Stamps, Paper, and Ink

Bright Blossoms

Hi there! 

This has been a busy spring and I've gotten a bit slack about posting. I hope to fix that soon so you'll know you can expect to hear from me several times weekly. 

I've had lots of time to craft. As a matter of fact, I've been intensely involved in the fun of creating projects to submit for the Stampin' Up! Artisan challenge this year. It is such a stretching experience to make a variety of intensely detailed projects. I'll be mailing them in but not until I've taken photos to share with you another time.

I took a break to make a quick and easy card with the Bright Blossoms set which wil be available June 1 in the new catalog! Lots of new catty excitement for me today as I expect my pre-order in a couple of days.

I love the happy colors and coordinating Summer Smooches Designer paper. I used the Bigz Square die to make the card base. 

The sentiment is from the Short & Sweet set, which is retiring. This one is often a go-to for me.

Thanks for visiting! 

Party Girl

 I pulled out this sweet girl from the Greeting Card Kids stamp set for today's card. I had actually colored her for THIS card but decided to use more subdued shades, so this little darling was sitting on my desk. In my mind, she was all prettied up as if she was going to a party for Valentine's Day. Instead she fit right on this card made for the challenge at Freshly Made Sketches.

I stamped the image on a Label from the Framelits Collection. I decided to add a pop of color by punching twice with the Decorative Label punch and adding the pieces on either side of the Label. For embellishments, the Vanilla Velvet ribbon and Vanilla Rosettes (retired) teamed up with the ribbon from the Everyday Enchantment pack.

Thanks for taking a peek! I'm posting this on Sunday night so I don't miss entering before the challenge deadline.

 

 

Take it to Heart

Hi there!

Hope your day and new year is perking along well. I've been busy with family birthdays and a stamping "Tea" party last night but I've got a quick share for you today.

You know you are going to see this set again from me a few times in the next month - I LOVE the Take it to Heart stamp set from the Occasions Mini. Paired with the Everyday Enchantment DSP (a peek of what's to come with Sale-A-Bration) this vintage set shows off a cute and fun, classic style!

I started out with an idea to create a seasonal card perfect for a thank you or short note. I love the perky colors - Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Calypso Coral and Poppy Parade.

Adding a topper made with the Adorning Accents Edgelits and coordinating embossing folders really dresses up this easy card. I stamped the sentiment from the Loving Thoughts set tone on tone so the edge treatment details could stand out.

This fits right in with the Love Challenge at The Paper Players.

Thanks for stopping by today! I know there are a zillion blogs out there and I'm honored that you pop in to take a peek at my creations. I'd love to hear from you!

Big Top Birthday

Hi everybody! It's good to be back! I've walked the dog, said goodby to my family and snuggled here in my craft room to soak up the quiet, think some of my own thoughts, do a little computer business and stamp!

I don't usually make children's birthday cards, but when I saw the Big Top Designer Papers I couldn't resist making some fun cards with it. Especially since the The Paper Players  are posting a Birthday challenge for this week.

I began by wanting to use the banner image from the Patterned Party stamp set. After playing a bit, I decided it really does show up best if cut out. I was planning on using a small pattern of the paper but when I turned it over to this scene, my card came together quickly.

Like the strong man I wanted to say a "Ta-dah!" with a drumroll in the background. Sometimes simple really is best and in this case, the cute design of the DP made it so easy to create a cute card. Give this a try today!

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Patterned Party

Paper:  Big Bold Birthday DSP, Brights Designer Series Paper Stack, Whisper White, Real Red

Ink:  Real Red

Accessories: Brights Designer Buttons,  1/8" Taffeta ribbon, Scallop Edge Border Punch

Easy and sweet!

 The Easy Events set has everything you need to make cards for any occasion. I inked up the cute cupcake image for today's easy and sweet birthday card.

The colors are Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Peach Parfait and Pool Party. I had fun layering my buttons with a jewel, but think I got just a wee bit carried away with the Baker's Twine!  To add texture, the Daffodil card stock was embossed with the Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and I decorated the cupcake with a bit of glitter. If you have any questions about the card after you check the supply list, just let me know.

The time is running short to sign up on this month's Starter Kit special. You could receive all this PLUS a 20% discount on all your stamping orders! It is possible to substitute for inks and card stock that you may already have.

Whether you want to consider Stampin' Up! as a business opportunity or just add to your stash with these discounted supplies, don't let yourself miss out on this limited offer that ends Sunday! I would so love to have you on my team.

There's more -

Join in July and receive this FREE Christmas Keepsake Project Kit plus a chance to earn an additional free stamp set from my upline. I look forward to having you contact me to discuss your questions and show you how easy becoming a demonstrator can be. Call or e-mail me today!

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  Easy Events

Paper:  Whisper White, Pool Party, Melon Mambo, Brights Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack, Daffodil Delight

Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait, Pool Party, Jetblack StazOn

Accessories:  Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle and 2-1/2" Circle punches, Baker's Twine, Designer Original Buttons, Basic Rhinestones, taffeta ribbon, Tasteful Trim Die

Hello, my friends!

If you've been wondering where I've been, I am here to tell you all about it today! I've been in a whirlwind of traveling, and I just got in late last night from my second trip this month. Except for 3 days to regroup, I've been gone since July 12th!

This time my husband and I went together to attend the beautiful wedding of my nephew and his sweet bride. He is such a great guy - I wish we didn't live so far away. The celebration was lovely and I'm so glad I was able to be there to spend wonderful times visiting with my family. We were in such a gorgeous setting, surrounded by the beauties of nature on every side. Here are a few pics and I'm sure by the end you will guess the location!

Rocks, hills, and woodlands...

water on every side,

rocky beaches, boats everywhere! We sailed on a schooner almost out to the open sea!

Mount Desert Island, Maine is one of the prettiest places I've ever been!  Now you know what I've been up to. If you can take one more non-card related photo, can I say how happy my family was to have us back?  And look who's not wanted to leave my side....

JOSIE!

As promised, I do have a card for you in keeping with a natural beauty theme.

This card was inspired by the GROW theme at Convention, and the beautiful stage set up. It changed colors and when I saw this calming combo, I got the idea for this card using the My Friend set. The silhouette was stamped and embossed in white. I preferred keeping the layers simple so that this card could be made in minutes! Hope you'll give it a try.

Hope you've enjoyed this little glimpse of my summer. Thanks so much for spending a few minutes here today, I love being able to share with you!

 

  All supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps:  My Friend

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White

Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Versamark

Accessories:  White EP, Jumbo brad, Decorative Label and Corner Rounder punches

 

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

Simply a dream!

It's Monday and that means it's time for another Clean and Simple post. My time on the Design Team at Clean and Simple Cards Challenge on Splitcoaststampers has ended today, and it has been a dream! There is nothing like making a certain type of card on a regular basis to hone down or improve those skills. I've had a blast on the team and I've learned to really enjoy simple cards. Hope you have too.

This week the challenge is The Great Outdoors.

I began with a color combo that was a fav of mine for a long time. For my bridal shower gift  my MIL was going to buy us a bedspread and she asked about colors. Mind you, I was young and there was NO SUCH thing as bridal registry when everything is planned out, lol! I said these exact words. "I'd like it to be green for the  trees, blue for the sky, and white for clouds." I admit, that yes, I was naive in my tastes and idealistic but you know what? She found me a bedspread with not only those colors, but those images in a large pattern. I knew then she was an amazing woman. She is.

OK, back to the card - these colors mean outdoors to me. I inked up the tree with markers, stamped and cut it out, and popped it up on patterned paper. The clouds were punched out using the muffin top of the Cupcake Punch. Couldn't be easier.

I will continue to make cards for this challenge, so you can bet you'll see them! As a matter of fact, tomorrow's card will be my other sample for this theme, and my favorite of my CAS designs EVER! You won't want to miss it.

I'm going to get out in the wild outdoors myself today. Hope you have a happy day, thanks for visiting!

   

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Razzle Dazzle (sentiment)
Paper:  Wild Wasabi, Bold Brights Designer Series Pack, Whisper White, Basic Black
and Ink: Basic Black

Accessories:    Stampin' Write markers,Word window, modern label and cupcake punches, Designer Buttons - Neutrals

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

Classic Thanks

TWO posts in one day! I'm on a roll!

I made two cards using the Very Vintage wheel (if you missed it, you'll find it HERE.) Thought you'd like to see the other one so I'm posting it too.

 You can't go wrong with the Very Vintage BG and the Top Note die making a simple layout. I dressed it up with the Beveled Windowpane, I loved playing with those! I made another sample using them to show my club ladies tonight, you'll get to see it later this week.

Tip: the Scallop Rectangle Clearlit fits exactly behind the largest size windowpane. It makes a striking frame.

Thanks for visiting, if you are inspired please take time to let me know. I'd love to hear from you!

   

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Occasional Quotes, Very Vintage Wheel
Paper:  Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Baja Breeze
and Ink: Not Quite Navy, Basic Gray

Accessories:   Top Note, Beveled Windowpane, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Basic Pearls, Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Scallop Rectangle Clearlit

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

Three for you!

I have THREE  cards for you today and three cheers for Sale-A-Bration!  I sat down to play with my free sets from Sale-A-Bration and it was so much fun remembering how easy it is to make a cute and fun card. In light of keeping things quick and simple, my post will do the same.

Enjoy seeing these whimsical cards that are flat and easy to mail to someone you love. I love the bright and happy colors of the Ice Cream Parlor Designer Series Paper & Quick Accents Pack, and it is featured on every card. Here you go!

After I took my photo, I went back and added some color for his nose and popped up another layer for his eyes. The Owl Punch and the branch  and border strip from the Quick Accents made making this card a cinch!

The next card used the same layout but what a difference a change of colors and images makes.

 

TWO new uses for our products here. I hand-cut a triangle for the cone and added texture with the Square Lattice embossing folder and the Big Shot. Square lattice = waffle cone, isn't that fun? The best part is the scoops of ice cream with a cherry on top using the Cupcake Punch! This is not my original idea, just my take on things I've seen on the net.

The next card uses a new technique that has many names, I like "pressed flowers". You may want to click on the photo to see the larger version and details.

The technique involves cutting out an image, flowers or whatever - and adhering it to your card stock. In my case, I adhered it to a patterned paper from the Ice Cream Parlor pack, you can see the subtle pattern of flowers down the left side that is from the paper. Run it through the Square Lattice folder, and your image presses into the paper meshing into one subtle design with fabulous texture.

Beginning by stamping the stem and leaves in Always Artichoke craft ink, I next adhered flowers from the Accent Pack. So easy!  After embossing, I added another flower and border strip from the pack for more definition. This is definitely a fun and easy technique!

Below I've listed just some of the supplies used for all  three cards. If you haven't yet booked your workshop or catalog party, don't wait any longer. You may also earn Hostess Benefits and FREE Sale-A-Bration supplies for an online order of $150. Contact me today!

   

Supplies~  all supplies by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: So Happy for You, Punch Bunch, Bring on the Cake
Paper:  Ice Cream Parlor Designer Series Paper & Quick Accents Pack

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