Rose Wonder

This is a super simple card that speaks total elegance.  I used Blackberry Bliss Cardstock, Gold Foil Paper, and Gold Embossing Powder to make this single layer card.  I cut out the classic rose shape with the Rose Garden Thinlits Dies and glued it to the card base.  The sentiment from the Rose Wonder stamp set is embossed in gold.

Classic.  Elegant.

Timeless Textures

This card was made using the Timeless Textures stamp set.  The sentiment is from Suite Sayings.  Both of these sets are found in the Spring Occasions Catalog.  The ink colors I used were Blackberry Bliss, Delightful Dijon, Mossy Meadow, and Soft Suede.  The card stock is Blackberry Bliss, Delightful Dijon and Whisper White.  After stamping the images on the Whisper White, I very lightly sponged Soft Suede ink on it using a circular motion to soften the harshness of the white.  This helped to give it a more vintage feel.

I just love all these rich jewel tone colors together.  Varying the intensity by stamping off some of the images first helped to create depth to the project without the use of lots of Dimensionals or layers of paper.  I did pop up the Whisper White layer on Dimensionals, though.

Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of my card.

40 Day Lent Challenge

The season of Lent is upon us.

For many it is usually a season of fasting.

Instead of just giving up,

I want to challenge you to GIVE.

My challenge to you during the 40 days of Lent

is to find 40 people to whom you can give

a hand-stamped card.

40 Random Acts of Kindness!

Whether you give one a day, 40 at once,

or a few here and there is up to you;

but 40 is the number of days in the season of Lent.

It's easier than it sounds.

Make a list of possible recipients,

carry cards with you to give to strangers,

or walk up and down the street

and knock on doors. 

However you do it, you will be sharing

love and kindness

without expecting anything in return.

That is the true meaning of giving.

Bloomin' Love Heart

I'm sure you have seen the new Bloomin' Heart Thinlits Dies on the internet by now.  There are so many lovely card designs using the Bloomin' Love stamp set and matching Bloomin' Heart Die.  I love how delicate and detailed the die is!  I heard many of you groan at just the thought of trying to poke out all the little pieces of the heart, but that is no longer a problem.  Now we have the Big Shot Die Brush!  It makes it oh, so easy to pop out all those little pieces!  First, use the Precision Base Plate on top of the Magnetic Platform in your Big Shot.  Place one Clear Cutting Plate on top and run it through the Big Shot 3 times.  Pick it up and look to see if all the cuts are clear through.  If some seem not to be all the way through, turn the die 90 degrees and run it through again.  This way, if your Big Shot has more pressure in one spot than another, you will get clean cuts everywhere. 

Then place the metal die with the card stock still in it face down on the foam pad that comes with the Big Shot Die Brush and run the brush over it in all directions.  The brush will push into the little holes and knock all the pieces out for you.  If a couple remain, you can place the partially cut card stock face down on the pad and lightly go over those spots.  It works great every time!

Who says Valentines have to be pink and red?  I wanted a totally unique look on my card, so I cut out two hearts, one in Whisper White and one in Blackberry Bliss and glued them together slightly offset.  That way the Blackberry Bliss heart really pops off the page!  Then I used the Wink of Stella Glitter Brush Clear to lightly brush over the Blackberry Bliss card stock.  The result is stunning!  Add a few flowers also cut out with the Bloomin' Heart Dies and the Love You banner from the Bloomin' Love stamp set to finish off the focal point on your card.

Popping it up with Dimensionals onto a piece of Lost Lagoon card stock that has been scored on the diagonals with a few Basic Pearls and you have a stunning card!  This card could easily be a Valentine, Birthday, Mother's Day, or appreciation card.  Personalize to suit your needs.  

Thanks to Ann Schach at www.stampinchic.com for the inspiration!  She gave me the idea for the score lines and using non-traditional colors for my card.  You can view her card here. 

Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Party With Cake

Happy Birthday!  What a great way to send a bright, fun birthday greeting.  I used the Party with Cake stamp set and the new Party Pop-Up Thinlits Die to create this simple but vibrant card.  The front shape was created using the Deco Labels Framelits.

Since I didn't have DSP to create the front of the card, I made my own using the confetti image in the stamp set.  I used Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight, and Archival Black to make the confetti look.  The Baker's Twine is from the Occasions Catalog and is actually Basic Black and Mint Macaron, but the color blends perfectly with my Bermuda Bay.  The candles are all winked with Wink of Stella Glitter Brush Clear for the perfect amount of shimmer.

What do you think?  I look forward to reading your comments!

Botanical Gardens DSP

I absolutely LOVE the new Botanical Gardens Designer Series Paper on page 27 of the Occasions Catalog!  The colors are so rich and bold it just takes my breath away.  The coordinating stamp set, Botanical Blooms has fabulous images to build any garden you wish.  Since the paper is so bold, you do have to be careful not to overwhelm your project with too much.  Here I chose to accent the bold paper with a simple Hello Honey Striped Satin Ribbon (retired).  On the left side of the ribbon I added one Hello Honey flower and two Whisper White flowers along with a few leaves; all cut out from the Botanical Builder Framelits Dies.  The Hello Honey flower has a Gold Wink of Stella shimmer on the outer edges of the petals and the Whisper White flowers have shimmery petals dressed in Clear Wink of Stella.  It's so easy to add just a touch of glimmer or a lot to your projects using the new Wink of Stella Glitter Brushes! 

You can get all three products:  The stamp set, DSP, and dies together as a bundle and save 15%.  I highly recommend adding these items to your crafting supplies.  They offer unlimited possibilities!

This is a gift certificate folder I made for one of my customers.  I love to deliver gift certificates in special packaging and I think this paper truly fits the bill.  It is such a pretty way to present a gift certificate for Stampin' Up! supplies.  I have used several different designs of gift certificate folders, and this one is very classy, but simple.  The inside has a neat little pocket holding the Whisper White gift certificate that is layered on Basic Black card stock, then Hello Honey card stock.

Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of all three of these great new products!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year!  With the new year comes Stampin' Up! Sale-A-Bration and the new Occasions Catalog.  If you do not yet have these catalogs, and would like one, please contact me.  They are FREE with an order in January or $1 each without an order.  Not familiar with Sale-A-Bration?  It's a fantastic bonus time where Stampin' Up! gives you a FREE item from the Sale-A-Bration catalog with each $50 increment on an order.  (You also earn Smiley Rewards for those orders as well.)  That's a win-win for sure!  For those who host a party, you receive an additional $25 in FREE products with party sales of $250 or more in addition to your regular Stampin' Rewards.  It's the perfect time to be the host!  

These items are only available for a limited time, so be sure to get your favorites soon!  Please note the special Limited-Time Products on pages 16-19 only available through February 15, 2016.  Plan to make those items a priority on your list.  The other items will be available through March 31st, but don't wait until the last moment to order yours!  Sale-A-Bration items DO NOT RETURN in the Annual Catalog, so this is your only chance to get them!

Products in the Occasions Catalog will be available until May 31, but don't wait until the very end, especially on accessories and dies.  

Congratulations to the Mystery Hostess winner Susan Sherrod!  She received $66 in FREE products when I drew her name.  What a fun way to kick off the new year--with a FREE shopping spree!  

UPCOMING EVENTS - 

Stamp Club (O'Fallon), January 8, 6:30 p.m.

Simple Stamping Class (O'Fallon), January 16, 1:00 p.m.  This is a very small class limited to 6 people where we will focus on basic skills to make beautiful, quality cards that are lovely, but simple.  Each person gets individual attention and will learn how to develop excellent stamping skills, color coordinating and design.  There is currently only 1 opening left in the class.  Class fee is $10.

Stamp Class (Union), January 19, 5:30 p.m.

Stamp A Stack (O'Fallon), January 30, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.  Register Today--time is running out!  Make 4 each of 4 different card designs to help replenish your supply of cards that are ready to mail.  You will walk out the door with 16 cards ready to mail!  Fee is $30 (non-refundable) and includes all supplies.  Please make payment by January 15th.  If you haven't already registered, please contact me ASAP to reserve your spot!  Registration closes January 15th.

If you would like to join us for any of the above events, please contact me today!