TAMARA'S CELEBRATION OF NSD!!!!

****EDITED TO ADD**** Tamara has uploaded two brand new sketches AND you can win blog candy in the form of gift certificates to an online scrapbook store - WHOOHOO!!!!! So, why are you still here - get on over and check it out!!! Here is the link to her site. Make sure you subscribe to her site, you will be entered in the drawing as well!! I can't wait to see all your fabulous entries!!

TART AND TANGY SKETCH CARD

Hi all! This will be a quick post as I have to get to the garage sale - whoohoo! I bagged and tagged for two days straight and really cleaned out my stuff! Can you say - 900 sheets of patterned paper - YIKES!! I only know this because I am selling them in bundles of 50...sheesh, and to think, I will probably buy more!! But, it's all good, I know you all have mega stashes too - LOL! Okay, so today my card is based on Tamara's weekly sketch that she posted on Thursday. My official duties don't start until next week but I wanted to do this one anyway - so I did! I used my Tart and Tangy set because I haven't pulled it out in awhile and I thought it was perfect for this sketch. I based the card on the orange image and actually popped up the one on the bottom right corner and added some dazzling diamonds (if you clickon the pic, you can see this better). I had fun with this card with stitching and ribbon - gosh, I love to stamp!! This card is pretty self explanatory so I will leave you the recipe below. Thanks for stopping by, I am off to the sale!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Only Orange card stock, Ruby Red card stock, Whisper White card stock, Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper
Stamps - Tart and Tangy, One Smart Cookie
Inks - Ruby Red Stampin' Write marker, Only Orange Classic Stampin' pad, Black stazon
Accessories - Mat stack and paper piercer, Ticket Corner Punch, Large and Small Oval Punches, Only Orange Narrow grosgrain ribbon, Bravo Burgundy Narrow grosgrain ribbon, vintage brads, stampin' dimensionals , mini glue dots

IT'S FRIDAY - YIPPEE!!!

Happy Friday y'all! I have been feverishly working to get all the stuff I don't use out of my scrap room, priced, and ready to be sold at the sale tomorrow - today I am going through my paper and out with the old to make room for new - LOL! I have LOTS of stuff and I really don't want to bring any of it home with me....so I hope it all goes!! This card is based on the weekly sketch at Page Plans. I really loved this sketch because I got to use my Jumbo Eyelets...I just don't get to use them enough - LOL! I knew I wanted to use my Touch of Nature stamp set since I have not gotten to play with it much, so I decided that the perfect dp for this would be Porcelain Prints - it is so pretty and the flowers really matched up well, doncha' think?? So, I used one sheet of the dp but both sides of print on top of the base Night Quite Navy card stock. The strip in the center is also Not Quite Navy card stock and I just free handed the little wave...not bad for government work, huh?! I added five, count them five, Jumbo Antique eyelets and threaded the first four with River Rock Double Stitched grosgrain ribbon. The image is stamped on Naturals Ivory card stock in black stazon, and then mounted on a piece of Mellow Moss card stock. I added some faux stitching around the image piece, then water colored the flower with my Not Quite Navy and Mellow Moss Classic Stampin' Pads and my blender pen. For the center of the flower I used a Build-A-Brad (runs a close second to my Jumbo eyelets as my favorite!) with a piece of the Porcelain Prints Dp in the center. Then, I added a piece of Blue Bayou Double stitched ribbon. The sentiment is from the stamp set Much Appreciated, stamped on Mellow Moss card stock in Not Quite Navy Classic ink. I added an antique brad, and popped the whole thing up on dimensionals. This card came together pretty quickly which was good since I only had time for a quick little window of stamping today. Now, before I get back to my garage sale prep, I wanted to share a beautiful RAK I received from my wonderful bloggin' friend Rose Ann. She is truly one of THE most talented stampers I have ever had the pleasure to meet; she totally awes me with her creativity! So, I am THRILLED to have one of her cards as my very own! Isn't this beautiful??! She knows I {Heart} butterflies and this one is gorgeous! I love the design of this card too - it is a flap card and has a magnet inside it to hold it shut - very creative! I want to try one of these myself! Thanks so much for thinking of me Rose Ann! So, now I am off to purge scrapbook paper....that could be an all-day project with as much paper as I have....and no, I do not part with ANY of my Stampin' Up! stuff! I love it too too much! Have a wonderful Friday and I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! I will let you know how the sale goes. Toodles!

CAN YOU SAY WHOOHOO??? I CAN!!!!!!!!!

Guess what??!! I had a wonderful gift in my email from Sketches by Tamara - I MADE HER CARD DESIGN TEAM!!!! I have loved her site for a long time, so I am excited about this opportunity! Can you say WHOOHOO for me??? Check out her site - I have her icon on my sidebar with the link to the site....make sure you go and play.....okay???? It is a fabulous site for scrappin and stampin' folks who like great sketches to play with....hmmm....wouldn't you all be some of those folks??? I think so - LOL! Make sure you upload your sketches on the website, we all want to see your beautiful work!! I enjoy doing sketch challenges and to get to play with them ahead of time is really awesome! Made my day, I tell ya!

TRIFOLD POCKET CARD

Hi all!! Well, today is going to be a SUPER busy day trying to get ready for the yard sale on Saturday - I did not do as much yesterday as I should have....lol! Today I am sharing a trifold card. I wanted something bright and springy so I used Cameo Coral, Tempting Turquoise, and So Saffron as my color palette. Instead of using patterned paper for the actual pocket, I decided to make my own and used my Doodle stampin' wheel with Tempting Turquoise ink and stamped it all over my Cameo Coral card stock (I did this before scored, cut, and folded). I added some white accents to the flowers from the wheel using my White Gel pen to make it pop! Then, I added some scallops, punching out Tempting Turquoise card stock circles with my 3/4 inch Circle punch and adhering them to the inside of each side. The belly band is a strip of Tempting Turquoise card stock layered with a strip of So Saffron card stock, then faux stitched all around the edges. I added a piece of Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain ribbon, then stamped the large flower from the One of a Kind stamp set onto Cameo Coral card stock, cut it out, added a Jumbo Eyelet, and popped it up on dimensionals. I also added some white accents around the center of the flower. The sentiment is also from the One of a Kind stamp set and is stamped in Cameo Coral Classic Stampin' ink. For the insert, I used a piece of So Saffron card stock, adding a scalloped border cut out of Tempting Turquoise card stock to the bottom. This was made using my slit punch. I punched tiny holes all along the top of the scallops and added some accent with my White Gel pen. I faux stitched all around the edges of the card, then stamped another sentiment from the One of a Kind stamp set in Tempting Turquoise in the middle of the card. Below that, I added the matching flower to the one on the belly band. The pull-out tab is made from Tempting Turquoise which I punched with my Circle Scallop Punch, then layered with a 1 1/4 inch Cameo Coral circle. In the center, I added a build-a-brad to which I added the small flower from the One of a Kind set, stamped on So Saffron in Tempting Turquoise Ink. Again, I added some white accents and punched tiny holes around the scallops. This was a fun card to make and my first tri-fold card, so I am pretty pleased with how it turned out! I hope you like it too!!!! Have a fabulous day!!!

A GIFT FOR A FRIEND

Hump Day again - whoohoo!!! This week is flyin' by and I have sooo much to do, I have to get ready for the scrapbook yardsale on Saturday (have I started, noooooo!) I have two classes to put together, and oh yeah, somewhere in there I have to spend time with the family - lol! It's all good....So, today I wanted to share a gift set that I made for a friend. I am not worried about her seeing it because she does not visit my blog, we talk in another forum *wink* I wanted to make her something I could fill with some of her fave scrapbook stuff and so I decided to alter a tin that I bought at Hobby Lobby before I moved here (glad I did, we don't have HL here). Her favorite colors are brown, orange, green, and blue so I decided that the New Basic Grey Archaic Line was perfect for this! I used several different of the dps from this set to cover the tin and I love how it turned out. For the sides and around the lid, I also used brown rick rack (not sure who make this, I had it in my stash) and some beautiful May Arts Shimmery Green ribbon to cover all the seams. I added some flowers made with my 5-petal punch and added some Rhinestones to the center. On the top of the box, I wrote out 'Michele's Box' in chipboard that I inked up with Creamy Caramel and Mellow Moss Classic Stampin' Ink and then sponged it with Close to Cocoa ink to give it the aged look. Then, I added some dots with my Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker. The handle is covered in all kinds of different ribbons that complement the dp: there are too many to name, I pulled them from my stash, so if you have a burning desire to know about a particular piece, pm me and I will see what I can do *wink* Isn't it yummy to see all that ribbon together??!!! I also made her a card with the same theme. It's a square card again, and I used Julee's Mojo Monday sketch no. 34 for this one because I love it! The base of the card is Chocolate Chip card stock which I then covered with a piece of the dp from the Basic Grey Line. Then, I added two small strips of Really Rust card stock, which I added vintage brads to at either end and faux stitched around. The long piece is Chocolate Chip card stock layered with Mellow Moss card stock, and I double faux stitched around this while adding two Jumbo Pewter Eyelets at either end and using some more of that yummy May Arts ribbon. I sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin' Ink to age it a little and blend better with the dp. All of the paper was punched using my Ticket Corner Punch as well. I then used my Coluzzle and cut out a circle from Chocolate Chip card stock, and, using my 5-petal punch, made a flower out of Mellow Moss card stock and the dp. I then added a Rhinestone brad and popped it up on dimensionals. I stamped the flower doodle in Chocolate Chip ink on both pieces of Really Rust card stock using my Friendship Blooms stamp set. The two little flowers on either side are made with my Boho Blossoms punch, and there are small Rhinestone brads in the center of these as well. Lastly, I stamped the sentiment from the same stamp set in White Craft Ink and punched it out using my Word Window Punch. I then added a small piece of Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon. I like it, but worry it looks too busy, what do you all think? I am very partial to SU! dp because it matches everything else so well, but I think I pulled this off! Let me know what you think...I am off to start bagging and tagging items for the sale - teehee!!

IT'S A BOY!!!!!

Hi all! It has been a busy few days and time is just flying by! I have to go to the doctor again today which is almost an hour drive away because he is a specialist so I am not looking forward to that (it cuts into my stamping time!) BUT there is a Target and a Starbucks so that will make up for it - LOL! So, my husband came home and saw a project I had just finished for a friend who just had a baby and said, "hey, can you make one of those for xxxxxxxx at the office, she is having a baby and the department is throwing her a shower". So, I said sure, when is it, to which he replies, "Wednesday"!!! I swear, one of these days he will give me just a little time to plan - LOL! But, because I love him dearly, I went ahead and created this baby boxed gift set for his employee even though I have never met her and could not pick her out of a crowd! Now, I am going to tell you right up front, not everything I used is Stampin' Up! I had some really cute paper from Daisy Ds that is her baby boy line and I wanted to use that! However, where I could, I did use SU! products! First, the box. This is the top of a square paper mache box that I altered. The whole box, even the bottom is covered in designer paper - I used two different patterns from Daisy Ds - childhood plaid and butter polka dots. I love this paper, I think it is perfect for a baby boy (it should be, it's her baby line, lol!) Anyway, once the paper was adhered, I added some gauzy yellow ribbon to all the sides to cover the seams and a piece of lace ribbon to add dimension all around the box. Here is a picture of the side to give you an idea of what I mean. Notice that I cut the dp in diagonals in order to use both patterns on all sides - clever, huh *wink* I did this all the way around the box. On the top of the box, I also added the yellow ribbon and the piece of lace ribbon that you see diagonally across the tip. Then, I made a tag out of card stock, added some faux stitching, and stamped the duck from the Bundle of Love stamp set on the top. I did paper piece this little guy as well. The little blue tag is also a stamp from that set which I punched out with my small tag punch. I also added a Jumbo pewter eyelet and some beautiful burgundy and yellow gauzy ribbon to the tag. The chipboard 'b' is from SU! and I covered it in dp and added some ribbon. The flowers are inked with Bravo Burgundy ink and have a Brocade Blue brad in the center. I also made a matching card for the box using Nicola's sketch challenge. She was kind enough to let me participate with my SU! stamps - thanks girl! Here it is! I made a square card to match the shape of the gift box and I am happy with it. The base of the card is Bravo Burgundy card stock. I then cut a diagonal piece of each of the dp I used on the box, added to the BB, and faux stitched all around the edges. Then, I added a piece of Brocade Blue card stock, and a smaller piece of Bravo Burgundy card stock. I added two Jumbo Pewter eyelets to this piece which I laced with more of that yummy yellow ribbon (I think it may be May Arts but can't swear to it!). The image is stamped in Brown Stazon on Naturals White card stock, then stamped again on both of the dp. I cut the whole hippo out of one piece of dp, and then just the bow out of the other so he matches both - isn't he cute??!! I then stamped the sentiment in Brown Stazon, adhered the whole thing to a piece of YoYo Yellow card stock and did some more stitching. Lots of that in this project, and my hand really feels it!! Last, I added some more flowers that are inked with Bravo Burgundy and each has another Brocade Blue brad in the center. Now, because this is a gift, I went ahead and did the inside of this card. I cut a piece of Naturals White card stock and then inked the edges with Bravo Burgundy Classic Stampin' Ink. I stamped the verse and the little duck image in the same color ink, then stamped the duck again on the dp and paper pieced this as well! And, then, I was done! I really hope she likes it, it WAS a lot of work, but if I can bring a smile to her face, well, it will all be worth it! After all, that is why we do what we do - to bring joy to others right?? I hope you guys all have a fabulous day - now I am off to squeeze in a few blogs before I dash off to the doc!Toodles!

ONE OF A KIND

Well, here it is - Monday again!! I can't believe how fast the weeks are flying by!! I can't wait - my son comes home in June - whoohoo!!! So, today I am going to share a card I made for a sketch over at Tamara's blog. I decided to create my own card using the Carousel Notes so I took two of them, cut 1/2 inch off both, scored at 1 inch, and added two Jumbo Pewter Eyelets. I ran some Wild Wasabi ribbon through them, and voila! instant binding! I also stamped the background of the Groovy Guava Carousel Note with the Stitched background in the same color ink - I just think that stamp makes everything beautiful! Just click on the pic if you want to see it up close! I like the way this one turned out, and it was really fun to make! I did flip the sketch around a little though so I used use my fabulous One of a Kind stamp set - I love it! Otherwise, I stayed pretty close to the sketch! I have to run to Weight Watchers, so I will leave you with the recipe, and if you have any questions, ya know what to do!! Have a wonderful day!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Groovy Guava Carousel Notes(2), Wild Wasabi cardstock, Bali Breeze Designer Paper
Stamp Sets - One of a Kind, Stitched Background Stamp
Inks - Wild Wasabi Classic Stampin' Pad, Groovy Guava Classic Stampin' Pad
Accessories - Jumbo Pewter Eyelets, Wild Wasabi and Groovy Guava double stitched ribbon, Boho Backgrounds punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Crop-a-dile, Vintage brads, Rhinestone Brads, Silver Hodgepodge

BEATE'S WEEKEND SKETCH CHALLENGE

Hi all! I am sorry I missed posting yesterday, but the day got away from me! Tony called me during my crop on Friday and announced he had invited his mom and dad for dinner on Saturday - not a big deal except by Saturday morning it had become mom, dad, both sisters and their families - sheesh!! Needless to say I was running around with my hair on fire trying to get ready! Men!!! It was fun, but I was bone tired by the time they left at nine last night! That is the first time in months I have been in bed before 10pm - LOL! So, I will share the card I did for Beate's weekend sketch challenge although I did change the sketch a little. I made a larger square card and I flipped the smaller square on the card sideways instead of longways. I hope it still counts!! I also did the inside of this card because I am sending it to someone who just got out of the hospital. I will leave the full recipe below - if you have any questions, just let me know - enjoy your Sunday!!

Card Recipe:

Paper - Take with Teal card stock, Groovy Guava card stock, Whisper White card stock, Bali Breeze Designer Series Paper

Stamps - A Little Birdie Stamp Set

Inks - Black Stazon, Cameo Coral and Taken with Teal Stampin' Write Markers, Groovy Guava Classic Stampin' Pad, Take with Teal Classic Stampin' Pad

Accessories - Ticket Corner Punch, Picture Frame Punch, Silver Brads, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, Groovy Guava Double Stitched Ribbon, Mat Stack and Paper Piercr