Leadership SWAP

I'm off to Stampin' Up's Leadership convention this week! With the help of my mom and my friend Chris, I made 220 swaps to trade at convention!!!!! We have a tradition that when you meet someone, you trade a card front.

I have about 50 of this design to trade.

Sooooo.... I will be coming home with 220 new card ideas. Wooohoooo!

I was inspired by our winter weather for this card. This monochrome card includes two layers of embossing and features the "Always" stamp set. (Did I mention that you NEED a Big Shot so you can do this embossing too? LOL)

Create a Cupcake!

For this month's hostess club, I had to use my NEW stamp set from the Occasions Mini catalog, Create A Cupcake! Since it has a matching punch, it was a set that I NEEDED. The punch cuts out the wrapper, frosting and cherry! No scissors needed!

Over Christmas vacation, I vowed I needed to learn some new ribbon tricks. Here is one that I learned. It is using the 1 1/4" grosgrain ribbon and has a bit of Linen Thread tied around the center. It adds a bit of texture and interest to a pretty simple card.

Clean and Simple - Baroque Motifs

Here's a Clean and Simple Card using the Baroque Motifs Stamp Set.

Rhinestone jewels are in the center of each medallion adding a little "bling".

This clean and simple card could be used as a birthday, thank you, anniversary, sympathy, friendship or thinking of you card. Add a simple greeting on the inside and you are good to go!

Button, button SWAP

Here's a card from my friend, Maureen. It was a SWAP I received during our team meeting. Maureen used the new Stamp set -- Button, Button and the Simple Friendship Stamp Set.

My picture doesn't do the card justice. She used our rhinestone jewels on several of the smaller buttons. It really made them "pop".

Did you know the rhinestone jewels have adhesive on the back and there are 150 rhinestone jewels in each pack! (only $4.95!)

More Embossing with the BigShot...

I had to try posting from my phone, which is why the previous post of this card showed up sideways. :) This post looks much better.

I am totally addicted to embossing with the Big Shot. Over Christmas vacation it seemed that I couldn't make a card without embossing at least one layer. This card has four layers of embossing.

Layer 1 - Framed Tulips Embossing Folder ($7.95) on Very Vanilla Card Stock

Layer 2 - Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder ($7.95) on Pear Pizzzaz Card Stock

Layer 3 - Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder (again!) on Very Vanilla Card Stock

Layer 4 - Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder (yes, again!) on Baja Breeze Card Stock. Flower Petals punched with the NEW Blossom Petals XL Punch ($16.95). Flower leaves stamped in Pear Pizzaz ink on Pear Pizzaz Card Stock using the NEW Build-a-Blossom Stamp set!

The greeting is from the Simply Said Stamp set.

Gift Card Holder....

This stocking has a hidden surprise. The top flaps opens up to show a pocket to hold a gift card. I made these for Sarah and my nephew, Zack, for Christmas.

My hostess club gals already let me know that I need to hold a class next October to make these and gift tags.

I learned the "inlaid embossing" technique at our demonstrator meeting from my friend Lorena. I used the "Vintage Wallpaper" embossing folder with the Big Shot to emboss the stocking.

waiting for an x-ray....

So, back in early December, I had broncitis and was in the waiting room waiting my turn to get an x-ray...

I noticed these pictures on the wall and thought they would make good card layouts!

Where do you get inspiration?

A card from my friend Jean

Love the colors and layout!

Another post from my phone.

Embossing w the bigshot!

Testing a post from my phone.

Holiday Stamp-a-stack #3

Holiday Stamp-a-stack #3

Nov 19
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Eastern )

My most popular events are back... Holiday Stamp-a-stacks! This is the third class in the series.

Come make 12 Christmas cards for $15! Space is limited. RSVP now to save your spot!

Clean and Simple

Here's a quick card using the Elegant Lines embossing folder, Baja Breeze Card Stock and Baja Breeze ink. Any butterfly from the Butterfly Prints Stamp set would work with this design. Or, you could substitute any flower and punch.

Clean and Simple

Very Vanilla Card Stock, 1 1/4 inch Grosgrain Ribbon, Short 'n Sweet Stamp Set and Decor Wheel....

Choose your color and greeting and you have a clean and simple card in minutes!

Wicked Cool

Here's a CASE of one of Maureen's convention swaps. Color combo - Concord Crush, Peach Parfait, Basic Black.

Stamp set - Wicked Cool

Halloween with the Big Shot

Another present from my friend, Lorena!

Frankie is made with the Sizzix Top Note Die, Round Tab Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch and 3/4" Circle Punch, Black Stampin' Write Marker and Uniball-Signo Gel Pen (White).

NEW!! Artisan Card Class

This is a NEW class! Are you interested in stepping it up a bit creatively? This class is for you! We will make 5 cards for $12! Kindly RSVP by Wednesday, October 6th.

Paisley Prints

Here's a quick card using one of my favorite, new stamp sets, Paisley Prints!

Color Combo - Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait

Wheel - Friendly Words

Wondering how this technique was achieved? Join us at Margaret's workshop on September 17th at 7 Pm at my house!

Just For You

It's funny how my card designs come about. This one was for my friend Terry's workshop. Terry said she wanted to learn how to "smootch" and how to "color spritz". I know my friend Jean would be there, who does not like to cut and who loves blue. My other friend Kerstin would also be there who likes the earthy colors and layers. I also knew that I would have at least one person new to stamping, so I wanted a card that was pretty easy, but interesting. And you thought it was just a card... I guess "JUST FOR YOU" really pertains here as it was made 'specially for my friends. :)

This all-0ccasion card features a color combination that I adapted from the Color Coach. The Color Coach called for Old Olive, Cajun Craze and Baja Breeze. I used Marina Mist instead of Baja Breeze with a little Vanilla Shimmer Smootch Spray.

The flowers are punched with the Fancy Flower Extra Large Punch and the Boho Blossoms Extra Large Punch. The leaves are punched with the 5-Petal Extra Large Punch and spritzed with the Color Spritzer. The greeting is punched with the 1 inch Circle Punch.

Accents - Antique Brad, Chatilly Lace
Greeting - Just for You from Tiny Tiny Wishes (my most used stamp set EVER)

Hope you like it!

Holiday Stamp-a-stack #1

Come join us on Friday, September 24th at 7 PM, OR, Sunday, September 26th at 2 PM, for the first of my holiday stamp-a-stack classes!

For only $15, you will make 12 cards (3 of each design)!

RSVP now to reserve your spot!

Back to School

My friend Lorena gave me this cute little box as a thank you for lending her one of my Sizzix dies. She put two pencils in the top of the ribbon like chopsticks. So cute!

Lorena used the take out box from the Candy Countdown Calendar kit. The kit includes 25 fast-fold boxes, die cuts, ribbon and twine -- perfect for an advent calendar or Christmas tree ornaments. The kit is now available in the NEW Holiday Mini Catalog on page 24!

Look who came to visit!

A surprise visitor arrived in my craft room last week!

My baby girl's going to high school....

My baby girl is a Freshman this year. I wanted to make her something special, so I made this little backpack and plan on filling it with gum and chocolate.

Sarah's favorite color is turquoise. I used Rich Razzleberry as the accent color.

Scrapbook Envelope Class!

front view...

I'm really, really tempted....

Another card from Sue.

Do you recognize the hat????

I'm really tempted to do a series of Owls with all of the Sock Monkey accessories.... but I think Judy would shoot me.

Just think:
- Owl Birthday
- Owl Baby
- Owl Graduate

What a HOOT!

The owl is one of our new punches! The punch creates all of the little pieces you need to create your cute little owl!

Always

Here's another card from Sue. Color combo - pretty in pink, crumb cake (the color formerly known as Kraft - yes that was a Prince reference), and bravo burgundy.

It's orange and pretty and NOT a Sock Monkey....

Another card from my friend Sue's trip. I love it when my friends go on stamping vacations!

This card uses the Greenhouse Garden stamp set (113824, $25.95 wood-mount only), Peach Parfait and Daffodil Delight.

Love it!

Can you tell what punch this was made from?

My friend, Sue, spent a good part of the summer in Wisconsin and being the awesome stamper that she is, she went to several Stampin' Up workshops. She let me take pictures. Here is the first project.

Did you figure it out yet?

Scroll down for the answer....

















Butterfly punch!

Monkey Money????

What do you use to buy Sock Monkey stamps? Why, monkey money, of course!

My friend Judy left me an envelope titled, "Monkey Money". What a hoot!

Thanks a bunch, Jude! (ha! ha!)

Sockey Monkey - Card Collection

The whole collection...

Sock Monkey - Easter Bunny! (my favorite)

Color Combo - Pear Pizzazz, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake
Technique - Markers
Ribbon - Pear Pizzazz Poly Twill Ribbon

This is my favorite Sock Monkey. What's yours?

Sock Monkey - Thanks a Bunch!

Color Combo - Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler
Technique - Markers
Punches - Designer Label Large, 1" Circle Medium, Eyelet Border
Embossing Folder - Square Lattice

Sock Monkey - Pumpkin

Color Combo - Soft Suede, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, Pumpkin Pie
Technique - Markers, Wheel
Ribbon - It's NOT a ribbon, it's a punch! How cute is that?
Wheel - Very Vintage Jumbo Wheel

Sock Monkey - Graduate

Color Combo - Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze
Technique - Markers, Blender Pens
Ribbon - Poppy Parade Poly Twill

Sock Monkey - Birthday

Color Combo - Rich Razzleberry, Pacific Point, Old Olive, Melon Mambo
Technique - Paper piecing

Sock Monkey - Santa

Color Combo - Cherry Cobbler, Wild Wasabi, Crumb Cake
Technique - Paper piecing
Ribbon - Early Espresso 1/8" Tafetta

Cleo hiking in the woods...

Cleo doesn't like to miss out on much, especially if Tom is involved. Here's a picture of Cleo geocaching in the woods!

Sock Monkey - Baby

Color Combo - Marina Mist, Wild Wasabi, Daffodil Delight
Technique - Paper piecing
Designer Paper (on monkey) - Greenhouse Gala

Summer Stamp-a-stack - Clean and simple stamping!

Come make 12 cards for $15 at the end of the summer Stamp-a-stack! We will make 4 cards of three different designs. These cards are quick and easy with no cutting and only a teensy, weensy bit of coloring.

These cards are perfect for any occasion. Customize the inside with the greeting of your choice.

Email me to reserve your spot! Friday, August 27th. Register for the early start time, 6:00 pm, or the later start time, 8:00 pm.

Sock Monkey Card Box!

Stamps
Sock Monkey ($26.95, 111550)

Ink
Basic Black Classic Ink ($5.95, 111179)
Early Espresso Classic Ink ($5.95, 119670)
Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink ($5.95, 119669)

Paper
Cherry Cobbler Card Stock($6.95, 119685),
Early Espresso Card Stock($6.95, 119686),
Whisper White Card Stock ($8.50, 100730)
Crumb Cake Card Stock ($6.95, 120953)

Sizzix
Embossed with Square Lattice Embossing Folder( $7.95, 119976),
Sizzix Top Note Die ($21.95, 113463)
Big Shot ($99.95, 113439)

Accessories
Antique Brads($5.95, 117273)
1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - Early Espresso ($9.95, 119961)
1/8" inch Tafetta Ribbon - Daffodil Delight ($5.95, 119254)
Blender Pens ($9.95, 102845)
Brayer ($12.50, 102395)
Stampin' Write Marker - Daffodil Delight ($3.50, 119677)
Stampin' Write Marker - Pear Pizzazz ($14.95, 119801 - full set of In Color markers)
Stampin' Write Marker - Cherry Cobbler ($3.50, 119681)

To create the texture on Monkey, brayer Early Espresso Ink onto the Square Lattice Embossing Folder. Emboss using the Big Shot!

This card uses the paper piecing technique. I stamped the monkey once on Whisper White card stock and again on Crumb Cake card stock. Then I brayered Early Espresso ink onto the Square Lattice Embossing Folder and embossed using the Big Shot! I cut out the monkey from the Crumb Cake and pieced it on top of the monkey stamped on the Whisper White card stock. Time consuming, but a really cool effect!

I colored the flower with Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight and Cherry Cobbler markers, and cut the flower very carefully. :) The monkey's mouth is colored with Cherry Cobbler Classic ink and a blender pen.

This was TONS of fun! Wait until you see the cards that fit inside!

Stay tuned....

It can only mean one thing....

when I wake up in the morning with Dimensionals stuck to my jammies......

my creative mo-jo-jo-j0 is starting to JIVE!

It's been a crazy, busy summer. This weekend was the first weekend I had time to play in a LONG time! I earned 6 free stamp sets this spring and after a lengthy debate I got the sock monkey stamp set and sock monkey accessories as two of my freebies. I made 8 sock monkey cards AND a sock monkey gift box to hold all of the cards. They are my FAV types of cards -- lots of cutting, coloring and layers. This weekend my FAV colors were Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso. I'm not usually much of a red girl (after all, who needs red when pink and green exist?), BUT this Cherry Cobbler color is very cool.

So, now that I've actually posted again, and I've pre-ordered some very fun things from the HOLIDAY MINI!!, now it's off to bed so I have a chance of getting up when my alarm goes off at its ungodly hour...

sooooo pictures of my sock monkeys will need to wait for another day.