SOME FUN CHALLENGES OVER AT STAMPIN' CONNECTION!

Happy Monday all!!! I hope you all enjoyed your holiday weekend - it poured and stormed here all weekend, so we had a pretty quiet Easter, but a really yummy dinner!!  And, I had time to get two of the challenges done at Stampin' Connection, whoohoo!! So, I am going to share them here today.  The first is the Monday sketch challenge since that is the team I am on right now. This week, fellow team-mate Diane Noble posted the sketch and it is fabulous!! I really loved it, the panels are so versatile so I know I will be playing with this one again!  If you are SU! demo, be sure at check out the sketch and if you make a card, share it so we can all see!!  I played with my new set called Awash With Flowers, which is a preview set for the new catalog coming out this summer and is available to purchase right now - just go here and click on shop now and it is yours!! This is such a fun set, I just love how many different things you can do with it. For this card, I used all my in-colors because they are so bright and vibrant, they look fabulous with these stamps!  So fun!! 

This second card is for the Inspiration Challenge that was posted yesterday at Stampin' Connection. I very rarely have time to play along, so I was excited to get the chance this weekend!  For this card, I used a lot of punches, including my favorite (for now) called the two-step bird punch, just love it!! I paired my Kraft base with the yummy DSP from the Occasions mini called Sending Love - this beautiful paper includes embossed and glittered sheets that are truly gorgeous and fun to play with.  My sentiment is from the stamp set Teeny Tiny Wishes - love it!!  So, there you have it - two cards and on a Monday too, LOL!! I hope your week is starting out great and gets better as it goes along!! Thanks so much for stopping by today, I really appreciate all your comments!!!  I will be back tomorrow with some fun projects I am sharing at an event this weekend - can't wait to show you!!! 

Card One Recipe:

Paper - Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Whisper White card stock, Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper

Inks - Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo classic inks, Black Stazon

Stamps - Awash With Flowers, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Charming

Accessories - Scalloped Trip Border punch, Scalloped oval punch, large oval punch, Crushed Curry polka dot ribbon, Playground button, twine

Card Two Recipe:

Paper - Kraft, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip card stock, Sending Love Designer Series Paper

Inks - Chocolate Chip classic ink and stampin' write marker, Creamy Caramel classic ink

Stamps  - Teeny Tiny Wishes

Accessories - Scalloped Circle Sizzix Die, Two-Step Bird Punch, Scalloped Trim Border punch, Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder for the Big Shot

JUST A LITTLE MORE CUPCAKE....

Hi all!! WHEW!!! It has been busy around here with the end of the month, but what fun I have been having stamping up a storm!! I just love my job!!!! Stamping, creating, teaching, sharing, and making new friends - where is the downside to that??!! LOVE IT!!!  Speaking of new friends, I met someone at a workshop last month who has become quite a regular in my stamp room and so we have formed a really nice friendship. She has asked me to do the invites and party favors for her little girls birthday at the end of this month and of course I said yes - I love bdays and she is a little girl turning one, what could be more fun?!!  So, I have been making some samples for her to choose from and I thought I would share another one with you (she chose the one I did yesterday because she loves purple but really liked this one too). This one was more subtle in its pinks and I left out purple all together (not my fave) to see what she thought *wink* So, the first pic is the front of the card which is made using the giant cupcake stamp called Simple Birthday Thanks.  I paperpieced it on the bottom with DSP from the Sweet Pea paper pack, then used Frost White shimmerz with some microbeads to make the frosting.  Yummy right?? 

I also added the embossing in the background using my Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder because I thought it went so well with the whole cupcake theme!  Here is the inside of the card that shows the actual invitation piece using stamps from the set called Introducing and the balloons from Bitty Bithday.  And, of course I had to make the matching cupcake box to go with, so here it is!!

I used my scallop envelope die for my Big Shot for the box and stamps from the Crazy for Cupcakes set.  I matched the paper with the same dsp I used for the card and added some yummy whisper white satin ribbon. I also added iridescent ice to the cupcakes so the frosting looked nice and good enough to eat!

Here is the side view of the box so you can see how pretty the ribbon is - I just love it, I think it adds a lot to the box!!!   I also have a confession to make:  I made cupcakes to match these sets when my friend and her sister plus two little ones came over to check them out. I had fully intended to get some pics with the cupcakes, but, well, by the time they all left, there were none left, LOL!!! So, I guess those turned out pretty good too, heeehee!!!  I think I am done with cupcakes for a little while until we all get together to make the invites and such, so you are safe from another cupcake post for a few days anyway *wink*  Now, I am off to work on some class projects, finish taxes (blech) and spend some time with the kids! Have a wonderful day and thanks so much for stopping by, I love all your comments and read every one of them!

Card and Box Recipe:

Paper - Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White card stock, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper

Inks - Black Stazon, Rose Red, Regal Rose, Pretty in Pnk stampin' write markers

Stamps - Simple Birthday Thanks, Bitty Birthdays, Crazy for Cupcakes

Accessories - Rose Red narrow grosgrain ribbon, Whisper White Satin ribbon, Iridescent Ice, Versamark, heat gun, ticket corner punch, scallop envelope die for Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, pink microbeads, frost white shimmerz, scalloped circle punch, eyelet border punch, liquid glue

CUPCAKES ANYONE?

Good morning all! It is cold and nasty here and supposed to rain all week....and my kids are on Spring Break!! Uggghh...doesn't leave many activities for us!!! So, I will be getting creative, LOL!! I wanted to share a project today that one of my customers asked me for. Her daughter is getting ready to turn one and she wanted me to make invites and something for cupcakes. Her color requests were pink and purples....so this is one sample I came up with. This is the front of the invite and since there will be 40 of them, I kept it fairly simple. I used the Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set as I thought the one candle on the cupcake was perfect for the occasion. The DSP is from the Shades of Spring collection in the occasions mini since it is really the only purple set I have (purple is soooo not my color). I decided to make these like card fronts with the invite piece on the back - it will be easier for her to mail and well, easier to make and save her on paper,lol!! Again, I kept it pretty simple and used my Introducing stamp set for the actual invite piece while adding some stamped balloons from the Bitty Birthday set. I am pretty happy with this invite, although I did make her a couple of samples that I am showing her tomorrow and will also share here. Since she wanted a cupcake box as well I decided that making a cute little box using the scalloped envelope die for my Big Shot was the way to go. It will allow me to cut lots at a time, and they go together fairly quickly. Here is a pic of the front and as you can see, I matched the colors to the card - pretty cute, right? I paper pieced my balloons and used my Crazy for Cupcakes set on this one as well, then added some pink satin ribbon to the sides - here is a pic so you can see more of the whole box!! And, of course I added some Iridescent Ice with Versamark and my heat gun to all the icing on my cupcakes because all cupcakes need to have bling *wink* I am taking these all to her this afternoon to let her decide on what ones she wants so we can get to ordering the supplies and getting them put together!! I will share another set tomorrow and then you all can tell me which one you like best, lol!!! Don't forget, I have a sketch challenge going on right now where a random name will be drawn to win a stamp set from me so make sure you upload your card and play along!! Now, off to finish up my samples, pack them up, and head on out!! I hope you all have a wonderful day, thanks so much for stopping by!

Card and Box Recipe:

Paper - Pretty in Pink, Pale Plum, Whisper White card stock, Shades of spring Designer Series paper

Inks - Basic Black and Orchid Opulence classic inks, Stampin' write markers

Stamps - Crazy for Cupcakes, Introducing, Itty Bitty Birthday

Accessories - Pink Satin Ribbon, Elegant Eggplant narrow grosgrain ribbon, versamark pen, iridescent ice, Perfect Polka dots embossing folder, Scalloped Envelope Bigz Die, Big Shot, Modern label punch, ticket corner punch

STAMPIN' CONNECTION SKETCH CHALLENGE

Hi all!! Here it is, Monday again, time is just flyin' by!!!  It is my turn to do the sketch at Stampin' Connection today so this is the card I did for it.  Since I did the sketch, I am also going to post it here - if you want to do the sketch and link it here to my blog, go for it!! There will be a RAK for the person I draw at random next Monday!! Too fun, right??  Although Stampin' Connection is just for demonstrators and therefore all of the cards are SU! only, you do not have the same restriction here (although it would be GREAT to see some SU! only cards, lol!)  If you ARE a demo, feel free to link here as well, but please upload to SC so everyone can enjoy your card.  You can link your card using Mr. Linky here!  I will show you the RAK once I draw the winner, I want it to be a surprise BUT it will fabulous and it WILL involve some stamps *wink*  And, I will give you a hint:  they are really really fun to play with, LOL!!!!

So, come on, let's see what you can do with this sketch - here it is!  I hope you play along because I really do think this is a fun sketch!!!  And, I would love to see all the beautiful cards I just know you can all make *wink*  So, now on to the deets of my card!! I chose to use the In-Colors - I just love how they all go together so beautifully and I am especially attached to the Soft Suede, which I paired here with Crushed Curry and Rich Razzleberry.  The stamps set is called With All My Heart and is available in the Occasions Mini Catty.  This catalog is good until April 30th, but then it's gone so if you want this set  or the Sweet Pea paper that I used on this card, order it now.  Also, Sale-A-Bration will be over for another year on Wednesday, March 31st so if you have some things on your wish list, why not get something for free while you are it?  Every $50 order earns you something FREE - so don't miss out!!! You can order from my online store here!  Okay, so now I am off to meet with one of my downline and then take my daughter shopping since they are on Spring Break!! Have a wonderful day and thanks sooo much for stopping by, your comments always make my day!

Card Recipe:

Paper - Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Whisper White card stock, Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper

Inks - Rich Razzleberry classic ink, Soft Suede stampin' write marker (stitching)

Stamps - With All My Heart

Accessories - Rich Razzleberry polka dot ribbon, ticket corner punch, scalloped edge border punch, scalloped edge corner punch, wide oval punch, scalloped oval punch, 3/4 and 1/2 inch circle punches, mat pack and paper piercer, brads

SUMMER FUN....I AM SOOOO READY!

Happy happy Friday!!!  WOW! This has been one busy week so it just flew by!! I have been teaching a class a day so lots of stamping going on, but not a lot of sharing so lots to show you over the next few days! Today however, I am going to share a fun card I made with a digital image from Cheeky Radishes called Ethel - isn't she a hoot?!! Ethel is ready for the summer.....I would setttle for Spring, LOL!!  I had a great  time coloring her, she is too too fun!! Want to do an Ethel card of your own?  Head on over to the site because one you buy her, you get the download and get to start playin' :-) I decided to pair Ethel with my in-colors to make the card really summery and fun.  The flowers are from the stamp set Petal Pizzazz (LOVE IT!!!) and I stamped, cut out, and popped them up on dimensionals, then added some bling rhinestones because every gal loves bling!!  The DSP is the Kaleidoscope paper line, which is very bright and totally reminds me of vacation time.  I added some Crushed Curry Polka Dot ribbon(notice the bow is NOT missing this time, heehee!) and used the sentiment from the Cheers to You set.  I sponged around Ethel with both Crushed Curry and Creamy Caramel to make the sand.  So much fun to do!!!  I hope you like my Ethel card and will head on over to Cheeky Radishes and check out all of their fun digi images and shaped card templates.  There are lots of  digi goodies to check out!!!  Enjoy your Friday -  I am off to prep for my Chicks and Chocoloate class tonight (any class where chocolate is involved is fun, right??!) and a workshop tomorrow so another couple of busy but fun days!! Thanks so much for stopping by, I love ya for it!
Card Recipe: (all supplies DU! unless otherwise noted)
Paper - Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Whisper White card stock, Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper
Inks - Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Creamy Caramel classic inks, In -Color stampin' write markers
Stamps - Ethel digi image(Cheeky Radishes), Cheers to You
Accessories - Crushed Curry Polka Dotted ribbon, Curly Label Punch, Fire and Ice Rhinestones

VACATION....DON'T YOU WISH YOU WERE ON ONE??

I know I do!!!! Heehee, this cold weather makes me want to go somewhere warm and tropical!!! This week over at Cheeky Radishes, the theme is Vacation!! So, keeping with the theme, I made a coconut-shaped card using their fabulous template! Isn't it cute??!!  I don't make a lot of shaped cards but these are so easy because they do all the hard work for you.  You just download the image and print it out - easy peasy!!!!  That is my kind of shaped card, I tell ya!! I had a lot of fun decorating this card too!  I used my SU! Perfect Details Texturz plate because I thought it went perfect with the coconut.  I then sponged over it with Crushed Curry and Soft Suede stampin' ink.  I then inked the edges with Soft Suede.  I used my Kaleidoscope DSP for the umbrella and colored in the umbrella holder with Bermuda Bay and the straw with Melon Mambo because I just think this DSP screams of the in-colors, don't you??!!!  I stamped all over the front of my coconut with the small flower from the Petal Pizzazz set, then stamped three of the larger flowers, cut them out, and popped them up on dimensionals!! I had such fun doing this card - it is soooo different than my square cards, lol!!!  Like it?  Hope on over to Cheeky Radishes (well, Paper Popsicles) and download their templates - all of their stamps and templates are digital so it is pretty much instant gratification!!!  Thanks so much for stopping by, I appreciate it! And now, I am off to cut kits for my class tonight, and tomorrow....lots of paper will be a flyin' around here, heehee!!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Very Vanilla (template and flowers), Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper
Inks - Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry, Soft Suede classic in-color inks
Stamps - Petal Pizzazz
Accessories - Perfect Details Sizzix Texturz plate

REGIONALS SWAP - CHARMING

***EDITED TO ADD*** Oops, realized the bow came off, will have to reattach and take a new pic, LOL! Happy happy Monday all!! I had such a GREAT time at Regionals!! I learned lots of fun new techniques, saw some old friends, met lots of new ones, and I had a great time with my two fellow demos and friends Candice and Lisa (waving madly at you, LOL)!  I am very tired because I got back VERY late on Friday night, had Club on Saturday, and an all day class yesterday.....I should never book myself like that again, I have not even had a chance to catch my breath, LOL!  But, it was all good!! I wanted to share the swap I did for Regionals....yes, I know I said I wasn't going to do any BUT I found myself with a little bit of time before we left and decided to come up with one that I could whip up 40 of and not stress myself out, LOL!  I love these colors and decided it would be perfect for my swap as the colors are happy and bright which is how I felt about getting to go.  I did not put a sentiment on this one as I could not decide on one...I will add one when I send it out. I used the Kaleidoscope patterned papers - I just love the colors and flower patterns! I will be using lots more of this as the weather gets warmer as I think it is perfect for spring and summer!!  I also used my Scalloped Edge Border Punch which is only availabe through the Sale-A-Bration catty - with a $50 order this punch is yours FREE but only until March 31st when it goes away. If you want to put in an order, go to my website and order online, easy peasy!!  The stamps are from the Charming stamp set which was in the holiday mini and is so popular that it is still available to order now.  I am definitely a fan, love how much you can do with this set!! So, I felt better that I accomplished at least one swap card and was happy when people seemed to like it! Today I am going to have some downtime, and catch up on things like laundry and groceries.  I also hope to share some fun pics of Regionals with all of you tomorrow as I plan on editing those today as well! Thanks for stopping by, and  I will be by your blogs later to see what you have been up to!
Card Recipe:
Paper - Dusty Durango, Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White card stock, Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper
Inks - Tempting Turquoise, Melon Mambo, So Saffron classic inks
Stamps - Charming
Accessories - Scalloped Edge Border punch, So Saffron ribbon, Finial Press embossing folder