Simply Stars with Chalk Talk

I wasn't going for the patriotic look on this card. I wanted sort of a country feel with the stars usin Raspberry Ripple and Midnight Muse ink. But I think it screams Red, White and Blue! Though that doesn't mean I don't like it! I think to get the country feel I'd have to use some Crumb Cake along with the Raspberry Ripple and Midnight Muse.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Simply Stars, Gorgeous Grunge, Chalk Talk
Cardstock - Midnight Muse, Raspberry Ripple, Whisper White
Ink - Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple, Midnight Muse
Accessories - Chalk Talk Framelits, Big Shot, 3/8" stitched satin Midnight Muse ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Rhinestones Basic Jewels

Simply Stars Birthday

I used the same design from my New Year's card and added color to make a birthday card. It would make a great teen or child birthday card. Gorgeous Grunge works so well with these stars!

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Simply Stars, Gorgeous Grunge, Label Love
Cardstock - Raspberry Ripple, Summer Starfruit, Whisper White, Gumball Green
Ink - Summer Starfruit, Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green
Accessories - Large and small star punch (retired), Artisan Label punch, 3/8" Stitched Satin Summer Starfruit ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' sponge

To make the layered Artisan Label, I cut a label from Gumball Green and cut the label in half with my scissors. Then I attached the two pieces to the Whisper White stamped  label, leaving a little of the top and bottom overhang. There is no green showing on the sides but it still looks OK!!

Simply Stars for a Happy New Year!

This is the card I made for the nursing home project tomorrow. I wanted to do something for the new year that was sparkly and rich but easy. I used the Encore Silver and Gold metallic pads and added some retired gold cord. It's pretty! I'm anxious to try the stars on another card with lots of color for a birthday card.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Simply Stars, Gorgeous Grunge,  More Great Greetings (retired)
Cardstock - Whisper White, Smoky Slate
Ink - Encore Silver Metallic, Encore Gold Metallic
Accessories - Artisan Label punch, Large Star punch (retired), Gold Cord (retired)

If you don't have the Encore Silver Metallic, Smoky Slate ink looks silver. The Smoky Slate cardstock works great with the silver ink too.

Sending Good Thoughts Your Way

It's not a Christmas card, but it is a Christmas greeting to you! I'm sending good thoughts your way this Christmas and wishing you all a wonderful holiday. I hope you get to spend it with your family, friends, and loved ones. I'm looking forward to two family filled days of celebration!!

This card was for my stamp club two weekends ago.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Too Kind
Cardstock - Raspberry Ripple, Whisper White, Birthday Basics DSP
Ink - Primrose Petals, Raspberry Ripple, Gumball Green, Basic Black
Accessories - Framed Tulips Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 3/8" Stitched Satin Gumball Green ribbon

Winter Flowers from Flower Shop

We still like flowers in the winter, right? I made this card with Elegant Eggplant because it seemed like a winter color yet would work with flowers.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Flower Shop, Itty Bitty Banners
Cardstock - Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Old Olive, Regals Designer Series Paper Stack
Ink - Elegant Eggplant
Accessories - Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Pansy punch, Bitty Banners Framelits, Sweet Stems Embosslit (retired), Basic Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!!

Festive Flurry hanger

We made these beautiful hangers at the nursing home today. I thought the ladies could hang them on their doorknobs or knobs on their dressers, etc. They aren't just a Christmas decoration, but a winter decoration.
They were a big hit! (The stampers who attended my Christmas camp also made these and attached them to a white gift bag.)

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Festive Flurry
Cardstock - Winter Frost Designer Series Paper Stack, Silver Glimmer Paper, Whisper White
Ink - Soft Sky
Accessories - Festive Flurry Framelits, Big Shot, 3/8" Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals, Tombo Multi Adhesive

I found that the Tombo Multi Adhesive worked well getting the Whisper White snowflakes to stick to the Glimmer Paper.  I used all 4 of the framelits to create this.

Wetlands Birthday

Sorry for the long delay between posts.  This time of year is just hectic! I'm finished with making and posting Christmas cards. This card is one I made for my card club last Saturday. It would make a nice masculine card, but could easily work for female to. I love cards with this color scheme.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Wetlands
Cardstock - Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Neutrals Designer Series Paper Stack
Ink - Basic Black
Accessories - Ovals Framelits, Big Shot, 3/8" Crumb Cake Taffeta Ribbon

Wishing you a Magical Season

I'm still getting new Christmas stamps! I ordered this one, Magical Season, just last week. It is one of the single stamps that Stampin' Up! has this Christmas season. I love the sentiment, so this is the card I made today. It will be my 3rd Christmas card for the ladies (and Bill) at the nursing home on Friday.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Magical Christmas
Cardstock - Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Season of Style Designer Series Paper Stack
Ink - Cherry Cobbler
Accessories - Petals-a-Plenty Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Apothecary Accents Die, Deco Labels Collection Die, Ovals Collection Die, Basic Pearls, Stampin' Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

I'm going to make another one without the sponging and see which one I like best. I thought I liked the sponging until I saw this picture.

Top Note Gift Card/Treat Holder

Do you have the Top Note Bigz Die? If you do, you can make this cute and simple gift card/treat holder. I'm making a bunch and giving them as little gifts with the Ghiradelli chocolate squares in them for all the friends I've made that work at the nursing home I go to on Friday. After they enjoy their chocolate treat, they have a gift card holder they can give away this Christmas season!

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Christmas Tagables (Photopolymer Stamps)
Card stock - Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink - Cherry Cobbler
Accessories - Top Note Bigz Die, Big Shot, Stylish Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Artisan Label punch, 3/4" Cherry Cobbler Chevron Ribbon, Tombo Multi Adhesive, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' sponge

I cut 2 Top Notes out. I embossed one with the Stylish Stripes folder. I folded down the top of the embossed piece. Using the Tombo Multi Adhesive, I glued the edges of the embossed piece and attached it to the back Top Note. I actually snipped off the points on the side of the holder after it was glued so the ribbon would fit better around it. I tied the chevron ribbon around the holder and added the little tag with dimensionals. Now it's ready to fill!!

Post Card Ornaments

I haven't been in my stamp room for a week! First it was Thanksgiving, then Black Friday shopping. Steve had his 45th reunion on Sat. (how did he get that old?) and I went to see Mama Mia with Lori and the girls on Sunday. Spent the last 3 days decorating for Christmas and finally got to my stamp room after dinner tonight. I think I'm tired!

The card I made today is a CASE from Lynn Donnelly. I used the Ornament Keepsakes stamp set and Framelits from last year (you can still order them even though they aren't in any current catalog!) with the Post Card stamp. The Snowflakes are from Snowflake Soiree (which is also still available). It has lots of distressing to make it look old. The ornaments are stamped in Silver Encore ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. I tried silver embossing powder but it was too heavy. The snowflakes are stamped with Smoky Slate and stamped off to make them lighter. The post card is stamped in Crumb Cake with lots of sponging in Crumb Cake too.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Ornament Keepsakes, Post Card, Snowflake Soiree, Open Sleigh (retired - for Merry Christmas)
Cardstock - Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Smoky Slate
Ink - Silver Encore, Crumb Cake, Smoky Slate
Accessories - Clear Embossing Powder, heat tool, Ornament Keepsakes Framelits, Big Shot, Distressing tool, Silver 1/8" ribbon, Linen Thread, Glue Dots

Nothing is popped up with dimensionals on this card.

Lovely as a Christmas Tree

I have been seeing Christmas cards made with Lovely as a Tree for years, but this is the first for me.  It makes a lovely scene. It's so peaceful looking.  I stamped the tree on the left full strength. Then I stamped the tree on the right full strength. Without reinking the stamp, I stamped to the left and right of the tree on the right and got the lighter trees, which makes them look like they are in the background. What a great effect!

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Lovely as a Tree, Greetings of the Season
Cardstock - Whisper White, Night of Navy
Ink - Night of Navy
Accessories - Fancy Fan Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 3/8" Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

This is going to be the first Christmas card for my nursing home ladies on Friday.  We made 4 Thanksgiving/grateful/autumn cards and I'm tired of leaves and fall colors. I'm ready to move on!!

Another Joyful Christmas

I know a lot of you have purchased the Joyful Christmas stamp set so here's another card. This time I embossed with Whisper White ink and white embossing powder.  To make the leaves, I just cut a few ends off of the poinsettia that I cut the center out of for the smaller flower, and used my Aqua Painter and some Wild Wasabi ink from the lid of my ink pad to watercolor on the underside of the embossed petals. It's much prettier than it shows in this picture.  I've embossed with gold on Cherry Cobbler, silver on vellum, and white on vellum.  Not sure with one I like the best, but it would be one of the vellums - probably the silver. What do you think?

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Joyful Christmas, Greetings of the Season
Cardstock - Night of Navy, Whisper White, Vellum Cardstock
Ink - Night of Navy, Wild Wasabi
Accessories - Pretty Print Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (it doesn't show up in the picture but the white circle is embossed),Circles Collection Framelits, Big Shot, White Embossing powder, heat tool, Paper Snips, Aqua Painter, Basic Rhinestones, Red Sharpie (to color the rhinestones) Stampin' Dimensionals

BIG HOLIDAY SALE GOING ON NOW

Stampin' Up! is having a sale, just in time for the Christmas holiday! Many of you remember that Stampin' Up! has had an Online Extravaganza the last few years. That's what this is - they just changed the name.
If you want to see what's reduced, just click on the "Shop Now" button to the right and it will take you to the online store. Click on the Promotions bar. Then click  "shop now" and then click on "Holiday Sale". When you click on each "% off" category, it will show you what's on sale.  Any questions, just let me know.

Truly Grateful #2

I used my Truly Grateful set again today. What a great set! This card is a case from Dawn Olchefske. It is going to be my 4th and final Thanksgiving card for my crafting residents at the nursing home on Friday. Next week we'll be on to Christmas!

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Truly Grateful
Cardstock - Soft Suede, Very Vanilla
Ink - Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso
Accessories - Early Espresso Baker's Twine

Endless Wishes Snowflakes

The photopolymer stamp, Endless Wishes, is a fun and fast set to use. I made this Christmas card in a snap! And it's economical too! The supplies are few but it looks great!!

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Endless Wishes
Cardstock - Soft Sky, Whisper White
Ink - Soft Sky, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories - Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing folder, Big Shot, Basic Rhinestones, Stampin' sponge

Offset gate fold Thanksgiving card

Today's card was fun to make, so I made a video to go with it. The quality of the video isn't great because I did it after the sun went down and I have lots of shadows, but it was my third try so I just went with it.  I think you can follow it OK.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Gently Falling, French Foliage (retired) Tags 4 You, Versatile Verses (retired)
Cardstock - Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla, Crushed Curry
Ink - Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake
Accessories - Label Bracket punch, 1 3/4" punch, Simply Scored tool, 3/8" Soft Suede taffeta ribbon,
Stampin' sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals, Tombo Multi Adhesive

(inside of card)

Dimensions

Crumb Cake CS for base is 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" - scored in landscape position at 2 3/4" and 7".

Very Vanilla for front of card is 2 3/4" x 4 1/2".

Chocolate Chip for layering is 3" x 4 3/4".

The inside Very Vanilla is 4" x 5 1/4"

Watch the video to learn how to make this offset gate fold card.

World Map with The Open Sea

I partnered the World Map background stamp with the Open Sea for today's card. I like the "circle look" with the ship. It reminds me of a porthole or looking through a spy glass.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - World Map, The Open Sea, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock - Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Ink - Soft Suede, Crumb Cake
Accessories - Circles Framelits Collection, Bitty Banners Framelits, Big Shot, Stampin' Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

I used the Crumb Cake ink to stamp the map.  I used Soft Suede for The Open Sea stamps and the sponging.

Lovely as a Tree Birthday

Lovely as a Tree was in the catalog when I first started stamping about 13 years ago.  I always admired the cards made with the set but never bought it. After a time, I never wanted to purchase it because I thought surely it was about to be retired. But it never was on the retired list. So.... I broke down and bought it. I hope I didn't jinx it and it continues to be in the catalog. This is the first card I made with the set.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Lovely as a Tree, Express Yourself (hostess)
Cardstock - Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Ink - Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake (for sponging)
Accessories - Stylish Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Bitty Banners Framelits, 3/4" and 1" circle punches, Linen Thread, Paper Piercer, Stampin' Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

This would be a great card for a fall or winter birthday, either male or female.

Gently Falling

Man, where has this week gone?!? I've been preparing for my card club this Sat. and trying to get some last minute things done in the yard before it really gets cold.  The leaves have been really beautiful in our woods so I have been making quite a few "leaf cards".  This one is for the nursing home tomorrow. It won't take them long to put it together, but they will have a real beauty when they leave.  It's what they call a CAS card - clean and simple.  I would call it CASBB - clean and simple but beautiful!

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Gently Falling, Gorgeous Grunge, Short and Sweet (retired)
Cardstock - Pool Party, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla
Ink - Soft Sky, Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip
Accessories - none

Deck the Halls

I was inspired by a card made by Tamara Bertram. I expanded a little on her card and came up with a card I am really pleased with. Makes you want to start singing "fa la la la la"! I made an envelope liner to go with this card too. I used the Music Notes wheel on plain copy paper and cut the liner out with the Envelope Liners Framelits Die. It's a very economical way to make your own designer paper. It's just on an envelope that's going to be thrown away anyway.  Hopefully, they don't throw away the card!!

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Christmas Messages, Music Notes Wheel
Cardstock - Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black
Ink - Cherry Cobbler, Basic Black
Accessories - Wheel handle, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Chalktalk Framelits Die and Ovals Collection Framelits Dies, Big Shot, Basic Rhinestones (colored black with a Sharpie), Stampin' sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals.

Supplies:
White copy paper, Music Notes wheel, Envelope Liners Framelits Die, Big Shot, Stampin' Up! envelope

Joyful Christmas with Vellum

Today I made two cards with the Joyful Christmas stamp set, stamping the poinsettia in Encore Silver ink and heat embossing it with Silver embossing powder. I made two, one in the landscape position, the other portrait, because of the greetings I wanted to use.  The Joyful Christmas Wishes is a much prettier greeting, but I didn't have enough room to use it with the Pretty Print Textured Impressions Embossing Folder.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Joyful Christmas
Cardstock - Smoky Slate, Whisper White, Vellum cardstock
Ink - Encore Silver
Accessories - Silver embossing powder, heat gun, Stylish Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Apothecary Accents Framelits, Big Shot, 3/8" Whisper White taffeta ribbon, Basic Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals

Supplies:
Same as above, but using the Pretty Print Textured Impressions Embossing Folder and Teeny Tiny Wishes with the Large Oval Punch.

Endless Wishes

Talk about a great set to make quick and easy Christmas cards. Have you seen the new photopolymer stamp set called Endless Wishes?

Darn it! I wanted to get a good picture or download the flyer so you could see this, but I can't figure out how to do that!! I'm so bad at this stuff! Anyway, the set sells for $13.95, and you can see it if you go to my "shop now" button and find it online there. So sorry!

Here's my card.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Endless Wishes
Cardstock - Soft Sky, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink - Soft Sky, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories - Northern Flurry Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Stampin' sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

Snow Day

Here's a cute little snowman card. He's stamped in silver! He goes so nicely with the Winter Frost DSP that comes in the Paper Stack. I used an old SU die, Snowflake #2, to make a glittery snowflake stick out from behind the stamped image.

Supplies:
Sta mp sets- Snow Day
Cardstock - Soft Sky, Whisper White, Winter Frost Designer Series Paper Stack (or just the Winter Frost DSP), Silver Glimmer Paper
Ink - Encore Metallic Silver Pad (in Holiday catalog), StazOn Black, Island Indigo, Tangerine Tango, Early Espresso
Accessories - Snowflake #2 die, Big Shot, Whisper White 3/8" taffeta ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

Deco Label Tent Card

I made this Tent Card using the Deco Label Framelits with the Circle Collections Framelits.  I wanted a fall card and I used French Foliage, which is retired, but you could use any "leaves" set you have. And it's beautiful with flowers as well.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - French Foliage (retired), Petite Pairs
Cardstock - Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Very Vanilla
Ink - Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Crushed Curry, Always Artichoke, Early Espresso
Accessories - Pretty Print Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Circles Collection Framelits (#6 circle), Deco Label Framelits (#3 label), Crumb Cake 3/8" taffeta ribbon, Vintage Brads, Stampin' sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

The base cardstock is cut 5" x 5 1/4" - scored at 2 1/2" (on 5" side) and folded for the "tent fold card".
The circle is glued to the Deco Label but the Deco Label is attached with 3 dimensionals at the bottom only.

Here's another card with the ribbon at the top, which is the first card I made. I thought it might look better with the ribbon at the bottom. What do you think?

Sweater Weather Joy Fold card

Today's card is a direct case from Linda Heller!! I loved it so much I didn't change a thing.  After the recipe for the card I will give you some of the dimensions and directions for making this Joy Fold.

(opened card)

Supplies:

Stamp sets - Gently Falling, Wetlands (birthday greetings), Friendly Phrases (retired)

Cardstock - Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, Naturals Ivory, Sweater Weather DSP

Ink - Crushed Curry, Chocolate Chip

Accessories - Naturals Designer Buttons, Stampin' Dimensionals, Linen Thread

Cut the Chocolate Chip cardstock 4 1/4" x 11".  Score in the landscape position at 3" for a side fold card.

Cut the Sweater Weather DSP 2 3/4" x 4" and adhere to Chocolate Chip.

Cut Soft Sky 4" x 5 1/4" and adhere to Chocolate Chip.

Cut Chocolate Chip 3" by 6 1/2" for smaller side fold flap. Score at 3 1/4".

Cut 2 pieces of Naturals Ivory at 2 3/4" x 3" for the outside and inside of smaller Chocolate Chip piece.

The Naturals button is threaded with Linen Thread and attached with a dimensional on the left side of the button (not centered) so the flap will fit under the button to hold the card shut.

It's really an easy card, so give it a try! If you have any problems, let me know.

Halloween Treat Holder

I made this cute little treat holder using the new Stampin' Up! Envelope Punch Board and a piece of Witches' Brew DSP.  It is actually an envelope to hold a gift card but it holds a snack size candy bar perfectly!!

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Halloween Hello
Cardstock - Witches' Brew DSP, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink - Black StazOn
Accessories - Envelope Punch Board, 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon (Pumpkin Pie which is retired), Small and Large Oval punches

Here is my video on how to make the treat holder!!

Flowers from Too Kind

I used the flowers from the Too Kind stamp set to make this birthday card.  They are summery colors but I just love pink and green so I thought I had one more "summer" card in me before I start on the fall leaves and color cards. Pistachio Pudding and Strawberry Slush rock!

Stamp sets - Too Kind, Gorgeous Grunge, Chalk Talk
Cardstock - Pistachio Pudding, Strawberry Slush, Whisper White
Ink - Pistachio Pudding, Strawberry Slush
Accessories - , 1 3/8' Circle punch, Circles Collection Framelits, 3/8" Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

To make the background, I stamped off  before stamping the Gorgeous Grunge so the Pistachio Pudding would be lighter. I wanted a subtle background so it didn't take away from the flowers.

Revised Autumn Greetings

I was never too happy with the Autumn Greetings card I posted so I did a little tweaking.  I just love the acorn from Truly Grateful but the background stamp I used on the first post (Sept. 30) didn't do it justice. Here's my second card and I am much happier. Classier and less busy, in my humble opinion :)

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Truly Grateful, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock - Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake, Sweater Weather DSP
Ink - Early Espresso
Accessories - Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Very Vanilla Seam Binding, Small and Large Oval Punches, Stampin' Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

Another Halloween Hello

Here's another Halloween card that we made at the Halloween Card Class on Sat. It's also a card I did for the nursing home on Friday.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Halloween Hello
Cardstock - Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Witches' Brew DSP
Ink - Black StazOn, Pumpkin Pie, Summer Starfruit
Accessories - 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches, Ticket punch, Large Oval punch, Stampin' Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals, Retired Polka Dot ribbon from SU

File Folder card made with Envelope Punch Board

These cute little "file folder" cards are all over the internet and I wanted to try one! I used a video by Patty Bennett to learn how to create the shape and you can view it here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaGZz1SJ5mE&feature=c4-overview&list=UULumldbtCQwCU-V5o1aIJpA.
I chose Gingham Garden Designer Series Paper for my card.  There are so many choices that would work well with this card.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Flower Shop, Teeny Tiny Wishes, On Your Birthday (retired)
Cardstock - Whisper White, Gingham Garden DSP,  Melon Mambo
Ink - Melon Mambo
Accessories - Envelope Punch Board, Fiskars cutter, Pansy Punch, Small and large oval punches, 3/8" Whisper White taffeta ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals

(inside of card)

Circle Thinlits card

I finally made a card using the circle version of the Thinlits Card Dies. I've watched a lot of videos about using the dies and how to attach the DSP before cutting and here's my fist take.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Create a Cupcake, Itty Bitty Banners, Bring on the Cake
Cardstock - Crumb Cake, Epic Day This and That DSP, Soft Suede, Calypso Coral
Ink - Calypso Coral, Crumb Cake
Accessories - Circle Card Thinlits Die, Big Shot, Cupcake Builder punch, Bitty Banners Framelits, Adorning Accents Edgelits, Fancy Fan Textured Impressions Embossing Folder,Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stampin' Sponge

It wasn't easy trying to photograph a card that swings open like this. Hope you can tell what it looks like.  They are so cool in real life!!

Autumn Greetings

Though I hate to say good bye to summer, it's time to think about making some fall cards.  This card uses the acorn stamp from the Truly Grateful stamp set in the Holiday Catalog.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Truly Grateful, Sanded (retired), Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock - Cajun Craze, Crumb Cake, Sweater Weather DSP
Ink - Early Espresso, Cajun Craze
Accessories - 7/16" Natural Trim, Small and large oval punches, Stampin' Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

This would be a nice card at Thanksgiving time, using the Truly Grateful or the Thankful for sentiment.

Home Again!

I'm home from my Alaskan cruise and short stay in the great state of Washington. We had a great time but the weather didn't cooperate.  When we landed back in Dayton on Saturday, it reminded me of landing in Ft. Lauderdale in Feb. if you know what I mean!! But it's back to reality - cooking, laundry, cleaning - but thanks goodness there's stamping!! I got the idea for the card I made today from some notecards created by Peggy Noe.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Everything Eleanor, Birthday Greetings (retired)
Cardstock - Very Vanilla
Ink - Crumb Cake
Accessories - Pretty Print Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Extra large oval punch, Crumb Cake 3/8" taffeta ribbon, Stampin' Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals.

The inside just says Happy Birthday with a few of the "swirly" designs on the edges.  I just couldn't get a good picture of the inside.

Simple card, but I love it, love it, love it!!

Yippee-Skippee with Field Flowers

Here's my Friday card for the nursing home.  It can be tough to come up with the right combination. The card can't be too simple for them, but it can't be too complicated either.  Their fingers don't work too well and too many steps really throws them.  But you have to have more than a couple of pieces to glue together, you know what I mean?  I think they'll be pleased with this one.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Field Flowers, Yippee-Skippee, Gorgeous Grunge
Cardstock - So Saffron, Whisper White, Subtles Designer Series Paper stacks
Ink - Old Olive, So Saffron
Accessories - Ovals Collection Framelits, Big Shot, Eyelet Border punch (retired), Decorative Label punch, 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (retired), mini glue dots, Stampin' Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

I stamped the Gorgeous Grunge on the So Saffron cardstock to keep it from looking so plain and it really did the trick!  I use this stamp set all the time for just that reason! It adds texture too.

Chalk Talk Halloween Candy Holder

There are a lot of these Chalk Talk Framelits candy holders on the web and I'm not sure to whom the credit goes for being the creator of this cute idea, but I copied mine from Becky Roberts.  You can take the idea and make these for any holiday or any occasion.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Halloween Hello
Cardstock - Pumpkin Pie or Basic Black, Witches' Brew Designer Series Paper (DSP), Whisper White
Ink - Basic Black
Accessories - Chalk Talk Framelits, Big Shot,  1" circle punch, 1 1/4" scallop circle punch, Scallop edge punch, 1/4" hole punch, 3/4" Basic Black Chevron ribbon, 1/8" Basic Black taffeta ribon, Whisper White Baker's Twine, Basic Rhinestones

Here are just a few of the dimensions and directions you need to make these. You can pretty much figure them out from the picture.

- Cut DSP to 2 1/2" x 5 1/2".  Score at 3 1/2".
- Cut Pumpkin Pie (or any color) cardstock to 2 3/8" x 3 5/8".
- Fold DSP on the score line and place just inside the bottom cutting line of the Chalk Talk Framelit (so you keep the fold and don't cut it off.)
- Adhere the top and bottom of the DSP to the cardstock. The middle will be open to slide ribbon between. Add your tag to this ribbon
- Trim the corners of the Pumpkin Pie cardstock to match the corners of the DSP after it's been cut with the framelit.  I used a corner punch for the top corners and a corner rounder for the bottom corners.
- Pull the Chevron ribbon through the 1/4" hole but don't tie it.  Tie it closed with some Baker's Twine or crochet thread.

Just play with them a little bit, you'll see what needs to be done to complete them.  They're easy!!

Chalktalk with Flower Shop

This was a card from my Saturday stamp club. It's all Soft Sky and Whisper White.  It's so soft and pretty. I CASED it from Nikki Spencer, though I changed the colors.  The flowers from Flower Shop and the leaf from Fabulous Florets are watercolored with the ink from the lid of our stamp pads.

Supplies:
Stamp Sets - Chalk Talk, Flower Shop, Petite Pairs, Fabulous Florets
Cardstock - Soft Sky, Whisper White, Subtles Designer Series Paper Stacks
Ink - Black StazOn, Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi
Accessories - Chalk Talk Framelits, Big Shot, Pansy Punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches, Aqua Painter or watercolor brush, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thankful Thinlets

Today's card is a 3 x 6 card made with the Expressions Thinlits Dies and the Big Shot.  It's not really a Thanksgiving card, as I plan to make a Thanksgiving card with this layout at a later time.  This can be used at any time when you want to let someone know that you are thankful or grateful. It is a CASE from Daniela Sucker, a demonstrator from Berlin, Germany.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Gorgeous Grunge
Cardstock - Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White
Ink - Crumb Cake
Accessories - Expressions Thinlits Dies, Big Shot, Heart punch (retired), Linen Thread, Stampin' Sponge. Tombo Multi Liquid Glue, Mini Glue dot

I did a lot of sponging with Crumb Cake on the Whisper White cardstock after stamping the lines with the Gorgeous Grunge lines stamp.

When using this Thinlits die, I had a little trouble getting the words to pop out of the die, so a used a piece of waxed paper along with the Early Espresso cardstock and it popped right out!! Then you just peel the waxed paper away. It is definitely a time saver (not to mention getting rid of the aggravation of a word torn in two!)

Clockworks

I made another card with the Clockworks stamp set and this one is a CASE from Carolyn King, a fellow demonstrator from Australia.  She has made some gorgeous cards with this stamp set. I can't wait to try a few more.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Clockworks, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock - Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Very Vanilla, Newsprint DSP (retired)
Ink - Basic Black, Crumb Cake
Accessories - Argyle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 1/2", 3/4", and 1" circle punches, Early Espresso Baker's Twine, Stampin' Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

I sponged heavily over the Argyle embossing with Crumb Cake ink to make the embossed image stand out.  When I stamped with black ink over the Newsprint DSP, I stamped off first so it wasn't so dark.

Off the Grid with Clockworks

I was playing with the Clockworks stamp set today. It's a great masculine set but can be used for lots of feminine and generic cards.  I added Off the Grid stamp set for this card. I did a lot of sponging and stamping off to get the look I wanted.  It's a little shabby and rustic.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Off the Grid, Clockworks
Cardstock - Midnight Muse, Very Vanilla
Ink - Baked Brown Sugar, Crumb Cake, Midnight Muse
Accessories - Chalktalk framelits, Big Shot, Soft Suede 3/8" taffeta ribbon, Stampin' Sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals

Very manly, don't you think? (yes, I know it has a ribbon!)

Joyful Christmas

I finally got around to stamping again after a few days off. And I am a tired girl! I spent 3 days straight helping Lori stain her deck and fence. Let me tell you, she has a big yard and a big deck!  Steve is still doing a few things for her, but my part is done.

I promised a Christmas card for the workshop I'm holding Friday night, so I created a card using Joyful Christmas .Actually, the design is a CASE from Janet Hill, though I changed the colors drastically. I'd like to try it with the Winter Frost colors too. It's stamped with the Encore Silver pad that is in the Holiday catalog again after being absent from our main catalog for a while.  Then I heat embossed it with Silver embossing powder, cut it out, and popped it up with dimensionals.  It's really a lovely card.

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Joyful Christmas
Cardstock - Cherry Cobbler, Gumball Green, Whisper White
Ink - Encore Silver, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories - Stylish Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Silver Embossing Powder, Heat tool, Basic Rhinestones (that I colored with a Green Sharpie), Stampin' Dimensionals, Paper Snips (to cut around the poinsettia and leaves)

It's All About the Candy!

Here's another card using the Halloween Hello stamp set and this IS a CASE from Deb Currier. She has some really cute Halloween cards on her blog. I jazzed up the inside with some candy corn and the greeting from last year's Wicked Cool.  I used some old DSP to make some envelope liners. And I've got a cute little Halloween card ready to go!!

Supplies:
Stamp sets - Halloween Hello, Wicked Cool (retired)
Cardstock - Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Witches Brew DSP, Very Vanilla
Ink - Black Staz On, Basic Black and Pumpkin Pie Markers
Accessories - Paper Snips (to cut out candy), 3/8" Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon (retired), Stampin' sponge, Stampin' Dimensionals, Envelope Liners Framelits Dies (p 37 in Holiday catalog), Big Shot

(inside of card)

(envelope liners)

p 37 in Holiday Catalog