All Smiles

Hi, it's been a very long time since I posted on this blog and I thought I'd share the current layout I just completed.  This sketch is from Scrapbook.com and their Serenity September challenge.  This was my first challenge from Scrapbook.com

This page is part of a series of layouts I am working on for a Pheonix, Arizona vacation that my family took in 2015 (yes, I am working on vacation memories from 2015.)  These pictures were taken at a restuarant specifically Home Style Buffet (or the feeding trough as David so affectionately refers to it.)  Everyone was in such a good mood and was full of smiles that I started clicking away on the camera phone.  I'm so glad that I took pictures to remember all the happiness.

For paper I used Project Life Cardstock Amber edition (remember this project was started in 2015), Bazzill cardstock and the trusty Silhouette Studio software.  I swear if you have the knowledge you can do anything with this machine/software.  All of the elements were taken from the Project Life Digital set for the Amber edition.  Other accessories are Recollections Sequins.

As always thanks for looking and yes HE stamps and scrapbooks.

Pals Blog Hop: Earth Day is Every Day

Welcome to the Pals Blog Hop for April where every day is Earth Day.  This month we are showcasing projects that use recycled, reused or other earth inspired elements and colors.  We hope you enjoy the Pals creative projects.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations number 12 on the Pals Hop.  If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all the projects.

For April's blog hop I chose to do the Simply Wonderful Herringbone paper technique.  It involves a bit of cutting but comes together mighty quick afterwards.  I found this technique on Pinterest expertly demonstrated by fellow Stampin' UP! demo Angie Leach.  For the recycled portion of this project I used a couple of white metal dots that I bought many, many years ago that were saved from the trash bin on more than one occasion ... I hope that applies.  

The next stop is Susan Itell at Simple Stampin, number 14 on the Pals Blog Hop!  I sure do hope to see you on next month’s Pals Hop!

As always thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!

1. Michelle Gleeson at StampinMojo


2. Lynn Kolcun at Stamping with Avery' s Owlery


3. Amy Hoptay at Inking of You


4. Becky Volpp at inkblossomwithbecky.com


5. Natalie Bradley at Soiree by Natalie Bradley


6. Jackie Diediker at Stampin' Jackie


7. Maggie Mata at Maggie Made Cards


8. Kim Jolley at Stampin' Artfully


9. Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty


10. Candy Ford at Stamp Candy


11. Karen Hallam at Karen's Stampin' Site


12. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations


13. Benjaman Turner at He Stamps


14. Susan Itell at Simple Stampin


15. Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom


16. Jane Knudsen at see jane stamp


17. Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Best Advice: Live in the sunshine

My best advice today?  You got it live in the sunshine!  The card I have for you today is based on a Splitcoaststampers Card Sketch Challenge (not sure which one, sorry.)  I chose a larger size card A6 (4-1/2" X 6-1/4") which is quickly becoming a new favorite size.  For the stamps I picked Beautiful Bunch and the retired Pursuit of Happiness.  I dipped into the older Designer Series Paper for Bella Birds and Beau Chateau.  I paired the dsp with Old Olive.  I stamped the flowers in Perfect Plum and Marina Mist.  I sponged with Old Olive and to top it off I added a little Old Olive Satin ribbon.  I hope you enjoy!

As always thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!

In the shelter of a tree

The card I have for you today is a Z Fold Card.  This type of card is certainly not new and is trending with quite a few appearing on Pinterest as of late.  I chose to use the Painted Blooms DSP which has a nice selection of colors.  I accented the DSP with Daffodil Dash and Blushing Bride card stock.  The stamp set is one of my personal favorites Sheltering Tree, this is a photopolymer stamp set and offers a truly detailed stamped image.  For the background I took a large acrylic block and colored it with a variety of watercolor markers (in this case all shades of blue), misted it heavily with water and then stamped the block on the image.  I'm pleased with the effect I think it turned out wonderfully.  I encourage you to give this technique a try - you'll be pleased with the results.

 As always thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!

Unopened Z-Card

Opened Z-Card

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Pals Blog Hop: Spring has Sprung

Welcome to the March Pals Blog Hop where we are celebrating spring. This month we are featuring spring related projects for Mother’s Day, Easter or any other occasion that celebrates winter coming to an end.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin' on the Pals Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you see all of the amazing creations.

My project for today's hop is based on a design by Amy K. and includes the Flower Pot Designer Series Paper from the Annual Catalog and is paired with Night of Navy, Garden Green and Lost Lagoon card stock.   Embellishments are found through the Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder and the fun and whimsical Bow Builder Punch.  The sentiment was built using several punches including the Large Oval, Curly Label and the Modern Label.  The sentiment was from the Petite Pairs clear mount stamp set.

I dressed up the inside of the card with some Whisper White and Lost Lagoon card stock.  A small rectangle of Flower Pot Designer Series Paper brought cohesion to the entire card.

After I finished the card I began to wonder just how spring like Night of Navy was and decided to give the card another go.  This second version would contain more traditional spring colors.

Everything on my second version of the card would remain true to the original with the exception of a lighter design of the Flower Pot Designer Series Paper and the inclusion of Blushing Bride card stock.

The next stop is Lynn Kolcun at Stamping with Avery's Owlery on the Pals Blog Hop.  Thanks for visiting and I hope that you saw something that inspires you to shake off the winter blues and create a little spring in your life!

As always, thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!

1. Susan Itell at Simple Stampin
2. Angela Curry at Kindred Stampers
3. Sherrie Gross at Stampin' Sunshine
4. Mary Fish at Stampin' Pretty
5. Jackie Diediker at Stampin' Jackie
6. Katy McGloin at Just Fun Stamping
7. Amy Whelan at Amy's Inklings
8. Patti MacLeith at Papercrafts By Patti
9. Denise Hoepfner at The Mountain Magpie
10. Beth Beard at My little craft blog
11. Natalie Bradley at Soiree by Natalie Bradley
12. Michelle Gleeson at StampinMojo
13. Debbie Crowley at expressively deb...
14. Jane Knudsen at see jane stamp
15. Lisa Ann Bernard at Queen B Creations
16. Nicole Watt at Pixel Maven's Retreat
17. Dawn Tidd at Tiddbits from Dawn
18. Sue Becker at RnR Stamping
19. Candy Ford at Stamp Candy
20. Karen Hallam at Karen's Blog
21. Susan Lankford at Stamp and Create With Susan
22. Pamela Sadler at Stampin Pink Rose
23. Kerry Willard Bray at Peonies and Paper Chains
24. Kim Jolley at Stampin' Artfully
25. Martie Pollard at The Crafty Bandit
26. Wendy Klein at Doggone Delightful Stampin'
27. Benjaman Turner at He Stamps
28. Lynn Kolcun at Stamping with Avery's Owlery
29. Liz Gautreaux at Kind Deeds Stampin
30. Amy Hoptay at Inking of You!
31. September Gray at septembergray.com
32. Katie Ferguson at Cottage Paper
33. Becky Volpp at inkblossomwithbecky.com
34. Beth McCullough at Stamping Mom

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

December 2012 Pals Blog Hop

Welcome to the December Pals Hop (and my very first blog hop!) This month, we're featuring Birthday themed cards and projects! I hope you have enjoyed the hop and the amazing creations that the Pals have come up with. You've likely hopped over from Cindy Hall at http://prettyimpact.com, I'm stop number 10 on the Pals Hop and I'm glad you hopped in! I'll help you "hop along" from blog to blog where you'll find great ideas for Birthday paper projects from the Stampin' Pretty Pals! Should you hop off course, simply click on any of the links in the Pals Hop Line-up below and you'll be back on track!

In November when I signed up for the December Blog Hop I remember having a faint sense of foreboding doing this for my first time and so close to the holidays, but I charged on.  This weekend I was reminded about the blog hop and had to put aside my Christmas Cards, yes yes the cards are unfinished and yet to be mailed.  Since we took the children in to raise MY free time grows less and I have to be much more focused than I am used to.  So dear blog reader here is the card I came up with.  It's actually a BIG old CASEd card from one of the Splitcoast Stampers challenges.  I hope you find something useful from the card, paper choice or layout.

Supplies:
Stamps: Happiest Birthday Wishes (Hostess) (122617)
Ink:  Pacific Point (111837)
Paper:  Stampin' UP!  Beyond the Garden Designer Series (122342), Naturals White cs (102316), River Rock (108640), Wild Wasabi (108641)

Accessories/Tools:  Filigree Designer Brads (112577), Crimper (101618), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
Design:  Splitcoast Stampers User: pegmac71

 http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1761503?&cat=500&ppuser=19462

Blog Line Up

1. Patti MacLeith at http://www.papercraftsbypatti.blogspot.com

2. Angie Blake at http://www.angiesmusings.com

3. Kylie Nicolosi at http://www.kyliescraftycorner.blogspot.com/

4. Melanie Collins at http://www.oopsadaisy.typepad.com
5.  Angela Richwine at http://stampinawaywithangela.blogspot.com

6.  Mikki Sarkisyan at http://www.mikkiscreativecorner.blogspot.com/

7.  Barb Furlong at http://www.theloveofstamping.com/
8. Jennifer Takacs at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/jenntakacs/blog
9.  Linda Fisher at http://lindas-stampinloft.blogspot.com

10. Julie Trevett-Smith at http://www.thestampinaffair.com/

11.Nancy Gleason at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/mystampinspace/blog
12. Nicole Watt at http://www.impressionsbynicole.com/
13. Mary Fish at at http://www.stampinpretty.com/
14.Rae Harper at http://wildwestpaperarts.com/
15.Nina Dee at http://www.deesignsbyninadee.blogspot.com/
16. Cindy Hall at http://prettyimpact.com/
17. Benjamin Turner at http://hestamps.blogspot.com

Happy Holidays!  As always thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!

Another Belated Birthday card

Guess what?  I have completed yet another belated birthday card.  At this point offering excuses about being late on wishing someone (in this case my cousin Sheila) a belated birthday would just be ridiculous, so lets move on.  This card is part of the Featured Stamper challenge over at Splitcoaststampers .  The featured stamper on Sunday was ITSAPASSION or Anne.  Check out her gallery it is full of gems.

The card that I choose to case from Anne's wonderful gallery was Heart of Twill .  I choose Flirtatious Specialty DSP as the patterned paper and Crumb Cake, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink and Wisteria Wonder as the cardstock/ink combination.  Again, the stamp set was my uber favorite Happiest Birthday Wishes which does have more stamps than my oft used Belated Birthday Wishes stamp.  Also I gained the first layer of the rosette from the Sizzzix Bigz Perfect Pennants die-- this is a great die and if you are a traditional die person I say definitely take a look at this one.  I hope you enjoy the card and find inspiration from it.

As always, thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!

Yet Another Fall Birthday (a wee bit late)

Next month or perhaps January I will endeavor to get my birthday cards out on time.  As you will notice on the card today I have used the belated birthday stamp AGAIN (and believe it's been used before I just choose not to show.)  I actually love this little stamp it's part of Happiest Birthday Wishes hostess set, out of the 11 stamps in this set I have used the Birthday Wishes A Bit Late stamp the most.  I hope the folks these cards are destined for will be happy to get them even if they are a wee bit late.

As for the card the design is from the November/December 2011 issue of Paper Crafts magazine, page 53 to be exact.  I was pretty faithful to the original except for colors, stamp set, sentiment and brads instead of rhinestones.  This card is intended for my brother Roy Jr. back in Ohio ... I didn't think he would appreciate rhinestones!  By the way, I believe the stamp set Day of Gratitude might be retired but it's what I had to use so I went with it.  Hopefully the stamp police won't come after me.

As always, thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!

A Fall Birthday

There are a lot of birthdays this month on my side of the world.  And, with the illness and death of our Bingston it's been really difficult to sit down and make cards.  It's very easy for me to get sidetracked.  This card took me four days to complete and there are definitely improvements to be made ... but it will go as is.

I have attempted to revisit the coloring end of stamping.  I found an Australian woman on YouTube who explained it in a way that I could finally understand.  Dusted off my Stampin' UP! Many Marvelous Markers and went at it.  I think parts of the image turned out okay - others I was a bit heavy handed at.  I have decided to skip the details section as frankly it is what keeps me from posting on this blog ... if there is something you can't identify email me.

As always, thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!

Bingston 1999 - 2011

Bingston 1999

In 1999 we bought a 9-week old puppy home, after a couple of days I named him Bingston.  Little did we know how important this guy would become to our family.  Smart as a whip and determined that everyone should love him he was pure joy to our home.

Yesterday, November 3, 2011 Bingston died.  Suffering from congestive heart failure -- his poor little body could no longer do what it needed to.  We held him tightly those last minutes he was with us.  I stayed with him to the end.  Without attempting to sound melodramatic I know that a part of my heart went with him - I will forever be changed by his life and his death.  As he slipped away I whispered to him that I KNOW we will all be together again someday and then he was gone.  Seeing that spark of life disappear into a stone stare will be with me forever, I actually shudder when I remember that moment.

Soon I know that I will begin to remember Bingston the puppy and will not define him by his death.  But for this time when I close my eyes that lost spark moment is what I carry.  Today when Jase and I were leaving the house we put the dogs in their kennels and the sight of Bingston's empty kennel was cruel.

Bingston 2000

Pals Paper Arts - PPA86 (Take two)

In my previous post I mentioned how I struggled with the Pals Paper Arts challenge for the week.  The challenge was to include embossing on a project and I decided to give it another go.  Again I turned to the Card Positioning Systems for a little sketch inspiration.  Their sketch No. 310 part 3 fit the bill nicely with a little creative adjustment - I turned the individual three rectangles into just one.

PPA86 - Element of Style Embossing

I have had the Stampin' UP!  Greenhouse Gala Designer Series Paper for sometime now.  Why?  Well,  most of the pack is a bit on the busy side for me.  I actually bought this paper from my demo Mary Fish of Stampin' Pretty before I became a demo myself.  Mary used the paper so wonderfully on a card, convincing me to purchase it.  Yet after it arrived I could only file it away.  Am I alone in purchasing paper and then getting intimidated by it??  Anyway, I busted it out for this card and settled with the wonderful color combo of Wild Wasabi, Peach Parfait and Daffodil Delight.  By the way, if you haven't experienced Daffodil Delight in person you"re truly missing out (especially for those Spring and Summer projects.)  For the stamp set I used the Always Elegant set and embossed the image in white.  I gave the Peach Parfait cs a little embossing with the Sizzix Big Shot Textured Impressions Square Lattice folder.  I then added a simple white pearl and a little Wild Wasabi ribbon to finish the card off.  What do you think?  Leave me a comment I'd love to hear from you!

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' UP! Always Elegant (120477)
Ink:  Versamark Pad (102283)
Paper:  Stampin' UP! Greenhouse Gala Designer Series (117167), Daffodil Delight cs (119693), Peach Parfait (119794), Wild Wasabi (108641)

Accessories/Tools:  Sizzix Big Shot Textured Impressions Square Lattice folder (119976),  Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon (Retired), SNAIL (104332), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
Design:  Pals Paper Arts Challenge PPA86 - Elements of Style Embossing, Card Positioning Systems - Sketch No. 310 Part 3

As always thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!

Pals Paper Arts - PPA86

This week the Pals Paper Arts challenge was to incorporate embossing into a project.  Sounds simple, huh?  I struggled with this one - embossing isn't a technique that comes naturally to me.  On Thursday I found a sketch courtesy of Card Positioning Systems with their sketch No. 166 that looked great and worked well with the embossing.


PPA86 - Element of Style Embossing

I altered the size of  the CPS sketch to fit a square card sized at 5-1/2" x 5-1/2".  For the patterned paper I went with Stampin' UP! Play Date Designer Series Paper for it's wonderful bright color palette.  My colors then were So Saffron, Read Red and Old Olive.  I broke out my brand new Stampin' UP! Circle Scissor plus (so incredibly simple to use) for the first 4-1/2" circle and the smaller circle which I then embossed using the Big Shot Textured Impressions Perfect Polka Dots folder.  The funky flower was die cut using the Sizzix Flower Layers die (right now clearanced for an unbelievable $5.99.)  I popped the flower up with Stampin' Dimensionals and I think the card looks pretty darn good.

Supplies:
Stamps: None this time.
Ink:  Again none.
Paper:  Stampin' UP! Play Date Designer Series (117168), So Saffron cs (105118), Read Read cs (102482), Old Olive cs (100702)

Accessories/Tools:  Sizzix Big Shot Textured Impressions Perfect Polka Dots folder (117335), Sizzix Flower Layers Original Die (113458), SNAIL (104332), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)
Design:  Pals Paper Arts Challenge PPA86 - Elements of Style Embossing, Card Positioning Systems - Sketch No. 166

A quick scrapbook page!

With just a little of a month left before the Occasions Mini Catalog 2011 retires I had to show you something I CASEd some time ago.  On page 24 of mini there is a b&w scrapbook page that drew me right in.  Now, I will print a photo in b&w without hesitation but I haven't attempted a layout in these colors exclusively, so this was going to be an adventure for me.  I had the perfect picture to work with ... of my little grand baby Caroline.  Here's the rest of the details:

Little Angel gift

Well I should say that this isn't really b&w it's more very vanilla & black.  So I started with a sheet of 12" x 12" black textured card stock and then embossed a 2" x 12" sheet of very vanilla.  I then used the top note die to cut a piece of very vanilla.  I stamped the dear from the Forest Friends stamp set on a 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" very vanilla cs.  I stamped the Little Angel sentiment from the Little Angel stamp set and used the 2" x 1 3/8" oval punch.  I cut a 2-1/2" x 12" strip from the First Edition Designer Series Paper.  I used some left-over chipboard to spell the layout title Gift.  I then cut an 8" x 3" piece of smooth basic black cs and ran through the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch and attached to the bottom of the pattern paper.  Finally, I  embossed a 5" x 1-1/2" piece of basic black cs with the Big Shot Textured Impressions Square Lattice Folder, which I folded in half and attached with a staple.  As easy as that and such a terrific page, don't you think?

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' UP! Forest Friends (113748), Little Angel (118574)
Ink:  ' Classic Stampin Pad Basic Black (101179)

Paper:  Stampin' UP! Very Vanilla Card stock (101650), Basic Black Card stock (12045), Specialty Designer Series Paper First Edition (121878)

Accessories/Tools:  Stampin' Up Sizzix Top Note die (113463),  Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border (119275), 2" x 1 3/8" Oval Extra-Large Punch (119847), Big Shot Textured Impressions Square Lattice (119976)

Design: Stampin' UP! Occasions Mini Catalog 2011 pg. 24

As always, thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!

A medallion and a simple technique

So check this out!  My Stampin' UP! upline Mary Fish featured a congratulations card (I sent her) along with my technique on her Stampin' Pretty blog.  In one of the blogs I follow there was a post about the hottest trends  in paper crafting.  One of those hottest trends was a medallion.  So I sat down with my SU punches and came up with this card.  Rather than explain the technique for the jagged medallion take a look at the  wonderful 1 Minute to Wow Video Tutorial Mary created..

Medallion Congratulations

For this card I decided to go the monochromatic route.  I choose Concord Crush (one of the In Colors), Perfect Plum and Rich Razzleberry.  For patterned paper I picked a sheet from the In Color Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack.  The collection stack includes 40 sheets total, 4 each of 2 double-sided designs in 6 colors.  There are paper stacks available for all the Stampin' UP! color families.  One other point of interest might be that the ribbon embellishment under the Congratulations sentiment was achieved by punching a 3/4" x 5" strip of Concord Crush card stock with the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch and then running the border through the crimper ... which looks kind of cool!

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' UP! Perfect Punches (120516)
Ink:  Versamark (102283)
Paper:  Stampin' UP! Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack In Color (117158), Concord Crush CS (119792), Perfect Plum CS (115318), Rich Razzleberry CS (115316)

Ribbon:  Stampin Up! Ribbon Grosgrain Polka Dot Rich Razzleberry (Retired)

Accessories/Tools:  Stampin' UP!  1-3/4" Scallop Circle Extra-Large (119854), 2-3/8" Scallop Circle Extra-Large (118874), Star Extra-Large (119875), Modern Label Extra-Large Punch (119849), Scallop Trim Border (118402), Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch (119275), Crimper (101618), Stampin' Embossing Powder White (109132)

Design:  Me!

As always, thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!

Pals Paper Challenge PPA83

So here's another entry into the Pals Paper Arts Challenges - this one was started a few weeks back and completed after the the challenge ended but thought I'd go ahead and add to my blog.

PPA83 - Celebrity Color Challenge

The celebrity paper crafter was Nancy Leedy of Canopy Crafts.  Nancy choose Baja Breeze, Soft Suede and Crumb Cake as the color challenge.   Which sorta threw me, I can be so literal at times.  You know, flowers are bright , leaves are green ... that kind of useless drama.  To add to my struggle with this challenge, there are some wonderful vintage card makers who participate in PPA challenges and for some other worldly reason I thought I'd give it a whirl.  BIG mistake, huge mistake.  After I got over myself ... which does take me quite awhile I came up with this card.

I used the Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack Subtles (117152) for the two Baja Breeze patterns.  The rest of the card is strictly card stock.  I did use the brand new Embosslits Sweet Buttons (121813) for the small buttons.

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' UP! Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)
Ink:  Stampin' UP! Classic Basic Black (121045)
Paper:  Stampin' UP! Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack Subtles (117152), Baja Breeze CS (111352), Crumb Cake CS (120953), Soft Suede CS (115318)

Accessories/Tools:  Stampin' UP!  Antique Brands (117273), Word Window Large Punch (119857), Modern Label Extra-Large Punch (119849), Two-Step Bird Extra-Large Punch (117191), Sponge Daubers (102892),  SNAIL (104332)
Design:  Pals Paper Arts Challenge PPA83 - Celebrity Color Challenge

As always thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!

Pals Paper Challenge PPA85

Somehow I pulled it together this week to actually participate in a challenge and get it posted here ... a regular miracle.  With the sudden beginning of spring in Connecticut there's a lot going on.  Both of the children are   working hard in school, well Jase calls it playing but I suspect they are learning as well.  In a couple of short weeks the kids will be moving into a brand new school building, which is just beautiful from the outside, we are definitely excited about that.

Stampin' UP! has become a wonderful source of joy in my life.  I'm part of a involved excellent team and looks like quite a few members will be attending SU's big convention in July.  We are in active talks about attending in this house, which is something that I REALLY want to do.  Now onto the business at hand.

PPA85 - Sketch Challenge

For the challenge this week Margaret Moody supplied a wonderful classic sketch that was great fun to play with.   I choose the FREE Ice Cream Parlor Designer Series Paper & Quick Accents Pack (122242) from the Sale-A-Bration 2011 mini catalog.  I really enjoy the bright colors of this set and incidentally there is a coordinating Ribbon & Button Pack (125329) for FREE as well.  Unfamiliar with Sale-A-Bration?  For every $50 in merchandise purchased you can pick one free item from the Sale-A-Bration mini.  By the way, Sale-A-Bration ends March 31.

For the stamps I picked the Take A Spin (122015) set from the Occasions Mini Catalog.  I paired the set with the Game Spinner Hands (121893) and did a little paper piecing for the spinner face.  The Happy Birthday scallop square is from the Punch Bunch (121847) Occasions mini catalog.  For this stamp I  embossed the design in black.

One final note if you are a digi crafter Stampin' UP! has a full line of papers, brushes, and stamp sets available at great prices.  In fact in the upcoming Summer Mini Catalog there is a great pricing opportunity for these items!

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' UP! Take A Spin (1122015), Punch Bunch (121847)
Ink:  Stampin' UP! Classic Basic Black (121045)
Paper:  Stampin' UP! Ice Cream DSP & Quick Acents Pack (122242), Peach Parfait CS (119794), Pacific Point CS (111350), Daffodil Delight CS (119683), Old Olive CS (100702), Designer Series Paper Pack - In Color Level One Hostess Gift (121028)

Accessories/Tools:  Stampin' UP!  Scallop Square Extra-Large (119884), Game Spinner Hands (121893), VersaMark Pad (102283), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), SNAIL (104332)
Design:  Pals Paper Arts Challenge PPA85 - Sketch

Back with a Queen

Well, it's been a very long time since I last posted.  Time is a precious commodity so I've learned in the past two years.  Instead of blogging I have been choosing to do my creating undocumented.  Hopefully with this post that will change.  A contributing factor to this post is the fact that I rejoined Stampin' UP! a few months ago as a hobby demo and have rediscovered the need to share my stuff.  My upline is Mary Fish and I am happily a member of her Stampin' Pretty Pals team.  My hope is that when both Kamdyn and Jase are in school full-time I will be able to start my own Stampin' UP! business.  Okay, now onto the card.

Butterfly Queen for a Day

In the Stampin' UP! Occasions Mini Catalog 2011 on page 25 there is a card titled "Friend" that I've really taken a liking to.  This card is my cased version with some alterations!  This is my entry into the Pals Paper Arts PPA82 challenge and SCS Sketch Challenge #SC321 .  The card came together pretty quickly with the Basic Black and Very Vanilla color scheme, the butterflies are punched  from First Edition (121878) and Love Letter (117162) DSP's.  I hope if there's anyone still out there following this blog you enjoy this one as much as I did creating it!

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' UP! You're a Gem (122270)
Ink:  Stampin' UP! Classic Basic Black (121045)
Paper:  Stampin' UP! First Edition (121878), Love Letter (117162), Very Vanilla CS (101650) and Basic Black CS (121045)

Accessories/Tools:  Stampin' UP!  Scallop Square Extra-Large Punch (119884) and Scallop Edge Border Punch (119882)
Design:  Stampin' UP! Occasions Mini Catalog 2011 Pg. 25, SCS Sketch Challenge #SC321

As always thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!

Caring Watercolor Trio

So it's allergy time here all of a sudden.  Both children are suffering in one way or the other.  Jase woke up from his nap this afternoon with a sore ear, crying and all.  For a brief couple of minutes I wasn't sure what to do and then it occurred to me to put a warm compress on his ear, lay him down with his head on my knee and turn on the cartoons.  Within a couple of minutes he was right as rain asking for his PM snack.  At times it's quite surprising to me this whole quasi-parenthood thing.  I spend so much time dealing with my ever nagging guilt complex.  I constantly worry that I am not doing the right thing, that I will miss something important and one of them will be hanging from a bell tower with a rifle or something (god, that's awful but it's my reality.)  David believes in letting them go, and I am trying.  Before her death this past June my sister-in-law Eileen told me to, "Just let it happen."  I have taken her precious words to my heart and while I can't commit to them completely I keep them present in my thoughts and do hope to attain that level of parenting soon.  Okay ... stream of consciousness there folks just skip to the card if it's strange or too much.

Because Watercolor Trio

Can we talk about the new products of Stampin' UP!   Some of the new colors already have me hooked, Marina Mist is my personal favorite at the moment, it's such a warm inviting blue.  Unlike last year's In Colors this year SU picked a winning combo Peach Parfait and Poppy Parade are my favorites.  

Which brings me to this card, I broke into the Sunny Garden DSP (wickedly early for me I usually hold on to this stuff for months.)  Stamp set is the beautiful Watercolor Trio from the SU Summer Mini ... I wish I could tell you how much I have coveted this stamp set (we've had a love affair for awhile.)  The design is from a Jeanette Lynton book of course. 

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' UP! Watercolor Trio, Because I Care
Ink:  Stampin' UP! Classic Basic Black, Peach Parfait
Paper:  Stampin' UP! Sunny Garden, Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Old Olive
Accessories/Tools:  Stampin' UP! Oval Punch,  EK Success Small Square punch, Colorbok Metal Dots
Design:  Jeannette Lynton, Originals, Pg. 102 Balance it Out

As always thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!

A little blue for a birthday?

So how about some blue for a birthday?  For this card I went semi-small 4-3/8" square and choose to break the seal on my Blueberry Crisp DSP by Stampin' UP!  I really love this paper although the patterns are not new and appeared previously under the name Razzleberry Lemonade.  A first for me was using Night of Navy, I had previously believed this color was far too dark for my tastes.  Who knew?

BTW, is anyone else thinking about fall?  We had a very nice day yesterday (no air conditioning) and this AM it was still quite pleasant and I found myself thinking about fall and pumpkin spice coffee.  Summer has been nice, rather hot this year.  However, fall is one of my favorite seasons.  The falls in New England are gorgeous, something to behold, so many colors, that nip in the air ... it's a wonderful time of year.  Or maybe I am being influenced by the many fall stamp sets I am seeing!

Blue Birthday

Supplies:
Stamps: Stampin' UP!  Happy Moments
Ink:  Stampin' UP! Classic Basic Black
Paper:  Stampin' UP! Blueberry Crisp, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand
Accessories/Tools:  Punches (several), Stampin' UP! Ticket Corner Punch,  Stampin' UP! Very Vanilla button, Close to my Heart Black Waxy Flax,  Stampin' UP! 3/4" Twill Tape, Making Memories Slice, Studio Essentials Design Card
Design:  Splitcoaststampers.com Clean and Simple Challenge:  CAS76


As always, thanks for looking and yes HE stamps!