Circle of Spring

I felt like making a Spring-y card today because the daffodils have been blooming for three weeks, the forsythias for almost as long, and our peach trees for about a week. So you'd think Spring has sprung, right?

"Not so fast!" screamed Mother Nature (who, I suspect, is PMSing). We're supposed to get 2-5 inches of snow this weekend, and the night time temps are predicted to be in the high teens to low 20s for about a week. So the Winter that wasn't is finally going to arrive?! Sheesh.

If you need me, I'll be hunkered down in my craft cave, looking out at the snowy wonderland, and studiously avoiding doing my taxes. Hey, I still have over a month to do 'em, right?

Product List

Circle Of Spring Photopolymer Stamp Set

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Crazy About You Photopolymer Stamp Set

[137137]

Birthday Banners Photopolymer Stamp Set

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Sweet Sugarplum 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[141418]

Subtles Designer Series Paper Stack

[138437]

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

[100730]

Vellum 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[101856]

Sweet Sugarplum Classic Stampin' Pad

[141395]

Basic Black Archival Stampin’ Pad

[140931]

Smoky Slate Classic Stampin' Pad

[131179]

2016-2018 In Color Stampin' Write Markers

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Subtles Stampin' Write Markers

[131263]

Clear Wink Of Stella Glitter Brush

[141897]

Big Shot

[143263]

Bunch Of Banners Framelits Dies

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Wonderful Wreath Framelits Dies

[135851]

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

Burlap and Blooms

Besides a passion for making cards, I've recently discovered I also love making home decor to match the seasons. Who knew? You may or may not have noticed the Simply Created Wreath Kit called Burlap and Blooms on page 21 of the 2014 Occasions Catalog.  (By the way, if you don't have a catalog, contact me and I'll send one right out to you!)

I must say, Stampin' Up! has made it so easy to make this Spring-theme wreath! The kit contains everything you need to create it, except the hot glue gun.  I timed myself to see how long it would take and, including the time it took to unwind and re-wind the burlap ribbon*, the wreath was done in about 3 1/2 hours.

The only thing I added that wasn't in the kit was a couple of Bermuda Bay rosettes, made with the Spiral Flower Originals Die.  Because of the colors in my living room, I thought the wreath needed a pop of deeper color.  (You can watch a YouTube video of this die in action HERE.)

So, there you have it....an easy way to brighten any room and chase away those winter blahs!

Stamps: None
Cardstock: Bermuda Bay (for rosettes)
Ink: None
Accessories: Burlap and Blooms Simply Created Wreath Kit, Big Shot, Spiral Flower Die, Bone Folder, Silicone Craft Sheet, hot glue gun (non-SU)

*  I overlapped the burlap ribbon too much and ran out of ribbon about 2" before the chipboard wreath form was completely covered. I found it was best to overlap the previous pass about halfway on the inner part of the wreath, and angle the ribbon over to overlap the outer part of the ribbon by about 1/4".

Christmas in February

Yes, folks, we're are already thinking about Christmas, can you believe it? The monthly Christmas Club starts in February (to give us time to recuperate from last Christmas), and runs through the beginning of December this year. Every month we make a different set of cards. The choice of how many you want to make of the "card of the month" is entirely up to you! This was the card we made last month:

I figure out how many cards I'm going to send (and add a few more, because the list always grows by the end of the year) and then divide that number by the number of classes to see how many I need to make each month. This year I need to make 8 per month. Funny, when I started making cards a few years ago, I only needed 4 per month. How did it double in three years?!

I got my inspiration for this card from a similar one by Sharon Burkert. The wreath is essentially the same, but I changed the colors up a bit. Thanks, Sharon!

Stamps: Merry Minis, Daydream Medallions, Greetings of the Season

Cardstock: Naturals White, Cherry Cobbler, Midnight Muse, Bashful Blue, Silver Glimmer

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Midnight Muse, Bashful Blue, Gumball Green

Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka-Dots embossing folder, Merry Minis Punch Pack, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Dazzling Details glitter glue, Stampin'Dimensionals

SUOC57, Elegant Autumn

This week  at SUO Challenges we're celebrating Autumn (or Spring, if you live in the southern hemisphere).  It is finally beginning to feel like it here in Southern California, with the daytime temperatures moderating from the awful heat of a few weeks ago, and the nights becoming crisp and cool.  I've even detected a hint of smoke in the evening air, which means someone has been using their fireplace (lucky dog, wish I had one)!

My project for the challenge this time is an Autumn Wreath. I've seen some fabulous leaves made with the Autumn Accents Bigz die (Shana Gaff's card from a couple weeks ago, for one), and I just had to try them. The wreath was surprisingly easy to make, though it took a little time to tuck the burlap through the wire frame. There is also a LOT of sponging involved, but that part went quickly, and it was fun to watch the cardstock leaves turning into realistic leaves!

My thoughts and prayers are with the people who have been dealt a blow by Sandy. Our own SUO Challenges fearless leader, Robin Messenheimer, happened to be visiting family in North Carolina when it hit.

Stamps: Daydream Medallions, Papillon Potpourri
Cardstock: Champagne Glimmer Paper, More Mustard, Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie
Ink: StazOn Jet Black, More Mustard, Daffodil Delight, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Old Olive
Accessories: Big Shot, Autumn Accents die, Floral Frames Framelits, Square Lattice embossing folder, Elegant Butterfly punch, 2-1/2" Circle Punch, Cherry Cobbler Scalloped Tulle Ribbon, Stampin' Sponges, (non-SU items: hot glue gun, wire wreath frame, wheat, and burlap)