Endless Wishes Pinspiration

Have you heard the news?  The Endless Wishes Photopolymer Stamp is once again available to purchase.  This is such a cute stamp set, perfect for any celebration. Here's a card I made with it a month or so ago, right before it sold out the first time:

Colors: Pool Party, So Saffron, Night of Navy and Whisper White.  Stamps: Work of Art and Endless Wishes.  Big Shot: Star Burst Framelits.  Punch: 1-3/4" Circle Punch, Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack.  Accessories: Rhinstone Jewels.

I hesitated on whether or not to even call this a Pinspiration, because while it did start out as a CASE of this card by Kimberly Van Diepen, I changed it up quite a bit but I will give credit where credit is due!

Here is the entire set you get for only $13.95 and only while supplies last:

Tag It Birthday

It's almost time to be posting items for my next class, but first, I still have one card to share on my blog from my last class a few weeks back.  This time, it's a birthday card featuring the Tag It stamp set.

Colors: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Soft Sky, Coral Calypso, Real Red, So Saffron.  Stamps: Tag It.  Punches: Scalloped Tag Topper Punch.  Accessories: Basic Gray Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, I am Me Designer Series Paper, Epic Day Washi Tape.

Love this little lizard and all the other stamps in this set.  And the best part about it is that $3 from the sale of it go directly to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. If you haven't had a chance to purchase it yet, get to it.  It is sure to be on the retirement list that comes out in 10 short days since Stampin' Up! generally gives us a new Ronald McDonald House Charities stamp set every year.  Here's a look at the entire set:

Tag It! Wood Mount (item number 130300) $22.95. Clear Mount (item number 130303) $16.95

It's a Box. . . It's a Card . . .

It's both!  These cards became very popular a few months back and as always, I'm behind the curve with making one and sharing it with you.  But here is my take on it:

Colors: Basic Black, Whisper White, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, and Strawberry Slush. Stamps: Geometical, Yippee Skippee, Just Sayin', Peachy Keen.  Big Shot: On Film and Just Sayin' Framelits.  Punches: Small Oval, Banner, Triangle.  Accessories: Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper, Window Sheets, White Baker's Twine.

I made this for my birthday class, but it would also make a great card for graduation or anytime you needed a good, "Yippee-Skippee!"  It kind of feels like a party going on when you open this up.  And it's easy to leave up for the world to see too since it stands up on it's own.  Here's another view of it:

You've probably come across a few variations of this Card in a Box idea.  I used the measurements that Heidi Baks shared on her blog during the Chalk Talk Edition of The Stamp Review Crew.  I love hers because it fits perfectly into a regular envelope when closed.

Just this week I made a different version of this card for Mother's Day that will be featured at my next Stampin' Buffet on April 25 & 26. I will have all of these projects posted here and on Facebook this weekend so be sure to come back and check them all out.

Make a Wish Hexagon Card

I finally had a chance to play with the Hexagon Hive Thinlits Die from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  At first I balked a little bit wondering if it was worth purchasing.  But I was hooked after one card:

Colors: Smoky Slate, Daffodil Delight, and Whisper White.  Stamps: Sweet Essentials.  Big Shot: Hexagon Hive Thinlits Die. Accessories: Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper and Rhinestone Jewels.

To make this card, I actually cut the Hexagon Hive Thinlit three times: one in each color.  I adhered the white base over the Designer Series Paper first and then used the punched out pieces from the Daffodil Delight and Smokey Slate to cover the solid pieces that were left on the white, popping some of them up on Dimensionals to give it a little more, well, dimension.  Finally, I added the random rhinestones which I think give the card that extra special touch.

One tip to using this (and other) Thinlet die: place a piece of waxed paper between the die and your card stock before you run it through the Big Shot.  The waxed paper keeps the thin pieces from getting stuck in the die and will save you a lot of wasted ruined cuts.  Consider yourself warned.

Freshly Made Sketches #128

I'll admit, I had this card sitting on my desk when I pulled up this weeks challenge from The Freshly Made Sketches blog.  It was almost too perfect.  This sketch by Rita Wright (fellow Stamp Crew Review stamper) is a go to card layout for me. 

So here is my interpretation of this sketch:

Colors: Strawberry Slush, Basic Black, Whisper White and Pink Pirouette.  Stamps: Sketched Birthday.  Punches: 1-1/4" Circle and 1-3/4" Scallop Circle.   Accessories: 2013-2015 In Color Designer Series Paper Stack, Basic Black 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Dazzling Details.

I love bright pink and black together.  I'm not really a girly, girl.  But these colors just pop.  And I've had a lot of fun playing with the Sketched Birthday set recently.  It's a little hard to tell from the picture, but after I colored the cupcake, I added a layer of Dazzling Details to the frosting.  And now I want a cupcake!

Unscripted Sketches Challenge #247

Remember last week when I said I wanted to play in more challenges?  Well here's another one for you.  This time it's Unscripted Sketches. My friend and fellow Stampin' Addict Adriana Benitez is on the design team over there and they always have great sketches.  I just never (before) have gotten around to playing.  Here's the sketch:

And here is the card I made:

Colors: Bermuda Bay, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green, Crisp Cantaloupe.  Stamps: Sketched Birthday and Yipppee-Skippee.  Big Shot: Decorative Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Accessories: Blender Pens, Gumball Green Stitched Satin Ribbon, Birthday Basics Designer Series Paper.

You can see, I flipped the sketch and used the ribbon in the place of a title at the edge of the color block section.  This is such a versatile sketch too.  It would make a great scrapbook page.

This is also a card for my annual Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet coming up on March 21&22.  It's the one time a year that my class is only about birthdays. Hope to see you there!

Minion Invasion!

We've almost made it to the end of a very busy month. Whew!  Yesterday was my oldest's 11th Birthday.  Can't believe how fast the last 11 years have flown by!  Two weeks ago, we celebrated our youngest's 9th Birthday as well.  And since they both had odd-year birthdays, in our family that means you get to have a birthday party.  Eleven is kind of a funny age for a birthday party.  Too old for a themed party and too young for a boy-girl more grown up party.  So he picked to have a friend over to play video games for a few hours.

My 9-year old still wants to have a themed party and invite everyone he knows.  So this year we're having a Despicable Me! Party for all the minions in the neighborhood. My dear friend Linda is making a Minion cake for us and I can't wait to see how it turns out.  And of course that means we need an appropriate invitation:

Colors: Daffodil Delight, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip.  Punches: 1-3/4", 1-3/8", 3/4" Circles and Itty Bitty Punch Pack. Accessories: White Gel Pin and Basic Black Marker

I have to say, that they turned out so cute and were a breeze compared to the last set of invitations I made for his pirate party two years ago.  I actually put these all together in the car on our trip to St. George a couple of weeks back.  To round the top, I cut an oval out from the Oval Framelits and used it as a template.  Then I just layered the circle punches to make the eyes.  For the mouth, I used the 1-3/4" circle punch but only punched about 1/3 of the way into the paper with it. 

Wish us luck since we are doing both boys celebrations at the exact same time: one upstairs and one downstairs.  It will mean total chaos for a few hours, but it will be nice to have it all done and over with too.  Enjoy!

Something Pink with Sprinkles

Sorry the blog is going to be a bit sporadic the next few weeks.  We have family reunions and company coming besides the excuse I gave last week (working on swaps). So bare with me please.  I do have something to show you today.  We were given the Remembering Your Birthday stamp set at the Salt Lake Regionals in April.  And it didn't take a rocket scientist to match this greeting with the cupcake punch:

Colors: Bermuda Bay, Baked Brown Sugar, Blushing Bride, and Whisper White.  Stamps: Remembering Your Birthday and Create a Cupcake.  Big Shot: Deco Label and Circles Framelit collections.  Punch: Cupcake Builder. Accessories: Baked Brown Sugar Ruffle Stretch Trim, Subtles Designer Series Paper Pack Stack, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack and Rhinestone Jewels.

See?  Had to pair them up.  And I'm sure I am not the first and I won't be the last.  There are a lot of details to love on this card.  My favorite thing is probably the ruffle stretch trim around just the circle part of the Deco Label Framelit piece.  It doesn't take a lot of this beautiful trim to do that, but it adds so much to the card. It's a little difficult to tell, but I also added a line of scallop paper piercing to the side of the card as well as around the Bermuda Bay circle. 

We made this card at my All-You-Can-Stamp buffet last week and I decided to make a stepped up version of it for the Over the Top swap for convention. (Thus, the reason I am sharing it today).   Stay tuned to see that version sometime in late July or early August. But I am also sending this card to my goddaughter Brynn for her 11th birthday this week.  Doesn't it seem like the perfect card for an 11 year old girl? 

Daydream Medallions

I just realized I had a couple more projects from my class last month that I still haven't shared here on my blog.  Last night, I was making up the extras of this card so I could send one to my aunt whose birthday is tomorrow:

Colors: Primrose Petal, Summer Starfruit, Very Vanilla, Gumball Green.  Stamps: Daydream Medallions and Perfect Punches.  Big Shot: Floral Frames Framelits.  Punches: XL Oval.  Accessories: Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack and In Color Dahlias. 

Daydream Medallions was another set we received at convention last year that I haven't used very much.  I bought the matching framelits as well, but they have been a little neglected too.  So I knew I wanted to use them for a card for my class. 

This card also features the Print Poetry Designer Series Paper Stack.  I love this little pack of paper.  I ordered it when the Spring Catalog first came out but I have been hoarding it because it is so pretty.  I finally decided I'd better actually use some of it before the Spring Catalog ends.   The papers are 4-1/2" x 6-1/2" and half a sheet fits perfectly on a card.  If you haven't checked this fun paper out, you need to soon.

Vintage Balloon

Last year at Convention, we received the You're Amazing stamp set.  I must admit, I probably would never have purchased this set by itself, but I've been trying to make myself use stamp sets that I wouldn't normally use.

Colors: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, and Naturals Ivory.  Stamps: You're Amazing. Big Shot: Windows and Apothecary Accents Framelit Collections.  Punches: Ticket Duo Builder.  Accessories: Natural 7/16" Trim Ribbon, Vintage Trinkets, Festive Paper Piercing Pack.

I actually saw a card on Pinterest with the Window and Apothecary Framelits layered like this and I loved it and knew I had to case it.  I added the paper piercing around the larger window layer to add a bit of texture to the card.   And if you haven't noticed, I am loving the Crumb Cake/Naturals Ivory combo lately.

Just a reminder that it is the first of the month, but there are still lots of promotions that are carrying over to the new month.  The Sent with Love and Spring Surprise promotions are still on going.  Also, the Photopolymer stamps are still available as well. Check out the side of my blog for links to all these on going promotions.

Sale-A-Bration: The End is Near!

Sale-A-Bration ends this Friday, March 22.  So if you haven't already taken advantage of this great time to shop Stampin' Up!, now is the time.

I still haven't shown any projects with this Bloomin' Marvelous stamp set that is only available during Sale-A-Bration:

Colors: Not Quite Navy, Pool Party, So Saffron, Whisper White.  Stamps: Bloomin' Marvelous and Occasions Alphabet.  Big Shot: Apothecary Accents Framelits, Honeycomb Texture Impressions Embossing Folder.  Punches: Bitty Butterfly, Elegant Butterfly, Large Oval.  Accesories: Core'dinations Card Stock, Tea Lace Paper Doilies, Rhinestone Jewles, Essentials Paper Piercing Pack.

This card was loosely based on a card I saw on Stampin' Connections by Diane Vander Galien.  I changed up the colors and the butterfly images and added a different greeting.  This Bloomin' Marvelous comes with some really cute sayings but I needed this to be for my birthday class so I used a different one.  I love the Occasions Alphabet stamp set because it has 26 different fun greetings in it.

I do have an order going in this Friday if you are interested in taking advantage of Sale-A-Bration and combined shipping.  Just let me know.  You can also jump on over to my online store and shop to your hearts content there.  Just do it before Friday so you get your free items.  Don't miss out!

Twisted Gift Card Holders

Back during the Stampin' Addict's Spring Catalog Blog Hop, Kathleen Brill-Myrice showed some really cute Twisted Cards.  I knew immediately that I wanted to turn them into Gift Card Holders for my Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet:

Colors: Tangerine Tango, Rose Red, Island Indigo, and Whisper White.  Stamps: Pretty Petites (SAB). Punches: 2-3/8" Scallop Circle, 1-3/4" Circle, Owl Builder and Petite Curly Label (SAB).  Accessories: Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper (SAB), Floral District and Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper.

You can find the directions on how to make these cards on Kathleen's Blog. They really aren't very hard, just a little time consuming to get the printed paper cut just right.  On the inside of these cards is more printed paper and a little pocket, perfect for slipping a gift card into.

These are available to make this weekend at this weekend's Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet.  Today is the last day to RSVP for this class.  This is also a good time to point out that Sale-A-Bration ends in just nine short days.  Don't miss out on your chance to get the Pretty Petite Stamp Set and matching Petite Curly Label punch and/or the Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper FREE!  Contact me today to find out how.

Best of . . . 25 Years!

2013 is a very special year for Stampin' Up!  It marks the 25th anniversary of this amazing company.  You all know how much I love this company.  I love that I can build a business on my own terms and that they offer wonderful products that I can pass along to my customers.  And I love that they are a Utah company, so I am supporting a local business that provides jobs right here in my home state.

In honor of the company's 25th anniversary, Stampin' Up! is offering the Best of 25 Years collection of stamp sets. Each set is comprised of the best stamps Stampin' Up! has offered over the past 25 years in a certain theme, plus on brand new image, compiled into a single stamp set.  A new stamp set is released every month. 

It is a little embarrassing that I am just now getting around to sharing the Best of Birthday set that came out in January.  But the good news is, the sets are all available until March 31, 2014 so even if you missed a month or two, you can go back and order them now.  Here I used one of the stamps for a card that will be offered at this weekend's Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet:

Colors: Pacific Point, Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, and Pool Party. Stamps: Best of Birthdays.  Big Shot: Circles #2 Die. Punches: 2-3/8" Scallop Circle.  Accessories: International Bazaar Designer Series Paper, Brads.

This was the only stamp from this set that I ended up using for the class but you can see the rest of them here:

February's set features the Best of Love:

March is Best of Flowers, but I will be ordering that set this week and will show you some samples of it really soon.  Each set is only $14.95.  And in honor of the 25th Anniversary, Stampin' Up! is giving you a bonus if you order at least six of these Best of sets: a free stamps set of your choice $14.95 or less. I love some free stamps and I can't wait to see what the other sets will be.

Whirly Pinwheels

For some reason, March is always associated with windy days.  Remember making kites in March as a child?  Well, today, I don't have kites to share, I have pinwheels.  The Spring Catalog features a little sizzlet die that cuts the perfect cute pinwheel.  Here I have put two of them on a card:

Colors: Wisteria Wonder, Coral Calypso, Lucky Limeade and Whisper White , Crumb Cake.  Stamps: Itty Bitty Banners. Big Shot: Pinwheel Sizzlet S Die, Tasteful Trim Bigz XL, Cloudy Day Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Accessories: Brads, In Color Prints Pack Designer Series Paper.

This is loosely based on a card I saw on pinterest.  I love the textured clouds behind the pinwheels.  It just adds a little something special to the card.  Once you cut the pinwheels out with your die, I found it easiest to use one of the paper piercing tools to finish punching out the holes for the brads.  You do have to carefully gather all those ends together in the brad to keep from ripping through the holes. And you can't use a larger brad because they don't work.  (Ask me how I know. :))  These pinwheels are just glued to the page so they don't turn.  I suppose you could put the brad through the paper to get them to spin, but that seemed like a lot of work.

I will be offering this card at my Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet next Friday and Saturday, along with nine others and a few other special projects.  You won't want to miss it!

Blue Ribbon

We made it to March!  I hope it is feeling Spring-like where you are.  We're still waiting for it here but I have hope that it is just around the bend.

A new month means lots of news from Stampin' Up!  I'll be posting more about each of these things over the next few weeks, but the one I didn't want to wait on was the introduction of clear stamps.  Yep, you saw that right, Stampin' Up! has finally found the right clear material to make stamps you can see through!  The first set they are offering is called Designer Type and offers 57 stamps for the amazing price of $13.95.  The set will be offered on a limited basis as a test to gauge customer interest in clear stamps.  So if you are interested, be sure to vote with your dollars and buy the Designer Type set.



The card I have to show you today DOES NOT feature the new stamp set.  It's so new, I don't even have it yet.  But after convention last year, Stampin' Up! offered a discount on the Blue Ribbon stamp set from the main catalog to attendees, and I'm a sucker for discounts so you know I had to have it.  But there it sat, all lonely for the past six months.  A week or so ago, I was looking at stamps I hadn't used since I bought them (and there are several.  EEK!) and decided to break this one out of it's purgatory.

Colors: Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy, Cherry Cobbler, and Very Vanilla.  Stamps: Blue Ribbon.  Big Shot: Polka Dot Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Punch: 1-3/8" Circle. Accessories: Regal Collection Designer Series Prints Pack, Natural 7/16" Ribbon Trim.

I also had a bunch of scraps on my desk that were just begging to get get put on a card so I made this one too.  I don't usually share retired stuff on my blog, but I couldn't resist today:

Colors: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Bashful Blue.  Stamps: Blue Ribbon.  Punch: 1-3/8" Circle.  Accessories: Festival of Prints Pack (not currently available), Natural 7/16" Ribbon Trim.

The first card will be offered at my Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet March 15-16.  Watch for all the details to be posted here and on Facebook this weekend or maybe Monday if it takes me an extra day. I hope to see you there!

Sale-A-Brate Birthdays!

Can you believe Sale-A-Bration is almost one month old?  That means we only get one more month to enjoy free products when you place a qualifying order, and bonus products when you host a Stampin' Up! party or join my team.  Did you forget what all the hubbub is about?  Check out this post that tells you all about it: SALE-A-BRATION TIME!

Today's card features three of the products you can get free during Sale-A-Bration:

Colors: Whisper White, Tangerine Tango, Island Indigo, and Summer Starfruit.  Stamps: Patterned Occasions (SAB Exclusive).  Big Shot: Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Punch: XL Oval. Accessories: Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper (SAB Exclusive), Sycamore Street Buttons (SAB Exclusive), Many Marvelous Markers.

This card felt like a stretch for me.  These aren't colors and patterns I would normally put together, but with all the combining of Razzleberry and Tangerine Tango in the Designer Series Paper this year, I am starting to get used to that combo with other bright colors.  Also, I have noticed a trend this year to more "white space" on cards.  IMHO, this card works because the card base is white. The paper, buttons and stamps are exclusive to Sale-A-Bration. So once it ends on March 22, they will no longer be available. 

My next class coming up March 15 and 16 is my annual Birthday Bash Buffet.  Who doesn't need dozens or birthday cards every year?  This is my class devoted only to birthday cards and I only do it once a year so you won't want to miss out.  This will be one of the cards that I will be offering during the that class.  More details coming in the next week or so. 

Jumping Frogs and Double Stitched Ribbon

When I was designing my Moving Forward class last month, I wanted to make a full-sized card with that cute frog image.  I came across a card on Stampin' Connections that had the frogs jumping like this up the card.  Here is what I came up with:

Colors: Lucky Limeade, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Midnight Muse and Whisper White.  Stamps: Moving Forward.  Big Shot: Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.  Accessories: Midnight Muse Double Stitched Satin Ribbon

Notice the ribbon on there?  That is the ribbon that you can get free this month with any $40 purchase.  Spend $80 and get 2 rolls.  It is simply gorgeous and fun to use.  I already have a roll in every color (and maybe some extras in the drawer) but you better believe I will be stocking up this month as well. Head on over to my online store, or click the promotions link to find out more.

Gift Bags from Designer Series Paper

This is the last look at projects from my Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet coming up this weekend.  It's not too late to RSVP if you haven't already. The idea and the directions for these cute gift bags came from Pinterest. (Where else, right?)  But it's one of those pins that doesn't link to a blog so I'm still not sure who to give credit too.

They are quick and easy to make and perfect when you are giving something to someone who appreciates cute paper and those extra special touches:

Colors: Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla, Calypso Coral.  Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes.  Punch: Wide Oval. Accessories: Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper, Simply Scored, 1/4" Very Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Hemp Twine.

To make the bag, simply score a piece of 12x12 Designer Series Paper at 3" and 9" and then turn and score at 4-1/2" and 7-1/2".  Cut the tabs into the middle and fold along the score lines so that it looks like this:

Adhere sides together and add a ribbon handle and tag and you are ready to go! 

Don't forget that time is running out to get your hands on that fabulous Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper.  (I admit I'm starting to hoard it a little bit.)  It is just one of several products that are exclusive to the Sale-A-Bration Promotion.  You can get one free for every $50 you spend before it all ends on March 31.  Click the "shop now" button or contact me today.

Cupcake Gift Box

I have two more birthday projects to share with you so I hope you are still enjoying them.  Today, it's a cute little gift box that I had the darnedest time getting a good picture of.  No matter what I did, the cupcake looks crooked.

Colors: Pretty in Pink, Tempting Turquoise, Soft Suede, Whisper White.  Stamps: Create a  Cupcake.  Big Shot: Fancy Favors XL Bigz, Labels Collection Framelits.  Punches: Cupcake Builder.  Accessories: Subtles Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack, Red Glitter Paper, Paper Crimper, Crop-a-dile, Soft Suede Taffeta Ribbon.

To make this box, you need two of the Fancy Favor Die Cuts: one from regular card stock and none from Designer Series Paper.  For the bottom: Assemble the card stock one together as usual.  For the top: cut the flaps off the Designer Series Paper one that would normally fold under to make the bottom.  Adhere the sides together and then pinch the top.  Punch two holes in the top and feed the ribbon through them to hold it closed.  Then put the two boxes together.  Voila!  Here's another look:

I just love the fancy edge the die gives the box top.  If you would like to make this at my next class, check out the page for my Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet!  I hope to see you there.

Gift Card Holders

I knew I wanted to offer a gift card holder at my Birthday Bash Stampin' Buffet.  After all, they make very easy gifts for the hard-to-shop for people in your life.  I looked at several online and decided that I just wanted something simple and fun.  That' when the "a-ha" moment happened.

Colors: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Real Red, Daffodil Delight.  Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes.  Big Shot: Framelits Label Collection.  Punches: Oval and Scallop Oval. Accessories: Big Top Birthday Designer Series Paper, Brights Collection Brads.

When the Top Note Big Shot die first came out, someone turned it into a pocket so I thought, why not do it with the Framelits Label Collection.  After all, the beauty of the Framelits is having several size options and one of them fit a gift card perfectly.  And aren't they so much cuter than the ones that the cards come in at the store?  You could decorate these up much more than I've done here.  I wanted to keep them quick and simple and this paper does add a lot of pizzazz to them already.  You'll be able to finish this project in no time at all at my class.  So what are you waiting for.  Sign up today.