Strawberry Time

Summertime has been slipping away getting a little colder each day but I figure I still have a bit of time to share a few more summer projects! This one I did use the Big Shot and the Matchbox die. This will probably always be one of my favorite dies. Look at what I made this time:


Isn't it darling!! The paper was a left over scrap from Rockabilly which goes real well with the strawberry from Tart and Tangy! I aided old olive as the accent color on the matchbox to add to the strawberry look I was going for. Hope you enjoyed the project and Happy Stamping!!

Autumn Splendor

I have slowly been getting all the wonderful sets that are available in the Holiday Mini. Autumn Splendor was not on my original must have list but it didn't take long before I HAD to have it!! It is a stunning set that has a realistic feel to it!

So I was playing around with it for a bit and just had to try it with embossing and sponging and I came up with this little beauty!!!

I just love it!!! What do you think?? I am considering entering it into Shelli's challenge for this month.

I used the copper embossing powder from when SU! used to sell it. If you look at the close up you will see that I sponged several different colors to achieve the natural look of fall leaves, which were Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango and Soft Suede . I used the swirly texturz plate from Perfect Details to dry emboss the more mustard background piece. The sentiment is from the level 1 hostess set Holiday Best. I layered each piece with dimensionals to add more depth to the card. The card measures a bit larger than the standard being 5 1/4 x 4 3/4. Happy Stamping!!

Box It Up

I love the different options you get from the big shot, especially all the different box die you can get. In particular I like the size and shape of the box #2 die. AND just how quick and easy it is to make a bunch of them at one time. I could easily make 50 of these as a birthday goodies box.

Okay well maybe not how I decorated this one but the concept of the box!! The box itself literately takes less than 30 seconds to put together and only requires you to tape down one flap to keep it together. Happy Stamping!!

Gift Set

I always have some extra lotion and nail sets around the house for my gift giving needs. So that I have them when I need a gift in the spur of the moment. I like to package them in different ways to spruce them up a bit. For this set I had a plastic zip pouch that I put everything into and at first I made a belly band to go around the pouch. But then I decided it need something else so I made a little box using my big shot and box #2 die.

Here is a close up of just the box.

You can see that I cut the top of the lid off since I didn't need it for this particular one. The stamp set I used Eastern Blooms set since the lotion and nail set fit right along with the theme of that stamp set. Happy Stamping!

From the Spanish Catalog

Celebrando Creatividad is the Spanish catalog and it has some the best stamp sets in it. Like this Cinco De Mayo set. I have wanted for YEARS a set just like this one and I was jumping for joy when they came out with it!!

Now I've had this card done for some time, it was actually the card I made for the Non Convention Goer's swas over at Stampin' Addicts. I know I know I am a bit behind in showing my creations but you still are gettin' to see them right?! So anyways here's the card:

I wanted the card to be bold and bright so everything was done using the new in colors and I like how it came out!! To do the under part of the skirt I used iridescent ice, gotta have some glitter right!! So if you haven't checked out the Spanish catalog you can find it in my side bar. Happy Stamping!

The last project ...

Here is the last project I made for my friend to friend swap. The challenge for this one was to make something using a new technique. I know I'm a bit late on the whole bandwagon but I finally decided to try the technique designed by Crystal French. I can't recall what she actually calls it but I'm sure someone will remind me :) So anyways here is what I made:

Isn't it lovely!!! I used the Noteworthy stamp set on this one too. Along with my friend jumbo wheel. I left the glass out of the frame so show off the butterfly.

Here is a close up of the butterfly. I used so saffron and pale blue re-inkers for the colors and when they overlapped they created that pretty green. The embossing powder I used is one of the one's SU carried so long ago called Confetti Celebrations that has pink, yellow and blue in it.

I almost kept this one too! Well I know my SS Michelle loved her package and I hope you all enjoyed seeing it too! Happy Stamping!

Shaping Up

I rarely ever make shaped cards and really have never had the need to make one before now.

Isn't it cute?!?! I came out better than what I had imagined! I don't think I have ever seen a flip flop this classy!!

Believe it or not it was actually quick and simple to make this card. I free handed the flip flop shape. The stamp set I used was Noteworthy. Then I just added some ribbon, a flower from the pretties kit, a punched flower and a brad to hold it all in place. I pulled the ribbon down and tacked it to the inside of the card.

Happy Stamping!!

Just Jawing Some More

We all know how much I *love* the set Just Jawing. If you don't you can always look at these older posts to get caught up on the drama. Matter of fact it's the only stamp set that has it's own label on my side bar!!

The Sassy Stampers blog group has been through my Just Jawing addiction since we started that group so I thought it was fitting to include in the package a card made using this stamp set. For the life of me I can't remember what the challenge was for this card. But I think it was for the birthday card challenge, but don't hold me to it.

I almost kept this card ... I think it's perfect!! Happy Stamping!

Another matchbox ...

Here is another one of my matchboxes. I knew how much my SS loved these matchboxes but could not get them in Australia so I made her this one:

I used the cherries from Just Jawing (my favorite set!!) and some scraps of Rockabilly DSP. I also included many different matchbox pieces so that could make her own!! Happy Stamping!

Something about me ...

was the next challenge for my friend to friend swap. I hemmed and hawed over this one trying to figure out what to do. I could have done something camping related, reading, gardening; you get the picture. I knew I wanted to do something summery so I started going through my "collection" and this set jumped out at me.

Who doesn't love some pink lemonade on a hot summer day ... definitely one of my favorite drinks!! Here's a close up of the main image.

I colored the image using my water color pencils and mineral oil, the only way to use them in my opinion! Then I added some iridescent ice on the pitcher and glass. Happy Stamping!

Sympathy Card

A close friend of mine tragically lost her son. As family and friends are sharing in her sorrow today I thought I would share the card I made for her.

Please take the time to hug the ones you love today.

Our 5th Anniversary

Today my husband and I have been married for 5 years ... we have actually been together for 15 years. We got married on the 10th anniversary of our first date. For our wedding date we invited friends and family over for a BBQ to announce the news!! So for the occasion I made my hubby this anniversary card:

First of all I want to say how hard it is to make a masculine anniversary card but I think I pulled it off well!! I used the stamp set "Stay Tuned" and picked the same saying for the TV screen because I know we will have many more anniversaries to celebrate. This is the first time we get to celebrate our anniversay since getting married because we always seem to have to work and we actually BOTH have the day off! I'm not sure what we are going to do but either way as long as we get to spend it together!!

A couple of details about the card. The TV is done using the faux flannel technique, (not sure what I mean check out this tutorial.) If you look closely at the picture you can see the fibers. I added brads for the knobs and gold cord for the antenna. To make the screen look like a real TV screen I covered it with crystal effects and I put two pop dots underneath the screen part to make it bubble out more then the rest of the TV. It came out perfect!! Have a wonderful day and Happy Stamping!!

Bird Talk

For the rest of the week and most likely next I will be sharing the rest of the friend to friend cards and gifts. This card was made for the your choice card.

I've had this set for a while but had never inked it up before making this card. To tell you the truth it's because I dislike the birds sets!! Not sure why but I do and how I came to own this set .... well let's just say I'm a sucker for sales. To make the ribbon I just folded one piece over the other. It's nice to use these ribbons when sending a card because they don't create that bump when you tie a knot. Happy Stamping!

Adding Some Bling

I participated in another Secret Sis group in which you had to create certain projects each week. This particular project's challenge was to Alter something. Now since I have that hoarding sickness I have plenty of these little canvas totes AND I convinced myself that I could spare one!!

Isn't it cute?!?! Well to alter it I added a "spare" Decor Elements flower to the bottom right. Then added a few flower fusion flowers with some brads to hold them in place. It added just enough bling without going over board! Happy Stamping!!

Technique Tuesday - Open Top Gift Box

WOW! I hope you all did our Happy Holidays blog hop. There was quite a bit of talent and a whole lot of wonderful ideas!! Today Stampin' Up released the Holiday Mini Catalog and if you haven't gotten yours in the mail you can check it out by clicking the picture on my side bar!

I shared with you several creations using the Cold & Cuddly stamp set and one of those was what I am now calling my open top gift box. If you didn't get a chance to see it here it is again for you.

Now on to the tutorial!

I started off by using a piece of 12"x12" Specialty DSP from Christmas Cocoa. I trimmed it down to 12"x10". I then scored on all four sides 3" inches.






From two ends I cut on the score lines to where the score line meet to create four flaps.







To create the box just pull each side up taping down the flaps to the inside of each end.







To create the base I used the cardboard insert that comes with your DSP and trim it down to 6"x4" to fit on the bottom of the box. Using the left over 2" from the first step I cut it in half and covered the cardboard piece with it.




Set it on the inside of the box.








Here are a couple of close up's so you can see the detail of the bear and ice block he is sitting on. You can click on the picture's to enlarge them.

For the ice block I started by stamping the image in Bliss Blue and then used my versamarker and Iridescent Ice to emboss the bottom. For the top half I used Crystal Effects. I think it made it look like a more realistic piece of ice. Hope you found this tutorial useful and if you use it please leave a comment with a link back to your site so I can see your creation!! Happy Stamping!!