Gift Card Present

Hi there!  Yesterday was a busy day - just didn't get around to posting.  Wednesday night was the Stampin' Up! Catalog Kickoff.  What a great time meeting up with friends and making new ones!  Such a fun evening!  The new Occasions Catalog is full of awesome products - my wish list is ready!  We can pre-order beginning today, which is just one of the benefits of being a Demonstrator!  Woo hoo! 

Now about the card above, which is a gift card holder.  It's not just for Christmas.  Change the DSP to fit the occasion.  Below is an open view, with a peek at the gift card insert.   It was made with the Envelope Punch Board.  I used the retired Slot Punch to keep the gift card in place.

The Hostess Club members made this card at our meeting last month.  Watch France Martin's video HERE for directions to make a batch of gift card holders to have on hand for the holidays - or any day.
Must go place my pre-order now!  Have a great weekend and thanks for coming by for a visit today!
    

Bee Happy!

Hi there!  Hope it's sunny where you live.  We're having another rainy, gray day.  These damp days put me in the baking mood, which is what our granddaughter and I did yesterday.  We didn't have time to do any crafting, though.  But I do have a card sample from the display board at our Card Buffet.  This little guy was very popular and can be sent for various ocassions.  Friends and fellow Demonstrators, Kim Coulter and Jayne Singleton, were the inspiration behind this card - and the Sweet Stuff stamp set by Stampin' Up! had the perfect sentiment!  You may want to take a look at this set, as it contains some really cute images.

Need to tackle my to-do list now.  Thank you for stopping in today!

Stampin' Up! supplies used unless otherwise noted. 

Stamps: Sweet Stuff 

Paper: Black, Hello Honey, White, Vellum 

Ink: Black, Blushing Bride, White chalk marker 

Tools:  Honeycomb Embossing Folder, Bird Builder Punch, Ornament shape - MDS & e-cutter, Circle Punches – 1/2", 3/4”, 1”, and 1-3/4”, XL Oval Punch 

Other:  Sponge dauber, Dimensionals, clear block

Firetruck Punch Art

Hi there and happy hump day!  A quick post today featuring this punch art firetruck, which was a customer request for our Card Buffet.  I found a firetruck done by Christine Gaydos on our Demonstrator only web site as my inspiration.  Sorry I can't share that with you and she doesn't have a blog.  (Become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, then you'll have access!)  The inside of the card was "stampers choice".   I made a template for the ladies to use to outline the door with a black marker.  A piece of vellum punched from the Hexagon punch, then cut in half made the "windshield".  Trim the other half to make the door "window".  A white chalk pen was used to add lines to the vellum "windows".  A little tip - when punching out vellum or DSP, use a piece of scrap cardstock underneath the vellum.  The cardstock will keep the vellum from getting stuck in the punch.

Must get going.  Thanks for stopping by for a visit today!  You're visits are always welcome!

All Stampin' Up! supplies used unless otherwise noted.

Paper: White, Real Red, So Saffron, Metallic Silver (non-SU), Vellum, Black, Gray

Ink: Black marker, White chalk marker

Tools:  Envelope Punch Board (EPB), Hexagon punch, circle punches, Small Oval punch, Word Window punch, scissors

Inspiration: Christine Gaydos on Stampin’ Connection September 27, 2012

Time to Paws

Hi there!  Hope your week was a good one.  It went by quick!  The forecast is great - the high temp today is 74!  Last night we had our O'Fallon Card Buffet and that went very well.  Thanks to ALL the ladies who attended our Buffet this past Saturday and last night!  We had a great time! 

Now for one of the cards on our Buffet display is the paw print, which can be a pet sympathy (as shown above) or it can easily be made into a congratulations or birthday for a pet (shown below).  I sent Rocky (our granddog) a "miss you" card after having him for a week.  His parents got a kick out of that.  You could even make it for a Mizzou fan by changing the colors! 

All Stampin' Up! supplies used unless otherwise noted. 

Stamps: So Sorry 

Paper: White, Black, Cherry Cobbler 

Ink: Black 

Tools:  Hearts Framelits, Small Oval punch, Small Heart punch 

Other:  Dimensionals

Inspiration: Mary Fish   link to her video to make the paw

That's all for now.  Hope you have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by for a peek at my blog!

Oh, Hello

Hi there and Happy Memorial Day!  A big thank you to our military (past and present) for keeping our nation free!  Hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend.  I've been in cleaning mode.  Not fun but very necessry.  I've neglected things around here way too long!  Enough about that.  Here's information about the card today that was made at Carla's Buffet.  The stamp set used is Oh, Hello, which appeared in the Stampin' Up! Spring catalog - and is carrying over into the new annual catalog!  Oval Framelits were used to cut out the two larger ovals and a punch was used on the butterfly image.  The bottom Cherry Cobbler portion was embossed with the Honeycomb embossing folder.

All Stampin' Up! supplies used unless otherwise noted:
Stamps: Oh, Hello
Paper: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, White
Ink: Early Espresso, So Saffron
Other: Taffeta ribbon, honeycomb embossing folder, framelits, oval punch

Sorry for the quick post but must get back to work before I lose my cleaning mojo!  lol   Safe travels to those on the road and thanks for including me in your travels via internet today!

Thoughts and Prayers Get Well

Hi there - I'm back!  Had a busy week of celebrating my birthday (a girl's gotta milk it for all it's worth) and our Card Buffet at DeLeo's Cafe and Deli on Saturday.  Thank you ladies for making it so fun!  That's why I love what I do!!!

OK, now on to the card.  I CASE'd this card by Carol Frerichs with a few minor changes. I've had this idea saved for quite some time now.  Decided it was time to just DO IT!  I didn't have the same DSP so used  Patio Party DSP instead.

Stampin' Up! supplies used unless otherwise noted
Stamps:  Thoughts and Prayers
Paper:  Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, White, Patio Party DSP
Other:  Large oval punch, Scallop oval punch, Dimensionals

That's all for now.  Need to get to bed!  Thank you for stopping in today!

Red Hat Card

Hi there!  Well, we're starting the New Year with some cold temps - 15 degrees.  Brr!  Be sure to wear your hats and gloves!  Speaking of hats....I forgot to share with you one of the projects I designed for a Red Hat group back in early December.  (How's that for a segue?)  The ladies chose this one as their favorite project.  No surprise there, huh?  lol 

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Black, Elegant Eggplant, Real Red, White

Ink: Elegant Eggplant

Tools:  Fancy Fan embossing folder, Labels Collection Framelits, XL Oval punch, Large oval punch, 1-1/4” Circle punch, flower from Itty Bitty punch pack, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch

Other:  1/8” Real Red Taffeta ribbon, glue dots, Dimensionals

Inspiration:  Rosa Marie Reynolds - Stampin’ Connection Demo site

That's all for now - spending time with our granddaughter!  Keep warm and thank you for stopping in today!

Flowering Flourishes & Hearts

Hi there!  Forgot to post this card that was my swap for the Demo Holiday party card swap last month.  It was also one of the make n takes for our Customer Appreciation Open House held on Dec 2nd.

Stampin' Up! supplies used unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: Flowering Flourishes, Field Flowers, Tiny Tags,
Paper: Vanilla, Real Red, First Edition DSP
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Crumb Cake
Other: Large Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, Small Heart punch, Chocolate Chip Scallop Dots ribbon

Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for visiting today!

Twisted Patio Party

Closed view

 

Open view with tea light

Hi there!  Yesterday was so bright and sunny but today is gray and gloomy.  What a difference a day makes.  But you didn't come here for a weather report so let's get on to the card.  This card was made for my friend, Pam D'Urso, who was in town for her birthday on Friday (Nov 30th).  Pam's birthday wish was to spend the weekend in St Louis with her stamping peeps.  Love that!  We got to see her and Steve three days in a row!  Dawn Griffith posted a Christmas card she made using the twisted easel technique (you can see her card here) so I changed it up a bit by using Patio Party DSP and the candle image from Create a Cupcake stamp set to change the theme to birthday.  Just so happens that yesterday Dawn posted a birthday card for her daughter using the same DSP - just a different pattern.  We're thinking alike.  Ha!  I could only hope! 

Stamps:  Create a Cupcake
Paper:  Midnight Muse, Summer Starfruit, White, Vellum, Patio Party DSP
Ink: Midnight Muse
Other: Summer Starfruit satin ribbon, Large & Scallop oval punches, Designer Frames embossing folder, tea light

That's it for today.  Hope you have a great day and thanks for visiting!

Hi there!  Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.  We certainly did.  Enough small talk, huh?  Let's get on with today's card.  Had a request for this card so it was one of the projects the girls made at Stamp Camp.  It's an easy card - especially after viewing Tami White's video.  Thanks Tami! 

Stamps: Wacky Wishes - inside sentiment  (2012-13 Hostess  W-126410, C-126412) 

Paper: Black, Real Red, White 

Ink: Black 

Tools:  Spider Web embossing folder (120889), Large Oval punch (119855), Extra-Large Oval punch (119859) 

Other:  snips  

Inspiration: Tami White    www.stampwithtami.com  posted Sep 7, 2010  (she has a video)

 

That's all for now.  Thanks for stopping in today!

Sunny Wishes

Hi there!  Stopping in for a quick post to show you this punch art sunflower card I made.  The directions can be found on Sherry Beeson's blog.  She has a video you can watch.  Too cute! 

Stamps: Petite Pairs (W-122495, C-122497) - Happy Birthday Wishes 

Paper: White, Summer Starfruit, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip 

Ink: Chocolate Chip 

Tools:  Scallop Oval punch (119856), Large Oval punch (119855), Boho Blossoms punch (largest flower), 1/2” circle punch, Square Lattice embossing folder (119976), Little Leaves Sizzlit die (114511) 

Other:  Chocolate Chip Scallop Dots ribbon (124142), Dimensionals, Glue Dots, liquid glue 
Inspiration: Sherry Beeson  http://www.sherrystampinroom.blogspot.com posted Oct 2, 2012

That's it for now.  Need to work on swaps for the Demo Holiday Party on Nov 30th, which is organized by Sally Nusbaum.  Looking forward to seeing my stamping peeps!  Thank you so much for visiting today!

What a Grouch!

 
Hi there!  Hope you've been having a good weekend.  Today I had a chance to play in the studio rather than work on projects.  Guess it's all playing really.  It's a tough job but somebody has to do it!  lol
A while back my friend issued a challenge to come up with an Oscar the Grouch card.  Thought I had that covered... but no, she wanted him in a trash can.  Plus, some of the punches used in the past to make Oscar have since retired - so I had to figure out what current tools could be used.  The above card is the result of today's efforts.
The trash can is made from a 2" x 3" piece of gray card stock with a bit of the top nipped out with the Extra-Large Oval punch (Wide Oval).  I also cut a 1" x 3" strip of gray.  These were then run through the Big Shot in the Stripes embossing folder.  The edges were inked with Black, then the 1" piece was adhered to the top-back portion of the trash can.  Oscar is on Dimensionals.  The "bottle" was punched from the jewelry tag punch, trimmed at the neck, and chalked around the edges for some definition.  The "newspaper trash" is scrap First Edition DSP, crumpled and distressed with Black ink.  Black ink was also used on the card base to tone down the White.  After all, Oscar lives in a dingy area!

Oscar:
Head = Gumball Green 1-3/4" scallop circle punch
Eyebrows =  square punch - double punched and trimmed
Eyes = Owl punch (largest circle in White, medium circle in Black)
Mouth =  Black Small Oval, trimmed in half horizontially
Tongue = Real Red Large Oval (cut off about 1/4" on one end to use as the tongue)

Stamp:  Wacky Wishes
Paper:  Gumball Green, Chocolate Chip, White, Black, Gray, Real Red, First Edition DSP
Ink:  Black
Other: White gel pen, jewelry tag punch, scallop circle punch, square punch, owl punch, oval punches, Stripes embossing folder, Dimensionals

Enjoy what's left of the weekend and thanks for checking in today!

French Watercolor

Hi there!  It's a wet and gray day here and I'm on my way out the door.  No worries!   It will be a bright and cheery day with the ladies attending Stamp Camp!  So, on to the card for today.  It's another birthday card made with Stampin' Up! Watercolor Wonder Crayons.  Told you there were a lot of birthdays this month!  lol  I rubbed different crayon colors on the stamp, spritzed it with water, then applied to the card stock. The water spot image from the set was inked up with ink to tone down the White.

Stamps: French Foliage, Petite Pairs
Paper: Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard, Perfect Plum, White
Ink: Always Artichoke, Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard
Other: Oval punches, Edgelits,  Watercolor Wonder Crayons

Must get going now.  Thank you for stopping by today and have a great weekend!
 

Elegant Elizabeth

Hi there!  Another quick post today showcasing a card made with one of the stamps on the Retiring List - Elizabeth.  This is such an elegant single stamp offered in the A La Carte section of the catalog (page 20).  Soooo if you want it, buy it before May 31st!

I CASE'd the card my friend and up-line, Pam D'Urso, sent to me. The only thing I changed was the sentiment so it could be used as a birthday card.  Thanks Pam!

Stamps: Elizabeth
Paper: White, Soft Suede, Black
Ink: Soft Suede
Other: Oval punches, Black Satin ribbon

Must get to bed now.  Thanks for coming by!

On-Line Extravagana and Stamp Camp Cards

Hi there!  Good News!  Stampin' Up! launches their On-line Extravagana on Monday, Nov 21.  Do your holiday shopping right here - plus get free stuff and great discounts.  Hurry, each special is extremely time-sensitive ... only for a 24 hour period! 

Today I had some wonderful ladies at my Stamp Camp!  It started out as a real challenge but worked out in the end - and that's what counts.  I sooo appreciate their help and being so understanding of the circumstances beyond my control.  Thank you ladies!!!   You are AWESOME!

Here is one of the cards that was made today.  Love the Well Worn DSP.  It's great to use on masculine or vintage cards. 

All Stampin' Up! supplies used unless otherwise noted:

Stamps: Thoughts and Prayers

Paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy, Well Worn DSP

Ink: Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy, Soft Suede (to ink edges)

Tools: Wide Oval (2” x 3/8”) punch, Large Oval (1-3/4”x7/8”) punch, Sizzix Button Sizzlit, poker tool

Other:  Linen Thread, Dimensionals, glue dots

That's it for now - heading to bed.  Thank you for not giving up on me and stopping in today!

Hey - I'm Still Here!

Hi everyone!  Hope your week is going well.  Sorry it's been so long since my last post - ahem, as someone pointed out - not mentioning any names or anything.  I did warn you that it was a busy time.  Geez, a person posts every day for a week then you get spoiled and expect it all the time!  LOL  Just kidding with ya!  (I really do admire those who actually do post every day.  You all are awesome.)   Anyway, I'm back and it's been crazy busy!

Monday evening I returned from the "girls getaway" retreat.  We had a great time!  Had some of those "laugh until you almost wet your pants" moments.  I think I gained ten pounds, too, from all the food we had.  Or maybe it was that $40 worth of candy "someone" brought!  Thank goodness that Texas Sheet Cake had zero calories or I'd be in big trouble!  Holy Sheet, Batman!

Had a fun Demo dinner meeting Tues with the Pieces of Heart team (and our adopted members).  We have such a fun group and it's always exciting to see what everyone does for their challenge each month.  Unfortunately, I forgot my camera!  (Still haven't recovered from the sleep deprivation and sugar rushes sustained at the retreat!  LOL)  I'll try to get some pics from someone who did have a camera.  The only picture I have is the one I took of my challenge prior to our meeting that night.

Wednesday was our weekly stamp group get together.  Today I had a three hour lunch  with a couple of friends at a Thai restaurant.  I was a Thai food virgin!  It was really good and a fun atmosphere.  I'll be a repeat customer for sure.
Running errands are on the list for tomorrow before picking up the granddaughter from daycare for an overnight visit with us.  I sure have missed her!

OK guess that's enough jabbering about my week - on to the card!  Our Pieces of Heart team was challenged by Don to make a card using at least 10 circles of at least two different sizes.  This is what I came up with:

I originally planned to make a caterpillar but with school starting, I decided to go with the bookworm.  I envisioned the black area representing a black board.  (Maybe I should have written something on the board.)  The books were made from the Word Window punch with a bit of penwork.  The apple is from the retired set "Tart n Tangy".

ETA:  The rest of the team's cards can be seen here on Pam D'Urso's blog.

I'm still playing catch up so I'll leave you for now.  Thank you for stopping by and hope you have a great evening!




 

Animal Stories Archeological Dig

Hi friends!  Here is another card "dug up" from my card stash.  The background entails a technique very similar to the Baby Wipe technique (to get the stripes).  Dampen a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol, then a dab or two of re-inker, then swipe it down a piece of glossy card stock.  Do one color at a time (lightest to darkest), using a separate cotton ball for each color.   If you find that the cotton ball becomes too dry, you can moisten it with a spritzer filled with some alcohol.  (No, not tequila!)  You don't want to saturate the cotton ball nor contaminate the remaining contents of the rubbing alcohol in the bottle!  The horse image (looks like a funky swayback but I like him!) was stamped onto White and the edges were sponged with Not Quite Navy.  The stamped piece was then matted to Rich Razzelberry and Crushed Curry.  (See, I told ya it was a dig!  Crushed Curry retired last year. lol)  Set two jumbo eyelets in the corner (make sure you leave enough room between your holes so the eyelets will fit - voice of experience here).  Run some ribbon through the back of the eyelets to the front and tie in a knot.  Adhere the focal piece to your hand made background panel, which is matted to a Crushed Curry card base.  Add a layered oval sentiment popped up on dimensionals.

Supplies used:
Stamps - Animal Stories (retired), Teeny Tiny Wishes (sentiment)
Paper - Glossy card stock, Crushed Curry, Rich Razzelberry
Ink - Not Quite Navy, Crushed Curry, Rich Razzelberry, Old Olive
Tools - Crop-a-dile. oval punches (smallest is retired now)
Other - Jumbo eyelets, ribbon (non-SU!), alcohol, cotton balls, sponges, dimensionals

Thank you so much for visiting today!  Hope you're inspired to try a new technique or resurrect an old one!

Vintage Vogue

Hi everyone!  It's Saturday and I'm back to post a birthday card for one of our niece's upcoming birthday.  We have a number of family members and friends celebrating birthdays or other occasions this month.  It seems that even though I make cards, I don't have the "right" one for the recipient.  Decided it was time for a "just do it!" attitude - pick an appropriate card and get it in the mail.  Soooo, I have been pulling out cards from my stash.  Do you find yourself missing a birthday or other occasion even though you hand make cards?  Crazy, huh?  Guess it's like the Cobbler's children have no shoes type story.  lol
Here's one from my card stash using the "Vintage Vogue" stamp set, which made it to the new catalog.  Yes!  (This is such a pretty set - need to drag it out again to show it a little love.)  Anyway, I inked up the flower swirl image using White craft ink and stamped in a random pattern on the Crumb Cake card base and focal piece.  I then used Soft Suede ink to stamp a few times over the stamped White images on the focal piece.  Mat focal piece to Soft Suede card stock and tie a Very Vanilla ribbon around it before securing to the card base.  The outside sentiment is from  "Just Believe".   Inside I used a sentiment from "On Your Birthday".

Inspired by Lisa Maco

Here are the measurements:
Crumb Cake cardbase = 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", scored at 4-1/4 and folded in half
    focal piece = 2-1/4" x 3-1/4"
Soft Suede mat = 2-1/2" x 3-1/2"


Stampin' Up! supplies used unless otherwise noted.
Stamps - Vintage Vogue, Just Believe, On Your Birthday
Paper - Crumb Cake, Soft Suede
Ink - Soft Suede, Craft White
Tools - Oval punches
Other - Very Vanilla 3/8" taffeta ribbon (retired)

Off to excavate my archeological site - digging from the card stash!  Thanks for checking in today and hope this inspires you to mail out your cards!

June Stamp Camp Projects

Hi everyone!  We had storms again over the weekend.  Woke up this morning to rain, then no power.  Ugh!  Fortunately, it was restored around 1 pm so I didn't have to throw out the refrigerated/frozen food.  What a way to start the week.  It sure wasn't conducive to an already busy week!  What's that saying... "Life isnt about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain."  Well, I should be ready to hit Broadway soon! lol
OK back to business.  Here is one of the projects from my Fond Farewell Stamp Camp this past Saturday.

Close-up of the sentiment and embellishment

Stampin' Up! supplies used unless otherwise noted
Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Silhouette Sentiments (Level 1 Hostess set)
Paper: White, Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue DSP (retired)

Ink: Bashful Blue ink pad & marker, Certainly Celery marker 

Tools: Scallop border punch, Oval punches - small (1-3/8x5/8), large (1-3/4x7/8)

Other:  Certainly Celery satin ribbon, pearls, dimensionals

Inspiration: Tanya Silver on Stamping Connection (Demo only site. Sorry!) posted May 23, 2010

Funny story about Stamp Camp.  We were waiting for a couple of people to show up when the electricity went out in the restaurant!  I was wondering to myself if I'd have to cancel Camp again because of no power, which is what happened in April (due to the tornado).  We sat in the dark for about 10 minutes before the lights came back on.  Whew, so glad they did!  Otherwise, it would have been our farewell.  lol

OK, need to get to bed. (Even though this shows being posted 2 hrs earlier. I guess Blogger is on Pacific time.)   I'll have more tomorrow.  Gotta keep you in suspense.

Thanks for stopping by!

An Elegant Elizabeth.... but no Royal connections.

Hi everyone and happy Thursday!  Today I want to show you a card made with the Elizabeth stamp.  It is a single stamp located on page 18 of the current catalog.  This card was sent to our friends for their anniversary but you can customize the sentiment to suit your occasion.  It makes such an elegant card.  This card was CASEd from someone, but I can't find the information right now.  I'll edit to add later when found.  Sorry!

SU! supplies
Stamps: Elizabeth, Just Believe (sentiment)
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Black, Newsprint DSP
Ink: Black
Other: Black satin ribbon, oval punch, dimensionals

That's all for today.  Need to finish some things before going to pick up our granddaughter for an overnight visit.  Have a great day and thank you for stopping by for a visit!