Swallowtail Journal

I love this little journal idea. I got it from Pintrest but the basics are: newsprint DSP, Pool Party, Very Vanilla card stock. Pop-Up Posies designer kit (mini), washi tape, Calypso Coral bakers twine, Swallowtail stamp and inks to color.

Fan Fair Card 2

I simply love the vintage look since I was a kid. My sister once came over and saw all my antiques and little doo-dads and said, "What, you just collect old junk?" Well, that is my style and I am saying some things never go out of date!

Fan Fair Card 1

How about some great masculine cards that are simple simon to make! I don't know why I never looked before but this Fan Fair DSP has some great designs that are perfect to cut out and make great embellishments for cards. I made 4 quick ones and will share them with you over the next several days. Don't let this paper get away without getting some. It is dreamy!

Tissue Stamped Card

 I started with pieces of tissue paper and stamped the butterfly from Papillon Potourri and some Early Exprsso ink. After you stamp simply crinkle the tissue paper and then flatten it out and glue it using your anywhere glue stick to a piece of First Editions DSP. Now sponge the edges with ink and layer onto the Expresso square. Assemble as shown.

Mother's Day Challenge Card

What a fun challenge and how fitting for this week. It will definitely make me make cards for the mother's in my life. I got my inspiration for this card from the front cover of the current mini. I love the look of that journal and made something similar for my mom. I used pieces of the This and That DSP for my look.

Create with Connie and Mary - challenge 250

This is a color challenge and I went back and made it to match an earlier sketch done by Connie. I changed the stamps and colors to match this one but otherwise it is basically the same. Whenever I find myself needing inspiration I go the the experts! I love the Blooming with Kindness set and used that for the flower and the sentiment. Glad it is not retiring this year! Click here to see all the fantastic samples.

Happy Birthday

May 1Pinned

from PINTEREST.COM

Free Digital Download

Be Yourself May Wallpaper - Digital Download 133427 Regular Price: $0.00 Preferred Price: $0.00 LEARN ABOUT PREFERRED PRICING This download was added on 4/30/2013 Download includes: * 6 embellishments (desktop wallpaper in six sizes) Features: * Digital exclusive * A free desktop wallpaper to inspire and brighten your days all month long * Coordinates with the Be Yourself May Kit Colors: Gumball Green, Calypso Coral, Crushed Curry, Pool Party, Rich Razzleberry, Summer Starfruit, Tangerine Tango Click here to download for free and be sure to check out all the retiring and deeply discounted products in Clearance!

Fabulous Flowers

I saw a tutorial months ago on how to make this little border and I tried it but totally got it all crooked. Well, I was cleaning off my desk and came across it and decided to try to work with it. I straightened it out a little lower and covered the "mess up." I then put it together by using some of the retiring colors for this year. Bye, Bye to Baja Breeze and Riding Hood Red. 

Inspired by Nature...

Well, I am inspired by nature but this card idea came directly from one of my favorite stampers...Connie Babbert. I love her clean and simple style with this card. This new butterfly stamp is so pretty that it is hard not to turn to it over and over again. I love butterflies but am deathly afraid of their humble caterpillar beginnings. I used the colors in this DSP to color my butterfly. 

Nacho Challenge #43

The Challenge

I quickly put together a challenge card because I have not been in the basement or stamping lair in at least a week.  I needed something to jump start my "mojo" and this was just the thing. I kept my card very simple and clean. Now I am off to a bridal shower...it's the circle of life! I actually missed posting this to the challenge site but it was still inspiring to make.

Technique Tuesday - Faux Tearing

FAUX TEARING Directions: 1) Tear a piece of scrap paper and lay it on your project. 2) Apply ink to the uncovered portion of your project using a sponge or brayer. Make sure to overlap the ink onto the scrap paper. 3) Add stamped images as desired. 4) Lift the scrap paper to reveal your faux torn edge. Tip: This is a great technique for creating an organic horizon line (mountains, hills, etc.).

 

CCMC249 - Sketch Challenge

The Sketch

I just love playing with the sketch challenges and this one is no exception. Now, I will admit that I was stumped for a bit with this one. I just could not decide on the colors etc. I finally went with what you see below. I wanted to use a bird since I have been watching my feeders a lot lately. The hummingbirds are alive and well already this spring. 

Pretty Pom Poms

 PRETTY POM POMS

This Tuesday’s Tricky Tip is dedicated to pom poms! They were big in the 60s—so it has been fun (for some of us!) to see them make a comeback in the crafting world. Let’s start with Baker’s Twine (US/CAN) mini pom poms.

Just follow the easy steps pictured below.

If you would like to create a garland, just thread a needle with a length of Baker’s Twine and run it through the pom poms.

*****

After I finished making the Baker’s Twine pom poms, I began to wonder what would happen if I wound 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon around a fork instead of Baker’s Twine. To my surprise, the result looked very much like a marigold!

Then I thought: How can I create a bigger pom pom flower? The old-fashioned way: using cardboard donut shapes made with super-thin white cardboard, a 2-1/2" Circle Punch, a 1/2" Circle Punch, and our Daffodil Delight 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon. When I finished winding, cutting, and tying, out popped a daffodil . . . just the thing for embellishing a Mother’s Day gift! (Believe me . . . I don’t usually get this lucky!) 

I could have kept going with flower-making . . . but then I saw a paper pom pom garland on Pinterest. I HAD to try that, too. The result: today’s Tricky Tip features three ways to make small pom pom projects—using Baker’s Twine, 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, and Designer Series Paper. They are all so easy and fun!

Embossing . . . Without the Fuss

Just for You Treat Pouch (4-1/8" x 2-5/8")

Stamps Just Believe Stamp SetPaper Very Vanilla Cardstock Natural Composition Specialty Designer Series Paper Ink Island Indigo Classic Stampin' Pad Lucky Limeade Classic Stampin' Pad 2011-2013 In Color Stampin' Write Markers Accessories & Tools 4" x 6" Cellophane Bags Old Olive 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon Linen Thread Stampin' Dimensionals Extra-Large Tag Punch 1/16" Circle Punch Simply Scored Facial tissue Hole punch

Instructions

1. Color the Natural Composition Specialty Designer Series Paper using Island Indigo and Lucky Limeade Stampin' Write Markers. Blot excess ink using a facial tissue.
2. Using the Simply Scored, score the Natural Composition Specialty Designer Series Paper at 1/2", 4-1/2", and 6"; fold at each of the score lines. Wrap the Natural Composition Specialty Designer Series Paper around the Cellophane Bag filled with candy and adhere the flap.
3. Punch two holes in the flap using a hole punch. Thread the holes with Old Olive 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, then tie a bow.
4. Stamp the stems and leaves image in Lucky Limeade ink on the back of a piece of Natural Composition Specialty Designer Series Paper. Punch out the image using the Extra-Large Tag Punch. Punch a hole in the end of the tag using the 1/16" Circle Punch. Thread the Linen Thread through the hole and tie it to the ribbon.
5. Stamp the sentiment in Island Indigo ink on Very Vanilla Cardstock. Cut the stamped cardstock into a banner shape and curl using the Bone Folder. Adhere the banner to the tag using Stampin' Dimensionals.

DOCUMENTING APRIL + A FEW TIPS AND TRICKS

It’s April! Things are starting to green up and bloom, we are spending more time outside playing . . . or at least we did last year. This year our April has been cold and snowy and I am still waiting for my tulips and the trees in my yard to bloom. Oh well. I so loved working on my pages for April. I say that every month, but it’s true. I love it! There is so much satisfaction in documenting these memories so I will never forget.  

I am getting a little more adventurous with my journaling. I really don’t like my handwriting but I decided to suppress my perfectionist instincts this month and just go for it. I am happy to say that it wasn’t as painful as I had feared. I actually like having some handwriting on my pages.  

This month I have put together some ideas and tricks to help get you started documenting your life.

1. Fill a card with journaling. If there is a design on the card . . . just journal around it. Don’t want to fill up the whole card? Draw a frame around the card with a Stampin’ Write Marker.

2. Journal around an object. Here I used the uni-ball Signo Gel Pen to journal around the frame on this Happy Easter card. I love the white handwriting on the black card!


3. Don’t be afraid to add journaling to a card . . . even if it doesn’t look like it was made for journaling.



4. Add fun bold type over your photo using My Digital Studio. The font I used here is Abadi MT for “play” and Arial for the ampersand.



5. Add a frame of journaling around a photo.


6. Use the pattern on the Designer Series Paper for journaling.


7. Make the page protector work for you. Here I cut out the long horizontal photo strip on the page protector and just sewed the pieces I wanted to use back together.


8. Make a fun envelope to hold the journaling on subjects that are close to your heart.



9. Color on your washi tape. I love, love, love, washi tape. To add a different look to the gray-striped Epic Day This and That Designer Washi Tape, I colored it with Melon Mambo and Lucky Limeade Stampin’ Write Markers.



10. Add a journaling card in an unexpected way. Originally this journaling card was 3" x 4" with lines on it for journaling. I love the hello sunshine sunburst, so I just cut off the bottom part and added the top part to my card. (I can use the bottom part later.)



11. Add a little dimension and flair. I made this little flair button by running the largeSoda Pop Tops through the Big Shot. It is then the perfect size for a little saying punched out with the 1" Circle Punch.

I hope this helps to get you inspired to dive in and start recording the moments in your life.

Retiring Stamps and Accessories for 2013

                               

Stamps and Accessories are Retiring so get your favorites before they are gone! Some things like Not Quite Navy card stock is already gone.

See retiring stamps list here.

See retiring accessories list here.

Baby Shower Invites

My daughter is working on baby shower invites for her new sister-in-law's shower. She has decided on a book theme and so wanted to make her invites look like the old book card that went into the back of the book when you checked them out. We used DSP to make the library card pockets. I got the template from Mirkwood Designs and altered it to fit my book card.

Technique Tuesday - Faux Metal

Faux Metal

Directions:
1) Cut card stock to desired size and stamp a VersaMark pad over the entire piece. Sprinkle Gold or Silver Stampin' Emboss powder over card stock piece.

2) Heat powder using heat tool. Sprinkle on additional powder while the image is still hot, and reheat. Repeat at least three times.

3) To create image, ink your stamp with VersaMark ink (to avoid sticking) and press into warm layers of embossing powder.

Tip:
•Have your inked stamp ready to use immediately after the last time you heat the powder. If you wait too long, the embossing will harden to the point that you won't be able to create an impression with your stamp (if this does happen, simply reheat the card stock piece.)

Dolled-Up Birthday Kit

 

We're excited to introduce our second Submit a Project kit--the Dolled-Up Birthday Kit--voted on by you via our Facebook page. This gorgeous birthday card was created by Chris Gilmore, a manager from Coshocton, Ohio. Congratulations, Chris!

 

The Dolled-Up Birthday kit includes the following:

 

    •Dolled-Up Birthday Clear-Mount Stamp (1)

 

    •8-1/2" x 5-1/2" Crumb Cake Cardstock (6 pieces)

 

    •2" x 4-1/4" Very Vanilla Cardstock (6 pieces)

 

    •Very Vanilla Medium Envelopes (6)

 

    •Tea Lace Paper Doilies (6)

 

    •Dress Up die-cuts (6)

 

    •Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Spot (1)

 

    •Vanilla 5/8" Flower Trim (6 pieces)

 

    •Sponge Dauber (1)

 

Get everything you need to make six cards for only $15.95 (item 133913)!*

 

To assemble one card, follow the instructions below:

 

1. 1.Place the stamp rubber side up and ink with the Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Spot.
2. 2.Stamp "Happy Birthday" at the bottom of the card front.
3. 3.Ink the Sponge Dauber with Soft Suede ink and gently antique the doily and the edges of the dress form.
4. 4.Adhere the pieces to the card front in this order:

• ◦Doily
• ◦Very Vanilla Cardstock
• ◦Dress form
• ◦Flower

 *Adhesive not included