Purple Praying for You {Thoughts & Prayers}

If you love purple, then this is the card for you!  And if you don't, well, I guess you could just make this in a different color scheme. :)  I've actually made a version of this card in browns, which is gorgeous.  This time, I wanted to change things up, and since the stamped image looks kind of like lavender, purple was the natural choice.

I used one of my all time favorite stamp sets, Pocket Silhouettes, which retired years ago.  But I still love it.  I stamped the same image across the paper, at varying heights, in three different shades of purple.

I also used the retiring Square Lattice embossing folder.  The fact that it's retiring still has me scratching my head.  I love this folder.

Supplies

Stamps:  Pocket Silhouettes, Thoughts & Prayers
Ink:  Wisteria Wonder, Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant
Paper:  Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant, and Whisper White
Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Linen Thread, Scallop Oval punch, Large Oval punch

Thanks So Much

I don't know about you, but I was shocked to see the Square Lattice embossing folder on the retiring list!  I love that folder, and use it all the time.  I just love the unique texture it gives, but hopefully there will be something similar in the new catalog.

Because I love this folder so much, I thought I'd show it off with this card.  I really like to layer it on a same colored card base, as it gives a subtle bit of texture and interest without drawing attention away from the main image. 

I'm also linking this card to the Fab Friday challenge.  This one was a color challenge and was really tough for me!  These are NOT colors I would normally use together, but I was pleasantly surprised to see them work as well together as they do.  That's why I like to do challenges...they push me outside my comfort zone.  Considering the creative block I've had going for the last few weeks, this was just the push I needed!

Supplies

Stamps:  Just Believe (retired), Tiny Tags (retired), Papillion Potpourri
Ink:  Early Espresso, Summer Starfruit, Crisp Cantaloupe, Smokey Slate
Paper:  Early Espresso, Summer Starfruit, Crisp Cantaloupe, Smokey Slate, and Naturals White card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Chalk Talk Framelits, Jewelry Tag Punch, Bitty Butterfly Punch, Sweet Sorbet Accessories Pack, Basic Jewels Pearls

Under the Stars

I realize that this card uses a retired set, but it's one that I will never get rid of.  I love camping sets, which Under the Stars is, but the bear in this set is also really fun.  (Although I hope I never see a bear when I'm camping.)  A little paper piecing is what really makes this bear pop.  And speaking of popping, his head is attached with a Stampin' Dimensional, which not only makes his head pop up, but allows the linen thread to appear as though it's hanging around his shoulders.  

But wait, this card has another fun technique!  I adhered the polka dots to the Pumpkin Pie card stock, then ran the whole thing through my Big Shot and the Square Lattice embossing folder.  It kind of embeds the dots into the background and gives it a really cool look.  And those eyelets...don't you miss those?  I wish they were still around.  I think I used those more than any other embellishment ever.  Sigh....

Stamps:  Under the Stars

Ink:  Pacific Point and Basic Black Classic Ink

Paper:  Pacific Point, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, and Whisper White card stock

Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, 1/2" circle punch, linen thread, eyelets (retired)

Blown Ink Butterflies {Papillion Potpourri}

As you can see, I had lots of fun with the blown ink technique and butterflies.  While a similar color combination to the one I used last week, this one includes Pool Party, and completely changes the look.  To make the butterflies, I embossed them with white embossing powder first, then did the blown ink, using So Saffron and Pool Party.  Because the drops of ink are going directly to the paper, it's best to go up a shade, rather than using the same exact color as your papers.

Stamps:  Mosaic Madness, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Papillion Potpourri
Ink:  So Saffron and Pool Party refills, Bermuda Bay and Crushed Curry (to dye the twine) Classic Ink Pad
Paper:  Crushed Curry, Pool Party, Bermuda Bay, and Naturals White card stock
Accessories:  Elegant Butterfly and Bitty Butterfly punches, Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Bitty Banners Framelits, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Stampin' Dimensionals

Rainbow Birthday

I'm back...finally.  And hoping life can return to some semblance of normalcy!  In the past ten days we've celebrated two birthdays at my house.  Both of my cuties are a year older.  While I LOVE the ages they are now, I do get a little nostalgic remembering when they were just little bitty girls.

This is the card I made for my newly-turned 9 year old.  She's a bright and happy girl (most of the time), so a bright and happy card was perfect for her.  I went simple this year, but I love how the colors pop off the white background.  Two punches and one embossing folder were all it took to make the hearts, and this card went together in about five minutes. 

Buttons and Banners {Sneak Peek}

Do not be alarmed...Pennant Parade is NOT retiring!  I've been trying to feature retiring sets recently, and didn't want anyone to freak out thinking that this fabulous stamp set was headed out the door.  Thankfully, it's not!  I've had these pennants punched out and sitting on my desk for weeks, just waiting to be made into a card.  I had a general idea, but it was just too boring every time I tried to make a card.  And then along came the clay and button molds...the perfect touch to ramp this card up a little!

Using my Pennant Builder Punch, I popped out three pennants, then adhered them to the card using Stampin' Dimensionals.  A couple of cute little Whisper White Baker's Twine bows complete the banner.  Then, using the Bitty Banners Framelits, I cut out the sentiment.  Those two perfectly dyed buttons are made with the new (and soon to be available) Simply Pressed Clay.  I can't believe how easy it is to dye this clay, and how true the color ends up being.  Without really trying, I was able to perfectly match the clay to Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue.  You will LOVE this new product, which will be available on May 31.  If you'd like to take a peek at the new 2013-2014 Annual Catalog, be sure to contact me so I can get one to you!

Stamps:  Pennant Parade (122740)
Ink:  Whisper White Craft Ink (101731), Marina Mist Classic Ink (126962), Bashful Blue (105221) and Certainly Celery (105230) Classic Stampin' Ink Refill
Paper:  Bashful Blue (105120), Marina Mist (119682), Certainly Celery (105125), Wild Wasabi (108641), and Whisper White (100730) card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Square Lattice Embossing Folder (119976), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), Simply Pressed Clay (130685), Buttons & Blossoms Simply Pressed Clay Molds (131272), Whisper White Baker's Twine (124262), Petite Pennants Builder Punch (122361)

A Card for Grandma

This bright card is for my Grandma, who recently moved into a nursing home.  Since I live in a different state, I can't be there to visit her as often as I'd like.  But I can send her a card every week.  She loves purple, and has made more quilts in her life than I could even count.  I loved going to her house when she was tying off a quilt.  The frame would take up the entire living room and made a pretty cool fort for a little kid.  She also made a quilt for each of her grandchildren as wedding presents.  My green quilt is one of my treasured possessions.  Quilts and Grandma just kind of go together, so I wanted to add a quilted element.  I'm hoping this will brighten her day and make her happy.

Stamps:  Friendly Phrases (126149)
Ink:  Rich Razzleberry (126950), and Lucky Limeade (126984)
Paper:  Floral District (126919), Summer Smooches (125409), and International Bazaar (126020) Designer Series Papers, Rich Razzleberry (155316), Lucky Limeade (122926), and Naturals White (102316) card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Square Lattice Embossing Folder (119976), Decorative Label Punch (120907), Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack (118309), Dazzling Details (124117), Rich Razzleberry Ribbon

International Bazaar

I can't even tell you how much I love the colors in this card.  Anyone who knows me well knows that blue is my very favorite color, but that I also like green and brown (especially in my house.)  And they are all here, in one bright, cheery place!  I've always been drawn to this particular print in the International Bazaar Designer Series paper, but could never quite make it work.  I LOVE it on this card!  And I love all the little touches on this as well:  the embossed frame for the sentiment, the little buttons, ruffled ribbon, and the orange baker's twine.  Wait...orange baker's twine?!?  No, you didn't miss a new product...I dyed it!  I pulled out one of the accent colors (Tangerine Tango) from the DSP to dye it.  It just gives that little pop to pull the orange tone out.  The Daffodil Delight button does the same thing.  I love that there is a ton of color on this card, but the number of colors isn't overwhelming because there are really only three main colors used. 

Oh, don't forget...FREE SHIPPING ends today.  So if you like that Lucky Limeade ribbon (or any of the other retiring colors), today is the perfect time to place an order to stock up!

Stamps:  Paper Pumpkin Welcome Kit (click here to subscribe)
Ink:  Pacific Point (126951)
Paper:  Naturals Ivory (101849), Pacific Point (111350), Lucky Limeade (122926) card stock, International Bazaar DSP (126920)
Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Square Lattice Embossing Folder (119976), Designer Frames Embossing Folders (123130), Extra-Large Oval Punch (119859), Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon (122977)

Just Believe

This is a special card, because I made it for a special person. :)  My friend asked me to make some cards for her, and when she does that, I almost always go with her favorite color, purple.  She specifically mentioned including some kind of plants as well as some sort of insects.  The butterfly choice was a no-brainer, and it took me all of about two seconds to decide on using the Just Believe set, one of my absolute favorites.

There are several layers to this card, staring with a base of Naturals Ivory, followed by a layer of Perfect Plum, embossed with the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.  The next layer uses a veeeeeery old background stamp that is very similar to En Francais, so let's pretend that's what I used. :)  Next is a piece of Very Vanilla, stamped with the gorgeous flower image from this set.  It's not really showing up well in the picture, but I sponged the edges with Always Artichoke.  Then to top it all off, is that one lovely little butterfly from Papillion Potpourri, stamped in Elegant Eggplant on Perfect Plum cardstock and punched out with the new Bitty Butterfly punch.  The finishing touches include the Always Artichoke seam binding ribbon and the the Dazzling Details glitter adhesive in the centers of the flowers.

Stamps:  Just Believe (116948), Papillion Potpourri (123757)
Ink:  Elegant Eggplant Classic Ink (126969), Always Artichoke (119701), Perfect Plum (119700), and Elegant Eggplant (119701) Stampin' Around Markers
Paper:  Elegant Eggplant (105126), Perfect Plum (101889), Naturals Ivory (101849), and Very Vanilla (101650) card stock
Accessories:  Always Artichoke Seam Binding Ribbon (121000), Dazzling Details (124117), Big Shot (113439), Square Lattice Embossing Folder (119976), Labels Collection Framelits (125598), Bitty Butterfly Punch (129406)

Pennant Parade

I'm on a bit of a Pennant Parade kick this week.  This card is so simple to make, and part of the reason is because there is no cutting by hand involved (yay!)  The coordinating Petite Pennants Builder Punch makes cutting out these pennants a breeze!  I also cut out the happy birthday banner with the Bitty Banners Framelits.  I seriously think this card took all of ten minutes to create.  So easy, and the non-traditional size adds interest.

I love the color combination used here:  Garden Green, More Mustard (one of my all-time favorites!), and Elegant Eggplant.  When in doubt about a color combination, know that if the colors all come from the same collection (this time, the Regals) then generally it's a good bet.  And you can always throw in a neutral or two to add balance.

Stamps:  Pennant Parade (122740), Itty Bitty Banners (126255)
Ink:  Garden Green (126973), More Mustard (126964), and Elegant Eggplant (126969) Classic Ink, Whisper White Craft Ink (101731)
Paper:  Sahara Sand (121043), Whisper White (100730), Garden Green (102584), More Mustard (100946), and Elegant Eggplant (105126) card stock
Accessories:  Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119960), Rhinestones Basic Jewels (119246), Big Shot (113439), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), Square Lattice Embossing Folder (119976), Petite Pennants Builder Punch (122361)

Floral Fusion

My sad news from yesterday just keeps getting sadder.  Not only can I not crochet, but I can't stamp, either.  I know.  It's the worst.  I'm also not supposed to be using the computer much, so this will be short and sweet.  It's a weird nerve thing going on and when I do certain things, my arm starts to go numb.  Not good.  Hopefully a few days of rest will take care of it, though.  Thank goodness this card is so easy...I won't have to type much about it!

There is very little stamping, as you can see, and lots of Big Shot(ing).  I realize that's not a real word, but for today, it's going to be.  One punch, plus a sizzlet, an embossing folder, and a set of framelits, and that's pretty much it.  And the color combinations are endless!

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Ink:  Lucky Limeade (126984)

Paper:  Naturals White (102316), Lucky Limeade (122926), Calypso Coral (122925), and So Saffron (105118) card stock

Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Square Lattice Embossing Folder (119976), Floral Fusion Sizzlet (115969), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), 1 1/4" Square Punch (119865), Pearl Basic Jewels (119247), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Madison Avenue

Don't you just love Sale-a-bration time?  I DO!!!!  And it starts tomorrow!  I have an order just waiting for tomorrow. :)  But I was able to pre-order some of the sets, and decided on the Madison Avenue stamp set.  I thought it went well with the Alhambra jumbo wheel from the 2012-2013 Catalog, and I've been wanting to use that on a card, so this was the perfect excuse.  Not that I need an excuse, right?  I also really like the color combination of Island Indigo, Pool Party, and Calypso Coral in the International Bazaar Designer Series Paper.  I don't think that I would have chosen these colors on my own, but that's one of the things I love about Stampin' Up!...they've done the thinking for me. :)   But my favorite part of this card is the sponging around the edge of the top piece of Island Indigo.  It just makes that layer pop, and I love it.

Stamps:  Madison Avenue, Alhambra jumbo wheel

Ink:  Island Indigo Classic Ink Pad

Paper:  Island Indigo, Pool Party, Calypso Coral, and Whisper White card stock, and International Bazaar DSP

Accessories:  Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle punches, pearls, sponge

Just Thinking

I love free stamps!  And I got a lot of them at Leadership!  Everyone received this stamp, which was super exciting.  I didn't waste any time putting it to use and came up with this card.  This card also uses the Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper, one of my favorites.  I think it works perfectly with this stamp.  I colored directly onto the rubber with my Stampin' Write markers and it turned out beautifully...or so you think.  I actually moved the stamp a little bit so the top is blurry.  But it's nothing a strategically placed bow can't fix!  When I first started stamping, I was all about perfection. But I quickly learned that nothing we make has to be perfect...those little imperfections are what give it a handmade feel and make it uniquely our own.  So if you're holding back because you're afraid of making a mistake, don't.  You can create beautiful projects, and I can even teach you how to cover up your mistakes. :)

Stamps:  Just Thinking

Ink:  Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, Summer Starfruit, and Midnight Muse Stampin' Write Markers

Paper:  Comfort Cafe DSP, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, and Midnight Muse card stock

Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Crochet Trim, Pearls, Distressing Tool, sponge (edges of center image)

November Club Card, Part 2

I had originally planned to use the card from last week for club, but there was something about it that didn't seem quite right to me.  Plus, it had too many layers and steps to do at club.  So I took some of the elements I loved most about that card, and used them on a new card.  I'm so happy with the result!  The medallion is exactly the same, as is the button.  In addition to those pieces, I added half of one of the flowers cut using the Floral Frames Framelits behind the piece of Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock that was embossed with the Woodgrain folder (my favorite!)  A simple banner using DSP from the Orchard Harvest pack finishes it off.

Stamps:  Day of Gratitude, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, and More Mustard Classic Ink
Paper:  Naturals White, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla, and Early Espresso Core'dinations card stock
Accessories:  Sweet Buttons Embosslits, Floral Frames Framelits, Bitty Banners Framelits, Woodgrain embossing folder, Square Lattice embossing folder, Big Shot

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

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

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

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!)

One More Day!

Today's the last day to order from the current catalog.  If there is anything still on your wish list, NOW is the time to order!  Just let me know if you'd like to place and order, or better yet, have it delivered right to your door by ordering from my website.

I know it seems odd to post a Mother's Day card today, but I have my reasons.  When I first made this, I was going to post it on Mother's Day.  That didn't happen, and immediately after I made the card, I knew that I was going to change it into a birthday card for my daughter.  Unfortunately, I didn't take a new picture before putting it in the envelope.  She adored this card when she saw it, so I knew that I should just use it for her.  She's my pink girl, so this is perfect for her.  I can't believe my baby is eight years old!

I could go on and on about how fast my kids are growing up, but I'll give you card details instead. :)  The card itself is made with Naturals White card stock.  I clear embossed across the front with the new Betsy's Blooms wheel that coordinates with Betsy's Blossoms, the set I used for the flowers and leaves.  I did the same thing on Raspberry Ripple cards stock and put a strip of that along the top edge of the embossing on the card.  On top of that is a piece of Primrose Petals that was embossed with the Square Lattice embossing Folder, mounted on a piece of Gumball Green.  That's my favorite of the new InColors, and I even have one of the new firm foam ink pads in GG.  Can you see how perfectly those leaves are stamped?  I LOVE these new ink pads!  The flowers are Raspberry Ripple and Primrose Petals.  They remind me of an old, long-ago retired set called Island Blossoms, which was a favorite of mine.  And of course, the little banner was cut out using the new Bitty Banners Framelits.