FALLING FOR FALL . . . AND "SPICE CAKE"

Every now and then, I get kind of obsessed with a project that is nicely designed in my head, and I can hardly wait to complete it.  This Fall decoration was that kind of project.  I had told myself that I didn't "need" to purchase Stampin' Up!'s "Spice Cake" designer paper, but I was wrong, wrong, wrong.  Just look at it . . . it's gorgeous!  I love that it has a few splashes of "Pool Party" (one of the new In Color colors) because I am in love with that color!  To create the stacked flowers, I used Stampin' Up'!'s new Simply Scored scoring tool.  I have to admit that I already owned "the other two" scoring boards, but the Simply Scored board really and truly has features that the others don't have.  Believe me . . . I would NOT have invested in a third scoring board if one of my others was just like it!  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this project include Old Olive striped grosgrain ribbon, Eyelet Border punch, Serif Essentials alphabet dies, Leaves #2 Sizzix die, More Mustard grosgrain ribbon (retired), linen thread, and a few gorgeous designer buttons.



"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

I am so ready for Fall, and today's MISM project is proof!  I've been working on an autumn decoration, and the scraps from that project were perfect for this card.  The strips of "Spice Cake" designer paper were adhered to a piece of Very Vanilla card stock, embossed with the Square Lattice embossing folder, and adhered to a layer of Pool Party card stock.  The color of the card is More Mustard, and it has a layer of Early Espresso adhered to it.  Other Stampin' Up! products used include linen thread, Petite Pennants Builder and Small Oval punches, "Pennant Parade" stamp set, Sizzix Leaves #2 die, Houndstooth embossing folder, and Stampin' Dimensionals.  Enjoy this last day of Summer, and thank you for visiting!

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS"

It's Julie's turn this week to share a Freestyle Fridays project and, from the sneak peek photo that she shared with me, it appears that she has created a floral vine against a gorgeous (possibly embossed) rose-colored background.  Julie is sometimes adventurous, so we'll have to visit her blog to learn all of the details about her project.  She might even tell us what Frankii has been up to and share a picture of him!  I know she'll appreciate it if you take a few seconds to leave a comment.  Have a terrific weekend, and visit me again on Monday to see my "snappy" project.

A VINTAGE PITCHER

I was born into a family with women who can cook, clean, and craft.  While I may have inherited a fraction of their crafty genes, that's about it because I do not like to cook and clean and I'm not really good at either one.  It's not actually fair for me to imply that the women before me enjoyed cooking and cleaning, but I used to think that they did; otherwise, why were they always doing it?  I know better now.  I think it's quite ironic that we have so many modern conveniences, appliances, and tools to make cooking and cleaning "easier," and yet I wonder how my grandmothers EVER found time to do anything fun because it seemed like they were always in the kitchen or pulling laundry through two rollers, defrosting the refrigerator with pots of hot water, and constantly scrubbing something.  It's good that I wasn't a homemaker back then.  About my card . . . my mamaw C made the best sweet tea.  I mean . . . it was T-H-E best.  I can still picture (in my mind) the jar of tea, with fresh lemons floating in it, sitting on the table by the window, waiting to be poured for Sunday lunch.  I also remember wondering how anyone could pour from that big jar without flooding the kitchen, but I would probably have been happy to lick the floor if there had been a tea flood.  I recently contacted one of my aunts to see if she knew how to make mamaw C's tea and if she'd tell me how.  She is going to send the "how-to" to me tomorrow, and I am so excited about the possibility, although my enthusiasm is guarded because I know I have domestic limitations.  I already know that I need to purchase a glass jar (or pitcher), but I wanted to make a card to send to my aunt to thank her for the recipe.  I know it's probably just tea, water, sugar, and lemons, but that's how nearly everyone makes tea, and everyone's tea tastes different.  My own tea tastes different each time that I make it, but I am determined to achieve success with mamaw's amber elixir, as Tommy Tomlinson once described sweet tea and wrote that it "tastes like the south and feels like home".  That is such a true statement because one of my most nostalgic childhood memories is mamaw's C's sweet tea.  I used the Gypsy to design my shaped card, my Cricut Expression and the "Love You a Latte" cartridge to cut it, and Stampin' Up!'s "Square Lattice" embossing folder and pearl jewels on the "tea time" layer.  Soft Suede ink was sponged around the edges of the card.  I guess it's a huge blessing that mamaw C didn't enjoy stamping or I might have never savored the best sweet tea in the south!

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Is it just me, or are the Mondays coming around really fast?  It's hard to believe that we'll be turning another calendar page soon, and you know what that means . . . the Christmas rush will begin. 

For my MISM card, I decided to make it really snappy by using a pretty design from Stampin' Up!'s "Pocketful of Posies" designer paper collection.  The balloons seemed perfect for my "sending many thanks" card!  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Whisper White and Perfect Plum card stock, white gel pen, oval punches, "Petite Pairs" stamp set, Stampin' Dimensional, and Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon.  I have to admit that I was very pleased with the way this quick card turned out and, even though Perfect Plum isn't a new color, I'm falling in love with it (again).

"NOTABLY ORNATE" & ROSETTES

My sister has been visiting this weekend, and she needed a card for a co-worker, which gave me an opportunity to "play."  Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Peach Pizzazz card stock and ink, Always Artichoke card stock for the leaves (from the Two-Step Bird punch), ribbon, "Just Add Cake" designer paper, Modern Label punch, and "Notably Ornate" stamp set for the sentiment.  The flowers and die-cut white border are from the Cricut "Art Philosophy" cartridge.

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS" ... CRISS-CROSSED AND SCORED FOR BABY

With her post last week, Julie issued a mission for me to design a baby project with something to put it in, such as an envelope, box, etc.  I wasn't entirely sure what to make, but I knew that I wanted to use Stampin' Up!'s brand new Simply Scored scoring tool, which is one of the brand new products in the Holiday mini catalog and available on September 1.  I decided to make a criss-cross card with a matching envelope using "Nursery Nest" designer paper.  As you can see from the photo, I decorated the front of the card with designer paper, a sweet button from the Subtles designer collection, and brand new Lucky Limeade ruffled ribbon.  For the card insert and the sentiment, I used My Digital Studio and the adorable "Little Additions" stamp brush set.  Do not let this set fool you . . . it is a fabulous set that can be used for a variety of projects--not just baby!  On the back of the insert, I used the Slit punch to create a gift card holder and the design on the front, of course, was created using images from the "Little Additions" set.  On the envelope, I used the Scallop Trim Corner punch on the points.  The pretty scallop trim doesn't show up very well, but it added a little something pretty, along with the hearts which are from one of the Itty Bitty Shapes punches.  Additional digital elements used on this project include the small heart and oval punches, Baker's twine, and pearl jewels.  If you haven't ordered My Digital Studio for yourself yet, what in the world are you waiting for?????  You could order everything (including the Simply Scored tool) that I used to create this ensemble and earn some hostess FREEBIES.  One of my favorite things about My Digital Studio is that once you get your digital projects designed the way that you want them, you can use them over and over again!  I {heart} My Digital Studio AND the brand new Simply Scored scoring tool.  Go ahead and add it to your "must have" list because it has features that some of the other scoring tools on the market don't have, such as the ever-so-helpful place markers!  In the coming months, I will be showing my customers the ways to use (and reasons to fall in love with) this tool.

"FRIGHTFUL SIGHT" POP-UP CARD

You can't tell by looking at the front of this card that it has a little surprise inside, but it does.  It's a really fun pop-up card!  Two years ago, I worked on a pop-up scrapbook layout (HERE) and decided to apply the same principle to create this card.  The inside is a bit bulkier than I would like, but I adhered the striped designer paper to a piece of card stock before I started cutting the pop-ups.  I  like that it's sturdy--it just wasn't as easy to work with.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include:  Cajun Craze, Basic Black, and Old Olive card stock, "Frightful Sight" designer paper, rhinestone jewels, Sizzix Tasteful Trim die, Spider Web embossing folder, Champagne Mist shimmer mist, black Satin ribbon, Postage Stamp punch, 1" Square punch, Sticky Strip, and "Grateful Greetings" stamp set.  Be sure to visit my blog tomorrow to see a cute criss-cross baby card!

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

It’s time once again for MISM, and I have a quick design for you today!  I’ve mentioned before that I have a box (these days, it’s actually a drawer) where I keep punched and die-cut pieces that I thought I would use on a project but ended up not using.  I love being able to find “something” in the drawer to pull together a quick card!  Sometimes I even put stamped images in the drawer that are ready to go—just waiting for the right moment.  For this card, I found the die-cut and embossed butterflies from Stampin’ Up!’s “Beautiful Wings” Sizzix Embosslits die.  Other Stampin’ Up! products used to create this card include Very Vanilla, Island Indigo, Old Olive, and Daffodil Delight card stock, “First Edition” designer paper, crochet trim, pearl jewels, 1” circle punch, “Square Lattice” embossing folder, sponge dauber, Soft Suede and Island Indigo ink, Eyelet Border punch, and “Curvy Verses” stamp set.  To create the ruffled designer paper, I first used the Eyelet Border punch along one edge and then scored the paper to help shape the pleats.  A sponge dauber was used to apply Soft Suede ink to the edges, and I also used the dauber to “dirty up” the designer paper.  This card really was quick to make and is now ready to go when I need it! 

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS" & BLOG CANDY WINNER!!!!

It's Julie's turn to share a creative project for this installment of Freestyle Fridays and, from the sneak peek photo that she sent to me, there will be no disappointment!  Obviously, she has created a baby girl card, and it looks lovely!  I love the pretty pink beads on the pin, the adorable baby face adornment, and the shaped layers on which the pin is attached.  Be sure to hop on over to Julie's blog to see the whole project, and don't forget to leave a sweet comment. 

Last week, in celebration of the one-year anniversary of Freestyle Fridays, Julie and I each offered blog candy and promised to announce the winners this week.  I used a random generator to choose Jacqueline Frisbie, #21, as my winner.  She wrote:  I just joined your site and am looking forward to freestyle card examples. I love the one on display now. Hope to receive many new ideas on card making from everyone. Thank you.

CONGRATULATIONS, JACQUELINE!!!!  I will contact you to get an address to where I can send the blog candy!

Many thanks to each of you who left a comment!!