Baby Elephant Hello

Hi there!  Hope you had a great weekend!  Mine certainly was!  I attended a weekend crop at the Drury Inn in Arnold, MO and had such a fun time with the other croppers!  The accommodations were fantastic and the staff was AMAZING - super nice and very friendly!  Now it's just a matter of catching up on sleep... and getting back into a daily routine.
One of the cards I made at the crop is this funky elephant.  Isn't he just adorable?  He was made from the Cups & Kettle Framelits, with a few snips of the scissors here and there.  The idea came from Kelly Kent HERE posted Jan 24, 2016.  (Some people are just so clever!)  When I saw Kelly's card, I had to CASE (Copy And Share Everything) it to send to my daughter and son-in-law congratulating them on the birth of my new grandbaby!  It's the perfect card since his nursery just happens to have an elephant theme in blue and gray!  The free Sale-A-Bration set, Hello, was used for the "hello" sentiment and "baby" came from the Tin of Cards set. 

All Stampin' Up! supplies used unless otherwise noted.

Must get busy on some household chores.  Thanks for coming by today!

Down the Chimney

Hi there!  It's been a while since my last post.  Life has been busy!  Hope everyone had a great Christmas.  I know mine was a special day!  You're probably tired of seeing Christmas cards, but I'd like to share some in the next few days that were on my Card Buffet.  The basic idea for this card was posted on Pinterest, only the chimney was more time consuming.  It was done by offsetting rectangle pieces of cardstock to achieve that "chimney" look.  Well, it is sooo much easier now to use the Brick Wall embossing folder by Stampin' Up!  Santa's boots were made from the Sweetheart punch - and by making a few snips here and there.  His pant legs are rectangle pieces with white flowers glued to the ends to replicate fur.   (Sorry, but that punch is retired.)  A bag of toys is a must!  The Owl punch was the perfect tool to make a sack.  A starry background was made with the Lucky Stars embossing folder.  Even though it's past Christmas, maybe this will inspire you for  Christmas 2016.

Have a great day and thank you for stopping by for a visit!

Acorny Thank You

Hi there!  Can you believe it's December already?  Yikes!  Thought I'd share one of the cards featured in my Card Buffet line-up.  Stampin' Up!'s set, Acorny Thank You, was used and can be found in the 2015 Holiday Catalog.  There is a coordinating punch for the acorns, too.  The stamp set and punch are being carried over in the 2016 Occasions Catalog, which will be coming out soon.  Both can be purchased as a bundle, saving you some moolah.  (We Demonstrators get to place our pre-order from the new Ocassions Catalog  tomorrow!)  OK, back to the card.  The feathers had to be cut out with snips, which was easy peasy.  A small Baker's Twine bow was the finishing touch.  Inspiration for this card came from Susan Itell.  Love her style!  You may view Susan's card HERE.

Need to run errands.  Thank you for stopping by today!

Kind Koala

Hi there!  Hope your week is going well.  The card I'm sharing today was a popular Card Buffet selection.  This little koala image by Stampin' Up! is just so CA-ute!  How could you NOT love it?  The colors of Baked Brown Sugar and Blushing Bride look so good together, too.  Inspiration for my card came from the very talented Chat Wszelaki as seen HERE (posted July 23rd).  To make the card my own, different colors and supplies were used. 

That's it!  Thank you for visiting!  Your visits are always a welcomed pleasure!

All Stampin' Up! supplies used unless otherwise noted. 

Stamps: Kind Koala 

Paper: Blushing Bride, Baked Brown Sugar, 2013-15 In Color DSP Stack – Baked Brown Sugar Polka Dot pattern, White 

Ink: Memento Black, Blushing Bride marker 

Tools:  Lucky Stars EF, Finishing Touches Edgelits 

Other:  Blushing Bride Bakers Twine, Dimensionals, Glue Dots

Dots For You

Hi there and happy Monday!  Hope you enjoyed your weekend.  Saturday I was able to attend Jayne Singleton's Stamp Camp and hang out with her afterwards.  We were assembling our kits for the Christmas Card Workshop coming up on Saturday.  Spent a little time with our son and granddaughter on Sunday.  Enough chit chat - let's get to the card.  I CASE'd it to use for the Card Buffet that Mary Taylor and I host bi-monthly.  It is similar to a card that I received as a swap.  Unfortunately, the person didn't put their name on the back.  Several images from the Work of Art stamp set were used.  Some Baker's Twine was wrapped around the top portion that was nipped out with a 1/2" circle punch.  The tag was made by cutting out cardstock with the Chalk Talk Framelits.  An easy and feminine looking card that could be used for many occasions.

That's all.....thanks for visiting today!

Stampin' Up! supplies used unless otherwise noted. 

Stamps: Work of Art 

Paper: Crisp Cantaloupe, Melon Mambo, White 

Ink: Crisp Cantaloupe, Melon Mambo 

Tools:  Chalk Talk Framelits, 1/2” Circle punch 

Other: Crisp Cantaloupe Thick Bakers Twine, sponges, Dimensionals

Zoo Babies

Hi there!  Today I've been busy catching up on paperwork, making files for the new In Colors, and other organizing projects in the studio.  That is an ongoing task!  Found this card in the process.  The inspiration came from LeeLa Smith's card posted to the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator web site back in 2011.  She used the Zoo Review stamp set and the Curly Label punch.  Her colors were Cajun Craze and Black.  Since the images in Zoo Babies are smaller, I decided to pair it with the Petite Curly Label punch and softer colors of Baked Brown Sugar and Crisp Cantaloupe.  A piece of Crisp Cantaloupe thick Baker's Twine adorns the giraffe's neck and a pearl colored with a black Sharpie was used for his (or her) eye.

Back to organizing!  Thank you so much for coming by for a visit today!

Oh, Baby!

Hi there and happy Monday!  Hope you had a wonderful weekend.  Yesterday I attended a baby shower for a good friend of our youngest daughter.  This is the card I made, which is a side-step dresser card.  The directions can be found here on Jackie Topa's blog.  Love her work - she's so creative!  It's actually an easy technique and can be decorated for many different occasions.  You're only limited by your imagination!  This card was definitely a work of the heart in the details!  A piece of Victoria crochet trim is hanging out of the middle drawer.  (I couldn't believe that Stampin' Up! was retiring this trim!  Don't worry, there is a replacement in the new catalog.  Whew! )  The giraffe, from Zoo Babies, was stamped with So Saffron ink and fussy cut.  His mane was made from some thick Baker's Twine left over from Sale-A-Bration.  It was a bit time consuming to adhere and fray each small piece but it added so much, at least in my opinion.  A second giraffe was stamped and cut out  to cover the back.  The foot prints are from Baby Prints, which is retiring the end of this month but being replaced with a great set and coordinating Framelits!  The teddy bear is from a retired set.  Sorry, but I don't remember the name.  He was in my box of discarded bits and pieces that didn't get used on projects for one reason or another.  Do you have one of those boxes?  The Curly Label punch and the retired Pinking Hearts border punch give the bottom of the card that "dresser" look. 

That's all for now.  Hope you have a fabulous day and thank you for stopping by!

A Big Kiss!

Hi there and happy Monday!  The weekend sure flew by.  Saturday we had our Card Buffet.  What fun we had!  The turnout was great despite the weather we've had.  Thank you ladies for such a wonderful time!  Sunday was spent with family.  We attended a welcome home party for our nephew who is home from basic training (Marines).  He sure did look handsome in his uniform!  It's amazing how much he has matured in that short amount of time, too.  Afterwards, our granddaughter spent the night with us.  She'll be getting up soon so let's get to the reason you stopped in today - the card.  My inspiration came from Selene Kempton's June 1, 2012 blog post (you can view her blog here).  This card was one of the samples for our Jan - Feb Card Buffet.  To make the "kiss" I glued some foil to a piece of cardstock, then punched out the large petal of the Blossom Punch (currently on the Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack found here).  Just trim off the scalloped portion of the petal.  The sentiment on the banner is from Petite Pairs.  A little bit of Baker's Twine added some interest.  Below is a peek at the inside of the card.

A sentiment from Love You to the Moon set is used here, along with the XOXO from the Circle Thinlits die.  Oh, and the cardstock color is Chocolate Chip.  Of course!

Must get some other tasks completed before the little one wakes up.  Thanks for stopping in today!  It's always a pleasure to have you come by!

Spring Fling Make n Takes

 Hi there!  Sorry for the late post sharing the make n takes from Saturdays Spring Fling 

organized by Sally Nusbaum - with the help of Kim Coulter and Cheryl Renth.  The above 

card is showcasing the new Stampin' Up! Ampersand embossing folder, which is found in the 2014 Occasions Catalog (page22).  A piece of gold Foil Sheet was used, as well as gold Washi tape and gold Baker's Twine.   

Our next make n take also uses a piece of the gold Foil Sheet.  This time it peeks out from underneath a piece of gold Fancy Foil Designer Vellum.  Here again, gold Baker's Twine was used.  

The sentiment is from Perfect Pennants (found on page 27 of the Occasions Catalog).  It was stamped with Versamark ink and heat embossed using gold embossing powder.

The same patterns in silver can also be found in Fancy Foil Designer Vellum, as used for the following card.

A different sentiment from The Perfect Pennants stamp set was used - only this time, we stamped the sentiment with silver Encore ink.  The banners were cut out with the Banners Framelits Dies.

Isn't this a fun card?  The background was made with Washi tape.  Love Washi tape!  It is so easy to use.  Gold Baker's Twine was wrapped around the panel a couple of times and embellished with a strip of Gold Sequin Trim and a button from the Very Vintage Designer Buttons collection.  This time a sentiment from a Sale-A-Bration freebie set is used, called See Ya Later.  Cute, cute, cute!

Our last project has become very popular on the internet.  You may have seen similar boxes.  What a presentation for the recipient!  It  wasn't difficult - just a little more time consuming but so worth it!  Cheryl did a lot of advance prep work, which made it go quicker.  Here again, the same elements are used as those in the above projects.  The sentiments are from See Ya Later and Just Sayin'.  Modern Medley Designer Series Paper (found in the Annual Catalog) was used on the panels and for some of the banners.

Here's a better view of the inside workings of the box.  The great thing about this box - it folds flat for mailing! 

What awesome projects, huh?  I just can't express how much I love being a part of Stampin' Up! and among such creative talent!

Not sure what is going on with Blogger today - spacing is all wonky.  I've tried to fix it but it's not happening.  Sooo, I'll sign off for now.  Thanks for stopping by today!

Spring Fling

Hi there!  Yesterday I attended a "Spring Fling" event and had a blast!  Let me tell ya, it certainly didn't feel like Spring outside!  I heard the snow plow come down our street early yesterday morning.  That got me out of bed real quick to peek outside to see how much snow had fallen.  It wasn't even an inch but I had about 30 miles to travel and snow could make that a scary trip.  Fortunately, the roads were fine!  Now back to the event.... Sally Nusbaum organizes a few different events for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators throughout the year, usually after the debut of a new catalog.  There are demonstrations, make n takes, business information, prizes, and card swapping (optional).  Oh, and food!  The best part, for me at least, is meeting other Demonstrators.  Sally's events are so much fun and I have met the nicest people!  If you're a Demonstrator and would like to attend, contact me and I'll connect you to Sally.  She does an awesome job!  So with all that said, the above packaged plastic shovel is one of the favors we received.  Isn't that just too cute?  We also received this one shown below.

This little cutie holds a square of Ghiradelli chocolate.  Yum!  It was made using the new Angled Tag Topper punch, gold Washi tape, and gold Baker's Twine - all from the 2014 Occasions Catalog.  The next favor designed by Kim Coulter is my personal favorite. 

What a gorgeous presentation!  That rose was made using the new Spiral Flower Originals Die.  Polka dot Gold Fancy Foil Designer Vellum was cut from a Starburst Framelit.  (Each package of Designer Vellum contains 3 sheets of 3 different designs) The branch of leaves (bird punch found in Annual Catalog) and banner (new Framelits) were made from our Foil Sheets found on page 23 of the Occasions Catalog.  The Chevron print kraft bag is a product that appears in the Annual Catalog on page 158 and the Tea Lace Paper Doilies can be found on page 156.  What's inside the bag you ask?  Samples of both gold and silver Designer Vellum, gold and silver Baker's Twine, Mini Metallic Clothespins, Silver 1/8" Ribbon, and Gold Sequin Trim!  
Are you seeing a theme here?  lol  It was gold, silver, and red. 

Tomorrow I'll share the make n take projects.  Thanks for stopping in today!

Last of the Swaps

Hi there!  Today is the last of the shoebox swaps from a fun girls' retreat last month.  Our theme was to make a sympathy, get well, or thinking of you card.  The above swap was by Sally Nusbaum.  The sentiment from Sassy Salutations fit perfectly in the center of the Blossom punch.  Both items can be found in the Stampin' Up! annual catalog.  How about that subtle polka dot background?  That is the new Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper (DSP) on page 23 of the 2014 Occasions Catalog.  The finishing touch is the 3/4" Island Indigo Chevron Ribbon.  Who wouldn't feel better after receiving this card?

The next swap was designed by Susan Fields.

Her card is showcasing High Tide DSP (in the 2014 Occasions Catalog), the Banner Blast stamp set, and coordinating Banner punch.  The banner stamp set and punch are FREE products you can earn during Sale-A-Bration!  Some gold Baker's Twine was used for "hanging" the banners.  This is a new item in the Occasions Catalog and also comes in silver.  A circle stamped with an image from Hello, Sailor and matted onto a Pacific Point shape punched from the Curly Label punch makes the perfect embellishment.  What a great masculine card!

Snow is in the forecast.  Looks like another day in the studio.  It's a tough job but somebody's gotta do it.  Ha!  Thank you for stopping in today!

3x3 Notes

Hi there!  Do you know what day it is?  It's hump DAY!  Isn't it crazy how commercials become a part of our conversations?  I don't even know what the commercial is selling - just that there's a camel in an office area.  Enough silliness.  Time for a "little" card.  I make 3x3 notecards that get included in each customer's order bag.  They are sometimes more anxious to see the little card than their order.  Too funny - but it makes me feel good to know that they enjoy them!  Anywho......these were the December order notecards.  The hearts, stamped with Gold Encore ink, are from the Stampin' Up! Hearts a Flutter stamp set and coordinating Framelits.  A gold Bakers Twine bow (new item in the Occasions Catalog. It comes in silver, too!) dresses it up a bit.  The background was done with one of the images from Gorgeous Grunge in gold ink.  A Hostess set in the 2013-14 Annual Catalog called Express Yourself was used for the sentiment.

Sorry for the quick post but I have a ton of things to do before leaving in the morning for some stamping time with my peeps.  Can't wait!  Thanks for checking in today!

By the Tide

Hi there!  Gonna make this quick so I can get to bed.  The above card was one of the choices in Carla Spradling's Card Buffet earlier this month.  It was a good masculine card to send to a friend who recently retired.  The stamp set By the Tide can be found in the Stampin' Up! Spring catalog.  Love this set!  The little embellishment was made using our new Soda Pop Tops.  I didn't think I'd like them but they are so CUTE!  Now I'll have to order some (also in the Spring catalog.)

All supplies Stampin' Up! unless noted
Stamps: By the Tide
Paper: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Midnight Muse, White
Ink: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Midnight Muse
Other: Soda Pop Tops, 1/2" circle punch, Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, Midnight Muse Satin ribbon, Dimensionals

That's it for now.  Thank you for stopping in today!

Ahoy Matey!

Happy Friday to you!  This will be quick.  I'm running errands today, remember?  LOL
Here is a card I made with my weekly stamp group, The Wednesday Girls.  They made it last week (I was home packing for the retreat) so I CASEd it this week, with a couple of minor changes.  They used the compass on the Cherry Cobbler strip and wrapped it with Early Espresso Baker's twine.  Oh, they also used a non-SU! striped paper.  Sorry, I don't know where the original idea came from.

All SU! supplies used unless otherwise noted.
Stamp: Open Sea
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy, White, Regals DSP stack
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake
Other: Linen thread

Thanks for visiting today and have a great weekend!

The Open Sea and the Clock is Ticking!

Hi there.  We're experiencing another HOT day.  Ugh!  It just zaps the energy right out of a person when you go out - or at least out of me.  lol

Hurry - the clock is ticking!  You only have until Sunday to take advantage of the $99 Starter Kit promotion.  If you'd like to have fun while earning some cash, join the Stampin' Up! family!  To do so, go to my SU! website here.  It may be the best thing you ever did for yourself!

Thought I'd post another masculine card that went out this month.  This card was one of our projects at Pam's Demo Stamp Camp back in May, and was perfect for the recipient I had in mind. 

The base is Crumb Cake, then a layer of textured Not Quite Navy.  The stripe was cut from the gray striped pattern of the Nautical Expedition DSP (a Clipper is on the other side).  Wasn't that clever of Pam?  The round map on the focal piece was stamped with Crumb Cake ink.  The anchor was then stamped over it using Early Espresso ink and a knot was tied with our new Baker's twine. (Love it!)  The square was matted on Early Espresso then adhered to the card base.  A very nice masculine card.

Need to finish packing up the rest of my stuff for Stamp Camp tomorrow.  I have a couple of slots left if you'd like to join us and live in the St. Louis metro area.  Contact information is on the right side bar.  (I'll post pics of the cards as soon as possible.)

Stay cool and thank you for stopping in today!

Tomorrow is the Last Day to Order - Party Hearty!

Hi there! Thought I'd post again in case I don't get a chance to do so later.  Tomorrow is the last day to order from the 2010-2011 Catalog.  Hurry to get those items you want!!

Friday is my New Catalog Release Open House!!  Whoo Hoo - new catalog, new goodies!  If you would like to stop in, please contact me so I'll know an approximate number of project kits to have on hand for the free make n take.

Here is another card the girls made at Stamp Camp this past Saturday.  Like how I've been dragging it out all week?  tee hee  This card was made using the Party Hearty set.  I like this set!  Too bad it made the Last Chance List.  Oh well, lots of other great sets to be had!

Stampin' Up! supplies used unless otherwise noted

Stamps: Party Hearty

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, White, Greenhouse Gala DSP (retiring Jun 30)

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Daffodil Delight

Tools: Scallop circle punch, 3/4” circle punch

Other:  Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, glue dots, dimensionals

Inspiration: Sue Noetzel - click here and scroll down to May 1st post to see her card

That's all folks.  Thank you for peeking in today!