what to do with all these embellishments?

When it's time for accessories to retire, I start looking at my stash of embellishments and think of all the ways I can use them up. 

How about using a whole bunch on one card??? All these brads were perfect for a birthday card - they remind me of candy dots or bits of confetti. 

After stamping my greeting (Sassy Salutations) in Marina Mist ink onto a 4-1/2 x 3" layer of Whisper White card stock, I used the Paper-Piercing Tool and the Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack to create two parallel rows of holes so my brads would be aligned. That layer is then attached with Dimensionals to a Notecard. 

So what do you think? Any other ideas for me to use up my stash?  :} 

goodbye, auf wiedersehen, ciao, adieu, adios, shalom...

I love the flurry of excitement this time of year... stamps and accessories retiring to make room for new goodies. So many creative ideas are running through my head right now! Today's cards highlight one of the retiring DSPs. 

While I am sad to see the Twitterpated DSP go, I am even more excited to get my hands on the new DSP in the upcoming Catalog! Plus, two of the colors (Pear Pizzazz and Blushing Bride) in the DSP are taking their place in our "core" color collections as part of the Color Refresh - yay!!  

Be sure to shop for your favorites before they are gone!! 

 

clean and simple - part 3

Ok, my last "clean and simple" card... for a little while, anyway.  ;) 

This card using CAS Sketch 236 was super fun to make. Three different patterns from the More Amore DSP got to play! To a Notecard, I adhered a layer of Sahara Sand card stock and then a layer of DSP. Instead of stamping some sort of circular image, I Snipped a scallop circle image out of a sheet from the More Amore DSP, and stamped one of the hearts from the Hearts a Flutter stamp set in Primrose Petals ink. 

The Hearts a Flutter Framelits made quick work of cutting out my stamped banner, stamped heart, and a "heart of hearts" from the DSP. 
I decided to omit the greeting, since the background I chose is rather busy. I stamped the greeting I wanted - for my Mom - inside the card, which might surprise her since I don't usually stamp inside my cards... too much to say! 
Which makes me curious... do you usually stamp inside your cards? If you do, all of them or only for certain occasions? Just wondering...

clean and simple - part 2

While I had the Notecards out and was stamping quick and easy cards, I went ahead and stamped a few other designs, including this card inspired by the Clean & Simple sketch #235: 

Isn't that just darling?? And it was super easy to make!  
I inked the vase image (Button Buddies) using Island Indigo and Lucky Limeade markers. Then I adhered the image and a small strip of Tea for Two DSP to a layer of So Saffron card stock. After stamping my greeting (Teeny Tiny Wishes) in Lucky Limeade ink onto Certainly Celery card stock, I folded that strip under, tied on some Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine, and attached the whole piece to a pre-cut, pre-scored Notecard (love these things!). For the final step, I attached some Buttons - easy peasy!

clean and simple - part 1

Sometimes life just gets crazy busy, doesn't it??? You want to create, but you just don't have time to get all the supplies out... or the energy to put them away! That's when it's time for a card with a simple design, that's quick and easy to create. 

I was blog surfing the other day, and visited one of my favorites - Clean & Simple Stamping. Most of their sketches can be turned into a card in only a few minutes, without trashing your craft space! This is my version of their simple card sketch #234.
When I want quick and easy cards, I start with the Notecards. They are pre-cut and scored, so that saves time. Plus they are a smaller size, so you can finish quickly. 
After adding a layer of Floral District DSP, I stamped my greeting in Island Indigo. From the Button Buddies stamp set, I stamped the flower image in Rich Razzleberry ink, punched it out, and attached it with Dimesionals.  **Note: images that coordinate with punches save time.   :}
Using a Circle punch, I made a "leaf" to slip behind the flower. And a simple Button adds the finishing touch. Now all I have to do is write my message and address the envelope (which came with the Notecards, and saves me the time of searching for one!).