Layered Background Technique

I finally gave up and finished this card today.    It was totally not what I was going for, but that happens sometimes.   I was trying out this cool technique that I saw over on Carrie's blog; isn't it awesome?   I didn't have Sahara Sand, so I tried using the closest thing I had, a Crumb Cake marker.   Well...it separated out red instead of brown!  I was totally thrown for a loop, but tried to salvage it using the closest color I had, Riding Hood Red.   I am not good at distressing, nor do I like putting things on crooked and/or off-center, so this card is most definitely NOT one of my favorites.  I am putting the right colors on my next order and trying it again because I love Carrie's card and am determined to get that look.  :)

Stamps:  The Open Sea, French Foliage
Ink:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy, Riding Hood Red
Paper:  Riding Hood Red, Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake, Nautical Expedition designer paper, watercolor paper
Accessories:  Baker's Twine, clear embossing powder
Tools:  cutter kit, sponges, sanding blocks, clear blocks

Introducing...Pool Party!

It is almost time for the new catalog!   Only one more week to go and let me tell you, I can't wait!   There are so fun new stamps and accessories that I can't wait to get my hands on.    This card uses one of the new in colors along with a set we'll soon be saying goodbye to.    I love how bright it is!   It is always great to make a card that makes YOU smile.  

Stamps:  Apple Blossoms
Ink:  Not Quite Navy, So Saffron, Pool Party
Paper:   Not Quite Navy, So Saffron, Pool Party, Whisper White
Tools:  Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, stamp-a-ma-jig

June Creative Crew Challenges Pt. 2

I just realized that I never did post my other two design team cards for the Creative Crew!    If you haven't had a chance to play along yet, you still have the rest of the month to catch up.  .  

Challenge Description:  Stampin' Up! has flowers! Ribbon Flowers, Rub-on Flowers, Button Flowers, Brad Flowers, Crocheted Flowers, Paper Flowers, Die Cut Flowers, Stenciled Flowers! The challenge is to use any flower except stamped flowers!   Tags if you upload to Splitcoast:  CCREW0611CF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM 


If you follow my blog, I'm sure you've noticed that I love scallop circle flowers.   I couldn't resist making one from the awesome First Edition designer paper.   This color combination is just so elegant and the flower works perfectly with it.

Stamps: Word Play
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, First Edition designer paper, Neutrals designer paper stack
Tools: Big Shot, Top Note die, scallop circle punches, circle punches, little leaves die, framed tulips embossing folder
Accessories: Basic Black satin ribbon, antique brads

Challenge Info:  June is a time for iced tea, gardens bursting, and riots of color. This month we're going bright with Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, and Peach Parfait.  Tags if you upload to Splitcoast:  CCREW0611DF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM


The colors were those used in the Sunny Garden Designer Paper.  I didn't own any of it, so I improvised and came up with this.   I love my owl punch and he is adorable on this little note.

Stamps: Apple Blossoms, All Holidays
Ink: Poppy Parade, Peach Parfait
Paper: In Color Hostess stack, Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight
Accessories: Clip-retired
Tools: Spiral border punch, Owl punch, Big Shot, Little Leaves die

I {heart} bird houses!

I love bird feeders and bird houses.  I spend a lot of time looking out my window watching the birds at my bird feeder.   I have some beautiful cardinals that love to visit throughout the day and it brings a smile to my face each and every time I look out and see them.    Our recent Stampin' Success (the magazine we get as demonstrators) had the most adorable article featuring bird houses and I had to make one!   This was my first attempt, so don't be too critical.   The first one is always the one where you learn what NOT to do when you make the next one.  :)

Stamps:  None
Ink: None
Paper:  Blushing Bride, In Color Hostess designer paper pack
Accessories:  Basic Pearls

Another Double Challenge

I had planned on making a card for the Inkspirations Color Challenge last night but time got away from me and I didn't get to make it.   As I was waking up this morning, I had an idea for a card and woke up ready to create.    As luck would have, my idea was a perfect match for the Paper Players Clean & Simple Sketch this week, so I have another double challenge card!

You can't really see it in the picture, but I colored in an h and an i with Melon Mambo to add a little hidden sentiment in the A to Z background stamp.  

Stamps:  Apple Blossoms, A to Z

Ink:  Basic Gray, Melon Mambo

Paper:  Basic Gray, Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Whisper White

Accessories:  Basic Pearls, Old Olive 5/8 grosgrain ribbon

Tools:  Big Shot, Beautiful Wings embosslit

Clean and Simple Mashup

This card is for the clean&simple sketch and the Friday Mashup challenge to use polka dots.   This week I received my copy of Stampin' Success, the magazine Stampin' Up! send out to demonstrators each month.  There was an article in there showing off the color combination of Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight, and Old Olive.  I found the gray and yellow to be striking when paired together, so I decided to try them out on a card this week.   What do you think?   

Stamps:   Nature Walk, Strength and Hope

Ink:  Versamark, Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight

Paper:  Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight, Neutrals designer paper stack, Whisper White

Accessories:  Clear embossing powder

Tools:  Big Shot, Beautiful Wings embosslit, heat tool, sponges

Two Challenges in One!

I'm trying to get back in the groove of doing daily challenges, so here's my card that I started last night and finished up this morning.   It uses the sketch from the Pals Paper Arts challenge and the inspiration picture from Stampin' Royalty.  I am slowly warming up to Delicate Doilies and getting a feel for how to use it.   I LOVE the new Flirtatious designer paper; it is gorgeous and has a nice range of colors to work with.

Stamps:  Delicate Doilies, Vintage Labels (retired Sale-a-bration set)
Ink:  Basic Gray, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink
Paper:  Basic Gray, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Flirtatious designer paper, Neutrals designer paper stack
Accessories:  basic pearls
Tools:  circle punches, scallop trim border punch, paper snips

PP51: Bright Colors!

I love the color challenge over at The Paper Players this week.  It is perfect for this time of year and I couldn't resist making a fun summer birthday card.   I love pinwheels and decided to try my hand at making a few.   Aren't they cute?  

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Wild Wasabi
Paper:  Woodland Walk designer paper, Bright designer paper stack, Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Accessories:  Bright brads, Bright buttons, toothpicks
Tools:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool

Clean and Simple Class continued...

Here are the last 3 cards for my upcoming class.   I am proud of myself for finishing up my designs a whole week early!    Wow!   :)   This card is similar to one I've made before; it was just too awesome not to include for this class.   Lovely as a Tree might be an old set, but it is a good one for sure.  I'm happy it is sticking around for another year as I've only had it for a few months.  :)

Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree, Teeny Tiny Wishes, En Francais

Ink:  Old Olive, Early Espresso

Paper:  Confetti White

Accessories:  Early Espresso 3/8 taffeta ribbon (retiring)

Tools:  sponges, stamp-a-ma-jig

The Stampin' Up! catalog isn't called an idea book for nothing!   I love the projects on the front of the current edition and just had to make one of them for this class.   It is probably on the extreme side of clean-and-simple, but I wanted to show a bit of the spectrum for the class.   Isn't it lovely?  It makes me smile just to look at it! 

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink: Early Espresso

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz, Baja Breeze, Pumpkin Pie, Greenhouse Gala designer paper (retiring)

Accessories:  Brights buttons, Early Espresso 3/8 taffeta ribbon (retiring), linen thread

Tools:  Big Shot, Top Note die, Lots of Tags Sizzlits, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder

Rich Razzleberry is one of my favorite colors and I've totally been neglecting it lately.   I decided to use it along with another neglected item, Upsy Daisy, for this card.   This stamp set is a great beginner set because it has the image and 3 sentiments.  It is so versatile and can be used for so many different techniques.   I think I must have some pent up aggression to get out because I can't stop using my paper piercer this week.  :)   

Stamps:  Upsy Daisy

Ink:  Rich Razzleberry

Paper:  Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories:   Rich Razzleberry 5/8 grosgrain ribbon (retiring)

Tools:  Mat Pack, Paper Piercer

Class Cards & a Challenge

I finally stamped this week!   I have had a pretty blah month, so I haven't felt like getting in my room and stamping very much.   I am trying to make myself go do it this week as it improves my mood so much.   I have a clean-and-simple class planned for next week, so I decided to work on some ideas for that and to do at least one challenge as well.   

This card was inspired by Maureen's card found here.   I love her style!    This one is my favorite of the three cards I'm posting today; I think it is lovely.   The layout uses the clean-and-simple sketch for this week's challenge on Splitcoast.  

Stamps:  Apple Blossoms, Vintage Vogue

Ink:  Baja Breeze

Paper:  Greenhouse Gala designer paper, Very Vanilla, Baja Breeze

Accessories:  basic pearls

Tools:  mat pack, paper piercer, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies die

Here's another simple, yet elegant card.   Here I used one of my favorite colors, Pear Pizzazz to give Elizabeth her first inking.    I find this stamp to be a tad bit challenging, but I like how this turned out.  

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes, Elizabeth

Ink:  Pear Pizzazz

Paper: Greenhouse Gala designer paper, Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz

Accessories:  basic pearls, Very Vanilla 3/8 taffeta ribbon

Tools:  Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Scallop Trim Border Punch

Finally, here is my challenge card for today.   This is for the color challenge on Splitcoast to use Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, and Very Vanilla.   This is one of those cards where the idea just didn't translate like I wanted, but I'm not going to beat myself up over it.    It might end up being one that I take apart or add to once I think about what needs to be changed to make me love it.  :)

Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Old Olive

Paper:  Jolly Holiday designer paper, Woodland Walk designer paper, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Very Vanilla

Tools:  Big Shot, Fancy Favor Die (I love the little border that it makes!)

Saying Goodbye Class

Preparing for this class made me a bit sad. I hate to see products retire, but getting new things more than makes up for it. I think you'll love the new catalog, but don't forgot to pick up your favorite retiring sets before they are gone!   I will have one more project to share with you tomorrow, so stay tuned!   :)

Isn't this little box adorable? It is perfect for a little thank you gift! So Many Thanks stamp, Night of Navy ribbon, and the stylus are all retiring this month. 

Stamps: So Many Thanks

Ink: Night of Navy

Paper: Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Night of Navy

Accessories: Night of Navy 1 1/4 striped ribbon, basic pearls, linen thread

Tools: Big Shot, Fancy Favor die, scallop circle punch, circle punch, textured lattice embossing folder, Itty Bitty punch pack, stylus

Here is another perfect little treat holder! It uses the two tags die and can be decorated for any theme or event. It makes a little tent that is perfect to stash a few Hershey Nuggets. :)

Bugs & Kisses and the gorgeous pumpkin pie ribbon are both retiring this month. 

Stamps: Bugs & Kisses

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Whisper White

Accessories: 1 1/4 Pumpkin Pie stripped ribbon, Brights Buttons, linen thread

Tools: Big Shot, Two Tags die, Fancy Favor die (for the grass)

Need an easy, but festive way to use up some of your retiring designer paper? Make giant candles! Isn't this a fun card? I love it!  Thanks to Carol for the inspiration!   

The hostess designer paper stack and All Holidays are on the retiring list. 

Stamps: All Holidays, Build a Blossom

Ink: Peach Parfait, Concord Crush

Paper: Hostess in-color dsp stack, Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Whisper White

Tools: Blossoms Petal punch

Accessories: In Color Glimmer brads, Dazzling Diamonds

Simple, yet sweet is how I'd describe this card. I adore this stamp set and will definitely be keeping it in my retired stash. The tree is one of my favorite stamps and the little owl is just too cute.   This card was inspired by Julie's beautiful card found here.  

Forest Friends and the Jolly Holiday designer paper are both retiring this month.

Stamps: Forest Friends, Something to Celebrate (retired)

Ink: Chocolate Chip Markers: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Crumb Cake, Pumpkin Pie

Paper: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Jolly Holiday designer paper

Tools: paper snips, scallop border punch

Accessories: chocolate chip ribbon (retired)

Need a fun idea for a teen? The Extreme Elements stamps are perfect and definitely something I'd recommend getting before they are done. I LOVE playing with Extreme Guitar and am sad to see that it is retiring. 

I am going to go back and sponge some pink ink on the white circle. It is just standing out too much for me. :)

Stamps: Extreme Guitar, Grunge Rock

Ink: Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, versamark, Basic Black 

Paper: Melon Mambo, Subtles Patterns Designer Paper stack, Glossy White, Basic Black 

Tools: Big Shot, Stars #2 die, circle punches, square punch, brayer

New Goodies!

I finally got out of my funk enough to use my new stuff today.    I have had this idea in my head for a week now, but never got up the energy to hit the craft room until today.    I must say, it didn't turn out like I'd envisioned, so I'll definitely be reworking it a bit to get it how I want it.    Not a bad first try for a set that is totally out of my comfort zone.  

What do you think of the new in color Wisteria Wonder?    The Color Coach pairs it with Elegant Eggplant, but I think it looks great with Concord Crush as well.    

This is a thank you card for this week's Paper Players challenge.  

Stamps:  Delicate Doilies, Thank You Kindly
Ink:  Versamark, Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush
Paper:   Shimmery White, Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder, Flirtatious Specialty dsp
Accessories:  Whisper White 3/8 taffeta ribbon, Iridescent Ice embossing powder
Tools:  heat tool, scallop trim border punch, square punch

June Creative Crew Challenges

CCREW0611HF: Holiday/Seasonal Focus: *Love Birds* It wouldn't be right to have June, weddings, flowers, etc without the birds! Use the Two Love Birds decor for inspiration.   This was my favorite of our four challenges and I had a blast designing my card.   What do you think?   

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Tiny Tags
Ink: Basic Black, Versamark
Paper: Basic Black, Bashful Blue, Shimmery White
Tools: Bird Punch, Full Heart Punch, Modern Label Punch, Framed Tulips embossing folder, Heat Tool, Owl Punch (for small heart)
Accessories: Bashful Blue brads, black embossing powder

CCREW0611SF - SB Inspiration Focus: *Scrapbooking Poems * This month's mission was to incorporate a poem into a scrapbooking project. I love these pictures of my silly boy and thought the poem was perfect for them.   


Made in My Digital Studio