Movers and Shapers take 2- Less is More!

Here is my second try at using my Movers and Shapers Curly Label Die. I think this came out much better. I still got to use my Raspberry Tarte DSP but in a more restrained way. Proving once again that "Less really is More!"

Recipe: Friends 24-7 Stamp Set, Curly Label Punch, Eyelet Border Punch, Pretty in Pink Cardstock, Raspberry Tarte DSP, Whisper White Cardstock, Rose Red Ink, Cameo Coral Ink, Stampin Sponges, Paper Piercer and Mat Pack, Pretties Kit, Bigshot Butterfly die, BigShot Movers and Shapers Curly Label Die

Needs a little something...

I was working on this card last night during the Oscars...and it clearly shows that I was paying more attention to the Red Carpet than the task at hand. I love how vibrant all the colors are, but I didn't want the card to end up too busy so I stopped adding embellishments...but I still feel it is missing something. Any suggestions?

Recipe so far: BigShot Curly Label Movers and Shapers die, Sweetest Stem Embosslit, Friends 24-7 Stamp Set, God's Beauty Hostess Level 1 Stamp Set, Cute and Curly Stamp Set, Curly Label Punch, Pretty in Pink Cardstock, Certainly Celery Cardstock, Raspberry Tart DSP, Rose Red, Pretty In Pink, Orchid Opulence, Bashful Blue Markers, Black StazOn Ink, Dazzling Diamonds

Playing along with the Thursday Sketch Challenge...

There is a brand new sketch challenge at Stamps Paper Glitter! Kerin Sylvester's blog. Since I was stumped for inspiration I decided to play along.

Recipe: God's Beauty Hostess Level 1 Stamp Set, Echos of Kindness Hostess Level 2 Stamp Set, Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery, Very Vanilla, Shimmery White and Sahara Sand cardstock, Delicate Dots DSP from Sale-a-bration, Black StazOn and Sahara Sand Ink, Blush Blossom, Cameo Coral, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Old Olive, Garden Green, Certainly Celery Markers, Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds, Copper Brads, Crop-a-dile, Oval Punches, Textures Plates Backgrounds # 1-Damask, stampin' sponge

I'm still not out of butterflies...

Here is a card inspired by Kerin Sylvester. Her card was so beautiful that I decided I had to earn this hostess level 1 set so that I could play with this butterfly too. I used the same color scheme and pattern but altered some of the elements. I used the BigShot textures plate Damask to give the background some extra interest. I love the "Friend" in the center from the A Little Somethin' Hostess Level 2 set. I think the font is so elegant. Hope you like this one.

Recipe: God's Beauty Stamp Set, A Little Somthin' Stamp Set, Baja Breeze, Shimmery White and Basic Black cardstock, Black StazOn Ink, Almost Amethyest, Tempting Turquoise markers, Blender Pen, Baja Breeze Ink, Dazzling Diamonds, Valet Ribbon Originals satin ribbon, (YES- that is another Faux Bow), 1-1/4" and 1-3/8" circle punches, Photo Corner Punch, BigShot Textures Plates Background # 1-Damask, Dimensionals

Butterfly continued...

Here is a quick and easy cute card using the Sale-a-bration Delicate Dots DSP and ribbon bundle, and the Hostess Level 1 Stamp set God's Beauty...

This was my second Faux Bow! I like faux! Just tie your ribbon in a bow and manipulate until the edges are on the underside of the loops then cut and glue on to a strip of ribbon with a glue dot. I don't think I will ever tie a real attached bow again. :0)

Recipe: God's Beauty Stamp Set, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Sahara Sand, and Whisper White Cardstock, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Basic Black and Black StazOn, Baja Breeze Ink, Blender Pen, Bashful Blue and Almost Amethyst Marker, Sale-A Bration Delicate Dots DSP, So Saffron Grograin Ribbon (SAB), Eyelet Border Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Paper Piercer, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Dimensionals

Butterfly, yay!

I finally got around to mounting all of my new stamps over the weekend. Here is a card that I made using the Hostess Level 1 Stamp Set, God's Beauty. Of course, I had to stamp a whole sheet of butterflies and colored them in, then I cut them all out while I was watching my All My Children Marathon. So you can pretty much expect to see more butterlies this week from me. :0)

The picture came out a little dark so it is hard to tell that I used the new Textures Plate Backgrounds # 1 (Flourishes seams to be my favorite so far). I also used my new Parisian Breeze DSP and used my Valet Ribbon Originals to make my first ever faux bow! I really like that trick because I am horrible at tying bows. I popped up one of the flowers and the butterfly on dimensionals to add some depth and I glittered the middle of the flowers and the center and lower edges of the butterfly to add some sparkle (I am a firm beliver that every card needs a little glitter). Hope you like it!

Recipe: God's Beauty Stamp Set, Almost Amethyst, Whisper White, Baja Breeze Cardstock, Parisian Breeze DSP, Valet Ribbon Originals, Ice Rhinestone Brad, Oval Punches, Black Staz On Ink, Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Orchid Opulence, Almost Amethyset, Pretty in Pink, Blush Blossom Markers, Textures Plates Background #1 for BigShot.

1 month till St. Patty's Day...

Sorry I am posting so late but my mom commandeered my computer for her taxes. I am all excited about my birthday coming up, I was born on St. Patrick's Day. I also finally received my Love You Much Stamp set, although just a little too late to make any more Valentine's cards so here is a card in honor of my birthday!!!

Recipe: Love You Much Stamp Set, Perfect Fit wheel, Cheers to You Stamp Set, Basic Black and Glorious Green ink, Certainly Celery Creamy Caramel, and Glorious Green Markers, Whisper White Cardstock, Basic Black Cardstock, Filigree Brad, Ice Rhinestone Brad, Certainly Celery SAB ribbon bundle, Dazzling Diamonds, Dimensionals

Color Inspiration Challenge- Blog Candy Winners chosen

Today was the deadline for the color inspiration challenge (elegant eggplant, pink passion, cameo coral and lovely liliac). This is the card I came up with:

Recipe: Sweet Stems stamp set, Sincere Salutations Stamp Set, Sahara Sand, Lovely Lilac, Pink Passion, Glossy White Cardstock, Elegant Eggplant, Lovely Lilac, Pink Passion, Cameo Coral Ink brayered and sponged on, Black StazOn, Fine Cosmo Glitter, Crystal Effects, Fire Rhinestone Brad, Eyelet Border Punch, Oval Punch and Kraft Taffeta Ribbon

Here are the two blog candy winners, card by Kate Deignan and scrapbook page by Ari Macias. Ladies, I will get your blog candy to you on Febuary 28th (Kate- SAB ribbon bundle and Ari- Delicate Dots DSP)

Here is the inspiration picture again:

My new goodies arrived last night.....

Instead of just diving into the box, I decided to make an official stamping area in the house. I had a space in the basement, however it being winter, it is entirely too cold to stay down there. I have been stamping in my bedroom, the living room, and even the kitchen. Well I have finally claimed an official spot in the loft. I hope my roomate doesn't mind, it being her house and all. After treking up and down the stairs to move everything around, I finally sat down and made a card. Here it is:

Recipe: Friends 24-7 Stamp Set, Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla and Kraft Cardstock, Parisian Breeze DSP, Baja Breeze Ink, Black Ink, Creamy Caramel Ink, Green Galore and Certainly Celery Markers, Blender Pen, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Kraft Corduroy Buttons, BigShot Top Note Bigz Die, Textures Plate Background #1 Flourishes for BigShot, Dimensionals, Eyelet Border Punch, stampin' sponge

Here are some shots of my new stamping area...

As they say on Cribs, this is where the "Magic" happens!

Some of my new supplies came....

I am anxiously awaiting my very large order...the first box arrived last night. It only had cardstock, ribbon and two of my SAB sets... Here are the two cards that I came up with using my limited supplies:

Recipe: Dream A Little Hostess Stamp Set, Elegant Cheer, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Delicate Dots SAB DSP, Watercolor Paper, Cameo Coral Cardstock, Almost Amethyst Cardstock, Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, White Gel Pen, Cameo Coral, Almost Amethyst, Green Galore, and So Saffron Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Cameo Coral Ink, Bashful Blue Ink stippled on, and the Scallop Border Punch

Recipe: Polkadot Punches SAB Stamp Set, Congrats SAB Stamp Set, Rose Red Ink, Pretty in Pink Cardstock, Rose Red Cardstock, Bella Rose DSP, Delicate Dots DSP, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Paper Piercer, Mat Pack, Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware, Corner Rounder Punch, Dimensionals

Make your next birthday celebration an event to remember when you gift your friend or loved one with this mouth-watering cupcake - themed card set!

Date: 3/15/08
Time: 3-5pm or until
Cost: $20
Location: my house
Please email me to sign up for this class: michellena317@comcast.net

Supplies needed for these projects:
Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes, On your Birthday
Inks: Basic Brown, Close to Cocoa, Pink Pirouette, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose Classic inks, Optional: Close to Cocoa, Regal Rose WWC.
Paper: Sweet Always DP, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Pink Pirouette, Medium Whisper White envelopes
Accessories: Sticky strip, Snail adhesive, Stampin’ Dimensionals, 2-way glue pen,Crystal Effects, 1" Double - Stitched Chocolate Chip Grosgrain ribbon, 5/8" Regal Rose ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds glitter,silver brads, paper snips, 1/16” handheld circle punch, 1 ¼” circle punch, ticket corner punch,Key Tag punch, crimper (optional), blender pen, Stampin’ Scrub, Stampin’ Mist, paper trimmer & scoring blade, bone folder, Stamp-a-ma-jig,Uni-ball Signo gel pen,Embossing Buddy (optional) Stampin’ Sponges, pencil & ruler, Velcor circles

Class to Go: With any online purchase that includes the Crazy for Cupcakes Stamp Set (111618) $23.95 AND the On Your Birthday Stamp Set (111644) $33.95 - you will receive instructions on how to make these projects.

More super easy Valentine Treats

I found the tutorial for the One Sheet Box by Beate on Splitcoast and decided to make a few to hold all the Valentine's treats I have put together. They are so easy, no cutting at all just 1 piece of 8-1/2" X 11" cardstock, some fancy folding, some ribbon and some strong adhesive.

I decided to keep them really simple by using Rub Ons (retired Love & Hapiness from SAB last year) after assembling the boxes instead of stamping and coloring, etc....before folding the boxes up and securing them with sticky strip. I think SU makes the most fabulous Rub Ons I have ever used. The go transfer smoothly with very little effort. Who else's Rub Ons could you use on a 3D cardstock box after it was already put together? I have to say, I have never liked Rub Ons before I tried these.

Recipe: Baja Breeze and Pink Pirouette Cardstock, Rub Ons, Pink Grosgrain ribbon, Riding Hood Red Taffeta ribbon, sticky, Crop-a-dile.

Scrapbook page and a little Valentine Treat

Here is a quick cute little scrapbook page. 6X6 using Urban Garden DSP, Upsy Daisy Stamp Set, Baja Breeze cardstock and Double Stitched Grosgrain ribbon and a Fillagree brad.

I made a Valentine Treat Purse using Julie Buhler's template. Used Baja Breeze, Pink Piroutte Cardstock, Love You Much Stamp Set and Baja Breeze Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon and Scallop Circle Punch.

This is the perfect little holder for the red and white Jelly Belly's I picked up at this cute little candy shop downtown called Evelyn's.

Something a little less feminine

Feeling very under the weather today...so just a quick card. I was attempting something a little less girly then my usual cards. Here it is:

Recipe: Love You Much Stamp Set, Heart to Heart Punch. Patterns Pack DSP in Real Red, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Rose Red, and Pink Pirouette Cardstock, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Dimensionals, Crop-a-dile

More Valentine fun

Here is a valentine that I made using some Heart to Heart punch scraps and the negative leftover from the Top Note Die. I tried to make the Love You Much Stamp Set hearts into butterfly wings and used the scallop edge punch to make the body out of some scrap Bella Rose DSP.

I also whipped up some cute little triangle treat boxes and stuffed them with Dove dark chocolate candy hearts. These are so quick and easy to make. 1 piece of 4"X8" cardstock, 5 scores/folds and some holes punched at the top to thread the ribbon through as a closure.

Sunrise Color Inspiration Challenge- Blog Candy

I get up before the sun to go to work in the city everyday. Well today as I was freezing at the bus stop I turned around and noticed the most beautiful sunrise. I don't think I have paid attention to the sunrise in quite a long time. I'm just not that coherent first thing in the morning. Go to bed at 2 and wake up at 5:45 and you are bound to be something of a zombie! lol!

I have decided to use this picture as a color inspiration to challenge myself to create something beautiful. If anyone would like to play along, email me a picture of your card and I will post them here :0) I will pick my favorite and will send a free SAB set to the winner. Deadline will be Friday 2/13 so at least we know something good will happen day.

Colors I think I see in the photo are- Pink Passion, Cameo Coral, Lovely Lilac, Elegant Eggplant

Feel free to experiment and do your own take on the colors....hope to see your work soon! Send submissions to: michellena317@comcast.net

Going Green and Making the Most of My Scraps...

I made 4 cards tonight all designed around scrap pieces that I had laying on my craft table left over from other cards. I was fixin to throw the scraps away and clean up but then decided I should see what I could make out of them. 4 cards after a full day at work, that might actually be a record for me on a work night. Woo Hoo!

Here's a Sugar Coated Bday Card:

Recipe: Stamps- Cupcakes wheel, Crazy for Cupcakes; Paper- Lovely Lilac, Whisper White, Basic Black; Ink- Lovely Lilac, Basic Black; Scallop Circle Punch, Scallop Edge Punch; Markers: Pretty in Pink, Only Orange, So Saffron, Yoyo Yellow, Gable Green, Bashful Blue, Lavender Lace, Rose Red, Dimensionals, covered the entire background in Dazzling Diamonds and Tombow Multi Adhesive

Finally used my Flight of the Butterfly Stamp Set that I was dying to have but never even mounted. (I collect any set with butterflies!)

Recipe: Stamps- Flight of the Butterfly; Paper- Baja Breeze Cardstock, Bella Rose DSP, Whisper White Cardstock; Ink- Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Versamark; Baja Breeze Doublestitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds, 2- Way Glue Pen, (misc. Rhinestone Stickers), stampin sponges.

Here are two cards using scraps and the Sale-A-Bration set Polkadot Punches-

Recipe: Stamps- Polkadot Punches, Flight of the Butterfly, Love You Much; Paper- Pretty In Pink scrap negative from using the Swirly die in my Big Shot, Close to Cocoa, Bella Rose DSP, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette; Ink- Whisper White Craft Ink, Versamark, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 2 Way Glue Pen, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, White Embossing Powder

I am very partial to the pink pirouette, rose red, close to cocoa color combination, so I used those scraps and came up with this-

Recipe: Stamps- Polkadot Punches, Bella Toile Background Stamp, Best Yet Hostess Level 1 retired; Paper- Pink Pirouette, Close to Cocoa, Bella Rose DSP, Rose Red; Ink- Rose Red Ink , Whisper White Craft Ink, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder

What are you waiting for...get cracking and use those scraps...it is sorta like recycling and that is good for the environment, right?...do your part. ;0)

Cute Project Idea from the February Newsletter...

This project features the Sale-a-Bration Stamp Set - Polka Dot Punches which you can earn for free with any $50 qualifying catalog order.
Please email me if you would like a copy of the complete February Newsletter!

And I, Will Always Love You

My card reminded me of that Whitney Houston song from the Bodyguard... here is my new card.

Recipe:

Stamp Sets- Always, Love You Much, and Double Line Doodles (retired -sentiment)

Paper- Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Close to Cocoa, Bella Rose DSP

Ink- Pink Pirouette, Whisper White Craft, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink Marker

Accessories- Dazzling Diamonds, 2 way Glue Pen, Dimensionals, White Gel Pen, Stipple Brush, White Embossing Powder, Top Note Die for Big Shot, Ribbon (non SU- A Touch of Velvet from Walmart), Scallop Envelope die for Big Shot, Scallop Circle Punch, Corner Rounder

Also had to redo the bday card for my coworker. He didn't like the gray background. :0( So I used Lovely Lilac instead. That's ok because the lady that sits next to him loved it and asked to buy it. :0)

Wanted...Bithday Cards

My Coworker needed birthday cards for his teenage son and god-daughter. Now, feminine birthday cards are no problem, but masculine cards I always find challenging. Here is what I came up with:
For Him
For Her
Recipe For Him: Loads of Love Stamp Set
Tango Tangerine Cardstock, Tango Tangerine Classic Stampin Pad, Kiwi Kiss Classic Stampin Pad, Brilliant Blue Marker, Going Gray Marker, Basic Black Marker, Bashful Blue Marker, Patterns Pack Paper, Whisper White Cardstock, Top Note Die for Big Shot, Dauber, Blender Pens, Windsor Knot DSP, Circle punches 1-1/4", 1-3/8", 1-3/4", White Gel Pen, Chocolate Chip Twill Ribbon


Recipe For Her: Cupcakes wheel, Sincere Salutations
Basic Gray Cardstock, Pink Pirouette Textured Cardstock, Basic Black Cardstock, Whisper White Cardstock, Markers: Pretty in Pink, Only Orange, So Saffron, Yoyo Yellow, Gable Green, Bashful Blue, Lavender Lace, Rose Red, Dimensionals, Dazzling Diamonds, Quickie Glue Pen, Tombow Mono Multi Adhesive, ...it is hard to see in the picture but every other cupcake has mono multi glue and quickie glue so that the mono multi cupcakes are puffy and the quickie glue cupcakes are flat.