Hello everyone! I thought I would give you a little peek at some of the SWAP's I'm making for convention next week in Salt Lake City!
Isn't this just the sweetest card? And so quick and simple using the Two-Step Extra Large Bird Punch and the bright and cheery Sunny Garden Designer Series Paper. The paper coordinates with the following colors: Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz and Peach Parfait and it is so beautiful when you see it in person.
I actually borrowed (or CASEed) the idea for this card from the new Idea Book & Catalog, using this card from page 17. Pretty cleaver, eh?
The sentiment is from the fabulous new set called Word Play. This set has 12 BIG images with really interesting fonts and graphics. It's a definite keeper! I also used the beautiful new self-adhesive Basic Pearls for the little birdie eyes. Here's a tip for 
you -- I've found that using tweezers to remove the pearls (and rhinestones) from the backing sheet makes it so much easier. Simply grasp the pearl between the ends of the tweezer and slide them off the edge of the backing sheet and then apply to your project. Sliding them off the backing sheet (as opposed to pulling them off the sheet) makes sure that the adhesive stays on the pearl and not on the backing sheet. Click on the small photos on the left to see a larger image.
Okay, do you want to know what secret this little birdie is hiding -- he, he! I actually cut the 4 x 5.25" sheets of DSP for the background layer first and then, sliding my punch in from the side of the paper, I punched the bird pieces out of the center of the background layer. That's not really cheating, is it? The photo on the right shows what it looks like before I apply the framed center focal image with the stamping and the birdie!
And here's another tip for you -- I guess I'm just full of tips today! I don't know if you're like me or not, but I always end up with 1" strips of cardstock left over from other projects. I have boxes of this stuff and never quite sure what to use it for. it's really too narrow for most things but yet, it seems like there should be a use for it! Well, I found one! At least for my strips of Old Olive cardstock. Look how well it works to punch out the branches from these scrap strips of cardstock. I could get 6 branch shapes out of each 1 x 11" strip of cardstock. Not only did it give me a way to use these narrow strips, but it saved me from using full sheets of cardstock to punch out the branches. I know, I know ... simple pleasures, right! But it made me happy!
I am just in love with these cards. I may find it difficult to give them away! Using the great double-sided Designer Series Papers from Stampin' Up! means that everything will mix & match and coordinate. Each of these cards are different, but each are fabulous! So, whether you're making a bunch of SWAP cards for convention or just need a bunch of cards to have on hand to send to folks, remember how quick and easy they can be by using Stampin' Up! punches and papers!
If you're loving all this new DSP as much as I am, but don't want to invest a fortune in purchasing all the new packs of paper, you might want to try one of my samplers. New Sampler's are now available for Designer Series Paper, Simply Scrappin' Kits, Ribbons and Embellishments. Click HEREfor all the details and to place an order! It's a great way to get it all ... only in smaller quantities! My DSP samplers give you a BIG 6x12" sample of each of the new papers so you get plenty to do either cards or scrapbook layouts! The sampler's are a great way to get all the beautiful, new products without purchasing the entire packages of paper and ribbons.
That's it for today! I'm so glad you stopped by and hope you'll visit again soon for more ideas and inspiration!
I love all your projects - thanks for sharing them! And it's always fun to find a way to make the supplies go further!
Posted by: Sara | July 14, 2010 at 07:12 PM
Great cards - love the punching tips!! Very clever - thanks heaps for sharing.
Posted by: sandie carter | July 14, 2010 at 07:16 PM
Hi Gretchen,
Just wanted to say you are truly inspirational.. Checking your blog is always on my list of things to do..
It also gives me ideas of what to do with goodies that maybe in the Australian Stampin up catty.
Thanks again.
Maryanne
Perth, Western Australia.
Posted by: Maryanne | July 14, 2010 at 08:29 PM
I love the "birdie secret". Wish I had thought of it. :-) Waste not ... want not!
Posted by: Peggy M | July 14, 2010 at 10:20 PM
I have done this very thing Gretchen!! I save all my scraps that are big enough to punch anything. Glad to see someone else does too!! Love the cute cards!!
Posted by: Connie Smith | July 15, 2010 at 12:48 AM
Smart move Gretchen!! I have done this with other punches, had not thought of doing it with the bird punch.. really cool TFS.
Posted by: Created By You | July 15, 2010 at 03:37 AM
So glad to see this paper- I have a project in mind and wanted to use it. Now that I see it, I'm SURE that's what I want. The bird punch is a definate, also. And keep those "use it up" tips coming. I keep forgetting that kind of stuff! Thanks for a great site, Gretchen.
Posted by: Deb Hagberg | July 15, 2010 at 04:45 AM
Gretchen, Your cards are beautiful. I have both the punch and Word Play. Word play is going to be one of my favorites & Love your tip about the 'sliding off the pearls'... I hate when the sticky comes away from the pearl or rhinestone. Can't wait to try it.
However, I DO punch ALL my scraps. In fact I some days I sit and just punch shapes, flowers, ovals, circles, etc. and put them in the small match book box or others and give them away with large orders. Sometimes I also stamp sentiments and then punch. My customers LOVE getting them... ready to go on a card, and some even ORDER that particular punch or sentiment. Win win for eveyrone.
Posted by: diane oliver | July 15, 2010 at 09:11 AM
You are so darn clever. I am absolutely IN LOVE with these cards. Thank you sooo much for sharing your ideas with us.
Posted by: Deb Baldelli | July 15, 2010 at 09:59 AM
spectacular!! I feel a case coming on for card class next week!!
Posted by: Gwen Mangelson | July 15, 2010 at 10:57 AM
Great cards, beautiful work, clever punching!! Makes me want to order that punch today.
Posted by: Marilyn Hertenstein | July 15, 2010 at 01:40 PM
Beautiful Cards and wonderful tips Gretchen! Here's a tip for you...if you space out the branch punches on the long strip evenly you end up with a wonderful edging stencil! And if you only need a short end with mostly leaves you can angle the punch on the strip slightly and get scads and scads of them to create wreaths or whatever!
Thanks for sharing the inspiration!
Posted by: Jean Fitch | July 15, 2010 at 03:53 PM
Great tips! Beautiful cards!
Posted by: Anita A | July 15, 2010 at 07:31 PM
Great idea, I too want to case this card from the catalogue! TFS
Posted by: Germana Ferrao-Lenn | July 16, 2010 at 04:09 AM
I love your cards, Gretchen. The colors are beautiful. Thanks for the inspiration.
Posted by: Kris Smith | July 16, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful，and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.
Posted by: coach suitcase | July 17, 2010 at 03:00 AM
Gretchen, I love all your tips on this blog> I save all my scraps as well, just to have small or large enough pieces to punch different shapes and not waste DSP or cardstock.I will be casing this one for sure & punching extra birdies to have on hand or just give away. Great card & TFS.....Barb Nesplic
Posted by: Barb Nesplic | July 17, 2010 at 08:43 AM
Gretchen, this card is adorable! Hope I get one of your swaps at Convention!!
Posted by: Wanda Williams | July 18, 2010 at 07:39 AM