Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Polka Dot Pieces



    Hello!  Can I just say I love this stamp set?!  For a long time, plaid was my weakness.  Now, I think it might be polka dots!  Although, a really nice plaid gets me every time!
    This set is amazingly versatile!  I love everything about it!  I saw a card like this on Pinterest, and just had to CASE it!!!
    The colors I went with this time were Melon Mambo, Gumball Green (I know it's retired, but I still have some to use up!!), and Whisper white!  I also used a retired punch, but darnit, it's just too cute to NOT use ever again!!
    I made this card for my Monday card class, and it was a huge hit!  If not for making 20 kits, I could've added some rhinestones on the scalloped edge border for some more bling.  I'm thinking a tiny silver ribbon and bow would look nice going across the DSP, behind the flower piece.  But, then again, simple is always good.
    I have a hard time doing simple sometimes, but it's also very easy to over-do a card.  I guess the best thing would be to think about the recipient.  i.e., do they like flourishy things?  Or do they prefer clean and simple things?  When I'm making a card for someone, I try and think about what would really wow them when they open the envelope, and that includes style as much as color and theme!  So the next time you sit down to create a card for someone special, try and think of more than one way to wow them!
    I hope you enjoyed this little cutie!  I'm actually thinking a set of them, in different colors would make an awesome gift for someone!!
    Happy stamping!  Toodles!

Monday, June 16, 2014

Graduation time!



   Hi everyone!  I am finally back from my trip up to Washington state for my niece's graduation!  It sure is a long drive, and it doesn't get any easier the older you get!  I remember making the whole trip in one go 7 years ago.  Not anymore.  I'm good for about 8 hours of driving, give or take.  Thank goodness for good CD's (with lots of Rob Thomas) to sing to!  Plus, a special thank goodness because no one can hear how horribly out of tune I can get!
     I do have to mention that I waited a day to leave just so I could get my demonstrator order; and yes, I took it all with me.  I'm that pitiful.  But so glad I did, because while up there, I created this little ditty!  I am loving the new star stamps and framelits!
    The colors are Blackberry Bliss and Hello Honey with whisper white.  I used the wooden cutout from one of my paper pumpkins, along with a bit of the envelope liner (gold).
     Here is an important tip about inking these little wooden shapes... especially with a new and very juicy ink pad.  LET IT DRY FOR 24 or more hours!  Everyone at the graduation party had purple/pink fingers and my sister put a wonderful, but permanent finger print on the front of the card!  I inked it right from the pad of Blackberry, so it's really dark!   If I would've had my glitter spray, I would've sprayed it with that, which would've probably sealed it!
     I also used the little sticky backed gold glitter circles to add some bling!  Her school colors are purple and gold, so it was perfect for her!  The polka dot paper is from the Moonlight pad that sells for $6.95.
     I'd also like to note the versatility of the Paper Pumpkin kits that come to your door once a month!  It is such an amazing value, and they provide a means for anyone to create something awesome and amazing!   I'll talk about this in an upcoming blog post, so stay tuned!
      I've brought my mom back with me for a visit, so the next month should be very eventful, because my sweet grand babies are also coming on July 4th!  And then it's convention... oh my!  Life is wonderful, you know?
    Happy creating!  Toodles!~

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Who doesn't love a moose?!


    Hi everyone!  Hope you're all having a wonderful day!  Today is 'hump' day, but we're celebrating with a Moose instead of a camel!  Although... if you look at a moose, he kind of has a hump on his shoulders...  Never mind my musings, on with the card!
     For this little card, I used the lint roller technique again.  Where?  It's on the whisper white, behind the moose.  I cut my white card stock to the size I knew I needed, and then applied SOFT SKY to the upper portion of the square.  Then I flipped my lint roller over, and loaded some crumb cake on the bottom half.  I could have done the marker on the acrylic block technique, but I wanted it to be more subtle than that.  I also wanted all the beautiful line work in the moose to stand out front and center.
     I stamped him in EARLY ESPRESSO, and the Thinking of You as well.  I used SOFT SKY to mount the argyle paper (from my stash... I think it's Basic Grey).  I also embossed a piece of SOFT SKY 1 1/4 x 5 with our wood grain folder and put 3 tiny silver brads off to the left to add a bit of 'manly' bling.
    The moose masterpiece is mounted on a square of EARLY ESPRESSO.  (The measurements of the layers are 3 x 3 and 3 1/8 x 3 1/8).   I entertained corner chomping the corners, but decided not to, so it was in keeping with the overall design of straight lines and angles.  If you do decide to chomp the corners, then I would suggest doing the same with the card base layers!
     I hope you give this card a try!  He's a beautiful moose and stamps up wonderfully!  Hopefully, my Stampin' Up! order will be here tomorrow and I can play with my new toys!!!  AAAACCKKK... it's so hard waiting!  As you could imagine, I was hopeless back when you had to send your film in by mail order to get it developed!  The waiting was excruciating!   I might have to go stalking UPS trucks tomorrow... Just kidding!
    Happy stamping!  Toodles!

Monday, June 2, 2014

Father's Day #2


    Hi there!  I'm back again with another Father's Day card!  I made three of them for my card class yesterday, and this one has to be my favorite!  Even though the stamp sets are retired, I have a few ladies that l-o-v-e lighthouses!  I still love the En Francais!
     I used the lint roller technique again on this one... crumb cake all over very vanilla.  I stamped the En Francais in soft suede, and the lighthouse in black stazon.  The other part of the base is crumb cake and basic black.  Very simple, but nice look!  Four copper colored brads completes the card.
     I hope this inspires you to drag out some of your favorite retired sets and play with them!  Try combining them with some new ones!  I've placed my demo order from the new catalog, and hopefully I'll get it SOONER rather than later.... I'm excited to play with my new toys!!!  It was very hard choosing, as I wanted it all... I just want more!  Remember the commercial that seemed to air at least once an hour this past winter; the one with the little girl nasally saying she wants more and her parents won't let her have more, but she just wants more...  That would be me.  Minus the nasal tone...  Anyway, patience, Valerie... your more will come... eventually!
   Happy stamping and see you next time!  Toodles

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Just Another Manic Monday!



    Hi everyone!  It's Sunday night, and I cannot believe it, but my 80 card kits are ready for card class tomorrow... my Stamp-A-Stack kits are ready for Stampin' Up club (another 60 kits), catalog and order forms are packed, (and so is the calculator that never seems to find it's way into my bag)!  I'm prepared!!!  Oh my gosh!  Anyone got a calendar so I can document this?
    Of course, for those who know me well, know there is always one tiny thing I forget, no matter how prepared I think I am.  Thank goodness I only live about 5 minutes away...  shhhh... 4, if I'm speeding.
     So, since Father's Day is right around the corner, I had to make a golf themed card for my husband, and thought, hey, why not combine the two!
    While the stamps, card stock and punches are from Stampin' Up, the argyle paper is from my extremely large stash (caused from way too many warehouse sales).  I love how it goes perfectly with our paper!  I used soft sky, gumball green, garden green, chocolate chip, and whisper white.  I know the stamp set is old, but gosh, we just need more men stamps!!!  My husband isn't a hunter, he doesn't fish, and he doesn't like the sea.  But he eats, sleeps, breathes GOLF... so this set it had to be!  I just love the shoes!
    I hope this inspires you to sit down and create something fun for the men/man in your life!  Have a great Monday!  Toodles!