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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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. :)

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!

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!

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!

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!

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?