Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Huge Apology!

I'm feeling sooo guilty about not posting for over a month!  I've been dealing with some health issues and a camera problem.....

First for my health.  I've been struggling with a sinus infection since the tail end of September and finally had a sinus procedure right before Christmas.  Unfortunately, I'm still dealing with sinuses that won't drain and can't seem to get over the infection!  The worst part of the whole procedure was my lack of smell/taste for about a week.  I can't imagine having that be a problem for the rest of my life!

The other problem-my camera.  It's difficult to take pictures with a dead camera and a cord to recharge it that just can't seem to be found anywhere!  I'm hoping my daughter can take pictures of the 20 plus Christmas cards that I had made before Thanksgiving and had hoped to share all during the month of December.....so I can at least share them quickly before we get too far past the Christmas season!

Anyway--from my family to yours.....I hope you had a marvelous and blessed Christmas this year!

Friday, November 18, 2011

November Blog Hop--Ode to the Turkey!

Welcome to the 6th stop on our SUStars November Blog Hop-- with the theme of Holiday Gift Giving ideas.  If you've been hopping along you have arrived here from Monica's Add a Little Dazzle --I can't wait to see what ideas she's come up with--I know they will be fabulous because I love her work!  If you haven't been hopping from the start just keep traveling along and you'll get there or use the link here to our SUStars home page.

I'm one of those people who hates to jump to Christmas before Thanksgiving.....so I've created a couple of sweet ideas that could easily hold some little treats and go on your Thanksgiving table.  As my title states they honor that noble bird, the turkey.  By the way, did you know that Benjamin Franklin proposed that the turkey should be our nation's bird--not the eagle!  Just a little trivia......ha!  Here are my projects:

Fancy Favor Turkey Bag
I cut the bag out with my Big Shot using the Fancy Favor die and real red cardstock.  The turkey on the front is an adorable idea that I found online somewhere over a year ago....if it's your idea let me know and I'll give you credit here!  I love it!  The turkey is created with punches and his feathery body is made from 1/4 inch grosgrain ribbon.  I think he's too cute for words personally!  =-)  I'll come back later this week with a quick tutorial for him.  (I need some posts for the future---it's been a month since I've posted--yikes).




Double Milk Carton Turkey Box
I cut out 2 of the milk cartons from my milk carton die on my Big Shot to make one of those 6 sided boxes that are everywhere you look right now!  I cut off 1 of the sections on each and then embossed them with the square lattice embossing folder.  I saw the tutorial for how to make this type of box here on youtube and was inspired to make it into a turkey by Lynn Pratt's post here.  My tail feathers are punched with the scallop oval punch.  The eyes are made with 1" circle punch for choc. chip eye base and lid, 3/4" circle for the whites of the eyes and 1/2" circle for the black.  Oops!  This picture doesn't show the white highlights I added to my eyes with my Signo Gel Pen.  The beak and wattle were hand cut from more mustard and real red. I really like how it turned out and I can't wait to make some more of these with a Christmas theme.
Here's a top view with the highlights in the eyes.  The neat thing is you don't need any holes punched or ribbon to hold the top of the box closed!  Yay--super easy!  My bow is for decorative purposes only!  



Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed my projects.  Now head over to Carey's Stamping Tree House and check out her fabulous projects---she has a tutorial for a great gift card plus more!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

I Love Fall Cards!

I've had 2 Stampin' Up parties over the course of the past 2 weeks.....which is a lot for me!  =-)  Here are the cards that we made.  I am still looking for one of the cards we made to photo, but haven't been able to lay my hands on it yet.

Card #1  Autumn Splendor Card using the Joseph's Coat technique (I saw this here).


This is a really neat technique, but it works best if you allow the work with the ink pads etc.. on the glossy paper to dry over night.  I also learned how to make this cute acorn using the Fancy Flowers Big Shot die and the large oval punch on Frenchie's blog too.


Card # 2  Fall Card using Day of Gratitude and Spice Cake dsp


I love the bold design of this set and the colors of the dsp--pool party, more mustard, and soft suede.  I know I CASEd this from someone--if I figure out who I'll put in the link.

Card #3  Another Fall Card using Spice Cake dsp


This card was cased from Chic 'n Scratch.  I made some slight changes--it uses a new set from the winter mini--Hand Penned Holidays, an a la carte stamp from the big catalog called Triple Treat Flower which coordinates with the Fancy Flower punch, the 5 Petal Flower punch and the 1/2 inch circle punch.  The ribbon is the scallop dot ribbon turned upside down.

Card #4 Spooky Bingo Bits Peek-a-Boo Halloween Card

I was not going to buy the Big Shot Die in the mini--Peek-a-Boo frames because I was not going to make an advent calendar....then I looked at it from a different perspective and at the same time I started seeing other people who were doing the same thing--using an individual frame as a focal point on a card like a "lift a flap" in a children's book.  I've seen this card on several blogs--I think someone made it as a swap card for the group of demonstrators that were in the top 100 this past year!


Very basic front of card -- lift the flap/window and here's what you see:


The inside of the card looks like this--I used the Halloween sentiment from Delightful Dozen.


I am really enjoying the Frightful Sight dsp also.  I've used more Cajun Craze with it then I have in the past 2 years combined.

Card #5  A glimpse of Christmas!

This is a super easy card that I saw here on the blog Simple and Sincere.  I really enjoy Jen's style and have a lot of her cards bookmarked to case.  This uses the set Easy Events.


You can't tell it from here, but I added a touch of Dazzling Details on each of the red berries--very cute in real life!

Last, but not least.....#6  Witch's Hat 3-D Nugget Holder


This uses the petal cone die--and a scallop circle die embossed with the spider web embossing folder. I found the directions on line and when I can figure out where my directions are I'll post the link for you! Here's a link to one a bit like this one--not the exact tutorial I used, but almost--and there's a video with it too! I'm cleaning my stamp room tonight so hopefully this tutorial will show up as well as the missing card! Here's what it looks like from the back--not the best picture, but you get the idea!


Whew!  Okay, can you tell I had trouble dialing back on all the fun fall ideas that I had?  Sooo, instead I demonstrated 4 quickly and then we all made the Halloween card and witch's hat!  I love getting together with this group of women.  Such a stress reliever from everyday worries!  I'm hoping all the cards at once will make up for my lack of posting lately.  I should be able to get cards made to post next weekend as I am off for a day due to parent teacher conferences.  E-mail me if you have any questions!  Dawn

Monday, October 3, 2011

Better Pictures....Gotta Love Sunlight!

I finally had time to take some pictures using natural light--it really makes a huge difference with my camera.  I posted most of them in my "how to make the cauldron" post, but didn't have a place to put in the cards.....so here they are with much better lighting!  So easy....just used Spooky Bingo Bits and Frightful Sight dsp.
I used another little strip of dsp inside with a 2 3/4 square of whisper white and just stamped the "happy halloween" sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

Cauldron and Owl Directions!

Thanks for all the kind comments left by visitors!  Here's how I made the cauldron---it's really very easy!


1.  Cut 2-- 5 inch circles.  I used my circle scissors cutter.
2.  Trim about a 3/4 inch off 1 side of each circle to be the top of the pot.
3.  Cut two rectangles 3/4 inches wide by 5 1/2 inches.  Round all corners of each rectangle.
4.  Glue the rounded rectangle to the top flat edge of each circle--making sure they match each other fairly well.

5.  Punch out four 1 inch circles for the cauldron legs.  
6.  To make the handles  punch first with a 1/2 inch circle punch then center that opening inside a 3/4 inch punch and punch it out--and you get the shape in my picture--you need four!


7.  Make the box for the inside.  Here are the measurements and where to score for a box to hold four 3 x 3 cards and envelopes:

     a.  Cut your cardstock to 5 1/2 by 7 inches.
     b.   On the 5 1/2 in. side score at 1 inch and 4 1/2 inches.
     c.  On the 7 in. side score at 3 in. and 4 in.
Put together using sticky strip.  

   Here are the measurements for a bit wider box if you want to have the cauldron hold a bag of treats!

     a.  Cut cardstock to 6 1/2 by 7 1/2
     b.  On the 6 1/2 inch side score at 1 1/2 inches and at 5 inches
     c.  On the 7 1/2 inch side score at 3 inches and 4 1/2 inches.


8.  Attach the box with sticky strip inside the circles--there should be just a tiny bit of each corner showing that will be covered up by the circle "legs" of the cauldron.  To attach legs to the bottom of the cauldron, I set the cauldron upright to make sure I positioned them in a way that the cauldron can remain standing.  Attach the handles in the position you like.

9.  Add the "brew" bubbling over with Dazzling Details.

I also made a broom because the cauldron seemed really bare to me with only the greeting on it!
To make the broom I stamped a scrap of soft suede cardstock with the woodgrain stamp and then cut off a piece 1/4 inch by 4 1/2 inches and just rounded the top with my scissors.  I then sponged the edges with soft suede ink.
To make the broom part--I cut a crumb cake rectangle and fringed it with my scissors.  Using glue dots to hold it I wrapped it around the broom handle and secured it with glue dots.  I added the string/bow with hemp.  Then finished it by sponging the broom part with soft suede and crinkling them out with my fingers to give the broom more dimension.


I think this would look great with a punch art witch standing in back of the cauldron--don't you?
BTW my greeting came from the SU set Grateful Greetings.

Here's what I used for the Owl Treat Bag:

1. One Early Espresso top note cut out from my Big Shot.  Sponge edges with early espresso ink.
2.  Fold top note in half.
3.  For the eyes, punch out--two 1 1/4 inch circles from whisper white, two 1 inch circles from bashful blue and two 3/4 inch circles from black. For the eyelids punch out one 1 1/4" circle from early espresso, cut in half and sponge with early espresso ink.
4.  Punch out two bird bodies from the bird punch and sponge with early espresso.  Attach as "ear feathers"  (not really ears, but they look like it).
5.  Punch out 1 of the larger hearts from the three heart punch from more mustard cardstock for a beak--I chose the skinnier one--and sponged this also with early espresso.
6.  Punch out one 2 3/8" scallop circle from early espresso, cut in half and sponge.  Attach with glue dots for wings.
6.  Punch out two five petal flowers  from pumpkin pie--sponge with early espresso after you trim down to only 3 petals.  These are attached with glue dots at the bottom of the bag.  It took me several moves to get these positioned so they looked like owl talons.
Speaking of the bag--I used a 3 x 5 cello bag that I had in my stash.
Hope this helps!  Have fun and be sure to e-mail me if you have any questions!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Hop in for Halloween Fun!

Hi Everyone!  
Thank you for hopping today with us, “Hopping Just for the Fun of it”.  Have fun visiting all 17 of our stops this Saturday-- featuring Fall and Halloween projects.  You probably have arrived here today from Patrice's blog,  My Little Patch of Dirt.  I am stop # 7 along the way this month.  


As a first grade teacher (my day job), Halloween is a fun holiday in the classroom and is talked and written about every day from the moment October begins!  For today's hop I created a Cauldron of Cards and a H"owl"oween Treat Bag.  I'll post the details of my projects later this weekend when I have more time to type =-) --so for now enjoy!  


I had a horrible time getting a good photo so here are a few of my cauldron and set of 3 x 3 cards to go in it!











I love the way this little treat owl turned out!  I wish I would have had some fall colored m & m's around to fill the cello bag with.  I think that would be even cuter!


Thanks for stopping by--hope you enjoyed my projects!  Now, to continue our hop head on over to inkedx2 and check out Robbie's great project!  If you get lost along the way you can go to the link above--"Hopping Just for the Fun of It" and get the whole lineup!  Have a great Saturday!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Love this set.....

....the card I made with it.....not so much.  I've seen so many beautiful cards made with this set "Field Flowers" but I certainly was not able to attain that level of beauty with this card.  I tried the spraying your ribbon (seam binding) with water and crumpling it technique which was fun, but my stamping wasn't the best--see the line from the edge of the stamp.  =-(  Oh well....one thing about stamping is, you can keep trying to achieve the look you want as often as you want (as long as you can afford the supplies) Ha!


Hopefully I'll find time to do some stamping this weekend!  I've got a list of things I want to try, now to find the time!

Monday, September 19, 2011

The Box Card!

Somebody recently posted a "box card" on one of the yahoo groups that I'm a member of and I was intrigued by the idea of it!  The tutorial is on Splitcoast Stampers--it has step by step pictures and a video to go with it also.  I used retired paper since I didn't want to ruin my limited supply of current paper (in case it didn't turn out).  I think this paper is either "Spring Showers" or Spring Flowers" from long, long ago....I'd like to experiment with how many note cards and envelopes the box might hold and still lay fairly flat.  I'm guessing not many.   Here's the photo of the box card closed:


And here's what it looks like open:

I've just about reached my end of current creations....must get into my stamp room for more fun.

Ahh--refreshing rain!

We have been without any measurable rain since last June....it has been like a little bubble has covered our farm and any rain that has been in the area has split and gone around us!  So last night after we'd been missed by rain yet again in the morning it was heavenly to wake up to the sound of rain on the roof and thunder echoing!  I was getting tired of all the dust both in my house and out in the fields!  We got a bit over an inch and a half....wonderful!

 On to today's card--I saw a tutorial for a floating window card here and tried my hand at it.  I really like how it turned out and I thank Darlene for the idea and wonderful card to CASE.  Man blogger is giving me fits lately!  I can't seem to get my pictures to download....every post that I've started this past week has taken 2 - 3 days to get posted!  Frustrating!!!


It's hard to see, but the bashful blue showing through is actually the inside of the card.  


Saturday, September 17, 2011

Button, Button, Who's got the Button?

I got this stamp set free during the first few months after becoming a Stampin' Up demonstrator....and I didn't know what to do with it.  It basically sat on the shelf unmounted until I saw a card that is almost the same as this one.  It uses all of the new in-colors and I thought it was cute enough to finally mount the set, Button, Button.

Cardstock used:  Blushing bride, pool party, whisper white
I cased this from Mary Davidson at www. stampinwithmary.com 
For this card check out her July 16, 2011 entry.  

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Too Cute not to Copy!

Back in the heat of the summer, shortly after convention, this idea started surfacing and then the creator, Lorri Heiling, posted a video tutorial for it!  Oh my goodness---I don't know Lorri, but I want to be her!  If you check out her blog you will see how super creative she is!  Anyway, here's my take on her project....this was just my initial try and I noticed after I was all done the little slice on the top part.  Fortunately this was my prototype--not one to give away.  Enjoy and be sure to check out the link!  You can see it's perfect for a gift card for that coffee drinker in your family!  I'm having a horrible time getting my pictures to download----I started this blog post yesterday and after 4 tries finally got the above picture to download!  I'll keep trying for the insert and post it when I can get the picture.




What did I use?
Texturz plate --large dots
Crumb Cake and Crimper
Pear Pizzazz, Early Espresso and Whisper White Cardstock
Stamp Sets:  Four Frames, S.W.A.K., Oval All
Punches: Large Oval, Decorative Label, Scallop Oval, Corner Rounder
Ribbon:  1/2" Stitched Poly-Ribbon







Monday, September 12, 2011

Marvelous Monday....

This morning was beautiful.  I could have kept my class out at recess for much longer than our 15 minute time that's allotted.  Then this afternoon the temperature soared to the high 90's -- AGAIN!  But good news, by Thursday the high is only to be in the low 70's!  I think I can survive!  Okay on to today's card...I saw a card quite similar to this one here and loved the way the pennant punch was used to create a star on the card.  I don't have any current designer paper yet, so I used some retired.  I normally don't make square cards since they cost more to send, but hey--it's got buttons on it so it will take extra $ anyway!  I really like how it turned out!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Stampin' Sunday!

Since I'm usually quite busy during the week with my teaching job my weekends are for stamping--sometimes.  I've had a great weekend as far as stamping goes this week.  I made a lot of cards--at least for me.  I had a large chunk of time that I could devote to my stamping on Saturday!  The first thing I did was work on some watercoloring....I am not very good at it and need to improve since I really love the look of watercolor.  This time I used ink pads and a blender pen with watercolor paper.  I do think they turned out much than some of my past attempts, but I really didn't use any water so I'm not sure I can define it as watercoloring.  I also added a touch of glitter with the new dazzling details....you can't see it here, but the butterfly, rain and truck windows all have a bit of shine.  Look for these as they get made into cards in the coming weeks.



Here's another of the cards I made.....I saw a quick tutorial on how to make the "fancy flower" punch into this flower on Mary Fish's blog.  After watching it I just had to make a sunflower card......I mean, I am from Kansas!  =-)  I used some Crystal Effects on the centers of the flowers and hand cut the leaves.  Just a simple card.


I'll be back tomorrow--enjoy your Sunday evening!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Yippy Skippy--I Stamped!

Finally, things have settled down both at school and at home enough for me to take some time to make some cards and work through some tutorials that I've been wanting to tackle for quite awhile!  Woo Hoo!    I'm so excited because now I have enough cards made to post for 9 straight days!  I've said it before, but I stalk more blogs that I can count and you would not believe the number of wonderfully creative people out there in blogland!  I'm not one to recreate the wheel so as usual---most of my cards are mostly cased with a touch of Dawn here and there.

The card for today uses one of my favorite sets from the new catalog--"Best of Everything."  I got the idea for the fence from "Stamp Nation" which is run by Catherine Pooler.  It uses the tag punch to create the top of the fence line.  I hand cut the birds and the clouds are just half punched from the larger scallop circle punch.


Here's what I used: 
Stamp Sets:  Best of Everything, Woodgrain
Inks:  Soft Suede, Bashful Blue, Calypso Coral, Island Indigo
Accessories:  Retired striped bashful blue ribbon, large tag punch, large scallop circle punch

Don't you love how photos show all of the little problems that you didn't even notice on your card?  This one has a bent corner that I never saw until just now......oh well, I just beat the mailman in crumpling corners.  I'll be back tomorrow--for now I'm off to a football game!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

New Catalog Starts Today!!


This is one of the nicest  Mini Holiday Catalogs that I've seen!  There are a lot of accessories that I can't wait to get my hands on.   If you click on the link below the catalog it will take you to my DBWS page that allows you to download/see the catalog (and place an order if you want)!  If you need a catalog let me know!  I have one just for you!  =-)



I just got an order in today and can't wait to get my stamp sets mounted and start working with them.  Now to find the time to play!  Hopefully I'll be back with some new cards this weekend.  I think I'm finally getting things settled in my classroom so I can get back into a routine that does allow some time for stamping!  

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Time Flies.....whether you are having fun....or not!

It's been almost 3 weeks since I've posted and for that I apologize.  My school year has begun and it's always a busy time getting my classroom ready for first graders and then getting started with the kiddos!   I finally got a chance to get in my stamping room which I still have a bit more unpacking to do in from my move to the basement.  I was finally able to demonstrate at a party.....yay!  I showed 3 cards and then we all made a box to hold nuggets.  I called my party cards an "Ode to the New In-Colors."  I am a blog surfer and all of these projects came from ideas I found on different blogs or sites that I'm a member of.  I've put in links to the appropriate places when I knew where they came from...because all, yes ALL of my projects were CASEd.  


 Here is the cute box that we all made using the matchbox XL die for the Big Shot and "It's a Wrap Occasions" to cover Hershey Nuggets.  The words heartfelt thanks are from the great set, "Fabulous Phrases."  Everybody had the option to emboss their matchbox cover with their choice from embossing folders.  This one shown used "Elegant Bouquet."  This came from Chic'n Scratch--she has a lot of great videos that are easy to follow!


This first card used the new "postage stamp" punch along with its matching set, "Pretty Postage" that was in the summer mini and made it into the IB&C.  It also used the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch and white satin ribbon.  The brads are the new in color Designer Printed Brads.  This idea came from an e-mail that I got from Patty Bennett.

This card used the new in color Wisteria Wonder and Night of Navy paper along with the First Edition dsp.  Card base is Wisteria Wonder with a layer of First Edition topped with Night of Navy embossed with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.  I cut a top note die from wisteria wonder and stamped it with versamark using the background stamp called "Sweet Floral" and then embossed it with clear embossing powder.  I sponged the edge with Wisteria Wonder ink and then attached the Victoria Crochet Trim.  The ribbon didn't really photo well, but you drape a piece of it over the attached piece and then take a button with some linen thread through it and loop it over the draped piece and slide it up and tighten by tying a bow in the button.  (Wow-- that's confusing!) I stamped the frame from "Four Frames and then stamped get well from "Perfectly Penned" and then punched it out with the Decorative Label punch.  This was backed with a Night of Navy Decorative Label punched piece cut in half to make a background for the sentiment.  I got this card idea from Stamping School which you have to pay to be a member of.  It's a great deal and you get access to a huge video library that is exclusively Stampin' Up.  There are 2 new videos posted each Sunday.


This card was made with one of my favorite sets from the new catalog, "Best of Everything."  Such a cute set and it's very versatile!  I used some of the "Berry Blossom" dsp and the little flower punch from the triple punch pack with pearls for the centers.  The card base is Lucky Limeade and the bird is stamped in Calypso Coral.  The early espresso strip is punched from the ribbon punch.  I got this card idea from Stamp Nation another group by Catherine Pooler that I am a member of.  

Hopefully I'll be able to get settled back into a routine with school and stamping and be able to post a bit more regularly!  As always shoot me an e-mail if you have any questions.  Dawn








Sunday, July 31, 2011

Stampin Friends!

I haven't stamped much lately due to the arrival of my grandson (and not being home). However, right before I left on vacation my friend, Nora, called and said, "Help!  I've got to have a shower and wedding card by this weekend!"  So she came out and here's what she came up with!


I'm not sure, but I think this was for the wedding and the following was for the shower.



Hopefully I'll be back with something that I've created soon!  


Monday, July 25, 2011

Precious!

We were trying to sneak in a vacation before our grandson was to arrive on August 9th so we headed from the 106 temperatures of central Kansas to the humidity of northern Indiana and Oliver Lake.  We'd been enjoying the water for 3 days out of our 10 day stay when we got the call....baby on the way!  So we threw our bags in the van and headed back to KS to meet our precious new grandson--Brody James....we are already in love!  Anyway--no stamping just this cutie patootie at 13 hours old!

Friday, July 15, 2011

Swap # 5 (the last one)!

The last swap I participated in was a background swap.  I made "Faux Barn Board" which is the coolest technique ever!  I found it on Splitcoast in their tutorials.  You need a piece of light colored cardstock.  You paint it with white slick paint that has 4 - 5 drops of reinker mixed into it.  I used soft suede.  Let it dry and then paint over the top with a thin coat of white Elmer's Glue.  Let it get ALMOST dry (this is the trickiest part) then paint over the top of it with a thin coat of white slick paint.  Then the magic happens!!  As the paint dries it starts to split like wood grain!  Very cool.  Here's a picture of my background.....I'll be back later with a card made using this background!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Swap # 4 and BLOG CANDY!!

I'm so sorry I didn't get my blog candy announcement made on Monday when I said I was going to!  I got a bit distracted with this:


I've been searching for a miniature schnauzer like mine and my mom's for my sister and on Monday I found an ad pointing me in the direction of this little guy's owner....he's a parti schnauzer and we think he looks udderly adorable and a bit like a holstein -- unlike any schnauzer that we've ever owned before!  He should stay small (7 lbs.) and is just a delight right now--but he has taken up a bit of my time!  I'll take him to my sister when we head out to Indiana later in July.  They can't wait to meet him (no name now other than "puppy boy") Anyway that's my reason for the delay in announcing my blog candy from last weekend's blog hop!  

The winner from those who signed up to be my followers is:  Lisa! 
Please contact me with your address and I'll get it mailed to you after you choose your stamp set from those available!  =-)

Here's my fourth swap--the 6 x 6 recipe card:  I made it to highlight my all time favorite apple pie recipe.


I guarantee if you make it and serve it with a bit of vanilla ice cream you'll be considered a baker extraordinaire! Yummy!


Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Envelope for the Envelope?

A little over a month ago I made this card.  It's called an envelope card because the exterior is made from a sealed envelope and then there is a little notecard that slides in and out of it for the message.  One thing I didn't take into consideration was if you make the card out of an envelope what do you mail it in??  I took this card with me on a trip hoping to mail it to a friend while I was there....hmmm....it doesn't fit in my envelopes (A2)....ooops!  So I have a picture of the card that I love, but has not yet been sent to anyone...maybe I'll find a bigger envelope after I unpack my stamp room from it's move to the basement!

I love the colors in this designer paper!  Too bad it's retired now (but I did stock up on it for the future).

Monday, July 11, 2011

Swap #3 One Sheet Wonder

The third swap I participated in was the one sheet wonder...the idea behind this is to stamp and make your own designer paper and then cut it apart to make a bunch of cards.  The person in charge of this swap was kind enough to include a cutting pattern so I an't wait to make some cards using some of the wonderful designs I received!  Here's the one I contributed to the swap:


This picture actually shows two 8.5 x 11 sheets.  I used "Fox and Friends" thinking it could be used for baby cards and child birthday cards.  See the lion?  That's a new in-color--Calypso Coral.  =-)
Thanks to all who became followers of my blog!  I'll be back with the winner of the blog candy later today!

Friday, July 8, 2011

VC Rocks! ABC Blog Hop!

Welcome to my first blog hop ever!  I'm so excited to be stop #11 on this "Anything But a Card" Hop that's made up of so many talented stampers!  You should be arriving from "Life with a Wiener Dog"--isn't Angela's project great?  If you came here by chance you can just keep moving on through the links and eventually circle around until you've visited all the blogs in this hop!  Keep reading to the bottom--I've got BLOG CANDY!

I am basically a card maker so coming up with an idea was a bit of a challenge for me.  I was walking through the clearance aisle in Wal-Mart last weekend when I happened upon some plates that were being sold and I remembered some seasonal inserts for plates that I had really liked when I was blog surfing about 3 years ago.  Initially I wanted to create a fall, winter, spring and summer plate (and I may yet do that), but here's what I ended up with--hope you like!


Sorry for the picture quality.  I had a horrible time finding good light and not getting too much reflection off the plate!  I put two velcro dots on my plate at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock and then added the other part of the velcro to each insert.  I have one for spring/summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day.  I used the stamp set "Loads of Love" which has been around forever, but I still love!  I also used its accessory set also.  I'm pretty excited how these turned out and am looking forward to using them on the mantle of my fireplace.  I got my inspiration from a card I saw here at DarleneDesign.com (love this blog)!



For each insert I cut a 6 inch circle of Bashful Blue CS using my Circle Scissors Plus and then pieced some scraps of green on the bottom part of each circle except for the Christmas one where I added Crumb Cake CS instead.  I stamped the truck twice once on the bashful blue and once on some scraps of designer paper in Not Quite Navy, Garden Green, Crumb Cake and Real Red.  I realized that my circle was still too small for my plate so I traced one of my dessert plates on Pumpkin Pie, Cherry Cobbler, Melon Mambo and Real Red for a background circle.  I added scallops the "old-fashioned" way using my corner rounder without the guard and punched holes in each scallop with my 1/8" hole punch.  I hand cut clouds from Whisper White CS embossed with perfect polka dot and square lattice embossing folders.  The sentiments came from a variety of stamp sets other than Loads of Love and are listed below.

Supply List:

Stamp Sets:  Loads of Love, Loads of Love Accessories, Christmas Greetings, Thankful for, Fabulous Florets, Grateful Greetings
Punches:  4 petal flower from Itty Bitty punch pack,  Owl punch (for pumpkins and hearts falling off truck)
DSP:  Patterns Designer Paper Stack (see above for colors), small scraps for presents falling off truck
Ribbon:  Dusty Durango polka dot, Melon Mambo polka dot, Cherry Cobbler seam binding, Real Red 1/4" grosgrain
Accessories:  Pearls, Crystal Effects (for windshield and window), blender pen, Basic Black marker, Red and Pink glitter

BLOG CANDY!  I have a stamp set, ribbon and a stack of 6 x 6 retired dsp to give away.  All you have to do is become a follower of my blog! (I need some)!  I will randomly choose someone from my new followers on Monday, July 11! 

  If you have any questions let me know!  Thanks for visiting-- come back again!

Here is the start of the Blog Hop if you want to go from the beginning!

    
 

Click here to go see the great project that Sharon has created for you!  You are going to love it!