Exotic Thinking

Good Day All! The weather is looking a little more promising than before. I was able to take a few more pictures of some cards this morning. I did have some time to play this week and came up with a few more ideas to share! I am really excited about them! I hope you like them, too.

Today I am sharing a card that I made a few weeks ago. Again, it was a layout that I had seen while cruising the blogging world. I tweaked it in my own special way and here is what mine looks like. This card can be tedious as the flower has three parts that are all cut out. The overall look is great but there is a lot of cutting! The stamp is from Stitched Exotics. There are three flowers in the set (each is a different color on this card). I stamped them, then cut them out, then layered them together and put a brad in the middle. I was also trying to find a reason to use up my Bali Breeze designer paper. I just love the colors but it has been really hard for me to find ways to use it up. Enjoy your weekend!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Stitched Exotics, Sincere Salutations; Paper- Rose Red, Old Olive, Whisper White, Bali Breeze designer paper; Ink- Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie, Taken With Teal, Basic Black; Accessories- Rose Red brad, Old Olive wide grosgrain, dimensionals

Embrace Birthday

Good Morning! Well, my spring break is all too quickly coming to a close! My son is just heartbroken. But that just means that summer is coming soon as well! I am also a little grumpy that my spring break wasn't very "springy" at all!! Today is so cloudy and gray and I think that snow is falling again. UGH!! My spring clothes are crying out to me! I do hope it is nice for Easter!

Today's card is one that I had found while cruising the blogging world. The colors are the same and and the background paper is the same. But I thought that the flowers might be fun punched out. I kind of like it this way! This card will go to a friend of mine at school whose birthday is next week. I hope that she likes it! Nothing real special on this card. I did pop up the Ruby Red panel and the Groovy Guava scallop. Otherwise it is how it looks. I did use Groovy Guava textured cardstock for my base. I haven't done that very much but it sure does change the overall look of the card. I may have to do that more often! Have a great weekend!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Embrace Life, Sincere Salutations; Paper- Groovy Guava, Ruby Red, Whisper White, Ginger Blossom designer paper; Ink- Black stazon, Ruby Red; Accessories- River Rock double stitched ribbon, 1 3/8" circle punch, scallop punch, blender pen, dimensionals

Three In A Row #2

Good Morning! As promised, here is the second card I made using this layout. Can you see the differences? Different colors, different sized circles. Also, on this one, I wheeled a background on the blush piece with the Swirls jumbo wheel. The 'So kind' stamp was stamped onto the Soft Sky designer prints paper.

This layout is so simple and very versatile. I bet that you all could find a ton more ideas to do with it! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Priceless, Swirls jumbo wheel; Cardstock- Groovy Guava, Blush Blossom, Blue Bayou, Whisper White, Soft Sky designer prints paper; Ink- Blue Bayou, Blush Blossom; Accessories- silver brads, Groovy Guava double stitched ribbon, dimensionals

Three In A Row #1

Hello All! I am sorry that I didn't post yesterday. My friend Emily and I took our kids skiing yesterday and then when I got back I had a card class with Becky and then when I finally got back home I was so exhausted that I just went to bed! So, here we are today!

This card is so super simple! In fact, tomorrow I will show you all another card with this same exact layout! I used a stamp set called Holiday Blitz. I got the set because I wanted to make a calendar and this set has tons of little stamps that are used for different holidays and are a perfect fit inside the little calendar boxes. Well, I haven't made any calendars and so I have not even used this set! Shame!! Anyway, I saw this layout and thought that this is the kind of card that is perfect for small stamps that can sometimes be hard to put on a card. So, if you all have some small stamps and don't know what to do with them, maybe this layout can help! I also like the way the wide grosgrain ribbon helps to fill up space. And I like this card because it is "springy"! Where o where is spring? Have a great day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Holiday Blitz; Cardstock- Rose Red, Pretty In Pink, So Saffron, Whisper White, Certainly Celery designer prints paper; Ink- So Saffron, Basic Black; Accessories- Certainly Celery brads, circle punches, Regal Rose wide grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals

Friendship

Hello Everyone! Surprised to hear from me? Well, it's spring break here and I thought I would make it a goal to try to post a card everyday this week! Tomorrow might be a little tricky but I will try!

Today's card is one I did for a swap that I participated in last month. This card uses a set called Just Celebrate and it can be found in the Occasions mini catalog which debuted this month! This set is truly an all year set! I used the flowers because I am hoping that it will bring spring to us soon! I also used the new Summer Picnic designer paper which is also in the mini catalog. The paper might be hard to see because it is the same color as the card base itself. The three flowers along the side are from the Three For You punch box from the main catalog. I've had that punch for a while and didn't know what to do with it. I thought it went well with the card! The ribbon is the new striped grosgrain from the main catalog. And, of course, you know how much I love to make scallops with my corner rounder! The whole red panel is popped up with dimensionals. Enjoy!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Just Celebrate; Cardstock- Bashful Blue, Real Red, Old Olive, Whisper White, Summer Picnic designer paper; Ink- Basic Black, Old Olive, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie; Accessories- corner rounder, blender pen, Bashful Blue striped grosgrain, silver brads, Three For punch box; dimensionals

Boho Friend

That's Boho, not bozo or boohoo. Just Boho! It's the name of a trend. Kind of western and kind of modern. You know - Boho! O.k. I have no idea what I am talking about but it is a trend in stamping. And this card is made with stamps from the Boho Backgrounds. I really love this set!

This card layout was one I saw while cruising the blog world last weekend. Of course she used paper that we don't sell but she did use the flower medallion thingy that comes in the set. And I thought to myself, "I can do that same thing with product that I sell!" So, I made one! And it's so super simple! The hardest part was getting the words on that tiny sliver of paper that I used! I think an easier way would be to stamp it on white and then use the cutter to cut it out!. The words were just a little too big for my word window punch, otherwise I would have used it.

The words come in the set but they are just one tiny part of the stamp. So, I had to tape off the other parts of the stamp that I didn't want and then ink up the stamp. Then BEFORE I stamped onto my paper, I removed the tape (this is a very important step if you use this "technique"). The medallion was stamped with Purely Pomegranate onto Purely Pomegranate cardstock then punched out with the scallop punch. Then I stamped the same image onto Pretty In Pink cardstock with the same ink. I used a circle punch to punch out the middle (and now I can't remember which sized circle punch I used). I put a rhinestone brad in the middle and popped up the pink circle and the scallop piece. Enjoy!!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Boho Backgrounds; Cardstock- Pretty In Pink, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White, Berry Bliss designer paper; Ink- Purely Pomegranate; Accessories- rhinestone brad, Purely Pomegranate double stitched ribbon, corner rounder, dimensionals

Wonderful Friend

Good Day All! The beautiful day we had yesterday was so refreshing! Then, late last night the wind blew hard and we woke up to an inch of snow! UGH! Now it is on and off sunny and windy. At least it's not too cold so the snow is melting quickly. On the bright side, there is only FIVE more school days until spring break! YEA!!

My card for today is one I copied from another "blogger". She used this set, which I just love and had to have but have barely used. So, I dusted it off and viola! Here's my version of her card. It is the same layout but different colors and focal point. The flowers in the corner are the new felt flowers! I had to have them but haven't figured out how to use them. They come in Pumpkin Pie, Rose Red, and Old Olive. They also come in three different sizes and, I believe, three or four different shapes. The designer paper is the new Bali Breeze paper. I just love this layout and look forward to using it again! Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Wonderful Favorites; Paper- Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Taken With Teal, Whisper White, Bali Breeze designer paper; Ink- Rose Red, Old Olive, Take With Teal; Accessories- felt flowers, rose red brads, dimensionals, crafter's tool kit, pop-up glue dots (to adhere the felt flowers)

Wanted!

Good Day, Everyone! I hope that you are all having a great weekend! It's sunny today with a promise of warm spring weather! YEA!! AND only FIVE more days until spring break!! Which is good for me as I have only two more cards to show you all. So, I need to get back to "work" making some more!

Today's card is made from a card I did at my friend's (Becky) card class. It looks nothing like the one she did but I took the idea from it. I don't know if I am completely happy with this one but it makes a nice "guy" card. Sometimes guy cards can be hard for me because I like to put a lot of ribbon on my cards and other "frilly" things. And men don't usually like all that stuff. As I look at this card it might have been even nicer for a guy if I had put hemp or linen thread instead of the ribbon. Hmmm... Might have to try that look. Anyway, thanks for looking and have a great day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Wanted; Paper- Western Sky designer paper, River Rock, Ruby Red, Bayou Blue; Ink- Bayou Blue, Ruby Red; Accessories- vintage brad, Bayou Blue double stitched ribbon, dimensionals

Friendship

Good Day All! I hope that your day is sunnier than mine is! Gray clouds and a forecast for more rain - UGH! However, the snow is melting and the temperatures are warmer and by the end of this week we should be sunny with the highs in the 50's!! I am so excited!

Today I am sharing a card that I uses a layout from the PaperCrafts magazine. I am thinking that my last few cards came from that magazine. It's a good one! I get a lot of ideas from it! Anyway, I really liked the sketch that they gave and wanted to give it a try. Here's what I came up with! Nothing too out of the ordinary. I cut my cardstock long ways (like a hot dog) at 4 1/4". Other than that, it is all pretty ordinary! Enjoy!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Friendship Blooms; Paper- Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, Groovy Guava, Whisper White, Afternoon Tea designer paper; Ink- Chocolate Chip, Groovy Guava; Accessories- Groovy Guava double stitched ribbon, vintage brads, dimensionals, corner rounder

So Kind...

Hello everyone! I hope that you are all having a great weekend! I wanted to post a card that I made last week. This is a card that I basically copied from the PaperCrafts magazine. It is the same layout but different stamps and colors. The magazine showed this card using the True Friend set with the Apple Cider paper. I thought it was a unique layout and wanted to give it a try!

The card is held closed with the little "tab" at the top of the flower panel. I made this "tab" with my slit punch. Before I could punch the slit, I had to lay my flowered panel on my card and draw a light pencil line where I wanted the slit to be punched. So the card opens down instead of to the side like most cards. The flower medallion is punched with the 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" punches then I punched a scallop and pierced holes in each "petal". I also put a brad in the center ad popped the whole thing up with dimensionals! Enjoy!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Priceless; Paper- Ruby Red, Soft Sky, Bayou Blue, Whisper White, Western Sky designer paper; Ink- Ruby Red, River Rock; Accessories- vintage brads, Bayou Blue double stitched ribbon, corner rounder, slit punch, dimensionals, crafter's tool kit

Kind

Hello All! I know that it's odd to hear from me during the week but I am so excited about the cards I made yesterday that I wanted to share one with you today!

This is a card that I copied from the PaperCrafts magazine. They had used a different stamp and colors but I just fell in love with the layout! I used the Priceless set (one of my very favorites). For the stems of the flowers I pierced holes using my crafter's tool kit and then used a blender pen and the Wild Wasabi ink pad to draw the lines in (like dot-to-dot). I really like the way it turned out and am anxious to try other stamp sets! Enjoy your day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Priceless; Paper- Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Afternoon Tea designer paper (NEW from the Occasions mini catalog available March 1); Ink- Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky; Accessories- vintage brads, wasabi striped grosgrain ribbon, crafter's tool kit, circle punches, dimensionals, sponge

Friendship

Hello Everyone! I hope that you all had a great weekend! I know for many of us it was an extra long weekend. Gotta love those!! Since I had a day off today I made good use of my time and went stamping over at my friend Emily's house! What a great time and I even accomplished making a good amount of cards! I am quite impressed with myself! I hope that you like them as much as I do.

This first card is actually one that I did last week at my stamp club. It is very simple but cute! And it is a little different than your normal card. This one is actually 3 x 6. I cut a 6 x 6 piece of cardstock then folded it in half. It will fit in our open-ended envelopes. Sometimes it's fun to get away from the "norm". I pretty much copied this card from a website (can't remember who). I just added the build-a-brad in the middle of the flowers. Everything on this card is stamped in Old Olive! The flowers are popped up. I also used our new poly-twill that will be available on March 1! The poly-twill comes in Old Olive and Chocolate Chip and I just love it! Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Friendship Blooms (sale-a-bration set that won't be available after March 17); Paper- Saraha Sand, Soft Sky, Very Vanilla, Old Olive; Ink- Old Olive; Accessories- Old Olive poly-twill, build-a-brad

Designer Paper Flower

Hello everyone! I hope that you all had a great Valentine's Day! We had a relaxing one. And yes, it snowed, AGAIN! And it's supposed to snow AGAIN this week! And then somebody reminded me that March is our snowiest month - usually. UGH! Where, oh where is spring? At least the temperatures will be in the 40's. So, if it does really snow as much as they say, it will be melting quickly. I think it's really the cold that I am sick of. Anyway, I think that the sun is supposed to shine this weekend! Yea!!

This card is one I found while surfing the web. I copied it pretty much like she had it except for adding the speckles and sponging and the brads. The images come from Embrace Life. I have used that set a lot. Here I stamped the leafy stem in black and colored with Old Olive marker. Then I stamped the flower onto Ginger Blossom designer paper and cut it out (it's stamped in black). Then I popped it up with dimensionals onto the leafy stem. Instant color on the flower without having to color it in! I just love that idea! Have a great day everyone!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Embrace Life, Itty Bitty Backgrounds; Paper- Ginger Blossom designer paper, Basic Black, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Kraft; Ink- Basic Black, Old Olive marker, River Rock; Accessories- Basic Black grosgrain, black brads, sponge, dimensionals

Simply Scrappin'

Happy Sunday everyone! And the sun is shining here!! Two days in a row! I can't believe it! But it is supposed to rain tomorrow. We will see...

Here is a little project that I worked on during my "snow" day last Monday. It is a little book made from a simply scrappin' kit - Boho Blend. I just LOVE these colors and using a kit made the whole thing a breeze to put together! The book is held together with a bamboo skewer and a pony tail holder. I tied a ton of ribbon to the bamboo skewer so that it would be hidden. Anyway, I really liked the way it turned out and I hope that you do to! Have a great week everyone!

Book Recipe: All supplies were taken from the Boho Blend Simply Scrappin' kit. I added a few brads some dimensionals and a velcro closure. Super simple!!

Embracing Life

Hello everyone! I am so sorry it has taken me so long to post! I had posted all my newest creations and I haven't had any time to get back to stamping more so I took a little rest. Last Monday we had a snow day! I could hardly believe it! We haven't had a snow day in 20 years!!! I almost didn't believe it. It had snowed Sunday evening but nothing more than usual. The reason they called school off was because the forecast was for six to eight more inches on Monday. Well, guess what?! They called school off and Monday morning the sun came out and melted most everything! All that to say that I used my unexpected day off to make some cards and do a little project. I even got to surf the internet for other cards and projects to copy. Something I haven't been able to do in a long time!

Today's card is one that I saw on a blog. she used the same colors and stamps. I did change it up a bit by adding a few brads and some sponging and speckling. The thing that makes this card a little unique is its closure. I took my slit punch and slid it in as far as it would go and punched. That's what keeps this card closed. I made my card base 4 1/4" x 11" and folded that in half. Then I cut 2 3/4" off one end (the part where the polka dotted paper is). My main image is glued half-way on the printed paper but the other end fits into the slit. I just thought that the layout was very clever! I may have to try this at stamp club on Monday!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

Card Recipe: Stamps- Embrace Life, Itty Bitty Backgrounds; Paper- Ginger Blossoms designer paper, Basic Black, Ruby Red; Ink- Black StazOn, Ruby Red, River Rock; Accessories- blender pen, vintage brads, sponge, black grosgrain, slit punch, ticket corner punch, dimensionals