MORE BELLA ROSE

You're not getting sick of seeing this gorgeous paper, are you? I absolutely love this Bella Rose paper, but I've caught of glimpse of SU's new papers and, let me just tell you . . . we're ALL going to be in trouble with our $$$! I was supposed to be cleaning this morning, but I found myself creating instead, which isn't a bad thing since I haven't posted anything in a few days. This is actually a fairly basic card with a fun ribbon technique that my club members will learn in August (unless I find something better to demo). I used the "paper piecing" technique on the stamped layer, and I think it turned out pretty good. I intended to use the Scallop Edge punch on the top edge of the dotted paper, but I forgot to do that. Argh!!!! I guess you'll just have to visualize that. Hee! Hee! Well, it's time to get my hair trimmed and my brows waxed. Oh, the fun of being a girl! I always think of brow waxing as punishment for something I've done wrong . . . as if someone is holding a Regina voodoo doll, gently pressing tape to her brows, rubbing it in a soothing manner, and then YANKING it off! YOWSA!!!! It hurts!

SOCK MONKEY

This stamp set is really growing on me! It's hard to tell from the picture, but my card stock colors are Going Gray, Barely Banana, Real Red, and Whisper White.

BIND-IT-ALL BOOKS/BINDERS (FINISHED)

Last night, I made my first book to hold my Spellbinders dies, and tonight I made another one. I also used the Cricut to create a label/title for each book. I have enough room in the second book to add a couple more dies; after that, I'll have to make another book!

BOOK (HOLDER) FOR DIES

Last night, my mission (one of them) was to create a book to hold my Spellbinders' dies. These dies are very thin and, until now, were becoming scattered in my stamp room. Many of the dies come in a CD case, but the Nestabilities I've purchased recently don't come in what you'd like to use as a permanent storage container. The pages in my book are cut from thin cardboard, and I used adhesive magnets on each page to hold the dies. The book was bound with the Bind-It-All, and it works like a charm! All I have to do when I want to use the dies is flip through the book, choose the die I want to use, lift it off the magnet, and then put it back. This book only holds my Nestabilities and smaller dies, but I'll probably make another book for the larger dies.

BELLA ROSE ANNIVERSARY

Warning: I've used contraband again. I just got these Scallop Circle dies today, needed to make an anniversary card for my parents, so I put 'em to use. After cutting each circle, I cut between

each scallop to make them more like flower petals. I also used three embossing folders on this card. Notice the punched corner on the top left corner of the green (Kiwi Kiss) layer? I created that with SU's new Scallop Edge punch! I would have done the bottom left corner, too, but I already had adhesive on the card stock and didn't want to get the punch "gunky." Other SU products used to create this card include Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, Chocolate Chip, and Pink Pirouette card stock, "Hugs & Wishes" stamp set, and that awesome "Bella Rose" designer paper!

UNDER THE WEATHER

I found out a couple of days ago that my great-niece, Malena, has Chicken Pox. Supposedly, she was vaccinated twice but has somehow managed to have an outbreak. I didn't even know they had a vaccination against the Pox! Anyway, I finally took a few minutes today to make this card for Malena. SU products used include Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, and Whisper White card stock, Bella Rose designer series paper, taffeta ribbon, and "Sincere Salutations" stamp set. Riley, the stamped image, isn't SU, but I just love this moose! Even though Riley is a "he," he didn't mind posing in pink and plum for Malena. I added glittery accents to the stamped image with Grape Ice, Strawberry Ice, and Diamond Stickles. The embossed scalloped square was created with a Spellbinders die.

BABY ART

This week, I've been on a "purge the house" mission. I haven't gotten past the kitchen/dining area, but I came across this piece of art that I've always kept in a frame on the countertop. Chadrick made this flower at day care when he was almost 2 y/o, and I just love it! There's no other way for me to see those small, precious fingertips because they're much larger now! Through the years, the original frame had taken quite a beating. After all, it had been in the kitchen for 15 years! At some point, liquid seeped under the frame and stained the picture. I found this white "Style Stones" frame in the stamp room and decided to color it with ink. I thought it needed some sparkle, so I added several colors of Stickles to it. I trimmed Chadrick's art to fit the frame, but it looked better (less white at the top) if I put it in upside down. It looks even better now than ever! BTW, the ink that I used to color the frame was SU's retired ColorBox Petal Point Chalk ink, and it had to be heat set. Stickles used were Turquoise (love, love, love this color), Copper, Gold, Patina, and Crystal.

SOCK MONKEY

Another new stamp set being released in August is "Sock Monkey." I have to admit that this one didn't really scream "buy me!," but this is the BEST creation I've seen with this stamp set yet! Another demonstrator made this card and shared it today on one of the demo groups, and I thought visitors to my blog would enjoy seeing it. There's a lot of detail here, but that framed banana in the monkey's home is too funny! I've created a 3D closet before (also posted here), but I'm going to try to create a "room" card one of these days.

BELLA ROSE BAG

Last night, I went to a Demonstrator meeting and got to make this bag. Belinda was nice enough to let us use her "Bella Rose" designer paper--THANK YOU, Belinda!!! When I got home, I added the floral accents and ribbon. To create my flowers, I made four punches with the 5-Petal Flower Punch and then made two layered sets. I used the Paper Tole technique to create the Pink Pirouette centers and then adhered a flat-back pearl to each. SU's brand new Scallop Edge Punch was used to create the scallop border at the bottom of this project. I think this little gift bag is my favorite at the moment. It's easy to make, easy to decorate, and will actually hold a nice gift!

"BELLA ROSE" BOX

If you haven't already fallen in love with the "Bella Rose" designer paper, this should do it for you! This paper ranks right up there with "Ginger Blossom" for me, and I cannot wait to see what other goodies Stampin' Up! has in the new catalog! Even though the Bella Rose papers coordinate with the brand new Riding Hood Red color, I wanted to use Bravo Burgundy for the box base. I have always loved pink and burgundy together, and it worked well for this project (I think). The box was a bit tricky, so I need to make another one to prove to myself that I can. In case you're wondering how it opens, the polka dot flap slips up and out from behind the floral triangle. The lower half of the triangle layer is all that's adhered to the box front. Is this a cool box or what????? BTW, the button in the center of the flower is a brand new one. I can't remember the name of the button assortment, but I think it's called "Button Bouquet." I cut a sliver of Pretty in Pink 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon to thread through the holes in the button and tied the fraying ribbon in a knot. I like the shabby look of it! And, of course, I used the brand new Scallop Edge punch on this project, too.

6X6 RECIPE PAGE

This is a recipe page that I created for a swap. The good thing about these Oreos is that they have NO CALORIES! ;-)

DREAMS DU JOUR . . . AGAIN

Just wanted to share another "Dreams du Jour" design. Don't you love the "Bella Rose" designer paper?????

DREAMS DU JOUR - PINK PIROUETTE

Before leaving for the beach last week, I tried a few techniques with this new stamp set, "Dreams du Jour." I didn't have time to turn any of my trials into cards until now, and I don't even remember the name of this technique. I stamped the image with VersaMark ink, embossed with Winter White embossing powder, and then colored the embossed image with Stampin' Pastels. I don't remember if I used Q-tips or a blender pen to apply the chalk, but I'm almost certain I used a blender pen. My card stock choices were Pink Pirouette, Basic Black, and Riding Hood Red. Other SU products used include Black Gingham ribbon, Pink Pirouette Classic ink, and Crimper (on the Basic Black card stock strip). I also used Vintage Brads, although I think the ones I used are retired. I'm almost certain that SU no longer sells these square (can also be diamond-shaped) brads.

ETA: Oops! I lied! I did make a card from another image in this set where I used the same technique. It's a little farther down on the blog.

POLKA DOTS & PAISLEY

Don't look, Laura!!!! That reminds me of Ray Stevens' saying, "Don't look Ethel!" in his song, "The Streak."

We just got home from a fabulous trip to the beach, and I'm late getting my weekly swap mailed to Laura. So, this is what I will be sending to her. Believe it or not, I hardly even stamped during the beach trip, which is unusual for me! I had a swap to work on, but it wasn't anything fun. As nice as it is to be home, the view from the balcony at the coast is 100 times better than the view from my patio. Of course, I knew that before I even left home. When we returned from our last beach trip, we discovered that the front door had been left open for the whole week!!!!! I don't mean that the door was left unlocked or slightly ajar . . . it had been left REALLY open . . . as if to imply, "Come on in!" I won't name names, but Chadrick and I weren't the last ones out of the house when we left for that trip. I'm pleased to report that we returned from this trip to find that we had closed the front door--we even locked it! The only thing we did wrong was leave the TV on. How sad is it that we can't leave home properly????? I even my asked my guys if they'd turned off computers and everything, and I got a "Yep!" from both of them. I think they didn't really hear the question. Anyway, all was well when we returned. We even have a lot of new spider webs!

But . . . back to this card for Laura . . . it is 3" x 6" and I used the retiring "Polka Dots & Paisley" stamp set, Afternoon Tea designer paper (which is retired now), Antique Brass brads, Mini Glue Dots, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, and Chocolate Chip Poly Twill ribbon.

"GINGER BLOSSOM" STATIONERY BOX

Shortly after I signed up to be a demonstrator (4 years ago), I attended a meeting with other demonstrators where we made a stationery box like this one. I recently came across that project, and let me tell you . . . it was hideous! The good news is that I was at least able to use it to create this one. It took about four hours to complete this project, although those aren't non-stop hours! It looks a bit shabby in places, but I'm rather pleased with it.

DREAMS DU JOUR

Just wanted to share another "Dreams du Jour" sample. I stamped the "Floral" background stamp on the black card stock with VersaMark ink and then embossed with Irisdescent Ice, but the floral detailing doesn't show up at all--it just looks like a glittery background. I used markers to color the butterfly and then cut it out and adhered it to the card with a mini glue dot. Other SU products used to create this card include Winter White embossing powder, Stampin' Pastels, Blender Pen, Rhinestone Brads, and the Horizontal Slot punch.

HEAT TOOL HOLDER

I am sooooooo thrilled with this gadget!!! I have often wanted a heat tool holder, but they're not easy to find. So, Chad built this one for me, and I think he did a great job! I told him he might want to start a business making and selling these! I had some "Love and Happiness" rub-ons leftover from Sale-a-Bration and used them to decorate the holder. I may have gone overboard, but they're so easy to use. A couple of the rub-ons are from the "Eastern Elegance" pack, but most of them are from "Love and Happiness."

CRAB & COMPANY

After not stamping for a couple of days, I just had to enjoy some stamping this afternoon! To create the sand castle, I used the Spiral and Word Window punches. Other products used include Bashful Blue, Real Red, Creamy Caramel, and Whisper White card stock, Real Red and Bashful Blue markers, Key Tag punch, and Red 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon. I used a Chocolate Chip marker with the Color Spritzer Tool to create the "sandy" specks.

. . . ALONG CAME A SPIDER . . .

Is this a nasty bugger or what???? I stepped out on the porch today and spotted this interesting web in the corner. From the look of things, this creature thought my porch was the perfect habitat. I have never seen such a web and told my DH that he needed to make it disappear before it consumed the porch and WE became the daily meal! Oh, I know the web would never get that huge (would it?), but it would make an interesting horror movie for a not-so-small tunnel web to end up so large that when the family exits the home on the way to school, work, or wherever, they walk right through the tunnel! Oooh! Can you imagine walking into that web??? Geez Louise!! So, armed with a hoe (which I keep on the porch in case I have to fight off a slithering variety), a broom, and a leaf blower, this creature was dismissed from the homestead. My guys had orders to chase it far and wide, if necessary, but I don't believe it came to that. The leaf blower was used, though, because the creature ran between the house and the railing support (clever, huh?) and they just blew him right out.

I'm a little spider, watch me spin.

If you'll be my dinner, I'll let you come in.

Then I'll build my web to hold you tight,

And gobble you up in one big bite!

HEARD FROM THE HEART

This is the card that I will put in the mail tomorrow for mamaw. For seven months now, she's been having some really bad days filled with back pain, and it has really taken a toll on her! I hate for her to feel bad! I know that a card from me won't chase away the pain, but she'll know that I was thinking of her and she'll have a new card to look at. I used the brand new "Heard from the Heart" stamp set, retired "Afternoon Tea" designer paper, and rhinestone brads. Don't study this card too close, or you'll notice how the large brad made a little mess of the ribbon. Argh! I used a Spellbinders die to cut and emboss the flower pieces from Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point, and Kiwi Kiss card stock.

"BELLA ROSE" SUNDRESS

So I came in here this morning to check email and straighten up the room. My husband put my monitor on the wall yesterday, so I'm having to rearrange my desk. What a task it is to figure out where I want things. Of course, I wanted the monitor on the wall, but things are just a bit chaotic at the moment. In the process of cleaning up, my hand touched this stamp set, "Heard from the Heart," and I had to stop everything and stamp. Wanting to use the new designer paper meant having to find it. Normally, I don't lose my designer paper, but things were getting moved all around yesterday. Anyway, this cute sundress was made with "Bella Rose" designer paper and punches. I hate to say it, but I just love this little dress! And this paper! Let me tell you, it is GORGEOUS!!!! It seems to have a good mix of designs, too. Some soft, some rich in color, and a couple of them have a nice vintage look. Here it is . . . after 2:00 p.m., and I've been playing instead of rearranging. And it's been FUN!!!!

DREAMS DU JOUR - ANOTHER NEW STAMP SET!

I'm still having fun with new stuff! This box was made with the brand new "Dreams du Jour" stamp set and two new In Colors . . . Riding Hood Red and Kiwi Kiss. The Chocolate Chip poly twill ribbon turned out to be a bit heavy for the tag, but I just don't feel like changing it. I used the new Scallop Edge punch, too. This punch is a dream to use!

MY FIRST "DECOR ELEMENTS" PROJECT

Today was the day . . . the day to apply my new Decor Elements vinyl to the wall. This was a tricky project because I wanted to combine two of the vinyl wall products . . . the Flourish Frame and the "Create" definition. To begin with, we ever-so-carefully removed the border and dots of the frame and left the solid center behind. We then cut the definition into strips and, from there, made cuts between words until the fit was perfect. I thought about taking the lighthouse puzzle picture from the wall, but I really like it and decided it should stay. In real life, this project doesn't look nearly as askewed as it appears from the camera angle, but I thought it would help the visual to be able to see a little of what is around and below the vinyl. All in all, I'm pleased with the end result!

TAKE A BREAK

My sweet friend, Laura, sent me the "Take a Break" stamp that I used to create the card for this acetate gift bag. Unfortunately, I didn't have "the goods" to fill the bag, so this is a pretend project. ;-) I used some brand new SU products to create the card . . . the Pink Pirouette card stock and the Scallop Edge punch. The white embellishments on the bag are a leaf border and tulips that I cut with the Cricut. Isn't Laura the BEST???? Everyone should have a Laura in their life!

FALL/WINTER COLLECTION - PREORDER

UPS delivered my "Fall/Winter Collection" preordered items today.

This is the first project created with some of the new products. I used Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, and Kiwi Kiss card stock and inks, and the scalloped edge was created with the BRAND NEW Scallop Edge Punch!!!! The stamped image is from the new Level 3 Hostess set, "Window Dressing." Fine Cosmo glitter was used to add sparkle to the Build-a-Brad.