Polished Stone Butterfly

"In those times I can't seem to find God, I rest in the assurance He knows how to find me."

Isn't this just beautiful, I just love this sentiment from "Refuge and Strength" stamp set by Stampin' Up.



Flower stamp is from Stampendous. I stamped the image once, and then stamped it two more times without re-inking. The sentiment was heat embossed with Detail Black embossing powder.

I used two colors in purple family for Polished Stone technique. Nowadays, I rarely use metallic inks with this technique, this way you don't even need to use the sealant. Butterfly from Stampin' Up retired set "Wonderful Wings" was stamped in Stazon and then cut out. The butterfly is raised on pop-up dots.

I never thought that purple is my favorite color and I still don't. Somehow though I keep on making purple cards lately.. I think I like the dramatic effect of purple with black. And, I really LOVE how this card has turned out.

Don't forget about my Blog Candy, details here.

:) Irina

Lovely as a Tree

As I was unpacking, I found the box with the cards that I had cut the layers for, but never finished. So, I had to stop unpacking and instead worked on this card..

The card measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2", card base is a Bazzil cardstock, do not remember the company that is printed paper is made by. It is very pretty, has metallic look to it. I used Bazzil metallic Copper cardstock to emboss the trees on (in copper embossing powder). Then cut that layer in three panels. I really like this layout.

Check out the inside view of the card.. I stamped the trees in light brown color and then stamped the greeting over them using darker ink.

The trees stamp is from Stampin Up' set "Lovely as a Tree" and the greeting is from Stampin' Up set called "It's your Birthday".

You have to forgive me for the poor quality of the photos, I still have to figure out the right place in the house to take photos of the cards. I am thinking about investing in a light box...

Now I am working on the Winter Tilda card, and will show it to you within a few days.

:) Irina

Stampin' Up Sneak Peak

I was asked by a few people to show you the pre-view of some new products and the the Hostess sets that will be released by Stampin Up on August 11.

So, here they are.. Please keep in mind that the prices listed include demonstrator discount and are not the customer prices.

Click here to take a sneak peak at the new products and click here to view new Hostess sets (the sneak peak on the Hostess sets are for levels 2 and 3 only).

I REALLY LOVE the Serene Spring set from level 2 Hostess sets. I think it is just so beautiful!! I love-love-love all the new In-Color colors!! I will be getting "Heard from the Heart" stamp set for sure!!

Have you noticed that all stamp sets in the sneak peak are available in Spanish as well?! Very cool!!

And, (I know I am going to repeat myself here, but I am just so excited about it!!!) all the new stamp sets in the new catalog will be die-cut!!!

:) Irina

Great News from Stampin Up

Most of you know that I am also a demonstrator with Stampin Up..

Well, Stampin Up just announced that all new stamps in the upcoming catalog will be die-cut!!! I think this is so great that we will no longer need to trim the rubber but still have the chance to mount our own stamps the way we like it!!

The new catalog will be released on August 11 (can't wait). There will be a lot of new stamps, new "in-colors" and even a new line of product, Decor Elements!!

I will be hosting a party on Sunday, August 17th to celebrate the New Catalog and the New Year of Stampin Up. I will post the details about the party later...

Here is the link to my Stampin Up website, http://irina_blount.stampinup.net/.

Don't forget to check out the Retired List (can be found under Promotions on my Stampin Up website). Once those products are gone, they are GONE.. Please send me an email if there is something that you "must have" and would like to place an order.

:) Irina

Chalkboard Flowers

I just love the Chalkboard technique, it is super easy with the amazing results.

This technique works the best with the solid image stamps, you'll not get the full effect from the outline images. These flower stamps by Penny Black worked out great! Also, it's best to stamp on the dark color cardstock.

Just stamp your image with the white craft ink, then add the color using chalk with the daubers. To remove the chalk dust from the unwanted areas, use Swiffer Duster sheet to swip it off. That's it!! Since the chalk adheres to the ink, there is no sealant required!! Super easy!!

I don't know if you can tell from the photos, but I added some stickles to the images.

To stamp on the light cardstock, use your Versamark ink instead of the white craft ink and daub on the color with chalks. I did that on my envelopes and on the white layer inside of the cards.

Background stamp and the greetings are from Stampin' Up.

:) Irina

Whipper Snapper Bird

I love-love-love Whipper Snapper Stamps. Not as much as Tilda, but pretty close ;) .



The colors and layout for this card were inspired by this card on another website. The Whipper Snapper Bird was stamped on Whisper White with Basic Black Ink and colored with Copic Markers. I really enjoy coloring with Copic Markers now. In fact, I just realized that since I got my Copics, I haven't once reached for the Stampin' Up Markers...



All paper is from Stampin' Up. Scallops on the bottom were made with the Corner Rounder Punch. Used Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Embossing Folder on Pumpkin Pie cardstock. Sponged layers with Close to Cocoa.


Sentiment is from "A Little Birdie Told Me" stamp set by Stampin' Up. I got that stamp set only for sentiments, I don't even like the birds in the set.

The last photo is the inside view of the card..

Oh, by the way, this Whipper Snapper Bird stamp (and more from Whipper Snapper) is available at Cranberry Hill Mercantile.

:) Irina

Stampendous Flowers

Good morning,

Today I want to share a few cards that I've designed with the Ruffled Flowers from Stampendous.

All cards measure 5 1/5" x 4 1/4" and have the same color combination.

The base is River Rock cardstock from Stampin' Up, and I used Basic Black and Brushed Gold for the layers. The flowers were heat embossed with Gold Embossing Powder on Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue and Cameo Coral, and then cut out. "Celebrate" and "Thank You" sentiments are from Stampin' Up and the Birthday sentiment is from Hero Arts. Sentiments were heat embossed with Detailed Black Embossing Powder.

:) Irina

Fabriano Panda

Good morning,

Here is a pretty simple one layer card that I've made with one of my favorite stamps from Stampendous.



I stamped the image on the gorgeous Fabriano card. If you haven't used or seen Fabriano cards, they are a top notch Italian Watercolor cards. You can actually feel the quality of the paper. Once you use one of these, it's very hard to use anything less of the quality. I stamped the image with Stazon ink and colored bamboo with Twinkling H2O's, then I applied some Fun Flock. I punched out the circle on the scrap piece of paper and used it as reverse mask to color in the "sun". Sentiment is from Stampin' Up set called Curvy Verses.


I just love it when I can make a statement with a simple card like that.

:) Irina

Flower Pots and Purses

Good morning,

Today I would like to share two cards that I created by using Tab Punch from Stampin' Up. Both cards measure 5 1/2" x 4 1/4".

On the "Celebrate" card I punched Cool Caribbean cardstock with the Tab Punch three times, stamped it with Canvas Background stamp to create the textured look, and folded in half. For the flaps, I punched three ovals with the Large Oval Punch and folded not quite in half (half was just a bit too long). Attached flap to the "purse" and used Gold Zig pen to add "stitching". Placed small Prima flower with the gold brad on the bottom of the flap. Then added gold cord for the handle.


For the "Thank you" card I used the same Tab Punch, but this time I punched Brushed Gold cardstock. I then ran it through my Cuttlebug to add texture. Stamped flower stamps, placed my "flower pots" over them on dimensionals. Attached Bazzil Flowers with glue dots and then placed buttons in the centers.

These cards are simple and were fast and easy to make, but they definitely have the "wow" effect. Enjoy!

:) Irina

Stampin' Up "Spring Solitute"

I don't know what it is, but this year I am SO into birds. I bet you've noticed that from my recent projects ;) .

This stamp set is a Level 2 Hostess set from Stampin' Up. I just LOVE it!!! Of course I had to purchase over $300 in Stampin' Up products to earn it, but it's totally worth it!! Love-love-love.

Here are the cards that I've made with it so far.. All cards measure 4 1/4" x 5 1/2".


Card 1:
Soft Sky Cardstock 5 ½” x 8 ½”, score at 4 ¼”
Whisper White Cardstock 5 ¼” x 4”
Purely Pomegranate Cardstock 3 ½” x 3”
Whisper White Cardstock 3 ¼” x 2 ¾”
Background on the card was stamped with the Wheel (included with the stamp set) in Soft Sky Classic Ink. Background on the white layer was stamped in Soft Sky Ink as well. The brunch and the leaves were colored right onto the stamp with Stampin' Up Markers in Close to Cocoa and Old Olive. The Bird and the greeting were stamped with Purely Pomegranate Classic Ink. Flowers stamped on Whisper White with Blue Bayou Classic Ink, cut out and the centers are adorned with Microbeads.

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Card 2:
Paper Trey White Cardstock 5 ½” x 8 ½”, score at 4 ¼ “
Purely Pomegranate Cardstock 1 ½” x 1 ½”
Soft Sky Cardstock 1 ½” x 1 ½”
Blue Bayou Cardstock 1 ½” x 1 ½”
Old Olive Cardstock 1 ½” x 1 ½”
Images on the squares were stamped with the coordinating color ink. Brunch (Close to Cocoa Stampin' Up Marker), Leaves (Old Olive Stampin' Up Marker) and the Bird (stamped with Blue Bayou Classic Ink) were stamped onto Whisper White Cardstock, cut out and adhered over the Pomegranate square. Greeting was stamped with Purely Pomegranate Classic Ink, I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to position the greeting on the card (what would I do without it??).

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Card 3:
Paper Trey White Cardstock 5 ½” x 8 ½”, score at 4 ¼ “
Purely Pomegranate Cardstock 3” x 3”
Soft Sky Cardstock 2 ¾” x 2 ¾”
Paper Trey White Cardstock 2 ½” x 2 ½”
Flowers were stamped with Blue Bayou Classic Ink, and colored in with the same ink (very lightly) with Aquabrush using the same ink. I added gold microbeads to the centers of the flowers. The greeting was stamped in Purely Pomegranate Classic Ink and the Bird was stamped in Blue Bayou Classic Ink. Again, I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to position the bird and the greeting on the card.

I just love that with Stampin' Up sets there are so many possibilities. Just like these cards, with one stamp set you can achieve so many different looks. I will be reaching for this stamp set again and will come up with more design FOR SURE!!

Don't forget that I am a Stampin' Up Demonstrator ;) Check out my website here and if you would like to purchase any of the Stampin Up products, please contact me via email either from this blog or from my Stampin' Up website.

:) Irina

My work has been featured on Jana's Blog

My Stampin' Up upline's upline (hehehe) was visiting in the Bay Area from Germany and stopped by my house to spend some quality stamping time with me and our other Stampin' Up family members.

Now Jana has one of the cards that I demonstrated posted on her blog!! Thank you Jana!! Check it out here, and make sure to explore Jana's blog to see her creations, http://stampwithjana.blogspot.com/ .

:) Irina

Always

Good morning,

Today I wanted to share two projects that I designed for one of my Valentine's Day Card Classes. When I saw this stamp set in the Stampin' Up Catalog, I just had to have it. Love-love-love this bird!!


The first card didn't come to be the easy one for me though.. I think I spent almost two days trying to figure it out. VERY happy with the result..



This card measures 5 1/4" x 5 1/4". I've used Real Red, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White Cardstock from Stampin' Up . Background was done by stamping first with Fine Lace Background stamp (retired) and then with the large flourish from Baroque Motifs. The bird, the heart and the circle were all heat embossed with White Detail Embossing Powder, cut out by hand and raised on dimensionals. All stamps are from Stampin' Up set called "Always".

The second card is not your traditional one for Valentine's Day because of the color combination, but this is the look I was going for. The card looks so soft and gorgeous in real life. It can also be used for a Wedding, Anniversary, or any other occasion love card.

This card measures 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I've used Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky and Whisper White cardstock from Stampin' Up. Background is stamped with Sanded Background stamp. The heart image was heat embossed with White Detail Embossing Powder, once on Soft Sky Cardstock and another one on Chocolate Chip and then cut out by hand. The chocolate heat is raised on dimensionals. All stamps are from Stampin' Up set called "Always". Scalloped oval and regular oval are the punches by Marvy Uchida.

Thanks for visiting my blog. As always, comments are appreciated.

till tomorrow..

:) Irina

First Post

Hello and Welcome!!

This is my FIRST blog and the VERY FIRST posting!!! I am so excited to be here!!!

I've created this blog to keep my friends in the know on what happening in my world of paper crafting.

Here are the photos of some cards that I created in the last few weeks.

Please let me know what you think or if you have any questions by leaving a comment at the end of the post.

Supplies: Panda Stamp from Stampendous, Cuttlebug Corners, Black Flocking, Faux Postage Template.

Supplies: Stamps from Kodomo, Cuttlebug Corners, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Faux Postage Template.

Supplies: Stamps and Ribbon from Stampin Up, Marvy Urchida Punches, Dahlia Fold Technique.