Libby Fens, Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator Libby Fens offering original and creative paper crafting projects. I host monthly Card Buffets, specialty classes and weekly inspiration for card making.

Balloon Celebration

Blogging friends Blog Hop – January – Baby, It’s Cold Outside

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Welcome to the first post of the year!!!! Whoop! Whoop!

As you can see, our theme this month is Baby, It’s Cold Outside.

Huh……that could mean anything! So, I went with the obvious and when it’s cold outside, I want to warm up inside. What better way to do that than with coffee or hot chocolate!

libbystamps, stampin up, BFBH, Balloon Celebration, Coffee Cafe, Merry Cafe, Coffee Cup Framelits, Coffee Cafe Bundle, Tutti-frutti Cards & Envelopes

These are smaller cards meant to be left by the coffee maker as an invitation to join me for a warm beverage! I often do this – it lets others know they are loved!

I used some free (earned during Sale-a-Bration) Tutti-frutti Cards & Envelopes that I cut in half to make these smaller cards. The coffee mug on the left, I added a handle to the cup by using the framelit letter ‘C’. So easy! The other cup card is just a standard coffee cup framelit.

Sale-a-Bration starts January 3 and runs through March 31, 2018. For every $50 (USD) purchased, you will receive a free item of your choice from the Sale-a-Bration catalog! I’d love to send you a catalog – just ask! 

Going forward, you’ll head over to, Mary, going back, you head to Anna. Please take the time to leave a comment. I love hearing from you!

 

Stampin’ Up Supplies –

  • Stamp Set – Balloon Celebration, Coffee Cafe, Merry Cafe
  • Framelits – Coffee Cup
  • Bundles – Coffee Cafe
  • Card Stock – Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Soft Sky, So Saffron, Vellum
  • Ink – Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Calypso Coral
  • Other – Tutti-frutti Cards & Envelopes
Happy Stampin’
Libby

Create with Connie and Mary subscriptions are on SALE!

Yes…you read that right…Connie and Mary are having an ‘end of year’ sale! We are having a sale on all our monthly Mini Editions for the past year AND as a special, we are also selling the tutorials for our BONUS projects for the past year.  Mini editions are 50% off the regular subscription price shown and BONUS projects are $2.95 (no discount).  Don’t miss out……we have never offered these outside of our subscriptions!

  • Our monthly mini sessions include the instructions for 14 projects with full step-by-step tutorials.
  • Each mini session includes 12 unique cards, featuring 3 stamp sets, and
  • Each mini session includes TWO 3D items perfect for your club or stamp camp
  • All designs and tutorials are EXCLUSIVELY for subscribers and will not be posted anywhere else online.
  • All 14 projects are available immediately so you have all projects (and tutorials) right there at your fingertips
  • Our FABULOUS design team members include Debbie Henderson, Libby Fens, and Melissa Davies!
  • We use Fastwagon for our processing, you should immediately receive a Digital Order email with a link to a downloadable Welcome letter with your passwords! Thank you!

NOTE:  Use Coupon Code ENDOFYEARduring checkout for the 50% off the regular $8.95 price!

Happy Happy Happy Birthday

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Ready for another great challenge to inspire your creativity?

You got it! This is from Watercooler Wednesday –

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We have a great set of colors to get you going!

I got a little stumped at first. But, in no time I was on a creative roll and created this –

libbystamps, stampin up, Happy Celebrations, Time of Year, Balloon Celebration, Bunch of Banners, Balloon Bouquet, WWC101

I really like this stamp set, Happy Celebrations. It’s bold. It’s fun.

libbystamps, stampin up, Happy Celebrations, Time of Year, Balloon Celebration, Bunch of Banners, Balloon Bouquet, WWC101

I was able to create a nice background with it. It was easy too – this is a photopolymer set!

libbystamps, stampin up, Happy Celebrations, Time of Year, Balloon Celebration, Bunch of Banners, Balloon Bouquet, WWC101

The addition of the sentiment and balloons just really made the card a perfect birthday card that just about anyone would like! Don’t you agree?

I’d love to read your comments!

And did you know you can play along with our challenges? Come create a card and join us! We’d love to have you!

Supplies –

  • Stamp Set – Happy Celebrations, Time of Year, Balloon Celebration
  • Dies – Bunch of Banners
  • Card Stock – Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, So Saffron, Flirty Flamingo
  • Ink – Bermuda Bay, So Saffron, Flirty Flamingo
  • Punches – Balloon Bouquet
  • Other – Dimensionals
Happy Stampin’
Libby

Celebrate 100!

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Celebrate 100 what?

Challenges!

We have had 100 challenges over at Watercooler Wednesday! To mark the occasion, we are having a special Celebration theme where anything goes!!!

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These are so much fun!

I decided to use something on the desk that I had already been playing around with earlier in the week. It’s these Celebrations Duo Embossing Folders on page 40 of the NEW Occasions Mini (IT STARTED TODAY!!!!!!) that I used over the weekend here.

See my fabulous card –

libbystamps, stampin up, WWC100, Celebrations Duo EF, Balloon Celebration

I love this idea of the de-bossing then coloring over it to make it just P O P !!!!

libbystamps, stampin up, WWC100, Celebrations Duo EF, Balloon Celebration

These are Tuxedo Black Memento ink balloons stamped over the de-bossed image. (It’s de-bossed because the impression is lowered instead of raised on the card stock.)

libbystamps, stampin up, WWC100, Celebrations Duo EF, Balloon Celebration

For a little fun, I added the 100 in Tempting Turquoise and some Silver Glimmer Paper!!!

Don’t you just LOVE it?? You could change the number up to suite your needs in a snap!

I’d really love to read what you think about my card designed for the 100th challenge over at Watercooler Wednesday! And, please join in our celebration and submit a card! Challenges are soo much fun!

Supplies –

  • Stamp Set – Balloon Celebration, Labeler Alphabet
  • Big Shot – Celebrations Duo
  • Card Stock –Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise
  • Ink – Tuxedo Black Memento, Tempting Turquoise
  • Other – Silver Glimmer Paper
Happy Stampin’
Libby

Uplifting Birthday for WWC

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Going non-holiday here again for Watercooler Wednesday.

This week we have a Masculine challenge from Marsha –

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It can be as simple or elaborate as you like.

Mine, rather simple –

libbystamps, stampin up, Balloon Celebration, masculine, WWC91

See. Guys don’t really care. They just like that you thought about them!

libbystamps, stampin up, Balloon Celebration, masculine, WWC91

Neat thing about my card, it’s only one layer!

You should see all the other great masculine ideas over at Watercooler Wednesday! And, join us – it’s soo much FUN to play along!

Simple Supplies –

  • Stamp Set – Balloon Celebration
  • Card Stock – Crumb Cake
  • Ink – Tuxedo Black Memento, Real Red
Happy Stampin’
Libby

Fourth Fun Treats

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H A P P Y   F O U R T H  of  J U L Y  !!!!!!

I have some crafty festivities planned, but I had made these cute little treats for co-workers the other day –

libbystamps, stampin up, Better Together, Balloon Celebration, July 4th Treats

Nice huh? It’s really the same idea as the nugget holder trays that I’ve made before.

I cut each one, stamped them and then scored them. Easy. Easy.

Assembly went quick too.

libbystamps, stampin up, Better Together, Balloon Celebration, July 4th Treats

I had this cute little red plastic berry basket that held all of these without a problem. It just added to the patriotic feel!

libbystamps, stampin up, Better Together, Balloon Celebration, July 4th Treats

I worked the early shift and was able to leave these for everyone to brighten their day. I got several comments to how they were pleased to find them!

It just goes to show you, go create something for someone and make their day!!

Happy Fourth –
Libby

Come, Let us Sit, WWC#68

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Are you up for the challenge? Are you up for my challenge? Over at Watercooler Wednesday,

I’m this host this week for a color challenge!

WWC logo

Here are my challenge colors. I’m sad to see these colors leave, aren’t you? So, I say, let’s play with them a bit longer!

Libby's Color Challenge

I decided to go B I G and use them A L L !!!!

libbystamps, stampin up, Balloon Celebration, Cups & Kettle Framelits, WWC68

Did you find all five? They are subtly placed!

Obvious is the cups, hearts and washi tape border. The stamping ties in the other two colors without the card being overworked. Don’t you agree?

I’d love to read your comments. You know, that good karma thing.

So, pull out these colors one last time and P L A Y with them before putting them away for good! Then, S H A R E your creation with us at Watercooler Wednesday this week!

Happy Stampin’
Libby

Try Stampin’ Or Not On Tuesday, # 267

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Whew. We survived ALL the rain Monday – I’m in the greater Houston area – and Sunday night/early Monday morning we were hit with massive rains that flooded several parts of the city. Bad.

I am happy that I am able to share my Design Team submission from Try Stampin’ Or Not On Tuesday.

TSOT

These are two-week challenges and you can join us with a submission either on the blog on through Facebook.

The challenge this week –

Challenge 268 has a nice variety of elements here.

I pulled out several DSP’s trying to decide what was perfect for this sketch. For some reason, I thought I needed to start with DSP as my foundation.

libbystamps, stampinup, Balloon Celebration, Botanical Builder Framelits, English Garden DSP, TSOT267

And, that was the right choice here. I hadn’t played around with my newly received Botanical Framelits so I was excited to try them out here. I went with a single flower like the sketch. Although, I did cut several out just to play with them!

libbystamps, stampinup, Balloon Celebration, Botanical Builder Framelits, English Garden DSP, TSOT267

It’s a sweet card that I can’t wait to mail out.

I am lovin’ having all these cards made in my stash. Not only is it convenient, it’s cool to say i used this card for a challenge as well!

You should leave me a comment – because comments make bloggers feel good – then head over to Try Stampin’ Or Not On Tuesday to see what the others have created and play along with us – card challenges are lots of fun!!

Happy Stampin’
Libby

To Go Gift Card Holder, CCMC402

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It’s my second week sharing my creations as a Design Team member for Create with Connie and Mary!

This week we have a color challenge for you –

CCMC402

Some really nice colors, including the soon to retire, Lost Lagoon.

I have been on a gift card kick lately and today is no different. This one is really, really cute –

libbystamps, Stampin Up, CCMC402, Balloon Celebration, Cups & Kettle Framelits, gift card holder

The medallion in the center has a little spoon behind the sentiment! Isn’t that just the sweetest?

libbystamps, Stampin Up, CCMC402, Balloon Celebration, Cups & Kettle Framelits, gift card holder

I thought it added just the right little detailing!

Speaking of detailing, since we no longer have that contraption that would make paper look waffled, I used my Simply Scored here. I scored every quarter of an inch. Flipped it and scored every quarter of an inch again. It made tiny mountain and valleys. And, that’s sort of like waffling, right?

libbystamps, Stampin Up, CCMC402, Balloon Celebration, Cups & Kettle Framelits, gift card holder

When you open up the card, it flips down and the gift card slides in the interior sleeve!

And, yes, another little silverware! It goes with the sentiment ‘and eat cake’ quite well!

Wouldn’t you just love to receive this little sweet gift card holder? I know I would.

I’d also like it if you left a comment. It’s good ‘card carma’ to leave a comment before checking out the rest of the Design Team creations at Create with Connie and Mary!

Happy Stampin’
Libby

 

Come, Let Us Sit Together

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…….and play a few challenges!

I needed to make some swap cards and I needed some direction with new stuff I got in.

I found two challenges that inspired me.

One is the colors from Fab Friday –

Nice pallet of colors!!

The other is the layout from Global Design Project –

Both, very nice to work with!

This is how I combined the two –

libbystamps, stampin up, Balloon Celebration, Timeless Textures, Cups & Kettle Framelits, Metallic Foil Doilies, FabFri84, GDP030

I love this card!! It’s just soo sweet! Who wouldn’t want to receive this?

You know, it’s good ‘card carma’ to leave a comment before moving on! To leave a comment, scroll back up. The ‘Leave a Comment’ button is under the title of the post.

Happy Stampin’
Libby

 

Rehearsal Dinner

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I had the honor of being asked to make something for my friends sons upcoming wedding. Just one of those little extra details……

libbystamps, stampin' up, Cups & Kettle Framelits, Balloon Celebration, wedding, rehearsal dinner,

These are rehearsal dinner name tags! Although, everyone probably knows everyone – it was just an added touch that she wanted have. I loved the way they turned out! Elegant and Sweet.

I also had to make a card for Marina and her husband –

libbystamps, stampin' up, Cups & Kettle Framelits, Balloon Celebration, wedding, rehearsal dinner,

……because for me, it’s the details.

Congratulations to Marina and Marty on the upcoming marriage of their son Cameron to Brittany> Best wishes to the new couple!

You know, it’s good ‘card carma’ to leave a comment before moving on!

Happy Stampin’
Libby

Green and Gold HI

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I have a great card share today inspired by Freshly Made Sketches –

Nice, simple, clean sketch.

I had been playing around with stamping balloons to give a dark to light color effect, a sort of ombre look. I inked up my stamp and stamped it three times – at the top, middle of the paper and towards the bottom. I loved the end result, but had the stamped panel just sitting on my desk.

Until I saw this sketch. I couldn’t just cut this up randomly and ruin all my hard work. This panel took a few tries.

This is what I did with it, minimal trimming of course –

libbystamps, Stampin Up, Balloon Framelits, Party Pop-Up Thinlits, Balloon Celebration, Envelope Lines Framelit Dies, FMS228

I love it! And since it has gold accents, I created an envelope liner for the card too –

libbystamps, Stampin Up, Balloon Framelits, Party Pop-Up Thinlits, Balloon Celebration, Envelope Lines Framelit Dies, FMS228

What I trimmed off the side I used for the interior of the card. Can’t waste anything! Speaking of which, the H I came from the Party Pop-Up Thinlits letters that get cut out.

libbystamps, Stampin Up, Balloon Framelits, Party Pop-Up Thinlits, Balloon Celebration, Envelope Lines Framelit Dies, FMS228

All in all, this little card is a stunning beauty!

libbystamps, Stampin Up, Balloon Framelits, Party Pop-Up Thinlits, Balloon Celebration, Envelope Lines Framelit Dies, FMS228

I can not wait to give this to someone. It’s sure to brighten anyones day!

It’d brighten my day if you left some thoughts on my green and Gold Hi!

Happy Stampin’
Libby

Just Tag It

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I had a box of stuff that needed to mailed out. You know, one of those warm up winter boxes. I always like to include a little handmade somethin’ somethin’ in the box.

Instead of a card, I decided I’d make tags instead.

I used a new stamp set from the new occasions Mini catalog, Balloon Celebration. It was THE perfect choice! From the tags, you can guess just why and what was sent –

libbystamps, Stampin Up, Balloon Celebration, Balloon Bouquet Punch, Gold Foil, Ornate Tag Topper Punch, Cupcake Builder Punch, tags

Aren’t they just the cutest?

libbystamps, Stampin Up, Balloon Celebration, Balloon Bouquet Punch, Gold Foil, Ornate Tag Topper Punch, Cupcake Builder Punch, tags

After I stamped the Very Vanilla, I felt the tag needed a little extra ump……I thought the cupcake liner from the Cupcake Builder Punch would be just the right added touch. I just placed it upside down so the scallops were visible a little. A sweet little gold peek.

libbystamps, Stampin Up, Balloon Celebration, Balloon Bouquet Punch, Gold Foil, Ornate Tag Topper Punch, Cupcake Builder Punch, tags

Those balloon strings…….I adhered the Baker’s Twine to the back of the balloons. To get the wavy string look, I glued it in place with the Fine-Tip Glue Pen. Tricky, but it can be done!

Now I can put these in the box and get it mailed.

I’d love to read what you think.

Happy Stampin’
Libby

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