Birthday Blitz - Sweet Pea

I found another way to use that yummy Sweet Pea paper...I think one of my favorite aspects of this paper pack is the houndstooth patterns. I think they are just a really classic graphic element and this package offers it in several colors.

I stamped the Happy Moments presents stamp (it's a Sale-a-Bration set...you can earn it free with any $50 purchase) once each on scraps of three different patterns of paper (all from the Sweet Pea set) and then also on the whisper white cardstock, to serve as the base. I used my fine-tipped scissors to cut the packages out and adhered them to the base image and voila! a fun stack of presents. The patterned papers are what pack the punch on this otherwise simple to make card. The cardstock card base is Rose Red, and the stamped image is matted with So Saffron. The icing on this is the luxe satin ribbon that I just can't get enough of, and is only available through April 30th!

Please click HERE to order 24/7!!!
Supplies used on this card:

Cardstock:Whisper White (#100730 for 8.5"x11"' or #106529 for 12"x12")

So Saffron (#105118 for 8.5"x11" or #107088 for 12"x12")

Rose Red (#102544 for 8.5"x11"; #107086 for 12"x12")

Adhesives:

Stampin' Dimensionals (double-sided foam dots) - #104430

Snail Adhesive - #104332 (refills #104331)

Sticky Strip for securing the ribbon - #104294

Patterned Paper: Sweet Pea designer series paper (#117161)

Stamp Set: Happy Moments (#118664 for wood mount; #119125 for cling mount) - only available as a Sale-a-bration set!

Ink: Chocolate Chip classic (#100908)

Other: 5/8" satin ribbon in old olive (#117292)

Birthday Blitz! Sweet Pea Cupcake

The challenge in my stamping group this week was to play with the Sweet Pea Designer Series Papers and/or the coordinating felt flowers. I was having so much fun, I just couldn't stop, so you'll have to check in over the coming week to see what else I came up with. Continuing with my theme of birthdays for this week, I came up with this card that would be terrific for a lot of people, and even though it has a cupcake with a heart, could be masculine enough for the right guy.

I have to say, I'm totally in love with this Sweet Pea paper, and it's only available during the Occasions mini catalog dates (through April 30th), so I'm already stocking up on it. As the name implies, the set comes with beautiful floral, nature (think butterflies, birds and trees) and graphic designs (circles, stripes, houndstooth, etc.) in shades of pinks and greens and buttery yellows. But then it also has these wonderful, 'non-girly' bold oranges, chocolate browns, turquoises, and olive green. Just beautiful...very versatile: would be wonderful for scrapbook pages and altered projects as well.

The cupcake, including the dots for sprinkles were cut with my Big Shot machine using Stampin' Ups exclusive Big Bold Cupcakes sizzlets dies. This set comes with four sizzlets to create your cupcake and add decorations to it, such as the sprinkles, candles, hearts and flowers. This die would be a great addition to your stash because it would be so versatilve for birthday cards, invitations, baking parties, decorations, and even thank you notes for all cool birthday gifts you receive.

Please click HERE to order 24/7!!!
Supplies used on this card:

Cardstock:
Whisper White (#100730 for 8.5"x11"' or #106529 for 12"x12")
So Saffron (#105118 for 8.5"x11" or #107088 for 12"x12")
Taken with Teal (#101584 for 8.5"x11"; #107090 for 12"x12")

Adhesives:
Stampin' Dimensionals (double-sided foam dots) - #104430
Snail Adhesive - #104332 (refills #104331)
Sticky Strip for securing the ribbon - #104294

Tools:
Heart to Heart Punch - #113694
SU! Big Bold Cupcakes sizzlets dies - #114509
Big Shot Machine (#113439)
Standard Texturz Impressions Pad (#114614)
Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber (#114615)

Patterned Paper: Sweet Pea designer series paper (#117161)

Other: 5/8" satin ribbon in chocolate chip (#117287)

Birthday Blitz! - Four Square

This week, my family celebrates two birthdays and it's also the week of George Washington's birthday so I thought it would be fun to commemorate the week with BIRTHDAY CARDS! We all can use ideas for those special occasions, so let's get started.

My first card uses the Four Square stamp set and is simple to make. It's generic enough that it would be perfect for a lot of people, but reminds me most of teenage boys with the grungy graphic and bright colors. This design could also be repeated using more adult masculine colors (think darker blues and greens) or more feminine with shades of pink.

The red polka dots are stamped using the square background stamp from the For All You Do stamp set, and the blue happy birthday image is from the Four Square set. Beyond that, the impact from this card comes from the plethora of layers.

A really cool side note about the Four Square set is that it can be yours free with any $50 purchase from me. Yes, you read that right...it's one of the bonus Sale-a-bration sets this years. It comes with four square greetings, including the birthday one above. They are all terrific and very versatile.

Please click HERE to order 24/7!!!
Supplies used on these cards:

Cardstock:
Whisper White (#100730 for 8.5"x11"' #106529 for 12"x12")
Tempting Turquoise (#102067 for 8.5"x11" or #107103 for 12"x12")
Real Red (#102482 for 8.5"x11"; #106545 for 12"x12")
Brilliant Blue (#100721 for 8.5"x11"; #106540 for 12"x12")
Only Orange (#102837 for 8.5"x11"; #107107 for 12"x12")

An economical alternative to buying each of the colors above would be purchase our combo pack "Bold Brights" - (#105548 for 8.5"x11" or #106528 for 12"x12"). You would still need the Whisper White, but it would give a few pieces of each of the other colors listed above, plus a few sheets in 8 other awesome bold colors.


Adhesives
Stampin' Dimensionals (double-sided foam dots) - #104430
Snail Adhesive - #104332 (refills #104331)

Ink:
Real Red Classsic (#103133)
Brilliant Blue Classic (#100691)

Tools: Modern Label Punch (#116630)

Stamp Sets:
Four Square (#111632)
For All You Do (#115360)

Other: Brilliant Blue Brads from the Bold Brights brad pack - this set comes with brads in real red, green galore, tempting turquoise, and brilliant blue, so it is sure to come in handy for a lot of terrific projects - (#106957

Chic Boutique - Birthday Gift

I made this set of Chic Boutique cards as a birthday gift for a dear friend who loves Paris & loves homemade gifts. Her bathroom is painted turquoise, and in it hangs framed black and white Parisian artwork, so when I saw a card similar to the Eiffel one above by the very talented SChristoph, I knew I had to take it from there. You can't tell from the images above, but to make them a little more formal and dimensional, I did heat emboss the images in black to get the outlines of the birdcage and Eiffel Tower. I also heat embossed the white filigree on the black border of the folder. I used our Aqua Painter to apply a little bit of bermuda bay ink to the stamped images. Just a little dab of ink straight from the pad did the trick.

The folder was very simple to make with a sheet of cardstock and some simple scoring. You can learn more about this folder at my upline Dawn's blog, where she made some super cute fruit cards to put in hers. I chose to reinforce the holes my ribbon went through with some eyelets, but otherwise I followed her directions to a "T". It comfortably held 3 cards on each side even with the bulky ribbons.

Please click HERE to order 24/7!!!
Supplies used on these cards:

Cardstock (both cards and the folder): Whisper White (#100730 for 8.5"x11"' #106529 for 12"x12"), Bermuda Bay (#115317), Basic Black (#102851 for 8.5"x11"; #106532 for 12"x12")

Adhesives(both cards and the folder): Stampin' Dimensionals (double-sided foam dots) - #104430; Snail Adhesive - #104332 (refills #104331); Sticky Strip - #104294

Ink: Basic Black Craft (#102192); Whisper White Craft (#101731); Bermuda Bay Classic (#115655) - note, I use the basic black and bermuda bay on both cards and the folder, the white I only used on the folder cover to do the filigrees.

Tools: Curly Label Punch (#112208); Heat Tool - for embossing black bird/bamboo image - (#109133); Aqua Painter pens (#103954); Scallop Edge Punch - Eiffel card - (#112091); Scallop Trim Border - birdcage card - (#118402)

Stamp Set: Chic Boutique (#113744)

Patterned Paper: Night and Day (retired); Thoroughly Modern -both cards and the folder - (#115673)

Other: Black Embossing Powder (#109133); 5/8" satin ribbon in basic black (#117285); black brad (#109109); White Embossing Powder (#109132); sheer ribbon from my stash; Bermuda Bay Polka Dot ribbon - folder - (#115610)

Occasions Mini Catalog - Full of Life, Sweet Pea

Can I just say how much I LOVE the Occasions mini catalog. Everything in there is just so inspiring. This is a card I did for a swap I'm in, using the easel technique. I first learned about this style of card on Splitcoast Stampers, you can find the tutorial here: easel tutorial. My card was very much inspired by fellow stamper Tessa. The main components of this card are the Sweet Pea designer series paper and felt embellishments and the Full of Life stamp set. I get a lot of mileage out of that stamp set because the greetings encompass so many different occasions. I love how they are a mixture of fonts, too!

Please click HERE to order 24/7!!!

Supplies used on these cards:

Cardstock (both cards): Whisper White (#100730 for 8.5"x11"' #106529 for 12"x12"), So Saffron (#107088 for 12"x12" or #105118 for 8.5"x11"), Kraft (#102125 for 8.5"x11"; #107070 for 12"x12"); Chocolate Chip (#102128 for 8.5"x11" or #107102 for 12"x12"

Adhesives (both cards): Snail Adhesive - #104332 (refills #104331); Sticky Strip (works really well on the felt) - #104294

Ink: Chocolate Chip classic (#100908)

Tools: Scallop Edge Punch (#112091); Ticket Corner Punch (#107214)

Stamp Set: Full of Life (#111500)

Patterned Paper: Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper (#117161)

Other: Sweet Pea Stitched Felt Embellishments (#117266)

Happy Stamping, friends!

Happy Chinese New Year! Asian Artistry and Lattice Die

Happy Chinese New Year! I thought I'd share a few quick and easy cards using the Asian Artistry hostess set and help ring in the Year of the Tiger. I've always loved the elegant brush strokes in Asian artwork, so when I saw this hostess set, I knew I had to have it. It can yours for free by hostessing a party of $300 or more. That might seem like a lot, but you would be surprised how easy it is to hostess a party of that size, and I'd love to help you earn this set.

Please click HERE to order 24/7!!!

Supplies used on these cards:

Cardstock: Real Red (#102482 for 8.5"x11"; #106545 for 12"x12") and Basic Black (#102851 for 8.5"x11"; #106532 for 12"x12")

Adhesives: Stampin' Dimensionals (double-sided foam dots) - #104430; Snail Adhesive - #104332 (refills #104331); Sticky Strip - #104294

Ink: Versamark (#102283)

Tools: Lattice Die - the circular pattern behind the medallion (#115958); Big Shot Machine (#113439); Modern Label Punch (#116630); Heat Tool - for embossing black bird/bamboo image - (#109133)

Stamp Set: Asian Artistry (Hostess - Level 2)

Other: Black Embossing Powder (#109133); 5/8" satin ribbon in real red (#117286) and basic black (#117285); black brad (#109109); brass charm found at hobby store in jewelry aisle.

Happy New Year!!!

One Product, Three Ways - A Happy Heart

The minute I saw this set, I was hooked! I HAD to have it. The dandelion image was what first drew me to the set, but then I realized how versatile the rest of the set was, too! And if you're like me, you love to find ways to get a lot out of the things you buy & this set allows you to do just that. Let's start with the first card (above). While it could be a perfect Valentine, it really could serve any purpose, such as a simple "thinking of you" card. I have a few of these premade and on hand so that when I need to send something to a friend or brighten someone's day I can do just that because the greeting is so versatile! You could also leave the greeting unstamped and just use the dandelion image for any sort of wish..."birthday wishes" or "best wishes".

A few details: I did heat emboss the image with clear embossing powder to give it a little shine and texture. I also used foam adhesive behind the brown layer of the stamped image to help it pop out from the face of the card. Also, I tend to use a lot of ribbon and I have found that our Sticky Strip adhesive works wonders in getting it to adhere well and adhere permanently!
Please click HERE to order 24/7!!!
Supplies used on this card:
Cardstock: Whisper White Cardstock (#100730 for 8.5"x11" or#106529 for 12"x12"). Bermuda Bay Cardstock (#115317 for 8.5"x11").
Adhesives: Stampin' Dimensionals (double-sided foam dots) - #104430; Snail Adhesive - #104332 (refills #104331); Sticky Strip - #104294
Patterned Paper: Thoroughly Modern (#115673)
Ink: Rose Red craft ink {craft is best for embossing} (#101545)
Stamp Set: A Happy Heart (#111758)
Other: Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon - Bermuda Bay (#115610); clear embossing powder (#109130); heat tool for embossing (#100005)

My cats are named Baci and 'Cio (short for Abbraccio) which translates to "Hugs" and "Kisses" in Italian. Thus the name of my blog, and also my affinity for anything with X's and O's. So needless to say, when I saw this stamp was in the same set as the dandelion, there was no doubt about purchasing it. The great thing about this stamp is that it would also be cute stamped on an element of a scrapbook layout - perhaps a tag or library pocket? Or it could even be repeated to create a background for a card or layout.

The patterned papers all came from the new Sending Love line of patterned papers offered in our spring mini catalog. Some of it is even glittery. It's nice and thick - great quality -and it's two-sided for double the fun! The mini catalog also offers really cute brads that coordinate with this paper. The luxurious satin ribbon on this card is also offered in the mini catalog and comes in great colors that coordinate with our spring and valentine's papers. Yum!!!

A few tips: I used our markers to color the stamp so that I got a variety of brown x's and red o's. I thought that added some variety to the image. Also, to get some dimensions I used our foam adhesive to pop the focal image out from the page. I also added the scalloped border at the bottom of the pink layer for added interest.

Please click HERE to order 24/7!!!

Supplies used on this card:

Cardstock: Whisper White Cardstock (#100730 for 8.5"x11" or#106529 for 12"x12"). Chocolate Chip cardstock.

Tools: Scallop border punch (#1120901)

Adhesives: Stampin' Dimensionals (double-sided foam dots) - #104430; Snail Adhesive - #104332 (refills #104331); Sticky Strip - #104294

Patterned Paper: Sending Love Designer Series Paper (#117153)

Stamp Set: A Happy Heart (#111758)

Ink: Real Red Marker (#100052); Chocolate Chip Marker (#100071)

Other: Real Red 5/8" Satin Ribbon (#117286)

And a final creation with this set is a classic red, black and white Valentine. There is just something very satisfying about the classics, and this is no exception. I simply stamped the image in real red one whisper white cardstock, let it dry and then cut it out by hand. I have found the easiest way to cut precisely is with a small pair of fine-tipped scissors. Work your way around the image slowly and smoothly without stopping and you will do just fine! Our paper snips work wonders for this sort of task!

The greeting is from the same stamp set, and also was stamped in real red on whisper white cardstock. Also, notice the corduroy button. While we have offered corduroy buttons in our regular catalog, the real red and pretty in pink ones are only availabe in the mini catalog, so if you love them as much as I do, you may want to stock up now before they retire!

Please click HERE to order 24/7!!!

Supplies used on this card:

Cardstock: Whisper White Cardstock (#100730 for 8.5"x11" or#106529 for 12"x12"). Real Red Cardstock (#102482 for 8.5x11; #106545 for 12x12).

Tools: Scallop Edge Punch (#112091); Modern Label Punch (#116630)

Stamp Set: A Happy Heart (#111758)

Adhesives: Stampin' Dimensionals (double-sided foam dots) - #104430; Snail Adhesive - #104332 (refills #104331); Sticky Strip - #104294

Other: Corduroy Button in Real Red (#117268)

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Happy stamping!!!

Sale-a-bration Vintage Label

A group of my stamping friends challenged each other to try products from the Sale-a-bration catalog and this what I came up with. I had a hard time choosing which product to use because everything in this promotion is wonderful! Very versatile!!!

The stamped medallion is from the Vintage Labels stamp set. This set comes with three greetings and three label shapes that, conveniently, can be punched out with Stampin' Up punches available in the regular catalog. The butterfly was cut from an Embosslits die from our Spring Occasions mini catalog. The patterned paper is our awesome, very versatile "Welcome Neighbor" designer series paper pack (also a Sale-a-bration item) as is the scalloped border punch I used on the blue square. You can get the coordinating corner punch in our Occasions mini.

What is Sale-a-Bration? Well, it's my favorite promotion that Stampin' Up does. Each spring they offer their Sale-a-Bration catalog (email me your name and snail mail address and I will send you one for free, while supplies last). For every $50 you spend with during Sale-a-bration, you can earn a free item from this Sale-a-Bration catalog. This year's offerings include four different stamp sets, one designer series paper pack, and the scalloped punch shown above. And, as if that's not enough to choose from, SU! is letting you choose any stamp set that is regularly priced at $15.95 or less as a free Sale-a-Bration item. In addition to that, if you hostess the order, you can earn our regular hostess benefits. See why I love this time of year?

Click here for the online Sale-a-Bration announcement, and feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Please click HERE to order 24/7!!!

Supplies used on this card:

Cardstock: Crushed Curry (#115319 for 8.5"x11"), Bermuda Bay (#115317 for 8.5"x11"), and Kraft (#107070 for 12"x12" or #102125 for 8.5"x11")

Tools: Scallop Trim Border punch (#118402); Embosslits Beautiful Wings die #118138; Big Shot Machine (#113439); Standard Texturz Impressions Pad (#114614); and Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber (#114615).

Stamp Set: Vintage Labels (#118392 for wood-mount stampes or #119122 for clear mount stamps)

Adhesives: Stampin' Dimensionals (double-sided foam dots) - #104430; Snail Adhesive - #104332 (refills #104331)

Other: adhesive pearls from my stash

Thanks for stopping by my blog today! Happy stamping!!!

Valentine Fishes

A simple punched card that would be another great way to get the kids involved. You might be thinking, "well, it's getting a little late for this Valentine's day", but this would even be a cute birthday card...you could use bright, happy colors and even just one fish. The greeting could be "Birthday Fishes" stamped inside. They could also be cute little embellishments on a beach-themed scrapbook page or invitations to a pool party this summer.

The colors I chose for this are Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo and Real Red. The border is our scallop border punch, the fish bodies are the (retired) ornament punch from the 2009 Holiday mini (see, this is the perfect excuse on why you need to stock up on items from the mini catalogs...you never know what you'll think of later after it has retired).

I used the bird wings from the Birds and Blooms sizzlets for their fins, and then assorted punched hearts from the Heart to Heart punch for the tails, lips, and the heart that's between them. I used black brads on small circles punched from white for the eyes. You can't see the detail here, but I did run the white background and the fish through the Sizzix with the polka dot texturez plate from the Backgrounds 1 set. I like the texture it lends, especially since there is not a lot of pattern to this design. The ribbon is Bermuda Bay, from the in-color line this year.

Please click HERE to order 24/7!!!
Supplies used on this card:

Cardstock: Whisper White Cardstock (#100730 for 8.5"x11" or#106529 for 12"x12"). In Color 2009-2010 (I used Bermuda Bay and Melon Mambo). Combo pack of 8.5"x11" cardstock (6 sheets of each color): 115315. If you'd prefer to add a bit of texture, you can get 6 sheets of each color in 8.5"x11" using product #115719. If you'd prefer 12"x12", try product codes #115314 for smooth and #115538 for textured. Real Red Cardstock (#102482 for 8.5x11; #106545 for 12x12).

Tools: Ornament Punch (retired); Heart to Heart Punch - #113694; small circle punch

Adhesives: Stampin' Dimensionals (double-sided foam dots) - #104430; Snail Adhesive - #104332 (refills #104331); Sticky Strip - #104294

Other: Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon - Bermuda Bay (#115610); black brads (#109109); Texturez Plates Stampin Up Backgrounds1 (#114512); Birds and Blooms Sizzlets (#113485); Big Shot Machine (#113439); Standard Texturz Impressions Pad (#114614); and Standard Texturz Silicone Rubber (#114615).

Punchy Valentine Card - Heart to Heart Punch

This was a fun Valentine to create, using somewhat non-traditional but happy colors. It would be an easy project to get kids involved with. Create a cardstock card base (I used Rich Razzleberry). I've found an easy way to create a card base is to cut an 8.5"x11" sheet of cardstock in half (perpendicular to the long edge), creating two pieces that are each 8.5"x5.5". Then score it in half again to create a card that is 4.25"x5.5".

Next cut the Whisper White cardstock down to 4"x5.25". Punch 1" circles and hearts from Crushed Curry, Dustry Durango, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, and Rich Razzleberry Cardstock, and adhere them in a grid-like pattern to the Whisper White cardsock, randomly assigning the colors. I popped up three of the hearts using Stampin' Dimensional foam adhesive, and adhered the rest with my Snail adhesive.

I made loops of ribbon simply cutting about 3" pieces and folding it in half. To get it to stick in half, I used sticky strip between the ribbon, and also used sticky strip to adhere the ribbon between the rich razzleberry card and the whisper white rectangle.

Happy punching!!!

Please click HERE to order 24/7!!!
Supplies used on this card:

Cardstock: Whisper White Cardstock (#100730 for 8.5"x11" or#106529 for 12"x12"). In Color 2009-2010 (I used Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, Dusty Durango and Melon Mambo. Combo pack of 8.5"x11" cardstock (6 sheets of each color): 115315. If you'd prefer to add a bit of texture, you can get 6 sheets of each color in 8.5"x11" using product #115719. If you'd prefer 12"x12", try product codes #115314 for smooth and #115538 for textured.
Tools: 1" Circle Punch - #116630; Heart to Heart Punch - #113694

Adhesives: Stampin' Dimensionals (double-sided foam dots) - #104430; Snail Adhesive - #104332 (refills #104331); Sticky Strip - #104294

Other: Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon - Bermuda Bay (#115610) and Crushed Curry (#115614)