When All You Want is Simple!

This card was inspired by some notecards I saw advertised in one of my favorite magazines. Pricey little things, they were - but we make cards ourselves, right?

So, to the drawing board....

• I remembered the card fronts that Becky had posted Tuesday on her blog
• then the bicycle from Postage Due
• the woodgrain from Orchard Harvest DSP

and there we have it!

Here's what is so interesting about these notecards.

So often we pass over the busy because we're only looking for simple.

However, I pulled the bicycle from the quite busy stamp (see below)

using Stampin' Write Markers in Early Espresso and Lucky Limeade.

While I love this stamp this time I only needed a bicycle. Perfect!

And the Woodgrain print is the simple pattern who's flip side is corn (so not my favorite!)

So from two products that didn't look like they would work at all - we have simple.

 I love, love it!

Halloween Candy Box

What do you create from empty SU! button boxes?  They are the handiest little things in the world - perfect for holding all kinds of treats. This one is used for Halloween candy!

The Goulish Googlies Designer Kit has great gift bags, tags, baker's twine and googly eyes. I've had fun creating with them and was looking for something new to do with the tags.

Fill it with black jelly beans, candy corn or maybe even spooky little love notes written out on  Scalloped Circles. Now that could be fun!

A peek at the products and then a mini tutorial!

Ghoulish Googlies Designer Kit

126914   $7.95

Instructions:

1. Score DSP, 1-1/2" x 8-1/2", every 1/4" along length as shown.
   
2. Fold on each score line, creating valleys and hills or pleats. Adhere ends together using Sticky Strip.
3. Punch out a circle from Lucky Limeade card stock using the 1-1/2" Circle Punch. Punch out a scalloped circle from Tangerine Tango using the Scalloped Circle Punch.                            
4. Using the Silicone Craft Sheet (shown above) hot glue the rosette to the Lucky Limeade circle then the  Tangerine Tango Scalloped Circle to the front of the rosette. Adhere the tag using a Stampin' Dimensional.
5. Stamp a pumpkin using Tangerine Tango ink, onto Whisper White. Cut out using Paper Snips. Adhere to front using Stampin' Dimensionals.
   
                        
6. Using a Stampin' Write Marker, ink up only one line of "Candy" and stamp onto Whisper White card stock. Die cut using the Itty Bitty Banners Die. Adhere to card front using a
   Glue Dot.
7. Stamp EEEK! and a spider web onto Whisper White card stock. Punch out using the Scalloped Circle Punch. Adhere to inside bottom of container using Snail Adhesive.
   
                                   
   
                    
8. Cut a strip 7/8" x 8-1/2" of DSP and adhere around base of container using Sticky Strip.

Happy Halloween!

It's Frosty!

In a frosty snowflake kind of mood.... so have been designing with snowflakes!

Midnight Muse, Baja Breeze and Gumball Green - another perfect winter combo!

I love these colors together and especially with Whisper White as a background.

I embossed the top layer of Whisper White with the Northern Flurry Embossing Folder

and then cut it diagonally so the

colorful, rhinestone embellished snowflakes could peek through.

And another one, using the most delightful Make a Mitten stamp set which goes wonderfully with snowflakes! This great little stamp set has so many designs to use - keep watching as I'll be showcasing it often in the next few weeks.

The edges were "torn" by using the scoring blade (pressing down quite hard) instead of the cutting blade.  I love the raggedy edge it creates.

 A little baker's twine keeps the mittens together.

Snowflake Soiree

127922w

127925c

Make a Mitten

127940w

127943c

Order these two sets today!

Click here for online ordering

Happy Birthday, Quickly!

Here's a birthday card that's quickly created .... how do I know? Realized just before walking out the door on the weekend that I hadn't made a card for a very good friend and had barely ten minutes start to finish including the photo!

So here, it is!

• One card base, 4-1/4" x 11"
• Three strips of cardstock/DSP 1-3/8" x 4-1/8"
• Lay them next to each other on the Chevron Folder and emboss.
• Adhere to card front
• DSP 2" x 2-1/2", die cut with the Apothecary Die
• Adhere with Stampin' Dimensional
• Stamp sentiment with Basic Grey, banner cut the ends
• Adhere with Stampin' Dimensionals
• Tie Baker's Twine through a button
• Adhere with Glue Dots
• Done!

And now for this weeks brand new My Digital Studio Downloads!

Just a peek at two of them click here to see the complete selection.

How cute is this one - great bows to use on cards, purses, boxes....

It's a Wrap 132190

Or a complete Thanksgiving ensemble!

Unknown Blessings 131311

It's a Classy Sassy Spooktacular Tutorial!

        It's Classy, It's Sassy, It's Spooktacular

Alrighty - it's finished! This set was just plain fun to create and I'm pleased to be sharing it as a tutorial and a kit with you today!

It's full of wonderful surprises - a little flipping, twisting and completely upside down. It's out of the ordinary as this holiday is supposed to be. Created with the amazing Howlstooth & Scaringbone Designer Series Paper - love those bold patterns!

Take a peek into this interactive card - the polka dot pumpkin isn't so innocent after all! It flips to reveal a jack-o-lantern, who also flips up to reveal a spooky message!

How fun is that?

Or this little gal, with the great boots, that got in over her head!

Better hurry and get the goodies before she does! Can't you just see this sitting on your co-workers desk? Too cute!

The tutorial includes nineteen pages of step by step instructions including numerous color pictures to help you create quickly and easily. Kits include supplies to create two of each project and will mail within three business days.
There's lots more to show you including an additional cute project - but some surprises are better saved.So order your tutorial today and get started with the spookiness!

                                                                  Tutorial - $3.95
                                                             immediate download
                                                                   
                                                                 


                                                                                                                             
                                                    

                                                            

Halloween Sneak Peak!

I have a brand new Halloween tutorial just waiting for you to get started on!

It's full of fun folds, flips, and bling! If you're ready for something out of the ordinary, with a little class and sass - then this one is for you!

Just a sneak peek for today... but tomorrow - the complete tutorial! Just in time to make some special spooky (kind of)  projects for the 31st!

Amazing MDS projects!

Now if this is not the coolest calendar ever, I don't know what is!

This was one of the brand new Stampin' Up! downloads last week and what a fun way to record special celebrations, so you're ready to go the following year. Along with the smiles it delivers there's no reason for a late card again, right? Smile!

The great part is you don't have to wait until 2013 to start using it! It is a perpetual calendar - so you can reuse it over and over each year. What a spectacular gift!

Stampin' Up! has their own printing place and they do beautiful work.

Want to get started on yours today! Check it out here! (Click on page 3)

And remember MDS2 has a free 30 day trial!

Be Awesome Today Easel Calendar Template #131008

Apples to Apples

I decided to pop this 3-D apple into the row. What a fun way to let someone know that they stand out in a crowd, your life, the world!

Simply stamp and die cut five apples, fold each in half, crease well with a Bone Folder and adhere together. Fan open and use a couple of Glue Dots to keep it in place.  Simple, sweet and the Woodgrain embossing accents it nicely! Now what else can be created 3-D. Keep watching for a few more fall ideas.

And now for a bit of a peek at one of the newest MDS downloads! Isn't this so sweet?

What would you do with it? Click here for the other great brand new downloads. Did you know 

that  each Tuesday Stampin' Up! gives us new downloads? There's always something new!

Falling Leaves....

French Foilage is one of my all time favorite stamp sets and what I used for my fall card last year. It's one of the most realistic leaf stamps I have ever seen and is easily colored with Stampin' Up! markers.

Simply tied with a bit of Linen Thread and an embossed background to frame it. I created this card after enjoying a swap I received at the SU! convention from Helen, who I've become acquainted with here in Boise. Check out the great blog she's just started here. I wish you could hear her wonderful Australian accent - love, love it! Here's her sweet card.

French Foliage

120845w

121166c

Designer Frames Embossing Folders
123130

Happy Birthday, Todesa!

Okay, a little showing off today! Today is our daughter-in-law, Todesa's, birthday.

We celebrated yesterday since that worked for everyone's schedule - but here's her sweet family. Her husband (our son) Brandon, Brittyn, 8, and Isaiah, 5. We're fortunate to live close enough that we see them often and wouldn't want it any other way.

Birthday cake was actually a flourless chocolate cake - the absolute best! We're planning menus around nickel and gluten allergies in our household now (a new adventure for me), so this recipe was the result of that. I think it will become our traditional family birthday cake - everyone loved it!

Here's the card I made her - CASE'd right from page 166 of the Stampin' Up! catalog and the amazing thing about it  - it coordinated with her outfit! The picture doesn't show her darling skirt but it was Summer Starfruit and Whisper White! Cute, cute!

Now - how about that recipe!

Here's the link

My Own Little Art Gallery!

Isn't this the sweetest, simplest little love note ever? Tuck it into a gift, lay it on a pillow or .... it can add the perfect embellishing touch to gift packaging! It was inspired by some artwork that I had seen @ marygregorystudio.com, via Pinterest, of course! I love her work! Not comparing mine with hers - just inspired, that's all. And then I found this mini easel at the craft store, so my little piece of artwork was not only born, it had a place to land (or stand).

My own little gallery - it really does make me smile!

A new way to present a card - no reason for it to be hidden in an envelope (even tho' I had already made the cutest ever envelopes from Birds of a Feather DSP) use it as the embellishment for your present. This time it tops one of Stampin' Up!'s Kraft Boxes which I sponged with Baja Breeze ink, and accented with a square of fringed burlap. It's tied off with Baja Breeze seam binding and a Bronze Button. Kinda lovin' it!

Need the supplies? Shop 24/7 here!

Take Care

126310w 126312c

                                                             Brushed Bronze Buttons

127833

Kraft Gift Box

124106

Baby Congrats!

 Soothing neutral colors just seemed right when welcoming boy #4!

I dusted off the sewing machine for this one and used a little stitiching as embellishing.

Added a little pearl and flower for Mom .... it's important to keep a little femininity alive!

You'll find this wonderful set on the very last page of your Stampin' Up! catalog.

Moving Forward is this year's exclusive Ronald McDonald House Charity stamp. Stampin' Up! donates $3 to this fantastic charity each time this stamp set is purchased. I add another $2 to that donation - so purchase yours online 24/7!



Moving Foward
126320w  126322c



Remembering....

Who among us does not remember the tragedy that hit our country on September 11, 2001.

May we always remember and may it help us to be wise - with our freedom, our time and our choices.

Thank you again, to those who went above and beyond, not only on that fateful day, but for many afterwards in saving, caring for and rebuilding. You are heroes.

And to those who lost loved ones that day, know that we remember, we care, and our thoughts and prayers are especially with you today.