Butterfly Album

I found a great tutorial for this little album done by Robin Merriman. I believe she got it from a Leadership meeting? Anyway, I could not resist how beautiful it was and may be doing a class teaching this book soon.

This is how the opening page looks.

Middle opening of book.

Final opening of book. This book makes a lovely 7 page mini scrapbook.

Wedding Card in Black in White

Classic colors and a very classy card. There is just nothing like Black and White. This simple card is no exception. I used the Four Frames stamp set and the sentiment is from the All Holidays set. The pearls just add that special touch.

Strength and Hope

Love, love, love this card! I started with Baja Breeze for the card. Layered it with Cherry Cobbler and the new Paisley Petals which is on special sneak peek from the next catalog. I stamped Happy Mother's Day from the All Holdiays set using my markers and layered it on to Pumpkin Pie. I tied the ribbon and set it with the vintage brad. Finally, I stamped the butterflies with Pumpkin and added flecks of Cherry Cobbler. Not the pearls on the butterflies! Beautiful, huh?

Another Sketch Card for CCMC 147

Here is the promised card playing along with the sketch again.

Love that Springtime Vintage designer paper.

CCMC 147 - Sketch Challenge

It is time to play with Connie and Mary again. Their sketches are such fun and just the "kick in the pants" that I need sometimes to be creative. This was a sketch as you can see. You can see all the cards the team and others made by clicking here.  Here is the sketch. 

Here is my take on it. BTW, I will be posting another one tomorrow.

Four Frames

Remember, this set is a sneak peek from the upcoming BIG catalog. It is called Four Frames and the images are very nice! I used a piece of the Paisley Petals designer paper (also a sneak peek) for the main part of the Bravo Burgundy card. Now, this time I folded my Baja ribbon. The frame image on this stamp matched the design of the paper so well that it just had to be put together. I colored the flowers by hand using my wonderful stampin' write markers.

Springy Bold Blossoms

I just love Spring and warmer weather...all the flowers, birds and well, you know, how everything is "twitter-pated" this time of year. This stamp set is in the current mini catalog and will also be in the summer mini. It is called Bold Blossoms and it is just too cute to sit on the shelf unused. This card uses Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Bashful Blue and Whisper White card stocks. Again, I gathered my ribbon on this card.

Clean and Simple Easter Wishes

Soft colors and a cross mean Easter and spring to me. I pray that everyone is having a special Easter and will take time to remember the reason for the season! Blush Blossom, Bashful Blue and So Saffron with the cross being made from Early Expresso cut from the Bigz Lattice die and my Big Shot.

Graduation is Coming

It is hard to believe that it is that time again! For us, there are only 28 days of school left for the year. It came as a real wake-up call when I got my first graduation invitation last week! I saw Sue Roots post making a cap card and totally copied it for my nephew.

Stampin' Up! Spring Is Blossoming Promotion

Promotion Dates:  April 1-30

The Stampin' Up! Spring is Blossoming Promotion offers customers the opportunity to purchase two sneak peek products from the upcoming 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog. You can get these brand-new products in one of two ways:

1)  Online Order

• Spend $20* on any Stampin' Up! products and become eligible to purchase both the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper.
• Both items can be purchased once the $20 minimum is met; there is a limit of five per product once the $20 minimum is met. Ordering another $20 of Stampin' Up! products resets the limit and allows you to purchase another five Designer Series Papers and/or stamp sets.

2)  Host a Workshop

• Host a $350* workshop and get the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper for FREE!  Email me for details if you would like to book a workshop, host a catalog/basket party or place a single order through me to earn these products free!
• There is a limit of one Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper per workshop.

*Net sales before tax and shipping

Quick Easter Card

Ok, I wanted to make a very simple Easter card and this one certainly fits the bill. I stamped the egg from the Easter Blossoms set using Craft white on Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink and Bashful Blue. I then used the clear embossing powder and heat embossed them. Now, punch out using the 1 3/8" square punch and put on white card. I used the Happy Easter from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set (a must-have) and used my pen to make the swirl under the words.

Bold Blossom meets Play Date

I just love the flowers and colors on this Play Date designer paper and when I got the Bold Blossom set it just called out to me to be used together! I used So Saffron for the card. Also used Whisper White, Old Olive, Real Red and the Play Date paper. The button was left over from the Holiday catalog Big Button Candy Cane. Added the hemp twine to tie it all together. The sentiment is from Simply Said.

Another Challenge Card for CCMC 146

Well, I saw this quilted card tutorial and decided to try it with the color challenge of the week. Not sure it is my favorite card ever, but it fits the bill.

CCMC 146 Card

I love a challenge to keep me on my toes. So often I end up casing the work of other very talented stampers but whenever the challenge comes, I have to do it myself. This week it is a color challenge and I made a card like one seen in this month's Stampin' Success (magazine for demonstrators) and substituted the colors of the challenge for the card. This card features stamps from the new Hope and Strength set.

A Regional Project

I got this idea straight from a Stampin' Up! regional, in fact, it was a make-n-take. You take a 7.5" square and fold it in half both ways. Then, fold like a kite and 2 sides. Use your bone folder to make tight folds on score lines. Now, stamp image on outside and make 4 3x3 cards to go inside and Voila...a great little note gift for anyone. The stamp sets I used were: Nature Walk and Teeny Tiny Wishes.

Sending Springtime Smiles Card

1. Create 2" x 2" card from Peach Parfait Textured Card Stock.
2. Punch scallop edge using Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch. Cut to 2". Adhere to top half of card front. Adhere strip of Peach Parfait Patterns Designer Series Paper (2" x 1-1/2") over scallop edge to cover holes. Stamp sentiment in Early Espresso ink on Designer Series Paper strip.
3. Punch blossoms from Baja Breeze Card Stock using Boho Blossoms Punch; distress flowers; ink with Moonlight Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink.
4. Punch blossoms from Always Artichoke Textured Card Stock using Boho Blossoms punch; cut petals to create leaves for flowers.
5. Adhere flowers and leaves to front of card. Adhere pearls to centers of flowers.

Bold Blossom

I just love the simplicity of this stamp set. It is very easy and yet very striking. For this card I started with Daffodil Delight card and stamped the flowers on it using the same color ink. I used Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point and Melon Mambo with Old Olive inks to make this card. I added a little glitter to the butterfly and the
rhinestone jewels in the center of the flowers.

Paisley Petals

This beautiful designer paper from the Spring is Blossoming Promotion is really growing on me. I used a piece of it for the focal point of this very simple card. I cut the top and then cut a flower from the same paper and put it over the whole thing. The words are from the Word Play stamp set. The card is Night of Navy. I used Bravo Burgundy on the little edged piece.

Challenge Card - CCMC 145

I am back from Disney World and we had a wonderful trip! Surprisingly the crowds were very manageable and we never had to wait more than 20 minutes to ride anything. We went to all 4 parks and saw and did everything.

Now that I am back I can again play with Connie and Mary's Challenge. It is a sketch challenge so all you have to do is follow the sketch and use your imagination on stamps and colors. Here is the sketch.

Now, here is the card I came up with. I used a little set called Every Moment and of course some of the wonderful Botanical Gazette designer paper.

To Do List Card

Stamps Eat Chocolate Set

Paper
Always Artichoke Card Stock
Baja Breeze Card Stock
Very Vanilla Card Stock
Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper
Ink
Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad
Accessories
Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon
Linen Thread
Subtles Buttons
Mini Library Clips
Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric
Curly Label Punch
Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch
Big Shot
Scallop Squares Duo Bigz Die

Flower Pot and Flowers

Instructions

Flower Pot

1. Cut leaves from Always Artichoke Textured Card Stock using Big Shot and Island Floral Bigz Die. Stamp flourish image in Always Artichoke ink on several leaves. Score center of leaves using Bone Folder. Adhere layers of leaves to flower pot using Sticky Strip.
2. Crimp strips of Crumb Cake Card Stock and Soft Suede Textured Card Stock using Crimper. Place strips inside pot.
3. Add floral wire to create handle. Tie Peach Parfait 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon around wire.

Large Flower

1. Cut flower from Peach Parfait Textured Card Stock using Fun Flowers Bigz L Die.
2. Emboss Whisper White Textured Card Stock using the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. Cut one flower from embossed Whisper White Textured Card Stock using the Fun Flowers Bigz L Die. Cut one flower from non embossed Whisper White Textured Card Stock. Adhere flowers together using Stampin' Dimensionals.
3. Layer Peach Parfait flower in center of Whisper White flower using Stampin' Dimensionals.
4. Criss-cross crochet thread through holes in Daffodil Delight button; adhere to center of flower.
5. Cut length of floral wire for desired flower height; adhere between layers of Whisper White flower.

Medium Flower

1. Emboss Peach Parfait Textured Card Stock using the Square Lattice Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. Cut flower from embossed card stock using the Fun Flowers Bigz L Die.
2. Punch circle from Baja Breeze Textured Card Stock; curl and pull edges of circle apart for layered look; adhere to center of flower using Stampin' Dimensionals.
3. Punch 1-3/4" Circle from So Saffron Textured Card Stock; spiral cut; roll spiral tight and adhere end. Layer over Baja Breeze circle to center of flower using Stampin' Dimensionals.
4. Cut length of floral wire for desired flower height; adhere to back of Peach Parfait flower.

Small Flower

1. Punch two flowers from So Saffron Textured Card Stock using the 5-Petal Flower Punch. Punch 1/2" Circle in center of one flower. (The flower with the circle punched from the center will be the front and the other one will be the back.)
2. Cut strip of Peach Parfait Textured Card Stock (3" x 3/4").  Score lengthwise at 1/4". Make cuts at 1/4" intervals up to score line. (This creates a base you use to adhere to the flower.) Wrap and adhere into circle to fit through 1/2" hole; trim ends; adhere base to back flower.
3. Punch 1/2" Circle from Peach Parfait Card Stock; adhere to center of Peach Parfait flower center. Tie strip of crochet thread through Bitty Button holes; Layer Bitty Button to center of Peach Parfait flower center. Clip edges of top to make frayed edges.
4. Layer So Saffron top flower with the punched center over back flower, making sure Peach Parfait center shows through. Adhere and curl petals.
5. Cut length of floral wire for desired flower height; adhere between layers of So Saffron flower.

Nature Walk Again!!!

So sue me! I love this set. For this card idea that I got from Becky Roberts, I made a few changes to make it mine. Anyway, I used Very Vanilla, Early Expresso and Marina Mist card stock with the Botanical Gazette designer paper. After I cut the paper and layered it to the Expresso card stock I ran it through the Big Shot with the lattice embossing plate. The little tags were done using the Tiny Tags set and matching punch.

Spring is Blossoming Promotion Card

Don't forget about the great promotion Stampin' Up! is offering this month. I think it is to help us not feel so sad that SAB is over but hey, I'll take it! Here are the details:

• Orders must be placed on a workshop, customer, or demonstrator order to qualify. Online orders are not eligible for this part of the promotion.
• Customers will receive the Four Frames and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper FREE if they host a $350 workshop (net sales before tax and shipping).
• There is a limit of one Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper per workshop.
• Workshop must meet $350 minimum to be eligible for sneak peek products. Reward is for reaching the $350 level and is not incremental.
• Hostess may choose either the wood-mount or clear-mount set.  Clear blocks are not included in the clear mount set.

So, I used the Paisley Prints designer paper and the Four Frames stamp set for this beautiful card (thanks Lee Conrey) for the idea!

Easter Blossoms

Doesn't this card just shout Easter? The featured stamp set is the Easter Blossoms. The sentiment is from the very versatile 24 piece set called Teeny Tiny Wishes. The colors used are Very Vanilla, Pear Pizazz, Regal Rose and Marina Mist.

Nature Walk

I hope you are not tired of this set yet, I know I am not! This was another quick and easy card as is my stamping style. I used Sahara Sand and Whisper White cardstock, stamping markers and hemp twine. The sentiment is from the Easter Blossoms set.

Sweet Hello Simply Sent Card

Even if you are not a stamper these are great cards. Most of the work is already done for you. I just added the sentiment from the Hostess set called Because I Care and the little flowers that came in the kit. Easy as a pie and twice as pretty!

Artistic Etchings & Four Frames

I have seen a revival of the Casing discussions...giving credit etc... I love to give credit but honestly my feeble mind does not always remember. So I did see a card like this somewhere recently but made a few changes. If this was your idea, please drop me a line and I will shoot the credit to you!

Supplies: Crumb Cake, Whisper White and Early Expresso card stock. Early Expresso ink, White 3/8" taffeta ribbon, Elegant punch.

Nature Walk Card

I just love this set. Oh how I hope it makes it into the big catalog this year! Anyway, this is the card my Stamper's Club made last week. I cased it from Connie Babbert. Thanks for the great idea!

Isn't She a Beauty!

This is one of the great projects that my Stamper's Club made for the month of April. I just got the box die cut a few weeks ago and wanted to use it for a project so I figured a bunny would look cute on it. And fill the box with candy and what more could you want?

Spring is Blossoming Promotion

It is finally here. What is here? The day that you can order the Spring is Blossoming set and designer paper seen in this card here! They set is great and the paper is beautiful!  How do you get it? I am glad you asked! All you have to do is:

• Spend $20* on any Stampin' Up! products and become eligible to purchase both the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper.
• Host a $350* workshop and get the Four Frames Set and Paisley Petals Designer Series Paper for FREE!

How fun is that?! I hope to see you soon!