Watercolor Trio card inspried by Shelli

Todays card was inspired by the Stampin' Up! CEO and co-founder, Shelli Gardner. One of the things I really love about Stampin' Up! is that Shelli actually uses the product! She's been traveling around the US and Canada for the last month or so hosting workshops with selected demonstrators. How cool is that? Can you just imagine going to a workshop with Shelli? Anywho, as I was browsing her blog I saw this fantastic card and I just had to give it a try!
Of course I didn't have everything she used so I changed things around a bit, but the general idea is still the same...I hope!

I used:

*Watercolor Trio and Thank You Kindly stamp sets

*Basic Black, Ruby Red and Certianly Celery ink

*Basic Black, Ruby Red, Certainly Celery and Whisper White Card Stock

*Linen Thread

Tip: To get the splattery look I used an onld toothbrush with water and basic black ink on it and then flick it on the paper til I like the look of it. I got my thumb all inky so I would advise using a rubber glove if you happen to have a nice manicure...which I don't.

Guest Stamper - Linda!

These two lovely Easter cards were made by my good friend and fellow stamper, Linda. She was kind enough to show them to me and so of course I got my camera out as fast as I could!

Such a pretty easel card!

Love that Bird Punch!

Thanks Linda!

Watercolor Trio Sneek Peek and PPA38

Ooooh! I just noticed that this post totally matches my blog backround and header. I feel so special!

I got my May Sneek Peek order today and I was SOOO excited!!! This card uses a new set called Watercolor Trio and guess what...it has three flower images that have a watercolor-ish look to them. Crazy I know. It also comes with a little butterfly stamp and 3 really nice greetings: "Birthday Wishes", "Thanks So Much" and "From the Heart" so really, you can use it for pretty much every occasion!

When I saw that the challenge this week at the Pals Paper Arts would fit perfectly with my new goodies I just had to give it a try!

Because I wanted an even messier/softer look, I spritzed the stamp with mist of water after inking it up. Its such an easy technique and creates such a nice effect.

The other new product I used is the new Square Lattice Impressions Folder. I couldn't help but try it out on the envelope flap too just for fun and I really like the look of it. How nice would it be to get a sweet card with a matching envelope?

I used:

*Watercolor Trio stamp set

*Soft Suede, Sahara Sand, and Pretty in Pink ink

*Soft Suede, Whisper White, and Pink Pirouette card stock

*Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon

*Metal Frame from an ond Hodgepodge Hardware Kit and the Large Oval Punch

And here's the inside. Hope you like!

Spring Flowers Card Stock Up Party!

It's time again for a card making day and what better way to celebrate spring than by making 12 flower-themed cards? Yay!!!

Spring Flowers Card Party will be at my house, on Saturday April 24th at 10:00 (lunch provided!)

AND

Thursday April 29th at 6:00 (snacks and refreshments provided!)

The cost for the event is only $15 and you'll get to make 4 of each of the three cards above. That's 12 cards!!!

Would you like a special gift? Bring a new friend and get a free gift!!!

And as always I'll have lots of prizes to give away and maybe even some special deals for attendees. You'll have to come to find out!

Let me know right away if you'd like to come!

I know you're curious so I'll tell you a little about each card. Each of them can be personalized with whatever sentiment you'd like. I have tons of "word" stamps so if you need cards for specific occasions, don't worry, I probably have a stamp for that!

I haven't totally decided on what color purses we'll be making so it might end up a couple of different colors. Again, you'll just have to come to find out.

With great flowers like this you really can't go wrong!

And, last but not least, the simply adorable flower. Everyone you know would love to get this card!

If you won't be able to make it to the party but you'd still like the cards you can purchase a kit for $18.00 plus shipping.

PPA 37 - Flowers!

I was so excited to hear that this week's Pals Paper Arts challenge is flowers! Yay! I was also really excited to get my Bridesmaid Specialty Paper so that I could try this really neat-o inking technique. This paper is gorgeous and I can't wait to make an actual wedding card with it.

The only problem is, I can't decided which flower I like better. What do you think?

I used:

*Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set

* Cameo Coral and Old Olive ink

*Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink and Chocolate Chip card stock and Bridesmaid Specialty Paper

*Fancy Flower Punch, Rhinestone Brads and Old Olive Ribbon (Retired from the Christmas Mini)

Tip: To make the flower I started with Pretty in Pink card stock and punched 3 flowers from the Extra Large Fancy Flower Punch. I then inked them with Cameo Coral and a sponge to get a variation of color. To give them shape I crushed each on in my hand a few times then, depending on which direction I wanted the petals to go, placed the flower on a soft surface and using a rounded end of a pen, pushed down in a swirling pattern on each petal till I liked the effect.

Tip: To color the Bridesmaid Specialty Paper, simply ink a wedge of stamping sponge and add color to the paper. I always start inking from the outside edges and drag the ink in toward the center til I acheive the desired effect. I've also seen this done with 2 or 3 colors in patches all over. Its very pretty!

Guest Stamper - Birdhouse!

I LOVE seeing what my customers make! First I feel amazed at how cool the creations are and how beautifully they reflect the lovely individual that made them...then I feel a little humbled that I'm constantly parading around my projects and hardly ever get a chance to see what they make!

This lovely birdhouse was crafted by Michelle and she was kind enough to bring it to stamp club tonight. It was just too adorable to pass up! Unfortunately I only had my cell phone with me instead of an actual camera so the picture is a little out of focus (unless of course you'd like to see my hostess's gorgeous and imaculately clean kitchen...which is also pretty impressive!) but I think you get the idea. Just know, this little birdhouse is even adorable-er in person.

Thanks Michelle!

And thanks to all of my wonderful customers. Thanks for your friendship and thanks for stamping with me!

Vintage Easel

My good friend Wendie asked if I could demonstrate how to make an easel card at stamp club sometime, so here it is! This is one of two projects for tonight's stamp club and I hope it lives up to expectations! The actual construction of the card is pretty simple but the execution of it is a bit tricky (for me at least) because I needed to design a cute card front that works all alone and also with the little bit on the bottom that shows sometimes. It's really more like making two cards in one. If that's confusing then you should really try it yourself so you see what I mean!

This first view is the card as an easel.

 Notice the cute envelope? I used the Very Vintage Jumbo wheel to add a litte something special to it.

Here's a side view of the easel.

This is a great card to make really frilly and send to your grandmother because you can be sure she'll keep it out on her china hutch for at least a decade!

This is the inside of the card which also needs to be cute-ed up.

You may also notice there's not much room to write a message. Sometimes thats a very good thing!

This is what the looks like when its laying flat.

If you're thinking this looks familiar, that's becasue I totally copied the last card I made using this set.   For a list of products check out: http://stampinat.blogspot.com/2010/03/vintage-vogue.html

If you want detailed directions on how to make your own easel card, heres the link to the tutorial I used. Really easy AND you can make it whatever size you'd like!
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/easelcard/