Stuck on Framelits!

I find myself using Framelits very frequently these days. Here's another card using the Label Framelits together with the Bordering on Romance stamp set and none other than Teeny Tiny Wishes. After stamping the flower image, I used my stamp-a-ma-jig to place the get well sentiment where I wanted it in the image. Two Framelits were used to make the "picture frame" which I adhered around the stamped image after tying the little ribbon around the frame. And now that I am looking at the photo here, I could have centered the frame around the image a little better! Oh well, the card is bright and cheerful so hopefully the recipient won't notice. I hope you have a bright and cheerful day!

Welcome Baby

My brother's stepdaughter had her baby Sunday night--a happy, healthy baby boy. Little Anthony is my sister-in-law's first grandchild and the family is so happy and excited. I made this baby card last night for her and my brother using Marina Mist and white cardstock. I am not sure which product adds more to the card~~the oval Designer Frame embossing folder or the ribbon? As pretty as the card front is, the inside sentiment is the perfect combination of two stamp sets~~Friendly Phrases (pg. 162 IB&C) and Loved Ones (pg. 30 Occasions Mini). The little truck image is a cute little touch as my brother was a truck driver for just about all of his working years. Congratulations to all!

Cute Little Carrot

You may have seen versions of this carrot somewhere on the Internet in the past, especially last Easter. This year I have the Petal Cone die so I was able to make my version of this cute little Easter favor and share it with you. I used a retired texture plate to give the carrot a little dimension, but it is not necessary. And actually, today I was peeling carrots for soup and was thinking that I should have added a few little "dirt" lines with my black marker to make teh carrot more realistic--hahaha! The little banner has Happy Easter stamped on it (Teeny Tiny Wishes) and the little banner could easily have a person's name on it if you wanted to use this carrot as a place card. I did use a glue dot to hold the chocolate bunny in place and would have added green "grass" but didn't have any! And I was going to run green cardstock through my crimper and cut it up, but then I decided this was just fine. I am sure that between now and Easter I will have perfected the carrot~~and if I do, I will post another "Cute Little Carrot" photo! In the mean time, this is the favor we will be making at Saturday's card class. Hope you can find a little stampin' time!

Cute "OUCH" Card

A dear friend broke her leg this week and I wanted to share the "Z fold" card I made for her. The stamps I used are from a very, very old Stampin' Up set (1999), but the technique used on this card is new to me. The Labels Framelit was placed on the fold of the card front in such a way that only the right half of the Framelit would get cut. I had so much fun making this card that at Saturday's technique class we will be making an Easter card using this technique rather than the Embossing with Framelits card. (I hope those of you who signed up are okay with this!) There is still time to sign up for the March 3rd class, one you will not want to miss! Off to get ready for this afternoon's Cricut get-together. Have a great day and find yourself a little stampin' time!

Calypso Coral Just for You

Calypso Coral, an In-color that I just knew I wouldn't be using when it was first introduced, is now one of my favorites! After using Calypso Coral with the colors and papers in the Everyday Enchantment DSP, I decided to pair it with Whisper White for a more simple look. What started out as "simple" kind of went out the window when I started playing with the Framelits, Adorning Accents embossing folder, the brads and ribbon from the SAB cattie and my Simply Scored tool--lol. The card front is very pretty, but the icing on the cake is the stamped image (from the hostess set Tagtastic). It is a perfect fit and the dainty swirls and flowers added a pretty softness to the card. Have a wonderful day!

Hints/Tips I Find Useful

Black and Pink Pirouette is a striking color combination. I used the Adorning Accent embossing folder that coordinates with the Adorning Accents Edgelit die which was also used. Using the Edgelit dies take a little patience as they tend to move around a bit when putting the cutting plate over the item to be cut. TIP: In order to keep movement to a minimum, I use a little removable Dotto (pg. 206 of the IB&C) on the underside of the Edgelit. Once the edge is cut, rub off any excessive Dotto on both the cardstock and the die itself. After stamping the flower image using Black Stazon ink and coloring the image using my Pink Pirouette marker, I proceeded to cut out the main portion of the image. Did you ever stamp an image in black and then cut it out to find that you left a white edge on part of the image? Well that is exactly what I did here. So my little TIP: keep your black marker handy and when you are finished with your cutting, run the marker around the edge to fill in any of those little white areas. Actually, use the matching marker of what ever color you stamped your image in to fill in the little white spaces that might be left after cutting. The sentiment on this card is from the Swirls and Curls stamp set that I just had to have when it was introduced. As my stamp collection grew with new stamps, the Swirls and Curls stamp set was forgotten about--that is until I decided to reorganize my stamp collection. And look how pretty it looks with the flowers, scallop and pearls! My final TIP: Remember to use what you have! Every once in the while, look thru your stamp collection to refresh your mind on your stamps and supplies. Have a great day!

Scallop Circle Treat

Always on the lookout for little candy favors, I ran across this idea a while ago. To create the favor you will need Stampin' Up's Scallop Circle #2 die. The favor holds a little Hershey bar or similar candy and can be embellished in a variety of ways. The pink and orange favors have Easter tags on them while the yellow favor's only embellishment is the ribbon that is tied around the favor to keep it closed. This favor would be cute for a baby shower if you attach the tag with a little diaper pin. Or add a little heart charm for a bridal shower and write a name on the tag--the favor becomes a place card, too. For a child's birthday party, instead of the little candy bars, tie a couple of rolls of Smarties together with a pretty little ribbon and stamp the age of the birthday child on the tag. So many possibilities and uses for the Scallop Circle #2 die when combined with your imagination! Have a great day!

St. Patrick Day

Although I see many very cute St. Patrick Day cards, I know very few people who celebrate the day. So in turn I invest in very few stamps for the occasion. If you are in the same boat and need only one or two St. Pat cards, then today's card is for you! I punched hearts of varying sizes, three for each shamrock, and cut little stems. After arranging the hearts with the point facing towards the center to form the shamrocks, I glued them on white cardstock. I then ran this through the Big Shot using the square lattice embossing folder which gives an inlaid look to the shamrocks. To finish off the card, guess which stamp set I used? Teeny Tiny Wishes, of course! So once again I will sing the praises for this stamp set. If you do not already own Teeny Tiny Wishes, Sale-a-bration is the best time to purchase it. Order the stamp set together with a few stamping staples that amount to $50 and you will get a free SAB item. And come Easter, Mother's Day and more you will be set in the card sentiment department! Teeny Tiny Wishes consists of 24 sentiments that you will find yourself using time and time again. Check it out on page 157 of the Idea Book and Catalog. Have a wonderful day and find yourself a little stampin' time!

Embossing with Framelits

Another technique for the March 3rd class will include the use of Stampin' Up Framelits to make an embossed border/frame. Since it is time for me to be thinking about Easter cards, I used the Happy Easter sentiment from the Delightful Dozen stamp set (page 167 of the IB&C). Pool Party and Pink Pirouette seemed like a good Easter/Spring color combination--one of many that would coordinate with the Pink Pirouette ribbon I wanted to use. Once I stamped the sentiment and inked the edges of the diecut, it seemed that something was missing--too much white space. The flower sprig in the Tiny Tags set was the perfect size to fill in the empty space of the diecut and then worked perfectly in the scalloped corners. I am looking forward to the March 3rd class and sharing this stamping technique. And remember, no experience needed to come join in the fun and learn something new. The only prerequisite is reserving a place in the class. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend and finding yourself a little stampin' time!

Technique Class

The March 3rd card class will include this card which was created using a tile grid technique. The most important tool for this particular technique/card is the Simply Scored scoring board.

Usually, my sympathy cards are very soft and have a dainty feel about them. This time I decided to try something a little different using black and Crumb Cake. The stamp set, Love and Sympathy, is simple yet beautiful. When you have a chance, check it out on page 76 of the IB&C. The sentiment on this card is from my probably most used stamp set, Teeny Tiny Wishes. So mark your calendars for the March 3rd class and email me to reserve your space. As usual the class will be held from 1-3 PM. In addition to this card we will be making the collage-stamped card from a previous post and a still-to-be-determined card and 3D item. Have a great day!

My Hallmark Remake!

My husband always gives me very pretty cards, usually Hallmark cards. John is very particular when he is card-shopping, looking for cards that have special embellishments or cards that remind him of cards I make. This year's Valentine from John, a Hallmark card, is extremely cute. The minute I opened it, I knew I had to try to recreate it. The color of the Hallmark card was almost a perfect match to the retired Cameo Coral, which was one of my favorite colors. So out came the Cameo Coral card base, retired black and white DSP and retired SU ribbon. With the help of a few SU tools--framelit, embosslit and punch, I was able to build the "heart flower". To get the faded white stem, I used Whisper White craft ink and the stem leaf that is in the Sweetheart stamp set on page 60 of the IB&C. I think the card turned out great, and so did my husband. So next time you are in the card store and you see a card you like, snap a photo with your cell phone (if allowed!), go home and recreate it. My card surely did not cost $3.99 to make--or did it? Framelits, cardstock, embosslit, ribbon--LOL!!!! Have a wonderful day.

Bordering On Romance

Yesterday my husband took me to one of my favorite little places--Deerfield's Bakery in Schaumburg. The bakery was all about romance. The showcases were filled with cakes, cookies, candy and more. The photo on the left shows just a few of their creations--and they taste as good as they look! Now for my creation--a lot less calories--lol! Today's card was created using images from the stamp set Bordering on Romance. This stamp set is in the Occasions Mini and is perfect for someone who enjoys coloring with their SU markers. Once again I used the Labels Framelits for layering. The Framelits truly make both centering and matting an image so quick and easy. Next time you are at my house, make sure you use the Framelits and also the Edgelits, two products that I recommend. Have a great day and find yourself a little stampin' time!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day has always been a special day in my family. Not only did we celebrate Valentine's Day, but it was my dad's birthday. We would have chocolates, lots of homemade Valentines and we always had a birthday cake. Here I am all these years later and I am still making Valentines for those I love. This is a card I made for my husband. I used the new Fashionable Hearts Embosslit, the heart Framelits and one of the Adorning Accents embossing folders--all of which are new items in the Occasions mini. The stamped image is from a retired SU set, Love You Much. That was a must-have set a few years back and I continue to use it today. My dad passed away a number of years ago, but Valentine's Day and my dad will always go hand-in-hand in my mind and in my heart. I am very blessed to have and to have had so much love in my life. Have a wonderful day and don't forget to let those special people in your life know that you love them! Happy Valentine's Day!

Collage Stamping

No matter what the occasion, a greeting card surely helps to brighten someone's day. The color combination of Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight and Peach Parfait used for this card does just that. I used a variety of stamps and did some sponging, starting with the lightest color first. What this card still needs and will get is a little butterfly or two from my Beautiful Wings embosslit. Speaking of Poppy Parade, when that color was first introduced, I wondered why Stampin' Up would introduce another red to its color palette. Well, I have come to use Poppy Parade for many of my creations and will truly miss it when it is retired come June 1st. I am off to add those little butterflies to this cheerful card. Have a great day!

Scrappin' with Brownies

I was invited to participate in a Brownie Troop meeting with the intent of introducing the girls to scrapbooking. I was quite happy to accept the invitation as not only do I enjoy scrapbooking, but I know the importance of the scouting organization. Our son was involved in a wonderful Boy Scout Troop many years ago. Thanks to the dedicated leadership of their troop (Steve & Gary) and all who participated and encouraged the boys, our son and many more from Troop 96 became Eagle Scouts. The Brownies will be making an accordion album (Close to My Heart) which will include photos of their friends, family, scout activities and more. Once again, My Cricut machine came in very handy as did some of my punches. The photos here are both the front and back cover of the album and the album from above. Due to the fact that the girls are young and the time is limited, I adhered the words to the cardstock, but the girls will put the album together, add the photos and embellish the pages as they desire. I look forward to working with this Troop and encourage all of my followers to do what they can to encourage all Scouts. They truly become successful adults as evidenced by our boys who became: a police officer/firefighter; a high school teacher; and successful businessmen--just to mention a few. Have a great day and enjoy the weekend!

Embossed Baptism Card

We will be attending a Baptism this weekend and here is the card I made for the special baby boy. I used Bashful Blue and Whisper White cardstock. In order to get a nicely formed cross, I stamped the cross on blue cardstock using the cross from the retired Special Blessings stamp set. After I cut the cross out, I flipped it over so the stamped image wasn't showing and embossed it with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. The cross was then matted on a piece of white cardstock and very, very carefully I cut around the cross giving the cross a layered look. Using dimensionals, I adhered the cross to the blue cardstock which was embossed using the Perfect Details texture plate. The satin ribbon finishes it off nicely. This card can be used for just about anything--Baptism, Communion, Confirmation, Sympathy and even Easter! So when you need a card but do not have the perfect sentiment for it, emboss and texturize. Add a ribbon or other embellishment and then refer to the occasion when you write a little something on the inside of the card. Happy stampin'!

Thank You & Butterflies

My Everyday Enchantment DSP is being put to good use--that's for sure. The colors, the patterns and the matching accessories are just what I like. Here I used strips of two patterns and then punched coordinating butterflies from the In Color DSP stack. There was a lot of empty space on the card so I stamped Lucky Limeade butterflies using the butterfly stamp from the Elementary Elegance Stamp Set--another SAB item. I wish the punch included little butterfly antenna, but since it doesn't I drew some with my markers. The ribbon that is available in the SAB Ribbon & Brad pack is very delicate, so I find that the jewelry tag punch is the perfect way to add a sentiment. The jewelry tag punch coordinates with the Tiny Tags stamp set on page 136 of the IB&C. Don't have the butterfly punch? Then how about hearts or flowers or even a variety of circles punched from the In Color DSP pack? There are many possibilities depending on what punch(es) you own. Have a great day and find yourself a little stampin' time.

Framelits (and other wafer-thin dies)

I am so happy that Stampin' Up has introduced their own line of wafer-thin metal dies. I used the Labels Collection on this card, first for layering, but more importantly for getting the stamped image centered exactly where I wanted it. When you receive your Framelits from SU, they are packaged in a sturdy plastic envelope, which is very nice. But then a fellow SU demo shared her Framelits storage idea and I must say, I love it! I purchased a package of Clear Mount Stamp Cases (pg. 205) and a pack of adhesive-backed Magnet Sheets (pg. 216). I cut down the magnet sheets to fit, removed the backing and adhered them to the inside of the Clear Mount Case. As you can see from the photo, the Framelits fit perfectly. I labeled the case "spine" Hearts & Labels with a Sharpie pen and then slipped the information that came with the dies into the plastic sleeve on the case. This worked so good, that I used the same storage system for my other wafer-thin metal dies. Hope you ahve a wonderful day!

A "CRUSH" on you

I got the idea for this when I saw it in Papercrafts magazine. I have since misplaced the page and cannot give credit where credit is due, but I had to share the idea with you. The original version I saw used a bottle of CRUSH red soda, but I hunted high and low (even in Florida) and could not find bottles of anything but orange Crush. So I used the next best thing--a can of strawberry Crush. I typed the tag on white cardstock and layered that on black cardstock. I typed the word "crush" on red cardstock, punched a heart shape with the typed word in the center and added the heart to the tag. A pretty little ribbon attached it to the pop-top tab and is ready for giving to the one you have a crush on!

Butterfly Sympathy

This truly is a pretty card, if I say so myself! When we go to Ft. Myers Beach, I make a point of visiting a stamping store in Ft. Myers, the Owl and the Pussycat. On this visit to the store, the owner was showing me the new dies from Memory Box. There were quite a few that I did not have, but I decided on getting the Vivienne and Darla butterflies which can be used alone or together. Needless to say, I had to try the dies as soon as I got home and had access to my Big Shot. The Vivienne die has many little pieces that need to get cut out and the owner of the store gave me a little hint: add a few little pieces of masking tape to the die so that enough pressure is given to cut the tiniest section. Well, I did add the masking tape and it certainly worked like a charm! A friend of mine gave me a set of oval Nestabilities (thank you, Nancy) which I used to make the Very Vanilla background for the butterflies. I sponged the edges, added a couple of butterflies from my SU embosslit and stamped the sentiment using a stamp from Teeny Tiny Wishes (a go-to stamp set that you need to have). The card was pretty plain, so I punched the corners with the scallop trim corner punch and lined the inside with Very Vanilla cardstock. I can see myself making quite a few variations of this card. Have a great day and a wonderful weekend!

Petite Pocket Valentine

The Petite Pocket Die for my Big Shot is very neglected, yet it should not be. While organizing for Saturday's Valentine class, I got sidetracked--nothing new! I found retired Stampin' Up Valentine paper and decided to use that paper and the Petite Pocket die to make Valentine candy favors. Inside the pocket is a little Herhsey's candy bar, the bars that come 8 to a pack. To finish off the favor, I stamped a sentiment from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set and used one of the heart Framelits to cut around the sentiment. After sponging the edges, I tied the heart diecut to retired ribbon and added a little red glimmer heart. When we make these at class on Saturday, I will use a smaller hole punch. Have a great day and find yourself a little stampin' time!

Free MDS Express Trial

If you are like me, you have thought about using digital software for your scrapping and cardmaking, but there were too many "what ifs": What if I purchase the My Digital Studio software and don't like digital scrapbooking or cardmaking? What if I don't understand how to use My Digital Studio software for my cardmaking? Well Stampin' Up is offering a free trial of My Digital Studio Express during the month of February and I made this flyer using it! There are no strings attached to the free trial offer. Just head over to my SU website and click on shop now, follow the prompts and then download it to your computer. Play with it during the month and if you like it, you can purchase the software. If you find it is not for you, then you can say you tried digital scrapping and/or cardmaking. So try it out and let me know what you think about the software. I will be playing with my free version on and off during the month. And if I come up with anything really special, I will post it here. Enjoy!

SAB Ribbon & Brad. . .

. . . were used on this get well card. I really like that everything on this card is so perfectly coordinated. Of course, that is thanks to Sale-a-bration. The paper is from the Everyday Enchantment DSP pack and the ribbon and brad are from the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad pack, both items in the SAB catalog. I see endless possibilities when it comes to making creations using these two products plus cardstock and ink. The sentiment is from the Delightful Dozen set on page 167 of the IB&C. It was stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock and then die cut using one of the Labels framelits introduced in the Occasions Mini and layered on a Pool Party label. I am hoping that Stampin' Up will introduce more framelits in the future--one of my very favorite SU products. Have a great day!