It's a great time to be a hostess!

There are some exciting reasons to hostess a workshop in the month of February!  Click here for details.....

Sale-A-Bration - a great time of year!

It's Sale-A-Bration!  The time of year we all wait for -  when you receive wonderful FREE merchandise with an order of $50 or more.

Wait - there's more! With a $400 order, receive any one product @ 50% off, a free tote, and a free hostess bundle! It's a great time of year to book a workshop and take advantage of all the incentives.

Click on the catalog to see exclusive free product available to you today!

Feel Better Soon..... please

Have you ever been working so intensely on a card and it's just not coming together at all?  Well, today after coloring in 15 little coffee cups, cutting, embossing and stamping and it STILL wasn't doing anything for me, I picked up one of the pieces I had embossed and thought "this would make the cutest little bandaid!

So, I present to you a get well card  that just makes me feel better already! It fits perfectly into the Small Open-Ended Envelopes #107286 which are 6-3/4" x 3-1/2". It's a great little envelope, too!

Supplies:

Pool Party card stock            6-1/2" x 6-1/2" round all four corners with a 3/16" Corner punch

Crumb Cake card stock        1-1/4" x 5"  emboss with Adorning Accents heart folder

                                                 1" x 1-1/4"   de-boss with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

Whisper White card stock     2" x 2" 

Word Play stamp set #120651

Itty Bitty Bits stamp set #120060

Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

Adorning Accents embossing folder

Big Shot Machine

Marina Mist ink

Crumb Cake ink

Basic Gray ink

Sponge

Stampin' Dimensionals

Glue Dots

Post-it Note

1) Fold card in half. Stamp hearts onto card front using Marina Mist ink. Sponge edges of card with Marina Mist ink also.

2)Round edges of embossed "band-aid" using the 3/16" Corner punch and sponge edges  with Crumb Cake ink. Adhere center piece of "band aid" using Glue Dots and then entire "band-aid" to card front using Stampin' Dimensionals.

3) Using Basic Gray ink, stamp sentiment to lower right hand corner of card. Also stamp sentiment onto Whisper white card stock. I used a label punch that I didn't realize was discontinued until writing this - however, you can cut out just the "ick" into a square that fits inside the saying and use the circle from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack to add the little bit of cuteness to the corners. Adhere to card front with a Glue Dot.

Whenever I have to punch something this little I just adhere it to a Post-it note so you have something to hold onto while punching. Perhaps this picture will help...

       

The medicine bottle holds Jelly Bellys. I adorned it using a tag from the Lots of Tags Die set #114508, stamped it the same as the card front and used part of the same sentiment. I cut a piece of Marina Mist seam binding in half lengthwise (I like how it starts to fray!) to tie around the bottle (which I just happened to have from who knows where!)  A good source for the Jelly Bellys is Winco  - I love their bulk section!

The Sunday Funnies

So, some of the funnies aren't all that funny anymore - so here's how to upcycle them! I was spending a few minutes (ok, hours!!) on Pinterest yesterday and came across someone who had made wallpaper out of woven newspapers. It looked kinda cool, if you didn't think too much about the fact that it fades and degrades over time :(    But.... it was inspiration for this card!

Kirsten, our youngest daughter, is making an album of her favorite comics, so I snagged the center page of the funnies, cut it into narrow strips, glued them to Basic Black card stock and ran it through the Big Shot using the Stripes embossing folder.

I then used the Extra Large Oval punch for the "conversation bubble" (is that what they are actually called?) and  cut the extra little curve with Paper Snips.  Before mounting it onto my card, I embossed the saying onto the card front.  It made me smile - hope it does the same for you!

Embossed Valentine

I really do love the Striped Embossing folder - however, sometimes a person just wants to stamp in the middle of it without the distraction of the stripes, Ever get that feeling?  Here's how I did it.

I cut a piece of Whisper White card stock 4-1/8" x 5-3/8". I stamped my sentiment about two thirds of the way up (I adhered both sentiments to an acrylic block so I could stamp them both at the same time).
To create the "open" area where I stamped, I ran it through the Big Shot (with the Striped Embossing folder) about 1/3 of the way down from the top, took it out and ran it through 1/2 way up from the bottom, leaving the center area blank. I found this to be a simple way of achieving the look I wanted.  Adhere to card front made from Cherry Cobbler card stock, add a ribbon and you're done! A simple card but sometimes simple is best!

Sentiment from P.S.I Love You stamp set #125462  - Occasions Mini Catalog
Cherry Cobbler card stock, ink and seam binding

Valentine Lollipops!

Remember all the fun of taking your Valentine's to school? This project is the end result of our daughter's call "Mom, do you have any ideas for something special the girls can take to school on Valentine's Day?"  I LOVE calls like that - the brain goes into over-drive, ready for another new idea!

I created these using the Island Floral Bigz Die. They go together quickly - which is always good when you are mass producing.  I cut out 40 of them, and sent them on to the  "cutest granddaughters in the world" where they will put them together, complete with lollipops and ribbons and present them to their friends on hearts day.  Don't you wish you were in their class?

Supplies:

Pretty in Pink card stock    2-1/2" x 5" per lollipop

Red Glimmer paper #121790  pg 181   1-1/2" square per lollipop

Wild Wasabi 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon #125059

1-1/4" Circle punch # 119861

Cellophane bags 3" x 5" #103104  pg 181

Big Shot Machine

Island Floral Bigz Die

Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder

2-Way Glue pen or Multipupose Liquid Glue   pg 206

Lollipops (not in the SU! catalog :)

Directions:

1) Fold pink card stock in half to create a 2-1/2" square.

2) Using the Island Floral Bigz Die, lay the folded cardstock onto the flower die making sure that the folded edge lays within the cutting border - need a pic on this one, right? Here's the deal - you want the flower to be able to still fold in half after it's cut.  Tough to get a good pic, but I think you'll get the drift.

Here's what it looks like after it's cut:

3) Emboss the flower front only using the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder. I was able to do three flowers at a time - see pic below.  I lined up the fold of the flower with the edge of the embossing folder so the back of the flower is on the underside and will not be embossed which makes writing the greeting inside just a tad easier!

4) Using the 1-1/4" Circle punch and the Red Glimmer paper cut out flower center. Adhere to flower using Snail Adhesive.

5) Write  or stamp your greeting inside the flower and then place your lollipop through the opening on the folded side of the flower. The folded part of the flower will be at the bottom. You can adhere the flower to the lollilpop with a little Multi-purpose Liquid Glue or the 2-Way Glue Pen. "These adhesives are both temporary when allowed to momentarily dry before adhering"

6) Place in cellophane bag and tie with ribbon - isn't it cute?  Happy Valentine's Day!

Here are the ones ready to be mailed to Kaylee and Hope!

And just in case you are wondering "so how cute are the cutest granddaughters in the world?"  here they are enjoying the beach!  

White on White Valentine Card

A white on white card - no stamping! Just pulled out all the great embossing folders we have and had some fun!  Valentine's or wedding....

Supplies:
Embossing Folders:
Stripes, Perfect Polka Dots, Square Lattice
Hearts Collections Framelits Die
Small Heart Punch
Whisper White taffeta ribbon
Pearls

Winter, Winter....

Whew... our first real snow of the season - and half way through January! Here are a few snapshots from our yard - and yes, I braved the blowing snow to snap these for you.  This great bicycle was my Valentine's present from my best friend a few years back. I love it! Thanks, honey!

Poor little fleurs! I'd love to put in an automatic drip system to this wheelbarrow so we could have flourishing plants in it all summer - maybe this year!

Not quite ready for a cozy cup'o'tea! I know these are all inanimate objects, however, my lesson from them today is sometimes when a storm blows into your life you quietly and patiently wait - spring will come, flowers will bloom and it's just a time of resting. 
It's a kind of pajama and hot cocoa day - make a few cards, play Rook with the fam and maybe some homemade chicken noodle soup!  Wish you could join us!

Vintage Chalkboard Card

Okay, this has to be one of my favorite cards recently. I love the Designer Frames embossing folder set and I decided to turn this one into a "chalkboard". And have you used the brand new Edgelits Dies - they are gorgeous and available now in the Occasions Mini Catalog (see sidebar for a quick peek) What do you think?

Supplies:
Edglit Die and embossing folder
Designer Frames embossing folder
First Edition DSP
P.S. I Love You stamp set
Crumb Cake seam binding
Very Vanilla seam binding
Pearls
Crumb Cake, Basic Black and Very Vanilla card stock

Simply Hearts

A couple of very simple cards today - I seem to go from vintage to simple! I guess it's a woman's right to change her mind...   Enjoy!

Supplies:
Send Me Soaring stamp set
First Edition DSP
Stripe embossing folder
Perfect Polka dots embossing folder
Extra-Large Tag punch
Small Heart Punch
Extra-Large Oval punch
Pearls
Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding - truly love this stuff!

First Edition DSP

Yesterday I decided to play with some colors I've not put together  (Pool Party and Basic Grey) 
 before and also do some new embossing. I love working with Basic Grey, both card stock and ink, because it's just a little softer than black - doesn't hit you quite so hard, ya know.

For the embossing, I first cut circles from First Edition DSP, adhered them to Pool Party card stock and then ran them through the Big Shot using the Square Lattice embossing folder.  Creates a brand new paper for you!  The bird is embossed with Clear embossing powder.

Here's a close up.....

Supplies:
Basic Grey, Very Vanilla and Pool Party card stock
First Edition DSP
Basic Grey and Pool Party ink
Notable Ornate stamp set
Scallop Trim Border punch
Very Vanilla seam binding - love, love it!
Basic Pearls
Clear Embossing Powder

Inking Everything With Becky is a brand new membership site that I am a designer for.   Together we are teaming up to bring you an online event unlike anything you've seen before!

Starting February 1st, twice a day, for two weeks, we will be sharing exclusive artwork designed by myself and 11 creative members of Becky Roberts’ downline, Inking Everything.

As a special bonus, some of the designers will be offering kits for their projects. Card kits will contain products to make 2 of each of the cards including envelopes; while the 3D kits contain products to make one project. There will be a PayPal link on the tutorial page if a kit is offered. All kits are handled by the designers who will be providing the best customer service. Our goal is to ship kits within 3 days; however, some delays may occur as designers may need to order more products.

Come on over to http://inkingeverythingwithbecky.com, watch the video and sign up to join in on the fun!

Simply Soaring

I love this little stamp set and particularily like this kite that can be colored in with Stampin' Write markers. Perfect Polka Dots always seems to work for a background - just a few minutes and it's done!


Supplies:
Island Indigo, Pear Pizazz and Whisper White card stock
Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder
Send Me Soaring stamp set
White Baker's Twine
2011-2013 Stampin' Write Markers
and the sweet little ribbon - yours free with a $50 order during Sale-A-Bration!

P.S. I Love You!

I love, love this stamp set P.S. I Love You.   I have also enjoyed using the First Edtion DSP - I love the newsprinty feel. It's always fun to pull out the Crimper and add a little dimension in the middle of a card. Have you started on your Valentines yet?

P.S.  PS are my initials :)

Soaring with Bling!

Every once in a while it's nice to just do simple (with a tad of bling!) That's what inspired this card and then of course it never hurts to have an extra purse, made from the Pillow Box die cut!
I'm so excited about the brand new Hearts Collection Framelit Die that allows you to cut out many sizes of hearts anywhere on the paper you'd like. Check out the Occasions Mini catalog on the side bar for more information.

I chose the Send Me Soaring stamp set for a blog hop that I was invited to participate in.... keep checking back for more on that. Meantime, I have enjoyed using this set in a number of ways, so stay tuned for ideas on how to take a very simple stamp set and shake it up a little.

Here's a close up of the purse - kind of cute, huh?

Supplies:
Marina Mist card stock (I love this color!)
Whisper White card stock
Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder #117335
Adorning Accents #125601
Hearts Collection Framelits Die #125599
Trinket Keys #12189Pillow Box Die #113466

Vintage Flowers and Frames

I love the new Edgelits Dies! They add an elegance to a card, don't they? Once again I used that beautiful paper that will be available during Sale-a-bration -  Everyday Enchantment. Don't miss it! It's a great, great time to book a workshop and earn extra products.  Sale-A-Bration begins January 24th and has some       wonderful free products you can choose from.                          

I also used the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch for a nice bunchy flower - the vintage frame behind the flower is created by using the Designer Frames Embossing folder.                                                                           

                                                                                         

                                                                                         

                                                                                                

Vintage Valentine Holder

Calypso Coral, Very Vanilla and Pool Party - how fun for a heart filled Valentine. The new Hearts Collection #125599 Framelit Die is absolutely stunning. I stayed up half the night having the very most fun with it! The possibilities are endless. What did we do before the Big Shot?

This scalloped heart pouch is 5" x 5", embossed and filled with Valentines quickly made from the Everyday Enchantment DSP and a few hearts stamped with the P.S. I Love You #125462 stamp set showcased in the brand new  Occasions Mini Catalog. You will have a complete new wish list when you get a peek at it!

Hearts and Doilies

I love, love Valentine's Day! It was my favorite day of the school year. Remember the Valentine boxes decorated with hearts we were taught to cut out by folding the paper in half (no Big Shot back then!) and paper doilies, lots of red, lots of hearts and candy to boot? Hard not to love a day like that.  Then taking your boxes home - am I the only one that would go through my Valentine's over and over again?

Well, they'd be vintage Valentine's now.... that's a few moons ago but I still love making and receiving (hint, hint)  hearts. I've been busy creating so here's the first of many that you'll be seeing on my blog. I'll try hard to mix it up with some other fun cards along the way, but take time to enjoy the romance of February 14th!

You'll find this paper in the Sale-A-Bration catalog that'scoming soon (I so hope I'm not getting into trouble for showing this early!!) It's beautiful and vintage-like and I enjoyed combining it with a doily sponged with Sahara Sand ink, emboss a heart, pop on a few pearls and satin ribbon and I love it!