Guest stamper and kid friendly birthday cards!

 My wonderful neighbor and babysitter, Mariah, came over today to help design these cards for a fundraiser she's helping with. She wanted a couple simple birthday cards that children could make and would be excited to share. Didn't she do a great job!?!

These cards are great for kids, but they're pretty nice for adults too! Who says a grown up can't enjoy a purple dragon fly or a sports car? I certainly like both of those things!

I'm just not sure which one I like better!

WINNER!!!

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!)

Fifth Avenue Bithday - Two Ways

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?)

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

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

Birthday Party Invites for Baby!

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

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!

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

Word Play Birthday and PPA 105

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

Happy Birthday Isaac!!!

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!

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

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

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

3-Way Card and PPA 92

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?

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

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

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!

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