Dawn McVey Color Challenge #20

This is Dawn's great color challenge. I love it and I loved the flowers she made on a card a few days later (Nov. 24). Dawn used an old book to make her flowers. I stamped PTI Polka Dot II on the front and back of copy paper, then punched out 8 marvy mega (giga for the largest) scallop punches (per flower), then stacked them up, used a paper pierce and brad to secure then in the middle and last start crumpling from the middle out. Dawn has full details on her blog www.dawnmcvey.typepad.com

Here is an up close view. Check out the awesome new MS edge punch! It is sold in a set, the edge and the corner all in one box. Love Martha Stewart too!

Supplies PTI Polka Dot Basics II & Handwritten Notes, PTI Raspberry Fizz Ink, SU Ink and CS- Cool Caribbean, lavender lace, mellow moss, Choc Chip, MS edge punch, PTI Raspberry Fizz ribbon, white Stazon ink pad., Marvy Mega and Giga Scallop Circle punches, brads.

Halmark Inspiration

My sweet mother sent my hubby & I an anniversary card in October. (Note to my sister, it is the same card mom sent you for your anniversary :-) The card had glittery butterflies and cute little sayings falling down the card. I loved it! And it inspired these card. I cut the butterflies out with my cuttlebug die and stitched the butterflies on with brown thread (antennas). I am really happy with how they turned out.

Supplies: PTI Friends till the End and Polka Dot Bkg, CS- Su Certainly Celery, Choc Chip, Pretty in Pink, EK edge punch, Ink- Certainly Celery & choc chip, Cuttlebug die, material and thread, gems unknown.

Birthday Martini

This really is one of my favorite new stamp sets, by Impression Obsession (IO) - Birthday Cakes. This is my first stamp set from IO and it is very nice, it stamps really well. Seriously, how cute are those little cupcakes??? It didn't show up in the photo but the cupcakes and candle are highlighted with a stardust pen. It looks sparkly in person. Love how this card turned out, it makes me smile. Make it a great day!

Supplies: SU cardstock and ink: Choc. Chip, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Whisper White & So Saffron. Punch - EK, IO -Birthday Cakes, Ribbon - Melon Mambo by SU, Cuttlebug -Swiss Dot embossing Folder, and sakura stardust pen.

Dawn's #18 Raspberry Suite Color Challenge

I love it when Dawn puts out a challenge. http://www.dawnmcvey.typepad.com/ It gives me a reason to work outside my box. I usually pick the same colors, the same style. Thanks Dawn!

I just bought these Blossom nestabilies. I love them and so much easier to store than punches. I hope you like my spin on the color challenge. And then......I couldn't make just one, I had other new toys to play with.......

I just found this double edge doily punch at Michael's yesterday, it is Martha Stewart (she makes such great punches!) I can't wait to get my little hands on MS new daisy edge punch!

Supplies: SU Wonderful Words II, PTI Garden of Life, Text Style, Polka Dot Basics I & II, PTI CS Raspberry Fizz and New Leaf, SU CS Kraft and Choc Chip, PTI New Leaf ink, Versa Mark, PTI New leaf ribbon, Button unknown, Crystal Stickers, MS Edge Punch.

Supplies for Moments card: Daisy Bucket Stamp & PTI Garden of Life, Nestablities Scallop & Circles, MS double edge Doily Punch, CS-PTI New leaf & Raspberry Fizz, SU CS- Kraft & Vanilla, SU Choc Chip Ink, PTI New Leaf Ink, Crystal Stickers.

Simple Fabric Card

Isn't this just the most wonderful time of the year. We just spend an hour outside playing and riding bikes. I love all the colors and this week the weather is WONDERFUL! I hope you have a fabulous day too!

The large scallop square is cut out of fabric that I found at Hancock fabrics, I cut it out and then sprayed it with a fabric stiffener. Then I stitched it onto the Kraft cardstock. I love the pattern in the fabric so I wanted it to stand alone. Finished this card measures 5 1/2* 51/2.

Supplies SU unless otherwise noted: PTI revised Out on a limb sentiments, Kraft & Ivory CS, Purely Pomegranate CS & Ribbon, Marvy Oval Punches, Sizzix Scallop square,

My Mother's Birthday Card

This was my Mother's Birthday card last month, she really loved it! I have seen a similar layout somewhere along the lines. I love this stamp set from Impression Obsession- Birthday Cakes, the whole set is so sassy and cute!

All Supplies SU unless noted: Impression Obsession- Birthday Cakes, CS-Kraft, Rich Razzleberry CS & Ink, Whisper White, Black Stazon, Crystal Stickers, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Nestabilities- Lrg Ovals & Scallop Ovals, Dimensional, Blender Pen, DSP.

Fabric Flower

I can't decide - Is this card too obnoxious? I think I like it. What do you think? I used the Stampin' Up! clear scallop square to make the ruffle across the bottom. I folded the fabric in half and ran it though my sizzix, to make long enough to go all the way across the card.

The flower is the made with the Sizzix Flower Layer die, which has to be my FAVORITE die right now. I love it!

Supplies all SU unless noted: Friends 'till the end by Papertrey, Brad by SU, Flower layer die & Scallop Square from Sizzix-SU, Choc Chip CS SU, Fabric unknown, Ribbon Choc Chip SU, Baha Breeze and Choc Chip ink SU.

WCMC Challenge #4: Australia

WCMC Challenge #4: Australia from Papertrey Inc. website

http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2009/10/wcmd-challenge-4-australia.html

I love the photos for this challenge, the colors remind me of fall. I love the small dots and the layered look of the artwork. Out of that inspiration came this fall card. If you look hard the top layer the leaves are stamped with Carmel and White . I can't tell you how much I LOVE fall but I do hate what follows (in Iowa that is). I hope you get to enjoy all the wonderful colors where you live! Oh, and please cross your fingers for me that I win one of these challenges, I really love the prize, it is truly priceless to me! I emailed Papertrey just a few weeks ago about the Flower Fusion set asking why I couldn't find it on their website. I LOVE IT!

All Supplies SU unless noted: Autumn Splendor, Mega Mixed Messages PTI, Kraft corduroy buttons, EK edge punch, 5/8" Choc Chip Grosgrain, CS & Ink- Creamy Carmel, Choc Chip, Dusty Durango, White, Kraft, Dimensionals, Paper Piercing tool.

WCMD Challenge #3: India

This is the Challenge #3: India and it was probably the hardest challenge for me. But, I was so excited to use my new Copper embossing powder. The inspiration for this card came from the colors and sequence (bling) in the photos posted on Nichole Heady's site http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2009/10/wcmd-challenge-3-india.html
and a little inspiration from some earrings in the Target ad on Sunday.

I love all the copper and bronze jewelry in the stores now. I just had to get my hands on some embossing powder and bring the inspiration to my cards. I apologize for the poor photo, no matter what I did it just wasn't perfect, either too much glare or to dark.

All Supplies SU unless noted: Medallion, PTI Mega Mixed Messages, Zing Copper Powder, CS-White, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, 1 3/4" Circle punch, dimensionals, Rhinestones unknown, embossing buddy.

WCMD Challenge #2: Mexico

Again, this is for PTI challenge #2 Mexico.
http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2009/10/wcmd-challenge-2-mexico.html
I love the little dresses with embroidered flowers, they are so colorful and bright. This card is inspired by the bright colors and beautiful flowers. I love how this turned out, it make me smile.
Supplies (all supplies SU unless otherwise noted)- PTI Friends 'Till the End, Sizzix Flower Layers, CS-Pumkin Pie, Ridinghood Red, Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, Cool Carribean, Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Pattern Paper-October Afternoon, Martha Stewart Edge Punch, Hodge Podge Hardware.

WCMD Challenge #1: Japan

Today is World Card making day so I decided to play along, and because the prize is awesome and I really (x 1,000) want it. This is my card for for the first challenge - Japan. The challenge comes from Papertrey Ink

http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/

I have had these bamboo coaster in my stamp room for years, so I immediately grabbed them. The leaf stem is embossed int black. Hope you like it.

Supplies: PTI Life & Mega Mixed Messages, SU cardstock-Black, white, & ruby red, Lrg scalloped nestabilities, SU black and gold embossing powder, SU powder pal, SU gold brads, SU flower trio punch, Target $1 spot coasters.

Our 12 year Anniversary

Today is our anniversary. I can't believe we have been married for 12 wonderful years. I don't know if 12 years gives me any right to give advice but I just have to say that no marriage is perfect, we all have our ups and downs. Just remember to respect each other and give each other space but spend quality time together. And last, it is all about a little give and take. I wish you love and a great day!

This is the card I gave to Bob, it is very simple but he loves clean, simple manly cards.

All supplies SU unless noted: PTI Out on a limb sentiments, EK Success Heart Punch, Kraft & Black CS, Ruby Red Ink & CS, retired SU DSP, rhinestones ? , dimensionals.

Making Friends with Texturz Plates

I have purchased several of these texturz plates from Stampin' Up! but in the past I haven't been able to get a very deep impression. After seeing other projects that have great results, I became determined to figure out what I am doing wrong. I bought the multipurpose platform and followed the directions....still not that great .... Hummm, so I went back to the old standby- a paper shim. I used the multi platform and one piece of vanilla cardstock and wha laa, look at the results. I am super happy, a deep image you can see. Now, I just need to earn this leave 2 hostess stamp set for myself.

Supplies SU unless noted: Asian Artistry, PTI Mega Mixed Messages, Perfect Details Texturz plate, CS & Ink- Sahara Sand, Rich Razzleberry, & Always Artichoke, DSP Alway Artichoke, Polka-Dot Grosgrain Rich Razzleberry, 1 1/4" & 1 3/8" Circle punch, Dimensionals.

Dawn McVey Color Challenge #17

I love Dawn McVey's Color Challenges to get me out of my color ruts! I love this one and really love how my card turned out. Crazy as it is, I just bought these cute cupcake stickers from Michael's just a few days ago, and they totally match Dawn's challenge. Lucky me! The cupcakes are made with a felt fabric and I have been dieing to use them.

(I have tried several things but I can't get Dawn's color challenge to appear on top so here is Dawn's challenge:)

All Supplies SU unless otherwise noted: Birthday Basics PTI, Martha Stewart Cupcake stickers, Cuttlebug decorative circles, Chocolate Chip Ink & CS, CS- Baha Breeze, Kraft & Very Vanilla, DSP-Real Red, Baha Breeze, Chocolate Chip, 1 3/4" Circle punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Marvy Scallop Circle punch, Paper Piercing tool, dimensionals, chocolate ribbon & red button unknown.

Removable Sticker Cards

I have been making these cards for my girls since they started school. My girls LOVE stickers and mail so I wanted to combine both into cards to put in their lunchboxes. If you look close at the butterflies you will see the clear edges around the stickers. I have been cutting the stickers off the sticker sheet and then using glue dots to adhere them to the cards. This way my girls can peal the stickers off the backing and put them in their sticker books. I made the girls stickers books a year ago for Christmas. They love filling their books. Last week Hobby Lobby had stickers half off so I stocked up. ;-) Have a fab day!

Supplies: PTI Mega Mixed Messages, Kindness Wheel, So Saffron Ink, Rose Red Ink & CS, Whisper White CS, Stickabilities Sticker, Mini Glue Dots

Very Quick Teacher card

I went on my first field trip today with my girls' Kindergarten class. It was so fun to spend the day with them again. I miss them being home with me.
I made this thank you card for the teacher a few weeks back so today is a good time to share it. I only have one 'school' type stamp set and the 4 stamps in it are very large. It is very basic but I was happy to come up with this with my limited resources. (I really want the PTI teacher set :-)

Along the bottom of the card, if you look close I stamped pencils from the retired SU Elementary Essentials stamp set in Real Red. And the button is my new FAVORITE technique. Cut a very thin strip of CS, thread it though the button, criss cross the tails in the back, and use glue dots on the back of the button to hold the CS in place. I love this because I hate getting out the needle and thread to fill my buttons. I know I will use more buttons now that I have found this idea. (Sorry for the poor photo, I was very short on time.)

All Supplies SU unless otherwise noted: Elementary Essentials, Much Appreciated, Summer Picnic DSP, Real Red CS and Ink, Whisper White CS, Bashful Blue ribbon & Ink, Scallop Oval & Lrg Oval punch, Button non-SU unknown supplier, Glue Dots

Tossing you a bone!

My best friend Kriss has let me know how disappointing my blog has been recently. She asked me to throw her a 'bone' and post something. I know we all have a lot on our plates so you don't need to hear me whine. I will just say that my world has really been crazy since I started this blog. Most recently I had my wisdom teeth out last week. I heard for the first time in my life (at age 35), "Well, you are a little old for..." And, the Dr. was right, it has not been fun and on Saturday I found out that I had dry sockets. OUCH! No fun but today I think I can say that I am feeling slightly human again. So, here is your bone, Kriss!

I found these adorable sticker flowers at Michaels by Martha Stewart. I just think they are so cute! A very simple card, made in minutes!

Supplies- SU whisper white and green galore cardstock, SU pumpkin pie ink, Zinnia Stickers MS, yours truly poppy ribbon, PTI Garden Life, MS border punch

I'm back!

So sorry I have been gone for so long. Besides back to school we were in Mexico for a week for a wedding. It was fabulous! It is always so great to reconnect with my hubby! The weather was wonderful, the wedding perfect, and the resort AMAZING! We were in the Playa Del Carmen and the resort was The Royal, I would love to go back again. It was the best resort we have been to yet. Loved it!

Dawn's #14 color challenge

Hello! I have been missing in action again! I spent the last 2 weeks in Minneapolis and Omaha with my hubby and twins. I wanted to squeeze the last life out of the summer. We did a ton of kids stuff in both towns! My twins start Kindergarten on Thursday and I am afraid I am going to have a nervous break down. I just dread giving up the care of my girls. I have been the sole care giver (besides my hubby) for 5 and a half years. I feel like I am getting laid off or something. So sad, I just can't believe how fast time flies....... WOW! I remember being pregnant and thinking when will they ever fit into these HUGE clothes (12mo.). And they are 5 now and going to school! Just can't believe it! Anyway, thought I would get my mind off it and take part in Dawn's challenge for the first time. Hope you like it!

Supplies all SU unless otherwise noted: Papertrey Everyday Classics, Lattice Die, CS & Ink-Bravo Burgundy, Elegant Eggplant, Rose Red & Very Vanilla. Punch - Trio Flower, Wide Oval, Lrg Oval, & Scallop Oval. Accessories- Cuttlebug Polka Dot embossing folder, silver brads, dimesionals.

Dawn McVey's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #14

http://dawnmcvey.typepad.com/these_are_a_few_of_my_fav/2009/08/raspberry-suite-color-challenge-14.html

Jack-in-the-box card

Hello, I am stamping/scrapping with my stampin friends this weekend. It is fabulous fun~! My friend, Kriss even had a princess birthday party for me last night. Princess happens to be what I call myself, to my hubby, when I don't want to certain tasks (mowing the lawn, killing spiders etc). Anyway, I am stamping lots of cards. I will have lots of new cards to post this week. I love this new hostess set from the new catalog (stinkin cute!). Hope you like what I created!

All Supplies SU unless otherwise noted: Out of the Box & All Holidays stamp set, craft white ink CS and ink- not quite navy, old olive, & rose red. Scallop edge punch, earth elements brad, dimensionals.

Part 2 Printed Window Sheet

Hope you had a wonderful weekend! I spent the weekend with family celebrating my bday and it was wonderful! This card is part 2 of the demonstration I did for my down line on printed window sheets. Again, I am sorry for the photo, it is so hard to get a good photo with minimal reflections on the window sheet. After I cut the window sheet I rubbed the white stems with green stampin pastels to make them green stems and the brads are the glue that hold the window sheet to the card. I really love the dimension the window sheets add to any card.

Tip for window sheets, cut them with the printed side down. If you use a rotary blade and press too hard you can rub off the white print.

All supplies SU unless otherwise noted: Clearly Thanks window sheet, Chit Chat Rubbons, stampin pastels, silver brads, paper piercer, celery ribbon, So Saffron and Rose Red Designer Series Paper, Broc. Blue and So Saffron CS, Trio Flower Punch.

My Birthday and In Laws Anniversary

It has been a crazy week and I hope you haven't missed me! My hot hubby is out of town and I feel like I celebrated my bday last weekend so it is just another day. It is also my in law's wedding anniversary so I made this card for them today. I hope they enjoy it! Again I love clear embossing.

Supplies all SU unless otherwise noted. Stamp sets- sweet swirls, On your Birthday, & Hugs and Wishes. Versa Mark, clear embossing powder, stamp positioner, scallop edge punch, rhinestones. SU colors- Old Olive and Not Quite Navy.

Easy! Easy! New Stampin' Up! Stuff!

Guess what my sweetie pie hubby did for me last night. He invited some of our friends over to surprise me. My bday is next Friday (24th) and he will be gone all week and weekend. SO SWEET! I had so much fun and I should be cleaning up but instead I was stamping. Oh, I have to tell you that my hubby told everyone to make me a hand made card. They were awesome and too funny. I will try to post them! Wasn't that cleaver of him. Anyway, I made this today, not really a new layout or anything but I used tons of new SU supplies. Easy Peasy!

Supplies all SU unless noted: Saying from Papertry Garden of Life, Beautiful Butterflies & Top Note Sizzix Die, Elegant Bouquet Texture Folder, Thoroughly Modern DSP, CS- Whisper White, Soft Suede & Bermuda Bay, Modern Label and Word Window Punch, Rhinestone Brads, unknown sticker rhinestones, dimensionals.

This was inspired by a skirt of mine!

I have this black skirt with white flowers all over and it inspired this card. I am just addicted to embossing lately. I always thought it was too labor intensive but it really is very simple and makes a striking statement. Oh, and have your noticed how much I have been using the new modern label punch? Love it! Enjoy this beautiful day!

Supplies all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted: Fifth Avenue Floral, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Melon Mambo CS and ribbon, rhinestones, Punches-Word Window, Modern Label, & Eyelet Border, Versa Mark, white embossing powder, embossing buddy, dimensionals, basic black ink.

Look what I collected from my garden!

My mother-in-law gave me a Hydrangea Bush last year for Mother's Day (so sweet considering I absolutely love Hydrangeas)! So last year it was just getting its little feet settled in, and this is the first blooms of the year so I am super excited!

Part 1 Printed Window Sheets

Last month I did a demonstration for my stamp group and I showed them Stampin' Up!'s printed window sheets. These sheets are amazing and can help you make some wonderful and simple cards. I think the polka dot is my favorite. Beings these sheets are so reflective it is hard for me to get a very good photo. Please forgive me for my lack of photography skills. I will share more of my creations soon.

My dear friend (all Stampin' Up!)- Clearly Thanks printed window sheets, White Stazon (edges), Chit Chat rub ons, Rich Razzleberry CS and ribbon.

Grateful for you- Clearly Thanks printed window sheet and medium window sheets, Bigz die Daisies #2, Jumbo Grommets, Cardstock Vellum, Punches-scallop edge, Modern Label, Window Word, Chit Chat rub ons, Crystal Effects, mini glue dots, CS- Melon Mambo, Choc. Chip, Whisper White.

Fun with my favorite new hostess set!

This is a new Level 3 hostess set from the new 2009-2010 catalog called Kind and Caring Thoughts. Honestly, it has to be my favorite set from the new catalog. I know this card is very simple but I love simple!

Kind and Caring Thoughts, Friends till the End (Papertrey), Old Olive ribbon and CS, Real Red Ink, Word Window and Modern Label Punch, Dimensionals, and rhinestones. All Stampin' Up unless otherwise stated.

A great weekend for pony rides!

We had a wonderful weekend I hope you did too. We traveled to the in-laws and hung out for the day on Saturday. The girls love the pony's at Grandma and Grandpa's. What a beautiful day, just perfect! I think it is amazing that the girls sit up on the pony and hold on so well! So much fun!

Good Afternoon! I love this new Stampin' Up! set "For all you do." It is so versatile! I used the stamp-a-magi to get the dot is the middle of the nestabilities scallop square. Very simple one layer card. Have a great weekend!

Stamp Set-For All You Do and Papertry Mega Mixed Messages, Ink-Old Olive, Basic Black, and Melon Mambo. Black Gingham Ribbon. Black Rhinestones from ??? Mini glue dots and Dimensionals. Scalloped Square Nestablities

My Hallmark CASE!

Today I am sharing my Hallmark CASE. I totally love this Hallmark card and it is full of great stamping ideas. I love these colors together and may have never thought of it until my sweet mother (love you mom!) gave me this card for Mother's day. I am still trying to figure out how to take better photos....So if you look close at both cards (click on them and enlarge), they have a glittered frame behind the flower image. Then the flower is clear embossed on Pink Passion and then I used a Versa Marker to highlight some of the petals.

Fifth Ave Stamp Set. Colors-Whisper White, Only Orange and Pink Passion, Ribbon from Michael's, Clear and Iridescent Ice Embossing powder and Versa Mark Ink Pad and Marker (highlights on flower).

The beginning of my creative outlet!

I am so excited to start my first blog. I am stepping into the modern world. I love looking at all the creative blogs out there and hope to come close to the talent I see everyday.

This card is an original of mine and I hope you enjoy it. I just Stampin' Up!s clear transparency sheets, vellum, and Sizzix Daisy Die to make the flower. I used crystal effects to fill the center of the grommet. I love these grommets! CS/DSP- Kiwi Kiss and Pink Pirouette and Basic Black