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!

As 16 yrs. Flash By!

Flash forward 16 yrs...

You often hear people comment how fast time passes by. I know that I live this daily! I still can't figure out how we went from 1st time parents with so much to learn to now having our first baby girl turn Sweet 16 today! I knew it was coming when she got her learner's permit and started driving me places, but it still is one of those WOW moments. Kylie (our 14 yr. old) and I decorated her hand-me down Mazda Protege last night and we added a ton of balloons this morning. It was a fun surprise. I will  try to post some photos of the birthday "princess" checking out the artwork on the windows. 

Getting Crafty with Paper and a Knife

With a craft knife, cutting mat and some designer patterned paper, you can craft cool card designs. This is just one example showing you how you can make the most of your papers and jumpstart the cardmaking process. This card also uses one of my favorite new Stampin’ Up!® sets called Great Friend. 

If you love the look of this card, you're running out of time to order some of the accessories used to make this. These last chance accessories  from Stampin' Up!® will only be available until June 30th, or while supplies last. The Bella Birds designer series paper, button bouquet designer buttons and pink striped ribbon are retiring. To view my video demonstration of this card, check the Glue Arts website. It is scheduled to be posted by the end of July! 

A Blooming Idea for a Special Birthday

Here is a cool way to use your flowers and floral punches. For this Flowerful 50th birthday card, I used the Boho Blossoms punch to create the first numeral and layered flowers for the zero. It is just one more way you can have fun with your punches and flower embellishments. I made a coordinating gift box to go along with the card. I used items from the Pretties Kit to dress it up and rimmed the lid of the box with ribbon. The patterned paper is one of my favorites and only available until the end of this month from Stampin’ Up!®. You can order online from my website or send me an email. The designer paper is Bella Birds. Check back this week. I will also be posting a card created with this collection. And soon you can view an online video showing you how to make it at www.gluearts.com.

Sign Up for my CHA Craft Supershow Class!

Most of you who have been involved in crafting have heard of the CHA tradeshow that happens twice a year in the Craft and Hobby Industry. It is where craft manufacturer’s role out their summer and winter releases and buyer’s decide on which products and lines will appear in their retail and online stores. This year the show is in Orlando, FL — how exciting — just a little over an hour’s drive from my house in Melbourne! Following the industry show, there will be a 2 day event open to CONSUMERS, called the CHA Craft Supershow, and I will be teaching a class for Glue Arts. You can go online to register for this class, only $15 and quite a deal. It will be held on Saturday, August 1st from 9 - 11 am. Tickets for the show are sold for 1 day and 2-day passes. Click here for a list of retailers offering discounts on admission and check out the list of craft exhibitors & activities here. For general information about the show, visit the website.

Just look at this adorable Flip Flap Purse/Album that I will teach you how to make. I have included some additional photos showing it unfolded and one close up that are not shown on the CHA Supershow website. All class supplies for this project are included. We just suggest bringing a pair of scissors for assembly. It is also a great opportunity to try out Glue Arts’ adhesives. So all my fellow Florida stamp and scrap pals, be sure to sign up so I can have some familiar faces in my class! And designer friends who are traveling to CHA, be sure to sign up, too! I am so excited about this event and hope to see you there! Only 75 spots available, so sign up as soon as possible!