Celebrate Today

Good morning!

Can you believe it's September already?  The year is just flying by for me!

Today's card uses Stamping 411's sketch challenge from this week, and some of my favorite colors...

I'm really loving the look of this sentiment stamp set, Perfectly Penned.  What do you think?  I love that it's a little elegant, yet a little whimsical at the same time.  It also has a touch of vintage!

The lovely Fancy Fan Letterpress Plate was used with Crumb Cake Craft ink, on Crumb Cake cardstock.  It feels so nice to the touch - just like a real letterpress.  A great subtle effect!

Today also marks the release of the new Holiday Mini Catalog!  This is my favorite Mini of the year!  Be sure to check it out here!

Well, I have a lot on schedule for today, so I have to run!  Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

Celebrate Today card supplies:
Stamps:  Creative Elements, Perfectly Penned
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
Paper:  Pool Party, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, and Very Vanilla cardstock, First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper
Accessories/Tools:  Pearl Basic Jewels, Mini Library Clip, Old Olive Scallop Dot Ribbon, Linen Thread, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Top Note Bigz die, Fancy Fan Letterpress Plate, Big Shot, Stampin' Sponge

Kindness Matters

Hello!

Here is a card I created, using Stamping 411's sketch as a starting point:

I'm telling you, I just love the products in the new Idea Book & Catalog... those romantic/vintage images just appeal to me so!

I stamped the large doily background image onto First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper - isn't it pretty?  One of my new favorites!  I also love the half-doily image in the Kindness Matters stamp set (and that font?  Gorgeous!) - it fit so nicely in the large scallop die-cut from the Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die, which I cut from the Beau Chateau Designer Series Paper.

The focal area of the card was created by first embossing the Lucky Limeade cardstock with the Designer Frames embossing folder, then I tore around the embossed portion.  I cut out an oval using the Ovals Originals die, and stamped it with the trio of butterflies.  The butterflies were also stamped onto another piece of Very Vanilla, watercolored, and cut out.  I added them on top of the stamped oval with Stampin' Dimensionals to add more dimension:

It felt so good to make a card!  It's been way too long. :)

Well, I have to run for now, but thanks for stopping by!  Have a great night!

Kindness Matters card:
Stamps:  Kindness Matters and Hello, Doily background stamp
Ink:  Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette, Marina Mist, Lucky Limeade
Paper:  Soft Suede, Marina Mist, Lucky Limeade, Pink Pirouette, and Very Vanilla cardstock, First Edition Specialty and Beau Chateau Designer Series Paper
Accessories/Tools:  Crumb Cake Designer Button, Pearl Basic Jewels, Linen Thread, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL die, Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Set, Ovals Originals die, Big Shot, Stampin' Sponge

{friend to friend} card

Hello and happy Wednesday!

I have a card to share with you!  Yes, I indeed created a card! :)

I loved the Stamping 411 sketch this week, so I just had to break out my new SU! preorder goodies and play!  Here's my card:

Isn't that patterned paper just beautiful?  It's from the upcoming Pocketful of Posies Designer Series Paper pack.  I love the graphic feel of the papers, although I know I'm not usually a clean and graphic kind of person. :)

I cut a piece of the DSP and sewed it onto the Whisper White and textured Rich Razzleberry pieces.  I punched a strip of Whisper White using the upcoming Lace Ribbon Border Punch, and overlapped some Early Espresso Satin Ribbon along the top.  Some stamping for my main piece, and there you go!  Three pearls to the right of the stamped piece finish the card off nicely, I think.

Hope you liked my card!  Thanks for stopping by!

{friend to friend} card supplies:
Stamps:  Bliss (Sale-a-bration 2011), Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Night of Navy
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, and Pear Pizzazz cardstock, Pocketful of Posies Designer Series Paper (available July 1st)
Accessories/Tools:  Pearl Basic Jewels, Lace Ribbon Border Punch (available July 1st), Scallop Circle, Word Window and 1-3/8" Circle Punches, Early Espresso Satin Ribbon, sewing machine and white thread

Botanical Mother's Day card

Hello!!  Guess what, I have a card to show you today! :)  Actually, I made several cards yesterday, but you will have to wait in suspense to see each one, hehe!

Here's the first one!  I used Stamping 411's sketch this week to create this Mother's Day card:

What do you think?  Hope you aren't bored with me using Rose Red, Old Olive, and Not Quite Navy together yet!  Haha!

Nothing too complicated on this card!  I did use the now-retired Botanical Gazette Designer Series Paper from the Occasions Mini on this card.. I feel like I should have bought a couple more packs of that one!  I also colored in the flowers and leaves on the label there with the ink pads and Blender Pen.

Well, I gotta run!  Hope you have a fabulous day, and thanks for stopping by!

Happy Mother's Day botanical card supplies:
Stamps:  Strength & Hope, Four Frames, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Rose Red, Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, Early Espresso
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Old Olive, and Not Quite Navy cardstock, Botanical Gazette Designer Series Paper (retired)
Accessories/Tools:  Pearl Basic Jewels, Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon, Decorative Label Punch, Blender Pen, Rose Red and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers, sewing machine and espresso thread

Vintage Springtime Butterfly

Happy Saturday!

Thank you for all of your comments the other day concerning Etsy.  I may list a few cards and see how it goes, then list more. :)  I'll let you know!

I created a card last night using Stamping 411's sketch this week.  I absolutely loved this sketch, and it's been feeling so wonderful getting back into the challenges!  I also linked this to the "anything goes" challenge over at The Paper Players!

Of course, I used one of my favorite stamp sets, Elements of Style, and paired it with one of my new favorite materials - the Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric... I think it works beautifully with it!  I colored in the stamped image using a Blender Pen and the Rose Red and Always Artichoke markers.  The fabric (which I ruffled) stays put wonderfully with the use of Sticky Strip.

Did you notice the way the large Not Quite Navy piece is embossed?  It's actually embossed twice - once with the Square Lattice, then with the Framed Tulips Textured Impressions folder.  It creates such a cool texture!

I stamped the butterfly from the Dreams du Jour stamp set onto a separate piece in Not Quite Navy, as well as in Baja Breeze on a piece of vellum cardstock.  I then cut those out, and adhered them together and to the card to create a dimensional butterfly.  To give you a better view, here's a close-up photo:

This card made me very happy. :D  Especially because it reminds me that spring is not too far away!  While I do enjoy winter, I think I'm just yearning for sunshine and a little warmer weather.

Well, hope you have a great day!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Vintage Springtime Butterfly card supplies:
Stamps:  Elements of Style, Dreams du Jour
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso, Baja Breeze, Rose Red, and Always Artichoke Classic ink
Paper:  Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, and vellum cardstock, First Edition Specialty Designer Series Paper
Accessories/Tools:  Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon, Pearl Basic Jewels, Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric, Decorative Label Punch, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Square Lattice Textured Impressions Folder, Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Folder, Big Shot, Stampin' Sponges, Blender Pen

Coneflower Thank You card

Hello!

I decided to play with my Color Coach again, and picked the combination of Old Olive, Not Quite Navy and Cajun Craze.  So this qualifies me again for Shelli's Color Combo challenge!  :)  I used Stamping 411's sketch challenge this week as well.

After stamping the coneflowers, I masked them with scratch paper and stamped the grass.  I love how it turned out!

Ok, I have to run again. :)  Thanks for stopping by!

Thank You card supplies:
Stamps:  Inspired by Nature, Occasional Quotes
Ink:  Old Olive, Not Quite Navy and Cajun Craze
Paper:  Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, Cajun Craze, and Whisper White cardstock
Accessories/Tools:  Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Folder, Old Olive 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Filigree Designer Brads, Sponge Daubers, and Eyelet Border, Scallop Oval, and Large Oval Punches

Inspired Stitched Florals card

Hello!

For the card I have to share today, I was inspired by this gorgeous cardigan from Anthropologie:

Isn't it pretty?  I love the fun look and feel of it!  On my card, I tried to replicate the flower outlines with stamping and stitching...

I also used Stamping 411's sketch this week.  I think it fit perfectly with what I wanted to do with the card!

Well, I have to run.  Thanks for stopping by!

Card supplies:
Stamps:  Petal Pizzazz, Fifth Avenue Floral
Ink:  Cameo Coral (retired), Tempting Turquoise, Daffodil Delight, and Basic Black
Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White and Sahara Sand cardstock
Accessories/Tools:  Tempting Turquoise 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Filigree Designer brads, Basic Black Brads (Neutrals), 1/2" Circle, Scallop Circle and Fancy Flower Punches, sewing machine and thread

Spotlighted Thanks

Good morning!

I just loved Stamping 411's sketch challenge this week, and thought I'd put a little twist on the sketch by doing the spotlighting technique.  I discovered Stacey's Curtain Call color challenge a little while ago, and figured this was the perfect chance to play along:

It's been quite a long time since I've used Almost Amethyst, so this color combo was definitely a challenge for me!

The spotlighting technique is very easy to do!  Stamp your image twice, and pick where you'd like to "spotlight" your image.  Punch out this area on your second image and color it in however you'd like.  Layer it, and adhere with dimensional adhesive to the first image, lining it up.  I used a 1-1/4" Circle Punch for the second image punch-out, and a 1-3/8" Circle Punch for the Night of Navy layer.  I kept the card fairly clean to really highlight the "spotlight". :)

Well, I have to run for now.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Spotlighted Thanks card supplies:
Stamps:  Elements of Style, Watercolor Trio
Ink:  Night of Navy, Pretty in Pink and Garden Green
Paper:  Almost Amethyst, Garden Green, Pretty in Pink, Night of Navy, and Whisper White cardstock
Accessories/Tools:  Vintage Brads, Whisper White Organza Ribbon, and Large Oval, Scallop Oval, 1-1/4" Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, and Slit Punches

A new challenge blog and a birthday card!

Good morning!  Hope you had a great weekend!  Happy belated Mother's Day!  :)

My crazily-talented friend Krystal is co-hosting a new challenge blog, called Stampin' Celebration!  Check out this week's fun challenge:

A lot brighter than I'm used to, but hey, that's why they call it a challenge, right??  I'm really warming up to the bright colors, especially when looking at SU!'s new Color Collections!

My mom's birthday is coming up next week, and I'm not sure if we'll be able to travel to see her.  In any case, I'll be dropping this card in the mail to arrive on her birthday.  She doesn't really read my blog, so I feel safe in posting it. :)  I also used Stamping 411's Saturday Sketch Challenge to help me along.  I'm still in my creative funk, so I'm not sure I like the card!  I'm probably my worst critic though.. but I still may create another one!  lol

Anyway, here's my card:

I thought the sketch from Stamping 411 was perfect for putting "mom" across the card.  Not too sure about all the other elements I added, though!  I stamped and cut out the flower from Vintage Vogue, as well as the letters from Jumbo Outline Alphabet.  Before adhering with Stampin' Dimensionals, I curled the flower petals using my bone folder.  A Summer Sun Corduroy Brad created the perfect flower center.  The ribbon is the Soft Suede polka-dot grosgrain, flipped over so that the solid side shows.  Versatile, eh?  By the way, the base cardstock is Pink Passion.. one of the colors retiring in June!

And hey, did you notice the little filigree elements at the top?  You can get those free with purchase of select sets this month, as part of SU!'s National Scrapbooking Month promotion!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fabulous day!

Mom's birthday card supplies:
Stamps:  Vintage Vogue, Jumbo Outline Alphabet
Ink:  Melon Mambo and Tempting Turquoise Classic Stampin' Pads
Paper:  Pink Passion, Old Olive and Whisper White cardstock, Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper
Accessories/Tools:  Soft Suede 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Summer Sun Corduroy Brad, Filigree Designer Brads, Chit-Chat Rub-ons, Signo White Gel Pen

Live, Laugh & Love!

Hello again!

I have a card to show you!  I have been mojo-less for a little while, and hopefully that has ended.  I will be working on organizing my craft room finally, as well as circle journal layouts!  I intend to be caught up with that by the end of the week.

Anyway, for the card I used Stamping 411's Saturday Sketch #145, and Arielle's colourQ challenge #27...

Tangerine Tango!  I haven't used that color since it had retired, and I was so excited to break it out for this card.  If you haven't heard or didn't read my earlier post today, Tangerine Tango will be joining the core color group... woohoo!  I'm not sure though if the ribbon will be available again, but I can't wait to see what SU! has in store for us with the new Idea Book & Catalog in July!  I am also VERY excited that Soft Suede will be joining the Neutrals Color Collection, as it's one of my favorites!

The card's pretty simple.. I stamped flowers from the Petal Pizzazz stamp set in Tempting Turquoise, Tangerine Tango, and Night of Navy, and cut them out.  I also stamped the sentiment using my Tangerine Tango ink pad and the Night of Navy Stampin' Write marker.  The Trio Flower Punch makes quick and easy accents to place along the bottom.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you have a wonderful day!

Live, Laugh & Love birthday card supplies:
Stamps:  On Your Birthday, Petal Pizzazz
Ink:  Tangerine Tango (available July 1st), Night of Navy and Tempting Turquoise Classic
Paper:  Soft Suede, Whisper White and Tempting Turquoise cardstock, The Write Stuff Specialty Designer Series Paper
Accessories/Tools:  Trio Flower Punch, Silver Vintage Brads, Tangerine Tango striped grosgrain ribbon (retired), Night of Navy Stampin' Write marker

Things I Love...

Hi there!

I've had this stamp set for a little while, and hadn't used it.  I think it's a great set to use for a Valentine's card, or just to say "I love you".  It doesn't even have to be for a significant other.. it could be for your mom, sister, friend, etc.

Stamping 411 has another sketch up, and that is what I used for this card:

Isn't it cute?  I inked up each image carefully with the ink pads, then colored the words on the stamps with my Chocolate Chip marker.  The panel at the bottom is embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions folder.  Not much else to describe, other than that I added faux stitching with the Ruby Red marker, and the little Pewter Mini Library Clip in the corner has Bravo Burgundy 1/4" grosgrain ribbon tied on it.  Oh, and the Whisper White satin ribbon was cinched with some Linen Thread tied into a bow.  Love this set and all of my little accessories!

My stamping buddy Mary inspired me to decorate the inside of my card - I normally don't for some reason.  I guess I didn't want to limit myself when it comes time to write in it!  It gives it such a nice extra touch though, and I think I'll be doing this more often.  Here's the inside:

I stamped the heart first by inking the stamp with Ruby Red, then "stamping off" on scratch paper to make it a little lighter, then stamped the sentiment in Chocolate Chip.

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!  Hope you get to spend the day with someone you love.

Things I Love card supplies:
Stamps:  Things I Love
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Bravo Burgundy, and Ruby Red
Paper:  Sahara Sand, Ruby Red, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White cardstock
Accessories/Tools:  Whisper White satin ribbon, Bravo Burgundy 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Linen Thread, Pewter Mini Library Clip, Ruby Red and Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write markers, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions folder, and Scallop Trim Border, Scallop Circle, 1-3/8" Circle, and 1-1/4" Circle Punches

Butterfly Fields

Good evening!

My friend Marie has another inspiration challenge up on her blog.  Here is her source of inspiration this week (from this site):

There is also a new Saturday Sketch Challenge over at Stamping 411, which I used in creating my card...

I was inspired by the colors in the photo, and they just felt like spring/summer to me.. so thus, my theme.  :)

My panel was a little too tall, so I overlapped the ribbon a bit.  I stamped the grass image from Inspired by Nature in two different colors - Certainly Celery and Garden Green.  I added some flowers in Rose Red and Pumpkin Pie from the Flight of the Butterfly set, which is also where the sentiment and butterfly comes from.  The butterfly is actually two stamps - the filled-in part, and the polka dots are separate stamps.  After inking up the filled-in stamp in Melon Mambo, I stamped off on scratch paper before stamping on my cardstock.  The polka dots were stamped normally with Melon Mambo.  To add more interest, I tied a corduroy button around the bow after tying.

Thanks for visiting!  I'm off to finish off my circle journal sign-in pages.  Please stop on by Marie's blog if you get a chance.. she'd love for you to play along!

Supplies:
Stamps:  Flight of the Butterfly, Inspired by Nature
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, Garden Green, Certainly Celery, Melon Mambo
Paper:  Soft Suede, Kraft, Tempting Turquoise, and Whisper White cardstock
Accessories/Tools:  Whisper White satin ribbon, Pumpkin Pie corduroy button, Linen Thread, Scallop Trim Border and Corner punches

Vintage Congratulations

Hello!

I've been enjoying this beautiful snowfall we're having over here, from my stamping space.  I just love watching the snow swirling about in the wind, gently scattering about.

Well, you came here to see a card, right?  :)  I do have one to show, created using Stamping 411's Saturday Sketch Challenge #136.  I don't know what it is, but I just love Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive together.  Add some Soft Suede, and you have a gorgeous combo.

Thankfully, I had just enough Old Olive ribbon to exactly cover the Very Vanilla piece.  But now I'm out of Old Olive ribbon.. guess I have to buy more!  :)  The borders were inked up with the markers, and create such a beautiful vintage image.

Ok, I need to get working on my pages for my circle journal.  Stay safe and warm!

Vintage Congrats card:  Vintage Vogue and Well Scripted stamp sets; Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pads; Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Soft Suede, and Rich Razzleberry cardstock; Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede and Old Olive Stampin' Write markers; Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon; Old Olive brads; Scallop Trim Border punch

Follow your heart...

Hi!  I hope you are having a great weekend!

For this card, I was inspired by my friend Sharon's color challenge this week at Stampin' Addicts, as well as this week's Saturday Sketch Challenge at Stamping 411...

The I {Heart} Hearts stamp set is wonderful for more than just Valentine's Day, and more than just for saying "I love you".  Plus, when you purchase this set from your demonstrator through February 28, 2010, Stampin' Up! will donate $2 to the American Red Cross' Haiti Relief and Development Fund.  It's one of my favorite sets, so if you don't have it.. what are you waiting for??  :)

I love using all of these hearts in the set together.. it creates such a whimsical yet connected look.  The Kraft heart was simply punched out using the Full Heart punch, then stamped with VersaMark using the flower vine from the Vintage Vogue set.  I created the panel on the left by punching the Scallop Trim border, then scoring the edge and folding it over, tucking the Designer Series Paper inside.  This has to be my new favorite border punch!

Follow Your Heart card:  I {Heart} Hearts, Vintage Vogue and Whimsical Words (SAB freebie) stamp sets; Melon Mambo, Old Olive and Crushed Curry Classic Stampin' Pads; VersaMark ink; Kraft, Melon Mambo, Whisper White, and Crushed Curry cardstock; Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper pad (SAB freebie); Whisper White taffeta ribbon; Full Heart punch; Scallop Trim Border punch (SAB freebie); Filigree Designer Brads

Stamping411 Color Inspiration 107 - Butterfly Congrats

Good morning!

Today's card was created with inspiration from this week's color combo at Stamping 411.  Here are the colors:

I kept playing around with my design for a while, and eventually ended up with a fairly clean and simple layout.  Sometimes those are the best!

I love the new Beautiful Wings Embosslits die.  The die cuts and embosses 5 gorgeous butterflies with one pass through the Big Shot, so it was fabulously easy to cut a bunch in different colors!

Butterfly Congrats card:  Well Scripted stamp set; Close to Cocoa Classic Stampin' Pad; Apricot Appeal, Close to Cocoa, Bermuda Bay, and Whisper White cardstock; Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper (SAB freebie); Pumpkin Pie corduroy button; Linen Thread, Whisper White organza ribbon; Scallop Trim Border punch (SAB freebie); Beautiful Wings Embosslits die

Stamping 411 challenge - Vintage Birthday

Hi!  I discovered a new papercraft challenge website, Stamping 411.  This week's challenge is sketch challenge #134.. I love it!

I wanted to try out a vintage look for my card, and what better stamp set to use than the new Vintage Vogue.  The Well Scripted stamp set works wonderfully with this look as well!  Here's my card:

To create my vintage look, I started out Very Vanilla cardstock, stamping the images in Chocolate Chip, Bravo Burgundy, and Old Olive.  I first sponged around, starting off the paper and going around with Creamy Caramel, then Soft Suede.  I just kept sponging until I was satisfied with it!  :)  The embossed piece was also "distressed".  I love how different the cardstock looks.. doesn't really look like Very Vanilla anymore, does it?

Check out Stamping 411 and play along!  There are some fabulous creations there to see as well.

Vintage Birthday card:  Vintage Vogue and Well Scripted stamp sets; Chocolate Chip, Bravo Burgundy, Old Olive, Creamy Caramel, Pale Plum, and Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pads; Kraft, Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, and Old Olive cardstock; Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions folder; Bravo Burgundy 5/8" grosgrain ribbon; Scallop Trim Corner and Border punches; Playground Designer Buttons; Linen Thread; Stampin' Sponges