Friday, January 30, 2009

Cheep Talk Joy Fold Card

Happy Friday! This card will be my make-n-take for the Janesville meeting tomorrow. It's called a Joy Fold Card and you can find a complete tutorial here. I wanted to use a new set and a SAB set. I though the Cheep Talk set worked perfectly with the Rainbow Sherbet dsp. It looks so springy! I also used the Congrats SAB set. I like this set because it is perfect to use when you want to add a sentiment to the inside of your card.


The inside view:


I'm looking forward to a busy weekend of stamping! I can't wait for our meeting tomorrow. I'm sure I will come back with all kinds of great trades and new ideas! See you on Monday!

Stamps: Cheep Talk, Congrats
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Gable Green, Whisper White, Apricot Appeal, Rainbow Sherbet dsp
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Gable Green, Apricot Appeal
Accessories: scoring tool, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Scallop punch, Horizontal Slot punch, Mat Pack, paper piercer, Tempting Turquoise grosgrain ribbon, Apricot Appeal grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge punch

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Botanical Blooms Sneak Peek

Another sneak peek at one of this year's SAB sets, Botanical Blooms.

Simple card to make, yet elegant. I love these colors together - So Saffron, Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip. Very serene, don't you think? I will be trading this card at our quarterly demo meeting in Janesville on Saturday. I can't wait! :)

I took this picture to show off the glitter on the flowers. It's kind of hard to see, but it's there!

Stamps: Botanical Blooms, Beautiful Borders
Paper: So Saffron, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: 1" circle punch, Jumbo Pewter Brad, Crop-A-Dile, So Saffron poly-twill ribbon, Mat Pack, paper piercer, Dazzling Diamonds

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Polka Dot Punches Butterfly

Here's a sneak peek of one of the Sale-A-Bration 2009 sets - Polka Dot Punches. The set has 4 stamps, all of which fit with one of SU!'s punches. On this card, I used the heart image and the new Full Heart punch to create a butterfly.

I started with a Gable Green card base and added a strip of Rainbow Sherbet dsp. I folded down one corner of the dsp to show off both designs on the paper. I stamped a sentiment from one of the new Level I hostess sets Sweet Little Sentiments, stamped in Green Galore ink. I also added some Apricot Appeal grosgrain ribbon.

To create the butterfly, I stamped the heart image twice in VersaMark ink on Tempting Turquoise scrap. I embossed the hearts with white embossing powder and punched each out with the Full Heart punch. I attached them together at the points using a Mini Glue Dot. Next, I took a button (from Fresh Favorites I) and added a piece of wire, which I coiled around a toothpick to create the antennae. I used my Big Shot and Scallops #2 die to create the large scallop circle and then used one of my new Texturz Plates with the Big Shot to create the embossed background. I attached the butterfly to the scallop circle using Dimensionals, and placed the it on the card front also using Dimensionals.

A fun, "springy" card! Makes me think of warmer weather... :)

Stamps: Polka Dot Punches, Sweet Little Sentiments
Paper: Gable Green, Apricot Appeal, Tempting Turquoise, Rainbow Sherbet dsp
Ink: VersaMark, Green Galore
Accessories: white ep, heat gun, Full Heart punch, Big Shot, Scallops #2 die, Texturz Plate Backgrounds #1, Apricot Appeal grosgrain ribbon, Fresh Favorites I buttons, silver wire

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Mojo Monday #71

When I sat down to stamp last night, I should have been working on projects for my upcoming events, but instead, I decided to play along with the Mojo Monday challenge.

As soon as I saw the sketch, I knew that I wanted to use this new set, Thoughts and Prayers. When I saw this set in the catalog, it immediately went on my "to buy" list.

I started with a 5"x5" Mellow Moss card and added a strip of Always Artichoke dsp on the right edge. I also added a strip of Perfect Plum cs, which I decorated with my new Eyelet border punch. I also paper pierced around the spine of the card. I used Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon for my bow accent.

I stamped the tree in Chocolate Chip ink on a Very Vanilla panel of cardstock and used my Trio Flower punch to add small flowers in Always Artichoke, Perfect Plum and Pale Plum. I used Vintage Brads to attach the flowers. I stamped the sentiment on a Very Vanilla scrap and punched it out with my Small Oval punch. I layered this into a panel of Perfect Plum, punched with my Curly Label punch. I also added one more flower with a brad to the label. I placed the tree on the card using Dimensionals.

Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers
Paper: Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke dsp
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Eyelet border punch, Small Oval punch, Curly Label punch, Trio Flower punch, Vintage Brads, Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon, Mat Pack, paper piercer

Monday, January 26, 2009

Lovable Little Penguin

This is a shaker magnet we made at our last Mother/Daughter Stamp Night. I found these tins at Target in the bridal section and they were 40% off at the time. I stocked up because they were too cute to pass up and I knew I would find a use for them at some point!

I stamped the penguin with Basic Blank ink on Whisper White scrap. I used my 1 1/4" circle punch to punch him out and layered him onto a 1 3/8" Pink Pirouette circle and a Real Red scallop. I also added a little red gingham bow tie with a Mini Glue Dot. I placed the penguin in the tin, secured with a Pop-Up Glue Dot. I made the heart confetti using the new Heart to Heart punch.

I finished the tin off by placing some Real Red wide grosgrain ribbon around the outside and secured the ends with Sticky Strip. I placed a self-adhesive magnet on the back so that we can hang this little guy on the fridge.

A fun little Valentine's Day gift, don't you think? I'm hoping to get some time to try out some of my new toys this week. I'm looking forward to sharing my creations with you!

Stamps: Wild About You
Paper: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Real Red
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Heart to Heart punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Scallop punch, red gingham ribbon, Real Red wide grosgrain ribbon, Sticky Strip, Pop-Up Glue Dots, Mini Glue Dots, round tin, self-adhesive magnetic strip

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Thank You Mini Clipboards

I made these mini clipboards as thank you gifts for my customers who pre-ordered catalogs. They turned out so cute! This project used the hostess set A Little Somethin'... again. :) What can I say? I really like this set!


Another view:

I covered coasters with Raspberry Tart dsp and attached the "notepaper" (3x5 note cards cut in half) with a binder clip. I stamped the "thanks a bunch" in Kiwi Kiss and Rose Red ink on Whisper White cs and punched it out with my 1 3/4" circle punch. I used my Scallops #2 die for my Big Shot and cut out the smaller scallop. I layered the two together to make a small tag. Just a little way to show my appreciation to my customers!

Stamps: A Little Somethin'
Paper: Raspberry Tart dsp, Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red
Accessories: coasters, 1 3/4" circle punch, Big Shot, Scallops #2 die, 1/8" hole punch, crochet thread, binder clip, 3x5 note cards, Rose Red grosgrain ribbon, Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Howdy!

The new catalog is officially here - yeah! I hope you all love it as much as I do. There are so many new toys, from corduroy buttons and brads to tons of new dies for the Big Shot, not to mention designer papers and stamps.

This card uses one of the new Level II hostess sets - A Little Somethin'. I think this makes a great masculine card and it's very quick and easy.

I started with some Hawaiian Papaya dsp (now retired) on a Kiwi Kiss card. I stamped the "Howdy" stamp, first in Kiwi Kiss ink and then in Chocolate Chip ink on some Very Vanilla scrap. I punched out the Kiwi Kiss image using my 1 1/4" circle punch. I trimmed the Chocolate Chip image to only include the phrase and layered it onto the Kiwi Kiss image, using Dimensionals. I layered this onto a 1 3/8" Tangerine Tango circle and a Chocolate Chip medallion, made using my Scallop punch.

I added some Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon to the card and layered the Howdy medallion on the card with Dimensionals. I also punched out three Chocolate Chip stars and added them to the card with Vintage Brads. Oh, and a little paper piercing along the bottom! :)

Stamps: A Little Somethin'
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla, Hawaiian Papaya dsp (retired)
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Scallop punch, Star punch, Vintage Brads, Mat Pack, paper piercer, Dimensionals

Monday, January 19, 2009

Happy birthday to me...

One of the best things about being a stamper is getting birthday cards from your stamping friends - they are always the BEST!

This incredible card was sent to me by my good friend, Susie. We call her the Embellishment Queen, and this card is a perfect example of her detail work. There is even a mini calendar with my birthday marked on it - amazing! Thank you, Susie! :)

I had a great birthday weekend. I got to spend Saturday afternoon shopping with my mom and my sister. We haven't had a girls' day out since my son was born 4 1/2 years ago! I also had a virtual birthday party (via Windows Live Messenger)last night with my niece, Tevia, who shares the same birthday. Thanks to everyone for their happy birthday wishes!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Mojo Gone Wild

As promised, here is my Mojo Monday card that went a little crazy! It's a little over the top - you may need your sunglasses! :)

This all started with wanting to use some of my new supplies from the Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book. I thought this large flower from the new set Petal Pizazz would be perfect for the focal image. And, I wanted to use some of that Raspberry Tart paper that I am currently in love with. Anyway, this is what can happen late at night in your craft room! I actually like it, even though it has a lot more going on than the cards I usually put together. Thanks for looking and have a great weekend!

Stamps: Petal Pizazz, One of a Kind
Paper: Regal Rose, Whisper White, Rose Red, Raspberry Tart dsp
Ink: Rose Red, Versamark
Accessories: clear ep, heat tool, Large Oval punch, 3/4" circle punch, Flower Fusion, Pretties Kit, Coluzzle, Big Shot, Scallop Circles #2 die, Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Mojo Monday + Color Challenge CC201

Holy cow! I thought I would try my hand at a couple of the challenges out there this week. Shouldn't take too long, right? Uh...yeah.


I saw this layout over at the Mojo Monday blog and I really liked it! I've only tried one other Mojo Monday sketch, so I thought, "Why not?" It seemed so simple... Anyway, this was actually my second attempt at this sketch. I'll post the first card I made tomorrow. I'm not sure if I love it or hate it... :)

So, after my first wacky attempt at the sketch, I decided to combine it with the color challenge for the week on Splitcoast: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, and Kraft. I immediately thought of this set - A Little Birdie Told Me - and wanted to use the scallop die with my Big Shot. And then I got stuck! It took me awhile to get this all together and I'm still not sure if I'm crazy about it - maybe there's too many polka dots. Can there be such a thing? Let me know what you think!

Stamps: A Little Birdie Told Me, Polka Dot background stamp
Paper: Kraft, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Baja Breeze dsp, Kraft dsp
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze
Accessories: 3/4" circle punch, 1" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Button Bouquet, Caramel gingham ribbon, Big Shot, Scallop Circle #2 die, Coluzzle, Mat Pack, paper piercer, white gel pen

Pretty Orange Butterflies

I don't know about you, but a little spring sounds pretty good right now, and this card is just the ticket! I think this may be my new favorite color combination. I have always loved tone-on-tone and I had a feeling that these two shades of orange - Apricot Appeal and Tangerine Tango - would truly compliment each other.

This card also uses two retiring sets, Kind Thoughts and the Stitched background stamp. I stamped the background with Apricot Appeal ink on a Very Vanilla card. I tore the bottom edge of the card and added the sentiment, stamped on the inside of the card with Tangerine Tango ink.

To create the butterfly image, first I stamped the butterfly in Apricot Appeal and then Tangerine Tango. I layered this panel onto Tangerine Tango. I added a Pewter Jumbo Eyelet and threaded a strip of Tangerine Tango striped grosgrain ribbon through the eyelet. I layered this onto an Apricot Appeal panel.

Have a great day and stay warm!

Stamps: Kind Thoughts, Stitched
Paper: Very Vanilla, Apricot Appeal, Tangerine Tango
Ink: Apricot Appeal, Tangerine Tango
Accessories: Pewter Jumbo Eyelet, Crop-A-Dile, Tangerin Tango striped grosgrain ribbon

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Happiness Always 10 for $10

A retake on a card I traded at a downline meeting last year. You can see full details on that card here.


I like this color combo - it feels very serene. I'll miss this hostess set!

Stamps: Happiness Always (retiring)
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point, Whisper White
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Pacific Point
Accessories: Kiwi Kiss striped grosgrain ribbon

Monday, January 12, 2009

You're a Star!

Happy Monday! Today's card is a super quick and easy birthday card from my 10 Cards for $10 class last Saturday. I love the simplicity of this card, plus it's fun! Our theme for the class was Retiring Stamp Sets.

This card is as easy to put together as it looks! I started with a Bashful Blue card and stamped the Canvas background onto a piece of Pumpkin Pie cs with the same color ink. I layered a strip of Summer Picnic dsp over the Pumpkin Pie panel and added the star image from the Classic Backgrounds set layered onto an Old Olive circle.


I added a little paper piercing (of course) and stamped the sentiment near the bottom of the card.


Stamps: Classic Backgrounds (retiring), Canvas (retiring), On Your Birthday
Paper: Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Whisper White, Summer Picnic dsp (retiring)
Ink: Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Large Star punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Mat Pack

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Just Buzzin' By Sneek Peak

Aren't these little bees the cutest? This set is called Just Buzzin' By and it is another one of the new sets in the Spring/Summer 2009 Idea Book called. Less than two weeks to go! :)

The card base is made out of Kraft cardstock with a strip of More Mustard designer paper layered on to Chocolate Chip cardstock. I also added some Chocolate Chip and More Mustard grosgrain ribbon.

I stamped the images in Basic Brown ink on Whisper White cardstock and colored them with my Aqua Painter and More Mustard and Close to Cocoa ink pads. I accented the little bees' wings with some Dazzling Diamonds glitter and added brads to the bee hive stand.


Inside view:


Stamps: Just Buzzin' By
Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Whisper White, More Mustard dsp
Ink: Basic Brown, More Mustard, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Vintage Brads, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Chocolate Chip and More Mustard grosgrain ribbon, Dimensionals

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Sparkly Love Note

I was playing around with the Love You Much set and this is what happened! :) I actually saw the idea to use glitter on the LOVE letters over at Jill's Card Creations. If you haven't seen her blog, you must check it out - she has some GREAT ideas!

I've had this Orchid Fine Cosmo Glitter for quite some time, but hadn't put it to good use. I also wanted to do a color combo that was a little different, so I used my Color Coach to see what I might use with the Lavender Lace and I decided to go with Cameo Coral. I have to admit that I was just a bit apprehensive at first, but I really like how this turned out! All the ladies who were stamping at the Verona Senior Center last night loved it, too. Several of them are coming to my 10 Cards for $10 on Saturday, so I've decided to add this card (or a similar rendition) to the line up.


Glitter close-up:

A little tip: Evidently I can't "color" within the lines with my glue pen, because my glitter was outside of the letter outlines. Once the glitter had dried a bit, I used the pointed tip of my bone folder to scrape away the excess glitter to get a crisper image.

Stamps: Love You Much, Sprinkles
Paper: Lavender Lace, Cameo Coral, Whisper White
Ink: Black Staz-On, Lavender Lace
Accessories: 2-Way Glue Pen, Orchid Fine Cosmo Glitter, 1/2" circle punch, Spiral punch, Flower Brad Assortment, Black and White Gingham Ribbon, Mat Pack, Corner Rounder punch

Hugs & Kisses

Love the Love You Much bundle? Click here to find out more!

Pretty straightforward card... I did use Crystal Effects on the red heart to make it look like candy, although it is hard to see in the picture. This color combo is so fun and I really like the Candy Lane designer series paper. Valentine's Day, here we come!


Stamps: Love You Much
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla, Candy Lane dsp
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note die, Riding Hood Red striped grosgrain, 1 1/4" circle punch, Scallop Punch, Crystal Effects, Chit Chat Rub-Ons

Monday, January 5, 2009

Elegant Thank You Sneek Peak

I am so excited to be playing with some of the stamps from the new catalog! This stamp, called Elegant Thank You, is one of my favorites... I am always in need of thank you cards and I think this stamp will be well used. :)

I like the simplicity of this card, and how is displays the Baja Breeze designer paper. The colors are so soft and pretty! I stamped the Elegant Thank You in Baja Breeze ink on Whisper White cs and punched it out with my 1 3/4" circle punch. I added some paper piercing to the circle and layered it onto a piece of Pink Pirouette cs, punched with the Round Tab punch. I added some white taffeta ribbon to the card front, layered the sentiment and added some felt flowers from Flower Fusion II along with a small Filigree Brad. The final card measures 5"x5".

This is a close-up of the detail work.



Stamps: Elegant Thank You
Paper: Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze dsp
Ink: Baja Breeze
Accessories: 1 3/4" circle punch, Round Tab punch, Flower Fusion II, Filigree Brads, Mat Pack, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Rasberry Tart Flip Book

Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had a fun and safe holiday. We are (mostly) back from our holiday travels - one more family Christmas party in New London, WI to attend today, but that will be the end of it.


This is a flip book I made for our demo group's gift exchange. We do it "white elephant" style, where one person picks a present and opens it and the next person can steal it or pick something else, etc. Such fun! I had to miss it, since we were visiting family in Minnesota. Anyway, I was really happy with how the book turned out and I hope that whoever received it enjoys filling it with pictures. For complete measurements and instructions, click HERE.

This book showcases the *new* Raspberry Tart designer series paper, which will be available in the new catalog. I've already used it on several projects - I love this paper!

Another picture of the inside of the book... It was really hard to try to take pictures that show all the different pages and pull-outs!


One of the pages, with the new Sweet Stem Embosslit for the Big Shot.


Top view...

Stamps: Dreams du Jour
Paper: Raspberry Tart dsp, Regal Rose, Pirouette Pink, Rose Red, Kiwi Kiss
Ink: Rose Red
Accessories: Scallop Edge punch, Big Shot, Scallop Circle #2 die, Top Note die, Sweet Stem Embosslit, Pretties Kit, Flower Fusion, Build-a-Brad, Regal Rose wide grosgrain ribbon