A Tisket, a Tasket.....a Little Red & Pink Basket!

LOL....remember that little nursery rhyme? (Ok, so I changed the colors!) Well, the baskets we played with all those years ago, were nothing like this little gem. This cutie was created with my favorite....the Big Shot!

It's another "birthday in a box" for one of the gals at work.....almost done with them, then I need something for next year's birthdays!! Not an original idea....and I'll share the source and instructions, just as soon as I can find them!

Although it does not appear to be easy, it truly was quick and easy...and loads of fun to create! Inside the basket is a cello bag with all the necessities for a little party.....a Hostess cupcake, a birthday candle, mini box of matches, and a balloon! Fun?

Stamps: Oval All, Always (flower Center)

Inks: Riding Hood Red

CS: Pirouette Pink, Riding Hood Red

Misc: Build-a-Brad, Flowers-Daisy Die, Big Shot, Baskets & Blooms Die, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Organdy Leaves (non-SU), Bella Rose DSP, Large Flat Cello Bag, Silver Cord (to tie cello bag; retired)

NOTE: All materials used to make this basket are from SU, except contents and leaves.

To create the large daisy, see this post.

Here's the original tutorial that I found. Gretchen is an amazingly creative stamper.....stop in and see her blog. You are bound to be inspired!!

Stampin'Up! Videos

Just wanted to share.....SU has joined the video age on YouTube! Meet SU co-founder, Shelli Gardner (she's an amazingly awesome lady!), check out the video on Decor Elements, the new stencil line and so much more. Take a little time to visit.....and have fun!

http://www.youtube.com/stampinupvideo

Double Duty.....Lunchtime & Bloggers' Challenges

This past Monday's sketch for MaryJo's Lunchtime Sketch Challenge was a little out of my comfort zone. I always have difficulty working with doubles......using an odd number of anything always seems more balanced and pleasing to me. (I've watched a lot of those designer shows on HGTV!!) But this week's Bloggers' Challenge was a Graduation theme and when I began to work on that idea, MJ's sketch came to mind and the playing began!!

Again, very little stamping.....just the greeting, which has been retired. I like to keep a lot of my word stamp sets even after they are no longer in the catalog....so I have a lot of word sets......you never know when they'll come in handy!! Lots of punching done on this card, which was great fun to make! Oh!....you can see MJ's original sketch...and the other players here.

Stamps: All Year Cheer 1

Inks: White Craft

CS: Whisper White, Brilliant Blue, YoYo Yellow, Real Red

Misc: Large & Small Star Punches, Scallop Square Punch, Photo Corner Punch (for making the "ribbon" ends on the greeting), Circle Scissor Cutter, Brilliant Blue Marker, 1/2" Red Stripped Grosgrain Ribbon, Red Star Brads (from Making Memories), Wavy Border Punch (EK Success), White Embossing Powder

NOTE: ALL materials used to make this card are from SU, except where noted.

As always, I'm so glad you were able to stop by and visit! Hope you'll take a few minutes and visit the other bloggers! (Click on the Bloggers' Challenge logo in the right-hand column.)

Another Late Night Stampers' Challenge -- Celebrate Summer

Memorial Day Weekend is behind us....isn't that the "official" start of summer?!! The kids may not be out of school just yet (not around here, anyway!), and the calendar may not show that summer is here, but Memorial Day has always been the start of the season. BBQs begin, summertime activities, you get the picture! And what says summer more than ice cream cones?!!

I think I saw this idea last year, but before I had a chance to try it, the warm weather was behind us....so, it was time to try out this cute little idea! What do you think? Very little stamping on this one. Fun, fun, fun! I scream....you scream....we ALL scream for ice cream!! LOL!

Stamps: Dots Bkgrd, Fundamental Phrases

Inks: Regal Rose

CS: Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Regal Rose, Barely Banana

Misc: Wide Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Round Scallop Punch, Circle Cutter, Small Dots Texturz Plate, Big Shot, Word Window Punch

Please note that ALL materials used are from SU.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you'll come back soon.

Catching Up!

So.....where have I been you might ask?!! Truthfully, I needed a wee little break, had some computer issues, and then before I could post again, things got crazy and then I was struggling to keep up! Hopefully, you'll forgive my absence when you see all the little goodies I have in store for you with this post!!

First I have the Case Myself Challenge post from the Bloggers' Challenge last week. One of my favorite recent cards was this one made at the end of March. But, this time I turned it around... that meant that the greeting needed to move. As usual, I guess I took a bit of creative license! If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you know that I just adore the Top Note Die! Used the Big Shot, of course...fun and easy!

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, 3 For You (retired)

Inks: White Craft, Always Artichoke

CS: Whisper White, Regal Rose, Always Artichoke

Misc: Trio Flower Punch, Wide Oval Punch, Lots of Tags Sizzlet, Top Note Die, Big Shot, Glitter Pen (by Sakura), Mini Glue Dots, Wide Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, Filigree Designer Brads, Always Artichoke Mini Brad

Next is MaryJo's Lunchtime Challenge from last Monday....sigh!....yes, this one is from last week as well!! Also turned this sketch around, and used my Great Friend set again....oh! I sure hope it makes it into the catalog in July!! You can see MJ's original sketch here. My version features DSP from the Hostess Pack (Level 1) in Brocade Blue and the Kiwi Kiss Stripped Grosgrain Ribbon. Check out the butterfly antenna....they are the stamen from the Pretties Kit. (Thanks for the fabulous idea, Annette!) I really enjoyed watching this card come to life!

Stamps: Great Friend

Inks: Brocade Blue, Bashful Blue

CS: Kiwi Kiss, Whisper WhiteMisc: Large & Small Oval Punches, DSP (Hostess Level 1), White Stamen/Pretties Kit, Kiwi Kiss Button (Button Bouquet), 5/8" Stripped Grosgrain Ribbon in Kiwi Kiss

NOTE: If you use the stamen, be careful....they are fragile and crush easily to dust!.....ask me how I happen to know this!! LOL!

Next one up is this weeks Bloggers' Challenge.....Patriotic is the theme...in honor of Memorial Day, of course! I don't have any patriotic sets, but I do have this fun Jumbo Wheel and star punches. Pair these up with a red-white-blue color scheme and it sure meets the criteria, don't you think?!! This really is a simple layout, one of the basics....just dressed up some!

Stamps: Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel, Fundamental Phrases

Inks: Night of Navy, Real Red

CS: Whisper White, Bordering Blue, Night of Navy, Real Red

Misc: Rub On (White Star on Real Red cut out....Retired), 1/2" Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Real Red Narrow Grosgrain Ribbon, Real Red Button (Retired), White Gel Pen (to create "stitching"), Large & Small Star Punches, Mini Glue Dot, Word Window Punch

And now, the last one for this post....it's a color challenge for the Late Night Stampers group. Ordinarily, I love this combo....Ruby Red, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, & Kraft.....but, I just can't warm up to it at this time of year. It just seems Fallish....or is that just me?!! But, I've succeeded in getting a card done for the Challenge....and although simple, I like how it came out!

Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Thank You Kindly

Inks: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive

CS: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive

Misc: Paper Piercer (from Tool Kit), 1/2" Punch, Old Olive Mini Brads, Old Olive Wide Grosgrain Ribbon

Thank you for stopping by today....and I promise that I'll try to post again soon!

NOTE: ALL cards use SU materials, except where noted.

Blog Hop.....Is Over, but My Ideas are Still Here!

Thanks so much for stopping by during our May Blog Hop! I hope you enjoyed the tour....there were some amazingly fabulous ideas out there! Although the links are now down, my submissions for the Blog Hop post are still below for your viewing pleasure. Watch for the upcoming Blog Hop....featuring the brand new SU Idea Book & Catalog....coming July 26-28!

The feature at this stop is Great Friend, from the Occasions Mini. (Don't forget that all the fabulous sets and accessories in this Mini will be around only until June 30!) Great Friend is my very favorite of this mini...after all, who doesn't love butterflies?!!

Please note that ALL materials used in making the following projects are from Stampin'Up! (The silver cord used has been retired.)

Here's my first sample, which also features (what else?!!), my very favorite toy...um, excuse me, I mean tool! LOL You must know what I mean! It really is a great tool, but is just so fun to use!...and I hardly work without it now. We'll be making a set similar to this in my Big Shot 101 Class on May 22. It uses the scallop envelope die and is filled with 3 pair of 3x3 gift cards and envelopes. Isn't it just so sweet....it would be such a cute little gift, don't you think?

The first photo is everything all together. As you can see the cute little box holds 6 mini envelopes and a pair of each of the 3 designs.


Here's some close ups of each piece of the card set......

Box

Stamps: Great Friend

Inks: Night of Navy
CS: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Night of Navy
Misc: Butterfly Die, Matchbox Die, Scallop Envelope Die, Big Shot, White Satin Ribbon, Urban Garden DSP, Silver Cord*

*Retired....but, I bet you still have some!

Card #1
Stamps: Great Friends
Inks: Night of Navy
CS: Whisper White, Baja Breeze
Misc: Big Shot, Mini Polka Dot Bkgrd Texturz Plate, Matchbox Die, Kiwi Kiss Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Urban Garden DSP

NOTE: The White background/card base was texturized with the mini polka dot Texturz Plate

Card #2
Stamps: Great Friend
Inks: Kiwi Kiss, Night of Navy
CS: Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss
Misc: Large Oval Punch, Urban Garden DSP, Circle Scissor Plus, Designer Button in Baja Breeze, Linen Thread





Card #3
Stamps: Great Friend
Inks: Night of Navy
CS: Whisper White
Misc: Big Shot, Matchbox Die, Eyelete Border Punch, White Taffeta Ribbon, Urban Garden DSP


And this next sample I cannot claim as my own idea, although I did make it....and as pretty as the outside is, you've got to check out the inside! YUP! It's a 3D pop-up birthday cake!! How cool is that?....Made, of course, with the Big Shot. This was created at a recent stamp event held for demonstrators. The butterflies all were inked using the "rock 'n roll" technique.


Card Outside
Stamps: Great Friend, Baroque Motifs
Inks: Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Cameo Coral
CS: So Saffron, Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Misc: Eyelet Border Punch, 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" Round Punches, Walk in the Park DSP



And check out the inside.....the birthday cake pops up when you open the card!




Card Inside
Stamps: Great Friend
Inks: So Saffron, Cameo Coral, Baha Blue
CS: Whisper White, Cameo Coral
Misc: Birthday Cake Pop-Up Die, Big Shot, Walk in the Park DSP, Oval Scallop Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Summer Love Rub Ons ("Smile")

And next.......is my last project for this fabulous set....and this blog stop. Are you loving this set, yet?!!.

This color combo is an old favorite....and it's just as lovely as it always has been! The bottom portion has been texturized and was lightly sanded so that it looks more noticeable....you see?....I really cannot make a project without my Big Shot!!

Stamps: Great Friend
Inks: Perfect Plum, Mellow Moss
CS: Whisper White, Mellow Moss, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum
Misc: Clear Crystal Brads, White Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Border Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Large & Small Oval Punches, Dimensionals, Silver Cord (Retired), Big Shot, Swirl Texturz Plate (Bkgrds 1), Sanding Block

Thanks so much for stopping by!

NEW CLASS AVAILABLE!! Great Friend Birthday Kit!

Please note that registration for this class is now closed.

A Birthday Kit in a box! How fun is that?!!

At a recent SU Demo event, I learned to make this great box.....and now I want to share with you! Just take off the lid to reveal the surprises inside....birthday cards, gift tag cards (and envelopes, of course!), gift tags, and a booklet to help you stay organized so you don't miss any of those important birthdays! There's even a decorated pen included.

So, come on over to my house on Friday, June 5 at 7:30, and we'll have a girls' night! Learn to make this fun little box....it could be the perfect gift for someone special....maybe an end-of-the-year teacher's gift....or, of course, you could keep it for yourself!

Everything you need to make your own box will be included in the class fee....except for the stamp set, which will NOT be included; you'll use mine. Just bring along your favorite adhesive and 12" cutter with the scoring and cutting blades.

Fee: $35.00/person/kit. OR pre-order your very own Great Friend stamp set when you RSVP and your class fee is only $25.00!

Class size is limited....so don't delay, contact me today! RSVP and payment must be received no later than May 18.

Please note: No late reservations will be accepted because class materials must be pre-ordered in time for class. Thank you for your understanding!

More details on my SU website....just click on the link in the right column. AND check out the new Big Shot class offering....on May 22!

Monday's Lunchtime Challenge #68

Did you know that May is National Scrapbook Month? Do YOU know how to preserve your own photos? In certain environments, they deteriorate.....so preserve those precious and irreplaceable photos. They need to be stored properly! Scrapbooking is a fun and beautiful way to keep them safe (as long as you used the right materials)! My family looks at the scrapbooks I have put together far more often than all those pictures sitting in boxes!

There is a saying I saw not too long ago,

"A birth certificate shows you were born. A death certificate shows you died. BUT, a scrapbook shows you lived!" Don't you think that's so true?

Well, I may not scrapbook all that often, but there are many memories and photos I want to safeguard in this very special way...so for today's Challenge, I'm sharing a page with the layout that MaryJo used as our sketch. Now, don't forget unless the photos explain everything about the event, it's important to journal, or write down some memories about that photo(s). How many photos do you have stored away that when you look at them you have no idea what or when the event happened....or maybe who the people are! I know I have tons!! So, for my page, the element I added that is not on the original sketch is that pink rectangle with the journalling.

As soon as I saw this layout, I knew almost immediately what to do with it.....use my son's engagement picture! You see, I've been wanting to add that to a page and make it really special.....and this layout was just right!

A couple of things about this page....

The background is 12x12 textured Basic Gray CS.

The ribbon is the Organza Ribbon featured on Pg #179 in the SU Catalog....dyed with the Pink Pirouette Re-Ink (and a bit of water).

The journaling element was typed on the computer.

Stamps: Barouqe Motif, Fundamental Phrases

Inks: White Craft, Going Gray, Basic Black, Basic Gray

CS: Basic Gray Textured, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Going Gray, Basic Black

Misc: White Organdy Ribbon, Pink Pirouette Re-Ink

NOTE: ALL materials used to create this scrappage are from SU.

So, you don't scrapbook? Why not? After all, each page is like a large card.....but with special memories added!

Thanks for stopping....be sure to click on MaryJo's name. It will take you to her blog and you can see the original sketch and what the other creative bloggers have come up with!

Finally!....My Blog Challenge is Done!

Believe it or not, this card took me days to create!....I started it on Wednesday night! But I just couldn't get it to come together....and honestly, I'm still not sure I'm thrilled with it. You see, I challenged myself to use this week's sketch, which for me wasn't all that easy (stepping out of my comfort zone here!), and use a set I haven't used in a while. To be honest, I purchased this stamp set, Always, because I thought it would make awesome wedding invitations. But, have I used it for making any? Of course not....but, I might!! Each time I worked on it, I'd get frustrated and needed to step away. Finally, this afternoon, I came up with this as my final card....hopefully, you'll enjoy it.....it's truthfully not one of my favorites!

BUT, if you take a bit of time to visit the other participants (click on the Bloggers' Challenge logo in the right column), there's bound to be some awesome samples! Glad you stopped by...thanks for making your visit a part of your day!

Stamps: Always, Tres' Chic

Inks: Creamy Carmel, Taken with Teal, Chocolate Chip

CS: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal, Creamy Carmel

Misc: 1/4" Round Punch (retired), 1 3/8" Round Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Mini Glue Dot, Dimensionals, Mini Library Clip, Paper Piercer (Tool Kit), White Gel Pen, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Sponge

Please note: ALL materials used to create this card are from SU.