The Olympics are Here!

This was a quick card I threw together...I just wanted to do something Olympic-y.  Yes, I realize that's not a real word.  We were supposed to go to an Opening Ceremonies party, so I was thinking this would have been a fun invitation for something similar.  The party sort of got canned, since we all decided that if our kids were going to stay up really late, it should probably happen in close proximity to their own beds. 

The rings were easy to create using the 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" circle punches. I cut across the yellow and green ones so that I could link them with the rings above.  I embedded them into the white by running them all through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice embossing folder.  I also added three retired eyelets (I couldn't find my brads, but those would look even better!) in gold, silver, and bronze.  OK, it's copper, but it's close and I think you get the idea. :)

We're loving watching the Olympics.  My kids don't really remember the last summer Games, so this is fun, because I know they'll remember these.  I still remember watching the 1980 Games, when I was ten, the same age that my oldest is now.  My kids are surprising me with which sports they like to watch.  Who knew that fencing would be such a hit around here?

Stamps:  All Year Cheer (retired)

Ink:  White Craft Ink

Paper:  Real Red, Basic Black, Pacific Point, Gumball Green, Daffodil Delight, and Whisper White card stock

Accessories:  1/4" Real Red grosgrain ribbon (retired), eyelets (retired), 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" circle punches, Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder

It's Back!

The Carry On Hostess set is available again!  I was so excited to order this, only to find out by the time it reached me, that it was no longer available.  I'm happy to report that it's available again, and the only way to get it is to be a hostess.  Call or email me to schedule a workshop so you can get your very own set!

Stamps:  Carry On 

Ink:  Midnight Muse Classic Ink

Paper:  Naturals White, Midnight Muse, and Summer Starfruit card stock

Accessories:  Apothecary Accents Framelits Collection, Chevron Embossing Folder, Rhinestone Basic Jewels

Hot Chocolate, Anyone?

OK, I know.  I used more retired DSP on this card.  I desperately wanted to use plaid on this card (remember how I love plaid?)  but I don't have the Festival of Prints DSP pack.  That somehow got left off my last order, but I will quickly remedy that with my next one!  So, even though I'm using a plaid from last year's Frostwood Lodge DSP, it is easily substituted with the plaid in Festival of Prints (which is only $6.95!!!!)

Aside from my beloved plaid, this card uses my newest favorite, the Woodgrain embossing folder.  You'll notice that the woodgrain really stands out on the Cherry Cobbler.  It's because I used the new Core'dinations card stock.  Simply run it through the Big Shot with an embossing folder and you normally would, but when it comes out, whip out your sanding blocks and sand off a bit of the top layer.  The inside is a lighter color and makes the textured design pop.  I can't wait to get this in the other colors!

The mug and steam both come from Scentsational Seasons, and are embossed with the Peppermint Sticks embossing powder.  I'm not a coffee drinker...that's peppermint hot chocolate in that mug, folks. :)  The sentiment is stamped right on the cotton ribbon...doesn't it look great on that?  I love how easy it is to stamp on this ribbon.  And then a bit of Early Espresso baker's twine completes the card.

Stamps:  Scentsational Season, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Timber Wheel

Ink:  Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink, VersaMark

Paper:  Naturals White, Whisper White, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations card stock, Festival of Prints DSP (not shown, but makes a great replacement!)

Accessories:  Woodgrain Embossing Folder, 2 3/8" Scallop Circle, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, 7/8" Cotton Ribbon

Christmas in July

I've been holding out on the Christmas cards, because I just can't bring myself to start thinking about winter just yet.  I have no problem making fall cards any time of the year, but Christmas...it's a bit of a stretch.  But I finally caved and made a couple of Christmas cards.  This one is very candy caney.  Not a word, I know.  But the red and white (well, vanilla, actually) and all the stripes scream candy canes.  Once again, I used retired product (shame on me!)  The striped paper is from last year's Christmas DSP, but it's so similar to one of the papers in the Be of Good Cheer DSP pack that's on it's way to my house right now.  I actually think the newer striped paper is going to look better, because there's a bit of green in it, and this card needs a third color.  I embossed the red in the background with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  The ribbon is more of the 1/4" grosgrain from my vast stash. :)  The candy cane is from the Scentsational Season stamp set...it is ADORABLE!  And, much to my delight, it has a coordinating Framelits set!  I love my Framelits!  I embossed it with the new Peppermint Sticks scented embossing powder.  It's smells fantastic!  The piece of Naturals Ivory card stock behind it was cut out with the Window Frames Framelits and then embossed with Iridescent Ice embossing powder to give it some sparkle.  Fun!

Stamps:  Scentsational Season, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  VersaMark, Real Red Classic Ink, Whisper White Craft Ink

Paper:  Naturals Ivory, Very Vanilla, and Real Red card stock, Be of Good Cheer DSP (not shown, but it makes a great substitution!)

Accessories:  Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Window Frames Framelits, Holiday Collection Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (Very Vanilla and Real Red, both retired)

Perfectly Preserved

How cute are these apples?  Have I mentioned how much I love this set?  And the Orchard Harvest DSP?  And the Cannery Framelits Set?  And the Woodgrain Embossing Folder?  Too much?  Sorry. 

The colors in the Orchard Harvest aren't necessarily ones you'd think to combine for fall, especially the Raspberry Ripple, which is what I used as the base of the card.  But you know, they work.  In fact, I really like the More Mustard on top of it.  The little apples in the DSP coordinates with the apple stamps in the Perfectly Preserved set.  They are so cute!  It's hard to see, but I used the Dazzling Diamond Dust technique on the apples.  So even though they don't really look it, they are all sparkly.  I also tied a piece of linen twine around the lid to the jar, just to give it a finishing touch.

Stamps: Perfectly Preserved

Ink:  More Mustard, Raspberry Ripple, Old Olive (I don't have a Lucky Limeade marker, so I used Old Olive...either will work!), and Early Espresso markers, Early Espresso Classic Ink Pad

Paper:  Raspberry Ripple, More Mustard, Lucky Limeade, and Very Vanilla card stock, Orchard Harvest DSP

Accessories:  Cannery Framelits Set, Bitty Banners Framelits Set,  2 1/2" Circle Punch, 7/8" Cotton Ribbon, Sponge, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, Big Shot

Thanks a Bunch!

I've been having fun playing with all my new goodies this afternoon!  I used loads of new products on this one.  It's kind of hard to see in the picture, and actually, it's sort of hard to see in real life, but I used the new Timber wheel and VersaMark ink on the background piece of Early Espresso.  On top of that are two pieces of Orchard Harvest DSP.  I love every single piece of paper in that pack!  On top of that, the leaves are both embossed with embossing folders...Argyle and Square Lattice.  I'll confess, though...those leaves were cut out with the retired Leaves #2 die.  BUT, you can recreate this by using the new Autumn Accents Bigz Die that's in the Holiday Catalog.  The shapes are close, and I actually like the Autumn Accents better, but my wallet didn't let me get it.  Yet.

The Thanks a Bunch sentiment was stamped in VersaMark and embossed with white embossing powder on Raspberry Ripple card stock.  I cut it out using the Window Frames Framelits Collection.  Behind that is a piece of Sahara Sand that was cut out with the same set of Framelits, then pierced, using the new Paper-Piercing Pack as a guide.  The ribbon is the retired More Mustard 1/4" grosgrain ribbon.  How I wish that it was the Scalloped 1/2" ribbon instead, but I'm not letting myself buy much new ribbon until I use up what I have...which is a LOT of retired 1/4" grosgrain.  Expect to see more of that. :)

Stamps:  Friendship Preserves

Ink:  VersaMark

Paper:  Sahara Sand, Early Espresso, Raspberry Ripple, More Mustard, and Lucky Limeade card stock, Orchard Harvest DSP

Accessories:  Window Frames Framelits Collection, Festive Paper-Piercing Pack, Paper-Piercing Tool and mat, and Leaves #2 Die (but use the new Autumn Accents Die instead!)

Sneak Peak!

My box of goodies from the new Holiday Seasonal Catalog arrived last week, and I FINALLY had time to play with my new toys.  I love the new set, Perfectly Preserved.  How cute is that canning jar?  I love this set so much because I grew up in a house where canning was just a normal part of life.  We had a great big garden, and canned all kinds of stuff.  I also always loved going into my grandparents' basement and looking at all the rows and rows of jars full of all kinds of colorful foods.  Although I'll confess that the jars of meat were kind of gross.  Anyway, I can everything I can now, which really isn't that much, considering I don't have the space for a garden.  But my own basement shelves are lined with jams, applesauce, and fruit.  Yum!

One of the things I love most about this set is the set of coordinating Framelits!  It makes cutting out the stamped images a snap.  Can you spy the other new items I used on this card?  That piece of Early Espresso...I embossed it with the new wood grain embossing folder!  I can't even tell you how happy I am that this exists.  I have wanted Stampin' Up! to come out with this for so long!  I think that every single card I make now will use it. :)  Oh, and one more thing to make this woodsy girl happy...the plaid paper from the Orchard Harvest DSP.  I. love. plaid.  (Um, what don't I love when it comes to SU!)  Oh, and one more new thing...the cotton ribbon!  You can even stamp on it!  I haven't done that yet, but don't worry, I will!

Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  VersaMark, Island Indigo and Early Espresso Classic Ink 

Paper:  Naturals Ivory, Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso, and Very Vanilla card stock, Orchard Harvest DSP

Accessories:  Cannery Set Framelits, Woodgrain Embossing Folder, 7/8" Cotton Ribbon

July Club Cards (Part 2)

This was the second card we made at club this month.  This card is also a lesson in how not to make a card five minutes before club starts.  I had ordered the exclusive set, A Reason to Smile, specifically to use at club.  The July 4th holiday got in the way, though, and when I received my shipping confirmation, UPS was telling me that my order would arrive the day after club.  I was so upset, because this set is only available during the month of July, and I wouldn't have another chance to use this at club.  Did I mention I was upset?  On the day of club, I checked the status of my package, only to discover that it was out for delivery!  I was so excited (talk about a mood swing!)  I was out in the morning, but was looking forward to coming home, picking up my box at my front door, and creating a new card for club.  Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way.  My UPS deliveries are ALWAYS at my house by 2:00, and of course, the one time that I desperately wanted it to arrive by then, it was late.  It didn't come until around 5:30.  I have to leave my house for club at 6:15.  I only had 45 minutes to throw together a card, cut all the paper for my club members, and pack up my supplies.  Somehow I did it.  I didn't even leave any supplies at home and have to call my husband (like I normally do!) 

However, in my hurry to get this card made, I was sloppy, and I really wish I had had more time to play.  I completely CASED this card, changing very little from the original.  And those sunflowers...ick.  That top one is the perfect example of how not to use the new firm foam ink pads.  It's a little blotchy, and nothing is even close to being lined up.  I could pretend it's supposed to be that way (and it sort of is...these stamps are not meant to line up perfectly), but I could have done a better job.  Oh well...it's a five minute card, especially since I only had time to make one sample at home, and this one was made as my club members were arriving!

Stamps:  A Reason to Smile, Petite Pairs

Ink:  More Mustard, Early Espresso, Soft Suede

Paper: Early Espresso, So Saffron, Garden Green, More Mustard, and Whisper White card stock

Accessories:  Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Oval Scallop Punch, Small Scallop Punch, More Mustard 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (retired)

July Club Cards (Part 1)

This was the card I was originally planning to make at club this month.  I loved the colors, the rock and roll technique on the flower, and the piece of Floral District DSP.  I even loved that little bit of ribbon with the button at the top.  But something just didn't feel right.  I saw this fun fold card, and was stumped for days trying to come up with a good design to use with it.  I hated every single one I made.  And then I decided to combine this card with the fun fold, and this is what I ended up with:

 I was so happy with how it turned out!  Same bright colors, same fun flower, same everything (except that cute button!), just rearranged.  The diamond part of the card opens up, so you can write your message inside of it.  It's so cute, and so easy to make!

Stamps:  Betsy's Blossoms, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, and Gumball Green Classic Ink, Whisper White Classic Ink

Paper:  Tangerine Tango, Daffodil Delight, Gumball Green, and Whisper White card stock, Floral District DSP

Accessories:  Daffodil Delight 1/4" stitched grosgrain ribbon, Bitty Banners Framelits, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

Oops!

So sorry for the long silence.  We've been sick and super busy around here, with very little time to stamp.  On top of the craziness that is my life (isn't summer supposed to be slow and relaxing????), we're having computer issues.  As it turns out, I thought blogger was the problem, when in fact, it's my computer.  So we're going to be doing some upgrading this weekend, and I should be back on Monday with some new stuff to show you!  I got a box full of goodies from the new Holiday Seasonal Catalog, and I can't wait to play with all of it!  Considering how hot it's been lately, I'm more than happy to start thinking of fall and Christmas! 

Primrose Butterflies

Wow, there's a lot of pink going on with this card!  It features some of the papers in the International Bazaar DSP, and I just took the color cues from the strip along the bottom.  The smaller rectangle above that is also paper from that same collection.  For the biggest rectangle, I simply ran a piece of Rose Red through the Big Shot with the new Fancy Fan embossing folder.  I LOVE that one!  The butterflies were quickly made using the Beautiful Wings Embosslit, in Regal Rose, Rose Red, Tangerine Tango, and Naturals White.  I added some pearls to each one to jazz them up a bit.  

Happy 4th of July!

I love July 4th.  I used to be a history teacher, so the historian in me loves the fact that it's our country's birthday.  But mostly I love the fireworks.  I always loved going to see fireworks as a kid...we always sat in the same place, across from my favorite bakery.  Now I live in another state, but we still go to see fireworks every year.  We park in a big field at the park where they set off the fireworks, so they are exploding right over our heads.  We sit on a blanket and play games until the fireworks start, and there is always a really bad cover band playing. 

But you want to see a card, not hear about all my July 4th traditions, right?  Here you go...This was another super easy card.  I used the star from Every Little Bit.  It's a fun set with lots of little images and there is something for every occassion.  For the stripes, I inked the stripes embossing folder with Real Red ink and ran it through my Big Shot.  Instant flag.  I did use a couple of retired items, like the red ribbon, and the sentiment.  It's the only thing I have that's 4th of July-related, so I went with it. 

Stamps:  Every Little Bit, July Fourth (retired)

Ink:  Real Red and Night of Navy Classic ink pads, Whisper White craft ink

Paper:  Naturals White, Real Red, and Night of Navy card stock

Accessories:  Real Red satin ribbon, Stripes embossing folder, Brights Buttons, White Baker's Twine, paper snips, 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 3/4" circle punch

Keep Calm

OK, Blogger is being very difficult and I haven't been able to post ingredients for the past couple of posts.  It's doing all kinds of weird things, and I'm kind of sick of fighting with it.  So, I'm going to make this quick.  This card uses two new In Colors, Gumball Green and Primrose Petals, plus one of the new hostess sets, Carry On.  Unfortunately, it's not available right now, due to a legal issue.  I'm hoping that's resolved quickly so you can all get your own set!