Four Days of Sweet Sugarplum, Day One

Let's start off our weekend with a Sweet Sugarplum Swirly Birthday.  I've used both the stamp set and the coordinating thinlits to create a fun birthday card.  

 

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Three Days of Peach, Day One

Here we go again, with a little series of one of our new In Colors ... this time, Peekaboo Peach.  Today's card has a nice little sparkle to it, too. 

I have embossing inside and out and on the coordinating envelope, as well as some sponging.  

Sponging over the raised embossing really brings out the beautiful pattern. 

I think that Flirty Flamingo and Peekaboo Peach make an interesting color story.

Be sure to come back to check out my next two days of peach! 

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Meet the New In Colors!

Are you ready to meet this year's gorgeous new In Colors?  I've been so excited to show you!  I still am not sure which one is my favorite.  Maybe you can help me decide.  I'll start out by sharing a card with you that features all 5 of the new In Colors.  Then, in my next posts, we'll spend more time getting to know each one of the new colors. 

From top to bottom, the new In Colors are:
Peekaboo Peach
Dapper Denim
Flirty Flamingo
Emerald Envy
Sweet Sugarplum

I cut my strips of each of the colors and attached them to a CS base and then embossed that entire piece.  It is then attached to the other layers of the card using dimensionals.  I sponged the punched piece with the sentiment, added a 'sprig' of our new ribbon and then finished my card with a sprinkling of rhinestones.  I'm still not sure which one will be my top favorite, but I love how they all work together.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or look on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration. 

Retro Fresh, Part 1

Remember my post about stamping on wood?  Well, here's some wood for you to stamp on that's already cut into really cute shapes.
So, are you hip?  If you're not sure, maybe you should try out our new Hip Notes stamp set.  It coordinates with our Essentials Wooden Elements.
Let's put the whole look together with some of our Retro Fresh DSP... on the card base and for the envelope lining.
The result... a fresh and fun card.

Click below to see a video and learn more these fun products:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BdS7IDxZahM

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Leftovers Layout

As soon as I saw the leftovers from this kit, I already started designing a scrapbook layout (in my head) to create with some of the pieces.  I had extra DSP squares and I had extra circles (already stitched together!) from the banner kit.  I added some extra punched pieces (made from scraps) that I will later use for stamping and/or journaling.  I've left this one simple, until I zoom in on which photos I'll put on it.

Here's my layout:

Design Talk:
I kind of worked backwards on this one.  I usually start with photos, plan my colors, work out my design and then let the creative process carry me along.  This time, I started with the pieces and worked without any photos in mind.

The reason:  
Sometimes, you 'see' a design in your head for a layout, much like a card design inspiration, and you just have to make it.

My plan:  
The bright colors will easily go with lots of photos... OR... I'll print my photos in black and white and they will totally go with the design.  Fun!

My advice:
When you 'see' a design for a layout in your head, go ahead and make it --- so you won't lose the idea.  You can always add to it and/or tweak it later.  You don't want to lose the idea.
OR ---
If you started that inspiration journal I keep advising you to do, you can sketch your design inspiration into your journal and keep your idea there until you're ready to sit down and create it.

With bright, bold colors and fun designs like these, I'll probably use this layout for something like kids playing in the park... or maybe a party theme.  I just know it will be fun.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

The Jellybean Prayer

Here's an idea you might like to make up now for your family, for Easter.  My daughter recently asked me to make up jellybean treat bags with this prayer on them.  They're for all the kids at church this Easter Sunday.  It will be included in a bag of goodies for each child.  I can't wait to see their faces when they see what they get in their bags.  I made a LOT of them:)  This is yet one more way I can share my creativity with others.  Projects like this one are what it's all about for me.  I love to create and love it most when I can share it with someone.

FYI, the jellybean colors in each bag of jelly beans that you buy are NOT equal.  The biggest number was red, followed closely by black.  The fewest were pink and then green.  Interesting.  I always thought the red ones and the black ones were the best, anyway:)  I put 2 of each color of jellybean in each treat bag. 

Here's the prayer, if you'd like to use it for your treat bags.

A handful of jellybeans... simple, colorful, and sweet

Reminds us of the reasons Jesus makes our life complete!

Red is for the blood He gave.

Green is for the grass He made.

Black is for the sins we made.

White is for the grace He gave.

Purple is for His hour of sorrow.

Pink is for our new tomorrow.

Yellow is for the sun so bright.

Orange is for the edge of night.

- Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blogging world. 

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Post Number 1000! ...and a You Make Me Happy Card

Today makes me happy.  This card makes me happy.  How fun would it be to receive a card with this message?  Well, it's sure to be fun to make and send it, too.  My color story is totally based on the Sweet Sorbet DSP --- Pool Party, Crisp Cantaloupe, Pistachio Pudding... light, crisp and totally Spring!

Design Tips:
Punch 1 piece of Crisp Cantaloupe using the Decorative Label Punch.  Cut in half and trim to fit behind text stamped from same punch.  Now, you have 2 layers... a text and a mat for it.

Sometimes, you can achieve an extra little pop of color and texture just by adding some little pieces of ribbon, tucked in behind another layer on your card.  I think this simple ribbon addition really dresses up this card.

... and speaking of happy... 
          Today's post marks 1000 posts for me!  
Wow!  I never dreamed when I first started my blog that it would go so well.  Thank you so much for following my humble little blog.  I hope I bring some joy and inspiration to your day each time you stop by here... and be sure to come back often!

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

For the Birds --- A Cute Little Spring Card

Today, I have a post that is strictly For the Birds!  It sums of my week and this card.  The card is one we made at my Friday 3-4-5 Card Buffet last night.

I chose the colors from the Birds of a Feather DSP to plan my card and chose Summer Starfruit and Raspberry Ripple for my CS, with a sprig of coordinating Raspberry Ripple stitched ribbon to accent the focal piece.

The images on the focal piece are 'painted' with the coordinating ink colors, using an Aqua Painter.  After stamping 2 more birds and punching them out with a scallop circle punch, I sponged around the edges of the focal piece. This gives added texture and interest.

I did not add a text on the front of the card.  I frequently do this whenever I have a card that can be used for several possible occasions.   That way, it's ready to go when I need it and I can stamp or write the needed message on the inside of the card before sending it.

So, that's my card.  As for my week, it seems to also have been for the birds.

I spent / wasted a lot of time on technology wars.  I won some, lost some and some are still raging on.  On Friday (yesterday), I finished off my week by having an enjoyable lunch with my daughter down at the Wildflour.

After lunch, we decided to go look around one of our local stores.  It's in a very old building with several areas being at different levels that are joined together by steps.  The steps all have warning signs to 'Watch your Step' but I still managed to go flying off one of them and literally hitting the floor of the next level with a running step.  It was either that or fall flat on my face.

Why can't I look where I'm going?!!!  Anyway, I could feel myself getting increasingly sore as my class went on last night.  This morning, as I feared, I'm so very sore and literally in a world of pain.  I know it hurt my hips (fake hardware and all) but it absolutely killed my back to step down so hard like that.

I guess I'll be taking it easy for the rest of the weekend AND trying harder to watch where I'm going!  Next posts:  expect more Spring cards because, as you know, I'm dying for Spring here!!!  Hope your weekend goes well.

Don't forget to reset your clocks tonight! 

a Message to my Friends...and More Snow Fun

A message to my friends:

I'd love to stay in touch with all of you.  I enjoy sharing ideas and inspiration, along with tutorials and other information to help you be at your creative best. 

Facebook is rolling out a new notification feature.  Because of the way Facebook works, only some of my posts show up in your news feed. If you want to get a notification every time I post, please go to my page, click on the "LIKED" button and select "GET NOTIFICATIONS."

My sharing for today ... more SNOW FUN!

I used the pine sprig stamp from Watercolor Winter to create a background for the snowman.  By using punches, I created an ornament effect, like he is hanging on the Christmas tree.  The ribbon is our Gumball Green stitched ribbon.  It is beautiful and so easy to work with on your projects.  My colors are Gumball Green and Cherry Cobbler --- a perfect combo!  This is one of the cards we made at a recent event here in my studio.  Everyone loved it!

Have a great day and come back soon.  I have more tutorials coming up, along with time-saving tips to help you get ready for the holidays.

Midnight Butterflies!

Here's another of the card choices for my Friday 3-4-5 Card Buffet Class.
It's all done with midnight muse and whisper white -- a classic, clean look.

 

The stamp set is Kindness Matters.
I've used the decorative label and modern label punches and a tiny touch of bling with a little rhinestone.
Hope you'll sign up to join us for a fun night of stamping.
Make 3, 6 or 9 cards and enjoy some stamping time with friends.

While you're here, you can shop the tail end of my remaining retired stamp sets.
I'm having a special --- 1/2 off all remaining items / Buy 3 and get 1 free.
If you order from the new catalog, you can have that amount in credit to 'shop' the remaining retired stamp sets.

A New Little Shape from a Favorite Old Punch!

While still sharing Spice Cake projects with you, I'd also like to teach you how to make a cute little punched shape that I learned from my demo friend, Patty.  This is great for making tiny little labels and tags when you are using tiny little stamps.

Stamp a tiny text on a strip of CS in the direction shown.

Insert the strip into the decorative label punch as shown.

Punch it out and you'll have a strange little shape like this one.

Attach a sticky note to your piece, as shown.  The sticky note acts as your 'fishing line' so you can lower the tiny piece into the punch and be able to align it where you want it to be.

You're trying to line up the image in the opposite end of the punch from what you used the first time, so that you get little rounded 'knobs' on each side.

Punch it and here's your cute little new shape, all ready to attach to a card or project!

...and here's your cute little piece used as a tag on this card.  I used the Gently Falling stamp set and stamped acorns over a portion of the card base.  I had a TINY scrap of torn fabric that I wrapped around the pool party layer 3 times, pinched it together and tied it with hemp.  I added my new little shape as a tag and layered it with a cut out leaf.  Both the 'tag' and the leaf are on dimensionals.  I used my new Stampin' Up! Simply Scored tool to create the medallion from a 1 X 12" strip of Spice Cake DSP, attached it to a punched circle and attached that to my card.  I added more circles on top of the medallion, along with an antique brad.

Here's a little close-up of the tag and the fabric strips.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll try making the new little punched shape.  It's so easy and fun!
In my next post, I'll feature some of the wonderful buttons that coordinate with the Spice Cake suite of products and I'll share with you how to make a coordinating little treat holder.