Heard You Were Sick!

Do you find that you never seem to have a "Get Well" card when you need one?
I do all the time! So, I decided that I would make that my focus next month and design several of them!

Here's one I made recently for a girlfriend of mine who had to have surgery. I hope it brought a smile to her face!

Hopefully it gives you a little twist on your card designs....a little different and fun! The stamp set is from Stampin' Up! and only available for a few more days, if I remember correctly.

I'm on vacation in Florida, so I apologize for not posting as often. Once I get back home and in the swing of things you will see an increase again. Thank you for your patience!

Isn't he so sad and cute?! Enjoy!

Daughter's Congrats Card!

My daughter finished 3rd grade this year and I always try and make her a special card in celebration ofanother school year completed! I know it's not her Senior Year, but each year is a milestone and an opportunity to show her how proud I am of her. She really enjoys getting cards and so it makes it a delight to create one for her. :-)
This card was made using the new Stampin' Up sets "Go, Graduate" and "First Day."  As you can see you can alter it to use for any grade level.....

Have fun making your own for your childrens next grade completion!

Last Chance Stamps, Accessories and Decor Elements!

Its that time again....The end of another Stampin' Up catalog! Retiring Lists are out and products are going fast! Make sure you don't miss out on those stamps, paper and accessories you want, but haven't purchased yet.

Don't forget with the new color re-do to get your re-inkers for your retiring color ink pads and matching paper and markers!

CLICK HERE to view the lists and get your favorite products today!

School is Out.... Summer is Here!

Gosh, it's been a crazy last few weeks! The school year has to come to an end, and it's been time for my daughter to play! She's having a great time with her Grandparents and looking forward to going to Florida to spend time with her other Grandparents. What a lucky child to be blessed with 2 sets of wonderful Grandparents! If only we all had been so fortunate, right?

Sorry for the delay in posting to my blog. I am in Florida myself, right now and have just found the time to sit down and give you some more card design ideas!

Also, I am an Aunt once again!! My little sister just had her first child a couple days ago.....and he is absolutely gorgeous! It was so incredible to be there for her while in labor. She had a rough go of it, but has been so rewarded with this little guy! Her husband never left her side....he was an amazing trooper through it all....was the perfect spouse in his care for her. I was impressed! You go Fred! :-)

Our new little nephew has been named after my Father's baby brother who died at a very young age. He has been named Timothy Alexander and weighed in at 7 pds 13 oz. I will be posting some pictures soon.

In the meantime, my friends.....Here's a card I made for my daughter's Teachers to Congratulate and thank them for graduating another class! :-) Teachers just don't get enough credit for the time and heart they put into their students. They were kind and generous to my daughter and she loves them dearly.

Ok! On to the card! It's made using 2 of the new sets from the Summer Mini catalog! Hope you enjoy!

I used markers to color in the Graduates feet, and chalk to color in the apples on the black background. All supplies used are Stampin' Up products.

"Card Sketch Challenge # 4"

It's time to get your creative juices flowing again! :-)
Here's a new sketch for you to have fun with. Remember, if you feel like sharing what you've come up with, please e-mail it HERE and I will post it.

Now, here's my version using Stampin' Ups! Sweet Pea flowers.

Have Fun!!

2010 Summer Mini Catalog Release!

It's here!! The new Summer Mini Catalog....FULL of some wonderful new products and stamp sets!

                            

See some of the new sets and items available beginning today!

 Click on the catalog to the right to view the entire catalog or download the PDF copy of it.

All stamp sets available in either wood-mount or cling-mount and also in three languages!

What a beautiful, elegant set. This is "Elements of Style".

Sooooo glad they came out with a 'grilling' stamp! Perfect for manly cards. :-)

This one is called "King of the Grill"

Great for first day and last day of school projects! This one is called "First Day"

This one will be helpful for a lot of us who either ride a motorcycle or have a spouse or friend that does! Simply called "Motorcycle".

Ladies, you might like these humerous sayings. They will certainly make someone smile!

Called "Favorite Thoughts"

So, there's a taste of what's in the new catalog! Hurry, and go check it out....there's LOTS to see!

Mother's Day Workshop Samples!

It's always nice to have a few different ideas for use with the same stamp set, right?
Here's another way you can use your "Garden from the Heart" set! It's such a great set for use in a Mother's Day card that I couldn't resist teaching it this past weekend to a lovely group of ladies. They also learned a quick and easy candy holder and how to make a neat 3-D flower to adorn their holder!
Hope you are inspired! :-)

The ladies learned how to use their water pens/aqua painters to color in the hat (using the ink from their ink pads pressed into the lid of the ink pads). Just like watercoloring!

When using your water pens it's best to use watercolor paper, which Stampin' Up! does sell.

All Stampin' Up! items used:

Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive and Whisper White cardstock, Watercolor paper, Aqua painter, Scallop Oval punch, Large Oval punch, "Garden from the Heart" stamp set, Old Olive and Rose Red Stampin' Write markers, Eyelet Border punch, Perfect Polks Dots embossing folder and Chocolate Chip Satin ribbon.

 

This holder was made using a 3 x 12 piece of  Old Olive cardstock, scored at 4 3/4"  and 7 1/4". Used the 1 3/4" Circle punch to cut the center circle and the Scallop Circle punch to create the border.

The flower was made by punching out 7 pieces of Whisper White cardstock with the Scallop Circle punch. I use a dauber to ink the edges (front and backside) with whatever color I'd like to accent my flower with. You then will wad all the pieces up and then open back up. Stack them, secure through the center with a brad and then start to wad EACH layer straight up over each other. This will create your flower! Just pull the edges back out to the desired look you want. 

 Have fun making them!! ;-) 

Stampin' Up! Items used:

12 x 12 Old Olive cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, "Fifth Avenue Floral" stamp set, "Tiny Tags" stamp set, Medium Jewelry Tag punch, Extra Large Two-Step Bird punch (for the leaves), Pretty in Pink satin ribbon and Old Olive and Pretty in Pink ink pads.   

Mother's Day!

Have you started on your Mother's Day cards? No? Well, no worries....here's an idea for one! 

Mom, don't look!! :-)

In case you've never tried 'wrinkling' your ribbons, let me try and explain how to do it.
The hardest part is trying to separate the fibers at the end of the ribbon piece.
Once you've been able to do that, then work on getting a firm grip on one of them in the center.
When it's firmly held, begin pulling on the thread while pulling down the rest of the ribbon in the opposite direction. This will cause the ribbon to start to buckle and curve to the side. Keep doing this until you have your desired length. Be careful that you don't pull too hard and break the thread, or pull the thread out. I have been able to successfully use this technique on satin, taffeta and grosgrain ribbons! So, pull all those ribbons out and see what you can do! :-) Have fun!

Now, do you notice the fluffy looking flowers on the hat? Those were made taking styrofoam balls and rubbing them together to create the fluffy substance. Take the shaved styrofoam and put it in a sandwich baggie. Put a few drops of re-inker in the bag and 'mush' (don't you like that word?) the styrofoam shavings into the ink. You will need to work it in for a bit, but eventually you'll have some nice uniform colored 'fluff' to glue onto your stamped images once it's dry! :-)

Stampin' Up! Items used:

Garden from the Heart #118568 (cling-mount), Well Scripted #118601 (cling-mount), Vintage Vogue #118598 (cling-mount), 1/4" Old Olive Grosgrain ribbon #111368, Signo gel pen #105021, Eyelet Border punch #113692, Blender pens #102845,

Kraft, Whisper White, Old Olive and Pink Pirouette cardstock.

Two-Step Bird Punch!

I LOVE this Two-Step Bird punch! It's got so many possibilities. You'll love working with it!

The following card was made using this punch. I have posted this card done in other colors, but this was my first one. I couldn't post it because I had made one similar for a girlfriend of mine for her 50th Birthday and she hadn't received it yet! I couldn't spoil the surprise, could I? :-)

I hope both cards inspire you!

Don't forget to use your Sissix Die Cut numbers and incorporate them on your cards. These were cut from chipboard and I used my SU Classic ink to color them, and then spritzed them with a mixture of SU's pearlized paint and alcohol to add a bit of shimmer! The Taffeta ribbon worked beautifully with the look of this card. I used one of my favorite stamp sets, "Friends 24-7", to stamp on this card with.

Hope it's given you more color combo ideas to run with!

Stampin' Up Announces....

Okay, so I always eagerly await the new In-Colors each year....but this year is even more exciting! I have to admit there is a little disappointment in some of the news....but as a whole, it's great!!

Stampin' Up! is bringing in 6 new In-Colors and re-vamping all the other color groups!! They are bringing back some of our favorite In-Colors from the past as well as getting rid of some of the standard colors they've always had. It's a very nice change-over and I think you'll like it when you take a good look. I have to admit, there's a few colors I will miss....so, I will be stocking up on paper and ink re-fills on those colors!! We'll have to get our orders in ASAP before they start to run out! So, start making your lists! :-)

So glad to see River Rock in the neutrals and Crumb Cake (which is the new name for Kraft)!

Above are the colors you need to go through your stash with and see what you need to stock up on! I'm going to miss the blues and yellows....but LOVE the new colors coming back! Baha Breeze was always a favorite and looks so good with Real Red and Chocolate Chip. Marina Mist is gorgeous and so is Daffodil Delight. And I'm soooo thrilled to have Riding Hood Red coming back!!

Yes, we have MUCH to look forward to! :-)

Rachel's Win...Digital Image!

As you all know, Rachel was lucky to win first place in Karen's Doodles contest! She was able to pick out what she wanted Karen to design on one of her images. Rachel picked the picture I took of her and her dog Maggie and she named the digital stamp "Maggie and Me". Karen has posted it on her blog, so you can go there to see it and all her others. Here's the image and the scrapbook page photo she designed it off of. It's sooooo adorable!

If you have children, I encourage you to get them to participate in the contests! See what you can look forward to them winning! :-)

The scrapbook pages I designed using Stampin' Up's "My Digital Studio". It's a fantastic program and so easy to use! You will LOVE it!

Just click on the "Shop Now" button (to your right) to order the program....you won't regret it!

Spring Break in Florida

Rachel and I scooted down to Florida for her Spring Break. It's been a great trip! I got to finally see my little sister and her adorable pregnant belly....unexpectedly re-connected with a family friend from Highschool...and got to hang out with my parents, middle sis and niece and nephew. All-in-All....it's been a great trip so far! Haven't done any stamping lately, but will post another challenge and some ideas for you when I get back! For now, I thought I'd share some pictures of our time down here:

             

How do you like this beach! Isn't it gorgeous! Look at clear the water is....

Look at that cute 'bump'!! Kristy was such a trooper on that warm beach...and she looked adorable! I tried to talk her in to putting on a 2-piece bathing suit....that was out of the question she said! :-)

The cousins! Jonathan, Rachel and Ashlyn...                                                                                               

The Sisters....Penny, Myself, and Kristy!

My Mom took the kids Go-Cart racing....it was Rachel's first time. She went around the track with me and then my sister, Penny, before trying it herself. She was quite a bit nervous for her first time by herself (as shown in picture) but quickly caught on and had a blast! She went out one more time, and the final pic is the cousins crossing the finish line and coming in to park. LOTS of fun!

Easter Lily

Look what a little ink from a Stampin' Write marker and a water brush can do! :-) Just ink up where the darker color will be on your image and then pull the color out with your waterbrush. I did do the lily on watercolor paper....less messy that way. :-) Tried to keep it simple so the lily would be the focus. The raised lines on the Whisper White card base were done using my stylus. The accent color is Elegant Eggplant.
Now you go and try it! Have fun!

Remember only TWO DAYS LEFT to take advantage of Sale-A-Bration!!

Ends March 31st.

Rachel Won!

I just want to thank you all for your wonderful comments to Rachel about her card! She was so delighted to read them all!
GOOD NEWS! In the random drawing that Karen's Doodles does....Rachel won 1st place! She is sooooo excited! The most exciting part for her is that as part of the 1st place winning, she gets to design her own digital stamp.....so as you read this she is pondering what she wants to design. :-) I'm sure we'll know the specifics soon!
Thank you again for your support of my daughter! She's thrilled! :-)

Easter Gable Box

It's just around the corner.....watch out for that Easter bunny!  She packs a lot of sweets that could get you in to baskets of trouble! :-)

I never thought I'd enjoy 'punch art' that much...but they are all sooo adorable...they just have to find a place in our crafts! This Easter bunny found her way onto a Gable Box. How cute is this to give to your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews on Easter! Just change out the colors, omit the bow, add a carrot instead of flowers and it's perfect for boys too.
You can find the instructions HERE to make the Gable Box. (The punches used will follow the picture.)

Hope you enjoy! Have a delightful and blessed Easter....

All items used are by Stampin' Up!

Large and Small Oval punches, 1" and 1 1/4" Circle punches, Word Window punch (for pink pads of the feet and fence pieces), Heart to Heart punch, White gel pen, Black Stampin' Write marker, Crop-O-Dile (for pink nose), Tea Party Designer Series paper,

So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Whisper White and Pretty in Pink cardstock,

Vintage Vogue stamp set, Clear Rhinestone brads, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon.

My Second Sketch Challenge!

Are you ready to play again? I've got another sketch challenge for you!

I hope you have fun putting your favorite colors, patterns and embellishments to this design. Please share what you come up with for all the readers of this blog, if you'd like! I know they will all enjoy seeing your designs and being inspired by your vision of this sketch. If you'd like to participate and send me a picture of your card, please send it HERE, and I will be sure to post it. If you don't have a watermark on your picture, I will be sure to list your name as you'd like it.

Note: If you are still working on the first sketch, there is no time limit here! You can still send it in and I'll post it!

Thank you for playing! :-)

Here's my interpretation :-) I used this image from a stamp set I love, and haven't used very often. This seemed like just the image I needed. Maybe you can pull out a stamp set you haven't used in awhile and try and apply it in this sketch! (Is that considered another challenge?! :-)

All items used are Stampin' Up products:

Le Jardin Botanique stamp set, Very Vintage jumbo wheel, Finial Press embossing folder,

Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Real Red cardstock, Blending pens, Scallop Oval punch, Large Oval punch, 3/16" Corner Rounder punch, Eyelet Border punch, 5/8" Real Red Grosgrain ribbon and Clear Rhinestone brads.

Rachel's Contest Entry!

Rachel (my 9 year old daughter) is so excited to enter her first card contest given at Karen's Doodles...she had to use one of their delightful digital images, and her card had to have atleast 2 pattern papers, 3 brads or buttons and something black. She used my Stampin' Up! markers to color in the image and blew me away with her coloring! I quickly told her how to blend her colors, and she went right to it! I'm soooo excited for her about her card, that I just had to post it to show you all!
Hope you enjoy!

Made by Rachel, my 9 year old daughter!

She did the coloring all herself using my Stampin' Up! markers! and she put it all together on her own!

I'm a VERY proud Mom, can't you tell?! :-)

Here's a close-up of her coloring job:

Thanks for stopping by to see!

Please post your comments so my daughter can gain some confidence in her work! Thanks!

Vintage Bird and Lace

How many of you have leftover ribbon and lace from sewing projects and it's not enough for another sewing project....so you have no idea what to do with it? Or maybe you are like me...you walk into the fabric/craft store and your eyes lite on a roll of 'knitted' lace and you HAVE to buy it....not having any idea what to do with it...you just liked it! :-)

Well, here is what I did with mine! This just goes to show you that all those bits and pieces of odds and ends laying around your home CAN be used for something....just throw it on a card and create a thing of beauty and interest! :-) Just rub some ink on it to 'age' it a bit and it does wonders on a card! I just taught this card to a group of my friends this past weekend. We had so much fun! Thanks Ladies for a delighful weekend! Can't wait to get together again soon.

Okay, here's my sample.....hope this inspires you to pull out your scraps and create something new and exciting!

Items used by Stampin' Up! except the patterned paper and ribbon:

Extra Large Two-Step Bird punch #117191, SU's Four largest circle punches (listed on previous entries), Friends 24-7 stamp set #113218, Kraft and Whisper White ribbon, Itty Bitty Backgrounds stamp set #114996.

I would have preffered to have used the Pretty in Pink Taffeta ribbon on this, but had run out. It would have been so much nicer with that. The item # for the Taffeta ribbon is 109067.

Long-Stem Silhouette

More Definitely Decorative! I just finished re-doing my Master Bathroom, and found that this Wall Vinyl worked great! My husband thought I had painted it....

This is the large version of the "Long-Stem Silhouette"....it measures 12 3/4" x 52 3/4". Would look great in a foyer too...

The Long-Stem Silhouette is available in Black, Chocolate and White. The smaller size is measured at 5 3/4" x 27 3/4".

Check out Definitely Decorative HERE.

Definitely Decorative!

If you haven't looked through the Definitely Decorative catalogs....you are missing out!! There's wonderful images and quotes, "chalkboard" images you can actually write on, etc. They go on easy and come off easy without marring your walls. I just LOVE them! Stampin' Up! has a wonderful selection of colors too, in their images. So, hurry up and go take a look! :-) SEE HERE

Here's one I just applied in my dining room:

If you like this one, it measures 22 1/2" x 13" and is shown here in the Chocolate Chip. It's item #114769. It's also available in smaller sizes and other colors. Follow the link above to download the catalog and view all your options!