CANNERY SET FRAMELITS

On August 1st, the products in Stampin' Up!'s Holiday catalog will be available for purchase, and I think everyone needs must have the "Perfectly Preserved" bundle.  What's not to love about this collection's stamp set and dies????  I love that these products are suitable for male or female and just about any occasion.  You can invest a block of time using the products to add layers and detail or, as I did with this card, create something quick and sweet.  If I will give myself a chance, I'm sure I'll stock up on die-cut shapes to keep in the stamp case, which will make quick cards even quicker!  For now, I'm using them as quickly as I can stamp and cut them!  Other Stampin' Up! products featured on this card include one of the Delicate Designs embossing folders,  white Baker's twine, rhinestone jewels, "Teeny Tiny Wishes' stamp set, and Word Window and Modern Label punches.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

I never give much thought to Calypso Coral being a bright color, but it certainly looks bright pictured here!  Actually, it's a difficult color to photograph.  This was a really quick card to make, though, with the following Stampin' Up! products:  Calypso Coral, Whisper White, and Lucky Limeade card stock, "Mixed Bunch" and "So Sorry" stamp sets, "Stripes" and "Delicate Designs" embossing folders, 3/4" and 1" Circle punches, and Blossom Petals builder punch.  After punching the stamped flowers, I used a skewer to curl the edge of the petals. 

With my Freestyle Fridays post last week, I offered to send that card to someone who left a comment on that particular blog post.  There were a total of three comments (one was posted to Julie's blog), and the person who will be getting the card is . . . drum roll . . . Debbie.

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS"

It's time for Freestyle Fridays, and it's my turn to share a project.  With her blog post last Friday, Julie issued a mission for me to create a masculine card.  Any stamper knows that masculine cards are the most challenging, but that's probably because we mostly make cards for our women friends.  My card features the following Stampin' Up! products:  Midnight Muse and Summer Starfruit card stock, Comfort Cafe designer paper, "Petite Pairs" and "The Open Sea" stamp sets, and retired rope.  No bells and whistles this week . . . just a quick and easy masculine card.  Well . . . it would be quick if you know off the top of your head how to tie the figure 8 knot.  As for me, I had to consult the 'net.  And now . . . if you feel so inclined to leave a comment, you'll be entered in the drawing to receive this card.  On Monday, I'll use random.org to choose a winner.  Thanks for visiting my blog, and have a wonderful weekend!

"REASON TO SMILE"

Something "fancy", something new; something "spritzy", something blue . . . this card is all that.  The card itself (and the embossed layer on top of it) got its lovely shape from Stampin' Up!'s newest Framelits set - Window Frames Collection, which you'll find in the upcoming Holiday catalog.  The floral images are from the "Reason to Smile" stamp set, which is only $5 this month when you place a $50+ order.  I stamped the images with VersaMark ink and then sprinkled white embossing powder on them and heat set.  Ink and sponges were used to color this layer, and then I spritzed the card stock with Pacific Point and Old Olive.  I don't think the photo picks up the shimmer, but I have Champagne Mist shimmer paint mixed in the Spritzer bottle with Pacific Point ink, and it is really shimmery!  Of course, once I spritzed the card stock, I had to apply more ink because my "spritz" is made with water and it diluted my sponged colors a bit.  To make your own color spritz, you can use alcohol instead of water.  The only reason I use water is because I don't like the smell of alcohol and, if I have a roomful of customers using it, it will smell.  The smallest Window Frames die was used to cut the stamped sentiment, which is from the "Friendship Preserves" stamp set.  The dry-embossing on this card was created with the Fancy Fan embossing folder, and finishing touches were the gold glimmer brads and hemp twine bow.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

It's Monday again, which means it's time for me to share a snappy project!  Splashes of color have been added to this 3x6 Summer Starfruit card by adhering strips of Stampin' Up!'s Patio Party designer paper.  Each strip was given a fishtail cut to one end.  The sentiment is from the "Teeny Tiny Wishes" stamp set, and I finished the card with a Night of Navy grosgrain ribbon bow.  Not only was this card a snap to make, it gave purpose to a scrap of designer paper.

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS"

Happy Friday!!!  As you can tell, I have a sneak peek of Julie's Freestyle Fridays project!  It appears that she had a birthday on her mind when she made today's card.  I hope you'll join me in visiting Julie's blog to see the whole pretty project.  Bless her heart, she's been plagued with storms and intermittent power outages all week.  I'm sorry to keep this short and sweet, but my Inkerbelles' class is tonight and I still have a few chores to complete.  My stampin' friends might not be very happy if they show up and find that I'm still trying to find the ducks so I can get them in a row.  Have a wonderful weekend, and be sure to visit again on Monday to see my "Make-It-Snappy-Monday" project.

NO STAMPING TODAY--IT'S ALL ABOUT THE LAMP ON THE WASH STAND

For my birthday last year, my grandmother gave me the wash stand from her house that I had coveted for a long time.  Over the weekend, I decided to re-arrange a few things in the living room while my guys were at the gun show.  It was the perfect time to avoid gasps, attitude, and being questioned whether I planned to leave that there.  Moving things around meant that the lamp that once stood by the wash stand needed to be moved across the room, which left a dark corner.  I found a small lamp to place on the wash stand, but it looked dwarfed beside the bowl and pitcher.  As I walked past the wash stand this morning, I suddenly knew exactly what I needed . . . old books!  My husband and I went to Goodwill, where I found a lot of hardback books from which to choose--all I had to do was remove the paper covers to reveal the perfect books!  They aren't ancient or anything, but I was looking for some that looked worn and handled.  A couple of other considerations were the color and title, and I really liked the title of the book on top--"The Last Time I Was Me."  I might actually have to read that one.  For four dollars and some change, I was able to bring home the perfect lift for my lamp. 

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Happy Monday!!  Believe it or not, I had a really neat card that I was going to use for my MISM project, but I thought I should give Stampin' Up!'s "Perfectly Preserved" stamp set and Cannery Set Framelits dies a break--on my blog, at least.  Since Stampin' Up! has an awesome promotion this month, I decided to take the opportunity to feature this fun 2-step stamp set.  The sentiment for my card is from "Petite Pairs".  Other Stampin' Up! products featured on this card include Lucky Limeade, Very Vanilla, and Naturals Ivory card stock, Daffodil Delight 1/4" stitched grosgrain ribbon, Festive Paper-Piercing Pack (from the upcoming Holiday mini catalog), Stampin' Pierce Mat, Scallop Edge Border punch, Labels Collection Framelits dies, and Polka Dot Parade designer paper.

Click HERE to learn more about the "Reason to Smile"

promotion and/or to place an order.

"Reason to Smile" stamp set images

WEDDING "THANK YOU" SWAPS

I'm so late posting the pictures of the swaps from my June Inkerbelles' class!  There were three of us who participated in the June swap (me and two of my friends/customers, Debbie and Tracy).  Debbie and I each made two cards for the "Wedding Thank You" theme.  For my first card, I took inspiration from page 143 of the Stampin' Up! catalog.  I love, love, love this easy card stock/paper bow and chose to create a "thank you" stamped ribbon on my project.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Very Vanilla and Summer Starfruit card stock (yes, I'm one of the few who has grown to love Summer Starfruit), Pinking Hearts border punch, Hearts Collection Framelits dies, pearl jewel, Elegant Bouquet (retired) and Adorning Accents embossing folders, and a sentiment from Itty Bitty Banners. 

For my second card, I chose a very simple-to-create hand-cut dress for the card front, and I embossed it with the Manhattan Flower embossing folder.  I used Pacific Point card stock, Boho Blossoms punch, and a rhinestone jewel to adorn the dress, and the stamped sentiment is from the "Curly Cute" stamp set.  I don't think Debbie and Tracy will mind if I share the awesome cards that they created for the swap.  I think they deserve some blog glory!

Debbie's card #1

Debbie's card #2

Tracy's card

Be sure to visit tomorrow for my "Make-It-Snappy-Monday" project!

TIRAMISU CAKE POPS

I guess it was about seven months ago when I bought a Babycakes Cake Pop Maker and really enjoyed how easy--and quick--it was to make a batch of cake on a stick.  Or without a stick!  I didn't seem to care that I was taking the easy way out and didn't really feel that I was missing anything by having never made cake pops the original way.  And then I attempted to make strawberry cake pops the original way . . . bake a box of strawberry cake mix, crumble it, add strawberry frosting, roll into balls, insert stick with a little melted chocolate on the end, freeze for a short while, and then dip into melted chocolate.  What a major flop that was!  Of course, it was after the flop that I read of a measurement of frosting to add to the crumbled cake--1/2 cup--and I had used the whole stinkin' can!  After that, I resumed using the Babycakes Cake Pop Maker when I wanted a little sweetness, but I decided that I *had* to try the original method once more after my husband and son treated me to a Tiramisu cake pop from Starbuck's on our way to the beach last month.  O.M.G.  That was Heaven on a stick, I tell ya!  On Thursday, my sister, nephew, son, and I took a day trip to the mountains where I purchased some chocolate-covered Espresso beans, and I made these cake pops last night.  Success!!!!  They are soooooooooooooo yummy, and I think they look good, too!  I know that I don't have to tell on myself, but my guys literally cringe when they hear me mention that I want to make anything tiramisuish.  And there's a good reason for this.  Several years ago, I decided that I would make Tiramisu.  I didn't realize that I had done anything wrong until the dessert was a disaster.  I started reviewing the recipe and . . . BAM! (hand slaps forehead) . . . I had poured in a whole bottle of Rum flavor.  While mixing the ingredients, I read the correct ingredient but the wrong measure.  I remembered measuring 1/4 cup of Rum flavor and wondered why the recipe didn't just say to pour in the whole bottle since that's how much it took.  Of course, the recipe called for a fraction of a teaspoon!  I might never live down the Rum flavor, but my Tiramisu cake pops got high-fives from my guys!

DAISY IN A MASON JAR - MIXED MEDIA CANVAS

This project is a mixed media design on a 5x7 canvas board.  I used assorted inks, ink sprays, and paint to color the background and the frame.  Inside the frame, I placed a die-cut jar using one of the dies from Stampin' Up!'s Cannery Set Framelits.  Other Stampin' Up! products featured include white Baker's twine, layered die-cut daisies (retired Sizzix die), Naturals designer button, Gumball Green and Crumb Cake card stock, Travel Journal builder wheel, and Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (brushed on the decorative raised areas of the frame).  In case you're wondering, the frame was white when I took it out of the package. 

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS"

Happy Friday to you!  I'm quite pleased to present this cute little shaped card for my Freestyle Fridays project!  I wasn't sure how I would fulfill Julie's mission as set forth last week (to create something using embossing powder and a die cut or two), but I couldn't resist using new Stampin' Up! products from the upcoming Holiday mini catalog.  I used the Window Frame Collection Framelits dies to create the shaped card and the layers on it.  It's hard to tell from the photo, but I used the Woodgrain embossing folder on the Sahara Sand layer.  The stamped image ("homemade yum from the heart") is from the "Friendship Preserves" stamp set.  Notice the cute apple?  The apple and leaf images are from the "Perfectly Preserved" stamp set, and the images were stamped and then die-cut with the Cannery Set Framelits dies.  I absolutely love using Framelits dies because you can see where the die is going to cut your stamped image and, of course, they're even more fun to use when the stamps and dies coordinate!  The little white doily was cut with Stampin' Up!'s new Delicate Doilies Sizzlits L die, which works much better for me than the larger doily die, and I especially like Delicate Doilies because there are three doilies on the one die.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include white gel pen, Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon, rhinestone jewel, Stampin' Dimensionals, Soft Suede card stock, Black Craft ink, clear embossing powder, and markers to color the embossed image.  Have a great weekend!

"YOU'RE A BIG DEAL"

I can't remember if I posted this card when I made it, but I took this picture two days ago when I wrote a note and put it in an envelope to send to my great-aunt.  I found out today that she fell recently, so I'll bet she'll be glad to get some cheery mail.  She always says that my cards come at "just the right time," but I think any time is a good time to get a card!  I used the Gypsy to design this card and my Cricut Expression to cut it.  Hopefully, it will make aunt Betty feel special, and I also hope this is the first time you've seen it on my blog.  ;-)

"PINWHEELS ON PARADE" BLOG BANNER & *FREE* UPGRADE TO MDS 2

If you visit my blog very often, then you know that I LOVE Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio program and use it to design, among other things, banners for my blog.  My friend, Laura, recently suggested that I design a banner for her, so I did!  Laura's banner features Stampin' Up!'s "Pinwheels on Parade" digital kit, and I was really pleased with how it turned out.  As a matter of fact, I think I might like it better than my own banner.  If you haven't taken My Digital Studio for a FREE spin, what are you waiting for????  Learn more about the opportunity HERE.

Later this year, MDS 2, with more than 75 new features, will be available.  Did you know that if you purchase the current version of My Digital Studio (#118108) or My Digital Studio Express (#124483) between now and the launch of MDS 2, you will receive a FREE upgrade to MDS 2????  This is an awesome deal!!!!

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Today's MISM project is a criss-cross pocket card that features several of the new Stampin' Up! products from the upcoming Holiday mini catalog.  I {heart} the new cannery/preserves collections!!  My card is Soft Suede, and the other card stock colors that I used are Very Vanilla and Primrose Petals.  The designer paper that I used on the inside of the pocket and to create the tab (and the cut-out apple to decorate it) is from "Orchard Harvest".  Stamp sets used are "Friendship Preserves" and "Perfectly Preserved."  This card also features some cuts from two new Framelits die sets - "Window Frame" and "Cannery".  I have to admit that this card took a little more than a snap to make; however, it could have been a quick card if I hadn't played around with the design as much as I did.  I have a great suggestion for you--when you have stamp sets with coordinating dies, consider stamping extra images to die-cut as you cut what is needed for the project you're working on.  The extra cuts can be stored in the stamp set case and, believe me, you'll want to kiss yourself when you open the stamp case one day and realize that you have images ready to use!  Have a great day, a wonderful week, and visit again soon! 

JULIE'S "FREESTYLE FRIDAYS" CARD

Happy Friday to you!!!  Since Wednesday was a holiday, I've got my days mixed up, and today feels a lot like Tuesday for me.  I suppose I'll be confused until Monday rolls around.  Anyway . . . it's Julie's turn to create a Freestyle Fridays project this week, and I am anxious to see the rest of this card!  Julie said that she was working on this card when her husband came home and needed a sympathy card, and it looks like the design she was working on just happened to be appropriate.  To see the entire card, hop on over to Julie's blog.  Don't forget to leave a little comment love for her!

"SUMMER HAPPINESS" BLOG BANNER

One of my newest digital downloads for Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio software is the "Summer Happiness" kit, which includes a stamp brush set, designer paper, and some great embellishments.  Instead of playing with fireworks tonight, I decided to use this awesome digital designer kit to design a new blog banner.  How do you like the fence I created with the digital Jewelry Tag punch?  I used one of the digital papers from the "Frostwood Lodge" collection to make my little tag fence posts look like wood and was quite pleased with how they turned out.  All of the floral/foliage around the fence and the butterfly images are from the "Summer Happiness" kit.  If you've worked with My Digital Studio, then you already know how handy it is to have so many coordinating design options in one kit.  I'd love to know what you think about my new banner!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HALEY!!!!

Today is my niece's birthday, so I thought I'd share with you the card and envelope (inspired by France Martin) that I made for her using Stampin' Up!'s "Patio Party" designer paper.  This card also features the Fancy Fan embossing folder (on the punched hearts).  I just love this folder--maybe not as much as Square Lattice, but it's definitely in second place.  In the second photo (below), you can see how the card opens.  I used layers of coordinating card stock and a strip of designer paper for the note and signature piece inside the card.  The stamped sentiment is from the "Petite Pairs" stamp set, and the other Stampin' Up! products used include the tag punches and glimmer brad.  Happy Birthday, Haley!!!!  I hope you're having a wonderful day!!! 

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

One of my grandmother's quilting buddies is in the hospital, and the card that I made for her is fitting for my MISM project this week.  Every quilter would appreciate a quilt card, right?  I used Stampin' Up!'s "Floral District" designer paper because the patterns are bright and cheery.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include the Sizzix Top Note die, Fancy Fan embossing folder, Scallop Square punch, Eyelet Border punch (retired), rhinestone jewel, Daffodil Delight seam binding, and Gumball Green card stock.