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!

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!

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!

Masculine Thank You Using Plane & Simple

Hello folks! Quick post today since I have a little prep work to do for Hostess Club tonight. Today's card is a little off of my beaten track. It is not the type of card that I typically make nor is it the type of image or set that I tend to gravitate towards and as a result, buy for myself. However, I am VERY happy with the results. I wanted a few new cards in my stash for the "menfolk" so when the set premiered in the Occasions Mini Catalog, it looked like something that might work. I wasn't gaga for it but knew I could use it for my purposes. Well, what a difference a day can make! I pulled this set out and played with it over the weekend and wow! I have to say it is new favorite. In addition to the masculine graphic images, there are several sentiments and border strip type images. they work really well together or on their own with other stamp sets. So without further ado...
Angled shot:
Pretty different for me huh? I figured those men in our lives might not always appreciate pink butterflies and swirly fonts. This one sports quite a bit of distressing. I tore the DSP, a piece of crumpled First Edition DSP, and then inked the edges with Early Espresso and a little River Rock ink. The spiral edge is also crumpled a bit and bent to resemble a page torn out of a notebook. That lovely brad tacking the sentiment onto the card is an Antique Brad. I thought the etching in the middle of it reminded me of a compass which worked well with the plane theme.

I stamped the plane in Night of navy ink and then punched it out with my 2 1/2" circle punch. Then, with the file in the Distressing Kit, I roughed up the edges. River Rock and Early espresso were added here as well.

The sentiment could be changed to make this card work for a birthday or even Father's Day. The stamp set includes all of these sentiments in addition to the thank you.

I know I mentioned a little sneak preview about the upcoming Summer Mini catalog. well, i have learned that I am unable to spill those beans just yet but as soon as I can share, I will!

I hope you have a great day and get some stamping time in for yourself. Later taters!

You can never have too many thank you notes.

There is no such thing as too many thank you notes. It is the one type of card that I seem to need the most. Since the holidays, I have been working to build up my personal card stash so needless to say, I am adding thank you notes as much as possible. Today's note is one of those generic notes that can be sent for a variety of thank you needs and if you just changed the sentiment, the design itself could become another type of card very easily. Take a look...
I saw a similar design at a recent paper crafts show and loved the sketch. I can't wait to try it with a floral pattern and some punch flower embellishments or even brighter prints and a birthday image. My sentiment here is from the very versatile set called Perfect Punches. I have mentioned before how much I love this set because every image coordinates with a matching punch. Here, I used the Scallop Oval punch with the "Thanks" message. I stamped it first on Crumb Cake CS with Always Artichoke ink and then again on Very Vanilla CS. I hand trimmed the center portion of the Vanilla copy and then adhered it to the punched copy for extra emphasis.

The print paper I used here is from the Springtime Vintage DSP. This series of paper is only available for a limited time (until the end of April) so don't miss out on these great prints. I have found so many uses for these gorgeous papers and I will be so disappointed to see them go. I guess I need to stock up! The front panel of Crumb Cake CS is embossed with my Big Shot and the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. The punched edge was created with the Eyelet Edge border punch. I added a length of Very Vanilla 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon and an Always Artichoke button (sorry, but this type of button is now retired) and I think that just about sums it up for this one.

A new order of goodies arrived today so I have lots of new stamps and papers to play with over the weekend. I hope to make lots of new things for you to see. One thing in particular that I am really looking forward to playing with is the new set called Take a Spin and the darling little Spinner Hands to go with it. These 2 things have been on my wish list since the Occasions Mini came out and I finally ordered them fr myself. If tey are as fun as they look in the catalog, you will be seeing quite a few projects using these 2 products.

Enjoy your Friday and I hope your weekend gets off to a great start. Have a great day!

Blossom Party Thank You Note

Hi guys! Slight change of plans for today for 2 reasons...the first reason is that I dropped today's card in the dew covered grass this morning while trying to photograph it and the 2nd reason is that there was a suspected gas leak at my son's school so as I ran out of here to figure things out, I stopped worrying about remaking the card. I know I mentioned an owl birthday card but you'll see it tomorrow. Instead, I am here, late in the day, with another new card until I can fix the owl birthday. Can you forgive me? How about I show you a card to distract you from your dismay? ;)
This card is pretty straight forward. It got made because I noticed my Color Coach sitting on the desk and thumbed through it really quick. While looking, I noticed a combo I had added to my favorites when the new colors premiered back in July. I could not get enough of Concord Crush with various greens and a touch of Crumb Cake thrown in the mix. I used it repeatedly and now I remember why! So, I decided to throw something together for my stash of cards and use this delicious little combo.

With these colors, I wanted to use something easy so immediately I thought of using a Sizzix die and my Big Shot. When I am short on time, I turn to these tools over and over again. The dies I chose for this project are the Swirly border strip and the SU exclusive die called, Blossom Party. The white background is embossed with the Square Lattice embossing folder too. As you can see, there is very little stamping on this card and the sentiment could be tailored to several types of greetings with the simple and pretty floral border. I added some leaves which I punched with the Build A Blossom punch found in the Occasions Mini catalog. I chose to use the "thanks" wording from So Happy for You which can be found in the Sale A Bration catalog until March 31st. If you have not taken advantage of the great FREE merchandise found in this year's SAB offerings, now is your chance because we are down to the last month of this fabulous promotion.

To jazz up the simple floral motif, I added a few embellishments to my card for a final touch. The sentiment is accented with 2 brads from the Regals Brads collection (Garden Green) and then the center of the largest flower has a Crumb Cake Designer Button in the middle. I think 3D embellishments can take a blah card to the next level. They give texture and dimension to an otherwise flat paper.

I think that does it for me tonight. I need to go start dinner and ride herd on my kids for the evening. Have a great rest of the day!

Thank You From the Heart

Hi folks! I have a great card to show you today. I was very happy with how it turned out and I hope you love it too. I just hope you don't look at the papers I used and say, "she needs to move on!" ;) I used another pretty combo from the Springtime Vintage DSP collection. I just can't seem to put it away! Here goes...
This paper pack is so versatile! I haven't used the same print on 2 cards yet. I also love that they coordinate with so many solids. I will be stocking up on this pack before the end of the Occasions Mini catalog on April 30th.

I need to rush off today so just a few details about this card:
- I used marina Mist and Always Artichoke to accent today's print.
-The seam binding across the middle of the card is also featured in the Mini. It is Baja Breeze but it matches very nicely to the marina Mist. If you have not tried the seam binding yet, you just have to! It is so supple and easy to tie. It is very silky and has a gorgeous sheen to it.
-The sentiment I used here is from the Simply Said stamp set. This is an older set from the regular catalog. I have "rediscovered" it lately. This is a great set for springtime and the images combine very nicely for a variety of all occasion cards.

As always, if I missed a detail you are wondering about, drop me a note. I would be glad to fill you in. I have to rush back to the endodontist for a problem with last week's root canal. Have a great day and check back this week for more new projects featuring products form the SAB and Mini catalogs. Buh bye!

New Bold Blossom Card!

I love using new stamps and materials! I know it is silly but I always remember how I used something the first time too. I look at a card or project and know that when I made it, I was using such and such for the very first time. Goofy, I know. Breaking open new stamps is especially fun. The images never look quite as good in a catalog or on the package. Inking them up in a color of your choice makes them yours. LOL!

Today's card uses a brand new set from the Occasions Mini called Bold Blossom. It is one of those sets that I can see myself using for years...a go-to set that becomes a must in your collection. It is simple but still a lot of fun and I simply love sets that make the flower separate from the stem. I am not a huge fan of masking so when I can ink up the stem/leaves in a lovely green and make the flowers another color easily, I am sold! So, take a look and I will explain in a minute.
My color combo here was inspired by my Color Coach which may just be the most underutilized tool in the SU catalog. I have been a fan of the new changes (made in July for the new catalog) since it premiered. I love the little blank cards to keep track of personal fav combos too. If you haven't taken a look at that thing lately, check it out here.

The colors I used on this card are Pear Pizazz, Real Red, Concord Crush, and Marina Mist. And can I just say I love the In-Colors this year? I use Pear and Concord together a lot. The sentiment here is also included in the Bold Blossom set making it an all in one deal...no searching for another stamp for your wording, right? I drew the flight pattern for the butterfly with a black marker. The centers of the flowers were punched with a standard 1/4" hole punch and then topped with Crystal Effects. Very simple! And another thank you note is made for a rainy day!

Snow Much Fun! SU Top Note Snowman Card

Hello everyone! Today's card is in honor of the fact that my kids and hubby are home for the 5th day in a row due to our little snow storm. I wanted to wait to post it until I had mailed them out but Frosty is too cute and I can't wait anymore. This card is my post holiday thank you note so if you get one in the mail, thanking you for your kindness over the holidays, and you read my blog, just pretend it is all new to you. OK? ;)

So, here he is...
This idea was CASEd from another demonstrator named Diane Simpers, here on her blog. I saw this little guy and immediately pulled out the supplies to make my own. Isn't he cute? I always like a snow themed post holiday thank you note and he really fits the bill, huh?

To create him, I used my Big Shot machine and the SU Top Note die to cut 2 notes...1 in Whisper White CS and 1 in Concord Crush Patterns DSP. Then I cut a rectangle slightly wider than the top note and about 1 1/2" high. For this, I used the flip side striped pattern of the Concord Crush DSP. The card base is Bashful Blue and I stamped an all over background using the Confetti stamp set and Marina Mist ink.

The snowflake on his hat band was made by stamping the Simple Snowflake image in Bashful Blue and then punching it with the Snowflake punch. I added a Jewel Rhinestone to the middle for a little sparkle. The sentiment is from the Just Believe set. I stamped it in Concord Crush ink and then punched first with the Word Window punch and then placed it on top of a punched Modern Label in Bashful Blue.

A few scraps of Basic Black (and an Itty Bitty circle punch) for his eyes and Tangerine Tango to make his nose along with a little sponging of Sahara Sand ink finish him up. It sounds like a lot of steps and tools but he really was easy to make. You could also improvise and personalize him how ever you wish too.

For more info or to order Stampin' Up! products, please contact me anytime. I would be glad to help!

After Christmas Thank You Notes

Howdy! I have a question for you. Have you written your thank you notes yet? Do you even write thank you notes? Do your kids (if you have them)? Do you get thank you notes for gifts you send? Just for the record...I DO send thank you notes and I make my children do so too. I worry that it is becoming a lost art though. I just don't get very many thank you notes these days. I am not talking about the informal gift exchanges that take place among friends and you thank them in person. I am talking about the situatiuons that require an actual acknowledgement of a gift...those times when the giver is not present for a gift to be opened.Oh well, all these questions bring me to my card for the day. Since I do send thank you notes, especially after the holidays, I usually make a few styles and sell what I don't use personally. You wanna see one? Take a look...

Here's a detail shot so you can get a better look at the embellishments:

And finally, the inside of my card...

I had a lot of fun with this card. I tried layering my snowflakes kinda like the Spellbinder Create-A-Flake dies and I like how it looks. I have since ordered the snowflake dies and they are fabulous. I think they would even make nice tree ornaments.

My image is a digi image from All That Scraps called Winter Bear. I ordered it last year and couldn't wait to use it again this year. The teddy bear reminds me of a monkey. He has the cutest face! My sketch is from Sketch Saturday #65 posted originally on 8-26-09. My outer sentiment is stamped. I know I have been printing my sentiments a lot lately but this one is done the old fashioned way. However, I did finish the inside of the card with a printed message. I feel like printing my own in a font/color of my choice often makes the card though.

If you have any questions about this card or others, I will always answer emails about my work. The supply list is below and should fill in the gaps for you though. Have a great day!

Papers- Kaiser Fun in the Sun Frisbee; misc CS by DCWV. Stamps- ATS winter bear digistamp; Hero Arts Small Greetings. Inks- SU real red classic. Tools- MS lattice edge punch; EK 6 petal flower punches; QK Rev snowflakes & flourishes dies; EK circle punches; MS snowflake punch; CB snowflake die (2x2); Marvy mini snowflake punch. Embellishments- MM stitches (ocean); Fav Findings buttons. Pens- Copics R85, RV29, YR68, Y17, B16, B000, E44. Sketch- Sketch Saturday #65. Font- Abadi MT Condensed 16pt.

Digi Vases and Web Greetings

Hola, mi amigos! How goes it? We are rockin and rollin here at my house. I have a long to-do list to finish and am slowly making some headway. I was supposed to work today but I switched days because today was crazy enough without leaving the house to work for someone else. Know what I mean? So tomorrow when I would have been hanging out at home getting things done and grocery shopping, etc, I will actually be donning my work clothes.

This busy-ness brings me to today's card. Last night I noticed it sitting in my stacker and thought about how long it had been finished, just waiting to post here and how it was a symbol of my life lately. When I made it originally, I was hurrying to finish it for some challenge or another. I vaguely remember that I missed the deadline. The image I used is a digi image...another computer dependent project in a hobby that could be 100% from my own hands if I let it. I also remember that the ribbon on it was a scrap so I ended up running back to JoAnn's to get more so I could make duplicates. And so on...I am never finished!

My husband asked me last night if I ever feel "caught up." Um...NO! Do you? In the new year, maybe I need to think about making that happen. This world is just spinning too fast for me! This week I got a very long email/holiday newsletter from a friend. It would have been several pages if I had printed it out. We are too busy to catch up on a regular basis during the year but then there is so much stuff to tell me because it is Christmas that it takes a multi page newsletter? Maybe we are all just too darn busy. Hmmm...

So, I went the long way but how about a card....

The inside of this card has a small stamped panel that says, "many thanks" trimmed in scraps of cardstock used on the front. The image is from Cocoa Studio and it was a freebie when I found it. Check them out though because they have tons of adorable images to buy and download for free. This one colored like a dream and printed so very nice on my little old printer. I got nice, crisp image with no tweaking.

This card shaped up around the image that I colored first. I rarely color before choosing papers. Isn't it funny how we have a process and stick to it over and over again? I am very much a routine kinda girl. Sometimes that "routine" takes a left into Rutville though. :D

I better finish up here. My supply list is below and this card will be listed on Etsy sometime soon. Have a great week and try to slow down and remember the real reason for all this rushing around in the month of December. I will try to do the same!

Papers- DCWV cardstocks from my stash. Stamps- digi image of flower vase from Cocoa Studio; Hero Arts petite messages (inside.) Inks- Graphite Brilliance. Tools- Fiskars lace border punch; EK yellow corner rounder; Sizzix emb folder (lg spring flwrs). Embellishments- Bo Bunny ribbon; red primas (reinked with Copic RV19); misc buttons. Pens- Copics RV19, YG03, Y21, YG17, BG18.

Another Challenge with a Few New Stamps

Howdy, y'all! I have a cute (in my opinion!) new challenge card to show you and I used a new stamp set to make it. I am so excited about this new set. I think it is very versatile and it is tons of fun to color. More about it in a minute though. I have to tell you that today's card is also my offering for the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #81. I love their stamps but I haven't gotten the opportunity to order any just yet so I used what I have to play along with them this week. How about a picture first and then a few details? Here ya go!

It is a little card...4 1/4 inches square. This is that fun little size that makes it possible to use standard A2 envelopes which saves on extra postage. It makes such a fun little greeting! My sketch, as I mentioned above, came from Taylored Expressions. Now, about my stamp set! It is a newer set from Clear Dollar Stamps and it is called Everyday Jar-gon. It includes tons of adorable images that can be used together. I promise you will be seeing me use it again. There is a jar with several lid options as well as various "fillings" that go in the jar like gumballs, cookies, and even a gold fish! The sentiments included are perfect for the images and I have to say that I just love the font they are written in. They can be used with several stamps that I already own too. Yay! I used Copics to color my image and I even tried one of those yummy new colors. The top of the jar, above the water, is colored with the new pale blue Copic, B0000. It is fantastic for coloring glass. It gives just enough shading to mimic a glass item. I have played around with reflections and shadowing and it is great for that too.

I also want to mention that I used the Spellbinder Blossom die to cut the blue flower shape under the green Prima flower. I have had it for months and have not used it yet. How crazy is that? I am very happy with that shape. It looks great nested with other sizes or used with plain circles. It is really versatile. The stamped image panel was cut with the new Spellbinder's Labels #8 die set. I have been saving my pennies so I could order the Stampin Up Bigz Top Note die but I am pretty glad I waited now. This set includes 6 sizes of basically the same shape as a top note which makes it much better for matting images.

One last thing I want to point out is the ribbon I used. Pretty, huh? Well, it was free! A few weeks ago, it was a free gift from Archiver's during a big Make & Take weekend. They offered a free ribbon sampler made by American Crafts exclusively for Archiver's. It came with 40 feet of ribbon and they are all delicious. My only complaint is that you only got 4 ft of each ribbon. Now, I am hooked but can't buy any more just yet, if ever. I just hope that these ribbons will be sold at some point in the future. Four feet each is just a tiny taste!

I think I have jabbered enough today. Lots of details in this post! Anything I didn't mention is listed below. If I have forgotten something, drop me a note and I will be glad to tell you about it. Have a great Sunday and enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend. Buh-bye!

Papers- October Afternoon Fruit Stand; SU ultrasmooth vanilla CS (thanks to my CS swap buddy!). Stamps- CDS Everyday Jar-gon. Inks- Memento Tuxedo Black. Tools- Spellbinders blossom & labels #8 dies; corner rounder. Embellishments- Prima daisy flwr; favorite findings buttons; DMC #746 emb cotton; American Crafts ribbon. Pens- SU (taken with teal, old olive, always artichoke) Copic (YG95, BG72, BG18, B21, B32, B0000, 0, spica lemon); Marvy blender. Sketch- TESC81.

What would we do without a little Mojo?

I know I am not alone when I say that I look forward to the new Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge every week. Sometimes, I may struggle to do the sketch any justice but I always love the personal challenge. This week's sketch was one of those that gave me fits but I love to jump in and just work, work, work until I get something that I like enough to post. So here ya go...

About half way through my work on this card, I realized that it meets the requirements for this week's challenge at Our Creative Corner too. They are asking us to make cards that showcase our edge punches. Since my card uses the Fiskars apron lace edge punch, I will be posting my card over there too.

I love these papers but I have had the hardest time using them. They sat for several weeks before I could pick the right project and quite frankly, they didn't make my job any easier with this card either. You think you have coordinating card stock and then you trim a portion to use and the CS doesn't really match well. Anywho...my card is done and I think someone will be thrilled to get a thank you note in the mail for some kind deed done. I made a few so I will be listing all but one in my Etsy shop.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I am off for now but tune in tomorrow for a new card. Have a great day!

Papers- Basic Grey Porcelain Bellamy & Silver Birch; Bazzill Foxy and Pear. Stamps- Verve Floral Symphony; American Art Stamp Thank You. Inks- SU Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Blush Blossom; Versa Magic Pink Grapefruit; Tim Holtz Distress Old Paper & Frayed Burlap. Tools- Fiskars Apron Lace Edge punch; Coluzzle ovals. Embellishments- Michael's Textured Trios ribbon; 5mm round smoked topaz gemstones by The Beadery.

Heartfelt Thanks

I guess I am in a thank you note mood lately. It seems that every card I make ends up being a thank you note. It may be time to pull out some trusty cupcakes and stamp a few birthday cards! As you can probably tell, today's card is a thank you note too. I went the square route again. I am loving large, square cards lately. They just look so substantial. The only thing I hate is that the envelopes for them are so expensive! So, take a look so I can tell you more about it.


For papers, I used SU's Delicate Dots series. I will be very sad when I finish these papers. They all look so good together, in any combination, and they are so versatile! They work well for a variety of card themes and look good with all sorts of stamp images. My card arrangement just sorta evolved in my head. I had a sketch out to copy but it just wasn't working so I played with it and ended up with a final result that looks nothing like the idea I was CASEing so I will take credit for this one.

I have found that I turn to sketches so much more since I have been blogging than I did when I was making cards just to make them. I think when the pressure is on to create within a certain time frame, my creativity takes a bit of a nose dive. The other reason is that since I have been blogging, I do a lot more blog surfing and see so many more ideas that are "copy worthy." You just would not believe all of my idea journals! I have one for actual photos of cards I like and one for card sketches and then another 2 for scrapbook page sketches and actual photos. I can't forget all my quote and title notebooks either. If I see a phrase that would work for a sentiment or a cute pun, I jot it down for future use. Sometimes, they are the only way to get those creative juices flowing.

So, enough about creativity or the lack there of :-)...I will leave you today with my supply list and a sincere wish for a lovely day. Stop back by this week for some birthday cards and maybe a wedding card too. I have some ideas running around in my head and I think I feel an all nighter coming on! Ciao!

Papers- Colormates Med Belgium Blue CS; SU Delicate Dots DSP; Colobok taupe CS; lt yellow by Bazzill (name ?). Stamps- Verve Heartfelt Thanks Plain Jane; Stampabilities Fresh Flowers; Sandylion clear borders. Inks- Memento Tuxedo Black; Colorbox Frost White. Tools- Fiskars apron lace edge punch; corner rounder; Coluzzle oval templates. Pens- SU Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Sahara Sand.

Thoughtful Friends

Hello! Happy Tuesday! I have a cute new card for today so I will get right to it. I played with the Mojo Monday #90 sketch last night and really like my results. Here ya go...

The papers I used are from the My Mind's Eye Bloom & Grow collection. This is a group that I hated when it first came out and seeing it used made it grow on me. I am not a big fan of orange at all. It might just be my least favorite color of all time. I try to never use it on cards or even wear it. This card pleases me though. Maybe I will try to incorporate it in my work more often.

As for the rest of my card, there is no stamping or coloring on it. Can you believe it? For the sentiment, I picked a quote from my overstuffed idea journal and printed it on my computer. I used a textured cardstock to print on (which I rarely do) and I like the effect. I was worried the grain of the paper was too bumpy but it was just fine. The unique little button was a fab find at a local textile outlet. Some of my coolest button treasures came from that place! I think everything else speaks for itself. I will list my supplies below though.

Have a wonderful day! I hope your summer is shaping up to be fabulous. Ours is settling in ever so slightly. I am still catching up from vacation but I am totally hooked on sleeping late. Ahhhh...

Papers- DCWV Lake CS; MME Bloom & Grow Little Blossom and Spring in Bloom; orange from my stash?. Tools- SU scalloped circle punch; EK 1 1/2in circle punch. Embellishments- prima flowers; misc button. Font- Girls are Weird 24pt bold.

Beautiful Kindness

Every now and then a line of papers comes along that is just so pretty, it doesn't even need stamps to showcase it. Well, K&Co has done just that. The Addison collection is simply luscious! I found a few of the coordinates recently and they have been at the top of my "pile" ever since. When the challenge at OCC came out Saturday, asking us for cards that use a sentiment as the focal point, I knew which papers to pull out. My card also works for the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge (FTTC17) that asks for sponging on cards this week. Let me show you my card so I can tell you more about it...


The 2nd photo is of the inside of the card. I had very little of my paper left so I was limited with what I could use to embellish the inside of the card. I may go back and add to it if I can get more of the papers. I chose a quote that I really love and printed it on my computer since setting up that many letters individually would be impossible. That is 3 days in a row that I have had no stamping on my cards! I did sponge the edges of my focal point panel though.

I used my trusty Coluzzle to cut the ovals after I printed the quote which allows perfect centering every time. The flourishes are cut using the Quick Cutz Revolution die. I only had one of those gorgeous buttons so for my extra cards, I used similar brass buttons but I really love this one in the picture. For the rest of the details, please check my supply list below. Since I have been asked to show photos of the custom album job I just finished, check back tomorrow to see that and hear about my challenges. Thanks for stopping by!

Teachers and Rainbows

Happy Saturday! The weekend is here! I have a new card to show you and then I am off for a busy day with the family. Today's card is one that I made for my children's teachers and for a friend's child to give to his teachers as well. When I saw the stamp set, Spring Sprouts from My Favorite Things, I knew I would be using it to make teacher appreciation cards this year. I almost missed my chance but now they are made, just in the nick of time. They get out of school this Wednesday! So, I'll show the card and then tell you about it. The second photo is of the inside of the card.


My sketch came from MFTSC and is #75. The rainbow image is stamped but for the sentiment, I had to retype it on my computer and then trim around it with my coluzzle ovals. The stamped version of this quote just wouldn't fit into the space I needed it to go into so I just changed it a little. I used the same font to type the inside message too. The sun is cut on my cricut using the Doodlecharms cartridge. My ribbon is an American Crafts ribbon but I have had the hardest time getting it to stick to my card. I always use gluedots for bows like this and never have any trouble but these keep falling off. I hope my friend isn't having the same trouble on her copies!

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend. I'll be back with some new cards and maybe a peek at my other project...a custom graduation album! I also want to tell you about a sweet award I recieved from my pal Nancy Morgan of PaperSmiles. See ya soon!

Papers- DCWV green CS; Bazzill red CS; Paper Company blue and yellow CS. Stamps- MFT Spring Sprouts. Inks- Graphite Brilliance. Tools- CB Spots & Dots embossing folder; Coluzzle oval templates; Cricut DoodleCharms cartridge. Embellishments- American Crafts ribbon; PaperStudio 3mm clear round stones. Pens- Copic B000; Tombow 173, 025, 476, 856. Font- tweed 16pt & 20pt.

The Speediest Post Ever

I am in a hurry again. I know...you have heard that here a lot lately. I made a card last night and finished it in the wee hours. I reeeeally wanted to show it to you today but knew time would be limited this morning before I head out on a field trip with my daughter so I snapped a (mediocre) photo in my scrap room rather than waiting until morning to shoot outside as I usually do. I promise that one day very soon I will be back to give my full attention but until then, please forgive me for posting and running and also for the less than stellar photography. I will return asap with my supply list but until then, I leave you with just my card...

I will be back to tell you about the details as well as my materials so if you are wondering about something, please ask away and I promise to tell you what you want to know. About the card that is! I can't be telling all my deep dark secrets! Have a wonderful day and thank you for your patience as I hurry through my spring. A deep sigh of relief is just around the corner. Adios Muchachas!

Edited to add my supply list:
Papers- We R Memory Keepers Flower Frenzy and Pen Pals; Colorbok CS. Stamps- Hero Arts Small Greetings. Inks- Tim Holtz Frayed Burlap Distress ink. Tools- corner rounder; sizzix flower and vines #2 die; nestie labels one. Embellishments- 5mm round smoke topaz stones by The Beadery; favorite findings buttons; gold flower from Clear Dollar Stamps.

Love to Color?

I have a new favorite set of stamp images to color. I recently ordered Funky Flowers from My Favorite Things and so I inked it up last night. Oh my gosh! This set is great! The blossoms and stems can be combined for endless combinations and they are all great for coloring. I picked 3 of my favorite blooms for today's card. Without further ado....

I am still working on learning how to shade with my Copics. I try out new techniques but often end up coloring my images with bold, solid colors. I guess I just have to keep practicing to get those shading techniques down!

I think this is a pretty simple card so I'll list my supplies and wish you all a happy Easter weekend!

Papers- Reminisce Basic Graph; DCWV hot pink CS; Yellow & blue CS by Colorbok. Stamps- MFT Funky Flowers; A Muse Art Stamps thank you SD. Inks- Memento Tuxedo black. Tools- CB paisley embossing folder; Fiskars apron lace edge punch; SU oval punches. Pens- Copic 0, B21, B01, B23, C1, G12, G24, G28, YR04, YR68, Y17, Y38, RV13, RV14, RV09, R32, V17.

Never Too Many Thank You Notes

When I can't decide on a sentiment for a card, I almost always make it a thank you note since I know I will be able to use it myself if it doesn't sell in my Etsy shop. I think out of all the types of cards we make, it is the thank you notes that are best as hand made cards. For some reason, to me, those say "I appreciate what you did for me SO MUCH that I sat down and made you a thank you note by hand." Silly perception probably. Who knows? I love making any kind of card though. I honestly don't know the last time I bought a card for anyone in my life. Many years I am sure. I am hooked on the hand made stuff, that's for sure! So, obviously, today's card is a thank you note. I went for simple and elegant. I have been leaning heavily to the cute/whimsical side lately so I decided a more mature, sedate approach was my goal with this card. The paper was a treasured piece from my endless stash. I go through spurts where I use up lots of old stuff and I think I am one of those stages now. I have been pulling out really old stuff with a pile of "up to the minute" on my desk. Go figure.

My card? Oh yeah, here ya go...

I used some of my new Verve stamps from the Floral Symphony set. I just love these images. They take ink beautifully and I love the endless combinations of stems and blossoms. And did I mention that the polymer is of fantastic quality? They are really well made. I love using something new and being completely thrilled. It doesn't happen as often as you would hope these days. The pearls at the bottom of the card were pure white so I colored them with a Copic to get them "creamier" in color. They aren't so stark with a little pale yellow ink added, huh? I chose a darker ink (SU Night of Navy) for my sentiment so it would stand out better. I like it even though it is darker than the blue in the paper. I think the final result is sophisticated beauty. Not my usual angle but I like it here. I will have to come back to write my supply list. My kiddos have a dentist appointment today so we are off in a few minutes. Afterwards, I promised them lunch and then we have a few errands to run. I am sure they are wishing we had cooler spring break plans for today. ;) Ask me any questions you may have about this card. I will pop in later to update the post. have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!

Updated with Supply List:

Papers- MM Vintage Antiqued Stripe- ocean; Bazzill blue & green CS; cream CS from Archiver's. Stamps- Verve Floral Symphony; Inkadinkadoo thank you so much. Inks- Stampabilites French blue; SU Wild Wasabi and Night of Navy; Tim HOltz antique linen distress. Tools- EK 1/2inch circle punch. Embellishments- Offray 3/8in spring moss ribbon; 1/2 pearls by The Beadery. Pens- Copic Y21.