Thursday, July 29, 2010

Early Tree Trimmings

Do you ever have 'leftovers' after a class or workshop? I had a workshop the other night and had two make & take packs all cut and ready to go, but sadly left over. So, here's the quandry. Did I just put the cardstock pieces away, or did I want to make up the two cards as they were originally planned, or did I want to play around a bit with the basic pieces, but use different sets? Well, after the little munchkin got picked up this afternoon, I headed down to the stamp cave to see what could be done with my leftovers. And lookie there, a Christmas card that's all ready to either send myself or put in the box for sending to our soldiers. Hmmm... Guess it'll go in the box because they'll need those Christmas cards before I will. Besides, I never make my cards before December! I could say I thrive on deadlines, but that is such a huge lie. It's more like I'm steadily working on my ulcer by never doing things until the very last minute. Really, that ulcer should be coming along just fine by now! lol


Anyway, back to the card. Here's a link to the first idea. As you can see, the basic layout and components are the same, just different! Not only were the stamp sets changed, but there were different accessories used to give a different look. Hope you like the changes.




Stamps: Tree Trimmings and Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Eggplant Envy, and Whisper White
Ink: Eggplant Envy, Bashful Blue, and Marina Mist
Accessories: Big Shot with Finial Press Embossing Folder, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Word Window Punch, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Stamp-a-ma-jig, and Dimensionals






I don't know if you can see the glitter on the ornaments. Sometimes pictures just don't show cards as lovely as they are. The glitter just makes them so pretty and sparkly!

This is one set that I always use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to get those little hangers on just right. I find that tool so easy to use and it makes everything look so nice and puts it precisely where you want it. This is one of those 'must-have' tools for me.

Ok, that's all for today. I've really got to get upstairs and throw together something for dinner before I faint from lack of food. Yeah, right! Like that will ever happen!!! lol Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow. We'll see....
Sharon

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Love those Builder Wheels!

Ok, when you look at my sample card, you're going to know that I am a really big color wimp! What is that you ask? Well, when you have a fear of deciding what colors will work in the 3-Cell Cartridge, and can't make up your mind which color combo you might want to use in the future, and you 'just can't decide!!', then you know you're an official color wimp. I'm not sure if that's the medical term or not (maybe just technical), but it sure fits the bill for me! lol It took me three days to decide which colors to put into the 3-Cell Cartridge! I had the card idea in my head, but couldn't decide on colors. I mean, this was an earth-shattering decision to make. Once I put the refill to the cell pad, there would be no going back! Well, maybe I could rinse it all out if I really hated the look. But anyway, it was a tough choice, so I chickened out and used colors that I knew would work well together - So Saffron, Wild Wasabi, and Baja Breeze. And after all that debating with myself, I didn't even use the middle color of the cell!!! Oh well, I am happy with my card, even though it was a hard decision to make. Hope you like it too! Oh, btw, now that I've worked with the Builder Wheels, I've gone and ordered another 3-Cell Cartridge. Any ideas for color combos for the next one????? You know I need all the help I can get!

Stamps: So Many Stars and Candle Crazy Builder Wheels, Heard from the Heart, andCute by the Inch (level 2 Hostess set - love it!!)
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, and Whisper White
Ink: Wild Wasabi and Baja Breeze pads, So Saffron and Baja Breeze refills
Accessories: Jumbo Handle, Wheel Guide, Builder Wheel Spindle and Spacers, Scallop Square Punch, and Dimensionals

It had been awhile since I'd used my Wheel Guide and I totally forgot how easy it is to use and how nice and straight it keeps my wheeled images! Wow! I used this for a make & take at a workshop. Usually this group really complains when I want them to use a wheel on anything they make. It was quite funny how everyone thought it did wonders for them and no one was grumbling about using wheels on their card. They even wanted to use it on their envelopes and got quite creative. Guess I need to remember to show some basics when I do workshops with some of my friends that have been my customers from the very beginning (almost 13 years!!). If I forget about some ideas, techniques, or tools, it stands to reason that they might forget about them too! Ah, always a good lesson to learn.

Have a good one...
Sharon

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Tropical Paradise

It's been so hot and muggy here lately that I feel I've been transported to the tropics. I remember one vacation in the Bahamas many years back that it showered every day right around lunch time and then the sun would shine the rest of the day. You could actually see the steam rising from the street after the showers. The heat and humidity were quite intense then, and it feels the same way right here and now. So we just might as well get into that tropical feel for a card, right?
The luscious Designer Paper called Island Oasis seemed to be a perfect backdrop for our tropical flavored card. It has all these wonderful prints and warm, tropical colors to draw you in. After making this card, I felt like I was sitting on a terrace with lots of flowers dripping down the balconies and flowing from pots all around me. Hope this gives you a similar relaxing feeling!
Stamps: sentiment for inside
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, and So Saffron
Ink: Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, and So Saffron
Accessories: Big Shot with Island Floral Bigz Die, Old Olive 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelet, Brights Flower Brads, Sponge Daubers, and Dimensionals
It was fun curving up all the petals to make the flower more dimensional and thereby more realistic too. It's easy to curve your petals by just using the Bone Folder to curl them like curling ribbon. You can give them as much or as little curl as you desire. And sponging the edges give each of the layers so much more definition and depth of color.
It was just a little added twist to have the ribbon go through the jumbo brad instead of encircling the whole card. It's the little details that give each card it's individuality. Try doing something just a bit different on the next card you make. Hopefully those little twists will surprise and delight you!
Have fun stamping today. I know I will!
Sharon

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Big Bold Flower Pot

I'm beginning to think we've time-warped into that '40 days and 40 nights of raining' around here. It's been raining every day and so hot and muggy-humid around here lately. I really should have melted off at least 5-10 pounds in the past week alone! Much to my surprise, when I weighed myself this morning, there had actually been no change at all! Not how is that possible when I've been sticky and sweaty most of the time this past week? And I actually have been exercising too! I really want to understand why the pounds are not just 'melting off' of me! (Could it have anything to do with the German Chocolate cake I've been nibbling on?? No, of course not!) So if this exercising stuff isn't going to work, there really is no good point in putting myself through this torture! Should it really take more than a week and a half to work?!? lol At this point in my life, is this all really necessary anyway?

Ok, on to more interesting thoughts. I have one more card that we made at the punch class this past week. This was cased from Dawn Olchefske who makes some awesome creations. Her card idea was so cute, I pretty much left it as she made it with just a few tweaks. (I can't help myself, I have to make changes!!!) Here's the card, isn't it a little cutie?? We left it free of any sentiment so it can be used for just about any occasion you can think of. It's always prudent to have a few extra cards on hand for those last-minute needs. Yeah, I know. You're way too organized to need anything at the last minute, but I seem to have those last-minute problems on a regular basis.


Stamps: absolutely none!!
Cardstock: So Saffron, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, and Whisper White
Ink: none!
Accessories: Big Shot and Big Bold Cupcakes Sizzlit Dies, Perfect Pindot Embossing Folder, 1/2" Circle Punch, Paper Snips, Dusty Durango Polka Dot Ribbon (retired, but it made it so cheerful I used it anyway), 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, and Dimensionals

If you're trying to figure it out, the cake part was trimmed down for the flower pot bottom. The frosting was trimmed for the flower pot trim. The candles and flames are the stems and leaves. Now isn't that just way too cool?!! I flipped when I saw Dawn's original and knew I had to make some of these for ladies at church. I know they will really like them. Hope you like them too. It doesn't take too much time to make these once you get the dies set and paper cut. Doesn't this just look like a friendly little 'hello'? I can envision several different color combos for this, so I'm off to make some for my stash.

Have a blessed Sunday. And let's hope the rain and thunderstorms stop before I float away!!
Sharon

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Gather Ye, Rosebuds....

I don't remember the rest of the quote or what it's from, so I guess I'll stop right there. But I do love rosebuds, so we'll go with the rosebud angle today. I saw a couple of different ideas floating around the net using the fun 2-Step Bird Extra Large Punch to make flower buds and just loved them. So of course, I had to make my own version using this punch with the gorgeous Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper. What do you think? Turned out pretty, right???

Stamps: Herb Expressions
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, and Daffodil Delight with Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper
Ink: Pumpkin Pie and Old Olive
Accessories: 2-Step Bird Extra Large Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Paper Snips, Sponge Daubers, 2-Way Glue Pen, and Dimensionals

I think you can see how the different parts of the punch were used to put this together. It really was quite simple. In fact, one of the ladies called today to let me know she's made 3 more already. Guess she likes roses too!

Now I've got to share with you about some of the comments made while making this card. One of the ladies commented that the print on the paper reminded her of bugs. Well, that just got everyone talking about different bugs that they couldn't stand and I have to admit it got quite ridiculous around here for awhile. The funny thing is, when you really look at the design, it does sort of look like bugs if that's what you're looking for. Now I've got to rethink this love affair I'm having with this paper! It's kind of creepy if it makes you think of bugs every time you look at it! Eew, ick!! Ok, I will not think about that anymore!!! Now I'll just have to use the other side of this print instead. So there...

Have fun stamping today. Gotta tell ya, I'm getting emails from friends at convention, and it sounds like they're having tons of fun! Oh, I so wish I was there!!!!!
Sharon

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Cookies - Yum!

Hey, I made it two days in a row!! Let's start the celebration! Hooray!!!! OK I know I just went a little bit overboard, but to me it really is a big deal. Maybe this means I've started to get a handle on things and we're moving forward. Of course, maybe it was just a good day. Hmmmm... We'll see how it goes for the rest of the week.
I'm so sad not to be there at the SU! convention with my friends from across the country, catching up on news about hubbies and families. I always look forward to the excitement of it all and the wonderful ambiance that is such an integral part of convention. Oh, I'm missing so much! I don't think I can stand it! So what do you do when you feel down? You go grab a cookie or two for a little self-medication!! lol And one of the projects the ladies made yesterday was an Oreo cookie! How fun is that?! Care to share a cookie with me?

Stamps: sentiments for inside
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip and Whisper White
Ink: Black Marker
Accessories: Big Shot with Scallop Circle Die and Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates, Large and Small Oval Punches, and Coluzzle Cutting System (retired)
Isn't it cute? It was quite a job to make this. The main cookie is folded in half and the folded edge does not get cut with the die. This was run through the Big Shot with the texturz plate to give it some texture. It looks way too plain without this step. A second scallop circle is also cut, then the center is cut out and layered over the original cookie scallops to complete the cookie's edge. Did that make any sense to you? Two circles of white cardstock are also cut for the top and bottom of the inside of the cookie. So yummy!!
Hope you enjoy your cookie while you're missing out on convention too! Guess we need to commiserate together. Just think of all the money we're saving! No, that doesn't make me feel any better either. Maybe I need to go get another cookie....
Have a good day,
Sharon

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Greenhouse Gala Trifold Card

Wow! I can't believe a whole week has gone by since my last post. Where has the time gone??? Needless to say, life has gotten a little busier lately. I had forgotten just how much time a little baby takes to tend. Add in a birthday for my daughter, 4 classes, and a workshop and I don't know which end is up most days. Whew.... I'm hoping things get a little bit easier as time goes on. Anyway, I have a card to share from classes last week. It uses new stamps, new cardstock colors and a lovely new Designer Paper that I just luv, luv, LUV! It's so pretty and the colors are yummy. Hope you give them a try.


Stamps: Friends Never Fade, Perfect Punches, French Filigree Background, and On Your Birthday
Cardstock: Marina Mist, Pear Pizzazz, and Whisper White with Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper
Ink: Early Espresso and Marina Mist
Accessories: Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, and Dimensionals





The card looks like any other until you start to open it up. Don't you like this extra little flap that goes around to the inside of the card? Oh, I forgot that I added an extra flourish with Marina Mist on the bottom left corner of the Pear Pizzazz layer. It just added a nice little touch.
How do you like the French Filigree background with the Designer Paper? I thought it was an elegant touch to dress it up a bit.
Hopefully it won't take me a week to get back with you all. Today was my Punchy Class so I have 3 projects from that I'd like to share with you. Check back when you get a chance, and I promise I'll get back here as often as I can.
Toodles,
Sharon

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Class by Flashlight

Hey, I've got something new and different for you to try sometime. Last night was class night here at the stamping dungeon. And the weather has been a bit hot and muggy for awhile. So I guess the 'powers that be' needed to cut back on the overuse of power in the Detroit area last evening. They were so kind to wait til most business people were home before cutting back on the power. But, they forgot to let me know it would be a bad night to hold a class in my basement. The ladies came and all got settled in to making their projects nicely, when the fluorescent lights quit, the incandescent lights all dimmed, and the air conditioning quit!! They wanted to know if I'd forgotten to pay my electric bill! lol We decided it was really quite romantic, but didn't work too well for a bunch of ladies that were stamping! You should have seen us trying to read directions and see how dark we were sponging the new Crumb Cake ink onto the project. Oh my..... it was quite funny, but thoroughly frustrating for me. Thank God the ladies took it all in stride and we joked about it all evening. By the time they were making the last two projects, my hubby had strung up his large flashlight from the ceiling over the work area so we could see a bit. By then any light coming in the small window at the end of the room was pretty much history so it was a great big help having the flashlight to work by. After thinking it over, I would strongly suggest not trying this idea out at your next class unless you like keeping your customers in the dark. Of course, we will have something to joke about for months to come I'm sure! LOL



So I guess you'd like to see one of the projects the ladies were working on. Looking at the card, you can see it would be hard to tell what you're doing in the semi-dark. But the ladies all were troopers about it. Hope you give this idea a try - but make sure you leave the lights on!





Stamps: Friends 24/7 and Tiny Tags

Cardstock: Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, and Very Vanilla

Ink: Crumb Cake, Basic Brown, Old Olive, Cajun Craze

Accessories: Big Shot with Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Extra-Large Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Mini Vintage Tags, Brights Brads, White Gel Pen, Sponge quarter, and Dimensionals



I just love how the embossing matches the stamp on the main image. Stampin'Up! does a terrific job of matching up stamps and accessories so you have no trouble pulling together a lovely card. The white gel pen was a good accent to bring a bit more brightness to the focal image. And don't you love those cute little tags? They make it so easy to just tuck in a little accent.

Hope you give this idea a try. The card is so versatile, you could use it for a multitude of ideas. In fact, I left mine blank inside so it will be easy peasy to stamp a sentiment and get it in the mail as soon as it's needed. If I remember to send it, that is......

Oh well, on that note, I'm praying for better lighting for tonight's class. Right now it's pouring outside, so I don't think they'll be cutting the power tonight. At least they better not, because we might need our sump pump working if the rain doesn't let up! lol Have a good day!

Sharon

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Catalog CASE

Happy Sunday to you. Hope you're finding a way to relax and enjoy the day. On the way home from church, we stopped at a couple of yardsales close by. They both had tons of baby clothes and equipment. Much of the clothing looked like it had never even been worn. So of course we had to pick up a few items of clothing and a walker and little tiny T-ball set. Don't know how soon Carson will be trying to hit a ball, but we're ready for it! lol

Ok, enough about my grandbaby and let's get back to cards and sharing ideas! I mean, that's why you're here, isn't it? Awhile back, I'd been looking through the new catalog and a certain card caught my attention. I thought it was really cute and I liked how it used a set in a different way than intended. That fact always catches my attention! So I have my version of the card to share with you. You can see the original idea on page 54 of the new catalog. (If you don't have a catalog yet and would like one, please contact me and I'll send one out to you!) Anyway, here's my version - what do you think? Does it make you feel like summertime and having a party?




Stamps: Party Hearty and On Your Birthday
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Riding Hood Red, and Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black and Riding Hood Red ink pads, Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Baja Breeze, Regal Rose, and Wild Wasabi Markers
Accessories: Scallop Square Punch, Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon, Paper Snips, and Dimensionals

This card reminds be of all the colorful flags on boats out on the water during the summer. They always look to happy and ready to party. Hope it evokes the same happy, summertime feeling for you too!

Since it's just way too hot outside to be comfortable, I think I'll just sit here drinking my lemonade and read a few more blogs! Hope you enjoy your day too! Take time to energize and get organized for the coming week. Enjoy!!
Sharon

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Unconventional Christmas

Well, we've all made it through the first week of babysitting for our grandbaby while our daughter went back to work. I think only 6 weeks isn't enough time to get acquainted with baby and all that entails, but I'm not the boss so it wasn't our decision. Actually it all went pretty smoothly, so maybe I'm just an old fuss-budget! I will admit I got precious little done this week. In fact one day I was just happy I got a shower and the dishwasher unloaded. Oh my, how did I do it when it was my own baby's and I had them 24/7, not just during working hours. Oh yes, now I remember - I was alot younger then!! lol
I've been working the last couple of evenings on class projects for next week, and I'm happy to report that all is in readiness for my lovely ladies on Monday night. I don't want to spoil the surprise for you, so I'm not sharing those ideas yet. You'll just have to be patient and wait til class to see what you'll be making. What I will show you is an idea I've been considering for our cardmaking session for the soldiers next month. I know it's way early to be thinking Christmas, but they need to get to the From Our Hearts bunch by October 15th, so it's time to get planning and stamping! What do you think - are the colors too somber for Christmas? Let me know before I get everything chopped up and ready for stamping.
Stamps: Lovely as a Tree, Four the Holidays, and Itty Bitty Backgrounds (retired)
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Soft Suede
Ink: Basic Black and Soft Suede Classic, Very Vanilla Craft
Accessories: Vanilla HodgePodge Hardware, Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Sponge quarter, Piercing Tool and Mat Pack, Paper Snips, and Dimensionals
Well, whadya think? Too dark, or just fine?? I haven't figured out what to use for snowflakes since Itty Bitty Backgrounds have been retired. I just had to dig it out and use it for the card because it really needed a few flakes to soften the colors.
And did you notice that the Vanilla brad looked a bit darker than normal? I sponged it heavily with Soft Suede and then rubbed most of the color off so it was softly antiqued looking. The card isn't quite the normal size. I trimmed it a little short to only 5", so it's not square, but not regular sized either.
Please give me your input on the colors and anything else about the card that you'd like to comment on. I'd love to hear what you think!
Thanks for stopping by and listening to my rambling. I appreciate any comments you leave. We're just having a relaxing weekend and catching up on sleep around here! In fact, in might be about time for a little nap....
Sharon

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Double Baptism Celebration

Ok, my daughter is really a sweetie. I had forgotten to take pictures of the cards and decorations I made for the baptism on Sunday. So she took pics with her phone and emailed them to me. Wasn't that sweet?
And Sunday really was a day of great celebration for us! Not only was our grandson Carson baptized, but our SIL Jesse decided he to be baptized too! Hallelujah!! Yes, we celebrated after the service, and also celebrated the birthday of our great country, and the fact that our son was back in town from Louisianna for week! So many, many things to be thankful for on the 4th of July this year! Oh, what a wonderful day!!
This card was made for our sweet grandson. I kept it mostly white with just a few touches of Bashful Blue and Marina Mist. The oval behind the cross was spritzed with Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz to give it a little glitz.
Stamps: Special Blessings and Wishing You Blessings (both retired)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Bashful Blue
Ink: Marina Mist
Accessories: Big Shot with Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Bashful Blue Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz and Dimensionals
This next card was made for my favorite (only) SIL. He's a great guy and we love him to pieces! This card is a little plainer for a more masculine feel, but I wanted to make them look coordinated since the baptisms were on the same day.
Stamps: Special Blessings
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Whisper White
Ink: Marina Mist
Accessories: Big Shot with Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Bashful Blue Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, 1/8" Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon, and Dimensionals
Then I thought we needed some decorations for this very special day. It was kind of strange combining baptisms with 4th of July symbols, but I did. Saturday afternoon I had to run out to a bulk food store to get Jelly Bellys and chocolates to match my idea. Somewhere along the line the ribbon around the jar has disappeared, but you get the idea. I also noticed that a few of the candies have already disappeared. I guess I'm lucky they weren't all gone by now!!
The crosses are from the Special Blessing set and were embossed with white on Naturals White cardstock. I punched and die cut stars from Brilliant Blue, Real Red, and white cardstocks. Some of the stars have an outline of glitter on them, but it doesn't really show up well.
All in all, it was a glorious day which I will remember for a very long time. God is so good and has blessed us mightily! Praise God!
Sharon

Monday, July 5, 2010

One of those...

I can't say it's been one of those days, because the day isn't done yet and I keep hoping it gets better. There's still a chance that things will pick up, you know? I was hoping to share some pics from yesterday, but that's not gonna happen today. Maybe tomorrow, and then I'll explain why. So instead I thought I'd do a little blog surfing on my last day before babysitting starts for real.

Mary Fish always has such lovely ideas with clean and simple lines that I really like, so I thought I'd check out her blog. Oh yes, lots of lovely ideas and one just screamed out for me to case it. Here's her original - just beautiful, isn't it? Well, I rolled up my sleeves and got started. First of all I realized I didn't have the stamp set she used. Oh well, that's never stopped me before. I'll just find something similar and thought of Itty Bitty Bits. Then for some reason, I decided to change the navy to Elegant Eggplant. Sure, why not?! Still going ok. Maybe this would be a cute card for classes next week...

Then I started stamping and punching those little flower circles. Next came those darling little buttons. I counted out buttons and figured I had just enough for class. That's good. Then I started with the teensy bit of cardstock threaded through and knotted. Hmmmmmmm... I think that part took over 1/2 hour just to get those two buttons done. Not sure the class ladies would go for that, and they'd want me to do all their buttons for them. Yikes! I'd have to get started making them now! But they really are cute, maybe.....

Ok, time to put it together. Hmmm... didn't like it. My dimensions simply were not laying out nicely. But if we changed the layout to a top fold and moved things around a bit, yes, I think that does it! I got it all taped down and Dimensional-ized, then picked it up. Oh no!!!! When I put the card on it's side, I didn't pay attention to where it opened - it was backwards! So there was a lot of peel and trim, add a new card base, then retape, etc. til we got to the totally finished project. Whew. I do still like it, but that was one crazy 2 hours of stamping. Don't think this was meant to be a class project after all.... Hope you enjoy it anyway!


Stamps: Itty Bitty Bits, Matchbox Messages, and Messages for Mom
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Elegant Eggplant, and Whisper White
Ink: Marina Mist, Elegant Eggplant Classic Ink, Whisper White Craft Ink
Accessories: 1/2" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Bitty Buttons, Scallop Border Punch, Marina Mist 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, and Dimensionals

Well Mary, I really did love your card and it was fun working on this one. But I think it's the only one like this that will be made in this house. I'd just like to know how come some of the simplest ideas are the hardest to execute??? On that note, it's on to looking for other ideas to reinvent! Thanks for stopping by and sharing a bit of my day with me. Hope you leave a comment to make my day. Have a good one...
Sharon

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Halloween Already??

Yeah, gotta get planning for our card-stamping night at church next Tuesday. I was looking for simple, but cute ideas and came across this one I had made last year when Dusty Durango was one of the new In Colors that I fell in love with. Yes, I'm going to miss it terribly, but I'm sure I'll find other colors that I go to all the time. It's just a matter of getting used to seeing the colors and finding what coordinates together. Anyway... back to the card I'm sharing. This card not only uses a retired cardstock, but a retired ribbon, Designer Paper, and stamp set! I guess I'm still stuck in last year's catalog and I can't get out!!! Help!


Stamps: Batty for You
Cardstock: Dusty Durango, Very Vanilla, and Early Espresso (did you notice that one's new?), and Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Scallop Circle Punch, and Dusty Durango Polka Dot Ribbon,







As you can see, the card is super simple to make, but it's still cute. And there's lots of room inside for the soldiers to write home to their kids. And that's what is really important here. Plus the fact that I'm using up some of my stash of retired DSP, cardstock, and ribbon. Now I ask you, just what could possibly be better than that? LOL My hubby will love it! Well, truthfully, he probably won't even be able to tell. But I'll be sure to let him know before I order more of the new colors that I need!

Have a great evening!
Sharon