GLITTERED GRAPES

Last Friday, I went on a shopping trip with my mother, grandmother, and sister and had a blast! I didn't spend a lot of money, but I did pick up a few new things to play with . . . of course! To create this card, I used all SU card stock (Elegant Eggplant, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, and Brushed Copper). The grape wreath image was created with a brass stencil. I adhered the stencil to the card stock with removable tape and then used a stencil brush to apply Shiva Artist's Paintstik colors. These are sticks of oil paint that resemble fat crayons. Having never used them before, I only purchased a set of three minis. The brown vine on the wreath was colored with a blender pen and Stampin' Pastels since I didn't have a brown paintstik. The embossed Elegant Eggplant card stock was created with a Cuttlebug embossing folder, and I lightly brushed a Copper Encore Metallic ink pad over it. Other SU products used include copper brads, "Boho Backgrounds" stamp set, and (retired) copper cord.

BELATED EASTER CARD

I love, love, love my Cricut!!!! Just before Easter, I was trying to make a card similar to this one for Chadrick (minus the big flower), but I was having trouble with the notebook that the Cricut is connected to. I finally got to work with this design tonight, though. SU products used to create this card include Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, and Whisper White card stock, 2-Way Glue, Rhinestone Brad, Crimper, and Die Cut Blooms, which is a brand new product offered in the "Occasions" mini catalog. The blooms come in several colors and sizes, and they're cut from textured card stock. They're adorable and ever-so-easy to work with, and you get a BUNCH of die cut pieces that allow you many options for creating a variety of flowers--definitely a valuable addition to your stamping and paper craft supplies!

POCKET CARD

This pocket card was made from SU's pre-scored Wild Wasabi card stock promotion that's in effect through April 30th. I used the brand new "Afternoon Tea" designer paper and "A Light unto my Path" stamp set. The stamped image was colored with a blender pen and chalk, and I used Crystal Effects on the "water."

"A PERFECT DAY" RUB-ONS

Just one more post, and then I'm heading to bed! Do you ever sit down to make a card--usually because you need to get one in the mail--and you REALLY want it to be something simple? Well, this is "that" kind of card! The textured/embossed background was made earlier today with a Fiskars texture plate and the Big Shot, and then I used a Stampin' Spot to lightly color the background with red ink. The flowers were created with the 5-Petal Flower punch and the Boho Blossoms Punch. The flower centers, the red flower in the center of the card, and the ribbon are decorated with rub-ons from the "A Perfect Day" pack of rub-ons available in the "Occasions" mini catalog.

ON THE FLY

Love this stamp set! This card was made for a family friend who will be 80 y/o next week. I don't know whether he enjoys fishing, but I hope he enjoys the card. SU products used include: Kraft, Brocade Blue, and Night of Navy card stock, eyelets, Crop-a-Dile, Watercolor Pencils, Aqua Painter, Cutter Kit (distressing tool), Stampin' Dimensionals, and Black StazOn ink. I used a Fiskars texture plate and the Big Shot to create the embossed background. The birthday greeting was stamped on a transparency sheet.

"GOD BLESS THE PARENTS WHO DRUGGED US"

Yesterday, in our local "rag" of a newspaper, I read this interesting editorial and thought you might enjoy it, too. As a parent, I know that I should do more "drugging." Following is the article:

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county, and he asked me a rhetorical question. "Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?" I replied: I had a drug problem when I was young . . . I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather. I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me. I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flowerbeds and cockleburs out of dad's fields. I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed. Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place. God bless the parents who drugged us!

That's me and my daddy in the picture. Fortunately, he seems pleased with me. And we didn't have a woodshed!

AGED METAL

The swirly background on this card was created with origami paper, a Cuttlebug embossing folder, and black StazOn ink for an aged metal look. The flowers were punched with one of Martha Stewart's punches. It pained me to put a dime in her pocket, but I really liked the flower! All card stock, the gingham ribbon, and the stamped sentiment are from SU.

EASTER WINDOW BOX

One last Easter project, okay? This one was a bear to photograph, but I finally got ONE decent picture!

TOOTHY BUNNIES

I'm looking forward to Sunday because my family will be coming to celebrate Easter! I always enjoy having them at my house, and we always have a fun time! I like to have little treats for them, and these are the Easter treats! Loved making the bunny faces, although their teeth could have been a bit shorter. Ha! I wrapped designer paper around Hershey's candy bars and adhered the bunny faces that were made from a variety of punches. Happy Easter, everyone!

CUTE "BIRTHDAY WHIMSY" SAMPLE

For those of you who selected "Birthday Whimsy" as one of your free SAB products, this sample is for you! The "So Many Scallops" SAB stamp set was used on this card, too! I don't know the person who made this card, but her name is Wanda and she lives in Minnesota, I think. I really liked the card design, mostly because of the clever "frosting" on the cake. I think I'll print a copy of this card and put it with the stamp set so I can remember this quick technique! Thought you might like it, too! The card stock colors are Groovy Guava and Chocolate Chip, and I'm fairly certain the designer papers are from Fall Flowers and Afternoon Tea.

ONE MORE EASTER CONTRABAND

This card is going in the mail tomorrow to my great-niece, Malena. I'm inviting her (and her parents) to celebrate Easter at my house on Sunday. I think she'll enjoy this card because I put a bunch of die cut butterflies inside! The last time she was at my house, we used the Wizard to cut several butterflies. She just kept naming classmates who would want one. Hee! Hee! All card stock and ribbon is by SU, "you're invited" is from the Hugs & Wishes stamp set, and I used the white gel pen to add dots to the large scallop circle. So, it's not totally contraband!

EASY ENVELOPE POUCH

They don't get much easier than this! Take a SU envelope, seal it closed, use the tag punch on both sides to create the handle, use scissors to straight-cut the pointed edges left by the punch, decorate and fill! And, yes . . . that's a Natural Hemp Twine bow adding a nice, "natural" touch to this project. A lot of my customers really don't like the twine, and I really don't understand that! ;-) I love that stuff!

IT'S ALL ABOUT PINK AND BROWN THESE DAYS!

I wanted to show you this card that I made for a swap, and I hope you aren't getting bored with pink and brown. I must stop myself from reaching for these same colors! I think it was the Berry Bliss designer paper that got me started on this combo!

THIS WEEK'S "MONDAY MAILER"

I'll tell you one thing . . . it's nearly impossible to capture the true sparkle of a glittered object! The glittered heart was a plain chipboard shape that I colored with Rose Red Craft ink. I don't think it was necessary to color it--I thought it might look better. I then covered the top of the heart with Crystal Effects and then poured Chunky Glitter on top. BTW, the Crystal Effects has been the best adhesive I have tried when using Chunky Glitter on a shaped object. Take a close look at that bow. I used SU's brand new Poly-Twill ribbon! Now, I know there are parts of this project that aren't all that great, so I just won't mention them, okay?

LEAPING LIZARDS!

This isn't a SU project, but I did use some SU card stock to create it. There is a Cricut cartridge that I have been wanting, but it's very hard to find--and I never saw it on sale, so I knew it would be a pricey one. On Tuesday morning, I found it on eBay--"buy it now"--so I bought it then. It arrived yesterday, and I wasn't sure where to begin to use it. I belong to a Yahoo group for Cricut owners and have found so many project designs that people share. There's one lady from Australia who is over the top with her command of the software, and she has so many patterns/designs that she provides--FREE!-- which is great since I still haven't mastered the use of the software! Anyway, this little lizard is one of her designs, and isn't he adorable?

ANOTHER "MONDAY MAILER"

This is the Monday Mailer that I'm sending this week. It's a 4.25" x 4.25" card that was super fast to make. Don't we all need a quick design sometimes? The Crop-a-Dile was used to create the dry-embossed dots, and the penguin and sentiment were heat-embossed with Iridescent Ice embossing powder.

ONE MORE CONTRABAND CARD

Here's one more! I love these colors together . . . Soft Sky and Chocolate Chip. The designer paper is SU's newest, "Afternoon Tea" which is available in the Occasions mini catalog. So often, the pictures of designer paper don't do the designs any justice, and that's certainly the case with Afternoon Tea. Other SU products used to create this card include Whisper White, Soft Sky, and Chocolate Chip card stock, assorted markers to color the stamped image, silver brads, 1/16" circle punch, retired Chocolate Chip satin ribbon, Soft Sky double-stitched grosgrain ribbon, and the photo corners punch. To create the faux grass, I made skinny cuts with scissors. The "Easter Wishes" sentiment is from the "All Holidays" stamp set.

CAN I TOOT MY OWN HORN????

I am so proud of myself! Ever since I've had my Cricut Expression and the DesignStudio software, I haven't had time to sit down and really study either--the machine or the software. The machine has been super easy to use; however, I have wanted to explore all the creative options available to me with the software. Today, I decided to try to design something. Now, when you buy the software, you can only install it on one computer, so I installed it on the notebook that sits on the Cricut table and is connected to the machine. But . . . that notebook is small and hard to see, so I installed a trial version of the software on my PC. What this means is that I can design whatever I want on my PC, save the design, and then open it on the notebook and actually cut the design. I decided that I'd like to try to design a window cut on a box or a bag. I used the Plantin Schoolbook cartridge that already had a "shopping bag" image for me to use, and I chose a flower image on that same cartridge to place where I wanted a floral-shaped window on my bag. I placed the flowers where I wanted them but wasn't sure if they'd be cut windows or what. Much to my surprise, I did it!!!!! I designed the size shopping bag that I wanted WITH a window in the shape of a flower!!!! This may not be big news for you, but it's HUGE for me! You can't tell from the picture, but I have placed acetate on the inside of the bag behind each floral window so whatever goes in the bag won't fall out. Because I wasn't sure my design would cut as planned, I used scrap card stock that had some stamping on what is now the inside of the bag. Still, I decorated the bag as if it was perfect. I used the "Priceless" stamp set with Pretty in Pink and Pink Passion Classic inks.

EASTER "CONTRABAND"

I have been having a wonderful time today! I cleaned up the stamp room from a workshop last night and couldn't help but notice what a windy day it is. So, I raised the blinds and windows in the stamp room, hoping that the sun would come in with the wind. Mostly, it's just been wind. A good friend of mine, Laura, sent me some stamped images from non-SU stamps so I decided to play with them today. To color the images, I used SU markers, watercolor pencils, blender pen, and aqua painter. On the tent topper card, I used a glittered floral-shaped ribbon slide. It's very difficult to get a good picture of the sparkly glitter but, believe me . . . it's very nice! I used some other non-SU products today, too, such as the Big Shot, a Cuttlebug embossing folder, and two scallop circle punches to layer with SU's scallop punched circles.

POP-UP

How fun is this card?????? Yes, it has an odd shape and size, and I wasn't too impressed when I first folded the card stock. As a matter of fact, I said, "What's the big deal?" and tossed it aside. Well, the "big deal" is that this could be a fun card to send to someone--especially when that special someone likes to keep the cards you make. What made me decide to un-paper clip and decorate the folded piece of card stock was that . . . I got hit with a design idea! My club members will most likely make one of these cards in April, although I don't know that I'll have enough flowers for everyone. We just might have to improvise. SU products used to create this card include More Mustard card stock, East Coast Prep designer paper, Die Cut Blooms, Flower Fusion (felt flower), Fire Rhinestone brads, "A Beautiful Thing" stamp set, Always Artichoke Craft ink, Clear embossing powder, heat tool, and Stampin' Dimensionals. I know this isn't a good picture, but I promise that I tried and tried and tried to get a really good picture this morning. This card got carried from room to room and posed so many times that I was afraid it would wear out. Seriously . . . I must have taken 25 to 30 pictures, and this was the best I could get. :-(

"MERCI" SHAKER SEED PACKET

This project includes a handmade envelope to hold a pack of seeds, and then the envelope is decorated with a bead shaker as a faux label. The label itself was a printable image, and I stamped one of the images from the Sale-A-Bration set, "Merci," in the center of that label. Foam mounting tape was used along the sides of the "label" to create the space for the beads, and a piece of transparency was used as a window to keep the beads inside.

ETA: The Sale-A-Bration promotion ends on March 17th, so be sure to place qualifying orders before that date if you wish to get any of the FREE SAB products.

FAUX DRY EMBOSSING

"Baroque Motifs" is such an elegant stamp set to work with--and ever so easy! On River Rock card stock, I stamped the swirly image with Old Olive ink, cleaned the stamp, and then stamped again with Whisper White Craft ink. The trick to faux dry embossing is to very slightly move the stamp over a bit when you overstamp with the white ink. Other SU products used to create this card are Elegant Eggplant card stock and ink, Boho Blossoms punch, slit punch, "Warm Words" stamp set, Antique Brass HodgePodge Hardware, large and small Oval punches, and an Ice Square Rhinestone brad. The layout for this card was totally CASE'd from another demonstrator with a couple of minor changes from me.

"AIRPLANE" BABY SHOWER FAVOR

I'd love to take credit for this idea, but I didn't invent it. It's my understanding that it was in an issue of PaperCrafts magazine and was designed by Nichole Heady. All I did was choose the paper colors and designed the propeller and tag. Although this wasn't a difficult project, there are a lot of steps involved, and I can't say I'd look forward to making a bunch of them. It's a cutie, though, huh?

DID YOU EVER SEE A CUTE WORM?

Personally, I hate worms (and most bugs), but I like these three! I made this swap for a special Demonstrator friend whom I swap with once a week. She's very talented, so it's not always easy to come up with a swap idea. I had the "Bugs & Kisses" stamp set sitting on my desk and, once I thought of a design, it just flowed to the paper. I really like how the striped card stock turned out! That was a last minute idea . . . all I did was take the three markers and created my own striped paper! How cool is that?????

WILD WASABI CARD STOCK PROMOTION

From 3/01/08 through 4/30/08, SU is offering a pack of Wild Wasabi card stock for only $3.95! The pack includes 16 sheets of 4-1/2" x 11-1/2" Wild Wasabi card stock that comes pre-scored at 1-1/8" and 5-5/8". There is no limit to the number of packs you can order, and the item number is 110294. I posted info at the beginning of the menu bar on the right, so be sure to click the link to see samples of what you can do with this pre-scored card stock!

"ANYTHING BUT FLOWERS" MONDAY MAILER

I'm participating in a "Monday Mailer" this month on one of my Demonstrator groups, and this is the first card that I made. Each Monday, I'll need to mail a card, fitting the "Anything But Flowers" description, to my MM partner. I'll try to remember to share each card on my blog. This card features the "Summer Picnic" designer paper, "Bugs & Kisses" stamp set, Only Orange marker, Basic Black ink, Corner Rounder (to create the scalloped edges), and Bashful Blue and Old Olive card stock.

"TART & TANGY" BASKET

Later in March, I'll be having a "Tart & Tangy" class where we'll be making a set of 3" x 6" greeting cards. One of the perks of attending the class is getting instructions to make this adorable basket! I don't think we'll have time to make the basket during class because we'll also be making a box to hold the set of cards and envelopes, but don't miss this class! The "Tart & Tangy" stamp set is available from SU, beginning TODAY!! It's one of the new products in the "Occasions" mini catalog, and it's quite a fun little set of images! I hope to have class details by the end of this weekend, so watch your inbox!