Prepare to be AMAZED . . .

OK, if THIS isn't the cutest thing ever, I don't know what is!! I found this cute, little backpack, by Tonya Klar, on a blog or SCS during one of my marathon web hops and I couldn't WAIT to make one of my own. The video tutorial is a little easier to follow then the printed directions. I'm not sure I like the paper I chose but, as always, it was one of those cases where I put it together and it wasn't until the bitter end that I realized I didn't make the best color choice. Oh well, I will totally make more of these. Thanks for the inspiration, Tonya!!

Belated Color Challenge

Well, I didn't get this card in on time for Kristina's challenge a week or so ago, but I had the idea in my head and I like it so much that I want to share it with you!! I used the new Bella Toile background stamp, which is BEAUTIFUL!! You can never have too much toile as those of you who've been to my house can attest! I intentionally did not put a sentiment on the front because I think it's a versatile card that could be used for any occasion. Wouldn't it make a GREAT monogrammed note card?!? I adore that LUSCIOUS Purely Pomegranate satin ribbon - I think that ribbon in that color is the only In Color item from last year that I miss. Thanks for looking!!

Color Inspiration

I think this might be Kristina's best color challenge yet! I just love brown and pink together and, while I am usually at a loss when it comes to creating a card on the fly, this one came together naturally. I think Upsy Daisy is one of the best new stamp sets in the SU! Fall/Winter Catalog and I just adore this layout! It's very versatile and how could you not love all those scallops!?! Thanks, Kristina, for another wonderful challenge!

Weekly Sketch Challenge #2

This is my creation for week 2 of Leigh Ann & Amy's sketch challenge. I used the new SU! Hawaiian Papaya DSP, which is so pretty, and a rub-on from last year's Sale-A-Bration. I just LOVE those rub-ons! They came in four colors and are very versatile. Anyway, I feel like this card needs something, so I may add a few more rub-ons. Thanks for looking! Have a great week!

Upsy Daisy!

Isn't this the most beautiful card?!? I CASEd it from this card on SCS by skdeleeuw. It's for my mom's birthday tomorrow and I know she'll LOVE it!! Upsy Daisy is one of my favorite sets from the new SU! catalog. And I LOVE this color combo. I rarely use So Saffron, but it looks amazing with my old fave, Chocolate Chip. But then, Chocolate Chip looks great with everything! Have a GREAT weekend!!!

Creepy-Fold Card? Scary-Fold Card?

Nope! It's a Joy-Fold Card with a Halloween twist! I first made one of these a couple of years ago, but Beate John's tutorial on SCS reminded me how much I love this card style! My card is inspired by Angie Juda's adorable Halloween card on her blog (one of my faves!). I embossed the cute little candy corn and used it as a closure for the card. This card is so easy to make but very impressive. I think I'll be making Joy-Fold cards over and over!! Have a great week!

I'm in Stamper's Showcase today!!!

Good morning! I submitted this card to SU! for one of July's monthly contests using a brayer technique. I didn't win, but my card was featured on today's Stamper's Showcase! I am so excited! This is the first project I've ever had on Showcase. As you can see, I used my favorite Bella Rose paper and the "striped" technique I learned on Mish Mash's blog a few months ago. It's a great way to use up those scraps that seem to accumulate all over my craft room! I used SU!'s new scallop edge punch to do the faux ric-rac. Thanks for looking!

Weekly Sketch Challenge #1

This is my buddy, Leigh Ann's first post for her new weekly sketch challenge! I just love challenges!! I had made these scrapbook pages a few months ago, but the one top is fairly close to her sketch and one of my favorite pages. It's such a simple layout, which is typically what I need if I'm going to get any scrapbooking done. I know I copied it from somewhere, but I don't remember where. I can't wait to see more of your challenges, Leigh Ann!!

CHECK THIS OUT!!

OK, this project from Julie Dinn is probably one of the coolest projects I have ever seen and today, I finally had the time to make one! WOW! It's a little time-consuming, but IT'S NOT HARD!! I know, right! (here are the directions) It hurt a little to cut the first piece of my new Green Tea paper from Stampin' Up! It is so beautiful!! But, I used only one sheet to make the lid to the box, the little address book inside, the stamp holder, the pen holder, and accents for 4 cards, plus I have a few scraps left over that I can use on the smaller cards or the tags, which I haven't done yet. This would be the MOST AMAZING gift - I know I would LOVE to receive one! I also used the new Upsy Daisy stamp set, which is 15% off till the end of September. I rarely use the Rock-n-Roll technique, but I used it for my flower on the front and it is BEAUTIFUL, if I do say so myself!! I used the new Baja Breeze stamp pad on the entire stamp and then rocked it in Old Olive. Very cool! I hope you're as impressed with this project as I am. Have a great weekend!!

RETIRED STAMPS FOR SALE

I still have LOTS of retired stamp sets to sell. If you are local, you can come by and pick them up or I can mail them to you (I ship Priority Mail which is $4.60 for a small-medium box). Please let me know if you have questions.

Sweet Dreams – hostess set $12
Event Full – hostess set $12
Springtime Stems (new, unmounted, hostess set) $12
Blooming with Happiness (new, unmounted, hostess set) $12
Be Happy $12
Eat Cake $15
In the Spotlight $15
Amazing to Zany (mounted) $25
Polka Dots & Paisley $12
Petal Pushers $15
Sweet Shapes $15
Paint Prints $10
Dotted Background $12
Bud Basics $10
Unfrogettable $15
Much Appreciated $8

Open House

Here's are some pictures of the projects I've made with the beautiful new stuff (& some old stuff)from Stampin' Up! I have had more fun creating and crafting! I've put rub-ons and DSP on just about everything in the house! It's a sickness! I put in my first order today from the new catty and I even remembered to expedite the shipping so I should have it in two short days! I can't wait to get my hands on the new paper and ribbon . . .

HO! HO! HO!

This cute Christmas card is CASEd from Stampin' Fool's card on Splitcoast Stampers. I absolutely LOVE the Deer Friends set and have used it to make so many adorable projects. Anything with circles gets my vote! The paper is . . . wait for it . . . you guessed it . . . Bella Rose DSP!! Isn't it the most versatile paper ever?!?! Thanks for looking!

MONDAY'S TIP OF THE DAY

How cute are these?!?! Believe it or not, I came up with this idea own my own and I just love it!! Today's tip is how to make a great gift with just two items that you can alter. I have used the new giant wooden clothespins that are in all the craft stores and a cute little metal bandage box. I covered them both in Designer Paper and added the same little Halloween medallion to both projects and it's a perfect little gift. I always fill my containers with chocolate :) but you can fill yours with the candy your friends like the best! Or you can make coordinating enclosure cards that fit inside the box. The possibilities for coordinated gifts are endless. So go get some Designer Paper, some ribbon, & something you can alter and GO CRAZY!! Thanks for looking!

Stampin' Up! Celebrates 20 Years

This is the card I submitted for SU!'s 20th birthday challenge last month - cross your fingers that I win a prize!! It turned our pretty well - I really like the super sparkly glitter on the "20." I used SU!'s sticky letters/numbers and they are definitely SUPER STICKY!! They're the same as sticky strip, so glitter stays on very well! I also used my very favorite alphabet, Schoolbook Serif, for "years" and Celebrate Everything for "celebrate." Thanks for looking! Have a great weekend!

MONDAY'S TIP OF THE DAY (late again!)

Today's tip is about Two-Step Stampin,' one of the techniques that I had a request for during my blog candy giveaway. In my opinion, Two-Step Stampin' is one of the most user-friendly and forgiving techniques you can learn. If you're a perfectionist, you may want to ease into Two-Step Stampin' but for everyone else, jump in with both feet and enjoy it!!!

Stamp Sets are considered Two-Step Stampin' if they contain a more solid, background image (for example, one of the flowers in Heartfelt Thanks) along with a more detailed, line image that is stamped over the solid image thus giving it additional details. In the picture, I have colored the solid flower image with markers I made in Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss. Below that I have inked the detail stamp in Basic Brown and stamped over the flower I just stamped (the second step in Two-Step Stampin') I also used the little circle stamp to stamp the flower center in So Saffron. Two of my other favorite Two-Step Stampin' Sets are Pick a Petal and Serene Sunflowers (retired). Pick A Petal has lots of pieces that you can put together to create flowers, bugs, and lots of other creatures! Serene Sunflowers is just beautiful!! I have made tiles, gift bags, cards, and just about every other paper projects out there using this set. It's FABULOUS!!!

So with my Pick a Petal lady bug, I stamped two wings in Riding Hood Red with the polka-dot shape. Then I stamped in black one of the detail line stamps with three lines on each side and stamped OVER the red wing I'd already stamped. Trim out these wings and

add a few extra details and VOILA!! You've made a lady bug!!

Life is just a bowl of cherries . . .

I was THRILLED to hear that the Tart & Tangy stamp set and the Summer Picnic DSP are in the new catalog!! I wasn't ready to give them up just yet. I made these projects awhile back when I thought I might throw my hat in the ring for the SU! Artisan Award. I love embossing these metal tins with Sterling Silver Embossing Powder. Be careful you don't get burned!! But the degree of difficulty is definitely worth it when you see the finished product! The triangle box is an oldie but goodie. A great "WOW" for a workshop! I'm so going to miss Sweet Shapes when it retires, but from what I have seen in the new catalog, I think I'll find something to take it's place.

Inspired by Cami . . .

Is this not the cutest card ever?!?! I found it on Cambria Turnbow's blog - I always find amazing ideas there! I rarely stamp on Designer Paper, but the Pick a Petal stamp set is really perfect for doing that. And isn't the Bella Rose paper beautiful for this project? I also used the new Scallop Edge Punch for the flower stem and the new buttons for the flower centers. The sentiment is from Window Dressing, the new Level 3 Hostess Set. This is definitely a card I will include in my Take 10 Stamp Club. Contact me for more info. Have a great weekend!

CONGRATULATIONS TO . . .

. . . Primitive Seasons for winning my very first blog candy!! Please send me your mailing information and I will send you your prize. Thanks for playing
along!