Everyday Enchantment Mini Album

Wasn't the blog hop wonderful?  So many fun projects and all made with items you can get free! If you missed the hop, all the stops should be deep linked together so you can follow it today as well.  Just start here.

I promised a closer look at the mini album today.  I wanted to make this album for the hop because it could easily feature every print in the package.  But I was limited on the number of photos I could show you on the hop, so today you get to see the rest.  And you can also find out how to get a kit to make your very own at the end of this post.

Originally, I was going to make an album out of boring square chipboard coasters. (Let's not talk about how many of those I have stashed away under the stairs in my storage room.)  But then I started looking at different shapes I could use and decided the Label Collection Framelits would be perfect.

The only tricky thing: the framelits are designed to cut thinner material and not the chipboard I generally use from the Decor Elements or Specialty Designer Paper packaging.  Thankfully, I had some thinner chipboard that a friend had given me and it worked well.  It's a titch heavier than the white sheets that come with the Designer Series Paper packs.  It was a little tight going through the Big Shot, but it did work.  As always, you can click on the picture to get a better look.

This, of course, is the cover for the album.  I love the look of textured Very Vanilla card stock with this paper like on the memories title.  For a more "vintage" feel, I inked the edges of everything using either Crumb Cake or the matching color.  And the Crochet Trim and Vintage Brads also goes so nicely with this paper.

One of the things I love about this Label shape is how well other basic shapes fit inside of it.  I love the circles and the oval with it.  To make the piece that is behind the oval, I used the smaller framelit so that the lines matched up with the base piece.

This paper coordinates with several of the current In Colors.  I don't pull out the Peach Parfait very often, but it coordinates beautifully with this paper, along with Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Lucky Limeade.  And of course, the Fresh Vintage Stamp set and Everyday Enchantment Brad and Ribbon bundle from the Sale-A-Bration Catalog also coordinate.  That just might be my favorite thing about Stampin' Up -- they take the guess work out of matching.

I've mentioned before how much I love the Loving Thoughts set from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  The sentiments in it are perfect for a mini album so I knew I wanted to use it for this.  And you'll see I also used the Lace Ribbon Punch too here.

 

Soft Suede also coordinates with this paper and adds a nice neutral contrast to the other colors.  Don't you just love the way the six different sizes from the Labels Collection Framelits work so well together?

When I had all the pages put together, I used my Crop-A-Dile to punch a hole through each of the piece in the corner and used a binder ring to put it together.  I used a bunch of coordinating ribbon and other trims to tie to the ring.

SUPPLY LIST:
Colors: Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Peach Parfait, Calypso Coral, Poppy Parade, Very Vanilla, and Soft Suede
Stamps: Fresh Vintage (Sale-A-Bration) and Loving Thoughts (Occasions)
Big Shot: Labels Collection Framelits, Clear Circle, 3-1/2" Circle, Oval Scallop Frame, 3" Circle.
Punches: Modern Label, Postage Stamp, Word Window, Lace Ribbon, and 1/2", 1-1/4", 1-3/8",& 2-1/2" and Scallop Circles.
Accessories: Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim, Pool Party Seam Binding, Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon, Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta, 1/4" Vanilla Grosgrain, Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Pack, Antique Brads, Mini Silver brads, Silver Brads
Other: Binder Ring

I do have a limited number of these kits available for purchase for $25 plus $5 for shipping.  The kit includes all the pages precut and ready to ink and assemble as well as the embellishments.  It does not include any of the stamped accents including page titles, but it does include the paper to make your own. Directions and pictures will be emailed to you.  Email me at paulastamps@gmail.com and I will send you an invoice through paypal to pay for it.

Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop!

 

Welcome to stop #3 on the Stampin' Addict's Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop!  If you are hopping through in order than you've landed here from Holly's Rubber Redneck blog.  Didn't you just love what she did with the Fresh Vintage Stamp set?  If this is your first stop, all the blogs are linked together in a circle so you won't miss a thing. If you get lost along the way or just want to chat about what you've seen, head on over to Stampin' Addicts.

I didn't think it was possible for Stampin' Up! to come up with a Designer Series Paper I would love more than Spice Cake from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  But of course, they've done it again!  And I'm so excited to get to share with you the fabulous Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper.  I've already used the paper a lot and I'm going to end up spending a lot of money to get more free packs of this gorgeous stuff during Sale-A-Bration.  And remember, this is just one of the several items you can get free with any $50 purchase between now and March 31.

The first project is a mini album that features this beautiful paper and the Labels Collection Framelits from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  The top picture is the cover and the bottom picture is the back. I don't even know where to begin to tell you about this album but I love the way it turned out.  If you come back on Monday, I will share all the details including pictures of the rest of the pages.

The second project is a card that features the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Pack and the Elementary Elegance Stamp Set also from the Sale-A-Bration.  This is also my version of the Stampin' Addict Sketch Challenge #121 inspired by Stacy McCain.  Isn't a fun sketch?  When you're over at Stampin' Addicts, be sure to check out all the fun challenges we have and play along.

And last, but not least, my mixed media project.  I decoupaged the paper to an 11"x14" canvas to make a home decor project.  I haven't attempted one of these for a long time but was inspired by a recent article in Stampin' Success, an exclusive publication for Stampin' Up! Demonstrators.  There are so many details to share on this one so come back on Wednesday for a closer look at how I put it together and some of the things I learned a long the way. 

I hope you enjoyed this look at the Everyday Enchantment Paper and that you love it as much as I do.  Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come back next week for a closer look at the projects. Next stop on the hop is Tanya's Tinkerin' In Ink and her look at the Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Pack (which coordinates beautifully with this paper so you're going to need to place a couple of orders during Sale-A-Bration to get both).  Happy Hopping!

Enchanted Quilt Card

Yep, I have another card to show you featuring the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper.  I just love this stuff.  I hope you aren't tired of hearing me talk about how much I love it yet.  If you come back on Friday for the Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop, you'll get to see even more projects with this beautiful paper.

Colors: Poppy Parade, Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Tiny Tags.  Big Shot: Square Lattice Textured Embossing Folder.  Punches: 1-1/4" square and Jewel Tag.  Accessories: Pool Party Seam Binding, Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper and Embellishment Pack.

I love the idea of quilting.  I even tried it a few times but it turns out I liked the idea of quilting better than actually quilting.  But making a quilt pattern on a card is much easier. To make this card, I punched out three squares with the Pool Party pattern and six squares with the Poppy Parade patterned paper.  Then I cut 2 of each colors in half diagonally to make the pattern.  Once I adhered them to the Pool Party card stock, I ran the whole thing through the Big Shot to give it that "quilted" texture.

The Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper and Embellishments are just two of the items you can get free during Sale-A-Bration.  If you follow the blog hop this weekend, you will get to see many of the other items featured in the Sale-A-Bration Brochure.  I'll see you then!

Sale-A-Bration is Here!!!

It's finally here!! Stampin' Up!'s biggest promotion of the year kicks off today and runs through March 31.  And if you haven't heard about what a fun sale it is, than you have come to the right place.  Spend $50 on catalog merchandise and receive an item from the Sale-A-Bration catalog free.  Spend $100, get 2.  Spend $500, get 10.  See how this works?

This year, Stampin' Up! has pulled out all the stops too.  Not only do you have your choice of four exclusive Sale-A-Bration stamp sets, an embellishment kit or a package of the most gorgeous Designer Series Paper ever, you can also choose from several different regular catalog items including embellishments, card stock, Big Shot accessories and stamps.

Host a workshop during Sale-A-Bration and not only will your friends and family benefit by getting free merchandise, but you will get extra rewards too.  Starting with a really cute reusable shopping tote.  And with a qualifying workshop, you will also receive a bundle of exclusive Sale-A-Bration items free.

And if that wasn't sweet enough.  They are also rewarding new recruits handsomely during Sale-A-Bration.  The full Starter Kit is marked down to $125 ($50 off).  And new recruits will get their choice of a free package of paper or free My Digital Studio download every month they place an order for the remainder of 2012.  Love that deal!

Here is a card that features the the fabulous Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper and Embellishment Kit and a stamp set called Elementary Elegance.  These are all Sale-A-Bration exclusive items.

Calypso Coral, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla.  Big Shot: Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder. Punches: Curly Label and Large Oval.  Accessories: Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper and Ribbon and Brad Pack.

You are going to get tired of me talking about how much I love this paper.  It is just gorgeous.  I can already tell I'm going to be spending lots of money so I can earn my own extra packs free and hoard it.  I made the bow on there by taking the 1/8" organdy ribbon and wrapping it around my fingers to make the loops and then pinched it in the center with the brad.

This is one of the cards that will be offered at my Valentines/Sale-A-Bration Stampin' Buffet on January 27 and 28.  Today is the last day to RSVP so what are you waiting for?

Don't forget, starting Friday is the Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop where I will be showing you even MORE projects made with this gorgeous paper.  Hope to see you there!

Stampin' Addicts Sketch Challenge 120

Still running behind showing off my sketch challenge cards.  This was the sketch challenge last Thursday on Stampin' Addicts.  This time, I designed the card first and then made the sketch.

Colors: Riding Hood Red, Island Indigo, Pool Party and Whisper White. Stamps: Ain't Love Grand.  Punches: Decorative Label Cupcake Builder. Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details, brads, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon.

Did you read the list and say "Cupcake builder punch? WTH?"  It's hard to tell from this picture, but I used the frosting portion of the punch to make clouds in the sky but holding it down on the piece of Whisper White and daubing Pool Party Ink around the shape.  It really is the perfect cloud shape. This is also a project at my Valentines/Sale-A-Bration Stampin' Buffet this weekend.  Tomorrow is the last day to RSVP so contact me today!

Speaking of Sale-A-Bration it starts tomorrow!  Come back tomorrow and I'll show you another project featuring Sale-A-Bration Products and give you all the details about this great promotion.  Also, this weekend is the Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop.  I've been putting a lot of work into my projects for it and I can't wait to share them with you starting on Friday.

Stampin' Addicts Sketch Challenge 119

So I'm a week behind on sharing sketch challenges.  This is actually LAST week's challenge on Stampin' Addicts but I've had so many fun things to share that I haven't posted it here.  But there is no time limit to the sketch challenge.  You can play at any time and in any order.  So head on over and check it out!

Sometimes when I'm putting the sketch challenge together, I start with a card and then draw the sketch.  This time, I just sat down with My Digital Studio and started playing with punches until I found something I liked.  Then I headed to my stamp room to make a card based on what I drew.  It's more of a challenge for me that way anyway.  Here is the first card I came up with:

Colors: Wild Wasabi, Peach Parfait, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze.  Stamps: Kidoodle. Big Shot: Circles #2.  Punch: 2-1/2" circle.  Accessories: Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper, Markers, Brads, Mat Pack,  Paper Piercer, White Gel Pen.

I think that little octopus is adorable!  And I love how the circles in the sketch mimicked the circles on the Just Add Cake paper.  To make the faux stitching on the ends, I just used the template on the mat pack and my paper piercer to poke the holes and then went over it with a white gel pen.  I know it's a bit early, but this will likely be one of my projects for my Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet in March.

After I made the first one, I thought about putting a flower in the circle spot and this is what I came up with:

Color: Daffodil Delight, Basic Black and Whisper White.  Stamps: Curly Cute.  Big Shot: Daisy Die #2.  Accessories: Brights and Neutrals Patterns Designer Series Packs, Brights Buttons, marker.

I saw a card with this color combination on Pinterest last week. (are you starting to see a pattern with me and Pinterest?) And simple white daisies are my favorite flower so it just came together.  Doodling is not something I do a lot, but I decided to give it a shot.  This card is being offered at my Valentines/Sale-A-Bration Stampin' Buffet next weekend.  I know it is neither Valentines or SAB, but it seemed like such a bright cheery card for the doldrums of January.  There is still time to RSVP for the class so let me know if you would like to come.

Valentines Decor

Today I'm sharing the home decor project for my Valentines/Sale-A-Bration Stampin' Buffet.  It was also inspired by something I saw on Pinterest.  And again, I have the hardest time getting full pictures of these things so I apologize up front:

Colors: Pool Party, Wisteria Wonder, Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Whisper White.  Big Shot: Framelits Hearts Collection.  Accessories: Sweet Shop Designer Series Paper, Simply Scored, Assorted Ribbons.

Here are some close up photos that are a little bit better:

To make these, I used the Framelits Heart collection and cut three hearts in five different sizes.  Next I scored them down the middle and folded them.  Then, I put adhesive tape down the middle of one of them and added a piece of ribbon.  Then I put adhesive on the other two of the same size and stuck them together. I continued this for each of the other sizes, adding them to the same piece of ribbon. Last, I added smaller hearts to each of the tied ribbons around the main ribbon to embellish it. 

At first I was worried that this paper wouldn't look "Valentines" enough.  But I think it looks like candy hearts.  Perfect for Valentines.  This project is $8 and will take a little bit of time to make (mostly time cutting out the hearts).  Can't come to the class but want to make one of these?  I will put a kit together for you for $12 and ship it for free in the US.  Contact me today!

Hooo Loves You?

Ready for some more owls?  Aren't they just adorable?  I'm old enough to remember the last time owls were kind of trendy, but I think they are so much cuter this time around.  One of the punches I don't play with enough is our Owl Builder Punch.  A week or so ago, my stampin' friend Yapha Mason featured an adorable card on her blog featuring the owls for Valentines so I knew I needed to CASE it.  Here is my take on it:

Colors: Coral Calypso, Lucky Limeade, Soft Suede and Whisper White.  Stamps: I {Heart} Hearts.  Big Shot: Little Leaves Sizzlet.  Punches: Owl Builder, Small Heart.  Accessories: Brads, Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, 2011-2013 In Color Patterns Designer Series Paper, Everyday Enchantment Ribbon and Brad Bundle.

This card would be perfect for Valentines or even for a wedding or anniversary.  It is just one of the cards that you can make if you come to my Valentines/Sale-A-Bration Stampin' Buffet.  All the projects are now posted and you can click here or on the tab above to see them.  The class will be Friday night, January 27 and Saturday, January 28 during the day. I hope to see you there!

Owl Always Love You

I admit it.  I've been bitten by the Pinterest bug.  If you aren't familiar with it, you should be.  It's a place to store all the fun ideas you see on blogs and other websites.  Mostly I use it to store and share Stampin' ideas but I found myself pinning hair styles today.  Eek!

Last week, one of the people I follow had pinned an adorable owl made from a Big Shot Pillow Box by Lynne Put.  I know I had seen these before but one of the things I love about Pinterest is having a way to store and remind myself of these things I see various places so that I will actually MAKE them and share them with my customers.  Here is my take on it:

Colors: Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Basic Black.  Stamps: Sweet Cake.  Punches: Scallop Oval, 1-1/4", 3/4" and 1/2" Circle, Modern Label, Small Heart, Heart to Heart.  Accessories: White Gel Pen.

It's she so cute?  This is just one of the projects I'll be offering at my Valentines Class and Sale-A-Bration Kick Off Buffet on January 27 and 28.  I'll be posting all the details and projects in the next couple of days so be on the look out.  I'd love to see you there!

And if you happen to also love Pinterest and would like to see the fun Stampin' Ideas (and other random things) I share, I've tried to make it easy.  On the left side of the screen, you should see a "Follow Me on Pinterest."  And of course, it just makes my whole day when someone "pins" something I've created to the site too.  So I'm trying out a new tag at the end of my posts to make that process easier too. Feel free to try it out and see if it works. :)

Sneak Peek at Sale-A-Bration

Sale-A-Bration is a wonderful time for anyone who loves FREE stuff.  If you aren't familiar with the promotions, for every $50 you spend from the Stampin' Up! Catalog, you get to choose a free item from the Sale-A-Bration brochure!  Watch here for more details on this exciting promotion that starts January 24.

But today, I wanted to share with you a quick sneak peek at some of the products you can get free.

Colors: Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Fresh Vintage and Loving Thoughts. Punches: Scallop, 1-3/8" and 1-1/4" circles.   Accessories: Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper and Ribbon & Brad Pack.

Paper and brads and ribbon!!  Oh my!  I have to say, that I just love this Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper.  It is just gorgeous!  I will be featuring more projects made with this paper in the Stampin' Addicts Sale-A-Bration Blog Hop coming up in about 10 days.  And the brads and ribbon that match it come in a bundle together. And the Fresh Vintage stamp set is just so beautiful too.

I made this card for a swap I was in last month to showcase the ribbon and brads and paper, but it also doubled as the Stampin' Addict Sketch Challenge last week too.  Come and play along with us!

There is an easy way to earn the stamp set, the paper and the embellishment kit as well as a fun shopping tote absolutely free -- host your own qualifying workshop during Sale-A-Bration.  So for a $400 workshop, you would get all of the above free, plus $65 in hostess dollars to spend on catalog merchandise and choose any one item 50% off item.  Contact me today and let's get you on my calendar.

Sweet Cake

The new Occasions Mini Catalog has us asking the question, do we really need another cupcake stamp?  I'm afraid to count how many I already have in my stash.  But of course the answer is YES!!!  Especially one as cute as this:

And this is what I made with it for a recent swap:

Colors: Pool Party, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Lucky Limeade and Calypso Coral.  Stamps: So Sweet.  Big Shot: Framelits Label Collection and Polka Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Punch: Modern Label.  Accessories: Whisper White Grosgrain Ribbon, Mini Brads, Dazzling Details, VersaMarker, Cherry-Scented Embossing Powder, heat tool dimensionals.

To make the main image on the card, I stamped it first in Soft Suede and then cut it out.  Then, after cleaning the stamp really well, I colored on the stamp with the Pool Party, Coral Calypso and Lucky Limeade makers and stamped it again.  Before cutting this part out though, I went back over the cherry with a VersaMarker and put Stampin' Up's new Cherry-Scented Embossing Powder over it and heat set it.  (That stuff smells so yummy!!)  Then I cut out that image and lined it up over the Soft Suede one and popped it up using dimensionals.  I also used markers for the greeting and then punched it out and doubled up the dimensionals to make it go over the cupcake bottom.

I added Dazzling Details to this card after the swap because SU hadn't announced that it would be carrying over before the swap was due.  Thank goodness it did, because I love this stuff and so happy it is still available to us.  It's just one of several items from the Holiday Mini that are still available to order.  Check out the complete list and add something you might have missed to your order today:

Old School Valentine

I had a lot of comments on my Old School Valentine from the blog hop.  It's always so satisfying to find out people like a creation.  Especially one that I wasn't so sure about.  I feel like Sally Field, "You like it!  You really, really like it!"

I had the idea for this because the largest die in the Framelits Heart Collections is scalloped and so cute, but it's larger than a standard card front.  But I was thinking back to to when I was in elementary school and we would exchange Valentines and how sometimes they would just be a simple heart with "to" and "from" on it. So that was the starting point of this project.

Colors: Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Blushing Bride.  Stamps: Take it to Heart and Loving Thoughts.  Big Shot: Framelits Heart Collection, Adorning Accents Textured Embossing Folder. Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Embossing Power, VersaMark, Blushing Bride 3//8" pleated satin ribbon, Antique Brads, Rhinestone Jewels.

One of the great things about Framelits is that you can stamp first and then line the die up to cut the image out -- just like punching.  One the smaller heart, I stamped it in VersaMark and then used Cherry Cobbler embossing powder and heat set it before I ran it through the Big Shot with the coordinating Framelit. Here's a view of the project from the side so you can see the texture and details.

And I know I've said it pretty much every post lately, but I love this ribbon.  It is fabulous because it is already gathered.  Makes it very easy to create a great border around an object.  I just put adhesive around the back edge of the heart and then applied the ribbon to it.  Here is a view from the back before I added the final scalloped heart to it:

I hope you've enjoyed this closer look at the blog hop projects.  Next week, I'll have brand new projects to share with you from the Occasions Mini and maybe even a sneak peek at Sale-A-Bration.

Edgelits Card Box

Today is the day!  The Occasions Mini Catalog is live and you can start placing your orders.  I wasn't able to share with you picture of the Edgelits and Framelits before because Stampin' Up! has rules about such things.  But first a closer look at my card box project from the blog hop:

Colors: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz and Whisper White.  Stamps: Loving Thoughts.  Big Shot: Adorning Accents Edgelits, Labels Collections Framelits, Fun Flowers Die.  Accessories: Twitterpated Designer Series Paper and Designer Buttons, 3/8" Blush Blossom Pleated Satin Ribbon

The box was made from a tutorial on Splitcoast Stampers.  For the base, use a 7 3/4" x 9" piece of cardstock and score at 1-1/2" on all sides. Cut your corners and fold into a box.    For the top, use a 6 7/8" x 8 1/8" piece of cardstock and score at 1" on all sides.  Cut your in at your corners and fold to make a lid.  To get the fancy border, I used the Edgelits.  You will have to fold you lid before you cut so that it will fit through your Big Shot.

Colors: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Basic Gray.  Stamps: Loving Thoughts.  Big Shot: Adorning Accents Edgelits and Textured Impressions Embossing Folders.  Accessories: Twitterpated Designer Series Paper, Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Rhinestone Jewels.

I wanted to keep the cards simple but still add some wow and I think the textures and the shapes do that.  The card box will hold several of these.  I made four all the same.

And now for a look at how you use these Edgelits:

As you can see from the picture, you will need your Tab 2 for your multipurpose platform and two clear plates. See how easy it is to line the Edgelit up where you want it on your project? (I love these things!)  You can use some temporary adhesive to hold it in place so that it doesn't slip when you run it through your machine. 

The Edgelits and the Framelits come in nice heavy storage envelopes.  But I saw an idea on Pinterest to store them in a DVD case, like the ones our clear-mount stamps come in.  I altered mine to use a magnetic strip instead of a magnetic sheet like was posted and I added little magnets to the spine to store one of the Edgelits.  You can see the other one is tucked underneath the Heart Framelits:

I know you will love these new dies as much as I do.  And customers can start ordering them today. Just head on over to my online store and see all the new products Stampin' Up! is offering in the Occasions Mini.  I know you won't be disappointed.

Bordering on Romance

Wasn't the Stampin' Addict Mini Occasions Blog Hop just fantastic?  So many great ideas from so many talented stampers.  If you missed it, don't worry.  Everyone's posts should be deep linked so that you can still follow it through and see everything. You can start here.  I promised today to tell you a little more detail about the first card I showed on the hop.

Colors: Pear Pizzazz, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Blushing Bride, and Riding Hood Red. Stamps: Bordering on Romance and Loving Thoughts.  Big Shot: Adorning Accents Edgelits Dies and Textured Impressions Embossing Folders. Punches: 1-1/4" and 1-3/8" circles.  Accessories: VersaMark Ink, Clear Embossing Powder, Blushing Bride 3/8" Pleated Satin Ribbon, Rhinestone Jewels.

First off, a little back ground on this card.  I made it for a swap that I signed up for using Bordering on Romance.  I really struggled to use this set.  It's beautiful and I've see a lot of fabulous things done with it, but I was lacking in mojo that day and just couldn't make anything work.  So I started doing more and more things with the card, like inking the Pear Pizzazz piece of card stock and putting embossing powder over the image after I colored it.  The final touch was wrapping the satin ribbon around the circle.  That's when I could finally be done with it. 

I do LOVE this pleated satin ribbon.  It's so gorgeous and so easy to work with.  If you couldn't tell from my blog hop projects, I love using it to add a ruffle to things like I did here.  It comes in four colors: Pear Pizzazz, Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride and Baja Breeze.  LOVE IT!!!

And I do love that stamp with the dotted line that mimics the shape of the Edgelit and embossing folder.  And as I said on the blog hop, Loving Thoughts has been my "go to" greeting stamp set since it arrive here about a month ago.

As promised here is another card using all the same things, but a different image from Bordering on Romance for the main image:

I hope your 2012 is off to a fantastic start and that you had a wonderful Christmas season too. I took a little break here again just because I got a little overwhelmed those last few days before school got out and then we had company for a few days and I've just been enjoying my family.  Now I'm back to it!  Come back on Wednesday to see a closer look at the card box from the hop.