FALLING LEAVES AUTUMN CARD...

Today's card is one I made for a swap at my Downline meeting.  The swap theme was a sketch swap from Mojo Monday's last sketch MOJO500.  I haven't done a fall card yet with the Blended Seasons stamp set, so I decided to take a stab at that.  I had to break out my Stampin' Blends again because I love them so much!  Also, I put a lot of texture into the card.  Maybe too much?  I realized later I forgot to put the sentiments on!  Oops!

This is another version I did of the card when designing it.  On this one, I embossed the leaves with Grapefruit Grove Embossing Powder and then colored it with the Stampin' Blend Markers.  I also ran the card in the other direction before settling on a landscape version of the sketch.

FALLING LEAVES CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets –  Blended Seasons (W #149019 $53.00, C #149016 $39.00) ~ save 10% on bundle with Stitched Seasons Framelits
• Card Stock –  
• Early Espresso 4-¼” x 11” Card Base, 3-¾" x 5-¼”
• Grapefruit Grove 3-⅞” x 5-⅛”
• Whisper White 3-⅞” x 5-⅛” (inside)
• Gold Foil Scraps
• Wood Textures DSP 3-¼” x 4-¼”, 1" x 5"
• Ink – Tuxedo Black Memento, VersaMark (for alternative version) Stampin' Blend Markers: Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive Pumpkin Pie
• Ribbon – 5/8" Burlap Ribbon (#141487, $7.00), Gold Metallic Thread (#138401, $3.50)
• Accessories –
• Mini Glue Dots (#103683, $5.25)
• Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $4.00)
• Alternate version: Grapefruit Grove from In Color Stampin' Emboss Powders (#146955, $25.00)
• Tools – Big Shot, Layered Leaves 3D Dynamic Embossing Folder (#143704, $9.00), Subtle 3D Dynamic Embossing Folder (#143706, $10.00), Stitched Seasons Framelits (#149013, $33.00) ~ save 10% on bundle with Blended Seasons stamp set

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

FALLING FOR YOU MAKE-YOUR-OWN DSP CARD...

This is a card I began at a shoebox swap I went to last weekend.  It was my last card, and I was very pressed for time, so I just quickly made the card front (WAY too quickly), which was basically a "make-your-own-DSP" design.  It sat on my desk until today when I used it to come up with my own card since I didn't remember the designed one.

I started by adding some of the leaves from the Beautiful Branches Framelits from the Thoughtful Branches Bundle.  I cut them from the GORGEOUS Copper Foil that is coming out in the Holiday Catalog - SNEAK PEEK!!!  It is positively yummy!  I loved the contrast of the Burlap Ribbon with the Copper Foil and the Copper Metallic Thread (another SNEAK PEEK!) for a kind of country elegance!

FALLING FOR YOU SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Thoughtful Branches (P#143539 $27.00) OR Bundle (#144328, $52.00)
• Card Stock – Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Whisper White
• Ink – Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Peekaboo Peach
• Ribbon – 5/8" Burlap (#141487, $16.95), Copper Metallic Thread (#141696, $3.00)
• Tools – Big Shot, Layering Circles Framelits (#141705, $35.00), Sponge Daubers (#133773, $5.00), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95) 

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

FAUX SUEDE FALL WOODGRAIN LEAVES...

This is a card I did for a Beginner's Technique Class this week.  It focuses on the Faux Suede  technique.  I usually end up doing flowers for this technique as it is always a "wow" and had planned to do so again.  But when I woke up this morning, I just felt like doing something other than flowers.  So I decided Faux Suede leaves would better fit the season.  Well, we did do a flower for their technique card, so the ladies still had their "wow".  :o)

Since it was a last minute switch, I cased myself from a card I did this summer and then changed it up a bit.  You can see the technique for woodgraining the leaves after doing the Faux Suede technique here: Woodgrained Autumn Leaves.  Enjoy!

FAUX SUEDE FALL LEAVES SUPPLIES:

• Card Stock – Early Espresso Core'dinations, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler
• Ink – Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, More Mustard Classic
• Ribbon – Linen Thread (#104199, $4.50)
• Accessories – Brushed Bronze Designer Buttons (#127833, $6.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Autumn Accents Die (#127812, $21.95), Woodgrain Embossing Folder (#127821, $7.95), Simply Scored Scoring Tool (#122334, $29.95), Stampin' Sanding System (#129367, $3.95), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95), Sponge Daubers or Stampin' Sponges

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

TECHNIQUE THURSDAY, Seamless Tiers / Triple Time With FREE Tutorial...

Today I have a card to share with you from my Beginner's Technique class last month.  It features the Rock & Roll technique which always amazes beginner stampers (and me, too!).  The French Foliage stamp set is PERFECT for this technique and is one of my favorite stamp sets to boot! 

This card also features the Seamless Tiers technique.  I first tried this technique back in May after getting an email newsletter with a card by Julia Stanton.  Since then I have seen many demonstrators calling it the Triple Time technique.  I call it Triple Layer Stamping.  Whatever name you choose, it is just a super fun technique!  I have included free instructions following the supply list, so you can try it out for yourself.

This another version I did using Cajun Craze for the mat colors.

FALL FOLIAGE TRIPLE CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – French Foliage (W#120845 $19.95, C#121166 $14.95), Petite Pairs (W#122498 $28.95, C#122497 $20.95)
• Card Stock – Very Vanilla, Soft Suede (or Cajun raze)
• Ink – So Saffron, More Mustard, Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler & Soft Suede Classic, Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie & Soft Suede Stampin' Write Markers
• Ribbon – Linen Thread (#104199, $4.50)
• Punches – 3/4" Circle (#119873, $12.95), 1/16" Handheld Circle (#101227, $8.95)
• Accessories – Naturals Designer Buttons (#127554, $4.95)
• Tools – Color Spritzer Tool (#107066, $12.95), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95) 

TRIPLE TIME / SEAMLESS TIERS INSTRUCTIONS:

1.  Cut your card stock as follows:

Very Vanilla Card Stock

• 2" x 3-1/4" 
• 3" x 4-1/4" 
• 4" x 5-1/4" 

Mat Card Stock (Soft Suede)

• 2-1/4" x 3-1/2" 
• 3-1/4" x 4-1/2" 
• 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" (fold for card base)

2.  Using temporary adhesive (use a 2-Way Glue Pen or Multi Glue and allow to dry before continuing), stack the Very Vanilla card stock pieces on top of each other, centering each piece on top of the other:

3.  Stamp images all over the Very Vanilla card stock as if it were one solid piece instead of stacked layers.  In other words, the images should cross over the layers.  This is what results in the "Seamless Tiers".  WARNING:  You will see blank unstamped areas close to each tier.  This is normal!  You will not see these when the card is finished.

4.  Take the layers apart.  Adhere the largest stamped layer to the center of the card stock base.

5.  Adhere the middle sized stamp image to the middle mat.  Adhere the smallest stamped piece to the smallest mat.  Adhere the small matted piece on the middle piece.  This will cover up the unstamped edges.

6.  Add ribbon to these two layers if desired.

5.  Adhere this set of finished layers on top of the largest stamped piece.  Finish card as desired.

LOYALTY REWARDS - When you purchase $50 or more, you qualify for my Loyalty Rewards program!  This Frequent Stamper program is my way of saying "thank you" to my returning customers in appreciation of their business and is in addition to other Stampin' Rewards.  Earn FREE stamps with MarieStamps.com!

CAS FRIDAY, 2-4-6-8, Who do we appreciate?...

Need a last minute favor for your Thanksgiving table?  Look no further than the 2-4-6-8 box.  This is one of the first boxes I learned to make many years ago and one I love showing to those new to stamping.  This little favor was one of the items I demonstrated at my fall craft shows and I thought you might want to have a look.

I kept it very simple with just a little Rock & Roll stamping on it.  Nothing else added.  So you can easily make a bunch of these up quickly for your Thanksgiving guests.  Maybe add a name tag and use as place cards!   You can find written instructions for the box here:  A Little Something.  Enjoy!

THANKSGIVING LEAVES 2-4-6-8 FAVOR SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – French Foliage (W#120845 $19.95, C#121166 $14.95)
• Card Stock – More Mustard
• Ink – So Saffron, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Early Espresso
• Ribbon – Early Espresso 3/8"  Quilted Satin Ribbon (#124104, $7.95)
• Tools – Crop-a-Dile (#108362, $29.95)

ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA BEGINNING NOVEMBER 21!   Our annual sale to kick off the holiday shopping season will begin Monday, November 21, 2011, and run through Wednesday, November 30, 2011.  You will want to take advantage of great savings, like FREE digital downloads valued at $40 when you buy My Digital Studio Express, 60% off select Designer Fabrics, and 30% off an exclusive ribbon bundle!  Be sure to check back with me on Monday or check out my Online Store for all the specials!  In addition, there will be two items on sale for 24 hours only (November 21, 12:01 AM - 11:59 PM [MT]) - so make sure you don't miss the first 24 hours of Online Extravaganza!

3x3 THURSDAY, Vintage Gently Falling Leaf...

There is a light at the end of the tunnel!  Our construction is almost finished and I can finally sneak a little studio time in to get some stamping done.  Yippee!  I needed a little faith to get me through the last few months, so it seemed to be an appropriate inclusion for my card.

This is another of the 3" x 3" cards I have been obsessed with lately.  I love the fall, so I had to make a 3x3 reflecting my favorite season!  For the technique on this card I used a combination of Two-Step Stamping and Rock & Roll.  Rock & Roll is one of my favorite techniques for leaves.  They just turn out so pretty!

VINTAGE FALLING LEAF SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Gently Falling (W#123802 $39.95, C#123804 $28.95), French Foliage (W#120845 $19.95, C#121166 $14.95), Faith in Nature (Hostess)
• Card Stock –  Soft Suede Textured, More Mustard, Very Vanilla
• Ink – More Mustard, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Early Espresso Classic, Tea Stain
• Punches – Jewelry Tag (#117190, $10.95)
• Ribbon – Chantilly 1/2" Crochet Trim (#118480, $6.95), Linen Thread (#104199, $4.50)
• Accessories – Antique Brads (#117273, $5.95), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95)
• Tools – Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder (#120175, $7.95), Distressing Essentials (#118762, $19.95), Sponge Daubers, Paper Piercer & Mat, Cutter Kit, Color Spritzer

AUTUMN SPICE CAKE NUGGET BOX FOR 6 NUGGETS...

As promised, I have the Six Piece Nugget Box to share with you today.  Since yesterday I had a Christmas box, Santa's Belly Nugget Box, I thought I would do a Fall themed box for the Six Piece box.  I also decided to emboss the sleeve of this box.

These adorable buttons are also from the Holiday Mini Catalog. They are so awesome!  Because they are so BIG, they are perfect for adding DSP or a sentiment to the center.  Build your own unique creation to accent your project!  I wanted mine to be very quick and easy.  So I just ripped off a piece of fabric (literally) from our Spice Cakes Fabric and tied it together with the button and some linen thread.  Voila, a super simple finishing touch for my nugget box.  If you would like a sample of these great buttons, check out my Holiday Mini Accessories Share on my Product Shares page.

The nugget wrappers are the It's a Wrap Holidays stamp set from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  See a picture of all the images at the end of the post.  They are so awesome for putting together quick favors, class gifts, etc.  I am definitely addicted to them!  Along with the It's a Wrap Occasions stamp set in the Idea Book & Catalog, you will have every holiday and occasion covered.

Also as promised, here are the measurements for cutting your card stock for the Nugget Boxes depending on how many candies you would like to be able to fit.  You may notice a pattern.  Each Box Bottom gets 1" longer and each sleeve gets 1" wider as you increase the amount of nuggets you would like to fit in the box.  All box bottoms are scored at 3/4" and 1-1/2" all around.  All sleeves are scored at 2" and 2-3/4" from each short side.  See the written directions here:  Santa's Belly Nugget Box.  Next week I will post a video on the boxes.

AUTUMN SPICE CAKE 6-PIECE NUGGET BOX SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – It's a Wrap Holiday (W#122770 $27.95, C#122772 $19.95)
• Card Stock – Soft Suede Textured, More Mustard, Spice Cake DSP
• Ink – Cajun Craze
• Ribbon – Linen Thread (#104199, $4.50) 
• Fabric – Spice Cake (#124066, $9.95)
• Punches – 1-3/8" Circle (#119860, $15.95)
• Accessories – Spice Cake Designer Buttons (#124113, $7.95), Antique Brads (#117273, $5.95), Sticky Strip
• Tools – Simply Scored Scoring Tool (#122334, $29.95),

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM GUEST DESIGNER BARBARA MOCK...

I am pretty sure that I won't be online Sunday due to the Hurricane here (and maybe not for some time after), so I am scheduling a post from one of my downline, Barbara Mock.  She had been doing so well with her business and I can see her creations blossoming as well!  This is a Halloween card that Barbara sent me to share with you.  Isn't it absolutely ADORABLE?  Too, too cute!

This is a Center Step Fold Card.  You can find my tutorial for it here:  Love Birds 60th Anniversary

Here is how Barbara made the card in her own words:

For the base I used Basic Gary. On the sides I used a piece of Basic Black card stock that was run through the Big Shot in the Spider Web EB after I had brayered the EB with Craft Whisper White ink. Then I cut it in strips to fit on the sides. I used a piece of Basic Black run through with the new Stripes EB on the middle section. I stamped the house from House of Haunts in Versa Mark and used black embossing powder. I colored the moon with Daffodil Delight Stampin Pastels and I used Basic Black Pastels on the background. The DSP on the bottom is Night and Day from Holiday Mini year before last. The spiders are from Spooky Bingo Bits stamped on Whisper White and cut with the small 3/4 x 15/16 oval punch. The "ghost" is of course the owl punch. The smaller pumpkin is the same 3/4 x 15/16 punch and the larger pumpkin is the retired small oval punch (which by the way, I can't really understand why they would retire that punch...I use it all the time!).

BARBARA'S HALLOWEEN CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – House of Haunts, Spooky Bingo Bits
• Card Stock – Whisper White, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Night & Day DSP (retired)
• Ink – Whisper White Craft, Basic Black Classic, VersaMark, Pastels
• Punches – Two-Step Owl, Large Oval, Small Oval, Modern Label, Word Window
• Accessories – Black Stampin Emboss Powder
• Tools – Big Shot, Stripes Embossing Folder (#123128, $7.95), Spider Web Embossing Folder (#120889, $7.95)