a Fun pink Flower... and LAST day for FREE shipping

It occurred to me the other day that it's been a while since I used the Fun Flowers Bigz Die - gasp!! So I had to fix that situation right away. 

I used the Raining Flowers stamp set to stamp with Pretty in Pink ink onto the same color card stock. After tying some grosgrain ribbon onto a strip of Tea for Two DSP, the real fun began.   :}   

Using the Big Shot, I cut two layers of Regal Rose card stock on the Fun Flowers Bigz Die. To make the flowers soft and pretty, I spritzed them with a little water, crumbled them up, and then opened them and arranged the petals to have a slight curve. After the flowers were dry, I sponged some Regal Rose ink around the edges. A 3/4" Lucky Limeade Circle, and a pink button threaded with Lucky Limeade Baker's Twine make a simple flower center. 

*** Don't forget that today is the last day to get FREE SHIPPING from Stampin' Up! - no minimum; no limit!!!!  Shop now for everything you need to make fabulous Spring projects. ***

a pink princess card

I have two boys, so I don't create a whole lot of "girlie-girl" projects. I tend to overdo it with the pink when I'm making something for a little girl... just can't help myself! Today's card is very pink, but I toned it down a little bit by adding a layer of Brushed Silver card stock (dry embossed). 

I made this card for one of my neighbors to send to her niece. My neighbor, Fatima, has a sister who recently gave birth to twins. This has created the usual older-sibling tension for Fatima's niece, Amira. So I suggested that a pretty, girlie card would give Amira (who is affectionately called "princess") a little extra attention and cheer her up. I started with the You Rule stamp set, added lots of Regal Rose and Pretty in Pink, and finished with some bling to create the perfect card for a nice little girl. 

A fancy card needs extra special details. I used the Scallop Trim Border punch to create a delicate edge. Then I used the Scallop Trim Corner punch to create a pretty little ending on my 1/2" wide greeting strip. 

After adding some Rhinestones and Large Rhinestones, I spritzed the whole card liberally with my mixture of Frost White Shimmer Paint in rubbing alcohol. It only shows up a tiny bit in the photo, but trust me, it's super sparkly! I'm sure Amira will love it.   :}  

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I LOVE my dentist!

Yes, you read that title correctly ;} 

I feel so blessed to have found the most wonderful dentist on this planet. And it's not just my dentist who is so amazing... the whole office is! They are some of the sweetest people I've ever met. As I mentioned in a previous post, I had more to say about the kids going to the dentist, so here ya go...

My youngest, Aaron, had no problems at all. It was his first trip to the dentist, so he was a little nervous and silly, but all went well :)
However, Benjamin is going to have quite a bit of dental work coming his way (appliances, braces, etc). Sooooo, to get that ball rolling, Ben had to have those really fun impressions of his teeth taken. Now, my sweet little Ben has the strongest gag reflex of any human. Ever. In fact, his first day of Kindergarten, he gagged on some "lick & stick" paper pieces while working on a craft. I remember the teachers and office staff laughing at how they'd never seen a kid do that before. And don't even think about asking Ben to lick an envelope for you! Anyway, let's just say that the impressions didn't go well. Our dentist was so patient and understanding, and she kept trying to work with Ben. I kept thinking that she probably shouldn't wear such cute shoes to work ;}  Since I'm pretty sure the staff ended up washing two loads of towels that day, I had to put together a funny "thank-you" gift.

After wrapping up the towels with some ribbon, I added a pretty flower (inspired by the notebook on p116 of the catalog). 

And I tucked a cute little 3x3 card under the ribbon: 

I LOVE that I can make coordinating gifts and cards!! 

stamp sets: Daydream Medallions, A Word For You

ink: Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Regal Rose

card stock: Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Regal Rose, Whisper White

punch: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border

Big Shot and Floral Frames Framelits Dies

Accessories: Daffodil Delight button, White Baker's Twine, Basic Rhinestones

You can find these goodies and more in my online store  :}

We were pretty bummed that after all that work, the lab couldn't use any of the "top" impressions. So I took Ben in this morning (at 7am- yowza!) for round 2. 

Dr. Natalie tried a few different techniques, and I am happy to report that she got a good impression on the first try!! Woohoo!!!! Now, on to the next step... :}

Have a wonderful weekend!

Ribbon Wreath

I finally finished a project on my "really-really want-to-make" list!!! For those of you who have a 2010-2011 SU catalog handy, my inspiration comes from the ribbon wreath on p190. It's not like it takes a long time to make a ribbon wreath - I finished in a few hours. I probably would have finished sooner if I didn't take breaks to draw outside with chalk, lose a lightsaber battle, and have a snack in the shade... but those are some of the best parts of working from home  :}  It's just one of those projects that kept getting pushed to the side, but I had time today since I didn't want to get a ton of supplies out while the drywall was being sanded. For this project, all you need is a hoop, ribbon, and Craft & Paper Scissors. I have two of these high quality scissors - one for paper, and one for fabric and ribbon.

Isn't it pretty??? Since I have several miles spools of ribbon in my craft room, this is the perfect project for me! All of these ribbons are from Stampin' Up! ... some are current, some are old, some are really old. I chose a variety of pinks, yellows, oranges, and greens for a bright, summery look.

I started with a hoop (approximately 13" diameter) that I purchased from my local craft store (I think I found it in the same aisle as the mirror pieces). Then I tied all my ribbons on... that's it! So easy!! 

A few tips for you: 
I used approximately 1 to 3 yards of each ribbon.
Push the tied ribbons close together as you're working.
Trim the ends as you go; don't wait to trim them all at the end.
Use a good amount of the wider ribbons first; it's much easier to fill in with skinny ribbons.
Try to use a variety of ribbon textures (satin, twill, grosgrain, scalloped edges) on your wreath for visual interest.
Mixing solid, striped, stitched, and dotted ribbons of varying widths is fun!
If you are using Pleated Satin Ribbon, pull gently when tying.
Ribbons with a heavier stiffness hold up to being cut longer; floppy ribbons should be cut shorter.

I bought more than 1 hoop because I have plans to make more. I will definitely create a Ribbon Wreath for Christmas... what else... oooh! Fall colors would be pretty!!  :}  What colors do you think I should try next?

Regal Rose

The "Creative Combination" colors are Regal Rose, Early Espresso, and Daffodil Delight. I dry embossed the Regal Rose card stock using the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder and the Big Shot. I stamped the image from the Four Frames stamp set in Early Espresso ink, and punched it out with the Decorative Label punch. I also punched a label from Early Espresso card stock, cut in in half lengthwise, and layered it behind the top and bottom of the punched image.The sentiment is stamped in Regal Rose ink from the Fabulous Phrases stamp set. If tying ribbon is a challenge for you, try the 5/8" satin ribbon - it's very easy to work with :)


The "Sweet Set" colors are Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise, and Sahara Sand. The focal point on this card uses the technique called two-step stampin'. Awash with Flowers is a great stamp set to use if you would like to try 'doing the two-step' at home ;) I used Sahara Sand for both the solid and outline images that create the leaf - I just stamped off onto scratch paper before stamping the solid image. The Tempting Turquoise strip of card stock is punched using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, and tucked behind Sahara Sand card stock which is dry embossed with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder and the Big Shot. The turquoise rhinestone brad is the largest size from the Circle Ice assortment (109111 $10.95).

Dynamic... Trio???

Today's card from the Color Coach is Regal Rose. Sadly, I didn't really get to spend time in my stamp room today :( Just too many things to get done... not enough hours in the day.
Anywho, when I was playing around with the "Dynamic Duo" colors - Regal Rose and Rose Red - I wanted to make an anniversary card. It was looking... ok... but, I needed to soften it a little. So I ended up with a layer of Pink Pirouette on my card. So, I guess I made up a beautiful 'Dynamic Trio' :)
The layer of Pink Pirouette is dry embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder on the Big Shot. I then lightly sponged over the raised images with Rose Red ink.
After cutting the Rose Red card stock on the Big Shot with the Fun Flowers Bigz L die, I spritzed the flower layers with water, then crumpled and distressed them. When they were dry, I sponged the edges with Rose Red ink. The layers are held together with a Filigree Designer Brad.
I stamped an image from the Four Frames stamp set onto Regal Rose card stock and punched it out with the coordinating Decorative Label punch. The 'forever' sentiment is from the Fabulous Phrases stamp set.
A piece of gathered Rose Red Seam Binding pulls the card together. Then, to make it super fabulous, I spritzed the card with my mixture of rubbing alcohol and Frost White Shimmer Paint. Love it! :)