A Simple Thanks

This card is really a simple one (much more my style than my previous post, which you can see here)......and one I made recently for a thank you card. (Yes, I really did send it!) I'm loving the Poppy Parade and Old Olive color combination. Paired with a bit of black it really pops. AND this one uses my very favorite stamp set, Friends 24-7.

Although I adore this stamp set, I actually have rarely used this particular stamp. My favorite stamp in the set is the flourish...that's one I use most often!! Anyway, the image was stamped in StazOn Jet Black, then colored in with markers and a Blender Pen. This was stamped and colored on Whisper White CS. I really tried to be careful, but to get the intensity of color, the paper kind of pulled and roughed up. So, to counter-act this, I then colored over the entire image with the Versamarker and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder.....but, I know that you cannot see that. It really kind of makes this card more special.

As you can see, there are a few layers to really set off the embossed floral image and raised on Dimensionals. This is all set against the Poppy Parade background that was impressed with the wonderful new (it's in the Occasions Mini) Framed Tulips EF.

Stamps: Friends 24-7, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Inks: StazOn Jet Black
CS: Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Old Olive
Markers: Poppy Parade, Old Olive
Misc: Blender Pen, Versamarker, Wide Basic Black Grosgrain, White Button from the Neutrals Designer Pack, Linen Thread, Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Big Shot, Framed Tulips EF

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Spring is Coming.....Really!

This began as my submission to MaryJo's Techno Lunchtime Sketch Challenge for last week. Well, I'm too late for that Challenge, but it turns out that I really didn't follow the sketch. You see, the stamped floral image portion turned out too large for the layout. MJ's sketch was actually a square card....but, I find them difficult to store and they cost more to send, so I generally stay away from making them. Since I didn't use the square size for this, it really didn't layout as I had hoped, and I came up with this instead.

I'm actually not sure how I feel about this card....it's a bit busier than my usual style, but it is kind of Spring-y. Since it snowed AGAIN today and I'm really looking forward to Spring, maybe this will bring it on a little sooner!

Truthfully, I always seem to have trouble building a "garden" look, so the stamped portion was inspired by a card I saw somewhere by Carol Taggert, although it is somewhat different. As you can see, the set used is Awash with Flowers, a 2-step set. I believe Carol stamped the outline images and watercolored them in....her card is truly beautiful. Since I used stamps for the inside image, the panel seemed a bit stark when done. So, to soften it a bit and blend the greens at the base, I sponged around the edges and brought the color in a bit around the flowers. I paired Wild Wasabi and Pear Pizzaz together, and I'm really happy with that combo....I'm definitely going to use that together again.

Oh, and not sure if you can tell, but the stamped insides of the flowers features the Rock 'n Roll technique. If you click on the photo of the card, it will open larger and you can see more detail....and you may notice that the flowers are 2-toned.

Stamps: Awash with Flowers

Inks: Basic Gray, Pear Pizzaz, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Peach Parfait, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red

CS: Whisper White, Pear Pizzaz, So Saffron, Paper Pack DSP*

Misc: Pretty in Pink Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Neutral Button from Designer Button Pack, Framed Tulips EF, Big Shot, Martha Stewart Punch, Mini Glue Dots

Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting today!

Bakery Window

My birthday was early this month....but since I was not feeling well for much of the last few weeks, I'm kind of calling it my un-birthday. Unfortunately, the calendar still shows I'm another year older...oh, well!

Well, I happen to share the same birth date with my good friend, June, a sister demo. So, of course, she gave me a really great WOW card to commemorate my un-birthday! It's such a fabulous card, that I just had to share with you!! Check out all the detail.....don't you just love that awning? It was created by adding punch outs created with the Word Window Punch and creasing the CS. It showcases a now-retired stamp set, The More the Merrier, a Hostess set from last year's catalog.

As you can see, the bottom portion was impressed with my still-favorite embossing folder, Square Lattice. The greeting is from Occasional Quotes, a hostess offering from the current catalog. So....how cute is this card?!!

Stamps: The More the Merrier, Occasional Quotes
Inks: Basic Black (cupcakes), Early Espresso
CS: Pretty in Pink,Shimmery White
Misc: Word Window Punch, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Square Lattic EF, Big Shot, Pretty in Pink Marker

Thanks so much for stopping by today...hope you enjoyed your stay!

Beautiful Butterflies

Isn't this gorgeous? OK....I know I'm bragging! But, when I was finished making this card, I was just amazed at how simple, but elegant it was when completed.

The background of this card is simply a base of folded Crumb Cake cardstock...no embossing, it's just plain and simple! The scallop square was created with the larger of the 2 scallop squares in the Scallop Square Duo Die (still available!) and then a stamped layer of Very Vanilla is over top. The stamp used is Fine Flourishes.....a lovely smaller, background stamp. The double winged butterfly was made using both the Beautiful Butterflies Die (Crumb Cake layer) and the Beautiful Wings Embosslit (Baja Breeze layer). Before mounting the smaller butterfly layer, I gently folded in half, so that it would have more dimension....and the raised portion was also gently sponged with Very Vanilla Craft Ink, which makes those little raised curly Qs POP! After mounting, some Basic Pearls (LOVE those!!) were added in, and the butterfly really came together.

I'm also in love with all the new seam binding that SU is carrying....on this card, I wrapped the front of the card in Crumb Cake Seam Binding. The bow has one of the cute little buttons from the Neutrals Designer Pack, a smaller bow created with Linen Thread and topped with a small Basic Pearl. I guess this card is a perfect example of "less is more!"

Stamps: Afterthoughts (Hostess Level 1), Fine Flourishes
Inks: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla Craft Ink
CS: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla
Misc: Big Shot, Scallop Square Duo, Beautiful Butterflies, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Basic Pearls, Crumb Cake Seam Binding, Neutrals Designer Button, Linen Thread, Mini Glue Dot (to hold bow on)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Bloggers' Challenge -- Embossing

That cold I managed to get, paired with a sinus infection had me down and out....if you have been "lucky" enough to have had that cold yourself, you know just how awful it can be! I'm sorry I've been away for awhile, but I just didn't have the energy to come up with a creative idea...or get to my stamp studio...or even post anything! Fortunately, I'm feeling soooo much better....but it took 3 weeks! So, I'm a bit behind......YIKES!

I have to confess that I didn't make this one for the challenge, but it is something I made not too long ago. I made a gift pack of these up for a wonderful friend who loves piggies. Do you recognize that cute little piglet? It's from a SAB set from a few years ago....sorry, it's no longer available. Neither is the background paper, it is from last year's Sweet Pea Paper Pack, but if you are like me, you still have tons left, right?!!

So, this card fits our embossing challenge this week. The background was double embossed with folders....first with the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder and then with the wonderful Framed Tulips EF. By passing the cardstock through the Big Shot a second time, the dots flatten a bit, but it's still a lovely effect, don't you think? (This idea is from the talented and creative, Robin Merriman...she's just so clever!....and the layout was inspired by Tara Bazata's last GoDiva Swap. These ladies always have the BEST ideas!!)

The little pig was colored in using my non-SU Copic Sketch Markers...but almost everything else is from SU, even if a few things have retired. Fun card, isn't it? Joanne, the friend who received a gift set of these, loved them!

Stamps: Very Punny* (2007 SAB set), Fabulous Phrases

Inks: Pitch Black Alcohol Ink (non-SU)

CS: Piourette Pink, Basic Black, Whisper White

Misc: Sweet Pea DSP*, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Dimensional, 1/8" Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Framed Tulips EF, Big Shot

*Retired

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Be sure to check out what the others have been up to...see below.

Blogger's Challenge AND Techno Lunchtime Challenge

Whew! I'm here....very under the weather, but I'm here! So sorry I've been missing....I would rather have been here than in bed...which is basically where I've been since a week ago Friday. YUK! That awful winter cold that's been floating around here got me....thanks to my daughter. (We do teach them to share, right?!!) And I also have a sinus infection. OMG....never had one of those before and really, really hope I never get one again. (My face feels like it wants to fall off.) Anyway, that's where I've been....I'm now on antibiotics, so hopefully, I'm on the mend. I do feel ever so slightly better.....I hope you'll forgive me for not posting. (I did get a few things done....like laundry and dinner and food shopping.....but, I'd get something done and crawl right back into bed.) The really good news is that I have lost all those Christmas pounds!!

So...you are here for a card. I created this today, but honestly, it took me ALL day to come up with this! I was following MaryJo's sketch from last Monday and realized that it also fits the Bloggers' Challenge from Friday, which was a color challenge: Red, White & Black. Two birds with one stone! HA! My card here was inspired by this card. Julie's was a much more simple version, but I just loved it. Everything used on my sample is SU (almost), however, there are a couple of items that have retired, like the DSP is from a retired Hostess Paper Pack; and the felt flower is non-SU from my stash.

About the card....can you tell that the bird cage was cut out and raised? It's on a Dimensional. And there's a tiny little rhinestone at the very top. "True Friend" is part of one of the images from the Sale-a-Bration set, Punch Pals.....it was punched out using the now-retired 1/2" Round Punch.

Stamps: Aviary, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Punch Bunch
Inks: Basic Black, Real Red
CS: Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red
Misc: 1/2" Round Punch*, Scallop Border Punch, Basic Rhinestone, Dimensional, DSP/Hostess Paper Pack*, Felt Flower (non-SU), Perfect Polka Dots EF, Big Shot, Mini Glue Dots

*Retired
Thanks so much for hanging in there with me...and thanks for stopping by today. See you again soon! Oh, and don't forget to check out the others who participated in either of these Challenges....in fact, if you'd like to play along, please feel free. Just don't forget to link back to the Blogger's Challenge and MaryJo's Lunchtime Challenge.

Hearts for a Friend

We've got more snow....again! It snowed all day yesterday and all night long as well. (Seems to be a weekly event in this area of the country lately!) Since I was house bound yesterday, I was able to get a lot done in my stamp studio. No, not stamping, unfortunately.....remember this post where I told you that the ceiling in my studio needed to be taken down? Well, turns out it wasn't too bad and the clean up has begun....it won't be long until I'm back in there stamping my little heart out. In fact, my hope is to finish up today. My, some of the things I have found! A number of things have gotten dumped....and I found so many things that I had forgotten that I had.

In the meantime, I wanted to share this sample with you. This was also made awhile back and given away. Check out the Inlaid Embossed hearts in the upper portion of the card. See? Hearts don't need to be for just Valentine's Day!! Fun! Just a touch of stamping....the greeting and the main heart. Looking at this card again, I wish I had added in a little rhinestone to dot the "I" in Friend. But, I didn't think of that when this was made....it would make a cute little addition, though...maybe next time! Oh, and this heart was set up on Dimensionals. And then there's the "ribbon" created with that all, important Dotted Ribbon Scallop Border Punch.

Stamps: I (Heart) Hearts, Occasional Quotes
Inks: Rose Red
CS: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Regal Rose
Misc: Small Heart Punch, Large Heart Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Dimensionals, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot

Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Stamping Bliss

So, tomorrow is the big day! Are you ready? You DO remember what tomorrow is, right?!! The beginning of Sale a Bration....it's a blissful day!! WooHoo! To prepare you, I'm sharing this card that I recently made for a swap....theme: Sale a Bration, of course!

Although this card looks simple and easy (and it is), there are a few tricks to share......
That lovely flourish is a beauty, isn't it? It's from Bliss, one of this year's Sale a Bration offerings that you can earn for FREE! It was inked first in Baja Breeze ink and then just touched lightly around all the outside edges with the matching marker. That gives it a subtle shaded effect, which is what I wanted so that the words showed up well.

Can you see the tiny, little seed pearls just above and below the greeting? I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, the Basic Pearls!!!! There are a variety of sizes included in each package and each and every one of them has a sticky back. So, no, your eyes are NOT deceiving you....the pearls are different sizes.

And the outer edges of the Natural Ivory cardstock have all been sponged with Crumb Cake to give it an aged look. And last, but not least, is the ribbon finish.....it's really Early Espresso (as is the cardstock background and stamped greeting), but on my screen it looks black. The Early Espresso is just a bit softer and I'm loving it with the Baja Breeze....it's a terrific color combo!

As for the button, well, it's actually a paper button created with the Buttons #5 Sizzlet...cute, huh?!! I used a paper button because this was a swap card and I didn't have enough of any one button in my collection to use instead. So, the paper button worked!

Stamps: Thank You Kindly, Bliss
Inks: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, Early Espresso
CS: Early Espresso, Baja Breeze, Natural Ivory
Misc: Baja Breeze Marker, Basic Pearls, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Linen Thread, 1 1/4" Stripped Grosgrain in Early Espresso, Buttons #5 Sizzlet, Big Shot

So glad you were able to stop by today and visit....thanks so much for coming by!

PLEASE NOTE: During Sale a Bration, you can earn a FREE set from the Sale a Bration catalog for every $50 (in merchandise) you spend! So, don't miss out....be sure to contact me soon for more info or to earn your free sets!

Oh, No! Under Constuction

No, this blog is not under construction....my home is! So, I don't have access right now to my stamp studio.....

You see, we're in the middle of a dining room re-do. No big deal, right? Well, we found that the outer wall was never insulated....so all the plaster and lathe came down. (We're in an older home and somehow these "little" jobs are never little....they always seem to grow!!) Then we found that one of the heating ducts was disconnected, which explains why my bedroom is always so cold in the winter and warm in the summer! So, that means, the ceiling in my stamp studio must come down to access the duct work and make the needed repairs.

So, right now, half my stamp studio is packed up in boxes and sitting in my family room....the other half is draped with plastic to keep the sheet rock dust out! YUK! BUT, in many ways, this is a very, very good thing! Of course, my heating and electric bills should go down....that's definitely a good thing! (Maybe I'll have more $$$s for stamps and supplies?) AND, as I unpack and put everything away after the work is complete, I'll definitely see what I've got and will come up with some new projects and purge some of those many unnecessary items!

Hopefully, I'll be back to normal in about a week and a half or two, so I won't be able to participate in the Challenges for a bit. But, before I packed up, I made a few things that I can share, so please come back and visit!

Bloggers' Challenge -- Designer Series Paper

This week, Lisa challenged us to work with Designer Series Paper in a creative way....kind of like DSP with a twist! Well, it just so happens that I had not had a chance to share this with you before and it works perfectly for today's Challange!

Back in November, I needed a small gift package and this is what I came up with....it really was simple and quick to make! Can you tell what this was originally? It's a simple, every-day brown paper lunch bag....something most of us have around in our cabinets. For this package, I cut the bag down to 6" (keep it folded) and then added DSP to the front and back, covering completely. (The pleated sides are still exposed, but that's OK!) The stamped portion was created using just markers to get all the different colors for the flower (it's one stamp). However, the greeting was stamped in ink, using Fabulous Phrases....so the Stamp a ma jig was definitely in order so that the words lined up exactly. The word stamps in this set are all individual, giving you the versatility of making your own phrases and greetings.....definitely a great idea and bargain!

For the topper, I'm sorry, but I cannot remember the dimensions....but I can tell you that it's as wide as the bag. I believe there's about a 1" flap on the back of the bag, which was adhered really well using Sticky Strip. The fold over for the front was not a special measurement....it was just something that I thought was eye pleasing. Can you see the edge was punched with the Pinking Hearts Punch and then just a tiny little strip of Daffodil Delight CS was added over top. Oh, and the last thing was the Certainly Celery Wide Grosgrain added (which matches the Pear Pizzazz color of the DSP!) around the bottom of the stamped image and then for the handle. What a fun way to package up a gift!

Stamps: Friends Never Fade, Fabulous Phrases
Inks: Early Espresso
CS: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight
Markers: Pear Pizzazz, Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso
Misc: Pinking Hearts Punch, Crop-a-dile (for handle), Sticky Strip, Certainly Celery Wide Grosgrain

Thanks so much for stopping by today!