Botanicals

Everything outside is finally really green here in Pennsylvania and looking more like Spring!  Pretty soon I'll be mowing the lawn. 

With all this green on my mind . . . I was inspired to make a botanical looking card. I kept it simple with limited stamping and adding sequins for a little bling.  I used a die to edge the white card stock from my absolute favorite set right now, Stitched Scallop Basic Edges 2 (MFT). I'm thinking I could use this design as a sympathy card too. 

Enjoy your day and happy stamping!

Supplies:

Stamps - Botanicals 3 Paper Smooches, Sending Happy Thoughts Simon Says Stamp
Ink - Basic Black, Certainly Celery - Stampin Up
Cardstock - Whisper White, Certainly Celery  - Stampin Up
Dies: Stitched Scallop Basic Edges 2 My Favorite Things
Sequins: Assorted Moonshine Sequins Simon Says Stamp

Edge Dies . . . one of "My Favorite Things"

I am hooked on edge dies lately. I have a nice collection of ones from several companies, but my favorite (no pun intended) is from My Favorite Things called the Stitched Scallop Basic Edges.  Not only do I love the stitched look on cards, but the little scallop edge on these dies just softens a card up . . . if you know what I mean?!

The "Thanks" card in the background of the birthday card pictured above uses the Thanks Border Die from Simon Says Stamp. A little bigger scallop on this one, and the "Thanks" in the die is a bonus! No stamping needed on that one.

Supplies:
Stamp - Elegant Happy Birthday Stampabilities
Patterned Paper - Summer Fresh Simple Stories
Cardstock - Whisper White Stampin Up
Dies: Die-namics Stitched Scallop Basic Edges My Favorite Things, Thanks Border Die Simon Says Stamp
Other: Prima Flowers, Making Memories Brads

It's snowing like crazy here today! I'm not a fan of snow, but is does make for good crafting weather.

Keep warm and happy stamping!

Warm Wishes

TTo the right here . . . not a nice picture!  That was the view out my dining room window Sunday morning. Snow? Mid-October . . . really? I can't complain too much. It was gone by lunch and today it's sunny and in the 60's. Now that's more like it!

It seemed like the appropriate time to make a "Warm Wishes" card, don't you think? LOL! I combined Paper Smooches and Lawn Fawn stamps. I think both companies make really cute and simple styles of stamps, which makes it easier to create a card. I never seem at a loss of what to create when I pick up these brands.






Warm Wishes Card Supplies:

Stamps: Paper Smooches Freezy Fellas,
              Lawn Fawn Argyle Backdrops

Stampin Up Ink:  Soft Sky, Night of Navy,
                            Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black

Stampin Up Cardstock: Soft Sky, Whisper White

Other:  Simon Says Stamp Moonshine Sequins,
            Doodlebug Bubble Blue Twine

 

Warm Wishes and happy stamping!

Scribble Roses - MFT

Unfortunately, I needed to attend a viewing today for someone who had passed. It really doesn't matter how well or little I know the person . . . I always get tears in my eyes just walking into a funeral home. No fun, right?!

This sympathy card has no stamping on it at all!  When I need a quick card, dies are my friends!  I used from My Favorite Things the Scribble Roses dies, and from Simon Says Stamp the with Sympathy dies. I love to use black and white for wedding and sympathy cards. It looks clean and classic. 

Have a great day and happy stamping!

A Flowery Thank You

Love those big flower stamps and coordinating punches/dies many of the companies out there are selling? What a bold embellishment they can be. 

I used Stampin' Up! products from this past year Spring Occasions Catalog to create this card. 

Card Supplies - Thank you for your kindness:

Stamp Sets: Stampin Up - Petal Potpourri (retired - but still sold on ebay), Simon Says Stamp - Handwritten Greetings 

SU! Ink: Basic Black, Sahara Sand

SU! Cardstock: Whisper White, Sahara Sand

SU! Patterned Paper: Something Borrowed (retired)

SU! Punches: Flower Medallion, Ribbon Border (retired)

Other: Pearls, pop dots

I embellished the flower with a few pearls just to add a little more elegance. You can find all different size pearls at your local craft store. I like to keep a stock of these on-hand. I will tell you though that Stampin Up has a sale this week on the perfect set of pearls in ever size for just $3.75. Click HERE to view!

I made a purchase this week from a stamp company I never ordered from before! They recently had a release of new products and one particular product just put me over the edge. LOL!  Stay tuned . . . I will share my purchase with you once it arrives!

Happy stamping! 

Winter Trees

We had our first official snow fall last week . . . and let me tell you, it was huge! About 1ft of snow fell. It was crazy. It really made me feel like it was Christmas. I actually thought about putting up my tree.

 

My Christmas card marathon is on!  I am just lovin' this little Winter Trees die from Simon Says Stamp. I first die cut it in Brushed Silver card stock for the outline of the trees and then used green glitter paper to die cut once more for inside the outline. See picture below to get the full effect of the trees from a side view. It's so much prettier in person. I am making of bunch of these to send out!

 

 

I must add, the glitter paper I used from DCWV is like no other glitter paper I have used. It's called Glitzy Glitter Paper Stack. It has a smooth texture, not too thick, and best of all the glitter doesn't rub off on your fingers!  It is a delight to work with and looks so pretty and delicate. The stack comes with 6 different colors, 24 sheets in all. Well worth every penny!

 

Merry Christmas Card Supplies:

Stamp Sets: Stampin Up Four the Holidays

Ink: Tsukineko Silvery Shimmer Ink Pad

Stampin Up Cardstock: Brushed Silver, Garden Green, Whisper White
DCWV Glitzy Glitter Paper Stack
Tools: Big Shot, Simon Says Stamp Winter Trees Die, Stampin Up Filigree Embossing Folder

Enjoy and happy stamping!

Ornamental Pine

 

Today was a GORGEOUS day in Pennsylvania! I had to use that natural sunlight today to take a picture of this card. We don't have too many warm & sunny days here in November.

 

I stamped this card using the new Ornamental Pine set from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog. I just love the natural feel of this set and the simplicity of it. You'll see some holiday cards I made using this set in the upcoming month. This one was really simple, but if you have any questions don't hesitate to ask! The supply list is at the end of the post.

 

This weekend I started my Christmas card making marathon. I make about 50 cards every year. It gets tiring, but I just love being creative. I'll be posting them all . . . so you'll be seeing some regular activity from me.  Hopefully you'll be inspired to make your own holiday cards this season!

 

You're in my prayers Card Supplies:

Stamp Sets: Stampin Up Ornamental Pine, Simon Says Stamp Handwritten Greetings

Stampin Up Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Basic Black
Stampin Up Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake, Whisper White
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Studio Calico Hearts Die-Cut Wood Pieces

 

Enjoy and happy stamping!

You're perfect in my book

 

I'm going to visit my nephews in a couple weeks and I always take them something I handmade . . . along with some of their favorite Halloween candy. Since they both love to read, I made them each a bookmark like the one above. I'm hoping they like it!

 

The To Thine Own Self stamp set from Simon Says Stamp is perfect for making bookmarks or cards

for teachers, students, office workers, and book lovers. Each book is separate in this set so you can arrange them however you choose. There are even 4 shelf lengths to choose from and some cute accessories to put on your shelf.

The bookmark is a die from Paper Smooches Wise Dies. I die cut it on heavy Neenah 80 lb solar white paper. You definitely want to use a heavier paper weight for bookmarks since they are more frequently handled than your typical card.

Enjoy a good book today and don't forget to make a fun bookmark to mark your place!

Happy stamping.

Happy Hello ... I'm Back!

 

A very Happy Hello and welcome to my new and improved blog!!!!

 

Although I may have taken a break from blogging, the card making has never ceased.

 

Whether you are new to my blog or a returning follower, you will find inspiration, techniques, instruction, and product reviews all related to card making. I have so many ideas to share with you that I am really excited about!

 

Be sure to subscribe to my blog to receive notification as to when I post. The subscription window is on the sidebar to your right.

 

Last but certainly not least . . . I would love to hear from YOU!  Please leave comments on my posts and feel free to e-mail me if you ever have any questions.

 

Ok, now that you know what's going on  . . . how about some details about the Happy Hello card that is pictured above? The nice big hello die is from Simon Says Stamp. All of the cardstock colors (Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive and Tempting Turquoise) are from Stampin' Up.

 

To make the rainbow of colors for the word hello, die cut hello in each color you want to use. Next, cut apart the letters and carefully glue them into place connecting one letter to another. Don't throw out those letters you didn't use!  You can make another card in a different color scheme with the leftovers. The Happy stamp inside the "h" is from the And Many More stamp set by Stampin Up.

 

Thank you for visiting today and happy stamping!