Simply Adorned January 29, 2010

I’m not a jewelry kinda person.  I had to think of another way for  me to utilize Stampin’ Up!’s new  line of chains with charms called Simply Adorned.  I have the 1″ x 1-1/4″ Locket-style charm (116798) that I will be using on my keychain.  Not much working room for someone like me who likes to focus in on those little details.

This is the front view of the locket.  The glass is beveled so some areas in the above image look a bit distorted.  So, below is a pic of my little piece of art outside of the locket.

Thought this would be a cute little image for a keychain.  I used Sale-A-Bration stamp set Good Neighbors to create the scene.  How about the coordinating Designer Series Papers for this stamp set?  I had to use the Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper Pad on this project. 

Again, with the work area being rather small, I wanted the front to showcase stamping.  For the back, I wanted to showcase my love for papers!  I created a small woven sampler for the back (the glass is flat on the back–not beveled).

You must have patience if you are going to attempt the above!  It took about 30 minutes to create this small woven sampler area.  I used several small strips of the patterned paper measuring 1/8″ x 6″.

Here is a picture of the woven sampler outside of the locket

I used my Small Heart Punch, Pretty in Pink cardstock, and a Bermuda Bay Stampin’ Write Marker to create the heart.

ALL SUPPLIES STAMPIN’ UP!

STAMPS:  Sale-A-Bration Good Neighbors stamp set

PAPERS:  Sale-A-Bration Welcome Neighbor Designer Series Paper Pad; Shimmery White cardstock; Pretty in Pink and Pumpkin Pie cardstock.

INKS:  Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Pumpkin Pie, and Old Olive Classic Stampin’ Pads; Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, and Pumpkin Pie Stampin’ Write Markers.

ACCESSORIES:  Simply Adorned Charm 1″ x 1-1/4″; Small Heart Punch (occasions mini catalog).

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Here for You 24-7

February is a month for celebrating love and Valentine’s Day.   I will also be celebrating my wedding anniversary with John on the 9th.  We were talking last night about how nice it would be to go back to St. Lucia where we honeymooned.  Such a nice little island to visit.  Those little get-away trips are important to us.  We love our kids, but we NEED “our time” occasionally. 

I wanted to make a vintage-ish lovey card with masculine bright colors.  This card can actually be for anyone special, but it’s appropriate for an anniversary card.  The cardfront sentiments and pull out tag with written words reinforces that I’m always here for him 24-7.

The bird image was stamped on Watercolor paper, colored with inks using an Aqua Painter, and cut out.  Added some vellum and Pretties Kit pearls here and there.  Below is an upclose to show those details.

ALL SUPPLIES STAMPIN’ UP!:

STAMPS:  Friends 24-7 stamp set

PAPERS:  Watercolor Paper; Vellum; Very Vanilla, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Bermuda Bay, and Basic Gray cardstock.

INKS:  Basic Gray, Certainly Celery, and Bashful Blue Classic Stampin’ Pads.

ACCESSORIES:  Pretties Kit; Aqua Painter; Spritzer Tool; Stampin’ Dimensionals; Small Oval Punch; Scallop Edge Punch; Bermuda Bay 1/2″ Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon.

Valentine for my Hubby

I just love creating cards for my hubby John.  It’s funny…when I’m making something for him, I am 100% focused and really put all of my heart into the card.  I wanted to create a bright card with tons of love sentiments pulled from many different stamp sets.  I also wanted to incorporate an all-business theme. 

What do you think?  This cardfront will definitely reinforce just how I feel about him.    Below is an upclose pic of all the elements.  I used four different stamp sets to create this cardfront.

ALL SUPPLIES STAMPIN’ UP!:

STAMPS:  With All My Heart (occasions mini catalog), Admit It (hostess stamp set), Certified, and A Happy Heart stamp sets.

PAPERS:  Real Red, Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Chip, and Whisper White cardstock.

INKS:  Real Red, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and Chocolate Chip Classic Stampin’ Pads.

ACCESSORIES:   Clips Assortment; Mini Library Clips; On Board So Tweet; Wide Oval Punch; My Way Punch; 1-1/4″ Circle Punch; Spiral Punch; Crystal Effects; Stampin’ Dimensionals; Mat Pack and Paper-Piercing Tool.

a personalized valentine January 28, 2010

I was hesitant to play around with the Sweet Treat Cups.  I had to sketch, visualize, and become a paper architect while working with them.  I think they would work better if the adhesive was on the opposite side from where it is (does that make sense?).  They just take some playing with.  But, once you get playing & creating with these cups, they are super fun…and the possibilities are endless.

I had an idea in my head for a while as to how I wanted Ethan’s school valentines to look like.  And I had to use the gumball machine images from the Something Sweet stamp set.  Not wanting to send gumballs to school in his valentines, I had to come up with another idea.  Yep!  I splurged and ordered some personalized M&M’s.  How cool!  I even ordered colors to coordinate with my project:)

All I have to say is, “Thank goodness I only had to create for a Kindergarten size classroom!”.    They were time consuming, but soooo worth it!  Ethan loves them too.  The card measures 3″ x 3.5″ and is just the perfect size for a kiddo to pass out at school.  

Here are the personalized M&M’s.  There are 3 Ethan’s in his class so my Ethan is now known as “Ethan A”.   I didn’t want a sentiment on the front of the card, so the other two M&M’s say “Happy Feb 14th” and “V-Day treats4U”.   I do have to admit that a handful of the M&M’s were smeared and not printed perfectly.  

How do I get to those M&M’s?  The Whisper White cardstock tag at the top of the card has two purposes…..it reveals a sweet sentiment and opens a circle on the back of the valentine card.  The Whisper White cardstock tag does not come out all the way.  I created it to stop at a certain point. 

Above is a back view with the Whisper White tag inside the card (not pulled up).  I used my 3/4″ Circle Punch to create the whole. 

Above picture is Whisper White tag pulled half way up

Above picture is Whisper White tag pulled all the way up till it stops.  You now have an open circle that exposes your treat.

ALL SUPPLIES STAMPIN’ UP!:

STAMPS:  Occasions Mini Catalog Something Sweet stamp set

PAPER:  Pretty in Pink, Real Red, and Whisper White cardstock

INK:  Pretty in Pink and Real Red Classic Stampin’ Pads.

ACCESSORIES:  1/4″ Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon; Sweet Treat Cups; Bold Brights Brads assortment; Soft Subtles Brads assortment; 1-3/4′, 1/2″, 3/4″, and 1″ Circle Punches; Big Shot Die-cutting machine; SU! Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder; 3/16″ Corner Rounder Punch; Crop-A-Dile Tool.

Birthday thank-you cards

My little Ethan turned 6yo this month.  We had a fun winter birthday party at a local little ski resort (not many big mountains here in central PA).  We took 22 guests and headed out for some snow-tubing fun!   We had a blast, and hardly payed attention to the near teen temperatures.  Here is a pic of Ethan (middle) and his best buds.

Here is a picture of the thank you card I sent out to the guests. 

These animal images are just too cute….and definitely my style.  I had one extra thank you card left over.  I wanted to “wow” it up a bit & show you how those little extra touches can make a huge difference on a card.

I used Mini Glue Dots, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Stampin’ Write Markers, and some patterned papers from Welcome Home Designer Series Paper Pad to add many more little cute details to the card.

 

ALL SUPPLIES STAMPIN’ UP!:

STAMPS:  Sale-a-bration stamp set Whimsical Words; Occasions mini catalog stamp set Fox & Friends.

PAPERS:  Bermuda Bay, Whisper White, Kraft, Crushed Curry, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive cardstock; Welcome Home Designer Series Paper Pad (occasions mini catalog).

INKS:  Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, and Old Olive Classic Stampin’ Pads; Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, and Crushed Curry Stampin’ Write Markers.

ACCESSORIES:  1/4″ Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon; Stampin’ Dimensionals; Mini Glue Dots; 1-1/4″ and 1-3/8″ Circle Punches.

a wedding card & gift December 18, 2009

A coworker of mine is getting married soon.  I was asked if I could create a card that all of us at work could sign.  I gladly accepted and created this card and gift for her.

Here is the inside of the card

 

Now, onto the gift.  Every bride needs some thank you cards.  I created a box with eight thank you cards & envelopes, and a small cello bag filled with butterfly card confetti to coordinate.

Below is a picture of the thank you cards that are in the box

This is a simple card with a lot of texture and dimension to it.  Once I had all of the pieces cut and embossed, I whipped eight of these together in no time.

Here is an upclose pic of the tag

Below is a pic of the butterfly card confetti.  You know, at times, you’ll get a card with the shiny confetti in it.  After I cut out the 8 larger butterflies for the thank you cards, I noticed how many little butterflies there were on my table.  Why waste or throw away?  I put them in a cello bag, designed to coordinate with the rest of the theme, and placed them within the gift box.

I’m off to work now.  I will edit this post tomorrow and add supplies used.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a fabulous weekend!

a “sick” teen christmas card November 20, 2009

I wanted to make my daughter a Christmas card that would bring a smile to her face….and sorta make me feel cool!  I invisioned a bright, wild, and busy card for Morgan.  Using Beate’s wsc107, I got to work and created this card for her:

If you have a teen around, you probably know the language and can relate to the sentiment.   Makes no sense to me.  I just get a silly look from Morgan when I try to speak her language.  Honestly, I feel a bit silly too….I’ll just stick to putting the sentiments on greetings  for her.

To create my sentiment, I used Calendar Alphabet & Numbers and Grateful Greetings stamp sets on Whisper White cardstock. 

The sketch has a flower at this location.  I made this a circular focal point with some fun elements that I know Morgan will enjoy looking at.

Want to see more samples for wsc107?  Head on over to see what these talented ladies have created:  Beate for sketch and details, Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn,  Lori, and Sharon.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

ALL SUPPLIES STAMPIN’  UP!  WANT TO RE-CREATE?

STAMPS:  Calendar Alphabet & Numbers and Grateful Greetings stamp sets.

PAPERS:  Kaleidoscope, Storybook Specialty, and Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper; Whisper White, Summer Sun, Tempting Turquoise, Pixie Pink, Pink Passion, and Green Galore cardstock.

INKS:  Tempting Turquoise, Summer Sun, Pink Passion, Green Galore, Only Orange, and Pixie Pink Classic Stampin’ Pads; Pink Passion Stampin’ Write Marker; Uni-ball Signo White gel pen.

ACCESSORIES:  Fire and Ice Circle Rhinestone brads; Chunky Essentials Stampin’ Glitter; Summer Sun Corduroy Buttons; On Board Loads of Letters and Lots of Letters; My Way Punch; Jumbo Snowflake Punch; Heart to Heart Punch; Stamp-a-ma-jig Tool; Stampin’ Dimensionals; Big Shot Die-Cut Machine; SU! Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plate; Mat Pack; Paper-piercing tool.

Merry Christmas & Give Thanks! November 6, 2009

Happy Friday.  Today I have two cards to share.  I KNOW!!!!  I got to do some stamping Thursday morning.  I liked the sketch so much that I decided to make a Thanksgiving and Christmas greeting.

These cards are made for Beate’s wsc105.  Hope you can play along this weekend.

I love the elegance of this card.  I already know the perfect recipient for it.  I used Stampin’ Up!’s Serene Snowflakes stamp set on Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper.  I used Holiday Best Hostess Level I stamp set for the main sentiment/image.  These combinations work so well together.

For the focal point, I used a chipboard circle covered in dsp and sanded edges using my sanding block.  I applied Sahara Sand ink to the image and used a Chocolate Chip marker to color in the bird.  I stamped this on Very Vanilla cardstock and punched out using my 1-3/4″ Circle Punch.  I inked up the image again in Sahara Sand ink and stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock.  Restamped over the image with the Champagne Shimmer Paint.  Stamped a final time using Not Quite Navy ink and cut out just the “Merry Christmas” sentiment box.  Cut out my banner sentiment tag and adhered with Mini Glue Dots and a Mini Library Clip. 

The above picture is an upclose to show you just how elegant the Shimmer Paints are (and a must have in my opinion).  This is the first opportunity I have had to play with the paints.  I had so much fun…and added a touch of shimmers to my hands, face, and clothes:)  Don’t worry!  It’s subtle and cleans up so nicely.

The next card is for Thanksgiving.  I can honestly say that I don’t send out handmade greetings for this holiday…I would if I hosted our family dinner at our home.    So, my thoughts are that it’s always good to have a “Give Thanks” card on hand.

The colors of this card are just so warming and beautiful together.  I changed it up a bit by adding a squared frame to my circle main focal point.  Using the same stamp set I used in my Merry Christmas card,  Holiday Best Hostess Level I stamp set, I got a totally different style…but just as nice.

I used a Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, and Taken With Teal marker to create my sentiment on Very Vanilla cardstock.  I sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip ink.  I adhered this punched out circle to a piece of patterned paper from Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper.  I simply could have layered this piece onto a larger piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock, but I wanted a frame.  So, using a 1/2″ larger in size piece of Chocolate Chip cardstock, I paper-pierced and used an exacto knife to cut out…making my frame (just adds the right amount of dimension to my focal point). 

Above is un upclose picture of the bottom of my “Give Thanks” card.  I continued the theme from the main sentiment focal point to the bottom of the card for balance. 

Want to see more samples for wsc105?  Head on over to see what these talented ladies have created:  Beate for details and sketch, Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn,  Lori, and Sharon.

ALL SUPPLIES STAMPIN’ UP!  WANT TO RE-CREATE?

MERRY CHRISTMAS CARD:

STAMP:  Holiday Best Level I Hostess set and Serene Snowflakes

PAPERS:  Kraft, Very Vanilla, and Chocolate Chip cardstock; Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper

INKS:  Sahara Sand and Chocolate Chip.

ACCESSORIES:  Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint; Mini Library Clips; Vintage Brads Assortment; Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon; On Board Lots of Letters (circle); 1-3/4″ Circle Punch; Sanding Block.

GIVE THANKS CARD:

STAMP:  Holiday Best Level I Hostess set

PAPERS:  Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, and Very Vanilla cardstock; Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper

INKS:  Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, and Taken with Teal Markers

ACCESSORIES:  Button Latte Designer Buttons; Fresh Favorites I Colored Buttons; Linen Thread; 1-3/4″ Circle Punch; 3/16″ Corner Rounder Punch; Mat Pack; Paper-Piercing Tool.

Can’t go wrong with Chocolate October 30, 2009

Happy Friday.  Boy, it’s been a while since I logged on to my blog.  Glad to report that I finished my dayshift training and I’m back to my normal nightshift routine.  One of the Nurses who precepted me was soooo kind and supportive…..I had to make something for her:)  She mentioned to me that she drinks a glass of chocolate milk every single morning.  I took that statement and got to stamping yesterday.

It felt so nice to walk into my stamping studio.  Isn’t it fun to stamp with no deadlines, and just for the simple reason of creating something handmade for someone?  It was just what I needed after three weeks of no stamping.

This is  Beate’s wsc104  flipped from vertical to horizontal layout.  It just worked better for me so I could have a little chocolate surprise inside of the card.  The card base is Real Red with a layer of Chocolate Chip, and a little scalloped strip created from a Treat Box and my scallop edge punch.  Added some Real Red Polka-dot Grosgrain ribbon.  Difficult to see, but there is Crystal Effects to the stamped chocolate image and to the outer Creamy Caramel circle. 

side view of my chocolate card

                                                     inside of my chocolate card

Here is what I came up with for a daily chocolate milk drinker.  Using two Treat Boxes, I adhered them together, created a center handle, and embellished to coordinate with my card.

I think this turned out super cute.  Who wouldn’t love some chocolate syrup packaged ever so nicely?  It’s almost too cute to use in my opinion:)

sideview of chocolate syrup holder.  I created a base box out of Textured Real Red cardstock for extra stability.  This box is so sturdy with no bowing of the bottom (these two syrup bottles are heavy together). 

I added a simple chipboard tag.  I punched a 1-3/4″ circle out of the same box to continue the pattern to the tag.  I applied Real Red Craft ink to the “4u” chipboard pieces and attached to tag base using Crystal Effects as my adhesive. 

I hope you enjoy looking at my chocolate creations:)  Just another fabulous use of the Treat Boxes.  Have a wonderfully sweet weekend.

You can see more samples for wsc104 at the blogs of:  Beate, Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Laurie, Lori, and Sharon.

 

ALL SUPPLIES STAMPIN’ UP!  WANT TO RE-CREATE?

STAMPS:  Things I Love (115229) and Short & Sweet (115060).

 

PAPERS:  Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, and Whisper White cardstock.

 

INKS:  Chocolate Chip classic stampin’ pad.  Real Red craft pad.

 

ACCESSORIES:  Treat Boxes (115690, 5 per pkg); Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets; Real Red 3/4″ Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon; On Board Batch of Blooms; On Board Timeless Type; On Board Loads of Letters; 1-3/4″ Circle Punch; 1-3/8″ Circle Punch; 1-1/4″ Circle Punch; Large Oval Punch; Scallop Edge Punch; Crop-A-Dile Tool; 1/2″ Circle Punch; Sanding Blocks; Circle Scissor Plus; Glass Mat; Stampin’ Dimensionals; Crystal Effects; Sticky Strip.

Flight of the Butterfly October 9, 2009

Happy Friday stampers.  Lately, I only post on Fridays for Beate’s wsc…and today is sketch 101.   Head on over to Beate’s site and give it a try this weekend.

Like everyone else, I’ve been busy with life.  I made a major decision a couple weeks ago to leave my current nursing specialty of Cardio-Thoracic post-op.  My last day on the unit is tomorrow.  I’m not sad to leave.   Believe me, it is a high stress environment…..and I’m making a change for the better.  Monday I start a different nursing specialty that will definitely be less stressful.  Due to three weeks of fulltime dayshift training, I will not be stamping.  I have to find my “new life schedule” and how stamping is going to fit into it. 

So, with all of that going on, I decided to make a special card for my Nurse Manager of my unit that I’m leaving.  The sentiment says it all:)

I really like how this card turned out.  Maybe I should give it to my new Nurse Manager if you know what I mean lol.  Nothing wrong with pampering the boss with handmade greetings right? 

The butterflies and flowers are from the stamp set For All You Do.  The sentiment is from the stamp set Flight of the Butterfly.  I stamped the butterflies a couple times in different colors.  I cut out the main butterfly shapes and then adhered the bodies in alternate coordinating colors.

 

Want to see more samples for wsc101?  Head on over to see what these talented ladies have created:  Beate to see sketch and details, Cambria, Charmaine, Jenn, Laurie, Lori, and Sharon.

 

ALL SUPPLIES STAMPIN’ UP!  WANT TO RE-CREATE?

STAMPS:  For All You Do (115360) and Flight of the Butterfly (111564).

 

PAPERS:  Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper (115671); Old Olive (100702); Rich Razzleberry (115316); Orchid Opulence (100969); Whisper White (100730).

 

INKS:  Old Olive (102277); Rich Razzleberry (115658); Orchid Opulence (101859).

 

ACCESSORIES:  Circle Ice Rhinestone Brads (109111); Scallop Circle Punch (109043); Scallop Edge Punch (112091); 1-1/4″ Circle Punch (104403); 1-3/8″ Circle Punch (104401); Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430); Mat Pack (105826); Paper-Piercing Tool (116631).

 

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy your weekend!