New Year's Eve

Yes, the hours are counting down to the end of another year.  Have you taken time out to review 2012 and consider changes you might want to make to the coming year?  Sometimes that can be a really gut-wrenching situation, but it can also be very enlightening on how you want to live the next 12 months.  Whew, that's getting pretty deep there.  Hope I haven't lost you yet!  Instead of being too introspective, let's look ahead to the coming year with Stampin' Up!  The new Spring Mini Catalog is coming up in just 3 days!  How exciting is that?!  Today I have a card to share using some of the new products, and boy do I love them!  Hope you do too.

Stamps:  En Francais, Hearts a Flutter, and Happy Valentine Heart
Ink:  Real Red, Crumb Cake, and Early Espresso
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Real Red, and Crumb Cake
Accessories:  Big Shot with Honeycomb TIEF, Hearts a Flutter Framelit Dies, Full Heart Punch, Small Heart Punch, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Crumb Cake 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Sponge Daubers, and Dimensionals

So, whatdya think?  Some pretty cool new products there, right?  Don't you just 'love' the new heart stamps?  And I'm so tickled that the lacy heart stamp has a Framelit to match - along with a bunch of other Framelits to match all the Hearts a Flutter stamps.  That just makes the stamping so much easier!  What card doesn't look better with a few popped-up accent pieces?

And did you notice the cool Honeycomb embossing folder?  It's so versatile.   I can see that's going to be getting quite a workout with my stamping.

Now we're going to have to talk on January 3rd about that cute little Happy Valentine Heart stamp.  It comes as a bundle with some cello bags to make quick and easy treat/gifts.  You'll just love it!

Ok, this is it for this year.  Full Steam Ahead in 2013!  Wishing you a creative, happy new year!!

Season of Giving

Oh my, can you believe I'm posting two days in a row?  Yowza!  Since Christmas time is the season of giving to others, I thought it would be a good time to post a card using the Ronald McDonald House stamp set.  It always makes me feel good when I can give to help others in less fortunate circumstances.  And purchasing this year's stamp set called Moving Forward gives a $3 donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities.  It's a win-win for everyone!

Stamps: Moving Forward
Ink:  Gumball Green pad, Midnight Muse marker
Paper:  Whisper White, Midnight Muse, and Gumball Green
Accessories:  Midnight Muse Stitched Ribbon

This is a very simple child's card that stamped up in a jiffy.  The marker was used to color the little dots on the main image, and also color the curly trail behind it.  The strip of Gumball Green cardstock was added to give it a little more color and suggest the ground beneath.

Thanks for stopping in today.  Just closing out a few items before the end of the year.  Have a great weekend and a restful Sunday!  Sharon

 

 

Christmas Gifts

I bet you thought I was long gone by now.  It's been a rough month of lousy health and laying low (like either bed or sofa!!).  I finally got out of the house on the 22nd, but it was to go to the funeral of a very sweet woman from church.  Christmas was tiring, but oh so wonderful, spent with our family.  What could be better than little ones enjoying Christmas?  So that's been my month so far.   Not exactly as planned, but it is what it is.  I had mentioned sharing the pictures that I made for my daughter and 2 sisters.  Luckily I made them in November before the bronchitis and pneumonia hit me for a loop!  Today I'm finally getting around to sharing them.  The first one is the original one I made for my younger sister, and I made one for myself too.  Here it is...

Instead of a listing of all the materials and products used, I'll just give a little explanation here.  The frame has an opening of 11"x14".  The cardstock used on the background is Primrose Petals.  The Designer Series Paper is Be Of Good Cheer and one square of each of the different prints was used.  The cardstock layer behind the DSP is Cherry Cobbler.  The lettering on this one was done on the Cricut by a friend of mine - no idea of the cartridge name.  Accents were made on the Big Shot with Champagne Glimmer Paper and other items.  That's the basics for you.

 This blue version was made for my daughter who has decided to use blue and silver for all her Christmas decorating, so I went along with her wishes.  The lettering here was made with the retired SU! Serif Essentials Bigz Die set that I'll hang on to probably forever!  I had to hit the stores looking for printed papers that would, hopefully, fit her ideas!  I used Bashful Blue cardstock for the background and Marina Mist for the layering. I laid out the lettering and accents for the picture pretty much the same as the original one, just changing the colors as needed.

My older sister loves purple.  No, that's not quite right.  My older sister LOVES purple in any of it's many shades and hues.  Now you get the idea!  Luckily the printed paper package I got for my daughter had even more purples than blues in it, so I was set for this picture too.  The background cardstock I used was Wisteria Wonder and it blended perfectly with all these different purples.  I dug into my retired cardstock and found Concord Crush cardstock that blended well with everything.  I also used that color of ink for the mug ang 'merry'.

Ok, that pretty much covers the info on these picture gifts.  Thanks for coming back to see if I'm still here.  Now that I'm on the mend, I hope to be hanging out here more often.  Hope your Christmas was wonderful and wishing you a very blessed New Year.  Sharon

Snowflake Mug Card

Have I fallen off the face of the earth you ask?  Well, almost - but I'm clawing my way back up again.  The whole strep infection and ensuing sinus, coughing, etc has been exhausting and not over yet.  Maybe if I'd settle down and quit running around like a chicken with my head cut off, I'd have a better chance of beating this whole infection thingy.  But since when have I ever done what was the smartest thing?  Not often!  Anyway, enough of the fretting and whining, I've got a little card to share with you today.  I made my sister a gift that I can't show you yet because another sister checks this blog every once in awhile and I don't want to give away Christmas secrets too soon, ya know?  But the "gifted" sister adores purple in any and all of  it's wonderfulness.  Since we don't have any DSP that's in shades of purples to use, I had to purchase some from one of the 'other' stores.  Thought she'd like a card that coordinated with the gift.  If the idea of contraband paper bothers you, don't look any farther.   If you think you can handle it, then this is what I made...

Stamps:  Scentsational Season, All Holidays(retired)
Ink:  Eggplant Envy
Paper:  Midnight Muse, Whissper White and otherDSP
Accessories:  Scallop Trim Border Punch, Big Shot with Holiday Collection Framelits, Scribbles Sizzlit (retired), Rhinestone Basic Jewels, and Dimensionals

This card is very simple with just a little lacy trim on both sides of the printed paper center strip.  The paper has both blue and light purple snowflakes in the tiny white circles.

I love the glittery steamy swirls on this card.  It just makes this card so very cute in person.  I tried the steam that comes with the set, but it didn't stand out and catch your eye like this does. 

Give me a couple more weeks and I'll share the gift that goes along with this card.  I think it's just gorgeous and makes me want to decorate my house in blues and purples too!

Please stay healthy during this busy time of the year.  Take some time for yourself to relax and enjoy the season!  Sharon

Evergreen in Cherry Cobbler

While perusing the Stampin' Connection site for demonstrators, I happened upon a lovely card by Gerry MacSporran that I just had to CASE.  Thanks Gerry for your inspiration!  It had all the hallmarks of the type of cards I've been drawn to lately.  I made very little in the way of changes, and here is my version of Gerry's card.

Stamps:  Evergreen
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler
Paper:  Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White
Accessories:   Big Shot with Northern Flurries TIEF, and Rhinestone Basic Jewels

Well, you can't get too much more basic than this card.  So very simple with only one extra layer on the front, but still elegant.  There's just something about those embossed snowflakes on white cardstock - love it!  Then you just add some rich Cherry Cobbler ink and some lovely trees and there you have it.  Oh yes, don't forget the rhinestone to top the tree.  (Gerry used a star she cut out and layered on.) 

So what's not to like about this card?  I can see making a few more of these (maybe trying other colors too) in my near future!  Thanks again Gerry for a fabulous card idea!  It is terrific.  And thank you for checking in again today.  I'm still under the weather with this strep throat thing that's hanging on, but the antibiotics are working and I'll be at the Regional coming to Lansing this Saturday.  Wouldn't miss it!  Maybe I'll see you there too.    Sharon

Simple Greeting Card Kids

One of the sets in the catalog is a favorite of mine because the kids are so dog-gone cute.  I'm talking about the Greeting Card Kids set.  Each one of them is adorable and I find myself using this set every season I can.  So here's my Christmas card using the cuddly little girl with her wagon and tree.  Hope you like it as much as I do!

Stamps:  Greeting Card Kids and Greetings of the Season
Ink:  Stazon Jet Black and Watercolor Wonder Crayons
Paper:  Whisper White, Raspberry Ripple, and Old Olive
Accessories:   Big Shot with Window Frames Framelits, AquaPainter, White Organza Ribbon, Old Olive 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, and Dimensionals

I've really been leaning towards the cleaner, leaner looking cards lately without lots of layers  and doodads on them.  This still looks like it has the clean lines that I like even though there are several layers of cardstock and 2 layers of ribbon. 

I'd thought of using the die-cut layers lined up straight, but decided it was more interesting with them set at angles instead.  I used both the Subtles and Regals Watercolor Wonder Crayons for this card.  They're so simple to use just by touching the tip of the AquaPainter to the crayon and painting away.  I always did like to color when little, and  still haven't outgrown it yet!

Thanks for checking it again!  I appreciate any and all of your comments.  Leave me an email address so I can reply to you personally.  When you comment you really inspire me want to do even better!  Thanks,
Sharon

Another Blue Lodge Card

Did I mention we had a great time visiting family a couple weeks ago?  Seems like we enjoyed ourselves so much we brought some extra stuff home with us - like germs!  One of our nephew's children was just getting over tonsilitis when we arrived.  When we returned home, our 2year old grandson came down with it and now his baby brother, my daughter and I all have gotten it too.  Now doesn't that sound like fun?  Seems like everybody is cranky and out of sorts with it and we all need a couple days to just sleep it off!  Don't you love it when the good times just keep on coming?  Now enough of the whining and on to a card for you.  I promised I'd be working on another version of the blue Christmas Lodge card I posted last.  And here it is - a little simpler, and I think I like it even better.  What's your opinion?

Stamps:  Christmas Lodge and Petite Pairs
Ink:  Midnight Muse
Paper:  Midnight Muse, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White
Accessories:  Big Shot with Labels Collection Framelits, Stamp-a-ma-jig, and Midnight Muse Stitched Ribbon

I just love this tree done with multiple stamping to give it a "foresty" look.  What, there's no word like that?  Oh well, you all know exactly what I mean, don't you?  So that's 5 stampings from just one inking.  That ink is really intense!  And each one of the stamped trees are all great different blues.  Love it!

The cut from the Labels Collection Framelit perfectly frames these trees and allows just a little room for the sentiment without having to add another layer.  That's a help when you're having to mail bunches of cards at Christmas time.

Hope you like this version of the tree from the Christmas Lodge set.  And right now you can order just the tree separately as one of the Single Stamps that Stampin'Up! has available.  These single stamps will only be available until January 2, 2013, so it you want just the tree and not the rest of this set, now is the perfect time to order.  Just click on my 'order now' button and have fun!  There are plenty of other single stamps available too, so don't miss out.

Thanks for stopping by today.  Don't think any of these nasty germs can get to you through the computer so you're safe for now.  I've got more to share with you tomorrow, so come on back.  Sharon

Midnight Christmas Lodge

I'm baaack!  What a great time we had with family last week!  So much fun watching the little ones getting to know each other and having fun together.  They were actubg so silly as they got more comfortable with each other.  We got back last night and did the unpacking thing and sorted all the dirty clothes into piles of laundry.  It sure does add up quickly!  Today after church I got started on those piles and did some stamping.  I'd had this idea playing around in my mind and I set to work to see how it would look in reality.  It wasn't quite what I was looking for so I'll be reworking it tomorrow.  But this is what I did today.  Here it is, and then let's discuss it...

Stamps:  Christmas Lodge and Petite Pairs
Ink:  Midnight Muse
Paper:  Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Midnight Muse, and Brushed Silver
Accessories:   Big Shot with Labels Collection Framelits, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Midnight Muse Stitched Ribbon, Small Oval Punch(ret), Sponge Daubers, and Dimensionals

I'm happy with the overall idea of the card and the colors are exactly as I'd planned.  The one problem I ran into was getting a really good outline on the Brushed Silver cardstock layer.  I used the outside edge of the Framelit that I had cut the white out with, but it's really not a true copy of the cut edge.  So I spent quite a bit of time fussing around trying to get a good fit on the silver layer.  It's ok, but not great.  Has anyone out there found a good way to get a tighter layer on these?  I really love the look, but it would be a pain to make 50 of these for Christmas.  Any ideas???

The Stamp-a-ma-jig made stamping the little corner accents a breeze.  What would I ever do without this tool?  I think it's a must have item in any stamper's stash.  I might not use it every time I stamp, but I'm glad to have it when needed.

After I made the card I remembered that this small oval punch was retired - bummer.  But the card was done already and that was that.  Actually I haven't figured out what I would have used instead.  Hmmmm, guess that's something to figure out for the next version of this card.  Hope I'll have it done for tomorrow so you can compare and let me know what you think.  See you soon....  Sharon

Embossing Again

In case you haven't noticed, I've gotten totally hooked on the Holiday Frame TIEF in the Holiday Catalog.  It works out so nicely using different sets and ideas.  And here's another idea using the embossing folder for you.  It's another simple card with not too much going on which I really prefer for my Christmas cards.  But I still think it's beautiful.  What do you think about it?

Stamps:  Ornament Keepsakes and Tiny Tags
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive
Paper:  Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations
Accessories:  Big Shot with Holiday Frame TIEF and Holiday Ornaments Framelits, Jewelry Tag Punch, Sanding System and Dust Buddy, Old Olive 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, and Dimensionals

This is the first card I made using the new Core'dinations cardstock and I have to tell you that I just love this paper!  The embossing stands out so perfectly when lightly sanded.  It gives your project a completely different look than regular cardstock.  And the Sanding System and Dust Buddy are must have items to get the best results.  The Dust Buddy cleans all the little traces of 'dust' away as quick as a wink.

This ornament set and coordinating Framelit set are some of my favorites from the Holiday Catalog!  I've done the ornaments in different colors and all the different sizes on several projects.  Whatever did I do before we had these Framelits???  I don't even want to think about having to cut out all the ornaments I've made in the last month!  I think my fingers would have fallen off by now or I'd have lots of calluses!!

That's it for this post.  Hope you like it.  Of course, what's not to like here??  Have a great week.  I'm enjoying my time in North Carolina with family.  It sure it great to be relaxing and getting all caught up with all the news.  Sharon

Joyous Celebrations Take 3

Just a quick post with another card using the versatile Joyous Celebrations stamp set.  It's been easy to use and come up with fabulous ideas.  This idea came from the Stampin' Connection which is a demonstrator only website.  Sandy Mathis made this lovely card and I seriously CASEd it!  Thank you for the great card idea Sandy!  Love it!!

Stamps:  Joyous Celebrations
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler
Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, and Festival of Prints DSP Stack
Accessories:   Big Shot with Apothecary Accents Framelits, Holiday Frame TIEF, Large Oval Punch, 1" Square Punch, Pearls Basic Jewels, and Dimensionals

I really love the simplicity of this card, but it looks so pretty in hand.  There's lots of texture and layers going on here, so it doesn't look plain at all.  There are several other prints in that Festival of Prints DSP that would work well with this idea.  You'd just need to change the cardstock and ink color to match whichever print you choose.

That's it for tonight.  We're leaving to visit family early tomorrow morning.  I'm trying to get a couple posts ready for when I'm vacationing.  Hope it works out!  Have a great weekend.  Sharon

Another Joyous Celebrations Card

Today's card version is a CASE of my good friend and downline Phyllis Dahlstrom.  Her card was lovely and I just wanted to be able to look at it again and again, so I copied it!  At least I think I did.  I saw it at a get-together and thought to take a picture.  Unfortunately, I forgot to check the settings on my camera and I got an awful image.  So I just winged it and came up with what I thought she had made.  We'll see what she says about it later this week when I see her!  Anyway, here it is...

Stamps:  Joyous Celebrations
Ink:  Baja Breeze and Riding Hood Red
Paper:  Baja Breeze and Whisper White, Silver Glitter Paper, and Festival of Prints Designer Paper Stack
Accessories:   Big Shot with Holiday Frame TIEF, 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Large Oval Punch, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Sanding System, and Dimensionals

I don't usually sand embossed DSP.  But doing that on this card really makes the embossing show up nicely.  The colors are all really soft and not your usual Christmas colors, but I think it turned out gorgeous! 

I liked the added bit of Silver Glitter Paper tucked in behind the focal image.  Most of it's hidden with just a bit peeking out.  But that little bit of glitz is just the right amount for this card.  The added rhinestone on the stamped ornament is the perfect finishing touch.

After using all the Framelits for my cards lately, it was crazy cutting out that tiny bow again.  But I thought it was better to add it as another layer instead of stamping it directly on the ornament.  You can do it as you see fit, but I thought the extra layer was needed.

That's it for today.  Yup, another short and sweet post.  But at least it got posted!!  Hurray!  Keep you fingers crossed that I can get at least one more posted this week.  See you soon!  Sharon

Joyous Celebrations

Whoa!  Is it really the middle of October already?  Sheesh, where has the time gone?  I've been busy with commitments and have squeezed in some stamping time around things.  But, I've been lax about posting anything.  So today, I'm going back to a card I made a couple weeks ago.  It was the first time playing around with this set and the Holiday Frame TIEF.  Several ladies wanted to know how to make the card in the Holiday Catalog, so I did a CASE of that one and then made another version.  Today I'm sharing my version with you.

Stamps:  Joyous Celebrations
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green
Paper:  Whisper White and Cherry Cobbler
Accessories:  Big Shot with Holiday Frame TIEF, Extra Large Oval Punch, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Glue Dots, and Dimensionals

On this version, I used the embossed cardstock with the back facing front.  It seemed to show off the embossing on the White cardstock with more detail using it this way.

As you can see, it's a very clean and simple card, but sometimes those are the most elegant.  I'm sure I'll be making more of these to mail out myself.  And a couple of other ladies I know are using this very same idea too!

Thanks for checking things out today.  Come back tomorrow.  I'll have another look at this stamp set for you.  Sharon

Mummyfied Treat Card

What a great day it's been today!  I got lots of stamping and planning done for our stamping at church on Tuesday night.  It's always quite a production getting the different cards planned and then cutting all the cardstock, ribbons, etc and gathering everything needed to make 120-150 cards each month for our military personnel overseas.  This is really a labor of love for myself and all the ladies that come every month to make the cards.  It's wonderful to be able to do something to let our soldiers know that we appreciate them and all they do.  Anyway, since this time around I was using so many retired items, I thought you wouldn't be interested in them.  So I've got a cutesy Halloween treat card to share with you instead.  I'll be honest and tell you I've seen a good number of versions of this idea out there on the net, but you can always use one more.  Can't you??  Hope so, 'cuz here it comes!

Stamps:  Googly Ghouls and Grateful Greetings(retired)
Ink:  Basic Black and Basic Gray
Paper:  Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Very Vanilla and Howlstooth and Scaringbone DSP
Accessories:   1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Modern Label Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Googlie Eyes, Sponge Dauber, and candy

As you can see, this is an easy tri-fold card.  It folds up nicely to hide the candy treat inside.  I chose to use a retired sentiment set because it fit the card so well. 

The hole for the mummy to peek through was made by the 1 1/4"Circle Punch punched on the fold only halfway in.  This gives you the perfect size to pop him in and it opens easily around the mummy.

Of course, one of the Googlies were used for his eye.  Having that extra touch just makes the card perfect.  And I saw the candy out for Halloween already and thought the orange color would work well with this idea.

Ok, here we go again with the twisted picture!  I really don't know why some of my pictures keep posting on their side.  When I take the pic and label it, it's always correct.  But as soon as it's posted, there it is laying down on it's side again!  What frustration!  I'm about ready to start pulling my hair out, but I don't have enough to spare so I better not!   grin

Thanks for stopping in for a peek.  Hope you have a great week ahead.  The weather's been gorgeous with sunshine and blue skies - perfect fall weather.  I need to get outside tomorrow and enjoy it instead of hiding in the stamp cave. 
Happy stamping - Sharon

Ornament Keepsake Card

Good grief!  I can't believe it's Friday night already.  Where has the week gone?  And for that matter, the whole month of September has just flown by!  I need to really buckle down and get making more cards!  Of course, that's always the plan, but seems like it doesn't really happen too often.  Oh well, I can still dream, can't I?  Ok, enough fussing and let's get down to business here.  This card took me two days to finish.  I knew the layout I wanted to use and what color to stamp the ornaments.  The problem came trying to decide what color to use for the background.  This is what I came up with...

Stamps:  Ornament Keepsakes and Petite Pairs
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive
Paper:  Whisper White, Night of Navy
Accessories:  Big Shot with Lacy Brocade TIEF and Holiday Ornaments Framelits, Old Olive and Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, retired oval punch, Glue Dots, and Dimensionals

Have you tried out this stamp set and coordinating framelit set yet?  I'm telling you, you're gonna fall in love with it!  The framelits make it so easy to add layers of ornaments to your Christmas cards.  I want to add a whole tree-ful of them!!  Yes, it really is addicting making all these ornaments.  Can you tell?

I love the richness of these dark colors together, and the Lacy Brocade TIEF is a fitting background for the card.  I really debated about using rhinestones or glitter on the ornaments.  At this point I've decided not to add them, but that could change sometime in the future as I continue to look at the card.  Sometimes you just have to go back and give it a little sparkle, you know?

Well, that's it for today.  Hope you like the idea.  Make time to do some stamping this weekend.  It's good for you!   Hugs, Sharon

Scentsational Season Christmas

This is one of my favorite sets - and the reason is the Framelits set that matches it!  This duo makes your cardmaking quick and soooo much easier than cutting everything out.  Oh yes, I just love playing with these matching stamp and Framelit sets!!  It's one of the bestest things that Stampin' Up! has been doing as far as I'm concerned.  Here's what I worked on last week with it...

Stamps:  Scentsational Season, Joyous Celebrations, and More Merry Messages
Ink:  Garden Green and Daffodil Delight
Paper:  Whisper White, Real Red, Garden Green, and Be Of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper
Accessories:  Big Shot with Holiday Collection Framelits and Perfect Polka Dot TIEF, 1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Scallop Circle Punch, 1" Square Punch, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Rhinestones Basic Jewels, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, Glue Dots, and Dimensionals

Isn't this a bright and happy Christmas card?   I love using unusual color combos for Christmas cards, but then I have to come back to the traditional reds and greens.   It just reminds me of all the happy Christmases spent with my family growing up.  And this card has a whimsical feeling that would be just fine for kids and Christmas memories, don't you think?

I love all the different bits and pieces of the design coming together here. With the circles and strips, and layers and embellishments, there's lots of interest to keep you looking.

Okay, here I go with another picture flipped on it's side.  I'm going to scream if this doesn't quit, 'cuz I can't get it right side up!  Anyway, I used a skinny strip of the Real Red cardstock inside the card to mimic the strips of DSP on the front of the card to give it a different look.

That's it for today.  Hope you're enjoying your Sunday and finding time to relax and refresh yourself.  It's important to give yourself a break and just have a little fun stamping!  Hugs,  Sharon

Halloween Medallions

How strange it is when creative minds are thinking alike!  The past 2 weeks I'd been playing around making some new Halloween decorations.  You have to understand about this.  You see, Halloween isn't my favorite holiday, but I have an evergreen swag with twinkle lights draped on the top of my entertainment center that stays up all year.  I just change out the little treasures that are nestled or hung from it every season.  And it was getting to be time for the ghosts and goblins to come out, but the old ones were looking a little droopy and faded.  So I've been working on new DSP medallions to go up there.  I wanted them two-sided so they could be for Halloween and the rest of fall too.  They were about finished with just a few fall ideas for the back to finish when the latest "Stampin' Success" came in the mail.  Imagine my surprise when I saw exactly what I'd been working on featured in the magazine!!  Wow!  Deja vu and all that, you know? 
Anyway, here are mine - a little bigger, but very similar!

 

I've no idea why 2 of the pictures flipped sideways and can't get them to behave themselves.  What a hassle!  Anyway, you can see just how cute they turned out and I can't wait to get them hung upstairs.   After seeing the layout in the magazine, I made the little one like one that was pictured there.  It was made with black cardstock that was cut 1" wide.  All the rest were made with Howlstooth and Scaringbone Designer Series Paper that was cut 2" wide.  I also used the Silver Glimmer paper to add some glitz to them because most of them looked on the dark side.  As you can see from the back of one, I added pumpkins and/or fall-toned leaves, so I can just flip them over to the backside and they'll do double duty through November.               These are so easy to make using the Simply Scoring Tool.  The larger ones were all scored every 1/2" and the little black one was every 1/4".  All the embellishments were stamped and punched with whatever seemed to fit nicely with the paper colors and prints.  I think my favorite is this one here to the left with the Tangerine Tango and Black striped DSP.  Love how it turned out with two layers of scallop punched circles layered on under the stamped bat.  (After I saw the magazine, I added a rhinestone to the bat like they had done.)

I can't tell you how much fun these are to make.  You can use any paper, in any color, for any holiday or special theme.  I'm already thinking up ideas to update my Christmas danglies (that's probably not a word, is it?).  Anyway, it's lots of fun, so give it a try. 

tip:  With the Silicone Craft Sheet in the mini catalog, it's so easy to glue these medallions together with your hot glue gun without worrying about sticking to everything.  You can even squeeze out a glob of glue right onto the sheet and work from there to put the medallion together!  Easy peasy for sure!

Okay, I'm done fussing with this post.  The entire layout has gotten jazzed and I'm too tired and frustrated to figure it out.  I am soooooo not computer literate!!!   Arrrrgggghhh!  Oh well, at least you can see the pictures and get and idea what I did.  Have fun stamping!  Sharon

A Daring Adventure Card

My sister Connie is a very creative stamper and comes up with cards I really enjoy.  They are always eye-catching and a little different.  A couple months ago she sent my hubby a birthday card that I really liked.  Since then, one of the items on her card has been retired - the twill tape.  I struggled to find something else to use instead, but didn't really like the looks of any of the ribbons or threads I tried.  So instead, I made her card without any extra embellishment at all.  I'm happy to say that I liked it just fine.  So here's the updated version of Connie's card that the ladies in Hostess Club made....

Stamps:  Daring Adventure
Ink:  Not Quite Navy and Early Espresso
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand, Early Espresso, Not Quite Navy, and Baja Breeze
Accessories:   Big Shot with Square Lattice TIEF, and Dimensionals

Wow, that's probably the fewest items I've used on a card in a long, looooong while!  It has really clean lines, and the hardest part is just cutting all the little layers with only an 1/8" difference.  Sometimes embossing cardstock changes the dimensions a bit, so I did a little trimming on the Early Espresso layers to make them look right.

So if you're in the market for a masculine card, this one sure fits the bill nicely.  Thanks for the idea Connie!  It really worked out well even without the twill tape accent on it!  Happy stamping, Sharon

Triple Layer Fall Card

I have to be honest here - I have absolutely no idea what this technique is actually called.  I've always thought the cards using this technique were stunning and beautiful, but I never really knew how easy they are to make.  So if you're like me and were too chicken to try this out, I'm here to tell you how to do it.  You're gonna love it!!  I'm so excited about knowing how to do this now!  I spent Sunday afternoon with a group of ladies in Toledo stamping, eating, and having fun.  What could be better than that, right?  Oh yes, learning a new technique made it even better!  Here's one of the cards we made...

Stamps:  French Foliage and En Francais
Ink:  Sahara Sand, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, and Old Olive
Paper:  Cajun Craze, Chocolate Chip, and Very Vanilla
Accessories:  1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Scallop Circle Punch, Piercing Tool and Mat, Linen Thread, More Mustard 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), and Dimensionals

Don't you just love this?  The colors are perfect for fall, and this wonderful leaf stamp set is one of my all-time favorites.  With a generic sentiment dangling on it, this card is also very versatile and can be used for those dreaded "masculine cards" that most of us struggle to come up with.

So, here's the low-down on making it.  Get all your layers cut and ready to work with.  Stack all the Vanilla (or White, whichever you're using) layers in the proper order and tack together with a touch of removeable adhesive.  Stamp the background on all of them together.  Stamp your other images overlapping onto the different layers.  Carefully peel the layers apart.  Attach each layer to the contrasting layer that goes with it,  and then put them all together.  The skinny unstamped edges on the second and third layers are covered by the contrasting layers.  Understand?  Can you tell on the close-up along the top edge behind the first layers there is a small section that is unstamped?  When I put the card together, I didn't have my glasses on and didn't notice that it wasn't lined up properly.  (The joys of getting older, hmmmm)  If the layer was a smidge higher, that unstamped strip wouldn't be showing at all.

Hope this made a little bit of sense.  If you can't understand what I'm struggling to explain, just leave a comment and I'll try to give you a clearer explanation.  It's really an easy technique and looks so nice when it's done.  Give it a try and let me know what you think!  Have fun stamping!  Sharon

Another Wonderfall Card

I can't seem to leave this awesome stamp set and die combo alone.  I keep grabbing it and making cards in all kinds of different color combos and layouts.  This layout today is similar to the earlier card posted, but there are definite differences.  Can you spot them?

Stamps:  Wonderfall and Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, More Mustard, and Chocolate Chip
Paper:  Very Vanilla, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, and Cherry Cobbler
Accessories:   Big Shot with Autumn Accents Bigz Die and Woodgrain TIEF, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, and Dimensionals

Don't you just love the woodgrain TIEF?  It is so fabulous and gives this card the perfect background.  And the different prints on the leaves are so much fun!!  It really makes the card special.

The background here is very simple.  Just a layer of More Mustard, then add sections of Cherry Cobbler and Chocolate Chip then run it all through the Big Shot.  Instant fabulous!

Hope you have fun trying something like this.  If you'd like to order any of these products to be able to make this card yourself, just click on the ordering button on the right and place your order.  In a little over a week, you'll get all these fun products delivered right to your door and then all you need to do is find the time to play!  Let's get started right away.  Happy stamping, Sharon

Mistletoe Christmas

What a week it's been around here!  Seems like there's been a sleep-deprivation epidemic going on here.  Not only aren't the grandkids getting enough sleep(teething and colds), but neither is my daughter, or myself for that matter either.  Seems like I've been walking around like a zombie this week and just not getting anything accomplished at all!  But I crashed last night and got 8 1/2 hours and was raring to go today.  So far I've changed bed linens, done laundry, run the dishwasher and unloaded it, made 2 projects for next week's class, and actually stamped for fun today!!  That stamping for fun thing hasn't been happening too often lately, so it was especially wonderful.  I spent a little time checking out other people's stamping projects and got totally inspired by Connie Babbert and this card.  I pretty much copied her card 'cuz it was so darn cute, but I let my main object hang off the card to give it a different look.  Hope this inspires you too!  Thanks for the fabulous idea Connie!

Stamps:  Christmas Blessings
Ink:  Stazon Jet Black and Gumball Green with Cherry Cobbler marker
Paper:  Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla with Be Of Good Cheer Designer Series Paper
Accessories:   Big Shot with Delicate Doilies Sizzlit, AquaPainter, 1/8" Real Red Taffeta Ribbon, and Dimensionals

Isn't it cute?  I love having a small 4 1/4" square card and then having components of the card attached outside of the square.  Just makes it stand out a little more than a regular sized card.  And it still fits into a regular envelope so there's no extra cost to mail.  When you're sending out bunches of cards at Christmas, that's a major consideration!

I think mistletoe berries are actually whitish, but they didn't show up enough so there was some artistic license used here.  Hope you don't mind too much!

That's it for tonight.  It's already close to 10:30 and I'm beat again.  I need to step away from the stamping or I'll never shut down tonight.  Besides, the book I'm currently reading is calling to me!  he he  Happy stamping and have a fab weekend - Sharon

Wonderfall Leaves

Hey, I'm back.  Sorry for the hiatus.  Life got in the way of stamping and posting for awhile, but I'm here today.  Not sure about tomorrow, but that's the way it is with 2 grandkids - both with colds, and the little one teething on top of it all.  What fun it's been lately!  ( did you catch the bit of sarcasm?)  Anyway, I have a fabulous card for you today.  At least I think it is!  And it's using all kinds of new goodies that I had fun playing with.  And here you it is...

Stamps:  Wonderfall and Fabulous Phrases
Ink:  Cajun Craze, Soft Suede
Paper:  Soft Suede and Very Vanilla with Comfort Cafe DSP
Accesssories:  Big Shot with Autumn Accents Bigz Die, Summer Starfruit Stitched Ribbon, Brushed Bronze Buttons, Sponge Dauber, Paper Snips, and Dimensionals

Isn't this pretty?  I was so happy with how it all came together.  I chose to use two of the colors from the Comfort Cafe DSP for the ink on the leaves and tag.  Then decided that the Summer Starfruit Ribbon would be the perfect accent to brighten the card up. 

Just one more thing was needed - that Brushed Bronze button.  Oh, I just love it all together, don't you! 

It was easier than I thought it would be to die cut the leaves then stamp on them.  You can see exactly where you're placing the leaf on the inked up stamp so there's no problem.  Easy peasy!

tip: Even though the button has 4 holes, I just tied the ribbon through 2 and made sure the ends of ribbon covered the other two holes.  Otherwise, it would have all been rather bulky for going through the mail.   This way it's much flatter.

Hope you love this as much as I do.  The colors are perfect for fall.  Think I might try this again using another of the prints from Comfort Cafe - the one with the blue flowers.  What do you think about that??  Should I give it a try?  I will, but you never know exactly what it'll be until you start playing with it! 

Tonight the ladies are gathering at church to make cards for our military again.  If you're in the area, stop in and stamp with us!  Check in with me for directions.  The more the merrier!  Have a great week.  Hope to be back quicker this time!!   Rubber hugs, Sharon

Snowflake Glamour

As I was laying in bed the other night, I couldn't seem to turn my mind to sleep mode.  I'd been stamping before bed and that is a problem.  Instead of sleeping, the gray matter is still clicking along with color ideas, stamps, and all sorts of creative thoughts and isn't ready to settle down yet!!.  One of the ideas that was percolating around in there was using the new snowflake die with Silver Glimmer paper and making a totally glitzy Christmas card.  I usually go for more of an understated look, but that sure doesn't fit this card at all!  Here's what I came up with for my over-the-top-glitz card...

Stamps:  Greetings of the Season
Ink:  Bravo Burgundy
Paper:  Whisper White, Silver Glimmer Paper
Accessories:   Big Shot and Snow Flurry Bigz Die, Framed Tulips TIEF, Piercing Tool and Mat, and Antique Brads

Can you feel the glitz and glamour?  Pictures never do Glimmer Paper justice, but I'm sure you get the idea.  I wanted something a little substantial for the center of the snowflake, so went with the Antique Brads. This one has a pewter tone to it, so it goes nicely with the silver.  But it's dark enough to stand out and not get lost in the glitter.

I wanted to keep things really simple, so the only other adornment is the Framed Tulips embossing around the edge of the cardfront.  I did this on a separate layer so it would be a little sturdier holding up the snowflakes. 

Hope this puts you in the mood for the upcoming holidays.  It sure got me thinking about it!  Have a fun week.  With babysitting, Hostess Club, and meeting at church this week, it's gonna be just a little crazy.  Hope I can squeeze in a little time for stamping too!  Sharon

Pennant Christmas

Today I'm switching from Halloween to Christmas.  I can't seem to stay focused on one at a time and keep switching back and forth.  Sometimes my brain starts feeling like a yo-yo or something.  Anyway, today is a soft-looking Christmas card that isn't too very hard to make.  It was inspired by a card on the display boards at convention, so I have no idea who made the original.  But I enjoyed looking at it, so I hope you will too.  As usual, I've taken the liberty of only staying with the same stamp set and colors.  The rest has been changed around to suit my tastes.  Hope you enjoy this one...

Stamps:  Pennant Parade and Greetings of the Season
Ink:  Pool Party, Crumb Cake, and Soft Suede pads and Pool Party marker
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Pool Party, and Whisper White
Accessories:  Big Shot with Petals Aplenty TIEF, Very Vanilla 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Sponge Dauber, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Glue Dots, and Dimensionals

I wanted lots of texture on this card, so I not only embossed a layer of Crumb Cake, but also crumpled the Whisper White cardstock for the snow.  After attaching the 'snow', I went back with a 2-Way Glue Pen and added swirls of glitter to make it sparkle.

The design needed something small in the top left corner, but nothing seemed to work.  Until I thought of using a marker to color the taffeta ribbon to match.  Making a tiny bow and attaching with a Glue Dot was the final touch.

Hope you like this idea.  This isn't quite a traditional color combo for Christmas cards, but I like how it turned out.  Thanks for stopping in today.  Enjoy your Sunday and take time to rest and reflect.  It helps me get ready for the coming week.  Enjoy!  Sharon