Dyed Rosettes and Seed Pearls, Oh MY!

Hi girlies! I have something new to show you today and I love it. I hope you will too so let's get to it. First, a photo of the card itself...
And a close up so you can see the main attraction...
Do you see those yummy little flowers? Well, those started out as plain ole Vanilla and I colored them with markers. Yep! Regular markers! These are the Rosettes featured on page 16 of the Occasions Mini catalog. I will admit when I first saw them, I thought they were cute but I didn't order right away because I was not particularly inspired by little cream colored flowers. Well, I started seeing them used more and more and then I saw someone dye them with reinker to match her card stock. Hmmmmm...I wondered immediately if they would absorb ink from a marker just as easily. They do!

These Rosettes come in 3 sizes, with self adhesive backing. All I had to do was lightly color the layers with my (Not Quite Navy) marker and the ribbon with which these are made just wicks the ink like a charm. This means that we now have Rosettes to match ANY PAPER AND PROJECT. I certainly hope this product gets carried over to the new catty in July but just in case they don't, get yours while you can until they disappear at the end of this month. I promise they were SO EASY to dye. No fuss, no muss.

On today's card, I added a tiny pearl, from the Basic Pearls assortment, to the center of each flower. Since the pearls are self adhesive, they don't require glue to adhere. For these tiny ones, I like to use tweezers to handle them because my clumsy hands tend to drop them a lot. The cluster of flowers is on top of a tiny faux bow of Baja Breeze Seam Binding. As I have mentioned before I love the Seam Binding because it is very silky and flexible. This adds less bulk to your cards and projects. It ties and drapes very well. I love that it comes in so many colors too. Some of the color offerings are different from the regular ribbon color line up too so it gives us an opportunity to use "ribbon" in various colors without having to dye it ourselves.

You may recognize the print paper from the Springtime Vintage DSP. I paired it with Old Olive and Not Quite Navy here. The stamped image is from Herb Expressions. This set is just a gorgeous set. It works very well for so many types of cards. With Mother's Day and Easter coming up, I will be turning to this set. It is also one of those very versatile sets that can be colored in detail when fussy coloring floats your boat or just lightly enhanced with maybe Stampin' Pastels, or just stamped in one color when you want a simpler approach.

My sentiment is from Thank You Kindly. This set is a great set to have around. It offers 4 unique images that make thank you notes a breeze. If you are like me, you struggle with the pairing of the right font with the mood of the card. I don't want some cheery, child like print on a more serious card, right? Well, this stamp set includes a little variety so no matter the mood of the card, the sentiment coordinates perfectly.

That's it folks. Tomorrow's card uses another image from a new set featured in the soon-to-be current Summer Mini catalog. The card makes me yearn for the smell of sunscreen and the splash of pool water so please pop back in to check it out!

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!

Springtime Vintage Easter Bonnet

Hello gals! I have an adorable project to share today. I am very excited to show you. I saw it somewhere online and once again, can't remember who and can't find my notes. So, if you recognize this project, please fill me in and I will gladly give credit. Wanna see?
Isn't that too cute? Here is a close-up of the flower which I will explain below:
You wanna see what can be done with this darling little creation? Take a look:
I filled it with whatever candy I had on hand but it would be precious with some M&Ms in a matching color or even a handful of those pastel mint drops. These could be used as shower favors, table decorations, or even little gifties on Easter and Mother's Day. Have you identified the core container yet? It is just one of those clear plastic cups that hold SU embellishments. If you ever order buttons, brads, etc then you probably have a few laying around. SU also sells empty ones too.

All the materials I used are SU. That bottom scalloped circle is the Clear Circle Sizzix die which I cut with my Big Shot. Next, I wrapped a length of 5/8" Vanilla Grosgrain ribbon around the cup and secured with glue dots. I topped that with Marina Mist 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon. The top of the bonnet is made with a 2 1/2" circle Punch and the 2 3/8" Scalloped Circle punch. The patterned paper is from Springtime Vintage DSP featured in the new Occasions Mini catalog. I cut 2 extra lengths of the ribbon to create the tails which hang off the brim. They are attached separately rather than trying to wrap the whole ribbon to drape that way.

The flower looks like a lot more than it really is or took to make. I started by punching 8-5 petal flowers from Baja Breeze (5) and Not Quite Navy (3) CS (using the 5 Petal Flower punch). Then you crumble them up rather small and dampen them all over with a spray bottle of water. Let it soak in a bit and then uncrumple each flower. At this point, you should be able to pull the layers of CS apart on each petal.

While they are damp, pile them up and very carefully run your piercer through the middle of the stack. This hole is for a brad to secure the flower. I used an Antique Brass one from the Metallic Assortment but it doesn't show so you could use whatever you have. After the flower is all in a brad, you can shape it forwards...like a cup. Attach a glue dt to the back and stick it down to your bonnet, along the brim.

That tiny bud-like center of the flower is made by first punching a 1/2" circle which you set aside. Next, punch a 1 3/8" circle and then directly over the hole made by that, punch a scalloped circle (1 3/4"). This will give you a piece that is not much more than the scallops themselves. If you snip it, between 2 scallops, you can then straighten the piece out to a long strip. Gently roll this strip in your fingers until it is tightly coiled. Put a glue dot in the center of the reserved 1/2" circle and stick your coil to it. This holds the coil from unrolling. Another glue dot to the back and you are ready to drop it down in the flower. I will look into possibly making a tutorial for this flower as soon as possible.

The 2 leaves of the flower were first stamped with the Build A Blossom stamp set in Old Olive ink onto Pear Pizazz CS. Next, I punched them with the Create A Blossom punch. I attached them with glue dots. I embellished the hat with pearls from the Basic Jewel Pearls Assortment and a few 1/16" inch dots.

I hope you enjoy this project. I think it has many possibilities! :)

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!

Just For You- SU only card

Hi guys! We made it to the weekend! My endless week of doctor's appointments, root canals, and school obligations is OVER. I am looking forward to spending the weekend resting and playing in my scramp room. Today's card is perfect to kick this weekend off too since we are expecting warm, springish weather. I think a few spring flowers are just what I need! Take a look...
And since I think it is easier to picture a project online when you can gain a little depth perception...
This card uses my new favorite paper pack, the Springtime Vintage DSP, and one of my favorite color combos, green and blue. The flower images are from the new SAB set called Sweet Summer. I colored them with my blender pens and reinkers which is still very difficult with my hand in a brace. The sentiment I chose to use is from the Level 1 Hostess set called Afterthoughts.

I wanted to showcase the gorgeous print paper as much as the images so I wanted an arrangement that gave me both. I finally decided on the Sizzix Oval Scallop Frame die cut with my Big Shot machine. For embellishment I added a length of Very Vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon along with a couple Certainly Celery Designer buttons (included in the Subtles assortment.) Even though the assortments of buttons and ribbon color choices don't include all 45 colors, the selections are carefully chosen to give you the most versatile colors in the palette. The leaves were colored with Old Olive but they harmonize well with Celery buttons. You get tons of combinations for your projects this way!

I think that about sums it up for today. I have several other cards made ahead so check back for lots of fresh ideas to come. Have a great weekend!

Springtime Vintage Get Well Soon- SU only

Hi guys! Super quick post because I have a dental appointment in less than an hour so I have to fly but I wanted to pop in with something for you to see. I will post the photo and give an update later on the details. OK? Also, I wanted to mention that Sale A Bration has begun! The biggest savings of the year can be yours! With every $50 purchase, you earn one free item from the SAB catalog.

Now for the card...
And a shot from the side for more detail:
I will tell you all about it as soon as I can. Have a great day and think of me as I get my first root canal! ;)

Edit: I am back from the dentist and had a nap to let my poor tooth calm down a bit. Now I can tell you about the card. I will start at the back and work forward.
-Crumb Cake background is embossed with the new Framed Tulips embossing folder (Occasions Mini) and my Big Shot machine.
-The center panel is a layer of Pink Pirouette CS topped with Always Artichoke CS and then a piece of the new Springtime Vintage DSP.
-I made the flower with the new Blossom Petals punch. Each petal is punched from Pink Pirouette CS and then sponged with Rich Razzleberry ink. The leaves are the same petal shape but turned in the opposite direction.
-The center of the flower is a Crumb Cake Designer button which is included in the Neutrals set of buttons. I tied it off with a length of (non-SU) DMC #739 Pearl embroidery cotton and attached it with a glue dot for stability.
-The sentiment, which is part of the Sincere Salutations stamp set, is stamped with Rich Razzleberry ink onto Very Vanilla CS. I trimmed the tag with more Pink Pirouette CS and then it sits on a punched piece of Always Artichoke CS which has been punched with the Scallop Ribbon Border punch.

Hope you like it! Ask any questions you may have if I didn't explain enough for you. I am always glad to help. :)

Just For You- SU Only Card

Hi guys! Really short post today...I have tons to do since my family is all home for our 2nd snow day. So, without further ado...

I will be very brief in telling you about it but as always, please contact me if you have any questions about technique or the products I used. This is an SU only card so everything can be found in the new Occasions Mini catalog or my online store. The flower was made with the gorgeous new set called Build A Blossom and then punched with the matching punch called Blossom Petals. That lovely print paper (which I promise I am not finished with yet), is the Springtime Vintage DSP. I used all 3 of these products on a card a few days ago and it had a very different look so as you can see, they are very versatile and can be combined for endless card styles. As for the rest, I bet you have seen them all before but ask me if you need to know more.

Check back in for several new cards coming up. I have more to show you using SAB and Occasions Mini products as well as a fun new birthday card using rub-ons and DSP from the regular catalog. I need to tweak my photos and they will be ready to post over the next few days. Have a wonderful day and stay warm!

A Little Bit of Vintage

Hello everyone! Happy Monday! We are home enjoying our snow day here at my house. My feet won't get warm but otherwise, I am lovin' life. I am goofing at my desk as much as my hand will allow and having a ball with my new stamp goodies that came Friday. Today's card uses some of those goodies as a matter of fact!

That lovely, dainty print paper is from the brand new Springtime Vintage DSP which just appeared in the Occasions Mini. These prints are delicious! I can't wait to use them all. I paired this one with Always Artichoke and Pink Pirouette for my solids and then a Rich Razzleberry button and a length of Pretty in Pink 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon. The sentiment is from Curly Cute and I love how it fits into the Modern Label punch. A little bit of linen thread finishes the button embellishment and voila!

For more info about this card or about any of the SU products I mentioned, please contact me. I would be glad to help! :)