Embossed Birthday Card

This particular card has a bit of embossing which means lots of texture. The cake image (from the Bring On the Cake stamp set) was heat embossed using Versamark and Wild Wasabi embossing powder. The white cardstock was embossed using the Stripes embossing folder. The Gumball Green cardstock was embossed using the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. And the best part of the card is the new Gumball Green satin stitched ribbon. I am disappointed that the 1/4" grosgrain ribbon and 5/8" satin ribbon in the current catalog is retiring. But I am looking forward to purchasing this ribbon in Midnight Muse and Raspberry Ripple together with new 1/4" stitched grosgrain ribbon in one or two colors. As a reminder, today is the last day you can order retiring stamp sets from the 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog. Have a nice day and stay dry!

Video About The New Ink Pads

Happy Memorial Day!

Couldn't let the day pass without one more red, white and blue card, my way of saying thank you to all who have in one way or another protected this great country of ours! And after I mentioned in an earlier post that my Dad served on the USS Iowa, this news article with a picture of the USS Iowa and a little background on that battleship appeared on the CNN news blog:

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/05/25/battleship-iowa-to-begin-journey-down-california-coast-on-saturday/?iphoneemail

My Dad would be thrilled if he was with us today to see "his ship" under the Golden Gate Bridge. Not only was the battleship special to him, but one of the songs he sang very often was "I Left My Heart In San Francisco". My mom just told me yesterday that he saw the USS Iowa for the first time in San Francisco. This one's for you, Dad!

Tempting Turquoise

This card was a spur of the moment thing as I wanted to try my recently purchased Tempting Turquoise embossing powder. I just love the way the turquoise embossing stands out against black cardstock. The black polka dot ribbon, the Stripes embossing folder and a cute little cupcake (made using the Build A Cupcake punch) complete a card that is perfect for wishing someone of any age a happy birthday! One of the nice things about this card is that all items used are in the new catalog, including the stamp set Bring on the Cake. As a reminder, May 31st is the last day to order retiring stamp sets from the current cattie. As a matter of fact, I am ordering one of my well-used sets, Short & Sweet, just to have an extra as my present set is very, very well-used! Short & Sweet was one of the first sets I ordered from SU (several years ago) and to this day I use both the sentiments and the little image stamps very often. The retired accessories are available until May 31st, or while supplies last--whichever comes first--including one of my most favorite dies ever--the Matchbox die! (I still cannot believe that SU is retiring that die.) Have a great day, remember our military and keep cool. It is going to be 95 here in the Chicago area so the A/C is on and I plan on spending cool time here in the house.

Memorial Day Weekend

Wanted to start off the Memorial Day weekend with a card expressing my thanks to all service men and woman, past and present. My Dad was in the Navy and so proud of his service to our country. Whenever he talked about his Navy days he would just beam, especially when he told stories of being 17 years old and seeing a Navy ship for the very first time in San Diego, or when serving on both the battleship the USS Iowa and President Truman's yacht, the USS Williamsburg. He always told us~~his time spent in the United States Navy were some of the best days of his life. He taught us to be proud of our country and grateful that we live in the United States. So as I write this post and think about my Dad, I want to thank all of the men and women who protected/protect our great Country. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend with safe travels for all. And if you see someone in uniform, shake that person's hand and proudly say "Thank You".

Another Scrapbook Layout

This scrapbook for Baby Anthony's Mom was made using a number of Cricut cartridges including A Child's Year, Baby Steps and Create A Critter together with a number of miscellaneous punches. The print paper is from the Paper Studio while the cardstock is a combination of Paper Studio and Stampin' Up. I used my ATG gun for the majority of this project. I cannot tell you enough how important my ATG guns are for my papercrafting. I remember when I first got the red ATG I was so disappointed. But then I practiced with it, got the hang of it and I would be lost without it! (If you are into papercrafting as I am, investing in an ATG gun is well worth the money, especially when you have a 50% off coupon from Michael's!) I used Tombow multi glue and a two-way glue pen for a number of the smaller items. Now I need to clean up the scraproom and get things ready for Cherie's card class on Saturday. In the meantime, I plan on enjoying the beautiful weather forecast for today. Have a great day!

Baby Scrapbook Pages

I was asked to make a scrapbook similar to the scrapbook I made for my brother's wife a few months back. This one is for her daughter and is a 12 x 12 album. I am so into cardmaking that I forget how fun (and time consuming) it is to make scrapbooks. But I was having a productive day yesterday and completed nine two-page layouts. I am posting two of the layouts today and a couple more tomorrow. As always with my scrapbooking, my Cricut does an amazing job cutting out images and letters. And just as I was finishing up the gluing of the monkeys and vines to the pages, I got adhesive on the paper. Lucky for me, there are butterflies in the jungle (I looked it up before adding the butterflies!) so a few were added to bring a little color to the pages--LOL!!! I will finish up the scrapbook a little later today and get it in the mail tomorrow. Have a great day and find yourself a little stampin' or scrappin' time!

Sail Away For Father's Day

I set out to make a red, white and blue card for Memorial Day and instead created a red, white and blue card for Father's Day. The sailboat image is a retired single stamp, Sail Away and the sentiment is from my most used set, Teeny Tiny Wishes. Most often my card layouts just come together while playing with different pieces of paper and cardstock. This particular design came from a thank you card I received from my daughter. While her card has a more feminine look, mine is masculine. I changed the colors and the stamp and while Jen's strip of cardstock was crimped, I scored mine. So when you see a card you like but have none of the supplies, just use that sketch/layout with colors and supplies you have on hand. Thanks for the idea, Jen! Have a great day everyone.

Card Full of Favorites

Much of this card was created using some of my favorite Stampin' Up products. First are the butterflies diecut using the Beautiful Wings Embosslit. Not only do I use the butterflies to cover up little stamping "oops", but the butterflies are pretty embellishments as used here. The Scallop Corner punch adds so much to a card, even when punching only one corner. I would love to see more corner punches like this in the future. Then there is the Stripes Embossing Folder which I have used over and over again. On this card I used it to make a "plaid" embossed background. Last but not least is my "new" favorite, the Four Seasons hostess set. The patterns on this scallop image are just so pretty. I punched out the center of the image (which is the little bird in a nest) and replaced it using the butterfly image also included in this hostess set. To add a little depth, I used dimensionals to adhere the scalloped circle while the butterfly is flat against the cardstock. Once I can order items from the new cattie come June 1st, I will have lots of new favorites (LOL)! Mark your calendars for June 9th (1:00 to 4:00 PM) as that is when I will be holding the New Catalog Open House. I will have a cattie with your name on it together with a few other little surprises, a couple of Make & Takes, retired items for sale and a snack or two. Have a great Sunday.

A Little More Floral District

I did get to play in my scrap room last night and once again used the Floral District DSP. The color combination of White, Lucky Limeade and Tangerine Tango together with the flower pattern makes for a cheerful and fun card. The sentiments are from the My Friend stamp set and I added a little flower punched using one of the Itty Bitty punches. All of the items used on this card are in the new catalog including the corner rounder. Speaking of the new catalog, the new cattie has a pack of DSP paper that I wish I could get now! It is the Polka Dot Parade DSP and includes 12 sheets, two each of six double-sided designs in the following colors: Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red and Rich Razzleberry. The paper is 12 x 12 and one side has white polka dots while the other side seems to be white outlined little circles. (Can't tell for sure until I see the paper in person.) This paper will definitely be on my June 1st order, maybe even more than one pack. Have a great day and find yourself a little stampin' time!

Arizona

We took a quick trip to Arizona to attend our niece's wedding and to spend Mother's Day with our Moms. (If you are reading this Mom, I miss you!) It was soooo hot--107 degrees! I took a few pictures at the wedding which took place on a golf course in Fountain Hills hoping to get pretty mountain pictures. Unfortunately, the wildfire season has already started and the smoke just lingers over the mountains as you can see in this photo. Hopefully the firefighters will get the fires contained soon. We returned home last night and when we got off the plane the temp was around 70 degrees--more than a 30 degree difference--but it certainly felt good! As a matter of fact, being home sure feels good! I have a number of things I need to get done today, but hope to be playing in my scrap room later tonight. Have a great day!

Floral District DSP

Today's card was created using one of SU's new Designer Series Paper, Floral District, together with Label Framelits and the Apothecary stamp set. While the pattern paper used here is a combination of Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango and Baja Breeze, the paper pack includes other colors , too. The Baja Breeze seam binding "tied" it all together. Have a great day and find yourself a little stamping time!

Happy Mother's Day!

Sharing the Mother's Day Card I received from my family and wishing all the mothers, grandmothers, aunts and special women a wonderful day. My husband and I are fortunate to be seeing both of our moms today. Happy Mother's Day!

All About The Ribbon

Today's card is very, very simple--and cute, too! I received my new ribbon yesterday and I just have to show it to you. It is 3/8" stitched satin ribbon, available in the new In colors. As demos we were able to purchase only the Gumball Green during Sneak Peek time, but you all know me. I will be getting the rest of the colors little by little. Well, maybe I won't be getting the Summer Starfruit, but I will be getting the others. By the way, the little guy here and the sentiment are from the retiring Turtle & Co. stamp set on page 16 of the IB&C. There is still time to purchase this stamp set which benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Each set purchased provides $3 to RMCH which helps support families with children who have serious illnesses. Well it is time for me to hop to the kitchen for a little breakfast! Have a wonderful day.

Melon Mambo Praying for You

I am happy to say that one of my favorite stamp sets, Thoughts and Prayers, will be in the new catalog. I needed a card that would be cheerful while at the same time let the recipient know she is in my prayers at this trying time in her life. The color combination of Melon Mambo and the new In Color, Gumball Green together with the sentiment "Praying For You" accomplished that. A number of techniques were used~~scoring, sponging, tearing and coloring directly on the stamp, each one adding to the card. Now I am off to the post office to get it in the mail. Have a great day and find yourself a little stampin' time!

Father's Day

I realize that most of you are working on Mother's Day cards, but since I have completed mine, I have decided it is time to show another card for Father's Day. Here is a card using the new In colors Midnight Muse and Gumball Green and a new Itty Bitty Framelit with one end cut off. The stamp of "men items" (no longer available) is from the Occasions Mini while the sentiment is from--you guessed it--Teeny Tiny Wishes. The layer of Midnight Muse cardstock was embossed using a texture plate. The texture plates are retiring, but don't worry! There happen to be a couple of new embossing folders in the new catalog which will nicely replace the texture plates. Have a great day!

A SU Demo Perk. . .

. . .is getting a look at the new catalog online! So after I "kind of read" this morning's Daily Herald, I ran into my office and started looking at the PDF version of the new cattie. After an initial "quick look & see" I got out my iPad and with a simple tap of the finger I was able to download the PDF version of the catalog and it is now on my iBooks shelf. Anyway, there are some pretty new products in the cattie, so come June 1st, I will place my first new catalog order. Shortly thereafter you will be seeing some pretty new images, sentiments and little embellishments on the creations I post here. In the meantime, I continue to enjoy and use items that are being carried over to the new cattie such as the Delightful Dozen stamp set and the black scallop dots ribbon used on this card. Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 9th as I will be having my New Cattie Open House. More details to follow soon. Have a nice evening!

New In Colors Comparisons~~Part 2

I will start this post mentioning my dear daughter, Jennifer! Thirty-seven years ago today my husband and I were blessed with a beautiful baby girl. The beautiful baby girl is now a beautiful mom herself--Happy Birthday, Jenny! And now back to the In Colors! I previously posted a card using Midnight Muse. Here you can see how it compares to Night of Navy and Not Quite Navy. And last but not least, Primrose Petals is sandwiched between Rose Red and Melon Mambo. My favorite of the new In Colors would have to be Midnight Muse. I have a least favorite, but when Poppy Parade was introduced two years ago that was my least favorite. And what happened? I came to love it. So for now, suffice it to say that you won't be seeing too much of Summer Starfruit in my creations! Have a nice day and find yourself a little stampin' time.

New In Colors Comparisons~~Part 1

To give you an idea as to how the new In Colors compare with our current color collections, I have sandwiched the new colors in between current colors. Starting with the the yellows, Summer Starfruit is between Daffodil Delight and So Saffron. Next is Raspberry Ripple sandwiched between Cherry Cobbler and Rich Razzleberry. In between Wild Wasabi and Garden Green is the new Gumball Green.

New In Colors For Father's Day

Today's card uses four of the five new In Colors: Summer Starburst, Midnight Muse, Gumball Green and Raspberry Ripple. I am still debating about whether or not to add a little Primrose Petals star but it seemed a little too pink for this man card--lol! I have the new cardstock and the ink, but I did not purchase any coordinating embellishments so I used brads from the Regals Collection. The brads do not match perfectly, but I do think they coordinate very nicely. I am thinking that with the addition of these new In Colors, when we color in images with our markers, we will be able to blend very nicely using different shades in the same color families. That is something I will definitely be trying. The stars were not punched with SU punches, but I wanted stars for this card. The sentiment is from the Delightful Dozen stamp set on page 167 of the Idea Book and Catalog. Now that we know the new In Colors, I look forward to seeing what Stampin' Up has in store for us in the new cattie. Have a great weekend and find yourself a little stampin' time!

Midnight Muse

My new toys just arrived so I needed to share a card using one of Stampin Up's new In Colors. Actually, I used two of the new colors as the little butterfly is the new Starfruit color. The main ink and cardstock is the new In Color, Midnight Muse and I really like it. Later on I will do a comparison of blues as it looks a bit like Not Quite Navy. And how about the pretty stamp? That is one of the four scallop images in the hostess Four Seasons set. I stamped the entire image in Midnight Muse, but then used my markers to color in the little bird and nest image, punched it out using the 1 inch circle punch and adhered it to the image with dimensionals. Another new item is the banner cut using the smallest banner from the Bitty Banners Framelit set. The sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes set so you get an idea as to the size of the little cute banner. That's it for now but I will post more creations using new product during the month of May. Enjoy the rest of the day.

One More Mother's Day Card

This morning I got on my iPad the minute I woke up to see what sneak peek items SU demos have a chance to purchase prior to the June 1st catalog release. I ordered a few items and once I receive them, I will post what I create. In the meantime, I will continue to play and create with present day supplies. Today's card uses pretty pinks--Regal Rose and Pink Pirouette. The oval frame was cut using Spellbinder dies. (I would love to see some oval Framelits in the new SU catalog, but I don't know that will happen!) For the image on this card I used the Stained Glass Technique~~stamped on Vellum, embossed and then colored on the underside. This is a 5 1/4" square card which if mailed will cost extra postage. Sometimes I am able to hide a little rhinestone or bow so extra postage is not required, but no way to get around the extra postage if mailing a square card. But that is okay~~the recipient is worth the extra postage, and a whole lot more! Have a relaxing evening.