Crrreeepppyyyyy!!!

Here's a fun card I had in my stash that hadn't been photographed yet.  I did this one up for my Open House back in July, showcasing the Hello, Doily Stamp.  I wanted to use it in unconventional ways....this seemed to fit the bill.  I used black embossing powder on black cardstock for the doily.  I didn't want it to show a lot, and wanted kind of an Elvira look....it worked! (at least I think so!)  For the house, I used clear embossing powder on Elegant Eggplant.  Then I took a little paint brush and some bleach to do the windows and moon.  I really was thrilled when the moon turned out blotchy like it did.  Kind of like the real thing!

That's it for today folks....

Stamps: House of Haunts, Hello Doily

Paper: Basic Black, Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant
Ink: Versamark. Jet Black Stazon
Accessories: Black and Clear Embossing powder
Techniques: heat embossing, bleaching

Wish Big!

This little beauty is a card that we made in my August Stamp Clubs.  It also happens to be one of the favorite cards I've made recently.  It's bright, yet nostalgic, clean yet busy (is that possible....).  I don't know what it is...I just love this card!

I did a little faux stitching on this one.  I love using my paper piercer to make the stitching look really real!  And on this one, I just free-handed the piercing.  Most of the time I use my mat stack and get them a little more evenly spaced. 

You know, if you were in one of my Stamp Clubs, you could be making fun cards just like this one!  I have 3 clubs that meet once a month - surely one would fit your schedule.  I do need to warn you tho - we have a lot of fun, and usually laugh more than we should!!!  Contact me if you want to know more about my Stamp Clubs!

Stamps: Delightful Doilies, Word Play

Paper: Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Domestic Goddess DSP

Ink: Calypso Coral, Versamark

Accessories: Buttons (PTI), Perfect Pennants Die, Half and Half Die (PTI)

Bling this!

We all love a little bling in our lives, right?  It makes us feel special, and a little bit glamorous....at least I think so!  I always have a little more self confidence when I've got something sparkly on.  Lately you see TONS of cute colored blingy things to add to our paper crafts.  A lot of times those come in huge packages and I think, "Golly, will I really ever use that many purple rhinestones?"  (if you know me - I would not use many PURPLE rhinestones at all - right Cindy???)  Once in a while you'll stumble upon a package that doesn't have enough of a particular color.  I am here to solve your problems today peeps!  Grab your package of ol' plain Jane rhinestones or pearls.  We're gonna rock their world in one quick, painless little step!  You just need to introduce those gems to their new BFF:


The Sharpie Marker!

You can get Sharpie's in a multitude of colors.  I even saw they now have metallic ones!  Take you marker and color right over the top of your gem.....and you'll end up with something like this:

Or this: (which is blurry due to camera operator shakes...)

Pretty stinkin' cute - huh!!!  Just let them dry - it only takes a few seconds....and place them on your project.  FYI - I use my Paper Snips to place them; it helps to be sure I get that little bit of glue to stay attached to the gem.

Whatcha think....you're already looking for those long lost Sharpie Markers aren't you????

Spiced Cupcakes

I know....you are probably getting tired of all of my project showcasing the new Spice Cake DSP - but what can I say???  This paper is to die for.  This time I thought I would pair it up with one of my all time favorite sets - Crazy for Cupcakes.  It's been a while since that set has seen any ink....so, I've created Spiced Cupcakes.

Kinda cute - eh?  I am totally smitten over this paper.  Totally!  So, I'm sorry, but you are just going to have to bear with me on this ride!

By the way....you can leave me a comment...there is no fee.

A week late....oh well...

So, I told you yesterday that I had done a card up for Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch, but didn' get it photographed or blogged.  Well, this is that card.  It was really simple and easy, just layer that DSP up and it looks so nice! 

I pulled out those super cute button brads that I've been hoarding.  They were just the right color and size for this card.  However, I didn't want the "legs" to show thru on the back side of the front of the
card, so I cut the legs off and glued them on with Tombow Multi MOno (my favorite go-to glue!

I opted to go with some ribbon instead of the paper scallops...like this look, although it's not trending right now.  Oh well......

That's it for today folks!

Stamps: Simply Soft, Happiest Birthday Wishes

Paper: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Spice Cake DSP

Ink: Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party, Soft Suede

Accessories: Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon, Vintage Trinkets



Cheer up!

Looky here - I played along with another little sketch.  Karen always has great sketches...I just don't always take the time to play along....or I do, and like last week, didn't get my card photographed and blogged!  I'll post that one tomorrow for ya. 

For this card, I went with a non-SU stamp...for so long I wished that SU would come out with an Umbrella set.  It seemed like every time I turned around, I was making Bridal Shower and Baby Shower cards and invitations.  So, I caved and went to my stand-by stamp company....and I actually got this one used from another paper crafter.  But all of the paper is SU....that's good right???  ;)

I like this sketch - think I'm going to try it again in a Halloween motif.  I've got the new Halloween paper from the Holiday mini and it's whispering to me...cut into me...go ahead...play with me.....in a really creepy voice!  So, I'm gonna go play....


Stamps: Scattered Showers (PTI)
Paper: So Saffron, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Berry Blossoms DSP

Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Basic Brey

Accessories: Felt (PTI), Button (PTI), Fun Flowers Die (SU)

Christmas starts NOW!

Season's Greetings!!! Really....I wanted/needed to play with that new DSP in the Holiday Mini. You all got that in the mail right??? If not, contact me ASAP so that I can get one to ya!

I wasn't so sure about this paper at first. Once I saw it in person....it's on my hoarding list. It's really pretty awesome! I'll be having more fun with it soon.


I did this card using the weekly sketch over at Splitcoast Stampers. I usually steer clear of sketches with crooked layers, but this one seemed to work out okay for me. And by the way - love the Holly Berry Buttons in the mini - VERY cute. Plus - lots of buttons!

I know I have shared with my Stamp Club members the trick to creating colored rhinestones - just color the tops of them with a Sharpie Marker. Let dry and place on your project. That simple. Seriously!

Okay - now, I want to hear some comments folks - PLEASE!!! ;)

Stamps: Snow Swirled
Paper: Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla, Real Red, Holly Berry Bouquet
Ink: Choc. Chip
Accessories: Rhinestones, Sticky Strip, Red Cosmo Glitter, Holly Berry Buttons, Sharpie Marker

Meet today's card....

Bonnie - are you sitting down? What about you Tami???

Let me start off by saying - Spice Cake DSP - mmm, mmm, good! This paper is on my list to stock up and hoard!

Yeah - look at how pretty this card is!! Now, I'm not going to take full credit - I cased it from this card over on Maile Belles' blog. I think I changed enough up to make it not identical tho. I don't usually like to copy everything.

I did use My Digital Studio to print the sentiment in Soft Suede directly onto the cardstock. One great way to create sentiments that may be lacking in your stamp line up. Plus I like that I can print in SU colors to match!!! BONUS!

I just love the color combination and the overall patterns. This card just makes me yearn for fall...how about you???

Comments??? Anyone, anyone????

I {heart} this day!

Today was Will's first day of Kindergarten! He was so excited to go, was happy to have his picture taken - by the front door. He clearly stated that he did not want me to take his picture by the bus. So, this was my lesson to him that he can't always have his way! Mamma get HER way on things like this....


Reason #2 that this was a good day....this card. I LOVE it! I will tell you that I could scream from the rooftop that the new Spice Cake DSP in the Holiday Mini ROCKS!!! I love the colors - they are so IN. I even have the new Spice Cake fabric and just need to figure out what I'm going to do with it. It's beautiful! I so love it that I would really like to have yards and yards of it! Seriously - that BEAUTIFUL!!! Back to this card:

The stamp set is Fallen Leaves ( I think that's the right name???) And yes, I did fussy cut those leaves and acorns. And yes, I do wish there was a die, but I managed, and most of you know that I don't mind cutting. See that paper a little closer? Cool - eh? I also used the new houndstooth embossing folder on just a portion of the sentiment piece, then used a sponge dauber over the top. Loving the houndstooth!

What do you think? Leave some comment love for me would ya??? That means you - Bonnie!!! :)

We had Christmas in July....

Christmas in July Card class that is! And today, I'm going to share the cards that we made so that you can see what you missed out on!!!

First up is one of my favorites - I just love the nostalgic look of these carolers in the A Christmas Carol set. I opted to only color the little boy. I wanted him to stand out among the rest - and it worked. He just looks like he's giving it his all!

I do think that next time I will use the music wheel in the background on this one! Is it just me tho - is the guy playing the bass a little on the creepy side???


Card #2:

Nothing really over the top here...but I do love the ruffled ribbon flirting out from under the sentiment section!

Card #3:

I was having a hard time incorporating that blue plaid that comes in the Letters from Santa DSP. I'm too traditional! In the end tho - I really like this card - almost the best. We used Irredescent Ice EP on the ornaments - it gave some extra pizzazz!

Card #4:

A little woodgrain, some snowflakes and a Merry Christmas!

Real stitching or faux? Faux it is! Some paper piercing does the trick on making it look really real!

Card #5

Clean, simple, and sparkly! Right up my alley - look ma - no DSP! OMGoodness and no buttons! What the....someone take my temp...I must be sick!

Sparkles on here were easy - some Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds. However, just hold onto your hats, because SU will have an even easier solution for this starting Sept. 1 - Dazzling Details!!! It comes in a little bottle - liquid glitter.....watch for it. I think you'll see a lot of it in your future.

Card #6

Snowflakes stamed with Frost White shimmer paint - my stamp must have had some residual ink on it b/c it stamped a little on the Pink Frost White side???

That's all for today folks....Merry Christmas!

Finding Inspiration...

Do you ever have trouble finding inspiration? Today, this card was purely inspired by a pillow I saw on Pinterest. If you haven't jumped on the Pinterest bandwagon yet - it's a time sucker. But there are so many great sources of inspiration, you just have to be disciplined with the amount of time you are on there. Well, I have to be disciplined.....or I'm sucked right in!

So - for today's card - I found inspiration from this Crate and Barrel pillow I spotted on Pinterest. Pretty simple, yet pretty graphic in the same boat.

And this is the card I came up with:

photo credit - Pinterest

I kinda like it - what do you think?

Sending Thanks!

Here is a SUPER quick and easy card....

My lighting wasn't great on this card, it's much brighter in person really! But let me tell you how simple:

Cut your DSP a half inch smaller than card base, distress, and adhere to card front. Adhere ribbon strip to card front - this is the new ruffled grosgrain ribbon in Lucky Limeade. Die cut your flowers from felt - I always use a good quality wool felt because you won't end up with frayed edges. I stamped polka dots on the turquoise flower with white craft ink, but they don't really show. Sew the flowers and button all together with some bakers twine, attach to card front with glue dots. Lastly, stamp your sentiment and punch out! Easy peasy!!

Recipe:

Stamps: Petite Pairs

Paper: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Just Add Cake DSP

Ink: Whisper White, Crumb Cake (for distressing)

Accessories: 1" Circle punch, Felt(PTI), Button (PTI), Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon, White Bakers Twine

Buy 3....Get ONE FREE!! Plus a Big Shot giveaway!

This is always my favorite promotion that Stampin' Up! offers! Most of my customers know that I HOARD paper. And a lot of you know that I just purged a ton of paper at my Catalog Kick-off Party!!! Now, it's time to stock up on paper again! It's so easy - buy 3 packs of DSP and get 1 Free!! Buy 6 packs, get 2 free. Buy 9 packs......oh, you get the picture! Contact me today to order yours!!!

Also - I still have a few spots to fill on my calendar! You've heard of my Big Shot give-a-way, right??? No??? Well, I'm giving away a Big Shot. Yeah - FREE! F-R-E-E!!!! One of my August or September hostesses is going to win a BIG SHOT. What's more, I have the 6 remaining workshop dates written on envelopes. You pick your date, and you get what's in the envelope(items range from punches to ink pads to watercolor crayons, and DSP). So, you are going to get something above and beyond the awesome merchandise you'll earn at your workshop anyway. Then, I will put all of the hostess names in a hat and after the last workshop, I'll draw a name from the hat. That person is my Big Shot winner. My available dates are:

August 18th

August 23rd

August 25th

September 8th

September 22nd

September 28th

Contact me today to schedule your workshop. Your chances of winning a Big Shot are better than your chance at winning the lottery!!!

The crowd favorite

I recently had my 2011 Catalog Kick-off Party, and this card was by far the crowd's fave! Gosh - and it was the simplest, most clean and simple card on the scene!

There wasn't a whole lot to this card - I simply stamped the Hello, Doily stamp in Whisper White onto a piece of Very Vanilla, then heat embossed it with white ep. Once it was set, I very lightly used a sponge dauber inked with Crumb Cake, and swirled it on, starting at the center, and moving to the tips of the doily very lightly. I didn't want to over do it, just a soft look to the card. I love the way it turned out, and would like to note that I've tried other color combos without as striking of a look.

Again, super easy and super stunning! What do you think - I'd love to hear from you, so just leave me some comment love!