Days Like This!

Yesterday gave reason to why we love living in Florida. It was a hot summer day that was perfection by my beach standards. The breeze was blowing off the ocean, the water was refreshing, but not too chilly, and the waves made it fun to play and pretend that we were 15 again! Dan played volleyball with the kids and their friends while I soaked up the words in a fresh issue of O magazine along with some rays. I promised to never takes days like this for granted ever!

Now, we were refreshed and energized for the first day of school today...well, almost everyone....

Bella is a bit sad to see the girls leave and go back to the school routine again. For my youngest, it marks the first day of high school. Oh my, it just can't be true when I remember those days just like they were yesterday. And did I mention that Ashley, our junior, was driving her sister and friend Courtney to school? There they go!  

Our new routine will be full of volleyball practices and games for the next few months. I am already counting the minutes until they get home ’cause no matter how old they are, I still can't wait to hear all about their first day of school!

A Touch of Vintage

I promised to share with you some variations on my Flip, Flap Purse mini album. I just love these great papers from K&Company. I combined them with a brown embossed cardstock from American crafts to give a vintage look to this fun scrapbooking concept. I added a touch of beaded ribbon to the top flap for an added shimmer of gold. The center “button” embellishment was created from punched paper and a gold rhinestone brad from Stampin’ Up!®

Have fun making variations of these using square and pointed flap envelopes. Glue Arts website will soon feature a video and instructions for creating the flip flap purse. You can add your own creativity to make a wall full of fun, decorative mini albums.

These also make wonderful gifts.

Experimenting with the New “In Colors”

In this Floral Streak card, I used my Melon Mambo and Rich Razzleberry reinkers in some shaving cream to create the background that shows through the 5 petal flower punch image. I am just loving having the markers to match and used them to create the 2-tone look on the verse, which I repeat stamped 3 times. The stamp set is Fresh Cuts. The colors are more vibrant in person.

In this second card, I showed how you can create your own patterned background by layering your stamps and inks. The Circle Circus set was used with Soft Suede, Rich Razzleberry and Sahara Sand to create an elegant Sympathy card. Add a clip, eyelet border, some taffeta ribbon and a verse (from a previous hostess set, Warmest Regards) to finish the card off.

Have fun mixing and matching the new Stampin’ Up!® In Colors to see what great combinations you can create! 

Join me at CHA!

The countdown has begun and I am preparing the class kits for the Flip, Flap Purse class that I will be teaching this Saturday, Aug. 1 from 9-11 am at the CHA Craft SuperShow being held at the Orlando Convention Center. 

You have seen some other peeks at this fun purse, but I would love to see some friendly faces in the class room. Go to the show link for more information on admission and class sign up fees.

Also, on Friday, I will be working at the Glue Arts booth so be sure and stop by to say hi and do a fun make-n-take project.

I  promise to give you a report on all the great new products unveiled at the Craft and Hobby Association summer trade show. Soon, I will also be posting some fun variations of the flip flap purse project soon.

Oh, Baby!

When we got the joyous news that my cousin and his wife were expecting a baby, there was one more reason to play with my new alphabet set and polka-dot ribbon from Stampin’ Up! Now you will be seeing more baby related projects since I have babies on my mind. 

For this congratulations card, I used the new Jumble Alphabet stamps with Lavendar Lace and Bermuda Bay marker as inks. The unique color combination includes: Bermuda Bay, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White, Lovely Lace and Certainly Celery cardstock. The rattle was created layering 1-1/4", 1-3/8" and scallop circle punches with crystal effects applied to top layer with a sprinkling of Dazzling Diamonds glitter from some sparkle. I used dimensionals to add dimension to top layer. Adorn with  Fresh Favorites 1 buttons and a knotted bow from Bermuda Bay 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon. You can purchase the supplies for this project on my SU website.

Fresh, Fun and Fast!

Cardmaking can be a breeze by combining some diecut elements, adhesive and ribbons. For this card, I used my Glue Glider™ Pro with high tack adhesive to assemble some layered flower diecuts over top of ribbons from Stampin’ Up!®.  Fresh and fun, and a fast card for any occasion! The verse, from the stamp set A Beautiful Thing, is stamped in chocolate chip ink on Pretty in Pink cardstock. Other cardstock used: Whipser White and Baja Breeze (now retired).

You Must Always Say “Thanks”!

Maybe it just was how I was raised, but it is just an unspoken rule for me that if someone does something nice for you or helps you in any way, that you must thank them. When I started as a Stampin’ Up!® demonstrator years ago, I knew this was something that I would incorporate into my business practice. So with every order, I always include a handwritten note of thanks. Sometimes it is a tag attached to the bag; sometimes a card showing a technique we learned at my workshop or maybe even a small note card enclosed with the order thanking my customer for their select purchases. This is a great way to show off  new stamp sets, patterned papers and ribbons. I suggest to my customers that they recycle these on cards/projects of their own, but many keep them for later inspiration and ideas.

Creating multiples of a card design or idea is simple to do and makes good use of your time and energy. You have the concept and supplies out so why not make a whole bunch? You can use this idea for creating a stash of thank you’s, birthday or even personal note cards. And of course this works well for Christmas cards. Cut your cardstock, ribbons and layers at the same time, then stamp, embellish and assemble.

You will see in the photo, above, an example of how you can mix it up a bit and change out one of the layers of paper or alter the layout slightly to create other variations of the original design. That comes in handy if you run out of cardstock or need to change things up. For this “Hint of Mint” group of thank you’s, I also made a full size card and smaller tag for my neighbor, Elaine while I was busy making my customer bag tags. Sorry that these aren’t some of my better project photos, but you get the idea!  

Need to make room for new papers and products? Try using up some of your retired cardstock or older supply stashes. For this, I used some retired Mint cardstock, a retired ink, wheel and a verse stamp along with some current supplies. It feels good to not keep hoarding all your supplies or forgetting to use some “oldies but goodies” sets! Try it!

Stamps: Doodle wheel (recently retired), Warmest Regards (06-07 hostess set, retired);  Wow Flowers; A Beautiful Thing (solid flower stamp)

Cardstock: Mint, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Carmel

Inks: Chocolate Chip and Baha Breeze, retired  (For the wheeled pattern, I cut cardstock first, inked up wheel by rolling on top of Baja Breeze ink pad, then rolled onto cardstock with scrap sheet below).

Adhesive: Glue Arts® Glue Glider™ Pro with your choice of adhesive: High Tac*; Perma Tac or Perma Square  (*used for this project)

Other: Stamping sponge (distress edges); corner rounder (for small tag); dimensionals (to pop up center piece on thank you card); extended reach 1/8" punch (to punch center holes for brads); rectangle punch (for tag); gold mini brads and brown organza ribbon.

Fabulous 4th!

This layout uses embossing powder and punches with a crinkled plastic wrap technique that adds a little extra sparkle to the design.  My inspiration for this layout is the K&Co. patterned paper in the lower right hand corner with foil stamping. The glittered titled stickers are also K& Co. This photo of my daughter and niece really is one of my favorites. I chose a 5 petal flower punch to compliment the stars associated with this holiday. I used a small star punch for the center accents. The type was computer typeset, trimmed out and attached to color tabs of patterned paper from Bo Bunny. Try some of these techniques and ideas to make your 4th of July layout sparkle.

Fourth of July - You're Invited!

Here is a fourth of July party invitation idea. The background paper is wheeled with So Swirly wheel and versamark ink, embossed with clear EP. I used crinkled plastic wrap and versamark to create the embossed clear texture on the red flower petal. The combination of ribbons, star punches and stamps and holiday colors add to the festive feel of this card. You can make one panel with invitation attached to back, or include it inside. Try using gold and clear embossing powders on your next project for some real “bang”! 

 Even if you're not celebrating the 4th, go ahead and try these color combinations, techniques and punches to create other striking cards.

Curious About How Much I LOVE Cosmo Cricket?

Curious to see what Cosmo Cricket™ inspires me to create? I am going to share with you some projects, published and otherwise (layouts, paper crafts and cards) inspired by Cosmo Cricket’s amazing products. You will then see why I love their products so much.

Their papers are so fun and never cease to inspire me. That is why I would love to be a member of their design team. This layout, above use the Get Happy Collection along with some stamps from Inque Boutique/Darice and some Curious George stamps. I had so much fun using these lively, fun papers...who wouldn't “be happy” working with bold colors and patterns like these?

And it never ceases to amaze me how I can use this same Cosmo Cricket™ collection for various times of year and come away with very different results. Here is a a no sew, “Sweet Treats” pocket holder created with the Get Happy Collection, perfect for Holiday Gift Giving or as an appreciative thank you gift.

Remember what I said about how Cosmo Cricket’s products inspire me to create? Here is a very different 2 page spread layout that shows the Get Happy collection in a different, funky way. To view larger images, check out my project gallery for a more detailed view...

With each new release, there is always one collection that grabs and inspires me to create things immediately. In the past, I have been inspired by the Gretel and Get Happy collections. I have shared with you a few Get Happy Collection creations. Here are a few layouts from the Gretel collection. Unlike the Get Happy collection, the colors aren't ones that I am normally drawn too, but one thing is always consistent...ever paper collection has been well thought out and always has cool alphabets or embellishments that coordinate and inspire great project ideas. I also love the mix and the variety in the scale of the patterns and designs. These features make for great layering, as shown on the “Bella” and “Angel Eyes” layouts below...

Most recently, the Snorkel collection has rocked my socks off! I was blown away by the bold bright colors and made it the focus of my Dive into Birthday Party Planning article I wrote for the September 2009 issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts featuring original project ideas, photos, instructions and my project templates. Here are some sneak previews of those projects you will find coming to print very soon!

Here is a fun summertime LO of my niece and daughters inspired by the fabulous and fun-loving Snorkel collection kit featuring coordinating ribbons, colored die-cut chipboard and more! The title of this layout is “Smile, It’s Summertime”. And, if I am lucky enough to get chosen for Cosmo Cricket’s DT, I know that I will have just as big a smile on my face, too! ;D

Sweet 16, oh, WOW!

When a momentous birthday rolls around, a special card is in order. For my DD's 16th birthday, it needed to be hip, fun with an added surprise. Some new In Colors from Stampin’ Up!® combined with fun diecuts, punches, and the cool new Circle Circus stamp set did the trick! Add in some pop-up floral elements on the inside, and I achieved the right mix to make Ashley feel special on her 16th birthday. I played off the dots in the ribbon to create the numeral 6 from the floral circle stamp, and I used the overlapping circles stamp to create the patterned background. This set rocks, especially when used with florals, but I will also post other ideas for using these great patterned circles. Order it now from the new SU 2009-2010 catalog. Go to my Stampin' Up website, click on the shop button to browse and order all your new favorites!