Renae Stamps

Halloween Treats

2009-10-28T19:51:00.004-04:00

As promised, here are the treats that I made for my fellow Directors at work! I am usually the first one in the office, so I went around to each of their offices and left all of these on their desks. I loved hearing each one of them come in...they all knew I was the Halloween elf! :)

Here is a picture of all 3 treats that I gave out.

A close up of the frappachino bottles

And the tops of the bottles

Little Ghiradelli chocolate holders made from the Top Note Die

The inside

And my favorite...the mummified Hershey's bar!

M&M Matchbooks

2009-10-25T17:37:00.003-04:00

Hello Everyone! I'm so excited that it's Halloween week! Today's post is the first of several Halloween treats for staff at work. These M&M Matchbook's were cased from this post on SCS. I made a total of 30 to give to my Health & Fitness staff at the Y.

Stamps: Batty for You

Paper: Basic Black, Cast A Spell DSP

Ink: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant

Accessories: Scalloped Circle Punch, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, 1 1/2 Circle Punch, Staples, Sponges

I ran out of M&Ms and had to use a few packs of peanut M&Ms and while they turned out okay, it was hard to get the belly band around the bigger candies.

Got a brand new stamp? Here's a tip!

2009-10-20T21:21:00.004-04:00

As I was making some treats for my co-workers at the Y, I used my "Trick or Treat" sentiment from the Hostess set Holiday Best for the first time. I used SU markers to color directly onto the stamp and when I stamped it for the first time, it wasn't very pretty. Has this ever happened to you? Well, I have a solution! Simply take your sanding block and rub it across the stamp a few times. You'll be able to see the difference just in how the ink transfers to the stamp...and the result on paper is even more amazing.

The tag on the bottom was before sanding, and the one on top is after. Pretty cool, huh?

I am so anxious to share these and the other Halloween Treats I have made! There are 67 total (28 of one design and then 13 each of 3 other designs). I will start revealing them next Monday. My next few posts will show you a little more from the Open House! I hope you are getting lots of ideas from those pictures!

Halloween Birthday

2009-10-18T19:30:00.011-04:00

This coming weekend I'm going to visit my friend and she asked me to make her a birthday card for her sister...who's birthday is on Halloween Day! This is what I came up with! I love this Little Boo stamp set, so I couldn't resist using him. This card is similar to this card, as the front is shorter than the back. In this case, the inside has a place to put a gift card. When it's laid flat you can see the black DSP and see the complete design. I'm going to be really sad when Halloween's over and I have to put away my Cast-A-Spell DSP. I can't wait to show you the treats I made for my co-workers and employees at work! I am going to save them for next week though, just so the secret doesn't get out :)

Stamps: Little Boo, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Cast-A-Spell DSP

Ink: Old Olive, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Scalloped Edge Punch, 1 inch Circle Punch, Pumpkin Pie Ribbon, Sponges

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

2. Cut 1/4 of an inch off of the front piece and then punch the bottom edge with the Scalloped Edge Punch. Sponge with Basic Black ink.

3. Stamp the Little Boo ghost three times, one each in Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Basic Black. Punch out with 1 inch circle punch. Also punch out a Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive circle with the same punch.

4. Mat a 1 1/2 x 3 3/4 piece of Elegant Eggplant to a 1 5/8 piece of Pumpkin Pie. Punch two scrap pieces of Old Olive with the Scalloped Edge Punch and cut to 3 3/4. Mat onto other layers.

5. Adhere punched circles as shown.

6. Cut a 4 1/2 x 4 piece of Basic Black and a 4 1/4 x 3 3/4 piece of DSP. Adhere to card base.

7. Adhere image layer onto DSP.

8. Tie Pumpkin Pie ribbon around front layer.

9. For the inside, cut a piece of DSP 4 1/4 x 1 7/8. Use the 1 inch circle punch to punch a half circle where the gift card can be pulled out.

10. Adhere to inside, taping only the outside three sides.

11. Stamp sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

On a different note...I wanted to show you my crazy Halloween nails. I love to get my nails done and I used to get designs all the time. To save a little money I went back to just getting one color, but for Halloween I decided to bring the fun designs back!

Isn't my nail tech talented? She does it all by hand, not airbrush! (speaking of hands, I'm not sure why my fingers look so chubby! haha) Anyway, they look even better in real life because the black has a little sparkle to it :)

More Display Boards

2009-10-16T16:01:00.004-04:00

Here are some more of the display boards from the Open House. I hope to have a few cards to share with you in the next couple of days. I was away at a Staff Training Retreat for my "real job" at the Y, so I wasn't able to get much done since Tuesday.

Open House Punched Art

2009-10-13T19:46:00.003-04:00

Just a quick post today to show you one of my favorite cards from the Open House. This cheerleader was created using various Stampin' Up punches and was made by Cindy Mawhinney, a very talented stamper in the StampinStone's demonstrator group. I absolutely love her scalloped circle punch hair! How cute!!

To see more cards using Punch Art, click here.

Open House Display Boards

2009-10-11T17:48:00.004-04:00

As promised, here are a few pictures of the display boards from the Open House yesterday. Click on the images to enlarge!

Holiday Board (do any of the 3D Halloween items look familiar??)

Roberta's board--with a few of my samples too :)

Holiday Open House Pictures

2009-10-10T14:10:00.005-04:00

Well I just got back from the Holiday Open House and it was a definite success!! There were over 50 people there, some of whom had never stamped before and just read about the event in the newspaper. I have many pictures of display boards and cards that were demo'd, so today I'm just going to show you the four demo stations. I will post a few pictures each day...wait until you see some of these display boards...there are some talented ladies in this group!

Kathy demonstrated how to make a Recessed Window Card

Roberta demonstrated the new Build A Bear stamp sets and Big Shot dies.

Sue demonstrated how to use the Shimmer Paint in various ways.

And I demonstrated the Watercolor Roses that I have been sharing with you. I saved three of the roses that I demo'd today because the result was absolutely breathtaking! I used Summer Sun, Pretty in Pink, and Regal Rose reinkers and after everything blended I had shades of orange as well, so it looks very fall like. I can't wait to make a project with them!

Another Watercolored Flower

2009-10-09T22:09:00.004-04:00

Well I managed to crank out another card with the watercolor reinker technique that I mentioned yesterday. Of all three cards this one is my favorite. I cased the layout from a card I saw on Splitcoast (I forgot to bookmark it though...sorry).

This is the card standing...you can really see the shimmer of the flower from this angle!

And laying down to show the inside layer. It's hard to see, but the butterfly was colored with coordinating SU markers :)

And from the side

I will try to take lots of pictures tomorrow at the Open House to share with you! I also have been working on some super cute Halloween Treats for staff at work. I don't want to post them too early in case any of them read my blog :) More fun stuff to come though...

Stamps: Oval All, Fifth Avenue Floral

Paper: Pale Plum, Ballet Blue, Whisper White, Shimmery White

Ink: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Brocade Blue and Ballet Blue Reinkers

Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch, Large Oval Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Whisper White Ribbon, Aquapainter, Clear EP, Heat Gun, SU Markers, White Gel Pen

Watercolor Roses

2009-10-08T19:58:00.007-04:00

This coming Saturday is the Open House that I am going to be helping with for the StampinStones demonstrator group. I first mentioned it way back in August in this post. My job in the Open House is to demo the Watercolor Rose Technique (also known as reinker watercoloring). While I really like the effect of this technique and think it is awesome to demonstrate...I am not a big fan of the Fifth Avenue Floral set! haha Coming up with samples for my table was rough! Here are two that I have done. I still have a few more flowers made up and will hopefully have another one or two samples made before then. If you haven't seen this technique, take a peek at Patty Bennett's tutorial (complete with video!). It's really easy and definitely is a WOW technique...it works great with this set, I'm just not a rosey-rose type of girl!

I used Brocade Blue and Ballet Blue reinkers for this card

And Summer Sun, Pretty in Pink, and Regal Rose reinkers for this card

It's hard to capture the shimmer of the flowers on camera, but they are beautiful in real life!

Candy Corn Treat

2009-10-06T20:15:00.004-04:00

You may remember this post where I told you about my aunt who recently found out she has cancer on her spine. Well, my mom and I went to visit her in Ohio this past weekend and I took this little gift for her. The template is the same one I used for the box in this post and an PDF for how to make it can be found through Papertrey Ink. The pumpkins were made using the Coluzzle and Large Oval Punches along with a little sponging to give it some depth. The stem was hand cut and the little green strip was rolled around a pencil to form the curling effect. The sentiment was tied onto the Pumpkin Pie ribbon with twine and was punched out using the Large Oval Punch and the Scalloped Oval Punch.

Stamps: Great Friend

Paper: Natural Ivory, Kraft, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive

Ink: Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Pumpkin Pie Ribbon, Old Olive Striped Ribbon, Twine

I'm Back :)

2009-10-03T21:14:00.004-04:00

Thanks for being patient with me and for all of the nice comments and emails. I have really taken a break recently and I feel it's really helped. I've been working out more, spending more time with Joe and the 4 legged kids and...I actually WANTED to stamp today :) Plus it didn't help that my dog ate my last bookmark (you may remember this post) and I just got a new book from the library. I couldn't bring myself to use anything but something stamped! Since Halloween is my favorite holiday and I haven't used this cute Little Boo stamp yet, I thought it would be perfect for project. I will continue to post sporadically when I make projects or cards (although I do have some lined up). But from now on, most of the things you will be seeing will be things I made because I wanted to, because I'm not going to be taking many, if any, orders for a while.

Stamps: Little Boo

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Whisper White, Cast A Spell DSP

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: 1 inch, 1 3/8, 1 1/2, and Scalloped Circle Punches, Paper Piercer, Pumpkin Pie Ribbon, Dimentionals

1. The image was stamped in Basic Black onto Whisper White. The "boo" and pumpkin were colored with SU markers and then punched out with a 1 inch circle punch.

2. That was layered onto a 1 3/8 circle punched from the Cast A Spell DSP.

3. Those were layered onto a 1 1/2 inch circle of Basic Black, which was finally layered onto a Pumpkin Pie Scalloped Circle.

4. I used my paper piercer to punch holes in all of the scallops.

5. Steps 1-4 were repeated so that you have two scalloped pieces.

6. Cut two long strips of Pumpkin Pie striped ribbon. Adhere to the back of one of the scalloped pieces. Use dimentionals to adhere the other scalloped image to the first, sandwiching the ribbon between the two layers.

Falling Snow Winter Card...and some venting :)

2009-09-27T15:53:00.005-04:00

I really like how this card turned out. It is a case of this card that I found on SCS. I love how versatile the Seasons of Friendship stamp set is! This will probably be the last Christmasy card you see from me for a while, though. I was planning on doing a craft fair (as you may know) in November, so that's why I had jump started on all of these Christmas projects; however, due to time and money constraints I am deciding against it....my two other downline members are still going to participate, so I will post pictures of their booth. I am bummed to not be participating, but I was really stressing about it and was beginning to care less about stamping anymore. It went from something I couldn't wait to do, to something that I never wanted to see again. So I apologize if my posts start to spread out, but I really just want to take some time away (I have a few orders that I will post once they are complete as well as some Halloween ideas that I want to do for staff at work) and not focus so much on stamping. I've noticed my creativity lacking recently and I feel it's because of all the pressure I was putting on myself (along with everything else I have going on at home and at my "real" job). I'm also not sure if I will be holding anymore classes as I've been really disappointed in the attendance. As you other demos know, a lot of time and effort goes into planning and preparing a class and to only have a few people show up isn't worth it...what's worse, is I always have someone cancel the day of, which is also frustrating.

Now that I have that out of the way...here are the details about the card :)

Stamps: Season of Friendship

Paper: Kraft, Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Ink: Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Accessories: White Gel Pen, Riding Hood Red Ribbon (retired), Heat Gun

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

2. Stamp snowflake from Season of Friendship all over using Whisper White ink. Heat set.

3. Cut Whisper White to 4 1/4 x 2 and 4 1/4 x 3. Cut hills along the long side of each piece. Sponge with Bashful Blue ink.

4. Stamp tree from Season of Friendship with Chocolate Chip onto scrap piece of Whisper White and cut out. Stamp bird using Real Red and cut out.

5. Adhere snow hills, tree, and bird to card base.

6. Cut 4 1/4 x 1 of Bashful Blue and 4 1/4 x 3/4 Chocolate Chip. Adhere together. Tie ribbon around strip. Use White gel pen to create "stitch marks" along Bashful Blue.

7. Adhere strip to card base.

Delightful Stair Step--*UPDATED with instructions!

2009-09-24T18:22:00.004-04:00

This was the project that we made at Roberta's downline meeting earlier this week. I've never made a stair step card before, so I was excited to make this one. Unfortunately I do not have the instructions, but it was super easy to make! I also got to use the fun new ornament punch which coordinates with the Delightful Decorations stamp set...SU makes it so easy :)

UPDATED: Roberta just emailed me the instructions, so here you go!

1. Put your 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 card stock in the paper trimmer with 5 1/2 edge at the top. Place at 3 1/2 and start your cutting blade at 1 inch on the vertical ruler and cut down to 6 3/8.

2. Turn the cardstock so the 8 1/2 edge is at the top (with the widest section at the top too) of paper trimmer. Score from the edge of the cardstock to the cut line only at 1 inch, 2 inch, 3 1/8 inch, 4 1/4 (this one scores the whole way across), and 6 3/8 inch.

3. Fold card in half and then "accordion fold" the other folds

One Layer Christmas

2009-09-22T20:44:00.003-04:00

I'm not 100% happy with today's card, but I wanted to share it with you anyway. It was made using the Wish for Peace and Four the Holidays stamp sets. I like the simplicity of it and the non-traditional Christmas color, but I think it would look better with a Bashful Blue cardbase with this as an additional layer. Unfortunately, I don't have any Bashful Blue cardstock, so this will have to do for today :)

The sponging was done by cutting the 3rd largest oval from the Coluzzle to create a mask. *TIP* use the oval that you are left with to determine where you want to put your mask. Put it in place and then put your mask around it. Remove the oval and you will have the exact area that you want sponged!

Stamps: A Wish for Peace, For the Holidays

Paper: Whisper White

Ink: Bashful Blue

Accessories: Silver Cord, Dimentionals, Sponges.

New House Congrats

2009-09-21T18:33:00.005-04:00

This past week, my really good friend Cass moved into a new house. I know how much I like to get "fun" mail, so instead of taking this card with me when I went to help her move, I mailed it to her so she would get it the first night that she stayed there. I actually bought this set for another customer who's moving in October and wants me to make announcements for her, so I'm glad I had another reason to use it :)

The card itself is pretty straight forward. The house was inked with Soft Suede and stamped onto Very Vanilla. The pineapple was inked with SU Markers (Soft Suede, So Saffron, Old Olive) so that the words "welcome" were omitted. It was punched with the 1 3/8 circle punch and layered onto a Very Vanilla 1 1/2 inch circle and a Really Rust scalloped circle. It's hard to see from the picture but at the very top is the design from one of the sentiment stamps in the set stamped in Soft Suede.

Stamps: Welcome Home

Paper: Really Rust, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Really Rust DSP

Ink: Soft Suede, SU Markers

Accessories: Scalloped Circle Punch, 1 3/8 and 1 1/2 Circle Punches, Scalloped Edge Punch, Twine, Brads

Baby Shower Gift, Favors, and Cake!

2009-09-20T17:48:00.006-04:00

As mentioned yesterday, here are some pictures from my cousin's baby shower. First up is the gift that I made her. I found the tutorial for the little "onsie flowers" on Lauren Meader's Blog. It was super easy to make and was a real wow at the shower! There are 5 pink, brown, and white onsies intermixed with artificial pink/white roses and greenery. When it was brought over to my cousin she said "Hmmm...let me guess who this is from!"

The little card/envelope was made from the Big Shot Petal Card die with a little 2x2 card inside (stamped with the bear from Teddy and Train to coordinate with the invitations). It was attached to a bamboo skewer with mini glue dots.

Next are the favors. Since her theme was bears and baby blocks, we stamped them with the bear from the Teddy and Train set and letters from the Big Deal Alphabet. We had originally planned on making our own boxes, but due to time constraint, my aunt picked up these already pre-scored and cut boxes. We did 50 Pretty in Pink bears and 50 Chocolate Chip bears. Half of them were stamped ABC and half were XYZ. Inside was a tool circle with some candy covered chocolates all tied off with an "It's a girl ribbon"...forgot to take a picture of that before I ate my candy! Oops!

Finally, thanks to my super talented aunt, is the cake! Isn't this thing incredible?! She made all of it, down to the bears in the middle and the little chocolate molded candy in the plastic blocks around it. I might have to take lessons from her on cake making!

Click here to see the invitations that I made for her shower.

Baby Shower Tri-Shutter Card

2009-09-19T17:12:00.008-04:00

Tomorrow is my cousin's baby shower. You may remember these invitations that I made for her. My Mom, Grandma, Sister, and I all went in to get her something from her registry, but of course I was put on card duty! :) I wanted to make her a card that coordinated with her invitations and colors of the shower (pink and brown). I also had a lot of fun making this tri-shutter card (the tutorial can also be found on that post), so I decided to make her card similar. I was excited to incorporate the cute little train from the Teddy and Train since that wasn't used on the invitations. The alphabet set is the retired Big Deal Alphabet. Both of these sets were also used to create the favors that my aunt and I made for the shower (they are little boxes that were stamped to look like baby blocks). I will be posting those, as well as the little gift I made her tomorrow. I can't wait to show you how cute it is!!

Here is the card closed. The train on the front matches up to the inside train when the card is closed...that took a few times to get it right!

And laid out flat. The bear and rattle are popped up with dimentionals

Stamps: Teddy and Train, Big Deal Alphabet

Paper: Kraft, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White Chocolate Chip DSP, Bella Birds DSP

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot, Scalloped Circle Die, Coluzzle, 1 3/8 and 1 1/2 Circle Punches, Scalloped Edge Punch, SU Markers Ribbon, Dimentionals

Halloween Treats #3

2009-09-16T18:59:00.004-04:00

Here it is...all of the projects that we will be making next Friday (September 25) at my Halloween Treats class!! We will be making the Fancy Favor Box, the Criss Cross Box, one Petal Card Ghiradelli Candy Holder, and today's project...2 little Peanut Butter Cup witch hats. I saw this idea on SCS and knew I had to make them! They are made with the 3rd largest circle on the Coluzzle which is cut in half. I love when you can get 2 of anything from a single shape! The base is just a scalloped circle punched in the same color as the DSP. Again the Cast-A-Spell DSP was used...and no stamping! Talk about super easy for mass producing! These would be great little treats for your Trick or Treaters :)

Halloween Treats #2

2009-09-15T19:38:00.005-04:00

Today I am sharing part two of my Halloween Treats class. These little guys were made using the Big Shot and seriously took 10 minutes to make both of them; therefore, this is a great project for mass producing. Both were made using the Cast-A-Spell DSP. The Frankenstein is from Batty for You and the tag is from Eat Drink and Be Scary. I do prefer the thicker Old Olive ribbon because it covers the little "hole" from the petal card better (see below), where with the thinner Pumpkin Pie ribbon, you do have to do a little finagling to get the knot in just the right place. The petal card will stay shut on it's own, however, the candy inside is just big enough to cause an opening.

Here is a view with the ribbon untied

And opened to reveal a yummy Ghiradelli chocolate! And the other side of the DSP is a fun surprise too!

Again, my class is September 25 and more details can be found on this post.

Halloween Treats #1

2009-09-13T15:32:00.006-04:00

I couldn't wait to start prepping for my Halloween Treats class as this is my favorite holiday of the year! I will be sharing the projects with you over the next few days (if you get my newsletter, you already know what all of the projects are). The class will be held on Friday, September 25 from 6:00-8:00pm at my home and is $15--and all the candy is included! I know you're going to want to make all of these again to give out to teachers, co-workers, family, etc, so to sweeten the deal if you purchase a pack of the Cast-A-Spell DSP, I will knock $5 off! And if you bring a friend, you will be entered into a drawing for a free stamp set! RSVP by September 21.

The first box is a Criss Cross box and uses the Eat Drink and Be Scary Stamp set along with the DSP.

This second box uses the Fancy Favor die for the Big Shot along with the Batty for You stamp set and DSP.

Peace on Earth and a Christmas Card Facelift

2009-09-12T17:40:00.005-04:00

This is another card I have recently made using the retired Snowfall set I'm borrowing from Jen. I'm not 100% sure if I like it yet or not, but it's a start and I'm pretty sure after a few little tweaks it's going to be made into a set for the craft fair! The main thing I want to change is to move the ribbon a little higher. The first type of ribbon I used was thinner, but when I decided to use this Whisper White ribbon instead, it almost covers the sentiment when it's standing (I have it tilted so you can see everything).

Stamps: Snowfall, Four the Holidays

Paper: Brocade Blue, Basic Gray

Ink: Whisper White

Accessories: Iridescent Ice EP, Heat Gun, Whisper White ribbon, Mat Pack & Paper Piercer, White Gel Pen

I also thought I'd share with you an updated version of a card I made a few weeks ago.

Here is the old version:

And the new:

I decided to punch a hole just underneath the punched ornament and add little silver bungee ribbon. I think I like this much better than the hand drawn ones. (I tried to tie them in bows, however, my nails were not allowing this, so I settled for knots!) What do you think?

Scalloped Turkey

2009-09-10T14:53:00.007-04:00

I have been on a big punch art kick lately (although a lot of today's post was made with the Big Shot Scalloped Circle die). I saw this post on SCS and knew I wanted to try and make it into a card (hers is a gift box). I am really excited with how he turned out! The card was made by cutting 2 Scallop Circles out of Chocolate Chip. Score one of them about an inch down and adhere it to the other one so that the card will open. Three more scallops were cut out of Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, and So Saffron and then cut so that there were only 4 scallops per piece. They were adhered together in the center and then adhered to the Chocolate piece. I used a Chocolate Chip marker to add the detail to the feathers. The feet, beak, and gobbler (not sure if that's what it's really called) were all made from the Scalloped Circle punch just cut to different sizes. His body is the 4th circle on the Coluzzle and his head is the 1 3/8 circle punch. His hat was made with the Word Window punch and then a little square cut from Basic Black and rounded on two corners. The buckle was hand cut from So Saffron and Basic Black and a White gel pen added the details. Finally, I gave him googly eyes! Easy, easy, easy!

The inside was cut with the Coluzzle and stamped using the Holiday Best stamp set (Hostess Level 1) and the Chocolate Chip marker (I eliminated the leaf design)

Stamps: Holiday Best
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Chocolate Chip Marker

Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Circle Die, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, White Gel Pen, Coluzzle

"Sweet" Birthday

2009-09-08T19:02:00.012-04:00

As promised, here is the gift I made for my Aunt Mel! She came over today to use my Big Shot so I didn't have to wait very long to give it to her :) I couldn't wait to share it with you all! When I was getting the supplies, Joe thought I was making her cupcakes. Then when he saw the finished product he said "you're getting her ingredients for cupcakes for her birthday?!" haha He didn't know there was a $25 gift certificate for Stampin' Up inside the little apron card!

I saw this idea on Becky Roberts' blog and couldn't wait to have a reason to make one! I basically cased her colors and layout for the apron card. There is a link from Becky's blog to the original creator. She gives dimensions for covering the cake mix, but not for the little pouch on the front. I doubt mine is the same as hers, but it worked, so I will share with you the instructions for mine.

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Basic BlackWhisper White, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Versamark

Accessories: Colluzle, SU Markers, Eyelet Border Punch, Large Oval Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Melon Mambo Ribbon, Twine, Hole Punch, Silver Brads, Pretty in Pink Ribbon, Dimentionals

1. Measure the width of your box and cut your Rich Razzleberry to be that length x 11 (mine was 5 3/8 x 11). Score at 1 1/2 from one of the long ends. Line it up on the box and figure out your next score line--since different brands will be different sizes. Score on line and do the same for another piece of Razzleberry.

2. Stamp the image from Crazy for Cupcakes in Versamark all over the Razzleberry paper. This is hard to see in these pictures, but if you click here, you can view a bigger picture on SCS. Adhere paper together to form a sleeve for the cake mix (leaving the bottom open for now)

3. Run Melon Mambo Ribbon up and down one side to form the little handle. Adhere under bottom flap and then finish adhering bottom

4. Run the ribbon up the front (starting about 2 inches from the bottom) and adhere on back in line with the handle ribbon.

5. To create the little pouch you will need a 6 1/2 x 3 1/4 piece of Razzleberry. Score it at 3/4 and 1 1/4 on all sides. Cut the bottom two boxes off each side to form a big T. Snip up to second score lines on the bottom to form the flaps and fold box together. Decorate with Razzleberry Lemonade, a strip of Basic Black punched with the Eyelet Border Punch, and the sentiment from Crazy for Cupcakes punched with the Large Oval Punch and adhered to a Scalloped Oval Punch.

6. Adhere pouch to front of box (covering ribbon) using Sticky Strip.

7. Cut a 4 x 10 piece of Razzleberry for the apron card. Score at 5 and fold on the score line.

8. The curves for the card were done by hand and then the same pattern was followed on the DSP. Punch two holes in the top of the DSP and attach silver brads and a small loop of Pretty in Pink ribbon for the strap. Adhere DSP to card base with another strip of Basic Black punched with the Eyelet Border.

9. Stamp cupcake four times on scrap piece of paper. Color and cut out, popping one of the icing layers up on each. Adhere to card.

10. Measure your icing container and cut DSP accordingly. Use Sticky Strip to adhere.

11. Cut two circles from the Coluzzle (again measure it for your specific container)--one from Razzleberry and the other from the DSP. Adhere cupcake to center of circles and adhere to top of container.

12. Wrap Melon Mambo Ribbon around the icing and tie a tag using twine.

13. A gift card (printed off of my computer for SU money) was attached inside using the slit punch.

Little Frankies

2009-09-07T20:20:00.009-04:00

Happy Labor Day Everyone! I hope you enjoyed some family time and got to relax. I am so excited to share this Halloween card with you today! I made a full size Frankenstein card last year at Roberta's technique class. I thought it would be fun to make a mini size Frankie this year. I absolutely love the little googley eyes! Originally I had punched a hole punch size circle and colored the black part with a marker, but adhering them was almost impossible (and I'm going to be making quite a few of these for one of my customers, so I knew I had to find another option). Today Jen, Mel, and I went to Pat Catan's (long story, but it was actually to keep Mel out of the house so my Uncle could prep for her surprise birthday party--I will be posting the gift I made for her after I give it to her, so watch for that in a few days, it's super cute)...anyway...I was in googely eye heaven! They had 100 different sizes I swear! I got these small ones and the next size up for use on another card that I will be sharing with you soon.

Here is the card from last year. Isn't he cute too?? He's made out of all circle punches.

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant, Basic Black, Garden Green, Green Galore, Old Olive, Pale Plum, Cast A Spell DSP

Ink: Whisper White

Accessories: Scalloped Edge Punch, Curly Label Punch, Silver Brads, Chocolate Chip SU Marker, Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, Googley Eyes

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

2. Cut a 3 x 5 1/2 piece of Cast A Spell DSP and two 1 1/2 x 5 1/2 pieces of Elegant Eggplant. Scallop Punch one of those pieces. Dry fit the scalloped piece, DSP, and other Eggplant piece onto the card so that there is about a 1/4 of an inch of Pumpkin Pie on each side. Adhere to card base once you are happy with placement.

3. Cut three 1 5/8 square pieces from Basic Black and three 1 3/4 square pieces from Elegant Eggplant. Adhere together and then adhere to DSP.

4. Punch six Curly Labels (one each of Old Olive, Garden Green, Green Galore, Pale Plum, Elegant Eggplant, and Basic Black). Cut the purple and black pieces in half and then cut one edge to be jaggedy hair. Adhere hair onto green pieces.

5. Use Mat Pack and Paper Piercer to pierce a hole on each side of the label punch and adhere silver brads to form Frankie's bolts.

6. Adhere googley eyes and use Chocolate Chip marker to create mouth and stitch marks.

7. Adhere Frankie's to the square mats.

8. Stamp the sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes in Whisper White onto bottom right corner of DSP.

Thank You Neighbor

2009-09-06T12:07:00.008-04:00

Joe and I really lucked out in the neighbor department! Recently, one of our neighbor's, Randy, has been leaving us vegetables on our banister. The other night, Joe and I were eating dinner and I looked out and saw vegetables and something else that I couldn't quite figure out. I went out to see and Randy had left a bone for Cervantes! I thought that was so nice of him, so I decided to make him a card using a picture of Cervantes with his new bone (he hasn't put it down in 2 days!). I also used the Word Window punch and medium heart from the Heart to Heart punch to create a little bone with the sentiment.

The stitching was created by piercing two lines of holes and then drawing an "X" between four of the dots.

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Kraft, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Heart to Heart Punch, Word Window Punch, Twine, Paper Piercer and Mat Pack, SU Choc Chip Marker, Dimentionals

Here is a close up of the picture I used for the card.

Christmas Cardinal

2009-09-05T16:05:00.005-04:00

No, this image is not Stampin' Up :( Jen had this little guy laying around and I thought he would be good to use for Christmas cards to sell at the craft fair in November. I used the same layout as this card that I made back in July. I like the Christmas one better--sorry for the poor quality, I think my camera was dying when I took this picture.

Stamps: Heard from the Heart, Misc Cardinal Stamp

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

Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Texture Plates, Real Red Ribbon, Sponges, SU Markers, Sanding Block, Dimentionals

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

2. Cut a 3 inch square of Very Vanilla, a 3 1/4 inch square of Old Olive, and a 3 1/2 inch square of Real Red.

3. Stamp the cardinal image in the center of Vanilla paper in Basic Black. Stamp branches around edges.

4. Sponge Vanilla piece with Old Olive. Sponges other two squares with Chocolate Chip

5. Adhere all layers and set aside.

6. Run a piece of Real Red through the Big Shot with the polka dot Texture Plate, then again through with the Top Note die. Cut the shape in half. Sand the dots with the sanding block and sponge the edges with Chocolate Chip.

7. Cut a 1 1/2 x 5 1/2 piece of DSP and wrap Real Red Polka Dot ribbon around it. Cut another small piece of ribbon and knot it around the other strip so that the knot is able to move around.

8. Adhere the DSP and Top Note piece to the card base.

9. Ink sentiment from Heard from the Heart in Whisper White. Wipe off all words except "Christmas" with a towel or baby wipe. Stamp word in top 1/3 of the right side.

10. Stamp the other two words in Whisper White onto Real Red and cut out. Adhere above and below the word "Christmas".

11. Adhere cardinal image with dimentionals.

Froggy Get Well

2009-09-03T08:29:00.009-04:00

I am very excited to share today's card...mostly because I have had it made for 6 days now, but had to make sure that the recepient received it before I posted it! This card was made for my aunt who has recently found out she has a malignant tumor on her spine. She collects frogs, so I knew her card had to be frog related...however, I don't have any stamps with frogs (other than the Flower for All Seasons stamp set, but that's a small little froggy). In searching frogs on SCS I came across a few punch art frogs and knew that's how I was going to make mine! I must admit that he turned out even cuter than I had imagined in my head!

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Fun & Fast Notes
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Garden Green, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, More Mustard, Whisper White

Ink: Chocoalte Chip, Bashful Blue, Baja Breeze

Accessories: Coluzzle, Large Oval Punch, Heart to Heart Punch, Word Window Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch, Scalloped Circle Punch, 1 1/2 Circle Punch, White Gel Pen, SU Markers, Sponges, Dimentionals, Prima Flower and Brad from Michaels

1. Score 4 1/4 x 11 piece of Tempting Turquoise at 5 1/2 and fold on score line.
2. Cut 4 x 5 1/4 piece of Whisper White. Punch two scalloped circles out of scrap paper and tape together to form cloud template. Starting in the top left corner, use sponge and Bashful Blue ink to create sky, sliding template down and across paper. Do this for 3/4 of page.

3. Take another scrap piece of paper and lay it across the top 3/4 of the page and sponge Baja Breeze ink along the bottom to create the water.

4. Mask off the water portion and stamp the grass from Inspired by Nature in Chocolate Chip several times along the width of the paper.
5. Use the Word Window Punch on More Mustard paper to create the cat tails. To make them smaller, simply punch one, and then slide it back in the punch and punch again to desired length. adhere to various grass pieces.

6. The lilly pad was made using the 5th largest circle on the Coluzzle in Garden Green and then triangle notch was cut out.

7. For the frog you will need 2 large oval punched out, 6 horizontal slot punches, the 4th largest circle and the 3rd largest oval from the Coluzzle, and 3 1-1/2 inch circles (all punched from Old Olive with the exception of two of the 1 1/2 inch circles which are from Whisper White).

8. Sponge all of the Old Olive pieces with Old Olive and assemble. For the eyes, use a black marker and white gel pen. Cut the Old Olive 1 1/2 inch circle in half for eyelids. The small heart from the Heart to Heart punch was also punched from Pretty in Pink. Add a smile with the Chocolate Chip SU Marker.

9. Adhere the frog and lilly pad onto the card base and finish off with a prima flower and fuzzy brad.

10. The inside was created using the same cloud technique and the Get Well Wishes sentiment from Fun and Fast notes along with another small heart.

Tri-Shutter Wedding

2009-09-01T17:48:00.009-04:00

Hi All! I thought I would take a break from the Christmas cards and show you a tri-shutter card that I recently made. I was always intimidated by this sort of card, but was really surprised at how simple it really was! I have been on a pink and brown kick recently :) The sentiment on the inside was computer generated to personalize the card even more.

Stamps: Friends 24-7, Oval All

Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Bella Birds DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink

Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Coluzzle, Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, Dimentionals

1. Cut a 5 1/2 x 12 piece of Kraft and score at 2, 4, 8, and 10.

2. Turn a quarter turn and, using your paper trimmer, cut from the 2 inch score line to the 10 inch line. Repeat on the other side.

3. Score all sections using the mountain/valley folding technique.

4. Open card up and reverse the folding for the center section (if it was a mountain, make it a valley, etc).

5. Decorate and embellish as desired!

If you are more visual, there is a great tutorial on SCS and Beate offers a great video tutorial at the bottom of that page. I need to start taking picture as I make to share with you!

Here is a close up of the inside sentiment...sorry it's a little blurry. It reads: To Ashley & Brian/You share a love that's true/Congratulations and best wishes/On this day you say "I do"

Big on Christmas Joy Fold

2009-08-31T15:35:00.007-04:00

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

2009-08-30T16:50:00.005-04:00

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!

2009-08-29T17:45:00.012-04:00

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!

2009-08-28T21:24:00.007-04:00

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

2009-08-26T22:16:00.008-04:00

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

2009-08-24T18:37:00.005-04:00

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

2009-08-23T10:22:00.006-04:00

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

2009-08-21T22:02:00.008-04:00

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

2009-08-21T13:47:00.005-04:00

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

2009-08-20T08:31:00.009-04:00

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

2009-08-19T15:05:00.010-04:00

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

2009-08-18T20:44:00.006-04:00

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

2009-08-17T14:30:00.003-04:00

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

2009-08-16T20:16:00.004-04:00

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

2009-08-16T16:04:00.007-04:00

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

2009-08-13T16:51:00.005-04:00

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

2009-08-11T19:15:00.004-04:00

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

2009-08-08T13:28:00.003-04:00

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

2009-08-06T19:43:00.005-04:00

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

2009-08-05T09:54:00.010-04:00

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

2009-08-04T20:48:00.010-04:00

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? :)

Antique Store Set #4

2009-08-03T19:42:00.006-04:00

I absolutely LOVE making these onsie cards! I know I've posted them before, but I'm going to post them again because they are so much fun! The link to the tutorial can be found on my first post of them. Everything is the same as that post except I used pink and blue brads instead of silver ones. I also used my scalloped edge punch on the little sleeves too (I usually just do straight sleeves)...that was Joe's idea! Thanks sweetie!

Again, I made the same box that I have been making the past few days. I love how it takes the presentation of all the sets to a new level! The one thing that is missing on all of them are envelopes. Each box will contain 4 envelopes for the 4 cards, however, I am waiting for those to come in :)

The scalloped oval sentiment is adhered directly to the acetate lid.

I have one more set that is almost done and will be posted tomorrow. Then my final project to take to the Market Place on Main will be a set of 3 stamped candles. I'm just trying to decide which set I want to use for them.

Stamps: Fun and Fast Notes, Sweet Little Sentiments

Paper: Bordering Blue, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: SU Markers, 1 3/8, 1 1/2, and Scalloped Circle Punches, Paper Piercer and Mat Pack, Brads, Scalloped Edge Punch, Large Oval and Scalloped Oval Punches, Dimentionals

Antique Store Set #3

2009-08-02T20:36:00.007-04:00

Today was a very busy day! I was going to wait and post these tomorrow, but I was so excited to show them to you all :) The last time Joe and I were at Market Place on Main, we noticed that Tenny, the owner, had a huge basket of Post-It note holders. Joe picked one up and said "you can make these!!" Tenny heard him and said they sold pretty well. So I decided to make a group of Post-It note holders to take down with my card sets. I used the same template from these monogram Post-It note holders I made for the staff at the Y.

The first set I did using In Colors (well, and Green Galore since there isn't a green In Color) as well as my Big Shot with Texture Plates and Great Friend Stamp set. It's hard to tell from the picture, but each holder is embossed using a different Texture Plate. You can see a closer picture here on SCS.

Although, when I saw these Post-It notes at Wal-Mart, I immediately thought of the Soft Subtles color family, I think they also work well paired with these colors too :)

The second set was made with the A Flower for All Seasons stamp set, Designer Series Paper, and watercolor paper.

I also started another card set this evening of onsie cards like to these. I will post it tomorrow once it's all finished.

Antique Store Set #2

2009-08-02T12:11:00.007-04:00

This is the second box of cards that I will be taking to the Market Place on Main. It was made with the Seasons of Friendship stamp set. I was so excited to see that this set was back in the new catalog. I love to make sets of cards or gifts and I knew this would be a perfect stamp set for doing so! The cards themselves are very simple, but I think they turned out really cute. I also used the Big Shot Top Note Die on the inside as well.

Same box as the other set, just tied slightly different.

Here is a closeup of the tag.

And the inside.

Stamps: Season of Friendship

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Garden Green, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Pretty in Pink, Garden Green, Green Galore, Bashful Blue, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Old Olive

Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Die, White Organza Ribbon

Antique Store Set #1

2009-08-01T20:39:00.007-04:00

You may remember a few days ago I told you about an opportunity I have to sell my cards at a local antique store. I'm going to take 2 or 3 sets down, some candles, post it holders, and a few individual cards. This is the first set that I made. It's a case of this post. I changed the size of the squares to 3 inches and 3 1/4 inches and didn't pierce the mat, but for the most part it's the same. I also used the new In Colors, which I love, love, love! :)

The box was used following this template on Splitcoaststampers. It has a Kraft base and an acetate lid. At first, I wasn't sure about putting ribbon on the outside because you could see the ribbon on the cards inside, but the more I looked at it, I changed my mind. Look for more to come soon!

Stamps: Friends 24-7, Lots of Thoughts, Great Friend

Paper: Kraft, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Whisper White

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: SU Markers, Scalloped Oval and Large Oval Punch, Chocolate Chip Ribbon

Fancy Favor Made with 8 1/2 x 11

2009-07-31T18:25:00.005-04:00

As you can see, today's bag is very similar to yesterdays... however, this bag was made using an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of cardstock instead of a 12x12 piece. I knew there had to be a way to do it and found the solution! Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures of the process, but the directions should be easy to follow for those occasions when you don't have a 12x12 of the cardstock you want to use!

1. Cut your cardstock to 6x11.

2. Cut the remaining strip to 6 x 2 1/2.

3. Adhere the small strip to the longer strip.

4. Line up the cardstock on the die so that the seam occurs AFTER the score line for the flap of the bag (if you lay it before the score line of the flap, you will have a seam on the front of your bag).

5. Run through the Big Shot and score creased lines.

6. When you fold your bag together, you will notice a small strip of paper that extends past the crease line of the flap. Simply snip this off at the score line and you can adhere your bag together!

Stamps: Holiday Best, Seasons of Friendship

Paper: Kraft, Whisper White, Old Olive

Ink: Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot, Fancy Favor Die, Scalloped Oval Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch, SU Markers, Chocolate Chip Ribbon

Baby Shower Favors

2009-07-30T19:58:00.010-04:00

Let me just start by saying that these were supposed to be Halloween favor bags...but, after opening all of my new goodies, I realized that the new Big Shot Die Fancy Favor only works with 12x12 paper! While I did buy a pack of the Halloween DSP (which is 12x12), I wasn't ready to use it just yet...so I decided to do a baby shower theme in honor of my cousin who's shower is in a few months. My aunt contacted me about doing invitations and favors, just haven't set anything in stone yet, so I thought I'd start throwing around ideas. These could also be adapted for weddings, birthday parties, graduations, etc! And they were SUPER easy to make! A 6x12 piece of paper and two pieces of Sticky Strip and you have this really cute little bag to fill with any kind of treat you like! You can also leave them open (without the ribbon) for an even bigger treat.

I used the retired Parisian Breeze DSP and the Fun and Fast Notes stamp set (which was one of the sets I got in my Starter Kit!). I made both of these in 10 minutes. Coloring the carriage took me longer than assembling the bag. Plan on seeing lots more of these!

P.S. I have been brainstorming a way to possibly use 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock. So if it works as well in real life as it does in my head, I will have a tutorial for you soon :)

Stamps: Fun and Fast Notes

Paper: Kraft, Whisper White, Parisian Breeze DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Big Shot, Fancy Favor XL Die, Horizontal Slot Punch, SU Markers, Chocolate Chip Ribbon

Froggy Bookmark

2009-07-29T11:36:00.004-04:00

I am a big reader and love to read (when I'm not stamping or working out that is! hehe). I recently picked up a book at the library and decided I wanted to make a cute bookmark for my new book. This bookmark template was the "Sample This" project in my up-upline Kathy's newsletter, so it couldn't have been more perfect timing!

Here is what the bookmark looks like marking my favorite page in the Stampin' Up Idea Book & Catalog...the Halloween page!! My new goodies just arrived today with almost 90% Halloween stuff, so I can't wait to rip that box open!

Stamps: A Flower for All Seasons

Paper: Watercolor Paper, Chocolate Chip, and Parisian Breeze DSP

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: SU Markers, 1 1/2 Circle and Scalloped Circle Punches, Scalloped Edge Punch, Blender Pens, White Gel Pen, Chocolate Chip Ribbon

1. Cut piece of Chocolate Chip to 3 7/8 x 4 and scallop one of the short sides. This will be the bottom.

2. Mark top center point as well as 2 inches down on each side. Score between these marks and fold on score line. Adhere ends together in back.

3. Adhere 3 1/4 x 3 7/8 piece of Parisian Breeze DSP to the Chocolate Chip cardstock and fold the corners around the back. These corners will wrap around the pages.

4. Stamp the image from Flower for All Seasons on Watercolor paper with Basic Black ink.

5. Use blender pen and SU markers to color image.

6. Punch out with 1 1/2 Circle Punch and adhere to punched Scalloped Circle.

7. Tie Chocolate Chip ribbon around entire bookmark where DSP meets the Chocolate Chip.

8. Adhere scalloped image to DSP so that it lays slightly underneath the bow of the ribbon.

9. Use white gel pen to add dots to scallops along the bottom.

Bridal Birdie

2009-07-26T14:19:00.008-04:00

Hi All,

Sorry for the week long absence! I've been busy working on wedding invitations. Getting close to being done, so I will be able to post more often! This is a card for the bride of the invitations I'm making. I met her through a co-worker and this card is for her shower, from my co-worker. She wanted me to use the same colors as the invitations. When the bride was looking through my Stampin' Up catty, she really liked the Friends 24-7 set, but just not for her wedding. So when I was asked to make her shower card, I knew I wanted to use that set. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

On another note, I just received my first offer to have my cards sold at a local antique store! Joe and I love going to the Marketplace on Main (most of the decorations from our house are from there) and have become good friends with the owner. We were down there last week and the owner started talking about cards, and before he could even finish his story, Joe said "She makes cards" and that was the end of it! He told me to bring some down to sell. I think I'm going to make a few sets and some individuals to see what sells best. I might also do some candles and post it note holders. I couldn't be more excited!! Pictures to come soon of the sets that will be sold! :)

Stamps: Friends 24-7, Lots of Thoughts

Paper: Kraft, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Whisper White

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, Large and Scalloped Oval Punches, Ribbon, SU Markers

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

2. Cut 3 1/2 square of Whisper White. Stamp bird in center using Chocolate Chip ink. Stamp flowers in all four corners on a diagonal. Sponge edges with Chocolate Chip ink. Distress slightly with fingernail.

3. Color flowers using SU Markers (Lavender Lace, Elegant Eggplant, Certainly Celery, Old Olive).

4. Adhere to 3 3/4 square Elegant Eggplant. Pierce the border with mat pack and paper piercer.

5. Stamp bird image onto scrap piece of Whisper White and cut out. Adhere to main image using dimentionals.

6. Tie Chocolate Chip ribbon around the center of the card. Adhere image over ribbon using dimentionals.

7. Stamp sentiment from Lots of Thoughts onto Whisper White and punch out with Oval Punch. Sponge edges with Chocolate Chip.

8. Punch out Scalloped Oval from Old Olive cardstock and adhere to sentiment.

9. Adhere to card with dimentional.

10. A piece of 5 1/4 x 4 piece of Whisper White was added to the inside with the flowers stamped and colored on the right.

Granola Bar Treats

2009-07-20T20:25:00.007-04:00

I'm having a staff meeting tomorrow for my Group Exercise instructors and wanted to give them a small snack to have during our meeting. I immediately thought of granola bars...but I couldn't simply just give them a plain g-bar (as Joe and I call them). Here is what I am taking to the meeting tomorrow:

Surprisingly, these didn't take long to make at all. In fact I made all 20 in less than an hour and a half. The most time consuming part was cutting out all of the butterflies. I'm really pleased with how they turned out. At first I was going to use some retired DSP, but Razzleberry Lemonade was too tempting and I caved!

Stamps: Great Friend

Paper: Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry Cardstock, and Razzleberry Lemonade DSP

Ink: Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: 1 3/8 and Scalloped Circle Punch, Polka Dot Ribbon

1. Cut DSP to 4 x 4 1/4 and wrap around bar (long side is the length)

2. Stamp butterfly onto scrap piece of Whisper White using Melon Mambo and cut out. Adhere to 1 3/8 Whisper White Circle. Adhere that piece to Scalloped Circle punched from Rich Razzleberry.

3. Stamp sentiment over butterfly using Rich Razzleberry ink.

4. Adhere to center of bar.

5. Tie Polka Dot Ribbon around top of the bar.

And voila! Super easy! These could also be done with candy bars, rice crispy treats, etc!

How Wedding Invitations Are Made

2009-07-18T20:40:00.009-04:00

You may remember this post from a while ago where I showed a few samples of wedding invitations I had made for a bride. She combined elements from both samples to create her own idea and I have been working on mass producing them. I'm more than half way done, but thought I'd show you the finished product and what it takes to get there!

Here is the finished set. The bellyband holds the invitation and post-card sized response card.

And these are the steps it took to get there

Some fun facts:

110 invitation sets were needed
175 pieces of cardstock were used to create the 990 pieces needed to create all 110 sets
220 circles were punched (110 Elegant Eggplant and 110 Whisper White--which were also stamped)
550 leaves were stamped using Old Olive in the corners of the invitations and response cards as well as the center of the belly band
880 corners were rounded

You can click here to see other wedding invitations I have made. If you are engaged and are looking for unique, handmade invitations, send me an email! I also can do baby showers, graduations, birthday parties, etc.

Rubber Band Brayer

2009-07-16T07:42:00.003-04:00

I can't remember where I first saw this technique, but I was very excited to try it! It's brayering with rubber bands tied around your brayer! Simply pop the roller off and tie rubber bands of different sizes around it. The colors I used were Cameo Coral, Baja Breeze, and Old Olive. I know Baja Breeze is retired, I just have a lot of it left, so I thought I would use it in this experiement! I am going to be teaching this technique at my class tomorrow. The cool thing is that the ink comes off the bands pretty easily, so you don't have to change them before switching to a different ink...although, as always, I would recommend starting with the lightest color and working your way to the darkest. I feel like the card needs something more on the bottom, so I might run it through the Big Shot with a texture plate??? Not sure. But what a fun way to make your own unique DSP to coordinate to whatever project you're doing!

Stamps: Oval All
Paper: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Cameo Coral, Whisper White
Ink: Cameo Coral, Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Scalloped Edge Punch, Scalloped Oval and Large Oval Punch, Paper Piercer and Mat Pack, Ribbon, Brayer, Rubber Bands, Cameo Coral and Certainly Celery SU Marker (for butterfly)

Meet My Kids

2009-07-14T08:33:00.007-04:00

Hi All,

I'm so sorry I haven't posted since last week. I've been hard at work on wedding invitations. I have pictures of the process...so watch for those soon!

I thought I would take today and introduce you to my "kids"

Secret is our kitty...Joe and I got him back in 2007 when we still lived in our apartment. We weren't supposed to have pets, hence his name. He definitely is a cat with personality! Even people who don't like cats like Secret!

Cervantes is our puppy. He's a full blooded Rottweiler and we got him in August of 2008 when he was 7 weeks old. He's so well behaved and I hate that his breed gives him a bad name before people get to know him. He's currently 11 months old and weighs about 85lbs. He and Secret are really good friends and even though their playing looks more like a UFC match, I know that they love each other.

Paper Pierced Wedding

2009-07-09T19:38:00.008-04:00

Even though this set is retired, I still love it! Ever since I got my Texture Plates for the Big Shot, I have wanted to make a paper pieced wedding dress, and today I got to do that. It's kind of hard to tell from the picture and I couldn't get a good close up of the detail, but I used the "swirly" Texture Plate for the skirt of her dress. This card is also for the customer I've been mentioning the past few days. I was excited to use my brand new Filigree brads too!

Stamps: To Have and to Hold

Paper: Rose Red, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Natural Ivory Cardstock

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Basic Black

Accessories: Big Shot, Texture Plates, Eyelet Border Punch, Filigree Brads, Rose Red, Close to Cocoa, and Chocolate Chip SU Markers, White Gel Pen, Chocolate Chip Ribbon

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

2. Cut Natural Ivory cardstock to 2 3/4 x 4. Stamp the bride and groom using Basic Black.

3. Run scrap piece of Whisper White through the Big Shot with the swirly Texture Plate. Stamp bride and groom onto embossed piece and cut out dress on the inside of the stamp line. Adhere to Ivory piece. Color bodice, veil and groom's shirt with white gel pen.

4. Color the flowers and tie with a Rose Red SU Marker, the groom's suit with Chocolate Chip, and both of their hair with Close to Cocoa.

5. Adhere Ivory piece to a 3 x 4 piece of Whisper White.

6. Scallop the long edge of a 3 3/4 x 1 1/2 piece of Rose Red.

7. Adhere a 3 3/4 x 1 1/2 piece of Whisper White to Rose Red piece. Stamp sentiment.

8. Wrap Chocolate Chip ribbon across the seam of the red and white pieces. Tie bow using another piece of ribbon.

9. Punch a hole through the ribbon using your paper piercer and run the Filigree brad through.

10. Attach both pieces to Chocolate Chip card base.

In Color Flower Fancy

2009-07-08T15:08:00.005-04:00

I had a girl who orders cards off of me all the time (the card from yesterday is for her too) ask for a card for an upcoming bridal shower where the colors are pink and black. I had a really hard time trying to find a layout that I liked using those two colors and ultimately gave up trying last night. This morning as I was blog surfing, I came across this card from Andrea Walford. Although her colors are not pink and black, it inspired me to use my color combination with her layout. I was also excited to see how she used Flower Fancy. That set is SO versatile! But this is what I came up with! I altered the size to a standard size card (hers is a 5 1/4 square) and, obviously the colors. I did intend to put some brads on, but since I used the polka dot ribbon, I didn't want to make it too busy. She used the Sanded BG stamp on her scalloped layer and I ran my layer through the Big Shot with texture plates instead (hard to see in the picture). Also, the sentiment looks much better in real life...I think it's hard to read in the picture. Enjoy!

Stamps: Flower Fancy, To Have and to Hold
Paper: Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Whisper White, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP
Ink: Black Stazon, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry SU Markers
Accessories: Big Shot, Texture Plates, Melon Mambo Ribbon, Blender Pen, Scalloped Edge Punch

1. Score 4 1/4 x 11 piece of Melon Mambo at 5 1/2 and fold on score line.
2. Cut 1 1/2 x 4 piece of Basic Black and run it through the Big Shot with the "Swirly" texture plate. Use the scalloped edge punch on one long edge.
3. Stamp the Flower Fancy flowers sideways twice onto a 3 x 4 piece of Whisper White. Color with blender pen and Pretty ink Pink, using the Melon Mambo marker as an accent and the Crushed Curry for the center. The leaves were done using Certainly Celery
4. Stamp the flowers 4 more times on scrap pieces and color to match. Cut out and adhere to Whisper White piece (2 on top of the flowers and the other 2 wherever you thinks looks best).
5. Cut a 1 1/2 x 4 piece of Razzleberry Lemonade DSP and stamp sentiment from To Have and to Hold in bottom right corner with Basic Black ink.
6. Adhere all three layers together with the Whisper White behind both the black and DSP. Make sure to use the size of the card as a guide, but don't attach to Melon Mambo card base yet.
7. Tie a piece of Melon Mambo ribbon around the top black layer.
8. Attach entire piece to Melon Mambo card base.

Best Wishes Bridal Shower

2009-07-07T20:47:00.002-04:00

This layout was cased from a card I received in a swap. The original was made by Sue Millenbaugh. She used similar colors, but a different flower set. I'm really excited with how it turned out...especially the flowers! It is for a bridal shower. The colors of the wedding are shades of purple.

Stamps: Oval All, Friends 24-7

Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Lavender Lace, Whisper White

Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Lavender Lace, Old Olive, Certainly Celery SU Markers

Accessories: Large Oval Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Blender Pen

1. Cut 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 piece of Elegant Eggplant. Score 2 1/2 on each long end and fold on score lines.

2. Cut two pieces of Lavender Lace at 1 7/8 x 5 1/4 and two pieces of Whisper White at 1 5/8 and 5.

3. Use Lavender Lace and Old Olive Markers to color directly onto the stamp and stamp onto each of the white panels. *tip to remoisten the ink after coloring on the stamp, simply breathe onto the stamp*

4. Use blender pen and Certainly Celery ink to shade the stems and leaves and Lavender Lace and blender pen to shade the flowers. I applied more color to the centers of the flowers and to certain parts of the leaves.

5. Adhere all panel levels together.

6. Use Lavender Lace and Elegant Eggplant markers to color onto Oval All stamp and stamp onto scrap piece of Whisper White. Punch with Oval Punch and adhere to Scalloped Oval punched out using Elegant Eggplant.

7. Adhere half of the oval piece to the left panel.

8. For the inside I adhered a 4 x 5 1/4 piece of Lavender Lace.

Another Onsie Card

2009-07-06T06:00:00.001-04:00

Ever since this post, these cards have been my most popular...in fact I have made 5 more since then! I decided to post my most recent one since the picture came out a lot better than the one in the linked post. I made this using Baja Breeze cardstock and Bashful Blue brads. I do wish I would have spaced the brads a little bit farther apart, but they are still cute. I used my mat pack and paper piercer to keep them straight. Next time I will pierce every other hole instead of three back to back. Up until I got my mat pack, I would just eye it up with a hole punch and they didn't always line up nicely (and since I'm a super perfectionist, that usually meant I would start the whole card over!) The carriage was colored using my blender pen and Baja Breeze ink pad and then detail was added using Not Quite Navy and Rose Red SU Markers. Click the link above for the full tutorial.

Stamps: Fun and Fast Notes

Paper: Baja Breeze, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Baja Breeze

Accessories: 1 3/8, 1 1/2 Circle Punches, Scalloped Circle Punches, Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, Bashful Blue Brads, Blender Pen, Not Quite Navy and Rose Red SU Markers, Dimentionals

Friends 24-7

2009-07-05T10:40:00.004-04:00

Hi All! I hope you had a great 4th of July!! This card was made after seeing this card on SCS. What I was looking for was a way to use my new Texture plates for the Big Shot. Although that card does not use the texture plates, it gave me an idea on where to use mine. This card is also going to be one of my workshop projects for my July 17th workshop...and what I really wanted to do was show how to use the new In Color ribbon without the polka dots...but, as you can see, I couldn't resist! Plus I think the dots from the texture plates and ribbon compliment each other very well. I used my new favorite set Friends 24-7 as well as some of the new In Colors and Chocolate Chip DSP. After running the Top Note through the Big Shot with the texture plates, I lightly sanded the dots to create the polka dot effect. It's also hard to see from the picture, but there is a watermark in the upper right hand corner under the sentiment of the flowers from the same set. To learn more about this card, email me to sign up for my workshop!

Stamps: Friend 24-7

Paper: Dusty Durango, Bermuda Bay, Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chip DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Versamark

Accessories: Big Shot, Texture Plates, Top Note Die, Bermuda Bay Ribbon

Best Wishes Pillow Box

2009-07-04T08:42:00.008-04:00

It's hard to believe that this is only the first project I have made with the new In Colors, ribbon, and DSP!! This is another project for my July 17 workshop and I can't wait to show you how simple these little pillow boxes are to make! I used the In Color markers to color the stamp in Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, and Rich Razzleberry. At first I thought the polka dot ribbon and DSP together would be too much, but I'm glad I didn't turn the ribbon around. This was also the first time I used my new Oval All stamp set. I love how it coordinates with the Large Oval Punch and Scalloped Oval punches...super super easy!

These would also make super cute favors for weddings, showers, or graduation parties and can be customized to any color theme (and filled with your favorite treat!)...just let me know!!

Stamps: Oval All

Paper: Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Razzleberry Lemonade DSP

Ink: Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry Markers

Accessories: Big Shot, Pillow Box Die, Large Oval Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Melon Mambo Ribbon

Another Brayered Landscape

2009-07-03T11:38:00.003-04:00

Each month, Meg sends a DVD of her Stamp and Share meeting to those of us who live out of town. The one I got yesterday couldn't have come at a better time as one of the demos was BRAYERING! And after my debacle yesterday, I watched this demo 3 or 4 times. This is similar to the card demonstrated and it was MUCH easier than the one I made yesterday. The one thing I did learn from making this is to use a different mask for each color. I was using an edge of paper to create my sky line and mountains and then flipped the paper and used the same mask to create the water. What I found was that the ink from the sky and mountain was rubbing onto the card. Once I used a different mask for each color, I had no problems. In the example on the DVD, she uses Inspired by Nature, but since I have given that back to it's rightful owner, Jen, I decided to use one of the new sets, Asian Artistry. The highlights were created using a White Gel Pen. The only thing I wish I would have done would be to have made the sky a little bigger so that the sun wasn't basically at the horizon...but I wasn't about to do it over!!

We will definitely be making this card at my July 17 workshop now that I think I have all the kinks work out and feel more confident in my skills :) Hope to see you there!

Stamps: Asian Artistry

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Glossy White

Ink: More Mustard, Cameo Coral, Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Basic Black

Accessories: Brayer, 1 3/8 Circle Punch, White Gel Pen

Brayer Attempt #2

2009-07-02T11:59:00.004-04:00

I really don't think I'm cut out for brayering! You may remember this post. That was my first attempt at brayering on my own...a so-so attempt. Well after seeing a lot of different brayered cards I thought about having a brayer project at my July workshop (which is July 17 at 6:00pm)...however, this card took about 5 mess ups before I even got it close to what I wanted it to look like! To me, I still think it's a little plain, but wasn't sure exactly what else to add. I got the idea for this card here. I may give up brayering after this attempt...any tips or suggestions are more than welcome!

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes

Paper: More Mustard, Baja Breeze, Glossy White

Ink: Old Olive, Baja Breeze, More Mustard, Basic Black

Accessories: Brayer, 1 3/8 Circle Punch

One Layer Thank Yous

2009-06-29T19:56:00.003-04:00

Believe it or not I've had my goodies from the new catalog for over a week...and today was the first time I pulled them out! This set was super easy to make and took me maybe 20 minutes to make all 4 cards. I am putting these in the bags of those who recently ordered off of me as a little thank you.

The circle was made by cutting the second biggest circle out of the Coluzzle and using it as a mask. Baja Breeze ink was sponged around it leaving the center white. With the mask in place I stamped the image from the new Asian Artistry set (available Wednesday!!!) twice so that everything would stay in the circle. *Tip* Some of my grassy strands didn't stamp the whole way on the bottom because of the mask. To finish them, I simply dipped my blender pen in the lid of my black ink and created my own out to the circle edge. The grass was colored with Old Olive, the flowers with Melon Mambo, and the dragonfly with Crushed Curry (the last two are part of the new In Colors...also available Wednesday!). Easy peasy! :)

Punch Pal Piggy

2009-06-28T11:46:00.011-04:00

Oink! Oink! That's "Happy Birthday Mom" in Pig! haha Why am I making a pig reference for my mom's birthday??? Well she LOVES pigs! She's collected them my whole life, so it was only appropriate for me to make her a pig-related birthday gift! This little guy was made using the large oval punch and coluzzle. I love his little piggy tail on the back! Inside holds a gift certificate. I made this a few weeks ago and couldn't wait to post it, but I know she reads my blog and didn't want to ruin the surprise!

Stamps: Sanded Background

Paper: Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Basic Black Cardstock

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Coluzzle, Large Oval Punch, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Ribbon, Chocolate Chip SU Marker, Mat Pack, White Gel Pen, Small Craft bag, Sponge

For Top Note Bag:

1. Cut two Top Notes from Chocolate Chip using the Big Shot. Stamp Sanded BG stamp using Chocolate Chip ink.

2. Cut craft bag to fit inside the Top Notes. Attach one to one of the Top Notes.

3. Use the large oval punch to punch a handle in the Top Note and through the bag.

4. Adhere other Top Note to other side of bag. Line up oval punch with previously punched one to punch through the other Top Note. Tie handle with Chocolate Chip ribbon.

For Punch Pal Piggy:

1. Cut out two ovals using 4th largest circle on Coluzzle on Regal Rose cardstock. Also punch 3 ovals using large oval punch.

2. Sponge around edges using Chocolate Chip Ink.

3. Line up mat pack in the center of one of the 3 ovals to create snout. Color two with Chocolate Chip marker.

4. Free hand cut two half ovals out of Whisper White and two half ovals out of Basic Black to create eyes. Use gel pen to draw highlights. Adhere to back of snout.

5. Use dimentionals to attach snout to largest oval.

6. Take the other 2 ovals and fold the tops down to create ears. Adhere to back of largest oval and adhere to Top Note bag.

7. Take a small strip of Regal Rose and wrap around a pencil to create curly tail. Adhere to other large oval. Adhere to back of Top Note bag so that it lines up with the head on the other side.

Blue's Clues Birthday

2009-06-25T21:46:00.006-04:00

Since I haven't had a lot of time to stamp this week, I thought I would continue to share old projects with you. This was one of the first invite sets I ever made. These were made for the same co-worker as yesterdays post. I had just started playing around with cardmaking and when he told me his son's birthday was Blue's Clues themed, I was up for the challenge! I was pretty pleased with how they turned out. Everything was computer generated...and while that was easy, cutting out 20 little "Blues" was not. I wanted to post a picture of the inside, however, I cannot figure out how to blur out the contact info--I don't have photoshop on my computer anymore :( -- and I don't think Tim would be to happy with me posting his phone number haha Although nothing on this card is SU, it's still one of my favorites! :)

Flower Fancy Invites

2009-06-25T00:01:00.003-04:00

I made these a long time ago and realized I never posted them! These were invitations for a baby shower/ mother's day luncheon for the wife of one of my co-workers. The colors of the baby's room is purple and green and they wanted a flower theme. This was one of the first card sets I made after I became a demonstrator. I might have to dig back in the vault and show you some even older stuff :)

Stamps: Flower Fancy, Lots of Thoughts

Paper: Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant

Ink: Almost Amethyst, So Saffron, Old Olive, Basic Black

Accessories: Ribbon (non-SU)

Total of 20 invites.

The ribbon looks different in this photo of the group...but it was dark like the first image.

4th of July Top Note Box

2009-06-24T11:48:00.009-04:00

With 4th of July being next week, I thought I should pull out some patriotic colors and see what I could come up with. I have been wanting to try one of these top note boxes so that's what I decided to make. There was no stamping involved in creating this which was kind of strange. Let me know what you think!

Paper: Not Quite Navy, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White Cardstock

Accessories: White Gel Pen, Mat Pack, Big Shot, Top Note Die

The tutorial for the box can be found here. The stripes were formed by cutting 1/2 inch strips of Whisper White and laying them over the Top Note Die. The stars were created using a gel pen and the mat pack.

*I didn't have any candy to decorate or there would definitely be a treat inside!

Embossed Wedding Card

2009-06-23T22:04:00.003-04:00

When I started this card I had all intentions of making it match the gift card holder I made last week; however, the little champagne glasses kept being too small for what I wanted to do, so I nixed that and decided to use the bride and groom stamp from the retiring To Have and To Hold. I also got to use my brand new set that came today Friends 24-7 (look for many more cards with this set in the near future!). I had been wanting this set for a while now and after Jen signed up under me, I earned a free set through SU's Stampin' Start program, so I knew right away which one I wanted to get. My sales for April, May, and June also qualified me for another free set which I get to pick out mid-July as part of the Consistency Counts promotion SU was running for Associates and Senior Associates...picking out free stuff is so hard...hehe

Now onto the card...

Stamps: To Have and to Hold, Friends 24-7

Paper: Basic Gray, Basic Black, Whisper White Cardstock

Ink: Basic Black, Basic Gray, Versamark

Accessories: Big Shot, Scallops #2 Die, Coluzzle, Clear EP and Embossing Gun, Pretty in Pink SU Marker, Blender Pen, Organza Ribbon

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

2. Cut Basic Black to 4 1/8 x 5 3/8 and Whisper White to 4 x 5 1/4.

3. Stamp the image from Friends 24-7 in Versamark various times on the Whisper White to create a background. Emboss with clear embossing powder.

4. Cut biggest scallop from Scallop #2 Die with Basic Black cardstock using Big Shot.

5. Stamp bride and groom onto Whisper White using Basic Black ink. Outline using Basic Gray ink and blender pen to create depth. Color flowers and tie with Pretty in Pink marker.

6. Use the 5th circle on the Coluzzle to cut out the image. Adhere to scalloped circle.

7. Adhere embossed Whisper White to Basic Black. Cut a piece of Basic Gray to 4 x 1 1/2 and adhere to upper third of Whisper White.

8. Wrap White Organza ribbon around all three layers. Adhere entire piece to Basic Gray cardbase.

9. Adhere scalloped circle on top of Basic Gray strip.

10. Stamp sentiment in bottom right corner using Basic Black ink.

Wedding Gift Card Holder

2009-06-18T20:47:00.006-04:00

Hi All! Today's post is for a simple gift card holder. It is super easy to make although it took me three tries because I'm terrible at stamping straight...especially when I'm stamping directly onto the cardbase. I really need to invest in a stamp-a-majig! haha It is a tad smaller than it looks in the picture. The end measurements are around 4 x 2 3/4. It sort of floats around in the envelope, so I might make a coordinating card for it to go inside? We'll see. It's also hard to tell from the picture that there is Crystal Effects on the Champagne and bubbles. It looks so cute in person :) Also, don't mind my Costco Membership card on the inside. I wanted to show what it looked like with a gift card and sadly I didn't have any.

Stamps: To Have and to Hold, Congrats

Paper: Basic Gray, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Basic Gray

Accessories: Eyelet Border Punch, 1 3/8 and 1 1/2 Circle Punch, Slit Punch, Creamy Caramel SU Marker, Blender Pen, Crystal Effects, Organza Ribbon

1. Score 4 x 6 1/2 piece of Basic Gray at 1 3/8 and 4. Fold on score lines.

2. Stamp sentiment in bottom left corner.

3. Use the Eyelet Punch on a piece of 4 x 3 of Whisper White and then trim to fit into the inside of the top flap. Adhere.

4. Stamp the champagne glasses and color with Creamy Caramel SU Marker. Use the Basic Gray ink pad and blender pen to create a slight shadow on the glasses. Apply Crystal Effects to colored area and let dry.

5. Punch out image with 1 3/8 circle punch. Punch out Basic Black circle with 1 1/2 circle punch. Adhere.

6. To create the band, cut an 8 inch piece of organza ribbon. Wrap around entire card and adhere with the Whisper White Circle. Punch another Basic Black circle and adhere so that the ribbon is sandwiched between the circles.

7. Punch two slits in the center panel about 1/4 inch in on either side for gift card.

Lovely As A Tree Stationary Box

2009-06-17T21:01:00.006-04:00

As promised...here is the completed Stationary Box for a boy. I'm really excited with how it turned out. While the faux stitching took FOREVER (just like cutting all the roses on the Bella Rose box), I think it really makes this set! The distressed look was created by running my finger nail down the edges of every layer. I was very excited that this set made it to the new catalog (even though it's not mine haha)...speaking of the new catalog. I saw it last night at Roberta's house and OMG you're going to die when you see the new stuff! I'm going to be so poor ;)

Anyway...here are the photos. Let me know what you think!

Closed

Open

Mini composition book

Two of the four cards

The grass is brayered and the clouds were sponged using a scalloped circle punch as a template

The other two cards

Bookmark

Post it Note Holder

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree, Great Friend, Sweet Little Sentiments, Sanded Background

Paper: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Parisian Breeze DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Old Olive

Accessories: Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, SU Chocolate Chip Marker and White Gel Pen, Twine, Buttons

How Many M&M's?

2009-06-17T11:36:00.007-04:00

I'm going to be using this at the party I'm doing this weekend. I'm not sure what the prize is going to be for the person who guesses closest, but it will most likely be either Stampin' Up product or a gift certificate. We have a whole case of these frap bottles from Costco so I can't wait to make more fun things with them! As you can see I caught the Summer Love color scheme bug again! haha I figured it will be a nice example of how the DSP, rub ons, and Great Friend stamp set coordinate. It's hard to tell, but there is a piece of Baja Breeze ribbon wrapped around the center (the oval is covering it in the picture).

Stamps: Great Friend

Paper: Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Walk in the Park DSP

Ink: Cameo Coral

Accessories: Summer Love Rub Ons, Scalloped Oval Punch, Coluzzle, 1 3/8, 1 1/2, and Scalloped Circle Punches

Will you...

2009-06-16T23:00:00.007-04:00

Aren't these darling?? A co-worker of mine is getting married next year and asked me to make a card for each of the girls she wants to have in the wedding. I've actually been working on them for a while, but ran out of ink in my printer, then my oval punch was on back order, then...haha well really that was it, but it seemed like 100 things kept preventing me from finishing. I got ink and my punch was delivered and this is what I came up with! There are 9 total: 5 bridesmaid, 1 matron of honor, 1 maid of honor, 1 reader, and my favorite...1 flower girl! I love the look of tall cards for elegant occasions like a wedding, but I thought it would be cute to make the flower girl's a mini version and use a full dress. It's also hard to tell from the pictures, but all of the dresses are embossed using Versamark and Clear EP (I colored the flowers on the flower girl's dress with a white gel pen). The templates for the dresses were hand drawn. The pictures didn't show up to clear on here...better ones are on my Splitcoast Gallery, screen name renaelindzey. Let me know what you think!

Stamps: To Have and to Hold

Paper: Whisper White, Natural Ivory, Creamy Caramel Cardstock

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Embossing Powder and Heat Gun, Oval Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Eyelet Punch, Ribbon

Clean and Simple Summer Love

2009-06-16T17:25:00.005-04:00

This is another card that I will be demo-ing this weekend. I decided that I wanted to do a project using nothing but rub ons...well that didn't totally work since I used a stamp for the sentiment, but I guess I could have substituted it with one from the rub on sheet. This was semi-cased from Mary Fish. It would have been totally cased, however, I was doing it from memory, so mine looks different. I really love this color combination! When I was planning my Walk In the Park class last month it was the only color scheme I wanted to use! I would have to force myself to not reach for any of them for every card I made.

Also, I'm almost done with the Stationary Box for the boy and am really pleased with how it's turning out. It should be done within a day or so. The only clue I'll give you about it is LOTS of paper piercing!

Stamps: Sweet Little Sentiments

Paper: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Cameo Coral Cardstock

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Summer Love Rub Ons, Ribbon

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

2. Cut three 1/2 inch square of Baja Breeze and adhere to cardbase.

3. Cut four 1 1/2 inch Cameo Coral squares and four 1 1/4 inch Whisper White squares. Adhere.

4. Apply Summer Love Rub Ons to Whisper White squares.

5. Stamp sentiment.

6. Use your paper trimmer to put two score lines above and below the sentiment (see close up)

7. Tie Baja Breeze ribbon in a bow and adhere to card.

Bella Rose Stationary Box

2009-06-14T18:11:00.007-04:00

You may remember this post of the Stationary Box I made for our Administrative Assistant at work. After seeing it, one of my co-workers asked if I would make her two to give to kids she knows that are going off to college. This is the first one I made. All the embellishments were made by cutting roses from the design in the Bella Rose Designer Series Paper. Surprisingly, one sheet of the rose design is all it took to make the box and it's contents (with each rose having two layers), however, it was very time consuming. I am very pleased with the outcome, though, so it was well worth it! The second one is for a boy, so that one might be a little more challenging. I'll post it when it's finished.

Let me know what you think!

The outside

Opened up

Two of each design for a total of 4 cards and envelopes

Mini composition book

Two bookmarks

Post-It Holder

(Tutorial can be found here)

Stamps: Sweet Little Sentiments, Great Friend

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White Cardstock and Bella Rose DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Big Shot; Scallop #2 Die; Colluzle; Ribbon, 1 3/8, 1 1/2 and Scalloped Circle Punch; Dimentionals

Simple Anniversary Card

2009-06-13T08:04:00.003-04:00

This is a very simple card, with minimal stamping, that I made for someone who needed an anniversary card. When I first started making cards, there was a flower on EVERYTHING! Ever since I started stamping though, my flowers disappeared. I had some leftover ones from a set I bought at Michael's and decided to give a stab at dying the flower to match the Baja Breeze in the DSP. Super easy! I might have to buy the Pretties Kit with my next order now! :)

Stamps: Congrats

Paper: Natural Ivory, Chocolate Chip, Parisian Breeze Designer Series Paper

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze

Accessories: Eyelet Punch, Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Sponge Dauber, Flowers, Brad, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer

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

2. Cut DSP to 1 1/2 x 5 1/2. Cut Chocolate Chip to 2 1/2 x 5 1/2 and punch the Eyelet Border along the bottom.

3. Use your mat pack and paper piercer to pop in a line across the top of the DSP (not really visible in the picture). Layer DSP onto Chocolate Chip.

4. Stamp sentiment in bottom left hand corner using Chocolate Chip ink. Adhere to card base.

5. Use your mat pack and paper piercer in the top corners (5, 4, 3, 2, 1).

6. Attach ribbon to card base slightly above DSP. Use Sticky Strip to attach the knot of the ribbon to the card.

7. Use a sponge dauber and Baja Breeze ink pad to dye the bigger of the white flowers. Attach flowers using a brad.

8. Attach the flower to the knot in the ribbon using Sticky Strip.

9. Stamp second part of sentiment inside using Chocolate Chip ink.

Another Wedding Invite

2009-06-12T06:00:00.005-04:00

Happy Friday! I thought I would dig into my picture vault and show you another sample invitation I made last year (before I was a Stampin' Up demo...so none of the supplies are SU). The theme was Fairy Tale. I was really pleased with how they turned out! The stamp is from Michael's and was actually huge (3x4 inches-ish), which wasn't going to work with the wording. So I stamped it onto a piece of white cardstock and scanned it onto my computer. I then resized it and then added it to my Word document with the text. For the response card, I did the same thing only watermarked it. It was the easiest stamping I ever did! :)

And I love how a project that was mass produced looks when it's done!

Click here for more wedding invitation samples!

Wedding Invitations

2009-06-11T17:47:00.005-04:00

Here are two samples of wedding invitations I have been working on. I like to give the bride a choice of a few different ideas. Her colors were purple and green and she chose the shades from the Idea Book & Catalog. Here is what I came up with for her:

The response card is post card size, and does not require an envelope.

The second set is a pocket invitation (I cased the dimensions from an APEX swap I received!).

*Note: The purple card is the response card and would be secured using the slit punch, however, mine hasn't come in yet, so we'll just pretend for now!

She liked both and ended up coming up with her own idea of using the belly band from the pocket invitation to hold together the flat invite and response card. I will post pictures when I get one made! :)

Stamps: Lovely As A Tree

Paper: Kraft, Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive

Ink: Versamark, Old Olive

Accessories: 1 1/2 and 1 3/8 inch Circle Punches, Elegant Eggplant Ribbon

Click here for more wedding invitation samples!

Backyard Before and After

2009-06-10T09:04:00.001-04:00

I thought I'd take a second today to show you what has been taking over my stamping time! When Joe and I moved in 2 years ago, we knew that the barbeque pit would be one of the first things to go (it didn't look as bad as it does in the picture though...Joe had started demo-ing before I was able to get a picture). We had never done anything like this, but we watch enough HGTV and DIY Network that we decided to do it all ourselves. Joe drew up everything, then he and his dad got to work!

This is what it looked like before:

And after...didn't he do a great job??

Side view

Arial view

These pictures really don't do it justice! Everyday when I go outside I forget that it's my backyard! We still have a few more things we've been doing (staining the deck, planting more flowers, etc), but once it's all finished I will have more time to get back to stamping!

Hostess Favors

2009-06-08T19:19:00.001-04:00

Hi All! Sorry I've been so inconsistent recently. Joe and I have been doing A LOT of work in our backyard...so that has sort of hindered my stamping time! My post for today shows two little goodie bags I'm going to be using for a party I have on the 20th. I'm most likely going to give one to the hostess and raffle the other one off as a door prize. I might also make a post it note holder to match and throw that in.

Both bags contain a mini note kit which has two stamps, a Chocolate Chip Stampin' Spot, 4 notecards, and 4 envelopes. Both of these sets are on the Last Chance list, so make sure to place an order before the end of the month if you are interested in these kits. The tags were made using the Great Friend stamp set (I haven't used it in a while so I didn't feel bad posting yet another project with it). The colors are Bordering Blue with Pink Pirouette and Kiwi Kiss with Baja Breeze. I am working on some wedding invitations and a few card sets right now...so watch for them soon!

Ice Cream Cone Birthday

2009-06-04T10:24:00.000-04:00

Isn't this adorable?? According to Joe, this is the cutest card I've ever made! I received my latest SU order yesterday and couldn't wait to play with my Crystal Effects! I've seen the idea of ice cream cones on SCS and decided to try it for myself! I had also seen the cone made using Big Shot texture plates, but since I don't have the texture plates, I decided to improvise and use a crimper. I think it worked! :) I also wish I would have moved the sentiment up a little bit, but oh well!

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Pink Pirouette, Creamy Caramel, Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, and Kiwi Kiss Cardstock, and Bella Rose DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Crimper, Scalloped Circle Punch, Buttons, Ribbon, Big Shot, Top Note Die, Sticky Strip, Chocolate Chip Marker

1. Score 4 1/4 x 11 piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock at 5 1/2 and fold on score line.
2. Adhere 4 x 5 1/4 piece of DSP.
3. Use your Big Shot to cut out a Top Note in Pink Pirouette. Do the same with the ribbon and adhere it to the pink Top Note using Sticky Strip.
4. Punch three scalloped circles and cut off half of the scallops to form the top of the "scoop". Adhere together as shown.
5. Run 3 x 1 1/2 piece of Creamy Caramel through a crimper twice in two different directions to form checked pattern. Cut into a triangle and adhere to ice cream pieces.
6. Use SU Chocolate Chip Marker to free hand draw fudge topping. Apply Crystal Effects and let dry.
7. To make the cherry I traced around a button and cut it out, but a 1/2 inch circle punch would work too. Cut a little divit in the top where stem will come out. Cut stem out of Kiwi Kiss and attach to cherry. Adhere to ice cream cone using Sticky Strip.
8. Adhere ice cream to card base.
9. Stamp sentiment in Chocolate Chip ink in bottom left corner of Top Note.
10. Cut small slivers of Kiwi Kiss cardstock and thread through buttons. Adhere buttons.

APEX Wedding Theme Swap

2009-06-03T21:34:00.002-04:00

These lovely cards and gifts arrived yesterday! I couldn't wait to open the box. These were from the APEX swap that I qualified for through Meg Loven (I made the cake favor boxes as my swap). Meg has more details about who made each card/gift on her blog. I will definitely be CASE-ing some of these for a few wedding cards I have to make! I am working on a set of "Will you be my bridesmaid" cards right now and they incorporate the "dress" look. Too bad I didn't get these first, because I like yours better! Thanks ladies!

Cards and invitations:

Favors and boxes:

Click here for more wedding invitation samples!

The Last Chance List is HERE!!

2009-06-01T21:35:00.001-04:00

It's here...Stampin' Up has released the Last Chance List of stamps and accessories. Some of the accessories are even on sale for 25-50% off!! Get them before they are gone (accessories sell out DAILY while the stamp sets will be available for the entire month). After June 31 your favorite stamps and accessories will be retired to make room for all of the new items in the 2009-2010 Idea Book & Catalog!

CLICK HERE to head to my online store and see what items are on the list!

Get them before they are gone!!!

Auction Gift Basket

2009-05-28T19:14:00.001-04:00

Each year the YMCA raises money for the Strong Kid's Campaign which provids scholarships to those who cannot afford to join the Y on their own. This year we are holding the Suits, Shoots, and Scores Gala to help in our efforts with all money raised going directly to the Strong Kid's Campaign. There will be food tasting from local restaurants, live music, and live, silent, and Chinese auctions. We have everything from autographed Steeler/Penguin items to weekend getaways, to a piece of cardio equipment being donated. I am on the committee for this event and decided to make a basket of handmade items for one of the silent or Chinese auctions. Here is what I came up with, let me know what you think!

Contains: 8 cards and coordinating envelopes, 2 hand towels, 3 candles (1 stamped and the other 2 just decorated with ribbon), a mini composition notebook, junior legal pad with matching pen and binder clip, and altered picture frame.

I really had a lot of fun making all of these items. The Scene in the Garden stamp set was borrowed from Jen. The great thing about that set is all of the elements are individual stamps, so the pictures you can create are limitless! My favorite thing to do was color the little garden boots! Aren't they adorable??? My favorite item in the basket has to be the mini composition notebook. There were times that I thought about keeping that one for myself! haha I had to keep reminding myself that I can make another one to keep :)

Here is a close up of the items:

(Use Black Stazon when stamping on towels)

...yes the image is stamped on all of the pages!

Stamps: Scene in a Garden, Lots of Thoughts, Big Deal Alphabet, Sanded Background

Ink: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Black Stazon

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, Watercolor Paper,Bella Rose DSP

Accessories: SU Markers, Blender Pens, Chocolate Chip and Riding Hood Red Ribbon, Twine, Circle Punches, Scallop Circle Punch, Corner Rounder

Summer Hostess Incentive

2009-05-27T18:24:00.001-04:00

If you've been thinking about hostessing a party, now is the time to schedule it! Stampin' Up just announced that in June hostesses who have $250-$399 in sales at their party receive an additional $20 in Stampin' Up Hostess dollars and if you hold a party over $400 you get an additional $40!! This is on top of the hostess benefits you already would receive! Contact me ASAP to schedule your party. You provide the friends and I will provide lots of stamping fun!

Another Brayer Card

2009-05-25T10:55:00.002-04:00

Happy Memorial Day! I wanted to make a quick card this morning before we head outside and this is what I came up with! Again, I used my brayer and the "Inspired by Nature" stamp set.

Stamps: Inspired by Nature

Paper: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Glossy White

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Versamark

Accessories: Clear EP, Embossing Gun, Paper Piercer and Mat Pack

1. Score 5 x 10 piece of Baja Breeze at 5 and fold on score line.

2. Stamp the flower using Versamark ink on a 4 x 4 piece of Glossy cardstock. Emboss with clear embossing powder.

3. Brayer over the image using Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, and Pretty in Pink. Let dry for a few minutes and wipe off to reveal image.

4. Stamp sentiment in top left corner using Chocolate Chip.

5. Adhere to 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 piece of Chocolate Chip and adhere to card base.

6. Use paper piercer and mat pack to pierce a border around Chocolate Chip square (make sure to put the mat pack inside the card and not on the back...otherwise you'll have holes on the back of your card too.

Trendy Trees

2009-05-24T17:14:00.000-04:00

Again, another borrowed set....this time from Kim! :) I was looking for leaves for fall wedding invitations I'm going to be making and she included this set too. The layout was inspired from the most recent issue of Stampin' Success, the monthly magazine sent to SU demos. Just another perk of being a demo! Speaking of which, the $75 Special Starter Kit Promotion ends on the 31st so if you're thinking about joining Stampin' Up, don't wait another second! Send me an email and I can let you know how to sign up.

Now onto the card...

Stamps: Trendy Trees

Paper: Natural Ivory, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White Cardstock, Walk in the Park DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, So Saffron, More Mustard, Old Olive

Accessories: Crimper, Ribbon, Dimentionals

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

2. Cut 4 x 2 1/2 piece of each Natural Ivory CS and DSP. Stamp the sentiment on Natural Ivory and run through Crimper--again, thanks Kim ;)

3. Adhere DSP and cardstock to Chocolate Chip base leaving a 1/4 inch border.

4. Wrap a piece of Chocolate Chip ribbon around a 1 1/2 x 4 piece of Kiwi Kiss. Adhere to card base, overlapping the DSP and Ivory cardstock.

5. Stamp trees onto 2 1/4 x 3 1/4 piece of Whisper White. (I used Rock and Roll technique on the tree furthest to the right).

6. Adhere trees to 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 piece of Chocolate Chip. Adhere piece to card with dimentionals.

7. Cut a short piece of ribbon and tie it around the other piece of ribbon to create your bow.

Here is a closeup of the crimped bottom piece...I was wondering how well it would adhere, but it wasn't a problem at all!

Brayered Sympathy

2009-05-24T08:57:00.001-04:00

Along with all of my new Designer Series Paper that I ordered and hated to use...I also purchased a brayer. I had used this technique once before at one of Roberta's classes I went to and we made this card:

I decided to try it for myself using another borrowed stamp from Jen (I promise I have my own too haha) Inspired By Nature. It took 5 minutes to make and I'm really excited about how it turned out. I can see myself turning into a brayer-maniac!

I decided to make this a sympathy card for one of my employees who's dog is really sick and about to die at any time. I am a huge animal lover and I know he's really close to him. Is it wrong to have this prepared in advance??

Anyway....here are the details:

Stamps: Inspired by Nature, Close as a Memory

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Basic Gray, Glossy White Cardstock

Ink: More Mustard, Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Basic Black

Accessories: 1 3/8 Circle Punch, Brayer

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

2. Cut a 5 x 3 3/4 piece of Glossy White Cardstock. Punch a circle on a piece of scrap paper and use temporary adhesive to adhere it where you would like.

3. Roll half of your brayer in Cameo Coral and the other half in More Mustard, making sure the colors overlap (you always want to do the lightest color first). Brayer over top half of cardstock, changing the angles so you aren't left with a straight line where your colors change.

4. Tear a piece of scratch paper to create Hills. Use the top half of the torn sheet to mask off the top, keeping only a small portion of the bottom showing. Brayer with Certainly Celery.

5. Remove mask and place the other half of the torn sheet over the Certainly Celery hills and move the other mask up and over, overlapping with some of the sky. Brayer with Old Olive.

6. Remove all masks.

7. Stamp the grass and sentiment using Basic Black and adhere all three pieces together.

8. I stamped some grass along the bottom of the inside as well.

Monogram Post It Note Holders

2009-05-23T15:39:00.000-04:00

I made these for my co-workers at the Y. When Jen brought over her Delight in Life stamp set, she also brought over a Martha Stewart monogram stamp set. It was the first time I had really seen how clear stamps work. I hope all of the girls like them for their desks! I also got to use some of my new Designer Series Paper! Do you know how hard it was to make the first cut?! They are such beautiful papers that I hate to use them...I know, I'm crazy! Anyway, I really like how these turned out and they were SUPER easy!

Stamps: Martha Stewart Monogram

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie, Baja Breeze, Real Red, Pink Pirouette, Basic Gray, Cameo Coral, Whisper White Cardstock and Sweet Always, Bella Rose, Walk in the Park and Bella Birds DSP

Ink: Same as cardstock

Accessories: 1 1/2, 1 3/8, 1 inch Circle Punches, Velcro, Post It notes

1. Score a piece of 3 1/4 x 7 1/2 cardstock at 2 1/2, 2 3/4, 5 3/4, and 6.

2. Fold on score lines and adhere Post It notes to inside.

3. Adhere 3 x 2 1/4 piece of DSP to lower flap and 3 x 2 3/4 piece to back of holder.

4. Punch 1 1/2 circle out of coordinating cardstock. Stamp decorative circle on Whisper White and punch out with 1 3/8. Stamp letter in coordinating cardstock using Whisper White ink. Punch out with 1 inch circle. Adhere all three circles together.

5. Adhere top half of circle to top flap of holder.

6. Attach Velcro to circle and DSP to hold it shut.

Kiwi Kiss Fry Box

2009-05-17T17:40:00.002-04:00

This is one of the projects I will be demo-ing at the party I have this coming weekend. I used the template from Stampin' Up's demonstrator site and cut it out using Kiwi Kiss. It was super simple and took max 10 minutes once I figured out what I wanted it to look like (that's always the hardest part!) I will definitely be making these again!! It is filled with six wrapped Hershey's mini candy bars and some crinkled Designer Series Paper to match.

Stamps: Great Friend

Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Basic Gray, Bashful Blue, Walk in the Park DSP

Ink: Basic Gray

Accessories: Ribbon, 1 3/8 inch Circle, 1 1/2 inch Circle, and Scalloped Circle Punches, Twine, Cello Bag

Black and White Delight

2009-05-16T21:49:00.000-04:00

These cards were a lot of fun to make as I've never had a request for all black and white before. I had no clue where to start, so I browsed SCS and combined a few ideas from there to create this set of ten thank you cards and coordinating envelopes. Big thanks to Jen for letting me borrow her Delight in Life stamp set which is from 2007's Sale-A-Bration as well as her Whisper White Craft Ink. Jen is an awesome stamper who before this weekend is over is hopefully going to be joining my downline! Yippeee!!! Between the two of us, I'm sure it won't be long before we own everything in the catalog, just in time for the new one to come out!!!

Stamps: Delight in Life, Pocket Silhouettes

Ink: Basic Black, Whisper White Craft, Versamark

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Basic Gray Cardstock

Accessories: White Organza Ribbon, Dimentionals

1. Score a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 piece of Whisper White cardstock at 4 1/4 and fold on score line.

2. Stamp the big flower from Delight in Life in Basic Black several times onto a 4 3/4 x 3 1/2 piece of Basic Gray. Use Versamark to stamp the smaller flower in the gaps.

3. Stamp the Thanks So Much sentiment from Pocket Silhouettes in Whisper White. Heat set to dry.

4. Mat Basic Gray piece onto 5 x 3 3/4 piece of Basic Black cardstock.

5. Tie a knot in a 6 1/2 inch piece of Organza Ribbon and wrap around gray and black pieces. Adhere to cardbase.

6. Stamp big flower onto Basic Black cardstock using Whisper White ink. Heat set to dry and cut out. Adhere over one of the flowers using dimentionals.

7. For the inside, mat a 4 3/4 x 3 1/2 piece of Whisper White to a 5 x 3 3/4 piece of Basic Black. Stamp the small flower in the corner using Basic Black. Also do this in the corner of the envelope.

Clean and Simple Cards

2009-05-14T20:08:00.000-04:00

Recently I've been taking a liking to clean and simple cards. At first it was hard for me to imagine not bombarding a card with various papers and embellishments, but I had to try one...which turned into two! Plus I was really enjoying playing with my markers!

For this first card I basically copied myself only with different colors and used markers instead of pastels...And of course used Flower Fancy! I really need a new flower stamp set!

Stamps: Flower Fancy, Great Friend

Paper: Whisper White, Perfect Plum Cardstock

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery

Acessories: SU Markers, Eyelet Punch

1. Score a 4 1/4 x 11 piece of Whisper White at 5 1/2 and fold on the score line.

2. Cut a 4 1/4 x 2 1/4 strip of Whisper White. Use Certainly Celery, Perfect Plum, and Apricot Appeal markers to color the solid stamp from Flower Fancy and stamp it twice on the strip so that the second image is lighter than the first. Use Chocolate Chip ink to stamp the detail.

3. Use the Eyelet Punch along the bottom of a 4 1/4 x 3 1/2 piece of Perfect Plum and adhere the Whisper White strip to the center. Adhere to card front.

4. Stamp greeting from Great Friend in Certainly Celery. Use Perfect Plum marker to go over the word "friend" and stamp below image.

For the second card I decided to use my Crazy for Cupcakes and Sweet Always DSP since I hadn't used it in a while. I also used the Celebrations stamp that I earned through the Get Connected Promotion in March.

Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes, Celebrations

Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose Cardstock, Sweet Always DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Acessories: Eyelet Punch, SU Markers, Stampin' Pastels, Dimensionals, Ribbon

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

2. Stamp cupcake image onto a 1 3/4 x 3 piece of Whisper White. Color with SU markers and Stampin' Pastels.

3. Adhere to 2 x 3 1/4 piece of Regal Rose

4. Use Eyelet Punch on the bottom of a 4 1/4 x 3 piece of Chocolate Chip. Adhere piece of 4 1/4 x 2 Sweet Always DSP to center.

5. Adhere DSP piece to cardfront.

6. Use SU Markers (Pumpkin Pie, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip) to color directly onto Celebrations Stamp and stamp above DSP.

7. Wrap ribbon around entire card and tie to the left side of the DSP.

8. Adhere the image using dimensionals.

Special Birthday Announcement

2009-05-14T16:43:00.001-04:00

Hi All,

I just wanted to let you know that I didn't disappear! By the end of registration for the APEX swap there were actually 17 people who signed up! So needless to say, I've been busy working on cakes! I also am prepping for my workshop tomorrow and a party that I have next week.

But I have a very special announcement. In honor of my birthday (May 29th) I'm giving all of you a present!!! From now until May 26, you will get 5% off your entire order--before tax and shipping--and an additional 5% off any birthday themed item (stamps, die cuts, etc) for a total of 10% off!!! I will place the order on May 26. Only orders that are submitted in person or through email with your credit card info will qualify; unfortunately I cannot apply the discount to online orders.

To get the biggest bang for your buck, you could also take advantage of Stampin' Up's Designer Series Paper Promotion (buy 3 get one free) that goes until the end of May during my Birthday Special! You would get 4 packs of DSP and/or Textured 12x12 cardstock for $28...that's $12 off!!!