Patriotism Lives!

I love my country. Being somewhat of a world travelor (at least 18 different nations seen so far) I know what great advantages we have in the US of A. We have so many rights that we just take for granted. Also working in a school where we say the Pledge of Allegiance daily I am reminded daily of my freedoms. Thank you God that I was born into this great nation and God Bless America!

All that being said, I was inspired to make a patriotic card. I followed the layout of an old Stampin' Success (demostrator only) magazine and this is how my card came out.
Supplies used:
Loving Thoughts stamp set
Real Red, Night of Navy, Whisper White card stock
World Spectacular DSP
Midnight Muse ink
Real Red stitched grosgrain ribbon, heart punch
Big Shot with Apothecary framelits and dots embossing folder

Ruffled Paper Frame

As you know I love to play along with Create with Connie and Mary and they are doing one of their subscriber only New Catalog creations now. You can join here anytime. Anyway, one of the preview projects they showed was created by Connie and it was a frame or mirror that used DSP to cover it. I decided to make one when I found an old magnetic frame on my file cabinet that apparently survived the floods of May! Click here to the sample and get a FREE tutorial. Mine is a bit different and I used ribbon on mine because in case you didn't know...Ribbon and Glitter cover a multitude of sins!

Gray and Yellow go to Paris

A great color combo...Basic Gray and Daffodil Delight! I was again inspired from Stampin' Success (wonder how it got it's name)? I changed the colors but the layout is the same. The set is Artistic Etchings. By the time you read this, I will be in or on my way to Honduras. I would love for you to keep me in your prayers.

Language of Friendship

This is a catalog CASE from the new Stampin' UP! catalog. I really could only see a small sample of the card but I imagine is was simple like this. You can see the "real" card on page 74.

Crabby Card

I also saw a card like this one in Paper Crafts this issue and quickly punched out my own crab. I put mine on a card and had to write my own sentiment with a little smudgy help from my 3 yr old grandson. Well, you get the idea. This is a no stamping card.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries???

Mmmm! Who does not love a good chocolate covered strawberry? I know I just acquired the taste for strawberries a few years ago. It is a texture thing and I did not like the seeds but I am over that now. So, I found this little video tutorial here from Cristena Bagne and gave it a try. It really turned out cute and I hope to make these with my stampin' friends soon. You could fill these up with little treats and they would be great for a summer time get together or party. Have fun and I hope to see you soon!

Everything Eleanor

Well, I know many people are not in favor of this new yellow, Summer Starfruit, but I have to say it is growing on me. Today I cased a card from Connie Babbert and she paired the Starfruit up with the Basic Gray. It makes a lovely combo. I used a different sentiment from Pursuit of Happiness because the yellow reminded me of a sunny day and I love sunny days!

CCMC-NC1

Ok, I am in the current New Catalog online project membership with Connie and Mary and the whole gang again so that means I get to do 2 challenges a week for a while. This is a member only challenge but anyone can join. Click here for more information.  As you can readily see it is a color challenge and these just happen to be the colors in the new DSP called Comfort Cafe. It really is pretty. Now, without further ado, here is my card.

Create with Connie and Mary 207

I am again playing with the CCMC challenge. This week it is a sketch and here is the sketch. I have to say that this probably is not my favorite sketch and I love sketches. I was stumped for a few minutes but then I opened and played with my new Duo Ticket punch and I love, love, love it! It is so fun. I then knew I had to use that on my sketch.

Supplies used:
You're  Amazing, Bring on the Cake sets
Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White card stock
World Spectacular DSP
Daffodil 1/8" ribbon, Duo Ticket punch
Cherry Cobbler and Island Indigo inks

Paper Players - Challenge 100

I got a little email reminder that it is not too late to play so I am playing! Thank heavens for hot summer days off! I decided to play with Challenge 36:

Paper Players Plus Challenge #36 - Fun with Fabric

I know it is summer and it just started but I am thinking Christmas. Of course, I am often thinking Christmas and shopping year round! I made a little Sour Cream box using Wild Wasabi card stock and some retired Christmas fabric. I quickly put this little box together for the challenge. Wouldn't it be a great hostess gift for a party! You can just fit a wedge of a stamping sponge and an ink spot or candies for a holiday party. The sentiment is from the set Pines and Poinsettias.

Petite Purse - Perfect for a Wedding

This little beauty was made at my last Stamper's 25 Club. We played with this little purse die. After we cut it, we went back and double embossed it using 2 folders at the same time. I used the Bird punch for the leaves and the Boho Blossoms for the flowers. It is so cute and petite. It would hold a couple of kisses or chocolates and would make a great little gift for a shower "thank you." I have seen lots of these all over the internet but I got this idea from UStamp4Fun, Amy Celona. I made a little change to hers with the closure.

CCMC 206 - Color Challenge

Well, I am just making it under the wire this time. I wanted to play all week but it has been one of those really busy weeks and I just sort of "sneaked" out while DH was on the phone. I wonder how long before he notices! Great colors for this challenge and since I was flipping thru my new Paper Crafts magazine I decided to make my card like the Parisian card in it.

Easy Peasy!

Anniversary Cards

Well, I ran out of Anniversary cards for my Card Caring Sisters group at church. I needed something that I could mass produce that would not be too difficult. These ladies are very basic stampers and I had to make 16 more just to be finished with June & July. I tell you what, a lot of people really do get married in June! I used the Everything Eleanor for the flourish. The Four Frames were used to hold the Artistic Etchings Amour. All this was stamped using Midnight Muse. It is a really rich color.

4x4 Birthday Card

Straight from Stampin' Up!

Happy Birthday Card (4" x 4")

Stamps

Itty Bitty Banners Stamp Set
You're Amazing Stamp Set Paper
Calypso Coral Card Stock
Early Espresso Card Stock
Pool Party Card Stock
Whisper White Card Stock
World Spectacular Designer Series Paper
Ink
Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad
Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad
Calypso Coral Stampin' Write Marker
Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Write Marker
Island Indigo Stampin' Write Marker
Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker
Accessories & Tools
Linen Thread
Stampin' Dimensionals
Ticket Duo Punch
Big Shot
Bitty Banners Collection Framelits Dies
Labels Collection Framelits Dies
Argyle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder

Betsy's Blossoms

I had such a blast at my recent Open House for the new catalog. The crowds were low so we had more time to visit and play with the new colors. We made a great In Color chart and this card featuring one of the new sets in the catalog called Betsy's Blossoms. Look at how rich the colors are in these new ink pads! They are a definite Wow! This card features all the new In Colors!

Button Envelope

I just love the small cards and the cute envelopes you can make for them. I was perusing around the other night and came across the tutorial seen here for these button envelopes and quickly made one. It really only took 5 minutes or less to make. Check it out! These are like those neat bankers envelopes that are fun to hold cash or gift cards. You could even decorate the front for more fun!

Twitterpated Pinwheel

This month's demonstrator magazine called Stampin' Success is covered with pinwheels. They are so bright and cheery that I had to make a quick one myself. I used Twitterpated DSP and one of the retired Vintage flower buttons for the middle. These are so quick and easy to make.
Take a 6x6 square of DSP and fold on the diagonals. Unfold and cut until about an inch from the center on all 4 folds. Then fold to the center as shown. I adhered mine to a skewer using 3 mini glue dots.

Wacky Bookmarks

So, at the end of this school year with only 19 days of school left, I got transferred out of special needs pre-school to a regular ed 3rd grade class. Not my favorite position but I persevered. Anyway, as 3rd graders are really just learning to love to read (hopefully), I made them all a corner bookmark like ones I had seen on Pintrest. I made 4 patterns but only have pics of these 2. The rest I gave away! I made them out of card stock so that they might last all summer.

Everything Eleanor

If you like this card then you should really think about joining my stamper's club. This is another CASE, this time from Seeing Ink Spots. We get together once a month to make cards like this one and usually a 3-D item. This is the card we didn't make at our June meeting. If you commit to come and spend $25 per month for at least 6 months you also get to be the hostess one month getting hostess benefits! We meet the 1st Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at my home. Why not try us out in July?

Happy Father's Day!

My DH is a sweetie and after 31+ years I think I will keep him! He is so handy to have around, he recently installed our new hot water heater while helping our middle child work on his motorcycle all on the same evening. Plus, he was in severe pain with his back/brachial plexus nerve inflammation. He is also nice to everyone he meets and all the ladies think he is so nice! I definitely have to keep an eye on them! But he really is a Mr. Fix-It so this card was made especially for him. It just took a little punch here and there and some of that cool duct tape.

Herringbone Technique

I found a little tutorial a few months ago and am just now getting around to making it and posting the directions for you. It was fun and simple and turned out to be quite stunning (in my opinion). My card base is Crumb Cake and embossed with the Tulips embossing folder. I used the very pretty Floral District DSP for the Herringbone part. The tag was stamped with Four Frames and Friendly Phrases.

As you can see I used a piece of "messed up" card stock for the base...waste not, want not!

Voila! A pretty Herringbone card.

Stampin' Up! Loves Our Hostesses!

During  the months of June and July, hostesses who hold a minimum $450 workshop (excluding shipping/tax) will receive an additional $60 in  FREE -that’s in addition to the $65 they already receive for the same workshop!

That’s $115 of FREE stuff!!!

And with a brand new catalog, it’s never been a better time to host a workshop.

Contact me now to set up a date for your party or schedule a catalog party!

Betsy's Blossoms and Floral District DSP

The Floral District DSP is so pretty that I just had to make a card to show it off! This is the card that I made while in the water heater mess in my basement. I used the DSP for the color selection and that being said the bird was stamped 2 times, once in Rich Razzleberry and again in Lucky Limeaid. I then cut the wings and put them on the main image. I got this idea from Mary Fish. Thanks for all the great stampers out there!

Create with Connie and Mary - 205

The Sketch & my take on it

I was going through doing some housecleaning and I came upon this card that I had not posted and was perfect for this challenge. I used Thoughts and Prayers for the stamps. The DSP and ribbon are retired but the rest is still current. I love this set but it has been forgotten for a long time!

Birthday Banner Card

I saw a card like this at Leadership in January and decided to make one like using the new In Colors. These colors are growing on me already. I used Curly Cute for the sentiment. Love the little flowers accented with the rhinestones.

Creating Pretty Cards - Card Challenge #12

Here is the sketch, of course you can turn it and the shapes can be different. So, I took the great stamp set, Nature Walk and did my challenge card for this week for this group. I used French Script for the background behind the bird. The colors are: Early Expresso, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla.

New Class! Mark Your Calendars

Ok, this will be a new class Sneak Peek. I just love cards that move or are "over the top." This is a "Double Dutch" card. This will be one of the 4 cards that we will be making in this class for only $20. Each card will take a little more work than normal but you will love them and you will go home with full instructions on how to do it again! When is this class? I am glad you asked. I am planning to do this one on Saturday, June 30th at 10 AM at my home. You will not want to miss it! Now, I did not come up with this idea on my own, but I got it from Connie Babbert and you can see hers here.   
She did a great tutorial so if you don't make it to my class, you can follow hers.

PPA136 - A Color Challenge

I am a sucker for a patriotic color challenge even though I don't have any real patriot type stamps I still wanted to play along. So, I thought I would make a card that opened in 2 places and make a cross-over closure?? Not sure what to call this, I know it is a real kind of card but the words are failing me right now! So, I used the above colors and this is what I came up with. It took me about 10 minutes to make this quick card.

I like the Americana look of this one.

It is one of our constitutional rights, that is the pursuit of happiness.

New In Color Chart

This is just one of the fun projects we made at my recent Open House for the new catalog. I wanted everyone to get a feel for the new stamp pads. They are so rich and delicious. You don't need a heavy touch to get the stamp covered. In fact, a couple of light taps and you are fully inked! We got to compare the card stock, pens and inks. I just love the way it all matches.

Ribbon Shares Now Available for Order

All ribbon shares contain 2 yards each of the ribbon in it's category as featured on page 172 and 173 of the NEW 2011-2012 Catalog.

 

NEW!!!! 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon Share: This ribbon is such a welcomed enhancement to our grosgrain ribbon – it gives it a little kick! This share includes a total of 20 yards of ribbon (2 each of 10 colors) To purchase all of these ribbons individually would cost $58.81, purchase a share for just $12.00!

NEW!!! 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon Share: A yummy collection of the NEW In Color Ribbons. This share includes a total of 10 yards of ribbon (2 each of 5 colors) To purchase all of these ribbons individually would cost $53.16, purchase a share for just $11.00!

  

3/8" Ruffle Ribbon Share: A yummy collection of the '11-'13 In Color Ribbons. This share includes a total of 10 yards of ribbon (2 each of 5 colors) To purchase all of these ribbons individually would cost $59.11, purchase a share for just $12.25!    

1/2" Scallop Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon Share: This ribbon has been a huge hit this past year. Available again in our 10 most popular colors, this share includes a total of 20 yards of ribbon (2 each of 10 colors). To purchase all of these ribbons individually would cost $94.45, purchase a share for just $19.50!

 

 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon Share: This ribbon has been a favorite of mine, it ties the most beautiful knots and bows. So I was thrilled when they came out with 7 new colors! This share includes a total of 14 yards of ribbon (2 each of 10 colors). To purchase all of these ribbons individually would cost $69.40, purchase a share for just $14.00!

1/8" Taffeta Ribbon Share: This ribbon is fabulously dainty. This share includes a total of 20 yards of ribbon (2 each of 10 colors). To purchase all of these ribbons individually would cost $70.67, purchase a share for just $14.50!

1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon Share: This is my favorite ribbon – it ties the most beautiful bows! This share includes a total of 16 yards of ribbon (2 each of the 8 colors). To purchase all of these ribbons individually would cost $66.06, purchase a share for just $13.50!

Email me now to get in on this share!

judilsparks@hotmail.com