Art of the Possible

Rock and Roll Flowers Book Mark

Ok, I admit it.  I don't know if "bookmark" or "book mark" is correct so I've used both so I'll be right at least half of the time.  A broken clock is right two times a day, unless it is digital, right?

Recognize these flowers?  Scroll down to the "Ready for Spring" card and you'll see that it is inspired by the flowers that we did for that card.  Simple and easy, with two colors of ink and two colors of paper and a ribbon--what a great, quick gift.  You could make the book mark to put in the card as an added treat.  Or you could incorporate the bookmark into the design of the card so it is both card and treat.

All stamped images copyright Stampin' Up! 1999-2008

Time Well Spent Book Mark

This flower and leaf combination is from the Time Well Spent Hostess set.  The reason I have this great set is that Stampin' Up! decided to treat me to it for FREE--one of the great benefits of being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.  They treat us very, very well.

I love how the repeated leaf becomes a more geometric design when it is repeated.  These colors are a bit of a stretch for me--not the first combination for which I would reach.  It is good to stretch, don't you think?

Notice that the background for the main flower is made from two pieces of cardstock.  This is a great way to add interest subtly without adding bulk.

All Stamped Images Copyright Stampin' Up! 1999--2008

Jazzy Bookmark

This bookmark is all about the angles.  I had a scrap of real red cardstock that I had crimped for another project so it became a great base for another scrap--one with a zig zag edge.  What better compliment to that edge than the harelquin diamonds of a stamp from the A to Z Accents stamp set.

All stamped images copyright Stampin' Up! 1999-2008

Chocolate and Rose Bookmark

As you can see, I used the same technique I did with the blue ribbon on the Flight bookmark to add a chocolate tone to the black and white gingham ribbon.  These flowers are from doodle this and are so easy to customize with some watercolor licks of hue. 

All Stamped Images Copyright Stampin' Up! 1999-2008

Fleur de Lis Bookmark

To create this layered image, I stamped the fleur de lis on the confetti cream cardstock first, then on a piece of baroque burgundy that was larger.  I trimmed the red on the diagonal, aligned it with the image on the base and adhered the layers.  Only then did I trim the three edges of the red cardstock--thus creating the illusion that I knew exactly where I was stamping my fleur de lis.  So there.  Quick, easy and elegant.

All Stamped images Copyright Stampin' Up! 1999-2008

Flights of Swallows bookmark

This bookmark features the elegant swallow in flight from the set Carte Postal.  I used a sponge dauber to press the gingham ribbon into a brocade blue ink pad to darken the design and reduce the contrast that existed between the blue and the white elements without loosing the design or the shine of the ribbon.

All stamped images copyright Stampin' Up! 1999-2008

Bookmarks--a Thoughtful Gift (I Hope)

I noticed recently that a friend was using random pieces of paper as bookmarks.  I asked her about it.  She is a stamper.  Why, I inquired, didn't she make herself some book marks?  Her answer was interesting.  She didn't have any ideas.  She wanted to spend her time making cards she could give away.  She would be upset if she went to all the trouble and then lost the bookmark.

Hmmm.  Ideas?  The web--this website--are full of ideas.  Just becuase it is an idea for a box, a card, a scrapbook page or a gift doesn't mean that it won't translate into the long, narrow frame of a bookmark.

Give aways?  Sometimes, we should be stamping for ourselves.  I love that our hobby has a sharing component.  I love that we take what we do and we bless other people with it.  However, pamper yourself with a hand stamped gift once in a while.  OK?

All the trouble?  The cool thing about stamping is that it can be quick and easy.  And the cool thing about book marks is that they shouldn't have all the embellishments that we add to other projects.  They are fast projects.  And the cool thing about scanners and digital cameras and cell phones is that we have lots of different ways to capture our project's image so we can repeat it again later if need be.  Or you can make two bookmarks and save one as a sample.  Or make three and share one (back to sharing again).

So I hope you enjoy these.  I made my friend a bundle of book marks for her birthday.  (OK, my friend is my Mom.  I guess I tipped my hand on this one, given the sentiment I stamped on the book mark).  The one featured here uses a rainbow of inks and the flip flop images from very useful Holiday Blitz set.

All Stamped Images copyright Stampin' Up!  1999-2008

The Gift--A Mark to Keep Her Place

And finally, a book mark.  I used another slanted piece and I think it lends itself beautifully to the shape of a funky bookmark.  Now she has a fun, coordinated set of items to take with her on her trip or to enjoy when she returns home. 

Gift giving does not have to be elaborate.  How many times do we hear that?  It is said often because it is true.  However, it is heard often but not implemented.  I don't know if we are afraid that simple gifts speak ill of us or if we just have shopping habits.  I know that I would be thrilled to receive (in fact, I have been thrilled to receive) gifts with a little of the giver in them.  And such gifts don't have to complicated or difficult to convey to the recipient our love and regard.  A little thought and a little ink go a long way.

All stamped images copyright Stampin' Up! 1999-2008

The Gift--Her Third Card

This card also takes advantage of the diagonal cut left from the notebook project.  I think I like this card the best.  You could get 8 cards similar to this from just stamping one piece of cardstock.  If you cut it in quarters, each piece is the same as the front of the card.  If you cut each of the quarters in half, you have the accent pieces for 8 cards.  So, with 4 pieces of colored cardstock (plus 8 1/2" wide scraps of black) and 1 whisper white, you can make 8 cards.  And all that with just one quick stamping and some artful cutting.  Quick and sweet.

All stamped images copyright Stampin' Up! 1999-2008

The Gift--A Card for Her to Send

To go with my friend's notebook, I used pieces of my single stamped sheet to make three cards which I included with envelopes.  I let the "scraps" help me design the cards.  In this one, I wanted to take advantage of the cool slanted cut that happened when I made the bias piece for the front of the notebook.

All Stamped Images Copyright Stampin' Up! 1999-2008