Wedding Day!

Time for another wedding card! The bride had chosen red, black and white as her colors along with red poppies. These flowers are so... fun to make and hold their shape perfectly! I used the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch (on the first setting) and it was just the right size.

I really do like the "happy I do day" stamp from Word Play but have struggled to find a punch that fits it well. Tada - I found it! The Extra Large Oval punch turned slightly sideways seems to fit just fine. The center sports an Antique Brad #117273.

Pumpkin Treat Basket

I wanted to make a little basket that would work for small fall treats. I'd seen many pumpkins made from circles but none from the Oval Scallop die cut - I'm sure they are out there, I just hadn't come across any. Fill it with anything special!

I began with two Oval Scallop dies and cut a third using Just Add Cake DSP. Sponged the edges of both with Pumpkin Pie ink. Cut the bottom edge of the Oval Scallop straight so the basket will  stand up.

Leaves: Stamp the leaf from French Foilage #121166 stamp set using  Always Artichoke ink on Old Olive cardstock. Run the leaves through the Spider Web embossing folder to add dimension.

I created a small box to fit inside and adhered it using Sticky Strip.

Cutest little Americans!!

Are these not the greatest little grandkids!!  First day of school with all it's new binders, pencils and clothes is always fun!  Have a great year!

Thinking of Fall....

I've been thinking of fall.... it isn't too far away now, is it? I think it may be my favorite season, with spring a close second. I love that by the time a season comes around a person just seems ready for it.  In celebration of fall - here is my card. Was so simple and I made quite a few! I think it will be my "Happy Fall Greetings" card for 2011!!

The stamp set, Faith in Nature, is one of the sets that Stampin' Up! has specially priced for hostesses in the new catalog. I love it for a couple of reasons.... first, my very first stamp set I ever  purchased was a pear and I used it over and over again. You know how first stamp sets hold a special place in a person's heart? Secondly, I love script added to pictures. So this stamp set perfectly fits into my "favorite things" category!

It had been awhile since I have used the Stampin' Pastels - almost felt like an artist!

Early Espresso and Very Vanilla cardstock
Early Espresso ink
Faith in Nature stamp set #122492
Crumb Cake seam binding #122332
Stampin' Pastels # 120962

School Daze are here again!

This is a back to school "pencil" designed to hold a regular size candy bar - perfect to provide the energy it takes to make it through that first day back!  Mom, you may need one, too!

It's quick and easy to make and I was pleased with how it turned out. Enlarge it a bit to hold a brand new pack of pencils if the sugar seems a bit much.

Supplies:
1)  Daffodil Delight c/s: Cut one piece 6-3/4" x 6-3/4"  score @ 1-3/4", 2", 2-3/4", 4",4-3/4" &
      5"
     Sponge scored lines with More Mustard ink
2)  Blushing Bride c/s:   Cut one piece 6-3/4" x 1"  score @ 1-3/4" 2" 4-3/4" & 5"
     Sponge along one long edge with Regal Rose ink to create "eraser"
3) Crumb Cake c/s: Cut one piece 3" x 2-3/4" score @ 1" and cut point of pencil (2" area)
     as shown  below
4) Basic Black c/s: Cut one piece 1" x 1-1/2" 
5) Apply Sticky Strip as shown below

So, here's what it should look like so far!  My apologies for the slightly fuzzy pic! It's late and well, it's late!

6)Adhere  Basic Black c/s to pointed end of Crumb Cake and cut to match angles to create
    the "lead"

7) Apply Sticky Strip along long edge of pencil. Place candy bar inside and adhere it around.
    The candy bar is not to stick to the card stock, but will give you something solid when you are
     folding and adhering it.
8) From Basic Black c/s punch a tag using the Decorative Label punch #120907
9) From Whisper White c/s cut a tag using Lots of Tags #114508 die cut and the Big Shot!
10) Using Basic Gray ink stamp sentiment onto tag. I used one from Friendly Phrases
       #126151
      I really like using Basic Gray for sentiments - it's just a tad softer looking than black.
11) Adhere sentiment to the Basic Black label. Punch holes at either end, insert brads and  
     adhere to front side of "pencil" with Stampin' Dimensionals
12) Insert candy bar - quick before you get tempted!!

I hope this will put a smile on some student's face! Enjoy!

A quiet fishin' mornin'

This morning we got up early and headed for the pond for some quiet fishin' time. I actually spent time studying and walking around with our grandson.  Such a great way to start the morning. By 8:30 am I had walked a mile, studied a chapter and was headed back home for breakfast on the back porch. My kind of life!  And I have Stamp Club to enjoy tonight - does it get any better than this?

Back to School!

Well, it's almost that time again.... back to school!
This is my first in a series of delightful cards to celebrate back to school for your children, friends or teachers.

As usual, I was inspired by a card (I loved the apple!) that was showcased in a wonderful magazine available only to Stampin' Up! demonstrators ..... there are many, many benefits of becoming a demonstrator! click here for more info

And as usual, I changed it up quite a bit.  I will take credit for the pencil and the envelope made from a lunch bag - aren't they ever so cute?

Apple:  I hand drew, cutting each layer about an 1/8" - 1/4" inch smaller than the previous one - you can do it, I know you can! Start with an "apple" approx. 3" x 3-12". Dampen the apple layers (except bottom one) and scrunch up, unfold and let dry before adhering them together.

Seeds: are created by cutting a heart (Small Heart punch) in half, using Early Espresso c/s

Leaf: created from the wing (Bird Builder punch), using Old Olive c/s

Pencil: Cut a 3/4" strip each of the following cardstock:
Blushing Bride 3-1/8" long
Crumb Cake    3" long
Daffodil Delight 2-1/4" long
Basic Black   1/2" long
Adhere Crumb Cake on top of Blushing Bride - this will create the "eraser"
Adhere Daffodil Delight on top of Crumb Cake, placing up against "eraser"
Adhere Basic Black to end of Crumb Cake to create "lead" and cut into a point
Supplies:
Night of Navy ink
Cardstock: Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake, Daffodil Delight, Night of Navy, Basic Black, Old Olive, Real Red, Whisper White
Just Add Cake DSP
Clips Assortment #112580
Friendly Phrases #126151
Hemp Twine #100982
Bird Builder punch #117191
Small Heart punch 117193

Envelope:
Elementary Alphabet wheel #123229
Pretty Postage stamp set #123097
Scallop Edge Border #119882

I created the envelope using a regular lunch bag. Cut the bottom off, fold over and adhere closed with Sticky Strip. If you don't go too overboard on the embellishments and adhere it closed well, it can actually be mailed!

Now off to school!

A beautiful Idaho sunset!

 
The sunsets here are so... gorgeous and how I enjoy them best is with my feet up on the front porch with a cup of coffee and my hubby!

Vintage Coffee Cup gift card holder & gift tags, too!

Happy Monday afternoon to each of you that follow my blog!

I've been playing around with a coffee cup pattern I originally saw as a video tutorial on Confessions of a Stampin Addict. 

I made mine as a card that opens the traditional way. I now have a stash of them! My favorite is this "vintage" one I created for a special friend of mine who lives miles away. We are long overdue for a coffee chat, friend!! I loved it so much I decided to make some the size of a gift tag.   And I'm still thinking.... how about a coffee cup Christmas tree ornament?  Does your brain ever get like that - it's racing with ideas faster than you can possibly create them? Gotta love it!!  So although this project was not my original idea I will give you the dimensions I used along with a few simple changes I made. 

So how 'bout we share a cup of coffee as we get started. Go on, I'll wait while yours brews!                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Supplies: 

Creative Elements stamp set

Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso ink   

CherryCobbler, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso and Whisper White card stock  

Crumb Cake seam binding #122332 

Pearls #119247  

Large Oval Scallop Punch #119855  

Scallop Oval  Punch  #119856

Corner Punch #119871   

Crimper #101618  

Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder #117335  

Elegant Lines embossing folder #119277 

Stampin' Dimensionals

For gift card holder:

Crumb Cake c/s - Cut one piece 8-1/2 x 3-1/4 (you can get 3 from one piece of c/s!)

Fold in half to create a 4-1/4" x 3-1/4" card.

Along what would be the bottom of the card, measure in 1/2" from each side and mark using the scoring tool on your cutter.

Fold card in half and lay along cutter as shown:

Now cut a wedge off each long side, starting at the top folded edge, down to the 1/2" mark as shown above. Repeat on opposite side of card to create a "coffee cup" shape.

Stamp flower from Creative Elements stamp set randomly on "cup" front using Cherry Cobbler ink. 

 Emboss front of card only using the Elegant Lines embossing folder.

From Whisper White c/s, cut a piece 3-1/2" x 1-1/2", fold in half lengthwise and round off both bottom corners with the Corner punch to create the "lid". Run "lid" through the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.

Adhere in place over top of card using Sticky Strip (love that stuff!).  

From Cherry Cobbler: Cut one piece 1" x 3-1/2". Run through crimper to create "band". Adhere in place. Trim edges to fit "cup".

Your "cup" should look like this! How'd it go?

Cut 7" of Crumb Cake seam binding. Adhere around band with the cut ends meeting in the center on front of the cup. This way they'll be covered by the embellishment.

Using Early Espresso ink, stamp sentiment on Whisper White c/s and then cut out using large oval punch.
Using Early Espresso card stock, cut out one scalloped oval. Adhere in place at center of band.
Using Stampin' Dimensionals adhere sentiment in place.
Adhere pearls in place.
You're done!  Isn't it cute?  Hope you didn't spill your coffee!!

NOTE: For gift tags begin with a "cup cut 2-3/4" x 3-1/2'. Directions remain the same.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Happy I Do!

A special card for a very special couple! Congratulations you two!

The "tux" and bodice of the wedding dress were created using the Round Tab punch #119864
For the tux: Using Basic Black c/s, punch only half the punch, slit it in the center and fold both sides back to create the lapels.
For the bodice: Use Whisper White c/s, punch the entire tab and then center the tab back into the punch and punch again to create the neckline.  You only need half the punch but I punched the entire piece so I had something to hold onto while I punched it the second time - then I trimmed it. (Was that enough punch, punch? Wheww!)
The Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder #120175 adds dimension to the dress.
"Happy I Do" is from the wonderful Word Play stamp set # 120651 - I use this set so..... often. It's a great investment.
Flowers are created using the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack #118309 - centers are pearls
Flirtatious Specialty DSP #122360 was used with matching textured cardstock Wisteria Wonder

Do you have as many pearls and diamonds floating around your house as I do? Yesterday I found four pearls on the bottom of my flip-flops and diamonds on my daughter's ears!

Getting Ready for Fall

Okay, I totally CASE'd this pumpkin - but isn't it the cutest thing ever?
  Credit goes to the Squareheadedstamper -    she has amazing ideas! 
   I popped mine on a basket made from the the Scallop Square Die #115950                                                                             

The funny thing about this picture is - note how frayed my ribbon is! Yikes!  I saw it while I was working on it and thought "now I need to add to my blog.... how to get all the sticky strip off of your scissors". So I set up my scissors and the adhesive remover, took a picture, and totally forgot to clean up my ribbon!  So here it is in all it's frayedness!!  But, anyway ... when you get your scissors all gunked up with adhesive, just run your Adhesive Remover #103684 over the blades a few times and they are back to new!

I used Sticky Strip around the stem to hold the "pumpkin wedges" in place - oh, how I love Sticky Strip!!! Really, what would we do without it on our paper creations? I also ran my oval pumpkin wedges through the Big Shot - I love the new Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, don't you?

I have a hundred (well almost) other ideas for this pumpkin; so you will see variations of it every now and then this fall, I'm thinkin'.

Here's a close up of the pumpkin

 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes

So if you are needing a major sugar fix, these wonderful cupcakes may interest you. Made from scratch in my very own kitchen, with just a few changes to the recipe; they boast cake batter and frosting that taste just like chocolate chip cookie dough! In the first bite or two you will discover actual chocolate chip cookie dough hiding inside!  This cupcake is not for the faint of heart!

I took the time to do the calculations and these little darlings weigh in at 400 calories each!  I first found the idea for these at bakeat350.blogspot.com - a wonderful blog if you love cookies and sweets.

I'm not sure why I've been in this baking/cooking mood - in the middle of the summer, no less, but I have come across some great recipes.  Keep tuned for breakfast pizzas on the grill!  Now back to stamping!