CRY ME A RIBBON

My ribbon caddy says it's lonely--

it will cry the long night through.

Well, it can cry me a ribbon;

yes, cry me a ribbon

'til I can fill it with ribbon that's new.

So I just finished removing all of the retired/retiring ribbon from the caddy, and it was far more than I had imagined it would be.  The caddy is nearly empty!!!  Just look at all of the ribbon that I had to take out--some of the rolls haven't even been opened!  I'm really excited about Stampin' Up!'s new colors--I really am--but it's kind of sickening to see stacks of card stock, ribbon, designer paper, etc. which, after one more sleep, will be retired. 

PANSIES STAND FOR THOUGHTS

At my last Inkerbelles' class, we made pansies for one of our projects.  I just uncovered this one and decided to make a quick card with it.  I actually really like this card!

VINTAGE ROSEBUDS PROJECT

One of Stampin' Up!'s new products is a 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch, which I used this morning to create the rosebuds for this Fancy Favor box.  Other Stampin' Up! products used include "Newsprint" designer paper, "Little Leaves" Sizzlits die, mini vintage tag (love these things), Heart to Heart and Small Heart punches, and a Stampin' Sponge to apply Basic Gray ink to the edges of the designer paper.

"GREENHOUSE GALA" SLIDER

Unless I change my mind between now and July 16th, this is going to be one of the projects at my Inkerbelles' class.  I LOVE this interactive card, and anyone who receives one of these will also love it!  I have to admit that my first one took forever, the second one took a good little while, but the third one took about 10 minutes.  As a matter of fact, I was finished so quickly that I had to double-check to make sure it wasn't inside-out, backward, or something! 

Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include BRAND NEW and GORGEOUS "Greenhouse Gala" designer paper, "Dreams du Jour" stamp set, Heart to Heart punch, Scallop Trim corner punch, and 1/4" Chocolate Chip ribbon.

CHERRY ESPRESSO "ARTISTIC ETCHINGS"

One of Stampin' Up!'s new colors is this delicious, rich Cherry Cobbler!  It's the prettiest red ever, don't you think?  And I'm not even a lover of red!  While the "Artistic Etchings" stamp set was still out, I decided to make another card.  Stampin' Up! products used on this card include Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, and Cherry Cobbler card stock, "Because I Care" stamp set (a new Level 1 hostess set), jumbo eyelet, clear rhinestone brad, Bitty Button, linen thread, and the following punches:  Scallop Oval, Large Oval, Boho Blossoms, Heart to Heart, Small Heart, 1-3/8" Square, and Eyelet Border.  I also used some tiny rhinestones that were left from the Eggcellent Eggs Kit (Occasions mini catalog).

BOUNTIFUL HARVEST

My brother-in-law stopped by today with a bag full of goodies from his garden!  I love visitors who come bearing gifts!  He forgot the tomatoes, but we'll forgive him--this time.  My husband can have the zucchini and eggplant, but it looks like I'll be having squash casserole (maybe fried squash), steamed cabbage, something with green pepper, and cukes on the side.  Yum-O!!!!!!!

INKED & SHABBY "ARTISTIC ETCHINGS"

It's been a while since I last created something--really created something--and I'll be honest . . . my creative spirit just now seems to be trickling back to me.  Still, as much as I really like this brand new stamp set ("Artistic Etchings") and Stampin' Up!'s new "Newsprint" designer paper, I still felt a bit challenged to create with them.  Only part of my pre-ordered items from the new catalog have arrived, and I suppose that's a good thing because too many new things overwhelm me.  I can't seem to do much more than look at them.  But then . . . around 2:00 this morning, I opened my brand new Early Espresso and Marina Mist ink pads and made this card.  Other Stampin' Up! products used include the Scallop Trim border punch, natural hemp twine, metallic brads, and Crumb Cake (formerly known as Kraft), Early Espresso, and Marina Mist card stock.

WITH SYMPATHY

I needed a sympathy card tonight for one of my husband's best friends, and "Lovely as a Tree" came to the rescue.  That stamp set has been around for quite a while--for good reason.  As you can see, this is a gate-fold card, and the stamped image and sentiment were placed on opposite panels.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, and Very Vanilla card stock, Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Modern Label and Word Window punches, "Teeny Tiny Wishes" stamp set, and "Thoughts & Prayers" stamp set.

FUN WITH THE "TWO TAGS" DIE

I had a fun class last Friday, and this cute and easy treat holder was one of the projects that I had planned for my Inkerbelles.  To make the holder, we used two tags from the Sizzix "Two Tags" die, Tempting Turquoise and Old Olive card stock, a Very Vanilla jumbo brad, Eyelet Border punch, Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder, Two-Step Bird XL punch (LOVE this punch), and one of the papers from the "Island Oasis" designer paper collection.  A clear zip-top bag holding Jelly Belly candy (which happens to be blue and green) is inside the holder, secured by the jumbo brad. 

GODSPEED . . . AN OLDIE, BUT GOODIE

Several years ago, Stampin' Up! had the "Godspeed" stamp set available, I think, in a mini catalog.  At the time, my niece either was or had been deployed to the Middle East, so the stamp set was one that I really appreciated.  This set is still a favorite of mine because the images are perfect . . . helmet, Blue Star Service banner, ribbon and, especially, the soldier with the letter he's writing in the background.  A demo friend's husband has recently been deployed, and her children are struggling to understand why their daddy had to leave.  I made this card to send to them to let them know that their hero is our hero . . . one who is brave and unselfish . . . and that he is appreciated.  They are trying to see if they can receive cards from all of the states (they are stationed in Germany), so here's a card from North Carolina!