Happy Birthday, Everyone {Ken}

Hi All,

Happy Weekend! The card I have for you today was made for my husband.  He's a Leap Year baby, so he actually had a birthday this year.

Mary Brown's card was my inspiration.  The simple design was perfect for a masculine card.  I switched up the colors and paired up the Happy Birthday, Everyone stamp set with some abstract images.  This is a Hostess set from the 2015-2016 Catalog.  I love the font and there really is a sentiment for "Everyone".

Item #: 139958 $9.00 {Hostess Set}

Hope you like how this one turned out!  If you'd like to add any products to your collection, pop me an email or click on the 'Order Online' icon in the top right-hand corner.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Happy Birthday, Everyone; Grunge Me
Paper: Bermuda Bay, Basic Black and Whisper White Cardstock
Ink: Burmuda Bay, Crushed Curry and Basic Black Classic Ink
Accessories: N/A

You've Got This

Hi All,

Happy Hump Day!  Hope it's been a great week so far.  I got a pretty cool surprise. I am the Featured Stamper over at SplitcoastStampers.  How awesome is that?  People will be hopping into my Gallery and CASE-ing my cards.  I'm truly honored.

For those that don't know what SCS is, it's a website that was started by SU! Demonstrators way back when, to share cards...and it's still going strong today.  You have a stamp set and don't know how to use it, plug in the stamp set name and you will get all kinds of card ideas that others have uploaded. There are also different card challenges each day.  I have been posting cards here forever...8 YEARS to be exact.  That's just CRAZY!  If you haven't been, go check it out. Here's a link to SCS.
Here's a link to my gallery.

Today I have a set of cards for you.  My colors were chosen for me as I used a polka dot print DSP and my choices were limited. My inspiration was this card by Nance Leedy.

These cards use the You've Got This stamp set.  It's a good one.  You get this gorgeous flower and the big abstract background stamp.  It's a two for one!

Item #: 139575 $28.00 Clear Mount

The flower was embossed with white embossing powder.  I then took the matching marker (to the ink) and traced around the embossed edges of the flower.  You can still see the flower if you don't, but this adds a bit more dimension.

This simple design made it quite easy to make multiple cards.  Hope you like them!  If you'd like to add this set to your collection, pop me an email or click on the 'Order Online' icon in the top right-hand corner.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp: You've Got This
Paper: Crumb Cake & Whisper White Cardstock; Polka Dot Parade DSP
Ink: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie & Rich Razzleberry Classic Pads
Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Stampin' Write Markers, Heat Tool and the Corner Rounder Punch

The Sky is the Limit

Hi All,

Is this not the cutest stamp set?  I love, love, love the heart trail.  Just Adorable.

The clouds are made with the Fancy Flower punch, but you could also use the Flower Fair Framelits Die.  Just cut either in half.  The plane's propellor is a die cut vellum flower.  So clever!

Item# 141349 Sky is the Limit FREE

This is a Sale-A-Bration stamp set that is only available till Monday, February 15th.  Definitely a very versatile set.  You could use it for masculine, graduation or any congratulations type cards.  It is FREE with any $50 purchase in product.

If you'd like to earn this stamp set by adding other products to your collection, pop me an email or click on the 'Order Online' badge in the top right-hand corner.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp: Sky is the Limit
Paper: Crumb Cake & Whisper White Cardstock; Vellum Paper; Welcome Neighbor DSP
Ink: Jet Black Stazon
Accessories: Fancy Flower Punch, Corner Punch, Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Silver Brad, Pop Dots and a Mini Glue Dot

The Crafty Eraser

Hi All,

The card I have for you today uses a technique that I was really quite excited to try out.  It simply uses a pencil's eraser and a heart template.  Who'da thunk it?  I had gotten the idea on pinterest from someone that was crafting up a canvas bag.  My first thought...we could easily do this on a card. Voila!  Here it is:

This was the inspiration and a quick tutorial:

What a fun & easy technique!  I used a heart from the Hearts Collection Framelits as a template to create the heart.  When I was done, the inside of the heart had a straight line around the edge.  I went back and placed the unused outside portion of the heart die over my new print and went around the inside of the heart.  It gave it a softer look.  I finished it off with a few different looks.  Hard to pick a favorite.  I love them all!

Item# 137136 Hello Life Polymer Stamp Set $25.00

I'm not usually a technique girl, but this one seemed to good to pass up.  Give it a shot...I guarantee you won't be disappointed.  Would even be pretty easy to do with little ones as a craft project.

If you'd like to add any of these to your collection, pop me an email or click on the 'Order Online' badge in the top right-hand corner.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Hello Life & Hello There
Paper: Basic Black & Whisper White Cardstock
Ink: Real Red Classic Pad & Jet Black Stazon
Accessories: Heart Collection Framelits and a Pencil w/ Eraser

Shaker Love

Hi All,

Since Valentine's Day is right around the corner, my last workshop was 'Heart' themed.  I love hearts, so it makes this theme so easy to work with.  Plus, there are TONS of options out there.

My card today has lots of hearts and was my first shot at a shaker card.  Inspired by this design, I had to give it a shot.  I loved the idea of adding in confetti.  Unfortunately, this stuff is not as easy to find as you'd think.  I ended up at Party City and have enough of it to last me a lifetime.

There is a great tutorial for Shaker Cards over at Splitcoaststamper.  I used a polaroid die cut for my shaker.  A transparency was trimmed and added for the window and heart confetti was thrown in side.  I probably could have used a bit more confetti, but I wasn't opening this back up to add it.  It is what it is :)

The background uses the Happy Heart embossing folder.  What's cool about this folder is that you can use the front of the piece for an embossed look (as shown) or the back for a debossed look.  Both are equally cute!

Item# 137364 Happy Heart Embossing Folder $7.50

Item# 136835 Another Thank You $16.00

If you'd like to add any of these to your collection, pop me an email or click on the 'Order Online' badge in the top right-hand corner.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Another Thank You
Paper: Melon Mambo, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla Cardstock; More Amore DSP
Ink: Melon Mambo Classic Pad
Accessories: Happy Heart Embossing Folder, Curly Label Punch, Polaroid Die Cut, Acetate/Transparency, Mounting Tape and Heart Confetti

Mr. & Mrs. Ribbons & Lace

Hi All!

Who doesn't love a little ribbon and lace?  They are a match made in heaven!  So much so, that I actually have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to them.  I thought it was high time I actually grabbed some to play.  My dear friend Nicole was getting married and I thought this would be a great time to do so.

The base is a pre-made gift card holder in Crumb Cake. I paired this up with some wide lace, sheer brown ribbon and velvet ribbon.  Nicole & Bryant held their reception in a room at a local brewery with a rustic-y theme.  This actually worked perfectly!

Such fun to play with different types of ribbons.  Hope you like it!

Stamp: Label Love
Paper: Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla Cardstock
Ink: Chocolate Chip Classic Pad
Accessories: Gift Card Enclosure, Artison Label Punch, Wide Lace, Sheer Ribbon and Velvet Ribbon

Wreath-y Goodness

Hi All,

I had seen this card a couple of years ago and always said I was going to give it a try.  Well, this year, I finally did.  It's a great way to use those small leaf stamps that you have floating around and is so simple to do.

I took one of my circle dies and traced it with a pencil.  I then stamped a leaf at 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00.  From there, you just fill in.  I used the same pattern for each quarter of the circle.  Once the ink is dry, you can go back in and erase the penciled circle.  I finished it off with some red and brown crystal gems.  Absolutely love this technique!  Give it a try!

I used the Kraft cardstock for the card base and love the look.  One of my Must-Have items:

Kraft Cardstock Item: 133674  $6.00

If you'd like to add this to your collection, pop me an email or click on the 'Order Online' badge in the top right-hand corner.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Falling Leaves, Always Thankful
Paper: Kraft and Whisper White Cardstock
Ink: Crushed Curry, Tangerine Tango, Cherry Cobbler and Chocolate Chip Classic Ink
Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch and Crystal Gemstones

Truly Grateful Tone-on-Tone

Hi All,

A simple, yet pretty card?  I think we all like to stumble upon those--or better yet, create one ourselves.  They are gems that have a lot of star power.  I saw this one by Karen and just had to recreate.  I *loved* the pop of color.

The tone-on-tone of the Crumb Cake ink on the Crumb Cake cardstock allows the Pumpkin Pie to pop.  Add in a Button and some Baker's Twine and you have a simple, sweet card.  You could easily switch up the leaves to snowflakes or balloons for a Holiday or Birthday card. Such a great technique.

Hope you like it!  Thanks so much for stopping by.

Stamps: French Foliage, Falling Leaves and Truly Grateful
Paper: Crumb Cake and Pumpkin Pie Cardstock; Polka Dot Parade DSP
Ink: Crumb Cake Classic Ink
Accessories: Embossing Buddy, White Embossing Powder, Baker's Twine, Button and Glue Dots

A Window with a {Fall} View

Hi All,

Happy Sunday!  I hope you all had a great holiday weekend.  We ate good and spent time with family, so it was perfect here.  With the leaves finally falling off our AZ trees, this brings fall to an end and winter officially here.  But, before I move on to holiday cards, I have a few fall cards to share.

This card uses the Happy Scenes stamp set and Hearth & Home Thinlits Dies.  These can be purchased separately or as a Bundle.  What a great pair they make! I love to color in scenic stamps and the window is the perfect say to highlight them.  This stamp set has three different scenes with various trees that can be used for fall and winter.  So, it gives you a couple options.

I used markers to color the leaves/pumpkins and sponge daubers for the sky/ground.  This was my first time using the daubers and I really like them.  You can control how much ink you use and where it goes.  It also gives a nice soft look.

Some of my Must-Have products:

Happy Scenes / Hearth & Home Thinlits Bundle Item: 140853  $34.75
Happy Scenes Item: 139821  $21.00
Hearth & Home Thinlits: 139666  $20.00

Sponge Daubers (Qty 5) Item# 133773  $5.00

If you'd like to add any of these to your collection, pop me an email or click on the 'Order Online' badge in the top corner.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Happy Scenes & Falling Leaves

Paper: Crumb Cake, Basic Black & Whisper White Cardstock; Flashback DSP

Ink: Crushed Curry and Chocolate Chip Classic pads and Jet Black Stazon

Accessories: Hearth & Home Thinlits Dies, Stampin' Markers, Sponge Daubers, Embossing Buddy, Gold Glitter Embossing Powder and Pop Dots/Dimensionals

80's Flashback

Hi All,

The card I have for you today uses the sister stamp to the Dots I used on my last card.  This stamp set has two images: those dots and these triangles.

Do you agree that this card has a touch of the 80's?  At one point, the 80's were full of geometric shapes.  I think this stamp takes us back there.  This design also incorporates a couple of the new In-Colors, which just happen to be a bit of a throw-back too: Tangelo Twist, Tip Top Taupe and Hello Honey.

My card was inspired by this gem from Shannon Lane.  I really liked the simplicity of it. If you'd like to add any of these products to your crafty space, just pop me an email or click on the 'Order Online' icon in the top right-hand corner.

Item: 133658 Dotty Angles $16.00

Item: 137363 Hello You Thinlits $25.00

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Dotty Angles and French Foliage

Paper: Tangelo Twist, Hello Honey, Tip Top Taupe and Whisper White Cardstock

Ink: Hello Honey & Tip Top Taupe Classic Pads

Accessories: Hello You Thinlits, Neutrals Candy Dots and Tombo Multipurpose Glue

Golden Goodness

Hi All!

The card I have for you today is chock-full of all kinds of golden goodness!  Glitter gold embossing...gold sequins...gold foil paper....what could be better?  I saw this card by Kelly Lunceford and just had to recreate.

The stamp set used for the gold embossing is called Dotty Angles.  It has these polka dots and another image with small triangles (think circa 1984).  I've had this set forever and just hadn't found the perfect card to use it with.

I loved her card in pink, but wanted to give it a try with an alternative too.  This card uses Calypso Coral and Coastal Cabana. I let my workshop girls know how very special they were, as I was sharing some of my last sheets of the Coastal Cabana with them.  But, I couldn't resist...love these colors together.

The Stampin' Glitter creates the perfect amount of dazzle to your card.  But, you cannot use it alone. You also need to have the Heat & Stick Powder and a Versamark pad.  Following is the process:

• Rub cardstock with Embossing Buddy {prevents extra powder/glitter from sticking}
• Stamp image with Versamark
• Add Heat & Stick powder to your image
• Heat with the Heat Tool
• Add Stampin' Glitter to the heated image
• Heat once again with the Heat Tool

Below are some of the Must-Have items for this card:

Crazy for You / Hello You Thinlits Bundle  138873  $42.50
These can also be purchased separately

Dotty Angles  133658  $16.00

Gold Foil Sheets  132622  $4.00

If there is anything you'd like to add to your collection, pop me an email or click on the 'Order Stampin' Up Online' icon in the top right hand corner.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Dotty Angles & Crazy About You

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Calypso Coral, Coastal Cabana and Very Vanilla Cardstock; Gold Foil Sheets

Ink: Calypso Coral and Basic Black Classic Pads; Versamark Pad

Accessories: Hello You Thinlits Dies, Embossing Buddy, Heat and Stick Powder, Stampin' Glitter Gold, Heat Tool, Gold Sequin Trim and Tombo Multipurpose Glue

Tunnel Card: Butterfly Basics

Happy Fall Ya'll!

I guess it's official this week.  Fall is in the air. Cooler temps. Pumpkin Spice Lattes.  It's my favorite time of year!

I don't have an autumnal card for you today, but I do have a Fun Fold Tunnel Card.  It is exactly like it sounds.  It forms a tunnel between the two sides of the card.

Although it looks complicated, this card is so easy to make.  I was inspired by this card by Dawn Olchefske.  She has a tutorial on her Blog if you'd like to check it out and I've also added instructions below:

• Cut a sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 paper in half horizontally to form (2) 8 1/2 x 5/12 sheets
• Score the "window" piece at 2-1/8", 4-1/4" and 6-3/8".  This creates the fold.
• Die cut a window in the center of the window piece
• The base piece is stamped and then folded in half and scored
• Adhere the left panel and the right panel of the window piece to the base piece
• Decorate the front of the card as you like

I chose to keep with the Butterfly Basics theme and used just about every image in the set for the front and inside of the card.  Here is the front:

I had seen these ferns "stamped off" on some other cards and loved that effect.  It was pretty popular with the ladies at my workshop too.  This set is perfectly organic and feminine.  The hubs even said it looked professional.  Don't they all????  lol

The must-have items for this card are:

Simply Scored Scoring Tool 122334 $30.00

Butterfly Basics / Butterflies Thinlits Dies Bundle 138865  $41.50
You can also buy these separate

If there is anything you'd like to add to your collection, pop me an email or click on the 'Order Stampin' Up Online' icon in the top right hand corner.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Butterfly Basics
Paper:  Whisper White Cardstock and Sweet Pea DSP
Ink: Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzazz Classic Pads & Jet Black StazOn
Accessories: Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Butterflies Thinlits Dies, Ovals Collection Framelits, Stampin' Write Markers and Dimensionals/Pop Dots

Camera Love

Hi All,

I feel like I need to apologize right from the get-go.  It has been a while {quite a while} since I posted last and it seems my breaks are becoming more frequent.  I'm finding it's hard to get back in the saddle once you've been away from the craft room for a while.  Of course, my craft room has become a catch-all for Goodwill donations as of late...and I'm sure that's not helping...lol!  Once my space is my own again, I'm hoping I will be inspired to get back in there!

My card for today is one I made for my husband.  He is into photography so I figured this camera print would be perfect.

These prints are from the Flashback DSP in last year's catalog.  I *love* the vintage-y, retro feel that it has. I paired it up with Crushed Curry and Basic Black.  The colors really seemed to pop. The sentiment is from the Label Love stamp set.  I have the coordinating punch, Artisan Label, but didn't have larger ones to create mattes.  To create that effect, I punched two more out in Basic Black and Real Red.  I then cut each in half and adhered one half to the top and one half to the bottom.  Love how it turned out!  The card was finished off with a bit of piercing in the corners. Very gender neutral.

I have seen quite a few cameras on Pinterest built from punches.  Super cute!  I may have to give this a try too.

If there is anything you'd like to add to your collection, pop me an email or click on the 'Order Stampin' Up Online' icon in the top right hand corner.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps: Label Love
Paper: Crushed Curry, Real Red, Basic Black and Whisper White Cardstock; Flashback DSP
Ink: Basic Black Classic Pad
Accessories: Artisan Label Punch, Paper Piercer, Essentials Piercing Template and Pop-Dots

Big Day

Hi All,

The card I have for you today is one of the cutest cards I've seen in a while.  It's an Easel card. After admiring from afar, I finally sat down and got to work on my own.

The inspiration for my card was this one by Michelle Last.  So stinkin' cute and actually pretty easy to make.

1. Cut a standard horizontal card base at 4 1/4 x 11 (fold in half)
2. Measure in 5/8" from each side and mark with a pencil (these are the legs)
3. Measure 1 3/4" up from the base and mark with a pencil (this creates the horizontal line)
4. Take your trimmer and cut vertically from the bottom edge of the card at the 5/8" mark up to
     the 1 3/4" mark on each side
5. Take your trimmer and cut between the two vertical cuts to create the horizontal cut
6. This will create your legs.  (A rectangle punch would work perfectly too)
7. Finish it off by stamping with the Hardwood stamp

The sentiment on the card is a stamp from the Sale-A-Bration catalog called Big Day.  Definitely my favorite Freebie!  It is heat embossed with White onto the Chalkboard Paper.  The banner was created using the Banner Punch and adhered directly to the card and finished off with some Linen Thread. Love it!

The stamp set and printed paper are no longer available, but everything is.  If you'd like to add any of these to your collection, pop me an email, click on the Item ID under the pictures or click on the Order icon in the top right-hand corner.  Thanks for stopping by!

Chalkboard Paper: 137786 $7.95

Hardwood Stamp: 133035 (Clear $13.95) 133032 (Wood $17.95)

Banner Punch: 133519 $12.95

Stamp: Big Day & Hardwood
Paper: Crumb Cake Cardstock; Chalkboard Paper; Print Poetry DSP Stack
Ink: Crumb Cake Classic Pad & Whisper White (sponged on the chalkboard)
Accessories: Banner Punch, Linen Thread, White Embossing Power, Embossing Tool, Sponge, Paper Trimmer, Pencil

Thinking of You

Hi All,

Today's card uses a color that I haven't really used much, but I sure fell in love with when I saw it on Pinterest: Crisp Cantaloupe.  This is a CASE of a card designed by Dawn Olchefske.

I loved how fresh the color felt.  So spring-y and light. The printed paper is actually a special DSP that is all white at first, but once you sponge on some ink, a design shows through.  This paper is great, as you can make it any color you'd like.

The stamp set is from the Occasions Mini.  It was a bundle: Crazy About You Stamp Set (28 sentiments and 3 flowers) and Hello You Thinlits Dies (4 add'l sentiments).  They pair up perfectly together and offer so many options.  This flower also pairs up with the Scallop Circle punch, which most of us already have.  I hope they keep this for the next catalog.  It would make a great starter set.

I hope you enjoyed this one as much as I did.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Stamp: Crazy About You
Paper: Crisp Cantaloupe and Whisper White Cardstock; Presto Pattern Specialty DSP
Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe & Basic Black Classic Pads
Accessories: Hello You Thinlits Dies, Scallop Circle Punch, Sponge or Inking Tool, Calypso Coral Baker's Twine, Button and Glue Dot

Lotus Blossom

Hi All,

Happy Weekend!  I have a few cards to share from my workshop way back in February.  I know, I know...they're a little late for the Occasions and Sale-A-Bration periods, but I'm sure you'll still find a bit of inspiration in them :)  You may have even bought some of these products and can pull them back out to play.

This card is a CASE straight out of the Sale-A-Bration catalog.  I liked that it used paper from one of the mini stacks and washi tape.

This stamp is called Lotus Blossom.  It's a 3-step stamp that you have to layer to get the different shades of the flower.  I chose to use Blackberry Bliss, Rich Razzleberry and Orchid Opulence for my ink colors.  It took lots of playing to find a color combo that I liked.  This paired an older color with a newer color. {Yes, I still have the original pads I bought years ago and often times pull them out.}

The background paper and striped strip both came from the Moonlight DSP paper stack.  These stacks are great because you get 48 sheets of 12 different double sided designs.  The packs are smaller in size: 4 1/2 x 6 1/2, but are perfect for mats or adding to standard size cards.

Item: 133701 $6.95

Item: 133000 $4.95

Although Lotus Blossom is no longer available, everything else is.  These could easily be paired with any flower you already have in your collection.  If you'd like to add them to yours, pop me an email or click on the Order icon in the top right-hand corner.  Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp: Lotus Blossom
Paper: Pear Pizzazz and Whisper White Cardstock; Moonlight DSP Stack
Ink: Blackberry Bliss, Rich Razzleberry and Orchid Opulence Classic Pads
Accessories: Watercolor Wonder Washi Tape

A Prep-Free Workshop

Hi All,

Back in January, I took a Sunday afternoon and joined a girlfriend at a fellow Demonstrator's house for some creative time at her Workshop.  How nice to not have to design, cut and prep for guests...I actually became the guest and it was so much fun!  I haven't been a guest since I became a Demonstrator a few years ago.  I forgot how much fun it is to share ideas and someone else's sense of design.

Gina designed some super cute cards for us using the Sale-A-Bration and Occasions products.  Loved all of these!

This card uses the Bow Builder Punch and pairs it with the Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper. These bows were relatively pretty easy to put together and are just adorable!  The Best Year Ever DSP (Item ID: 138633) can be earned FREE by spending $50 in product until March 31st. The punch can be ordered with the details below.

Item # 137414 Bow Builder Punch $16.95

I had a lot of fun with this technique.  Looks complicated, but is soooo easy!  Pick out (3) different embossing powders.  I pour mine in separate ziploc containers and use plastic spoons for easy pouring.  Stamp your image/s with Versamark.  Holding over your container, pick your first color and pour the powder straight down the center of the image.  Then repeat with the remaining colors till the whole image is covered.  Heat & set and you are ready to go.  So quick and easy!

Item ID: 136835 Another Thank You $15.95

  

This card uses the Lotus Blosson Stamp from the Sale-A-Bration catalog.  It's a 3-Step stamp that allows you to mix different colors to create the different shades you see on the flowers.  So versatile! You can earn Lotus Blossom (Item ID: 139143) for FREE when purchasing $50 in product until March 31st.

Item ID: 133739 Large Polka Dot $7.95

Sheltering Tree...that's the name of this stamp and exactly the feel you get from it.  So many options with this set.  You can use that tree for every season of the year and the accessory stamps are perfect for each of those seasons:  a rake, a swing and a bike.  Pretty sure this was one of the most popular sets from the Occasions Mini.

Item ID: 137163 Sheltering Tree $24.95

So thankful that I took the time to go get crafty with someone else's designs.  Hopefully you enjoy Gina's work as much as I did.  If you'd like to add any of these to your collection, pop me an email or click on the Order Icon in the top right hand corner.  Thanks so much for stopping by!