Stampin' Nat!

Trombones!!!

2012-02-10T00:38:00.002-07:00

Who in their right mind would have ever pair brass instruments with lingerie? There are TROMBONES on this paper!!! With corsets! It's the best thing I've ever seen!

You see, I am a proud trombonist myself, having played it from the age of 10 all the way through college. I love my trombone. I love playing it, listening to it, looking at it...etc. And I miss it very much. And now I have this paper to cherish as well.

So here it is, a card with a trombone on it. Mark your calendars everyone. This is a big day.

Same idea but with rounded edges.

In case you didn't spot it before, here's a close up of the main attraction.

Isn't it sooo beautiful?!?

I used:

* Rue Des Fleurs Stamp Set

* Attic Boutique designer paper

* Soft Suede and Pool Party ink

* Soft Suede, Pappy Parade and Whisper White card stock

* Pool Party Seam Binding ribbon

* Vintage Wallpaper and Designer Frames impressions folders

P.S. In case anyone is wondering, the answer is yes. I have played the trombone while wearing a corset.

Anyone else? Anyone? Anyone?

Outlined Occasions Valentine (Sneek Peek!)

2012-01-22T23:58:00.001-07:00

This card features a stamp set that will be released on Tuesday January 24th as part of the sale-a-bration event. The Biggest Stampin' Up! event of the year! Yay!

Oh, and it also shows off a bunch of the new dies that just came out on the Occasions Mini catalog. I can't say no to all the cute hearts!

I'm a little embarrassed posting this picture because its really so terrible, but the inside of the card is pretty cute. More hearts of course!

I used:

* Outlined Occasions Stamp Set

* Black Stayz on ink

* Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Pool Party, Certainly Celery and Pink Pirouette card stocks

* Pink Pirouette Taffeta ribbon

* Fashionable Hearts embosslits die

* Adorning Accents edgelits die

* Adorning Accents impressions folder

Valentine Dinner Invites

2012-01-17T01:39:00.000-07:00

I LOVE making Valentines! There's something about hearts and pink and red and love that make me so happy!

I made these two invitations for a friend who's hosting a Valentines dinner party. Since I'm not sure what she'll like, I figured I'd make two options as different as possible hoping one of them will work.

What do you think blog readers?

Option 1: Red Heart Love

I was so excited to use my new stuff for this card! The boy and girl on the bike stamp have been eating away at me since I saw a sneak peek of them months ago and the new Hearts Collection of framelits dies are just way to cool for words! Such a good bargain for so many hearts!

Hearts hearts hearts!

I used:

* Take it to Heart and Pennant Parade stamp sets

* Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso and Very Vanilla card stocks

* Early Espresso designer paper

* Early Espresso Ink

* Hearts Collection Framelits Dies

* Polka Dots impressions folder

* Jewelry Tag punch and paper piercing tool

* Very Vanilla seam binding ribbon and Linen Thread

Option 2: Conversations Hearts

Easter has Peeps, Halloween has candy corn and Valentine's Day IS Conversation Hearts!

And now we have these lovely zero calorie stamp versions of them. Yay and yum!

What could be better than this?

I used:

* Candy Conversations stamp

* Regal Rose, Pool Party, Delightful Daffodil and Whisper White Card stocks

* Regal Rose, Pool Party, Delightful Daffodil, Peach Parfait, Wisteria Wonder and Melon Mambo markers

* Stamp-a-ma-jig

* Small Heart Punch

Be Mine Valentine

2012-01-13T01:27:00.000-07:00

I said I'd be back soon and look at me, I'm posting 2 days in a row! Woot!

Because February is coming up so fast, I got out ALL of my Valentine stuff tonight and...had a complete blank. Its hard to get back into things! But The Paper Players luckily has a great challenge going with a nice easy welcome into stamping for 2012. Thanks Paper Players!

The theme challenge is All You Need is Love and here's what I came up with:

Hopefully the first of many more Valentine cards coming in the nest couple weeks.

You can't see it but the whole thing is covered with Vanilla Smooch Spritz that adds a nice subtle shine. Also, I was going to watercolor the entire image but after I did her heart and bow I sort of lost interest :)

I used:

* Greeting Card Kids and Outlines Occasions (SAB 2012!) stamp sets

* Music Notes Stampin' around wheel

* Basic Black Craft Ink and Soft Suede Classic ink

* Crumb Cake, Naturals Ivory and Soft Suede card stock

* Antique Wallpaper embossing folder

* Vanilla Smooch Spritz

* Pink Pirouette Taffeta Ribbon

* Blender Pen and Stampin' Pastels

Christmas Recap

2012-01-11T22:52:00.000-07:00

I lost December again! AH! I do this to myself every year! I start planning Christmas in September, I forget about it and then all of a sudden its December 1st and I have nothing done. This is also about the time when I decided to start a new hobby (knitting this year) and decide to make everyone I know a handmade gift. Then you have all the decorating, parties, baking, shopping, family from out of town, school out...and here I am on January 11th feeling like a human being again. Whew. I love Christmas!
While I love December and the magic of Christmas, there are things that suffer. My waistline AND my blog. So here is ALL of the stuff I made but never had time to post:

This was out family's official Christmas card. Quick, easy and hopefully cute!

And of course the photo I tucked inside each one.

(This card uses Petite Pairs and Pennant Parade)

This is the thank you note I made my kids (and myself) write to all of our loved ones:

And I'm so happy I finally got a chance to use the Sweet Snowglobe stamp!

(Perfectly Penned is in there too!)

Here's a fun little stocking pocket, perfect for holding a gift card and a candy cane!

I used Dear Santa stamp set with the Holiday Stocking Die and added some Smooch Spritz for a little sparkle.

I almost chose this card as our official Christmas card but by the time I got around to making my own cards, I didn't have time for it. I know. I'm lame.

But I got the idea for this on Kimberly Van Diepen's lovely blog. Check it out!

http://stampinbythesea.com/free-digital-download

I really love this because instead of cutting all those tedious triangles, I used my Perfect Pennants die for all of them! Yay me!

I used Season of Joy and Many Merry Messages on this one. And Woodgrain.

Last but not least is this fun card using the new Micah Flakes. While I love the idea of them, I found them really hard to use on a card because they are just sooo big! But once I made this card I knew I found the perfect use for them. Big and messy! Don't they give the card such a nice shiny glow?

I got the idea from this gorgeous card but simplified it a little.

I used the Christmas Lodge set.

Hopefully I'll post some new stuff very soon. Valentines day is coming up!!!

Welcome back Season of Joy!

2011-11-30T10:07:00.000-07:00

This stamp set has been in the catalog forever! Sometimes I pass over my older sets in favor of newer unused options...but not today! But to keep things fresh I've paired it with some newer products and guess what? Its like a whole new stamp set!

And Of course instead of just making a boring card, there is also a matching tag!

Did you spot the new-ish stuff?

Mostly its just the silver glimmer paper. You really only need a little of this stuff to add a perfect amount of shine! And to stick with the glimmer theme, I added a basic rhinestone to each of my trees and TA DA! A perfectly jolly Christmas card!

And here's the wee little tag:

I need more of these!

... and I also need to think of some presents, order them, wrap them, ship them...AH!!!

I used:

* Season of Joy stamp set

* Real Red and Whisper White card stock

* Real Red and Wild Wasabi ink

* Real Red designer paper

* Silver Glimmer Paper

*Basic Rhinestones

* Scallop edge punch, tag corner edge punch

* Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon

Give Thanks

2011-11-22T22:57:00.000-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

With so much to be thankful for I'm not even sure where to start. Mostly I'm grateful for a loving Father in Heaven who has blessed me with so much. For my family, for perfect children, for a selfless husband, for a job, for a roof over our heads, for food in the cupboards, for good friends and neighbors, for the fun things in life like stamping and for the things that make life easier, like the internet and my cell phone.

Life is good.

I'm thankful for it.

I used:

* Lovely Letters alphabet stamp set

* Soft Suede ink

* very Vanilla, More Mustard and Soft Suede card stocks

* Autumn Spice Designer Paper

* Color Spritzer Tool and Soft Suede Marker

* Perfect Pennants die

* 1 1/4", 1 3/8", 1 3/4" scallop circle punches

Hooo is Merry and Wise and Plaid all over???

2011-11-18T09:52:00.000-07:00

Christmas Owl!!!

I know, he's pretty much identical to "fart" owl, except he seems to be past his little problem...and he's plaid!

Here's another great example of why I LOVE the Frostwood Lodge designer paper. It's so easy to use!

Here's a shot of the inside. I love the Petite Pairs stamp set! It's so nice to have sets of greetings that go on the inside and outside!

I used:

* Woodgrain and Petite Pairs stamp sets

* Early Espresso ink

* Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Basic Black and Whisper White card stock

* Frostwood Lodge Designer Paper

* Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, Scallop Oval, Large Oval, Owl Builder and Bird Builder Punches

* Color Spritzer Tool and Early Espresso Marker

Card Box Christmas Gift

2011-11-15T00:20:00.001-07:00

Anyone need a Christmas Gift?

Decorated Card Box with 12 Cards

$30

This lovely box is perfect for that person who you NEVER know what to give.

If you're interested in purchasing one (or ten), just let me know in the next couple weeks and I'll take care of the rest!

Here is a link to my For Sale page with a few more deltails for purchasing this box.

Keep checking back for more to be added!

Or if you'd like to make you own, I can help with that too!

I used a Stampin' Card Keeper from the holiday Mini Catalog, and a few sheets of card stock but you could go all kinds of crazy adding ribbons and flowers and tags and all kinds of stuff. The possibilities are endless!

The box comes unassembled but is really easy to whip together, (covering it in paper was a small nightmare, but that might have just been me) it comes with 6 dividers and will hold up to about 25 cards depending on how thick they are.

Cute right?

I'll be making one for my Grandmother for sure...even if she still doesn't believe I make the cards myself:)

Christmas Card Class 2011!!!

2011-11-14T00:54:00.001-07:00

Christmas Card Class

November 19th

Open house 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Cost is $20

Price includes:

12 Handmade cards (all supplies provided)

Brunch

Games and Prizes

Reserve your spot today!

Here are the 3 cards we'll be making!
( 4 of each of them!)

Snowman:

If you'd like the cards but can't make it to the class I'm happy to stamp the cards for you and mail them to you!

Finished box of cards: $22.00

(Plus shipping!)

Christmas Trees:

I got the idea for this fabulous little card here!

So cute right?

Well its also so quick and easy!

Holly and Pines:

Christmas Lodge

2011-11-09T00:57:00.000-07:00

Can't love it 'til you try it!

Now that I've tried it...I LOVE IT!!!

I love this stamp set and I love the designer paper even more!

The images are big and beautiful. Easy to use too! And the greetings are classy and vintage.

And did I mention the paper? The Plaids!!! There are so many of them and they're all lovely and warm and just so darn great. I want to put this paper on everything! Actually, in the next few weeks you'll see that I actually am putting this paper on everything. Just you wait and see!

I used the new Dazzling Details (glitter glue) on the snowy parts of the house to add some shimmer. For the greeting I inked only the words with an Early Espresso Marker and then stamped them on. So versatile! Oh, and of course I distressed this card a bit too with my color spritzer tool. Which I also love.

See what I mean about classy!?! This card is actually really simple but looks like a lot of work!

This features the Woodgrain stamp in the background but I could have easily used a piece of designer paper instead...but I'm saving them all for the plaid sides! Oh and a bit of Log Cabin Smooch Spritz.

This last card is the quickest and easiest of the bunch but you wouldn't know it by it's looks.

I stamped the tree image off once before stamping the card so it would be a little less than full strength. That and tiny bit of quick distressing and this card was a snap!

I used:

* Christmas Lodge and Woodgrain stamp sets

* Early Espresso and Garden Green inks

* Frostwood Lodge Designer Paper

* Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso and Whisper White card stocks

* Early Espresso marker and Color Spritzer tool

* Cherry Cobbler and Early Espresso Quilted Satin Ribbons

* Basic Rhinestones

* Log Cabin Smooch Spritz

* Dazzling Details

Mr. Dasher, welcome back.

2011-11-06T23:48:00.000-07:00

Its time for Dasher Again!!!

Happy Dance! Happy Dance!

I love him so much.

SO. MUCH.

This week's challenge at the Pals Paper Arts is all about the browns. As soon as I saw these colors I knew what to do. Dasher was made for this!

Don't they look good on him?

Ok, well he'd look good in anything but still, Soft Suede brings out the elegance of his sparkly antlers like no color I've ever seen :)

Here's one last view. Hopefully you can see how the paper is a bit shiny around the edges and on the stamped images?

I used a bit of Champagne Mist mist shimmer paint (of COURSE he goes for the Champagne. He's so classy!) on a sponge dauber over the inked up stamp for the images. On the edges I used a clean dauber to add some subtle sparkle for the overall shimmery effect.

And I've been holding on to these Mini Vintage Tags forEVER. I should have known my muse would be Dasher!

I used:

* Dasher, Many Merry Messages and Snow Swirled stamp sets

* Soft Suede ink

* Champagne Shimmer Mist and sponge daubers

* Very vanilla, Soft Suede and Early Espresso card stock

* Mocha Morning Designer Paper

* Mini Vintage Tags

* Chantilly Crochet Trim

Pines and Poinsettias

2011-11-06T22:35:00.000-07:00

I love when everything comes together to make a perfectly simple, mailable, reproducible pretty card. I can see myself making 80 of these without getting burned out or sick of them. There's nothing too fussy, expensive or bulky about it and its great. I know that not all cards can be this low maintenance but I sure like when they are!

I saw this lovely card at Julie's Stamping Spot and it really was just too great to pass up. Easy and cute!

I used this holly pattern from the Holy Berry Bouquet paper pack but I think any of the patterns would do just fine.

The card uses the 1 3/4" circle punch paired with the 2 3/8" scallop circle punch.

And there's a tag to match! Woot!

The tag uses the 1 3/8" circle punch paired with the 1 3/4" scallop circle punch.

I know. Its a lot of punches but its better than a lot of cutting!

I used:

* Pines and Poinsettias stamp set

* Crumb Cake and Chocolate Chip ink

* Chocolate Chip, Pear Pizazz ( I don't have Wild Wasabi) and Cherry Cobbler markers

* Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla card stocks

* Holly Berry Bouquet designer paper

* Crop-o-dile, 1 3/8", 1 3/4" circle punches, 1 3/4" and 2 3/8" scallop circle punches

* Two tags Bigz Die

* Paper Piercing tool

* Cherry Cobbler quilted ribbon

Stocking Tag

2011-11-05T22:14:00.000-06:00

This is a pretty quick and easy "neighbor" gift idea. It's a box of Christmas Treats wrapped as a nice festive gift. It could be fancy cookies, a small nativity, Mickey salt shakers...anything. And wouldn't it be a great gift to hand out to neighbors, friends, teachers and those spur of the moment carolers that pop by out of nowhere? I love cookies as much as the next neighbor but I seem to get way overloaded around Christmas, so instead of giving the baked goods, I might give out a pretty holiday plate, or vintage cookie cutters instead. Who knows?

And who doesn't love opening a present?

I used the Holiday Stocking Die with the Holly Berry Bouquet designer paper (both from the Holiday Mini) to whip this tag together. So easy and fun. I LOVE this die!

I used:

* Dear Santa stamp set

* Early Espresso ink

* Wild Wasabi card stock

* Holly Berry Bouquet designer paper

* Holiday Stocking Bigz L Die

* Early Espresso 1/4" grosgrain ribbon

* Hemp Twine

* Crop-o-Dile

Blog Candy Winners!!!

2011-10-17T22:35:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to ...

Brynde and Helen!

Thanks to everyone who played along!

Flashback Friday (October 2010)

2011-10-14T00:45:00.001-06:00

Flashback Friday take two!!!

Here are a few projects I especially liked from last October. Enjoy!

Angelic Joy Card Box

Winter Wonderland

Jolly Bingo Bits

Christmas Postcard and Gold Accent Ink

Snow Much Fun!

2011-10-13T01:08:00.000-06:00

Every year, there are certain stamp sets that every demonstrator owns! Sometimes I'm a bit cynical about these stamp sets. What makes them so popular? Why is everyone loving them so much?

Because they're awesome!
And if you use them, you will love them too. And they're not just cute, they're easy to use and they make great stuff.

There's something about these snowmen that, after using them, I'm not sure they can make a bad project. Look around!

EVERYTHING they make is cute!

So, if you're one of the few people left out there that does not own this stamp set, just buy it already and save yourself the torment!
Seriously.
Buy it!

I made today's card for the Freshly Made Sketches challenge blog.
It's the first of many projects this holiday season that will feature this fat and happy man of snow.
I love him!
So get ready to see him. A LOT!!!

Isn't this a fun sketch? I could spend days making cards to fit this! Traditional but with a little extra punch of fun!

And the inside of the card:

Because everyone knows that if there's a bird on it...its awesome!

I used:

* Snow Much Fun and Petite Pairs stamp sets

* Real Red, Old Olive, Crumb Cake and Whisper White card stocks

* Old Olive designer paper

* Black Stayz On, Crumb Cake and White craft ink

* Stampin' Pastels and Blender Pens

* 1 1/4" circle, 1 3/8" circle, Scallop circle punch

* Baker's Twine

* Jingle Bells

* Snow Burst impressions folder

p.s. How great are those little jingle bells?

Halloween Wreaths

2011-10-13T00:32:00.001-06:00

I keep forgetting to post this!

I made a couple of spooky wreaths a few weeks ago using nothing but some standard craft store finds. Wreath base, black spray paint (which I always have on hand!) silk roses and, of course, some Stampin' Up! striped grosgrain ribbon.

It was super duper easy to put together and will be haunting my Halloween door for years and years to come. Yay!

Here's the oval one I made for my sister, which is perhaps, just a bit spookier than the round one.

Update: This wreath was re-hung so the ribbon isn't being stretched out but we were anxious to get it up there and have a look. And my sister lives 30 minutes away and its not like I ever see her to get a new picture or anything...

And a close up of the bow and flowers.

I love how the flowers retained just a hint of red so they sort of look dried.

Have I mentioned I love spray paint?

Well I do.

Lovely Birds and Books

2011-10-12T00:15:00.000-06:00

As I've said before, when I'm not stamping I'm usually reading a book and one of my favorite guilty pleasures is a good historical romance novel. There's something about a proper society young woman and a dashing rogue falling in love that gets me every time! I just can't help myself!

Occasionally I'm able to combine my two addictions into something really great by listening an audio book WHILE stamping. It's heaven! And sometimes what I'm listening to starts to rub off on my project. Have you ever listened to a Christmas Carol and had an urge to go make a snowman card?

Well, this is kind of the same thing.

I made these while listening to a nice juicy book called Marriage Most Scandalous about a headstrong girl who sets out to find the estranged son of her neighbor/guardian only to find instead a deadly mercenary. Mercenary!!! Seriously, what could be better than that?

Anyway, its good that I was already trying to make a nice pretty card, because I think what I came up with is girlish and feminine enough to please Miss Austen herself!

I used:

* Petite Pairs and Vintage Vogue stamp sets

* Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Pretty in Pink, Pink Pirouette and Very Vanilla card stocks

* Rich Razzleberry and Pink Pirouette Ink

* First Edition designer paper

* Extra Large Bird Punch

* Antique Wallpaper embossing folder

200th Post and Blog Candy!

2011-10-10T14:50:00.000-06:00

I can't believe this is my 200th blog post. Wow! When I started I had no idea this would be such a great creative outlet for me. I love it and I can't wait to see what the next 200 posts bring!

In honor of this occasion, I have some BLOG CANDY to give out! Yay!!!

This is a pack of 24 6"x 6" pieces of double sided Halloween paper PLUS a 15 yard spool of 5/8" grosgrain ribbon.

And because this is my 200th blog post, I'll 2 give of them away!

All you have to do to win is leave me a comment

AND be a follower!

Contest will stay open til Sunday October 16th at 11:59 PM

Please play along!!!

Only in the continental United States please.

Halloween Bingo!

2011-10-05T16:36:00.000-06:00

BINGO!!!

I made these up for my class tomorrow night.

And while they are super cute and BINGO is just about the best game ever...

...they are a pain to make!

I used:

* Bingo Card and Spooky Bingo Bits stamp sets

* Cherry Cobbler, Cajun Craze, Basic Black, Black Stayz On, Basic Grey, Old Olive and Whisper White

* Frightful Sight Designer Paper

* 1 3/8" circle punch

* Crop-O-Dile

* Old Olive 1/4" grosgrain ribbon

Baby Shower Invites

2011-10-02T01:00:00.000-06:00

I made these Baby Shower invites for a very special baby boy who is arriving any day now with FOUR older sisters to help welcome him into the world. Imagine the fun!!!

I knew those little safety pins were cute but on baby stuff they're just perfect!

Yay!

I couldn't stop myself from using pretty much every impressions folder and texturz plate I could find.

Stripes, squares, polka dots...I never decided which one I liked best!

And the insides:

I used:

* Baby Bundle stamp set (plus a couple retired word stamps on the inside)

* Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Certainly Celery and Whisper White card stocks

* Early Espresso ink

* Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze and Certainly Celery markers

* Various impressions folders

* Various Texturz plates

* Extra large fancy flower punch, 1 3/4" circle punch

* Vintage Trinkets

* 1/8" Certainly Celery ribbon

CANDY CANDY CANDY CANDY

2011-09-28T02:53:00.000-06:00

This is a sample of some swag that will be part of the Fall for Stamping Class.

How much do you love Mini M&M's???

I know I do!

Because the M&M's come in such great colors and I had so much fun making the little tags for each treat bag... I had to make some cards to go with them!

So fun right?

And after that it was all over for the Reese's Pieces!

Not only are they delicious, they're also great inspiration!

I used: (Top Card)

* Spooky Bingo Bits stamp sets

* Pacific Point, Real Red, Tangerine Tango, Early Espresso and Whisper White

* Scallop Square Bigz Die

* Scallop square punch

* Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon

* Polka Dots impressions folder

I used: (Bottom Card)

* Spooky Bingo Bits and Teeny Tiny Wishes

* Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango and Early Espresso

* 1 1/4", 1 3/8", Scallop Circle, Word Window, Modern Label punches

* Linen Thread

* Antique Wallpaper impressions folder

Fall for Stamping

2011-09-16T13:20:00.000-06:00

Let's Fall for Stamping Together!

Thursday October 6th at 6:00 pm

Saturday October 8th at 10:00 am

Cost of Class: $20

Price includes all supplies and adhesives, treats/lunch, games and prizes!!!

(Special gifts for new friends and anyone who brings one!)

You'll make:

Three of these charming little goody matchboxes (with chocolates!) perfect for Visiting Teaching, teacher gifts, a quick thank you...etc!

Two of these deceptively simple Trick or Treat cards. Great as a Halloween card, a party invitation, an October birthday or even a creepy thank you card!

And look at the inside of the card and the envelope!!!

And lastly, two of these lovely autumn thank you cards. Beautifully easy to create with some cool techniques that are fun for beginners and experienced stampers.

No hand cutting OR coloring anything!

Space might be limited so be sure contact me if you'd like to come!

Call or text: 253-315-3701

Email: natdeckerAThotmailDOTcom

Leave me a comment!

Fall Friends

2011-09-16T10:23:00.001-06:00

I made this card for Freshly Made Sketches, which is a brand new challenge blog and here is the sketch for the week:

I love square cards!!!

And I LOVE this Spice Cake designer paper!

I got the idea for this card here on Kimberly Van Diepen's beautiful blog.

I used:

* Tiny Tags stamp set

* Very Vanilla, More Mustard, Soft Suede and Pool Party card stocks

* Spice Cake Designer Paper

* Soft Suede and Pool Party inks

* Jewelry Tag, 1 1/4", 1 3/8" circles and Scallop circle punches

* Linen Thread

* Spice Cake Designer Buttons

Flashback Friday (September 2010)

2011-09-16T06:00:00.001-06:00

While I love showing off all the stuff I've been busy making lately, I've been thinking a lot about all the projects that I've made in the past that are being quietly forgotten.

So...

One Friday a month I'm going to do a "Flashback Friday" post where I feature some of my favorites from the past.

Are you so excited? I know I am!

Hallowen Party, Part 1

Halloween Party Part 2

WINNER!!!

2011-09-14T09:23:00.003-06:00

I did it!!!

I won the challenge at the Pals Paper arts!!!

Click here to see the original post!

I don't want to sound crazy or anything but I have been kind of obsessing about winning one of their challenges for, well, lets just say...a while.

And what are the odds that it would be today, after just winning the challenge at The Paper Players?

It's a good week!

Christmas Re-Mix

2011-09-14T00:00:00.000-06:00

A couple weeks ago I posted this "Wish Big" birthday card for a sketch challenge. And while I really liked how it came out, there was something that just kept bothering me about it...

The circle/frame thingy looks like a wreath!

But who wants a wreath on a birthday card? Not I!

So I had to make it into a Christmas card:

So much better right!?!

It may not be the most traditional of Christmas cards (sorry Mom!) but the Baker's Twine and the glitter paper and the wreath sure get me in the mood for candy canes!

I used:

* Word Play stamp set

* Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Island Indigo and Whisper White card stocks

* Old Olive, Real Red, Daffodil Delight and Island Indigo markers

* Red Glimmer Paper

* 1 3/4" circle punch

* Perfect Pennants Die

* Circle Scissors Plus

* Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plates

* Baker's Twine

A Note of Thanks

2011-09-12T23:50:00.000-06:00

Here's another example of one idea, done two ways. Normally I have a favorite, but there are elements of each that I like so I'll let you decide for yourselves.

This is the first one I made and I really like how the Not Quite Navy has an old faded tattoo look to it. As if it used to be darker but has been bleached over the years. And I also love how the image stamped. With the larger stamps the centers sometimes don't ink very well and this is often a source of great frustration but here, it totally works.

This ribbon is retired but any ribbon would work and I like how the little pleats came out. Such an easy thing to do with a little sticky strip.

This card is almost identical except a little more framing and distressing.

But for some reason the ribbon pleats didn't look right here. Sad times.

I used:

* Ornate Blossom and Thank You Kindly stamp sets

* Not Quite Navy, Crumb Cake and Whisper White card stocks

* Not Quite Navy and Soft Suede Ink

* Distressing Kit

* Color Spritzer Tool and Soft Suede Marker

* Rose Red Ribbon (retired)

* Antique Wallpaper impressions folder

WINNER!!!

2011-09-10T14:12:00.000-06:00

Remember this post form earlier this week?

Well, guess what...my card won!!!

And I am soooo excited about it!

Nance Lempinen-Leedy, of Canopy Crafts chose my card as the winner of The Paper Players challenge for the week.

Here's what she said about MY card:

I love Natalie’s clean and elegant birthday card! The newsprint patterned paper is always a great touch but Nat has taken it to a whole new level by with her stamped and hand-cut flowers! They add such a bold graphic element and she’s balanced them perfectly with the embossed sentiment in the opposite corner. The pop of red in that gorgeous bow just adds to the sophistication of the whole project. Congratulations Nat…you’re my Cut Above!

Is that the nicest thing you've ever heard or what???

ThankYouThankYouThankYou!!!

To Nance and the design team at The Paper Players. You've made my day!

(And probably my week too!)

Halloween Party 2011

2011-09-09T02:09:00.003-06:00

Now all I need is a costume and some friends!

The challenge over at Pals Paper Arts is all about Halloween this week. Yay!!!

Which is really great because I've had all this stuff sitting here waiting for me to think of something to make them into. Sometimes it takes a little nudge to get the creativity flowing, you know?

The moment I saw this skeleton stamp I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. Dress it up and send it out Trick-or-Treating of course!

Hilarious right?

Ok, maybe its just me but still, I'm pretty happy with myself!

Here's the inside:

Here is a dressed up bottle of soda. I just can't help myself sometimes!

And after all that soda, my guests might need some poison. Of course.

How fun is it that these candies (Hershy's Special Dark Pieces) match the colors of the Frightful Sight designer paper almost perfectly!?!

Last but not least, my 'Boo' Banner!

This is pretty simple using the Perfect Pennants die, Frightful Sight designer paper and the Lace Ribbon Border Punch to add a gothic look.

I used:

* Piece of Poison, Spooky Bingo Bits and Lovely Letters Alphabet

* Basic Black, Old Olive, Basic Grey, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White

* Basic Grey and Black Stayz On ink

* Cajun Craze, Basic Black and Old Olive markers

* Frightful Sight designer paper

* Lace Ribbon Border Punch, 1", 1 1/4", 1 3/8", Scallop Circle,

* Crop-o-Dile

* Old Olive 1/4" and 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, Black Striped ribbon, Baker's Twine

* Basic Rhinestone

Turtles and Stripes

2011-09-07T01:29:00.000-06:00

I love this stamp set!

Doesn't it make you happier just looking at it?

Do you see the cool texture on the background? I used the new Stripes embossing folder but instead of the regular once through the Big Shot like normal, I ran it through twice and LOOK! It made squares! Its like a texture-y plaid. I'm so happy with myself!

The rest of the card is pretty standard. I used Black Stayz-on ink and then I water colored the turtle image using Stampin' Pastels and my handy dandy blender pen.

The scallops coming from behind the turtle are just the Fancy Flower punch that have been bent up a little bit. It's all pretty simple, and that's just the way I like it!

I used:

* Turtle and Co. Stamp set

* Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Tangerine Tango and Whisper White card stocks

* Black Stays On ink

* Tangerine Tango designer paper

* Stampin' Pastels and Blender Pens

* Fancy Flower and 1 3/4" circle punches

* Stripes embossing folder

* Brights Buttons

* Baker's Twine

Fifth Avenue Bithday - Two Ways

2011-09-06T15:37:00.001-06:00

Sometimes I get so excited to use all my new stuff that I forget about all the fantastic stuff I've had for a while, so today's card features some of my dustier items. I've loved my Fifth Avenue Floral set for a couple of years at least and there was a time when I didn't make anything without using my Top Note die and you know what? I still love them just as much after all this time!

The challenge for this week over at The Paper Players is all about birthdays, which is so nice because really, who doesn't need birthday cards? I know I always do!

All of the stamping was done using black embossing powder so while you can't see it in the picture, it has a cool glossy look to it which I love.

Here's another version of basically the same card. I like the first one better, but I wanted to show how one idea can really be made into a number of different cards.

And here they are together...

I used:

* Fifth Avenue Floral and On Your Birthday stamp sets

* Not Quite Navy and Natural Ivory card stocks

* First Edition designer paper

* Versamark ink and Black embossing Powder

* Not Quite Navy Ink (for distressing)

* Top Note Bigz Die

* Framed Tulips impressions folder

* Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon (retired)

Cat Card from Space for Janet! (and what's up with Basic Gray?)

2011-09-06T00:45:00.000-06:00

Seriously, what is up with Basic Gray?

Stampin' Up! has 50 exclusive colors and all of them (except Basic Gray) have an

Adorably Alliterative name.

Think about it: Pink Pirouette, Bravo Burgandy, Old Olive...etc. Alliteration!

Why not Basic Gray? I know the history of the basic colors getting moved into the color families and all of that, but come on! Crumb Cake rose from the ashes of Kraft so I know it can be done. Is Basic Gray just so boring a color that it doesn't deserve the same treatment?

Maybe.

But the Pals Paper Arts design team doesn't think so or they wouldn't have chosen it as one of the colors in this week's challenge.

Here are some name ideas I thought might spice up poor Basic Gray just a little.

I'll start slow with some nice simple "G" words:

"Galvanized Gray"

"Gallant Gray"

"Gray Granite"

"Grandpa Gray"

"Grizzled Gray"

Or here are some more colorful (haha) idears:

"Barnacled Battleship"

"Cool Cumulonimbus"

"Chubby Cloud"

"Only Overcast"

"Grizzled Grandpa"

"Bottled Brains"

Better right?

Please leave me a comment to help me choose the new name for Basic Grey! I promise to call it by whatever name gets the most votes forever and ever...or until it really does get a new name.

Feel free to suggest any names I may have over looked or, you know, just weigh in on which one you like best!

As well as slaving over the fate of Basic Blah...I also made a card!

A Cat Card for Janet, who loves Cats! I love that!

I love people who love things. REALLY love things. It makes the world a special and interesting place to live in. And it also makes me love cats too. So thanks, Janet for making the world a better place. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

When I showed this card to my husband (why do I still bother?) he said "It looks like The Cat From Outer Space."

And perhaps he's not wrong, but who cares? I like the Cat From Outer Space AND he has an awesome collar. Whatever.

Here's the inside:

You may not be able to see it here but there is a very thin frame of Calypso Coral on the inside, similar to the frame on the front.

And one more picture of The Cat Card From Outer Space:

I'm loving the new Designer Frames impressions folders!

I used:

* C is for Cat and On Your Birthday stamp sets

* Cherry Cobbler, Calypso Coral, Whisper White and Basic Gray card stocks

* Basic Gray ink

* Polka Dots and Designer Frames impressions folders

* Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon

* Basic Rhinestones

Word Play Birthday, Challenge and Camera Troubles

2011-09-01T00:31:00.000-06:00

I've spent more time trying to take a good picture of this card than I spent making it! ARG!!!

Today's card is for The Paper Players sketch challenge. Its a really fun sketch, and not a normal layout for me, so when they say its a challenge, it really is!

The subtle polka dot texture on the white looks so cute in person! But in almost every picture, it totally disappeared so I ended up with this picture which, if I'm honest, doesn't really do justice to the card.

Look! Same card, NO DOTS!!!

But still, not as cute as the original. Am I the only one having this problem?

Does anyone have any photography tips for me? Anyone???

I used:

* Word Play stamp set

* Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Whisper White and Lucky Limeade card stocks

* Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Island Indigo and Melon Mambo markers

* Perfect Pennants die

* 1 3/4" circle punch

* Circle Scissors Plus

* Linen Thread

* Basic Rhinestone

Daring Adventure and New Stuff!

2011-08-25T23:36:00.000-06:00

I've had some of this stuff, unused, just sitting on my table teasing me for weeks now. WEEKS! I couldn't put it away because I wanted to use it, but nothing was really coming to mind so it sort of became part of my work surface. Does this happen to anyone else?

Today's challenge over at Pals Paper Arts was a really great kick to my creativity and as soon as I saw what it was, I knew exactly what I had to do! Yay! The challenge is to "Soften the Edges" which is so great because it can mean so many things. Corner rounding, scallops, ink, sanding, tearing, designer paper, crinkling...etc. I love it!

So I got out all those unused products and started softening edges (yes ALL of them!) and here is what I came up with:

The new stuff I used tonight includes:

Vintage Trinkets - see those cute little brads and safety pin? I can't believe I've waited so long. They're so fun!

Denim Ribbon - Not the same color? Who cares! Denim matches everything!

Well Worn Designer Paper - Such a nice understated paper. Classy and perfect.

And yes, every single edge on this card has had something done to it. One has been rolled and pinned, some have been textured, most have been sanded and all of them have been inked.

Hopefully these picture show all the edge details.

I feel like I should also mention how great this Daring Adventure stamp set is. This card features all four images: the flourish at the top left, the footprints on the greeting, and the word background. I REALLY love it when a stamp set can be used like this to make a complete project with no wasted rubber. I also love Helen Keller so I might be a bit biased.

I used:

* Daring Adventure stamp set

* River Rock, Cajun Craze, Whisper White, and Soft Suede card stock

* Well Worn designer paper

* Soft Suede, and Crumb Cake ink

* Vintage Trinkets

* Denim Ribbon

* Distressing kit

* Antique Wallpaper embossing folder

Punch Card and Paper Players

2011-08-24T16:23:00.000-06:00

Here is this week's sketch challenge over at The Paper Players. It may look simple, but it was REALLY challenging for me! I've tried a number of cards using this sketch and I just couldn't get them to work. I was having an off stamping week I guess.

Anyway, its always good to push yourself and try new things so I managed to finally make a card I could proudly display. Phew!

Here it is:

I used:

* Warmest Regards (retired, sorry!) stamp set

* Crumb Cake, Naturals Ivory, Early Espresso, Pink Pirouette, and Perfect Plum card stocks

* Perfect Plum designer paper

* Early Espresso Ink

* Scallop border, Heart to Heart, Blossom Bouquet, and various circle punches

* Early Espresso taffeta ribbon

* Basic Rhinestones

* Polka Dot impressions folder

More Boxes and Fall Paper!

2011-08-19T08:00:00.001-06:00

I just couldn't help but make up some more of these cute boxes! Both of these are really similar but one of them is a lot harder to make because it uses retired ribbon AND has one of those foldy circle things on it. Which, after making, I'm not convinced was worth it.

Here's the fussier version. This ribbon is retired now but I'm sure Soft Suede would look just as good here. I just didn't have any of that on hand.

And that foldy circle thing you ask? Yes, its cool but again, not sure its totally worth the effort. I think maybe for Christmas Ornaments I might make some larger ones, with glitter and crap on them but this tiny one was sort of a nightmare for me.

But look at the giant button!!!

Here is the simpler version. I think its just as cute but WAY easier to make and reproduce! This Spice Cake paper is sooo pretty though that it would probably look fantastic on anything! And the giant button doesn't hurt either.

Instead of the foldy circle deal I just used an extra large scallop circle and you know what? It might not have a "wow" factor to it, but I really like it. And it doesn't make me feel angry. Which is a bonus.

And I just love the ruffled Pool Party ribbon too. Who knew it would look so good for fall? I can't wait to use it for Christmas too!

Oh, and on both of these boxes the belly band slips right off so the lucky recipient can open it, eat the treat inside and then put it all back together again. Or redecorate it themselves. So fun!

I used:

* Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set

* Naturals Ivory Card stock

* Soft Suede ink

* Spice Cake Designer Paper

* Hemp Twine, Old Olive Striped Ribbon and Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon

* Spice Cake Designer Buttons

* Extra Large Scallop Punch

* Kraft Gift Box

Boo! Card for the PPA

2011-08-18T23:38:00.001-06:00

I just have a quick post tonight of a fun Halloween card I made for the Pals Paper Arts Sketch Challenge. I know its still August and way to early for Halloween, but I am so done with summer that I don't even care. Heck, I even love all the Christmas displays that are out at all the craft stores. Jingle Bells anyone?

All the stamping on this card is embossed a nice shiny black but besides that everything else is super easy.

I didn't even do any distressing or use my Big Shot.

Weird, I know.

Here is the Sketch. So fun right?

I used:

* Spooky Bingo Bits and Tiny Tags stamp sets

* Old Olive, Cajun Craze, Basic Grey, Whisper White and Basic Black card stocks

* Frightful Sight designer series paper

* Versamark ink

* Black embossing powder

* Embossing Tool

* Black Striped Grosgrain ribbon (so cute!)

* Baker's Twine

* Jewelry Tag punch

Bookmarks for Bookclub!

2011-08-18T09:58:00.001-06:00

I may have mentioned before that when I'm not stamping I'm usually reading. Occasionally I do both and stamp while listening to an audio book. Yay!

This month my book club is having a Pot Luck. We're all bringing a book we love and a coordinating treat to share. But instead of bringing a treat to eat, I thought I'd bring a treat to keep. A bookmark!

And since Bloody Jack is a book that takes place mostly as sea (An orphan girl on the streets of London dresses up like a boy and goes aboard a ship in the British Royal Navy and has many a daring adventure) the Open Sea stamp set and the matching designer paper, Nautical Expedition, are just perfect! Also, there's a funny scene that involves a blue anchor tattoo so I really couldn't help myself.

And if a few are good then A LOT are better, right?

Here are the three versions I made:

Which is your favorite?

I used:

* The Open Sea and Daring Adventure stamp sets

* Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Soft Suede, Early Espresso and Not Quite Navy Card Stock

* Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Not Quite Navy and Cherry Cobbler inks

* Nautical Expedition designer paper

* Jumbo Eyelets and the Crop-o-dile

* Baker's Twine

* Sanding blocks

Featured Book: Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer (Read it!)

Pink Gift Box for the Paper Players

2011-08-15T00:59:00.001-06:00

Isn't this little gift box just the cutest thing you've ever seen? I plan on making them for pretty much every occasion there ever was.

This foldable little beauty will be coming out in the new Holiday Mini album in September. Yay!

I made this box for a really fun challenge blog, The Paper Players. This week's contest uses Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose and Rose Red. So pretty!

I used:

* Word Play stamp set

* Rose Red and Whisper White card stock

* Pretty in Pink d.s.p.

* Regal Rose 5/8" ribbon

* Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Heart to Heart punch, Ticket Corner Punch, 3/4" circle punch

* Kraft Gift Box

* Baker's Twine

Birthday Party Invites for Baby!

2011-08-13T08:00:00.001-06:00

Today's post should really be split into 3 posts but to be honest, I've been blogging A LOT lately and I'm a bit worn out. I know. Lame.
My niece, Kjirstin, asked if I could help her design a birthday invitation for her little one who's turning 1 next month. Yay! and Of Course! Its so nice to be useful to someone!

I made up a couple cards in advance, knowing full well we would change everything around but still, it always helps to be prepared right?!?
Here's the first one I came up with. I love it a lot and I think I might re-make it in about a trillion different color combos so as to be ready for every birthday for the next century or two. CUPCAKES!!!

I even sort of used my Color Coach! I still changed the pink but that's pretty good right?
The Color Coach is awesome. I think it could really help me but for some reason I feel like it wants to take over my life and tell me what to do so normally I leave it buried under a pile of stamping tools.
I know, I have some control issues. I'm working on them. Sort of.

I used:

* Build a cupcake and Dot Dot Dot and Afterthoughts (retired) stamp sets

* Whisper White, Soft Suede, Blushing Bride and So Saffron card stocks and coordinating inks

* So Saffron d.s.p.

* Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack, Cupcake Builder Punch

* Basic Rhinestones

* Baker's Twine

Anywho, when Kjirstin got here, we played round with different colors and stamps and embellishments til we came up with this little beauty. It still has quite a few similarities but as you can see, a totally different feeling.

So feminine and pretty!

Can you see the Smooch Spritz on it?

We used:

* Clearly for You, En Francais and Afterthoughts (retired) stamp sets

* Whisper White, Early Espresso and Pink Pirouette card stocks

* Crumb cake, Pink Pirouette and Early Espresso inks

* Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz

* Paper Daisies

* Basic Pearls

* Crumb Cake Taffeta Ribbon

This was a late night card whimsical twist on the same layout. Isn't it so fun how each card is so different but still has so much in common?

I used:

* Dot Dot Dot and Afterthoughts (retired) stamp sets

* Early Espresso, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White and Melon Mambo card stocks

* Certainly Celery and Early Espresso ink

* So Saffron d.s.p.

* Linen Thread

* Stripes embossing Folder

* Basic Rhinestones

* Bird Punch

For Candi!

2011-08-12T08:00:00.002-06:00

If you don't live under a rock, you may have noticed that THERE ARE OWLS EVERYWHERE!!!

I'm not saying I don't like them, I just worry about all the decorative mice.

The thing about owls is, with their really big owly eyes, they look really surprised. Right? What might they be thinking? Is it a secret just for owls?

Well wonder no more! My sister has figured out what they are soooo surprised about. You'll never look at another owl the same way again.

I know I can't.

Try it. Try to look at this boring "hello" card without thinking that the owl has just farted!

You can't do it!

It cannot be done!

He's saying "hello" but he's thinking "fart!"

I used:

* Woodgrain and Pendant Park stamp sets

* Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, Crumb Cake, Whisper White and Basic Black card stocks

* Pumpkin Pie d.s.p.

* Early Espresso ink

* Owl Builder, Bird Builder, Large Oval and Wide Oval punches

* Rat-a-Tat sizzlit alphabet (Non SU!)

Fall Designer Paper Sneak Peek!

2011-08-11T12:33:00.000-06:00

Isn't this paper soooooo pretty!?!

The colors are delicious, the patterns are beautiful and as an added bonus, it matches all the themes from both this year's new fall stamp sets AND last year's Day of Gratitude set. Which is good because I really love this "old" set.

The challenge today over at Pals Paper Arts is to Dress for Success. Dressing for Success is easy as 1-2-3 this week at Pals Paper Arts. Follow our simple recipe to success: Use 1 piece of designer series paper, 1 punch and 1 sentiment.

How great is it that I have such a wonderful excuse to use this pretty pretty paper! Thanks PPA!

I cheated a little because I actually used 2 pieces of designer paper. You can see the the tiny blue border peeking out at the top and bottom? Yep. I couldn't help it. But other than that I followed the 1-2-3 rules perfectly!

The sentiment is stamped on the Wide Oval punch which is framed using a die from the Lots of Tags Sizzlit set. All the edges on the card are filed using a metal precision file from the Distressing kit and inks with Soft Suede and a sponge dauber.

After the edges are all filed and inked the whole thing, inside and out, is splashed with watered down Crumb Cake ink and a light spritzing using Soft Suede and the Color Spritzer tool.

It might be easier to see on the inside but I promise its the same all over.

I used:

* Day of Gratitude stamp set

* Soft Suede, More Mustard and Very Vanilla Card stock

* Spice Cake Designer Paper (2011 Holiday Mini Catalog)

* Soft Suede, Pear Pizazz and More Mustard Markers

* Soft Suede and Crumb Cake ink

* Sewing Machine and thread

* Crochet Trim and Soft Suede Polka Dot ribbon (retired)

* Wide Oval Punch

* Lots of Tags Sizzlit

* Distressing Kit

Hello Baaaaaby!

2011-08-11T08:00:00.001-06:00

I finally used my new Pennant Parade stamp set and matching punch. Woot! It's so fun and easy and just imagine this bag saying "Happy B-Day" in bright colors. So versatile!

I used a standard size gift bag, I think about 8X10, that you can get anywhere. I try to always have a few of these on hand in case of gift-y type emergencies. Like this one. And look how cute it turned out. I can't wait to make some more projects with this set!

I used:

* Pennant Parade stamp set

* Blushing Bride, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party Crumb Cake and Whisper White Card stocks and coordinating inks

* Petite Pennants Builder punch

* Paper Piercing Tool

* Baker's Twine

* Rat-a-Tat sizzlit alphabet (non SU! Sorry!)

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!

2011-08-10T08:00:00.001-06:00

Happy B-day to my very best friend Elizabeth! Yay!

I was so excited to make this card because I knew I could make it as girly as possible and she would totally get it! And also because I love her.

I used my brand new Daring Adventure set here and even though the catalog makes it look kind of masculine I think its also really soft and pretty.

For the background I first wrinkled and sanded a strip of rose red d.s.p. Then I adhered it to a piece of Crumb Cake then ran it through my Big Shot. After that I sanded it some more til all the white parts were showing. Then I used a sponge dauber to add some Crumb Cake ink to the edges and I spritzed it with my Color Spritzer tool and a Soft Suede marker.

For the image I started with a piece of Whisper White, inked it with Crumb Cake and a sponge dauber, spritzed it with Soft Suede. The words are stamped in Crumb Cake while the flourish is in Soft Suede. I can't remember if I used Rose Red (stamped off a few times) or a lighter pink like Pink Pirouette for the shadow images of the flourish. Sorry!

And for the little tag I used the Clearly for You set and my Jewelry Punch. Which I love.

Most of the time I avoid tying a bow because I sort of suck at it, but on a card like this a simple knot just would not do.

And here is the inside with the lining treated the same as the outside.

I used:

* Daring Adventure and Clearly For You stamp sets

* Early Espresso, Whisper White and Crumb Cake card stocks

* Crumb Cake, Soft Suede and Pink Pirouette(?) inks

* Rose Red d.s.p.

* Color Spritzer Tool and Soft Suede marker

* Sponge Dauber

* Distressing Kit

* Antique Wallpaper embossing Folder

* Jewelry Tag Punch

* Paper Piercing Tool

*Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon, Baker's Twine

Baby Bundle Baby Gift!

2011-08-09T16:07:00.000-06:00

In addition to stamping, I am also a great lover of a good book. What does this have to do with stamping? Well! I'm in a bookclub (two actually) so of course when someone (or someones) is having a baby I have to stamp their gift. Reading and stamping and babies and friends! YAY!!!

Did I mention there are also treats at bookclub?

I was a little pressed for time so instead of making an entire gift bag with a coordinating set of thank you notes or something, I just made a quick 3x3 on top of a wrapped gift. So easy and sweet!

This is for a baby boy so I went with a nice traditional combo of Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue. And with a mini Clothespin and some texture, that's pretty much all it needed.

Congrats to Liz and Anadine! I hope you make it back to bookclub soon so we can see these babies of yours!

I used:

* Baby Bundle stamp set

* Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White card stocks

* Black Stayz On ink

* Certainly Celery Marker

* Polka Dots impression folder

* Baker's Twine

* Mini Clothespin

Word Play Birthday and PPA 105

2011-08-04T13:37:00.001-06:00

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Today's challenge over at the Pals Paper Arts is a color challenge using Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade and Daffodil Delight. Yay! AND its my mom's birthday next week. What could be better?

And the inside:

I used:

* Word Play stamp set

* Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade and Whisper White card stock

* Daffodil Delight designer paper

* Island Indigo and Lucky Limeade markers

* Distressing Kit

* Bird Punch

* Polka Dots and Stripes impressions folders

* Linen Thread

Petite Pairs Wedding

2011-08-04T02:29:00.000-06:00

Congrats to Jarik and Stephanie! I can't wait to celebrate with you both on Friday and I wish you all the best things life has to offer!

I got inspiration for this card from Richard Garay's lovely blog. Thanks!

I finally got to use my new stamp set, Petite Pairs again. Its so fun to have the inside of the card say something that goes with what the outside says. I love this set!

This is the first chance I've had to use my new Boho Blossoms punch too and I can't believe it took me so long to buy it.

The green leaves come from the bird punch, which I also love.

I only had enough white satin ribbon for one card. I like the wedding-y look of white but when I tried the Bashful Blue ribbon, I liked that too. I'm a sucker for good ribbon!

I used:

* Petite Pairs stamp set

* Early Espresso, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, and Old Olive card stock

* Early Espresso ink

* Whisper White and Bashful Blue satin ribbon

*Square Lattice impressions folder

* Boho Blossoms and Bird punches

* Basic Pearls

Spooky Bingo Bits, Wild Tarantula and PPA 104!

2011-08-01T02:48:00.000-06:00

Is everybody ready for Halloween???

No? Me neither. But I found this in my garage this morning:

It is a tarantula from the hill behind my house. We'll be moving soon. To Antarctica.

So anyway, (shudder) I made this card as therapy to help me calm down a little.

Sadly, I don't have any stamps that say:

"AHHHHHH!!!!KILL IT!!!KILL IT!!!AHHHHHH!!! IT MOVED!!!AHHHHHHHH!!!!

So I had to settle for "EEK!"

I'm also playing along over at the PPA with today's post. The challenge for the week is all about paper piercing, which until today I was drawing kind of a blank about. So thank you Mr.ScariestSpiderI'veEverSeenWhileNotAtTheZoo for your inspiration. And also for dying. Eventually.

It's hard to capture both the paper piercing AND embossing at the same time in pictures but this one does a pretty good job.

And of course the inside has another embossed spider, just waiting to jump out at you! AHHHH!!!

And because I was having soooo much fun poking holes in my cards, I couldn't help but to make a little ghosty card too! He's so much cuter than a spider!!!

To make the ghosty shape, I just hand drew a ghost (patterned after the ghost in the Spooky Bingo Bits set) the size I wanted onto some scratch paper, used a small amount of snail adhesive to hold the outline paper to my Whisper White card stock and then poked round the outline. Then I used a clean eraser to remove the extra adhesive. So easy and fun!

I used:

*Spooky Bingo Bits stamp set

*Basic Black, Whisper White and Pumpkin Pie card stock

*Versamark Ink

*Black embossing powder, embossing buddy and heat tool

*Large Safety Pin

*Spider Web embossing Folder

Pool Party TABLE!!!

2011-07-29T00:36:00.002-06:00

I LOVE this color!!!

I've been waiting forever (since Soft Sky) for a nice clear aqua blue and I finally got it!
So, to celebrate, I painted a table!

Isn't it so pretty!?!

I would have painted my whole stamp room but that will have to wait til I don't have to explain it to a landlord, which might get a bit awkward :)

In case any of you have forgotten, I thought I would refresh your memories about how much I have used Pool Party in the last month since it came out:

A lot, right?

And I don't plan on stopping either, especially now that I have a Pool Party TABLE!

Now, some of you may be so amazed with my arty creative-ness that you just HAVE to know how I managed all this. Well, let me tell you about it!

I bought this little table from my 11 year old neighbor (who is adorable!) for $10 at a yard sale. I knew I wanted to paint it (because I love me a painted table) but wasn't sure where exactly it would go. Sometimes it take a little while for something to really click. You know?

So here it is, in the garage, waiting for sanding.

Also, I REALLY need a rotary sander. It was soo much fun!

And here it is with a coat of primer. Strictly speaking, it probably only needed one coat, but I wanted the white layer to be nice and thick so I put quite a lot of primer on it.

And the same for the paint. I knew I was going to sand it after it dried so everything got at least 2 coats, of not more.

As a final step I just got that lovely rotary sander back out (thanks Candi!) and kept going til I liked it. It was great fun and I can't wait to paint another piece of furniture. But what Stampin' Up! color should I use?

Sending Sympathy

2011-07-11T02:16:00.000-06:00

Normally I love a chance to stamp a card and use some new product but today's card is a sad one.

Jared and Maija-Liisa, I am so so sorry for your loss. I love you both. I know you'll get to be with your sweet babies one day but for today, my heart goes out to you.

Inspiration came from this lovely card.

I used:

* Clearly for You and Petite Pairs

* Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Pool Party and Whisper White card stock

* Early Espresso, Pool Party and Crumb Cake ink

* Color Spritzer Tool, Pool Party and Early Espresso Markers

* Designer Frames embossing folder

* Scallop punch

* Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon

Happy Birthday Isaac!!!

2011-07-09T14:36:00.000-06:00

My nephew Isaac turns 7 today!!! I had my son (who turns 7 this Thursday) design and color his card for me. Pretty good huh?

We used the new Need For Speed stamp set (which is great for any age of little boy) and a couple Stampin' Write markers to color it in.

After seeing how much fun Cannon had coloring this stamp I figured I'd give it a shot too and here is what I got:

(my plane sort of looks like its crashing. Oops. )

And I put a few of them in a pack for Mr. Isaac so he can use them for Thank You notes, which I know everyone (his mother) appreciates.

We got him a real present too in case you were wondering.

I used:

* Need for speed and On Your Birthday stamp sets ("thank you" is a non SU! sorry)

* Black Stayz On ink

* Basic Grey, Real Red and Whisper White card stock

* Stampin' Pastels and a blender pen

* Stripes embossing folder

Tagtastic!

2011-07-08T01:33:00.001-06:00

You guys! THIS IS A POLAR BEAR ON A BIKE!!!

Seriously. How could I not get this stamp set?

I used:

* Tagtastic (Hostess) stamp set

* Island indigo, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral, Pool Party and Whisper White card stock

* Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo and Early Espresso markers

* Decorative Label and assorted circle punches

* Square Lattice, Polka Dots, Antique Wallpaper and Stripes impressions folders

* Pool Party ruffled ribbon

Bringing Baby-PPA 101

2011-07-07T11:20:00.000-06:00

More new stuff!!!

The challenge today over at Pals Paper Arts is all about the blues. After staring at these beautiful blues for a minute I just had to make a baby boy card. What else could I do?
And of course I had to use my new a-la-carte stamp Bringing Baby. Woot!

I used:
* Bringing Baby and Tiny Tags stamp sets
* Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Whisper White and Naturals Ivory Card stock
* Marina Mist d.s.p.
* Black Stayz On and Night of Navy ink
* Aqua Painter and Crumb Cake ink
* Blender Pens and Stampin' Pastels
* Color Spritzer tool and Soft Suede marker
* Linen Thread
* Sewing Machine and Thread
* Square Lattice impressions folder
* Jewelry Tag and Extra Large Scallop punches
* Mini Clothespins

New Stuff! Turtle & Co. 3 ways!!!

2011-07-07T00:27:00.000-06:00

Is it just me or did June disappear REALLY fast this year? I had all these plans for stamping and blogging and holy cow, I lost an entire month!

In good news, I got a box full of new catalog merchandise today!!! So of course I stamped all evening and had a really fabulous time.

The set I used today is called Turtle & Co. Part of the purchase price of each of these sets is donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. I thought this was a good way to kick off the new catalog. I have known a number of people who have received help from RMHC while their young children were being treated for serious illnesses and I know they're a good organization that is truly helping families. I'm going to buy stamp sets anyway, so I might as well help others while I'm doing it. Thanks Stampin' UP!

Did I mention this set is really cute too?

While using Turtle & Co. I also used as many other new products as I could. I'll point them out as we go along. New product will be in BOLD.

Card #1: Senior Froggy.

I used:

*Turtle & Co. Stamp set

* Lucky Limeade, Pool Party, Melon Mambo and Whisper White Card stock

* Melon Mambo d.s.p.

* Jet Black Stayz on ink

* Lucky Limeade and Melon Mambo markers

*Extra Large Scallop punch

* Stripes impressions folder

* Mini brads (so fun!)

* Color Spritzer Tool

*Sewing machine and thread

Card #2: Mr. Turtle himself.

I used:

* Turtle and Co. Stamp set

* Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Calypso Coral and Whisper White card stock

* Black Stayz On ink

* Lucky Limeade marker with a Blender Pen

* Stripes and Square Lattice impressions folders

* Color Spritzer Tool

* Mini Clothespins (how cute are they?)

*Bakers Twine

Card #3: Slow Snail.

I used:

* Turtle & Co. Stamp Set

* Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Wisteria Wonder and Whisper White Card stock

* Black Stayz On ink

* Calypso Coral, Island Indigo, Wisteria Wonder, Pool Party and Lucky Limeade markers (LOOOOOVE the new in-colors!)

* Polka Dots impression folder

* Pool Party Ruffled Ribbon and Baker's Twine

* Lots of Tags Sizzlits

*Large Oval Punch

Last Chance Stamp Sets!

2011-06-06T01:19:00.000-06:00

To see the full list of retiring stamps sets, click here!

Throughout the month of June I'll be featuring all of my retiring sets.

First up: Dreams Du Jour!!!

I've always wanted to do justice to this stamp set. You know, the works! Glitter, pearls, water coloring, distressing, embossing, hand trimming, ribbons, bows...YAY!!!

I used:

*Dreams Du Jour stamp set

*Soft Suede, Naturals Ivory card stock

*Black Stayz On

*Stampin' Pastels Blender Pens

*Aqua Painter and Soft Suede re-inker

*Dazzling Diamonds

*Basic Pearls

*Antique Wallpaper impressions folder

*Chantilly Crochet Trim

*Distressing Kit

Paper Scraps Case

2011-06-06T00:55:00.000-06:00

I came across a fantastic idea on Andrea Wolford's blog a few weeks ago. such a great idea for paper scraps!

You can see a great video tutorial with all the measurements here.

The great part of this card is you can make it however want, with whatever you want!

Word Play Graduation

2011-06-06T00:44:00.000-06:00

AH! I've had these cards sitting here forever and I totally forgot to blog them. Ooops!

Certain types of cards have rules. Graduation cards definitely have rules! Unless you're making the card for a specific grad and school color combo, stick to lots of brights! Also, stay away from obvious girl or boy stuff like flowers or ships (see below).

So with that in mind, here is my money mailer grad card that can work for anyone. Yay!

I used:

*Word Play

*In Color Designer Paper Pack

* Whisper White, Concord Crush and Poppy Parade Card Stocks

* Concord Crush, Poppy Parade, Peach Parade, Pear Pizzazz markers

*Photo Corner Punch

I had soooo much fun making the first one that I tried it again and got this...

which is also a great card BUT not a generic grad card. Its more of really nice Man-Card because I totally broke the gender rule. Oh well, I like this too!

I used:

*Word Play and The Open Sea stamp sets

*Not Quite Navy, Whisper White, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake card stocks

*Cherry Cobbler, Not Quite Navy and Early Espresso ink

*Nautical Expeditions Designer Paper

*Baker's Twine (White and Soft Suede)

Baby Bottle Tag Along

2011-05-14T13:06:00.000-06:00

These cards were sooo fun to make! I love baby cards because I can use all my favorite things (which involve a lot of polka dots and pastels) and not worry about it being too girly...or baby-ish. Woot!

I'll be selling these in packs of three with one of each color.

I used:

* Tag Alongs and Tiny Tags stamp sets

* Bashful Blue, Pink Pirouette, and Certainly Celery (designer paper and card stock)

* Naturals Ivory and Early Espresso card stock

* Early Espresso ink

* 1 3/4" circle punch, corner rounder punch, and ribbon border punch

* Perfect Polka Dot Impressions folder

* Soft Subtles Buttons (retired)

I had some help in my stamp room today so I had to include some pictures.

We sit side by side here at my table.

I stamp, she colors.

Life is pretty good!

3-Way Card and PPA 92

2011-05-09T23:11:00.002-06:00

The challenge over at Pals Paper Arts this week uses these three fantastic colors so of course I wanted to play along!
But of course, I couldn't stop with my first draft, I had to keep going. But I'm not really sure the card improved at all from this first simple beauty. After all, sometimes less is more right?
So this is my official submission!

I like that on this simpler version, the Happy Birthday is more of a focal point. This is a technique I often forget about but since I couldn't decide what color I should use, blending all three colors by using markers seemed like a pretty good option.

Here in this second version, I took the brad idea from the main flower and repeated it over on the other side. Of course none of the brads (or the ribbon) are actually the right colors but...meh.

And then in haze of punching flowers, I made this one. The jury is still out for me.

What do you think?

I used:

* Afterthoughts stamp set

* Peach Parfait, Pear Pizazz, Poppy Parade and Whisper White (card stock and markers)

* Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch

* Punch Pack and home office hole puncher

*Certainly Celery 1/8" taffeta ribbon

*Brights Brads

For Mother's Day this year, my husband bought me a new glassybaby, as well as installing this lovely shelf in my dining room to hold some of them. I was trying to take a picture with the tulips on my table as well as my spring glassybaby shelf when my daughter saw me with the camera and assumed it was a photo shoot of her. How could I resist that?

Word Play Wedding!

2011-04-26T00:00:00.002-06:00

I had such a great weekend! Not only was it Easter, which is always awesome, my parents are in town too. Yay!!!

When I put my daughter down for a nap today, my mom asked if I could make her a wedding card. OF COURSE!!! I needed to make some wedding cards anyway!

Here is the final project of the afternoon. I love it because it has:
A) A bridal touch (the tulip border on white)
B) A groomal touch (black card base and ribbon)
C) Something blue (the little blue frame)

I used:

*Word Play stamp set

* Basic Black, Baja Blue and Whisper White card stock

* Black satin ribbon

*Black Stays On ink

*Tulip Border embossing folder

In case you're curious about how I arrived at that card, here are the steps I took:

Card 1:

I can't put my finger on whats wrong with it, but its a little bit blahhhhhh. Looking at it made me bored and tired. Never a good sign.

Card 2:

Most things look better with ribbon and this card was no exception. Added a little ribbon and Voila! Instant elegance! BUT...still something not quite perfect about it.

Card 3

Ta Da!

Sneak Peek - Triple Layer Punch!

2011-04-25T00:00:00.001-06:00

This new punch is AMAZING!!!

As of May 1st you too can purchase this fantastic punch.

But its more than just a punch, its three punches in one!

Sooooo cool!!!

I used:

* Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set

* Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Wild Wasabi, Rich Razzleberry and Baja Breeze

* Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch

* Punch Pack

* Subtles brads

* Square Lattice Impressions Folder

Pendant Park for the PPA 90

2011-04-22T01:49:00.000-06:00

The most complicated part of this card was taking a good picture of it! White cards are tricky that way. Also, my camera is crap.

Its been FOREVER since I last submitted a card to the Pals Paper Arts weekly challenge, but I figured if I'm getting back into the swing of things, I should really start challenging myself again. So, here I am.

Its funny, when I saw this card in my mind it was a lot more complex. It had ribbons and pearls, hand cut images and textured layers. Well, sometimes things don't come out the way we imagine. I just couldn't do any of that with this card. It wanted to be plain and simple and white.

Sometimes I feel this way too.

Here's another picture of it. Like I said, its hard for me to capture the character of a white card. I'll let you decide which photo is best.

This would be a really fun card to demo at a workshop because it uses so few products. Its a perfect project for a brand new stamper to get started with. Now I just need to find a hostess!

I used:

* Pendant Park stamp set

* Whisper White and Pear Pizzazz card stocks

* Early Espresso and Pear Pizzazz ink

* 1 3/4" circle punch

That's IT!!!

Lucky You!

2011-04-21T17:43:00.004-06:00

You may have thought that after my last cowboy post, I would have gotten them out of my system. Not so!

In fact I ordered a new set, Afterthoughts (which is actually a hostess set) simply because it has this "Lucky You" greeting in it. It's perfect for the cowboy stuff! Yay!!!! Look how well it works together! Oh, and before anyone asks about the knot, I have no idea what it is or how to do it again!

This card was SO simple an fun to make. I'm not sure when I'll send it to someone, but I'm really digging it right now anyway.

What else am I digging right now?

Yep.

Hugh.

Drover!!!!!!

Moving on,

Here is the inside of the card, which reads "And lucky me for knowing you." Its actually part of the image for the "Lucky You" stamp except I cut it off and made two stamps out of it.

And because one card is never enough, I made another, WAY FUSSIER version of it here. Somehow I like the simpler version above better but I didn't want all that work to go to waste so I'm posting this one too.

I used:

*Out West and Lucky You stamp sets

* Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla

*Square Lattice impressions folder,

* Hemp Twine

* Stampin' Sponges

* Blender Pen and Stampin' Pastels (bottom card)

Spring Card Class and Open House!!!

2011-04-19T21:03:00.001-06:00

Spring Card Class and Open House!!!

Dates:

Thursday May 19th 6:00-9:00 pm

Saturday May 21st at 10:00am - 1:00 pm

At My Home

3924 Parker's Place

Eagle Mountain, UT 84005

Class:

Cost is $20.00

Price includes:

*12 cards (4 each of three styles)

* 12 Envelopes

* Yummy snacks

* Prizes

* Class AND Open House prizes and goodies!

Open House:

FREE!!!

* Yummy Snacks

* Prizes for bringing a friend!

* Door Prizes

* Cards and hand stamped goodies for sale

* Card to make'n'take

Everybody should come!

The class and open house will be held on both days at the same time. For those of you interested in making cards, the class is perfect! For those of you who aren't too sure about making cards, stop by to browse the for-sale items and enjoy the company!

If you'd like to attend the card class, please let me know by May 10th.

All you need to bring with you is a pair of trimming scissors and some scrapbook adhesive. If you don't have any adhesive, I'll have some available for purchase.

Email: natdecker@hotmail.com

Phone: 801-341-9048

253-315-3701

These are some up-close images of the cards we'll be making for the class:

Card #1:

You'll make 4 of these but don't worry, there is no hand cutting! I have a punch for all the parts of the flower!

Card #2:

Can you see the glitter on the cupcake? Well, its on there, and its even cuter in person! You'll make 4 cards just like this one.

Card #3:

Instead of 4 identical cards, you'll make one of each of these 4 colors for this card! AND I'll teach you a trick to tie a pretty knot with your ribbons too!

Sneak Peek - Best Dad Ever

2011-04-19T17:24:00.001-06:00

This is a handy little set from the Summer Mini Catalog which goes on-line on May 1st! Everything in this mini is adorable and if you haven't seen it yet, I've added a link on my right hand side bar.

Did you notice I finally updated my blog? Well I did and I feel soooo much better!

Anyway, I know Father's Day seems like a long way away, but June sneaks up on me, so I'm getting started now. And this set is so fun because it comes with lots of handy phrases as well as the fun ties image. It has "Happy Father's Day" "Best Dad Ever" "Happy Birthday" and "Thinking of You" all of which will be pretty useful. And did I mention the ties are about as manly as anything I've seen? Well, I like the cowboys sets too, but I know a lot more men who wear ties to work than I do who ride horses so I'm feeling pretty practical here.

I think my husband owns ties that look like all of these. He's an attorney so, you know, he has lots of ties.

And do you see that cute string? Its also in the Summer Mini and its called Baker's Twine. It comes in white, white and red, and white and brown. So fun!

Here's another version of the same card again but with a scrap of the new Nautical Expedition designer paper. Cute huh?

I used:

* Best Dad Ever stamp set

* Soft Suede, Cherry Cobbler, Night of Navy and Whisper White

* Polka Dots impressions folder

*Baker's Twine

Clearly For You

2011-04-04T09:57:00.000-06:00

I bought this lovely set, Clearly For You, quite a while ago and this weekend was the first chance I had to play with it at all. It has a lot of tiny and pretty images that could be used for sooooo many things! My next project will be some Jane Eyre inspired bookmarks for my book club, but I thought I'd post these two cards now since who knows when I'll get around to that!
When I'm using a new set, sometimes its nice to copy something from the catalog. It sort of eases me into the feel of the images, their sizes and what I can do woth them. If this card looks familiar, its very simalar to a card on page 29 of the Occasions Mini. But so fun to make!

The colors I used are Marina Mist, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White.

And this card, while not being a copy really, is inspired by a little matchbox on that same page. Sometimes the Stampin' Up! ideas are just to good not to copy..at least a little!

The colors I used on this card are Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive and Naturals Ivory.

Bold Blossom

2011-03-21T00:44:00.000-06:00

Tonight's post features the new Bold Blossom stamp set from the Occasions Mini catalog. Not only is is amazingly cute and easy to use, its also only $9.95 (clear) !!! This is a lot of cuteness for under $10!!!

I love when a set comes with a bold main image, (flower and stem) a nice accent (butterfly) and a greeting that you might actually use (thank you for being you) and this little bargain has it all! I couldn't resist! In fact this set is such a nice complete package that I got distracted and made all of the cards using the included "thank you" greeting instead of making them all into "happy birthday" cards like I planned. Ooops.

Here is my very favorite of the night's work. I had sooo much fun making this! From the textured background and rhinestones to little whimsical butterfly, it was truly a delight. AND it was a first try! Like I said, this set is sooo easy to use!

Circle punches are always handy to have around. On this card I used the 3/4" and 1" sizes on the flowers as well as the 1 3/4" for the greeting. Such a great investment!

These next 4 cards are a little bit simpler and easier to replicate but I think still pretty cute. The color scheme was inspired by the package of Bold Brights brads I have that I really wanted to use. I have a hard time using brads and buttons because it seems like I'm always wanting to pick out one or two colors while the rest languish away abandoned and unloved...but not this time!

To make these flowers I punched out 3 Extra Large Fancy flowers, snipped the petals apart on the top one then just crinkled them briefly in my hand. To assemble, simply peirce the centers and layer together.

The yellow one is my favorite!

I adhered the flowers with Stampin' Dimensionals because I find they are reliable as well as forgiving if you need to say, rip the flower off and change the colors around a bit.

Not that I would ever do that.

Multiple times.

I cut out a little butterfly on these two cards and stuck it on with a glue dot right on top of a coordinating stamped image, but on some of them, I just used the stamped image and that looks fine too if you REALLY hate hand trimming.

*I used:

* Bold Blossom stamp set

* Rick Razzleberry, Old Olive, Delightful Daffodil, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White

* Bold Brights Brads, Basic Rhinestones

* Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbons (both sizes)

* Square Lattice impressions folder

* 3/4", 1", 1 3/4" and Fancy Flower punches

* Paper Piercing tool

COWBOYS!!! (Take time to savor them!)

2011-03-18T23:55:00.001-06:00

You remember how a couple years ago everything was pirates? Well, that's how I'm feeling about cowboys lately. The last two movies I've seen are True Grit and Rango (loved both!), the last couple books I've been crazy about are set in Yellowstone (more to come on that!) and I've just moved into a neighborhood that is all western themed from street names and architecture to the elementary school my son goes to. I'm sort of obsessed and here are the products of my obsession:

I got the idea for this first card from a talented card maker named Michelle Pollard.

I am totally crushing on the little cowboy! He's so cute!!! OK OK I'm actually imagining him as Hugh Jackman in Australia. DROVER!!!!

Need a closer look at that rope?

Who knew hemp twine could look so good? Not as good as THIS, but still, pretty good.

Because I loved the rope idea so much, I thought I'd try it again but this time without any water coloring. I'd like to dedicate this next card to Matt Damon. I know he isn't quite his typical self here, but COME ON!!!

Am I right?

And because I liked the boots so much, I had to make yet another card. And, if you hadn't caught on by now, this to is going to be dedicated to a special cowboy out there. This movie (Cowboys and Aliens!) hasn't actually come out yet, but let me just say that when it does, I'll be the first in line!!!

This one's for you Daniel Craig!!!

Is anyone even looking at the cards anymore?

I know I'm not.

So who wants to get your shiny cowgirl boots on and "Celebrate" Cowboys with me this summer at the movies???

Anyone? Anyone?

In case you were wondering, this card is a lot shinier in person. Darn Camera.

* I used (abbreviated list for first 3 cards)

* Out West and On Your Birthday stamp sets

* Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Naturals Ivory, Crumb Cake

* Hemp Twine, Jumbo Eyelets

* Blender Pen and Stampin' Pastels

* Antique Wallpaper and Square Lattice embossing folders

I used (for the pink card)

* Rose Red, Basic Black (with Stayz On ink), and Whisper White

*Basic Rhinestones

* Silver Smooch Accent Ink

Button Birthday

2011-03-15T22:51:00.000-06:00

I feel compelled again to show you the entire journey of making a card. Most of the time one good card takes at least 3 tries, sometimes more. My stamping room is normally filled with bits and pieces of cards I've made and torn apart and don't know what to do with. This one only took 2 tries! Yay!!!

Here's Take One:

And Take Two:

Isn't it amazing what a layer can do? The whole card pops with color now and its just that much cuter. Also, adding this much card stock costs very little and doesn't harm the card's ability to fit in an envelope either. I say when in doubt, add a layer or two!

And how cute are those buttons?

I used:

* Button Button and On Your Birthday stamp sets

* Rose Red and Crumb Cake ink

* Rose Red, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White card stocks

* Old Olive 5/8" ribbon

* Sweet Buttons embosslit

* Two Tags Die

Build a Blossom!

2011-03-14T01:08:00.000-06:00

I'm really trying to get back in the swing of stamping. I mean, holy cow, it's the middle of March and I haven't even used my spring mini goodies yet. I'm so ashamed.
So, the goal today was to thoroughly play with my Build a Blossom stamp set, Blossom Petals Punch and my Framed Tulips impressions folder. Here are the results!
This is the first card. The flower was super-fun to make but the card itself is super-boring!

So I used the same flower (basically) but spiced up the card a lot. Amazing what a difference a brad can make right? As well as a layer or two! But this flower was a problem now because while its fun and pretty, if I had to make a bunch of them I would hate my life and I have a rule that if I can't make 100 of them, I don't want to make any.

Which brought be to this little beauty. How happy is that yellow flower??? And how cute is the striped ribbon??? But for some reason I wasn't quite satisfied. I don't know why because I actually really love this particular card. Oh well.

But here is my last and final card. Not as flashy as the one with the brad or as cutesy as the one with the ribbon but for some reason, still my favorite. I guess I was in a plain and simple kind of mood. Who knows.

So which one is YOUR favorite???

I used:

* Build a Blossom, Teeny Tiny Wishes and On Your Birthday stamp sets

* Pink Pirouette, Naturals Ivory, Pear Pizazz, Early Espresso, Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive and Very Vanilla (assorted card stocks and inks)

* Framed Tulips impressions folder

* Blossom Petals Punch, 1/2" circle punch, Word Window punch, Modern Label Punch, Crop-o-Dile

* Linen Thread

* Antique Brads, silver brads

Cute Condoms Part II

2011-02-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

Last Valentine's Day as part of a joke, I made these and then posted them to my blog. I never imagined that it would become the post that EVERYONE saw...and then teased me (and my husband) about.

So of course I had to make more Cute Condoms, and here they are. Enjoy!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-13T00:00:00.001-07:00

Sometime this week I realized it's almost Valentine's Day! AH! It's not that I give so many Valentines away or anything, its just that I have so many cute products to use!

This card layout can work with any shape, occasion, patterned paper, embellishment and greeting that you want. The sky is really the limit here with how fancy you can make it too. I added only a little bit of bling to this particular card but I think you could really go nuts...or really simplify and it would still work great.

I'm totally falling in love with this new paper that looks like encyclopedia pages called First Edition.

You get 24 sheets for $11.95!!!!

I used:

* Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set

* Soft Suede ink

* Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, and Rose Red card stock

* First Edition d.s.p.

* Double stitched rose red ribbon (retired, sorry!)

* Square lattice embossing folder

* Heart to heart punch

* Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit die

* Basic Rhinestones

Here's another card made with almost the same materials as the first card but for some reason I didn't like it as well. Maybe there's too much going on for my simple brain to process. I'm not sure.

I used:

* With All My Heart stamp set

* Soft Suede ink

* Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Real Red and Pink Pirouette card stock

* First Edition and Love Patterns d.s.p.

* Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon

* Itty Bitty Shapes punch pack, Scallop Trim Border Punch

* Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit die

* Basic Rhinestones

Denim Valentine

2011-02-12T00:57:00.000-07:00

I know I'm super slow getting these posted, and I'm sorry. Hopefully I'll get back into the groove of stamping AND blogging soon. Moving is a lot of work!

This is the second project I made with my club ladies last month. I love the image of the little girl, I love the sparkly red glitter paper and I love the patterned paper too!

After staring at the above card for a while I thought I'd add a little more sparky glittery goodness and here's what I came up with:

I hope you like this as much as I do!

I used:

* Greeting Card Kids and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets

* Not quite Navy ink pad

* Real Red Marker

* Very Vanilla and Not quite Navy card stock

* Blueberry Crisp d.s.p and Glimmer Paper

* Heart to Heart and Small Heart punches

Are you filled with love?

2011-01-11T20:15:00.000-07:00

Stampin' Up! has a really fun Valentine's promotion going right now. Not only can you get free buttons, you can also buy a special pack of paper that is ALL red and pink! I don't know about you guys but I would buy the pink and red paper pack all year round. I love it!

Isn't it cute?

Click here for promotion details!

Because I just couldn't help myself, I also made some little Ghirardelli boxes with the same basic design,

Click here for a tutorial

I think this will actually be the club's non-card project this month, which will also be my last month with this club :(

I used:

*Love Patterns Designer Paper Pack

* Tiny Tags Stamp Set

* Real Red ink

* Real Red, Pink Pirouette, Crumb Cake, and Whisper White card stock

* Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslits Die

* Scalloped Ribbon Border Punch, Full Heart Punch, Jewelry Tag Punch

* White crochet thread (non SU!)

Happy Birthday Dad!

2011-01-08T00:27:00.000-07:00

Wow. I knew it had been a long time since I last blogged but I didn't realize my last post was before Thanksgiving! I am soooo lame.

Well, I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Years. I know I did.

And LOTS has been happening. Life is crazy.

Lets see, Josh (my husband) was offered a new job in Utah right before Thanksgiving. He started the job right after Thanksgiving. He comes home on the weekends (usually) and together we've been wondering why the house is a) not packed b) not clean or c) not rented or sold and d) where we might live if/when we move. It's been awesome.
My parents came for 2 weeks over Christmas and in that time my father fixed and painted everything, my mother and I packed and cleaned and then miraculously we rented the house and found a super duper cute house to rent.
It looks like we'll be moving to Eagle Mountain Utah (if all goes as planned, which never happens) next Saturday, January 15th. AHHHHH!!!!!!

I'm not usually a fan of lengthy wordy posts because I know you're all only interested in the pictures so I'll get to it!
And let me start by wishing my father a happy birthday and thanking him for being born in January. His birthday (January 12th) always marks the time when I really need to get back into the swing of things, when Christmas break is officially over. Thanks Dad, you're the best.

Happy Birthday.

Also, thanks for coming during your vacation and working to fix my house up the entire time. You're amazing!

With moving there are a lot of very sad things. One of them is saying goodbye to my son's wonderful 1st grade teacher. Here is the Christmas gift I made for her. It's a box of 10 simple thank you cards.

I hope she likes them. We'll sure miss her.

Because I was in a bit of a time crunch this Christmas, and I was a little bit sick of Christmas cards by then anyway, here is the picture that was the front of our cards this year. I thought it captured the essence of the Holiday pretty well!

I had to include this one too because it's just so darn cute!

Oh, and on an end note. My Maggie turned 2 on the 29th and got a hair cut too.

I know I know, she's the cutest thing in the world.

More stamping to come soon!

Happy Birthday Bakery!

2010-11-21T12:39:00.001-07:00

I love this stamp set! I know it sounds bad, but I really enjoyed making a non-Christmas card. I missed the color pink!

And here is the inside.

I used a marker to color just the empty plates. You know, as if they ate all the cakes...?

I used:

* Birthday Bakery stamp set

* Early Espresso ink and Marker

* Rose Red, Early Espresso, Baja Breeze and Whisper White Card stock

* Rose Red designer paper

* Scallop Pinch

* Linen Thread

Christmas Card Class!!!

2010-11-19T11:53:00.002-07:00

Do you still need Christmas Cards?

December 2nd and 4th come to my house and to make 12 cards for only $15.00!!!

Class includes four each of the three cards pictured, envelopes, door prizes, snacks and fun! All you need to bring is some adhesive!

Here are some close ups of the cards we'll be making.

If you need thank you cards, or have some winter b-days coming up this card could be customized to fit exactly what you need!

The times are:

Thursday December 2nd at 6:00 pm

Saturday December 4th at 10:00 am

Christmas Post-its!

2010-11-16T00:30:00.001-07:00

Come on, how great would one of these be as a stocking stuffer or a teacher gift???

And each little post-it holder fits perfectly inside a medium sized cello bag which adds the perfect gifty touch!

You know you want some!

Click here to see some instructions and some links for a tutorial.

Boutique Wrap Up!

2010-11-15T09:21:00.000-07:00

Let my start with a big THANK YOU to everyone who was involved with and came to the Jingle Bell Boutique on Saturday. It was a ton of fun and I leaned a lot about how to do this. I think.

One thing I learned is that I made WAY too much stuff! I have lots of cards and packs of cards still ready to go. Take a look, see if there is anything you'd like!

12 cards in this lovely box for on ly $20.00!!!

6 very fancy cards in a box for only $12.00!

6 Extra fancy cards for only $12.00!

6 card kit for only $10.00

Assorted gift bags. Large only $3.50, small only $3.00!

Gift Card Holders only $2.00! (more styles available!)

Bookmarks only $1.00 (more styles available!)

Pillowbox Kit only $10.00!

Packs of 3 cards for only $5.00 (more styles available!)

Packs of 4 cards for only $5.00 (more styles available)

If you live in the Idaho Falls area, you can come by my place anytime, or I can bring any of this to you. If you live out of town, I'm happy to ship! Just let me know!

Thanks!

Northern Flurry two ways

2010-11-15T00:15:00.001-07:00

I think I've raved about how much I love the Textured Impressions Embossing Folders before haven't I? If not, let me just say, I love them. I love them all! I wasn't going to order this one, but then I saw some of the fun things people are doing with it and of course, I ordered it and here we are.

This first card has a little bit of a vintage feel. I used Very Vanilla and then using a sponge, added some soft suede ink to the edges and the raised bits. A little Cherry Cobbler adds the perfect touch. It's still a very simple and flat card, but totally fancy enough to use as a holiday card. My husband hates it, but I think that might be a good sign.

This second card is almost the exact same layout, but with Whisper White, Real Red, shimmer paint and Pearls!

Can you see the pearls????

And yes, Josh hates this card too and I made it just for him! I wanted to use glitter instead of pearls and we all know where that gets us. Yep, that's right, glittery pants in court and no garbage taken out for a week.

The things we do for love.

Pillowbox Kits

2010-11-13T00:06:00.001-07:00

For those of you who like to make things, but might not have quite as much time as you'd like, this kit is totally for you!

Each kit includes all the fixin's to make 10 of these adorable little pillow boxes; five green with red trim (pictured) as well as five red with green trim. And all are ready to be stuffed with your favorite Christmas candy (or chapstick, cash, jewelry...etc) and handed out. They even have adhesive already on them! So easy!

Snow Swirled Gift Box

2010-11-12T00:06:00.000-07:00

What goes better than rhinestones and snowflakes? Nothing. Because of this, I designed set of cards all around a similar theme of navy, silver, snowflakes and lots and lots of rhinestones. I couldn't help myself.

These pictures totally make it look my wall is the color of throw up but just try to look at the cards instead, ok? If I spent less time stamping I might have time to paint my house, but to be honest, I doubt it would come out much better. I'm not great at picking out paint colors. Don't judge me.

This box comes with 6 cards and envelopes. Perfect for a gift OR to use yourself. Either way, the cards are all really nicely finished with stamped liners on the inside and stamped envelopes to stuff them into.

And did I mention the rhinestones? Well, there are a lot of them, and they're really sparkly!

I also used accents of Brushed Silver card stock on each card which, if you haven't tried yet, you totally should!

Thanks!

Gift Bags!

2010-11-10T12:22:00.000-07:00

I know I'm going just a bit crazy here, but don't we all need gift bags? And not just for Christmas either, for birthdays and baby showers too!

This is only a few of what I've made. I have tons more designs and sizes but I got a little sick of taking pictures so you'll have to either use your imagination, or come to the Jingle Bell Boutique on Saturday!

Dasher Box

2010-11-10T11:30:00.000-07:00

This is the largest set of cards I'll be selling this Saturday at the Jingle Bell Boutique. The set includes the box and 12 coordinating Dasher cards with envelopes. Each card is stamped, embossed, glittered and has a white liner on the inside with a Christmas greeting on the inside.
These would be great cards for anyone use, but because they come in this lovely box they would also make a really super gift for someone else to enjoy.

The box comes with four of each of the following three cards:

This box will be selling for only $20.00 so don't miss out!