Who doesn't love hearts?

Another Valentine using the In Colors!

~Supplies~ (All by Stampin' Up!)
Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, Craft White
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Accessories: Crushed Curry polka dot ribbon; circle punch

Playing with new stamps

I got my Stampin' Up! preorder the other day, and I am loving these new clear mount stamps! So fun!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Fox & Friends, I {Heart} Hearts (Stampin' Up!); sentiment from Studio G Series 26
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry (SU); Dark Chocolate (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: Melon Mambo polka dot ribbon (SU); circle punch

A Valentine's fix-it

Forget Christmas - it's on to Valentine's Day! I need to make my Valentines ahead of time this year, since Baby #2 is due the first week of February!

I had an idea in my head and knew what supplies I wanted to use, and this is what I came up with:


Something's missing, isn't it? It just doesn't look....finished. I thought about it, and thought about it, and then BOOM! I knew what it needed. :) It looks so much better now, with only that little ribbon addition, doesn't it?!


Hint - the buttons are sewn onto the card. It makes them stay in place much flatter than when using glue dots!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Heart Prints (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White (SU); Spring Moss, Raspberry Fizz Bitty Dot Basics (PTI)
Accessories: Vintage Buttons (PTI); linen thread (SU); Pinking Hearts border punch (SU); Large Heart Punch (EK Success); Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon (SU); chipboard letters (Target); dimensionals (SU)

Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge 128

Here's another sketch challenge from my friends at Stamping 411. I turned the sketch on its side. It's a pretty simple card, showing off my new fascination - buttons!!!



~Supplies~
Stamps: Everyday Button Bits, Polka Dot Basics II (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Black (Versamark); Rich Razzleberry (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: Aqua Mist (PTI); Rich Razzleberry, Kraft, Whisper White (SU)
Accessories: Rich Razzleberry and Sage Shadow markers (SU); Scallop border, large oval, and scallop oval punches (SU); white organza ribbon (SU); Aqua Mist Vintage buttons (PTI); hemp twine; dimensionals (SU)

It's Your Day

Yep, still using those purple and green scraps that are sitting on my desk!!! :) I can't leave them alone. I think this Rich Razzleberry is my new favorite color - I will be very sad when it's gone.

This card was really easy to put together, since I already had the polka dot strips inked up from last week. That green strip is actually that strip of paper that is left after you use a border punch! The polka dots were already heat embossed from a different card. Yep, I save EVERYTHING.

You also can't tell in the photo, but the whole panel is on dimensionals. I don't have the photography skills to show off that subtle dimension it gives, but it's there. :)

~Supplies~
Stamps: Star Prints, Polka Dot Basics II (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Craft White (Stampin' Up!); Versamark
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum, Old Olive, Kraft (SU)
Accessories: Clear Embossing powder; Rich Razzleberry ribbon (SU); dimensionals (SU); corner rounder punch

More fun with Cottage Wall

I really love the Cottage Wall paper. And when I finally broke it out last week, I couldn't stop using it! Here are some more cards using that paper and color scheme. You'll see lots of crumpled layered flowers, since I enjoyed playing with those a la Dawn McVey. I also tried a new technique I see people do a lot - make a whole quarter sheet of a particular background, then cut/punch it up and use it on several cards. So you'll see a couple background strips that I used several places!

This first card uses tons of those layers, as well as a little flower.


This second card places a big flower as the focal point. It is all held together by the button and linen thread and sewn onto the card - no glue necessary! The dots in the background were heat embossed. You can't really tell in the picture, but they shine so beautifully!



The last card is seriously a five minute card. Very easy if you need a quick card to dash off at the last minute! It is also a flat, one layer card, which makes it a great card to mail.



~Supplies~

~Fill this day with joy~
Stamps: Everyday Button Bits, Background Basics: Text Style, Polka Dot Basics II (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Rich Razzleberry (Stampin' Up!); Versamark
Paper: Pale Plum, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Cottage Wall DSP (SU)
Accessories: Scallop Edge punch (SU); Flower Layers die (Sizzix/SU); clear rhinestone brad

~Just a little something~
Stamps: Everyday Button Bits, Background Basics: Text Style, Polka Dot Basics II (PTI)
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, White Craft (Stampin' Up!); Versamark
Paper: Pale Plum, Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Kraft (SU)
Accessories: white button (Basic Grey); linen thread (SU); Scallop Edge punch (SU); Flower Layers die (Sizzix/SU)

~Sending birthday wishes~
Stamps: Everyday Button Bits, Background Basics: Text Style, Polka Dot Basics II (PTI)
Ink: Rich Razzleberry (Stampin' Up!); Versamark
Paper: Pale Plum, Rich Razzleberry, Kraft, Cottage Wall DSP (SU)
Accessories: Square punch (SU)

Saturday Sketch Challenge 126

This morning, my daughter was watching Winnie the Pooh on You Tube while I was at my stamping desk in our office (it is important to keep her busy, or else she'll grab my stuff and shout, "I stamp, Mommy! I stamp!"). I needed inspiration, and I found a great sketch at the Stamping 411 blog!

I had fun making my card. In order to make my flowers pop, I crumpled them up like balls of trash, and then unfolded them - voila, perfect dimension! (A great technique I learned from Dawn McVey.)




~Supplies~
Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (Papertrey Ink); Teeny Tiny Wishes (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry (SU)
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum, Whisper White, Cottage Wall DSP (SU)
Accessories: White Organza ribbon (SU); circle and scallop circle punces (Marvy); Word Window punch (SU); Flower Layers die (Sizzix/SU); self stick rhinestones

More Buttons!

Here's another cool button card! I think I'll have to hand deliver this one though - no way are that big button and googly eye going through the USPS unharmed. :)

~Supplies~
Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (PaperTrey Ink)
Ink: Black (Versafine); Ripe Avocado and Raspberry Fizz (PTI)
Paper: Ripe Avocado and Raspberry Fizz (PTI); Kraft and Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Scallop Edge border punch (SU); Googly eye; So Saffron marker (SU)

Stamping vs. Grey's Anatomy

.....and Grey's Anatomy won! :)

Yep, I wish I could say that I was neglecting my blog for more important things, but honestly, it is due to the phenomenon known as Grey's Anatomy Reruns on Lifetime! For the past month or so, they've been rerunning the entire past 5 seasons of the show, which I had never seen before. So I've been tivo-ing them, and watching them during my daughter's naptime. Which means other naptime activities, such as stamping, have not been happening recently!!!!

However, I am happy to report that I am now officially caught up and able to focus on other things in my life (other than McDreamy and Co.) once again. And that means....NEW STAMPS!!!!



LOVE this new stamp set that I got for my birthday!!!! What a great idea to use buttons! The only thing "non-CAS" about this card is my distressing of the polka-dot paper. I used a sponge and Close to Cocoa ink, and then I roughed the edges up a bit, to give it a distressed look and a little more dimension. Very NOT ME. :)

I should be back tomorrow with another cool button card!

~Supplies~
Stamps: Everyday Button Bits (PaperTrey Ink)
Ink: Black (Versafine); Ripe Avocado (PTI); Close to Cocoa (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: Kraft and Whisper White (SU); Ripe Avocado and Pure Poppy Bitty Dot Basics (PTI)
Accessories: Scallop Border punch (SU); Linen thread (SU); Pure Poppy Vintage Buttons (PTI)

Pumpkins!

Here is a neat little card I put together the other day. I didn't come up with the idea of the punch pumpkins - I've seen them all over the place so I'm not sure who had the original idea. They are made with the large and small oval punches and sponged with soft suede ink. The leaves were stamped from the Season of Friendship set (although leaves from any stamp set will do) in Versamark ink then cut out. The linen thread and kraft cardstock contribute to a rustic feel. Everything is Stampin' Up! but the button.

~Supplies~
Stamps: Season of Friendship, Teeny Tiny Wishes (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Always Artichoke, Soft Suede (SU); Versamark
Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Always Artichoke, Kraft (SU)
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch (SU), Corner Rounder punch, Soft Suede ribbon (SU), linen thread (SU), orange button (Making Memories - Chloe's Closet)

Season of Friendship - Winter

I am still loving this stamp set!

Heather Nichols is always stamping on kraft cardstock, and I was inspired to try it myself. It gives it such a rustic feel. For this card, I hand-cut the snow drifts and sponged them. After I took this picture, I also added glitter to the sponged areas and it looks even better, but I am too lazy to take the picture again! :) This card is nice and flat for easy holiday bulk mailing - another bonus.

~Supplies~ (All by Stampin' Up!)
Stamps: Season of Friendship, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Craft White
Paper: Kraft, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Dimensionals, White Gel Pen

Season of Friendship - Fall

What a great set....it fills up a card front so nicely!

~Supplies~ (All Stampin' Up!)
Stamps: Season of Friendship; Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Old Olive
Paper: Whisper White, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry
Other: Oval Punches, Crushed Curry ribbon

World Card Making Day - PTI Challenge Four

Happy World Card Making Day! To celebrate, Nichole Heady issued several challenges yesterday. I was most inspired by the Australia challenge. I loved the pictures full of bright colors paired with black, and the dark images outlined with white dots. I sponged ink onto a piece of kraft cardstock (I thought it was a "less stark" starting point than white). And WOW, did those white dots take FOREVER!!! :)


~Supplies~
Stamps: Spunky Nature (My Cute Stamps)
Ink: Studio G pigment inks; Versafine black
Paper: Kraft and black (Stampin' Up!)
Other: white gel pen (SU)

Halloween Frights

Here's a fun Halloween card the girls got to make at my stamp camp a few weeks ago. That DSP is from this year's Christmas pack - funny huh?


~Supplies~ (All by Stampin' Up!)
Stamps: Halloween Frights
Ink: Basic Black, So Saffron
Paper: Basic Black, So Saffron, Old Olive, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Merry Moments DSP
Other: Vintage Brads, Scallop Edge punch, Orchard Ribbon Originals, Dimensionals

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #17

I haven't been able to participate in one of Dawn's fabulous challenges since I found out I was pregnant! I saw this challenge this morning and immediately knew that I wanted to use my new Stampin' Up! Dasher stamp. I think this stamp is sooo beautiful!


~Supplies~
Stamps: Dasher (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU)
Paper: Kraft, Real Red, Baja Breeze, Merry Moments DSP (SU); Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Circle and Scallop circle punches (Marvy); Scallop edge punch (SU); cream ribbon (Target); Icicle Stickles; dimensionals (SU)

Happy Birthday to my baby girl!

Tomorrow is my daughter's second birthday. Last week she had a party with all of her friends. I had fun making the tags on the goodie bags that each child got to take home. Also, I made thank you notes, and my daughter got to add her own "special touch" with crayons.

~Supplies~

Gift tags
Stamps: Studio G
Ink: Versafine Black
Markers: Real Red, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Close to Cocoa, Melon Mambo, Regal Rose (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Real Red, Pretty in Pink (SU)
Other: Crop-o-dile, Linen Thread (SU), Real Red and Pretty in Pink ribbon (SU); circle and scallop circle punches (Marvy)

Thank You Notes
Stamps: Simple Birthday Thanks (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Black (SU)
Markers: Real Red, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Close to Cocoa (SU)
Paper: Stamper's Select White (Papertrey Ink)

Let's Celebrate!

I loved the scallop square punch when it came out, but I find it hard to use on my projects. So, I'm making an effort to use it more. These cute little birdies fit the shape perfectly! Plus, birds seem to be EVERYWHERE these days....I even just bought baby bedding with birds on it! :)


~Supplies~
Stamps: On Your Birthday (Stampin' Up!); bird set (Hero Arts)
Ink: Versafine black; Rich Razzleberry and Bermuda Bay (SU)
Paper: Kraft, Rich Razzleberry, and Bermuda Bay (SU); Stamper's Select White (Papertrey Ink)
Other: Scallop Square punch, Dimensionals (SU); watercolor tool

A crazy cool birthday card

I know, I know - it has been a month since I last posted! I'm not gonna apologize though - I have a very good reason! :)

I got some fun new SU stamp sets this summer and love how young and playful they are. I have made a couple versions of this card - my good friend Jen got one of 'em for her birthday earlier this month. I think her version said "You Rock". I also will do a version of this (with an extra Soft Suede layer added in) at my VERY FIRST STAMP CAMP in a couple weeks! Yep, you heard me - I will be teaching a class on stamping in September! Who would have ever thought?!?!

~Supplies~ (All by Stampin' Up!)
Stamps: Crazy Cool, Cheep Talk
Ink: Soft Suede, Old Olive, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry
Paper: Whisper White, Old Olive, Crushed Curry
Other: Bermuda Bay polka dot ribbon, dimensionals, Old Olive, Soft Suede, and Crushed Curry markers

Quick Congrats card

My friend Laurie got engaged a couple weeks ago, and I wanted to send her a quick card. Natasha's Fall-to Layout 51 (on the Clean & Simple blog) caught my eye, especially since I now have a Big Kick and the fabulous Top Note Die!




~Supplies~
Stamps: Happy Everything (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Old Olive and Melon Mambo (SU)
Paper: Stamper's Select White (Paper Trey Ink); Old Olive and Razzleberry Lemonade DSP (SU)
Other: Top Note Die (SU); Flower Fusion (SU); Clear Rhinestone Brad (Michael's)

Stamping 411 Sketch Challenge

The latest sketch on Stamping 411, the blog that my friend Robin contributes to, is totally CAS and right up my alley!


I modified their sketch a little bit by using 4 images instead of 3, and moving the sentiment a little. I also eliminated the outer layer, making my card just one layer.

This card is a combination of my two favorite stamp companies - Stampin' Up! and Paper Trey Ink. Happy days. :)



~Supplies~
Stamps: Heart Prints (Paper Trey Ink); Friendship Blooms (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Raspberry Fizz and Ripe Avocado (PTI); Summer Sun and Tempting Turquoise (SU)
Paper: Stamper's Select White (PTI)
Other: Dimensionals (SU); Small Heart Punch (EK Success)

CASEing myself

I wanted to improve this card, from a KWerner challenge a few weeks ago. I used the same layout, but switched up the image and colors. I also made the focal point a little larger, which helped it become more visually appealing. I think I definitely improved it, what do you think?



~Supplies~
Stamps: Hero Arts bird; Studio G sentiment; Polka Dot basics (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: black (Versafine); Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Old Olive, and So Saffron (Stampin' Up!); Vintage Cream (PTI)
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue, Old Olive (SU); Stamper's Select White (PTI); kraft (unknown)
Other: Old Olive ribbon (SU); hemp twine; brown button (Basic Grey); scallop edge punch (SU); dimensionals (SU); watercolor tool

I'm Back!!! Happy Wedding Day

Did you miss me? We were on vacation at the beach, and then in our hometown to attend (and be in) my sister-in-law's wedding. Congratulations, Lesley and JR! This is the card I gave them. In the picture I tried to capture how sparkly it was - I applied glitter to all of the navy parts of the patterned paper. Time consuming, but worth it!


~Supplies~
Stamps: All Year Cheer III (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Not Quite Navy (SU)
Paper: Vintage Cream (Papertrey Ink); Not Quite Navy (SU); Bella Bleu DSP (SU)
Other: Dazzling Diamonds glitter (SU); cream ribbon (Martha Stewart)

Playing with the new SU In Colors

I got a HUGE box of new Stampin' Up! stuff yesterday, and I have had so much fun playing with the new In Colors and stamp sets I got. Today I spent my daughter's naptime stamping, stamping, stamping! Here's a couple CAS cards with the new colors and new (to me) sets:

This first card shows off all the new In Colors except for the brown. I want to credit my inspiration for this card, Amy Yingling (check out the rainbow heart card on the left of her collage). Isn't her work amazing?!?!
The next card shows the great fall potential for the new colors. And I have been dying to get that Trendy Trees set. Finally!


And last is a summery kind of card. This one is very simple - but sometimes those are the best ones!




~Supplies~

Card #1:
Stamps: Great Friend (Stampin' Up!); Polka Dot Basics (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry (SU)
Paper: Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry (SU); Stamper's Select White (PTI)
Other: Butterfly punch (Martha Stewart); glue dots

Card #2:
Stamps: Trendy Trees (SU)
Ink: Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Old Olive (SU)
Paper: Dusty Durango, Old Olive (SU); Stamper's Select White (PTI)
Other: Crushed Curry ribbon (SU); sponge (SU)

Card #3:
Stamps: Great Friend (SU)
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Pale Plum (SU)
Paper: Rich Razzleberry (SU); Stamper's Select White (PTI)
Other: Square Scallop punch (SU); Bermuda Bay ribbon (SU)