FTL 183: Wisteria Thanks

I am always happiest when I am creating simple cards and I love starting with a great sketch. I was immediately drawn to this week's Fall to Layout and I put today's card together based on the sketch.

Wisteria Wonder is just gorgeous, don't you think? I use it so much, it's a wonder I can even keep it in stock. This color is so soft and springy! Definitely a must-have, in my opinion. Thanks for stopping by to peek at today's creation. Have a wonderful Wisteria day!

Stamps: Kindness Matters
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White, Flirtacious Specialty dsp
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Circle #2 die, 3" Circle die, Blossom punch, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch, Designer Printed Brads

Loving Spring

Today I wanted to make something that screamed, "Spring is HERE!" I pulled out my Mixed Bunch stamp set and went to work.

Super simple and clean and I love all those little pops of color from the flowers. I am happy to see the sunshine return today and I hope that your day is filled with sunshine, too.

Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Happiest Birthday Wishes
Paper: Whisper White
Ink: Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Basic Black
Accessories: 1" circle punch, Calypso Coral Baker's Twine

Everyday Enchantment Take 2

I do love this Everyday Enchantment designer paper and even better, it is free with a $50 order until the end of this month. I will be so sad when Sale-a-Bration is over! There are only 8 days left of the freebie fun and then it will be over for another year. Here's a card we made at my last stamp-a-stack using this gorgeous dsp:

Another version using the same layout, but different papers from the Everyday Enchantment pack of dsp:

So pretty and elegant! I love how the paper looks "shabby chic" when embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. This card was definitely one of the favorites from this month's class. I hope you have a fun, relaxing weekend planned. See you soon!

Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Pursuit of Happiness, Happiest Birthday Wishes
Paper: Very Vanilla, Everyday Enchantment dsp, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, 3/4" circle punch, Blossom punch, Everyday Enchantment ribbon and brad pack

FMS 27: Hip, Hip Hooray!

Hip-hip-hooray! I'm playing along with this week's Freshly Made Sketch. I had a lot of fun with all these circles - Leslie came up with a great layout.

These colors work beautifully for a masculine birthday card. I used Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango and Wild Wasabi. It would be fun to try this same card in more "girlie" colors - may have to give it a whirl. Have a fantastic day!

Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes
Paper: Whisper White, Pacific Point, Wild Wasabi, Tangerine Tango, Brights Designer Series Paper Stack
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Stars #2 die, 1 3/4" Circle punch, silver brads

Easter Beauty

Oh, my goodness! We are having THE BEST stretch of weather right now. Talk about an early spring - the predicted high today is 81!!! All kinds of things are blooming and I'm loving it. I'm thinking our Easter might actually feel like Easter this year. Speaking of which, here's an Easter card for your viewing pleasure:

I used the Lattice Die to make the cross shape. The flowers work well as accents, especially to cover up any trimming boo-boos. :)

Here's some proof of all the beauty outside my front door! I took these pics this morning, just after I sent my kiddos off to school.


A little taste of spring - yay! If that doesn't brighten your day, I don't know what will. 'Bye for now!

Stamps: All Holidays (retired)
Paper: Blushing Bride, Whisper White, Basic Gray, 2010-2012 In Color dsp stack
Ink: Basic Gray
Accessories: Big Shot, Lattice die, Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack, 1 3/8" circle punch, Scallop Circle punch, Scallop Trim Border punch, Basic Pearls, Whisper White taffeta ribbon

Clean and Simple Fresh Vintage Thanks

Today's card features another Sale-a-Bration set (my personal favorite), Fresh Vintage. This is another card from this month's stamp-a-stack.

I love the crisp, clean lines of this card and it is so fast to put together! I was inspired by a card I saw at the Milwaukee Regional, but I have no idea who came up with the original design. You could replicate this card in just about any color and it would look fabulous. You can get your own free Sale-a-Bration set by placing your $50 order today. Visit my demo web site to find out more.

Edited to add: It has been kindly noted that Dawn Olchefske was the original designer of this card. Thanks to Kelly for the heads up. :)

Stamps: Fresh Vintage, Kind Thanks
Paper: Pool Party, Whisper White
Ink: Pool Party, Basic Black
Accessories: Big Shot, Finial Press embossing folder, Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch

Sprinkled Expressions

Happy Monday, all! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Today's card features TWO of the freebies offered during Sale-a-Bration: the Sprinkled Expressions stamp set and the Stripes embossing folder. We made this card at my stamp-a-stack this past weekend.

I went for a simple layout and color choice - you could really make this card with almost any color combination. I do like the Tangerine Tango I used here - very fun and bright. You still have 12 days to get your Sale-a-Bration order in and claim your free SAB items. You can shop at my demo web site 24/7. Have a great day!

Stamps: Sprinkled Expressions, Friendly Phrases
Paper: Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Brights Designer Series Paper Stack
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Basic Black
Accessories: 2 1/2" circle punch, Big Shot, Stripes embossing folder, White Baker's Twine, Basic Rhinestones

Summer Solstice Gratitude

Here are pics of the other swaps I traded last Saturday. These were quick and easy to put together and the end result was gorgeous. Same card, two different colors combos. Love them both!

Stamps: Summer Solstice, Pursuit of Happiness
Paper: Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder
Ink: Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush, Basic Black
Accessories: Big Shot, Designer Frames, Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon, Basic Rhinestones

Stamps: Summer Solstice, Pursuit of Happiness
Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Early Espresso
Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Whisper White
Accessories: Big Shot, Designer Frames, Crumb Cake seam binding ribbon, Basic Pearls

A tisket, a tasket, a pretty Easter basket!

As promised, here's one more version of the 2, 4, 6, 8 box. I made this one into a sweet little Easter basket. Couldn't you see these as cute little favors at everyone's plate on the Easter table?

I stamped on the cardstock before putting the box together and then added the wire handle and flower embellishments (from the Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit in the Occasions Mini). Note to self: buy jelly beans to fill Easter baskets.

Stamps: Mixed Bunch
Paper: Calypso Coral, Whisper White
Ink: Calypso Coral
Accessories: Simply Scored tool, Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit, Basic Rhinestones, white wire (non SU!)

2, 4, 6, 8 Box

One of the fantastic demo presentations at the Milwaukee Regional was how to make these adorable 2, 4, 6, 8 boxes. They are so easy and so super-duper CUTE! This was my first attempt at making one:

This is very similar to what I saw demonstrated on Saturday, even down to the M&Ms inside. I did add the little sentiment (from the P.S. I Love You set) and mini heart/rhinestone combo. I kept this first one pretty simple, but then I began to think about what else I could use to jazz the basic box up a little.

As you can see, here I used Berry Blossoms dsp and then I added a scallop border across the top. I love the Calypso Coral baker's twine and little tag (made with the Fruit and Flowers stamp set). Pretty cute, eh? I have at least one more to show you, but I'll save that for tomorrow. I'm working on a little tutorial for you so you can make some of your own. Have a great day!

Milwaukee Regional Swaps

Well, hello there! I decided it was time to dust off the ol' keyboard and peek in on my little blog here. Sorry that I've been away so long - it's the same old story of sick kiddos and life kind of got away from me. But, I did get a chance to share in the fun at the Milwaukee SU! Regional last Saturday. Oh, my, what fun! My mind is brimming with all kinds of creativeness and I can't wait to hit my craft room. I thought I'd share a couple of the swaps I made for the Regional. I used the same layout and stamp sets for both cards, but I changed the colors and you'll see what a difference this makes.

Card #1 is a swap I made for the the bus ride to the Regional event. What a fun group of ladies! I had such a great time making new friends and chatting all the way down and all the way back home again. I used the "rock-n-roll" technique on my flower.

Card #2 is the swap I made for my Madison group of demo friends. I love both of these cards - I don't think I could pick a favorite!

I'll be back soon to share some more swaps and other fun ideas. 'Bye for now!

Stamps: Mixed Bunch, Friendly Phrases
Paper: (Card 1) Peach Parfait, So Saffron, Whisper White, Lucky Limeade; (Card 2) Pool Party, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: (Card 1) Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade, Early Espresso; (Card 2) Pool Party, Basic Black
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Blossom punch, (Card 1) Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon, 5-Petal Flower punch; (Card 2) Whisper White taffeta ribbon, 3/4" circle punch, In Color Designer Printed Brads, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch