Under the Weather

I'm sorry I've been AWOL for almost a week. Our son came to visit last weekend for the first time since we moved here 1-1/2 years ago, and the day he left I started feeling puny. (Not related, I'm sure....just a stomach bug.) Anyway, I have had zero motivation to do anything except nap; not even play in my craft room, so you know I'm not well! I finally dragged my self in there yesterday and made this.

Feeling under the weather made me remember this Weather Together bundle that hadn't been used yet. My neighbor is also feeling puny, so I know where this card is going. *smile*

That yummy Lemon Lime Twist DSP is from the Eastern Palace Specialty DSP that you can get in one of two special preorder bundles next month. More on that next week!

FYI, the Weather Together bundle is retiring, but the stamp set and coordinating die will be available separately in the new catalog.....just not at the 10% discount. Also, the Clearance Rack has a bunch of new items added, so be sure to check it out!

Product List

Weather Together Photopolymer Bundle

Shimmery White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

Tranquil Tide Classic Stampin' Pad

Lemon Lime Twist Classic Stampin' Pad

Blender Pens

Versamark Pad

Big Shot

Big Shot Magnetic Platform

Stampin' Dimensionals

Is It The New Year, Yet?

I'm about ready for 2013, how about you? Of course, I'm not even ready for Christmas yet, but I am already looking forward to the new year. It's got to be better than this one, right?

I think so because for one thing, right after the new year starts, the Spring Catalog starts (Jan 3), and then on January 27th Sale-A-Bration begins. And then right after that is my birthday, when I will officially be pushing a milestone birthday I'd rather forget. Let's just say it will begin my last year of the nifty fifties, and leave it at that, okay?

Today I made several New Year's cards, which is a first for me! Yup, can you believe it? As many hundreds of cards as I've made, not a single one one of them was specifically for New Years! And today I made THREE. I saw a card that had a year ticking over, and thought that was a clever idea, so I tried it. The Silver Glimmer paper really doesn't show up well in the photo, but IRL it looks snazzy.

I love picking out the colors in our Designer Series Paper for card making. It's so easy to coordinate things!

Stamp: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Island Indigo, Pool Party, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White, Basic Black, International Bazaar DSP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Big Shot, Fancy Fan folder, Timeless Type Junior Alphabet Sizzlets (retired), Decorative Label Punch

Father's Day Christmas?!

Did that title get your attention, lol?  The Christmas part came from using the Christmas Deer stamp. I'm getting smarter in my old age (haha), and have started looking at stamps with an eye toward "Can I use this in more than one way?"  Upon first glance, the Christmas Deer stamp would be "No", but then I thought if I just inked up the deer and left off the ornate antlers, I could use it for a masculine card, too!  Turned out pretty well, I think.

Doing marker-to-stamp works better on smaller areas, but I think the slight lines from the marker makes it look like the deer is standing in a slanting snowfall.  Anyway, I'm sure dad liked it. :-)

Stamps: Christmas Deer, Lovely as a Tree, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Basic Black, Well Worn DSP (retired)
Ink: Early Espresso Stampin' Pad and Stampin' Write Marker
Accessories: Big Shot, Chevron Folder, Bitty Banners Framelits, Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Stampin Sponges

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

Quietly, and Without Fanfare.....

....a milestone was passed today on my blog - over 100,000 hits. What a nice Valentine's Day present! It still amazes me that people take time from their busy lives to stop by here. I wonder if that amazement will ever diminish? Hope not!

Today's card was sent to an online stamping friend's husband, who just underwent grueling back surgery. The manly color combination would have worked for a birthday or thinking of you card, as well. I hope it makes him feel a wee bit better, knowing someone he's never met is praying for him and sending get well wishes his way!

Stamps: Thoughts & Prayers, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Basic Gray, Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Twitterpated DSP
Ink: Basic Black Classic
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Brads (Regals Brads Collection)

The Other Baby

Here's the other card I made for baby baby. The Daffodil Delight really pops on the Marina Mist Background! Same layout as before, so it went together really quickly.

Stamps: Packed for Baby, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Marina Mist, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Marina Mist DSP
Ink: Marina Mist, Pink Pirouette, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede, Poppy Parade, Pacific Point, Peach Parfait, and Basic Black Classic
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka-Dots folder, Square Lattice folder, Marina Mist 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Silver Mini Brads, Decorative Label Punch, Blender Pens, Crystal Effects

Baby, Baby!

Two people that I know had babies recently, and since I just got the Packed for Baby stamp, it was the perfect time to ink it up and play! I love that you could pick out any of the elements, and just cut them out if you wanted to. But I didn't. No time for fussy cutting right now!

The baby bottle has a layer of Crystal Effects over it to make it look glassy, as you can see in the close-up!

Well, gotta go plan the make 'n takes for this Saturday's Occasions Mini Open House! Looks like the turn out will be good.

Stamps: Packed for Baby, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Pretty In Pink, Whisper White, Pretty In Pink DSP
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Poppy Parade, Pacific Point, Peach Parfait, and Basic Black Classic, plus Whisper White Craft
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka-Dots folder, Square Lattice folder, Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Silver Mini Brads, Decorative Label Punch, Pearls Basic Jewels, Blender Pens, Crystal Effects

Simply Sent Christmas

Here's a quick and very easy card, using the Simply Sent Everyday Elegance note card kit. Remember, there are only four days left on the 'buy two Simply Sent kits, get a stamp set free' deal!

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Pocketful of Posies DSP, Simply Sent Everyday Elegance kit, Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink: Not Quite Navy Classic
Accessories: Snowflake Punch, Basic Rhinestone Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Birthday!

 

Today is our beautiful, sweet, loving, daughter-in-law's birthday. We are so blessed that she is a part of our family!  I wanted to make a card that captures a bit of her sweet disposition, and hope this did so! This is a slight variation of the one we made in my upline's club last Saturday. Loved it so much, I had to CASE it!

Happy birthday, Kami!

Stamps: Simply Soft (Hostess), Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Marina Mist, Beau Château Designer Series Paper
Ink: Marina Mist Classic Stampin' Pad, Not Quite Navy and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers
Accessories: Bug Shot Die-Cut Machine, Snow Burst Embossing Folder, Marina Mist 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones Jewels

Sympathy

I had to make a couple of these, one for a friend whose dog died suddenly (I'll show it tomorrow), and one for someone whose nephew just died in a motorcycle accident. I can't imagine anything more tragic than losing a child, no matter how old they are.

Anyhoo, both cards use the absolutely yummy Mocha Morning Specialty DSP.  I love that stuff!  Besides the flocked pages (2 different designs), the others are printed in a subtle metallic ink that is simply luscious.

Stamps: Just Believe, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Shimmery White, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Basic Black, Mocha Morning DSP, Groom Specialty DSP (retired)
Ink: VersaMark, Basic Black, Soft Suede, So Saffron, Calypso Coral, Marina Mist
Accessories: Black Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Stampin' Sponges, Word Window Punch, Basic Black 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Linen Thread, black brad

Next weekend is Stampin' Addicts New Catalog Blog Hop, featuring goodies from the new Idea Book & Catalog.  I'll be showing the Pennant Parade stamp set and coordinating punch.  Mark your calendar - you won't want to miss it!

Swaps On the Grow

Okay, all you club stamp club members, no peeking! This is my swap for the July club meeting. Since I had stamped up a bunch of images to color while my dad was in the hospital (he slept a lot, and I had to keep busy or I'd go crazy), I decided to use these for the swap.  This is the same image from On the Grow that was used for the thank you card sent to Dad's nurses, just colored differently.

Less than a week until the new Idea Book & Catalog goes live! I can't wait!!!

My new catalog is positively bristling with sticky note bookmarks. I have to make my list, and then arrange it into "Things I HAVE to order right away", "Things that can wait a month or two", and "Things I haven't made up my mind about yet". 

Oh, who am I kidding?  They'll all fall into that first category!  I just have to come up with the $$ to buy it all!  Anyone need a kidney? j/k 

Stamps: On the Grow, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise DSP (retired)
Inks: Basic Black Classic, Tempting Turquoise Classic, Lucky Limeade Classic, Pool Party Classic
Accessories: Curly Label Punch, black rhinestones (retired Halloween), Blender Pens

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.
<-- Me, when the new catalog is released.

Just What Is So Special About February 22?

George Washington, the father of our country, was born on this day. So was my little sister, who always got her birthday off from school (the little twerp). Oh yeah, and so was a fabulous new stamping forum called Stampin' Addicts! And to celebrate their 2nd birthday, we are having a Birthday Blog Hop featuring different stamping techniques, all with a birthday theme. If you are following the hop in order, you just landed here from Holly's blog, where punch art was the technique. That pizza made me hungry! This is stop number three and the technique is Watercoloring. (Here's a link to all the stops on the hop, in case you get lost.)

The first card uses the marker-to-stamp technique. Using a Stampin' Write Marker, color directly on your stamp. Mist Shimmery White cardstock lightly with water before stamping to get that soft watercolor look.

Click Images to See Larger

Up next is the Watercolor Bleed technique using re-inkers. Heat emboss image in white on Shimmer White cardstock or Watercolor Paper. Moisten image with water in a mist sprayer, then pick up ink with an Aqua Painter and spread it around, letting it "bleed" on the image.

And the last card features a quick, easy technique. Simply stamp the image on Watercolor Paper using a Classic Stampin' Pad in your color choice, then use a Blender pen to spread the color around as desired. Easy-peasy! Note: After the pony was inked up, the Blender Pen was used to remove the ink on the eye and nostril. Then a Soft Suede Stampin' Write Marker was used to color (marker-to-stamp) the eye and nose.

There are sooo many different ways to watercolor...you've only seen a few here! I hope you are inspired to try some of these techniques. Check back on Monday for the materials used in each card.

Up next is Carmen's blog, where she's going to show the inlaid embossing technique (one of my new favorites!). Love the bats, especially.......

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Be sure to check out Stampin' Addicts. It is a warm, friendly Stampin' Up-only community, and is open to everyone, not just demonstrators! It's free, it's fun, and it's full of fabulous ideas. (Be sure to check out the gallery.)  Tell 'em Cindy sent you!

Get Well Wishes

Today's card goes out to a special lady who is undergoing treatment for cancer.  I used the Aviary set again, because it can work for almost any occasion - from birthday to thank you, from humorous to a sympathy card.  For an amusing card, you could do one cage with the bird inside and the others with the birds outside, with a funny greeting ("What are you waiting for?!").  An empty cage would make a good "miss you" or sympathy card.  Like I said, this is a very versatile stamp set!

Stamps: Aviary (W-116956, C-120462), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Cardstock: Poppy Parade (119793), Basic Black (121045), Whisper White (100730), Sunny Garden DSP (119831)
Ink: Basic Black Classic (101179), Poppy Parade Classic (119782)
Accessories: Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon (119261), Basic Rhinestones (119246), Word Window Punch (119857), Modern Label Punch (119849), 3/4" x 15/16" Oval Punch (120908, available 9/1)

BLACK & WHITE, PERFECT HARMONY

Recently I have been drawn to B&W cards, which is probably a good thing, since I'm teaching two classes of black and white cards this month! The nice thing about them is, each element is more important, because you don't have a bunch of colors or embellishments or designer paper to rely on.  Here are two of the cards we made last Sunday, and will make in the class scheduled for this Thursday.

Oh, and please play along with this week's sketch challenge!

A Note of Thanks
Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Thank You Kindly
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad
Accessories: Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, black brads, Paper Cutter, adhesive

Thinking of You
Stamps: Vintage Vogue, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Basic Black Classic Stampin' Pad
Accessories: Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions Die, Basic Black 1/4 inch Grosgrain Ribbon, Paper Cutter, Stampin' Dimensionals, adhesive

Lots of Birthdays

We have a lot of birthdays coming up, so I've been on birthday card making mode.  I haven't decided who this one is going to.  (That's just in case one of my family members is peeking, lol.)

The image was spritzed with Frost White Shimmer mist to five the butterfly a glimmer.


Stamps: Vintage Vogue (Occasions Mini), Of the Earth (Hostess Level 1), Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Old Olive
DP: Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Basic Black, and Old Olive Classic Stampin' Pads
Accessories: Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Lots of Tags Sizzlits, Wide Oval Punch, Pinking Hearts Corner Punch, Word Window Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, ribbon

TREAT CUPS SLIDER WINDOWS

There have been a few requests for how to make the slider window in the Valentine's Treat Cup card seen on the blog hop, so here is the tutorial.

Click on pictures to enlarge

Punch the main focal point cardstock with the Full Heart Punch.

If you are using a mat under it, fasten the mat to the card front.  Position the punched cardstock on the mat/card front wherever you want it, and trace inside the heart.

Follow the directions for using the Movers & Shapers Punch Window found HERE to make the opening in the card.

Stamp, emboss or decorate the main cardstock as desired.

Apply sticky tape to the edges of the main cardstock as shown.  Be sure to leave an opening for the slider, and don't remove the backing just yet.

Don't remove the backing from the adhesive on the treat cup.  Using 1/8" sticky tape, adhere the Heart Treat Cup to the underside of the main cardstock.

Now remove the backing from the sticky tape and adhere the main cardstock to the card front, making sure your hearts line up.  It doesn't have to be exactly centered inside, as long as you can access the the cup from the inside to fill it.

The slider itself is 2" x 3", with a Round Tab punched tab attached.

Start by sliding the candy cover between the main cardstock and the mat/card front.  Open the card and add the candy, then slide the cover closed.

 

Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Pretty in Pink Classic, Whisper White Craft

Accessories: Heart Treat Cups, Full Heart Punch, Movers & Shapers Heart Punch Window, Round Tab Punch, Small Heart Punch, Big Shot Die-Cut Machine, Pretty in Pink 5/8 inch Satin Ribbon, Chocolate Chip 1/4 inch Grosgrain Ribbon, Sticky Strip, Tombow Multi-Purpose Adhesive, Paper Cutter