Friday, April 30, 2010

Vintage gift

Lately my days are ending before they ever seem to begin - ever feel that way? I don't feel like I'm finishing anything, just starting a lot and not accomplishing much. Does that make sense? Anywho, this will be a quick post, so that maybe I can go finish something :) I'll give ya more details later if interested. About a month ago I did a very interesting workshop in candlelight - yup, a table of go getters, nothing was gonna stop us, not even a storm :)


If you follow my blog, you have already seen the bookmark we made - I just love it!! If you are new, you can CLICK HERE for my prior posting with all the details on this bookmark.













This is the little stationary holder that I made to coordinate with it and gave to my wonderful hostess.

* I used the Vintage Vogue set along with the coordinating Very Vintage jumbo wheel.
* The Very Vanilla 'panel' was wheeled using Close to Cocoa ink
HINT: I don't own all cartridges for my wheels and since this is a small panel, I simply inked up my wheel on a standard ink pad and the ink goes the 'distance' (usually goes the distance of a standard card as well - anything larger you'll want to use an ink cartridge)
* Edges were distressed using a Sponge Dauber and Soft Suede ink. Then I lightly went over the panel randomly with more Soft Suede ink and a touch of Pretty in Pink to increase the 'vintagey' look
* A Taffeta Kraft ribbon, Razzleberry and Pretty in Pink snipped flowers were the finishing touches.

Any questions about any of my kreations, I am only a click away :) And thanks for taking a moment to stop by to get a little dose of me :) I always love to know your thoughts- I truly appreciate them!

Now don't forget, TODAY IS the last day to order from the Occasions Mini. Also ending today:
* 20% Off select 2 step stampin set
* Country Living a la carte kit

You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders, I'd be more than happy to help you.

Happy Kreating


Are you excited about the release of the Summer Mini tomorrow???? If you don't have a demonstrator and would like a copy of this 31 page new Summer Mini, drop me an email with your address and I'd be happy to drop one in the mail for you!! In the meantime make sure to check back for the downloadable PDF file

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Poppin' Trio









Can you believe I have never tried the Poppin Pastels Technique? I can't be the only one, can I? Don't be intimidated it is super easy and with such a pretty result! I will admit that my Pastels often are neglected, but after trying this technique I will definitely play with them some more. I decided to use the new Watercolor Trio set, which will be available to order May 1 :) - you are going to enjoy the jam packed Summer Mini products!
The rest of the card came together using the Splitcoast Clean and Simple (CAS63) challenge inspired card here and the Color Challenge (CC268)combo of Old Olive, Barely Banana, and Ballet Blue. I'm enjoying the recent color challenges as they are focusing on some colors that we will bid Farewell to - this allows me to use up some supplies and make room for the Color Renovation :)

* Started with a Whisper White panel

* Inked up my flower image from Watercolor Trio(120084-clear), available May 1, in VersaMark and stamped onto Whisper White. FYI: VersaMark is a watermark which kreates a translucent image. Great for this technique, tone on tone backgrounds, embossing - a staple in my bag of tricks :)

* Transform those beautiful flowers using your Pastels (chalks). Use your color index in the kit to get your coordinating SU colors! Stems with Old Olive, floral centers and butterfly with Barely Banana and flowers in Ballet Blue. Tip: The little applicators that come with the pack work great for intricate images, but q-tips and/or sponge daubers(for larger images) work great too

* Added a gorgeous Old Olive Ribbon and Jumbo White Grommet with an Old Olive 'knot' in the middle for some interest

* Inked up the sentiment, from the set, in Ballet Blue and with my Paper Piercer and Mat Pack, 'framed'/pierced around my ribbon treatment

* Puckered up and gave a little Smooch... you are going to love this new product in the upcoming Summer Mini, a little Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz was the perfect touch to give this card a subtle but definitely pizazzy finish. More pop! :)

* Matted onto a Barely Banana standard card base

I really enjoyed this technique and I hope if you are neglecting your Pastels(chalks) you'll pop 'em out for the Poppin' Technique!!

Any questions about any of my kreations, I am only a click away :) And thanks for taking a moment to stop by to get a little dose of me :) I always love to know your thoughts- I truly appreciate them!

With all the excitement of the new Summer Mini coming May 1st,
DON'T FORGET, Ending April 30th:
* Occasions Mini
* 20% Off select 2 step stampin set
* Country Living a la carte kit

You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders, I'd be more than happy to help you.

Happy Kreating


If you don't have a demonstrator and would like a copy of this 31 page new Summer Mini, drop me an email with your address and I'd be happy to drop one in the mail for you!!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

KISS and a Smooch


Its time again for another challenge with the PPA. A KISS challenge, Keep It Simple Sweetie!! A KISS interpretation is to each his own though. For me it is to keep it to minimal/no layers, minimal/no embellishments, clean and minimal time to kreate (which I love, as sometimes I can spend over an hour on one card - many of you know what I'm talking about!) It can definitely be a challenge for me - who doesn't love layers, embellies, lots of 'fluff' :) Who woulda thunk it: simple= hard??? LOL

I LOVE how this looks in person!! The photo seems a bit 'off', but it was the best way I could capture how I Smooched it :)
* I started with a card base of Kraft cardstock (soon to be known as Crumb Cake in the upcoming Color Renovation)
* Inked up 2 images from Watercolor Trio (120084- clear mount)a new set coming in the Summer Mini (sales period begins May 1)in Soft Suede. HINT: For differing shades of color, I inked off once before stamping and gave a lot of pressure or lighter pressure to get lighter 'tones' of Soft Suede.
* Slightly offset the same image inked in Stazon White Ink to give a faux shadow look
* Added my butterfly with Soft Suede ink - again stamping off or not reinking between stamping
* Accented butterflies and floral images with a White Signo Gel Pen
* Sentiment from Thank You Kindly was inked in Choc Chip Craft ink and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder
* A White Taffeta knot added the perfect pop of 'bright'
* The finesse of this card, ahhhhh a little Smooch!! Gorgeous!! Here I used Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz - you will have 4 'colors' to smooch with in this upcoming mini. And you will LOVE the effect. This soft Vanilla Shimmer Spritz can be compared to Shimmer White Cardstock, but you'll be able to spritz it on any color cardstock you like. Hope that makes sense. SO pretty! I hope you can see it in the photo!

Hope you like my KISSable and Smoochable card. If you do, let me know :) I love to read your thoughts :)

Any questions about any of my kreations, I am only a click away :) And thanks for taking a moment to stop by to get a little dose of me :)

Happy Kreating

You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders.



If you don't have a demonstrator and would like a copy of this 31 page new Summer Mini, drop me an email with your address and I'd be happy to pop one in the mail for you!!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Elements of Style

Still trying to get back on my feet after being sick for now 2 weeks. UGH!! And I am now just praying that I am not relapsing! Go figure, pretty healthy all winter, spring arrives and whammo - ok, you're not here for a 'sob' story, but I thought I'd at least explain why I've been MIA! On with the card...
This card started with the Sweet Sunday Sketch #65 and this weeks current color challenge (CC267)of Basic Gray, Apricot Appeal, and Sage Shadow - all these colors we will be bidding a Fond Farewell, so stock up while you can!! But we will be welcoming new colors in the Color Renovation and very soon, May 1st, we will be welcoming the set Elements of Style(120045-clear mount)from the Summer Mini Catalog, that I used on this card! This one was a bit labor intensive - Snip, snip, snip, crazy me, but it really gave it that extra wowsa effect!
* The floral image was inked in Basic Gray and colored in direct to image with 'layers' of Apricot Appeal and Sage Shadow Markers
* Remember I said crazy me... I snipped out the entire image - some tight spots required use of my hobby blade, otherwise the sharpness of the Paper Snips enables precision. Love them!!
* Popped up the image on Whisper White, matted with Basic Gray, with dimensionals - TIP: Give a little dimension to your card, the results stand out :)
* Coloring directly to the stamp with a Sage Shadow body and Apricot Appeal beak allows you to get different colors on one image. Huge bonus to have markers for this effect!! I used 2 dimensionals stacked on each other to raise the bird above the flowers.
* Sentiment inked in Sage Shadow and popped out with a 1" Circle Punch and placed in a circular frame from the Hodgepodge Hardware set.
* The coordinating Sage Shadow DSP is from the To The Nines Specialty paper mounted onto Basic Gray
* The standard Sage Shadow cardbase is given a decorative background with stamped off Whisper White baroque flourish image

I think it has some Elements of Style! What do you think? If you liked todays kreation won't you take a moment to leave me a comment! I LOVE to know your thoughts!! Even if you think I was crazy to snip out that flower - hehe :) (But I think I'd do it again!)

Any questions about any of my kreations, I am only a click away :) And thanks for taking a moment to stop by to get a little dose of me :)

Happy Kreating

You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Its Magical


This adorable little fairy is a sneak peek at a new set, A Little Bit of Magic, in the much anticipated Summer Mini Catalog (sales period begins May 1). I'll be sharing more peeks over the next few weeks ;)
I couldn't wait to play with this set, it is perfect for those of you that like to 'color'. I decided to use the current SCS Color Challenge(CC266) using a few colors we'll be bidding Farewell to in July : Ruby Red, Blush Blossom and Cameo Coral - they worked perfectly for this image!! HINT: Don't fret about Blush Blossom, the marker will still be available for purchase. Thank goodness as it is a great match for skin tones! Phew!
* Started with a Cameo Coral card base with a beautifully delicate and sparkly Blush Blossom layer.
* Blush Blossom was run through the Big Shot and my 'swirly' Texturz Background plate and given a decorative edge with the Scallop Trim Border Punch. A bit of fairy 'dust'/Dazzling Diamonds highlights a few of the embossed swirls for the perfect magical touch. I used a sponge dauber and versamark ink and lightly brushed over the embossed swirls. Then sprinkled on Heat and Stick powder, heat with my heating tool until the powder melts and then sprinkled on my diamonds. Love it!!
* Ran a piece of Cameo Coral through the Big Shot with my Scallop Circles #2 die.
* Cut a Ruby Red circle out using my Circle Scissors Plus and matted my image on dimensionals
* This precious image was inked in Jet Black Stazon and using SU Markers and Blender Pen was colored in. Colors used: Ruby Red, Cameo Coral, Blush Blossom, Certainly Celery, Creamy Caramel.
* Wings and mushroom dazzle with some more diamonds. Click photo to enlarge for more detail. Can't have magic without pixie dust, right??

Sorry for the dark photo, it was the only way I could photograph the sparkle a bit.

I hope this little pixie put a smile on your face :) If she did, won't you please take a moment to leave me a comment, it would put a smile on my face :) Love to know your thoughts :)

Any questions about any of my kreations or products used, I am only a click away :) Thanks for taking a moment to stop by to get a little dose of me :)

Happy Kreating

You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders.



Supplies:
Stamps: A Little Bit of Magic (Coming Soon-Summer Mini 120033-CM)
Paper: Cameo Coral, Blush Blossom, Ruby Red, Whisper White
Ink: SU Markers: Cameo Coral, Blush Blossom, Ruby Red, Certainly Celery, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Circle Scissor Plus, Big Shot, Scallop Circle #2, Background Texturz Plate - swirls, White Organza Ribbon, Scallop Trim Border, Heat and Stick Powder, Heat Tool, Dazzling Diamonds, Blender Pen





A copy of the Summer Mini may be arriving in your mail boxes shortly. If you don't have a demonstrator and would like a copy of this 31 page mini, drop me an email with your address and I'd be happy to pop one in the mail for you!!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

A Sweet Sketch


A Sweet Sunday Sketch started this card out of the gate. And the recent PPA theme challenge, Flowers. I chose a few layers, but I think it is sweet and simple. Mellow Moss is one of the colors we'll bid a Fond Farewell with the exciting Color Renovation. I'll miss this color combination, but I'm so excited for the change! To the card...
* Started with a square card base (5x5) of Mellow Moss. Ran it through the Big Shot and the Texturz Backgrounds 1 plate with the large dots.
* A Pretty in Pink strip was given a decorative edge with the Scallop Border Trim, but it pretty much gets hidden under the top few layers
* Pretty in Pink Vintage Vogue flowers were stamped onto Whisper White and snipped out. Each center is adorned with a Clear Rhinestone Brad - need a little bling even on the simplest of cards :)
* The 'vine' image from Vintage Vogue was inked in Mellow Moss and stamped across my Whisper White square piece and then adhered flowers with glue dots
* Inked up sentiment in Mellow Moss and separated the images with a Mellow Moss ribbon and bow.
* The square layer of Whisper White is matted with Pretty in Pink and Mellow Moss and attached with dimensionals.

Any questions about any of my kreations, I am only a click away :) And thanks for taking a moment to stop by to get a little dose of me :)

Happy Kreating

You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

The perfect pick me up :)


I've been under the weather for the last few days, but I woke up feeling a bit better and what better way to feel even a little more better, than to go and stamp :) I wasn't sure where I wanted to begin, so I jumped over to the current MOJO Monday sketch. I decide to flip the sketch and then off I went. If you are needing some inspiration, a great place to start is with a challenge - I really think it helps get those juices flowin!!

* I started with a base of Kraft cardstock (soon to be known as Crumb Cake in the upcoming Color Renovation - I'm so excited!!) and using a Sponge Dauber and Soft Suede ink, distressed the edges
* Using 2 patterns from Bella Blue DSP, I kreated my horizontal and vertical strips and again distressed the edges with Soft Suede ink and my sponge dauber.
* Inked up my hat, from Garden from the Heart, in Choc Chip Craft ink and heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. Colored in the hat with Creamy Caramel marker and accented the flowers/stems with Orchid Opulence and Gable Green. (All these colors are soon to be retired to make way for some fabulous new colors - if these are any of your favorites, make sure to get them before they are gone!!)
* Inked up the ribbon on the hat using Choc Chip marker and stamped onto a scrap piece of the same 'yellow' flourish Bella Bleu DSP used on the horizontal strips. Snipped out the ribbon and paper pieced it to my hat with glue dots.
* Snipped out my hat and placed it on dimensionals above a Very Vanilla Oval popped out using my Big Shot and Ovals Die
* Cinched up a piece of Very Vanilla Satin ribbon to tuck behind my image. TIP: To kreate this look, fringe the top of your ribbon a bit and try to pull out one strand vertically. Once you have a strand, tug away gently until you get the ruffled look you want.
* Inked up my sentiment from Well Scripted in Choc Chip Craft ink and using my heat tool, heat embossed with Clear Embossing powder to make it pop with that shiny raised appearance
* Finished the card off with some half back pearls from the Pretties Kit

Hope it inspires your MOJO :) Happy Stamping

You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders.



Supplies:
Stamps: Well Scripted (118601), Garden from the Heart (118568)
Paper: Bella Blue DSP, Kraft cardstock
Ink: Choc Chip Craft, Soft Suede Markers: Choc Chip, Orchid Opulence, Gable Green
Accessories: Big Shot, Ovals Die, Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Pretties Kit, Glue Dots, Paper Snips, Clear Mount Blocks, Sponge Dauber

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Colorific Changes!

Fresh, exciting, trendy...the news is out!! To be released in the upcoming 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog, SU will be giving our current color families an up to date, fresh, trendy, 'renovation'. We all like to freshen up, think of a new shade of lipstick or eye shadow and how it makes you feel. The same new and refreshing feeling came as I looked at the new colors. I am so excited at the new color collections!! I welcome them with open arms :)


SU has listened to many of your requests to see some of our old in color favorites come back! Pacific Point, Tango Tangerine, Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi will now be apart of our core colors. 5 new core colors have been added to the list, Daffodil Delight, Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Marina Mist, Cherry Cobbler! All delightful new colors!
Current in colors to stay are Soft Suede, Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry! 5 new In Colors will be released in the new 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog July 1. And 5 more will rotate in the following year - a total of 10 in colors will stick around for 2 years. Yeahhhhhh!!!!
A total of 10 core colors in each collection (no longer families) Brights Collection, Neautrals Collection, Regals Collection, Subtles Collection. What does this mean for your current supplies? A facelift, a renovation, a good change! Some will retire July 1 - see the retiring list here, while we will have the opportunity to buy the new in many different money saving kits! More information on that will be coming. Any questions, I'd be happy to let you know what information I have at this point.
Are you excited? I know I am!! I'd love to know your thoughts?!!!

Friends and a night to remember


Hello my friends :) I hope you enjoyed a very blessed Easter! It has been a few days since I've been in my little stampin oasis - gasp! But my other favorite place to be is outdoors; in my garden, playing with my kids, lounging in the sun :). The weather has been absolutely gorgeous here, which means lots of spring cleaning and prepping my garden for some lovely flowers. Not to mention keeping up with my little ones running around releasing a lot of pent up 'winter' energy LOL.
Anywho, onto this cute little gift idea. I kreated these little bookmarks for my last workshop. I loved how it turned out! Unfortunately the guests turned out slightly different... In the midst of a crazy storm the power went out, so we had to improvise a bit. My first workshop stamping in candle light! What a hoot, but I rolled with the punches :) And we all had a lot of laughs and a lot of fun, even if their Rich Razzleberry flowers turned into Close to Cocoa flowers (but they looked great anyway) A workshop I will never forget :)
This was how it was supposed to go...
* Very Vanilla was run through the Big Shot with the Two Tags die
* The vine from the Vintage Vogue set, available for a few more weeks in the Occasions Mini, was inked in Mellow Moss
* The flowers inked in Rich Razzleberry (inked off once for a lighter shade)
* 'F' was inked in Choc Chip Craft ink and heat embossed with Clear Embossing Powder
* Applied Soft Suede ink to the edges with a Sponge Dauber
* Threaded a piece of Wide Striped Choc Chip ribbon through a Horizontal Slot punch and tied it with a Linen Thread bow.

I'm chuckling just thinking of what a crazy night it was! Ah well... hope you like the bookmark :) Have a great one!!

If you live in the Bergen County NJ area and would like to host a workshop, I'd love to come party with you, with lights or without :) April 1-30 you may be eligible to get a new 2 step stampin set, Awash with Flowers, FREE with your qualifying workshop!!! Contact me so we can schedule a date!

You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Easter Blessings


This was one of the make n takes I decided to do at a recent workshop when the hostess requested an Easter card. It's clean and simple, but I really liked how it turned out (and so did all the guests - phew!)
* The front of a standard Whisper White card was run through the Big Shot w/ the Perfect Polka Dots Embossing folder (in the Occasions Mini) to jazz it up a bit
* A panel of Pretty in Pink was given decorative edges with the Scallop Trim Border
* The images from Abundant Hope were inked in Close to Cocoa and using my Pretty in Pink and Certainly Celery Markers, I colored my flowers and stems. TIP: By 'layering' the same color, giving a few seconds to dry b/w layers, you will get a darker tone of the same color. Can you see the darker pink (not as dark in person as in this photo) around the center of the flower? That is still the pretty in pink marker!!
* A Pretty in Pink Satin 'faux bow' - aka a knot :) - 'holds' my bunch of flowers together! Secret...You'll be happy to know these gorgeous satin ribbons will be sticking around a bit ;)

Simple right? And I think it turned out purdy :) Let me know your thoughts, love it when you do!

Have you seen the NEW sneak peek? From April 1-30, you have the opportunity to get a new stamp set that will be in the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog. AND you can save 20% on other select 2 Step Stampin sets in the current catalog. You ready to shop the Two Step Stampin Promotion?
Here are the deets:
Hostesses
Host a $350 workshop and receive the brand-new Two-Step Awash with Flowers stamp set FREE!

Customers
Two-Step into spring with a sneak peek from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog! Be the first to add the Awash with Flowers stamp set to your collection.

Plus, purchase spring-themed Two-Step Stampin' sets at 20% OFF the retail price--no additional purchase necessary!

Qualifying stamp sets are listed below:


You can purchase all products online with me or email me with your orders.



Supplies:
Stamps: Abundant Hope (118547)
Paper: Whisper White, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Markers: Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon(117289), Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Impressions Folder (117335)