I'm excited to be hopping with the Stampin' Friends again! The theme this month is: What's Going On. Here in the US, that means Summer! So, I have a group of cards and a covered notebook featuring the Whale of a Time Suite. I love all of the images of the ocean and the colors. To me, the suite screams summer. I hope after you have looked at all of my projects, you'll continue to on to Kim Quade's blog and then through the rest of the hop. A complete list of artists can be found at the bottom. 

The colors in the Whale of a Time Designer Series Paper are so pretty and bright. This was the first suite in the new catalog that jumped out to me and made my heart sing. I just love it! In addition to the stamp set and paper, the suite includes the Whale Builder punch, the Seabed 3D embossing folder, a roll of Pool Party ribbon, and a package of sparkly sequins. 
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Notebook Dimensions:
Just Jade cardstock (cover) : (2) pieces 7" x 9 13/16"
Forever Greenery Designer Series Paper (spine): 3 1/4" x 9 13/16"
Pretty Peacock cardstock (cover strip): 1/2" x 9 13/16"
Whale of a Time DSP (layer): 5" x 5"
Whale of a Time DSP (Turtle): approximately 2 5/8" x 2 5/8"
Just Jade cardstock (layer): 2 7/8" x 2 7/8"

I made three cards for today's post, but I feel like I could make dozens more! I'm sure you'll see many more cards with the Whale of a Time Suite this year. 

Thanks for joining me today for some summer fun under the sea! I hope you'll hop along with the Stampin' Friends through the rest of the blog hop. Below is a list of bloggers followed by the products used for today's projects.
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Stampin' Friends June Blog Hop:
Stephanie Jandrow
Teri Pocock
Katja Ettig
Heidi Collins <-- YOU ARE HERE
Kim Quade
Maureen Rauchfuss
Jean Beaulieu
Tiziana Milano
Lisa Ann Bernard
Anne Marie Hile
Jo Blackman
Barbara Welch

We had another awesome Mystery Stamping event last night on the On Y Go! Facebook Group. We made a super fun and easy fun fold card. My guest host and sister borrowed this idea from Jessica Taylor. You cut off half of the front of the card, flip it sideways, and adhere it to the front flap that is left. For step-by-step directions, join my Facebook group and watch the replay of last night's Mystery Stamping. Then, be sure to join us next Tuesday for another fun card. 

From simple to chic to oh là là, I have 1 basic card design done in 3 different styles. Each card has been slightly stepped up from the last card. Each of the cards use the Celebrate Sunflowers stamp set and the final card uses the matching Sunflower dies as well. None of them were difficult to create though, it's just a matter of spending more time. So, on y go! Let's get stamping.

Cardstock Dimensions:
Early Espresso: 

• 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
• 4 3/16" x 2 15/16"

Whisper White: 4" x 2 3/4"
In Good Taste DSP: 5 1/4" x 4"

Cardstock Dimensions:
Early Espresso: 

• 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
• 4 3/16" x 2 15/16"
• 15/16" x 3 1/2"

Whisper White:

• 4" x 2 3/4"
• ​13/16" x 3 3/8"
  

In Good Taste DSP: 5 1/4" x 4"

Oh là là:
My final card uses the Sunflower dies extensively. I started by using the impressions mat for my Big Shot. (The new Stampin' Cut & Emboss machine will also have an impressions mat!) Using this special rubber mat, I was able to use the dies to emboss the sunflower images on Bumblebee cardstock. Then, I sponged on Crushed Curry, Crumb Cake, and Old Olive ink. The ink really helps the embossed images pop.

I cut a frame from the In Good Taste DSP using the Stitched Rectangle dies. Before cutting the frame, I mounted the DSP on Whisper White cardstock. This way, when I mounted it to my card using Stampin' Dimensionals, it wasn't too flimsy. 

I cut leaves from Pear Pizzazz and Old Olive cardstock and wheat from Crumb Cake cardstock. I sponged the edges with the same colors to help match the feel of the embossed panel. I stamped the greeting with Crumb Cake ink on Whisper White cardstock and cut around it with Paper Snips leaving a small border. I added a double bow of Linen Thread and a few Bumblebee enamel dots to tie it all together. 

Cardstock Dimensions:
Early Espresso: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
Bumblebee: 4 3/4" x 3 1/2"
In Good Taste DSP: approximately 3 3/4" x 5 1/8"
​Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Old Olive, & Crumb Cake: Scraps
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I have another bonus post for you today! This scrapbook page uses the Celebrate Sunflowers stamp set. I love the cheery yellow!

I am trying to get back into scrapbooking. I used to make tons and tons of pages, but I've only been working on it occasionally the last 10 years or so. Since my family isn't keen to have their photos online and because I'll often use retired product on my pages, I will probably continue adding these as bonus posts and keeping them short. Enjoy!
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One Bird on a Branch:
I stamped the branch first in Crumb Cake ink on Whisper White cardstock. Then, I added the leaves with Pear Pizzazz and added the bird as described above. I cut the image out using the Stitched Shapes dies. 

The Birds & More die set that coordinate with the Birds & Branches stamp set has this fun edge die. I used it to trim the edge of my card front. Then, I adhered a strip of Crumb Cake cardstock on the inside of my card along the edge.

I adhered the square with the image on it to a piece of Soft Sea Foam cardstock that I had embossed with the Tasteful Textile embossing folder and tied it with a piece of Linen Thread for a sweet and simple card.

Cardstock Dimensions:
Soft Sea Foam:

• 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4" and trimmed with the Birds & More die
• 3 1/4" x 5 1/2"

Whisper White: approximately 2 1/8" x 2 1/8"
​Crumb Cake: 1" x 5 1/2"

A Pair of Love Birds:
My second card has two birds - one on the front and one on the inside of the card. The Birds & More die set has a die that cuts a circular window trimmed with leaves. I cut this three times - once on the Old Olive card base, once on the Pear Pizzazz layer, and finally on the Soft Sea Foam card front. Cutting the circles so that they would line up was a little tricky. After trying a few methods, the one that seemed to work the best was cutting the top layer first. Then, I laid the second layer on the table. I placed the die approximately where I thought it should be. I placed the top layer over the die and lined it up with the 2nd layer where I wanted it to be. Then, I reached through the hole in the top layer to adjust the die so that it was in exactly the right spot. Luckily, with the branches around the outside, if it's not exactly exact, it won't be noticeable. I added Stampin' Dimensionals between each layer to create a tunnel effect, as though you are peering through a thick forest to catch a glimpse of the second bird. 

Cardstock dimensions:
Old Olive: 8 1/2" x 5 1/2", scored at 4 1/4"
Pear Pizzazz: 4" x 5 1/4"
Soft Sea Foam: 3 3/4" x 5"
Whisper White:

• 4" x 5 1/4"  
• Scrap

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