Spring was blooming at the nursing home!

Yesterday was my day to go to the nursing home to make crafts with the residents. My goup grew to 11 and they were all happy to see me return. Some were even inquiring ahead of time as to when I would be coming back! They are so cute to work with. Many are confused about what to do and some have trouble with their hands so they need lots of help, but they are so proud when they are finished!!  The flowers we made had a Rolo in the center. Each resident made 3 or 4 so they could keep one and pass the others out to visitors, roommates, or nurses/aides if they wanted.  Several were going to keep them all themselves :) but the funniest thing was when one of the ladies finished making hers, she promptly tore the center off to eat that Rolo!! It was so cute.  She could have cared less about her creation - I loved it!!

I had all the flowers stamped and everything punched this time, so all they had to do was assemble them.  This stamping would have been too difficult for them.  But in 2 weeks, we are going to make another card and they will get to stamp.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Mixed Bunch
Cardstock - Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz
Ink - Bashful Blue, Pink Pirouette, Melon Mambo, Peach Parfait, Daffodil Delight.  (Any color will work!)
Accessories - Blossom Punch, Blossom Petals Builder Punch, Rolos, any adhesive to put them together.

These are fun to make - try them!!

Blogger's Challenge - An Easter card

I participated in the Blogger's Challenge this week, which was to make an Easter card.  With the spring weather being so beautiful lately, I decided to go with a flower theme.

                                                                                                                                                      

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Build a Blossom, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock - Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Ink - Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight
Accessories - Square Lattice and Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, Blossom Petals Builder punch, Word Window and Modern Label punches, 3/4" and 1/2" circle punches, Stampin' sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

The Square Lattice embossing is done on Whisper White and sponged with Pink Pirouette classic ink. The Perfect Polka Dots is embossed on Whisper White and adhered to the Square Lattice using Stampin' Dimensionals.  The flowers are also put on with dimensionals.  Lots of dimension to this card!

Stamping with the Nursing Home Residents!

I had a new experience today! I went to a nursing home in Kettering, OH and made Easter cards with the residents. I had so much fun! They were delightful and so proud of their cards. It truly was a wonderful experience for everyone involved!
Here is the card they made.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Chocolate Bunny (retired), Delightful Dozen
Cardstock - Whisper White, Bashful blue
Ink - Chocolate Chip, Bashful blue
Accessories - 3/8" taffeta ribbon, Elegant Bouquet Textured Impressions Embossing folder, Modern Label and Large Oval punches, Trio Flower punch (retired), Stampin' Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

Create a Cupcake for Ala Card Monkey #100

I am in need of some children's cards so decided the challenge at Ala Card Monkey could suit my needs.

I wanted something colorful, so here's my answer to the challenge.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Happiest Birthday Wishes
Cardstock - Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso,  Just Add Cake DSP, Red glimmer paper
Ink - Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi
Accessories - Cupcake Builder punch, 2 3/8" Scallop circle and 1 3/4" circle punches, 3/8" Whisper White taffeta ribbon, Square Lattice textured impressions embossing folder (cupcake wrapper) Dazzling Diamonds glitter, 2 way glue pen (for glitter), Stampin' spongs, Stampin' Dimensionals,

Fresh Vintage and Designer Frames Embossing Folders

Today's cards are a CASE from Ann Clemmer's blog.  When I saw it this morning, I knew I had to try making one. Not only did I think they looked great, I have not yet been able to use the Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folders in a way that meets my satisfaction.  Well, I just found it!! Paired with the Perfect Punches stamp set and the Extra Large Oval punch, they look awesome. I've been trying to tear or punch the frames out. I paired it with the Framelits Labels and it was OK, but this ROCKS! The Fresh Vintage stamp set and the Designer Frames embossing folders are both free items available to you with a $50 purchase through March 31. Don't miss out if you are interested!

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Fresh Vintage, Perfect Punches
Cardstock - Top card: Rose Red and Whisper White.  Bottom card: Wisteria Wonder and Whisper White
Ink - Rose Red or Wisteria Wonder
Accessories - Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, Rose Red seam binding or Wisteria Wonder ruffled ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' sponge

TSSC213

I enjoy participating in Mary Jo Price-Williams Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenges.  Here's her sketch for this week.

I hadn't used the Attic Boutique Designer Series Paper that I got a couple of weeks ago and decided to use it on this challenge.  The colors are so soft and pretty.  I have some ideas for using this DSP for some vintage scrapbook pages, but decided to use a little on some cards too.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Awash With Flowers, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Wonderfully Worn
Cardstock - Very Vanilla, Soft Suede, Attic Boutique DSP
Ink - Soft Suede, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party
Accessories - 3/8" Soft Suede taffeta ribbon, Small and Large Oval punches, Stampin' sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals

Totally A-maze-ing

I participated in the Stamping 411 challenge for Saturday this week. 

I won the Totally A-maze-ing stamp set and mazes from the Prize Patrol at Leadership in January, but I hadn't used it yet. I thought I'd try it on this challenge.  It was fun!  I even used my Circle Scissors Plus, which I have only used once, so I was really on a roll and feeling pretty good! Love the colors! Could be masculine or feminine.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Totally A-maze-ing, Extreme Elements
Cardstock - Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White
Ink - Basic Black, Pear Pizzazz, Crumb Cake
Accessories - Maze Games (Occasions mini), 1/2" Pear Pizzazz stitched-poly ribbon, Fashionable Hearts Embosslits, Word Window, Modern Label, and Large Oval punches, Stampin' Dimensionals

Better Storage for your Framelits and Edgelits

There has been alot of information on the web about making new storage cases for your framelits and edgelits dies. After using mine alot, I was fearful that I might bend them if I just left then in their original storage envelopes, so I began to see the wisdom of turning the clear mount stamp cases ($5.95 for 4 through SU) into storage cases for my framelits and edgelits. You put magnet sheets (also available through SU) in the bottom of the case and your dies stay in place. I made one for the edgelits and put the Adorning Accents textured impressions embossing folders in there with them. They are so cool, I don't know why I waited so long,.

White Blossom Punch

I made a couple of cards with Mixed Bunch today and used Whisper White to make the blossoms with the Blossom punch. Sponging around the edges gives them depth. The center is from the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch (that's a mouthful!). The top card is Daffodil Delight, the bottom, Peach Parfait.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Mixed Bunch, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock - Whisper White, Daffodil Delight or Peach Parfait
Ink - Daffodil Delight or Peach Parfait
Accessories - Blossom Punch, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch, 8 mm Large Pearl Basic Jewels (Occasions Mini), 3/8" Whisper White taffets ribbon, Stampin' sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals, Word Window and Modern Label punch for the Daffodil Delight card

St. Patty's Day Treats

I made these St. Patrick's Day treats for my Stamp Club on Sat. If you are visiting my blog before then, act surprised!!

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Lucky Shamrock
Cardstock - Wild Wasabi, Whisper White
Ink - Wild Wasabi
Accessories - Blossom punch, 1 3/4" circle punch, Peppermint patties candy, Sticky Strip

Sandwiched between the two Blossoms is a Palmer Peppermint Patty (got them at Dollar General - they are round. The York patties aren't packaged round anymore. They are in a "bag".) You can use any kind of St. Patrick's Day stamp or shamrock.  Can also use the Scallop Circle punch instead of the Blossom punch, but I needed the larger circle punch to fit my stamped image.  These are great little treat ideas for any holiday.

Sa

Faith in Nature

I have a Cardmaker Calendar and it has a card featured for March that I really liked.  There was nothing Stampin' Up! on the card, but I took the design and used my Stampin' Up! materials and created my own card.  It is surely not "Springy" like the weather today, but I like the card just the same!

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Faith in Nature (Hostess), French Foliage
Cardstock - Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso
Ink - Soft Suede, Versa Mark
Accessories - Scallop punch, Vintage brads, Early Espresso quilted ribbon (from Holiday mini), Linen thread, Stampin' sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

It's difficult to see on the picture, but I took 2 different clear mount blocks, a & b, rubbed them in the Soft Suede ink pad, and stamped then on the cardstock. Then I inked the French Foliage stamps in VersaMark and stamped over the block images. This card is 6 x 3, and there is plenty of room in the open end envelopes for the ribbon to hang over a little.

Kindness Matters

This is a card we made at my Open House on Saturday. 

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Kindness Matters
Cardstock - Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, First Edition Specialty DSP
Ink - Basic Black, Crumb Cake ( for sponging)
Accessories - 5/8"Basic Black Satin ribbon, Stampin' sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

This card looks much better in person, as you can see the distressing much better. I took the First Edition DSP and crumpled it into a ball, straightened it out and sponged it with Crumb Cake classic ink.  The more ink you add, the more vintage it looks.  Tear wherever you think it looks good. This is a great background technique for all kinds of stamp sets!

And I'd like to state for the record, Kindness DOES Matter!  Have a great day!

Liebster Blog Award

I received the nicest surprise from my stamping friend, Gerlinde. She awarded me with the Liebster Blog Award. Thank you, Gerlinde, from the bottom of my heart! Gerlinde is a beautiful designer and stamper. Check out her blog at http://www.mycreativecorner-gerlinde.blogspot.com/

What is the Liebster award?

A Liebster Blog Award is given to talented bloggers who have less than 200 followers. "Liebster" is a German word that means "dearest" or "beloved". It also means "favorite". So in a way, the award not only recognizes these bloggers as amazingly gifted in their own right, but also as your very own personal favorites.

Receiving the award involves a small chain reaction of ensuing kindnesses.
The rules are:
1.) pass the award on to five inspirational bloggers who have fewer than 200 followers
2.) add a comment to their blog so they are aware the award is being given
3.) link back to the special person gifting me with the award
4.) enjoy the award!

My five picks for the Liebster Award are:
Karen at http://www.stampinbythebay.blogspot.com/
Laura at http://www.smileslaura.blogspot.com/
Lana at http://www.nannastamps.blogspot.com/
Marian at http://www.studiombymarian.blogspot.com/
Penny at http://www.stampsnsmiles.blogspot.com/ 

Check out these talented ladies and let them know how you found them!

Fresh Vintage in Marina Mist

The card I made today is modeled after a card I saw at Christmas time that was created by Julie Gearinger. I really admire her work. 

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Fresh Vintage (free during Sale-a-Bration), Petite Pairs
Cardstock - Marina Mist, Whisper White
Ink - Marina Mist
Accessories - Postage Stamp, oval, and 1" circle punches,Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions Embossing folder, Lace Ribbon Border punch, 5/8" Marina Mist satin ribbon, stampin' sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

Baby Prints

I have a new great nephew, so I made a card for my neice and her husband.  These small handprints are just too cute! Welcome to our family, Jackson James!

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Baby Prints, Petite Pairs
Cardstock - Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Ink - Bashful Blue, VersaMark
Accessories - Clear Embossing Powder, Small Oval punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing folder, 3/8" Bashful Blue taffeta ribbon, Stampin'  Dimensionals

The handprints and greeting are embossed with clear embossing powder.

After I finished my card, I decided it was "pretty close" to the sketch for Stamping 411 this week, so I thought I would go ahead and post it to their challenge.

More Blossom Builders

I haven't posted for a few days because I've been helping with a remodeling project at my daughters and we've been putting in long hours! But I had still been playing with my Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit and had a couple of cards ready for my blog, just too tired to post them. So here they are.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - none
Cardstock - Rich Razzleberry, Lucky Limeade, So Saffron, Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit
Ink - None
Accessories - Texturz Plates background (Big Shot), Cutter Kit distressing tool, Beautiful Wings Embosslits,Blossom Petals Builder punch,  Basic Rhinestones, 5/8" Rich Razzleberry satin ribbon

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Mixed Bunch, Tiny Tags
Cardstock - Daffodil Delight, Whisper White, Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit
Ink - Daffodil Delight
Accessories - Blossom punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Jewelry Tag punch, Basic pearls, 5/8" Daffodil Delight satin ribbon, White baker's twine

Both of these cards are 3 x 6 cards and fit in Stampin' Up's small open end envelopes. (107286  p.182). One of my favorite sizes!

TSSC 210 Think spring!

It's been a while since I've done a challenge, so I was nosing around a bit looking for some inspiration. I participated in Mary Jo Price-Williams Technostamper Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge 210. (Boy, that's a mouthful!)

I've still been playing around with the Blossom Builders Designer Printed Kit in the Occasions mini. And yesterday was like a spring day, so I had to make something "springy"!

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Just Believe
Cardstock - Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Pool Party,Blossom Builder designer printed kit
Ink - Basic Gray
Accessories - Blossom punch, Beautiful Wings embosslits, Framed Tulip and Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folders, Basic Pearls, Daffodil Delight 5/8" satin ribbon, stampin' dimensionals