9/30 Better IRL!

Here is an inspiration challenge that looks much more exciting in person that it does on my computer. Imagine the richness of the Brushed Gold accenting the photo corners and anchoring the card on opposite sides. The colors are anything by drab in Real Life . . . Sahara Sand, Creamy Caramel and Basic Gray are beautiful together. The Ruby Red ink is the perfect way to pop these colors. After I stamped the floral background and the bamboo on the main panel, I used my Aqua Painter to drag just a hint of color into the image space. You'll just have to take my word . . . IRL, this is just lovely!

Here is the link to Beate's Challenge: Be Inspired Challenge 25.

Supplies I used to create this card:

Stamps: Embrace Life

Paper: Basic Gray, Sahara Sand, Creamy Caramel, Brush Gold

Ink: Ruby Red

Accessories: Aqua Painter, Dimensionals, Photo Corner Punch

9/30 RAKs to Sweeten My Day

My customer, neighbor, car-pool mom and most especially my friend, Pam Will dropped by to return a few ink pads and samples that she had borrowed over the weekend. When I unpacked the bag, I found an extra sample!! Thanks so much, Pam, for the beautiful Snow Swirled card. I do not have this set, so I am excited to put it in my card file to show customers who come to my house looking for great ideas. The photo does not show it, but the snowflakes in this set are stamped in VersaMark over the background. The popped up snowflake embossed in gold. I just love it!

Then, wouldn't you know . . . we didn't get our mail yesterday. That never happens around here with the three girls and I always looking forward to getting the mail! You never know what might be in that box . . . swap cards, checks from customers, a 30% off coupon from Kohls (one can hope!) or even possibly a RAK. So, 20 minutes ago, I rambled out to the mailbox and lookie-lookie!!! I got a RAK!! (RAK means Random Act of Kindness.) My SCS friend and shopping buddy when she comes to the cities, Beth Matson from Duluth, sent me this beautiful card. At first I didn't think the gift card was real . . . you know . . . that she was sending me a sample card and showing me how it could be used as a gift card. But low and behold . . . IT"S REAL!! Whoopie! Thank YOU, Beth, for the beautiful card with the fabulous surprise. (I LOVE Caribou coffee!) Beth has a blog called Never Too Old to Color. I'm the first one to agree with that!!

9/29 Non-Valentines?

When I can, I follow the challenges over at Fresh & Fun. I feel like I've known Beate for years and years already. She joined SCS in April of 2003 and I joined SCS in June of 2003. That's where we "met." lol! I remember one time going to a SCS gathering in 2004 and there was a "display" of Beate cards at our gathering. I remember kind of hogging the table for about ten minutes so I could examine each card individually. I have learned so much from Beate over the years and I am so grateful to be passing that knowledge along to my customers. Thank you, Beate!

My card doesn't follow the sketch exactly . . . but it is definitely in the "spirit" of the sketch. I just got the stamp set called A Happy Heart from the Holiday Mini. (I just LOVE being a demonstrator and getting early bird deals on the latest and greatest SU products!!) The reason I love this "Valentine's Set" is because it doesn't have to be for a Valentine . . . in fact, it can be creatively used through all the seasons of the year.

One of my favorite things to do lately is to pry the rhinestones out of the brads. This card uses the small and medium rhinestones from the brads in the Pretties Kit.

Supplies I used on the WSC card:

Stamps: A Happy Heart Paper: Night of Navy, Urban Garden DSP Ink: Night of Navy Accessories: Pretties Kit, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Large Oval Punch, Wide Oval Punch

I was so inspired by my non-Valentine's card that I made with A Happy Heart Stamp set, that I decided to make another non-Valentine's card with A Happy Heart Day set . . . also considered a "Valentine's set." Isn't it funny that the names are so similar? Anyway, this is what I came up with and I just love it. On the inside it says, "Thank You."

Supplies for this card:

Stamps: A Happy Heart Day Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White, Rose Red Prints DSP Ink: Basic Black, Rose Red, Going Gray, Kiwi Kiss Accessories: Silver Brads, BoHo Blossoms Punch, Trio Flower Punch, Filigree Designer Brad, Kiwi Kiss/Very Vanilla Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals

9/28 Handmade Holiday Card Set

This set of 18 cards with 20 matching envelopes are so quick and easy to make but absolutely elegant to present! I will be offering this class to my customers in October. We incorporate a Simply Sent Card Elements kit with the stamp set called To You and Yours. Since these cards are being made well ahead of time, I'm also having everyone make a very simple box to keep the cards together until it is time to send them out.

Supplies I used to create this kit:

Stamps: To You & Yours
Paper: Kraft to make the box
Ink: Close to Cocoa, Mellow Moss, Versa Mark
Accessories: Mellow Moss Ribbon, Earth Elements Brads, Dimensionals, Handmade Holiday Card Elements Kit

9/22 QUICK Inspiration Creations!

The glasses on the left were a source of inspiration for these three cards. You've heard of 10-minute cards . . . how about three cards in 10 minutes? Yup, that's all it took. Now if only uploading and chit chatting could be that quick!!

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The card above was inspired by the glass on the very left on the bottom row. Pretty obvious, huh? I had these Urban Garden Rub Ons from convention that were just PERFECT for this challenge. Three minutes later, I decided it was so much fun, I would make another card . . . and then another!! I used the stamp set called Thank You Kindly to stamp the sentiments on these cards.

The Inspiration Challenge come from Beate. You can go directly to her blog and this challenge by following this link.

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Supplies I used:

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Stamps: Thank You Kindly

Paper: Whisper White

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Urban Garden Rub Ons

9/16 KW Color Inspiration #23

This is the color inspiration for the week at Kristina Werner's blog. So many colors!! I used Bravo Burgundy to stamp part of the flower and the sentiment. Old Olive is represented on one of the card panels, the brads and the flower. Pumpkin Pie also made it into the flower and onto one of the card panels. Chocolate Chip is under the brads, one of the card panels and it's also the base of the card. So Saffron gets its burst of color from the fabulous ribbon. And finally, I went with Whisper White as the base for my flower. WOW!! And, most amazing of all, this card did not take me all day to make. My daughter needs the computer tonight for homework so I have only one hour and fifteen minutes to create and post. I think I might be going over though, because she is pacing around in my office so I better hurry it up here!! lol!
Supplies I used to create this card:

Stamps: Fabulous Flowers
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie Prints DP
Ink: Old Olive, Bravo Burgundy, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Earth Elements Brads, So Saffron Poly Twill Ribbon, Dimensionals,

9/15 Marbled Background

I actually made this card quite a while back but I couldn't share it with you until today! I used it in a swap and now that all the swaps are reaching their destinations, I feel like I can put it on my blog. This card was also used to demonstrate a marbled background technique at my clubs last week. Isn't it wonderful? Clean and simple . . . it's a style I love!

To make a marbled background, I put four marbles into an empty stamp case. I added a few drops of reinker and swirled the marbles over the reinker until they were coated with ink. I used Dotto (a temporary adhesive) to attach my vanilla panel to the inside lid of the stamp case. Turn the case upside down and let the marbles roll over the paper until you get the look you want. So easy and so much fun - this technique brings the kid out in everyone!

Supplies I used to create this card:

Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly
Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black, Very Vanilla
Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Basic Black
Accessories: Kiwi Kiss Reinker, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Marbles, Empty Stamp Case, Dotto,

9/14 Sketch Challenge on the Side

This is Beate's weekend sketch challenge. It's the only card I've stamped this weekend!! Maybe I can get a little more stamping time in later this afternoon, but at the moment, I am wrapping up some loose ends regarding my clubs and my upcoming classes.
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I took the challenge and turned it on it's side as you can see on my card pictured below.

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I love background stamps - they add so much zip to your cards. These are the two newest background stamps in my collection. The Eastern Blooms stamp set has blossom that is so easy to work with and I find myself going to it often. I just love to stamp this bloom in two different colors and then use my 1/2" circle punch to make the center pop! (oh, and it helps that it is up on a dimensional, too!)
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Supplies I used to create this card:
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Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Tres Chic, Sanded
Paper: Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Regal Rose
Accessories: 1/2" Circle Punch, Photo Corner Punch, Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Always Artichoke Marker, Sponge

9/10 Doing the Doodle!

I just had to post a quick card that I made using the Doodle This stamp set. I love that set and it was sitting at the bottom of my shelf!! I had to love it a little today. I'm sure you understand!! lol!

Somewhere out in blogland, I saw where someone had used the new square scallop punch as a corner accent. I love that idea! The sentiment is from the stamp set called Stem Sayings. I use it often. I love the whimsical curves it has.

Supplies I used on this card:

Stamps: Doodle This, Stem Sayings
Paper: Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Naturals White, Pumpkin Pie Prints
Ink: Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain, Square Scallop Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, BoHo Blossoms Punch, Circle Rhinestone, Glue Dots

9/9 Sea Glass Flowers

I love Inspiration Challenges because you just never know where they will take you. When I saw the Martha Stewart photo on the left, I knew I would have to participate and Beate's Inspiration Challenge.

I don't live near enough to the North Shore to stroll the beaches on any kind of regular basis . . . but I remember one time when I was a kid, I found a piece of sea glass on the North Shore. It thrilled me to my toes and whenever I see a collection of blue/green and frosted white glassware I think of that piece of sea glass. I was trying to create that glazed and frosted look with my card . . . but sometimes what's in your head doesn't exactly come out right in real life. But, the card is acceptable. I didn't throw it away and that's got to count for something! lol!

Supplies I used to create this card:

Stamps: Happiness Always, Whimsy Jumbo Wheel Paper: Taken With Teal, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, White Vellum Ink: Taken With Teal Accessories: Pretties Kit, Turquoise Grosgrain, Wide Oval Punch, Stipple Brush, Marker, Mini Glue Dots, Pop Up Glue Dots, Big Shot, Top Note Die

9/9 Caramel Apples

Last night at stamp club, my hostess arrived with Caramel Apples treats for everyone!! of course, that got all of us excited as nothing tastes better than a Caramel Apple in September! But, I ran for my camera when I realized that not only did she bring an awesome treat . . . but she made it a little bit more special by putting a tag on each one! All of us were oohing and ahhing. Just goes to show that a stamper's touch can make all the difference!! Thanks, Rachel!!

Supplies:

Stamps: Tagger's Dozen Paper: Whisper White, Wild Wasabi Ink: Wild Wasabi Accessories: Caramel Apples, Wild Wasabi DS Ribbon

9/7 Button Sampler

I've been going through my supplies lately to see what I should purge and what I should keep. I came across these buttons and challenged myself to make a card with them. They are from the SU Earth Elements collection and look like fall. Time to pull out Lovely Leaves and see what I could come up with. I have to admit . . . there are soooooo many samples out there in web world with Lovely Leaves, that I usually don't try to come up with anything original when I'm using this set. Casing is a great way to play when you don't want to think!

But, since it seemed like I was in a somewhat clear frame of mind, I decided to create away and this is what I came up with. I used a sponge rubbed in Bravo Burgundy to edge my card for a tone on tone look. I don't think that showed up real well in the picture . . . much more noticeable in real life. Thanks for dropping by my blog today!!

My dad is on his way up for an afternoon visit. I think we will visit a local Apple Orchard. There's a bit of a bite in the air - perfect for a brisk walk followed up with apple pie and ice cream! (OK - if you must know . . . I rarely eat apple pie - but I will eat the ice cream!! I can't stand the texture of cooked apples! Weird . . . I know. Been that way my whole life. Don't like pears either for the very same reason!)

Supplies for this card:

Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Textured Sahara Sand, Pumpkin Pie Prints, Handsome Hunter, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla
Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Brown, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Aqua Painter, Kraft Taffeta, Linen Thread, Earth Elements Buttons, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Sponge

9/5 A Pretty Sketch and a RAK

I'm pretty excited to see that Beate is back to posting! She took the summer off and oh did we challenge junkies miss her!! Go to this post on Beate's blog to see this weekend's sketch challenge. I used Hidden Garden Rub Ons that I got at Convention to create this card so there was no stamping involved. I also wanted to try out my Big Shot with some Cuttlebug Embossing Folders. Worked like a DREAM!! I used the Divine Swirl on this card.

Here are the card supplies:

Paper: Whisper white, Basic Black, Basic Gray

Accessories: Hidden Garden Rub Ons Bulk Buy for Consultants, Divine Swirl Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Pop Up Glue Dots

Oh, and look at this sweet little thank you card I got in the mail this past week! My friend Katherine Narog created it and once again she astounds me with her fun fabric pick! This shimmery silky piece has sparkly stars on it!! She put sparklies on the sentiment, too! Thank YOU, Katherine, for your sweet card!

9/4 KWerner Color Challenge

I LOVE Kristina Werner's Color Challenges!! She can find the most inspiring combinations and this week was no exception. We were challenged to use Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red, Regal Rose and Whisper White. WOW! And, isn't that inspiration picture just the cutest?? And, it really goes to show that SU is right on top of the trends, doesn't it??


This is what I came up with. I used a Level Three Hostess set that intimidates the socks off me!
Home decorating is not my strong suit and somehow this set reminds me of that and scares me!! Yikes, what DO I put on those walls? lol! So much space!! Will a whole wall painted with Kiwi Kiss really "work?" Oh, my goodness! I got it all painted, the girl was in place the design was done. Or was it?? Too much wall space! I decided to add a rhinestone sun catcher. Hmm. Better. But, there's still too much space!! I look over the stamps still in the box . . . maybe the bird would work. And, much to my delight, it did! The card was done. And, well before the deadline! Yeah!
Thanks so much for dropping by!

Supplies I used to create this card:

Stamps: Window Dressing
Paper: Pacific Point, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Whisper White, Bella Rose Designer Paper
Ink: Basic Black, Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Rose Red, Real Rose, Blush Blossom, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Rhinestone Brad, Photo Corner Punch, Tag Corner Punch, Aqua Painter

9/1 Eastern Birthday

Sometimes, when you find a card you like, you save it in a file for a day in the future when you know you'll need some inspiration. And sometimes, you find a card that provides inspiration INSTANTLY and you have to create IMMEDIATELY!! lol!! That's what happened to me today as I surfed around to some of my favorite blogs.

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Deb from Artfelt Impressions created this card HERE. I LOVED it and I had to recreate it the best I could with what I had right now - this second!! I don't have a lot of current designer paper and the brown that is in my Bella Rose pack is on reserve for a future project. Sooooo, off to my "stash." Remember Aternoon Tea? Not so long ago and right at the top of my stash!! I also didn't own (yet) that luscious 1" double stitched chocolate ribbon. But, I do have some satin ribbon in chocolate. It worked! The stamp sets are current and the Eastern Blooms set is definitely one of my favorites. This flower is just so fun with the combination of stripes and dots. Thanks so much, Deb, for helping me create such a cute and quick card!

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OH, my goodness!! I was just delivered a basket of chocolate from my sis-in-law!! How can my day get any better?? Chocolate, stamping, blogging, doing the laundry (oh wait, forget that last one!) . . . . ! Have a happy day and may there soon be chocolate unexpectantly delivered to you, too!!

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Supplies I used:

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Stamps: Eastern Blooms, Sincere Salutations

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi, Afternoon Tea designer paper

Ink: Groovy Guava, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Satin Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Dimensionals

9/1 Just Stampin' for Fun!

I am totally playing around with my stamps today. No rhyme or reason . . . nothing that I "needed" to create. Just Stampin' for Fun!! In this card, I paired Almost Amethyst with Barely Banana and Chocolate Chip. It looks pretty neat if I say so myself! Yes, I did go a little crazy on the brads . . . but how do you stop when you are accenting a circle? I pulled some retired stamp sets off the shelf, too. I love Elegant Greetings and since I don't sew . . . All in a Row will always be my go to set if I need a stitched look. The circles were punched with Marvy punches . . . just so handy. But, I do plan to get all the circle scallops that go with the Big Shot - my next order in fact! I think they might end up being even handier!!

Stamps: Fresh Cuts, Elegant Greetings, All In a Row Paper: Chocolate Chip, Barely Banana, Almost Amethyst, Almost Amethyst Prints Paper Ink: Chocolate Chip Accessories: 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain, Marvy Punches, Mat Pack with Paper Piercer, Silver Brads, Dimensionals