this card, besides its obvious charm is that when you slide it into an envelope, it folds flat.  If you'd like to make this card, send me a quick email to sign up for my Easter class on Friday, March 1st at 7pm at my house in Sherwood.  The cost to attend is $10 or free with a $50 purchase. Your check holds your spot. I'll share some of the other projects soon.

Go out there and make it a great Monday, and may your week glide by without any drama or trauma!  Thanks for stopping by today.
Happy Stamping!
Susan

A Heart-y Hello

Hello and Happy Friday, everyone!

So glad the weekend is finally here (I consider Friday the un-official start of the weekend!), because that means I get to stamp, stamp, stamp!   Are you ready to join me?  With Valentine's Day creeping ever closer, it is past time to pull out your stamps, ink, and paper and create some hand-stamped love for those near and dear to you.  I can really get behind a day to show and tell people that you love them.... not just your sweetie but your mom, dad, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, grandmas and grandpas, neighbors, and friends.  I know it is terribly trite, but in the words of the old song "what the world needs now is love, sweet love," and I don't mean the romantic kind.  So let's all spread a little of that love around this old world, which is so desperately in need of it.

The card I'm about to show you was stamped by a very talented member of my downline, Sara Miller.  Sara's cards show a high degree of artistry and skill in layout and color choice.  Her cards are always among the most popular at our monthly Stamp2gethers, when demonstrators gather to share ideas and swap cards with each other.  Check out Sara's card and see if  you don't agree with me....

Here are some of the products that Sara used to create this fun card:

Stamps:  Pretty Petites ( free Sale-a-bration  set), Itty Bitty Bits ( p.25 of the Spring Catalog)
Ink:  Basic Gray, Real Red, Primrose Petals
Paper:  Real Red, Basic Gray, and Very Vanilla card stock, More Amore DSP, In Color DSP in  Pool Party
Accessories:  Curly Label Punch, Petite Curly Label Punch ( free Sale-a-bration item), Vanilla Smooch 
Spray

This card would be perfect for just about anyone on Valentine's Day.  I hope I've inspired you to get going on some cards of your own.  In fact, why not have a little Valentine-making party with some of your friends?
Make some heart-shaped cookies, put the tea kettle on, and spend a fun "crafternoon" with your girlfriends! I guarantee that it will lift your spirits and theirs as well!  And when you are finished, you'll have some lovely cards to send.  

I must run now... I'm getting ready for Connie's party tonight.  Have a great Friday and a sunny weekend (unless that weather man was misleading us once again!).

Hugs to you, my friends!
Susan

Very Vintage

Welcome to Wednesday at The Classic Card!

How is your week going?  Smoothly I hope!  Things have been a bit crazy and stressful around here as we've been helping our daughter and son-in-law prepare for their move to California.  We finished packing the house yesterday and today is truck-loading day.  On Thursday, they'll be off to new adventures in Davis, California. We are sad to see them go, of course, but happy that they are finally able to make the move they've been wanting to make for a long time.

Are you a fan of the vintage look?  Although I favor the clean and simple look when it comes to card-making, I have to admit that there is an element of elegance to the antique-y, vintage cards that are so popular right now.  The Sale-a-bration set called "Feeling Sentimental" features three images that definitely fall into the vintage category and I thought I'd try making a card with a vintage feel to it.  Please take a look and tell me if you think I succeeded in capturing the vintage look and feel...

Here's a quick list of the products I used to make this card:

Stamps:  Feeling Sentimental (free Sale-a-bration set)
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, First Edition Specialty paper (page 162, Annual catalog)
Accessories:  Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder, Label Framelit, Decorative Label punch, 5/8"Flower Trim (page 5 of the Spring catalog), Very Vanilla Seam Binding, Stampin' Sponge, Dimensionals.

I don't know why, but this isn't a very flattering photo of this card.   I need to take a photography class, but when would I have time to do that?  I think one of the keys to making a good vintage card is to sponge, sponge, sponge.  Sponging gives a nice time-worn appearance to a card, without making it look like it was sent through the wringer.  I just can't get excited by a card that is wrinkled and torn in an effort to make it look old.  Let's let mangled cards be the specialty of the US Postal Service.  They seem to be very good at that sort of thing.

If you'd like to make this pretty card, join us this Saturday at 10:30 at my house.  I'm sure Stephanie would be delighted to have an extra stamper or two at her party.  Thanks for stopping by today and don't forget to come back on Friday for another classic card.
Hugs,
Susan

Pink-a-licious!

Hello stampers and happy Monday!

Pinkalicious is one of my granddaughter Emma's favorite books!  It's all about a little girl who adores the color pink.  Her love of pink even extends to food, and when she eats nothing but pink foods, her skin turns pink, which sounds perfectly logical to me.  I'm a fan of pink as well, as you can see by the card I have for you today.  Check it out...

I just love the way this card turned out... so bright and pretty and PINK!  Almost everything I used to make this card is in the new Spring catalog...the Cloudy Day embossing folder (page 28), the Sunshine and Sprinkles DSP (also page 28), the Rain or Shine stamp set (page 30) and the Ovals Collection Framelit Dies (page 4).  I used Melon Mambo ink for the umbrella and the handle is stamped in Lucky Limeaid.  I colored a rhinestone with a Sharpie marker before adhering it to the top of the umbrella.  The sentiment comes in the Rain or Shine set and was stamped with Pacific Point ink.  Some Scallop Dots Ribbon ribbon in Melon Mambo ( page 172 of the Annual catalog) adds the perfect touch.

If you'd like to make this cute card, just send me a quick email and I'll add you to the list for Connie's party, which is coming up this Friday night, Feb. 8th at 7 pm at my house in Sherwood.  You'll enjoy a coffee bar with lots of different flavored syrups, whipped cream, and other toppings as well as a decadent dessert.
Don't miss the fun!

I must run now, but please come back on Wednesday for another classic card!

Hugs,
Susan

Fresh and Clean

Hello stampers and thank you for stopping by The Classic Card today, the first day of February!

I'm not sad to see January gone!  For me it's a month of "too's..."  too cold, too dark, too dreary, too gray... well, I guess you get the idea.  I'm just not a fan!    But in February, things start to look up... primroses appear at the stores, Valentine's Day (think chocolate and flowers) looms on the horizon and the days get longer. Daffodils show their sunny faces at Trader Joe's and I start thinking of what new plants I'll get for the garden. While it's not spring, in February you can sense the stirrings of spring.

The card I want to show you today is as fresh and clean as a breath of spring.  There's nothing overdone about it... just a simple card with clear colors and crisp images.  Here, take a look for yourself...

I've long been a fan of the shadow-stamped card and although these were really "hot" when I first started stamping, I haven't seen a lot of this technique in recent years.  Then I picked up a stamping magazine and there was an article on shadow stamping.  While not at all "new," shadow stamping seems to be enjoying a comeback, so I thought I'd give it a try with some of our new stamps.   Back in the day, Stampin'Up! had a set of stamps that were just smooth rubber in different shapes... square, rectangle, triangle, and circle.  Now that they don't carry shadow stamps anymore, there are a couple of easy ways to do shadow stamping.

If you own some clear acrylic blocks, just press the flat side against a stamp pad and stamp.  The acrylic block will give you a somewhat mottled block of color, which you can then overstamp with your chosen image.  To achieve the smooth look of a rubber stamp, I simply cut up some of the excess rubber that is left over after assembling stamps.  I used my Craft and Rubber Scissors (p. 180 of the Annual catalog) to take little "nips" of  rubber off the edge of each shape, giving an irregularity that is much more interesting.
The colors I used are Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, and Bashful Blue.  The flower images are from the new set Secret Garden (page 17 of the Spring catalog) and the sentiment is from the Bloomin' Marvelous set (free with a $50 purchase... check it out in the Sale-a-bration brochure).  I stamped the flower images and the sentiment in Early Espresso.  Some Early Espresso and Bashful Blue card stock help the white panel "pop" and the thin taffeta ribbon adds another touch of Early Espresso.

OK, my friends,  I must mosey along now.  I'm going downstairs to make a luscious ganache to pour over Leslie's birthday cake for tonight.  I wish you could join us!

Have a fab Friday and a wonderful weekend!
Susan