Fabulous Florets Happy Birthday card

This was another one of the swap cards I received at the October demonstrator get together ....

Every month I have a Stress Free Stamp-A-Stack class.  This is a fun class where the cards are fun to make, and usually have a technique or two to them.  This card, and the following card I will post, were from my February class.  I already posted THIS card a few days ago.  The card above was hanging on my Inspiration Wall for a few months and it was getting a lot of attention.  My customers "demanded" that I use it in one of my classes.  Well, I aim to please, so I did!  I got this card from DiAnne Hill who cased it from Diane Vander Galien.  Thank you ladies, my customers LOVED it!

  Stamps:  Fabulous Florets, Gifts Of Kindness
  Ink:  VersaMark, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie
  Markers:  Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight
  Paper:  Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz
  Other:  Flower Garden EF, Blender Pen, White Embossing Powder, sponges, Word Window Punch, Pumpkin Pie 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

To do the bud on the leaf stamp:
  1 - ink the entire stamp in Pear Pizzazz
  2 - remove the ink on the bud part of the stamp with a Blender Pen
  3 - add Daffodil Delight ink from the marker to the bud
  4 - kiss a bit of Pumpkin Pie ink from the marker to the edge of the bud

I just love how this turns out.  It reminds me of the colours in my wedding bouquet all those many, many years ago.  I had Jack O'Lantern Gladiolas and some lovely yellow and orange roses.  I think I will be using this technique again.

Happy Stampin' ..... 

Another Great Year New Product card

I used some of the new items available in the Stampin' Up! Occasions catalogue to create this card ....

I had a Tea Party when the new Occasions Catalogue went live in early January.  This is the make 'n take card everyone who attended, made.  I also used some of the Sale-A-Bration designer paper called Sweet Sorbet.  I was not sure I would like this paper, but as usual, I was wrong!  It is fabulous and I love the colours.  And, the best thing is, IT"S FREEEEEEEEEEEEE.... lol

  Stamps:  Another Great Year
  Ink:  StazOn
  Markers:  Crisp Cantaloupe, Pool Party, Summer Starfruit
  Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Crisp Cantaloupe, Sweet Sorbet DSP
  Other:  Scallops Embossing Folder, Scallop Tag Topper punch, Silver Baker's Twine

Wish Big on your next birthday!
Happy Stampin' ..................  . . . . .       

Another Great Year!

When I saw the new Hexagon Hive die from Stampin' Up! I put it on my must have right now list ...

This is one of those cards you can whip up in about 15 minutes when you suddenly realize you NEED a Birthday card right now!  It can be made in any colour and can be feminine, masculine, a boy or a girl.

  Stamps:  Another Great Year
  Ink:  Stazon, Real Red Marker
  Paper:  Whisper White, Real Red
  Other:  Hexagon Hive die, large rhinestone (coloured with a red sharpie marker), wax paper

A trick to using this die, and some of the other ones that are intricate, is to put a piece of wax paper between the die and your cardstock before you run it through your Big Shot.  Then the cardstock pops right off the die and there is no tearing or ripping at all.  Give it a try, this die is very fun to use.

Happy Stampin' ......  

Hardwood Masculine Card

Sometimes masculine cards are more difficult to come up with.  But not with the new Hardwood background stamp by Stampin' Up! ...........

I inked the new stamp up in Soft Suede and stamped it on Very Vanilla cardstock.  I added a bit of Retro Fresh Washi Tape on top of some Burlap Ribbon.  I trimmed the sewed edges off of the ribbon so they were narrower and frayed a bit.  I used one of the stamps from Lovely As A Tree that I have never used before. I purchased this stamp set back in Sept 2007 - it was the very first Stampin' Up! stamp set I purchased.  I think I may just use this stamp to make a Christmas card this year!

  Stamps:  Hardwood, Lovely As A Tree, Label Love
  Ink:  Soft Suede, Pool Party
  Paper:  Very Vanilla, Soft Suede
  Other:  Burlap Ribbon, Retro Fresh Washi Tape, Dauber, Artisan Label punch

I hope you are having a great day.  Try to get crafty sometime today!

Happy Stampin' .... 

Burlap and Blooms Wreath Simply Created Kit

Stampin' Up! has some great kits.  This is one of them .....

This spring wreath kit comes complete, all you need to add is a glue gun to assemble it.  The flowers are all pre-cut for you and it even includes the wreath frame.  The fringy ones even have the adhesive already on them!  All of the embellishments also come with it.  It was quite easy and quick to assemble this kit and have it hanging in my studio in no time.

If you go to page 21 in the Occasions Catalogue (also called Celebrate The Everyday) you will see this kit in the bottom left hand corner.  There is a QR symbol that you can scan with any wireless device.  This takes you right to a video on how to assemble this kit.  Here is the video ...


Have a stampin' great day!   

December Thank You Card

This was one of my December Thank You cards for my customers who placed orders towards the end of December........

I loved the Dasher stamp when Stampin' Up! first brought it out, and when they released the Best Of Christmas stamp set and it had a smaller version of Dasher, I snapped it up right away.  I paired it with the Decorative Dots embossing folder available FREE during Sale-A-Bration.  Contact me to find out how you can own one yourself!  I used some Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations cardstock and sanded the top of the dots very lightly to make them stand out a bit.

  Stamps:  Best Of Christmas
  Ink:  Soft Suede, StazOn
  Paper:  Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations,
  Other:  Decorative Dots EF, Sanding Block, Banners Framelits, glitter pen on the antlers

Happy Stampin' and have a great day! . . . .

Weekly Deals and Clearance Rack Items - Stampin' Up!

Today is Tuesday and that means more great items on sale in the Weekly Deals, and this week is no exception .....

Here are the Weekly Deals for Feb 18-24, 2014 (click on the picture to go to my online store)......

Also, Stampin' Up! has added more great retired products to the Clearance Rack.  These products are up to 80% off the original price, but are only available while supplies last (click on the picture to go to my online store)    ......

I will be putting in an order tomorrow morning, if you are wanting to adopt any of these great products, please let me know by 9 am if you would like me to order them for you (Canada only please).  Or you can just order them yourself through my online store.

My March newsletter has been published, check it out HERE.  Lots of info on my classes and a special One Day Mini Retreat I am holding in April.

Have a crafty day! 

Pink and Pretty Spinner Card

The final card in my Spinner Trilogy is this pink and pretty feminine card .....

I wanted to make this card pretty and feminine.  A card that any little girl would love to receive.  The spinner cupcake spins across the card in a lightly fun and happy way.  I used dimes to make the spinner, and they work really well.  I think this is my preferred coin of all 3 of them.  It costs a bit more to make the card, but I just had the ladies bring their own dimes and it worked well.  The Silver Glimmer paper bow is made using the large oval punch and a strip of the paper cut 1/4" x 1".  You take the oval punched piece and cut it in half.  Adhere the rounded ends together and wrap the strip around the middle.  It makes a great bow, don't you think?  The bling from the glimmer paper (silver and red on the heart) really make this card stand out.
I used the Chevron Boarder Punch and more of the Silver Glimmer paper to decorate the inside of the card.

  Stamps:  Another Great Year, Create A Cupcake
  Ink:  Coastal Cabana
  Markers:  Pink Pirouette, Strawberry Slush, Coastal Cabana
  Paper:  Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, Silver Glimmer, Red Glimmer, Pink Pirouette Patters DSP
  Other:  1/2" Circle Punch, Paper Trimmer, Scallops EF, Dimes, 1-1/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Large Oval Punch, Owl Punch, Strawberry Slush Ruffled Ribbon, Hexagon Punch, Chevron Border Punch

Thanks for visiting today.  I hope you find some time to be creative in your craft room!

Happy Stampin' .. .. .. ..  

Hero Spinner Card

This is the second card in my Spinner Card Trilogy ....

The second card in my trilogy is for a boy. I find it hard to make cards for children, but this one was quite easy.  I love the You're My Hero stamp set by Stampin' Up!  What little (or not so little) boy won't love a card with a police car, fire truck or ambulance on it?  I chose the car to use for this card and used my Stampin' Write Markers to colour it so I could get the red light on it.  I used nickles to create this card as I was experimenting with coins.  In Canada we no longer have pennies, so I had to make do.  I found the nickles really spun great as they are quite heavy and you have to use double dimensionals behind the front layer.  But along with this, I am sure if I have to mail this card it will require extra postage due to it's weight.

  Stamps:  You're My Hero, Sassy Salutations,
  Ink:  Real Red, StazOn
  Markers:  Real Red, Pacific Point
  Paper:  Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Whisper White, Birthday Basics DSP
  Other:  1/2" Circle Punch, Paper Trimmer, nickels, Hexagon Punch

Another super fun card!  I will be back next time with my "girl" spinner card to share with you.

Happy and Fun Stampin' .. .. .. ...

The Open Sea Spinner Card

This was one of my Cool Moves cards in January.

This month's theme for my Cool Moves Card Class was Spinner Cards.  I will share all 3 of them with you over the next 3 blog posts.

This was card #1 - The Open Sea Spinner Card.  I have never made a spinner card before (gasp, I know!!!) When I decided to create 3 of them for my class, I did not know how much fun they would be.  I challenge anyone to pick up one of these fun cards and not spend at least 30 seconds spinning it back and forth.  In Canada, we no longer have pennies, so I had to graduate up in coins.  This one is made with pennies as I managed to scrounge up 2 of them.  The next one, I call Hero Spinner Card, is made with nickels and the third one I used dimes.  They all work well, and there is no difference in the mechanics of the card, or the movement.

  Stamps:  The Open Sea, Gifts Of Kindness
  Ink:  Midnight Muse, Smoky Slate, VersaMark
  Paper:  Smoky Slate, Soft Sky, Midnight Muse, Whisper White, Midnight Muse Patterns DSP
  Other:  2 pennies, 1/2" Circle Punch, Clear EP, 1-1/4" Circle Punch, Paper Trimmer

Wait till you see the next two cards, if this one does not spur you to make a Spinner Card, the next two definitely will.

Happy and Fun Stampin' ... ... ... 

Stampin' Up! Weekly Deals - Feb 11 to 17, 2014

Hello everyone, here are the latest Weekly Deals released by Stampin' Up! this morning ....

Click on the picture to go to my online store for more information.
If you would like to order some of these great deals, email me, or order direct from my online store HERE.  Please, Canadians only, I am not allowed to sell "cross boarders".
Thanks so much, have a crafty good day!    

Starburst Technique Card

I love all the Starburst cards that are out there.  This was my version ....

I pulled out some retired designer paper to use, and made this masculine birthday card. We made this card in my January club meeting and at the seniors center I volunteer at.  It was fun to see the ladies make the starburst and listen to all the "issues" they had!  I love ISSUES!!!!

  Stamps:  Occasional Quotes
  Ink:  Island Indigo
  Paper:  Whisper White, Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Silver Glimmer, Sunshine & Sprinkles     DSP
  Other:  Arrows EF, 1-1/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Starburst Framelits - smallest, Star and Flag Dies from the Thinlits Circle Die set, Glitter Pen

I received this Christmas card from my friend and fellow Demonstrator, Margaret Paige. 

This is the card that spurred me to try this technique, thanks Marg!

Happy Stampin' .. .. .. ..   

2014 Calendar - 3D Class

This year I am trying to add some 3D items into my class mix.  This month we made this great 2014 Calendar ....

I used the basic calendar base from the one I made last year, and used my ultra, very favourite Designer Series Paper by Stampin' Up - Modern Medley.  I keep letting the powers that be know that I would really appreciate it if they kept this DSP in the next catalogue!  Oh Please!!!!
Ah-hem, back to the task at hand - - - LOL.  Every September I order a whole bunch of these mini calendars with no idea what I will do with them.  I make them available to my customers, so if you are looking for some (in Canada) let me know and I will add you to the list for this year.

  Stamps:  Flower Shop
  Ink:  StazOn
  Paper:  Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Silver Glimmer, Modern Medley DSP
  Other:  Pansy Punch, Bird Punch, XL Rhinestones, 2014 calendar

I have my calendar sitting on my desk right beside my monitor where I can look at it all the time.  Give one of these calendars a try.  You cut a piece of basic black cardstock 10-1/2 x 5-1/2, score it at 4-1/4, 5-1/4 and 6-1/4.  Decorate it as desired. I used two velcro dots to hold the top together, but you can punch a hole in it and tie it with twine or ribbon, or use adhesive.  If you want to mail it, it fits into a regular sized card envelope.

Happy Stampin' .... ..... .....

Some Returning and Some New Products from Stampin' Up!

New and Re Releases from Stampin' Up! this week ....

First of all, this is truly exciting news!  The Gift Bow Die has been placed on the Carry Over List which means we can order this great product again!!!  There is a really cute Christmas card with a Santa face on it that I will be including in my stamping projects during my upcoming All Day Mini Retreat in April.  Here is a picture of what you can make from the die.  Click on the picture to see it in the online store ....

Next is a customizable personalized photopolymer stamp.  You can create this stamp to say what you want (within the limits of the stamp of course).  To create your own you need to log into the online store. If you don't already have an account, it is very easy and quick to set one up and completely free.  You can make it fun, you can make it an address stamp, you can make it a Bride and Groom stamp, a birthday stamp, oh so many possibilities.  Here is a picture of one I played around with .....   Click on the picture to go to the website.

And finally a new Photopolymer stamp set called Sans and Stripes Alphabet.  These stamps are completely clear, you can see through them.  And boy do they stick to the acrylic blocks!  Here is a picture of it, just click on the picture to go to the webstore....

Some great new products to play with for you today.  Hope you have a crafty day!

Happy Stampin' ...... 

Halloween Punch Art Card

This is the second card and punch art set we made in my January Punchie Class ....

I had scheduled this last year but had to cancel it.  So the first punchie class of the year I knew I had to bring it back, even tho it is Halloween and that is not for a few months yet!  I found all of these punchies also on Pinterest.  There is so many awesome punch art images there!

  Stamps:  Up Up & Away
  Ink:  StazOn, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive
  Paper:  Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Old Olive
  Other:  Circle Dies - largest one, sponge, 1" Circle Punch, Bird Punch

Thanks for taking the time to visit my blog today.  I hope I have inspired you to do some punching!

Happy Stampin' ..... ..... 

Stampin' Up! Weekly Deals - Feb 4 to 10, 2014

Here are the very latest Weekly Deals from Stampin' Up! ....

Click on the picture to go to my website for more information.  Then email me to "adopt" some of your very own.  I will be placing an order on Mon Feb 10 at 6:00 pm.  There are some great deals this week!

Have a Crafty Day!    

Harry Potter Owl Punch Art Card

This month I brought back my Monthly Punchie Class with this cute Harry Potter Owl .....

Our daughter-in-law sent me a picture from Pinterest of this card and asked if I could create it for her.  Our grandson had a Harry Potter birthday party to go to.  So of course I did, then I forgot to write down who the originator was.  Then I went back into Pinterest and .....  well you know how it is.  So much to see, so little time to see it!  If this is yours, please email me so I can give you credit, and thank you!

  Stamps: Gifts Of Kindness

  Ink:  StazOn, Real Red

  Paper:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Real Red, Neutrals Pattern DSP

  Other:  Owl Punch, Circles Die #6

Punch art is one of my passions. I make lots of them, but rarely give them away.  I love them so much!  Next post I will share the other card we made in this class.

Happy Stampin' and Punchin'  .. .. .. ..  

Annual Customer Appreciation Evening

On Wednesday night I held my Annual Customer Appreciation Evening.  It was a great event and everyone had a blast. 

Each year for the past 4 years, I have invited all of my customers to an evening of fun, food and stamping.  We have dinner - lasagna, spinach and strawberry salad, bacon wrapped dates and desert, There are LOTS of door prizes and I provide a make 'n take for everyone to do.

As usual, I completely forgot to take pictures!  I get so involved in the fun-ness of the evening that pictures do not enter my mind. Which is truly amazing because I am always taking pictures everywhere I go.  But I thought I would share a picture of the Bacon Wrapped Date appie that I made.  When I began this 4 years ago it was held in my studio (which is really my kitchen) and there was about 12 of us.  I made these little gems and they were a big hit.  The evening has grown each year, and this year was no exception.  I knew if I did not have the favorite appie that I would get flack, so I made sure I had lots again this year.  I used 3 packages of bacon, and there were only about 8 left at the end!  Here is a picture of what they look like ....

If you click on the picture it will take you back to the post I did in Dec of 2012 where I share the recipe.  They are quite easy to do, and are a mouthful of deliciousness.  We also collected food for our local food bank, and now I have 77 lbs of food to deliver today!

Thank you to everyone who came out to share the evening with me. It is my little way of paying back all of my customers for their continued support of me and my obsession of Card Making!

For the make 'n take, we made this cute Ghirardelli Treat Holder that I cased from Mary Fish ....

I just love all the gold we have to work with this season.  Stampin' Up! has come up with some wonderful co-ordinating products.  The base of the holder is a piece of Whisper White cardstock that is cut 5-1/2 x 2, then you use the Scallop Tag Topper Punch on each end.  Then it is scored at 2-5/8 and 2-7/8.  The washi tape is added on the front, then we layered the Flower Shop flower and the Petite Petals flower and topped them off with some Champagne Glimmer Paper that is punched with the Itty Bitty flower punch.  It is tied shut with a bit of 1/8" Striped Gross Grain Ribbon.  Then we slipped a Ghirardelli chocolate inside.

Maybe you can come and join us next year?  All you need to do is become a customer.  Contact me right away if you don't already have a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator, I would love to become yours!

Happy stampin' . . . . .         

Congratulations Graduate Card

Last June our Grandson graduated from Pre-School into Kindergarten.  This is the cute card I made for him .....

And for the inside, I used some punches and created this cute "hat". 

Dawn O did an awesome tutorial on making this card.  HERE is the link to it.  It really is fun to make, and you can do it in any school's colours.  I did not have any "graduate" stamps, so I just drew it on free hand with a black marker.  The tassel is made out of some retired Stampin' Up! ribbon that I frayed.  I love different folding cards, don't you???

Happy Stampin' .....