Friday, May 25, 2012

Do the Ruffle!

I've had several people request more information about how I made the ruffles on my little baby doll dresses on the Sweet Little Baby card I posted last week. Now, keep in mind the card that I originally saw used ribbon to make the ruffle, so that is probably the easiest option. But I didn't have the right colors of ribbon for my card, so I decided to make my own. I remember seeing this demonstrated at a SU! Regional event I attended a couple of years ago, so that's where the idea came from. I used my Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, but you could use just about any border punch for this technique. Here are the supplies I used to make the baby dresses, but you also need a crimper (I forgot that when I took the picture!):
Step 1: Using the Owl Builder punch and some dsp scrap, punch dress shape.
Step 2: Punch a border strip out of coordinating cardstock.
Step 3: Run border through crimper several times (like 10 to 15 times) to loosen the fibers in the cardstock. When you are done, flatten out the border strip - it will be very flexible.
Step 4: Apply Sticky Strip to the back of the dress shape.
Step 5: Begin to adhere border to Sticky Strip, creating a ruffle as you go. Trim any extra cardstock once the ruffle is done.
Here's a picture of the back of the dress once the ruffle is complete.
And there you go! A sweet little ruffle for your baby doll dress.






Thursday, May 24, 2012

How 'bout those NEW In Colors?

I'm sure that, by now, you've probably seen at least some, if not all, of the new In Colors that will be featured in the upcoming Stampin' Up! catalog. The card I made to share today features three of the new colors: Gumball Green, Summer Starfruit, and Midnight Muse.
Don't they look fabulous together? I think my fave new color, hands down, is Gumball Green. It is a beautiful green - I know I'll be using it a lot. :) My card today was inspired by Fall-to-Layout #191. Thanks for stopping by - see you soon!

Stamps: Everyday Wishes
Paper: Gumball Green, Summer Starfruit, Midnight Muse, Whisper White
Ink: Gumball Green
Accessories: Big Shot, Stars #2 die, Tasteful Trim die, Neutrals Designer Buttons, non-SU! embossing folder

Friday, May 18, 2012

Sunny Daisy

Today I am playing along with this week's Freshly Made Sketch.
I wanted to make something bright and pretty... something with yellow, lots of yellow. I came up with this happy lil' card.
I hope it brightens up your day. Have a fantastic weekend!

Stamps: Three Little Words
Paper: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, So Saffron, Floral District dsp (available June 1st!)
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Daisies #2 die, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, 1" circle punch, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Linen Thread

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Sweet Little Baby

***Warning: cuteness overload ahead!*** Yesterday I attended a surprise baby shower for my son's teacher and I made this card for her. She's having a girl later this summer and I thought these little baby doll dresses were just too sweet!
I was inspired by a card from the May issue of Stampin' Success, a Stampin' Up! publication for demonstrators. Barbara Dykhouse created a card using the Owl Builder punch to make these itty bitty dresses. I fell in love and had to make some, too.
These were a little putzy, but totally worth it for the overall sweetness. Hope you have a wonderful day ahead - 'bye for now!

Stamps: Baby Bundle, Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, retired designer paper (it was one of the Build-a-Bear prints)
Ink: Basic Gray
Accessories: 1 1/4" square punch, Scallop Square punch, Owl Builder punch, Jewelry Tag punch, Pretty in Pink satin ribbon, Vintage Trinkets, Basic Pearls, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Paisley Prints Take 2

Here's another creation using my Paisley Prints designer paper.
Elegant, no? I was inspired by this week's Fall to Layout. Gotta run - the toilet paper fairy forgot to pay us a visit last night so things are getting desperate around here. Ah, the glamorous life of a mom. Have a super day!

Stamps: Curly Cute
Paper: River Rock, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Paisley Prints dsp
Ink: Soft Suede
Accessories: 1 3/4" Scallop Circle punch, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Hemp Twine, Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Paisley Petals

I'm making an attempt at using up some more of my soon-to-be-retired designer paper, and today I'm using Paisley Petals.
I was inspired by a card I saw on Becky Robert's blog with the same layout and I thought this would be a great way to use up some of my paper scraps. I like the subtle masculine look to this card, too - it could work for lots of different occasions. I'm looking forward to getting outside and enjoying the gorgeous weather today. 'Bye for now!

Stamps: Curly Cute
Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Paisley Petals dsp
Ink: Always Artichoke
Accessories: Vintage Brads

Friday, May 11, 2012

Cherries Jubilee

Hi all and happy Friday! I am going to squeeze in one more card this week, and it is another thank you card.
I just love cherries - they are so cheery and fun. I was inspired by a former Freshly Made Sketch and the card practically made itself. Okay, I helped a little. ;) I hope you have a wonderful weekend and a blessed Mother's Day.

Stamps
: Button Buddies, Everyday Wishes
Paper: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, Sweet Shop dsp (retired)
Ink: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Basic Black
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, 3" Circle die, Scallop Circle #2 die, Calypso Coral Baker's Twine, In Color Designer Printed Brads, 3/4" circle punch

Thursday, May 10, 2012

No, no... Thank YOU!

Confession time: I really enjoy making thank you cards, but I am absolutely TERRIBLE at actually giving them to people. I don't know why, either! I often will make a card with a specific person in mind and can't get my act together to mail or hand-deliver the darn thing. Well, I'm setting a goal for myself. I WILL send a thank you note once a week, starting with this card right here.
I was inspired by the most recent Freshly Made Sketch, which you can see below.
This card just makes me want to cheer - yeah, me! When I saw this sketch, I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to make, and this card came together fairly quickly. I think the card makin' mojo is back, baby! Wahoo! I'm using up some more of my retiring goodies - the designer paper, In Color card stock and ribbon, as well as the stamp set (Full of Life). Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Full of Life
Paper: Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade, So Saffron, Whisper White, Just Add Cake dsp
Ink: Poppy Parade
Accessories: Big Shot, Stripes embossing folder, 2 1/2" circle punch, Petite Pennants Builder punch, mini silver brads, Peach Parfait Stitched-Poly Ribbon




Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Flower Burst Note Cards

How about some sweet little note cards to share with your favorite people? I made these using the Flower Burst embosslit, which is one of the retiring accessories.



I was inspired by this week's Fall to Layout. It's fun to see all those bright colors - reminds me that summer is just around the corner.

Stamps: Perfect Words
Paper: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, Tempting Turquoise, Brights Designer Paper Stack
Ink: Tangerine Tango, Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: Big Shot, Flower Burst embosslit, Basic Rhinestones

Monday, May 7, 2012

Getting Back in the Groove

I am having a heck of a time getting back into my stamping groove. Do you ever have spurts like that, where you don't pick up a stamp for a couple of weeks and it's like all the creative juices have completely drained from your little fingers? Well, sadly, that's kind of where I'm at these days. I think it's this time of year, the business of the last few weeks of school, the anticipation of the new catalog and new goodies... It's just hard to sit down and play with my old favorites. Don't get me wrong, I love all of my crafting supplies, but I think I'm getting the itch for some new friends to join me in my stamping endeavors. Anyway, I did force myself to sit down and make a card today, and I used this week's Freshly Made Sketch to get me started.
I'm trying to use up some of my supplies that will be retiring soon and getting a few more cards made from the stamp sets that will be leaving the catalog. I hope you enjoyed today's card - I'll be back soon, promise!
Stamps: On Your Birthday
Paper: Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Berry Blossoms dsp
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: 2 1/2" Circle punch, Boho Blossoms punch, mini silver brads, Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

It's been awhile...

Hi there! I know it's been awhile... hope you're doing well. Stamping time has been limited these last couple of weeks, but I'm back today with a card to share!
I used Fall-to-Layout #30 for this card, along with the Summer Smooches designer paper and Bright Blossoms stamp set. So cheery and fun! I meant to get this card posted during the month of April, but no luck. If you didn't get a chance to order your Summer Smooches Suite, don't worry. The new catalog will be here soon and you can get your hands on it then.

Stamps: Bright Blossoms, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Island Indigo, So Saffron, Whisper White, Summer Smooches dsp
Ink: Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Basic Black
Accessories: Big Shot, 3" Circle die, Scallop Circle #2 die, 1/2" circle punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Daffodil Delight seam binding ribbon, Basic Rhinestones