Bada-Bing! Paper-Crafting!

Inspiration

2012-02-15T01:00:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! Today I have a card for you that I made for a special friend. I believe I referred to her as the devil in a previous post because she MADE me (as in convinced me...which truthfully wasn't all that hard, lol) buy the kite set out of the Occasions Mini catalog BUT she really isn't. She's actually pretty wonderful. Anyway, she encouraged me to use the kites the other day when I was kind of in a stamping-slump and was complaining that I didn't have many ideas for this set. So I made this card for her:-)

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Send me soaring, perfect words (hostess)
Paper: Whisper white, pool party, wisteria wonder, lucky limeade, 2011-2013 in colors DSP stack
Ink: Pool party, wisteria wonder, island indigo
Accessories: In color polka dot brads, basic pearls, polka dot embossing folder

Isn't it cute???? You just can't go wrong with the kites or the hostess set for the sentiment! I need to use that one more! Those kites are just so cheery? Each one is stamped with the solid image stamped off once and then the other image stamped full strength on top! I took my paper snips and made some grass with the DSP too. Looking at it now, I do wish I'd added an island indigo border around the wisteria panel to pull it all together but too late now:-)

Now, I just need to get it and what goes inside in the mail;-) I always have trouble with that part, lol!

Happy stamping!

HSS 105

2012-02-14T01:00:00.006-06:00

Hi stampers! It's Tuesday and time for another challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments and it's also Valentine's day! So first off, happy Valentine's day!!!! I'm excited to have a date night with my hubby tonight! I've been saving a cute new dress for tonight! Oh, wait...we're supposed to be talking about stamping aren't we? Not clothes and shoes....my other obsession, lol! Ok, so how fitting this week that our theme is LOVE:

And here's my card as I needed to squeeze in at least one more Valentine (I actually need many more, ha):

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: PS I love you
Paper: Whisper white, pool party, blushing bride, calypso coral, sweet shop DSP
Ink: Blushing bride, calypso coral
Accessories: Polka dot and linen embossing folders, hearts collection framelits, blushing bride satin pleated ribbon, pool party ruffled ribbon, in color polka dot brads

I just love this card! It is exactly what love is to me...simple and sweet! Lots of embossing on this card as the DSP is embossed as well. I wish I could buy a whole pack of that one sheet! I won't tell you how long this card took to put together as it was the first one that I made between my old studio and my new one...lots of back and forth, haha!

Now go check out what love means to the rest of the design team, leave them some love, and link up your own loveable project!

Happy stamping!

Mailable Monday - Easy Events

2012-02-13T01:00:00.001-06:00

Hi stampers! And so starts another week! This one's sure a busy one! We are hosting the girls basketball regional this week so I'm going to be basketballed out by Friday night! Anyway, what a better way to start a busy week than with a simple and mail-able card!

This one is SUPER simple for me! So simple that it makes me slightly uncomfortable to look at it....I want to stick more things on it, lol! Now, don't take that to mean that I don't like it...I do...I just have a hard time with simple...probably why my life can be so hard occasionally, ha!!!!

So, here's a cute little Valentine....just in time! I'm way behind on V-day cards so IF I get them out, they'll be a bit late:-) It totally snuck up on me!!!!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Easy events
Paper: Whisper white, calypso coral smooth and textured, wild wasabi, subtles DSP stack
Ink: Staz-on, calypso coral, wild wasabi, crumb cake
Accessories: Triple heart punch, labels collection framelits, dotted scallop border punch, illuminate smooch accent ink

The one detail you probably can't see is that the little heart on the tree and the textured calypso heart are covered in the smooch accent ink. It adds a nice little shimmer.

Ok, I gotta run and stick lots and lots of embellishments on a card now;-) I'm having withdraws!!!!

Happy stamping...and mailing;-)

In limbo....

2012-02-12T19:24:00.001-06:00

Hi stampers! I'm really glad I made this card yesterday for the Colour Q Challenge! Why? Well because I finally got motivated today to start moving my stamp studio to the bigger room next door! But, I haven't got it all done and stamping between two rooms is proving difficult, annoying, and not very efficient:-) I guess it is burning a few calories though with all the back-and-forth:-) It's like circuit stamping, lol! I wonder if I could market that???

The rest of the move will probably take a while. I got a late start this morning and then needed to stop to work out and stamp some for the HSS challenge blog. But the main reason I quit is because my computer/stamping desk is a real pain to move! After unloading it of ALL it's stuff I have to break it down into FIVE pieces! UGH! And I need help....and I already asked my wonderful hubby to help me move my IKEA stuff today and I know he wants to have Sunday-Funday:-) And he painted the room too so he deserves a break, haha! We'll see how long it takes me to get all moved as I have a really busy week and weekend ahead!

Anyway, on to the challenge and the card. I LOVED the color challenge this week!

I was going to make a Valentine but the card just kind of took on a life of it's own while I stamped and chatted with my friend Rita via our iPhones. We need an app for that....iStamp!!!! I'm just full of ideas today huh? But I really do like the combo and hope to use it again! I don't use regal rose very often and kind of forgot how pretty it was when I pulled it out!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Raining flowers, pursuit of happiness, dot dot dot
Paper: Whisper white, regal rose, poppy parade, peach parfait textured
Ink: Poppy parade, regal rose, peach parfait
Accessories: Itty bitty punch pack, circle punch, labels collection framelits, basic rhinestones, poppy parade ribbon

It's a simple card but I like it since the colors are so bold! I distressed the regal rose circle after I stamped it with the dots. I also sponged all the elements on the flower. And I just love the font on that sentiment! I'll probably use this as a thank you card. And Rita and I were both commenting how textured cardstock can be just the right touch! I need to remember to use it more often!

That's it for today! I wonder if I'll get much more cardio circuit stamping done? LOL!

ETA: I missed the deadline for the challenge! Darn, I hate when that happens:-)

Happy stamping!

Twitterpatted - 2 ways

2012-02-09T14:10:00.001-06:00

Hi stampers! I'm having some serious lack of stamping motivation...or really any motivation at all to do ANYTHING as of late, ha! I've been in a bit of a funk since the holidays and being sick last week didn't help things. I pretty much just want to sit around...we won't talk about how under-used my stamp supplies are or how messy my house is, lol! I think it's just the winter blues....wish I could take a vacation somewhere warm and sunny...oh well! Anyway, I've been trying to post a lot but sometimes I just don't have anything to share! I'm hoping to do some serious stamping (and maybe some cleaning....lol) this weekend since we don't have a lot on the calendar for once. So hopefully I can post away next week:-)

I do have a few things to share that I've done lately. The first one is this card....well two cards. I usually make my cards two at a time simply because you can use one sheet of cardstock and get two A2 sized bases (5.5 x 4.25) and occasionally I change the second one because either I don't like how it turned out or I get some genius idea in the middle of my project:-) I've been less than satisfied with most of my projects lately (there is nothing like the feeling you get when you make something and it turns out just as you pictured it or even better) and that may account for why I feel in a bit of a slump so I wasn't crazy about how the card turned out. So, I switched up my second one just a bit and added some dry embossing. I'm not sure I like it any better though. Which one do you like better?

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Apothecary Art, Loving thoughts
Paper: Watercolor, blushing bride, pool party, twitterpatted DSP
Ink: Stazon, blushing bride, riding hood red, pear pizzazz
Accessories: Labels collection framelits, adorning accents edgelits, blushing bride ribbon, vintage wallpaper embossing folder, cherry cobbler dazzling details

I really can't decide which one I like best! I do like this layout a lot though and I think it works really well for this stamp set! When coloring the flowers I colored them in with blushing bride and then came back and added some accents to the centers with riding hood red. Something not easy to see in the photo is that I lightly dotted the center of each flowers with some cherry cobbler dazzling details. It's very pretty in real life and made the card a little less ho-hum!

Hopefully I'll be back soon:-)

Happy stamping!

Never enough hours in the day!

2012-02-08T01:00:00.001-06:00

Hi stampers! UGH! Who ever came up with 24 hours in a day did not have a job and was not a stamper or a blogger:-) We seriously need more hours than 24!!!! I had the best intentions to play over at Freshly Made Sketches this week...and I did....buuuuuut I ran out of time to link up my card:-) I didn't make it until last night when I was watching the Super Bowl (ie the commercials, lol) and by the time I got the picture taken this morning I didn't have time to edit it and blog since I had to go to my pesky job, lol! It sure does take up valuable stampy time but it pays for my stamps so I keep going:-)

Anyway, I figured I might as well share the card. I originally wanted to use the new kite set but I just couldn't get it to look right since the kits are longer and skinnier. This card needed short and fat....hot air balloons! I flipped the sketch a bit but it still works!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Up Up & Away
Paper: Whisper white, island indigo, lucky limeade, pool party, Sweet shop DSP
Ink: Island indigo, lucky limeade, pool party
Accessories: Circle and scalloped circle punches, edgelits dies

I stamped each of the balloons with the solid stamp once after stamping off so the shade would be lighter and then stamped the patterns over them at full strength.

Now, where can I find some more hours in the day? :-)

Happy stamping!

HSS 104

2012-02-07T01:00:00.001-06:00

Hi stampers! Happy Tuesday! Where did the weekend go? Oh yeah, I was working:-) So, not a lot of stamping time but I did manage to get my challenge card done:-) This week over at Hand Stamped Sentiments we have a color challenge for you. It's kind of a fitting challenge for me since I sort of have the winter blues as of late:-) Seems to happen every year! I need some sunshine and warm weather....and I nice LONG run OUTSIDE, hehe! Anyway, check out these colors....blue alright but far from depressing!

I have to admit that I struggled with these colors for a bit and then it hit me! Baby boy card!!! How perfect, right? And I'm on a clean and simple kick so this is how it turned out:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Little additions
Paper: Whisper white, marina mist, not quite navy, subtles DSP stack
Ink: Marina mist, not quite navy
Accessories: Fashionable hearts embosslit, labels collection framelits, marina mist scalloped polka dot ribbon, smooch illuminate accent ink, dotted scallop border punch

Ack, isn't it cute? I just love the stamp set little additions! You can see that I added a heart from NQN and I colored over it with the smooch accent ink so it's all shimmery! I couldn't get the crumb cake to work quite right so I'm just using whisper white as my neutral.

Now click on over to the HSS site to see what everyone came up with and play along with us! And get rid of those wintertime blues with some blues!!!!

Mailable Monday - Just My Type

2012-02-06T01:00:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers and happy Monday! It's time for another installment of "mailable Monday". I've been failing big time lately at making mailable cards. I just can't resist sticking a pearl or something on my cards:-) I've got to keep remembering that less can be more (I should REALLY remember that about food, lol).

So for this card I did two things I've been wanting to do for a while. First, I've been wanting to make a card with black, gray, and yellow. Secondly, I've been wanting to use the Just my type set with the first edition DSP. I also added just a pop of poppy parade:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Just my type
Paper: Basic gray, very vanilla, daffodil delight, poppy parade (textured), first edition DSP
Ink: Basic black, basic gray, daffodil delight
Accessories: Triple heart punch, labels collection framelits

I just love all the little phrases you can put in the typewriter image! I sponged the main image with basic gray and then also sponged the yellow banner with daffodil delight. It's hard to see that yellow sponging in the photo but it makes a world of difference and really makes the banner stand out and not just sit there looking all stark:)

What's funny is that this card is so simple yet it took me all night to bring it together....clean and simple is always the hardest for me:-)

Happy stamping!

MDS - FREE trial!

2012-02-03T22:52:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! Boy, do I have exciting news!!!! Starting NOW (actually February 1st, I'm a little slow) you can download My Digital Studio for FREE! MDS is Stampin' Up's digital scrapbooking and card making software and it's totally awesome! Now you can make those awesome photo Christmas cards (or cute cute cute birth announcements) from the comfort of your home! No need to get out in the cold to the store to make them or pick them up! Have them delivered right to your door! It's great if you've always wanted to scrapbook or make cards but just didn't think you had the time, space, or talent!

Starting this month you can download the express pack for a free month long trial! If you like it then you can purchase it once your month is up. If not, no big deal...you don't have to do ANYTHING except uninstall it!

MDS is great for MANY reasons! Here are a few of my favorites:

Space saving! Everything is on your computer so if you're short on space it's the perfect way to craft!
Portable! If you've got a laptop then you can scrap and craft anywhere! Just imagine if you could scrapbook your vacation in the airport before you even get home! Or how about making your birth announcements before you and baby even leave the hospital! Designer templates make crafting a no-brainer!
No waste! Always worried about messing up your projects and wasting supplies? Not with MDS...don't like it, just hit the undo or delete button! You can also use the program to see if you like a project before you do a traditional one on paper!
Coordination! All of the MDS contents coordinate seamlessly with our traditional crafting products. This makes hybrid projects (MDS projects that you embellish with traditional elements after printing) a breeze!
It's quick! With many designer templates it makes creating gorgeous projects easy! Just drag and drop your photos!
The possibilities are endless! You can make scrapbooks, cute little swatch books (GREAT gifts right there), baby shower invitations, birth announcements, wedding invitations, birthday cards and party invitations, tags, home decor and much, much more (my blog backgrounds are even made with MDS)!!!!

And those are just a few of the great reasons why you NEED MDS! It's so fun and it's easy for beginners and more advanced crafters as well! And each Tuesday, SU releases new downloads so it's easy to stay on trend with what's current in your crafting!

Here are some examples of projects that can be made with MDS:

Scrapbook pages:

Cards:

And this card would make a GREAT hybrid card! Simply add the REAL traditional buttons and brads and ribbons after printing. How cute would that be??? And this card literally took minutes! It's one of the many pre-made templates so I all I had to do was put on my finishing touches!

If you'd like to download the FREE trial software please visit my store HERE and remember to select me as your demonstrator if you'd like to purchase it after the trial and/or purchase downloads! You can also click on the SHOP 24/7 link up on the right! And please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions!!! I'm here to help!

I have a LOT of projects made using MDS, I just forget to post them! I'll try to come back soon with some more projects to share!

Happy stamping....or MDSing:-)

To gnome you

2012-02-02T01:00:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! I tried, I tried REALLY hard....to resist the gnomes:-) But alas, I am weak and I have given in to their cuteness! I also LOVE the little sentiments in the gnomenclature set, hehe....they are just so funny! I mean come on, isn't "hanging with my gnomies" just about the cutest thing ev-ah??? They are fun to color too!

So, here's my first card with the little guy and girl. I'll probably send one to my mom as I think she will think they are cute too!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Gnome sweet gnome, gnomenclature
Paper: Watercolor, calypso coral & poppy parade textured, whisper white, lucky limeade, everyday enchantment (SAB)
Ink: Staz-on, poppy parade, peach parfait, blushing bride, lucky limeade, pool party, crumb cake
Accessories: Labels collection framelits, pool party ruffled ribbon, calypso coral baker's twine, itty bitty buttons, basic pearls, triple heart punch

Aren't they just the cutest? How many times have I said cute in this post???? I'm not sure if it shows well in the picture but there is a heart bitty button tied onto the ribbon by the baker's twine. Other than that it's a pretty simple card.

Happy stamping!

The Devil Made Me Do It

2012-02-01T01:00:00.001-06:00

And by do it I mean buy Send Me Soaring from the Occasions Mini catalog:-) And by the devil I mean my friend Rita:-) Just kidding....kind of....she did kind of convince me to buy the set after telling me how cute it was at regional's and showing me all kinds of fun out of the box ideas! You should totally check out her blog because she's way awesome! And this is what I love about SU, stamping, and blogging....that I've become friends with SO many wonderful people who enjoy the same things as I do all across the country!

Anyway, this post is for Rita because she's been bugging me to share the card I made with Send Me Soaring:-) I tried to resist the set but we all know I'm weak, so weak! Doesn't help that this set makes me slightly sentimental (and that I used my free hostess dollars to buy it). My dad and I used to love to fly kites when I was little. My mom and I even made a front page color photo in the paper when I was about 4 at a kite flying event in town. I'll try to remember to take a picture of it next time I'm at her house as she has it framed, lol! It's pretty cute! Sadly, the awesome kite we were flying that day got cut by someone else's string and we lost it! My dad searched and searched for it to no avail! I always seem to have some kind of kooky story don't I? LOL!

What really sold me on this set besides it just being adorable were the sentiments. We all know I love my sentiments and I especially liked the one I used on this card and the fact that they can also be used with our hot air balloon set and visa versa!

So here is my card....which I intended to enter in a color challenge but missed the deadline...again:-)

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Send me soaring
Paper: Whisper white, lucky limeade
Ink: Lucky limeade, peach parfait, calypso coral
Accessories: Adorning accents embossing folders, circle punch, dazzling details

It's a very simple and cheery card that I'm hoping can brighten someone's day! The kites are super easy to cut out too! Always a plus! I stamped the solid kite image for the right and left kites by stamping off once. I then came back with the stamps with the patterns and stamped them on top full strength! I love doing this kind of two step stamping! The placement of my sentiment is kind of an accident but I like it....I got a smudge on the card (drat) so I did what any good stamper would do, I just covered it up, problem solved, hehe!

So there it is!

Happy stamping!

HSS 103

2012-01-31T01:00:00.025-06:00

Hi stampers! I can't believe it's Tuesday already! Where did the weekend go??? Oh yeah, I was sickly so it passed me by why I was napping. Oh well. At least my WONDERFUL hubby got my new room painted...even if he DID share his cold with me:) Maybe one day I'll get all my stuff moved in there, ha!

So, it's that time of week to hop on over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and check out the challenge! This week is gift items!

Now, I know that I've done a similar project and as far as gifts go this is kind of puny BUT I just love the pillowbox die and I'm always in need of small and cute gifts for my co-workers and hubby! HE LOVES chocolate and these are the perfect little boxes for tiny candy bars! So, I whipped these little gems up for Valentine's Day!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: PS I Love You
Paper: Whisper white, crumb cake, pool party, lucky limeade
Ink: Crumb cake, calypso coral
Accessories: Pillow box die, full heart punch, fashionable hearts sizzlit, large pearls, everyday enchantment ribbon & brad pack (SAB)

I stamped a few cute little cupids in crumb cake and then added some organdy ribbon. I then embellished it with the hearts! Super quick and super easy! I hope everyone enjoys them!

Now head on over to HSS and link up your own gift item!

Happy stamping!

Mailable Monday - Sweet Cake

2012-01-30T01:00:00.003-06:00

Hi stampers! Mmmmmm, cake! My birthday is next month and I'm already trying to decide what kind of cake I want my mom to make me. It's usually between a strawberry jello poke cake and her no-bake cheesecake. It's such a hard decision that I usually ask for both, LOL!

I tried really hard to resist the sweet cake set and sweet shop DSP in the occasions mini but I finally caved. At least it doesn't have any calories like REAL cake, right? :-)

This set it totally cute and kind of mod or retro. And I really bought it because I loved the font on the sentiments, lol! And I couldn't pass up the fun patterns and bright colors in the coordinating DSP. And this DSP is special because a couple of the patterns are embossed so they really stand out! I just love how SU makes it so easy to put together projects with so many coordinating products!

This is my first card with this set and I love it! I was going for a bright and kind of monochromatic look here and again, trying to use more white space:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Sweet cake
Paper: Whisper white, calypso coral, poppy parade, sweet cake DSP
Ink: Calypso coral, poppy parade
Accessories: Two-way glue pen, dazzling diamonds, fashionable hearts embosslit

Isn't it fun? And bright? Haha! But I love it. It's very sparkly in real life and I love the dimension the hearts on the DSP add. I can't wait to send this to someone! Cake without the calories;-)

Happy stamping!

Super Saturday

2012-01-29T15:07:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! It's super Saturday here because I've got a BIG day of errands and cleaning planned! I already had a to do list consisting of cleaning the house (mainly cleaning out closets), tackling the mountain of laundry, going to the mall (we all know THAT'S an important one, right) AND hopefully moving (at least some of) my office to the bigger room next door if my hubby gets done painting it! I've been waiting to do that since the late summer! Then I went and over-scheduled myself by making an appointment at the vet for the doggy who needs her shots! I HOPE at least some point that today becomes stamping Saturday too....anyway.....

I'm back with another special challenge from Create With Connie & Mary Occasions 2012 Edition! Along with all the awesome projects...mine included, you also get to play along in special challenges on Saturdays! I know I'm always up for a fun challenge! This weekend it's a color challenge using four of my very favorite colors:

This is another card I've had started on my desk for a while now. I had the letters from letter it stamped and cut out for a while just waiting for me to use them. I stamped the letters in calypso coral and then the phrases in poppy parade. I really love the letter it set with the words from fabulous phrases stamped on them! This is a card loosely inspired by one of the samples in the catalog and a case I made of that card. I thought a simple design would work well with such bright and bold colors!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Letter it, fabulous phrases, best friends forever, distressed dots
Paper: Very vanilla, pool party (textured), lucky limeade, poppy parade
Ink: Calypso coral, poppy parade, pool party, lucky limeade, versamark
Accessories: Itty bitty punch pack, labels collection framelits, clear embossing powder, basic pearls, everyday enchantment ribbon & brad pack

I also cut out one of the labels using the framelits labels collection from TEXTURED card stock which I then heat embossed with clear embossing powder. Textured card stock is something I forget about but it's the perfect detail to take a card from ho-hum to wow! And THEN embossing on textured cardstock just looks fabulous! I purposefully did NOT use my embossing buddy as I wanted a shabby look of stray embossing powder. Next, the base of my card has the leaves from best friends forever stamped on it and I also rubbed my inkpad directly on the card and it's edges. A brad from the SAB ribbon and brad pack and some poppy parade flowers finish the card up.

This card is very simple yet has lots of fun little details that make it pop. Head on over to Create with Connie & Mary, sign up for the Occasions 2012 edition and play along with us!

Happy stamping!

Edited to add that Super Saturday turned into Sickly Saturday! Boo! After the vet and lunch I came home with a sore throat so tired that I napped for two hours then got nothing else done hence me posting this today:-) I'm pretty sure my hubby gave me whatever he's had. How nice of him, right? Anyway, while I don't feel great today I can at least function:-)

Grandma's Attic

2012-01-27T23:42:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! Well, you just may be seeing a LOT of the new attic boutique DSP from the occasions mini....WHY you ask? Well, because I accidentally bought two packs on my big SAB order. Ugh! I do that way too often. And I thought I double checked it too....oh well. Good thing it's pretty! Just look:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Apothecary art
Paper: Watercolor, poppy parade, soft suede, daffodil delight, attic boutique DSP
Ink: staz-on, pear pizzazz, poppy parade, daffodil delight
Accessories: Labels collection framelits, ribbon lace border punch, large pearls, pool party ruffled ribbons, dazzling details

This one is pretty straight forward. The one detail you probably can't see well is that I dotted each of the flowers with dazzling diamonds in the center. I wasn't crazy about it but liked it better after I did the dazzling diamonds, added some pearls and some ribbon. That kept it out of the reject pile:-) It's kind of loud and bright but this one is growing on me! And now for a funny story....

I can't see the name of this DSP without thinking of my granny. She used to tell me the story of how once when she was a bad girl (she sassed her mom....we seem to have that in common, lol) her mom locked her in the attic! I guess it was really dark and scary...I imagine it would be....the attic in HER house was creepy and I only was in there during the day and with people, ha! And it had a teeeny tiny door...always thought that was odd. Anyway, whatever it was that got her in trouble she said she made sure to never do again:-) It's probably not all that funny to you all but it makes me giggle just thinking of her telling the story, she'd always laugh about it. And I'm sure glad WE didn't have an attic growing up because I'm sure I deserved to be locked in it now and again, lol!

Happy stamping!

Something different...finally

2012-01-25T22:31:00.001-06:00

Hi stampers! Sorry for the lack of posting lately...I just haven't stamped much lately. Well, until tonight....I got my Sale-A-Bration order today!!! Don't forget you can click on the shop 24/7 link over there and place your own order! For every $50 you spend (before tax and shipping) you get to pick a FREE sale-a-bration item! There are so many fun things and no limit!!! We won't talk about how much free stuff I got;-)

I got three cards done tonight and hopefully more to come this week/weekend! I am planning a big cleaning day on Saturday (which will probably run into Sunday) around here. I still need to take the tree down (ugh) and need to go through the closets around here AND hopefully get working on moving into my new and bigger office. Hubby said he'd paint it for me! I've only had paint since August, lol!

Anyway, you'll be happy to see a card today that doesn't use the SAB DSP...shocking, I know;-)

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: PS I Love You
Paper: Whisper white, poppy parade, daffodil delight, brights DSP stack, hostess DSP (retired)
Ink: Poppy parade
Accessories: Old olive satin ribbon, blossom triple layer punch, circle & scallop circle punches, small heart punch, adorning accents edgelits, adorning accents embossing folders, basic pearls, calypso coral baker's twine

I CASED this card from our demonstrator magazine. I changed up the DSP to use what I had and needed to pull some retired DSP out. I love the little medallion, I think it's just so cute! I also like how the magazine had the embossed hearts "reversed" where they were actually de-bossed. Just turn the paper over and viola:-)

So, there you have it. I CAN make something in other colors:-)

Happy stamping and don't forget about SAB!!!!

Edited to add: I know my background is wonky...the little banner says create. I'll try to tweak it if I get a chance! I can't seem to figure out exactly where things are going to end up when I create one:-)

HSS 102

2012-01-24T01:00:00.020-06:00

Hi stampers and happy Tuesday! I don't know about you all but I could use a vacation! I'm really not a winter person and I'm sick of the dreary and cold weather already! And it hasn't even been that snowy or cold here this year! I'd love to be on the beach in Florida or Mexico right now! So I guess I'll have to settle for this week's Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge.

Doesn't the photo just make you feel the sand between your toes???? I love the colors of the picture and it just makes me feel warm:-) Here's my card that was inspired by the beach:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Shore thing (retired), fabulous phrases
Paper: Whisper white, island indigo, pool party, daffodil delight, crumb cake
Ink: Soft suede, island indigo, pool party, daffodil delight, crumb cake, calypso coral
Accessories: Pool party ruffled ribbon, hodgepodge hardware (retired)

Sometimes a card just calls for a retired set or accessory and that was the case here! Oh how I'd like to be in that beach chair, kicked back with a fruity drink in my hand and my shades on:-) It's kind of funny...or sad...I bought this set after it was retired to scrap a beach vacation we took and guess how many times I've used it....yup, this was the first one, lol! I'm sure some of you can relate, right????

Now head on over the HSS and see what the design team came up with and then go to the beach with us:-)

Happy stamping!

A special sketch!

2012-01-22T22:33:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! I have a very special sketch for you today! Why so special? Well, because it's from the Create With Connie & Mary Occasions Mini 2012 Edition! I'm a guest designer for them this go-round and each Saturday they have a special sketch for members only! How fun! You can play along and enter if you head over there right now and sign up! Not only do you get special sketches and challenges but over 30 fabulous and exclusive projects....including MINE. And I worked long and hard on that puppy and it turned out so cute! Go on, you KNOW you want to see it:-)

Anyway, this week's challenge was this sketch:

And this is my card:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Fresh vintage (SAB), You're a gem
Paper: Very vanilla, calypso coral, peach parfait (smooth & textured), pool party, everyday enchantment (SAB)
Ink: Versamark, pool party, peach parfait, calypso coral
Accessories: Clear embossing powder, basic pearls & rhinestones, itty bitty punch pack, dotted scallop border punch, adorning accents edgelits & embossing folders

I know, I know....I used the Everyday Enchantment DSP again BUT at least I focused on a different pattern this time, hehe! To make the butterfly a bit special I used textured DSP and embossed over that. I really love the look of heat embossing over textured card stock and I love the way my butterfly turned out! I also added the little flowers for just a POP of calypso coral.

Hope you had a great weekend! And if you're a Create with Connie & Mary subscriber, make sure to play along in the sketch this week! And if you're not then head on over and sign up!

Happy stamping!

A SWEET Sketch

2012-01-19T01:00:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! I LOVED the Sweet Sunday Sketch this week!

Isn't it cute? I need to file it away as a go to sketch! And yes, I used the SAB DSP again! Sorry....good thing it's pretty:-) I used it to whip up this sweet little Valentine:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: PS I Love You
Paper: Very vanilla, blushing bride, pool party, calypso coral, poppy parade textured, everyday enchantment DSP (SAB)
Ink: Blushing bride, calypso coral
Accessories: 1-3/4" circle punch, 2-3/8" scallop circle punch, calypso coral ruffled ribbon, adoring accents embossing folders, large basic pearls

I just love that little cupid and I've used him on a lot of backgrounds but wanted to make him the star of the show on this one. I love the font of the sentiment too! I also used lots of sponging to make it all pretty and soft!

Happy stamping!

Freshly Cased

2012-01-18T01:00:00.001-06:00

Hi stampers! Where does the time go? I can't believe that it's the middle of January already. Time needs to slooooow down...my birthday will be here before I know it and I don't think I'm ready to be another year older just yet, hehe! But, maybe I'll have my Christmas trees down by then, lol! I've been in a pretty down mood since after Christmas so I haven't been able to motivate myself to get much done around the house:-/ I did get one of them down this week though and all the ornaments off our big tree.....I think the problem is I need a vacation to somewhere tropical:-)

Anyway, speaking of January....I LOVE the magazine us demos get every month! It's called Stampin' Success and has all kinds of great articles, techniques, tips, and projects in it. I often draw inspiration for my projects from it! I also love that it has sneak peeks of upcoming items from time to time! You know I don't have a lot of patience so I love seeing things early, hehe!

I found a number of things to work on in the January edition! This card is one of them:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Fresh vintage (SAB), kind thanks
Paper: Very vanilla, soft suede, everyday enchantment DSP (SAB)
Ink: Pool party, lucky limeade, soft suede
Accessories: Triple layer blossom punch, lucky limeade ruffled ribbon, everyday enchantment ribbon & brad pack (SAB), color spritzer

Isn't it pretty? I think it was a pretty popular card as I've seen quite a few people posting their version! And it's a little bit of a sneak peek for you too. If you haven't already seen the SAB 2012 catalog, this is one of the stamp sets! It's called fresh vintage and it coordinates with the DSP and ribbon and brad pack. I really like how this card sort of has it's own handmade DSP with the stamps from the set, that's a technique I often forget about but should remember to use more often!

I also love the soft colors of this card! Pool party, lucky limeade and soft suede are a great color combination! I lightly spritzed the card with soft suede ink using my color spritzer. Lots of sponging helps soften the card too. I sponged around all of the edges and also around the "flower". Finally, it's kind of hard to see but I put some of the SAB organdy ribbon over the ruffled ribbon.

Don't forget you can get your own SAB goodies for FREE starting next Tuesday, woo-hoo!

Happy stamping!

HSS 101

2012-01-17T01:00:00.023-06:00

Hi stampers! Happy Tuesday! It's time for a fun new challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments! This week we want you to shake it up!

How fun! Who doesn't love a shaker card???? Wanna see what I came up with?

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: PS I Love You, I {heart} hearts
Paper: Poppy parade, calypso coral, pool party, very vanilla, blushing bride, everyday enchantment DSP (SAB)
Ink: Poppy parade
Accessories: Edgelits & adorning accents embossing folders, circle punch, hearts collection framelits, window sheets, shaker frames, dazzling diamonds, fashionable hearts embosslit, blushing bride smooch spritz, basic pearls

So, it didn't turn out quite like I planned but I still like it:-) You can't see it well in the picture but I stamped the little heart from I {heart} hearts inside the shaker. I also sprayed the card base with the blushing bride smooch and it's quite pretty in real life. And how cute is the little scalloped edge with the embossing. It was my first time trying out the folders along with the edgelits and it turned out very cute!

Now, head on over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and shake it up!

Happy shaking....I mean stamping:-)

Enchanted

2012-01-16T19:36:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! Hope you have a fabulous weekend and got more stampy time than I did! I had plenty of time yesterday but couldn't get motivated to do ANYTHING! I even took a nap right on my craftroom floor, lol! In my defense I worked by hiney off Friday night while finishing up an awesome tutorial for Create with Connie & Mary's Occasions Mini edition 2012. It's not too late to sign up and get 30-some a-ma-zing projects! I don't usually cut things that close to the deadline but it's just how things turned out this time! It really took all the stampin' spunk out of me I guess, haha!

I did manage to make this happy little card this though. And I warned you earlier right? That I'm totally and completely head over heels in love and obsessed with the Everyday Enchantment DSP from Sale-A-Bration! Seriously, it's SO pretty that it's just impossible to make something not pretty with it! Add to the fact that you can get it FREE and that just makes it all that prettier, right? :-) The colors and patterns are so cute, just look at this one here on my little pennant.....

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Friendly phrases
Paper: Calypso coral, pool party, peach parfait, lucky limeade, very vanilla, Everyday enchantment DSP (SAB)
Ink: Poppy parade, peach parfait, pool party
Accessories: Vintage wallpaper EF, lots of tags sizzlits, wide oval punch, basic pearls, adorning accents edgelits, everyday enchantment ribbon & brad pack (SAB)

Ohhh and ahhhh, isn't that patterned paper so pretty? I love the colors and the little birds! And I just love how so many of our products fit together so well like our vintage wallpaper embossing folder. It coordinates so well with the SAB DSP! I'm also on a roll with those little flowers made out of the itty bitty punch pack.

There's just over a week until you can get your own everyday enchantment DSP for FREE. SAB starts next Tuesday on the 24th! Who-hooooo!

Happy stamping!

Just my type

2012-01-14T01:00:00.001-06:00

Hi stampers! I have a fun card for you today using more goodies out of the new Occasions Mini catalog! I knew I had to have the Just My Type set as soon as I saw it! It's another sentimental set for me. My grandma (on my dad's side) had a typewriter and she used to let me "play" on it when I was there. I think I could have typed all day if she let me. I don't think I even typed words, just gibberish, lol! Anyway, this set reminded me of that and it's just plain cute! The sentiments that you can put on the "paper" are sooo cute!

So I sat down to play with it the other day and came up with a card that was based on one I'd seen by the talented Mary Fish. I loved the bold combo of island indigo with red and black

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Just my type
Paper: Whisper white, real red, island indigo, real red smooth & textured
Ink: Basic black
Accessories: Printed in color brads, 3 inch circle die, full heart punch, adorning accents embossing folders

The heart is punched from textured card stock for a bit more dimension. I thought it looked too plain with smooth. I just love that little sentiment! I also adore the embossed hearts, that folder is going to get a lot of use!

Anyway, a pretty simple card today!

Happy stamping

Lucky Island Basics

2012-01-12T01:00:00.002-06:00

Hi stampers! I did something I haven't done in a LONG time this weekend. I played in a color challenge over on Splitcoast Stampers. Now, I have absolutely no good reason for not playing along in such a long time other than I just kind of forgot! Shame on me! Well, I picked a good one to come back to as the colors were so pretty! The challenge was to use island indigo, lucky limeade, and basic gray. So many possibilities but I decided to do something simple since the colors were so vibrant. I'm really on a kick with the white space and clean and simple thing as of late. It's fun to do something different! What do you think?

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Fresh vintage (SAB), fabulous phrases
Paper: Whisper white, island indigo, lucky limeade, neutrals DSP stack
Ink: Island indigo, basic gray
Accessories: Everyday enchantment ribbon & brad pack (SAB), basic pearls

There was a bit of cutting here but it's not too fussy and that image cuts out pretty quickly. I also used the "wallpaper" pattern of the DSP which I don't normally use. I tend to stick to the polka dots, hehe. And again, I really love the font of the fabulous phrases set and think it works beautifully with the fresh vintage set. I tried a variety of sentiments down in the corner but I liked the simplicity of this one and the tiny size!

Here's a quick tip if you use the clear mounts: if I can't decide on a sentiment or placement of a stamp, I will take the stamp unmounted and lay it where I want it. You can then kind of visualize what it's going to look like. It's harder to do with the wood mounts so this is just another reason I love the clear mounts! I can waffle back and forth until I figure out which one I like without wasting paper or messing up my project!

Hope you can put this tip to good use! And don't forget about the fun challenges over on SCS like I did:-)

Happy stamping!

Monday Mojo on MONDAY!

2012-01-11T01:00:00.001-06:00

Hi stampers! Ok, so I KNOW it's Wednesday but I did something on Monday that I never do! I created a card using the Mojo Monday sketch on MONDAY! WOW and yay me, lol!!!! It normally takes me a day or two to get to the challenges I want to do but I was able to sit right down tonight and crank this one out...well after a fair amount of time wasting (i.e. watching TV, eating some snacks, staring lovingly at all my under-used stamping supplies, internet surfing, more snacking, playing with the dog, cuddling with the dog, more internet surfing....you get the idea). Anyway, inspiration struck all of the sudden so I went with it!

At first, this sketch did throw me.

When I looked at it this morning it seemed awful complicated but upon looking at it again tonight it was clear what I wanted to do! Now, I'm giving a disclaimer right now...you are going to be seeing a LOT of the SAB everyday enchantment DSP for the next few months! I am so in lurve with that stuff...I want to marry it! I am going to CRY when it goes away! So, I hope you like it since I can't seem to make a card without it:-) At least now you know:-)

I saw a card this morning that used the scalloped heart of hearts embosslit as a layer behind a heart and I had TOTALLY forgotten about that particular embosslit and how cute it looks as a layer! So, out it came and this is what I got:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: PS I Love You
Paper: Very vanilla, blushing bride textured, pool party, poppy parade, calypso coral, everyday enchantment (SAB)
Ink: Calypso coral, poppy parade
Accessories: Hearts collection framelits, scalloped heart of hearts embosslit, decorative label punch, calypso coral ruffled ribbon

Ohhhhh! It turned out so pretty! I think it's impossible to make an ugly card with the SAB paper! I sponged the hearts from the PS I Love You set before I layered them onto the scalloped hearts as they looked a bit to stark. I also cut them out with the new heart framelits! I did take a break from the satin pleated ribbon:-) My poor ruffled ribbons have been neglected since the pleats came on the scene so I used some of the calypso coral ruffled ribbon here! The sentiment is from the super cute Friendly Phrases set which I love and it's stamped in poppy. This will make a great Valentine or just a great friend card!

Anywho, that about does it for now! I wish all my cards came together this quickly:-)

Happy stamping!

HSS 100

2012-01-10T01:00:00.001-06:00

Hi stampers! It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments. This week is all about RUFFLES!

Now, being totally girly and liking all things frilly this challenge was right up my alley! Well, I have to say that my project didn't turn out all that girly or frilly at all...but I like it! It's kind of really simple but again, I kind of really like it:-) I had the idea the other day to use the new pear pizzazz pleated satin ribbon as a "flower stem". So when I sat down to make it and got it finished up I thought, wow, this would be a great card for the HSS challenge! So, please excuse me for not being my usual frilly and girly self because I think you're going to like it:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Pursuit of happiness
Paper: Whisper white, pear pizzazz, calypso coral, wisteria wonder
Ink: Calypso coral, pear pizzazz
Accessories: Triple flower punch, blossom petals builder punch, floral fusion sizzlit, designer printed in color brads, brad & ribbon pack (SAB), pear pizzazz pleated satin ribbon

I could use some sunshine about now....it at least makes me THINK it's warmer out than it is:-) Maybe I just like this card because it makes me think of spring!

Now, run on over to HSS via the link at the top of my post and check out all the other great projects the design team came up with and play along with us!

Happy stamping!

Drumroll please....

2012-01-09T03:05:00.052-06:00

Hi stampers! I have exciting news! I've been asked by the fabulously talented Connie Babbert and Mary Brown to be a guest designer for their awesome site, Create With Connie & Mary! They had asked me previously this fall but with football in full swing I didn't feel that I could give it my all (and still manage to do things like laundry and dishes and all that jazz, hehe) so I was ecstatic when they asked me to be a part of their 2012 Occasions Mini edition! There are offering so many awesome projects!

Right now you can get early bird pricing! For just $29.95 you get access to all the amazing projects including mine! You know you want to see it! Click on over to Create With Connie & Mary and get yours today at the early bird price and save $5!

One of the projects will be mine using the P.S. I Love You stamp set. I'll be first up on week one...that kind of makes me nervous, hehe! This is probably my favorite set in the mini! I just love all the images and the sentiments! I think my fave is that little cupid! Isn't he just the cutest???? I've made a little card using the set as a teaser:-)

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: PS I Love You
Paper: Very vanilla, poppy parade, blushing bride (smooth & textured)
Ink: Blushing bride, poppy parade
Accessories: Framelits hearts collection, circle punch, fashionable hearts embosslit, twitterpatted buttons, crochet thread, blushing bride satin pleated ribbon, dazzling details

As you can see I started by stamping that cupid on some blushing bride textured cardstock and then I sponged around all the edges as well. I also cut out some hearts with the new framelits and the new heart embosslit. The framelits are great because you can stamp your image and then see where you are cutting it out! The last few details are fun! I had to add a little bit of the pleated ribbon, it's so fun! Then I added some dazzling details to the smallest embossed heart and tied a little bow in a twitterpatted button. I managed to use FOUR stamps from this set which I think is pretty good!

Now, hurry on over via that little link up there and get your Occasions Mini 2012 edition right now! See you over there in a few weeks;-)

Happy stamping!

Stampin' Sunday

2012-01-08T19:48:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! I'm back and my mojo is back! I got to stamp some today so I have another card to share!

I liked the color challenge this week over at Create With Connie & Mary.

Pretty colors! I thought about going with snowflakes like in the picture but I was looking at some of my stamps and saw the little heart pennant from Warmest of Wishes. I know it's not current anymore (sad face here) but that little pennant did NOT get used enough! So I pulled it out along with pennant parade and whipped up this cute card:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Pennant parade, PS I Love You, Warmest of Wishes
Paper: Blushing bride textured, pool party, soft suede, whisper white
Ink: Blushing bride, pool party, soft suede
Accessories: Pennant builder punch, adorning accents embossing folders, basic pearls, early espresso baker's twine, hole punch

Squeeee, didn't it turn out cute!?!? I used a layout I've used before with the pennants just because it makes sense. I also ran the border folder along the bottom for some interest. The pearls in each hart just help the little hearts stand out. The baker's twine is early espresso but you'd never know it:-) I also wanted to work in some of the polka dot chocolate chip ribbon but I couldn't make it happen, oh well....

Happy stamping!

LOST: Mojo

2012-01-08T12:23:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! It's happened again! My mojo has run away again! I think I'll name my next dog Mojo...that way I can say "here Mojo" and my mojo will come to me:-) Hehe! Anyway, I've had a million things on my to do list lately (our tree is STILL up....ugh) but with going out of town unexpectedly for a funeral last week and working late this week the stuff is just not getting crossed off the list AND nothing is getting stamped either. I had a big project to work on (tune in this week to find out what) today so I finally got to sit down and stamp "for fun" after dinner....and NOTHING! I had no ideas what to do or what to use.

I finally remembered that I wanted to work on the Monday Mojo sketch challenge this week. Add the fact that I used a lot of the SAB everyday enchantment DSP earlier today so I had a lot of scraps laying around and it hit me! This sketch is perfect for lots of DSP layers and other fun Occasions Mini and SAB goodies which have been so sadly neglected this week and last. So, I came up with this little gem:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Friendly phrases
Paper: Very vanilla, poppy parade, pool party, calypso coral smooth & textured, everyday enchantment DSP (SAB)
Ink: Calypso coral, pool party
Accessories: Basic pearls, large basic pearls, itty bitty punch pack, scallop circle punch, circle punch, lucky limeade organdy ribbon (SAB - ribbon & brad pack)

Yippie! My mojo is back....at least for the moment! I really love how this card turned out although I did have a tough time deciding whether to use a pool party card base or very vanilla. I finally settled on the vanilla as it looked a bit more bright. The sentiments from friendly phrases are just too cute and fun and look great with this DSP. They are both so cheery. This will be perfect for a birthday card!

I sponged the edges of the calypso coral textured panel since the DSP is slightly distressed and also the scallop circle so it would stand out a bit better against the DSP. I'm most pleased with the cuuuute little flower on my sentiment panel. I used two of the four petal flowers from the itty bitty punch pack. I sponged them and bent the petals up a bit then added the pearl in the center. For "leaves" I cut a small piece of the new organdy lucky limeade ribbon from the SAB catalog and it was perfect! The big pearls are new and can be found in the occasions mini! It was the first time I'd broken into those!

Make sure to stop by tomorrow for some exciting news! Happy stamping!

Simple SAB

2012-01-03T09:46:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! I've been struggling to come up with cards/ideas lately! So, I decided to take a cue from the Sale-A-Bration catalog and keep it simple! The catalog this year is gorgeous! It's got wonderful use of white space....which when it comes to cardmaking I tend to forget about:-) BUT white space can be VERY visually applealing...just look:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Fresh vintage (SAB), fabulous phrases
Paper: Whisper white, calypso coral, pool party
Ink: Calypso coral
Accessories: Dotted scallop border punch, everyday enchantment ribbon & brad pack (SAB)

Simple but packs a punch doesn't it? I just love it! This is my favorite card of the night and it happens to be the simplest...funny how that works out! I really love the design and colors of this suite from the SAB catalog! Those little printed brads are so cute! And I was very happy how well the fabulous phrases font worked with this card! I fretted for quite a while about what sentiment to use! I finally settled on this due to the simplicity.

So, the next time your stuck for an idea try something simple!

Happy stamping!

Happy 2012

2012-01-02T22:29:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! Happy new year! I'm back with a challenge card today. I haven't gotten much stamping in as of late and boy is my mojo suffering for it! I don't think I have a single idea in my body! I had the day off on Thursday and by the time I got all the stuff I NEEDED to get done (and there was plenty left I could have worked on too) I didn't have much time or energy left! But, I sat down to work on a card and used the Create With Connie & Mary sketch challenge.

This card was hard fought! I just had a hard time coming up with ANYTHING! And I'm not in love with it but it's better than nothing! Here's to hoping that my mojo perks up quick!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Easy events, PS I love you
Paper: Whisper white, crumb cake, blushing bride, calypso coral, lucky limeade
Ink: Staz-on, calypso coral, lucky limeade, crumb cake
Accessories: Twitterpatted buttons, crochet thread, edgelits, edge embossing folder, blushing bride pleated ribbon, dazzling details

I used a lot of neat occasion's mini catalog goodies on this card! It's the first time I got to use the little adorning accents embossing folders. I LOVE the little hearts! I totally messed up on my first pre-order and got the edgelits instead of the folders. I wasn't planning on getting the edgelits either but I have to say I like them! Can you see that my scalloped edge is scalloped? There are teeny tiny scallops on each scallop, how cute is that? And what's cool is that the folders and edgelits work together to cut and emboss!

Anywho, I also used the twitterpatted buttons and satin pleated ribbon which you've seen before here on my blog. And a little bit of dazzling details over the heart on the tree is the perfect touch. Maybe the card is growing on me a little:-) And don't forget that you can get your own occasion's mini merchandise starting on January 4th!

Happy stamping!

Blogging Break

2011-12-28T08:45:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! I'm going to be taking a blogging break until the new year. I need a little time to recharge:-) And I haven't had much stamping time so I'm OUT of things to share anyway and I've got a lot on my to do list for the next week or two. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I've not fallen off the face of the earth! I'll be back before you know it! I'll leave you with a picture from our Christmas!

Happy holidays!

HSS #99

2011-12-27T01:00:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers. Hope you are having a fabulous Tuesday! It's time for another challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments. This week we have an inspiration photo for you and here it is:

Cupckaes! As IF we need any more treats after Christmas huh? :-) I KNOW I don't but thankfully this week's challenge is calorie free, hehe! So, break out the frosting...I mean paper and create something inspired by this picture! But before you do that check out what I made!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Create a cupcake, bring on the cake
Paper: Very vanilla, lucky limeade, pool party, calypso coral
Ink: Pool party & calypso coral
Accessories: Edgelits, cupcake punch, dazzling details, twitterpatted buttons, circle punches, lucky limeade organdy ribbon (SAB), polka dot embossing folder

How fun!!?? I just had to pull the fun cupcake punch out this week. I love that little thing! There are also a few sneak peeks from SAB and the Occasions Mini Catalog in there too! How about a little twitterpatted button cupcake topper? Or a little organdy ribbon bow? I LOVE the DSP from the SAB catalog and thought this little striped piece was very festive and oh so yummy! My last little sneaky peek is that coral scallop! Isn't it cute? It's a cool little "edgelit" and the scallops have scallops..oh my, just too cute!!! Add some dazzling details "sprinkles" and my cupcake is ready to eat!!!

Now head on over to the HSS challenge blog and bake up your own project:-)

Happy stamping!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T01:00:00.004-06:00

Hoping everyone has a very merry Christmas! Thanks so much for following my blog! Your kind comments are just like Christmas presents...all year long! Thank you for taking the time to leave me nice words, I read each and every one of them and you all make my day! And thank you for letting me share my passion for paper with you:-) Here's a Christmas card for you (click on it to get the full effect)!

Love ~ Mindy (and Jon:-)

Christmas cookies!

2011-12-24T15:58:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! Happy Christmas Eve! I know everyone's busy (so far I've run four miles, made a pumpkin pie cheesecake, pizza dip, cleaned the house and baked cookies, lol) but I just had to share what I made today! I finally used my Sweet Pressed Cookie stamps and they turned out so well! I used the sugar cookie recipe that came with the stamps and I didn't THINK I liked sugar cookies....well...guess who can't stop eating them, ha!

The cookie stamps are very cool! My hubby even agreed when I let him make a couple! You get a wooden handle and then three silicone cookie stamps! They leave a raised image on your cookie that is just too cool! You just make balls of dough and stamp away! They do take a bit of practice to get the cookie pressed to the right thickness and evenly but it was easy!

Check them out!

Now, I made some without sprinkles and some with. For the ones without I know some people had trouble with the dough sticking a bit and had to dip the stamp in sugar but mine didn't seem to stick. I did not refrigerate my dough either like some have said. I think I'll try that next time just to see if there is a difference! For the ones with the sprinkles I took the stamp and turned it upside down and poured the sugar over it then wiped the excess off with my (clean, hehe) finger. I then took the dough to the stamp and pressed down with my hand until I had the stamp covered. Then I flipped it over and finished pressing it on the cookie sheet! Viola! Sprinkles only on the raised images!

And you know me, as a stamper I can't just GIVE some cookies away. I HAD to package them up all cute! I used some retired ribbons I had laying around and a stamp from Grateful Greetings and our cello bags. It was quick and easy and super cute...I need some kids to do this stuff with, hehe!

I hope everyone likes them!

Wishing you all a merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ!

Christmases Past

2011-12-24T01:00:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! So stampy time has been limited around here lately thanks to work and the holidays! Sadly, I can't find anything new lying around to share....at least from this year!

So, I'll show you a card I made last year that I don't think I ever shared. Now, I cased this card from somewhere but since I didn't show it, I didn't save who made it SO...if it's yours please let me know as I don't like casing without credit! But I really wanted to share something today and I'm all keyed up after Christmas with my dad tonight! Too busy thinking of ALL the things I have to do tomorrow since we stayed pretty late and I'm not going to get done tonight what I thought I was:-) I hope the pumpkin pie cheese cake I'm going to bake will have enough time in the fridge before we eat it tonight. I should really share the recipe with you too, it's SOOOO good and I don't even like pumpkin pie! Maybe next week!

This is a card I made last year using the cute Santa set from the mini. That set was so cute and vintage! I sure wish it had made it back in the big catalog! I wanted to play with it again this year but never had the chance to get it out! But here's a pretty picture anyway!

Hope you all have a merry Christmas Eve!

Dreaming of a white Christmas...

2011-12-21T20:51:00.000-06:00

sadly, I don't think it will happen! Hi stampers! I don't normally like snow BUT I always like when it snows on Christmas Eve and Christmas:-) Although, normally I want to wake up the day after Christmas and have it gone, hehe! It snowed last year and was so pretty but it stuck around way too long:-) But it looks like this year will be snow-free. Guess we'll have to settle for this little guy instead:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Button buddies, teeny tiny wishes
Paper: Whisper white, bashful blue, real red
Ink: Basic black, real red, pumpkin pie markers
Accessories: Northern flurry embossing folder, neutrals buttons, baker's twine, white taffeta ribbon

I've had this little guy sitting around for a while and I guess it's the perfect time to share! Button buddies has to be one of the cutest sets ev-ah! How fun is he? I love that it works with our buttons and tons of other embellishments like brads and the shaker frames! The images are also totally cute on their own too!

Are you ready for Christmas? I'm usually set by now but I feel like I'm playing catch up this year! I think I've put off a few things since I know it's on Sunday and I'll have Saturday to do a FEW things (but I think I've put TOO much off to cram into a few hours). I finished wrapping the gifts I have (still need a few more dangit) and made tags for them tonight. Going to try to finish shopping before work tomorrow and then Saturday I need to fit my workout in AND deep clean the house all while making some cookies with our new cookies stamps and a pumpkin pie cheesecake! I think I'll try to make the cheesecake Friday night so it has time to chill but we are doing Christmas with my dad that night so we'll see how that goes:-) Why did I do this to myself???? And we don't even have kids....yeesh...what's it going to be like when we do??? I hope you're doing better than me! And I hope we can both find some time to stamp over the holidays!!!

Happy stamping!

Fancy Folds!

2011-12-20T01:00:00.030-06:00

Hi stampers and happy Tuesday again! I can't believe another week has come and gone and CHRISTMAS is THIS WEEKEND! Of course I'm still kind of in the Christmas stamping mode so I have yet another Christmas card, hehe....sometimes I make them even AFTER Christmas! Anyway, we have a FUN challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments. Click the link to check out the FUN FOLDS!

I'm pretty much a traditionalist when it comes to card making but that's why a challenge like this is great! It pushes you to do something different! I'm really liking unique folds now! So go ahead and check out what the rest of the design team did (they always make A-MAZ-ING stuff) and find a fold you like and play along!

Like I said, I'm still in full on Christmas mode (maybe because I'm STILL not done with my shopping...eek...let alone having anything wrapped and under the tree) so here is my easel card:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Grateful greetings, many merry messages
Paper: Very vanilla, lucky limeade, island indigo, calypso coral, pool party, blushing bride, silver glimmer
Ink: Same as papers, tea stain distress ink
Accessories: Stocking accents die, circles number 2 die, border punch, elastic cord (retired), fine glitters (retired)

I had some more ornaments laying around from my Shiny Brite inspired card I posted last week so I wanted to use them up...especially since I FOUND some Shiny Brite reproductions while Christmas shopping Saturday AND they were on sale! I picked up a box for myself (hehe...another thing to collect) and one for my dad and step mom as they have a whole Christopher Radko tree and I think they'll like them!

Easel cards are by far my favorite fold I think! They are super easy (you can find a tutorial on SCS) and they are cute! Please excuse my crooked Christmas greetings...I don't know what happened!!! I embellished my ornaments to look similar to Shiny Brites in fun retro colors using glimmer paper, fine glitters and sticky sheets. I also added a bit of retired elastic cord.

Now head on over to HSS and play along!

Happy stamping!

Mailable Monday - Tidings of Joy

2011-12-19T01:00:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! Time for another Mailable Monday card! I'm preparing my cards to send out today and I sure have to go through them to find ones that I can mail for no extra postage or a padded envelope, ha! Looks like a lot of people may get hand delivered cards, hehe! We just have too many fun accessories to pile on cards I guess!

This card is a simple one I made a while back for a color challenge but I missed the entry date, hate when that happens!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Tidings of joy
Paper: Very vanilla, river rock, early espresso, neutrals DSP stack
Ink: Early espresso
Accessories: smooch illuminate accent ink

I kept this one way simple! I love this set but have put off doing much with it since it involves a LOT of coloring! So, I thought I'd try a different way to use it by leaving it uncolored. I think it turned out well! I did cut out the star from river rock and then coated it with the illuminate smooch to make it shimmery. It should go through the mail nicely:-)

Happy stamping!

Country Christmas Card

2011-12-16T01:00:00.001-06:00

Hi stampers! Sorry for not having more to share this week. It's been a bit crazy with work and preparations for Christmas! I'm trying to get my shopping done and failing! I'm failing at stamping cards too...either I have a headache or just plain feel un-creative this week! I made a few cards the other night and was not happy with many of them - HATE that! Anyway I did manage to make a few that I liked. I'm going to try to make some more Christmas cards this weekend and then try to get them all ready to be mailed by Monday. Then I plan to keep stamping through Christmas and start my Valentine's too...we'll see how that goes. Maybe I'm just Christmas carded out! Maybe my fun Occasions Mini stuff will freshen my mojo up! Anyway....

This card is a bit "country" which is not normally my taste but I think it's somewhat coming back into style as of late. I made one like this a few years back as well after being inspired by a card I had seen at my upline's meeting! I also need to get to work on using up that holly berry paper that I ordered late in the season...only a few more days to crank out the Christmas cards!!!!!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Pennant parade
Paper: Very vanilla, wild wasabi, real red, early espresso
Ink: Wild wasabi, early espresso
Accessories: Heart trio and round tab punches, dotted scalloped border punch, dazzling details

Doesn't that heart trio punch just make the cutest little Christmas tree??? I sponged the edges for depth and dimension and added some dazzling details to make it really shine! Half of the round top tab punch makes a perfect little tree stand/pot too. I used glue dots to adhere the hearts, I highly recommend using them for small pieces like this! A very simple very cute little card!

Happy stamping!

Shiny Brite

2011-12-15T22:35:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! I'm feeling a bit nostalgic today. I used to love putting up the Christmas tree at both of my grandma's houses! They both had cool old ornaments...you know the ones I'm talking about....shiny brites! I'm not sure if either one of my parents has any now but I remember them so well and the cool vintage looking boxes too! My favorites were the ones that had the silver or gold middles that sloped inward and I like the bells too. I guess the ones with the indented parts were called reflectors. Remember these?

I love everything about shiny brites aside from the fact that they remind me of fond memories with my grandparents! I love the shininess, the shapes, and the bright colors! I did a little research and found some interesting history about them too (I'm geeky like that). You can read it HERE. I'm sure there is more info out there. Christopher Radko now makes reproductions and I just may have to get some of those. I should really should ask my parents if they have any as well!

Anyway, sorry for the long trip down memory lane but those ornaments inspired this card:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Grateful greetings, Tree trimmings, music notes (wheel)
Paper: Very vanilla, pool party, calypso coral, blushing bride, silver glimmer
Ink: Pool party, calypso coral, blushing bride, more mustard, versamark, tea stain distressing ink
Accessories: Stocking accents die, circle punches, blushing bride pleated satin ribbon (occasions mini sneak peek), pewter embossing powder

I used the stocking accents die since the ornament reminded me of the shiny brites. On the coral ornament I sponged my glimmer paper with more mustard ink to make it gold! How cool is that? I also sponged each ornament in it's respective color and then tea stain over that. I even distressed the ribbon with the tea stain ink. I thought the muisc wheel would make the background nicely vintage as well. The card base is also sponged with pool party and tea stain and the vanilla panel is tea stained as well. I did goof up the spacing of my ornaments and hangers a bit on the blushing bride one but maybe you'd never have noticed if I didn't just tell on myself, no? Oh well, that's what makes a hand made card one of a kind right? :-)

Shiny brites just may inspire many more cards!!!! I wished I had thought of this earlier in the Christmas card making season, ha! I'm off to go look at more pictures of them and reminisce!

Happy stamping!

An Old Fashioned Christmas

2011-12-13T01:00:00.001-06:00

Hi stampers! It's time for another challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments. This week the challenge is "An old fashioned Christmas".

I love vintage, especially for Christmas so this was right up my alley. I did have trouble deciding what to use though! We have so many great old fashioned sets both current and retired! I just may have to do a few more projects with this theme!!!! I finally settled on Bells & Boughs and the Christmas Collage background stamp.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Bells & Boughs, Christmas collage, grateful greetings
Paper: Crumb cake, cherry cobbler, watercolor
Ink: Stazon, versamark, various for watercoloring, crumb cake, river rock, cherry cobbler, tea stain
Accessories: Gold embossing powder, waffle paper, crochet trim ribbon, circle and designer label punch, cherry cobbler dazzling details (occasions mini sneak peek)

I think the waffle paper looks very old fashioned so I pulled it out to make some ruffles around my main image. That stuff is really easy to use and mold into about any shape you need. The card is also sponged with crumb cake ink and then I sponged some river rock over that. I also rubbed the tea stain ink from the distressing kit over the crochet trim to dirty it up a bit. Did you know we now carry ink refills for those now? Yup, we do! My final detail is another little sneak peek into the occasions mini catalog. I put some CHERRY COBBLER dazzling details there on the holly berries!

Now, head on over to HSS and check out the challenge and all the other samples from our fabulous design team then play along! And have a happy old fashioned Christmas!

Happy stamping!

A Valentine SMOOCH

2011-12-12T01:00:00.037-06:00

Hi stampers! I've got another sneak peek from the Occasions Mini Catalog and a big smooch for you! Well, smooch spray anyway, lol! We now have smooch in blushing bride and it's sooo pretty and sparkly and perfectly pink! Remember though, to spray LIGHTLY. This card looks pretty good but I was a bit heavy handed on it's mate....oopsy! You can also get a better look at the new pleated satin ribbon (have I mentioned how cute it is????).

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: P.S. I love you (occasions mini), Grateful greetings
Paper: Crumb cake, whisper white, blushing bride (textured), Everyday enchantment (SAB)
Ink: Crumb cake, calypso coral
Accessories: Everyday enchantment ribbon & brad pack, blushing bride satin pleated ribbon, blushing bride smooch spritz (occasions min), full heart punch, Illuminate smooch accent ink

Isn't that paper scrumptious???? It's from this year's Sale-A-Bration offerings meaning you can get a pack of it FREE (along with other fab items) for every $50 spent between January 24 and March 31! It's probably the prettiest DSP I've ever seen SU offer! And FREE! Squeeeeeee! The little brad on the heart is also a SAB item and they are adorable too! A bit hard to see but I highlighted a few of the hearts in the big heart with some of the illuminate smooch accent ink. A super simple but super cute V-day card...and how cute is that little cupid image from the PS I love you set????

Hope you enjoyed the little sneak peek!

Happy stamping!

Mailable Monday Mittens

2011-12-12T01:00:00.007-06:00

Hi stampers! Happy Monday! I'm going to try to start a little theme here on Mondays called "Mailable Monday". If you know me or follow my blog you know I like to pile lots of embellishments on my cards. And while it makes them super cute it also makes them a pain in the you know what to mail:-) And I always have a hard time finding a card I can easily mail when I need one....so, I'm hoping this little feature each week will help me to up my stash of simple and mailable cards...now, if I can just remember to make a few each week, haha!

This week I have a take on another card I featured last week using the sketch I liked from Freshly Made Sketches. I've been wanting to pair together real red, pool party, and whisper white for a while. I love the combo with the bright winter white.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Christmas greetings, jolly bingo bits
Paper: Whisper white, real red, pool party, in color (2011-2012) DSP stack
Ink: Real red, pool party
Accessories: circle punches, dazzling details

I just love these mittens, I think they are so cute! I added a touch of dazzling details to the little star on each one although you can't see it well in the picture. I also love the greeting from Christmas greetings, it's such a fun font. I used pool party here but I also think baja breeze would look great. Sometimes I need cards like this to remind me that less can be more!

Happy stamping!

An early Christmas present....SNEAK PEEK!

2011-12-11T15:58:00.003-06:00

Hi stampers! I have an early Christmas present for you! A sneak peek from the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog! The catalog has some really fabulous stuff in it as they always do! Now, while it's mainly themed for spring holidays I managed to use some of the goodies I got to crank out another Christmas card! It just goes to show that you can use just about anything SU offers for whatever occasion you need!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Heard from the heart, Bells & Boughs
Paper: Crumb cake, real red, wild wasabi, pear pizzazz, blushing bride & Holly Berry Bouquet DSP
Ink: Real red
Accessories: Pleated satin ribbon, Hearts collection framelits dies, Fashionable hearts embosslit (all sneak peeks), dazzling details, illuminate smooch accent ink

It's hard to see in the photo but I did stamp the poinsettias from bells & boughs on the heart in real red. I also adhered the new pleated satin ribbon (OMG, it's SO cute) behind the heart with glue dots. Also hard to see is that I put some accents on the little embossed hearts with dazzling details and smooch accent ink. I think all this Valentine's stuff made a super cute Christmas card and heard from the heart had the perfect sentiment!

I hope you enjoyed the sneak peeks and Merry Christmas a bit early:-) There will be more peeks to come!

Happy stamping!

Bright Christmas Favor and a bonus

2011-12-10T17:00:00.002-06:00

Hi stampers! I've been busy in the craft room so there may be lots-o-posts this weekend:-) I loved the challenge this week over at The Colour Q. I've been especially into all things fun, funky, and bright for Christmas so this challenge was right up my alley.....

....and then I got to the part where it said that the challenge this week is for something other than a card....say what???? Well, I have to say that cards are my first love BUT I did manage to come up with this cute and simple little treat holder using the pillow box die (which holds three Hershey's miniature candy bars perfectly....although I don't have any to fill it with since my hubby regularly eats my stash, hehe):

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Warmest of wishes (hostess)
Paper: Crumb cake, pear pizzazz textured, whisper white
Ink: Poppy parade
Accessories: Scalloped square and designer label punch, whisper white taffeta & pool party ruffled ribbon, basic pearls, pillow box die

Isn't it cute? And these could be made up pretty quick if you need a lot of them too! I may make them for my friends at work! I did sub pool party for Caribbean (because it's retired of course and I didn't feel like digging it out as I keep them hidden away) and pear pizazz for celery (simply because I like it better, hehe). BUT since I'm me and I really liked this color combo I HAD to make a card too so you get a bonus project. I should have made them coordinate but each project kind of took on a life of their own! And yes, I'm currently obsessed with Polar Party...buy it NOW, you NEEEEED those cute critters and trees!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Polar party, four the holidays
Paper: Crumb cake, pear pizzazz, pool party, poppy parade, watercolor
Ink: Pool party, staz on, various for watercoloring
Accessories: Stripes embossing folder, scalloped squares duo die, scalloped dotted punch, pool party ruffled ribbon, in color glimmer brads

Isn't it cute? Now, the line art and cutesy/country style of this stamp is not normally my thing BUT this one really grew on me and I think I'm liking the style more. It seemed outdated to me at first but you know how things are and what was popular once always comes back around! I wish I had kept all the leg warmers I'd had as a kid since they are back in now, ha! Back to crafting my weekend away!

Happy stamping!

Pinspiration

2011-12-10T01:00:00.002-06:00

Hi stampers! Say what? Did I mean perspiration??? No, I mean pinspiration....so what the heck is that you ask? Well it's what I call it when I see something on Pintrest that inspires me to make a card:-) Lately, I've seen a LOT of things there that get my creative mojo going. Right now there are a ton of holiday pictures posted and they can provide lots of ideas. I'm mainly drawing great color combos from them at the moment.

Take this one for instance: crumb cake, garden green, & pool party. I just LOVE it! It's so wintery and fresh! It makes a great card, see:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Polar party, pennant parade
Paper: Crumb cake, garden green, in color (2011-2012) DSP stack, watercolor
Ink: Crumb cake, garden green, pool party, white craft
Accessories: Silver smooch accent ink, circle punch, pool party ruffled ribbon, houndstooth & stripes embossing folder, basic pearls, modern label punch, white embossing powder

I had a hard time deciding which embossing folder to use here! I was going to go with the snow burst folder or the linen one but in the end I thought the houndstooth was more "woodsy" and fitting with my inspiration picture and color combo. I did know I wanted to use the stripes folder for the main panel in crumb cake. I also sponged it lightly for added depth. I colored in the stars lightly with the smooch accent ink. I wanted to make them yellow but I didn't want to add any more colors and I thought the silver would be more with my theme. I think I like it!

Polar party is a fun set to color so it might be popping back up on the blog again! I just love those trees! It's kind of a style that I don't normally like and is outdated but I think it's coming back and I kind of like it:-) Funny how things come and go and tastes change!

Now go find your own pinspiration!

Happy stamping (and pinning, hehe)!

Deck the halls!

2011-12-09T01:00:00.002-06:00

Hi stampers! Still in denial over here that it's creeping ever closer to Christmas! I think I've mentioned before that I'm way behind on my Christmas stamping. Sometimes I have to work, sometimes I don't feel well and others I just plain feel lazy and instead of stamping I lay on the couch:-) I need to get a move on! Not to mention I need to like buy some gifts, hehe!

Anyway, I've had this card made for a while now as I seemed to be in more of a Christmas mood a few months ago than I am now! I made it using an expired challenge sketch...they are fun to play along even if they are over:-)

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Merry & Type
Paper: Whisper white, real red, pear pizzazz, island indigo
Ink: Markers - real red, pear pizzazz, island indigo
Accessories: Circle and scalloped circle punch, polka dots embossing folder

I kept this one simple so I could easily mail it and because I used a bright and bold color pallete! I thought this set would be perfect for a bold color scheme.

Happy stamping!

Stuck in a color rut!

2011-12-08T02:00:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! I told you right, that I've been stuck on a certain color combo as of late? Well you saw my card this week from the color challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments....it was my color combo and I'm totally obsessed with it! It makes such fun and fresh holiday cards! Again, they seem to have that retro feel. I guess I shouldn't say I'm in a rut because I really like these colors and the cards I'm making with them but I do need to branch out...someday:-)

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Stitched stockings, jolly jingles wheel
Paper: Whisper white, pear pizzazz, blushing bride, real red, pool party, red glimmer
Ink: Pool party, real red, blushing bride
Accessories: Stocking punch, circle punch and die, real red taffeta ribbon (retired), polka dots embossing folder

I used some fun stuff here! The pink circle is stamped with the jolly jingles wheel. I tend to forget about my wheels but they make such fun accents! I also love the stocking punch and it looks so cute with the glimmer paper! I'm also really liking white right now. Design wise a large expanse of white can be super pleasing to the eye! The Sale-A-Bration catalog will be coming out soon and it has great use of white space!

So, do you recognize the sentiment???? Hmmmmm??? It's from the jolly jingles wheel too! I bought a second wheel and cut it up *GASP, I know* and used our new cling mount foam to make regular stamps out of them. HOW cool is that? If I have any interest I could do a video on how to do this.

Happy stamping!

Shake shake shake

2011-12-07T01:00:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! My card today was inspired by the challenge over at The Friday Mashup. The challenge for this week is to make a shaker card and we all know I love me a shaker card! I also love the new mica flakes and shaker frames since they make it easy to make a shaker card! You get a HUGE tub of the flakes too, so those things are a good value! I also used a new stamp set (new to me anyway) called Polar Party. The card is inspired by a card from the Holiday mini but I just switched out the stamp sets.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Polar party, distressed dots
Paper: Watercolor, pool party, lucky limeade, wisteria wonder (textured)
Ink: Stazon, pool party, lucky limeade, wisteria wonder
Accessories: Circle punches, window sheets, polka dot printed brads, dazzling details, shaker frames

Thanks for visiting! Now go shake it up yourself:-)

Happy stamping!

Retro

2011-12-06T01:00:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! Happy Tuesday! It's time for another challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments! This week is a fun color challenge! I'm totally obsessed with this color combo right now:

I think it's totally fun and trendy and it's fun and bright too! It's kind of got a retro 60's and 70's feel to it too. I've seen a lot of holiday decor at Target and other places in these hues as well. So, I've been making Christmas cards with these colors of course.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Pennant parade, Bright Christmas, distressed dots
Paper: Whisper white, real red, blushing bride (smooth & textured), pear pizzazz, pool party
Ink: Real red, pear pizzazz
Accessories: Candy Cane Buttons (retired), circle and scalloped circle dies, basic pearls & rhinestones, crochet thread, pennant builder punch

I have a bunch of the candy cane buttons left over from last year so I had to stick one on here! I love that little pennant punch too, it makes such fun Christmas trees!

Now, click that link up there and head on over to see what the rest of the design team came up with and then play along with us and link up your card!

Happy stamping!

Feeling Fresh!

2011-12-05T08:38:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! Happy Monday! I can't believe another one's here already:-) The weekends are NEVER long enough are they? And I still can't believe it's coming up on Christmas! I don't have many gifts bought yet, I haven't finished decorating the house inside OR out, and I'm way behind of Christmas card making! I better get busy, especially on the gift buying since a lot of things I can only find online and on the card making since I have a lot of un-inked stamps! :-)

Although I had fun in Chicago I'm always a bit sad when I can't stamp on the weekend. I WISH I could take everything I own in the car since I had a three hour trip there and back. I could have done some serious crafting in 6 hours:-) So, after all the unpacking, laundry, cleaning my studio (it was OUT of control in here) I got down to business.

I loved the simple yet cute sketch over at Freshly Made Sketches. This is another one I'll have to file away for future use. I already have ideas for it! Too bad I probably won't have time to enter the oodles of other cards I plan on making with it:-)

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Jolly bingo bits, Polar party
Paper: Very vanilla, real red, wild wasabi, lucky limeade, Holly Berry Bouquet DSP
Ink: Real red, basic black
Accessories: Circle punches, dazzling details

I kept the card simple because....well...just because I liked it that way! I finally cut into the Holly Berry paper I just got too. See...lots of stuff that needs to be used over here! And I'm pretty predictable...I used Jolly Bingo Bits here as it's just perfect for the three little shapes. I love that set and need to use it a lot more. It's great with OR without the bingo card. I also inked up the sentiment from Polar Party which I also just got, tee-hee. Finally, I couldn't decide whether to use wasabi or limeade so I made one of each. I must have spent too much time with my ever-indecisive mom this weekend, lol! I LOVE her but she is way more indecisive than even me!!!! Let me know which one you like better. I think I'm leaning toward the limeade a teensy bit more than wasabi.

I think I should start a new thing on my blog and call it Mailable Monday since I'm forever in need of cards I can throw in an envelop and mail without extra postage or a special envie or anything:-) I have a bad habit of piling lots of stuff on my cards! Maybe I'll do it...if I can get organized AND if I can remember to NOT pile everything in sight on my cards, lol!

Happy stamping!

As a side note I am aware that my blog background is making it a bit difficult to read my blog and I'm sorry. My idea did not turn out quite like I had intended but making a background takes a fair amount of time and I've been short on that lately and then out of town over the weekend. I'll change it when I get a chance to work on it so please be patient.

Guest designer!

2011-12-04T19:50:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! I have a "guest designer" for you today! My MOM!!!! Now, this is kind of a big deal because I didn't think she had ANY interest in stamping. She LOVES my cards and I often give her cards to send to friends and family but she didn't really "get" my obsession...er...I mean, hobby! Well, she was at our house Friday night before our annual Christmas trip to Chicago and I was showing her things I had made and I asked her if she wanted to make a card....and she said YES! :-) I was so excited and we had a lot of fun working on her cards.

I found her a sketch and a color combo to use and she chose Tidings of Joy as her stamp set. I did tell her we'd keep it simple and not color it since it was already late and we had to be up really early to leave for Chi. I knew she'd like that stamp set as it was religious, cute, and had some barnyard animals in it. You'll notice one of the cards has a circle....well, we had to revamp the second one because her favorite animal the chicken got cut off, hahaha! Now that she's retired and moved to our farm I'm really surprised she doesn't have some chickens already!!! Anyway I helped her but she did everything herself and they turned out totally cute and she really liked stamping!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamp sets: Tidings of joy
Paper: Whisper white, river rock, early espresso, island indigo
Ink: Versamark, early espresso
Accessories: Linen embossing folder, circle punch and die, gold embossing powder

Please excuse the poor picture but it was late and dark and my pictures don't turn out so well at night. And I had to photograph it before she took them with her, lol! I had her emboss the main image and she thought that was like the coolest thing ev-ah! I should have recorded it as I'm sure we were pretty funny. I think she thought "what the heck" when she stamped in versamark and when she lifted it up and she couldn't see it, lol!

It was fun stamping with my momma...it may be the first and last or maybe not, who knows. She surprises me now and then, hehe. I do think she "gets" it now, the creativity of it and the fun of it. She was really proud of what she made and I was proud of her too! She even knows who she is going to send her two cards too:-) Now, how can I get her to really get into it and buy lots of stuff from me???? LOL!

We had a good time in Chicago like always! We got up there pretty early for us but it seems like the day was over faster than ever. How does that happen? And it finally didn't rain (much) or snow on us either! It actually feels kind of strange because it's usually FREEZING when we go and it was in the 50's yesterday! Doesn't feel like Christmas time to us, lol!

Happy stamping!

Still got the blues

2011-12-02T17:52:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! I know I haven't been posting as often lately...it's that time of year....busy time that is:-) I'll try to do better. And I don't actually have the blues but my card sure does:-)

I haven't stamped all week for no good reason other than I've just been plain lazy! But I wanted to get some challenges in so I made myself sit down last night at NINE and work on a card. I don't usually start stamping that late but I was determined to get something started AND finished! So, I combined the Sweet Sunday sketch which was adorable this week and the pretty color challenge over at the Colour Q.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Delicate doilies, Christmas greetings
Paper: Whisper white, sahara sand, night of navy, marina mist, subtles DSP stack
Ink: Night of navy, marina mist, bashful blue, versamark
Accessories: 3" circle die, scallop circles die, snow burst embossing folder, northern flurry strip, whisper white taffeta ribbon, marina mist polka dot scalloped ribbon, pewter embossing powder, dazzling details, regals buttons, frost white shimmer paint

I just loved how it turned out! I've been wanting to use the doily set for winter for a while and this was perfect. My favorite part is the embossed panel. I took a sponge wedge (I cut my stampin' sponges into 8ths...my very frugal momma would be proud, lol) and got it damp and then dipped it in the lid of my frost white shimmer paint. I then dabbed it on some scratch paper first to remove the excess and lightly tapped it all over the paper. That snowflake pattern looks FAB with this technique!

Happy stamping!

Blue Christmas

2011-11-28T08:29:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving! I actually managed not to stuff myself silly this year! And remember all that cream cheese that was in my fridge last week? The cheesecakes were SOOOO good! I forget every year how good my pumpkin cheesecake is! We had two meals in about four hours time so I made sure to go lighter at lunch (than normal anyway, lol) and all I had for "dinner" was some green bean casserole (because it was the one thing I really like that we don't usually have at my mom's family) and TWO slices of my cheesecake, lol! Quite a balanced diet, no?

And sorry for not having more to share with you over the "long weekend" but it's never a long weekend for me, it's usually a short one as I always have to work the day after Thanksgiving and on Saturday as well at a basketball tourney. So sadly, stampy time was limited! BUT I declared yesterday Sweatpants Sunday and got to stamp quite a bit! I've got a lot of projects due this week so I mainly worked on them but I did get one "for fun" card done.

I combined the Create With Connie & Mary color challenge with the Inkspirations sketch challenge.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Petite pairs
Paper: Night of navy, lucky limeade, river rock, 2011-2012 in-color DSP stack
Ink: River rock, lucky limeade, versamark
Accessories: Scallop circle & circle punches, petals-a-plenty & stripes embossing folders, lucky limeade ruffled ribbon, polka dot brads, pewter embossing powder, basic rhinestones, silver smooch spray

This one turned out better than I thought it would while I was working on it (love that). I have to say that night of navy is one of my least used colors. Not sure why but I just don't use it much so it was fun to challenge myself to make it work, especially with this rather unique color combo. I also took a little liberty with the sketch but the basic idea is pretty much the same. It's hard to see in the photo but I sprayed the navy CS with the silver smooch for a little sparkle because it looked kind of flat. Sponging on the "wreath" really made the embossing pop as well.

Thanks for a fun challenge ladies!

Happy stamping!

Ornamental

2011-11-27T19:41:00.047-06:00

Hi stampers! It's Tuesday which means it's time for another challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments. I can't believe it's going to be December this week! I got the tree up on Saturday before I had to go to work. We had a "wee" bit of trouble with the lights this year and after TWO trips to the store I gave up so I'll have to fix the tree later this week. We didn't get the lights up outside and I wish we had as Saturday was nice and warm! And I still have some more decorations to put up inside as well. What about you? Have you decked the halls yet? Well, if you have or haven't we have a fun challenge for you this week!

You can make an ornament or use ornaments to make your project. It's up to you:-) Wanna see what I made?

Stampin' Supplies:
Stampin' Up Designer series fabric, coordinating ribbons, elastic cord (retired), Styrofoam balls, ornament hanger thingies (technical term right there)

Aren't they cute??? I don't sew but I was "SEW" excited (sorry, hehe) when SU started carrying fabric last year because there are "my thing". I make them every year for Christmas. It all started back when I was in grade school and my dad wanted to make Christmas ornaments for the kids choir at church that he was (and still is) in charge of. He found these and he taught me how to make them too.

They are super easy (I'll try to shoot a video soon, I just didn't have time with the holiday and having to work over the holiday weekend too). Basically all you do is take squares of fabric and a Styrofoam ball and stuff the edges down in the ball with a dull edge. We use a butter knife (haha). It works well and is kid friendly!

So, start decking the halls and show us what you come up with!

Happy stamping...I mean ornamenting:-)

Gobble gobble!

2011-11-24T01:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving stampers! I managed to fit one more Thanksgiving card in this week but can I tell you a little secret? I totally forgot to send any! Well I remembered on Tuesday that I hadn't gotten them all ready to mail on Sunday, which was my plan. Well by then I didn't have time so I think I'll just hand deliver some today and that will have to be good enough:-) I'm really terrible about actually MAILING the cards I make, lol! I think it's an affliction that affects a LOT of stampers;-)

And I'd like to take a minute to say that I'm thankful so much for this hobby and Stampin' Up as well as all of you, my friends and blog readers. I read every comment that you leave and they really brighten my day! I seeing an email come through that says new comment! I love having a creative outlet and a hobby to keep me from being bored! I have also met so many wonderful friends thanks to stamping and Stampin' Up! My life would not be the same without it and all of you!

Ok, sappy-fest is over:-) On to the main course....which is fat and calorie FREE around here (too bad my lunch and dinner within four hours of each other today will NOT be, lol). Probably high in fiber too since it's made of paper! ;-)

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Falling leaves, warmest of wishes
Paper: Very vanilla, island indigo, more mustard, lucky limeade
Ink: More mustard, island indigo
Accessories: Houndstooth and stripes embossing folders, gold and illuminate smooch inks, circle and scallop circle punches, modern label punch

The color combo for this card is right from the color coach, love that thing! I also wanted a lot of texture since I knew I was keeping the layout fairly clean and simple. I couldn't decide if the gold smooch or the illuminate smooch would look better on the leaves so I did one card with each! I like them both! Which one do you like better?

Anyway, I hope you all have a great Turkey day! I'm trying to decide if I want to go shopping at midnight. I have to say I'm not keen on the idea. I've always liked getting up early to go so this feels like cheating and I feel bad for those who have to work at midnight! I feel like we skip over Thanksgiving too much by starting Christmas too early and I really feel like this is moving in on Thanksgiving! Don't get me started on all the decorations out before today either, hehe! Maybe I'll stay home and stamp;-)

Happy stamping

Winter Wonderland

2011-11-22T02:00:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers and Happy Tuesday! Is everyone ready for turkey day yet? Know how you can tell that it's Thanksgiving time at our house??? Because there are SIX packages of cream cheese in the refrigerator! LOL! I always make this awesome pumpkin pie cheesecake for at least one of our dinners so that's two packages and now my hubby has this obsession with red velvet cheesecake he found and it takes FOUR cream cheeses between the cake and the icing, hahaha! He's totally stealing my cheesecake thunder as it's my THING for family dinners but whatever. I told him I WAS doing the pumpkin cheesecake no matter what:-)

Anyway, since it's Tuesday that means it's time for a new challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments. This week's challenge is WINTER WONDERLAND!

This one is right up my alley! I can't wait to break out the tree and decorations of Friday! I have to work Friday and Saturday but I hope I can find the time to deck the halls!!! So, break out all your glitter and bling and make your own winter wonderland! Here's a little bit of inspiration to get you started:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Sweet Snowglobe, Christmas greetings, distressed dots
Paper: Whisper white, garden green, real red, bashful blue
Ink: Garden green, real red, bashful blue
Accessories: Circle punches, scallop circle punch, dotted scallop border punch, window sheets, basic pearls, snow burst embossing folder, mica flakes, vanilla smooch spritz, dazzling details, shaker frames

The snowglobe stamp (um, which I totally forgot was in the current catalog, duh) is just perfect for a winter wonderland scene AND to use with the shaker frames! I've been wanting to make a card using these things for a while! Just be careful not to over fill with the mica flakes, a little pinch goes a long way! It won't look right or shake well with too much "snow". My embossed panel is smooched although it doesn't show up in the photo and I outlined all the scallops with dazzling details. This was a little trick I saw in my plus fun class at convention and need to do it more often!

So, now head on over to HSS and check out the rest of the winter wonderlands and then put the turkey preparations aside for a few and play along with us!

Happy stamping!

Black Friday....er, I mean Black Monday

2011-11-21T08:12:00.000-06:00

Hey stampers! Big stuff going on in my online store!!!! SU has some black Friday deals TODAY for 24 hours only! Hurry over to my online store and beat the crowds and grab some great deals! Up to 60% off on some items!

CLICK HERE TO START SHOPPING! Remember, this sale ends at midnight tonight so don't forget! So head on over and get a head start on black Friday shopping!!!!

Happy shopping and happy stamping:-)

Free thinking

2011-11-20T17:35:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! I hope you're having a fabulous weekend! I can't believe that it's going to be Thanksgiving in a few days! I haven't had a whole lot of time to stamp lately and yesterday was no exception as I had a continuing ed class all day but I got some inky time today! I also stayed up late stamping on Thursday night. If you follow my blog you'll remember me posting that my great aunt was in the hospital that night (she's fine and thanks to all who left kind notes and prayers for her:-) and I was worried about my parents driving back home so late. So, what's a stamper to do? Stay up late and make cards until you know the parents are home a-ok:-) I got a few cards done even with the "late start" that night and the card I have for you today is a bit of a special one.

I made it for my cousin and her husband who was just diagnosed with cancer and starting chemo this week. And I don't usually ask much of my blog readers but I'd really appreciate it if you could keep them both in your thoughts and prayers! Now, I have a LARGE stockpile of cards all ready to go but I didn't seem to have any "manly" thinking of you cards. I know a flowery card would have been appreciated just as much but I'll always take any excuse to make a new card! I kept it pretty simple both because of time and the tone of the card.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Lean on me, borderlines
Paper: Watercolor, crumb cake, river rock, marina mist
Ink: River rock, marina mist, stazon
Accessories: Circle punch, dotted scalloped border punch

I haven't used this set much yet but I really like it and it's nice to have when I need it. I used my simply scored to make a couple of score lines under the river rock strip although they don't show well in the photo, they add a little more interest to the card. Other than that I kept it very simple.

Enjoy what little is left of the weekend before the chaos of Thanksgiving week starts! I've got to cram some stamping in before Wednsday to get my hubby's birthday card done:-)

Happy stamping!

The best laid plans

2011-11-17T10:53:00.001-06:00

Hi stampers! Well I'm actually surprised to say that I have something to show you! As I may have mentioned, I have not been in the mood to stamp much lately and then I took Friday and Monday off to go help my mom with her new house (I will be happy to NEVER hang another curtain rod, lol) so I knew I wouldn't get much stamping in over the weekend. And then of course things took more time than I had anticipated so I stayed until Monday morning when I was planning on coming home Sunday afternoon. That's how things go right? But I have to say the house looks AMAZING! My mom has finally learned to listen to me about home decorating, lol! NOW, if I could just get them all moved in there which they still are not:-)

So, I sat down last night and vowed I was going to stamp...I even skipped my workout which was not a good thing:-) I did get one card done (I cased it which I don't normally do but sometimes doing that helps me get back into the groove) but then my mom texted me and was sad because she was with my great aunt in the ER in town (I knew they were coming since my aunts son was out of town and my mom is "next on the list" and of course offered to come but mom said I didn't need to) and said she was sad because it brought back sad memories of all the time she spent with my granny in the hospital:( Well, I couldn't let her sit there and be sad, especially when I live like less than five minutes from the hospital AND since she moved away I never pass up a chance to see her (even though she'll be in town today through the weekend, hehe). I spent about two hours there and was glad to be able to support my mom and help explain all the medical mumbo jumbo. My aunt is ok for the time being, has a blood clot in her arm they are trying to dissolve. But it just figures that the night I am resolved to stamp that my aunt would fall and her son would be out of town and we'd be on call:-)

So by the time I got home it was late and I "should" have gone to bed but I was kind of keyed up and also worried about my parents driving back to the farm so late. My step dad gets kind of sleepy since he gets up around 4 am (which is just plain NUTS for a retired person if you ask me, lol). I wanted to make sure they made it home ok so I stayed up and stamped! I'm paying for it now (sleepy) but I did get a couple of cards done!

The one I have to show you today combines two challenges again. I have a bunch that I want to do again this week and am again short on time with working late Friday night and then having a class all day Saturday! I really wish there was a pause button on the clock and or calendar this time of year!!!! So, I used the sketch challenge from Mojo Monday this week and the color challenge from The Paper Players. I have to say that I LOVE both of these challenges and will be used again and again!!!! I'm in a rush to get to the gym early for once today so I don't have time to post the pics of the challenges but click on the links to hop on over and check them out!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Bright Christmas (retired), distressed dots, music notes wheel
Paper: Very vanilla, river rock, always artichoke, riding hood red
Ink: River rock, always artichoke, riding hood red
Accessories: Neutrals buttons, basic pears & rhinestones, petals-a-plenty embossing folder, northern flurry strip, linen thread

You'll have to forgive my use of another retired stamp but I have SO many that I love so I have to pull them out from time to time and seemed like last year's holiday mini had so many wonderful stamps! And you all know my love for word stamps:-) The card is pretty straight forward. I did do some sponging on the two colored strips.

So, thanks for sticking with me this morning....was a bit chatty wasn't I? And now you know more about my life than you probably want to:-) But at least I finally have a card to share! Happy stamping!

Bargello

2011-11-15T01:00:00.000-06:00

Hi stampers! It's Tuesday again and time for another fabulous challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments. This time it's a technique challenge:

This was a fun challenge and also another new technique for me! If you're new to bargello as well there is a great pictorial over on Splitcoast. Basically, you just cut strips of paper (usually DSP) and glue them down in random patterns to a base. Then, you cut that into strips and then line those strips up in any pattern you want.

I thought that the spice cake DSP would be just PERFECT for this technique and very timely since it's just about Thanksgiving...which I don't even want to to talk to think about since I cannot BELIEVE it's the middle of November already! Where does the time go, especially between Halloween and Christmas!!!????? Anyway, here is my card:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Gently falling, tiny tags
Paper: More mustard, pear pizzazz, soft suede, very vanilla, spice cake DSP
Ink: More mustard, pear pizzazz, soft suede
Accessories: Scallop circle and circle dies, jewelry tag punch, linen thread, gold smooch spray

Since the bargello is pretty geometric I wanted to use a different shape so I cut the whole thing out of a circle when I was done. I also sprayed the whole thing with the gold smooch spritz. It's very pretty and shimmery in real life! Other than that it's pretty self explanatory! Now, I have ONE tip....make sure you glue down the ENTIRE strip when you are laying down your DSP layer....I wasn't thinking and didn't and when I went to cut my sheet apart tiny pieces went EVERYWHERE! LOL! It was kind of like putting a puzzle together!!!!

Now head on over to HSS using the link at the top of the post to see what else the DT came up with and to play along!

Happy stamping!

Keepin' on!

2011-11-10T01:00:00.001-06:00

Hi stampers! Well, my mojo seems to be sticking around! Today's card is for the KAPOW Kreative Challenge.

Isn't it pretty? I think this is one I'll have to file away for future use as well! And I did a holiday card but I think this one would be great for a patriotic card too but everyone knows I'm in full holiday crafting swing:-)

So I thought the little chubby snowman from Snow Much Fun would look great all decked out in these colors.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Snow much fun, petite pairs
Paper: Sahara sand, whisper white, baja breeze, not quite navy, real red, watercolor
Ink: stazon, sahara sand, baja breeze, not quite navy, real red
Accessories: 2.5 inch circle punch, northern flurry embossing folder, basic pearls, holly berry bouquet buttons, dazzling details, smooch accent ink, crochet thread

So I have heard some talk lately about this set and how about how snowmen don't have feet....so I cut his poor legs off, lol! Most of this card is pretty basic but I did make the "snow" my punching out a few circles and just free-handing some drifts which I outlined in dazzling details and then scribbled on a bit with the smooch accent ink for some extra sparkle. A button and a few pearls and I called it a day!

Happy stamping!

Found my mojo!

2011-11-09T08:26:00.000-06:00

Thank goodness I've found my mojo!!!!! I've had a serious lack of crafty ideas the past week and a half and was about to lose my mind. My husband even asked if I was "ok" because he didn't hear "stampy noises" coming from my studio and he said that I just kind of wandered around the house looking dazed and lost and came downstairs and "bothered" him, lol!!! I guess that's when you know it's serious!

I wanted to stamp last night but ended up with a terrible headache and then actually got sick in the middle of the night. I even had to skip the gym today as it always takes me about a day to recover from one of my headaches. I was willing myself to feel better by lunch because I had a date with one of my best friends (I've known her since pre-school!) today and didn't want to miss it! Luckily I felt good enough to go and it felt good to get showered and get out and we had a great two hour catch up! So, since I was feeling good from that I decided I'd try to stamp and it worked!

In celebration of getting my mojo back I made a card for not one but two challenges! Sometimes I have an idea for a color challenge but then have a hard time putting together a sketch or the other way around....so I used the color challenge from the Colour Q Challenge and the sketch from the aptly named Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge.

I don't like to combine too many challenges into one card BUT I like to double up when I'm drawing a blank on one or the other elements. And I really liked both of these challenges and thought they would work together seamlessly. What do you think?

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Day of gratitude, distressed dots, netting
Paper: Whisper white, soft suede, peach parfait, dusty durango (regular and textured - retired), spice cake DSP
Ink: Soft suede and peach parfait markers, dusty durango (retired), soft suede, peach parfait
Accessories: Dusty durango polka dot ribbon (retired), 5/16ths brads

I don't know what it was about this color combo but I'm in love and plan to use it many times with many stamp sets. It's a great fall combo although I may switch out dusty durango for cajun craze since it's retired. I know I try to use mostly current products but it can be fun to go back and get old stuff out and play around with different color combos! It sure helped me out of my funk/slump! I think the sketch was super fun too and works great with DSP!

Anyway, thanks for stopping by today! I hope I can keep ahold of my mojo for a while so I can crank out a lot of stuff to show you! Happy stamping!

Over the top!

2011-11-08T02:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Tuesday stampers! It's time for a new challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments! Make sure you click on over there when you're done here so you can check out all the fabulous-ness that the DT has in store for you!

This week was a challenge right up my alley. The challenge is to create an over the top card, a card that you wouldn't want to make more than one of!

Well, I always jump at the chance to cram as much on a card as I can and especially if it revolves around my favorite holiday.....Christmas! Just looking at that challenge image makes me want to put up the tree and go drive around looking at decorations! We used to have a lot of really over the top houses but seems like there aren't as many the past few years:-( I wish I had the time and patience to really make my house a holiday showplace but then when would I stamp??? :-)

So, here is my card:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Merry & type
Paper: wild wasabi textured, very vanilla, real red, first edition DSP, subtles stack
Ink: Real red
Accessories: Decorative label punch, scallop circle punch, real red striped grosgrain ribbon, 1/8th inch taffeta ribbon real red, linen thread, jumbo brads, 5/16th brads, glimmer brads (subtles & brights), basic pearls and rhinestones, holly berry buttons, dazzling diamonds, crochet thread, spray adhesive (whew!!!!)

Well you can see I took this challenge quite literally, lol! And I must confess I did not make a card. I started too but then I decided that this would look amazing in a square shadow box frame as a Christmas decoration (now to figure out where I hid those things) so I sliced off the back panel before I ruined it with all the glitter:-) So please forgive me!

So, there's a lot going on. There is a paper lollie (which I have a tutorial for here on my blog). The ribbon flower with the crochet flower was made using a circle of sticky sheet and I just coiled the ribbon around. The DSP flower was made with 3 or 4 (is it bad that I can't remember, lol) scallops and I just stuck the brad through and scrunched it up. Some more brads, buttons, and embellies round it out and of course a ribbon with the brad in the center. To finish up I lightly sprayed the whole thing with spray adhesive and sprinkled some dazzling diamonds over. I'm still working on this as I haven't yet got the "sprinkling" I want on any project but it takes practice.

Now it's your turn! Head on over to HSS and get crazy and go waaay over the top!!!!

Happy stamping...or should I say embellishing today?:-)

Bah Humbug!

2011-11-04T23:13:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! So why the bah humbug you say? Well because I have not been able to or felt like stamping much in the past week or so which is probably evident in my lack of posting this week! Booooo hoooo! Not sure what's wrong with me although I haven't felt quite up to par and am tired after work so maybe that's part of it. And the part of my brain that comes up with fab stampy ideas has seemed to take a vacation as well. I was planning on stamping tonight after dinner but I've just sat here and stared at the computer so far and now it's probably time for bed! I'm hoping for some quality time in the stamp room tomorrow after I work out, clean the house which so badly needs it, grocery shop and all that other fun stuff....

I'm quickly running out of saved up things to show you but I still have a few up my sleeve. So, with the title of my post I thought a quick Christmas card was appropriate:-) This card was inspired by a card from another company that I saw on Pintrest. Maybe I will head over there tomorrow (dare I, lest I get lost for the rest of the day in the land of Pintrest) to check out some things I have saved for inspiration).

Stamps: Pennant parade, grateful greetings
Paper: whisper white, river rock, pool party
Ink: Wild wasabi, real red
Accessories: Pennant punch, basic rhinestones, tasteful trim die

I love the simple layout of this card and the muted yet kind of bright color pallet. I should totally use river rock a LOT more. I LOVE it with pool party! It's also slightly retro/vintage which I'm totally into right now, especially for Christmas. Oh the ideas I have for retro themed crafts...oh you'll see! I thought the greeting worked really well for my overall theme and with the pennant set as well!

Well I should head to bed. My 8:30 AM double step class that I haven't been able to make for a looong time will be here soon. I'm hoping I don't fall over since it's been so long, hehe! And be on the lookout this month for the rest of my Creative Crew projects!

Happy stamping

A Catalog Case Challenge

2011-11-02T01:00:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! Yesterday was November 1st which means the Creative Crew gallery over on SCS went live! You can see all the great creations the crew came up with and play along in the challenges! You should head over and check it out BUT before you go I'll show you one of my projects, mmmk?

For this challenge we were to case a card from the catalog AND because this month was all about fancy folds we were to choose a long card. You've seen a few of these from me recently and really like this size! All it takes is a 6x6 square of paper! We were also supposed to change a couple of elements in our cards. So, I chose a card on page 37 that used the polar party set. I didn't have that set (but you can bet I will soon, lol) so I chose to use snow much fun. To fit the tree stamp I had to rotate the layout like this:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Snow much fun
Paper: watercolor, whisper white, real red, old olive, brights DSP stack
Ink: Stazon and various for watercoloring
Accessories: Tasteful trim die, dazzling details, brights buttons, crochet thread

I really liked the simplicity of this layout and the tone one tone with the plain CS and then the polka dots. I didn't do any stitching like in the catalog but let my tasteful trim die take care of that! This challenge just goes to show what a great inspiration and recourse the Idea Book & Catalog can be! Sometimes it's hard to remember that you can make ANY card in there with ANY set you have! It's a great place to find color combos and general layout ideas too! Now head on over to check out the CC gallery and play along!

Happy stamping!

Christmas Colors

2011-11-01T02:00:00.003-05:00

Hi stampers! It's Tuesday, time for a new challenge over at HSS. This week is a color challenge which are always my favorite! Check out these fab colors:

I love them and of course I HAD to make a Christmas card with them! I'm pretty traditional so I just couldn't NOT make something Christmas here! I know that being on a design team is supposed to make me think outside the box BUT sometimes I like the box and we all know I love Christmas. Plus, now that Halloween is over I pretty much make Christmas stuff for the next two months anyway! I'm a seasonal stamper, lol!

It was also the perfect time to break out my stiched stockings set and punch which I had gotten and not used yet. Anybody else buy stuff and then it sits on the shelf and stares at you for a while? ;-)

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Stitched stockings, hand penned holidays
Paper: Very vanilla, wild wasabi, real red
Ink: Versamark, real red, wild wasabi, cherry cobbler, silver glimmer
Accessories: Pewter EP, stocking punch, snow burst embossing folder

I kept the card pretty simple because I wanted the stockings and glimmer paper to really stand out and shine. I colored my stockings with markers and then added my glimmer paper accents. I also really love the new snow burst embossing folder...of course I haven't met a folder I don't like, lol! The sentiment is from Hand Penned Holidays and I finally had to break down and get it after not liking it initially. I thought it was hard to read and still do but it's elegant...I'm such a sucker, lol! I embossed it with the new pewter EP to keep with the silvery theme. Anyway, I hope you like it and I hope you go check out what the DT has come up with and play along with us! You know you want to:-)

Happy stamping!

Quoth the raven

2011-10-31T20:35:00.000-05:00

Happy Halloween stampers! I have a super spooky project to share today but I have a "horror story" first. This is the first year that I can remember that I have NOT dressed up for Halloween or gone to a party! The shock, the horror!!!!! If you know me then you know I LOVE Halloween, it rates right up there with Christmas for me! It's super fun to decorate and super fun to come up with costumes and be someone you aren't for a day or two! We usually go to my BFF's boyfriend's for a party and he goes all out, I think he likes H-ween as much as me! But this year my hubby got sick:-( We made it about an hour away from home but he was feeling worse and worse. He wanted to keep going but I said there was no sense in him being miserable. I wouldn't have had fun anyway knowing he was sick. So, after driving for over 2 hours we ended up back at home:-( I guess we can always wear our costumes next year. Anyway, so sad!!! I didn't dress up at work either because everyone else was lame (hahaha) and didn't want to. Oh well, maybe I'll just show up in costume some random day, lol!

See, wasn't that a terrible Halloween story???? Now, onto the spooky project! I had been wanting to make my own crow from the mini catalog for a while. I got the crow about a month ago (and it quite freaked my hubby out when I left it out on the counter one night...scared him the next morning, lol) but never got around to making him. Hubby couldn't imgagine what I was going to do with such a weird thing but really liked how it turned out! So, this past week I finally got him done! Isn't he super spooky? Just look:

Sorry for the bad/blurry pic. It's the best I could do with the light early this morning. I used one of the decor elements blocks and covered it with DSP. After I put him all together (he is hot glued onto the block) I sprayed him and the block with spray adhesive and sprinkled dazzling diamonds over it. Now, I goofed a bit and he's got one super sparkly spot but that's ok. The spray adhesive and glitter technique does take some practice. I also think I should have used a different box out in the garage to spray him and catch the glitter but I couldn't find another one. At least I know for next time:-)

I hope everyone has a safe and spooky Halloween!

Happy stamping!

"Eek"ing out a few more

2011-10-29T13:41:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! I've managed to "eek" out a few more Halloween cards:-) This one is a case from one in the mini catalog using one of my favorite sets, out on a limb. I did NOT use this set enough. I'm crossing my fingers to see it back in the big catalog come June...BUT I do that for about any set, lol!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Out on a limb, wicked cool
Paper: Whisper white, Textured lucky limeade, rich razzleberry, more mustard
Ink: Staz on, basic black, lucky limeade, more mustard, rich razzleberry
Accessories: Circle punch, oval punch, mini brads, lucky limeade ruffled ribbon, dotted scallop border punch

I kept it pretty true to the catalog. I used all lucky limeade though instead of some old olive. I also used the plain oval punch and not the scalloped one because I like it better. Gotta run, time to get ready for a Halloween party!!! I'm snow white this year:-)

Happy stamping!

Color blind

2011-10-27T12:26:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! Well, I've been able to cram a few more Halloween cards in! Today I have one I made for the Colour Q challenge this week. I really liked the colors and this is another one I need to file away for future use!

For some reason I just loved this combo. I think it's sort of spooky but sort of soft too and would be great for Halloween or fall in general! I still can't believe that I need to get my Halloween cards out in the mail within the next day or two, I'm still ready to make more!!!!! So, here's what may be the last one of the season:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Spooky bingo bits, Bingo, teeny tiny wishes
Paper: Whisper white, peach parfait, so saffron, basic black, brights DSP stack
Ink: Basic black, pumpkin pie, peach parfait, so saffron, daffodil delight
Accessories: basic black and daffodil delight striped grosgrain ribbon, spider web embossing folder

Now, why the title to this post? Well, if you look carefully you will see that instead of using peach parfait DSP like I thought I was doing, it's actually pumpkin pie. UGH! I hope the design team can forgive my temporary bought of color blindness:-) I hate when I do that! The colors are close anyway and I didn't notice it until I'd glued it down of course, lol!

It's also hard to see but I have a layer of so saffron just under the ribbon that I embossed with the spider web then sponged lightly. I really like the look of the shabby cut ribbons too! Now, the question is will I be back with more Halloween cards AND get the ones I have sent out, lol!

Happy stamping!

Creepy Candles

2011-10-26T01:00:00.002-05:00

Hi stampers! I cannot BELIEVE there is less than a week before Halloween! Where does the time go???? I'm sad as I didn't make all the cards I wanted to for Halloween and time's getting short to make them let alone get them sent out, yikes! I just may have to make a few after Halloween is over...like that will happen, lol! I've also been short on time AND mojo lately. I hate being in a slump.

So what is everyone going to be for Halloween? I'm going to be Snow White this year. I really didn't see anything else I liked at the Halloween store. My hubby made his costume and it's pretty cool. I'll have to post pictures after our party on Saturday!

So here is today's card, it's probably one of the last Halloween one's that will get posted, we'll see:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Wicked cool
Paper: Basic black, peach parfait, lucky limeade, whisper white, rich razzleberry
Ink: Rich razzleberry, peach parfait, basic black, lucky limeade
Accessories: Lucky limeade ruffled ribbon, circle punch, clearlit die, spider web embossing folder, silver smooch spritz

I wanted to do a simple card with some bright colors and this is what I came up with. LOTS of sponging! That's it for today, back to looking for my mojo!

Happy stamping!

Fall Favor

2011-10-25T01:00:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! Happy Tuesday....that means it's time for another challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments. And sorry for being MIA this weekend but I was down at my mom's on my first weekend off in what seems like forever helping her celebrate her birthday! We were able to spend a lot of quality time together and get some things for her new house although it seems like there never is enough time for everything! I was excited to go down there since I thought the leaves would be really pretty about now. Sadly, I was disappointed as they are really pretty here but not so much at her place. Funny how 80 some miles can make such a difference! I was hoping to see some pretty colors like in this week's inspiration photo:

Isn't that a pretty tablescape? I sure do wish I had seen all those colors in the woods at the farm but I pretty much just saw brown. Oh well, maybe next year. So, my project for this week is a cute little favor I can use for Thanksgiving dinner. Aside from cutting the leaves, it went together pretty fast.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Gently falling, falling leaves
Paper: crumb cake, very vanilla, soft suede
Ink: more mustard, cajun craze, soft suede
Accessories: Circle punches, linen thread, more mustard dotted scalloped ribbon

I took my inspiration from the gold and rust tones in the picture. I really loved them. This favor came together quickly with the pillow box die and it fits three hershey miniatures perfectly....although no one will get the dark chocolate ones in their favor as they disappear in my office;-) Now, click on over to HSS and see what the other DT members have to show you and play along!

Happy stamping!

Busy busy

2011-10-20T14:56:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! Not much stamping going on around here lately! Lots of stuff going on here so I'll have to pull out a card I have saved up.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Gently falling, grateful greetings
Paper: More mustard, soft suede, pool party, very vanilla, first edition DSP, spice cake DSP
Ink: Pear pizzazz, soft suede, more mustard
Accessories: Modern label punch, circle die, hounds tooth emobssing folder, pool party ruffled ribbon

Well that's it for me! I'll try to come back soon but it's my mom's birthday this weekend so we may be busy busy still:-)

Happy stamping!

BIG deal

2011-10-19T22:15:00.001-05:00

Hi stampers, I thought I shared the current October promotion with you all earlier in the month but it was another post that didn't (darn complicated auto-post)! And I didn't realize it until now! Anyway, SU has a BIG, like HUGE deal right now! For the rest of October, if you purchase the starter kit you can get a big shot FREE!!!!! Say what????? Already have a big shot? Well, you can get $100 worth of FREE merchandise (of your choosing) instead! Heck, if I could I'd resign and sign up again for a deal like that, lol! Or maybe my dog can become a demo, lol! I kid, I kid!!!! Seriously though it is one heck of a deal. If you'd like more information or to chat about signing up don't hesitate to contact me!

You just can't lose with this deal!!!!

Just look at some of the cool stuff you can make with your big shot:

And more!!! Contact me today!!!!

Crayons....not just for kids!

2011-10-18T01:00:00.003-05:00

Hi stampers, time for a new challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments.

This week we are all about coloring! The challenge is to use one of the following three coloring or stamping techniques:
Shaving cream
Crayons
Pastels

Pick one, two or all three and show us what you got! Here is what I came up with:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Gently falling, teeny tiny wishes, netting
Paper: More mustard, very vanilla, soft suede, spice cake DSP
Ink: more mustard, soft suede
Accessories: Watercolor wonder crayons (more mustard and soft suede), linen embossing folder, word window punch, distressing essentials kit

For my card I chose to use my watercolor wonder crayons. I think I've only used them ONCE since I updated my colors! Shameful! One of my favorite techniques to use with the crayons is coloring directly onto my stamps. It works best with solid stamps and not outline ones so I colored in the leaf from gently falling with more mustard (you need to color a lot and for a while to get good coverage) and then I went over the edges with the soft suede crayon. You then lightly mist your stamp with either water or stampin mist and then stamp onto watercolor paper. I also stamped the outline of the leaf when it was dry. This stamp didn't turn out as well as I had hoped with this technique and colors but it was still pretty and gave a nice and soft watercolored look!

I also used my tea stain ink from the distressing kit (and FYI we now carry ink refills for these so no need to hoard them like yours truly) on the edges of my cardstock and over the embossed panel. Be careful with soft suede ink though. I wasn't being careful and you can see where the tea stain ink made some of the red come out of the suede...oh well, it just adds to the vintage charm right? :-) See, no mistakes in stamping!
Now, click on over to the HSS site and see what the rest of the amazing design team has come up with and play along with us!

Happy stamping!

PS: I edited the post this morning as the challenge image was wonky and blurry and things seemed out of order, strange! Also I should have mentioned that I DID want to try the shaving cream technique but I sort of have an aversion to the stuff. I really dislike the way it smells and it can give me a headache, I'm sensitive to certain smells and we don't even have any in the house since the hubby uses gel....don't like the way that smells either...he has to use special towels, lol!

I'm baaaack

2011-10-17T19:41:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! You're supposed to be reading the title of this post like that little girl in the scary movie (was it poltergeist, I don't watch scary movies so I'm not sure but I know the line, lol) who says "their baaaaaack". I told you I'd be back with another post this evening. I've really had a hard time getting into "stamp mode" in the evenings after work lately. I've either been working or not feeling well on the nights I actually have off. So, when the weekend comes I'm just cranking out cards and challenges like crazy, haha! I'm hoping things even out once football is over on Friday. Basketball and wrestling are much more balanced schedules for me...and they are inside...out of the cold, hehe!

Anyway, here is a card I created for the CWCC color challenge this week. Now, I don't use much bravo burgundy (my ink pad was even hard to open....I'm guessing it's only been used a few times in the five or so years I've had it, lol) but I really liked this color combo! As soon as I saw the combo I also knew I wanted to break out the timeless portrait stamp set that I had just gotten! I love when I get to ink up stamps within the first week I get them...otherwise they may sit for *cough, cough* a while....:-) Speaking of, I also used the parlor prints background stamp for the first time....it's been on my desk since my previous order, see what I mean?

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Timeless portrait, parlor prints, You're a gem
Paper: River rock, baja breeze, bravo burgundy
Ink: Bravo burgundy, river rock
Accessories: Scalloped dotted border punch, antique brads, baja breeze seam binding ribbon

I wanted to keep it simple because I think this stamp set was made for simple! And this color combo is a keeper! I think it makes really nice, warm, rich cards for the winter months! And that's why I love challenges! They make me use colors and combos that I would never put together on my own!

Happy stamping!

Spooky candles

2011-10-17T08:35:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! Quick post today as I need to be getting to work! I wanted to share my card for Freshly Made Sketches this week! I did quite a few challenges over the weekend so now I'm in a rush to get them posted:-) So, I may be back with another later tonight! But anyway, here is the card for the FMS challenge:

I'll try to come back and edit the supplies but I'm in a rush right now! This is the second time I've used this color combo at FMS though:-) I'm really liking it now and finally have the pick your poison DSP. To make it extra spooky I embossed the candelabra in black EP and then colored in the candles with my white gel pen and the candle holder with silver smooch ink. It doesn't show well in the picture but it looks really cool!

Ok, gotta run! Happy stamping!

Kapowey!

2011-10-16T11:11:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! I'm plugging away at some challenges today! I'm going to try to get as many cards made before I have to go teach aerobics at 1! The first one I made today is for the Ka-Pow Creative Challenge over on Carrie Gaskin's blog. I'm loving her challenges and this one was no exception! I loved the bright combo of daffodil delight, wisteria wonder, pumpkin pie and whisper white!

I made a card similar to one I swapped at convention but with a few added details. I thought these colors would look so fun with the flower from button buddies!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Button buddies, pursuit of happiness, distressed dots
Paper: Whisper white, wisteria wonder, daffodil delight, pumpkin pie
Ink: Wisteria wonder, daffodil delight, pumpkin pie
Accessories: Dotted scallop border punch, in-color polka dot brads

This time, I cut out one of the flowers and popped it up on dimensionals and I added a small punched border. I used the distressed dots background stamp on the card base as an afterthought but you can't see it very well as I didn't leave a large border. Oh well! It's a nice sunny card and a nice change of pace from all the fall and Christmas cards I've been making! Thanks again for another great challenge!

Happy stamping!

Stamperday

2011-10-15T21:52:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! I'm calling today Stamperday instead of Saturday:-) I've had little time to stamp this week with not feeling well and or work! So, I finally got to sit down to my desk after dinner with the in laws tonight! I have a lot of challenges I want to play with this weekend! The first one is one I have just been itching to work on!!!

As soon as I saw this:

over at Colour Q I just knew I wanted to make something candy corn! Don't these colors just scream candy corn???? Now, I don't actually like to eat it (I'll take some chocolate though thankyouverymuch) but I think it's cute and festive! I did have to look it up to see what order the colors went in though, haha. I also double dipped a bit and combined this color challenge with the sketch challenge at Inkspirations:

I don't usually combine challenges BUT I'm short on time this weekend since I had to work and take a nap today:-) So here is my combo candy corn card....say that five times fast!

Stampin' Supplies:

Stamps: Spooky bingo bits, teeny tiny wishes
Paper: Whisper white, basic black, basic gray, tangerine tango, crushed curry (retired), brights DSP stack
Ink: Tangerine tango, basic black
Accessories: Circle punches, 3" circle die, pennant punch

I was so excited to use the pennant punch to make my candy corn! All I did was adhere three strips of CS to a sheet of copy paper and then punch them out! Looking back, I totally should have hit them with some versamark and iridescent ice embossing powder to really make them sparkle! Oh well, too late now since it's done and almost 10pm haha. I was also happy to pull out my Spooky bingo bits set! It was also a good thing I had some crushed curry laying around (fyi it's textured cardstock). I do wish I had added some sparkle.

And now back to the chocolate...my DH cleaned up the yard today and is making a fire out back. I sure wish we had some chocolate and smore's fixin's! They sure would be good on a chilly fall night! But I sure don't want to go to the store this late....and in my PJ's:-) Happy stamping!

Clean and simple Christmas

2011-10-14T01:00:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! Quick post here! Football is winding down as we speak but I still have three games over the weekend from Thurs to Sat. I have a very simple card for you today. The idea for this card came from Pintrest, my new addiction! It was actually inspired by a non-SU card but it's so easy to re-create things you see with SU! And I think I'm liking the old olive and poppy parade combo for Christmas. It's traditional yet modern!

Hope you like it and if you're not on Pintrest, don't do it!!! Stay away, hehe:-)

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Creative elements, Merry & Bright
Paper: Old olive, whisper white
Ink: Old olive, basic gray
Accessories: In-color glimmer brads (poppy parade)

Happy stamping!

Go big or go home

2011-10-13T01:00:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! I have another October Creative Crew challenge to share with you. Now, the theme for this challenge was "all that glitters". Well, we all know I love me some bling!

Speaking of bling, I have a funny/cute story I just have to share. A few weeks ago at work it was very sunny out so I decided I should put some more sunblock on before I turned into a lobster...I like to take off my wedding ring when I put sunblock on because it's yicky. So, a couple of my injured football players were standing near me so I took off my ring and asked one of them to hold it. Now, mind you I love my ring! It's very nice, hubby did good but it's not crazy big or anything, it's just right for my hand! Well the kid looked at it and said, "Dang, your husband must really love you". And if that wasn't funny enough, the other kid chimed in with, "No man, SHE must really love him." LOL! I couldn't stop laughing, kids (they were 16, so yeah, still kids even if they think they are grown, haha) can be so funny! Anyway....

So, where was I? Oh yes, I love me some bling. So, for this card I decided to go big or go home and really pile on the sparkle! WARNING: you may need sunglasses to look directly at the following picture:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Pennant Parade, Letter it
Ink: Old olive, real red, daffodil delight
Paper: Whisper white, real red, old olive, brights DSP stack, silver glimmer
Accessories: Shaker frames, circle punches, mini brads, brights glimmer brads, real red grosgrain ribbon, window sheets, scallop squares duo die, mica flakes

I warned you:-) I really wanted the glimmer paper to "shine" so I left a lot of it bare. I knew I wanted to do a shaker card with the new mica flakes and shaker frames too. That combo makes it super easy! And I couldn't stop there, I had to add the glimmer brad too! And want to know a little secret? I though about adding MORE glitz, I just wasn't sure what more to use, lol! One more subtle detail that I added was the M from letter it. One of my favorite things to do right now is use the Letter It set with a word. I stamped off my real red M once and then stamped merry in full strength ink over it. Here's a bit more detail:

That's it for today. Hope I didn't blind you too bad:-) Head on over to Splitcoast to check out more from the Creative Crew!

Happy stamping!

Rosette Wreath - Video Tutorial

2011-10-12T01:00:00.001-05:00

Hi stampers! I told you I'd be back with a video tutorial for my fabric rosettes that I used on my creative crew wreath.

So here it is. I hope you enjoy and make a wreath or two of your own! If you have any questions please feel free to contact me! You can also purchase your designer fabric by clicking on the shop 24/7 button to the right!

Happy stamping....or rosetting:-)

Think Pink

2011-10-11T07:37:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! It's time for another Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge! And since it's October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month, the theme for this week is THINK PINK!

My project was inspired by another project I made for Breast Cancer awareness over on Splitcoast. For the Hope You Can Cling To challenge I made a card with a big pink paper lollie. So, I took the lollie idea and thought it would make a great pin or broach. So, I made this pin to wear at work for our Real Men Wear Pink football game.

The back circle was cut out from the perfect pennants die and I used dazzling diamonds over the edges of the lollie for some bling.

Now, head on over and see what the rest of the design team has to show you and then play along and think pink!

Happy stamping (even though there isn't any stamping in my project, haha)!

Rosette Wreath

2011-10-10T01:00:00.002-05:00

Hi stampers! I don't have a stamping project today......BUT I have something just as fun! Over on Splitcoast Stampers I'm part of the Creative Crew design team. Each month we are given four new challenges and one of those for October was to make a holiday themed gift from SU products. Well, given my aforementioned addiction to Pintrest, I found a wreath with fabric rosettes that was just the cutest thing ever! I immediately had to make my own using our SU exclusive fabric! So given that I'm totally addicted to our spice cake collection, that was the fabric I chose. It made a gorgeous fall wreath!

The rosettes are really easy to make but they do take a little bit of time. I worked on them here and there as time allowed. They are good project to do when sitting and waiting somewhere, watching tv or in the car! Really all it takes is some fabric glue, folding, twisting, and rolling...NO SEWING! :-) You don't even have to cut the fabric, I just tore it, hehe! To adhere them to my wreath I simply hot glued them on.

I'll have a video tutorial later this week on how to make the flowers. Make sure to come back and check it out!

Happy stamping!

Spooky shoes

2011-10-09T21:18:00.001-05:00

Hi stampers! So, you all know I love stamps but I also love shoes! I have a serious stamp AND shoe problem. Stamps have taken over my studio and shoes have taken over my closet:-) Nevermind I have a new pair of boots on the way here this week....darned pintrest....I never would have gotten them had I not seen them on pintrest....but that's another story alltogether! Anyway, why all the shoe talk? Well it's because of this card:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Wicked cool
Paper: Whisper white, basic black, old olive, concord crush, brights DSP stack
Ink: Basic black, markers (concord crush, old olive, pumpkin pie)
Accessories: 2.5" circle punch, striped & spider web embossing folders, silver smooch spray

See, spooky shoes:-) I just love the little witch boots in wicked cool and I love the socks too:-) I used an old Colour Q challenge and inspiration for the colors on this card. I love how old olive, pumpkin pie, basic black and concord crush work for Halloween. I went for a lot of texture too with the stripes and spider web embossing folders.

Well, that's it for today! Football season is quickly winding down here so hopefully I should have more stamp time soon! I can't believe that it's going on mid-October already! I need to get crackin' on more Halloween cards! I finally drug all my h-ween decorations up from the basement today too, it's looking super spooky around here now!

Happy stamping!

Pool party for baby

2011-10-07T01:00:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! I'm back today with the baby card I said I'd show you. This is the other card I designed with the Create With Connie & Mary color challenge last week. Like I said, the colors initially made me think "baby boy" card but I wanted to do something a little different. Once that was out of my system I sat down and put this together:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Ain't Love Grand, distressed dots, pennant parade
Paper: Whisper white, crumb cake, basic black, pool party
Ink: Stazon & various for watercoloring
Accessories: Pool party ruffled ribbon, bitty buttons, crochet thread, jewelry tag punch, 2.5" circle punch, 3" sizzix die, scallop circles sizzix die

And there's those dots again! Hehe! Not sure if you can see it but I tied a bitty button onto the ribbon where the tag is. Now I just need someone I know to have a baby boy, hahaha!

Happy stamping!

Fresh & spooky

2011-10-06T10:54:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! I have a cute Halloween card for you today! I finally got in the mood to make a Halloween card, yay! :-) I guess I have the ladies over at Freshly Made Sketches since I made this card for their challenge this week. I didn't get a chance to play last week so I was more than ready to get to work this week. The Out on a Limb set just begs to be used in a sketch like this!

For the colors, I took my inspiration from the Pick Your Poison DSP that I don't have...but it's on it way:-) I was late to jump on the bandwagon with that one but I finally warmed up to it! So I figured I'd just use the colors since I don't have the DSP yet. I really like the combo of basic black, very vanilla, pumpkin pie, and peach parfait! I'm really going to miss peach parfait when it retires! Now, Out on a Limb is more cutesy than spooky so I was a bit worried that the card wouldn't turn out too well but I think it came together with just the right amount of cute and spook! What do you think?

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Out on a limb, teeny tiny wishes, Halloween hang-ups (wheel)
Paper: Basic black (classic and craft), very vanilla, pumpkin pie, peach parfait, brights DSP
Ink: Basic black, pumpkin pie, peach parfait
Accessories: 2.5" circle punch, basic black taffeta ribbon, Iridescent ice embossing powder

I cut the little owls out and popped them up on dimensionals. I was going to only do one owl but I thought he looked lonely:-) The bats were stamped with craft ink and them embossed with II EP to make them a little more special. There is a lot of black with the tree branch and clouds so I wanted the bats to stand out a little. I used the Halloween hang-ups wheel on the background but it's mostly covered up.

That wheel is super cute though! And don't let the wheels intimidate you, it's easy to use them with a regular ink pad and the wheel guide. Now, this wheel is a tad bit tricky just in it's design...since it's got those little dots it doesn't roll as smooth as some of the all over design ones BUT with a bit of practice you get the "hang" of it;-) The trick is to push down really well and go slow!

I wanted to add a glimmer brad or something but I'm trying to make more mailable cards so I didn't want any sticky-up parts here. I hope you liked it as much as I do, I feel I've been in a bit of a slump lately and don't have many ideas so it's super fun and rewarding when I come up with something that I like!

Happy stamping!

Craft Central

2011-10-05T01:00:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! I found a new challenge blog! Not sure how I hadn't ever seen this one since it seems to be hosted by the creator of another challenge blog that I like but I think it's fairly new. It's called Craft Project Central and you can check out the challenge by clicking on the name!

I'm always on the lookout for good sketches as that is the part I tend to struggle the most with on a card. As you know, my style is fairly clean and simple so this sketch was perfect! It's very much like a card that I cased for my Fall Frenzy class as well. This time though, I took a Christmas approach. For some reason I'm in a Christmas card kind of mood the past few days. My head says I should focus on Halloween first then fall/Thanksgiving due to the date (and I'm way behind on Halloween cards this year) but my heart is all about Christmas colors this week!

Stampin' Supplies:

Stamps: Welcome Christmas, distressed dots, tiny tags

Paper: crumb cake, whisper white, cherry cobbler, in color DSP stack

Ink: Cherry cobbler, versamark

Accessories: Pewter EP, cherry cobbler dotted scalloped ribbon, border punch

I also went for a sort of bold color scheme too. I paired lucky limeade with cherry cobbler! Not super traditional but it works, especially with some crumb cake and clean whisper white. It's a bit vintage and a but clean. Anyway, here I go with the distressed dots again and I added the striped DSP panel to counter the dots. I like all the textures going on! The sentiment was embossed with our new pewter EP. It looks funny in the picture with my lighting but it's very pretty!

This was a fun sketch to play along with! Happy stamping!

HHS #87

2011-10-04T01:00:00.003-05:00

Hi stampers! Time for the next Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge. This week we have a color challenge for you! And boy did I find this one challenging! I had been thinking about what to do for a few days with this color combo:

I had thought of doing a masculine card since this seems like a good combo for that but I'm on a fall theme, especially since the leaves are really starting to turn here! So, I grabbed my button buddies set and came up with this:

How cute is that little pumpkin????? Add a little doodling and viola! Although I struggled I think I may take another stab at this combo with that manly card I had planned! Now, head on over and check out the rest of the design team and play along with us!

Happy stamping!

Framed Flower

2011-10-03T01:00:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! I have a project for you today that I've been working on for MONTHS! Once you see it you'll go, "um, it's so simple, how could it have taken you months to make?" Well, I got the idea at convention in the product park and came home and made my flower. Then began the hunt for the right frame. I could NOT find a frame that I liked anywhere! But, this weekend at Target I finally found a frame that I liked! So, without further ado, here is my framed flower:

Isn't it fresh and pretty??? It's actually much prettier in person since it's glittery! After I cut out my flowers and adhered them together and added my rhinestones and brad I LIGHTLY sprayed the whole thing with spray adhesive and sprinkled some dazzling diamonds on again, very lightly. I actually wish I had added some more but I didn't want to over-do it. I'm going to be bedazzling lots of other things this way now, it was so easy and looks great! I think this is how Shelli makes a lot of things sparkly! There were a lot of things like this at convention! You can see the flower a bit better here.

Stampin' Supplies:
Paper: Pocketful of posies
Accessories: Fun flowers die, antique brads, basic rhinestones, pear pizzazz ribbon, dazzling diamonds, spray adhesive, frame

Some pear pizzazz "leaves" and it's all done! I just attached it to the glass in the frame with some glue dots! It's going to look great in my new, bigger stamp studio that I'm going to get....more on that later!

Happy stamping!

WCMD

2011-10-01T14:31:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! What the heck does WCMD mean? Well October first is WORLD CARD MAKING DAY!!!! It might be my favorite day of the year! Ok, ok....well maybe after Christmas and Halloween, hehe. And I can't believe I have the day off! I did have to teach aerobics at the Y this morning but that's my "fun" job and it's great to get paid to work out and get my exercise out of the way for the day! Got the groceries out of the way too because I'm declaring this world card making WEEKEND, tee-hee! So, I can stamp all I want! So, here is my card to share today so I can get down to business:-)

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Warmest of wishes, falling leaves
Paper: Very vanilla, more mustard, pear pizzazz, soft suede
Ink: Soft suede and soft suede, more mustard, pear pizzazz markers
Accessories: Modern label punch, scallop circle punch, stripes embossing folder, linen thread, spice cake buttons, brads

Ohhhh! Isn't it it cute? My idea was to use the stripes embossing folder to look like a door or a wall. I sponged it a bit too so it would have some depth. It looked a bit bare so I added the big spice cake button to the middle. I just love this little wreath! You can ONLY get it by hostessing a workshop or placing a qualifying order so book or place yours with me today!!! Now go stamp some cards to celebrate today's "holiday" :-)

Out of my comfort zone

2011-09-30T01:00:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! I have a card today for you that is way out of my comfort zone! I saw the Create with Connie & Mary color challenge this week and just wasn't interested. I have a bad habit of glancing at challenges and dismissing them right away if I "don't like them." And it's not that I didn't like these colors, they just didn't do anything for me right away so I moved on. Well, I got to looking at them again last night while browsing the interwebz and decided that I should give it a try anyway. I need to go outside of my comfort zone now and then. And guess what? I made TWO cards with this color combo:-) How's that for out of the zone?

So here is the first one:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Friendly phrases
Paper: Basic black, sahara sand, pool party
Ink: basic black
Accessories: Floral fusion die, in color polka dot brads

I was going to do a baby card but then I saw my floral fusion die sitting around and thought this might be the way to go. I kept it clean and simple and channeled my friend Brandi and did some doodling (although she doodles way better than me, I want to be like her when I grow up!). I also am in love with friendly phrases and think it works great with CAS cards and it gives them a whimsical touch.

I did end up doing a baby boy card in this color combo as well and I'll share it soon! I have to work late tonight but I have big stamping plans for this weekend! It's my first weekend off in quite some time AND Saturday is World Card Making day so I'm hoping to spend a good portion of the weekend stamping!!!! I hope you can do the same! If you're in town, call me and maybe we can stamp together!

Happy stamping!

Peek-a-boo!

2011-09-29T01:00:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! How about a game of peek-a-boo? It's not just for babies anymore....it's for stampers too....using the NEW PEEK-A-BOO die from the Holiday Mini (go ahead and click on the catalog over there to the right to start shopping!). Check out the cuteness...... peek-a-boo:

I see you! Hehe. The little curly cut out with the flap is from the new peek-a-boo die and it has all kinds of shapes, each with a little door for a surprise inside! I ran the black cardstock through my spider web embossing folder then took a sponge dauber and some shimmer paint to make it extra spooky! We have so many ways to make things sparkle now, shimmer paint,smooch ink and sprays, dazzling details!!! I love it!!! The color combo uses more mustard instead of an orange and it works really well for Halloween I'm happy to say! Inside I have the cute little cat from Out on a limb hanging out.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Wicked cool, out on a limb
Paper: Basic black, whisper white, rich razzleberry, more mustard
Ink: More mustard, basic black, early espresso
Accessories: Peek-a-boo die, spider web embossing folder, circle and scallop circle punches, dazling details, silver shimmer paint, silver smooch ink

Here is the detail of the inside of the flap. You can see I used the silver smooch ink around the edge of the shape. I also added dazzling details to the cloud although it's hard to see in the picture. I love that kitty cat's long tail! Out on a limb has to be one of my favorite sets in the mini! And this die is so fun, the possiblities are endless! You can make all sorts of stuff....gift tags, advent and countdown calendars, cards....just all kinds of things! Oh! How cute would a shaker card be with this die???? I'll have to work on that!!! Order yours today and let me know what you make with it!!!!

Happy stamping!

Ka-pow!!!!

2011-09-28T01:00:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! I finally got to stamp Tuesday night, hooray!!!! Let's hope I can keep it up, lol! One of my fave demo friends, Carrie Gaskin, has started a new challenge blog and I love me some challenges! You can check it out HERE. She makes some wicked cool cards so I'm sure the challenges will be super cool! I wanted to play in the first one but it didn't happen...I guess it just wasn't in the cards...get it cards, lol!

This week was a sketch challenge and I really liked the sketch when I saw it!

There are a lot of fun possibilities here! And guess what!?!?! I didn't make a Halloween card! I know! Aren't you just shocked???? Instead, I went for a Christmas theme since my Merry & Type set has been needing some lovin'. I also went a bit nutty with the accessories. I may have an embellishment addiction/problem. I've been sitting here thinking I should have added more, like glimmer brads, lol! The pictures aren't perfect as I had to take them at night but you'll get the idea:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Merry & type, pennant parade, distressed dots
Paper: Whisper white, pear pizzazz, wild wasabi, real red
Ink: Pear pizzazz, wild wasabi, real red
Accessories: Frames embossing folders, holly berry buttons, real red taffeta ribbon, crochet thread, basic pearls and rhinestones, pennant punch, dazzling details

Whew, I told you I used a lot of accessories:-) My goal in life is to USE all of the accessories (like buttons) I buy so I broke out my holly berry buttons from the mini. They are really fun!

I really like the color combo and I tend to not use a lot of wasabi even though I like it. I think I should break it out often for my Christmas cards and the same goes for the pear! And you can see I'm still loving the distressed dots background, it's so fun! All-in-all it's a pretty simple card and layout but it really packs a punch, KA-POW, LOL!!!!!! You can see the detail of the tree a but better. I used some pearls and dazzling diamonds on all the "garland" although the DD is hard to see in the photo.

Hope you enjoyed my card as much as I enjoyed making it! And thanks for a fun challenge Carrie! Keep em coming!

Happy stamping!

Spooky sunset

2011-09-27T03:00:00.037-05:00

Hi stampers! It's time for a new challenge over on Hand Stamped Sentiments. The challenge this week is to make a Halloween inspired card.

We all know I've been doing that for a while now, huh? :-) I can't believe it's going to be October on Saturday! I have been super busy with work this week and put in over 12 hours on Saturday alone so I was in a bit of a rush to get this card done so I kept it pretty simple. I kept thinking it needed something more but I didn't want or have the time to over-do it:-) I'm hoping to spend some quality time in the stamp room this week! Maybe I can come up with some more stuff like this:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Dark & Dreary, netting, midnight musings wheel
Paper: rich razzleberry, lucky limeade, cajun craze, whisper white, basic black
Ink: Versamark, rich razzleberry, lucky limeade, cajun craze
Accessories: clear and black embossing powders, scalloped square duo die, raven lace trim

Lots of emobssing here. I had seen someone use the midnight musings wheel to emboss a background and thought it looked so spooky! So, I embossed it with clear EP and then I sponged over it with some rich razzleberry ink also. The main image was also embossed but with black EP. After letting it cool, I sponged with with all three colors of ink for a spooky sunset. My scalloped edge was from the scalloped square duo die. I had cut a square out to use in a different way but I didn't like the way it worked out! Lots and lots of sponging here too to make it extra spooky!

Now go check out what the other design team members came up with and get to work on your own spooky (or cute) Halloween card:-)

Happy stamping!

Stampers Withdrawal

2011-09-25T12:12:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! Sorry I haven't had much to share lately, I'm suffering from what's known as stampers withdrawal! I've been sick/busy so I haven't got much done! Maybe I can sneak in a little stamp therapy today. I had planned to stamp some Thursday night but my mom and I went for a walk and grabbed some dinner since she was staying with me. It was fun to just visit...stamping will always be there but she's not always around since she retired and moved away! Plus we were running later than I thought we'd be and I'm not good at getting a late start when stamping! She did help me pick out some paint colors for my new stamp studio....now I just have to make the final pick, it's SOOOO hard! I think I have decided so I need to go buy the paint today since it's on sale!

I'm sad because I had a bunch of challenges I wanted to do this week but it's too late for most of them. I still might use them as my inspiration though! But, speaking of challenges, I still haven't posted any of my September Creative Crew challenges from over on Splitcoast Stampers! One of them was a gift for my mom and I gave it to her Thursday so I guess today is a good day to share it! I wasn't sure if she'd like it...she's kind of funny when it comes to stuff..she's a minimalist:-) She also just really doesn't get my "crafty" stuff...she's the opposite of crafty, lol! BUT, she loved it. She even said she wanted to put it out on the counter in her new house which really surprised me! She hates stuff sitting out, haha!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: From the kitchen of
Paper: Domestic goddess DSP, baja breeze, calypso coral, so saffron, basic gray, whisper white
Ink: Basic gray
Accessories: Various punches, card keeper

I used one of the new card keepers from the Holiday Mini. They come all flat and folded up so then you can cover them however you want and then assemble them. I used the domestic goddess DSP since our challenge was to make a houseware type item or gift out of that DSP or those colors. I also used from the kitchen of and my alphabet sizzlets to personalize the top! I did coat it with modge podge when I was done so that it might be more durable and wipe clean since it will be used in the kitchen. It make it look more finished I think too!

Boo-hoo!

2011-09-21T23:02:00.000-05:00

Hi stampers! So I've been busy with work and then had a migraine on Monday so there has been NO stamping going on around here. Booooo-hooooo! Always takes me a day or so to recover too so I pretty much camped out on the couch last night too. My afternoon got cut short yesterday too, by having to take the poor doggie to the vet. She had an abscessed gland in a bad place! She's acting ok but kind of mopey so I'm kind of worried about her and she won't stop licking! And her snout is long so the cone doesn't work...she can still, how should I say....reach around? LOL! Poor thing, I'm sure it hurt and is still uncomfortable now! She's on antibiotics for TWO weeks! I hope that we don't have to take her back in too as it wasn't cheap!! And I just want her to feel better! But, I'm hoping I can squeeze some in some stamping if my mojo cooperates tomorrow. I had some challenges I wanted to do but I'm afraid I'll miss the due date on a few!

Anyway, I didn't want you all to think I've forgotten about you so I'm here with a pretty picture. And I'm not sure that I'll have the time to post for the next few days....Saturday I'll be working from 7am-9pm or later, yuck!!! So, I don't think I posted this card already and if I have, sorry:-) But I've had it made for quite a while...I try to save a few cards for posting emergencies like this:-)

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Spooky bingo bits, Bingo
Paper: Very vanilla, rich razzleberry
Ink: Basic black, rich razzleberry, lucky limeade, pumpkin pie
Accessories: Basic black ribbon, linen thread, dazzling details

I sort of used a card from the catalog as my inspiration for this one. Hope you like it...I'm kind of on a fall/Halloween roll...you know how I am:-) There are a few accents with dazzling diamonds although you can't see them well in the pic. Time for bed so I can get up and have another crazy day tomorrow:-)

Happy stamping!

IMPRESSing

2011-09-20T03:00:00.007-05:00

Hi stampers! Happy Tuesday! It's time to share another Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge with you today! This week we want you to impress us! Well, we want you to impress us every week (and you always do) but we literally want you to impress us this week by using any form of embossing on your project this week! Embossing in any form is usually a pretty simple thing to do on a project yet it can add so much ummph!!!

For my card this week, I've done a combo of dry embossing using the big shot and heat embossing. This technique is called double embossing and it's super cool!

It's also very easy to do! You just ink up your embossing folder with versamark (or you can use colored craft ink) and a brayer then run your folder through the big shot as usual. Next, you dump your embossing powder over it and heat emboss as usual. You end up with embossing powder on the de-bossed part of the paper (the part that's indented, not raised). Very cool! Just look:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Spooky bingo bits
Paper: Whisper white, basic black, tangerine tango, rich razzleberry, brights DSP stack
Ink: Basic black, rich razzleberry, versamark
Accessories: Spider web embossing folder, pewter EP, circle and scallop circle punches, simply scored, basic black polka dot scalloped ribbon, dazzling details

And here's a final helpful hint: You'll want to ink up the side of the folder that has the SU logo on it to get this look. This is the new pewter embossing folder and it looks so cool and spooky on this card! And notice I used Spooky Bingo bits again without the bingo stamp! I love that they are made to go together AND that they stand on their own as well!

You'll have to forgive me for all the Halloween cards, you know I LOVE Halloween so there is a good chance that every single card I post until the end of October may be a H-ween card, lol!

As for the rest of the card, here is what I did:

The tangerine tango base was distressed by taking my black ink pad directly to the paper.
I used some sticky strip to ruffle up the basic black polka dot ribbon.
I used my simply scored to create a medallion of razzleberry cardstock and then layered some punched peices to complete it. I also sponged the edges with basic black ink and then edged the whole thing with dazzling diamonds! The new DD makes edging medallions super easy instead of having to mess with glue and glitter

The card looks super complicated but it really wasn't all that hard to make. Now, head on over to HSS and impress us with some embossing of your own!!!!

Happy stamping!

Class reject

2011-09-19T16:00:00.001-05:00

Hi stampers! Today I have the poor little card that got rejected from my Fall Frenzy class on Saturday:-) Now, don't get me wrong...I liked the card but it just wasn't class-worthy to me I guess. Don't ask me why, I can't tell ya...I just know that I couldn't wait to get home from work on Wednesday and come up with something else, lol! This card was replaced with the little witchy woman card from yesterday's post. See, there isn't anything "wrong" with it:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Out on a limb, teeny tiny wishes, distressed dots
Paper: Peach parfait, rich razzleberry, basic black, lucky limeade, whisper white
Ink: Basic black, rich razzleberry, lucky limeade, peach parfait
Accessories: 2.5" circle punch, spider web embossing folder, basic black scalloped polka dot ribbon

Maybe it was the lack of accessories or bling? Anyway, it's still a cute card and I didn't want that poor little owl to feel left out:-)

Happy stamping!