Stamps, Paper, and Ink

Sew Happy, Sew Suite

I just can not get enough of the Sew Suite collection, it is such a happy theme and I love being creative with it because there as SO many options for how to use it. That reminds me, I haven't actually machine-stitched on a card using this yet, hmmm, maybe for another day!

 I have a dear friend who loves all things crafty. She sews beautifully even though her latest passion is knitting. This birthday card is for her.

 

I started out wanting to use the paper patterned with sewing machines that is so very retro and a bit out of my comfort zone. Of course the needle and thread are go-withs to get this card all wrapped up! The beautiful layout is from Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge. I did change the orientation of the card of buttons but later thought it might have looked cute with the word sideways. What do you think?

The flower is three layers cut from the Island Floral die, spritzed with water,scrunched and inserted with a Sweet Stitches button brad.

Here's a peek at the inside.

I stamped the sentiment that says "There's something fabulous about your birthday, must be you!" inside.

If you'd like to see my friend Peggy's FABULOUS original purses have a look HERE and tell her I sent you. (waving "HI" Peggy, I'm thinking of you today!)

That's it from me. Thanks for your fabulous comments, hope this brings a smile your way.

 

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Sew Suite, Create A Cupcake, THe More the Merrier
Paper:  Whisper White, Tempting Turquosie, Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Sweet Stitches DSP
and Ink: Always Artichoke, Basic Black, Melon Mambo

Accessories: Tasteful Trim and Island Floral dies, Sweet Buttons embosslit, Curly Label punch, Sweet Stitches brads

Need supplies? Order from me at my online store  HERE

Got questions? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE

Cupcake fun!

Here's a card with some real color punch, hope you've got your shades handy! Time for some more cupcake fun!

I am playing around with the Create A Cupcake set to prepare for my upcoming class. The sketch challenge at The Paper Players was my starting point and seemed the perfect backdrop to add a pennant. I kept this clean, simple to mass produce, and bright!

It is really not as bright as it looks - I used Pumpkin Pie card stock that's not nearly as intense IRL as what the photo depicts.

Thanks for stopping by, hope your day is sweet.

 

   

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: A Word for You, Create A Cupcake
Paper:  Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Sweet & Sour Specialty
and Ink: Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso

Accessories:   Scallop square, Scallop border, Create A Cupcake, 2-3/8" circle, and large scallop punches; Linen thread

Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE

Charming Gift Set

I decided the necklace and pretty packaging that I made (scroll down for yesterday's post) deserved a few note cards to make it a personalized gift set.

The challenge at Our Creative Corner to make an ATC to add to a project sounded intriguing, especially since the colors required fit right in with the colors I had chosen. We were to use kraft, white, black and one other color. I added a hint of Marina Mist.

 Here's the card that I made attaching the Crumb Cake panel which is the ATC.

 The hostess set Silhouette Sentiments supplied the image and the words are from the You're a Gem set. In keeping with the stlye of the necklace, I stamped the medallion circles from the Charming set, and adorned the sentiment with Basic Rhinestones.

Adding a box, it's now a boxed gift set! The box is lined with Night and Day DSP and it holds the necklace plus two 4-1/4" square notecards and envies.

  

Here's a picture of the front of the box.

I really enjoyed making this project and I relish the thought of giving it away soon. Hope you've enjoyed seeing it, thanks for peeking in today!

Let me know what you think!

     

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Charming Necklace

Thanks to everyone who wrote comments when I was MIA last week, you have no idea how it makes me smile to know that you missed me! I'm back to normal and getting crafty again was so much fun! I can't wait to share today's project.

When my club hostess requested that we stamp on dominoes and make a necklace, I was a bit hesitant, thinking everyone in the group must have done or at least seen that technique (a few years ago, LOL!) But I LOVE challenges and did some research. We made these classy necklaces last week.

 
This was simple to make! If you'd like to give it a try, begin by soaking your dominoes in bleach for 2 hours to remove the glaze. You'll have a matte, porous surface to stamp on using Black StazOn ink. I stamped the text and floral images from the Charming set, using the heat gun to set the ink. I adhered the bead on top with Crystal Effects.

I wondered how my ladies would safely get these home. That's when I got my idea to dress it up with a pretty package.

They say, "Packaging is everything!" How do you like it?

I made the necklace holder using the Two Tags Die and the Big Shot, cutting out two tags. After stamping the images, I added a foam square to hold the necklace and wrapped the cord around to the back, arranging the pieces in a Y at the top and securing with a small strip of tape. Attaching the front to the back was easy using foam dots, and they allow enough space for the cord to be folded up and hidden inside.

Here's a close up.

 

I have to tell you I had so much fun making this project that I went even further and added more items to make a special gift set which you'll see on my blog tomorrow or Wednesday, so be sure to check back!

For those who've asked about my health, I am feeling well but still need to follow up with a cardiologist soon, and I think staying in on a cold rainy day like we're having today will be just what the doctor ordered. :) That means you can expect to see more posts this week. I hope that if you've enjoyed my project you'll take the time to let me know, or ask any questions that you have. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks so much for visiting!

   

all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Life is good

Hi friends,

I've had a few things going on over the weekend (like an unexpected hospital stay) and two stamping nights back to back this week. Just checking in to say that I look forward to posting again soon!

   

Sweet and Sour with a cherry on top!

I've been waiting to use the Sweet & Sour Specialty Paper I ordered and today is the day! No stories of card-eating puppies this time, although this DP is yummy! I loved using the bright colors to pattern a party banner on my card.

I wasn't kidding about the bright! I love the colors here of Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, and Vanilla. The only stamping is the sentiment strip, the bows and the cupcake liner. I love how the bow image from the Create A Cupcake set works with the banner. The banner was so easy to make snipping small triangles with the Large Star Punch and forming them into a curve with brads in between.

I was inspired today by Chupa's Sketchbook Saturday Challenge and the Party Time challenge at The Shabby Tea Room.

Your sweet comments are like the cherry on top! Thanks so much for visiting my blog.

   

 all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: A Word for You, Create A Cupcake
Paper:  Sweet & Sour Specialty Paper, Rose Red, Very Vanilla
and Ink: Rose Red

Accessories:   Star, Curly Label and Cupcake punches, brads

Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE

 

 

Here today, gone tomorrow!

I thought that title might catch your attention! Read on to the end of this post to solve the mystery of what I'm talking about in this case. :->

We had a wonderful trip over the weekend to visit family, and a wonderful time too! It always takes me awhile to get back to stamping mode, but the lovely sketch at MOJO Monday 182 gave me the best jump start to using one of my favorite sets, Easter Blossom. It was a lovely chance to feature the spray of sweet blossoms, don't you think?

I was happy to play along with Ann's Color Challenge at The Paper Players this week. I wanted to have a light airy feel to the large panel, and the Presto Patterns DSP was just right  with the large flourishes in white and sponging of Baja Breeze ink to provide the background color. I also randomly stamped the small floral image on this panel.

The blossoms were stamped in Basic Brown ink and colored in with markers.

Dressing it up with a layered bow and pearls, I was pleased when this card was finished. After I photographed it, I set it on the sofa with my camera, intending to edit soon. Left the room for just a few minutes to find that - JOSIE ATE IT! Yep, the dog ate my homework! She ate most of the card back and the lovely bow with three pearls must have been delectable because it's gone too!

Although somewhat distressed - think anybody would recognize teethmarks, lol? - the intact card front is somewhat salvageable. Moral of the story: thank God she didn't eat the camera! She tried.

Hope I'm leaving you chuckling, have a great day today!

   

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Easter Blossoms, Oval All
Paper:  Whisper White, Presto Patters Specialty Paper, Early Expresso, Blushing Bride
and Ink: Baja Breeze, Basic Brown

Accessories:   Stampin' Write markers, Basic Pearls, Ribbon Seam Binding, Oval and Oval Scallop punches

Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE

Shabby + Red = Roses!

 There was this terrific challenge going on at the Shabby Tea Room that I've been thinking about all week, to make a classic design using red, black and white. I got my card all made today, only to realize when I was done that the challenge ended - er, a few days ago!

What are challenges for anyway but to inspire us to make pretty cards?  Here you go!

I used the Aviary set for this card, the bold black lines of the bird cages were the perfect contrast and fit so well with this layout from Karen Giron at The Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge. My stash of my all-time favorite Bella Rose Designer Paper is almost gone, but there was just enough to use for the small rectangles.

I stamped a spray of flowers and leaves made with the Baby Blossoms set in the top bird cage. The main image is cut out and popped up, decked out with a row of pearls at the bottom. From the Heard from the Heart set, the sentiment is one that can be used for any occasion. I like that.

I also like that I made 4 cards this week for 7 challenges! I will be taking a long weekend break from my crafting and computer.

Hope you like today's card!  Your comments have been making me smile, thanks so much for taking the time to write me, I appreciate it so much.

   

 all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our today's card, Stampin' Up! products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE

Baby Fresh for Spring

I was so inspired by the fresh springy colors used in the sewing kit on page 35 of the Occasions Mini that I just had to put together a card with my own take on it.

Knowing my color scheme of Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, and Daffodil Delight narrowed the choice to two patterns of the Sweet Stitches Designer Series Paper. I knew I wanted to use the Buttons, Buttons set and make a square card, but I was stumped for a little while about the images, until I pulled out my dear old Forest Friends to use again. I love that set and especially this deer image which is cut out and popped up.

Embellishments were easy. What else goes with the baby theme but rick rack from the Tasteful Trim die, a big satin bow, and a safety pin! I also die cut the white label using the Big Shot and the Scallop Rectangle Clearlit. The 'baby' is from the Tiny Tags set.

I love the Sew Suite collection, the accessories are fun and fresh. I hope you're realizing that it's not just for sewing!

The layout for this card is from the sketch at the weekly Stamping 411 Challenge. Trust me that my layers are centered, it's the perspective of the camera shot from the side.  :->

Thanks for taking a look!

   

All supplies by Stampin' Up! Visit my online store HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE

Lots of Blossoms

I love the blossoms that mean spring is here to me! We know it's spring when the three huge Bradford Pear trees that line the driveway become laden with tiny white blossoms. (They are pretty as a picture, but when the breeze wafts, they carry quite a pungent smell!) We've also got peach blossoms, camellias and forsythia in bloom in our yard.

No wonder I chose to make a card covered with blossoms from the Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper. Here's today's card.

 
I used the Easter Blossoms set to stamp the spray of blossoms on the Crumb Cake circle and added tiny pearl accents. Using patterned paper with sponged edges, I rolled the three flower accents, again with pearl centers. I've seen these made all over blogland but this is the first time I actually made my own - I'm sure they'll get better with practice and practice I will because I love what they add to the card. I punched a 1" circle and snipped a spiral around the inside, then rolled the spiral tightly and adhered the flower to a glue dot. Tip: the sizes vary somewhat based on how tightly (or not) they are wound, and on the smallest one, I actually cut the spiral strip a bit. I did this completely by accident, not design, lol!

The sketch is lovely and fun from Julee at Mojo Monday and I'm playing along with the Spring Has Sprung challenge at The Paper Players.

Thanks for the encouragement of your kind words and lovely comments, makes my day!

   

Supplies**~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Easter Blossoms
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Springtime Vintage, Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz
and Ink: Early Espresso, Rose Red

Accessories:   Little Leaves Sizzlet, Rose Red Ribbon Seam Binding, Basic Pearls; Corner Rounder, 1" and 2-1/2" Circle and Scallop Border Trim punches

**Nestablilties

Visit my online store  HERE if you need supplies or to see our specials

Do you have any questions about our products, my projects/classes, or being a demonstrator? I am happy to answer them, just send me an e-mail, you'll find it HERE