Flowers for Mom

 Here is a series of cards I made for Mom while she was here visiting - She approved all the colors, layouts and sentiments, but I pushed a little for the yellow flowers. :)

This is one of the new Stampin' Up sets, and it is quickly becoming one of my favorites.  It will be used for a LONG LONG time!

This is one of the Two-Step Stamping sets called Stippled Blossoms (#126745w /#126747c) and I ordered it in wood because I knew I'd use it so much.  I made a Stamp-a-ma-jig permanent template on some transparent film I had with Staz-On ink, so in the long run, this is going to save LOTS of time - keep the piece with the stamp set, and you are ready to go!!

The cards stamp really fast - and after I trimmed up some of the rubber edges from the first card, they turned out GREAT!!!

Question:  Can you tell where I've used the "new" ink pads, and needed to use the "old" ink pads?  Look at the ink coverage!  LOVE those new pads!!!

So, here they are - a series of 11 cards, in all different Stampin' Up colors.  Please enjoy!

 After I stamped this initial card, the rubber edges were trimmed to get rid of the ghosting near the edges of the stamps.

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Baby Card - New Baby SU Stamp Set!

 My husband needed a baby card for one of his colleagues, so this is what I came up with.

It uses an "old" technique I've used often with the baby quilt in pink for a girl, but I'm using the new baby themed stamp set I thought was TOO cute in the new catalog!  It's called "Baby Boutique" #126350w/#126352c  It really caught my attention - and with the amount of baby cards I make over the year, I thought it was worth it.  I actually waited to make this card until my order arrived! :) 

I'm also using the new stamp pads - LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!  What amazing coverage and great inking on large stamps!

This card uses some of the new Stampin' Up products, as well as some retired products.  For the background, I used the Stampin' Up Wheel Bella Boutique.  

Inside view of the card, additional cardstock popped off the base, and ticket punched on the corners. 

Your comments are always appreciated!
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June's Christmas Card Winner!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! 

Today is the 25th of the month, so looking at the entries and votes...

JPScraps 

Your Christmas Card Challenge entry got the most votes!!

I have your address, and your package is on its way!

Congrats!!!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Voting starts in 12 hours!!!

IF you made cards for the June challenge, you have until MIDNIGHT tonight to get them in...  and then voting goes for just 4 days!!!

Stop by and take a look at the cards on the 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and  24th... the winner will be announced on the 25th -

Oh, and Happy 1st Day of Summer ~ from the Christmas Card Challenge!  :)



 Your comments are always appreciated!

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Father's Day 2012

 Yes, a belated Father's Day - but my dad will be visiting in just a few days, and instead of sending this through the mail, he will just have to wait until he gets to my place!!!  Now my dad is not much of a tie-wearing dad... but he does wear one on Sundays, and for very special occasions!! 

We found a VERY cool gift.... but that's a surprise!

I found this card on the Stampin' Up website, and just had to make it!!  It's a lot easier than you think - just some paper folding and easy techniques.

 This is similar to a card by Brenda Keenan, and HERE is a link to her video showing how to make this card, AND lots of great variations.  I used the "same collar" variation instead of showing another pattern.

Your comments are always appreciated!

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The Lemonade Stand: A Rite of Passage???

 I know a little girl that is always coming up with "business" ideas!  She always comes up with very creative ideas - and this was one of her more feasible ideas for her age level.  After some lengthy discussion, we (her parents and I and the little girl) decided this was something we could do with little "overhead" and time.

Fortunately, we were able to set up at a Farmer's Market so there was lots of traffic.

I had a GREAT time making the poster!!!!!  See below to find out our results!!!

Doesn't it look GREAT?

Here's a closer view.  Can you see the sparkly ice cubes??

Here's a close-up of the saying I found.

Here's a close-up of the title.

 I used 3 different Cricut Cartridges on this poster!
Calligraphy Collection, Just Because Cards, and Block Party

Even in the 90 degree heat (we were under a canopy) it looked AMAZING!!!  I used my Crop-A-Dile to put eyelets on each corner, and they worked fabulously well for hanging the sign.... no rips or tears.

Now..... How did we do????   We SOLD OUT!  We ran out of water about an hour before the farmer's market closed.  I'm sure that now that she's begun, she will continue and reach her goal quickly.  It's a brand new Farmer's Market, so word is barely getting out about it.  It's going to go quickly once it heats up here, I'm sure!!!

One VERY cool thing - When the vendors sign contracts for this farmer's market, I've been asked to make the signs for their booths!!!!  SO SO cool!  I'm thrilled!


Your comments are always appreciated!

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Stampin' Up's New Catalog Card Night!

So these are the two cards I designed for our "New Catalog Stamp Night" we held on Friday, June 15, 2012. It went from 6 - 9 p.m., and we had 20 ladies show up!!!

We showcased the 5 new colors of ink and cardstock as well as new stamp sets.

They made two of each cards, Robin and Kathy also made two cards, so for $12, everyone left with a dozen cards!
What a DEAL!!!

The Butterfly card was an easy one since we had some new stampers come and join us.
It uses all new products except the blue cardstock, Marina Mist.

Products used: Butterfly Birthday
Cardstock - Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green, Primrose Petals, Marina Mist, Summer Starfruit, and Marina Mist Whisper White. All new, except the Marina Mist and Whisper White, of course.
Ink: Raspberry Ripple, Midnight Muse
Stamp Sets: Papillon Potourri, Beautiful Birthday
Punches: Elegant Butterfly
Other products: Sponges used to ink the white cardstock edges.

I made this card a little more detailed so the new stampers that attended would see that even a more involved card just takes a little more time, but isn't any more difficult.

Products used: Blissful Bird Thank You
Cardstock: Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Primrose Petals, Gumball Green, Midnight Muse
Ink: Primrose Petals (bird) Raspberry Ripple (wing), Whisper White Craft Ink
Marker: Gumball Green (for inking branch and accents on leaves)
Die: Perfect Pennants Bigz L, Little Leaves Sizzlits
Stamp Sets: Blissful Bird, Blooming with Kindness
Punches: Bird Builder, Boho Blossoms
Other: White Embossing powder, heat gun, rhinestones, sponge for adding color to leaves



Your comments are always appreciated!

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2012 Christmas Card Challenge - June!!

 I can't believe the year is passing us by so quickly!!!  Here we are, already in June, and my thoughts are never far away from Christmas!  I've even got Christmas music playing in the background as I write this post.  :) While I made this month's cards, I realized I've already got 36 cards made!  That's the entire amount we sent out last year... so this year, I'll have even more to send!  I'm so excited!

I am so happy to report that two very talented ladies joined me for the May Challenge!  Hope to see your submissions again this month, girls!!  I hope some more people will join me as well.  (Tell you a secret..... I already wrote up a list of ideas for next year!!!!)

Whenever Mom wanted us to do something around the house, and we didn't move fast enough for her, she would always say,  "Christmas is coming!".  Well, it sure is!  Here we are, half the year already gone.

Our theme for June is.....  PUNCHES!!!
You can use your Stampin' Up punches, EK Success, etc.  ANY punches will do to make a Christmas card.  Don't have any punches you say??  I understand!  I started with my Cricut.  You can also use cuts from the Cricut - there are so many great carts out there!

The basic rules are the same, create 6 Christmas cards based on the theme of the month, take a photo showing all 6, and enter it into the linky from your blog or website.  **Don't have a blog of your own??  1.  You could start one.... or 2. contact me, and I have a solution for that issue.

Click HERE for the original post including the (very easy and straightforward) rules to the Challenge.

Get your cards made, and entered into the Linky below by the 20th!!! Can't wait to see what you've made! Put mine to shame, I'm sure!

 

 I CASE'D this card from another Stampin' Up demonstrator, Melinda Pasqual - It was SO cute!!!  I did make lots of changes, but the original idea was hers.
I am using the new "Be of Good Cheer" DSP, and Gumball Green cardstock and ink to stamp the sentiment. 

 Here you can see the other cards to make a total of 6 for the month.

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Stampin' Up Card Club Cards - May 2012

This is an awesome card - we used gold embossing powder, but no VersaMark ink, Craft ink, OR Heat and Stick powder.  The ink was just "juicy" enough to allow us to get enough powder on the tree to give us this amazing image.  We used Mocha Morning DSP, and lots of other little techniques.

I really LOVE this card!  Here we are using the retired stamp set "Vintage Vogue"  The colors:  Regal Rose (F, small mat, and large flower), Pretty in Pink (small flowers, and card base) Pear Pizazz (mat, glimmer brad, and vines).  It took a little placement to get everything to fit nicely, and everyone chose different sentiments to add to their card.  I've always liked the big Friends from that set.

 Please enjoy!  Kathy, our Stampin Up Demonstrator, and my upline always does a FANTASTIC job picking cards and choosing great color combos!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Summer Bounty!

 I do so love summer corn!!  The ears looked pretty excellent at the market, so I picked up a few.  I NEVER boil them long.... 6 minutes at the most.

Pampered Chef Corn Cob Nobs are a wonderful thing!!!  They go on the corn BEFORE cooking, and don't get hot so they are good to go right away.

I know there are lots of variations out there with chile, lots of toppings, etc.  I just like a little butter and salt.  YUMMMM







Your comments are always appreciated!
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Five Question Friday! May 25, 2012

1. Are you a napper?

   OH YES, I am!!  I was never a napper as a child, driving my mother crazy... but I discovered wonderful naps in college!!!!!  Up all night, classes early... what's better than a nap in the afternoon before dinner?  During college, I learned to get those naps in anytime, anyplace, anywhere.  I, even now, will catch a nap while waiting for kids after school....  laugh all you want at me sleeping in my truck....  I'm off in a very happy dreamland!  :) 

2. What was your favorite subject in school? Most hated?  

I would have to say my very favorite subject in high school was.... accounting!  I could work on those projects FOREVER!!!  I also loved Chemistry class... it was pretty easy, and I considered a job in that field for a time.  I also liked my history classes a lot too.
Hated??  As always... MATH! (Doesn't make sense with the accounting and chem, but that's the way the ball bounces!)


3. Did you have the something old new borrowed and blue at your wedding?

What were they?  Yes!!!  I did.  Something old:  I used my mother's white bible she had at her wedding.  Something new:  I had a new garter, and it was blue.  Something borrowed:  I borrowed mom's diamond earrings for the day... and the bible!  :)


4. What one thing are you determined to do this summer? 

Get to Texas someway, somehow.


5. Ice cream or Popsicles?  

Mom's Chocolate fudge pudding pops!  Pop-sickles for me!! I still make them in some super cute molds I bought years ago at Williams-Sonoma. 



Your comments are always appreciated!
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25th of May - Christmas Card WINNER!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! 

Today is the 25th of the month, so looking at the entries and votes...

JPScraps 

Your Christmas Card Challenge entry got the most votes!!

Leave a comment with your address (I won't post it!)  OR email me with your address so I can get your prizes out in the mail to you.

Congrats!!!

Your comments are always appreciated!
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Mother's Day Card

This is the Mother's Day card sent out to her earlier this week. It's a collection of stamps I bought this past spring break while we were traveling again in Tennessee.

IF you look closely, you can see that all the blue morning glories are 'popped' with dimensionals, and three of the birds as well.

I really love using the watercolors - it gives such a nice depth of color, without smudging as markers tend to do on cardstock sometimes.


Here's the inside view of the card.


Here's the back view of the card (before I put my stamp on it) with the 3 yellow birds also popped with dimensionals.

The front and back panels also have lots of stickles for glitter!!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!

This is just a quick post, because I couldn't contain myself!

You may already be aware that Stampin' Up has re-vamped, re-designed, re-tooled their stamp pads.  This was out on the retired list, released about a week or two ago.  I just got my new black pad, and the in-color pads last night.

WOW!!!!!

Just wait til you get a chance to try them.... they're WONDERFUL!

I am definitely replacing my stamp pads that are used most often!

OK, I feel better now.  More on this as we go and I can post some samples.

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Baby Shower Invitations - Special Order

This was a special order I received from a work colleague.
After lots of questions, we decided on the following:
One page, and themed for a boy.
I showed her a sample, and after the OK, I worked them up... adding little touches here and there in addition to the agreed upon specs.

This is what I came up with:

The invitation is a one-page piece, with an embossed vellum overlay, attached with a blue ribbon.

The inside yellow piece is punched and inked, and the blue base is inked at the bottom to give it some depth. I used the Cricut Cartridge Sweethearts to cut the RSVP piece, and hand-wrote the information after they were all assembled.

I am so thrilled to receive these special orders!
Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!! :)

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Thank You Cards, Congratulations, Happy Birthday, and a CUTE Project!

This post has lots of different cards.... I've been so busy with different projects, I thought I'd just put them all together, and explain each with a caption. Please enjoy!!



My youngest nephew just celebrated his 17th birthday, and in addition to being a very cool, awesome kid, he's got planes on the brain. I used the Need For Speed Stampin' Up stamp for this, and a new Ranger Ink I bought.... Black Enamel. YES! It's just like stickles, but solid black, and dries very shiny! I know my sister will love this!


We just have a new entry into the job market in the family, landing a GREAT job - so this was the card I sent, with a message on how thrilled I was regarding this great job... and how all the hard work has really paid off.


This is the Thank You card I sent along with the prizes for the April Christmas Card Challenge... Bashful Blue on vellum, with Dazzling Diamonds embossing powder.


Aren't these ADORABLE?? I bought them in February from OT... and have been using them as Mother's Day gifts with my kids. They turned out cuter than I imagined. I just had to share. :)
They are recipe holders! There's a clothespin on the back to hold it above the flower.


Your comments are always appreciated!

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Mother's Day Card and Vellum Technique

I saw this technique using vellum on a beautiful card.... watched a video showing the entire technique, and thought I'd have to give it a go.

Stamp your image on vellum with Versamark ink and use embossing powder - I made one in silver, and one in white.
Turn the image over to the back, and color with markers.


For this piece, I used the following markers: Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, and Wild Wasabi.
After using the lighter color to fill the entire space, I used the darker color to fill in the edges, and the blender pens to feather the edges to a smooth finish.


This piece is embossed in white, with Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Certainly Celery, and Wild Wasabi for coloring. I used the blender pen to feather the edges here as well, leaving some dots on the edges of the flowers.


Here you can see the completed card with a Pretty in Pink base, and the vellum piece attached with glue dots, and pearls covering the corners.

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Stampin' Up One Sheet Wonders!

Here are just a few of the One Sheet Wonder Thank You cards I made for our recent testing at school...  They are for the volunteers, and the teachers that worked so hard to help with testing.

These are just so versatile...  I love them for Thank You cards, but they can be used for all occasions.

Colors I used:  Regal Rose, Almost Amethyst (ret.), Daffodil Delight, Bashful Blue, Wild Wasabi for the stamped images, and cardstock.  I also used Melon Mambo, Basic Black (on one), Ballet Blue (ret.), and More Mustard for some of the sentiments to bring up the color and accents a little more.


Your comments are always appreciated!

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The 2012 Christmas Card Challenge! May

Got it!! I went back to the original Blogger interface to fix the picture... I used White embossing powder on the snowflakes and tree, silver embossing powder on the Season's Greetings, and large rhinestones to cover the glue dots to adhere the vellum onto the card!

These cards were basically very simple, just embossing on the Pacific Point cardstock, and an embossed tree in white on vellum. The silver embossed sentiment and rhinestones add nice sparkle and shine to the cards.

OK.... So blogger has changed their format without telling anyone, and I am in the middle of figuring out how to: 1. Write comments between the pictures, & 2. Rotate the picture to its intended portrait view so you can see it properly. Obviously, Blogger didn't seek to inform anyone of these changes... so I have to do some looking around, and probably loud complaining!! RRRRRRRRR

Alright... Here we go! It's May! Can you believe it!??

I am THRILLED to say that we had someone join the Green April challenge, and her package is on its way... Yes, it's coming!

I'm very excited to announce the May theme since I took the liberty of making the (unusual) color choice since it's my birthday month, and I just had to choose my favorite color! Unfortunately, I have more than one.... so you will have two options this month on the theme!

The theme for May is: Blue! or Purple!!
These two are my very favorite colors, and you have the creative choices to add touches of color to the overall theme selection as always.
Part 2: Your sentiment must also include a Merry Christmas, Season's Greetings, or Happy Holidays on the front.

Click HERE for the original post including the (very easy and straightforward) rules to the Challenge.

Get your cards made, and entered into the Linky below by the 20th!!! Can't wait to see what you've made! Put mine to shame, I'm sure!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Special Card!

My dear friend surprised me the other day with a card she made for me!

Everyone loved it, and she did a great job.  THANKS, Melissa!!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Miscellaneous cards - All kinds of occasions!

This card was for a relative's birthday - a very special order. 

I'm trying to remember what I made this card for.... I remember clearly....  die cutting, watercoloring, cutting the layers, and popping them....  I just can't remember who I made this for!!!  Ugh!  :)

My dear friend, and old boyfriend had some surgery, and since he loved to play with Hankie, he got this card to hopefully help him on his way to a full recovery.

Your comments are always appreciated!

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25th of April! Winning Cards!!

 CONGRATULATIONS!!! Today is the 25th of the month, so looking at the entries and votes...

Julie M

Your Christmas Card Challenge entry got the most votes!!



Julie, leave a comment with your address (I won't post it!)  OR email me with your address so I can get your prizes out in the mail to you.

Congrats!!!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Only 10 hours left!!!

 I'm THRILLED to say that someone added cards to my April Christmas Card Challenge this month!

Now it's your turn.... go to the original post....

scroll down to the bottom, and vote for her!  YES, she's the default winner, but it's always nice to see that people voted for you!!!

Click HERE to go to the post and vote.

THANKS!!!!!

Hope to see more for the May Challenge!!! :)

Your comments are always appreciated!

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