Packed for Dad

This is an a' la carte stamp from the new mini that I got for FREE for booking a party! I did not just get the one but all 4 of these in a bundle for FREE. You gotta love Stampin' Up! What a great incentive. I wanted to keep this one simple (as is my style) so I simply stamped the image and colored one part then layered it up using the colors of Soft Suede, Marina Mist, Early Expresso and Whisper White. The sentiment comes from a set by the same name. I love the antique brad accent. It is not too frilly!

From Disaster Comes Beauty

Well, maybe not real beauty but I have cleaned up my space a little. Of course, I have not found everything yet. I cannot find my Simply Score or the diagonal plate that goes with it. These are not small items but I don't see it anywhere! But, there is still hope. I have not finished with the garage and so some stuff may still be in plastic tubs awaiting final sheet rock and paint before being totally cleaned up and organized. However, here are a few photos of my clean space. Look quickly as it usually does not last long! Now to purge out the retired and be ready for the new catalog. And so we begin again.

Z-fold Bright Blossoms

I made my first Z-fold card today and while I have to admit it was not that hard, it took me 4 tries to get it right with the Big Shot. I kept cutting off too much! This is one of the new sets that could have been bought early in April but will be in the new catalog that starts June 1. It is called  Bright Blossoms and I used the buttons for my flowers. I cased this card from Becky Roberts but changed the colors.

Water Bottle Treats

Click on photo to see close-up

I got the tutorial to make this little water bottle treat holder from Cristena Bagne and she is giving away Blog Candy chances for posting your treat box and what you love about summer. So, here is my entry. It is basically just like hers with color changes and few little tweaks.  Thanks Cristena and I hope I win!

Bright Blossoms Birthday

Today is my oldest son's 29th birthday. I can't believe that I am that old! This card is not for him but it is a birthday card in honor of his birthday. I cased it from Connie and Mary with a few minor tweaks. Get ready to order this fun set and the matching DSP on May 1.

Memorial Day Weekend

Me trying to figure out what to do with the open space?

Broken A/C

Stacks of "good" junk

New sheet rock and insulation

Stuff from shelves no longer on above wall

Trailer full of ruined "junk" going to the dump

Our home while home is wrecked!

I thought you might get a kick out of what we were doing for the holiday. As you may recall, our hot water heater died on Thursday and left us in puddles. Well, if that was not enough we got up on Friday to more puddles as our air conditioner also died and it was right next to our hot water heater. Somehow we made it through Saturday night (the hottest day of the season yet at 96*) and slept at least 4 hours. After Sunday evening (did I mention that I worked Saturday for 9 hours and Sunday for 5 hours all after church), when I got home my DH informed me that now the attic fan had died too! So, we pulled out our camper and turned on the ac in there and slept last night and plan to sleep there tonight until we can get the parts to fix things tomorrow. I am including pix of the whole mess including our camper.  On the bright side, I get to clean up and re-organize again! NOT my strong suit!

Everything Eleanor, Again

Another beautiful card. I used the big label like stamp for this one and made it a 5x5 card.  I used the texture wheel for the background. The colors used are Early Expresso, Very Vanilla and Sahara Sand.I got this card idea from Splitcoaststampers, here.

Sneak Peek - Everything Eleanor

This is a card that I made using one of the new sets from the new catalog. It is called Everything Eleanor and I got it FREE at the Leadership convention in San Antonio in January. I have been waiting to show it to you. Now you can see. It has 8 stamps and comes in two boxes. It may be my new go to set for backgrounds taking the place of Baroque Motifs.

Elizabeth

I have a dear friend named Elizabeth but this card totally does not match her style. She is very casual and not "fru-fru" at all. Anyway, I like this one. So simple and yet it can say anything.

Ack...My Water Heater Sprung a Leak

This should be a minor catastrophe but alas, it is in my Stampin' Space in the basement!!! I had so much stuff out and around, some in plastic buckets but some on the carpet and yes, the carpet was soaked! Guess where my new boxes of catty's were! If you guessed on the floor you would be correct! Good thing for strong boxes and good catalog material. No harm done! Whew! I know my stampers are relieved. Here are a few pix of the disaster and the mess that has ensued. Now I am going to have to pull out the carpet and get something else for the floor. $$$ On the bright side, our schools ended today and I have the weekend to clean up before the post planning days. Guess, what? I am siting here in all this chaos stamping. Stampin' Up! take me away!

More on this card on June 10th

Elegant Thank You

I almost forgot about the a la carte stamps that I have. This one was embossed using the gold embossing powder and then just layered as seen. It makes a very simple and elegant card.

CCMC 203 - A Sketch

Today I am playing with this sketch. It seems basic but I found it a bit challenging. I was wanting to show you a sneak peek of colors and a stamp set. I used the color combo from Stampin' Up! that included Summer Starfruit, Elegant Eggplant and Baja Breeze. The stamp set featured here is called Betsy's Blossoms. This is a very sweet set that I am sure I will use over and over again! P.S. Stampin' Up! has gone and improved their stamp pads again. They are soft and just right on juiciness. I know you are going to love them!

Heard from the Heart

 

With exception of the sentiment, this is a no stamping card, no layer card. I used the Just Add Cake DSP to make the gifts. Now it is ready for the party.

Smarty Pants

These words are so cute that I may have to keep on to them. Not for sale unless you go directly to my website and order them for yourself. But go soon, they will all disappear at midnight on the 31st of this month.

Sincere Salutations

 

I had to make another masculine card, these sentiments will be sorely missed. They are so perfect for so many cards.

CCMC 202

Another color challenge from Connie and Mary. These challenges keep my juices flowing especially when I am tired and don't know what to post. Yes, this is the 2nd post for the day but I am so far ahead right now that if I just sit back I will get lazy and before I know it I will be posting day-to-day again and stressing! I don't have time to stress so I play when I can.

Medallion

 

A very simple card to make...the bow was the hardest part. This one would have to be mailed in a padded envelope or hand delivered with a gift. It looks like a wedding to me.

Vintage Vogue

I know I don't have to tell you how much I love the vintage look so this is another one I hate to lose. All I can say is I can hardly wait to see what is coming!

Baroque Motifs

Well, I don't know why this one has to retire. To quote a favorite movie, "If it isn't broke, why fix it?" I have used this set about a 100 times. It is so perfect for coasters or card folio's. This is a very crooked 3x3 card.

Clearly For You

I pulled out the beveled windowpanes and used the largest one to make this card. These flowers are all over the trails that Mike and I hike each week. They are very weird and they always remind us of old "Star Trek" episodes where the flowers have powers!

Charming

Another great set with lots of possibilities. For this card I cased a sketch by Karen Barber but changed the colors and some of the images (to protect the innocent)! I have to say farewell to Blushing Bride which looks so good with Basic Black.

Retirement is Upon Us!

There are only two weeks left to get retiring products before they’re gone! Be sure to contact me or go on my website and order some of the hundreds of product s that are only available for two more weeks--and accessories and Definitely Decorative products are only available while supplies last!

Retiring Stamps - Click Here
Retiring Accessories - Click Here
Retiring Definitely Decorative - Click Here

Flower Fest & Oval All

Another 2 for 1 card! I love the bright look of this one. I stamped the flower 3 times and layered it together and then I layered the ribbons. The hardest part of this one was cutting out the flowers and the biggest one used the 2 3/8" scalloped circle punch.

Graduation Cap Gift Card Holder by Stampin' Up!

Click here for a video tutorial

Congratulations Cap Card

Stamps Fabulous Phrases Stamp Set Friendly Phrases Stamp Set Paper Basic Black Card Stock: 8-1/2" x 11" Lucky Limeade Card Stock: 3-1/4" x 1/8" Pool Party Card Stock: 6" x 6" Very Vanilla Card Stock: 2-1/8" x 7/8"; 5-1/2" x 1/2" Ink Lucky Limeade Classic Stampin' Pad Accessories & Tools Linen Thread: 10" Neutrals Brads 2011-2013 In Color Designer Printed Brads Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch Big Shot Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Instructions

1. Trace and cut the following from Basic Black Card Stock: one top piece and two bottom pieces (templates are found in the Online Extras).
2. Emboss one bottom piece using the Big Shot and the Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. Adhere the left, bottom, and right sides of the embossed card stock to the matching Basic Black piece to create a pocket for the gift card.
3. Stamp the "to/from" greeting in Lucky Limeade ink on the Very Vanilla Card Stock (2-1/8" x 7/8").
4. Punch the edges of the Pool Party Card Stock using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch. Adhere a 2-1/8" portion of the punched piece to the bottom of the Very Vanilla greeting and secure both pieces to the top of the bottom piece.
5. Punch more of the Pool Party Card Stock using the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch. Cut it down to four 4" pieces and adhere them to the bottom of the Basic Black cap so that only the edge is showing. (Optional: cut an additional top piece and adhere it to the back of the top to help secure the Pool Party edges.)
6. Cut a 5-1/2" x 1/2" strip of Very Vanilla Card Stock. Stamp "Congratulations" on the card stock in Lucky Limeade ink. Adhere the strip to the cap as shown on the card and trim the excess card stock.
7. Cut a 3-1/4" x 1/8" strip of Lucky Limeade Card Stock. Adhere the strip to the cap and trim the excess card stock.
8. Wrap Linen Thread around the prongs of a Designer Printed Brad. Attach the brad to the center of the cap.
9. Attach the top of the hat to the bottom of the hat using a Neutrals Brad.

CCMC - 201 A Sketch Challenge

With only 8 days left for school for our students I guess I have graduation on my mind. The cards are rolling in and I have to have the gifts ready soon! The challenge again had me thinking of the little owl and making him/her into a graduate. I have a special student in mind for this card the cash that will go with it.

Every Moment

This set has such simple images that are so easy to color using whatever style you like best. I love that little bird.

Happy Mother's Day!

I have just had the most fantastic, deliciously relaxing mother's day! I went to worship this am and taught Bible class, then we went out to eat Mexican (yummy) one of my favorites. I saw or spoke to all 3 of my children today and then I took a wonderful 2 hour nap. It was all rainy and dark all day so that made it perfect for sleeping. Then I got to read, we made breakfast for supper and then I got to play in my very messy craft room for an hour! I made some thank you notes and gifts for frineds at school that showered me with gifts for Nurses Day last week. I then decided to play with the CraftProjectCentral challenge this week. I used the Beyond the Garden DSP, with Pacific Point, Whisper White and Wild Wasabi for this card. Enjoy!

Upsy Daisy

This is another one of the sets that I am really going to miss. I just love that silhouette look of the flowers. Again, I cased the catalog to make this card. I should do that when the new catty comes out!

Autumn Splendor

This was sort of a "cheat." I stamped the leaf and then cut it out for the focal point. The other stamps are from the not retiring set called French Foliage.

Inspired by Nature

This is a 3x3 case from the catalog except that I did not sew on mine or add the little clip. I used More Mustard and a stamped off Rich Razzleberry for the sentiment.