Mother's Day 2013

I apologize that I have been absent. I've been having technical problems with my computer and could not post. My daughter kept telling me it's time to replace it with a new one. Easy for her to say, she doesn't have to pay for it. Haha. Oh well, happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful moms out there, especially to my dear mom. My sister and nephew are in town, so all of us have been spending time together at my mom's. We are going to just hang-out today and grill. I am sure restaurants will be so busy and we refuse to join the crowds.

I am so in-love with this Swallowtail stamp. Then again, I love anything with butterflies on it. I didn't think I was going to like this because the image is huge, but I saw other Stampin' Up! demonstrators share their beautiful work using it and I had to have it. With the Pretty in Pink color retiring I had to use it on this card for my mom. I heat embossed the image with black craft ink (also retiring) and it really turned out so pretty.

Don't you just love the faux suede flowers on this huge butterfly?

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Swallowtail (W 129213 C 129216)
Paper: Card stocks in Pretty in Pink and Basic Black, First Edition Specialty DSP (121878)
Ink: Craft Stampin' Pad in Basic Black (102192), Pretty in Pink and Basic Gray Classic stampin' pads
Tools & Accessories: Heat Tool (129053), Stampin' Emboss Powder in Clear (109130), Sponge Daubers (102892), Fancy Flower Punch (118073), 5/8" Crochet Trim ribbon Victoria (118481), 3/8" Basic Glimmer Brads (121003), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

Well, that is all I have for today. Thank you for stopping by. Happy Mother's Day!

Triple Time Stamping

I have recently discovered the triple time stamping technique from the fabulous Dawn Olschefske and I must say I have been stamping 3x the fun lately. I had no idea how easy it was to do. So, I want to share a couple of cards that I made using the Creative Elements stamp set. Same layout just different color card stocks and ink. I found out that it's much better to use solid image stamps on this technique. I taught the gals how to do this a couple of weeks ago during class and they too, were amazed at how easy and pretty their cards turned out.

This one using Calypso Coral ink pad and Friendly Phrases stamp set.

This one using the "retiring" Regal Rose" and Wonderful Mother stamp set.

Well, that is all I have to share for today. I have errands and chores. I took it pretty easy yesterday so I am going to be busy today to make up for it. Sigh. Have a wonderful week, everyone. Thank you for stopping by.

Elements of Style

Have you ever felt like you just needed a time-out? A break from your duties and chores and just stay in your pajamas all day? I'm sure you have. Well, I did just that yesterday. I gave myself a well-deserved and much needed time-out. I made cards ALL DAY. The laundry did not get done, the house did not get cleaned, I did not turn on the stove or the TV. It was a very good day. I just stamped all day and sorted all the colors (card stocks and inks) that will be retired end of next month. I am not too bummed with the color change this year. I am actually very happy that Stampin' Up! will bring back some of my favorite colors. I just don't know how painful it will be when they announce the stamp sets that will be retiring. I really thought I was not going to recover last year because almost my entire shelf got retired. I whined and rant for a couple of weeks, but life went on like always. I was so discouraged that I almost gave-up my SU demonstrator status. However, with my friends' loyalty and support I am still here and ever so grateful that I will be going to convention this summer.

One of my very favorites is Elements of Style stamp set. When I want to feel like a true artist and pretend I have the ability to paint a masterpiece, this is my go to set. We will be making this in class next week. I did not put any sentiment so that it can be used for whatever occasion. I also used two colors that will be retiring, Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery.

Flowers are heat embossed with black craft ink and embossing powder.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Elements of Style (Wood 118611 Clear 120045)
Paper: Card stocks in Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery and Whisper White
Ink: Craft Stampin' pad in Basic Black (102192), Classic stampin' pad in Bashful Blue for sponging the edges, Stampin' Write markers in Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery (105106)
Accessories & tools: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Embossing Folder in Lacy Brocade (127819), Stampin' Emboss Powder in Clear (109130) and Iridescent Ice (101930), 3/16" Corner Rounder punch (119871), sponge daubers (102892), 3/8" Tafetta Ribbon in Bashful Blue (retired) and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

I used the same exact layout on this one, just took out the ribbon and added a sentiment. Not Quite Navy and River Rock will be retiring also. I think this combo will be a really nice Sympathy card.

 

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Elements of Style (Wood 118611 Clear 120045), Blooming with Kindness (Wood 126420 Clear 126422)
Paper: Card stocks in Not Quite Navy, River Rock and Whisper White
Ink: Craft Stampin' pad in Basic Black (102192), Classic Stampin' pad in Not Quite Navy (126971), Stampin' Write markers in Not Quite Navy and River Rock
Accessories & tools: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Embossing Folder in Lacy Brocade (127819), Stampin' Emboss Powder in Clear (109130) and Iridescent Ice (101930), Punches in 3/16" Corner Rounder (119871), 1 1/4" Circle (119861), 1 3/8" Circle (119860), sponge daubers (102892) and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

Thank you to Carolyn Bennett for sharing this with us at SCS.

That's it for now. Thank you for stopping by.

Happy Easter Everybunny

Happy Easter, everyone! This will be a short post because we have to go to my mom's for a late lunch today. It rained all night. The lightning and thunder fascinated my daughter that she kept on looking out the window. I always sleep better when it's raining that's why I sort of had a slow start to my Sunday.

 

 

I used the Everybunny stamp set (W 122705 C 122707). Aren't they the cutest? I really love this set and I have used them the past couple of years. The images are perfect for coloring with markers, aqua painters or blender pens. I hope it does not get included in the retired list. Well, that is all for now. Have a wonderful Easter Sunday, folks! Thank you for stopping by.

Easter Blessings

I apologize that I have been absent. I was busy with so many things, but what really kept me from posting was I felt so disconnected. I functioned on auto-pilot, went with the flow and motion of things...yet felt empty. Have you ever felt like that? Oh well, my son came home this weekend. Although, we did not see much of him because he attended a dance event in town, his presence was just what I needed. I waited up for him Friday night and as soon as he walked in and we hugged, I immediately felt this happiness enveloped me. Sharing a meal with both my kids, joking around and catching-up...priceless. Oh, the simple joys of motherhood.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Easter Blessings (129183), Papillon Potpourri (W 123757 C 123759)
Paper: Card stocks in Calypso Coral, Wisteria Wonder, Lucky Limeade and Very Vanilla
Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade and Wisteria Wonder
Accessories & tools: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Lacey Brocade Embossing Folder (127819), Labels Collection Framelits (125598), Little Leaves Sizzlits (114511), Bitty Butterfly Punch (129406), 5/8" Vanilla Flower Trim (126869), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119247), Paper Piercing tool (126189), Festive Paper Piercing pack (127857), Stampin' Pierce Mat (126199), Glue Dots (103683), Sponge Daubers (102892) and Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

 

 Card Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Mixed Bunch (W 125535 C 125537), Easter Blossoms (retired)
Paper: Card stocks in Pool Party, Summer Starfruit and Whisper White, Sycamore Street DSP
Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Pool Party, Summer Starfruit and Rich Razzleberry
Accessories & tools: Punches in Blossom (125603), 3/16" Corner Rounder (119871) and 3/4" Circle (119873), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

 Well, that's it for now. I wish you all a wonderful and blessed Easter. Thank you for stopping by.

Happy Birthday, Cupcake!

Happy Sunday, everyone! I am running behind today. I would like to think it's due to the Daylight Savings Time. Then again, I really had a lazy morning. Oh well, two more weeks left before Sale-a-Bration (SAB) ends, so I am sharing a birthday card using one of the stamp sets from the SAB catalog called Patterned Occasions.

 

 Card Recipe

Stamp Set: Patterned Occasions (W 129621 C 129624 SAB), Distressed Dots (122815)

Paper: Card stocks in Real Red, Pool Party and Whisper White

Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Real Red and Pool Party

Accessories & tools: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Adorning Accents Edgelits (125595), Punches in 2 1/2" Circle (120906), 2 3/8 Scallop Circle (118874) and Dotted Scallop Circle, Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Glue Dots (103683), 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon in Pool Party (122975) and Paper Snips (103579)

Thank you for stopping by.

Retired BNF Friday #21

Happy Friday, everyone! I have been busy organizing my paper scraps. If you're a paper crafter like me, I am sure you know what I mean when I say that my box of paper scraps have become almost unmanageable. I made it a goal to sort all the colors out, put them in individual folders with labels. Hopefully now I will use them...because I can see them. I love pretty papers and I just hate when they go to waste or left unused. So, I decided to make some Hershey Nugget goodies using scraps from last year's Sale-a-bration Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Paper to share with you today.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Tea Shoppe (W 125545 C 125547), Oval All
Paper: Everyday Enchantment DSP
Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Poppy Parade, Lucky Limeade, Calypso Coral and Basic Black
Accessories & tools: Punches in Large Oval (119855), Scallop Oval (119856), 1 1/4" Circle (119860), 1 3/8" Circle (119860), Blossom (125603) and Curly Label (119851), Assorted ribbons, Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), 3/16" Neutral Brads (119736) and Pearl Basic Jewels (119247)

Well, that's it for now. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone and remember to change your clocks this Saturday night - Spring Forward!