Thursday, April 28, 2011

A Brick Wall

So, today I have the last project my Stamp Clubs did in April.  I love this card and I know deep down my stamp club ladies did too!!!


Isn't it pretty?  I was inspired by this card using the Brick Wall Technique and pretty much CASEd it!  It's a pretty easy technique, but fiddly...right Stamp Club ladies?!?!?


I started by stamping my image on a piece of Whisper White cardstock and then cutting my image into 1/2" strips.  Each strip was cut into 1/2" or 1" 'bricks', sponged and then put together.  You can see that I left some of the bricks out...I think it looks better that way!

My card was finished off with a piece of Baja Breeze Seam Binding and then a sentiment!  Not quick, but easy!

Have an inspired day!

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Little Treats

Kevin said I had to share a picture of his contribution to our Easter Sunday breakfast (he's pretty proud of himself!).  And, since today is his birthday, I thought I would oblige and share the picture.   Now, before I show you the picture, I have to warn you that the following picture may cause uncontrollable drooling...so protect your keyboards ladies!


Yep, he made Eggs Benedict complete with sauce from scratch!!!  We found a super easy almost fool proof recipe for Hollandaise sauce.  They were delicious and went fast!

Ok, on to stamping!  Today I have another one of the projects my stamp clubs did in April.


What could be better than chocolate with a little bling?!?!?  We started with some Hershey Nuggets, which were covered with small pieces of Paisley Petals DSP and finished off with a stamped flower, some cardstock and some bling!


There's a little tray in the bag (we used pretzel bags cut down to the size we needed) to hold the nuggets where I wanted them.  The topper is pretty cute too!


It's just a piece of Early Espresso cardstock folded in half and decorated with some more layers of cardstock.  That little scallop edge was done with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon punch (just punch a piece like normal and then use it as a layer with just the scallop part showing!).  It's finished off with a piece of Marina Mist Striped ribbon and a Crumb Cake button (from the Springtime Vintage buttons) which was tied on the ribbon with some Linen Thread.

There you have it!  What do you think?

Have an inspired day!

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Best Wishes


Best wishes that my swaps will arrive before the end of the month (but I'm not holding my breath...more on that later)!  I participated in a little swap organized by my upline.  We had to use the Four Frames set that you can get as a sneak peek this month.  Here's what I came up with.


Oh, so pretty!  I did the Bisque Pottery technique for the background and then went to work on my focal point.  I stamped my image (from Four Frames) with Early Espresso ink on Very Vanilla cardstock and watercolored the roses (Rose Red, Always Artichoke & More Mustard).  It is punched out and then I put a punched 1 3/4 circle behind it.  Under all that is some Rose Red seam binding which I ruffled a little.  My sentiment is from the Fabulous Phrases set...love that set!!!

So, lets talk a little about my relationship with Canada Post!!!!  I mailed my swaps last week (a couple days later than I was supposed to...but that's life!).  I put them in one of those red boxes that you can find in almost every neighborhood...and as soon as I pushed them in the slot I had a feelin'!  A feelin' that they were going to sit in that box for a while before actually being mailed even though it says on the box that they are picked up everyday.  In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if they're still sittin' in that red box!  It's just that I've had bad experiences before with those boxes and I think that the mail doesn't get picked up everyday from them (at least not the ones in my neighborhood!).  I should have just taken my swaps to the post office, but the red box was on my way to run errands.  And, I didn't want to be one of those people you see in the movies that is desperately trying to get their mail back out of the box...as funny as that would be!!!  Oh well...nothing I can do about it now!  Maybe someone from Canada Post reads my blog and can shed some light on my questions...I actually have a LOT of questions about the mail and why it goes the way it does.  sigh

Ladies, let me know when you get your cards...and at least you can use them for show in July!

Have an inspired day!

A Tisket, A Tasket...

...a Sahara Sand basket!  I know, it doesn't have the same ring as the original rhyme, but it's the best I could come up with!!!!

My stamp clubs made this little basket at the April workshops.


The basket is made from Sahara Sand cardstock, which was cut with the Box #2 die and then stamped with the Sanded background and Sahara Sand ink.  I love the Box #2 because it's so easy to put together and you only need a teeny bit of adhesive!

The handle for our basket is Pear Pizzazz ribbon which was attached to either side of the basket with a silver brads.

Now, the flower...


The flower is cut with the Fun Flowers die from Elegant Eggplant and Concord Crush cardstock...I used the two smallest flowers on the die.  Each flower was scrunched up and peeled apart after being cut to achieve a fuzzy, faux suede look.  They were layered together and secured with a brad.  Did you notice that fabulous brad?  It's one of the Designer Flower Brads that I smooshed in Perfect Plum craft ink and then polished so that the ink would only be in the recessed parts of the brad.

We made some paper shreds by cutting small strips (1/8" wide) of cardstock and running them through the Crimper.  Have you used your crimper lately?  Then you scrunch them up and put them in your basket...so fun!  And, of course we added a little treat.  A basket isn't complete without a little treat, and for this project, we used some mini eggs.

Have an inspired day!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

The COOLEST Mom in the World!

Hello fellow stampers!  Well, all I can say about the last few days is whew!  I'm glad it's over and I have a few days off to enjoy with my family and stamp some samples and do some planning for some upcoming classes! 

I will start with my crazy busy weekend!  It started with the Children's Festival...which was a HUGE success!  Sherri and I had a blast that day, but boy were we beat when it was over!  The organizers guess for attendance that day was over 5000.  WOW!!!  We had a fantastic location right by the stage and the concession and we were busy ALL day!  Here are some not so great pictures of our booth that I managed to snap during a very short quite spell...

This was the Decor Element Demo and Big Shot Build-A-Bear cutting side of our booth!  The kids loved cutting and dressing their own paper Build-a-Bear!

This was the display side of our booth where we had some class samples set out for moms to look at!  You can also see the little coloring station we had set up for the kids.

Then, Sunday I had my Easter Stampin' Kids class.  You can see the project the kids made here.  The kids had a blast...and so did I!!!

Yesterday and today I had Stamp Club.  I love Stamp Club days...my club ladies are always so enthusiastic (even though I really challenged them this month!!!).  I never have a Stamp Club where my stomach and cheeks aren't sore from laughing so hard!  I will share the projects they did later this week.

Today, I want to share a project I did last week that made me "the coolest mom in the world"...at least in the eyes of my nine-year old!!!

I started with a plain navy blue long sleeve T-shirt, that I slid over a piece of foam core and then applied a decor element to.  I used the Extreme Skateboard decor element for this project.  Once the decor element was applied to the T-shirt, I spritzed it with bleach.

Hee, hee...hello Penny!!!
Then I dabbed the bleach off the decor element and peeled the decor element off the shirt.  The decor element is garbage after you spray it and take it off the shirt.



Once that was done, I washed and dried it and it was ready for my model!


He LOVED it!!!  For now, according to him, I'm the coolest mom in the world.  So, I think I'm going to enjoy that title for the time being...because I'm sure it won't last!!!!!  And, now I have to make a couple more shirts like this for my other two boys.  Can't leave anyone out...ya know!!!

Well, it's almost midnight here and this stamper needs to get some rest!  Have an inspired day!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

More Paisley Petals!



Seriously, this paper is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!  The pictures don't do it justice.  Trust me, you definitely are going to want to place a $25 order this month so you can get some of this DSP!!!

Last night I had my regular downline shoebox swap and this is the card I came up with...


Isn't it delicious!!!!  To me it just feels calm!  The base of my card is Crumb Cake stamped with the En Francais background set and the little vine image from the Fresh Cuts set.  I also sponged around the edge with Early Espresso ink.

The focal point of the card is a large scallop circle which I cut with my Big Shot.  On top of that is a circle (cut with the clear circle die).  Where the two pieces of DSP meet, there is a piece of Early Espresso Satin ribbon layered a piece of the crochet trim.  I then added 3 Crumb Cake brads.

The stamped frame with the bird is from the Four Frames set (also on special this month with the Spring is Blossoming promotion).  It is stamped with Early Espresso ink and the bird is colored with the Pastels (had to dust those off!!!).  My words are from the Fabulous Phrases set and the cool thing about those is that I have them in clear mount and I just stuck both words on the block and stamped both of them at the same time!  So quick and easy!

I will be at the Children's Festival this weekend (without my children!!!), so I most likely won't be posting again until Monday.  Have a great weekend, and stop by to see me at the Children's Festival if you can!

Have an inspired day!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Short & Sweet

My post today is going to be short and sweet...I have a MILLION things to cross off my "To Do" list by the end of the week!


It's hard to believe that Easter is literally just around the corner.  It seems weird that it's so late this year...when the kids go back to school after Easter holidays it will be May!!!

Today I have a great little project to share with you!  In fact, my Stampin' Kids class this weekend is doing this project and I know they're going to love it!


I was inspired by a couple versions of this that I saw on Stampin' Connection, which is a demonstrator online community!  I fell in love with it and had to make one...I tweaked it a bit and this is what I came up with!  It's done with a few Big Shot dies (Scallop Envelope, 3 1/2" Circle & Ovals) and some circle and oval punches.  I love the eyes on this little guy!

The kids are going to have a blast punching and gluing and crimping this weekend!!!

Have an inspired day!

Monday, April 11, 2011

Flower Treat Container

Hello!  Today I have the second project from my To Die For class last Friday.  Remember, I featured the Fun Flower die from the Occasions Mini...which you'll want to get while you can because the mini is done at the end of the month!  Just click here and click on the "Shop Now" button on the top right to start shopping!

I have a HUGE amount of empty accessories containers, and I was inspired by projects that both Becky Roberts and Christy Daughtry have done in the past and came up with this...




Isn't it lurty?  The colors I chose are Daffodil Delight and Pear Pizzazz.  There's a scallop circle on the bottom of the container, which was stamped with some leaves (Pocket Silhouettes set).  The bottom of the container is covered with a piece of Pear Pizzazz DSP (from the In Color Stack).  The lip of the lid is adorned with the sweet Daffodil Delight Pom Pom Trim (you're gonna want to get this too when you're shopping for the die!).  Both the DSP and Pom Pom Trim are stuck to the container with Sticky Strip.

Now, for the gorgeous flower on the top!  That was cut with the fun Flowers die and Daffodil Delight cardstock.  There's one of each of the flowers on the die used to make this flower.  To get it so full and soft looking, we crunched up the flowers until the paper started to separate and then peeled them apart.  The edges were sponged with More Mustard ink.  Each flower is glued together with Tombow...just a dollop in the middle...so you can puff up the petals a bit.  The flower is finished off with a fabulous Pear Pizzazz button (from the Springtime Vintage buttons....you might as well add these to your order too because they're AWESOME!!!), some linen thread and a sweet little tag!


We put some little chocolate eggs in them at the class, but they would be perfect to give someone some jewellery (earrings, a necklace, etc). 

I should also let you know that if you don't have any empty accessory containers kicking around, you can order them!  They are in the catalogue with the organizational items and are called Stampin' Store containers.

So what do you think?  Do you love it as much as I do (and the ladies at the class did!)?

Have an inspired day!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Fun with Flowers

Is it normal to love a die as much as I love the Fun Flowers die in the Occasions Mini right now???  I'm not even usually a flower person!  When I went through the Occasions Mini for the first few times I was against this die...I already have the Flower Folds die and I thought "what do I need another flower die for?"  Well, I was really wrong!  I think this is a must have die for your collection!  I love the way the three flowers are different and that I also get two centers for my flowers.  I can get so much depth and texture with this die when I'm making flowers...and it's so fun!  I'm flower crazy right now, putting flowers on everything!!! 

Here's a look at the die.
Now, this is one of the big Steel Rule dies, so you can cut through so many different things with it...think fabric (up to 8 layers at a time!), fun foam (super cute on a pair of flip flops!), leather, metal (like aluminum flashing), wood (thin balsa wood), and so much more!  Because there are no score lines or perforations created with this die, you can cut 4-5 layers of cardstock at a time too.

It looks super cute done with textured cardstock, DSP and even with some of the flowers embossed after you've cut them out.  And the possibilities for flower centers are endless...buttons, antique brads, punched shapes, pearls, rhinestones, ribbon knots...I could go on and on!!!!

I'm so excited to share this die with  my To Die For class participants tonight.  I know they are going to fall in love with this die like I have!!!  Here's one of the projects they will be making tonight.


I love the way the flower looks with the First Edition DSP!  Here's a closer look at that stunning flower.


Isn't it gorgeous?  It was cut from Rich Razzleberry textured cardstock, and sponged around the edges with Rich Razzleberry classic ink.  It's finished off with a Rich Razzleberry button and some Linen Thread.  Did you notice the leaves?  They are actually one of the flowers...the mid sized one...cut from Old Olive cardstock!  How fun!!!

I can't wait to see all the cards made tonight in my class...the girls will all get a different color of flower (based on the buttons I have on hand!) for their card.  I know they're all going to be so pretty!  And, I can't wait to see their reaction to their second project tonight!!!  *grin*

I do a To Die For class each month featuring a different die.  May's class is going to feature the Lots of Tags Sizzlits...my newest favorite die!  Won't you join us?  The info on this class can be found on the "Events & Class Registration" page.

Have an inspired day!


Thursday, April 7, 2011

Paisley Petal Thanks

I am LOVIN' the Paisley Petals DSP that's on special this month.


The base of my card is Cherry Cobbler, with a layer of Marina Mist.  Then I added a piece of the DSP and tied a piece of Night of Navy Grosgrain where the DSP and cardstock meet.  I used the Four Frames set (also on special this month!) stamped with Night of Navy.  When I punched it, I cut it in half and topped it with a scallop oval, a large oval and finished off with a Night of Navy button tied with some linen thread.


The "thanks" is from the Fabulous Phrases set...a must have set for your collection!

Have an inspired day!

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Spring Hat

Hello!  I hope that last snow we had on the weekend was our spring snow storm of the year and I can put my shovel away...but I won't yet. just in case!

I was inspired by a swap I received a few months back from my friend Donna.  I tweaked her project a bit to make it my own and here's what I came up with!


Isn't it cute?!?!?  I'm not usually a hat person, but I can't stop making these.  I tried to make this one into a straw hat by using Crumb Cake cardstock and embossing it with the Square Lattice embossing folder.  Here's a closer look at the embellishments.


I used the Elegant Soiree DSP, punches, pearls and ribbon to embellish.  This little beauty is made from an empty embellishment container and the best part is that you can put a treat inside.


How fun is that?!?!?  So what do you think?

Have an inspired day!


Saturday, April 2, 2011

Sweet Sawyer

My Scrappy Hour club did a sketch in March.  Here's the sketch we used (from Becky Higgins)...


 ...and here's my sample page (as you can see, I turned the sketch for the pictures I wanted to use)...

Double-page spread

Left

Right


Awww, isn't he sweet?!?!?  I pulled my colors from his PJ's...Pear Pizzazz, Marina Mist and Night of Navy.  I stamped stars in groups of three using Pear Pizzazz ink for a background (again using his PJ's as inspiration).  So cute!

I really love how my little S embellishment turned out. 


The S is chipboard which I inked with Night of Navy Craft ink and there's a piece of Certainly Celery Taffeta ribbon tied around it.  I added some punched pieces (a large Scallop Circle and the Decorative Label) and some buttons finish it off nicely.

So what do you think?

Have an inspired day!


Friday, April 1, 2011

Paisley Petals

You know I've been impatiently waiting for my tulips to come up.  Well, I think I know why they're not.  One word...PENNY.  Yep, that's right...PENNY.  She digs them up, chews the roots off and destroys tulip bulbs by playing with them and tossing them around until they break into little pieces and then she moves onto the next one...grrrrr.  As much as it makes me mad, it is kinda cute to see her "fighting" with a tulip bulb!!!

On to stamping!  I'm so excited to tell you about the special this month...


I love little sneak peeks and hints...don't you?  Well, for the month of April, you get a sneak peek at a stamp set and pack of DSP from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalogue!  Yep, you read that right...2011-2012 Catalogue!!!!!!!  Click on the Specials & Promotions button at the top of the page to get all the details.  Let me tell ya, if this DSP is any indication of what's to come in the new catty, I can't wait!!!!! 


And, now, here's a look at a fun class I'm offering featuring the absolutely gorgeous DSP.


It's a Stationary set!  At the class, you will make the box, 10 cards (with envelopes) and a whole lotta interchangeable sentiments for the cards.  Each card features the gorgeous designer paper and the lucky recipient of this Stationary Set can mix and match the sentiments with the punched scallop oval mats.  How fun is that?!?!?



Please note, your box may or may not be the same colors as my sample.  I will be sure your DSP and box colors coordinate though!  You will have a variety of DSP pieces from the Paisley Petals pack to complete your cards.

This project would make a FANTASTIC gift for teachers or Mother's Day!

I'm offering this class on Thursday, April 14  at 7:30pm.  The fee for this class is $20 for one set or $35 for two.  Please contact me to register!  Space is limited so register early to avoid disappointment!

I had so much fun with March Madness!  I had Kevin choose a number for the March 31 post and he chose #4, which was...Kim!  Congratulations Kim!  ALL March Madness prizes will be mailed this weekend (I was going to mail them earlier, but decided to wait so if you won multiple prizes I could put them in one package!).  Congratulations to all the winners...I hope you had as much fun with it as I did!

Have an inspired day!