Stampin' and Scrappin' Val

Nature Walk Thanks

2012-02-05T13:09:00.000-05:00

I have a tendency to get in a rut and use only certain stamp sets. I decided that I had recently been using mostly new stamp sets and neglecting some of my older stamp sets. I was inspired to use this gorgeous Nature Walk stamp set last night.

To create this card, I colored the leaf/flower stamp with Old Olive and Rose Red Stampin' Write markers. I stamped the inner image first, then stamped off on the outer image.

I stamped the sentiment and the bee in Early Espresso. I added a few Rose Red brads and colored the bee image with Illuminate Smooch Top Coat.

For the finishing touch, I added a little bit of Dazzling Diamonds for the flowers. It is really pretty in person!

Stamps: Nature Walk, Thank You Kindly

Ink: Old Olive, Rose Red, Early Espresso

Paper: Rose Red, Confetti Cream

Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, Rose Red brads, Illuminate Top Coat Smooch

So Grateful for you

2012-02-03T20:37:00.001-05:00

I made this page for a few pictures I had of our daughter at her Thanksgiving party/program at her kindergarten. I loved the Everyday Enchantment DSP in the Sale-a-Bration catalogue. it has a vintage look, but it also looked really great with the colors in her shirt.

Here are some closeups of the stamps. The bottom stamp is from Apothecary Art. It is the smallest label. I stamped it in Poppy Parade and colored the flowers with Lucky Limeade and Poppy Parade. I added tiny pearls to the middle of the flowers.

On the journaling (as well as the right side of the page), I used the flower from the Fresh Vintage stamp set. I decided to use the Rock and Roll technique for this one. I stamped each flower in Pool Party and then I rolled the edge of the flower in Lucky Limeade. This creates a nice two-toned effect without overwhelming the color scheme. I finished each flower off with one of the Everyday Enchantment Poppy Parade brads.

Stamps: Fresh Vintage, Apothecary Art

Ink: Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, Pool Party

Paper: Very Vanilla, Poppy Parade, Everyday Enchantment DSP

Accessories: Labels Framelits, Word Window and Modern Label punches, 1 1/4" circle punch, Journaling spot (retired), Everyday Enchantment brads, Very Vanilla ribbon (retired)

Guest Designer: Jenny West

2012-01-31T06:30:00.000-05:00

One of my sweet customers and scrapbook friends, Jenny West sent me a few pictures of some cards she has been making while spending some time in sunny Florida. Can you believe she just threw some stuff together to take with her and wound up with these gorgeous cards?! I am loving them all!

I think I love this one the most - I love the little scallop ribbon bow across the center - so neat and petite! I don't think I could part with such a pretty card!

I believe the stamp set here is called the Language of Friendship - it works so well with the Bird Builder Punch. I definitely agree with Jenny that the stamp and punch combination is one of my favorite ways to make cards!

This card has some great texture - from the stamped background and the lattice embossing folder to the elegant ribbon. Lovely!!!

Here's some nice Rich Razzleberry - and a butterfly stamp set that I just adore!!! The name of that stamp set is Butterfly Prints. Definitely on the wish list!

And one final card - I am not sure how she made that heart - It looks like a stamp, but it is definitely one gorgeous card!!!! I love how the word Love really pops out. The sentiment below is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set. Another set that I just can't use enough - great for all occasions!

Thanks, Jenny for sharing your talents and beautiful creations with us! Enjoy yourself in beautiful, sunny Florida. I can't wait to see what else you and your sister Carol have come up with - together Jenny and Carol make a definitely dynamic duo!!!

Fashionable Hearts card

2012-01-30T07:04:00.000-05:00

Before I post today, I just want to say that I'm thinking of my dear friend, Hannah, who lost her father this past week. I know how close she was to him and I know coming back to work will be hard, Hannah, but you are strong and brave! Love you, dear!

On another random thought....congratulations go out to my oh, so creative customer, Carolyn M. She was the winner of a great prize pack from Papercrafter's Library blog this week! Lucky Carolyn - I guarantee she has some pretty neat stuff she'll make with that treasure! Her sister, Jenny, sent me some pics of some darling cards she made, so if she doesn't mind, I'll try and feature those cards on the blog later this week!

Enough chatter, eh? On with the card....

We made this card at our club meeting recently. You may remember a butterfly card that I created using the in colors. This is the exact same sketch, same faux stitching, just a different stamp set and different Embosslit!

Stamps: With All My Heart

Ink: Riding Hood Red

Paper: Blushing Bride, Riding Hood Red, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Mat pack, White uniball gel pen, Fashionable Hearts Embosslit

Club scrapbook page

2012-01-29T07:00:00.000-05:00

Here is the page we made recently at our scrapbook club to showcase some of the new products in the spring mini catalogue.

We used the Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz along with a touch of Log Cabin Smooch Spritz to color the paper flower on the left side of the page.

On the right side, a journaling spot was made using the Apothecary Art stamp set. We watercolored the flowers and then ran it through the Big Shot with the new Labels Framelits.

Stamps: Apothecary Art

Ink: Marina Mist, Soft Suede, Pink Pirouette, StazOn

Paper: Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Beau Chateau DSP

Accessories: Baja Breeze corduroy brad, Pink Pirouette ribbon, Labels Framelits, Blender Pens, Paper Flowers, Blushing Bride and Log Cabin Smooch Spritz

Pregnancy journal page

2012-01-28T09:10:00.003-05:00

I took this picture the other day and thought it was so adorable, I thought it would be a great picture to accompany a pretty routine journaling spot.

For my journaling spot I used one of the Nursery Nest Quick Accent sticker and made a mat for it out of Marina Mist. I cropped the corners with my ticket punch. I popped this up with Stampi' Dimensionals and placed it on a Basic Grey square. The corners were a little plain, so I added these flocked blue brads by Creative Imagination that I found at Archivers the other day.

Nothing too special here....just a bunch of fingerprints on the picture, evidently!!!!! ACK!

Ink: Basic Grey

Paper: Nursery Nest DSP, Basic Grey, Marina Mist

Accessories: Ticket corner punch, Nursery Nest Quick Accents, Flocked brads (CI)

Sale-a-Bration and a layout!

2012-01-26T19:40:00.001-05:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year! At least it is if you like Stampin' Up products! You receive a free Sale-a-Bration product for every $50 you spend! Click on the links above to learn more!

Don't pass out....I finally finished another layout! I know....without snow days it's tough to get anything done....such a bummer!

I loved the scenery in this picture from For Your Inspiration, so I created this nice, summery page to make up for no snow and no summery weather!

I used the Simply Scrappin' kit from last year's summer mini for this page. I used the basic layout sketch from one I saw on Papercrafter's Library. Here is the left side. I layered a few flower and circle stickers. I painted the top circle with Smooch Illuminate and added a Rose Red button to the top. The letter stickers are Thickers from American Crafts. I've run out of enough chipboard letters for this title!!

Here is the right side - Just a little panel of pics and a tiny journaling tab at the top. Since it was at the top, I just let it hang off just a tiny bit. I layered a banner sticker and Pumpkin Pie button to gussy it up just a tiny bit. (By the way....did you know you can get those Brights Buttons for FREE?!??! Check out the Sale-a-Bration link for more details!)

Overall, not too difficult a page and nice bright colors for the late summery soccer season!

Ink: Rose Red

Paper: Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Rose Red, Simply Scrappin' DSP (retired)

Accessories: Simply Scrappin' kit (retired), Brights buttons, scallop trim border punch, Smooch Illuminate top coat

Everyday Enchantment Notecard and pocket

2012-01-18T22:27:00.001-05:00

I have seen these little notecards in a pocket design for a while now and wanted to make one. I finally bit the bullet last night since our internet and phone service was out. It wasn't too difficult to create and I was quite pleased with the way it all turned out! I started with the Everyday Enchantment patterned paper that is free in the Sale-a-Bration catalogue. I added some of the free ribbon and brads around the pocket. Love these little bows - they are just so pretty and easy!

For the actual note card, I cut out two Top Note die cuts. I colored my flourish from the Fresh Vintage stamp set with my Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, and Pool Party markers first, then stamped. You may notice I stamped once - the vibrant image, then I stamped off on the right side - it gives you a more watermark look with the remaining ink.

So, what kind of project would you like me to make next? What kind of project or technique would you like for me to attempt another video of? Leave me a comment and I'll see what I can whip up for you! I'm pretty certain there's another snowy streak sneaking around here!!!

Stamps: Fresh Vintage

Ink: Poppy Parade, lucky Limeade, Pool Party

Paper: Everyday Enchantment DSP, Soft Suede, Poppy Parade, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Everyday Enchantment ribbon and brad pack (SAB), scallop trim punch, top note die cut, Simply Scored

Help vote for me!

2012-01-17T06:57:00.001-05:00

I need your help! I was selected to participate in a layout contest on Practical Scrappers, so I need you to vote for my layout! My layout is the first layout in this post. all you have to do is go to the bottom of the post and vote - nothing fancy! I would love to make it to the next round! Thanks for helping!
http://www.practicalscrappers.com/2012/01/layout-contest-group-5_17.html

Here's a card I cased from the UStamp online class. I changed up the colors to make it more colorful. The original card was crumb cake and whisper white. I decided to go with Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, and Wisteria Wonder. Loved the color combo and the way it looked after I was finished. Best of all, it's faux stitching! Very simple!

Stamps: Elementary Elegance

Ink: Island Indigo

Paper: Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, and Wisteria Wonder

Accessories: Uniball White Signo gel pen, Simply Scored, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer, Butterfly embosslit, basic pearls

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.....

2012-01-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

First, a sweet little picture of my big old bump. We have 2 1/2 months until Baby Owen arrives, so I thought this would make a cute little picture for the album.

Here is a little coupon book.....ways I love you book.....money holder.....whatever use you would like pocket book! I think we will make this on Sunday at our club meeting. It was a great way to use the Petite Pocket die cut in a different way than normal.

I got the idea for this book from the Louisville regional Stampin' Up conference I attended. They used a different stamp set that I didn't have. As much as I loved the stamp set they used....I wasn't going to buy it just for one project. I am the kind of person who just uses what they have to fix my projects up. So, with that being said, I used this stamp set, P.S. I Love You, from the mini catalogue. It had such a variety of valentine stamps, I just really liked it.

I kept everything pretty much the same. The last card I made I added the large heart stamp. I first colored it with my Blushing Bride marker. Next, I added some Cherry Cobbler hearts with my Cherry Cobbler marker. I finished by thumping my Soft Suede marker around the edge of the heart. I like the way it kind of defines the border.

Stamps: P.S. I Love You

Ink: Blushing Bride, Cherry Cobbler, Soft Suede

Paper: Blushing Bride, Soft Suede, Vanilla confetti paper

Accessories: Trinket Keys, Soft Suede taffeta ribbon, 1" square punch, Bitty Scallop Circle punch, silver brads, Petite Pocket die cut

Thank you cards for my online customers

2012-01-15T21:07:00.002-05:00

I have had a few online orders in the last weeks, so I thought I should make nice little cards to send them to say thanks. I had these simply sent cards that I have had for a year or two. They were just too pretty to use! This is my New Year's resolution - there is no such thing as too pretty to use!

So....I decided to stamp the thanks from the Outlined Occasions stamp set on the outside in Soft Suede ink and colored it in with my Crushed Curry marker. I added a few small star punches with Soft Suede scraps. To finish it off, I topped of the tiny stars and the middle punched star with Illuminate Smooch Top Coat - neat and clean shimmer!

Here is the inside of the card - again - love that this stamp set provides an easy way to continue on to the inside of the card. You don't have to do much - just add a little something!

Sale-a-Bration starts January 24!

SAB sneak peek!

2012-01-13T09:03:00.001-05:00

Here is a preview of one of the whimsical stamp sets in the Sale-a-Bration catalogue. It is called Sprinkled Expressions. Very fun and super easy to use!

For this card I decided to use the Big Top Birthday DSP. It seems like a fun, whimsical stamp set to use with this paper - a natural match!

You'll notice I pierced holes around the edge of the 2 3/4" white square after I stamped the flower.

Remember - starting January 24, you can get this stamp set and loads of other products for FREE with EVERY purchase of $50 or more!!!

Stamps: Sprinkled Expressions

Ink: Tempting Turquoise

Paper: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Big Top Birthday DSP

Accessories: Real Red Satin Ribbon, Paper Piercing tool and Mat Pack

A Year in Review MDS Album

2012-01-10T07:30:00.000-05:00

I am an avid lover of My Digital Studio. While I'm not the kind to make all of my scrapbooks digitally, I love the ease of making pages digitally. I love the fact that I can print digital albums out and they only take a minimal amount of space on my bookshelf! I love that they are very portable. And, I LOVE that I can find templates on my Stampin' Up website that have pre-made albums that I can customize to my own liking. It makes the time it takes to make an album much shorter and it also allows me to change things if I don't like them or if I just need to change sizes!

I will say that I am NOT a computer guru....not a photoshop gal - way too over my head! But, I am definitely an MDS gal. So, enough of my silliness - enjoy a year in review album that I made over the weekend. :)

One Card, 3 Ways

2012-01-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

I saw a similar card on UStamp this weekend and just adored the watercoloring on the card. I loved the simplicity of the layout and the stunning results, so I decided to re-create the card with my own versions. This time, I decided I would make 3 versions of the card - just to see how they turned out differently.

Essentially all of the cards are the same - the same measurements, same stamps, same basic color scheme. The colors obviously change, the embossing folder changes, and the method of coloring changed for each card.

For this card, I used my traditional method of coloring - starting with the ink in the lid of my stamp pad and my blender pen and AquaPainters. I colored the flowers with Blushing Bride and Baja Breeze, leaves with Pear Pizzazz. I went back over each with Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, and Island Indigo.

So, here is where I tried a new technique. I wasn't really sure if I liked this at first, but I think with a final glance, I really like it. In this method I used the same exact colors. This time, though, I started with the brush end of my Stampin' Write markers and outlined each edge of the images. I then took my blender pen and Aqua Painter and pushed the color around until the image was sufficiently filled. It's a great way to use your Stampin' Write markers and get a beautiful effect!

And, finally, I couldn't resist playing with my Copic Markers while I was waiting on my watercolors to dry! The colors don't match up completely because they are not Stampin' Up, but they have a nice smooth effect. I stuck with pretty basic colors here, though, so I could keep it from clashing. Oddly enough, it's my hubby's favorite card of the three. Probably since it's grey!!

So, tell me - which card is your favorite card?

Stamps: Bordering on Romance

Ink: StazOn, Memento, Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, old Olive, Island Indigo, Baja Breeze, Copic markers

Paper: Watercolor Paper, Basic Grey, Island Indigo, Blushing Bride, Twitterpated DSP, Neenah

Accessories: Blender Pen, Aqua Painters, Elegant Lines Embossing folder, Flower Garden embossing folder, Manhattan Flower embossing folder

From my heart to yours treat box

2012-01-08T08:53:00.000-05:00

First, let me give a little woot, woot! One of my cards was featured in the Papercrafter's Library newsletter this week! I was pretty excited about that!

So, I guess it's only appropriate to tell you that I found a template for this little treat box in the Papercrafter's Library.

I switched all of the paper and pieces to Stampin' Up products and made my own version of their box. It was really a small area to work with on the front, so I didn't change it up too much. I used the new Twitterpated line from the mini catalogue for this box. Can you tell it is my favorite new paper? I am working on a bit of a resolution, though, which is not to hoard my pretty papers and not use them! So, sorry...you're kind of stuck with it for a while!

Here is a little bit of a side view. I cut through each layer separately with the Hearts Framelits - they are only made to go through one layer at a time, so I didn't want to push it! I just cut through one layer, adhered it to the next, lined it up again and repeated until I got all three layers done! It's a nice way to add a window in a project like this without being limited by a punch.

Stamps: P.S. I Love You

Ink: Basic Grey

Paper: Blushing Bride, Basic Grey, Riding Hood Red, Twitterpated DSP

Accessories: Word Window Punch, Modern Label punch, Hearts framelits, Twitterpated buttons, paper flowers, Blushing Bride smooch spritz, basic pearls

All Occasion Card set

2012-01-07T09:22:00.000-05:00

I found this all occasion card set by Melissa Huie on UStamp this week. She used a different color scheme, but I absolutely adored the whole set, so I decided that it would be a good set to make last night.

Here is the card box - you can see it better in the picture above - the lid has a little lace edge that goes around it. The box holds all of the cards inside.

The color is a little wierd on this card. I decided to use some of the old paper from last year's mini catalogue. I sometimes like paper so much that I won't use it! Anyway, now I'm using plenty of it!

This card features the Kindess Matters stamp set - I just love the natural looking butterflies in this set. I watercolored the bottom butterflies and added smooch to it.

By the way, did you know you can get this Kindness matters stamp set for FREE starting January 24?!?!? Yes, it is a part of the FREE Sale-a-Bration products coming soon!!! Free makes me like it even more! ;)

This card is plain and simple - I switched to the scallop trim border punch here.

Another simple card - I like the pearls down the middle of the Always flourish here.

Do you know I've had this tulip frame embossing folder for nearly a year still in it's package? Embarrassing, I know! I did get it out and use it last night. I added chocolate chip ink to the tulips to make them stand out.

This is probably my favorite card with the tulip folder. I like the top not die sticking out from underneath and the chocolate chip scallop ribbon going across the card.

Stamps: Always, Kindness Matters

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Not Quite Navy, River Rock, Regal Rose, Rose Red

Paper: Chocolate Chip, River Rock, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Very Vanilla, Springtime Vintage DSP (Retired)

Accessories: Chocolate Chip scallop ribbon, Rose Red seam binding ribbon, linen thread, Early Espresso Baker's twine, Basic pearls, Tulip embossing folder, Smooch illuminate top coat, Top note die cut, Lace border punch, scallop trim border punch, Vintage rose (retired)

Love you - miss you - kiss you card

2012-01-06T08:30:00.000-05:00

I threw this card together tonight out of some scraps. My husband has been gone on a trip all week, so my daughter and I have been waiting on baited breath for him to come home! We decided to make cards for him tonight to tell him how much we missed him!

I used the new P.S. I Love You stamp set for this card. I colored the sentiment with Real Red and Basic Grey markers. I punched it out with the 1" punch and the grey scrap with the postage stamp. The heart is more Real Red and the heart punch.

My husband thinks having a pretty inside is just as important, so for him I stamped the cupid in Basic Grey and made a little trail of hearts out of a scrap of glimmer paper and the love you sentiment using the heart to heart punch. I thought it was kind of cute!

I just hope he does, too! :)

Stamps: P.S. I Love You

Ink: Real Red, Basic Grey

Paper: Basic Grey, Real Red, Whisper White, Red Glimmer Paper, Retired DSP
Accessories: Heart punch, Heart to Heart punch, small heart punch, 1" square punch, postage stamp punch, real red satin ribbon, basic glimmer brads

Photo wallet and matching card

2012-01-05T20:02:00.003-05:00

I have made a similar mini album like this before, but I loved the idea of a photo wallet with this belly band that you can just slide right off the wallet. I thought it was too cute - and no velcro necessary!

Almost all of the supplies for this project came from a retired Simply Scrappin' kit called Summer Home that I got off of the clearance rack a year or two ago.

The original tutorial idea came from UStamp - Let's Score!

So, when you first open it, there are two spots for pictures - the only additional supply right here is a glimmer basic brad - the copper shaded brad in the center of the circle here.

And here it is opened but not folded out. Again, basic pieces here - a vintage trinket brad in the square sticker. The banner is made from circles I cut in half and placed under some Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine.

And here is the first fold out - nice open spots for pictures to be added.

Finally, it is completely open here - I probably made this entire mini album and the matching card below in an hour and a half. Obviously there is nothing that is earth shattering about it, but it is a great album to use as a gift or even as a quick spot for some of those pictures you've been meaning to print out for months! (Did I say months? Oops.....time to get some pics printed!!!)

Here's a quick little matching card - mostly just scraps here. I added some Baja Breeze grosgrain ribbon and a basic pearl.

I think I have just the person in mind to give this to, also!

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Summer Home DSP (retired)

Accessories: Summer Home stickers (retired), basic rhinestones, basic glimmer brads, vintage trinkets, baja breeze grosgrain ribbon

One more page in the pregnancy journal

2012-01-04T08:59:00.000-05:00

I had a few more ultrasounds from the last time I had an ultrasound (back in NOVEMBER!). Anyway, I figured I'd better get them scrapped before they curled up like the other pics!

The first pic shows us that it's a boy....how they ever see that, I'll never know! I believe the other one is a picture of his feet. I had a few more, but I just picked two pictures for now.

Next week I have another appointment....maybe I'll get some more ultrasound pics - some that look closer to what our sweet baby will look like in just a few months!

Paper: Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz, Nursery Nest DSP

Accessories: Nursery Nest cardstock stickers, rub-ons & 3-d stickers (Pebbles)

Quilted page and card

2012-01-03T08:57:00.001-05:00

On the UStamp class I'm taking right now, they gave a sample of a quilted page that looked similar to this. While I used different papers from the original version, I pretty much went by the tutorial and cased the majority of the original version - I really liked the look of it!

Plus, Practical Scrappers had a challenge to try one of the new trends of 2011 and while I have tried many of those trends, this was on my list to try - a pinwheel or a quilted look.

For this layout, I just wanted to accentuate our great food that we had on our Disney trip. I decided to use the Cheerful Treat DSP that is in the hostess section of the big catalogue. I love the bright and cheerful colors.

On the title and heart, I used some retired chipboard and drug it through some VersaMark ink. I embossed each little piece with Melon Mambo Embossing Powder. I took a tiny swatch of the Lucky Limeade organza ribbon from the SAB catalogue and wrapped it around a few tiny sections just for accent. Finally, I added some in color brads in the center of each pinwheel/quilt section.

And here's the other side of the page - mostly the same. I decided to add a little doily from the Flirtatious DSP under the heart at the top.

Since I liked this technique so much, I decided to case the card, too! More of the same paper - I just added a little Hello from the Elementary Elegance stamp set in the SAB catalogue.

Stamps: Elementary Elegance

Ink: Concord Crush, VersaMark

Paper: Concord Crush, Cheerful Treat DSP, Flirtatious DSP, Lucky Limeade, Melon Mambo, Whisper White

Accessories: In color brads, Lucky Limeade organza ribbon, chipboard (retired), Melon mambo embossing powder, scallop edge punch

Pregnancy journal and book has begun

2012-01-02T22:28:00.002-05:00

I don't really know why I have put off creating this pregnancy journal for our coming son. I suppose mostly because I started one for a baby back in February and lost the baby soon after starting the journal. It broke my heart to just open the book and look at those little ultrasound pictures and know the only way we would ever meet that sweet baby was when we get to heaven.

I finally decided last night that since we only have about 12 weeks to go until this baby will be here, I had better get to work on this journal!

I started with this title page. I am using the Nursery Nest paper and stickers as my overall theme with other pieces added in. This page is Basic Grey and I made little booties out of the Stitched Stockings stamp set. I had a few non-SU accents - the rub-on and the title and safetly pin.

Stamps: Stitched Stockings

Ink: Marina Mist

Paper: Basic Grey, Marina Mist, Whisper White

Accessories: Stocking punch, Nursery Nest die cut stickers, Island Indigo Baker's Twine, rub-on (Pebbles), Title, safety pin (making memories)

Here is a little page that talks about how mommy and daddy found out and how we felt when we first found out. Nothing too exciting here - just journaling.

Paper: Nursery Nest DSP

Accessories: Basic Black journaling marker, Nursery Nest die cut stickers, basic rhinestones, Island Indigo Baker's Twine, tag (making memories)

And here are our first ultrasound pictures....you know, the ones that mostly look like you're growing a little kidney bean! ;) It's still sweet - no matter how tiny a picture!

Paper: Pear Pizzazz, Marina Mist, Nursery Nest DSP

Accessories: Nursery Nest die cut stickers, Glimmer Brads Basics

And for now the last two pages I made before bed were the journaling about who we told first. I actually typed this out on my computer and printed it out in grey ink for these pages. It was longer than the other journaling and I wanted to make sure the lines were straight!

Paper: Basic Grey, Marina Mist, Whisper White, Nursery Nest DSP

Accessories: Nursery Nest die cut stickers, Basic rhinestones, rub-on (Pebbles), onesie (making memories)

Late gift card with a pop up

2012-01-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

I purchased gift cards for my father in law for Christmas....only to find out he didn't need gift cards for this particular location. So.....since I decided afterwards that he could always use gift cards from the farm store, I made him a late gift enclosure card.

I thought about making it Christmas themed, but I figured he would appreciate a more manly looking card, so I went with the old retired DSP from last years holiday mini. I started with the new Labels Framelits and the new stamp set Just My Type. The sentiment here is actually from the stamp set On Your Birthday.

On the inside, you see the pop up portion of the card. Again, I continued with the retired DSP and also some retired card die cut pieces I'd gotten from the clearance rack. I used one sentiment from the Punch Pals stamp set as well as another belated sentiment from On Your Birthday. Hopefully even my hubby will approve of the not too girly card for his dad!

Stamps: Just My Type, On Your Birthday, Punch Pals

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper: More Mustard, Crumb Cake, Retired DSP

Accessories: Retired card die cuts, Labels Framelits, mini library clips, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Word Window Punch, Modern Label punch, Decorative Label Punch, toothpick

Twitterpated with Label Framelits!

2011-12-31T07:00:00.000-05:00

I haven't participated in a UStamp online class in quite a while, so I decided that since it is winter and snow is coming, this is a great time for me to enjoy some inspiring mojo! So, taking the mojo and running with it, I cased a card made by Tanya Boser.

On both of these cards I used the Twitterpated DSP in the upcoming mini catalogue. I used the same pieces on both cards, I just flipped the sides of the DSP and changed the accents.

You'll notice on the top card I added some Illuminate Smooch on the flowers and Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details. In addition, I attached some Riding Hood Red grosgrain ribbon and an antique brad.

While I love the colors in the first card, I really adore the bow on the gray card. Everything is the same here. I added tiny pearls to the Pear Pizzazz label and a quadruple bow of Pear Pizzazz seam binding ribbon with my Island Indigo brad. Something about that bow is just so striking, I think I want to make lots more!

Stamps: Apothecary Art, Bordering on Romance

Ink: StazOn, Island Indigo, Baja Breeze, Basic Grey, Pear Pizzazz

Paper: Basic Grey, Blushing Bride, Island Indigo, Pear Pizzazz

Accessories: Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding Ribbon, Riding Hood Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, In Color Brads, Antique Brads, Illuminate Top Coat Smooch, Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details, Edgelits, Label Framelits, Basic Pearls

Cinderella page

2011-12-30T09:28:00.001-05:00

Well, I think this page concludes all of my princess pages! Finally! Wow...I didn't realize how many characters we saw at Disney! I loved this picture of Cinderella giving our daughter a hug.

When I looked at Cinderella's dress, I immediately thought....BASHFUL BLUE! So, I dug through my stash to find an old retired Simply Scrappin' kit. I think it was meant more for wedding pics, but I just use it for other things!

Here is my little journaling spot - it was actually bigger - I put the sticker on this little cardstock diecut from the clearance rack and added some baker's twine and an epoxy shoe and made a smaller journaling spot.

Ink: Close to Cocoa

Paper: Bashful Blue, Close to Cocoa, Retired Simply Scrappin' DSP

Accessories: Retired Simply Scrappin' stickers and retired die cuts, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Epoxy stickers (EK Success)

Using up old rub-ons: Rub-on resist

2011-12-29T10:09:00.000-05:00

I am almost finished scrapbooking all of these Disney character greeting pictures (I think)....yeah! So, for this picture I went with Liz Chidester's sketch #140. I also found inspiration from the color combination at For Your Inspiration - loved the blue and purple combination!

So here are some closeups of the accents. This title uses the new stamp set Sweet Cake. I colored the stamp with my Pool Party, Early Espresso, Wisteria Wonder, and Calypso Coral Stampin' Write markers. I matted the image on Pool Party paper and went back and added some Pool Party and Wisteria Wonder pieces on top. I also added Dazzling Diamonds to the cupcake and heart as well as Dazzling Details to the thin border around the image.

So, here I loved the fact that my daughter always enjoyed chatting with the characters, so I used up one of these old rub-ons. I didn't want to just put the rub-on right onto the diecut, so I decided that I would rub the sentiment on and then sponge over this with Pool Party and Wisteria Wonder ink and let the rub-on resist the ink.

Stamps: Sweet Cake

Ink: Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Early Espresso, Calypso Coral,

Paper: Sweet Shop DSP, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Whisper White

Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, Dazzling Details, die cuts (retired), Rub-ons (retired), Jelly Bean Brads

Here's a card I made using the same type of rub-on effect. This card uses the new stamp set Take Heart. I love the silhouette stamp and decided to use a scrap of Pool Party to stamp the image. I stamped the image in Basic Grey and took sponge daubers to sponge Old Olive and Island Indigo ink on areas of the image.

Here's a closeup of the rub-on resist on this image. Instead of just sponging over the rub-on, I decided to stamp on top of the image. Since I used a stamped image, I blotted the rub-on with a Kleenex gently so I wouldn't smear the stamped image.

Here is the inside of the card. I used the same technique as the scrapbook page. I stamped the image in Basic Grey, rubbed the sentiment on, and then sponged Island Indigo over the image.

Stamps: Take Heart

Ink: Basic Grey, Island Indigo

Paper: Basic Grey, Pool Party, Pink Pirouette, Twitterpated DSP

Accessories: Adorning Accents embossing folder, Hearts framelits die cut, Blushing Bride pleated ribbon, sponges, sponge daubers, Island Indigo baker's twine, Silver glass glitter, Vintage wallpaper embossing folder, rub-ons (retired)

And, finally, here is the spritzed rub-on resist. I watercolored an image from the new Apothecary Art stamp set and spritzed it with Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz. I cut that image as well as a frame out with the Framelits Labels die cuts. Finally, I took an old rub-on and spritzed it with Blushing Bride smooch spritz. I blotted that with a Kleenex and cut it out to pop up above the image. I accented very simply with some Riding Hood Red pleated ribbon and a safety pin with Pear Pizzazz seam binding ribbon.

Quick tip: Do NOT attempt to pierce a hole in your watercolor paper for the safety pin....I threw my original pin away! The watercolor paper is too heavy! Just use a glue dot! They are kind of like duct tape...you can't live without them!

Stamps: Apothecary Art

Ink: StazOn, Riding Hood Red, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede

Paper: Watercolor paper, Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Twitterpated DSP

Accessories: Labels framelits die cuts, Riding Hood Red Pleated Ribbon, Pear Pizzazz seam binding ribbon, Vintage safety pins, Blender pens, Blushing Bride Smooch Spritz, rub-ons (retired)

And, now, don't pass out, but I made my first video tutorial to show you the basic techniques for each of the rub-on resists!

Finishing up the December Daily

2011-12-27T10:43:00.001-05:00

Well, I am now finishing up this last week of days in my December Daily album. This picture of the page is a bit blurry, but it gives you a general idea of what the page looks like. It's rather dreary here....it has rained so much, it almost feels like we live in Seattle!

Anyway, for this page I used the Letters to Santa DSP. I stamped the Dasher stamp in Early Espresso and added some Riding Hood Red to the nose and sparkle spots. I touched over those spots with a sheer coat of Smooch. My journaling spot is a retired little die cut note that I sponged with Riding Hood Red.

By the way, did you notice that gorgeous pleated Riding Hood Red ribbon? It's coming soon in the Occasions mini catalogue! :)

Stamps: Dasher

Ink: Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red

Paper: Letters to Santa DSP, Whisper White, Crumb Cake

Accessories: Retired Die cuts, Smooch, Pleated ribbon, sponge

Quick and easy 6X6 pages

2011-12-26T07:30:00.000-05:00

I almost forgot about this quick and easy little scrapbook page I made this past month for our club meeting. I used one of last year's Sale-a-Bration stamp sets. I believe it is called Bliss. I love the flourish and the butterfly in the stamp set especially.

I tore a few pieces of the chicken wire page and sponged with Soft Suede. I also had these leftover scallop envelopes that made a great journaling hiding spot. The finishing touches were one of the Beau Chateau die cuts and a bitty button with a pink pirouette heart on the envelope.

Stamps: Bliss

Ink: Marina Mist, Soft Suede

Paper: Very Vanilla, Beau Chateau

Accessories: Bitty Buttons, 3-heart punch, Scallop Envelope die, Beau Chateau die cuts

Christmas cards from friends

2011-12-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

I thought today would be a great day to share some more of the gorgeous Christmas cards I received from my stamping friends.

The card above is made by my dear Creative Memories friend, Jenny West. While the picture shows the green a bit brighter than the real card, it looks as if it might be Pink Pirouette and Wild Wasabi. I can see the Punch Pals stamp set was used for the greeting and the Word Windowand scallop circle punches were used. In addition, it looks like she used the Top Note die cut. The other pieces I'm not sure about. Maybe she used her cricut!

This card was made by my lovely Longaberger friend, Carol Manning. I love this stamp set called Snow Much Fun and I think the greeting is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. Looks like she used the DSP from the mini catalogue as well as the modern label punch. For colors, I think it looks like marina Mist paper and satin ribbon and Cherry Cobbler paper.

Here is a little mini card from my dear friend, Hannah. She made this with Old Olive paper and Holly Jolly DSP. She used the stocking punch to add the cute stocking. By the way, in case you haven't heard, the stocking punch is being RETIRED on January 2!!!! Get it while you can....once they are gone, they are gone!

Here is a snowflake card from my sweet Angel, who has moved far away from us in Pennsylvania. ANGEL.....WE MISS YOU!!!!

I spy the peekaboo frame die cut here!

And, finally, a Cricut made card from our friend Dolli, who lives in Evansville, IN. I love the way she accented the Christ in Christmas with her cut out. AWESOME!

Aren't they lovely! I am so fortunate to have such crafty friends! I will keep these to admire for a few more years, too! ;)

Gift Card Holders

2011-12-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

As many people really like gift cards, I had to make 3 gift card holders for family members. Here are the three gift card holders I made.

This first gift card holder uses the Merry & Bright DSP from the big catalogue.

On the outside I stamped the snowman image from Tags 'Til Christmas and outlined the edge in Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details (coming out in the spring mini catalogue!).

Here is the way it looks on the inside - there is a gift card when you first open it.

Then the gift card pops up and there is a greeting below.

I used the Merry and Type stamp set for the greeting. Riding Hood Red Ink.

Here is another one just like it - I used some of last years' DSP. Real Red paper with pewter embossing powder here.

I had to make this one slightly different because the Target card was not a standard sized gift card.

I used some retired DSP and Simply Scrappin' stickers along with Real Red Satin Ribbon.

As you can see, I didn't make this one a pop-up card. I folded it more like a pocket with the gift card inside. I added a few more stickers from the Simply Scrappin' kit and finished it off with a rhinestone and a modern label punch.

Easy and effective.

Stamps: Merry and Type, Tags 'Til Christmas

Ink: Marina Mist, Versamark, Riding Hood Red

Paper: Merry and Type DSP, retired DSP, Real Red, Whisper White

Accessories: Retired Simply Scrappin' kit, rhinestones, 1 3/4" circle punch, modern label punch, Pewter Embossing Powder, sponges, Real Red Satin Ribbon, Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details

December Daily Day 14

2011-12-23T07:30:00.000-05:00

I decided that one of the things I wanted to include in my December Daily album was the ultrasound from our last doctor's appointment. Since our last appointment did not include an ultrasound, I decided to use one of the ultrasounds from November. Our sweet little baby Owen's heart rate was 141 as indicated by the red numbers I added a little Blushing Bride embossed heart and a Baja Breeze button just for a sweet touch of love.

Paper: Letters to Santa DSP, Whisper White, Old Olive

Accessories: Scalloped hearts embossing folder, button, number stickers (Jenni Bowlin Studio)

Makeover Monday Challenge and a sneak peek!

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

Here is the card that Andrea Walford made for the Makeover Monday Challenge. I loved the simplicity of this card. Elegant and just a touch of bling.

Here is the card I made for the Makeover Monday challenge. Almost everything on this card was free from the upcoming Sale-a-Bration catalogue. I absolutely love this stamp set, called Elementary Elegance and this gorgeous Everyday Enchantment paper. It is so elegant (go figure!) and vintage looking. Soft and pretty.

Here is a closeup of the image I stamped. I colored it with several of my Stampin' Write markers. I cut around the image and decided to put it off center and a little lower than the image on the original card. I stamped the hello image and punched it with the Curly Label punch and sponged that with Poppy Parade ink. Both images have Stampin' Dimensionals underneath them. I took a closeup so you could see the Dazzling Diamonds on the image. I added it to the flower centers on the patterned paper as well.

Stamps: Elemenntary Elegance

Ink: Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait, Pool Pary, Old Olive, Early Espresso

Paper: Poppy Parade, Pool Party, Whisper White, Everyday Enchantment DSP

Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, Curly Label Punch, Sponges, Pool Party ribbon

Greeting Card Kids Christmas card

2011-12-21T14:52:00.000-05:00

I got in the coloring mood recently and decided I wanted to color the Christmas girl image from the Greeting Card kids stamp set. I saw a sample of a card from Lorri Heiling at Stampin' Connection, a forum for SU demos. I changed up her idea quite a bit, but I liked the Baja Breeze/Crumb Cake color combo and the white snowflakes.

I watercolored this image using my blender pens and the ink from my stamp pads. It was relatively easy and with a touch of Dazzling Diamonds, I thought it had quite a stunning effect.

So, since I was in the coloring mood, I decided to use my Copic markers for this image. A very different effect, but nice and smooth shading here on the dress. My tree was a bit greener than I wanted, but overall I like it.

I added some Liquid Applique and flocking from CTMH on this one. I like the fluffy effect, although you can't see it well.

I think my favorite is the Baja Breeze one. What about you?

Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Serene Snowflakes

Ink: Baja Breeze, Sahara Sand, Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, So Saffron, White craft, Copic markers

Paper: Baja Breeze, Night of Navy, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Retired DSP

Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, ric rac, baja breeze grosgrain ribbon, tinsel (retired, but on the clearance rack right now!!)

December Daily Day 11

2011-12-20T11:36:00.000-05:00

After scouring facebook for pictures of my daughter at the Christmas program this past Sunday, I came to the conclusion that probably everyone's pictures were just as awful as mine! Not a single good picture from the day. Santa.....someday.....I'd like a nice camera - and I promise not to break it! ;)

Anyway, I had this picture of her caroling with a homemade jingle bell. I decided to put that in instead and just journal about the program. I love this retired DSP from last year - it has glittery parts in it!

This is a conglomeration of supplies here:

Paper: SU, American Crafts, Pretty Little Studio

Ribbon: Real Red Satin ribbon (SU)

Snowflakes: Echo park

Button, twine, black journaling pen: SU

Ticket: making memories

December Daily - Day 10

2011-12-19T07:30:00.000-05:00

I've been working on a December Daily album - an album in which I put a picture (or a few) from each day, keeping it simple, so that the focus is on making the memories and not being overly ornate with it. I made this page for December 10, using the Letters to Santa DSP.

Okay, so since it is winter, my daylight hours are gone a little too quickly! Looks like the glimmer paper here flashed a bit. This is my daughter with one of her Christmas cookies. I just love not only the expression on her face, but the flour all over her face and sleeves! Too cute!

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Letters to Santa DSP, silver glimmer paper

Accessories: Stickers (Crate Paper, October Afternoon), journaling card (Studio Calico)

Dear Santa....You're just my type

2011-12-18T07:30:00.000-05:00

I am completely not doing my job of making mass production Christmas cards, but I am at least having fun making some cards with my new stamp sets!

I made this card for Santa. I thought it was a cute idea. I saw a similar idea by Heather Klump on the Stampin' Up community idea board for demonstrators. I thought I'd switch it up a bit and make it with the stamps I had. I just loved the idea of combining the two sentiments!

Nothing special to the card - but the typewriter and sentiment is from a new set in the mini called You're My Type.

Stamps: Dear Santa, You're My Type

Ink: Basic Black, Garden Green

Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Crumb Cake

Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals, Retired Real Red grosgrain ribbon

Another sneak peek - doily Christmas card

2011-12-17T07:30:00.000-05:00

I must say I probably made it onto the naughty list this month with all of the new items I bought from the upcoming mini catalogue! I just loved so many items from the mini, I couldn't help myself! Take for instance, this gorgeous doily! Is it not beautiful?

I decided to make a quickie little Christmas card so I could play with my new diecut. This is the Large Paper Doily diecut - it is the depth of a sizzlit, but it is probably about 5 1/2 X 5 1/2" square.

I suggest using thin paper for this since it is very intricate - it tends to cut better. Here I used Whisper White and kept it simple.

I stamped a stocking from the Stitched Stockings set on a scrap of Crumb Cake and added a tiny rhinestone.

I finished it off with a touch of silver glimmer paper for the accents on the stocking. Simple and shimmery!

Take a look!

Stamps: Stitched Stockings

Ink: Garden Green

Paper: Real Red, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Silver glimmer paper

Accessories: Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Basic Rhinestones, Stocking punch, Large Paper Doily Die cut

Makeover Monday Challenge

2011-12-16T18:27:00.000-05:00

I thought I would finally participate in the Makeover Monday Challenge at the Papercrafter's Library Blog. So, even though this is my second post of the day, I didn't want to schedule this for later because I always forget to go and link up to my challenges if I do that! So, scroll down if you want to see another cute little Santa card.

This challenge is inspired by the illustrious Maille Belles. Her card is very clean and simple, so since I really liked the effect of her card, I decided to keep it pretty similar.

Here is the card that I made - it feature the Tree Trimmings set and the new Framelits wafer thin diecuts for the Big Shot in the upcoming mini catalogue. Not too different from Maille's card, but I decided to draw my ornament lines using my ruler and an Early Espresso pen. Instead of tiny bows I went with Basic Rhinestones instead.

Stamps: Tree Trimmings, Christmas Greetings

Ink: Garden Green, Baja Breeze, Real Red, Early Espresso marker

Paper: Whisper White

Accessories: Framelits die cut, sponge, Basic Rhinestones, ruler

Clearance Rack Blitz and a sneak peek card

2011-12-16T16:37:00.001-05:00

I'm a sucker for clearance items. Especially when they are such useful items! If you've not hopped over to the clearance section of my online store lately, you need to run over there....don't walk! There are punches, seasonal papers, and even 12X12 scrapbooks for $7.99!!! Yes, that's right! These items are only available through my online store, so get them now before they are gone!

Speaking of punches, here is a super fun and quick gate fold card with a literal belly band! Maybe I should say a belly belt!

This card is so easy to create and it uses a few punches and a new Edgelit diecut that is coming in January!

To make this card, I took a 8 1/2 X 5 1/2" piece of Real Red paper and placed the 8 1/2" side against the top of my Simply Scored tool. I scored at 2 1/8" from each side to make the fold even.

Next, I took some 1 1/2 X 5 1/2" strips of whisper white paper and created the shirt. To get this effect, you must first cut the edges with the new wafer thin edgelits die cut (tab 2 on the Big Shot). After it is cut, line up the piece inside the matching Adorning Accents embossing folder and emboss. NOTE: If you emboss first and then cut, you will flatten your embossing! For once I didn't do this, I actually read the instructions!

Finally, make the belly band. Using a 1 1/4" X 9 1/2" strip of Basic Black cardstock, wrap the strip around your card and crease around the edges. Punch a 1 3/8" square from silver glimmer paper.

Punch a 1 1/4" square from basic black paper.

Adhere the black square to the glimmer paper with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Adhere the belt buckle to the belt piece and slide on the card and send to someone who will enjoy it!

Or, of course, leave it for Santa with some cookies and maybe he'll leave you some fun new scrapbooking goodies! ;)

Paper: Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper

Accessories: 1 3/8" square & 1 1/4" square punches, Edgelits die cut, Adorning Accents embossing folder

Half circle gate fold Christmas card

2011-12-13T10:30:00.000-05:00

Back when we got the big catalogue in July, a few of my customers decided they wanted to make a card like the one on page 51. Basically a gate fold card that uses a half circle. I requested a template from Papercrafter's Library, and the ladies there were gracious enough to create a template that I could use to make a card.

So here are a few different versions of this card. This is the version I made Sunday during our club. I used Early Espresso ink and Letters to Santa DSP. We decided to try punching out an extra decorative label punch and turn it sideways for the backing of the number 25. We finished it off with a little bling, of course.

Here is the first card I made - pretty monochromatic with just a hint of color in the glimmer paper. For this one, I actually punched the label and cut a larger version out of the glimmer paper. I like this look, too.

Here it is without the belly band on.

And here is the inside. It is just enough to make an inside and keep it covered up with the gate fold and belly band. Lovely overall impression!

Stamps: Merry & Type

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Letters to Santa DSP, red glimmer paper

Accessories: scallop square die, sponge, Decorative label punch, basic rhinestones and pearls

Stampin' Up Cookie Stamp Press

2011-12-12T22:24:00.000-05:00

Stampin' Up recently came out with these coookie press stamps - they come with a wooden handle and 3 cookie presses that come right off of the handle easily for $16.95.

Now, I'm going to be honest, it took me a while both times I've used it to remember the key ingredient! FLOUR! Even if your dough is plenty refrigerated....you must have flour to keep the stickiness from getting into the mold! Once you can pat your dough without it sticking to your hands, though, you're pretty much good to go.

There we are - two messes in the kitchen! We made quite a mess...although we did clean it up! The last time I used the recipe on the cookie press paper and added pink food coloring. This time, though, we stuck with Pillsbury dough and left it the normal color.

Just in case you're wondering....Pillsbury sugar cookies hold their shape pretty well. They are not overly defined after cooking,, but overall they did a pretty good job with the press.

Here is what they look like when they are finished. Now, I will make a note and say that I purchased a set of Pampered Chef biscuit cutters to help with cutting that circle out perfectly. The last set of cookies I made used the heart press and my daughter decided we needed to cut all of the hearts out....oops....did I say WE? I meant I had to cut out every single heart....about 60! No more cutting them out....just the circles this time! Much easier.

This time I had a little helper the entire time. She had a big time...probably ate more cookie dough than she rolled....but she loved making cookies with me.

On another note....if you're trying to do this with the peppermint sugar cookies....just bake the cookies. Don't waste time cutting them out - they rise a lot and just mostly lose their shape! But....hey.....they are definitely delish!

Naughty or Nice scrapbook page

2011-12-11T07:39:00.000-05:00

I had a fantastic workshop yesterday with a few ladies who live about 30 minutes from me. We made this double page layout as well as the bow I showed yesterday and one of the Christmas cards I designed last month.

So for this layout I used the Letters to Santa DSP and one of the decorative strips on one of the sheets of paper. For this strip, since Santa's list topples outside of the border, I cut a strip of paper away and fussy cut around the edge of the paper.

I also added lots of Dazzling Diamonds to his beard and all things fluffy!

And here is the continuation of the page. Similar, but with the addition of the Jolly Bingo Card and some silver glimmer paper and some ornaments from the Merry and Type stamp set. My hostess wanted to see a few ways to use the markers, so I showed her how to color on the stamps to make them different colors.

Stamps: Merry & Type

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Marina Mist, Early Espresso

Paper: Riding Hood Red, Old Olive, Marina Mist, Early Espresso, Whisper White, Letters to Santa DSP, Silver Glimmer paper

Accessories: 3/4" circle punch, Dazzling Diamonds

Super cute gift tag bows from scraps!

2011-12-10T16:36:00.001-05:00

I came across this basic idea from the Papercrafter's Library this past week and decided to try it. Boy, am I glad I did! These are the CUTEST bows and the EASIEST bows to make! In fact, we are going to make some of them tomorrow afternoon during our club meeting.

You simply start with 6 4X3/4" strips of paper and adher them so the ends meet. Stick all those onto a 1 3/4" circle punch with Tombow glue. Next, you cover that center up with another 1 3/4" circle and add a snowman tag for the center. I added some Crystal Effects and chunky glitter and mica glitter to the edges of mine to see the differences. I love the results and can't wait to see them on a present! :)

Stamps: Tags 'Til Christmas

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Letters to Santa DSP

Accessories: Chunky Glitter, Mica glitter, Crystal effects, 1 3/4" circle punch

First Christmas card of the season!

2011-12-08T21:28:00.001-05:00

I received this card yesterday from my dear and lovely customer, Beverly. She sent us our first Christmas card of the season! Now how delighted would you be to receive this adorable card?!?!? I love this stamp set - it is on my wish list for sure! I believe it is called Snow Much Fun. I love how she colored everything perfectly to go in the picture....now if we could just have some real snow to go with it! Thanks, Beverly! It's gorgeous!!!

Quick embossed thanks

2011-12-03T20:11:00.001-05:00

I made a few quickie little thank you cards for my customers last night to put in their orders. I used Marina Mist for the base of this 3X3 card, cut a 2 3/4 X 2 3/4" square of Letters toSanta DSP, and added an embossed thanks from my sizzix. Quick and easy!

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper: Marina Mist, Letters to Santa DSP

Accessories: Thanks embosslit, sponge dauber

Torn page scrapbook page

2011-12-01T10:09:00.000-05:00

This was a really easy scrapbook page to create with stunning results. I started with a Soft Suede background and used the Chateau Bella DSP to accent it. I added the swirl from the Creative Elements stamp set in each corner. I tore the paper in half diagonally and sponged the edges with Soft Suede to soften the look.

Next, I used the Designer Frames embossing folders to create the little title and journal boxes. I sponged those in Soft Suede also to make the embossed edges really pop. I finished each off with some Marina Mist accents. For the left page, I added a paper flower sponged with Marina Mist, sprayed with Gold and Log Cabin Smooch Spritz, and a tiny binder clip.

For the right side, I simply stamped the butterfly from the same stamp set and spritzed it with Gold Smooch Spritz.

Stamps: Creative Elements

Ink: Marina Mist, Soft Suede

Paper: Soft Suede, Chateau Bella DSP

Accessories: paper flowers, vintage brads, binder clips, designer frames embossing folders

Worth the Wait

2011-11-30T10:18:00.000-05:00

I decided the Flirtatious DSP was just perfect for this page about my daughter waiting to meet Rapunzel this summer! I used a sketch from Sketches in Thyme to get all the pictures on the page without crowding it. I loved that they used a two page sketch this time!

Here's a closeup of the left side - you can see the Tasteful Trims die cut at the bottom in Wisteria Wonder. I added some Daffodil Delight pom pom trim across that paper strip, also. The rhinestones were from Recollections by Michaels. The doilies are just cut from the die cut paper that comes in the pack. I swear if they sold just the die cut papers, I would buy 50 sheets of it! I love those doilies!

Here's mostly more of the same. You probably can't see the journaling, but it basically says that we had to wait a long time in the hot Florida sun to see Rapunzel, but when we got into the courtyard, Halleigh got to color a picture, do a little dance to the music from Tangled, and finally meet Rapunzel, so it was all Worth the Wait.

Those letters are actually chipboard thickers, but I colored them with my Wisteria Wonder Stampin' Write marker and then coated that with the Illuminate top coat Smooch polish. I just love that stuff, too!

Ink: Wisteria Wonder

Paper: Daffodil Delight, Wisteria Wonder, Flirtatious Specialty DSP

Accessories: pom pom trim, tasteful trims die cut, illuminate top coat smooch, paper hole punch 1/8", rhinestones (recollections), thickers (american crafts)

A favorite of Tags 'Til Christmas

2011-11-29T22:02:00.001-05:00

I got the overall idea for this card from Andrea Walford. She used this design on a different card, but it was full of buttons and very bulky. I didn't want the bulk, so I decided to use the baby wipe stamp pad instead. I loved the result!

I inked my baby wipe with Soft Suede, Real Red, and Crumb Cake re-inkers and stamped away for those ornaments. I covered them with VersaMark and heated with Irridescent Ice EP. I love the shimmer you see on the ornaments. And it really didn't take that long! Even better, I know.

Stamps: Tags 'Til Christmas, Christmas Greetings, Tree Trimmings

Ink: Soft Suede, Real Red, and Crumb Cake, VersaMark

Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Real Red, Whisper White

Accessories: Perfect dots embossing folder, irridescent ice EP, ornament punch, scallop trim border punch

Perfect Poinsettia card

2011-11-26T13:37:00.001-05:00

This was a really simple card to make with a striking effect. I started with a Riding hood red background with a crumb cake mat. I stamped the word joy in Riding Hood Red. For the accent, I used the Designer Frames embossing folder. It comes with an oval and a rectangle shape - they are two smaller, separate folders rather than one large one. I finished it off with my poinsettia. I punched a few 5 flower punches I crumpled and peeled the flowers in two to make faux suede. To make the final shimmer, I spritzed gold smooch spritz and put a white glimmer brad in the center.

Stamps: The Sounding Joy

Ink: Riding Hood Red

Paper: Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Designer Frames embossing folder, glimmer brads, gold smooch spritz, 5 petal punch

Snow Swirled in a vibrant color combo!

2011-11-24T09:00:00.001-05:00

Here is a card a made a few multiples of recently. I used a new, vibrant color combo - Lucky Limeade, Marina Mist, and Real Red. It's flashy, but not too much! I combined that with Snow Swirled and a few rhinestones for a fantastically quick card!

Stamps: Snow Swirled

Ink: Lucky Limeade, Marina Mist, and Real Red

Paper: Lucky Limeade, Marina Mist, and Whisper White

Accessories: Basic Rhinestones

Online Extravaganza begins today!

2011-11-21T06:35:00.001-05:00

Shop online in my store

view the products on sale in this pdf flyer.

Online Extravaganza coming and The Sounding Joy card

2011-11-20T18:49:00.001-05:00

The Online Extravaganza, our annual sale to kick off theholiday shopping season, begins Monday, November 21, 2011, and continuesthrough Wednesday, November 30, 2011.

Savings include...FREE digital downloads valued at $40 whenyou buy My Digital Studio Express, 60 percent off select Designer Fabrics, and30 percent off an exclusive ribbon bundle!

And...there will be two items on sale for 24 hours only(November 21, 12:01 AM - 11:59 PM [MT]) - so make sure you don't miss the first24 hours of the Online Extravaganza!

These deals are available online, with customer andworkshop orders. To see them all andtake advantage of the savings...

Log in on Monday, November 21, to my Online Store, lookaround, find out what the two special items are and then place your HolidayOnline Extravaganza order!

Note: When you place your qualifying order on myDemonstrator Business Website you will be eligible for all the usual hostessbenefits.

And now...on to the card! This is one of my favorite cards I made for the Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack this weekend. I used my favorite Christmas stamp set from the holiday mini - The Sounding Joy. I love this religious based stamp set - it is so elegant and simple at the same time. I was inspired by the card in the holiday mini, but I didn't want to copy it exactly. For one, I didn't have any Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon! I decided to switch to Whisper White taffeta ribbon and make a bow with pleats cascading down the rest of the card. What do you think?

Stamps: The Sounding Joy

Ink: So Saffron, Cherry Cobbler, VersaMark

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: Whisper White taffeta ribbon, Pewter Embossing Powder, Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates, Dotted scallop ribbon border punch

Just a reminder - if you still need to make some handmade Christmas cards, I have two times coming up this weekend during which you can knock out some gorgeous cards! Friday at 11:00 a.m. and Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

***Here’s how it works: I create several Christmas card designs. You choose which designs you like the best and tell me how many cards of each you would like to make. I will do the prep, the work, the cutting, the designing, and your friends show up to just assemble and stamp!

Cost: $2 per card (envelopes included) - Please indicate the name of the card(s) you would like to make as well as the number of cards you would like to make of each design chosen.

You can see a pdf of all the cards here

Let me know if you would like to sign up!

Serene Season Greetings

2011-11-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Here's another simple card - it's really pretty in person. It looks a little drab here, I think. I liked the natural look with just a splash of color in the Bashful Blue.

Stamps: Serene Snowflakes, Many Merry Messages

Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Bashful Blue

Paper: Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue

Accessories: Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon

Stitched Stocking cards

2011-11-15T22:36:00.001-05:00

Here are a few more Christmas cards I made. I broke down and purchased the Stitched Stocking stamp set and the stocking builder punch finally. I've been eyeing them for quite a while, I just wasn't fure if I'd like them. Let me just say...I don't like them....I LOVE them! Good buy! So easy to use and what a great impact they make with so little effort! My favorite combination! :)

I got the ideas for these from a tutorial I saw from Andrea Walford. I just made my own version of the card sketches. They were both pretty simple. 3X6 cards are always great for money, too! ;)

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Stitched Stockings

Ink: Real Red, Old Olive, VersaMark, Garden Green

Paper: Real Red, Old Olive, Whisper White, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Blushing Bride, Garden Green, Retired DSP

Accessories: Stocking builder, large oval, decorative label, 2 3/8" scallop circle, 2 1/2" circle punches,pennant die, basic rhinestones, irridescent ice EP, Polka dots embossing folder

Snowman card

2011-11-14T08:00:00.000-05:00

I don't know what it is about this card, but I just absolutely adore it! I don't know if it's the snowman or the snowflake in the corner, but it just strikes me. It is simple, but sweet at the same time. My color combo is simple - White, black, and cherry cobbler.

Stamps: Punch Pals, Christmas Greetings

Ink: StazOn Black Ink, Cherry Cobbler

Paper: Whisper White, Chery Cobbler

Accessories: Stampin' Write markers, Snowflake sizzlits die cut, northern flurry embossing folder, Dazzling Diamonds, Glimmer Brads

Elegant Christmas Greeting card

2011-11-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

I still love this color combo I found last year - Always Artichoke and Cherry Cobbler. It has a vintage and elegant look to it. Therefore, I thought the vintage wallpaper embossing folder and the pleated ribbon were perfect additions to this card.

Stamps: Tree Trimmings, Christmas Greetings

Ink: Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler

Paper: Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Cherry Cobbler baker's twine, buttons, Chocolate Chip satin ribbon, vintage wallpaper embossing folder

Dasher card

2011-11-12T08:40:00.001-05:00

And for the next Christmas card, I have a card I made with the Dasher stamp. I have wanted this stamp for a long while, so finally this past year I got it as a free stamp during Sale-a-Bration. I tried to stay simple with this one - just a little Riding Hood Red Marker and Smooch are added to the image.

Stamps: Dasher, Snow Swirled

Ink: Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red

Paper: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Riding Hood Red grosgrain ribbon, linen thread, Stampin' Write marker, Smooch

And for the not so simple....Here is where a gazillion glue dots went last week! My daughter had a project from her kindergarten to make a turkey, so I pretty much let her loose with some of my old supplies. She certainly made a unique looking turkey! It was definitely all of her ideas - I just helped out a little bit. Here are a few things I loved:

the flower bow on the head

the letter stamps on each feather

the heart *rhinestones* pumping blood to the organs

the belly"button"

the necklace

Oh, what fun we have together! A good way to use up some of those old supplies you don't use anymore!

Delicate Doily Christmas

2011-11-11T18:23:00.001-05:00

I love the way this card turned out. i used the Delicate Doily stamp set along with the dec. 25 from theTags 'Til Christmas stamp set. For the color combo, I used Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade, and Crumb Cake. I like that this is Christmasy, but the color combo gives it a fresh, new look.

Stamps: Delicate Doilies, Tags 'Til Christmas

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade, and Crumb Cake

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White, and Crumb Cake

Accessories: Decorative Label punch

Delightful Decorations card

2011-11-10T21:16:00.001-05:00

My Christmas card stamp-a-stacks are starting up this weekend. Here is one of the cards I'm going to make. I used the Delightful Decorations stamp set on this card and some retired Christmas paper from last year.

Stamps: Delightful Decorations

Ink: Garden Green, Blushing Bride, Real Red

Paper: Garden Green, Blushing Bride, Real Red, retired DSP

Accessories: Glimmer brad, corner rounder punch

A Unicorn Birthday Celebration

2011-11-08T09:10:00.000-05:00

Where in the world have I been? Getting ready for my daughter's unicorn birthday party. She was in charge of nearly everything....she wanted it all a certain way! For instance, she wanted a unicorn and a 5 on her birthday cake. Pink icing...polka dots....

And a rainbow on the inside. This is 1 1/2 cake mixes made into 3 round circle cakes. I won't tell you how much frosting! It was yummy, though!

Here was her original invitation - I watercolored the Pony Party unicorn and added some Smooch to the hearts. It was just perfect. That sample was.....

And then I colored 16 more.....and added smooch....expecting the same results.....but the smooch ran and spread everywhere. It was a disaster! I had to re-color every single pony except the original!

So on the second try...I went with a known success - dazzling diamonds. Always a winner!

Stamps: Pony Party, French Filigree

Ink: Pretty in Pink, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, StazOn

Paper: Watercolor Paper, Pretty in Pink, Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder

Accessories: Pretty in Pink grosgrain ribbon and satin ribbon, Tasteful Trims die, Polka dot Embossing folder, dazzling diamonds, aqua painter

Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack

2011-11-06T22:55:00.001-05:00

I know it's not Christmas yet...BUT, it's a perfect time to MAKE your Christmas cards!! One of the best blessings of paper crafting, is handmaking your Holiday cards! This class was a big hit last year! I think we made over 100 cards in this create-your-own card class!

Saturday, November 12, at 11:00 a.m.

Friday, November 25 at 11:00 a.m.

Saturday, November 26 at 1:00 p.m.

***Here’s how it works: I create several Christmas card designs. You choose which designs you like the best and tell me how many cards of each you would like to make. I will do the prep, the work, the cutting, the designing, and your friends show up to just assemble and stamp!

Designs are shown below

Cost: $2 per card (envelopes included) - Please indicate the name of the card(s) you would like to make as well as the number of cards you would like to make of each design chosen.

See the PDF document of all the cards from which you can choose here.

A really big deal!

2011-10-30T17:54:00.001-04:00

I went to the Stampin' Up regional seminar yesterday in Louisville, Kentucky.
In addition to lots of fun goodies like yummy cupcakes and a few free goodies, I got lots of great ideas. I also came back with a super special big deal!
If you have ever thought about trying to earn a little extra cash for yourself or to pay for your hobbies, being a stampin up demonstrator offers a great opportunity for you! It's so much fun to do what you love, make your own schedule, and get paid for it!
Did you know that if you become a demonstrator today or tomorrow you can get $300 worth of Stampin' Up products, plus a free Big Shot (or $100 of product) and even a brand new stamp set from the upcoming spring mini catalogue?!?! Now that's what I call a big deal! Head on over to my website: http://valerie.durham.stampinup.net

A Hand-y little Halloween treat!

2011-10-27T17:40:00.002-04:00

I found these Halloween gloves on Oriental Trading Company, so I couldn't resist a quick and easy treat for our students at church this year. Well, mostly easy...just time consuming to make 48!

We put candy corn in the fingertips for the fingernails and put popcorn in the hand to fill it up with yummies! That was it! :)

Up, up, and away birthday card

2011-10-22T18:44:00.000-04:00

My sweet hubby's birthday was this week, so I made his birthday card just in time....literally! I got it made just in time for him to see it when he came home from refereeing a football game Tuesday!

I have this awful habit of making pretty cards and pretty things....so I decided to use my color coach to help me find a more manly color combo. I decided on Early Espresso, Tangerine Tango, and Marina Mist.

To make this card, I found a scrap of this houndstooth DSP retired last year and used another few scraps of white paper. I used my scallop edge punch to create a cloud template. I sponged Marina Mist around that little template to make the cloud background. Next, I made 3 different balloons with Tangerine Tango and added a little retired ribbon. I punched out the sentiment with my 1 1/4" circle punch and I was done! Easy and man friendly! ;)

Stamps: Up, up, and away

Ink: Early Espresso, Marina Mist, Tangerine Tango

Paper: Early Espresso, Retired DSp, Whisper White

Accessories: Retire ribbon, sponges, 1 1/4" circle punch

Salted and Blended Watercolor Background

2011-10-21T08:00:00.000-04:00

I found a pretty interesting technique on Papercrafter's Library the other day. It was called the salted and blended watercolor background. I used that technique to create the following cards. While I can't share the specific details of the technique (you can find the Papercrafter's Library link in the sidebar), it is a really fun and messy technique with a gorgeous result!

The above card uses the Tempting Turquoise and Night of Navy color combo for this card. I added a few silver Serene Snowflakes and embossed them to make them pop. You can see I also embossed the second layer of white on this card with the Northern Flurry embossing folder. For this top card, I added a sentiment using Night of Navy.

I made virtually the same card here. I changed the color combo to Pool Party and Night of Navy, although you can't really see the navy. You can really see, though where I embossed the watercolor paper with salt on this image. It repels the water and leaves a little splotch of a spot! I used the same sentiment and embossed the image in silver. You can't see the snowflake quite as well in this image, though, so I think I may like the top color combo a little bit better.

Easy and elegant scrapbook page

2011-10-19T22:29:00.002-04:00

In our club this year we are trying to work on a 6X6" scrapbook using the Chateau Bella paper for our inspiration. So as you can see in this particular layout, I didn't actually use the DSP, I just used the colors as a guide for creating my page. During club, some of the ladies added a few of their scallops with the DSP which also looked really pretty.

This page was super simple, but it created quite a nice finish and it was easy to add pictures to as well. I barely even cut these 4X6" pictures down from their original size to add them here.

So here is a little bit closer of a look at the page on the right hand side. The background piece is Soft Suede, so to make each page, I added two piecces of Marina Mist and one piece of Soft Suede paper that I cut out using my Tasteful Trims diecut. Once they were cut I layered them and added some pearls at the top of each point. I topped it all off with some Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon.

Paper: Marina Mist, Soft Suede

Accessories: Tasteful Trim diecut, basic pearls, Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon

Easy Canvas Prints

2011-10-15T14:02:00.000-04:00

Recently I was contacted by Brendan Bailey, who works for Easy Canvas Prints. I have always loved the look of pictures and art on canvas, but always dismissed it as too expensive. I have a few canvas paintings, but I never thought about putting one of my pictures on canvas. When Brendan asked me about trying out one of my pictures on canvas, I thought this was the perfect opportunity for me to try putting one of our pictures on a canvas. So, since we had purchased a Disney Photopass while on vacation, I decided to use one of my favorite pictures for the canvas.

Here's what the original picture looks like:

To me, this is such a sweet, almost angelic picture of our daughter. You can't even tell we are at DisneyWorld! I love her sweet expression and the way the sun is glowing and reflecting off of her golden hair.

So, this is what the actual canvas looks like (minus the tablecloth!):

You can see it is just perfect! In fact, we just put up our fall decorations this week and I set in on an easel right in the center of all of our other decor. It blends perfectly, but it makes such a gorgeous impact!

You can see some of our handmade pumpkins - including Halleigh's pumpkin from when she was in preschool - they make such a nice little frame around the picture.

Here are just some side views and views from below. I love that you can create a mirrored image to wrap around the edge of the picture so you don't have to lose any part of your actual picture. How clever!

I have been thrilled with my canvas and my entire ordering experience at Easy Canvas Prints. If I had any regrets, it would only be that I didn't know how gorgeous it would be - I would have gotten a bigger canvas! Easy Canvas Prints has some really great deals and there is lots of variety from which you can choose. In fact, right now they are offering 25% off AND free shipping! WOW!

I personally think these great products are just perfect for that little holiday coming up....Christmas! I have a feeling some of those grandparents out there would be delighted to have a canvas with all their babies on it!

Go on and check it out!

October newsletter

2011-10-14T09:24:00.001-04:00

If you would like to view my October newsletter, please click here.

Boo-tiful thank you cards

2011-10-09T10:07:00.000-04:00

Here's a darling card that I cased from Inking Idaho. I made these cards to say thank you to a few of my customers recently. They were so cute and simple to make! I just cut out several Whisper White Top Notes and used some of last year's Halloween paper scraps for the bottom part. I added some Always Artichoke ribbon across the middle and punched out some circles for the eyes. I inked around the white edges with the charcoal distressing ink in the distress kit so they would stand out from the background.

That was it! :) So easy and cute!

Ink: Charcoal distress ink

Paper: Whisper Whtie, Basic Black, Retired DSP

Accessories: Top Note die cut, always Artichoke grosgrain ribbon, 1 1/4" & 3/4" circle punches

Club scrapbook pages

2011-10-07T10:01:00.000-04:00

Here are the two scrapbook pages I made for our club meeting this past month. Since our card was more intricate, I went with a pretty simple scheme for the two page layout. I just used a 1" X 6" strip of Beau Chateau on the sides. For the left page I added a piece from the Beau Chateau Side Notes and wrapped a little bit of Early Espresso baker's twine around it. I had a pink pirouette heart leftover from another project, so I just added a few pearls to it.

The stamping was very simple - I just stamped the Creative Elements flourish a few times in Marina Mist. I also stamped the butterfly from the Creative Elements stamp set in Pink Pirouette and cut it out. I sponged around both pieces with Marina Mist and added a little bit of baker's twine and pearls to connect to two page elements.

So simple and pretty!

Stamps: Creative elements

Ink: Marina Mist, Pink Pirouette, Soft Suede

Paper: Sahara Sand, Whisper Shite, Early Espresso, Pink Pirouette, Beau Chateau DSP

Accessories: Early Espresso Baker's twine, pearls, Beau Chateau Side Notes, Heart punch, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder

Swiped background card

2011-10-05T09:50:00.001-04:00

Here is a recent card I made in my club. It was full of lots of different techniques, so I will just try and reference where you can find them. For the folded card technique, I found free video over at Kristina Werner's blog. She's a reknowned card making blogger who has been published many times in scrappy and card magazines.

I changed the punch from a butterfly to the modern label punch. I also changed the design so it would utilize the lovely Spice Cake patterned paper and Pool Party ruffled ribbon. I would suggest cutting each at the fold lines so that you can still easily close your card.

For the final touch on top, I punched out 3 scallop circles. I crumpled them up and pulled them apart at the seams so that you see the inside of the paper (this is the faux suede technique). I spritzed them with Smooch Spritz for just a tiny bit of shimmer and poked a hole for a designer brad to go through. I made sure that when I put my glue dot on, I only put the glue dot on one side of the back so that it is centered over the middle of the card, but only sticks to one side.

And here is what the inside of the card looks like. I used the Day of Gratitude stamp set for the inside of the card. I stamped the medallion in the corner in Soft Suede and the Thank You greeting in Soft Suede on Very Vanilla - I punched this out with the word window punch to make it stand out from the background.

The background was made using a swiped background technique that I learned from Club 52 in the Papercrafter's Library (see the link in the sidebar). I used Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, and River Rock for my swipes. The best description I can give you for swiping is to just think of a wave in the ocean and swipe like a wave, going from your lightest color to your darkest color. It creates a very dramatic background!

Stamps: Day of Gratitude

Ink: Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede and River Rock

Paper: River Rock, Soft Suede, Spice Cake DSP

Accessories: Word window, modern label, and scallop circle punches, Pool Party ruffled ribbon, Pool Party Designer Brad, Simply Scored scoreboard

Grateful Greetings with a pop of color

2011-09-25T19:16:00.002-04:00

I needed a few cards to say thank you to some retiring board members for my music teacher organization of which I am president. I decided to use a new technique I found on papercrafter's library called blended background. I used River Rock, Sahara Sand, and Crumb Cake for the background. I then stamped the medallion and the thank you in Not Quite Navy.

I stamped the leaves in Poppy Parade on a separate sheet of paper, cut them out, and spritzed them with Gold Smooch Spritz.

I like the pop of color that the poppy parade brings to the card - I found the color combo in my color coach.

And here's the inside of the card - we wouldn't want to leave it naked!!! Quick and easy, but a nice touch.

Stamps: Grateful Greetings. En Francais

Ink: River Rock, Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy, Poppy Parade

Paper: Bordering Blue, Sahara Sand, Poppy Parade, Whisper White

Accessories: Gold Smooch Spritz, Paper Piercer, Not Quite Navy & Bordering Blue brads, Decorative label punch, Linen Thread

Letters from Santa Card Class

2011-09-22T18:57:00.002-04:00

The beautiful patterns in the Letters From Santa DP speak for themselves! Add to it the greetings from the Merry & Type stamp set and you have a perfect pair. These four standard-sized cards and matching basket will have everyone wanting to create this amazing gift set!
Date: Saturday, October 1, 2011
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $20 ***Or receive the class planner by email for free with a $50 purchase from my online store!Location: My home

Please email me to sign up for this class: tvdurham @ newwavecomm . net
Supplies
• Stamp Sets: Merry & Type
• Ink: Early Espresso Classic ink
• Paper: Whisper White CS, Riding Hood Red CS, Old olive CS, Early Espresso CS and Letters From Santa DP
• Accessories: Sticky Strip, SNAIL adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, 2-way glue pen, mini glue dots, paper cutter with scoring blade, grid paper, paper snips, bone folder, Stampin’ Mist and Scrub, Basic Pearls, Old Olive 5/8" Satin ribbon, Antique Brads, Decorative Label punch, Scallop Trim Border punch, Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter Paper-piercing tool and Whisper White medium envelopes

September Newsletter

2011-09-17T11:45:00.001-04:00

If you'd like to read my newsletter, please click here for an online version of the newsletter.

Love my little sweetheart!

2011-09-12T07:28:00.000-04:00

I don't know what it is about this picture and her pose, but I just loved it! We got several pictures of my daughter posed just like this the day we were at Hollywood Studios, so I couldn't resist enlarging one to a 5X7 and highlighting it on a layout.
As for the paper, I know this was last year's Valentines paper, but it just seemed to go with her shirt perfectly! So, I thought, hey, why not? I added some chipboard pieces and embossed one with Irridescent Ice EP over Real Red craft ink. The inside of the heart I covered with Crystal Effects and lots and lots of Silver Glass Glitter. It's so chunky, it really makes the heart pop! Glitter and bling are definitely some of my FAVORITE embellies! :)

Ink: Real Red
Paper: Retired DSP, Whisper White, Basic Gray
Accessories: Pink Pirouette Grosgrain Ribbon, Top Note Die Cut, Retired rub-ons, Silver Glass Glitter, Chipboard (retired), Irridescent Ice EP

Strike a Pose

2011-09-11T09:20:00.000-04:00

I bought this Big Top Birthday paper because I thought that the colors would be great for pictures from DisneyWorld. I thought since the paper was a bit busy, I would tone it down some with some solid colors of paper over top of it. I added a few Big Top Birthday Quick Accents and a few buttons and brads and the page finished very quickly!

Salt & Pepper Challenge

2011-09-10T07:00:00.000-04:00

Okay, so I almost dismissed this challenge thinking I'd never be able to make a salt & pepper layout with only black, white, and one other color. But, then suddenly I had a leftover zebra that I'd colored and poof, I had a vision for this page!

So for the black and white, I used some retired Night & Day DSP (one of my faves!). I decided to go with Concord Crush as my accent color. I don't end up using a lot of this color since it's so bold, so this was actually a great opportunity for me to use some of my pieces up! Halleigh's shirt had some cute little purple flowers, so I thought it would highlight that color as well.

And here is another animal from Zoo Review - the zebra. I actually made it yesterday to go with my giraffe page, but decided it didn't really fit the color scheme, so it was really perfect for this page about the View from our balcony.

Stamps: Zoo Review

Ink: Concord Crush, Memento black ink, Copic

Paper: Whisper White, Night & Day DSP, Cheerful Treat DSP

Accessories: Basic Black satin ribbon, 1 3/8" circle punch, retired scalloped journaling cards, Stampin' Write marker.

Zoo Review

2011-09-09T06:12:00.000-04:00

While staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, we had a wonderful savannah view that allowed us to capture these gorgeous up close pictures of several of the animals. Mind you, we have a junky little digital camera....so they are great pics for a point and shoot!

When I started thinking about what colors and papers I wanted to use for this page, I got to thinking that Spice Cake DSP would be perfect for this page. They have these gorgeous, earthy colors - Soft Suede, Pool Party, Pear Pizzazz, and More Mustard.

To make that strip across the bottom, I took a scrap of 12X12 paper and created two strips out of it. I punched several 1 3/8" square pieces of the Spice Cake DSP and glued them to the strip to keep them straight.
I couldn't resist filling the open space of the wildebeest picture with the title piece (made with My Digital Studio) and pulling all the pictures together with one of those huge Spice Cake buttons.

I originally intended to place the title above the journaling, but after I made it, I didn't really like the way it looked there, so I sponged Pool Party ink all around the edges and added a More Mustard button and two Pool Party brads.

I must admit, when I saw this Zoo Review stamp set, I loved the realistic look of the animals in it so much, I couldn't resist it! I just thought it would be perfect for these Animal Kingdom photos and pages. I really love the way this giraffe looks colored with my Copic markers. It's just gorgeous!

Fairy Gifts

2011-09-08T13:32:00.004-04:00

ScrapFIT is having a paper strip challenge and I'd found this sketch at Sketchy Thursday that I thought would be great for this page, so I thought I'd combine the two challenges. Scrapping everyday miracles has a challenge to remember a moment, so I thought this was a great moment to rememember. The fairies kept leaving our daughter little gifts each day that we visited Disney....she still thinks the fairies leave her gifts - even if it is just something we found at a consignment sale. I just love the magic and wonder that I find in her eyes and her mind.
I tried out my oh, so gorgeous Hello, Doily background stamp with some Wisteria Wonder for the background page. I added a few little Rose Red buttons for accents and took a few scraps of the Flirtatious DSP to make this page. I really love the colors in this set - they were just right for fairy thoughts! I finished it off with some journaling around the edges of the picture with my Wisteria Wonder Stampin' Write marker.

Bee happy

2011-09-05T10:56:00.001-04:00

I started this page last night, but I got too tired to finish it, so I decided I would finish it today. I used the Cheerful Treat hostess paper for this layout plus some Pretty in Pink DSP scraps. I had these little pieces of a baby girl Simply Scrappin' kit stickers that were just girly, so I thought they would make great little accent on this page. The title is a rub-on that I've had forever. I thought it would look cute right there in her hand since she had it out like she was holding something. I put the little bee right on the big pink flower.

Birthday Boy

2011-09-03T10:21:00.001-04:00

This weekend must be the weekend of the birthday boys! We have a birthday party today and another one Monday, so I figured this little robot set is just about as good as any for boys! I have learned that you don't get anything too complicated or time consuming, either, since they are likely to tear them up immediately!
I found this color combo in my color coach - Daffodil Delight, Calypso Coral, and Baja Breeze. I added a few hints of irridescent Smooch on the balloon and the star. I'll have another one for Monday...and one for my mom, too! I'd better get busy!

Splashing with Crystal Effects

2011-08-27T09:10:00.000-04:00

The Sweet Peach Crop Shop Blog has a splash challenge going on right now, so I had a couple of ideas for it. Here was one of my ideas. I took the technique and sketch from Papercrafter's Library for this page.

For the chipboard letters, I painted them with Tide Pool Glimmer Glam - you can kind of see the sparkles here.

Here you can see a closeup of the splashes. To make these, I mixed Crystal Effects and Pool Party re-inker. Next, I dribbled this onto acetate paper and let it dry. Finally, I cut slightly around the edges and adhered it to the page. It matches the new Pool Party colored Spice Cake patterned paper from the upcoming mini-catalogue perfectly. And don't those buttons make great O's?!

We have a winner! And a few new cards, too!

2011-08-25T15:25:00.001-04:00

I saw this darling picture over at Easy Craft Projects, so I decided to make a few cards with the bright colors.

I didn't go exactly with the colors - I went with Lucky Limeade, Riding Hood Red, and Perfect Plum. It was a really pretty combo. ScrapFIT is having a scallop challenge, so used my scallop trim punch for the bottom of the front panel and then I used the new Peekaboo diecut that is coming in September.

On the inside of the peekaboo was this little horse that I colored with my Copics. It made me think of all the animals in the picture. It was difficult to get a good picture of it without my big finger in it!

And since I really liked that color combo, I tried a different route. Much more elegant looking - I love this butterfly set! I made these for all of my customers in my club.

And now....drum roll, please......the winner of the free sketchbook is.....

Stephanie Pezolet said...

I would love to have some inspiration :) Congrats on getting published!
A fellow PCL member

Stephanie - send me your email information to tvdurham @ newwavecomm . net and I'll get you the information you need for your free sketchbook! Congratulations!

I'm officially published! Here's your chance to win a free copy!

2011-08-15T22:59:00.001-04:00

At Sassy Lil' Sketches, we are happy to announce the first Sassy Lil' Sketches Ebook has been released!

The Sassy Lil' Sketches Ebook features about 70 brand new sketches designed by Cherie Averill!

You'll find sketches for layouts with one, two, three & multiple photos! You'll even find double page sketches! Plus, sample layouts from talented designers like me that will spark your creativity!

Most of the sketches use standard photo sizes (4x6, 5x7, 8x10). To get extra mileage out of the sketches, switch it up! Use the sketches to create cards, double pagers, etc.! If you need ideas for "switching it up", check out the cards in the Sample Layouts section or stop by the Sassy Lil' Sketch blog on Saturdays.

The Sassy Lil' Sketches Ebook is available for online viewing or you can easily download and print it. It's your choice!

Visit http://www.sassylilsketches.com/ to get the Sassy Lil' Sketches Ebook & get scrapping!

Now for your chances to win - you get a chance for each thing you do!
1) Leave a comment.
2) Follow me on this blog.
3) Follow the Sassy Lil Sketches blog.
4) Share about this exciting new sketchbook on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter.

Link back in the comment section below to enter to win. Contest ends at midnight Eastern time on Monday, August 22. Winner will be announced on Tuesday, August 23.

One more one sheet wonder!

2011-08-15T09:53:00.000-04:00

You saw my Christmas card one sheet wonder yesterday. Here is the other one sheet wonder I created in the process. Again, I used the same dimensions for the set, I just changed the color scheme and stamp set.

For this set, I used a color combo from the Color Coach. I used Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo, and Pool Party. The stamp set used for these cards was Fifth Avenue Floral. I also spritzed all of these cards with just a bit of Gold Smooch Spritz.

Christmas card one sheet wonder

2011-08-14T09:43:00.000-04:00

I had a one sheet wonder card class the other day using the Delicate Doilies stamp set. I decided since I had already made the doily cards that I would make another couple of card sets using the same layouts but different stamps.

So, here is the first set of cards I made. I used Serene Snowflakes and the Word Play stamp set.

Here's a closeup of one of the cards. I got the color combo from some samples in the big catalogue - Blushing Bride, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, and Wild Wasabi. I added some Dazzling Diamonds to the cards, also!

Club projects

2011-08-13T09:32:00.000-04:00

Well, last night was the first night of our club dates. We had only a few since it was on a Friday, but we had a great time making these projects! Our first project was this card. We created this card using the Big Shot and the Up, Up, & Away stamp set. It also features the Old Olive DSP and Chocolate Chip scallop ribbon.

Here is the other project we made - a darling little gift for a friend or co-worker. Wouldn't this brighten someone's day? This fits right over the top of a water bottle and has a little pocket that is the perfect size for one or two of those little packets you can use to flavor your water (Crystal Light is shown here). If you are a club member, you can expect a tutorial on these two projects and the scrapbook pages by the end of the weekend.

If you are not a club member, but would like the tutorials, any online order will get you all 4 tutorials! :)

P.S. - I got these ideas from the Inking Idaho blog in my sidebar!

Inspired by Gigi, God's Little Princess

2011-08-09T15:50:00.000-04:00

Sketchy Thursdays is having a Guest Design Team call, so the challenge was to use this sketch and some inspiration from reading. I flipped the sketch to use it and got my inspiration from some of my daughter's recent favorite books, based on Gigi: God's little Princess. She pretty much always wears pink and prances around (much like Halleigh!). So here's the page I came up with.

You can see I went with the pink theme for the page and added a little bit of purple in for panache. I liked the circles, but I didn't want them to all look the same.

Here you can see where I spritzed the edges of the page with Creme Rouge Glimmer Mist and masked a few circles. I added a few little x's like little kisses on the edges of those to make a visual triangle. I punched several circles from the Lap of Luxury DSP that SU retired this year and distressed the edges of those. Finally, I stamped a few circles in clear Versamark ink and heat embossed those. I wiped off the glimmer mist and stamped a few circles in Concord Crush on top and wiped the excess ink.

For a final little touch, I added a couple of hand-stitched hearts to the title for a little of mommy's love. :)

Beau Chateau scrapbook pages begin

2011-08-06T10:46:00.000-04:00

I saw a coloring challenge at Frosted Designs, so it inspired me to create this page using my Stampin' Write markers.

I'm so proud of myself! I just made a tutorial for this 6X6" scrapbook page we are going to be making at our club next Friday! All club members will get this for free. I will also be making a tutorial for the page below.

Both pages focus on the Beau Chateau DSP (which is buy 3 get 1 free right now!) and the Elements of Style stamp set.

If you're not in my club, but you would like to get a copy of these tutorials to make the pages yourself, just make any online purchase at my online store and I'll send you the tutorials for free! :)

August Stampin' Up newsletter

2011-08-04T14:53:00.000-04:00

I am sending out my newsletter today, so if you can't open it, try downloading it here!

Pastel=Perfect for Easter pics!

2011-08-03T10:24:00.001-04:00

I'm playing along with two sketches today. The first one is from Creative Scrappers, a new sketch site I found. I acutally used a Simply Scrappin' kit I got from the clearance rack a while back. This is actually a romance based kit - probably meant for weddings and lovers...but I thought the colors were pretty useful for Easter morning pictures, too!

See what I mean? Blue, green, pink, Cocoa? They are just perfect for Easter. I added some inking around the edges to make the paper stand out and I added stampin' dimensionals under each flower layer to make it a bit more 3-dimensional. The little rhinestones are just a little icing on the cake. Letter stickers are from doodlebug designs.

And for this sketch, I played along at Sassy 'Lil Sketches, a favorite site of mine. Here you can see I just extended the same colors and embellishments, I just moved them around a bit. I added a few strips of stickers/rhinestones instead of a title and added a Crate Paper ribbon for the border area.

Hunting in the Wind

2011-08-02T21:19:00.001-04:00

I decided to play along with Sketchy Thursdays this week and did a double dose of the sketch. I actually did the sketch for both sides of a double page layout - I just flipped it a bit and switched up the papers to add some contrast.

All of the paper in the layout comes from the Cheerful Treat hostess packet of paper in Stampin' Up's new catalogue. I loved the bright and happy colors for these Easter pictures.

Here you can see how I switched up the sketch and the papers a bit. I also changed the stamped flower to Lucky Limeade with Melon Mambo sponged around the edges.

Here's a closeup of one of those flowers from the Creative Elements stamp set. Practical Scrappers had a challenge to create your own flowers, to do this, I actually stamped it three times and then cut around the edges to make it more three dimensional. I cut all the way to the outside, then one layer inside, then all the way to the inside layer if that makes sense. After that, I took a sponge dauber and sponged some Melon Mambo around the edges. I added a stampin' dimensional under each layer to pop it up some, also.

Big Top Scrapbook Page

2011-08-01T08:45:00.001-04:00

Now that my time on the ScrapFIT design team is over, I get to play along again! :) I still love ScrapFIT and the challenge this time is banners. I like this one so much I just may have to play along again! This paper has plenty of banners on it!

I made this page after being inspired by a page I found at Papercrafter's library (see the link in the sidebar). I used the Big Top line of paper and stickers from the new 2011-2012 catalogue for this page. It came together so quickly and with so little effort! I used the stickers to create the borders along the left side.

Here you can see the lettering - I took Tempting Turquoise craft ink and rubbed it all over the chipboard letters and heated some Irridescent Ice EP over that. The word memories was from the retired Summer Home Simply Scrappin' kit - I outlined the letters with Real Red to make them pop of the Daffodil Delight DSP. I added just a couple of buttons with Cherry Cobbler baker's twine. Very simple and easy!

Speaking of Designer Series Paper, did you know that you can get a pack of designer series paper free for every 3 packs you purchase? I love deals like that! It's like getting paid to shop! My favorite!

The Scrappiest sketch for the happiest little girl!

2011-07-31T15:56:00.000-04:00

I'm hanging out with my parents right now since I have to play piano at a wedding at My Old Kentucky Home this evening. It's Saturday as I write this post. It's a nice lazy day when I haven't had to do anything but enjoy doing nothing for once! That alone feels amazing! We have had a terribly busy month, so to have a free day for the last two days is a nice ending to July!

Here's a page I made while waiting for pictures to upload for printing and sharing on facebook.

Now that I look at it, I think I'll add a few more drop shadows - they really make things pop off the page! I took these pictures earlier this month at my brother & sister in laws home. They are the best aunt and uncle in the world and are patiently waiting to adopt children, so if you think about it, please say a little prayer for them. For now, my daughter loves to play with their current "children" - their dogs!
All supplies from Stampi' Up's My Digital Studio program - Sweet Pea DSP, Simple Stitches, Man's Best Friend Digital stamp brush

Digi Page time

2011-07-30T15:14:00.000-04:00

The Effer Dares is challenging readers to do some digi pages this week. Since I happen to be going through withdrawal at the moment (It's been 8 days since I've touched my scrapbook supplies - I've been on a mission trip to help provide tornado relief to families in Cullman, Alabama), I decided I'd whip a little page up on my laptop while loading a facebook photo album!

So I found this sketch over at Practical Scrappers and decided to use it to scrap a few of the Disney picture digitally. Here's the page I came up with:

I loved all the flowers at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, so I thought this would be a great way to showcase them on a nice sunny page! All the supplies are digital supplies from Stampin' Up's My Digital Studio program (easy program for computer dummies like me!!!) :)

Stampin' Up July Newsletter

2011-07-21T16:22:00.000-04:00

Click here if you would like to read my July Stampin' Up newsletter.

Delicate doilies scrapbook page

2011-07-19T09:01:00.001-04:00

I found sketch #128 over at The Scrappiest and decided to flip it for this layout.

It was a quick page I made using the Delicate Doilies suite for my scrapbook page. I just took a quick little group of papers, added a lace punch border, a laser cut doily and a few stamped doilies. I topped it all of with a few Wisteria Wonder brads and a title from a really old Simply Scrappin' kit. That was it! Now....back to a little summer retreat with my hubby's staff.

ScrapFIT Workout #48 - Put a Bird on it

2011-07-18T12:28:00.000-04:00

We want to see a layout with a cute little birdie or birdies on it (any kind - cut out of paper, stamped, already made) and we want to see a wise saying that you value such as "The Truth Will Set You Free" or, "If the Shoe Fits" as your layout title.

I titled my page "Spring's Sweet Cantata" using a quote from Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider. I used the Nature's Walk line of paper. I watercolored the birds with my AquaPainter and Stampin' Up ink.

Here you can see the blue letters that I outlined with a Chocolate Chip marker to make them stand out. I also wrapped some ribbon and crocheted ribbon around the picture to add a feminine touch to the page.

Here you can see the ruffled ribbon under the top picture and the watercolored picture. I really like how this made the page pop.

Honestly this picture is a little blurry, but I really like the journaling tag here. I watercolored the flowers again and wrote the entire quote on the tag. It was just perfect for the pictures of my daughter and our first journey into the yard for spring pictures.

Our sponsors are Endless Inkabilities - I'll try and get a link/picture when I get a mouse working again! I'm away from home and just glad to get any wireless service in the mountains here!

Little thank yous

2011-07-15T01:12:00.001-04:00

I was making little thank you notes to put in my customer orders tonight and thought I would scan them to show you. I used my new Postage Stamp set with the Postage Stamp punch – so easy! The scanner went a bit bright – it’s new, so I’ll have to work on adjusting the lighting so you can actually see everything. Here is the note in Baja Breeze.

Now you see the very same note in Pink Pirouette. What you don’t see is the pink pirouette {thanks} at the top of the stamped image. (Sorry about that!). These were so quick and easy to make! I got these little note cards from the clearance rack a while back – they’re very pretty and easy to use!

I colored the image with my Stampin’ Write markers using the very same colors from the cards. Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, and Chocolate Chip. (They’re cuter in real life!)

Now, this last one is for my sweet love of 13 years. He has been gone this week to help chaperone 8 boys at children’s camp, so our time together has been limited. Just thought I’d make him a note that says I love him 24-7. I used the rock-n-roll technique on this one. I stamped in Pink Pirouette and rolled the edges in Baja Breeze. You’ll notice a dotted brown image inside the heart – I added that with my Stampin’ Write marker. I’m a bit of a marker hoarder….I’m not telling you how many I have! We’ll just say more than enough – and never enough! LOL!

Happy Anniversary

2011-07-12T20:41:00.002-04:00

I found this great sketch at Sassy Lil’ Card Sketches, so I thought it was great inspiration for my 13th anniversary card I needed to make for my sweet hubs.

I used just a bit of the new doily designer paper and used the color combo that goes with that paper for the card.
I stamped the criss cross heart image from I {Heart} Hearts stamp set repeatedly in Wisteria Wonder, Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo and VersaMark. I took the two hearts and the Happy Anniversary stamps with VersaMark and used Melon Mambo heat embossing powder to really make the color pop. I also added a Stampin’ Dimensional behind the melon mambo hearts to raise them up. I added just a touch of Daffodil Delight ribbon at the bottom and made a pretty bow to finish it off. Hope he likes it! .

Gettin’ Spritzy

2011-07-11T23:05:00.001-04:00

Crop Suey is having a get dirty challenge – so I inked and spritzed and have brown speckled fingers to show for it!

I decided to pull out the Log Cabin Smooch Spritz for this one. I spritzed forever to get this large chipboard flower frame all brown (I am about to run out….takes a while!)

I decided I didn’t want all of the butterflies on the background designer series paper to be without color, so I colored some with my Stampin’ Write markers and feather colored with a few of my Copic markers for a couple of butterflies, too.

Here’s a little closeup of the title cluster. I used Studio Calico letters and wooden veneer butterflies there. I colored the butterflies and clear rhinestones with my Copic markers. I used some vintage lace and a brown Prima flower along with the last of my crocheted flowers. I didn’t want those crocheted flowers to be stark white against the vanilla colors, so I spritzed them with Lemonade Mr. Huey from Studio Calico and a tiny spritz of Log Cabin Smooch Spritz. I topped those off with some Bashful Blue buttons.

And there you have it….I’m back from a youth trip to King’s Island and in happy, scrappy blogville again, folks!