SU! technique card shares

Here are a few cards made for my current SU! stamp technique club which meets for the last time tomorrow evening.  I know I haven't shown a lot of SU! stuff lately, but I will...I have a lot of techniques & stuff to still show you that we've done the past few months, these 2 cards if my memory serves me correctly, are from last November.  The first cards uses the patchwork top note BIGZ die that I saw on Bevithia's blog. I used Bella Rose designer paper, it's such a fun way to showcase all the great patterns!

This next card uses the reverse masking technique, I made an oval template from the coluzzle and placed it on the cardstock and sponged pink pirouette ink and before removing the mask, I stamped Flight of the Butterfly in and off the mask. When you remove it, there is a nice frame in its place. Everyone loved both techniques!

Have a great day!  

SU! Technique stamp club shares...

I haven't shared my SU! stuff in a while so here you go - techniques from a few month's ago - stamp club.  The top card uses Faux Metal Embossing.  Take same color cardstock & embossing powder and punch out!  I love it & the gals were wow'ed!  Several have bought the Curly Tag bunch because of it.  

Faux Seersucker - remember the crimper?  It was one of the first tools I bought when I was introduced to SU! because it was real popular at the time!  Trends come & go but it was fun to bring it out for an updated crimped paper look!  

Dazzling Window - stamp your cardstock, punch out shapes, take packing tape & sprinkle dazzling diamonds glitter over it & adhere to the backside of your punched piece.  The glitter is on the sticky side of the tape which is the front of your card (but sticks to it, not you!) cool, huh?? They liked this one too!  


Bandana Technique - this is my favorite!  Take a swirly type stamp & ink with black (I used Baroque Motifs, which I think is very swirly!) and sponge your colors until no white space is left. Then put white dots all around for accents.  Pretty, huh?? 

Which one is your favorite??  Have you not tried any of these?  If not, do it - it's fun!!

Personalized Girly Gifts & Crazy Copic Sale!!

Here is a gift I made for our 13 yr-old niece in Austin (John's step-sister's daughter) Taylor. She is really into the dramatics in more ways that one *if you know what I mean* and loves High School Musical so I picked her up little things at Wal-Mart -necklace) and pen, lip balm & file from Avon and decorated my last mini canvas bag for her. I went with the red & yellow theme of HSM and made a little post-it holder. I used the Flight of the Butterfly by SU!

And here is a little personalized tote & notecards I made for Taylor's 5 yr-old sister Emma (it was a suggestion by her mom to make them since she is teaching her to write thank you cards). I used All in the Family SU! set as well as JustRite stampers Times New Roman & Curlz font with border from self-inking monogram kit I kept the layout simple & all the paper used is My Mind's Eye Magnolia slab (such fun colors & patterns in there). I made 2 of each card for a total of 8 and just love how cute the tote is! I used a clear envelope case & sliced off the top to slip in the dp and finished off the ribbon/handles with my 50 cent satin turquoise ribbon from Hobby Lobby.

P.S. Interested in taking advantage of a CRAZY Copic Sale at Gina K Designs? Dec 23-25 only

all sets of Copic Ciao markers are $99.95 while supplies last! AND there's a bonus special too!

If you purchase BOX C, you get "Rectangle Greetings" free!
If you purchase BOX D, you get "Heartfelt Hits 1" free!
If you purchase them both, you get both sets free!

"Heartfelt Hits 1" was one of last year's Valentine's releases. Gina has talked a lot about how music is such a huge part of her life; she plays keyboards and sings so last year she came up with the idea of creating a stamp set using song titles with images to match. This set is being featured this month in Scrap and Stamp Arts "All Star" edition and here is a card sample for you that uses both "Heartfelt Hits 1" and "Rectangle Greetings." (Last week I picked up a copy and I'm so proud to say that I represent a stamping All Star, serving on her Sr. Design Team!

Lastly, if you have not yet signed up for the Gina K newsletter - scroll down to the lower right & enter your email address) or sign up for updates on her blog because next week she is going to be counting down the new year with fantastic blog candy (and anyone who is familiar with Gina K knows she is so generous - be sure to get in on the goods!)

Give Thanks...

Not only today, but every day I like to give thanks because there are just so many reasons to be grateful for being alive!

Here are a few Thanksgiving cards I made to send out this past week. I used Beate's weekend sketch challenge (WSC67) from last weekend, embossing the leaves from Botanical Dreams in gold on kraft cardstock (surprise!) and I am pleased with the look! On the first card I colored the leaves with prismacolor & koh-i-noor pencils, blending with baby oil & stumps. The greeting is by SU! Thanks for Everything. The designer paper is by Archiver's (a paper pack I got free last year of all Fall colors).

This card was colored in with copic markers - I kind of like the look but copic coloring is not my favorite medium, I really was curious how it looked on kraft cardstock though. The designer paper used here is mellow by Basic Grey.

Now Stuff You Need to Know!

Gina K posted a wonderful video as a follow-up to all the cards we sent for Cards for the Troops (celebrating World Card-Making Day) it was over 2,000 and I have to admit I cried the duration of the video, just moved by the feelings of gratitude captured as well as the gratitude in my heart for all their sacrifice & their family's sacrifice to live without them. I am so proud to have been part of something bigger than me and happy my cards brought smiles to more than one person's face! Please leave me a note to let me know you saw it & what you thought!
24-hour Specials - Friday November 28th in the Gina K store {midnight to midnight} - be sure to check them out!

Taylored Expressions is having a Thanksgiving Sale starting today and runs through Sunday night 11/30! All orders $40 or more qualify for FREE shipping & remember the JustRite Buy one, get one free promo - Taylor has a lot of great JustRite products in her store. At checkout, enter promotional code THANKFUL4U (all caps, no spaces).

Sharon Harnist & Lori Craig have special projects & sweet giveaways to share using Stamp a Sweet Impression stamps & Copic Markers!

Bonnie has some awesome blog candy!

I hope y'all celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow enjoy your day, have safe travels & eat all the good stuff you want without the guilt!

I'll be back on Friday with Taylor's Cupcake Challenge sketch!

A handmade gift for Baby Anna

I'm excited to be going to CA to visit my family on Thursday; I will be taking a break from blogging during that time so I can give all my attention to my niece, nephew & the rest of my family & friends.  I do have a few posts scheduled while I'm away but I sure will have my Google Reader build up on me (like it is right now since I'm preparing for my trip).  One person I am excited to meet for the first time is Baby Anna who I made this gift for - she was born at the end of August I believe (time has gotten away from me so I can't remember the date) but I'm sure she's precious!  When Gabby went to see her for the first time, my sister said she kept saying, 'look how cute, she's so tiny' - I think she was a few weeks before her due date and my sister said mommy Ann was barely showing with the pregnancy! I can't wait to see her & give her this gift. I stamped flight of the butterfly with pretty in pink & regal rose craft inks & heat set on the onesies.    

Then I stamped a coffee bag to put all the goodies in - here is a close-up of a set I picked up at Hobby Lobby last month for - get this - $1.05!!  It is by My Sentiments Exactly and has a ton of baby images & sentiments and full price was $27.99!!  I could hardly believe my eyes!!  I love this quote - it's so true.  
Here is a picture of the decorated bag - I will have pics from my trip to share when I return.  

TECC39: Lots & Lots of Cuppies

Yet another fun sketch from Taylor (not sure how she does it week after week coming up with a new one even better than the last)! I used 3 images from Sweet Celebration for my circles (top ice cream, cuppie licking his lips and the cake). All supplies used are available in Taylor's store - the birthday girl key ingredients. The swirls on the orange layer is the balloon from Stampin' Up!'s Crazy for Cupcakes set (which happens to be on sale for their Birthday Celebration-20 years-20% off!)
I just had to do a second card using the new SASI set Season's Sweetings (sentiment) and Home Sweet Home (mini cupcakes) which are now available to purchase! I also used the Christmas key ingredients. I just adore the mini cupcakes in this set, so I put them inside 3 1-inch circles for the sketch and made the icing liquid pearls and topped them with pink rhinestones. I just love that sentiment!

Here is Taylor’s sketch so you can play along too!! You can be eligible to win Cupcake Sampler Honors & be featured on Taylor’s blog using the next Cupcake Friday Sketch! You’re not required to use cupcakes on your sketch, but if you got ‘em why not use ‘em?? You can create something other than a card but try to keep as close to the sketch as possible. If you’re uploading to Splitcoast, please use keyword TECC39. Leave a comment on Taylor’s post with a link to your blogpost or gallery link so she can check it out! You must have your creation uploaded by Monday, October 27 at 8:00 a.m. PST to be eligible for the featured cupcake sampler honors. Lastly, be sure to have FUN creating!

Be sure to check out the other Cupcake Crew’s Creations:

Taylor VanBruggen
Ana Wohlfahrt
Jackie Pedro
Jami Sibley
Monika Davis
Sherrie Siemens
Stephanie Hargis
Vicki Chrisman

This week's Cupcake Sampler is: Kathie - Just an Inkling. Don't miss her card that got Taylor's attention last week-it is a riot (Flaunt It)

One more Sweet Thing on the Stamp A Sweet Impression Blog:

"We’re introducing our Campaign to Spread the Sweetness! If you’d like to help spread the word about Stamp a Sweet Impression and our newest Holiday release, please post a link on your own blog to Taylored Expressions (the Blog) where your readers can get all the deets (here’s the link you need to post: http://www.tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/) and say something sweet about TE or SASI. And for helping us Spread the Sweetness we’ll hold another drawing on Sunday October 26. Simply leave a comment before 8am PST Sunday on this post to let us know you Spread the Sweetness and you’ll be entered into the drawing! And what sweet prize do we have for you this time? How about the brand new Christmas Key Ingredients Kit? Yep! One lucky Sweetness Spreader will win this luscious kit!"

Stamp Club - Part 4b (Techniques)

Spotlighting - one of my favorite color combinations, Rose Red, Certainly Celery & Basic Black. Used Fresh Notes set.


Reverse Spotlighting - first time I tried it, lots of fun and another favorite In Color Color Combinations: Baja Breeze, Pacific Point & Kiwi Kiss. Used Eastern Blooms.

Stamp Club - Part 4a (Techniques)

Here are the technique cards my stamp club is going to be collecting during their club months - 4 per session. I print up the techniques ahead of time and prepare the supplies for everyone to make their own card to keep. At the end, we will bind them together for a booklet. Techniques are found on SCS resources and (demo forum).

Masked Wheeling - the hostess will get to keep all the full cards I make as a sample for each technique.

Dazzling Diamond Dust

Stamp Club - Part 2 (Swapping)

Look at all the smiles (well except for Kay on the right, she doesn't really smile in her photos) can you tell how much fun these ladies had swapping their handmade ATCs!?  The only 2 missing were Kathy who came late and wasn't in the picture and Charlotte {she missed it-but will bring hers next time}.  

Here are the ATCs made by Pam (2nd from right in pic) and Kay (far right) 

Left was made by Kathy and Melissa who is on the left in the pic.  

and last but least was made by Vanessa - our hostess (2nd from the left in the pic) 

Stay tuned for Part 3 - the techniques!!  

New Stamp Club - Part 1

My recent stamp club just started a few weeks ago.  I have 6 members and we meet once a month.  For their gift, I made personalized mini canvas tote bags (found the idea in the demo only forum on SCS) that they can bring their own adhesive, atc swap & scissors with them each month & take their projects home in.  I made them a personalized scissor charm from polyshrink that they loved (it is what is on the right side of the bag handle).  I stamped the bags with craft ink using Eastern Blooms and glued on rose 5/8" grosgrain ribbon with Aleene's tacky glue, finishing it off with a felt fusion too flower & rhinestone brad. 

The ATC I made matched the tote, since I had all the supplies out.  Everyone makes a set of them to swap each month. I'll share what everyone made in a future post, as I have not taken the pics yet.  Also in their bags was a set of retired 6 x6 sheets (but all current colors) of designer paper, punched out flowers & square scallop punches to match, as well as assorted ribbon, brads & other stuff so they can make some cards. 

Here is a picture of me & Vanessa {One Day At a Time} our first hostess.  I am holding up Charlotte's bag since she was not able to join us (due to a family commitment although she really wanted to be!) but she was there with us in spirit.  

We had a lot of fun; the ladies enjoy one another's company, Vanessa brought some yummy food to share and is so sweet, spending a little time talking with DMIL which was a blessing to me.  It reminded me once again how fortunate I am to have her.  Stay tuned for Part 2...

BIC23 & WSC58 - Hi

I did it again! I think this is the 3rd weekend in a row I combined Beate's Be Inspired Challenge {BIC23} and her Weekend Sketch Challenge {WSC58} I am not doing this to be lazy, it is actually more of a challenge (and fun) to combine them and with all the challenges out there I like to participate in, it just makes sense to do it. This is my first time using the new SU! Ronald McDonald House Charities set 'Say it with Scallops' I just had to have it since it has a great coordinating scallop punch and a portion of the sales $2 is donated to the charity. Since these sets debuted, more than $700,000 has been donated to their charity.

My SIL & BIL were blessed 2 times with benefitting from the local house here, with the birth of 2 daughters prematurely. The first will be a teenager this year and the other died when she was just several weeks old, Paige. It was so sad, but the doctors were able to fix what medically caused the premature births and several years later they had their 3rd daughter born right on time with no complications and she will be 5 next month.

I used Kiwi Kiss, Apricot Appeal & Chocolate Chip from the inspiration piece as well as the Seeing Spots set.

We're off to see a UT Soccer game - not because I'm a fan of soccer or really UT but because it's something John wanted to do. Quality time.

Bella Rose ATC's

I have really been enjoying making ATC's lately!  I made all these prior to my new catalog open house to have some samples on hand since I didn't go to convention or participate in any traditional swaps. I used all scraps from my Bella Rose dp that I had been cutting for full-sized cards.  These cards were a ton of fun to make!  Everyone who came sure liked them & the idea you can make something on a small canvas & turn it into a full-sized card if/when you needed to!

I have a stamp club starting up Sept 25th and had the idea to have all the ladies participate in an ATC swap every meeting and they all LOVE the idea!  I do too (I'm participating as a hostess as well). I will show them as they come in as long as the ladies don't mind!!}  To introduce this idea to my stamp clubbers, I gave them each one of these atc's with their orders  they all loved the idea of having one!!  I'm in the process of getting all my other ideas together & will share once they're done in a future post!

Fall Sock Monkey

Here's my Fall Sock Monkey - using Jen's SFYTT 083008 and OCCC color challenge 082308: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Ruby Red & Really Rust. I had to scale my card to standard (Jen's was a square. I loved coloring him different colors to match! See the little pumpkin he's holding up? It's from Family Accessories! Cute, huh?? The leaf is from the Level 3 set Holiday Happenings Bunde.

I just realized I didn't 'ground' Sock Monkey so it seems he's floating on air. Oh well; it was supposed to be my night to take off from stamping since I marathon stamped 3 1/2 days but I couldn't resist not using Sock Monkey another day (I hadn't used him since last week). Oh and I stamped the sentiment crooked - my card looks homemade now {that's what I tell my customers when they mess up, see I mess up too - I'm human!}

Family Stationery

I just love making personalized gifts and JustRite Stampers allows me to do just that with their monogram stamper. We all know that it's the wife/mom that does the card sending, but why not have it from the whole family? I got the idea for this the other day after I made my nephew's birth announcements and kept the one with the whole family and thought why not turn it into family stationery for my sister to have on hand? I made the simple bag to hold it in with my scor-pal making sure it would be big enough to hold all 8 cards & envelopes. I used my Cutie Pie (retired) SU! designer paper since those are the colors I used on the 'family'. The set used is SU! All in the Family with many options to make the family look just right (my bil wears glasses, isn't that the cutest?) I used my circle nestabilities for the personalization. I can't wait to give this to my sister {she just went back to work today since having Joseph, I know it was real hard for her - so I emailed her a few pics of the kids to make her smile}

I'm sure they missed her!!

Pictures of more of the cards.

Yummy Ice Cream & SU! Colors

I've missed playing with my mft stamps and there's a new release tomorrow! I figured I would break one of the sets I won for free in June - What's the Scoop? It was my first time inking up the ice cream sundae. As I was filing my scraps, I realized these colors looked real nice together: Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Taken with Tea & Chocolate Chip. I thought it would be fun for this ice cream card and to top it off, decided to put real sprinkles on top of my crystal effects! I used the sketch challenge (MFTSC45) on SCS for this card, and was so excited to put my new riding hood red striped grosgrain ribbon on it!! It really pops!!

Combined Beate Challenges: WSC55 & BIC20 - For You

Here is my card combining Beate's Be Inspired Challenge 20 (BIC20) and her Weekend Sketch Challenge (WSC55); t just made sense to combine the 2 since I am limited on time due to some really important projects I'm working on which I will begin to share the end of next week *wink*

I took the inspiration piece literally (that was fun) by swiping my sponge dauber in Riding Hood Red ink in stripes on the cardstock and to re-create the notches on the more mustard mat behind the floral piece {used Heartfelt Thanks} I used my 1/8" hole punch. Since I didn't want to make a really long card (still having problems with those) I decided to start with a standard card & sliced off the bottom to measure 3 1/2 x 5 1/2. Now this card still fits in a standard envelope. It's really a fun looking card being that size and I like how it turned out.

I hope y'all have a great 3-day weekend, we're off to do some long overdue grocery shopping - I've managed to elude making a real dinner all week (nice break) but it's because we were piece-mealing stuff with the slim pickins.

Want to hear something cute that my niece said earlier this week? Her mommy caught her talking to herself the day after I told her I was coming for a visit and she said. "Auntie's coming to visit me, yeah" - isn't that cute? Just makes me grin from ear to ear!!!

Sock Monkey Long Window

I totally love the sock monkey and am so excited my new SU! order came yesterday so now I will have more accessories for him!!

I decided more of his body needed to be peeking through a window instead of just his head like I shared on Weds. You can achieve a larger window quickly by punching several of your square punches along the side of your cardstock. I didn't do it perfectly so I distressed the edges with my tool and fixed it!

Don't you just love his Bella Rose paper-pieced body? Hope you have a fabulous day & long weekend - so ready for that - a chance to whittle down my To Do List and take some naps (I didn't get any last weekend!!!

LSC180: Sock Monkey Lunch Note

A few weeks ago the Limited Supplies Challenge [LSC180] was to make ATC or lunch notes, a small card that can be slipped in a lunch or wherever else you can let someone know you love/care for them!

I thought to put my sock monkey in a 'window' holding his balloons, tied with linen thread. I used my Bella Rose scraps on my desk for this card and it utilizes 5 of the patterns. The Riding Hood Red base is folded.

This size card is so cute & fun to make!

TECC30: Bright Birthday Monkey

Here is my card for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge Friday (TECC30) I can hardly believe I made it & posted it the same day! That's the beauty of my schedule on Fridays (every 5th one I work 1:00-5:00) so this morning I got slept in until 8:00, got 4 loads of laundry done, ate breakfast, made 2 cards, AND talked to my bf & my oldest sister! That's quite a good start to my day! This card is also for the Stamp Something challenge (anything birthday) so there you go!

I used my Basic Grey Cupcake 6 x 6 paper pad (LOVE it) to make this birthday monkey so bright!! I paper-pieced his hat & cupcake with the papers too. The brads are the cupcake brads by Basic Grey too - and just realized the green ones are a PERFECT match for Kiwi Kiss c/s that's why I threw it in there! Those brads are a lot of fun because they come in an assortment of colors AND sizes to match the paper. So smart of them!! I wish SU! would do that-guess I better make the suggestion-brads are one of my favorite embellishments!

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!