Finding inspiration

I can't believe an entire week got away from me! Since my last post on 2/13, I've actually been quite productive, but you wouldn't know it to look at my blog! I've been finding so much inspiration from other blogs and having fun using those ideas to create some new projects. This card was inspired by a blog, but for the life of me, I can't remember whose!! So to that blogger, I apologize! I had fun using lots of accessories with minimal stamping. And I love how the Soft Sky cardstock really makes the Fall Flowers designer series paper pop!

Stamps: Warm Words

Cardstock: Soft Sky

Ink: Versamark

Accessories: Fall Flowers designer series paper, Flower Fusion, white taffeta ribbon, silver brads, scallop circle punch, white embossing powder, heat tool, stampin' dimensionals

Valentine goodies

My son is in third grade and this is the first year his class has had a valentine exchange! For whatever reason, it's not been allowed in his past classes (envision me rollin' my eyes!). So when I found out he could do that this year, I was quick to jump in with a stamping idea. And - surprise, surprise - my son actually said "ok."! So I had to come up with a quick and easy project that was boy-ish enough for him to like. And here's the final project:

Aren't they just adorable?! So how do you make these fabulous little goodies? It's just a wrap made from a 2" x 6-1/4" piece of cardstock. Score it at at 1" and 3" and- 4-1/4" and VOILA! Inside, we attached a miniature Milky Way bar with double-sided tape and stamped "Wild About You". Easy, peasy!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to you and your loved ones!

Stamps: Wild About You

Cardstock: Real Red, Bashful Blue, Whisper White

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: 1-1/4" circle punch, 1-3/8" circle punch

I'm so honored!!

What a pleasant surprise I found in my in-box today! Stephanie Luman bestoyed the Excellent Blogger Award on me and my little 'ol blog! :-) With all the fabulous blogs out there, I'm blown away that someone picked mine! So to pass along the warm fuzzies I felt, here are some bloggers that I think are deserving of the Excellent Blogger Award. These ladies are truly talented stampers, so be sure to check out their blogs and wonderful project ideas!

Twila - The Stamping Spot

Nicole - Under the INKfluence

Shelley - Mocha Memories

Sherrie - Stamping Fun with Sherrie

Joanne - Mojo Stamper

Rub, stamp, done

Have you played with Stampin' Up!'s new rub-ons yet? They're a super quick, easy way to add a little punch to any of your projects. Cards? Check. Scrapbook pages? Check. Home decor? Check. Yep, these little guys can be used on so many surfaces, from paper to glass to metal to plastic. And during Sale-a-Bration (SAB), you can earn them FREE!

This card features the Love & Happiness rub-ons from the SAB offerings. You receive four sheets of adorable flowers and flourishes in four colors - white, black, old olive and chocolate chip. The only part of this card that is stamped is the Bashful Blue flower tipped in Chocolate Chip. This was achieved with the rock 'n roll technique. Using 2 colors, stamp once in the lighter color and then roll the edges of the image in the darker color. You now have an image with some dimension.

I simply added some ribbon and some layers of Chocolate Chip cardstock and it's done. :-)

Stamps: Pick a Petal

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White

Ink: Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Love & Happiness rub-ons, white taffeta ribbon, 1-1/4" circle punch, 1-3/8" circle punch, scallop circle punch, stampin' dimensionals

It's coming soon!

Stampin' Up!'s Occasions Mini Catalog offers some fabulous new stamp sets and accessories! As a demonstrator, I can pre-order products from the mini catalog and my pre-order came in yesterday. I'm having so much fun playing with my new goodies. Here's a quick card I whipped up to showcase a new stamp set and some accessories.


The love the color combo in the Summer Picnic designer series paper. In the dull grey days of winter, the bright colors call out to me. I'm a sucker for flowers so the new Die-Cut Blooms were a must-have! These flowers come in four colors - Bashful Blue, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie and Real Red - and are cut from textured cardstock! What a quick and easy way to add a little something special to your project :-)

You can purchase items from the Occasions Mini starting on March 1st. My customers will receive the mini catalog in the mail sometime after the 15th of the month. I hope you enjoy these new products as much as I do!

Stamps: Tart & Tangy
Cardstock: Real Red, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red, Old Olive
Accessories: 1-1/4" circle punch, 1-3/8" circle punch, Die-Cut Blooms, stampin' dimensionals, Summer Picnic designer series paper, Old Olive poly-twill ribbon

I challenge you!

If you're stuck with the same card layouts, the perfect solution is participating in a Splitcoaststampers sketch challenge! Every week, a new

sketch is posted to get your creative juices flowing. Here's the most

recent sketch:

And here's my card:

The sketches just provide you with a basic template and then you can start making it your own. And there are other kinds of challenges at Splitcoast so check it out and start challenging yourself!

Stamps: Time Well Spnt

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana

Ink: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana, Basic Grey

Accessories: Three for You punch, sponges, white gel pen, stampin' dimensionals, silver brads

A little birdie in my window!

I've seen shadow box cards all over Splitcoaststampers but haven't felt up to the challenge. That was, until I saw a fabulous tutorial on Dawn Griffith's blog! Thanks to her great step-by-step instructions, I created this totally adorable card! Isn't he just the cutest little thing?!?! These shadow box cards lie flat to mail in a standard card envelope and can then be propped open by the recipient. I have had so much fun playing with this stamp set! You can color him in or stamp him on cardstock or designer series paper and simply layer him. And with all the different sentiments, he's sure to be the perfect choice for many of your card needs.

Stamps: A Little Birdie Told Me

Cardstock: Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Summer Sun

Accessories: Bali Breeze designer series paper, coluzzle, sticky strip, 1" circle punch, stampin' dimensionals

Sale-a-Bration Stamp Camp

I've been under the weather for the past few days so I haven't had an opportunity to update my blog. But I'm starting to feel better and have a card sample to share with you.

This card is one of 20 that you can make at the Sale-a-Bration Stamp Camp on March 1st. A group of Stampin' Up! demonstrators are working together on a big stamp camp for our customers. There are cards w/ envelopes for all occasions and there will be door prizes and more! You can attend the morning session (9:00 to noon) or the afternoon session (1:00 to 4:00). The fee is $30 and $10 of that can be applied to a $30+ order placed the day of the event. This is one event you don't want to miss so call or email me to reserve your spot!