The Wilderness Awaits

Get well wishes for a friend who just underwent a double-bypass and valve replacement heart surgery. Yikes. He's an old cowboy, and ranch manager of a HUGE ranch in the Texas panhandle. He's lived and worked all over the west, and loves Montana just as much as my daddy did. Elk are plentiful up there, so I thought that would be a good choice for his card. I kept it simple, since he's definitely not a frou-frou type of guy.

The "How To" for this card
Image panel: Very Vanilla 3" x 3-1/4"
Mat behind image: Early Espresso 3-1/4" x 3-1/2"
Dry embossed panel: Soft Suede 3-7/8" x 5-1/8"
Mat behind embossed panel: Early Espresso 4" x 5-1/4"
Card base: Naturals Ivory (ret.) 5-1/2" x 8-1/2", scored and folded at 4-1/4"
Scrap Very Vanilla for greeting

Emboss the Soft Suede cardstock with your choice of embossing folders. I used the retired Square Lattice folder. Fasten it to the larger Early Espresso mat with adhesive, and then adhere both to the card base.

Stamp elk on Very Vanilla using Memento ink. Color with alcohol markers. (If using water-based ink, stamp with Basic Black Archival instead.) Fasten image to smaller Early Espresso mat with adhesive, and then adhere both to the card.

Stamp greeting on 1/2" strip of Very Vanilla and use Washi Label Punch to finish ends (slide in from back of punch and do one end at a time). Adhere to card using Stampin' Dimensionals.

STAMPS: The Wilderness Awaits, A Dozen Thoughts
CARDSTOCK: Naturals Ivory (ret.), Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Early Espresso
INK: Memento Tuxedo Black, various Copic markers
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder (ret.), Washi Label Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Retiring Little Leaves

Ha! That post title makes me think of small, shy leaves, hiding in the background. What it really means is, the Little Leaves Sizzlits Die is on the SU retiring accessories list. I'm very sorry to see it go, because it's been a great addition to so many of my projects. And the Square Lattice embossing folder, too! Waaaahhhh! I'm really hoping there will be something fabulous to replace them in the new catalog (which I get to see on Monday - can't wait)!!!

This simple Thank You card was CASEd from Jill Franchette's square version. I made it an A2, adding banners, and a rhinestone in the "you". A little bling never hurts, right? Rather than sponge or stamp the color on the leaf, I used Pear Pizzazz cardstock to keep it even simpler.

Today is the last day for the Free Shipping special from Stampin' Up!, so if you'd like to order the Little Leaves Sizzlits Die (only $5.50!), or anything else, and have it shipped to your house for FREE, better do it today! And remember, if you order today, I'll send you a little token of my appreciation.

STAMP: Gifts of Kindness

CARSTOCK: Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz, Pear Pizzazz DSP (Subtles DSP Stack)

INK: StazOn Jet Black

ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Squares Collection Framelits, Square Lattice embossing folder, Little Leaves Sizzlits, Banner Punch, Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

SUOC #69 - Sizzix Sizzles!

Sometimes when I see a new craft item, my first impression is "meh". Take Washi Tape, for instance. I didn't get what all the excitement was about. I mean, I could see using a little snippet to hold something down on a scrapbook page, but I do very little scrapbooking.

Well, being the cheap frugal person I am (okay now, quit laughing), I can't pass up a bargain. The Epic Day This & That bundle has Washi Tape in it. All I really wanted were the other items (journal, DSP, stamp, stickers), but purchasing them separately would have been more than the whole bundle. So, Washi Tape made it into my craft room and onto my craft table.

Well, I could not have been more wrong about the stuff! I used it to make background paper for a masculine card a few days ago, and am using it again today for the SUO Challenges sample. (And I know there are more styles coming in the new annual catalog - Wahoooo, can't wait!!!)  This stuff is awesome!

Our theme this week is anything Sizzix, the caveat being it must be sold by Stampin' Up!. Now you know how much I am in love with Mr. Big (my Big Shot), so this was a really fun challenge for me. Embossing folder? Check! Die cut? You betcha! Embosslits? But, of course!

I am so happy that Calypso Coral is going to become a Core Color. I just love the summer-y, tropical feel of it.  And, while I don't have any of the upcoming new In Colors yet (which should be remedied by Friday *wink*), I think it might coordinate well with the new Crisp Cantaloupe. We'll just have to see, won't we?

Oh, and by the way, that epic deal on the Epic Day This & That bundle ends April 30th. Just so you know.

Stamps: Friendly Phrases, French Foliage
Cardstock: Calypso Coral, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Ink: Calypso Coral, Basic Gray
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Pennants die, Square Lattice folder, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, Pearls Basic Jewels, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Epic Day Washi Tape

Just Thinking....

....about how much I really like this Just Thinking stamp. I used it for the Create With Connie and Mary challenge here, and couldn't resist using it immediately again!

This time, I eliminated the patterned background of the stamp completely, choosing to just use the circle greeting. The Window Frames Framelits make a nice background, especially when embossed with the Square Lattice folder. This is a very "mailable" card - no bulky bows or brads.

And now, I want to introduce a new stamp set made just for men! Yes, real men CAN stamp!!! Check out the video on YouTube here:  DUDE, YOU'RE WELCOME!  It's hilarious, and now there is no excuse for a guy to say, "I forgot my wife's birthday!"  More information on the kit, which contains everything your guy will need, can be found HERE.

Card details

Stamp: Just Thinking

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Midnight Muse, Comfort Cafe DSP

Ink: Midnight Muse and Cajun Craze Stampin' Write Markers

Accessories: Big Shot, Window Frames Framelits, Square Lattice folder, Petite Pennants Builder Punch, White Baker's Twine, Rhinestones Basic Jewels

SUOC60 - Glitter! (And a Sneak Peek)

 

If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you know how much I love shiny, glittery things, so this week's challenge at SUO Challenges was a thrill for me. Especially since I got to use some new items from the Spring Catalog pre-order! Oh my, are you all in for a treat when you see it!!!

The first thing that got me excited was the Honeycomb embossing folder....woohoo, we have hexagons which are fashionable now! We don't have a punch that matches, so how did I get all those little hexagons to match? Easy! I put the Champagne Glimmer paper through Mr. Big with the Honeycomb folder. That made it super easy to cut the size and shape needed with my Paper Snips, just by following the lines. It was all short straight cuts, and went quickly.

You may have noticed the Very Vanilla oval behind the stamped image. That was cut using the new Framelits Ovals collection. There are 7 ovals Framelits, the largest being a scalloped oval!

The embossed tag that the tree is stamped upon is from the Pop-Up Posies Designer Kit. The kit has tags, fabric covered brads, pre-cut paper flowers and a stamp, but I just wanted to use one of the embossed tags for this project.

Well, there you have it - my sample for this week's challenge, which uses the Champagne Glimmer Paper, and it's soooo sparkly in real life! I hope you will participate in our challenge this week and create something glittery to share.

Stamps: Evergreen
Cardstock: Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Natural Composition Specialty DSP, Champagne Glimmer Paper
Ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Honeycomb and Square Lattice folders, Pop-Up Posies Designer Kit, Sponge Dauber, Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon

HYCCT1201A, Show What You're Made Of

A little late on this Hope You Can Cling To Challenge, but better late than never, right? Lydia's challenge was for us to show the world what we're made of, artistically speaking.

I guess I'm a blue, blingy, bows and butterflies kinda gal, with some Big Shot thrown in. I love textures, and layers, and my fave color is blue, so I think this card covers it all, pretty much.  (Though I couldn't quite figure out how to work in my warped sense of humor. I'll have to give that one more thought, hee hee!)

Stamps: Daydream Medallions, Fabulous Phrases
Cardstock: Marina Mist, Midnight Muse, Whisper White, Marina Mist DSP
Ink: Midnight Muse, Marina Mist
Accessories: Big Shot, Floral Frames Framelits, Argyle and Square Lattice embossing folders, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Whisper White 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (retired), Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Gotta Brag (Just a Little)

When I got back from Convention, my grandkids were in town visiting their daddy (our son). So Grandma Cindy and Papa Tom had them over for our traditional "Build Your Own Pizza" night and a movie and sleep over.  They also each made a card, and they turned out awesome!

Taylor, age 13, has been into scrapbooking and cardmaking for a while, and it shows. She's a natural, with a great eye for layout and color. Her marker-to-stamp technique turned out well.  This was done without any guidance from Grandma!

Trent, age 11, chose to stamp his in black and color it with the markers.  I like the variety in the three brads he chose to embellish the side. He definitely wanted to use the Big Shot to add texture to the background, which I think is a clear indication that he is MY grandson!

Some Convention Pics and Swaps

Here are a couple of the Stampin' Addicts organized swap cards I took to the Stampin' Up! convention, along a few of the display boards. Oh, momma, there was some uh-MAZing creativity displayed there, worth the price of admission even without all the freebies we received (more on that later).

The Champagne Glimmer ornament was cut with the Holiday Ornaments Framelits die, and the E.E. heat embossed ornament was fussy-cut, leaving the lovely glimmer paper border showing.

Christmas Card
Stamps: Ornament Keepsakes, More Merry Messages
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Champagne Glimmer Paper, Soft Suede DSP
Ink: VersaMark, Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Holiday Ornaments Framelits, Lacy Brocade embossing folder, Heat Tool, Early Espresso Stampin' Emboss Powder, Boho Blossoms Punch, Itty Biity Shapes Punch Pack, Pearls Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Butterfly Card
Stamps: Serene Silhouettes, Papillon Potpourri, Pursuit of Happiness
Cardstock: Whisper White, Early Espresso, Tangerine Tango DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Elegant Butterfly Punch, Modern Label Punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch (mask), Early Espresso Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Pearls Basic Jewels, Dazzling Details, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals

I'll be posting more of the swaps and display boards in the days ahead. And pictures of some of the lovely people I met, as well. (Justin Wilson, You Crew member, you made my day!!!)

Didn't Make the Cut

In the process of trying to design my Convention swap cards, there were some cards that didn't quite make it. Either I wasn't happy with the way they turned out, or they were too time-consuming to try to mass produce 50 of them. This is one of them.The Pleasant Poppies background stamp is gorgeous, but I couldn't help hearing the Wicked Witch of the West's voice in my head saying, "POPpies. Poppies will put them to sleep."

I liked this card, but decided to go in a whole different direction with the swap cards. Plus, the thought of coloring 50 images and cutting 150 banners made my eyes cross!  So, this will be a good Thank You card for my cousin, with whom I am staying for two nights before heading to Salt Lake City for the BIG SHOW.

No need to call FEMA, or the Red Cross for that matter.  This disaster of a stamp room is of my own doing, and I'm going to have to be the one to undo it. Thank you for your concern, though! However, if I don't come out after a couple of days, send in a search party, will ya?  Or at least send in some chocolate and coffee. :-)


Stamps: Pleasant Poppies, Itty Bitty Banners
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Tangerine Tango DSP
Ink: Basic Black, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive
Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice Folder, Bitty Banners Framelits, Blender Pens, Stampin' Dimensionals

Jolly Bits Christmas

This was the other card we made at the New Catalog Launch party last weekend. While the stamp set isn't new, it is in the new catalog, and the Be of Good Cheer DSP and Gumball Green In Color are definitely new!

Stamps: Jolly Bingo Bits, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler, Be of Good Cheer DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler Classic
Accessories: Big Shot, Bitty Banner Framelits, Top Note Die, Perfect Polka-Dots and Square Lattice embossing folders, 1" Square Punch, Postage Stamp Punch, Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

April Showers

Bring May flowers, right? Only here in sunny Southern California we have a pretty much year-round growing season, so there is always something in bloom. Which brings me to one of my favorite flowers, Forget-Me-Nots. I am besot by their beautiful blue blooms (like that alliteration, lol?), but for some reason, I've never grown them here. So I figured I could make my own.... et voila!

This was going to be the card for this week's challenge at SUO Challenges, until I read the guidelines for the theme more closely (always a good idea), and saw that we were to focus on the Occasions Mini.  Oops! There was some serious scrambling in the stamp cave to make up for my failure to pay attention. (Which seems to be happening a lot lately. Squirrel!)

Karen Barber's card on SCS was the inspiration - I thought the layers of embossing would really set off the blue flowers.


Stamp: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Whisper White, Tempting Turquiose, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight
Ink: Basic Black, Pacific Point, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Big Shot (bet you didn't see that coming, did you? lol), Vintage Wallpaper and Square Lattice embossing folders, Little Leaves Sizzlits die, Blossom Petals Builder Punch,  Boho Blossoms Punch, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Scallop Trip Border Punch, Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, 1/8" Circle Punch, Whisper White 5/8" Organza Ribbon, Pearls Basic Jewels, White Gel Pen, Stampin' Sponges, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Stampin' Dimensionals

The "Practice" Stamp

The image used on this card was the practice image that was stamped for this card. It turned out so well (they frequently don't the first time), that I couldn't just throw it away so it, combined with another practice scrap (the frame), turned into a birthday card. Birthday cards are another item I need to stock up on, so this will be a good start!

Stamps: Fresh Vintage (SAB), On Your Birthday
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Pool Party, Soft Suede, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black Classic, plus Pool Party, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz and Soft Suede Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Holiday Windows Movers & Shapers dies, Basic Black Striped 1-1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Pearls Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Courage

On this day that we honor our nation's Veterans, I am humbly grateful for their service and sacrifice to keep our great country free. It may sound trite, but we really are the land of the free BECAUSE of the brave. Never forget that, and please take the time to thank every veteran and current service member you see. I do!

Stamps: Courage, Service & Sacrifice
Cardstock: Basic Gray, Real Red, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Gray, Real Red
Accessories: Square Lattice embossing folder, Big Shot, Real Red Brads (Brights Collection)

Any Hero Cards

I confess, I haven't been much of a user of digital stamps. I like the hands-on feel of inking up a rubber stamp and carefully positioning it on cardstock. :)  Plus, I'm *ahem*, somewhat addicted to Stampin' Up!

What got me to change my mind was the fundraiser for Operation Write Home going on at K 'n K Designs. ALL of the proceeds from the sales of these specially-designed stamps (minus PayPal fees) will be donated to OWH to help with shipping costs, estimated to be about $13,000 over the next few months!

Well, Operation Write Home is a cause near and very dear to my heart, and the digis were so darn cute, I just couldn't resist. This is one of the images in the bundle. (I added "OWH" to the label using Publisher.) :-) Since my Copics have been seriously neglected for a few months, I used them to color the image, then added Crystal Effects to the spilled water and the dog's nose for some shine. Tucking six of these into the box for OWH!

Notice the little "OWH" on the label? I added that using Publisher. :-D

Gently Thankful

There were a few left-overs from the leaves I used for the SUOC28 fall colors challenge, so I turned them a thank-you card for my father's oncologist. No little useful bits go to waste in my craft room!

Stamps: Gently Falling, Curly Cute

Cardstock: Naturals White, Watercolor Paper, Early Espresso

Ink: Early Espresso and River Rock Classic Ink Pads, Pumpkin Pie and Soft Suede Ink Refills, Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie, and Cherry Cobbler Watercolor Wonder Crayons

Accessories: Early Espresso 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Glimmer Brad (In Colors Collection), Dazzling Details Glitter Glue, Aqua Painter, Square Lattice embossing folder, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine

Baby Shower Invite

The new Holiday Stocking Bigx L Die can be used for more than just a Christmas stocking, ya know! (It's on page 24 of the Holiday Mini. If you don't have yours yet, send me a message with your U.S. address and I'll get one to you!)   It can be turned into a cute baby shower invitation by folding a sheet of 8-1/2 x 11 cardstock in half and laying the fold about one inch below the top of the stocking.  (The excess CS was trimmed off before running it through the Big Shot.)

After cutting the Designer Series Paper toe and heel pieces with the die, they were adhered with Tombow Mono Multipurpose adhesive and the front of the card was embossed with the Square Lattice folder.  The cuff  was cut from 1-1/2" x 3-1/2" CS (with DSP adhered) and trimmed to mimic a cuff, then embossed with the Snow Burst embossing folder (pg. 33). After adding the Very Vanilla Velvet Stitched Ribbon (pg. 22) and a Square Ice Rhinestone Brad, it was adhered with Sticky Strip.

Too bad I don't know anyone who needs some cute baby shower invitations!  My parasite child-bearing days are long over, lol.

Hope you are all having a lovely weekend!  It's a Goldilocks kind of day here....not too hot, not too cold, juuusssst right!

Stamp: Baby Bundle
Cardstock: Wisteria Wonder, Very Vanilla, Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder Designer Series Paper
Ink: Concord Crush Classic Stampin' Pad, Wisteria Wonder Classic Stampin' Pad
Accessories: Blender Pen, Very Vanilla Velvet Stitched Ribbon,Square Ice Rhinestone Brad, Big Shot, Square Lattice e.f., Snow Burst e.f., Decorative Label Punch

Hello Baby!

Just a quick post today - I have lots to do for the next few days! This was a leftover image from the baby card I made a few days back. I usually stamp more than one image, in case I mess up one of them.  Yes, it happens all the time!

Stamps: Baby Bundle, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Wild Wasabi, So Saffron, Marina Mist, Basic Gray, Soft Suede
Accessories: Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Mini Brads, Daffodil Delight 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Big Shot, Square Lattice and Vintage Wallpaper embossing folders, Stampin' Dimensionals

Tropical Vacation

I'm lovin' me some Calypso Coral! The funny thing is, when I first saw the new In Colors, that was my least favorite color, but now it's moved right up to share top billing with Island Indigo! I guess it's because it is so reminiscent of sunrise/sunset colors. This card is a minor variation on the one posted a week ago.  This time the palm tree stamp is in the current catalog (Plant Hope), and the card base coordinates with the tropical sea color.  Hemp twine tied with square knots adds a nice touch, but I think it needs another palm tree, with a hammock tied between, and an umbrella drink, don't you?

Stampin' Up! obviously planned the new In Colors to compliment their 2013 Grand Vacation - to Fiji! Talk about a tropical paradise!  I'd love to be able to earn this incentive trip. You could earn it, too. If you join my team, we could both be
from Paradise in 2013! Can't you just see the sunsets now?


Stamps: Plant Hope, Three Little Words (though I only inked two, lol)
Cardstock: Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Early Espresso, Watercolor Paper
Ink: Island Indigo, Calypso Coral, Marina Mist, Crumb Cake, and Soft Suede Classic Ink, plus Always Artichoke, Early Espresso, and Soft Suede Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories: Color Spritzer Tool, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Hemp Twine, Aqua Painter, Stampin' Dimensionals

Fancy Folds Class

This is one of the cards we made in last night's Fancy Folds class (a monthly continuing class, like the Techniques class).  This is a Waterfall card.  Since I've been putzing about in the garden a lot, and waiting with mounting anticipation for things to ripen, I used it as the inspiration for the theme for this card. The stamp set is Home Grown - appropriate, don't you think? :-)

Cherry Cobbler is the perfect beet red color, and Always Artichoke is the perfect, uh, let me think.....oh yeah, artichoke color!  The background stamp is from the Herb Expressions set, inking just the botanical image with a marker to avoid the verbiage.

Thanks to Christine Smith for showing how to make a Waterfall card at the Moovers and Shakers Weekend last April!  Love you and miss you, sweetie!!!

Stamps: Home Grown, Herb Expressions
Cardstock: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Poppy Parade
Inks (pads and markers): Cherry Cobbler, More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Poppy Parade
Accessories: Round Tab Punch, Square Lattice embossing folder, Big Shot, More Mustard brads, Whisper  White 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

Another OWH Father's Day

Gotta be quick today...I'm getting ready for the Summer Mini Open House this afternoon!  Here's another from a batch going to Operation Write Home later this week:

Stamps: Plane & Simple
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Basic Gray, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, square brads (non-SU)