Hello stampers and crafters!  Today is a special Stampin' Leaders Blog Hop in the fact that all Thailand Achievers received the new Carols of Christmas stamp set and the coordinating Card Front Builder Thinlits Dies during the General Session gathering.  So, what better way to show off this new bundle and all of its glorious potential than with a Stampin' Leaders Blog Hop.  I have to admit that even though I know this bundle is amazing, I was a tad bit nervous about creating my first card.  Wierd, hugh?!!  I was afraid that I would not be able to rein in all the thoughts and create something in a decent amount of time...that it would take me FOREVER.  Nope, this card came together quite nicely.  Let's take a look.

Creative Tips:

• The Very Vanilla cardstock base will see a tad bit of layering with the new designer series paper, some stamping, and adorned with Old Olive Sheeer Ribbon.

• The sentiment and ornament strings images were inked with Basic Black Archival ink and stamped onto Very Vanilla cardstock.  The ornaments were stamped directly to the card front...no extra layer ...just simple and clean....and, I like it!  ;) 

• Die cut the sentiment using the largest Stitched Shapes Squares die and the Big Shot.  Matte the sentiment with a scalloped square die from the Layering Squares Framelits for an added element.

• One fun little tidbit...there are 2 separate stamp images of ornaments.  Instead of taking turns stamping each image to the cardbase front, I just stuck both of them to my block, ink, and stamped at the same time.

• The ornaments were inked and stamped onto scrap pieces of Very Vanilla cardstock with Bermuda Bay, Berry Bliss, and Crushed Curry Classic inks.  I picked up this color combination from the new In Color Combinations sheet designed by Stampin' Up!.  All of my wonderful customers received this sheet with the new Annual Catalog mailing.  Very helpful when you are stuck trying to come up with a fun color combination.  Then, die cut them out with the Card Front Builder Thinlits Dies and the Big Shot.  Set them in place over the Basic Black stamped images and pop them up with Mini Stampin' Dimensionals.

• Wrap the card front with 1/8" Old Olive Sheer Ribbon and tie into a bow.
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Sooo, what do you think?  Pretty cute and elegant, not to mention pretty darned easy!  I'm contemplating using this card for own Christmas card...very easy to mass-produce.

Now make sure to click on the next blog hopper so that you can be on your way to soak in some more Carols of Christmas inspiration.  There is a huge line-up of hoppers...enjoy them all! I love to read the comments that come through, so I hope you will share with me your thoughts with my Carols of Christmas sneak peek.  Have fun filling your inspiration bucket...don't forget to come back real soon. 

Carols of Christmas Blog Hoppers 

Hello, my lovely stamping and crafter friends!  Welcome to July's Creative Inking Blog Hop!!  This month we are featuring cards/projects that involve a 'two-step stamping' process.  What the heck is that, right?  This technique involves more than one stamped image to demonstrate contrast in colors that are stamped in layers over top of each other.  One image is usually a solid/base layer; and the 2nd image will be more highlights, solid fills or an overlay to adjoin the image together.  The end result is really cool!

You may be starting from here at my blog, Lori Mueller - Stampin' Dreams, or you may have come here from the very talented Sandy Mott's blog. Please be sure to click the 'Next' button (found below) to move along the Creative Inking blog hop. If you get off track at any time, the full line up below will help you move along from blog to blog.

I have been anxious to use a new stamp set I ordered called "Lovely Friends" for my project share.  PLUS, it comes bundled with the coordinating Lovely Laurel Thinlits Dies at a 10% savings.  YEAH!! Both of these items can be viewed in my product list illustrated at the bottom of this post.  I just love this larger-than-life sentiment because it really strikes an emotional cord for me.  I have a few very dear friends that I haven't done well keeping in touch with over the last year, so they definitely need to know just how much they mean to me.

Creative Tips:

• In keeping a clean and simple card layout and incorporate the two-step stamping technique, the large sentiment was inked with Basic Black Archival ink and stamped onto a layer of Vellum Cardstock.  Due to the less porous texture of the vellum, set it aside for an extra few minutes to dry.  Or, you can use the Heat Tool on the lowest setting to dry.

• The two-step technique involves the 2 large flower images in the stamp set.  The colors are Dapper Denim, Crushed Curry, Lemon Lime Twist and Berry Burst.  The solid (lighter) color was done as a 2nd rendition stamping (ink image, stamp off onto scrap paper, then stamp onto Very Vanilla cardstock).  The accent layer image was inked and stamped over top of the first image.  Putting the 2 stamped images together generates fun depth and brings this flower to life.

• Using the coordinating Framelit, die cut each flower and arrange and glue directly to the front of the card base.

• Adhere the Vellum/sentiment layer with a strip of Tear & Tape Adhesive across the top and set in place on the card front.  This allows the subtleness of the color to come through, but not steal the focal point of the sentiment.

• The Lemon Lime Twist 1/4" Ombre Ribbon is a perfect coordinating accent...nice thin ribbon that is lovely to tie into knots and bows.  Plus, because the Vellum is see thru, the ribbon helps hide the visual of the Tear & Tape Adhesive underneath.

• The mini sequences come from the new spools of Mini Sequin Trim (Gold, Silver and Black) and is perfect for a dainty touch of bling.
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Don't forget!  If you don't have any of the products I used, you'll want to make sure to submit your order through my online store.  I hope you will give it a try.

So with one click you can be on your way to soak in some more Two-Step Stamping.  Your next stop on the hop is Dena Rekow's blog...she always has something super adorable to share. Click on the 'Next' button and you'll be at your next stop.  If you get lost or sidetracked, please come on back and follow the list of participants shown below.  Have fun filling your inspiration bucket...don't forget to come back real soon.  :)

Creative Inking Blog Hoppers