Roses

I had these tag pieces laying on my counter top in my stamping room and I had just made the tiny rose, so I combined them into the tag you see in the photo. The card evolved from there :). 

This is definitely not one of those cards that you mail, unless you pack it into a box. I don't usually make cards that are this 3D, but that little rose just called out for a big rose, and who am I to argue :-) ? Thanks for stopping by today... see ya' on Monday!

Blessings!

Barb

Supplies:
Paper: Regal Rose 105130, Pear Pizzazz 119795, Very Vanilla 101650, So Saffron 105118, Old Olive 100702

Classic Stampin' Ink: Old Olive 102277, Regal Rose 105211, Early Espresso 119670

Stamps: French Foliage 121166, Touch of Kindness 123203 (Summer Mini 2011)

Punches: Extra Large Tag 119866, Large Tag 119876, Fancy Flower 118073, Boho Blossoms 119858, Triple Flower (retired)

Other: Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder 117335

Sewing, Sewing, Sewing

I've been missing in action from my blog for the last week due to sewing competition skate dresses for my daughter. She needs a new figures dress and a new dress for her creative solo routine. Even though she doesn't need them for a few weeks, I don't like to be last minute Annie and have tons of stress because I waited until the last minute :-). I plan the have them completed and hanging in her closet at least four weeks before she actually needs them. I'm not quite done sewing them yet, but once they are done, then commences gluing hundreds of rhinestones on them. The creative solo dress is going to be using some tiny rhinestones so I'm not quite sure if I'm really looking forward to working with those, lol!

I made a card days ago for a challenge that I saw online, but that challenge is long past now and I didn't get it posted on time :-D. The challenge was to use the colors pink, navy, green, and vanilla. I've never paired pink with navy before so thought I would try that color combination out. The end result is below :-)....

I used a Level One Hostess stamp set (Because I Care) for the main image. I think hydrangeas are such pretty flowers and I wanted a pink one :-). The stamp set comes with a single little flower stamp. I stamped several little flowers and punched them out with one of the punches in the Itty Bitty Punch Pack. The four petal shaped flower punch is a perfect fit for the little flower. I popped some of them up on Stampin' Dimensionals and added a fallen little flower at the base of the stem :-). Even though I missed posting this in time for the actual challenge, I thought I would share it anyway :-). Have a wonderful day today! I hope the sun is shining bright where you live and that the day is warm!

Blessings!

Barb

Supplies:

Paper: Pretty in Pink-100459, Night of Navy-100867, Very Vanilla-101650

Stamps: Because I Care-120118

Classic Stampin' Ink: Night of Navy-102977, Pretty in Pink101301, Old Olive-102277

Punches: Itty Bitty Shapes-118309

Other: Stampin' Dimensionals-104430

Stampin' Celebration Challenge #45

I decided to participate again, in this week's Stampin' Celebration Challenge :-). I rarely do black and white cards, actually, I rarely use black at all. I'm not really sure why I don't use black all that much because it really adds elegance to everything. From the challenge photo, I chose as my main focus, the cake with the black and white flowers and the black line around the cake. The flowers on the cake have black stamens and black centers. To give the illusion of the stamens, I stamped only the bottom part of medium flower petal in the Build a Blossom set. I punched out the petal shape with the corresponding Blossom Petals punch. Since the colors in the overall challenge photo uses neutral colors, I inked the edges of my flower petals with Crumb Cake. 

I used swirls behind my flower because there are swirls on the candy and on the tablecloth in the challenge photo. For the inside of the card, I stuck with the clean lines from the cake. I punched the corners and added a 1/4" strip of black. Later, I can add some elements to the left of the black line and add a sentiment or a hand written note to the right of the black line.

I'm glad that I participated in this challenge because it gave me a chance to use a color that I hardly ever use. Maybe I will start using black more often :-D. I hope everyone's week is off to a wonderful start and that the rest of your week is blessed! See you tomorrow!

Blessings!

Barb

Supplies:

Paper: Whisper White-100730, Basic Black-121045

Classic Stampin' Ink: Crumb Cake-121030

Stampin' Write Marker: Basic Black-100082

Stamps: Build a Blossom-121994, Teeny Tiny Wishes-115370

Punches: Blossom Petals-121808, 3/4" Circle-119873

Dies: Swirls Scribbles-113441

Textured Impressions Embossing Folder: Perfect Polka Dots-117335

Build-a-Bear Workshop Thank You's

Have I ever mentioned that I love my Build-a-Bear dies? They are NOT just for kids :-) ! If you loved playing with paper dolls when you were little, you will love playing with the Build-a-Bear collection of dies, lol! The Build-a-Bear collection of dies are great for scrapping those photos from Build-a-Bear Workshop, but kids love cards made with them, and so do grown ups ;-). Not only are there dies in the collection, but stamps as well.

I made a set of thank you cards yesterday with my Build-a-Bear dies. This year's Idea Book & Catalog brings us some new clothes for our bears, 'Beary Dressy'. I just love this little outfit- too cute!! This dress reminds me of the little sun dresses my girls wore when they were little.

Sponging ink around your bear, the clothes, and adding a little bit of Stampin' Pastel to the cheeks give your little bears depth and character. You can also use some of your other dies with the bears, such as the small butterflies from the 'Beautiful Wings' embosslit. Perfectly sized for little bears :-).

I mentioned that Stampin' Up! also offers stamp sets in the Build-a-Bear Workshop collection. One of the sets is a collection of Beary cute little sentiments, lol!

If you layer a sheet of card stock and a sheet of Designer Series Paper on your die and roll them through at one time, you will be able to mix and match pieces to get different looks for your bear's attire. I didn't do it on these cards, but usually, I add 'Crystal Effects' to my die cut buttons to make them shiny. Bears and buttons just seem to go together, don't ya' think :-) ? Okay, that's my post for today. Have to start school with my daughter. Have a wonderful day today!!!

Blessings!

Barb

Supplies:

Stamps: Beary Nice Wishes-118050

Paper: Pretty in Pink-100459, Whisper White-100730, Certainly Celery-105125, Very Vanilla-101650, Basic Black-121045, Bashful Blue-105120, So Saffron-105118, Old Olive-100702, Pawsitively Prints I (retired- but there is a Pawsitively Prints II- 117396- in the new catalog- whoo hoo!)

Classic Stampin' Ink: Pink Pirouette-111838, Bashful Blue-105209, So Saffron-105213, Old Olive-102277

Dies: Bear-117977, Beary Dressy-119986, Beary Lovely-117987, Buttons #5-113440, Beautiful Wings embosslit-118138

Other: Square Lattice Textured Impressions embossing folder-119976

Fold Over Card

I got the inspiration for the folding of this card from a file folder project that I saw on Stamper's Connection for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators. When I saw her file folders, I instantly thought, "that would make a cool card"... here is the end result :-).

Not too much chat today because I am going into my stamping room and spending the entire day in there!!!! Whoo hoo!!!! It has been so long I hope I remember how to stamp, lol! I hope you are all having a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

Blessings!

Barb

Supplies:

Stamps: Sincere Salutations- 115068, God's Blessings- 114972, Vintage Vogue- 118598 clear mount/117690 wood mount, Snow Buddies (retired Level Two Hostess set from the 2009 Holiday Mini)

Paper: Pretty in Pink-100459, So Saffron-105118, Certainly Celery-105125, Old Olive-100702, Whisper White-100730

Classic Stampin' Ink: Pink Pirouette-118838, Old Olive-102277

Punches: Scallop Trim Border- 118402

Dies: Little Leaves-114511, Beautiful Wings embosslit-118138

Other: Square Lattice Textured Impressions embossing folder- 119976, yellow gems

Thinking of You in Blue :-D

I made this card in My Digital Studio first :-). I love MDS for designing cards before I even touch my paper. I know ahead of time exactly how it will look. It also gives me the measurements I need as I design. Cool, huh? Designing in MDS also cuts down on paper mistakes so less waste :-). In MDS, what you see is what you get. The punches and the stamps are all sized in real life size so you know if your stamp or punch will fit your design area. You can also re-size them though, if you'd like an element bigger or smaller. In my MDS sketch, I used So Saffron textured card stock, but when I made my actual card, I chose to use the Square Lattice embossing folder instead.

I chose a Bashful Blue mat for the inside of my card so it would match the colors of my card front. I also inked the edges of my Whisper White card stock with So Saffron to bring the yellow into the inside as well. The cute little butterfly body stamp is from the Level Two hostess set in the Summer Mini- Punched Posies. I'm looking forward to playing with this set more- it's awesome! The butterfly wings are punched out with the Butterfly punch and then I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig (love that tool!!!!) to stamp the little body on top. Easy Peasy!

That's my card for today :-). I hope you have a wonderful day today! Check back on Sunday for the Sunday Sketch :-).

Blessings!
Barb

Supplies:
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes- 115370
Paper: Bashful Blue- 105120, Whisper White- 100730, So Saffron- 105118, Old Olive- 100702, Bashful Blue Patterns Designer Series Paper- 112151
Classic Stampin' Ink: Bashful Blue- 105209, So Saffron- 105213, Pacific Point- returning on July 1, 2010
Punches: Butterfly- , 5 Petal Flower- , Extra Large Two Step Bird- ,Trio Flower-
Other: Square Lattice Textured Impressions embossing folder- 119976, blue rhinestone

Elements of Style

This is the last of my stamped vellum paper :-D, so I used it on one more card. The stamped vellum is adhered on top of Rose Red Designer Series Paper. You can still see the design on the paper, but it has a softer look color wise.

I used some Summer Mini items on my card. The Summer Mini goes live tomorrow- whoo hoo!! I used the sentiment from Elements of Style- an awesome stamp set, and the Square Lattice Textured Impressions embossing folder on my butterfly.

The button was created with Baja Breeze card stock (returning in July) and the 1" Circle punch. I punched out three circles, adhered the layers together, inked the edges with Baja Breeze ink, and punched the button holes with my Crop-a-dile. If you make your own buttons with circle punches, you can have a button in any color or Designer Series Paper to match your projects. They don't take long to make at all and they are super easy!

May is National Scrapbooking Month, so I'll have some scrappy projects to share during the month in honor of the celebration :-). Hmmm, I may even have a little give away during the month too ;-). Just a reminder... today is the LAST day for the Occasions Mini, so if there is anything you still want from that mini- please head to my online Stampin' Up! store and get it while you can :-). All righty- everyone have a wonderful weekend!!!! Thanks for visiting!

Blessings!
Barb

Supplies:
Stamps: Flower Fancy- 111578, Elements of Style- 120045 (wood mount- 118611)
Paper: Rose Red- 102544, So Saffron- 105118, Baja Breeze (coming in July 2010), Rose Red Designer Series Paper- 112162, vellum- 101839
Classic Stampin' Ink: Regal Rose- 105211, Old Olive- 102277, Baja Breeze
Other: 1" Circle punch- 109046, Beautiful Butterflies die- 114507, Square Lattice embossing folder- 119976, Stampin' Dimensionals- 104430, DMC embroidery floss #471, yellow gems, Crop-a-dile- 108362

Square Lattice Folder

Gosh, I really like the Square Lattice embossing folder coming out in the Summer 2010 mini on May 1st (just a few more days :-D ). For my card today, I used a scrap of the vellum that I stamped and used on yesterday's card, and picked up a hodgepodge of elements from my counter top in my crafting room to use as well. Might as well make good use of those bits and pieces laying around ;-).

The vellum is backed with Pink Pirouette card stock, which is making a return as a core color in the new 2010/2011 Idea Book and Catalog. Whoo hoo! I loooooove Pink Pirouette! Lots of texture going on in this card- die cut/embossed butterflies, embossed card base, and the vellum was embossed too, just for good measure ;-). It's a beautiful sunny day here finally!! We've had lots of rain! I am going to enjoy this sunny day while I can because we have four more days of rain headed our way- boo hoo hoo!!!! Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Blessings!
Barb

Supplies:
Stamps: Flower Fancy- 111578
Paper: Whisper White- 100730, Rich Razzleberry- 115316, Melon Mambo- 115320, Pink Pirouette (coming in July), vellum
Classic Stampin' Ink: Regal Rose- 105211, Old Olive- 102277, Baja Breeze- coming in the 2010/2011 Idea Book and Catalog on July 1st
Other: Square Lattice Textured Impressions embossing folder- 119976 (Summer Mini 2010), Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions embossing folder- 117335, Scallop Trim border punch, Beautiful Wings embosslit- 118138

Post Cards

Sorry for being so late in posting today. It appears that my mojo has gone on vacation :-(. I did have on my to-do list, some post cards to make. Post cards are great for quick messages and are cheaper to mail than cards :-). You can use any sentiment from birthday to Christmas greetings. The only requirement for post cards are size and they need to be flat, since they don't use an envelope... although you could mail them in an envelope if you wanted, but you would pay regular postage. From one sheet of 8.5" x 11" card stock, you can make four post cards and they would be within the size limit for post card stamps. You would just cut your card stock in half lengthwise and then again crosswise. Easy peasy :-D. Here is the post card that I made today....

I thought I would use some colors from the upcoming color renovation. I used Pacific Point for the post card base. You can see the rest of the colors I used in the Supplies list below. I added some Iridescent Ice embossing powder on the Regal Rose flower and on each of the butterflies. Iridescent Ice embossing powder is perfect for adding sparkle to parts of your post card for mailing because it won't rub off. I tried to get a photo below so you can see at least see a little bit of the Iridescent Ice E.P.

I used a stamp from Winter Post for the back of my post card. You can leave it as is with the stamped image at the top of your post card or you can draw a line down the middle with a matching marker. The right side is for the address and the left side to add a short note if you'd like.

You can make post cards in any color, for any occasion, and use any stamps that you have to create the front of your post card. They are especially nice for 'Thinking of You' cards, just to let someone know they're in your thoughts. I hope you'll take some time to add some post cards to your card stash :-). Wishing you all a great day! Hopefully, my mojo will come back from vacation soon....

Blessings!
Barb

Supplies:
Stamps: Flower Fancy- 111578, Flight of the Butterfly-111564, Sincere Salutations- 115068, Winter Post- 111780
Paper: Pacific Point- returning in the 2010/2011 Idea Book and Catalog, Whisper White- 100730
Classic Stampin' Ink: Pacific Point- returning in the 2010/2011 Idea Book and Catalog, Baja Breeze- returning in the 2010/2011 Idea Book and Catalog, Regal Rose-105211, Rose Red-101778, Pink Pirouette- returning in the 2010/2011 Idea Book and Catalog, Pretty in Pink- 101301, Bashful Blue- 105209, Old Olive- 102277, VersaMark- 102283
Other: Iridescent Ice embossing powder- 101930, Heat Tool-100005 , Stamp-a-ma-jig- 101049

3 x 3 Note cards

I am still adding to my stash :-). This week I decided to add some 3x3 note cards with little envelopes and I left the inside unstamped so I can add what I need when I need it. Let me tell ya', I have needed a few cards from my stash already and it is sooooo great to have one all ready to go when needed! Yep, building up the stash is a good idea ;-). Why didn't I do this sooner?!!

I made my note cards with Almost Amethyst as the base and used Lavender Lace and YoYo Yellow for my other colors. I used the Ex Large Fancy Flower punch and the Scallop Trim Corner punch. One of the flowers is punched in Whisper White, stamped in YoYo Yellow and then sponged around the edges with the main flower color- in the card below- Lavender Lace.

For some reason, these flowers remind me of a pansies. Maybe because pansies often have white centers with yellow in the very middle. Speaking of yellow, here is the YoYo Yellow note card...

The Scallop Trim Corner punch paired with the Perfect Polka Dots Textured embossing folder and the Ex Large Fancy Flowers, make me think of the hankies that my grandmother used to have when I was growing up. Some of them had Swiss Dots, they all had pretty crocheted borders, much like the Scallop Trim punches :-), and they all had pretty flowers embroidered on them. Do they even make hankies like that anymore? Fortunately for me, I have some of my great grandmother's hankies and they are the same. So tell me, do these little note cards remind you of the hankies that your grandmother owned :-D ?

Here is the whole lot of them, all together. I think they look kind of pretty in a group :-). That's my post for today. Hope you have a wonderful, wonderful day and that the sun is shining brightly where you live. It's going to be 78 degrees here today- oh yeah! See ya' tomorrow- thanks for stopping by!

Oh, just a reminder- today is the LAST day of Sale-a-bration. You can get free stuff for every $50.00 order you place, so if there is anything you want from the Sale-a-bration brochure, please be sure to follow the link in the upper right hand column to my online Stampin' Up! store and get your order in.

Blessings!
Barb

Supplies:
Stamps: With All My Heart- 118623 (wood mount- 118134)
Paper: Almost Amethyst- 102158, YoYo Yellow- 107108, Lavender Lace- 101614, Whisper White- 100730
Classic Stampin' Ink: Lavender Lace- 101305, YoYo Yellow- 102717
Punches: Ex Large Fancy Flower- 118073, Trio Flower- 109183, Scallop Trim Corner- 118870
Other: Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions embossing folder- 117335

Fancy Flower Punch

Good Morning! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Today, my cards use the Extra Large Fancy Flower punch. To give you an idea of the size of this flower, my cards are A2 size (4.25" x 5.5"). For the first card, I borrowed my good friend Donna's Pinking Hearts Corner punch :-). Thanks so much Donna!!! I also used the Scallop Trim Border punch on both of these cards.

I did just the corners of my cards as I kind of like that look :-), but you can use the matching border punches and punch the design all the way around. As you can see in my photos, I layered the Fancy Flower, by first stamping the flower image from With All My Heart in YoYo Yellow, sponging around the edges of the punch out in Apricot Appeal, and then punching out another flower from Apricot Appeal card stock. I also sponged the edges of the solid card stock flowers. I finished off the flower centers with a Trio Flower punch flower and also inked the edges. I did two cards, pretty much the same, but changed out the corner punches and the colors that I used. The card above is on the bold side and the card below is much softer due to the use of pastel colors.

For the tags on my flowers, I stamped one of the sentiments from Teeny Tiny Wishes, punched it out near one side of the sentiment instead of centering, then simply trimmed off the end and poked a hole with my piercing tool for the crochet thread. So there ya' have it! One basic layout, but two slightly different looks by using different color combos and different corner punches :-). I have to pick up one of my daughters and take her to work this morning so I have to run. I hope you all have the best day! Thanks for visiting my blog today- I appreciate that you take the time to do so.

Blessings!
Barb

Supplies:
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes- 115370, Sweetheart- 120780, With All My Heart- 118623 (wood mount- 118134)
Paper: Apricot Appeal- 05124, Pumpkin Pie- 105117, Whisper White- 100730, Old Olive- 100702, Pretty in Pink- 100459, Bashful Blue- 105120
Classic Stampin' Ink: YoYo Yellow- 102717, Pretty in Pink- 101301, Apricot Appeal- 105218, Old Olive- 102277
Punches: X Lrg Fancy Flower- 118073, Word Window- 105090, Scallop Trim Corner- 118870, Scallop Trim Border- 118402, Pinking Heart Corner- 118072, Trio Flower- 109183
Other: Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder- 117335, Pumpkin Pie 1/4" grosgrain ribbon- 109030, Pretty in Pink 1/4" grosgrain ribbon- 109032, pearl gems