A NOTE FOR MY VISITORS

Now is a perfect time for me to let you know that ALL of your visits and comments are (and have always been) very appreciated.  Since starting this blog, it's been my goal (and pleasure) to frequently add new project posts; however, my family is in the midst of a crisis that takes top priority at the moment.  This means that my stamp room will be here when I return--and I hope that you will, too.  For those of you who visit often, you've probably begun to wonder "Where IS that girl????" I am going to do my best to have a project for this week's "Feminine Friday's," but that might not work out.  Just wanted to let you know that I haven't abandoned my blog . . . I just haven't had time to work out the inks lately.  ;-) 

I ALMOST MISSED "FEMININE FRIDAYS"

Let me tell you . . . my last 48 hours have been C-R-A-Z-Y, and I now know that I am capable (although barely) of functioning for 30+ hours on about five hours of sleep, assuming that  "functioning" basically means breathing in and out.  Circumstances almost  caused me to miss "Feminine Fridays," but thank goodness there are still 4+ hours left of this day.  This was Julie's week, and you can see her post from earlier today on her blog.  Check it out!  How fun that Julie has issued a challenge for me, and I will try to accept that challenge for my post next Friday.

MY "RINSE & RE-PURPOSE" PROJECT

I love Cheerwine, and I finally found a way--with purpose--to add a little Cheerwine decor to my stamp room.  For several years, I used a big wooden caddy that held just about everything to do with ink (and more), but I recently downsized to use Stampin' Up!'s Color Caddy, which is working great, although I missed having the markers on my desk.  I adhered the cans together with Sticky Strip until I could get the ribbon wrapped around them, and then I lifted the front of the cans by attaching little wooden feet with a pop-up glue dot.

YESTERDAY'S VISITOR

I saw this butterfly on the patio yesterday and, even after I opened the door, he stayed put--just kept gently flapping his wings.  It's as if he wanted to have his picture taken, so that's what I did.  I applied a couple of "filters" to alter the look of the photo, but that's all I did to it.  It seems that we went for a few years without seeing butterflies, but they have been one of the most pleasant things about this Summer.  I love the colors of this one and am so glad he dropped by.

IT'S TIME FOR "FEMININE FRIDAYS"!!!

For today's "Feminine Fridays" share, I chose a sketch challenge from Stampin' Addicts.  Several days ago, I saw a card made by Cheryl Ann Robinson for the sketch challenge and decided that I must accept the challenge.  So . . . I decided to employ the use of Stampin' Up!'s new "Just Believe" stamp set for my card.  I cut three card stock panels from Bravo Burgundy, Pink Pirouette, and Certainly Celery card stock and then stamped the image using Bravo Burgundy ink.  I sponged the edges of each stamped panel with Bravo Burgundy ink and adhered the panels to a Whisper White layer.  To complete the card, I tied a knot of satin ribbon around the assembled layers, and then used Stampin' Dimensionals to adhere the bejeweled "friends" layer.  If you visit my blog very often, then you already know of my fascination with square cards--something about them just seems quick and easy, and I think they present very neatly.  Be sure to check Julie's blog next Friday to see what she creates for "Feminine Fridays"!

SPRITZED HYDRANGEA

Isn't this Hydrangea pretty?  It's from Stampin' Up!'s "Because I Care" level 1 hostess set and, as much as I love the image, I have to admit that I was a bit wary of attempting to color it.  To cover up a little boo-boo, I masked the flower and spritzed the remainder of the card stock with assorted colors of ink using the Color Spritzer tool.  That turned out to be a great distraction!  The last thing I added to this card was the Dazzling Diamonds glitter.  As much as I hate to wear glitter, there's no denying its dramatic impact on a project.  And so . . . I, too, have sparkle!

ELEGANT POCKET CARD

The other day, I stamped and water-colored three die-cut butterflies, and this one was calling to me today.  I chose to let it adorn this pocket card, which has a Not Quite Navy layer embossed with Stampin' Up!'s new "Elegant Lines" embossing folder.  I think pocket cards are one of those paper-crafting projects that people keep coming back to because they're just plain fun!  You can't tell from the photo, but the embossed layer was spritzed with Champagne Mist shimmer mist and is quite glittery in person.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this pocket card include:  Very Vanilla and Baja Breeze card stock, crochet trim, Scallop Trim Border punch, 1-3/8" and 1-3/4" circle punches, Trio Flower punch, "Because I Care" level 1 hostess set, "Elements of Style" stamp set, aqua painter, and flatback pearls.

BECAUSE I CARE

Over the weekend, I needed to make some special cards for special people and, while I don't often make duplicates, I decided to make six of these cards.  It was actually quite nice to have an assembly line going!  The birdcage and flowers were cut with the Cricut using the "Bloom" cartridge (I LOVE that cartridge!!!!!), and Stampin' Up! products used include:  "Because I Care" level 1 hostess stamp set, Mellow Moss (retired), Whisper White, and Basic Black card stock, gingham ribbon, Eyelet Border punch, and a rhinestone jewel.

BOOK STORES . . . THE GOOD, THE BAD, & THE UGLY

I have an "experience" to share with you today, but first things first.  This card features Stampin' Up!'s "Inspired by Nature" stamp set.  There's purposely no sentiment . . . sometimes I like to leave cards blank so they can be used for any occasion.  And now . . . on to my story . . . my son’s classes started at CPCC yesterday and, since his car was in the shop, I took him to the 6:30 p.m. class downtown. This meant that I could either spend the 3-hour duration of class on the road, going back and forth to home, or kill time in Charlotte. I decided to stay in Charlotte. My first stop was to be Target, but only IF I could find a parking place near the door. This particular Target has a parking deck, and the entrance is on the 3rd level. Lucky me . . . I found a place almost in front of the door! After spending an hour and a half at a snail’s pace in the store, I decided to check out. $85 later, I headed to the car, but not before I treated myself to a $5 Mocha Frap, easy on the coffee—add whipped topping, from Starbuck’s. As I exited the parking garage, I decided to just drive and see where I ended up for the next hour. I found myself in the South Park area and chose to visit a big book store. I’m not much of a book lover, but my husband purchased a Nook on his way out of town yesterday, so I suppose that was making me want to read—so I can have a Nook, too. My favorite kind of book, if I must read one, is true crime, but I didn’t want to just walk into the store and ask for a juicy, scandalous, horrific story of a grisly crime, so I chose to find my own way around the store. Not having a lot of luck, I thought, “Magazines!” The first aisle of magazines obviously appealed to the male audience since that’s all that was on that short aisle. There was a kind of sleazy-looking man on the next aisle and, as I scanned the selections, I noticed that some of the magazines were wrapped and covered, yet I managed to see some scantily-clad women on the covers of some of them. Ick! The man looked at me like he knew I didn’t want that aisle, and I got the feeling that too much time had lapsed between realizing what I was looking at and moving on. On the last aisle, I still didn’t see any stamping or paper crafts magazines, so I walked around to the opposite end of the porn aisle. What a disappointment! There was a TINY section of mixed crafts, and I didn’t see a single stamping magazine! Girls going wild on one end, beading and quilting on the other end. Maybe the store designed this aisle so women and their men could spend quality time on the same aisle, although it appeared that the men have a better selection! Still having a little more time to kill, I decided to look again for that special true crime story. I ventured down one aisle upon eyeing some Nora Roberts books, but guess what was at the other end of that aisle? Yep! All kinds of books about sex, lesbians, gays, and fetishes. Even though I finally saw a label with teensy letters that read, “True Crime,” I thought it was best to just make my way to the front door and get back to my Mocha Frap since I didn’t know (and didn’t want to know) the subjects that might be lurking two shelves over.  Ah, yes . . . good times at the book store. 

JUST BELIEVE "IN COLORS"

Yes, it's another square card, and I'll bet you like it!  This neat, clean design was heavily inspired by a card created by Mary Brown (I think), and I only made a couple of subtle changes to the design.  Featured on this card is Stampin' Up!'s new "Just Believe" stamp set, Bitty Button and linen thread, Itty Bitty Shapes punch, and the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch.  That's a really long name for a very handy punch--one that is sure to be used to fill a lot of empty space on projects!  Notice the four colors?  They're four of Stampin' Up!'s brand new "In Colors" . . . Peach Parfait, Pear Pizzazz, Poppy Parade, and Concord Crush.

ELEGANT ELEMENTS

This card features one of Stampin' Up!'s newest embossing folders, "Elegant Lines," and "Elements of Style" stamp set.  When I used this stamp set in the past, I didn't color all of those flowers and leaves, but today was different!  I brought out the Aqua Painter and ink pads (Cherry Cobbler, Pear Pizzazz, and Daffodil Delight) and colored away!  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include "Beautiful Butterflies" die, distressing tool, flatback pearls, and one of the Itty Bitty Shapes punches. 

THERE'S A NEW KID IN TOWN

Our neighbors have a new baby, so I decided to make a gatefold "Build-a-Bear" card for them.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Whisper White, Crumb Cake, and Bashful Blue card stock, Scallop Edge Border punch, "Nursery Necessities" stamp set, Heart to Heart, Word Window, and Modern Label punches, Linen Thread and, of course, the "Beary Essentials" Build-a-Bear die.  To clothe the bear, I used Cordinations' "Gemstones" card stock.  Now I just have to make myself give this card away.  ;-)

BLISS

Creating a very simple card is . . . bliss!  For this one, I used a Cricut cartridge (Bloom) to cut the flower and sentiment layers.  The yellow and white striped shape behind the flower is a cut from the Forever Young cartridge that I actually cut for a different project and ended up not using.  The Very Vanilla card stock, gingham ribbon, and flower brad are from Stampin' Up!

"FEMININE FRIDAYS" & A FUN TECHNIQUE

This is Julie's week to inspire us with a "Feminine Fridays" post, and this is just a glimpse of her project.  Head on over to her blog to read about the fun technique she used to create this week's card!

AWASH WITH BABY WIPES AND INK

You probably remember the Baby Wipe technique . . . it was popular a few years ago and, perhaps, years before that.  It's probably experienced several revivals ever since baby wipes have been around!  I can't remember this technique ever being a favorite of mine, but it's definitely an easy and fun one.  For this card, I used Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, and So Saffron ink refills to "dot" drops of ink onto the baby wipe and then stamped the images (from Stampin' Up!'s "Awash with Flowers" stamp set).  The white card stock looked too white, so I used the Color Spritzer tool and markers (matching the three inks that I used on the baby wipe) to add some color to the background.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to complete this card include Baja Breeze and Basic Black card stock, gingham ribbon, Eyelet Border punch, "Tiny Tags" stamp set, and the Jewelry Tag punch.  I also used a Sakura glitter pen to add glitter to the multi-colored stamped flowers, but that detail is hardly noticeable in the photo.

ANOTHER DRAWER BOX

Guess what?  I have decided that I really like drawer boxes!  What a great gift item they'll be!  For this project, I used "Cafe Mediterranean" designer paper, which is quite rich with texture.  Stampin' Up! products used on this project include:  "Upsy Daisy" and "Teeny Tiny Wishes" stamp sets, Not Quite Navy and Pear Pizzazz ink, Whisper White card stock, Scallop Edge punch, Rhinestone Jewels, assorted oval punches, and "Flower Folds" die to create the layered floral embellishment on the box top.  So far, I have an assortment of four cards and envelopes inside the box--and room for more!

"ELEGANT SOIREE" DRAWER BOX

This is a project that I have been wanting to try, and today I made the time for it!  What a neat project this is!  Stampin' Up! products used include:  "Elegant Soiree" designer paper, Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze, and Basic Gray card stock, Scallop Edge punch, Basic Gray Satin ribbon, 3/4" Circle punch, and Antique Brads.  The tutorial for this drawer box can be found on splitcoaststampers.  All I need to do now is design a set of cards to go inside!

IT'S TIME FOR "FEMININE FRIDAYS"!

Last week, my sweet Canadian demo friend, Julie, posted the very first “Feminine Fridays” projects. I say that she posted the “first” because the idea to start “Feminine Fridays” was hers, and it is to be an ongoing, weekly thing. Be sure to check out the project ensemble that Julie posted to her blog last Friday! We will be taking turns posting the “Feminine Fridays” projects, and it’s my turn this week! I wasn’t sure what I wanted to create and, after thinking and thinking about what to do, I finally decided to use Stampin’ Up!’s “Greenhouse Gala” designer paper and create a “quilt-y” project where I could also use one of Stampin’ Up!’s brand new Vintage Trinkets pieces. Remember . . . you can open a larger picture by clicking on the photos.  Once I glued the punched designer paper squares onto the Early Espresso card stock, I die-cut it using the Top Note die and Big Shot machine. I rough-cut a Tangerine Tango mat for the die-cut Top Note and then gave the piece texture using the Square Lattice embossing folder. I stamped an image from the “Tiny Tags” stamp set, punched it with the Jewelry Tag punch, and hung it from the pin. These little tags are a perfect size for the pins! After stamping the sentiment (from the retired “Kind & Caring Thoughts” stamp set), I stamped an image from “Tiny Tags” on both ends and then used the Modern Label punch to shape it for the card. Instead of applying the punched sentiment flat on the card, I positioned the brads so that the center of the sentiment label would have dimension. The Daffodil Delight card and the Baja Breeze layer behind the Top Note die-cut were both textured with the Square Lattice embossing folder, which I think gives the project a fabric look, and I finished the card with an Early Espresso ¼” Grosgrain ribbon bow. Be sure to visit my Stampin’ Up! web site to order any of the products used to create this project or, if you’re in Canada, contact Julie via her blog. Don’t forget to check back next Friday to see what Julie creates for us!

"WORD PLAY"

I feel like I'm making up for a little lost time with my blog posts this evening.  I've been trying to get my stamp room cleaned up, but I've been too tempted to stamp since I haven't had a lot of time for that lately.  For this quick little dilly, I used the following Stampin' Up! products:  Baja Breeze, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla, and Early Espresso card stock, Early Espresso 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon, Filigree and Flower brads, "Greenhouse Gala" designer paper, and the stamped sentiment is from the brand new "Word Play" stamp set. 

THE OLD, THE NEW, AND A POP-UP, TOO!

This fun little card reminds me of "something old, something new" because I've used some retired, some new Stampin' Up! products to create it.  I can't take credit for the clever "mechanics" of this card . . . it was the brain-child of a fellow demo, Sandi MacIver . . . but I had a lot of fun designing this one!  For starters, I used both of the Scallop Circle dies and Big Shot machine, and I also used Stampin' Up!'s brand new "Elegant Lines" embossing folder (soooo pretty) on the smaller Baja Breeze scallop circles.  The stacked flowers on the front are all from the Blossom Party die.  Inside the card, you can see that the sentiment (from "Curvy Verses") is adhered to another scallop circle.  I can't remember the name of the designer paper collection that the striped paper is from, but I think it was called "Wintergreen" -- it was a holiday collection available a couple of years ago.  I decided to not fully cover the front inside flap so there would be room to write a message and/or sign the card.

A VINTAGE FALL CREATION

My poor friend, Laura, has been patiently waiting on swaps from me, and I finally had the time to complete them.  If you have read the previous blog post, then you might can imagine that my heart and mind haven't been on stamping lately.  My family is still in need of prayers!  I wasn't exactly sure where I was going with this card, but I got Stampin' Up!'s wood sheets, crochet trim, antique brad, "Autumn Days" stamp set, and assorted ink pads and started creating.  I LOVE how this card turned out!  I also used "Tiny Tags" stamp set and the Jewelry Tag punch during the creation of this card.  I think Laura is going to love it!