A New Ink on Life

Fun With Stampin' Up! Fabric

Pals Paper Arts is having a fun challenge this week- create a CAS card with a bow being the focus. Well I knew that I wanted to showcase the great new accessories from the Occasions Mini Catalogue at this months Stamp Club. And what better ways to show off Stampin' Up's fabulous Fabric then making it the focal point of a fresh fun card, (especially for some one like me who doesn't sew-YET :)

Here is the card I came up with:

I started with a River Rock card stock base then attached the striped pattern from the Spring Time Vintage Designer Series paper that I had stamped with the blossom image from the Easter Blossoms set in River Rock Classic Ink. Next I ran it through my Big Shot with the NEW Framed Tulips Impressions Folder. The raised border was then gently sanded to reaveal some of the white core in the DSP. The girl sillouette image is from the same stamp set and was inked up using River Rock and stamped on the largest Oval from the Ovals Die.  
I then used a strip of fabric from the Springtime Vintage Designer Fabric (cut about 1inch wide)
and tied it around the card. Before I tied it into a knot I put a piece of LinenThread in the center of where I was going to finish the knot. This way it would be secured into place so that when I added my button to it the button would not slip, and would stay centered. I used a Night of Navy button from the Springtime Vintage Big Designer Buttons. For the sentiment I stamped it in Night of Navy then punched it out using the Decorative Label Punch. To create a smaller label I just reinserted it into the punch. Sherri Barron has a great video showing how to do this.

Wishing everyone a wonderful day,

A Love Like No Other- My MDS Addiction Continues!

Okay I have been busy preparing for Club and classes this week, but I promise I will share those projects soon, in the mean time I managed to get 2 pages done in My Digital Studio this morning. Can I tell you again how much I LOVE this program!!!!!!

Have a look:

 
I just love the option of being able to create a full photo background on this 12x12 page! I stated with a Very Vanilla base then made a photo box just a little smaller than the page, next I used one of the designs from the Vintage Overlays (this is an addition dowload that can be purchased). On page one the words "Love" and "You and Me" are from the stamp brush set Greatest Moments II (an additional download) and on page two I used one of the "stamps" from Always (which IS included in the program).

You can click on the photos to view them larger :), because I know you want a closer look at my cute kids!

Have a wonderful day!

Rub-On Some Love

Wow has a week really gone by since I last posted? I am happy to report that my hand is on the mend and I was able to get some stamping done over the past few days, which means more posts this week :)

I am also happy to report that we have a great sketch challenge for you this week at Stampin' Royalty. This was a fun CAS sketch but I just love how different all the DT cards turn out. Be sure to check them out for some awesome inspiration.

Here's the sketch:

and my card:

 Guess what?-there is absolutely no stamping on here! I used the new Love Impressions Rub Ons from the Occasions Mini Catalogue. They are so fun and easy to use. Although this card is very Claen and Simple I wanted to give it a little "pop" so I actually applied all of the Rub ons to Pink Pirouette Card stock first then cut them out and attached the ballon and white cloud with Dimensionals.

The card base is Basic Gray, I then layered on some Whisper White that had been embossed with the Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder and my Big shot.  The strip of DSP is from the Play Date Designer Series Paper Pack and I used the Spiral Punch for the fun decorative edge. The main image layer was matted and for a touch of embelishment I used a Library clip from the Clips Assortment and a small piece of Real Read 1/4" Grograin Ribbon.
And it wouldn't be a proper Valentine with out a glimmery red heart! (I sooo love the new Glimmer Paper)
 They are also having a Valentine Challenge over on the SU-Only Blog (and I really can't resist a good challenge) so I just had to combine the two!

Have a great day,

LOVE is Like a Butterfly-SR# 55

It's time again for another great challenge over at Stampin' Royalty! This week we are challenging you to create a project with WINGS.The rules are simple, create a card, scrapbook layout, 3-D Project or My Digital Studio project featuring "anything with wings".

Of course with my hand being sore right now I was challenged (to say the least) by this week's challenge:) I managed to created a card, basically one handed by assembling some "card guts" (you know the bits and pieces of stamped images, mats,cut card stock and DSP) that I had laying around!

 The card base is Concord Crush, followed by a layer of Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla and then some Sweet and Sour Specialty DSP. I added a piece of scalloped Concord Crush that had been die cut with the Tasteful Trim Die. I then added some Bitty Buttons, Pearl Jewels and the fabulous Pom Pom Trim.The setiment is from the stamp set Butterfly Prints and the delicate little butterflies are die cut from the Beautiful Wings Embosslit.

Sorry for the short post but my hand is still really sore.

Have a great day,

Be My Valentine PPA 76

First off I must start this post be filling you all in on what I have been up to the past 4 days! No stamping has been happening because I managed to hurt my right hand-and the kicker I have NO IDEA how I did it! I go back to the Doctor tomorrow to get the results of my X-rays, but for now I am icing, wrapping it and taking lots of Advil (and you don't even want to know how long it took me to type this with one hand :)

But I wanted to share with you something I started last week before my hand got really bad. I had the pleasure of doing some creating with one of my friends and amazing talented downline (she oganized the project!) And I just had to finish it because I was totally inspired by this week's challenge at PPA. The stamping is a little crooked but with only one hand it will have to do!

 
 Ta Da!

 
 We cut out a Bazzilion circles from fabric using the Circle #2 Die (largest Circle) and the Big Shot. Then took a straight pin and folded them quarters, and pinned them onto the styrofoam base (it was all red and glitterly but for a buck you can't go wrong,plus it was easy to cover). Once the circle is attached you just fiddle until you get the desired result. It is soooooo much prettier in person.

Here are some upclose shots: 
 

 
Okay my hand is throbbing so I better stop typing but here are the details:

Stamps: Jayne's Type Alpha

Paper: Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke

Accessories: Destressing Kit, Fancy Flower Punch, Vintage Brads, Small Heart Punch, Early Espresso Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, and Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Hot Glue Gun

I Have a NEW Addiction-My Digital Studio

Okay so I admit it I have had Stampin' Up's My Digital Studio for a while now and I created a few pages with it and I love them, but it wasn't until I saw all the fabulous things that you can create in it from my good friend Heather Summers that I really started to play. Now I am hooked:) Of course I still absolutely love creating traditional pages, but the ease and quickness of MDS is fantastic!

 

 These pages are based directly on a layout by Heather.I turned it into a double layout by making a "duplicate mirrored page". I then moved and resized a few photo boxes, changed some of the elements and voila-a two page spread!
 Better yet all the elements I used on this page come with the program! I mixed and matched to Designer Kits-Sunny Days and Hoppy Memories. Another great thing about My Digital Studio is that it can be used on both a PC and a MAC. Already have a digital scrapbooking program? That' okay too, you can purchase individual downloads and use them in other applications-how cool is that?!

If you have any more questions about this awesome program I would love to answer them-but *Warning I take no responsibility if you began using it on every picture you take:)

Have a great day!

Build a Blossom Challenge SR #54

It is Wednesday and that means another great challenge over at Stampin' Royalty. Last week week we celebrated our 1st Birthday and it was great checking out everyone's fabulous entries, I hope you will find the time to join us this week for a fantastic Colour Challenge.

 
 I must admit I found it a little tricky working with only three main colours but I am please with the end result and hope you are too :) So yesturday I blogged that I had made a list of things that I wanted to become better at and shared a few of them with you. Another one of them that is stamping related is to start challenging myself to do more challenges. So I combined these FAB colours with an amazing sketch from Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch. Both took me a little out of my comfort zone but that is what challenges are all about!

 
I started with an Old Olive card base and layered on some Concord Crush DSP (from the Level 1 Hostess pack). Using the new SU! exclusive 3 1/2"  Sizzix Circle Die and my Big shot I cut out a circle in Concord Crush. I of course HAD to use the Build a Blossom set and coordinating Blossom Petals Punch to create a Marina Mist flower for the main image. (*TIP when I create these flowers I first punch out a 1" Circle then arrange the petals on it,attaching with Mini Glue Dots) I used my Bone Folder to slightly curl my petals.
For the center of the flower I used the super fun new Fabric Designer Brads. I pleated some Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon along some matching card stock that had been die cut with the SU! ExclusiveTasteful Trims Die. Because the flower is such a large focal point I decide to use a very small and simple setiment "smile" from the Fabulous Phrases (I LUV this font) and punch it out with The Jewlery Tag Punch.  

Hope you can join us this week at Stampin' Royalty and be sure to check out all the awesome DT's samples.

Have a great day,

Finding my Mojo

I didn't really make any New Year Resolutions this year, but I did create a list a of things that I wanted to strive to be better at :) and one of those things was posting more often here, which forces me to actually take some me time and sit down to create. I have found lately there are so many other things going on in my life that it is easy to forget about finding some time for "me" and stamping just because I want too. So today did (although this card actually doesn't have any stamping,lol). My Mojo has been lacking in a big way lately so what better place to jump start it then with a great sketch form Mojo Monday, and The Paper Players are having a fun Valentine Theme Challege so I thought I would play along.

Here's my take on it:

This card is a pretty clean and simple one but it was fun to finally do something with the new Red Glimmer Paper. The paper is so pretty IRL, it has a great glitter to it-and no mess! Plus it punches out perfectly. For the card base I used Crumb Cake then layered on a piece of Elegant Soiree Designer Series Paper that was matted on Marina Mist.  Then for the main image panel I layered on another piece of DSP (from the same pack) and piece of Soft Suede that was embossed using the Perfect Polka Dot Impressions Folder, then matted them and finished it off with some Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon. 
   Instead of using a sentiment on this card I used a Chipboard "U" that I have in my stash (another thing that I am trying to better at-using up what I have). I sponged the edges with Soft Suede Ink and backed on to some Marina Mist Card stock. Then I added a cute little Itty Bitty Button Heart and tied some Linen Thread through it. And as per the sketch I added two brads in Crumb Cake.

Happy Stampin',

I've got Style?

Okay, I couldn't think of a a clever title so that will just have to do! Imagine my surprise when I realized the other day that my friend Carrie Gaskin (hope I can call her that lol!) and insainly talented crafter awarded me a blog award!

 
I was way honored to recieve this and I really am not good at doing blog awards (or blogging period for that matter lately-thanks for sticking with me:)

So according to this award I am suppose to share 8 things about myself, now really I am NOT that interestinng.

1) I do NOT deal with Stress well, yet I am my most creative when I am under it-go figure

2) Up until 3 years ago I had NEVER rubber stamped or scrapped in my life-so if I can, YOU can!

3) My children make me crazy but I wouldn't have it any other way-they are amazing :)

4) I have a Rottweiler named Koda who thinks she is a lap dog, she is the gentlest dog you have ever met-all 85 lbs of her.

5) I have an extreme weakness for Chocolate especially ones with caramels and nuts.

6) My husband is a Chef and does 98% of the cooking at home-yes I am spoiled!

7) I have Insomia and most nights will be up around 3:30 am for no particular reason.

8) I have met some of the most amazing people through Stamping-for I am TRULY grateful.

 So now according to the award I need to pass it on to 8 blogs that inspire me. There are so many talented people that inspire me every day, so I decided to give this award to 3 amazing Bloggers that I have discovered recently:

Tanya Bell

Jessica Luther

Sarah Wills 

Now on to a project! 
Here is a quick and fun card that I had the pleasure of making with a few of my friends the other day-what could be better than getting together with friends and stamping?! This card is full of goodies from the new Occasions mini. Again I used the new Build a Blossom stamp set and matching Blossom Petals Punch.  
I also used the fun Pom Pom Trim in Melon Mambo and wrapped it around a Night of Navy Big Designer Button to create a cute center for the flower. The petals were stamped using Daffodil Delight and the leaves are Pear Pizzazz. The striped DSP is from the Springtime Vintage Collection and I matted it onto a piece of scalloped Night of Navy. For the card base i used a 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 square. The sentiment is also from another new set called Bring On the Cake.

 

Have a great day,

 

Bring On the CAKE!- Stampin' Royalty Birthday SR#53

I am so excited to say that Stampin' Royalty is celebrating it's first full year of Challenges! I was so thrilled when Sandra asked me at the end of August if I would like to join their team of talented designers, I of course jumped at the chance and have been having a blast ever since.

We would love to have you join in on the birthday festivities and create a project with a Birthday Theme for this week's challenge! Be sure to check out the DT Samples and the Stampin' Royalty site for some awesome inspiration.

January 4th marked the release of the new Occasion Mini Catalogue (be sure to check it out by clicking on the link on my side bar). It is full of fantastic new products that will blow you away! I used 2 new stamp sets for my card; Bring On the Cake and Build a Blossom. I also used the beautiful new Springtime Vintage Designer Series Paper and a ton of new accessories :) Like the new matching Blossoms Petals Punch, Ribbon Rosettes, Baja Breeze and Rose Red Seam Binding and a yummy new Fabric Designer Brad!

And who can give a birthday card with out a beautiful packaged up present? So, I just had to make a matching gift box! The I drew the colours for my card and box from the colurs in the lovely DSP. They are; River Rock, Baja Breeze, Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla and I added a touch of Early Espresso.  

I designed the box using the same pattern that I created HERE.

And today I finally have the tutorial for you! This box is the perfect size for 4 3x6 cards and matching envelopes, little chocolates or other goodies. (now the question is what did I put in mine?)

Here are the directions so you can create your own box:)

Start with a 9"x11" piece of card stock and score at 1,5,6,and 10 along the 11" side and score at 1and 8 along the 9" side.

On one end of the box you will now trim off 1/2" so this tab is now only 1/2". The reason I do this is because I want to tuck it under the brad to close it. You could decide not do this and just create a belly band to keep it closed or tie it shut with a ribbon. Essentially you are creating a rectangle pizza box.  Now along the 11" side cut up to the 1"score line on all vertical score lines. Do this on both sides.  On the side with half inch long tab (this will be the top of the box), Completely remove the end pieces (they will be 1/2"x 1"), you should be able to see where to cut in the picture. Apply Sticky Strip on the 4 small tabs.

This is the top of the box. Cut the side tabs on an angle as shown. this helps them tuck neatly into the box.

 
   
Now cut a piece of coordinating card stock to 3 3/4"x 6 3/4" and a piece of DSP to 3 1/2" x 6 1/2". Decorate the top of the box as desired.
 

 

 

Use you Paper Piercer to create a hole in the center of the 1" long tab that is on the side of the box that will be the bottom. Punch out a 3/4" circle of coordinating card stock (I used Soft Suede) and put the brad through it. Now attach to the box through the hole you just created.  remove the backing from the Sticky Strip and fold up to create a box.

That's it-your box is done! Hope this made sense and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask :)

Have a great day and happy stampin',