Father's Day

I had a lot of fun in my craft room for Father's Day this year. :)

This first card I made for my dad. He likes to golf and I had this card pinned on a board of mine, and decided it would be perfect for him. The sentiment is on the inside of the card (and I didn't take a picture of it.) 

I used a retired set for the "9" (Look Who's turning) and some retired paper (the cloud background). 

I love the versatility of the Pennant Parade set (it is used for the trees and the banner) and the coordinating punch (that punched out the banner and the trees). Who wants to cut stuff out by hand when you can use a punch!?

Stamp Sets: Pennant Parade, Look Who's Turning (R)

Ink: Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Pacific Point, Crumb Cake

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Old Olive, Garden Green, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip

Punches: 1 3/8" circle punch, Petite Pennant Builder Punch, Small Oval punch, Scallop Edge Border

Accessories: Dimensionals, Sponge dauber,  paper snips, paper trimmer, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, (I cut out the "9" using the dead space from the "8" on my retired Simple Numbers Bigz Die)

This card I made for my husband. I also saw something like it on Pinterest or somewhere...I can't find it now. I just spent about 30 minutes looking... Oh well, just know that I didn't come up with the idea completely on my own, but I didn't copy everything exactly either. 

Stamp Sets: Pennant Parade, Something to Celebrate (R Hostess Set)

Ink: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Pretty in Pink Stampin' Write Marker

Paper: Crumb Cake, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Pacific Point, Pink Pirouette, Cherry Cobbler

Punches: Petite Pennant Builder Punch, Heart to Heart punch (R)

Accessories: Dimensionals, paper snips, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Paper Piercer

This last card I made for my Father-in-law. He is known for grilling so I decided to make him a grill. Again I got this idea from Pinterest. You can see the original card here! Turns out I didn't have a few of the punches she used so I had to improvise a little. 

Stamp Sets: Something to Celebrate (R), Elementary Elegance (R Sale-a-bration set)

Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Cherry Cobbler Stampin' Write Marker, Tempting Turquoise SWM, Barely Banana SWM (R), Daffodil Delight SWM

Paper: Sahara Sand, Basic Black, White Vellum, Cherry Cobbler, Brushed Silver, Bashful Blue, Whisper White 

Punches: Ornament Punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Word Window Punch, Owl Builder Punch (the largest circle for the wheels)

Accessories: Dimensionals, paper snips, Subtles Glimmer Brads (R), Paper Piercer, Bird with leaves and Flower Bigz Die (R), 3/16" Silver Brad, Top Note Bigz Die

Enjoy!

Valentine's Day

I am on a kick right now. I hope it sticks. My goal is to stamp and create at least once a month. But hopefully more often than that.

I wanted to make a different sized/shaped card this time. Isn't the Hershey Kiss cute? Go here to see where I found this cute idea!

Paper: Real Red Textured CS (3-1/4" x 6-1/4") for the base as well as the Scallop Trim border, and one 1-3/8" square punch; Whisper White CS (6" x 6", scored at 3") for the card; Basic Gray CS (2-7/8" square) and strip cut at 1/2", Pink Pirouette CS using 1-3/8" square punch; Love Impressions Specialty Designer Series Paper (Retired) cut using 1-3/8" square punch 

Ink: None (except I did use it on the inside of the card.) :)

Stamps: None (except on the inside)

Accessories: Love Impressions Rub-ons (Retired), Aluminum foil (to wrap around a piece of CS punched with the Blossom Petals Builder Punch); Tissue paper for the kiss (I hand wrote "Love")

Punches: 1-3/8" Square Punch; Blossom Petals Builder Punch; Scallop Trim Border Punch

Adhesives: Dimensionals and Snail

Secret #1: I used the 1-3/8" punch to make the paper ribbon. It is a super easy way to make a sentiment pop. 

Secret #2: I don't actually own the Blossom Petals Builder Punch (but will order it next chance I get!) So I had to trace it from the catalog to get a Hershey Kiss like I wanted. 

Birthdays!

This is a card I made for one of my nephews. I absolutely love punches!

This card I made for my mom. It is simple, but darling. I colored in the cakes with markers, and added glitter to selected areas to add a little bling. I randomly scrunched the ribbon as I glued it down.  

Close up of some of the cakes.

Close up of the rest of the cakes. Sorry, this one is a bit blurry.  

Another card I made for a different nephew. Can you believe that owl was made using a punch?! You can build your own owl! And there is also a new build your own cupcake punch as well. Bet you want one...right?! :D

Happy Mother's Day!

My eldest nephew joined a club baseball team this year. That means increased funds to support him while he is on the team. So to help out, I made a few cards to sell to support him.

I sold the cards at work, and got requests for some Mother's Day cards, and so these are what I came up with.

This card uses the crayon resist technique. Which makes the rose pop. How I did it: first, I stamped the rose in Jet Black Staz-on on glossy white card stock. Then I used a white crayon to accent the stamp. I started from the center and worked my way out. If I couldn't remember if I shaded a line, I just tilt the paper until I can see the crayon. Then, once all of the image is highlighted, I used a sponge dauber to sponge on Melon Mambo all over the image. I got the idea for this card from here.

Paper: Basic Black CS, Melon Mambo CS, Glossy White CS, Whisper White CS (For the card, I cut Melon Mambo to fit the front of the card.

Ink: Jet Black Staz-on, Melon Mambo

Stamps: All Holidays, Fifth Avenue Floral

Accessories: Melon Mambo polka dot ribbon, 1/4" Basic Black Grosgrain, Pretties Kit, scallop edge punch, SNAIL adhesive

Techniques: Crayon resist

This card was super easy! The stitched felt comes ready to use, just use adhesive!

Paper: Rose Red CS, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip CS, Shimmery White CS (for sentiment), Whisper White CS (for the card) 

Stamps: All Holidays

Ink: Jet Black Staz-on

Accessories: Dimensionals, Mini Glue dots, SNAIL adhesive, Sweet Pea Stitched Felt, 1/4" Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Trim Border Punch

 These flowers I learned how to make here. This card, I think, is beautiful in its simplicity. The only negative is that it could not be mailed in a regular envelope. It would need some sort of protection because the flower, though it looks soft, is actually pretty stiff.

Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Old Olive CS, Shimmery White CS, Soft Suede CS (this time I made the card base out of a color.)

Stamps: All Holidays

Ink: Jet Black Staz-on

Accessories: Paper Crimper, Bone folder, Dimensionals, SNAIL adhesive, Silver Brad, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Very Vanilla Silk Ribbon, Water spritzer, Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch

Techniques: Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch Rose

Love you much!

I made this card for my husband for Valentine's Day. Our first as husband and wife. I love this stamp set, but can you believe, this was the first time I used it??!! I literally had to put the rubber on the wood before I even began stamping! I actually wasn't too happy with the end result, but satisfied. I wish I would have used Pretty in Pink instead of Bermuda Bay cs under the love birds, but I wanted to tie in his bow tie somehow. I am my own worst critic. 

Stamps: Love You Much

Papers: Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, Melon Mambo CS, Rich Razzleberry CS, Bermuda Bay CS, Whisper White CS

Inks: Jet Black Stazon

Extras: Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, and Bermuda Bay Stampin' Write Markers, Basic Black Stampin' Write Journaler, Heart to Heart punch, Pinking Hearts Border punch, Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon, Rose Pink (from the Fine Cosmo) Stampin' Glitter, Heat and Stick Powder, Versamarker, Blender Pens, Mini Glue dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

A close up of my love birds. I hand drew the bow tie and her eyelashes. I used a blender pen to add blush to her cheeks. I used a Mini Glue dot to adhere the heart on to give it a little dimension.

How can you not love this border punch??!! Stampin' Up! came out with some brand new punches that you cannot live without. Check out the Occasions Mini Catalog now!! :D There is a picture of all of the current catalogs in my sidebar, just click on the picture and it will take you to an electronic version of the catalog. Enjoy!!

You take the cake!

My husband had a birthday last month, and this is what I made for him.

Stamps: Party Hearty

Paper: Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White

Inks: (I actually used Stampin' Write Markers) Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Dusty Durango

Extras: Iridescent Ice embossing powder, Versamarker, Crystal Effects, Stampin' Dimensionals

Close up of the sentiment. I love this new punch!! Can you believe if you spend $50 in products, you can get this punch for free??!! It is fabulous!

Another close up, this time of the crystal effects on the flames, and you can also see the Iridescent Ice e.p here as well. I love the subtle effect this adds. Crystal effects are really easy to use to add a little dimension to your project!

Random Cards

You're probably just as surprised as I am, but I finally have some cards to post! This weekend several wonderful people came to my house and helped me to begin on my wedding invitations! (Special thanks to, My mom, Dad, Aunt J, Jamaal's Mom, and T! I could not have done it without you all!) The design I chose requires embossing, which means that we stamped an image using an ink that does not dry quickly and covered the image with embossing powder, tapped off the excess, and heat set the powder. When you heat embossing powder you get a nice raised image. In the case of my invitations it also becomes metallic, because we used silver embossing powder. No pictures yet, the invites are still in pieces, and parts still have to be finished, but it's coming along well!

Before I get to the cards I have a quick sneak peek for you all! Because the Occasions Mini Catalog has several Easter stamp sets in it, SU! is letting customers order a select number of the stamp sets before the rest of the catalog is available for purchase! Check it out here!

So let's get to the cards!

This card I made for a party I had in December. I actually really like this card, and it is pretty simple!

Stamps: Season of Joy, Punch Pals
Paper: Old Olive CS, Real Red Textured CS, Ski Slope DSP (Holiday Mini '08), Whisper White CS, Chocolate Chip CS
Ink: Old Olive, Basic Black
Accessories: Signo White Gel Pen, Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker, Not Quite Navy and Summer Sun Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Aquapainter, Big Shot, SU! Bigs Top Note Die, Small Felt Flurries, Tag Punch, Small Tag Punch
Techniques: Watercolor

This card I made for Jamaal because he was being very good to me during a very hard day. (My dog ate my $300 phone, and then I discovered that my book collection was starting a mold collection...it was terrible for me.) I think it is really cute, and was super easy!

Stamps: Loads of Love
Paper: Basic Black CS, Very Vanilla CS, Kiwi Kiss Textured CS, Old Olive CS, Pacific Point CS
Ink: Stazon Black
Accessories: Crop-o-dile, Jumbo Eyelets in Pewter, White Signo Gel Pen, Many Marvelous Markers
Techniques: None (unless you consider paper tearing a technique)



Stamps: Forever, To have and to Hold
Paper: Pink Pirouette CS, Very Vanilla CS, Going Gray CS
Ink: Stazon Black
Accessories: Markers in Basic Black, Regal Rose, Going Gray, Clear Rhinestone Brads, Small Polka Dot Texture Plate (for Big shot), SU! Simple Flower Embosslit, Dimensionals
Techniques: None

This card I made for my Fiance's friend's wedding. I really loved the finished product! I have to say this picture does not do this card justice!

And now I present to you...

some cards!! Finally, right? I have been busy working, and not so busy stamping lately. The DB (Dear Boyfriend) doesn't like me on the computer all the live long day, so I try to limit the time I spend on the computer. I need to clean up my stamp room, because I am scared to go in there right now! I hate messes, but I also hate cleaning. Besides the fact that since my stamping area is new, I have very little storage at the moment, so that means that even if I did clean the area up, it would not be very organized. It's a work in progress, I hope that I have at least an area at our next place fit for stamping! Now, on to the cards!

I made these cards for my Aunt and her work buds. I think they turned out pretty good, and the ladies really like them! (We started with the first card, and finished with the second.) And we were cramped for time, we only had an hour to work...but everyone finished their two cards. I am going to try to present my cards a little differently. (when I have time to do this, I will actually spell out the dimensions, etc of the card. It will be more descriptive this way.


I got the idea for this card from Nancy, be sure and check out her card too!
I started with a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of chocolate chip textured cs. Then I layered a 4 1/4" x 1 3/4" piece of more mustard cs with a 4" x 1 1/2" piece of Autumn Vine DSP. I then punched a piece of more mustard cs with the scalloped square punch. This card uses only one stamp. It is a stamp from the Loads of Love Accessories stamp set. (I just got some watercolor wonder crayons, so prepare for some Loads of Love cards here soon!) On a 1" x 1" piece of whisper white cs I stamped "happy harvest" in chocolate chip ink. For the pumpkin, I punched three ovals with the wide oval punch in really rust cs. I folded a small piece (perhaps 3/4") of old olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon and used snail adhesive to attach the ribbon to the middle oval. I wrapped a very thin scrap of old olive cs around a toothpick to make the vine, and attached it to the middle oval with tombow adhesive. I added faux stitching and faux piercing with a white gel pen.
You might notice that the bottom left hand corner is smeared, which is a result of me not waiting until the very end to add the gel pen...you live and learn I guess! I just wanted the mistake FOR you ;)...


Sometimes when I make a card, I realize my mistake too late, and don't feel like changing it for my sample, instead I change it for the kits that I make after the fact. This card is an example of this. My whisper white cs card measures 4 1/8" x 5 1/8" when it should have measured 4" x 5 1/8". The reason is that I have the card mounted on a 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" piece of real red textured cs, and you can only see the mount on one side of the whisper white card. I wanted the real red to be evenly around the white. Oh well...I will use the measurements for my intended card, not for the actual card shown here. First off, I sponged real red ink on the poinsettias, old olive on the tree, and baja breeze on the snowflake of a season of joy stamp. Then I cut the images out (I left the three flowers connected to make my life easier, but they could just have easily been cut apart). I then stamped the entire image in chocolate chip on a 2 1/2" x 2 3/4" piece of whisper white cs. This was layered on top of a 2 3/4" x 3" piece of real red textured cs, a 2 7/8" x 3 1/8" piece of chocolate chip cs, and a 3" x 3 1/4" piece of old olive cs. I added the previously cut out pieces using dimensionals to add a little pop. I stamped my favorite swirly image from season of joy on the card base (in chocolate chip, of course) where I thought it would show from behind the main image. I added a strip of 1" double stitched grosgrain ribbon to fit the card base and a 1 1/2" x 4" piece of ski slope DSP. Cute huh?