Playing with DSP, Part 5

Today is a short post for two reasons.  First of all, I have a horrible chest cold and do not feel very well at all.  Secondly, it's just quick and easy to share Part 5 of my series with you.  If you follow my blog, these may look familiar.  Why am I sharing them again?  Well, they're cute AND we'll be making these at my April 7 class on Playing with DSP.  These are treat holders that are super cute, easy to make and are a bit addictive.  So... you have been warned.

I do have one more part in this series, which will be brand new --- not even included in the photo in the side bar.  Be sure to come back for Part 6, the final part in the series, and see what it is!

We'll be making cards and projects featured in this series at my April 7 Monday Night Stampers class.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blog world.
Have a great day and come back soon for more design inspiration.

Playing with DSP, Part 2

Today, we'll continue our little series on playing with DSP as I share another card with you.  This one, features a beautiful layer of vellum, as well as embossed vellum layered flowers.  Vellum is a wonderful CS to use when you want to use a certain color but want it to be an even softer shade.  If you saw my previous post with my Swallowtail framed project, remember that I used vellum over the DSP in the center of the frame, to give a softer look to the background.  I used this same kind of technique for the main layer of my card.  I've lined the envelope to help it coordinate with my card.
By the way...
Happy Spring!  As it is still a chilly 36 degrees here in the Land of Lincoln today, my husband told me:  "Merry Spring."  Not funny!  Maybe if I keep making Spring cards, it will finally warm up.

We'll be making this card, along with cards featured in this series, at my April 7 Monday Night Stampers class.  At the class, I'll share several ways to successfully attach vellum to your projects without having the adhesive show.

- 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.

Playing with DSP, Part 1

Today, I'm starting a new series of posts here on my blog.  We'll be playing with DSP (Designer Series Papers), including Vellum and our Core'dinations CS (Card Stock).  I have a lot to share with you, so let's get started.  First up, is a card that features DSP as a beautiful background and yet an integral part of the card.  I've also used DSP to decorate the flap on a coordinating envelope.

Try to picture this card without the DSP layer.  It wouldn't be very exciting, would it?  My goal here was to make the DSP be an important part of the card, without overpowering the focal piece --- the beautiful flower.  Wrapping Baker's Twine around the focal piece is an easy way to add a nice touch of elegance and texture.  I've stamped the flower twice and cut out just parts of it to mount on top of the complete flower.  This gives a wonderful 3-D element to this beautiful flower.

Spring is trying hard to reach our area, but it is having a difficult time so far.  Maybe the soft, beautiful colors of our Sweet Sorbet DSP will give the weather some encouragement.

We'll be making this card, along with cards featured in this series, at my April 7 Monday Night Stampers class. 
I have a series going now, so come back soon to see additional parts of this series.  You won't want to miss a thing.

- 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.

Folded Frames and Pistachio Pudding

Today, I'm starting a new series of posts here on my blog.  We'll be playing with DSP (Designer Series Papers), including Vellum and our Core'dinations CS (Card Stock).  I have a lot to share with you, so let's get started.  First up, is a card that features DSP as a beautiful background and yet an integral part of the card.  I've also used DSP to decorate the flap on a coordinating envelope.

Try to picture this card without the DSP layer.  It wouldn't be very exciting, would it?  My goal here was to make the DSP be an important part of the card, without overpowering the focal piece --- the beautiful flower.  Wrapping Baker's Twine around the focal piece is an easy way to add a nice touch of elegance and texture.  I've stamped the flower twice and cut out just parts of it to mount on top of the complete flower.  This gives a wonderful 3-D element to this beautiful flower.

Spring is trying hard to reach our area, but it is having a difficult time so far.  Maybe the soft, beautiful colors of our Sweet Sorbet DSP will give the weather some encouragement.

We'll be making this card, along with cards featured in this series, at my April 7 Monday Night Stampers class. 

- 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 Other Half of My New Card Display

In my previous post, I showed you my new card display, but that was only half of the display.  Here is the other half, on the other end of my 'clothesline' display.  There are all the projects we'll be making at my April 7 Monday Night Stampers class.  It's going to be all about playing with Designer Series Papers (DSP).  There's one additional project that I haven't shown and that's a check book cover.  It's a little more difficult to fit into a display with cards and projects.  Let's take a look at what I do have on display:

We'll be playing with designs and techniques as we work with DSP, vellum and Core'dinations CS.  We'll make a cute little treat bag, a check book cover (not shown) and 4 great cards.  The cards include using vellum, a folded frame design and a sunburst design.  I hope you can join us on April 7 for some great stamping fun.  The class is $18. or free w/$35. or more order.  I'll share more details and some close-ups of these cards in a future post.

- 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.

Happy Watercolor Flower

My card today was inspired by some I've seen online with this type of design, but I went about it a lot differently.  I made mine using our Circle Collection of framelits dies.  I opened my card up completely, cut the circle, then scored and folded back the cover of the card.  Because I decided to add the ribbon trim to my card, I folded the front back so that you still see part of the card base to the left of the ribbon trim.  This gives a completely different look to your card.

The stamped design is actually on the inside of the card and shows through the opening to the front.  Because so much of the inside shows, I used 2 layers inside the card and then coordinating trim on the edge of the front.  I added an embossed strip of CS to the front, to pull all the colors together.  My color story is directly from the Sweet Sorbet DSP, playing with Crisp Cantaloupe and Sahara Sand.  This was a really fun card to create.

Design Tips:
I knew I wanted some kind of 'trim' extending over the left edge of my card and chose the Stretch Trim ribbon because it was out and in use with all my projects using our Sweet Sorbet DSP.  Your supplies can often guide the direction you go in your creative process.  You could easily change the entire color story and try using the edge of a punched piece of CS using one of our border punches or our Tasteful Trim die instead of a ribbon trim.

The flower was stamped onto the inside of the card.  Only the stem will end up showing, so stamp in the color of ink you'd like for your stem.  I actually used Sahara Sand, because I was making the entire card in soft, subtle colors.
The top of the flower was then stamped with black StazOn ink onto watercolor paper --- two times.  The first flower top was cut out completely and adhered flat onto the inside of the card over the previously stamped image.
Only part of the second flower top was cut out (See photo.) and adhered with dimensionals.  This gives an incredible dimension to the flower.

The linen thread was tied into a bow, a glue dot was rolled up and stuck to the back of the bow to adhere it to the card.
The envelope is lined with Sweet Sorbet DSP.  The card base is Sahara Sand.

You can't see it, but I stamped a message on the inside of the card, on the bottom left.  It says:  "You make me happy."
I think anyone would enjoy getting a card like this.

... and one final note:
The size and shape you choose to cut for your 'opening' will be based on the size and shape of your stamped image.  Place different sizes and shapes of framelits over the image you are thinking of using and see how it all works 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 click on the left for sneak peeks. 

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

Soft and Pretty Pool Party... and our February Winners

Today, let's go for a very soft, fresh look.  This card reminds me of early Spring... soft, subtle colors... crisp and fresh.  It includes soft layers, embossing (2 ways) and lots of embellishments.  Enjoy the card and then be sure to keep scrolling down to see the winners of our February drawing.  Yes, I said winners.

Embossing:
1.  a layer of dots with our Decorative Dots embossing folder
2.  added details of lines forming a frame around the layer of dots,
          created with our Simply Scored Tool

The coordinating envelope is lined with Sweet Sorbet DSP.

... and now... our February winners for our monthly drawing... Yes, I chose TWO this time, because I wasn't able to teach any classes or hold any events in January.  Drum roll, please... and the February winners are.........
     Julie D.
     Linda B.
Congrats, you two.  I will be sending an email confirmation.

- 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.

Have a little heart!

I love collecting odds and ends of cookie cutters, molds and biscuit cutters.  No, I don't really use them for baking.  I decorate them!  Here are some of my latest hearts.  I made these for my Prairie Treasures booth.  They have double layers of hearts and each one has a different kind of embellishment.

Speaking of my Prairie Treasures booth, I went down there yesterday and added a bunch of goodies.  Take a look.  Isn't this the coolest little mirror/shelf?  I love it!  If I had a place to hang it in my own home, it would never have made it to my booth.

I am so sick of winter, I went ahead and took an entire display of Spring items down to my booth.  All the bunnies are ready for a good home.  Of course, it's snowing right now here... like crazy!  See what I mean?  I'm sick of winter.  I'm actually sick, too, with a super bad cold that has kicked up my asthma.  I need warmth and sunshine! 

I made all kinds of gift boxes.  I have quite a variety of shapes and sizes, too.

I have an entire collection of printer trays and divided boxes.  You could make the coolest shadow boxes ever with them.

So... even though it's snowing like crazy, it's Spring at my Prairie Treasures booth.  If you live in the area, I hope you'll go take a peek.  It's in the Root Cellar at the Wildflour... in downtown Decatur.

Pssst...  
I have a big sale going on right now..... Valentine's Day items, all cards, wreaths... Go check it out!  Maybe you'll find some treasures.
All cards, calendars and Valentine's Day gifts... 50% off!!!
All wreaths... 35% off!!!

Before you go, check out this fun, new dip-dye technique.

Watch a video about it here.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blog world.
Have a great day and come back soon for more design inspiration.

Click here to learn about my Stampin' Tokens program.

Now, go stamp something beautiful. 

Click here to learn more about upcoming classes.

Coaster Calendars Everywhere!

I'm just now getting around to sharing my coaster calendars with you.  I've made somewhere around a hundred of them, I think (just this year).  I gave my husband a box of them Sunday morning and told him to just give them out to anyone and everyone that he ran into that morning.   He shared with all his Sunday School class, stuffed boxes for office staff and then just shared with friends and all.  This is just a fun way I can share a little cheer with everyone.

It was so much fun when I took treats to give to medical staff at my last doctor's appointment and I knew he would enjoy passing out calendars.  They have a magnet on the back so you can stick them up on the fridge or on a filing cabinet.  I always seem to enjoy making coaster calendars each year and love giving a variety of choices to everyone.  Bill says they had fun picking through the box and choosing which one they liked the best.

Here are just some of the many that I made.  The first ones are made with Modern Medley DSP.

These are made with Retro Fresh DSP.

These are made with Sweet Sorbet DSP.

Most of them have ribbon tied through a punched hole, but a few have a knotted ribbon glued directly to the top.  Some of the punched flowers have candy dots in the center and some have glitter glue.  All the flowers are added with 2-3 glue dots, to give them a little added dimension.

I'm really into making fun things to share this year.  Bill and I are going to a Valentine's Day dinner this Friday night.  I am going to surprise everyone at our table with a stamped something special.  I think it will really be fun!

I've come up with some brand new designs for calendars this year, so be sure to check back soon and see what I designed.  Have a great day and thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blog world.

Click here to learn about my Stampin' Tokens program.

Have a great day and go stamp something beautiful. 

Click here to learn more about upcoming classes.

Teeny Tiny Cuteness

Get ready for some real cute today... in a teeny tiny size.  If you follow my blog, you know how much I love poking around in various antiquing places... always in search of some unique 'treasure.'  On one of my past trips, I came across a pair of teeny tiny cut glass salt and pepper shakers.  I immediately fell in love with them.  The other day, as I was working with our new Petite Petals punch, a light bulb went off and I had a new project in mind.  I've used shakers for 'flower holders' before, but never with any this tiny.  Here's what I did:

These adorable little shakers have a little handle on them and it begged for an embellishment.  I wanted to use lace trim, to go with the antique look of them, but our crochet trim was too wide --- just because these shakers really that tiny.  So...... I cut a piece in half, right down the middle and tied it to the handle of each.  I like it... a lot!

So, how did I attach the flowers to the floral wire?  I added a bit of Liquid Tombow to the end of the floral wire and laid it onto the back of the flower, with a 1/2 dimensional on each side of it to hold it in place.  Then I added the second flower, pressing them back to back.  I added a rhinestone to the center of each flower.  I found that some of the wires were thicker than others and wouldn't go through the holes, so I tested each one before I attached a flower, to make sure it would fit through the tiny holes.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blog world.  Come back soon for more creative inspiration.  I have lots more to share with you!

Click here to learn about my Stampin' Tokens program.

Have a great day and go stamp something beautiful. 

Click here to learn more about upcoming classes.

... AND THEN SHE MADE ...

The title speaks volumes for my total crafting frenzy of late.  I have been holed up, staying warm, and creating up a storm.  I love it!  In a previous post, I gave you a sneak peek at some extra treat holders on which I was working.  I've finished those this week, and then some.  I've made bags, boxes, more bags, more boxes, and then some... exploring new kinds of containers for all things chocolate.  Tell me what you think!

baby file folders... bags (decorated now)...

...bags...

... boxes ...

... more bags ...

... and more bags ...

... and boxes:)

One thing I learned... as I worked on each new kind of treat holder, it became my new favorite:)  I hope you enjoyed some of the products from my week of crafting frenzy.  I certainly had a good time!

Click here to learn about my Stampin' Tokens program.

Have a great day and go stamp something beautiful. 

Click here to learn more about upcoming classes.

Sweet Sorbet Layout

During Sale-A-Bration, one of the free products you can usually earn is DSP.  This year's papers are filled with soft,, beautiful colors of Spring, along with some stronger hints of color --- a perfect recipe for creative fun.  I used the softer colors to create today's layout,

My color story:
Sweet Sorbet DSP
Crisp Cantaloupe
Pistachio Pudding
Pool Party
Sahara Sand
Summer Starfruit

With the help of the butterfly punches and some simple stamping, I finished fairly quickly and was pleased with the results.  This layout will probably be for use with photos of my sweet Olive Jane or perhaps catching up on some older baby pictures.  The 2 sizes of butterflies are layered, to lend more dimension to the layout.

Here's my layout:

I love the little accent touches of the tiny pearls and the In Color (Boutique Details) buttons.  It's a simple layout, with some added elegance from the layering, random stamping and the embellishment accents.  Done!  We'll be making this layout, down the road, in one of my Scraps and Prayers classes.

Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the blog world.  

Click here to learn about my Stampin' Tokens program.

Have a great day and go stamp something beautiful. 

Click here to learn more about upcoming classes.