Sunday, April 23, 2017

Botanicals


Everything outside is finally really green here in Pennsylvania and looking more like Spring!  Pretty soon I'll be mowing the lawn. 

With all this green on my mind . . . I was inspired to make a botanical looking card. I kept it simple with limited stamping and adding sequins for a little bling.  I used a die to edge the white card stock from my absolute favorite set right now, Stitched Scallop Basic Edges 2 (MFT). I'm thinking I could use this design as a sympathy card too. 

Enjoy your day and happy stamping!

Supplies:
Stamps - Botanicals 3 Paper Smooches, Sending Happy Thoughts Simon Says Stamp
Ink - Basic Black, Certainly Celery - Stampin Up
Cardstock - Whisper White, Certainly Celery  - Stampin Up
Dies: Stitched Scallop Basic Edges 2 My Favorite Things
Sequins: Assorted Moonshine Sequins Simon Says Stamp

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Happy Easter

My Easter favors for dinner tomorrow . . .  handmade paper pockets filled with local milk chocolate eggs. 

Sending you peace, love, and Easter Blessings!

And this is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life.
1 John 2:25

Saturday, April 8, 2017

Jar of Love


If you are a regular here to my blog, you know I have an obsession with jars. I collect antique canning jars and own probably every jar stamp and die that is out there. Well, not really . . . but probably more than what I need. A jar is a jar right?! Noooooo! Lol!

Jar of Love from Stampin Up is my favorite set of jar stamps and dies. I love the sizes, sentiments, and the little touches you can add from this set. The possibilities are endless.

Supplies:
Stamps - Jar of Love Stampin Up, Watercolor Trio Stampin Up
Ink - Basic Black, Pool Party, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette - Stampin Up
Patterned Paper - Dear Lizzy Neapolitan American Crafts
Cardstock - Whisper White Stampin Up
Dies: Jar of Love Stampin Up

Happy stamping!

Friday, March 17, 2017

St. Patrick's Day


Just dropping by to wish you a Happy St. Patricks's Day!  I'm not a bit Irish, but who needs to be to celebrate. 😊

Have a great day and happy stamping!

** All supplies for the card pictured above are from Stampin' Up. The shamrock stamp is from the Leaf Lines set which is now retired (may still find it on ebay). Sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes. 


Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Edge Dies . . . one of "My Favorite Things"

I am hooked on edge dies lately. I have a nice collection of ones from several companies, but my favorite (no pun intended) is from My Favorite Things called the Stitched Scallop Basic Edges.  Not only do I love the stitched look on cards, but the little scallop edge on these dies just softens a card up . . . if you know what I mean?!

The "Thanks" card in the background of the birthday card pictured above uses the Thanks Border Die from Simon Says Stamp. A little bigger scallop on this one, and the "Thanks" in the die is a bonus! No stamping needed on that one.

Supplies:
Stamp - Elegant Happy Birthday Stampabilities
Patterned Paper - Summer Fresh Simple Stories
Cardstock - Whisper White Stampin Up
Dies: Die-namics Stitched Scallop Basic Edges My Favorite Things, Thanks Border Die Simon Says Stamp
Other: Prima Flowers, Making Memories Brads

It's snowing like crazy here today! I'm not a fan of snow, but is does make for good crafting weather.

Keep warm and happy stamping!

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Just A Note . . . Mama Elephant


Welcome back to my blog!  I've been MIA for awhile due to some unforeseen life circumstances. I'm glad to be back though to share my ideas, thoughts, and creations with you.

Just A Note . . . stamp set by Mama Elephant . . . love this set!  I like to keep blank note cards on hand for no special occasion at all. In a pinch, I could put a sentiment inside for any occasion. I often though just like to send a note to someone who may need encouragement or just to let them know I'm thinking about them.

I had my husband in mind for this card which is why you see so many hearts. I punched out different sized hearts out of cardstock and then applied Glossy Accents to make them raised and shiny.

Just a simple, elegant, lovey dovey style note card.

Thanks for visiting my blog today and happy stamping!

Supplies:
Stamp Set - Just A Note Mama Elephant
Patterned Paper - Retired Stampin Up
Cardstock - Whisper White, Pool Party Stampin Up
Die: Die-namics Stitched Rectangle Scallop Frames My Favorite Things
Punches: Hearts Martha Stewart
Other: Glossy Accents

Monday, May 23, 2016

Copic Jumpstart Class


This is my first attempt at coloring with Copic markers.  Yikes! I am taking an online class, Copic Jumpstart,  that starts later this week. The teacher, Sandy Allnock, gave us a little pre-class assignment. She may tell me to quit after looking at this! LOL! I'm excited though to try something new. I've always wanted to learn how to color with Copics, so fingers crossed I learn a lot and get better. I'll keep you posted.

Enjoy your day and happy stamping!

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Sponging On Embossed Images

 
There is an easy way to add color to an embossed image . . . sponging!  I dabbed a sponge on a Tim Holtz Distress ink pad and lightly stroked it over the embossed image. The sponge deposits the color in various intensities which  I think make it look more natural.
 
You're In My Prayers Card Supplies:
Darcie Leafy Tree Trunk Embossing Folder
Simon Says Stamp Prayers Stamp Set
Tim Holtz Distress Inks - Gathered Twigs, Mowed Lawn
Stampin Up Ink - Basic Gray
Stampin Up Card Stock - Basic Gray, Whisper White
 
Like sponging? Have a better idea to add color to an embossed image? Leave me a comment below with your suggestions.
 
Happy stamping!

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Paper Smooches April Challenge




I love Paper Smooches!  Their April Challenge is black & white with a pop of color!  Love it!

This simple Miss You card was created using the following products:

Paper Smooches Sentiment Sampler Stamp Set 
Paper Smooches Dots & Dashes Die Set
Paper Smooches Hearts Die set
Stampin Up White Ink and embossing powder
Stampin Up Whisper White and Basic Black Cardstock

My son went on a class trip to Philadelphia a couple weeks ago. He was gone 3 days, 2 nights. Now you understand how I got inspired to make this card. He is only 10 years old. It was torture for me . . . exciting and fun for him! LOL! He did tell me he missed me when he got home and that brought a tear to my eye. He is a sweetie!

Enjoy your day and happy stamping!

Friday, April 15, 2016

Mini Misti Product Review



I was skeptical, let me tell you . . . very skeptical about buying the Mini Misti. When it arrived, it sat on my craft table for a few days. I was hesitant, and hoping I didn't waste my money. You'll be glad to know it was worth every penny!

Here is the write-up about the product:

The Mini MISTI stamping tool is named the Most Incredible Stamp Tool Invented and it lives up to its name. MISTI's simple hinge design provides consistent stamping for beginner, novice or experienced cardmaker and it makes stamping easier than ever before. The MINI MISTI, like it's larger counterpart, can be used with clear stamps and red rubber cling mount stamps and the included foam pad raises your cardstock/paper to facilitate stamping with clear stamps.
You can use the MISTI for repeated stamp positioning, lining up die cuts and stamps, registration, etc. The two included magnets help to quickly and easily position your cardstock or paper and hold it in place. The included positioning grid paper helps you find just the right positioning for your stamp before you put ink to paper.
The Mini MISTI is a tool you will treasure and enjoy for years to come. Use it for your personal scrapbook pages, cards and other paper crafting projects or use it for assembly-line stamping on cards or invitations. The MISTI is laser etched, saw cut, and hand assembled to stand the test of time. 


How does it work? Let me break it down for you step by step.

Below is a piece of white cardstock I embossed ahead of time. It is secured in place on the foam pad with two round silver magnets provided with the Misti. I place my un-inked stamp right where I wanted it on the card.



I closed the door and pressed down a little to adhere the stamp to the door.


I lifted the door back open and inked up the stamp. I closed the door to stamp my image on the cardstock pressing down a little on the stamp.


So easy! 


I didn't ink up my stamp enough. Ever get a partial impression? All I had to do was open the door again and add some more ink and press down again. Perfection! No stressing out over matching up the stamped image exactly because it's still in the same place. 


I just love how you can get accurate placement results of your stamps with this tool. I'm going to enjoy this even more when I'm mass producing Christmas cards. It will make it so much easier. It's great for layering on colors too or having to line up multiple images. You can even put multiple stamps all on at once on the Mini Misti to save time as well.

Card Supplies: Papertrey Ink Friendly Flowers, Darice Daisy Embossing Folder, Martha Stewart Glitter Markers, Stampin Up! Whisper White & Daffodil Delight Card Stock.

I give the Mini Misti 5 stars!  Please let me know if you have any questions or comments about it by leaving a comment at the end of this post. I'd love to hear what YOU think.

Happy stamping!

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

hello


Hello everyone! I’m back from a little blogging break. I hope you enjoyed your Easter holiday and Spring Break!

Although it doesn’t feel like Spring here, it feels like it in my craft room. I am enjoying some new papers and tools that I’ve recently purchased. My favorite new item is Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid paper pack. It is so colorful for your spring cards. I used it in the background of the card pictured above. My other favorite new product is My Favorite Things Stitched Scallop Frames. I also used this in the card pictured above. These dies are so stinking cute and come in rectangles, circles, ovals, and squares. Do you need them all? YES! Well, I’m not a fan of ovals . . . so maybe not that one.

hello Card Supplies:

Stampin Up
Card Stock: Whisper White and Pool Party
Die: Hello You
Embossing Folder: Spring Flowers

Lawn Fawn Patterned Paper: Perfectly Plaid

MFT Die: Stitched Rectangles Scallop Frames

My birthday was last month so I bought myself a birthday present I wasn’t sure I’d like  . . . the Mini Misti. I’ll share my thoughts on that in the next post. Stay tuned!!!! If you have one already, I’d love to hear what you think about it. Leave me a comment at the end of this post.

Happy stamping!

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Love You

 
I am obsessed with Mason Jars. I don't know what it is, but I just love them! I love the old kind, with rusty tops. I have a collection of them I keep in my kitchen on top the cupboards.

My obsession carries over into stamps with jars. Oh yes! I probably have every stamp and punch that that resembles a Mason Jar. Is there a Mason Jars Anonymous? Lol.

The cute little jar in my Valentine today is Best Buds from Paper Smooches. I was so mad at myself for not buying the coordinating dies. I made a bunch of these and was sitting on the couch cutting it out carefully. It took so long that my husband even questioned me as to what I was doing! I CASED this card from the Paper Smooches blog post here. Mines a little different, but wanted to give credit where it's due for the design of it.

I really like how the water in the jar turned out. I debated using a colored pencil or marker. I went for the marker. If I would have stamped it on watercolor paper, I could have tried watercolors. Now that might have turned out even better! Maybe next time. Do you have any ideas for coloring in water? I'd love to hear them. Just e-mail me HERE or leave me a comment at the end of this post.

Happy stamping!

Supplies:


Not Pictured: Stampin Up Real Red card stock, Stampin Up Markers - Real Red, Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue, Stampin Up Crazy about You stamp set, Pebbles Inc Patterned Paper, Recollections Heart Tags.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Lovebirds - Paper Smooches Valentine

Paper Smooches released near the end of last year these darling Birds and Fused Frame dies. I thought they were great to make a cute little Valentine with for my husband. After I made the card pictured above, I looked at it the next day and thought it might look better with a brown background behind the birds. Which one do you like better? I can't decide.

I used a woodgrain embossing folder from Tim Holtz for the background of this card. After embossing the card stock, I sponged the raised surface very lightly with Chocolate Chip ink from Stampin Up. The subtle color really makes those grains pop. You could also ink up the inside of the embossing folder before embossing if you wanted something more prominent.

Lovebirds Card Supplies:
Card Stock: Stampin Up Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Real Red
Ink: Stampin Up Chocolate Chip, Basic Black
Dies: Paper Smooches Birds, Fused Frame
Punch: Martha Stewart Hearts
Embossing Folder: Tim Holtz Woodgrain

As you can see in the pictures, I have my Valentines Day decorations out. Typically when I put Christmas away, the Valentines come out to keep some color in the house.

Happy stamping!

** I entered this card in the Paper Smooches January Challenge - 4 colors. I've got Stampin Up Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Real Red, and Basic Black. Wish me luck!

Monday, January 11, 2016

Painted Blooms Birthday Card

 
 
Happy New Year!  Sorry I haven't posted since November. December is a crazy busy month for me between all the birthdays in my family and Christmas. I'm back though! Hopefully you missed me. LOL!

One of my New Years resolutions was to be more aware of birthdays outside my immediate family and friends. I work with many people and have regular contact with some on a daily basis. I feel bad sometimes when I don't give them a card and just send an e-mail. I guess I'm looking to give a more personal touch to others this year. Hopefully that makes sense.

Sooooo . . . in order to keep this resolution, I need a stockpile of cards. Right? Right! I made a bunch of the birthday card pictured above. Simple design, easy to duplicate, and pretty. The patterned paper is Painted Blooms from Stampin Up. It truly looks like a watercolor painting. Each design in the pack is as gorgeous as the next.

If you've made any New Year's resolutions, I'd love to hear what they are . . . especially if it's craft-related. Please leave a comment or send me an e-mail. I may share some of those ideas in another post!

Happy Birthday Card - All Supplies from Stampin Up:
Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes
Patterned Paper: Painted Petals
Card Stock: Whisper White, Pacific Point
Ink: Pacific Point
Other: Banner Triple Punch

Keep warm and happy stamping!

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Simon Says Stamp November 2015 Card Kit

 
Love, love, love the card kits I receive every month from Simon Says Stamp. It's a box full of goodies for a really great price.  November's Kit did not disappoint me one bit. I made this card for my husband in minutes. The kit includes an envelope full of 44 embellishments from the Pebbles Harvest Collection, amongst many other items. I used the pie and wood board on this card from that embellishment package along with the card stock, patterned paper, and stamp set from the kit. The patterned paper tablecloth look was the perfect match for my apple pie!
 
http://www.simonsaysstamp.com/product.aspx?id=335373
Happy fall and happy stamping! 

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Warm Wishes


TTo the right here . . . not a nice picture!  That was the view out my dining room window Sunday morning. Snow? Mid-October . . . really? I can't complain too much. It was gone by lunch and today it's sunny and in the 60's. Now that's more like it!

It seemed like the appropriate time to make a "Warm Wishes" card, don't you think? LOL! I combined Paper Smooches and Lawn Fawn stamps. I think both companies make really cute and simple styles of stamps, which makes it easier to create a card. I never seem at a loss of what to create when I pick up these brands.






Warm Wishes Card Supplies:

Stamps: Paper Smooches Freezy Fellas,
              Lawn Fawn Argyle Backdrops

Stampin Up Ink:  Soft Sky, Night of Navy,
                            Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black

Stampin Up Cardstock: Soft Sky, Whisper White

Other:  Simon Says Stamp Moonshine Sequins,
            Doodlebug Bubble Blue Twine






 
Warm Wishes and happy stamping!

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Scribble Roses - MFT


Unfortunately, I needed to attend a viewing today for someone who had passed. It really doesn't matter how well or little I know the person . . . I always get tears in my eyes just walking into a funeral home. No fun, right?!

This sympathy card has no stamping on it at all!  When I need a quick card, dies are my friends!  I used from My Favorite Things the Scribble Roses dies, and from Simon Says Stamp the with Sympathy dies. I love to use black and white for wedding and sympathy cards. It looks clean and classic. 

Have a great day and happy stamping!

Friday, October 2, 2015

Halloween Card Made Simple


In my last post, I indicated I made a purchase from a company I never ordered from before. The company is called Reverse Confetti and I love it! I purchased this darling little Double Scallop Garland Confetti Cuts die and couldn't be happier with the results. I'm going to be using this for birthday cards, Christmas, baby cards . . . anything really festive. Love it!  I can tell you that the item arrived quickly and packaged well. I highly recommend Reverse Confetti products and will be ordering again from them.
 
"Happy Halloween" Card Supplies:
Stampin Up Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie
Reverse Confetti Dies: Double Scallop Garland
Other: Doodlebug stickers (happy halloween), Recollections Enamel Dot Stickers
 
October is here!  I am a big fan of the fall season. How about you?
 
Enjoy your day and happy stamping!
 

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

A Flowery Thank You


Love those big flower stamps and coordinating punches/dies many of the companies out there are selling? What a bold embellishment they can be. 

I used Stampin' Up! products from this past year Spring Occasions Catalog to create this card. 

Card Supplies - Thank you for your kindness:
Stamp Sets: Stampin Up - Petal Potpourri (retired - but still sold on ebay), Simon Says Stamp - Handwritten Greetings 
SU! Ink: Basic Black, Sahara Sand
SU! Cardstock: Whisper White, Sahara Sand
SU! Patterned Paper: Something Borrowed (retired)
SU! Punches: Flower Medallion, Ribbon Border (retired)
Other: Pearls, pop dots

I embellished the flower with a few pearls just to add a little more elegance. You can find all different size pearls at your local craft store. I like to keep a stock of these on-hand. I will tell you though that Stampin Up has a sale this week on the perfect set of pearls in ever size for just $3.75. Click HERE to view!

I made a purchase this week from a stamp company I never ordered from before! They recently had a release of new products and one particular product just put me over the edge. LOL!  Stay tuned . . . I will share my purchase with you once it arrives!

Happy stamping! 

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Nature Walk

 
Thank you so much for visiting my blog today. I've been MIA since July . . . and I apologize for the break in posts. Life happens sometimes, but the important thing is I'm back and ready to make some cards!!!!
 
There have been a bunch of product releases lately . . . Simon Says Stamp, Lawn Fawn, Paper Smooches, Stampin Up, etc. I'm holding back from ordering, but not for long! I'm on a mission to use up what I have or donate it, which brings me to today's card. I'm not even going to include a product list because the paper, ribbon, and stamp set are all retired from Stampin Up. I cannot even recall what the name of the patterned paper is. That's how old it is!  The stamp set is called Nature Walk and I found some sets HERE on ebay if you are really interested.
 
It's a simple card and I hope it inspires you to use up some older papers you've been holding on to. I purposely didn't stamp any sentiment on the front of the card. I just want to keep this one handy for a last minute occasion. I can easily stamp a sympathy, birthday, or get well message on the inside and ship it off. I don't create well under pressure, so having a supply of pre-made cards is essential for me. You realize . . . once you start sending handmade cards, everyone expects handmade from you. It's fun to have your own niche in life, isn't it?
 
Happy September and happy stamping!