CAS 86: Vintage Vanilla

I created today's card for this week's Clean and Simple challenge, which happens to be a sketch challenge. This is my take on the sketch:

I love the sepia tones in this card, which gives it a vintage quality. I also used an Antique Brad and added sponging to the edges of the stamped panel, as well as the embossed panel, adding to the vintage vibe. That's all for today - hope to see you back here soon. 'Bye for now!

Stamps: Style Beautiful
Paper: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Finial Press embossing folder, Antique Brads, Early Espresso taffeta ribbon, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool

Holiday Glitz

Hi there! Today's card creation was inspired by Fall to Layout #109 - click here to view the original sketch. I wanted to do something with a Christmas theme, so I pulled out my new pack of Candy Cane Christmas Specialty dsp. With the help of the designer paper, this card was super quick to put together.

I just love ruffled ribbon, and when you combine it with some rhinestones, you have complete card glamour! Love it! I hope you like it, too. ;) Have a great day!

Stamps: Four the Holidays
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Whisper White, Candy Cane Christmas Specialty dsp
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Pretty in Pink satin ribbon, Basic Rhinestone Jewels, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool

A Card for a Friend

Today's post is a quickie, just a little something to get your weekend off to a beautiful start. :) I made this card for a fellow demo who is recovering from hand surgery. I hope this will brighten her day.

What a fun way to use up some Greenhouse Gala scraps! I love the way all those patterns go together. Have a wonderful weekend - see you next week!

Stamps: Three Little Words, Friends Never Fade
Paper: Pear Pizazz, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Greenhouse Gala dsp
Ink: Pear Pizazz, Early Espresso
Accessories: Real Red grosgrain ribbon, Decorative Label punch, Extra Large oval punch, small red rhinestone, Mat Pack, Paper-Piercing Tool

FTL 108: Happy Thoughts to Brighten Your Day

I finally got around to the latest Fall to Layout yesterday. It was fun to create a circle card instead of the traditional square or rectangle card. I decided to make mine using my Scallop Circle die with my Big Shot.

To make the card, I cut a piece of Pear Pizazz cardstock at 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" and folded it in half, just like making a traditional card. I placed the folded cs on my die and cut it so that the fold would be at the top of the card. I then took another piece of Pear Pizazz and cut a second scallop circle, which I adhered over the top of my card front. This way you don't see the flat fold at the top, just the scallop. You'll find all the other supplies listed below, as usual. I'll back tomorrow with another card to share - see you then!

Stamps: Apple Blossoms
Paper: Pear Pizazz, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Greenhouse Gala dsp
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Circle die, Coluzzle, Decorative label punch, Boho Blossoms punch, rhinestone brad

CAS 85: An Apple a Day

I created this card for this week's Clean and Simple challenge on Splitcoast. The challenge is to use fall colors on your CAS card: kraft, red, vanilla, brown and orange (optional). I've been on a baking kick lately and I'm craving apple cake, so I wanted to make something with apples. I pulled out my Tart 'n Tangy stamp set and put this card together.

I used Real Red, Cajun Craze and Pumpkin Pie for my apples and added my sentiment (from the Apple Blossoms hostess set) along with some piercing and ribbon to pull it all together. Makes me want to go apple-picking! :) Hope you have a fantastic day!

Stamps: Tart 'n Tangy, Apple Blossoms
Paper: Very Vanilla
Ink: Real Red, Cajun Craze, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Neutrals Designer Buttons, hemp twine, Real Red satin ribbon, Mat Pack, Paper-Piercing Tool

P is for Pencil

I recently attended a regional demonstrator meeting and offered to demonstrate a make-n-take for the group. I was inspired by an adorable project in the current Creating Keepsakes magazine and decided to recreate it using only SU! products. This is the "pencil" the demonstrators made at the meeting:

The main part of the pencil is a roll of Rolos and the point is a Hershey's Kiss - so clever, right? Now you know why I wanted to make one, too. :) I thought this would make a really fun little treat for a teacher or a special student.

I'm off to attempt to get some stamping done before I need to pick the kiddos up from school. 'Bye for now!

Stamps: A Word for You
Paper: Daffodil Delight, Pink Pirouette, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: 1" circle punch, paper trimmer with scoring blade, Modern Label punch, Crop-a-Dile, Big Shot, Tasteful Trim die, aluminum foil, Real Red narrow taffeta ribbon

Back 2 School Scrapbook Layout

I'm kicking off my first scrapbooking class on Sunday and I'm really excited. This is the 2-page layout that we will be making, with a "back to school" theme.


These pages are all about texture. I used cork, felt, ribbon and an embossing folder to add lots of fun texture. I'm looking forward to our first class. Are you in the Madison area and interested in coming? E-mail me (see the link to the right) for more info. Have a great weekend!

Stamps: A to Z
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Pacific Point, Newsprint dsp
Ink: Crumb Cake
Accessories: Big Shot, Alphabet Simple Letter and Numbers dies, Scallop Border punch, Round Tab punch, Spiral Border punch, Stars #2 die, red felt, Cork Sheets, Real Red wide grosgrain ribbon, Neutrals Designer Buttons, hemp twine

Big Button Flower

I am in button love! These Big Designer Buttons are so fun - I can't get enough of 'em. I made this 3"x6" card and that big ol' button is the icing on the cake (or should I say card?).

Notice the embossing on the flower? I also added some Melon Mambo designer paper and a smidge of Old Olive grosgrain ribbon to create the leaves on the stem. That little "hello" comes from the Tiny Teacup stamp. This card came together very quickly and I love the bright, cheery feel. I hope it brightens your day, too!

Stamps: Tiny Teacup
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Whisper White, Melon Mambo dsp
Ink: Melon Mambo
Accessories: Extra Large Fancy Flower punch, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Candy Cane Big Designer Button, Scallop Border punch, 1 3/8" x 5/8" Oval punch, 1 3/4" x 7/8" Oval punch

CAS 84: Fabric Fun

This week's Clean and Simple challenge on Splitcoast is "inspired by a birthday wreath." To find out more about the challenge, and see the fantastic balloon wreath, click here. I've been itching to break into some of the fabulous new fabric in the Holiday Mini and couldn't wait any longer! This is the card I came up with:

I used my Big Shot to cut the large flower out of red felt (purchased at a local dime store) and added a circle cut from the Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric. I also added one of the new Big Designer Buttons (also from the Candy Cane collection). Eek! I LOVE these buttons - keep an eye out in the next couple of days because I have some more adorable cards lined up using the Candy Cane big buttons. I added the "happy birthday" from A Word for You, but I only inked up the "happy birthday" part of the stamp. Such a bright, happy birthday card! :)

Stamps: A Word for You
Paper: Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Big Shot, Flower Bigz Clear die, Circles #2 die, red felt, Candy Cane Christmas Designer Fabric, Candy Cane Big Designer Buttons, Tombow adhesive, Mat Pack, Paper-Piercing Tool

FTL 107: Sail Away

Here's another card using the Uncharted Territory stamp set. Yesterday's card showed how you can watercolor the images in this set. Today's card is all about the simplicity of ink meeting paper - no coloring required. I really liked Fall to Layout #107 and thought I'd use it on this card.

Isn't this a great color combo for the guys? I used Early Espresso, Old Olive and Pacific Point to create this card. One little tip for you: I stamped the sail boat image on a panel of watercolor paper and the wide stripe in the middle of the sail came out kinda splotchy. I used my Aqua Painter to pick up a little bit of ink from the lid of my Pacific Point ink pad and filled in the missing spots. Worked like a charm!

Thanks for stopping by today! I'll see you back here tomorrow with another project to share. 'Bye for now!

Stamps: Uncharted Territory
Paper: Early Espresso, Old Olive, Pacific Point, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Pacific Point
Accessories: Scallop Border punch, Extra-Large Oval punch, Old Olive narrow taffeta ribbon

Uncharted Territory

Happy Monday! I had a busy weekend filled with stamping - what could be better? One of my favorites parts of the weekend took place yesterday afternoon. My friends Susie, Laurie and Miguela came over and we stamped the afternoon away. I was able to put together several cards to share, and I got to play with some of my new goodies, one if which is this set - Uncharted Territory.

I saw a sketch on Julie Davison's blog and I thought it would work really well with this set, especially the lighthouse image. I watercolored the lighthouse on some of SU!'s Watercolor Paper and added a designer button to add a little interest. Don't ya love it? This set is just perfect for masculine cards. I'll be sharing another card using this set with you tomorrow. Have a great day!

Stamps: Uncharted Territory, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Cajun Craze, Not Quite Navy, More Mustard, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Basic Black, Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Neutrals Designer Buttons, hemp twine

Happy Halloween from the Greeting Card Kids

I have another card to share using the Greeting Card Kids stamp set. We made this card at last weekend's stamp-a-stack. I was inspired by a project on page 36 of the SU! Idea Book and Catalog, which uses this set. I made this into a full card and modified a few other things, making it something we could do at the stamp-a-stack. There's a lot of coloring involved in this card, but I love how it turned out.

I used Peach Parfait, Old Olive and Concord Crush on this card. I watercolored the image on Shimmery White cardstock - you can't see it in the picture, but the Shimmery White cardstock adds a special touch, plus it stands up to watercoloring better than the Whisper White cardstock.

That's all I have for you today! 'Bye for now!

Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Peach Parfait, Old Olive, Shimmery White
Ink: Basic Black, Peach Parfait, Old Olive, Concord Crush
Accessories: 2 1/2" Circle punch, Aqua Painter, Concord Crush ribbon, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Corner Rounder

So Spooky!

Today's card features one of Stampin' Up!'s newer Halloween sets, Wicked Cool. I don't usually do much with Halloween cards, but I really like this set - I fell in love with the witch boots. I'm not sure why, but they just make me smile.

We made this card at last weekend's stamp-a-stack. Our theme was Fall Holidays, and I wanted to have a couple of Halloween cards. I also wanted to use some of the new Raven lace trim from the Holiday Mini Catalog. I had a hard time deciding how to use the lace on this card and then it hit me! Make a skirt for that little witch so her funny stockings can peek out, kind of like bloomers. I just laughed to myself while I made my sample because it looks so darn cute! Here's a close up shot:

To make the "skirt", I placed a strip of Sticky Strip near the bottom of the tag (on the back) and I placed the ribbon on the adhesive, folding it over onto itself three or four times, creating a ruffle. Genius, I know. :) I'm digging this color combo for Halloween cards: Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black and Whisper White. Just the right mix of sophistication and "spookiness."

I hope your week is off to a great start. We'll be hopping around here, but time flies when you're having fun, right? Enavi starts preschool tomorrow - can you hear my excitement? I might *actually* have a couple of hours to stamp this week - yippee! See you soon!

Stamps: Wicked Cool
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Decorative Label punch, Neutrals brads, Raven 1/2" Lace Trim, Big Shot, Scallop Square Duo Bigz Die

A Touch of Fall

Hey there and happy Friday! It actually feels like fall this morning - the air is crisp and a wee bit chilly. I thought this would be the perfect card to share today. This is one of the cards we will be making tonight at my stamp-a-stack.

I love, love, love this set from the Holiday Mini Catalog called French Foliage. I have this thing about leaves and I haven't seen any leaf/fall stamp sets that I have been this excited about in a LONG time. This was a super quick and easy card to put together and I'm hoping the ladies enjoy making it at my classes this weekend.

Well, Jevin was off to school yesterday - his first day of first grade. Here is my little man - he is getting so big!

That's all for today - have a fantastic Labor Day weekend. See you soon!

Stamps: French Foliage, Define Your Life
Paper: Cajun Craze, Confetti Cream
Ink: Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, More Mustard, Soft Suede, Early Espresso
Accessories: hemp twine

Off to school... or maybe not!

I made this cutie-patootie card to share in honor of the first day of school, and I was hoping to share some pictures of my little man's first day of 1st grade. BUT, there's no school today due to a fire! It sounds like there's no major damage, and we get to enjoy at least one more day of vacation together. :)

As I mentioned in my last post, I just adore these Greeting Card Kids. I had lots of fun coloring their little clothes and I added a touch of Crystal Effects to the apple to make it shiny, all ready for the teacher.

Well, we're off to make the most of this vacation day. If your little (or big) ones are off to school today, I hope they have a wonderful first day of school (and you have a wonderful day of peace and quiet - *wink*)!

Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Crumb Cake, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Newsprint dsp
Ink: Basic Black, Pear Pizazz, Pacific Point, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron
Accessories: Scallop Border punch, Very Vanilla taffeta ribbon, Brights Designer Buttons, hemp twine, Crystal Effects