Thursday, September 29, 2011

CAS 137: Sending You Love

I'm playing along with this week's Clean and Simple Challenge on Splitcoast, which is to use paper piecing. I whipped up this super simple (and super cute) card this morning using the Easy Events set.

Even though the over-all design is really clean, I love adding little extras that make the card special, like the mini clothespin and the Crystal Effects on the little heart. Sweet, huh? All of the images in this set are so fun - can't wait to play with it some more. Just in case you were wondering, this card measures 4 1/4" x 4 1/4".

Stamps: Easy Events
Paper: Whisper White, Melon Mambo, Pear Pizazz dsp
Ink: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Pear Pizazz
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, 2 1/2" circle punch, Mini Clothespins, Melon Mambo Scallop Dots ribbon, Owl Builder punch (mini heart), Crystal Effects

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Cheerful Treat

I love this layout! It is such a fun way to combine coordinating designer papers, and a great way to use up some of the scraps you may have floating around your craft room.

I shared a card I made last week with this same layout using Spice Cake dsp. For this card I used the Cheerful Treat designer paper, which is one of the hostess options in the current SU! catalog. I adore the bright and fun colors in this paper collection!

Stamps: Friendly Phrases
Paper: Pear Pizazz, Cheerful Treat dsp
Ink: Concord Crush
Accessories: Scallop circle punch, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Whisper White grosgrain ribbon

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Queen for a Day!


I am so excited and honored! My Love & Sympathy card was chosen as the winner for Sketch #3 on the Freshly Made Sketches blog. And thanks to all of you who left comments and kind words - they are truly little rays of sunshine to me. It's good to be queen!

Seeing Stars


I loved this week's Fall-to-Layout so much, I decided to make another card with the same design. I changed it up a little, using stars instead of flowers and bold colors instead of the more delicate "girly" colors in yesterday's card. Even though they are very different, I like them both. I made this card a tad bit bigger to accommodate all those stars. The final card measures 4"x6".

Stamps: Pennant Parade
Paper: Whisper White (textured), Real Red, Bashful Blue, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Pumpkin Pie, Pacific Point, Big Top Birthday dsp
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Big Shot, Stars #2 die, Real Red grosgrain ribbon, mini silver brad, Jewelry Tag punch

Monday, September 26, 2011

FTL 159: Soft & Cheery Blossom Bouquet

Happy Monday! I have a soft and cheery card for you this morning. It's gray and rainy here and I needed a little pick-me-up.

I used this week's Fall-to-Layout for my inspiration for this card. It all fell together pretty quickly and I love these colors. They are soft, dainty and oh-so-girly. I took the colors from the Cheerful Treat designer paper, one of the hostess options in the current SU! catalog. I hope your week is off to a great start. 'Bye for now!

Stamps: Friendly Phrases
Paper: Pink Pirouette, Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizazz, Melon Mambo, Bashful Blue, Concord Crush, Whisper White
Ink: Concord Crush
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, Clear Rhinestone Brads, Melon Mambo Scallop Dots ribbon

Friday, September 23, 2011

Love & Sympathy

Happy Friday! Thanks to everyone who left me a comment yesterday with their own cooking mishaps. I'm so glad to know that I'm not the only one, and the stories put a smile on my face. Today's card was inspired by this week's Freshly Made Sketch.
I decided to flip the sketch so that I could use this flower image from the Love & Sympathy set.

That Wisteria Wonder is so calm and serene, especially when paired with Pear Pizazz. Here's a close-up of those pretty lil' flowers:

That's all I have for you today. Have a fantastic weekend!

Stamps: Love & Sympathy
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizazz, Whisper White, Berry Blossoms dsp
Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Pear Pizazz, Basic Gray
Accessories: Big Shot, Flower Fusion Sizzlit, Basic Pearls, Whisper White satin ribbon, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Three Cheers for Spice Cake!

I can't get enough of this designer paper! The colors are so pretty, and the designs work so well together. I wanted this card to be all about my love for Spice Cake, so I used as many of the different designs as I could fit on one card.

This is my first attempt at making my own flower embellishment. It was really pretty easy, and I love the vintage look of the rumpled paper. I scrunched up around 10 of the scallops, layered them together, using a brad to secure the layers, and added the button. Voila!

Does this paper put you in the mood for some spice cake? I have a funny story for you. I made these apple spice muffins the other day. They look yummy, don't you think? Well, they tasted awful! I couldn't figure out why they turned out so tart. When I've made this recipe in the past, they were super yummy, even with tart apples. I realized today that the recipe called for apple cider, not apple cider VINEGAR, which is what I used. Well, I guess that explains it! Note to self: read the ingredients carefully! That's all for today! 'Bye for now!

Stamps: Thank You Kindly
Paper: Crumb Cake, Spike Cake dsp
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Scallop circle punch, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Very Vanilla seam binding

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Fruit and Flowers Sketch Challenge

I squeezed this card in today, and I'm so glad that I was able to do a little stamping before I head off to school to have lunch with my daughter. Thankfully, everyone is feeling better and we're back into the school routine. This is my take on this week's sketch from Splitcoast:

This was such a nice, clean sketch to work with. I'm really trying to use more of my designer papers (instead of hoarding them, as I usually do), so I pulled out this Berry Blossoms dsp because it was calling to me. Wouldn't this be a super cute card to send to a teacher? It definitely brightens up my day, and I hope it puts a smile on your face, too. See you soon!

Stamps: Fruit and Flowers, Bring on the Cake
Paper: Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, Berry Blossoms dsp
Ink: Basic Black, Lucky Limeade
Accessories: 1 3/8" circle punch, Scallop circle punch, Small Heart punch, Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

You are Simply Wonderful

Hello! We've had the icky sickies running through our house for the last week or so. First the kids brought home colds, which they so lovingly shared with my husband and myself. And now we're dealing with Round 2 of sore throats and coughing fits. I'm finally starting to feel better - you don't realize how refreshing it is to breathe through your nose until you're so stuffy you have to result to the oh-so-attractive "mouth breathing"! Anyway, I had a little time to stamp today while my sick little boy rested on the couch. I decided to combine two challenges - this week's Fall-to-Layout and the Clean and Simple challenge on Splitcoast. Look what I came up with:

Doesn't this card just make you feel more relaxed? It certainly did the trick for me. Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: French Foliage, Friendly Phrases
Paper: Crumb Cake, Pear Pizazz, Very Vanilla
Ink: Pear Pizazz, Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Houndstooth embossing folder, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Early Espresso satin ribbon (retired)

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Stitched Stockings Christmas

How about a Christmas card today? I know it seems a little early in the season for Christmas cards, but if you like to make your own, it's never too early to start. Plus, this new Stitched Stockings set is SO cute! And when you use the coordinating Stocking Builder Punch, the possibilities are endless.

I also used my new Snow Burst embossing folder on the Marina Mist oval. I love that touch of texture. And check out that Silver Glimmer Paper! Gotta love a Christmas card with a little sparkle. Have a fantastic day!

Stamps: Stitched Stockings, Christmas Greetings
Paper: Marina Mist, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Night of Navy
Accessories: Big Shot, Ovals die, Snow Burst embossing folder, Whisper White organza ribbon, Stocking Builder punch, Basic Rhinestones

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Fall Gratitude

I think I've mentioned once or twice how much I love fall. It is hands-down my favorite season of the year. I love the warm days, the cool nights, the crisp smell of the air, the colors of the leaves. Fall means I get to start baking again (another one of my passions) and it means, at least to me, a time for starting again. I enjoy making fall-themed cards, too! Today's card is another project from Saturday's stamp-a-stack. I think one of my favorite products in the Holiday Mini is this Spice Cake designer paper. The colors and designs are fantastic, just perfect for autumn-themed creations.

I used my Big Shot and the Leaves #2 die to create my leaf embellishments. I crumpled up the leaves and sponged them with ink, trying to make them more realistic.

We've been spending a lot of time outside, trying to absorb every last ounce of nice weather. I know that a cool down is coming, and I'm so thankful for this sweet picture of my cutie-pies, on a recent hike:

They are getting so big! I keep looking at the two of them, wondering when it happened. I keep reminding myself to enjoy them as they are, right now, today, because they are growing so fast. OK, enough rambling... :) Thanks for checking in, and I hope that you get a chance to enjoy your day today.

Stamps: Pursuit of Happiness, Woodgrain
Paper: More Mustard, Crumb Cake, Pool Party, Soft Suede, Spice Cake dsp
Ink: VersaMark, Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Leaves #2 die, Very Vanilla narrow taffeta ribbon, Mat Pack, Paper-Piercing Tool

Monday, September 12, 2011

Happy Halloween with Hand-Penned Holidays

Check out this spoooooooky (but quick and easy) Halloween creation, using the Hand-Penned Holidays set from the Holiday Mini!

This was one of our cards from this month's stamp-a-stack. I adore the Silver Glimmer Paper! And did you see how I frayed the ends of the black satin ribbon? Adds just the right touch to this Halloween card. Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Hand-Penned Holidays, Wicked Cool
Paper: Lucky Limeade, Basic Black, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Basic Black, Lucky Limeade
Accessories: Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon, Basic Black satin ribbon, Big Shot, Spider Web embossing folder

Thursday, September 8, 2011

FTL 156: Wish Upon a Star

Hey there! I put this card together using this week's Fall-to-Layout:

I think the Just Add Cake designer paper is so fun! The colors are bright and happy, and work perfectly for birthday cards. I hope you enjoyed today's creation. See you back here soon - bye for now!

Stamps: Word Play
Paper: So Saffron, Whisper White, Garden Green, Just Add Cake dsp
Ink: Tangerine Tango
Accessories: 1 3/4" circle punch, Big Shot, Stars #2 die, Mat Pack, Paper-Piercing Tool

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Sending some love your way!

Fall is in the air! We've had gorgeous weather the past few days, with warm days and cool nights. It's the kind of weather that makes you want to pull out the crock-pot and make some hearty soups or perhaps pumpkin bread. The kids are off to a great start at school, and I actually had a wee bit o' stamping time today. Wahoo!

I've had this card in my head for quite some time, and finally got around to putting it together. Super simple, super cute. Hope you like it!

Stamps: Petite Pairs
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Brights designer paper stack
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Postage Stamp punch, 1" Square punch, Small Heart punch. Mini Library Clips