Hello, Sailor and the Adorable Whale!

by

019I am in love with whales.  Not sure why.  I live in land-locked Colorado.  We don’t have many whales here.  I think it started the movie Star Trek IV:  The Voyage Home.  I am a Sci-Fi geek along with the rest of my family.  There are humpback whales in the movie and the combination of whales and Star Trek fueled my love affair for the critters.  Back in 2003 my family took a trip to Hawaii during Spring Break and I got to see whales every day as they migrated north.  I was in heaven!  I wouldn’t let my family go get breakfast until I saw a whale in the morning!

Anyway, once I saw this cute little whale in the Occasions Catalog I knew that I’d be eventually purchasing the Hello, Sailor stamp set.  Once I had the stamp set I was on a mission to make a card using the adorable whale.  I did CASE this card and added my own twist to it.  I loved the idea of using the Simply Scored Borders Plate to make the little waves on the bottom of the card.  Too fun!  I’m going to admit right now that I’ve had this accessory to the Simply Scored since it came out and this is the first time I’ve used it….Yikes!  I will be using it more often now though since it really adds to the card.

I made the little banner pieces with the fun Banner Punch that was in the Sale-a-bration Brochure and the High Tide Designer Series Paper.  Don’t worry if you didn’t get the Banner Punch during Sale-a-bration…..it will be in the new 2014-2015 Catalog!  I die cut the large “ahoy” banner with the Banners Framelits.

I just have to say it….this card is TSC!  Too Stinkin’ Cute!  It has to be….it has a whale on it!  🙂

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Staming!

 

Washi Tape Wednesday: Label Love Stamp Set

by

028It’s time for Washi Tape Wednesday!  This is a card I was working on for my Guy Card Class.  Those are always the toughest to design for.  I do have to admit that this one didn’t make the cut.  It’s a nice card….but I don’t love it.  You know how excited I can get over a card….this isn’t one of them.

I’m not sure what it is.  Maybe the Calypso Coral is to girly or something.  Anyway, it’s a nice card, but not a WOW!

The stamp is from the Label Love stamp set and is punched out with….yes, wait for it…..the COORDINATING Artisan Label Punch.  I then punched another label, cut it in half and layered it behind the stamped image.

I used the Epic Day This and That Designer Washi Tape.  I do love washi tape but it’s not working for me on this card.  The Arrows Embossing Folder I great though.  It’s  pretty fun and you can’t go wrong with the little stamped splatters from Gorgeous Grunge.

This is a first isn’t it?  Me sharing a card that isn’t fantastic?  Just because it doesn’t rock my world doesn’t mean it won’t rock your world or that maybe you might like it.  Let me know what you think…

Have a great day.  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Chalk Talk & Simply Stars Card

by

016Happy Tax Day!  (Can you actually use ‘happy’ and ‘tax’ in the same sentence?)  We finally got our taxes to the accountant on Friday.  Nothing like waiting until the last minute!

I know I’ve mentioned it before but Chalk Talk was one of the first stamp sets that caught my eye in the new 2013-2014 catalog.  Of course it helped that it had COORDINATING Framelits!  🙂

I used two of the 2012-2014 In-Colors on this card:  Midnight Muse and Gumball Green.  These are such fun colors.  If you like them, you better purchase them now.  The retired list comes out on Monday, April 21st and both of these colors in ink, card stock and accessories will be on the list along with Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple and Summer Starfruit.  Unlike stamp sets that will be available through June 1st, accessories are only available while supplies last.  Don’t miss out!  Order today!

The stars on the card are from the little stamp set Simply Stars and the splotches are from  the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set.  A fun card perfect for birthdays!  Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Burlap & Lace Heart Invitation

by

015Hello!  Yes, I’ve been AWOL again haven’t I?  You know if it’s not one thing, it’s another.  What can I say?  I hope you’ll stick with me.

A friend of mine has a son getting married this fall and she wants to send out invitations to the rehearsal dinner that she is in charge of.  She asked me to help her come up with some ideas.  The bride-to-be mentioned to my friend that part of the wedding theme was burlap and lace.  Interesting is what I thought when I first heard that.  Then I got on Pinterest to get some ideas.  You wouldn’t believe how many ideas there are for burlap and lace!  Wow!  Is it popular!

I had a hard time figuring out what to do.  I saw this idea and thought it was pretty cute.  I do like the look of the burlap and lace together, don’t you?  Luckily I happened to have a piece of burlap in my basement so I grabbed it and cut out the heart.  I tried die-cutting the burlap with a heart framelit but that didn’t quite work.  Instead I made a template from the framelit and then just traced it on the burlap.  I used Stampin’ Up!’s beautiful Victoria Crochet Ribbon.  The background is stamped with the new Hardwood stamp and the sentiment is from the Regarding Dahlias stamp set.

This isn’t the sample my friend chose but it sure is cute.  It would make a fun valentine, wedding or anniversary card too.  I’ll show you the sample my friend chose later this week.

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Perfect Pennant Kaleidoscope Birthday Card

by

013Fun and bright!  That’s what this birthday card is!  This Perfect Pennants stamp set was one of the first ones to catch my eye when I took a peek at the Occasions Catalog back in December.  I liked all the sayings in the set and I LOVED the fact that the Banner Framelits coordinated with it.  COORDINATION!  There’s that word again!  🙂  Actually, in this instance, I liked the framelits first and then the stamp set.  I always have such a hard time when I try to make my own banners by snipping the bottom of the card stock.  I can never get it even.  Now I have these wonderful framelits though and I’m a happy camper!

The designs in the Kaleidoscope Designer Paper Pack are so bright and FUN!  They just make you smile!  Add a little banner with a greeting and you have the perfect, easy birthday card.

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Who Caught it?

by

Didn’t anyone catch my big mistake today?  Sheesh!  This girl needs to look at a calendar!

I did a complete post for 3 x 3 Thursday and it’s only Wednesday!  Yikes!

3″ x 3″ Thursday: Label Love Card

by

010It’s 3″ x 3″ Thursday and I have another adorable card for you!  🙂

I just love the gingham paper from the Gingham Garden Designer Paper Pack (it IS Melon Mambo!)!!!

The background of the label is from the Label Love stamp set and punched out with the COORDINATING Artisan Label Punch.  The “thank you” is from the Label Something stamp set and punched out with the 7/8″ Scallop Circle Punch.  I just love how Stampin’ Up! creates all of these products that work so well together.  It sure makes my life easier!  🙂

These little 3″ x 3″ cards are perfect to enclose with gifts.  They’re just the right size.  Unfortunately, they’re a little hard to mail….

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

 

Two Step Stamping: Too Kind

by

010I do love my Melon Mambo….I was so glad that Stampin’ Up! had Melon Mambo ribbon in the catalog this year.   I told you….I plan my cards around what colors of ribbon I have!

It’s Stamp-a-Stack at classes this week.  We’ll be making 15 cards (3 each of 5 different designs).  It’s one of the more popular classes I offer because people can keep a card and still give two away…and the cards are EASY!

This card uses the Too Kind stamp set.  These flowers are so fun.  This is Two-Step Stamping at it’s easiest.  The flowers themselves are kind of messy so you don’t have to worry about lining things up perfectly.  You don’t even have to change ink colors!  The two different stamps do the highlighting for you.

Today is registration day for Stampin’ Up!’s convention this summer!  Woo Hoo!  Convention is always so much fun.  Did you know that if you sign up to become a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator now that Stampin’ Up! will pay your registration fee?  What a deal!  Contact me if you’d like more information on convention or on becoming a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator.  I’d be happy to help!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Backyard Basics Beauty

by

002I LOVE THIS CARD!  It’s simple, yet gorgeous!

I “borrowed” the general layout from someone online (thank you to the original creator) and made it my own.  Remember how the other day I mentioned that the Backyard Basics stamp set didn’t do a whole lot for me?  Well, this is the card that changed my mind.  Once I made this card I fell in love.

I started with the Shimmery White card stock.  It just makes everything so elegant.  The design at the bottom of the card is from the Mosaic Madness stamp set and the sentiment is from the Trust God stamp set.  The purple I used on the card is Elegant Eggplant.  I like Elegant Eggplant but I do still miss Concord Crush!  Once I stamped the flowers with Black StazOn ink I colored them with my blender pen and ink pads and die cut them with the COORDINATING Backyard Basics Framelits.  Coordination!  My favorite word in the stamping world!  Ha!

Can I say it just one more time?  I LOVE this card!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

New Feature! 3 x 3 Thursday

by

001Are you ready for something new?  I’m starting 3 x 3 Thursday!  I always make a little 3 x 3 thank you note to put in my customer’s orders.  Some of them are pretty darn cute so I figure it’s time to start sharing all of this cuteness with you!

This is one of the most recent ones I made.  Adorable, yes?  🙂

I used the very cute Starburst Sayings stamp set and die cut the little starbursts with yes, wait for it….the COORDINATING Starburst Framelits!  You know how much I LOVE coordination!  🙂

I also use the fun Retro Fresh Designer Paper and the equally fun Brights Candy Dots on the card.  It’s scary how much fun is on one little 3 x 3 card!

Let me know if you have any great ideas for 3 x 3 cards.  I’m always looking for new ideas!  Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

Backyard Basics Easter Eggs!

by

006Yes, sometimes there are really stamp sets (and coordinating framelits!) that I don’t think I need.  I know you’re confused….I usually love everything and have to have everything but Backyard Basics just didn’t do it for me.  I saw no reason that I needed a bee stamp, another flower stamp, another butterfly stamp, a bird stamp or an egg stamp for heavens sake!  Who stamps an egg?!

Well, I didn’t stamp an egg but I sure do love the egg framelit!  Woo Hoo!  Once I saw this card online I knew I was going to end up purchasing the Backyard Framelits….and if you’re going to have the framelits you really need the stamp set!  🙂  Anyway, a girl has to have an Easter Egg!  Don’t worry….I’ll show you another card using this stamp set in a few days.  I am getting my money’s worth!  🙂

This was a quick and adorable card that we made in classes last week.  Stamp the sentiment (from Delightful Dozen) on the Whisper White card stock and then run it through the Big Shot with my new favorite Embossing Folder, Decorative Dots.  You have to do your stamping first or it’s really hard to get a clean image with all those dots in the way!  Ha!

Die cut two eggs with the (now) fabulous Backyard Framelits, cut some grass with your Stampin’ Up! Fringe Scissors and you have an adorable card for Easter!  Have you played with the Fringe Scissors?  They’re pretty neat.  One of these days I’ll have to show you how to make a really cool flower using them.

If you’re wondering about the pretty designer paper I used, don’t.  You missed it.  It was the Sweet Sorbet Designer Paper from Sale-a-bration which ended Monday.  I hope you got a package if you wanted one.  There were some beautiful designs in it.

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

 

Tip of the Day Tuesday: Coloring Doilies

by

007It’s Tuesday and I have a little tip for you!  Did you know that you can color Stampin’ Up! Doilies?  Well, I suppose you could color any doily but why wouldn’t you use Stampin’ Up!’s?  🙂

It’s pretty easy.  You just need an ink refill, a spritzer and 70% Rubbing Alcohol.  Is this sounding familiar?  It should.  I used the exact same technique I use when coloring the Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon!  Mix your alcohol and ink refill in your spritzer and spritz away!  The more saturated the color you want the more ink refill you need to use.  That’s it!  Now you can have any color doily (or ribbon) that you want!

Doesn’t the Strawberry Slush doily really add to the card?  I stamped the tulips from the Blessed Easter stamp on Shimmery White card stock before coloring with my Blender Pen.  Shimmery White is my favorite paper to use when coloring lately.  I can hardly wait for the new Blendabilities Markers to come out.  Unfortunately there’s been a slight delay with the manufacturer but I know they’ll be available some day!  They will make coloring so much fun!  I’ll definitely keep you posted!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

The Last Best of Flowers

by

007Today’s the day.  After today, no more “Best of” cards.  🙁  I hope you’ve ordered all of the ones that you want because today is the last day to order them.

I used Best of Flowers to share my last “Best of” card with you.  We made this in one of our recent classes and it was a hit.  I loved the way it turned out.  It makes me think of Summer for some reason.  I know….here I am talking about Summer and some of you across the country have barely had a taste of Spring!

I love this color combination of Early Espresso and Crushed Curry.  Doesn’t the Crushed Curry Chevron Ribbon make this card extra-fun?  I did get to use my favorite new Decorative Dots Embossing Folder on the card.  I love this folder and was so excited to read the fine print in the Sale-a-bration Brochure that it will be in the new catalog coming in June!  Woo Hoo!

Speaking of Sale-a-bration….today is the last day for that too.  If you haven’t placed your Sale-a-bration order yet you better do it ASAP!  You don’t want to miss out on FREE stuff!

So, to finish explaining my card…the daisies are punched out with the 1 1/4″ Scallop Circle Punch and the centers are punched out with the circle from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack.  Punches!  They make our lives so much easier!  🙂

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

One More Best of Birthdays….

by

017I’m getting kind of sad now that these “Best of” stamp sets are coming to an end.  I had a whole year + to play with them and I wait until the last minute.  Typical!  Anyway, this is a fun little Best of Birthdays card for you.  Bright and springy just like the weather (at least here in Colorado!)

I love this card because it has washi tape on it and I used Melon Mambo as one of the colors.  It’s got to be a great card, right?!  Doesn’t the little flower with the Candy Dot in the middle of it just finish the card off?  Too fun.  The flower is from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack.  The washi tape is from the Gingham Garden pack and the framelit is from the Chalk Talk Framelits.  I might have to make a few more of these for my stash! 🙂

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!

 

Simple Saturday: Best of Butterflies

by

010Well, I’m a little behind again on my posts but I guess you’re used to that by now.  Sheesh….I do try to stay on top of it!  Thanks for putting up with me!

It’s Simple Saturday and I have one last Best of Butterflies card for you.  I embossed the background with the Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder. (I think this was the first time I ever used it!)  The sentiment is from Bring On The Cake and of course the butterfly is from Best of Butterflies.  Now don’t forget that Monday, the 31st is the absolute LAST day to purchase any of these fun “Best of” stamp sets.  You can check them all out here.  Don’t miss out!

Do you ever have trouble trying to figure out what color(s) to use on a card, especially one like this where you use just about any color and it would work?  Do you know what my secret is?  Ribbon.  Yes, ribbon.  I start with the ribbon.  Number one, it helps narrow down your color choices and number two….I love ribbon!  🙂  How’s that for a tip of the day!

Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!