Labor of Love

For my last month as a designer on the Splitcoast Creative Crew, I decided to really go all out.   I had bookmarked this really awesome shadow box by Nancy Riley ages ago, but never thought I'd have the patience or skill to make one of my own.   Well...one day I was at the craft store browsing the frames and I saw this one.  It was on sale for around $3.50, so I figured if I got it and couldn't do it, no real harm.  :)    The challenge was to use 3 colors from the Pocketful of Posies paper, so I picked Early Espresso, Poppy Parade, and So Saffron.   It took a big of figuring out, but I sat down and sketched out ideas for each of my squares and then went to work.   By the end, I was having so much fun that I hated to see it complete.   So...I now have another frame, a larger frame, in my room waiting.  :)

Thanks for stopping by to visit!  

Button Buddies!

It's he cute?    I love this set!   In fact, I am going to have to buy more buttons because I've been using it so much! (Stay tuned for more information on why!)   This was one of my cards for the August Creative Crew challenge (still time to play along!) to use paper piercing on your card.   I used my paper piercing tool to create a little snail trail and then added some glitter to make it look a bit shiny and slimy just like a real snail trail!    :)    Gross, huh?   lol

Stamps:  Tiny Tags, Button Buddies
Ink:  Garden Green, Cajun Craze
Paper:  Cajun Craze, Garden Green, Crumb Cake, Neutrals designer paper stack, Whisper White
Accessories:  Regals buttons, Baker's Twine (white), Dazzling Diamonds
Tools:  Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Jewelry Tag punch, Paper Piercing Tool

Now...if you really like this set as much as I do, then you need to come to my next class!   Here are the details:

Button Buddies Class

Sep 03 
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM  (Central)

Love buttons?   The new Button Buddies stamp set is perfect for combining the fun of stamping with the cuteness of buttons.   Come join me in some crafty time where we'll make 4 cards using this awesome set.

Cost for the class is $15 for projects only, $35 for the clear-mount stamp set and half a package of buttons, or $45 for the wood-mount set and half a package of buttons.  Please RSVP by August 25th if you'd like to order the stamps/buttons or 3 days in advance if just completing the projects.    As always, please bring along your favorite adhesive and scissors.  

Creative Crew Open Sea

Here's the last of my July Creative Crew projects.   I LOVE this stamp set!    I can't believe it will be gone in just a little over 2 weeks.   I hope you have added it to your collection by now; if not, what are you waiting for?   It's THE perfect masculine set and you can buy the equally perfect designer paper to match!   Shoot, you can even buy 3 packs of it and get another one free right now!    What? You don't hoard designer paper?  Really?   Hmm...  Me either.  :o)  

This set uses my absolute favorite color, Island Indigo with two neutrals, Early Espresso and Crumb Cake.    (Doesn't a coffee with some crumb cake sound delish?  We've been following the South Beach Diet for about 2.5 weeks now and I am very sugar deprived.)   Anyway...   I embossed the compass stamp with white embossing powder on watercolor paper and then used my Aquapainter and stamp pad to color the rest of the paper before stamping the ship and travel log in Early Espresso.  While I was at it, I added some personality to my Island Indigo layer by stamping the other images from the set on it.   Isn't it just screaming MAN?  Thankfully it doesn't smell like one!

Stamps:  The Open Sea
Ink:  Island Indigo, Early Espresso, Versamark
Paper:  Island Indigo, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, watercolor paper, Nautical Expedition designer paper
Accessories:  white embossing powder
Tools:  Aquapainter, heat tool

Bright Doilies

This fun, bright card was another one of my Creative Crew designs for July.    We were asked to use some of our favorite new products from the catalog.   I dug in and used tons of new stuff; the Delicate Doilies stamp set, the Flirtatious designer paper, and two of the new In Colors!   (and notice, I did manage to overlap my doilies, but just a tad bit!)  

Stamps:  Delicate Doilies, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight
Paper:  Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Flirtatious designer paper
Accessories:  Brights buttons, linen thread
Tools:  Dotted Scalloped Ribbon Border Punch (say that three times fast!)

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!   Thanks for stopping by to visit.
~Rita

Pool Party!

I just realized that I haven't posted quite a few of my projects from the July and August Creative Crew challenges.   Not familiar with the Creative Crew?  It's an awesome group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators who work hard each month to design cards for super fun challenges over on Splitcoast Stampers!  We love making sure that there are plenty of cards featuring our wonderful line of products for all to see!   This was a July challenge to use one of the new In Colors.  I chose Pool Party and used my favorite tool and best friend the Color Coach to find the perfect combination for my card.   I seriously couldn't stamp without this thing.  If you don't have it yet, GET IT!   :)

Stamps:  Just Believe

Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Not Quite Navy, Pool Party

Paper: So Saffron, ot Quite Navy, Pool Party, Naturals White

Accessories:  So Saffron Grosgrain ribbon (retired)

Tools:  Paper Piercer, Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder

Side Note:  I'm disappointed in the quality of photos on Blogger lately.  If you want to see a better image, you can click on the picture and it will show you a larger, clearer picture.  

Enjoy your weekend! 

July Creative Crew!

It's a new month and a whole new set of challenges for the Creative Crew on Splitcoast!    Here is a list of the challenges and the keywords to use if you want to play along and upload.   :)


CCREW0711DF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM -- DSP/Color Focus: Show us what you can do with the In Colors! You can use other colors, but In Colors should be the main focus of your project.

CCREW0711CF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM -- Catalog focus: Show off your favorite new catalog or mini catalog item. Any stamp set or accessory will work here! Have more than one? Use them all! Just use whatever you have that's new to you and enjoy creative license to do whatever your muse wants 

CCREW0711HF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM -- Holiday focus: Show your national spirit! What does your country mean to you?

CCREW0711SF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM -- Scrapbook focus: It's Family Reunion month, focus on your family!


Now here is my first card for the In Colors challenge, along with the Pals Paper Arts challenge to use our favorite technique (Emboss Resist rocks!):

I have to admit, I am in love with Island Indigo. I have a thing for blues and it has swept in and stolen my heart away from all the other others. This is one of my favorite cards EVER!    

Stamps:  Fabulous Florets

Ink: Baja Breeze, Island Indigo

Paper: Island Indigo, Baja Breeze, Whisper White

Accessories: Whisper White 3/8 taffeta ribbon, clear embossing powder

Tools: Big Shot, Framed Tulips embossing folder, heat tool, sponges, paper snips

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

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

May Creative Crew Challenges

These two cards were designed for the May Holiday/Seasonal Focus.  I used the same rough layout, just flipped it for the second card.      CCREW0511HF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - Holiday/Seasonal Focus -- Family Time!  This month we're doing a his & hers challenge. Choose one layout and make a masculine card and a feminine card!   

These two projects focus on the DSP/Color Focus challenge of using the Elegant Soiree DSP or all neutrals with a splash of Baja Breeze.   CCREW0511DF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - DSP/Color Focus: 
-- Go neutral with a splash of color! Instead of whisper white or very vanilla, try naturals white or ivory, confetti white or cream. Large emphasis on neutrals. Look to the Elegant Soiree DSP this month for inspiration: All neutrals with that splash of baja breeze! You do not have to use the Elegant Soiree DSP but that is the look that we're after.

My final creation was a difficult one for me as I am not good at "vintage".   It ended up being a very soft, elegant card with just a hint of distressing.   I love the vintage trinkets and they are perfect for this look.  CCREW0511CF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - Catalog Focus -- So Distressing. Use the Distressing Essentials kit, cutter kit, sponges, daubers. Make the new look old.


The last challenge is one that I didn't do, the scrapbooking focus.   CCREW0511SF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - SB Inspiration Focus: -- Vintage Pages. We want to see black and white or Sepia photos! We want the page to look like it's from a by-gone era, think antiquing, distressing, lace, etc.


I encourage you to play along with us over on Splitcoast this month and upload your beautiful creations!   Be sure to use the challenge id and creativecrew in your keywords so that we can see you work.  :)   

Creative Crew Teaser Part 4

Here is my final card for the Creative Crew design team May challenges on Splitcoast. Just a few more days and you'll be able to see all of them in their entirety. :) 

Stamps: Vintage Vogue, All Holidays, En Francais

Ink: Baja Breeze, Soft Suede

Paper: Baja Breeze, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Elegant Soiree

Tools: Paper Snips, Itty Bitty Punch Pack, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Accessories: Basic Pearls

Creative Crew Teaser Part 3

Today is another sneak peek of one of my cards for the Creative Crew Design team. Any idea what style we are working on? :o)

Stamps: Because I Care, Tiny Tags
Ink: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze
Paper: Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze
Accessories: Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Vintage Trinkets
Tools: Jewelry Tag Punch, sponges

Creative Crew Teaser Part 2

Just another little peek today. :) This is another card I designed for the May Creative Crew challenges. It is actually related to yesterday's card, but I can't tell you how just yet.

Baja Breeze and Basic Gray are now my two favorite colors together. :)

Stamps: Strength & Hope (Summer Mini)
Ink: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy
Paper: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Confetti White
Accessories: Basic Pearls
Tools: Sponges

Creative Crew Teaser

Confused? :o) This card is one for an upcoming May challenge from the Creative Crew. I can't reveal the entire card until May 1st, but I wanted so share a little peek. The designer paper and stamp set is from the Summer Mini and I think you'll love it!

Stamps: The Open Sea
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler, Confetti White, Nautical Expedition DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso
Accessories: Baker's Twine
Tools: Paper Snips (great for distressing!), bone folder, sponges

Wow!

I am excited to announce that I was chosen for a special design team over on my favorite website, Splitcoast Stampers!    The team is called the Creative Crew and designs awesome Stampin' Up! only projects to show you all the amazing projects you can make with our products.    I feel honored to have been chosen and I can't wait to get started!   I'll be a designer from May until August, so be on the lookout for some new challenges!

There are some fun challenges from the Crew this month, so consider playing along and uploading your creations to the Splitcoast Gallery using the keywords you'll find underlined at the beginning of each challenge description.   The first indicates the specific challenge, the second that it is for the Creative Crew, and the third  shows that you are using Stampin' Up! Only or Stampin' Up! Mostly (pick which one describes your card/creation).

April's Creative Crew Challenges:
CCREW0411CF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - Catalog Focus: * Punches * 
We all know that SU! punches rock, so this month punch us up some flowers, butterflies, birds, and bugs! You don't have to make actual punch art (unless of course you want to Jackie!), but show us what your punches can do!

CCREW0411DF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - DSP/Color Focus: 
When you see Bluebirds you know spring is here! So use this very blue color combo: Pacific Point, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand. Which also happens to be the colors of the Blueberry Crisp DSP! 

CCREW0411HF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - Holiday/Seasonal Focus: * Mother Ocean *
The rain fills our Oceans with the lovely water that balances life here on earth. So in honor of Mother Ocean let's do some watercoloring! Break out your aquapainter and your inks, crayons, pencils, and blender pens! Show us watercoloring at it's best.

CCREW0411SF, CreativeCrew, SUO or SUM - SB Inspiration Focus: * NO DSP! * 
Yep you have to use stamps and make your own background for your pages this month. Other than that, it's a free for all!

Winner? Say What?

I opened my inbox today and found that someone actually liked one of my cards enough to pick it as a winner!   Awesome!    You can see my card and the other winners over at The Paper Players .  This means so very much to me as I doubt myself and my creations so much at times.  I had a really rough day this past week and have had such much support from my fellow demos to bring my spirits back up.   Getting that email today just made my heart SING!  

What do you think of my challenge card for today?   I love the owl punch and I find myself wanting to use it all the time! He is just so darn cute! This card is a combination of two challenges, The Friday Mashup Challenge and a Stampin' Up! demo led challenge (Creative Crew) on Splitcoast Stampers that focuses on using the Woodland Walk Designer Paper and/or the colors associated with it. 

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Garden Green, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Woodland Walk Designer Paper
Tools: Owl punch, Designer Label Punch, Big Shot, Little Leaves Sizzlit
Accessories: Chocolate Chip ribbon (retired), Regals buttons, linen thread