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!

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.