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

Anything Goes!

This is my final week as guest designer at The Paper Players.   I am very sad to see my time with them end because it has been such a blast!   They are a great group of ladies and I encourage all of you to join their weekly challenge.   This week's challenge is a tough one, ANYTHING GOES!    That leaves a lot of room for you to be creative, so pull out your favorite set or maybe a set that has yet to see ink and create!

I could not get a good picture of this one.  I don't know if it is the colors or if my lighting was just THAT bad, but this is the best I could do.   It is much prettier in person, but hopefully you can get an idea of how lovely it is from this bad photo.   :)     I was surfing around looking for some simple but lovely cards and found this one by Deena.   I knew I wanted to recreate it with a few changes and here's what I came up with.    It is a perfect card to showcase Fabulous Florets AND embossing!    Sometimes the best cards are the simplest ones.   :)

Stamps:   Fabulous Florets
Ink:  Versamark, Stazon
Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Greenhouse Gala designer paper
Accessories:  Basic Black satin ribbon, black embossing powder
Tools:  heat tool, embossing buddy, stamp-a-ma-jig

Saying Goodbye...

This coming Friday will be my last day as an employee at Hobby Lobby.    It has been 10 months since I finally felt ready to face employment after the loss of my Eli.    I knew I wasn't ready to go back full-time, so I started off small with a part-time retail job to get back in the swing of things.   I had no idea I'd soon have a small family that loved me and that I would enjoy spending time with.   They totally spoiled me yesterday and it was a happy, but sad day for me.   Deanna, my department manager and wonderful friend, made me this beautiful bracelet.   I love it because of all the meaning she captured; we are always taking dragonfly things out to Eli's grave and green is the birthstone color for August, his birthday month.   My mascara was a goner as soon as I got a peek inside the box; it is something I will treasure always.

All of my co-workers pitched in and we had a bit of a feast for lunch.   Sandwiches, chips, soda, cookies, fruit....I was stuffed afterwards!   It was so sweet of them to do all that for me.    It feels amazing to have people care so much about you, especially in a high turnover retail job like this.   I have made some friends that I will keep in touch with for a lifetime and I'm so thankful to have had to opportunity to work alongside them.  

I know this isn't stamping related, but I treasure creativity and thought Deanna's beautiful bracelet was worth sharing.  

PP48: Sketch Challenge

Nance has a super fun sketch for The Paper Players challenge this week.   I took advantage of the 30% off May scrapbooking promotion to get this fun set called Grunge Rock and thought it would be perfect for the sketch. It is totally outside of my comfort zone, but it is a young, fresh set that is great for teens and young adults!   What do you think?   I used my best friend the Color Coach to get the color combination; I love how they look together!

Stamps:   Grunge Rock, July Fourth (retired)
Ink:  So Saffron, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red
Paper:  Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Riding Hood Red, So Saffron dsp (retired)
Accessories:  Basic Rhinestones
Tools:  Cutter Kit, Big Shot, Stars #2 die, sponges