Thank You for Teachers

As the school year draws to an end, this is what I made for my daughter's teachers.  This is CASE'd from Holly.  When I was making this (um... the day before they were given out... ahem), I could not find my Woodgrain background stamp.  So I didn't copy Holly's card exactly.   In any case, the apple is made from the now-retired Round Tab punch.  Oh, the sadness of it. *sniff, sniff*  The seeds are from the also-retired Triple Blossoms punch.  The Pencil is made from using Word Window punch.  I cut the letters using my electronic cutter, only because I don't have any alphabet dies for the Big Shot.  Would have been easier than to tinker with sizes and fonts on the electronic machine and wasting a few sheets of paper in the process.

 This is an Easel Card turned on the side.  I simply put a gift card on the inside of the card.

To all my teacher friends and all the teachers out there... THANK YOU for teaching our children.  I don't know how you do it, but my child loves school, loves learning, and I am amazed at her progress in the last 9 months.  Can't wait to see what's in store for next year!

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Romance Week #1

Happy the day before Valentine's Day!  Since this is the week of love and romance, I thought I should do a Romance week of cards featuring Bordering on Romance stamp set from the Occasions Mini catalog.

The very first card this week is inspired by Chiaki.

I don't usually like to color.  But I'm surprised at how nicely this stamp set shows off colors.  I squeezed some ink from the inkpad onto the lid and used my Blender Pen to pick up the color to color.  I started in the center of the flower, then moved out.  I didn't use watercolor paper.  This is just plain Whisper White.  It still took up colors very well.  Remember to draw the Blender Pen on scratch paper until it runs clear, then you can use it to pick up a different color.  The tip of the pen will be discolored, but don't worry about that.  There is no need for different pen for different color here.

My Supplies List (all supplies and images by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):

Stamp Set(s): Bordering on Romance, Create a Cupcake (sentiment)

Ink: Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red

Papers: Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Twitterpated DSP

Accessories: Adorning Accents embossing folder, Modern Label Punch, Word Window punch, Riding Hood Red Seam Binding ribbon, Blender Pen, Basic Pearls,  Cr*cut (for circle and scallop circle shapes)

Item #125482 Clear-Mount $21.95

Item #125480 Wood-Mount $27.95

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Cat's Meow

Happy Sunday!

Yes, I know this is not a Stampin' Up! card.  But this is so darn cute, I just had to share it.  I used the Cr*cut's Create a Critter cartridge to cut the kitty and her pillow.  Isn't she adorable?  I made this card for a 4-year old girl who loves cats.  And of course who wouldn't like their cat be all blinged up?  The sentiment is from My P!nk Stamper's line.

Well, that was an extra special post for ya!  Hope you enjoyed your weekend!  Be sure to check back tomorrow.  I have a very special week of cards planned for you.

Telescoping Snowman

CASE'd from Becky of Inking Idaho, with very minor tweaks.  See her tutorial at her blog or I pasted it for you below.

Isn't he just too cute?  Above is him folded up.
Below you see him standing.

I made these to send to my niece and nephew.  Just prior to sending them, I added a rhinestone to the flower in the hat and a small piece of ribbon, so they can hang them on their tree.  This one is made with Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive.  I made a second one with Tempting Turquoise and Daffodil Delight.  I love using non-traditional holiday colors!

This version is by Becky Roberts:
Hat is the 1” Square Punch - round the top corners with the Corner Rounder. Brim is the Word Window Punch. Cherry Cobbler Waffle Ribbon for hat band and Boho Blossoms flower in Silver Glimmer paper for the snowflake. Tie a Cherry Cobbler Bakers Twine bow.

Head is 1-3/4” Circle Punch in Cherry Cobbler. White 1-1/2” Circle from Circles #2 die-cut. Eyes are 1/4” Circle Punch, nose is a wedge from the Pennant die-cut, mouth is hand drawn.

Center Circle is 2-1/2” Circle of Old Olive. It can be from the punch or the Circles #2 die-cut. White is 2” Circle from Circles #2 die-cut. Emboss with Northern Flurry Die Cut. Buttons are the Circle Punch from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack. Arms are from the Snowflake Punch.

Bottom Circle is Scallop Circle #2 die-cut in Cherry Cobbler. White is 3” Circle die-cut. Stamp set is Snow Much Fun.

He is assembled with Silver Mini Brads. When assembling him, place the bottom circle so the stamp design is straight in front of you. Place the middle circle with the arms upside down on top of the bottom circle. Make sure the buttons are straight in front of you. Center him within the white area of the bottom circle and add brad.

Unfold him; put the center piece (that is right side up now) straight in front of you. Place his head upside down on the center circle (upside down is not inside out!) so that his hat is facing down towards the bottom of the snowman. Center him within the white circle of the center piece and add brad.

Unfold him and he should be perfect! If he’s too floppy and keeps collapsing in on himself, smash the brads tighter.

Monkey Kids

Getting down to the wire to submit for this week's Monkey Challenge.  Here's this week's challenge:

I don't think I have any good SU kids stamps, so I decided to use my Cr*cut.  The pattern paper is from big box store that I bought pre-demo days last year.  It's double sided, so I knew at least those colors wold match.  The harder part is trying to match any of my existing papers to the pattern paper.  Which, as many of you may have found out, is almost always nearly impossible.  That's the beauty of Stampin' Up!'s color coordinating cardstock and accessories.  I really dislike mismatching or uncoordinating color papers together.  That was one big reason that I turned to SU.  I knew the quality was there; and the color coordination just cinched the deal.

Well, I tried to follow the sketch with this one.  But somehow I think I veered off a little too much.  Oh well, it can still be a kids' card, right?  I mean, this frog is just too adorable.

My Supplies List (all supplies and images by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):

Stamp Set(s): More Punny-licious (non-SU)

Ink: Almost Amethyst

Papers:  Not Quite Navy, Almost Amethyst, Regal Rose, Mellow Moss (frog body, retired), River Rock (frog tummy), Wild Wasabi (lily pad), Natural Ivory (non-SU)

Accessories: Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Cr*cut

Anniversary

Today is our Anniversary.  I wanted to make my husband a nice card without being too frilly.  I saw THIS card on Laurie's blog, which is perfect!  Of course I had to CASE it.

I didn't do the hearts, because that's just not us. :)  This was such a simple card, and very sweet, I think.
Here's the inside:

I used a sheet from the Elegant Soiree DSP for the background.  Have I ever sung the praises of this DSP for its masculine patterns???  I LOVE using this DSP for my male cards.  This particular pattern reminds me of one of my husband's shirts.  I just love the simplicity of this card.  Love the owls in the shadow (only had to punch them out in black!).  I didn't have any sentiment stamps for the "LOVE" part.  So I cut it using my Cr*cut.

BTW, since we're always looking for good masculine cards, HERE's another awesome card using Elegant Soiree DSP and Owl punch.

My Supplies List (all supplies and images by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):

Stamp Set(s): A Word for You (inside)

Ink: Baja Breeze, Soft Suede

Papers:  Baja Breeze, Elegant Soiree DSP

Accessories: Polka Dots embossing folder, Two-Step Owl punch, Two-Step Bird punch, Cr*cut

Baby Mashup

This week's Friday Mashup challenge was Baby + Punch/Die.

OK, I tried to be clever and wanted to do a baby punchart.  I looked high and low, and was contemplating THIS.  Cute, huh?  Well, I decided I just don't have quite the energy over the weekend to do the intricate work.  However, I decided to send my cousin who just had a baby couple of weeks ago a box of things, and thought I'd make a card for her.  I had a card for her originally, but decided it's not quite her style (a bit too fussy).  So I decided to simplify.  What I wanted to try is use the equivalent of SU!'s Diamond Dust (I think).  The stuff I used is actually from a stamping convention that I went to locally more than 10 years ago.  What reminded me to use it was when I saw THIS card.

I originally intended to use Pretty in Pink and Certainly Celery.  I was about to ink up the elephants with Certainly Celery, then changed my mind.  I was afraid it would be too light when I put the Dust on top.  So I decided to change to Old Olive.  I cut the circles with my Cr*cut.  Then I decided Pretty in Pink was a bit too bright, so I changed it to Blushing Bride.  Lastly, I was going to use So Saffron for the little strip.  Changed my mind and used a piece of retired Lovely Lilac instead.  The little sentiment flag is from the Petal Cone die.

My Supplies List (all supplies and images by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):

Stamp Set(s): Baby Steps

Ink: Old Olive

Papers:  Old Olive, Blushing Bride, Lovely Lilac (retired)

Accessories: Petal Cone die, Square Lattice embossing folder, Cr*cut, 2-sided adhesive sheet (non-SU), diamond dust (non-SU)

Hedgehog for Monkey Animal

My rabbit card didn't win the Monkey Princess badge, but I got invited to be a future guest designer on A La Card Monkey!  See THIS post.  I'm so excited!!!  I don't know what it all involves.  But I'm sure it'll be lots of fun!  Stay tuned!

This week's challenge is animal plus sketch.  HERE's the challenge:

Here's my card:

I decided to use Hedgehog Happiness set from 2000.  Yes, I know it's a very old set.  BUT, I love these hedgehogs!  Of course it's been long since retired.  But that doesn't mean they can't come out to play once in awhile, right?  I figured, in honor of last day of Occasions Mini, I would use this totally awesome Springtime Vintage DSP once more.  I used my Cr*cut to cut the large circle.  I used the brand new Triple Layer punch for the flower on the bottom right.  Since I'm using a retired stamp set, I figured what's another retired item to use on the card, right?  I used the Pretty in Pink Epoxy Brad as the center of the flower.

My Supplies List (all supplies and images by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):

Stamp Set(s): Hedgehog Happiness (retired)

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Papers:  Pear Pizzazz, Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Baja Breeze, Springtime Vintage DSP

Accessories: Scallop Trim Border punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Sponge, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch, Epoxy Brad (retired), Cr*cut

Sweet Sunday Easter Girl

Upping my challenge participation this week.  Today I have a card based on the Sweet Sunday sketch, shown below.

I like the simplicity of this sketch, not too many layers, with a large focus for main image.  Plus, Karen always has awesome sketches for Sweet Sunday anyways.  Here's my card.  Told you I'm not done with Easter Blossoms yet!

My Supplies List (all supplies and images by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):

Stamp Set(s): Easter Blossoms

Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede

Papers: Baja Breeze, Rose Red, Always Artichoke, Springtime Vintage DSP

Accessories: Corner Ticket punch, Subtles Brads, Beautiful Wings embosslit, Basic Pearls, Cr*cut (for the big circles)

Sale-a-Bration Almost Over!

Oh, I'll be soooo sad when Sale-a-Bration ends tomorrow.  It's the most fabulous time of the year when you can get FREE STUFF!!!  Luckily we still have another month of the awesome Occasions Mini catalog to go.  Then Summer Mini catalog starts.  There are some good surprises in store for you!  Then, the brand spankin' new Idea Book & Catalog for 2011-2012 will be here in July!  I cannot wait!!!!  Anything you want to see in the new catalog?

This card is CASE'd from LaLatty.  OK, I confess... I don't have Top Note Die yet.  I used Cr*cut to cut this shape.  And actually this was a piece of scrap that's been on my table forever.  So I was very happy to use it up!  I changed some elements, so that I could use the freebies from the Sale-a-Bration catalog.  The butterfly was added per my daughter's request.  Apparently the lone bee was very lonely and wanted a friend.  LOL.  I used Versamark to stamp the last layer.  Because, as you know, I can't stand plain paper!

 Oops!  How did Easter Blossom sneak in here again? :D  This one is CASE'd from Kelli.  I used the FREE Ice Cream Parlor Paper and Quick Accents Pack.

ETA:  Geez, you guys, I must be losing my marbles.  Sorry, this second card was already posted once on 3/22.  Oops.  Sorry for the re-run.

My Supplies List (all supplies and images by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):

Stamp Set(s): Sweet Summer (FREE Sale-a-Bration set), Punch Bunch (FREE Sale-a-Bration set), Easter Blossoms, So Happy for You (FREE Sale-a-Bration set)

Ink: Old Olive, Melon Mambo, Crumb Cake, Brocade Blue (retired)

Papers: Melon Mambo, Old Olive, Ice Cream Parlor DSP & Quick Accents Pack, Brocade Blue (retired)

Accessories: Circle punches, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Square Lattice embossing folder, Scallop Oval punch, Ice Cream Parlor Quick Accent Pack, Ice Cream Parlor Ribbon, Basic Pearls, Blender Pen