Quilted Blues

Actually that should be spelled 'bleus' because all the lovely patterned papers come from the 'Bella Bleu' Designer Series Paper set. Doesn't it make up into a cozy 'quilt' card? I wish I knew how to quilt so I could make myself one for real.

I figured it was ok to post this now. I made one for my sister (also my downline) and she's getting hers on Tuesday when we join up in SLC. I didn't want to spoil the surprise for her. Of course, her downline Vera, has made these cards before, and hers are simply gorgeous and put mine to shame. But this one is for Connie. We'll be having a great time getting caught up on everything and just spending time together.

As for making this card, the only prerequisite is having a Big Shot and the Top Note Bigz Die. If you have those, this card goes together easily, but looks really cool.

All stamps and materials by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: On Your Birthday

Cardstock: Brocade Blue, and Very Vanilla cardstock, and Bella Bleu DSP

Ink: Brocade Blue

Accessories: Big Shot and Top Note Bigz Die, Natural Twill Tape, Rich Regals Mini Brads, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, and Dimensionals

That's all she wrote, folks. Have a great day and keep stamping...

Sharon

Wednesday's Post

By now Convention has officially started and we've been going, going, going all day long. It should be about time for the end of today's doings. That means I'm already pooped out because we stayed up late last night talking and catching up from last year's visit. Isn't it great having a sister for my downline who rooms with me at convention?! We do have a great time and I'm sooooo looking forward to this!

Thought I would post another of my swaps. This was a little more time consuming than yesterday's butterfly swap, but I just love it! My favorite technique when stamping is watercoloring. I just can't get enough! So of course, I had to make at least one batch of swaps with it. Isn't this card soft and serene looking? I might have to make more of these for sympathy cards and get well cards and....... Actually, I think this style would work for just about anything, except for males in any size or age. But that leaves alot of other occasions where it would be appropriate. Ok, let's get on with it!

All stamps and materials by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Friend 24/7

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Mellow Moss, and Crushed Curry

Ink: Basic Brown, Mellow Moss and Crushed Curry

Accessories: Big Shot with Perfect Details Texturz Plate, Cutter Kit for distressing edges, 3 Flower Punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Mellow Moss Grosgrain Ribbon, Gold Mini Brad, and Dimensionals

Hope you like today's post. Let me know what you think. I'll be checking my blog as soon as I get home on Sunday lookin' for some love, or at least some comments!

Have a very blessed day,

Sharon

Butterfly Swaps

Hopefully this works and you'll be getting some 'scheduled posts' while I'm in Salt Lake City stamping and relaxing (right!) with my downline and friends. Since you can't be there to swap with me, I wanted to share some of my swaps with you this way instead. I don't have a lap-top, so I won't be able to give you any updates as they happen. Sorry! But I didn't want to leave you entirely in the lurch with absolutely nothing to brighten your day! So here's Tuesday's swap card for you....

I hope it puts a little smile on your face. It was quick to make and doesn't have too many extras. I wanted the look of two different prints on it, so I used a large background stamp for half, and then used the cute little butterflies in the "Sprinkles" stamp set on the white overlay.

I like the look of motion for the butterfly and the easiest way I know to achieve this is to add a layer of vellum over the cardstock. This was so very easy to do with our new butterfly punch. It's made to fit the butterfly in the "Flight of the Butterfly" stamp set. If you don't have it yet, you might need to add it to your wish list. Unless you really like to cut out all those little piddly layers. If you'd like to order this punch, just go to the Online Ordering button on the right. It will take you to my website and you can order and have it sent to you just as quick as can be.

All stamps and materials by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Flight of the Butterfly, Sprinkles, and Pretty Petals bkgd

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, and Whisper White

Ink: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, and Basic Black

Accessories: Butterfly Punch, Pretty in Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Soft Subtles Mini Brads, and Dimensionals.

Hope you're enjoying your summer and are ready to get back to stamping when I get home again. Remember classes are next week. There is room for a few more people if you'd like to join us. Just leave me an email and I'll get it Sunday night and add you to the list.

Happy Stampin',

Sharon

On A Roll ....

Yes, the swaps are moving along and sort of getting done. Some parts I'm saving for busy-work on the plane. I always find flying to be very boring when I'm flying by myself. Boo hoo. Wish someone was flying with me, but I'll be on my own. So since I'm still getting ready for convention and doing last minute laundry for packing, you get to see the card I made my husband for his birthday in July. Ta Da....

I had so much fun making this card for him because it's perfect for my guy. He's very handy to have around and is my Mr. Fix-it. So he has his stash of tools for the house, for the garage, and for the farm. And he probably needs more. What can I say - it's just like stamps! You can never have too many!! LOL I know you know what I'm talking about here!

All stamps and materials by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Totally Tools, Big Deal Alphabet, and On Your Birthday

Cardstock: Basic Gray, YoYo Yellow, Basic Black, Whisper White cardstock, and Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper (retired)

Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Going Gray, YoYo Yellow, and Close to Cocoa

Accessories: Paper Snips (for lots of cutting!), and Aqua Painter

I thought the Designer Paper worked really well for a card decked out with tools. And it was fun watercoloring the tools to look as realistic as possible.

I'm so thrilled that he liked it enough that it's still sitting on his desk over a week later! This is unheard of! I'm the pack rat that keeps everything, and he's the organized one that's always trying to throw things out and not leaving anything lying around. Yah, he likes it!

Hope you have a great day. If you're traveling to convention, have a safe and happy journey. If you're one of my customers, I'll be out of town for 5 days starting tomorrow. If you need anything, you can always order online or wait til next week and I'll be back home and happy to help you in any way I can. Remember, classes are next week!

Hugs and Blessings,

Sharon

Wonderful Birthday Card

Hi there! Hope you're having a great day today. I'm still working on making a few more swaps for convention, so today I'm sharing a card I made for my daughter's birthday in July. This time I was smart enough to take a picture before I gave it to her. I usually forget and ask to borrow it back! (How lame is that!?) Anyway, this is the card made for my wonderful daughter...

See, it says so on the card! Actually she really is pretty wonderful as far as I'm concerned. Hope she liked this and knows how much I care!

All stamps and materials by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Wonderful Favorites, Stem Silhouettes, Kind & Caring Thoughts (sentiment inside), and On Your Birthday

Cardstock: Bermuda Bay, Pixie Pink, and Shimmery White

Ink: Bermuda Bay ink pad, and Pixie Pink, Bermuda Bay, and Glorious Green Markers

Accessories: Big Shot and Perfect Details Texturz Plate

I can't believe I didn't use anything else on this card, no ribbon or other doo-dads. But with the Shimmery White paper which is so pretty and the lovely background texture, it really didn't need anything else.

It was fun using the markers to color the words so they matched the flowers and stems on the front. tip - always 'huff' on the stamp before stamping when coloring with markers.

Also on the bottom edge of the inside, first I stamped full strength, then stamped again without re-inking so there would be different color intensities across the bottom. It's the little things that make it stand out.

Hope you enjoyed this card. All comments are welcome. I live for comments. Yes, it really is addicting to check if anyone has left a comment and what was said. You ladies are awesome and I sooooo appreciate the feedback.

Hugs and Blessings,

Sharon

Today's Stamping 411 Creation

Can you believe I'm posting twice today? That tells you I'm not getting done everything that needs to be done before leaving on Tuesday. I just needed a break from swaps for a little while. Thought I'd go check out what the operators at Stamping 411 have for the Saturday Sketch. It looked a little intimidating with that large circle in the background, but after fussing with it and thinking about it for awhile I was able to create this....

I'm not sure if I really like it or not. I chose the Bella Bleu DSP because I thought the geometric shapes would play off the snowflake. But either the snowflake is too delicate, or maybe the paper is too busy. Let me know what you think. I'm open to any and all suggestions on this. If you think I need to take it apart and start over from scratch, well that is a possibility too.

All stamps and materials are by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Snowflake

Cardstock: Old Olive, Brocade Blue, and Very Vanilla cardstock, with Bella Bleu Designer Series Paper

Ink: Brocade Blue

Accessories: Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Ticket Corner Punch, Big Shot with Scallop Circle Die, Piercing Tool and Mat Pack, Ice Round Rhinestone Brad, Vintage Brad (retired diamond shape), Dimensionals, and Silver Glitter Glue (by Gary Burlin & Co)

Don't forget to let me know what should be done with this card. I'm really frustrated with it!

Maybe I should get back to what really needs doing instead of playing! Just too much to do and too little time......

Sharon

Kind and Caring Birthday

Well, I've been cranking out some swap cards today. My back is sore from meticulously stamping and coloring such wonderful cards to trade with the talented ladies at convention. I'm so excited about going and learning lots of new things, being inundated with ideas, and seeing some friends from different states. What a great week it's going to be. Sorry, I can't share my swaps with you yet. It wouldn't be right. So instead, I'll show you a card I was thinking about doing for class. I was getting everything counted out and measured, but found I didn't have enough square pink brads for everyone. So it was back to the stamping table and I made something else instead.

So this is what you won't get to make at class in August!

This card uses a wonderful hostess set called Kind and Caring Thoughts. I really like the images and have made some cards with it for my own personal stash already. Hmmmm, maybe that's why I don't have enough square pink brads for a class! Duh!

All stamps and materials by Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Kind and Caring Thoughts, and On Your Birthday

Cardstock: Garden Green, Regal Rose, and Whisper White

Ink: Regal Rose and Rose Red ink pads, and Rose Red and Garden Green Markers

Accessories: Large Oval and Scalloped Oval Punches, Piercing Tool and Mat Pack, Fire Square Rhinestone Brads, Rose Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Sponge quarter, and Dimensionals.

Guess that's all for now folks! I want to get back to making more lovely swaps.

Hugs and Blessings,

Sharon