Floral Birthday Card

Well, the little one is down for a nap so I came down to quick get a load of laundry started. And while I'm getting a break, thought it was time to get another card posted. So here I am! I have to explain that I'm having a real problem leaving the new Framelits dies alone. Seems like I'm grabbing for one of them each time I plan a card. Hope you're not tired of them yet. Here goes the latest version in probably a long line of them...

Stamps: Apothecary Art, Loving Thoughts
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White with 2011-2013 In Color Designer Series Paper
Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Cherry Cobbler, Pear Pizzazz, and Wisteria Wonder
Accessories: Big Shot with Labels Collection Framelits Dies, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, AquaPainter, and Dimensionals

Even though this card uses the same stamp set and Framelits Die set as the card I posted yesterday, I think it looks very different. Actually this one is much more my style of clean lines and simplicity. I love the look of the punched lace strip across the card instead of ribbon as usual. And instead of stamping the sentiment directly onto the image, I stamped it on a skinny strip of pink cardstock, trimmed up the ends, and attached it over the image with Dimensionals. I used the Wisteria Wonder to stamp the sentiment so it would give a softer look than using black.

It always pleasantly surprises me what a lovely color you can get when using our Regals ink pads for watercoloring. This time I used Cherry Cobbler to get soft shades of pink and rose for the flowers. Yes, I just love this whole look and our new Apothecary Art set and Labels Collection Framelits! Maybe I'll try to use something else tomorrow if I get a chance to stamp. I'll work on that (grin)!

Thanks for stopping by for a peek. Have a wonderful day. Sharon

Floral Happiness

Just finished up another card idea. It's been challenging getting back to creating after having a dry spell. Don't know if I went over the top with this card. It's pretty busy compared to what I usually create, so I'm not too confident about it. Feel free to share any comments about it you'd like. I'm tough. I think I can handle the criticism. grin Here you go...



Stamps: Apothecary Art, Loving Thoughts
Cardstock: Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz cs, and Twitterpated Designer Series Paper
Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Island Indigo, Riding Hood Red, and Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Big Shot with Labels Collection Framelits, AquaPainter, Twitterpated Buttons, Lucky Limeade 1/8" Organdy Ribbon (SAB), Sponge Dauber, Mini Glue Dots, and Dimensionals

So, give me your opinion. Is it too busy with too much going on? Or does it sort of fit into a shabby chic category? Really, I'm just not too sure about this one. Seems like I just kept adding on to it and couldn't quit. Need to work on that, don't I?

As you can see, I'm lovin' the Framelits to pieces! Can you see the debossed image on the Pear Pizzazz layer from die-cutting the center out of it? Just thought that looked cool so I couldn't throw it out. I had to use it!! It was a little trickier putting a cut out frame around the stamped image, but I really liked the look.

Thanks for stopping in today. And I'd appreciate any comments you'd like to leave about this card. TIA Have a great week. Sharon

Dove Easter Card

I had some time to do a little stamping today. Actually I've been working on samples to take to a workshop on Monday and just playing around with some new stamps I have. What could be more fun on a Saturday afternoon? The card today is clean and simple, but I love the look and colors. Hope you like it too!
Stamps: Easter Dove
Cardstock: Whisper White, Calypso Coral, and Certainly Celery cs with Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper (SAB)
Ink: Marina Mist, Calypso Coral
Accessories: Big Shot with Labels Collection Framelits, Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Floral Fusion Sizzlits, Sponge Dauber, Basic Pearls, Mini Glue Dots, and Dimensionals

First of all, I love this new Everyday Enchantment DSP!! And it's free during Sale-a-bration. Which, I guess, makes it even better! The colors and prints are so lovely I just want to eat 'em up. Oh, so yummy!! Ok, sorry. Was that over the top a bit?? Let's get back to the card here. This card is a mixture of soft, pretty colors and textures. Not all of the colors I chose were part of the striped DSP strip, but they worked well together anyway. It's not always necessary to use the colors that are 'supposed' to work with any of the printed papers, but try other colors and branch out with your creativity. You never know what fun combinations you might find.

Instead of my usual squared-up layering on the focal point of the card, I used the new Labels Collection Framelits from the current Occasions Mini Catalog. I'm so happy we now carry nesting dies that are so very easy to use. Hurray!

I love the added flower on the card. It looks like many layers of cardstock, but it's only two. I distressed the two pieces of flower with a bone folder and fingernails until I could peel away another layer. Thus four layers from only 2 flowers. Adding more texture without a lot of heaviness here. The pearl was the perfect finishing touch.

Hope you enjoy this card idea. It really gets me in the mood for spring. Sharon

Soft Floral Heart

Hey people! Hope you're having a good week. Somehow I got a bit behind again as usual. I know, you're not surprised by that anymore!! But I've got a gorgeous card to share with you today. Last night my Hostess Club ladies made this card and another one. Lots of good comments here! Hope you like it too.

Stamps: Bordering on Romance, and With All My Heart

Cardstock: Blushing Bride, Early Espresso, Rose Red, and Whisper White

Ink: Blushing Bride, Rose Red, Wild Wasabi pads, and Early Espresso and Rose Red Markers, and Basic Brown pad(retired)

Accessories: AquaPainter, Big Shot with Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder and new Framelits Hearts Dies, Blushing Bride Pleated Satin Ribbon, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Modern Label Punch, Large Oval Punch, Dazzling Details, Sponge Dauber, and Dimensionals

I just love the soft look of these colors together. But they aren't too bland because you've got the pop of Espresso and Rose Red to offset all the paleness. The addition of the Dazzling Details to the flower centers adds some understated bling without it overpowering the rest of the card. Is there such a thing as "understated bling"?

And that new pleated satin ribbon? Oh, so very yummy! I know I'm gonna need some more colors of that!!

Hope you enjoyed this idea. I'll try to get back to you a little quicker next time. Have a great week... Sharon

Soaring Kites

Well, it's been awhile again, but I'm back. At least for today. We'll see how long that lasts this time around. Don't know why I keep getting sidetracked from posting, but it seems to be a real problem lately. Guess that should have been my new year's resolution - to post more regular. Of course, if it had been, I'd have really blown it by now! Ok, on with the card. I'm using a new stamp set from the current Occasions Mini Catalog. It's called Send Me Soaring, and it's a happy and fun little set with lots of kites and sentiments to go with them. Hope you like my first attempt with this set.

Stamps: Send me Soaring
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, and Whisper White along with strip of retired DSP
Ink: Rose Red, Wild Wasabi, and Night of Navy ink pads, and Certainly Celery, Rose Red, and Bashful Blue markers
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine, Sponge Dauber, and Dimensionals



I guess there's nothing totally spectacular about the card. It just makes be feel happy looking at it. On the Whisper White layer, I sponged on sections of Bashful Blue ink to give it a feel of sky and clouds. I thought about layering up each of the kites, but I ended up layering only the one to make it pop a little more.

Sorry I don't remember what the name of the DSP is. I had just one strip sitting on my worktable from all the cards we had made at the beginning of the month for our soldiers. I think it was the end of the package of whatever it was, so I just used it up. I love the addition of the Bakers Twine bow. I would have liked to put it on the kites, but it seemed waaaaay too big to use it that way.

Oh well, there you have it. What it took me all week to get around to. Let's see what I can manage this weekend! Have a wonderful and restful weekend. We're taking off for a winter potluck this afternoon, so I need to get going on some cooking to take along! Hugs, Sharon

Double Hearts

Hope you're having a great week so far. The ladies at class today were really crazy and having a good time. They always make me feel happy and very blessed to have them in my life. Ok, on to the good stuff... If you like anything to do with love, Valentine's Day, etc., you're gonna love the P.S. I Love You stamp set from the new mini catalog. It has several solid images and lots of little phrases and words that are so much fun to play with. This is definitely a must-have set as far as I'm concerned. The card I'm sharing today uses a couple of these images along with a lovely print from the Twitterpated Designer Series Paper. Here it is...

Stamps: P.S. I Love You

Cardstock: Whisper White and Cherry Cobbler with Twitterpated Designer Series Paper

Ink: Real Red and Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Big Shot with Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit, Full Heart Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Marina Mist 1/8" Satin Ribbon, Sponge Dauber, Mini Glue Dots, and Dimensionals

My friend Phyllis D. was over Sunday and we got a chance to play around with some ideas. This card ended up being a collaboration between the two of us. I'm still thinking of other options for how it could have gone together, but this is how it is for now. Maybe I'll try another version when I get a chance next week. We'll see how that goes.

Don't you just love this print of DSP paper? It's so soft and feminine looking. All of the prints from this set are very versatile and will be a pleasure to use. The colors are so pretty together. Hmmm, think I'd better consider getting another pack of this before too long! he he he

This is another card that could easily be changed into a wedding or anniversary card. It's always good to have a few anniversary cards on hand. And on that note I'll leave you for today. Hope to be back soon. Sharon

Truckload of Hearts

Hey, I'm back! Can you believe it - three days in a row! Alright, the class has finished for the night, so it's time to get back to blogging. Today I want to share a new look for an old stamp set. Seems like I've had the set Loads of Love just about forever. It's always good for a more masculine take on Valentine's Day card, instead of all the lace, glitter and other frou frou stuff that my hubby doesn't care for at all. And I got out my trusty Pastels that I haven't used in ages. Seems like this was turning into an oldie, but I added a new twist with a strip of the new Twitterpated Designer Series Paper to give it a bit of a facelift.

Stamps: Loads of Love
Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Gray, and Riding Hood Red with Twitterpated Designer Series Paper
Ink: Stazon Jet Black
Accessories: Stampin' Pastels, Basic Black Colored Pencil, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, and Dimensionals

Here's a closer look at the images. Loved how the print looks rather geometric and more masculine so I thought it would go nicely with the truck. I still might tuck in a stamped lady in the truck window from the coordinating stamp set. Just couldn't decide if I really wanted a person in the window or not.

Just a tip when using the Pastels, don't try to dig into the chalk and really load up on it to color. I tend to use surgical qtips for coloring with Pastels and always use a light touch. You can always add another layer or two of color if you want it more intense. On some of the hearts I added a second layer of Riding Hood Red chalk to make them stand out more.


Thanks for stopping by today. I plan to share another class project tomorrow if all goes well. Toodles, Sharon

Banner Card Challenge

I've got all the class projects finished and packaged up for tomorrow and Wednesday, so I have a little time to play. The toddler's been picked up and my hubby is even making dinner now, so I've got to take advantage of this situation! Of course I had to check out what the ladies at Stamping 411 have for a challenge this week. Oh, lovely! And I know just what I want to do with it, so let's get on with the stamping.

Stamps: Bordering on Romance
Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Cherry Cobbler, and Whisper White with 2011-2013 In Color Patterns Paper Stack
Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Pink Pirouette, Cherry Cobbler, Wisteria Wonder, and Lucky Limeade
Accessories: Big Shot with Hearts Framelits, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Aqua Painter, Dazzling Details, and Dimensionals

So often I've seen a punched lace border edging a banner, but I wanted to try it the other way around with the lace the main part of the banner. It's a different look than any I've seen before, and I like it.

The heart was cut using the new Framelits die set. Let me tell you, I just love them! They're so easy to use, and I have several more ideas I want to get to as soon as I have a little more spare time. The skinny Cherry Cobbler border around the heart was hand cut. Hey, not everything can be punched or die-cut!

It's difficult to see in the pics, but the flower centers were dotted in with the new Dazzling Details. If you like using glitter glue for touches of bling, this will be right up your alley. It gives just a touch right where you want it, or you can add a heavier amount and really give it some glitz.

Thanks for checking in and hope you enjoyed the idea. I'll be back on track tomorrow night with another class project to share with you. See you then.... Sharon

Valentine Madness

Where does the time go? Seems like I just finished making all my last minute Christmas gifts and now I'm going full tilt towards Valentine's Day. Whew! It's just been a whirlwind around here. Last week I had a full crew at church making cards for our soldiers. We were able to finish almost 150 cards that night. Since that project is behind me, I've been focusing on what the class projects will be this week. The first one I'm sharing is a rather clean and classic looking card. Hope you like it.
Stamps: Sweetheart, You Are Loved (just retired), and Lighthearted (just retired)
Cardstock: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, and Real Red
Ink: Real Red
Accesssories: Big Shot with Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder and the Scallop Squares Duo Bigz Die. Ticket Corner Punch, Full Heart Punch, Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, and Dimensionals


Ok, I know there isn't any new stuff from the new mini catalog here, but I guess I wasn't thinking correctly before Christmas. I was so excited to get beyond Christmas and to use the Valentine stamps from the Holiday Mini (that's retired now, thank you very much), that I wasn't watching the dates properly. Good grief, did I really do that?? So my ideas sort of went down the drain. Except for this one. I just had to still do this one because I like the classic look so much. Of course, it would be easy to change the wording on this card to make it a wedding or anniversary card too.

Well that's it for tonight. I'll have another class project to share with you tomorrow. Hope you come back for that. Have a great week... Sharon