Wonderful, Wonderful

Oh yes, I really think this new stamp set, Wonderful Watercolors, really is wonderful. I was playing around a little bit with this set today, and so far I think I like it tremendously. Uh, that's not too mushy, is it? This set is double-mounted with several different stems and flowers and words to round it all out. If you like 2-step stamps, or you like very easy watercoloring, then this stamp set needs to be on your wishlist. It's very versatile with the pretty flowers fitting a multitude of occasions. Ok, lets just jump in and check out this lovely stamp set...
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Isn't it pretty? I only used the detail image from this stamp, not the more solid image. I wanted to do the coloring myself instead of stamping it in. Don't you just love how airy and delicate the bunch of flowers look? Just love it! Oops, I seem to be getting just a teensy bit carried away. Sorry

All stamps and materials by SU!

Stamps: Wonderful Watercolors, On Your Birthday, and Tres Chic

CS: Cameo Coral, Old Olive, and Chocolate Chip

Ink: Basic Brown, Cameo Coral, and Old Olive

Accessories: AquaPainter, Earth Elements Mini Brads, Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, and a Sponge quarter for softening the edges with ink.

Here's a more detailed image of the flowers. The main trick with this is to have varying degrees of intensity on the ink color so the flowers don't look like a flat bunch. When you load ink onto your AquaPainter, decide which flowers you want to have more color and paint one or two of them first. Keep painting without reloading your brush with ink til you have very pale flowers. Then reload your brush with ink and start the process over again. It's a very simple process, but very important to give the flowers some variety and pizzazz.

Why don't you give this technique a try and let me know how it goes. Hope to hear from you.

Happy stamping and think Spring!!

Sharon

The end is near...

Well, at least the end of January. It's just impossible that the whole month has slid by already. The only good thing about this upper respiratory infection that I've been fighting, is that most of my business commitments were all in the first half of the month. This last 2 1/2 weeks have been horrid. And my poor hubby now has the same symptoms that I had at the start of this. Oh dear - don't get too close now. I wouldn't want to pass this on to anyone else!

Now way back in the earlier days of January, I showed you a cute little heart shaped container. Some people wanted to know how it was made. So here is a little tutorial showing what was used and how.

First of all, you need a Big Shot and a Petal Card die. (There are so many things you can do with these items, that you need them anyway!) For this project, you don't need a full petal card, but you need the full center square and 2 full petals. Actually you need two of these and a piece of cardstock 1 1/2" x 5" folded in half.

If you want a stamped background on your cardstock, now is the time to do it while it is flat. There's nothing like trying to stamp on a box that's already put together. Trust me, I know!

Next fold in the two partial petals on each piece.

The folded in flaps will attach to the 1 1/2" x 5" piece of cardstock and you'll have a piece that looks like this.



Here is another look at the inside of our container. Can you see how the flaps overlap inside and give strength to the sides of the container?

The next step is to punch a hole on each side with your Cropadile. Then insert a Jumbo Eyelet in each hole and use the Cropadile to set each eyelet. Tie on some ribbon to each side to just embellish, or create a handle for your container.

Go ahead and add your embellishments on the sides of the container. This one used the Love You Much stamp set.

Here is a good view of the embellishments used on our container. Dimensionals and glitter were also used to make them stand out a little more.

Finally, add your goodies or gift inside. This is a good size for our small flat cello bags. Fill it with a treat of some kind, give it a little lift with a bow, and you have something special for that someone special. Give it a try. I think you'll be hooked on these little heart containers too!

Enjoy!

Stay healthy, and have fun stamping!

Hugs,

Sharon

I'm baaaaaack!

Well, sort of anyway. Did anybody miss me? I've been out of commission in a big way. What can I say? It's winter, and my almost yearly upper respiratory crud has come. It sure knocked me off my feet this time around. It's been a whole week since I last set fingers to my computer keyboard, or even touched a stamp. Can you believe it? It's been such a blur because of my fever that I'm having trouble realizing that it's Sunday again already. How could I have missed out on a whole week?

Since I'm already out of energy and haven't stamped in ages, you're gonna have to settle for something I stamped awhile back. The new set that was used, Dream A Little, is one of the fabulous new Hostess Sets in the new 2009 Spring and Summer Catalog. If you don't have one yet, I'd be happy to get one to you, or you can peruse it online at my website.

All stamps and materials used by SU!

Stamps: Dream A Little

CS: Mellow Moss, Basic Black, Sahara Sand, and Whisper White

Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Mellow Moss

Accessories: Silver Mini Brads, Aqua Painter, and Crafters Tool Kit.

This card has very clean lines and is on the basic side. It was made with the thought of using it for a masculine sympathy card. I've been needing so many sympathy cards already this year that I did a little make-ahead session. It's always so hard to make these as you need them. Hopefully you won't be needing any sympathy cards soon, and you can use the idea for a masculine birthday, get well, or thinking of you card. Or make one for each category and cover all your bases!

On that note, I'm out of here. Back to the sofa for me. I'm plum tuckered out.

Take care, stay well, and

happy stamping!

Sharon

Boy, was I ever wrong!!

Way back in the beginning of January, I said the weather had been kind of nice. Yuck! With all the snow we're getting and the single-digit temperatures, I've got to learn to keep my mouth shut. It's just waaaaay too cold outside to even consider going out, but sometimes you just have to brave the cold and get out there. After going out for groceries, it seemed to take forever just to get warm again. Today was a stay at home day because I didn't want to brave the arctic weather just to mail a package - sorry Vera and Connie. You'll have to wait a little longer. Sorry! I'm not sure if you can tell in the second picture, (which is our home) but the snow is coming down

fast and furious out there. The first picture is the house across the street. Did you notice the snow on the shrubs in front of the house? Oh yeah, that's definitely snow-covered!
Our front porch is about 12" high and the snow is getting close to even with it. If I still skied, this would be the super skiing weather we prayed for - fresh powder. Brrrrrrr. I'm getting cold again just looking at the pictures.
Ok, enough of that! The card idea I wanted to share with you today is the one I made for my downline swap. The theme was spring, and I always think of new buds on the trees and little birds singing in the trees. This card is my version

of spring. Can you almost hear the birds twittering away?
I had lots of the outer frames from my chipboard scallop frames, so I thought this would be the perfect use for them. The frames were sponged with the Cameo Coral Craft ink and set aside to dry overnight. Since I had the new Sweetest Stem Embosslit, it just begged to be used for the card. I liked how it gave the card added texture and dimension without alot of bulk or weight.
All stamps and materials by SU!
Stamps: Spring Song, Sanded
CS: Confetti White, Apricot Appeal, Kiwi Kiss
Ink: Basic Black, Apricot Appeal, Cameo Coral (sponging)
Accessories: Big Shot and Sweetest Stem Embosslit, Aqua Painter, Watercolor Wonder Crayons - Earth Elements, Kiwi Kiss Striped Grosgrain, Wide Oval Punch, Tombow Multi-Purpose Adhesive, and Chipboard
I hope you enjoyed the idea and it inspires you to "Think Spring!"
Have a cozy, warm evening...
Sharon

Cold Hands, Warm Hearts

Brrrrrr! Baby it's soooo cold outside! And that means it's very cold down in the dungeon too!! It's so hard to stamp, or even think to plan a card, with blue fingers and a drippy nose. It's just one of those things that happen when I get cold. I think my nose is numb so it forgets not to drip. (Or something dorkey like that...)

Anyway, enough of the whining. If I think happy thoughts it should warm my heart, right? And with classes this week, we've got plenty of hearts! Two of the cards for this month's classes use the brand new Love You Much stamp set from SU! And the gorgeous new Candy Lane Designer Series Paper. Yummy!! They're in the new Spring and Summer 2009 Catalog and Idea Book the just came yesterday!!!! Oh there's so many new goodies in there! Maybe that's why I'm shivering - it's from stamping excitement! You just have to get one of these books in your hands. It's really cool (groan). If you'd like one of the catalogs, just contact me and I can make that happen for you!

OK, back to the cards from class. The 2 I'm showing you today are both Valentine card possibilities, but they don't have to be used for Valentine's day. They could just be fun 'thinking of you' cards. Doncha love having these options available??

All materials and stamps by SU!

Stamps: Love You Much set

CS: Close To Cocoa, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink scrap for the flower, and Candy Lane DSP (love it!)

Ink: Basic Brown pad and Pretty In Pink Marker

Accessories: Trio Flower Punch, Pink Gingham Ribbon (retiring), Bold Brights Mini Brad, Button Bouquet button, Mini Glue Dot, Dimensionals.

Now for the 2nd card, again it's a wannabe Valentine, but that's up to you. I love the look of tumbling hearts (or whatever) angled across the front of a card. And with our new Heart to Heart Punch it's so easy because there's no cutting! Just punch a few colors and you're done! I liked the addition of the snip-it of the Candy Lane Designer Series Paper giving just a little more color and pattern to the card too.

All stamps and materials by SU!

Stamps: Love You Much and Bella Toile background stamp

CS: Kraft, Riding Hood Red, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla, and Candy Lane DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Heart to Heart Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Fire Rhinestone Brad (pink mini), Silver Mini Brads, and Dimensionals.

This card is so quick because there's no coloring in, just stamp and punch. Yet I think it looks cute as all get out when it's done. Wouldn't you like to get one of these in the mail? Or better yet, wouldn't you like to sign up for classes with me and make cute cards like these yourself?? Please contact me if you have any questions about my projects. I'd love to hear your comments.

Warm hearted hugs,

Sharon

Slip-sliding away in Michigan

Yes, winter is back with all it's cold and blustery charms. We have icy roads and cars, and actually pretty much everything outside. I needed to do some running around to various places so there I was shivering out there in the middle of it all. Oh bummer! I could be at Leadership in Orlando, enjoying the warmth, and stamping with friends! Woe is me!! I'm chomping at the bit to see the new catalog and all the new goodies I'll just HAVE to purchase! With my daughter's wedding this Saturday morning, going to Leadership was really out of the question. But that doesn't mean I'm not wishing I was there. I hope all of you "leaders" out there are having a great time and stamping your little hearts out!

Since I had to stay in Michigan, now is a good time to be doing a little "springtime stamping". Well, maybe it's not specifically spring, but it's for warmer weather dreaming. How's that?

This is my latest buzzin' bee card. I love the warm colors and the bees are just the cutest!

All materials and stamps by SU! of course!

Stamps: Just Buzzin' By and Itty Bitty Background

CS: More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, and Very Vanilla

Ink: Basic Brown, More Mustard, Ruby Red, Blush Blossom, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Aqua Painter, Gold Mini Brad, Paper Snips, and Dimensionals

Doncha just love those itty bitty bees? I think they just make the card. These colors are a little darker than the first 2 cards I made, so it seems to have totally different feel to it. Maybe that's just my imagination, but it does make me feel a little warmer inside too. Hope it gives you a warm and happy feeling too.

Have a happy stampin' day!

Hugs,

Sharon

Lovely January - so far

What a terrific day it is! The sun is shining and the sky is blue. It's a little on the chilly side, but all in all, it's not too bad. I know the winter weather will be striking again soon, but ya just gotta enjoy it while ya can! I was out shopping with my daughter today. She picked up her veil and a few other goodies for the up-coming wedding. She's so excited she's bouncing around on her seat just like when she was a little girl. I guess in our hearts we always have a little of that child still in each of us! Now on to what gets me excited...

I've been playing with the new SU! set Just Buzzin By. This set will be in the new catalog coming out later this month. To me, it just sings SPRING! It was one I just had to preorder because the bees are just too cute! So far I've made 3 cards and the colors are all very different. Today I'll show you the blue and pink versions. Later on I'll give you the other and whatever else there is to show. Anyway, let me give you a rundown of these two card ideas.

1st card-

Stamps: Just Buzzin By and Curvy Verses

CS: More Mustard, Brocade Blue, Garden Green and Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Blush Blossom, Brocade Blue

Accessories: AquaPainter, Watercolor Wonder Crayons (Earth and Regals), 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds, Black Grosgrain, Sponge, Dimensional, and staple.

2nd card-

Stamps: Just Buzzin By

CS: Pretty In Pink, Kiwi Kiss, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black, Kiwi Kiss, Blush Blossom

Accessories: AquaPainter, Watercolor Wonder Crayons (Earth and Regals), Apricot Appeal Grosgrain Ribbon, Corner Rounder Punch, Sponge, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter

I wish you could see the wings better. None of the pictures I took really showed them off. The way they glitter makes them seem like they're fluttering.

It's time for me to get going now. There's still so much to stamp and so little time. Have fun creating something fun and frivolous today!

Sharon

Happy New Year!

Hope you had fun last night ringing in the new year. And I pray that it will be better than last year! My hubby and I had a quiet evening last night. We talked to a few people, watched a movie, played some computer games, and watched the ball drop in Times Square. Then toddled off to bed for a good night's sleep. Yes, we're getting old and boring. Ha, what am I saying? We already are old and boring. Oh well, that just means I had more time to create and stamp today! Isn't that a great way to start off the new year?

But first, I need to show you the last of the shoebox swap cards. I took pictures, then couldn't find them. Oh my... here we go again misplacing stuff. But how do you misplace something that's in a folder on your computer??? It seems that if it can be done, I'll do it! So I snapped a couple more pics and got to work posting them for you.

This first one was designed by Amy Braunscheidel. She always has very nice swap ideas. Isn't this one pretty? Of course, I like anything that uses the Bella Rose DSP. But it's simple too. Great idea when you're in a hurry.
Materials and stamps all by SU!
Stamps: Priceless and Cute & Curly Punch Set
CS: Riding Hood Red, Pirouette Pink, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, and Bella Rose DSP
Ink: Pirouette Pink, Riding Hood Red
Accessories: 1 3/8" Square Punch and Riding Hood Red 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

The 2nd card of the group was designed by Beth O'Hagan who is a cross-line of mine. I'm so lucky that Beth is part of our group because she's always ready to go the extra mile to help me out. What more could I ask for??? Don't you love all the patterns on this card? They're all from the Urban Garden DSP, and they work together so nicely. Just love it!
All materials and stamps by SU!
Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes
CS: Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze, and Urban Garden DSP
Ink: Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Scallop Square Punch, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Crafters Tool Kit, and Baja Breeze 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

The last card of the group is this one designed by Kendra Diserens. Again the DSP was used to really dress up a lovely design. Plus if you look close, you'll see several extra goodies to make this card extra special.
All stamps and materials by SU! unless otherwise noted.
Stamps: Crazy for Cupcakes
CS: Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, and Kiwi Kiss DSP
Ink: Basic Black with Close to Cocoa and Rose Romance Markers
Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, Large Oval Punch, NEW! Heart to Heart Punch and non SU! White Liquid Applique
So, what do you think? Aren't they all really nice cards? I think all of them would make nice class projects for you.
Hope you enjoyed the ideas. I'll be back with more creations soon. I've spent all day stamping and layering and coloring, using the Love You Much Bundle today. The stamp set is fresh and fun to stamp with. And the papeer is as yummy as it's name - Candy Lane. Doncha love it??

Talk to you soon!

Stay happy and healthy this year. And be the best that you can be. If you always do your best, you'll never be disappointed in yourself.

Sharon