The Birds

PPA31 has an Inspirational Challenge based on birds. While a certain one of my regular class attendees will groan at my mention of birds, I happen to adore them and love that they are all the trend right now!! As soon as I saw displays from Leadership, I knew I had to kreate this idea from Patty Bennett. A little birdhouse from the New Milk Carton Die (approx 3in h x 1.5in w). Now don't fret if you love this but don't own the Big Shot (what are you waiting for??!), you could use a handmade version/template with the same concept, using these directions.
* Run your cardstock through the Big Shot with your Milk Carton Die.
* Take your 1-1/4" Circle Punch for his front door. TIP: You may want to make a template and mark off on your carton where you'd like your 'door' so it isn't too close to a corner
* Using Sticky Tape, you want a strong hold to keep your carton together, adhere the side and bottom. Squeeze together the top to 'close' the carton. If you are using these as decoration, you can Sticky Tape the top together. For funtion (so I can add a few candies later), I slipped a paper clip on sideway. It will be hidden under my roof, but allow me to open it for goodies sake :)
* Using the New Large 2-step Bird Punch, from the Occasions Mini, I added my Certainly Celery stem, and Night of Navy bird with a Bashful Blue wing
* Added a cute little flower from the Egg-cellent Eggs Kit also in the Occasions Mini
* The roof was kreated with a 2x4 piece of Kraft cardstock. Giving the roof some flair, I used the Scallop Trim Border (available only in the SAB brochure with an order of $50+) and distressed the edges with a Sponge Dauber and Soft Suede ink. Another piece slightly smaller was given the same treatment for the roofline.
* Since my Egg-cellent Eggs Kit was out, I used a few of the Rub-Ons to accent the roofline.
* I used my bone folder to give the roof a good crease to lay on top of the carton. A little Dotto Removable adhesive would work to keep it intact if giving it away with some goodies and it won't get ruined. If just a decoration piece, use some adhesive on your roof.
I can't wait to get those little speckled egg candies that come out around Easter to put inside!! Cute right?!

IF you saw my 'Love Bird' post yesterday, I mentioned how I made samples for my dad to give my mom for Valentines day. Nothing elaborate as he gave me VERY short notice. I thought in my rush that I had forgotten to take a photo, it was just still on my camera! So this is the one he chose as my mom loves cardinals. Just thought I'd share since we are in bird mode :) Hope the birds are getting you inspired. Hope on over and Play at PPA

Any questions on any of my kreations or techniques, please feel free to contact me anytime. Would you leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts, love it when ya do ;) Happy Stamping...

You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders. Don't forget your Sale-a-bration FREEBIES with orders of $50+ (before shipping and tax)

Love Birds

Anything look different? Kool right?! My awesome new blog banner was kreated by my dear friend Kris from Kween Bee Kreations using My Digital Studio software. Isn't it so pretty? I have to try and do some tweeking as I can't figure out how to make it a bit larger and flush to the edges, but I just couldn't wait to get it up there!! Let me (and Kris) know what ya think of it!! She captured what I wanted perfectly!! Thanks my friend!!

While I'm praisin' Kris for my wonderful banner, check out her monochromatic challenge too. I've showed you a few cards using the gorgeous paper from the Bride Specialty and Groom Specialty paper (scroll down to see more), I think this will be the last post - I have more, but I don't want to bore you, and I know you get the idea how fabulous this paper is :)
My dad had requested some Valentine cards with birds and hearts to give to my mom and this was one of the samples I had given him (he went with a watercolored cardinal instead - forgot to take a photo in the rush!). Anywho...
This would be great for a wedding or anniversary too, don't ya think? Since I needed something quick, within a few hours (nothing like a man to ask the night before Valentines Day, but I give Dad lots of credit for wanting to add a more personal touch!) and I wanted to give him more than one option - I reached for the gorgeous Bride Specialty paper
* Used a standard card base of Whisper White
* Cut a piece of the Bride Specialty to layer on top
* Before mounting on top, I tucked my White Organza Ribbon behind the layer and then added it to my card base. Tip: This saves you a bit of ribbon over time and also allows you to make it nice an taut by adhering the edges down on the back. Made a pretty bow and attached it with a glue dot
* Ran a piece of Shimmery White cardstock through the Big Shot with my bird from the Birds and Blooms 4 pk sizzlit dies.
* Using a Sponge Dauber inked with Sahara Sand, I lightly inked up the edges and wings of the bird to give it some dimension.
* Punched out a small heart in Real Red and coated it with some Crystal Effects
* Popped up my birds and heart on dimensionals and used tiny pearls to accent the eyes.

Quick and simple card, not entirely monochromatic, but I like the little pop of color :)

Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts, love it when ya do ;) Happy Stamping...

You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders. Don't forget your Sale-a-bration FREEBIES with orders of $50+ (before shipping and tax)

Graduating Groom

Here is another card, from my last class, using the Groom Specialty paper. The Groom Specialty and Bride Specialty paper (sold separately) are so pretty, classy, elegant, they take care of themself. Simplicity is all you need with this gorgeous paper. Click here if you'd like to see my previous wedding card post.
A few graduation celebrations may be just on the horizon for some of you.
* Cardbase using the Groom Specialty Paper cut at 4x12 folded to 4x6 (make 3 of these out of one sheet of Groom paper)
* Brushed Silver cardstock used to cut out a square for the hat base. (If you have 'graduating' square punches, this will be a cinch) Guess what new punch I'll be owning soon :) Then the inner square cut out of Shimmery White cardstock.
* Using my Piercing Tool, I pierced the center of my hat to add my silver brad and Gray Taffeta Ribbon. Tip: To fray the edges, simply make a slight vertical cut into your ribbon and gently pull at the fibers until it begins to fray. Keep going until you get the amount of 'fray' you want
* Pop my cap up on dimensionals
* A small strip of copy paper was used to roll up my diploma and tie it off with some silver cording and adhere with a Glue Dot
* A strip of Brushed Silver kreates a horizontal panel to layer a punched Curly Label in Shimmery White, then a Basic Black Modern Label and my sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes popped out with the Word Window punch. FYI: Teeny Tiny Wishes is an EXCELLENT set to have on hand - it has sentiments for MANY different occasions

Using the Bride Specialty paper would look great for a female graduating too! Love this paper!! FYI: Did you know, you can take any of the Bride Specialty paper and make it whatever color you'd like!!!??? How you ask? Ink up your brayer and roll it over your Bride paper. The shiny embossed portions of the paper will resist the ink and stay white while the rest of the paper will turn the color you brayered on. COOL right?!

Any questions about any of my cards or techniques, feel free to email me anytime! Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts, love it when ya do ;) Happy Stamping...

You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders. Don't forget your Sale-a-bration FREEBIES with orders of $50+ (before shipping and tax)



Supplies:
Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Paper: Groom Specialty Paper(116478), Brushed Silver(100712), Shimmery White(101910), Basic Black(102851)
Ink: Stazon Black(101406)
Accessories: Gray Taffeta Ribbon(109064), Silver Brads(104336), Curly Label Punch(112208), Modern Label Punch(116630), Word Window Punch(105090)

Birthday KISS

Valentines may be over, but it is time to KISS and tell! Keep It Simple Sweetie and then tell the PPA what you kreated by posting to Mr Linky!
I kreated this simple card for my hubbys b-day which will also work for this weeks Stampin' Royalty Challenge #7, to kreate a Masculine card. NOT my strong point, but geometric patterns and KISSing helped with this one.

* Standard card base in Dusty Durango
* Whisper White panel stamped with images from Circle Circus in Old Olive, Dusty Durango, So Saffron and Close to Cocoa
* Sentiment from Well Scripted in the Occasions Mini inked up in Dusty Durango
* Thin strip of Old Olive across the bottom.

Voila', KISS baby! And change up the colors and this could easily be a feminine KISS card too! Hope it inspires you to try one out and then upload to Mr Linky at the PPA!

You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders. Don't forget your Sale-a-bration FREEBIES with orders of $50+ (before shipping and tax)



Supplies:
Stamps: Circle Circus, Well Scripted
Paper: Whisper White, Dusty Durango, Old Olive
Ink: Dusty Durango, So Saffron, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa

Bride and Groom

I hope you had a very Happy Valentines with the ones you love! And maybe you even had the day off yesterday to relax or do whatever it is you enjoy (hopefully both!!). As a stay at home mom of 2 little ones, there are no 'days off' for me but it was nice to have hubby home for a little extra 'support' :). No stamping time over the past few days, it was all about family time, but I do have a stash of cards from a recent class that I am ready to share.

We used the gorgeous papers from the Bride Specialty Paper and Groom Specialty Paper. Shine, pattern and texture make this paper so pretty that you don't want to hide it! It is fitting for this first card to show you the 'bride and groom'. With Valentines Day just behind us, there may be news of engagement and weddings in the near future for some of you! Wish I could take credit for this idea, but this is the card that I CASE'd. Don't you just love it!! Anniversary, Engagement, Wedding, perfect!!

*Punch out a Full Heart from the black 'swirl' Groom Specialty Paper.
*Punch another Full Heart from Shimmery White cardstock. Snip this to become your tuxedo shirt. Adhere to your heart 'tux'
*With Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon tie a knot for your most bodacious bow-tie
*Punch out a Full Heart from the white 'swirl' Bride Specialty Paper.
*Adorn your 'bride' with a sm Brushed Silver bloom from the Boho Blossoms Punch and a Clear Rhinestone Brad in the center.
*Mounted on a panel of Brushed Silver cardstock with dimensionals, then on Whisper White cardstock which was given a decorative edge with the Scallop Trim border (only available in the Sale-a-bration brochure with any order of $50+), layered on the final Basic Black panel. All mounted on a standard card base of Shimmery White cardstock.
*The gorgeous font from the new Well Scripted set was inked in Jet Black Stazon.
Isn't this a cute card?! Quite simple too.
I love to know what you think, so won't you please take a moment and leave me a comment - love it when ya do!!
Happy Stamping!!

You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders. Don't forget your Sale-a-bration FREEBIES with orders of $50+ (before shipping and tax)



Supplies:
Stamps: Well Scripted (Occasions Mini)
Paper: Bride Specialty, Groom Specialty, Shimmery White, Basic Black, Brushed Silver
Ink: Black Stazon
Accessories: Scallop Trim Border (SAB), Full Heart, Boho Blossoms, Clear Rhinestone Brads, 1/4" Real Red Grosgrain

2 Challenges in 1

Purple and yellow is a hot color craze these days and my good friend Kris from Kween Bee Kreations put us up for a challenge. With these colors in mind and the current PPA sketch, by the talented Margaret Moody, this card had a jump start. If you are fumbling for an idea or inspiration, look to the many challenges out in blogland to get those kreative juices flowin'!
After almost 20" of snow yesterday, I needed to feel 'spring'.
* I grabbed A Kind Word set, and inked up the girl on her swing in Black Stazon and stamped onto Watercolor Paper.
* Using my Aquapainter, I colored in her hat and apron in Elegant Eggplant, her dress in Barely Banana, the bird in Summer Sun and the flowers in Orchid Opulence. Her skin colored with Blush Blossom and cheeks a rosy glow with a little Pretty in Pink. The background lightly colored with Almost Amethyst. TIP: Squeeze a closed SU pad and upon opening, you will have a little pool of ink in the lid to dip your aquapainter in. {Wishing the photo didn't wash it out so much, much prettier in person, but you'll just have to use your imagination to see more vivid colors!)
* Using Barely Banana and the new Scallop Trim Border (only available with a $50+ order in the Sale-a-bration brochure), I gave the image panel a decorative edge.
* Each scallop was enhanced a bit with a dollup of Frost Shimmer Paint (use an end of a paint brush or stylus to get a little dot of paint). When back to my image and added a few 'pearls' around her neck. Click on image to enlarge. Cute right?!
* Another piece of Barely Banana layered with a piece of Cottage Wall Designer paper kreates my vertical panel behind my focal point.
* Layered onto my standard card base of Orchid Opulence (once again my photo appears off - looking more pinkish than purple :( Bad lighting day!)
* Inked up the sentiment in Orchid Opulence and stamped onto Barely Banana and popped out with the Modern Label Punch. Popped out another Modern Label in Orchid Opulence and cut it in half to layer underneath. Popped up the sentiment with dimensionals
* A few half back pearls add just enough pizazz to finish off this card.

Hope you'll go find inspiration at Kween Bee Kreations or the PPA and upload your kreation/s to Mr Linky. Happy Stamping!

You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders. Don't forget your Sale-a-bration FREEBIES with orders of $50+ (before shipping and tax)

Sale-a-brate with a Hop

WELCOME to another Pals Hop. We are at it again, a group of talented Stampin' Up! Demonstrators are ready to show off their paper crafting skills with inspirational ideas showcasing Sale-A-Bration products from Stampin' Up!'s most popular promotion of the year! We are so excited to have you hop along with us. Feel free to leave as many comments along the way. We love to know what you think!

If you have arrived here from Mary's blog, Stampin' Pretty, then I am sure you have been inspired!! I am stop #7 and I hope you will continue to hop along with me and the rest of this talented group.

For every $50+ increment you spend, you can pick a FREE product from the Sale-a-bration brochure. I chose to highlight the Extreme Snowboard (115177) stamp - don't forget to look at the 70+ items available on the back page of the Sale-a-bration brochure, stamp sets available from the 2009-2010 Idea Book and Catalog!

This is my first hybrid My Digital Studio (MDS) card. I chose images from Extreme Elements in MDS to kreate my background onto Whisper White. I was excited that it is loaded in the MDS program because I don't own this stamp set and it coordinates wonderfully with my Extreme Snowboarder. So hybrid I go.
* Kreate 4 pages: MDS background on the front, inside kreated with a blank page and sentiment side kreated again with 'Extreme Elements' and 'Enjoy Every Moment' brush image, and the back of my card using the 'Copyright Stamps' image and text to personalize with my name.
* Printed it out on my home computer on Whisper White cardstock. Using SU's professional printer services, however, is the BEST way to make sure you get SU's exclusive colors to print correctly.
* Inked out my Snowboarder with VersaMark onto Basic Black and sprinkled on Clear Embossing Powder (EP). With my Heat Tool, melted the EP to give it a raised, shiny coat.
* Love those Paper Snips to cut away with precision!
* Popped my snowboarder up on dimensionals and there we have the front of my hybrid card!

Here is the inside and the graphic on the back.





No MDS, no problem...
* I masked out some snow with sticky notes. With a piece of sponge, I sponged Almost Amethyst directly above my mask
* Sponged Bashful Blue above the snow cap hills, leaving the center very 'soft' and light.
* Graduating the depth of the color outward, I added Not Quite Navy sponging, leaving areas of the Bashful Blue and then the final layer of Night of Navy (concentrated at the edges)
* Extreme Snowboarder was inked in VersaMark and stamped onto Whisper White. Followed with a sprinkle of Silver Embossing Powder and set with a Heat Tool.
* Paper snips pop him out with precision. Layered on dimensionals, he's Extreme!


Hope you have enjoyed your stop here. If you have, won't you please take a moment to leave me a comment. Love to know your thoughts :)

If you'd like to Shop Stampin' Up! products, Order ONLINE with me or email me. Any questions, I am just a click away.


Now let's continue to Sale-a-brate with the next stop at Gina's blog, Cards by Gina. Hop on over and see what she has in store for you!



In the event you get lost on your way, here is a list of the Hoppers and a link to their blog.

1. Kalshelia (Stampin' Fabulousity)
2. Ann (The Stampin' Schach)
3. Margaret (Margaret Moody)
4. Debbie (Stampin' Sunshine)
5. Carla (Carla's Scraps)
6. Mary (Stampin' Pretty)
7. Kim (Stamp, Scrap, Get Kreative)
8. Gina (Cards by Gina)
9. Regina (The Stampin' Bean)
10. Lourdes (Cozy Crafty Corner)
11. Kris (Kween Bee Kreations)
12. Liz (DIY Paper Creations)
13. Melanie (Oops a Daisy)
14. Mike (Stampin-Style)
15. Anne (Mukibug)
16. Martha (Seasons of Stamping)
17. Jason (Jason's Stampin' Pad)
18. Barbara Furlong (The Love of Stamping)
19. Tricia Gillam (Soul Stamper)

Love Buggies

Oh busy day... friends arriving shortly to tailgate before the big game and I have a few more preparations for my class tomorrow evening. So I'll make this a quick one! Lucky for me it was just as quick to make, not a whole lot of details to share. My friends sister just found out she is pregnant with twins, after almost 2yrs of trying, congratulations were in order. I chose to use the Clean and Simple challenge (CAS52) to whip up this card.

* Stamped my love buggies, from the hostess lev 1 set Love Bugs, in Black Stazon and trimmed them out
* Using SU Markers :Old Olive, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, Apricot Appeal, Close to Cocoa, I colored in my buggies
* Using my scoring blade on the back flap of my Whisper White card base, I kreated a 'frame' about a 1/4" larger than my trimmed out image
* Placed my image up on dimensionals in the 'framed' area
* With the new Well Scripted set, from the Occasions Mini, I stamped my sentiment in Close to Cocoa
* An Old Olive Satin Ribbon is tied around the card in a knot.
* A Fresh Favorites II (So Saffron) button and linen thread add the perfect little detail to finish off this card!

Hope you like it! Leave me a comment below, I love to know what you think :)



I'll be back Tuesday with some other very talented Stampin' Up! Demonstrators who are ready to show off their paper crafting skills with inspirational ideas showcasing Sale-A-Bration products from Stampin' Up!'s most popular promotion of the year!

Join us on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 5:00 AM CST for another Pals Hop as we show you all that Stampin' Up! has to offer - from rubber stamps, designer paper, embellishments, and much more! Mark your calendar now! You don't want to miss out!

You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders. Don't forget your Sale-a-bration FREEBIES with orders of $50+ (before shipping and tax)

Inspired by Nature and the PPA challenge

I've had a lot going on lately and not much time to stamp for me, so I took a little me time to kreate a card using the PPA challenge. The challenge was to use Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo and Basic Black. I immediately thought of a gorgeous sunset I had seen many years ago while visiting family in Arizona - so many hues of pink, just beautiful!! So I became Inspired by Nature :)

* I ran Whisper White through the Big Shot with my Top Note die
* Punched out a 1-3/4" Circle to use as a mask for my sun
* I sponged on a touch of Apricot Appeal (I know its not in the challenge palette, but it is just a touch) around the mask
* Took away the mask and layered Pretty in Pink all over the rest of the card (the color of this photo seems to be a bit washed out - sorry, really has much more pink hues in person) and a bit over the stark white circle to soften it
* Then sponged the bottom quarter with some Melon Mambo
* Inked up the grasses from Inspired by Nature in Basic Black, inked off once onto scrap and then onto the lower portion of the top note. Then inked up the grasses again with Jet Black Stazon to get a darker more crisp image. Gives an appearance of depth to the grasses. Added a few wheat grasses in Jet Black Stazon from the Autumn Days set
* Highlighted some of the grasses and wheat with my Signo White Gel Pen. Also a few 'whisps' across the sky. TIP: to get your pen flowing, roll it across the back of your hand - the oils from your skin will help to draw out the ink.
* Inked up my new Clear Mount set Well Scripted, from the Occasions Mini, in Jet Black Stazon. Isn't that font gorgeous?!
* Matted the Top Note onto a Melon Mambo Top Note that I cut in half to show above and below.
* Layered onto Basic Black and then a Pretty in Pink card base.
* Kreated Black Brads using my 5/16" Neutrals Brads. How you ask? I took my silver brads and squished them into my VersaMark pad, then dipped into Black Embossing Powder and melted the powder with my heat tool! TIP: Do NOT attempt to hold your brad, you will scorch your much needed crafting fingers!!! Instead, what I do is squish in the pad and then with a clothespin (the spring loaded wooden clamp ones), I clamp the legs of the brad, dip into powder and heat up. Works great every time!

Ahhhhhh, I needed this serene scene! With a 'huge' snow storm (or so they say) headed our way this weekend, I will leave this card in view and think of the warmer days to come :)
Have a wonderful weekend!

You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders. Don't forget your Sale-a-bration FREEBIES with orders of $50+ (before shipping and tax)

Twinkle Twinkle

Forgive my absence I've been going a bit nutso! So you may see a little less blogging as I may not have the opportunity to stamp as much as I like, but I hope you'll stick with me. I don't tend to be away too long, how could I, its so fun to share my kreations with you. I just ask for your patience! My house is up for sale, so cleaning, decluttering and organizing the house (while the little ones 'TRY' to help) were at the top of my list of priorities this weekend (between shuttling everyone out in a scurry for visitors wanting to see our home.) Being 'prepared' every day is tiresome (little ones have 'stuff', much like mommy has stamping 'STUFF' LOL) - our house has been on the market for a bit, but the holidays kept visitors few and far between. Now with Spring on our heels, a realtor open house today, people are beginning their search again! Thanks for letting me share a bit of my life outside of my stamping oasis with you!

I've also been busy finishing cards for a friend for a baby shower. She asked for simple, with a stars/twinkle twinkle theme. She chose this layout and design and I couldn't have been happier (as others were a bit more involved). Silly me though, see those little pieces of snipped out paper threaded through paper pierced holes and knotted on my star? What was I thinking? Not so simple when reproducing many!! LOL! Live and learn! Any questions about specifics of this card, feel free to contact me for more details!

So with a few other things taking precedence (GASP!!) I haven't had much of a chance to stamp and play! But I have to prepare for some upcoming classes, so I'll be back un-tidying my oasis in just a bit! :) If you live in the Northern NJ area and would like to come to one of my classes feel free to contact me for more details. My ladies and I would love for you to come and join us!

Two months left of Sale-a-bration, the greatest event of the year! If you are interested in receiving discounts on your SU products or starting a business venture, I'd love for you to Join My Team. Sale-a-bration is when I signed up, with no obligations, no penalties ever, just wanted to receive my products at a great discount. And I was a BEGINNER stamper too ~ Don't feel you can't do this if you aren't experienced!! Here I am 2 years later with extra income, a lot of fun with my stampin' girls, wonderful friendships and still a discount :) Be a hobby demo or a business demo ~ It is a perfect time!
* Save 15% on the Starter Kit (2 Options available - select products customizable too)
* FREE stamp set of your choice (up to $47.95 value) from the current catalog
* My support and encouragement, along with my other team members, as long as you'd like it! We are all here to tap into each others skill levels and design techniques as well, so don't worry if you are new to this (there is always something new we all can learn)!

Click HERE for the Benefits to being a Demonstrator
Click HERE for Stampin' Up!'s Career Plan
Click HERE to watch a brief video why you'll love joining SU
Click HERE to contact me to sign up or ask me any questions!!!!!

You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders. Don't forget your Sale-a-bration FREEBIES with orders of $50+ (before shipping and tax)