Be happy

Hi stampers!  I'm SO SAD!  Today is the last day of Sale A Bration and the last day to earn FREE stamps and accessories for every $50 you spend!  It's the best time of the year!  This year I'm especially going to miss the everyday enchantment designer series paper!  It's SO pretty.  I have used all but a few sheets of one pack which is like some kind of record for me....I'm kind of bad about getting DSP and then not cutting into much of it.  We'll just never mind the fact that I have three packs stocked up in reserve;-)  I do wish they would make it a permanent fixture in the catalog, lol!

So in honor of the paper I have a card made with it as a farewell tribute of sorts :-)  (But just because it's going to be retired doesn't mean you won't see it pop back up here often....after all I said I had three more packs right, lol).  The paper is so pretty that I didn't even need an image for this card, just the happy sentiment!

Stampin; Supplies:
Stamps:  Pursuit of happiness, parlor prints background
Paper:  Very vanilla, soft suede, poppy parade, pool party, peach parfait, everyday enchantment DSP (SAB)
Ink:  Soft suede, poppy parade
Accessories:  Butterfly embosslit, dotted scallop border punch, basic pearls

First off, sorry the photo is a bit blurry in parts...not sure what is up with that!  But isn't it pretty!  I love how that background stamp goes so well with the paper.  I haven't used much of that pattern but I love it!  I sponged the edges of my card base to make it a bit warmer and more worn and it blended in very well with that DSP since it's a bit distressed. 

There is still time to earn your FREE items if you click on the shop now button over to the right.  Do it now!!! :-)  You don't want to miss out and it's over at midnight tonight!

Well that's it for me today.  Will you miss this paper as much as I will?  Good news is that the new catalog is right around the corner so at least that's something to look forward to! 

I'm off to visit my mom this afternoon and go to another baby shower tomorrow!  Enjoy your weekend!

Happy stamping!

Caseing....myself

Hi stampers!  I really liked my card from last week's Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge.  So, when I was stuck for ideas the other night I figured I'd give that card another go and case myself.  That's a great way to get out of a mojo funk!  Take something you made that you like and go in another direction with it!  You're almost guaranteed to make something you'll like since you already loved the inspiration, hehe!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Apothecary art, loving words, creative elements, elementary elegance (SAB)
Paper:  Very vanilla, crumb cake, pool party, calypso coral smooth & textured
Ink:  Staz on, calypso coral, pool party, peach parfait, lucky limeade
Accessories:  Labels collection framelits, crumb cake seam binding, basic pearls

This card is much softer than the inspiration and I love it so much!  It's very springy I think!  For my main image I did a lot of stamping off with the flower from creative elements and the butterfly and bird from elementary elegance.  Now I'm going to tell on myself.  The sentiment was a happy accident....I didn't like what I had stamped/how I had stamped the sentiment on the label....so I covered it up....and decided that it looked really good!  Ha!  Always remember there are no mistakes, only opportunities to embellish, right? ;-)

I have really been neglecting my seam binding lately but I pulled it out for this card and I like the soft look it gives.  I need to remember to use it more often!  I sure say that about a lot of things:-)

So the next time you're stuck just take a look through your most recent projects and re-work one and see what happens!!!

Happy stamping!

Hey hey, it's my birthday!

Hi stampers!  So today is my birthday:-)  Someone on facebook wished me happy birthday and asked if I was going to spend all day making myself birthday cards!  LOL!  I think that sounds like a FABULOUS birthday to me!  Sadly, I have to work today but maybe I'll stamp tonight.  My birthday didn't seem to bother me too much last year...I could say I was 30....NOW, I'm IN my 30's....not liking that so much, hahaha!  That "s" on the end is freaking me out a bit, hahahaha! 

Anyway, I SHOULD have a birthday card to share today but I don't!  I realized I have not made a birthday card since I don't know when!  So, birthday cards are on the to do list for sure!  I do have a thank you card that I whipped up yesterday though.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Apothecary art, elementary elegance (SAB), fabulous phrases
Paper:  Very vanilla, lucky limeade, pool party, calypso coral, everyday enchantment DSP (SAB)
Ink:  Crumb cake, basic gray, lucky limeade, pool party, calypso coral. staz-on
Accessories:  Labels collection framelits, adorning accents edgelits and embossing folders, polka dots embossing folder, itty bitty punch pack, basic pearls

I just love this pattern out of the SAB paper!  It's very vintage wall paper-ey to me!  I did lots of sponging on this card to fit with the vintage theme and I also stamped the birds after stamping each one off on scratch paper to get a softer effect.

Anyway, maybe I'll be back with some birthday cards soon:-) 

Happy stamping!

A special sketch!

Hi stampers!  I have a very special sketch for you today!  Why so special?  Well, because it's from the Create With Connie & Mary Occasions Mini 2012 Edition!  I'm a guest designer for them this go-round and each Saturday they have a special sketch for members only!  How fun!  You can play along and enter if you head over there right now and sign up!  Not only do you get special sketches and challenges but over 30 fabulous and exclusive projects....including MINE.  And I worked long and hard on that puppy and it turned out so cute! Go on, you KNOW you want to see it:-)

Anyway, this week's challenge was this sketch:

And this is my card:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Fresh vintage (SAB), You're a gem
Paper:  Very vanilla, calypso coral, peach parfait (smooth & textured), pool party, everyday enchantment (SAB)
Ink:  Versamark, pool party, peach parfait, calypso coral
Accessories:  Clear embossing powder, basic pearls & rhinestones, itty bitty punch pack, dotted scallop border punch, adorning accents edgelits & embossing folders

I know, I know....I used the Everyday Enchantment DSP again BUT at least I focused on a different pattern this time, hehe!  To make the butterfly a bit special I used textured DSP and embossed over that.  I really love the look of heat embossing over textured card stock and I love the way my butterfly turned out! I also added the little flowers for just a POP of calypso coral.

Hope you had a great weekend!  And if you're a Create with Connie & Mary subscriber, make sure to play along in the sketch this week!  And if you're not then head on over and sign up!

Happy stamping!

A SWEET Sketch

Hi stampers!  I LOVED the Sweet Sunday Sketch this week!

Isn't it cute?  I need to file it away as a go to sketch!  And yes, I used the SAB DSP again!  Sorry....good thing it's pretty:-)  I used it to whip up this sweet little Valentine:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  PS I Love You
Paper:  Very vanilla, blushing bride, pool party, calypso coral, poppy parade textured, everyday enchantment DSP (SAB)
Ink:  Blushing bride, calypso coral
Accessories:  1-3/4" circle punch, 2-3/8" scallop circle punch, calypso coral ruffled ribbon, adoring accents embossing folders, large basic pearls

I just love that little cupid and I've used him on a lot of backgrounds but wanted to make him the star of the show on this one.  I love the font of the sentiment too!  I also used lots of sponging to make it all pretty and soft!

Happy stamping!

Freshly Cased

Hi stampers!  Where does the time go?  I can't believe that it's the middle of January already.  Time needs to slooooow down...my birthday will be here before I know it and I don't think I'm ready to be another year older just yet, hehe!  But, maybe I'll have my Christmas trees down by then, lol!  I've been in a pretty down mood since after Christmas so I haven't been able to motivate myself to get much done around the house:-/  I did get one of them down this week though and all the ornaments off our big tree.....I think the problem is I need a vacation to somewhere tropical:-)

Anyway, speaking of January....I LOVE the magazine us demos get every month!  It's called Stampin' Success and has all kinds of great articles, techniques, tips, and projects in it.  I often draw inspiration for my projects from it!  I also love that it has sneak peeks of upcoming items from time to time!  You know I don't have a lot of patience so I love seeing things early, hehe!

I found a number of things to work on in the January edition!  This card is one of them:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Fresh vintage (SAB),  kind thanks
Paper:  Very vanilla, soft suede, everyday enchantment DSP (SAB)
Ink:  Pool party, lucky limeade, soft suede
Accessories:  Triple layer blossom punch, lucky limeade ruffled ribbon, everyday enchantment ribbon & brad pack (SAB), color spritzer

Isn't it pretty?  I think it was a pretty popular card as I've seen quite a few people posting their version!  And it's a little bit of a sneak peek for you too.  If you haven't already seen the SAB 2012 catalog, this is one of the stamp sets!  It's called fresh vintage and it coordinates with the DSP and ribbon and brad pack.  I really like how this card sort of has it's own handmade DSP with the stamps from the set, that's a technique I often forget about but should remember to use more often! 

I also love the soft colors of this card!  Pool party, lucky limeade and soft suede are a great color combination!  I lightly spritzed the card with soft suede ink using my color spritzer. Lots of sponging helps soften the card too.  I sponged around all of the edges and also around the "flower".  Finally, it's kind of hard to see but I put some of the SAB organdy ribbon over the ruffled ribbon.

Don't forget you can get your own SAB goodies for FREE starting next Tuesday, woo-hoo!

Happy stamping!

Enchanted

Hi stampers!  Hope you have a fabulous weekend and got more stampy time than I did!  I had plenty of time yesterday but couldn't get motivated to do ANYTHING!  I even took a nap right on my craftroom floor, lol!  In my defense I worked by hiney off Friday night while finishing up an awesome tutorial for Create with Connie & Mary's Occasions Mini edition 2012.  It's not too late to sign up and get 30-some a-ma-zing projects!  I don't usually cut things that close to the deadline but it's just how things turned out this time!  It really took all the stampin' spunk out of me I guess, haha!

I did manage to make this happy little card this though.  And I warned you earlier right?  That I'm totally and completely head over heels in love and obsessed with the Everyday Enchantment DSP from Sale-A-Bration!  Seriously, it's SO pretty that it's just impossible to make something not pretty with it!  Add to the fact that you can get it FREE and that just makes it all that prettier, right? :-)  The colors and patterns are so cute, just look at this one here on my little pennant.....

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Friendly phrases
Paper:  Calypso coral, pool party, peach parfait, lucky limeade, very vanilla, Everyday enchantment DSP (SAB)
Ink:  Poppy parade, peach parfait, pool party
Accessories:  Vintage wallpaper EF, lots of tags sizzlits, wide oval punch, basic pearls, adorning accents edgelits, everyday enchantment ribbon & brad pack (SAB)

Ohhh and ahhhh, isn't that patterned paper so pretty?  I love the colors and the little birds!  And I just love how so many of our products fit together so well like our vintage wallpaper embossing folder.  It coordinates so well with the SAB DSP!  I'm also on a roll with those little flowers made out of the itty bitty punch pack. 

There's just over a week until you can get your own everyday enchantment DSP for FREE.  SAB starts next Tuesday on the 24th!  Who-hooooo! 

Happy stamping!

Lucky Island Basics

Hi stampers!  I did something I haven't done in a LONG time this weekend.  I played in a color challenge over on Splitcoast Stampers.  Now, I have absolutely no good reason for not playing along in such a long time other than I just kind of forgot!  Shame on me!  Well, I picked a good one to come back to as the colors were so pretty!  The challenge was to use island indigo, lucky limeade, and basic gray.  So many possibilities but I decided to do something simple since the colors were so vibrant.  I'm really on a kick with the white space and clean and simple thing as of late.  It's fun to do something different!  What do you think?

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Fresh vintage (SAB), fabulous phrases
Paper:  Whisper white, island indigo, lucky limeade, neutrals DSP stack
Ink:  Island indigo, basic gray
Accessories:  Everyday enchantment ribbon & brad pack (SAB), basic pearls

There was a bit of cutting here but it's not too fussy and that image cuts out pretty quickly.  I also used the "wallpaper" pattern of the DSP which I don't normally use.  I tend to stick to the polka dots, hehe.  And again, I really love the font of the fabulous phrases set and think it works beautifully with the fresh vintage set.  I tried a variety of sentiments down in the corner but I liked the simplicity of this one and the tiny size!

Here's a quick tip if you use the clear mounts:  if I can't decide on a sentiment or placement of a stamp, I will take the stamp unmounted and lay it where I want it.  You can then kind of visualize what it's going to look like.  It's harder to do with the wood mounts so this is just another reason I love the clear mounts!  I can waffle back and forth until I figure out which one I like without wasting paper or messing up my project!

Hope you can put this tip to good use!  And don't forget about the fun challenges over on SCS like I did:-)

Happy stamping!

Monday Mojo on MONDAY!

Hi stampers!  Ok, so I KNOW it's Wednesday but I did something on Monday that I never do!  I created a card using the Mojo Monday sketch on MONDAY!  WOW and yay me, lol!!!!  It normally takes me a day or two to get to the challenges I want to do but I was able to sit right down tonight and crank this one out...well after a fair amount of time wasting (i.e. watching TV, eating some snacks, staring lovingly at all my under-used stamping supplies, internet surfing, more snacking,  playing with the dog, cuddling with the dog, more internet surfing....you get the idea).  Anyway, inspiration struck all of the sudden so I went with it!

At first, this sketch did throw me.

When I looked at it this morning it seemed awful complicated but upon looking at it again tonight it was clear what I wanted to do!  Now, I'm giving a disclaimer right now...you are going to be seeing a LOT of the SAB everyday enchantment DSP for the next few months!  I am so in lurve with that stuff...I want to marry it!  I am going to CRY when it goes away!  So, I hope you like it since I can't seem to make a card without it:-)  At least now you know:-)

I saw a card this morning that used the scalloped heart of hearts embosslit as a layer behind a heart and I had TOTALLY forgotten about that particular embosslit and how cute it looks as a layer!  So, out it came and this is what I got:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  PS I Love You
Paper:  Very vanilla, blushing bride textured, pool party, poppy parade, calypso coral, everyday enchantment (SAB)
Ink:  Calypso coral, poppy parade
Accessories:  Hearts collection framelits, scalloped heart of hearts embosslit, decorative label punch, calypso coral ruffled ribbon

Ohhhhh!  It turned out so pretty!  I think it's impossible to make an ugly card with the SAB paper!  I sponged the hearts from the PS I Love You set before I layered them onto the scalloped hearts as they looked a bit to stark.  I also cut them out with the new heart framelits!  I did take a break from the satin pleated ribbon:-)  My poor ruffled ribbons have been neglected since the pleats came on the scene so I used some of the calypso coral ruffled ribbon here!  The sentiment is from the super cute Friendly Phrases set which I love and it's stamped in poppy.  This will make a great Valentine or just a great friend card!

Anywho, that about does it for now!  I wish all my cards came together this quickly:-)

Happy stamping!

LOST: Mojo

Hi stampers!  It's happened again!  My mojo has run away again!  I think I'll name my next dog Mojo...that way I can say "here Mojo" and my mojo will come to me:-)  Hehe!  Anyway, I've had a million things on my to do list lately (our tree is STILL up....ugh) but with going out of  town unexpectedly for a funeral last week and working late this week the stuff is just not getting crossed off the list AND nothing is getting stamped either.  I had a big project to work on (tune in this week to find out what) today so I finally got to sit down and stamp "for fun" after dinner....and NOTHING!  I had no ideas what to do or what to use.

I finally remembered that I wanted to work on the Monday Mojo sketch challenge this week.  Add the fact that I used a lot of the SAB everyday enchantment DSP earlier today so I had a lot of scraps laying around and it hit me!  This sketch is perfect for lots of DSP layers and other fun Occasions Mini and SAB goodies which have been so sadly neglected this week and last.  So, I came up with this little gem:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Friendly phrases
Paper: Very vanilla, poppy parade, pool party, calypso coral smooth & textured, everyday enchantment DSP (SAB)
Ink:  Calypso coral, pool party
Accessories:  Basic pearls, large basic pearls, itty bitty punch pack, scallop circle punch, circle punch, lucky limeade organdy ribbon (SAB - ribbon & brad pack)

Yippie!  My mojo is back....at least for the moment!  I really love how this card turned out although I did have a tough time deciding whether to use a pool party card base or very vanilla.  I finally settled on the vanilla as it looked a bit more bright.  The sentiments from friendly phrases are just too cute and fun and look great with this DSP.  They are both so cheery.  This will be perfect for a birthday card!

I sponged the edges of the calypso coral textured panel since the DSP is slightly distressed and also the scallop circle so it would stand out a bit better against the DSP.   I'm most pleased with the cuuuute little flower on my sentiment panel.  I used two of the four petal flowers from the itty bitty punch pack.  I sponged them and bent the petals up a bit then added the pearl in the center.  For "leaves" I cut a small piece of the new organdy lucky limeade ribbon from the SAB catalog and it was perfect!   The big pearls are new and can be found in the occasions mini!  It was the first time I'd broken into those!

Make sure to stop by tomorrow for some exciting news!  Happy stamping!