Twi-Cards!

I know I know, I'm  a lame-o. I had to do something to distract myself. You see, the retired stamp and accessory list comes out on Tuesday June 1st and this is one of the few things that demonstrators don't get to see ahead of time. I've been through this before, I know I'll be sad to see some things go and others I'll be ready to say goodbye to. I also know that Tuesday will come eventually but...I still HATE WAITING!!! Seriously, I keep asking myself  "Is it closer to Tuesday yet?" Pathetic. People are supposed to enjoy holiday weekends, not count the seconds till they're over.

Anyway, I went to a friends house tonight to watch the DVD of New Moon and giggle every time Jacob Black is shirtless, which is a lot. So, of course I HAD to make a card to commemorate the occasion. We've all heard of Twi-Hards and Twi-Tards (which I think are the same thing) but now we have Twi-Cards. Yay!

To make the cool ruffle with ribbon, I laid two stripes of Sticky Strip across the card where I wanted the ribbon to be and then just folded and pressed down how I liked it. It also looks really nice if you make a uniform ruffle, but I didn't feel very uniform today.

And here's the inside.

I used:

* Vintage Vogue and Fun and Fast Notes stamp sets

* Basic Black and Versamark Ink

* Basic Black, Real Red and Whisper White card stock

* Clear embossing powder

* Lots of Tags Sizzlit dies, Wide Oval Punch

* Basic Black Satin Ribbon

The inspiration for the next card came from this card. I think it looks a lot "Twilight-ier" in black like she has, but I don't actually have any black re-inker. I also wanted to use red satin ribbon but sadly, I don't have any of that either. I may have to place an order and make another Twi-Card just to see how much better it looks with the colors flipped around.

Are you loving the "Together Forever" sentiment? I thought it was just too good to pass up.

I used:

* Fun and Fast Notes stamp set

* Basic Black Ink pad and Real Red re-inker

* Basic Black and Very Very Vanilla card stock

* Bridesmaid Designer Paper

* Lots of Tags Sizzlit dies, Wide Oval Punch

* Basic Black Satin Ribbon

And then for no reason at all , I thought I'd post some pics of my cute kids. We were having a lazy messy morning. Most mornings are that way.

I'll see you again on Tuesday with the retired list!

Is it closer to Tuesday yet?

My Digital Studio Pages

I spent the last 2 days making my first digital scrapbook album. That's right, TWO DAYS! Not two years or two months like usual. And do you know how much mess I made (none!) or how many trips to the craft store? (ZERO!!!)

It has taken me a while to get the hang of the My Digital Studio software. It's not that the software is difficult, but I've never done this without paper and ink. It's an adjustment. But now that I know what it can do and how to use it, my digital projects seem to be getting pretty good. I'll have this album, which has been on my "to-do" list since last April, professionally printed and bound into a book. It's a full 28 pages long and in the 8x8 format. I'm pretty excited to get my hands on it.
Here are a couple of the pages I made:

Because I really wanted to finish the book and also because I'm not that good of a scrapbooker, I used a setting that gives me pre-designed pages. I chose the pages I wanted as I went a long, inserted my photos and then I could either leave it as is and change nothing like the page above;

Or tweak the layout to suit my needs like the page below. It originally only had a spot for one photo and it said "Happy" instead of "Scary" and I added the journaling. Oh, and the title of course.

Hopefully you'll be seeing more stuff coming from My Digital Studio now that I know how to use it. Maybe I'll even try designing some pages on my own...

Winner!!!

The lucky winer of my Birthday Blog Giveway is....LIZ!!! Yay! Congratulations Liz! I hope you lurve your new stuff! Please send me an email with your address to natdecker@hotmail.com so I can get your stuff in the mail.

Thanks to everyone who participated! I had so much fun reading all of your lovely comments and Birthday Wishes. You are wonderful!

If you didn't win, don't worry. I had so much fun giving this stuff away I'm already planning another giveaway for this August. Stay tuned!

Thanks All!

Happy Graduation!!!

This is the 3rd of 3 projects we made at club this month. I don't know why it's taken me sooo long to post it, but I've had it sitting around forever! I've had a real weak spot for the single stamps on the back pages of the last few mini catalogs. At Christmas it was Dasher (sigh) and in the spring, the Chocolate Bunny (swoon) and now this little Happy Grad. Are we all relieved that it's not another fictional holiday character this time for my sake? I don't know what I would have done if they'd made a tooth fairy stamp. Faint probably.
I got inspiration for this from the card on page 31 of the summer mini catalog. It doesn't really look the same but I liked the idea of markers on the stamp to add a little wow factor and I also liked that they used stars. I think the stars in this case are very gender neutral and celebratory, as they should be.

The other thing I love about my card here is the size. It is 6 1/2" x 3 1/4". It fits perfectly into one of Stampin' Up!'s open ended envelopes and it holds a check or cash perfectly inside. And after all, isn't that what every graduate wants?

I used:

* Happy Grad stamp

* Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie markers

* Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red and Tempting Turquoise Card Stock

* Old Olive Designer Series Paper (or maybe a scrap of old Christmas paper. Sorry)

* Real Red 1/4" grosgrain Ribbon

* Large Star Punch and Spiral Punch

Friend Gift - Wtercolor Trio

This is the set of cards I gave to the ladies who brought a new friend with them to my last class. Actually they came un assembled, each card in stamped envelope and the whole thing tied with a ribbon. Cards make great gifts. Thanks to all of you who brought a friend and I hope you enjoy your little pack of cards.

I used markers to directly on the rubber stamps to get the multicolored image. This technique takes just a couple of minutes but I thik it really adds a lot to your projects. I love that SU! has so many products in matching colors. It makes life so simple and beautiful!

Theses cards use so many of my favorite things. I LOVE the new Watercolor Trio stamp set. I can't stop using it! Every single stamp in the set is perfect and I used all of them on this set.

I also LOVE my  Top Note Die for my Big Shot. Even if this was the only die I ever used, the Big Shot would still be worth the money! Fortunately, there are lots of great dies and textures and all sort of fun things that I also love.

I LOVE the large oval punch paired with the oval scallop punch. This duo works with tons of sentiments and always adds a touch of class...and its quick!

And of course I LOVE all ribbons but the satin ribbon is just so soft and feminine. Love Love.

I used:

* Watercolor Trio stamp set

* Certinly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red Markers

* Certainly Celery and Soft Suede Clsasic Stampin Pads

* Certainly Celery, Soft Suede, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White Card Stock
* Pretty in Pink satin ribbon

* Wide Oval, and Scallop Oval Punches

* Top Note Bigz Die

Happy Birthday to me and BLOG CANDY!!!

Today is my Birthday! Yay!!!

I know I'm way too old to get excited about birthdays still...but here I am. I love them!

One of the things I'd really like for my b-day (along with a surprise trip to Paris) is more blog followers.

 So, I'm offering a bribe/reward.

Do you see all the great products in this picture? They could be yours! All you have to do is become a follower (publicly) and then leave a comment on this post. If you're already a follower, just leave a comment!

Blog Candy Prize includes:

* Wings of Friendship Level 2 hostess stamp set

* 12x12 pack of Baja Breeze Designer Series Paper (that color is retired but is coming back in July)

* Whisper White Craft Stampin' Pad

* Champagne Shimmer Paint

* Riding Hood Red 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon (also a returning color!)

(everything is brand new and un-opened)

If you'd like to enter (and you have a mailing address in the continental US) just click the "follow" button on the right sidebar and go through the steps. Then leave a comment wishing me a happy birthday. In one week, on May 25th, I'll randomly select a winner and announce it here on my blog. Have friends that would like to win some stamps? Send them over here too!

Thanks all!

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me....

Smooch and Watercolor!

This is the second of three projects we did at club Wednesday night. You may not be able to tell but it is alos covered in the new Vanilla Smooch Spritz which just adds a lovely subtle shimmer to any project.

I colored the stamp with markers and then before stamping it, sprayed it with just a touch of water to help blend the colors. It softens the look just a bit more and is very lovely. The more water, the less defined your image will be. I might do one sometime with a lot of water sprayed on to show what that would look like. You might need to experiment a little with this before you find where it works for you.
The dimensions of this little note card are 3x3 so it fits perfectly in a little envelope and would be lovely on a plate of cookies, on top of a wrapped gift or tucked in gift bag.

Here's the large version of the card. I used all the same products and techniques except the Smooch is only on the white card stock peices. This card design is truly, one of the simplest and most versatile. Make a little tag, attach it to a card, add a greeting and some ribbon. Done.

Did I mention I got the inspiration for this from the quilt on my bed? It even has pink satin ribbon around the edges. Its really lovely. I would include a picture but that would require me to make the bed but my Mother's not in town or anything, so the bed won't be getting made.

I used:

* Watercolor Trio stamp set

* Rose red and Pretty in pink ink pads

* Rose Red, Pretty in pink and Certainly Celery Markers

* Rose Red, Certainly Celery and whisper White Card Stock

* Pink Satin ribbon, linen thread,

* Vanilla Smooch Spritz

* Tag corner Punch