Big on Christmas Joy Fold

Picture overload alert! These cards are so cute in person and I tried to capture it through the pictures (that's why there's a lot of them), but as always, they don't do them justice! This is another set I will be making for the craft fair. These are an example of how easy Stampin' Up makes it to put projects together. Going into it, I knew I wanted to make a Joy Fold card and use the Merry Moments DSP and Big on Christmas stamp set...Stampin' Up did the rest! Based on the piece of DSP I picked, I was able right away to determine my color combination and knew it would match flawlessly...no thinking at all! It probably took me a half hour to make all three of these cards and that included all the coloring, cutting, and faux stitching! Super easy!

Stamps: Big on Christmas

Paper: Garden Green, Old Olive, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Merry Moments DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Old Olive

Accessories: SU Markers, Dimentionals, Sponges

Now onto the closeups:

Two Cased Christmas's

Both of the cards I'm going to share with you are cased, one from SCS and the other from the new Holiday Mini which starts September 1. They are super easy and will be easy for mass producing.

This first one was too cute not to case! Click here to view my inspiration. While I did change the colors and DSP, they are pretty much exactly the same. I absolutely love the simple look.

I used the 1 3/8 circle punch to make the ornaments from the new Merry Moments Designer Series Paper. A brad was added to the center ornament and the strings and bows were hand drawn with the Chocolate Chip marker. The sentiment is from the new Four the Holidays set which will be available in the mini.

Stamps: Four the Holidays

Paper: Kraft, Merry Moments DSP

Ink: Old Olive

Accessories: 1 3/8 Circle Punch, Silver Brad, Chocolate Chip SU Marker

This next card was cased from page 4 of the Holiday Mini. I used the Snowfall stamp set (retired) that I'm borrowing from Jen. I used these same colors in this card, however, the more and more I look at that card, the more and more I dislike it. I don't think I will be making it for the craft fair...it will probably be replaced by this one. I used the Four the Holidays set again for the sentiment (that set contains: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Peace on Earth, and Season's Greetings). This card is 4 x 9 (although it might need adjusted if I can't find envelopes for it) and the Whisper White panel is 3 1/2 x 4. The Old Olive strips are 1/2 x 4. Can you tell I made both of these cards the same day? the 1 3/8 circle punch and a brad in the center of a snowflake were used on this one as well. My favorite part is the cute little star cut out and mounted by the sentiment :)

Stamps: Snowfall, Four the Holidays

Paper: Real Red, Old Olive, Whisper White

Ink: Old Olive, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Accessories: 1 3/8 Circle Punch, Silver Brad

Happy Anniversary Ladies!

Alright, before I get to my card for today, I have to tell you the story behind it. Last year when word started to get out that I made cards (and before I really got into Stampin' Up), a lady from work asked me to make her a wedding card...for two women! Obviously I didn't have a stamp for that! After googling "lesbian and gay weddings" and sifting through all of the pictures that I did NOT want to see...I found this cute little stick figure of little brides holding hands. I printed and cut them out, colored the hair the appropriate color for each bride and mounted it onto a piece of pink cardstock which had been stamped with Michael's background wedding vow stamp. Tied it off with a ribbon and mounted it to a white card base (all I used back in the day)...needless to say they LOVED it! So much so, that they put it in a frame. Talk about a compliment!

This is that card:

Well, it is coming up on their one year anniversary and I have been asked to make their anniversary card! This year, I am much more prepared with a lot more "stuff" to play with. And I'm really proud of what I came up with!

I found the "bra" tutorial on SCS and knew this was the perfect occasion to make it! I originally made two (you'll see the other one pictured), however, they didn't both fit on the card. The sentiment "the perfect pair" was computer generated.

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Walk in the Park DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Word Window Punch, Large Oval Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, 1 3/8 and 1 inch Circle Punches, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White Ribbon, Chocolate Chip Button, Dimentionals, Mini-Glue Dots

1. Score 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 piece of Old Olive at 4 1/4 and fold on score line.

2. Punch several 1 and 1 3/8 inch circles out of Old Olive and adhere them to the top half of the card base, cutting those that go off the edge.

3. Wrap Whisper White ribbon around a 5 1/2 x 2 piece of Chocolate Chip and adhere to the bottom half of the card base.

4. Cut a strip of Chocolate Chip ribbon and tie it around the left side of the Whisper White ribbon.

5. For the bra - Punch two large ovals out of Walk in the Park DSP. Overlap the Scalloped Oval punch over the hole left from the oval so that 5 scallops are in the oval. Do this on both. Adhere the "cups" together in the center. Punch two Word Windows out of DSP and attach to make straps. Pop a button in the center of the bra with a mini-glue dot.

6. To create the image of breasts, punch 1 3/8 circles out of Very Vanilla. Adhere to the inside of the bra. Roll the cups around slightly to form a curve.

7. Stack 3 dimentionals under the cups and apply adhesive around edges to adhere to card.

8. Use Word Window Punch to punch out sentiment which was computer generated.

9. Punch Heart to Heart punch on Pretty in Pink and adhere to top left of card.

10. The inside is a 5 1/4 x 4 piece of Very Vanilla with Happy Anniversary from Teeny Tiny Wishes stamped in the right corner. The small heart from the punch is adhered next to it.

This was my extra bra...I gave it to Jen because she knows a lesbian couple and plans to make a similar card for them :) -- it was made using Bella Rose DSP.

EIA Award!

Sorry that today is another post with no new project. I'm almost done with the baby shower invites, though! This is what I received in the mail this afternoon. It is from my up-upline, Kathy Stone, as she presented me with an Excellence in Action award. I recently replied to an email she sent out about the Holiday Open House that our group is holding in Ohio. I told her that although I probably wouldn't have any customers drive 45+ minutes to come, that I would love to participate. She called me a few days later to tell me that she was moved by my unselfishness and was extending this award to me. She sent out a really nice email to the group recognizing me and then sent me this box of goodies! I honestly couldn't have asked for a better group of ladies to work with. Everyone truly cares about each other and loves what they do! These past 6 months that I have been a demonstrator really have been great and it's all because of the people you get to work with and meet. I would recommend anyone who's been on the fence about becoming a demo to take advantage of the $85 starter kit in these next few days and join on to an amazing group!

Speaking of new demos...I would like to welcome my Aunt Mel to my downline! She actually became my first Level 2 downline as she joined under Jen! We are so excited to have her on board and knew it would only be a matter of time before we convinced her to sign up!

Now onto close ups of the goodies:

This make up bag was available only to those demonstrators who attended Convention! Isn't it adorable? I don't think I can use it for make up because I don't want to get it dirty! I love how the inside is lined with the Thoroughly Modern pattern!

A Stampin' Up tablet, note pad, pen, and nail file

Handmade card from Kathy! I love love love the Parisian Breeze DSP! Thanks again Kathy :)

Baby Shower Invitation Factory

I thought I'd take a minute to show you the progress I've made on my cousin's baby shower invites (and to apologize for not posting since Monday). I only have a week to make 50 invitations so that she has time to send them out and get responses in time. Luckily she and my aunt came over tonight to help me assemble some of the pieces! We got a lot done in two hours.

This is what I had done before they arrived (all pieces cut, scored and run through Big Shot with texture plates where necessary, corners rounded, bears stamped and watercolored with some cut and some of the faux stitching done):

Two hours later (all layers adhered, bears popped, and pockets folded):

Now all I have left to do is add the brad and ribbon to the actual invite and assemble the pockets with the layers you see! Thanks so much Aunt Cassie and Kristen! I meant to take a picture of you guys in action, but we were having too much fun :)

Just some fun facts about these invites:

• 85 pieces of cardstock were used to create the 500 pieces shown
• 1,000 corners were rounded
• 100 circles were cut using the Coluzle (50 in Chocolate Chip and 50 in Whisper White)
• 50 bears were watercolored and cut out (100 total bears were stamped)
• 100 dimentionals were used
• 14.5 feet of ribbon will be used

Sympathy Reflection

This card was made for my downline, Jen, who just lost her mom. I've really been wanting to make a reflection card and decided to give it a try with this card. I also guess I've been on a clean and simple kick too! The technique was super easy and I love the effect that adding the Crystal Effects gives.

Stamps: Asian Artistry, Close as a Memory

Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White, Bashful Blue

Accessories: Coluzzle, SU Markers, Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, Brads, Crystal Effects, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, Sponges, Transparency Paper

1. Score 4 1/4 x 11 piece of Elegant Eggplant at 5 1/2 and fold on score line.

2. Cut 6th largest oval from Coluzzle out onto Whisper White.

3. Punch out a 1 3/8 circle from a scrap sheet of paper and place where you want your sun to be. Sponge with Bashful Blue around it to create effect. Move mask to opposite side of oval and repeat to form reflection.

4. Take a scrap piece of paper and lay it across the center of the oval and sponge across that oval to form water line.

5. Stamp image from Asian Artistry several times across water line using Basic Black. Stamp image again with Basic Black onto transparency paper. Flip transparency paper upside down and place ink side down below other stamped image and rub to transfer ink to paper. This forms the reflection.

6. Let ink dry then trace over using SU markers. Use a shade lighter for the reflected image.

7. Spread Crystal Effects over the water portion of the oval using a paint brush and let dry.

8. Adhere oval to card base.

9. Stamp image from Close as a Memory in bottom right corner with Whisper White. Use Mat Pack and Paper Piercer to create holes for brads. Adhere Bashful Blue brads.

10. The inside has a 4 x 5 1/4 piece of Whisper White with the Asian Artistry image stamped in the corners and colored with markers.

Another Clean and Simple Christmas

Clean and Simple is my theme for the cards that I'm making to sell at the craft fair in November. These are the ones that are going to be mass produced into sets of 5. We are also going to make more elaborate ones that are sold individually. But this is my second design. It used the retired set Snowfall (thanks Jen for letting me borrow it!). I am thinking these colors are going to be my combination of choice for my own Christmas cards this year!

Stamps: Snowfall

Paper: Old Olive, Real Red, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Real Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip (marker), Whisper White

Accessories: Scalloped Edge Punch, White Gel Pen, Old Olive Ribbon, Real Red Ribbon, Corner Rounder

1. Score 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 piece of Real Red cardstock at 4 1/4 and fold on score line. Punch all corners with corner rounder (including the top).

2. Take a 3 3/4 x 5 piece of Whisper White and stamp all over it with the snowflakes using Real Red, Old Olive, and Chocolate Chip ink. I found that using the Chocolate Chip marker on the stars worked better because of the shape of the stamp. I kept having big smudge lines when I inked it in the pad.

3. Cut the stamped sheet in half. Round the corners. (We will only be using half for this card, but this allows you to get two cards from one stamped sheet)

4. Cut a 5 x 2 piece of Chocolate Chip and Scallop Punch one end. Use White Gel Pen to add dots to

scallops. Adhere to back of stamped paper.

5. Wrap Old Olive ribbon around paper where the two meet. Tie a small piece of red ribbon in the center and cut off the excess.

6. Adhere to card base.

7. Stamp sentiment using Whisper White.

8. The inside has a 3 3/4 x 5 piece of Whisper White with the corners rounded and an Old Olive snowflake in the corner.

Baby Shower Invitation

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, my cousin is having a baby and my aunt has asked me to do the invitations. She's coming over tomorrow to discuss details and this is what I have to show her. It actually matches the baby card I made a few days ago. As soon as I found out Kristen was having a girl I knew I wanted to turn that card into an invitation. I had never made a pocket invitation before, but it was super easy and you can get two per 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper! It is a 4 1/4 x 11 piece of card stock folded in half and then scored 1 1/2 inches from one end to form the little flap.

The "It's A Shower" and all the information were all computer generated. The bear was colored the same way as in the card and faux stitched all of the Pretty in Pink card stock. They were also run through the Big Shot with the polka dot texture plates (can you tell that's been my favorite plate recently!?) The white layer is the only layer that comes out and the brad holds the ribbon down.

Stamps: Teddy and Train

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Watercolor Paper

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot, Texture Plates, Coluzzle, Corner Rounder, Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Pretty in Pink Brad, SU Markers, Blender Pens, Dimentionals

See other invitations I've made here!

Clean and Simple Christmas

This card was super hard for me to make! It has no ribbon, no buttons, no Big Shot...just stamps, paper, ink...and oh yeah, glitter! :) I really like this card though (are you sick of me saying I like every card that I make yet?!). What's funny is when I first got this stamp set, I immediately wanted to make a reflection card with it, however, after I stamped and made the reflection, I realized that it was bigger than my card base. I tried cropping it a few different ways and wasn't pleased. I just cut off the reflected image and used what I had left to create this card. I kept trying to find a way to add some embellishments, but it kept taking away from the image.

This is one of the card designs I'm going to be mass producing for the craft fair that I'm participating in November 14. PLENTY more Christmas designs to come for that. I also am meeting with my one aunt tomorrow about my cousin's baby shower invitations, so watch out for those as well. I will also have some more Halloween projects and cards soon too.

Stamps: A Wish For Peace

Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White,

Ink: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze

Accessories: Corner Rounder, 2 Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 1 1/2 inch Circle Punch, Sponges, SU Pastels

1. Score 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 piece of Kraft at 4 1/4 and fold on score line.

2. Cut a 3 inch square of Whisper White and a 3 1/4 inch square of Chocolate Chip. Round the corners of the Whisper White piece.

3. Punch a circle from a scrap piece of paper and tape it in place on the Whisper White square. Sponge around the top and side parts of it with Baja Breeze.

4. Remove mask and stamp image in Basic Black so that some of the trees are in front of the moon you just created.

5. Color image using Stampin' Pastels and sponge remaining sky line to your liking.

6. Adhere to Chocolate Chip square and adhere to card base.

7. Stamp sentiment in bottom right corner using Chocolate Chip ink.

8. Use 2 Way Glue pen and Dazzling Diamond Glitter to randomly add glitter to some branches of the main tree.

Birthday Pumpkin

Here is the second of the Halloween themed birthday cards. I cased this card that I found on SCS. I really like all of the circles. And again, the Big Shot was used with the small polka dots on the Whisper White layer, however, the picture doesn't help show that!

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Batty for You
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Whisper White, Cast a Spell DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Big Shot, Texture Plates, Colluzle, Horizontal Slot Punch, 1 1/2 Circle Punch, Chocolate Chip Ribbon, SU Markers, Twine, Dimentionals

1. Score a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 piece of Chocoalte Chip at 4 1/4 and fold on score line.
2. Cut a 5 3/8 x 4 1/8 piece of Pumpkin Pie, 5 1/4 x 4 piece of More Mustard, and a 5 1/8 x 3 7/8 piece of Whisper White.
3. Run the Whisper White through the Big Shot with the small polka dot texture plates.
4. Cut the 7th largest circle out of the Coluzzle onto Cast a Spell DSP. Adhere to bottom right portion of Whisper White and cut off overhang.
5. Cut out 4th largest circle onto More Mustard and the 3rd largest onto Chocolate Chip. Adhere.
6. Stamp the pumpkin image from Batty for You in Chocolate Chip onto a scrap piece of Whisper White. Punch out with the 1 1/2 inch circle punch. Adhere to Chocolate Chip circle.
7. Stamp image again, this time using SU Markers to color the pumpkin. Cut out pumpkin and adhere to circle image using dimentionals.
8. Adhere circles to top of DSP circle and Whisper White layer using dimentionals.
9. Punch a slit using the Horizontal Slot Punch on the bottom right side. Thread Chocolate Chip ribbon through and tie off with a piece of twine.
10. Stamp sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes underneath ribbon using Chocolate Chip ink.
11. Adhere Whisper White layer to More Mustard/Pumpkin Pie layer and adhere the whole piece to the Chocolate Chip card base.
12. The inside has a 5 1/4 x 4 piece of More Mustard.

A Halloween Birthday

As mentioned yesterday, I am working on a big card order right now. Two cards that she needed are Halloween themed birthday cards. Halloween is by far my favorite holiday, so I would LOVE to receive a Halloween themed birthday card (hint hint, my birthday is in May!). For this card I used my favorite set as of late, Seasons of Friendship, along with the new Spooky Treats rub ons. I love that both black and white come in the same package because then you can use them on any color. Plus, unlike stamps, which you can sometimes mess up by stamping crooked or not fully inking the image, you CANNOT mess up a rub on and get perfect placement every time! Even if you notice the image is not fully transfered, simply lay it back down and keep rubbing until it is!

I will post the second Halloween themed birthday card tomorrow :)

Stamps: Seasons of Friendship, Eat Drink and Be Scary
Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Basic Black, Whisper White, Summer Sun
Ink: Basic Black Craft, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Colluzle, Clear EP, Heat Gun, Sponges, Horizontal Slot Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Spooky Treats Rub Ons, Pumpkin Pie Striped Ribbon, SU Markers, Dimentionals

1. Score 4 1/4 x 11 piece of Elegant Eggplant at 5 1/2 and fold on score line.
2. Cut a 4 x 5 1/4 piece of Whisper White and a 3 3/4 x 5 piece of Basic Black. Punch all corners with Ticket Corner punch. Adhere layers together.
3. Use the Colluzle to cut out 6th largest circle onto a piece of Elegant Eggplant. Cut out the 3rd largest circle onto a piece of Summer Sun. Sponge edges of smaller circle with Pumpkin Pie ink.
4. Adhere "moon" circle to Eggplant circle. Stamp tree image onto circle using Basic Black Craft ink. Emboss with clear embossing powder.
5. Adhere the black crow rub on to one of the branches using the applicator that comes in the package.
6. Adhere circles to Basic Black layer.
7. Use Horizontal Slot Punch on the black and white layers to punch a slot on the left side. Feed Pumpkin Pie ribbon through and around to the right of the cardstock, tieing a knot in the front.
8. Adhere "spooky" rub on in white underneath the ribbon.
9. Adhere layers to Eggplant card base using dimentionals
10. For the inside, layer a 3 3/4 x 5 piece of Whisper White onto a 4 x 5 1/4 piece of Basic Black (both of which you will Ticket Punch the corners).
11. Use SU Markers in Pumpkin Pie and Elegant Eggplant to color directly onto "Eat, Drink, and Be Scary" stamp and stamp onto Whisper White layer.

Bundle of Joy

This picture does not do this card justice! (I know I say that alot). But I need to figure out a way to photograph so that you can see the texture added with the Big Shot. Anyway, I'm really pleased with this card because I always want to use buttons and library clips, but never can find a good way to use them. I think they really add something special to this card. I just recently got a big order for various cards spaced out over the next two months and this is the first one she needed. Usually when I have a baby card need, I immediately go to the onsie cards that I love to make, but this time I decided to do something different and use a brand new stamp set that I just got this week, Teddy and Train. What's funny is that the idea I had in my head involved a vertical card with a scalloped bottom, but couldn't find a layout that I liked. As I was sliding things around and pulling out various embellishments, the card base got turned horizontal and that was all it took! That's how it usually happens for me...by accident! My favorite part of this card is how the rattle is wrapped around the bear's hand.

Stamps: Teddy and Train

Paper: Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Watercolor Paper

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot, Texture Plates, Scalloped Edge Punch, Oval and Scalloped Oval Punch, SU Markers, Blender Pen, Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Button Latte Button, Library Clip, Twine, Dimentionals

1. Score a 4 1/4 x 11 piece of Chocolate Chip at 5 1/2 and fold on score line.

2. Scallop punch the short end of the cardstock (both the front and inside). Repeat on two pieces of 4 x 5 1/4 pieces of Pretty in Pink cardstock.

3. Set one piece of Pretty in Pink to the side. On the other, distress the scalloped end and run through Big Shot using polka dot texture plate. Add faux stitching with Chocolate Chip marker and adhere to card front.

4. Stamp bear image on 3x3 piece of Watercolor paper and watercolor using blender pens and SU Markers. Stamp another bear and a rattle on a scrap piece of Watercolor paper. Color and cut out both the bear and rattle.

5. Add faux stitching to 3x3 image.

6. Wrap Chocolate Chip ribbon around square and tie off with twine. String twine up through the button and tie once, clipping off the excess. Secure button with a mini glue dot.

7. Adhere image to a 3 1/4 square of Chocolate Chip cardstock. Adhere second bear on top of 3x3 image using dimentionals. Cut a slit in the bottom of the rattle and adhere around bear's hand. Stack two dimentionals on top of each other and place under the circular part of the rattle.

8. Stamp the sentiment on Watercolor paper scrap and punch out using Large Oval Punch. Add faux stitching. Adhere to punched scalloped oval in Chocolate Chip.

9. Dry fit image and sentiment and then adhere image with dimentionals and sentiment directly to the card base.

10. Finally, clip Chocolate Chip library clip onto the image.

11. For the inside, take the other scalloped edged Pretty in Pink piece and stamp rattle image in bottom right corner. Adhere to the inside.

Photo Tile Coasters

As you can see, I'm on a tile kick in honor of my class this Friday, but aren't these the cutest things ever?? I followed this tutorial from SCS. And no, I do not favor my dog over my cat...I just messed up the first one I did with Secret's picture and didn't have another tile to use, so that's why Cervantes has two...(look at the one on the left...it's hard to believe he was ever that small!) I had never used Mod Podge before and thought I would be able to slide the tissue paper around until I got it centered. Well, I thought wrong, my kitty split in half!

These were super easy, though, and took longer to seal/dry than to actually make them. They would make great gifts! I will be putting these in our office once I get the other one made. Our desk is starting to get "cup rings".

Seasons of Friendship Re-Do

These might look familiar! I posted this a few days ago, however, I wasn't 100% happy with how they turned out because, if you look closely, you can see all the places the ink had smeared. To be honest, once I made these ones today, I was going to go back and change the picture on the old post and not mention a word; but I thought I'd share with you the lessons I learned.

I did some more research on tile coasters and saw that most of the stampers who posted them had purchased their tiles at Home Depot. I had got mine at Lowes. I went to Home Depot and discovered that they have a much bigger tile selection! I didn't realize until I stamped on them that the tiles from Lowes had already been pre-sealed. That was the only type they had. At Home Depot, though, you can find just plain tumbled tiles. I could tell a difference as soon as I placed the stamp down! On the ones from Lowes, you could feel your stamp wanting to slide away. These ones also sealed better. Even after baking and spraying sealer on the Lowes tiles, I could still smear the ink (as you can see in the picture from a few days ago). Joe decided to test these ones by rubbing his sweaty glass around on them and they held up! I also found a self adhesive felt at Michael's that I just cut to size for the backs. Super easy!

I couldn't wait to put these to use! Here are pictures of what they look like on my two end tables in our living room.

There is a clue in this picture as to where we got our dog's name from...can you find it? (you might have to make the picture bigger)

There are still spots left in class for Friday, August 21! Let me know ASAP if you'd like to make these great tiles (now that I figured out how to do them right!)

Fun & Fast Notes Gift Box

One of my co-workers asked me to make a box of cards for a girl she knows who is going off to college. She is also the same person I made the Lovely as a Tree and Bella Rose stationary boxes for. I was thrilled when she asked for another one :) This time I decided to make the A2 card box I have been making recently. I also cased myself for the cards and use the shadow box technique I used for my aunt's get well card. The funny thing is that when I case something, I do it from memory. So my second version always turns out slightly different than the original. I also made the box to match the cards. The top was made from Ruby Red and the bottom (which you can't see in the picture) is Kraft).

There are six cards and envelopes inside the box and although there are two of each image, all of the sentiments are for a different occasion (with the exception of the birthday cakes--although I did use two different birthday greetings). Each also has a different textured background thanks to my Big Shot and Texture Plates, however, it's hard to see from the picture.

Also, on a different note...I heard back from Tenny about how my cards and Post It holders were doing at his store and he said that six out of the eight Post It's have sold and there has been interest in my card boxes, however, they haven't yet. I was thrilled that anything sold! I will keep you all posted :)

Stamps: Fun & Fast Notes, Sweet Little Sentiments, Crazy for Cupcakes, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Great Friend

Paper: Ballet Blue, Ruby Red, Mellow Moss, Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, So Saffron (and coordinating DSP for all colors), Whisper White, Kraft

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot, Texture Plates, Large Oval and Scalloped Oval Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, SU Markers, Twine, Dimentionals

Seasons of Friendship Coasters

The Seasons of Friendship stamp set has got to be one of my most favorite! I just love anything that has to do with seasons! :) These are the tile coasters that we are going to be making at my workshop next Friday! I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out. All that I have left to do is get either cork or felt for the backs of them and they will be ready for use in my living room! I also found a really easy tutorial for photo tiles that I am going to have to try, so watch for that soon!

Bermuda Bay Birthday

Thursday is my grandma's birthday and this is the card I made for her :) I was browsing SCS for a layout and came across this card and decided to base my card off her layout. I've had the library clips for a while now but anytime I tried to use them I wasn't happy, so when I clipped it onto this card, I was trilled to see that I liked how it looked!

Stamps: Fun and Fast Notes, Crazy for Cupcakes

Paper: Bermuda Bay, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: SU Markers, Blender Pen, 1 3/8, 1 1/2 and Scalloped Circle Punches, Large Oval and Scalloped Oval Punch, Scalloped Edge Punch, White Gel Pen, Bermuda Bay Ribbon, Library Clips, Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, Dimentionals

1. Score an 8 1/2 x 4 1/4 piece of Bermuda Bay at 4 1/4 and fold on score line.

2. Stamp bird from Fun and Fast notes onto Whisper White twice and watercolor using SU Markers and blender pens.

3. Punch one of the birds out with the 1 3/8 circle punch--you will cut off part of the flower.

4. On the other image, cut out the bird and flower. Adhere to punched out image using dimentionals for the bird and adhesive for the flower.

5. Adhere entire image to a 1 1/2 circle punched from Basic Black. Set aside.

6. Paper pierce a border around a 4 x 3 piece of Whisper White.

7. Punch the scallop border along a 4 x 2 piece of Basic Black using the Scalloped Edge Punch and "dot" a white gel pen on each scallop. Dry fit onto card base and then adhere together so that there is a 1 inch margin of Bermuda Bay at the top. Do not adhere to card base yet.

8. Wrap ribbon around and adhere in back. Take another strip of ribbon and tie it around the ribbon to form the bow. Adhere to card base.

9. Stamp sentiment from Crazy for Cupcakes onto Bermuda Bay and punch out using Large Oval. Adhere to a Basic Black punched Scalloped Oval. Adhere above ribbon using dimentionals.

10. Adhere bird image to card base using dimentionals (doubling them for extra pop).

11. Clip the library clip onto the side.

12. The inside contains a 4x4 piece of Basic Black and a 3 3/4 x 3 3/4 Whisper White matted in the middle.

Antique Store Update

Well I did it! I took my cards/projects down to the Market Place on Main yesterday and I think Tenny really liked what I gave him! The only thing he didn't take were the candles, because he said he was up to his ears in them. I'm pretty excited to see how they sell! Hopefully he'll call me in the next week and say he needs more :) Ah...a girl can dream!

On another note...I met with Jen, one of my downline members, and my Aunt Mel this morning to discuss our plans to participate in a craft fair in November. I'm sure there will be many posts related to that to come soon! I need to start on my Halloween stuff too :)

Asian Artistry Candle

This is the final product that I'm going to be taking down to the Market Place on Main (I'm hoping to go tomorrow, so I will let you know how it goes!). I love stamping on candles! You may also remember this one from the auction basket I made for the Y. For this set I used the Asian Artistry stamp set and Stampin' Up markers. To stamp on candles, you first stamp your image onto tissue paper and color. Cut the image out staying close to your line, but leaving some white. Lay the image on the candle where you would like it. Wrap a piece of wax paper around the entire candle. Turn your embossing gun on and let it heat up for about 15 seconds. Then heat the wax paper over the image...you will notice that the image melts into the candle! Be careful not to overheat. For this candle, I did each image individually.

Stamps: Asian Artistry

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Heat Gun, SU Markers

Get Well Soon

This is a card I made for my aunt who just had back surgery. When my mom called me about it, she said "you should make her one of your pretty cards" :) My mom is definitely my number one fan when it comes to my card-making! Love ya mom!

I made this card using a shadow box tutorial that I saw on SCS. You take a 4 inch square piece of DSP and fold it in half twice. Fold the points down to themiddle and then fold each point

back towards the side. It was super easy and I love the effect it gives. The sentiment says "Take Care of Yourself" and is from Sweet Little Sentiments. The Bashful Blue piece was also run through my Big Shot with the polka dot texture plate. I love how it compliments the polka dots in the DSP. I also cut a strip of DSP for the inside and punched it with the Eyelet Border Punch.

Stamps: Fun and Fast Notes, Sweet Little Sentiements

Paper: Ballet Blue, Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue DSP (retired), Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Bashful Blue

Accessories: Big Shot, Texture Plate, Eyelet Border Punch, Large and Scalloped Oval Punch, Twine, SU Markers

Antique Store Set #5

Hello! You are reading my 100th post! I can't believe it. When I started this blog in March, I never thought it would only take me 4 months to reach 10,000 hits and post 100 times. Thanks to all of you for supporting my blog and visiting regularly! This is my final card set for the Market Place on Main (all that's left is candles). I wanted to make a variety of styles to give him to see what works best, so this set is much more "fun" than the other sets. I CASED this card from SCS. It was very simple to make these and they were done in about an hour. And I just can't get enough of the color combination. I'm really sad that I used my last sheet of this style DSP. Time to order more!!!

When I started to think about how I wanted to package them, I didn't want to make another one of the boxes I have been making. I wanted something for the cards to "stand" in. I searched all over SCS and couldn't find any template for what I was visioning...so, I decided I was going to make my own box template! Boy, I didn't realize what I was in for. Although it only took me about 15 minutes to figure it out, my brain hurt after it was all said and done! I cut my cardstock to 8 1/2 x 6 and scored it at 2 inches all the way around. Cut the flaps and assemble. It seems way to easy for the time it took me to think of it! The DSP is 1 3/4 square for the sides and 1 3/4 x 4 for the front and back. See the template below for cutting/scoring.

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes

Paper: Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot, Scallops 2 Die, 1 3/8, 1 1/2, and Scallop Circle Punches, Crystal Effects, Coluzzle, Horizontal Slot Punch, Melon Mambo Ribbon, Dimentionals, SU Markers, Blender Pen

And, all of the cards with the box. I was the mad photographer with this set, can't you tell? :)