Button Buddies

Please excuse the horrible photography!  I was in a rush and thought it would be better to post something rather than wait for a good picture.  It's hard getting back into the routine of school, and we aren't even doing every subject yet!  But this year is all about making my 5th grader far more independent, so hopefully my days won't seem quite as busy once she's doing more of her work on her own.  At least I hope that's the case.  I'm probably fooling myself.

Anyway, this is a little 4"x4" card that uses the set Button Buddies.  I've had my eye on this set since it came out last year, and while I always thought it was cute, I just couldn't seem to bring myself to buy it.  But I finally caved in, and I'm having lots of fun playing with this set.  You can expect to see lots of cards featuring this set.  It's very cute, and I like how our buttons coordinate with each image.

This one is probably my least favorite of them all, but I thought it would look great with the Summer Smooches DSP.  Well, that and the fact that I only have Brights Buttons in my drawer right now, and I wanted the paper and buttons to coordinate! :)  The buttons add a little extra to the card, and often that's all it takes to take the card from nice to wow.

Stamps:  Button Buddies, Itty Bitty Banners

Ink:  Island Indigo and Lucky Limeade Classic ink

Paper:  Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, and Whisper White card stock, Summer Smooches DSP

Accessories:  Chevron embossing folder, Labels Collection Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Brights Buttons, Linen Thread, sponge

An Apple for the Teacher

I FINALLY have a new card to share!  Better late than never, right?  Today is the first day of school for a lot of people, including us.  So in honor of the first day, I thought an apple card would be appropriate.

Not surprisingly, I used the Woodgrain embossing folder on this...I can't get enough of this folder, especially now that I have some of the Core'dinations card stock in Early Espresso.  I LOVE how this looks after lightly sanding the top layer.  In addition to the rest of my new staples, Orchard Harvest DSP and the Perfectly Preserved stamp set, I got out the Two Tags Die for my Big Shot.  The longer tag pairs so nicely with the scallop circle punch.

Our first day went reasonably well.  I love homeschooling my kids, but there are days when the drama is just. too. much.  We had a bit of that, but I've been preparing my 5th grader that this was a big year for her, and yes, the work would be harder.  I think that helped.  Hopefully it just gets better from here!

Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved

Ink:  Raspberry Ripple, More Mustard, Early Espresso, and Lucky Limeade markers

Paper:  More Mustard, Very Vanilla, Lucky Limeade, and Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock, Orchard Harvest DSP

Accessories:  Two Tags Bigz Die, Big Shot, Scallop Circle punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches, Bitty Banners Framelits, Woodgrain embossing folder

Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stacks

It's time for our annual Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stacks!  My friend Kelly and I will be holding three separate events this year...come to one, two, or all three of them!

Here are the details:
Dates: Sundays - September 16, October 7, and November 11.
Time: 1-5 pm
Cost: $30 per event
Cards: You'll make 20 cards at each event, 5 each of 4 styles (want to make more? Just let me know which designs...cost is $15/additional set of 10 cards)
Location: Kelly's house in Harleysville

Please RSVP 2 weeks prior to each event so that we know if you are coming.  Advance payment is required to reserve your spot.  RSVP to: a_l_stoudt@yahoo.com or 610-287-0573.

I'll be posting sneak peaks of my cards soon!  I've actually had a hard time narrowing it down...there are so many great Christmas stamp sets in the Holiday Catalog that I've been making tons of cards.  If only I would post some of them. :)  Soon, I promise!

Tri-Fold Thanks

Happy Wednesday!  I just wanted to quickly show you this CASE of one of Shelli Gardner's cards.  I changed up the colors a bit, and the layering is just slightly different (I like Shelli's better, but I was too lazy to go back and change my card!), but other than that, it's pretty much exactly the same!  I just thought it was a really cool twist on a tri-fold card.

Stamps:  Friendship Preserves, Timber wheel

Ink:  Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake markers

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke, More Mustard, Very Vanilla card stock

Accessories:  Always Artichoke seam binding ribbon, Window Frames Framelits, Paper Piercing Tool and Piercing Pack, Square Lattice embossing folder

August Club Card

This was one of our cards for club this month.  It used my very favorite, the Woodgrain embossing folder.  I wish I had used the new Core'dinations card stock with it, but unfortunately, I didn't originally buy it in Early Espresso.  But after making this card, I took care of that!  It will be here on Thursday. :)

The flowers and jar are from Perfectly Preserved.  Everything is stamped right onto the piece of Very Vanilla.  We took a piece of Window Sheets and cut it out using the Cannery Framelits.  We didn't do any stamping on that piece, although if you wanted to, StazOn is the way to go.  The ribbon and sentiment hide the adhesive, and I think it turned out to be so cute!

Our other card this month was a repeat of a SAS card from earlier this summer.  Here's a look at that one.

Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved

Ink:  More Mustard, Lucky Limeade, and Raspberry Ripple Classic Ink

Paper: Orchard Harvest DSP, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Raspberry Ripple, and Very Vanilla card stock

Accessories:  Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon, Cannery Framelits set, Window Sheets, small oval punch, Woodgrain embossing folder

$.99 Fabric!!!!

I'll just keep going with the stitching theme this week and let you all know about a great deal on Stampin' Up! fabric.  There are four different packs of discontinued Designer Fabric available for only $.99 each.  This is a 90% discount off the original price!!!!  I just ordered a bazillion packs, and my girls and I are going to be sewing up a storm.  I see lots of new skirts appearing in our closets soon. And doll clothes.  And hopefully a bunch of the other ideas I have swirling around in my head!  Be sure to email or call me with your order, or better yet, just go to my website to place it.

Sorry that I don't have any projects to show today.  I haven't had a chance to do anything creative since we got back from vacation.  But I did have stamp club last night, so as soon as I can take pictures, I'll get those cards posted!

Some Stitching

We were away on vacation last week...nothing terribly exciting, but still fun.  We went to visit my dad, and spent the week relaxing at "home" and seeing some of the local sights that I grew up going to.  I wanted my kids to get to experience some of the places I've gone to a million times.  I also got to catch up with an old friend, and eat my favorite pizza in the process.  One of my out of town cousins was there with her kids, so it was great timing to get to see them as well.

Since I wasn't home, I haven't been doing a lot of stamping.  But I did get to do some sewing while we were away.  Here's some random trivia about me:  I have no nephews.  Only nieces.  Five of them.  Plus two grand-nieces.  Lots of girls on both sides of the family.

A few years ago I made some simple fleece and flannel blankets for my brother's (then) three girls.  The blankets have a pocket on them, so that it can fold up and turn into a pillow.  My Grandma made me one (although a much fancier version) when I was a girl.  Each one has the girls' initial on the pocket.  Fast forward a couple of years, and now those three girls have a little sister.  She was in need of her own blanket, so as a belated birthday present, I made one for her.

See the pocket?  Her initial is on the inside so that when everything is folded up, the letter is visible on the outside.  Here's a view of it all folded up (along with one of the original ones I made for the other girls.)

I should probably put a tutorial here, and maybe at some point I will (because I'm planning to make more of these!)  But it's not realistic right now.  If you want to know how to make these, just do a search for "quillow" and lots of directions should magically appear on your computer screen. :)

Corny

Q:  What did the corn say when he was complimented? 
A:  Aw, shucks!

It's a corny corn joke, get it? :)  I know, it's hard to control the eye rolling at this point, isn't it?  But I just had to do it.  I mean, if I'm going to show you a corn card, how could I not include a corny joke?  OK, enough already!

I think I could make cards all day long only using the Orchard Harvest DSP and Perfectly Preserved.  I {heart} this combination of products!  I especially love the Indian corn on the DSP, so I used my markers to color the individual kernels of corn on the stamp.  I stamped the husk on Lucky Limeade card stock and clear embossed it.  It pops out a little bit more, and I love the look.  The Indian corn makes me think of my Grandma, who grew it once and gave me a little arrangement of three cobs.  Whenever I pull them out in the fall, I think of her.  :)

Stamps:  Perfectly Preserved, Itty Bitty Banners

Ink:  More Mustard and Cajun Craze Stampin' Write Markers, VersaMark

Paper:  Lucky Limeade, Cajun Craze, and Very Vanilla card stock, Orchard Harvest DSP

Accessories:  Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, More Mustard 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Linen Thread, button (this one is retired, but Neutrals or Regals Designer Buttons would work, too!), Bitty Banners Framelits, Big Shot, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

Gently Falling

Have I mentioned how much I love fall?  I do...it's hands down my favorite season, and with all this heat and humidity, I'm sort of ready for fall to come.  Although I'm not really ready for summer to be over.  Wouldn't it be nice to have the fall weather with no school?  I'm ready for the cooler weather, but not ready for school.  Not even close.

Since I'm thinking fall, it was time to pull out the Gently Falling stamp set.  These leaves are just so pretty.  I stamped the outline of each one, then did the background in the same colors, but stamped off once first.  It's hard to see, but I then covered each leaf with champagne shimmer paint, so they each have a little bit of sparkle to them.  So pretty!  I also sponged the edges of some of the papers with a little bit of Soft Suede ink.

Stamps:  Gently Falling, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Summer Starfruit Classic Ink

Paper:  Naturals Ivory, Cajun Craze, and Very Vanilla card stock, Comfort Cafe DSP

Accessories:  Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Crochet Trim, Linen Thread, Neutrals Designer Buttons, Designer Label Punch, Sponge

Merry {Mini} Christmas!

OK, last Christmas card for a bit.  This card was so super simple to make, and yet that little rosette makes a big statement.  Once again, I used the Be of Good Cheer DSP and Merry Minis.  I also used some retired ribbon, but that's easily substituted with Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding or Scallop Dots Ribbon.  Either would look great!

Stamps:  Merry Minis, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Gumball Green

Paper:  Ivory Naturals, Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green, and Very Vanilla card stock, Be of Good Cheer DSP

Accessories:  Merry Mini Punch Pack, Simply Scored, 1 1/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Border Punch, 1" Circle Punch

Ladybug

Please excuse this horrible picture.  I'm so sorry for the blurriness and the inept cropping. :)  But it was super cute and I needed to take a quick picture before it left my house.  This one is for our friends, former neighbors who are adopting a little girl from China.  They are hoping to go pick her up next month.  Apparently, ladybugs mean good luck in China, and they are definitely going with a ladybug theme with clothing and other new things for Piper.  So I had to make a ladybug card for the surprise shower that I missed while on vacation.  I'm sad to have missed it, but I'm looking forward to meeting this special little girl!

Stamps:  Inspired by Nature (retired), Rough Edges Alphabet (retired)

Ink:  Gumball Green and Basic Black

Paper:  Naturals White, Gumball Green, Pretty in Pink, Basic Black, and Melon Mambo card stock

Accessories:  1 3/4" circle punch, 1" circle punch, 1/4" circle punch (retired), Melon Mambo ribbon (retired), Bitty Banners Framelits

Christmas CASE

This card is a CASE of this one that I found on Pinterest.  I loved the original, but wanted to try it with Christmas colors.  I didn't add as many embellishments to mine...just  few rhinestones and some ribbon.  The little Christmas trees were stamped with Merry Minis and punched with the coordinating punch pack.  I love those cute little images!

Stamps:  Merry Minis

Ink:  Gumball Green

Paper:  Be of Good Cheer DSP, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, and Gumball Green card stock

Accessories:  Scallop Square Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Merry Minis Punch Pack, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbons, Gumball Green 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon, rhinestones, Stampin' Dimensionals

More Christmas

I have lots of Christmas cards to show you over the next few days.  I guess hanging out in my cool basement and thinking of December helps deal with the heat and humidity outside.  This card uses the new set, Ornament Keepsakes.  I was so happy to see this set in the Holiday Catalog, because my favorite ornament set retired in May.  This one is very similar, only better, because there are a lot more stamps, in a lot more sizes!  And there is a coordinating set of Framelits, so you know I love that!  If you look closely, though, you can see that I need a little more practice using them. :)  Oops!  Actually, after making this card, I realized that by putting a bit of removable adhesive (I used Dotto, which retired) on the card stock, the Framelit will stay in place, and it does a much better job of perfectly cutting out the stamped image.

There are only three colors here:  Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, and a tiny little piece of Crumb Cake.  I used a new embossing folder, plus the new Core'dinations card stock, then sanded it.  The ornament is embossed with Cherry Cobbler embossing powder, and hung with a piece of linen thread.  And then I went crazy with my new favorite finishing touch:  Champagne Shimmer Paint.  I know, it's not a new product, but believe it or not, I've never used it.  I decided to open my brand new bottle and go to town.  Everything is covered in it, and it is so pretty!  I think I avoided it because I thought it would be too gold.  Nope!  It's absolutely gorgeous, and adds such a pretty, yet subtle effect.  I kind of wish I hadn't waited so long to use it!

Stamps:  Ornament Keepsakes, Tiny Tags

Ink:  VersaMark, Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake Classic Ink, Champagne Shimmer Paint

Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake

Accessories:  Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Crochet Lace, Holiday Ornaments Framelits, Big Shot, Lacy Brocade embossing Folder, linen thread, Jewelry Tag punch, sponge daubers, sanding block, paper piercing tool