Tea Shoppe for the Stampin' Queens!

Hmmm...ok. So, you know how I said LAST WEEK that my dear friend Cristena probably hadn't had enough caffeine when designing the sketches? And how after last week's sketch, they shouldn't be TOO difficult? Yeah...I think I lied - LOL!

This week's sketch gave me a bit of trouble too:

See what I mean? Or maybe not? Maybe it's just me?

Anyway...in order to NOT make myself totally crazy, I went with a monochromatic look, using Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder and Concord Crush. I'm going to be sad to see Concord Crush go...though if you'd asked me that when it first came out, I would have told you a different story! It goes so well with Wisteria Wonder!

So...here's my take on the sketch:

I started off with a base of Wisteria Wonder and added a layer of Flirtatious Designer Series Paper. My panels were created in the same manner.

I stamped my image from Tea Shoppe in Wisteria Wonder on Whisper White and then matted it on another piece of Wisteria Wonder. The Concord Crush ribbon underneath just adds the right touch of "punch". My sentiment, stamped in Concord Crush, is adhered to the card using Stampin' Dimensionals.

What do you think?

STAMPS: Tea Shoppe
INK: Wisteria Wonder and Concord Crush
PAPERS: Whisper White and Wisteria Wonder Cardstock; Flirtatious DSP
ACCESSORIES: Ribbon, Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

Send me Soaring for the Stampin' Queens

Can you believe it??? This is my 600th post!!!!

So yesterday, I showed you the card I made for my hubby for Valentine's Day. Then, I told you that you couldn't have it.

Today, I'm showing you the card I made for youngest DS for Valentine's Day. Again, you can't have it - LOL!

When youngest DS saw the card I made for hubby, he asked if I had made him one too. Ummm...nope! OOPS! I asked if he'd like for me to make him one and he said yes.

Since I still had Send me Soaring out on the table (and the Just Add Cake DSP too, by the way), I decided to go with that.

Since today is Stampin' Queens Day, I used this sketch:

but I changed it up a little bit and made it square. Let me tell you, this one gave me a heck of a time! I think when Cristena makes these things up, she needs more coffee in her system or SOMETHING - sheesh!!! Fortunately, I've seen the sketches for the next few months and none look THIS difficult - PHEW!!!

Here's the card I created:

I started off with a 5 x 5" card base and added a piece of Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper, a layer of Whisper White Cardstock and then the little banners/flags. I stamped the main image using the clouds and kites (had to use a heart one of course) and adhered it using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Thanks to Ann Schach for her awesome tip of microwaving our Seam Binding! Who knew?

What do you think?

STAMPS: Send me Soaring
INK: Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, Poppy Parade
PAPERS: Whisper White and Poppy Parade Cardstock; Just Add Cake DSP
ACCESSORIES: Seam Binding, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

If ain't broke...

...don't fix it! Sometimes, you find a TRULY awesome card and you just KNOW you're going to have to CASE it...with a WHOLE lot of emphasis on the COPY and considerably LESS on the selectively edit.

But first...my MOJO card from yesterday. Yes, I know I said you could have it, but I loved it SO much that I had to give it to my hubby for Valentine's Day (and a day early no less!).

You DO, however, get to see it (though not the mush on the inside):

I started off with a piece of Real Red Cardstock and added a layer of Designer Series Paper from "Just Add Cake". For the additional cardstock colours, I pulled from the DSP using Wild Wasabi and Baja Breeze.

Yesterday, I received the order that contained "Send Me Soaring" (one of the few sets I didn't think I needed from the Occasions Mini...until we used it at Regionals) and I just had to ink it up right away! I'll admit that the kite string is DEFINITELY tricky, but if you take extra care, you're good to go! This is most decidedly a stamp that falls into the GENTLY tap, tap, tap category. My class attendees will know what this means...and if you haven't been to a class yet, what are you waiting for? My upcoming class can be seen here.

When I gave the card to my hubby, *I* cried! How pathetic is THAT? This is our 25th Valentine's Day together and he STILL sends me soaring, so the sentiment was VERY appropriate!

Enough mushy stuff...on to the card that you DO get to have if you remember to comment!

This is my "If it ain't broke" card, completely CASE'd from the lovely and talented Robin Merriman. The one single thing I changed was stamping the "Wish Big" sentiment from Short and Sweet in Melon Mambo.

My card base is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" and the single layer is 4" x 5 1/4" Whisper White. I stamped a collage pattern (much like Robin's) using Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo and Pacific Point.

I used the new Blossom Punch to punch out the Designer Series Paper and the stamped flower image. I even added GLITTER! Thank goodness for Dazzling Details - no glitter messes - YAY!!!

Now...the BAD news is, I only have ONE of these to give away, so if you'd like it, be sure to leave a comment, TODAY, February 14th, 2012 before midnight EST. The GOOD news is, I think I'll add this card to the March class because it DEFINITELY falls into the "cheery" category. So, if you don't win, you can come make one!

What do you think?

STAMPS: Short and Sweet, Send Me Soaring, Mixed Bunch
INK: Basic Black, Baja Breeze, Pumpkin Pie, Melon Mambo and Pacific Point
PAPERS: Real Red, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, Melon Mambo and Whisper White Cardstock; Just Add Cake DSP
ACCESSORIES: Punches, Stampin' Dimensionals, Dazzling Details

Happy Stampin'!

From My Heart to Yours

Tomorrow, I'll be attending the Have A Heart Gala in memory of Wyatt. It's a fundraiser for the Labbatt Family Heart Centre at the Hospital for Sick Children where Wyatt spend most of his young and much too short life.

Since two of my children were also born with congenital heart conditions, this cause is VERY near and dear to my heart. I volunteer at the gala and also provide a small token for the gift bags as well as a basket of stamping goodies that will be put up for raffle.

I made 49 of these today (I'll make more tomorrow), one for YOU and 48 to take to the Gala:

I started off with a 3 x 3 card base made from textured Pink Pirouette Cardstock and added a strip of Pink Pirouette Designer Series Paper from the subtles pack. I stamped the heart from P.S. I love you in Real Red on Whisper White and punched it out using the Heart Punch. It was adhered to the front of the card using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Congratulations once again to Lindsay who won yesterday's fun and cheery card!

If YOU would like today's card, please be sure to leave me a comment today, Friday February 10th, 2012 before midnight EST. I'll choose a winner tomorrow morning!

What do you think?

STAMPS: P.S. I love you
INK: Real Red
PAPERS: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette and Real Red Candstock; Pink Pirouette DSP
ACCESSORIES: Punches, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

Just a reminder...

...that if you've won a card in my 30 cards in 30 days giveaway, you need to contact me to claim your card. Unless I mention that I "know where you live", please don't assume I can find your addy or that I already have it.

I'll be back in a couple of hours with today's card!

Thanks!

Mixed Bunch for fun!

My March class, on March 3rd, will feature fun and cheery cards! This is just ONE of them (we'll be making EIGHT!):

I started off with a white card base and added a layer of Poppy Parade Designer Series Paper from the "Just Add Cake" paper pack. I'm going to miss Poppy Parade when it retires at the end of May!

Since our paper is double sided, I just flipped over the Poppy Parade piece of DSP to use the strips for my paper "ribbon". I stamped my flower from Mixed Bunch in Calypso Coral and punched it out using the new Blossom Punch. To add a little pizzazz to the flower, I coloured my Basic Rhinestones with a permanent marker before adhering them to the flower.

I haven't added a sentiment yet, because I'm not sure what it should be - LOL! If YOU win this card, you can tell me if you'd like me to add a sentiment or not.

Congratulations to one of my newest followers, Lucy's Soup Can, who won yesterday's card! Please email me with your snail mail addy so I can send this card off to you. Thanks!

If you'd like to win this card, be sure to leave me a comment today, February 9th, 2012 before midnight EST and I'll choose a winner tomorrow.

What do you think?

STAMPS: Mixed Bunch
INK: Calypso Coral
PAPERS: Whisper White Cardstock; Just Add Cake DSP
ACCESSORIES: Punches, Basic Rhinestones, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

Go Big or Go Home for the Stampin' Queens!

Or...some things have to be seen to be believed...which is not only the sentiment, but also how I felt after looking at the colour combo on the Colour Coach. Soft Suede, So Saffron and Regal Rose? Really? Yes, REALLY!!!

Look at this:

Would you have thought that those three colours would look so good together? Me neither - but there you have it!

I started off with the ribbon as my inspiration and then added the rest of the elements. Of COURSE, I used Everything Eleanor again (you're surprised? LOL!) and added in just a touch of "Just Believe" (the sentiment).

Here's the sketch, so you can give it a try too:

Congratulations to Teresa who won yesterday's card!!! I already have Teresa's addy, so I'll pop it in the mail for her!

Would YOU like to win this card? Just leave me a comment today, February 8th, 2012 before midnight EST and tomorrow morning, I'll chose a winner!

What do you think?

STAMPS: Everything Eleanor, Just Believe
INK: So Saffron, Soft Suede
PAPERS: Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Soft Suede, Regal Rose
ACCESSORIES: Ribbon, Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

From this...to that...

Now my this to that feature is usually where I take an ATC (Artist Trading Card) and use it as the focal point on a card. Today? Not so much...

I was pulling papers, etc yesterday with the intention of creating my Stampin' Queens card for tomorrow, but I ended up with a card for the MOJO Monday sketch. Yeah...I know. Weird!

Anyway...I was still being inspired by the teeny tiny twitterpated lolly, so I reached for my Twitterpated Designer Series Paper again. This time I went with Blushing Bride (I'm going to miss that when it retires at the end of May!), Basic Grey and Island Indigo:

I stamped the sentiment from Word Play on Whisper White and punched it out with the Extra-Large Oval Punch before adhering it to the Island Indigo Oval which was embossed and then hand cut.

The Basic Grey DSP was looking a little boring, so I added some faux stitching with my white gel pen.

To finish the inside, I started with another piece of the Basic Grey DSP and added a piece of Whisper White on which I doodled and added the small flower from Bordering on Romance.

Congratulations to Lindsay who won the most adorable little box from yesterday! It'll ship flat, so if you can email me your addy (yes, again! LOL!), I'll send it off!

Would YOU like to receive today's card? Just leave me a comment today, February 7th, 2012 before midnight EST and I'll choose a winner tomorrow!

What do you think?

STAMPS: Word Play, Bordering on Romance
INK: Island Indigo, Basic Grey
PAPERS: Whisper White, Blushing Bride and Island Indigo Cardstock; Twitterpated DSP
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot Baby!, Ribbon, Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Markers, White Gel Pen

Happy Stampin'!

What inspires you?

Where do you find your inspiration? In the Stampin' UP! Designer Series Paper? In the cardstock colours? In the colours you chose for your home? In your outside world?

Wherever you find inspiration, I hope it leads to pretty things in your life!

Today's card started off because I had an unfinished lolly sitting in my workspace. It was just a tiny strip of Twitterpated Designer Series Paper (have I mentioned that I love it?). This paper is also available as a digital download, so if you've already started you FREE trial of My Digital Studio and you're ALREADY addicted, perhaps you'd like to add it to your collection. You not only get the paper, but a whole slew of embellishment/accessories as well...not to mention a 12 x 12 designer template. Take a look:

So much goodness in one small package!!!

And speaking of small packages, today's card is not actually a card. It's a tiny little package into which you can place tiny little bits of love. And I when I say tiny, I mean tiny. Take a look:

I followed the directions on Brenda's site to make the little box and I think it turned out just PERFECT!! The base of the little box/purse is only 2" square. Could it be any cuter?

Is it wrong for me to say that I hope no once comments so I can keep it? LOL! Well...it's a good thing I can make more!

Congratulations to Denise, who wins yesterday's set of notecards! I know where she lives...so I can hand deliver them - LOL!

Would YOU like to win today's most adorable box? Just leave me a comment today, February 6th, 2012 before midnight EST and I'll choose a winner tomorrow morning! It does open up to ship flat, so you won't have to worry about receiving it all squished.

What do you think?

STAMPS: None
INK: None
PAPERS: Twitterpated DSP, Island Indigo Cardstock
ACCESSORIES: Ribbon, Big Shot Baby!, Framelits, Glue Dots, Simply Scored, Stampin' Dimensionals, Basic Large Pearls

Happy Stampin'!

Just a Note...

Sometimes you just need a little note and not a whole card. Today's creation is all about just a note. Just a little simple something to let someone know you appreciate them.

I started off with Everything Eleanor (you're surprised? LOL!) and stamped the large swirl in Crumb Cake on Very Vanilla Cardstock. The Very Vanilla layer is matted on Crumb Cake and then on Rose Red Cardstock. I added a layer of Rose Red punched with the scallop trim border punch and adhered a flower from Everything Eleanor stamped in Rose Red.

Congratulations to EVERYONE who commented on yesterday's post! YOU ALL WIN!!! First come, first served! Let me know which card you'd like and I'll pop it in the mail to you!

Would YOU like to receive this set of notecards? Just leave me a comment today, February 5th, 2012 before midnight EST and I'll select a winner tomorrow.

What do you think?

STAMPS: Everything Eleanor
INK: Rose Red and Crumb Cake
PAPERS: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake and Rose Red Cardstock
ACCESSORIES: Punches, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

It's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood...

...a beautiful day for a neighbour...won't you be mine?

When Scott Nielsen of Stampin' UP! did this at Leadership, he had us all in STITCHES!

I'd like YOU to be my neighbour and come to my classes, like the one we're having today which features Easy Events:

Of course, today's class is already in full swing, but next month is gearing up to be fun! Look for fun and cheery cards as we welcome spring, which will be just around the corner!

Congratulations to Erica who won yesterday's card!! Erica, please send me your snail mail address and I'll send this off to you in no time!!

Would YOU like to win one of these cards? I'll be choosing EIGHT people from the comments below. Just leave me a comment today, February 4th, 2012 before midnight EST and I'll choose the winners tomorrow!!

Happy Stampin'!

From me to you from Leadership!

While we were at Leadership, we had the opportunity to do some make and takes. I think we had five or six that we SHOULD have been able to complete in the 2 1/2 hours we were allotted. Yeah...not so much.

We arrived late (lunch with new friends!) and chatted WAY too much! I FINALLY got to meet Ann Schach (but forgot to take a picture!) and when I looked at my watch it was time to go!

How many of the make and takes did I get done. One. Yep! Just one. Well...technically two, because that first packet contained two cards, one to keep and one to donate to Ronald McDonald House.

Here it is:

We started off with a Daffodil Delight base and then stamped some of the images from Mixed Bunched (which we received for FREE!) on Whisper White and Old Olive. The rick rack was a little tricky to do with the punch, so when I make it again (and I will because it's SO cute) I think I'll use the Tasteful Trim Die and my Big Shot.

I love the new blossom punch that goes with this set! It's especially fun to cut into the petals and curl them up.

There were NO comments on yesterday's card, so I get to keep that one!!!

If YOU would like to receive today's card, please leave me a comment today, February 3rd, 2012 before midnight EST and I'll choose a random winner tomorrow.

What do you think?

STAMP: Mixed Bunch, Thank You Kindly
INK: Daffodil Delight, Poppy Parade, Old Olive
PAPERS: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Poppy Parade
ACCESSORIES: Punches, Stampin' Dimensionals, Blossom Builders Kit, Baker's Twine, Button, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

Short and Sweet!

Today's post is going to be short and sweet, because I'm taking my DD and her BFF to try on PROM dresses! PROM DRESSES! Can you just imagine? How in the world did they grow up this fast? I remember having to pick up BFF at school so she could reach the water fountain for a drink while they were in kindergarden. Unreal!

This card is a COMPLETE CASE of Barb Mullikin - hey...if it ain't broke, don't fix it!!!

The winner of YESTERDAY'S card is Ann Schach!!! Ann, I'm sure I have your snail mail addy somewhere, but if you could send it to me again, it would make my life SO much easier - LOL!

Would YOU like to receive this card? Just leave me a comment before midnight EST today, February 2nd, 2012. I'll choose a random winner tomorrow!

Happy Stampin'!

Everything Eleanor for the Stampin' Queens - AGAIN!

I know, I know...but I couldn't help it! This set goes SO well with these papers. I just can't seem to put it all away. And, I know you'll forgive me, because this card is ANOTHER one in my series of 30 cards in 30 days, so YOU could win it!

This was the sketch we were given:

but it didn't really work for me, so I flipped it on its side and that made me MUCH happier!

Here's the front of my card:

I started off with a Very Vanilla base and then added Poppy Parade (I'm going to miss this colour!!!) and a piece of Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper, which was sponged with Pool Party Ink. Before adhering it to the card base, I wrapped a piece of Pool Party ribbon around it. 

The next step was to figure out what to do with all those circles! I started off with the Big Shot and Scallop Circle Die #2 to get the scalloped circle and then just sort of went to town with the Circle Scissor Plus until I was happy - LOL! The Very Vanilla and Pool Party circles were sponged with Pool Party Ink for added dimension (and just because it was fun!).

I stamped the largest flower from Everything Eleanor on the smallest of the Very Vanilla circles and then stamped it again on another piece of Very Vanilla cardstock and cut it out. I adhered it using Stampin' Dimensionals and if you look REALLY closely, you can see the Dazzling Details on the pistils. I then stamped and cut out three of the smallest flowers, adhering them with Stampin' Dimensionals too.

And now for the inside:

I just love it! It doesn't leave much room for writing, but if you needed a note that was short and sweet, this would be the ticket!

I sponged the edges of the Very Vanilla layer with Pool Party and added a matching piece of the Attic Boutique DSP and a piece of punched Pool Party. The stamped flower was the finishing touch!

Since I only had ONE comment yesterday, Denise is the winner of yesterday's card!!!! I'll be seeing her at class on Saturday, so don't need to mail it - WOOT!

Would YOU like to receive this card? Leave me a comment before midnight EST today February 1st, 2012 and tomorrow I'll pick a random winner and send them this card!

What do you think?

STAMPS: Everything Eleanor

INK: Pool Party, Poppy Parade

PAPERS: Very Vanilla, Pool Party and Poppy Parade Cardstock; Attic Boutique DSP

ACCESSORIES: Ribbon, Punches, BIG SHOT BABY!, Stampin' Dimensionals, Dazzling Details

Happy Stampin'!

Rounding it out for MOJO Monday

...on a Tuesday of course - LOL!

Today is a VERY busy post day, so PLEASE scroll around (up and down) to see what else is going on!

Today's card was made for the MOJO Monday sketch. Yes, I KNOW it's Tuesday, but really, how many times have I ACTUALLY posted the MOJO Monday ON a Monday? Not very often I can tell you that...probably just once...MAYBE twice, but not more than that - LOL!

We were given the option of round or square and since I had so much fun making this card, I decided to go for round again. I've got to say! I'm liking round very much!

Since I still had everything from YESTERDAY's card, I decided to use it again for today's card. I sure hope I don't tire of Everything Eleanor BEFORE it's even available for purchase - LOL!

I started off with my Scallop Circle die and my Big Shot - WOOT! I used Daffodil Delight for my base and built my card up from there. The next layer was some of the Daffodil Delight with some of the Soft Suede paper from Attic Boutique. I stamped the lined image from Everything Eleanor in Daffodil Delight on Very Vanilla and cut it out before sponging on some Soft Suede. The sentiment, from You're My Type is stamped in Soft Suede on Very Vanilla and then punched out with the Jewelry Tag Punch.

Then I added some Pool Party Ribbon (love this stuff and SO happy I got ANOTHER full roll at Leadership!) and a stacked pair of the flowers, also stamped in Pool Party.

I finished the inside too of course:

But looking at the photo, it's a little off kilter. Oh well! It's an original - LOL! Hopefully, the recipient won't mind.

Congratulations to Claudia who left a comment on YESTERDAY'S card! Claudia please email me your snail mail addy so I can send the card off to you!

Would YOU like to receive this card? Leave me a comment before midnight EST today, January 31st, 2012 and tomorrow I'll pick a random winner and send them this card!

What do you think?

STAMPS: Everything Eleanor, You're My Type
INK: Soft Suede, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party
PAPERS: Very Vanilla and Daffodil Delight Cardstock; Attic Boutique DSP
ACCESSORIES: Ribbon, Punch, Brad, Scallop Die, BIG SHOT BABY! and Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stampin'!

Very Vintage SUDSOL Design Challenge

Last night, all (or at least most - there were a LOT of us!) of the program coordinators got together in the SUDSOL chat room and chatted about what we could do to get MORE SUDSOL members to participate in the challenges that are posted weekly.

The overwhelming response from the coordinators was, "THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH TIME!" Who hasn't said THAT before? Well, *I* decided that I spend MORE than enough time on the computer (and really, it's not even productive!) and that I should spend more time creating.

To that end...

It's January 30th and my goal is to post consistently for the next 30 days! And not just something mundane or copied/pasted from the SU! site (though that MIGHT happen once or twice if I'm pressed for time), but an ORIGINAL creation, made by me. Now, I'm not saying it won't be CASEd once in a while, because I don't know that I have THAT MUCH creativity in my brain, but it will be made by me.

And if the idea of something new EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. wasn't enough to get you to keep visiting, how about this? I'm going to GIVE AWAY every single thing I make for the next 30 days...starting today!

So...today's card is for the SUDSOL Design Challenge which was to use three different Designer Series Paper. Now, that might seem a little scary, but Stampin' UP! makes it easy by putting 12 sheets of Designer Series Paper in each package...and the all coordinate!

I chose some papers from Attic Boutique, mostly because I *STILL* had the paper out from BEFORE Leadership, but also because I was in the mood for vintage.

Tips from the Heart (and Ann Schach too - heehee!)

• Make it even MORE vintage by adding colour to the edges of your Designer Series Paper using sponges and coordinating ink. I used Soft Suede on this card.
• Colour our pearls with permanent markers! This is something I learned from Ann. You can LAYER the colours too. I started with brown, but the colour wasn't deep enough, so I started over and used black first, followed by brown. This gave me JUST the look I wanted.
• Spritz it up baby!! Have you tried our Colour Spritzer? If not, you're missing out! I just love the look it creates! I even carried it over to the inside of the card:

I didn't spritz as much on the inside because YOU might want to write a little message before you give it away...and with Valentine's Day on the way, this card would be just PERFECT!

So, do YOU want this card? Just leave me a comment on THIS before midnight EST tonight, January 30th, 2012 and tomorrow morning, I'll draw a winner!

What do you think?

STAMPS: Everything Eleanor (flowers) and P.S. I Love You (sentiment)

INK: Soft Suede, Pool Party

PAPERS: Very Vanilla and Soft Suede Cardstock; Attic Boutique DSP

ACCESSORIES: Colour Spritzer, Basic Pearls, Jewelry Tag Punch

Happy Stampin'!