You Make Me Happy...

I sing 'You are my Sunshine' to my daughter every night before she goes to sleep so when this stamp set came out it was a MUST have for my collection.  Then, I came across THIS card and had to CASE it.  The only thing I changed was adding some texture to the Whisper White layer.  Otherwise I left it alone.  Why mess with a good thing, right?

 

Cardstock:  Summer Starfruit, Pool Party, Whisper White, Sweet Sorbet DSP (SAB)

Ink:  Black Staz-On

Stamps:  See Ya Later (SAB)

Accessories:  Big Shot, Deco Labels Collection Framelits, Decorative Dots Embossing Folder (SAB), Summer Starfruit Twine (Sweet Sorbet Accessory Pack - SAB)

Beautiful and Easy Butterflies - Part 2

I took the card I posted yesterday and changed up the colors to make this bright and cheery card. 

The colors I used were inspired by one of the Splitcoaststampers Creative Crew Challenge for February.

• (CCREW0214DF):  DSP/Color Focus: Watercolor Wonder designer papers or the colors: crushed curry, daffodil delight, gumball green, island indigo, smoky slate, tangerine tango and whisper white.

 Aren't these cards fun?  I love the way they both came out!  Which one is your favorite? 

 

Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo, Whisper White, Vellum

Ink: Smoky Slate, Island Indigo

Stamps: Gorgeous Grunge, Sweet Sentiments

Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Rhinestones 

Punches: Elegant Butterfly Punch, Bitty Butterfly Punch

Beautiful & Easy Butterflies

I've had a busy few weeks, but I'm back with some great projects!  I still need to share some goodies from Leadership, so stay tuned for that. 

In the mean time, I'm going to share a card we did recently at my monthly Just Cards Class.  We make 3 each of 3 designs, and this was one of the designs.  I knew the second I saw this card that I would CASE it.  I was immediately drawn to the card and the ladies at my class loved making it.  It's beautiful yet simple and any sentiment would work. 
I love this card so much, that I made it in another color combination.  Come back tomorrow to see that version!
 ~Enjoy!

Cardstock: Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Whisper White, Vellum

Ink: Pool Party, Calypso Coral

Stamps: Gorgeous Grunge, Sweet Sentiments

Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Rhinestones 

Punches: Elegant Butterfly Punch, Bitty Butterfly Punch

Glitterly Flower Fun & Stampin' Up! Leadership 2014!!

I'm on my way to Houston this week for this year's Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference.  I'm so excited!  As much as I love Convention, this is my favorite Stampin' Up! Event - I love the business classes and the loads of inspiration that is always around.  Plus, it is so much more intimate than Convention. 

I was lucky enough (and quick enough) to sign up for a high quality swap that I've been wanting to participate in for years.  I combined several things for this card:

• 1st - another Splitcoaststampers Creative Crew Challenge for January (CCREW0114CF):  All the world is glittery! Show me something with glitter, it can be a glitter technique, glitter sheets, anything that glitters!

• 2nd - I've been dying to try this Stained Crystal technique (new to me) ever since I saw this card/video tutorial. 

• 3rd - some fun new DSP from the Occasions Catalog.  This catalog went live on Jan 3.  See it HERE now!   Shop HERE.

I hope this card is good enough for the ladies participating in this swap.  I sure enjoyed making it!  Really, the pictures don't do the glitter justice (it's really hard to photograph all the bling!)

Stay tuned for more Creative Crew Challenge projects!

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Coastal Cabana, Retro Fresh DSP

Ink: Black Stazon, Coastal Cabana, Tangerine Tango (Reinker), So Saffron (Reinker)

Stamps: Secret Garden, Lots Of Thanks

Accessories:  Window Sheets, Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds, Secret Garden Framelits, Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Circles Collections Framelits 

Punches: Modern Label, 2-1/2" Circle

 

Happy New Year & SCS Creative Crew!!!

Happy New Year!  I can hardly believe it's 2014!!  The holidays came so quickly and were done just as fast.  I'm looking forward to all that the new year will bring.  

First off - I've been a member of Splitcoaststampers (SCS) for a very long time.  It's been a great source of inspiration for me and I've met many virtual friends through this site.  Recently, I was honored to be asked to be on the Creative Crew and post some of my projects based on challenges.  Here is my first project:

The 1st challenge (CCREW0114DF): January in Michigan can be like a Crystal Ball: Icy, Shimmery, White, cool blues, soft pinks, all mixed up with some earthy tones of red berries, evergreens, and tree branches all coated with clear stuff! See an inspiration photo attached (didn't load well, but at least you get the color ideas).  Show us your take on Fancy Foil Designer Vellum, using some cool wintery colors listed above.

I interpreted the challenge a little bit.  I wasn't feeling the new Fancy Foil Designer Vellum (yet!) so I went with the colors in the inspiration photo.  And I used the layout I had used before HERE.  I love this layout. 
 

Stay tuned for more projects from the different challenges!  

~Enjoy!

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Basic Gray, Marina Mist

Ink: Basic Black

Stamps: Sweet Essentials
Accessories:  Big Shot, Houndstooth Embossing Folder, Honeycomb Embossing Folder, Chevron Embossing Folder, Rhinestones
Punches:  Merry Minis Punch Pack

Stampin' Up! Gift Bow Die Angel

This lovely lady is a combination of SEVERAL versions that I've seen online.  I took bits and pieces and came up with my own version.  I think she is just too cute!  I especially love that she has hair (some I've seen are bald!).

 

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Daffodil Delight, Silver Glimmer Paper

Ink:  Pink Pirouette (sponging cheeks), Basic Black Marker (eyes)

Accessories:  Big Shot, Gift Bow Die, Beautifully Baroque Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Punches:  Oval (retired), Large Oval, 1-1/4" Circle, Boho Blossoms, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack
Other: Sponge Dauber, White Baker's Twine

Stampin' Up! and School Projects - Part 1

Before I start showing a lot of the holiday projects I've been working on, I thought I'd share a few projects that I helped my daughter with using my Stampin' Up! supplies.  Who knew they'd come in so handy?

For the past 2 years, my daughter has participated in the Awana Grand Prix using a Pinewood Derby car kit.  Last year she made a hot pink car based on one of her brother's toy batmobiles and ended up with 1st place in Speed (we used glitter spray on that car).  This year, she wanted a turtle car - she loves the PBS show Wild Kratts and they have a ship called The Tortuga.  SO, our version of The Tortuga was born.  My husband did an awesome job creating the turtle shape on the car.  He then spray painted the car gray.  Meanwhile, I created a template using Honeycomb Embossing Folder.  I embossed copy paper, then used an exacto knife to cut out the insides of the honeycombs.  We taped the template to the car and sprayed painted the green. Voila!  We had a Tortuga.  Her car was very fast, but she wanted to go for 1st in Design and she won!

Honeycomb Textured Impressions Embossing Folder  #129378  $7.95

Don't forget to check out the Clearance Rack Blitz - Products up to 80% off only while supplies last!

Labels Card Thinlits Christmas Card Swap

 

Here is my swap for the annual SUFriendsForever Christmas Card Swap.  I made close to 20 of these babies and they were super quick (considering how complicated they look) using the new Label Card Thinlit Die from Stampin' Up!.   

Below:  This is what the card looks like partially open.  

I used a 5-1/2" X 8-1/2" piece of cardstock and only put part of it beneath the thinlit.  I followed the tutorial for the extended flip card found here. 

Here's is the card fully opened.  I left some space on the far right panel for writing.  

 

I used one of my favorite color combinations - Pool Party and  Island Indigo.  I also used a stamp set from the Holiday Catalog that I won at Convention this year - Christmas Messages.  The snowflakes and 'Merry' came from a stamp set that was in last year's holiday catalog and is still available - Snowflake Soiree. 

Cardstock: Pool Party, Whisper White

Ink: Pool Party, Island Indigo

Stamps: Snowflake Soiree, Christmas Messages
Accessories:  Big Shot, Labels Card Thinlits, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder

~Enjoy!

Multi-Embossed Card

 

This is one of my new favorite cards.  It's actually a combination of this card and this card with my own twist.  This card worked out great for my card classes since we make 3 of each design.  I had a larger piece of each color that we embossed and THEN cut it into thirds which made one strip for each card.  The cards came together quickly after that.   

I can't wait to try other color combinations and different embossing folders!  

Cardstock: Whisper White, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze

Ink: Soft Suede

Stamps: Express Yourself (Hostess Set)
Accessories:  Big Shot, Modern Mosaic Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder, Silver Mini Brads
Punches:  Boho Blossoms, Itty Bitty Shapes (flower)

Secret Garden Card in a Flash

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this idea of 'Flash Cards' that was created by Connie Stewart.  In fact, her version of this card is what convinced me that I needed the Secret Garden stamp set and matching Framelits. 
This concept not only makes beautiful cards, but the prep is cut down so much.  I LOVE it! 

I did change a few things on my card.  I used my Color Coach to find the colors I used - Melon Mambo, Old Olive & Elegant Eggplant.  I also used the Dynamic Duo Color of Melon Mambo (Pretty in Pink).  I decided to use Dazzling Details to make the middle of the flowers 'pop'.  This card looks so pretty in real life! 
~Enjoy!

Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White

Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive, Melon Mambo

Stamps: Secret Garden, Petite Pairs
Accessories:  Big Shot, Honeycomb Embossing Folder, Secret Garden Framelits, Silver Sparkle Dazzling Details

New Catalog Swap - Label Love Birthday

 

This is a card I made for a group swap using products from the New Catalog when it came out back in July.  I was challenging myself to make a masculine card.  Those are always hard for me.  How did I do?

I loved playing with all the new goodies!  I especially love that the Label Love stamp set can be purchased as a 'bundle' with it's coordinating punch at a 15% discount!  Woo Hoo!

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Pool Party Core'dinations Cardstock, Epic Day This and That DSP 

Ink: Crumb Cake

Stamps: Label Love
Punches:  Artisan Label Punch
Accessories:  Big Shot, Honeycomb Embossing Folder, Linen Thread, Stampin' Sanding System

School Time - Teacher Book Mark

 

It's tradition in our family to give the new teacher a bookmark on the 1st day of school.  And these are my favorite bookmarks.  They are super easy and so pretty!

I added a note to my daughter's lunch for the 1st day, too.  I found these really cute ideas via Pinterest. 

 

Here are my kiddos on the 1st day of school.  My little man still has a few years before he starts, but he really wanted to be in this picture!  :)

 

Punched Hello Kitty

 ... Well, she's made out of punches - not punched (as in a fight).  :)

My daughter was invited to a birthday party and the little girl LOVES Hello Kitty.  SO, we made this cute 3X3 card to go with the Hello Kitty gifts we bought.  Thank goodness for Pinterest - I put together the punches I had based on ideas found there! 

 

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Red Glimmer Paper, Basic Black, Daffodil Delight
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Real Red
Accessories: Big Shot, Stripes Embossing Folder, 
Punches:  Extra Large Oval (face), Retired Flower (ears), Owl Builder (Bow, Eyes), Word Window

Be Sure to Check out the Retiring Stamps and Accessories!!!  Accessories are only available WHILE SUPPLIES LAST and some are starting to sell out already!   Save up to 60%!

Just Thinking...

Talk about a super easy WOW card!  I fell in LOVE with this card as soon as I saw it.  It uses the Core'dinations Cardstock that was first introduced in the last Holiday Catalog and more colors were introduced in the Spring Catalog.  I had plenty of the Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations, so I gave it a whirl.  I love the way it came out!  The other card uses the Pool Party Core'dinations.  I sure hope they keep this line in the new catalog! 

Cardstock:  Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations
Stamps: Just Thinking (Single Stamp - Spring Catalog)
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Big Shot, Window Frames Collection Framelits, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Stampin' Sanding Block

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Pool Party Core'dinations
Stamps: Just Thinking (Single Stamp - Spring Catalog)
Ink:  Pool Party
Accessories: Big Shot, Window Frames Collection Framelits, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Stampin' Sanding Block

 Tomorrow is the BIG day - stay tuned for the RETIRED LIST!!  

Quick & Easy Thank You Cards

I made these Quick & Easy Thank You cards recently.  There's not a lot to them, but I think they're pretty cute!  Enjoy!

 

 

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Pool Party

Ink: Pool Party
Stamps: Curly Cute
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Silver Brads
Punches:  Blossom, Boho Blossoms

Leadership 3-D Swap - Take Out Box

This was my favorite 3-D swap that I received at Leadership (sorry - I'm not sure who made it!).  I've been wanting to make a take-out box for quite some time.  I just loved everything about the box - the colors, the embellishments, everything!  It used some of the new Soda Pop Tops in the Spring Catalog along with a new stamp set (Collage Curious) and a Sale-a-bration set (Bloomin' Marvelous).

 

Of course, I had to make one of my own.  I used a video tutorial found here to get the correct cutting and scoring.  I used the same colors and basic design.  Since I didn't have the flower from Bloomin' Marvelous (yet!) I used the butterfly from the Collage Curious stamp set.  I used the Rock 'n Roll technique to get the butterfly multi-colored.  I also added some ribbon.  I was surprised at how easy you can smash the Soda Pop Tops in the Big Shot!  Just put the Soda Pop Top between 2 cutting pads and use no Tabs on the Multipurpose Platform.  Easy!

 

Cardstock:  Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red
Stamps:  Collage Curios
Accessories: Big Shot, Petal Cone Bigz L Die, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Real Red Ribbon (retired), Soda Pop Tops
Punches: 1-3/4" Scallop Circle, 1" Circle (inside Soda Pop Top),