Hooray! My Stampin' Up! order arrived yesterday with my latest fall/winter goodies and it's definitely time to "party hearty." Although I enjoy the process, I have been busy reorganizing (and coveting) my new designer series paper, inks, stamps and embellishments. Of course, I had to experiment with my new Big Shot die cutting machine, too. As you'll see, it partnered beautifully with my beloved nestabilities.
Since I like things "just so" in my stamping zone, I had little time for much creating in the last 24 hours. Fortunately, all the new stamps are die cut so that aspect was a snap. Our Creative Corner (OCC) had a challenge this week to create a project using NO designer paper and a maximum of FOUR layers. I thought I could play by the "rules" and whip up a monochromatic set of cards showcasing the versatility of the "Party Hearty" set and prove to myself first hand that the Big Shot was nestabilities "friendly."
All three cards start with a 4.25 x 4.25 Whisper White card base. The only color comes with a big pow–Pacific Point card stock and ink. I love how crisp it looks against Whisper White. TIP: A Stamp-a-ma-jig (
For the "party hearty" card, I stamped the present 6 times on Whisper White (Pacific Point ink) and punched them out with a 3/4" Circle Punch. TIP: Stampin' Dimensionals below each circle give this simple card an instant lift (excuse the pun). I again used the Big Shot and rectangular nestabilities to add the rich embossing. The sentiment and some silver micro brads (www.justbrads.com) contribute plenty of pizzazz for this card.
Finally, my cupcake guy. I stamped the cupcake on Whisper White and snipped it out. I next cut and embossed a circle of Whisper White card stock and a scalloped circle of Pacific Point, both fashioned with circle nestabilities. Using a 
Silver beads made delightful sprinkles. TIP: I have good luck adding these little cuties by dabbing a tiny amount of glue where I want the bead, and then sliding the bead off a needle (to keep it positioned upright) onto the glue–holding it for just a few seconds for it to adhere. Using a Paper Piercer and Template, I jazzed up the corners then finished up using a Stamp-a-ma-jig to align the delicious "take the cake" sentiment.
Hugs and Pretties . . . Mary
Stamp Set: Party Hearty, All Holidays
Paper: Whisper White, Pacific Point
Ink: Pacific Point
Cool Tools: Stampin' Up!'s Big Shot, 3/4" Circle Punch, Nestabilities Rectangles and Circles, Paper Piercer and Template (Stampin' Up!'s Crafter's Tool Kit), Stamp-a-ma-jig
The Perfect Touch: Pacific Point Double Striped Grosgrain, Stampin' Dimensionals, Silver Beads, Silver Micro Brads
Fantastic cards – Mary – I love the White with the Pacific Point!!! The stamp set’s, the Mini Brads are darling too – love it all!!!
Mary,
Those cards are awesome. Using one color with the white really pops! I love your website!
These are gorgeous. Love just the two colours!
What beautiful and eye-catching cards you created, Mary. I love them and the Pacific Point is so vibrant – it was one of the In Colors I was uncertain about but it looks fantastic! Thanks for enabling me as it has been added to my wish list. LOL
Mary, you not only take the cake, you take the whole bakery. Outstanding!! I love that look, you know I’ll case that too. Thanks for sharing.
Wow, Mary, these are STUNNING! I can’t wait to get this set and this color, so I can happily CASE away!
Hi Mary,
I love your cards!!! the video I have saved to favs. I have the Wizard and I’m soo glad I will be able to use the new SU dies in my machine. Again thanks for all the inspiration!!
Eileen
These cards look great and thanks for the tip about getting a good image with solid stamps.
Mary…your cards are adorable…love the use of that new beautiful color…good job with your new stuff!
Mary~These are fabulous! I love the simplicity of these cards. And the color is fabulous! I know you are busy using that Big Shot so I can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Mary,
I love the monochromatic cards…so clean and fresh! You did an outstanding job, as usual!!
I have a question about using nestibilities with the Big Shot (I have had a Big Shot for 2 years, so I can’t justify ordering one with the SU! logo just to demonstrate at workshops/classes)…..what kind of “sandwich” did you make in order to get the crisp embossing on your card? I have the nestibilities and I emboss, but it isn’t as clear as yours. Any secrets??
Thanks,
Sharon
Hi Sharon: I started with this video (the 3rd one addresses using the Big Shot and Nestabilities. http://bethping.blogspot.com/2008/06/die-cutting-on-video.html
Had to watch it a couple times . . . just getting down the technique. However, I didn’t have a second embossing mat. In lieu of the second embossing mat and the tri-fold card stock, I used 3 pieces of thin cardboard. You may have to experiment a bit to find the perfect amount of “shim.” Let me know how you do. Mary
Very lovely! Such simple elegance with a fun set. Can’t wait to get my hands on the new in-color ink pads.
Did anyone else think the hats, all in a row, looked like Christmas trees? AND I liked them as trees, too! Beautiful cards and I’ve also picked up a Christmas idea! Thanks…….
Pretty cards Mary! The white makes it very clean and neat looking.
Those cards are simply gorgeous, Mary! They look soooo perfect!
Oh, Mary, this is beautiful! Love the crispness of it and also love the beads on the cupcake. Glad to see you are enjoying the Big Shot! TFS! Hugs, Monica
Great cards Mary! Love the pacific point and the white– very striking!!
Mary your cards are awesome!!! I really love the color combo and the simplicity of them!!!
Your ROCK Mary!!
God bless
Giovana
Mary, these are beautiful! How do you get such beautiful ink coverage? I’ve heard of sanding the stamps with large ink areas, but do you press and hold or what?
Hi Michelle:
The first time I use a solid image stamp, I gently sand them with a Stampin’ Up! sanding block before inking. I also do a test impression on scrap paper to get the “feel” for the stamp and be sure coverage is even. I very gently wiggle the stamp to be sure the entire image transfers. Thanks for asking. Mary
Mary – these are awesome. You’ve just set the bar for using this set.
Oh I love that blue and white combo!!!
C