Step It Up Swallowtail

This first card is a quick & easy card that I featured at a workshop a while back.

The Swallowtail image is so pretty and detailed that even a quick card like this looks like it was more complicated than it is. While this first card is perfect just like it is, if you wanted to spend a little more time you can easily create something like this step it up version.

All I did here was mask the image and sponge on some color. I also changed the color of ribbon and added a bow. Now this butterfly really makes an impact, don't you think? You cannot really tell from the photo but both of the butterfly panels are spritzed with homemade shimmer spray. Here's a closer look.

Here's a side by side comparison.

Thanks for visiting today!

Sycamore Street Family Pages

Today I'd like to share a couple more pages that I created using basically the same supplies as in yesterdays post...Sycamore Street DSP along with the Daydream Medallions stamp set. I designed these pages especially for a scrapbooking class I recently had. The photos are from a family reunion we hosted here last summer.

The scallop along the edge was cut using the Tasteful Trim Die and then I stamped inside each scallop using an image from the Tiny Tags set. Here's a closer look at the left side of the layout.

I used the "family" stamp from the retired set That's Nice and embossed it for the title and the little strips which I cut apart. Here's a closer look at the flower embellishment created with the Daydream Medallions and coordinating Floral Framelits.

The center of the flower was cut using the smallest Floral Framelit and one of the prints from the Sycamore Street DSP. Here's a closer look at the right side of the layout.

Ooops...I cropped one of my photos too small. No problem! I just added a border of Tangerine Tango embossed with the Needlepoint Border Embossing Folder...I think it added a nice pop of color and looks like I planned it all along. The Tiny Tag attached to the Island Indigo Satin Ribbon has the date written on it, and the word "celebrate" was also a stamp from the That's Nice set.

The Sycamore Street Suite of products, which includes the DSP, ribbons & buttons used here, are only available during Sale-a-Bration...which comes to an end this Friday, the 22nd. So get them while you can!

Live Laugh Love Layout

Here is a two page layout I made using photos from a fun weekend with friends at Lake Michigan a couple summers ago. I thought the bold designs & bright colors from the Sycamore Street DSP would be perfect for these photos.

In case you are wondering...after seeing many of my layouts posted on Pinterest, I recently made the decision to blur out the faces in the scrapbook layouts that I post here. My reason for this is that I'm not sure how my friends & family would feel about having their pictures so "out there". I don't think my little blog gets that much traffic, but Pinterest is another story! Hopefully you won't think it detracts too much from the pages. Here's a closer view of the left page...

The weather that day was too chilly to go swimming but like always, we made the best of it and as you can see we still had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs. The laughter definition image from Word Play created a nice accent here.

I used the Typeset Bigz Dies for my title along with a set of Sizzlets called Curlz. I stamped the Daydream Medallion set on several different colors picked from the DSP and cut them with the Floral Framelits. I like that the second to smallest die cuts around the shape in the DSP perfectly. (see the layer with the button) The scallops along the circles edge and the double scallop strip are cut using the Tasteful Trim Bigz XL Die. I swear I use that die almost every time I scrapbook...so I highly recommend it if you are a scrapper!

Here's a closer look at the right page.

Today is the last official day of Winter, but I don't think Mother Nature got that memo from the dumb groundhog who predicted an early Spring! Brrrr...it is still so windy, cold and snowy here in Michigan. I'm longing for a trip to the beach, so it was nice working with these photos.

Secret Garden Flower Pot Pocket Card

I've made several of these flower pot cards in the past and couldn't wait to try another one using the Secret Garden set & matching Framelits.

Each flower was embossed using Pool Party Embossing Powder & then water colored using the Aqua Painter & Classic Inks. Here's a look at the flower tag pulled out from the flower pot pocket base. The oval "happy birthday" tag was created using the Oval All set (retired) and Teeny Tiny Wishes.

The flower pot base was embossed using the Fancy Fan Embossing Folder which compliments the scalloped rim nicely...that was cut using the Large Scallop Edgelit and embossed with the Delicate Designs Embossing Folder. To give it a little more definition, I used a sponge dauber & Wisteria Wonder Ink to highlight the embossing. Here's a closer look.

I created this card to match a cute little cardboard container I found at the Dollar Tree. Since I wanted it to fit inside the box & appear to be part of the wrap, I wasn't worried about this card fitting into an envelope...which was rather nice when designing.

I chose my colors of Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Regal Rose, Lucky Limeade & So Saffron to coordinate with the gift box. Here's how it looks when it is in the box.

Doesn't this make a cute gift set for a Spring Birthday or Easter? Here's the link to another simpler version of the flower pot pocket card that I created in the past.

Thanks for visiting me today...have a great weekend!

Happy Birthday Cupcakes

Here's a cheery little birthday card using several products available during Sale-a-Bration.

Stamps: Patterned Occasions & Itty Bitty Banners (both are FREE selections during SAB)
Card stock: Island Indigo, Rich Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango, Whisper White & Sycamore Street DSP (DSP is FREE during SAB)
Ink: Island Indigo, Rich Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango, Pool Party & VersaMark
Accessories: Chevron & Needlepoint Borders Embossing Folders, Pool Party Embossing Powder, Banner Framelits, Pool Party Satin Ribbon (FREE during SAB), Boho Blossoms Punch & Basic Rhinestones

There's only about a week and a half left of SAB...so place your order today so you don't miss out on these exclusive products!

Just Because Butterflies

Here's a quick and easy card created with the Papillon Potpourri and Vintage Verses stamp sets.

I used the Rock 'n Roll Technique to ink my stamps - first in Calypso Coral then R'nR in Raspberry Ripple. For the blue butterfly - first in Baja Breeze then in Midnight Muse. Those are also the colors I chose for card stock as well.

Bloomin' Marvelous Take Out Box

I love it when I find other uses for my Big Shot Dies to make them more versatile, don't you? Here's an adorable little box that can hold chocolates or other little goodies...made it using the SU! Petal Cone Die.

I had seen this idea quite a while back but since it was so long ago, I'm not sure where I first saw the idea. All I know is I had notes written down on a post it note so I'd remember where to cut & score.  So to better explain, here's a photo tutorial to show you how to cut and score the Petal Cone die cut to make this cute take out box.

First, you are going to want to die cut 2 Petal Cone shapes, just like you would to make the cone shaped box. Fold one die cut shape in half and lay on your paper trim as shown below, making sure to line up the first score line (just below the rounded top) on the 3" line of your paper trimmer. Cut off the pointed end of the box.

Next, move the die cut so that the same scored line is at the 2" line of your paper trimmer as shown below. Score your die cut here.

Repeat the first two steps with the other die cut piece. Now you will need to cut away part of the flap that joins the two pieces together, as shown below.

You will also need to cut up along the score line from bottom to the next score line in the center. This will create the flaps that you will fold to create the bottom of your box. Before you fold into shape, stamp your box as desired. Here's what mine looked like...

I used the Bloomin' Marvelous stamp set (available during SAB) and the Rock 'n Roll Technique to ink my flowers...ink first with Pool Party, then rocked 'n rolled in Island Indigo, and the centers colored with Calypso Coral Marker. The leaves were inked in Lucky Limeade and then I stamped them 3 times per re-inking to create various shades of green.

I then assembled my box using Tombo Multipurpose Adhesive...I find this stuff is quick and easy, yet strong enough to hold together a box. After assembling I decorated it with some punched out butterflies, Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon and a cute tag made using Pretty Petites and the coordinating Petite Curly Label Punch...these items are also available as a FREE selection during Sale-A-Bration.

Here's another version of this box that I made for the hostess at my last Stampin' Up! Workshop. I decorated this one using the Madison Avenue stamp set. It held some Dove chocolate eggs along with samples from the Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack.

My hostess loved it! These little boxes would also make pretty favors for a party. I will be making more of these to hold candy for my guests to take home from our Easter Brunch.

There is still a few more weeks left of Sale-A-Bration! Contact me to host a party of your own...OR you can place your order any time from my website...just click on the "shop now" button, and for every $50 you purchase in SU! product you can select one of the exclusive SAB products I've used above...OR one of the many other fabulous choices!

Textured Secret Garden

For this card I stamped a background using several of the images found in the Secret Garden stamp set. Then I ran it through the Big Shot using the Square Lattice Embossing Folder.

The focal point flower at the bottom was embossed using Pool Party Embossing Powder on Vellum Card stock. I then used my Aqua Painter & Classic inks to add a little color. Then I sprayed it with a little homemade shimmer spritz to give it a little sparkle. (70% alcohol mixed with several drops of Frost Shimmer Paint) Here's a closer look...

The little embossed strip at the bottom was created using the new Needlepoint Border Embossing Folder. (it comes in a pair & this is one of the designs) The Needlepoint Border Embossing Folders and Secret Garden stamp set are both available in the Spring Catalog. The Itty Bitty Banner stamp set and the Island Indigo Satin Ribbon are FREE selections during SAB.

Thanks for visiting me today.

Bloomin' Marvelous Birthday

By the looks of it outside today, it seems like it will be a long while before we see any pretty flowers blooming or cute little hummingbirds here in Michigan! Luckily until then there's the Bloomin' Marvelous stamp set to play with. It's a great little set and it's a FREE selection during Sale-a-Bration.

The color combo I used is: Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals, Gumball Green & Very Vanilla which is picked up from the Print Poetry DSP Stack. The Itty Bitty Banners set is also a FREE selection during SAB.

Have marvelous weekend!

Wisteria Blossoms

Today I'd like to share a creation that combines one of my favorite stamp sets - Stippled Blossoms and my favorite color...purple! Two beautiful shades of purple to be exact...Wisteria Wonder & Elegant Eggplant.

I inked the Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder with Elegant Eggplant Ink before running through the Big Shot. I just love how this makes the pretty embossed pattern stand out even more. I used Pool Party as an accent color and Certainly Celery with Wild Wasabi for the leaves.

The Victoria Crochet Trim is layered with Pool Party 1/4" Satin Ribbon (FREE during Sale-a-Bration) and the bow was tied using Pool Party Seam Binding Ribbon.

I used the same stamp set, layout, etc...but changed the color scheme to create another card that has a totally different look/feel to it. Check back to see that card in my next post.

Subway Art Valentine

Today I'd like to share the Valentine card I created for my hubby. Since I wanted the card to be masculine looking, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to try the chalkboard technique and combine it with a subway art type background. Here's what I came up with...

The background is made up of 12 different stamps...both current and retired. I stamped each one in White Craft ink and then embossed with White Embossing Powder. I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to aid in placement and to help keep each one straight (that was the hardest part!)

The "there's only one you" sentiment at top left is from the SAB set Vintage Verses...a FREE choice right now during Sale-a-Bration. The long "love" stamp is from the retired set Wonderful Words, but it is included in this months Best Of 25 Years anniversary set called Best of Love. Other current stamps used were Loving Thoughts & Occasions Alphabet.

After I stamped and embossed all the images on the Basic Black panel I inked the edges using my White Craft ink pad and sponged some random white ink to make it look like a chalk board. This is a fun technique that I'm sure I'll try again.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Daydream Medallion Thank You

Here's a fun & colorful card created with the Daydream Medallions & Itty Bitty Banners sets.

The color combo of Pool Party, Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo & Rich Razzleberry was inspired from the Sycamore Street DSP. The center of the medallion was cut from the sheet of DSP which has this design repeated as an all over pattern...it is sized perfectly to fit the Floral Framelits.

Here is another version which uses the Creative Elements stamp set for the create banner.

Each layer was stamped in VersaMark, embossed with White Embossing Powder & then cut with the Floral Framelits. I also used the Framed Tulips & Square Lattice Embossing Folders.

Thanks for visiting today!

My First Creation With Secret Garden

For me trying to resist a pretty floral set is difficult...BUT trying to resist one that also has a matching set of framelits, well that's pretty much futile! I tried to resist...REALLY! Here is my first creation with this set.

We got quite a bit of snow over night and it's still coming down out there...so these pretty, spring like colors are a welcome sight! The other day while working on another project, I happened upon an unusual color combo which I really liked, so I'm using it again here...Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party & Elegant Eggplant.

I stamped each flower in VersaMark and then embossed them using Pool Party Embossing Powder. The larger flower, was stamped on Elegant Eggplant card stock and then I used bleach in my Aqua Painter to bleach out the card stock. It made it look kind of like Rich Razzleberry, didn't it? After I had it bleached, I added some shadows with Eggplant ink & my Aqua Painter (one that wasn't filled with bleach). The two smaller flowers were just stamped on Wisteria, embossed, and water colored. When I was done I sprayed them with a little home made shimmer spritz. (mix alcohol with a few drops of Frost Shimmer Paint in Stampin' Spritzer container). Here's a closer look.

The sentiment, stamped in Elegant Eggplant, is from the Sale-a-Bration set Vintage Verses. I really like this set a lot too.

I'm glad that I'm so weak because I think I'm going to have a lot of fun with the Secret Garden set! Have a good weekend...to those that are being hit by this blizzard...stay safe!

Two Unforgettable Valentines

Today I have two Valentines created with the adorable set, Henry Says. The first one in traditional pinks & red is perfect for a girl, the second one is a twist on the first card but more boyish. See for yourself...

I guess this one looks more like "Henrietta Says"! Just couldn't resist water coloring him pink, and I think it's perfect for this girly Valentine, don't you? The little tag and stamped heart images from the Tiny Tags set make the perfect little accents. Here's the more masculine version.

I eliminated the more feminine bow created with the Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon above, and went with the Pool Party Satin Ribbon & Button instead. (ribbon & button available as part of the Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack which is available for FREE during SAB) I think I'll send the cute boyish version to my sweet little Great-Nephew for his 1st Valentine's Day.

Henry & Henrietta make a cute pair...

See how easy it is to change a color scheme and accessories to have a totally different look? Henry Says is a fun set to work with because you can create cute cards for so many different occasions. He's available until May 31st from the Spring Catalog.

Thanks for stopping by today...hope your weekend is unforgettable!