Thursday, March 31, 2011

Christmas in April

Here are the cards I finished (early, for once!) for my monthly card challenge. Six more Christmas cards ready when I need them in December!


Today's post is brief, due to preparations for the Moovers and Shakers weekend. I can't wait for tomorrow!!!
Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope you have a stampingly fabulous weekend - I know I will!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Excitement!

I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it! This weekend is the first gathering of Moovers & Shakers, from Splitcoast Stampers! Six wonderful ladies (of whom I have grown very fond over the last few years) are coming to my house for a weekend of stamptacular fun!

So, instead of cleaning house, what am I doing? Posting a card so you all don't forget about me, lol!  This was made with scraps laying on my desk (a desk that really needs to be cleaned before the weekend). Even the cupcake had already been colored and cut out....I just never got around to using it until now.
I hope you all have a wonderful week! I'll be posting pictures of the craziness here this weekend, and some of the cards we are making.... most of which will be sent to Operation Write Home. Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Stampin' with Taylor!

Yesterday my granddaughter got to spend the day with me, and we had so much fun! She loves learning new techniques, so Poppin' Pastels was introduced, as well as water coloring with Blender Pens and Classic Stampin' Pads.  She really is a quick learner, see?
While I helped a little bit with the color choice on the first card, the second one was all her own! She really liked using the Blender Pens, too! (And learned the lesson that you really should use water color paper for best results, after the first attempt resulted in paper pills.)  ;)

Monday, March 21, 2011

Strength & Hope Sneak Peek

Here is another sneak peek at a set that will be available in the Summer Mini (May 1 - Aug. 31). Stampin' Up! is going to donate $2 from every sale of the stamp sets (wood or clear mount) and the digital kit (12 exclusive Designer Series papers, 10 embellishments and the 4 piece stamp brush set) to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I love being associated with such a caring company!!!

Stamps: Strength & Hope, (sentiment non-SU)
Cardstock: Concord Crush, Pretty in Pink, Naturals Ivory, Lap of Luxury DSP
Ink: Concord Crush Classic Stampin' Pad, Pretty in Pink and Concord Crush Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories: Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Basic Rhinestones, tag corner punch (retired)

Sunday, March 20, 2011

March Swaps and a Sneak Peek!

The theme this month was "Spring is in the Air ~ It is time for new growth and trees". So what better way to show it than the lovely blossoming branch from the Easter Blossoms set? And, you are observant, you may have noticed a new stamp with a little bird.... Yep, that's from a new stamp set coming in the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog (starts July 1st) that will be available for CUSTOMERS to preorder next month with a qualifying purchase! The set is called Four Frames and all four stamps fit the Decorative Label Punch - and they are GORGEOUS!!!!  The greeting, from the Easter Blossoms stamp set, fit perfectly inside the frame even with the little bird.

Stamps: Easter Blossoms, Four Frames(preorder, available April 1-30 w/ $20 purchase)
Cardstock: Pear Pizzazz, Naturals Ivory, Very Vanilla, Springtime Vintage DSP
Inks: Soft Suede Classic, Blushing Bride Stampin' Wriet Marker
Accessories: Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Elegant Bouquet embossing folder, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Decorative Label Punch

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Another for Mother

This card was made with similar materials as in this card, but I mixed it up just a little.  The color combination of Very Vanilla with Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy just pleases my eye, for some reason.  (Prolly 'cuz blue is my favorite color, huh?)

Note the flowers, cut from Springtime Vintage DSP, cover the Easter Eggs in her basket, so it becomes a Spring or Mother's Day card, not an Easter card!
Stamps: Easter Blossoms, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, Springtime Vintage DSP
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim, Basic Pearls,Framed Tulips embossing Folder, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine

Friday, March 18, 2011

Christmas in March

Got my March cards done early, for once! And, miracle of miracles, my April cards are done, too (but you have to wait for them, heh heh). Trying to use up that Deck the Halls DSP from the Holiday Mini that is now retired. I know there will be something FABULOUS that I can't live without in the new Idea Book & Catalog, come July.
Free Smiley Courtesy of www.millan.net<-- Me, when the new catalog is released.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

This is the card that was tucked into DH's lunch today. Inside it said, "We may not have any green beer, but there's a green Margarita with your name on it waiting for you!".  What, you've never heard of that traditional St. Patrick's Day drink? LOL
Stamps: Got Treats, Cheers to You, Teeny Tiny Wishes, So Happy for You (FREE Sale-A-Bration item)
Cardstock: Garden Green, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Ink: Garden Green, Wild Wasabi, Basic Black, VersaMark
Accessories: Basic Black 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Antique Brad, Crystal Effects, Liquid Applique puffy paint (beer foam)

Friday, March 11, 2011

Thoughts and Prayers

My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Japan, who have suffered such a devastating major earthquake and series of strong aftershocks and tsunamis. As a resident on the other side of the "ring of fire", who has experienced a few not-so-major shakes, my heart goes out to you, and to the other nations affected by the tsunamis. As I write this, Hawaii is under a tsunami warning, with mandatory evacuations, and I know there are many other areas that will be affected.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

No Mo Jo

My mojo seems to have up and left me as soon as this darn cold started. I guess there isn't room for creativity in your head when it's all stuffed up with a head cold. This is all I could manage today.
Stamps: Easter Blossoms, All Holidays
Cardstock: Old Olive, Not Quite Navy, Very Vanilla, Springtime Vintage DSP
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Basic Pearls, Scallop Trim Border Punch

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Boy Birthday Bot

One of the five cards we made in last Friday's "Five Card Stud - Masculine Cards" class was for little boys. This is really a very simple card to make, and the bright colors from the Ice Cream Parlor DSP and Quick Accents Pack (FREE Sale-A-Bration item!) are sure to appeal to the younger crowd.

Stamp: Lots of Bots
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pacific Point, Daffodil Delight, Ice Cream Parlor DSP
Ink: Basic Black Classic, and Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Pacific Point and Daffodil Delight Markers
Accessories: Daffodil Delight 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, stickers from Ice Cream Parlor Pack

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Busy, Busy, Busy!

What a week it's been! Classes, card-making, and fun, culminating in my daughter and new son-in-law's wedding dinner shindig last night. Since this is a second marriage for both of them, they opted for a private ceremony at the court house yesterday afternoon, with friends and family gathering later at Urbn (tasty pizza!) to celebrate. No big white wedding with gown and tuxedo and cake for them! Been there, done that already.
The happy couple
So, there we were last night, stuffed with salad, pizza, and beer, and suddenly we hear hoots and clapping.  I looked down the table, and the bride and groom had produced their wedding "cake".
Mind you, that is no ordinary candle on top. It's a Lotus flower that opens up to reveal a sparkler!
Now, that's my kind of wedding cake! Since, I'm not overly fond of cake, this was perfect!
Oh, and here is the card I made for the happy couple. I CASEd this card, changing many of the elements.
First of all, the card is 4½ x 6¼.  Since I didn't have the Wedding Sweet stamp set, the Bridesmaid Specialty DSP (retired) was embossed with the Perfect Details Texturz Plate to replicate the swirls. Brushed Gold was substituted for the So Saffron to give more of a formal look, and the rhinestones were left off because it really didn't fit the bride's and groom's personalities. Oh, and a mat was added behind the oval-punched Night of Navy striped DSP to make it pop more.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Hope you have a great weekend!!!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Christmas in February

Just a quick post to show the Christmas cards I made for February. Off to a good start for the year - I have 12 (six each of 2 designs) done!
Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Watercolor Paper, Jolly Holiday DSP
Ink: Soft Suede, Chocolate Chip, and Cherry Cobbler Classic Stampin' Pads
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Blender Pens, Spellbinders Nestabilities Dies