{ Beautiful Things }

Some images copyright Stampin' Up!

As I found I can't sleep, again.... I decided to check out the SCS challenge for the day. The challenge was to only use and do things from this list:

Flower stamps

Sentiments

Up to 2 backgrounds
(stamps)

Up to 2 colors/kinds of ribbons

Sponging, tearing, distressing

Faux stitching

Paper piercing

Punches – to make tabs only

Ink: soft subtles, rich regals,neutrals (brown is a neutral) – or similar if not SU

Paper: solid color cardstock – soft subtles, rich regals, neutrals

Immediately this card popped into my head. I've had this idea in my head for quite a while, but haven't had or felt the need to try it out. This was the perfect chance. I started at the top right hand side using Stazon ink to stamp the flowers. I masked them off and moved down toward the left hand side. I then cut the top edge out and colored them in by sponging. Once the flowers were done I masked them off and stamped the background. I finished it off with the sentiment and ribbon.

Here is an open view of the card. Enjoy!

Some images copyright Stampin' Up!

Supplies:
Stamps: SU In Full Bloom, French Script, Misc Sentiment
Paper: SU Very Vanilla
Ink: SU Bravo Burgundy, Elegant Eggplant, Brocade Blue, So Saffron, Craft Chocolate Chip, Stazon Jet Black
Embellishments: Misc Ribbon

{ Punched Bugs & Bees }

I fell in love with this cute paper the second I saw it on someone's card in the SCS galleries. I was so excited when I happen to come across it at a Joann's, I just had to have it!

I sat down last night to make a card with this adorable paper and it started out by cutting some lady bugs from a Sizzix ladybug die I have. After looking at them with the paper I realized I had to make my own bugs. Perfect timing to being that the SCS challenge of the day was to make something with punches! Everything on the bugs is made from a punch. Even the antennas which I used the slit punch to make and the tails that were made from a snowflake! I ran all the pieces through my Xyron sticker machine first so they would be easier to put together. I couldn't find a cute enough sentiment for this one, so I figure I'll wait until I want to use it and hope I've picked something up that will work well with it. Hope you like!

Supplies:

Paper: SU Whisper White, Yo-Yo Yellow, Gable Green, Ruby Red, Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Misc Designer Paper

Embellishments: SU Ribbon

Other: Circle Punch, Hole punches, Rounded Corner Punch, SU Slit Punch, Cuttlebug & Embossing Folder

{ It's Your Day }

Just playing around with some new dollar stamps I got from Michael's. I like the designs of the acrylic dollar stamps much better than the rubber ones. Plus you get 5 stamps for a dollar! I had fun making the bright cheery birthday card. All the coloring was done with a blender pen and water color crayons. I used Stazon ink so it wouldn't bleed with the watercoloring. The dots around the punched circle were done with a Basic Black Write Marker. This card is pretty straight forward, a simple one layer card. Hope you like!

Supplies:

Stamps: Michael's Acrylic Dollar Stamps

Ink: Stazon Jet Black

Paper: Misc Off White Confetti

Embellishments: SU Ribbon, Misc Ribbon

Other: 2in Circle Punch, SU Hole Punch, Pastels, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Blender Pen Write Marker

{ Emerging Thanks }

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So I learned a new technique today, emerging color. Simple, but a little time consuming, but I love the way it looks! Try it out, here's how:

1. Using two different colors stamp random images on white or vanilla card stock.

2. Using Versmark and clear embossing powder emboss a third image randoming over the card stock.

3. Using a brayer apply ink completely over the card stock. Wa-la!

I'm going to have to try it again soon, I want to use a bigger, stamp for the embossing part of it.

For the top layer I stamped the flower in Pale plum and colored in the center. I then stamped another flower over the first with Versamark and Heat & Stick Powder so I could apply some glitter. The "Thanks" cut out was done with my Cuttlebug. It was a die that came with an alphabet. I think that is about it, so enjoy!

Supplies:

Stamps: SU On the Spot, Polka Dots & Petals, Polka Dots & Paisley

Paper: SU Whisper White, Pale Plum, Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum

Ink: SU Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum

Embellishments: SU Ribbon, Misc Eyelets

Other: Cuttlebug & Die, Heat & Stick Powder, Glitter, Heat Tool, Brayer, SU Round Tab Punch, Write Marker, Distressing Tool

Techniques: Emerging Color

{ Cuttled & Stitched Thanks! }

Some images copyright Stampin' Up!

Okay one last card for the day. I actually did this one much earlier today, but had to leave before I could add the ribbon. For the background I used vanilla cardstock and stamped flowers all over the, then ran it through my Cuttlebug with the blossom embossing folder and ran the brayer over it to add some color and more dimension. I absolutely love using a brayer on embossed images, it always turns out nice and even. Much better than just running an ink pad over the cardstock. The flower, vase & "thanks" cutouts were done with my new Cuttlebug dies, oh how I love playing with new toys!

I'm really tierd right now from not sleeping last night, so I'm hoping to get a good nights sleep tonight! So I'm done with card making for the day. Laundry day tomorrow, so I probably won't have a chance to play more until tomorrow night or Friday. :(

Supplies:
Stamps: SU Polka Dots & Petals
Paper: SU Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, Apricot Appeal, Mellow Moss, Ruby Red
Ink: Su Apricot Appeal, Chocolate Chip
Embellishments: SU Ribbon, Misc Fibers, Hardware
Other: Cuttlebug Embossing Folders & Dies, Brayer, Sponge Daubers, SU Ticket Punch

{ Yet Another Snappy Birthday }

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I finished another card for the night, actually, I guess you could say for the morning now. This one was very simple. I heat embossed the crab and masked him off to stamp the birthday hat which I also heat embossed. I then colored him in and punched him out. The background is done in So Saffron, which I stamped off first so the color would be very subtle. I sponged the edges of the crab punch and the edges of the card base. I also used pastels on the edge of the card base. So pretty straight forward. Enjoy!

Supplies:

Stamps: SU Crab & Company

Paper: SU Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Craft Chocolate Chip

Embellishments: SU Ribbon

Other: SU Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Blender Pen, Pastels, Marvy Scallop Punches, Sponge Daubers, Clear Embossing Powder

Techniques: Masking, Heat Embossing, Watercoloring

{ Made on a Sleepless Night }

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Well, I couldn't sleep again tonight, so I decided to stamp. I was having a little trouble being creative though, probably because of the lack of sleep I've had the past few weeks. So I decided to check out today's SCS challenge, Wednesday is sketch challenge day, click here to check out the sketch.

I had so much fun coloring the doodles for a card I made the other I decided to use SU's Doodle This so I could play with them again. I didn't post my other card on my blog, so if you want to see it you can check it out in my SCS gallery. Even though I was using a blender pen for the color I didn't want worry about any bleeding in the ink, so I used Stazon for the doodles. Then the fun part, I used my Water Color Wonder Crayons (oh how I love those!) and my blender pen to color all the doodles. The flower behind the "friend" image was done with regular SU ink, then I lightly colored it and stamped the "friend" image in Stazon (to match the doodles) on top. The flower looks like a watermark, I'm really happy with how that turned out. I popped the scallops up using pop dots. A little ribbon and hardware, an wa-la! Another beautiful card is complete!

Supplies:

Stamps: SU Doodle This, Lexicon of Love

Paper: SU Elegant Eggplant, So Saffron, Very Vanilla

Ink: Stazon Jet Black, SU Going Gray

Embellishments: SU Ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware, Glitter Glue

Other: SU Water Color Wonder Crayons, Blender Crayon, Misc Pop Dots, Marvy Scalloped Punches

{ Another Snappy Birthday! }

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This set sure is fun! I love coloring it all in and playing with punches. The coloring was done with WCWC's and a blender pen. A new little trick I just learned! I can't believe I've been water coloring with a paint brush for so long... the blender pen is so much easier for me! I masked off the crab then stamped on the hat, as I can't stand the way the hat looks sitting on top of the eyes. The whole crab image is popped up with pop dots under the chocolate layer. The fastners and the brads look a little gold in the picture, but they are really silver. This sure was fun!

Supplies:

Stamps: SU Crab & Company

Paper: SU Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Mellow Moss, Very Vanilla

Ink: SU Craft Chocolate Chip, Mellow Moss, So Saffron

Embellishments: SU Ribbon, Misc Ribbon, Fastners, Brads

Other: SU Write Markers, Water Color Wonder Crayons, Blender Pens, Circle Punches, Square Punches, Fiscar's Circle Cutter, Sponge Daubers, Cuttlebug & CB Embossing Folder

{ A Little Something }

While my husband played Madden with some guy online I was busy surfing the SCS galleries. I came across this really cute card by Kricki. My husband and I had to run out the door as soon as he was finished playing, but I was so inspired by it I had to go, wait run, to my stamping desk to play. With only four football mintues left I created this cute little card! So simple, as you can tell and a lot of fun. I got to put a bunch of my new toys to good use! And, what's that? No stamping? Yup! Just punches, die cut, dry embossing and doodling on this cute little 3x3 card. Enjoy.

Supplies:
Paper: SU Taken with Teal, Very Vanilla, Regal Rose, Rose Red
Other: Packing Tape, Glitter, Cuttlebug Embossing Folders & Dies, SU Write Markers

{ Spinach Fettuccine }

My husband and I love to cook together and try new recipes. We found this one online somewhere and loved it! It's really quick and easy to make. Try it out sometime!

12oz Spinach Fettuccine, cooked (we used whole wheat linguine)
1tbs Olive Oil
1/2c Sliced Red Onion
2 Cloves Garlic, Minced
2c Asparagus, chopped 1in long
1 Medium Carrot, quartered & chopped 1in long
14oz Artichoke Hearts, drained & chopped in quarters
1c Sliced Mushrooms
1/2tsp Salt
1/2tsp Pepper
1 28oz can Diced Tomatoes w/juices
1c shredded Mozzarella

Heat oil over medium heat, add onion and garlic, cook for 1 minute. Add asparagus, carrot, mushrooms and artichoke hearts. Cook until tender and crisp, about 5 minutes. Add salt & pepper. Stir in tomatoes w/juices and simmer until veggies are desired tenderness. Add noodles and simmer for two more minutes until nice and hot.

Serve topped with shredded mozzarella.

Approx. prep/cook time 25 minutes; Serves 4.

{ Snappy Birthday }

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I needed a birthday card for my cousin. He's turning eleven, which is an hard age for me to make a card for. I didn't want my card to be too childish, but I still wanted it to appeal to him. He practically lives on the beach so I thought SU's Crab & Company would be perfect!

I've played around with this set a lot and haven't been able to come up with anything I liked until today. My background was done using a Cuttlebug folder then I used a brayer to apply a little ink over the top. All the coloring is done with SU Watercolor Wonder Crayons and a blender pen. I don't like the way the birthday hat looks when it is sitting on top of the crabs eyes, so I masked the crab in order to put the hat on. I love the way this card turned out, so I'll probably try it again sometime. So what do you think?

Supplies:

Stamps: SU Crab & Company

Paper: SU Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron, Very Vanilla

Ink: SU Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip, Craft Chocolate Chip

Embellishments: SU Ribbon, Fastners

Other: Cuttlebug, Brayer, Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Circle Punch, Square Punches, SU Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Blender Pens, Ticket Punch

Techniques: Heat Embossing, Masking, Water Coloring

{ Sweet, Yummy Wishes }

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Well I finally got around to doing some more stamping yesterday! I was at AC Moore yesterday and they clearanced most all their punches so I picked up all the punches that I have been wanting for a while. I also got this cute paper, I love how it matches SU's colors and images, so I just had to have it!

I wanted to use a big cupcake image, but I didn't have one, so I had to improvise. The base of the cupcake is half of SU's round tab punch. The icing is liquid applique with just a touch of glitter. I cut the candle out of scratch paper and used cord for the wick. The cupcake itself is popped up on the layers scalloped punches which are also popped up off the designer paper. The ribbon, cord and fibers kind of blend in on the picture, but IRL they don't. The So Saffron punched out circles that say "Sweet, Yummy & Wishes" are all popped up with pop dots over cupcake paper. For a final touch I added about 6 rhinestones in multiple different places. Doesn't it make you want to eat a cupcake?

Supplies:

Stamps: SU Seeing Spots, Fancy Flexible Phrases

Paper: SU Pink Passion, Pumpkin Pie, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Junkitz Designer Paper

Ink: SU So Saffron, Craft So Saffron, Craft Chocolate Chip

Embellishments: SU Cord, Ribbon, Misc Fiber, Rhinestones

Other: SU Write Markers, Round Tab Punch, Liquid Applique, Misc Pop Dots, Embossing Powder, Circle Punches, Cuttlebug, Scallop Punches

{ No Pretties Today }

Sorry everyone, no pretty creations today. I got distracted unfortunatly. I'm doing laundry tomorrow so it will probably be a couple days.

{ The Mail Man Just Came!! }

Okay so he probably thinks I'm a freak! I was confused at first because I thought the stuff would be delivered to my Aunt & Uncle's house. Then I realized what it was and I, uh, well I shrieked with joy! LOL. You can hear people talking on the other side of the door and the mailboxes are right there (I live in a condo). So yeah, the mail man probably thinks I'm a freak now!

Anyway, I got a new set, Office Accoutrement (I was just admiring a card someone made with that set on SCS too!), the Spiral Punch, a Cutter Kit and the Prep School Ribbon. I can't wait to go play. Gotta go exercise first!

Okay I'll post something pretty to look at later tonight!

{ Larry the Cable Guy! }

I bought my hubby tickets to go see Larry the Cable Guy... he totally loves his comedy. I completely forgot about it till a few minutes ago, the show is this weekend... can't wait! Should be fun.... we looooooooooove comedy shows!

{ Happy Mother's Day.... Mother-In-Law }

Well today was productive because I learned a new technique and I finished my Mother-in-law's mother's day card. However I went a step back with my New Year's Resolution!


The April issue of Stampin' Success just came in the mail yesterday and I took a few minutes to flip through it this morning. To my surprise there was a technique I hadn't seen yet that intrigued me. Faux metal. Normally I don't like the "faux" techniques. To me they are like shopping at Wal-Mart, poor quality! Why draw your stitching on your card when the quality shows through in your card by really stitching on it? In this case I don't really think the final product actually looks like metal, more like those wax seals you can put on the back of your envies. Anyway, I really liked the final product so I had to try it out!

It's probably pretty obvious, but the flower that is the focal point is what I used the faux metal technique on.

All images copyright Stampin' Up!

To try this technique follow these steps:

1. Cut out a piece of cardstock and apply versamark to the surface.
2. Melt multipule layers of embossing powder onto the cardstock.
3. Once the layers are nice and thick (about 3-6 depending on the EP) press your stamp very firmly on to the warm layers.

Oh and a little note, if you mess up or don't like the image just apply more Versamark and EP and keep going, no need to start over!

As for the rest of the card... I used my markers to do the background on the card base. I used the same stamp as I did on the focal point. Neat huh? I love how versatile stamps can be! Oh and before I forget.... I mentioned taking a step back on my New Year's Resolution, well... The set I used was in the "sell" pile, oh boy! Now I'm rethinking all the stamp sets that are in that pile, at least twenty sets.

Anyway, back to the card. On the artichoke layer I layered my SU Print Pattern stamp with my SU French Script, something I've seen in the SCS galleries quite a few times. Pretty much every layer on this card is sponged with Bravo Burgundy ink. I'm not really that great with sponging, actually, I normally don't like the way it looks, but in the case I'm really happy with the sponging on the card. Especially on the sentiment image which is heat embossed and sponged around. I also used my French Script stamp again over the entire layer. No need for masking, just used some tissue to wipe the ink clean from the EP. One last thing, since you can't see it too well in the picture, the main image is popped up under the scallops and all the layers are also popped up from the card base.

So what do you think?

Recipe:

Stamps: SU Print Patter, French Script, Thank You Blocks, All Year Cheer 2
Paper: SU Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, So Saffron
Ink: SU Craft Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Versamark
Embellishments: SU Ribbon, MM Brads
Other: Misc Sponge Daubers, Gold Embossing Powder, Scallop Punch, SU Write Marker, Ticket Punch, Corner Punch, Slit Punch

{ I'm Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! }

Just got back from a nice trip to California.... well I've been back for a couple days but I've been busy getting things at home back to normal. I haven't had much inspiration to stamp anything the past few days either. Thank God for SCS! I've been sitting in front of the computer for about an hour now and I'm full of ideas again! Oh boy, gotta clean up the stamping desk now! Okay off to work.

{ This Lil' Piggy... }

Once dreamed to be the star football in the Superbowl!

All images copyright Stampin' Up!

So my husband and I were out to dinner tonight and we started talking about some cards I recently made. I had mentioned that I saw some cards a while back that used the CB Tiny Bubbles embossing folder to make a card that looked like a football. He thought a pig stamp on a football would be funny.... then I remembered a stamp from Happy Harmony, "Dreams come a size too big so we can grow into them." I mentioned it to him and we both agreed it would be a hilarious card!

I think this would be a great Superbowl invite! My Aunt & Uncle throw a Superbowl party every year.. they don't watch football during the normal season, nor do most the people who show up. So I think it would be perfect, come see the pig that dreamt of being in the Superbowl one day! LOL

I wanted the football to look real so I did an image search on Google and I found this football. I obviously CB dry embossed the paper. The black outline is heat embossed which I did by using a paint brush with clear embossing fluid from a reinker and black embossing powder. The laces were made with SU grosgrain ribbon. I originally had a brown pig but as my husband pointed out, it didn't stand out enough. He suggested I make a pink pig, so I used pastels to create this lil' pig which is popped up with pop dots. I hope you like this card as much as I do! Enjoy.

Recipe:

Stamps: SU Very Punny, Happy Harmony

Paper: SU Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Vellum

Ink: SU Chocolate Chip, Craft Basic Black

Embellishments: Su Ribbon

Other: SU Pastels, Misc Pop dots, Brayer, Cuttlebug

Techniques: Heat Embossing