Simple, but Sweet

I get kind of melancholy this time of year. The Stampin' Up! 2008 In Colors are soon to be retiring. I really fell in love with Blue Bayou, Soft Sky and River Rock. River Rock really is an incredible neutral. I particularly love it with Elegant Eggplant. I've used this combination several times on my blog.

This card is SO easy to make. It starts with a base card of River Rock. I stamped the background with my Polka Dot background stamp and Whisper White craft ink. After letting this dry thoroughly, I rounded the two outside edges with my Corner Rounder punch and heavily sponged the edges of the card with River Rock ink.

I used my Coluzzle to cut a oval in the center of the card. On a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of Very Vanilla, I stamped the stems from Never Ending Joy (retiring) using Always Artichoke ink. Now here is where you have choices. I happen to have a jar of tiny Primas. This would work just as easily if you owned a small flower punch (like the one in the Three for You punch box). I simply glued my flowers on with my Tombow Liquid Adhesive and added a little seed bead in the center of each flower. I used my paper piercing tool to faux stitch the edges of the oval.

The sentiment (from Sincere Salutations) was stamped in Basic Black in the lower right hand corner. I finished the card by adding some Basic Black grosgrain ribbon and tying in a classic knot.

Like I said, this card is so simple to make. I should've made several of them and left the sentiment off. Before I need to send off a card, all I need to do is stamp the appropriate sentiment. Easy peasy!!!

Well, I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. It's DS's last baseball game of the season. He so loves the game.....ask him anything....he's a walking statistics book!!!

Until next time....Happy Stamping everyone!!!!

P.S. Have you ordered your retiring stamp sets yet? If not, contact me today!!! I would be happy to order them for you. Email me today!!!!

Blogger's Challenge #53

This week the challenge was to use any resist technique. When I think "resist", I automatically think of Crayon Resist.

I used the Crayon Resist on the card but made a matching gift bag to accompany it.

The card starts with a 3" x 3" piece of glossy cardstock. I stamped the flowers (from the retiring Bud Basics set) using Black StazOn ink. I used a white crayon to color in the areas where I want the ink to resist (stay white).

I then use sponge daubers, starting with the lightest color and working to the darkest. The colors I used on this card are Summer Sun, Only Orange and Pink Passion. After appying the color, I buff off any excess with a paper towel.

The card is finished with a Summer Sand band of cardstock. The edges are paper pierced and sponged with Only Orange ink. I stamped the sentiment (from Hugs & Wishes) in Basic Black ink and added two flowers (one from the Boho Blossom punch and a small Prima from my stash of contraband).

The gift bag is just a small white lunch bag stamped with various images in the same colors from the card. I punched two holes after folding the top over and threaded some Pumpkin Pie striped grosgrain ribbon for a finishing touch.

I encourage you to click on the Blogger's Challenge icon on the right sidebar of my blog. There you will find all the links to my Blogger's Challenge buddies. Their creations are all amazing!!

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!!

Lookie What I Got!!!

My super stampin' rockin' friend, Robin Merriman, nominated me for this Kreativ Blogger award. Thanks Robin!!!! I look forward to meeting Robin in person at Convention to give her a big hug. We've been chattin' on the phone and via email. She is truly such a sweet person.

Now, it's my turn to nominate two people. I choose:

Maria Guernsey

Regina Cornelius

You can click on their names to check out their blogs. Congrats ladies!!

Unfrogettable.....That's What You Are

Okay, I switched the words around, but I still love that song by Natalie Cole and her dad.

I am trying to use some of my retiring sets. I have had this stamp set since it was featured in a mini catalog years ago.

This is a really quick card!! The base card is Shimmery White. I took some Pretty in Pink cardstock and stamped the swirled circle from Polka Dot and Petals using Pixie Pink ink. I sponged the edges with Pretty in Pink ink.

The bottom layer is Barely Banana. I stamped the flower image three times using Barely Banana ink. The sentiment is stamped with Pixie Pink ink in the bottom right corner. I used the direct-to-paper technique with my Barely Banana ink pad to ink the edges.

I wrapped a length of Certainly Celery narrow grosgrain where the two colors meet. I added a little Prima flower (which I have had forever) and a dot of Stickles in the center.

The focal image was stamped on a scrap of Whisper White. I colored it in with my markers, cut him out and adhered him on a metal edged tag. The addition of googlie eyes are the perfect touch!!!

I told you this was a quick card........

I have a gorgeous card all ready for tomorrow....it's a stamp set that I will truly miss demonstrating to my stamping friends.....but I am keeping it for my personal use!!!

Until tomorrow......Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Try Something Different

I was playing around in my Stampin' Studio.....knowing that I wanted to make a card that is not my typical style....and this is what I came up with.

I had my Coluzzle on my desk from my Stamp Club meeting the other night. Oh, I love my Coluzzle. I know for a lot of people it involves a love/hate relationship, but it really is a snap to use if you remember the following:

1. make sure you hear the little "crunch"....so you know the blade has cut through the cardstock

2. make sure the blade is pointing in the right direction

3. make sure the cutting tool is straight up and down when you follow the template

So here is how I made this card:

The base card is Creamy Caramel. The next layer is also Creamy Caramel, stamped with Tres Chic background in Chocolate Chip ink and heavily sponged with Close to Cocoa ink.

The Chocolate Chip strip measures 2" x 5 1/4", and it is stamped with the three flower spray from True Friend and sponged in Choc Chip ink.

The Close to Cocoa half circle (cut with my Coluzzle) is sponged with Close to Cocoa ink and dot work is added around the edges with a Choc Chip marker.

The focal image is also from True Friend. I used my Ruby Red, Old Olive and Close to Cocoa markers to ink up the stamp. Simpy huff on the stamp to remoisten the ink and stamp on Very Vanilla cardstock. I overstamped the image with my Weathered (on the retired list....what were they thinking?????) using Creamy Caramel ink. The edges are then heavily sponged with Close to Cocoa ink. Some dot work is added with my Choc Chip marker.

Before adhering the focal image to the card, wrap a length of Choc Chip wide grosgrain ribbon into a classic knot.

I really do like this card even though the half circle is not my typical style. Sometimes it's fun just to break out of your comfort zone!!! Give it a try!!!

Until next time.....Happy Stamping everyone!!!!

Cupcake Wishes

Doesn't everyone love a cupcake? It's a small self-contained piece of pure sugar happiness!!! This adorable cupcake card is even better.....it has no calories!!!

My Stamp Club girls had their meeting this past Thursday. We meet every other month and make a fabulous project. Last time we made altered band aid tins. This time we made this adorable Z-fold card. I learned this technique from Dawn Griffiths. Thanks for the inspiration Dawn.

The Rose Red base card is 4 1/2" x 11", folded in half.

The Z-fold portion of the card is a 4" x 10 1/4" piece of Certainly Celery cardstock scored at 2 1/2" and 5".

When planning this card, I knew I wanted to use my Big Bold Birthday stamp set. So, I searched through my stash of patterned paper and focused on my Cutie Pie pack. What awesome colors!!

I cut the dotted piece to 4" x 5" and adhered to the Certainly Celery cardstock.

The striped piece is cut at 2 1/4" x 4".

I added some Photo Corner punches, Apricot Appeal narrow grosgrain ribbon and the sentiment punched with my Word Window punch.

All this card needs is a gift card attached to the card using my slit punch, and the recipient will be smiling from ear to ear.

I will try to post more often this week. I forgot how much work a little puppy is. I can only stamp when she is sleeping......otherwise, my furniture gets chewed and my floors get decorated with puddles and piles.

Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Blogger Challenge - Manly Cards

I crack up when I hear the word "manly". You see, in July 2006, DS slipped getting into a neighbor's hot tub and dislocated his right knee cap. It was completely disgusting to see his knee cap sitting on the side of his leg rather than in the front. Ick!!!

Anyway, the ambulance took Christopher to the ER. They gave him some medicine for the pain, and it made him real loopy. When the nurse came in to check on him, she asked how he got injured. He explained and added "it's a manly injury.....arrrggggghhhhh". It was so unexpected and completely hysterical. So whenever I hear the word "manly" I think of his funny statement.

So, here's my "manly" card..........

This was the Father's Day card I made for my husband. I love this image from "For Father" (from the Occasions Mini Catalog). Since we just got the new puppy, using this image was a no brainer.

I watercolored this image using my aquapainter and reinkers on watercolor paper.

The base card is More Mustard heavily sponged with Close to Cocoa ink. The patterned paper is from the retired Outlaw paper pack. The Creamy Caramel layer is stamped with a star from "In the Stars" to carry the star theme from the patterned paper.

I did quite a bit of dot work (on the base card as well as the focal image) using my Chocolate Chip marker.

I added some yummy Chocolate Chip Polytwill ribbon and the father sentiment (from Wonderful Favorites).

My husband loved his card!!!!! He's my biggest fan....he notices all the little things I add to my cards. He makes me feel so special!!!! Love ya baby!!!

Don't forget to check out all the other wonderful creations from the other stampers who are part of the Blogger's Challenge. Just click on the Blogger's Challenge button on the right sidebar of my blog.

Happy Stamping everyone!!!

recipe:

stamps: For Father, In the Stars, Wonderful Favorites

paper: More Mustard, Creamy Caramel, Outlaw DSP (retired), watercolor paper

ink: Close to Cocoa, Choc Chip

accessories: vintage brads, Choc Chip Polytwill ribbon, Choc Chip marker, aquapainter, reinkers, sponges

Very Excited!!!

Stampin' Up! has been keeping its demonstrators on their toes lately. We were told over a week ago that Shelli Gardner, the founder and CEO of Stampin' Up!, had a "new product line" announcement to make on June 17th.


Of course, all us demos have been speculating what this new product line could be.


I am thrilled to announce that Stampin' Up! will venture into the area of home decor. You see, we will be adding to our Definitely Decorative (i.e. larger images to stamp on walls and furniture) line. The new Decor Elements line will have vinyl wall decor. This is all the rage now!! I'm sure you've seen them in the "cool" catalogs and home decorating shows on TV. How cool is it to add a word, quote, image or a monogram to your wall? The best part is when you want to change it, it removes easily without any wall damage.


This is awesome for the apartment owner, a college dorm room or for those people who cringe at the idea of stenciling or painting. Imagine......no more white walls.....no more worry about having to fix a wall or cover something up when you need to move or your design taste changes.


This afternoon the demos will have a chance to view the brochure online with all the different choices. There are over 100 choices (in your choice of Chocolate or White). There is also one available in Kraft (beige).


My stamping friends (and new-to-be decorating gurus) can start ordering these beauties on July 1st!!!!


This is all new to me to, but if you have any questions about this new home decor line, please email me. I will answer any questions you may have!!!


I have Stamping Club to get ready for tomorrow. The project my club girls are making is WAY too cute!!! If you are interested in joining my Stamping Club, send me an email. It's a great way to slowly build your stamping supplies and earn hostess benefits without having to have a workshop in your home!!! Email me today to learn more!!!


Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Proud Mama Moment

One of the perks of being a mom is bragging about your kids, right? Well, I am proud to announce that my son is a MN ATA State Champion. He took 1st place in Sparring and 3rd place in Weapons!!! Way to go Chris!!!!

This is the card I made him to congratulate him on his amazing achievement. I am really hoping that the next Stampin' Up! catalog has a karate set in it. In the mean time, I found this adorable stamp at Hobby Lobby in Mankato, MN. Isn't it cute????? I just had to have it!!!!

Here are the "deets" on the card:

The base card is Basic Black. I used my Big Kick and a Cuttlebug embossing folder on a piece of Basic Gray cardstock. This is mounted on a slightly larger piece of Real Red cardstock.

I added a band of More Mustard cardstock (the same width as the Basic Gray layer). A length of narrow Whisper White grosgrain ribbon is wrapped around all layers before adhering to the base card.

The focal image is stamped with Black StazOn ink and colored in with SU markers. The image was cut with my Coluzzle and matted on a scallop circle cut with my Nestabilities.

The sentiment is from a retired Stampin' Up! set called Just So Sayings. I've been using this set a lot lately for my cards. I am glad that I decided to hold onto it!!! I stamped the sentiment using Black StazOn and punched it with my Large Oval punch. This is matted on a piece of Real Red cardstock punched with the Designer Label punch. I love this effect!!!

I am happy to report that Chris loved his card!!!

Way to go Chris!!! We are SO proud of you!!!

Announcing.......The Retired List

It's June 15th........Father's Day and also the day that Stampin' Up! announces the latest group of stamp set retirements.


There are quite a few sets that I am really sad to say bon voyage to: Peaceful Wishes, Circle of Friendship, Weathered, Print Pattern, Unfrogettable and so many more!!!


Click HERE to see the retired list in page number order


If you prefer the list in alphabetical order, click HERE.


These stamp sets will only be available until August 10, 2008.


If you would like to view the catalog online, click HERE.


If you would like to purchase some of the retired stamp sets before they are gone forever, I would be more than happy to take your order (as long as you live in the United States). Remember, I now accept Mastercard, Visa and Discover (as well as PayPal and personal checks).


Click HERE to email me your order!!! You will not be disappointed with my customer service!!


Happy Father's Day to all of the men in your life......


Until tomorrow....Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Blogger's Challenge

I am so excited to announce that I have been asked to join the Blogger's Challenge group. What exactly is the Blogger's Challenge group? Well, it's a group of stampers who are given a challenge each week. On Fridays, we post our projects for that challenge on our blog.

This weeks challenge was to use Green Galore, Turquoise and Pink. As soon as I heard the colors, I knew that I wanted to make a "girly" rocket card in honor of my niece Alex. Alex is not the typical girl. She doesn't like princesses and dolls. She loves superheroes and baseball. At one point in time, she wanted to be an astronaut. So, this card is for Alex......my little astronaut!!

The rocket comes from one of my favorite stamp sets, Pun Fun. I stamped it on watercolor paper with Black StazOn ink. I used my Tempting Turquoise, Pixie Pink and Green Galore ink pads to color it in with my aquapainter. I added some line work with my Tempting Turquoise marker and matted the focal image on a layer of Green Galore cardstock.

The Pixie Pink layer is stamped with my well-loved Polka Dot background stamp. The stamping and sponging was done with Pixie Pink ink. Since the sentiment is on the focal image, I wanted to let my niece know this card is for her. So, I stamped the word "niece" from my Wonderful Favorites stamp set on a scrap of Green Galore cardstock. I punched it out with my Word Window punch (making sure that the rounded edge was only on the left side).

In order to balance the card, I added some Green Galore 1/2" circles with Tempting Turquoise brads in the center and two lengths of Whisper White narrow grosgrain ribbon.

I hope my little astronaut loves this card.

I can't wait to see what the other Blogger's Challenge members come up with. If you want to see them too, click on the Blogger's Challenge button on the right sidebar of my blog. It will give you a list of links to all their blogs.

Until tomorrow....Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Girls Night Out

Don't you love getting new stamps in the mail? I opened my mailbox to this great new set from Jessica Lynn Original stamp company. It's called "Shopping", and it immediately reminded me of "Sex and the City". Just think......martini glasses, shoes, purses, etc....

This project was inspired by the new "Sex and the City" movie. I hear it is the perfect movie to see with your girlfriends. What's a more perfect way to invite your friends to a Girls Night Out than with this invitation?

The entire project is based on the colors of the martini glass. I colored the image using my Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol.

The base card is a retired Old Olive polka dot patterned paper offered by Stampin' Up! over 2 years ago. You see, I used to hoard this stuff. Not anymore!!!

The next layer is Pretty in Pink stamped with the martini glass image using Pretty in Pink ink. I also used the direct to paper technique to apply ink to the edges of the cardstock. I stamped the words using Black StazOn ink.

I love how I can make my own patterned paper with my stamps. The bottom band is Barely Banana cardstock stamped with the word "Martini" over and over in Barely Banana ink.

The final touches on the card include a length of Basic Black narrow grosgrain ribbon and the martini glass.

Voila...my invitation is finished!!! Time to make the cosmopolitans.....

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!!

Welcome Home Dimples

This is our new puppy Dimples. Isn't she adorable?????



We picked her up on Friday, and she is adjusting to her new home quite nicely. She only woke up once Friday night with a barking fit. As per the breeder's orders, we left her to comfort herself and she was asleep within 7 minutes. Last night, she slept through the entire night and didn't make a mess in her crate.



She seems to be doing well with housebreaking. She is showing us clues when she needs to go out. So, as long as we're paying attention to those clues, she's been avoiding the carpet.



Chloe, our 8 year old Golden Retriever, is a little more apprehensive about her new sister. Sometimes she lets her get close, and sometimes she just wants to be by herself. It will be a long process, but hopefully, she will learn to love her too!!!



I got hit with a stomach bug yesterday, and I am still feeling some of the crampy effects today. I haven't had the energy to stamp at all this weekend. I will hopefully feel much better tomorrow!!!



Until tomorrow....Happy Stamping everyone!!!

Bits and Pieces

What do you do with leftover stamped pieces that don't make it onto your current project? Mine sit in a pile on my stamping desk that eventually get covered with other stuff. Naturally, I forget about them until I clean my desk.

The Paisley portion of this card (made using Polka Dots & Paisley stamp set with markers) came from that pile. The colors of the card were all pulled from that scrap: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Regal Rose and Certainly Celery.

I knew I wanted to play with the kitty from Pun Fun. It's the only image from that set that hadn't been inked yet. I stamped the kitty with Black StazOn on Shimmery White paper. Using my aquapainter and ink from the lid of my More Mustard stamp pad, I watercolored the little guy. Much to the chagrin of my daughter, I used my Pretty in Pink marker to blush his cheeks. But, that's a whole other story!!!

The card is pretty easy to figure out so I will just post the items I used to create it.

stamp sets: Petals & Paisley, Pun Fun

paper: Shimmery White, Whisper White, Regal Rose, Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip

ink: Black StazOn, More Mustard, Close to Cocoa

accessories: aquapainter, sponges, Stampin' Write markers, Chocolate Chip 5/8" grosgrain

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!!

Bright and Cheerful!!

This bright card was inspired by my latest manicure. You see, for the past two years, my nails have been a permanent French Manicure thanks to pink and white acrylics. DH dropped the hint last week that he misses color on my nails. Since so much of my summer is spent by the pool with the kids (i.e. sunscreen and sun exposure can wreak havoc on a French manicure), I decided to go "with color" until the Fall.

So, my nails are looking pretty close to Pink Passion right now. This card is bright, but it is SO pretty!!! The card measures 4 1/4" x 4 1/4". I stamped Tres Chic and heavily sponged the card with Pink Passion ink.

The flower from Doodle This is stamped with Black StazOn on Whisper White cardstock. I used some cotton swabs and Chalk Pastels to color in the image. I cut it out, smooshed with Versamark, sprinkled Irridescent Ice embossing powder and heated with my heat tool.

The flower needed a something to make it stand out. So I created a band of Summer Sun for some contrast. I scalloped the lower edge with my Corner Rounder punch. I have heard that Stampin' Up! is debuting a scallop edge punch in their next big catty. Yahoo!!! I finished the band with some paper piercing along the top edge. I tied two lengths of Pumpkin Pie ribbon on this layer (adding a little bow to the top one) before adhering to the base card.

The final embellishment is a Small Oval punch folded over the bottom right edge. It is secured with a silver brad placed on top of a 1/4" circle punched from Summer Sun scrap.

So what do you think of my bright and summery card?

It's officially the first day of summer vacation!!! Yippee!!!

Until tomorrow....Happy Stamping everyone!!

Happy Bird Day

I've been wanting to make a card like this one for a while. I like how the same image is repeated but turned in different directions. In this case, I used the little bird from Fun & Fast Notes. I stamped him three times on Shimmery White cardstock. I watercolored with my aquapainter and ink from the inside of ink pad lids.

The images are punched with my 1 1/4" square punch. The Certainly Celery mats are made so easily by punching with my 1 3/8" square punch.

The base card is Real Red. I made a border using my spiral punch. I simply folded them up a bit to give them some texture.

The card was pulled together with some Bashful Blue striped grosgrain ribbon and layered buttons (gotta love Mini Glue Dots to make this happen)!!!

The sentiment was stamped on a scrap of Apricot Appeal and punched with the Word Window punch.

That's all there is to it. Isn't it adorable?

Today is the last day of school. Unbelievable!!!! I think I need a Venti Starbucks Skinny Vanilla Latte tomorrow!!! I have a BIG surprise for you on Friday!!!! We have a new addition coming to the family.......care to guess what it is?

Until tomorrow....Happy Stamping everyone!!

Fresh Cuts Promotion

I LOVE Sneak Peeks. This month's Stampin' Up! promotion is all about new product.

You see, this fabulous stamp set called Fresh Cuts and laser cut note cards are from the upcoming Fall and Winter Idea Book and Catalog. While we won't be able to see the rest of the catalog until August, it's nice to be able to play with something new until then!

The Fresh Cuts stamp set is a set of 5 die-cut stamps. That's right.....no cutting rubber!!! Simply pop out the image, peel off the backing and place on your wood block. You are ready to stamp in 5 minutes or less. Yeah baby!!!

The stamp set sells for $21.95. If you purchase the stamp set, you can get a set of 15 laser cut notes and envelopes for just $5.00. If you do not wish to order the stamp set but love the note cards, they can be ordered alone for $8.95.

Please note that these note cards cannot be sent through the mail as they are smaller than USPS mailing requirements. If you wish to mail them, please place them in a standard medium (A2) envelope. Or you can do what I did. I attached the notecard to a 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" cardstock base.

This stamp set just screams versatility!!! Look at how many different looks I can get.........

If you are interested in taking advantage of this Sneak Peek promotion, please send me an email today!!!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my father's birthday! We went out to lunch yesterday and came back to my house for a good old pool party. It was such a beautiful weekend here in MN. Add in two Yankee/Twin games and the kids studying for finals.......yup, it's been a busy weekend!!!

My biggest wish for the new Stampin' Up! catalog is the addition of some fabulous guy sets. An awesome baseball set would fit the bill. Anyway, when I made Dad's card, I used a long time retired set I picked up from a fellow demonstrator a few months ago. It's called Schooner. I also tried to purchase the Old World Map background stamp that coordinates, but somebody beat me to it. Dangnabit!!!

This card uses two of my favorite In Colors: Blue Bayou and Soft Sky. I sure am going to miss those beauties when they retire in August. I know I will have new colors to play with, but I have a relationship with these two....LOL!!!

The Schooner stamp set comes with a ship's wheel stamp and a rope stamp. I used those to stamp the background on the Soft Sky layer (5 1/4" x 4") using Soft Sky ink. It wouldn't be a Patti card without sponging.....so the edges of the cardstock are sponged with Soft Sky ink too!

The ship was stamped on Confetti White cardstock with Blue Bayou ink. I cut out the ship and its coordinating rectangle scallop border using my Nestabilities and my Big Kick.

I added a length of Blue Bayou double-stitched ribbon and made a medallion using my Circle of Friendship stamp set. Did you know that the Circle of Friendship stamp set is part of a special this month? Yup, it's part of a special bundle. You get the Circle of Friendship stamp set, a roll of Very Vanilla wide grosgrain ribbon, a pack of the Love Notes and a Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad all for $30.00 (retail value is over $40). The details can be found HERE. If this bundle sounds amazing to you and you live in the United States, I would be more than happy to place your order for you. Just email me, okay?

Well, today is errand day. My ribbon share is going postal today, grocery shopping just needs to get done, and my nails desperately need a fill!!! Throw in some laundry and some stamping, and it's a full day. This is my last week of freedom before the kids get out of school on Thursday!!! I can't believe another school year has come and gone already!!!

Until tomorrow.....Happy Stamping everyone!!!