LACY EMBELLISHED TREE

First of all, I apologize for the poor quality of the picture, but this one was difficult to photograph! I used one of Cuttlebug's new embossing folders (Lace Tree) and ran it through the Big Shot to emboss the image on the card stock. The cute little gem embellishments were a free gift with some Cricut items I recently ordered, so I put them to good use on this card. I'm told that you can create your own gems by squeezing a circle of Crystal Effects onto some wax paper and then use SU ink refills to color them--a little color goes a long way. I haven't tried this yet, but I'll bet it works! FYI: I have a couple of extra "Lace Tree" embossing folders for sale if you'd like one! I'm only asking what I paid for them (price + shipping) = $7. First come, first serve.

UPSY DAISY - GRID TECHNIQUE

I'm not really in love with this card--couldn't seem to figure out what I wanted to do. The grid was created with the Scor-Pal and accented with Turquoise Stickles. SU products used include Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, and Whisper White card stock, Scallop Edge punch (for corners and edging), "Upsy Daisy" stamp set, Kiwi Kiss Classic ink, and Kiwi Kiss 5/8" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon.

EASY POCKET SILHOUETTES

Yet another easy card featuring designer paper (Bella Rose), ribbon, and "Pocket Silhouettes." This is such a great little stamp set and lends itself nicely for quick cards!

SUMMER PICNIC

How's this for an easy card???? The only time-consuming part of this one was allowing the Crystal Effects to dry. In case you can't find it, the little punched flowers were covered with Crystal Effects. Aren't they cute?

A NEW PURSE

Since I was trying this purse for the first time, I used retired designer paper, but I plan to make another one . . . a better one . . . with some of SU's awesome new paper. The one that keeps coming to mind is Maine Blueberry--that paper is GORGEOUS! I'd also like to find a different closure for this purse. I used Velcro, but it's so ugly when the purse is opened, and yet my magnets weren't strong enough to hold it closed. I really like this purse design, though, because it's a good size.

"FIRST DAY"

This poem, not written by me, is for all those moms who will be sending a little one to Kindergarten . . . and for my sister, a teacher, who will have to deal with them (the moms).

FIRST DAY
Everyone has a "First Day" when they feel sad and all alone.
It can be so scary when you're out on your own.
Take my hankie, dry your tears. You'll probably make new friends.
I Promise we'll be together when the school day ends.
Here comes the teacher--blow your nose and be brave.
Come on now wipe your eyes, this is no way to behave.
"Well, good morning teacher. We really must beg your pardon.
No, MOMMY doesn't always act this way, but it's MY first day of KINDERGARTEN!"

ANOTHER SCALLOP CIRCLE GIFT BOX

It's probably safe to say that these little boxes/totes are addictive! I guess it's also safe to say that I love Chocolate Chip card stock! Once again, I used the Big Shot to cut the scallop circles (Sizzix Scallop Circles die and Sizzix Scallop Circles #2 die). The only other additions to this box are the Styled Silver Hodgepodge Hardware brads (one on each side of the box) and SU's brand new felt flowers (Flower Fusion Too). I used a taller and wider box between the two circles this time, and I opted to not add a handle. SU colors used are Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, and Pink Pirouette, and I used the SU white gel pen to add the doodling, which is another nice addiction. Oops! I mean "addition."

SCALLOP CIRCLE GIFT TOTE & PILLOW BOX

Yesterday afternoon, UPS brought some SU goodies and I've been trying to put them to good use. For this gift purse/tote, I used the two Sizzix Scallop Circle dies. Is this a cute little dilly or what?????? One of the new dies has two scallop circles on it. The smallest one could have been used to create the floral element, but this one had been created with the Scallop Circle punch some time ago. For the flower stem, I used a leftover snippet of Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon. Another new ribbon, the 5/8" Striped Kiwi Kiss grosgrain, was used to create the handle. For the pillow box, I used two dies . . . "Pillow Box," of course, and "Birds & Blooms." That gorgeous paper is the brand new "Maine Blueberry!" If you've ever made a pillow box without a die, then you will be able to appreciate this die! I used to hate scoring the paper/card stock on the curves, but the Sizzix die does all of the scoring for you! Awesome!

A LOADED BELLA ROSE

This card is just full of fun products! To begin with, I used that awesome "Bella Rose" designer paper. Can you tell that the 3D rose is on a scalloped square? That square was punched from SU's brand new Scallop Square! The new Scallop Edge punch was used to create the neat frame, which also serves as a ribbon slider for SU's new 1-1/4" Pink Pirouette grosgrain ribbon. It's wide enough to almost be used on it's own as a layer, but I decorated the ribbon with "A Perfect Day" Rub-Ons. Other SU products used to create this card include Pink Pirouette, Riding Hood Red, and Kiwi Kiss card stock, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, 2-Way Glue, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

MORE "URBAN GARDEN" & BIG SHOT

Can you tell by now that I LOVE using the Big Shot die cut machine? I'm so anxious to demonstrate it and hope to get a class scheduled in September for nothing but Big Shot! I'm also trying to work out details for a "Big Shot Club" which will make it easier to afford this awesome die cut machine by spreading the purchase price over a period of four months, so start saving your $$$. For this card, I used "Urban Garden" designer paper and cut one of the flowers to create a 3D focal point. I also used the Snow Blossom and Trio Flower punches and a Rhinestone brad for the flower center. To create the frame, I used the Sizzix "Top Note" die and made two cuts from designer paper. On one of them, I cut along the edge perforation to create a border/outline for the other die cut. I think it's a pretty nice look! I also used the Sizzix "Birds & Bloom" die to cut the bird. I just love this little bird!!! Other SU products used include Night of Navy 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Bashful Blue card stock, and Confetti Cream card stock.