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!!!