birthday fun

Good morning! The project I'm sharing today is my brother's birthday card - Happy Birthday to my little brother! The card is in the mail, but it will be late- shocker ;)

I chose the colors - Poppy Parade, Basic Gray, and So Saffron - from this color challenge. I finally got a chance to put some ink to the You're My Type stamp set... yay! Since this is a "guy" card, I kept the layers pretty simple, using some First Edition and Twitterpated DSP.

I distressed the edges of the Very Vanilla card stock pieces for some no-fuss details. I also sponged some So Saffron ink on the edges of the sentiment banner. For a simple embellishment, I punched two Poppy Parade pieces (using the scallop shaped punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack) and added a So Saffron brad to the center.

Well, I'm off to squeeze in a bit of exercise before my little one gets home... no pain - no gain, right???  Have a fabulous day  :}

Framelit Fun

Happy 1st day of March!! Even though we've had such a mild winter, I totally have Spring Fever... well, more like Summer Fever because Spring in Wisconsin isn't going to be much different than a mild Winter (sigh). So today I'm sharing a bright, pretty card perfect for Spring:

This is another card from my class on Tuesday  :}  The colors are Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, and Pear Pizzazz. After stamping the large label image in Basic Gray ink, I used a Blender Pen to watercolor the flowers and leaves.

Before adhering the focal point with Dimensionals, I used my magic potion of Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint mixed with rubbing alcohol in a travel-sized spritz bottle to add some shimmer to the background layer. The golden sparklies look so pretty on the Everyday Enchantment DSP!

Well, thanks for dropping in today... let's all think warm thoughts and try to convince Spring to come early  :}

fun colors

Good morning! I hope you all had a nice weekend. Ours was busy, as usual. The highlight was last night's Blue & Gold Dinner for Ben's Cub Scout pack. Good food, funny skits, and great family time   :} 
Today's project is a nice, simple card we made at my last Team Meeting. I love it because it's super easy, and you can make it in minutes, without leaving a mess in your craft room. 

The Peach Parfait card base has a top-fold. I scored the Whisper White layer at 1/4" and 1/2". The heart image from the Sprinkled Expressions stamp set is stamped in (from the bottom) Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral, and Peach Parfait. I used the same color markers to ink the sentiment stamp. For a simple embellishment, I added a brad from the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack. Then I attached the Whisper White layer using Dimensionals.
That's it! Super easy!! And what makes it even more awesome is that the stamp set and brad were free! Yeppers, they are Sale-A-Bration choices  :}  You can earn these items free for yourself by placing an order online or by calling/emailing me with your order.

Happy stamping! Enjoy the rest of your day  :}

a green anniversary

I'm posting a bit late today... such a busy one for me! I chaperoned Aaron's field trip this morning to a loud, but fun, place. The kids got to have hands on experiences in different rooms. Each room had different themes and activities, with a large indoor play area in the center. They were moving SO much, I hardly took any photos. This is my favorite, from the room filled with dress-up clothes:

The kids took turns going up on the stage and acting for us... what a bunch of "hams"! This skit is titled "Pirates in Green Bay."  ;)

On to "greener" things...
As promised, here's a mega-layered card, which I made for Aaron's bus driver:

 Her wedding anniversary is also on St. Patrick's Day, and she wanted a special card. She LOVED the cards I made for her! (click here to see the card for her sister's birthday)
 There are so many layers and details on this card... I'll just list a few:
* Poppy Parade DSP from Everyday Enchantment, a Sale-A-Bration choice
* grassy background and stem stamps from the Inspired By Nature stamp set
* the Basic Black card stock has one edge distressed, one edge border punched, and dry embossing

* the lucky four-leaf clover is made from a heart stamp in the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set
* I used the Boho Blossoms punch and a Large Pearl for the center
* I printed my sentiment onto Very Vanilla card stock before punching it out with the Large Oval punch

Even the inside of the card got the royal treatment. I used a Wild Wasbi marker to ink the sentiment from the A Word For You stamp set. Then I distressed the edges of the Very Vanilla card stock before adhering it inside. For a final loving touch, I stamped the smallest heart image from the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set in Poppy Parade ink, punched it out with the Small Heart punch, and attached it with a mini Glue Dot.



After such a busy day, it would be nice to kick back and relax tomorrow... HA! Not going to happen - the kids are off from school, so it will be a noisy family day  :}  Thanks for dropping by tonight - I hope I get to sneak in a few minutes tomorrow to stamp something...

Gorgeous greens

Have you ever made a card with too many layers??? Yeah, me neither... HA!! I just can't help myself when there are so many yummy things to play with. Today's card is no exception:

Aaron's bus driver (one of the sweetest ladies you'll ever meet) asked me to make her a few cards, for events that happen to fall on St. Patrick's Day. This card is for her sister's birthday, so I used color to tie the two celebrations together.

I'm going to take you on a little side trip here, and talk about color for a minute. Yesterday, I mentioned using the Color Coach to help me when I'm stamping, and I wanted to share some design tips related to that.

The Color Coach is held together with a post that screws together. After I got mine, I took it apart and rearranged the cards in "rainbow" order. This makes it easier for me to use my limited "color theory" knowledge. For example, if I want to make a project using the classic Primary color combination, I can easily select the tint or shade of red, yellow, and blue that best fits the style or theme of my project.

Knowing that I wanted to start with green, my project began by selecting three "neighbor" cards in my Color Coach. If I had stopped there, I would have a mono-chromatic color scheme.
But I wanted an extra "zing" since this was for a birthday, so I added a few pops of green's complimentary color - red. (Complimentary colors are directly opposite each other on the color wheel.)



So there's some basic color theory info for you. I love how choosing just the right tint, tone, or shade of a color can add just the right "feeling" to a project  :}

Using the Create a Cupcake stamp set, I stamped the wrapper image in Pear Pizzazz, the frosting image in Certainly Celery, and the sprinkles image in Lucky Limeade. I used the Cupcake Builder punch to punch out those images. I adhered the cupcakes to a layer of Certainly Celery card stock, that has been dry embossed using the Perfect Details Texturz Plate and the Big Shot.
There are a ton of other details, so I'll just note a few... The birthday sentiment is stamped in Lucky Limeade ink onto the same color card stock. I stamped a subtle background onto the 4-1/8"x5-3/8" layer of Pear Pizzazz card stock using Pear Pizzazz ink and a stamp from the Creative Elements stamp set.

Special cards have to be pretty on the inside, too! Plus, it's a good idea to add a light-color layer when your card base (Poppy Parade) is pretty dark. Distressing and sponging the edges of the Very Vanilla card stock adds nice detail. And I just love this sentiment stamp: "It's not about how many candles you blow out but how many cupcakes you get!" Perfect  :}

It's also pretty perfect that the theme for SUO Challenge 39 is "a birthday card." Nothing says "birthday" more than cute cupcakes!
And if you think this card has lots of layers, just you wait! The card I'm posting on Thursday is really over the top!! Thanks for dropping in today  :}

another sketch challenge

I am having so much fun with these blog challenges! It really does a good job stretching my creativity. And while using the uber-pretty Everyday Enchantment DSP goes a long way to make such a lovely card, I think this sketch is pretty awesome, too. 

There's not a lot of stamping on this card... guess I'll have to stamp some pretties on the envelope  :}

I stamped the background image from Elementary Elegance in Poppy Parade ink onto the DSP. The sentiment from Fabulous Phrases is stamped in Poppy Parade ink onto Calypso Coral card stock, then punched out with the Curly Label punch.

Adhered to each piece of card stock (punched using the Postage Stamp punch) is a tiny medallion. I scored 1/2" x 6" strips every 1/4" using the Simply Scored Scoring Tool to create the cute little medallions. I also added a brad to the center of each before I adhered them with a liberal amount of adhesive.

Here's a close-up of all the details-

If you like this sketch, you can find more great sketches to try on the Stamping 411 blog. There are some good basics there for stampers at all levels of experience  :}

Well, thanks for stopping by today - have a wonderful Thursday!!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!! I hope everyone's had a "lovely" day so far  :}  My project for today is a little treat I made for my hubby. 

The Poppy Parade DSP (Sale-A-Bration: Everyday Enchantment) was cut on the Big Shot using the Pillow Box Bigz Die. Using Soft Suede ink, I stamped the border image (Sale-A-Bration: Fresh Vintage) onto a strip of Very Vanilla DSP (Neutrals Collection Paper Stack). Before adhering the DSP strip to the front of the Pillow Box, I adhered to the top edge a small strip of Pool Party textured card stock, which has been distressed and sponged with Soft Suede ink.
After I tucked some yummy chocolate inside, I tied Pool Party Seam Binding around the box. Since it's for Valentines Day, I made a heart-shaped tag. The bottom layer of the tag is Very Vanilla DSP die-cut using the Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit. To create the next layer, I stamped the floral image in Soft Suede ink onto Poppy Parade card stock, and punched it out using the Full Heart punch. The tiny little Pool Party heart was die-cut using the Fashionable Hearts Embosslit, and adhered to the tag with a Glue Dot. I tied the tag onto the Seam Binding using the Pool Party colored thread, which I separated from the Pool Party Baker's Twine.
The color inspiration (Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla) for my hubby's little Valentine treat came from the color challenge on The Paper Players blog. I'm sure my hubby will like the chocolate inside more than the packaging, but I had fun making this little treat.  May the rest of your day be as "lovely" as mine!  Mmmmmwaaah!  ;)

Mojo Monday sketch challenge

I really liked the awesome sketch on the Mojo Monday blog this week! It's a great layout, that you can add as little or as much as you want to. I used my Sale-A-Bration goodies to play along:

Ink: Soft Suede          Designer Series Paper: Everyday Enchantment

Card Stock: Poppy Parade, Soft Suede, Calypso Coral, Very Vanilla, Lucky Limeade

Accessories: Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack

Tools: Curly Label punch, Stamping Sponge, Paper Piercing Tool

Did you know you can curl up the ends of the organdy ribbon? Just run your Snips (closed) along the length like curling ribbon. Here's a closer look:

Isn't that a fun look??? It's pretty easy to tell what my favorite Sale-A-Bration goodies are... do you have a favorite yet?

on a roll...

Good morning! I guess I'm on a roll with these blog challenges  :}  It's fun, and it "wakes up" my creativity for the day. For today's project, I'm using the Sketch Challenge CCMC186 from the "Create with Connie and Mary" blog. I already knew I wanted to play some more with my Sale-A-Bration goodies, and this card sketch was perfect.

Lots of SAB goodies got to play today... the Fresh Vintage & the Elementary Elegance stamp sets, Everyday Enchantment DSP, and Lucky Limeade 1/8" Organdy Ribbon.
I wanted to do something a little different for my focal point, so I used a chipboard butterfly from the Merry Medley package of On Board Chipboard. When I cover chipboard with paper, I like to use the Anywhere Gluestick. I feel like it's the easiest way to get good "coverage." I also like to use the sanding block and skinny little files from the Distressing Essentials Kit to smooth the edges.

I wanted just a little texture for the bottom section of DSP. So after I stamped the greeting in Poppy Parade ink, I dry embossed the DSP using the Houndstooth Embossing Folder and my Big Shot.

Then I turned the embossed piece of DSP over to the back and gently smoothed it out with a Bone Folder, so I could have just the right amount of texture.

I hope you find a few moments today to let your creativity flow... it always brightens my day when I get a chance to make something pretty!  :}

another blog challenge - MOJO225

I'm having a little fun trying out different blog challenges  :)  Today I made a card using the Mojo Monday 225 sketch:

 For the block sections, I used the  gorgeous Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper. I LOVE the colors in this paper: Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Peach Parfait, Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade, Very Vanilla, and Soft Suede. I stamped the "postage stamp" image from the coordinating Fresh Vintage stamp set, in Calypso Coral and punched it out with the Postage Stamp punch. Then I sponged a little Soft Suede ink around the edges. A bit of Calypso Coral 1/8" Organdy Ribbon adds a nice, feminine touch.

Have you found a favorite Sale-A-Bration item yet (or two, or three, or...)?? There are lots of ways to get some freebies for yourself! Head on over to my Stampin' Up! website to learn more...

Sale-a- Brate good times, come on!

GOOD MORNING! The wait is finally over... Sale-A-Bration 2012 begins today!! Woohoo!!!  :)
Like the new blog design???!  Of course you do - you love all of my designs  ;)  I used My Digital Studio and the FREE One Big Sale-A-Bration CD to create the new look (inspired by the notebook on p5 of the SAB catalog) for my blog. *LOVE*
One of my favorite features about using MDS is that it's so easy to create multiple projects, with just a little tweaking, without starting each one from scratch. For example, I loved my blog design so much, I decided to make it into a birthday postcard. How??? Easy!
After creating my blog header, I selected all of the "elements" (minus the blog name) and grouped them together. Then I just did a copy and paste onto the bottom of the "page" I was working on. All of the "pages" are then saved as a jpeg file on the computer. Sooooo... I opened a new project - a postcard - and added my picture like any other photo.

Ta dah! After positioning my "photo" where I wanted it, I added the butterfly and birthday greeting "stamps" in the corner. For the backside of the postcard, I used the same patterned DSP, at a low opacity, so it would be coordinated and pretty  :)
Stay tuned throughout the coming weeks for more projects - both digital and traditional - using wonderful new pretties from Sale-A-Bration.
Want some freebies for yourself??? You can choose one FREE Sale-A-Bration product for every $50 you spend (not including tax and shipping). Want more freebies? Host a workshop during Sale-A-Bration to earn more FREE goodies. Contact me today to schedule a playdate with your family and friends.

click here to start shopping

family time

Apologies for the long break in posts... I took a little break to spend some more family time. For those of you who don't know, my husband (a synthetic - organic chemist) was laid off at the end of January. While he continues to keep a positive attitude and diligently search for a new position, it has been challenging emotionally. We needed some "fresh air," so we took a short trip to visit family. I even got to spend a whole day with my niece, Olive, who is almost 4 months old. I just love her to pieces! I'll have a digital scrapbook page to share with you later, but in the meantime, here's today's card:

This card features the "striped wipe" technique. It's super easy! On the 4"x5-1/4" layer of Glossy card stock, I made the striped background using a baby wipe and 4 colors of Classic Ink Refill (Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Blushing Bride, and Poppy Parade). All you have to do is fold up a baby wipe and add a few drops of ink on the front of one of the folded edges. Then just drag the wipe along the Glossy card stock.
The focal point uses the Hello Blossoms stamp on page 7 of the Summer Mini. I used markers to "ink" the stamp (Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade, Blushing Bride, Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight, and Always Artichoke). A bit of 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon in Old Olive adds a nice finishing touch.
Have fun experimenting with different color combinations on your next background!

Workshop Card

I'm so excited for this afternoon's workshop - I get to stamp with some friends that I haven't stamped with in a long time :)
Here's 1 of the projects guests will make today. My 4-1/4" square card was inspired by the card on page 202 in the new Idea Book & Catalog. I LOVE that there are HUNDREDS of project samples right at my finger tips!

card stock: Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze textured, Early Espresso textured, Poppy Parade textured, Early Espresso, and Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Just Add Cake

Markers: Poppy Parade, Wild Wasabi, Baja Breeze, and Early Espresso

punch: 1-1/4" Circle

Poppy Parade

Poppy Parade is an "In Color" that will be available until June 2012. When SU! launched the color renovation this July, it was announced that starting this year, "In Color" collections will be available for two years. In July 2011, we will be introduced to 5 more "In Color" choices, that will have their own 2-year term.


When you are playing with color choices in your own stamping room, try to image the color wheel (or find one on the internet or at your local craft store in the painting section). Sometimes I use the Color Coach and a color wheel together to choose pleasing combinations. For example, a classic color combination that always works is a triad using the primary colors: red, yellow, and blue. This Easter card - if you think of the colors on a very basic level - uses that primary triad combination. Of course (on a more sophisticated level) the "red" on this card is a red-orange with red added, the "yellow" on this card is a tint, and the "blue" on this card is a tint of blue-green. Sometimes thinking of all the hues available (and their tints, tones, and shades) can be overwhelming, but if you think of them in basic terms, you might find that choosing great colors to work with isn't so hard after all. Thank goodness Stampin' Up! has taken a lot of the guesswork out of choosing colors by creating the Color Coach. My point in all this rambling??? I just wanted you to know there is a "science" behind the combinations on the back of each card in your Color Coach.
We made this cute card in my Spring/ Easter card class (in March) using the "Creative Combination" colors: Poppy Parade, Baja Breeze, and So Saffron. The image and text are from A Good Egg stamp set.


I really enjoyed making this card. It is different from my usual style, and it felt good to 'step out of the box.' I used the "Sweet set" colors: Poppy Parade, Sahara Sand, and Not Quite Navy. I don't think I would have chosen this combo without the Color Coach suggesting it. I'm glad I tried it :) This layout comes from the March issue of Stampin' Success - a magazine for demonstrators from Stampin' Up!. Each month, there is a card template (or two) featured. At my team meetings, we all bring a 'show & tell' using the template as a guide. This was one of my 'show & tell' items from my April team meeting. I used the Oval All, Perfect Punches, and Tiny Tags stamp sets, along with the 1-3/4"x7/8" Oval, Scallop Oval, and Jewelry Tag punches.


I saved the best for last ;)
Yesterday, I was quite stressed about using the "Dynamic Duo" colors: Poppy Parade and Tangerine Tango. While I appreciate orange hues, they are more difficult for me to be creative with, and this is my third post using Tangerine Tango as 1 of the "Dynamic Duo" colors. So.... I walked away. I started working on my card again this morning, and went a whole new direction. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how this card turned out!!!! I will absolutely be using this card in an upcoming class... or two ;) The Build a Blossom stamp set is perfect for the two-step stampin' technique. The petals are stamped using only Poppy Parade ink. This card is even prettier in person - it's difficult to capture the beauty of the Shimmery White card stock in a photo. The teeny little sentiment is stamped from the Tiny Tags stamp set and punched out with the Jewelry Tag punch. The Poppy Parade Glimmer Brad in the center of the flower is also more loved when seen in real life :)