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.

Ovals Collection Framelits

Succulent Thank You.

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Happy Tuesday, my Try Stampin’ on Tuesday followers!

Here is our latest challenge to get you playing around with your stamps, ink, and paper!

I love this mix up of two challenges in one!

Well, since it has cacti in the inspiration picture, how about playing around with the February 2019 kit, Grown with Kindness?? Kit pictured here, but, of course I changed it up a bit.

This is how I incorporated it into the double challenge –

libbystamps, Stampin' Up!,

I took one of the images in the kit and shortened it, then did a little trimming of the plants that reached further than the line where I trimmed.

I used one of the ovals from the retired Ovals Collection framelits for my oval here. I used only half of it.

I then actually cut about 1/4 of a slice off. I added that to the card, then a strip of Mint Macaron, then the remaining oval part! By doing that, I made the oval appear larger!

I stamped the sentiment slightly up on the card before adding it to the front!

Check out the other Design Team cards on our Try Stampin’ on Tuesday blog. Create a card and link it up there too, or on our Facebook page.

Stampin’ Up Supplies –

  • Stamp Set – Paper Pumpkin, Grown with Kindness
  • Framelits – Ovals Collection Framelits (retired)
  • Card Stock – Mint Macaron, Fresh Fig
  • Ink – Fresh Fig

Anchors Away Birthday, TSOT#281

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Happy Tuesday! Time for Try Stampin’ Or Not On Tuesday challenges.

This week we have a nice layout to play around with –

Challenge # 281. Optional Theme : Anchors Away

I thought this layout was difficult at first until I pulled out my papers – it came together quite easily.

libbystamps, stampin up, Tin of Cards Stamp Set, Maritime DSP, Ovals Collection Framelits, Stars Framelits, Nautical, TSOT#281

I was even able to play along with the theme this time too!

libbystamps, stampin up, Tin of Cards Stamp Set, Maritime DSP, Ovals Collection Framelits, Stars Framelits, Nautical, TSOT#281

This DSP really helped with the theme to make a nice birthday card. I liked that one of the coordinating patterns was light enough to stamp on.

libbystamps, stampin up, Tin of Cards Stamp Set, Maritime DSP, Ovals Collection Framelits, Stars Framelits, Nautical, TSOT#281

Silver Foil is always hard to photograph but my stars are just a shinning here.

This is a fun sketch to try. Head over to Try Stampin’ Or Not On Tuesday and see what the other designers created. Play along with us on Facebook too!

Happy Stampin’
Libby

Watercooler Wednesday, Challenge 66

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Wahoo, its Wednesday! You know what the means.

Yep – Watercooler Wednesday has another challenge! And this time its mine!!!

WWC66

We are responsible for picking challenges and being the host of it. For some reason, I just love this layout!

I created this –

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Nope. Not a Mother’s Day card either. Well, I guess it could be. You could announce you’re taking her out to dinner or something!

libbystamps, stampin up, WWC66, All About Everything, Cups & Kettle Framelits, Large Numbers Framelits, Ovals Collection Framelits, Silver Foil Sheets, Pretty Petals DSP Stack,

This is such a FUN set of framelits too! So sad it’s retiring. In foil – it looks like real silverware too!

libbystamps, stampin up, WWC66, All About Everything, Cups & Kettle Framelits, Large Numbers Framelits, Ovals Collection Framelits, Silver Foil Sheets, Pretty Petals DSP Stack,

My nifty sentiment is from the April Paper Pumpkin. It was from the extra stamp set, All About Everything. The banner is from the Large Numbers Framelits. Yes, it came with a banner stamp and framelit too!

Isn’t this a fun, bright and cheery card?

Perhaps I have inspired you to play along with us this week? After all, it is my challenge!

Leave me some good ‘card-carma’ then head over to Watercooler Wednesday to see the other talented designers creations and  P L A Y   A L O N G with us!

Happy Stampin’
Libby

Easter Egg Burst

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Got a sweet Easter card to show you today – yes. straight to the point –

libbystamps, Stampin Up, Suite Sayings, Ovals Collection Framelits, Sunburst Thinlits, Easter

It’s sooo pretty in person!

I used the Ovals Collection Framelits, largest scalloped one, as a base. I had cut three sunburst out and used just the inner pieces in a pattern. I could actually have made three at one time too, but I didn’t. I did save those scraps…

I combined Whisper White and Very Vanilla in this card for something a little different. The stamped sentiment worked perfectly in the Oval framelit too.

libbystamps, Stampin Up, Suite Sayings, Ovals Collection Framelits, Sunburst Thinlits, Easter

The bright are fun for Easter. The lighter colors are problematic to photograph sometimes. But, nonetheless, you still see a very lovely card!

So, you’ve come this far in my post. You should practice good ‘card carma’ and leave a comment.

Happy Stampin’
Libby

 

You’ve Got This Trifold

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I am in the midst of working on a tutorial for the cake I showed last Thursday (you’ll have to scroll through the post), but, it’s not quite there yet…..

So, here is a really neat card from the Card Buffet –

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Remarkable You Stamp Set, You've Got This Stamp Set, Ovals Collection Framelits, 5/8 Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Handheld Stapler, trifold card

On the outside it looks sort of plain. People just kind of skipped it. But, those that opened it were like, wow! Then, others decided to make it as well.

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Remarkable You Stamp Set, You've Got This Stamp Set, Ovals Collection Framelits, 5/8 Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Handheld Stapler, trifold card

Here is the first opening. And, here is the final one –

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Remarkable You Stamp Set, You've Got This Stamp Set, Ovals Collection Framelits, 5/8 Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Handheld Stapler, trifold card

The sentiments are way inside!

I guess it’s a tri-fold type card? Here is more of a top view –

libbystamps, Stampin' Up, Remarkable You Stamp Set, You've Got This Stamp Set, Ovals Collection Framelits, 5/8 Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Handheld Stapler, trifold card

Either way, it ended up being a total hit!

It’s basically two cards put together opposite, one being slightly smaller. Easy. Easy. And, a great technique to show people!

I thought is was an appropriate card for someone needing a little something. It’s very simple and serene. For October, this would be lovely in pinks for someone!

Go make a card and make someones day!

Happy Stampin’
Libby

Birthday Fishes for Kenny

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As usual, this month is rapidly going by…….already the 14th! That means it’s my brother’s birthday. I told you I had several dates to keep up with this month!

Here is a little ‘fish’ for you my dear brother –

libbystamps, By The Tide, Hexagon Punch, Ovals Collection Framelits, Gel Card Technique

Isn’t is cool? I have been wanting to try this gel card technique for a while now.

It was quite easy. As you can see, I simply stamped the card front and cut an oval out of the center. I stamped the inside ‘sea’ portion of the card as well. My fish is behind the ‘water’.

I placed (my husbands Paul Mitchell) hair gel in a small zip lock bag and placed it between 2 layers of card stock. I sealed the layers with Sticky Strip and then placed this on the front of the card. I added minimal embellishments, as there is already a lot going on with this card.

Nothing new here, just new for me.

And, a great guy card for someone who likes to fish.

Happy, happy Birthday, Kenny!

Happy Stampin’
Libby

You’re in my Thoughts

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A somber, meaningful post today.

I’m taking time out to reflect on the fond memories of my dear Aunt Mary. It has been a year since her passing. I was very fortunate to be able to spend time with her during her last months of life. She was truly a remarkable person. I miss her dearly. Her spunk. Her positive attitude. Her memory of the past.

Her room was painted purple. Purple reminds me of her.

I digress for a moment. You might recognize this card for several reasons. I had an almost identical one at my July Card Buffet. It was also my one and only Convention swap – you are lucky if you received it.  And, most recently, it was my team meeting swap.

I never use a card design for such multiple reasons. Never. But, this one I did. It’s special.

My aunt lived a very modest life. She enjoyed life. Her faith, family, food and fun were most important to her.

She was an avid recycler and believed in nothing going to waste. Hence this card. I wanted to create something in her memory and this was sitting right in front of me. It spoke to me. So, a little addition of another sentiment and a little tweaking of the flowers. I have created the perfect card, repurposed, in her memory.

I will wear purple today as I usually do when I am thinking of her.

Happy Stampin’

Libby

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I Was Thoughtless

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So sorry. I was thoughtless.

No, not really, but, what a wonderful set of sentiments, if you need them! It’s from the stamp set, So Sorry. Page 137 of the 2012/2013 catalog. It’s another ‘must have’.

This is yet again another stamp set I’ve had for a while but have not used it! Why, oh, why? It’s great!

My inspiration came from Create with Connie and Mary today. And, it’s a color challenge, CCMC250, using Calypso Coral, Pool Party, and Basic Grey. Lovely colors! And, some great inspiration on their blog too.

I really got creatively inspired with my card this time, even though it’s rather simple. I started with one of those ‘center stair step cards’ as my base. Then I added a couple layered ovals from the Ovals Collections Framelits. The ovals are really tricky for me to stamp words on. They always appear ‘off’. But, this looks pretty even.

Now, I did not have any Calypso Coral Ribbon to use here. I had to get real creative. I punched a strip using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border (how appropriate, having no ribbon) and broke down the fibers using my bone folder. After about 5 minutes or so, it pulled apart really nicely. It’s soft as suede! I added one ‘half’ along the bottom and the other half I cut up to make little ribbon strips. Very sweet, huh?

My poor lower stamped sentiment. It’s a little smudgy. But, it is what it is. I do LOVE this card none the less. It’s one of my favorites that I’ve made lately.

What do you think?

Happy Stampin’
Libby

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Happy Birthday Motorcycle Man

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Vvvvvrrrrooomm, Vvvvvrrrrooomm. Vvvvvrrrroooooooomm!

Happy birthday, motorcycle man!

I am playing around with this stamp and lovin’ it! To bad it’s on loan. I was asked to make some surprise birthday invitations with a motorcycle theme. Well, not sure what I will actually make, but this sure is nice! I like to play around with a new stamp to get the feel and to see how it stamps.

I got my inspiration today from Seize the Birthday. Similar card challenge from last week, but this time it’s for men. So, more clean. More simple. More manly. And, no frills. I think I accomplished that here.

I used a variety of retired items here. The Motorcycle stamp is retired. The greeting came from a retired stamp set, It’s Your Birthday. I have  several current birthday stamp sets, but none matched the simplicity of this card. That’s just what it need. Simple. Clean. No frills. And, this retired ‘Happy Birthday’ did the trick.

The silver strip? Metal Repair Foil Tape, found at the hardware store. Pretty cool stuff. Adhesive backed and all. Kind of cool! I’ll need to practice working with it more. I ran it through using an embossing folder. Not sure what it’s called. It’s not Stampin’ Up. It looks like metal. It was hard to photograph evenly here. But, trust me, in person, it looks stellar! It’s one sweet card!

Happy Stampin’
Libby

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Foxy, Take Care of Yourself

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Aw, cute little Foxy here telling you to take care of yourself! Adorable, right?

Today, I’m playing along with Freshly Made Sketches. I came up with this sweet card using a variety of products this time around. Past few cards have been very simple. So, today I went all out.

I stamped the Foxy image and then cut around his tail. When I laid the Oval Framelit on top to cut the image out, I placed the tail on top of the framelit. When I ran it through the Sizzix that portion of the tail was spared the cut! Therefor, allowing it to peek over the frames! Clever, huh?

I outlined in marker the speech bubble and stamped it separately. Before cutting it out, I stamped my words. First try, not too bad. Freehand too! Hard to find words small enough and appropriate for what I wanted to say here. But, I did. Used a retired word only set called, Sweet Little Sentiments.

I just kept adding to this card until I felt it was just right. I’m happy with the way it turned out. Great sketch again Freshly Made Sketches!

I’m sure this card will be a definite perk up!

Happy Stampin’
Libby

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Happy Birthday

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No wrapping paper card today! But, I did make another card for a card challenge.

This time I’m playing along with Seize the Birthday. I just love this feminine birthday card sketch this week. It really spoke to me and I have been so anxious to create something for it.

My base card is Naturals White, standard half sheet of card stock. I started off with a matchbook style card. Eh, didn’t really come together as I planned. So, I ended up with a gift card holder style card. Same basic card dimensions, 4 1/4 x 5 1/2. And, I LOVE the way it turned out! Take a look at it for yourself.

Pretty sweet, huh? I even showed the inside for the detailing and gift card pocket. I rarely decorate the inside, so this was really stepped up for me. But, it really enhanced the overall card.

I was really on the fence with this Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper this year for Sale-a-Bration. I am really lovin’ this use of it. Now, to find a special recipient for this beauty!

Happy Stampin’
Libby

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Dressy Birthday

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Have you played ‘Dress Up’ yet birthday girl?

I was skeptical at first when I saw this dress collection that includes framelits and a stamp set. It really didn’t do anything for me. However, at the Dallas Regionals, I saw some demonstrations and lots of samples made using a variety of products from this suite. And, so cute. So cool. So fun!

Ok. I decided to get them. And, to tell you truth, it IS like playing with paper dolls. You just want to keep creating different dresses and playing around with patterned papers to make clothing, adding ribbons, embellishments – whatever you want. It really IS fun!

This is one of the cards I created for my Card Buffet this weekend. It is also one that I decided not to make because I created another card I liked better. Imagine that? It happens in the design process. Lots of designs get cut. But, I’ll be happy to share with you.

The dress is made from Sale-a-Bration Designer Series Paper. The oval has a nice swirl in that neat-o Illuminate Glimmer Watermark Stampin’ Pad. I thought it added a little dazzle to the card. Don’t you agree?

If you are on the fence about this item, I say, go for it. These are just, FUN! And, we could all use a little fun in our stampin’!

Happy Stampin’
Libby

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Elegant Damaske

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Looks difficult to create doesn’t it? It’s so not!

With a Sale-a-Bration pack of Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper and the Vintage Verses Stamp Set, you are set.

I have not gotten very good feedback on the new In-Color, Summer Starfruit. But, this was one of the more popular cards at both of my January and February Card Buffets! I asked those making it and they were surprised how wonderful this color looked with black.

I like to see what is not a favorite and turn that opinion around.

It was one of my favorites!

What do you think?

Happy Stampin’
Libby

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