Friday, September 23, 2011

Spice Cake DSP...Very Versatile!

Hi guys! I have 3 fun new cards today and they all have something in common. Even though they are very different types of cards, they all include print paper from the new Spice Cake Designer Series Paper collection available right now in the SU Holiday Mini catalog. Wanna see?

The first card is a thank you note that could be used at any time during the year. I let the stamp image (part of Faith in Nature which is a set you can purchase with Hostess Dollars) pick the color palette for the card and was led to this gorgeous paisley print from the Spice Cake DSP. It's colors include Pear Pizazz, River Rock, Very Vanilla,  and just a touch of Soft Suede. I colored the pear with Watercolor Wonder Crayons and an Aqua Painter pen. I added a length of 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon in Soft Suede for a little texture and to accent the focal point image. This color of striped ribbon was just added this year and I love it.
 My next card is another thank you note but it is somewhat fall themed in that we think of the term "thankful" a lot this time of year. I used a little bit of the striped paper from Spice Cake to accent both the sentiment and the flower image. The sentiment is from Grateful Greetings and the flower is from Posy Punch which is another hostess set this year. I hand trimmed the flower because I wanted to highlight the decorative edge of the petals but the image coordinates with the Fancy Flower punch too. Here, I stamped it twice, once in Soft Suede and then again in More Mustard. The layers are hand trimmed which is made very easy because of the border around each portion of the flower. It is hard to see when the card lays flat but the front is slightly less wide than the back so that the punched border (Scallop Trim Border punch) and the overhang of the flower carry over to the inside of the card when it is opened.
 And my final card today is a Christmas card that uses the same rich plaid paper as the first card. The image and sentiment are from the set called Tidings of Joy. This set is very similar to a retired set from years ago but I love the updated version because it includes a little more detail with the nativity animals around the blessed baby. I colored it with markers and accented the star and Mary's gown with a touch of Smooch Pearlized Accent ink. I hate that photos just don't pick up the sparkle that this product gives an image. I love to add it for just a little punch and I really like that it is so easy to apply. The fine tipped brush is perfect for tiny details and it is as easy to paint on as nail polish. We carry 4 colors of Smooch and I own every one. As a matter of fact I have reordered more than once. It is a relatively inexpensive way to add sparkle and visual interest to your projects so check it out!

I think that does it for me today. I am off to get chores done before the weekend. I hope I get some stamping time in while the hubby watches football. I hope you get to stamp too. Have a great weekend!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Holiday Cards are Snow Much Fun!

Hi guys! I am back today with 2 new cards that are ready for the holidays and cold weather to get here. They both use the same stamp set but are each unique in their own way. Take a look at both...
 This first one is an actual Christmas card versus just a wintery greeting. I love snowmen so much and tend to use them on all sorts of cards as long as it is cold outside. The adorable scene was created with images from Snow Much Fun which debuted in the IBC this past July. I love sets that give you images to use with the snowman such as trees, birds, snowflakes, etc. This set certainly delivers with 7 coordinating images. I colored the images with markers and accented the focal point with a little torn card stock and a stamped background pattern on the Crumb Cake card base. That cute snow pattern is from the set called Confetti and it is stamped in the same Riding Hood Red as the torn piece next to it. I used Naturals White CS because Whisper White seemed a little stark for my little snow scene. The sentiment is part of the same stamp set and it is punched out using the Modern Label punch and then attached with 2 Vintage Trinket button brads.


My next card uses the same stamp set but a different snowman image. It could certainly be used as a holiday card but it also works well as just an all occasion greeting during the winter too. For this one, I decided to add a little texture with some pattern paper. That yummy blue & red plaid is from the new Frostwood Lodge DSP in the new Holiday Mini catalog. I LOVE this paper! The whole series is full of rustic plaids and wood grains that just scream winter. I stuck with the Cherry Cobbler/Marina Mist color palette of the plaid for my stamped images too. They are colored with markers and then accented with just a little Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink. The Smooch doesn't really show in my photo unfortunately but I promise it is there on both of the snowballs and around Frosty's belly. I used 2 different wood grain papers here. The vertical accent strip to the left is a dark wood grain and then the background of the card (behind the focal point image and plaid) is a really cool birch bark print. To finish the card, I added a snowflake which I cut with my Big Shot and the Snowflakes #2 Sizzlit die set, topped with a Cherry Cobbler button and a little piece of Early Espresso Baker's Twine.

For additional info about the products I used here or other SU items, please contact me. I would be glad to help! Have a great day!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Happy Halloween!

Hi guys! I am back today with another fun Halloween card idea. I know it is a little early for Halloween stuff but every year I swear I am going to make more cards than I do because I start too late. I am trying to get a nice little pile made so that doesn't happen this year. So, here is my card...

 I used the Kidoodles set for the main spider image. This is a set that premiered this past July in the IBC. It includes 6 adorable images that are great for cards throughout the year. I love that all the images look great stamped in a single color or stamped in black for coloring with markers, pencils, or ink pads. Here, I stamped the spider once on the So Saffron circle and then again on a scrap of Vanilla so I could trim out his top hat and glasses for contrast. I wanted to avoid having to cut out his legs for obvious reasons. ;) The sentiment used here is actually the wording that is part of the spider image but I stamped it separately, in Cajun Craze, so I could have the image stand out a little more.

For accents, 2 other stamps were used. The "batty" background pattern on the piece of Cajun Craze was stamped with the bat image from Wicked Cool. I wanted a little texture without adding visual distraction and stamping a pattern in the same ink color as the card stock accomplishes that. For the faux stitching along the striped piece of Old Olive, I used a line of stitching from the In Stitches Jumbo Stampin' Around wheel. I love that with a little ink and this versatile wheel, I can avoid getting out the dreaded needle and thread.

I think that does it for this card. It is a simple greeting that I can't wait to share with a little goody bag once Halloween gets here. As always, everything I used here is SU! so please contact me about ordering or general product info. have a great Saturday!

Friday, September 16, 2011

I'm Late, I'm Late, I'm Late for a Very Important Date!

Hey guys! I have been so busy for days and I haven't been able to get in here and post. Even now, I am very short on time. So, I have a few cards to post and I will give the bare minimum in details so I can rush off again but I want to hear any questions you may have about any of the cards. Deal? Here ya go!

Card #1 is an all occasion card featuring the Creative Elements and Sweetly Said stamp sets.The Crumb Cake panel is stamped with the Woodgrain background stamp. All of these sets can be found in the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog (IBC). The images are stamped in Whisper White Craft ink and embossed with white Stampin' Emboss Powder.

 My 2nd card is a cute little Halloween number featuring a new set this year called Jack of All Trades. I used a sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set. Both of these sets are in the IBC.

And the last card I want to show you today is a Christmas card that uses the super adorable new Stocking Builder punch as well as the new Snowburst embossing folder. I also accented the stockings with the brand new Mini Jingle Bells. All of these exciting products can be found in the new Holiday Mini catalog. The "Merry Christmas" sentiment is from the new holiday set called Forest Festivities which is also in the Holiday Mini. The gorgeous plaid paper is from the Letters to Santa DSP which is in the main catalog.
 This adorable stocking card is CASEd from the super talented Vicki Burdick. I saw a very similar card on her blog and decided I had to make it for myself. I changed very little from her version and I would love to link to her original but that feature seems to be down on blogger as I type this post. If you would like to see her original, please give me just a little time and I will try to get that fixed.

That does it for me today. I have to rush off and finish errands to get my son off on a scout trip this weekend. The "fun" never stops! Please check back this weekend as I have several more cards using the new products from the Mini as well as regular catalog items. Have a great day!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Never to be forgotten...

Hello everyone. I almost didn't post today because it just doesn't feel like a "fun card" day but I ended up making something to share so I am popping in anyway. I can't tell you how much I am thinking about the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on our country. All day today I have been really thinking about how much we have grown as a country and how my kids are growing up in a world that knows that kind of  horror whereas we just didn't have that kind of thing to shape my youth. There were lots of tragedies in the nation's past but the worst things to actually happen during my younger years are the attempt on Reagan's life and the Space Shuttle explosion. While terrible, those don't quite measure up to an attack on Americans here on our own soil.

So, I made a card to send to one of the military troop card collection sites. I wanted my kids to see me doing at least a little something today besides the regular laundry and dishes. I wanted them to see at least some demonstration of what is in my heart every day whether I talk about it with them that day or not. I talked with them about how we are so very lucky to have what we have and to have the FREEDOM to sit around on a sunny Sunday doing what we please. Those innocent souls that died in the Towers were the first casualties of the war that has been here for most of their lives and they are really where all this started. Since I can't tell them, maybe some soldier away from their family right now will get my card and know that a family here in Georgia respects what they are doing and that their sacrifice is not going unnoticed. Here is my card...

I wanted it to be simple because a lot of layers would just make it heavy and a bunch of glitzy embellishment sure wouldn't make my point any better. I just wanted to make something that spoke a little of what was in my heart. So there it is. I hope you enjoy it. I think it is pretty straight forward but if you have any questions about materials I used (all SU of course), please drop me a line. Have a great evening!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

You Can Never Have Too Many Thank You Notes

Hi guys! I know I have been doing a lot of fall and holiday cards but today's card is just a regular thank you note. I made it before I got any of my holiday mini goodies so it uses items from the main catalog only. I think you'll like it.
The patterned paper I used is my favorite out of the series which just happens to be Berry Blossoms. It coordinates beautifully with the Fruit & Flowers stamp set too. However, today I paired it with an image from the Easy Events stamp set. I love this set because all the images are easy to color and most are versatile for use throughout the year. Even the Christmas one could be used during the year if you used another sentiment.

I punched the image, which I colored with markers, using the 1 3/4" Circle punch and then cut a mat for my circle using the Circles #2 Sizzix die and my Big Shot. It is accented here with a bit of the new 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon in Lucky Limeade.  I threaded the button using a length of White Baker's Twine. A tiny Designer flower button in Basic Black and a few Pearls finish it off. Pretty straight forward, huh?

Check back tomorrow because I have another card that uses the Easy Events stamp set. See you soon!

Friday, September 9, 2011

Triple Treat Flower

Hello, hello! I am back to share another fall card with you today. I used a little more of the luscious new Spice Cake DSP from the Holiday Mini catalog and a gorgeous flower image that is super affordable because it is an A la Carte image. Take a look!
 The flower is called the Triple Treat Flower and it is really cool. You can layer the colors used in the image because it coordinates with the Fancy Flower punch, the 5 Petal Flower punch and the 1/2" Circle punch. For this example, I stamped the image in 4 different colors (Pool Party, More Mustard, Soft Suede, and River Rock). Then, using the punches gives me a layered look that gives the impression of either detailed coloring or fussy cutting when neither was necessary. The color palette was chosen from the print paper so that is one more thing that is easier than the results make it look. I am always looking for ways to shorten the time needed to complete a task so when a card can utilize products or techniques that make life easier, I am certainly sold.

I added a length of Ruffled Pool Party Ribbon and a few Basic Jewels Pearls to accent the stamped image and that pretty much does it. The outer border of the card was created with the Framed Tulips embossing folder and my Big Shot. So, all in all, this was really simple to make but it is still a lovely card to pass along to someone during the fall season. I am really happy with how it turned out. I hope you like it too and that it sparks your creativity to get started on something fun for yourself. :)

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Eek! A Monster Card!

Hey there everyone! I am back again with another fun Halloween card idea. The big day will be here before we know it and I want to have a stash of fun cards ready to give. Today's card uses a set that can be used throughout the year and can be found in the big catalog. I know there are plenty of fun things for Halloween in the new Mini but this set is a fav of mine and I have been planning a Halloween card to use it for a while now. Wanna see?
I used the fun, polka dot print from the Frightful Sight DSP and paired it with Old Olive and Cajun Craze CS. The images are from Make A Monster. This set is way too much fun! It includes 15 mix & match images that combine to create monsters that can be cute, scary, silly, or just plain weird. Here, I stamped them in Basic Black ink and colored them with markers but they are just as cute when you stamp them with colored inks and just leave them as outlines. This option works well if coloring is not your favorite past time.

The "eeek!" sentiment is from the set called Spooky Bingo Bits. This set coordinates beautifully with the Bingo Card background stamp or it can be used by itself with tons of cute little images for Halloween. There are 24 images in this set that are perfect for combining as a small scene or used separately on tags and cards. Some of them could be colored with markers or pencils but others are perfect for stamping in a single color. This is a very versatile set for the Halloween season. I can't wait to make some treat bag tags with this set.

The gray button (Neutrals Designer Buttons) is tied with a length of Whisper White Baker's Twine and backed with a paper button that I cut with the Buttons #5 Sizzlit die and my Big Shot. I embossed the black background with the Square Lattice Textured Impressions folder for a little texture behind the image panel and then one final touch is the tag that is "stitched" on by stamping just a bit of the In Stitches SA wheel. The tag is just a Decorative Label punch tucked behind the main panel of CS.

OK folks! I hope you like this card as much as I do and I hope that my use of the images inspires you to make some really spooky cards of your own this Halloween!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Grateful

Cool weather is on its way and I can't wait for all the sights and smells that come along with it. Today's card uses a stamp set that made me think of cool weather and Thanksgiving as soon as I saw it. I couldn't wait to order it!
I wanted to make a few basic note cards for the fall that used seasonal images. I have a stash of the basic florals and such but I love the rich colors and textures that fall brings. The set I used is called Always Thankful and it is brand new in the Holiday mini catalog. I love this set for lots of reasons. For one, it is so pretty! Harvest themed images are just gorgeous to me and this set includes 3 different ones plus 2 sentiments. I also love that this set is pre-shaded which makes it very easy to color. You don't have to think about shadows or shading because it is already done for you making it a very forgiving set for those that don't love their coloring skills. It lends itself to several coloring mediums including the Watercolor Wonder Crayons I used along with an Aqua Painter pen. I tend to neglect my crayons but every time I actually pull them out to use, I am amazed at the results I get. It is easy to look like a pro when you use these because they blend really well. They can be used sevral different ways too.

Another element I want to mention is the Jumbo Designer Button accent I used. These are new in the Mini too. They are giant, huh? They coordinate with the new Spice Cake DSP and come in an assortment of 4 delicious colors. Each button is 1 1/2" in diameter and you get 4 each of 4 colors which are shown on page 18 of the Holiday Mini. The one I used here is in More Mustard and the other colors are Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede, and Pool Party. I can't wait to use one as the middle for a flower or a paper rosette.

This is really a pretty straight forward card so that does it for me today. I will be back with another Halloween card tomorrow that I can't wait to show you. Hurry back soon!

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Spooky Little Halloween Card!

Hi guys! I took the holiday weekend off to spend time with my family. The school year is already off to a speedy start and we felt like the long weekend needed to be just for rest and play. It was so nice to just BE. I am back with a great little card though. I actually made 2 new ones over the weekend so it was a toss up which one I would show first. I went with the Halloween one...
This card uses a new set from the Holiday Mini called Out on a Limb. Isn't that little witch cute? She reminds me of the daughter on Bewitched. I can't believe I have forgotten her name. Isn't it Sabrina? Oh well, it will come to me eventually. Back to my card...I punched a 1 3/4" circle from a scrap of paper and then used it as a reverse mask to sponge So Saffron ink onto my card panel. Next, I used the punched circle, along with some temporary adhesive, to mask off the "moon" and sponged a little Wisteria Wonder around it. Then, I was ready to stamp a little scene created with the images from Out on a Limb. For the witch and the cloud, I chose to stamp them onto a scrap piece of Whisper White and trim them out with my Paper Snips. You could certainly stamp both of these directly onto the card panel but I changed my mind about the direction of this card while I was working so this worked best for the look I wanted.

The sentiment came from an older set called Wicked Cool and the DSP is from a series in the regular catalog called Frightful Sight. Something on the card that is rather new is the paper rosette with a pumpkin face. You can make that fun little accent with the brand new Simply Scored Scoring Tool. I am very excited about this new product! Scoring has never been easier than with this new tool. You can score cards, make designs on your card stock, or even use it to score larger 3D projects. It comes with a fabulous metal tipped stylus and handy place markers that are a snap to use. The base has non skid feet that keep it in place while you work too.

I added the pumpkin face to the rosette for a little Halloween fun but you could personalize rosettes for any project. Brads, buttons, flowers, or just contrasting punched circles work really well too. The face was made with the Pumpkin Faces Sizzlit die and my Big Shot. For the ruffled edges, I punched my paper strip before scoring using the Eyelet Edge Border punch.

For more details about the new Simply Scored Scoring Tool you can visit my online store or the SU website for more info. It is also featured on pgs 6-7 in the new Holiday Mini catalog too. There will be lots more projects from me that use it. I love the look that scoring gives and this tool is marked in handy 1/8" markings for precise measuring. Check it out!

Check back tomorrow for another card with a little fall flavor. I have a pretty one that uses the new Spice Cake DSP and another new stamp set. I hope to see you here!

Friday, September 2, 2011

Hope You're Back on Your Feet Soon!

Hello everyone! I have a card to show you today and it is one that I made the very same day that my first box of goodies arrived for the new catalog back in July. I couldn't wait to ink the image up and get it down on paper. I even had a color scheme in mind when I ordered the set! Wanna see?
I have always loved these 3 colors together. When I saw the new Wisteria Wonder for the first time, I immediately thought, "Oooohhhh! I am going to pair that with Concord Crush and some Celery and Saffron too!" These colors didn't disappoint me either. I love how they look together.

That precious little turtle is from the newer set called Turtle & Co. This is a special set because it helps support families with children who have serious illnesses. How, you ask? Well, every year, SU! designs an exclusive stamp set to help raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). When you purchase this set, SU will donate $3 to RMHC. It isn't every day that we get to help out while doing something we love so don't miss your chance!

I think the card itself is pretty straightforward. I stamped the image on scrap CS and trimmed it out again so that I could give it dimension as well as change the orientation of the turtle's head in the shell. The circle he is sitting on top of was punched with the 2 1/2" Circle Punch. That lovely little panel of Wisteria Wonder is a print paper from the Cheerful Treat DSP. I stamped the sentiment and then punched it out with the Modern Label punch. To accent it, I added a strip of punched Concord Crush (Scalloped Ribbon Border punch) and a circle of So Saffron. I wanted some sort of a "fastener" to anchor the sentiment but didn't want to take up too much space on the tag ends so I punched 1/8" circles (non-SU) and then topped them each with a dab of Crystal Effects. A scrap off the edge of a Bigz Top Note die in So Saffron finishes the card. This makes a great get well soon card or just a pick me up for a friend or loved one having a rough time.

Hope ya like it!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

New Holiday Mini Catalog is Here!

Hi everyone! Today is a big day in the SU world. The Holiday Mini catalog goes live and I get to show you all of the yummy things that are available from SU this season. There are some really cute stamps and accessories for fall and winter. Today's card uses one of the new DSP packs called Frostwood Lodge (which coordinates beautifully with several products in the Frostwood Lodge Suite) and I hope you love it as much as I do. Take a look...
 And a close up for the flowers...
This card uses a stamp set from the main catalog called Easy Events. It really delivers in the versatility department with 8 cute images that are perfect for cards throughout the year. I stamped the image in Basic Black and then colored it with markers.The berries are accented with a little Crystal Effects to give a bit of shine. I punched the whole image out with the 2 1/2" Circle Punch and then trimmed it with a scalloped circle from the Sizzix Scalloped Circles die and my Big Shot.

To accent the stamped focal point image, I punched a few 5 Petal Flowers from Cherry Cobbler CS and then inked the edges with the same color ink to add depth. The centers are made with the Itty Bitty Punch Pack Flower and the smallest size of pearls in the Basic Jewels Pearl pack. I was shooting for something to resemble a poinsettia while using punches from my stash. The greenery was made by punching several snowflakes with the Snowflake punch and then trimming just the "arms" off of all of them. I then glued the branches together to make them look longer.

As I mentioned above, both of the print papers used on this card are from the Frostwood Lodge DSP. It is a collection of outdoorsy plaids and wood grains that are perfect for the holidays as well as masculine themed cards throughout the year.

I hope you like this card. I had a lot of fun making it and getting my holiday card stash started. Every year I promise myself that I will make holiday cards early but I never do. Maybe this one will be just the beginning for me to get them done ahead. We'll see, right?

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Crazy for Crumb Cake

Hey guys! I have 2 cards to show you today. maybe that will make up for the fact that I was so busy yesterday that I didn't make it here. They are similar but one is an all occasion card and the other is a Christmas card. Wanna see?
 And the Christmas one...
 Lately, I just can't seem to pick a neutral other than Crumb Cake. It just looks great with so many colors. I paired it here with some of the Specialty DSP called First Edition. They are a little different so I'll start with the butterflies first.

For this card, I used several different background stamps on scraps of 3 in colors before punching out 3 butterflies with the Butterfly Punch. I stamped in the same color ink as each scrap of paper for a little texture with out making them too busy to stand out against the background DSP. The colors and stamps are as follows:
     -Calypso Coral with Dot, Dot, Dot
     -Lucky Limeade with A to Z
     -Pool Party with Solid Stripes

The sentiment for this card is from the Friendly Phrases set. As I have mentioned before, I LOVE this set. It is really versatile and I can see myself using this set for years to come. I stamped it on Very Vanilla and then cut it out using the Lots of Tags Sizzlit die set and my Big Shot. This particular tag ( in the 4pc die set) has a neat perforation line so by cutting it in 2 colors you end up with a nice frame for your sentiment with just a little snip snip.Two Designer Buttons (Neutrals- Crumb Cake) tied with White Baker's Twine finish it off.

On to the Christmas card! This card was so easy it felt like cheating. I stamped the tree image ( from Polar Party which is brand new this year) first onto my card base of First Edition DSP and then again onto a scrap of Very Vanilla. I used my Paper Snips to trim just the main parts of the 3 trees that were stamped onto the Vanilla CS. We don't have to mess with the tinier parts because those are ready for us on the DSP copy. Adhere these onto your card, directly over the same trees on the card base. I colored them with markers before sticking them down but it can be done before or after. I used a nice dark Early Espresso marker to color the trunks so the newsprint is less prominent. Next, I topped the stars with a little bit of Smooch ink in Gold Lame. Smooch is opaque so it completely fills the stars in, making them really stand out.

The sentiment is from an oldie but goodie called Punch Pals. I think that these 2 stamp sets coordinate really well. They have similar styles so the wording and images are perfectly interchangeable. I accented the sentiment with a Modern Label punch in Lucky Limeade and 2 little Cherry Cobbler brads from the Regals family). Done!

I hope you like these cards. I wanted to show the versatility of the First Edition DSP. It can be fun all year round!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Just Because

Do you ever have one of those times that you want to send a card to someone special but it isn't one of those traditional occasions that we typically do so? I like to keep a collection of general sentiments for card making that are both positive and fun. I also find these types of sentiments handy when I am making cards for my stash. If the wording is a bit more general, it is easier to pick just the perfect card out of the pile. Well, today's card uses one of these sentiments. I made it for my stash but I really can't wait to share it with someone.
The card itself was inspired by another card I saw in a magazine. I loved the sketch and the colors so it quickly made it's way into my inspiration file. Once again, I struggled with lighting when I photographed the card so all I can hope for is that you can imagine the Perfect Plum and Always Artichoke along with a little So Saffron in a much truer light.

The floral images are from 2 different sets. The main focal point flower is from the hostess set called Array of Sunshine. I stamped it 3 times and then hand trimmed the layers and popped them up on Stampin' Dimensionals. This sounds hard but it is really super simple because the layers of the flower are well defined. I accented the center of the flower with a few dabs of Gold Lame Smooch ink for a little sparkle too.

I wanted a floral DSP that combined the 3 colors I loved together but alas, there was no such animal. I had to make my own! So, that patterned panel in the middle of the card is made by stamping the images in the 3 colors randomly all over the paper. I wanted a slightly muted look too so I stamped each one off onto scrap first and then put it onto the project piece. These images are from both Array of Sunshine and another set called Best of Everything.

A few last details are the stamped border along the bottom Artichoke panel and the tag sentiment. The border was created with Very Vanilla Craft ink and one of the lines of "stitching" from the In Stitches Stampin' Around Jumbo Wheel. You can still buy craft ink pads from SU! but you just have to do it differently. We still carry all of the craft refills and empty craft stamp pads so you can make your own. Easy peasy! Both of these can be ordered from me or from my 24/7 website store. The tag was cut with my Big Shot and the Lots of Tags Sizzlit die set. I cut it twice from both Very Vanilla and Perfect Plum CS and then trimmed the Vanilla layer to fit exactly inside the perforation that is part of the die. Then, I stamped the wording which is from It's Your Day. This is a set which could easily be overlooked. It is wayyyy in the back of the catalog with the Simply Sent projects. It is inexpensive because it has just 2 images included. They are both simple and perfect for the types of cards I discussed above so check it out!

I hope you like today's card as much as I do. I had a lot of fun making it. So, go make a fun card for yourself!

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Happy Day to You

Hi guys! I have a really cute card to show you today (IMO) and it uses one of my favorite new sets from the catalog. I'll show you first and tell you a little about it after you have seen the card.
I have to tell you my photo does not do the colors of this card justice. The lighting has been poor for photos as the season changes and it is very difficult to get a good shot. Crisp winter light will help soon but until then, just know this card features 2 of the gorgeous new in-colors...Wisteria Wonder and Calypso Coral along with a touch of Lucky Limeade. The set I used, Fruit and Flowers, includes 9 great images and the best part? It coordinates with the Designer Series Paper, Berry Blossoms.

For some of the squares, I colored the stamp with markers because I wanted detail and a multicolored image. On others, I just inked it up with a pad and let her rip. I also stamped some images on scrap paper and punched portions to adhere over the image as in the flowers with centers. Either way, I just love how these images can be used together or separately for a really cute look.

The sentiment on this card is from a new set called Friendly Phrases. This set is really versatile because it includes 6 somewhat generic phrases that can be used on cards throughout the year. I really enjoy the wording sets that use more than one font per image too. I find them playful and very positive when used on cards. The font of a message for a card is super important to me. It has to have the right "feel" or I just can't use it. For example, I could never use wording that is written in a formal script on a playful birthday card with bright colors and fun paper. I guess I am just crazy that way.

That does it for today. I am off to finish laundry and clean up the mess left by me being gone all day yesterday. I hope your weekend finishes on a great note and I want everyone to have a great afternoon!

Saturday, August 27, 2011

On a Scale of 1 to 10...

Hey guys! I hope your weekend is shaping up to be dandy. I have another new card to show you today. Take a look!
This card uses a new embossing technique that I just love. I don't really know what it is called but I will explain how I did it. First, I cut the numbers from various colors and patterns of card stock and DSP using the Timeless Type Junior Alphabet dies and my Big Shot machine. Then I placed them randomly all over a piece of Whisper White CS. Once they are attached with adhesive, run the whole piece through the Big Shot in an embossing folder of choice. Here I used the Square Lattice folder which gives fantastic texture to your card surface. As you can see, it gives an impression of applique. The numbers look like they each sit in their own pre-cut slot on the card front. After that part was done, I just added a punched strip (using the Pinking Hearts edge punch) of Lucky Limeade and a sentiment from the new hostess set called Perfect Words. This set is just too cute! You get 8 stamps for just $9 (clear version) which makes it a winner in my book. 

The color scheme for this card is a real fav of mine. I put 3 of the newest In Colors (Lucky Limeade, Pool party, and Island Indigo) together with So Saffron and crisp Whisper White. I love how the rich, dark Island Indigo card base seems to anchor all the colors and images together as one cohesive card front. I will be using this combo again for sure.

Well, guys, I'm off for a busy day as chauffeur. My daughter has a day of training at the local cheer academy to get ready for the winter basketball season. Who has to drive 7 of the girls to and fro? That would be me! I think I will bring some stamp work with me and beat the boredom. Y'all have a fantastic day and check back soon!





Friday, August 26, 2011

It's Been Way Too Long!

Hi guys! I'm back again. With all that has been going on with the kids being home for summer and then getting them ready to get started again, something had to give or I would have had to start pulling all nighters. Sleep won! I am happy to say that I have tons of new toys to play with and show you though. Since the new catalog debuted, I have been ordering a little here and there so that now, I have LOTS of great new goodies. It is simply ridiculous just how much there is in the new catalog that I simply can't and won't live without. So, without further ado, how about a card or 2?

Since the Summer Mini only has a few days left, I will go ahead and post the cards using those materials that I had made for my open house that didn't take place. I would hate to show them to you later and then no one would be able to order supplies to make them if desired.  Here goes...
 This one really makes a splash, huh? Tee hee hee. I used the Summer Mini set called Summer Splash and one of the delicious new In Colors called Island Indigo. Also included are 2 of the new Designer Printed Brads. They are perfect for a pop of color here and there on your project. That yellow strip behind the main panel is a piece of So Saffron CS that I embossed with the new Stripes Textured Impressions embossing folder. Too fun!
 Next up is a little floral number that was so easy to make. I got the idea for the torn corner accent from a card in the big catalog and couldn't wait to use the idea somehow. I think it gives a nice amount of texture when paired together with the delicate floral images of Love & Care which is a hostess set in the summer mini. Remember, there are no longer levels in the hostess rewards merchandise. This set has a dollar amount assigned to it just as the sets in the front of the big catalog do.

This last one for today is almost an exact CASE from a very talented blogger named Vicki Burdick of the "It's a Stamp Thing" blog. I love her work and the day she posted this delightful card, I knew I was going to make it without changing very much at all. I LOVE how it all came together. The good news about this card is that the only thing on it that will be gone when the Summer Mini ends is the sentiment which comes from the Happy Greetings stamp set. The flower is from the Array of Sunshine hostess set (in the main catalog) and that gorgeous paper is also a hostess rewards offering. It is part of the Cheerful Treat DSP.  I especially loved her idea of embossing the Little Leaves die cut for added texture. I stamped the flowers several times and then popped the layers up on Dimensionals.

Well, that does it for me. I hope you enjoy seeing these cards after such a long wait. Please check back often because while I may have been quiet here, I promise, i have been working on quite a few things that I can't wait to show you. It isn't too late to place one last Summer Mini order so if there are materials used here or just something  you have been waiting to order, please contact me and I will get you taken care of very quickly. We have until the 31st to order from the Mini and then it will be time for the Holiday Mini. Time flies when you're having fun!


Saturday, July 2, 2011

New Catalog is Here!

Hi everyone! The new catalog we have all been waiting for is here as of yesterday. There are 241 pages of yummy goodness in this brand new collection and I can't wait to start showing you new ways to use them. Today, I have 2 cards to show you and they both use all of the new In Colors together. I showed them off to my hostess club the other night and I think we are all in looove with this new palette. I feel like the new colors really fill some gaps left by the renovation last year. Wanna see?
 And just one more to celebrate the new catty...
 I absolutely LOVE these new colors. They are so fresh and bright. I think they are perfect for summer and yet when pulled apart and used with other core family colors they are great for the whole year. I can see myself using Pool Party and Lucky Limeade a lot around the holidays and I think Calypso Coral will combine well for Halloween and fall projects.

So, moving along to the cards and their ingredients....The cute little shells in the first card are from a set in the  the Summer Mini called Summer Splash. My sentiment comes from Teeny Tiny Wishes which was carried over to the new catalog from last year (yay!) and I accented with my Scallop Border Punch. A button and some Linen Thread and voila!

The second card uses an image and sentiment from another Summer Mini offering called Sunny Fun. I have really enjoyed using this set so far. It has turned out to be more versatile than I ever thought it would be. Who knew? I stamped and colored the flip flops using my SU! markers (yep, the In Color markers are great!) and then accented the panel with punched strips of the 5 new colors. They were punched with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch. This card was super simple. You could do this same sketch with any strip type image. This will now be a go-to arrangement for me when in a hurry.

Well, that does it for today. I will be back soon with a card that uses some of the fantastic new Scallop Dots Ribbon. It is really neat so check back. Have a very happy 4th of July!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Ooohhhh....Color Embossing Powder!

Hi guys! Just as I promised, I am back with a card that uses the new colored embossing powders. I am happy to say that if you like the 2 new colors I used today, there are SIX new colors to chose from on July 1st. Wanna see?

I took a close up of the new Postage Stamp punch and the "thanks" image from Pretty Postage too...
That fun flower is from the Summer Mini set called Touch of Kindness. I stamped the flower twice...once on Whisper White in Melon Mambo ink and then another time on Melon Mambo Brights Patterns DSP. The one on white CS is also embossed with Melon Mambo Stampin' Emboss Powder. I stamped the stem in Wild Wasabi and then embossed with the matching Stampin' Emboss powder. Both of these colors plus Tangerine Tango are offered in the current Summer Mini catalog.

My sentiment is from the Pretty Postage set. This is such a fun product combo. I love that all 4 images can be punched with the coordinating punch. I have played with it on other images too. It works well with small flowers or shapes and even as a background for lettering on scrapbook pages. So much fun!

I want to mention one last item before I take off for several appointments today. The ribbon I used on this card will soon be retired. This is 5/8" Whisper White Grosgrain ribbon. All the 5/8" Grosgrains are retiring on June 30th so if this is a favorite of yours, you'll want to stock up. I promise you it is being replaced with fun ribbon products that you'll love just as much though!

That does it for me today. Have a great one!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

How Beautiful a Day Can Be...

...when kindness touches it. This has long been one of my favorite quotes and now SU has gone and put it in a stamp set.Today's card uses a couple of stamp sets but only one of them has that lovely quote. I am having so much fun with my new goodies. This new catalog is my favorite EVER. I am a big fan of sweet, fun, cute, and simple when it comes to stamping. When I see a stamp for the first time, it either registers as "friendly" or "stiff." This catalog overall definitely checks in on the friendly side. I can't wait until it goes live on July 1st and I get to share it with you. Until then, how about a card using some new paper and colors?
And how about a close-up to see more of that gorgeous flower?
The flower is from the Summer Mini set called Flower Fest. I think SU! might have recycled that name but the images are all new. I punched the largest, back layer with the 2 3/8" Scalloped Circe punch and then hand trimmed the other 3 layers. This required that I stamp the flower 4 times, of course. I stamped it in Calypso Coral ink on the same color of CS and then embossed with clear embossing powder. The layers are then popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals to give texture and depth. I added 2 leaves which are made from the new color, Lucky Limeade, and punched with the Build A Blossom punch. You may remember this punch from the recent Occasions Mini catalog. Well, they brought it back for us in the new catalog and it will now be called the Blossom Petals Builder punch.

The lovely quote sentiment is from another Summer Mini set called Touch of Kindness. This is fun set with several sentiments as well as cute images that could be really fun to color if that is your thing.  I have another card that uses a great flower image from it coming up soon. I even used the brand new colored embossing powder on it too so check back soon.

I am off to my day. It is a busy one so I better hurry. Have a great day and stay cool!


Friday, June 10, 2011

Heard it's Your Birthday!

Hello everyone! I have card today that uses another new image. I paired it with some Celebrations DSP and the coordinating cardstock accents that will soon be retiring. Wanna see?
It is a really simple card because some of them just have to be and also, because I needed a quick card for my son's birthday tomorrow. The image is from the soon to be released Ain't Love Grand? and I colored it with my SU! markers. The outer Real Red border was punched with the 2 3/8" Scalloped Circle punch. I left the rest of the card pretty plain because I know my son doesn't care for a lot of froo froo and also, because I know he will rip it open tomorrow and barely pause to read it.

As I mentioned the Celebrations DSP and accents are retiring on June 30th so if you have been planning on getting either of these fun products, don't wait!

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

New Colors and an Old Favorite

Hi guys! I can't wait to show you today's card. It uses 3 of the new In Colors for 2011-2012. So without further fuss, here ya go...
And a detail shot...
I stamped the image (from the set called Just Believe which will be carried over to the 2011-2012 catalog) in Lucky Limeade onto Naturals White CS. Then, I stamped it again in Pool Party ink onto a scrap of Naturals CS so that the blossoms could be trimmed out. Once trimmed, I glued them over the Limeade image to make it a little more natural looking. The sentiment tag and butterfly are stamped on a bit of Pool Party CS. The embossed background panel in that yummy purple color is Wisteria Wonder. This color looks fabulous with Concord Crush for a monochromatic look or just as good with Daffodil Delight or even Real Red to go a little brighter. I just love this color!

The Crumb Cake card base was stamped with a background image from Confetti and Crumb Cake ink to give it some texture. I added a faux ribbon with a strip of Pool Party CS that I punched with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch. I do want to mention that the tiny butterfly I used is part of the SAB set called Bliss which is now retired. I think one of the small Sizzix Beautiful Butterflies die cuts would have been perfect here but alas, I don't own it. ;)

I think that does it for today. i hope you are enjoying seeing some of the new items from SU!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Ain't Love Grand? New Stamps!

Hello everyone! I have a new card today and it features more new catalog product. I am having so much fun using these new goodies. I can't wait for the new catalog to actually be active so we can order EVERYTHING. Until then, I will just play with what few things I have. Do you want to see a little something new?
And a close-up...
One of those few things I have for now is the brand new stamp set used above, called Aint' Love Grand? It is a 6pc Hostess set but before you despair that you will never own this set because you don't place orders large enough to get the larger sets, read a little further! The new Hostess Benefits system is all new starting July 1st. For qualifying workshop orders (at least $150 before shipping and tax), the hostess earns Hostess Dollars to spend on any of the specially priced hostess only products which will be listed in the front of your new catalogs. These exclusive items are priced to make your hostess rewards go further. For example, if your workshop total is $150 so you would earn $25 to spend on exclusive hostess products. Fun, huh?

Also, for orders that total at least $400 (before shipping and tax) you earn the privilege of buying full priced catalog items at 50% off. So, for example, your workshop order total is $400. You would earn $65 Hostess Dollars and you can buy 1 full priced item at 50% off. This great new system lets you get more of the fantastic products you love!

Enough about the new system...let me get back to my card for just a minute before I race off to start dinner. As I said, the image is from the new Ain't Love Grand. This adorable set includes 6 different images that are great for a variety of cards. I promise I will be back soon with more from this set. I paired the precious wedding couple with a little bit of Pear Pizazz DSP from the current hostess item, In Color Paper Pack. I really wanted to incorporate the new In Color called Lucky Limeade but I don't have anything but the solid CS just yet and I wanted a print here. The Basic Gray card base is embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder and my Big Shot. A length of the soon-to-be retired 5/8" Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon and a Designer button finishes of my creation.

I can't wait to share all the fun new items with you so check back often!

Sunday, June 5, 2011

NEW STUFF!!!!!

Alright ladies and maybe gents, I have new goodies from the very new July catalog and I made a card for you today. Without further ado...
And a detail shot...
I am in a super big hurry today so really quick:
*The print paper is brand new and it is called Just Add Cake. This DSP series coordinates with 7 colors!
*That gorgeous coral color is a new In-Color and it is Coral Calypso.
*The super cute pennants are stamped with a new set called Pennant Parade and then punched with the coordinating punch called Pennant Builder.
*All these great new toys will be available for purchase on July 1st along with the new catalog. Contact me if you would like to pre-order a catalog for your very own. If I get orders in time, you will get your catalog prior to the July 1st release.
*I have a whole box full of new treats so check back often for new projects using them. :)

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Guess Who Loves You?

Hey guys! Today will be super quick because I am off to hold my baby girl's hand for surgery in a little while. I only wish I could hold her hand during surgery but what I really mean is that I will be holding her hand until they take her back. Ahhhhh!!!!! This is her first time "under the knife" and pretty much the first big procedure either of my kids have ever had. We have been very lucky and now I am a wreck. But enough of that. On to today's cards!

I have 2 cards to show you today. Both use the new Strength & Hope stamp set which is featured in the Summer Mini Catalog. SU! is donating $2 from every sale of this gorgeous set to the Breast cancer Research Fund. BCRF is dedicated to preventing breast cancer and finding a cure in our lifetime by funding clinical and translational research worldwide. So, help SU! make a difference by purchasing this lovely stamp set!

Here is card #1...
That lovely text background behind the blossom is from Strength & Hope. I just stamped it repeatedly in Early Espresso ink onto a panel of Naturals White CS. I cut my flower using the Flower Fun Sizzix die and my Big Shot. This die was part of the Occasions Mini catalog but has been carried over for continued availability. I crumpled the Cherry Cobbler CS and then misted it with water. One more crumple and then it got cut. I love this look! It gives so much texture and depth to the paper.

The sentiment for this card is from the set called Happy Greetings which is in the Summer Mini. I embossed it with White Embossing Powder so that it really stands out.

My second card is pretty much an exact replica of the card you might have noticed in the Summer Mini Catalog photo featuring Strength & Hope. I just loved the look so i wanted to make a copy for myself. I made very few changes so they get all of the credit for the lovely design but I still wanted to share here. Here ya go...
Well folks, that is it for today. I will be back soon with several new cards using various Summer Mini treats. This catalog is just full of fun stuff so check back often. I will be using as many of the new toys as I can manage. Also, I will be posting the retiring list of stamps and accessories from SU! which debuts today. Since I am pre-posting this entry, it isn't published yet but I will share as soon as I can.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

You Mean the World to Me Anniversary Card

Hi everyone! I'm back and I missed this place terribly. The last month of school with my kids kicked me in the seat of my pants. My daughter tried out for cheer leading (and made the squad!!) and had to have a physical, 4,067 forms verified and signed, and had to be driven/picked up from school for several days. She is also having surgery this week so we had lots of appointments and running around to get ready for that. My son finished up elementary school which meant there were lots of promotion ceremonies, parties, open houses at his new school, and general celebration on his behalf. This all translates to Mom having almost zero time to do her own work but somehow I managed to fit in a Stamp Club and a Mini Scrapbook Album class. Now, they are home for a while and I have some time to play in my studio. Wanna see a card?

Today's card is actually the anniversary card I gave to my darling hubby back on the 13th of May. We celebrated 16 years years of wedded bliss so I wanted something special to tell him how special he is to me. This is what I came up with...
And the inside of the card...
I wanted something somewhat masculine but the typical fishing/hunting images that are so prevalent for masculine cards don't really apply to him. The new SU! set called The Open Sea seemed just right for what I wanted. The sentiment inside came from the very versatile SU! set called Word Play which is actually on sale through today. The sale is in honor of National Scrapbooking Month which was the whole month of May. When I saw the great savings on that set and several others, I jumped at the chance to get the sets at 30% off since SU! rarely has sales.

But anywho, back to the card...I used a color scheme of Riding Hood Red, Soft Suede, Not Quite Navy, and Baja Breeze. The striped paper is from the Elegant Soiree DSP collection. There is actually a gorgeous DSP collection that coordinates with The Open Sea set, called Nautical Expedition, but I had not ordered yet when I made this card. Both the papers and the stamp set are included in the Summer Mini Catalog.

The tiny tags you see hanging from the Baker's Twine on my card are stamped with words that made me think of my hubby like "loved", "happy", and "friend." I made them by snipping the ends off of Word Window punch outs but the Jewelry Tag punch would have worked well too.

That does it for me today. If by some chance you would still like to order the Word Play stamp set or any other sale items before the sale ends at midnight tonight, please contact me immediately or order through my online site. Orders have to be received by SU! before midnight tonight to get the sale price so hurry. For orders placed directly with me, I am offering 5% off your total (pre-shipping/tax total) order.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Every Day is the Pefect Adventure

Today's card features a sentiment that caught my attention as soon as I saw it in the new Summer Mini catalog. I also love the image because it reminds me of fun, fresh air, and excitement. Wanna see? Take a look...
What could be more fun than a bright red scooter with a jaunty basket on the back? Of course, I say this never having been on a scooter or any kind of motor cycle. I guess I should say, "what could be more fun in theory..." This image is part of the new Summer Mini set called On the Grow. I paired it with a bold color scheme and a little striped grosgrain ribbon for a card that was extremely simple to finish. It could be used as a birthday card or just a friendly hello.

The scooter image as well as the other graphic image in the set are such that they are very easy to color. The shading is already done for you! I used markers on mine here but it also looks great colored with colored pencils or Stampin' Pastels too. I tried both for a little variety when I stamped a few extras to use on future cards in a hurry.

That does it for today. If I don't make it back in time to tell you tomorrow, have a wonderful Mother's Day with those you love. I will be spending my day with my very special family. Enjoy!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Wish Big Birthday Card

Hi gals! I have a card for you today that almost didn't get made. It was one of those where I picked out my materials and sat down to make it but it just wouldn't come together. I finally stamped a new image and it worked. Imagine my dismay when I realized that by the time I had this finished, the stamp set has retired! Well, you are still going to get to see it because I found out that the set I used can still be purchased digitally. So, here ya go...
And the shot from the side...
This card uses one of my all time fav paper combos: the tiny plaid from Pawsitively Prints DSP along with Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, and Pear Pizazz. If you look closely, you can see that the Turquoise portion of the card is a printed paper too. It is from the same DSP collection as the plaid. The whole series is great for basic card backgrounds as well as scrapbook pages.

I stamped the cake and sentiment after coloring the image with markers. This image is part of Bring on the Cake which ended with the recent Occcasions Mini catalog but it is still available in the digital format. For more info on digital stamp images or My Digital Studio, please contact me. I would be glad to tell you how you can tap into this great new way to create.

I added some die cut lettering (Sizzix Billboard Alpha die and my Big Shot) and a few embellishments for a simple but cute, gender neutral birthday card. I love having this type of card on hand for surprise card needs.

That does it for me today. I'll be back tomorrow with a card that I made using the new On the Grow stamp set featured in the Summer Mini catalog. Also, I am expecting a delivery with several new sets and accessories that I can't wait to use here so check back ofetn for brand new cards using new stamps and embellishments for summer. Have a great day!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Just For You

Hi guys! Today is going to be really quick. I have to race off to a day of appointments and errands because tomorrow...WE WORK. Well, not we...just me but you know what I mean. Around here it means that Mommy is not very good at juggling work and home because she is out of practice doing the work thing. Oy Vey. Anyhow, how about a card?
And from another angle...
This card is heavily inspired by a Stampin' Up! project I saw online. They had done it in a journal but I made some changes to make it work better as a card. I love the little bird image. That frame for the sentiment is from the Four Frames set and the print paper is from the Paisley Petals DSP. These 2 items, as I have mentioned many times before, are available for a limited time (until April 30th) and they go away until July when the new catalog comes out. I won't bore you with the details of this promo, since I have shared them at least 10 times. If you are new to the blog, click on the left hand side button that says, "Spring is Blossoming" to learn more.

I used chalk to color the bird because the Early Espresso ink that he is stamped in is not waterproof and I didn't want it to run. A Paper Daisy and an Antique Brad finish this card. For more details, please contact me and I will fill you in. I have to run now. Have a wonderful day!

Monday, April 25, 2011

Blossoming Thank You Note

Hi guys! I hope your Easter was absolutely wonderful. It sure was a hot one here. Just a few minutes outside and I was ready to melt. So, how about a card? I have another little ditty using the new Paisley Petals DSP and the coordinating Four Frames stamp set. These are both part of the soon to be over Spring is Blossoming promo. Until April 30th, spend $20 and you can order both of these great items that will be part of the 2011-2012 Idea Book and Catalog. After the 30th, they go back in the big SU closet to wait until the new catalog premieres in July. All DSP packs will go up in price this summer so now is your chance to order the paper at a lower rate.Don't miss out! Ummm...didn't I mention a card? Here ya go...
Do you need a detail shot too?
This card is heavily inspired by an idea I saw on the SU demonstrator website. I adapted it to use materials and tools I had on hand and voila! Another thank you note for my always dwindling stash. All materials used are current SU product except for the cute little flowers on the pennants. Those are punched with the retired punch called Spring Blossoms. However, when that one retired, they introduced a very similar punch called Boho Blossoms which can easily be used here instead.

The printed papers are from the Paisley Petals DSP and the sentiment is from the Level 1 Hostess set, Because I Care. The pennants are stamped with Marina Mist ink and the Four Frames stamp set. They are made by stamping one of the frame images from Four Frames and then folding them in half. Once folded, place a length of Linen Thread in the crease and stick the 2 sides together with adhesive so the tag hangs, as if on a clothesline. The Linen Thread is secured with 2 Antique Brads.

That about does it for today. I have another Paisley Petals card for tomorrow and I hope you like it as much as I do. Since the Spring is Blossoming promo is almost over, I have to hurry and show you all the cards I made with these gorgeous materials. See you tomorrow!